under the management of a committee of gentlemen, for the special object
of affording relief to the humbler members of society, who may be
suffering from any calamity incident to those delicate organs of the
human frame, the eye and ear. The number of patients admitted from the
opening of this institution has been 6,224.—_President_: Viscount
Hill.—_Surgeon_: Edwin Foulkes. The institution is open every Wednesday
and Saturday mornings.
THE COUNTY HALL, situated in the Market-square, is a handsome and
commodious building, completed in 1837, at the cost of about £13,000. It
is built from a design of Sir Robert Smirke, of beautiful white free
stone, the principal front measuring 112 feet in length, and exhibits the
Italian style of architecture. In the interior of the structure the
different apartments are convenient, lofty, and well adapted to the
various purposes for which they are intended. On the ground floor is a
commodious vestibule, which communicates with rooms on each side, for the
mayor, and counsel at assizes and witnesses. Opposite the entrance door
is a noble staircase; on the first landing, the centre one leading to the
judge’s room, and those on each side to the respective courts, which are
of equal dimensions, forty-two feet by thirty-six feet. The bench is
elevated three feet above the floor, on each side is accommodation for
the magistrates; immediately before the judge is a large table, with
seats provided for the councillors. In each court is a gallery for the
public, and the ceiling is panelled and ornamented. From this division
the staircase leads to another large room, adapted for a third court, or
other public purpose; above it are offices for the clerk of the peace,
and for the town clerk.
The ancient Guild or Shire Hall was a low timbered fabric, with a high
clock turret, erected in the reign of Henry VIII., and stood across the
market square. The lower part was appropriated to retail shops, and the
upper story contained the rooms in which the business of the town was
transacted, and the assizes held. The municipal records were preserved
in a strong square tower near the south east side, erected in 1490. At
the summer assizes, in 1783, in consequence of the pressing remonstrance
of the judge, enforced by the threat of a fine upon the county, an act of
parliament was obtained the following year for this purpose. To render
the new building more handsome and commodious, and to remove the
inconvenience occasioned by the old one standing across the street of the
greatest resort, several houses, together with the ancient tower of the
Exchequer, were taken down, and various other improvements made, in the
adjacent parts. The new hall was completed in 1785, at an expense of
£11,000, raised by a county rate. In consequence of sinkings having in
1832 been observed in different parts of the structure, the building was
surveyed by different architects and pronounced unsafe and dangerous.
The proper authorities immediately determined to take down the whole
edifice, and erect a more commodious one on its site. For this purpose
some adjoining premises were purchased, and the present substantial
structure, admirably adapted for the purposes intended, was completed, as
already noticed, by Messrs. Birch, builders, in 1837.
THE TOWN AND COUNTY GAOL stands on a salubrious cliff of gravel, a short
distance from the castle, and contiguous to the railway station. The
building was erected in 1793, on the principles of the benevolent Howard,
at an expense of £30,000. The front of the prison displays a bold and
massive appearance, having two rusticated stone lodges and a gateway in
the centre, over which is a fine bust of Howard, by Bacon. The building
is of brick, and is spacious, airy, and well supplied with water, by
means of a pump worked by the prisoners. Immediately in front of the
gateway is the governor’s house, which, with certain offices, forms the
southern front of the building. The chapel is an octagonal structure in
the centre of the prison, and is contrived so as to separate every class
of prisoners, yet, so that the minister may be seen by all the
congregation. The remainder of the structure is divided into four
principal courts, with several smaller ones, around which are cloisters,
with sleeping rooms above for the prisoners, and cells for the
refractory. A regard to the gradation of vice is strictly observed in
the classification of the prisoners, many of whom are employed in some
useful trade, such as shoemakers, tailors, blacksmiths, &c., others are
employed in picking oakum and wool. The galling and disgraceful
restraints of irons are altogether dispensed with, except in cases of
capital and very refractory offenders. Great attention is paid to the
moral culture of the inmates by the assiduous chaplain, in order to
reclaim the wanderer. Divine service is performed twice every day,
except Saturday; and the prisoners are all separately catechised several
times during the week. The water to supply the gaol is pumped from the
Severn into a large reservoir, which will hold 2,000 gallons. The gaol
is calculated to accommodate 300 prisoners, and there are 135 separate
cells. During the year ending September, 1849, there was a total of
1,291 prisoners; greatest number of prisoners at any one time in the
year, 203; daily average of criminals, 147; daily average of debtors, 9.
