THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES / MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS: A CHRONICLE OF LOCAL EVENTS, From 1841 to 1871. COMPILED AND EDITED BY JOHN ALFEED LANGFOKD, LL.D., F.K.H.S. AUTHOR OF " A CENTURY OF BIRMINGHAM LIFE," " STAFFORDSHIRE AND WARWICKSHIRE," ETC., ETC. VOL. I. BIRMINGHAM : E. C. OSBOENE, 84, NEW STREET. LONDON : SIMKIN, MARSHALL, & CO. 1873. BIRMINGHAM : PRINTED J5V E. C. OSBORNE, NEW STRKET. DA, v, I DEDICATION V u o TO THE RIGHT HON. JOHN BRIGHT, M.P., WHO FOR MANY YEARS HAS FAITHFULLY REPRESENTED THE BOROUGH IN FARLIAMENT, THIS HISTORY OF MODERN BIRMINGHAM IS INSCRIBED, WITH THE DEEPEST RESPECT, BY THE AUTHOR. PREFACE, The publication of this work terminates the labour of many years, in chronicling the public events of my native town. The "Century of Birmingham Life" and " Modern Birmingham," together, record the History of the " Hardware Village," for one hundred and thirty years. As I have before said, the book is "simply what it professes to be, a compilation." I have endeavoured to discharge the duty of a chronicler honestly and impartially — faithfully to tell the " Story of our lives from year to year." It is for the reader to say how far I have been successful. My thanks are especially due to the Proprietors of the Birmingham Newspapers for the free use of their respective files; to the Secretaries of the various Institutions and Societies of the town, for their readiness in affording me the fullest information; and to many friends for useful hints and valuable suggestions. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I.— 1841-1851. Appearance of the Town — Debtors' Gaol — Lock-up — The Sur- veyor's Reports — Central "Railway Station — Corn Exchange — Borough Lunatic Asylum — Oddfellows' Hall — Joseph Sturge to William Redfern —Discussion on Socialism — Repeal of the Corn Laws — Five Ways Toll- gate — St. Luke's — St. Mark's — Church Rate Agitation — Depression of Trade — The Town Council and William Scholefield — The Post Office — Court Leet — Clerks' Provident Society — Local Rates — George Hollius — Church Rates — Post Office — Chamber of Commerce — Church Rates - Flogging Sir Robert Peel — Birthday of Dr. Priestly — Inquests — St. John's, Deritend — The Borough Sessions and the Recorder — New Poor Law — Loyal and Constitutional Association — Public Baths — The Charter of Incorporation — St. Stephen's Church — " No News" — Mr. William Hollins — Chamber of Commerce — Post Office Reform — Peace Society — Hebrew National School — Distress — Father Mathew — Prince Albert — Mr. Gutteridge and the General Hospital — New Workhouse — Young Thieves — Local Authorities — Poor Law Act — Public Parks — The Borough Gaol — Dr. William Ick — Institution for the Relief of Deafness — Mr. T. Weston — Police Regulations — " The Enslavement Act" - - Proposed Improvements - - Mr. George Dawson, M. A. — Maynooth — Borough Gaol — Quebec Fires — Mr. Gutteridge again - - Mr. Dawson and Mount Zion Chapel — Death of Catherine Hutton — Baths and Parks — Mr. Dawson's New Chapel — Mr. Elihu Burritt — Whittington Club — Opening of the Church of the Saviour — Shakspere's House —New Workhouse — Feargus O'Connor — Death of James Watt — Birmingham Protestant Association — Kent Street Baths — Peace Meeting — Colonization Society — Church of England Cemetery — Death of Sir Edward Thomason — The Queen and Prince Albert in Birmingham — Political Knowledge Association — Sunday Letters — Cattle and Poultry Show — The Great Exhibition — Tenders fur the New Workhouse — Death of Sir Robert Peel — Old Vauxhall ( rardena — Political Record — Educal ion and Literature — Amusements — Birmingham Line Coat School — Society of Arts and School of Design — Birmingham and Edgbaston Debating Society — Birmingham ami Midland Institute — The Birmingham Free Libraries — Shakspere Memorial Library — Free Art Gallery KjbO. Vll. CONTENTS. CHAPTER 11—1851-1861. The New Workhouse — Growth of Birmingham — St. Martin's Spire — New Street Eailway Station — Statue to Sir Kobert Peel — Congrega- tionalist New College — Temperance Hall — Statue to Thomas Attwood — New Buildings — The Bev. B. Kennedy — Hungary and Austria — Mr. Joseph Moore —The Exhibition of 1851 — Dr. J. H. Newman — The " Baroness" Von Beck — Dr. Edward Johnstone — The Poor Belief — Population — Birmingham Protestant Association — Visit of Kossuth - The Holmfirth Flood — Death of Alderman James — " Baroness" Von Beck — An Earthquake — Death of the Duke of Wellington — Beformatory School — Death of the Bev. J. Kentish — Peace Meeting — Saturday Half-holiday — Mrs. Beecher Stowe — Cruelties in the Borough Gaol — Death of Dr. Samuel Wright — Con- stant Derra — The Borough Gaol — Juvenile Delinquency — Belief of the Poor — The Water Works — Death of Mr. B. Prosser — The Town Council and the Town Clerk - - Death of Mr. Charles Geach, M.P. — The Patriotic Fund -- Death of Mr. J. Lawrence — The Cattle Show — Relief of the Poor — Chamber of Commerce - The Bev. J. A. James's Jubilee — Portrait of David Cox — New Improvement Bill - Anti-Income Tax — The Sunday Question — Adulteration of Food - Death of Thomas Attwood - Death of Charles Mad docks - - New Magistrates — Inundation in France — Cannon Street Chapel Jubilee — British Medical Association — Florence Nightingale — Attwood Memorial — Death of the Bev. Thomas Swan - - Felice Orsini — Death of G. F. Muntz, M.P. — Thomas Unett — The Indian Mutiny — Social Science — Dr. Livingstone — General Havelock — Marriage of the Princess Boyal — The Patriotic Fund — Shoe -Black Brigade — The Opium Trade — Christianity in India — Mr. Barey — The Duke of Malakoff — State of the Poor — Death of the Bev. J. Garbett — Death of F. E. Bache — Homoeopathic Congress — Lady Havelock — Dickens's Beadings — Election of Mayor — Queen Elizabeth's Tercentenary — Cattle and Poultry Show — Bepeal of the Paper Duty — Church Bates again — Birmingham an Assize Town — Letter from John Bright — New Magistrates — Lola Montes — The Neapolitan Exiles — Death of T. C. Salt — Death of Joseph Sturge - Death of David Cox — St. Barnabas' Church — John Bright on Joseph Sturge - - Terrible Explo- sion — Death of the Bev. John Angell J anies - - The Witton Cemetery — Periodical Collections — Arsenal for Birmiugham — The Chinese War — General Garibaldi — Bill for Improving the Town — Bublic School Association - - Birmingham Books - ■ Tercentenary of King Edward's School — Bolytechnic Institution — Education Prize Scheme — Amusements 381-511 MODERN BIRMINGHAM. CHAPTER I— 1841-1851. § 1. APPEARANCE OF THE TOWN. Few towns have undergone a more rapid change in appearance than Birmingham. During the last thirty years its aspect has almost entirely altered. Its fields, gardens, crofts, and orchards have rapidly disappeared; crowded courts and long rows of houses cover the ground which they formerly occupied. It can no longer be called the " town of gardens," and few working men now possess what was almost considered a necessity by the mechanics of old, — a garden. The enormous increase in the population since 1841 has raised the value of land to such an extent, that reserving space either for health or ornament was deemed out of the question. In that year the number of inhabitants was 182,922 ; in thirty years it had increased to double that number, and according to the Census of 1871 the population of the Borough was 350,000 persons. The mere mention of these figures are sufficient to explain the causes of the change in the appearance of the town. In 1840, the Government Inspector of Prisons visited Birmingham, and thus reported on an institution which no longer exists : Birmingham Debtors' Gaol. — There is only one yard for the use of tin; poor debtors, and of the female debtors. The poor debtors usually take exercise once a week in the yard, on account of its being occupied at other times by the insolvent debtors. The poor debtors only walk there however for an hour or so at other times, if they make application. a 2 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. I found three female debtors sitting in the day-room of the insolvent debtors, in company with the male insolvent debtors. There appears to be no separation of the sexes except at night. Most of the prisoners sleep two in a bed ; but this practice might be avoided by providing several small iron bedsteads suited for one occupant only. In one large room there are two rows of wooden bedsteads, each row composed of one continuous wooden work, and those bedsteads were covered with straw. Only one prisoner of the whole number stated to me that he was unwell. The keeper has it not in his power to improve matters much ; his salary is ,£60 a year, and no assistance is provided for him, except at his own expense. The keeper would be glad to receive a complete set of printed rules for his guidance, but as the prison is at present constituted, so scanty is its accommodation, and only one officer, even the best set of rules would prove unavailing — would be set at defiance ; in fact, no means exist here of enforcing them. In September, 1840, 1 found there twenty- two inmates, of whom four were women. The average number is twenty ; the greatest number since my visit, at one time, has been twenty-four or twenty-five. All the prisoners are sent from the Court of Requests. There has been no escape, no death, and no case of severe illness during the last ten years. On the whole the building is dilapidated and ill regulated, but nothing can be said in contradiction of its order and cleanliness. The same report gives the following description of the Birmingham Lock-up House, or Public Office. — This place deserves more attention than the generality of lock-up houses, on account of the considerable number of prisoners constantly confined there. At the time of my visit in September, 1840, nearly all the inmates were sleeping two in a bed. There are only sixteen cells, and sometimes above fifty prisoners at once waiting for examination or remand. Once every Tuesday an individual engaged in trade in Birmingham comes and reads aloud the Liturgy of the Church of England ; he distributes tracts occasionally. No books are supplied for the use of the prisoners by the authorities ; at the time of my visit there were twenty men confined here and one woman. During the last two years one death has occurred — a Jew died suddenly of apoplexy. During the same time there had been two attempts at suicide ; neither was successful. There has not been one escape. During the last two years one prisoner remained here six weeks, and some prisoners have remained two or three weeks. Very few had been confined to bed with illness. The three lower cells on the ground-floor are very damp. The cells should be boarded on the floor, and should have three light iron bedsteads placed in each of them. The best means at our disposal for indicating the changes made in Birmingham are the yearly reports of the Surveyor, and I propose to make such extracts from these documents APPEARANCE OF THE TOWN. 3 as bear upon the subject. In March, 1843, Mr. J. Pigott Smith informed the Commissioners of the Birmingham Streets Act that : — "Very considerable improvements have been made during the past year in the roads in the environs of the town, particularly in St. George's district, Slade Lane, Icknield Street East and West ; these have been widened and improved, which, combined with the successful exertions of your Commission in removing the Five "Ways gate, has thrown open to the inhabitants of this densely populated town a very extensive suburban district of good roads free from toll. Considerable improvements have been effected in Aston Street and Gosta Greeu ; new culverts having been laid, the dangerous crossings and gutters that lined the sides have been taken up, the footpaths regulated and re-paved, and the whole is now assuming a very improved appearance. The erection of Barker Bridge by your Commission in conjunction with the Governors of the Geueral Hospital and the Canal Company, will add much to the public convenience, by giving so admirable a con- necting link to the populous districts of St. Mary and St. George ; and on the completion of the works now in progress in Princip Street, Love- day Street, and Shadwell Street, the successful efforts of your Commis- sion, in carrying out this line of communication, will be highly appre- ciated by the public. Some progress in making a new line of approach to the railway stations has been made ; a new line of street being now open from Moor Street to Park Street. The extended operations directed to be carried out by your Board the more effectually to water the streets and roads during the summer of last year, had a very beneficial effect in preventing the roads from breaking up, in additiou to the primary object of laying the dust. In continuing these operations, past experience lias enabled me to effect some consider- able improvements. Considerable progress has been made in paving the car stands, and I hope shortly to report their completion. The sewerage of the town has been materially improved during the past year, alterations and repairs to remove obstructions and defects in the old culverts, have been made, and nearly one mile and a half of new culvertiug has been laid. Plans and sections are also in progress, and will shortly be laid before your Board, with a view to carry out your instructions to improve the line of the River Rea, and to restore it to what it naturally was (the main drain of the town), by removing the obstructions that have from time to time accumulated and obstructed Lta course. 4 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. That great improvements were needed is evident from a statement published in February, 1842, in which we are told : " The streets are a scandal to the name — a nuisance in wet, and a greater nuisance in dry weather ; the footpaths in the centre of the town would disgrace a rural village ; both footway and horseway, in the remote streets and the outskirts, are but alternation of kennel and mire ; the lighting is little better than darkness visible." We occasionally meet with an advertisement of houses to let, which recalls something of the past. Here is one : — August 21, 1843. — To be Let, two Houses in St. Geoi-ge's Terrace, near St. George's Church ; also one in St. George's Crescent, opposite. The situation is retired and beautiful, in the country, having a large plantation and gravel walk for the use of all the tenants. Rents very low. In April, 1844, Mr. Pigott Smith presented his report for 1843, in which he stated that the town had assumed a " very apparent improved appearance ; " that the roads in the environs had also been improved, that the paving of the car stands had been nearly completed ; and that upwards of a mile had been added to the general drainage. There was nothing worthy of special notice in the report for 1844. One of the greatest changes made that year in the appear- ance of the town was the erection of the Central Railway Station, in New Street. In the Journal of January 9, 1847, the following account of this great work was published : — Although the plan and elevation of the proposed Central Station of the London and North Western and Stour Valley Railways has not yet been completed ; the commencement of the works, by the sinking of a shaft in the coal wharf at Easy Row, is a gratifying proof that the great undertaking will be speedily carried into effect. The strata through which the tunnel will have to be cut, is evidently of a nature that removes all apprehension as to the security of the foundations of the property under which it will pass, and as the tunnel itself is to be well cased with brick, and well lighted, the portion of railway to be laid within it will be as safe and comfortable as the works on terra fir ma. From the notices of removal that have been served on a great number of our townsmen during the past fortnight, it would appear that the line in its progress from the present to the new station will occasion the taking down of more buildings than was at first intended, and as much speculation and but little fact is afloat on this subject, we deem it right to give a popular and comprehensive description of the whole project. APPEARANCE OP THE TOWN. 5 Starting from the present station, the line proceeds by the point of intersection of Andover Street with Banbury Street, thence by Canal Street, which it crosses at the intersection with Fazeley Street and Bar- tholomew Street, to Park Street, which it crosses at the intersection of Bordesley Street, then by Moor Street to High Street and Worcester Street, cutting through High Street by Mr. Perry's House and the Gazette Office and "Worcester Street through the " King's Head." At first it was intended to have a tunnel from the level of the station to Park Street, but we believe the idea is now given up, the present intention being to have an open cutting, somewhat after the plan of the works on the distance between Camden Town and Euston Square, sub- stantial bridges being thrown across High Street and Moor Street, and such other places as public convenience may require. To give some idea of the nature of this cutting, we may state that the sections stand thus : The level of the rails will be — ft. in. Over Fazeley Street . . 17 6 Under Barthomolew Street . 2 Under Park Street . . 17 6 Under High Street . . 33 6 The ground which the station will occupy is bounded on the lower side by Worcester Street, and on the upper by Navigation Street, and extending from the intersection of Colmore Street with Worcester Street, straight along across Dudley Street and Vale Street to Hill Street. On tins parallel there is to be a new road, fourteen yards broad, with access to the station, and so extensive are the purchases of property by the company in this locality, that the whole of the present buildings on each side the parallel will be swept away, the distance between the centre rails of the station and the frontage to the new road being about sixty yards. A new range of buildings is expected to be erected on the other side of the road, and thus the whole face of the present destitute- looking and filthy place will be changed. There will be great improve- ments made also at each end, where there will be convenient approaches to the station, the one from Worcester Street, and the other about the point where Lower Temple Street intersects or rather joins Pinfold Street. At one time it was expected that it might be necessary to take down a good deal of the frontage in New Street, but that will not now be required. The distance of the east front of the station, where a fine range of offices will be erected, being about sixty or seventy yards, while the depth from New Street to the centre rail will be about 120 yards. King Street is exactly the centre of the main entrance to the station, which is to be about twenty or twenty-five yards wide, and in all probability accessible through a splendid arch, to an inclined plane, over which carriages will easily pass. Considering the extent of traffic which will be at the station, some fears are entertained that the main gateway 6 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. will be a cause of danger in New Street, and it has been suggested that in consideration of the number of other entrauces to the station, the main entrance should be reserved for foot passengers alone. As nothing definite has yet been arranged on this point, the directors will no doubt give the suggestion due consideration. It is quite impossible to give anything like a description of the various appointments of the station, which would do them justice, the whole arrangements being so multifarious and extensive ; suffice it to say, that the work, when completed, will cost neai'ly ,£400,000, and that as a whole, it will be without a pai'allel in any provincial town or district in England. During 1846, Mr. Smith reported that " very extensive repairs had been effected in the flagging generally, more particularly in Bull Street, Temple Row, New Street, Broad Street, and in St. Philip's Churchyard, where continuous lines of new flagging, kerbs, and gutters have been laid." On the 28th of October, 1847, the Birmingham Corn Exchange was opened for business. The following is the con- temporary account and description of this new structure : — The want of a proper place in Birmingham wherein to transact the important business connected with the grain taxde has long been felt by all parties concerned. Through the exertions of Mr. Lucy and some other gentlemen, the desideratum has at length been supplied by the erection of an elegant building in High Street, suitable for all the purposes either of a convenient market or an assembly room. The hall, which is of the Eoman Doric style, including the vestibules, is 172 feet long and from 37 to 40 feet wide. It is divided into compartments at the sides by columns, between which are placed the dealers' stands, which are so constructed that, when requisite, they can be converted into tables. In the lighting of the hall, which is effected by a semicircular lantern of unusual magnitude, running the whole length of the building, consider- able ingenuity has been displayed, as it is so constructed as to afford the greatest amount of light, is not liable to be darkened by snow, and at the same time adds to the beauty and lofty appearance of the hall. There are 5,000 feet of glass in this immense roof. The ribs supporting the roof, which have a light and elegant appearance, have the arms of the borough and the shield of the house of Warwick at their base. Over the Castle Street entrance is appropriately placed a gilded plough; over the other is a clock, surmounted by ears of wheat. The room is also decorated by the statues of Ceres, Justice, and Comus; and is fitted up with gas, the lights springing from cornucopias. Altogether, the interior has a very pleasing effect. Committee rooms aud other APPEARANCE OF THE TOWN. 7 conveniences are also provided, and nothing has been forgotten that can add to the comfort of those attending the market. There are two entrances — one by Castle Street, with a massive and tasteful front ; the other by St. George's Court. Another public building of some importance was com- menced this year. At the meeting of the Town Council, on January 6, 1848, the plans for the Borough Lunatic Asylum, prepared by Mr. D. R. Hill, were approved : — The asylum is intended for 300 patients — 150 of each sex, being com- pletely separated. The principal and most novel feature in the plans for the asylum is an inspection passage, which, from the entrance, traverses the whole extent of the main wings, and communicates with the end of each gallery or ward for patients, so making a ready and complete means of inspection and channel of communication between every part of the building — that appropriated to the patients, the governor's and matron's residences, the kitchen and washing depart- ments, the chapels, and in fact, to eveiy part of the house. From the inspection passage, the galleries or wards (each for one class of patients) ■branch off at right angles, each gallery being complete in itself, with its own day room, airing courts, sleeping rooms, bath, store, and attendant's lodging room. Each gallery being for only one class of patients, noisy, dirty, epileptic, &c, as the case may be, and having no communication with any other gallery except by means of the inspection passages, the disturbance which often occurs in asylums, and which is so detrimental to the patients, will be prevented, and those who may become violent or noisy may be readily removed to their proper department. Separate sleeping-rooms have been provided in the proportion of one-third of the total accommodation, and in the associated sleeping-rooms the number of beds will vary from three to nine. The air will be warmed before admission into the different rooms, by means of a steam apparatus, and an-angements are made for an effectual method of summer ventilation. Open fire-places are provided in the rooms where the patients sit, and this experience has jn'oved to be very conducive to the comfort of the unfortunate inmates of an asylum for lunatics. Appropriate residences for the medical superintendent and the matron have been provided, together with a room for magistrates' meetings, the necessary offices, and a hall for recreation, in which it is proposed to have meetings of the pa- tients for music, singing, or other such amusements as may seem proper. The chapel is so placed as to be conveniently approached from both the males and females' departments, as are likewise the cooking and washing departments. Workshops have also been provided to permit of the employment, in their own proper trades, of such of the patients as may be in a fit state of health; and many others can be employed in the grounds. The buildings will be in the Elizabethan style, of plain 8 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. chararaeter; the material will be brick, with stone dressings to the doors and windows, and quoin stones at the angles of the entrance buildings, which will be approached by a drive, and are raised on a terrace. The foundation stone of the asylum was laid by the Mayor, assisted by the members of the Corporation, on September 29. . The Oddfellows' Hall, in Temple Street, was opened on December 3, 18-18. The following is its history and des- cription : — About three years ago the Literary Institution of the Birmingham District of Oddfellows of the Manchester Unity, was established in the Hall in King Street, a building convenient in its arrangements, but badly situated as regarded locality. The extension, however, of the London and North-Western Railway into New Street, which swept away immense masses of property in that neighbourhood, rendered also necessary the demolition of the hall. A new building was consequently projected ; an admirable site in Upper Temple Street was selected as the spot on which it should be erected, and about six months ago Messrs. Branson and Gwyther commenced the building after designs by Messrs. Cox and Goodwin, architects, of Lewisham, Kent. It is now finished, and presents externally a plain but elegant appearance. Internally, the arrangements are complete and very convenient. On either side of the entrance on the ground floor the secretary and house steward's apartments are arranged, with kitchens and other necessary conveniences attached. Extending backward are the library and news rooms, and other apart- ments, all spacious and lofty, well lighted, and neatly furnished. On the second floor a handsome committee-room, capable of containing about 120 persons, extends along the front ; and behind, occupying nearly the whole area of the building, is the principal hall, which is lighted from the roof, and will contain about 1,000 persons. A gallery extends along the hall over the entrance, and which, if rendered somewhat lighter in appearance, would add considerably to the general effect. Altogether, the erection, which will cost nearly ,£3,000, is creditable to the taste and spirit of the Order. PUBLIC LIFE AND EVENTS. § 2. PUBLIC LIFE AND EVENTS. The first event which sve have to record for this decade has something of the character of a bull, for it partakes more of a private than of a public nature, and it actually occurred in 1840, although it was not made public until January, 1841. Mr. William Kedfern, the Town Clerk, was presented by Mr. Joseph Sturge with a handsome library set of plate bearing the following inscription : — To William Redfera. A small testimonial of the high sense entertained of the able and upright manner in which he discharged the duties of Town Clerk of Birmingham, under circumstances of peculiar difficulty : presented by his friend, Birmingham, 1840. Joseph Sturge. For the next few months the public life of the town was almost entirely absorbed in preparing for the General Election, the record of which will be found in the section devoted to politics. On April 5, 1841, the following an- nouncement appeared in Ariss Gazette : — A hill is now before Parliament which imperatively calls for the serious consideration of the inhabitants of this town, and we therefore earnestly direct public attention to the subject. The measure alluded to is entitled "A bill to facilitate the administration of criminal justice in cei'tain boroughs in England ;" and by its provisions extensive powers are given to tax the residents in this borough to defray the expenses of erecting a gaol and one or more houses of correction. In May, a short paragraph appeared, which will at the present time be read with considerable interest : The Rev. Joseph Oldknow, JVI. A., of Christ's College, Cambridge, has been presented to the Church of the Holy Trinity, Bordesley. On the 5th, 6th, and 7th of tins month the town was enlivened by a discussion on Socialism — the popular bete noir of the period. The champion of the creed of Robert Owen was Mr. Lloyd Jones, and his antagonist the once 10 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. notable Mr. John Brindley ; and the scene of this polemical contest was Ryan's Circus, now the Circus Chapel, Bradford Street. I well remember those discussions ; the attendance was large, and the disorder was similar to that which always accompanies such gatherings. On May 8, the following ad- vertisement was published in the Birmingham Journal : — Socialism. — After three nights' discussion on the above subject, between Mr. Lloyd Jones and Mr. John Brindley, before successive audiences of three thousand each night, the following resolutions were passed by a large majority : — Resolved : " That the misery which exists in society, and the starvation and distress which have existed for years, and which go on increasing, prove, beyond doubt, that the present state of society is founded on an erroneous basis." " That the Socialists pro- pose means for the removal of the evil, and a complete alteration from this state of suffering and misery, and are consequently entitled to the approbation and support of all men who love their fellow creatures, and desire to establish their permanent comfort and happiness." " That Mr. Brindley and the Anti-Socialists have not proposed any means as a remedy for the miseries that are admitted by all parties to exist ; and their opposition appears to be grounded on a mere love of the profits and emoluments which they receive from the suffering people ; and they evidently have no desire to remove these evils, but on the contrary, wish to perpetuate them." Resolved: "That the above resolutions be advertised in all the London morning and evening papers, the Birming- ham papers, and the Northern Star.