classes of the community. The building is plain, but admirably adapted for its purpose.

The LUNATIC ASYLUM stands on an eminence just without the city; it is in the form of a semicircle, and is built of brick and stone in an effective style. It is calculated for 250 patients, and cost nearly £50,000. The internal arrangements are very commendable.

HOSPITALS, etc.-St. Bartholomew's Hospital was founded in the reign of Henry III., for persons above the age of 52 years, and supports a master or chaplain and 58 brethren, who have each a small residence, with a garden, and an allowance of money, etc.

The Kimbrose Hospital, founded by Sir Thomas Bell, whose arms appear on the east gable, adjoins the City Prison, and receives six poor people.

The Blue-Coat Hospital, which owes its erection to Sir Thomas Rich, Bart., has been in existence nearly two centuries. It was founded for the reception of 30 boys, who, according to the charter, were to be fed, lodged, and clothed for three years, and afterwards apprenticed.

There is the usual provision for National and other schools.

VICINITY OF GLOUCESTER.

Gloucester is admirably situated as a centre for the excursions of the tourist. North, south, east, and west run lines of railway to bear him to near or distant

places of interest. Here we have only to do with such places as lie in the vicinity of the town. Some of these localities have already been noticed in the VICINITY OF CHELTENHAM (page 65), which see. See also THE FOREST OF DEAN (page 83).

BADGWORTH, between 3 and 4 miles east from Gloucester, is a pretty village, finely embosomed among trees. Its Church is interesting on account of its north aisle, the windows of which seem to have been the work of the same school of masons who constructed those of the south aisle in Gloucester Cathedral.

BROCKWORTH is 4 miles from Gloucester, on the Cirencester road. The Romans had a station here; in the grounds of the "Court" a number of remains of that people have been discovered. The Church is a Norman building, but possesses nothing remarkable, except a low square tower and a few arches.

CHURCHDOWN is somewhat more than 3 miles from Gloucester, and not far from Badgworth, noticed above. Its inhabitants are mostly engaged in agriculture. The Church is a poor building, with some Norman fragments built into its walls. On the interior of one of the walls of the tower appears the following inscription :—“ Thys belhous was buylded in the yere of our Lorde Gode 1601." The hill on which the church stands commands a most extensive prospect, including the great Vale of Gloucester, and the fine amphitheatre of the Cotswolds, in which lies the town of Cheltenham.

UPTON, or Upton St. Leonards, is about 3 miles from Gloucester on the Stroud road. This village is of large extent, and contains a very neat and roomy school on the National plan, which was erected at the expense of the Viscountess Downe of Bowden Hall. The Church, dedicated to St. Leonard, is Perpendicular in style, and bears marks of restoration. The chancel appears very modern. A monument to Sir T. Snell, Bart., deserves notice. The situation of this edifice is very beautiful, and the graveyard presents a peaceful appearance.

WHITCOMB. This sequestered village lies about 2 miles to the east of Upton. It is situated on the Ermin Way, and possesses some very interesting Roman remains. The chief of these is the excavation of the pavements and walls of a house, which was pronounced by the late Samuel Lysons, Esq., an accomplished antiquary, to be the most complete example of Roman baths as yet discovered in this country. Coins and other relics have also been found.

The Church has some Norman remains in it, which may be worth noting. The situation of the edifice is charming.

WOOTTON, distant nearly a mile from Gloucester, contains two hospitals on ancient foundations, dedicated respectively to St. Margaret and St. Mary Magdalene, and devoted to the relief of the aged poor. Their great antiquity will render them interesting to the tourist.

STROUD.

HOTELS: George, Imperial, Swan, Golden Heart, Lamb.
From Gloucester, 12 miles; Cheltenham, 19; London, 101.

THE town of Stroud is mainly built on the side of a steep declivity; and its long, narrow streets are exceedingly inconvenient for the passage of vehicles. Its position, and the beauty of its immediate neighbourhood, give the town a picturesque aspect. Stroud has no history, except it be that of the rise and peaceful progress of the woollen cloth trade. By the passing of the Reform Bill this borough obtained the privilege of sending two members to Parliament. The population at last census was 9090, and the inhabited houses 1923. In 1851 the figures were-8798 persons, and 1837 houses. According to returns of last census, 1416 persons are engaged in the woollen cloth manufacture, 28 in woollen dyeing, and 34 in silk manufactures. There are 1236 agricultural labourers, and 287 farmers and graziers.

Stroud was the birth-place of John Canton, an ingenious natural philosopher, born in 1718. For his valuable papers on electricity, astronomy, etc., he received the honorary degree of M.D., and was elected one of the Council of the Royal Society. He died in 1772. Joseph White, a celebrated Orientalist, Arabic professor at Oxford, was born here in 1746, and died in 1814.

It is more its manufactures, which include both broad and narrow cloths, and have also associated with them dyeworks-the water being peculiarly suited for such operations-than any buildings it contains, that interest the tourist in Stroud. None of the public edifices are of any special importance.

The CHURCH OF ST. LAWRENCE, the principal church, is a large building, having not the slightest pretensions to architectural style. It has a prominent spire. The building, which is roomy and convenient enough, has no monuments worth notice. It is surrounded by a churchyard paved with tombstones. There is another church, of modern erection but of more taste, dedicated to the Holy Trinity.

Several Dissenting denominations have places of worship, including Baptists, Independents, Wesleyans, Primitive Methodists, and Roman Catholics. The charities are very inconsiderable; there are several schools, a literary institute, with reading-room, etc.

VICINITY OF STROUD.

Stroud forms a central point from which much beautiful scenery and many spots of interest may be visited. The scenery of the Stroud Water valley, through which the Great Western line to London passes, is among the most picturesque in the west of England. A good idea of it may be obtained by merely passing through it by rail; but the tourist who wishes to know it thoroughly will do well to alight at particular points.