In garden court in the Middle Temple is a library founded by the will of Robert Ashley, Esq; in the year 1641, who bequeathed his own library for that purpose, and 300_l._ to be laid out in a purchase, for the maintenance of a librarian, who must be a student of the society, and be elected into that office by the benchers. Mr. Ashley also bequeathed all his furniture to be disposed of for the benefit of his library. The number of volumes in the year 1738 amounted to 3982, in most branches of literature; but more especially in law and parliamentary affairs; and as it is continually encreasing, by the benefactions of authors and others, it will probably become a numerous, and very valuable collection. This library is duly kept open (except in the dead time of the long vacation) from ten in the morning till one in the afternoon, and from two in the afternoon till six in summer, and four in winter. The Inner Temple is situated to the east of Middle Temple gate, and has a cloister, a larger garden, and more spacious walks than the other. This society consists of benchers, barristers and students; the former of whom, as governors at commons have their table at the upper end of the hall, and the barristers and students in the middle. Anciently at these entertainments their bread served instead of plates, and they had no other drinking vessels than wooden cups; but at present they are allowed trenchers for their meat, and coarse green earthen pots for their liquor. However, though the antient custom of using mean vessels still prevails, yet there are few who fare better. All the members of the society who have chambers, are obliged to be in commons a fortnight every term, for which they pay about 10_s._ a week. Sixteen of these terms, with a regular course of study, qualifies a student for the bar. Upon the admission of a member, the fees of the house are 3_l._ 6_s._ 8_d._ which, with other disbursements, amount to 4_l._ 2_d._ The parliament, wherein the affairs of the society are treated is commonly held twice every term. The officers and servants of the house are, a treasurer, a sub-treasurer, a steward, a chief and three under butlers, an upper and under cook, a pannierman, a gardener, two porters, and two wash pots. The Middle Temple, which joins to the Inner Temple on the west, is thus denominated from its having been the middle or central part of the antient Temple or Priory of knights Templars. The chief officer of this house, like that of its neighbour, is a treasurer, who is annually elected from among the benchers, and whose office is to admit students; to assign them their chambers, and to receive and pay all the cash belonging to the society. The officers and governors of this inn, are in all respects like that of the Inner Temple, except the charge of admission, which is 5_l._ and the time to qualify a student for the bar, instead of sixteen terms in that, is twenty-eight in this.