The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-01-26

A Magnificent Structure, Covering Eight
Acres of Ground.
The Houses Of Parliament, or the new Palace
of Westminster, on the left bank of the Thames,
and between the river and Westminster Abbey,
occupy the right of the old palace which was de-
stroyed by fire Oct. l6, 1884. They cover an
area of eight acres and contain LOO apart
ments, 100 stairways, ana two miles of corridors.
The foundation stone was laid April 81, 1910.
the House of Lords 100 feet long and forty five
feet IN width and height. was opened in April,
l04I, and is one of the most
gorgeous legislative halls in the world.
1t contains the throne for the Queen, chair
for the Prince of Wales and the woolsaek Ia
chair cushioned with wool) in the center of the
house for the Lord Chancellor Facing the
throne is the reporters gallery, and over the
latter is the strangers gallery. At either end
OF the Chamber are three compartments covered
with fine frescoes.
The entrance for the Queen is at the Victoria
over; her robing-room faces the river and
from it she passes through Victoria gallery, a
richly decorated chamber 100 feet long, and the
Princes chamber, another superb apartment, to
her seat on the throne The gallery directly
fronting the throne is reserved for ladies' Since
the gunpowder plot of 1908 the cellars under
meath the house are always examined two hours
before the sovereign's arrival
The House of Commons, where the second ex-
ploSion occurred of the same width and height
forty five feet) and sixty feet long, is a more
austere building TWAS opened in February. 1852.
The strangers gallery the immediate spot where
the explosion occurred, is opposite the Speakers
chair behind which is the reporters gallery
The~Hoyal Victoria angle 1.-THE southwest
corner of the palace, seventy five feet square and
$40 feet high finished in 1857, is a magnif
cent work. The central spire, 300feet high and
go feet in diameter, rises above the grand CELL
trail octagonal hall and the admirable groined
stone vault, and is supported without a single
pillar The lock-tower, or belfry, 40 feet
square and over 300 feet high, abuts on West
minister bridge, the dials of the clock being 80
feet in diameter. The roof is finely decorated
and the subordinate towers enhance the general
commodate parliamentary committees.
Westminster Hall 1.-THE scene of the first explo-
sioDl. 200 feet long, ITO feet high, and 68
WIDE and despite it's size unsupported by pillars,
occupies the site of the old hall of the royal pal
ace, whore some of the earlier Parliaments were
held, and which abounded in historical associa-
tons and trophies. The highest law courts of
long held in this hall, have recently been
transferred to the new courts of justice
Temple Barr, at the head of Fleet street. A small
stairway leads from the east corner Of the hall
into the restored crypt Of st. Stephens beneath
the modern st. Stephens Hall, which is-the only
relic saved from the fire of 1884, and is used as
chapel. The modern st. Stephens Hall, ninety
five feet long, fiftysix feet high and thirty feet
wide, so called from occupying the site of St
Stephens chapel of the ancient palace. contains
twelve statues of illustrious statesmen. Up
wards of 200 deliberately carved bosses are in the
central or octagon hall, from which corridors
lined with fine paintings, extend right and left
to both houses of Parliament.
The total cost of the structure up to this time
is upward of $50. 900 600