College Green: … Some people affect to deplore the change that has come over College-green, and quote the year 1799, when it was the favourite quarter for swell citizens and merchant princes, and there was not a place of retail business nearer than St. Augustine’s back … (continues) … In connection with the old Gaunt’s or Gourney’s quarter which as hospice or school has for centuries had about it a mediaeval character, there is an interesting and almost touching tradition which the writer has heard the late Chamberlain of Bristol relate. Indeed, he used to say that he had met with incidental references in some old papers confirmatory of the story, which as to this effect: When the “Bonnes Homes” were suppressed, one of the brotherhoods had for his cell a little house with a little garden in Gaunt’s lane just behind the chapel. His name was Pinsent, a kind, simple hearted man, and a favourite with his neighbours; for when the property was sold by Henry’s Commissioners, the Corporation interposed and succeeded in retaining the cottage and garden for the old priest for the remainder of his life. So that he was able to go on cultivating his flowers and potherbs and apples and “wearing out life’s evening gray,” while the chimes of the neighbouring church rang for new services, in which he could take no part. Thus, Old Pinsent went down tranquilly to his grave, growing his pippens and saying his prayers as he wont … (continues)…
Transcribed in whole or part from scanned originals: Presented with or without modified text and punctuation. For absolute accuracy refer to the original newspapers. Source: The British Newspaper Archive.
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