Gross expenditure for the same period, £3,337. 17s. 8d. Mr. John
Shepherd is the governor; and the Rev. David Winstone, chaplain. The
corporate magistrates are entitled, under the act for erecting this gaol,
to send to it prisoners, both criminal and civil, for whose maintenance,
of course, the borough pays.
THE MARKET HOUSE, situated in the Market Square, an antique and
interesting fabric, is one of the handsomest structures of its kind in
the kingdom. In Dr. Taylor’s MSS. is the following account of the first
Market House in this town of which any record remains:—“This yere, 1567,
Maister John Dawes, of Shrosbery, an alderman of the sayde towne, began
and buylded two fayre houses in the Corne Market there, for the saffe
placinge of corne from wether, so that the owners thereof may stand saffe
and drye, the which buildings was at his own coste and charge, which
place servyth for the inhabitantes as also strangers to walke in, and the
loft above for soondry profitable purposes.” To these timber buildings
others were added in 1571, for the like purpose. In 1595 the whole was
removed, and the present structure built on the site. The principal
front is towards the west, and has in the centre a spacious portal, over
which are sculptured the arms of Elizabeth. On each side of the portal
is an open arcade of three round arches, supported by massive pillars,
over which a range of square mullioned windows lights the upper story.
Large open arches occupy the north and south ends, which are terminated
with pointed gables. Above the northern arch is a tabernacled niche,
containing a statue of Richard, Duke of York, in complete armour, with
his armorial bearings, removed from the tower of the old Welsh Bridge, on
its demolition in 1791. At the south end is the figure of an angel, in a
canopied niche, bearing a shield of the arms of France and England. This
fragment of antiquity formerly stood in the southern tower of the Castle,
or North Gate, and was removed here in 1825, when that building was taken
down to widen the street. The basement of the Market House is 105 feet
long, and 24 feet wide. The upper story is devoted to the purposes of a
Mechanics’ Institution. The market is held on Saturday, is numerously
attended by farmers from the surrounding district, and considerable
quantities of corn are sold, chiefly by sample.
THE MUSIC HALL AND PUBLIC ROOMS occupy the southern side of the Market
Square, and form a handsome pile of building, erected in 1840 from a
design by Mr. Haycock. On the ground floor is the Post Office; and
immediately above, the Public News Room, which is supported by annual
subscription. The Music Hall, a noble apartment, occupies the remaining
portion of the second floor. It measures 90 feet in length, 42 feet
wide, and 38 feet high. The orchestra, which is situated at the south
end, contains a fine-toned and powerful organ, the munificent gift of the
late Rev. Richard Scott, B.D., to the Choral Society of the town. On the
third story are Billiard Rooms, &c.
THE THEATRE, situated in the Shoplatch, has a lofty stuccoed front, with
three niches, containing statues of the immortal Shakspere, and of the
comic and tragic muses, which give it a bold and imposing effect. The
lower part consists of a rusticated base, one hundred feet in length,
comprising a range of good shops, and a dwelling for the manager. The
interior is conveniently arranged, and handsomely decorated with
appropriate devices. It will accommodate a numerous audience; and was
opened September 8th, 1834. It stands on the site of a former Theatre,
which, if we may credit the affirmation of Phillips, was part of the
ancient palace of the Princes of Powisland, who, in their frequent
transactions with the sovereigns of England, often resided in Shrewsbury.
The ancient boundary wall of this mansion inclosed all the space
contained between Cross Hill, St. John’s Hill, Murivance, Swan Hill, and
Shoplatch. It is probable that the old edifice was part of the great
chamber, appropriated, according to the usage of the times, for receiving
company, and occasionally for exhibiting shows and dramatic interludes.
