THE FOUNDATIONS OF ST. PAUL'S.

Evening Post, Volume LXIII, Issue 87, 12 April 1902, Page 3 (Supplement)

THE FOUNDATIONS OF ST. PAUL'S.

"I build for eternity," said Sir Christopher Wren when he searched for a Ikm foundation for St. Paul's Cathedral, and in view ef the disquieting reports concerning a slow settlement of the aneieut fabric, it v interesting to note how the famous architect sat about his ta«k. According to the most reliable authorities, Wren first dug aud probed beneath tho Norman, Saxon, aud Roman graves till he could find tho most trustworthy slratutn. Below the loam was sand, under the sand a layer of fresh-water sheila, under thsse were sand, gravel, and Londen clay. Wren laid his foundations fifteen feet below the lavel of the street, and discovered that long ago men had been burrowing beenath the sito. Sir Christopher, we are told, was vexed by alighting upon a pit at the north-east corner of the dome dug by the Roman potters in search of clay. No one, of course, seriously imagrnes that the dome of St. Paul's is in inminont danger ef "sagging," but at the same time, it may be mentioned, the sight of a crooked spire is by no means uncommon in England. Chesterfield, by now a household word, possesses one, and is proud of tit* fact; though some go so far as to affirm that the whole thing is an optical jUusion, without, however, explaining the aeceptio visus. — Westminster Budget.