of the above streets formerly stood an elegant Cross, 64 feet in height, of an octagonal form, with a column supporting a globe, and in canopied niches round the centre were statues of eight monarchs: this fine old structure was taken down for the improvement of the city previous to 1749. Numerous streets branch off in various directions from the principal ones, and about one-third of a mile from the Cross, on the S.E., is the Spa, the waters of which have been analyzed by Mr. Accum, who reports that the impregnations on which the virtues of saline chalybeate waters depend, are more abundant in these waters than in any other yet discovered in this country. Adjoining the Spa is a spacious. quadrangle of new and elegant mansions, called Brunswick square; on the north side of the Spa is Montpellier place, and opposite the principal walk of the Spa is Beaufort buildings, consisting of a row of substantial and remarkably well-built houses; these handsome residences command beautiful, extensive, and highly picturesque views of the distant hills, and of the surrounding country; the situation is warm and protected, being sheltered on the N. and N.E by the city, thus rendering it not less healthy than agreeable.

The city is paved, well lighted with gas from commodious works near the quay (which are now being considerably enlarged), and the inhabitants obtain an abundant supply of pure water from wells (which yield plenty of that fluid at about six feet from the surface), and by means of pipes from Robin's-wood hill, about two miles distant, where there is an immense reservoir, the property of a company,

Gloucester can boast of its Mechanics' Institute, Choral Society, Literary and Scientific Association, Medical and Horticultual Societies, Permanent Library, and a neat Theatre; the first-named contains a news room, library, chess room and classes for drawing and music. Musical festivals are held here triennially, in conjunction with the choirs of Worcester and Hereford, aided by the talent of the metropolis: during this season three full-dress balls are usually given, the profits arising from which, together with collections then made at the Cathedral, are applied to the relief of widows and orphans of clergymen.

Gloucester holds a high rank among the cities of England in all points which relate to health, comfort, and conve

nience the county as well as the city has always been remarkable for its salubrity, and the longevity of its inhabitants, who live to a greater age than is usually allotted to mankind. In Leather Bottle lane, one of the most confined situations in the city, were residing in 1829 two old women in perfect health, viz., Elizabeth Bates and Sarah Bower, the first was 104 years of age, and the latter 102; while in the suburbs of the city, Mr. Jackson lived to the advanced period of 104, and his neighbour Dame Smith to 100. It is a singular fact that the vergers of the Cathedral, so far back as can be traced, have lived to an average of 80 years. When Bishop Warburton was enthroned, he was shown the Cathedral by two vergers, who were so remarkable for their superannuated appearance, that he jocosely said, "Gentlemen, I suppose_you have been here ever since the reformation." Mr. Thomas Bright of Longhope, in the vicinity, died at the patriarchial age of 130 years. Epidemical or endemical disorders seldom make their appearance here.

Gloucester has been an inland port from great antiquity; in the year 1580 (22 Elizabeth), customs were granted by letters patent, but though vessels of various sizes, from the ancient British coracle to those of 200 tons burden, have been navigated up the Severn, the larger vessels were rarely brought so far as Gloucester; but since the opening of the Gloucester and Berkeley ship canal, there has been an extraordinary increase in its commercial transactions, and Gloucester is now rapidly rising into competition with Bristol, materially affecting its customs revenues.

The canal was begun in 1794, but not completed until 1827, at a cost of £500,000.; it commences at Sharpness* Point and is about 17 miles in length, from 70 to 90 feet wide, and 18 feet deep, level the whole way, having no lock except at each end, so that the largest American or West Indian vessels can pass on in perfect safety with standing rigging to the terminus at Gloucester, where there are extensive and commodious docks,† wharfs, bonded

Sharpness Point is a bold promontory, projecting a considerable distance into the Severn, and where the tides flow from 20 to 30 feet; at low water mark there are from 4 to 10 feet, but at high spring tides there are upwards of 40 feet.

† At the last half yearly meeting of the proprietors of the Gloucester and Berkeley canal, it was agreed to expend £16,000. in the formation of

warehouses, and yards; the bonded warehouses are privileged to receive all bonded goods except tobacco and East India merchandize. The Gloucester vessels in the foreign trade are principally to the Mediterranean, West Indies and the Baltic. The Severn is remarkable for its tide, which flows by Gloucester with great rapidity, and has been felt as high as Worcester: it is generally highest at the fifth return from the change and full of the moon, when it exhibits that

curious phenomenon called the " Hygre" or "Bore," caused by the water that flows over the wide channel at Frampton, which after passing Newnham is collected into a small compass, and being strongly and suddenly impelled forward rises with a great wave, and with much noise and fury. The produce of the Severn is roach, dace, flounders, eels, &c.; salmon, lampreys, and shad are caught near the town-formerly salmon was taken in such abundance here that it was customary to insert a clause in indentures that masters should not compel their apprentices to eat salmon more than three days a week-the stipulation is now unnecessary, Severn salmon being almost an article of luxury. In times past, when Gloucester was noted for its manufacture of woollen cloths, woolstapling was an important branch, but these have long fell into decay. In 1625 the manufacture of pins was introduced here by John Tilsby; previous to this the ladies used fine scraped skewers, and the prickles of thorns, to fasten their clothes together. These last were generally made in Wales, by the Welch women, who ingeniously scraped and polished them, and gave them the name of Pin Drawers." The process of the pin manufactory is curious; the article, small as it is, passes through nearly

