very

the best and happiest effect. One of them, which is all but perfect, consists of a large device in the centre, representing the sacrifice of Isaac, from which a most exquisite design radiates to the extremities of the room. In general, however, the work consists of various figures placed within multangular compartments of different sizes, that in the centre of the room usually the largest. The projecting ribs, which in their turn inclose the compartments, are themselves furnished with plentiful ornamentation, consisting of bands of oak-leaves and other vegetable forms, and in several instances have fine pendants at the points of intersection. The cornices consist of a rich series of highly-ornamented mouldings. Every part, however, is in strict keeping, and none of the details surfeit the taste, or weary the eye. Some notion may be obtained, even from this very imperfect description, of these exquisite works of art, of which the first palace in the land might well be proud; and which, even if rendered with a less amount of ornament, would be splendid adjuncts to any modern edifice. I have the pleasure of exhibiting a sketch of one of the best of these ceilings by the accurate pencil of my friend Mr. Charles Baily.

The two adjoining houses in Bishopsgate Street, numbers 170 and 171, also possess ceilings of the same noble character. It is doubtful whether these houses formed portions of Sir Paul Pinder's mansion. I am inclined to think that they did; but others, whose opinions on such subjects I greatly respect, consider that the presence of party-walls and of separate staircases, together with that of a slight inequality in the level of the floors, militates against the notion of their being parts of one structure. They may, however, have been additions to the original design, and they have evidently been ornamented by the same hand.*

On the right-hand side of Half-Moon Street is a lofty building of three stories and a gabled roof, usually called "The Lodge," and traditionally asserted to have been the residence of Sir Paul's gardener. The whole of what is now Half-Moon Street, and the numerous courts and alleys which diverge from it, were no doubt

It is my intention to have the whole of the ceilings of these houses drawn according to scale, and published, as the wood panels now given, in a size which may alike do them justice and be useful to architects and designers at large.