The entrance consists of columns of the Corinthian order, sustaining a broken pediment, in which are the arms of the company. This opens into a small paved court, having the hall in front, the basement of which is of stone, and the superstructure of red brick. The style of the building is anomalous, but approaches nearer to the Doric than to any other order. A high flight of steps, with a ballustrade, leads to the great door of the hall, above the basement; here, at the east end, is a handsome screen, and music gallery, adorned with composite columns, a frieze, cornice, and pediment, and some good carving, busts, &c. In the west window, dated , (inclosed within a circular border of barley) are the arms of England, and those of Richard Platt, esq. a benefactor, ; under them those of Henry, lord Willoughby, of Parham, twice master. On the right is an emblem, the branch of a fig tree, with red fruit; dame Alice Owen, benefactress, ; and beneath the arms of Samuel, lord Hawley, times master.

Over the master's chair is a well executed bust of Charles II.

In the court room, which was wainscotted to the ceiling, in , at the charge of sir Samuel Starling, knt. who was lord mayor in that year, are portraits of James Hickson, esq. a whole length, in a scarlet gown and large ruff; Richard Platt, esq. aged , , a half-length, in a black furred gown, with a prayer book, diminutive ruff, and little black cap. Mr. Platt was sheriff of London, and, in , founded the free grammar school and alms-houses at Aldenham, in Hertfordshire; dame Alice Owen, aged , , foundress of the school and alms-houses at ; and S. Whitbread, esq. a full quarter length, grandfather of the present S. Whitbread, esq. M. P. In the eastern window of this apartment, are the city arms, and St. Thomas Beckett's impaled with those of the see of Canterbury, in painted glass; and at the sides of the windows are portraits of Charles the , and some other sovereign, probably James the . oval windows in the north wall contain little paintings on glass. The is a view of an ancient moated house, with a garden, and gate in front; the the arms of Canterbury, with those of the company; and the is another view of the above house.

This hall is under a general repair at the present time, (.)

A short distance westward of the last edifice, in a small court, is

Plasterer's Hall, at present occupied by Mess. Hoale and Co. ironmongers. The hall is divided into floors, the upper has a beautiful ceiling of plaster, enriched with the arms of the city, foliage, &c. In a window on the east side, are the arms of England, much mutilated. On the staircase flat is a painting of the conversion of St. Paul.

Opposite to is ; so called from having been formerly inhabited by working silversmiths.

On the south side of church, in , stood a conduit, erected by sir William Eastfield, in , for supplying the neighbouring inhabitants with water, from Tyburn; which being destroyed by the fire in , was soon afterwards rebuilt: but, when the plentiful supply of water rendered these buildings useless, this, with those in , and without Cripplegate, were pulled down in , and the stones were employed in repairing the gate upon London-bridge.

In the reign of Richard II. sir Henry Percy, the son and heir of Henry Percy, earl of Northumberland, had a house in in London, wherein he treated king Richard, the duke of Lancaster, the duke of York, the earl marshal, and his father, the earl of Northumberland, with others, at supper.

A compter was built in , in , for the reception of prisoners from the compter in .

On the west side of , is , formerly called Ingene or Ing lane, but from what circumstance is not known: on the north side of which is

[] Engraved by Malcolm, vol. iii, p. 52.