house. A little to the westward, the chapel belonging to the hospital has been converted into a barn and stable. On the north side of the road, between this hospital and East-gate bridge, a few fragments of wall indicate the site of St. Stephen's hospital. Just without the south-gate, was the hospital of St. Petronilla. This structure has long been demolished. The eastern window of the chapel, of beautiful tracery, was a few years since purchased, for building-stone, by P. Bennet, Esq. who has preserved it, for future admiration, by placing it at the west end of his chapel farm, in East-gate street, formerly St. Nicholas's hospital. The hospital, which, from its site, appears to have been an extensive building, stood at the south side of the chapel. Parts of the walls, serving for fences, still remain. A small piece of ground, between the chapel and the hospital, is supposed to have been the cemetery of the establishment. Near the west-gate, stood a hermitage, the remains of which are now used as a cow house. Here also stood our Lady's chapel, of which not even the site is now visible. Close to Risby-gate, stood a Chantry, called Stone chapel, now the Cock public house, the curious flint-stone walls of which are entitled to the admiration of the antiquary. Some distance beyond the gate, on the left hand side of the road, is the site of St. Peter's hospital, at which infirm and leprous K priests were supported. Near the gate-space, is an octangular stone, supposed to be the pedestal of one of the crosses which originally indicated the boundary of the abbot's jurisdiction. About the year 1677, Bury market was held without Risbygate, because the small pox raged in the town. The cavity at the top of this stone was then filled with vinegar, in which the country people, resorting to the market, were accustomed to wash their money, to avoid infection. The town of Bury appears to have enjoyed the benefit of a free school at a very early period. Abbot Sampson, in the year 1198, erected a school house, and settled a stipend on the master, whose duty was to instruct, gratuitously, 40 poor boys. This building stood near St. Margaret's church, now the Shire hall, and the street received from it the name of School Hall street, which it still retains. The free grammar school, founded by Edward VI. seems to have been a revival of Abbot Sampson's institution. Its original situation was in East-gate street; but, as that was found inconvenient, a new school-house was erected in North-gate street, by public contribution. Over the door, in front of the building, is the bust of the royal founder; and, under his arms, at the upper end of the school room, are the following lines: Edvardus Sextus posuit, virtutis alumnis Gratis duce puer, regia namque schola est. The school is free for the sons of all inhabitants. There are nearly 100 scholars on the foundation; and the number of private pupils is considerable. Adjoining the school is a handsome house for the upper master.* There are three charity schools in Bury, in one of which 40 boys, and in the two others 50 girls, are clothed and instructed in the English language. Exclusively of collections and occasional gifts, there is a settled fund of £70 per ann. towards defraying the expense of these establishments.-In the central schools at Bury, established by "The Suffolk Society for the Education of the Poor in the Principles of the Established Church," there were, according to the report of the Society, for the year 1819, 157 boys, and 80 girls. Upwards of 20 boys also attended the central schools, as Sunday scholars. A school, on the Lancasterian plan, was opened in College street, in the year 1811, and about 200 boys were admitted.-A Sunday school, to which the late Mr. Spink left a handsome legacy, has been discontinued. Amongst the charitable institutions of this town, must be mentioned Clopton's Hospital, a handsome brick building, with projecting wings, which was founded, and endowed, in the year 1730, pursuant to the will of the late Poley Clopton, M. D. as an * The present head master is B. H. Malkin, Esq. LL. D. a gentleman well known to the literary world. J asylum for 12 poor men and women, widowers and widows, three of each sex out of each parish. The participants must have been housekeepers, upwards of 60 years of age, who have paid scot and lot, and received no parochial relief. In the front of the building, are the founder's arms, with a Latin inscription, recording the date and object of the institution. The following epitaph, to the memory of Mr. Clopton, is in the Church of Foxearth, in Essex: Here lies Poley Clopton, M. D. a man Skilled in almost every art of literature; That either instruct or adorn the Physician, This excellent man knew well the various of the human race: he knew also what it was to have both ability and inclination to relieve the Wretched. To assist the Poor Iwas his chief concern; But how kind, how compassionate, he was to those oppressed with Age and Poverty (Whom he always held dear to him) His last will abundantly proves; For he left the annual Rent for ever of £300. by far the greatest part of his estate, for the support of twelve poor people belonging to St. Eds. Bury in the County of Suffolk; a Monument this of piety to God and benevolence to men, that will endure to endless ages. He died Oct. 31, 1730, Aged 56, |