kUABON TO WREXHAM. I3J; 



buildings are in general good^ and the adjacent 

 country is fo beautiful, as to have induced many 

 families to fix their refidence in its vicinity. The 

 centre ftreet, in which the market is held, is of 

 confiderable length, and of unufual width for an 

 ancient town. The common hall is a large and 

 convenient building. This place was known tp our 

 Saxon anceftors by the name of Wrightefliam, of 

 "Wrightlelliam. A few centuries ago it was noted 

 as the refort of buckler, or ihield makers*. 



The thurch was formerly collegiate, and is yet ^ 

 moft elegant flrudture. On the exterior it is richly- 

 ornamented with gothic fculpture. The tower, 

 which is about a hundred and forty feet in height^ 

 is particularly beautiful. On three of its fides there 

 have been flatues as large as life, of no fewer than 

 thirty faints: two have been deftroyed by falling 

 from their niches. Mifs Seward^ in her verfes on 

 Wrexham, has finely expreifed the elegance of this 

 building : 



Her hallow'd temple tliere religion (hews* 



That erft with beauteous majefty arofe, 



In ancient days, when gothic art difplay'd 



Her fanes in airy elegance array'd, 



Whofe namelefs charms the Dorian claims efface* 



Corinthian fplendor and Ionic grace. 



* " Wrexham* truly called Wrightleiham, is the only market 

 lown of Welfh Maelor, having a goodly church eijllegiate : ther-e 

 Jongith no prebendes to it, though it be collegiated. There be 

 fum merchauntes and good bokekr makeri." ^glaiid's Itin. 



V. |2. 



K 4 The 



