honour of introducing gas-light into Oswestry is due to Mr. Robert
Roberts, civil engineer, a man of much talent in his profession, and of
singular perseverance and industry. The origin of lighting the town with
gas may be told in a few words. In the year 1819 Mr. Charles Stanton, at
that time Manager of the Oswestry Theatre, which had been recently built,
entered into an arrangement with Mr. Roberts to light the Theatre during
the season. Mr. Roberts had been hitherto experimenting on a small
scale, and was not fully prepared to enter upon so important a piece of
work as illuminating the Theatre. His persevering habits prevailed, and
he agreed with Mr. Stanton that the Theatre should be lighted on a
certain evening. To introduce gas into a large public building was
deemed an event of no common magnitude in those days. The appointed
evening, in September 1819, at length arrived, and Mr. Roberts succeeded
in lighting the Theatre with a brilliant gas, which astonished all
beholders. The performances on that evening were for the benefit of Miss
Stanton, the Manager’s daughter. Some tradesmen in the town quickly
availed themselves of this new light; others followed in the wake; and in
the winter season of 1821, the leading streets of the town were for the
first time illuminated with gas. Places of religious worship soon
afterwards adopted gas. The Welsh Methodist Chapel, in Willow-Street,
first used it; the Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, Salop-Road, followed; and
the Old Parish Church, then and still under the vicarage of the Rev.
Thomas Salwey, was afterwards lighted, forty burners being introduced,
including lights at the entrance doors. The other places of religious
worship quickly followed the example; and in a very few years gas became
the universal light in all public places, private houses, and commercial
and trading establishments. In 1821 the public, or street-lamps, were
only 10 in number; there were 123 private lights; and one chapel lighted
with five lights. In 1854 there were—private lights, 925; public lamps,
66; Church and Chapel lights, 112. The lighting of the borough has been
much improved since gas was first introduced here. It is still under the
superintendence of Mr. Roberts, who, now an octogenarian, is of hale
health, and of as active and bustling habits as he was in the days of his
youth.
Oswestry is a market-town, and the chief market is held every Wednesday.
It is abundantly supplied from the surrounding highly-cultivated
agricultural country, and the articles brought for sale are generally of
the very best quality. Welsh mutton, poultry, and fruits of rare
delicacy are among the choice morsels which the exquisite _gourmand_ may
ever find, in their due season, in the Oswestry market. Apples and
pears, produced in the vicinity, and offered for sale here, might
successfully vie with the best of those fruits grown in Guernsey, Jersey,
or the sunny orchards of Kent. There is a small market held on the
Saturday, principally for the accommodation of the numerous labouring
classes employed in the neighbourhood.
Twelve FAIRS are also held in the town, all of which are conducted with
great spirit, and attended by a large class of buyers and sellers. A
Fair is held on the first Wednesday in every month.
Public Establishments and Institutions.
Imagine a party of strangers visiting Oswestry, having heard much spoken
in favour of its neatness and beauty, and the picturesque scenery by
which it is surrounded; and stretch forth your imagination, gentle
reader, by supposing that this party have been comfortably supplied with
viands, and perchance “the cup which cheers, but not inebriates,” by mine
host of the Cross Keys or the Wynnstay Arms. Having discussed these good
things, they may perhaps hasten out in quest of “the lions” of the place.
“Let us away to the Museum!” probably exclaims one of the ladies of the
party who is ever in search of the _utile_ as well as the _dulce_. “This
is a charming spot,” she perhaps adds, “for mineralogical and geological
curiosities. The country, we are told, abounds in productive lead,
copper, and coal mines. We shall surely collect much useful information
in this practical and exploratory district, and return home wiser than
when we came.” “Bravissimo!” may be the cry and echo of most of the
party, “Miss Aimwell is ever zealous in good works, and to-day she is
bent upon providing for us no common store of rational pleasure and
information. Let us hasten to the Museum, therefore, at once.” The
party, we suppose—for it is merely a fancy sketch—hie away towards the
imaginary Museum, full of glee, anticipating the pleasure of exchanging
compliments with the Curator, and one Director at least, and of
inspecting a carefully-selected collection of natural curiosities,
comprising, of course, attractive productions in the mineral world;
specimens in ornithology; some of the many wonders and “gems of purest
ray serene,” snatched from the deep caverns of the ocean; rare marbles
and pebbles chiselled out of rocks and caves, mountains and dells;
botanical rarities, and floral, horticultural, native and exotic
products; with gatherings from the realms of art, science, fancy, and
literature. Do the imaginary party discover the Museum, or a Public
Library, or any Institution whatever, in which Lord Bacon’s axiom is
illustrated, that “knowledge is power?” No such thing is in existence.
