was almost universal for the preservation of the noble Hall. By the judicious measure adopted of stationing engines in the interior, which could pour a stream of water on any part of the roof immediately threatened, and above all by the providential direction of the wind, which carried the flames of the burning House of Commons away from the gable, and drifted the volume of smoke and kindled embers across the Thames, the Hall was eventually saved.

In the back-ground of this awful scene the old towers of the Abbey seemed to be sleeping in the clear moonlight, tinged also with the hue of the flames. To parody the lines of a modern departed genius of deserved celebrity,

"O'er London all that fearful night A wondrous blaze was seen to gleam, 'Twas broader than the watch fire-light, And redder than the bright moon beam, Blazed battlement and pinnet high." And speaking with reference to the reflections on the Chapel of Henry VII.

"Blazed every rose-carved buttress fair!"‡

The fire was now seen kindling by degrees the upper portions of the Speaker's house. About half past nine an immense column of flame burst forth through the roof and windows of the House of Lords; the whole of the upper part of the building was veiled from the eye by this out-break of the conflagration; bright blue§ corruscations, as of electric fire, played in the volume of flames, and so struck were the bye-standers with the grandeur of the sight at this moment, that they involuntarily (and form no bad feeling) clapped their hands, as though they had been present at the closing scene of some dramatic spectacle, when all that the pencil and pyrotechnic skill can effect is put in action, to produce a striking coup d'œil. I left my post about ten, and returned to it again in another hour. The picture now was changed, the floors and roofs had fallen

Lay of the Last Minstrel, Canto VI. § This singular appearance proceeded perhaps from the colouring matter in the materials of the tapestry of the House of Lords, which represented the destruction of the Armada, and the heroes of that

event.

in, and the gutted buildings, glared with flames, ascending from the vacant area; clouds of white smoke rolled from the burning mass, and blue stars of fire, as it were, studded the openings of the windows like an illumination on a rejoicing night, or as if "Pendent by subtle magic many a row Of starry lamps and blazing cressets fed With naphtha and asphaltum yielded light."¶

Indeed the whole might be imagined to resemble Milton's Pandemonium ; architectural apertures, appeared to the solid walls, presenting numerous glow as if red hot with the fervent heat.

To complete the terrors of the scene, to the above particulars must be added the" dire yell" when, as Shakspeare says, by night and negligence the fire is spied in populous cities,"-the bell of St. Margaret's tolling-the firemen shouting-the crash of falling timbers-the drums of the foot-guards beating to arms, and the clarions of Amidst all this din and confusion the the horse wailing through the air, river calmly glided on, gleaming with reflected fires, and as a venerable poet, your correspondent, has beautifully expressed, "made no sound;"* and the moon in unruffled majesty rode through the skies" apparent Queen,” her pale and silver light overpowering that of the glowing furnacet which raged in the palace of the Saxon Confessor and his successors.

So much has been said in detail by contemporary prints, on the antiquarian and historical particulars of the buildings which suffered or were endangered by this great fire, that I have little inclination at present to dilate at any length on those points.

This effect was produced by the solid frames of timber which surrounded the apertures for windows.

¶ Milton's Paradise Lost, Book I.
*See Gents. Mag. for Sept. p. 290.

So far from the light of the fire extinguishing that of the moon, as some inflated accounts of the Journalists the next day stated, the flood of light from that luminary, then within a day of the full, greatly subdued that of the flames, and confined the atmospheric reflection to the quarter whence they proceeded.

The Times of the 21st October had a long and well compiled account of the two Houses of Parliament.

The story that Sebert, a Saxon king converted to Christianity, founded a Christian church on the site of a heathen temple at Thorney island (Westminster), about A. D. 605, is I dare say true; here at that time also was probably his palatial residence, and the spot might be selected for its proximity to the shores of silver Thames, as also that it was on that branch of the military way which had been formed by the Romans, and which leaving the course of that leading from Dover through London, diverged through St. George's-fields to the trajectus (the Horseferry), near the Archbishop's palace at Lambeth, and fell into the great western road near Hyde Park corner. Temples being commonly placed at the passages over rivers, will account for the site of churches, oratories, and palatial residences on the banks of the river both at Westminster and Lambeth. The second William, whom his contemporaries styled le Roux, or the Red, and the monkish Latinists Rufus, esteeming the dimensions of the palace of the Saxon kings inadequate to his dignity, erected the great Hall as the commencement of his new palace at Westminster, and conceived, it is hinted by ancient writers, ideas of still more astonishing architectural atchievements. ||

