QUEEN ELIZABETH S LODGE. 33 



The middle floor was divided into rooms a considerable time since ; the 

 partitions are of oak, but thin and very rough ; at the same time the ceilings 

 were boarded with deal. These divisions, though of some age, are of no sort 

 of merit or value, and I see no reason why they should not be removed and 

 the room restored to its original condition. Its only ornamental features 

 which remain are the finely moulded beams of the ceiling, which in position 

 agree vsith the arched principals in the room above. I should strongly 

 recommend that this room should be brought back to its original state as far 

 as this is possible." 



Mr. Scott at first thought that this room had originally a 

 number of windows, but a more careful examination failed to 

 reveal traces of the former existence of these ; he thinks, how- 

 ever, that three should be added, which would add much to the 

 convenience of the room and improve the external effect. 



" The present ceiling of the first floor consists of thin deal boards fixed 

 below the old joists. I had expected to find the joists had been originally 

 exposed to view, but on removing two of the boards, it was evident that these 

 must always have been a ceiling of some kind, the joists, which have every 

 appearance of being original, being deep and comparatively thin, such as are 

 used in modern floors. These would not look at all well if exposed, and I 

 think it will be best simply to substitute oak boarding for the deal now in use. 

 ****** 



If it should be decided to give up the first floor to the Museum, I under- 

 stand it will be necessary to supply the rooms on this floor, which are now 

 used by the keeper of the Lodge, in some other way. ' I fear that it would be 

 hardly possible to make an addition to the Lodge large enough for the 

 purpose without causing a considerable change in its appearance. Perhaps a 

 partly detached building could be added behind, but it is hard to see how 

 this could be done without taking away too much light. 



If not too expensive, the best plan would, I think, be to build a cottage 

 in the garden belonging to the Lodge to the south-east of the main building. 

 There is an excellent site here, and the effect architecturally would be very 

 pleasing. 



One of the rooms on the ground floor of the Lodge would be required for 

 the attendant in charge of the Museum during the day, and the others would 

 no doubt be extremely useful for unarranged specimens, &c." 



With respect to the exterior of the building, Mr. Scott much 

 regrets the restoration which was carried out about i6 years ago, 

 and which gave an appearance to the building which it did not 

 originally bear. On removing some of the modern timber-facing 

 he found that the small uprights do not represent old timbers, 

 none of those removed having any old uprights behind them :— 

 " The larger pieces appear to correspond roughly with the original fram- 

 ing, but, so far as I was able to examine, the old timbers are not fit to be 

 exposed, the surfaces being seriously decayed. I have come to the conclusion 

 that it would not be practicable to remove the modern facing," 