The fancied party—or fanciful party, as some people would denominate
them—have been in search of “the baseless fabric of a vision.” Like
Puff, in Sheridan’s “_Critic_,” they might say, with a slight
interpolation,
“The Museum we cannot see,
Because it’s not in sight!”
Turning from the gay to the grave, we reiterate, there is no Museum in
the town; nor even a Public Library, on a scale worthy of so respectable
a community. We wish it were otherwise; and the day is not far off, we
trust, when the reproach will be wiped away, and Oswestry shall shew an
example in this respect deserving of all praise.
THE POST OFFICE
Is situated in Willow-Street. Post-Mistress, Miss Sarah Babington, who
has held her appointment since May, 1831. The Post Office was removed
from Church-Street to Willow-Street, in October, 1839.
DISPATCH OF LETTERS, &c.
Lines of Road, and chief Letters can be Posted Letters &c.
Places of Destination. can be
registered
until
Without extra With one
charge, until additional
1d. stamp,
until
Shrewsbury, Birmingham, P. M. P. M. P. M.
and London taking Letters
for all parts of England,
North and South Wales,
Ireland, Scotland, and
Foreign parts
6 15 6 55 5 45
Llanymynech, Llanfyllin, A. M. A. M. P. M.
Llanrhaiadr, & Rural Post
5 45 7 0 10 0
DELIVERY.
Lines of Road, and chief Places Delivery by Delivery to
from which Mails are received. Letter callers
Carriers begins at
begins at
London, Birmingham, and Shrewsbury, A. M. A. M.
bringing Letters from all parts of
England, North and South Wales,
Ireland, and Foreign parts
8 0 8 0
London, Crewe, Liverpool, Chester, P. M. P. M.
Wrexham, &c.
5 0 4 45
Llanfyllin and Rural Post 7 15 7 10
On Sundays there is only one Delivery by Letter Carriers (commencing at 8
a.m.), and Letters are delivered at the Window, from 8 until 10 a.m.
only.
REGULATIONS.
Ordinary Business:—From the beginning of March to the end of October,
this Office is, on Week-days, opened to the Public, for ordinary
Business, at 7 a.m., and during the remaining months at half-past 7. It
is always closed at 10 p.m. On Sunday the Office is open only from 8
till 10 a.m.; but the Letter Box remains open as on other days.
The inhabitants of Oswestry have now the privilege of receiving letters
from London, both by the evening and morning mails. The new postal
regulation, by which letters may be posted in London in the evening,
after seven o’clock, and up to eight in the morning, is of great
importance to tradesmen and others in Oswestry, as it enables them to
reply to such letters on the evening on which they are delivered.
THE BANKS.
There are two Banks in the town. The OLD BANK, under the firm of
“Croxon, Jones, Longueville, and Co.,” is situated in Willow-Street, and
has been established for upwards of seventy years. The original
co-partners were Messrs. Gibbons, Croxon, and Sheppard. The present
co-partners are Thomas Longueville Longueville, Esq., John Croxon, Esq.,
Richard Jones Croxon, Esq., and James Thomas Jones, Esq., who is also
Acting Manager. Mr. Jones’s father (Mr. Charles Thomas Jones) likewise
discharged the duties of Manager of this Bank for the long period of
thirty-five years. In such capacity, also in that of Chief Magistrate,
and as a warm friend to every useful institution in the borough, he
earned the grateful esteem of his fellow-townsmen. This Bank issues £5
notes, payable here or in London: issue limited by law to £18,470.
Circulation, on an average of the last five years, £10,180.—Draw on
Masterman and Co., Nicholas Lane, London.
