rooms on the state floor, but is situated in the south-west, or family wing, of which it occupies the whole west side. This situation is, in almost every respect, judicious and appropriate; yet a splendid apartment destined to a display of literary wealth forms such a striking and important feature in the interior of an extensive mansion, that it is almost to be regretted that a library, as magnificent in its structure as it is valuable from the collection it contains, is not one of the attractions of Holkham; particularly as, by connecting all the principal rooms together in the body of the house, and removing all the bedchambers &c. into the wings, the whole would gain much both in convenience and splendour, although at the same time it must be allowed, that the family wing would not be so distinct and commodious as at present; still on the whole the advantage would be considerable. The space now occupied by the library should be divided into three rooms, viz. two chambers and a dressing room. The state bedchamber apartment, which, by the bye, is not very complete, should be removed to the south-east wing, all the first floor of which not occupied by the chapel should be destined to it; it might then consist of an ante-room, bedchamber, two dressing rooms, chamber for attendant, closet &c. all which may be considered as necessary to form a complete sleeping apartment. By this means all the east side of the house would remain for

the library, which might be disposed nearly the same as the gallery, yet not exactly, but so proportioned that all these rooms might still have mezzanine ones above them as at present, the staircase to them being carried up within the court. Thus a central library and two antelibraries might be formed, communicating with each other by large and magnificent glazed folding doors. In one of these rooms the most valuable portion of the collection might be secured by being enclosed in glazed cases; and there is, perhaps, hardly any subject more favourable to an architect, for displaying his taste and invention, than would be afforded by such an interior. The cases should be glazed with ample sheets of plate glass set in gilt frames. Then also the room at the north-east angle of the hall, now a dressing room, should be converted into a dining room, in every respect similar to the present one, which might be adapted to a music room thus the centre of the mansion would be laid out in a continued range of state rooms, for the entertainment of company, without any interruption from bedchambers; and, although in certain respects something may be said in favour of the present plan, yet, on the whole, that here suggested might be considered as an improvement both with regard to splendour and convenience, notwithstanding Mr., Young's high` encomium on Holkham for the latter quality, for which he almost pronounces it a faultless monster.

It is most certainly a structure deserving the attentive examination of the architect, not only on account of its grandeur, its elegant taste, and the excellence of its arrangement, but also for the superior skill and care displayed in its construction. "Dawson's Holkham Guide," a very entertaining and ably executed manual, contains some interesting observations upon the construction and execution of the house. It is to be regretted that Brottingham's work is not elucidated by any descriptive and historical text; also that of the thirty-four plates which it contains, no more than eighteen relate to the mansion itself: the others are designs of the various buildings in the park, some of them not very interesting; at any rate, would be well exchanged for some more sections of the house, which are much wanted, especially one from north to south, through the hall, saloon and portico; another also from east to west, to show the window end of the hall, end of gallery, &c. a third along the east side from north to south; and others through the wings. It would also be desirable that the method by which the access to the four turret rooms is contrived, should be described, as it is a point that requires some explanation. But after all, to render such a work complete, it ought likewise to exhibit correct perspective views of the most striking interior features; for sections alone, however valuable, as exhibiting the construction of the building,

and, in some degree, the decoration, at least the architectural decoration, of the separate rooms, yet convey a rather cold and cheerless idea of them, compared with a view displaying the furniture, paintings &c. without which, in spite of the most beautiful proportions, the most elegant apartment will lose half its effect. It is to be hoped that Holkham will furnish many charming interiors for the second series of Pyne's Views.

ART. IV. The Dresses, Customs &c. of different Nations described, for the use of Painters and Sculptors. From various Authors, KENNET, ADAMS &C.

ROMAN ENTERTAINMENTS.

THE principal meal of the Romans was what they called cana supper, supposed by some authors of good authority to have been anciently their only one. The usual time for this meal was the ninth hour, or three o'clock in the afternoon, in summer, and an hour later in winter. It was esteemed luxurious to sup more early.

About mid-day the Romans took another meal, called prandium, or dinner, which anciently was called cœna, because taken in the evening; but when the Romans, upon the increase of riches, began to devote longer time to the cœna, or common meal, that it might not interfere with business, it was deferred till the evening; and food taken at mid-day was called prandium.

The ancient Romans lived on the simplest fare; chiefly on pottage, or bread and pot herbs. Their chief magistrates and most illustrious generals, when out of office, cultivated the ground with their own hands, sat down at the same board, and partook of the same food, with their servants; as Cato the censor is mentioned to have done by Plutarch. They sometimes even dressed their dinner themselves, or had it brought them into the fields by their wives: but when riches were introduced by the extension of conquest, the manners of the people became changed, and luxury took possession of all ranks; the pleasures of the table became the chief object of attention, and every thing was ransacked to gratify the appetite.

The Romans at first sat at meals, as did also the Greeks. Homer's heroes sat on separate seats around the wall, with a small table before each, on which the meat and drink were set, as did the ancient Germans and Spaniards. The custom of reclining on couches was introduced from the nations of the east; at first adopted only by the men, but afterwards allowed also to the women. It was used in Africa in the time of Scipio Africanus the elder. The images of the gods used to be placed in this posture, in a lectisternium; that of Jupiter reclining on a couch, and those of Juno and Minerva erect on seats.

Boys and young men below seventeen sat