But, the readiest passage from St. Stephen’s to Tombland would be made by opening the lane above the Bell Inn on Hog-hill, across the Castle Ditches, to the Red Well. The houses on the west side of the lane, by Gurney’s bank, are much in decay: their removal, therefore, would be attended with every advantage of profit and ornament.
9. Supposing the communication to the Red Well opened, the area of waste ground, called the Castle Meadow, between the Castle-hill and King-street, would admit of buildings, on three sides, to form a very spacious and handsome square. This should be continued from the new buildings behind Gurney’s Bank to the Griffin-yard, where a large opening into King-street is much wanted. From this, the east side will extend along the back of King-street, and the south side terminate at the Duke Tavern. Within this, a considerable space might be pallisaded, and laid out in shrubbery and pleasant walks: leaving a foot-pavement and carriage road on each side. As neat and convenient houses of 15, 18, and 20 pounds yearly rent are much wanted in Norwich, for genteel small families, we have no doubt but Castle-Square would soon be inhabited by desirable tenants. Many other improvements might and would be made on the south-east side of the Castle Ditches, provided the above hints were adhered to.
10. It hath been proposed to inclose the Upper Close, in like manner as the Lower, but this, we understand, has not been done, on account of its being the Play-ground of the Grammar School. The Prebend’s Walk here is now become the fashionable Mall.
11. The most eligible situation for a public walk is Chapel-Field. Here every thing that taste and judgment could suggest might be done. Trees planted; walks raised and gravelled; seats placed at certain distances, and even a piece of water formed in the center. The inner parallel of the triangle railed, and a good carriage road on the outer.
12. In so large and opulent a city as this, we have long wondered that no attempt has been made, nor encouragement given, towards erecting a neat and commodious suite of Bath Rooms. The field behind the Bowling-Green, and fronting Chapel-field, is a proper situation for such a building; and bathing and exercise are equally conducive to health. To support the expence of these rooms, (which should consist of two cold or pleasure baths, and two Matlock, or warm baths, six or eight dressing-rooms, a hot bath, vapour bath, and a sweating-room; a public room for each sex, and other separate conveniencies) a perpetual or annual subscription should be entered into; and the terms, attendance, &c. put under such regulation, as might render the place fashionable, delicate, and salubrious.
13. If the City Gates were totally erased, the air and prospect, to and from the town, would be much improved. When cities were surrounded by walls and gates, the state of the times made such precautions necessary; but now that the system of war, and the police of the country is better understood and practiced, they become a nuisance, that smells rank in the nose of modern improvement! At least, if taking down the Gates be not thought necessary, the Walls, it is hoped, will be levelled.
14. Another great evil to be met with here, and in most towns, is, the church yards being consecrated to receive the bodies of the deceased. This practice is not only inconvenient and displeasing, but has often been the cause of pestiferous disorders. The putrid state of certain diseases, and natural decay of bodies, contribute to an infection, by air and humidity, that operates (though imperceptibly) on the lungs. If burial grounds were appropriated on Mousehold heath, and properly secured, the areas in which the churches now stand might be formed into handsome grass-plats, both for use and ornament.
15. The Water-works at the New-Mills, if raised to a given height, by such methods as are in used such cases, would convey a supply of water to every part of the city, without the expence, trouble, and inconvenience of reservoirs on Tombland, in Chapel-field, &c. The supply would be more certain, defeats easier discovered, and, consequently, repairs sooner made. Beside, Tombland, cleared of that filthy building, would become a very elegant square. And here, speaking of this subject, we should also recommend the Red Well to be taken away, and the pump fixed elsewhere.
16. An opening to the Castle-ditches, from the east end of the Cockey lane, is much to be wished for: also one at the end of the White-lion-lane.
17. All the Bridges in the city are very narrow and decayed, and the avenues leading to them equally incommodious. New bridges of one arch each, and open streets, would be rendering the trade of this city, by land and water carriage, an essential service. At Black-friars, we are told, a new bridge is now under consideration. A bridge cross the water at the Duke’s Palace, would open a communication from the market, through the Dove-lane and St. John’s, to Colegate. But, at no place is a bridge more wanted than at King’s-street Gate; by which the time and trouble of going round by Bishopsgate Bridge would be saved to many.—N.B. The Island formed by the river at Coslany bridge, has been found to collect the filth of that neighbourhood, and, therefore, as a nuisance, ought to be removed.