The NORTH AND SOUTH WALES BANK, also situated in Willow-Street, is a
Branch to the Bank bearing that title, established April, 1836, in
Liverpool. The Oswestry Branch was opened June, 1836. There are fifteen
Branches of the North and South Wales Bank established in the
Principality and the Borders. Manager:—Mr. F. Roberts, appointed
September, 1845.—Draw on the London and Westminster Bank.
THE SAVINGS’ BANK,
On the Bailey Head, was established in 1818; and at the present time it
is in a state of great prosperity, showing the careful and economic
habits of a large portion of the labouring classes in this thriving
district. From the annual account of the Trustees of the Bank, ending
20th November, 1854, it appears, that the balance in favour of the
Depositors amounted to £69,975 18s. 11d. The number of Depositors whose
respective balances, including interest, did not exceed £1 each, was 77;
of those £1, and not exceeding £5, 303; ditto above £5, and not exceeding
£10, 270; ditto above £10, and not exceeding £15, 217; ditto above £15,
and not exceeding £20, 146; ditto above £20, and not exceeding £30, 253;
ditto above £30, and not exceeding £40, 194; ditto above £40, and not
exceeding £50, 113; ditto above £50, and not exceeding £75, 188; ditto
above £75, and not exceeding £100, 89; ditto above £100, and not
exceeding £125, 49; ditto above £125, and not exceeding £150, 23; ditto
above £150, and not exceeding £200, 41; ditto exceeding £200, 2. The
total number of Depositors was 1965; Charitable Societies, 30; and
Friendly Societies, 31. The total number of accounts was 2026. The
affairs of the Bank are conducted by ten Trustees and fourteen Managers.
Treasurer:—Thomas Longueville Longueville, Esq.
Secretary:—Mr. John Hughes.
The Bank is open for business every Wednesday, from twelve till two
o’clock.
THE STAMP OFFICE
Is situated in Leg-Street. Sub-Distributor, Mr. George Lewis.
THE MARKETS.
Until very recently the town of Oswestry had not provided any
market-sites worthy of the name. As the town, however, advanced in
population and trading pursuits, and agriculture and farming in general
progressed in the neighbourhood, the want of new and convenient public
markets began to be seriously felt, and most of the inhabitants, and
gentlemen connected with the neighbourhood, were disposed to contribute
towards the completion of such desirable improvements. A very liberal
spirit was manifested in favour of so excellent a design; a public
subscription was set on foot; and at length the sum of £3202 was raised,
which was laid out towards erecting the Cross Market, as that was
considered to be the most desirable to commence upon. But this sum being
found insufficient to cover the cost even of this Market, it was agreed
by the Town Council to apply to Parliament for an Act, empowering them to
effect further Market Improvements in the borough, and to raise £5000 for
that purpose. Accordingly a Bill was presented to Parliament, in 1848,
entitled “The Oswestry Markets and Fairs Bill,” and in February of that
year Mr. Fowler, Surveying Officer of the Commissioners of Woods and
Forests, attended at Oswestry, to hear evidence upon the proposed
markets. R. J. Croxon, Esq., Town-Clerk, appeared for the promoters, and
having pointed out, in a long address, the evils arising from holding the
Fairs and Markets in the public streets, called several witnesses in
support of his statement. Mr. Fowler reported favourably of the objects
of the promoters; and in the same Session of Parliament the Act received
the royal assent. The measure being so far successful, no time was lost
in carrying out this creditable project; and on June 6th, 1849, the CROSS
MARKET, for the sale of butter, eggs, poultry, fruit and vegetables, was
opened. Part of the market is also used for the sale of butchers’ meat.