THE SHROPSHIRE AND NORTH WALES NATURAL HISTORY AND ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY
was established on the 26th of June, 1835. The Museum, situated in
Dogpole, is principally designed to illustrate the natural history of the
district in its various branches of geology, mineralogy, zoology, and
botany, by the gradual formation of complete and systematic arrangements
of its productions in each of these departments. It is also open to
other objects of scientific interest, and in particular is a suitable
repository for such remains of antiquity as are found within the
district, or illustrate its general history. The library contains many
valuable books, illustrative of natural history and antiquities. It is
deeply to be regretted, that hitherto the council have been able to do
little more than maintain the museum in existence. Had they been
entrusted with a larger amount of funds, they might have very
considerably enlarged its collection, and extended its interests. Many
donations are still in store for exhibition, whenever a more commodious
building can be procured. It is, therefore, hoped that a district of so
much scientific and antiquarian resource may, before long, be furnished
with a building, in which specimens of its own productions may be placed
for inspection, and which may also be a repository for objects of general
interest and national importance. _President_: The Right Hon. the Earl
of Powis.—_Treasurer_: Thomas Eyton, Esq.—_Honorary Secretary_: Henry
Johnson, M.D.
THE MECHANICS’ INSTITUTION was originally established in 1825, and in the
year 1833 a building was erected for their meetings, in Howard Street.
The committee of management subsequently took the Corn Market chambers,
which are found admirably adapted for the objects of the institution,
which affords to mechanics, artisans, and others, opportunities of
acquiring, at their leisure hours, the principles of science and the
arts; and for the cultivation of literature. The library comprises
upwards of 2,000 volumes, and the reading-room is supplied with the
leading London and provincial newspapers and magazines. There are
classes for the English and French languages, arithmetic, mathematics,
writing, drawing, music, and modelling. The present number of members is
two hundred. The income for the year ending September, 1849, was £110.
15s. 10d. _President_: Mr. Edward Elsmere.—_Honorary Secretaries_: Mr.
W. P. Scoltock and Mr. Robert France, jun.
THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTION was established
in 1850, under the patronage of the Lord Bishop of Lichfield. Its
general object is to afford the young men of the town of Shrewsbury the
means of spending their leisure hours in a rational and profitable
manner, and of acquiring useful knowledge on literary and scientific
subjects, in subservience to the doctrines and precepts of revealed
religion. A library and reading room have been established, and
competent persons employed to deliver lectures on various interesting and
scientific subjects. All persons subscribing twelve shillings and
sixpence annually, or five guineas in one donation, to the funds of the
institution, are members; and all persons elected by the committee, on
the payment of six shillings per annum, have the advantages of the
institution. _Treasurer_, W. B. Lloyd, Esq. _Honorary Secretary_, Mr.
Henry Newham.
THE SUBSCRIPTION LIBRARY, on St. John’s hill, contains a valuable
collection of books in the various department of literature and science,
numbering upwards of nine thousand volumes. It was established in 1785.
Proprietary members pay one guinea admission, and an annual subscription
of a guinea and a half. Elinor Urwick is the librarian.
THE NEWS ROOM.—The public News Room in the Corn-market, immediately above
the Post Office, is supported by annual subscriptions; the members have
the advantage of perusing the principal London and provincial newspapers,
magazines, and journals, &c. The walls are adorned with some fine
pictures, presented at various periods to the corporation of the town,
among which are Charles I., Charles II., William III., George I., George
II., George III., Admiral Benbow, Lord Hill, and others.
THE CIRCUS, a spacious building situated near the Welsh bridge, was
formerly used for equestrian performances. It is now used as a depot for
the immense quantities of butter and cheese which are brought to the town
for sale at the monthly fairs; considerable quantities of these
commodities are brought from Wales.
THE BUTTER AND POULTRY MARKET, situated at the top of Pride-hill, was
erected in 1819 by voluntary contributions amounting to £2000. It is not
at all commensurate with the wants of the town, and of the ample produce
brought to its weekly markets large quantities are exposed for sale in
the streets.
THE NEW BUTTER AND CHEESE MARKET, situated in Howard-street, is a
spacious building containing an area of 5400 feet. The exterior consists
of a centre and two wings, and has a handsome appearance; the roof is
supported by four rows of cast iron pillars—and there is ample room to
dispose of the large quantities of butter and cheese which are brought
for sale on the Wednesdays following the first fair in each month.
