Resolved, however, to free himself at any hazard, he once more repaired to the summit of the tower, and leaning over the balustrade, gazed below.  It was a sublime spectacle, and, in spite of his distress, filled him with admiration and astonishment.  He had stationed himself on the south side of the tower, and immediately beneath him lay the broad roof of the transept, stretching out to a distance of nearly two hundred feet.  On the right, surrounded by a double row of cloisters, remarkable for the beauty of their architecture, stood the convocation, or chapter-house.  The exquisite building was octagonal in form, and supported by large buttresses, ornamented on each gradation by crocketed pinnacles.  Each side, moreover, had a tall pointed window, filled with stained glass, and was richly adorned with trefoils and cinquefoils.  Further on, on the same side, was the small low church dedicated to Saint Gregory, overtopped by the south-western tower of the mightier parent fane.

It was not, however, the cathedral itself, but the magnificent view it commanded, that chiefly attracted the apprentice’s attention.  From the elevated point on which he stood, his eye ranged over a vast tract of country bounded by the Surrey hills, and at last settled upon the river, which in some parts was obscured by a light haze, and in others tinged with the ruddy beams of the newly-risen sun.  Its surface was spotted, even at this early hour, with craft, while innumerable vessels of all shapes and sizes were moored, to its banks.  On. the left, he noted the tall houses covering London Bridge; and on the right, traced the sweeping course of the stream as it flowed from Westminster.  On this hand, on the opposite bank, lay the flat marshes of Lambeth; while nearer stood the old bull-baiting and bear-baiting establishments, the flags above which could be discerned above the tops of the surrounding habitations.  A little to the left was the borough of Southwark, even then a large and populous district—­the two most prominent features in the scene being Winchester House, and Saint Saviour’s old and beautiful church.

Filled with wonder at what he saw, Leonard looked towards the east, and here an extraordinary prospect met his gaze.  The whole of the city of London was spread out like a map before him, and presented a dense mass of ancient houses, with twisted chimneys, gables, and picturesque roofs—­here and there overtopped by a hall, a college, an hospital, or some other lofty structure.  This vast collection of buildings was girded in by grey and mouldering walls, approached by seven gates, and intersected by innumerable narrow streets.  The spires and towers of the churches shot up into the clear morning air—­for, except in a few quarters, no smoke yet issued from the chimneys.  On this side, the view of the city was terminated by the fortifications and keep of the Tower.  Little did the apprentice think, when he looked at the magnificent scene before