204 



WESTMINSTER HALL. 



^ bed chamber/ in comparison of what he 

 had wished to have. He^ however, w^ent no 

 farther than the foundations in his intended 

 building. 



But the great hall was altered and en- 

 larged by Richard II. who had the present 

 roof constructed. It is formed of chestnut, 

 which is not at all decayed. It is two hundred 

 and seventy-five feet long, and seventy-four 

 feet wide ! King Richard is said to have 

 feasted ten thousand persons under this roof ; 

 this and some other royal whims, I believe, 

 by their expenses, led to the rebellion of Wat 

 Tyler ; and, perhaps, at last to the dethrone- 

 ment and murder of the King ? " 



^' And for what," said Amelia, do they now 

 use Westminster Hall ? " 



For mere purposes of state," I replied — 



