It was formerly surrounded with a slight wall, of which |there still appears some remains, as well as one or two of its |gates. Most of the new buildings, and by far the largest and |finest part of the city, are without the walls, particularly Queen |Square, in the midst of which is a garden, with gravel walks, and |an obelisk in the centre; but a principal ornament is the Circus, |the houses of which are built on a uniform plan, with three |openings at equal distances, leading into as many streets. The |fronts of the houses are adorned with three rows of columns, in |pairs, of the Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian orders, and the frieze |embellished with sculpture. In the centre is a reservoir of water, |filled from springs rising in the neighbouring hills. | |On the north and south sides of the town are the north and south |parades, paved with hewn stone, raised upon arches, having an |elegant row of houses on one side, and a stone balustrade |opposite. Among the late improvements of Bath, the Royal Crescent |forms a striking feature, standing upon an eminence. Behind the |crescent is St. James’s Square, which, with Landsdown Crescent, |Catherine Place, Rivers Street, &c. enjoys every advantage of air, |prospect, and scenery. Orange Grove, between the Abbey Church and |the lower rooms, is a beautiful open area, planted with rows of |elms, &c. The Guildhall is situated in the high street. Here is a |noble infirmary, or general hospital, for the sick and lame from |all parts of the kingdom. It is 100 feet in front, and 90 in |depth, capable of containing 150 patients. It was built in 1738, |by William Pulteney, afterwards Earl of Bath. The monastery here, |of which the cathedral was the church, was a truly venerable pile; |the other churches are St. James, St. Michael, the Abbey Church, |or St. Peter and St. Paul, Walcot, and Christ’s Church. There are |several chapels and meeting houses, as well as hospitals, |almshouses, and charity schools. | |Bath is governed by a mayor, recorder, aldermen, twenty common |council, and a town clerk; sends two members to parliament; and, |joined with Wells, forms a bishoprick, called the diocese of Bath |and Wells. The number of aldermen, out of which the mayor and two |justices are chosen, is not to exceed ten, or be less than four: |and out of the common council are yearly elected two bailiffs, or |sheriffs, and two constables. The senior of the common council is |always the chamberlain. The markets are here principally on |Wednesday and Saturday, and are plentifully supplied with all |kinds of provision: excellent mutton is produced from the feed on |Lansdown, one of the highest hills which overlooks the city, about |three miles in extent, on which is annually held, on the 10th of