“The brackets of Early English foliage, from which the blind wall-arches spring, should be noticed. Two large ones especially, at the angles of the eastern transept, are excellent specimens of this period, before the naturalism of the Decorated had begun to develop itself. A fragment of mural painting, apparently of the same date as the choir itself, remains on the wall, close above the pulpit. The painting, when entire, is said to have represented a subject not uncommon in early churches--the Wheel of Fortune with various figures--king, priest, husbandman and others--climbing it.”--(R. J. K.) This painting (5 feet 10 inches high and 2 feet 2 inches wide) dates from the Thirteenth Century. Fortune dressed as a queen, and in yellow, moves the wheel with her right hand. Passing into the =North-choir-transept=, still Early English and a part of William de Hoo’s work, the first point of interest is =St. William’s Tomb=, at the north-east corner, of Purbeck marble, with a floriated cross. Towards the centre of the transept is a flat stone marked with six crosses, upon which =St. William’s Shrine= is said to have rested. The steps which descend into the north aisle of the Choir are, as at Canterbury, deeply worn by the constant ascent of pilgrims. West of the Saint’s tomb lies =Walter de Merton=, founder of Merton College, Oxford, and Bishop of Rochester from 1274 to 1277. His tomb is a very beautiful example of Early Decorated. The present arrangement of the east end is the work of Sir G. Scott. The =Choir-stalls= were designed by Sir G. Scott, who incorporated as much of the old work as possible. Just behind the =Altar=, above which is a picture of _The Angels appearing to the Shepherds_, by Benjamin West (placed there in 1788), is a fine =Piscina=. Opposite three stone =Sedilia= (late Perpendicular) deserve notice. In the railed-off transept aisle, known as =St. John the Baptist’s Chapel=, or =Warner Chapel=, because of the monuments to members of the Warner family (“Palladian” in style, 1666-1698), there is an old weather-worn =statue= which tradition says is a portrait of =Gundulf=. In the eastern aisle of the north-east transept is the =Tomb of Bishop John De Sheppy= (1353-1360). It is “probably the most perfect specimen of ancient colour-work now existing in England. It had been bricked up within the arch where it still remains, and was discovered during the repairs in 1825. The colours and monuments deserve the most careful attention, as well for their own beauty as for their great value as authorities. In the maniple held over the left arm, some of the crystals with which it was studded still remain. Remark the couchant dogs at the feet. About their necks are scarlet collars, hung with bells. An inscription with the Bishop’s name surrounds the effigy.”--(R. J. K.)