1 StiCAF.TIKS CHirR.CE. 2 sTrHILJPS CHURCH. AN HISTORIGAL AND DESCRIPTIVE SKETCH BIRMINGHAM; WITH SOME ACCOUNT OF ITS E-NVIRONS, AND FORTY-FOUR VIEWS OF THE PRINCIPAL PUBLIC BUILDINGS, ^0. ifc. Submissive to the .«kilfal workman's will, Here the rough metals brighten into fame ; Taking a thousand diff'rent artful forms, Minute or massive, simple or complex, Sought through the world for ornament or use. Jago. BIRMINGHAM : BEILBY, KNOTT, AND BEILBY. MDCCCXXX. 5465 T. KNOTT, JUN. PRINTER. c. c I etc. c c ccc c /^J'S TO JOHN GOUGH, ESQUIRE, OF PERRY HALL, IN THE COUNTY OF STAFFORD, WHOSE ANCESTORS, DURING A LONG RESIDENCE IN THE VICINITY OF BIRMINGHAM, PROMOTED IN SUCCESSION THE WELFARE OF THE TOWN ; AND WHO HIMSELF, BY HIS MUNIFICENT LIBERALITY TO ITS PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS, IS ENTITLED TO THE RESPECT AND GRATITUDE OF THE INHABITANTS, THIS WORK IS RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED BY HIS MOST OBEDIENT SERVANTS, BEILBY, KNOTT, and BEILBY. INTRODUCTION. THE great and increasing extent and po- pulation of the Town of Birmingham, its es- tablished importance as the seat of an almost infinite variety of the mechanical arts of the nation, the ingenuity and commercial spirit of the inhabitants, the rapid progress of im- provement in its streets and buildings, and the splendour of its Triennial Musical Festi- val, are circumstances all combining to give to the place that high degree of celebrity which must necessarily awaken in the minds of Visitors a desire for accurate information as to its general history and present state. That information is intended to be supplied by the Work now submitted to the Public, which the Publishers hope will not only be found to answer every reasonable expectation A 2 VI of those for whose use it is peculiarly intend- ed, but also prove an interesting and accept- able Memorial to the Inhabitant. The principal Public Buildings of the town, comprising jorty-Jour distinct subjects, are faithfully represented in a series of neatly executed Engravings, with which this Work is embellished. Birmingham^ 1830. CONTENTS. Page. Situation, Superficial Contents, and Outline of Na- tural History ... ... ••• ^ Orthography and Etymology ... -• ^ Ancient History ... ... ••• " Battle of Birmingham ... ••• ^^ Modern Occurrences ... ... ••• ^ Riots of 1791 ... .. — ^1 Increase of the Town, Population ... ••• ^^ Character and Condition of Society ••• '" Manufactures, Trade, and Commerce ••• 76 Manor ... .. ... ••• ^^ Government and Police ... ... ••• ^^ Markets ... ... ... ... ^7 Thursday's Market ... ... — ^7 Monday and Saturday's Markets ••• 89 Hay and Straw Market ... ... ^0 Fairs ... ... ... .- 90 Vfakes ... ... ... ••. 91 DeritendWake ... ... ... 91 Chapel Wake ... ... ... 91 Bell Wake ... ... ... 91 General Description and Improvements ... 92 Intended Improvements ... ... ... 97 Decayed Religious Establishment, Hospital of St. Thomas the Apostle, or Priory 98 VIII Page. Places of Worship, St. Martin's Church ... ... 103 Clodshale's Chantry ... 107 Parsonage ... ... 108 St. Philip's Church ... ... ... 109 Christ Church ... ... ... 112 St. George's Church • ... ... 116 St. Peter's Church ... ... ... 119 St. Thomas's Church ... ... 121 St. Bartholomew's Chapel ... ... 122 St. Mary's Chapel ... ... ... 123 St. Paul's Chapel ... ... ... 124 St. John's Chapel, Deritend ... ... 125 St. James's Chapel, Ashsted ... ... 129 Trinity Chapel, Bordesley ... ... 130 Jews' Synagogue ... ... ... 133 Roman Catholic Chapels (St. Peter's and St. Chad's ... ... ... 134 Quaker's Meeting House ... ... 134 Old Meeting House (Unitarians) ... 135 New Meeting House (ditto) ... ... 136 Carr's Lane Meeting House (Independents) 136 Livery-street Meeting House (ditto) ... 137 Ebenezer Meeting House (ditto) ... 138 Baptist Meeting Houses, Particular Baptists — Cannon-street ... 138 Bond-street ... 139 Newhall-street .. 139 Mount Zion ... 139 General Baptists — Lombard- street ... 140 Methodist Meeting Houses, AVesleyan — Cherry-street ... ... 140 Belmont-row ... .. 141 Bradford-street ... ... 141 IX Methodist Meeting Houses continued Page. Wesleyaii — Islington ... ... 141 Constitution-hill ... 141 New Connexion — Oxford-street ... 141 King-street Meeting House (Lady Huntingdon's Connexion) ... ... ... 141 Calvinist Meeting Houses, Bartholomew-street- ... ... 142 Newhall-street ... ... 142 New Jerusalem Temple (Swedenborgians) 142 Scottish Church ... ... ... I42 Charitable Institutions, General Hospital ... ... ... 142 Grand Musical Festivals for the Benefit of ... ... ... 146 Dispensary ... ... ... 148 Self-Supporting Dispensary ... ... 149 House of Recovery, or Fever Hospital ... 150 Institution for Belief of Bodily Deformity 151 Eye Infirmary ... ... .. 151 Guild of the Holy Cross, now the Free School, New-street ... ... ... 151 Blue Coat Charity School ... ... 160 Protestant Dissenting Charit_y School ... 162 Deaf and Dumb Institution ... ... 163 Lancasterian School ... ... ... 166 National or Madras School ... ... 167 St. David's Society (or Welsh Charity) ... 168 Infant Schools ... ... ... 168 Sunday Schools ... „. ... 170 Fentham's Trust .. ... ... 170 Crowley's Trust ... ... ... 170 Scott's Trust ... ... ... 171 Piddock's Trust ... ... ... 171 Lench's Trust and Alms Houses ... 171 Charitable Ixstitutions continued. Society for the Relief of Poor Aged and Infirm Women ... ... ... 173 Female Penitentiary ... ... 173 Private Benevolent Societies ... ... 174 Musical Performances for Benefit of Aged and Distressed Housekeepers ... ... 174 Branch Bible and other Societies ... 174 Private Clubs, or Friendly Societies— Provident Society ... ... ... ... 175 Savings Bank and Friendly Institution ... 175 Workhouse ... ... ... 177 Asylum ... ... ... ... 178 Amusements, Theatre ... ... ... ... 179 Dancing and Card Assemblies ... ... 182 Pri-vate Concerts ... ... ... 183 Plarmonic Society ... ... ... 183 Oratorio Choral Society ... ••. 184 Vauxhall Gardens ... ... ... 184 Bowling Greens, &c. ... ... 184 Scientific and Literary Establishments, Philosophical Institution ... ... 185 Mechanics' Institution ... ... 186 Society of Arts .. ... ... 188 Institution for Promoting the Fine Arts ... 191 School of Medicine and Surgery ... 192 Old Library 194 New Library ... ... ... ... 195 Theological Library ... ... ... 195 News Boom .. ... ... ... 195 Miscellaneous Public Buildings and Estab- lishments, Public Office and Prison ... ... ... 196 Prison, Bordesley ... ... ... 198 Court of Bequests ... ... ... 199 XI Page. Miscellaneous Public Buildings, &c. continued^ Post Office 201 Excise Office 201 Assay Office .. . . ... ... 202 Gun-barrel Proof House ... ... 202 Barracks for Cavalry ... ... ... 204 General Market-place ... .., ... 205 The Old Cross ... 205 Welsh Cross ... 206 Nelson's Statue ... 207 Market Pump ... 208 Smithfield 208 Deritend Bridge ... ... ... 209 Other Buildings and Establishments and Objects of Public Notice, Lady AVell and Baths 211 Pudding Brook ... ... ... 212 Birmingham Canal ... ... ... 212 Worcester and Birmingham Canal ... 214 AVarwick and Birmingham Canal ... 215 Water-Works ... ... ... ... 210* Fire Office ... ... ... ... 217 GasAVorks ... ... ... ... 217 Crescent ... ... ... ... 218 Baskerville Place ... ... ... 219 Beards worth's Repository and Carriage Mart 221 Soho Manufactory, &c. ... ... ... 221 Manufactory and Shew Rooms of Mr.Thomason 227 Pantechnetheka ... ... ... ... 227 Further Notice of Manufactories, &c. ... 228 Joint Stock Establishments, Brass Works, Broad-street ... ... 22D Birmingham Mining and Copper Co. ... 230 Crown Copper Co. ... -. ... 230 Old Union Mill (Flour and Bread Co.) ... 230 New ditto (ditto) ... 230 XII Joint Stock Establishments cotitinued, Page. Warstone and Deritend Breweries ... 230 Birmingham Brewery ... ... 230 Union Rolling Mill, Crescent ... 230 Chamber of Manufactures and Commerce ... 230 Societies for Protection of Trade and Prosecution of Felons ... ... ... ... 231 Botanical and Horticultural Society ... 231 Principal Inns ... ... ... 232 Banks ... ... ... ... 233 Table of Ilackney Coach Fares and Stands ... 233 Newspapers ... ... ... 235 Environs of Birmingham, Aston ... ... ... ... 235 Handsworth ... ... ... 240 Harbourn ... .. ... 242 Edgbaston ... .. ,.. 244 King's Norton and Moseley ... ... 248 Additions and Corrections ... ... 251 LIST OF THE PLATES, With directions for placing them^ and references to the descrip. five Articles. To face the Title, / 1 St. Martin's Church ^ 2 St. Philip's Church descriled page 103 109 To face p. 112, 1 St. Peter's Church j 2 St. George's Church ^ 3 Christ Church 4 St. Thomas's Church 119 116 112 121 To face p. 122, 1 St. Paul's Chapel ... ^ 2 St. Mary's Chapel 3 St. Bartholomew's Chapel .. 124 123 122 To face p. 128, 1 Trinity Chapel, Bordesley , 2 St. John's Chapel, Deritend 3 St. James's Chapel, Ashted ... 130 125 129 XIV To face p. 136, 1 Carr's-lane Meeting H( )use described page 136 2 Cherry-street ditto .. 140 3 Ebenezer ditto .. 138 4 Mount Zion Chapel ... 139 To face p. 138, 1 Old Meeting House ... 135 2 Cannon-street Meeting House 138 3 Livery-street Meeting Bouse 137 4 New Meeting House 136 5 Newhall-street Meeting House 139 C Belmont-row Meeting House 141 To face p. 142, 1 Institution for the Deaf and Dumb, ) , ^„ Edgbaston J - ^^^ 2 Dispensary ... ... ... .. 148 4 3 Charity School, Park-street .. .. 162 4 General Hospital ... ... ... 142 5 Blue Coat Charity School ... ... ... 160 To face p. 151, i 1 Philosophical Society Lecture Room (interior) 185 2 Academy of Arts (interior before rebuilt) ... 188 3 Free Grammar School of King Edward VI. 151 To face p. 180, 1 Theatre Royal ... ... ... ... 179 J 2 Old Library 194 3 New Library ..^ ... .. .. 195 4 News Room .. ... ... ... 195 To face p. 190, 1 New Building of Society of Arts ... ... 190 >/ 2 Interior of ditto ... ... ... — 190 J i XV To face p. 177, 1 Cavalry Barracks ... ... described 2)age 204 2 Workhouse ... .. 177 3 Gun-barrel Proof House ... 202 4 Asylum for Infant Poor . ... ... 17^ To face p. 196, 1 Public Office 19G 2 Post Office 201 3 Birmingham Fire Office ... 217 4 Birmingham Canal Office ... ... ... 212 A SKETCH, &c. SITUATION—SUPERFICIAL CONTENTS— AND OUTLINE OF NATURAL HISTORY. J HE market town of Birmingham, famed at an early period for the manufacture of articles of iron, and distinguished in modern times by its great advancement in population, and by the successful pursuits of commercial and manufacturing indus- try, is situate near the centre of England, in the north-west peninsular extremity of the county of Warwick, in the hundred of Hemlingford, the diocese of Lichfield and Coventry, and the deanery of Arden. Latitude 52° 59' north ; longitude 1° 48' west from Greenwich.* The parish is bounded east by that of Aston, in the county of Warwick; west and south-west by that of Edgbaston, in the same county; north by that of Handsworth, in the county of Stafford ; north-west by that of Harborne, also in the county of Stafford ; and on the south slightly touching the parish of King's Norton, in the county of Worces- ter : being distant about 20 miles from Warwick, • Vide Sherriff's Map; other calculations vary a little from his. 3 SITUATION, &c 18 from Coventry, 26 from Stafford, 26 from Wor- cester, and 109 from London. It is small in size compared with most of the other parishes in the neighbourhood, a circumstance which Mr. Hutton has endeavoured to account for by observing that when Alfred parcelled out his kingdom, where he met with a town he allotted a smaller quantity of land, because the inhabitants chiefly depended upon commerce ; but where there was only a village, he allotted a larger, because they depended on agriculture; which observation, he adds, goes far in proving the antiquity of the place, it being 900 years since that division was effected. The parish is somewhat of an oval form, and about seven miles in circumference, the longest diameter, nearly in the direction from east to west, being about three miles ; and the widest, from north to south, more than two. The superficial contents are stated at about 2864 acres, whereof the town, occupying the south-eastern part of the parish, covers nearly one-half. In this direction Birming- ham has considerably overstepped her parochial limits, numerous lines of streets being continued into the adjoining parish of Aston. The foundation upon which the town stands is one solid mass of dry reddish sand. As no part lies flat, the showers promote both cleanliness and health by carrying off the dirt and filth into the small river Rea, which bounds the eastern side of the parish. Except from Hales Owen, on the north- SITUATION, Ac, 3 west, the approach to Birmingham on every side is by ascent, which gives a free accession of air, and allows the sun to exercise his full powers of exha- lation. Former writers have viewed Birmingham as low and watery, because Digbeth, then the chief street, bears that description. But all future writers will view her on an eminence, and with as much reason, because for one low street we have now fifty ele- vated. The soil is rather light, sandy, and weak. The northern part of the parish, consisting of about 400 acres, denominated Birmingham Heath, Kaye Hill, and Gibb Heath, lay waste till 1800, when it was inclosed under the authority of an Act of Parlia- ment. A considerable portion of the land near the town is parcelled out into small gardens, averaging about a guinea, or from that to two guineas per annum rent. These are occupied not so much for profit as for health and amusement, to both of which, as well as to the improvement of the morals of the people, they essentially contribute. There are now but few farms in the parish, and those of small size; much of the land not used for gardens being let out in small quantities, to various persons, for purposes of accommodation. There is no natural river running through the parish, but there are three which mark its boun- daries for about half its circumference. One is a little stream crossing the Bromsgrove turnpike road A 2 4 SITUATION, &c. near the first mile-stone; the second, Shirland Brook, on the Dudley road ; and the third and principal one, the River Rea, which runs at the foot of Digbeth, and over which is a handsome bridge at the entrance of the parish from the Lon- don road. The town is abundantly supplied with good water for ordinary purposes by means of pumps inserted into wells throughout the town. That in the upper part, which is found at the depth of about 20 yards, is mostly hard ; but in Digbeth, and generally along the lower side of the town, there is a never-failing supply of excellent soft water, with which the inhabitants are accommo- dated at a reasonable rate, by persons who make it their business to take it about in carts and cans for sale. The natural air of the place cannot perhaps be excelled in this climate ; the moderate elevation and dry soil, of course essentially contribute to its purity, but it receives an alloy from the congregated bodies of nearly 100,000 people, from the conti- nual smoke of the immense quantity of coals con- sumed, and from the noxious effluvia of various trades. Nevertheless, instances of many of the inhabitants living to a very advanced age are nu- merous, and the general healthiness of the people probably exceeds that of any other manufacturing town of equal size ; indeed^ it is remarked by the most accurate observer of the probability of human existence (Dr. Price), to be one of the healthies*- ORTIIOGRAPII V, *c. O towns in England. Dr. Priestley, too, pronounced the air of the place to be equally pure as any he had analysed. Mr. Hutton has truly observed of Birmingham, that she is peculiarly favoured with the enjoyment of four of the greatest blessings that can attend human existence — water, air, the sun, and a situa- tion free from damps.* ORTHOGRAPHY AND ETYMOLOGY. Probably no place has undergone more changes in the orthography of its name, which, in the course of time, has been written in a great variety of ways. The following are a few selected instances, ar- ranged without regard to chronological order : — Byrmyncham, Brymyncham, Burmyncham, Ber- myncham, Birmincham, Byrmyngham, Byr- mingham, Bermyngeham, Bermyngham, Bur- myngham, Burmingham, Brumingham, Ber- mingeham, Bermigham, Bermingham. Brumwycheham, Bromwycham, Bromygham, Bromicham, Bremisham, Bremicham, Bre- mingeham.f Birmingham is now the fixed spelling, though in common speech, among persons careless of correct ■ Hutton's History of Birmingham. f Taken from Dugdale, Hutton, and a variety of published and MS. documents. 6 ORTHOGRAPHY, &c. pronunciation, the place is still not unfrequently called Brumicham, or Brummagem. The etymology of ihe name is, as it probably ever must remain, merely conjectural. Dugdale* (whose opinion is presumed to be founded on the Norman Survey, wherein it is called Bermingehamf) supposed it to have been originally taken from some Saxon possessor, the termination ham denoting a home or dwelling, and the previous part of the word, in his opinion, manifesting itself to be a proper name ; but the late Mr. HuttonX has con- tended for an earlier and different derivation, think- ing the name to have been originally, and long before the Saxon era, Bromwych ; Brom, perhaps from the shrub Broom, for the growth of which the soil is extremely favourable, and wych,\ a descent, which would correspond with the declivity from High-street to Digbeth ; observing also, in support of this hypothesis, that two other places in the neighbourhood bear the same name. Castle Brom- wich and West Bromwich; to which may be added a third. Little Bromwich : the termination ham he supposes to have been adopted, during the Saxon Heptarchy, from the Lord of the place having made * Antiquities of Warwickshire, 1656. t Gent. Mag. April, 1804, p. 299. X History of Birmingham, 1781. § The Saxon Wic^ or Wic% signified a village, &c. so that Brom or Broom Wich, would answer to Broom Village, and the particle ham being added, the whole (Bromwicham) might sig- nify a house or abode in Broom Village. ORTHOGRAPHY, &c. 7 it his residence; thus rendering Bromwycham as its then name. Mr. Hamper published in the Gentleman's Ma- gazine for 1804,* with references to various autho- rities, some remarks on the etymology of the name, wherein, after noticing the derivations given by Dugdale and Hutton, he observes : " These deri- '' vations, however plausible, seem to have but " little weight when we consider that the Roman ** Station, Bremenium,f was on the Ikeneild Street ** at this place. That word evidently bears a greater *' resemblance to the present Birmingham, than to *' Mr. Button's hypothetical Bromwich : and the " Historian of Manchester, in a note on the 10th *' Iter, of Richard of Cirencester,t says, ' The " * name of Bremenium is composed of Bre and " * Maen, the high stone, and the site of it must " * therefore have been on the crest of the hill at " * Birmingham.' In the Liber Niger of the Ex- " chequer§ it is written Breminyeham ; and in a list " of no less ih^njifti/ changes which the fluctua- " tion of orthography has caused in the name of " our town, I find nothing to support Mr. Hutton's " conjecture previous to the year 1336, when Bur- " myncham occurs. I must, therefore, prefer Mr. " Whitaker's derivation, until Mr. Hutton, or some • Gent. Mag. April, 1804, p. 299. t " Richard of Cirencester, Iter. 10." J " Whitaker's Hist, of Manchester. Appendix." § Lib. Niger Scaccarii, vol. i. 139. 8 ANCIENT HISTORY. " Other of Mr. Urban's Antiquarian friends, will " oblige me by producing a proof that Bromwych> " or Bromwycham, was the original name, and by " accounting for the manner in which it is spelt in *' Richard of Cirencester, Domesday Book, and *' the Liber Niger." Such are the various opinions that have been in- geniously advanced on the etymology of Birming- ham, a subject upon which no conclusive evidence is likely to be discovered. ANCIENT HISTORY. Though the town has a modern appearance, exhibiting but few vestiges of antiquity, there is reason to believe that its origin may be carried back to a very early date. Mr. Hutton gives it existence in the days of the Ancient Britons, as having been the manufactory whence that people obtained their warlike instruments, the sword, spear, shield, and scythe; observing that ironstone and coal, the ne- cessary materials for such productions, are both found in the neighbourhood, in great plenty ; and offering the two following circumstances as strongly evincing this ancient British manufactory: — * '* Upon the borders of the parish stands Aston " Furnace, appropriated for melting ironstone, and • Hutton's History of Birmingham, 4th edition, p. 22,23. ANCIENT HISTORY. 9 * reducing it into pigs :* this has the appearance ' of great antiquity. From the melted ore in this ■* subterranean region of infernal aspect, is pro- '' duced a calx, or cinder, of which there is an " enormous mountain. From an attentive survey '* the observer would suppose so prodigious a heap " could not accumulate in one hundred generations ; " however, it shews no perceptible addition in the *' age of man. " There is also a Common of vast extent, called ** Wednesbury Old Field, f- in which are the ves- " tiges of many hundreds of coal-pits, long in dis- " use, which the curious antiquary would deem as ** long in sinking, as the mountain of cinders in *' rising." Mr. Hutton also instances the roads that proceed from Birmingham as indications of her great anti- quity. t Where any of them led up an eminence, they were worn by the long practice of ages into deep holloways, some of them twelve or fourteen yards below the surface of the banks, with which they were once even, and extremely narrow. In this state most of these roads remained till within the last seventy or eighty years, during which the progress of improvement has nearly destroyed all traces of their original state. Among the most re- * Now disused as an iron furnace, and converted into a ma- nufactory of paper. •f About seven miles north north-west of Birmingham. J History of Birmingham, 4th edition, p. 25, 26. 10 ANCIENT HISTORY. markable may be mentioned one between Deritend and Camp-hill, in the way to Stratford-upon-Avon, which is said to have been nearly sixty feet deep ; another at Holloway-head, formerly the way to Bromsgrove and to Bewdley ; a third at Constitu- tion hill, on the Wolverhampton road ; and a fourth between Gosta-green and Aston Brook, on the road to Lichfield, In the opinion of the same author, British traces were discoverable in the old Dudley road, down Easy-hill, under the Canal; at the eighth mile- stone, and at Smethwick; also in several roads near Birmingham, which were never thought to merit a repair, particularly at Good Knave's-end, towards Harborne ; the Green-lane, leading to the Garrison ; and that beyond Longbridge, in the road to Yardley ; all of them deep holloways, carrying evident tokens of antiquity. Subsequent altera- tions and improvements have, however, in some in- stances, either destroyed or considerably lessened the traces to which he alludes. Birmingham lay within the British Division, or District of the Cqrnavii, a people who appear to have possessed that portion of the island which now composes the counties of Warwick, Worcester, Stafford, Salop, and Chester,* Under the Romans it was probably comprised within the Division called Flavia CcesariensiSf * Gibson's Camden, vol. i. ANCIENT HISTORY. 11 though, according to some writers, part of the county was included in that of Britannia Secunda. It has been already observed that the Roman Station Bremenium* (mentioned in the Itinerary of Richard of Cirencester,! Iter. 10) was at this place, and that the site was supposed to have been on the crest of the hill, which would agree with the course of the Ikeneild Street through the parish, on the north-west or upper side of the town. This street, one of the four famous military roads formed by the Romanst for the completion of their conquest of Britain, commenced near Southampton, extending from sea to sea in a direction from south to north across the island, and terminating upon the banks of the Tine, near Tinemouth, in Northumberland. It entered the parish of Birmingham near the Ob- servatory, in Lady Wood-lane, crossed the Dudley road at the Sandpits,§ continued along Worstone- lane, through the Little Pool and Hockley Brook, * The Bremenium of Antoninus was near the Wall in Nor- thumberland. -|- A Monk of Westminster, in the fourteenth century, who is supposed to have prepared his work from the remains of Re- cords drawn up by the authority of a Roman General, between the years 138 and 170, about the reign of Antoninus Pius. This Itinerary was unknown to Dugdale, having lain in concealment till 1747, when it was discovered at Copenhagen by Mr. Ber- tram, an English gentleman. — Vide Whitaker's Manchester, vol. i. X By some this Road is thought to have been originally made by the Britons, and its name would seem to be derived from the Iceni, the ancient British inhabitants of the Eastern Counties of England. — Vide Smith's Warwickshire delineated. § Near this spot stands Ikeneild House, late the residence of James WooUey, Esq. but now of Timothy Smith, Esq. 12 ANCIENT HISTORY. where it left the parish, and proceeded from thence (crossing the river Tame atOldford) to Sutton Cold- field and Sutton Park, and so onwards to its termi- nation. The distance which this road passed through the parish of Birmingham was about a mile in length, but its course here is now wholly invi- sible. On Sutton Coldfield, and in Sutton Park, four or five miles distant, a considerable portion of it, two or three miles in length, may yet be seen in a state of the greatest perfection.* The Romans formed or improved several smaller roads throughout the kingdom for common use, one of which, issuing from London, penetrates through Stratford-on-Avon (Street-ford), Monkspath-street, and Shirley-street, to Birmingham,^ affording another indication of the antiquity of the place. No vestiges of the station here remain. Mr. Hutton examined the country with care, but could find none. All traces of the precise site of it are equally lost, but Kaye-hill, or its immediate vicinity, near to Worstone-lane, is perhaps the most likely spot. In a concise History of Birmingham published a few years since, | it is stated to be obvious that the Romans had a station here from coins and other antiquities having been dug up ; and, in the same work, it is added, that " in June, 1816, as a man * Hutton's Hist, of Birmingham. -f Whitaker'sHist. of Manchester, vol. i. + Printed and published by Jabet and Moore, Birmingham. ANCIENT HISTORY. 13 '* was digging in his garden, near the Jews' Bury- " ing Ground"* (situate near the basin of the Wor- cester Canal), " he threw out a quantity of coins, " many of them in excellent preservation ; one was " of Vespasian, and had the following inscription " round the head : — imp. caesar vesp. avg. cos. " VII. — on the reverse, a figure in a long robe, " with a star upon the head, and the letters S. C. " one on each side." It is to be regretted that a more circumstantial account of this discovery was not published, with some clue for tracing the possession of the articles discovered. Of Birmingham in the time of the Saxons, when it formed part of the kingdom of Mercia, but little can be said — Dugdale states that '* this being a '' place very eminent for most commodities made " of iron, was, in Edward the Confessor's days, " the Freehold of one Vluuine' (modern Allen). f It is likewise recorded by the same author, that in 2d Edw. II. (1309) Willm. de Birmingham, then Lord of the Manor, on the trial of a suit between him and the inhabitants of Bromsgrove and King's Norton, touching the liability of such inhabitants to market toll in Birmingham, which they had re- fused to pay, and for which his bailiffs had dis- trained, after producing the charters of divers kings, &c. for justification of his market, further * About a mile from the supposed site of the Station. -f- Dugdale's Warwickshire. 14 ANCIENT HISTORY. alleged that his ancestors had a market here before the Norman Conquest:* and Mr. Hutton informs us that he had met with an old author who observes that Birmingham was governed by two Constables in the time of the Saxons. f After the Norman Invasion, William Fitz Aus- culfX (whose seat was the Castle of Dudley, about nine miles distant) possessed Birmingham, and divers other towns hereabout. § By the Conqueror's Survey (Domesday Book) Birmingham is rated for four hides, having woods of half a mile in length, and four furlongs in breadth ; all being then held of the same William by one Richard, and valued at twenty shillings. 1| Of the woods alluded to, no traces now remain ; but the site of them was probably on the western side of the parish, at, or in the vicinity of a place * Dugdale's Warwickshire — The men of Bromsgrove and Norton had judgment in their favour, on the plea that as the Lordships in which they inhabited were of the ancient Demesne of the Crown, the inhabitants thereof ought to be freed from the payment of toll throughout the realm, for all petty commodities, as victual and the like, except it could appear that they did buy and sell as common merchants. •f Button's Birmingham, 4th edition, p. 40. % According to a document referred to in Dr. Booker's His- tory of Dudley Castle, this name shsuld be written AHSCulph. § II Dugdale's Warwickshire. — A Hide of Land is variously estimated; some rate it as equal to 100 acres— others more — others less ; hut it does not seem to have comprised any certain quantity. It is said by some to have included as much land as one plough could till in a year. The then measure in, miles and furlongs would not precisely correspond with the measure of the present day, as the mile was not reduced to its present standard till the reign of Queen Eli- zabeth. ANCIENT HISTORY. 15 still called Lady-wood (formerly St. Mary's Wood, being so designated in the Free School Charter). William Fit z Ausculf \y?^s immediately succeeded in the enjoyment of Dudley Castle, and the sub- stance of all his other lands, by the Paganells ; from whom Birmingham, with other fair posses- sions, about the time of Henry I. came into that family which probably took its sirname from this place, and of which the above-named Richard is thought to have been the paternal ancestor: and it appears that Peter de Birmingham* Sewer to Ger- vase Paganell, held the place of the said Gervase by military service, in the 12th of Henry H. (1166). This Peter had a castle or mansion here, near the Church, on the south side (now Smithfield market) ; and by a grant of that King, as also of the same Gervase, a weekly market upon the Thursday, to him and his heirs ; which market King Richard I. afterwards confirmed to William de Birmingham, son and successor of the said Peter.f In 35th Henry HI. (1251), William de Birming- ham, son and successor of the last-mentioned Wil- liam, had a charter for a fair to be annually held here, by the space of four days, beginning on the eve of the Ascension (commonly called Holy Thurs- day) ; and in the same year another fair was granted * The office of Sewer was anciently one of honour, and held by persons of rank. Its duties were to serve up the feasts of the Lord in whose service the officer was engaged. •f Dugdale's Warwickshire. 16 ANCIl'NT IIISTOKY. to be yearly kept here for three days, viz. on tlie eve of St. John the Baptist, and the two days next following.* This William de Birmingham sided with his father-in-law, Thomas de Astley, and the other Barons, in the grand rebellion against Henry III. and was slain at the Battle of Evesham, in the 49th of that king's reign (1265); whereupon his lands being confiscated, the inheritance of this his Manor of Birmingham, rated at forty pounds, was given by the king, with other forfeited lordships, unto Roger ds Clifford, for his faithful service ; but as, by the Dictum de Kenihoorth, the greatest part of all men's lands so confiscate might be compounded for, this, with the rest, upon satisfaction made ac- cording to the tenor of that decree, was re-pos- sessed by William de Birmingham, son and heir to the rebel; which last-mentioned William, 11th Edw. I. (1283), obtained a charter of FreeWarren throughout all his demesne lands here and in other places. t In 12th Edward II. (1319), the inhabitants ob- tained a licence to take toll of all vendible commo- dities brought here to be sold, for the space of three years, viz. for every quarter of corn a farthing, (fee towards paving the town : but this work was not perfectly completed within that time, nor of fifteen years after; for in 7th Edward IIL (1333) they * Dugdale's Warwickshire, t Ibid. ANCIENT HISTORY. 