There are also in Essex three examples of the sign of the GRIFFIN, situated respectively at Great Canfield, Halstead, and Danbury. The GRIFFIN at Danbury, an ancient and well-known inn, is mentioned in the _Chelmsford Chronicle_ on May 9, 1788. It is also several times prominently alluded to (ii. p. 174, iii. pp. 130 and 144, and iv. p. 66) in Mr. Joseph Strutt’s Essex and Herts Romance of _Queenhoo Hall_, published in 1808. Although in former ages people firmly believed in the existence of griffins, the animal has never yet been seen except in Heraldry. Consequently it is only natural to assign the origin of its use as a sign to that art; but griffins appear upon the escutcheons of so many families that it is now quite impossible to say in whose honour it made its first appearance upon the sign-board. [Illustration: GRIFFIN.] The UNICORN appears as a public-house sign at West Ham and at Romford. At the latter place the house is situated in Hare Street, and is at least a century old, as it is mentioned in the _Chelmsford Chronicle_ for March 2, 1787. A _unicorn rampant_ is depicted on the farthing tokens of William Alldred of Colchester, and a _unicorn passant_ on those of “Will. Anger of Mvch Clafton [? Clacton] in Esex, 1654.” The original use of the UNICORN as an inn-sign may be attributed to the fact that it was formerly a common chemist’s sign, and is one of the supporters of the arms of the Apothecaries’ Company, or to the fact that it now forms the sinister supporter of the Royal Arms. Much interesting information as to the ancient belief in its existence, and the power of its horn as an antidote to all poison, is given in the _History of Sign-boards_. [Illustration] [Illustration] CHAPTER IV. _ORNITHOLOGICAL SIGNS._ Ornithological signs stand next in turn for notice. They are fairly numerous, and many are of strictly heraldic derivation. [Illustration: SPREAD EAGLE.]