THE HOUSE OF INDUSTRY was originally built as an asylum for the reception
of orphans from the Foundling Hospital in London. This spacious
structure is situated at Kingsland, and crowns the steep eminence above
the river, whence a most delightful and picturesque view of the town and
country is obtained. The governor of the Foundling Hospital began the
building in 1760, and finished it in five years, at an expense of
£12,000. Children were sent down from London in great numbers, and put
out to nurse with the neighbouring cottagers, under the inspection of the
gentlemen in the vicinity. At a proper age they were taken into the
house, where they were employed in the manufacture of wool, and
afterwards placed out as apprentices. At one time there were more than
four hundred orphans in the hospital; but the funds of the institution
not proving adequate to the plan of sending children to provincial
hospitals, it was discontinued in 1774. After being shut up several
years, it was converted into a place of confinement for the Dutch
prisoners taken in the American war. It was afterwards used as an
infirmary, whilst the present noble structure was building. The rapid
increase of the parochial rates, of Shrewsbury, induced the inhabitants
to petition parliament for an act to incorporate the five parishes of the
Town and Meole Brace, so far as concerned the poor, and to establish a
general House of Industry. In 1784, they purchased the orphan hospital
from the governors of the foundling charity, for the admission of the
poor, who, in their declining years, here find an appropriate shelter,
and are supplied with decent and comfortable necessaries of life. The
situation is highly salubrious, and the terrace in front of the house
commands a fine view of the quarry, the town, its suburbs, and the whole
range of mountains in Salop, Montgomery, and Denbigh. The internal
arrangements have a clean and orderly appearance, and the kind attention
of the governor and guardians to the wants of the inmates, who are
chiefly the aged, infirm, and helpless poor children, is highly
creditable. [When we visited the house there were six old women of the
age of 75 and upwards, one had reached the age of 95 years.] There is
accommodation for 350 inmates, exclusive of that portion of the building
which has been let off as a private asylum; the inmates are now 75. The
infirmary and vagrant ward are in the rear, as are the schools, which are
held in a building formerly used for hand-loom weaving; adjoining which
are four acres of land, cultivated by the scholars; it is chiefly used in
raising green crops, and is highly productive. The union embraces the
parishes of St. Chad, St. Mary, St. Alkmund, St. Julian, Holy Cross, and
Meole Brace, for which ten guardians are appointed. _Chairman_, Mr.
Charles Lloyd. _Surgeon_, Henry Keate. _Chaplain_, Rev. W. J. James.
_Governor_, Mr. William N. Kindellon.
THE SAVINGS’ BANK, situated on College-hill, was erected in 1838, at a
cost of £2000, which includes a sum of £600 given for the site. The
capital stock of the bank, on November 20th, 1849, amounted to £179,990.
6s., at which time 4461 depositors, 56 Charitable societies, and 42
Friendly societies had accounts with the bank. Of the depositors there
were 2329 whose respective balances did not exceed £20; 1138 were above
£20 and not exceeding £50; 587 were above £50 and not exceeding £100;
253, not exceeding £150; 134 not exceeding £200; and 20 exceeding the
latter amount. The bank is open on Monday and Saturday, from 11.30, a.m.
to 1.30, p.m. Mr. Charles Blount, _Actuary_. The gross amount of the
capital invested by the Charitable Societies, amounts to £307. 14s. 5d.;
and of the Friendly Societies, to £18,362. 5s. 4d.
THE ROYAL BATHS, situated at Benbow-place, were established in 1831, by
Mr. William Onions. The front of the building exhibits a chaste design,
being ornamented by a portico, supported by two Ionic pillars, and two
pilasters. The conveniences, are varied and ample, and such as are only
to be met with in the first rate establishments in the kingdom. The
moderate charges and strict attention to cleanliness and comfort will, no
doubt, insure to them an extensive patronage. The swimming bath is of
sufficient dimensions to enable persons to learn or practice the art of
swimming; there are also hot, air, vapour, shower, warm, medicated, salt,
and fresh water baths in constant readiness. A charge of 21s. per annum
is made for the use of the swimming bath, and sixpence for a single bath.
