The old city now presents a very much more imposing appearance: the enormous mass of the Cathedral proudly asserts itself above all the various towers and spires clustering round it. The long nave is now balanced by a choir of equal length, and in the centre rises a lofty tower and spire of unusual altitude.
One can also see from the river some long, lofty roofs of the churches belonging to the various orders, the Austin Canons and the Austin Friars, the Dominicans or Black Friars, the Franciscans or Grey Friars-the last named, not far from the Cathedral, is over three hundred feet in length.
South of the ascent of Fleet Street is the establishment and church of the White Friars or Carmelites, and at the extreme east of the city can be discerned the towers of the Priory Church of the Holy Trinity, Aldgate.
From a distance the old city looks like a city of churches as it sits enthroned on the gentle eminence rising from the banks of the Thames. It must have been a fair picture to look upon, but its inhabitants were rather unruly at times, and, like the proverbial Vicar of Bray, often changed sides; and the old river, ebbing and flowing quietly past, must have witnessed strife after strife for the possession of the bridge.
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