Page:The Strand Magazine (Volume 6).djvu/20

floral coved centre, with circular side-lights; all of cut glass decorated with Orders of the Garter, etc., and side continuations of festooned architecture. Electric light sheds its rays from five massive ormolu chandeliers. The door-heads are supported by figures, and have marble jambs with ormolu mounts; those at either end having a clock in the centre of medallions surmounted with crowns and urns of fruit. There are four fireplaces with marble chimney-pieces, having medallions in the centre containing sculptured busts of some of the great masters, on either side being figures supporting wreaths. The walls have a flockpaper, the furniture is covered in crimson floral traced silk, having carved frames of burnished gold, and the floor is also carpeted in the same colour.

At either end is some beautiful pure white marble statuary: "A Sea Nymph" in the act of spearing a fish, "Mars and Venus," "The Siren," with harp of gold wires, and "Venus and Cupid," Venus reposing on a lion-skin, that is so exquisitely sculptured as to present the appearance of velvety softness peculiar to that animal's covering.

When I tell you that this gallery is 152ft. 6in. in length, 28ft. wide, and has a height of 30ft., you will understand the truly grand effect of the whole.

Her Majesty's Sitting-Room.
From a Photo. by H. W. King.

You will be much interested in seeing the photos of two or three of the private rooms of Her Majesty and the late Prince Consort. Crowded as they are with the rarest of paintings, enamels, cabinets, and every variety of artistic treasure, it is quite impossible to do more than call your attention to the views.

But now the regimental music is emitting the sweetest of strains in court-yard and quadrangle: "Yeomen of the Guard" and "Gentlemen-at-Arms" are taking up their positions in the rooms at the word of command, with clatter of sword and rattle of halberds; State footmen in white knee-breeches, with coats of blue and heavy gold facings, are taking their places as guides, here and there forming a thin avenue through which visitors must pass; and as we descend the grand staircase we find the doors are open, and the procession is filing across the Marble Hall to the Bow Library—their cloak-room. Come with me to the Sculpture Gallery, and there watch awhile. See the stately dowagers and matrons in velvet, silk, and diamonds as they sweep across; they have been before, and seem quite comfortable,