This grand master-feature of the palace at Westminster becoming ruinous about four centuries after, in the reign of Richard the Second, that monarch reconstructed the roof and remodelled the windows in the elegant taste of his day, the pointed style of architecture. Here he held his tournaments, his courts of justice, his parliaments. While the Hall was under reparation, it may be observed as a precedent to which it may not however be expedient on the present exigency to resort, that he caused a temporary

Rex Anglorum Willielmus a Normanniâ in Angliam rediens tenuit primò curiam suam apud Westmonasterium in nova aula. Quam cum inspecturus, cum multâ militiâ introisset cum alii eam dixissent magnam nimis esse, et æquo majorem, dixit Rex eam debitæ magnitudinis dimidia parte carere, nec eam esse nisi thalamum ad palatiam quod erat facturus. -Matt. Paris, sub anno 1099. Edit. Watts, p. 53.

The idea of converting Westminster

building to be erected for his parliament in the new palace-yard between the clock tower, the site of which tower is marked out by a sun-dial at the top of one of the houses at this day, and the hall. "This house," says Stow," was very long and large, made of timber covered with tyle, open at the sides and at both ends that men might see and hear what was both sayd and done." *

For particular history of the above, for details of the palace of Westminster generally, and of the chapel of St. Stephen attached (that ancient edifice rebuilt with so much splendour of internal decoration by the third Edward, affording a striking example of the progress of the elegant arts in his day, which an age pretending to taste and refinement could consign to barbarous defacement), we would refer to various well known authorities, but more particularly to " the Antiquities of Westminster," by the late Mr. John Thos. Smith, F.S.A. Keeper of the Prints in the British Museum, an artist who had all the grand conception of Piranesi in selecting striking points of perspective, without his extravagance, and whose topographical illustrations, by the etching needle, are daily becoming more and more valuable. Of the decorations of the Painted Chamber, a building of the 13th century, which has perished in this sudden wreck, the Society of Antiquaries fortunately possess elaborate drawings by the late Charles Alfred Stothard, F. S. A. which I trust they will at length give to the world in one of their annual publications. The veteran architectural antiquary Britton, in conjunction with his old coadjutor, Brayley, has already announced a volume on the palace of Westminster,

which I doubt not will be characterized by graphic elegance, and minute and careful illustration.

There can, I think, exist but one feeling as to the propriety of restoring the buildings used for the assembling of the two great Councils of the Nation, on the site where they have for so many ages been accustomed to sit. The High Court of Parliament assembled under our most religious and gracious King," like the other courts emanating from his authority, should necessarily be holden within the precinct of the royal palace of Westminster. This arrangement has now become constitutional and prescriptive; and will not, I believe, be disturbed even by the innovating spirit which has of late been somewhat fearfully active in our institutions. A daily contemporary print, distinguished for its bad feeling towards our monarchy and church, modestly and decorously recommends that for the present. St. Margaret's Church should be turned into a House of Commons, and that eventually it should be pulled down as a great blemish to the Abbey. It is well that bad taste and bad principles are so closely allied; for it will be on all hands allowed that St. Margaret's Church is, by the contrast of proportions, the most fortunate association that could have accompanied the Abbey; here is a large parish Church with a high tower, sinking into insignificance when placed under the lofty battlements of St. Peter's. On the proposed desecration of the House of God, immediately after a national calamity like this, it is unnecessary to make any remark.

I indulge a hope that in the restoration or rebuilding of the Parliamentary edifices, as much of the ancient buildings may be preserved as may be compatible with public business and con

+ Litany of the Church of England.

It is rather remarkable that the most probable cause of the late fire was by the destruction of the Exchequer tallies, overheating the flues communicating with the House of Lords. The mode of checking by tallies (bois tailli) or cleft sticks, for ages set forgery at defiance; the recent change it is said has already encouraged two attempts. An old Exchequer tally will now be a relic of price.

venience. The walls of St. Stephen's Chapel still stand, and its great east window; it was a room whose fine proportions even overcame the attempts to disfigure them; it has been consecrated by the most splendid geniuses, and some of the most remarkable passages of our national history. Could not this building be more judiciously refurnished so as to meet the increased demand for room? Only one half of its area was used for the debates of the Commons (the other portion being appropriated to a lobby); and not half the height of its walls. So that in reality scarcely a fourth part of St. Stephen's Chapel was employed for the sittings of the Members. Incombustibility should be sought after as much as possible in the new buildings, as a security to themselves and the noble monuments of architecture by which they are surrounded. In this view the old Elizabethan houses in New Palace-yard seem to demand removal. The Gothic style should, 1 think, be adopted in the restorations, which is now so much better understood than it was a few years since. It will harmonize with the surrounding objects. The new Courts of Law form an exception to this obvious propriety; although I am aware that something may be urged by the advocates of Grecian architecture on the score of contrast. Finally, may these national edifices, once restored, burn no more; in them may the true interests and liberties of the subject be ultimately consolidated, the splendour and vigour of the monarchy preserved, the national Church, its firm ally and best pillar, protected, and Old England still continue by such means to dispense the blessings of real liberty and of intellectual light, unclouded by superstition or fanaticism, to the nations of the earth! A. J. K.

