Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1892-04-07
Written by Mrs. f. Mackinnon.

IutIC dIC lIIClI1N IlIOCt hCil-lll1uI plates
of interest. Without going too much
into detail, which to one, unless
personally acquainted there, is ex-
tremely tiresome, | wish and hope to
give an idea of these English buildings
where I spent so many pleasant hours
last summer, und also some pleasant
recollections of the customs of the
people. The House of Parliament, or
Westminster Palace as it is also called,
is opposite Henry VII chapel or head
of the cross which forms the plan of
Westminster Abbey, and looks into q
small Park or Palace yard in front of
Westminster Hall, where Parliaments
were held in the reign Of Henry III.
The remainder Of the old palace was
used as a royal residence up to the
reign Of Queen Elizabeth. The present
Palace is new, having been built after
the great fire which destroyed the old
Palace on this site Oct. Is, 1884
The House Of Parliament is the
largest public building which has been
erected for several centuries in Eng
land. In the arrangements for the
transaction of public business; in its
lighting, ventilation, fireproof construc-
ton, supply of water, etc, tits certainly
the most perfect building in Europe
The style of architecture is Tudor, with
picturesque portions copied from the
old town halls of the Netherlands
There are three grand features: \
Clock Tower, resembling the old town
hall at Brussels; great Central Hall;
and the Victoria Tower at the south
west angle. The vast building covers
at least twice the site of the old Palace.
[ consider the east side, which fronts
on the Thames, altogether the most
beautiful. This view from Westminster
bridge is very grand and impressive.
We have some beautiful photographs OF
this building which give us the greatest
pleasure and serve to keep the different
features fresh in our memory. The
great walls stretch $40 feet along the
bank Of the river, the beautiful wing
towers rising up with surprising dignity.
Their OctagOnal stone pinnacles and
perforated iron ornaments at the angles
and crests remind me of the picturesque
roofs of the ChateauX and belfry towers
of Holland and Belgium, breaking the
long straight lines which would other
wise give such large building very
heavy appearance. The north front
has bays and buttresses similar to the
river front and terminates at the west
end with the Clock Tower. The height
| of this tower is 316 feet The clock is
| particularly interesting and one can
| hear the sound of the bells all over
| London when the wind is in the right
direction. 1t has the largest dials in
the world, being % feet in diameter.
The minute hand, on account Of its
great length, velocity, weight, friction
and action of the wind upon it, requires
| twenty times more force to drive it
| than the hour hand. This clock goes
| III ely va lIclo a pC1IilljlIi llittCI
feet long and weighs six hundred and
eighty pounds. 1t is said to be eight
times the size of the largest Cathedral
| clock and occupies it's keepers two
hours every week in winding it up. 1t
reports its own time to Greenwich by
electrical connection. The clOck-maker
who takes care of it receives Greenwich
time by electricity and sets the clock
| right whenever its error becomes
sensible, which seldom has to be done
more than once a month The minute
| hand is Is feet long and Notwithstanding
that it is made of copper beaten out as
thin as is consistent with its length and
strength, it still weighs 224 pounds
The hour hand is 9 feet long and
| fastened with the minute hand to the
center of the dial by a huge gilt rose.
| part of the Westminster Arms, which
IS about the size of a small dining table
! All the spaces between the figures and
work on the clock face are glazed in
with enameled glass giving it a white
| appearance in the day time and
| allowing it to be Illuminated during the
night. The four diaIs are lighted at
night by sixty gas jets each, so that they
can be seen at great distance.
The south front of the Houses of
| Parliament resembles the North, having
similar decorations, the principal
feature being the Victoria Tower, the
largest and highest square tower in the
world, 400 feet high and IS feet square.
1t was built and intended for state
repository for papers, records, etc, and
for this purpose is divided into eleven
stories, each of which contains, with
the exception Of the basement floor
| and first floor, sixteen tireproof rooms.
One of the public entrances to the
| Houses of Parliament is by st. Stevens
staircase. Westminster Hall forms the
grand vestibule of approach from the
| north, the usual entrance for members
| of the House of Commons, correspOn-
| ding with our House of Represent
atives. The House of Commons.
is small room, IS feet long and
70 feet wide, as small as possible for
speaking and hearing without effort.
The average attendance of members is
about 300. 1t is handsomely furnished
and decorated. The floor is perforated
cast iron covered with mating through
| which hot and cold oir iS n I,,,;++oI T.
is impossible to burn the house down.