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House, Henry VIII. purchased this palace from Cardinal Wolsey, archbishop of York, from which time it became the residence of the kings of Eng land, till the reign of Queen Anne, who held her court at St. James's Palace. At present, that part of the site of Whitehall Palace which lies along the river, is occupied by the houses of some of the nobility and other gentry; among which, the Earl of Fife's and the Duke of Buccleugh's are the most considerable. The Banqueting-house on the east-side of Parliament-street; and the Horse-guards, the Treasury, the Admiralty, and other buildings, stand on the west, which lie within the limits of the old palace.

The Banqueting-house derived its appellation from an old building that, in the time of Elizabeth, served for public entertaininents. The present edifice of that name was built by James I. and is the work of Inigo Jones, in his purest manner. It was part only of a vast and magnificent plan, left unexecuted by reason of the troubles which followed; but, though a fragment, it is, as we have already observed, of exquisite beauty. It is a stone edifice of two stories, ornamented with coJumns and pilasters, with their entablatures; and has an air of grandeur and sweetness, the united effect of which is indescribably delightful. Part of that fine effect is occasioned by the skilful light and shade resulting from the architecture. The great room of this edifice is converted into a chapel in which service is performed in the morning and evening of every Sunday; George I. having granted a salary of 301. per annum, to twelve clergymen, selected in equal numbers from Oxford and Cambridge, who officiate each one month in the year. It is much attended by persons of quality. The ceiling of this room was painted by Rubens. The subject is the Apotheosis of James I. which is treated in nine compartments; and Vandyke was

to have painted the sides with the history of the order of the garter. The execution of particular parts is to be regarded for its boldness and success. These paintings were retouched, a few years since, by Cipriani; and, though there is an immense distance between this artist and Rubens, there is no apparent injury done to the work. The Ban queting-house cost 17,000l. and the painting of the cieling 30001. Cipriani had 20001. for retouching that work. In the court behind the Banqueting house, is a statue, in brass, of James II. by Grin. ling Gibbons. It is a very fine performance, pos sessing grace and dignity in an eminent degree. It is superior to any statue in any public place in England.

Before the Banqueting House, on a scaffold erected on that occasion, Charles I. was beheaded, on the 30th of January, 1648-9. The king passed from the Banqueting House to the scaffold through one of the windows.

The Horse Guards.

The Horse Guards is a building of stone that di vides Parliament-street from the eastern end of St. James's Park, to which it is the principal entrance. The architect was Vardy, and the building cost upwards of 30,000/, It derives its name from the two regiments of life-guards (usually called the horse-guards) mounting guard there. Of this structure little can be said in its commendation or dispraise. Its effect is, perhaps, equally removed from every thing mean and every thing grand, but it is much too regular. Under two small pavilions, centinels, mounted, and in uniform, constantly do duty.

The Admirally.

The Admiralty is a brick building, containing the office and apartments of the Lords Commissioners of

the Admiralty, who superintend the marine depart ment; and is contiguous to the Horse Guards, on the north. The principal front, facing Parliament-street, is a disgraceful piece of architecture, and ought to be replaced by something better, for the honor of the nation. Of the portico of this building, com. posed of four Ionic columns, with a pediment of stone, a story is told that is probable, when the disproportion of the shafts is considered. The architect (Ripley) had made his shafts of a just length, when it appeared that the pediment blocked up the windows of one of the apartments; and he was ordered and compelled to carry his columns to the roof of the building. Certainly, never were such columns seen before. From the general censure of this edifice, must be excepted the screen in front, (by the Adams's) which is an elegant contrast to the portico*.

The Treasury.

The Treasury is an extensive building, facing Parliament-strect on the east, and the Park on the north. The principal front, which is of stone, is in the park; and, although rather too massive, is a noble pile. Vaulted passages run beneath the offices, from the park to Parliament. street and Downing-street. A variety of offices are under the roof, generally called the Treasury, among which is 'the Council-chamber, commonly called the Cock-pit.

On the top of the Admiralty are erected two telegraphs, one communicating with Deal, and the other with Portsmouth, the inside of which may be seen, on proper application, or very small interest with the porters, or persons who work these machines.

Scotland Yard.

Scotland Yard may be properly named here, being a demesne of the crown, and the site of a palace that was erected for the kings of Scotland, when they occasionally resided in this capital. It is now covered with private houses, and a few offices be. longing to government.

Palace of Westminster.

Westminster Hall, with the House of Lords, and House of Commons, and other contiguous buildings, are the remains of the Old Palace of Westminster, built by Edward the Confessor. It stood close to the banks of the Thames, the stairs leading from it to the river still bearing the name of Palace stairs.

Westminster Hall is the largest room in Europe, unsupported by pillars, except the theatre at Oxford. It is 275 feet in length, and 74 feet in breadth. The roof is of oak, of a curious gothic architecture and workmanship. This great hall was built by William Rufus, and repaved by Rich ard II. It was originally used as a place in which to entertain the king's guests and dependants, on great festivals; Richard 11. having entertained 10,000 persons within its walls, and it is still used for the coronation feats. Parliaments were frequently held beneath its roof; and it was the court of justice in which the king presided in person. In this hall Charles I. was tried, and condemned to be beheaded. At present it is occasionally fitted up for the trial of peers, or of any persons, on the impeachment of the commons. At other times it forms a promenade for lawyers and suitors during the sitting of the courts.

At the upper end of this hall, and under its roof, are the High Court of Chancery, and the Court of King's Bench, places so small and inconvenient

as to be a disgrace to the country. On the right side of the hall as you enter, up a flight of stairs, is the Court of Exchequer, larger than the King's Bench, but inconceivably mean; the Court of Com mon Pleas, which goes off from the middle of the hall, on the right side, is rather more decent than the rest. These courts have four terms in the year; namely, Hilary Term, which begins January 23, and ends February 12; Easter Term, which begins the third Wednesday after Easter Sunday, and lasts twenty-six days; Trinity Term, which begins the Friday after Trinity Sunday, and lasts three weeks; and Michaelmas Term, which begins November 6th, and ends the 28th. After each of these terms, the respective chief justices hold sittings for the trial of causes in Westininster Hall, and also in the Guildhall of London for city

causes.

House of Lords.

The present House of Lords is the old court of requests, so called because the masters of this court, in this place, anciently received the peti tions of the subjects to the king, advising them in what manner to proceed. This court, or hall, was fitted up for the present purpose, on the occasion of the late union of Great Britain and Ireland. The celebrated tapestry of the old House of Lords, representing the defeat of the Spanish Armada, after being taken down and cleansed, was used to decorate the walls of the present house, where it is ju diciously set off by large frames of brown stained wood, that divide it into compartments, respectively containing the several portions of the story. The heads, which form a border to each design, are portraits of the several gallant officers who commanded in the English fleet on that memorable occasion. This room does not occupy the whole of the court of requests, part of the north

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