THE SHREWSBURY WATERWORKS were established, by a company of shareholders,
under an act of parliament, obtained in 1830, for the purpose of
affording the inhabitants a constant supply of water from the Severn.
The works are situated in Chester-street, and the water is raised by
means of a steam engine, capable of throwing up 20,000 gallons per hour,
into a large reservoir near the top of Pride-hill, and thence distributed
in pipes to all parts of the town. The town is also gratuitously
supplied with excellent water from a fine spring called Broadwell, near
Crow Meole, distant about two miles, being conducted thence to conduits
placed in different parts of the town for the convenience of the
inhabitants. Few towns have such an excellent and abundant supply of
this fine beverage of nature.
THE GAS WORKS are situated in the Castle Foregate, near the goods depôt
of the Shrewsbury and Ellesmere canal. They were established in 1820 by
a company of shareholders with a capital stock of £10,000 raised in £10
shares. The luminous vapour is supplied from three gasometers which will
hold together 80,000 cubic feet of gas.
THE RAILWAY STATION.—The united station of the Shrewsbury and Chester,
the Shrewsbury and Birmingham, and the Shrewsbury and Stafford branch of
the Shropshire Union Railway, is a magnificent structure in the
perpendicular style of architecture, situated near the Castle-gates. It
exhibits a frontage of 150 feet in length, and two stories in height,
with a square tower in the centre, ornamented with a richly carved
battlement, with octagonal turrets of considerable elevation, at the
corners. On each side of the tower extends a large wing, divided into
four equal spaces by projecting turrets. The ridge of the roof is
finished with an ornamental cast iron crest, and the windows are divided
by stone transoms and mullions. The total cost of the station-house,
offices, and engineering works, was £51,000; the goods, engine-station,
and other necessary works £20,000. The gross cost of the above works,
including the viaduct of the Severn, contiguous to the station, and the
bridge over Castle Foregate, exceeded £100,000.
The ground floor is appropriated to booking offices, waiting rooms, and a
large refreshment room; above are the offices for the clerks, and other
offices. The platforms respectively measure 600 feet, and 450 in length,
and 16 feet wide. A wrought iron roof, beautifully designed, of 70 feet
span, covers the platforms and lines of rails for a space of 450 feet.
The goods and coal depots are situated between the station and
Coton-hill, with convenient access from Castle Foregate-street: here an
abundance of coal, lime, and slates is always on hand. Near the station
is the _Viaduct_ over the Severn, consisting of seven elliptical arches,
45 feet span. The rails are 36 feet above the ordinary level of the
river. A cast iron bridge of sixty-four feet span, from the Brymbo iron
works, carries the Shrewsbury and Chester railway over the Castle
Foregate. The whole of the works were executed by Mr. Brassey, the
contractor, under the direction of Mr. James Baylis, the resident
engineer, at the joint expense of the several companies whose lines unite
in Shrewsbury.
LORD HILL’S COLUMN, erected to commemorate the brilliant victories and
achievements of that distinguished warrior, stands on rising ground near
the entrance of Abbey Foregate, from the London road, and forms a
conspicuous and interesting object to the surrounding country. This fine
Doric pillar, considered to be the largest in the world, was completed on
the 18th of June, 1816, at a cost of £5,973. 13s. 2d. The pedestal,
which is square, has a buttress at each angle, on which is a lion
couchant, worked out of Grinshill free stone, of which material is the
column. The chastely fluted shaft is surmounted by a cylindrical
pedestal, supporting a statue of his lordship, of colossal proportions,
executed in artificial stone, by Messrs. Coade and Sealey, London. The
statue is 17 feet high, and the height of the pillar 116 feet, making a
total height of 133 feet from the ground to the top of the statue. A
beautiful spiral staircase, the munificent donation of the builder, Mr.
Straphen, winds round the interior of the shaft, and opens on the summit,
at the base of the pedestal of the statue, whence the visitor will enjoy
a beautiful panoramic view of Shrewsbury and the fertile plains of
Shropshire, unrivalled in extent and splendour. On the sides of the
pedestal are inscriptions, recording the victories of the gallant
general, to whose honour this voluntary tribute of Salopian esteem was
erected.