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second passing round the Isle of Wight and coming up from Spit- 
head about two hours afterwards, high tide lasting fully that time; 
an immense advantage to shipping in tidal waters. 
In the town the remains of the old walls and towers, which can 
still be traced across the peninsula between the Itchen and South- 
ampton Water, were objects of great interest. The curious Norman 
castellated tower and gateway, the Bargate, spanning the High Street, 
is the most important and interesting of the remains of the ancient 
fortifications. It is of very early date, probably from the days of the 
Conqueror, and is pierced by three arches, the centre carriage-way 
being the oldest, and in it is still seen the opening for the portcullis. 
The Guildhall over the gateway has been used as a Court of Justice 
since the days of Queen Elizabeth, and has inside it several very 
interesting relics of the olden time. The old part of the town has 
several ‘‘ Palaces” and “ King’s” houses, occupied by Royalty in 
the far past, from “Canute’s Palace,” the remains of which are 
seen in Porter’s Lane, to that of the Palace of Henry VIII. in St 
Michael’s Square, a large and picturesque building of timber and 
plaster, said to be about five hundred years old, and still in 
habitable repair. 
The parks and open spaces formed a chief feature of attraction 
to the visitors, as they are of large extent, and beautifully laid out 
for the pleasure and amusement of the inhabitants. The Queen’s 
Park stretches westward from the South-Western Hotel to the old 
Quay, or “ Platform,” as it is called, in front of the picturesque 
ancient, ivy-clad South Tower, and before the docks, which lie on 
the south side of it, were built, it was the favourite promenade of 
the local gentry. Part of an avenue of fine trees still remains, and 
the ground is nicely laid out with walks, lawns, and flower-beds, 
and is much used as a playground for children. There is a fine 
statue of General Gordon, of Khartoum fame, erected in the 
centre. 
Walking up the High Street and straight onwards for some 
distance beyond Bargate, the Parks lie to the right of the main 
street. They consist of several fine enclosures, extending in all to 
68 acres, and were first thrown open to the public in 1844. They 
are well laid out with spacious walks, shaded with avenues of 
healthy young trees, and furnished with numerous seats on which 
the townsfolk may rest and enjoy their ease amid pleasant scenes. 
The largest part is used for various games, drill ground, and such 
useful purposes, and little attempt at decoration is seen, beyond the 
