CHAPTER V.

The new Houses of Parliament-Interior View-Vauxhall-Lambeth Palace -Lollards' Tower-Westminster Bridge-King-street-Sir Robert Peel's House-Charing Cross-Equestrian Statue of Charles I.-Statue of George III.-Scotland Yard-British Institution-The National Gallery Northumberland House-Craven-street- Norfolk-street-Denham House The Adelphi-Salisbury-street-The Savoy-Waterloo Bridge -Burleigh House.

HE NEW Palace of Westminster next claims our attention. This immense and splendid pile of Gothic buildings presents one of the most triumphant examples of modern art. The style of architecture is that of Henry the Eighth, from the design of Barry. From whatever position this sumptuous edifice is viewed, it presents a most imposing spectacle. The eye is dazzled with the profusion of its gorgeous decorations, and baffled in the attempt of measuring its vast dimensions. It presents the grandest aspect as seen from the river Thames. Its numerous pinnacles, and its rich Gothic fret work, admirably comport with its several elegant and lofty turrets and towers. A palace of such extent as eight acres is naturally expected to afford, and upon the construction of which such vast sums

have been expended, may well be expected to become the boast of the British Empire. Some idea of the magnitude of this national edifice may be formed when it is stated that the Palace to the . eastward presents a frontage of nearly one thousand feet. The two legislative chambers-those of the Lords and Commons-are placed in the centre of the building, its other portions being occupied as porches, committee rooms, etc. The general public entrance is through Westminster Hall, up a flight of steps at its south end, into a square vaulted vestibule called St. Stephen's Porch, thence into the octagonal hall to the centre of the edifice. In this vicinity are long corridors and lobbies that connect the House of Peers with the House of Commons. These splendid approaches occupy altogether about fifteen times the capacity of either house. The royal entrance (from the great tower at the southwest corner,) includes the Robing Room and other splendid apartments. One of the galleries measures 110 feet long. The interior of the House of Lords is very superb. It is (if not intrinsically, at least effectively) the richest chamber erected since the fall of the medieval church architecture; a splendid effect being produced by gilding all the mouldings, (which include the whole of the stone and most of the wood work,) and covering the re

maining surfaces with minute colored patterns. The House is nearly an exact double cube of 45 feet; the ceiling is divided by crossing beams into eighteen squares, corresponding to the arched compartments of the walls, which are all similar, except that the six on each side are occupied by windows with colored devices, and the three at each end by frescoes, a species of painting now first attempted in England. These frescoes illustrate important events in English history. The throne is magnificently with tapestry superbly embroidered.

fitted up

The general effect on entering is gorgeous in the extreme: such a blaze of gilding, carvings, and colored decorations is not to be elsewhere found in England; whilst the noble proportions of the apartment, the elaborately carved panels, and the brilliant colors which meet the eye on every side, contribute to produce a coup-d'œil at once startling and beautiful. At the upper end is the throne, which her Majesty occupies on state occasions; to the right is a chair for the Prince of Wales; and to the left a corresponding one for Prince Albert. The Lord Chancellor sits immediately below the throne, on what is called the wool-sack; and to the right and left are benches, covered with red morocco leather, for the exclusive use of the peers. There is a bar across the House at the end opposite

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the throne, without which the Usher of the Black Rod is stationed. The House of Commons is very beautiful, though less ornate. A wondrous pile is this Palace of Westminster, which seems to stand in proud rivalry with the ancient and majestic structure in its immediate vicinity-Westminster Abbey.

Prior to the erection of the present Houses of Parliament, the House of Lords formerly stood to the south of that of the Commons. The Commons first convened in what was called St. Stephen's Chapel, during the reign of Edward VI. The old House of Lords was a plain room hung with tapestry representing the defeat of the Spanish Armada; and there was an apartment close to it called the Painted Chamber, in which both Houses of Parliament held their conferences. Under the

old House of Lords there was a cellar called the cellar of Guy Fawkes, because the gunpowder prepared for the destruction of the Lords and Commons was placed within it. The old Houses of Parliament were destroyed by fire in 1834.

The Victoria Tower reaches to 340 feet in height. What St. Peter's is to old Rome, the new Palace of Westminster is to old England, the exponent of her wealth, taste, and skill.

Crossing Vauxhall Bridge, the first object of in

terest that arrests our attention is Vauxhall. Vauxhall, or, as it was originally called, Fulkes' Hall, is supposed to have descended from a distinguished Norman warrior in the reign of King John, who occupied and owned a manor on this site. During the Protectorate, the mansion was occupied by the well-known mechanical genius, Sir Samuel Morland. It was also at Vauxhall that the gay and gallant Duke of Monmouth, after his defeat at the battle of Sedgmoor, was met by a guard of soldiers, who conducted him to the Tower. The modern name of Vauxhall is associated with the gaieties of fashionable amusement: it is also rendered classic by the genius of Addison, Fielding, Goldsmith, Horace Walpole, Madame D'Arblay, and others. The glories of this place of resort have not yet passed away. It is beautifully laid out with shady vistas, lighted by a thousand variegated lamps, with sparkling fountains, and the joyous sounds of music and song. Evelyn, Pepys, and others refer to these celebrated gardens. Green, the æronaut, it will be remembered, has made numerous ascents from this place. We recollect Vauxhall sandwiches were the thinnest we ever saw or tasted; it was the practice here, also, never to give change for any refreshments you might purchase at those far-famed gardens.