In the spring of 1878 it was requisite to sink a pit, about twelve feet deep, on the south side of the nave of St. Paul's Cathedral, and within a few feet of the walls, for a gas-meter.

Near the bottom of this pit was found a fragment of a foundation which seemed to belong to the old Cathedral. It was evidently not of the Norman construction, because it was partly formed of Norman fragments. It seemed therefore to belong to the cloister or chapter-house.