ALTHOUGH Shrewsbury is not distinguished by its spirit of commercial
enterprise, its contiguity to the Principality, the facilities which it
possesses for the importation and exportation of goods, by means of its
noble river and canals, and its situation as the capital of an extensive
and populous county, combine to give to it many advantages over a variety
of places equally insular. Its fabrication of threads, linen cloths, &c.
&c. stand unrivalled; whilst the more common articles of domestic life
are executed in a stile of neatness, certainly equal, if not superior, to
those of any other place of similar size. The following are the
principal, which we can do little more than enumerate.
Messrs. BENYONS’ MANUFACTORY is built on the north bank of the Severn,
near the prison. The articles manufactured here consist of linen yarns,
cloths, canvas, and threads. The building was erected in 1804. The
process of making the various articles, is carried on by upwards of 400
hands, and the whole machinery, which is of wonderful construction, is
worked by the solemn and stupendous action of a steam engine of 55 horse
power, which keeps in continual motion upwards of 3000 spindles.
A short distance from the former stands the FACTORY of Messrs. MARSHALL
and Co. who manufacture similar articles, the whole of whose machinery is
also worked by the powerful agency of steam.
Of a like description is that also of Mr. BAGE, in Coleham. The other
establishments are HAZLEDINE’s, and GITTINS and CARTWRIGHT’s IRON
FOUNDRIES, the BREWERY of JOHN HEATHCOTE and Co.—the FLANNEL FACTORIES of
Mr. BAKER and Mr. RAMSBOTHAM—and Mr. HILL’s SPIRIT DISTILLERY.
Nor will it be improper under this head, to mention some others, which,
although not strictly speaking, manufactures, do honour to the town, and
are worthy the early attention of strangers. Among the first of these,
may be named BROCAS’s CHINA and GLASS REPOSITORY, in the Castle-street.
The splendid collection here exhibited of antique and foreign china,
together with the no less beautiful and admired specimens of the same
article, from the first manufactories of this kingdom, and the rich and
superb display of glass in an endless variety of patterns, as well for
use as ornament, cannot fail to prove a rich treat to the stranger.
BETTON and EVANS’s STAINED GLASS MANUFACTORY, where great improvements
have been made in that beautiful art. The perfection at which they have
arrived, is truly astonishing, and they have the merit of approaching
nearest (and in some colours even surpassing) the brilliant tints of the
ancients. That this eulogium is not undeserved, may be ascertained by
viewing the splendid windows executed by them for Lichfield cathedral, as
well as the specimens which may be inspected at their warehouse on Wyle
Cop.
The MARBLE ROOMS of Mr. CARLINE, sculptor, modeller, and marble mason,
Abbey Foregate; where a variety of marble chimney-pieces are exhibited,
in the Egyptian, Grecian, Gothic, and modern tastes, and in various
species of the most beautiful foreign and British marbles. Marble tables
for halls, sideboards, &c. various figures in marble, bronze, artificial
stone, to support dials and lamps; statues, busts, &c. of excellent
execution.
[Picture: Decorative image of a vase with flowers]