On this was a
splendid trophy, consisting of arms and weapons, ancient and modern,
comprising nearly 200 varieties, and nearly all differing in form or
pattern. In the centre was a marble bust of William IV. Upon the walls,
at the sides, were two large stars, formed of swords, and their brass
scabbards, bayonets and pistols, one representing the Star of the Garter,
and the other of the Bath. Also two figures in gilt suits of armour on
ornamented pedestals. The rails of the stairs and the cornice of the
ceiling were ornamented with architectural figures, curiously formed with
arms. Below, upon pedestals, were two very striking groups, one
representing a knight in gilt armour, preparing for action, attended by
his esquire, who was in the act of buckling on his spurs, and a pikeman,
with his 18 feet pike. The other group was a knight in a handsome suit
of bright armour, of the time of Elizabeth, in action, having seized a
banner from the enemy, waving his followers on. On each side of the
entrance door was a knight in a suit of gilt armour, and two others,
similarly clad, stood on brackets. The whole of these were destroyed,
with the exception of the Waterloo cannon."

The fire was soon perilously near to the Jewel Office, which was
scorching hot--yet Mr. Swifte, the keeper of the jewels, saved the whole
of the Regalia, down to the minutest article, and was earnestly begged to
retire and leave the last thing, a huge silver wine fountain, to its
fate, but he would not, and this, also, was salved.

"Then Mr. Swifte was nothing slow
The Crown and Jewels saving;
And to get the great Wine Cooler out,
Great danger he was braving.
Now, Mr. Swifte, of all the wine,
Should now be made the ruler,
For while the fire was getting hotter,
He was getting _the Wine Cooler_."

There was an awful scare as to the chance of the store of gunpowder
catching alight--but 400 barrels of powder, and 200 boxes of grenades and
ball cartridges, were removed to the magazine, and the remainder was
thrown into the moat.

On the 8th Dec. the general public were allowed to inspect the ruins, and
to purchase mementos of the fire; the prices were, 6d. for half-a-dozen
gun-flints, and the same amount for a few burnt percussion caps; pieces
of fused iron and arms went at prices varying from 1s. to 20s., the
latter, the maximum price. For many years I had a fused cavalry pistol,
and some calcined flints whic