London Magazine :

A JOURNAL OF ENTERTAINMENT AND INSTRUCTION

FOR GENERAL READING.

FRANK FAIRLEGH;
two, the one idea constantly recurring to me,

“ What
if Coleman should fail !”
OR, OLD COMPANIONS IN NEW SCENES.

At length, feverish and excited, I sprang up, and By F. E. S.

throwing open the window, which was near the ground,

enjoyed the fresh breeze, which played around my CHAP. XV.

heated temples. It was a lovely night; the stars, those

calm eyes of Heaven, gazed down in their bright TAE CATASTROPHE.

effulgence on this world of sin and sorrow, seeming to I DID not return to the cottage till just the usual reproach the stormy passions and restless strife of bour for going to bed, as I did not dare subject myself men, by contrast with their own impassive grandeur. to Fanny's penetrating glance, in my present state of After remaining motionless for several minutes, I was excitement. The moment family prayers were con about to close the window, when the sound of a footstep eluded, I took my candle, and, pleading fatigue, re- on the turf beneath caught my ear, and a form, which tired to my room. Knowing that sleep was out of the I recognised in the moonlight as that of Archer, apquestion in my then frame of mind, 1 merely substi- proached. tuted the clothes I intended to wear in the morning “Up and dressed, Fairlegh?" he commenced, in a for those I had on, and, wrapping my dressing-gown low tone, as he perceived me; “ may I come in?" round me, flung myself on the bed. Here I lay, tossing In silence I held out my hand to him, and assisted about, and unable to compose myeelf, for an hour or him to enter.

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"Like me," he resumed, “I suppose, you could not appointed spot by five o'clock. In our way we had to sleep."

pass within a quarter of a mile of Heathfield Hall: all Utterly impossible," replied I; “but rilat brings scemed quiet as we did so, and I heard the old clock you here—has any thing occurred ?

over the stables strike a quarter to five. • Nothing,". returned Archer, “Oaklands retired We shall be in capital time," said I, drawing a long early, as he said he wished to be alone, and I followed breath, as I felt relieved from an anxious dread of being his example, but could not contrive to sleep,—I don't too late; "it was a near thing though, and if I had know how it is, I have been engaged in an affair of this not met you as I did, we should scarcely have done nature before, and never cared a pin about the matter : it.” but somehow I have got what they call a presentiment “Famous horse," replied Ellis, “but you're ratber that harm will occur. I saw that man, Wilford, for a over-driven him the last two or three miles; if I were minute yesterday, and I know by the expression of his eye Archer, I should have a little blood taken from himthat he means mischief; there was such a fiendish look nothing like renesection, it's safe practice in such cati of triumph in his face, when he found the challenge as the present; you've a remarkably clear head, Fairwas accepted--if ever there was a devil incarnate, he is legh, I ảnow; now I'll just explain to you the common one.''

sense of the thing: the increased action of the hart A sigh was my only answer, for his words were but forces the blood so rapidly through the lungs, that the echo of my forebodings.

proper time is not allowed for oxygenization,-" Now I will tell you what brought me here,” he con- "We shall be in sight of the place, when we have tinued ; “don't you think that we ought to have a advanced another hundred yards,” interrupted I, as we surgeon at hand, in case of anything going wrong?" turned down a green lane. • To be sure,” replied I; “I must bave been mad to “Shall we?” replied my companion, standing up ir

. have forgotten that it was necessary-what can be the gig, and shading his eyes with bis hand. "Yes, I donc ?-- it is not every man that would choose to be see them, they're on the ground already, and, by Jore, mixed up with such an atlair. Where is it that William they are placing their men; they must have altered the Ellis's brother, the inan who came up to Cambridge two time, for it wants full ten minutes of five now." months ago to see him, has settled ?- he told me he “ If they have,” replied I, lashing the horse into a had bought a practice somewhere in our neighbour- gallop, as I remembered that this unhappy change hood."

would probably frustrate Coleman's scheme, “if they " The very man, if we could but get him," replied have, all is lost." Archer; “the name of the village is Harley End: do My companion gazed at me with a look of surprise, you know such a place?"

