The Banqueting Room--The Library--Royal Bedroom--North
and South Galleries--Queen Adelaide's apartments--Great
Kitchen--Chapel--Stables--Riding House.
'THE BANQUETING ROOM.
'In its general plan, dimensions, and principal architectural
features, this apartment nearly corresponds with the Music Room; but
the decorations and ornamental work are entirely different, although
equally impressive in effect, from the good taste displayed in their
well harmonized combinations, and in the professional ability which
pervades the whole.
'Like the Music Room, the square of this apartment, at the height of
twenty three feet, is bounded by a most elegant cornice, apparently
inlaid with pearl and gold: the upper members exhibit the lotus leaf,
and the lower ones are adorned with pendent trefoils, alternating with
silver bells. This is supported, at the angles, by golden columns, each
surrounded, in two divisions, by fasces of lances and darts entwined
by serpents. Over each side of the cornice extends an elliptical arch,
about seven feet high in the clear, having, in the central part, a
narrow, oblong window of stained glass (so contrived as to be illumined
from without), and, in smaller arched compartments, at the extremities,
golden dragons of various forms. The windows, which are glazed lozenge
wise, include in their embellishments radiant suns within circles,
on a blue ground, involving dragons and serpents in their blaze, in
accordance with oriental imagery. Cove-like spandrils, faced with
ornamental fret work, connect the elliptical arches with a cupola of
an unique, yet graceful form; the base being a regular cone, about six
feet in height, and the surmounting part composed of curves struck from
different centres, and partly convex. The cove is bordered with gold
mouldings, and faced with scale work of a whitish-green colour, studded
with golden flowerets. An Eastern sky, partially obscured by the broad
and branching foliage of a luxuriant and fruited plantain tree, is
depicted in the upper part; and, from this, appears to issue a vast
dragon, finely carved, and most brilliantly coloured, the wings and
scales being redolent of metallic green and silver.
'From a ring, environed by the claws of the dragon, was, formerly,
suspended a magnificent lustre, of unparalleled size and beauty;
but this was taken down, about three years ago, under the express
command of his late Majesty, King William, who was fearful lest, from
its immense weight, the supports should give way, and some fatal
accident occur. It is still, however, carefully preserved, and may
be replaced, whenever desirable. Its height is thirty feet, its
extreme diameter about twelve feet, and its weight about one ton.
This elaborate specimen of ingenious art consists of two divisions,
connected with each other by chains richly gilt. The upper division is,
apparently, formed of conjoined links of pearls and rubies diverging
to a horizontal star; below which is a radiant circle of open flowers
and bands of pearls, etc., combined with festoons of sparkling
jewellery. The lower division consists of a vast bulb, gradually
expanding, composed of seeming pearls, and connected with four large
and glittering dragons, from whose upturned mouths proceed as many
lotus flowers (of ground glass slightly tinted), "the expressive
Eastern emblems of perfection and brightness." Festoons of pearls, with
rosettes, stars, etc., and tassels of brilliant drops, complete the
form of this unique ornament.
'Four other lustres, designed in a style of corresponding elegance, but
much smaller, and more simple in construction, are suspended from an
equal number of beautifully carved figures of the Chinese _Fum_, which
appears to issue, in the act of flight, from the spandrils beneath the
cupola, and are richly and variously coloured to resemble nature. Each
minor lustre displays only a single lotus flower, which crowns the
lower division, and appears studded, at the joining of the leaves, with
superb jewels; twenty four burners are contained within the cup of each
flower.
'Of the enchanting effect produced by the diffusive rays of these
lustres, when fully illumined, it is scarcely possible to conceive an
adequate idea. "Creating," (if the figure may be allowed), "in mid
air, a diamond blaze, yet so chastened by the semi-transparent medium
through which it streams, that the eye gazes on the beauteous scene,
undazzled; the effulgence assumes the character of an artificial day."
'The recesses to the north and south of this apartment are united to
the main cornice by convex curves (rising from a subordinate cornice
enriched with gold and pendent bells), each of which is divided into
five semi-elliptic compartments, curiously embellished with a variety
of shadowy mythological forms, in pale gold, on a slate coloured
ground. The intervening spaces above the cornice, are crimson and gold,
with silver studs.
