Ancient_and_modern_York_a_guide

MODERN TOEK. 147
a yard, or court, at the bottom of Skeldergate ; in which,
it appears, the plague that visited this city in 1604, first
manifested itself. In the beginning of July, the malady
had attained its height, when forty persons died in one
week. It continued in the city for eighteen weeks ; during
which time there were 450 cases,—185 deaths, and 265
recoveries. The malignity of the disease was, no doubt,
considerably neutralized by the admirable sanatory arrange
ments of the board of health, and the unwearied exertions
of the medical profession of York:—upwards of £1300,
raised by subscription, having been expended by the board,
in bread and beef for the relief of the poor.
THE BRIDGES.
The bridges of York are six in number ; five of stone
and one of wood. The principal bridge crosses the river
Ouse, and connects Micklegate with Ousegate. In the
year 1154, we read, that when St. William made his first
entrance into York, as archbishop, the wooden bridge,
then in the same place, broke down in consequence of the
multitudes that thronged to greet him ; many people
perishing in the river. In 1235, funds were procured by
charitable contributions, and the first stone bridge was
erected ; which was swept away by a terrible flood, in
1564. A few years afterwards, the Old Ouse Bbidge,
that preceded the present one, was erected. Although
the terror of way-faring men, it was a very picturesque
object ; consisting of five pointed arches, the centre one
of which,—81 feet in span and 26 feet 3 inches in height,
—was esteemed the largest arch in Europe, except the
Rialto at Venice. Till the year 1809, the chapel dedicated
to St. William remained on the bridge, which, at the
reformation, was converted into an exchange ; subse
quently being divided into a council chamber, a record
office, and a felon's prison for the city. On the 10th
December, 1810, the foundation stone of the present