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The principal public entrances are either through Westminster Hall, or from Old Palace Yard, and lead into a Central or Octagonal Hall, whence the right hand passage will conduct you to the Lords and the left to the Commons. This magnificent hall is covered with a groined roof, containing upwards of two hundred and fifty elaborately carved bosses. Westminster Hall, together with the ancient cloisters of St. Stephen's and St. Stephen's crypt, (the only remains of the ancient Palace), have been skilfully incorporated into the new building.

The Royal Entrance is at the Victoria Tower, leading to the Norman Porch, so called from the frescoes illustrative of the Norman history of this country, and the figures of the Kings of the Norman line. It is intended that the following subjects shall be executed in fresco: Canute reproving his courtiers; and Queen Elizabeth on the sea side after the defeat of the Spanish Armada: and to place here statues of the sovereigns of the Norman line, from William I. to Edward IV., the series being continued in the Queen's Robing Room, the Royal Gallery, and the Victoria Hall.

In the Guard Room fresco paintings will be placed of young Talbot defending his father in battle, and Isabella Douglas barring the door with her arm, to protect James I. of Scotland. In the adjoining lobby, the subject in fresco will be Edward the Martyr slain by the Danes.

At the right hand corner of the Norman Porch is the Queen's Robing Room, a lofty and spacious apartment in the south front of the building, with a canopied throne at the further end, having an elaborate ceiling similar in character to that of the Chapel Royal, at St. James's Palace; the walls are wainscoted to the height of about eight feet, above which are a series of frescoes, in course of execution by Mr. Dyce, illustrating the exploits of King Arthur. After the ceremony of robing, which takes place in this room, her Majesty passes through a magnificent chamber 110 feet in length, 45 in width, and 45 feet high, called the Royal Gallery. The walls of this noble gallery are to be decorated with the following fresco paintings of subjects relating to the military history and glory of the country.

In the three upper compartments in the south wall:-1. Boadicea inciting her army. 2. Alfred in the camp of the Danes. 3. Brian Boroimhe overcoming the Danes at the Bridge of Clontarf.

In the three upper compartments in the north wall:-4. Edith finding the dead body of Harold. 5. Richard Cœur de Lion coming in sight of the Holy City. 6. Eleanor saving the life of her husband, afterwards Edward I., by sucking the poison from a wound in his arm.

In the compartments next to the proposed large compartments on the west wall:-7. Bruce, during a retreat, before the English, protecting a woman borne on a litter, and checking the pursuers. 8. Philippa interceding for the lives of the citizens of Calais.

In the lower compartments on the north wall:-9. Edward the Black Prince entering London by the side of King John of France. 10. The marriage of Henry V., at Troyes, with the Princess Katharine of France.

In the compartments next the proposed large compartments on the east wall:-11. Elizabeth at Tilbury. 12. Blake at Tunis.

In the remaining compartment on the east wall:-13. Marlborough at Blenheim.

In the lower compartments on the north wall:-14. The Death of Wolfe. 15. Death of Abercrombie.

In the remaining compartment on the west wall:-16. Lord Cornwallis receiving the sons of Tippoo as hostages.

In the large compartment on the west wall:-17. Trafalgar; the death of Nelson.

In the corresponding compartment on the east wall:-18. Waterloo; the meeting of Wellington and Blucher.

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