The present cathedral of St. Paul is the third dedicated to that Saint and built more or less on the same site. The first was founded in the early part of the seventh century by Ethelbert, King of Kent; the second, known as _old_ St. Paul's, was begun A.D. 1087. This, having been destroyed by the Great Fire, was replaced by the present marvellous building, which we owe to the genius of Sir Christopher Wren. It will thus be seen that St. Paul's Churchyard has had hallowed associations for about 1,300 years. The name, in its fullest sense, is applied to the irregular area surrounded by houses encircling the cathedral and including the burial-ground. These houses, before the Fire and for some time afterwards, were largely inhabited by booksellers and publishers, who by degrees worked their way into Paternoster Row, where they still flourish. For many years after burials had ceased, the burial-ground attached to St. Paul's was in a somewhat neglected condition. In 1877 an agreement was entered into between the City Corporation and the Dean and Chapter, by which the former pledged themselves to lay out a considerable sum on the enclosed space if they were allowed to convert it into a garden for the benefit of the public, and on September 14th, 1879, the north-eastern part, which is here represented, was publicly opened by the Lord Mayor. Here the weary may sit amidst trees and flowers beneath the shadow of the great cathedral, and enjoy seclusion from the turmoil of City life. The scene here represented is, however, a thing of the past. The fountain has disappeared, and with it most of the pigeons, its place being taken by a cross erected under the will of the late Mr. H. C. Richards, as a memento of the old St. Paul's Cross. (6-1/4 × 8-5/8) D. 75-1896. 50. The Yard of the Swan with Two Necks, 49, Carter Lane, 1894 (Water-colour).