The steps we have just ascended give us but poor “first impressions” of the Walls, the view being blocked up on either side by most unpicturesque buildings. But when we have proceeded northward a few steps, a prospect of venerable magnificence suddenly reveals itself. To our left, and so close that we can hear the organ pealing forth its joyous hallelujahs, we have a splendid view of the CATHEDRAL of St. Werburgh, seen here, perhaps, to greater advantage than from any other accessible point. The first glance will show us that it is a cruciform structure, as most of our cathedrals are, the massive and weather-beaten tower standing just in the centre compartment of the cross. The left wing, though an integral portion of the building, is, nevertheless, a separate parish church, dedicated to ST. OSWALD. The choir itself occupies the entire range of the edifice between us and the tower, the _Chapel of Our Ladye_ being in the immediate foreground. At our feet lie numberless memorials of the dead, which— With uncouth rhymes and shapeless sculpture deck’d, Implore the passing tribute of a sigh. This ground has served for a place of sepulture almost since the Conquest, and has only recently been closed by act of parliament. Deferring our special notice of the Cathedral, until “a more convenient season,” we shortly find ourselves at the end of Abbey Street, and immediately over the KALEYARDS GATE. This postern leads to the cabbage and kale gardens, which formerly belonged to the Abbot and Convent of St. Werburgh. The opening was permitted to be made for their convenience in the reign of Edward I. to prevent the necessity of bringing their vegetables by a circuitous route through the East Gate. The “good things” in vogue among these reverend fathers were not, it is evident, wholly spiritual. A defunct ropery, timberyard, and infant school now flourish on the spot where monkish cabbages and conventual kale in old time grew. A few paces farther on was a quadrangular abutment, on which formerly stood a tower called _The Sadlers’ Tower_, from its having been the meeting-room of the Company of Sadlers. This tower was taken down in 1780; and the abutment, which marked the place where it stood, was demolished in 1828. We are now at an interesting portion of the Walls. Do you see that mouldering old turret some fifty yards a-head of us? Three hundred years ago it was familiarly known as Newton’s Tower; but the men of the present day call it the PHŒNIX TOWER, from the figure of the phœnix, which is the crest of one of the city companies, ornamenting the front of the structure. Look up, as we approach it, and read, over its elevated portal, the startling announcement, that KING CHARLES STOOD ON THIS TOWER SEPTEMBER 24th, 1645, AND SAW HIS ARMY DEFEATED ON ROWTON MOOR.