150 



to a large square court, in which are situated the coach-houses, coach- 

 horse stables, appropriate offices, and servants' rooms. An arched 

 gateway opposite leads to the circular area, which is eighty feet dia- 

 meter, and contains within its circle, the stables for saddle horses, their 

 doors opening into the area, and receiving their light from the splendid 

 dome above. This dome, a chef d'oeuvre of its kind, has attracted the 

 general notice and applause of the cognoscenti for its singularly beauti- 

 ful lightness and elegance. Twenty-four ribs of timber divide it into 

 as many parts, the ribs meeting in the circular frame, which supports 

 the cupola. Out of the divisions are formed sixteen sky-lights, which, 

 with the cupola itself, are surmounted by an elegant coronet. The 

 cupola being open, stands in the place of a ventilator. The remaining 

 eight compartments of the dome are filled up Avith ornamental pannels 

 in stucco, which relieve by their variety, and obviate too great a glare 

 of light, which must have poured in from a sky-light of such vast 

 dimensions. There is a perfect unison of style and manner in the 

 construction and ornament of the dome, of the arcades of the sur- 

 rounding gallery, and of the fronts of the building, filling the tasteful 

 and critical eye with a simple, elegant, and harmonious whole. 



From another arch in a similar style is the passage to the new 

 gardens of the Pavilion. The vista through these several arches, 

 terminated by the trees and shrubs of the garden, is highly picturesque 

 and beautiful. The east and western arches of the circular area lead 

 to the Tennis Court and Riding House; upon those arches the stair- 

 cases are formed, which ascend to an open gallery, surrounding the 

 area communicating with the offices, harness and saddle rooms, and 

 commanding a full view of the structure at large, which comprises 

 stabling for upwards of seventy Horses, with every possible convenience 

 in request from utility or refinement. The Riding House is two hun- 

 dred feet long, and sixty feet wide, with a spacious Tennis Court. 



The whole edifice, particularly the bold, light and elegant construc- 

 iion of the dome, do infinite credit to the genius and talents of the 

 architect, and are said to give intire satisfaction to His Royal High- 

 ness, who finds his own ideas of magnificence, taste, and accommoda- 

 ,i;ion, fully realized. It has been objected, that the atmosphere of the 



stables 



