Not far from Westminster Abbey rises an ancient building known as Westminster Hall. It was built in the year 1397 during the reign of Richard II. The hall itself, occupying the largest part of the building, measures 90 sazhens in length, more than 10 in width, and about 13 in height. The walls are plain white, but the ceiling is covered with carved woodwork: angels support the coats of arms of Richard II and Edward the Confessor. In the old days, the meetings of Parliament took place here. It is also here that the coronation banquets honoring English monarchs are held. The guide told me excitedly about the banquet given here at the coronation of George IV. The following was consumed in one day: 7442 lbs. of beef, 3133 lbs. of veal, 2474 lbs. of mutton, 270 lbs. of liver oil, 1730 lbs. of bacon, 1400 lbs. of lamb meat, 160 geese, 720 hens and capons, 1610 chickens, 520 other poultry, 8400 eggs, 160 cups of broth, 160 platters of greens, 80 wild game, 642 pâtés, 400 platters of cream and jelly, 160 platters of fish; drinks consumed: 1200 bottles of champagne, 300 of Burgundy wine, 240 of Claret, 600 of Rheinwein, 600 of Moselle wine, 600 of Madera, 4300 of Port wine and sherry, 400 servings of frozen punch, and 100 barrels of beer and porter!

At present the hall is empty. Along the sides are the courtrooms, the so-called new courts of law: their names are inscribed on the doors: Court of Chancery, Vice-Chancellor's Court, King’s-Bench, and others. I went inside some of these courtrooms, and not understanding the gibberish language of English bureaucracy, I occupied myself observing an external view of judicial power and its procedures. The judges—venerable, elderly, serious people—sit on elevated seats. They are dressed in red and black robes and huge, full-bottomed, powdered wigs. At first, this attire seems strange and amusing, but the eye gets used to it quickly.