undred and sixty-two feet in length by seventeen
feet in breadth, and is divided into five compartments, the centre being
illumined with a light of stained glass, on which is represented the
God of Thunder, as described in the Chinese mythology, surrounded by the
imperial five-clawed dragons, supporting pendent lanterns, ornamented
with corresponding devices. The ceiling or cove is the colour of
peach blossom; and a Chinese canopy is suspended round from the
lower compartment with tassels, bells, &c.: the furniture and other
decorations, such as cabinets, chimney-piece, trophies, and banners,
which are in the gallery, are all in strict accordance with the Chinese
taste; while on every side the embellishments present twisted dragons,
pagodas, and mythological devices of birds, flowers, insects, statues,
formed from a yellow marble; and a rich collection of Oriental china.
The extreme compartments north and south are occupied by chased brass
staircases, the lateral ornaments of which are serpents, and the
balusters resemble bamboo. In the north division is the _fum_{1} or
Chinese bird of royalty: this gallery opens into the music room, an
apartment forty-two feet square, with two recesses of ten feet each, and
rising in height forty-one feet, to a dome thirty feet in diameter. The
magnificence and imposing grandeur of effect surpasses all effort
at detail. It presented a scene of enchantment which brought to
recollection the florid descriptions, in the Persian Tales, of the
palaces of the genii: the prevailing decoration is executed in green
gold, and produces a most singularly splendid effect. On the walls
are twelve highly finished paintings, views in China, principally near
Pekin, imitative of the crimson japan.

1 The fum is said to be found in no part of the world but
China. It is described as of most admirable beauty; and
their absence for any time from the imperial city regarded
as an omen of misfortune to the royal family. The emperor
and mandarins have the semblance of these birds embroidered
on their vestments.

~295~~The dome appears to be excavated out of a rock of solid gold, and
is supported by an octagonal base, ornamented with the richest Chinese
devices; at each angle of the room is a pagoda-tower, formed of the most
costly materials in glass and china, with lamps attached; beneath the
dome and base is a splendid canopy, supported by columns of crimson and
gold, with twiste