Part 7

The will of Mr. Millington appointed a schoolmaster and mistress, who have each a house and £40. per annum, and the master £10. additional for keeping the accounts. A chaplain, with a stipend of £25. Twelve poor men or women chosen from the single housekeepers of Frankwell, or the part of St. Chad’s parish nearest to it, to each of whom is allotted an apartment in the hospital, consisting of two comfortable rooms, a small garden, a gown or coat, given on St. Thomas’s day, a load of coals on All Saints’ day, and an allowance of £6. per annum. Gowns or coats and 40_s._ each, are also dispensed every year to ten poor single housekeepers resident in Frankwell, and when a vacancy happens in the hospital, the person who has longest received the garments is elected to it. The hospitallers and out-pensioners have also two twopenny loaves weekly. Twenty poor boys and as many poor girls, born in Frankwell, are completely clothed twice annually, and receive their education in the hospital. When arrived at the age of fourteen, the boys are apprenticed, £7. 10_s._ is given with each, and £2. 10_s._ is expended in cloathing: £5. is also presented to those, who at the expiration of their first year’s apprenticeship, can bring a certificate of their good behaviour. The girls are allowed £5. on going out apprentices.

Two exhibitions of £40. a year each are founded for students of St. Magdalen’s College, Cambridge. Those who have been originally scholars on the hospital foundation, claim the preference, or one born in Frankwell, and educated in the free grammar school is most eligible.

Allatt’s School

Was erected in 1800, at the bottom of Swan Hill, pursuant to the will of the late Mr. John Allatt, formerly chamberlain to the corporation of Shrewsbury.

The structure is of free-stone, and contains two houses for the master and mistress, connected with the school rooms by arcades. It cost about £2000, erected from a plan by Mr. Haycock. The interest of the residue of Mr. Allatt’s property, maintains a schoolmaster and mistress, and educates twenty poor boys, and as many girls, whose parents have not received parochial relief. The children are taught reading, writing, and arithmetic, and the girls sewing; they are cloathed once a year, and at a proper age apprenticed. Twenty coats and eighty good stuff gowns are also distributed annually, to that number of poor old men and women.

Bowler’s School,

In the Back Lane, near the Wyle Cop, is a plain brick building, founded in 1724, pursuant to the will of Mr. Thomas Bowdler, alderman and draper, for instructing, cloathing, and apprenticing poor children, of the parish of St. Julian. The dress is blue.

Public Subscription Charity School

Was erected near the Abbey church, in 1778. The institution is supported by voluntary subscription, and children from every part of the town, boys as well as girls are admissible. The system of instruction pursued is that of Dr. Bell, the master having a salary of £40. and the mistress £30. The dress of the children is brown, and hence it is sometimes called the brown school. The number in the school at the date of the last report, June 1822, were, boys 190—girls 150.

Royal Lancasterian School.

This edifice was built in 1812, in consequence of a lecture delivered on the subject of Education, by the celebrated Joseph Lancaster, at the Town Hall, in Shrewsbury. As its name imports, the system of instruction is that of Mr. Lancaster. There is one apartment for boys and one for girls, to each of which children are admitted, on being recommended by subscribers. It is supported by voluntary subscriptions and donations. Number of boys 260; girls 217.

St. Chad’s Alms-Houses.

“This yeare 1409, one Bennett Tupton, being a common Beere Bruar, and dwellinge in St. Chadd’s Churche Yarde in Shrousberie, now called the Colledge, founded the Almeshouses in the sayde St. Chadd’s Churche Yarde in Shrousberie, beinge then a man at that tyme of 60 yeares of age.”

Originally they were 13 in number, but not having any funds, two are fallen to decay. The present allowance to the poor is about 16s. per annum, including 2_s._ 2_d._ paid by the company of mercers.

St. Mary’s Alms-Houses,

Situate at the western end of St. Mary’s church-yard, were founded 1460, by Degory Watur, draper. They are 16 in number, extremely wretched and filthy in appearance, and dangerous and unwholesome from their smallness, each having only a single apartment 11 feet by 8, without any outlet. The centre house, originally inhabited by the founder, and called the hall, is larger than the others, and has a wooden porch, on which is a painting of Watur and his wife, and on the front is the effigy of King Edward IV. The poor people, who must be parishioners of St. Mary’s, have each £2. 6_s._ 10½_d._ allowed them annually, by quarterly payments from the draper’s company, and an upper garment once in two years.

St. Giles’ Alms-Houses,

Near St. Giles’ church, in the Abbey Foregate. The houses are four in number. The residents in them are nominated by the earl of Tankerville, who allows them 1_s._ 6_d._ per week, with a quantity of coals and an upper garment annually.

Sick Man’s Friend and Lying-In Charity.

