To the east of the walk on which I stood, a rich pasture land extended, looking very tempting for a stroll. It is divided into two farms--one entered under the Hyde arch; the other by the Mill, at the farther end of the town. The ground is intersected with dykes and rivulets, and especially by one large clear stream, which enjoys the unsuitable name of the Black Ditch. This feeds the “middle and lower brooks,” being led along the streets so called. The “upper brook” street is supplied by the stream which has travelled beside us from Headbourne, and, being spring water, is thought better than the rest. My impression is that the work of Æthelwold consisted in making the small canals or “brooks,” which flow into the town from a few yards behind the City Road, and perhaps some cutting across the meadow, and that the Headbourne stream was banked up at a later period, after the building of Hyde Monastery, through which it took a remarkably convenient course. The southern part of this pasture land was the scene of the famous combat between Guy and Colbrand. Passing by some cottages covered with ivy, and some gardens flaming with phlox, I found myself back at St. Bartholomew’s Church. FOOTNOTES: [59] Charter Rolls, 8 Ed. I. [60] The Cathedral was often called the Church of St. Swithun. [61] Malmsbury calls it an image of the crucifixion, with great weight of gold, silver, and gems. FIFTH DAY. The Cathedral--Early History--Dagon--St. Swithun--Æthelwold--The Vocal Cross--Ordeal of Fire--Walkelin--Renovation of the Cathedral--Civil War--Architecture--Nave--Isaak Walton--Relics and Monuments--De la Roche--Frescoes--Ethelmar--Crypt. Fifteen years ago I visited Winchester, and attended service in the Cathedral. A verger, with the usual courtesy of his kind, showed me into one of the “misery” stalls, and I found myself very happy therein. The music was delightful. The boys’ voices seemed to waft me up to heaven, and the bass sent me down below the earth. The latter performance by one of commanding stature, who possessed something worthy of being called an “organ,” greatly impressed me. As I was passing out I observed to the verger, “That bass man is very grand.” “Oh, yes, sir,” he replied; “if you were to hear him hollow out, ‘Judge me,’ you would say it was the finest thing in the world.” “That is a somewhat modern experience,” observed Mr. Hertford. “Let us hear something about the early history of the Cathedral.” “As early as you please,” I replied. “Warton tells us that ‘many reputable historians report that this city was founded by Ludor Rous Hudibras 892 years before Christ.’” “The name Hudibras,” returned Mr. Hertford, “suggests that they belonged to the comic school.” [Sidenote: The Britons.]