146 THE REBUILDING OF ST PAUL'S 



FIG. 97. Model of Wren's first Design for St Paul's Cathedral. 



old system still survived under which the architect relied in 

 great measure upon his subordinates for the detail of his work ; 

 at the same time they prove that Wren worked out his general 

 conceptions much more thoroughly than such men as John 

 Thorpe and Smithson had done a century earlier. 



The history of the reparation and rebuilding of St Paul's 

 is too long and intricate to be set out in detail in this place, 

 apart from the fact that it is outside the category of domestic 

 architecture ; but it stands for so much in Wren's life that a 

 few words about it may, perhaps, be allowed. 



During the years following the restoration of Charles II. 

 much consideration had been given to the old cathedral, which 

 was in a neglected and ruinous condition. The commissioners, 

 of whom Wren was one, were divided in opinion as to the 

 course to be pursued ; some were for preserving it, others for 

 rebuilding. Inigo Jones had already put a new classic west 

 front to the Gothic building ; it was held to be one of the finest 

 pieces of architecture of modern times. Wren's idea was to 

 continue the classic casing and to replace the lofty spire by 

 a classic dome. Some of the drawings at All Souls embody 



