Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1870-06-11
Buckingham Palace Residence Of
"' 4 Queen Victoria. 81 -

Queen Victoria has but one residence
in London, namely Buckingham Palace.
Drawing room and other ceremonies con-
nected with official state are held dt the
old palace of St. James, but that building
HAS been deserted as, a regal home. Her
Majesty having taken possession Of Buck
inyhsm Palace in tho FIRST year Of her
reigns Windsor, Osborne and Balmoral, arc
frequently hoasred by her, presence. Her
Majesty has also spe"t some time at the
White Lodge, Richmond, but Buckingham
Palace is her only town residence, and
thcre virtually is held the Court Of ST.
The good taste of Her Majesty has
made Buckingham Palace graceful and
imposing structure, by removing the most
Objectionable portion of the building. and
by adding to it the magnificent eastern
frontage which looks out upon tlia pxrk.
The eastern front is 800 feet in length,
aud was formed in lS46, under the dircc-
ton of Mr.. Blorc, at cost ESQ, 900.
The interior of Buckingham Palace is
magnificent. The grand staircase is Of.
white marble; the walls richly decorat ed
with frescoes by Gruner, cmblematically
portraying the progress of the day and
night. The library is admirably arranged
and we'll stored with literary treasures;
the famous collection of books made by
King George LII. is not there, having
been removed for the use of the nation to
the British Museum The vestibules and
waiting rooms are, as might be expected,
gorgeously decorated with draperics, paint
ings, gliding and plate glass; and in the
sculpture gallery are some Of the choicest
works Of modern sculptors. But the pic
turc gallery is usually more interesting to
a visitor than any other portion of the
Palace; it includes the choice collection
of Sir Thomas Barring. and the pictures
are, with scarcely an exception, first-ratc
works of art. t.......
The portraits are chiefly hung in the
state. rooms, and are the productions Of the
most celebrated painters. The collection
is exceedingly interesting, and is frequent
ly ENRICHED by fresh additions ,;to.tr.
The throne room is magnificent apart
ment. 81 1t is sixty y.four feet in length, the
ceiling richly emblazoned; the frieze Of
white marble, representing the Wars Of
the Roses the walls hung with crimson
satin, and the whole of the furniture and
fittings are on the same scale of regal
grandeur. ..-,t. l-. a-a 5.t
The green drawing room is about fifty
feet in length, hung with green satin, and
enriched with splendid mirrors. The sa.
loon and state ball room arc decorated in
the most brilliant stylc--scagliola columns,
gilt capitals, ceilings glowing with color
glass and gold, and satin and velvet, sculp-
ture and pictures; everything that can
add to the spleudor Of these spacious
apartments is there to be iound-a dis
play. of Oriental opu'encc, guided by cul
tivated taste. '
The gardens Of the palace are extensive
and well arranged. They cover space
of forty acres, and contain an octagonal
summer house, decorated with frescoes by
Eastlakc, Maclise, Landseer, Dyce, Stan
field, Ewens, Leslie aud Rose, illustrative
of Milton's z" Comus." i.af $500
The Royal News contain stabliug for
the state horses and houses, for forty car
riages. A room, is expressly devoted to
the state harness. Here also, is the state
coach, in which Her Majesty is conveyed
on state occasions. 1t cost nearly 4S, 600;
was designed by Sir W. Chambers. and
painted by Cipriani, in l762. The News
contains spacious riding school for tile
use of Her Majesty and the royal family.
Permission to view Buckingham Palace
is granted only during the absence Of
Her Majesty from town. Permission is
given by an order from the Lord Chamber
lain. Permission to view the stables is
given by an order from the Master Of tho
Horse. .'" .......l. ....g. 1i
CosT or InA rEaIsM -Dnes the YnunY