The objects of this Institution, which was begun in 1810, are the relief of the diseased, and of poor married women in childbed, at their own houses; who not only receive medical assistance, if necessary, but the use of bed linen, food and every other necessary that their situation requires. The meetings of the Committee are held at the Independent Chapel, on Swan-hill.

Samaritan Society & Lying-In Charity,

Is similar in its objects and institution to the former. Its operations commenced in 1814, and the meetings of its Committee are held in the vestry of St. John’s Chapel.

Ladies’ Charity,

Was instituted in 1814, by some benevolent females, solely for the purpose of assisting poor married women with cloathing, food, and other necessaries requisite for their situation. The meetings of the Committee are held in the vestry of St. Chad’s church.

The extensive scale on which the three last named charities are conducted, and the liberality with which their benefits are dispensed, to the deserving poor, place them among the first charitable institutions which so much distinguish the town of Shrewsbury. Their operations are confined to no sect or party, and they design nothing but the purest philanthropy. Their laudable plans are promoted by the individual exertions and charitable subscriptions of the members, each of whom pay 2_s._ per quarter and upwards. The number of the members is about 300. No public buildings are connected with these praise-worthy establishments, the present mode of relief being considered superior to those of an hospital.

Shrewsbury General Sunday School

Is held in the large room in the linen manufactory in Coleham. The order and regularity observed in this institution has been noticed by strangers from distant parts of the kingdom. Its numbers according to the last report were boys 215, girls 247. In addition to this, a separate room is allotted to the instruction of Adult scholars, whose number is 44. The whole are taught reading and writing.

Swan Hill Sunday School

Is a similar institution and similarly conducted. The number of scholars are, boys 96, girls 104.

Besides this, St. Chad’s Boys Sunday School, has about 100 boys, under the superintendance of its committee.

St. Mary’s Sunday and Day School

Is held in the chapel of St. Mary’s church. The children are taught reading and writing; their number is about 162.

St. Chad’s Ladies’ School.

This is carried on in that part of St. Chad’s old church which escaped entire destruction. It is a most praise-worthy establishment, and is superintended by many respectable ladies of St. Chad’s parish, who devote a considerable portion of their time in furtherance of this object of their anxious solicitude.

The latter institutions deserve the close inspection of the benevolent and humane. The recurrence of stated days, on which the well-ordered artizan and peasant, emerging from the dirt and impurities of their vocations, to practice the virtue of cleanliness, produces an easy association between a sense of self-decency, and the reverence due to the service for which the sabbath is set apart. To strengthen this feeling and principle, becomes therefore an important object to all those interested in the good order, peace and happiness of the people of the British empire; and to enfix it as deeply as possible, the impression cannot be made too early.

Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge.

In conjunction with this excellent institution, a District Society has been established here for the purpose of co-operating with the Society at Bartlett’s Buildings, in the distribution of Bibles, Testaments, Prayer Books, and other religious books and tracts. The praise-worthy objects of the Society are supported by some of the most respectable and opulent residents in the county.—Secretary, the Rev. Archdeacon Owen, M.A., F.A.S.

Shropshire Bible Society

An auxiliary Bible Society, to co-operate with the British and Foreign Bible Society, in London, was instituted here on the 11th of November, 1811. The late Rev. Francis Leighton, explained to the meeting, summoned on this occasion, the nature and objects of this charity. A number of liberal donations were offered, and an extensive annual subscription entered into. The important object of this society, as its name imports, is, the gratuitous distribution of the scriptures among the poor inhabitants, and also by its contributions, to aid the noble design of the parent society in translating the Bible into all languages which are represented by letters, and to circulate them throughout the earth. The Rev. Archdeacon Corbett is the president, and the annual meeting is held on the first Wednesday in July.

REMAINS OF ANCIENT BUILDINGS.

The Council House

Received its name from having been the residence of the Court of the Marches of Wales; for though their principal abode was at Ludlow, they were accustomed to hold one term in the year at this place, for the convenience of suitors, and another at Bewdley, and sometimes at Hereford.

The house is in the immediate vicinity of the castle (in the outer court of which, it is supposed to have been built,) on a steep bank overhanging the river. The entrance to it from the town is by a venerable timber gate-house, the ornaments of which have lately been plastered over. The great hall and chamber, which were the only apartments not _modernized_, have just (1815) been pulled down and rebuilt, and the rich old chimney-piece which stood in the hall, in the centre of which were the arms of Owen of Condover, has been removed to that venerable mansion. Charles I. kept his court here, as also did James II. in 1687.

St. Nicholas’s Chapel

Is still standing in part on the left hand entrance to the council house, and is now used as a stable. The building consisted of a nave and chancel without aisle; the former is nearly perfect, and there is no doubt, but that its erection is of great antiquity. The whole length is 50 feet, the breadth 19 feet.

