ST. PAUL's CATHEDRAL.
THE HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION Of the famous CATHEDRAL OF St.
Paul
's , London.
Printed for
Tho. Boreman,
Bookseller, near, the two giants in
Guildhall, London.
1741. [Price 4
d.
To Master
Tommy Boreman,
Near the Two Giants in
Guildhall,
LONDON.
I send this greeting, Master
Tommy,
Tho', I believe, you may not know me;
To shew how greatly I am smitten
With what so lately you have written.
Whether your age, your parts and stature
Agree with mine, it is no matter;
Or whether, like old Dad of Jason,
Yo've drank Medea's magick bason;
And after sixty years compleated,
Begin to find your youth repeated;
As once, I now remember well,
I've heard papa from Ovid tell.
Howe'er it be, the Books you write
Give me much pastime and delight.
My sister Betsy, (set her down,
And one of your Subscribers own)
Has some degree of wit and spirit.
And loves, she says, t' encourage merit,
Bobby and Jemmy, tho' as yet
They have not learn'd to read a bit,
Take much delight to hear your wit;
Add them to your Subscribers number
If 't won't too much your page incumber.
For my part, I ne'er yet did see
What you describe so prettily;
And long to have it in my power
To see the Giants and the Tower.
I' th' mean time what you publish more
Mark me six books, I'll pay the score:
And whate'er profit I can make ye
Believe me heartily
Yours, JACKY. HEATHERLY.
Feb.
28. 1741.
SUBSCRIBERS To the HISTORY
of
St. PAUL'S.
A.
Master
Johnny Atkinson.
Master
James Atkinson.
Master
Jemmy Pettit Andrews,
of Bloomsbury-Square.
Master
Sammy Athawes.
Master
Tommy Allen.
Miss
Fanny Allen.
Miss
Polly Athawes.
Miss
Nanny Abdy, Golden-Square.
B.
Master
Dicky Boys,
of Colchestor,-Books.
Master
Jacky Bosworth.
Master
Matty Blackett.
Master
William Boreman,
of Margate, Kent,
Master
Neddy Boreman.
Master
Sammy Beachcroft,
Miss
Betsy Beachcroft, a
Miss
Polly Beachcroft,
all of Leadenhall-street.
Master
Jacky Bakewell.
Master
Jacky Boulton,
Master
Harry Boulton,
Miss
Polly Boulton,
and
Miss
Patty Boulton,
all of Cheapside.
Master
Peter Blunt.
Miss
Polly Blunt.
Miss
Debby Blunt.
Miss
Nancy Blunt.
Miss
Diase Bragn.
Miss
Molly Bezor.
Miss
Leny Brereton, 7 Sets.
Miss
Penelope Brindley,
of New Bond-street, 7 Sets.
Miss
Nanny Burroughs,
of Clerkenwell.
Miss
Blayney,
of Worcester.
Miss
Grace Batts,
of Elbow-lane.
Miss
Polly Baker.
Miss
Lydia-Mercy Bland.
Miss
Jenny Byrche.
Miss
Byrche.
Miss
Nanny Brayne,
of Strutton Ground.
Miss
Diana Brayne,
of Tothill-street.
Miss
Molly Bolwerk,
of Billiter-lane.
C.
Master
Charly Churchill.
Master
Jacky Churchill.
Master
James Chater.
Master
John Chater.
Master
Danny Crespin
Miss
Molly Crespin,
and
Aby Crespin,
all of St. Albans.
Master
Dicky Caldwell,
50 Sets.
Master
Charly Cabrier.
Master
Tommy Cave.
Master
Jacky Cam.
Master
Jacky Cuthbert.
Master
Billy Cuthbert.
Master
Charly Chambers.
Master
Jacky Chambers.
Master
Christop Chambers.
Master
Tommy Chapman,
of the Poultry.
Master
John Collingwood.
Miss
Molly Corrie.
Miss
Mary Eliz. Coleuo.
Miss
Nancy Coatsworth.
Miss
Molly Churchill.
Miss
Betsy Child.
Miss
Hannah Chater.
Miss
Sarah Chater.
Miss
Rebecca Cabrier.
Miss
Phill Cuthbert.
Miss
Peggy Chambers,
of Madeira.
Miss
Sophia Chambers.
Miss
Fanny Chambers.
