Part 10

The interior comprises four stories; in the basement story the offices, to the number of twenty-two, are well arranged, having a convenient court for coal, &c. and water supplied to the several apartments. The principal floor is appropriated to the board room, dispensary, waiting room for the patients, and admitting rooms for the faculty, with private apartments for the house-surgeon and matron, and two wards for surgical cases.

The first floor is for male patients, and consists of seven wards, with a day-room, scullery, and bath rooms: the upper floor, for female patients, has the same accommodation, with the addition of a large and lofty operation room, enclosed by two pair of folding doors, having wards on each side; in the attics are four other wards, with nurses’ rooms, &c. The ascent to these apartments is by staircases situated at each end of the building, connected by spacious galleries, which afford the means of free ventilation.

In addition to the conveniences with which this elegant structure is replete, _the patent hot-water apparatus_, erected for the purpose of warming the Infirmary, must not be overlooked. The apparatus consists of a boiler, placed in the basement floor of the building, from which, by means of a pipe rising from its top, the water heated therein is conveyed to the highest level required, from whence it descends (in its passage to the boiler) to what are called the water stoves, situated in the several galleries. By this mode of heating the several apartments, opportunity is afforded not only of having a supply of hot water to each scullery, bath, and floor, but nightly attendance to the fire is rendered altogether unnecessary.

Whilst the interior accommodations of the Infirmary are highly conducive to the health and comfort of the inmates, the external arrangements are so constructed that such of the patients as are able may possess every benefit resulting from exercise and pure air, a spacious terrace having been constructed, and extending beyond the length of the eastern front, from which a most expansive and interesting view presents itself. In short, the whole of the arrangements of the new Salop Infirmary are admirably adapted for the purpose they are designed to fulfil, and whilst the workmanship, the materials, and general construction are of the best description, and reflect the highest credit on the several contractors, the building it is to be desired will, from its site and general formation, remain a lasting monument not only of Salopian liberality, but of general usefulness.

The building was designed by Messrs. Haycock, of this town, and the total expence of its erection was £18,735. 18s. 10d. of which sum £13,044. 1s. 3d. was raised by public subscriptions and collections, the balance being made up by the sale of a part of the capital stock of the institution. The Infirmary is liberally supported by subscriptions and benefactions. From its establishment to Midsummer, 1835, the sum of £164,220. 11s. 3d. has been received for its support; 44,058 in-patients admitted, and 72,328 outpatients recommended as fit objects for its benefits.

The average annual expence is about £2230, and the weekly number of patients in the house 82; and 2429 outpatients were relieved in 1835.

A treasurer is annually chosen, and the affairs of the house are managed by eight directors, assisted by a secretary. The directors are chosen from the trustees, who are subscribers of two guineas and upwards per annum, of whom four retire from their office half-yearly.

The domestic arrangements are under the care of a matron; and a surgeon with a salary is resident in the house, so that medical aid may be always at hand.

The medical officers of the establishment gratuitously devote their time and apply their skill in promoting the benevolent design of the institution.

The clergy of the town officiate by turns weekly as chaplains to the house. And two weekly visitors from the resident subscribers go round the wards, by which the patients have an opportunity of stating any dissatisfaction that may exist, and having it reported to the board of directors, who assemble every Saturday morning for the dispatch of the ordinary business of the charity and the admission and discharge of patients.

Every patient must be recommended by a subscriber, except in the case of casualties.

The anniversary meeting is held in the Hunt week; when a numerous assemblage of noblemen and gentlemen accompany the treasurer from the Infirmary to St. Chad’s church, where a sermon is preached and a collection made in aid of its funds, which always produces a sum truly honourable to the county.

Several tables of legacies and benefactions for the support of the Infirmary are fixed on the walls of the board room; and the cornice is adorned with a series of armorial bearings of all the noblemen and gentlemen who have filled the office of treasurer to the institution.

An auxiliary fund is attached to the hospital, for the purpose of assisting convalescent in-patients in returning to their homes.

EYE AND EAR DISPENSARY.

It would be superfluous to offer any observations on the importance of the two senses of Vision and Hearing, or on the prevalence of the various disorders to which the organs of those senses are liable; and whilst a general resource has been provided for the poor in the noble institution just noticed, for such diseases and accidents as they might be afflicted with, it has been thought expedient to form separate institutions for the relief of such disorders or defects in the human frame as are found more prevalent; since by directing medical and surgical skill to one particular object, efficient results may be the more easily obtained. To further this design, the Shropshire Eye and Ear Dispensary was established in 1818. During seventeen years of its progress 3583 patients have been admitted, and, as among these several have been restored to the blessing of sight, the institution is deserving of public support.

The dispensary is held in Castle-street, under the care of a surgeon. Annual subscribers of one guinea have, according to the original resolution, the right of recommending two patients within the year; but this is not in all cases strictly adhered to.

