SHROPSHIRE AND NORTH WALES NATURAL HISTORY AND ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY.
At a meeting held at Shrewsbury on the 26th of June, 1835, it was resolved to establish a Natural History Society for the county of Salop and North Wales, and to found a central museum and scientific library.
In order to secure the perpetuity of the institution, and to guard against the possible dispersion of the museum at any future period, the property of the society is vested in the lords lieutenant of the county of Salop, and of the several counties of North Wales, as trustees, for the permanent use and benefit of the district at large.
The museum is principally designed to illustrate the Natural History of the district, in its various branches of geology, mineralogy, zoology, and botany, by the gradual formation of complete and systematic arrangements of its productions, in each of these departments. It is also open p. 170to other objects of scientific interest, and in particular is a suitable repository for such remains of antiquity as are found within the district, or illustrate its general history. But, in addition to these more local objects, the museum will, it is anticipated, through the liberality of the friends of science in various quarters, be enriched with many specimens from distant places.
The library consists of Books illustrative of Natural History and Antiquities, and such works of reference as the funds of the society may admit of being purchased, for the illustration of the objects in the museum. The library, as well as the museum, is open to donations from the members and friends of the institution.
The society’s affairs are under the management of a council, consisting of a president and other officers, elected annually.
A house situated in Dogpole is at present the temporary repository for the collections of the Museum, &c.
THE SUBSCRIPTION LIBRARY
Is on St. John’s Hill, and contains an excellent collection of books in the various departments of literature and science. Its affairs are confided to a committee. Proprietary members pay two guineas admission, and an annual subscription of one guinea and a half; and strangers, on the introduction of a subscriber, have the privilege of consulting any of the books during library hours.
THE NEW CHORAL SOCIETY
Has for its design the cultivation of the delightful science of sacred music, and was revived in 1834. It is under the management of a secretary and committee, and is supported by a respectable number of honorary members.
p. 171THE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
was engrafted (in the year 1834) on a florists’ society planted in this town in 1823. Its object is to promote the culture of the auricula, polyanthus, pink, ranunculus, carnation, picotee, dahlia, gooseberry, &c.
MECHANICS’ INSTITUTION.
This institution commenced in 1825, and in the year 1833 a building was erected for their meetings in Howard-street, Castle-foregate. The expences of the establishment are defrayed by subscriptions and donations.
NEWSPAPERS.
Two weekly newspapers are published here: viz. Wednesday, The Salopian Journal, by Mr. John Eddowes, Corn-market. Friday, The Shrewsbury Chronicle, by Mr. John Watton, St. John’s-hill.