The buildings of the hospital composed two courts; but the south side of the interior quadrangle has been pulled down.  The entrance to the first court from the north is through a capacious gateway.[6] On the east side is the +Hundred-Mennes Hall+, which is about forty feet long, and has been converted into a brewhouse; the roof is of Irish oak, and left open to the timbers, adjoining are the master’s apartments.  On the west is a range of offices; and, on the south, with portions of other buildings, is the lofty and handsome tower gateway, erected by Cardinal Beaufort, whose statue, in his Cardinal’s habit, is represented kneeling in an elegant niche in the upper part:  two other niches, of the same form, but deprived of their statues, appear also on the same level.  Milner describes the embellishments of this tower:  “in a cornice over the gates we behold the Cardinal’s hat displayed, together with the busts of his father, John of Gaunt, of his royal nephews, Henry IV. and Henry V., and of his predecessor, Wykeham:  in the spandrils, on each side, are the founder’s arms.  The centre boss in the groining of the gateway is carved into a curious cross, composed of leaves, and surrounded with a crown of thorns:  on the left is the door of the porter’s lodge.[7] Passing through this gateway, the spectator sees, on his right, a long line of buildings, of the age of the original foundation, for the use of the brethren, each of whom has a house and garden to himself.  On the left is an ambulatory, or cloister, 135 feet in length, and extending to the church on the south-east.  Above the ambulatory is the ancient infirmary, and chambers called the Nuns’s rooms, from their having been allotted to three hospital sisters on the foundation of Cardinal Beaufort.  The centre of the court has a grass-plot, and gravel walks intersecting parterres of flowers, shrubs, &c.”

Dr. Milner observes “the present establishment of St. Cross is but the wreck of its two ancient institutions; it having been severely fleeced, though not quite destroyed, like so many other hospitals at the Reformation.  Instead of seventy residents, as well clergy as laity, who were here entirely supported, besides one hundred out-members, who daily received their meat and drink, the charity consists at present but of ten residing brethren and three out-pensioners, exclusive of one chaplain and the master.  It is true, however, that certain “doles” of bread continue to be distributed to the poor of the neighbourhood; and what is, perhaps, the only vestige left in the kingdom of the simplicity and hospitality of ancient times, the porter is daily furnished with a certain quantity of good bread and beer, of which every traveller, or other person whosoever, that knocks at the lodge, and calls for relief, is entitled to partake gratuitously.”

Such was the state of the charity when Dr. Milner wrote, or, in the year 1809.  Our Correspondent, P.Q. has furnished us with the following information to the 20th of last May.