west face with large shields of arms,[17] very brightly coloured,
charged with the heraldic bearings of the principal subscribers. At
first there were only four stalls on each side of the entrance to the
choir; others were added, in front of the ladies' pews, when Honorary
Canons were created in 1844. This organ-loft did not occupy the place of
the former screen, which was where the monastic choir had always
terminated, at the second bay west of the tower, but was placed under
the eastern arch of the lantern tower. The former screen was called by
Rickman "a barbarous piece of painted wood-work." It was either sold, or
taken by the contractors as a perquisite; it ultimately found its way
into a little garden at Woodston, just across the river, where it was
transformed into a summer-house, or arbour.[18]

Great admiration was universally expressed at the conclusion of this
work. It was esteemed a marvel of beauty. Harriet Martineau, in her
"History of England during the Thirty Years' Peace," thought the
re-opening of the choir a matter of sufficient national importance to be
recorded in her book. She writes thus: "A new choir of great beauty, was
erected in Peterborough Cathedral during this period, and the church was
made once more what it was before it was devastated by the Puritans."
All must admire the enthusiasm and devotion which brought this
restoration to a successful issue, although to the taste of the present
day it would all appear cumbrous and heavy.

In the time of Dean Saunders (1853-1878) the choir roof was painted
anew, and much valuable and important work was done towards securing the
stability of the fabric, by underpinning some of the walls, and in other
ways; but all the expense was defrayed out of the resources of the Dean
and Chapter, and no public appeal was made for assistance. Indications
of the insecurity of the lantern tower had begun to appear, one or more