40 BEWDLEY, RIBBESFORD, AND WRIBBENHALL.

structure is unworthy of such repeated expenditure, and, as the site is a very commanding one, facing the whole length of the principal street and the bridge over the Severn, a new church obstructed on the best mediaeval models would present a grand feature to the town, and be admired by every visitor.

In 1853 an ecclesiastical district was assigned to Bewdley chapel, which comprises a population of 1,200 inhabitants. In about six years this district will become an entirely separate parish; but it is remarkable that no provision has been made for the incumbent, except what may accrue to him as his portion of the pew rents.

The town itself is picturesque enough. You enter it over Telford's handsome Severn bridge, erected in 1797, and see before you the wide and handsome highway of Lode Street, with the aforesaid chapel facing you at the other end. Behind the chapel two streets branch out of this main one. There are many old timbered houses in the town, and three of the four gateways it once possessed were standing in living memory, The Town Hall is well built of white stone. The Market Hall and shambles underneath are commodious enough, and there is a "hole," or lock-up. Life and property in Bewdley are guarded by one policeman and one superintendent. Some time ago an endeavour was made to amalgamate this force with that of the county, but the thoughtful burgesses wouldn't stand the expense nor the interference with their self-government. One good thing, however, has been done by them - to wit, the application of the Health of Towns Act, so that the sanitary state of the borough is in first-rate order, and the proverbial longevity of the people leads to the inference that instead of wine or grog they tipple elixir-vitae-and-water. Then they have a most efficient rifle corps - seventy strong - and a noble captain, W, N. Marcy, Esq., distinguished among "jolly" fellows. They ring their curfew bell every night, and

* The engravings of Bewdley and Worcester are from blocks used by Mr. J. Randall, F.G.S., Madeley, in his "Severn Valley," of which work he still has a few copies on hand.