17 obtained another license to take toll in like manner for the space of three years more.* The manor continued in the Birmingham family till the reign of Henry VIII. when it was wrested from Ediuard Birmingham, the then rightful pos- sessor, by an artifice, which, for heartless, cold- blooded villainy, has perhaps no parallel in the annals of crime. The infamous transaction is thus related by Dugdale : — " This Edward hapned to be the last of the *' family that had to do here ; for being contempo- " rary with that ambitious man John Dudley, af- *' terwards Viscount VIsle (more commonly known " by those greater titles which he sometimes had, " viz. Earl of Warwick and Duke of Northumher- " land), he was strangely wrested out of this " lordship ; for the said John, having possest him- " self of Dudley castle, and observing Berming- " ham a fit ornament for so noble a seat, but being " the principall residence of such a family, as had *' for some hundreds of years enjoy'd it, not likely * Dugdale. The late celebrated Antiquary Richard Gough, Esq. had in his possession a curious Map of England, on vellum, supposed to be of the age of Edward the Third, of which a fac-simile is engraved in Brit. Top. vol. 1, p. 76 Birmingham, in its pre- sent spelling, is shewn, and is the only place in Warwickshire mentioned by name upon the map. Coventry is also shewn, and some few other towns and villages in the county, but not named. Hence it would seem that, in those days, Birmingham had attained some degree of importance, or she would not have been considered worthy of especial notice on this map. 18 ANCIENT HISTORY. " to be purchased from the then rightfull owner, *' conspired by a wicked stratagem, to work him " out of it, which he soon put in practise : The " story whereof is in substance thus, as by tradi- " tion from divers discreet persons I have heard, " viz. that Dudley did set on some of his agents *' to lodge in Berminyham, and to learn when •' Master Bermingham was to ride out from home; ** which being accordingly done, they so contrived " their business, that one of their plot should ride '* leisurely before, so that they might soon, keep- ** ing but an ordinary pace, overtake him ; where- " upon they watcht an opportunity to strike into '' Master Berminghams company, as travailers, " with whom they soberly rode for a while; but *' being come up to their confederate, forthwith set *' upon him for his purse, so that the villain, thus " seemingly rob'd, makes pursuit after them, and *' likewise after Master Bermingham, as one of the " pack ; who being thereupon apprehended and '' prosecuted, apparently saw his danger. The " business therefore now working according to " Dudley's first design, there were others imployed *' to Mr. Bermingham with overture how he might " save his life ; viz. to make the Vicount Lisle his " friend in giving up this Lordship of Bermingham " to him ; which, that it might bear the better co- *' lour, and be the more valid, was performed by <' yielding it to the king, and ratified by a speciall AXCIENT HISTORY. 19 *' act of parliament, the tenor whereof was as fol- " loweth: (28 Hen. VIII. 1537) * Where Edward Byrminghanif late of Byr- * mingham, in the countie of Warivick, Esquire, * otherwise callid Edivard Byrmingham, Esquire, * ysand slandyth lawfully indettid to our Sovereing ' Lord the Kynge in diverse grete summes of * money ; and also standyth at the mercy of his * Highness, for that the same Edward ys at this * present convicted of felony ; our seid^ Sovereign ' Lord the Kyng, ys contentid and pleased, that ' for and in recompence and satisfaction to his ' grace of the seyde summes of money, to accept ' and take of the seyde Edwarde, the Mannour and ■ Lordship of Byrmingham, otherwise called Byr- mincham, with the appurtenances, lying and being in the countie of Warwick, and all and sin- gular other lands and tenements, reversions, rents, services, and hereditaments of the same Edivard Byrminghaniy set lying and beying in the countie of Warwick afForeseyde. Be yt there- fore ordeyned and enacted, by the authoritie of this present Parliament, that our saide Sovereine Lord the Kynge, shall have hold and enjoy to him his heirs and assignes, for ever, the seide Mannour and Lordship of Byrmingham, (&c.) — In which Act there is a reservation of £40 per an. to the said Edward, and Elizabeth his wife, during their lives.' "* * Dugdale's Warwickshire. B 2 20 ANCIENT HISTORY. From this Act it would appear that Birmingham was actually convicted of the felony alleged against him ; and his imprisonment in the Tower of Lon- don is manifested by a paper containing an account of the Charges of certain Prisoners in the Tower, temp. Hen. 8, published in Archseologia, vol. 18, p. 294. Thus (to use the language of Mr. Hutton) " in- " nocence is depressed for want of support; pro- " perty is wrested for want of the protection of the *' law ; and a vile Minister, in a corrupt age, can '* carry an infamous point through a Court of Jus- " lice, the two Houses of Parliament, and com- " pleat his horrid design by the sanction of a " Tyrant."* The place where tradition tells us the diabolical transaction happened, is the middle of Sandy Lane, in the Sutton road, the upper part of which begins at the north-east corner of Aslon Park wall, about two miles from the Manor House in Birmingham, the place of Edward's abode.f Northumberland, though perhaps covertly exer- cising every act of ownership, yet, with the view, as it would seem, to escape in some degree the cen- sure of the world for his hard dealing, suffered nme years to elapse before he ventured to take a formal grant from the Crown of the Birmingham Estate, for such grant bears not date till December 21st, 37 Hen. VHL (1546), a short time before • f Hutton*s Birmingham. ANCIENT HISTORY. 21 that King's decease, when the Manor of Birming- ham, and Patronage of the Rectory, late belong- ing unto the said Edward Birmingham, were, with other lands, passed unto Northumberland, who en- joyed not these possessions many more years, for having embarked in political intrigues, for the pur- pose of fixing the crown in his own family, he was attainted and beheaded 1 Mary (1553), whereupon the Manor and Estates of Birmingham again re- verted to the Crown ; and the same Queen, in 3d and 4th of her reign, granted the inheritance there- of to Thomas Maroiu, Esq. whose posterity (seated at Berkswell, in this county) continued Lords of it nearly 200 years.* The reign of Henry VIII. introduces us to that celebrated Antiquary and Tourist, Leland, whose Itinerary, begun about 1538, 30th of that reign, gives the following description of Birmingham, in the quaint phraseology of his time.f *' I came through a pretty street or ever I entred *' into Bermingham towne. This street, as I re- " member, is called Dirtey-X In it dwell smithes *' and cutlers, and there is a brooke that divideth * Dugdale's Warwickshire, and Hutton's Birmingham. -f- This quotation is correctly given from Hearne's 2d edition of Leland, printed at Oxford, 1744, vol. 4, p. 108-9, fol. 186, b. of the original. Leland is incorrecily quoted in Mr. Hutton's History of Birmingham, and in other published accounts of the place. \ " Dirty or Deriten." 22 ANCIENT HISTORY. *' this street from Bermigham,^ and is an hamlett *' or member belonginge to the parish therebye. " There is at the end of Dirtey a propper chap- ** pell and mansion house of tymber, hard on the " ripe as the brooke runneth downe, and as I went '' through the ford by the bridge, the water ranne " downe on the right hand, and a fewe miles " lower goeth into Tame ripa dextra. *' This brooke above Dirtey breaketh in 2 armes ** that a litle beneath the bridge close againe. ** This brooke riseth, as some say, 4 or 5 miles ** above Bermigham towards Black^ Hilles. " The beauty of Bermigham, a good markett " towne in the extreame partes of Warwike-shirey ** is one street going up alonge almost from the ** left ripe of the brooke up a meane hill by the " length of a quarter of a mile. I saw but one " paroch church in the towne. There be many " smithes in the towne that use to make knives and ** all mannour of cuttinge tooles, and many lori- " ners that make bittes, and a great many naylors. " Soe that a great part of the towne is maintained The following Annolations (1, 2, 3) are oj)pcnded 1o the above account : — * " Bremisham, Dyrtey is but an hamlet or niembre ♦* longynge to - - - -* paroche therby and is clene se- " pera'ted from Bremischam paroch — St." ' " Hilles in AVorcestershire. St." * [Aston.] ANCIENT HISTORY. 23 " by smithes whoe have iheire iron^ and sea-eole '' out of Stafford-shire.'' In the reign of Elizabeth, Camden, who had vi- sited Birmingham in the course of his tours, pub- lished his Britannia. In this work he mentions " Bremicham, swarming with inhabitants and " echoing with the noise of anvils (for here are " great numbers of smiths*). The lower part of the *' town is very watery. The upper part rises with " abundance of handsome buildings; and itis none " of the least honours of the place, that from hence * the noble and warlike family of the Bremichams " in Ireland, had both their original and namcj"! In 1588, on Elizabeth's requisition for extraor- dinary aid, by way of loan, for defence of the country against the Spanish Invasion, the following sums were raised in Birmingham, viz. '< William Kinge £25 " William Collmer 25 " John Warde 25."^ 3 " Yren out of Staffordshire and Warwikeshire and " see coale out of Staffordshire. St." Gibson makes the folloxving additions to this account : — • [And of other artificers in iron and steel, whose perfor- mances in that way are greatly admired both at home and abroad], -}- [And that it gives the title of Baron to Edzvard I^ord Dud- ley and ]Vard ; of which family, Humble Waid was created by King Charles the First, Lord Ward of Birmingham.^ X Bp. Gibson's Translation of Camden, vol. 1. § '* The Names of the Nobility, Gentry, and others, who " contributed to the defence of this Country at the time of the 24 ANCIENT HISTORY. The town, it should be remembered, was then comparatively small, both in extent and population ; and the whole county produced on the above occa- sion but forty contributors. In 1636, when Charles the First imposed upon his subjects the tax of ship money, Birmingham paid towards that tax £100, Coventry £266, War- wick £100, Sutton Coldfield £80, and Stratford £50.* During the vast succession of ages from the Nor- man Conquest to the time of the Civil War in the reign of Charles the First, the inhabitants of Bir- mingham appear to have steadily applied themselves to the labours of the hammer and the anvil ; sel- dom interfering or taking any part in national affairs, or in those great political questions which agitated most other towns. Some interest was excited among the inhabitants in the reign of Henry III. when William de Birmingham led a small number of the tenants of his lordship to the battle of Evesham, where they fought unsuccessfully on the side of the Barons ; but in the war between the Roses they were silent spectators. f Not so were they in the rebellion against Charles the First, but, on the contrary, became warm par- tizans on the side of the Parliament ; and, besides " Spanish Invasion in 1588," &.c. printed [from a contempo- rary MS.] for Leigh and Sotheby, London, 1798. Also Hut- ton's Hist, of Birmingham. • Hutton's Hist, of Birmingham. f Warwickshire— published at Coventry, 1817. ANCIENT HISTORY. 25 Other acts of hostility, stoutly opposed the en- trance into the town of the King's troops under Prince Rupert, on their march towards Lichfield and the north, in April, 1643. Clarendon, in his History of that Rebellion, strongly reproaches our ancestors for their disloy- alty en the occasion; and details the occurrences here at some length, and with considerable minute- ness ; we shall therefore extract from that work such passages as relate to the subject. In October, 1642, the King marched from Shrewsbury towards London ; and, in his progress, passed through Birmingham immediately before the Battle of Edge-Hill, which took place on the 23d of that month. Thus Clarendon — " there was not the least vio- " lence or disorder among the common soldiers, in " their march, which scaped exemplary punishment, " so that at Bromicham, a town so generally ** wicked, that it had risen upon small parties of ** the King's, and kill'd or taken them prisoners, '' and sent them to Coventry * declaring a more *' peremptory malice to his Majesty than any other " place, two soldiers were executed for having taken '* some small trifle of no value out of a house, " whose owner was at that time in the rebels " army. So strict was the discipline," «&c. * Hence, says Mr. Hutton, the proverbial expression re- specting a refractory person, Send him to Coventry, — Hist, of Birmingham. 26 ANCIENT HISTORY. Again — after noticing that in the beginning of April, 1643, Prince Rupert, with 1200 horse and dragoons, and 6 or 700 foot, marched towards Lichfield, on his way into the north. " In his way " thither, he was to march through Bromicham, a ** town in Warwickshire before mention'd, and of " as great fame for hearty, wilful, affected, dis- " loyalty to the king, as any place in England. " It is before remember'd, that the King in his " march from Shrewsbury, notwithstanding the " eminent malignity of that people, had shew'd as " eminent compassion to them ; not giving way " that they should suffer by the undistinguishing " license of the soldier, or by the severity of his •' own justice ; which clemency of his, found so " unequal a return, that, the next day after his re- " move thence, the inhabitants of that place seised " on his carriages, wherein were his own plate and " furniture; and conveyed them to Warwick ** castle; and had from that time, with unusual " industry and vigilance, apprehended all messen- " gers who were employed, or suspected to be so, '* in the king's service ; and though it was never " made a garrison by direction of the Parliament, " being built in such a form as was indeed hardly " capable of being fortified, yet they bad so great '* a desire to distinguish themselves from, tlie king's '* good subjects, that they cast up little slight ■' works at both ends of the town, and barricadoed ' the rest, and voluntarily engaged themselves not ' to admit any intercourse with the king's forces. atle lights thickly studded 90 FAIRS. over the area present a scene of some novelty, es- pecially if viewed from the foot of the declivity. THE HAY AND STRAW MARKET, Established in 1791, is held every Tuesday.— (See title Smithjield). FAIRS. There are two general Fairs held here annually under authority of the Grants to the Lord of the Manor made 35th Henry III.* and before referred to at page 15 ; but the times have been altered for public convenience. The first-mentioned fair is now held on Thursday in the Whitsun week ; the other on the last Thursday in September. Each continues three days. The Whitsun fair, happen- ing at a season of general holiday, is the largest and most important. The Michaelmas fair is re- markable for an abundant supply of onions, and is often called the onion fair. * By some mistake several of the modern published Accounts of Birmingham date the Charters for these Fairs in the reign of Edward the Third^ though Dugdale (see Antiquities of War- wickshire, art. Birmingham) clearly expresses the date of both Charters to be as we have given them, viz, 35/7* Henry III — The error appears to have originated in Mr. Hutton's History, and to have been continued with others from that work without further reference or investigation. WAKES. 91 At these fairs horses are exposed for sale at the northern end of Bristol-street, hence denominated the Horse-fair. Neat cattle, sheep, and pigs are sold in Smith- field. Both fairs, being in high repute, are well at- tended, and much business is transacted at them. The holiday people are numerous, as are also the usual exhibitions for their amusement ; and alto- gether much bustle, gaiety, and hilarity prevail on these occasions. WAKES. DERITEND WAKE July. In commemoration of the erection of the Chapel there about the year 1381 ; chiefly held in the High-street, Deritend. CHAPEL WAK^^-AugUSt, Originated in 1750, on the erection of St. Bar- tholomew's Chapel ; chiefly held in Coleshill-street. BELL WAKE — AugUSt. Commenced in 1751, in consequence of ten bells being hung in St. Philip's steeple ; chiefly held in Navigation-street, 02 GENERAL DESCRIPTION, &c. The foregoing are the only Wakes in Birming- ham ; and the celebration of these would be more honored in the breach than the observance. They afford attractions suited only to persons of the low- est and most depraved habits, and are consequently the scenes of drunkenness, dissipation, and up- roar. They are generally continued several days. Such festivities being of early origin, in celebra- tion of the founding of churches, it is remarkable that there should have been no wake connected with the mother church of St. Martin, which, till the erection of St. Philip's, was for many centuries the only church in the town. GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND IMPROVEMENTS. Under the above head we shall introduce a few remarks before proceeding to particularize the vari- ous objects which the town presents to our notice. The site of Birmingham is destitute of any na- tural feature sufficiently strong to attract the notice of the stranger ; and the inequality of the ground both in and about the town is such as to preclude any very good exterior view. The most striking and comprehensive near prospects are those from Bordesley and Highgate on the south-east and GENERAL DESCRIPTION, &e. 93 south, the former being the entrance from London. Some distant views of the town may occasionally be seen on approaching it from various points, chiefly from south, by west, to north. The principal approaches and entrances are those from Coventry, Warwick, and Stratford, on the south-east; from Wolverhampton, on the north; and from Worcester, on the south. The approach from Lichfield, on the north-east, is flat and unin- teresting. Much improvement, however, has of late been made in most of them ; and still further improvements are either intended or now in course of execution. The approach from Hales Owen, through the parish of Edgbaston, to the entrance at the Five ways turnpike gate, and from Worces- ter, through another part of the same parish, are pleasing from the great number and variety of com- fortable villa residences which for a considerable distance present themselves in succession on each side of the road. Other approaches partake of the same character, but in a less attractive degree. The town extends in length, from Bordesley, on the south-east, to the extremity of Great Hampton- street, on the north, rather more than two miles ; and the greatest width, from Vauxhall, on the east, to the Five-ways, on the west, is very little short of tlie same distance. A minute and faithful deli- neation of the whole site appears in a large and beautifully engraved Map of the Town, just pub- lished from actual survey, by the proprietors of the present work. 94 GENERAL DESCRIPTION, &c. The ancient parts of the town are Digbetk (for- merly Cock-street or Well-street, long celebrated for its springs of the purest soft water, which still afford abundant supplies), Edgbaston-street, Park- street^ Moor-street (or Mole-street), the Bull-ring (formerly Corn Cheaping), Spiceal- street (formerly Mercer or Spicer-street), High-street, Bull-street (or Chapel-street), and some other streets in imme- diate connection with the above. Their situation is on the side of a hill, with an aspect to the south- east. Very few of the old buildings now remain. The modern portion extends around over an un- dulating surface in every direction, and the exten- sion is rapidly increasing. The additions have been most considerable on the north. Many steam en- gines are erected, the tall and taper chimneys of which form conspicuous objects. One chimney es- pecially, of circular construction, situate near the Crescent, far exceeds all the others in altitude. The leading and principal streets in Birmingham are mostly of good width, and contain the better description of houses and retail shops, the latter being most numerous in Bull-street, High-street^ Digbeth, Snow-hill, Dale-end, New-street, and several adjoining streets. The greater part of the best shops are situate in High-street, Bull-street, and New-street; the two former streets presenting an almost unbroken range of them on both sides from end to end. Worcester-street is occupied chiefly by furniture brokers, and Dudley-street and GENERAL DESCRIPTION, &c. 96 the immediate neighbourhood is the chosen seat of the Jewish fraternity. New-street is decidedly the best street in the town, and in fine weather affords an agreeable pro- menade. It contains many public buildings and important establishments, among which is the Post- office, at the corner of Bennet's-hill, and opposite to the Theatre. From the upper end of New-street are several lines of approach to the fine Church and spacious Church-yard of St. Philip, a visit to which the stranger should by no means omit. Among the leading improvements effected in Birmingham during the present century may be mentioned the removal of the buildings round St. Martin's Church, and those which stood upon the present general Market-place; the widening of the western end of Moor-street, of both ends of Wor- cester-street, and of the lower end of Bull-street ; the re-building of Deritend Bridge, and the raising of the road there ; the filling up of the Moat, and the removal of the buildings to form the site of Smithfield Market-place ; the forming and walling round of the spacious burial ground in Park-street; and the erection of Christ Church and the three other new Churches of St. George, St. Peter, and St. Thomas, and Trinity Chapel, Bordesley. The western part of Temple-row and of Colmore- row, Ann-street, and the upper end of New-street, have recently undergone great alteration. In the place of mean and straggling erections, a variety 96 GENERAL DESCRIPTION, &c. of ornamental buildings have arisen, and others are in progress. Two new streets have also been laid out over the adjoining space of ground which was inclosed by the streets just mentioned, and previ- ously unbuilt upon. One of these new streets leading from the top of Newhall-street into New- street, opposite the Theatre, is called Bennett's- hill, the name which the site has long borne; the other, crossing this in a transverse direction, and leading from Temple-row to the end of Christ Church, and from thence into Ann-street, has re- ceived the name of Waterloo-street. They are both rapidly filling up with handsome buildings, having stuccoed or plastered fronts. The general pavement of the town consists af round pebbles on the footpaths, and of very hard stones of basalt on the carriage-ways ; but the footpaths of many of the principal streets are now laid with flag-stones, and the carriage-ways in se- veral parts re-constructed on the McAdam prin- ciple. Gas-lights are not only introduced for lighting the streets at night, but are very generally used in our public buildings and trading establishments ; an ample supply being afforded from two gas estab- lishments, one situate in the town, and the other at West Bromwich, about five or six miles distant. A nightly watch is provided, which, together with the paving, lighting, and cleansing of the streets, and the regulation of hackney coaches and GENERAL DESCRIPTION, &c. 97 cars, is under the management of a body of Com- missioners acting under the authority of a local Act of Parliament. Several attempts have been made to introduce Water-works for supplying the town with soft water by means of pipes, and in 1826 a conditional Act of Parliament was obtained for the purpose, but the scheme does not meet with encouragement from the inhabitants, who seem disposed to remain con- tent with the supply as at present derived from the almost innumerable pumps and wells with which the town abounds. The inn, travelling, and carrying accommoda- tions of the town are numerous and respectable ; and the different Canals connected with Birming- ham afford the great commercial advantage of water conveyance to and from all parts of the kingdom. INTENDED IMPROVEMENTS. An Act of Parliament, in lieu of the previous Town Regulation Act, was obtained in the year 1828 for better paving, lighting, watching, cleans- ing, and otherwise improving the town, and for re- gulating the police and markets thereof. Under the additional powers of this new Act the Commis- sioners intend to widen and enlarge the Market- place, to erect a Market-house, a Corn Exchange, and Totvn Hall; the latter of which is to be for a stated time, at the service and under the controul and direction of the Committee of Governors of 98 THE PRIORT. the General Hospital, when required for the Musi- cal Festival triennially held for the benefit of that institution. The Hospital Committee is also to be allowed to place an organ in the said hall, and to have access thereto at all suitable times for prac- tice and rehearsals. The Commissioners are further empowered to enlarge and render more commo- dious the Public-office. The removal of sundry projecting buildings and the widening of several of the contracted streets and passages in the town, are also contemplated by this Act; and the Commissioners intend immedi- ately to commence this portion of their labours by widening and improving Stafford-street, a great thoroughfare between Aston-street and Dale-end^ in immediate connection with the road to Sutton, Tamworth, and Lichfield, but hitherto dangerously narrow and incommodious. DECAYED RELIGIOUS ESTABLISHMENT. The only one in Birmingham disconnected with any existing public edifice or institution is THE HOSriTAL OF SAINT THOMAS THE APOSTLE,* OR TRIORY. This edifice stood at that end of the town to- wards Wolverhampton, on the spot which is now * I\Ir. Hutton says in mistake that it was called the Hospital of SaiatThomas Beckct The dissolved Guild of the HolyCross THE PRIORY. 99 The Square, near the upper end of Bull-street, and, according to probable conjecture, was sur- rounded by about fourteen acres of land. Dugdale observes, that touching the original foundation, he had not seen any further testimony than the Certificate made by the Commissioners upon the survey in 37th Henry VIII. where it is said they were informed that the ancestors of the Birminghams, Lords of Birmingham, erected it for one priest to sing mass daily therein, for the souls of the founders for ever ; as also that the then late Lord of Birmingham (viz. Edw. Birmingham, Esq.) did, inter alia, grant the patronage of it to one John Prettye for 99 years, which said John passed away his title therein to Mr. Clem. Throk- morton, Gentleman. And the first mention of it that he (Dugdale) found, was in 13 Edw. I. where it appeared that Thomas de Maidenhache (Lord of the Manor of Aston), gave unto it 10 acres of heath in Aston, Will, de Birmingham 10 acres likewise, and Ranulph de Rokehy 3 acres of land m Saltley. About that time were divers cottages and lands lying also in and about Birmingham, given to it by sundry others, viz. 22 acres of land and half an acre of meadow, by the same Will, de Birmingham, and the rest by a number of ordinary persons ; for all which the Prior and brethren there- of obtained the king's special pardon in 4 Edw. II. is mentioned in the description of the Free School, and Clod- shale's Chantry in the account of St. Martin's Church. G 2 LofC. 500 THE PRIORY. in regard they had been given thereto after ths publication of the statute of mortmain, made in 7 Edw. I. In 24 Edw. III. Fouk de Birmingham and Ric. Spenser gave thereunto two messuages and a hun- dred acres of land lying in Aston and Birming- ham, to find a priest to celebrate divine service daily at the altar of our Blessed Lady in the Church of the same Hospital, for the souls of Will, le Mercer and Margery his wife, and of cer- tain others. The clear yearly value of all which lands and tenements belonging thereto, was in 26 Hen. VIII. certified to be £8 5s. 3d. at which time Sir Edw. Tofte was Chantrie Priest there ; but in 37 Hen. VIII. the value, above reprizes, was rated at £8 8s. 9d.* Dugdale gives a list, imperfectly copied into Mr. Hutton's History, of the Patrons and Masters, or Wardens of this Hospital, from 1326 till the time of the general dissolution of Monasteries, in the reign of Henry VIII. when this institution was extinguished, and its possessions fell a prey to the rapacity of that monarch. Mr. Hutton states that some small remains of the old foundations of the Priory are yet visible in the cellars, chiefly on the south-east of the Square. He supposes the Church (or Chapel) to have stood * Dugdale's Antiquities of Warwickshire. THE PRIORY. lot ispon the spot No. 27, in Bull-street, and says that in the garden belonging to the Red Bull, No. 83, nearly opposite, human bones had been discovered, which caused some to suppose it the place of inter- ment for the religious belonging to the Priory. Mr. Hutton, however, doubted the accuracy of this supposition, and thought that the cemetery must have extended north to the Minories, leading to the Square, for that in the premises of No. 33, BuU- street, many bushels of human bones were dug up in 1786, in great perfection, the polish of the teeth remaining. The sign of the Bull existed in the time of Dugdale (whence probably the name of the street), but the premises have long been converttd from an inn into a shop or private residence. The numbers mentioned by Mr. Hutton are those which the houses bore at the time he wrote, and it is be- lieved were comprised between the Minories and the Saracen's Head Inn, but the houses throughout the town having since been re-numbered, the numbers a-s given by him may vary from those which the same houses now bear. We are further told by Mr. Hutton, that in 1775 he took down an old house of wood and plaster, which had stood 208 years, having been erected in 1567, thirty-one years after the dissolution of the abbeys ; that the foundation of this old house seemed to have been built chiefly with stones from the Priory, perhaps more than 20 waggon loads ; that these appeared in a variety of forms and sizes, 102 THE riUORY. highly finished in the gothic taste, and complete as on the first day they were left by the chisel ; that the greatest part of them were destroyed by the workmen, but that he used some of them again in ihejire-place of an under-kitchen. He further re- marks that perhaps they were the only fragments remaining of that venerable edifice which once stood the monument of ancient piety, the ornament of the town, and the envy of the priest out of place.* Considering the antiquarian zeal of Mr. Hutton, it appears extraordinary that he should have been so careless of the Priory fragments referred to as to suffer the sweeping destruction of them just re- corded ; and that the few which did escape should have been consigned to a situation so humble, and so unfitted for their future preservation, as the fire- place of an under-kitchen. Some memorial of the Priory is preserved in the names of several of the streets which now cover the site, viz. the Minories, the Upper Priory, the Lower Priory, and St. Thomas'-street. Bull-street, according to Westley's Plan of the Town, was once called Chapel-street, doubtless from the Chapel of the Priory. Though at the present day the denomination of Priory only is applied to the institution we have been describing, and no other name would now * Hutton's History of Birmingham. ST. martin's church. 