D.
Master
Jacky Duncombe.
Miss
Clara Duncombe.
Miss
Patty Duncombe.
Miss
Amelia Devisine.
Miss
Nabby Davenport,
of Boston, New-England.
Miss
Betsy Durance.
E.
Miss
Ellis,
of Laurence-lane.
F.
Master
Jackman Foote.
Master
Paul Ferris.
Master
Tommy Fetter.
Master
Natty Ford.
Master
George Fryar,
of Kensington.
Miss
Patty Ford.
Miss
Su
y Le Febure.
Miss
Sally Le Febure.
Miss
Molly Farrer.
Miss
Freeman,
of Daventry.
G.
Master
Franky Gregg.
Master
Tommy Gregg.
Master
Tommy
Mc
Guire.
Master
Fide Gibson.
Master
Richard Gough.
Master
George Good.
Master
Lewis Peak Garland.
Master
Tommy Gape,
of St. Albans.
Master
Harry Goddard.
Master
Dicky Goddard.
Master
Jacky Gyles.
Miss
Nanny Louisa Goring.
Miss
Frances Goring.
Miss
Sally Gyles.
Miss
Betsy Gyles.
Miss
Kitty George.
Miss
Peggy George.
Miss
Nancy George.
Miss
Betsy Gregg.
Miss
Nancy Gregg.
Miss
Amelia Gregg.
Miss
Molly Gibson.
Miss
Sarah Garland.
Miss
Polly Gibson,
of Birmingham.
H.
Master
Harry Heathcote.
Master
Gilly Heathcote.
Master
Alex. Hume.
Master
Hugh Holbeck.
Master
Matthew Harrison,
Master
Benjamin Harrison,
Master
Thomas Harrison. &
Master
Joseph Harrison,
all of Fanchurch-street.
Master
Dicky Hutchinson.
Miss
Polly Hutchinson,
both of Norwich.
Master
Jemmy Hall,
Master
Humphry Hall,
Master
Ammy Hall,
Miss
Molly Hall,
Miss
Mille Hall,
and
Miss
Betsy Hall,
all of Great Ormond-street.
Master
Neddy Hasted.
Master
Jacky Heatherly,
Author of Poem, 6 Sets
Master
Bobby Heatherly.
Master
Jemmy Heatherly.
Miss
Betsy Heatherly.
Master
Tommy Hayward,
of Friday-street.
Master
Bobby Halhed.
Master
Tommy Hooker.
Master
Bobby Hall
Master
Sammy Howard.
Master
Mantty Hammond,
of New-Inn.
Master
Jacky Hales.
Master
Jacky Hedges.
Miss
Jenny Heathcote.
Miss
Henny Hitchcock,
of Oporto.
Miss
Nanny Hasted.
Miss
Harp.
Miss
Nanny Hiccock,
and
Miss
Lydia Hiccock,
of Daventry.
Miss
Nancy Hunt.
Miss
Becky Hunt.
Miss
Suky Harren,
George-street, York-Building.
I.
Master
Billy Jacobson.
Master
Neddy Jones.
Master
Matty Jefferys,
of Kidderminster.
Miss
Nacy Jolly,
of WestHam.
Miss
Alice Jones.
Miss
Polly Jacobson.
K.
Master
Jacky Knapp,
of Basinghall-street.
Miss
Jenny Kemeys.
Miss
Nanny Kemeys.
Miss
Polly Kemeys.
Miss
Suky Andry Kemeys.
Miss
Betsy Kemp.
Miss
Molly Killer.
L.
Master
Henry Sebastian L
.
Master
Jacky Leadbeter,
at Bu
Hall.
Master
John Larchevesque.
Master
Charly Langley.
Master
Stephen Leake.
Master
Jacky Leake.
Master
Franky Lodge.
Master
Tommy Liell,
Miss
Nancy Liell,
Miss
Betty Liell,
and
Miss
Polly Liell,
all of Steney.
M.
Master
Sammy Mathu,
of Boston, New England.
Master
Jacky Mann.
Master
Jacky Moore.
Master
Tommy Morton,
Master
Daniel Mossett.
Master
Billy Markes,
of Cheapside, 3 Sets.
Miss
Betty Maynard.
Miss
Nanny Mortimer.
Miss
Betsy Moffett.
