Annunciation. The panel on the north side is the Nativity, the large subject in the centre the Crucifixion, with the Entombment beneath it; and the group on the south side the Resurrection. The panels of the pedestals are filled with Angels bearing instruments of the Passion. The niche above the pediment is occupied by the figure of S. Mary with the Divine Child in her arms; the statues of S. Paul and S. Peter on either hand. The figure on the summit of the niche is an ideal one of the Risen Saviour.

“The entire Altar Screen is executed in white Parian marble, with bands and panels of Rosso Antico, Verdi di Prato, and Brescia marble. The enrichments are generally gilt, the steps in front of the Altar are of white marble, and the pavement of Rosso Antico, Brescia, and Verdi di Prato.” See Rev. L. Gilbertson’s Guide.

THE CHOIR, LOOKING EAST.

THE BISHOP’S THRONE.

Is placed on the south side of the Choir at the extreme east, and is occupied by the Bishop of London on great occasions. On ordinary days he sits in the central stall on the same side of the Choir. The Throne, like the stalls, is the work of Grinling Gibbons. Thirty of the stalls are set apart for the Prebendaries of the Cathedral, and on each is the name of the Prebend from which the income of each occupant was anciently derived, together with the opening words of the Psalm commencing the portion of the Psalter which each Prebendary was bound to recite daily; the Psalms being divided into thirty parts, and the whole Psalter being thus said every day.

To the left, or east, of the Throne, is seen the extremely beautiful Grille or Screen of wrought iron enriched by gilded bronze. The greater part of the ironwork once formed the gates at the western entrance of the Choir.

In the foreground appears a grand bronze Candelabrum, an exact copy of that in the Cathedral of S. Bavon, Ghent. There are four of these Candelabra at Ghent, which are said to have been removed from S. Paul’s Cathedral. Copies of two of these now adorn the Sanctuary; one only is seen in the illustration.

THE BISHOP’S THRONE.

THE NORTH AISLE OF THE CHOIR, LOOKING WEST.

Over the back of the Choir Stalls, which are seen on the left of the picture, rise a few of the pedal pipes of the Organ, the largest of which is thirty-two feet in length. Through the openwork of Tijou’s beautiful iron gates, the view extends across the Dome to the extreme west of the Cathedral. At the end of the North Aisle of the Nave a glimpse is obtained of a window (presented by Mr. H. F. Vernon in 1861) containing a full length figure of S. Paul.

THE NORTH AISLE OF THE CHOIR, LOOKING WEST.

THE CRYPT CHAPEL.

In this Chapel Matins are said at eight o’clock in the morning on all week days throughout the year. In the foreground is the burial place of Dean Milman, marked by a slab with a cross wrought upon its surface. To the west of this, not shown, however, in the view, is the grave of Dr. Liddon. In the Aisles to the right and left are seen a few fragments of monuments from the old Cathedral, scanty relics, spared by the great fire of 1666 and by the ruthless hand of the destroyer.

THE CRYPT CHAPEL.