Y^e town stands Low, y^e spires of 2 of y^e Churches stand high and appear Eminent above y^e town, there is y^e remaines of a Castle, y^e walls and battlements and some towers w^{ch} I walked round, from whence had y^e whole view of y^e town w^{ch} is walled round w^{th} battlements and walks round, some of which I went on. Its here the fine river Severn Encompasses y^e greatest part of y^e town and twines and twists its self about, its not very broad here but its very deep and is Esteemed y^e finest river in England to Carry such a depth of water for 80 or more miles together Ere it runns into y^e sea w^{ch} is at Bristol. This Comes out of Wales, Ross and Monmouthshire, there it turns about and Comes to y^e town. On Each side there are 3 bridges over it, in y^e town one of them y^t I walked over had some few houses built on it, as London bridge, at one End of it. Its pleasant to walk by y^e river; there is just by it the Councill house an old building. Here are three free schooles together, built of free stone, 3 Large roomes to teach the Children, w^{th} severall masters. Y^e first has 150£ a year y^e second 100 y^e third 50^£ a year and teach Children from reading English till fit for y^e University, and its free for Children not only of y^e town but for all over England if they Exceed not y^e numbers. Here is a very fine Market Cross of stone Carv’d, in another place there is an Exchequer or hall for y^e towns affaires, there is alsoe a hall for y^e Welsh manufacture. There is a water house w^{ch} supplys y^e town through pipes w^{th} water, but its drawn up w^{th} horses and it seemes not to be a good and Easye way, so they jntend to make it with a water Engine in the town. There are many good houses but mostly old buildings, timber; there is some remaines of a great abbey and just by it y^e great Church, but nothing fine or worth notice save y^e abbey Gardens w^{th} gravell walks set full of all sorts of greens—orange and Lemmon trees: I had a paper of their flowers—were very fine,—there was alsoe ffirrs, myrtles and hollys of all sorts and a green house full of all sorts of Curiosityes of flowers and greens—there was y^e aloes plant. Out of this went another Garden much Larger w^{th} severall fine grass walks kept Exactly Cut and roled for Company to walke in. Every Wednesday most of y^e town y^e Ladyes and Gentlemen walk there as in S^t James’ parke, and there are abundance of people of Quality Lives in Shrewsbury, more than in any town Except Nottingham; its true there are noe fine houses but there are many Large old houses that are Convenient and stately, and its a pleasant town to Live in and great plenty w^{ch} makes it Cheap Living. This is very near bordering on Wales and was reckon’d formerly one of y^e Welsh County’s as was Herifordshire. Here is a very good schoole for young Gentlewomen for Learning work and behaviour and musick.