Page:History of the Anti corn law league - Volume 2.pdf/343

 arched roof, gaily decorated, and supported on each side by rows of ornamental pillars. The sides are covered with imitation panelling, with grotesque ornaments and devices, and numerous free-trade mottoes. At the extreme end is a large Gothic window so prepared and lit up as to resemble stained glass; there are also similar windows at the sides, and from the roof are suspended rows of illuminated lamps, which cast a rich but subdued light over the hall, and add very much to the beauty of the spectacle. We understand the whole of these arrangements were devised by Mr. Sloman, the machinist of the theatre, and Mr. Grieve, the well-known scenic painter, and carried into effect, under their superintendence, by Mr. Edwards, of Manchester. Descending a few steps we find ourselves in the body of the hall, which is 150 feet long by 50 feet wide, and is occupied by four rows of stalls, each about a yard in width, but divided into various lengths, hi proportion to the wants of the occupants, and the value of their merchandise. Upon the stage, where the hall is wider, and in the refreshment room, there are additional stalls. The length of the counters is said to be 900 feet, and the whole appears to have been used to the best advantage. The stalls are not numbered, nor are the holders' names affixed to them, but they appear to have been allotted according to certain localities, the names of which are hung over them. Thus, on passing the slips in the centre boxes, we find the boxes on each side converted into stalls, the one being allotted to Northampton, and the other to Dunstable, and respectively filled with the staple commodities of these places—shoes and bonnets. Upon entering the hall we saw the stalls on the right allotted to Rochdale, Halifax, Leeds, and Bradford. These, as they are first in order, appeared to us also to be first in merit, both as to the quality of the articles displayed, and the taste shown in their arrangement. They contained chiefly fancy articles of needlework, toys of various descriptions, carpets, shawls,