that erected in the time of bishop Ward. Under the windows is a series of niches, the canopies of which are formed by a cornice of the Beauchamp Chapel, exhibiting foliage, and fan work tracery, rising from corbel heads. The organ screen, under which an arched entrance leads into the choir, is composed of ornaments selected from the Beauchamp and Hungerford Chapels, and tastefully decorated with a rich cornice taken from that of Beauchamp* The walls and buttresses of the Lady Chapel were restored, the windows brought to their proper level, the seats which disfigured it removed, and the pavement was raised a few inches to give an ascent from the choir. The principal window was adorned with a Painting of the Resurrection, designed by Sir Joshua Reynolds, and executed by Mr. Eginton, + of Birmingham. The side windows are glazed with mosaic painted glass, to give effect to the painting, and throw on this part of the building that sober light which befits a place of devotion.

In restoring the interior of the Lady Chapel, it was also found necessary to remove several monuments. But, in making this alteration, the utmost delicacy and precaution were observed. The remains of the dead were kept with all the care due to a sacred deposit, till the new sites were selected and prepared; and the ravages which time or accident had made on the monuments themselves were repaired with those fragments which most nearly resembled the original style. The monuments removed, were those of bishop Poor, which was at first placed under a canopy, in a wall on the north side of the altar, of bishop Osmund, William Longspee, earl of Salis

* This ornament has been copied in a small gothic building erected for her Majesty at Frogmore.

+ The business of Mr. Eginton is still carried on by his son, who has distinguished himself by the execution of several subjects in painted glass, for different members of the royal family, as well as for the nobility and gentry.

bury, John de Montacute, Sir John Cheney, bishop Beauchamp, lord Robert Hungerford, bishop Blythe, bishop de la Wyle, and Lord Stourton. That of bishop Poor was placed in the chapel for morning prayers, on the north side of the eastern transept. The others were ranged along the plinth, between the series of pillars on each side of the nave.

In no instance was the taste of the architect more displayed than in decorating the stalls and seats of the choir. The work, which was erected in the time of bishop Hume, afforded no very advantageous foundation for improvement; yet, by the addition of canopies, and the skilful employment or imitation of the fragments taken from the Beauchamp and Hungerford Chapels, he succeeded in rendering it a happy imitation of the florid gothic. The bishop's throne is equally conspicuous for richness of style and correctness of design; and, with the pulpit opposite, is a pleasing finish to this decorated part of the structure. A handsome screen at the back of the canopies enhances the beauty of the whole. *

The grand and lofty spring of the four principal arches supporting the tower, has struck the most careless spectator; and it was naturally the wish of the architect to give the fullest effect to this part of the edifice. Hence he removed the former organ screen, which appears to have been as antient as the church, but was so injudiciously situated as to hide the lower part of the pillars. As the architect who erected the arches, which were ntended to resist the bend of the pillars, had raised his work on this screen, these additional arches were shored up till a new foundation was completed. A large beam had also been placed across the choir, with the view, as was supposed, of preventing the effects of the pressure from the tower

* The two views of the choir annexed will shew the effect of these alterations.

and spire. But, although it was a great deformity to the choir, it was considered as affording little security. Mr. Wyatt coincided in the opinion, formerly expressed by Mr. Price, that it might be removed without danger, and accordingly it was sawn asunder, and taken down under his inspection.

Subsequent to the completion of the building, the side aisles of the two transepts had been inclosed with ordinary screens, to serve the purpose of chantries. The building was disincumbered of these additions, which had been too long suffered to deform it, and the fine colonnades forming the aisles of the transepts were brought into view. One side alone of the smaller transept was preserved, with its inclosure, to form the chapel for the office of morning prayer, and other parochial duties. At the time when these alterations were made, a new organ was erected, by the gift of his majesty. The occasion of this present deserves to be recorded, for the sake of the gracious manner in which it was bestowed. The king inquired of bishop Barrington, whom he knew to be the projector and patron of the intended improvements, what these improvements were to be, and by what means the expence was to be defrayed. The bishop described the alterations, and stated that a new organ was much wanted; though he feared that it would greatly exceed the means, which depended on the voluntary contributions of the gentlemen belonging to the counties of Berks and Wilts, of which the diocese consists. The king immediately replied, "I desire that you will accept of a new organ for your

* Perhaps this beam may have served originally to support the Rood Loft. This was a species of gallery, containing the crucifix or Rood, and the images of saints, particularly of the patron, or patroness of the church. It was placed at the entrance of the chancel, that those who approached the altar might pass under it. As the body of the church represented the church militant, and the chancel the church triumphant, its situation was intended to denote, that christians in imitation of their Redeemer must bear the cross, or undergo affliction.