he only ones that have
been noticed in any part of the Abbey.

On the wall of the building west of the south transept are some stone
brackets. These shew that after the destruction of the ancient cloister
a covered way of some kind was erected here. Marks can also be seen, in
the masonry, which indicate that the building once had three gables. Two
of the Norman buttresses of the south nave aisle have very curious
terminations, which might well puzzle any observer. They are fireplaces
for the use of plumbers. Passing through the Norman doorway at the
north-western corner of the Laurel Court, we come into a narrow passage
leading to the Minster Close.

[Illustration: Archway from Cloisters, North-West.]

In the =Bishop's Palace=, besides the remains of the Refectory, which,
though so scanty, shew what a beautiful building it once was, there is
very little worthy of note. The hall is a vaulted chamber, of no great
height, with piers to support the roof; most of it is part of the
Abbot's dwelling, and of thirteenth century date. The Heaven's Gate
Chamber, previously noticed, built by Abbot Kirton (1496-1528), lies to
the south-east of the hall. The chapel was erected by Bishop Magee soon
after he came to the diocese.

=The City.=--The mother church of S. John the Baptist is the only parish
church in the city of mediaeval date. Until 1856 it was the only parish
church in the place. Originally the church stood east of the Minster.
But, following what seems to be almost a universal law, the main
population spread westward as the number of inhabitants increased, and
the earlier buildings were left to the occupation of the poorer class.
An insignificant little house in the old town is traditionally said to
have been the Vicar's residence. It has some evidence of antiquity about
it. The present church was built early in the fifteenth century. It was
opened in 1407 with much solemnity by Abbot Genge. It is a spacious and
dignified building, having a nave of seven bays; and there are two bays
to the chancel, besides the sanctuary. The west tower is good, but
hardly of sufficient dignity for such a church. The interior was
reseated, and new roofs were added in 1883; they were designed by the
late Mr. Pearson.

In 1891 the south porch was restored in memory of Dr. James, a former
vicar. The arches under the tower which had been bricked up for many
years were underpinned and repaired; and in 1909 were again opened to
the church.