Part 12

ALLATT’S CHARITY SCHOOL, situate in St. John’s-row, is a neat structure of free stone, comprising commodious houses for the master and mistress, connected by arcades, with spacious school rooms. The school was built in 1800, pursuant to the will of Mr. John Allatt, who bequeathed his property for the educating and clothing of the children of the more respectable class of poor persons resident in the town. There are forty boys and forty girls educated, clothed once a year, and a certain number at a proper age apprenticed. The funds of the school consist of a capital stock of £14,200, of which £10,800 are invested in three per cents, as the educational fund, and £3,400 as a clothing fund. Thomas Bagley and Frances Buttery are the teachers.

MILLINGTON’S SCHOOL stands in the rear of the hospital, and was founded by the munificence of Mr. Millington, for the instruction of twenty-five boys, and as many girls, natives of Frankwell. The children are completely clothed twice in every year, and at the age of fourteen apprenticed with a small premium; on producing a certificate of good conduct during their apprenticeship they are rewarded with a gratuity. Two exhibitions of £40 a year each, in Magdalen College, Cambridge, are founded, to which scholars originally on the hospital foundation have the preference, or in default of such, two born in Frankwell, educated at the free schools. Sarah Bishop and Francis Cullis are the teachers.

SHREWSBURY NATIONAL SCHOOL, situated in the Abbey Fore gate, is also called the “Brown School,” from the brown dress of the children. The schools are commodious, and there is a convenient residence for the teachers. It is supported by subscriptions, and sermons annually preached in aid of its funds. There are now 190 boys and 96 girls educated in this school. Joseph Barker Molynaux and Mary Ann Williamson are the teachers. The annual income amounts to £250 per annum.

ST. CHAD’S PAROCHIAL SCHOOL is a plain substantial edifice, situated in Barker-street. It is supported by subscriptions and donations, and a small weekly sum contributed by the children. The average number of children that attend the school may be calculated at a hundred boys and an equal number of girls. Edward Evans and Jane E. Turner are teachers.

HOLY TRINITY SCHOOL is a spacious building of brick, situated in the rear of the Holy Trinity Church, at Coleham; a residence for the teachers adjoins the school. There are about 100 boys and girls, and 120 infants, receiving instructions in these schools. James Owen and Martha Clarke are the teachers.

ST. MARY’S AND ST. MICHAEL’S SCHOOLS, situated in St. Michael-street, owe their origin in a great measure to the Rev. W. G. Rowland, the incumbent of St. Mary’s, who was a munificent contributor towards their erection. The schools were built in 1832, in the old English style of architecture. They are supported by voluntary subscriptions, and the scholars are provided with books, and gratuitously educated, with the exception of a number of the children from the extensive factory of Messrs. Marshall and Co., whose instruction is paid for by the proprietors of the mill. Richard Jones and Sophia Evans are the teachers. About 120 boys and 100 girls attend. Adjoining the school premises are ten neat cottages, built by the Rev. W. G. Rowland, the income arising from which is expended in bread, and distributed amongst the necessitous poor, in St. Mary’s and St. Michael’s churches.

THE DIOCESAN SCHOOLS, Swan hill, in connection with the Lichfield Board of Education, was established in 1842. This is an institution for the general education of youth, ably conducted by Mr. Henry Newsham.

## Particular attention is paid to the mathematical education of the youth

of this establishment. A limited number of boarders are taken.

THE BRITISH or LANCASTERIAN SCHOOLS were first established in Shrewsbury in 1812, when a commodious school was built opposite the county gaol, for conducting education on the plan suggested by Mr. Joseph Lancaster. Subsequently the premises were taken down, and the site is now occupied as a railway station. A building was afterwards taken in Watery-lane, where the school was conducted till the present year (1851), when a neat school-house, measuring forty-eight feet by twenty-eight, was erected at the rear of the county gaol, at an estimated cost of £700. About 150 boys and 100 girls attend the school. Mr. Thomas Harris is the teacher.

ST. ALKMUND’S PAROCHIAL SCHOOL, situated between St. Mary’s-street and St. Alkmund’s-place, is numerously attended both by boys and girls. The teachers are William Donellan and Martha Badger.

INFANT SCHOOLS.—_St. Chad’s Infant School_ is situated in Barker-street, not far from the National School. One hundred and twenty attend the school, which is conducted by Segismunda Roberts. The _Infant School_, Castle Foregate, has an attendance of eighty. Ann Townsend is the teacher. There is also an infant school in Frankwell, which was built by the late Dr. Darwin, and is now chiefly supported by Miss Darwin. These are interesting institutions for giving an early moral bias to the mind, and calculated to effect much good.