Miss
Betsy Muscell,
of Bethnal-Green, 7 Sets.
Miss
Patty Morton.
Miss
Betsy Macrabie.
N.
Master
Jemmy Norman,
Miss
Molly Norman,
and
Miss
Nanny Norman,
all of Winchester-street.
Master
Jacky Nourse
Master
Billy Newman.
Master
Edmund Newland.
Master
Dicky Newton,
of Aldermanbury.
Miss
Debby Newton.
O.
Master
Billy Oldham.
Master
Billy Oliver.
Miss
Patty Oliver.
Miss
Polly Oliver,
of Boston, New-England.
Miss
Sally Oneal,
of Good man's-fields.
P.
Master
Mark Pye.
Master
James Pratt,
Wells. Row, Islington.
Master
John Pond,
Miss
Deborah Pond,
Miss
Frances Pond,
Miss
Paulina Pond,
and
Miss
Mary Pond,
all of Fenchurch-street.
Miss
Suky Philpot.
Miss
Charlot Phillips.
Miss
Amelia Phillips.
Miss
Betsy Payne.
Miss
Nancy Paulhar.
Miss
Lizzy Pye.
Miss
Hetty Putland.
Miss
Suky Phillips.
R.
Master
Tommy Robens.
Master
Richardson.
Master
Laurance Richardson,
of Chichester.
Master
Tommy Richardson,
of Whetstone.
Master
Billy Rawlinds.
Master
Natty Rogen,
of Boston, New-England.
Master
Watty Rawlinson,
of Fenchurch-street, 6 Sets.
Master Dicky Rawlingson,
for himself, and
Miss Betty Shute
of More-fields, 2S
Master
George William Ridgway.
7 Sets.
Master
Hedworth Reed.
Miss
Betry Richardson.
Miss
Nanny Richardson.
Miss
Molly Richardson.
Miss
Caroline Robinson,
of Norton, Kent.
Miss
Polly Robinson.
Miss
Patty Royers,
4 Sets.
Miss
Sarah Reyner,
of St. Paul's College.
Miss
Molly Ratcliff,
of Bow-lane.
S.
Master
Benj Shield.
Master
Sammy Stouten.
Master
Billy Stanley.
Master
Harry Stanley.
Master
Franky Stanley.
Master
Ward Smith.
Master
Tommy Stracy.
Master
Tommy Singleton.
Master
Joe Sharp.
Master
Jemmy Smith,
Master
Pennington Smith,
Miss
Jenny Smith, and
Miss
Polly Smith,
all of Daventry.
Miss
Sally Sellar,
of Exford.
Miss
Polly Stracy,
of Elbow-lane.
Miss
Molly Stanley.
Miss
Fatty Stanley.
Miss
Sarah Saville.
Miss
Nanny Saville.
Miss
Martha Saville.
Miss
Peggy Savage.
Miss
Frances Stracy.
Miss
Elizabeth Maria Senex,
6 Sets.
Miss
Gracey Shakilton.
Miss
Anna Catharina Spotswood.
Miss
Betsy Sedgwick.
Miss
Amelia Skutz,
of New Bond-street.
Miss
Polly Sheafe.
Miss
Hannah Sheafe.
T.
Master
Billy Tomlinson.
Master
Paul Terris.
Master
Tim. Tullie.
Master
Neddy Toywell,
of Reading, Berks.
Master
Jacky Tiffui.
Miss
Molly Tiffui.
Miss
Molly Tombes.
Miss
Suky Thorisby,
and
Miss
Betty Thorisby,
both of St. Mary Ax.
W.
Master
Bobby Walpole.
Master
Tommy Whonwood.
Master
Jacky Whiting.
Master
Joe Woodgate.
Master
Harry Webster.
Miss
Lucretia Wells,
of Pimlico.
Master
Simmey Warner,
Miss
Peggy Warner,
both of Rotherhith.
Master
Tommy Wallis.
Miss
Peggy Wallis.
Miss
Nancy Woodgate.
Miss
Nanny Wigget,
of Norwich.
Miss
Wellman,
of Poundisford, 4 Sets.
Miss
Suky Wheeler.
Y.
Master
Philip York.
Miss
Betsy York.
SUBSCRIBERS Names omitted.
Master
Jacky Cooke.
