"On Sunday, the second of September, this present year 1666, about one o'clock in the morning, there happened a sad and deplorable fire in _Pudding-lane_ near _New Fish-street_; which, falling out in a part of the city so close built with wooden houses . . . in a short time became too big to be mastered by any engines or working near it. . . . It continued all Monday and Tuesday with such impetuosity, that it consumed houses and churches all the way to _St. Dunstan's Church_, in _Fleet-street_; at which time, by the favour of God, the wind slackened; and that night, by the vigilancy, industry, and indefatigable pains of his Majesty and his Royal Highness, calling upon all people, and encouraging them by their personal assistances, a stop was put to the fire in Fleet-street, etc. But on Wednesday night it suddenly broke out afresh in the _Inner Temple_. His Royal Highness in person fortunately watching there that night, by his care, diligence, great labour, and seasonable commands for the blowing up, with gunpowder, some of the said buildings, it was most happily before day extinguished." 2. =source unknown.= "It was ascribed by the rage of the people either to the Republicans or the Catholics, especially the latter. An inscription on the monument, intended to perpetuate this groundless suspicion, was erased by James II., but restored at the Revolution."--_Warton._ 3. =letted.= Hindered. This use of the word _let_ is now obsolete, except in the phrase, "Without let or hindrance." It was frequently employed by the older writers. "What lets but one may enter?"--_Shakespeare._ 4. =the Bridge.= The heads of traitors were displayed on London Bridge. "How inferior is this passage," says Dr. Dodd, "to Milton's animated description of the wild ceremonies of Moloch, which Dryden, however, seems to have here had in mind." See "Ode on the Nativity," stanza xxiii. 5. The simile in this stanza was doubtless intended to be very effective. 6. =key.= Quay. A bank, or ledge. 7. =Simois.= See Homer's "Iliad," Bk. XXI. 8. =gross.= Bulk. REASON AND RELIGION. [FROM "RELIGIO LAICI."]