On

the House of Peers; it is however too low and narrow.
each side are pavilions, and stables for the use of the horse
guards, though the structure is calculated for the foot as
well as the horse when on duty. The cupola has but little
to recommend it; though it serves to break the plainness
without weakening the building, either in reality or ap-
pearance. The wings are plainer than the centre. They
consist of a fine frout, with a small projection, the win-
dows in the principal story ornamented, those on the sides
being plain. Each has a pediment, with a circular window
in the middle, and the whole is equally respectable and
firm in its construction. Under the two pavilions in front of
the street, centinels mounted and in uniform, constantly do
duty. The building cost 30,000l. Within this structure
are kept the various offices for the War Department.

Adjoining is MELBOURN HOUSE, which was built by Sir
Matthew Featherstonebaugh, and being purchased by lord
Melbourn, was exchanged by his lordship for York House,
Piccadilly, with his royal highness Frederick, duke of
York, who added the fronts and the dome-portico across the
street. Upon the removal of his royal highness to Portman
Square, it was restored to lord Melbourn, who is the pre-
sent resident.

The offices of THE TREASURY are contiguous. THE TREASURY, peculiarly so called, is a handsome stone building, fronting the Parade in St. James's Park. The whole ates front is rustic, and consists of three stories, the lower of which is Tuscan, the second Doric, with good sized arched windows; the upper part of this story is singularly adorned with the triglyphs and metopes of. the Doric freeze, though this range of ornament is supported neither by columns nor pilasters. Over this is a range of Ionic columns in the centre, supporting a pediment. The whole structure of THE TREASURY is, however, allowed to be composed of very beautiful parts. Near it is the house usually appointed for the residence of the Prime Minister, in Downing Street.

THE TREASURY is under the government of lords com missioners, one of whom is called First Lord of the Trea sury. Under them are joint secretaries, and subordinate

assistants.

A passage to the public street before Whitehall, is under THE COCKPIT, esteemed a part of the antient palace of Whitehall, though converted at present to business of state. The building has nothing peculiar on the outside to recommend it; but within is furnished with noble apartments for the accommodation of the members of the council of state, whenever they hold their meetings.

A little northward from this entrance was an antient gate belonging to the palace, and was built by order of Henry VIII. from a design of Hans Holbein. On each were four busts in front, with ornamented mouldings of baked clay, in va riegated colours, glazed in a similar manner to porcelain : the gate, which was very beautiful and magnificent, was taken down to widen the street.

WHITEHALL.

This was originally built by Hubert de Burgh, earl of Alat Kent, "the great, the persecuted justiciary of England, Pin the reign of Henry III." At his death he bequeathed it to the Black Friars of London, and they disposed of it to Walter de Grey, archbishop of York, in 1248, It consequently became the town residence of the archbishops of that see, and was called York House,

The last archbishop was the munificent and haughty Thomas Wolsey, cardinal of the Holy See, who here laid down all his greatness.

To shew to what an amazing extent this ambitious prelate carried his magnificence, we shall give an account of his household, from the check-roll, as copied by Stow:

"His servants daily attending in his house were about four hundred, omitting his servants' servants, which were many. You shall understand, that he had in his hall continually, three tables or boards, kept with these principal officers; to wit, a steward, who was always a priest; a treasurer, a knight; and a comptroller, an

esquire:

esquire: also a cofferer, being a doctor; three marshals, three yeomen ushers in the hall, besides two grooms and almoners. Then in the hall kitchen, two clerks of the kitchen, a clerk compt→ roller, a surveyor of the dresser, a clerk of the spicery; all which together kept also a continual mess in the hall: also, in his hall kitchen, he had of master cooks two; and of other cooks, la bourers, and children of the kitchen, twelve persons; four yeo men of the silver scullery, two yeomen of the pantry, with two other pastelers under the yeomen.

"In the privy kitchen, he had a master cook, who went daily in velvet and sattin, with a chain of gold about his neck, and two other yeomen and a groom. In the scalding house, a yeoman and two grooms; in the pantry, two yeomen; in the buttery, two yeomen, two grooms, and two pages; in the chandery, two yeomen; in the wafery, two yeomen; in the wardrobe of beds, the master of the wardrobe, and ten other persons attending; in the laundry, a yeoman, a groom, thirty pages, two yeomen purveyors, and one. groom; in the bake house, a yeoman and two grooms; in the wood yard, a yeoman and a groom; in the barn, one; in the garden, a yeoman and two grooms; a yeoman of his stage; a master of his. horse; a clerk of the stable, a yeoman of the same; the sadler; the farrier; a yeoman of his chariot; a sumpter-man; a yeoman of his stirrup; a muleteer, and sixteen grooms of his stable, every one of them keeping four geldings; porters at his gate; two yeomen and two grooms; in the armoury, a yeoman and a groom.