Master
Jemmy Gibson,
7 Sets.
Master
Nat. Stackhouse,
of Bengal, East-Ind. 7 Sets.
Master
Bayne Ramsay,
6 Sets.
Master
Allick Hume,
and
Master
Bobby Hume,
both of South-Carolina.
Master
Allick Hume,
of Mile-End.
Miss
Molly Hume,
of Sackville street.
Miss
Eliz. Guertz,
4 Sets.
Miss
Betty Newham.
Miss
Sally Welldon.
OLD ST. PAUL's.
THE HISTORY OF
St. PAUL'S.
BOOK I.
CHAP. I.
Of old St. Paul's.
IT will be proper first to inform my young Readers, that upon the same spot of ground on which St. Paul's now stands, there was formerly a fine old church, built by Ethelbert king of Kent in the year of our Lord six hundred and ten, and dedicated to the same Apostle. This church suffered many times by lightning, fire, and other accidents; which was as often repaired: and such parts of it as fell to decay thro' age, were rebuilt; till at last it was destroy's in the great fire of London in 1666, and one thousand and fifty-six years from its first building.
CHAP. II.
Of the foundation, building, and situation of the present Church.
THE old church of St. Paul's having been destroy'd, as mention'd in the first chapter, and the ruins and rubbish of it cleared in about eight or nine years after; the first foundation stone of this present church was laid by Mr. Strong, a mason, and the second by Mr. Long. land, on the twenty first of June, 1675. at the northeast corner, facing Cheapside: From which time it was not completely finish'd till the year 1724. being about forty-nine years in building. It was begun and finish'd by the same architect, Sir Christopher Wren, and by the same mason, Mr. Strong abovementioned: The charge of which is said to amount to one million of money, or upwards. The whole building is encompassed with strong iron palisades, all curiously turn'd, about five and twenty hundred in number; which cost fifteen thousand pounds.
This magnisicent structure, which stands upon the highest ground in the city, near to the west gate, called Ludgate, is the first Cathedral in England built according to the rules of architecture. Its walls are of fine Portland stone, rustic work. Two ranges of pilasters adorn the outside, one above the other; the lower consists of about an hundred and twenty, with their entablatues of the Corinthian order, and the upper of as many of the Composite, or Roman order: besides twenty columns at the west and four at the east end, and those of the portico's,
&c.
The spaces between the arches of the windows and the architrave of the lower order, are filled with great variety of curious enrichments, such as cherubims, festoons of flowers,
&c.
and at the east end is the cipher of W. R. within a garter, on which are the words HONI SOIT QUI MALY PENSE; in English,
Evil be to him that evil thinks:
and this within a fine compartment of palm-branches, and placed under an imperial crown,
&c.
all finely cut in stone.
All the parts of this grand church, both within and without, are built with such proportion and art, that the eye is charmed with the exact order of its pillars, which support the portico's dome,
&c.
the beauty of their capitals; the rich cornish wherewith they are embellished; the number of spacious windows,
&c.
In short, the whole fabrick is full of beauty and harmony; and in bigness, strengh of building, figure, and other enrichments in wood, stone, iron,
&c.
equal, if not superior, to any church in Europe.
CHAP. III.
Of the length, breadth, heighth, and other dimensions of St. Paul's Church.
ITS lenght within the wall, from east to west is five hundred feet.
The breadth of the west end is a hundred and sixty two feet.
The breadth between the north and south portico's, or doors, within the walls, is two hundred and forty nine feet.
The breadth of the rest is about a hundred and seventeen feet.
The circuit of the walls outwardly is two thousand two hundred and ninety two feet.
The ground plot that this great church stands upon, is two acres, sixteen perches, twenty three yards and one foot.
Its height within, over the middle isle, is eighty-eight feet.
To the top of the west pediment, under the figure of St. Paul, a hundred and twenty feet.
The height of the two Towers at the west front, two hundred and eight feet.
To the gallery of the cupolo, two hundred and eight feet.
To the upper gallery two hundred and seventy six feet; and from thence to the top of the cross, sixty four feet.
The height of the cross from the ball, is ten feet; the diameter of the ball is six feet; its circumference eighteen feet; and it will contain ninety bushels; and I have been told, that since it has been up, sixteen men have been drinking in it at one time; I suppose, to the good health of all their friends round about St. Paul's.
Four INDIAN KINGS.
