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The story that Sebert, a Saxon king converted to Christianity, founded a Christian church on the site of a heathen temple at Thorney island (Westminster), about A. D. 605, is I dare say true; here at that time also was probably his palatial residence, and the spot might be selected for its proximity to the shores of silver Thames, as also that it was on that branch of the military way which had been formed by the Romans, and which leaving the course of that leading from Dover through London, diverged through St. George's-fields to the trajectus (the Horseferry), near the Archbishop's palace at Lambeth, and fell into the great western road near Hyde Park corner. Temples being commonly placed at the passages over rivers, will account for the site of churches, oratories, and palatial residences on the banks of the river both at Westminster and Lambeth. The second William, whom his contemporaries styled le Roux, or the Red, and the monkish Latinists Rufus, esteeming the dimensions of the palace of the Saxon kings inadequate to his dignity, erected the great Hall as the commencement of his new palace at Westminster, and conceived, it is hinted by ancient writers, ideas of still more astonishing architectural atchievements. ||

This grand master-feature of the palace at Westminster becoming ruinous about four centuries after, in the reign of Richard the Second, that monarch reconstructed the roof and remodelled the windows in the elegant taste of his day, the pointed style of architecture. Here he held his tournaments, his courts of justice, his parliaments. While the Hall was under reparation, it may be observed as a precedent to which it may not however be expedient on the present exigency to resort, that he caused a temporary

Rex Anglorum Willielmus a Normanniâ in Angliam rediens tenuit primò curiam suam apud Westmonasterium in nova aula. Quam cum inspecturus, cum multâ militiâ introisset cum alii eam dixissent magnam nimis esse, et æquo majorem, dixit Rex eam debitæ magnitudinis dimidia parte carere, nec eam esse nisi thalamum ad palatiam quod erat facturus. -Matt. Paris, sub anno 1099. Edit. Watts, p. 53.

The idea of converting Westminster

building to be erected for his parliament in the new palace-yard between the clock tower, the site of which tower is marked out by a sun-dial at the top of one of the houses at this day, and the hall. "This house," says Stow, “was very long and large, made of timber covered with tyle, open at the sides and at both ends that men might see and hear what was both sayd and done." *

For particular history of the above, for details of the palace of Westminster generally, and of the chapel of St. Stephen attached (that ancient edifice rebuilt with so much splendour of internal decoration by the third Edward, affording a striking example of the progress of the elegant arts in his day, which an age pretending to taste and refinement could consign to barbarous defacement), we would refer to various well known authorities, but more particularly to "the Antiquities of Westminster," by the late Mr. John Thos. Smith, F.S.A. Keeper of the Prints in the British Museum, an artist who had all the grand conception of Piranesi in selecting striking points of perspective, without his extravagance, and whose topographical illustrations, by the etching needle, are daily becoming more and more valuable. Of the decorations of the Painted Chamber, a building of the 13th century, which has perished in this sudden wreck, the Society of Antiquaries fortunately possess elaborate drawings by the late Charles Alfred Stothard, F. S. A. which I trust they will at length give to the world in one of their annual publications. The veteran architectural antiquary Britton, in conjunction with his old coadjutor, Brayley, has already announced a volume on the palace of Westminster,

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which I doubt not will be characte rized by graphic elegance, and minute and careful illustration.

There can, I think, exist but one feeling as to the propriety of restoring the buildings used for the assembling of the two great Councils of the Nation, on the site where they have for so many ages been accustomed to sit. The High Court of Parliament assembled under "our most religious and gracious King," like the other courts emanating from his authority, should necessarily be holden within the precinct of the royal palace of Westminster. This arrangement has now become constitutional and prescriptive; and will not, I believe, be disturbed even by the innovating spirit which has of late been somewhat fearfully active in our institutions. A daily contemporary print, distinguished for its bad feeling towards our monarchy and church, modestly and decorously recommends that for the present. St. Margaret's Church should be turned into a House of Commons, and that eventually it should be pulled down as a great blemish to the Abbey. It is well that bad taste and bad principles are so closely allied; for it will be on all hands allowed that St. Margaret's Church is, by the contrast of proportions, the most fortunate association that could have accompanied the Abbey; here is a large parish Church with a high tower, sinking into insignificance when placed under the lofty battlements of St. Peter's. On the proposed desecration of the House of God, immediately after a national calamity like this, it is unnecessary to make any remark.