The Powis MARKET-HALL, forming one side of the Bailey Square, was opened
on the same day. The chief part of the buildings of which the Powis
Market is composed, as well as the site on which the new portion of the
Market stands, was presented to the town by the late Earl of Powis, Lord
of the Manor and Lordship of Oswestry, his Lordship merely stipulating
that he and his successors should have the use of the new Guildhall when
the same was wanted for holding the Manor Courts. The site on which the
Cross Market was built, being in the centre of the town, had been covered
with shops and dwellings, all of which were purchased at a cost of
upwards of £2,700. Mr. Thomas Penson was the architect employed on this
Market, and Messrs. Griffith and William Morris contracted for its
erection. The market is spacious and convenient, is covered in, and has
three entrances, the main one being from the Cross. The Powis
Market-Hall, in which accommodation is given to farmers and general
dealers in cheese, butter, and grain, is a plain stone-fronted edifice,
with a high clock turret. The front part of the building was formerly
used as the Guild-Hall, at the back of which new buildings have been
erected, in brick, and partly covered with glass. This market has been
found to be exceedingly convenient, especially in the winter season; and
the accommodation thus rendered to buyers and sellers has contributed so
much to increase their number, that a considerable extension to the
market is contemplated. The CATTLE MARKET comprises an extensive piece
of ground, situated between Church-Street and Croxon’s Square, which was
purchased from Mr. George Withers Edwards, at a cost of £1050. It is
exceedingly well attended, and fully justifies the expectations of all
parties engaged in its formation. The HORSE MARKET is situated at the
back of the Powis Market. The site on which it is held, comprising 4256
square yards, was purchased for £279. Both of these markets were opened
on Wednesday, 4th July, 1849.—Mr. George Cooper is Treasurer of the
Markets; and Mr. John Donald Superintendent.
[Picture: Guildhall, Powis Market, and Bailey head]
Most of the leading gentlemen of the town had taken an active interest in
the formation of the new markets, and no one was more zealously engaged
in promoting them than Peploe Cartwright, Esq., to whom, after the
completion of these public improvements, a service of plate, consisting
of a silver salver, tureen, and four corner dishes, was presented on
behalf of the Corporation and a numerous body of the inhabitants of the
town and neighbourhood, as a testimony of their sense of his many “public
services in forwarding the improvements of the town, and in particular
for his able, zealous, and untiring exertions in promoting the
establishment of the fairs and market accommodations.” The presentation
of the plate took place December 26th, 1850, in the Powis Market-Hall, in
the presence of a numerous assembly. The Recorder of the borough, John
Robert Kenyon, Esq., presented the plate, in an appropriate and eloquent
speech; and Mr. Cartwright responded with ability and feeling. On the
same day, as a further testimonial to Mr. Cartwright, a public dinner was
given to him, at the Wynnstay Arms Hotel, on which occasion the festive
enthusiasm which distinguishes the Salopian gentry was more than
ordinarily displayed. The entire proceedings of the day passed off with
the utmost satisfaction.
THE GAS-WORKS
Were erected in 1842, at the sole expense of Mr. Robert Roberts, the
proprietor, on a piece of land situated near Gallows-tree Bank turnpike
gate, the original works in Willow-Street having long before been found
too small and inconvenient to meet the increasing requirements of the
town. The new works were built on an extended scale, and comprise a
retort-house, purifying house, with a large tank and gasometer. The
apparatus is of the usual character, including condenser, purifier,
scrub, with fire-clay retorts, hydraulic main, &c. The chimney is
square, and spiral in form, tapering to the top, and forms an object of
interest on the approach to the town from Shrewsbury.
THE THEATRE
Is a small neat building in Willow-Street, but is not often occupied. It
is the property of William Ormsby Gore, Esq., who, when he built it,
doubtless considered he was providing means of rational entertainment for
the inhabitants. But Melpomene and Thalia have lost their charms in this
district; and the immortal works of Shakspeare, Jonson, Fletcher,
Massinger, Colman, Sheridan, Knowles, Bulwer, and others, are doomed to
shed their fragrance only in the library or study. Thirty years ago the
acted drama was deemed a genial and instructive amusement, and the boxes,
pit, and gallery of Oswestry Theatre were frequently crowded with
fashionable and attentive audiences. About the period to which we refer
the Theatre was under the careful and clever management of Mr. Charles
Stanton, who, with his family, “gained golden opinions,” and a more than
decent competence, by his histrionic labours. During the time he
presided over the Thespian realm, he succeeded in attaching to his _corps
theatrique_ many ladies and gentlemen of talent and high principle, who
afterwards figured with advantage in more extended spheres of their
profession; and whilst he held the reins of government, he deserved and
received the good opinion of his supporters. After having thus briefly
adverted to theatricals in Oswestry, it will not be inappropriate to
mention, that on no occasion, perhaps, in the history of provincial
dramatic performances, were more brilliant and exhilarating scenes
displayed than in 1822, when a number of ladies and gentlemen, most of
them residents of the town or neighbourhood, kindly volunteered their
services as _dramatis personæ_ in a series of dramatic productions.