'On the east side are five spacious windows, the draperies of which
are of the richest crimson silks, adorned with gold, and sustained
by flying dragons. The dividing piers are covered by fluted silks
of celestial blue; and, in front of each pier, is a beautiful
candelabrum, about ten feet in height. Each of the latter consists of a
circular pedestal (including descending dragons, in relief, among its
ornaments), supporting a cylindrical vase of blue porcelain, resembling
lapis lazuli, surmounted by a lotus flower, of seven leaves, slightly
tinged with red, and having its stem entwined by golden dragons.
Similar candelabra, but with varied pedestals, stand before the main
piers on the opposite side. The windows are glazed with plate glass
in large panes, set in frames of dark wood, with gold beadings, and
borders of amber coloured glass; the jambs are black and red, edged
with gold ornamental work.
'There are four entrances to this apartment (_viz._, two at each
end), all of which are uniform in character and decoration. They
have folding doors embellished in imitation of Japan work; each
leaf presenting an elegant pagoda, embossed with gold of different
hues, and hung with silver bells. Small columns ornament the sides
of the doorways, and each impost exhibits two finely carved dragons,
apparently of solid gold. Above these, in an arched compartment, is a
group of dragons, issuing from an expanded flower cup, expressive of
the chimæra of oriental mythology: these, also, are richly gilt, and
beautifully sculptured.
'The walls above the dado (independently of a general decoration of
silver chequer work, heightened with flowered crosses, on a deep blue
ground) are divided into compartments of large size, containing a
series of beautiful paintings in illustration of the domestic manners
and costume of the Chinese people. The grouped subjects are eleven in
number, and there are four others of single figures, holding screens
of peacock's feathers. The ground of these masterly productions is an
imitation of inlaid pearl, richly and ingeniously wrought with all the
varied forms of the mythology of China; yet so delicately executed
as scarcely to intrude upon the eye. The central picture on the west
side represents the conveyance home of a Chinese bride. She is seated
in a palanquin, under a parasol canopy, with a peacock by her side,
and carried by six bearers in rich habits. An attendant with cymbals,
and two boys, respectively carrying a banner and a trumpet, lead the
procession. In the adjoining are a lady looking at a vase containing
gold fish, which an attendant is feeding, and a Chinese grandee giving
audience to a suitor. On the same side, but within the recesses, family
parties are represented, in one of which is a female on a settee, with
two children, and, at her knee, a boy playfully holding a macaw. Among
the other subjects represented are, a lady playing on a guitar, with a
much pleased child, kneeling at her side, and listening; a lady, with
a peacock fan, receiving fruit from a boy; a lady and child tending
flowers; and a child amusing itself with a tame snake, in the presence
of its parents. These paintings are executed with a precision and
delicacy equal to miniature, and the colouring is extremely brilliant:
the figures are nearly the size of life; and the dresses are richly
embroidered. They are all inclosed within painted framings of trellis
work, edged by narrow gold mouldings. On the west side are, also,
painted two Chinese standards, hung with pennons, and guarded, at the
base, by dragons.
'At each end of this room (facing each other) is a chimney piece of the
finest statuary marble, ornamented with _ormolu_, and having canopied
niches in the jambs, occupied by Chinese figures, richly gilt. Above
each is a looking glass, extending to the cornice, and measuring ten
feet in height, by five feet nine inches in width. Before the northern
glass stands a time piece, of most excellent design and workmanship.
The dial forms the centre of an opening sunflower, on each side of
which, as though reposing in the shade of its exuberant and varied
foliage (chased in gold), is a Chinese figure, male and female, the one
with a bow, the other with a fan. These figures are of brass, highly
coloured in beautiful Japan work; and the garments are enriched with
golden ornaments, finely pencilled. On the opposite chimney piece is a
thermometer, of similar design and execution as the time piece: each
dial is surmounted by a peacock, or _Fum_.
'There are five sideboards of rose wood in this apartment, ornamented
with _ormolu_ and Chinese emblems. The dining table, which is of the
best mahogany, is forty two feet in length, and seven feet six inches
in width. The seats and backs of the chairs are covered with red
morocco.
