New-York tribune., 1885-01-25
WESTMINSTER PALACE.


THE LEGISLATIVE HALLS OF ENGLAND-A NOTABLE
STRUCTURE On A HISTORIC SITE.
Westminster Palace, the assembly place of the
British Parliament stands on a huge granite terrace
on The left or northern bank of the Thames. between
that river and Westminster Abbey, and just aboy c
Westminster Bridge. 1t is in the western part of the
metropolis, the treasury The Horse Guards Char.
ing Cross. st. James's Park and Palace, Pail Mall and
Trafalgar Square Further up the river is Millbank
Prison and on the opposite bank the great st.
Thomass Hospital and Lambeth Palace. The building
occupies the site of the old palace which destroyed
by fire October 10, 1884 and about eight
of ground 1t has river front of 900 feet and con-
ans 100 stairways, LOO apartments and two miles
OF Railways Its foundation laid April 27, 1910.
The hall Of the House of Lords finished in April,
lSf7, and the House of Commons in February, 1852.
Its cost has been more than IS, 100000.
The hall of the House OF Lords is probably the most
splendid legislative chamber in the world. 1t is 30
feet long, 40 wide and 45 high The house is lighted
by twelve lofty windows, six either side. each with
eight compartments for figures The windows all
hled with stained glass, representing the Kings and
Queens from William the COnquerer to Will
lam lam the ~. At each end of the House are
three archways, corresponding In size and
mouldings to the windows. Its walls and ceiling
are richly gided and frescoed. Among the paintings
tho Spirit of Justice. and the Spirit of CbIvary
Edward Ill. Comforting the Order of the Garter upon
tue Black Prince the Baptism OF Ethelbert; and the
Prince of Wales Committed to Prison for His Assault
on Judge Gascoigne. gin inches between the windows
are statues OF the eighteen barOns who forced King
John 10 sign ;he Magma ChartaL In this the
Queens throne the Prince OF Wales's chair. and the
woolsack seat of the Lord Chancellor. The windows
are filled with rich stained glass and at night are
lighted from outside. In this hall the Queen opens
Parliament, entering the Palace through the Victoria
tower aud passing through her rObing where
Dyces famous frescO paintings OF from the
history OF Arthur and Guneverc, the Victoria gallery,
100 feet long and the Prince OF Waless room to her
seat on the throne.
The chamber of the House of Commons is less
gorge"usy furnished than that of the Lords and IL
40 feet long, 10 wide and 45 high. 1t occupies the
site of that famous old St. Stephens Hail. where the
House met in the days of Burke and Pitt and sheridan
The Speakers char is at the north end and there
in the palace the site of the old St Stephens chapel
which contains twelve statues of illustrious states
men, Another notable apartment il Westminster Hall,
q monster room 800 fee long, 6S wide and 10 high,
with not pillar to support the wide expanse OF its
richly carved oaken roof IL occupies the site of the
ancient hall of the royal palace, and until lately
occupied by the highest law courts established by
Henry Ill in 122i At the eastern corner OF the hall
staircase leads 10 the crypt beneath and adjoining
the lorse ot Lords This crypt in which one of the
explosions occurred yesterday, Is the sole remaining
relic oi the old palace. IL is low, yaultcd chaLlber
with many columns. measures 30 feet long - wide
and 20 high and has lately been rehted aud used as
chapel
Westminster Hall is in the side Of th. palace next TO
Westminster Abbey. In the southwest end is the
House Of Lords and the Commons III the northeast
part. The Victoria tower. containing the royal en-
france l. at the southwest corner. and Is 20 feet
square and $40 high. At the northeast corner, abut
tngIon Westminster Bridge IL the clock tower 40 eet
square and 3lS high. with four dias near the top,
each 30 feet across. In this tower hang the great
bells of which Ben the biggest of all. weighs eight
tons. From the ccntra. portion of the palace rises
pointed spirc 80 feet in diameter and 300 ieet high
1t stands above the octagonal central hall of the
palace. and is supported by the groned ceiling with
out "A single pillar