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or official houses. Of the remaining quarter the south west, little 
can be said. It is still almost virgin ground. Some remains have 
deen found there around the present baths, as also an altar in 1774 
near the Hot bath and another in 1776. Another altar was found 
in 1809 near the Cross bath, and in 1825 a stone was unearthed 
ander the United Hospital. Hereabouts may be placed the 
general Infirmary, an institution usual in Roman cities, but beyond. 
this as a suggestion there is little to guide. Around these springs, 
‘centres our own history of the Bath waters as public waters, and 
here now, still all around them, are placed the oldest, as well ‘as 
the most modern Infirmaries. This quarter has been so much 
changed and altered that any Roman plan can hardly be traced. 
In 1789 an Act of Parliament enabled the Corporation to build 
five new streets, all of these being near the Cross bath and the 
General Hospital. One went from Barton Street, near the General 
‘Hospital, to Stall Street ; the second was Bath Street ; the third 
went from north of the Cross bath to Westgate Street ; the fourth 
from the west side of Stall Street near Bell Tree Lane to the 
Borough Walls; the fifth from south of the Cross bath to the 
Borough Walls. Also the houses in Cheap Street were rebuilt 
‘and ‘some houses at the corner of the bridge removed.* 
There is one other point which must come to the thoughts 
when endeavouring to realise the old position, but regarding 
which no suggestion has been made, viz., how were strangers and 
Anvalids housed or lodged. The small rooms, often so great a 
puzzle in the plans of Roman houses were used for bedrooms, 
mere alcoves closed with a curtain when in use. The larger 
‘houses had rooms especially for strangers, wings adjoining the 
private apartments and having separate entrances. Seneca— 
‘Ep. 89—rallying the Romans on their restlessness, says, somewhat 
opportunely for the present occasion—There is no lake, river, or 
mountain where your villas do'not erect their lofty tops. Where- 
* “Brown’s Guide,” 1802. 