'Among the other furniture appropriate to a dining room, are five
Chinese Cisterns, mounted in _ormolu_, of superior workmanship; and
numerous jars and vessels of blue porcelain, of great brilliancy and
excellence; the latter are of Staffordshire manufacture, and were
provided by Spode and Copeland. The carpeting, which is of Axminster
manufacture, and made expressly for the room, consists of a large
square, and two end pieces to correspond. A dragon, with three serpents
coiled round, and involving it, forms the central ornament: this is
surrounded by circles, diversely wrought, and increasing in diameter
towards the border.
'The illustration represents the Banqueting Room as it appeared during
one of the splendid entertainments given there, by the Prince Regent;
whose portrait may be distinctly recognised among the company.
'On the same side, at the end of the dining table, is his Royal
brother, the late King, when Duke of Clarence. The table is set out
with rich plate, splendid candelabra, and elegant and costly statuary.
'THE LIBRARY.
'Behind the Music Room, and, partly, forming the north west of this
edifice, are the private apartments which were occupied by his late
Majesty, George the Fourth. They consist of a Library, Bed room, Bath,
Sitting and Dressing rooms, and several offices.
'The Library comprehends two rooms, the largest of which is thirty
five feet in length, by twenty feet in breadth, and the other, about
half those dimensions. Divided into three compartments, _viz._ a
square and two oblongs, the ceiling of the large room is painted to
represent an azure sky, diversified by light clouds; and, in the
oblong compartments, are delineations of Chinese standards. The square
part is surrounded by a gilt cornice, supported, at the angles, by
fluted pillars, crowned with capitals of fan-like tracery. Dragons of
grotesque and varied forms, combined with flowers and other devices, on
a green ground, are curiously painted on the walls. The hangings are
composed of rich yellow coloured drapery. Over the chimney piece, which
is of statuary marble, and very elegant, is a splendid looking glass;
and another is fixed over the chimney piece in the smaller room. Though
still called the Library, these apartments present but few indications
of that appropriation, all the books having been removed during the
residence, here, of William the Fourth. A great variety of China jars,
and other vessels, form a part of the ornamental furniture, and, in
the smaller room, is a very pretty Indian Cabinet, containing numerous
articles of _bijouterie_ and _vertû_.
'HIS MAJESTY'S (GEORGE THE FOURTH) BEDROOM.
'This apartment adjoins to the Library, on the north side: it forms
a square of about forty feet, with a recess for a bed on the eastern
side. A kind of dado of trellis work surrounds the lower part, and
the upper parts are decorated with dragons, stars, flowers, etc.,
pencilled in white, on a light green ground: the doors, also, are
painted to correspond. The adjoining _Bath Room_ is lined white marble:
the principal bath, which is sixteen feet long, ten feet wide, and six
feet deep, is supplied with salt water from the sea, by a succession
of pipes, and other machinery. In the Ante room (or Page's room) are
eighteen small paintings, very neatly executed, of Chinese Landscapes,
and other subjects connected with China.
'THE NORTH AND SOUTH GALLERIES, or LOBBIES, as they are now called,
serve as avenues of communication with the adjoining apartments.
From the trellis work and general style of fitting up, they have a
light and airy appearance, and the furniture is correspondent. Each
doorway is flanked by two half columns, ornamented by lozenge-shaped
reticulations, and crowned by dragons' heads in relief. Several models
of Chinese ships and Pagodas, finely carved in ivory, are preserved
here, and exhibit extraordinary examples of patient labour and
dexterity in that branch of art.
'QUEEN ADELAIDE'S APARTMENTS, are very neatly fitted up, though with
little splendour; being far more adapted for domestic comfort than
for state display; for which, indeed, they were never designed. Both
the Drawing and Bed-rooms are battened with a very handsome paper,
teeming with flowers upon a yellow ground, and including many beautiful
parrots and other birds and insects among its other ornaments. Several
Indian cabinets, and an elegant Buhl table, form part of the Drawing
room furniture; and, in the adjoining Lady's Room, is a fine head, by
Lawrence, of his late Majesty, William the Fourth. These apartments
open to the balcony in the West Wing, over the Library.
'GREAT KITCHEN.
