When you have passed over the great Square, there’s an Ascent of some Steps to a grand Platform or Terras, that leads into the Portico which is before the Church. The Roof of it is supported by Columns of the _Corinthian_ Order, adorned with Basso Relievos of Marble. The Cieling is of Stukoe, divided into several Compartments in the _Mosaic_ Taste, which form the Arms of _Paul_ V. of the _Borghese_ Family; the whole gilt all over. As one turns to the Right in this Portico, one sees the Statue of _Constantine_ the Great, carved in Marble by _Bernini_, who has represented the Emperor on Horseback, in a Posture of Astonishment at the Appearance of the Cross. Over-against this Statue, on the Left-side of the Portico, is _Charlemaign_’s Statue, likewise on Horseback, done by _Augustin Cornicchini_, a Native of _Peschia_ in _Tuscany_; but ’tis not near so bold a Figure as that carved by _Bernini_. At the Entrance of the Church, we leave on the Right-hand the holy Gate, which the Pope opens and shuts every twenty-five Years, at the Time of the great Jubilee. I must confess that the inside Decoration of St. _Peter_’s did not strike me at first View; for I imagined that every thing there must be Gold and Azure, but I was mistaken; tho’, after having examined Things closely, I was, as it were, in an Ecstasy at the Variety of Beauties I there saw. The High Altar, which is almost in the middle of the Dome, is of a Magnificence not to be parallelled. It stands by itself, and is on all Sides open, consisting of four wreathed Columns of Brass, of an immense Height and Bulk, which support a Canopy of the same Metal, surmounted by Angels holding Festons of Flowers, so completely carved, that one would naturally imagine the Whole to be the Work of a Goldsmith. At this Altar none can celebrate Mass but the Pope himself, and the Cardinal Dean, by his Holiness’s express Permission; and underneath, in a Chapel richly adorned, there lie some Parts of the Holy Bodies of the Apostles St. _Peter_ and St. _Paul_. There’s a Descent into this Chapel by a Stair-case of fine Marble, consisting of two Flights, in Form of a Horse-shoe, and surrounded by a Balustrade of Brass, supporting a great many Silver Lamps, which never cease to burn, except on _Good-friday_, when the Church is hung in Mourning, in Memory of the Death of our Saviour.