London and its Environs Described, Volume IV, Page 184 & 185

This page continues the article entitled House of Lords, which started on Page 181.
The next article is entitled Loriners, and starts on Page 186.

184	L O R
son why all these sages are placed on woolpacks, may probably be to remind them of the great importance of wool and sheep to this nation. The Clerk of the Crown, who is con- cerned in all writs of Parliament, and the Clerk of the Parliament, who records every thing done there, sit on a form be- hind a table. Without the bar sits the King's first Gentleman Usher, called the Black Rod, from a black wand he carries in his hand. Under him is a Yeoman Usher, who waits at the inside of the door, a Crier without, and a Serjeant at Mace, who al- ways attends the Lord Chancellor. When the King is present with the crown on his head, the Lords sit uncover- ed, and the Judges stand till his Majesty gives them leave to sit. In the King's absence the Lords, at their entrance, do reverence to the throne, as is done by all who enter the presence chamber. The Judges then may sit, but may not be covered, till the Lord Chan- cellor or Keeper signifies to them, that the Lords give them leave to be so. The King's Counsel and Masters in Chancery also sit; but may on no account be co- vered. Upon the days when the King goes in
		state

	L O R	185
state to the house, either at the opening or breaking up of the sessions, the Park guns are discharged; and his Majesty ar- riving at the house of Lords, enters a room adjoining to it, called the Prince's Chamber, where he puts on his robes and crown, and from thence is conducted in- to the house by the Lord Chamberlain, where all the Lords are dressed in their scarlet robes, and being seated on the throne, sends for the Commons by the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod. On their appearing, his Majesty's speech is read by the Lord Chancellor to this grand united Assembly; after which his Majesty returns in the same manner as he came, in his state coach drawn by eight fine horses, attended by his guards, and the guns firing. A stranger cannot any way form a more just notion of the dignity of the English nation, than by attending this noble and august Assembly, when the King is pre- sent, with the crown upon his head, and not only his Majesty, but all the Lords are in their robes, and the Commons at- tending without the bar. This house, in conjunction with the King and Commons, has the power not only of making and repealing laws; but of constituting the supreme judicature of the
		kingdom;