— J. L. Murphy, Chairman." The spirit of partisanship and partiality which is the inevitable attendant on religious or anti-religious contro- versies, was present on this occasion. In the Gazette of May 10, the friends of Mr. Brindley thus accused the Socialists of having published a " gross misstatement of the case : " — Socialist Discussion. — A series of resolutions having been advertised in the Birmingham Journal of this day as passed at the close of the discussion held between Mr. Brindley and Mr. Lloyd Jones, on Friday last, at Ryan's Circus, and purporting to be signed by " J. L. Murphy, Chairman," the committee on behalf of Mr. Brindley deem it to be incumbent on them publicly to contradict so gross a misstatement of the case. The truth is, that resolutions were offered on both sides ; but such was the confusion at the close of the discussion, that noue were put from the chair ; and further, that a chairman having been appointed on each side, while Mr. Murphy was only a moderator during the discussion, no report of the proceedings has any claim to authenticity PUBLIC LIFE AND EVENTS. 11 that is not signed by both chairmen. The advertisement in the Journal, therefore, must be considered to be altogether unauthorised, as well as untrue. Mr. Brindley's committee leave it to the public to decide on the character of such proceedings ; at the same time declaring their deliberate conviction that two-thirds of the meeting were on Mr. Brindley's side during the whole of the evening. — Signed on behalf of the Committee, G. Poole, Chairman. — May 8, 1841. The agitation for the repeal of the Corn Laws was being actively conducted, and petitions in favour of the League, signed by 18,900 persons, were sent to both Houses of Parliament early in June. On July 5, 1841, the Five Ways toll gates and bars were removed. They had only been erected about fifty years, and by this removal the Two-mile Stump Gate became the first gate out of Birmingham. This gate was erected in the Summer of 1753. On the 29 th of July, the Bishop of Worcester laid the foundation stone of St. Luke's Church, Bristol Road ; and on the following clay he consecrated St. Mark's Church, to which the Rev. D. Ledsam, curate of Christ Church, was appointed incumbent. The pleasant autumn month of September witnessed a contest which raised the enthusiasm of the people to the highest pitch. An attempt was about to be made by the Incumbent of St. Martin's and his warden to levy a church- rate. At the end of August, a public notice was issued by the churchwardens, in which they stated that : — In obedience to a mandate of the Archdeacon of Coventry to the churchwardens of Birmingham, a vestry meeting of the inhabitants of Birmingham who are entitled to be present and vote in vestry will be holden at the Town Hall, on Friday, the 10th of September next, at eleven o'clock in the forenoon, for the purpose of making a church rate to defray the charges incident to the churches and chapels of Birmingham. They also published the following clause from the Act 58th and 59th. Geo. III., and other directions and information : — Where two or more of the inhabitants present shall be jointly rated, each of them shall be entitled to vote according to the proportion and amount which shall be borne by him of the joint charge ; and where one only of the persons jointly rated shall attend, he shall be entitled to vote according to and in respect of the whole joint charge. 12 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. Scale of Votes. Parties assessed under ,£50 may give . 1 vote. „ „ at £50 and upwards . 2 votes. „ „ „ £75 „ . 3 votes. „ „ „ £100 „ . 4 votes. „ „ „ £125 „ . 5 votes. „ „ „ £150 „ .6 votes. and no more. In order to insure as far as possible the orderly and uninterrupted transaction of business, it is intended to admit no persons to the vestry meeting but such as are legally entitled to be present. With a view to this, which is designed uo less for the personal convenience of the rate- payers than to expedite the business of the day, a certificate will be given to every rate-payer who shall have paid his poor-rates, which certificate must be produced and delivered at the entrance to the Town Hall. To provide the best accommodation for the rate-payers that circurn- stauces admit of, it is arranged that the great gallery and the side galleries be set apart for the female rate-payers ; the entrance for them will be at the middle door in Paradise Street. The male rate-payers will be admitted to the body of the hall and the organ gallery ; the entrance for them will be at the middle door in Congreve Street. There will be a polling station conveniently placed in one of the galleries, so that ladies may vote and retire by the way they entered. The polling station for the male rate-payers will be in the usual place in the body of the hall. John Boucher, ) , .«■«.-., Nathan Kimberly, } Churchwardens of St. Martin's. This notice at once roused to action the opponents of this objectionable imposition. A meeting was held at the Public Office on August 31, Mr. C. Sturge in the chair. The court was crowded ; and, on the motion of Mr. R. K. Douglas, seconded by Mr. T. C. Salt, the following resolution was passed unanimously : — That the Churchwardens having summoned a vestry meeting, to be holden on Friday, the 10th day of September, for the purpose of making a Church-rate, this meeting deems it necessary that a committee be forthwith appointed to watch over and protect the interests of the inhabitants, and that the gentlemen now present do form such committee accordingly. The following summaries of the speeches delivered by Mr. G. Edmonds and Mr. Pare on the occasion will show the tactics of the friends of the vote : — Mr. Edmonds said he had no hesitation in declaring that the present effort to impose a rate was one of the most extraordinary violations of PUBLIC LIFE AND EVENTS. 13 public arrangements between opposing parties that he had ever known. At the last two vestry meetings the Liberals were clearly given to under- stand, that if they would cease their opposition to the election of church- warden, if they would not interfere in the nomination of the church officers, they would not be asked for a church-rate. The present attempt was a flagrant violation of the compact, which would not, however, succeed, for there was an overwhelming majority in the town against a rate, and the Church party knew it ; and hence they had laid down rules for themselves and the government of the forthcoming proceedings, such as had never been before adopted ; and lest there should be any mistake, he understood the hall was to be surrounded by police officers to overawe and intimidate the people, who must therefore be prepared for the struggle, and having fortified themselves with the law of the case, be prepared to oppose, in the courts of law, any rate which might be unjustly imposed. Mr. Pare said that the proposed arrangements for taking the votes were clearly illegal. They had, however, little to fear if the inhabitants came forward as they had formerly done. He then proceeded to read an analysis of the scrutiny of the poll taken on the church-rate contest in 1834, and asserted that on that occasion there was a total majority against the rate of 4,934 votes. On a second motion being made to form a committee to ascertain what parties have a right to be present and vote in vestry, a long dis- cussion arose, in the course of which many persons stated that they would not apply for tickets of entrance to the Town Hall at the ensuing meet- ing, but demand admission as their right ; and Mr. Douglas suggested that a deputation should wait upon the magistrates, to represent to them the unconstitutional attempt about to be made upon the rights of the people, and to request them not to allow the police to be present or interfere with the proceedings. Alderman Betts considered the regulation respecting the tickets to be almost infamous, and made with the object of excluding the poor. — The resolution, together with others, recommending the rate-payers to discharge their obligations forthwith, in order to be enabled to vote, and for the formation of a subscription to meet the expenses of the committee, were passed, and the meeting was then dissolved. The meeting was held in the Town Hall, on Friday, September 10th : In the absence of the Rector, from ill health, it became necessary to appoint a chairman, and Mr. Thomas Gutteridge was proposed by Mr. Twells, and seconded by Mr. Hebbert ; Mr. "Weston was also nomi- nated by Mr. Douglas and Mr. Pare, and supported by the Rev. T. M. M'Donnell. Mr. Churchwarden Boucher, as one of the conveners of the meeting, declared that it was incumbent on him, in his official 14 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. capacity, to take the sense of the meeting on the question ; and the votes were recorded by his direction, at the usual polling station in the body of the Hall. Messrs. Douglas and Pare declined to comply with this arrangement, and proceeded to the Committee Eoom, where they invited those assembled to record their votes. A scene of indescribable confusion ensued, and the police had to exert their utmost authority to pre- serve anything like order. The meeting was at length completed, and the result was announced as follows : For Mr. T. Weston 2162, and for Mr. T. Gutteridge 97 votes. Mr. Weston was therefore declared elected, and took the chair. He thanked the meeting for his appoint- ment, and then asked if any one had any proposition to make, but on receiving no reply he declared the meeting dissolved. The polling for the rate terminated at four o'clock on Thursday, October 21. At that hour a large meeting was held in the Town Hall : The churchwardens and a few of their friends took up their position on the right side of the organ gallery ; where Alderman Weston and Messrs. Douglas and Pare appeared shortly afterwards. Alderman Weston said, as chairman of the vestry meeting, he thought it right to state for the information of the meeting that the number of persons who had polled were — for the rate 626, against it 7,281. He did not make this announcement as the actual state of the votes ; that could be ascertained only by a scrutiny, which would be a long and laborious task. Another attempt was made this year to levy a church- rate. A meeting was held in the Town Hall, on October 15, when Mr. Boucher proposed, and Mr. Gutteridge seconded a resolution, proposing that a rate of 6d. in the pound be levied. Mr. Douglas said that the valuation of the borough was £400,000, and that a rate of sixpence would produce £10,000, which was double the amount stated by the Church- wardens to be required. He moved, as an amendment, that the word "not " be inserted in Mr. Boucher's motion before the word " granted." — Mr. Hollings worth seconded the amend- ment. Mr. Gutteridge wished to set Mr. Douglas right. It had been proved in the case of the Public Office Rate, which had been collected from all occupiers, that one penny in the pound yielded £800, and that a Sixpenny Church-rate~would therefore produce £4,800 which was £50 less than the sum actually wanted. John Collins and White, Chartists, having PUBLIC LIFE AND EVENTS. 15 addressed the meeting, the chairman took a show of hands on the two proposals, and declared the amendment carried by an immense majority. Mr. Gutteridge then demanded a poll and a scrutiny. There was considerable depression of trade in the town this year, which Mr. T. C. Salt and several others attributed to the money laws. On the 2nd of September, a meeting of the burgesses of St. George's Ward, convened by Mr. Salt, was held, to take into consideration the depressed condition of the trade of the country, and to ascertain the cause thereof. Mr. Matthias Green having been called to the chair, Mr. Salt detailed his views of the cause of the depression, which he attributed chiefly to the Government, who had made food scarce and money dear, and taxes (general and local) extremely heavy. The monetary system had undergone many great changes in England, but the greatest of all, and the most iniquitous change, had been effected in their own time by Peel's bill. After a few other observations, Mr. Salt concluded by moving that an association be formed to obtain a unity of opinion on the main causes of general distress, and on the most effective means of relieving them ; and that Mr. Thomas Attwood be requested to act as treasurer. — The resolutions were both passed. The next meeting on this subject was held at the Public Office on September 14, at which a very curious little episode occurred : — Long before the hour appointed for the meeting, the police court was occupied by a body of operatives, and at seven o'clock Mr. Salt entered and requested them to leave the room, the meeting being limited to burgesses. An operative addressed Mr. Salt in reply, and stated that he had understood that the object of the meeting was to consider the causes of the distress of the community, and that therefore all persons, without distinction, were invited to be present. The parties in the court not appearing disposed to comply with Mr. Salt's request, that gentleman, with the burgesses in attendance, withdrew to another apartment, where he entered into an explanation of his views with regard to the existing distress. Several resolutions were afterwards passed. This year the Town Council proposed to recognise the services of Mr. William Scholcfield, as Mayor, by a grant from the borough fund. At the meeting, held on October 5, after 16 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. the presentation of the Report of the Finance Committee, Alderman Hutton moved — That an order, duly signed by the members of the Council, be made on the treasurer for the payment from the borough fund of ,£200 to Alderman William Scholefield as an allowance for his services during his mayoralty. The resolution was seconded by Alderman Phillips. A discussion ensued, when Mr. Alderman Weston moved, and Mr. Dixon seconded as an amendment, — That this meeting, although fully aware of the services of Alderman William Scholefield during his office of Mayor, is of opinion that, under the present circumstances of the Corporation, it is not expedient to adopt the principle of an allowance to the Mayor. The original resolution was warmly supported by the Mayor (Mr. P. H. Muntz), who said that the sum proposed was strictly nothing but a repayment of that which was faiiTy due ; but even if it were an allowance for services, it would be but small considering the efficient services rendered by Alderman Scholefield during the riots of 1839. The original motion was carried by a large majority, there being only the mover and seconder in favour of the amendment. Mr. Scholefield declined to accept the money thus voted. At a meeting of the Council, held on October 19, the Town Clerk read the following letter from Alderman W. Schole- field :— Birmingham, 19th October, 1841. My dear Sir, — Haviug been from home when the Report of the Finance Committee, recommending the payment to me of the sum of two hundred pounds, as compensation for expenses incurred whilst I held the office of Mayor, was first presented to the Council, and having been unable to attend any of the subsequent discussions to which I understand it gave rise, it was not till after the last meeting that I was at all aware that the amount in question had been voted as an addition to the sums I had paid to the Government offices and other parties, of which alone my transmitted claim consisted. Up to that time my impression was that, instead of passing an order for each individual disbursement, the Council had thought proper to class all the items under two distinct heads (of which the two hundred pounds alluded to would form one), and to vote them separately. I now find, however, that the Council, in consideration of the extra- ordinary expenses incident to the office of Mayor during the early PUBLIC 1 LIFE AND EVENTS. 17 existence of the Corporation, has generously desired to compensate me for those charges, as well as for the authorized disbursements to parties having claims upon the Corporation, of which alone I sought repay- ment. Deeply grateful for this kind and most liberal intention — the more kind and liberal that it was the result of a sjxmtaneous feeling, of which I was as much ignorant as an unprompting cause, — I feel that I cannot, consistently with 1 1 1 ; - principles upon which I received my appointment from the Council, accept the generous offer thus conveyed to me. When I took upon myself the high office which the too partial judg- ment nf the Council awarded tunic, [counted its extraordinary duties and expenses as light and trivial in comparison with the distinguished honour conferred upon me. After incurring charges perhaps some- what heavier, and after the performance of duties a thousandfold more difficult and painful, than any which I had contemplated, I still retain the same opinion. With these views, therefore, and with a renewed expression of gratitude to the Council for its considerate and ample liberality, I bog respectfully to replace at its disposal the entire sum — say two hundred pounds— voted to me at its last meeting. I shall feel obliged by your communicating to the members the tenor of this note al their next sitting to-morrow, and I remain always, my dear Sir, Very truly yours, P. H. Muntz, Esq., Mayor. William Scholefield. The following resolution was then unanimously passed : — That this Council duly appreciates the liberality with which Mr, Scholefield declined accepting the sum of ,£200, voted at the last meeting of the Council, under the recommendation of the Finance Committee ; and that the letter just read be entered on the minutes of the Council ; and that a copy of this resolution be transmitted to Mr. Scholefield. At the same meeting of the Council, the following resolution, moved by Alderman Weston, and seconded by Mr. Elliot, was also passed : — That a Committee be appointed to enquire and consider whether or not the regulations of the Post Office in this borough, so far as relates to the receipt and delivery of letters, arc adequate in efficiency to the reasonable wants of the public ; and that such Committee do report to the Council at their earliest convenience. The Court Loot still met and appointed its usual officers : among others its old-fashioned Headborough, its Constables for Deri tend, its Flesh and Ale Connors, and others. Here is the record of its meeting in 1841 : — 18 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. November 1, 1841. — On Wednesday morning, a meeting of the jury of the Court Leet for this manor, was held at the Public Office, Mr. Arnold, the Steward, in the chair, for the purpose of electing officers for the ensuing year. The following gentlemen were sworn on the jury : — Messrs. Phipson, Foreman, George Attwood, John Aston, Thomas Holton, Samuel Beale, Thomas Clark, jun., J. B. Davies, M.D., John Francis, Rice Harris, Samuel Hutton, James James, T. S. James, H. Luckcock, P. H. Muntz, Thomas Eyland, John Eyland, Francis Room, Henry Smith, Richard Spooner, Thomas Tyndall, James Thornton, t [enry Van Wart, and Joseph Walker. The following manorial officers were then appointed : High Bailiff, William Mabson, Esq. Low Bailiff, William Hawkes, Esq. Constables, Messrs. J. W. Showell and S. Keeley. llmdborough, Mr. George Redfern. Constable for Deritend, Mr. B. Cook, jnn. Flesh Conaers, Messrs. Tutin and B. Cole. Ale Conaers, Messrs. Machin and Chesshire. These gentlemen having been summoned to attend, were duly sworn to the discharge of the duties of their office, with the exception of Mr. Hawkes, who was out of town. W. Room, Esq., the late Low Bailiff, gave a dinner on Thursday, at Dee's Royal Hotel, to the Maj'or most of the Borough and several of the County Magistrates, Colonel White and the Officers of the Sixth Dragoons, and other gentlemen. The following is the first mention I have found of a very- useful and important Society : — November 15, 1841. — In our first page will be observed an advertise- ment of a Society recently established in the Metropolis, under the patronage of the Governor and Company of the Bank of England, and the principal Merchants and Bankers of the City, entitled "The Provident Clerks' Association," for the purpose of encouraging provident habits in clerks throughout Great Britain. Its objects are two-fold — the first, to make a certain provision, either by effecting a life assurance, an annuity in old age, or an endowment for children ; the second, to make a contingent provision by way of pension to members who, from old age, affliction, or other infirmity, are rendered incapable of obtaining their livelihood ; and also, for the widows and children of members in distressed circumstances. It is satisfactory to remark that this infant Association is in a flourishing condition ; the liberal support it has met with from the principal merchants, bankers, and traders, as well as a large number of clerks in London, induces us to hope that the appeal in its behalf will be responded to by our townsmen, and that the wealthy merchants, bankers, and traders will become subscribers, and their clerks members, of so useful an Institution. PUBLIC LIFE AND EVENTS. 