HULL, or KINGSTON-UPON-HULL, is a seaport town of England, in the east riding of Yorkshire, situated on the west side of the river Hull, and on the northern side of the river Humber, about twenty miles from its mouth.
The town, which lies on a level tract of ground, extends nearly in a direst line along the river Hull, from the Hum ber bank to very near the church of Sculcoates, a space of about two miles. It stretches nearly as far in another di rection, from the High Street on the river Hull towards Beverly, Anlaby, and Hessle. The dock, or artificial har bour, divides the town into two principal divisions. The one to the north of the dock belongs to the parish of Scul coates, and is without the original boundaries of Hull. It consists of several very spacious streets, which have been built chiefly within the last thirty years. The principal streets of Hull are clean and spacious, and the whole town is paved, flagged, and lighted.
The public buildings of Hull arc numerous, but by no means elegant. The Trinity church, which was partly built about the year 1312, is a magnificent and beautiful structure, built in the Gothic style. It occupies a space of 20,056 square feet. It extends 279 feet from the west door to the east end of the chancel. The nave is 144 feet long, the breadth of the transept 28, and the length of the chan cel 100. The breadth of the nave is 72 feet, and the breadth of the chancel 70 feet. St Mary's church, com monly called the Low church, was built a few years later than the preceding. Its length is 74 feet, and the height of the steeple is 74 feet. St John's church, a neat and simple brick building, was erected at the sole expence of the Rev. Thomas Dikes, and finished in 1792. It is 86 feet long, and 59 broad. It is wholly built upon arches, raised seven feet above the surface, and contains more than 70 vaults for burying the dead. The town contains several places of worship belonging to the three denomi nations of dissenters, to the Methodists, and other secta ries. The Methodist chapel in Waltham Street is spacious and elegant.
Among the charitahle institutions of Hull, that of the Trinity-house is the most ancient. It was established in 1369, for the reception of decayed seamen who have been admitted members of the institution ; but it has, for many years past, been set apart for the widows of such seamen as have attained the age of fifty. In 1787, the Trinity
1,ouse built an hospital for decayed seamen and their wives; and in the same year they founded a marine school, for preparing boys for the sea service. Thirty-six boys are now educated at this seminary, each member of the cor poration appointing one. They continue at school three years, and arc annually clothed in a neat uniform. The present house was erected in 1753, and is of a quadrangu lar form, inclosing a spacious area. The different apart ments, and the Curiosities which they contain, are well worthy of being examined.
The Charter-house hospital was founded by Michael de la Pole in 1384, for the support of poor pensioners, under the superintendance of a master. It is a plain building, with two projecting wings, and is built of hand some brick, covered with blue slate. It contains 44 apart ments, well fitted up for the accommodation of the pen sioners, who are allowed 3s. 6d. per week each, besides coal, turves, and occasional payments. The chapel, which is spacious and neat, is in the body of the build ing. The minor charities are, Lister's Hospital, for the reception of 12 paupers ; Gregg's Hospital ; Crowle's Hospital, for 12 paupers ; Watson's Hospital, for 14 poor ; Gee's Hospital ; Harrison's Hospital ; and Ratclifl'e's Hospital.
The Charity Hall or Work House was established in the reign of King William III. The house is decent and commodious, and has a house of correction adjoining to it.
The public charities supported by voluntary contribu tion are very numerous. The General Infirmary was esta blished in 1782 upon the most liberal and humane princi ples. The building is of brick, ornamented with stone, and is neat and handsome. It is situated in a healthy spot, and can accommodate seventy in-patients. The ranges of wards open into a long, wide, and airy gallery, for the pur pose of obtaining a perfect ventilation. The total number of patients admitted between 1782 and 1816 is 15,129, of whom 11,248 have been cured, and 193 greatly relieved. The total number of persons vaccinated, up to January 1, 1816, is 5,566.