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.