CHAP. IV.
Of the strange conceptions four Indian Kings had of this great building; and how they imagin'd it at first to be one grent rock that grew in that place.
SA Ga Yean Qua Rash Tow,
one of the four Indian Kings who were in this country about thirty-two years ago, amongst other curious remarks which he made whilst he was in England, left behind him the following concerning St. Paul's church.
There stands, says he, on the most rising part of the town a huge house, big enough to contain the whole nation of which I am king.
Our good brother,
E Tow O Koam,
king of the Rivers, is of opinion it was made by the hands of the great God to whom it is consecrated (
meaning
St. Paul.)
The kings of Granajah and of the Six Nations, believe that it was created with the earth, and produced on the same day with the sun and moon.
But, says he, for my own part, and from the best information that I can get of this matter, I am apt to think that this vast temple was fashioned into the shape it now bears by several tools and instruments, of which they have a wonderful variety in this country.
I imagine it was at first only an huge mis-shapen rock that grew upon the top of the hill; which the natives of the country, after having cut it into a kind of regular figure, bored and hollowed with incredible pains and industry; till they had wrought in it all those beautiful vaults and caverns into which it is divided at this day.
As soon as this rock was thus curiously scooped to their liking, then a prodigious number of hands must have been employ'd in chipping the outside of it, and smoothing the surface; which is in several places hewn out into pillars, that stand like the trunks of so many trees, bound about the top with garlands of leaves.
It is probable, says this Indian monarch, that when this great work was begun, which must have been many hundred years ago, there was some religion among this people; for they give it the name of a Temple, and have a tradition that it was designed for men to pay their devotions in.
And indeed, there are several reasons which make us think that the natives of this country had formerly among them some sort of worship; for they set apart every seventh day as sacred. But upon my going into one of those holy houses on that day, I could not observe any circumstance of devotion in their behaviour: There was indeed a man in black who, mounted above the rest, seemed to utter something with great vehemence; but as for those underneath him, instead of paying their worship to the Deity of the place, they were most of them bowing and curtefying to one another; and a great number of them fall asleep.
Whether these were the real thoughts of those royal strangers, I will not take upon me to answer. But what wonder is it that such savage kings, whose dwellings are in huts and thickets, should form such wild notions of this prodigious structure, when we ourselves, who see it daily, are filled with astonishment at the magnitude and grandeur of this glorious building; and how such a work could be performed by mortal hands!
WE shall now proceed to examine the particular curiosities of this church.
CHAP. V.
Of the fine statue of the late Queen
ANNE.
BEfore the west front of this grand Cathedral, is a spacious yard; in which, upon a lofty pedestal, stands the effigy of the late queen Anne; with four supporters, representing those dominions in her title.
QUEEN ANNE.
She has her crown upon her head; the scepter in her right hand, and the globe in her left: her dress is very rich, and the workmanship of it exceeding curious.
On her right hand is Britannia; who appears with a very lovely and chearful countenance: she has a crown of laurel upon her head; a spear in her right hand, and her left reaching to the royal arms in the front of the pedestal.
On her left hand is France: she seems much dejected, very thoughtful, and in a languishing state. Her right hand rests upon a truncheon, and her left holds a crown, which lies down in her lap. She is clothed with a very rich robe, adorned with flower de lis; and upon her head she has a warrior's cap, or helmet.
Behind the queen is Ireland, with her harp in her lap: her looks are amiable and pleasant.
The fourth is America, in the habit of her country; her body being almost naked: she has upon her head a crown of curious feather, a bow in her left hand, and a quiver of arrows on her back: she has the head of an European under her foot, with an arrow sticking in it; supposed to have been just shot from her bow. There is likewise an allegator creeping from beneath her feet; being an animal very common in some parts of America, and which lives both on the land and in the water.
The queen's, and all the other figures, are of fine Italian, statuary marble; the pedestal of veined marble.
The former were all cut out of one solid, rough block of marble, which was taken by one of our English ships, during the late war, in its passage from Leghorn to France; and was designed for the effigy of Lewis the fourteenth, on horseback.
The carver was the late ingenious Mr. Francis Bird.
The foot of the pedestal is encircled with three marble steps; and the whole encompassed with beautiful, strong, iron palisades.