19 A brief record of a meeting on a most important subject, appeared on December 20 : — A numerous meeting of rate-payers of the Borough of Birmingham, convened by circular, bearing the signatures of thirty-two highly respectable inhabitants, was held at Dee's Hotel, this morning, Richard Spooner, Esq. in the chair, "to take into consideration the causes of the great increase in the local rates ; it appearing that in the year ending June, 1839, the actual cost of supporting the poor was £25,000, and something less than that amount in the year ending 1841 ; while in the former year the sum of £63,000 only was collected from the parish of Birmingham, and in the latter year, £108,000, showing an increased expenditure in the parish of £45,000, whilst the expense of the poor is rather diminished than otherwise." On December 20, th is obituary notice was published: — On Thursday last, [Dee. 16,] in the 23rd year of his age, Mr. George Hollins, organist of the Town Hall and St, Paul's Chapel. The same paper contained the following additional parti- culars of the gentleman whose early death was generally lamented: — Our obituary of this day announces an event which will not fail to excite feelings of public regret. The loss of such an individual as Mi\ George Hollins, is no ordinary bereavement. To his aged father, to a lai'ge circle of immediate relatives, to a young and amiable wife, to three infant children, who are unconscious of what has befallen them, the privation is one of the most severe character. The more direct object of these remarks is to express what is known to be the feeling of public sympathy on this painful occasion — and upon this subject it is scarcely possible to say too much. Every lover of music, and every mind that is capable of appreciating real genius will feel a deep interest in this premature calamity. The funeral will take place at St. Paul's Chapel, on Wednesday morning, at eleven o'clock ; and it is gratifying to state that the members of the Musical Institute and other friends of the deceased, intend to add to the solemnity of the scene by chanting the proper psalms, a voluntary, and anthem, which will be introduced in the course of the service ; and after the interment has taken place, a sermon will be preached by the Rev. Colin Campbell, an intimate friend of, and constant attendant upon, the deceased during his last illness. In order to show the estimation in which Mr. Hollins was held, I have reserved for this place the record of a most praiseworthy act of kindness which occurred in September. In that month an advertisement appeared announcing the publication of his work " The Sabbath Bells" dedicated to 20 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. the Queen Dowager. At tins time Mr. Hoilins was detained in " a distant part of the country." He was ill, and without means. In the course of three days his friends raised the sum of £105 for his use ; and at a meeting held on the occasion two resolutions, sympathizing with Mr. Hollins in his affliction and sufferings, were passed and communicated to him. Such acts reflect credit alike on the eiver and the receiver. In January, 1842, the churchwardens of Aston Parish, commenced enforcing the church rate, and excited a great deal of angry feeling among the people. Amongst those summoned for this rate were Mr. Thomas Gammon, Glass Manufacturer, Great Brook Street ; Messrs. J. & W. Hawkes, of Bordesley ; and Mr. W. Morgan, Solicitor. The cases were heard before Mr. K. Spooner and Mr. J. T. Lawrence, and orders were issued to enforce payment ; but the right of appeal was cheerfully granted. At this time Birmingham had only two deliveries of letters in a day. The Committee of the Town Council were appointed, on October 20, 1841, to take the subject into consideration. The committee presented their report on February, 1st, 1842, when the following memorial was adopted : — To the Right Honourable Lord Low/ her, Her Majesty's Postmaster-General. The memorial of the Mayor, Aldermen, and Burgesses of the Borough of Birmingham, in Council assembled— Xheivetl^—ThzX representations and complaints have been made to your memorialists, that the Post Office regulations for this borough are inefficient, and do not meet the reasonable wants of the inhabitants ; there being only two deliveries of letters each day, within a circle of one mile and one-sixteenth from the centre of the town, which circle comprises only part of the borough, the first delivery commencing at half-past eight m the morning, and the second at half-past five in the evening ; and, without the said circle, there is but one delivery at a late period of the day, and an extra charge of one penny is demanded for the delivery of each letter in the outer district. That the borough of Birmingham is of considerable extent, and comprises the whole of the parishes of Birmingham and Edgbaston, and PUBLIC LIFE AND EVENTS. 21 part of the parish of Aston, that is to say, the hamlets of Deritend and Bordesley, and Dnddeston and Nechells. That the said parish of Edgbaston and the said two hamlets contain a large population, and the respective neighbourhoods are rapidly increasing. That the present Post Office regulations preclude any extensive correspondence within the boundary of the borough, through the Post Office, because letters, posted at the principal office at nine o'clock in the morning, are not delivered without the said circle of one mile and one- sixteenth until late on the following day ; whereas it is extremely desirable that facilities should be afforded, so that letters might be received without extra charge and answered on the same day through- out the whole extent of the borough. That your memorialists beg respectfully to represent to your lordship that great convenience and satisfaction would result to the inhabitants of this important borough, if the Post Office regulations were extended so as to comprise the whole of the borough — that it would greatly facilitate business and increase the correspondence within the borough should your lordship see fit to direct that there should be at least three deliveries each day (Sundays excepted) within the distance of one mile and a half from the Post Office, and two deliveries a day in the outer and more remote district of the borough ; and, that no extra charge should be made within the last-mentioned district. A meeting of merchants and manufacturers was held on February 8, Mr. E. T. Moore in the chair, at which it was resolved : — " That in the opinion of this meeting, it is expedient, and would be beneficial to the commercial and manufacturing interests of the town, to re-establish Chambers of Commerce and Manufactures in Birmingham." It was announced that a subscription of not less than one guinea per annum should constitute membership. The following gentlemen were appointed a committee to draw up the rules and regulations: — Edward Burke P. H. Muntx Francis Clark D. Malins, jun. Samuel Evans, jun. E. T. Moore William Elliot S. R. Phipson S. A. Goddard Thomas Pemberton F. W. Harrold Charles Shaw Samuel Haines William Souttei James James Henry Van Wait 22 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. On the 17th, Mr. James Stimpson, of Carlisle Cathedral, was appointed organist of the Town Hall organ. Another attempt was made this year to impose a church rate on the town. On February 23, a meeting, called by the churchwardens of St. Martin's parish, was held in the Town Hall, and again, in opposition to the advocates of the rate, Mr. Alderman Weston was voted to the chair, by an enormous majority, although he was not in the Town Hall at the time. The business was consequently delayed until he arrived. Mr. Boucher, who proposed that a rate of 3d in the pound be granted, gave the following estimates of the repairs required of the various churches and chapels, and the expenses of public worship :— St. Martin's, £1,84S 16s. Od ; St. Philip's, £1,061 3s. Od; St. Bartholomew's, £113 7s. Od ; St. Mary's, £137 19s. Od; St. Paul's, £213 9s. Id; Christ Church, £172 8.5. Od; and St. Peter's, £123 10s. Od The polling took place in due course, and the numbers were, for the rate, 89; against it, 3,889. The foHowing advertisement will illustrate the feeling excited by these church rate contests: — 10, Digbeth, and 60, Snow Hill, Birmingham, March 17th, 1842. Know all Men hy these presents, that Jwe, the undersigned, being "A very Small Minority," residing in the parish of St. Martin's Lane, have Resolved— To tax John Boucher and Nathan Kimuerley, Church- wardens of the aforesaid parish, to the amount of 15s. 'id., for tobacco snuff, and cigars, which they hare never had, to enable us to pay their unjust demand of 15s. 3d., for Church Rates, towards (he repairs of the Church, which we never attend. Bradley and Hollingswortii, Shopwardens. In this month the Conservatives of the town prepared a petition, praying for the revocation of the Charter of Incorporation, and for the continuance of the police on a more moderate scale of expenditure. As illustrative of the popular feeling of the time, it may be recorded that, on February 27, John Pearce and Joseph Knight were brought before Dr. Booth and Mr. Luckcock, PUBLIC LIFE AND EVENTS. 23 charged with creating a disturbance in the streets, by flogging an effigy of Sir Eobert Peel. They had a cart, and a figure in it, tied up by the hands to a triangle. A large placard was affixed to it, upon which was written the following : — " Sir Kobert, the Artful Dodger, ' He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him.' — Proverbs. 'Place in every honest hand a whip, to lash the rascal naked through the town.'" The police officer said. " they lashed Sir Robert very much indeed, and they had red stuff, in which they dipped the cat-o' -nine-tails, and marked his back ever so." The flagellants were ordered to enter into sureties, themselves in £20 each, and two others in £10 each, for their future good conduct. The clothes of the effigy were given to the police- man who arrested it with its paraders. On March 14, the birthday of Dr. Priestley was celebrated by a public dinner, Mr. Thomas Prime presiding. The fol- lowing toasts were proposed : — " The immortal memory of Dr. Priestley." — " The Queen, ami may legislatures exist only for the universal benefit of mankind." — " Christia- nity, freed from alliance of corrupt interests and influences, annihilating war power, and becoming in its inherent principles of peace on earth and good will to men, the sovereign strength of nations." — "Our brethren of every clime and colour — bond and free ; and may an understanding of our fraternal relations assimilate us all in the one ennobling name of family to God our father, who is in heaven." — "The universal education of the people ; and may the labourers in Sunday Schools be invigorated to increased exertion by the gratifying results that are especially marked in the last fifty years." — "Free trade with all the world, especially the speedy removal of England's corn-law — the disgrace of legislation." — "The abolition of death punishment— the barbarous remnant of barbarous times." — " Universal suffrage, the birthright of every man, and the only security against class legislation." From a return, published in April, 1842, we learn that 201 inquests were held in the borough in 1841 ; 140 on males, and 115 on females, being about 5 a week, or one in 17'8 on the mortality (4,603), and one in 700 of the population (182,804). In 1840 there were 249 inquests, being a gross increase as eompared with the preceding year of 12, or about 4^ per cent., the annual inerease of the population within the same period, being about 2| per cent. 24 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. On the 28th of April, the election of a chaplain for St. John's, Deri tend, took place. This event affords a fitting opportunity to quote a brief narrative both of the history of the chapel, and of the election. It is from the Daily Post, of May 25, 1870 :— Taking our material from Mr. Toulmin Smith's Memorials of Old Birmingham, we find that from a very early period Deritend and Bordesley, although parts of Aston, had for secular purposes quite an independent existence ; but it seems to have been the spirit created by the preaching of Wyclife and Piers Plowman which led to a separation in religious matters. Dissatisfied with the then Vicar of Astou, and disliking to be dependent upon him for religious teaching and services? the men of Deritend and Bordesley combined to build a new church for themselves. Sir John de Birmingham, lord of Deritend, gave a site, and very speedly the church was erected — the first new built church, says Mr. Smith, of which there is any record as being actually the fruit of the teaching's of the true fathers of the Eeformation in England. The work is, therefore, especially memorable, not only in Birmingham but in English history. The new edifice was commenced in 1375. When it was completed, long and tedious negotiations seem to have ensued in reference to the celebration of divine service in the building. The Vicar of Aston, the Monks of Tykeford, and various other persons and interests had to be conciliated or threatened ; but in the end the founders of the new church, by dint of perse verance, succeeded in getting all they wanted — the right of having divine worship celebrated in the chapel which they had themselves already built, and by a chaplain of their own appointment, absolutely independent of the Vicar of Aston, whose dignity, however, they did not object should be saved by a preamble of specious reasons. In 1381, an agreement in writing was entered into between the Prior and Monks of the Priory of the Blessed Mary of Tykeford, nigh Newport Pagnell, in the diocese of Lincoln, the Vicar of Aston (the Rev. Sir R. Shobenhale), the patron of Aston, the Lord of the Manor of Birmingham, thirteen of the inhabitants of Deritend and Bordesley, and the Bishop of the Diocese, to the following effect : — First, that the parishioners of the towns or hamlets of Deritend and Bordesley, their heirs and successors — " because of the flooding of the streams and the obstructions often, and especially in winter time, threatening and happening in other ways " between the parish church of Aston and Deritend and Bordesley; "and lest it should befall" that infants, "for the want of the right of baptism might perish for ever" — should have and appoint at their own charges, "one chaplain tit to administer and discharge before God" and the parishioners divine sendees, which were always and for ever to be celebrated in the new PUBLIC LIFE AND EVENTS. 25 chapel dedicated to St. John the Baptist. Second, the parishioners of Deritend and Bordesley were required on feast days to attend the mother church, and to pay tithes, greater or lesser, and oblations like as they had from old time done. Next, it was provided that if any of the parishioners of Deritend and Bordesley, should be so ailing that they could not work, or so near death that the Vicar of Aston could not visit them in "good and seasonable time," then the chaplain of St. John's might administer sacraments and hear confessions. It is probable that for the first j r ear and a half the chaplain was supported either by some collections in the nature of a rate, or out of an offertory ; but at the end of that period five liberal parishioners — William Geffon, Thomas Holdon, Robert <">f the Grene, Thomas of Belne, and John Smyth — raised an endowment of the chaplain amongst themselves equal in value to ten marks (£6 13s. -id.) annually. These five parishioners must have been very zealous and earnest churchmen ; for they not only gave the endow- ment — a very handsome one for the time — but they even went to the enormous outlay of paying a fine of thirty-five marks in order to obtain an immediate license in mortmain. Everything in connection with the chapel appears to have gone on successfully down to the beginning of the reign of Edward VI., when, to the great indignation of the parishioners of Deritend and Bordesley, the endowment of St. John's was "un- righteously confiscated," upon the plea that the chapel was a chauntry, although, inconsistently enough, the building was left standing, and the services were continued. The maintenance of the church and of its chaplain was then again thrown upon the parishioners ; and a great deal of " ecclesiastical fog" for a time surrounded the establishment. In 1673— three centuries after the foundation of the church — the Vicar-General of Lichfield gave notice that the building needed repair. Thereupon, the religious spirit and zeal of Wyclife's time revived, and in 1677, one Humphrey Lowe, gave an endowment, in messuages and lauds at Rowley Regis, for the maintenance of the chaplain and the repair of the edifice. His example was followed by other liberal churchmen, and the fabric was sustained for sixty years, when it was pulled down and the present building erected upon an extended site. In the old chapel, the whole of the seats were free and unappropriated; but in the new one, by decree of the Vicar-General, pew rents were enforced for certain seats lying "beyond the magic line or margin of olden time." It should be added (hat the endowment of Humphrey Lowe is the presenl endowment, and that it produces a stipend to the chaplain of £400 a year. There are certain coal mines upon the land at Rowley Regis, and as they are now being worked out. the trustees have replaced the endowment, by devoting part of the money produced to the purchase of land between Green Lanes and Tardley, and near BEobmore Lane. The first chaplain of whom we can find any record, is the Rev. Thomas Cox, who died [n April, L791, after serving bis office 36 years. 26 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. He appears to have been succeeded by the Rev. J. Darwall, who died in 1828 ; and he, in turn, by the Rev. E. Palmer, who resigned in 1842, when the late Rev. Bramwell Smith was elected. The election is by household suffrage — that is to say, the persons entitled to vote are the inhabitant householders of and living in the hamlets of Deri tend and Bordesley, who shall be in the occupation of their houses on a certain day. The hist contest for the post brought with it all the excitement, and disturbance, and discord of a, municipal election of the ancient times ; and, if the recollections of old inhabitants are to be relied upon, there were a great many things said, and a great many things done, which ill became the parties and the event. There were rive candidates ; but in the end the contest resolved itself into a fight between the Rev. Thomas Storer and the Rev. Bramwell Smith. All the machinery of public meetings and personal canvassing was brought into work by the respective parties ; and, although each side admonished the other not to be personal, there seems, according to the squibs and placards published at the time, to have been many angry and hard things said of the candidates. Mr. Smith was charged with strong Puseyite tendencies, and with being a supporter of Church Rates ; on the other hand, the chief objection to Mr. Storer, so far as one can see, was that he was an Evangelical, though, singularly enough, a placard was issued accusing him of the remark that he would " sooner shake hands with the devil than a dissenter." This indictment, however, was promptly denied. The election took place on the 28th April. A meeting of parishioners was called at the school room, and Mr. Ebenezer Robins was appointed chairman and returning officer. An adjournment then took place to a hustings in the yard, where several hundred people had assembled. By an arrangement between the parties, the candidates did not attend. Mr. Bird, of Moseley Street, nominated, and Dr. Church seconded, Mr. Storer ; and Mr. Reuben Wigley nominated, and Mr. Benjamin Cook seconded, Mr. Smith. The show of hands was overwhelmingly in favour of Mr. Smith, whereupon a poll was demanded, and which commenced at once. Describing what directly followed, the Birmingham Journal says : — A band of music struck up in the street ; cars and omnibuses were seen flying in all directions ; public-houses were ringing with all sorts of discordant songsters ; and lots of ale was being sent out in all directions. The polling commenced in five different parts of the hamlet, and continued until live o'clock in the evening, when Mr. Smith was at the head of the poll to the number of 200 or there- abouts. Wednesday the polling was resumed, and continued with great zeal throughout the day. The Rev. Mr. Storer got ahead at first, bul his majority was soon reduced, and he was kept under throughout the day until five o'clock, when the poll was tinally closed, the numbers being : for the Rev. Mr. Smith, 1,701 ; Rev. Mr. Storer, 1,403 ; majority for Mr. Smith, 298. PUBLIC LIFE AND EVENTS. 27 The Borough Sessions were at this period held on a Friday, which a large number of the members of the Town Council thought inconvenient. At the meeting of this body, held on May (J, Mr. Councillor Hadley moved a resolution, of which he had previously given notice, to the effect that a deputation be appointed to wait upon the Recorder with a view to induce him to appoint some other day. The discussion was considerably influenced by the follow- ing letter, which Mr. Hill, the Recorder, had sent to the Town Clerk, and which fully showed that he was not at all dis- posed to have his prerogative interfered with : — London, November 12th, 1841. My dear Sir, — In answer to the resolution of the Town Council which you have communicated to me regarding the Session, I beg to inform the Council that I shall abways think it my duty to give an attentive and respectful consideration to any expression of their wishes relating to the holding of the Birmingham Sessions ; but, inasmuch as the law has enfided the discretion as to the number of Sessions and the time of holding them to myself, subject only to the control of the Queen, I trust the Council will coincide with me in the propriety of my refraining from any further answer to their resolution. I remain, dear Sir, Your faithful Servant, M. D. Hill. Solomon Bray, Esq., Town Clerk, Birmingham. Mr. Hadley's motion was negatived by 20 votes to 18. On May 30, John Francis made an idiotic attempt on the life of the Queen ; and on June 10, the Town Council adopted an address of congratulation to Her Majesty and Prince Albert, on their escape from the "recent atrocious and treason- able attempt on Her Majesty's most sacred person." At this meeting of the Council the subject of the new Poor Law was discussed, when the following resolutions on the subject were passed : — That this Council, apprehensive that the bill now before the House iif Commons for the amendment of the poor law, may lie construed to interfere with the present local management of the poor of Birming- ham ; Resolved That it be referred to the Parliamentary Committee to frame such a petition as it shall deem requisite, declaratory of the opinion of the Council, that such interference is not called for, and Mould be 28 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. contrary to the wishes of the ratepayers generally, and the interest of the jjoor. That this Council do petition both Houses of Parliament for such alterations in the laws relative to the government of the poor, as shall empower the guardians to administer, in their respective parishes, such out-door relief as to them may appear expedient. On June 3, the Baptists celebrated the fifteenth year of the establishment of the Missionary Society belonging to this body. The Loyal and Constitutional Association held a meeting on June 6, Lord Dartmouth in the chair, when an address of congratulation to the Queen and Prince Albert on Her Majesty's escape from assassination was passed. On June 18, a short letter from "a Mechanic" was published, con- taining a most important suggestion — a suggestion which had to wait some years before it was carried out : — Sir — Will you oblige me and a few friends by calling the attention of (he public to the necessity of having a public bath, in or near the town I I am aware it has been talked of, but nothing more has been done. You must be aware there never was a necessity for one so much as at the present time. Every place near the town is either enclosed from us or watched by the police ; and as the times now are, sixpence is too much for the working classes to pay. I have no doubt but an article in your paper will be attended with very beneficial results. The comments of the editor on the letter are curiously illustrative of the state of public affairs at this time. The writer says : — A plan for public baths was mentioned some time ago, but was suf- fered to fall to the ground, with several others. We doubt greatly if it can now be revived. The funds for such an undertaking must lie furnished by the middle classes, and, had no unhappy difference come between them and the working classes to check their willingness to contribute in such a cause, the state of trade has effectually, for the present, paralyzed their power. The difficult)/ of procuring a proper site for baths is a great one, and can hard!'/ be overcome; the difficulty of procuring water is equally great. No private individual would venture on so expensive and insecure a speculation, and no public body has power to entertain it. In the mean time we may talk about it — our grand social remedy for all eAdls. PUBLIC LIFE AND EVENTS. 29 A special meeting of the Guardians was held on June 13, at which a petition was adopted on the Poor Law Amendment Bill. In the course of this document the Guardians state : — That the population of Birmingham is 120,000, a vast portion of whom are dependent upon its manufactures, consequently are liable to temporary embarrassment from the fluctuation of trade; and in the opinion of your petitioners none are so well qualified to administer relief, or so likely to understand their circumstances, as the Guardians who reside amongst them. The present act lias been found to work well for the | ii ii ir, ami lias given satisfaction to the rate payers. The Guardians therefore pray that the legislature will not grant any powers to the Poor Law Commissioners, enabling them so to interfere as to destroy that reasonable control over the parish funds and parish officers, which the rate payers have hitherto possessed, and have exercised beneficially both to themselves and the poor. On the 21st and 22nd of June, a most important case was argued by the Court of Queen's Bench, " in which the Justices of the Peace of the County of Warwick, and the Overseers of the poor, of the parish of Birmingham, were the parties. The ostensible ground of dispute was the right of the Justices to rate the parish of Birmingham to a county rate ;. but the question which both sides desired to try, and both to settle, and, strange as it may appear, in the same way, was the validity of the borough sessions." Mr. Hill appeared for the Town Council, and Mr. Whateley for the respondents. The case appeared as the Queen v. Boucher and another, and the Justices who tried it were the Lord Chief Justice Denman, Mr. Justice Patterson, Mr. Justice Williams, and Mr. Justice Coleridge. The nature of this extraordinary case will be best understood by the summing up of Lord Denman, which I therefore quote : — Lord Denman. — The question for the opinion of the Court is, whether I lie justices of (lie peace for the county of Warwick, had authority to assess the messuages, lands, tenements, and hereditaments, situated in (lie borough of Birmingham, which has been in tine form of law incorporated by a charter of Her Majesty, granted to the inhabitants of the borough, in the second year of her reign ; and, moreover, whether the charter of (he Queen, of May :'., L839, creating in the borough a court of quarter sessions, be valid 1 Prima facie the borough of Birmingham, having been, before the said charter, within and parcel of the said county of 30 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. Warwick, is liable to be assessed to the county rate, except the exemption above-mentioned be satisfactorily established, and that depends upon the legality of the said last-mentioned charter ; because, if that be legal, the borough of Birmingham by virtue thereof, becomes exempt from con- tributions to a county rate. Several objections to the validity of the first-mentioned charter were pointed out in the statement of the counsel for our opinion, for the purpose of showing that there existed no legal borough, to which the grant of a separate court of quarter sessions could be made. The learned Counsel, in his argument in support of the order of sessions, abandoned all except two, treating them as having been already disposed of, by the decision in Rutter v. Chapman. As to one of those objections to the first-mentioned charter, however, it was contended that the present case is distinguishable from that referred to in this respect : Whereas, there it only appeared inferentially, it is here directly stated that the charter was granted upon the petition of a less number than a majority of the inhabitant householders. We are all of opinion that the view we took of this subject in Rutter v. < ihapman is also applicable here, and disposes of that objection. The other objection which is to the latter charter, is attended with much more difficulty ; and if we had thought it came before us directly for our decision, we certainly should have taken further time for consideration. This objection depends upon the 103rd section of the act in question, by which it is required that the state of the gaol in the borough petitioning for a charter shall be set forth in the petition. From this is inferred, and we think there is great weight in the argument, that there must be in fact a gaol in existence at the time of so petitioning the Queen ; and that none such did exist at that time, or at any time since, in the borough of Birmingham, is stated in the case. But if such, in fact, did not exist, the Queen was deceived in her grant, is the argument, and that such defect would be aground for invalidating it altogether ; but a doubt has arisen whether, in the present state of the case, this important question be really raised ? The borough of Birmingham, as duly incorporated, does exist in fact. The same observation applies, as to the second charter of the Queen, and the holding of courts of quarter sessions thereunder. The validity of the first charter and of the incorporation by virtue of it, and the legality of the quarter sessions under the second charter, is incidentally, and so only impeached. No person connected with the borough itself complains of that incorporation, or of the holding of the court of quarter sessons as being illegal. The illegality of the charter is for the purpose of assessing the borough, assumed — whereas another and more formal method of questioning their legality is open. 1 1 is competent, by writ of scire facias, directly to ascertain whether the grant of a separate court of quarter sessions be invalid or not : and in the absence of such a proceeding, we think we are not called upon to pronounce any opinion on the effect of PUBLIC LIFE AND EVENTS. 