famous battle of Shrewsbury, will be found noticed at a subsequent page.
RIVERS.—The Severn is the principal river in the county. This
magnificent stream ranks next to the Thames in point of celebrity, for
the extent of its course, the distance for which it is navigable, and the
commerce it sustains. It has its rise on the mountain of Plynlimmon, on
the verge of Montgomeryshire, and enters Shropshire, near Melverley, and
at Cymmeran Ferry receives the waters of the river Vernieu. Between
Montford Bridge and Fitz, the river Perry falls into the Severn, which
here makes a great bend, and encloses a fine estate, of five miles in
circuit, called the Isle, the property of the Rev. H. Sandford. It then
passes Berwick House, and speedily arrives at Shrewsbury, from whence it
takes a circuitous route to the rural village of Uffington, and passes by
Longnor Hall, to Atcham, where it is crossed by a noble stone bridge, not
far from which it receives the waters of the Tern. Winding its devious
way, the Severn skirts the village of Cound, and near the ruins of
Buildwas Abbey, is crossed by a neat iron bridge. It shortly after
passes by Coalbrook dale, near to which it is crossed by a second iron
bridge, which gives name to the populous district surrounding it. Two
miles below is Coalport, celebrated for the extensive porcelain
manufactures. The river, having passed here, proceeds to Apley Castle,
and shortly after reaches the town of Bridgnorth, and is here crossed by
a magnificent stone bridge. Thence proceeding to the south-east, it
passes by Quatt, and leaves this county by the parish of Alveley, passing
through a narrow slip of the county of Stafford, it arrives at Bewdley,
in Worcestershire. From its source in Plynlimmon Hill to the sea, the
Severn runs about 220 miles. It is navigable to Shrewsbury, but few
vessels, however, proceed further than Ironbridge, the navigation being
interrupted by shallows, and the great irregularities of the water. By
means of numerous canals the navigation is extended into every part of
the kingdom, being united with the Thames on the east, and with the
Trent, the Humber, and the Mersey, towards the north; thus forming the
grand outlet and channel for the commerce of the kingdom on the south
east. The river takes its name from _Sabi_ and _Sabrin_, sandy; in Latin
_Sabrina_; in Welsh, _Haurian_, signifying the queen or chief of rivers.
By the statute of 23rd of Henry VIII., it is enacted, that no person
shall ask or demand any toll for going on the path, by the side of the
said river, upon pain to forfeit forty shillings. These statutes were to
supersede all patents and commissions granted to particular persons by
the prerogative of the Crown. Excellent fish are caught in this river,
particularly salmon, trout, pike, shad, flounders, and carp.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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