This royal statue, on account of its grand supporters, fines pedestal, and curious workmanship, is esteemed superior to all others in Europe.
CHAP. VI.
Of the west front of St. Paul's.
MY young readers having satisfy'd their curiosities in examining the queen's statue,
&c.
from thence they have a full view of this grand church, whrer they may behold the beauty and majesty of the whole, and the just symmetry of all its parts.
Observe first, the twelve large pillars which support the portico, each four feet thick, and eight and forty in height, of the Corinthian order.
Second, the eight ebove, which support the pediment, of the Composite, or Roman order; each three feet and a half thick, and about thirty four feet in height.
See in the large triangular pediment a lively representation of St. Paul's conversion in his journey to Damascus, carved in relievo, by the ingenious hand of the late Mr. Bird; the history of which my young readers will see hereaster.
Over the pitch or too of this pediment, is the figure of St. Paul wi
sword in his hand,
his right hand is St. Peter with a cock; and on his left, St. James.
In the front of the two losty and beautiful towers, are the four Evangelists: In the north, St. Matthew with an angel, and St. Mark with a lion. In the south, St. Luke with an ox, and St. John with an eagle.
These two towers are each adorn'd with circular ranger of columns, of the Corinthian order, with domes on the upper part, and on the top of each a gilded pine apple.
In the south tower is the famours large clock, the bell of which weighs four ton and four hundred and four pounds; and its sound may be heard at five or six miles distance. The work of this clock is large and curious: it is kept in excellent good order, and generally nerally carries the hour of the day very exectly; a skilful person being appointed to look after it for that purpose.
Observe likewife the fine carvings, and other rich embellishments, over the whole front of this noble structure.
And lastly, you ascend to the great door by twenty four spacious stone steps; the first ten of which extend in width above forty yards each, and the other fourteen full thirty six yards.
The door case is white marble: and over the entrance is cut in relievo the history of St. Paul preaching to the Bereans. It consists of a group of nine sigures besides that of St. Paul, with books,
&c.
These Bereans were a sort of people ingenous and mild, and who spent great part of their time in reading the Scriptures, observing whether what Paul taught was agreeable with what the Scriptures say of the Messias: and many of whom, from his preaching, chearfully embraced the faith.
Acts
xvii. 11.
Under the arch on the right hand, in a pannel, is St. Paul's imprisonment; and on the left hand in the pannel, his preaching to the Athenians, with some other scripture stories, all neatly carved in stone, by the same hand as the conversion.
My young readers will find the history of St. Paul's imprisonment in the sixteenth chapter of the
Acts,
and his preaching to the Athenians in the seventeenth chapter, both beautifully related.
CHAP. VII.
Of the north portico of St. Paul's.
THE ascent to the north portico is by twelve circular steps of black marble: The dome of the portico is supported and adorn'd with six very spacious columns of the Corinthian order. Above the door-case is a large urn, with festoons,
&c.
over this is a large pediment, where are the royal arms with the regalia, supported by two angels, with each a palmbranch in their hands; under whose feet appear the figures of the lion and unicorn; and over the pediment; on the top of this north front, are the effigies of five Apostles, carved in stone.
CHAP. VIII.
Of the south portico of St. Paul's.
YOU ascend to the south portico by twenty five steps, the ground on this side of the church being lower than that on the norsh: The portico is supported with six grand losty columns, like those of the west an north fronts; and is in most other respects like the latter.
In the pediment over it is the figure of a phoenix, with her wings expanded, arising out of the flames; which emblem signifies, a new church arising out of the old one; under which is the word RESURGAM; that is,
I shall rise again.
PHOENIX.
RESURGAM.
On the top of the pediment is the effigy of St. Andrew, and those of two other saints on each hand of him.
These five figures, with those on the north and west fronts, represent the four Evangelists, and the rest of the Apostles. They bear in their hands the several instruments whereby they suffer'd death; or such remarkable ensigns as allude to some important incident of their lives.
These images are each about eleven feet high, and their pedestals about four feet: they were all carv'd by the late Mr. Bird, before mention'd, and are reckon'd to be well done.
CHAP. IX.
Of what is remarkable in going up the cupola, ar top of St. Paul's.
HAving examin'd what is most curious on the outside of St. Paul's, I shal next endeavour to ascend the cupola; and in my journey to the top of it, take notice of what I meet with most worthy of my young readers attention.
