The ancient gate, over which the gaol was situated, and where criminals were formerly executed, was taken down in 1808, and the prisoners removed to a more commodious building on the south side of the infirmary. The present gate is a Doric structure, forming a capacious elliptic arch of white stone, divided from two smaller ones at the sides by two pillars. It was erected at the expense of the late Marquis of Westminster. The North side bears this inscription— PORTAM SEPTENTRIONALEM SVBSTRVCTAM A ROMANIS VETVSTATE JAM DILAPSAM IMPENSIS SVIS AB INTEGRO RESTITVENDAM CVRAVIT ROBERTVS COMES GROSVENOR. A. R. GEORGII TERTII LI. On the South side is the following:— INCHOTA GVLIELMO NEWELL ARM. MAI. MDCCCVIII. PERFECTA THOMA GROSVENOR ARM. MAI. MDCCCX. THOMA HARRISON ABCHITECTO. The summit of this gate commands a most extensive and delightful prospect. On each side of the gate is a commodious flight of steps, by which the passenger may descend into Northgate-street. Near the gate, and on the left hand of Upper Northgate-street, stands the Blue-coat Hospital, which was founded by subscription in 1700, at the suggestion of Bishop Stratford. The greater part of the present structure was built in 1717, partly at the expense of the Corporation and partly by benefactions. Thirty-two boys are boarded, clothed, and educated, from the age of twelve to fourteen. There are also sixty probationary day scholars, who succeed to the vacancies of the former. They are well educated in the various branches of useful knowledge, and at the age of fourteen are provided with respectable situations. The chapel, dedicated to St. John the Baptist, called Little St. John’s, occupies the south wing of this building; it was formerly an hospital, or sanctuary, and endowed with great privileges. It is extra-parochial, and a perpetual curacy is in the gift of the Corporation. The Rev. William Clarke is the present curate. The hospital is of great antiquity, having been founded by Randal, Earl of Chester, for a master, three chaplains, and thirteen citizens of Chester, being either “poor or sillie, or poor or feeble persons.” The mastership was granted in the ninth year of Edward Second to the prior of Birkenhead.