little streams that run through most of the streets, which were obliged to be raised to prevent the water running into the houses; by these means alone can we account for the low situation of many old houses, in which you descend by a number of steps, as well in the Close as in the city. A further proof of this conjecture may be drawn from two of the gates leading into the Close (St. Ann's gate and Close gate), which appear very low, while Harnham gate remains lofty; this difference can arise from no other cause than that the soil at the two first-mentioned gates has been raised to accommodate the inhabitants of the Close and city.

About the year 1310, a deep fosse was made by the citizens for the defence of their city on the north and north-east sides, it being well defended by the rivers on the south and south-west sides. The work extended itself full four furlongs from the corner of St. Anne's-street, where it was connected with the river, either by another ditch or a wall, across Milford-street and Winchester-street, just without the old gate (removed in 1767), over Green Croft, where it remained almost perfect till the winter of 1769, when it was levelled by the poor of the city, at the expence of the owner of the College. It continued in a straight line northward, across Mr. Wyndham's garden, where part of it is still to be seen, to the upper corner of Swayne's Close, from thence it appears to have taken a direction due west, joining the cut behind Castle-street, above the turnpike-gate.*

A Convent of Black Friars once stood in St. Ann'sstreet (still called the Friary), founded by Robert Kilwardby, before the cathedral was finished.

The remaining part of this fosse, between the top of St. Anne's-street (its commencement), and Milford-street, was filled up so late as about the year 1795.

The Poultry-Cross, as it is called, to distinguish it from two other ancient crosses which formerly stood in this city, is situated just without the southwest corner of the Market-place, and deserves notice on account of the purpose for which it was erected. In Fox's Book of Martyrs we are informed that "Among the friends of Wykcliffe was an Earl of Salisbury, who for contempt noted in him towards the Sacrament in carrying it home to his house, was enjoined by Ralph Erghum, Bishop of Salisbury, to make in Salisbury a cross of stone, in which all the story of the matter should be written, and he every Friday during his life to come to the cross, barefooted and bareheaded in his shirt, and there upon his knees to do penance for his act."

Mr. Wansey, to whom we are indebted for a Dissertation on the Stone Crosses in Salisbury, in the Archæologia, conjectures that the Cross alluded to in the above extract, could have been no other but

that under which the markets for poultry and vegetables are now kept; and that if it were an Earl of Salisbury who was the subject of such an unmerciful and degrading sentence, it must have been John de Montacute This nobleman, it is well known, was much attached to the sect called Lollards: he sat, however, in the House of Peers during the life-time of his uncle, whom he succeeded in the earldom, as Lord Montacute, a title conferred upon him by King Richard II. But it since appears from Walsingham's History of King Richard II., who was a monk of St. Alban's, and from which author Fox probably took his story, though not very correctly, that the person so offending, was one Lawrence of St. Martin's, near Salisbury. The present Cross seems to form but a part of the original one, for the termination of the top with a ball and a sun-dial, and the flat roof covered with lead, are foreign to the rest of the design. It must therefore have been abridged of its height; but by the stile of the lower part one may judge that it was originally a handsome piece of Gothic architecture. Its form is hexagonal, and over each arch remains a niche for a statue, though reduced to half its height by the demolition of the upper part, which might have taken place at the time of the reformation-an age hateful to images and crosses. Underneath the roof in the centre, there still remains a pillar, cut towards the top into six sides, which appear to have once had an inscription as was required by the sentence.*

* It has been imagined by an ancient Writer, that the Poultry-Cross was built either by one of the Montacutes, or by a person of the name of Lawrence, at the injunction of Bishop Erghum, in expiation for some insult to the Host, when carried in procession. The age and intent of this structure may be a subject of enquiry; but it was erected before the time of Bishop Erghum; for it is mentioned in a deed, dated November 8, 1335, conveying two tenements in the Market-place, to the Dean and Chapter, as "The High Cross, where poultry is sold."

MARKETS AND FAIRS.

Weekly Markets are held every Tuesday and Saturday; and every Tuesday fortnight throughout the year, one of the largest cattle markets in the kingdom. There are also two annual Fairs: Monday before old Lady-day, for broad and narrow woollen cloth; and Tuesday after Weyhill Fair, for hops, cheese, and onions.

PUBLIC AMUSEMENTS.

A Concert and Ball, alternately, once a fortnight, during the winter, to which strangers are admitted. The Theatre is neat, and usually visited by a company of Comedians every winter.

The Races continue three days. In the evening of the last day there is a Ball at the assembly rooms. SCHOOLS.

A Grammar School of royal foundation, and endowed for the education of children of the city, as well as for others, where the great Mr. Addison received part of his education.

In the Close there is a Grammar School for the education of the choristers.

A School called the Godolphin Charity, originally endowed for the support and education of eight orphan young ladies, but now only of four.

Also several other Schools in which young ladies and gentlemen receive very polite education.

The Bishop's School, in which twenty boys and girls are clothed and educated at the charge of our right reverend prelate.

There are several Sunday Schools connected with the establishment, in which nearly four hundred children are taught their duty towards their God and their neighbour.

Also a gratuitous Day School for poor children, of whom about three hundred are generally on the list.

B

THE COUNCIL-HOUSE,

situate in the south-east corner of the Market-place, was begun in the year 1788, the foundation stone being laid, with proper solemnity, on the 16th of September; and was completed on the 23d of September, 1795. It's a square building of white brick, with a grand Doi c portico at the entrance to the "two courts of law the west side, and a large bow window projecting f.om the great room to the east. The principal entrance is on the north side, by a flight of steps leading to the door, through a noble façade, consisting of four columns of the Doric order, and crowned by its proper entablature and a balustrade, in the centre of which is placed the following inscription;

Erected

for the use of the Mayor and Commonalty of this city,
in the exercise of their corporate functions,
in the maintenance of municipal order and authority,
and in the administration of public justice,
by Jacob, Earl of Radnor, the Recorder.

1794.

The whole building is surrounded by a rich cornice of the above-mentioned order, and the angles of each front are ornamented with very handsome