Bristol as our ancestors saw it, c.1853. Turning round the corner that leads into Castle Street, we perceive on the left some small vestiges of the ancient Castle of Bristol. Moving on from Castle Street to Old Market Street, and walking down Church Lane, the first turning on the right, we come to the old Church of ST. PHILIP AND JACOB, which is supposed to have been the chapel of some Benedictines, subject to the Abbey of Tewkesbury. Its early history appears uncertain, but it is mentioned in Gaunt's deeds as a parish church so early as 1200. There is an ancient bust in what is called Kemys' Aisle in this church, said to be of ROBERT, ELDEST SON OF WILLIAM THE CONQUEROR, and which formerly ornamented the church within the walls of the Castle, where he was confined through the intrigues of his brother Henry I., and who, to prevent his escape, ordered his sight to be destroyed by means of a hot brass basin being applied to his eyes. Returning to the Old Market Street, about half way up on the left is the largest METHODIST CHAPEL in Bristol, which was opened in 1817; and a little above, on either side of the street, is an ALMSHOUSE, built and endowed by the benevolence of Mr. Barstable ; and a third by Alderman Stevens, for sixteen widows or daughters of freemen. We next arrive at and pass between TRINITY CHURCH and Mrs. HANNAH MORE'S SCHOOLS, near the Turnpike Gate, on the road to Easton. The former was built and opened for divine worship in 1832, for the accommodation of the out-parishioners of this populous and poor parish; and the latter was added to it chiefly through the benevolence of the late Mrs. H. More. Very near the above, at the end of Gloucester Lane, is the GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNTY PRISON, which was built upwards of forty years since, on the plan of HOWARD, the great philanthropist. The Petty Sessions are held here every Thursday. On the opposite side is a ROMAN CATHOLIC CHAPEL, recently opened, and dedicated to ST. NICHOLAS. -- Josephine Jeremiah http://www.ianandjo.dsl.pipex.com