28 THE king's guard chamber, WINDSOR CASTLE. 



Behind it appeared a glory, designating a holy personage, which 

 was formed of ramrods, on a gilt ground. The scales of the 

 dragon were made of sword-blades turned blue, and it was seen 

 issuing out of a jungle of rushes composed of similar materials, 

 shining bright. Tiie emphatic words of his late Majesty, on 

 being shewn the design by Sir Samuel Meyrick were, " now we 

 shall have something worth looking at ;" and those who saw it 

 can bear testimony that the grouping justified the prediction. 

 But alas ! the decorations were not completed till the 9th of 

 July, 1831. 



On a corbel labelled A. D. 1612, on the right side of the fire- 

 place, was a magnificent suit of armour of bright steel and gold, 

 made for the interesting Henry Prince of Wales, ornamented 

 with his initials and the Ihistle and rose. This young man's 

 premature death was greatly regretted by the nation, as his love 

 for, and proficiency in, the military pastimes of the day, were 

 much more suited to the temper of the times than the peaceable 

 disposition of his father. A part of the additional armour for 

 the tournament was placed at his feet, and the remainder on the 

 next corbel. 



On a similar support on the other side of the chimney-piece, 

 and inscribed A.D. 1620, was a suit that probably belonged to 

 his brother Charles, Prince of Wales, afterwards King Charles I. 

 on which several naval and other trophies were beautifully 

 engraved. 



Next, on a corbel dated A.D. 1635, was a suit of armour 

 attributed to Prince Rupert, with the grand guard affixed in 

 readiness for the tournament. 



The one after has the date A.D. 1596, and the armour is 

 called that of Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex, the spirited but 

 unfortunate favourite of Queen Elizabeth. The ornamental 

 engraving of this suit is peculiarly chaste and elegant. 



A complicated trophy of arms and armour, in which were to 

 be found various beautiful and rare pieces, was grouped so as 

 tastefully to occupy a very broad space of wall. Another one 

 to correspond was placed exactly opposite. 



At the end of the apartment, on each side of the great window, 

 were two niches. In one of these, Sir Samuel placed a suit of 

 the Duke of Brunswick, who lived A.D. 1530, and was ancestor 

 of his present Majesty. It was at his suggestion removed hither 

 from Carlton Palace, having been originally brought from the 

 arsenal of that dutchy. It was of bright steel, and finely 

 engraved. 



In the corresponding niche, having the date A. D. 1588, was a 

 suit of massive tournament armour, which has been assigned to 

 Lord Howard of Effingham, who commanded the English fleet 

 in the memorable victory obtained over the Spanish Armada. 



Over the entrance to this apartment, at its opposite termina- 

 tion, is a gallery, and on this were placed two trophies of arms 

 and armour. 