Austin’s Friars.

The convent of the Eremites of St. Augustine, stood at the bottom of Barker-Street {89}, near the river. A small part only remains, little of it being to be seen excepting the shell of a large building of red stone, with two pointed arched door ways. It is now used as a tan-house.

Franciscan Friary.

The house of the Franciscan or Grey Friars, stood under the Wyle Cop, on the banks of the Severn. A part of this friary still remains, converted into houses. A large stone coffin lies in the garden of an old timber house, erected soon after the dissolution.

Dominican Friary.

Scarcely a fragment of this friary now remains. It is supposed to have occupied nearly the whole of the meadow between the Water-lane-gate and the English Bridge.

The lady of king Edward IV. twice lay in at this convent, and was delivered of Richard and George Plantagenet. The former perished in the tower with his unfortunate elder brother, in the subsequent reign, by the machinations of his cruel uncle Richard. Prince George died young.

PLACES OF AMUSEMENT.

The Theatre.

THIS building, if we may credit the affirmation of Phillips, is part of the ancient palace of the princes of Powisland; who in their frequent transactions with the sovereigns of England, often resided at Shrewsbury. John de Charlton, who married an heiress of the line of Powis, obtained a license in 1308, to embattle this mansion, and hence it acquired the name of Charlton Hall. In 1445, Henry Gray, Earl of Tankerville and of Powis, granted the premises to Thomas Bromley; from whom, twenty-five years after, they were demised to Nycholas Warynge, of Salop, merchant of the staple of Calais. After various changes and transfers, it became the property of the Waring family.

The ancient boundary walls of this mansion, inclosed all the space contained between Cross Hill, St. John’s Hill, Murivance, or Swan Hill, and Shoplache. The house doubtless formed one, if not two quadrangles, which may still be traced. The most considerable remnant is a building of red stone, in length 100 feet, and in breadth 31 feet, which is the present Theatre. The side next the street has been plastered and washed with stone colour, to give it the semblance of a modern front; but surely, nothing was ever so disgraceful to the town as its present appearance, especially when considered as a public building. The other side exhibits the original walls with some blocked-up pointed arches, and other features of high antiquity. It is probable, that in the old edifice, this part was the great chamber, appointed according to the usage of the times, for receiving company, and occasionally for exhibiting shows and interludes. The interior being now fitted up as a modern Theatre, retains few of its original appurtenances, except the remains of a small spiral stone staircase. It consists of a pretty roomy pit, a ground tier of boxes, with upper side boxes, and a tolerably spacious gallery. The stage is well adapted to the size of the place, and the decorations are in the usual style of provincial playhouses. The same remark may apply to the performers, who are, generally of that middling class, which consists of persons in their first career to excellence, and of others that have got half-way, and remain stationary. The taste of the Salopians being rather of the retired kind, which delights most in domestic society, does not contribute much to encourage dramatic exhibitions, and the house is scarcely ever crowded, except during the race week, and in the summer visits of the London performers. The audiences, however, if not numerous, are select; and it may be mentioned to their honour, that they never tolerate any thing that borders on buffoonery and indecorum. One of their most favourite plays, for obvious reasons, is the first part of Henry IV. and when Jack Falstaff talks of having fought Hotspur “a full hour by Shrewsbury clock,” he never fails to draw down a thunder of applause.

Assembly Room.

An elegant apartment erected for this polite amusement, at the back of the Lion inn, and is extremely commodious, having a gallery for the musicians at the northern end. The dancing and card assemblies commence in the month of September, and are held generally once a month. The town and neighbourhood of Shrewsbury furnishing a variety of genteel society, they are generally attended by a very numerous and respectable company. They are supported by subscription.

The Circus

Is a spacious brick erection, near the Welsh Bridge. It was built in 1821 by Mr. Newton, and as its name imports, is used principally as a Theatre for the display of Equestrian performances. It is spacious and commodious, and well calculated for Pantomimical exhibitions.

Races.

The Horse Races continue for three days, and take place in the month of September. On these days a great number of plates, sweepstakes and matches are run for; the course is at Bicton Heath, about two miles west of the town, where booths are erected for the use of spectators. The gentlemen who are annually appointed stewards, generally being persons of property and influence, the races are well attended, not only by the population of the neighbourhood, but also by many families of the first respectability from distant parts of the kingdom.

Fishing.

The Severn is celebrated for the excellency of its salmon, which was formerly in such abundance at Shrewsbury, that it was made an article in the indentures of apprentices, that they were not to be obliged to eat it oftener than two days in a week. Of its superabundance the inhabitants cannot at least now complain, little being to be purchased under 2s. 6d. per pound, and that but seldom.