103 bring it to the recollection of the inhabitants, yet it does not appear to have been a Priory in the strict acceptation of the term, and though Dugdale in one instance speaks of the Prior and brethren, he does not, in his list of the principals of this house, style them Priors, but Wardens ; nor does he any vvliere speak of the brethren belonging to any particular religious order, or of their being subject to monastic rule. PLACES OF WORSHIP. There are in Birmingham, compreliending the parts extending into the parish of Aston, six Churches and as many Chapels of the Establish- ment: in addition to which is a very considerable number of other Chapels and Meeting-houses. SAINT martin's CHURCH, Commonly called the Old Church, is a large building situate on the slope at the top of Digbeth. The interior, which is in good condition, comprises a chancel, a nave and two side aisles, and wide galleries on each side and at the western end. The Church is well pewed and contains a good organ. The roof is supported by two rows of pillars, ter- minating in gothic arches. At the western end is 104 ST. martin's church. a tall and handsome, but plain spire, rising from a strong and massive tower, wherein is an excellent ring of twelve bells, with a clock and set of chimes^ which play every third hour, at three, six, nine, and twelve, changing the tune every day of the week. The height of the spire from the ground is about 70 yards. The Church is of great antiquity, but when or by whom founded cannot now be ascertained. It was built with soft red sandy stone, which becoming much decayed, the outside of the church and the tower was, about the year 1692, substantially cased with brick. The spire remains in its original state, except as it may have been occasionally altered by necessary repairs. Mr. Hutton tells us that it has been several times injured by lightning, and that 40 feet of it, in a decayed state, was taken down and rebuilt in 1781, with Attleborough stone, the spire being at the same time strengthened by a spindle of iron running up its centre, 105 feet long, secured to the side walls every ten feet by braces. In 1786 this church underwent a thorough altera- tion and repair, especially in the interior; by which, and the casing of the exterior, the ancient character of the edifice has been destroyed. The windows were formerly stored with coats of arms of the distinguished families connected with Bir- mingham, but not a vestige of these heraldic me- morials is now to be found. A few of the ancient monuments remain, especially four of very early ST. martin's church. 105 date, destitute of inscription, but supposed to have been erected to the memory of some of the ancient Lords of the place. They consisted of table tombs upon which lay sculptured figures of marble of the natural size. Two of these figures lay abreast, one of them is supposed by Mr. Hutton to have been of a date as early as the Conquest; the other (cross-legged, habited in a short mantle, with a sword, and bearing a shield with the bend lozenge, the ancient arms of the Birminghams) he took to be William de Birmingham^ who was made pri- soner by the French at the siege of Bellegarde, 25th Edw. I. 1297. These two figures are in a de- plorable state of mutilation, and lie neglected in a hole beneath the gallery staircase. Mr. Hutton ob- serves of them, that even Westminster Abbey, fa- mous for departed glory, cannot produce a monu- ment of equal antiquity. The other two, injured, but in a much less degree, are deposited in the window recesses on the southern side of the church. One is intended for a Lord of the house of Bir- mingham, as is evident from the arms sculptured on the vest, partly per pale indented , the modern bearing of that house. The other, habited as a monk, is supposed to represent one of the Marows, Lords of Birmingham. The church-yard is small, and, by the gradual accumulations of mortality during the progress of many centuries, has been considerably raised from its natural level. This accounts for the present low 106 ST. martin's church. appearance of the church, and for the entrance being now by descent, which there is no doubt was originally the reverse. About twenty years ago, the surrounding build- ings, by which the church was much obscured, were, under the powers of an Act of Parliament passed in 1807, taken down, and the site of them added to the church-yard, which is now encom- passed by a substantial wall, surmounted with iron palisades. Under the same Act an additional Burial Ground was provided, consisting of two acres and a half of land at the upper extremity of Park-street, separated only by the road from St. Bartholomew's Chapel-yard. This ground is di- vided into two parts by a continuation of Fazeley- street, which passes through the middle, and each division is inclosed with substantial walls and iron palisades, and planted round with trees. The im- provements round the church, and the purchase and preparation of the additional burial ground, cost between £7000 and £8000, for which.an an- nual levy is made on the inhabitants. The earliest Register Book preserved in this church commences in 1554. In the vestry is a table of benefactions, and another and older one is placed within the church at the north-western entrance ; affording several curious instances of the testamentary charity of former times. The Presentation of St. Martin's was vested in ST. martin's church. 107 the Birmingham family till 1537, since which it has passed through the Dudleys, the Crown, the Ma- rows, the Smiths, and the Tennants; and the Ad- vowson is now possessed by the Trustees of the late Thomas Hawkes, Esq. The church is a Rectory of considerable income. The repairs of the chancel are understood to be- long to the rector. Present Rector, Rev. Thomas Moseley, A.M. inducted 1829. Curate & Lecturer, Rev. J. S. Byers, A.B. Assistant Curate, Rev. S, F. Morgan, A.M. Since the accession of the new rector, St. Mar- tin's church has been fitted up with gas-lights for evening service, which is now performed there every Sunday in addition to the customary morning and afternoon services. Clodshales Chantry. — Walter de Clodshale, of Saltley, in 4th Edw. III. (1331) by licence of the king and the chief lord of the fee, founded a Chantry at the altar in this church for one priest to celebrate divine service there for the souls of him the said Walter, and Agnes his wife, their ances- tors, and all the faithful deceased ; and endowed it with houses and lands in Birmingham : which en- dowment his son Richard, in 21st Edw. III. (1348) increased for the support of another priest to cele- brate divine service at the same altar for the good estate of him the said Richard, and Alice his wife, during their lives, and for their souls after their de- cease ; as also for the souls of his father and mo- ther, and likewise of Fouk de Birmingham and 108 ST. Martin's church. Joan his wife, and all the faithful deceased. These Chantries continued more than 200 years till the general dissolution of such institutions by Henry VIII. when the estates belonging to them were va- lued together at £l 1 16s. 3d. In26HenryVIII. &> Thomas Allen and Sir John Grene, Priests, were Wardens of these Chantries, and probably the last.* St. Martins Parsonage. — The ParsonageHouse, an ancient, half-timbered edifice, coated with plas- ter, coeval perhaps in its original structure with the church, stood about a furlong distant from it, in a flat situation, at the south-western extremity of Edgbaston-street, opposite to Dudley-street, on a spot which for many ages after the first erection of the building was open to the country on the south and west sides, but the extension of the town in this quarter had for some years past exposed the place to a variety of nuisances. The entrance was through a wicket in the large doors of a long range of low building next the street, once the Tithe Barn, which totally shut out from the passenger on that side all view of this residence, doubtless the most ancient one in Birmingham. The house was formerly encircled by a Moat, part of which, in a dry state, remained till the recent destruction of the building, with some willow trees, of rugged and venerable appearance, growing on its banks. In 1825 an Act of Parliament was obtained, under the authority of which the parsonage house * Dugdale's Warwickshire. ST. PHIEIP'S CHURCrr. 109 and buildings attached, with the surrounding land, containing 7345 square yards, were, in March, 1826, sold by auction altogether for £5550. In a few months afterwards the whole of the buildings were taken down, and the land laid bare, it being intended that a new line of street and new buildings shall cover the venerable site of St. Martin's Par- sonage. Another Parsonage House, situate in Bath-row, has been provided in lieu of the original one. SAINT Philip's church. The increased and increasing population of Bir- mingham having rendered necessary an additional Church and Church-yard, an Act ot Parliament was obtained, 7th Anne, for building a Parish Church and Parsonage House, and making a new Church- yard and neiu Parish in Birmingham, to be called the Parish of Saint Philip. Hence arose this noble edifice, which was begun in 1711, consecrated on the 4th of October, 1715, but not completely fi- nished for several years afterwards. The execu- tion of the Act was entrusted to the direction of twenty Commissioners appointed from the neigh- bouring gentry by the Bishop of the Diocese; and the necessary funds were raised by voluntary con- tribution, aided by the gift from George the First, in 1725, of £600 towards finishing this church. The actual cost of the building does not appear to have been well ascertained. 110 ST. Philip's church. The Church is of stone, in the Italian style of architecture, about 140 feet in extreme length, and 75 feet in extreme breadth, having at the west end a dome steeple, surmounted with a cupola ; and was designed by Thomas Archer, Esq. a gentleman of the neighbourhood, who was one of the Com- missioners appointed to superintend its erection. The building deservedly ranks high as a specimen of architectural excellence and beauty ; but unfor- tunately the stone used in its erection, being of a flaky nature, is so rapidly yielding to the combined operations of time and. weather, as to threaten the speedy defacement, if not destruction, of every jutting angle or ornament of the exterior. By way of experim.ent, the surbase all round the church has been restored with cement, which has now stood several years, and seems to possess a high degree of durability. Unfortunately too for the appear- ance of the church, it does not range with the ce- metry, or any of the adjoining streets ; a rigid ob- servance of the cardinal points having placed it in a diagonal position. There is a vaulted burial-place beneath the church, which has been the means of preserving the floor from injury. The interior consists of a nave and two side aisles, formed by two rows of fluted pillars supporting the roof. In the commu- nion recess, at the east end, is a very handsome altar-piece, and at the west end is a fine organ, with a gallery for the choir. There is also a capa- ST. PHILIPS cnuRCir. Ill cious gallery over each of the side aisles. The church is well pewed, and fitted up throughout in a style of appropriate elegance ; and is capable of accommodating upwards of 2000 persons. It con- tains many handsome monuments, among which is one to the memory of the celebrated painter Moses Haughton. The urns upon the parapet were not set up till about the year 1756. The tower contains a ring of ten bells, with chimes which play every third hour, at one, four, seven, and ten, and change the tune daily. The communion plate in this church was the gift, by will, of Maiuley Bakeivell, an apothecary of Bir- mingham, and was delivered to the churchwardens by his executor in 1743. The Church-yard i« spacious, occupying in the whole about four acres of ground, bordered with a double row of trees, and having walks through and around it. It is encompassed with handsome build- ings, the principal of which is the Blue Coat School House, on the north- east, on which side also stands the Parsonage House, a neat and convenient brick building, erected at the same time as the church. Adjoining the parsonage house is an appropriate building erected for the Theological Library be- queathed by the first Rector, William Higgs, for the use of the clergy in Birmingham and its neigh- bourhood. The right of Presentation to this church is vested 112 CHRIST CHURCH. in the Bishop. The Prebend of Sawley, in the Ca- thedral Church of Lichfield, is annexed to this Rec- tory, for its better maintenance. Present Rector, the Rev- Laurence Gardner, D.D. inducted 1821. Curate, Rev. Charles Eckersall, A.M. Lecturer, CHRIST CHURCH. In the year 1803, when from the great increase of the town, church accommodation was much wanted, Isaac Hawkins Broiune, Esq. and the Rev. Thomas Gisborne, Executors of Isaac Haivkins, Esq. deceased, kindly offered a donation of £500 (which they afterwards increased to £1000) out of funds placed by the deceased at their discretionary disposal, towards the building of a Free Church in Birmingham. The offer was cheerfully accepted, and the proposed church resolved upon at a public meeting of the inhabitants ; a subscription being immediately entered into and a committee appointed to carry the objects of the meeting into effect. The then Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry also pro- posed to annex a Prebend of the Cathedral Church of Lichfield to the income of the intended church ; and William Philips Inge, Esq. (whose ancestor gave the site of St. Philip's) generously presented a piece of land upon which to erect it. In July, 1803, an Act of Parliament was obtained for the erection of the intended church, to be called Christ 1. s 3. S' FETE.S.S C5TjP-CH. G-EORC-E'S CHTXRCH. 3. CEEI2>T CHURCH. 4!. St THOMAS.' CHURCH igiabiPafciittea ByBeiilbTriiictt&Pea&r: J-tJ-T-l^lo '- CHRIST CHURCH. 113 Church, and for providing a maintenance and resi- dence for the minister or perpetual curate thereof, the appointment of whom is vested in the Bishop of the Diocese. By this Act the Prebend of Tack- brooke, whenever it should become void, was con- ferred on the minister for the time being, in aug- mentation of his living. The site fixed upon was the point of land between the top of New-street and Ann street, facing Para- dise-street, an elevated and commanding situation at the junction of six streets diverging from that spot. The first stone was laid in due form on the 22d of July, 1805, hy the \a.te Earl of Dartmouth, as the representative of his late Majesty George the Third, who intended personally to have performed the ceremony, but was prevented by indisposition ; and who munificently gave £1000 towards the ex- pences of the undertaking. The Bishop of the Diocese, the Trustees appointed under the Act of Parliament, many of the neighbouring nobility and gentry, and a great concourse of the inhabitants were present on the occasion, which, from its no- velty and importance, excited an extraordinary de- gree of interest. A premature exhaustion of the funds caused a suspension of the work for several years, and the Trustees found it needful to obtain additional pow- ers under another Act of Parliament procured in lb 10. -"'.g ehurch was not sufficiently finished for 114 CHRIST CIIURCIT. consecration till the 6th of July, 1813, when that ceremony was performed by the late Bishop of the Diocese, and an appropriate sermon preached by the Rev. Edmund Outram, D.D. the then Rector of St. Philip's. After the consecration divine service was first performed in the church on Sunday the 18th of the same month, by the Rev. John Hume Spry, whom the Bishop had appointed to the liv- ing, and to whom his Lordship generously gave £100 to be applied in the purchase of bibles and prayer-books for the use of the poor members of his congregation. The spire and portico were added in 1815. The spire was a deviation from the original design, ac- cording to which the steeple was to have terminated in a dome and cupola, in humble imitation of that of St. Philip's. The tower contains one bell only, with a clock and four dials, put up in December, 1816. The church is strongly built of stone, in a plain but neat style, with a projecting roof. The lofty and massive portico in front (at the western end) is supported by four Roman Doric columns. Be- neath it are the three doors of entrance, to which there is an ascent of many steps from the street. The centre door leads to the galleries by a double flight of stone steps, of geometrical construction, with balustrades of elegant appearance, which, as also the railing at the altar, are formed of tubes of iron, coated with brass. The side doors lead to the area or ground floor of the church. CHRIST CHURCH. 115 The whole length of the building is about 140 feet, and the width about 71 feet. Underneath the church are Catacombs, which the Trustees were empowered to sell in aid of the building fund, and many of them have been used for interment. The ground attached to the church is of very contracted space. The ground floor is fitted up with benches having backs and kneeling-boards, the whole of which are free. The pews in the galleries are let, and from them arises the ordinary income of the minister. The western gallery contains a fine-toned and pow- erful organ, by Elliott. In the communion recess is an altar-piece of carved mahogany, presented by Mr. Stock, of Bristol. Above it is painted a cross appearing in the clouds, by Barber. The galleries are fronted with mahogany, of which ma- terial the pews are constructed; and the whole in- terior presents a handsome and pleasing appear- ance. This church will accommodate upwards of 1.500 hearers, and is well attended. Service — Morning and Evening on Sunday ; and on Thursday Evening also. The Rev. Mr. Spry, who resigned in 1824, was succeeded by the present Minister, the Rev. George Hodson, Chaplain to the Bishop of the Diocese. Assistant Minister, the Rev. Thomas Burrow. 116 ST. George's church. SAINT George's church, Situate in an airy and pleasant spot on the northern side of the town, is a new parish Church in the gothic style, from the designs of Mr. Thomas Rickman, Architect. It stands in a cemetery of considerable size, neatly walled round, with handsome entrance gates and piers of cast iron ; and the principal walks are planted on each side with trees. The first stone was laid with the. accustomed ce- remonies on the 19th of April, 1820, in the name of the Bishop of the Diocese, by the Local Com- missioners appointed under the Acts of Parliament (58th and 59th Geo. III.) for building new Churches. On the 30th of July, 1822, the church and church-yard were consecrated by the Lord Bishop of Chester, and on Sunday the 15th of September following, the church was opened for divine service. The site of the church and cemetery was partiy given by the joint munificence of Miss Colmore and the Marquis of Hertford, and partly purchased of the Governors of King Edward's Free Grammar School in Birmingham, out of a fund raised for the purpose by private subscription, the purchase being made under the authority of the Acts of Parliament above-mentioned. The entire expence of the building, including the boundary wall and gates, amounting to £12,735 ST. George's church. 117 2s. lOd. and being upwards of £1100 less than the estimated amount, was defrayed out of the Parlia- mentary Grant of one Million, by the Commission- ers appointed under the Act for the building of ad- ditional Churches. The newly formed parish of St. George, attached to this church, takes an extensive range and com- prises Summer-hill, Camden-street, Camden-hill, Warstone-lane, Key-hill, Hockley ; part of Nelson, Frederick, Regent, Vittoria, Kenion, Livery, and Water-streets; Great Hampton, Branston, Hall, Hockley, Harford, and Barr-streets; Constitution- hill, Great Hampton-row, Henrietta, Bond, Little Hampton, Hospital, Tower, and Brearley -streets; Summer-lane, Colmore-terrace, New-town-row, Ormond, Manchester, Blews, and Brewery-streets ; part of New John and Pritchit-streets ; the General Hospital, Asylum, &c. The affairs of this parish are intended to be ad- ministered by a Select Vestry appointed in perpe- tuity from the pew-holders and principal inhabi- tants of the parish, with power afterwards to fill up all vacancies in their own body, to elect one of the wardens, and assess the church levies. The parish will have a separate ecclesiastical rate, being only bound to contribute to the repairs of St. Martin's church for twenty years ; and the church will be ef. fectual for marriages and all other religious rites. The Church consists of a western tower sur- Kiounted by an open battlement and pinnacles; 118 ST. GEORGES CHURCH. north and south porches, a nave, aisles, and chan- cel, and vestry eastward ; the nave is divided from the aisles by richly moulded stone piers and arches, upon which rises a lofty clerestory, finished with a battlement and pinnacles. At the east end is a large window of rich flowing tracery, filled with stained glass, and underneath a highly decorated altar-piece. The galleries are supported by light iron shafts, with arches of open tracery, and the front being at some distance behind the piers, leaves the piers and arches insulated, and thus greatly enhances the beauty of the interior effect. Below the gallery, at the south-west angle, is a stone font of appropriate design. At the western gallery, in a recess formed by the arch of the tower, stands an excellent organ, built by Elliott, the exterior designed by the architect of the church in the style of the edifice, which style is that of the gothic architecture of the reign of Ed- ward the Third. The interior length of the building is 98 feet, and its width 60 feet ; the width of the nave being 26 feet and its height 45 feet ; the height of the tower to the top of the pinnacles is 114 feet. The total number of sittings provided is 1959, of which up- wards of 1400 are free and appropriated to the poor. In the church-yard is an enriched gothic tomb, designed by Mr. Rickman, to the memory of Mr. Benjamin Nowell, of Dewsbury, in Yorkshire, one ST. PETER S CHURCH. 119 of the contractors for executing tlie mason's work of this church, who survived but a few months the completion of his undertaking. First and present Minister, the Rev. John Garbett, A.M.* Assistant Minister, the Rev. T. P. Wright, A.B. SAINT Peter's church Is one of the three new Churches erected in this town by his Majesty's Commissioners for building New Churches, and stands in Dale-end, in the pa- rish of St. Philip, on a spot which, till appropriat- ed for the present purpose, was closely covered with houses and other buildings, filling up the line of the street. It is in the Grecian style of architec- ture, from the designs of Messrs. Rickman and Hutchinson, under whose superintendence it has been erected. At the west end is a massive Doric portico of four columns, the order of which has been carefully worked from the example of the Temple of Minerva at Athens, or, as more generally designated, the Parthenon. The principal door of entrance is un- der the portico, with entrances on the north and south sides to the galleries. The turret for the bell rises above the roof at the west end, and is octagonal, encircled by a colon- * By the Acts of Parliament referred to for building addition- al Churches and Chapels, the right of Presentation to those Churches and Chapels is provided for and rejjulated according to circumstances. 120 ST. teter's church. nade, the columns of which are similar to those of the Tower of the Winds at Athens. The interior length, exclusive of the chancel and porches, is 100 feet 6 inches, the width 60 feet. — It provides sittings for 1903 persons, of which 1381 are free and set apart for the use of the poor. It may be worthy of remark, that the masonry of the portico to this building, being executed si- milarly to the ancient example from which the order is taken, required stones of unusual magnitude; the lower pieces of the columns weighing upwards of seven tons, and the centre piece of architrave being upwards of 13 feet in length. These large stones were obtained with difficulty from the quar- ries at Guiting, in Gloucestershire. The first stone was laid on the 26th of July, 1825, and the church was consecrated by the Lord Bishop of the Diocese, and opened for divine ser- vice, on the 10th of August, 1827, a discourse being then delivered by the Bishop, and a collec- tion made towards the erection of an organ, which has since been placed in the church. The expence of the site and structure amounted to nearly £19,000, of which the total cost of the church was £13,087 12s. 3d. being upwards of £800 less than the estimated amount. The Rev Anthony James Clarke, A.M. is the Mi- nister of this church, presented by the Rector of St. PhiHp's. yC^A i^C^i ^-r z^^^y^i^ ST. Thomas's church. 121 SAINT THOMAB's CHURCH. The third new Church erected in Birmingham by his Majesty's Commissioners, out of the Parlia- mentary Grant, is situate at Hollow ay -head, a pleasant eminence on the south-western extremity of the town, in that division which, for ecclesias- tical purposes, is denominated the parish of Saint Martin. The first stone was laid by the Lord Bishop of the Diocese on the 2d of October, 1626, and the edifice was consecrated by his Lordship on the 22d of October, 1829, and opened for divine service on the succeeding Sunday, Oct. 25. Messrs. Rick- man and Hutchinson were the architects of this church, which is a large and handsome structure of the Grecian style, with two noble Ionic circular porticoes at the western end, between which rises a lofty steeple, sustained by massive piers, the arches of which are open. The doors of entrance are under the tower and porticoes. The interior dimensions are 130 feet in length and 60 feet in width. The ceiling, 38 feet high, is coved and panneled, and enriched with flowers. The total height of the tower is 130 feet. The number of sittings provided in this church is 2125, of which 625 are in pews; the remaining 1500 are free. The total cost of the structure was £14,222. The Church-yard (which it is hoped may yet be enlarged by an addition of some of the ad- joining land) is, on account of its dry and elevated situation, peculiarly eligible for the purpose of a 122 ST. Bartholomew's chapel. cemetery. It is well inclosed with a wall and iron palisades. The formation of a district round this church into a distinct and separate parish, is said to have been decided upon by the Commissioners. The Rev.William Marsh, A.M. late of St. Peter's Church, Colchester, is appointed Minister. SAiKT Bartholomew's chapel. This Chapel stands on the eastern side of the town, near the upper end of Park-street, within a spacious area for interment, separated from the New Burial Ground only by the high road. It was built in the year 1749. The land was the gift of John Jennens, Esq. possessor of a considerable estate in and near Birmingham. Mrs. Jennens gave £1000, and the remainder was raised by contribution. It is a neat brick building, handsomely fitted up with- in, having a nave and two side aisles, with gal- leries, and a good organ. The altar-piece, orna- mented with excellent carvings of fruit and flowers, was the gift of Basil Earl of Denbigh; and the communion-plate, consisting of 182 ounces, that of Mary Carless. At the western end is a turret, with a clock and one bell. It is remarkable that the chancel of this chapel inclines towards the north, the position of the building being thereby accommodated to the line of the street. The late Mr. Hiorne, of Warwick, is said to have been the ar- chitect. The chapel is in the parish of St. Martin, and the Rector appoints the Minister, who is the Rev. John Cooke, A. M. 1. 3^ PAUXS CHAPEL. 2. ST JVEARir'S CHAPEL. Z. 3TBARTHCL,P.iVLE'/'7"S CTrAFE.L. BiiiDiri^tamP[iai3Kei£7Bei%J&L0tt&Beia>Y.J'QL7l?^1828. ST. Mary's ciiArEL. 123 SAINT MARYS CHAPEL. An Act having, in 1772, been obtained for two additional Chapels in Birmingham, this Chapel was erected in 1774, on the north-eastern extremity of the town, in Saint Martin's parish, upon land given by Dorothy and Mary Weaman, the latter of whom contributed largely towards the subscription for de- fraying the expences of the erection, and was al- lowed the right of Presentation. The structure has a light and pleasing appear- ance, with the exception of the roof, which is too much exposed to view. It is built of brick ; is of an octagon form, having a diminutive stone steeple on the western side, containing one bell and a clock; and stands in a very spacious cemetery, re- cently planted round with trees. The surrounding square contains some good houses, particularly in the upper part. The chapel is neatly fitted up within ; has a spa- cious gallery, with an organ ; and is well attended. Present Minister, the Rev. Edward Burn, A.M. who succeeded the first Minister, the Rev. John Riland, for whom he had long officiated. In addition to the ordinary Sunday duty, Morn- ing and Afternoon, there is Service at this chapel every Sunday and Wednesday Evening. Assistant Minister, the Rev. Thomas Nunns, A.B. 1'24 ST. taul's chapel. SAINT Paul's chapel, Situate on a sandy declivity, on the north side of the town, in the parish of Saint Martin, was erected in 1779, by voluntary subscription, upon land given by Charles Colmore, Esq. and is the other (St. Mary's being one) of the two provided for by the Act of 1772. It is most substantially built of stone, in a plain, yet handsome style of architecture ; and has a steeple of great lightness and elegance, which, owing to a deficiency of funds, though part of the original design, was not added till 1823, when a subscription was raised to defray the expence it. The tower supporting the steeple contains a clock and one bell. The building is now highly ornamental to this part of the town, and stands in a cemetery of considerable size, planted round with trees, and surrounded by a square of respectable houses. In 1791 a beautiful window of stained glass was placed over the communion-table. The subject is the Conversion of St. Paul. It is the work of tha^- celebrated artist the late Francis Eginton, and cost 400 guineas, which was subscribed for defraying the expence of it. In the interior, this chapel, like all the others in Birmingham, is well fitted up. It has galleries and an organ. The right of Presentation was vested in the Col- more family ; the donor of the l^nd (Charles Col- ST. John's chapel. 