The House of Industry,
built by the Corporation in 1757, as a refuge for age and indigence. Warm and cold baths are established for the use of the inmates, whose comfort is most studiously consulted and provided for. The pleasant row of houses on the right of the Roodeye is called Paradise-row, the site of which, as appears by an ancient map, was once in the bed of the river.
Soon after passing the Watergate, on the left, there is an opening to the city, called Smith’s-walk, at the bottom of which stands a large house, on the site of which formerly stood the Priory of White Friars or Carmelites.
On the north side of the open field on the left is a pleasant mansion, now the Rectory house of St. Bridget’s parish, but formerly the residence of the late Thomas Harrison, Esq., the celebrated architect, who has immortalized his genius in some of the finest works of which Chester can boast. Near this spot once stood a convent of Benedictine nuns, dedicated to St. Mary. It was suppressed, with the other lesser monasteries, in 1537, and no vestige of the ancient building now remains.
Before proceeding further on our circuit round the walls, we recommend the visitor to turn off to the right on the road, for the purpose of inspecting the