Fitzherbert, Maria Anne, 1756-1837; George IV, King of Great Britain, 1762-1830
'Similar domes to those last described, surmount the _Green_ and
_Yellow Drawing Rooms_ (as they are now called), which connect the
Saloon with the wings, and are each curved at the ends. The upper
chambers recede, and before each range is a balcony and pierced
parapet. The wings, which are of a square form, are surmounted by
lofty cones, rising to the height of about ninety feet; at the angles
are minarets. In front of both wings is an open arcade, composed of
seven arches, separated from each other by octagonal columns, and
ornamented by similar trellis work to that of the Saloon arcade. The
Southern extremity terminates in a square tower crowned by a dome, and
minarets corresponding with those already described. A sort of running
battlement, with very narrow embrasures, surmounts the upper line of
the whole building.
[Illustration: WEST FRONT OF THE PAVILION, 1825.]
'The _West Front_ of this edifice is shewn in all its variety of
detail. In its general character it corresponds with the Steyne front,
but there are many differences in the minor ornaments. The Perspective
View (drawn from a North West point) exhibits this front in nearly its
entire length; the octagon tower in the distance is that which encloses
the water reservoir.
'The principal entrance to the palace is constituted by a Porch and
Vestibule, which open from the drive on the western side of the
building. The Porch, which forms a square of about twenty two feet,
is supported at each angle by three oriental columns, and crowned by
a small dome in the general style of those already described. Over
the cornice is the following inscription, recording the date when the
alterations at the Pavilion were commenced by Mr. Holland:
'"H.R.H. GEORGE. P.W.
A.D. MDCCLXXXIV."
'The Porch leads directly to the Vestibule, which is of an octagonal
form, and about twenty feet in diameter. It is surmounted by a tented
roof, neatly decorated, and a Chinese lantern is suspended from the
centre.
'The Entrance Hall forms a square of twenty six feet, exclusive of an
angular recess which slopes to the Vestibule. The recess has a tented
roof, supported by two columns in the oriental style, and pierced by
a horizontal sky light, illumined, in parts by tinted glass; there
are also two side windows in the recess, independently of its glazed
doors. The square of the Hall is surmounted by an ornamental cornice,
supporting the ceiling, which resembles an azure sky, diversified by
fleecy clouds. On the entrance side, below the cornice, is neatly
painted a long range of dragonish forms and other devices; and four
globular lamps, similarly embellished, are suspended from the angles
of the ceiling. The walls are of a delicate pale green, relieved by
circular and vertical compartments, in which dragons and serpents are
depicted in subdued colouring. The chimney piece is of white marble,
neatly executed.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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