ST. GILES’S HOSPITAL,

it is considered, was originally established for the reception of persons afflicted with leprosy—a disease much more common among the ancients and in warmer climates than in Europe, into which it is said to have been introduced by the Crusaders in the time of Henry the First. King Henry the Second, if not the founder of this hospital, granted to it 30s. yearly (equal to £80 of modern currency) of the rent which he received from the sheriff of Shropshire for the county, towards the support of the infirm or diseased occupants, as well as a small toll upon all corn and flour exposed to sale in Shrewsbury, either on market days or otherwise. The original grant of money is still paid by the sheriff to the Earl of Tankerville, who, as “Master of the Hospital,” and holding certain lands for its maintenance, nominates four hospitallers, who have each a comfortable house and garden, adjoining St. Giles’s church-yard, with one shilling and sixpence weekly, a small allowance for coal, and clothing annually.

ST JOHN’S HOSPITAL,

although an asylum “for honest poverty and old age,” did not escape the rapacity which characterised the dissolution of religious houses. It stood in the suburb of Frankwell, near a place since called The Stew. Speed notices its site in his map (1610); but not a fragment of the building now remains.

THE DRAPERS’ ALMSHOUSES.

[Picture: Drapers’ Almshouses]

The generally received opinion has been that these almshouses were founded, in 1461, by Degory Watur, Draper, from the circumstance that he lived himself in the centre house, or “almshouse hall,” among the poor people, and whose practice (as a Manuscript Chronicle records) was to attend them “dailye to our Lady’s Chirch, and to kneel with them in a long pew in the quire made for them and himself.”

The ancient records, however, of the Drapers’ Company show that a building and endowment of almshouses by that company for poor people existed long previous to the foundation attributed to Degory Watur, who seems to have been only the founder in so far as their re-erection took place, under his management, during his wardenship or stewardship of the company, of which he was a member.

The old almshouses extended along the whole of the west side of St. Mary’s church-yard: and, being much dilapidated and very incommodious dwellings, they were taken down in 1825. The present building, completed in the above year, from a design by Mr. J. Carline, now consists of eighteen comfortable habitations, of two chambers each; the front is in the old English style of architecture, having in the centre a gateway within an embattled tower; in the centre of the latter are the armorial bearings of the Drapers’ Company, with the motto “Unto God only be honour and glory.”

This re-edification, including the purchase of the land, cost the Drapers’ Company upwards of £3000, from whose funds each of the poor people receive annually about six pounds.

ST. CHAD’S ALMSHOUSES

adjoin the cemetery of Old St. Chad’s, and were erected in 1409 by Bennett Tipton, a public brewer, who lived in the College, and died in 1424. The allowance to the eleven poor occupants, “decayed old men and women,” arises chiefly from a benefaction of £180 by David Ireland, alderman of the town, and Catharine his wife; which is now commuted to a rent charge of £8 on the Lythwood estate, the proprietor of which nominates the alms-folk. Previous to the Reformation the poor people received one penny a-week from the Mercers’ Company, since which time the whole annual payment of the Company has been only two shillings and two pence.

HOUSE OF INDUSTRY.

This spacious and well-built structure stands on an eminence rising from the Severn, which forms a beautiful object beneath. The site is highly salubrious, and the prospect delightfully variegated by many natural beauties. The majestic Wrekin, with an extensive tract of country, is seen to the right; while the front presents a very general view of the town, skirted by genteel residences partly obscured by the foliage of The Quarry trees, which, with the towers of the Castle, the lofty steeples of the churches and their glittering vanes, unite in producing a scene diversified and impressive, especially when the evening sun illumines the landscape, and gives to it that variety of light and shadow which poets have associated as only belonging to the scenes of enchantment and fairy land.

A fine terrace extends the whole length of the building, which was erected (in 1760) for the reception of orphans from the Foundling Hospital in London, at an expence of £12,000; but the funds of that institution not proving adequate to the plan of sending children to provincial hospitals, it was discontinued in 1774. It afterwards served as a place of confinement for Dutch prisoners taken in the American war; and in 1784 it was purchased under an act of parliament for incorporating the five parishes of the town and that of Meole Brace in the liberties, so far as concerned the maintenance of the poor, as a general House of Industry for their admission and employment, under the management of a board of directors.

Various circumstances, however, have concurred to render the establishment a complete failure, both as regards the principles on which it was founded, the economy to be effected, and the advantages eventually to result in favour of the united parishes, the select vestries of which now send but a small proportion of their poor, and those are generally infirm, who are maintained by a contractor, at a certain rate per head per week; but “averages” are still paid by the several parishes, to keep the extensive buildings in repair, for a salary to the chaplain, and other purposes of the institution, which continues under the ostensible government of directors.