but bad no time to ask for an explanation, for at that “Yes,” returned I, “I know it well; it is a favourite moment, we reached the gate leading into the field, meet of the hounds, about twelve miles from hence around which was collected a group, consisting of a I'll find liim, and bring bim here-what time is it? gig and a dog-cart, (which had conveyed the respective just two-if I could get a horse, I would do it easily” parties, and a servant attendant upon each, to the

My tilbury and horse are up at the village,'' said ground,) and two or three labouring men, whom the Archer; "now Harry's horses are at home, they could unusual occurrence bad caused to leave their work, and not take mine in at the Hall.”

who were eagerly watching the proceedings-whils * The very thing," said I, “we will not lose a mo- just inside the gate, a boy, whom I recognised $ ment-is your horse fast !—I shall have to try his Wilford's tiger, was leading about a couple of saddle mettle."

horses, one of them being the magnificent blar “He'll not fail you,” was the reply. “ do not spare thorough-bred mare, of which mention has been already him-I would rather have you ruin fifty horses, than made. arrive too late."

Pulling up the horse with a jerk which threx bim On reaching the inn, we had to rouse a drowsy on his haunches, I sprang out, and placing my hand hostler, in order to procure the key of the stables, and on the top rail of the gate, lenped over it, gaining & ! it was half-past two before I was able to start.

did so, a full view of the antagonist parties, who were The road to Harley End was somewhat intricate, stationed at about two hundred yards from the spa more than once I took a wrong turning, and had to where I alighted. Scarcely however had I taken a retrace my steps; being aware also of the distance 1 step or two towards the scene of action, when one of the had to perform, 1 did not dare to hurry the horse too seconds, Wentworth, I believe, dropped a white bard much, so that it only wanted a quarter to four, when I kerchief, and immediately the sharp report of a pisze reached my destination. Here however fortune favoured rang in my car, followed instantaneously by a set nd. me. Mr. Ellis, it appeared, being an ardent disciple of From the first moment I caught sight of them, ni Isaac Walton, had resolved to rise at day-break, in order eyes had become riveted, by a species of fa-cinatie: to beguile sundry trout, and at the entrance of the which rindered it impossible to withdraw them, apo village I met him strolling along, rod in hand. Two the figure of Oaklands. As the handkerchief dropped minutes sufficed to make him acquainted with the I beheld him raise his arm, and discharge bis pisid is object of my mission, and, in less than five minutes the air, at the same moment he gave a violent start more, (a space of time which I employed in washing pressed his hand to his side, staggered blindly forer out the horse's mouth at an opportune horse-trongh, a pace or two, then fell heavily to the ground, (roline with which I took the liberty of making free.) he had partiaily over as he did so,) where he lay, perfecily provided himself with a case of instruments, and other motionless, and to all appearance dead. necessary horrors, all of which he described to me On finding all my worst forebodings thus apparently seriatim, as we returned, with an affectionate minute realized, I stood for a moment horror-stricken by the ness for which I could have strangled him.

fearful sight I bad witnessed. I was first roused to s We started at a rattling pace on our homeward drive, sense of the necessity for action by Ellis the suryes, hedge-row and paling gliding by us, like slides in a who aliouted as he ran rast me, magic lantern. Archer's horse did not belie the “Come on, for God's sake, though I beliere be's a character be had given of him. With head erect, and dead man !" expandel nostril, he threw his legs forward in a long In another moment I was kneeling on the ter slashing trot, whirling the light tilbury along at tle assisting Archer (who trembled so violently that ke rate of between eleven and twelve miles an hour; and could scarcely retain his grasp) to raise and supper fortunate it was that he did not finch from his work, Oaklands's head. for we had between thirteen and fourteen miles to per. “ Leave him to me," said I ;“I can hold him with a form in an hour and ten minutes, in order to reach the l assistance; you will be of more use helping Ellis

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“Oh! he's dead-I tell you he is dead !” exclaimed was enclosed by a strong fence, consisting of a bank Archer, in a tone of the most bitter anguish.

