The Sun.
London, England, 1822-12-20 00:00:00

HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT.

The day for the Meeting of Parliament," for
the dispatch of divers urgent and important af-
fairs," having been named to be earlier in Feb.
than was a short time since expected, the repairs,
alterations, and renovations, in both Houses of
Parliament, are proceeding with increased ac-
tivity. There are now in progress in and about
the Houses of Parliament more extensive al-
terations and repairs than have been remem-
bered for years—if on any preceding occasion
there have been such considerable renovations
and additions. The House Of Commons is still

in a state of dilapidation ; scaffolding in it, seats
uncovered, &c., the completion of the grand new
ventilators in the ceiling, the vi hitewashings, &c.
being in progress. The Committee-rooms, the
Members' smoking-room, the side-room to the
gallery, &c. are undergoing thorough cleansing
and repairs.—ln the economy of the new ar-
rangements, there has been a most impor-
tant alteration—one that will constitute a
species of " atm" in the history of those•
particulars connected with the Meetings of
the Commons House of Parliament. The
celebrated room in which the Members' servants
only used to assemble—the _John Moodys, as
well •as the produce of Portman-square, has been
taken down, and the ground on which it stood
forms part of the site of the new Law Courts now
building. The room was well known to the visi-
tors of the house of Commons.—lt was on the
left of the stone steps leading to the lobbies :
It was in line with the Committee-Rooms. It

was privileged to the use of Members' servants
only. There was a chair, and above it a large gilt
crown ; and that assembly had its rules, "stand-
ing orders," and privileges in imitation of the
Parent Assembly: There was also -a 'Chairman,
and the proceedings were , conducted with con-
siderable order, though it was frequently enforced
with imitated energy and noise. Well, that
room—the scene of so many memorable contests
and debates, and all to support the' dignity of
" the Crown,"—no longer exists ! 'And what is
still more disastrous, it is not yet positively de-
cided by the Speaker, the Committee of " Ways
and Means," of the Board of Works, aided
by Mr. SOAVE, COl., STEVENSON, Mr. CROKER,
Mr. LEY, &c. 'of that Board, what room is to
be set apart for the future meetings of the other
" Lower" House. The large room, which was
heretofore used by the LORI) CHANCELLOR for
a robing room, when the Court of Chancery
was at the upper end of 'Westminster Hall, and
which was his MAJESTVS retiring room on
the occasion of.the late Coronation, is now spoke

of for the use of such other 44 Lower" Bouse.
But the subject is not decided! However, the
decorations of the former room, all 'the signs of
authority and importance, the large gilt Crown,
44 the Chair," the " standing Rules and Orders"
of the Assembly, have been removed into this
room. The works connected with the heating,
as well as the ventilation of both Houses,are also
proceeding with increased activity, having been
on an extensive scale. The enlargement, as

well as the repairs of flues between the two
Houses, commenced on Saturday. Besides the
new Royal Entrance, which now assumes a
formidable shape and an imposing appearance,
projecting largely over New Palace-yard there is
to be a new entrance for the Peers to the House
of Lords, which also will be surmounted with a
tower of turrets. Such second entrance is now
proceeding actively, and has already attained a
considerable height. The new staircase for the
KING, which will be beautifully and profusely
decorated with pretty architectural varieties, is
in a very forward state. To get it com-
pleted in time, the workmen now labour by
candle-light as well as by day-light. The fluted
columns in the interior, the painted window, the
richly varied architectural ornaments, will render
this staircase an object of considerable interest
and curiosity. All these alterations and improve-
ments are under the exclusive direction of Mr.
SOANE, independently of the Board of Works,
and that Architect employs his own workmen to
finish his designs.—(Morning Herald.)

The ship William and Alfred; which took fire
in the West India Export Dock, was weighed
on Wednesday. Pumping commenced at twelve
o'clock, the water of the dock being drawn down
to two feet below the cabin windows to facilitate
the operation, and at four P.M. she floated, and
was put into the Blackwall basin. The ship was
placed in the basin -with her bow in the mud, and
the water was drawn down to enable the ship-
wrights to stop the holes made in scutling her.
She is now nearly free of water.