Original description by George Birch in 1894
The Tower of London is an agglomeration of buildings surrounded by a wall, and a deep moat which was drained in 1843. The most conspicuous object is the White Tower, built as a Royal Palace and fort by William the Conqueror in 1078. The walls of this tower are fifteen feet thick, and it was under the staircase here that were found the bones of the two Princes, who were murdered by the order of their uncle Richard the Third. Here is also the Chapel of St. John, considered the finest specimen of Norman architecture in England.
Every inch of the ground within the walls of the Tower of London is associated with events of historic interest. The Armoury contains the finest collection of arms and armour in existence. The Crown Jewels or Regalia in the Wakefield Tower are themselves worth a visit. Admission is free on Mondays and Saturdays; on other days a fee of 6d. is charged to visit the Armoury, and a further fee of 6d. to view the Regalia.
Other observations
The advertising notice on the roof of the building at left of picture reads MAZAWATTEE TEA but is back to front so designed to be read from its far side. The Mazawattee Tea Company had offices on Tower Hill; they were destroyed in the blitz in 1940. See The Story of Mazawattee Tea by Diana James.
Geolocation
Subject at centre of picture: TQ 336 805
Camera position: TQ 336 801 approx. South of the river near Tower Bridge, or perhaps somewhere on the bridge. The bridge was opened in July 1894 and a photo of it is in this book, so that leaves it possible but unclear whether the bridge was there when this photo was taken.
Camera height: above embankment level, perhaps about the level of the top of the outer wall of the Tower.
View angle: 40° approx.
Focal length (35mm equiv): 50mm approx.
Nearest similar geograph
Technical information
See here.