carved sides of which rise as supporters for a narrow gallery, that has a most superb front, and that is finished into rich stalls, with four red velvet seats, for the accommodation of eight persons. These are intended for Peeresses. Behind these gallery stalls, on the walls, is a carved ballustrade that rises to the base of six great arched windows, which ascend to meet the squares upon the lofty ceiling. These windows are of stained glass, representing the Kings and Queens of England. Against the piers separating the frescoes at the Throne end, are statues of two of the barons who aided in obtaining Magna Charter, and the sixteen others who aided in the same great securities for English liberty, are to be placed on the piers at the sides between the great windows. Chandeliers hang out from these. There is a door on either side of the Throne, that leads to the Prince's chamber in rear of it.

When we arrived at the Parliament House it was early-only 5 o'clock, P. M. The sessions commence thus early, but generally last till midnight. There were but few Peers present when we reached the gallery, but it was not long before the number amounted to forty or fifty. The Lord Chancellor was on the Woolsack, dressed as I have described. He appeared to be a bright, active man of about sixty years of age. The members were carelessly or indifferently, lounging upon their seats, or moving about the chamber at pleasure. The seats at the right of the Woolsack, were occupied by Bishops in lawn. During the two hours we remained, the subjects under consideration were the absorbing Catholic question, of the right of the Pope to establish an ecclesiastical dynasty in Great Britain, without the consent of the

English Government, and some local matters in relation to Canada Several Peers advanced from their seats to the table and spoke on these subjects, amongst whom was the Earl of Shaftesbury, formerly Lord Ashley, the father of the Ragged School System, Earl Gray, Lord Monteagle, the old "Iron Duke," Lord Wellington, a Bishop Somebody, and others. They spoke rather like sensible, polite gentlemen, assembled together in a parlor, than as orators in the forum. Wellington was clad in a blue coat with white pantaloons. Most of the time he stood or sat with his hat on; but when he spoke, he uncovered, and exposed a very grey head. He is eighty-five years old, and it is nearly forty years since he conquered Napoleon on the field of Waterloo and made him an exile on St. Helena. He appeared quite erect, and moved with a cautious but prompt military step. His voice is harsh, and he spoke but a short time and withdrew from the Chamber through one of the doors by the side of the Throne. He is said to have more influence than any other Peer in the House. We did not see Lord Broughambeing ill all summer, he has at no session been present. The Lords had no insignia of office upon their persons, but were clad in citizens' dresses according to the common fashions of the day.

There was on the large table of the Scribes, in the centre of the Chamber, an old-fashioned jappaned tin trunk, with handles on the end, and a stripe of worn-out gilding upon the corners. I suppose it is some ancient receptacle of old papers or records- perhaps the Magna Charta itself.

The most the Lord Chancellor had to do whilst we were there, was occasionally to pass from the table in front of

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his Woolsack down the avenue, under our gallery to the door that leads to the House of Commons; and anon he would return with a golden Carpet Bag hanging from his arm; and as he returned to his table he would exclaim, Message from the House of Commons!" and thrust his arm into the Bag, take out a paper and announce the subject matter of it. This he did many times whilst we were in the Chamber. I suppose the Bag that contained the Messages from the Lower House, was golden, to signify that as the House hold the purse-strings, all the supplies for government must come from that source.

Whilst we sat noticing the rich displays all over this magnificently finished room, I noticed for a long time two live Turks, in full costume, with caps, turbans and shawls, and a tall, active, polite lad about ten years of age, all standing or walking behind the bar, and within the enclosure that contained the Throne. Interrogating the Commoner at our side for an explanation of such persons in that sacred place, he remarked, that those Turkish gentlemen were Pachas from Egypt, and the lad who accompanied them was the Prince of Wales, the Queen's eldest boy. It is the prerogative of royalty alone to witness the proceedings of the Peers from that point, and therefore he had introduced the Turks to gratify their curiosity. We reflected that, in a few years, probably, that boy will be King Alfred II. of England. It is said, but I know not how true it is, that Victoria is so averse to the responsibilities of the Queen, that she designs as soon as her Heir becomes of age, to abdicate the Throne, and give the reins into his hands. If so, this will be the first instance of voluntary abdication in English history.

There appeared to be but few old men amongst the Peers most of them are men in middle life. Nor, by what I saw and heard, did I see any evidences of greatness amongst them. The British House of Lords is not equal to the American Senate. The Peers have no pay for their services" they work for nothing and find themselves." This, I believe, is also true of the members of the House of Commons.

LETTER XIX.

VISIT TO WINDSOR CASTLE.

Ride to Windsor-Beauty of the Country and Fragrance of the FieldsHedges-Reapers, Male and Female-Corn Ricks, or Grain BarnsCottages-Town of Windsor-Location of the Castle-Appearance of its Walls-Entrance-Delay Improved-St. George's Chapel-Knight's Stalls-Queen's Closet-Paintings by West-Altar Tombs-Inscribed Prayer for Henry VII. and his Dean-Royal Tomb House-Princess Charlotte's Cenotaph-The Round Tower-State Prisoners-View from the top-The Gold Rooms-Back to London-Aspiration-The Royal Mews-Queen's Ponies-State Apartments-Queen's Audience Chamber -Presence Chamber-Guard Chamber-Banqueting Hall-The Throne -Ball Room-Waterloo Gallery-Grand Staircase-Other RoomsEton College-The Parks-Long Walk-King George's Statue-Herds of Deer-Prince Albert's Fields-His Interest in Agriculture-Apostrophe to Windsor Forest.

WINDSOR CASTLE, AUG. 7, 1851.

I BEGIN this Letter, as you will perceive by its date, in the dwelling-place of Majesty, the Queen's House, which has been the birth place of Princes and the residence of Monarchs for eight hundred years. I say I begin it here, but shall not finish it, probably, till my return to London this evening. I seize a half-hour of constrained restwaiting my turn to be introduced to the State Apartments of the Royal Castle; and, with a golden pen that I just now purchased under the shadows of the Round Tower, commence the first use of it by writing whilst yet the subject is fresh upon my mind and in my very eye. I am like John the Revelator in one humble respect;

wherever I am, at home or abroad, in a Log Cabin or