The Welsh Bridge,
Built in the opposite direction to the before named structure, and which received its name as being the grand route into Wales, was finished in 1795, from a design by Messrs. Tilly and Carline of this place. It consists of five spacious arches with balustrades above, and is 266 feet in length, with a driving road 20 feet wide, and paved on each side, for the convenience of foot passengers, 5 feet. It is a plain though neat erection, and has a remarkably solid and substantial appearance.
Public Subscription Library,
Situated on St. John’s Hill, is a plain brick edifice, formerly a private house, and has been lately purchased by the Committee of the above institution, and fitted up for the purpose of lodging the books belonging to the Society. The number of subscribers is about 140, who pay annually £1. 11s. 6d. and 2 guineas entrance; but their shares are transferable. The managers of the society are a president, a treasurer, a committee of twelve, who sit gratuitously, and a librarian at a stipend. The following are some of the principal laws and regulations:—The library is open for the free use of subscribers five hours every day at the rooms, with the right of having several books at one time at their own houses, a certain number of days. Forfeits are established and rigorously enforced for detaining and damaging of books.—The method of admitting books is, for any member to write down the title, size and price at the library, with his signature, one clear week before the monthly meeting, at which period it will be ordered, if the majority of the subscribers present are agreeable.
The society which has been instituted about forty years, now possesses 5000 volumes—a valuable mass of general literature in every department. Neither divinity nor law has been permitted to load the shelves; and in the matter of that great stumbling block of mixed associations, politics, a due regard to that invaluable maxim “audi alteram partem,” has never been forgot or violated, and diversity of opinion has only promoted the successful progress of the establishment.
Subscription Coffee Room
Is attached to the county-hall, and is supplied with several London and provincial papers.
Chronicle News-Room.
This is situate on St. John’s Hill, and forms part of the Library House. It is furnished not only with a very extensive variety of London and Provincial Newspapers and the Gazette, but also with Reviews, Magazine, Army and Navy Lists, and the best Pamphlets of the day, &c.
To each of these institutions strangers are admitted on being introduced by a subscriber.