THE KINGS GUARD-CHAMBER, WINDSOR CASTLE. 27 



Just before the demise of George IV., whose taste has been 

 generally acknowledged. Sir Samuel Meyrick was honoured with 

 the commands of that Monarch to select and arrange what 

 armour and weapons he thought proper, so as to give to the 

 room the best possible effect ; and the Board of Ordnance was 

 directed to grant him the assistance of Mr. Lovell, superintendent 

 of the small armoury department, and Mr. Stacey, of the depot 

 in Tooley-street. His Majesty was pleased to approve most 

 highly of Sir Samuel's ideas on the subject, but did not live to 

 see them realized. 



Those who have inspected what is termed Queen Elizabeth's 

 Armoury, at the Tower of London, must have witnessed with 

 what skill Mr. Stacey can display the various parts of modern 

 weapons, as ramrods, gun-barrels, locks, bayonets, gun-stocks, 

 swords, &c. In like manner various stars, laurel branches, and 

 such like devices of a novel, yet appropriate character, were 

 selected and revised by Sir Samuel Meyrick for the King's 

 guard-chamber at Windsor. It is but justice to state that one, 

 by no means apparent, advantage in Mr. Stacey's contrivances, 

 is the important fact that by such an arrangement of the several 

 parts of weapons, they are not injured in the slightest degree, 

 but remain quite in a fit state to be put together at a moment's 

 notice. 



Mr. Lovell also, combining with great practical knowledge, a 

 thorough acquaintance with the forms and fastening of armour, 

 afforded equally valuable assistance. 



Besides the decorations already described, and tasteful groups 

 of ancient weapons procured and arranged by Sir Samuel 

 Meyrick, were the following : — 



As the principal point of attraction over the chimney-piece, 

 in a glass case, was deposited that extremely beautiful target 

 of Henry VIII., which had a similar position in the octagon 

 library in the late Buckingham Palace, and which George IV. 

 ordered to be removed at the express request of Sir Samuel. 

 This exquisite work of art, made of steel, is ornamented with 

 bas-reliefs plated with silver, on a ground of niello, &c. and said, 

 with good reason, to have been chased by the celebrated Ben- 

 venuto Cellini, and a present to the English Sovereign by 

 Francis I. King of France. The subject of them, distributed in 

 four compartments, accompanied by a Latin inscription, is the 

 contest between Caesar and Pompey. This delightful specimen 

 has been placed on a pivot, so that by turning it round, the by- 

 stander can conveniently inspect every portion. 



As this is exactly opposite the centre doorway of St. George's 

 Hall, above the fire-place was a representation of St. George 

 and the Dragon, so as when open to be seen through it. This 

 was composed of a youth's suit of armour, richly engraved and 

 gilt, of the close of the reign of James I., and placed in such 

 manner as that the supposed wearer was striding over one wing 

 of his bestial enemy, and thrusting his lance into its mouth. 