with oak palings on the top, and a wide ditch beyond. " He is no such thing, Sir," returned Ellis, angrily; Slackening his pace as he approached this obstacle, he “hand me that lint, and don't make such a fuss; you held his horse cleverly together, and without a moment's confuse one."

hesitation rode her at it. The beautiful animal, gatherThough slightly reassured by Ellis's speech, I confessing her legs well under her, faced it boldly, rose to the that, as I looked upon the motionless form I was sup. rail, and, clearing it with the greatest ease, bounded porting, I felt half inclined to fear Archer might be lightly over the ditch, and continued her course on the correct in his supposition. Oaklands's head, as it rested further side with unabated speed. Apparently deteragainst me, seemed to lie a perfectly dead weight upon mined not to be outdone, his pursuer, whipping and my shoulder; the eyes were closed, the lips, partly spurring with all his might, charged the fence at the separated, were devoid of the slightest tinge of colour, same spot where Wilford had cleared it; the consewhilst from a small circular orifice on the left side of quence was, his horse rushed against the rail, striking the chest the line-blood was gushing with fearful ra- his chest with so much violence as to throw himself pidity.

down, pitching big rider over his head into the ditch “ Open that case of instruments, and take out the beyond, whence he emerged, bespattered with mud, tenaculum.-No, no ! not that; here, give them to me, indeed, but otherwise uninjured. As he reappeared, Sir; the man will bleed to death while you are bis companion rode up to him, and, after conversing fumbling," continued Ellis, snatching his instruments with him earnestly for a minute or so, turned and left from the trembling hands of Archer. “ You are of no the field without exchanging a word with any other use where you are," he added ; “ fetch some cold water, person. During this transaction, which did not occupy and sprinkle his face ; it will help to revive him." one-fourth of the time it has taken to describe, Ellis

At this moment Wilford joined the group which was had in a great measure succeeded in staunching the flow beginning to form round us. He was dressed, as usual, of blood, and a slight shade of colour became again in a closely-fitting suit of black, the single-breasted visible in Oaklands's lips. frock coat buttoned up to the neck, so as not to show a “He will bear moving now," said Ellis, quickly, "but single speck of white which might serve to direct his you must find something to lay him upon; take that antagonist's aim. He approached with his wonted air of gate off its hinges, some of you fellows, - that will anhanghty indifference, coolly fastening the button of his swer the purpose capitally. Come, bestir yourselves ; glove as he did so. On perceiving me, he slightly raised every moment is of iinportance." his hat, saying

Thus urged, five or six sturdy labourers, who had been “You are resolved to see this matter to its conclusion, standing round gazing with countenances of rude but then, Mr. Fairlegh: no one can be better aware than sincere commiseration on the wounded man, (for Harry's you are how completely your friend brought his fate kind-heartedness and liberality made him very popular upon himself.”

amongst the tenantry,) started off, and returned in an He paused, as if for an answer ; but, as I remained incredibly short space of time with the gate; upon this silent, not daring to trust myself to speak, he added, were spread our coats and waistcoats, so as to form a gazing sternly at the prostrate form before him,- tolerably convenient couch, on to which, under Ellis's “ Thus perish all who presume to cross my path !" direction, we lifted with the greatest caution the still then casting a withering glance around, as he marked insensible form of Harry Oaklands. the indignant looks of the by-standers, he turned on his “Now," exclaimed Eilis, “ raise him very slowly on heel, and stalked slowly away.

your shoulders, and take care to step together, so as not “ He'd best quicken his pace,” observed one of the to jolt him ;-if the bleeding should begin again he's a countrymen who had joined the group, " for there's dead man. Where's the nearest house he can be taken them a coming as may stop his getting away quite so to? He'll never last out till we reach the hall." easy."

