St. Mary-le-Bow, or simply Bow church (so named after an earlier church on the same site, borne upon stone arches, or "bows"), was one of the most historic structures of old London. "Bow bells" hung in its tower, and served the city as a curfew; and persons born within the sound of them were considered true Londoners or "cockneys." Sir Christopher's church on the same site and called by the same name, was commenced in 1671 and completed six years later. The exterior is so much closed in with houses that only a plain solid outside was required, and Wren expended his chief architectural effort on a steeple, of which Mr. Fergusson has written: "There are errors of detail which probably the architect himself would have avoided in a second attempt, and, as they arose only from an imperfect knowledge of classical details, might easily be remedied at the present day. It only wants this slight revision to harmonize what little incongruities remain, and, if this were done, this steeple might challenge comparison with any Gothic example ever erected. No modern steeple can compare with it either for beauty of outline or the appropriateness with which classical details are applied to so novel a purpose." [Illustration: STEEPLE, ST. DUNSTAN'S-IN-THE-EAST LONDON] St. Stephen's Walbrook, commenced in 1672 and finished in 1679, like St. Mary-le-Bow has a plain exterior, and for the same reason; but Fergusson has rightly praised the interior for its originality, and as "the most pleasing of any Renaissance church that has yet been erected." The plain exterior tower was surmounted by a beautiful spire. One of Wren's principles was, that when sufficient funds were not available for the elaboration of the whole of a design, some one or more important features should be worked up to a higher standard than the rest, instead of adopting a lower standard for the whole. [Illustration: PLATE LXXXVIII INTERIOR, CHURCH OF ST. STEPHEN'S WALBROOK: LONDON] Another of Wren's most admired steeples is that for St. Bride's in Fleet Street, built in 1701. The upper stories of it have, however, been criticised because of their sameness and the want of connection between them. Another famous spire is that which he built in 1699 for the church of St. Dunstan's-in-the-East. In 1698 Wren was appointed surveyor to Westminster Abbey, and proceeded to carry out very important repairs. He built the central tower as we see it, and intended that it should have been surmounted by a lofty spire. The western towers which formed part of the project have been built, but not as he intended. The general proportion of the towers alone is Wren's.