125 more, Esq.) having also liberally aided the sub- scription fund. The first Chaplain was the Rev. William Toy Young, who, dying in 1817, was succeeded by the present Minister, the Rev. Rann Kennedy, A.M. Assistant Minister, the Rev. W. M. Lawson, A.B. SAINT XOHN's chapel, DERITEND. This is a Chapel of Ease to Aston, two miles distant, and is situate in that parish. It was found- ed about the 4th of Richard the Second, 1381 ; and by an agreement in writing, dated the 1 3th of June, in that year, between the Prior and Monks of Tikford Priory, near Newport Pagnell, in right of their Rectory of Aston, the then Vicar of Aston, and Sir John Botetort, Knight, Founder of the said Priory, of the one part ; and Sir John de Birming- ham, Knight, Lord of the village or hamlet of De- ritend, and several inhabitants by name, and all other the inhabitants of Deritend and Bordesley, of the other part ; it was agreed, with the consent of the Bishop of the Diocese, partly in respect of the danger by floods, especially in winter time, and the distance from the Mother Church, and partly that the children of the inhabitants of the two hamlets might not want baptism in case of necessity, that the inhabitants of the said hamlets should have and find perpetually, at their own proper charges, one fit chaplain to perform divine service in a certain chapel in honour of St. John the Baptist there, within the Lordship of Deritend and Bordesley, 126 ST, John's ciiatel. then lately built ; also that the said inhabitants should have a font in the said chapel for baptism, and that the said chaplain should officiate in the churching of women in the said hamlets, provided that the same inhabitants should repair to the mo- ther church of Aston on the several days therein specified to pay tithes and oblations, as had anti- ently been used : which Chaplain, in case the Vicar of Aston could not attend to it, was to visit the sick in the hamlets of Deritend and Bordesley, and con- fess and absolve them, and administer the sacra- ment, so as the said inhabitants should make con- fession once a year to the said Vicar of Aston or his parochial Chaplain. In the 6th year of Richard the Second, William GefFen and others obtained the king's licence to give lands in the said parish of Aston, of the annual value of 10 marks, for finding a priest, to celebrate divine worship daily in this chapel ; but Henry the Eighth, in the year 1537, seized the estates as Chantry Lands, then valued at £13 Is. 7d. per annum, out of which two priests officiating in the said parish church of Aston had £10 per annum betwixt them. It appears that John Mote and Edward Keye, Incumbents of St. John's Chantry, in Deritend Chapel, had a pension of £5 paid to each of them in 1553, but we have no further account respecting the chapel till 1677. The windows contained a whole-length kneeling figure of Walter Arden, Esq, with a Latin motto ST. John's chapel. 127 and inscription, and the arms of Lord Dudley, and of Dudley empaling Berkley of Beverston ; which, as well as the original fabric, have been long since destroyed. The figure, inscriptions, and arms are engraved in Dugdale, and, according to a state- ment in the Gentleman's Magazine, a sketch of the building has been preserved as it is said to have stood about the year 1590. In the year 1677, Humphry Lowe, of the city of Coventry, Esq. conveyed a messuage, called the Brick House, and lands, in the parish of Rowley Regis, county of Stafford, containing about 66 acres, and then of the annual value of £35, to va- rious inhabitants of Deritend and Bordesley, their heirs and assigns, upon trust, out of the rents and profits thereof to provide and maintain a Chaplain for the said chapel, and when necessity should re- quire, and no other means be had for repairing the said chapel, then to lay out and expend so much of the rent of the said estate as would be necessary for repairing thereof, and upon further trusts for dis- posal of the rents in case of the said chapel bein^- vacant, and for the appointment of new trustees when the number should be reduced to three. Of the last appointment of trustees there are fifteen now living. In 1707 the Chapel was returned to the Gover- nors of Queen Anne's Bounty at £38 per annum. The value of the above estate and of the other pro- perty belonging to this chapel is said to have been during the incumbency of the Rev. Thomas Cox; 128 ST. John's chapel. the last incumbent but one, and who died in 1791, but little more than £100 per annum ; but by the expiration of leases, and the great increase in the value of the property, the annual income, including the Rowley estate, is understood to have amounted ten years ago to about £400 : since which time, namely, in 1821, an Act of Parliament was obtain- ed to enable the trustees to demise the mines under the Rowley estate, and to lay out the money arising therefrom in lands, and to apply the rents in man* ner therein mentioned. The present Minister, the Rev. Edward Palmer, succeeded the late Rev. John Darwall, who died in the year 1828, after having held this benefice thirty- seven years. The right of Presentation still conti- nues in the inhabitants of the hamlets. The present chapel was erected in the year 1735, and, in consequence of the prevailing taste for placing the chancel towards the east, presents a very irregular appearance in the street, its corner projecting beyond the line of the other buildings. In the year 1762 a neat square tower was added, which, in 1777, received eight very musical bells, and a clock for the accommodation of the neigh- bourhood. The chapel is of brick, with sto;.e casings to the doors and windows. There is no ground attached to it. In 1824 it was advertised that this chapel requir- ed repairs, which could not be completed for less S.S^IOHK-'S CHAPE-L DERITElsHD 3. S^ JAMES'S CHT^lPZX ^SHTED 3irmmgiiiimPab}Lcted LySeifc.En.ott&Beil&v: July-I^lSSS. ST. JAMES'S CHAPEL. 129 than £600, and that the trustees and inhabitants had therefore opened a subscription for the purpose of effecting those repairs, the chapel, as a donative, having no claim upon the levies. The chief authorities from which this article has been prepared are Dr. Thomas's edition of Dugdale, Hutton's History of Birmingham, and the Gentle- man's Magazine for June, 1818. SAINT James's chapel, ashsted, Was originally a dwelling house, the seat of the celebrated physician Dr. Ash (mentioned in our ac- count of the Hospital), who built it, about 50 years ago, on a tract of land of which he took a lease from the late Sir Lister Holte, and which received from the Doctor and his residence the name of -4s^- sted. The Doctor leaving Birmingham, his pro- perty here was, about 1789, purchased by Mr. John Brooke, an attorney, who let the surrounding grounds for building upon, and converted the man- sion into a chapel, a light turret being added to give a more befitting appearance to the exterior. In 1810a piece of land for burial was attached, which, with the chapel, was consecrated on the 7th of September in that year, by the Lord Bishop of the Diocese, the Trustees of the chapel having acquir- ed a permanent interest in the land by virtue of an exchange with Heneage Legge, Esq. to whom the freehold belonged. The edifice is dedicated to Saint James, and is a I 130 TRINITY CHAPEL. chapel of ease to the church of Aston, in which parish it is situate, on a pleasant spot between the Barracks and Vauxhall. It is elegantly fitted up, possesses an organ, and is well attended, Minister — the Rev. Edward Burn, A.M. who suc- ceeded the late Rev. George Croft, D.D. the pre- vious minister here. TRINITY CHAPEL, BORDESLEY. This edifice, much admired for its simplicity, chasteness, and beauty, is situated in the hamlet of Bordesley, in the parish of Aston, on an emi- nence by the side of the road leading into the town from Oxford and Warwick, and opposite to Brad- ford-street. It is of brick, faced with Bath stone. The design is by Mr. Francis Goodwin, Architect, of London, and exhibits throughout, but especially at the front or western end, a rich display of the beauties of the early style of pointed architecture. In its general character it has been assimilated to King's College Chapel, Cambridge, There is no tower, but turrets are carried up at each angle, ter- minated by dwarf spires. The buttresses are fi- nished with decorated pinnacles. The east end, in which the vestry and a beautiful Catherine-wheel window are prominent features, is chaste and no- ble. At the west end is one grand entrance to the middle aisle, and at the north-west and south-west corners two other doors leading to the galleries and TRINITY CHAPEL. 131 to the body of the chapel. The frame-work and tracery of the windows are of cast iron. A chapel yard is attached for interment, and be- low the eastern end of the chapel is a crypt for vaults. On entering the interior the visitor is struck with the beauty of the large circular window, glazed with painted glass ; the altar-piece, by Foggo, re- presenting Christ healing at the Pool of Bethesda ; the height of the ceiling ; and the chaste yet mag- nificent appearance of the etched glass with which the windows are glazed. The pulpit and desk are placed just without the altar, one on each side ; they are of similar form, and, as well as the pews, are of deal, painted and grained to resemble oak. There is a broad middle aisle, and two others on the north and south sides, of less space. The ceiling is in character with the exterior, judiciously orna- mented with groined ribs, bosses, &c. and from its height gives an idea of air and ventilation, which the flat ceilings of the Grecian style seem to deny. Galleries, supported by cast iron pillars, represent- ing small clustered columns, occupy the west end and north and south sides, in the first of which is a beautiful gothic organ designed by the same ar- chitect. The body of the chapel contains pews let to the inhabitants. The galleries are entirely free. At the upper end of the middle aisle stands a richly ornamented gothic font, of imitation stone. The I 2 132 TRINITY CHAPEL. Other part of the aisle contains seats for the infirm. The total number of sittings provided for, including 1 52 for children, is 1821. The length of the build- ing externally is 135 feet 7 inches, its breadth 75 feet 10 inches ; internally, 90 feet long by 60 wide. The height of the ceiling 45 feet, of the corner turrets 83 feet 8 inches. The depth of the north and south galleries 15 feet. The expences o^f erection were defrayed by his Majesty's Commissioners for building New Churches to the amount of £14,235. The site of the chapel, the chapel-yard, and a respectable residence for the clergyman adjoining, were purchased by the voluntary subscriptions of persons in the neigh- bourhood, aided by the liberal assistance of seve- ral of the nobility and gentry applied to on the oc- casion. The amount of subscription raised and paid exceeded £3000, but it proved insufficient to defray the whole of the expenditure incurred by the local committee in the above purchases, and in the extra works necessary to the completion of their undertaking. The ceremonial stone was laid by the Right Ho- nourable Other Earl of Plymouth, accompanied by the Earls of Dartmouth and Aylesford, on the 29th day of September, 1820; and the chapel was con- secrated by the Lord Bishop of Chester (officiating for the Lord Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry), on the 23d day of January, 1823. It is dedicated to the Holy Trinity. jews' synagogue. 133 The chapel is well attended under the ministry of the Rev. Samuel Crane, B.A. who was presented to the perpetual curacy on the nomination of the late Dr. Spencer, Vicar of Aston, and is the first in- cumbent. For this article v/e are chiefly indebted to an au- thentic account of the chapel published, with a north-west view of it, in the Gentleman's Maga- zine for September, 1827. A good south view has been also engraved. The Churches and Chapels of the Establishment being described, we next proceed to notice the se- veral other places of worship in the town. TJIE jews' synagogue Is situate in Severn-street^ near to the Lancas- terian School, and was re-built on an enlarged scale in 1827. The original building in Severn-street, erected about twenty years ago, superseded a small, ^r synagogue in the Froggery. The number of Jews resident in Birmingham is perhaps not more than 250; but many itinerant traders of this race occasionally visit us. They have two places of burial at the edge of the town. The original one, near the basin of the Worcester Canal ; now disused. The other near to 134 QUAKERS* MEETING. Islington, appropriated to the purpose about five years ago, with a suitable building attached. ROMAN CATHOLIC CHATELS. The number of individuals of this persuasion nov^^ in Birmingham is inconsiderable, compared with the whole population of the town. Formerly this class of persons had a place of public worship on a spot near Saint Bartholomew's Chapel, still called Masshouse-lane. This, it is understood, was destroyed at the Revolution of 1688, and there was no public chapel for their accommodation nearer than Edgbaston, about two miles distant, till 1789, when a very neat one was erected at Easy-hill, near to Broad-street, and dedicated to Saint Peter. This has been since considerably improved, and con- tains a handsome painted altar-piece, and an organ. A smaller Chapel has been erected in Shadwell- street, near Bath-street, dedicated to Saint Chad, and was opened in 1813, by the late Rev. Dr. Mil- ner. This also contains aai organ, built by Mr. Mott, late of this town. Priest of St. Peter's, Rev. T. M. McDonnell. Priest of St. Chad's, Rev. E. Peach. THE MEETING HOUSE OF THE QUAKERS, OR SOCIETY OF FRIENDS, Is a plain and substantial building, of respect- able appearance, in the upper part of Bull-street^ OLD MEETING HOUSE. 135 neatly and appropriately fitted up within for the ac- commodation of its very worthy and unassuming congregation. At the back is a spacious cemetery y quite ob- scured by surrounding buildings from public view ; and there is another smaller one in Monmouth- street. The number of Quakers in Birmingham is not very considerable ; nor does it appear to increase. OLD MEETING HOUSE. Unitarians. This handsome and substantial brick building, situate in and giving name to Old Meeting-street^ rose, on an enlarged scale, upon the site of the previous meeting house erected there in the reign of William the Third, and burnt down at the riots in 1791. It will accommodate a large congrega- tion, is well fitted up, and contains an organ. The original place of worship of the Dissenters was at the bottom of Digbeth, on a spot which yet bears the name of Meeting House Yard. It went into disuse about the year 1730, on the erection of another meeting house, called, and which still re- tains the name of the New Meeting. A commodious range oi ScJwol Rooms \s attached, for the use of the children belonging to the society. At the back is a Cemetery, quite obscured from public view. Minister, the Rev. Hugh Hutton. 136 CARR's LANE MEETING. THE NEW MEETING HOUSE. Unitarians, Is a stone-fronted edifice, possessing consider- able architectural beauty, situate at the bottom of New Meeting-street, and fronting to Moor-street, from whence it is seen to advantage, there being a considerable area in front of the building, which is elevated above the natural level of the ground, and approached by a bold flight of steps. The interior is neat and commodious, and provided with an organ. The present edifice stands on the site of a former one, erected in 1730 (when that in Digbeth went into disuse), and which, like the Old Meeting House, was destroyed at the riots in 1791, at which time the celebrated Dr. Priestley was pastor of the New Meeting Society. Adjoining the meeting house is a lofty pile of building built and used by this society for Sunday Schools, in which a great number of children, both girls and boys, receive instruction. Minister, the Rev. John Kentish. carr's lane meeting house. Independents. This edifice belongs to the congregation of In- dependent Dissenters under the ministry of the Rev. John Angell James. It is the third place of worship erected by this denomination of dissenters, LIVERY STREET MEETING. 137 originally a scion of the Old Meeting Society, on partly the same site, within the space of seventy- two years. The first was finished in the year 1748, and contained 450 persons. The second was open- ed in the year 1802, and contained 800 hearers. The third and present building^, designed by Mr. Whitwell, Architect, was commenced in July, 1819, and opened for divine service in August, 1820. It is capable of containing a congregation of 2100 persons, and there are about 350 free seats. The interior is fitted up in a very superior manner, but externally the edifice appears too plain and massive for so confined a situation. LIVERY-STREET MEETING HOUSE. Independents. This was formerly an amphitheatre, or circus for equestrian performances, and became appropriated to devotional purposes on the destruction of the Old and New Meeting Houses in the riots of 1791, the societies from which occupied this building un- der the denomination of the Union Meeting, till their own meeting houses were re-erected, since which time it has been occupied by a branch from the society in Carr's-lane, and was for many years under the very successful ministry of the late Rev. Jehoiada Brewer, who died in 1817, while a larger meeting house, called Ebenezer Chapel, was being erected forhimand his congregation, in Steelhouse- lane. 138 BAPTIST MEETINGS. A portion of Mr. Brewer's Congregation still re- main in Livery-street. This meeting house was repaired and improved in 1825. EBENEZER MEETING HOUSE. Independents, Situate in Steelhouse-lane, was opened for public worship December the 9th, 1818, the first stone having been laid on the 4th of June, 1816, by the Rev. Jehoiada Brewer, of Livery-street Meet- ing House, who died before the completion of the work, and was buried here, and to whose memory a monument is set up in the front area. This edi- fice is large and substantial, has a handsome front, and possesses the unusual advantage of being placed sufficiently back from the line of the street. It contains upwards of 1200 sittings, of which 1,50 are free ; besides accommodation for between 300 and 400 children belonging to its Sunday Schools. Minister, the Rev. Timothy East. The commodious School-room attached to this meeting house is also used by the Mechanics' Insti- tution for their lectures and meetings. BAPTIST MEETING HOUSES. Particular Baptists. Cannon- street. — The principal Meeting House of this Society is in Cannon-street, and was founded l.OXD MEETXLT&HCTJSE. 2. CANKOIT STREET MEETIKG- EOirSE. 3. LIVEB-X STEEET MEETTN'GHCtrSE 4!.1TEW MEETING HOUSE. '^.ITETWTrAT.T, STREET MEEXnTO HOTJSI S.BELMONT P-OW IdEETTN-G HOUSE. ;Bitmi!i^-AniI:nb'jir^a £y-5 el&j. Knott &£.£!%. July I-^ 1S2 5 . BAPTIST MEETINGS. 139 in 1738. It was enlarged in 1780, and in 1806 re-built and further enlarged. The present erection is commodious, handsome, and substantial, and adapted for a large congregation. Minister, the Rev. T. Swan. At the back is a School-room for the youth of this society. A branch of the Baptist flock formerly had a meeting house in Freeman-street, which was aban- doned in 1752, when the congregation from thence united itself to that in Cannon-street. Bond-street. — A smaller Meeting House. — Mi- nister, Rev. T. Morgan. Neivhall-streef. — A third Meeting House, of good appearance, situate near to Lionel-street, and fall- ing back from the line of the street. — Minister, Rev. J, Poole. Mount Zion.—A fourth, but not the least impor- tant of the Baptist Meeting Houses, is that called Mount Zion, which was built in 1823, and stands on Newhall-hill, also called Harjpers-hill. It is a handsome octagon structure, with lofty Doric por- tico. The interior is commodiously arranged, and elegantly fitted up, capable of containing a congre- gation of upwards of 2,500 persons. There is a powerful organ, and attached to the building are extensive vaults, a burial ground, vestries, school- rooms for 500 children (one of which is adapted for a lecture-room) a dwelling house for the sexton, and all convenient offices. 140 METHODIST MEETINGS. The whole was the undertaking of a private in- dividual, who ruined himself by the speculation. Being first taken for the members of the Scotch Church, this edifice, under the denomination of Mount Zion Chapel, was opened for public wor- ship with great eclat on the 24th of March, 1824, when an inaugural discourse was delivered by the Rev. Edward Irving, then in the zenith of his fame and popularity. Owmg to some disagreement with the proprietor, the original congregation did not long continue in the occupation of the building, but removed to another edifice since erected for them at the lower end of Newhall-street. After lying void for a considerable time, the whole premises were purchased for the Baptist congrega- tion by which they are now occupied. Minister, the Rev. T. Thonger. GENERAL BAPTISTS. Lombard- Street. — This portion of the Baptist Society has a Meeting House in Lombard-street, Deritend. Minister, the Rev. G. Cheatle. METHODIST MEETING HOUSES. Of these the town contains a considerable num- ber. The principal one, situate in Cherry-street, was erected in 1782, and opened by the celebrated LADY Huntingdon's connexion. 141 John Wesley. This was taken down in 1823, when the present enlarged edifice was erected on its site. According to Mr. Hutton, after the institution of this sect by George Whitfield, in 1738, the me- thodists of Birmingham were first covered by the heavens ; afterwards they occupied for many years a place in Steelhouse-lane, from whence they re- moved to a cast-ofF theatre in Moor-street, where they continued till the meeting house in Cherry- street was provided for their reception. The principal other Meeting Houses of the Wes- leyan Methodists in Birmingham, are as under : — Belmont-row. Bradford- street. Islington. Constitution-hill, a large newly erected building, opened July, 1828. There is another Chapel in Oxford- street belong- ing to the Ne^u Connexion of Metliodists. LADY Huntingdon's connexion. This Society has a Meeting House in King-street a narrow street leading out of New-street on the south. The building, originally erected for a thea- tre about the year 1752, was appropriated to the purposes of the drama till about the year 1786, when, in consequence of the erection of the supe- rior Theatre in New-street, the old one was con- verted into, and has ever since continued to be, a place of worship. 142 GENERAL HOSTITAL. CALVINISTS. This persuasion of dissenters have a Meeting House in Bartholomew-street, which they denomi- nate the Cave of Adullam ; and they have or lately had another in Newhall- street, called Rehohoth Chapel. SWEDENBORGIANS. This Society, followers of the religious tenets of the Hon. Emanuel Siuedenborg , have for many years had a small place of worship opposite to the Coal Wharf, in Newhall-street, called the New Jerusa- lem Temple. SCOTTISH CHURCH. The members of this community, on quitting Mount Zion Chapel in 1825, procured the erection of another place of worship (dedicated to St. An- drew), which they now occupy* It is a handsome building, situate at the northern extremity of New- hall-street, on a corner piece of land, which, till applied for the present purpose, was a rubbish-hole, many feet below the level of the adjoining streets. A range of arches support the fioor of the edifice, and afford useful vaults beneath. CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS. GENERAL HOSPITAL For the Relief of Sick and Lame Poor. This excellent Institution was founded and is supported by the donations and subscriptions of ^ :-'J^f ^9 ^ iSSiii >,c^ ^^H^N l^^f l^' imIB^ I - I ^- iSP GENERAL HOSPITAL. 143 the benevolent. The noble brick edifice which it occupies was commenced in 1766, but the under- taking lay dormant for want of funds till 1778, when a successful canvass was made for further do- nations, and in the next year the Hospital was fi- nished and opened for the reception of patients. The two wings were added" in 1791, since which time some further additions have been made. The building is situate on the northern side of the town, on a spot now unfortunately subject to consider- able annoyance from the steam engines and manu- factories erected in the neighbourhood. The institution is under the management of a ge- neral quarterly and a chosen weekly Board of Go- vernors, the former of which has the power of re- gulating the laws, and of electing and removing the officers and servants of the establishment. There are four physicians and four surgeons ap- pointed, who render their services gratuitously, and twelve visitors, two of whom visit the house every week, and make a report of its state to the board. A clergyman of the established church also attends as chaplain. A house surgeon and apothecary, a matron and steward are resident at the Hospital. In the last year, from Midsummer, 1827, to Midsummer, 1828, the numbers of patients were, — In-patients .. .. .. .. 1571 Out-patients (including children vaccinated) 2721 4292 Remaining at Midsummer, 1827, 100 In-pa-\ ..^o tients and 328 Out-patients J 4720 144 GENERAL HOSPITAL. of these 2845 were cured, 478 relieved, 60 died, and 608 were children inoculated for the cow- pock. The subscriptions for the same year amounted to £1971, a sum which, without further aid, is quite inadequate to the annual expenditure of the es- tablishment, owing to the great number of cases of accident, which are admitted without a subscriber's recommendation ; and this great deficiency has been provided by the Musical Festivals, legacies, and donations. Sick patients are received, on the recommenda- tion of subscribers, at the weekly board every Fri- day ; but cases of accident are admissible at all times without any recommendation. In its origin this institution was much indebted to an eminent physician of the town. Dr. John Ash, whose portrait by Sir Joshua Reynolds, is placed in the board-room of the Hospital, which also contains another portrait, by T. Phillips, R.A. of the late Mr, George Freer, one of the surgeons of the institution, and a man of great professional eminence. The Hospital also contains a bust of our worthy townsman William Rolfe, Esq. a most liberal con- tributor to its funds. To these works of art it is intended to add a bust of the late Charles Lloyd, Esq. as a memento of gratitude for the invaluable services rendered to the Hospital by this worthy character, first, in the in- GENERAL HOSPITAL. 145 stitution and establishment of the Charity, and, secondly, in his constant support and patronage of it until his death, in January, 1828. The late Lord Dudley and Ward for many years, till his death, gave to this Hospital his mine right in the coal there consumed ; which generous act is continued by his son and successor, the present Earl The Humane Society established in the town for the recovery of persons apparently drowned, or otherwise in a state of suspended animation, has been for many years attached to the General Hospi- tal, where printed directions to be observed in such cases may be had gratis. The principal Officers of this Institution in the present year (1829) are — Physicians. Surgeons. Dr. John Johnstone, Mr. Richard Wood, Dr. Geo. Edward Male, Mr. Bowyer Vaux, Dr. John K. Booth, Mr. Joseph Hodgson, Dr. G. De Lys. Mr. Alfred Jukes. House Surgeo7i and Apothecary — Mr. Frederick Jukes. Matroji — Mrs. Caroline Hawkes. Chaplain — the Rev. S. F. Morgan. Secretary, House Steward, and Collector — Mr. John Underhill. Treasurers — Messrs. Taylors and Lloyds, Bank- ers, Birmingham. K 146 MUSICAL TESTIVALS. GRAND MUSICAL FESTIVALS, For the Benefit of the General Hospital. In September, 1778, a Musical Festival, the performances consisting of selections of sacred music, was held at St. Philip's Church, and conti- nued three days, in aid of St. Paul's Chapel and the Hospital jointly, and which produced to the funds of the latter institution £127. Since that time, except in 1793, when the national distress and the burning of the Theatre prevented it, a like Festival has been held triennially, in aid of the funds of the Hospital, with such increased attrac- tion and success as to produce for that Charity, in theyear 1823, a clear surplus of £5806 12s. 6d. the gross receipts being £11,115 9s. 9d. On the last occasion, in 1826, the gross receipts were reduced to £10,104 2s. Ud. and the net profits to £4,592 3s. lid., a circumstance attributable in some degree to accidental causes, but chiefly to the severe finan- cial embarrassments and distress which the nation experienced in that year, and which more or less affected all classes of the community. A rare and splendid combination of the first mu- sical tgilent in the kingdom is provided at these Fes- tivals, which have, since the year 1796, been principally arranged and directed by our townsman, Mr. Joseph Moore, whose able and judicious ma- nagement has raised them from the state of respect- MUSICAL FESTIVALS. 147 able county meetings to an almost unrivalled de- gree of national grandeur and celebrity. In April, 1812, a number of subscribers and friends to the Hospital, in testimony of the high sense which they entertained of the valuable and disinterested services then rendered by Mr. Moore to that excellent institution in the management of the Festivals, presented him with a splendid silver Vase and Stand, and four silver Dishes, with Co- vers, bearing a suitable incription. Subjoined will be found a statement of the pro- fits of each celebration since the original perfor- mance in 1778 : — 1778 .... Profit £127 1781 .... — 140 1784 .... 703 1787 .... — 964 1790 .... — 958 1703 (no Meeting). 1796 897 1799 .... 1470 1802 .... __ 2380 1805 .... 2202 1808 .... 3257 1811 .... 3629 1814 .... 3131 1817 .... 4296 1820 .... __ 5001 1823 .... __ 5806 1826 .... — 4592 £39553 The most ample accommodations of every kind are provided for visitors who honour these Festi- vals with their presence. K 2 148 THE DISPENSARYo THE DISPENSARY. Another institution which does honour to huma- nity, and is supported by donations and annual subscriptions, with the aid of occasional bequests, was established in 1794, for the purpose of admi- nistering medical relief to sick and midwifery pa- tients of the poorer class, at their respective homes. Such patients, however, whose disorders do not confine them at home, are required to attend at the Dispensary, which is a handsome stone-fronted building, in Union-street, completed in 1808. Over the principal entrance is a sculptured emble- matic design, in relief, executed by VV. HoUins, inscribed, " Of the Most High cometh healing.'* It is necessary for persons seeking relief to obtain a letter of recommendation from a subscriber. The institution is under the management of a committee of governors, and receives the gratui- tous aid of three physicians and six surgeons. There are also two resident surgeons, a dispensing apothecary, and midwife. In the year ending September 29, 1828, the number of patients who received medical relief was 4343, of which number 3545 were sick, and 798 midwifery patients . In the same period 1614 under- went vaccine inoculation. The expenditure of the same year was £1651. Another instance of the kindness of the Earl of Dudley appears in the gift to this Charity of his mine right in the coal used at the Dispensary. SELF-SUPPORTING DISPENSARY. 149 Physicians. Surgeons- Dr. John Eccles, Mr. J. S. Blount, Dr. John Darwall, Mr. J. T. Ingleby, Dr. J. Birt Davies. Mr. J. M. Baynham, Mr. W. S. Cox, Mr. M. N. Shipton, Mr. Charles Covey. Resident Surgeons — Mr. Thomas Taylor and Mr. John Heath. Dispensing Apothecary — Mr. R. H. Tompson. Midwife — Mrs. Elizabeth Maurice. SELF-SUPPORTING DISPENSARY. A leading feature of this institution, which com- menced in the spring of 1828, is to supply the provident and industrious of the labouring classes, who may be unable to pay a surgeon adequately for his services, and yet unwilling to resort to gratui- tous assistance, with medical and surgical relief, for the payment of a small subscription ; thereby encouraging the spirit of independence, and in some degree removing the necessity for reliance on. charitable or parochial aid. Another, and perhaps not less important object, is the extension of gratuitous aid, by the subscrip- tions of the opulent and benevolent, to such neces- sitous poor as are unable to contribute any sum, however small, for themselves, and are excluded by distance from the benefits of other charities. 150 FEVER HOSPITAL. Patients are allowed to choose any of the sur- geons of the institution ; and the surgeons supply their respective patients with medicines, whereby the expence of an establishment is avoided. The Surgeons of the institution are — Mr. Sanders, Islington-row; Mr. Covey, New-street ; Mr. Freer, Old-square ; Mr. Green, Newhall-street. HOUSE OF RECOVERY, OR FEVER HOSPITAL. This institution was established in 1828, at a meeting of subscribers whose attention had been drawn to a consideration of the subject chiefly by the zealous exertions of Dr. BirtDavies, who is ap- pointed physician to the establishment, which, we doubt not, will receive the support of the humane and charitable in a degree equal to its importance and utility. The committee has taken a house for the recep- tion of patients, situate at the corner of Bishop- gate-street, and fronting to Holloway-head, which, from its being entirely detached from other habita- tions, erected in a spacious garden, in a complete state of repair, and possessing many local advan- tages, is considered to be particularly well adapted for the purposes of the institution. 