“ Take him to our cottage,” said I, eagerly ; “it is As he spoke, the gate of the field was thrown open, and more than half a mile nearer than the hall." a couple of men on horseback rode hastily in. Wilford, “Bit your piother and sister ?" asked Archer. however, as soon as he perceived their approach, made “ Of course it will be a great shock to them," replied a sign to the boy to bring his horse, and springing I; “but I know them both well enough to feel sure they lightly into the saddle, waited quietly till they came would not hesitate a moment where Harry's life was in near enough for him to recognise their faces, when, the balance. Do you want me for anything, or shall I raising his voice, he said in a tone of the most cutting go on and prepare them for your arrival?”

" Do so, by all ineans," replied Ellis ; “but stay,". As I expected, I perceive it is to Mr. Cumberland's have you a bedroom on the ground floor?" disinterested attachment that I am indebted for this Yes," returned 1. “ my own.” kind attempt to provide for my safety; it so happens “ Have the bed-clothes opened,” continuerl Ellis, "so that you are a quarter of an hour too late, Sir. I wish that we can put him in at once; it will save me half an you good morning."

hour's time afterwards, and is a thing which should Thus saying, he turned his horse's head and can always be thought of on these occasions." tered lightly across the field. The man he had ad. * Anythiny eise?" inquired I. dresserl, and in whom though he was considerably “ Yes, send somebody for the ncarest surgeon; two altered, I recognised the well-remembered feaiures of beads are better than one," said Ellis. Richard Cumberland, pauser, as if in doubt what Remembering, as I approached the cottage, that the to do; not so his companion, however, who shout-vindow of my room, by which Archer and I hid quitted ing, “Come on, Sir, and we may nab him yet."- it the previous night, would be un astened, 1 determined drove the spurs into the stout roadster he bestrode, I would enter there, and, proceeding to my mother's and galloped furiously after him, an example which door, call her up, and break the news as gently as the Cumberland, after a moment's hesitation, hastened to exigency of the case would permit, leaving her to act follow, though at a more moderate speed. Wulford by Fanny as she should think best. According ly I flung suffered the foremost rider to come nearly up to him, up the window, sprang in, and throwing myself on the and then, quickening his pace, led him round the two nearest chair, sat for a moment, pauting from the speed sides of the field ; but perceiving that the gate was at which I bad come. As I did so, a timid knock was closed, and men had stationed themselves in front of it heard at the door. I instinctively cried, “ Com.e in!” to prevent his egress, he doubled upon his pursuers, and and Fanny entered. putting the mare for the first time to her full speed, " I bave been so anxious all night about what you galloped towards the opposite side of the field, which told me yesterday, that I could not sleep, so I thought

sarcasm,

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I would come to see if you were up,” she commenced ; The roof, or ceiling, is, however, a fine specimen of then, for the first time remarking my breathless con- skilful and elaborate design; yet, as a means of lighti: dition and disordered dress, she exclaimed, “ Good the apartment, its merit is much disputed by artistie Heavens! are you ill? you pant for breath, and your critics. Von Raumer, for instance, condemns the irhands and the sleeves of your coat are saturated with mensely high wall which cannot be hung with paintings: water-with-oh! it is blood ; you are wounded !” she and he maintains that the light, coming from above, or cried, sinking into a chair, and turning as pale as ashes. two sides, is false, insufficient, and moreover broken ly

" Indeed, darling, you are alarming yourself unneces- the architectural decorations. “It is to be remarked, sarily; I am perfectly uninjured," replied I, soothingly. that the lighting of the whole of the state apartinents

“Something dreadful has happened !" she continued, has been effected under the most rigid artistic taste. Is fixing her eyes upon me, “I read it in your face.” each of the various drawing-rooms, for instance, the

“An accident has occurred,” began 1;“Oaklands,” | glass is tinted, so as to harmonize with the general tone

“Stop!” she exclaimed, interrupting me, “the two of the decorations.” shots I heard but now--his agitation--his strange Occasionally, this gallery is used as a ball-room; (1, manner yesterday-oh! I see it all, he has been fighting shortened by screens, bearing beaufets of superb plate, a duel !" She paused, pressed her hands upon her eyes, and priceless articles of vertu, in it are given state as if to shut out some dreadful vision, and then asked, banquets. in a low, broken voice, “ Is he killed ?”