"In his chapel he had a dean, a great divine, and a man of excellent learning; a sub-dean, a repeater of the quire, a gospeller, an epistler; of singing priests, ten; a master of the children; twelve seculars, being singing men of the chapel; ten singing children, with a servant to attend upon the children: in the rerestry, a yeoman and two grooms, over and above divers retainers, that came thither at principal feasts.

"For the furniture of his chapel, it exceedeth my capacity to declare, or to speak of the costly ornaments and rich jewels that were used in the same continually. There have been seen, in procession about the hall, four and forty very rich copes worn, all of one suit, besides the rich crosses and candlesticks, and other ornaments belonging to the furnishment of the same. He had two cross-bearers and two pillar-bearers in his great chamber; and in his privy-chamber three persons; first, the chief chamberlain,

and

and vice-chamberlain: of gentlemen ushers, beside one in his privy chamber, he had twelve daily waiters; and, of gentlemen waiters in his privy chamber, he had six; of lords, nine or ten, who had, each of them, two men allowed to attend upon them, except the earl of Derby, who always was allowed five men. Then had he, of gentlemen cup-bearers, carvers, servers, both of the privy chamber and of the great chamber, with gentlemen, daily waiters three, forty persons; of yeomen ushers, six; of grooms in his chamber, eight; of yeomen in his chamber, fortyfive daily. He had also almsmen, sometimes more in number than at other times.

"There were attending upon his table daily, of doctors and chaplains, beside them of his chapel, sixteen. A clerk of his closet, two secretaries, two clerks of his signet, and four councellors learned in the laws. And forasmuch as it was necessary to have divers officers of the chancery to attend upon him; that is to say, the clerk of the crown, a riding clerk, a clerk of the hamper, and a clerk of the wax; then a clerk of the check, as well upon the chaplain, as on the yeomen of his chamber; he gave allowances to them all. He had also four footmen, who were clothed in rich running coats, whensoever he rode on any journey. Then he had an herald at arms, a serjeant at arms, a physician, an apo thecary, four minstrels, a keeper of his tents, an armourer, an instructor of his wards, (in chancery) two yeomen of his ward. robe of robes, and a keeper of his chamber continually in the court. He had also in his house, the surveyor of York, and a clerk of the green cloth. All these were daily attending, downlying and up-rising, as we use to say, and at meals. He kept in his chamber, a continual table for the chamberers and gentlemen officers; having with them a mess of the young lords, and another of gentlemen. And, besides all these, there was never an of ficer, gentleman, or other worthy person, but he was allowed, in the house, some three, some two, and all other, one at the least, which grew to a great number of persons: besides other officers, servants, retainers, and suitors, that most commonly dined in the hall. So that the order of his house and household passed all other subjects of his time."

Well might the injured Catharine of Spain exclaim,

"

your heart

Is cramm'd with arrogancy, spleen, and pride.

You

You have, by fortune, and his highness' favours,
Gone slightly o'er slow steps; and now are mounted
Where powers are your retainers: and your words
Domestics to you, serve your will, as 't please
Yourself pronounce their office. I must tell you
You tender more your person's honour, than
Your high profession spiritual:"-

Shakespere's Henry VIII.

No sooner had Henry obtained possession of this envied mansion by the disgrace of Wolsey, than he inclosed the park, for the accommodation of it and St. James's hospital, lately converted to a palace, and built the beautiful gate already mentioned; to which he added a magnificent gallery, for the accommodation of the royal family, the nobility, and great officers of state, for the purpose of viewing the tournaments performed in the TILT YARD; and soon after, the monarch ordered a Tennis Court, a Cockpit, and bowling greens to be formed, with other conveniences, for different kinds of diversion.

From this period Whitehall continued the royal residence of the sovereigns of England; and Hentzner, in his Itineraria, says, "it was a structure truly royal." Here queen Elizabeth feasted her vanity in the Tilt Yard: "She had violence of temper," says Pennant, "but with the truest patriotism, and most distinguished abilities, were interwoven the greatest vanity, and most romantic disposition. Here in her sixty-third year, with wrinkled face, red periwig, little eyes, hooked nose, skinny lips, and black teeth, she could suck in the gross flatteries of her favourite courtiers. Essex (by his squire) told her of her beauty and worth. A Dutch ambassador assured her majesty, that he had undertaken the voyage to see her, who for beauty and wisdom, excelled all other beauties in the world. She laboured at an audience to make Melvil, the Scots ambassador, acknowledge that his charming mistress was inferior in beauty to herself. The artful Scot evaded her question. She put on a new suit of every foreign naon, each day of audience, to attract his admiration. So

fond