Three performances were determined upon, that a fund might be raised for
establishing in the town a Public Library. The first took place February
15th, when the comedy of “_Speed the Plough_,” and the afterpiece of
“_The Review_,” were presented. An original Prologue, from the pen of
William Ormsby Gore, Esq., was spoken by the characters. The receipts of
the night were £76 12s. 6d. On the evening of May 23rd, in the same
year, Colman’s comedy of “_The Heir at Law_,” and the afterpiece of “_The
Review_,” were performed. Mr. Alderman Salisbury, a hale octogenarian,
spoke a Prologue to the play, attributed to Garrick. Colman’s Epilogue
was spoken by the characters. The receipts on this occasion were £47.
The third performance, May 25th, consisted of “_Speed the Plough_,” and
the afterpiece of “_High Life below Stairs_.” Receipts £24. The late J.
F. M. Dovaston, Esq., who had taken much interest in these performances,
wrote a Prologue to “_The Heir at Law_,” and it was intended that he
should enact the part of Lord Duberly, and deliver his own witty
effusion. Some differences, however, arose, and he did not therefore
take any part in the performances. Although the total receipts amounted
to the handsome sum of £147 12s. 6d., yet the expense of scenery, &c.,
exhausted nearly all the fund, and the original design, of establishing a
Public Library, failed.
Mr. Dovaston’s Prologue is given in his volume of Poems, published in
1825. It forms part of the literary history of Oswestry, and we
therefore make no apology for transferring it to our pages:—
“PROLOGUE,
“To a Play for the Benefit of a PUBLIC LIBRARY; spoken in the
character of
Lord Duberly (formerly Old Daniel Dowlas, the Grocer).
Oswestry Theatre, 1822.
“THOUGH here I struts, a lord so great and gay,
I was but tallow-chandler t’other day;
I’ve riches, dress, good dinners, rank, and station,
But what are all these without headication?
If I dines out, and says but aye or no, Sir,
As sure as figs is figs—out peeps the Grocer.
I sees as clear as is in glass or varnish,
Wealth without larnin is—but tawdry tarnish:
Poor men, of Manners, Sense, and Wit all handy,
Are to Society—bright Sugar-candy;
While ev’n in Senate, Bar, Church, Tabernacle,
Brass without Brains is—Brimstone without Treacle.
“I to the Playhouse goes, to see their vainery,
And (tho’ enraptured with their fine new Scenery)
I knows not what their wit or weeping takes there,
Nor what they means by SHERIDAN or SHAKSPEARE.
“We’ve got no Books—and this our show’s all brib’ry
To ax good-natur’d folks to fill our LIBREY.
We gives books to the poor—and all approves them;
Then why not by example shew we loves them?
“Knowledge, in this world’s counting-house’s mass,
Is good store candle, mould, or brilliant gas,
To keep our day-book faithful; which, when furl’d,
Will post us fitter for a future world.”
It is worthy of notice also, that in the same year in which the
performances were given in behalf of a Public Library, the celebrated
actor, distinguished as “The Young Roscius,” Mr. William Henry West
Betty, appeared on the Oswestry Stage, and played several of his popular
characters. Mr. Betty soon afterwards retired from public life; and for
many years past has been residing in London, having earned a handsome
fortune, enjoying his _otium cum dignitate_. He was a native of
Shrewsbury, and in right of his mother was heir to the extensive estate
of Hopton Wafers, in Shropshire.
THE HOTELS.
The principal Hotels in the town are, the Cross Keys, the Wynnstay Arms,
the Queen’s Head, and Osburn’s Commercial. All these Hotels are
well-conducted, and are much frequented by commercial travellers, private
families, and tourists through the Principality and Border Lands.
Educational Institutions.
THE FREE GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
[Picture: The Free Grammar School]