adapted, possessing railway communication to all parts, by means of a branch to the town from the Shrewsbury and Chester line, and having an extensive Welsh agricultural district at its back. The corn market is situate in Bailey-square, and is a plain building, with a high clock turret, and the roof is partly covered with glass. A beautiful field of two and a half acres, situated near the very centre of the town, is appropriated as a ‘Smithfield’ for the cattle fairs. A neat theatre is generally opened in the autumn. The races have been discontinued for the last three years. The first charter of incorporation was granted to the inhabitants by William Fitz-Alan, in the reign of Henry II; the first royal charter was conferred by Richard II, and a subsequent one by Charles II—under the last mentioned the town was governed until the operation of the Municipal Reform Act (passed in 1835), since when, the corporate body has consisted of a mayor, six aldermen and eighteen councillors, with two serjeant-at-mace, and the other usual assistant officers: the borough under the same act, was divided into two wards, and provided with a commission of the peace. Petty sessions for the hundred are held, on the last Thursday in every month, before the magistrates; and a county court, under the new acts is held monthly, for the recovery of debts not exceeding £50. The Earl of Powis is lord of the manor. Oswestry is a polling station at the election of members to represent the northern division of the county. The sale of Welch flannel, and of cotton goods, which was formerly carried on here to a great extent, has entirely disappeared: at present the chief business of the place is malting. There are many corn mills in the vicinity, where is also coal; and upon the Morda stream is a manufactory for paper. Two iron and brass foundries give employment to a large number of persons. There are four excellent inns in the town—they are admirably conducted commercial and family houses.