edieval
kings of England, among which you cannot fail to notice those of Richard
III. Those two elaborately-wrought lanterns which depend from the
groined ceiling, formerly hung in the Gothic conservatory of Carlton
House, and the recesses of the walls are adorned with eleven full-length
portraits of kings and queens of Spain painted upon leather.

Look at those ebony and ivory couches, and this ebony chair, from which
justice was formerly meted out by the Dutch and English rules to the
Cingalese; and see here this great chair, so profusely carved and
cushioned with rich black velvet worked with gold. [Picture: Black
velvet chair] It is said to have been the Electoral coronation chair of
Saxony; and the date assigned to it in the 'Builder' is 1620. The
armorial bearings embroidered upon the back would probably settle the
question; but I know little of foreign heraldry beyond the fact that
sufficient attention is not paid to it in this country.

Attached to the gallery at the opposite end of the lobby from which we
entered the drawing-room, there is a boudoir, or robing-room--a perfect
gem in its way. [Picture: Nell Gwynne's mirror] You have only to touch
this spring, and that picture starts from the wall and affords us free
egress. Just take one peep into this fairy boudoir.

There hangs against the wall Nell Gwynne's mirror, in its curious frame
of needlework. Oh! You wish to take a peep at yourself in Nelly's
looking-glass? Odds, fish! mind you do not overset that basset table of
Japan manufacture--another Strawberry Hill relic. Now, are you
satisfied? Those beautiful enamels, and that charming Bermudian
brain-stone, the wonderful network of which infinitely exceeds the finest
lace? Well, I must admit that some philosophy is required to feel
satisfied when revelling among the ornaments of palaces, the treasures of
monasteries, and the decorations of some of the proudest mansions of
antiquity; and did we not turn our eyes and regard the infinitely
superior works of Nature, alike bountifully spread before the poor and
the rich man, the heart might feel an inward sickening at the question.
In the state carved-oak bed-room is a finely carved walnut-wood German
cabinet of the true Elizabethan period.

[Picture: German cabinet (Eizabethan period)]

Though within the walls of the Pryor's Bank, or any other human
habitation, all that is rich in art may be assembled, yet, without the
wish to turn