the capital of Shropshire in England. This town, the metropolis of the county, grew up out of the ruins of Uriconium, anciently a city, now a village called Wroxeter, about four miles from it. The Saxons called it Scrubbes Berig, from the shrubs that grew about it; and from thence the present name of Shrewsbury is supposed to have been formed. It is pleasantly situated upon a hill near the Severn, over which there are two handsome bridges. It was a place of note in the Saxon times; after which it was granted by William the Conqueror, together with the title of earl and most of the county, to Roger de Montgomery, who built a castle upon the north side of it, where the Severn, that encompasses it on all other sides, leaves an opening. His son Robert built also a wall across this neck of land, when he revolted We learn from doomsday-book, that at that time, when a widow of this town married, she paid 20 shillings to the king, and a virgin 10. The above-mentioned Roger founded also, and endowed here, a Benedictine monastery and a collegiate church. When old age came upon him, he quitted the world, and spent the rest of his days as a monk in the abbey, and when he died was interred in its church. From the history of this church and monastery, it appears, that ecclesiastical benefices about that time were hereditary. The abbey became so rich afterwards, that the abbot was mitred, and sat in parliament. Besides this abbey, in after times there were three others, viz. a Franciscan, Dominican, and Augustinian, and likewise two collegiate churches; one dedicated to St Chad and the other to St Mary. In the contest between the emperors Maud and Stephen, this town, and its governor William Fitz-Alan, sided with the emperors. In Henry III.'s time, a part of it was burnt down by the Welch; and in Richard II.'s reign a parliament was held in it. At a place called Battlefield, near this town, Henry Percy the younger, surnamed Hotspur, was killed in an engagement with Henry IV. against whom he had rebelled. The king afterwards built a chapel upon the spot, and endowed it for the support of two priests to pray for the souls of the slain. Two of Edw. IV.'s sons were born here; namely, Richard, duke of York, whom Perkin Warbeck afterwards perforated, and who was murdered in the Tower; and George Plantagenet, who died before his brothers. Here first broke out the sweating-sickness, which carried off great numbers so suddenly, that those who were seized with it either died or recovered in the space of 24 hours. In the beginning of the civil wars, king Charles I. came hither, and formed an army, with which he marched towards London; but was met by the parliament's forces at Edgehill. He continued here from the 20th of September to the 12th of October, during which time he was joined by prince Rupert, and many of the gentry and nobility of these parts. This town anciently gave title of earl to the Montgomeries, and afterwards to the Talbots, by whom it is still retained. Here is a free grammar-school, with three masters, and several others, well endowed by Edward VI. and queen Elizabeth, and not inferior to many colleges in the universities. It has a good library and chapel, and there are several scholarships appropriated to it in the university of Cambridge. Here are also several hospitals, almshouses, and charity-schools. This town is one of the most flourishing in England, having two great weekly markets for corn, cattle, and provisions; and another for Welsh cottons and flannels, of which great quantities are sold. A great trade is carried on with the Welch, who bring their commodities hither, as to the common mart of both nations. The town is large and well-built, and the situation extremely pleasant. There is a very beautiful walk called the quarry, between the town walls and the Severn, delightfully shaded with rows of lime-trees, so that it is not inferior to the Mall in St James's Park. The town is also noted for its gallantry and politeness, being full of gentry, for whom there are always balls and assemblies once a-week all the year round. Here is a fine house and gardens, which belonged to the earl of Bradford; and in the neighbourhood, at Wroxeter, the Roman highway, called Watling-street, may be seen for several miles, where Roman coins are frequently found. In Shrewsbury are 12 incorporated trading companies; and the corporation has a power to try even capital cases of itself, except high treason. It is said that thigh-bones of dead men have been found here a yard long, and teeth three inches round and three long.