a structure of great beauty. The first bridge which spanned the river
here was probably erected by the founder of the Abbey, Roger de
Montgomery. At any rate the abbots and the Corporation were continually
disputing about the liability to the repairs of the bridge, and the
contention was temporarily closed by the abbots consenting to repair the
Abbey Foregate end, and the Corporation agreeing to repair the town end.
Henry VIII. by a stroke of policy—by remitting some taxes—got the
Corporation to relieve the abbots of all responsibility and to take the
entire repairs into their own hands. About the middle of the last
century, the bridge being considerably damaged, it was determined to take
it down, and in 1765 a subscription was commenced to widen and strengthen
it. In 1767, on the 9th of June, the first stone of the extension was
laid by Edward Smythe, Esq., son of Sir Edward Smythe, of Acton Burnell.
It was discovered, however, that beneath the causeway there was another
causeway and channel, the lower part of the Wyle Cop which had been
raised at some previous period. The plan of widening was therefore
abandoned, and a new bridge was decided upon. In the next year, 1768,
the old bridge was taken down, subscriptions flowed in abundantly, and on
Thursday, 29th June, 1769, the first stone of the new bridge was laid in
“a solemn manner,” amidst the presence of the munificent contributors, by
Sir John Astley, Bart, who gave £1,000 towards the cost. The ceremony
was supplemented by a dinner at the Raven Hotel. The total expense was
nearly £16,000, the whole of which was raised, not by heavy taxation, not
by burdensome rates, but by voluntary donations. Among the donors were
Lord Clive, Thomas Hill, Esq., the principal gentry of the county, and
numbers of public-spirited townsmen. The bridge consists of seven
arches, is 410 feet in length, and 35 feet in breadth.
The Gothic edifice on the right is the ABBEY FOREGATE NEW CHURCH,
belonging to the Independents, opened on the 31st of May, 1864.
Adjoining it is the NATIONAL SCHOOL, for the instruction and clothing of
poor children. It was commenced in 1708. Having proceeded a few yards
we come to the