248 



THREE YEARS IN THE PACIFIC. 



end of it is the choir, and at the other the " Altar Mayor," or 

 great altar. 



The choir, which may be compared to a splendid labyrinth, 

 contains a hundred cedar chairs. The back of each one presents 

 the half figure of a saint, beautifully carved ; and the spaces 

 and panels between them are ornamented with angels, saints, 

 animals, birds, and flowers, in relief, executed in the best 

 style. The facistol, or chorister's desk, which stands in front, 

 corresponds with the rest. The sculpture of this spot cost 

 30,000 dollars !* Besides two immense organs of surpassing 

 melody, not exceeded, it is said, by any in Spain, on certain 

 occasions there is an accompaniment of violins, violoncellos, 

 harps, and wind instruments. 



Between the great altar and the choir, is the pulpit, splen- 

 didly carved and gilded, the cost of which exceeded twelve 

 thousand dollars ! 



The Altar Mayor is a magnificent structure, twenty-two feet 

 wide and forty-five in height. The base is three feet high. 

 Upon it is the altar table, covered with fine cambric, trimmed 

 with Mechlin lace. At each corner of this basement stands an 

 angel, supporting in the extended hand a silver lamp, and be- 

 tween them three large urns ; one contains some relics of 

 Santa Rosa; a second, the head of Santo Toribio ; and the mid- 

 dle one, a cross of gold and precious stones. 



The tabernacle is supported by twelve columns of the com- 

 posite order, ten feet high ; those in front are of sheet silver, 

 and all the capitals, cornices, and mouldings, are richly gilt. 

 Together, they form a sort of niche, in which is the sagrdrio 

 of silver, surmounted by a figure of our Saviour ; it contains 

 the custodium of gold. At the foot of the sagrario, is engraved 

 in large gold letters, 



ECCE EGO VOBISCUM. 

 In the lateral angles are the efiigies of St. John the Evangelist, 

 and Santa Rosa, the Patroness of the Americas and of Lima, 

 the tutelaries of this church. 



• vide : Fama Postuma del Senor Doctor Don Juan Domingo Gonzalez de 

 la Reguera; Dignisimo XVI. Arzobispo de los Reyes. Lima, MDCCCV. 



