Not far from the _Forum Augusteum_, as _Procopius_ writes, stood a Palace, the Statelyness and Magnificence of which the Reader may easily guess at from the Description he gives of the _Vestibulum_, or the House of Entrance into it. This _Vestibulum_ is call’d the _Chalca_, which is made after this Manner. There are four strait Walls carried up to a great Height in a quadrangular Figure, from each Angle of which there projects a Stone Building curiously finish’d, which rises with the Wall from Top to Bottom, no ways intercepting the beauteous Prospect before you, but seeming rather to add to the Pleasure and Agreeableness of it. Above this Building are raised eight Arches, supporting the Roof, which rises into a globular Height most beautifully adorn’d. The Roof of it is not furnish’d with fine Paintings, but shines with _Mosaick_ Work of all sorts of Colours, in the several Figures of Men, and other Kinds of Creatures. The Historian at large has explain’d the Designs, which are the Scenes of War, of Battles, and the Surrender of many Towns, both in _Africa_ and _Italy_. Among other Curiosities are describ’d the Victories of _Justinian_ under his General _Belisarius_, and his triumphant Return to the Emperor. The Courage and Chearfulness of his Army is expressed in a lively Manner. The General is figured in an humble Posture, as making an Offering to him of all the Kings, the Kingdoms, and other rich Spoils he had taken from the Enemy. In the Middle of the Work is represented the Emperor and his Empress _Theodora_ in a pleasant gay Humour, celebrating a Festival in Honour of his Victory over the _Goths_ and _Vandals_, and bringing great Numbers of Captives before him. The whole Senate is described round them, joining in the Celebration. They all look chearful and merry, smiling, and highly pleased with the Honour they have to attend the Emperor on so important an Occasion. I would here observe, that as _Papinius_ in his _Sylvæ_ calls the _Basilica_ of _Paulus_, the Palace of _Paulus_, so the House, which _Procopius_ calls Βασιλεῖον went by the Name both of the _Basilica_ and the Palace. And I am confirm’d in this Opinion from _Cedrinus_, who says, That the Fire which happen’d in the Reign of _Justinian_, burnt down the Porch, or House of Entrance into the _Basilica_, the _Basilica_ itself, and the brazen Covering of the Palace of _Constantine the Great_, which from that Time to this Day, is call’d the _Chalca_, because it is cover’d with Plates of Brass gilded. What _Cedrinus_ calls the _Basilica_, _Procopius_, in his Book _De Ædif. Justiniani_, calls τὰ Βασιλεῖα, when speaking of the Fire above-mention’d, he tells us, That it consumed the Gate-houses τῶν Βασιλείων, and that in particular which was call’d _Chalca_: The same Writer adds a little lower, that the Emperor commanded _Belisarius_ to go to the _Chalca_, and the other Houses of Entrance seated by it. From which Words it is observable, that _Procopius_ seems to believe,