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idea of magnificence, and seems to promise, that however ric
may be the apartments by which it is surrounded, it leads I
are still more grand. Among the staircases of this period which still remain
in existence, we may especially mention those of Hatfield House, Hertford-
shire; New Hall, Cheshire; and Eastbury House, Essex.
   The Elizabethan Mansion had less of the appearance of a fortified house,
than the dwellings of any preceding age. Indeed the necessity of protection
from the attack of others, seems to have been past, so that when we examine
the exterior of one of these houses, we think rather of the ancient magnifi-
cence of the -owner, than    any want of security in his possession.    
The
form of the domestic mansion in the time of Elizabeth, on the plan, was that
of a long front with projecting wings and a central porch, so that it had
a
strong resemblance to the letter E, and it has been stated by some writers,
that this form of building was chosen, and almost uniformly adopted, out
of
compliment to the Queen, it being the initial of her name.      Whether this
be the case or not, we are unable to say, but such was the servile flattery
of her court, and such her self-esteem and pride, that it is by no means
improbable, and especially as the arrangement was at the same time exceed-
ingly convenient.
  As another peculiarity of the Elizabethan architecture, we may mention
the
more frequent use of chimney-pieces and chimney-shafts, to both of which
a
new  character was given, so that they became important features wherever
they were placed. Harrison, an excellent writer of this period, frequently
refers to this circumstance. "There are old men yet living," he
says, "in
the village where I remain, who have noted three things to be marvellously
altered in England within their sound remembrance.     One is the multitude
of chimneys lately erected, whereas, in their young days, there were not
above
two or three, if so many, in uplandish towns of the realm, (the religious
lIUUltsb dUU IaIn U- mano uU pla  IUIoue  waylWb s t;xcpIU, anIu FerL v eii
some great personages,) but each one made his fire against a reredosse