HISTORY OF STAFFORDSHIRE. 293 



in the centre of which is the dial-plate of the town clock, with the 

 figure of Justice with her sword and balance on the left, and Peace 

 with the sword sheathed and partly concealed by foliage and flowers, 

 and her emblematic dove on the right. These figures are very 

 beautiful pieces of sculpture in alto-relievo. The front is 120 feet 

 in extent. The interior consists of several elegant apartments. 

 An Assembly-room occupies the front : it is lighted by six windows, 

 and leads to the court-rooms on each side. In the centre is a stair- 

 case, at the top of which is the Jury-room, and several other apart- 

 ments. 



The County Infirmary, which stands on the western side of 

 Foregate-street, is a large building of brick, erected in the year 

 1772. It is supported by voluntary subscriptions and benefactions, 

 which amount to about o900. annually. 



The County Gaol, which is situated almost directly opposite to 

 the Infirmary, but at a considerable distance, and at the extremity 

 of the town, is a large structure. It was erected in 1788, con- 

 tains 150 cells for prisoners, and its internal economy does great 

 credit to Mr. Harris, the gaoler. 



A County Lunatic Asylum is erecting at a short distance from 

 the Gaol, which, when finished, will form one of the most com- 

 plete and commodious buildings of the kind in the kingdom. It 

 will be conducted upon the most liberal plan. 



The Alms-houses of Stafford, some of which exhibit very curious 

 specimens of ancient architecture, were built and endowed at dif- 

 ferent periods, for the accommodation of the indigent inhabitants of 

 the town, many of whom find a comfortable asylum in their old age. 

 There is also a Free Grammar School, founded by the patriotic 

 Regency who directed the affairs of the kingdom in the time of 

 Edward VI. and bearing the date of 1550. The revenue of this 

 establishment is said to be <250. per annum. The Rev. Joseph 

 Ellerton is the present master. 



The parish of St. Mary's, Stafford, is of considerable extent, and 

 includes the township of Marston, and the village of Whitgreave. 



In the times of Popery, Stafford contained several monastic in- 

 stitutions. At the north end of the town, without the walls, a mo- 

 nastery of Franciscan or Grey Friars, was founded by Sir James 

 Stafford, of Sandon. A priory of Black Canons was likewise 

 founded by Richard Peakes, Bishop of Lichfield, in the year 1180, 

 on the banks of the Sow, two miles east of Stafford. It was dedi- 

 cated to Thomas- a-Becket, ten years after the death of that im- 



