While we are about the account of the antient cathedral, it may be necessary that we entertain our readers with the origin of the proverb "DINING WITH DUKE HUMPHREY." Many ignorant persons entertained a notion that Humphrey, duke of Glocester, had been buried in St. Paul's, instead of St. Alban's; and therefore the idlers on St. Andrew's day, had a solemn meeting at the tomb of Sir John Beaumont, which they had mistaken for that of the duke, where they professed to do homage to his memory as his servants and liege people, and nominally invited themselves to dinner with the good duke, in right of their various supposed offices, "Likewise, on May-day," says Munday, "tankard bearers, watermen, and some other of the like quality besides, would come to the tomb early in the morning, and deliver service. able presentations at the monument, by strewing herbs, and sprinkling fair water on it; as in the duty of servants, and according to their degrees and charges in office. But as Mr. Stow hath discreetly advised such as are so merrily dis. posed, or simply profess themselves to serve duke Humphrey in St. Paul's, if the punishment of losing their dinners daily there be not sufficient for them, they should be sent to St. Alban's, to answer there for their disobedience, and long absence from their so highly well deserving lord and master, because, in their merry disposition, they please so to call him." This was not the only act of profanation, which was transacted in St. Paul's cathedral. It appears to have been a common thoroughfare for porterage, &c. which abuse was carried to such an extent, that the following act of common-council was issued as a restriction, on the first of August, 1 and 2 Philip and Mary: "Forasmuch as the material temples of God were first ordained for the lawful and devout assembly of people, there to lift up their hearts, and to laud and praise Almighty God, and to hear his divine service, and most holy word and gospel, sincerely said, sung, and taught; and not to be used as markets, or other profane places, or thoroughfares, with car riage of things: And for that, now of late years, many of the inhabitants of the city of London, and other people repairing thither, have, and yet do commonly use and accustom themselves very unseemly and unreverently, the more the pity, to make their common carriage of great vessels full of ale and beer, great baskets full of bread, fish, flesh, and such other things; fardels of stuff, and other gross wares and things, through the cathedral church of St. Paul's. And some, in leading moyles (mules), horses, and other beasts through the same irreverently, to the great dishonour and displeasure of Almighty God, and the great grief also, and offence of all good people: Be it therefore, for remedy and reformation thereof, ordained, enacted and established, &c. That no person, either free or foreign, of what estate or condition soever, do at any time, from henceforth, carry, convey, or cause to be carried through the said cathedral, any manner of great vessel or basket with bread, ale, beer, fish, flesh, &c. or any other like thing or things, upon pain of forfeiture or losing, for every such his or their first offence, 3s. 4d. for the second, 6s. 8d. for the third, 10s. and for every other offence, after such third time, to forfeit 10s, and to suffer two days and two nights imprisonment, without bail or mainprize. The one moiety of all which pains and penalties shall be to Christ's Hospital within Newgate, and the other half to him that will sue for the same in any court of record within the city, by bill, original plaint, or information, to be commenced or sued in the name of the chamberlain of the said city, for the time being; wherein no essoine or wager of law for the defendant shall be admitted or allowed." It is really curious, at this distance of time and in our more polished age, to reflect on the uses to which St. Paul's was converted even in the reign of queen Elizabeth. It was a common passage for goods, &c. its chantries and chapels were converted to warehouses for lumber; carpenters shops, trunk makers, to the disturbance of divine service; a baker's shop, and a play-house! VOL. III. No. 71. 3 T We We turn away from the disgusting retrospect of St. Paul's, as profaned in the times of reformation, and during the civil wars, when the great fire reduced it to ashes, and the present noble structure rose the wonder and admiration of the aniverse. THE PRESENT CATHEDRAL. It having been resolved to erect a new cathedral, which should equal, if not exceed, the magnificence and splendor of the old fabric, letters patents were issued under the great seal, in the year 1674, authorising commissioners to manage that great work, and appointing Sir Christopher Wren to prepare a suitable design. King Charles II. was also graciously pleased to give 1000l. per annum, out of his privy purse, towards carrying on the intended structure.* Sir *The public spirit evinced on this occasion is amply testified by the following names of benefactors, and the sums subscribed, extracted from a vellum roll belonging to the clerk of the works: It should be remembered, that the sums formerly given for repairs, were also appropriated to the present purpose: Sir Thomas Allen of £. s. d. Dr. Bretton, master £ s. d. of Emanuel Col Finchley 100 0 0 lege in Cambridge 100 0 0 0 Sir Thomas Bridges Edward Ball, Esq. 0 Earl of Burlington Mr. Babington, fellow 60 0 0 of Trinity College Dr. Bathurst, dean of 100 0 0 93 15 0 100 0 0 50 0 0 Bath and Wells - 50 o a Dr. Beary, archdea con of the East Riding in York shire Mrs. Eliz. Browning of Hadham 0 0 50 0 The Rev. Dr. Buck 10000 Mr. Bird of Hackney |