To go up St. Paul's, you must enter a door at the south side, which stands open all the day long for that purpose.
After you have ascended a few steps, you come to a door which will not open till
each person pays Twopence.
The whole number of steps to the upper gallery is five hundred and thirty four; of which the first two hundred and sixty are so exceeding easy, that a child might go up them; they being but about four or five inches deep.
The other two hundred and seventy four steps are pretty steep, and in many places, from the large stone gallery to the upper gallery, very dark; so that one person can scarce discern another.
In this place we have a glimmering sight of such prodigious works in iron, stone, and timber, which hold together the dome, cupola,
&c.
that it is impossible to convey an idea of it to my readers: And though these amasing works are very curious to see, yet my young masters and misses must not by any means venture themselves here without a guide.
The iron gallery on the top of the cupola, is the highest any one is suffer'd to go; above that are the lantern, ball and cross; to the top of which, from the gallery just mention'd, is sixty four feet; and the passage thither by ladders, very difficult and dangerous to ascend.
From this gallery, in fine clear weather, we may agreeably observe the vast extent of this great city and suburbs; the great number of churches, steeples, publick buildings and houses that present themselves, which way soever we turn our eyes; as also the ships in the river, that look like a huge forest, and the vessels, boats,
&c.
spread allover the Thames. Here likewise we have a delightful prospect of the country, for many miles round about.
CHAP. X.
Of the whispering-gallery, and fine paintings within the cupola.
IN your return from the top of St. Paul's, you will be ask'd to see the whispering-gallery, which will cost
Two-pence each person.
This gallery is a very great curiosity: 'Tis a large circle, which runs round the bottom of the inside of the dome, of about an hundred and forty three feet in diameter, or cross the widest part: 'tis rail'd in with iron of very fine workmanship, gilt with gold. The walls all around are painted and gilded with great beauty: but the greatest curiosity of all is the whispering-place; where, leaning your head against the wall, you may easily hear all that is said, though it be ever so low, and at the most distant place from you in the gallery: which affords great matter of surprize and innocent diversion to all young persons who come to amuse themselves with this curiosity.
Here you have the best view of the eight pieces of history on the inside of the dome, painted by the late Sir James Thornhill, with inimitable art and beauty.
The first represents the conversion of St. Paul.
Acts
ix. 4.
The second, Elymas the sorcerer struck with blindness.
Acts
xiii 2.
Third, the priest of Jupiter, offering sacrifice to Paul and Barnabas.
Acts
xiv. 15.
Fourth, the jaylor converted.
Acts
xvi. 30.
Fifth, Paul preaching at Athens.
Acts
xvii. 1
.
Sixth, the conjuring books burnt.
Acts
xix. 19.
Seventh, King Agrippa almost persuaded to be a Christian.
Acts
xxvi. 28.
Eighth, St. Paul's shipwreck on the island of Melita.
Acts
xxviii. 6.
Conversion of St. PAUL.
CHAP. XI.
Of the conversion of St. Paul.
ST. PAUL, before his conversion, having been principally concern'd in the death of St. Stephen, and his bloody mind not satisfied with this cruelty, threatens nothing less than prisons and death to the Christians wherever he found them. And to qualify himself the better for the execution of this bloody purpose, he goes to the high priest to enlarge his commission: and having obtain'd power to seise all Christians, and send them bound to Jerusalem to be try'd, he immediately sets out for Damascus to put it in practice: but whilst he was on the road, entertaining himself with the bloody prospect, God, in mercy to him, and those he went to persecute, takes him off from his wicked design: a bright shining cloud incompassed him, which struck him with great terror, as at the presence of God, and threw him prostrate on the ground, where as he lay he heard a voice out of it, saying unto him.
Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
This increas'd his amazement: and being desirous to know the meaning of this vision, he asks,
Who art thou, Lord!
The voice reply'd,
I am
JESUS,
whom thou presecutest:
It is in vain for thee to resist the decrees of providence, therefore be no longer disobedient, but hearken to the commands that shall be given thee. At this Saul, full of fear and trembling, cried out, 'Lord, instruct me what thou wouldst have me to do:' The voice returned, 'Go to Damascus, and there thou shalt know my will.