SUNDAY SCHOOLS.—The Sunday schools of Shrewsbury have existed nearly from the earliest formation of such institutions. Schools are connected with the established churches, and the different congregations of dissenters, which are very numerously attended.

PUBLIC BUILDINGS.

THE SALOP INFIRMARY.—This excellent institution, situated near St. Mary’s churchyard, was established in 1747, and has the honour of being one of the earliest of these Samaritan institutions in the kingdom. The building, which preceded the present stately fabric, was a plain brick structure, designed for a private residence; although repeatedly enlarged, it was found too small for the additional number of patients consequent upon an increasing population, and at a meeting held on November 16th, 1826, it was resolved that a new infirmary should be built on the site of the old one. The present building was erected in 1830, from a design by Mr. Haycock, at the cost of £18,735. 18s. 10., of which £12,994. 1s. 3d. was raised by subscriptions, and the remainder disbursed from the funded property of the charity. The structure has a noble appearance, and stands in a commanding position on the verge of an eminence overlooking the Severn; it is 170 feet in length, by 80 feet in height, having a handsome Doric portico in the centre. There is ample accommodation for 150 patients, and the internal arrangements are admirably adapted for the purpose they are designed to fulfil. The principal floor is appropriated to the board room, dispensary, waiting room for patients, with private apartments for the house surgeon and matron; the first floor has seven wards for male patients, with day room, scullery, and baths; the upper room contains a spacious operation room, with wards for females; in the attics above are four other wards with nurses’ room, &c. A staircase at each end communicates with spacious galleries extending the length of each story. The whole is thoroughly ventilated, and an uniform temperature preserved by a patent hot water apparatus. A spacious terrace has been constructed on the eastern side, that such of the patients as are able may possess every benefit resulting from pure air and exercise. From this the eye commands an uninterrupted view of an extensive and finely wooded country, bounded by the long ridge of Haughmond Hill, the Wrekin, and the Stretton Hills. The pecuniary concerns of the institution are superintended by a board of directors; a treasurer is also appointed annually, who, on the anniversary day in the hunt week, is accompanied to church by the subscribers and patrons of this charity, where, after a sermon, a collection is made in aid of the funds. From its establishment to midsummer, 1849, the sum of £219,934. 16s. 7¼d. has been received for its support; 60,077 in-patients admitted, and 117,747 out-patients recommended as fit objects for its benefits. The weekly average number of patients in the house during the year ending midsummer, 1849, was 103; out-patients on the books, 603. The total receipts for the year ending at the same period was £3,237. 7s. 5d., of which £1,669. 11s. was received from yearly subscriptions; £355. 2s. 6d. from benefactions and legacies; £627. 6s. 11d., the interest and dividends of funded stock, and £585. 7s. 6d. from miscellaneous sources, which includes £183 8s. 6d. collected at the anniversary sermon in St. Chad’s church. Of this stock £16,400 is secured in the three per cent consols, £3,449. 10s. new 3¼ per cents; £100 on the Watling-street road, and £150 on the Bridgnorth-road. Subscriptions have been made amounting to £1,227. 6s. 8d., as a “Chaplain’s Endowment Fund.” “The house surgeon is allowed to take three pupils at a premium of twenty guineas to himself, and 200 guineas to the infirmary, which entitles the pupil to board and residence for five years.” Attendance at this hospital is recognized by the Royal College of Surgeons, and the apothecaries’ company, London.—_Physicians_: Henry Johnson, M.D., Thomas James Drury, M.D., Henry Parker, M.D.—_Surgeons_: H. E. Burd, J. Dickin, and J. Y. Arrowsmith.—_House Surgeon_: John Robert Humphreys. _Secretary_: Henry Bevan.

THE DISPENSARY, like most other institutions of this kind, is supported by annual subscriptions and benefactions. It was established in 1843, and although the funds do not allow the full extent of usefulness which the charity is capable of, yet it is pleasing to observe from the annual reports that it is making steady progress in the estimation of the public. It appears from the report ending September, 1849, that the total number of patients have been 3,391. The receipts for the year ending at the same period were £160. During the year 560 cases received attention, of which 403 were cured, 123 relieved, 30 died, and 4 were dismissed.—_Patron_: His Grace the Duke of Sutherland.—_Surgeon_: Mr. G. P. Gill,—_Hon. Secretary_: Folliott Sandford, Esq.—_Dispenser_: Mr. G. S. Whitney.

THE EYE AND EAR ESTABLISHMENT, Castle-street, was established in 1818, 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.