The collection of pictures is very valuable, and ecm• No," replied I, on my word, on my honour, I prises, in the main, works of the Flemish and Datch assure you he is not; the bleeding had ceased when schools. The chief exceptions are Reynolds's Denti I left him, which is a favourable symptom."

of Dido, and his Cymon and Iphigenia; a landscape Fanny sighed heavily, as if relieved from some un- by Gainsborough, and a few recent English works: bearable weight, and, after remaining silent for about a some pictures by Watteau; and an interesting evidence minute, she removed her hands from her face, and said, of Titian's versatility--a landscape, with herdsmea ani in a calm tone of voice, “ And now, what is to be done ? cattle, by that master. Among the finest works ar can I be of any use ?”

three by Albert Durer, seven by Rembrandt, serenika Astonished at the rapidity with which she had re- by Teniers, five by Ostade, six by Gerard Dow, nine ty gained her self-control and presence of mind after the Cuyp, eight by Wouvermans, ihree by Paul Potter, sir violent emotion she had so recently displayed, I replied, by Rubens, five by Vandyke, in addition to his carico “Yes, love, you can; the Hall is too far off, and they portraits of children. Among Rembrandt's pictures is are bringing him here.”

The Wise Men's Offering; among Vandyke's, Tk As I spoke these words, she shuddered slightly, but Marriage of St. Catherine; among Albert Durers. seeing I was doubtful whether to proceed, she said, The Miser; and among Rubens's, the portrait of his firmly, “ Go on, pray.”

wife. Claude's Europa also enriches the collection. I: “Would you,” I continued, “ break this to my history explains the great number of Dutch pictures: mother, and tell her I believe-that is, I trust there they belonged, for the most part, to George the Fourth, is no great danger-and--and--do that first.”

who purchased them from Sir Francis Baring, and was With a sad shake of the head, as if she mistrusted proud enough ever afterwards of his acquisition. my attempt to reassure her, she quitted the room, Nor are the arts in Buckingham Palace confined to whilst I obeyed Ellis's instructions by preparing the this gallery; for there is not a room which does not bed, after which I unclosed the hall-door, and despatch: boast of some paintings. Music, also, has its full patre ing the gardener's boy to fetch the surgeon, stood age ; there being a grand pianoforte in each of the anxiously awaiting the arrival of the party. I had not

state rooms, except the throne chamber. done so many minutes, when the measured tramp of

Leaving the picture gallery, we enter, from its centrs feet gave notice of their approach, and in another the Roman drawing-room, which, because it contato instant they came in sight.

like the library immediately under it, a circular fruit is called, also, “the bow-room." South of this is in

yellow drawing-room, and beyond it the state dinise A LITTLE TALK ABOUT BUCKINGHAM

Northward of the bow-room is the music-room, PALACE."

communicating with the private apartments of be

Majesty, which extend along the whole of the norther. We have thus completed our survey of the eastern front of the palace. front of the palace : its main apartments open into The most interesting feature of the bow-room, and the the picture gallery, on the opposite side of which drawing-rooms right and left of it, is a series of setyis the western front, comprising a suite of three draw- tures in relief, by Pitts, an artist of great promise, soba ing-rooms, and other apartments. The gallery is about died young. Thus, the frieze in the bow-room repit one hundred and eighty feet in length, and twenty-six music-room, within arches of the elliptical ceiling, are

sents Eloquence, Pleasure, and harmony; and in the feet in breadth. It has a semi-Gothic roof, lighted by a three reliefs, representing the apotheoses of the poets triple row of compartments filled with rich diapered Spencer, Shakspere, and Milton-each comprisis ground glass, bearing the stars of all the orders of numerous subordinate figures. In the yellow dras. knighthood in Europe. At each end is a semi-circular ing-room, the sculptor has left us a series of twelve arch resting upon coupled Corinthian columns, and reliefs illustrative of the origin and progress of Pleasure communicating with a lobby with an enriched doorwav, namely, Love Awakening the Soul to Pleasure :“The gallery, like that of the Louvre, is long and Soul in the Bower of Fancy ;-the Pleasure of Den straight; but, unlike the French picture corridor-that tion ;-the Invention of Music :--the Pleasure of Nes: lane of pictures with no turning,--the otherwise mono