31 this objection, but that the state of things as we find them must be sus- tained, and that the order of sessions, for that reason only, cannot be sup- ported. We are strongly impressed with the inconvenience of deciding on a case of so much importance in this form of proceeding, when by another, to which we have already referred, the question may be raised in such a manner as not only to challenge those immediately interested in the continuance of the charter, to maintain its validity, but where the decision, whatever it may be, will be directly upon the point, and will be subject to further consideration. Mr. Whateley — Then the effect of your lordship's judgment will be to quash the order of quarter sessions ? Lord Penman. — Yes. On August 12, 1842, the royal assent was given to the bill for the confirmation of the Birmingham Charter of Incor- poration, and to the Birmingham Police Bill. On September 28, the Bishop of Worcester laid the foundation stone of St. Stephen's Church, Newtown Row. On October 1, the Birmingham Journal contained this welcome, if unprecedented, announcement; "There is no foreign, nor indeed home, news, that requires or deserves a comment." What a happy week it must have been ! Early in 1843, the town suffered a great loss in the death of Mr. William Hollins, architect and sculptor, and father of Mr. Peter Hollins, who so richly inherits the genius of his gifted parent. Mr. Hollins died on January 12, in his 80th year. He had resided in Birmingham for nearly three- quarters of a century. In noticing his death, the Gazette adds the following well-merited tribute to his memory : — The deeeased was a man of strong natural powers of mind, of uncompromising integrity, and most exemplary in all his relative and 90cial duties. At an early period of life, when knowledge was com- paratively locked up from the sons of industry, lie boldly forged a ke\ to the temple of knowledge ; and by a vigorous, unassisted exercise of liis master-mind, took possession of those stores of information which are rarely attained, even when wealth and friendship lend their powerful aid. From an innate diffidence of character, encouraged, no doubt, by the advice of his favourite author, Vitruvius, and from his having chosen a provincial rather than a metropolitan residence, blis rare and varied attainments were never duly appreciated, or even brought into action. His feeling for architecture was strongly imbued with the pure simplicity of the ancient Greeks and Romans. The following are some of his works in this town ; — The Public Office and Prison, the Old 32 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. Birmingham Library, and the Dispensary. He had, however, a more favourable sphere of action for his achitectural powers at the far-famed seat of the Earl of Shrewsbury, Alton ToAvers, which received many features of beauty from his creative mind. The late Empress of Russia ottered him a still more extended field for the development of his skill ; but a disinclination to leave his native and beloved country induced him to yield up the royal honours, except making the plans for the present Royal Mint, at St. Petersburgh. His proficiency in perspective drawing attracted the notice, and obtained the commendation of the great master of that ait, Malton ; and his miniature wax models were surpassed by none. His love of the beautiful and graceful induced him to devote twenty years study, to form a complete code of systematic rules for a mathematically accurate formation of the capital letters in the Roman alphabet, on the exquisite model of Baskerville, and his able workj entitled — "The British Standard of the Capital Letters contained in the Roman Alphabet," has doubtless mainly contributed to that vast improvement which has taken place in the types of this country. The latter years of his life were devoted to introducing a, more correct taste into mural monuments, upon which he spared no cost in collecting information from Italy, France, and this country. His numerous pro- ductions in this department are impressed with a purity of taste and propriety of character, rarely to be met with in a metropolitan studio. A meeting of the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, was held on January 18, at which the Committee presented a report stating that — Their attention has been drawn during the past year to various topics affecting more or less the mercantile and manufacturing interests of the town and neighbourhood ; but it has been more particularly directed to the state of the working classes, and to the great want of employment, and consequent privations resulting therefrom. The pro- minent cause, in the opinion of the Committee, which has been mainly influential in producing the depression under which the trade of the country has been suffering, is, as they conceive, to be found in the defective state of the currency : and in reference to this topic, they addressed a memorial to Sir R. Peel, embodying the opinions of the Committee on this important subject, which resulted in a correspondence which the Committee lay before the Chamber. The memorial is a very lengthy document, and is mainly devoted to the exposition of the benefits which would result from a reform in the currency. It is, perhaps, superfluous to add, that it did not make a convert of Sir Robert Peel. At a meeting of the Town Council, held on the 3rd of PUBLIC LIFE AND EVENTS. 33 March, it was resolved : — " That it is expedient, and for the benefit of the borough of Birmingham, that that part of the borough which is within the parish of Edgbaston, should be lighted with gas." On June 2, the Town Council was engaged in discussing a resolution on the "propriety of petitioning the House of Commons to institute an inquiry into the present state of the Post Office, with a view of more effectually carrying out Mr. Rowland Hill's plan for improving the Post Office Regulations." The discussion terminated in the adoption of a petition, in which the Council stated : — That while your petitioners are fully sensible of the great benefits which the community at large has already received from the introduction of Mr. Rowland Hill's plan for establishing a low and uniform rate of postage, they would respectfully remind your Honourable House, that there are several important points in that plan which have not yet been brought into operation, and which your petitioners confidently believe are calculated at once to promote the general convenience, and to augment the revenue. The Council then prays for an inquiry, in order that the complete plan of the great Post Office Reformermay beadopted. The first annual meeting of the Birmingham Peace Society was held on the 2nd of August, Mr Joseph Sturge in the chair; and addresses were delivered by the Rev. Joshua Leavitt, Rev. H. H. Kellog, and Rev. J. W. C. Pennington, ministers from the United States ; and Dr. Hoby, the Rev. J. A. James, Rev. Thomas Swann, and Rev. Thomas Morgan. On August 8, at a special meeting of the Guardians, a committee was appointed to consider the site for the erection of a new workhouse ; and to obtain such information generally as would be requisite to enable the Guardians to proceed, if practicable, in the accomplishment of that object. The foundation stone of the Hebrew National School, in Lower Hurst Street, was laid by Sir Moses Montefiore, on August the 9th. An address from the Hebrew Community of this town was presented to Sir Moses on the same day. The bankers, merchants, and manufacturers held a large meeting at the Waterloo Rooms, on August 16, to take into r> 34 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. consideration the existing distress of the town and neigh- bourhood. The memorial presented on this occasion traced the cause of the distress to the state of the currency, and "arraigned the bill of 1819, as the main source of the national calamities ; a bill, the fraudulent effects of which are now universally acknowledged, and for which no defence is attempted, but the obstinate refusal of all inquiry." The memorialists demanded " immediate investigation," and stated " that the sufferings and dangers of the country require that no difficulty, or time, or inconvenience should be allowed to interfere with its immediate and active prosecution." An amendment on the memorial was proposed by Mr. G. Edmonds, and seconded by Mr. G. F. Muntz, M.P., that the mayor be requested to call a public meeting to memorialize Her Majesty to dismiss her ministers. The amendment was carried. The deputation waited upon the mayor, Mr. James James, with the requisition to him, to convene the meeting ; who replied that he had given the subject his fullest con- sideration, and while he regretted to be obliged to differ from many respectable inhabitants whose names were attached to the requisition, he must decline to call a meeting. The well-known temperance advocate, the Rev. Theobald, or to use his popular designation, Father Mathew, visited Birmingham on Sunday, September ] 0, and in the evening preached at the Roman Catholic Cathedral, Bath Street. He attended several meetings, some very large ones, in Smithfield market, where he administered the pledge to the surrounding crowd. It was estimated that during his stay of five days in the town 2,500 persons, including women and children, took the pledge. At the Town Council meeting held November 9, Mr. Alderman Weston was elected Mayor for the ensuing year by 25 votes against 1G. On November 29, the town kept a general holiday in honour of the visit of His Royal Highness Prince Albert, who, with the Queen, was then staying with Sir Robert Peel, at Drayton Manor. The Prince was attended by Colonel PUBLIC LIFE AND EVENTS. 35 Bouverie, and Mr. G. E. Anson. The Mayor, the Members of the Town Council, the Earl of Warwick and Aylesford, the Members of the Borough and County, received him at the Derby Railway Station, Lawley Street. The Mayor read the address of the Corporation, to which His Royal Highness delivered the following reply : — Mr. Mayor, — T return you my best thanks for this address, and can assure you that it lias given me the greatest pleasure to be able to come to this interesting town, which stands so pre-eminent amongst tin- manufacturing towns of our country, and whose welfare is so intimately connected with its prosperity. The Queen has a very lively remembrance of the visit she paid to Birmingham on a former occasion, and of the cordiality with which she was received by its loyal inhabitants. The Prince then visited the glass works of Messrs. Bacchus, the rolling mills of Messrs. Muntz, the papier-mache works of Messrs. Jennens and Bettridge, Messrs. Sargant Brothers' gun and sword manufactory, Messrs. Elkington's electro-plate works, and Mr. Armfield's button works. The noble visitor then proceeded to the Town Hall, the Free Grammar School, and Proof House. On his departure the Prince expressed his warmest gratification at the cordial manner in which he had been received by the inhabitants of Birmingham. Ad- dresses were presented by the Rural Dean and Clergy, the Governors of the Free Grammar School, the Council of tin? Queen's College, the Committee of the Queen's Hospital, the Birmingham Philosophical Institution, the Birmingham Society of Artists, and the Royal Birmingham and Midland Counties' Art Union. The history of 1843, was signalized by a controversy between Mr. Thomas Gutteridge, and the Weekly Board of the General Hospital. In March Mr. Jukes one of the surgeons to the charity resigned ; Mr. Dickinson, Mr. D. W. Crompton, Mr. S. A. Bindley, Mr. S. H. Amphlctt, offered themselves candidates for the vacant office ; and subsequently Mr. Gutteridge, announced himself. Mr. Amphlctt retired in favour of Mr. Crompton; and at the meeting of the Board on April 21, that gentleman was unanimously elected one of the surgeons. In May, Mr. Gutteridge addressed a Long letter 36 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND TTS INSTITUTIONS. to the Governors, declaring the election "irregular, illegal, and invalid ; " appealing to them in the exercise of their rights as Governors, to repair the injustice committed by the Weekly Board, by voting in his behalf " on the proper day of election, the 1 6th of June." On June 2, Mr. Gutteridge once more, and as he says, for the " seventh time," addressed the Governors on the subject of the election, reiterating his charge of irregularity, illegality, and the invalidity of Mr. Crompton's appointment ; and urging them to be faithful to their trust, so that the Hospital might be preserved by their upright efforts a " blessing to the poor and an honour to the town, for generations yet to come, as it has been to the past for nearly three-quarters of a century." A quarterly Board of Governors was held on the 16th of June, at which the resignation of Mr. Crompton was read and accepted. Mr. Crompton, owing to a doubt as to the legality of his election, resigned his appointment, which the board accepted ; thus acknowledging the correctness of the opinion on the subject already expressed by Mr. Gutteridge. Mr. Crompton immediately again announced himself a candi- date, and solicited the sufferages of the Governors. At this meeting; Mi*. Vaux also resigned his office as suro-eon ; and it was resolved that the election of the two suro-eons should take place at the Annual Quarterly Board on the 15th of September. In addition to Mr. Crompton, Mr. Gutteridge, Mr. S. H. Amphlett, Mr. Alfred Baker, and Mr. James Russell, Jim. became candidates. Mr. Gutteridge however could not wait quietly for the election ; but on the 26th of August, he addressed a very long letter to James Taylor, Esq., Treasurer of the Hospital, arraigning the whole system of the election of officers as one of " bribery " and " trickery " carried on by "low acts of corruption." This letter appeared in Aris's Gazette on August 28, and occupied nearly three columns. In the next issue September 4, the following paragraph was published : — The Proprietors of J.ris's Birmingliam Gazette feel themselves called upon, iii justice to Messrs. J. W. and G. Whateley, to express at the PUBLIC LIFE AND EVENTS. 37 earliest period, their deep regret that their respectable and valued agents engaged in the superintendance of that paper, should have incautiously admitted into its advertising columns of Monday last the letter addressed by Mr. Gutteridge to James Taylor, Esq. ; a letter which the Proprieti »rs consider highly censurable, and fraught with unfounded charges against must honourable individuals ; unjust insinuations against the integrity of the entire legal profession, and against the members of public bodies and institutions of the utmost value to the town. The Weekly Board met on September the 5th, and ap- pointed a committee " to inquire into Mr. Gutteridge's state- ment of a corrupt system existing in the election of the Medical Officers of the Hospital, and to report." The com- mittee consisted of Sir Francis Lawley, Bart., J. W. Unett, Esq., James Taylor, Esq., J. O. Bacchus, Esq., James James, Esq., (Mayor), Edward Armfleld, Esq., Rev. E. A. Bagot, E. T. Moore, Esq., Rev. John Garbett, Westlcy Richards, Esq.. Mr. John Cadbury, William Harrold, Esq., Clement Ingieby, Esq. The Committee at once met, and requested Mr. Gutteridge to attend to substantiate his charges. That gentleman, however, expressed his regret that he could not injustice to himself, accede to their request. The following passage from his letter gives his reasons : — I might reasonably feel distrust of a Committee of Inquiry, nomina- ted chiefly by parties more or less implicated in the irregularities, and who therefore could not be expected impartially to judge of the mallei' in question ; and also I might object to a committee partly chosen bj the proprietors of Ariis Birmingham. Gazette^ who have openly pro- nounced a rash and most unwarrantable judgment ; but I rest my obj< c- tions to attending the ( lommittee mainly on this fact : — I have addressed the Hospital Board on various occasions during the last six months, and in every instance in vain. Their total disregard of every remonstrance from myself, and from every other quarter, led me at Length to address Mr. James Taylor on the subject. The public, as well as myself now expect either an admission or a refutation of the various speciric chai ge contained in my letter to him. I await Mr. Taylor's reply ; the public will then judge between us. The Committee therefore, were compelled to proceed with the inquiry in Mr. Gutteridge's absence. Their report was presented at a meeting of the Board held on the Sth of 38 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. September ; and it concluded with the statement that they did not " hesitate to say that the letter of Mr. Gntteridge to Mr. James Taylor is unwarrantable and unjustifiable/' The report was signed by every member of the Committee, except the Mayor, who was not present at the inquiry. The Governors met on September 15, and elected Mr. Crompton and Mr. Amphlett. The following is the state of the voting; Mr. Crompton 375, Mr. Amphlett 363, Mr. Baker 48, Mr. Gutteridge 4. In the same number of the Gazette in which the report of the election appeared, the following paragraph was published : — We are requested to announce that Mr. Gutteridge, deeming personal considerations subordinate to the welfare of the General Hospital, will forbear at this particular juncture to make any application to the Court of Chancery for the official acknowlegment of his legal right to the ap- pointment of Surgeon under the proceedings of the 16th of June. A considerable number of persons believed that Mr. Gutteridge had been unfairly treated ; and that if the precise charges which he brought against the Hospital management were not proved, there was a large amount of abuse which required reform. This feeling was displayed in a manner \evy gratifying to Mr. Gutteridge. In October he was pre- sented with an " elegant writing tray, beautifully ornamented with silver," and a gold pencil case and pen, bearing this inscription : — Presented to Thomas Gutteridge, Esq. by a number of ladies, in testimony of approbation of his public efforts in the sacred cause of justice and charity. A number of gentlemen also raised a fund for the purpose of testifying respect for his " fearless assertion, at great cost and sacrifice in the late election proceedings of a public principle, essential alike to the welfare of medical charities and the honour and independence of the medical profession." On the 22nd of December, Mr. Gutteridge sent a printed circular to the Earl of Dartmouth, reiterating his former arguments in favour of his claims and alleged right to act as Surgeon of the Hospital. In noticing this document the Gazette said : — PUBLIC LIFE AND EVENTS. 39 Those who really take an interest in the discussion, are fully in possession of every point in Mr. Gutteridge's case, and the arguments he adduces in support of it. "We believe that the public will agree with us in thinking that all that can be said, has been said over aud over again, and that the question has been set at rest. "We, therefore, respectfully decline all farther communications on the subject. At a special meeting of the Guardians, held on December 27, the New Workhouse Committee presented the following report : — The Committee appointed on the 11th of August, to consider of a site for a new "Workhouse, and by amended instructions on the 10th of October, to extend their enquiries to the expediency of altering, or adding to the new buildings of the present "Workhouse and Asylum, report, that if it were designed to erect a new "Workhouse for adults only, (for which class, accommodation would be required for about 600 persons,) the site of the present "Workhouse, (which is admitted to be salubrious aud convenient,) might be probably made available for the purpose ; but, if it were intended to have a complete "Workhouse, for all ages and classes, in which accommodation would be required for 1,0* K) persons, the present site would be altogether inadequate and unsuitable. The locality of the Asylum, for the infant poor, seems to possess few advantages, whilst the piece of land belonging to the Guardians at Birmingham Heath, of about fifteen acres in extent, is in some respects eligible, though rather too remote from the centre of the town, and is represented by the parish surgeons to be dam]) and unhealthy, and ill-adapted for such a purpose. Your Committee then enquired, whether a sufficient quantity of land, (say about five acres,) nearer to the centre of the town, and free from the same objections as the parish land, could be had, but they generally found that in convenient situations it either was not to be had, or would be too costly. Under these circum- stances, your Committee can only direct your attention to the choice of the difficulties that lie before you — either to build a new Workhouse, for adults only, on the site of the present "Workhouse in Lichfield Street, leaving the Asylum in its present condition, and foregoing the advantages of an union of the two establishments and the better system of manage- ment that might be enforced if all the in-door poor were under one roof ; or to endeavour to obviate the objections which apply to the parish land at Birmingham Heath, by an efficient drainage, of which it appears to be capable, from its elevated position, and the inclination of its surface both towards the canal and the turnpike road by which it is bounded, and to erect a complete Workhouse for all classes there. *^ < u i Committee abstain from any recommendation on these points, preferring to leave them to the decision of the Guardians generally, the more so as 40 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. the ultimate decision will rest with the rate-payers and the Poor Law Commissioners ; though, with reference to the latter body, your Com- mittee have reason to think that they would not approve the erection of a Workhouse on the present site in Lichfield Street, With regard to the pecuniary means the Guardians have of accomplishing this object, it is satisfactory to your Committee to be able to state, that the property of the parish will be alone sufficient, without asking' for a rate upon the inhabitants. According to the estimate of a competent person, the avail- able funds from this source will be about £20,000, in addition to which the Guardians have a sum of about £3,000 invested in the public funds, which can only be appropriated to the building of a Workhouse or to the purchase of land. After deliberate inquiry and comparison of Birming- ham with similar districts Avhere new Workhouses have been erected, your Committee conclude that a new and complete Workhouse for this parish should be capable of accommodating at least one thousand persons, and should be so constructed as to admit of enlargement if nec< sary ; that it should occupy, with proper yards and airing ground, an area of about five acres ; and the cost, exclusive of the land, would be about £18,000. An outlay of £2,000 or £3,000 besides might be necessary in providing requisite offices for the transaction of palish business in the town, unless the rooms at the Public Office, in possession of the Guardians, could be adapted for that purpose, whereby a material saving would be effected. Tin' mode of raising money is prescribed by our Local Act, which provides, (hat if the rale-payers agree and resolve In ered a new Work house, the Guardians may sell the parish estates, and apply the pro. eed for such purpose, or in the purchase of lauds, or they may raise money upon mortgage of their estate, or upon the credit of rates, or 1 ► \ granting annuities upon lives. It is right to state however, that now, by the 21st section of the Poor Law Amendment Act, the Guardians, in the exercise of these powers, will be subject to the control of the Poor Law Commissioners. Your Committee, in conformity with the power given to them, next turned their attention to the expediency of altering or adding to the building of the present Workhouse or Asylum ; but they soon became convinced that no advantage corresponding with the outlay could be secured to the parish by an attempt to render the present structures more commodious. To whatever decision the Guardians may come, your Committee have considered it their duty to have this meeting called specially to consider the expediency of enlarging the present Workhouse and Asylum, or of erecting another in the' place of either, or both of them, so that the requirements of the Act in page 86 may lie complied with ; and if more detailed information is sought upon this subject than your Committee have afforded in this report, it will, perhaps, be found in the minutes of their proceedings. A resolution was adopted declaring that the want of accommodation in the present Workhouse and grounds, and PUBLIC LIFE AND EVENTS. 