CITY OF WORCESTER,

Which has a place not only among the most ancient and eminent cities of England, but is certainly one of the best built and most agreeably situated. There are considered but five superior to it for extent and population; and perhaps none surpass it in the pleasantness of situation; for though not very lofty, yet the principal part occupies very elevated ground along the river, from which it rises gradually, whilst the general spaciousness of its streets, which are both well paved and well lightea, and the neat appearance of its well built brick houses, give it a great resemblance to the metropolis.* Its air and climate are remarkably healthy, aided much by the regularity of its buildings, and beauty of its scite on a bank rising from the Severn as above noticed, which may also literally be said to wash its walls; and we must do the leading people of the city the justice to say, that considerable improvements have been made, and at a very considerable expense, to clear and enlarge the Severn, and to supply the city with a sufficiency of water from some very extensive works on the banks of the Severn, about a mile above the bridge, at an expense of 10,0001. These improvements, it is to be hoped, will do away the accusation of its being an unhealthy place, particularly as the dryness of its situation in general, is so much in its favour. Indeed if we were to form our judgment from the parish registers, we might conclude from the numerous instances of longevity, that no large town could be more favourable to health than this; but still it must be confessed that much remains to be done both for cleanliness and comfort, particularly in those narrow alleys between the cathedral and the river.

Worcester's geographical situation is in lat 52° 9′ N. and 2° 0′ west longitude; being distant from London 111 miles W. N. W.; from Gloucester, 26 N.; from Birmingham, 27 S. W.; and from Hereford,

In the Gent. Mag. vol. 8. p. 375, are some lines on the "Worcester Landscape" by a young gentleman of seventeen, highly descriptive.

Hereford, 30 E. b. N. Its circumference is about four miles, and it stands in a charming vale on the eastern bank of the Severn, nearly in the centre of the county. In our general view we have given a slight sketch of the surrounding country, which is highly deserving of notice, not only for its fertility and variety of prospect, but for the pleasing effect produced by its beautiful and often romantic outline. From the eastern blasts, it is comfortably screened by a hill covered with some fine woods, which add much to the beauty of the scenery; whilst being open from north to south in the direction of the river, a brisk current of air generally prevails, bearing health upon its wings. On the western side of the Severn the line of landscape is agreeably broken by gentle and well wooded swells, whose verdant undulations topped by the purple tinted Malvern hills, have a beautiful effect on a fine evening, and serve to complete a picture not often surpassed.

Being an ancient fortified place, this city had a very strong wall, of which some remains may yet be seen at the back of the commandery, in which were six ports or gates, said to have been handsome, but which have been taken down some years ago; and however the antiquary may regret this, yet it must be acknowledged that it has tended much to improve the principal entrances into the city. These were standing in Leland's time, who says "in the wall be six gates; the bridge gate on Severn, having a goodly square tower over it; a postern gate by St. Clem: Church hard by the north syde of the bridge over Severne; the Fore-gate, a fayre piece of worke, standing by north; Sudburygate standing east in the waye from Worcester to London; St. Martin's-gate; Trinity-gate, this is but a posterne." In describing the Fore-gate, he also says, "The Blackfriars-house, of the foundation of Beauchamps of Powick, stood in the north part of the town, hard by the wall within it; and this ground is the highest plott in the town, and hath a fayre prospect." The latest Worcester Guide very justly observes, that though the city is of great antiquity, yet its plan and construction are so regular, as to place it on a footing in that respect with any in the kingdom.

Much of this regularity, however, arises from the late recent improvements, and from those which are daily taking place in the various parts of its outskirts. To the stranger entering from the London road, nothing can be more striking than the direct communication now made from Sidbury, to the south end of the High Street close by the cathedral church-yard, which has not only added to the elegance of this entrance, but has made such direct improvement with respect to general convenience, that the public at large have already received considerable benefit from it. This entrance will also be much improved by the proposed plan on the London turnpike road, of lowering and levelling Redhill, which at present is not only difficult of ascent, but also very dangerous; one side of the road being higher than the other. This will make the traveller more cheerfully pay his double toll, which Mr. Warner in his Tour calls an imposition; he allows, however, that it is recompensed by the improvement alluded to above, by which he escapes the dangers of a narrow street and a sharp turning, and is led into the heart of the city, through the Close, and under the walls of the venerable cathedral.

Speaking of the Streets, the Guide with a very praise-worthy spirit of local patriotism, observes that they are in general broad, so as to admit of a free circulation of air, well paved and lighted; of these, the Fore-gate Street, the High Street, and the Broad Street, are exceedingly regular and beautiful. But here the editor must hint, that this general remark applies solely to those specified streets, with the addition of Bridge Street; and even in them he has had occasion to lament that the lamps are not a little closer in their arrangement; whilst in the other streets neither the airiness nor regularity can be matter of boasting. Much indeed remains to be done with respect to cleanliness in the streets on both sides of the city; but this perhaps depends more on the inhabitants of each, than on any possible regulations of the police, except in the articles of sweeping and draining. The Guide, however, is very correct in stating that the Fore-gate Street has a very grand effect, being a series of modern built houses of long

extent,