94
thus a neighbourhood lost the benefit of the good example arising fromthe regular attendance of a considerable family, and the family them-selves that of hearing the public offices of religion performed, in generalwith much more solemnity than at home. Besides, the parish ministerwas probably independent, and his instructions had a chance of beingrespected, but little reverence ever attached to the character of adomestic chaplain. Many considerable families are exemplary in bring-ing their domestics to attend upon public worship; and could they beconvinced that a library or dining-room would answer the end ofassembling together, and that themselves are adequate to the recital ofreligious offices, there would be little reason to lament the demolition ofdomestic chapels.”
We take from an ancient authority* a description of the Hall andChapel at Richmond Palace, temp. Henry YII. “ The pleasant Halle isuppon the right hand of the curtilage, xij. or xvj. grees of highte, pavydwith goodly tille; whoes rof is of tymber, not beamyd, ne brasid, butpper knotts, crafty corven, joyned and shutt toguyder w‘ mortes, andpynned, hangyng pendaunt from the syde roff in to the grounde andfioure, after the most new invencon and crafte of the prospectif ofCement; cast owt w‘ wyndowes glasid right lightsume and goodly. Inthe wallys and siddys of this Halle, betwene the wyndowes, be thepicturs of the noble kings of this realme, in their harmes and robes ofgoold; as Brute, Engist, King William Rufus, King Arthur, KingHenry, and many of that name; King Kichard, King Edward, and ofthoes names, many noble waryours and kings of this riall realme, withther falchons and swords in ther hands, visaged, and apperyng like boldand valiant knights; and so ther dedys and acts in the cronicles right