In the year 1813, this important business was brought before parliament, when it appeared, that each of the brethren received, clear of all deductions, about L130 per year each, which sum the act leaves them in the possession of; but it provides, as vacancies occur, either by death or otherwise, on the admission of every new member, his annual income shall not exceed L80, and that the surplus L50 shall one half of it go to the increase of the master’s salary, until it amounts to L400 per annum, and the remainder is to form a fund for the support of ten additional members.  The qualification for admission being now fixed at L50 per annum:  no candidate is to be possessed of an income exceeding that.  Adjoining to the hospital is a chapel, which is neatly fitted up for the use of the brethren, the master, and his family, who daily assemble there for morning and evening prayer, except on those days when service is performed at St. Mary’s, where their attendance is then required.

St. Mary’s Church.

This stately building taken altogether makes a very respectable appearance, particularly the tower, wherein are eight bells and a set of chimes; what is very remarkable, the principal entrance into the church is under the tower; therefore it admits of a grand view down the middle aisle, which being terminated by the east window, is seen to great advantage.  There is in this church an excellent organ, and numerous monuments, but none of them any ways remarkable.  From the south transept of this church, you descend by a flight of steps to St. Mary’s chapel, and enter therein by folding doors, which, when opened, the eye is astonished upon viewing the interior of this beautiful and magnificent structure, which is considered to be as fine a specimen of gothic architecture as any in the kingdom, it being in the pointed style of the middle order.  This chapel, having been twenty-one years in building, was finished in the year 1464, and including the monument erected to commemorate the Earl of Warwick, cost L2481, an amazing sum at that period.  In the chapel there are five sumptuous monuments.

St. Nicholas’s Church.

This incongruous pile of building is of modern date, being opened for divine service on the 17th September, 1780.

County Gaol.

This extensive, substantial, and commodious pile of building is of solid stone, and in all respects so complete, that every purpose it was intended to answer is fully accomplished.  The area of this prison contains near an acre of ground, which is surrounded by a wall twenty-three feet high, and of proportionate strength.

County Bridewell.

This building is of stone, and contains numerous apartments, in every one of which there is a glazed window and an iron door, the sleeping rooms being furnished with iron bedsteads and chaff beds, with two rugs to each.  A donation is made to every prisoner, on being released, according to the distance he is from home and behaviour during confinement.  One or two shirts or shifts, a pair of shoes, or a jacket, are presented to those who have been in prison six months.