41 the increased difficulty and expense of management attendant upon the maintenance of two separate establishments for the pauper class, render it highly expedient that a new Workhouse on a spacious site, and capable of receiving all the in-door poor of this parish, should be erected in lieu of the present Workhouse and Asylum. An important meeting was held on January 8, 1844, for the purpose of considering an experiment which had been in progress since the institution of the Borough Sessions, 1 laving for its object, to ascertain whether or not young persons after conviction, ma}' be delivered over to their employers, instead of subjecting them to the ordinary punish- ment, without affording encouragement to crime by such leniency. The Recorder, Mr. M. D. Hill, stated, that when he began to act as Recorder for the borough, he introduced the practice which had existed at Warwick, and at the end of 1 841 he established a system by which every boy who had been given up to his master was visited at uncertain periods, that he might be informed in what manner the experiment, progressed. In two years the number of young persons thus given up to their employers was 47 ; of this number, 33 had given proofs of reformation, 3 were doubtful, and 11 alto- gether failed. At this time, besides the Town Council, the following local authorities existed in the borough, each having separate powers of taxing the inhabitants, and separate establishments and offices : — 1. The Commissioners of Birmingham 2. The Commissioners of Deritend and Bordeslej ;;. The Commissioners of Duddeston and Nechells -1. The Trustees of the Public Office and Prison 5. The Board of Surveyors of Duddeston& Nechells' 6. The Hoard of Surveyors of Deritend 7. The Board of Surveyors of Bordeslej s. The Board of Surveyors of Edgbaston The Town Council early in 1 844 petitioned the Queen that this anomalous state of things should cease ; and that the management of all local affairs throughout the 1 lorough should All act ing under the General Eigh- \va\ Ad. 42 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. be vested in one governing body, elected by the rate-payers, in accordance with the intentions and pro visions of the Municipal Corporations Act. The several bodies mentioned, opposed the course proposed by the Council, which at its meeting on February 19, adopted a petition to Parliament, praying the legislature to pass the bill called The Transfer of Local Acts Bill. A meeting of the rate-payers was held in the Town Hall on March 15, when resolutions approving of the erection of a new Workhouse at Birmingham Heath were proposed, but the following amendment was carried : — That in the opinion of this meeting it is inexjjedient to confirm the resolutions now submitted, but that it is most desirable that correct information, with plans and particulars, should be obtained of the alter- ations which may be required in the Workhouse, in Lichfield Street, in order to adapt that building to the present wants of the parish ; and that such information should be submitted to another meeting of the rate- payers, in order that they may be prepared, when in possession of this information, either to confirm the resolutions of the Guardians now brought forward, or again to express their opinion that the Workhouse in Lichfield Street should be continued. On March 25, the Street Commissioners, who had pre- viously resolved to oppose the Transfer of Local Acts Bill at every stage, adopted a petition to Parliament in opposition to the Bill. In this document it was asserted : — That the main object of the proposed Bill, is to transfer the exercise of the above powers, [powers to pave, light, cleanse, and improve the town of Birmingham,] to a body of persons in whom a great bulk of the owners of property in the town had no confidence. That by the said Bill, if passed into a law, the greatest injustice will be done to the owners of property in the town, and to the ratepayers at large. A petition of the rate-payers against the proposed bill was also approved of by the Commissioners, who undertook to canvas for signatures. On the 27th, Mr. Muntz moved the second reading of the Bill, and Mr. Dugdale moved that it be read that day six months. On a division, the amendment was carried by a majority of 10, the numbers being, for the second reading 67, against it 77. The bill was therefore rejected. PUBLIC LIFE AND EVENTS. 43 On April 15, a public meeting was held for the purpose of adopting such measures as might be deemed expedient to prevent the extension of the powers of the Poor Law Com- missioners in Birmingham. A resolution was unanimously passed to the effect that every parish having a population of 20,000, and particularly those under Local Acts, should be exempted from the operation of the Poor Law Act. A peti- tion against the bill was also approved. A town's meeting was held on May 13, at which a petition was adopted depre- cating the introduction of the bill into this town. On May 9, a large local Committee was elected to promote the subscription in Birmingham to the " National Testi- monial " to Mr. Rowland Hill, for the establishment of the Penny Postage. At the meeting of the Town Council on June 7, Mr. Alderman J. H. Cutler drew the attention of the members to the question of public parks for the people. He moved " that inasmuch as there is not within this borough any public park or open space, suitable and convenient for walk- ing, amusement, and recreation, it is expedient, and would be a great public benefit and advantage to the health and com- fort of the inhabitants, if a suitable place or places were provided for such purposes." The resolution was unanimous- ly passed, as was also one authorizing the General Purposes Committee to communicate with the Commissioners of Woods and Forests, with a view to obtain a grant of money for pro- viding public parks in the borough. The effort was not successful ; and the people had to wait many years, and to take the subject into their own hands, before the object was ultimately attained. On June 24, it was announced that in accordance with the resolutions of the Town Council a site of land for the erection of a gaol had been selected within the borough ; that Major Fell, the Government Inspector had approved of the site ; and that the general plans of the building, in accordance witli the views of Government with reference to prison discipline, were in course of preparation. 44 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. The foundation stone of St. Andrew's Church was laid by the Bishop of Worcester, on July 23. The provisions of the Act for the Abolition of Imprison- ment for debt came into operation on August 16 at the Court of Requests Prison, and shortly after the arrival of Mr. Guest, the Clerk of the Court, twenty-two unfortunate debtors who were in confinement, were made acquainted with the enact- ments ; and their petitions for release having been prepared by that gentleman and presented, the cases were severally considered by the Commissioners, and the prisoners were forthwith discharged. On September the 23rd died Dr. William Ick, the Curator of the Philosophical Institution, at the early age of 44. He was one of the kindliest of men ; and the liberal, willing, and admirable manner in which he communicated his vast stores of knowledge, will be remembered with gratitude by all who knew him. In noticing his death the Gazette truly said : — The loss of this estimable man will be most deeply lamented by all who had the happiness of his acquaintance. Those extensive acquire- ments in various branches of natural and physical science which first attracted the attention of the managers of the institution, and induced them to select him as a proper person to lid the ofhce of curator, procured for him the esteem and friendship of many of the leading philosophers of the day. His persevering industry in the pursuit of knowledge, the facility and clearness with which he made that knowledge available to others, his quiet and unobtrusive demeanor, and the purity and blame- lessness of his life, peculiarly fitted him for the office which he occupied in the institution, and rendered his acquaintance most attractive to the young, who will siucerely lament the loss they have sustained in the death of so enlightened an instru ctor. Dr. Ick was devotedly attached to the interests of the Birmingham Philosophical Institution, in which he held the important office of Curator ; and the managers feel that in his death they have experienced, not merely the loss of a valued and tried oflicer, with whom they had acted upwards of eight years with entire satisfaction and unanimity, but of a friend, for whom they entertained the most sincere regard. The subject of providing public baths and parks for the town was not allowed to sleep. On October 15, a meeting was held to make preliminary arrangements for a town's meeting to consider the best means of providing such places PUBLIC LIFE AND EVENTS. 45 for Birmingham. A largo and influential committee was appointed for that purpose, A meeting was held on November 4, under the presidency of Lord Calthorpe, at which it was resolved to establish an institution for the relief of poor persons afflicted with deaf- ness to be called the " Birmingham Institution for the Relief of Deafness. " The committee elected were — Samuel Beale Robert Martineau William Chance < 'aptain Moorsom, 1131. William Chance, jun. Rev. J. 0. Oldham Rev. M. W. Foye William Scholefield William Harrold W. L. Sargant Mr. William Dufton was appointed surgeon. At the meeting of the Town Council November 9, Mr. Alderman T. Phillips was elected Mayor for the ensuing municipal year. On the 11th, a tea party was held in the Town Hall in testimony of the ability and impartiality with which Mr. Thomas Weston had discharged the duties of the mayoralty during the past year. An address was presented to Mr. Weston on this occasion. In acknowledging the honour conferred upon him, he said : — That thirty-seven j r ears ago he came to Birmingham a poor boy. Through kind patronage, he had gained experience, he had gained im- portance, he had prospered, and he felt proud of the community in which he resided. He was the son of a working man, and was sent from ;t rural district, like many other boys, to take his chance in this town. His parents wen' working people, unable to provide for themselves in their old age, but they transmitted to their children a name unsullied and untarnished ;and lie hoped too, so to transmit liis name to his children. Although his parents were totally unable to give him a fortune, they gave him what was better — they taught him the rudiments of reading, writing, and arithmetic, and laid the foundation of his future success. The first public act of the new Mayor was to preside at a Town's Meeting held on November 19, to consider the propriety of taking efneent means for promoting the estab- lishment of Public; Baths, and the formation of Public Parks, or other open spaces for exercise and active sports. The meeting was a large and influential one, and was addressed by Lord Calthorpe, Lord Lyttelton, the Hon. and Rev. G. M. 46 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. Yorke, the Rev. J. Garbett, G. F. Muntz, R. Spooner, C. N. Newdegate, and J. H. Cutler. A sum of £2,500 was sub- scribed during the morning, which was increased in a few days to £3,500. Messrs. Attwood, Spooner, and Co., Messrs. Taylor and Lloyd, Messrs. Moilliet and Sons, subscribed £200 each ; and Messrs. Chance Brothers, and Co., Thomas Phillips, (Mayor,) Thomas Whitfield, (Low Bailiff,) Lord Calthorpe, Earl Howe, Messrs. Scholefield and Son, Messrs. Hammond, Turner, and Son, Messrs. Rabone Brothers and Co., all £100 each; thirty-three persons orfirms£50 each, and many others, £25, £21, £20, and £10 each. In the week after the meeting, Messrs. W. W. Mabson and Sons, Mrs. S. Ryland, of Warwick, and the Branch Bank of England, contributed £100 each ; and Sir T. S. Gooch, Bart., William Middlemore, Esq., Josiah Mason, Esq., and Messrs J. and W. Deykin, £50 each. The total sum subscribed amounted to £4,430. On December 10, a meeting was held to promote the fund which was being raised throughout the United Kingdom, for relieving Father Mathew from his pecuniary difficulties. Mr. Chance was in the chair; and upwards of £100 was sub- scribed in the room, which amount was subsequently increased to £135, 18s. At the meeting of the Town Council on January 3, 1845, it was resolved, on the motion of Mr. Sargant, that reporters should be admitted to the meetings of the Watch Committee. A resolution, moved by Mr. Palmer, to the effect, that the Council is not justified in applying to Parliament for an Act to extend its powers, which would involve additional taxation, without first obtaining the sanction of the rate-payers in Town's Meeting assembled, was rejected. A special meeting of the Council was held on the 31st of January, 1845, to consider a Bill for Police Regulations. The report of the Committee having been presented, Mr. Alderman James, moved the adoption of the report, and that the Council proceed to consider the provisions of the bill. This was seconded by Mr. Alderman Weston. Mr. Allen moved as an amendment — that the report be referred back to PUBLIC LIFE AND EVENTS. 47 the Committee ; that a copy of the whole bill be sent to each member of the Council ; and that a public meeting of the inhabitants of the borough be called to take their opinion thereon. On a division, the votes were equal ; and the Mayor gave his casting vote in favour of the amendment, which was therefore carried. This bill was subsequently called the " Enslavement Act. " The subject was again discussed at a meeting of the Council held on the 24th of February. The room was densely crowded with burgesses, who applauded and hissed the various speakers who approved or otherwise of the bill. Amid indescribable confusion, several motions to adjourn the Council for six months were lost ; but at last one for an adjournment for a week was carried. At the adjourned meeting on March 10, it was resolved that the consideration of the Police Regulations Bill be postponed for six months. In November, 1844, the Commissioners prepared a bill asking for additional powers to enable them to improve the approaches to the railway stations, and the neighbourhood of the Town Hall ; to widen Temple Row near to Bull Street, St. Martin's Lane, New Street at the top of Worcester Street, Pinfold Street, Park Street near to Digbeth, High Street, the bottom of Bull Street, Allison Street near to Digbeth, and Monmouth Street; to continue Meriden Street and Moat Row, and to make other improvements in the town. The bill was prepared and introduced into parliament early in the session of 1845. On March 28, a town's meeting" was held in the Town Hall for the purpose of considering the clauses of the bill. Mr. Haines, the Clerk of the Commissioners read the heads of the proposed measure, and after a long discussion, a resolution was passed by a large majority, that the Town Council be empowered to oppose the Bill in Parliament, and a petition was adopted praying the House of Commons to reject the measure. A resolution was also passed at this meeting, — that in its opinion the time had arrived when the multifarious powers of the different public bodies of the borough should be carefully and impartially amalgamated, 48 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. and should be vested in one general body. At the next meet- ing of the Town Council on April 4, it was resolved, on the motion of Mr. Alderman Cutler, that a Parliamentary Com- mittee be appointed to carry out the resolutions passed at the Town's Meeting, and that they be instructed to take the necessary steps to oppose the Improvement Bill of the Commissioners of the Birmingham Street Act, now before Parliament. The Commissioners subsequently resolved to suspend the consideration of the bill until the next session of parliament. On April 9, a public dinner was given in the Town Hall, to Mr. Robert Allen, and the other members of the Town Council who voted ao;ainst the Police Regulation Bill. In this year we meet with the name of a gentleman who was destined to exercise great influence on public opinion in Birmingham. In 1844, the Rev. George Dawson, M.A. was elected minister of Mount Zion Chapel. His genius, his rare eloquence, his earnestness, and his desire to assist in all undertakings which had for their object the elevation of the people, soon made this young teacher a recognized power, not only in Birmingham, but in the country at large. On April 15, a meeting convened by the Association for the Abridge- ment of the Hours of Labour was held in the Town Hall, at which Mr. Dawson, in a most effective and characteristic speech, moved a resolution calling upon the ministers of religion, manufacturers, and heads of families, to co-operate with the society in their efforts to shorten the hours of labour. Mr. James Simpson, of Edinburgh, delivered two addresses in the Town Hall, on April 22 and 23, on the importance to the health and comfort of the community of large towns, of the establishment of public baths and places of recreation. A Town's Meeting was held at the Town Hall on May G, for the purpose of considering the proposal of Sir Robert Peel, to endow Maynooth out of the public treasury. There was a large attendance, and the meeting was addressed by the Revds. T. Morgan, P. Sibree, Mr. George Dawson, Mr. George Edmunds, Mr. J. H. Wilson, and others, all of whom PUBLIC LIFE AND EVENTS. 49 opposed the grant as unjust to the people of England, and inefficient for any great purpose for Ireland. A Town's Meeting was held on May 28, at which a Com- mittee was appointed to take the necessary measures for procuring the amalgamation of the different local boards into one representative body. A company was organized this year for the purpose of establishing a Cemetery for the town and neighbourhood, for interment according to the rites of the Established Church. A General meeting of Protestants was held in the Town Hall on June 10, when an address was adopted, praying the Queen to dissolve Parliament, and take the sense of the country on the proposed endowment of Maynooth College. At a special meeting of the Town Council on July 30, the estimate for building the Borough Gaol was approved. The plans had been sanctioned by the Secretary of State. The estimate for the building, including furniture, amounted to £48,227, which with £3,250 the cost of land, made a total of £51,447. On August the 1st a public meeting was held for the purpose of raising a subscription to assist those who had suffered from the terrible fires which took place at Quebec on May 28 and June 28 ; upwards of £500 was subscribed at the meeting, and a Committee was appointed to obtain further subscriptions. Since his first attack upon the General Hospital in 1843-4 Mr. Gutteridge had continued to write and speak on the alleged abuses of that charity. The accusations he made had been brought before several meetings of the board ; but as Mr. Gutteridge declined to meet a Committee of Inquiry, no further notice was taken of his allegations. On August 12, Mr. Gutteridge held a public meeting in the Town Hall, for the purpose of considering measures for promoting a thorough investigation into certain corruptions and abuses in the elec- tion of the medical officers. After a long address from that gentleman, the following resolution was passed : — That this meeting is convinced that there is a necessity for inquiry into sundry grave charges that have been preferred, of mismanagement 50 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS, (if the General Hospital ; especially in relation to the election of Medical Officers ; and this Meeting, deeply anxious for the continued prosperity of that valuable charity, earnestly requests the Governors to institute a thorough investigation of the same. A Committee of about sixty gentlemen was then nomina- ted by Mr. Gutteridge as an Investigation Committee. At the next meeting of the weekly board of the hospital, he moved the resolution passed at the public meeting, but it not having been seconded, nothing further was done. The foundation stone of the Borough Gaol, the following- description of which was published at the time, was laid by Mr. Thomas Phillips, Mayor, on October 29 : — The Prison, which will be erected from a design of Mr. D. R. Hill, architect, will be castellated, built of brick, with stone facings, and chequer- ing of blue brick will be used to a considerable extent. The principal entrance will be in the road leading from Handsworth into the Dudley turnpike road. On each side of the entrance will be placed the residences of the governor, the chaplain, and porters' lodges ; and turrets will be placed at the angles of the boundary wall, which will not only be useful as means of defence, but be used as residences for the warders. The Gaol will be built on the same principle as the Model Prison in London, taking into consideration that in this prison there will be four classes of prisoners, while at Pentonville there is but one. There will be accom- modation for 300 prisoners, the cells for adults being 13ft. long, 7ft. wide, and 9ft. high, while those for juveniles and debtors will be lift, long, Gft.-b'in. wide, and 8ft.-6in. high. All the cells will be ventilated and warmed, and those for felons will have all necessary conveniences, such as for washing, &c. The basement will be appropriated for reception and punishment cells, some of which will also be constructed so as to serve fur workshops. Four rooms will be provided for trade instructors, and two day-rooms for debtors. There will be twelve baths, and sixty exercising yards. Eight wards will be appropriated for convalescent prisoners. The chapel will be fitted up with separate seats or stalls, so constructed that the prisoners can see and be seen by the clergyman, but cannot see each other. The chapel will also be used as a school room. There will be a board room for magistrates, besides the usual offices for the various functionaries connected with the prison. The "quarters" for the governor, chaplain, gate-keepers, and warders, will be without the walls ; and those for the medical officer, schoolmaster, matron, and other officers, inside. The prison will be warmed by hot water. The area included within the boundary-wall will be five acres, the gardens being about fifty feet wide. There wdl be room for the extension of the buildings, so as to accommodate 500 prisoners, if required. PUBLIC LIFE AND EVENTS. 51 At the meeting of the Town Council on November 9, Mr. Alderman Henry Smith was unanimously elected Mayor for the ensuing year. On January 20, 1846, a public meeting was held in the Town Hall, under the auspices of the Peace Society, to pro- test against the proposal of the Government to embody the militia. On the 21st, a Soiree of the British Anti-State Church Association was held in the same place; and resolutions deprecating the union of the Church and State, were passed. About this time a misunderstanding arose between Mr. George Dawson and the deacons of Mount Zion Chapel. In the opinion of the officials, the preacher was not " orthodox " or " sound" enough. On February 14, he announced from the pulpit that he had concluded an amicable arrangement with the heads of the chapel, to continue preaching there until June 24. He also stated that a public meeting would be held on February 23, to take into consideration the best means for the erection of another building for public worship. This was the commencement of the "Church of the Saviour ; " and it was proposed that it should be the property of shareholders, so long as they should agree to meet together in harmony ; but in the event of any rupture or disagree- ment, the chapel would be sold and the proceeds given to some public charity. The meeting was held, of which the following report appeared in the Journal on February 28 : — On Monday evening last a numerous meeting of the friends of the Rev. Gr. Dawson was held at Mount Zion Chapel, for the purpose of making arrangements for the erection of a new chapel. Mr. Dawson took the chair, and on opening the business of the evening, he stated that some remarks had been made by the over-pious in reference to their not commencing their proceedings on occasions like that with prayer. He, therefore, begged to say that he considered that was a meeting of business, and that the intrusion of religion would be as much out of place and as much a mockery as would be the introduction of business topics in their more solemn assemblages on the Sabbath. Mr. Dawson then proceeded to read the minutes of the resolutions passed at the meet- ing which took place on the 12th of January last, by which it appeared that a provisional committee had been formed, which had met on the 52 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND TTS INSTITUTIONS. 26th ult., and agreed to a report, of which the following is the sub- stance :— 'That as a Catholic Church, it is not their intention to have any doctrinal tests as a church or as a congregation. They regard fixed creeds, embodied in professions of faith, as productive of mischief. The preacher should not be retained as an advocate of certain opinions. It is not the fair or manly mode, as all men differ ; and no man has a right to judge another, farther than by the scriptural rule, 'by then- fruits ye shall know them.' A man's own conscience is the arbiter of his fitness to join the Church of God ; more especially as they are known to differ in opinion. The preacher is to give the i - esults of his study ; and the people are not bound to believe him farther than appears consistent to themselves as enquirers after truth ; their bond being a common end and purpose ; — to clothe the naked, to feed the hungry, and to instruct the ignorant.' Then follow the rules and regulations for the new church. A Committee was appointed to have the cax*e of the chapel, the letting of seats, and for the transaction of all other business incidental thei'eto. Mr. Dawson went on to state, that on the 9th of Februaiy, four gentle- men belonging to his congregation met four appointed by the Baptists, and that everything was amicably arranged in reference to his leaving that place. ,£500 had been paid towards the debt on Mount Zion Chapel since his engagement ; and a debt of £90 remaining, it was resolved that it be paid by the Baptists. He then noticed a report still in circulation, in reference to his leaving the town, which he begged to set at rest, by again denying it. It was true he had been honoured by an invitation to go to London, which he had declined. (Considerable applause followed this announcement.) As long, said the rev. gentleman, as you stay with me, I shall stay with you. If you build a chapel, I remain ; if not, I consider you have no claim upon my services. But, if I sign a paper to preach to you for three years, I think in fairness you ought to sign one to come and hear me. (Laughter). But perhaps the understanding among honourable men is better than any written agreement. (Hear.) Mr. Dawson then referred to the objections which had been made to their discontinuance of the Doxology. He had never said that he believed or disbelieved it. It was the badge of a sect — the sign of the Trinitarian party, and was not to be found in the Scriptures. No mere formula, no scholastic inference from Scripture, could be used there. The spirit of the constitution of his church they all knew by this time. He wanted no sham Protestantism ; and they would not be obliged to stop even with the Dissenters, but go on to a ' Third Estate.' They would be bound only by then- own free will. They had not obstructed the Baptists. That place was theirs, and if he could not get any other place while his own was budding, why he could get tents ; or if it came to the last, encamp in the open air. (Cheers). The rev. gentleman then stated that their object that night was to ascertain what each could give towards the new PUBLIC LIFE AND EVENTS. 