2.A.C£X>El£r or ARTS. 3 . FBEE GKAMM-AJH- ,?r-H'^.r;T, Op K. . ElJWAIcD THE S 3irmmgti iirnuripnam 'jioTt* S-iliy . Mr:^'^ ].£2 S . THE FREE SCHOOL. 151 GENERAL INSTITUTION FOR THE RELIEF OF PERSONS LABOURING UNDER BODILY DEFORMITY. This charitable institution, for the relief of those unfortunate persons suffering under infirmitie-s pro- duced by various distortions of the limbs, and by herniary complaints, was commenced in 1817, and is supported by the donations and annual subscrip- tions of its friends. The rooms of the institution are in New-street, where, on application to Mr. Shipton, Surgeon, proper medical and surgical attention is given to patients recommended by the subscribers. INFIRMARY FOR DISEASES OF THE EYE. This institution was established at No. 35, Can- non-street, in the beginning of 1824, by voluntary subscription, and has proved extensively useful to that class of sufferers who are the peculiar objects of its benevolent aid. According to advertisement, patients are received as above on Tuesdays and Saturdays, at one o'clock. THE GUILD OF THE HOLY CROSS, NOW THE FREE SCHOOL, IN NEW-STREET. This was another religious establishment which, like that called the Priory, was dissolved, its reve- 152 THE FREE SCHOOL. nues b^ng also sequestered, on the general disso- lution of religious houses by Henry the Eighth. The origin of this guild, as related by Dugdale, was as follows :— In the 6th of Richard II. (1383), Thomas de Sheldon and three others, having ob- tained licence to grant lands of the annual value of twenty marks lying in Birmingham and Edghas- ton, for the maintenance of two priests to cele- brate divine service daily, to the honour of God, our blessed Lady his Mother, the Holy Cross, St. Thomas the Martyr, and St. Catherine, in the Church of St. Martin here at Birmingham, within ten years after, the inhabitants of this town, by the name of the Bailiffs and Commonalty of Birming- ham, procured a patent from the same king to found a Guild, or perpetual fraternity among themselves, to the honour of the Holy Cross, consisting not only of men and women of Birmingham, but of other adjacent places ; and to constitute a master, with certain wardens thereof; as also to erect a Chantry of Priests to celebrate divine service in the said church for the souls of the founders and all the fraternity, for whose support, and all other charges incumbent, there were eighteen messuages, three tofts, six acres of land, and forty shillings rent, lying in Birmingham and Edgbaston, then given thereto. The possessions of this guild were in 37 Henry VIII. (1546) valued at £31 2s. lOd. out of which three priests that sung mass in the church here had £5 6s. 8d. a piece, an organist £3 13s. THE FREE SCHOOL. 153 4d., the common midwife 4s. per annum, and the bellman 6s. 8d., besides other reprizes. These possessions, or the greater part thereof, at the humble petition of the inhabitants of the town and neighbourhood, were by letters patent dated 2d of January, 5 Edw. VI. (1552) granted by that king unto William Symons, gentleman, Richard Smalbroke, then Bailiff of the town, and eighteen others, inhabitants of Birmingham, and to their successors to be chosen from time to time by the surviving or continuing members upon the death or departure out of the town, parish, and manor of any of the body, for the support and maintenance of a Free Grammar School in Birmingham, to be called the Free Grainmar School of King Edward the Sixth, for the education of Boys and Youths in Grammar for ever ; with one head-master, and one under-master or usher. The same possessions (then stated to be of the clear yearly value of £21) to continue unto the said grantees and their succes- sors for ever, to be held of the said king, his heirs and successors, as of his Castle of Kenilworth, by fealty only, in free socage, paying thereout twenty shillings yearly into the Court of Augmentations, at Michaelmas, for all rents, services, and demands whatsoever.* By these letters patent the grantees and their successors were created a body corporate and poli- * The School Estates arc now free from this annual payment, which was purchased by the Governors in 1810. 154 THE FREE SCHOOL. tic of themselves, in perpetuity, by the name of the Governors of the Possessions, Revenues, and Goods of the Free Grammar School of King Ed- ward the Sixth, in Birmingham, in the county of Warivick; such Governors to have a Common Seal, and by their corporate name to plead and be im- pleaded in all actions and suits touching the pre- mises, also to have the appointment from time to time of the head-master and under-master of the school, and pov^^er, with the advice of the Bishop of the Diocese for the time being, to make fit and wholesome statutes and ordinances, in writing, con- cerning the government of the school, the stipend of the masters, and the preservation and disposi- tion of the revenues The number of Governors is by the above charter fixed at twenty, who, in the words of that document, are to be men of the more discreet and more trusty inhabitants of the town and parish of Birmingham aforesaid, or of the ma- nor of Birmingham, to the same town adjoining. Several statutes and orders have at different times been made by the governors, and confirmed by the bishop, for the government of the school, and the appropriation of its increasing funds, which in addition to the original establishment, devoted chiefly to classical instruction, lately supported se- veral subsidiary English schools in different parts of the town for the gratuitous instruction of poor children in reading and writing, of which that in Shut-lane (probably the oldest) is the only one now THE FREE SCHOOL. 155 remaining. There are ten exhibitions from this School of £35 per annum each, tenable for seven years, at any college in either of the Universities.* The ancient Hall of the Gwi7c? became the School Room. An engraving in Dugdale shews that in the glass of the windows was painted the figure of Ed- mund Lord Ferrers, with his arms, empaling Belk- nap ; also those of Stafford of Grafton, of Bir- mingham, and of Perrot empaling Brian, all pro- bably benefactors to the guild. The above Edmund Lord Ferrers (of Chartley) more than 400 years ago (2 Henry VI.) married Elena de Roche, a grand- daughter of Sir Thomas de Birmingham, an event to which we may attribute his connection with the guild. The first erection, of wood and plaster, which had stood about 320 years, and was originally en the outside of the town, was taken down in 1707, when the present building arose on the site. It is in New-street, at the lower end, nearly adjoining to the Hen and Chickens Hotel, and occupies three sides of a quadrangle, of which the line of street forms the fourth. Th& style is heavy, and the area wears a gloomy aspect. In the centre of the build- ing is a tower, which was ornamented with a sta- * John Milward, Gentleman, of Haverfordwest, a native of Birmingham, by his will, dated in 1654, founded a Scholarship at Brazennose College, Oxford, to be held alternately by a Scho- lar from this School at Birmingham, and from that at Haver- fordwest. Mc also made a further btqucst in aid of the income nf the said Schools. 156 THE FREE SCHOOL. tue of King Edward the Sixth, dressed in a royal mantle, with the ensigns of the garter, and hold- ing a bible and sceptre, having beneath it this in- scription, now remaining : — " Edvardus sextus " Scholam hanc fundavit anno Regni quinto." This tower contains a clock and bell. In 1824 it was found necessary to take down the statue of the royal founder from the niche of the tower, a portion of it having, from decay, fallen into the front area. The vases on the balustrades (set up in 1756) being also in a very perished state, were, for the prevention of accidents, at the same time removed. Very recently the cupola and vane with which the tower was surmounted have also been taken down. Besides the school rooms, this edifice contains within its walls the residences of the head-master and under-master; but the whole fabric is now so much decayed, that it is considered necessary either to rebuild it, or to erect other suitable buildings in lieu of it in another and more eligible situation. The annual value of the School Estates, estimat- ed in the charter at £21, is now, it is believed, in- creased to more than £3,000, with a prospect of still further improvement on the termination of ex- isting leases. The whole of these estates lie in the parish of Birmingham, and are exonerated from land-tax, which the governors purchased in the year 1800. From the dilapidated state of the school building and liouses, and also from the increasing state of THE FREE SCHOOL. 157 the funds, the governors, a few years ago, made some progress in an application to parhament for power to erect new buildings, and further to ex- tend the utility of the institution. It was proposed to accomplish the building purposes by borroiving money on mortgage of the school estates, and it was understood to be the intention of the governors to erect the new school on some spot without the li- mits of the town. The creation of a large debt, and the projected removal of the school from its present central to a suburban situation, were parts of the scheme which met with much opposition from the inhabitants, and it was rumoured that the Bishop of the Diocese, and a considerable minority of the governors, were opposed to the principle of the bill, which was eventually abandoned. Some doubt also arose whether an act of parliament could be obtained for all the intended purposes without the previous approbation of the Court of Chancery. The Parliamentary Commissioners for investiga- ting the Public Charities throughout the country have already commenced their duties with respect to this School ; and we sincerely hope that from their visitation and report some satisfactory scheme may result for its improvement. This School being of royal foundation, the Lord Chancellor, in right of his Majesty, is the ordinary visitor thereof. Towards the close of the reign of King Charles the Second, some of the governors, in opposition 158 THE FREE 3CH00L. to their brethren, surrendered the charter of the school into the hands of the king ; and a new char- ter was soon after granted by King James the Se- cond, his successor, dated the 20th of February, 1685. The ejected governors, however, immedi- ately commenced a suit in Chancery for the reco- very of the original charter ; and six years after obtained a decree re-instating them in their func- tions, annulling the charter of James the Second, and restoring and confirming that of King Edward the Sixth. In 1723 a Commission issued under the Great Seal to inspect the conduct of the governors, who disputing its validity, the matter was heard in Hilary Term, 1725, when the governors objected to this commission that the king, having appointed governors, had by implication made them visitors also, and that consequently the crown could not issue out a commission to visit or inspect the con- duct of these governors. The court however re- solved that the commission under the great seal was well issued in this case. During these intemperate proceedings, the origi- nal seal of the governors was discarded, and a neiu one adopted, which is still used. In the beginning of the present century, the old seal, being acciden- tally discovered in the possession of a gentleman of Leicester, was restored to the governors, and is now in their custody. Both seals are engraved in the valuable work of Mr. Carlisle on Eiidowed Gram- THE FREE SCHOOL. 159 mar SchoolSf vol. 2, which contains a full and au- thentic history of this school at Birmingham. The following Gentlemen are the present Gover- nors : — Elected 1797. George Simcox, Esq. James WooUey, Esq. Theodore Price, Esq. Mr. William Anderton. Elected 1813, and subsequently. William Hamper, Esq. Isaac Spooner, Esq. John Booth, M.D. Mr. Isaac Anderton, Rev. Laurence Gardner, D.D. George Freer, B.M. Charles Cope, Esq. Mr. Richard Wood, Mr. George Barker, James Taylor, Esq. Mr. John Cope, Rev. Anthony James Clarke, Mr. Oliver Mason, Mr. W. C. Alston. At the chief School in New-street, besides the Head-master and Under-master, there is now an Assistant Master to each (all of whom are of the 160 BLUE COAT SCHOOL. clergy), also a Writing Master and 3. Drawing Mas- ter. Head-master, Rev. John Cooke, M.A. Assistant, Rev. Francis Freer Clay, M.A. Under-master, Rev. Rann Kennedy, M.A. Assistant, Frederick Darwall, B.A. No age is specified at which boys are to be ad- mitted, or at which they are to be superannuated. The number admitted upon the foundation at the School in New-street is, or lately was, limited to 130. The institution possesses a good Library ; and in the governor's parlour is a beautiful marble Bust of the Founder, executed by the celebrated sculp- tor Scheemaker. THE BLUE COAT CHARITY SCHOOL Was instituted in the year 1724, and is supported by voluntary contributions, in aid of which sermons are preached and collections made twice a year at the several Churches and Chapels of the Establish- ment in Birmingham. The design of this very ex- cellent Charity is to place poor children under the immediate protection of the subscribers as their parents, that they may be clothed, maintained, educated, and bound apprentices to persons of such useful employments as shall be thought proper for them. Formerly children were received at the age of seven years, but by the present regulations they are not admissible under the age of nine. All the BLUE COAT SCHOOL. 161 children are taught to read, write, and cast ac- compts; and the girls to sew, knit, and do house- hold business. The School House, an extensive stone-fronted building, situate on the north-eastern side of Saint Philip's Church-yard, was originally erected in the above-mentioned year, but greatly enlarged and improved in the year 1794, when the present stone front was added. The northern angle, however, did not receive its stone facing till within a few years past. This edifice forms a pleasing object from the church-yard, and is remarkable for chasteness of style and propriety of arrangement. Within the inclosure is a suitable area for play-ground. In the year 1770, by voluntary subscription for that purpose, two statues, of stone, representing a boy and girl habited in the costume of the school, were executed in a very masterly and much admir- ed manner by Mr. Edward Grubb, then of Birming- ham. They are placed over the front door, with the following inscriptions : — Under the Girl, " We cannot recompence you, but ye shall be << recompenced at the Resurrection of the Just." Under the Boij, " Train up a child in the way he should go, and *' when he is old he will not depart from it." In January, 1829, there were in the school 181 boys and 74 girls — total, 255; of these, 17 boys L 162 DISSENTING CHARITY SCHOOL. and 2 girls belonged to and were paid for by Pent- hams Charity; and 9 boys and 2 girls belonged to and were paid for by the Saint David's Society. The total expenditure of the establishment for the year 1828, was £2535 8s. 7d. The children are clothed uniformly in blue, ex- cept those belonging to Fentham's Trust, who are distinguished by green clothing. They are gene- rally in a most healthy state, and in appearance and demeanour are particularly clean and orderly. The Governor and Governess of this well con- ducted institution are, according to the rules of it, required to be both unmarried, that the cares of a family may not interfere with their official duties. The choir of St. Philip's Church is composed of the children of this school. An annual ballot takes place at Easter for the admission of 50 children in the room of those who go out. PROTESTANT DISSENTING CHARITY SCHOOL. This School, supported by donations and annual subscriptions, is designed for the maintenance and education of poor Female Children, who are taught reading, writing, and common arithmetic, and otherwise instructed so as to qualify them for some reputable and beneficial service. The age at which children are admitted is from 9 to 12. The School House is situate in Park-street, where DEAF AND DUMB ASYLUM. 163 the children are lodged under the care of a Matron appointed to superintend them. The nomination of the children is in the subscri- bers, who exercise the right by turns, for which they ballot. GENERAL INSTITUTION FOR THE INSTRUCTION OF DEAF AND DUMB CHILDREN. In the autumn of 1812, a Lecture was delivered in the Rooms of the Birmingham Philosophical In- stitution, by Dr. De Lys, a physician resident in the town, on the instruction of the Deaf and Dumb. To illustrate some of the principles of this art, and, at the same time, to afford an example of their ef- ficacy in practice, the Lecturer introduced a girl of the age of eight years, who had been deaf and dumb from her birth, and to whose instruction his friend, Mr. Alexander Blair, and himself, had given considerable attention. The audience at the lecture were much interested by this child. Her appearance was remarkably engaging ; her coun- tenance full of intelligence, and all her actions and attitudes in the highest degree animated and ex- pressive ; while the eagerness with which she watched the countenances of her instructors, and the delight with which she sprang forward to exe- cute, or rather to anticipate their wishes, afforded a most affecting spectacle. The lecture, and espe- L 2 lt)4 DEAF AND DUMB ASYLUM. cially the living exhibition, excited a very general and earnest desire that some means should be found of completing what had been so ably begun, and of extending similar advantages, by a still more masterly process, to numberless other children in the same unfortunate situation. After a prelimi- nary private meeting, another more general meet- ing was held on the 4th of December, 1812, at which the present Institution was established under the most auspicious patronage. It is supported by annual subscriptions and occasional donations. The committee appointed to carry into effect the objects of the above meeting, commenced its ope- rations by engaging a proper master and opening a day school in the town, which was continued until Lord Calthorpe, an early and zealous promoter of the undertaking, erected on his estate, in the ad- joining parish of Edgbaston, a suitable and conve- nient building, which he granted, with a proper appendage of land, on terms exceedingly liberal, as an ^5?//wm for the purposes of the Institution, The building stands singly on a very pleasant spot of ground, quite spacious enough for the amuse- ments and exercises of the children, and at such a distance from the town as both for the advantage of air and in other respects makes it very desirable for their abode. This Asylum was opened January 4, 1815, when 20 children were admitted. It is adapted to the accommodation of 40, to which number the aver- age complement of pupils nearly amounts. I DEAF AND DUMB ASYLUM. 165 Increased accommodation being requisite for en- abling the head-master to reside upon the spot (an object considered to be highly essential to the well- being of the Institution), a sum of £1000 has been recently raised by subscription to defray the ex- pences of erecting the necessary additional build- ings. This subscription derived its chief aid from a Bazaar y which, under the kind, liberal, and ju- dicious management of several Ladies of the neigh- bourhood, was held in the month of October, 1828, at the Royal Hotel, and produced, with the re- ceipts of a Ball on that occasion, a sum amounting to nearly £650. Children of both sexes, from all parts of the kingdom, who have the misfortune to be both deaf and dumb, are eligible to this Institution, from the age of eight to that of thirteen. The parents or friends of those children received into the Asylum contribute to a certain extent fixed by the commit- tee, towards their maintenance, and also provide them with necessary clothing. The able instructor originally appointed to this Institution was Mr. Thomas Braidwood, now de- ceased, grandson of the celebrated master of the same name, who, by the establishment of his school in Edinburgh, founded in this country the art of instructing the deaf and dumb. The present head-master is Mr. Louis DuPuget, whose plan of instruction, and whose general qua- lifications and fitness for the duties of his situation, h.ave been highly approved by the committee. 166 LANCASTERIAN SCHOOL. A matron is appointed to superintend the domes- tic department of the establishment; and a com- mittee of ladies undertakes to superintend the ma- nagement and employment of the girls. In the month of October annually a general meeting of the subscribers is held in Birmingham, to receive the annual report of the committee, to pass the accounts, to appoint the officers and com- mittee for the ensuing year, and to transact the other business of the Institution. At this meeting a public examination takes place of the children in the various branches of their education, and there is also a ballot among the subscribers for the nomi- nation of the children (of late years ten in number) who are to be received into the Asylum in the place of those who leave it. The Asylum is open to the inspection of visitors every day, between the hours of twelve and one. His Grace the Duke of Devonshire has been Pre- sident, and a liberal patron of this Institution from its commencement. LANCASTERIAN SCHOOL. This Institution, supported by annual subscrip- tions and other donations, was established Sep- tember 11, 1809, for the instruction, according to the Lancasterian system, of 400 boys of the la- bouring class in reading, writing, and common arithmetic. One master directs th^ whole school, through the medium of monitors selected from the boys. The School Room is situate in Severn-street, NATIONAL SCHOOLS. 167 and is open to visitors every day during the usual school hours. The average number of children on the books during the last year (1828) reached 300, of which the average number in attendance was 256. The trifling payment of a penny a week is re- quired from the parents of each child. The committee has lately appealed to the public for an increase of annual subscriptions, which rs deemed essential to the maintenance of the esta- blishment in a state of efficiency. There is also a Female Lancasterian School in Park-street. NATIONAL, OR MADRAS SCHOOL. Another School, bearing this denomination, was established in the year 1813, for the gratuitous education of the children of the poor according to the system introduced by Dr. Bell. The School House, a lofty and spacious brick Uuilding, is situ- ate in Pinfold-street. The ground floor is used for the boys, over which is a room for the girls. A master and mistress are appointed to instruct the children. The mistress resides in a house erected for her residence within the school yard. A ladies' committee visits the girls' school. On the 5th of June, 1827, the number of chil- dren in the school was — boys, 305; girls, 180. The average attendance in the boys' school is 265 ; in the girls', 140. By a regulation of the committee, a penny a 168 INFANT SCHOOLS. week is now required of each child towards its edu- cation. Plain needle-work of all kinds is executed at the girls' school upon very moderate terms ; and the committee considers that those who send it render very important services to the Institution. The children assemble at the school on Sundays, and proceed to church, both morning and after- noon. This Establishment is indebted to the bounty of the public for its support. A School on this system was opened at Ashsted on the 7th of July, 1828. BIRMINGHAM ST. DAVId's SOCIETY, (or welsh charity) Was formed on the anniversary of St. David's Day, March 1st, 1824, by several gentlemen con- nected with the Principality of Wales, its object being to assist in educating and clothing Children of Welsh parentage, not having parochial settle- ment in Warwickshire or the adjoining counties. This Society supports ten boys in the Blue Coat School. infant schools. The institution of Infant Schools in Birming- ham commenced in 1825, and has been successfully continued. The undertaking is supported by the donations and annual subscriptions of its patrons, whose benevolent object is to afford protection, as INFANT SCHOOLS. 169 well as suitable instruction, to poor children of tender years, not old enough to be admitted into other schools, hundreds of which class are exposed to much personal danger, as well as to the conta- mination of bad example, by being neglected or left without proper protection while their parents are engaged in household duties, or in earning that income on which the subsistence of the family either wholly or partially depends. A spacious and convenient building is erected in Ann-street, 2iS, \he central, ov principal School. It has continued almost uniformly full during the whole of the past year (1828), the average number of children upon the books having been upwards of 200, and of those in attendance during the winter months, 140; and during the summer months, 180. A second School, opened at Islington, is also satisfactorily attended; another, in connection with ^S*^. George s Church, has been since opened in Brearley-street ; and the Society contemplates the establishment of others in different parts of the town, as soon as adequate resources for the pur- pose can be obtained. The parents of the children are required to pay a trifling weekly contribution in aid of the funds of the Institution. A committee of ladies assist in superintending die management of the above Schools, wherein the system of instruction pursued, through the medium of well qualified teachers, presents enough of no- velty to interest the attention of visitors. 170 Crowley's trust. SUNDAY SCHOOLS Are attached to most of the places of worship in the town, and supported by the respective con- gregations or friends of the different establishments. In connexion with ♦S'^. Philip's is a School of Indus- try for Girls, in Little Cherry-street. The children of most of these Schools are pro- vided with comfortable and uniform clothing, in which to appear at their respective schools and places of worship. i'Entiiam's trust. In 1712, George Fentham, of Birmingham, by his will devised lands in Erdington and Handsworth, then of the annual value of about £20, which is now greatly improved, vesting the same in a suc- cession of trustees, for the purpose of teaching children to read, and for clothing ten poor widows of Birmingham. Those children in the Blue Coat School who are clothed in green are supported there by this Trust. Their number now averages from 15 to 20. Crowley's trust. Ann Crowley, in 1733, by her will devised six houses in Steelhouse-lane, then producing about £18 per annum, in Trust, to support a School for ten children ; appointing that a female teacher should preside over them. lench's trust, &c. 171 SCOTT S TRUST. This Trust was created by the late Joseph Scott, Esq. in 1779. It is of some importance as to fu- ture income, on the termination of existing leases ; but the funds, though partially, and at a remote period, intended for the institution of a School, are chiefly applicable at the discretion of the trustees to the use of the religious Society attached to Carrs- lane Chapel. PIDDOCk's TRUST, William Piddock, in 172S, devised his farm at Winson Green, about nine acres, in Trust, after the death of his wife, for educating and putting out poor boys of Birmingham, or other discretional cha- rities in the same parish. This charity remained in oblivion, and the heirs of the devisor kept posses- sion of the property, without performing the trusts, till 1782, when it was recovered from them by a suit in Chancery, and vested in a body of Trustees, for the charitable purposes intended by the testator. lench's TRUST AND ALMS HOUSES. William Lench, a native of Birmingham, the founder of this excellent and well appropriated cha- rity, died in the reign of Henry the Eighth, having by deed settled a small property, then producing probably not more than £15 per annum, for repair- 172 lench's trust, .fee- ing the ruinous ways and bridges in and about the town, and for the benefit of the poor inhabitants, according to the discretion of the Trustees. The present income, however, which is upwards of £600 per annum, does not all arise from his bequest, for several benevolent individuals since his time have bequeathed property, now vested in the same Trus- tees, to be applied by them for the benefit of the poor of this place at their own discretion. The late Mrs, Ann Scott, of New-street, in the year 1808, appropriated upwards of £600 in an endowment for the benefit of the alms-people ; and more re- cently, the late Misses Mansell, of Temple-row, made a gift in aid of this Trust. The original existing alms-houses of this Trust are those in Steelhouse-lane {erected in 1764), con- taining 42 rooms ; next those in Dudley-street, con- taining 38 rooms ; afterwards those in Park-street, containing 32 rooms ; and lastly, those m Hospital- street (erected in 1828), containing 34 rooms; making a total of 146 rooms, which are occupied by as many poor persons, principally widows, who receive quarterly five shillings each; but at the Christmas quarter this allowance is doubled and paid them on St. Thomas's day. The applications for admission being very nu- merous, it has been the custom of late years, to render the charity beneficial to the most needy, not to admit any much under 70 years of age. The complement of Trustees, when full, consists FEMALE PENITENTIARY. 