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Benham, William, 1831-1910

"Old St. Paul's Cathedral"

" He thought this was far enough off and
went to bed again. But next day he realises that it is all a terrible
business, and so he goes on to tell how he walked about the streets
and in some places burned his shoes; went on the river, where the
hot fiery flakes pursued him; went to the King and gave advice and
received instructions; met the Lord Mayor who seemed out of his
senses. So he goes on with his well-known description until September
7th, when he was "Up by five o'clock, and blessed be God! find all
well, and by water to Paul's Wharf. Walked thence and saw all the town
burned, and a miserable sight of Paul's Church, with all the roof
fallen, and the body of the choir fallen into St. Faith's; Paul's
School also, Ludgate, and Fleet Street."
Evelyn's note of the disaster is written in a higher key. "September
3rd ... I went and saw the whole south part of the City burning from
Cheapeside to the Thames, and all along Cornehill (for it likewise
kindl'd back against the wind as well as forward), Tower Streete,
Fen-church Streete, Gracious Streete, and so along to Bainard's
Castle, and was now taking hold of St.


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