ed or quoted, probably, more extensively than those
belonging to any other religious foundation in this country, unless it
be such communities as St. Alban's, which have attracted the continued
attention of the editors working under the Master of the Rolls. In
consequence, although our knowledge, not only of the Romano-British
period but of many succeeding centuries, is defective or altogether
wanting, yet as time advances after the Norman Conquest the merely
printed material at our disposal becomes gradually almost
embarrassing. When we come to the present Cathedral, we know not only
exactly _when_ it was built, but to a great extent _how_ and _why_.

In the _Parentalia_ Wren's grandson, Stephen, partly in his own words,
partly in those of his famous grandfather, lifting the curtain,
discloses the personal history and inner self of the architect at his
work.

Among the leading authorities are the following, giving the place of
honour to the--

_Parentalia or Memoirs. Completed by his_ [Sir Christopher's] _son,
Christopher. Now published by his grandson, Stephen Wren, Esq._
(London, 1858).

_The History of St. Paul's_, by Sir William Dugdale (Ellis' edition,
1818).

_Repertorium_, by Richard Newcourt (London, 1708).

_Radulfi de Diceto, Decani, Lundoniensis Opera Historica_ (vols. i.
and ii., edited for the Master of the Rolls by the Bishop of Oxford).

I have to thank the Dean for permission to consult the Chapter copy of
the _Registrum Statutorum_, edited for private circulation (1873) by
that enthusiastic and accurate St. Paul's scholar, the late Dr.
Sparrow-Simpson, one of the last of the Minor Canons on the old
foundation, Librarian and Sub-dean. There is a supplement (1897).

Dr. Sparrow-Simpson also wrote or edited the following--

_Documents Illustrating the History of St. Paul's Cathedral_ (Camden
Society, 1880).

_Chapters in the History of Old St. Paul's_ (1881).

_Visitation of Churches_ (Camden Society, 1885).

_Gleanings from Old St. Paul's_ (1889).

_St. Paul's and Old City Life_ (1894).

His remaining work, the Catalogue of the Library, I have not
consulted.

_Annals of St. Paul's_, by Dean Milman (1868).

The learned and talented historian did not live to see this his last
work through the press. In consequence there are printer's errors as
to dates, &c., which I have not thought it necessary to point out.

_Domesday of St. Paul's_, by Archdeacon Hale (Camden Society, 1858).

_Th