Besides Salmon, the river Severn contains twenty-one other sorts of fish, the chief of which are flounders, pike, trout, perch, eels, shad, carp, lamperns, and lampreys. The two latter are found in many other rivers, but none are so much valued as those taken out of the Severn, from whence they are sent to many parts of England. Lampreys are a delicious dish, but unwholesome if eaten in great quantities: of which we have an instance in the death of Henry I. who died in consequence of eating too plentifully of this fish.

Nor is it in the Severn alone that the angler will find amusement, Meole and Condover brooks affording excellent trout, and the river Tern, a great variety of delicate fish. Each of these streams are within a short distance of the town.

Bowling Greens.

Of this most healthful species of amusement Shrewsbury cannot boast; however, the pleasant villages of Meole, distant one mile, and Uffington, distant three miles and a half, furnish two very excellent greens, and where the pedestrian will be well accommodated and attended to, after the fatigues of his walk.

[Picture: Image of house with lawn in front]

PUBLIC ACCOMMODATIONS.

Water.

WITH this most necessary article Shrewsbury is abundantly supplied, and it is also of a most excellent quality. The first we shall notice, is that which is chiefly used for drinking, and is obtained from the

Conduits,

which are placed in several situations about the town for the general convenience of the inhabitants. The spring which supplies these fountains, rises at _Broadwell_, in a field near Crow-Meole, about two miles from the town. The work of conducting it to town in leaden pipes, was completed about 1574; a reservoir was placed under a shop in the Butcher Row in 1743, but was afterwards removed to Claremont Hill, and on the demolition of the town-walls, for the purpose of erecting the new church of St. Chad on its site, the lodge opposite the Quarry-keeper’s house, at the top of the centre walk of that beautiful promenade, was built for this purpose.

Severn Water.

The reservoir for this water is in a large cistern near the butter market, from whence it is conveyed to almost all the inhabitants by means of lead pipes, for which they pay in proportion to the quantity of water. The water is forced up to this reservoir by means of a large wheel placed at the English or East Bridge, but in consequence of the frequent fluctuations of the Severn, it is probable that six months out of the twelve, the town is destitute of this supply, and whatever quantity may be wanted for culinary and other purposes is carried from the river. It is much to be wished, that the present waterworks were removed, not only on account of the deformity which they give to the noble appearance of the bridge; but the water which is sent to the reservoir after running nearly round the town and receiving all its filth, would by the removal of the works to Cotton Hill, and the erection of a steam engine, be distributed to the inhabitants in a more regular manner, and in a much purer state.

Baths.

There are two cold baths, one in Kingsland and the other in the suburb of Abbey Foregate, but neither of them can be recommended as possessing suitable accommodations, especially when compared with those of other places.

The Quarry.

This beautiful walk is on the western side of the town near the church of St. Chad; it occupies a rich meadow of about twenty acres gradually sloping to the river, and is supposed to have obtained its name from a small quarry of soft red sand-stone, which was formerly procured here, and with which some of the ancient buildings were no doubt erected. The lower walk which skirts the river, is 540 yards in length, shaded with lime trees, planted by Henry Jenks, Esq. in the year of his mayoralty, 1719. Three walks lead from the town to that on the bank of the Severn, and two others formerly crossed the entrance.

Few promenades in the kingdom can vie with the Quarry, particularly in the spring of the year, when it displays all its pride of beauty. Its spacious fields carpeted with grass, thickly studded with the golden hue of the butter cup, and the silvery tinge of the modest daisy—its noble trees clothed with leafy verdure of various hues, and protecting the pedestrian from the piercing rays of the sun—the Severn rolling its broad and majestic stream along—whilst the feathered songsters carol their notes to the God of nature, altogether present a lovely picture of rural happiness. Nor is the Quarry at “the fall of the leaf” when nature unburdens herself of her lovely mantle, unworthy the contemplation of the reflecting mind.

The fading foliage of th’ embrowning grove, (Which oft has listened to the voice of love,) In mournful junction with the shortning day, Reminds us of the circling year’s decay: While the fleet, whistling winds, dismantling, tear Each tree’s green honours to the chilling air, Thence to descend, and in man’s footsteps lie A just memento of mortality.

In the 16th century, it appears that Shrewsbury was the scene of theatrical representations. Julian the apostate, was performed here in 1565, and two years afterwards, the Passion of Christ, to see which queen Elizabeth is said to have come as far as Coventry, but on learning that its representation was over, returned to London. The particular spot which formed the rural theatre, was at the top of the rope walk in the Quarry. The ground which forms a gentle acclivity, was cut into the form of an amphitheatre, the seats of which may still be traced in the bank.

Beside this, which is the chief walk, the town and neighbourhood furnish such a variety of picturesque and pleasing promenades as are equalled perhaps by few in the kingdom.

MANUFACTORIES.

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.