'Nearly the whole of the south end of the Palace is occupied by the
various offices belonging to the establishment,--of which, both in
appearance, and interest, the _Great Kitchen_ must be regarded as the
principal. Its form is rectangular; the extent from east to west is
about forty-five feet, and, from north to south, thirty-six feet. It
has a lantern roof, which is supported by four iron columns, in the
shape of palm trees, and is carried up to a considerable elevation. The
interior of this necessary adjunct to social comfort is to be seen in a
contemporary illustration, wherein its busy inmates are seen in active
preparation for a Royal entertainment. The dishes, when placed on the
central table, are kept hot by a steam apparatus, until everything
is ready for the banquet. Several smaller kitchens, and two larders,
are attached to the principal one; and, on the western side of the
servants' corridor, are two pastry rooms and a confectionary. Some
alterations were made here about two years ago, during a repair. It is
scarcely necessary to add, that all the arrangements, fittings up and
furniture of these offices, as well as the great variety of articles
of culinary use, are of the best and most convenient description. In
an open court, there is, also, an octagon tower, containing a water
reservoir; the water is raised and supplied for domestic purposes, by
ingenious and powerful machinery.
'THE CHAPEL.
'Near the south east angle of the palace is a large building of red
brick, forming part of Castle Square. This was, originally, the Castle
Inn; but, it having been purchased by the Prince Regent, the Ball
room was converted into a CHAPEL for the Royal household, soon after
his accession to the Crown. It was consecrated with great solemnity,
on the 1st of January, 1822, by the late Dr. John Buckner, Bishop of
Chichester, in the presence of the King and his suite, and a numerous
congregation. The interior forms a rectangle of eighty feet by forty;
the height is about thirty feet. The Royal gallery, which is at the
north end, is supported by fluted columns and pilasters, and hung with
crimson drapery: it includes three divisions, the central one being
for the sovereign, and those to the right and left, for the attendant
ladies and gentlemen. At the south end is a large organ gallery, with
seats for the household servants. The area is appropriated to a general
congregation, but no person is admitted without a ticket: the number
of tickets issued is about 400. The chapel is neatly wainscoted; and
has two fire places on each side: it communicates with the Palace by a
covered passage leading to an apartment adjoining the Banqueting room.
The original Chapel Royal was in Prince's Place, North Street, at a
short distance westward from the Pavilion; and it is still occupied
as a Chapel of ease to Brighton. It was erected in 1793, under the
patronage of the Prince of Wales, who deposited the first stone; and
contains accommodation for about 1,000 persons.
'THE ROYAL STABLES.
'It has already been stated that the Pavilion Stables were erected from
the designs of the late William Porden, Esq^{re}, between the years
1803 and 1805. They stand on the northern side of the pleasure grounds,
at the distance of about ninety or one hundred yards from the Palace
itself, and occupy a part of the site of the Elm, or Promenade Grove,
which had, for some years, been used as a place of public recreation,
and was purchased by the Prince of Wales, in 1800. Shortly afterwards,
the adjoining shrubberies and grounds of Grove House, belonging to
the Duke of Marlborough, were also purchased; and, in consequence
of those acquisitions, the _New Road_, connecting North Street with
Church Street, was made. The thoroughfare connecting East Street with
the North Steyne (which had, previously, run immediately behind the
Pavilion) was then closed up, and the intervening space annexed to the
demesne.
'The arrangement and construction of this extensive pile are highly
honourable to the professional skill of its talented architect, who
was the first person in this country that adopted the Oriental style
in modern composition; at least, on an enlarged scale. In the boldness
of the design, particularly of the dome crowned Rotunda, and in the
judicious allocation of the parts, "which" (as was justly remarked by a
contemporary writer), "while they produce all the conveniences in the
contemplation of his Royal Highness, contribute, equally, to advance
the general effect," the architect has been eminently successful; yet,
as correct specimens of Oriental composition, neither the Pavilion,
nor Stables, will be ever regarded as examples for imitation. The
expense of erecting this building was upwards of £70,000.
'The principal entrance to the Royal Stables is from Church Street,
and leads through a wide and lofty arch, of the pointed form, into a
spacious quadrangular court, containing the coach houses, coach house
stabling, and various servants' rooms and offices. Opposite to this,
is another archway, conducting to the area of the Rotunda, which is a
circle of 249 feet in circumference, surrounded by the stables for the
saddle horses, and an open gallery; and the whole of which receives its
light through the glazed compartments of the vast cupola by which it is
surmounted. From the extent and height of this interior, and the lofty
elevation of the four arches which open from it towards the cardinal
points, an impressive effect, associated with surprise and admiration,
is produced on the mind of every spectator.
