As the removal of the iron railing which surrounds St. Paul's Churchyard
is now said to be in contemplation, P.C.S.S. imagines that it may not be
unacceptable to the readers of "NOTES AND QUERIES," if he transcribes
the following account of it from _Hasted's Kent_, vol. ii. p. 382, which
is to be found in his description of the parish of Lamberhurst:--
"It was called _Gloucester Furnace_ in honour of the Duke of
Gloucester, Queen Anne's son, who, in the year 1698, visited it
from Tunbridge Wells. The _iron rails_ round St. Paul's
Churchyard, in London, were cast at this furnace. They compose
the most magnificent balustrade, perhaps, in the universe, being
of the height of five feet six inches, in which there are, at
intervals, seven iron gates of beautiful workmanship, which,
together with the rails, weigh two hundred tons and eighty-one
pounds; the whole of which cost 6d. per pound, and with other
charges, amounted to the sum of 11,202_l._ 0_s._ 6_d._"