173 of twenty of the most respectable inhabitants of Birmingham. Mr. Hutton, in his History of Birmingham, re- marks that there is an excellent clause in the devi- sor's will, ordering his bailiiF to pay half a crown to any two persons who, having quarrelled and en- tered into law, should stop judicial proceedings, and make peace by agreement. SOCIETY FOR THE RELIEF OF POOR AGED AND INFIRM WOMEN. This was established in January, 1825, and has been submitted to public patronage. The objects of relief are widows and single women of good character, infirm, and upwards of 65 years of age, and not having an income of 4s. per week. The affairs of the institution are under the superintend- ance of a committee of ladies, chosen from the subscribers, who visit the parties recommended to their care, and dispense relief according to the exi- gency of the case. FEMALE PENITENTIARY. In November, 1828, a body of gentlemen formed themselves into a provisional committee for the pur- pose of establishing by subscription an institution which, by affording a suitable asylum, and the means of religious instruction, may reclaim from a life of sin unhappy females professingthemselves penitent; and 174 FEMALE PENITENTIARY. restore them to the paths of virtue and happiness. The object is considered to be attainable from the example afforded by the Magdalen Hospital, Lock Asylum, London Female Penitentiary, and Guar- dian Society, in the Metropolis ; the Dublin Female Penitentiary ; the Edinburgh Magdalen Asylum ; and the Penitentiaries of Bath, Bristol, Exeter, and Gloucester. At a recent meeting of the friends of the pro- posed establishment, the commencement of it was finally resolved upon, and a committee appointed to provide a suitable building and make the neces- sary arrangements. Besides several other Charitable Endowments by individuals, of minor consideration to those of LenchjFentham, and others, before noticed, there are many private Benevolent Societies throughout the town for visiting, clothing, and otherwise relieving the necessities of the sick, infirm, and destitute poor, and of the friendless stranger; among which are several for the assistance and comfort of poor lying-in women and their infants. Performances of Sacred Music take place annu- ally, about Christmas, at St. Paul's Chapel, for the benefit of aged and distressed housekeepers. The benevolence of the inhabitants is further brought into operation through the medium of Branch Societies, which are formed here in aid of several of the National Institutions for religious and SAVINGS BANK. 175 moral instruction, both at liorae and abroad, such as the Bible Society, the Church and other Mission- ary Societies, the Society for Promoting Christia- nity among the Jews, and some others. In a previous article, p. 75, we adverted to the Private Clubs, or Friendly Societies, which, being numerously established among the labouring classes for the mutual assistance of the members in sick- ness and old age, operate most usefully in forming and encouraging provident habits, and in stemming the progress of pauperism and dependance. A more public institution for similar objects lately existed under the denomination of the General Provident Society. This, after nearly thirty years' duration, was found to be established on erroneous data, and the funds proving inadequate to meet the increasing claims upon them, a dissolution of the society took place at Christmas, 1828. SAVINGS BANK AND FRIENDLY INSTITUTION. In 1816 an attempt was made to establish a Bank for the small Savings of the Labouring Class, but the time was unpropitious, and the attempt failed. In 1827 the propriety of such an institution was again taken into consideration by some of the leading inhabitants, and arrangements were then 176 SAVINGS BANK. made for the establishment of a Savings Bank, and for the formation of a Friendly Institution for the benefit of the industrious classes, and for making a safe provision in cases of sickness and old age, in conformity with the Acts of Parliament for the encouragement and protection of such institutions. The Savings Bank is in a highly prosperous state, and sums to a very considerable amount in the whole have been deposited, the return of which is secured to the depositors, together with interest; but, in consequence of the Report of the Select Committee of the House of Commons on the Laws respecting Friendly Societies, it has been deter- mined to suspend all proceedings in the Friendly Institution until the investigations which have been commenced for more accurately determining the probabilities of life be brought to a conclusion, and the expected alterations in the laws affecting bene- fit Societies be determined upon by the legislature. The Savings Bank is open every Monday and Thursday, from twelve to two o'clock, at the office. No. 6, Cannon- street. According to the monthly report of June 20, 1829, the total amount invested in the Bank of England was £38,172 Os. 7d. and the total number of accounts then open was 2247. The two Parochial Institutions for the relief of the Poor (the Workhouse and the Asylum) will next be noticed, in conclusion of this portion of our Work. tHE WORKHOUSE. THE WORKHOUSE. 177 This extensive, and in part lofty, pile of building for the accommodation of the poor, is situate in the lower part of Lichjield-street, extending backwards to Steelhouse-lane. The original portion was erect- ed in 1733, since which time considerable addi- tions have been made. The left wing is used as the Town Infirmary. The affairs of the parish are under the manage- of twelve Overseers and of a numerous body of Guardians, according to the regulations of a local Act of Parliament, obtained in the 23d of Geo. the 3d. The Guardians, to the number of 108, are elect- ed every third year by the rate-payers, and they are invested with the same powers as overseers, except as to making and collecting rates. The overseers remain in office one year, but half of them are ap- pointed at Lady-day, and the other half at Michael- mas, so as to avoid the inconvenience of their all going out of office at once. The churchwar- dens and overseers for the time being are consti- tuted guardians by virtue of their office. Under the powers of a subsequent Act, twelve Assistant Overseers, at salaries, are appointed by the rate-payers, for the better collection of the poor-rates, from which source the disbursements M 338 14 7 664 2 4| 1167 16 6 6509 10 10 20732 9 n 55674 17 n 178 THE ASYLUM. in the parish affairs for the year 1828 amounted to £47,245. Mr. Hutton in his History of Birmingham gives a list of the annual disbursements in the parish for the relief of the poor from the year 1676; from which list, wherein some years are omitted, we se- lect the following periods of comparison : — £. s. d. 1676 1700 1750 1775 1795 In the year 1818, a period of severe distress^ the poor-rates exceeded the enormous sum of £61,000. The number of persons dependent on parish re- lief in Birmingham was, at the under-mentioned periods of summer and winter, as follows, exclu- sive of the children in the Asylum : — July 5, 1828. Jan. 3, 1829. In the house . . 382 460 Out-poor .. 3197 3255 THE ASYLUM. To obviate the evils necessarily attendant on the practice formerly pursued of placing out poor chil- dren to be nursed, the overseers and guardians, in THEATRE. 179 the year 1797 provided suitable premises at the bottom of Summer-lane, on the outside of the town, as an Asylum for the Infant Poor of the pa- rish, who here receive all needful care and atten- tion. A committee of overseers and guardians is appointed to direct and superintend the manage- ment. The manufacture of pins, straw plat, and lace is introduced for the employment of the children; from the produce c-f whose labour the premises have been purchased, enlarged, and improved, and now form a valuable property belonging to the pa- rish. There is a bath attached to the institution, with garden and play-ground ; and among the re- cent additions is a chapel, in which the children attend divine worship. On the 3d of January, 1829, the number of children maintained, clothed, and educated here was 237. AMUSEMENTS. THEATRE. The Theatre, situate in New-street, nearly op* posite to the Post-office, is distinguishable by the handsome stone facade in front, presenting a piazza and colonnade over it, with wings, on the face of M 2 180 THEATRE. which, in the upper compartments, are two mecIaT- lion busts, of excellent workmanship, representing the two great dramatic luminaries, Shakspeare and Garrick. This facade is said to have been designed by Harrison, of Chester, and has been generally- admired for its elegance and unity of style. It comprises a large assembly room, and a tavern, for many years occupied as the Shakspeare Tavern^ but now disused as such for want of adequate support. The room on the ground floor of the eastern wing has been long occupied as a billiard-room. The other rooms, including the assembly-room, no longer applied to its original purpose, are let, as op- portunity oiFers, for auctions, and for public exhibi- tions and lectures. The name of the tavern is still attached to the building, * The Shakspeare conti- nuing to be its local designation. Returning, however, to the Theatre itself, to which the building just described is only an appen- dage, we find that the original erection on this spot for dramatic purposes arose about the year 1774, the above facade or portico being added in 1780, In August, 1792, this theatre was destroyed by fire, supposed to have been occasioned by incen- diaries, who were never discovered. Within three years afterwards, the proprietors, who purchased several of the adjacent houses to enable them to improve their former plan, rebuilt the theatre in a more commodious manner and on an enlarged scale. This second erection experienced the fate of the XlBILr_Rf' BmiUJlshamp3b]islie>-il)7B5ilby.Kn.ott i Eeilb^JulyP"'185;5. T!IEATR&. 181 former one, and was destroyed by an accidental fire on the night of the 6th of January, 1820. On each occasion the front remained uninjured. The present elegant and commodious Theatre, on a still more enlarged and improved plan, was soon after- wards commenced on the same spot, and so rapid was the progress of erection, that it was opened to the public on the 14th of August in the same year, great exertions having been made that it should be in readiness for the Oratorios which immediately followed. It will contain an audience of more than 2,000 persons, and is brilliantly lighted with gas. — The box-office and entrance are beneath the piazza, in New-street ; the pit is approached through a pas- sage out of Lower Temple-street; and the gallery door is at the back, in Queen-street. The usual theatrical season is from about Whit- suntide to November, in which period many of the leading metropolitan performers appear on the Birmingham stage. We apprehend however that the manager's career is seldom a gainful one, owing to the extraordinary apathy prevailing among the inhabitants with respect to theatrical amusements. In 1807 an Act of Parliament was passed, by virtue of which the royal licence was obtained for this theatre, thence denominated the Theatre Royal. Theatrical exhibition is not of ancient date in Birmingham. First the Fields, now Temple-street^ and afterwards the Inkleys, were the seats of the 18'2 DANCING AND CARD ASSEMBLIES. performers' booth. About 1730 the amusements of the stage entered into something like a stable, in Castle-street. About 1740, a theatre was erected in Moor-street. About 1751 a London company appeared, which brought crowded houses, and so much increased the taste for theatricals, that in the following year a larger theatre was erected in King- street. Both theatres being more than the town could support, that in Moor'Street(now taken down) was let for a methodist meeting-house. In 1774, when the theatre in New-street was built, that in King-street was enlarged, beautified, and made more convenient; but in 1786, the spirit of the stage drooping, the vacant theatre in King-street, like its predecessor in Moor-street, was converted into a dissenting meeting-house, which it still con- tinues to be. — This outline of the history of the stage in Birmingham is traced from the more de- tailed account given in Mr. Hutton's history of the town. DANCING AND CARD ASSEMBLIES Have been for many years held by subscription at the Royal Hotel, in Temple-row, where is a very capacious and handsome assembly-room, built ex- pressly for the purpose, and subsequently enlarged. Of these assemblies, possessing the highest cha- racter for respectability, there are generally eight in the season, which is from October to March. ORATORIO CHORAL SOCIETY. 183 According to Mr. Hutton, there were, in 1750, two assembly-rooms ; one in the Square, the other in Bull-street. The last was not much in use after that time. That in the Square continued in repute till 1765, when its former eminence began to de- cline in consequence of a remark made by Edward Duke of York, who, in October of that year, ho- noured the town by leading down the dance at this room, that superior accommodation ought to be af- forded. In 1772 the Hotel was erected, and the new assembly-room there entirely superseded that in the Square. PRIVATE CONCERTS. The original Subscription Concerts, held at the Royal Hotel, have been established thirty years, and are warmly supported by the leading families in the town. There are usually three or four concerts in the year, at which much talent is generally dis- played. HARMONIC SOCIETY. The Concerts of this Society are of more recent introduction. They also are held at the Royal Hotel, and sustain a respectable character. As an appendage to our account of the General Hospital, we have already noticed the celebrated Triennial Musical Festivals held in Birmiiifrham ^^4 VAUXHALL GARDENS. in connection with which is a Society called the Oratorio Choral Society. There are also many private Societies for the cultivation and practice of the science of Music, whose " magic numbers and persuasive sound " experience more favour in Bir- mingham than any other description of amuse- ment. At Vauxhall Gardens^ on the edge of the town, beyond Ashsted, are occasional public Concerts during the summer months, with exhibitions of Fire -works. Field Sports are but little sought after by the people of Birmingham, being unsuited to their ha- bits; and very few athletic sports or exercises now remain in practice among them. The game of cricket was a few years ago revived by one or two clubs in the suburbs. That of bowls, being driven from the town by the increase of building, has taken refuge on the borders, where are several excellent howling greens, most of them attended by private parties of subscribers. The one dii Edgbaston, with the buildings and grounds attached, is particularly tasteful and commodious. The principal Billiard Rooms are that at the Shakspeare and another in Needless-alley. PHILOSOPHICAL INSTITUTION. 185 SCIENTIFIC AND LITERARY ESTABLISHMENTS. PHILOSOPHICAL INSTITUTION. From a small beginning about the year 1800, this Society, established to promote the acquisition and diffusion of useful knowledge, has now attained an important station, and is supported by a numerous list of subscribers from the leading inhabitants of the town and neighbourhood. In 1812 commodi- ous premises in Cannon-street were purchased, and fitted up in a convenient manner, for the purposes of the Society. They contain a good Lecture Room (since enlarged by the addition of a gallery) in which during the winter season, evening lectures on scientific subjects, chiefly in natural and expe- rimental philosophy, are delivered once and some- times oftener in each week ; occasionally in ele- mentary courses, by professional lecturers engaged by the managers, and at other times on detached subjects by some of the Fellows of the Institution. The subject chosen is generally one which allows the introduction of specimens, drawings, or prac- tical experiments for its better illustration, and does not exclude the presence of ladies, who, on most 186 mechanics' institution. occasions, form a considerable portion of the highly respectable and numerous auditory by which these lectures are attended. There is also a Reading Room, which is provided with many of the most able scientific periodicals, and several of the prin- cipal London daily and other newspapers. Apart- ments are also comprised for the museum, exten- sive apparatus, laboratories, and experimental prac- tice of the institution ; together with a residence for the house-steward. There are four classes of Subscribers, two of which are distinguished as Fellows and Associates. Three of the classes have transferable tickets to all the lectures. The management is entrusted to a Committee of Fellows and Associates, elected at the*annual general meeting. The Rev. John Cor- rie has long been the President, and to his high talents and zealous patronage and exertions the so- ciety is much indebted. MECHANICS INSTITUTION. The object proposed by this Institution (com- menced in 1825) is, as stated in the printed rules and regulations, the cheap instruction of the mem- bers in the principles of the arts they practise, and in various branches of science, by the following means, viz. Elementary Schools for teaching Arithmetic, Al- mechanics' institution. 187 gebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, &c. with their va- rious applications. Lectures on Natural and Experimental Philoso- phy, Practical Mechanics, &c. A Library of Reference, a Circulating Library, Reading Room, Laboratory, &c. To these is proposed to be added, as soon as cir- cumstances will permit, a Museum of Machines, Models, Minerals, Natural History, &c. These means to be derived from the voluntary associaticu of Mechanics and others, and the pay- ment of a small annual or quarterly sum by each, donations of money, books, specimens, imple- ments, models, apparatus, &c. On the 21st of March, 1826, the then Vice-Pre- sident, Mr. Benjamin Cook, delivered an Evening Address to a numerous auditory at Mount Zion Chapel, as a formal opening of the Institution, which has been continued with acknowledged utility and success, and with every prospect of permanent support. To increase the utility of the lectures of the in- stitution, they are occasionally delivered by profes- sional lecturers. The original plan of Elementary Schools has been extended to Classes in the higher branches of Mathematics and in Drawing, of which architec- tural and mechanical drawing forms a distinct class. A Writing Class has also been formed, for the in- struction principally of the junior members. 188 SOCIETY OF ARTS. Considerable progress has likewise been made in the formation of a Library, already amounting to nearly a thousand volumes, which are in constant circulation among the members. The Society has the use of the Old Meeting School Rooms for their Classes and Library, and of the School Room at Ebenezer Chapel for their Lec- tures ; but it is the intention of the Committee, as soon as their funds will permit, to provide more suitable building accommodations for the several purposes of the institution. SOCIETY OF ARTS. This Society (in the words of whose printed Re- port great part of this article is given) was esta- blished in the year 1821, in order to promote ex- tensively and efficiently the study of the Fine Arts, by providing ready means of acquiring a correct taste, and affording to the artists of Birmingham the opportunity of making their talents known to the public. On its formation, Sir Robert Lawley, Bart, presented a very valuable collection of those perfect Casts from Grecian Sculpture which were moulded in Paris when that capital possessed the original marbles. This liberal donation was fol- lowed by subscriptions from noblemen and gentle- men in the neighbourhood, amounting to about £1500. A part of this sum has been expended in adding to the collection of works of art by pur- SOCIETY OF ARTS. 189 chases in Italy and elsewhere. The remainder, ■with subsequent resources, has been employed in the erection of new Exhibition Rooms. The Earl of Dudley has presented to the Society a splendid copy of the Works of Piranesi, in 12 vols, folio, to which several other gifts of books and works of art have been added. The Society is conducted by a Committee consist- ing of Gentlemen not in the profession, assisted by a Committee of resident Artists. The Presidency has been successively held by Sir Robert Lawley, Bart. Lord Calthorpe, Francis Lawley, Esq. M.P. and the Earl of Dudley; and last year (1828) by Sir Robert Lawley again. In the autumn of 1827 the Society, acceding to the wishes of the Artists, appropriated their build- ing to the purpose of an exhibition of modern works of art, which was honoured by a contribution from the highly gifted President of the Royal Academy, and otherwise very ably supported. The success of the exhibition was particularly gratifying ; it comprised many works of art of distinguished me- rit, and gave to the public a very favourable impres- sion of the skill of the artists, justifying the ex- pectation that such exhibitions would not only be acceptable to the public, but prove extremely in- strumental in encouraging the genius and industry of the artists. The Exhibition in the year 1828 consisted exclu- sively of the works of Ancient Masters, with the 190 SOCIETY OF ARTS. view of extending the utility of the institution by procuring for students the means of becoming fa- miliar with works of acknowledged merit. In the promotion of so desirable an object the committee experienced the liberal co-operation of the nobility and gentry of the neighbourhood, who with the utmost readiness entrusted to the society on this occasion some of their most valuable pictures. A second exhibition of Modern Works is intended to take place in the present year, 1829. The circular building situate at the upper end of New-street, originally built for and used as a Pa- norama, and hitherto occupied by the Society for their exhibition rooms, was, at the close of the exhibition in 1828, taken down, and in the place of it more suitable and commodious rooms for study and for exhibitions have been erected, ac- cording to the plans and designs of the architects, Messrs. Rickman and Hutchinson. The front is of stone, in the Grecian style of architecture, with blank windows, and presents a chaste and beauti- ful elevation, in which the prmcipal feature is a noble portico, extending over the footpath, and supported by four fluted columns, which, with the pilasters on the face of the building, have highly enriched capitals. The principal exhibition room is a circle, 52 feet diameter in the clear. This room, when not en- gaged for exhibition, to be used for the study of antique sculpture. The other apartments consist 5ocii:rY or jiB-ts £XHiBiaioi, - L_-^ i^ - liite-*^ '^ ?3 f!&/fl s u i ^^^"j^H ft Si 1™ lil^ H»~ PUBLIC OFFICE AND PRISON. 197 e:xpence in the year 1806, and are substantially built, with an ornamental front elevation of stone. The first division of the building contains the Public-office, the upper floor of which is occupied by the magistrates, who hold their meetings here every Monday and Thursday morning. The ground floor is appropriated chiefly to the Commissioners of the Street Act. Occasionally the apartments are used for other public business. Behind the Public-office, but separated by a court yard, is the Prison-keeper's House, with the Prison in the rear. The latter is well adapted to its pur- pose, clean, and as airy as the situation will allow; and subdivided, so that the male and female pri- soners are kept quite apart. The present prison- keeper is Mr. George Redfern. The Public-office being found much too small and incommodious for the increased and increasing population and public business of the town, it is intended to alter, enlarge, and improve the present erection, for which purpose the recent town im- provement Act empowers the Commissioners to purchase certain of the houses and premises adjoin- ing. In former times criminal justice was administered by the Lords of Manors, even to the extent of ca- pital punishment. Mr. Hutton informs us, that early perhaps in the sixteenth century, when the House of Birmingham, whose Lords had been chief gaolers, was extinguished, a building was 198 PRISON, BORDESLEY. erected which covered the east end of New-street, called the Leather Hall, the upper part consisting of a room where the public business of the manor was transacted, the under part being divided into several, one of which was used for a prison ; that about 1728, the Leather Hall and Dungeon were taken down, and three houses built on the spot, which were purchased by the town commissioners in 1776 to open the way ; that a narrow passage on the south was called the Dungeon Entry ; and that a dry cellar opposite the demolished hall, afterwards part of Mr. Hutton's premises, was then appropri- ated to a prison, till the town provided another at the bottom of Peck-lane, dark, narrow, and un- wholesome within, crowded with dwellings, filth, and distress without, and the circulation of air pre- vented. This latter continued to be the town pri- son, under the name of the Dungeon, till the erec- tion of the present one in Moor-street; and the house at the back of High-street, now occupied for the Court of Requests, was used as the Public- office. PRISON, BOllDESLEY. This Prison, which appertains to the parish of Aston, is situate in the High-street, Bordesley, and kept by Mr. W. D. Brownell. COURT OF REQUESTS. 199 THE COURT OF REQUESTS Was instituted by Act of Parliament in the year 1752, for the more easy and speedy recovery of small debts within the town of Birminghajii, and the adjoining hamlet of Deritend, Originally its cognizance was limited to debts not exceeding forty shillings, but in 1807 another Act was obtained, by which the powers of the Court were extended to the recovery of debts not exceeding five pounds. There are debts of a certain description to which the acts do not apply, but all debts recoverable in this Court are not to be sued for elsewhere. There is a proviso saving the Jurisdiction of the ancient Court Baron held by the Lord of the Manor of Bir- mingham within that town, and also the Jurisdic- tion of an ancient Court held for the Hundred of Hemlingford, in this county. The Court Baron has fallen into disuetude as to matters of debt, but the powers of the Hundred Court are occasionally resorted to. A number of Commissioners are appointed, by three or more of whom the Court is to be held every Friday, or oftener if needful. There are two clerks (attorneys), who attend all the sittings of the Com- missioners, and register the proceedings, and issue the process of the Court ; and a beadle, whose duty it is to execute such process. Provision is made for the appointment from time 200 COURT OF REQUESTS. to time of new Commissioners, and no person is qualified to act as Commissioner without taking an appointed oath, nor unless he shall, at the time of acting, be a householder, or shall carry on trade within the jurisdiction of the Court, and be pos- sessed of a real estate of the clear annual value of £50, or of a personal estate of the clear value of £1000. Vacancies in the office of Clerk are supplied al- ternately by the Lord of the Manor and by the Com- missioners; but the Lord of the Manor has the sole appointment of the Beadle. The fees of the clerks and beadle are regulated by the Acts, which direct a table of them to be hung up conspicuously in the Court-house. The judgment of the Commissioners is final. — The time of imprisonment of defendants in execu- tion is limited in proportion to the amount of debt, the greatest time being one hundred days; but in case of any fraudulent concealment of property, the Commissioners have power to inflict an addi- tional imprisonment not exceeding three months. The Court was originally held in the building called the Old Cross, long since demolished. It is now held in an old house, formerly ManselVs Tea Warehouse, situate in a recess at the back of High- street, nearly opposite to the end of New-street, but much too small and incommodious for the pur- poses to which it is applied. In this building, which also comprises the prison of the Court, the EXCISE OFFICE 201 Magistrates of the town had used to hold their sit- tings before the erection of the Public-office in Moor-street. Two sets of Commissioners sit at the same time, for the dispatch of business, the cases coming before them being very numerous. Considerable amendment is said to be requisite in the constitution and practice of this Court, and the state of its prison, subjects which have lately- fallen under much public animadversion. The recent Town Improvement Act empowers the Commissioners of that Act to purchase all the rights of the Lord of the Manor in or appertaining to the Court of Requests. POST OFFICE. On the opening a few years since of Bennett's- hill, opposite the Theatre, in New-street, the pre- sent commodious Post Office was erected at the foot of it, in lieu of the former one, which was nearly on the same spot, but fronted to New- street. There are several authorised receiving houses for letters in the outer parts of the town. EXCISE OFFICE. The office for the business of the Excise depart- ment in Birmingham is at present situate in New- street, at the corner of Lower Temple-street, a very short distance from the Post Office. 202 GUN BARRRL PROOF HOUSE, ASSAY OFFICE. By an Act of Parliament passed in 1824 (which repealed a former Act of 13th Geo. III. so far as related to Birmingham) all gold and silver plate wrought or made within the town of Birmingham, and within thirty miles thereof, is (for the preven- tion of fraud in the working of those metals, and under penalties provided for securing the object of the Act) to be assayed and marked by the Wardens and Assayers appointed for assaying wrought plate in Birmingham, who have an office in Little Cannon- street, where they attend at stated iimds for the performance of their duties. The Act appoints a number of Guardians, whom it incorporates by the name of '' the Guardians of the Standard of Wrought Plate in Birmingham," and invests with all necessary powers ; providing also for the supply of vacancies in the body by death or otherwise. GUN BARREL PROOF HOUSE. In 1813 an Act of Parliament was passed " to " insure the proper and careful manufacturing of *' Fire Arms in England ; and for making provision *' for proving the Barrels of such Fire Arms." By this Act, the Lords Lieutenant of the coun- ties of Warwick, Worcester, and Stafford, and the Members in Parliament for those counties for the GU^f BARREL PROOF HOUSE. 203 time being*, with fifteen persons resident in Birming- ham, and their successors, to be chosen as therein directed, are created a body politic and corporate by the name of " the Guardians, Trustees, and " Wardens of the Gun Barrel Proof House of the " town of Birmingham," and invested with the necessary powers, for proving in the manner di- rected by the Act all Barrels for Fire Arms which shall be brought to the Proof House at Birmingham for that purpose. The Act contains an exception as to fire arms for the use of his Majesty's forces, or for the East India Company (which Government and the East India Company prove under their own direction), but all others are to be duly proved at the Proof House in Birmingham, as above autho- rised, or some other authorised Proof House, under a penalty not exceeding £20 for every default. Each barrel on being proved receives a certain proof mark, to forge which subjects the offending party to a similar penalty. Not more than one shilling is to be charged for proving each barrel ; and the receipts are to be regulated by, and em- ployed in defraying, the necessary expences of the establishment, including the liquidation, with in- terest, of the subscriptions raised for providing the ground and buildings required. The handsome hall and very commodious pre- mises of the Company are situate in Banbury-street, by the side of the canal there. A flag is hoisted from the building on the days of proving. 204 BAIUIACKS FOR CAVALRY. The above Act in its origin contemplated the proof of all fire arms in London. This would have been a serious grievance to the gun-makers in Bir- mingham, vi^ho manufacture so large a proportion of English fire arms. They consequently interfered in the progress of the bill, and ultimately succeed- ed in obtaining the establishment of a Proof House in this town, where the bulk of the articles to be proved are made. BARRACKS FOR CAVALRY. Soon after the riots of 1791, when the town suf- fered so severely for want of the immediate aid of cavalry, Government took a lease of five acres of land in a dry and airy situation at Duddeston, in the adjoining parish of Aston, on the north-east side of the town (formerly the property of the Holtes, but then belonging to Heneage Legge, Esq.) upon which, in 1793, commodious Barracks were erected suflficient for 162 men with their horses, the whole inclosed with a wall. The approach is from Great Brooke-street, on the road to Vauxhall, and near to Ashsted Chapel. The centre building shewn in our view contains the officers' apartments. A troop of horse is constantly stationed here. THE OLD CROSS. 