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What they were antecedently, has been already described in the secondSection of this Work, and the annexed Plate will convey some idea oftheir massy and substantial character at the period above mentioned.The hand-rails and balustrades—unlike the ricketty contrivances ofmodern days—were of gigantic proportions, and presented at once a bold,picturesque, and secure appearance; yet so variously and fancifully de-corated, that their effect was always pleasing, and free from clumsiness.
Describing Verulam House, Aubrey says, “ In the middle was adelicate staircase of wood, which was curiously carved; and on the postsof every interstice was some pretty figure, as a grave divine with hisbook and spectacles, a mendicant friar, and not one twice.”
“ In two of the principal chambers at Wressil Castle,” says DoctorPercy, “ are small beautiful staircases, with octagon screens, embattledat the top, and covered with very bold sculpture, containing double flightsof stairs, winding round each other, after the design of Palladio.”
One other example may suffice. “ The east stayres (at Wimbledon )leade from the marble parler to the great gallery and the dining-room,and are richely adorned with waynscot of oake round the outsidesthereof, all well gilt with fillets and stars of golde. The steps of thesestayres are in number 33, and are six feet six inches long, adorned withfive foot-paces, all varnished black and white, and chequer-worke, thehighest of which foot-pace is a very large one, and benched with awaynscot benche, all garnished with golde. Under the stayres, andeight steps above the saide marble parler, is a little complete roome,called the den of lions, floored with paynted deale chequer-worke.This roome is paynted rounde with lyons and lepards, and is a good orna-ment to the stayres and marble parler, severed therefrom with rayleddoors.”*