Nor could they escape the Fish-wife without becoming participators in the half pint of blue ruin.
"Come," said Tom, "we will now stroll a little further, and take a survey of the street; but first we will give a look here.
"This," said he, "is the Custom House, a splendid building recently erected, in consequence of the old one being demolished by fire in 1814." ~300~~ "It is, indeed," replied Bob, admiring the south front, which is executed in Portland stone.
"Do you observe," continued Tom, "the central compartment, which comprises what is called the Long Room, and which we will visit presently, is quite plain, except the attic, which is elegantly ornamented ?--that alto-relievo contains allegorical representations of the arts and sciences, as connected with and promoting the commerce and industry of the nation--that to the west, a representation of the costume and character of the various nations with whom we hold intercourse in our commercial relations--in the centre, under the large massive dial-plate, are inscribed in large bronze letters the names of the founders and the date of its erection--the figures which support the dial in a recumbent position are emblematical of industry and plenty--that bold projection in the centre, gives a suitable character to the King's warehouse, and forms an appropriate support to the imperial arms upheld by the attributes of Ocean and Commerce." Bob gazed with admiration and delight on this truly admirable and extensive pile of national architecture; the gentle breeze from the river, the occasional dash of the oar, and the activity which appeared on board the different vessels; together with the view of London Bridge on one side, over which he could perceive pedestrians and vehicles of various kinds passing and repassing, and the Tower on the other, conspired to heighten and give a most imposing effect to the scene.
"The designs," said Tallyho, "are truly creditable to the taste and science of the architect." "And this Quay in front, is intended to be enlarged by filling up a part of the river; besides which, a new wall and quay are to be formed from the Tower to Billingsgate, and numerous other improvements are projected in the contiguous streets and lanes." "Not before it is necessary," was the reply.

"It would be impossible," continued Dashall, "to visit all the apartments this building contains; we will however have a look at the Long Room, and as we proceed I will endeavour to give you some further information.

We are now entering the East wing, which is a counterpart of that on the West, having like this a grand stair-case with a double flight of steps, which conduct to a lobby at each end of the long room, lighted by ~301~~ these vertical lantern-lights, the ceilings being perforated in square compartments, and glazed.

These lobbies serve to check the great draughts of air which would otherwise flow through the room if it opened directly from the stair-case." They now entered the Long Room, the imposing appearance of which had its due effect upon Tallyho.
"Bless me!" cried he in a state of ecstasy, "this is a room to boast of indeed." "Yes," replied his Cousin, "there is not such another room in Europe; it is 190 feet long by 66 wide, and proportionably high, divided into three compartments by these eight massive pillars, from which, as you perceive, spring the three domes, which are so richly ornamented, and ventilated through the centre of each." "And all of stone ?" inquired Bob.
"Not exactly so," was the reply; "the floor (excepting the situation of the officers and clerks) is of stone, but the walls and ceilings are drawn out and tinted in imitation." "And what are these antique pedestals for, merely ornaments ?" Tom was pleased at this inquiry, and with a smile of satisfaction replied--"No, these pedestals do double duty, and are something like what the rural poet, Goldsmith, describes in his _Deserted Village_-- "The chest contriv'd a double debt to pay, A bed by night, a chest of drawers by day." These are ornamental during the summer, but useful in the winter; they contain fire-places completely hid from view." "Fire-places," re-echoed Bob.
"Yes," continued his Cousin; "the smoke, descending, passes through the piers on each side, and by their means a sufficient warmth is at all times kept up in the room." "That is a capital contrivance," said Tallyho.
"Then, to prevent the possibility of sustaining any serious injury from fire, on the ground, one and two pair stories, the communication is cut off by means of iron doors, which run on wheels in chase in the centre of the walls, and are moved backward and forward by a windlass; which doors are closed every evening, and would effectually prevent a communication beyond their boundaries.

Fire-proof rooms also, as repositories for valuable books ~302~~ and papers, are provided on each floor, where the important documents of the establishment are deposited every evening, and removed in trunks to the respective offices.