Ptolemy, the Alexandrian geographer of the 2nd century, writes also of Eburacum as a Roman station, making special mention of its prosperity in trade. The old Brigantine town offered every facility for commerce, the river Ouse affording easy navigation to the principal towns in the north. The military position was practically impregnable in those days of hand-to-hand warfare, so we read that a very short time after their arrival the energetic Romans began to build fortifications, traces of which can still be seen in the shape of towers and walls. Hadrian visited York in 78 A.D. as did also Severus in 280. About this time the name Eburacum was changed by Greek influence to Eboracum. Until the withdrawal of Cæsar’s legions in the 5th century, York assumed all the magnificence and beauty of a Roman city, and attained to the very height of its prosperity. After the departure of the Romans comes an obscure and misty period in the history of the city. It was taken possession of by the English, and in 627, during the reign of Edwin, king of Northumbria, the building of the Minster was begun. York at this time was known as Eoferwic. Edwin was baptized into the Christian faith through the influence of his wife Ethelburga, daughter of the Christian king of Kent, and of Paulinus, who had accompanied Ethelburga to the North. “But, to remote Northumbria’s royal hall, Where thoughtful Edwin, tutored in the school Of sorrow still maintains a heathen rule, Who comes with functions apostolical? Mark him, of shoulders curved, and stature tall, Black hair, and vivid eye, and meagre cheek, His prominent features like an eagle’s beak; A man whose aspect doth at once appal, And strike with reverence. The monarch leans Towards the truth this delegate propounds, Repeatedly his own deep mind he sounds With careful hesitation--then convenes A synod of his councillors;--give ear, And what a pensive sage doth utter hear! ‘Man’s life is like a sparrow, mighty king! That, stealing in while by the fire you sit Housed with rejoicing friends, is seen to flit Safe from the storm, in comfort tarrying. Here did it enter--there, on hasty wing Flies out, and passes on from cold to cold; But whence it came we know not, nor behold Whither it goes. Even such that transient thing, The human soul; not utterly unknown While in the body lodged her warm abode; But from what world she came, what woe or weal On her departure waits, no tongue hath shown; This mystery if the stranger can reveal His be a welcome cordially bestowed!’