I indulge a hope that in the restoration or rebuilding of the Parliamentary edifices, as much of the ancient buildings may be preserved as may be compatible with public business and con

Litany of the Church of England.
It is rather remarkable that the most

probable cause of the late fire was by the destruction of the Exchequer tallies, overheating the flues communicating with the House of Lords. The mode of checking by tallies (bois tailli) or cleft sticks, for ages set forgery at defiance; the recent change it is said has already encouraged two attempts. An old Exchequer tally will now be a relic of price.

venience. The walls of St. Stephen's Chapel still stand, and its great east window; it was a room whose fine proportions even overcame the attempts to disfigure them; it has been consecrated by the most splendid geniuses, and some of the most remarkable passages of our national history. Could not this building be more judiciously refurnished so as to meet the increased demand for room? Only one half of its area was used for the debates of the Commons (the other portion being appropriated to a lobby); and not half the height of its walls. So that in reality scarcely a fourth part of St. Stephen's Chapel was employed for the sittings of the Members. Incombustibility should be sought after as much as possible in the new buildings, as a security to themselves and the noble monuments of architecture by which they are surrounded. In this view the old Elizabethan houses in New Palace-yard seem to demand removal. The Gothic style should, I think, be adopted in the restorations, which is now so much better understood than it was a few years since. It will harmonize with the surrounding objects. The new Courts of Law form an exception to this obvious propriety; although I am aware that something may be urged by the advocates of Grecian architecture on the score of contrast. Finally, may these national edifices, once restored, burn no more; in them may the true interests and liberties of the subject be ultimately consolidated, the splendour and vigour of the monarchy preserved, the national Church, its firm ally and best pillar, protected, and Old England still continue by such means to dispense the blessings of real liberty and of intellectual light, unclouded by superstition or fanaticism, to the nations of the earth! A. J. K.

To the preceding notices of our Correspondent we annex the following brief and authenticated statement, transferred from our Historical Chronicle. The Plan that accompanies it will show the extent of the fire, which is given in a white ground, whilst the surrounding buildings that were saved are shaded.

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Ground-plan of the two Houses of Parliament and adjoining Edifices,
showing the Extent of the Conflagration.

Oct. 16. This evening a most lamentable event took place, which may be regarded as a national calamity, never to be forgotten. The two Houses of Parliament, with nearly all their various offices, the old Painted Chamber, associated with a thousand historical reminiscences, the libraries of the two Houses, &c. all fell a prey to a destructive fire, which broke out about half-past six o'clock in the evening. The flames suddenly burst forth near the entrances of the two Houses, and immediately burnt with a fury almost unparalleled. In less than half an hour from the first discovery of the flames, the whole interior of the building, from the ground-floor to the roof, presented, through the numerous windows with which it was studded, one entire mass of fire. Thousands of persons instantly asGENT. MAG. VOL. II.

sembled, the engines were in attendance, the police and soldiery were on the spot, and every exertion was made to save the public papers and other important documents, vast quantities of which were conveyed to a place of safety, although many were unfortunately consumed. All attempts to save the House of Lords proving abortive, the firemen wholly directed their attention towards the House of Commons, and to the preservation of that venerable structure, Westminster Hall, which, from the beauty of its architecture, and its close connexion with some of the most important events of our country's annals, is equally admired and estimated by the antiquary, the historian, and the citizen. The wind, which, previous to this time, had blown from the south, that is, in a direct line from Abing