53 chapel ; papers would be handed round to each of the pews, on which every person could write down the amount he or she was able or willing to give ; for he was determined that not one unwilling penny should go towards the new chapel, if he could help it. And if the plan to be here- after submitted to them was not approved, they would not be obliged to pay, as he wished all to enjoy perfect freedom in the matter. They had already £ 1 ,300 promised without pressing. The amount subscribed could be paid by instalments or otherwise. Mr. Cook moved that the report be approved and adopted. Mr. Bagnall seconded the resolution, which was carried unanimously. Mr. Dawson here said that it was not yet decided as to whether their plan would be by shares or donations, so that any person could, if he thought proper, state the plan he recommended at the time he gave his name as a subscriber, as it would be a guide to the Com- mittee. He had been asked if they woidd give any interest to share- holders for their money ; he would certainly say no, unless the share- holders wished it. (A laugh). At any rate not for the two first years ; after that the shareholders could fix the amount of interest they would require. Mr. Stephenson moved the second resolution, ' That arrange- ments having been made for leaving that chapel, it is desirable that a new place be provided immediately, and that subscriptions for that purpose be entered into forthwith/ Seconded and carried. Moved by Thomas Clark, jun., Esq., seconded by Mr. Spicer, ' That the following gentlemen, Messrs. Cook, Cutler, Dawson, &c, &c., be appointed a Committee for procuring a plan for the neAv chapel.' Carried unanimously. Mr. Dawson remarked that this was only a temporary Committee, and that another would be appointed after the plans were laid before them. (A number of tracts were distributed while the papers were in course of signature.) After the lists were returned to the chairman, the gross amount of subscriptions was found to be £1,650, 18s. (Great cheering). Mr. Dawson added, that a private canvass would immediately take place ; and he hoped by next Sunday, the sum would amount to £2,000, which would enable them to begin to build without delay. They were determined not to begin until they could do so without the risk of running into debt. He would, before they separated, give the Baptists an opportunity of being generous. (Laughter) He would ask to be allowed to preach iu their chapel when they were not using it. In other countries, ( latholics and Protestants could agree to use the same building for public worship, and he had no doubt but the Baptists would gladly accept his proposal ; and he would promise the use of their large new chapel, in return, at any time they were not using it. On March 13, in the 91st year of her age, died Catherine Hutton, the only daughter, and literary coadjutor of her 54 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. mu e father, William Hutton, the historian of Birmingham. Th following is a contemporary sketch of this remarkable woman : — Duty to the living, and to the memory of the dead, alike require that an individual so distinguished in many honourable respects as the late Miss Hutton, should not be allowed to pass away from the scenes of usefulness and duty, without her example being held up for the imitation of others, who may be benefited by the shadows reflected from the mirror of truth. She was the only daughter and last surviving child of the late William Hutton, Esq., the author of that History of Birmingham which all subsequent writers on the same subject have wisely and properly adopted as the basis of their own compositions. Born in the reign of King George II., she enjoyed only the advantages of such an education as was usually given, at that period, to females in the middle rank of society ; but the energies of her mind, at a somewhat later time, obtained abundant compensation for every original deficiency. She inherited the firmness of character, the stability of purpose, and all the sound shrewd good sense for which her father was eminently distin- guished. She wisely chose not to be mingled with the multitude who live, and die, and leave no trace behind. With an ardent desire for knowledge, and great aptitude in its acquisition, she exercised a wise discretion in the selection of her mental exercises. The pursuit of know- ledge naturally created a desire for extended studies, and by her own vigorous unaided efforts, she became remarkably Avell informed, and strewing her path with the flowers of literature, she greatly increased the value of the gifts with which she had been amply endowed by nature. Her taste was exalted and refined by intellectual cultivation and the best literary society, including, with very many others, the late learned and eminent mathematician, Dr. Charles Hutton, of Woolwich, and his family. During the last twenty years she was almost constantly more or less of an invalid, and, as a necessai*y consequence, lived a life of seclusion in her mansion at Bennet's Hill, near Saltley ; but she was happily wholly exempt from all the peculiarities that too often mark a life of celibacy and comparative solitude. She was always the intelligent, courteous, well-bred lady. Literary composition was her recreation and delight ; and she acquired much credit by the ' Memoirs of her Father,' which she published shortly after his decease in 1815. The well-told narrative in this Avork is so deeply interesting, that few persons have been willing to lay down the volume before reading the last sentence. It has been again and again reprinted, in a variety of editions, and has obtained an endur- ing place in English literature. She also published 'The Traveller in Africa,' being a condensed account of the various attempts to extend geographical knowledge, and to facilitate intercourse with the inhabitants PUBLIC LIFE AND EVENTS. 55 of that 'land of the shadow of death.' Her pen was likewise very fre- quently employed on works of imagination, and in the delineation of society and manners in every day life, and her knowledge of mankind, good sense, and power of accurate observation, were demonstrated by her novels, each in tln-ee volumes, entitled, ' The Miser Married/ ' Oak- wood Hall,' and ' The "Welsh Mountaineer.' In addition to a multitude of literary essays, printed without her signature being attached, she supplied Sir Walter Scott, at his request, with the materials for the life of Mr. Bage, of Elford, who in his day was an eminent writer of fiction. This contribution appears in the Edinburgh edition of English Novels, edited by ' The Ariosto of the North.' She was also a very frequent contributor to the best periodical literature of her time ; and continued to employ herself, for her own amusement, in literary pursuits to the latest period of her life. Masses of matter, written for publication, still remain in manuscript ; and amongst other works, she produced, more than twenty years since, a 'History of the Queens of England, Consort and Regnant, from the Norman Conquest downward.' The world would have been much interested, and the writer's literary reputation considerably enhanced, had this production ever passed through the press. Long after this task had been accomplished, publications on the same were undertaken by other writers, and have been recently presented to the reading public. When she had passed the age of ninety her mental faculties were still acute and vigorous ; the intellectual sun beamed brightly till its setting, undimmed by the lapse of the greatest part of a century. At her age the powerful intellect of the late Lord Stowell was com- pletely eclipsed ; and the handwriting of his brother, Lord Eldon, at the close of his life, had become illegible, whilst her caligraphy was to the last so beautiful, that it might have served the engraver for imitation ; and the matter of her compositions was equal in merit to the elegant symbols by which it was conveyed. She was deeply affected by the death of her brother, which occurred exactly eight months before her own dissolution, after he had spent by far the greater part of a life, long as her own, (within one year,) in the collection of a most valuable and splendid library, selected l»y himself regardless of all cost, and the intrinsic worth of which both lie and his sister most fully appreciated. Her keen and deep feeling of sorrow under this bereavement, brought on, during the last three months of her existence, a paralysis, not of mind, but of body, which increased and extended, till at length the dark veil of mortality fell, and she ceased to breathe on Friday, the 13th of March, 1846, in the ninety-first year of her age. On May 1, a public meeting was held in the Town Hall, called by the Association for Abridging the Hours of 56 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. Labour. Mr. W. Scholefield presided, and the Rev. T. Mouse- ley, the Hon. and Rev. G. M. Yorke, the Rev. G. S. Bull, the Rev. J. A. James, Mr. George Dawson, and Mr. Joseph Sturge, took part in the proceedings. Mr. Gutteridge held another meeting in the Town Hall, on the Abuse of Public Charities, especially of the General Hospital and of the Free Grammar School, on May 19 ; and afterwards published a full report of the proceedings. A meeting of Clerks, under the presidency of Mr. Dawson, was held on the same evening, in favour of the early closing movement. It was resolved to form a society, to be called The Birmingham Clerks' Association, the subscription to be one shilling a quarter. A Committee was appointed, and Mr. J. R. Allen and Mr. J. Jones were elected honorary secretaries. The Committee appointed to carry out the resolution in favour of founding public baths and parks for the town, reported to a meeting held in June, that upwards of £6,000 had been subscribed, and their recommendation to purchase a site in Kent Street, was adopted. At an adjourned meeting held on the 15th, it was resolved that the institution be called " The Birmingham Institution for Public Baths and Places of Healthful Recreation." Rules were agreed to, and a large Committee appointed for the current year. Lord Calthorpe, Mr. C. N. Newdegate, M.P., the Hon. and Rev. G. M. Yorkc, Messrs. James Taylor, W. Chance, T. Phillips, J. H. Cutler, T. Whitfield, and John Palmer, were elected the .trustees. On June 13, Mehomet Ali, Pacha of Egypt, paid a visit to the town. On Sunday morning he went to Warwick Castle, and returned to Birmingham the same evening. The Pacha remained here on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday ; and during these days he was conducted by the Mayor to many of the manufactories and publie buildings of the town. In the Journal of July 18, the following paragraph appeared : — Mr. Dawson's New Chapel. — On Sunday morning last, at the Peoples Hall, and in the evening at the Unitarian Chapel, Newhall Hill, Mr. Dawson announced to his congregation, that the turning of the first turf, on the site of the new chapel, would be commenced on the Tuesday PUBLIC LIFE AND EVENTS. 57 morning following, at ten o'clock. He remarked that there would be no idle ceremony gone through ; and his only motive for mentioning it was that those persons whose confidence had been shaken, owing to the una- voidable delay, might have an opportunity of there and then satisfying themselves that the Committee was in earnest. Accordingly, on Tuesday morning many respectable persons of both sexes had congregated on the spot, eager to witness the commencement of an edifice that had been so long talked of. At half -past ten o'clock Mr. Dawson arrived, and de- livered a very appropriate address, enunciating the 2Jiinciples which were to govern the Free Church, which would speedily assemble on that spot. He concluded with a brief but impressive prayer. Alderman Cutler then turned the turf first, Mr. Dawson, sen., Mr. R. Martineau, Mr. Thomas Clark jun., &c, following his example ; and the meeting then separated. The ground chosen for the erection is situated in Edward Street, Parade. Bateman and Drury are the architects. During the building of the new chapel, Mr. Dawson preached on Sunday mornings at the People's Hall, Loveday Street ; and in the evenings at the Unitarian Chapel, Newhall Hill. On the 1 4th of August the Guardians resolved that a new Workhouse should be erected on the site of the old one in Lichfield Street ; a meeting of the ratepayers was called for the 11th of September, to consider and decide upon the proposal of that body. The ratepayers supported the majority of the Guardians in favour of building the new house on the old site. A public meeting was held in Livery Street Chapel, on September 4, to hear addresses on Slavery from Mr. Lloyd Garrison, President of the American Anti-slavery Society, Mr. Frederick Douglas, a fugitive slave from Maryland, and Mr. George Thompson. The Church of St. Andrew in the Garrison Lane, was consecrated on September 30, by the Bishop of the diocese. The Church contains about a thousand sittings, and cost nearly £4,000. On a motion of Mr. Alderman J. H. Cutler, at a meeting of the Town Council on October 7, the Buildings Committee were empowered to take the necessary steps for applying the Public Baths Act to this town. A meeting of the members 58 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. to the Public Baths Fund was held on November 0, at which it was resolved, that as the Council had taken up the subject of providing such places, the Committee be authorized to confer with that body, with a view to transfer the sites purchased by the Committee to the Corporation. This year was also distinguished by the appointment of the Rev. John Cale Miller as Hector of St. Martin's. This rev. gentleman, who for twenty -four years exercised a most important influence on the public life of the town, religious, literary, and social, formerly preached to the congregation assembling at Park Chapel, Chelsea, where he had won "golden opinions from all sorts of people." Before leaving Chelsea, the members of the congregation marked their respect for the preacher by a presenting him with a silver salver and a purse of £100. At the meeting of the Town Council on November 9, Mr. Robert Martineau was unanimously elected Mayor for the ensuing year. The subject of the new Workhouse continued to cause the Guardians a great deal of trouble. Tt had been decided by that body and the ratepayers, that the old house in Lichfield Street should be pulled down and a new one erected on its site. The Poor Law Commissioners, however, interfered ; and at a special meeting of the Guardians held on November 13, a letter from Mr. Alfred Austin was read, stating that the Commissioners might not agree to such site ; and recommend- ed O ing the Guardians " to avoid entering into any positive en- gagement for the object, before they obtain the approbation of the Commissioners to the site." Tt was resolved, " That a copy of all the proceedings relative to the new Workhouse should be sent to the Commissioners, and that they be re- quired to give their opinion as to the propriety of erecting it on the present site." A public meeting of the " Friends of Peace," was held in the Town Hall on December 15, at which Mr. Elihu Burritt, the " learned blacksmith," first addressed a Birmingham audience. The object of his address, which was most ear- PUBLIC LIFE AND EVENTS. .">!> nestly eloquent, was the advocacy of the principles and objects of the League of Universal Brotherhood. A rumour was current at this time that the Government intended to erect large barracks in the neighbourhood of Birmingham ; and advantage was taken of this meeting to pass a resolution, which was moved by the Rev. Arthur O'Neill, protesting against the measure, "as calculated fearfully to deteriorate the morals of the population, and to extend a system opposed to the constitution, and the civil liberties of the community." The year 1847 was opened by a Complimentary Dinner, which was given on January 4 to Dr. Ryall, the late Principal of the Edgbaston Proprietary School, on the occasion of his appointment as vice-president of the New College at Cork. An address of congratulation was presented to the doctor. A meeting was held on February 8, for the purpose of considering a resolution to assist the sufferers of the famine in Ireland. Between £700 and £800 were subscribed at the meeting. On July 5, a meeting was held for the purpose of establish- ing a Whittington Club in Birmingham. Mr. George Dawson [(resided ; and resolutions were passed expressing the desira- bility of forming such a club. A Committee was appointed, and the entrance fee was fixed at 2s. 6d. for the first 200 members. It may not be out of place here to mention, that it was in support of this proposal that the present writer made his first speech in public. A public meeting was held in the Town Hall on August ID, in furtherance of the object. The Mayor was in the chair, and the meeting was addressed by Mr. J. S. Manton, the Rev. Edward Madeley, Rev. Dr. Raphall, Mr. T. Ragg, Mr. G. F. Muntz, M.P., Mr Alderman T. Weston, Mr. J. A. Langford, and Mr. W. E. Timmins. Mr. W. Patten was appointed Honorary Secretary. In August, the Church of the Saviour, Edward Street, was opened ; on which occasion Mr. Dawson delivered two eloquent discourses. The morning discourse was afterwards published under the title of " The Demands of* the Age on the Church." It attracted considerable attention, and be- came the subject of much polemical speaking and writing. 60 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. A national movement for the purchase of Shakspere's House was begun this year ; and on August 23, a meeting- was held under the auspices of the Mayor, at which a Com- mittee was appointed to arrange for a public meeting on the subject. This was held at the Town Hall on September the first. The Mayor presided, and Mr. W. Scholefield, M.P., Dr. Raphall, Mr. G. Dawson, Mr. Thomas Lane, (High Bailiff,) Mr. W. Lucy, Mr. Charles Holt Bracebridge, Mr. Peter Hollins, Mr. J. A. Langford, and Mr. John Mason, took part in the proceedings. It was resolved to co-operate with the Stratford-on-Avon Committee ; and a local Committee was elected for that purpose. The House was sold on September 16, to the Shakspere Committee for £3,000. At the same sale, five books containing the autographs of visitors to the birthplace from 1821 to 1846, were sold; and although Mr. C. Knight offered £50 for them on behalf of the Committee, they were knocked down to Mr. Butler, for £73 10s. The vote of the majority of the Guardians, confirmed by the ratepayer's meeting, for erecting the new Workhouse on the site of the old one in Lichfield Street, was not approved by the Poor Law Commissioners. In April, Mr. Alfred Austin visited the town ; and for several days was engaged in making a searching inquiry into the condition of the Workhouse. At a special meeting of the Guardians held on September 17, the decision of the Commissioners was read. They stated that Lichfield Street was an objectionable situation for such a building ; that from its central position and the increased value of property it would involve a totally unnecessary expenditure ; that a " Workhouse to ac- commodate 600 inmates, would not be sufficiently large for the parish of Birmingham; and that they are not prepared to sanction the adoption of a site upon which a large establish- ment, with every proper convenience and arrangement, can- not be erected. That these considerations render the Commis- sioners averse to entertain the proposal of the new Work- house establishment required for the parish of Birmingham being erected in Lichfield Street." Some of the Guardians PUBLIC LTFE AND EVENTS. Gl were highly indignant at this decision ; but time proved that the denounced " Triumvirate of Somerset House " were wiser than those who advocated the old site. On November 2, a meeting was held at which it was resolved to present a testimonial of respect to the Rev. James Prince Lee, head-master of the Free Grammar School, on his appointment to the Bishopric of Manchester. At the meeting of the Town Council, November .9, Mr. Alderman Charles Geach was elected Mayor for the ensuing- year. On November 10, the Birmingham Pharmaceutical Institu- tion was opened ; Dr. Wright delivered the inaugural address. Mr. Elihu Burritt addressed a meeting in the Town Hall on November 19, at which it was resolved to form a Midland District Branch of the English League of Universal Bro- therhood. Mr. Henry Vincent made one of his eloquent speeches on this occasion. On January 4, 1848, on the motion of Mr. Alderman James, the Town Council unanimously adopted a petition to Parlia- ment in favour of the Bill for the Relief of the Jews from their remaining disabilities. On January 25, Mr. Feargus O'Connor addressed the public in support of his once famous "land, land company and labour land," scheme. It was one of the most extraordinary speeches ever delivered in the Town Hall. His " plan," he said " meant simply reducing the surplus of the people in the labour market, and placing them in their own sentry box, in their own field, at the lowest rate." Nearly the whole of the speech was occupied in praise of the speaker, and in abusing everybody else. At a meeting held on June 9, a resolution was passed in favour of providing model lodging houses, and improved dwellings for the poor; and an influential committee was appointed to carry the object into effect. On June 2, died, in his 80th year, James Watt, at Aston Hall. He was the last survivino; son of the " illustrious im- prover of the steam engine." The following short extract is from the notice of his death : — 02 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. He was born on the 5th of February, 1769, and was therefore in his eightieth year. Inheriting a large share of the powerful intellect of his distinguished father, to the extension of whose fame he had for the last thirty years shown the most zealous and truly filial devotion, he united to great sagacity and a masculine understanding, the varied acquirements and literary taste of a well cultivated mind. His name will long be remembered in association with that of the late M. Boulton, as they were for nearly half a century successfully engaged in carrying out those in- ventions and improvements by which the genius of his father was im- mortalized. In the last eight years of his life he had comparatively retired from active business, and had devoted much time and attention to the improvement of his extensive estates in the counties of Radnor and Brecon, where his tenantry will have to lament the loss of a kind, energetic, and liberal landlord. The foundation stone of the New Church, Broad Street, in connection with the Synod of the Presbyterian Church in England, was laid on July 24, by Charles Cowen, M.P., for the City of Edinburgh. The Birmingham Protestant Association held its first anni- versary meeting in St. Peter's School Room, on July 18. Mr. T. Ragg stated that the society during the first year of its existence had secured between 70 and 80 members ; and that a library containing fifty volumes, principally on the great Revival Controversy, had been procured. The report con- cluded by stating that the committee were assured that the downfall of Popery was at hand, and the triumph of Pro- testantism near. At last common sense prevailed, and a majority of the Guardians agreed to the proposition to erect the new Work- house at Birmingham Heath. A meeting of the ratepayers, which was called to consider their decision, held at the Town Hall on August 1 1 ; and after a long discussion, a resolution, proposed by Mr. George Edmonds, and seconded by Mr. D. Malins, confirming the recommendation of the Guardians, was carried. A poll was demanded by the op- ponents of the removal. It commenced on the 12th and closed on the 16th, the numbers being, for the Birmingham Heath site, 698; against it, 191 ; the majority, representing property rated to the amount of £31,839 12s. 10d., and the PUBLIC LIFE AND EVENTS, 63 minority £5,768. The result was most gratifying to those who desired to promote the best interests of the ratepayers, and of the poor. The foundation stone of the Licensed Victuallers' Asylum was laid by Mr. Alderman T. Phillips, on August 30. The building is of red brick with stone dressings, in the Elizabethan style. It consists of ten rooms, and has a frontage of 14G feet. The Town Council at their meeting on October 2, gave their final consent to the erection of a set of Public Baths and Wash-houses, on land in Kent Street, which had been already purchased for that purpose; and they authorized a Committee to take the necessary steps to complete the work. The estimated cost of the building was £10,000. The plans em- braced one large swimming bath, two plunging baths, fifty- one private baths, vapour and shower baths, and a wash- house. At the same meeting, the Council resolved to take the necessary steps to bring the Health of Towns Act into operation in Birmingham. A great Peace Meeting was held in the Town Hall on November 2, Mr. R. T. Cadbury in the chair. Mr. James Stubbin, Mr. John Scober, Mr. Joseph Sturge, the Rev. P. Sibree, the Rev. J. A. James, Dr. Bowring, M.P., M. Visschers, Elihu Burritt, and the Rev. Arthur O'Neill, were the speakers. At the meeting of the Town Council on November 9, Mr. Alderman S. Thornton was elected Mayor for the ensuing year. A public meeting of a rather unusual character was held in the Town Hall, on December 14, Lord Lyttelton in the chair, to receive a deputation from the Colonization Society, and to hearan explanation of the object contemplated in a systematic method of Emigration to various parts of our Colonial Empire. The speakers were the Hon. Francis Scott, the Hon. Walter Wrottesley, Lord Mandeville, M.P., Mark Boyd, Mi-. Arthur Hodgson, the Rev. Mr. Saunders, C. B. Adderley, M.P., W. Scholefield, M.P., and G. F. Muntz, M.P. There was a difference of opinion among the speakers as 1" the advantages of emigration to this country. CA MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. On December 9, the following important intimation was published : — When the act for the formation of the Church of England Cemetery was obtained, one of the objects contemplated, besides that of providing a place of burial for the members of the Church, was the prevention of intramural interments, which experience has shown to be dangerous to public health, and altogether objectionable in a sanitary point of view. To this intention