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HISTORY OF

[ 1780 — 85 .

James I. dying in 1625, his body lay in state atSomerset House from the 23rd April to the 17th May.It was next occupied by Henrietta Maria, Queen ofCharles I. , until she left the country. The restorationbrought her again to England, when she resumed herresidence at Somerset House, and expended a largesum of money in putting her palace in a state ofrepair, and even, as Evelyn mentions, made consider-able additions to it. It was on this occasion that shebrought into use, for the first time in England, themode of inlaying floors with different coloured woods.As Charles II . did not find it convenient that hisQueen, Catherine of Braganza , should reside at White-hall, the scene of his gallantries, he lodged her duringsome part of his reign in Somerset House. On thedeath of the King, it became the sole residence ofCatherine , then Queen Dowager, until her return toPortugal in 1692. From that period Somerset Houseceased to possess any interest in its palatial character.It still continued to be an appurtenance of successiveQueens, until, on the 10th April, 1775, Parliament was recommended in a message from the Crown, tosettle upon Queen Charlotte the house in which shethen resided, formerly called Buckingham House , butthen known by the name of the Queen’s House ; inwhich case, Somerset House, already settled upon her,should be given up and appropriated “ to such uses asshall be found most useful to the public.” The demo-lition of the old buildings was commenced as soon asan act could be passed, to carry the royal message intoeffect. Sir William Chambers was appointed architect,and in 1779 the new street front was completed.The other portions were finished subsequently. Thesite occupies an area of 800 ft. by 500 ft., being a few