--the Dance ;-the Masquerade ;-the Drama:-2: tonous flatness of the walls is broken by the ornamented Contest for the Palm ;--the Palm Resigned ;-the stur doorways, which lead to the two suites of apartments ble for the Laurel ;--the Laurel Obtained. The team east and west. These ornaments are of a chaste cha- of these drawing-rooms are very superb; being bordere racter, and present nothing to attract the eye from the with satin and rosewood, inlaid with devices of ros aipaintings hung upon the walls." The settees and chairs tulip-wood. are plain, the frames of the pictures are neat rather than

The bow-room has a domed ceiling, enriched gorgeous ; in short, there is no rivalry set up, as is too the national emblems, and supported bis ant often the case, between the decorator and the painter.

lapis-lazuli columns. The music-room has an orcheza

gallery at the south end; and for the company 177 1"(1) Concluded from page 378.

vided brass-framed seats, with velvet cushions. (?

room.

&

entire suite, however, the yellow drawing-room is the for the purposes of state balls, two or three of which most superb. It has a lofty cove, richly gilt, and orna- entertainments are usually given by Her Majesty during mented with heraldic shields, beneath which is the the London season. Then, the entire suite of rooms, series of bas-reliefs described above; and in these de seven in number, (including the picture-gallery,) is signs there is so much classic beauty that we regret to used; and the space beneath the central portico, and sec the continuation broken by the introduction of me- over the entrance to the great hall, by aid of Tippoo dallion portraits, even though they be of royal and Saib's tent, is formed into a refreshment-room, as we illustrious personages. But the main beauty of the have already described ; whilst a similar extension is apartment lies in the harmony of colour adopted for its gained by drapery, in the balcony of the central western draperies, &c.; namely, a series of shades of yellow, or bow saloon. These temporary extensions are set ranging almost from brown to green; the effect is truly with flowering plants, and thus supply the relief of elegant and artistic, and we remember the like success fragrant coolness. Plants are likewise placed in the in the principal drawing-room of the Reform club-house picture gallery, where the brilliant bloom of nature in Pall Mall." Upon the figured yellow silk walls of the thus alternates with the perfection of art. The rooms palace apartment are hung whole length portraits of are mostly lighted by wax; and in cases where lamps royal personages; and at each end, and above the are employed, Professor Faraday's beautiful mode of chimney-piece, are placed brilliant mirrors. The chim- carrying off the heat and smoke by tubes is employed, ney-piece is of exquisitely white marble, sculptured by with increased brilliancy of illumination and perfect Westmacott. The furniture of the room is truly sump- ventilation. tuous; as is also the assemblage of vases filled with There have been two memorable occasions since Her flowers, clocks, bronzes, inlaid tables, cabinets, &c. To Majesty's accession to the throne, upon which Buckingquote a contemporary, "all that luxury can desire, or ham Palace presented a scene of almost gorgeous enskill and wealth accomplish, to make this apartment chantment. These were at the costume balls, or magnificent, in the ordinary mode of obtaining magni. masques, given in 1842 and 1845. The first fête was in ficence, is to be found here in an extraordinary degree.” | the style of the reign of Edward III., the best age of

We must now sum up the characteristics of the entire English costume and architecture; so that, in the latter pile,