the fullest assent was accorded by Parliament ; and powers were given by the Act to enforce compliance with an arrange- ment which good sense and prudence dictated. Now that the Church ( 'emetery has been completed, the measures then contemplated with regard to burials in the various grave-yards attached to several of the ( lhurch.es in the town, are about to be enforced. An order has been issued by the Rev. J. C. Miller, Rector of St. Martin's, which, as is prescribed by the Act, has been countersigned by the Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of the Diocese, intimating that St. Martin's grave-yard is henceforth wholly closed against any future burials, except in existing vaults or brick graves. Similar orders have been issued by the Hon. and Rev. G. M. Yorke, Rector of St. Philip's, henceforth closing certain parts of the grave-yard lying on the south and east sides of the church ; and by the Rev. J. C. Barrett, incumbent of St. Maiy's, forbidding interments in certain parts of the burial-ground lying at the west end of the church. The penalties attached to an infraction of these orders are severe, and the regulations affecting interments generally are of such a nature as to make it a matter of some importance that they should be generally known. The Cemetery Act provides, that all persons who shall hence- forth open any common or open grave or ground in which any corpse has been already interred, or shall bury any corpse at a less distance than four feet six inches below the surface of the ground, in any grave-yard within the borough of Birmingham, will be guilty of a misdemeanour, and liable to fine and imprisonment, at the discretion of the Court before whom they may be convicted. On May 29, at his residence at Warwick, in the 80th year of his age, died Sir Edward Thomason, Knight. He had been intimately connected with the manufactures of the town. From very humble materials, he raised a manufactory of articles in silver and other metals, to the foremost rank, and contributed in no mean degree, by his industry, perseverance, sound judgement, and good taste, to elevate the character of our local manufactures. He had the distinguished honour of receiving the rank of Knighthood, the first instance of its bestowal in this industrious locality. In 1835, he retired from PUBLIC LIFE AND EVENTS. Go the business in Church Street ; but never ceased to take an active interest in the welfare of the town, and the progress of its manufactures. Sir Edward was also an author ; but his life, after all, offered no materials for comment, beyond the lesson which his career taught, of the value of that industry, which, added to his natural energy and good taste, elevated him to affluence and honour. On September 29, the Queen, Prince Albert, and the "young members of the illustrious family" passed through Birmingham. Addresses from the Town Council were pre- sented by the Mayor, both to Her Majesty and the Prince, at the Derby Railway Station, then in Lawley Street. At the sitting of the Wesleyan Conference in Manchester, the Revs. James Everett, Samuel Dunn, and William Griffith, were expelled from that body. A meeting was held in the Town Hall, Birmingham, on October 9, to hear the expelled ministers state their case. Mr. John Wright was in the chair, and after the statement had been made, resolutions were passed to the effect : — That the meeting solemnly regarded the expulsion of Messrs. Dunn, Everett, and Griffith as a gross violation of the principles of the New Testament ; that they tendered their sympathy to them, and pledged themselves to aid in subscriptions for their future support ; and that the time had come to urge on the Conference the repeal of the obnoxious laws of 1835, by which the Christian liberties, both of ministers and members, were invaded. A society, uniting literature and politics, was established this year, under the title of the Birmingham Association for Disseminating Political Knowledge. Weekly meetings were held for discussion, and occasional lectures were given. On October 29, the members celebrated the thousandth anni- versary of Alfred the Great, and addresses were delivered by Messrs. Toulmin Smith, T. H. Gill, J. A. Langford, H. H. Horton, E. Deny, W. B. Smith, and E. C. Osborne. Mr. H. B. S. Thompson took a very active part in originating and organizing this society. In October a requisition signed by 120 persons was pre- sented to the Mayor, asking him to convene a town's meeting, F 6G MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. for the purpose of considering the propriety of presenting a memorial to the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury, praying that the transmission of mails and the delivery of letters on Sundays may be entirely suspended throughout the United Kingdom. An opposition to the views of the requisitionists was speedily organized. The meeting was held on October 30, the Mayor stating that, though he had called a meeting in compliance with the wishes of the requisitionists, he had no sympathy with the object proposed. The views of the re- quisitionists were supported by James Taylor, the Rev, J. C. Miller, R. Spooner, M.P., G. F. Muntz, M.P., and the Rev. J. A. James ; and opposed by the Hon. and Rev. G. M. Yorke, C. Geach, T. Weston, R. K. Douglas, and the Rev. Samuel Bache. The following resolution was carried : — That this meeting devoutly and thankfully recognizes the divine obligation of the Lord's Day or Christian Sabbath ; and entertains a deep sense of the moral and social evils occasioned by all secular employ- ment on the Sunday, not called for by necessity and charity. A verbal resolution to the effect that the Post Office should be wholly closed on Sunday, and that the Mayor should sign a memorial to that effect on behalf of the meeting, was also carried. The proceedings lasted over five hours, and were as noisy and turbulent as such assemblies usually are. The first stone of the Kent Street Baths and Wash-houses was laid by the Mayor on October 29. At the Town Council meeting on November 9, Mr. W. Lucy was elected Mayor for the ensuing year. The first great Exhibition of Cattle and Poultry in the Midland Counties took place in Birmingham this year, in a temporary building erected in Lower Essex Street. It was opened on December 11, and there were no fewer than 800 head of fat cattle, sheep and pigs. There was also a good show of poultry. Upwards of 25,000 persons visited the exhibition. The receipts amounted to about £900. The proposal of Prince Albert for the Great Exhibition of 1851 was now before the country; and on the 14th of March PUBLIC LIFE AND EVENTS. 07 1850, a public meeting was held in Birmingham, at which the following resolution was passed : — That it is the opinion of this Meeting, that the proposal made by His Royal Highness Prince Albert, to establish a Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of all Nations, to be held in London in 1851, is entitled to the cordial co-operation of all classes in this town and neigh- bourhood, as tending greatly to the encouragement of manufactures and trade, and the advancement of science, art, and agriculture. A large and influential local Committee was elected ; a subscription commenced ; Mr. James Moilliet was appointed Treasurer, and Mr. W. P. Marshall, Hon. Secretary. The erection of the new Workhouse, which for a period of twenty years, had more or less occupied public attention, was now drawing near to a settlement. At the meeting of the Guradians, on March 26, the tenders for its erection were considered. There were nineteen; and as affording a curious illustration of differences in builder's tenders, I quote them here : — Mr. Francis Hill, Wolverhampton Messrs. Pashby and Plevins, Birmingham Mr. John Webb, Birmingham Mr. Thomas Burton, London Mr. James Davies, Birmingham . Mr. Benjamin Hickman, Wolverhampton Mr. Benjamin Hartland, Wolverhampton Mr. John Cresswell, Birmingham Mr. John Greensall, Erdington Mr. .John Heritage, Warwick Messrs. Kirke and Parry, Sleaford Messrs. J. Hardwick and .Son, Birmingham Mr. B. C. Hemberrow, Carlisle . Mr. Samuel Briggs, Birmingham Messrs. Branston and Gwyther, Birmingham Mr. William Trego, London Mr. W. Sissors, Hull .... Mi\ .lames Ferguson .... Mr. John Glenn, Islington, London The tender of Mr. Glenn was accepted. An additional £1,200, had to be added for work not included in this estimate^ and £200 for the use of Messrs. Fox and Barrett's invention £ s. d. . 32,931 . 32,910 . 32,737 o •> . 32,515 . 31,900 (i . 31,854 It . 31,645 . 31,611 1!) . 31,150 . 30,934 1 . 30,6ih) . 30,262 7 s.', . 29,Si II 1 . 29,565 n . 27,: 4 . . 27,875 i) . . 26,989 it . . 26,930 . . 24,920 I) 68 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. for making the building fire-proof. The contract was there- fore for £26,320. It was announced that the Exchequer Loan Commissioners were prepared to advance the necessary- funds. By a subsequent resolution of the Guardians, the patent of Messrs. Fox and Barrett was not used. On July 2, 1850, the whole nation was thrown into mourn- ing by the sudden death of Sir Robert Peel, and Birmingham shared deeply in the national sorrow for the loss of the great statesman. Measures were immediately taken to testify in some permanent manner, the gratitude of the people. Mr. Dawson, in a brief letter to the newspapers, suggested that either a Peel Scholarship or a Peel School should be founded. A meeting was held on July 16, to consider the subject, and a large Committee appointed to decide upon the best means of perpetuating his memory, and to take all necessary steps for effecting the object of the meeting. A considerable number of Ward Meetings were held, and the question seemed to be taken up with much enthusiasm by all classes, but more especially by the artisans of the town. By August 17, the subscriptions amounted to nearly £600. Mr Dawson de- livered a lecture on Sir Robert Peel at the Town Hall, which added £25 to the fund. Committees were appointed for the several wards in the borough, in order that a complete canvass of the town might be made. At a meeting of the subscribers, September 24<,it was reported that the subscriptions amounted to £1,000. It was resolved that the memorial be a bronze statue, the estimate for which was two thousand guineas, and that Mr. Peter Hollins be commissioned to execute it. On September 7, the first stone of the new Workhouse was laid at Birmingham Heath by Mr. F. Dee, Chairman of the Board of Guardians. In the same month, that favourite place of public enter- tainment, Old Vauxhall Gardens, was closed. On the 16th, a farewell dinner was given under the patronage of the directors and members of the Victoria Building Society, the estate having been purchased by that Society. At the meeting of the Town Council on November 9, Mr. W. Lucy was re-elected Mayor for the ensuing year. POLITICAL RECORD. 69 The Cattle Show of 1850, was held in the new building called Bingley Hall, Broad Street, which was erected for that purpose by a Joint Stock Company, at the cost of £6,000, and covers upwards of an acre and a quarter of land. The following were the entries : — cattle, 117 ; pens of sheep, 55 ; of pigs, 173 ; of poultry, 556 ; the total number of animals being about 2,500. § POLITICAL RECORD. From the commencement of the agitation, which ended in the passing of the Reform Bill of 1832, to the present time, Birmingham has taken the foremost rank in the political history of the country. On every great political question, which during the last thirty years has excited public atten- tion, she has exercised a voice potential, always equal, and not unfrequently superior, to that of the other great towns of the kingdom. Her influence has also, during that period, been undcviatingly in favour of liberal government. Once, and once only, and then under peculiar circumstances, have the electors returned a conservative representative to the House of Commons. At the last election in 1868, after the most strenuous exertions, and with all the advantage of the minority clause, that party could not succeed in returning a candidate. Our political annals from 1840 to 1870, afford a constantly recurring proof of the existence of liberal opinions amongst the great body of the people. In 1841, the Jewish Disabilities Removal Bill was beinff discussed, and Birmingham at once pronounced in its favour. In March, Mr. Alderman W. Scholefield brought the subject before a meeting of the Town Council, and moved the adop- 70 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. tion of a petition to the House of Commons, praying the House to pass the Bill. This motion was seconded by Mr. J. James. The petition was adopted, and ordered to be for- warded for presentation to the House of Commons, by the members of the borough, and to the House of Lords, by Lord Brougham. The agitation for the Repeal of the Corn Laws was now proceeding with vigour. Large meetings in favour of Free Trade were being held throughout the country, and were rapidly bringing about a political crisis. On May 7, 1841, Lord John Russell laid before Parliament his inadequate pro- posals, and on the 24th Sir Robert Peel carried his motion of want of confidence in Her Majesty's Ministers, by one vote ; the numbers being 312 to 311. On June 22, Parliament was prorogued, and was dissolved on the 23rd. On June 9, Mr. Joshua Scholefield issued the following address : — To the Independent Electors of the Borough of Birmingham. Gentlemen. The struggle between the Parliamentary Advocates of Free Trade and of Monopoly has commenced by a temporary triumph obtained by the latter ; and Her Majesty has, it is understood, wisely and patriotically determined to appeal to the country for its decision on the issue. Under these circumstances, I lose no time in announcing to you my intention again to solicit that confidence and support which have already three linns sent me to represent your interests and opinions in the House of Commons. My votes, invariably given in favour of an extension of popular rights and free institutions, are the best record of my past - Mr. Edward Miall, editor of the Nonconformist, "for his powerful advocacy of their principles." On April !>, a meeting of the League was held in the Town Hall, to receive a report of the proceedings of the Conference. A meeting of the Chartists was held at Duddeston Row on the same evening, at which Mr. O'Connor was present. Five resolutions were passed : 1. — Expressing satisfaction at the proceedings of the Conference; 2. — A resolution to carry on their own system of agitation, relying on their own exertions, and calling on the working men to rally round their standard; 3. — To use their utmost influence to increase their numbers and funds, and never to cease agitating until the Charter becomes the law of the land; 4. — Sympathy with those victims of Whig treachery, Frost, Williams, and Jones : and a pledge never to cease their exertions "until every 84 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. victim is restored to liberty, to the bosom of his family circle, and the land of his birth;" 5. — Thanks to those delegates who at the Conference advocated the six points of the Charter. Reading some of these resolutions, with a knowledge of the events winch followed, many persons will be tempted to exclaim with Gonzalo in the Tempest, " Yon are gentlemen of brave mettle ; you would lift the moon out of her sphere, if she would continue in it five weeks without changing." Unfortunately, she will not continue five weeks, and the pledge of persistent effort, and " never cease our exertions," are too often forgotten almost as soon as they are made. A vacancy having occurred in the Representation of Nottingham, Mr. Joseph Sturge became a candidate in opposition to Mr. Walter. The friends of Mr. Sturge in this town, issued an address to the electors of Nottingham urging them to elect the great philanthropist and reformer. The election took place on August 5, when Mr. Sturge lost the seat by 7-i votes, the numbers being for Mr. Walter, 1,790, Mr. Sturge, 1,725. On June 13 and 25, Mr. Henry Vincent lectured in the Town Hall in favour of the Complete Suffrage Agitation. On Sunday, June 2G, large placards, with black borders, were posted on the walls of the town, containing the follow- ing extraordinary statements : — Murder Demands Justice. Englishmen blush for your Country. Samuel Holberrt, of Sheffield, is Dead. He was tried at York Spring Assizes, 1840, for what the oppressors of the poor term "Sedition." Representations of the state of his health had been made to Sir James Graham, the Tory Secretary of State, by the Mayor of York Castle, who recommended Holberry's liberation as the only means of saving his life ; but Graham refused, and Holberry is Dead ! Good God ! is this England ? Talk no more of Russian Despotism. Justice and humanity have fled from the land. A Meeting will be held at the Railway Station, Duddeston Row, on Monday, June 27th, 1842, at half- past five o'clock, for the purpose of demanding an investigation into the conduct of Sir James Graham regarding poor Holberry's death ; and to ascertain whether the life of every man opposed to the existing govern- ment shall lie at the disposal of the Secretary of State. Attend the POLITICAL RECORD. 85 Meeting then, and say whether Englishmen are to be murdered, under pretence of imprisonment. Claton was sentenced to two years' imprison- ment, and died in the same dungeon where Holberry was imprisoned . Duffy, another Chartist, was liberated from the same place, on the point of death, and Holberry is Dead ! how many more are to be murdered ? Answer, ye Slaves of England ! A Memorial to the House of Commons will be brought forward at the meeting. By order of the Members of the Council of the National Charter Association, residing in Birmingham. John Newhouse, Sub-Secretary. Association Booms, Aston Street, June 24, 1842. The meeting was held, about 000 persons being present, and the memorial was adopted. A procession was afterwards formed, and marched through some of the principal streets; one man carrying a black flag, walked in front. The country was now in a state of the utmost excitement. Riots had taken place in almost all the large towns, in con- sequence of the great, distress which prevailed. All the political organizations were actively employed in carrying- on their agitations. In this town, the Complete Suffrage Association, the Anti-Corn Law League, and the Chartists, held meetings every week. A placard signed by Mr. Arthur O'Neill, as Secretary of the Christian Chartists, announced an open-air meeting, to be held in Summer Lane on August the 22nd — " To memorialize the Queen, and to take into consider- ation the present awful state of the Country." This placard contained the following exciting appeal : — Men of Birmingham — The crisis is now arrived. Britain and I relaml are now aroused. The Nation's voice declares in the loudest tones, the noble struggle must now be made. The days of tyranny are numbered ! Shall Birmingham, once the pole star of liberty, now slumber? No! A wake ! Arise ! Stand forward in the Nation's moral battle, and declare that our Country shall now be free ! Four men were arrested on the 20th, for carrying this placard about the town. The magistrates met on the same day, and issued a proclamation cautioning all " well-disposed persons from joining in, or being present, at any such meetings, processions, &c." Special constables were sworn in, and Mr. T. C. Salt held a meeting, and urged his workmen to be sworn 86 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. in, on the understanding that the magistrates would them- selves memorialize the Queen on the condition of the Country. Mr. Joseph Sturge and Mr. Arthur O'Neill deter- mined to obey the " bad law," and not to hold the meeting which had been called. They advised the people to disperse and to bide their time. The Council of the Complete Suffrage Association issued an address, recommending the people to adhere to peaceful agitation. They also addressed a memorial to the Queen, setting forth the evils under which the people suffered; entreating her "to dismiss her ministers, and to take to her councils only such men as will secure a full, fair, and free Representation of the People in the House of Commons." The same body called a Conference of Delegates, to be held in Birmingham on September 7. That spirit of mischief, George White, was now busily at work. On the 22nd of August he issued the following placard : — Men of Birmingham ! Your brethren in the country have ceased to labour ! and declared that they will WORK NO MOEE until Liberty be established ! until the Charter be proclaimed law ! If we are to have J ustice ! if we are to be delivered form the hellish tyranny that blasts our hopes and destroys our prospects, now is the time ! ! Attend the Meeting at Duddeston Eow, on Tuesday evening at live i ulock. Onward ! Onward ! to Freedom. By order of a large public meeting, George White, President. God Save the People ! An attempt was made to hold this meeting, and an effort was made to arrest White. Stones were thrown at the police, who drew their staves and a few heads were broken. Some troops, under the command of Colonel Thorn, were stationed at the bottom of Hunter's Lane. The Colonel came to the meeting at Duddeston Row, and addressed those assembled, advising them to retire peaceably, as he was unwilling to adopt any coercive means for dispersing them. Mr. Atkins, superintendent of the police, also gave the same advice ; and the crowd quietly dispersed. White was afterwards arrested by William Hall at the POLITICAL RECORD. 87 Fox Tavern, in Hurst Street, and on the 20th was brought before the magistrates, when he was committed to the sessions, on the charge of issuing placards, inciting the people to revolt, and for attending an unlawful assemblage endangering the public peace. It was resolved to accept bail, himself in £200 for each offence, and two sureties in £100 each. The prisoner denounced this as a monstrous piece of tyranny. He was then removed from the dock, and immediately after conveyed, under the escort of a strong body of the 3rd Dragoons, to Warwick Gaol. " There was a large crowd in Moor Street and the Bull Ring, who cheered him as he passed along." On August 26, Mr. Arthur O'Neill attended and addressed a meeting of colliers at Cradley. After the proceedings were over, he went to the Woodman to dine, when he was arrested on the charge of having attended illegal meetings. He was conveyed to the lock-up, at Dudley; and at half-past nine the same evening was brought before the magistrates and remanded until Monday, the 29th, when he was again ex- amined, and committed to Stafford Gaol, bail being allowed, himself in £200, and two sureties in £100 each. In refer- ence to this case, we read in the Journal of Saturday, September 3 : — On Tuesday, Mr. John Collins went to Dudley, and tendered Mr. William Page and Mr. Charles Truman as bail for Mr. O'Neill, who was committed on the previous Monday to Stafford Gaol. < >n Thursday, Mr. Collins, Mr. Page, and Mr. Truman, attended by Mr. Charles Twamley, solicitor, waited upon Mr. Badger and the Rev. Mr. ( lartwrigW . at the Hotel, to enter into the enquired sureties ; upon which M r. Badger asked Mr. Page if be had acted as chairman of a Chartist meeting in the Town Hall of Birmingham, some time ago I Mr. Pag' replied thai he had ; upon which the magistrates said they would not accept him as hail. Mr. Page then told the Rev. Mr. Cartwright that lie had Letter be preaching the Gospel of peace and charity to his people than producing ill-will. Mr. Badger ordered Mr. Page out of the room. Mr. Truman was then tendered. Mr. Badger asked him if lie had not signed a requisition to the authorities in Birmingham to procure the use of the Town Hall for a Chartist meeting ? Mr. Truman replied, thai lie really did not just recollect having done so. hut it was possible he had. Mr. Badger said he had a copj of ■ of the bills, if there was auj doubt 88 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. about it. Mr. Truman said lie did nut at all doubt it. The magistrates said, under these circumstances, they could not take his bail. They had other reasons, but they would only assign the above. In consequence of the Queen's Proclamation against illegal meetings, and the recent proceedings in the town, the Town Hall Committee declined to grant the use of the Hall for the proposed Conference of the Complete Suffrage Association The Conference was therefore abandoned, and an extraordi- nary special meeting of the Council was held on September 12, instead. At the Stafford Assizes, held in October, Mr. O'Neill was entitled to traverse, and the sureties, which the Dudley magis- trates had refused, were accepted by the Court. The com- mittal charged him with attending an unlawful meeting ; the indictment on which the Grand Jury found a true bill was for conspiracy and sedition. At the Sessions held in October, Mr. George White applied for a certiorari, to remove his trial from Birmingham to the Court of Queen's Bench, which was granted. The Grand Jury at Warwick, having found a true bill, White requested, by note to the chairman, to make a personal application to the Bench : — He was admitted into the jury -room, when the Chairman told him, that his case had been taken out of their jurisdiction ; but any application that he had to make, would be heard. The prisoner then said, he considered he had been most unjustly treated, by the magistrates refusing to take good and sufficient bail, which had been offered. The application he had then to make was that his bail, some of whom were in attendance, might be at once received. He also requested that the amount of bail might lie reduced. Sir E. E. Wilmot told him that that he must apply to the Court of Queen's Bench, and he might then have his bail accepted. On October 31, a public dinner was given to Mr. William Pare, on the occasion of his leaving the town for London. Mr. Pare had been an active supporter of the Liberal cause before the time of the formation of the Political Union, and was highly respected by his party. He was presented with an address, and a purse containing one hundred guineas. On November 10, George White was liberated from Warwick Gaol on bail. Mr. Justice Cresswell had reduced the amount from six sureties in £100 each, and himself in £G0O, to eight sureties in £50 each, and himself in £100. POLITICAL IlECOHD. 