[16] Most of the illustrations are bird’s-eye views, taken from house-tops and church-towers, in order to shew as many public buildings as possible. The reader will attribute to this cause any apparent distortion of perspective, as compared with views taken from level ground.[18] This tremendous conflagration was one of the largest ever known in London since 1666, involving the loss of property valued at two millions sterling. The ruins were still hot, steaming and smoking, seven weeks after the fire commenced. Mr. Braidwood, chief of the London Fire Brigade, perished in the ruins; a public funeral testified to the esteem in which he was held.[20] This is not what is called London Stone. That famous stone will be found on the side of St. Swithin’s Church, New Cannon Street. (See p. 168.)[40] Tickets of admission can generally be obtained, during the season, of Messrs Smith, 137 New Bond Street. Days of admission, from 10 till 5, Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.[47a] The total cost, including 200 tons of iron-railing, was £1,511,202.[47b] It is strange that, in relation to the best known building in London, great discordance reigns concerning the total height. Wren’s son, in the Parentalia, simply states that the lantern is 330 feet from the ground; Maitland gives the total height at 340 feet; many authorities name 360 feet; while several Hand-books and Guides, following the pamphlet sold in the cathedral, raise it to 404 feet. This last statement agrees with the Cockney tradition, that St. Paul’s is twice as high as the Monument. A careful examination of the vertical section, however, shews that the height is about 356 feet above the marble pavement of the cathedral, 375 above the level of the crypt, and 370 above the pavement of the churchyard. It will thus be sufficiently near the truth to say that St. Paul’s is 365 feet high—a familiar number, easy to remember.[178] Is also a theatre.[179] Is also a theatre.