Jasper County Democrat, Volume 20, Number 66, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 November 1917 — WHERE BRITISH RULERS MEET [ARTICLE]

WHERE BRITISH RULERS MEET

Houses of Parliament, by the Thames at London, One of World's Stateliest Buildings. The building occupied for legislative purposes by the British parliament at Westminster, London, was begun in 1840 from plans by Barry. The style is ornate late perpendicular; the area eight acres. The structure comprises 11 courts, some of large size; 1,100 rooms and 100 stairways. The Thames front is 940 feet long, with low square towers at the extremities and flanking the raised central portion. The square Victoria tower at the southwest angle is 340 feet high. The middle tower and the pointed clock tower at the north end are slightly less lofty. The house of commons is toward the north end of the great structure. It .'measures 75 by 45 feet and 41 high, and is - !, solidly and simply furnished, and paneled with oak. There are 12 windows of colored glass. The house of lords, 90 by 45, feet and 45 feet high, is very richly decorated. Its walls are adorned with historical frescos. Among other notable rooms are the Central hall, between the house of lords and the house of commons, octagonal in plan and finely ornamented, and the queen’s robing room and the royal gallery, used by the sovereign when he or she opens or prorogues parliament in person. St. Stephen’s hall affords communication between the Central hall and Westminster hall on the west. About 500 statues, insjde and outside, adorn the buildings.