Abbildungen der Seite
PDF
EPUB

9, THE GRAND RECEPTION - ROOM - An evening entertainment. The number of chandeliers produce a most brilliant effect, while the costly dress of the company (all portraits), the superb ceiling, and the general decorations, add grandeur to the scene.

10, THE RUBENS' ROOM-All the paintings being done by that master. The King of the French receiving an address from the aldermen and corporation of the City of London. In the centre of the room is Louis Phillippe, behind him his son, the Duke de Montpensier, a young man with a star; the others are Louis Phillippe's suite. Of the two in crimson, one represents the Lord Mayor, Sir Wm. Magnay; the other reading the address is the Recorder, the Hon. Charles Law. The Aldermen and Common Councilmen are coming in at the further end of the room. The sword-bearer is Mr. Hick. The painting on the left hand represents St. Martin, dividing his cloak with the beggar, and supposed to be worth £4,000. The one at the end of the room is Arch-duke Albert of Austria, on horseback.

11, THE PICTURE GALLERY-Taken on the occasion of an entertainment. THE tables and sideboards are laden with gold plate; the effect of the chandeliers and a thousand wax candles is very imposing: every painting is carefully delineated, and the visitor may readily imagine himself to be in the very room.

12, THE PURPLE THRONE ROOM.-The ceremony of the Installation of the Order of the Garter. The splendid purple velvet dresses, and the tapestry of the room being hung with the same material, add to the grandeur of the The throne now in use is in this room, and Her Majesty is in the act of bestowing the Order of the Garter. The portrait on the right is that of King William IV.

scene.

13, THE LIBRARY-containing upwards of 40,000 (containing_upwards volumes)-er Majesty and His Royal Highness the Prince Consort are selecting a book for perusal. This room contains some of the most valuable works this country can boast of, and therefore has its peculiar interest with the literary. The floors are of polished oak.

14, ST. GEORGE'S HALL-As it appears during a banquet given by Her Majesty to her royal visitors; in the first series of the exhibition the Private Dining Room is shown. It may not be out of place to show the grandeur and magnificence of a "State Dinner," the gold plate not in use is raised on screens at each end of the table, and the profusion of plate used on such occasions values nearly one million pounds sterling. The company have taken their seats, and the Queen's piper is playing his bagpipe.

15, THE PRINCE CONSORT'S PAINTING-ROOM.-His Royal Highness the Prince Consort is painting, and his illustrious visitors are viewing the portraits in the room.

16, THE PRIVATE CHAPEL-Her Majesty, the Prince Consort, and the royal family occupy the royal closet facing the pulpit. The household and domestic servants of the Castle are seated in the pews: the vacant seats with velvet Prayer-books is that portion of the chapel occupied by the ladies in waiting; and the seats at the further end, by the lords and other official personages in attendance at court.

17, THE WHOLE OF THE ROYAL FAMILY (9 in number) photographed from life in the Guard Chamber, by express command of Her Majesty on the marriage of the Princess Royal with the Crown Prince of Prussia.

18, THE QUADRANGLE.-The state arrival of a royal visitor by moonlight, after a heavy all of snow.

The

effect produced by means of the mirrors and coloured glasses is truly astonishing. The Life Guards passing under the portico, and the body guard drawn up, make the scene alt gether very imposing.

Opinions of the Press :

"THE PRIVATE APARTMENTS IN WINDSOR CASTLE—An ingenious exhibition, one well deserving of public patronage, has recently been opened at MR. W. F. TAYLOR'S Library, opposite the Church, in the High-street, Windsor, by which, through the means of secreted concave mirrors and magnifiying glasses, the whole of the private portions of the Castle, not denominated State,' but more particularly the residence of the Sovereign, are shown in all their gorgeous splendour, apparently in their natural size and proportions. The interior views were taken by Her Gracious Majesty's permission, and have been done in metallic surfaces, which give them the appearance of models. They may justly be classed amongst our finest works of art of the present day."-Windsor and Eton Journal.

"We had the other day the pleasure of a view of a series of exquisite views of the interior of Windsor Castle; they were made under the immediate inspection and patronage of Her Majesty and Prince Consort, who were desirous to have a faithful representation of the Castle. As works of art they can. not fail to attract general admiration."-Morning Advertiser

"Nothing can exceed the beauty of these views in respect of the accuracy of their architectural details and correctness of the perspective, and the general effect of the whole; the likeness of the principal personages are stamped with unmis. takeable fidelity."-Atlas.

"We have been highly gratified by an inspection of these elaborate views. They convey a full idea of the size and magnificence of the Royal Residence-it adds to their worth knowing that they have received the approval of Her Majesty The views depict those scenes of privacy to which few have the honour of admittance. We do not remember any productions ever displayed more finish or greater fidelity."-Morning Post

"These views were done under the inspection and patronag} of the Prince Consort, and every facility was afforded the correct pictures should be obtained. They are very exquisitel finished. The furniture and gorgeous decorations of the roon are treated with the most accurate attention."-Times.

THE STATUE OF CHARLES II.

l'his bronze equestrian statue, which was executed by Strada, the expense of Tobias Rustat, formerly house-keeper at Hampton Court Palace, is erected at the western side of the great quadrangle of the Castle. The flowers, fish, fruit, and other ornaments on the pedestal, are beautifully sculptured by Grindlay Gibbons, and are well worthy of note.

THE ROUND TOWER.

The Round Tower is open to the public on the same days as the State Apartments, viz:-Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. The interior, however, is not shown. From its summit, when the atmosphere is unclouded, views may be obtained of the counties of Middlesex, Hertford, Essex, Oxford, Wilts, Kent, Hants, Bedford, Sussex, Berks, Bucks, and Surrey.-An interesting bird's-eye view of the Castle and town, giving an excellent idea of the vastness and extent of the royal residence.

THE TERRACES AND GARDENS.

The East part of the Castle forms more particularly Her Majesty's Private Suite of Apartments, which are entirely inaccessible to the public. The Rooms are gorgeously decorated, and are far superior to any other of the royal residences. The Gardens are open to the public on Saturdays and Sundays, from halfpast one to sunset. On the latter day the Bands of the Military quartered in garrison contribute to the enjoyment of the visitors. The view from the superb bayed Windows of these Saloons embraces a proximate area, adorned with well proportioned compartments of floral beauty; a variety of statuary, and a central fountain, flanked on the north by a capacious orangery; more remotely Her Majesty's Aviary,

Dairy, and private Kennel. At about a crow's flight in distance is the celebrated Runnymede, or Magna Charta Island, around which the Thames throws its musical streams with a sweep of singular beauty. To stand on the crest of the delightful platform, contiguous to which royal patriotism now reposes in dignified security, and to look over the intervening space, towards the spot where the Charter of English freedom was wrung from the reluctant hand of a heartless despot, is calculated to awaken the most grateful emotions. The North Terrace is open daily as a public promenade.

"The ancient barons of the land

Composed a haughty ring;

With mail on breast, and blade in hand,
They stood before the king.

And dauntless in their country's cause

Their high resolve avowed;

We will not that Old England's laws
Be changed by king or crowd."

ROYAL STABLES AND RIDING HOUSE.

Tickets to view the Royal Mews are procured of Mr. Moon, who resides just within the Castle-hill entrance to the stables, through the first gateway on the left. The admission is from one to three o'clock every day, except on Sundays. Tickets are obtained with the greatest facility-respectability being the only passport required. The entrance (with tickets) is on Castle-hill. Visitors (who are not allowed to smoke while passing through the stables) are attended by the royal servants, "who are forbidden to unclothe or disturb the horses."

« ZurückWeiter »