To the preceding notices of our Correspondent we annex the following brief and authenticated statement, nicle. The Plan that accompanies it transferred from our Historical Chrowill show the extent of the fire, which is given in a white ground, whilst the surrounding buildings that were saved are shaded.

don-street towards Charing-Cross, now, at near eight o'clock, veered somewhat towards the west, thus throwing the flames immediately upon the House of Commons; the angle of which, abutting upon the House of Lords, caught fire, and, notwithstanding the utmost exertions of the firemen, assisted by the military, the roof ignited, and fell in with a tremendous crash, accompanied with an immense volume of flame and smoke, and emitting in every direction millions of sparks and flakes of fire. This appearance, combined with the sound, resembling the report of a piece of heavy ordnance, induced the assembled multitude to believe that an explosion of gunpowder had taken place. The flames now took a different direction; but the danger to the Hall appeared to be more imminent than ever.

From the House of Commons the fire appeared to retrograde as well as advance, and whilst the Speaker's house (which was partially burnt) was placed in jeopardy on the one side, the range of committee-rooms, situate immediately over the Members' entrance to the House of Commons, opposite to Henry the Seventh's Chapel, appeared to be entirely enveloped by the devouring element. A dense black column of smoke issued from the roof of this part of the building, which was almost immediately followed by a large column of flame, and the south end of the Hall was, therefore, at this time encompassed by burning edifices. At this period several engines were introduced into the Hall, and an immense quantity of water was distributed over every part of the building. The firemen and soldiers employed on the exterior of the building also redoubled their exertions, apparently wholly regardless of the danger to which they were exposed by the falling of burning rafters and the showers of molten lead which poured down upon them on every side. Their efforts were eventually crowned with success. That venerable structure escaped comparatively uninjured, as did the official residence of the Speaker. The house of Mr. Lee, chief clerk of the Commons, and the intermediate offices, and the new Honse of Commons Library, were however completely destroyed; but much of the furniture, and a great portion of the books, in this extensive pile of buildings were saved, and stored in the gardens. The conflagration ultimately extended all round the new front buildings of the Lords, utterly consuming the rooms of the Lord Chancellor, Mr. Courtenay, and other offices ranging round to Hayes's coffee-house. The latter pre

The

mises also were wholly destroyed. two stories of committee-rooms on the stone staircase, as well as the courts of law ranging on the west side of Westminster Hall, were uninjured.

The police successfully kept the crowds from interference with the engines. But too much credit cannot be given to the various bodies of troops who worked the engines, assisted in removing the great mass of property, and aided the firemen in most indefatigable exertions to extinguish the flames. Lord Melbourne, Lord Althorp, Lord Hill, Sir John Cam Hobhouse, and other members of the Government were on the spot.

On the following day their Majesties (who had come to town for the purpose), accompanied by the Earl and Countess of Errol, Earl of Munster, Lords Adolphus and Frederick Fitzclarence, and several other noblemen, arrived in two private carriages in New Palace-yard, to view the ruins. After having surveyed the whole, they returned to St. James's Palace, and then left town for Windsor.

On the 22d Oct. the Privy Council assembled for the purpose of investigating the origin of the fire. The examination was strictly private. There never was so numerous an attendance of members. Twenty-six summonses were issued, and twenty-one of the Councillors were in attendance, including the Lord Chancellor, Lords Melbourne and Palmerston, and all the other Cabinet Ministers in town. The origin of the fire could not with certainty be ascertained; but the most probable account, from the evidence adduced, is, that it originated in the flues used for warming the House of Lords, which had been unusually heated by a large fire made by the burning of the old wooden Exchequer tallies, and which had been improperly entrusted by the Iclerk of the works to a workman named Cross.

From an official statement published by the Commissioners of Woods and Forests, it appears that, in the House of Lords, the robing rooms, Committee rooms in the west front, the rooms of the resident officers, as far as the octagon tower at the south end of the building, the Painted Chamber, and the north end of the Royal Gallery abutting on the Painted Chamber, from the door leading into the Painted Chamber as far as the first compartment of columns, are totally destroyed. The Library and the adjoining rooms, as well as the Parliament offices and the offices of the Lord Great Chamberlain, together with the Committee rooms, housekeeper's apartments, &c.