Roman temple, which was consecrated to Diana; but the son of
Sir Christopher Wren, in his Parentalia, controverts this opinion, and
contends, that the first cathedral of the Episcopal see of London was
built in the area, the seat of the Roman Praetorian camp, the precise
spot on which the present church stands. It is supposed to have been
destroyed in the general persecution under the emperor Dioclesian, to
have been re-edified under Constantine, to have been demolished by the
Pagan Saxons, and to have been restored in the seventh century, when the
Saxons embraced ~78~~ Christianity. From this period it has been four
times rebuilt, and at the great fire of London was totally destroyed."

These remarks premised by Dashall for the information of his friend,
they proceeded to view the several statues and funeral monuments,
displayed with uniformity and executed with considerable taste, by which
the interior of the church has been much improved in appearance.{1}

After having examined these stately and expressive mementos of
mortality, the two visitors were asked by their attendant, whether they
would pass to the stone and iron galleries outside of the church; but
this, having so lately enjoyed the extensive prospect from the Monument,
they declined, and proceeded at once to the Library, the first object to
be seen in the ascent.

Our two visitors were very much pleased with this handsome room, which
in its dimensions is about fifty feet by forty, having shelves of books
to the top, with a gallery

1 The statues of Dr. Johnson, and Howard the philanthropist,
both executed by the late Mr. Bacon, were opened for public
inspection in 1796. That of Dr. Johnson represents a moral
philosopher, with the attitude and expression of intense
thought, leaning against a column, indicative of the
firmness of mind and stability of principles of the man whom
it is intended to commemorate.

The statue of Howard, in which the character of active
benevolence is well expressed, stands upon a pedestal of
white marble, on which is a group of bas-relief,
representing a scene in a prison, where the philanthropist,
having broken the chains of the prisoners, is bringing
provision and clothing for their relief.

The statue of Sir William Jones, a man well known for his
extensive and multifarious erudition, whose study it was to
make the British name honoured and re