DF.RP.VSHIRF, TAPESTRY. IO3 



In the first of these compartments a person seems 

 pleading earnestly before a king against a lady, who 

 apparently does not appreciate the force of his argu- 

 ment. The king is entreated by a lady on his right, 

 who is habited in a costume exactly like that on a brass 

 at West Mailing, in Kent, representing a daughter of 

 Sir Ant. Babington, of Dethic,' who died in 1535. 

 (Haines' " Brasses," Introd. ccxliv.). 



In the centre, the king gives his crown to a youth 

 wearing a cap, and his sceptre to another uncovered. 

 A third boy stands in the foreground near the monarch. 

 Much astonishment at the king's act is expressed by three 

 male courtiers in the background. 



In the third compartment, a number of carpenters and 

 masons are receiving instructions from the king. 



The piece seems to be of English workmanship, and 

 apparently represents a Royal Abdication. 



Above the stairs, ascending to the level of the State Room. 

 A Landscape with fowls and birds. 



The narrow border, with a spiral band of leaf work 

 round a straight central rod, assigns this work to the 

 early Renaissance period of zxi, circa 1550. The whole 

 of the colouring has a palish cast, a yellowish grey 

 tone- prevailing. No factory or weaver's mark visible. 



On the same wall, but higher, and over the door to the State 

 Room, are two very fine examples of Brussels work, marked with 

 the red shield between the two B's. The larger piece bears the 

 name of "I. COPVS," and the other " I. COENOT." 



The former, by Copus, is one of the"; finest examples in Hard- 

 wick. Juno, drawn in her chariot by peacocks, occupies the 

 centre foreground. The receding landscape is very charming, the 

 far-off hills losing themselves in the distant skies. 



This treatment, however, is somewhat opposed to the truer 

 principles of the Tapiser's art, which does not permit the weaver 

 to convey false impressions, but simply to decorate his hanging 



