ESHER PLACE, was the seat of the late Henry Pelham, Esq; The house is a Gothic structure built of a brownish red brick, with stone facings to the doors, windows, &c. It stands upon almost the lowest ground belonging to it, and has the river Mole gliding close by it and through the grounds. This house was originally one of those built by Cardinal Wolsey; but the late Mr. Pelham rebuilt the whole, except the two towers in the body of the house, which are the same that belonged to the old building, and the whole is rebuilt in the same style of architecture it was before, which uniformity is certainly better than an unnatural mixture of Gothic and modern too often practised. There is a fine summer house built upon a hill on the left hand as you enter, which commands the view of the house, park, and country round on both sides the Thames for many miles. The park or ground in which the house is situated appears quite plain and unadorned; yet perhaps not a little art has been used to give it this natural and simple appearance, which is certainly very pleasing. But in one part of it there is a pretty wilderness laid out in walks, and planted with a variety of ever-green trees and plants, with a grotto in it, and seats in different places. The wood in the park is well disposed, and consists of fine oak, elm, and other trees, and the whole country round appears finely shaded with wood. The grand floor of the house is elegantly finished, and consists of six rooms. The great parlour is carved and gilt in a taste suitable to the style of the house, with curious marble chimney pieces and slab. In this room are the portraits of Mr. Pelham, Sir Robert Walpole, afterwards Earl of Orford, Lord Townshend, Duke of Rutland, the late Duke of Devonshire, and the late Duke of Grafton; a picture of Lady Catharine Pelham and her son is over the chimney. In the drawing room over the chimney there is a picture of King Charles II. when only eleven years old, by Vandyke. The library is curiously finished, and there is a good collection of books in it. Some say it was at this house Cardinal Wolsey was first seized by order of Henry VIII. on his refusing to annul his marriage with Queen Catharine, that he might marry Ann Boleyn, and which refusal brought on his fall. ESSEX _court_, 1. Middle Temple. 2. Whitechapel. 3. White Friars. ESSEX _stairs_, Essex street, in the Strand.☐ ESSEX _street_, 1. In Ratcliff Highway. 2. In the Strand; so called from the Lord Essex’s house formerly there. 3. White Friars. _Clerk of the_ ESSOINS, or excuses for lawful cause of absence; an officer belonging to the court of Common Pleas, whose office is in Searle street, Lincoln’s Inn.