KING'S PRESENCE-CHAMBER.

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illustrative of the glories of EDWARD THE THIRD : the events are detailed at large in the History of England.

1. The Surrender of Calais to Edward the Third.

2. An Entertainment given by Edward the Third, after the defeat of the French, in their attempt upon Calais.

3. The Passage of Edward the Third over the river Somnie.

4. The Interview between the King and his victorious Son, the Black Prince, after the Battle of Cressy, 1346.

5. The History of St. George, the Champion of England.

6. The Battle of Poictiers, where Edward the Black Prince took King John and his Son Philip prisoners, whom he afterwards brought over into England.

7. The Battle of Neville's Cross, where David, King of Scotland, was taken prisoner, by Queen Philippa, whilst her royal consort, Edward the Third, was besieging Calais.

To these must be added, by the same artist―

The First Installation of the ORDER of the GARTER, in St. George's Chapel.

King's Presence-chamber, whose ceiling presents a portrait of Charles the Second, shewn by Mercury the four quarters of THE WORLD! The paintings are all portraits, principally by Kneller, of Charles the Second and James the Second; of KING WILLIAM

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BLENHEIM TOWER.

and QUEEN MARY; of Queen Anne and Queen Caroline; of George the First and George the Second; and last, of his present Majesty, by Ramsey. And what is curious, Prometheus commences, and Duns Scotus closes this renowned list of the Kings and Queens of GREAT BRITAIN! Prometheus, indeed, possesses classic fame in the annals of Heathen Mythology; whilst old Duns Scotus has also his peculiar fame, for having written so many ponderous tomes to enlighten the world.

King's Guard-chamber, on whose ceiling are peace and plenty, in beautiful water-colours. Here the Knights of the Garter, in the absence of the Sovereign, dine at the INSTALLATION. Arms and warlike instruments decorate the room in fanciful arrangements, and the mail of Edward the Black Prince, is placed over the door leading to St. George's Chapel. A portrait of Charles the Second, King of Sweden, and eight views of battles and sieges, are its only pictorial embellishments.

Adjoining this apartment, is the new Blenheim Tower, where is deposited the Banner of France annually delivered here on the 2nd of August, by the DUKE of MARLBOROUGH. By the presentation of this small flag, this nobleman holds BLENHEIM, a magnificent palace at Woodstock, in Oxfordshire. It was built by the nation, in the reign of Queen Anne, and given to the great Duke of Marlborough for his victories over the French. He was the WEL LINGTON of that day!

Having noticed these several apartments with brevity, we come to St. George's Hall, whose extent and splendour are well entitled to our attention. It is reckoned the finest in Europe, and is dedicated to the peculiar honour of the most honourable Order of the Garter. In a large oval, in the centre of the ceiling, King Charles the Second is represented in the habit of the ORDER OF THE GARTER, with his right foot on a lion's head, attended by England, Scotland and Ireland. On the north side of this superb chamber, one hundred and eight feet in length, is painted the Triumph of the Black Prince, son of EDWARD THE THIRD, founder of the Order of the Garter, who is seen seated at the upper end, receiving John, King of France, and David, King of Scotland, prisoners, under a canopy of green velvet. The painter has closed the procession with a representation of SHAKESPEARE'S Merry Wives of Windsor. At the east end is the Sovereign's Throne, the ascent to which, by steps of fine marble, was so admirably painted as to be taken for reality. Above is a handsone music gallery, with an organ, and at the lower end of the Hall is another music gallery, supported by four slaves, beautifully carved of wood, bending, as it were, beneath their burden, representing a FATHER and his three Sons, whom the brave Edward, the Black Prince, is said to have made captive in his wars.

Adjoining is the King's Chapel, the ceiling having a representation of the Resurrection of our SAVIOUR, and a numerous host of angels; its altar-piece is the

:

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ANTHONY VERRIO.

LAST SUPPER; and here are other paintings of the miracles, as circumstantially related in the New Testament.

Over one of the music galleries is a Latin inscription, to this purpose:

"ANTHONY VERRIO, a Neopolitan, born of a noble race, ornamented with a most happy hand this large pile of building of the most noble King Charles the Second and ST. GEORGE."

So much is said of this said Master Verrio, by the person who conducts you through the several apartments of this noble castle, that my curiosity was excited, and on looking into a Biographical Dictionary, I found these particulars concerning him.

VERRIO, born at Naples, was invited into England by Charles the Second, to draw patterns for tapestry, the manufacture of which was about to be revived at Mortlake. The king, however, changing his purpose, Verrio was employed in painting the ceilings in Windsor Castle, for which he was liberally remunerated. His extravagance was such in living, he was always pressing the king for money. One day, finding the king in such a circle that he could approach him, he called with his usual freedom-"SIRE, I desire the favour of speaking to your Majesty."-" Well, Verrio," said THE KING, "what is your request ?"---Money, Sir; I am so short of cash that I am not able to pay my workmen, and your Majesty and I have learned by experience, that pedlars and painters cannot give credit long." The King smiled, and said

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VERRIO'S EXTRAVAGANCE.

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"Yes,

"He had but lately ordered him £1000!" Sir," replied he, " but that was soon paid away, and I have no gold left!" "At that rate," said THE KING, " you would spend more than I do to maintain my family!"" True," answered Verrio; "but does your Majesty keep an open table as I do!" In the reign of James the Second, he was employed in Wolsey's TOMB HOUSE, then destined for a Romish chapel. He, on account of his religious principles, disliked the Revolution of 1688-at first refused to work for King William-but afterwards painted for him the great staircase at Hampton Court. Horace Walpole, however, says he has done it so badly, as if he spoiled it from principle! His eyes failing him, QUEEN ANNE settled on him a pension of £200 per annum for life. This he did not enjoy long; for in 1707 he died at Hampton Court.

The Keep, or Round Tower, in the Middle Ward, next calls for our attention. It is built, in the form of an amphitheatre, on the highest part of the mount. The ascent into the upper apartment is by a flight of 100 stone steps, at the top of which is planted a large cannon, of formidable aspect, threatening the individual that enters with instantaneous destruction! Here are, also, seventeen pieces of cannon mounted round the curtain of the Tower, the only battery now in THE CASTLE! The apartments are occupied by the Constable or Governor, who sustains both a civil and military office. The Guard Chamber has a small magazine of arms; and the pillars of the doors leading

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