d serpents of enormous size, and terrific expression
surrounding them. A magnificent organ, by Sinclair, the largest and best
in the kingdom, occupies the north recess, twenty feet in width, length,
and height: there are two entrances to this room, one from the _Egyptian
gallery_, and another from the yellow drawing-room, each under a rich
canopy, supported by gold columns. A beautiful chimney-piece of white
statuary marble, and an immense mirror, with splendid draperies of
blue, red, and yellow satin, rare china jars, and ornaments in ormolu,
increase the dazzling brilliancy of the apartment. As this was my first
appearance in the palace, the Countess, very considerately, proposed to
Sir H----T----, who conducted us, that we should walk through the other
public apartments, before we were ushered into the presence chamber--a
proposition the good-natured equerry very readily complied with.
Repassing, therefore, the whole length of the Chinese gallery, the
southern extremity communicates with the _Royal Banqueting Room_, sixty
feet in length, by forty-two in breadth: the walls are bounded at the
height of twenty-three feet by a cornice, apparently inlaid with pearls
and gold, from which spring four ecliptic arches, supported by golden
columns, surmounted with a dome, rising to a height of forty-five feet,
and constructed to represent an eastern sky; beneath which is seen
spreading the broad umbrageous foliage of the luxuriant plantain,
bearing its fruit and displaying, in all the progressive stages,
~296~~the different varieties, from the early blossom to maturity:
curious Chinese symbols are suspended from the trunk, and connect
themselves with a grand lustre, rising to a height of thirty feet, and
reflecting the most varied and magical effect, being multiplied by other
lustres, in the several angles adjoining. The walls are decorated with
groups of figures, nearly the size of life, portraying the costume
of the higher classes of the Chinese; domestic episodes, painted on a
ground of imitative pearl, richly wrought, in all the varied designs
of Chinese mythology. The furniture is of the most costly
description--rose-wood inlaid with mother-of-pearl, and enriched with
_or molu_ chasings of the most elegant design; the effect of which is
admirably contrasted with the rich glossy jars of blue porcelain, of
English manufacture, and magnificent brilliancy. Centrally, between
these magnificent apartments, is the Rotunda or Saloo