is impossible to shut out public robbers, or other ill-disposed persons.

Whitehall Palace.

The old palace of that name, occupied a space along the northern bank of the river, a little below Westminster-bridge, commencing where Privy-gardens begins, and ending at Scotland-yard; and extended from the river to St. James's Park, along the eastern end of which many of its various buildings lay, from the Cockpit (which it included) to Spring-gardens. It was originally the property of Hubert de Burgh Earl of Kent, Justiciary of England under Henry III. from whom it passed to the prelates of York, being long called Yorkhouse. Henry VIII. purchased this palace from Cardinal Wolsey, archbishop of York, from which time it became the residence of the kings of England, till the reign of Queen Anne, who held her court at St. James's Palace. At present, that part of the scite of Whitehall Palace that lies along the river, is occupied by the houses of some of the nobility and other gentry; among which, the Earl of Fife's and the Duke of Buc cleugh's, are the most considerable. The Banquettinghouse stands on the east side of Parliament-street; and the Horse-guards, the Treasury, the Admiralty, and other buildings, occupy the west side of the same street, which lay within the limits of the old palace.

The Banquetting-house derived its appellation from an old building that, in the time of Elizabeth, served for public entertainments. The present edifice of that name was built by James I. and is the work of Inigo Jones. It was part only of a vast and magnificent plan; but, though a fragment, it is, as we have already observed, of exquisite beauty. It is a stone edifice of two stories, ornamented with columns and pilasters, with their entablatures; and has an air of grandeur and sweetness, whose united effect is indescribably delightful. Part of that fine effect is occasioned by the skilful light and shade resulting from the architecture. The great room of this

edifice is converted into a chapel, in which service is performed in the morning and evening of every Sunday; George I. having granted a salary of 30l. per annum, to twelve clergymen, selected in equal numbers from Oxford and Cambridge, who officiate each one month in the year. It is much attended by persons of quality. The ceiling of this room was painted by Reubens. The subject is the Apotheosis of James I. which is treated in nine compartments; and, the invention of the painter has contrived to tell a very fine story from a very mean subject. The execution of particular parts is to be regarded for its boldness and success. These paintings were retouched, a few years since, by Cipriani; and, though there is an immense distance be tween this artist and Rubens, there is no apparent injury done to the work. The banquetting-house cost 17,000l. and the painting of the ceiling 3000l. Cipriani had 20001. for retouching that work, In the court, behind the Banquetting-house, is a statue, in brass, of James II. by Grinlin Gibbons. It is a very fine performance, possessing grace and dignity in an eminent degree. It is superior to any statue in any public place in England.

Before the Banquetting-house, on a scaffold erected on that occasion, Charles I. was beheaded, on the 30th of January, 1648-9. The king passed from, the Banquetting-house to the scaffold, through a breach made m the northern wall for that purpose; and the passage remains to this day, being now the entrance into a modern building.

The Horse-guards is a building of stone, that divides Parliament-street from the eastern end of St. James's Park, to which it is the principal entrance. It derives its name from the two regiments of life-guards (usually called the horse-guards) mounting guard there. Of this structure little can be said in its commendation or dispraise. Its effect is, perhaps, equally removed from every thing mean, and every thing grand, but it is disgustingly regular. Under two small pavilions, two cen

tinels, mounted, and in dress uniform, constantly do duty. This building cost 30,000.

The Admiralty is a brick building, containing the office and apartments of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, who superintend the marine department; and is contiguous to the Horse-guards, on the north. The principal front, facing Parliament-street, is a disgraceful piece of architecture, and ought to be replaced by something better, for the honour of the nation. Of the portico of this building, composed of four Ionic columns, with a pediment of stone, a story is told that is probable, when the disproportion of the shafts is considered. The architect (Shipley) had made his shafts of a just length, when it appeared that the pediment blocked up the windows of one of the apartments; and, he was ordered and compelled to carry his columns to the roof of the building. Certainly, never were such columns seen before. From the general censure of this edifice, must be excepted the screen in front, (by Adams) which is an elegant contrast to the portico*.