Those who attended Paul on this journey, were struck dumb with fear and amazement, wondring that, they should hear a voice, but
e no man speakings therefore taking up Saul, they led him to the city; and by this miraculous vision he was converted to the Christian saith.
This history is the subject of the first piece of painting.
CHAP. XII
Elymas the Sorcerer struck blind.
PAul and Mark, as they travelled through the
SORCERER struck blind.
isle of Cyprus, came to the city of Paphos, where the temple of Venus was; at which place they met with Elymas a noted forcerer; who being intimate with Sergius Paulue the proconsul, a prudent virtuous man, and inclinable to receive the faith, did all he could to divert him from the conversation of these two Apostles. But Paul, in an holy rage, casting his eyes on Elymas, this expressed his abhorrence; 'O thou vile Sorcerer, like the Devil, by whom thou workest, thou art an enemy to all goodness; wilt thou persist in sorcery, in defiance of the faith of Christ, which comes armed with a much greater power of miracles, than those to which thou falsly pretendest? Thou shall soon see the vengeane of heaven upon thee; for thou that perversly holdest out against the light of the gospel, shalt lose thy sight, which by the immediate power of God shall be taken from thee for some time. And immediately he was struck blind, begging the aid of Tome kind hand to lead him: and the proconsul, convinced by this miracle, was converted to the Christian faith
This is the subject of the second piece of painting.
CHAP. XIII
The priest of Jupiter offering sacrifice to Paul and Barnabas.
PAUL and BARNABAS.
When they saw it, they concluded this miracle could not be done but by the immediate presence of the Deity; and therefore running about in great confusion, they cried out, that the gods had put on human shape, and were come down among them.
They look'd on Barnabas as Jupiter, the supreme God; and Paul, as Mercury, the interpreter of the will of the gods, because he spoke more than Barnabas.
But as soon as this miracle came to the ear of the priest of Jupiter, he came to Paul and Barnabas, bringing oxen with garlands of flowers; being such victims as they offered to the gods they worshiped, intending to offer sacrifice to the Apostles: but they abhorring such idolatry, rent their garments; endeavouring by arguments drawn from some of the plainest instances of nature, such as day, night, summer, winter,
&c
to convince them, that worship was due only to that God who was the author of all those blessings; yet this discourse, so pressingly urg'd by the Apostles, could scarce restrain those poor idolaters from sacrificing to them.
This is the history of the third piece of painting in the cupola.
CHAP. XIV.
The jaylor converted.
JAYLOR Converted.
This is the history of the fourth piece of painting in the cupola of St. Paul's.
THE other paintings in the cupolo,
And num'rous beauties in the church blow,
Must all into my SECOND VOLUME go.
For tho' my Books folk do
Gigantick
call,
ONE will not hold the great church of St Paul.
Kind reader, in my next you'll see a wonder,
The Monument so tall,
Shall come close to S. Paul,
Tho' now so far asunder.
THE SECOND Volume of this History, with an
Account of the Monument
added to it, will be ready to deliver to the Subscribers punctually on Saturday the 20th of June 1741. and all those who intend to have their names inserted, and desired to send them speedily to
T. Boreman
in Guildhall, London.
The reader is desired to excuse the delay in publishing this Volume, as
was occasion'd by the author's illness; who takes this opportunity to inform his young readers, that the
History of Westminster Abbey
is now in hand, and will he got ready for the press with al convenient speed: Subscribers are desired to bring or send their names as above, and to pay down
Six-pence
a Set in part at subscribing, it being a large undertaking.
Just Published, (
Price
Four pence
each Volumes finely bound
)
Dedicated to all the little Masters and Misses in town and country, the
Third Edition
beautifully printed, of
THE History of the two famous Giants and other Curiosities in
Guildhall London.
2.
The second Cigane
Volume, which compleats the History of
Guildhall:
To which is added, a particular Account of the whole Procession of
my Lord Mayor's Shew.
3.
Curiosities in the
Tower
of
London.
The
Second Edition.
4.
The Second Volume of the Curiosities in the
Tower, which compleats tha
History.
The above
Gigantick Histories
are printed for and sold by
Thomas Boreman,
Book letter near the Two Giants in
Guildhall, London?
8 SEP 26
N. B.
All wholesale Dealers in Toys, Haberdashery Goods,
&c.
may be furnish'd with thele entertaining Books to dispose of, with good Allowance.