By his side stands the Chancellor, holding the seals,
and next to him are other officers of state. Bishop Ridley kneels
before him with uplifted hands, as if supplicating a blessing on the
event; while the Aldermen, etc, with the Lord Mayor, kneel on both
sides, occupying the middle ground of the picture; and lastly, in
front, are a double row of boys on one side, and girls on the other,
from the master and matron down to the boy and girl who have stepped
forward from their respective rows, and kneel with raised hands before
the king.- Timbs's 'Curiosities of London,' p. 98.
Christ's Hospital, by ancient custom, possesses the privilege of
addressing the Sovereign on the occasion of his or her coming into the
City to partake of the hospitality of the Corporation of London.-
Ibid.
The Dining-Hall, with its lobby and organ-gallery, occupies the
entire story, which is 187 feet long, 51 feet wide, and 47 feet
high; it is lit by nine large windows, filled with stained glass on
the south side; that is, next to Westminster Hall, the noblest room in
the metropolis. Here the boys, now about 800 in number, dine; and here
are held the 'Suppings in Public,' to which visitors are admitted by
tickets, issued by the Treasurer and by the Governors of Christ's
Hospital. The tables are laid with cheese in wooden bowls; beer in
wooden piggins, poured from leathern jacks; and bread brought in large
baskets. The official company enter; the Lord Mayor, or President,
takes his seat in a state chair, made of oak from St.
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