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don-street towards Charing-Cross, now, at near eight o'clock, veered somewhat towards the west, thus throwing the flames immediately upon the House of Commons; the angle of which, abutting upon the House of Lords, caught fire, and, notwithstanding the utmost exertions of the firemen, assisted by the military, the roof ignited, and fell in with a tremendous crash, accompanied with an immense volume of flame and smoke, and emitting in every direction millions of sparks and flakes of fire. This appearance, combined with the sound, resembling the report of a piece of heavy ordnance, induced the assembled multitude to believe that an explosion of gunpowder had taken place. The flames now took a different direction; but the danger to the Hall appeared to be more imminent than ever. From the House of Commons the fire appeared to retrograde as well as advance, and whilst the Speaker's house (which was partially burnt) was placed in jeopardy on the one side, the range of committee-rooms, situate immediately over the Members' entrance to the House of Commons, opposite to Henry the Seventh's Chapel, appeared to be entirely enveloped by the devouring element. A dense black column of smoke issued from the roof of this part of the building, which was almost immediately followed by a large column of flame, and the south end of the Hall was, therefore, at this time encompassed by burning edifices. At this period several engines were introduced into the Hall, and an immense quantity of water was distributed over every part of the building. The firemen and soldiers employed on the exterior of the building also redoubled their exertions, apparently wholly regard. less of the danger to which they were exposed by the falling of burning rafters and the showers of molten lead which poured down upon them on every side. Their efforts were eventually crowned with success. That venerable structure escaped comparatively uninjured, as did the official residence of the Speaker. The house of Mr. Lee, chief clerk of the Commons, and the intermediate offices, and the new Honse of Commons Library, were however completely destroyed; but much of the furniture, and a great portion of the books, in this extensive pile of buildings were saved, and stored in the gardens. The conflagration ultimately extended all round the new front buildings of the Lords, utterly consuming the rooms of the Lord Chancellor, Mr. Courtenay, and other offices ranging round to Hayes's coffee-house. The latter pre

mises also were wholly destroyed. The two stories of committee-rooms on the stone staircase, as well as the courts of law ranging on the west side of Westminster Hall, were uninjured.

The police successfully kept the crowds from interference with the engines. Be too much credit cannot be given to the va rious bodies of troops who worked the engines, assisted in removing the great mass of property, and aided the firemen in most indefatigable exertions to extin guish the flames. Lord Melbourne, Lord Althorp, Lord Hill, Sir John Cam Hobhouse, and other members of the Government were on the spot.

On the following day their Majesties (who had come to town for the purpose, accompanied by the Earl and Countess of Errol, Earl of Munster, Lords Adophus and Frederick Fitzclarence, and several other noblemen, arrived in two private carriages in New Palace-yard, to view the ruins. After having surveyed the whole, they returned to St. James's Palace, and then left town for Windsor. On the 22d Oct. the Privy Counci assembled for the purpose of investice ing the origin of the fire. The examina tion was strictly private. There never was so numerous an attendance of members. Twenty-six summonses were is sued, and twenty-one of the Councillors were in attendance, including the Lord Chancellor, Lords Melbourne and Pamerston, and all the other Cabinet Mi ters in town. The origin of the fre could not with certainty be ascertained; but the most probable account, from the evidence adduced, is, that it originated the flues used for warming the House of Lords, which had been unusually beated by a large fire made by the burning of the old wooden Exchequer tallies, and when had been improperly entrusted by the clerk of the works to a workman named Cross.

