The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1825-11-09
sIlScettIur.
From tie New-York Statesman.
ET1ERSFROM EUROPEAN. XXIY

LET1ERSFROM EUROPEAN. XXIY.
LONDON, 18th AUGUST, 1926.
At the close Of our second visit TO
MISUNDERSTANDING, we WENT TO Westmin-
ster dall, the House of Commons, and the
House Of Lords, all in the same pile of
buildings, on the other side of the street,
opposite TO the Poets Corner. The
Hall is spacioas, with an arched ceiling,
said TO tie the largest in Europe, unsup-
ported ly beams. lis effect Oh the eye
is entireR destroyed Ly the temporary
shantjes, Or Offices of uapainted boards,
erected one end, and along the walls.
Mr.. Simlson can furnish at the Park
Theatre a more splendid and suitable
room, FIR the Coronation feast. than
Westminster Hall now affords. Our
guide pointed out the places, where his
Majesty sat, the champions rode, and
other scenes Of the regal ceremony.
The House of Commons is small.
plain, Insignificant room, in which one
of our state legislatures would hardly
deign to convene. Its floor and side
galleries are both appropriated to the
members, and will not then accommodate
the whole number. In front of the
speakers chair, which resembles a
watchman's box, there is dark, con-
tracted gallery for spectators. The
ranges Of benches are covered with
green, and the table for the clerks
blocks up the area in front Of the Speak
er. Some Of the seats of the great
men of the day were designated by the
guide. When question is taken, one
side OF the other, (the opposition al
ways occupying the leftof the Speaker)
is ordered into the Lobby, dark mar
row recess, which would not accommo-
date one half of the members of that
body, who usually assemble at Albany.
lis entrance is stained with the blood OF
Percival, who was shot by an assassin
several years since.
The House Of Lords is but little SUI
perior in its dimensions to the House OF
Commons. 1t is. however, finished and
furnished in better style. The wool
sacks, resembling bales of cotton, COW
cred with red cloth, and tied at the cor
ners with cords of yellow silk, give the
room novel appearance. They form
IN easy seat; and 10 render his position
less tiresome, the Lord Chancellor has
caused temporary rest for his back 10
be erected. 1t must be curious specta-
Gle to see high dignitaries in their wigs,
mounted upon these bags. In front is
the throne secured from any seat, but
his Majesty's, by brass railing. The
coronation chair, in Westminster Abbey,
is less guarded, and u Republican may
sit down and rest in il, if be chooses
A sight of the throne inspired us with
as little awe as the sceptre. tits pretty
canopy, some ten or twelve feet high
supported by pillars, in front. highly
g,;, and hung with crimson tapestry,
heavy with ornaments of gold. The
good lady requested US 10 feel the weight
of lis folds, and uncovered the chair for
our inspection. His majesty has never
occupied it but on one occasion. The
seat of his unfortunate queen, when, she
was criminal at the bar of the house,
was pointed out TO us, as also The OBJ
scure door by which she approached,
day after day, during her trial.
The exterior of these buildings is even
less striking than the inside. They are
surrounded by others Of equal height,
and although they stand upon the inn
mediate bank Of the Thames, no part
of them is visible from the water, ex-
cept small turret upon the House of
Lords, and the Gothic gable end of the
House of Commons. An English audi
ence would be surprised at the magnif-
cence of the legislative halls at Wash
ington.
On Sunday, we went TO church at
White Hall Chapel, where the Duke of
York and his royal guards attend. A.
mong the flags which adorn the walls of
this church, as trophies, it was a little
amusing 10 find two in conspicuous
place, directly 10 front Of the Duke of
York's canopy, under the label of New
Orleans" printed in capitals. One of
them bore the image of the eagle, and
the device Of the other could not dis
tinchy be seen. They are said to have
been taken in skirmish on the right
bank of the Mississippi; but one would
suppose the name would not revive very
pleasant associations in the breast of his
Grace, or Of the British nation. There
Is also an American flag, taken at Fort
Niagara; another, at Queenston; and
several, at Detroit--all we'll assorted,