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 repair, which their forefathers built in times, by their own confession, not so full of the knowledge of God’s truth as this present age is.  I am not ignorant how many worthy works have been done of late in and about this City towards the building and repairing of churches, which makes me hope that every man’s purse will open to this great and necessary work (according to God’s blessing upon him), so much tending to the service of God and the honour of this nation.  The general body of this City have done very worthily in their bounty already, also the Lord Mayor, Aldermen and Sheriffs severally, for their own persons.  These are, therefore, according to their examples, heartily to pray and desire you, the Master Warden and other assistants of the worthy Company of Barber Surgeons to contribute out of your public stock to the work aforesaid, what you out of your charity and devotion shall think fit, and to pay the sum resolved on by you into the Chamber of London at or before our Lady Day next, praying you that I may receive by any servant of your Company a note what the sum is which you resolve to give.  And for this charity of yours, whatever it shall prove to be, I shall not only give you hearty thanks, but be as ready to serve you, and every of you, as you are to serve God and His Church.  So, not doubting of your love and forwarding to this great work, I leave you to the grace of God, and shall so rest,

  “Your very loving Friend,
  “GUL:  LONDON.”

The Court considered this letter on the 9th of April following, and agreed to pay L10 down, and the same sum each year for the next nine years.