Page:History of the Anti corn law league - Volume 2.pdf/24

 for a moment, while we proceed with the description. This daïs is of three different elevations, running the whole width of the building, the front, or lower one being about two feet above the floor of the hall, and ten feet wide, and the second and third ones, behind it, have each a rise of about two feet six inches, and about half the width of the first. Taking our stand upon the uppermost then, we command a view of the entire space within the building, giving an area of fourteen thousand one hundred and seventy-five square feet. Among the first objects which attract the eye are the three galleries, which extend along the two sides, and across the farther end of the hall the entrances to them being from the large room of the Wellington Hotel, by means of covered ways across South-street. They are light and elegant in structure, being only about seven feet in depth, with two rows of seats extending along the front, and an aisle at the back. The front is covered with drapery, having the appearance of a deep crimson velvet, with a rich ornamental design printed on it in gold (by Messrs. J. and C. Yates, of Charlottestreet), representing a sheaf of wheat, labelled with the little magic word 'FREE,' encircled by a wreath of olive leaves—the emblem of peace and plenty—from which branches out an elegant scroll to fill up the compartments. A line of massive columns support each of these galleries, which have been draperied to represent white marble: the order of architecture being the Grecian Doric. The ceiling of the building is divided into three compartments, corresponding with the roof, as we have before described it, being hung with a light blue marble paper. The two lines of lofty columns running down the entire length of the hall, on either side of the central compartment, and which are fourteen in number, have a fine effect. They are after the Ionic order of architecture, the drapery being intended to represent white marble, and they are encircled with wreaths of artificial leaves and flowers, which have an