[19] The state of the diocese is vividly shown in Bishop Corbet's charge of 1634 (for the repairs of old S. Paul's Cathedral). 'Some petitions,' he says, 'I have had since my coming to this diocese, for the pulling downe of such an isle [aisle] or for changing lead to thatch, soe far from reparations that our sute is to demolish.... Since Christmas I was sued to and I have it yett under their hands, the hand of the minister and the hand of the whole parish, that I would give way to their adorning their church within and out, to build a stone wall round the churchyard which now had but a hedg. _I took it for a flout at first_, but it proved a very sute; they durst not without leave mend a fault forty yeares ould.' The spire of Norwich Cathedral where Bishop Corbet was preaching had fallen in, and during three years but two yards had been rebuilt. See _Documents relating to S. Paul's_ by Dr. Sparrow Simpson, p. 137. Camden Society. CHAPTER II. 1630-1640. DR. C. WREN--BIRTH OF HIS SON CHRISTOPHER--EAST KNOYLE--ORDER OF THE GARTER--HOW A MURDERER WAS DETECTED--CHRISTOPHER AT WESTMINSTER--A LATIN LETTER--DIOCESE OF ELY--IMPEACHMENT OF LORD STRAFFORD--OF ARCHBISHOP LAUD--ARTICLES AGAINST BISHOP WREN--RESIGNS THE DEANERY OF THE CHAPELS ROYAL. Instead of kitchen-stuff, some cry A gospel-preaching ministry, And some for old suits, coats, or cloak, No surplices nor service-book. A strange harmonious inclination Of all degrees to Reformation. _Hudibras_, pt. i. canto 2. Less is known of the early years of Christopher Wren than of his brother's more eventful life. Christopher went to Oxford, to S. John's College, was admitted to Holy Orders, and, like his brother, became chaplain to Bishop Andrewes, from whom in 1620 he received the living of Fonthill Bishops in Wiltshire. It may be said in passing, that to receive preferment from Lancelot Andrewes was in itself a proof of merit, for it was his especial care, in the three dioceses which he successively governed, only to promote able and good men to 'such livings and preferments as fell within his gift, and to give Church preferment to _none that asked for it_.' To this rule he rigidly adhered, and his disciple, Matthew Wren, followed the same plan when he became a Prelate of the Church.