WELSH BRIDGE.
In the reign of Henry II. it was called St. George’s Bridge. Why? Because St. George’s Chapel, with the Hospital of St. John to which the chapel was annexed—both were taken down early in the time of Elizabeth—was situated near it, in that portion now distinguished by the exquisite appellation of The Stew. The name was altered to indicate its geographical position as the road which leads to North Wales. It is conjectured that St. George’s Bridge was built by Edward IV. It consisted of seven arches, and had a gate at each end. The gate at the Welsh or Frankwell end was secured by an outwork, and over it was the statue of a man in armour which has been referred to as having been transferred to the Market Hall. The gate at the Mardol end of the bridge was surmounted by a massive tower with a house and battlement. The tower was destroyed about 1770, and the bridge itself, damaged by the frequent floods, was demolished immediately after. A contribution was then started for the erection of a new one. The Corporation liberally gave £4,000, and in a short time the necessary sum of £8,000, was procured upon the voluntary principle. The stone was laid in 1793, and the structure completed in 1795. It has five semi-circular arches, a fine balustrade, is 266 feet in length, and 30 feet in breadth. At the end of the bridge we come into
FRANKWELL,
from Frankville, the villa, residence, or town of the Franks who, according to Domesday book, inhabited forty-five burgesses’ houses in this portion of the town. We glance to the right, and see a neat chapel belonging to the Welsh Presbyterians, usually called Frankwell Chapel. Our way, however, lies to the left, and we proceed until we reach on the right
ST. GEORGE’S CHURCH,
dedicated to the tutelar saint of England from the fact of its proximity to the Chapel of St. George. It was built in 1832 by public subscription. It is cruciform in plan, and has a small tower at the west end. The style, with the exception of the tower, is the lancet, or early-pointed. It will accommodate about 760 persons, and 460 of the sittings are free and unappropriated. From St. George’s Church we step back again into the main street, and instead of going on to the Mount where Cadogan’s Fort stood, we cross to the right by the “String of Horses,” a half-timbered gabled building erected in 1576. Proceeding on we pass Chapel Yard, so called from its having been the yard attached to Cadogan’s Chapel, and arrive at
MILLINGTON’S HOSPITAL,
a beautiful structure in a beautiful situation. It consists of a pedimented front, surmounted by an open cupola, and a portico, flanked by wings, forming dwellings for the poor. The Chapel, which is also used as a schoolroom, is in the centre. It contains a portrait of the founder, Mr. James Millington, draper, of Shrewsbury, who built and endowed it in 1734. After the death of Mr. Millington, who bequeathed his entire fortune to it, the landed estate was disputed in Chancery, and went to the heirs-at-law, the personal property being assigned to the support of the charity. There are a schoolmaster and schoolmistress who reside on the premises, and a chaplain who reads prayers daily. The resident hospitallers number twelve old men or women who are selected out of Frankwell, and who, in addition to the apartments, receive annual gratuities of gowns and coats, coals and money, and a weekly quantity of bread. A number of boys and girls receive their education at the hospital, and are afterwards apprenticed or sent out as servants. Both boys and girls receive gifts of money on their “entering into the business of life,” and rewards are given to those who can produce certificates of good conduct during a certain period of service.
A little further on are the new Barracks or Brigade Depôt, built at a very large cost, and opened in 1880.
In the extremity of Frankwell beyond Millington’s Hospital there is nothing worthy of our attention; and, therefore, keeping to the left, we hasten to the bottom of Port Hill where we call out “boat!” and are ferried across the Severn to land in