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a new dock, between the present ship basin and Southgate street. The new dock is to be 475 feet in length, 100 feet in width, and 16 feet deep; it will accommodate any size vessel that could pass up the canal, and afford 371 lineal yards of additional quay room, besides upwards of 200 yards around the communication with the present basin, which might be used by smaller craft; it will also provide 16,500 square yards of land, either for wharfs, yards, or for warehouses, and it was stated that parties were already waiting to take land and build the necessary warehouses to the value of £60,000. There is not now any good approach to the docks from the city, but it is contemplated to form a new road immediately, which will pass the newly erected custom house; this can be effected by pulling down an old-fashioned clump of houses in Southgate street, called Pie corner.

twenty distinct processes before it is perfected: there are at this time two manufactories here, Messrs. Kirby, Beard and Co. and Messrs. Hall and Gutch.

A bell foundry, established more than 500 years ago in Oxbody lane, still exists, and has cast an immense number of church and other bells; here are two extensive iron foundries, three large soaperies, two steam flour mills, a brewery, a tannery, and a manufactory for making parchment, which with ship, boat, and barge building, hemp and flax dressing, rope, sack, sail, and brush making, combined with a very considerable trade carried on in corn, coal, timber, malt and hops (especially in corn, which has become an important feature in the imports and exports at this port), together with the large quantity of coals and culm shipped coastwise, furnish employment for a vast number of persons.

The Provision Markets, in Eastgate and Southgate streets, are open on Wednesday and Saturday; the former is well supplied with butchers' meat, poultry, fruit, vegetables, &c., and the latter with butter, eggs, fish, &c. A corn market is also held on Saturday in Eastgate street, and a large cattle market the first Monday in every month, on a spacious piece of ground, conveniently fitted up for the purpose, called the New Market, adjoining the railway stations. Fairs are held on April 5th, July 5th, September 28th and 29th, and November 28th; all for cattle; horses, and pigs, except the 29th of September, which is for pleasure; the September fair is noted for onions, these are made up into ropes, here called traces, several feet in length, some of which have been sold at three guineas each. On the three successive Mondays after the last fair, the "Mop," as it is termed, is held; on these days it is customary for large numbers of young men and women from the adjacent villages to assemble, standing in the principal streets and at the Cross, waiting to be hired, some of the men having a piece of whipcord or a little wool, &c., stuck in their hats, denoting their employments as carters, shepherds, &c. The third Monday is termed the "Run-away-Mop;" the parties then attending are generally those who have been hired on one of the previous Mondays, but disliking their masters or mistresses, feel desirous of getting more suitable situations.

The City of Gloucester received a Charter of incorporation. from Charles II., which confirmed all preceding grants

and privileges, the corporate body consisting of a mayor, high steward, recorder, twelve aldermen, town clerk, sheriff, and thirty common-councilmen; the corporation are "allowed to practise the highest marks of honor that are usually granted to magistracy, as scarlet gowns, the sword and cap of maintenance, and four sergeants-at-mace," and to be attended upon all occasions by the masters of the twelve associated trading companies "in their gowns with streamers, which adds a reputation to the city."-Mag. Brit. 1738. Under the Municipal Reform Act, the corporate body consists of a mayor, recorder, six aldermen, and eighteen commoncouncilmen, who elect a sheriff, town clerk, coroner, treasurer, chamberlain, and other officers, excepting the recorder, who is appointed by the Crown. Gloucester is one

of the polling places, and the principal place of election for the eastern division of the county; it has enjoyed the privilege of sending two members to the British senate from the 23rd of Edward I. Previous to the Reform measure, the right of voting was vested solely in the mayor, corporation, and a numerous body of resident and non-resident freemen; but that act extended the boundaries of the city and conferred the right of voting upon £10. householders, in conjunction with the resident freemen.

Gloucester has lately become the centre of important railway communications, a line on the broad guage is constructed to Bristol, where it joins the Great Western, thus affording facilities for visiting the counties of Somerset, Devon, Dorset and Cornwall; another line on the narrow guage is open to Cheltenham, Worcester and Birmingham; thus communicating with the whole of the north of England and Scotland. The Great Western Company opened their line to Swindon in April 1845, which affords an easy transit to the metropolis by the express trains in two hours and twenty minutes; this Company have also obtained an Act for making a line into South Wales, and it is already in process of formation. The stations for the various lines (which all run into each other)* are but temporary, but a magnificent and extensive one, commensurate with its im

* A branch, connecting these with the docks, is at present worked by horse-power, but such is the immense increase of imports and exports at this harbour, that locomotives will shortly be used.