Just before the throne are the woolpacks across the room, on which are seated the Dignitaries of the law. The Lord High Chancellor, or Keeper of the Great Seal, sits on that nearest the throne, with his great seal and mace by him; he is Speaker of the house of Lords. On the other two woolpacks which are placed parallel to this, sit the Lord Chief Justice, the Master of the Rolls, and the other Judges. These have no vote in the house, but they are advised with in points of law, on all occasions wherein a knowledge of the laws is necessary. The reason why all these sages are placed on woolpacks, may probably be to remind them of the great importance of wool and sheep to this nation. The Clerk of the Crown, who is concerned in all writs of Parliament, and the Clerk of the Parliament, who records every thing done there, sit on a form behind a table. Without the bar sits the King’s first Gentleman Usher, called the Black Rod, from a black wand he carries in his hand. Under him is a Yeoman Usher, who waits at the inside of the door, a Crier without, and a Serjeant at Mace, who always attends the Lord Chancellor. When the King is present with the crown on his head, the Lords sit uncovered, and the Judges stand till his Majesty gives them leave to sit. In the King’s absence the Lords, at their entrance, do reverence to the throne, as is done by all who enter the presence chamber. The Judges then may sit, but may not be covered, till the Lord Chancellor or Keeper signifies to them, that the Lords give them leave to be so. The King’s Counsel and Masters in Chancery also sit; but may on no account be covered. Upon the days when the King goes in state to the house, either at the opening or breaking up of the sessions, the Park guns are discharged; and his Majesty arriving at the house of Lords, enters a room adjoining to it, called the Prince’s Chamber, where he puts on his robes and crown, and from thence is conducted into the house by the Lord Chamberlain, where all the Lords are dressed in their scarlet robes, and being seated on the throne, sends for the Commons by the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod. On their appearing, his Majesty’s speech is read by the Lord Chancellor to this grand united Assembly; after which his Majesty returns in the same manner as he came, in his state coach drawn by eight fine horses, attended by his guards, and the guns firing. A stranger cannot any way form a more just notion of the dignity of the English nation, than by attending this noble and august Assembly, when the King is present, with the crown upon his head, and not only his Majesty, but all the Lords are in their robes, and the Commons attending without the bar.