The dining hall is 115 feet in length, parallel with which is a chapel of the same size, in which service is performed once every Sunday.

HUMANE SOCIETY.

A Humane Society existed in this town in the year 1786, but, having sunk from notice, was resuscitated in 1824, for the purpose of preventing those fatal accidents which have been of frequent occurrence during the bathing season, and often in the winter time, when the river in a frozen state affords the amusement of skaiting. The purpose of the society is to render prompt assistance in the use of the most approved means for restoring suspended animation, from whatever cause arising, and the rewarding of persons whose humane and intrepid exertions have been instrumental in saving life, or, although unsuccessful, such as to entitle their endeavours to the thanks of society.

To accomplish these objects, watchmen, prepared with every requisite apparatus, are stationed on the banks of the river, where accidents at any time may be expected to occur, and receiving houses are established, where every facility is afforded to employ remedies for the restoring of life in those cases which hold out the slightest hope of a recovery.

It may be mentioned that many instances have occurred by which a just estimate can be formed of the positive good resulting from the exertions of this Society, in rescuing persons from drowning.

THE PRISON CHARITIES

were commenced about the year 1800, for the distribution of rewards to promote the reformation and encourage the industry of criminals confined within the prison walls; to relieve the wants of unfortunate debtors; and to provide all those who are dismissed from prison with a small sum for immediate maintenance, so as to prevent the great temptation of committing crime for that purpose.

The annual subscription is limited to one guinea; and the institution has met with a laudable support, principally among the gentry of the county.

THE PAROCHIAL CHARITIES

of this town have at different times been largely endowed by the legacies of individuals who, in bidding the world adieu, were piously moved to leave portions of their substance to be expended in “bread to the poor,” clothing and apprenticing poor children, annual gifts of money and garments to decayed housekeepers, and the general improvement of all, by directing commemorative sermons to be preached on particular anniversaries. In St. Chad’s parish two hundred threepenny loaves are, on the average, distributed weekly throughout the year.

THE TOWN CHARITIES

were bequeathed for purposes in many respects similar to the foregoing, and were under the management of the old Corporation; but by the provisions of the Municipal Act the distribution of them is vested in trustees appointed by the Lord Chancellor.

Several other charitable societies exist in the town, whose object is to afford gifts of money, clothing, medical assistance, and religious instruction, to the necessitous sick poor; as well as for the distribution of the scriptures and the public formularies of the established church, and for the propagation of christianity both at home and abroad, the detail of which would exceed the prescribed limits of this publication.

CHARITY SCHOOLS.

“TO LEARNING’S SECOND SEATS WE NOW PROCEED.”

BOWDLER’s, OR THE BLUE SCHOOL,

Is situated in Beeches Lane, and is an oblong brick building, having in the centre a glazed cupola, surmounted by a flying dragon. It was founded in 1724, according to the will of Mr. Thomas Bowdler, alderman and draper, for the instruction, clothing, and apprenticing poor children of the parish of St. Julian.

Eighteen boys and 12 girls receive their education here, and attend service at St. Julian’s church on Sundays, to which church Mr. Bowdler was a great benefactor.—The number of scholars, from the increased value of the property belonging to the school, is about to be increased.

MILLINGTON’s SCHOOL & HOSPITAL.

This excellent institution and monument of private munificence stands on an eminence in the suburb of Frankwell, which commands an extensive prospect of the town, its churches, public buildings, and more distant views.

The building consists of a handsome pedimented front, with a stone portico, and two wings attached to the centre by a row of houses; the summit is crowned by a bell turret.

The chapel occupies the centre of the building, and contains a portrait of the founder. Adjoining are residences for the master and mistress of the school, and twelve houses for the resident hospitallers.

The foundation was endowed by Mr. James Millington, a draper, of Shrewsbury, and consists (according to his will) of a school-master and mistress with liberal salaries, and a chaplain, whose duty it is to read prayers every school day at nine o’clock in the morning. The scholars, &c. attend St. George’s church on Sundays.

Twelve poor men or women, chosen from the single parishioners living in Frankwell, or from the part of Saint Chad’s parish nearest to it, have each a comfortable dwelling consisting of two apartments, and a good garden, with two gowns, or coats, three tons of coal and ten guineas yearly, and two loaves of bread weekly. Gowns and coats, with £4 per annum and two loaves weekly, are given to ten poor single housekeepers resident in Frankwell, the four senior of which occupy two chambers each above the school rooms, and are removed according to seniority into the hospital when a vacancy occurs.

The school rooms are in the rear of the building, in which twenty-five boys and as many girls receive their education, with clothing twice a-year. At the age of fourteen the boys are apprenticed, and £10 given as a premium with each; previous to which they are well clothed, and on producing a certificate of good behaviour during apprenticeship, £5 is presented as a gratuity. The girls are allowed £3 for clothing on leaving the school, and, on behaving well, at the expiration of three years of their service receive £3 more.

