Pork Water Works. These works, which supply the city with water, are situated at Lendal ferry, and occupy Lendal tower, which forms now, as it did anciently, the terminus of the walls on the north-west side of York. The Water Works were established as early as 1682, and are the property of a company of shareholders. In connection with this establishment are public baths-hot, cold, and vapour. Severus's Hill. This hill, situate near Holgate, commands a fine view of the city of York. It derives its name from the Roman emperor Severus, who, as we have mentioned in the preceding pages, died at York, and in honour of whom, the ceremony of deification was performed on this mound. Drake was of opinion, that this hill was an artificial mound, raised by the Roman soldiers to commemorate the emperor's decease; but there appears to be nothing to countenance the speculation. The Nunnery. This building is situated without Micklegate Bar. It is a fine and commodious brick house, with extensive grounds adjoining. It appears to have been purchased in 1586, by Mrs. Paston, as a boarding school for young ladies of the Roman catholic persuasion; and since that time has existed as a seminary, conducted by a prioress, and convent of nuns of the order of St. Ursula. To the Nunnery is attached a school, in which fifty female scholars are daily taught gratuitously. New Walk. A pleasant promenade, on the banks of the Ouse, nearly a mile in length, shaded by fine old elm trees. It is approached from Castlegate, through gates fixed close by Castlegate Postern; and about mid-way on the walk, is a small wooden bridge across the Foss, which, at this point, forms a junction with the Ouse. There is also a valuable spring, often used medicinally, on the lower part of the walk; and near it are cold baths. Recent Improvements in York. Within the last few years a variety of improvements have been effected, some whereof have incidentally been named; the whole of which, tend to secure the convenience of the inhabitants, and impart a renovated character to this venerable city. A fine new street, called St. Leonard's-place, has been been formed from Bootham to Blake-street; the space from Thursday Market to Pavement has been thrown open, and a broad and imposing street, called Parliament-street, formed. Church-street, from Thursday Market to King's-square, at the top of Goodramgate, is now a wide and regularly built street; and from St. Sampson's-square to Jubbergate, an excellent new Fish Market has been constructed. Colliergate and St. Saviourgate have been widened and greatly improved. Extensive improvements have been effected in High Ousegate and Spurriergate. Fishergate, and espe cially Castle Mills Bridge and the property adjoining, have altered greatly for the better. The approach to Monk Bar has been made broader. Several new terraces have been formed in various quarters without the walls; and within, a variety of projections and obstructions have been removed. In the neighbourhood of the Cathedral, the transformations have been wonderful. On the north side of the Minster, which, about sixteen years ago, presented a mass of rubbish and the meanest buildings, that almost entirely obscured that side of the edifice, delightful gardens are laid out, ornamented with two fine houses, the Deanery and Residence. The gardens are open to the public; and a most charming walk they form-commanding an uninterrupted view of the north side of this vast temple and its unequalled chapter-house. During progress of the improvements, part of the cloisters of the Anglo-Norman palace for the archbishops, built by the Thomas, who held this see in the reigns of William I. and II., were discovered; forming, when found, the wall of a stable! In two of the niches are seats most favourably placed. Great changes have also taken place at the west and south-west of the Minster. Peter prison, or Hall of pleas for Peter Liberty, which stood near the west front, was taken away in 1839, when this part of the Minsteryard was considerably extended, by the pulling down of a great number of houses. The row of houses which extended from the end of Belfrey's church to the top of Little Blake-street, have been altogether removed. Petergate and Minster gates have been widened; and at the south-east end of the Minster some new and handsome buildings have been erected, at a respectful distance. In 1828, St. Peter's School was erected, near the site of the old deanery, close by Trinity church, Goodramgate; and a row of houses was taken away, to allow of the formation of grounds open as far as Minster yard. The eastern end of the Cathedral is yet blocked up with a row of houses, within a very short distance of it; but Dean Cockburn, who must have the credit of the various improvements connected with the Minster, which are enumerated, made, in 1839, a proposal to the corporation, to take down all the houses from the east end to Goodramgate, and thus afford something like an adequate view to strangers entering York through Monk Bar, of what may be justly called, the finest window ever seen by the eye of man. The value of the property, for the present, has placed a bar to this project. The WALKS and FOOT PATHS about York have also been greatly improved of late years. New gates for foot passengers have been placed to the various fields all around the city, through which there were foot-paths, for the health and recreation of the citizens. Several obstructions, improperly placed by occupiers, have been removed. In some instances, ancient foot-paths have been restored, and these fields are now passable for women and children. Taken in connection with the various restorations and recent erections in all parts of the city, the facts here mentioned are sufficient to show, that the spirit of improvement has not been inactive in York.* Elections for the City of York. Lords Lieutenant of Yorkshire. North-riding-The Right Honorable Thomas, Earl of Zetland. East-riding The Right Honorable Lord Wenlock West-riding The Right Honorable Henry, Earl of Harewood. York Newspapers. York Herald, (Liberal,) printed by W. and J. Hargrove, Saturday. There is no lack of accommodation for strangers in York; there being, in the city. 10 hotels and 181 taverns. HOSPITALS IN YORK. Agar's Hospital.-Founded by Alderman Thomas Agar, by will, dated 7th May, 1631, for six poor widows-two to be out of St. Maurice's parish, and two out of Belfrey's parish. Barstow's Hospital.-The origin of this hospital is unknown; there being no deeds relative to it in existence. The property consists of two houses and a stable, all near the hospital, let for £12 12s. There are six alms-people, who receive the amount of the rents, after making a small reserve for repairs. Ingram's Hospital.-Founded under the will of Sir Arthur Ingram, dated 15th August, 1640, for ten poor widows, who have apartments and £5 a year each, and also clothing materials once in two years of the value of £1 4s. each, and £6 13s. 4d. is paid to a reader. Winterscale's Hospital, Walmgate.-Founded under the will of Robert Winterscale, dated 5th of February, 1723. Rent of four houses, for six poor people of the parish of St. Margaret, of either sex, who receive £8 each per annum. Sir Robert Water's Hospital.-Founded under the will of Sir Robert Water, knight, dated 17th January, 1609. Seven cottages, occupied by poor women, and three out pensioners, each receive £2 per annum as reader. Income rent charge of £21 per annum. Wilson's Hospital, Foss Bridge.-Founded under the will of Dorothy Wilson, of York, spinster, dated 20th January, 1710, for ten poor women, £20 per annum. Seven out-pensioners are now added at £7 each: three poor blind men or women 40s. each per annum, now increased to seven, at £7 each per annum: £20 per annum, now £70, to a schoolmaster, for twenty, now forty boys, not under eight nor exceeding fourteen years of age. Prayers to be read by the master twice a day, according |