The parish church of Saint Oswald (or St. Mary), originally the conventual church of the ancient monastery, was greatly damaged during the commotions of 1616 and 1664; at which latter period the tower was taken down by the royalists, this structure was enlarged and beautified in 1807, and since that period it has undergone great improvements. The church contains many very handsome tablets and monumental inscriptions. On the north side of the church yard is a pleasant walk, overshadowed with a double row of lime trees, and terminated by an alcove. The living of Oswestry is a discharged vicarage, in the patronage of the Earl Powis; the present incumbent is the Rev. Thomas Salwey. The other places of worship under the establishment are Saint Martin’s, and Trinity chapels, with one at Trefonen and another at Hengoed. There are several chapels for dissenters, of which a list is appended. The free grammar school here, was founded about the time of Henry IV, by Davy Holbeck, who endowed it; and it has been further enriched by subsequent subscriptions: the school is free to all the sons of parishioners, for instruction in English and classical literature. A letter is still in existence, in the hand-writing of Oliver Cromwell, resting the appointment of master of this school in the corporation of Oswestry—how such appointment has lapsed from the corporation is not ascertained. The other principal charities comprise a school, conducted upon the national plan, one on that of the British and Foreign School Society, a house of industry, and a valuable dispensary, carried on partly by the self-supporting system, and partly by contributions. There is an association for the prevention of crime and the prosecution of felons. It is remarked in ‘Tymm’s Topography,’ that, in 1797, died John Lloyd, attorney, at Oswestry, the original institutor of societies for the prosecution of felons—of which that at Oswestry was the _first_. This neighbourhood is remarkable for its great respectability; and to the number of genteel and opulent families that have residences in it, may in a great measure, be ascribed the prosperity of the town itself. The ‘Oswestry Advertiser’ newspaper, is published every Wednesday, and is worthy of support for the local information which it contains. The News Room is at the Court House, Bailey square. The markets are held on Wednesday and Saturday; the former is a good one for grain and other produce; the latter is for butcher’s meat, as well as other commodities of domestic consumption. Cattle fairs are held on the first Wednesday of every month. The parish (which comprises several townships) contained in 1841, 8,843 inhabitants, and by the returns for 1851, 8,796. The population of the township is 4,817.