situation, presents, at every approach, a pleasing variety of views; and the noble sweep of the river, at every turn, enhances the charms of the prospect. The exterior circle of the town is lined with an unbroken range of well built houses, most of which command beautiful views over the adjacent country. On its western side, a public walk, designated the ‘Quarry,’ occupies about twenty acres of ground, and is adorned with avenues of trees. At one extremity of this delightful promenade are the remains of a rural amphitheatre, where the Augustine friars of the adjoining convent were probably wont to exhibit those ancient and sacred dramas called ‘mysteries,’ or ‘Whitsun plays,’ which were acted here in the reign of Elizabeth. The neighbourhood of Shrewsbury is highly respectable, and the country beautifully picturesque, studded with numerous gentlemen’s seats and for fertility is not surpassed by any district in England. There are several public buildings in Shrewsbury elegant and ornamental. Amongst the most ancient, as well as interesting, is the castle, founded by Roger de Montgomery. It stands on a narrow neck of land, and has been so greatly altered by modern hands, that it is difficult to form any probable idea of its primitive state. The portions of it now remaining consist of the keep, the mount, the walls of the inner court, and the great arch of the interior gateway. The castle is at present the property of the Duke of Cleveland. The town-hall was finished in 1786; but, owing to a defect in the foundation, was taken down, and a new one subsequently erected: in it are held all meetings of the corporation and grand juries—likewise the courts of justice for the town and county. The town and county gaol and bridewell, which now form one building, stands near the castle; its situation is at once beautiful and salubrious. The market-house is one of the largest and most magnificent buildings of its kind in England; adjoining which, and in other parts of the town, are conduits, which supply the inhabitants with excellent spring water. A cheese and butter market has been erected in Circus-place, near the Welch bridge; and a new cattle market, on a grand scale, is formed in the neighbourhood of Raven-road. The old theatre was part of the palace formerly belonging to one of the princes of Powis; it was taken down in 1833, and a very handsome one erected in its place, the basement of which forms a row of good shops: a new circus has also been added to the buildings for amusement.