Northern Weekly Gazette. — 1896-09-19 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

JOHN W1L.,40N,. M.P..  had appointed to meet us. Art:iv ing a few minutes previous to the time appointed, we bad a look round the outside of Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament. These buildings are, with. out exception, the grandest buildings in London. There are 1,200 apartments in the Houses (It Parliament, They are comparatively new buildings, having been built in the years between 1840 and 18b7. We are told that there were ninetyseven architect competitors, Sir Charles Barry being the successful competitor. The buildings cover an area of eight acres, and cost about three millions sterling. Not being able to describe or even fully understand the beautiful architecture of the i Place, t would be needless to dwell on the subject here. Mr J. Wilson, who was to conduct us through the buildings, was, as is usual with him, I believe, punctual to his appointment. This afternoon our genial and courteous North-country member had gathered together a, dozen or more of us. lie led the way into the Grand Palace, and we followed. Westminster Hall was first shown to Us. it was here where Charles I. was tried. One hundred and fifty Cornmissionera were nominated to conduct the trial. i Green. n his history, says. "Charles appeared before the Court only to deny its competence and to refuse to plead; but thirty.two witnesses wcre examined to satisfy the consciences of the judges, and it was not till the fifth day of the trial that he was condemned to death as a tyrant. traitor, murderer, and enemy of his country." At his execution in Whitehall the above • writer says, "His head fell at the first blow, and as the executioner lifted it to the sight of all, a groan of pity and horror burst from the silent crowd." GUY FAWKES, Sir Thomas More, and Warren Hastings also stood for their trial in Westminster Hall. At the time for the fatal blow More moved his heard carefully from the block. " Pity that should be cut." he said, " that has never committed treason.'' We lett the place where, in days of yore, they passed their laws and held their bloody trials, and directed our steps to the present House of Commons. This is a beautiful apartment 75 feet long, 45 feet wide. and 45 feet high. The seats or benches are covered with green leather. Cards were lying on the benches, each of them having a member's name on by these cards the seats are claimed: I think it used to be the custom for members to claim their seats by leaving their hats on them. We were shown the beautiful official church of the Commons, St. Margaret's. The beauty of this church cannot be described with my pen. What with its gilding and its stained-glass window, it was something dazzling. ADMIRA L BLAKE, William Caxton, Lord F. Cavendish. and W. H. Smith, among others, are buried here. We now followed our guide to "the other place "—the House of Lords. This is. indeed, a "gilded chamber." The seats here are covered with red leather. The woolsack, where the Lord Chancellor sits, stands in front of the throne. Of course, some of us sat on this seat of the highest officer of the crown. It is covered with i soft, red velvet, and sas comfortable as any Lord Chancellor need wish: at least, so we theught. Mv space is about taken up, and I am not half finished telling you (in a. simple manner no doubt) of the building' where sits the model Parliament of the world I refer to them in another paper. It would, nerhaps, be as well, at this uoint, for you to imagine Yourselves on the beautiful terrate of the Commons, where I.llr Wilson took us. This is where our gallant legislators sip their tea with their lady friends. Politics are forgotten in the midst of happy, friends and pleasant scenes: and old Father rhamee supplies a refreshing breeze. _