[4] Ely is almost universally called a city, upon the supposition that the mere fact of its having a cathedral constitutes the town a city. But since the Norman Conquest the dignity of a city has always been conferred by grant, and no such grant is known to have been made to Ely. [5] An American visitor whom the writer was once conducting over Peterborough Cathedral observed, "This is a very large church for so small a place." Ely is about a quarter of the size of Peterborough in respect to population. [6] But there is no indication that such a roof actually reached the tower. [7] Scott's Paper, read at Bissexcentenary Festival, 1873. [8] From the additions to Rickman's "Attempt to Discriminate the Styles of Architecture in England," given in the 5th ed., 1848. The "happy effect" described is in the interior of the porch. [9] Some money was raised towards the expense of this rebuilding by means of a brief. At Castor, co. Northants, 5_s._ 4-1/2_d._ was sent "for Ely Cathedral"; this was in 1701. In the same year, at Bishop's Hatfield, co. Herts, L1 5_s._ 2-1/2_d._ was raised upon the "Brief for Ely Cathedral." In the following year a brief was issued for a fire in the city of Ely, but it does not appear that this had anything to do with the cathedral. [10] "Historical Memorials," p. 116. [11] One shield has a saltire: Bishop Barnet used a saltire with a leopard's head in chief. [12] Murray's "Eastern Cathedrals," p. 221. [13] The cost of this pinnacle was defrayed by Mr. Beresford Hope. The corresponding pinnacle on the north is still wanting. It is, however, figured, by mistake, in the view of the east end in Murray's "Eastern Cathedrals." [14] Professor Willis's observations upon this subject are given in Stewart's "Architectural History," pp. 76-81. [15] Bishop Goodwin's "Ely Gossip," 1892, p. 48. [Illustration: THE NAVE, LOOKING WEST. _Photochrom Co. Ltd. Photo._] [Illustration: S. CATHARINE'S CHAPEL. _Photochrom Co. Ltd. Photo._] CHAPTER III. THE CATHEDRAL: INTERIOR.