The interior of the new Library of the Middle Temple, of which we give a View, is a noble apartment. It is upwards of ninety-six feet long, and about thirty-eight feet wide, and is lighted by well-proportioned windows. The roof is of timber, and somewhat resembles that of Westminster Hall. It has also a louvre in the centre, which with the small dormers acts as ventilators to the apartment. The floor is of stone, with gratings for the admission of warm air, supplied from the basement floor. The large bay window facing and commanding a beautiful view of the Thames and the busy scene on Essex-street pier is not decorated with stained glass, but that at the opposite end is pleasingly filled with armorial bearings, and gives richness without intruding too much upon the eye of the visitor. The sides of the rooms are fitted up with cases for the reception of books, and neatly finished with an embattled cresting, in keeping with the rest of the building.
The approach to this spacious room is by two external flights of stone steps. The remaining steps are also of stone, and winding. Much credit is due to Mr. H. R. Abraham, the architect, for the manner in which he has carried out the whole of the building.
