In the reign of King James I. the
Banqueting House being in a ruinous
condition, that Monarch formed the de-
sign of erecting a palace on the spot,
worthy the residence of the Kings of
England.  The celebrated Inigo Jones
was employed to draw the plan of a no-
ble edifice; this was done, and the pre-
sent structure erected, as a small part of
the great intended work, for the recep-
tion of ambassadors, and other audiencies
of state.  The engraved view of it,
which is here given, will best illustrate
what follows.

This is a regular and august building
which has three stories.  The lowest
has a rustic wall, with small square
windows, and by its strength happily
serves for a basis for the orders.  Upon
this is raised the Ionic, with columns
and pilasters, and between the columns
are well proportioned windows, with
arched and pointed pediments.  Over
these is placed the proper entablature,
and on this is raised a second series of

To render this edifice as perfect as
possible, the ceiling is finely painted by
the celebrated Sir Peter Paul Rubens,
who was ambassador here in the time
of Charles I.  The subject is the en-
trance, inauguration, and coronation of
King James I. represented by Pagan
emblems.  It is esteemed one of his
most capital performances, and may be
justly esteemed one of the finest ceilings