In the time of the great Rebellion, a ditch surrounded the Walls, from the Eastgate to the Water Tower. The view which is obtained from the elevation of this part of the Walls is very extensive and beautiful. As you approach the North from the Eastgate, the ranges of Peckforton Hills, Beeston Castle, and the Forest of Delamere, form the background of the landscape, marked on the foreground with Waverton and Christleton churches; and, still nearer, the commodious Railway Station.
Next we arrive at
The Northgate.
The ancient gate, over which the gaol was situated, and where criminals were formerly executed, was taken down in 1808, and the prisoners removed to a more commodious building on the south side of the infirmary.
The present gate is a Doric structure, forming a capacious elliptic arch of white stone, divided from two smaller ones at the sides by two pillars. It was erected at the expense of the late Marquis of Westminster. The North side bears this inscription—
PORTAM SEPTENTRIONALEM SVBSTRVCTAM
A ROMANIS VETVSTATE JAM DILAPSAM
IMPENSIS SVIS AB INTEGRO RESTITVENDAM
CVRAVIT ROBERTVS COMES GROSVENOR.
A. R. GEORGII TERTII LI.
On the South side is the following:—
INCHOTA GVLIELMO NEWELL ARM. MAI.
MDCCCVIII.
PERFECTA THOMA GROSVENOR ARM. MAI.
MDCCCX.
THOMA HARRISON ABCHITECTO.
The summit of this gate commands a most extensive and delightful prospect. On each side of the gate is a commodious flight of steps, by which the passenger may descend into Northgate-street.