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y pense," fill the other spaces of this splendid apartment. At each are two noble sideboards, seventeen feet in height and forty in breadth, covered with crimson cloth, set in Gothic framework of the chastest carving, with brackets upon which the massive gold plate is arranged. Immediately opposite the seat appropriated to Her Majesty is the celebrated tiger's head, captured at Seringapatam; over it the Iluma, formed of precious stones, presented to George the Third by the late Marquis of Wellesley. Above the Iluma is a cup formed of a shell, mounted in gold and silver, surmounted by the figure of Jupiter, resting on the imperial bird, the base supported by Hippocampi; several vases of ivory, and the national cup, with figures of St. George, St. Andrew, and St. Patrick, and other respective emblems, set in rare jewels. The table for a hundred, which occupies nearly the whole length of the room, is ornamented with epergnes, vases, and candelabras. One of the latter, called the St. George, is, perhaps, one of the most splendid specimens of modern plate in the world; the upper division contains the combat with the dragon, the lower has four figures in full relief, supporting the shield bearing the arms of England, Scotland, and Ireland, and the plume of the Prince of Wales. The shield of Achilles, and the gold salt-cellar representing the white tower of the castle, are splendid specimens of art. The wine-coolers are copies of the Warwick and other classical vases. The hall brilliantly illuminated; two military bands occupying the gallery; the beefeaters or "bouffetiers," as they were originally

jacket, apron, and cap; the absurdity of the laws; the freedom of speech, added to a steak such as could only be had there, and port wine of the finest quality: all united to make the hours fly fast. Of the great wits who once were wont "to set the table in a roar," few now remain ; but the world circles on, and they are replaced, or at least substitutes are found equally delightful to the present race, as their predecessors were to the last generation.

It would be obviously incorrect to obtrude into any particular private houses. Where you ought to dine, and where you ought not to dine, only requires classification. The classes commence with Royal Banquets, Lord Mayor and Ministerial Dinners, the well-mounted aristocratic entertainments, those of the untitled gentry, and the snug party of six or eight at the bachelor's house or chambers.

The Ascot dinner in St. George's Hall, Windsor Castle, is a truly royal banquet The hall itself is upwards of two hundred feet in length, and about thirty-five in width. The ceiling is in compartments, whereon are emblazoned the armorial bearings of the Knights of the noble Order of the Garter, from its first institution. Edward the Third, and his son, the Black Prince, in complete suits of armour, occupy the corbels, and the walls are ornamented with portraits of our monarchs, from the first James to the last George. Along the sides of the hall, the arms of the different knights shine forth on shields; and the cross of our patron saint, encircled by the motto "Honi soit qui mal

y pense," fill the other spaces of this splendid apartment. At each are two noble sideboards, seventeen feet in height and forty in breadth, covered with crimson cloth, set in Gothic framework of the chastest carving, with brackets upon which the massive gold plate is arranged. Immediately opposite the seat appropriated to Her Majesty is the celebrated tiger's head, captured at Seringapatam; over it the Iluma, formed of precious stones, presented to George the Third by the late Marquis of Wellesley. Above the Iluma is a cup formed of a shell, mounted in gold and silver, surmounted by the figure of Jupiter, resting on the imperial bird, the base supported by Hippocampi; several vases of ivory, and the national cup, with figures of St. George, St. Andrew, and St. Patrick, and other respective emblems, set in rare jewels. The table for a hundred, which occupies nearly the whole length of the room, is ornamented with epergnes, vases, and candelabras. One of the latter, called the St. George, is, perhaps, one of the most splendid specimens of modern plate in the world; the upper division contains the combat with the dragon, the lower has four figures in full relief, supporting the shield bearing the arms of England, Scotland, and Ireland, and the plume of the Prince of Wales. The shield of Achilles, and the gold salt-cellar representing the white tower of the castle, are splendid specimens of art. The wine-coolers are copies of the Warwick and other classical vases. The hall brilliantly illuminated; two military bands occupying the gallery; the beefeaters or "bouffetiers," as they were originally

called, and the numerous servants in state liveries, give a grand effect to the whole. The company assemble in the drawing-room by half-past seven. At a quarter before eight, Her Majesty and Prince Albert enter; and after graciously recognising their guests, the Queen takes the arm of a person of the highest rank, and, followed by Her Royal Consort and the Duchess of Kent, leads the way to the banqueting hall. During dinner the bands play some popular waltzes, marches, overtures, and quadrilles; the repast is excellent, and served on an entire service of gold plate; the attendance is wonderful. The absence of bustle or confusion in so numerous a party is marvellous; to use a homely adage, there seems to be "a place for everything, and everything in its place." The soup, fish, entrées, &c., are handed round in a state of caloric that is quite surprising. The sideboards literally groan (as the newspapers term it) under the weight of home and foreign luxuries, game and truffle pies, pasties, boars' heads, Russian tongues, caviare, sardines, &c. The wine, of the highest order, is handed round plentifully during dinner, as the Court do not patronise the old English fashion of sitting long after dinner. At nine o'clock grace is said, and the Lord Steward then gives "The Queen." All stand up, except Her Majesty, who gracefully bows her acknowledgments. "God save the

Queen" is then played by the united bands; the official Toast-master again rises, and gives "His Royal Highness Prince Albert ;" the company standing, and the bands playing the "Coburg March." In about twenty minutes