On the north-east side of the castle, at the bottom of the hill, stands the SHIREHALL, erected in 1822, and opened in the following year. It is an imitation of the later period of the pointed style of architecture. The County Assizes and Sessions are held in this building, which by a subterranean passage and ascending shaft, communicates with the castle above. There are two courts, and other convenient rooms. In the Grand Jury Chamber is a full-length portrait of one of Norfolk’s most celebrated worthies—the late Thomas William Coke, Esq., Earl of Leicester; and also one of Lord Wodehouse. Upon the spacious plain, fronting the Shirehall, is held the Annual (Tombland) Fair, which commences on Maunday Thursday, and terminates upon Easter Tuesday. The newly-erected building to the north-west of the Shirehall, is the COUNTY POLICE STATION. The GUILDHALL is an ancient building, situated at the north-west end of the Market-place, and is used for an assize and sessions court, for a police station, and for the meetings of the Town Council, and various other purposes. The building is an erection of black flint, the cornices, window frames, and battlements being of freestone. Some of the original windows, with flowered points to the cusps, are still remaining; but the greater part are modern, as are also the additions upon the south, where formerly was a chapel dedicated to St. Barbara, in which the prisoners assembled for divine worship; upon the site of this is a porch, ornamented with a gilt figure of Justice. Adjoining the east side is the POLICE OFFICE. In the front of the building, towards the Market-place, are square panels, with remains of shields and supporters of the time of Henry VIII. The interior is chiefly modern, with the exception of the room called the Mayor’s Council Chamber, which retains much of the furniture of the time of king Henry VIII. It is situated at the east end upon the second floor, and is adorned with half-length portraits of many of the ancient civic notables and benefactors of the city, amongst which will be found Lord Chief Justice Coke, Archbishop Parker, and many others; the full-length portrait on the left side of the entrance is Sir Benjamin Wrench; that on the right is Thomas Emerson, Esq. In the windows is painted glass of various periods. The greatest object of attraction in this room is a glass case, containing the sword of the Spanish Admiral Don Xavier Winthuysen, who died of his wounds at the battle of Cape St. Vincent, February 14th, 1797. It was presented to the corporation of the city by Lord Nelson. Within the case is the letter which accompanied the presentation, and which is in the hand-writing of the great naval chieftain. Opposite this room is the old Common Council Chamber, in which the mayor and magistrates hold a petty sessions daily. It contains fine full-length portraits of Elisha de Hague, Town Clerk, 1825, and other civic worthies.