The trade of Bridgnorth, to a certain extent, may be said to arise from the navigation of the river, which affords every facility for the transit of goods. At one period it had a good iron trade, which has declined; and the principal manufactory now existing here is that for carpets, carried on by two establishments. The malting business is a branch in which many persons are employed, and the article produced is of a very superior quality. There is at present (1856) in the course of erection, at the bottom of High-street, a large and elegant Town Hall, which will, when completed, be a great ornament to the town. There are two good commercial Inns, the ‘Castle’ and the ‘Crown,’ both in High-street. About three miles to the south of Bridgnorth, on the western bank of the Severn, are the Eardington Iron Works, being one of the most extensive establishments for the manufacture of charcoal-wire iron in the kingdom. The inhabitants of this town received a succession of charters from the reign of Henry I. to that of James II. Under the latter the borough was governed until the Municipal Act, passed in 1835, vested the jurisdiction in a mayor, four aldermen, and twelve councillors, assisted by a recorder and town-clerk. The mayor and borough magistrates hold a court of record in the Town Hall, every alternate Monday, for the trial of petty offences committed within the borough. The county magistrates meet at the justices’ hall every alternate Saturday, to determine cases which occur without the liberties of the borough; and quarter sessions are held for the borough, before Uvedale Corbett, Esq. the recorder, who is also the judge of the County Court, which latter is held monthly in the Town Hall, for the recovery of debts and damages not exceeding £50. This town received the elective franchise in the 23rd year of Edward I, and from that time has continued to return two members; the mayor is the returning officer. The gentlemen returned to sit for the borough, at the general election in 1852, were Henry Whitmore; Esq. White House, and J. Pritchard, Esq. Broseley. The Boundary Act defines the limits of the borough to comprise ‘the old borough of Bridgnorth, and the several parishes of Quatford, Oldbury, Tasley, and Astley Abbotts;’ and the same act appoints Bridgnorth a polling station at the election of members to represent South Salop. By charter of King John, the burgesses are exempt from tolls, or other duties, in all cities, towns, fairs, or markets in England, except the city of London and its liberties.