(fig. 8) affords a typical [v.03 p.0474]
example. The campanile is a later addition. Within, apart from the
beautiful mosaic decoration, a fine effect was produced by the arch of
triumph and the apse, which terminated the nave and dominated the whole
vast space of the interior.

[Illustration: FIG. 9.--Facade of old St Peter's, Rome.]

[Illustration: FIG. 10.--Ground-Plan of the original Basilica of St Peter's
at Rome.

_a_, Porch. _b_, Atrium. _c_, Cloisters. _d_, Narthex. _e_, Nave. _f_, _f_,
Aisles, _g_, Bema. _h_, Altar, protected by a double screen. _i_, Bishop's
throne in centre of the apse. _k_, Sacristy. _l_, Tomb of Honorius. _m_,
Church of St Andrew. ]

To pass from general description to individual churches, the first place
must be given, as the earliest and grandest examples of the type, to the
world-famous Roman basilicas; those of St Peter, St Paul and St John
Lateran, _"omnium urbis et orbis ecclesiarum mater et caput."_ It is true
that no one of these exists in its original form, Old St Peter's having
been entirely removed in the 16th century to make room for its magnificent
successor; and both St Paul's and St John Lateran having been greatly
injured by fire, and the last named being so completely modernized as to
have lost all interest. Of the two former, however, we possess drawings and
plans and minute descriptions, which give an accurate conception of the
original buildings. To commence with St Peter's, from the illustrations
annexed (figs. 9, 10, 11) it will be seen that the church was entered
through a vast colonnaded _atrium_, 212 ft. by 235 ft., with a fountain in
the centre,--the atrium being preceded by a porch mounted by a noble flight
of steps. The church was 212 ft. wide by 380 ft. long; the nave, 80 ft. in
width, was six steps lower than the side aisles, of which there were two on
each side. The four dividing colonnades were each of twenty-two Corinthian
columns. Those next the nave supported horizontal entablatures. The inner
colonnades bore arches, with a second clerestory. The main clerestory walls
were divided into two rows of square panels containing mosaics, and had
windows above. The transept projected beyond the body of the church,--a
very unusual arrangement. The apse, of remarkably small dimensions, was
screened off by a double row of twelve wreathed columns of Parian marble.
The pontifical chair was placed in the centre of the curve of the apse, on
a platform raised several s