York abounds in historic relics, odd corners and interesting places.  The city was surrounded by a strong wall built originally by Edward I, and one may follow it throughout its entire course of more than two miles.  It is not nearly so complete as the famous Chester wall, but it encloses a larger area.  It shows to even a greater extent the careful work of the restorer, as do the numerous gate-towers, or “bars,” which one meets in following the wall.  The best exterior views of the minster may be had from vantage points on this wall, and a leisurely tour of its entire length is well worth while.  The best preserved of the gate-towers is Micklegate Bar, from which, in the War of the Roses, the head of the Duke of York was exhibited to dismay his adherents.  There were originally forty of these towers, of which several still exist.  Aside from its world-famous minster, York teems with objects and places of curious and archaeological interest.  There are many fine old churches and much mediaeval architecture.  In a public park fragments still remain of St. Mary’s Abbey, a once magnificent establishment, destroyed during the Parliamentary wars; but it must be said to the everlasting credit of the Parliamentarians that their commanders spared no effort to protect the minster, which accounts largely for its excellent preservation.  The Commander-in-Chief, General Fairfax, was a native of Yorkshire and no doubt had a kindly feeling for the great cathedral, which led him to exert his influence against its spoliation.  Such buildings can stand several fires without much damage, since there is little to burn except the roof, and the cathedrals suffered most severely at the hands of the various contending factions into which they fell during the civil wars.

The quaintest of old-time York streets is The Shambles, a narrow lane paved with cobblestones and only wide enough to permit the passing of one vehicle at a time.  It is lined on either side with queer, half-timbered houses, and in one or two places these have sagged to such an extent that their tops are not more than two or three feet apart.  In fact it is said that neighbors in two adjoining buildings may shake hands across the street.  The Shambles no doubt took its name from the unattractive row of butcher shops which still occupy most of the small store-rooms on either side.  Hardly less picturesque than The Shambles is the Petergate, and no more typical bits of old-time England may be found anywhere than these two ancient lanes.  Glimpses of the cathedral towers through the rows of odd buildings is a favorite theme with the artists.  Aside from its antiquity, its old-world streets and historic buildings are quite up to the best of the English cities.  It is an important trading and manufacturing point, though the prophecy of the old saw,

    “Lincoln was, London is, York shall be. 
    The greatest city of the three,”

seems hardly likely to be realized.