Page:The Strand Magazine (Volume 6).djvu/4



UCKINGHAM PALACE IS known the wide world over to be the London residence of the most powerful monarch, the wisest ruler, and the most universally respected personage that has ever occupied a throne.

To many the exterior is fairly familiar; being, indeed, one of the "sights" alike to City and country born. Do our "dailies" announce that Her Majesty is coming to London for a few days, a number of us immediately wend our way in the direction of the Palace, happy if we get but a passing glimpse of the first lady in the land.

Martial sounds, flashing swords, and all the pomp of State pageantry are dear to the hearts of all; but the centre of attraction is the quiet, black-robed figure, whose face ever lights up as the unrestrained cheers of the populace fall upon her ear with no uncertain sound. Right up to the gates we stand, often for hours; but when the Queen has passed in our day is over, and we turn away, fancy only following inside--reality outside.

On looking into the historical associations of this place, I find the site was originally known as the Mulberry Gardens; but such gardens being a failure as a public resort, a house was built, and certain of the grounds inclosed. One incident is worthy of record connected with this house: here the first cup of tea drank in this country was made; brought here in the year of the Great Plague by the Earl of Arlington, he having paid 60/- per lb. for its purchase in Holland. This residence was known as Arlington House, but in 1703 the Duke of Buckingham built another—whence it derives its name. George III. evidently took a fancy to it, for he purchased it for a sum of £21,000, quickly removing to it from St James’s Palace.

In 1775 it was settled on Queen Charlotte by Act of Parliament; and here for the future she held her Drawing Rooms.

A short time previous to 1820 the building commenced to show signs of decay, so repair was talked of and finally commenced in 1825. Doubtless it would have been better to have erected an entirely new one; but there was some question of a grant from Parliament, so the former dimensions and plan remained. William IV. did not appear to be at all enchanted with it, inasmuch as he never occupied it, and it was not until after the accession of Her Majesty Queen Victoria that it became once more a Royal residence. Then some enlargements and improvements—on the south side—were carried out; the private chapel being a special added feature. Three or four years later the east front was greatly enlarged and improved at a cost of £150,000, and the Palace as it now appears is, if not beautiful, stately and grand in its solidity.

It is not my purpose, however, to give you a description of the building: enter with me, and glance at its interior.

The grand entrance through the central arch is very fine; the gates are supposed to be the largest and most beautiful in Europe, costing 3,000 guineas.

Now we cross the quadrangle and approach a portico supported by Doric columns, with Corinthian columns on top supporting a pediment head; on either side being an immense bas-relief representing warfare. Right round the building runs a terra-cotta frieze of flowers in relief.

Entering here, we are at once in a magnificent marble hall 50ft. by 30ft. It is surrounded with double columns of pure Carrara marble 13ft. high on an elevated continuous basement, every column formed of a single piece, Corinthian in character, with gilded bases and capitals. The roof is finely painted with armorial devices and floral wreaths, done in royal blue, crimson,