ter having been employed, after the death of Felipe
de Borgona, in 1548, in continuing the sculptures. The entire south side
was left for him to complete; after which he added a group in marble,
representing the Transfiguration, placed rather injudiciously, since it
out-tops the screen or back of the choir; thus presenting to the view of
those who enter from the western or grand entrance, and who are more
likely to have come with the intention of viewing the ornaments, than
the canons who are seated in the choir--the back of the subject, or
rather, forms which represent no subject whatever. There is a Virgin on
a pedestal in the centre of the eastern end of the choir, turning her
back to the bronze railing which separates it from the transept. This
statue has occupied its present position ever since the erection of the
cathedral; and it is probable would long since have quitted it, but for
a still greater inconvenience consequent on its removal. The attempt was
recently made, when a mass of water issued with much violence from
beneath the pedestal, and putting to flight the canons who were
assembled to preside at the operation, instantly inundated the whole
church. The virgin occupies probably the site of the fountain which must
have been the centre of the court, at the period of the existence of the
mosque. However that may be, the spot is the exact centre of the present
edifice.

At the two eastern angles of the quadrangle, formed by the intersection
of the transept and principal nave, close to the railing of the capilla
mayor are two pulpits of bronze, excellently wrought; supported on short
pillars of rare marbles.

[Illustration: INTERIOR OF THE CATHEDRAL, TOLEDO.]

A tall pyramidal Gothic edifice[8] of gilded and painted wood, rising to
the full height of the ceiling, stands in front of a column of the
second nave from the north side. All its sides are open, and furnished
with bronze railings, through which is seen an altar, raised on three or
four steps. In the centre of the altar is inserted a marble slab--a
highly prized relic, being the stone on which the Virgin placed her foot
on the occasion of her appearing in the cathedral in _propria persona_
to the Archbishop San Ildefonzo. This peculiar favour bestowed on the
saint--and a robe with which she invested him with her own hands, were
bestowed, according to the historian Mariana, in recompense of his zeal
in opposing the doctrine of the two Frenchmen, Pelag