'The Dome, or Cupola, which surmounts the Rotunda, combines strength
and lightness in an extraordinary degree. Although upwards of eighty
feet diameter in the clear, its thickness is only twelve inches at
the bottom, and nine inches at the top. It is constructed on the same
principle as was the celebrated Cupola of the _Halle au Blé_ at Paris,
and it was the first example of that mode of construction, in this
country, upon a large scale. The main ribs, which are twenty-four in
number, are twelve inches by nine inches at the bottom, diminishing
to nine inches square at the top; they are each constructed of three
thicknesses of fir planks, in lengths of nine feet, breaking joint, and
firmly bolted together, every three feet; the whole planed smooth,
and the heading joints fitted together with the greatest accuracy. Of
the space between the ribs, by far the largest proportion is divided
into sixteen glazed compartments, spreading fan wise, which diffuse an
abundant light throughout the Rotunda. The remaining eight compartments
are embellished with panels in stucco work, instead of glass, which
adds variety, without destroying the symmetry, and relieves the eye
from the repulsive glare that a skylight of that magnitude must,
otherwise, produce. In the middle of the Cupola is a circular opening,
surmounted by a lantern, which forms a ventilator for the Rotunda and
Stabling, and is wrought, exteriorly, in the form of a coronet. Where
not interrupted by the skylights, the ribs are connected by horizontal
purlins, and further strengthened by iron chains surrounding the whole
contour. The curvilinear plate, or curb, at the springing of the dome,
measures twelve inches by nine inches, and that at the top, nine inches
by nine; both are constructed in thicknesses in the same manner as the
ribs above described.
'The great arches on the east and west of the Rotunda lead to the
Riding House, and to a new wing of stablings, erected in 1832, for
Queen Adelaide, on the site of what had been intended for a Tennis
Court. They, also, contain the staircases connected with the gallery,
around which are the Harness and Saddle rooms, and numerous apartments
for the grooms and other servants. The southern arch opens to the
pleasure grounds, and the view through the arches, from the entrance
gateway, across the Rotunda, is singularly striking. The stables,
surrounding the area, forty-four in number, are so arranged that, when
the doors are open, a spectator, standing under the central part of
the Cupola, may see into every stall, without changing his situation.
The fronts of the stables, and the arcades of the surmounting gallery,
are finished in a corresponding manner to the dome, and this gives an
harmonious character to the whole interior.
'It has been frequently stated that the ventilation of the Royal
stables, though aided by extensive archways connected with the
Rotunda, was inadequate to disperse the heat attracted, and retained,
by the glass and lead work covering the dome; and, that the health
of all horses kept there for any length of time was much injured in
consequence. These assertions, however, are contrary to facts; the
writer having been recently assured by the chief groom, who has held
his situation many years, that no stabling in the kingdom can be more
healthful, nor better adapted for its purpose than this.
'The RIDING HOUSE, which is to the west of the Rotunda, is a very
capacious building; its length being 176 feet, its width 58 feet 6
inches, and its height 34 feet, in the clear. It is covered with a
roof of a peculiar construction, differing, probably, from every other
example. For the purpose of gaining as much height as possible, this
roof was constructed without the beams, the main timbers, of twelve
inches by nine inches scantling, being built in the form of an arch, of
forty-seven feet six inches radius, in three thicknesses of fir plank;
precisely in the same manner as the ribs of the dome, above described.
These curvilinear beams rest on plates of fir, and are further
strengthened by curvilinear oak struts, of ten feet three inches
radius, forming the ceiling into an elliptical arch 58 ft. 6 in. in the
span (as before stated), and of 15 feet rise; with groins 15 ft. 4 in.
wide over each of the five windows on the west front, and corresponding
groins on the east side. Over the arched beams are principal rafters,
framed at the top with a king post, in the usual manner; and, at the
bottom, forming tangents with the beams, and connected with them by
keys and iron straps. The main trusses of the roof are 18 ft. 5 in.
apart over the windows, and 6 ft. 9 in. over the piers, measuring from
centre to centre; and the number of main beams is eighteen, or three
over each pier.'
[Illustration]
[Illustration]