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English by Chatterton. St. Peter’s Hospital was next visited and 
duly admired, the new Council Chamber being a remarkably 
well carried out piece of new work harmonising with its old 
surroundings. Passing the street of St. Mary-le-Port, in the 
Church of which was formerly the chapel of the ‘“ Mayden 
Uncombre” (see ‘Clifton Antiquarian Club Proceedings,” Vol. I.), 
believed to be the only dedication of the kind in England, Wine 
Street was reached. Here, where four streets meet, formerly 
stood the High Cross, till John Vaughan, the banker, who lived 
in the old Dutch timber house at the corner, procured its 
removal as being dangerous and likely to fall. Several Members 
having inquired the meaning of the four brazen tables in front of 
the Exchange, it was explained that they were formerly in the 
Tolsey or Mayor’s counter or court, and that they used to be 
locally called “nails,” from their shape. The phrase to “pay 
down on the nail,” has been derived by some antiquaries from the 
bargains concluded at these tables or counters. And Ricart’s 
Kalendar, referring to the ceremonial of the ‘‘ Boy Bishop,” which 
was in Bristol a civic festival, says ‘“‘after dyner the said Maire, 
Shiref, and their brethren to assemble at the mairez counter, 
there wayting the Bishoppes comming, playing the meanwhiles at 
Dyce, the towne clerke to fynde theym Dyce, and to have 1d. of 
every Raphill” (raffle). The Tolsey is referred to in Scott’s 
“Pirate.” On the site of Lloyds Bank, opposite the Exchange, 
stood the Bush Inn, where, as readers of “ Pickwick” will 
remember, Mr. Winkle took up his quarters in his love-lorn quest 
of the missing Arabella Allen, who was surmised to be hiding 
somewhere in Bristol or the vicinity. No. 9, Wine Street was 
Southey’s house, and near it was the shop of Cottle, the publisher, 
the friend of Wordsworth and Coleridge. The Pithay, close by, 
so-called from the putt or holy well, is Elizabethan, and part of 
the Norman fosse of the old castle is under the old timber house, 
so that at this part of the city one is surrounded by historical 
memories, ancient and modern. Passing St. Stephen’s Church, 
j 
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