The House Of Lords

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THE HOUSE OF LORDS, perhaps the most splendidly decorated chamber in England. At one end is the Throne, with the respective chairs of the King and the Queen, and the State chair of the Prince of Wales, with the Woolsack of the Lord Chancellor before them; at the other end the Bar, at which the Commons assemble to hear the Queen's Speech and the Royal Assent to Bills, with the galleries for strangers and reporters above.

In the windows are portraits of the sovereigns of England from the Conqueror to William IV, with their consorts, and of Scotland from Robert Bruce to Mary, also with their consorts.

Around the apartment are statues of the eighteen barons who were prominently associated with Magna Carta; whilst in the recesses at the north end are three frescoes symbolical, respectively, of Justice, Chivalry, and Religion; and at the south end three others, the subjects being Edward III conferring the Order of the Garter on the Black Prince, the Baptism of King Ethelbert, and Prince Henry submitting to Judge Gascoigne.

Crossing the PEERS' LOBBY and THE PEERS' CORRIDOR (twelve paintings of subjects from Stuart history are here), one reaches THE CENTRAL HALL, a beautiful groined octagon, said to be the largest Gothic vault without a supporting shaft. It is the base of the Central Tower. Over the four doors are mosaics of the respective patron saints of England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales.

Next are THE COMMONS' CORRIDOR (a further twelve paintings from Stuart history are here) and THE COMMONS' LOBBY, from which is entered THE HOUSE OF COMMONS, which is much less richly appointed than the House of Peers.

The Bar is near the entry, with the chair of the Sergeant-at-Arms; and at the other end are the Speaker's chair and table, and the Clerks' table, the rests for the Mace being on the latter.

At this end, too, are the Reporters' and the Ladies' (Members') gallery. The Public and the various special galleries are at the Bar end. On the Speaker's right are the Government benches, on his left those of the Opposition.

Returning to the Central Hall, one passes into ST. STEPHEN'S HALL, the ground plan of which conforms exactly with that of the old Chapel of St. Stephen, in which the Commons met from the time that they left the Chapter House of the Abbey, in 1547, until the fire of 1834. Observe the various inscriptions.

On the walls are frescoes, by various artists, depicting episodes in the Building of Britain from the reign of Alfred to that of Anne.

Proceeding forward into ST. STEPHEN'S PORCH (the War Memorial of the two Houses is here), the visitor now descends into the grandest, oldest, and most historic chamber of the palace,

Next page: Westminster Hall