hood, and exchanged the sober gravity of the refectory, and its austere monkish repast, for wine and wassail, minstrelsey and song. Before quitting these scattered ruins, the present remains of the Abbey church must excite feelings of regret in the breast of every admirer of our ancient architecture, at the mistaken zeal which caused its partial and barbarous demolition. An embattled wall encompassed the northern and eastern sides of the precinct, beyond which is the FOREGATE, a respectable open street, nearly one mile in length, and chiefly occupied by private residences. The houses to the south have gardens which extend to the Reabrook, and command delightful prospects of the adjacent country. This suburb (April 1st, 1774) suffered considerably from a fire, which destroyed 47 dwellings, 16 barns, 15 stables, 4 shops, and several stacks of hay, beside damaging other property. On the left, half way up the street, is THE WHITE HALL, So called from a practice, during the last century, of occasionally colouring its deep red walls. Our native poet (Churchyard) speaks of this stone mansion in his usual quaint manner, as standing "so trim and finely that it graceth all the soil it is in." In front is a handsome gatehouse; and the pointed gables, central cupola, and ornamental chimnies, strongly characterise it as an interesting specimen of the old English residence peculiar to the reign of Elizabeth, while its sombre appearance is finely set forth by the vivid foliage of walnut and other trees adjoining, The interior has been modernised, and forms a comfortable habitation. The building was commenced in 1578 by Richard Prince, Esq. a celebrated lawyer, and was his THE RACE GROUND, called the "Soldier's Piece," from the circumstance of Charles the First having drawn up his army here (page 11). Situated within a very few minutes' walk of the town, it may in most points compete with all the secondary courses in the kingdom. It is one mile and 185 yards in circumference, and in addition to a fine straight run for coming-in of 500 yards, possesses the advantage of a sight of the horses throughout the race, combined with an extensive panoramic view of the adjacent richly diversified country; while the town, from so many points picturesque, has from hence a most pleasing appearance. It may be remarked that this race course is formed on a plan, it is believed, not previously adopted, the arrangement being such as to provide for any distance, from half a mile to four miles, the different lengths being conveniently fixed and marked with letters on short posts inside the course; a reference to which is placed in the winning chair for the information of the public. A footpath through the meadows near the Hall conducts to the east end of Abbey-foregate, and the noble Column erected on the great London road in commemoration of the military achievements of Lord Hill, who, on his return to his native county, in 1814, was welcomed into Shrewsbury by his countrymen with all the splendid honours attendant upon a triumphal hero. The most enthusiastic rejoicings took place, and upwards of 20,000 persons assembled to witness the festivities, &c. provided on the occasion in the Quarry. Leaving the venerable church of St. Giles to the left, and proceeding about one mile to the right, along a pleasant walk embellished throughout by an interesting prospect, we reach the saline and chalybeate spring called SUTTON SPA, situated in a retired dell near the margin of the Reabrook, and the property of the Right Hon. Lord Berwick. The spring issues from a rocky stratum of ash-coloured clay, or argillaceous schistus. The water is colourless, and exhales a faint sulphureous smell, much more perceptible in rainy weather. It has been compared with the Cheltenham water, but in reality bears a stronger affinity to sea water, possessing, however, an advantage over that in containing iron. In those cases, therefore, for which sea water is usually recommended it has been found most beneficial, and proves highly serviceable in the treatment of glandular affections, scrofula, and other diseases of the skin. tumbler glassful operates as a brisk aperient. The following analysis of the water was recently read at one of the scientific meetings of the Shropshire Natural History Society: Eleven cubic inches of the water contain about half a cubic inch of carbonic acid, partly free and partly in a combined state, a quarter of a cubic inch of atmospheric air, and a trace of sulphuretted hydrogen. Sixteen fluid ounces contain of Iodine and bromine, each a trace Carbonate iron, about 0.7 grain lime and siliceous earth, each a trace Anhydrous muriate magnesia, 8.8 grains lime, 30 grains soda, 121.3 grains.* The importance of this spring is generally acknowledged, and it is matter of regret that proper accommodations for the advantageous use of the water have not been more effectually provided. A stone cistern, within a little shed, is the only receptacle for the water, the refuse from which, after being confined within a covered drain for a few yards, • Pure muriate of soda does not contain any water in its crystallized state except what lodges in the interstices of the crystals, therefore the weight of that, as it exists in the water, would not exceed the weight above given; 30 grains muriate of lime indicate 51 grains crystallized muriate, 8.81 grains muriate magnesia indicate 15 grains. flows into the brook, and has produced an artificial morass, whose surface (from the deposition of iron oxyd) is covered with an ochery scum. The care of the spring and baths is entrusted to the occupier of a cottage on the spot. On an elevated situation in an adjoining meadow stands the primitive parish church of Sutton, a characteristic specimen of the little Norman churches erected in villages. The west front is crowned with a cupola, and displays a modern window, but those on the other sides of the fabric are of the earliest kind, narrowing towards the exterior surface of the wall. The town may be regained by different routes over the meadows, which lead to THE SUBURB OF COLEHAM, situated on the southern banks of the river, where the Meole or Rea brook joins the Severn. This was until the present century the lowest part of the town, and consequently most liable to be inundated by floods; but of late years the street has been raised about nine feet. The township is populous, and consists of two districts, called Longden Coleham and Meole Coleham from their respective thoroughfares to those villages. In the latter direction is Trinity Church, and in the former the extensive foundry of Mr. Hazledine, where the iron-work used in the construction of that surprising proof of human ingenuity, the "Menai Bridge," was cast, and proved by an engine whose pressure was calculated at thirty-seven tons. TRADE AND MANUFACTURES. Our town for more than three centuries possessed almost exclusively the trade with Wales in a coarse kind of cloth called Welsh webs, which were brought from Merionethshire and Montgomeryshire to a market held here |