THE 'ROCHESTER ROOM.' 135 



This room was forty-two feet by twenty-three, and 

 twelve feet in height ; it was panelled from top to 

 bottom with recesses in solid framework finely carved 

 for the reception of paintings; the ^' Ggg and tongue" 

 ornament in carved wood ran round the cornice, which 

 was richly gilt ; and the spacious fireplace was superbly 

 carved with scroll-work after the fashion of the period, 

 and was also ornamented with gold and other colours. 

 The upper portion of the panelling was arranged with 

 alternate groups of fruit, flowers, and warlike trophies. 

 The ceiling was divided into nine compartments, with 

 gilt bosses at the intersection of the beams. The centre, 

 or largest compartment, was filled with a painting on 

 canvas of two life-sized figures seated, representing 

 Peace and Concord, with palm branches in their hands 

 (the initials C. R. are above the principal figures), and 

 Cherubim flying from behind the clouds, of whom two 

 arc bearing a crown, and two are below, holding a scroll 

 with the following legend — ■ 



" Let Peace and Concord sit and singe, 

 And Subjects yield obedience to their Kinge." 



The other compartments were filled with frescoes, and 

 in the four corners were really artistic emblems of the 

 four seasons. The panelled walls were intended to 

 represent a statue and picture gallery ; the niches con- 

 tained painted figures of Julius and Augustus Csesar, 

 Diana, Juno, Venus, Industry, Diligence, Pallas, Honour, 

 and Majesty ; the principal compartment a large picture 

 on canvas of yEneas carrying his father, Anchises, on his 

 shoulder from the burning Troy ; Creusa was seated on 



