NEWGATE, is situated 1037 feet south west from Aldersgate, and is thought by most Antiquarians, to be so denominated from its being first erected in the reign of Henry I. several ages after the four original gates of the city: Howel is however of a contrary opinion, and asserts that it was only repaired in the above reign, and that it was anciently denominated Chamberlain gate; tho’ it is very extraordinary, that this gate is not once mentioned before the conquest. But be this as it will, it appears from ancient records, that it was called Newgate, and was a common jail for felons taken in the city of London, or the county of Middlesex, so early as the year 1218; and that so lately as the year 1457, Newgate, and not the Tower, was a prison for the nobility and great officers of state. At length Newgate being much damaged by the fire of London in 1666, the present beautiful structure was erected. The west side is adorned with three ranges of Tuscan pilasters, with their entablatures, and in the inter-columniations are four niches, in one of which is a figure representing Liberty; the word _Libertas_ is inscribed on her cap, and at her feet lies a cat, in allusion to Sir Richard Whittington, a benefactor to the prison, who is said to have made the first step to his good fortune by a cat. The inside of the gate is also adorned with a range of pilasters, with their entablatures, and in three niches are the figures of Justice, Mercy and Truth. The author of _The Review_ observes, “That Newgate considered as a prison, is a structure of more cost and beauty than was necessary, because the sumptuousness of the outside but aggravates the misery of the wretches within: but as a gate to such a city as London, it might have received considerable additions both of design and execution, and abundantly answered the cost in the reputation of building. The gate of a city erected rather for ornament than use, ought to be in the style of the ancient triumphal arches; and it must be allowed, that hardly any kind of building, admits of more beauty or perfection.”