than 13 tons. It was soon found to have a flaw or crack, and its tone became shrill, but the crack was filed open, so as to prevent vibration, and the tone became quite pure. It is heard in calm weather over the greater part of London. The imposing river front (E.) of the edifice is 940 ft. in length. It is adorned with statues of the English monarchs from William the Conqueror down to Queen Victoria, with armorial bearings, and many other enrichments. The old Law Courts, on the W. side, have been removed.

The impression produced by the interior is in its way no less imposing than that of the exterior. The tasteful fitting up of the different rooms, some of which are adorned down to the minutest details with lavish magnificence, is in admirable keeping with the office and dignity of the building.

The Houses of Parliament are shown on Saturdays from 10 to 4, by tickets obtained gratis at the office of the Lord Chamberlain, to the E. of Victoria Tower. We enter on the W. side by a door adjacent to the Victoria Tower (public entrance also through Westminster Hall).

Police-constables, stationed in each room, hurry visitors through the building in a most uncomfortable fashion, scarcely giving time for more than a glance at the objects of interest. The crypt is not now shown. Handbook 1s. (unnecessary).

Ascending the staircase from the entrance door, we first reach the Norman Porch, a small square hall, with Gothic groined vaulting, and borne by a finely clustered central pillar. We next enter (to the right) the QUEEN'S ROBING ROOM, a handsome chamber, 45 ft. in length, the chief feature in which is formed by the fresco paintings by Mr. Dyce, representing the virtues of chivalry, the subjects being taken from the Legend of King Arthur. Above the fireplace the three virtues illustrated are Courtesy, Religion, and Generosity; on the N. side are Hospitality and Mercy. The fine dado panelling with carvings illustrative of Arthurian legends, the rich ceiling, the fireplace, the doors, the flooring, and the state chair at the E. end of the room are all worthy of notice. Next comes the ROYAL OF VICTORIA GALLERY, 110 ft. long, through which the Queen, issuing from the Queen's Robing Room on the S., proceeds in solemn procession to the House of Peers, for the purpose of opening or proroguing Parliament. On these occasions privileged persons are admitted into this hall by orders obtained at the Lord Chamberlain's Office (see above). The pavement consists of fine mosaic work; the ceiling is panelled and richly gilt. The sides are adorned with two large frescoes in water-glass by Maclise; on the left, Death of Nelson at Trafalgar (comp. p. 145), and on the right, Meeting of Blücher and Wellington after Waterloo.

The PRINCE'S CHAMBER, the smaller apartment entered on quitting the Victoria Gallery, is a model of simple magnificence, being decorated with dark wood in the style for which the middle ages are famous. Opposite the door is a group in marble by Gibson,