like
the legendes of Popery) first coyned, and stamped in the church. All
inventions are emptied here, and not few pockettes. The best signe of
a temple in it, is that it is the thieves' sanctuary, whoe rob here
more safely in a crowde than in a wildernesse, whilst every searcher
is a bush to hide them in. It is the other expence of a day after
playes and the taverne ... and men have still some othes left to
swear here.... The visitants are all men without exception, but the
principall inhabitants are stale knights and captains out of servis,
men with long rapiers and breeches, who after all turne merchant here,
and trafficke for news. Some make it a preface to dinner and travell
for a stomache, but thriftier men make it their ordinary, and boarde
here very cheape. Of all such places it is least troubled with
hobgoblins, for if a ghost would walk here he could not." Of "the
singing men" he draws a most unfavourable picture, accuses them of
drunkenness and shameful looseness of life; says that they are
earnest in evil deeds and that their work in the cathedral is their
recreation. Bishop Pilkington also speaks of the profanity and
worldliness of the daily frequenters. The carrying merchandise into
the building seems to have been the custom in many of the cathedrals,
and so it is not wonderful that the building went to ruin. The Bishop
of London, Laud, sent round exhortations to the City Companies to
contribute to the restoration. Here is his letter to the Barber
Surgeons, dated January 30th, 1632:--

"To the right worshipful my very worthy friends the Master Wardens and
Assistants of the Company of Barber Surgeons, London, these:

"_Salus in Christo._ After my very hearty commendations you cannot
but take notice of his Majesty's most honest and pious intention
for the repair of the decay of Saint Paul's Church here in London,
being the mother church of this City and Diocese, and the great
Cathedral of this Kingdom. A great dishonour it is, not only to
this City, but to the whole state to see that ancient and goodly
pile of building so decayed as it is, but it will be a far greater
if care should not be taken to prevent the fall of it into ruin.
And it would be no less disgrace to religion, happily established
in this kingdom, if it should have so little power over the minds
of men as not to prevail with them to keep those eminent places of
God's service in due and decent