pillars remarkably neat and slender; the body of the church, including the chancel, is 212 feet in length, and is 70 feet wide; on the north and south sides are entrance porches.  The altar is ornamented with a painting, representing the deliverance

of St. Peter out of prison, was executed by Catton, and presented to the parish by Alderman Starling, in the year 1768.  Within the church are some few sepulchral monuments worthy notice, and a fine organ built in 1707.  The plate and furniture of the altar is very valuable, one cup weighing upwards of 46 ozs. very beautifully chased with the story of Abigal bringing presents to David, which was given to the church, by Sir Peter Gleane.

In the vestry is a neat old painted carving, in alabaster.  A very curious piece of tapastry, in high presevation; there is also an octavo Bible, on vellum, written in 1340, and a folio manuscript much more ancient.

St. Laurance church occupies the spot, which at a remote period, was the quay for landing all fish brought to Norwich; the tythes of the fishery, which must have been considerable, were granted to the abbey of St. Edmund’s Bury, on condition that the abbot would erect a church.  The present church was erected in 1472, at the expence of the monastery of St. Edmunds Bury, aided by private benefactions; the tower is a bold square building, 112 feet in height; over the west door are several figures sculptured in stone.  Previous to the civil war, the church was highly decorated with various altars, tabernacles, &c. the window ornamented with glass, and, according to Blomfield, in 1643, the communion rails were broken down, the floor of the chancel taken up, and the stained glass defaced.  In the parish registry is this entry, “laid out to Goodman Perfett, for the putting out the

superstitious inscriptions in the church window, and the pulling down of crucifixes 1s. 8d.”  In this church are several monuments.

Norwich is much indebted to monachism for many charitable institutions, among which, are the free Grammar School, before mentioned, which was originally kept in the fratry of a suppressed convent of friars; but afterwards the charnel house was appropriated to that use, the houses of the chaplains being fitted up for the Master, and the chaple for the school-room.

The master has £50 per annum, and the house; it is also endowed with scholarships and fellowships belonging to Caius College, Cambridge.

Are here also five charity schools for boys, and one for girls, which have been instituted more than a century, and are supported by benefactions, annual subscriptions, annual collections made at fourteen sermons, preached at different parishes, by rents of two estates left by Alderman Riseborough, the one situate in Walpole, and the other in Walton, in Norfolk, and by dividends arising from funded property.  The boys are taught reading, writing and arithmetic, and the girls reading and sewing, and both instructed in the religious duties according to the Liturgy of the Church of England.

In the year 1784, labour was introduced and the boys and girls went alternately to spinning and reading, &c. but so prejudiced were their parents against this plan, that the number of children was reduced from 480 in 1784, to 188 in 1803.  At a special meeting held in 1803,

the low stale of the schools was taken into consideration; and the introduction of labour being considered as the cause of it, the abandonment of the spinning school was unanimously agreed; and the number from that time has gradually increased.  From the last state of the charity, it appears that 46 boys are taught at each of the schools, making a total of 230.

Since the publication of the last state, the girls school has been established on the improved system of teaching, according to the plan of Dr. Bell, and Mr. Lancaster; and 104 girls are taught reading, writing, arithmetic, and sewing, at very little more expence than formerly 40 were.—The Rev. C. J. Chapman, Treasurer.

Each of the masters have a liberal salary, including house rent and firing, and the governess of the girl’s school has similar advantages.  The boys, in addition to their learning, have a coat once a year, in February, and such books as they want during their term, which is five years—the girls are suitably allowed.

In addition to the above, are various parish Sunday schools, where children of both sexes are instructed in the early rudiments of education; also a school for 48 girls, where they are taught reading, writing, sewing, and every other necessary accomplishment, in the Bull-lane, St. Stephen’s, which is under the patronage, direction, and at the entire expence of Miss Gurney.  They attend church with the governess every Sunday, and in addition to their learning, &c. have each a hat, and those whose parents are unable, are furnished with

other articles of dress, to render their appearance suitable and decent.

There is also a school belonging to the Unitarians; the present master, Mr. Harwin, lives in the Rose-lane, King-street, where 50 boys and girls are educated.

The Independents and other dissenters from the church, contribute something towards the education of the children of their respective persuasions; besides, a school for the education of girls has been lately established by the dissenters, which is supported by annual collections at the different meetings.  The school-room is in St. Paul’s and the number educated is 120.

Of the hospitals, there were formerly one in St. Edmund’s, for 30 boys, who were clad in blue coats and red caps, and altogether educated and maintained upon the foundation; and one for 24 girls, who where clothed in blue gowns, and educated and maintained upon the foundation.  The original plan of both these institutions is entirely altered, and they are at present consolidated on the premises of the boy’s hospital, in St. Edmund’s, were 40 boys, and 31 girls are educated, and their parents allowed £10. a year for their maintenance, out of which, they pay for their education.—The present master for the boys’, Mr. Gidney, and the governess of the girls’, Mrs. Gidney.

St. Giles’ or the old Man’s Hospital, in St. Helen’s parish, was founded 1249; and was originally intended for men only; at present it maintains 53 men, and 53 women, including 6 nurses; any one before they can be admitted

must be 60 years of age; are elected by a court of mayoralty, and must carry with them, a featherbed, blankets, and ten shillings for a coffin.

Doughty’s hospital, in St. Saviour’s parish, was originally endowed for 24 poor men and 8 poor women, each being 60 years of age and upwards, having a room in the hospital, partly furnished, with an allowance of two shillings a week, and one chaldron of coals annually delivered them, at several stated times, by the master, who must be a single man, has two rooms, and double allowance; the men were also allowed a coat, and the women a gown, every 2 years, of purple cloth; but the trustees have been enabled to add sixpence per week, at several times, to the original donation, in consequence of various benefactions left of late years to the foundation; at present, the establishment is for 28 men and 10 women, who have an allowance of three shillings and sixpence weekly; the coals as heretofore, and the coats and gowns changed to a pair of shoes, and a shirt or a shift each annually.

Cooke’s hospital, in the Rose-lane, St. Peter’s per Mountergate was endowed by Robert and Thomas Cooke, Esqrs. for the habitation of 10 poor women