From an official statement published by the Commissioners of Woods and Fo rests, it appears that, in the House o Lords, the robing rooms, Committee rooms in the west front, the rooms of the resident officers, as far as the octagon tower at the south end of the building. the Painted Chamber, and the north end of the Royal Gallery abutting on the Painted Chamber, from the door leading into the Painted Chamber as far as the first compartment of columns, are totally destroyed. The Library and the adjoining rooms, as well as the Parliament offices and the offices of the Lord Great Chamberlain, together with the Committee rooms, housekeeper's apartments, &c.

rooms

in this building, are saved.-In the House
of Commons, the House, Libraries, Com-
mittee rooms, housekeeper's apartments,
&c. (excepting the Committee
Nos. 11, 12, 13, and 14, which are capa-
ble of being repaired) the official resi-
dence of Mr. Ley, Clerk of the House,
and all the rooms of the Speaker's House
from the oriel window to the south side
of the House of Commons, are entirely
destroyed. The State drawing room un-
der the House of Commons, the Levee
rooms, and other parts of the buildings,
together with the public galleries, and
part of the cloisters, are very much da-
maged.

The loss of records sustained is not
important, nearly every thing of value
having been printed; but among those of
the House of Commons destroyed are
the test and qualification rolls, signed by
the Members after taking the oaths; and
the original Warrant of Charles I.'s exe-
cution is said to be missing from the
House of Lords. Among the private
property lost in the offices is a valuable
series of Private Acts, the property of
The books
Messrs. Dyson and Jones.
in the Lower Library of the House of
Commons were saved; but those in the
upper room, including the quantity lately
received from France, (see the Report in
our Sept. number, p. 293,) were de-
stroyed. The lover of antient art has to
regret the fragments of antient painting

in the Painted Chamber and St. Stephen's Chapel; the tapestry of the Spanish Armada; and the probable necessary demolition of at least the latter of those structures. Some fine relics of ecclesiastical architecture will, however, still be preserved in the Speaker's house. A curiosity saved from the fire is an oak table marked with the blood of Perceval. The records of the Augmentation Office were disturbed from their receptacles, and thrown into the street; but were shortly restored, being jealously watched by Mr. W. H. Black, the recently appointed Subcommissioner of Records.

On Thursday, Oct. 23, the Parliament was further prorogued to the 25th of November, the Library of the House of Lords being fitted up for the ceremony, (with a temporary throne, woolsack, &c.) and the House of Commons meeting in a contiguous committee-room.

It has been determined that the House of Lords shall be immediately fitted up for the next Session of the House of Commons; and the Painted Chamber for the House of Lords; which Sir Robert Smirke has reported may be effected at an expense of 30,000l. These works are already commenced.

ON THE PROGRESS OF ANGLO-SAXON
LITERATURE IN ENGLAND.

MR. URBAN,

Oct. 15.

IT is a subject of much satisfaction to all who take an interest in our early vernacular literature, that a corner of your Magazine should be occasionally devoted to the discussion of questions connected with the writings of the Saxon and Early English period of composition. If those gentlemen who are competent to the task, and have access to, or possess manuscripts of inedited English authors, would follow the example of your intelligent Correspondent, who communicated the article on Piers Plouhman in April last, we might hope to gain gradually a complete knowledge of the treasures which still lie hid in the libraries of our Colleges and Cathedrals, as well as in the private collections of individuals. But it is rather unfortunate, that, almost at the outset of this attempt to render your publication a receptacle for such information, a controversy should have arisen between the Old and Modern schools of Saxonists (if I may be allowed the terms), which, from the temper displayed on both sides, promises only "a war of words;" amusing indeed, but profitless to those who look quietly on the disputants. It cannot but provoke a smile to mark the cause pending between Trin. Coll. Cambr. and Trin. Coll. Oxon. or to take the odds between a Saxon Professor in esse, and a Saxon Professor in posse. 1 confess I have but little cause to be

SO

partial to Mr. Kemble-yet my own study and reading in Saxon literature convince me that he is in the right, and that the Old School of Saxonists, from the time of Hickes to Bosworth, did not study the language on those sound principles of grammar and analogy, which have recently been pointed out to us by the Northern philologists. But it is not a few casual errors in the works of these scholars, that should constitute a charge of incompetence against them; for, as Mr. Kemble himself has owned, in his Preface to Beowulf, "nothing but malevolence could cavil at the trivial errors which the very best scholars are daily found to commit." Yet in one

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