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Whitehaven Court
Room
Whitehaven, Jan. 1.
Mr. URBAN,
YOUR Readers will be glad to be informed of a circumstance
that must afford great pleasure to numbers. The Rt. Hon.
Lord Viscount Lowther has, it is believed, (without any
solicitation) given orders for the immediate fitting up of
the building in Lowther-street, long known by the name of
the Reckoning House, which, from its ruined state, was
re-erected a few years ago, but left unfinished. His
Lordship has been pleased to direct the completing of this
edifice, with the liberal view of accommodating the town
with a suitable COURT-ROOM, COFFEE-ROOM, and LIBRARY, under
one roof; and considerable progress has already been made in
the work. All who have seen the plan, highly approve of the
arrangement; of which some idea may be formed by others,
from the following imperfect sketch: On the ground-floor, on
the right hand side of the lobby, will be the Court-room,
with a smaller apartment, for the purpose of a
withdrawing-room for the magistrates. To the left of the
entrance, the apartments for the housekeeper, or manager;
which consist of a large parlour, two bed-rooms, pantry,
closet, &c. and a private stair-case to the library and
reading-room. The winding stair-case to the first-floor (or
upper story) is in the centre of the building, fronting the
street; a double flight of 20 steps on each side: surmounted
by a very handsome portico. This floor comprises (to the
right) the Coffee-room; with two smaller apartments for
filing the newspapers, &c. and on the left are the
Library and Reading-room. The dimensions of the principal
rooms are as follows, viz. the Court-room, 22 feet by
21 feet 8 inches; private box, 10 feet 8 inches by 7 feet;
the Coffee-room, 24 feet by 22 feet; the Library, 16 feet 4
inches by 7 feet; the Reading-room, 19 feet by 14 feet. The
whole is well lighted; and the interior, we understand, is
to be fitted up in a very handsome style. The line of iron
palisadoes, extending the length of the building, will be 50
feet, including the gates in the centre; and the breadth of
the area, within it, is 32 feet. The arrangement, and the
manner in which it is intended to be finished, are such as
cannot fail of uniting elegance with convenience. It is
expected to be completed by Whitsuntide.
J.W.
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