CHAPTER VII.

THE GOVERNMENT OFFICES.

Architecture has its political uses; public buildings being the ornaments of a country. It establishes a nation, draws people and commerce, and makes the people love their native country, which passion is the origin of all great actions in a commonwealth. Modern Rome subsists still, by the ruins and imitation of the old; as does Jerusalem by the Temple of the Sepulchre, and other remains of Helena's zeal.-Sir Christopher Wren.

St. James's Park, is an extensive edifice, the principai or north front of which faces the Parade; it is built of stone, from the designs of Gent, and consists of three stories, displaying the Tuscan, Doric, and Ionic orders of architecture, the whole surmounted with a pediment. That portion of the building fronting Whitehall-the remains of the old palace of Cardinal Wolsey, the numerous alterations of which

have nearly obliterated all traces of its antiquity-has recently been new fronted from the designs of Charles Barry, Esq., and now forms the north wing of that handsome pile of buildings occupied by the Privy Council and the Board of Trade. The Treasury Board holds its meetings here; at the head of the table used for that purpose, is still placed the royal throne. The premier, who is always first Lord of the Treasury, has an official residence within these walls.

THE PRIVY COUNCIL OFFICE,

Whitehall. Erected in 1824, on the site of some old offices connected with the Treasury, from designs by Sir John Soane, and forming part of the south end of the present range of buildings before noticed as the Treasury. In 1847, a new façade was erected by Charles Barry, Esq., in which design he has successfully united the offices of the Privy Council, the Board of Trade, and the Treasury, in one handsome pile of buildings The Council Chamber, which is on the first floor at the west end, is a magnificent apartment, reaching the whole height of the edifice; scagliola Ionic columns imitating Sienna marble, the capitals of which are in imitation of white marble, ornament the sides; the ceiling is slightly curved, and from the centre, an elegant lantern is pendant. Here the Privy Council sits to decide appeals from the subordinate tribunals of the East and West Indies and here the minutes of the Privy Council of the Crown are kept.

Whitehall. Built on the site of the tilt yard, or place for military exercises, formerly attached to Whitehall Palace, in 1754, by Vardy, after a design by Kent, at a cost of £30,000. It consists of a centre

and two wings, having an arched roadway, forming the principal entrance to St. James's Park, so low and mean, that on the first attempt to drive the royal state carriage under it, the crown and ornaments upon the roof were obliged to be removed to allow it to pass through. The carriages of royal and other illustrious personages only, who enjoy the privilege of entry, are allowed to pass through it. The apartments of the south wing are in the occupation of the Secretary of War, his assistants, and clerks, who manage all the fiscal business of the army. The Commander in Chief's apartments are in the north wing, and consist of a waiting-room, a good sized apartment facing Whitehall, the walls of which are covered with military maps; a small, circular vestibule, having the boundary line of the parishes of St. Martin's, and St. Margaret's, Westminster, cut through its centre, with a suitable inscription; the audience-room, facing St. James's Park, in which the Commander in Chief holds his levees, containing portraits of George III. and Queen Caroline, by Gainsborough, and a bust of the Duke of York. Levees are held by the Secretary at War on Tuesdays, and by the Commander in Chief on Thursdays, lasting from eleven until four o'clock; and at which, ladies invariably have the precedence of audience. This apartment is the official head-quarters of the British army, and in it all the great military operations of the late war were planned.

Two lateral pavilions flank the east face of the edifice; in which a troop of one of the three regiments of Horse Guards is always stationed, and together with a troop from the Regent's Park barracks, parade daily at eleven, on which occasions, the fine appearance of the men and horses, and the richness of their caparisons, renders them a very attractive spectacle. Projecting into the street are two stone alcoves, in which, mounted sentries, in full uniform, are daily on guard, from ten till four o'clock, being changed every two hours; the ceremony of changing guard is somewhat striking, and generally attracts a numerous concourse of visitors. The folding-doors in the rear being thrown open, the two cuirassed and helmeted warriors ride in, whilst those previously on duty, each describe a semicircle, meet, and ride side by side through the central gate, and so back to their stables.

The centre of the building is surmounted by a cupola, containing a very excellent clock, which is illuminated at night.

In connection with the Horse Guards, we may here enumerate the principal Barracks, which are situated as follows:

WELLINGTON BARRACKS, Bird Cage Walk, St. James's Park. CHARING CROSS BARRACKS, at the rear of the National Gallery.

PORTMAN BARRACKS, Portman Street, Oxford Street.

KNIGHTSBRIDGE BARRACKS, Kensington Road.

REGENT'S PARK BARRACKS., Albany Street, New Road.

WATERLOO BARRACKS, in the Tower, built on the site of the small Armoury, destroyed by fire, in 1841.