A Sermon is annually preached in St. Chad’s church, on the 12th of August, according to the will of the founder, to commemorate his birth-day.

Two exhibitions of £40 a-year each are founded for students of St. Mary Magdalene College, Cambridge, eligible to those who have been originally scholars in the school and born in Frankwell, and educated at the Free Schools.

The charity is governed by fourteen trustees; and the revenues, by proper management, are considerable. Well may it be said, after reading this noble bequest—

“Behold what blessing wealth to life can lend.”

ALLATT’S SCHOOL

Is situated in Murivance, near St. Chad’s church, and was erected and endowed pursuant to the will of JOHN ALLATT, Gent. The building is an elegant free-stone structure, designed by Mr. Haycock in 1800, and cost £2000. It consists of two excellent houses for the master and mistress, which are connected with the schools by an arcade.

Thirty boys and thirty girls are educated and clothed, and at a proper age placed out as apprentices or servants.—Twenty-eight coats and 140 stuff gowns are annually given to poor men and women from the funds of the same charity.

The management of the school and funds is under the direction of fourteen trustees.

PUBLIC SUBSCRIPTION SCHOOL.

This school was begun by a subscription as early as the year 1708, for the instruction and clothing of poor children, and is conducted on the National system, in spacious school rooms near the east end of the English bridge. A sermon is preached annually in aid of its funds at two of the churches in the town. Nearly three hundred children receive daily education here, and on Sundays they attend the worship of the established church.

THE LANCASTERIAN SCHOOLS

were erected in 1812, opposite the County Gaol, for the plan of education suggested by the late Mr. Joseph Lancaster. They are supported by subscriptions and donations, with a small weekly contribution from the scholars.

ST. MARY’S AND ST. MICHAEL’S SCHOOLS

are situated in the suburb of Castle Foregate, and were erected in 1832, in the old English style of architecture, from a design by Mr. John Carline. Two hundred and fifty boys and girls receive their daily instruction, and are taken to St. Michael’s church twice on Sundays.

The school is supported by private benefactions; and the National system of education is adopted.

ST. CHAD’S LADIES’ SCHOOL

is held in the remains of Old St. Chad’s church, and the mode of tuition practised is that of the Madras system, which has been in operation in this school since 1820.

The number of girls educated is 154, under the care of visitors, whose aim, as expressed in the report of the school, is “to be instrumental in bringing up poor children in the fear of God, and in instilling into them such religious principles as may lead them to do their duty, for conscience sake, in that state of life to which it shall please God to call them.” The girls are clothed annually, and the total expence of the school is rather more than £100 a year, nearly one-half of which is contributed by the children in the shape of earnings and a penny fund, the remainder by subscriptions and donations.

INFANT SCHOOLS

produce a wide field for useful exertion, by forming the disposition and giving an early moral bias to the mind;—if, indeed, they do no more than take young children from the debasing influence under which their characters must otherwise be formed, and present an example of a better kind, they are calculated to effect a good purpose.

Schools having this object in view are established in the suburbs of FRANKWELL, CASTLE FOREGATE, and COLEHAM, and are supported by subscriptions under the direction of intelligent ladies.

SUNDAY SCHOOLS.

There are several Sunday Schools connected with the established church and the different congregations of dissenters, some of which have existed nearly from the earliest formation of such institutions.

A WALK WITHIN THE WALLS.

“GO ROUND ABOUT HER, AND TELL THE TOWERS THEREOF. MARK WELL HER BULWARKS, SET UP HER HOUSES, THAT YE MAY TELL THEM THAT COME AFTER.”

HAVING noticed the principal Public Structures and Charitable Institutions of Shrewsbury, we turn next to those objects and ancient remains which do not admit of a regular classification.

In adapting the present work, therefore, to assist the Stranger, it is proposed to notice these and such other localities that may engage and deserve attention, in the course of A WALK WITHIN THE WALLS of our town, replete in subjects of antiquarian interest.

In the survey of these matters we shall occasionally lose sight of the refinement of modern times, and accommodate our thoughts and feelings to the days of yore, by adding such historical remarks as may serve the purpose of general as well as local information.

Our perambulation will commence from the spacious area in front of the County Hall, called the

MARKET SQUARE,

from the vegetable market being held there, and from whence may be seen several good specimens of the half-timbered houses of our forefathers, terminating with lofty gables.

Proceeding up HIGH STREET, anciently called “Bakers’ Row,” from the number of that occupation which located there: on the left of the turning towards Grope Lane is an old timbered house, now a grocer’s shop, but formerly used as

THE MERCERS’ HALL.

Several of the Incorporated Companies originally possessed Halls for holding their meetings and the celebration of their feasts: the former have of late years been held at the Town Hall, and the latter at some of the inns.