Bristol as our ancestors saw it, c.1853 We now enter Prince's Street; and on the first turning to the left, passing the EXCISE AND INLAND REVENUE OFFICE, we enter QUEEN SQUARE, two sides of which were burnt down in the riots of 1831. It encloses an area of seven acres and a half, bordered with elm trees, and railed in from the carriage way; with intersecting gravel walks across, and round the green between the trees. In the centre, upon a high Pedestal, is an equestrian statue of KING WILLIAM III. habited as a Roman Caesar; his right arm is extended, and in his right hand he holds a truncheon, which he points as if he were commanding. It is wholly of cast brass, executed by Rysbrach, and is universally allowed by connoisseurs to be the best equestrian statue in this kingdom. It was set up here in the year 1730. Towards its erection the Chamber of Bristol contributed £500; the remainder was defrayed by voluntary subscription of the principal inhabitants. Nearly opposite the statue, to the east, is the CUSTOM HOUSE ; and one branch of the BRISTOL DISPENSARY is in Charlotte Street, Queen Square. ------------------------------------------------------------------- A 1789 map of Queen Square and its surroundings is on my web site: http://www.ianandjo.dsl.pipex.com/bristolbits/bristol/Queensq.htm -- Josephine Jeremiah http://www.ianandjo.dsl.pipex.com