Worcester, Gloucester, Bristol, and other towns; and the Shrewsbury canal is the grand medium for supplying the town with coal of an excellent quality. The principal Inns of Shrewsbury (of which there are eleven) are establishments of the most respectable grade, and furnish the best accommodation, whether for families or commercial gentlemen; while others are efficient posting-houses—and all are conducted under the best arrangements. Shrewsbury was a borough by prescription previous to being incorporated by Charles I—this charter remained in force until superseded by the Municipal Act passed in 1835, which vested the government in a mayor, ten aldermen, and thirty councillors, assisted by a recorder and other officers: the same enactment divided the borough into five wards, and provided it with a commission of the peace. General quarter sessions are regularly held, of which the recorder is chairman; and the mayor, with some of the aldermen (who are magistrates), hold a court every Tuesday. Shrewsbury is included in the twenty-seventh circuit of County Court towns, under the acts for the recovery of debts not exceeding £50—the court is held in the Shire hall, once a month. This borough has exercised the elective franchise since the 23rd year of Edward I, and has regularly sent two members. The mayor is the returning officer; and the representatives returned at the general election in 1852, were Edward Holmes Baldock, Esq. 31, Grosvenor place, London, and George Tomfine, Esq. Great Grimsby, Lincolnshire, and Orwell Park, Ipswich, Suffolk. From this borough the return is made of members to represent North Salop.