The Treasury is an extensive building, facing Parliament-street, on the east, and the park on the north. The principal front, which is of stone, is in the park; and, although rather too massive, is a noble pile. Vaulted passages run beneath the offices, from the park to Parliament-street and Downing-street. A variety of offices are under the roof, generally called the Treasury, among which is the Council-chamber, commonly called the Cock-pit.

Scotland Yard may be properly named here, being a demense of the crown, and being the scite of a palace that was erected for the Kings of Scotland, when they occasionally resided in this capital. It is now covered

*On the top of the Admiralty are erected two telegraphs, the inside of which may be seen, on proper application, or very small interest with the porters, or persons who work these machines.

with private houses, and a few offices belonging to go

vernment.

St. James's Park, including the Green Park, affords a noble scite for a palace for the royal residence, and might be made as beautiful a situation as is to be found in any capital in Europe.

Palace of Westminster.

Westminster-hall, with the House of Lords, and House of Commons, and other contiguous buildings, are the remains of the old Palace of Westminster, built by Edward the Confeffor. It stood close to the banks of the Thames, the stairs leading from it to the river still bearing the name of palace-stairs.

Westminster-hall is the largest room in Europe, unsupported by pillars. It is 275 feet in length, and 74 feet in breadth. The roof is of oak, of a curious Gothic architecture and workmanship. This great hall was built by William Rufus, and rebuilt by Richard II. It was originally used as a place in which to entertain the king's guests and dependants, on great festivals; Richard II. having entertained 10,000 persons within its walls. Parliaments were frequently held beneath its roof; and it was the court of justice, in which the king presided in person. In this hall Charles I. was tried, and condemned to be beheaded. At present this hall is occasionally fitted up for the trial of peers, or of any persons on the impeachment of the commons. At other times it forms a promenade for lawyers and suitors during the the setting of the courts.

At the upper end of this hall, and under its roof, are the High Court of Chancery and the Court of King's Bench, places so small and inconvenient as to be a disgrace to the country. On the right side of the hall as you enter, up a flight of stairs, is the Court of Exchequer, larger than the King's Bench, but inconceivably mean; the court of Common Pleas, which goes off from the middle of the hall on the right side, is rather more de→ cent than the rest. These courts have four terms in

the year; namely, Hilary term, which begins January 23, and ends February 12; Easter term, which begins the third Wednesday after Easter Sunday, and lasts twentysix days; Trinity term, which begins Friday after Trinity Sunday, and lasts three weeks; and Michaelmas term, which begins November 6th; and ends the 28th. After each of these terms the respective chief justices hold sittings for the trial of causes in Westminster hall, and also in the Guildhall of London for city causes.

The Court of Chancery,

Is a court of equity, in which cases of the highest import are tried, but from which there is an appeal to the House of Lords. The Lord Chancellor, upon appointment, during the kings pleasure (whereas all the judges are for life) ranks first in point of precedency to every temporary Lord. The present Lord Chancellor is Lord Eldon, a nobleman of the greatest legal knowledge and integrity, and a dignified and impressive orator. This court is always open, but the causes tried in it, though highly important to the parties, are seldom very interesting to strangers.

During the vacations, the Lord Chancellor sits, by permission of the honourable society at Lincoln's Inn Hall; Chancery-Lane. And in the Lord Chancellor's absence the Master of the Rolls, (Sir William, Grant) or sometimes one of the judges, sits in his place. The Master of the Rolls has likewise his own department, and hears causes in the Rolls chapel in Chancery Lane, but all his decisions are appealable to the Lord Chancellor.

The Court of King's Bench,

Is the supreme court of common law in the kingdom, and has cognizance of almost all manner of causes, civil and criminal. Few capital causes, however, are tried here, those for the city of London and county of Middlesex being generally tried at the Old Bailey, of which we shall speak hereafter. The Court of King's Bench consists of four