The foundation of this Cathedral was first laid by Segbert, a Saxon king, in the year 610, and afterwards much improved by one Erkenwald, who was the 4th bishop of London. The greatest part of it, however, together with the whole city, was burnt down in the year 1086. One Mauritius, the 35th bishop, began to rebuild it, and in the year 1221 it was completed. It was then 690 feet long, the body of it was 102 feet in height and 130 in breadth. The area three acres and a half, and the tower in the middle 520 feet high, exclusive of a ball of copper gilt, which was nine feet round, whereon was a cross 15 feet and a half high, and upon that an eagle of copper gilt, which was 4 feet in length. In this condition it continued till the year 1666, at which unhappy time it became once more a heap of ruins in the second fire of London; but it was soon after rebuilt at a vast expence, by that ingenious and justly admired architect the late Sir Christopher Wren. No church (that of St. Peter’s of Rome only excepted) can stand in competition with it. It is near 500 feet in height. It is principally composed of Portland stone, and built according to the ancient orders of Greece and Rome. The inside is most beautifully adorned with select historical paintings by the late celebrated master, Sir James Thornhill. The west front, and the two towers are more beautiful than those of St. Peter’s. The choir is spacious and very grand, and the entrance to it, which is paved with marble, is exceedingly beautiful. The west door is the object of particular admiration, and the north and south porticos, as well as the pavement of the church in general, are all excellent performances.

The expence that attended the erection of this magnificent Cathedral, the glory of England, amounted (as appears by an accurate estimate thereof laid before the parliament in the year 1721) to no less than eight hundred and ten thousand pounds.