The exterior consists of a centre and two wings, the centre forming the portico and principal entrance, which is decorated with two Grecian columns and entablature. The whole of the front is cemented, and possesses an unity of parts and a boldness of proportion unusual in buildings of this description.
The interior is divided into two stories, the lower or basement being vaulted with groined arches springing from brick piers, which afford an equality of height in almost every part. The entrance to the basement is on the north side, and (owing to the fall in the street) is of sufficient height to admit a waggon. The canal is on the south side, and nearly level with the floor of the basement, to which there is a communication, affording a ready transit for goods.
The upper or principal floor of the Market contains an area of 5400 feet; the roof is supported by four rows of iron pillars; the centre part being raised nine feet, has a range of windows on each side, by which a proper ventilation is obtained as well as additional light.
Attached to the upper end of the building is a second entrance, communicating with an office for the clerk of the market.
The first stone of the edifice was laid by Mr. W. H. Griffiths, May 28th, 1835, and was completed by that time in the next year, in a manner creditable to the architects, Messrs. Fallows and Hart, of Birmingham.
THE SALOP INFIRMARY.
Among the various channels through which the stream of christian benevolence pursues its fertilizing course to the ocean of charity, those Institutions which have for their express design the cultivation of the mind and the alleviation of misfortunes which the casualties of life and the infirmities of human nature render mankind alike heir to, afford undoubtedly the safest application of real beneficence, being, in a measure, free from that imposition with which an indiscriminate charity has unfortunately so often to contend.
From the most remote period the virtuous breast has cultivated the sublime desire of mitigating, as far as possible, the pain and wretchedness consequent upon disease and suffering,—hence we find that the munificence which characterised our forefathers centuries ago was not altogether confined to the erection of numerous places for Divine Worship, and for which our town was early distinguished, but that the pleasing pain of sympathy prompted them also to build and endow “Hospitals” for the reception of the sick and diseased, and “Almshouses” for the aged and infirm. The first record we possess of the existence of such charitable institutions in Shrewsbury is as early as the time of Henry the Second, beside an “Infirmary” founded by Earl Roger de Montgomery, within the precinct of the “Abbey,” as an asylum for diseased and superannuated monks, a fragment of which erection yet remains.
The rapacity, however, which disgraced the dissolution of Monasteries and whatever sustained the character of a “Religious House,” has, with a solitary exception, rendered these ancient Hospitals defunct;—nor was it until the commencement of the last century that the attention of the public was particularly directed to the foundation of Hospitals or Infirmaries, and which, from the number of hospitals erected in the course of that period, will, no doubt, be a memorable age in the annals of Medical Charities;—whilst it may be no mean compliment to our town and county to mention that its inhabitants early caught the rising spark of this generous flame, and had the distinguished honour of being the fifth in the kingdom to form the way in establishing a Provincial Asylum, on the basis of public benevolence,—the Salop Infirmary having commenced its salutary operations April 25th, 1747.