The man, thinking to improve upon his master, increased the quantity of powder, caused an explosion which shot stones far and wide, and though no lives were lost, terrified the City, all the more that an old superstition declared that the tower of S. Paul's and the City of London would fall together. Forbidden, owing to the panic thus caused, the use of this modern method, Wren betook himself to ancient times, and devised a gigantic battering ram, with a great spike at one end. Thirty men, fifteen on each side, worked the ram against one place in the wall, Wren watching and encouraging them when, disheartened by a day's work without visible result, they were ready to give up in despair. On the second day the wall fell. Wren made great use of this machine and 'pleased himself that he had recovered so notable and ancient an engine.' FOOTNOTES: [112] 'Lex Ignea, or the School of Righteousness.'--_Life of Sancroft_, vol. ii. p. 355. Doyley. [113] _Life of Sancroft_, vol. i. p. 141. Doyley. [114] i.e. by word of mouth. [115] Probably a misprint for 'Argo-navis,' referring to the frequent repairs of the Argo. [116] In 1672 a bridge, with a beautiful arch resembling those that cross the canals at Venice, was built over 'the Ditch,' opposite Bridewell Hospital. One or two other bridges were built, and the stream made navigable, but apparently not 'cleansed,' which in time rendered it a nuisance. The bridges were taken down and the stream reduced to a drain in 1765.--_Ann. Reg._, 1765, p. 136. [117] _Diary_, vol. iv. p. 8. [118] The Coghills of Glen Barrahane, county Cork, are descended from the elder branch of this family. Captain Coghill, who died with Lieutenant Melville, having carried off the colours from the battle of Isandula, January 1879, was the eldest son of the present head of the family. [119] Never before printed. [120] Pepys' _Diary_, vol iv. p. 241. [121] This building was destroyed by fire 1838, and rebuilt from designs by Mr. Tite 1844. [122] _Spectator_, vol. i. No. 69. [123] They were the best work of John Bushnell, an eccentric and half-crazy sculptor, who died in 1701. [124] 'Soe Hoe' became a favourite residence. In November 1689, Evelyn came up 'with his family to winter at Soho in the Great Square.' Some handsome houses are still standing. [125] _Diary_, Jan. 31, 1667-8. [126] _Restoration of the Church of St. Sepulchre, London._ A. Billing. [127] It is said that in the children's game of 'Oranges and Lemons, say the bells of S. Clement's, &c.' the best peals of bells in London are enumerated. I do not know the date of the game. [128] _Repertorium_, vol. i. p. 437-440. Newcourt. [129] _Hist. of Modern Architecture._ Fergusson, pp. 306-307.