205 THE GENERAL MARKET PLACE, In its most limited extent, comprises the descend- ing and rather spacious area of High-street and the Bull-ring, from the yard of the Swan Hotel to the walls of St. Martin's Church yard, where the breadth, which gradually increases from the sum- mit, is considerable ; but the market straggles far beyond these bounds, and is continued along the upper part of High-street to the entrance of Dale- end, where is a space allotted for stalls, formerly used as the beast market. Nearly all the buildings forming the line of street, are occupied as retail shops, and some are lofty and of bold appearance. From the brow of the descent is a view looking over Deritend to the elevated fields at Highgate. On a spot nearly opposite to Philip-street, for- merly stood THE OLD CROSS, a covered building erected in the year 1702, and called simply The Cross till the Welsh Cross arose, when it became distinguished as the Old Cross. The under part was a useful shelter to the market people. The room over it was designed for the Court Leet, and other public business. This build- ing was taken down in 1784. From this point down to the Church-yard, much of the present space was thickly covered with shops 206 WELSH CROSS. and dwellings until the commencement of the pre- sent century, when they were all removed. Among these buildings, and next below the Cross, was a range called the Shambles, occupied by butchers, for the sale of meat. Subsequent improvements have cleared away the houses which stood on the east side of Spiceal- street and round the Church-yard, and measures are now in progress for the further enlargement, con- centration, and increased commodiousness of the Market-place, and for the erection of a Market Hall and other suitable buildings, the want of which has been long severely felt. In connection with the subject of the present head, we shall here observe, that at the foot of Bull-street, where Dale-end branches off, stood another Cross, called the WELSH CROSS, which afforded considerable market accommoda- tion, being surrounded by steps, and the lower part open. This was built not many years after the Old Cross, and stood till 1803, when it was removed, to widen the street.* The upper room was used for pubhc purposes. A turret and clock surmounted this building, in frcnt of which was fixed the pil- lory and stocks. * Formerly this spot bore the name of the JVehh-cnd, per- haps from the number of Welch in its neighbourhood, or rather from its being the great road to that Principality. — Ilulton. nelson's statue. 207 NELSON S STATUE. In the centre of the Market-place, facing the Church, and nearly in a line with the Nelson Hotel and Coach-office, stands the Statue erected by the inhabitants in honour of the great Naval Hero of England, the late Admiral Lord Nelson. It is ex- ceedingly well executed in bronze, by that eminent statuary, Westmacott; and with the pedestal, pali- sades, and lamps, cost about £3000, which was raised by voluntary subscription. The work was opened to the public on the 25th of October, 1809, the day on which was celebrated the Jubilee of his late Majesty King George the Third, when the fol- lowing authorised description of it was published : — " In this work, intended to perpetuate the greatest ex- " ample of Naval Genius, simplicity has been the chief " object in the arrangement. The Hero is represented in " a reposed and dignified attitude, his left arm reclined " upon an anchor: he appears in the costume of his coun- " try, invested with the insignia of those honours by which " his Sovereign and distant Princes distinguished him. " To the right of the statue is intrcduced the grand sym- " bol of the naval profession ; Victory, the constant lead- " er of her favourite hero, embellishes the prow. To the " left is disposed a sail, which, passing behind the statue, " gives breadth to that view of the composition. Above " the ship is the fac-simile of the Flag Staff Truck of *' L'Orient, fished up by Sir Samuel Hood the day follow- " ing the Battle of the Nile, presented by him to Lord " Nelson, and now deposited at Milford, as a trophy of " that ever-memorable action. This group is surmounted 208 SMITHFIELD. " upon a pedestal of statuary marble. A circular form has " been selected, as best adapted to the situation. " To personify that affectionate regard which caused the " present patriotic tribute to be raised, the Town of Bir- " mingham, murally crowned, in a dejected attitude, is *' represented mourning her loss ; she is accompanied by " groups of Genii, or Children, in allusion to the rising " race, who offer her consolation by bringing her the Tri- " dent and Rudder. To the front of the pedestal is the " following inscription : — " This Statue in honour of Admiral Lord Nelson, '* was erected by the Inhabitants of Birmingham, " A. D. MDCCCIX. " The whole is inclosed by iron palisades in the form of " boarding pikes, connected by a twisted cable. At each *' of the four corners is placed a cannon, from which issues " a lamp post representing a cluster of pikes, supporting a " ship lantern." THE MARKET PUMP. At the foot of the Market-place, nearly close to the Church-yard wall, is a public Pump, erected, about the year 1807, from a design by Mr. HoUins, who styled the performance an Egyptian Conduit. It is a cumbrous and anomalous erection of stone, of a pyramidal shape, and in every respect pecu- liarly unfitted for the purpose to which it is ap- plied. SMITHFIELD. This spacious and commodious Market-place oc- cupies the site of the ancient manor house and 1 DERITEND BRIDGE. 209 moat, at a short distance south of St. Martin's Church; and was opened on Whitsun fair day, Thursday the 29th of May, 1817, having been con- structed by the Commissioners of the Street Acts, at an expence, including the purchase of the h\nd and premises, of between £5000 and £6000. Here the beast market, and hay and straw market are held ; the beast market on Thursday, and the other on Tuesday, in each week. Previously the cattle mar- ket was held in the wide part of Dale-end; the horse, sheep, and pig market at the lower end of New-street ; and the hay and straw market in Ann- street. For every head of cattle, or load of hay or straw exposed to sale elsewhere in the town, there is a penalty of 20s., except horses sold at the fairs, which will be as usual. Adjoining to Smithfield is the Common Pound, which a century ago was situate in the street called Pinfold-street, exactly opposite to Peck-lane. DERITEND BRIDGE. The principal bridge over the small river Rea is that at the foot of Digbeth, the leading entrance into the town from the London road. As now re- built and improved, it is a commodious and sub- stantial structure. Formerly the lower part of Dig- beth was, in times of flood, impassable ; and it. became absolutely necessary to take down and re- build the bridge, to widen and improve the ap- 210 DERITEND BRIDGE. proaches to it, and to widen, deepen, and vary the bed and course of the river. Accordingly an Act of Parliament was obtained in 1788 for the accom- plishment of these objects by means of a toll and rate ; but this Act expired before the undertaking could be completed, and the tolls having produced less, and the works cost much more, than had been originally estimated, the Trustees found themselves on the termination of their powers, many thousand pounds in debt. An application to Parliament to renew the Act for a further term, and to increase the tolls, met with such a powerful opposition that it was unsuccessful, and the works remained in an incomplete state till 1813, when the Trustees suc- ceeded in obtaining another Act to enable them to finish the improvements contemplated by the first Act, and to reimburse the sums borrowed on secu- rity of the tolls, the parties having agreed to sacri- fice the interest. This Act continued in force till 1822, when another Act was obtained for the pur- pose of widening the lower part of Digbeth, and widening and repairing the two other bridges in Bradford-street and Cheapside. For this purpose power was given to continue the tolls till the 1st of January, 1830. The trustees, however, were en- abled to accomplish all the objects of this last Act in a shorter period than was given by it, and the tolls were discontinued on the 27th of August, 1828. OTHER BUILDINGS AND ESTABLISHMENTS, AND OBJECTS OF PUBLIC NOTICE. LADY WELL AND BATHS. Near the site of St. Martin's Parsonage-house, recently demolished, is an ancient and public Well, called Lady Well, from its having, in all probabi- lity, been formerly dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It is a bounteous and never-failing source of the purest soft water, which (like the Digbeth v/ater, plentifully arising from an extension of the same spring or bed) is pleasant to drink, and in great request for various domestic purposes. An attempt made in July, 1818, wholly to inclose this well was successfully resisted by the interference of the Town Commissioners, and it now remains open to the public as before. Attached to it is a Bathing - house and Establishment, where hot, cold, shower, vapour, and various medicated baths, and all re- quisite accommodations for the use of them, are provided. Here is also a good Swimming, or Pleusure Bath, 52 feet wide, 110 feet long, of gradual depth from three to six feet, and receiving a continual supply of fresh water, situate in the centre of a garden, inclosed by a high wall and trees, and furnished with separate dressing-boxes and bowers. A passage leading to the above well and baths, out of Smallbroke-street, is called Lady Well Walk. o2 2*12 BIRMINGHAM CANAL. PUDDING-BROOK, No more than a ditch in dimensions, deriving its^ name from the muddy water of a common sewer which it conveys in a southerly direction yVom the town, has attracted some notice owing to the curi- ous circumstance of an equal sized rivulet of clear water, separated only by a narrow footpath, and running parallel to the foul stream for a consider- able distance, having proceeded in an opposite, or northerly direction into the town, where it dis- charged itself in the Moat, v/hich having been filled up to form Smithfield Market-place, the stream is now diverted, though a considerable portion of its channel still remains without much alteration in appearance. Mr. Huttcn, who mentions the cu- riosity in his History, observes that it surprised Brindley, the famous engineer. BIRMINGHAM CANAL. Under the authority of an Act of Parliament, ob- tained in 1767, a Canal was cut from Birmingham to Bilston, and from thence to Autlierleij, near Wolverhampton, where it joins the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal, which connects the Ri- vers Trent and Severn. This Canal (of which there is a branch extending to Walsall, besides several other branches and collateral cuts) runs through the heart of the Staffordshire mining district, from whence Birmingham derives nearly the whole of her BIRMINGHAM CANAL. 213 immense supplies of coal, and many of the heavy materials used in her manufactures and buildings. The principal line, about 22 miles in length, was finished in 1772, but some of the branches are of more recent formation. In 1783 another Act was obtained, under which an extension of the Canal was made from Birming- ham to join the Coventry Canal at or near Fazeley, in the parish of Tamworth. The length of this line is about 15 miles. By another Act, passed in 1784, the two concerns were united, and the shares consolidated, the pro- prietors being thereby incorporated as one body, whose legal denomination is '^ the Company of '' Proprietors of the Birmingham Canal Naviga- " tions." The original and principal Wharf of the Com- pany is at Easij-hill, and occupies a large space of ground, inclosed by a wall, and faced at the en- trance next to Paradise- street with a range of sub- tantial buildings which comprise the offices for transacting the business of the Canah This is commonly known as the Old Wharf and Naviga- tion Office. There is another Wharf situate in Neiuhall- street, nearly on the site of the demo- lished mansion of the Colmore family, called New Hall. Such has been the flourishing state of this con- cern, and so great its increased value to the pro- prietors, that for convenience of disposal each ori- 214 WORCESTER AND BIRMINGHAM CANAL. ginal share has been divided mto eight parts, one of which eighths has sold for more than the sum (£270) originally paid on a single consolidated share. To afford increased facility to the trade between Birmingham and the CoHieries, the proprietors have recently, at an immense expence, greatly improv- ed that portion of their canal ; and to secure an abun- dant supply of water have constructed at Rotton Park a large and deep Reservoir, occupying more than 50 acres of land, including the pool called Roach Pool, and forming the largest sheet of water in the neighbourhood of Birmingham. WORCESTER AND BIRMINGHAM CANAL. This Canal communicates with the Birmingham Canal at the Old Wharf, and extends about thirty miles till it joins the River Severn at Diglis, near Worcester. There are several tunnels on the line, that at King's Norton being a mile and a half in length. The original Act was obtained in 1791, but so erroneous was the first estimate of expence, and such were the delays and embarrassments occasion- ed by a deficiency of funds, that more than twenty years elapsed before the completion of the work, during which the proprietors were on several occa- sions under the necessity of applying to the Legis- lature for additional powers. This concern is gradually recovering from the depression under which it has so long suffered ; a WARWICK AND BIRMINGHAM CANAL. 215 dividend is now annually made ; and the shares, which some years ago were considered almost worthless, and in respect of which the original pro- prietors suffered considerable loss, in 1829 pro- duced in the market nearly £70. The Company has an Office and extensive Wharf (recently much improved) situate between the Old Wharf and Upper Gough-street, to which the prin- cipal entrances are from the top of Wharf-street, and the top of Severn-street. WARWICK AND BIRMINGHAM CANAL. An Act of Parliament was obtained in 1793, and another in 1796, for making this Canal, which ex- tends from Wariuick to Birjiiingham, where it com- municates with the Digbeth branch of the Birming- ham and Fazeley Canal. It is about 22 miles in length, and was completed m 1800. The Warwick and Napton Canal unites with this near to War- wick, and at Lapworth is a branch connecting it with the Stratford Canal The shares, originally £100, sold in 1829 for £270. These Canals, connected as they are with others, confer on Birmingham the advantage of water con- veyance to and from the principal sea-ports and trading towns and districts of the kingdom. 216 WATER WORKS. WATER-WORKS. After some previous unsuccessful attempts to es- tablish Water-Works in Birmingham, a Company of Subscribers, in May, 1826, obtained an Act of Parliament (briefly noticed at p. 97) for the pur- pose of affording a regular supply of good soft water, through pipes, for the use of the inhabi- tants of Birmingham, and the adjoining parishes of Aston and Edgbaston. The authorised capital is £120,000, in shares of £25 each, with power to borrow to the extent of £30,000 more, if needful ; but the act providing that £116,925, the estimated amount of expence, should be subscribed for before it was put in force, and the subscription list being for a long time deficient of the requisite number of shares, the Directors have been restrained from making contracts or prosecuting the under- taking. It has, however, been recently advertised that the subscription is at length filled, and that the works will now be commenced immediately. The act requires that the purchases of land for reservoirs be made within five years, and that all the works be completed within seven years from the passing of it, otherwise the powers of the act will cease. The water is intended to be obtained from the River Tame, and from a brook ne^r Salford Bridge, in the parish of Aston, called Hawthorn Brook. One Reservoir will be formed near to that bridge, GAS WORKS. 217 and another at or near to a place in Edgbaston, called Parrott's Folly, or the Monument. BIRMINGHAM FIRE OFFICE. This institution was established in March, 1805, and is empowered by Act of Parliament. The ca- pital subscribed for is £300,000, to which extent the Company, in case of need, is liable. Of this capital £100,000 is understood to have been actu- ally raised by calls and accumulations, and invested as an invariable and permanent fund. The origi- nal 300 shares of £1000, on each of which £220 has been paid, have, for convenience in the dispo- sal of them, been since subdivided into quarterly parts. The office of the Company is situate in Union- street. It is a handsome stone-fronted building, and was erected in 1808, at an expence o^ nearly £4000, including the engine-house, firemen's- liouses, and stable. A proper establishment of engines, horses, and men is always kept in rea- diness to proceed to any part of the town or neigh- bourhood, in case of fire, which happily seldom com- mits any serious ravages in Birmingham. GAS WORKS. These extensive premises are situate in a street, which has received from them the name of Gas- street, lying at the back of the Old Wharf, between 218 THE CRESCENT. Broad-street and the Worcester and Birmingham Canal. They belong to a Company, called the Birmingham Gas-light Company, incorporated by Act of Parliament in 1819, for the purpose of sup- plying the town with the brilliant light of gas, which has almost superseded the more feeble light of oil and candles for streets and shops, and nearly all public and many private purposes. In 1825 another Act of Parliament was obtained, under which an additional Company, called the Birmingham and Staffordshire Gas-light Company, became established for more effectually lighting with gas the town of Birm^ingham and other places in the counties of Warwick and Stafford. The Works of this Company are situate at West Brom- wick, from whence gas is conducted by pipes to Birmingham, a distance of more than six miles. The Company has an office in the Old Square. THE CRESCENT, Situate jiear to Easy Hill, noticed in the next article as the residence of Baskerville, was com- menced about the year 1792, and if finished ac- cording to the original design, would comprise a beautiful range of stone- fronted houses, of uniform architectural character, elevated on a commanding terrace above the Old Canal. The wings only were completed, when the decay of trade occasioned by the French war put a stop to the progress of the work ; and now the situation has lost much of its BASKERVILLE PLACE. 219 former eligibility by the introduction of wharfs and manufactories in the immediate vicinity. The houses in the curve were erected many years subsequently to those at the extremities, and with- out any regard to conformity of style and arrange- ment. BASKERVILLE-PLACE. In 1745 John Baskerville (afterwards the cele- brated Typographer) took a building lease of seve- ral acres of land in a pleasant situation on the north-west side of the town, to which he gave the name of Easy-hill, and in the centre erected a handsome house for his own residence, planting and ornamenting the grounds, and erecting therein a mausoleum, within which, pursuant to his own desire, his remains were deposited on his death, (without issue), in 1775, at the age of 69. His aversion to Christianity is said to have induced him to object to the usual mode of burial in consecrated ground. After his death these premises became the property of the late John Ryland, Esq. who re- sided in them at the time of the riots in 1791, when the house was reduced by fire to a mere shell, and in that state remained for about 25 years, at the end of which time the whole of the ground was by the succeeding proprietor, Samuel Ryland, Esq. let for wharfs and trading erections, with which it is now covered. The external walls of the house are still distinguishable, having been incorporated 220 BASKERVILLE PLACE. with additional buildings for the purpose of a ma- nufactory. On excavating the ground in 1821, the remains of Baskerville, inclosed in a coffin of lead, were discovered, and necessarily disinterred and re- moved. This extraordinary man was born at Wolverley, in Worcestershire, in 1706. After being trained a stone-cutter, he became first a writing-master, and then a japanner in Birmingham. He continued his trade of a japanner after his removal to Easy-hill, where, in 1750, he turned his attention to the arts of letter-founding and printing, which he practised during the remainder of his life, and in which the many beautiful productions of his press will shew how greatly he excelled. Among these interesting records of his fame may be mentioned the quarto edition of Virgil, with which he opened his press in 1756 ; a folio edition of The Bible ; quarto and oc- tavo editions of the Book of Common Prayer, and of MiltoYi sPoeticalWorks ; a quarto edition of-4(/J2So?z's Works; and editions o^ Ariosto, and of several other Roman and English Classics. At his death, no pur- chaser could be found in this kingdom for his types, which were at length sold in 1779 to a Literary So- ciety in Paris, for £3700, and used in printing an edition of the Works of Voltaire, extending to 70 octavo volumes. SOHO MANUFACTORY, &c. 221 BEARDSWORTH S REPOSITORY AND CARRIAGE MART, Situate in Balsall- street, near to Smithfield Mar- ket place, and readily distinguished by the large figure of a white horse placed over the gateway, is an extensive, commodious, and well conducted es- tablishment for the disposal of horses and carriages, either by pu lie or private sale. A weekly auction is held on Thursday. The whole has been erected and formed by the enterprising and liberal proprietor, Mr. Beards- worth ; and it is probable that no establishment of the kind exists of equal magnitude and complete- ness. The interior comprises a covered, well-lighted, and airy space, or ride, of large dimensions, sur- rounded by galleries stored with carriages of vari- ous sorts, and stabling;- beneath for a great number of horses, with all requisite accommodations. By the ready permission of the proprietor, these premises have been frequently used for public meetings of the inhabitants, no other building in Birmingham being so well adapted to the accom- modation of the public on such occasions. SOHO MANUFACTORY, &c. At the northern extremity of the parish of Bir- mingham, but in the adjoining parish of Hands- 222 SOHO MANUFACTORY, &c. vrorth, and county of Stafford, is a hill called Soho, at the foot of which stands the far-famed Manufactory of that name, adjacent to the mansion and grounds, which occupy the summit and decli- vities. In the year 1757, John Wyrley, of Hamstead, Esq. Lord of the Manor of Handsworth, granted a lease for 99 years of certain tracts of common land here, and certain inclosed lands, with liberty to make a cut for turning Hockley brook and forming a pool, in order to the erection of a water mill. A small house and feeble mill for rolling metal, were consequently erected. In 1762, the late Matthew Boulton, who ther. carried on a steel toy manufac- tory in Birmingham (the place of his nativity), pur- chased this lease, with all the premises and appur- tenances, for the purposes of his trade, and soon afterwards, having enlarged and increased the buildings, and rebuilt the mill, transplanted the whole of his manufactory from Birmingham to Soho ; but still further accommodation being requi- site for the advancement of his great designs, Mr. Boulton therefore, in 1764, laid the foundation of the present noble manufactory, which was finished in the following year, at the expence of £9000. From that period he turned his attention to a greater variety of branches of manufacture; and in con- junction with Mr. Fothergill, then his partner, es- tablished a mercantile correspondence throughout Europe. Impelled by an ardent attachment to the SOHO MANUFACTORY, &c. 223 arts, and by the patriotic ambition of bringing bis favourite Soho to tbe highest degree of perfection, the ingenious proprietor soon established a semi- nary of artists for drawing and modelling; and men of genius were sought for and liberally patro- nised, whose exertions produced a successful imi- tation of the or-molu, in a variety of metallic orna- ments, consisting of vases, tripods, candelabras, &c. manufactured with superior skill and taste. From this elegant branch of the business the artists were led, by a natural and easy transition, to that of wrought silver; and other useful and ornamental arts gradually followed. Mr. Boulton finding from experience that the water power at Soho was insufficient for his pur- poses, though aided by the power of horses, in 1767 put up a steam engine, on Savery's plan, with the intention of returning and raising his water about 24 feet high ; but this proving unsatisfactory to him, he soon after formed an acquaintance with his subsequent partner and friend, James Watt, of Glasgow, who, in 1765, had invented several valu- able improvements upon the steam engine, which, in fact, made it a new machine. For these im- provements Mr. Watt had obtained a patent in Ja- nuary, 1769, and afterwards came to settle at Soho, where in that year he erected one of his im- proved engines, and after full proof of its utility, obtained, in 1775^ a prolongation of the term of his patent- for twenty-five years from that date. He 224 SOHO MANUFACTORY, &c. then entered into partnership with Mr. Boulton, and they established at Soho a very extensive manu- factory of these engines, which are now adapted to ahuost every mechanical purpose where great power is requisite. The application of this improved steam engine at Soho to raise and return the water, extended the powers of the water mill, which Mr. Boulton there- fore a second time rebuilt, upon a much larger scale, and several engines were afterwards erected here for other purposes, whereby the manufactory was greatly extended, the source of mechanical power being thus unlimited. In order to obtain the desired degree of perfection in the manufacture of their steam engines, Messrs. Boulton and Watt established a large and complete iron-foundry at Smethwick, a convenient distance westward from Soho, and having the advantage of communication with the Birmingham Canal. The applicability of the steam engine to the pur- pose and various processes of coining, led to the erection here, in 1788, of a coining mill, which was afterwards much improved, and acquired great ce- lebrity for efficiency and dispatch. Previous to Mr. Boulton's engagement to supply Government with copper coin, in order to bring his apparatus to the greatest perfection, he exercised it in coining silver money for Sierra Leone and the African Company, and copper for the East India Company and Bermudas. Various beautiful medals SOno MANUFACTORY, &c. 225 were likewise struck here from time to time, for the purpose of employing ingenious artists, and encou- raging the revival of that branch of art, which in this kingdom had long been on the decline. The penny and two-penny pieces of 1797, the halfpence and farthings of 1799, the pence, half- pence, and farthings of 1806 and 1807 (all of ex- cellent pattern and workmanship), and we believe the whole of the copper coinage of George the Third, which forms the principal part of that n,ow in circulation, issued from the Soho Mint; at which the five shilling bank tokens issued in 1804 were also struck, and a coinage for the Russian govern- ment. In a national view Mr. Boulton's undertakings were highly valuable and important. By collecting round him artists of various descriptions, rival ta- lents were called forth, and by successive competi- tion have been multiplied to an extent highly bene- ficial to the public. A barren heath has been co- vered with plenty and population, and these works, which in their infancy were little known or attended to, now cover several acres, give employment to some hundreds of persons, and are said to be the first of their kind in Europe. Mr. Boulton ulti- mately purchased the fee-simple of Soho and much of the adjoining land. The liberal spirit and taste of the worthy proprie- tor was further exercised not only in the mansion, wherein he resided, but in the adjoining gardens. 226 SOHO MANUFACTORY, &e. groves, and pleasure grounds, which, at the samo^ time that they form an agreeable separation from the residence, render Soho, with its fine pool of water, a much-admired scene of picturesque beauty, where the sweets of solitude and retire- ment may be enjoyed, as if far distant from the busy hum of men. Two fine engravings, by Eginton, one of the manufactory, and the other of the mansion, at So- ho, are contained in the second volume of Shaw's History of Staffordshire, from which work much of the foregoing account is abridged. The elder Messrs. Boulton and Watt are now both deceased,* but the various manufactories are continued under several firms by the son of each, Matthew Robinson Boulton and James Watt. Besides the iron-foundry, the making of steam engines, copying machines, and fire-irons, the roll- ing of metals, &c. the principal heads of manufac- ture at this distinguished place are buttons, steel goods, plated and silver wares, toys, medals, &c. of which a splendid assortment may be inspected in the shew-rooms ; but it is understood that the ma- nufactory is not, as heretofore, open to the gratifi- cation of the curious. * The late Mr. Boulton died in August, 1809, in his 81st year, and the late Mr. Watt in August, 1819, at the age of 83. They were both interred in the neighbouring Church of Hands- worth, wherein monuments are placed to their memory. That of Mr. Watt is a line piece of sculpture by Chantrey, being a full- length statue and likeness of the deceased, in a sitting position, elevated on a pedestal, and placed in an elegant gothic chapel erected for its reception. PANTECHNETHF.KA. 227 MANUFACTORY AND SHEW-ROOMS OF MR. THOMA- SON, CHURCH-STREET. The Shew-rooms of this celebrated Establish- ment are very extensive, and contain, in a finished state, for exhibition and sale, a large and interest- ing assemblage of articles here manufactured, chiefly of the finer and more ornamental classes of metallic productions, in gold, silver, brass, bronze, &c. including a great variety of beautiful medals. Persons of distinction are permitted to inspect the manufactory, and to observe the process of various operations in the metallic arts. Among the many objects of attraction here pre- sented to view is an excellent copy in metal (exe- cuted under the direction of Mr. Thomason) of the famous antique Bacchanalian Vase, of colossal di- mensions, belonging to the Earl of Warwick and deposited in the Conservatory at Warwick castle. PANTECHNETHEKA, NEW-STREET. This sumptuous building was erected in 1823, from the designs of Mr. Stedman Whitwell, Archi- tect, for exhibiting under one roof specimens of the various elegant manufactures of the town . The Greek inscription, nANTEXNHQHKA (General Repository of Art), appearing on the front, was chosen to convey concisely an idea of the purpose to which the erection is applied ; but the adoption p 2 228 MANUFACTORIES, &c. of the word gave rise to a critical controversy in some of the public prints as to the accuracy of its composition, and the propriety of its application. Mr. Charles Jones is the proprietor of this estab- lishment, in the elegant shew-rooms of which may be inspected and purchased an almost infinite variety of articles in gold, silver, steel, &c. com- prising gold and silver plate, gems, bronzes, jewels, medals, plated wares, cutlery, guns and pistols, swords, cut glass and japan wares, and a long list of other things. FURTHER NOTICE OF MANUFACTORIES, &c. Having in a preceding article taken a general view of the manufactures, trade, and commerce of the town, and as it falls not within the design or limits of this work to give an account in detail of the various manufacturing establishments, suffice it, therefore, that the stranger's attention be further directed to the following extended list of general heads under which most of those establishments may be classed, viz. anvil-makers, awl-blade- makers, bellows-makers, brace and web-makers, brass-founders, bell-founders, braziers and tin-plate- workers, britannia metal-workers, brush-makers, button-makers, cabinet-makers, cutlers, candlestick- makers, clock dial-makers, clock and watch-ma- kers, cock-founders, comb-makers, curry-comb- makers, coffin furniture-makers, edge-tool-makers, fender-makers, file-makers, frying-pan-makers, fire- JOINT STOCK ESTABLISHMENTS. 