The Sun.
London, England, 1823-12-01 00:00:00

HOUSE OF LORDS—NEW OFFICES, &c.

On Thursday last, in mentioning the extensive
alterations and improvements taking place at St. James's Pa-
lace, and at the House of Lords, connected with the new Royal
entrance leading from Palace-yard, it was noticed that the
communication, after having ascended Mr. Soane's modern
and highly decorated staircase, was completely cut off, by the
pulling down of the old House of Lords, Guy Fawkes's
&c. The new buildings for offices and rooms have been
raised to a considerable height, nearly even with the roof of the
Painted Chamber, which, hom this portion of the buldings
leads to the King's Royal Robing-room, thence to the throne
in the House of Lords ; but between those new buildings and
the Royal entrance there was a complete chasm. The men
now, however, are actively at work on the building which is to
occupy such chasm, and which will perfect the line of commu-
nication for his Majesty when the King proceeds to the House
of Lords to open or prorogue the Parliament in person. As
his Majesty, who has not been to the House since the building
of the new entrance, has signified his intention to open the Par-
liament in person if possible ; It has become requisite to pro-
ceed with the works with increased activity, in order, at all
events, to get the chambers, &e. through which the King and
the Royal procession have to pass, finished by the beginning
of February next. For the last few days the men have worked
day and night. They have torches and fires after dark ; and
the buildings are covered in with temporary roofs, consisting
of awning, &c., so that the workmen may not be impeded
by unfavourable weather. The places are completely en-
closed, and none but those who have business there are
admitted within the enclosures of palings, &c. ; so that
" Cotton Garden," which is the site of these extensive al-
terations and improvements, is again rather particularly
guarded. The lights occasion an amazing glare; and as
they are within the enclosed buildings, the reflection of
the fires against the temporary roofs or coverings is onli
perceivable by passengers along Abingdon-street, Palace-yar ,
&c. The effect is very curious, and excites a good deal of in-
quisitiveness amongst persons passing along during the evening.
There are only two winter months for the completion of conti.
derable portions of these buildings; and in many parts even
the brick work is not yet half up. There is no time to be lost.
Mr. Scene, under whose inspection these buildings proceed, as
well as the new Law Courts is almost daily in attendance.—
Lord Colchester (the late Speaker of the House of Commons,
and who so greatly improved the mode of conducting the busi-
ness of the Lower House), has been to investigate the build-
ings, and preparations for the snore commodious management of
the business of the I- ()Mile of, fiords; arid his Lordship desired
the attandmmo jariarie, to accompany him in these in-
Vaatigatana.' ir•Was its attendance for some hours..-.-
There will be new 0 cos and thorns for the Clerks and superior
officers of the House of Lords ; and there will also be a series
of Committee Rooms for Peers' Committees, their Lordships
being in want of such accommodation, after the pullings down
that have taken place. The " Old" House of Lords, for in.
stance, was used as a Committee Room fin. the Lords ;—the
last Committee which sat there was on the memorable Bill to
repeal the " Spitalfields Acts." The outworks or "carcases,"
to adopt the builder's phrase; of those rooms and offices are
chiefly formed, and though there certainly is no want of brick.
work—of good thick walls, they are spoken of as likely to be
most commodious. Along with these buildings are proceeding
large and strong rooms for Parliamentary Papers, for Acts of
Parliament, &c.—the Lords' offices, in particular, being at pre-
sent exceedingly deficient in such requisite accommodation.—
Such defect, together with the existing offices attached to the
House of Lords being now a good way froth the House—
namely, in Abingdon-street, made these improvements very de-
sirable, so that the Lords House, Committee Rooms, offices,
apartments for many of the leading officers, rooms for Parlia-
mentary Papers, &c. might be under the sane roof, affording fa-
cilities for consulting documents, transacting the general business
of the Session, &c. which at present do not exist.—The conti.
nuation of the new Royal Entrance, as far as the brickwork is
concerned, is in a forward state. There is along gallery to sup.
ply from the top of the staircase, that communication, which
was interrupted by the demolition of the old House of" Lords.
It proceeds along where the old Robing Room, and part of the
old House of Lords stood, and to perfect it, there will be a
large new doorway or entrance into the Painted Chamber. The
distance of the King's route will thus be diminished ; as the old
doorway from the former House of Lords was at the further end
of the Painted Chamber, whereas the new entrance will be at
the end of such chamber, that is nearer to the Royal Robing
Room, a room that communicates directly with the House of
Lords. The new long gallery is lofty, but not of considerable
width. There are several fire-places and recesses on either side
of it, and it is to be finished to correspond with the architectur-
ally
decorated staircase, built by Mr. Scene. In the proposed
alteration, there will be further demolition of the old paintings,
and the old Norman fiends inscriptions which still appear on
the walls of the " Painted Chrmber," and which have so often
puzzled antiquarians. Some artist during the sittings of the
'" Court of Claims," and more recently have copied many por-
portions of these singular remains.—(l%forning Herald.).

We bear that considerable improvement is
made in Sandgute Hill ; about 40 feet has been
taken from the top ; and the road for vehicles of
every description rendered so complete under the
able superintendence of Mr. WAKEVELD, as to
lessen any danger that heretofore might arise
from the great destent of the hill. The work
has been performed in a short time, considering
the magnitude of the undertaking, having cut
through a solid rock, which reflects great credit
on the projePtors.—(KerriisA,Gazelie, Noy, 28.)

BIRTH S.
On Saturday, the 29th ult., at his house, 21, Southampton.
p• lace, the Lady of George Clarke,. Esq. of a son. •
On the 14th ult., at Edinburgh, Mrs. M.
Forteseue, of a daughter.
On Saturday last, in Arlington-street, the Lady of Henry
roreher, Esq., 'M.P., of a still-born-child.

- -
ILIA Rnl 1,1 D.
On the 26th ult., tkt St. Thomas's Church, Dublin, Alex.
finder Carroll, E3fl4 of MountjoyArtuart, to Mary Anne, relics
of the late Wm. Tayler, Fsn., of Tar, Devon,

DIED.
On Friday night hot, at his house in Great Prescot-street,
141. L. Newton, Es.p, e.geel 71.
iln Wes need the Mith ult. at her house, Maryland-point,
Stratford, *sex, In thellist year a bet age, Elizabeth, relict
of the late Chitties iliglien, Esq.
On the 28th ult. tat -her house at lientish.town, in her 73d
year, Mrs. Greenwood, relict of the late Thos Oreenwood., Esq.
1141 On Tuesday ' the tith ult. aged 89, at his house to the
New Eent-read, F 1 - klieronymust Deacon, Esq. one of the
oldest members of the tock Exchange.
On the 9.Bth ultimo, in the 2211 year of her ms, Hounslow-
e, Charlotte,
daughter of Mr. Harvey, of the gunpowder.m
heath.
On Thursday. the 27th ult. at his father's house in Devon.
sly're.street, Queen-square, Mr. Robert ThOulas.