After tracing the political history of the Church, and the development of Nonconformity in different directions, I proceed to gather up a number of facts illustrative of the worship and social religious life of England after the Restoration. I. The injuries done to cathedrals during the Civil Wars were repaired, and such partitions as had been erected to adapt them for Nonconformist use were removed. Seth Ward, first as Dean, afterwards as Bishop of Exeter, improved the cathedral of that diocese. The same may be said respecting Salisbury, to which he was translated. That cathedral had been kept in repair during the Commonwealth, at whose expense no one knew, for the workmen engaged upon it were wont to reply to inquirers, “They who employ us well pay us--trouble not yourselves to inquire who they are. Whoever they are they do not desire to have their names known.” But Ward increased the beauty of the building, for he paved the cloisters and choir, the latter with black and white marble.[252] [Sidenote: CHURCHES.] Hacket persevered in his labours at Lichfield until the sacred edifice reached its completion. He raised money “by bare-faced begging,” and no gentleman lodged or baited in the City whom he did not visit, that he might solicit contributions towards the object so dear to his heart. North, who says this, also remarks, that the Bishop adorned the choir so “completely and politely,” that he had never seen a “more laudable and well-composed structure.” He also mentions the Cathedral of York as “stately,” only “disgraced by a wooden roof.” Durham too is described by the same pen as most ancient, with the “marks of old ruin;” and of that, and of York Minster, the judge says that “the gentry affect to walk there to see and be seen.”[253] Dr. John Barwick, who, for his loyalty, was first rewarded by the bestowment upon him of the Deanery of Durham, exerted himself vigorously during the short time that he held that office, in the reparation of the cathedral and the prebendal houses.[254] And when removed to the Deanery of St. Paul’s he evinced equal zeal in promoting the restoration of that edifice. The rebuilding of it after the fire was a great undertaking, and called forth the strenuous efforts of Sancroft, who succeeded Barwick in the Deanery. To him, as much as to any one, posterity owes the adoption of Sir Christopher Wren’s design, after abortive attempts had been made to build anew upon the old foundations. Sancroft’s correspondence with the architect indicates his interest in the preparation of the plans; the passing of the Coal Act, by which funds were secured, was promoted by his exertions, and amongst the voluntary subscribers the Dean’s name is conspicuous.[255] The first stone was laid in 1675, and ten years afterwards the edifice had so far advanced that the walls of the choir and side-aisles were completed, and the porticoes and pillars of the dome were finished.