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KING'S ROOMS,

from their being appropriated to the use of George IV. when he visited Belvoir as Prince Regent. The prospect from these rooms is by far the least pleasing of any that may be observed from the Castle. The view is limited by the north-east and north-west towers on each side; and nothing of landscape can be observed, except in a straightforward direction over the Vale of Belvoir; which, from its flatness, and the absence of wood and water, is but a dreary prospect. It is thought, that his Grace has some intention of converting this suite of rooms into a library. While, as a matter of taste, we might lament in this change, the absence of ancient English architecture, which, with the exception of the roof, is so strikingly appropriate in the present library, a great advantage would be gained in the situation. The grand staircase, the regent's and picture galleries, and (if the alteration is carried into effect) the library, seem to form an architectural grouping, most apposite, as far as regards ready communication; and yet the library would be sufficiently isolated, as to possess an abstractedness peculiarly appropriate to its designation. But our present object is to describe this suite of apartments as they are now applied, viz. as state apartments for the accommodation of the most distinguished visitor.

THE SITTING ROOM

is 24 feet 6 inches, by 20 feet 9 inches; lighted by two windows, as are the two others. The chandelier is pendent from the centre of the ceiling. The principal feature in the furniture is a table of French manufacture, erroneously

It is elabo

The rest of

supposed to have been made for Buonaparte. rately inlaid with figures gilded and plated. the furniture is of massive mahogany, covered with topazcoloured damask. There are some cabinets inlaid with paintings on china by the late Duchess. The papering of the room has a cheerful appearance, consisting of trees, birds, flowers, and vases, on a green ground.

room.

THE BED-ROOM

is of the same length, but scarcely so wide as the sitting The bed is handsome, consisting of elaborately carved mahogany pillars, with furniture of damask, of the same colour with that in the sitting room.

The Dressing Room, 21 feet by 17 feet 9 inches, contains a couch with satin damask canopy, en suite with that formerly mentioned.

We have now, with the exception of the private apartments, taken a complete survey of the principal story, or that portion of the Castle which is usually shewn to visitors. It is not the ordinary custom to allow access to the first and basement stories, beyond the guard-room and gallery. As, however, a description of the Castle would be incomplete without some notice of these portions, which contain much that is interesting; and as, through the kindness of his Grace, I had ample opportunities of observing their most remarkable features, I shall put upon record the result of my observations; commencing in the northern angle, which contains the Housekeeper's suite of apartments, approached from the guard-room gallery, in one direction,

and from private apartments, by a passage, in another ;and a very important part of the Castle it is, since all the arrangements for the princely hospitality maintained by his Grace, during the winter season, originate in this angle of the Castle. But my notices will necessarily be more brief than they have hitherto been; partly because the subject itself does not admit of extended remarks, and partly because I must confess my inability to describe in proper terms matters of great domestic importance, but appreciable only by those immediately interested in them.

THE HOUSEKEEPER'S APARTMENTS,

besides great appropriateness to the purpose for which they are destined, have an air of considerable comfort about them. Of the various dinner services under the charge and direction of the housekeeper, some have been noticed in the account of the visit of the Queen Dowager to Belvoir. There is one service, which is estimated next in importance and value to the one which was presented to his Grace by the late Duchess, shortly before her death, and intended as a birthday gift. It is called the Hunting Service. Each piece contains a view of Belvoir Castle, from points of view as varied as the number of pieces; or portraits of distinguished individuals who are, or have been, members of the Belvoir Hunt. I recognised the portraits of his Grace and brothers, and of other gentlemen, whose names I do not feel at liberty to mention, as some of them are placed in ludicrous positions, consequent upon the casualties by flood and field. They are admirably painted, and good likenesses, by Sir John Paul, by whom they were presented to his Grace. I was amused at discovering not

only the rigid care with which they are preserved, but the especial favour, and that not of frequent occurrence, which his Grace's visitors are taught to consider their permitted use. It would appear, that when it is the pleasure of the very respectable ruler of these domains, to give an unusual gratification to the guests in the Castle, the hunting service is sent to the table, to the pleasing aid of their digestive powers, if harmless mirth be considered as available to this purpose. But this service deserves the care devoted to it, the several pieces being valuable as works of art; and though so seldom used, many of them have already suffered considerable injury.

Moving straight forward from the housekeeper's apartments, we observe on the right the staircase to the grand corridor; and on the left, a passage which communicates with a suite of apartments, called the Duke of Wellington's, being usually appropriated to the use of his grace, when on a visit to the Castle. In this passage are portraits of the following distinguished characters, friends and companions in arms, during the Seven Years' War :

Marquis of Granby, over the door communicating with the Wellington apartments.

Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick, 1759.

Prince de Lippe Buckbourg, 1759. Before him lies a "Plan del Belaterundt der stat & citadel otmuster command & direction 1750;" and at a distance is represented the battering of a town.

The Hereditary Prince of Brunswick.

THE WELLINGTON APARTMENTS

occupy, with the passage, &c., the whole of this story of the north-east tower, and are immediately under the Eliza

Y

beth Saloon. They are comfortable rooms, plainly but substantially furnished, with mahogany accessories.

The space between the north-east and Staunton towers is occupied by suites of apartments, which were respectively appropriated to Lady Elizabeth Drummond, and the late Duchess Dowager.

We now enter the most ancient portion of the Castle, viz. the first story of

THE STAUNTON TOWER.

Thoroton, in his History of Nottinghamshire (p. 156), says "The Stauntons were ever esteemed to hold of the lords of Belvoir by Castleguard;* where Staunton Tower is yet to be found, sufficiently guarded by the strength of its own liquor, with which the bottom of it is usually replenished." What Thoroton has thus quaintly alluded to, is still the fact. The vault of this interesting part of the Castle is now divided into bins, which are capable of containing 16,750 bottles. Mr. Douglas, the respectable guardian (to adapt a phrase of Thoroton's) of this portion of Staunton Tower, represents it as admirably suited to the purpose to which it is applied. The temperature is remarkably equable; seldom varying, all the year round, half a degree from 56°.

There is a tradition in the family, that this cellar is part of the original Castle, built by Robert de Todeni. Some years ago, a description of it was sent to the celebrated antiquary, Francis Douce, Esq. His answer, which is preserved in the Castle, expresses a doubt of the extreme antiquity ascribed to it; the writer cautiously reserving any positive opinion on a subject of which he knew nothing, except by report. As this point, therefore, can scarcely

For the nature of this tenure, see page 183.

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