229 kon-makers, gilt toy-makers, gimlet, brace, and bit- makers, glass-manufacturers, glass-cutters, glass toy -makers, gun-makers, gun implement-makers, hinge-makers, iron-founders, ivory and bone- tur- ners, japanners, jewellers, lamp and lantern-makers, locksmiths, malt-mill-makers, mathematical instru- ment-makers, military ornament-makers, nail- makers, opticians, platers, pocket-book and ladies* work-box-makers, rule-makers, saddlers'-ironmon- gers and coach furniture-makers, saw-makers, scale-beam and steelyard-makers, silv3rsmiths, snuffer-makers, spoon-makers, steel toy-makers, sword-makers, tea-urn-makers, thimble-makers, tortoiseshell and ivory-workers, trunk-makers, um- brella and parasol-makers, whip-makers, wire- drawers and workers, wood-screw-makers, wood- turners, writing desk and cabinet-case-makers, vertical and other jack-makers, besides many others which an amplification of this list might include. JOINT STOCK ESTABLISHMENTS. The following Joint Stock Establishments exist in the town, in addition to those before noticed under their respective heads. There are others, but we confine our attention to those only which come most under public notice. Brass Works, in Broad-street, on the banks of the canal; established about 1781. The large and handsome warehouse and broad chimneys of these works are conspicuous objects from the road. 230 CHAMBER OF MANUFACTURES, Sec. Birmingham Mining and Copper Company, formed in 1790. Warehouse, Temple-row West- Works in Cornwall and South Wales. Crown Copper Company, of later date. Ware- house, Cannon-street — Works in South Wales. Old Union Mill (Flour and Bread Company), Holte-street, adjoining the Canal ; established 1796. New Union Mill (Flour and Bread Company), Sheepcote-lane, near the Five-ways, and adjoining the Canal; established 1813. Warstone and Deritend Breweries, Warstone- lane, and Moseley-street, Deritend. These were originally separate concerns, established by indivi- duals, the latter in 1782, the former in 1784. They were united a few years since by the present pro- prietary. Birmingham Brewery, at the back of the Cres- cent, adjoining the Canal. A very complete estab- lishment; commenced in 1814. Union Rolling Mill, Cambridge- street, near the Crescent; a recent erection, distinguished by its tall circular chimney, the highest in Birmingham, and visible at a great distance from the town in se- veral directions. CHAMBER OF MANUFACTURES AND COMMERCE. At a public meeting held in July, 1813, the above Commercial Society (alluded to at p. 83) was es- tablished in the town by a body of subscribers, for BOTANICAL AND HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 231 the purpose of collecting and comparing the opi- nions of its merchants and manufacturers, of acting as a medium of communication with ministers and the legislature on the subject of trade, and of co- operating with other parts of the united kingdom, on occasions affecting the general prosperity of the manufactures and commerce of the British empire. The utility of this Society has been manifested on many important occasions. A Society also exists for the Protection of Trade against fraudulent Bankrupts, Swindlers, Sfc. and another ybr the Prosecution of Felons, BOTANICAL AND HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. This Society was formed in the summer of 1829, the Earl of Dartmouth being appointed President. The laws and regulations necessary for its govern- ment have been prepared and adopted at a general meeting, and a committee is appointed to fix upon the site of a garden, to enter into the necessary contracts, to appoint servants, and to adopt every measure necessary to carry into effect the objects of the Society. 232 INNS. The chief Inns in Birmingham are the Royal Hotel, Temple-row, near St. Philip's Church. I Hen and Chickens, New-street. Swan, ^ cisZ' [High-Street. George, ) Saracen's Head, Bull-street. Nelson (formerly the Dog), opposite Nelson's Statue, in the Market-place. Stork, Square. White Hart, ) p.. , ,, George, j ^^^gbeth. Union, Union-street. Woolpack, Moor-street. Rose, Edgbaston-street. Those best adapted to the accommodation of families are the Royal Hotel, the Hen and Chick- ens, the Stork, the Swan, and the Albion. The Royal Hotel (to which is attached the large Assembly and Concert Room) was erected in 1772, by Tontine subscription, and denominated the Hotel. The distinctive appellation Royal was pre- fixed in consequence of one of the Royal family having some years' since, on his visit to Birming- ham, taken up his abode at this house. It has fre- quently been honoured with the presence of persons of high distinction. Posting is provided at the Royal Hotel, the Hen and Chickens, the Swan, the Albion, the Castle, and Nelson. HACKNEY COACHES. 233 BANKS. Taylors and Lloyds, Dale-end, draw on Han- burys and Co. London. Attwoods, Spooner, and Co. New-street, draw on Spooner and Co. London. Galtons . and James, Steelhouse-lane, draw on Barclay and Co. London. Moilliet, Smith, and Pearson, Cherry-street, draw on Sir J. W. Lubbock and Co. London. Rottons, Smith, and Scholefield, Bull-street, draw on Hanburys and Co. London. Branch Bank of England, Union-street, George Nicholls, Esq. Agent. Joint Stock Bank, New-street, Mr. Joseph Gib- bins, Agent; draws on Sir James Esdaile and Co. London. Lovell, Goode, and Stubbs, Church-street, draw on Sir R. C. Glyn and Co. London. TABLE OF HACKNEY COACH FARES AND STANDS, As fixed by the Toivn Commissioners on the lOth of November, 1828. Distance. Drawn by one horse. Two horses. s. d, s. d. Not exceeding f a mile 1 1 mile 10 16 1 mile and a half 1 6 2 . c 2 miles 2 2 6 234 HACKNEY COACHES. Distance. Drawn by one fiorse. Two horses, s, d. s. d. Not exceeding 2 miles and a half 2 6 Smiles 3 3 6 3 miles and a half 3 6 4 miles 4 5 Back fares one half of the above. For Time, Waiting between nine in the morning and twelve at night, Above 15 minutes and not exceeding 20 6 Above 20 minutes and not exceeding 40 10 And Sixpence additional for every period of time not exceeding 20 minutes from the expiration of the first 40 minutes. Night Fares. From twelve till six between the 1st of April and the 1st of October, and from twelve till seven be- tween the 1st of October and the 1st of April, double the above. Stands, New-street, Paradise-street, Ann-street, Temple- row West, Colmore-row, Bristol-street, bottom of Great Charles-street, and Easy-row. ENVIRONS OF BIRMINGHAM. 235 NEWSPAPERS. Ariss Birmingham Gazette J commenced 1741, printed and published weekly on Monday morning by Thomas Knott, jun. at 95, High-street. Birmingham Journal, commenced 1825, printed and published weekly on Saturday morning by WiUiam Hodgetts, 16, Spiceal-street. ENVIRONS OF BIRMINGH;AM. ASTON. The extensive parish o{ Aston, which bounds the parish of Birmingham on the east, comprises (be- sides the village and lordship of Aston) the ham- lets of Deritend and Bordesley, and of Duddeston and Nechells, all in immediate connection with the town of Birmingham, and into which a consider- able portion of the town extends ; also the villages or hamlets of Saltley, Ward End, Castle Brom- wich, Water Orton, Erdington, and Witton, and some others of less note. Of the Chapels of Deritend and Bordesley de- scriptions have already been given. Bordesley Hall, an elegant mansion erected by the first John Taylor, Esq. was burnt in the riots of 236 ENVIRONS OF BIllMINGHAM. 1791. The shell remained for many years, but is now taken down, the surrounding grounds having been appropriated to building purposes. The ancient Manor-house of Duddeston, which, from the 38th of Edward III. until the erection of Aston Hall in the reign of James the First, was the principal seat of the Holte family, of whose posses- sions it formed a part, is now converted into a Ta^ vern, with beautiful gardens attached, as a public resort of pleasure, under the denomination of Vauxhall; near to which is the elegant residence of Samuel Galton, Esq. At Saltley, about a mile eastward from Duddes- ton, was formerly a castle or mansion, the seat of its lords, the memory whereof is preserved in the present residence called Saltley Hall. At Bennet's Hill, Saltley, by the side of the turnpike road, stands the house of the late vener- able Historian of Birmingham, William Hutton, Esq. now occupied by Miss Hutton, his daughter. This is one of the houses which suffered in the riots of 1791, when the interior was destroyed by fire. At Wai'd End, SLncient\y Little Bromwich, about three miles from Birmingham, was another castle or mansion, now demolished, the moats, mounds, and trenches of which, of considerable extent, still remain, contiguous to a comparatively modern erection substituted for the ancient edifice. This ENVIRONS OF BIRMINGHAM. 237 hamlet was the property of John Bond, who, in the 6th of Henry VIIL made a small park here, and stored it with deer ; he also, with consent of the bishop of the diocese, as also of the prior and con- vent of Tikford, and the vicar of Aston, built a small Chapel for the accommodation of the inha- bitants of the hamlet, by reason of its distance from the parish church, and the occasional obstruc- tion of floods. This chapel has long been dese- crated. The skeleton of it, in the form of a cross, now remains, and is used as a stable or outhouse appurtenant to the adjoining farm. Castle Bromwich, anciently possessed by Lord Ferrers of Chartley, afterwards came to the family of Devereux, one of whom, about the latter end of the reign of Queen Elizabeth, or beginning of that of James the First, erected the present mansion of brick, called Castle Bromwich Hall, now the resi- dence and part of the possessions of the Eai^l of Bradford. This house is delightfully situated by the side of the turnpike road leading from Birming- ham towards Coleshill, about five miles from the former place. At the back is a Chapel of Ease to the mother church of Aston. It is built of brick, with a tower, and appears to be a more recent erection than the Hall. About two miles further east is the village and chapel of Water Orton. Near to Castle Bromwich, on the banks of the River Tame, is the site of Park Hall, once the 238 ENVIRONS OF BIRMINGHAM. chief seat, and for many years part of the vast es- tates of the ancient and unfortunate family of Arden; and not far distant once stood Berwood Hall, also belonging to the same family. Between this place and Erdington is Pipe Hall, an ancient mansion, the seat of the Rev. Egerton Arden Bagot. The increasing village of Erdington is situate about four miles from Birmingham, on the turnpike road between that place and the town of Sutton Coldfield. A neat Chapel of stone, in the Gothic style of architecture, was erected here a few years since, by his Majesty's Commissioners, out of the Parliamentary Grant for building additional Churches. The Manor of Erdington was formerly possessed by a family of that name, who erected here a moated mansion, called Erdington Hall, at which they re- sided during many centuries. It afterwards passed into the Holte family. The present mansion, not of very ancient character in the exterior, is now used as a farm house. At a short distance from it is a mill called Bromford Forge. Adjoining to Erdington is the manor of Witton, now or lately possessed by the family of Birch. Witton Hall is the residence of Isaac Spooner, Esq. an acting magistrate in Birmingham. Between Witton and Birmingham is the lordship and picturesque village of Aston, for more than four centuries possessed by the family of Holte, till ENVIRONS OF BIRMINGHAM. 239 the year 1782, when, on the death of Sir Charles Holte (the last male descendant of the family) they came, by will, to the late Heneage Legge, Esq. and remained entire till the year 1818, when the whole of the Aston estate was publicly offered for sale in lots, and is now possessed by various pur- chasers. Sir Thomas Holte, Bart, formed the park here (now dismantled), and erected, for the resi- dence of himself and his successors, that beautiful and stately fabric, Aston Hall, which was begun in April, 1618 (16th of James I.), and finished in April, 1636 (11th of Charles I.) In the time of the Rebellion against the latter monarch. Sir Tho- mas favoured the cause of royalty, and was visited by the King at this house, where his Majesty staid two nights, about six days before the Battle of Edge-hill. The rebels inflicted their vengeance on Sir Thomas by firing at and plundering his house, and forcing contributions from him to a great amount. The effects of several cannon-shot which entered the house are still visible in the interior, particularly in the shattered balustrades of the great staircase. The hall is now the residence of Jame& Watt, Esq. Sheriff (1829) of the County of Warwick. It is seen from the Lichfield turnpike road, at the extremity of a noble avenue of large elm and other trees, nearly half a mile in length. The original Manor-house, of which nothing now remains, was situate nearer to the river than the present one. 240 ENVIRONS OF BIRMINGHAM. The fine Church of Aston, dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul, is ornamented with a tall spire, and contains many ancient monuments of the Holies, the Ardens, Devereux, and others; and two win- dows of painted glass, by Eginton, in one of which, being monumental, is represented the resurrection ol the lady to whose memory it was erected ; the figures nearly the size of life. In the village, and near to the vicarage house, is a range of Alms-houses for five men and five wo- men, built in 1655 and 1656, pursuant to the di- rections of the above-named Sir Thomas Holte, who, dying in 1654, at the age of 83, by his will provi- ded for their erection, and appointed an annual rent charge of £84, out of his manor of Erdington, for their support. HANDS WORTH. Adjoining to the parishes of Aston and Birming- ham on the north, is that of Handsworth, within the verge of the county of Stafford. The manor, after being long possessed by the family of Wyrley, passed, with considerable estates here and in the neighbourhood, to that of Birch^ from which we believe it has been purchased by the Earl of Dartmouth. On the north-west side of this parish, and ad- joining to that of Sutton Coldfield, is the ancient manor of Perry, which has been possessed by the ENVIUONS OF BIRMINGHAM, 24i family of Gough from the year 1669. The old moated mansion, situated in a small and beautiful park, is now undergoing extensive renovation and improvement by the present liberal proprietor, John Gough, Esq. under the superintendance of Mr. Wyatt. Hamstead, situate on the opposite border of the parish, was the seat of the Wyrleys for many genera- tions. The old house, now entirely destroyed, stood about aquarter of a mile west of the present mansion, which is delightfully situated on a fine eminence, commanding a rich prospect over the adjacent country. It was some years since the residence of he proprietor, George Birch, Esq. but has been sold to the Earl of Dartmouth, and is at present occupied by /, L. Moilliet, Esq. a merchant and banker of Birmingham. The celebrated Manufactory and Mansion of Soho have been noticed at some length in a preceding article, p. 221. At Prospect-hill, nearly opposite to Soho, resided the late Mr. Francis Eginton, the celebrated glass- stainer. Heathjield, in this parish, was the residence of the late James Watt, Esq. and is now occupied by his widow. The Church, an ancient Gothic structure, dedi- cated to St. Mary, has been recently enlarged, and contains several ancient monuments of the Wyrleys and others. Among the modern monuments are Q 242 ENVIRONS Ol-" BIRMINGHAM. those to the memory of the late Messrs. Boulton and Watt, the latter being a statue of the deceased from the chisel of that eminent sculptor, Chantrey. From the contiguity of Handsworth to Birming- ham it has become very populous, and contains many respectable residences. The great road to the collieries and the north passes through this parish. Adjoining to the plantations of Soho, just within the parish of Birmingham, is a residence called Hockley Abbey, but of no antiquity. HARBOURN. This parish, which bounds that of Birmingham on the north-west, is also in the county of Stafford, and includes the manor and chapelry o^ Smethwick. The manors of Harhourn and Smethxoick formerly belonged to the Barony of Dudley, and after a long continuance in that family, passed to the family of Cornwallis in the 17th century. They afterwards passed to Philip Foley, Esq. who sold them to George Birch, Esq. and Mr. Henry Hinckley, about 1710; the former taking Harhourn, and the latter Smethwick. Harhourn was afterwards the property and resi- dence of Judge Birch, whose son and heir, George Birch, of Hamstead, Esq. sold this manor to the late Mr. Thomas Green, of Birmingham, who built a large house here for his principal residence, now, £NVIH0NS of BIRMINGHAIM. 243 with the manor, possessed by the family of his grandson, the late Thomas Green^Simcox, Esq. The old mansion house of the Birches still remains, but is now in a decayed state, and tenanted by a farmer. There is also a house called Welsh House, one called the Ravenhurst, and another called Ten- nal Hall. Among the principal residents of Har- bourn are George Simcox, Esq. and Theodore Price, Esq. two of the oldest tradesmen and magistrates connected with the town of Birmingham. The Church, an old tower structure, dedicated to St, Peter, has been within a few years, by the ex- ertions of the Vicar, the Rev. J. T. Law, Chancel- lor of the Diocese of Lichfield and Coventry, partly rebuilt and enlarged, with accommodation of free seats for the poor. In the village is a Charity School, founded about a century ago by the then lords of the above ma- nors and others, for the instruction of the poor children of the parish in reading and writing. The manor of SjnethioickhsLw'mg been disposed of by Mr. Hinckley, was, at the commencement of the present century, the joint property of Mr. John Reynolds, of Shireland Hall, and Mr. John Bad- dely, of Albrighton, Salop, the celebrated clock- maker and optician. Shireland Hall was rebuilt by Mr. Reynolds, now deceased, whose son, John Reynolds, Esq. resides at the Cop-pice, not far distant. Another house, called the Beaks, was the residence of the Hinckleys, and by them sold to Mr. Hanson. Q 2 244 ENYIRONS or BIRMINGHAM. Near to Warley Hall, the property of Samuel Gallon, Esq. who has there made great improve- ments, is a small tract of woodland called the Lightwoods, with a residence of the same name. The canal from Birmingham, and the turnpike roads to Dudley and Hales Owen, pass through this hamlet, in which is situate the great iron-foun- dry belonging to Soho, and other works; also a re- sidence called Smethwick Grove, and an obscure house called SmetJuvickHall. Smethwick Chapel, a small neat brick building, with a tower, was founded about a century ago by Mrs. Dorothy Parkes, of Birmingham, who settled and devised lands here for the erection and support thereof, and for the support of a chaplain to offici- ate therein. The chapel stands within a small ce- metery, and near to it is a house for the residence of the minister. The same pious and benevolent lady also found- ed and endowed a small Charity School here, which is conducted by a female. EDGBASTON. Adjoining to Birmingham on the west and south- west is the parish of Edgbaston, which adjoins also to Harbourn and King's Norton. In the reign of Henry the Second, Edgbaston was possessed by Henry surnamed de Edgbaston^ and in the reign of Henry the Fourth was carried by the heiress of that family into the family of Middlemore, in which it continued till the yea; 1717, when Sir Richard ENVIRONS OF BIUMINGIIAM. 545 Gough, Knight, an ancestor of Lord Calthorpe, the present possessor, purchased the Lordship of Edgbaston, and nearly the whole of the parish, from the Lord Viscount Faulconbridge and Lady Bridget his wife, Avho was one of the grand daugh- ters and co-heiresses of Robert Middlemore, Esq. and became solely entitled to Edgbaston by a deed of partition with her sister Mary, who was afterwards married to Sir John Shelley, Bart. The Manor-house of Edgbaston was garrisoned by a party of the Parliament army in the civil wars of Charles the First, and afterwards, when the ge- neral alarm was giveti in this kingdom preceding the revolution, the populace of Birmingham, fearing it might be made a place of refuge for Papists, set tire to it and burnt it to the ground, in which con- dition it lay till after the above purchase by Sir R. Gough, when the hail was rebuilt as it now appears. It stands in a small but beautifully situated park, which is well wooded, and contains a large sheet of water. Edgbaston Hall ceased to be the family residence of the proprietors in the latter quarter of the last century. Dr. Withering resided here in 1791, when the Hall was plundered by the rioters. For more than twenty years past it has been occu- pied by that well-known and highly respected phy- sician, Dr. Edward Johnstone. Near to Edgbaston Hall and adjoining to the park on the east, is a house called the Priory, now the residence of George Attvvood, Esq. 246 ENVIRONS OF BIRMINGHAM. Formerly there were two other parks in Edgbas- ton, the names whereof are still preserved in the districts which they once inclosed, viz. Mitchley Park, on the verge of the parish next to Harbourn, and Rotton Park, on the opposite extremity, near to Birmingham Heath, and partly in the parish of Birmingham. There was a lodge to each. In the former were the remains, now nearly obliterated, of an extensive fortification, which Mr. Hiitton sup- posed to have been a Danish Camp, thinking it on too large a scale for the Romans, though situate very near to the line of the I keneild- street, which passed through the parish in a direction from north- east to south-west. A building at Mitchley Park, now a farm-house, still retains the name of the Mass-house, having formerly been used as a place of worship for persons of the Roman Catholic per- suasion, until St. Peter's Chapel, in Birmingham, was erected for their accommodation. A conspicuous object at Edgbaston is the tall brick tower, seven stories high, called the Monu- ment, erected about the year 1758, by the late John Parrott, Esq. as an Observatory, and not un- frequently designated Parrott's Folly. Attached to it is a house, now the residence of another emi- nent physician, Dr. John Johnstone. In this parish is the Asylum of the Deaf and Dumb Institution, described in a previous article^ p. 163; also the School of Messrs. Hill, called Hazelwood School, an establishment of consider- I ENVIRONS or BIRMINGHAM. 247 able celebrity, situate on theHagley road. A very complete Bowling Green has been formed near the Harboiirn road, with a house and ornamental grounds attached for the accommodation of the subscribers. Since Lord Calthorpe about twenty years ago be- gan to grant out his estate here on building leases, new lines of road have been laid open, and a great number of elegant villa residences erected, occupy- ing about one-half of the parish on the side nearest to Birmingham. By the dryness of the soil, the salubrity of the air, the pleasantness of the situation, its easy dis- tance south-west of Birmingham, and the exclusion of manufactories and small houses, Edgbaston is rendered a favourite place of domestic retreat. Of the new roads opened over Lord Calthorpe's estate the two principal ones are Calthorpe- street^ leading from the Five-ways turnpike to Edgbaston Church ; and Wellington-road, leading out of the Bromsgrove-road to the same point. The Worcester and Birmingham Canal passes through the parish, as do the turnpike roads to Bromsgrove and Hagley, and the road to Harbourn. The most ancient roads through the parish are now of subordinate character, and some parts of them considerably altered. Edgbaston Church, dedicated to St. Bartholo- mew, after being demolished by the Parliament for<2es in the civil wars, when they garrisoned Edg- 248 ENVIRONS OF BIRMINGHAM. baston House, was soon after the restoration re- built, and in 1717 was repaired and beautified, chiefly at the expence of Sir Richard Gough. The tower and a portion of the east end are nearly all that now remain of the old edifice, the body having been taken down and rebuilt in the year 1810. Among the monumental records within the church are several of the Gough family, and one to the memory of the late Dr. Withering. The old mo- numents of the Middlemores are all destroyed. The Church is of stone, situate within an inclosed cemetery, on an elevated spot near to the park en- trance, from whence is a fine prospect over the valley towards Birmingham and Moseley. The Parsonage House is distant about half a mile from the church. KINGS NORTON AND MOSELEY. King's Norton, generally reputed to be a parish of itself, is in truth but a hamlet or chapelry be- longing to Bromsgrove, an ancient demesne of the Crown; and Moseley is the same. They are both in the county of Worcester. The former hamlet touches upon the southern extremity of Birming- ham, at or near the River Rea, and adjoins to the parish of Aston at Bordesley. The village of King's Norton, situate about five miles south of Birmingham, formerly ranked as a town, in which the business of woolstapling ap- ENVIRONS OF BIRMINGHAM. 249 pears to have once flourished. A market on Satur- day, and two fairs in a year, were granted by James the First ; but the market is quite disused. The lofty spire of its ancient Chapel, dedicated to St. Nicholas (generally known as King's Norton Church) is a principal object on proceeding from Birmingham along the Bromsgrove turnpike road. The edifice contains several monuments of the fa- milies of Greves, Middlemore, Greswold, Littelton, and others. In the Church-yard is a Fi^ee School, founded by King Edward the Sixth, wherein are the remains of a Parochial Library established by the Rev. Thomas Hall, Minister and Schoolmaster here, an author of some note, who was ejected from his preferments for non-eonformity, and died in 1665. Moseley, through which runs the turnpike road from Birmingham to Alcester, is delightfully situ- ated for the most part on rising ground, command- ing fine prospects over Birmingham and Edgbaston. The crest of the hill extending from the top of De- ritend towards Moseley village, is called Highgaie, a dry and pleasant situation, in high esteem for its salubrity. The Chapel of Moseley, dedicated to the Blessed Vir2;in, was a few years since rebuilt of brick and enlarged. The old stone tower remains, with the battlements repaired. Moseley^ Hall, the seat of Mrs. Taylor, is a beautiful mansion of stone, situate in finely wooded 250 ENVIRONS or BIRMINGHAM. grounds, overlooking the country towards Birming- ham. It was rebuilt on the site of a former man- sion here, which was burnt in the riots of 1791. A short distance from Moseley Hall is Cannon Hill, now the residence of William Palmer, Esq. ; and many other seats of the gentry are studded about the hamlet and village. The Middlemores, a younger branch of the fa- mily which formerly possessed Edgbaston, had a house at King's Norton, situate between that village and Bromsgrove, called Hawksley House, which, having been garrisoned and fortified by the rebels » was besieged and taken by Prince Rupert for the King, in May, 1645; and after being pillaged was set on fire. The Worcester and Birmingham Canal passes through King's Norton, where it is joined by the Stratford Canal. The Rom&.n Ike?ieild- street also passes through from Edgbaston to Beoley. The Manor of Bromsgrove is now possessed by the Earl of Plymouth, and that of King's Norton by James Taylor, Esq. ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS Page 5 IT is understood that Mr. Hamper's list of changes in the name of Birmingham amounts to one hzindred and forty. Pages 7, 8, and 11. — Mr. Hamper has subsequently dis- covered that the name Brcfne?iiiim, in Iter. 10 of Richard of Cirencester, was actually foisted by Dr. Stukeley into his edition of that writer. Page 17 — In Lodge's Portraits of Illustrious Personages of Great Britain is a Portrait, engraved by Dean (with a memoir), of John Dudley^ Duke of Nortlunnher. land, ob. 1553, from the original of Holbein, in the possession of Sir John Shelley Sidney, Bart. Page 25 — The same work also contains a Portrait (with a memoir) of Prince Rtiperi (Nephew of Charles the First), ob. 1682, engraved from the original by Van- dyke, in the possession of the Earl of Craven, at Combe Abbey. Page 7C — Line 4 from top, dele " last." Page 86 — The Officers there named Avere succeeded in Oc- tober, 1829, by William Chance, High Bailiff; Edward Corn, Low Bailiff; William Harley, ") ^>, , , , „. , ^ . r. ^ \ Constables; Charles 1 airfax, -> Walter Brinton, Headboroush. 252 ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS. Page 89 The Toivn Improvement Act here referred to was passed in the Session of 1828. It is more particularly mentioned in p. 97. Page 112 The Lecturer of St. Philip's Church is the Rev. Charles Craven^ who succeeded the Rev. Walter Far- quhar Hook. Page 115 The Rev. G. Hodson, IMinister of Christ Churchy has been recently appointed Archdeacon of Stafford. Page 125 — The Rev. John Greensall has succeeded the Rev. W. M. Lawson, as Assistant Minister at Si. PcmVs Chapel. Page 130 — The Rev. Josiah AUport, Perpetual Curate of Atherstone, has been appointed 'Mmister oi St. James'' s Chapel^ Ashsted, on the resignation of the Rev. Ed- ward Burn. This Chapel has lately undergone extensive repairs and some alteration, the whole expences of which must be defrayed by private contribution, the chapel having no claim on parochial assistaiice. Page 147 — The gross receipts of the Musical Festival held in October, 1829, amounted, with donations, to up- wards of £10,000, which it is expected will leave a profit for the Hospital of about £4,000. Page 149 — Mr. Shipton having resigned his office as one of the Surgeons of the Dispensary, was succeeded in Sept. 1829, by INIr. Frederick Ryland. Page 151 — The EstalUshment for the Relief of Bodily De- formity is continued at the late residence of Mr. Ship- ton, in New-street, but that gentleman having recently left the town, reference is now made to Mr. Freer, Surgeon, Old Square. Page 157 — A very full Report of the Commissioners of Charities respecting the Free School and other Chari- ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS. 253 ties in Birmingham, has been recently published. It is comprised in their Twentieth General Report, dated the 12th of July, 1828, and printed pursuant to an order of the House of Commons dated the 18th of February, 1821). _Page 170 — The will of Geo. Fentham is dated April 24, 1690, to which he added a codicil, dated December 2, 1697. The year 1712 is believed to have been the year of his death. Page 174 — A suitable building in Broad-street has been engaged by the Committee for a Magdalen Asyhijn^ and was opened for the reception of inmates in October, 1829. Pages 190, 191, and 192 Socielij of Arts ^ and Birminghatn Institution — An exhibition of Modern Paintings, &c. took place at each of these establishments in the au- tumn of 1829. That of the former society was emi- nently attractive and successful. An amicable adjustment of the differences between these Establishments having been effected, an union of the two Societies is resolved upon, by which the latter will merge in the former, from which it origi- nally sprang. Page 194 — Schoo! of Medicine and Surgery A Theatre for the purposes of this Institution has been erected in Snow-hill, at the corner of Brittle-street, and was opened on the 18th of October, 1829, with an intro- ductory Lecture by Mr. W. S. Cox. Page 197 — The works for the enlargement and improve- ment of the Public Office have been commenced. A Medical Benevolent Society was established in Birming- ham a few years ago, the fund of which, as declared at the annual meeting in August, 1829, amounted to ^1635 10s. Id. including subscriptions then due. 254 ADDITIONS AND CORRtCTlONS. In Aris's Birmingham Gazette of Sept. 1, 1828, was published a curious and interesting- paper, by Mr. James Luckcock, giving, in a graduated scale, an Estimate of the supposed Wealth of the Inhabitants of Birmivgha7n, with some elucidatory remarks. The aggregate amount is stated at £10,000,000. THE END* tHOMAS KNOTT. JUN. PRINTE?.- A