respect, the palace presented, everywhere, an ill-assorted The principal merit, such as it is, lies in the sculp- anachronism. In the fête of 1815, the costumes (1740 tural enrichments of the palace; and the appropriate to 1750) harmonized better with the palace interior, nationality of their subjects, for the intellectual adorn- This was the age of hoop and embroidery, brocade and ment of the residence of a British sovereign. The stiffened point lace, high-heeled shoes, powder and marble chimney-pieces, too, are sculptured with patches, such as we see in the porcelain figures of caryatides and other figures of life size, and a profusion Sevres, Dresden, and Chelsea, and the pictures of of fruit, flowers, &c. Yet, the figures are condemned Watteau, and Boucher; nor must we forget the equally as groups of “pigmies and Brobdignagians huddled characteristic male costume of the period— the squaretogether; people from two to six feet high, living in cut coats, and long-flapped waistcoats; the large hang. admirable harmony. The smaller figures have such ing cuffs and lace ruffles, and stiffened skirts ; the long miserable spider legs and arms, that one would fancy outer stockings, and high-heeled shoes; and the endless they had been starved in a time of scarcity, and were wigs, and laced and feathered three-cornered hats-all come to the king's palace to fatten."-/Von Raumer.) belong to the exquisite of the time of our second George.

This acute critic also points out in the same At the ball of 1845, Musard wielded his baton in an apartment, “fragments of Egypt, Greece, Etruria, Rome, orchestra built in the cove of the throne-room, where the and the Middle Ages, all confusedly mingled together;" graceful minuet was danced; the picture-gallery being and he concludes by asserting this palace to stand as appropriated to the more joyous "Sir Roger de a very clear proof that wealth, without knowledge of art | Coverley.” Supper was served in the great dining-room, and taste, cannot effect so much as moderate means, where the magnificence of the plate beaufet, the brilaided by knowledge and sound judgment.”.

liancy of the lights and flowers, the elaborate richness With all these artistical defects and drawbacks, it of the costumes, and the beauty and noble mien of the cannot, however, be denied, that for mere purposes of actors in this retrospective drama of taste, presented a show and state splendour, the suite of rooms at Buck scene of surpassing splendour. When, indeed, “ did ingham Palace is not ill adapted, now that an additional morning ever break” to dispel a more delightful illusion mutaircase for egress has been provided. The suite, for than the royal masques of 1842 and 1845. convenience, cannot be compared with that of St. There are certain points of improved construction in Jaines's Palace, which, indeed, has scarcely a parallel in the palace, which we must not lose sight of among its Europe. The rooms of the latter are, however, some less intrinsic merits. In roofing the edifice, Jír. Nash what heavy in their style of decoration (that of the employed a composition of hot coal-tar, lime, and sand, reign of Queen Anne); there are certain aims at classic / which has withsiood wear and tear much better than elegance, and that of an intellectual character, in the his architectural taste; and the floors, formed of castembellishments of Buckingham Palace, which are at- iron, arched with hollow bricks, are fire-proof. The tractive and interesting, though their success be but offices are, generally, well-appointed; but numbers of fragmentary. The nationality of the sculptures, as we blackened supplementary pipes which rise from the have before said, is one of their redeeming points; and roof, seem to indicate that one of the greatest plagues the variety of the styles of decoration is another attrac- of domestic life, “a smoky chimney,” is by no means a tion, though a subordinate one. It is impossible to rarity at the palace.' deny a certain grandeur and beauty to the sculptured marble door-cases and chimney-pieces, with their colossal caryatidal figures, their bold scroll-work and medallic (1) Immediately under the palace passes “the King's Scholars' portraits; the claim to the originating of all this Pond Sewer," the main drain of one of the principal divisions of sumptousness is somewhat frequently asserted in the channel of a rivulet formerly known as 'Dye Brook, having its

the Westminster Cummission of Sewers, occupying the whole royal cyphers G. R. which meet the eye at every available source at Hampstead, and draining an area of 2,000 acres, 1,500 of opportunity; and remembering how unsparingly abuse, which are covered with houses.

a large critical and unartistic, has been showered upon the portion of this sewer has been reconstructed, under circumstances

of extraordinary difficulty; arches of considerable span having been entire design of the palace, the last of the Georges has worked to a great extent under densely populated neighbourhoods, not been grudged this distinction by one of the liege without any suspicion on the part of the inhabitants of what was zubjects of his successors.

going on a few feet below the foundations of their houses. In its l'pon no occasion are the gorgeous appointments of present complete state, it is, perhaps, the most remarkable and

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Within a few years