Ancient_and_modern_York_a_guide

MODEEN YORK. 156
Thomas, who held this see in the reigns of William I.
and II., were discovered ; forming, when found, the wall of
a stable ! In two of the niches are seats most favourably
placed. Great changes have also taken place at the west
and south-west of the Minster. Peter prison, or Hall of
pleas for Peter Liberty, which stood near the west front,
was taken away in 1839, when this part of the Minsteryard
was considerably extended, by the pulling down of
a great number of houses. The row of houses which
extended from the end of Belfrey's church to the top of
Little Blake-street, have been altogether removed. Petergate
and Minster gates have been widened ; and at the
south-east end of the Minster some new and handsome
buildings have been erected, at a respectful distance. In
1828, St. Peter's School was erected, near the site of the
old deanery, close by Trinity church, Goodramgate ;
and a row of houses was taken away, to allow of the
formation of grounds open as far as Minster yard. The
eastern end of the Cathedral is yet blocked up with a row
of houses, within a very short distance of it ; but Dean
Cockburn, who must have the credit of the various
improvements connected with the Minster, which are
enumerated, made, in 1839, a proposal to the corporation,
to take down all the houses from the east end to Good
ramgate, and thus afford something like an adequate view
to strangers entering York through Monk Bar, of what
may be justly called, the finest window ever seen by the
eye of man. The value of the property, for the present,
has placed a bar to this project. The walks and foot
paths about York have also been greatly improved of late
years. New gates for foot passengers have been placed to
the various fields all around the city, through which there
were foot-paths, for the health and recreation ofthe citizens.
Several obstructions, improperly placed by occupiers, have
been removed. In some instances, ancient foot-paths
have been restored, and these fields are now passable
for women and children. Taken in connection with the