This early work is William Harrison Ainsworth's 1841 novel, "Old St. Paul's". Set to the backdrop of the Great Plague of London and the Great Fire of London, this historical romance tells the story of Leonard Holt, the apprentice of a grocer, and his amorous pursuit of his master's daughter. This volume is highly recommended for lovers of historical romance, and constitutes a must-read for fans of Ainsworth's work. William Harrison Ainsworth (1805-1882) was an English novelist, famous for his historical fiction. Many classic books such as this are becoming increasingly rare and expensive. We are republishing this volume now in an affordable, modern, high-quality edition complete with a specially commissioned new biography of the author.