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.