“The difference between a true monastic cloister and this of Wells should be remarked. The canons of Wells were not monks and did not require a cloister in the ordinary sense. This is merely an ornamental walk around the cemetery. It did not lead to either dormitory, refectory or chapter-house. It served as a passage to the Bishop’s Palace; and the wall of the east walk is Early English of the same date as the palace itself. The lavatory in the east walk should be remarked, as well as the grotesque bosses of the roof in the portion built by Bishop Beckington. Over the western cloister is the Chapter Grammar School. The central space is known as the ‘Palm Churchyard,’ from the yew-tree in its centre, the branches of which were formerly carried in procession as palms. From the south-east angle of the cloisters we descend into the open ground within the gateway adjoining the marketplace, and opposite the episcopal palace. This is surrounded by a moat, as well as by strong external walls and bastions, and would have been capable of sustaining a long siege according to the mediæval system of warfare. The moat is fed by springs from St. Andrew’s, or the ‘bottomless well’--the original ‘great well’ of King Ina,--which rise close to the palace and fall into the moat in a cascade at the north-east corner. Both walls and moat were the work of Bishop Ralph of Shrewsbury (1329-1365).”--(R. J. K.) Wells is famous for its ancient houses. The old Palace and the Deanery are still occupied by the bishop and the dean; the canons and vicars also live in the individual houses built for these ecclesiastics. Wells was never a monastery with a common refectory and dormitory: there were always secular priests here and each man lived in his own house. Of all the domestic buildings the Bishop’s Palace is the most beautiful. It is considered the most perfect specimen of an Early English house that exists. BATH ABBEY DEDICATION: ST. PETER AND ST. PAUL. A CHURCH SERVED BY SECULAR CANONS. SPECIAL FEATURE: WEST FRONT. Standing before the =West Front=, we notice, first of all, that upon the angles of the nave on either side of the great window are two turrets, on the face of each of which is carved a ladder with angels ascending or descending. The space above the window is also carved with angels; and, under a canopy above the group, stands a figure of God the Father. Of this strange decoration the following story is told: