is a curious bust, having a little figure, (of which only the lower part remains,) sitting on its shoulder. Some have conjectured that this was an allegorical figure, representing St. Christopher carrying Christ; but as a close near it is called St. Hugh's Croft, in which a fair was formerly held, it might allude to the circumstance of the Jews crucifying a child, who was canonized under the name of St. Hugh.

Adjoining to St. Andrew's church-yard formerly stood the palace of the celebrated John of Gaunt, whose arms, curiously carved in a block of free-stone, stood in the front of it, till the year 1737. This was "the goodly house" which Leland says belonged to the Suttons. Much of it was taken down in the year 1783. Some foundations were dug up last year, by the gentleman inhabiting the adjoining house, who has several heads and grotesque figures of stone fragments of the palace. In the gable end of it is still remaining a curious oriel window blocked up, and a chimney built within it. It is of a semioctagonal shape, having two trefoiled lights in front, with two smaller ones on the side, covered with rich carved work of foliage, busts, &c. and was mounted with finials and pinnacles, which are broken off. Opposite to this house is a large building, called John of Gaunt's stables; which was most likely part of his palace. It was a large structure, in the Norman style, and formerly consisted of a quadrangle, enclosing a spacious area; the north and west fronts of which still remain. The entrance is under a semicircular arch; and against the front are several flat buttresses, with a small carved cornice. What appears singular in this building is, that the windows do not exhibit that mixed character discernible in many ancient structures, but are all either in the original, or in quite a modern ́ style.

The Jew's House, as it is still termed, on the side of the hill, opposite a spot called the Bull-ring, is an object of great curiosity. It is singularly ornamented in front, and some of its mouldings are like those of the west doors in the cathedral. In the centre of the front is a semicircular arched door-way, with a projecting pilaster above it. In this are now two chimnies, one of which

appears

7

appears to have formed part of the original plan. The arches are circular withinside, and plain; and in one of the chambers is a large arched fire place, also a niche, with a triangular bend. This house was possessed by Belaset de Wallingford, a Jewess, who was hanged for clipping in the eighteenth of Edward the First, and the year following it was granted, by that monarch, to William de Foleteby, whose brother gave it to Canon Thornton, and he presented it to the dean and chapter, who are the present proprietors.

The Stonebow is a large tower gateway, crossing the high street. This edifice is said to have been built about the thirteenth of Richard the Second; but from the style, probably much later. The south front is decorated with the statues of the Angel Gabriel holding a scroll, and the Virgin Mary with the serpent at her feet. An old building at the east end, formerly called the Kitchen, is now used as the city gaol.

The High Bridge, over the main stream of the river Witham, consisting of one arch, eleven feet high and twenty-one feet nine inches in diameter, is at least considered 500 years old. From the main arch spring two others at right angles eastward, one on each side the river, which is vaulted over, and upon this vault stood the ancient chapel of St. Thomas the Martyr, in which was a chantry, founded by the corporation in the time of Edward the First.

The Market House was built during the second mayoralty of Mr. John Lebsey, in the year 1736, by an act of common council for appropriating, during ten years, the sum of 100l. which had before annually been spent on the city feast.

Here were formerly two grammar schools, one in the Close, maintained by the dean and chapter; the other in the city, supported by the corporation. In the year 1583, both were united; the master is elected, and paid half his stipend, by the dean and chapter; the usher is elected and paid by the corporation, who are bound to pay the other half of the master's stipend, and repair the school-house.

The Blue Coat School, or Christ's Hospital, joins the west gate

of the episcopal palace, and is a neat modern building. This cha rity is intended to maintain and educate thirty-seven boys; who wear a dress similar to those of Christ Church, London.

The County Hospital, for the sick and infirm, was erected in the year 1769, and is supported by voluntary subscription. It appears to be conducted in a manner agreeably to the beneficent intention of its founders.

About eleven years ago a general House of Industry was erected, upon the plan first adopted at Shrewsbury, for the paupers of the city and liberties of Lincoln, with eighteen other contracting parishes; which, by paying a certain quota, assigned by the directors, are allowed the same privileges as the incorporated parishes within the city.

An Asylum, for that most unfortunate class of the children of misery, the Insane, is in contemplation, and very considerable sums have been subscribed and vested in the hands of trustees for the benevolent purpose of founding it.

