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The Durbar or Throne Room is a round room fifty feet in diameter, surmounted by a dome 63 feet high, from the centre of which hangs by three mas- sive chains a superb chandelier, with one hundred and one branches. The floor is one of well polished mar- ble. Magnificent candelabras, bearing numerous lights, and statues add to the unique splendour of the room. On opposite sides, facing each other, are two marble stands, one worked or inlaid with gold, on which, on occasions of State, are placed the State Chair or Throne. The ceiling of the dome is done up and ornamented with sky blue enamel, pink and gold. When lighted up, the room presents a scene of surpasing beauty. The marble underneath reflects the lights above. The eye loves to linger on every object in the Palace, but on none more than the Throne room, with its superb dome dazzling overhead, the admiring spectator seeming lost in its beauty, its majesty and its vastness.
The equipments of the Drawing Room, every article of which is in keeping with its surroundings, are as rich, comfortable and magnificent as can be conceived. The floor is covered with a beautiful car-pet upon which, besides two round tables of mas- sive marble, are innumerable couches, sofas and chairs of ivory, (which is solid and not veneered ), velvet and plush. Splendid chiffoniers stand against the lower walls, while the upper portions are hung up. with life-size pictures in massive gilt frames, one of
