Lord Hill’s ColumnThis noble column, erected in honour of the VALOUR and VIRTUES of an individual whose well-earned laurels have gained him a firm affection in the hearts of his countrymen, and truly rendered him Salopia’s Pride and England’s Glory, stands on a rising ground at the entrance of the town from the London road, and forms an interesting object to the surrounding country. It is said to be the largest Grecian Doric column in the world.

The first stone was laid by the Salopian Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, on the 27th December, 1814.

The pedestal is square, rising upon two steps, with a large pier at each angle, on which are placed lions couchant, worked out of Grinshill stone by Mr. Carline, of this town.

The diameter at the base is 15 feet, and the other dimensions are as follow:—

The colossal statue of his Lordship on the summit is executed in artificial stone by Messrs. Coade and Sealy, of London, modelled by Panzetta. The original design for the column was by Mr. Haycock, of Shrewsbury.

The contractors were Messrs. Simpson and Lawrence; on the death of the former, the work devolved upon Mr. Straphen, who completed it, and erected the elegant staircase within the building at his own expense.

The last stone was laid in 1816, on the anniversary of the memorable battle of Waterloo.On the pedestal are the following inscriptions:

ON THE SOUTH SIDE.

Civi • svo • Rolando
Domino • Baroni • Hill • ab • Almarez • et • Hawkstone
Popvlares • eivs • ex • agro • atqve • municipio • Salopiensi
Colvmnam • hancce • cvm • statva • P • C.
A • S • MDCCCXVI.
Is • in • re • militari • qvemadmodvm • se • gesserit
Testes • sint • Lvsitania • Hispania • Galliae
Narbonensis • ac • Belgica
Artvrivs • Dvx • a • Wellington
Sociorvm • et • qvidem • hostivm • exercitvs.

ON THE NORTH SIDE.

To Lieutenant General Rowland Lord Hill,
Baron Hill of Almarez and Hawkstone, G. C. B.
Not more distinguished for his skill and courage in the field,
During the arduous campaigns in Spain and Portugal,
The South of France, and the memorable Plains of Waterloo,
Than for his benevolent and paternal care,
In providing for the comforts and supplying the necessities
Of his victorious countrymen,
And for that humanity and generosity
Which their vanquished foes experienced and acknowledged:
The inhabitants of the Town and County of Salop
Have erected this Column and Statue,
As a memorial of their respect and gratitude to an illustrious
contemporary,
And an incitement to emulation in the heroes and
patriots of future ages.
A. D. MDCCCXVI.

ON THE EAST SIDE.

This splendid memorial is constructed of fine Grinshill stone; the total expence, including the cottage and other incidentals, amounted to £5973. 13s. 2d. which was raised by a subscription throughout the county.

Within the shaft is a staircase of 172 steps, forming a well in the centre, each step having an iron baluster with a gilt letter inserted on a small panel, which gives the following inscription:—

“This staircase was the gift of John Straphen, the builder, as his donation towards erecting this Column. The first stone of the foundation was laid December 27th, 1814, and completed June 18th, 1816, the anniversary of the glorious Battle of Waterloo.”

The column may be ascended by a gratuity to the keeper, who resides in a neat Doric cottage adjoining.

From the railing at the top is a delightful panoramic view of the fertile plain of Shropshire, to which the bold appearance of Shrewsbury, and its once formidable Castle mantled with leafy verdure, forms a prominent contrast.

The surrounding distances are replete with interest, being composed of fine undulating hills and mountains. Proceeding northward, the eye ranges over the Nesscliff and Selattyn hills, the mountainous tract of the Berwyn, the luxuriantly crowned summit of Pimhill, the wild and romantic rock of Grinshill, and the gentler eminences of Hawkstone, whose tasteful plantations and noble woods are seen at a distance of twelve miles, among which rises the “Obelisk,” erected to the memory of Sir Rowland Hill, the first Protestant Lord Mayor of London.

In the foreground north-east is the plain, renowned in history, and immortalized by Shakspeare in dramatic poetry, as the scene of the great and important Battle of Shrewsbury, in 1403, in commemoration of which Henry IV. piously founded a church, called to this day “Battlefield,” the well-proportioned tower of which is easily distinguished.

The turrets of the modern castellated mansion of Sundorne are particularly striking, and remind us of the beautiful lines of Mrs. Hemans—

The stately Homes of England,
How beautiful they stand!
Amidst their tall ancestral trees,
O’er all the pleasant land.

Further eastward are the venerable and truly picturesque ruins of Haghmond Monastery, founded in the year 1100, for canons of the order of St. Augustine. Near the remains of this once more noble pile is the wooded ascent of Haghmond Hill, and its conspicuously placed Shooting Tower, beneath which is the retired village of Uffington and its primitive church.

Direct east stands exalted in noble majesty the isolated Wrekin, the natural Heart of Shropshire, in front of which appears the exuberant foliage surrounding Longner Hall. Directing the eye southwards, is Charlton Hill, bounded by the towering summit of the Brown Clee (1820 feet in height), and the Lawley, Acton Burnell Park, Frodesley, and other Shropshire hills, among which is the lofty Caerdoc, otherwise Caer Caradoc, where Caractacus (the last of the original British princes) is said to have displayed his patriotism and daring spirit against the united efforts of the Roman forces.

Onward in the horizon, beyond a remote cultivated country, is the Longmynd with its straight outline, and the Stiperstones, topped by rocks, similar to the august relics of castellated grandeur; these are connected by the Bromlow and Long Mountain; and the panorama terminates with the lofty mountains of Breidden, Cefn y Cayster, and Moelygolfa, which, with more distant eminences, form a fine back-ground to a portion of the town, while the middle distance all around is unequalled for richness and fertility.

Nor, whilst extolling the environs and distant scenes around, let us forget the immediate vicinity of the Column: its verdant pastures, sequestered lanes, stately trees, and rural scenery, are surpassed by none so near a populous county town.