The County Goal is a strong building, constructed on the Howardian plan, of separate and solitary confinement, after a design by Mr. Hayward, surveyor. It is situated in the Castle-yard, and the premises are held by lease under the Duchy Court of Lancaster. The front, containing the gaoler's and debtors' apartments, is one hundred and thirty feet in length, with about two acres of grass plat in front; in which the debtors, during the day, have the privilege of walking. Different accommodations are provided for master-side debtors, and common-side debtors; and in the common prison there are distinct apartments, both by day and night, for different descriptions of prisoners; viz. for male prisoners awaiting trial, for female ditto; for male convicts under sentence of transportation, for female ditto. In all cases the sexes are kept separate, both by day and night.

The gaoler, who is both a humane and upright man, is allowed a handsome salary. Divine service is regularly performed, and the benefit of medical advice and assistance is allowed to all prisoners. Whether the accommodations and conveniences of the building, its internal regulations, or the mode in which they are

enforced,

enforced, be considered, the view is calculated to afford pleasure to the benevolent mind.

The City Gaol at Stone Bowgate, has long furnished a melancholy contrast. Situated in a dank dark spot, confined in its dimensions, and so constructed as almost wholly to exclude both light and air, it is highly injurious to health; and facing a great thoroughfare passage, by which means the rabble from without can hold communication with the abandoned within, it is rendered extremely prejudicial to morals, and a common nuisance to the city. It is an act of justice, however, to the late and present magistrates, to observe, that a new prison is erecting, upon the plan of that for the county, which, when finished, will do away what has long been matter of just complaint and general reprehension; and it is devoutly to be wished that the like activity, as to internal regulation, and the same spirit of humanity, will prevail, which so eminently distinguish the regulations of the county prison, and thereby redound to the honour of its magistracy.

Over the butter-market an Assembly Room was built in 1757, for the subscription balls of the citizens. A larger one, north of the cathedral, is appropriated to the inhabitants of the Close.

A Theatre has been recently opened, in the King's Arms Yard, for the accommodation of the Children of Thespis, and to add to the amusements of the place. It is a neat but small brick building, and consists of a pit, two rows of boxes, and one gallery. Plays are performed here during the race time, and for about two months in the autumn.

Among the distinguished natives of Lincoln, may be named that eminent physician and clerk, the late Dr. WILLIS. He was educated at Brazen-nose College, Oxford, where he took a master's degree, in the year 1740. After entering into holy orders, he was preferred to the rectory of St. John's, Wapping. Having a partiality to the medical profession, he determined to practice: for which purpose, in the year 1759, he accumulated the degrees of bachelor and doctor of physic at his own university. In this profession he soon became eminent; and paying particular atten

tion to a malady, whose causes and cure were little understood, he became celebrated for the treatment of insanity. He went to reside in his native county, and opened a large house for this purpose at Greatford, where he was so successful, that on the late convalescence of our sovereign, his advice was sought for on that melancholy occasion. Having fortunately restored the king's health, the fame of his professional service to this country induced the court of Portugal to solicit his assistance for the queen, then labouring under a similar affliction; but though, after some months trial, he was unsuccessful, his reputation remained undiminished. It was a confirmed case, which completely baffled all medical skill, and resisted the force of medicine. At the time of his death, a number of afflicted persons of family and respectability were under his care at Greatford and Shillingthorpe, where the Doctor had establishments for such patients. He lived highly esteemed, and died greatly lamented, at an advanced age, December 5, 1807; and his remains were interred in Greatford church.

Having thus detailed a few particulars respecting the city, I shall proceed to give an account of the places most worthy of note in the division of Lindsey; first specifying the hundreds and parishes, and next recording some topographical notices of the towns, antiquities, seats, &c.

LAWRESS WAPENTAKE contains the following parishes:Aisthorpe, Barlings, Brattleby, Broxholme, Burton, Buslingthorpe, Carlton North, Carlton South, Dunholme, Faldingworth, Fiskarton, Fristhorpe, Grutwell, Nettleham, Reepham, Riseholme, extraparochial hamlet, Saxilby with Ingilby, Scampton, Scothorn, Snarford, Sudbrooke, Thorpe West, Torksey, Wilton, Willingham, and Cherry.

At BARLINGS, to the east of Lincoln, was a Premonstratensian abbey, now in ruins, of regular canons, founded by Ralph

de