QUEEN ELIZABETH'S LODGE. 33
The middle floor was divided into rooms a considerable time since ; the
partitions are of oak, but thin and very rough; at the same time the ceilings
were boarded with deal. These divisions, though of some age, are of no sort
of merit or value, and I see no reason why they should not be removed and
the room restored' to its original condition. Its only ornamental features
which remain are the finely moulded beams of the ceiling, which in position
agree with the arched principals in the room above. I should strongly
recommend that this room should be brought back to its original state as far
as this is possible."
Mr. Scott at first thought that this room had originally a
number of windows, but a more careful examination failed to
reveal traces of the former existence of these ; he thinks, how-
ever, that three should be added, which would add much to the
convenience of the room and improve the external effect.
" The present ceiling of the first floor consists of thin deal boards fixed
below the old joists. I had expected to find the joists had been originally
exposed to view, but on removing two of the boards, it was evident that these
must always have been a ceiling of some kind, the joists, which have every
appearance of being original, being deep and comparatively thin, such as are
used in modern floors. These would not look at all well if exposed, and I
think it will be best simply to substitute oak boarding for the deal now in use.
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If it should be decided to give up the first floor to the Museum, I under-
stand it will be necessary to supply the rooms on this floor, which are now
used by the keeper of the Lodge, in some other way. I fear that it would be
hardly possible to make an addition to the Lodge large enough for the
purpose without causing a considerable change in its appearance. Perhaps a
partly detached building could be added behind, but it is hard to see how
this could be done without taking away too much light.
If not too expensive, the best plan would, I think, be to build a cottage
in the garden belonging to the Lodge to the south-east of the main building.
There is an excellent site here, and the effect architecturally would be very
pleasing.
One of the rooms on the ground floor of the Lodge would be required for
the attendant in charge of the Museum during the day, and the others would
no doubt be extremely useful for unarranged specimens, &c."
With respect to the exterior of the building, Mr. Scott much
regrets the restoration which was carried out about 16 years ago,
and which gave an appearance to the building which it did not
originally bear. On removing some of the modern timber-facing
he found that the small uprights do not represent old timbers,
none of those removed having any old uprights behind them :—
" The larger pieces appear to correspond roughly with the original fram-
ing, but, so far as I was able to examine, the old timbers are not fit to be
exposed, the surfaces being seriously decayed. I have come to the conclusion
that it would not be practicable to remove the modern facing."