The entrance hall is 22 feet 8 inches by 21½ feet, having on the right a lobby leading to the crown court, and a room for the use of witnesses waiting for examination in that court. On the left is a similar entrance to the nisi prius court, and the mayor’s room (appropriated to counsel during the assizes). Opposite the entrance door is the grand staircase, spacious and of easy ascent; on the first landing are three doorways, the centre one leading to the judges’ retiring room (which communicates with the courts), and those on either hand to the magisterial bench in the respective courts, which are of equal dimensions, 42 feet by 36 feet. {114} The accommodation for the gentlemen of the bar was intended to have been similar to that provided (under the direction of the same architect) in the Court of King’s Bench and several other places; but objections being made by the counsel on this circuit, and a petition sent to the magistrates, this arrangement was altered, and the space immediately before the judge is occupied by a large table, with sufficient seats for twenty counsellors, having a row of seats behind for attornies. The bench is elevated 3½ feet above the floor, on each side of which is accommodation for the magistrates. The ceiling of both courts is panelled and ornamented, and the walls are lined with wood as high as the small side galleries, which are intended for the use of the grand and special jurors. In each court is a gallery for the public, the two front benches of which are partitioned off for jurymen in waiting. To these galleries are separate entrances from the principal front, in order to prevent the annoyance of a crowd in the vestibule of the hall, through which admittance will be afforded for those persons who have business in the courts. Under the public galleries are lock-up rooms for the jury. The nisi prius court is lighted by a lantern, which occupies a considerable space in the ceiling; and beneath the public gallery of this court is the waiting-room for witnesses. The first story is approached by a broad flight of stairs: on the left is the grand jury room, 30 feet by 18 feet, lofty and finished in a tasteful manner, having a communication with the gallery in the crown court for the presentment of bills. Attached to this apartment is a large room for witnesses attending the grand jury; the floor is of stone, and forms the ceiling of the entrance hall. To the right is the office of the clerk of indictments. From this division of the building the staircase leads to the entrance of the GREAT ROOM, adapted for a third court or other public purposes requiring space. It is decorated with an enriched cornice and panelled ceiling; the dimensions are 45½ feet by 32½ feet, and 19 feet high, having a recess at one end; it is lighted by windows at the side and back, and is well ventilated by means of tubes which pass from the ceiling through the roof.