SUBURBS OF THE CLOSE.
These suburbs extend from the scite of the Close-gate to Skinner-burn, which is
the west boundary of the corporation of Newcastle; but the buildings a little further
up the river, from their vicinity to the town, may properly be considered as belonging to its suburbs. The advantageous situation of Close Street, near the river, will
always render it a desirable place for certain manufactories. Most of the inhabitants
near the west end are engaged in the adjoining glass and iron works. A wide and
commodious road conducts from its extremity up a bold ascent to the Infirmary
and Forth. On the west side of this road, called the Forth Banks, and just beyond
Skinner-burn, are, the Northumberland Flint Glass-house, a flour steam-mill, a foundry, a plate-glass manufactory, and an extensive brewery. The opposite side is now
nearly covered with a double row of dwelling-houses, mostly occupied by workmen.
Some of the higher houses, and Forth Row, near the top of the bank, are very neatly
built.
Near the river, and just beyond Skinner-burn, is the raff-yard of Messrs. Armstrong and Co. The banks fronting the river, between the lime-kilns and the leadfactory at Low Elswick, are exceedingly steep; but being let into small plots, their
rugged sides have been smoothed, reduced into order, and rendered wonderfully
fruitful. Such transformations should not be suffered to pass without notice, while
we bestow such high eulogiums on the industry of the Chinese, because they have
formed a few hills into cultivated terraces. The neat and airy village that has been
created by the extensive lead-works of Messrs. Parker and Co.; the lofty shot-tower,
above 175 feet in height; and the adjoining colliery and staith, combine to give to
Low Elswick an agreeable air of business and importance. (fn. 1)
The Maiden's Walk is a favourite resort of people living in the west parts of the
town. It passes through a field in which immense quantities of bricks have been
manufactured; and at one end communicates with a foot-path leading to the river
side, and at the other joins a road conducting to the Forth. On the east side of the
Forth are a few pleasant and genteel houses, with gardens adjoining. (fn. 2) Contiguous
to the road that skirts the south side of the grounds called the Forth, is a range of
new houses, denominated Forth Terrace, from the middle of which a street is partly
formed, called Regent's Street, and which it is proposed to carry southwards. Forth
Street occupies the line of the old road leading from the Postern to the Forth. The
houses are built of various sizes, to suit the purposes of their several proprietors; and
much of the ground is occupied by work-shops and manufactories. South Street and
Orchard Street are branches which extend to the summit of the bank that overlooks
the Close; and both streets are filled with manufactories, and the houses of their
proprietors, overseers, or workmen. All this ground, as before observed, belongs to
St. Mary's Hospital, and is let on leases of three lives.