89 On the 1 4th, a meeting of the Complete Suffrage Associa- tion was held, to elect delegates to the approaching Confer- ence. The Chartists mustered strongly, and resolved to oppose the appointment of Mr. Sturge as Chairman. They took the lead, and proposed that Mr. Fellows, a working man, should preside. Mr. Sturge was then nominated; and Mr. George White, who said he had only been two days out of prison, put the question to the meeting, which declared Mr. Sturge elected. The following is a list of the dele- gates appointed : — Electors — John Fellows, John Horsley, and Feargus O'Connor; Non-electors — A. G. O'Neill, George White, and Francis Parkes. Mr. O'Neill was the only delegate that was unanimously elected. In acknowledging the vote of thanks for presiding, Mr. Sturge once more stated that "he never could, and never would, either directly or indirectly, sanction or countenance physical force." Another effort was made to procure the use of the Town Hall for this Conference, but it was unsuccessful. In consequence of this refusal, it was held in the room in Newhall Street, formerly occupied by the Mechanics' Institute. The sitting com- menced on December 27, and at its opening nearly 300 delegates were present. On the motion of the Rev. T. Spencer of Bath, seconded by Mr. Feargus O'Connor, Mr. Sturge was unanimously elected chairman of the Conference. It soon came, however, to an unhappy termination. The assembled delegates could not agree about the name, not having learned Juliet's lesson, that " a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." Mr. Lovett proposed in one of the resolutions submitted, that the word " Charter " should be substituted for the word " Bill ; " and two days of talk followed the proposal. The word " Charter " carried the largest number of suffrages ; the votes being 193 in its favour, and 94 against. Mr. Sturge consequently retired, declaring that he could no longer, with any consistency, preside as chairman over the meeting; and then the Chartists had the business to themselves. A writer of the day thus comments on this wonderful meeting and its result : — 1>0 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. The ukl story of a man who married a wife on Monday, quarrelled with her on Tuesday, separated on Wednesday, and went courting another on Thursday, has been more than realized in the attempt to amalgamate the oil of the Complete Suffrage with the vinegar of the Chartists. Had the quarrel originated in, we will not say high principle, but principle of any kind, it might have had its palliation, if not its defence. But that some three hundred men, grown to the years of dis- cretion, and claiming to themselves the high character of Representatives of the people of Great Britain — not the unenfranchised merely, but the electors — should, after so much pother of assembling, be incapable of re- maining together for more than forty-eight hours, because one party were for one name, and another party for another, is as lamentable as it is inexcusable. But so it was, and with such a wretched political fiasco the year 184*2 ended: — one of immense political activity, and of terrible distress. The year 1843 was opened by a "Great Anti-Corn Law Tea Party," which took place in the Town Hall on January 22, at which upwards of 1,700 persons were present. After tea there was a public Meeting. Mr. Joshua Scholefield, MP., presided, and Mr. G. F. Muntz, M.P., Aldermen Hutton, Phillips, and Cutler, and the Rev. Hugh Hutton took part in the proceedings. Most of the members of the Town Council were present. A deputation from Manchester, consisting of R Cobden, M.P., John Bright, L. Hey worth, and Alderman Brooks attended. Mr. Bright delivered one of his eloquent speeches in denunciation of this "oppressive impost." At the close of the meeting, upwards of £190 were subscribed in aid of the fund of the Anti-Corn Law League. In February, a vacancy occurred in the Representation of the Northern Division of the County, in consequence of Sir Eardley Wilmot having been appointed Governor of Van Dieman's Land. The Birmingham Loyal and Constitutional Association held a meeting on the 21th, and unanimously agreed to invite Mr. C. N. Newdegate, Vice-President of the Association, to become a candidate for the vacant seat. Mr. Newdegate accepted the invitation. The nomination took place at Coleshill on March the 10th. There was no opposi- tion; and Mr. Newdegate was declared duly elected. The POLITICAL RECORD. !)l honourable gentleman has ever since retained his seat for the same division of the county ; and during the whole period of his public career, has been accepted by his opponents as a consistent, honest, conscientious, although an extreme and somewhat narrow-minded, conservative. At a meeting of the Town Council, held on March 3, Mr. Alderman Weston moved : — That the widely-spread, and long-continued distress of the commercial and other great interests of this kingdom, is mainly attributable to unjust legislation, whereby trade is fettered and restricted, and injurious monopolies are upheld. That in the opinion of this Council, there is no hope of securing permanent relief from such evils, until such a Reform of the Hoitse of Commons takes place, as will secure the full, fair, and free Representation of the People ; and that this Council do, therefore, Petition the two Houses of Parliament to pass an Act, to provide for the Extension of the Franchise to every man who is not deprived of his rights of citizenship in consequence of a verdict of a jury ; for taking the votes at elections by Ballot ; for giving the right of electing a member of parliament to Equal Electoral Districts ; for the Payment of l'easonable Remuneration to Members for their services ; for the Abolition of all Property Qualifications for members ; and for the Limitation of the Duration of each Parliament to one year. Mr. Perry seconded the resolution. Mr. P. H. Muntz moved as an amendment : — That while this Council are fully aware of the miserable condition and daily-increasing privations of the industrious classes, and whilst they are convinced that a great part of the existing distress and misery may be traced to an erroneous and irrational system of Government, they abstain from submitting to the legislature any abstract opinion on the subject, considering it to be the duty of the responsible Ministers of the Crown to provide measures of relief, in order to prevent the ruin and consequent anarchy to which the nation appears to be rapidly ap- proaching. The amendment was carried by a majority of one; the votes being for 27, against 20. It was also resolved that the General Purposes Committee be authorized to collect authentic information relating to the existing distress, and to submit the same to Her Majesty's Government ; and that petitions founded thereon be presented to both Houses of Parliament. On May 22, a Public Tea Party was given in the Town Hall, by the Committee of the < Jomplete Suffrage Union, to 92 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. the twenty-six Members of the Birmingham Corporation who voted in the Town Council, for Alderman Weston's motion to petition Parliament for Complete Suffrage. A Conference of Delegates was held the same day to receive reports relative to the state of the constituency in the various boroughs in the midland district, and to adopt the most effectual means of securing the return of Complete Suffrage Candidates to Parliament. Mr. Joseph Sturge presided at the Conference and at the tea meeting. A meeting of conservatives, convened by circular, was held at the Royal Hotel, on July 11, on the condition of Ireland. The High Bailiff (Samuel Kempson, Esq.) was in the chair, and the following resolution, moved by James Taylor, Esq., and seconded by Charles Shaw, Esq., was passed : — That this Meeting deeply deplores the increasingly alarming state of Ireland, and considers that the multitudinous assemblages which have been suffered for a long time to congregate, and which are now contin- ually taking place in various parts of Ireland, are of a revolutionary character, dangerous to the public peace, and calculated to create well- founded terror in the minds of Her Majesty's well-disposed subjects of all classes ; suspending the ordinary occupations of the population, and keeping up a state of the most painful and dangerous excitement in that country ; that, under these circumstances, it is the duty of Her Majesty's loyal and faithful subjects respectfully to declare to Her Majesty their anxious desire and firm determination to co-operate with Her Majesty's Government, for the purpose of upholding the law, preserving the peace, and allaying that dangerous excitement and revolutionary demonstration to which the meeting has referred. An address to the Queen, based upon this resolution, was also adopted. At a meeting held on the 28th of September, a deputation was appointed to wait upon Thomas Attwood, with a requi- sition, signed by 10,000 persons, inviting him again to take part in public life. To this requisition Mr. Attwood made the following reply: — My kind, generous friends. It is very gratifying to me to receive from sixteen thousand of my fellow-townsmen this flattering but unexpected testimony of their long-continued confidence and esteem. It was never my intention to interfere again in any public movement of the people. For many years I have anxiously watched the slow but certain progress POLITICAL RECORD. 93 of the national ruin. A great change now comes over the prosperity of our country. I now think that the time has come in which I should be criminal if I did not co-operate with you in making one other effort to relieve the distress of the people and to rescue the nation from the fearful anarchy which threatens it. The late great changes in the corn and provision laws, by removing in a great degree the buttresses which prop- ped the powerful landed interest, have given a prodigious accession of strength to the pnblic cause. Those changes are now forcing the owners of land into a community of suffering and feeling with the owners of labour. This I stated would be their effect, in my petition to the House of Commons in the month of July, last year. Those great measures have already produced the disturbances in Wales, and the Repeal pro- ceedings in Ireland ; and they are at this moment rendering the payment of the rent of land literally impossible much longer in England, under the present monetary laws. Holding these opinions, and having your confi- dence to assure me, I do not hesitate to say that I will immediately consult the able and estimable friends, upon whose assistance I must rely, and 1 >y whose council I must mainly be guided ; and with their concurrence I will very shortly submit to your approbation the best plan which my humble reason can devise, for restoring safety, prosperity, harmony, and contentment to all classes of the people. On October 26, Mr. Attwood met a large number of persons at the Public Office, and submitted a plan for the formation of a National Union, many of those present gave in their adhesion to his proposals. On the 28th, a large open-air meeting was held in Shadwell Street, to consider the propriety of petitioning the Queen, praying that the army and navy of the people shall not be employed to control or suppress the peaceable and constitu- tional expression of opinion by their fello w subjects in Ireland, in reference to the national grievances. Alderman Weston was in the chair, and addresses were delivered by several of the leading liberals. Resolutions in accordance with the object of the meeting were passed, and a Memorial to the Queen was adopted. Mr. James James, the Mayor, having declined to call a Town's Meeting on the subject, the Requi- sitionists took upon themselves the responsibility of so doing. The annual meeting of the Birmingham Loyal and Con- stitutional Association was held on December 2!), Mr. ('. B. Adderley, M. P. the President, in the chair. The report pre- !H MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. sented on this occasion contained the following extraordinary paragraph : — The elections to offices under the Municipal Corporation's Act have ended in the return of persons of the same political opinions as those who have hitherto exclusively possessed these appointments. With these elections your committee did not interfere, nor ai-e they disposed to take any share in a Corporation established in opposition to the real feeling and opinion of the town, the legality of which was disputed, and which was ultimately legalized by an Act of Parliament passed with unusual haste (the standing orders of the House being suspended for that purpose), in opposition to a petition signed by upwards of 13,000 inhabitant house- holders of the borough ; and passed also in direct violation of good faith. This seems a curious statement when we call to mind the fact that the Ex-Mayor of the Corporation was a conservative, or in the language of the day, a tory. An Anti-Corn Law Meeting was held in the Town Hall on February 5, 18-i-t, at which Mr. Cobden, M.P., Colonel Thompson, and Mr. Moore attended as a deputation. George White was present, and created confusion by attempting to speak in favour of the Charter, but eventually left the hall. The members of the deputation then addressed the meeting, and at the close, £850 was subscribed to the funds of the League. A Town's Meeting was held on March G, for the purpose of taking measures for the protection of the constitutional liberties of the British people, from the dangers to which recent proceedings in Ireland had exposed them. Mr. Daniel O'Connell attended on invitation, and in one of his finest speeches gave the meeting a graphic and eloquent description of the condition of Ireland. On June 17, a public meeting was held, Mr. Thomas Weston, Mayor, in the chair, for the purpose of addressing the Crown, and taking such other steps as, under the circumstances might appear necessary, to preserve the rights and liberties of the people against the dangers to which, by the prosecution and sentence of Daniel O'Connell, and his co-defendants, they had become exposed. Resolutions were passed protesting against the trial and sentence. POLITICAL RECOED. 95 This year the borough lost its oldest representative by the death of Mr. Joshua Scholefield. This worthy and honour- able gentleman died in London, on Thursday, July 4, in the 70th year of his age. He was returned to Parliament as the colleague of Mr. Thomas Attwood at the first election for the borough, after the passing of the Reform Bill of 1832; and at the time of his death had represented the town for nearly twelve years. In noticing his decease, the Birmingham Journal paid the following richly-deserved tribute to his character : — In all business relations with society — as a merchant, banker, and manufacturer — Mr. Scholefield was too well known and appreciated to require any eulogy in our columns. His integrity, liberality, and mercan- tile habits, were universally acknowledged and esteemed. His personal and social qualities endeared him to his numerous family and to a large circle of friends. No human character is faultless ; but we can justly affirm, that few men had more generous feelings and affections than Mr. Scholefield. We are confident that his memory will long be honoured in Birmingham, and that even las political opponents will do full justice to the sterling goodness of his general character. If his ardour of temperament occasionally impelled him to express himself severely, or to advocate his opinions with excess of warmth, few men were really more tolerant of religious and political differences ; for he numbered among liis friends, men of all politics and persuasions. His well-known and frequent acts of generosity were unrestricted by any narrow prejudices. We know that many of his grateful fellow-townsmen will confirm us in this honourable mention of the generous qualities of his nature ; and many can Lear witness of his frequent acts of pecuniary liberality. Three candidates were proposed for the vacant seat; Mr. William Scholefield, son of the deceased member, Mr. Joseph Sturge, and Mr. Richard Spooner ; the first by the " Liberal Electors," the second by the " Radical Electors," and the third by the " Conservative Electors." The nomination took place on July 12; Mr. Scholefield being proposed by Mr. Alderman W. Mathews, and seconded by Mr. Alderman T. Phillips; Mr. Richard Spooner by Mr. W. C. Alston and Mr. R. W. Winfield; and Mr. Joseph Sturge by Mr. R, Barlow and Mr. J. Baldwin. The show of hands was almost unan- imously in favour of Mr. Sturge, and a poll was demanded for the other two candidates. The polling took place on the 1 3th 96 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. with the following result :— Mr. Spooner, 2,095 ; Mr. Schole- field, 1,735 ; and Mr. Sturge, 346. This is the only election for Birmingham at which a conservative has been returned. On October 18, on the motion of W. Scholefield, the Town Council agreed to a resolution and a petition, in favour of the Removal of the Civil Disabilities of the Jews. The Anniversary Dinner of the Loyal and Constitutional Association was given on December 17; Mr. C. B. Adderley, M.P. in the chair. The various speakers dwelt largely on the progress which conservative opinions were making in the country, and especially in Birmingham ; as was proved by the triumphant return of Mr. Spooner at the last election. The utmost enthusiasm prevailed. A special meeting of this Association was held on March 31, at which a petition was adopted against the proposed increase of the grant to the College of Maynooth ; and especially against its permanent endowment by Act of Parlia- ment. A public meeting on the same subject was held in the Town Hall on April 17, when petitions to both Houses of Parliament against the grant were adopted. The admission was by ticket. The political history of the year closes with a great Anti- Corn Law Meeting, which was held in the Town Hall, on December 15. The Mayor presided, and Mr. W. Scholefield moved : — That this Meeting cordially sympathizes with those vast multitudes of their fellow subjects who have already made known to Her Majesty's Ministers their apprehensions as to an impending scarcity, and their most anxious wishes for a Repeal of the Corn Laws, the existence of which check the free use and enjoyment of the necessaries of life. This was seconded by the Rev. R. Melson. Mr. Joseph Sturge moved an amendment as follows : — That under the present apprehension of impending famine, it is the duty of all to unite in a strenuous effort for the Abolition of the Tax on Food, which operates as one of the most injurious of monopolies ; and this Meeting especially trusts that the earnestness and zeal with which the working classes join in the demand for the opening of the ports will induce other classes of the community to give their influence in support of the just claims of the unenfranchised to that free and equal repre- POLITICAL RECORD. 07 sentation to which they are alike entitled by Christian Equity and the British Constitution ; and which is the only security for the permanence of this and other Reforms. Mr. Arthur O'Neill seconded the amendment, but the Mayor declined to receive it, as it was foreign to the object of the meeting. The original resolution was supported by Alderman Weston, Mr. George Edmonds, Mr. G. F. Muntz, M.P., and Mr. George Dawson. Mr. R. Spooner, M.P., declared that in the alteration of the Currency the only remedy was to be found. Other resolutions were passed, and a memorial to the Queen adopted, urging upon Her Majesty the "absolute and im- perative necessity of opening the ports of the United King- dom for the admission of all kinds of grain and provisions, duty free, preparatory to the abolition of all protective duties." The discussion on the Repeal of the Corn Laws was now being carried on in the House of Commons ; and the Anti- Corn-Law League were, with renewed energy, creating a pub- lic opinion in its favour which should become irresistible. The year 184G was distinguished in this agitation by the proposal to raise a " quarter-of-a-million fund." On March 31, a meeting was held at the Public Office to co-operate in this work. Mr. Alderman Geach was in the chair ; and at the close of the proceedings it was announced that £2,660 had been subscribed towards the fund. The 25th of June, 184G, was a memorable day in the annals of this country. On that day the Bill for the Repeal of the Corn Laws was read a third time in the House of Lords and passed without a division. On the same night the Protectionists in the House of Commons found their opportunity for rctalia- ing on Sir Robert Peel, when they defeated his government on the second reading of the Coercion Bill, by a majority of 73. The Ministers of course resigned ; and Lord John Ru ssel 1 . with a Whig Cabinet, passed into place and power. The rejoicing in Birmingham on the Repeal of the Corn Laws was hearty. The passing of the Bill was celebrated by several public dinners ; and the health of Messrs. Cobden, H 98 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. Bright, and Villiers was drank with much enthusiasm. A public meeting was held on July 8, at which the following- resolution was passed : — That this meeting regards with feelings of the highest satisfaction the Repeal of the Corn Laws and the Customs Tariff, and considers that the gratitude of the country is due to Sir Robert Peel for his noble and successful exertions in support of their Repeal and Reform. An address of thanks, " containing the expression of much gratitude," was also adopted. It received between 7,000 and 8,000 signatures, and was presented to Sir Robert Peel, in London, on the 27th of July. On the 15th, a meeting of the Free Trade Association was held, Mr. Alderman Phillips in the chair, at which, on the motion of Mr. Thomas Eyre Lee, seconded by Mr. George Dawson, it was resolved, that a subscription be commenced in aid of the proposed fund for presenting Mr. R. Cobden with an enduring testimonial of the Nation's gratitude for his labours in procuring the Repeal of the Corn Laws. A large and influential meeting was held in the Town Hall on November 3, for the purpose of memorializing the Ministers to open the ports. The Mayor, Mr. W. Scholefield, Mr. George Edmonds, Mr. John Mason, Mr. Alderman Geach, Mr. R. K. Douglas, and Mr. G. F. Muntz, M.P., took part in the proceed- ings ; as also did Mr. R. Spooner, M.P., who said, that although he was opposed to Free Trade, he was not opposed to the objects of that meeting. The following resolutions were passed : — That this meeting views with sentiments of alarm and deep commiser- ation the starving condition of a large portion of the Irish people, and the severe suffering felt in many parts of Scotland, from the almost total failure of the potato crops ; and that the subtraction of so large a portion of the customary supply, already j^resses heavily on the whole of the United Kingdom, as is fully proved by the advanced and still advancing price of all descriptions of human food. That while this meeting is grateful for the late changes in the Corn Laws, it considers that the duty which is still levied on the importation of foreign corn, tends greatly to enhance its price, and its retention in the present state of the nation is altogether indefensible. That it appears to this meeting that the issuing of an immediate Order POLITICAL RECORD. 00 of Council for the opening of the ports to the free unrestricted admission of all description of human food, is the only means of mitigating the existing evil, which is much too pressing and great to await the slow remedy of enactment by a Parliament which may not assemble for some months to come. That this meeting does resolve to Memorialize Her Majesty's Cabinet Council, calling on them at once to issue such an order. As the time for a General Election drew near, the Liberals became earnest to remove what they called the "discredit" of having a Conservative Member for Birmingham. A meeting of the Liberal Party was held on June 4, to consider the proper steps to be taken in anticipation of that event. It was unanimously and enthusiastically resolved, on the motion of Mr. Henry Hawkes, that William Scholefield be invited to become a candidate ; and a deputation consisting of Thomas Phillips, Thomas Eyre Lee, and Henry Hawkes, was appointed to wait on Mr. Muntz to ascertain whether he would unite with Mr. Scholefield in soliciting the votes of the electors. A Committee of 150 gentlemen was nominated to carry out the resolutions of the meeting. Mr. Muntz declined to accept the proposal of the Liberal party, and refused to coalesce with anybody. Mr. Scholefield accepted the invitation of the meeting, and in his address to the electors, which he thereupon issued, he declared himself an advanced Liberal, in favour of an extension of the Suffrage, the Ballot, and the shortening of the duration of Parliaments. Mr. R. Spooner again sought the suffrages of the constitu- ency; and a meeting of the Conservatives was held on June 15, at which a resolution approving of his past parliamentary conduct, and another, pledging themselves to support him in the present contest, were unanimously adopted. A large Committee was appointed to secure his return. The address of Mr. Muntz was published on June 22, and Avas headed with the somewhat egotistical quotation : — Unpracticed lie to fawn or seek for power, By doctrines fashioned to the varying hour. — Goldsmith. He reiterated his determination not to coalesce with any other candidate ; nor should he make any " personal canva 100 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. never having done so ; and believing that such a practice is equally degrading to both the constituency and the candi- dates." To make " confusion worse confounded," Mr. Robert Allen offered himself as a candidate. The learned Sergeant issued an address in which an effort was made to blend Liberal with Conservative principles. A meeting of the Electors and Non-electors was held in the Town Hall on July 13, at which a resolution approving of Mr. Muntz and Mr. Scholefield as the candidates for the repre- sentation of Birmingham was passed almost unanimously ; and a Committee was appointed to secure their return. All the Candidates attended this meeting, and explained the ground upon which they sought the votes of the Electors. The nomination took place in the Town Hall, on July 29, Mr. Muntz was proposed by Mr. Alderman W. Mathews, seconded by Mr. Councillor J. Baldwin; Mr. Spooner, by Mr. W. C. Alston and Mr. J. W. Unett ; Mr. Scholefield, by Mr. Alderman T. Phillips and Mr. George Edmonds; Mr. Sergeant Allen, by Mr. E. T. Wilkes and Mr. Councillor J. Smith. The show of hands was in favour of Messrs. Muntz and Scholefield, and a poll was demanded on behalf of the other two Candidates. This took place on the 30th, and the official declaration was made on the -31st, as follows : — Mr. Muntz, 2,830 ; Mr. Scholefield, 2,829 ; Mr. Spooner, 2,302 ; and Mr. Allen, 89. The latter gentleman retired from the contest at an early hour on the polling day. Mr. Spooner was after- wards returned with Mr. Newdegate for the Northern Divi- sion of the County of Warwick. A Banquet was given in the Town Hall on September 8, to celebrate the return of the two Liberal Candidates. Mr. Alderman Phillips occupied the Chair, and between 500 and 000 persons sat down to dinner. On October 21, a Banquet was given in the Town Hall, to celebrate the return of Messrs. Newdegate and Spooner for the Northern Division of the County. Lord John Scott presided ; and upwards of 800 persons dined together on the occasion. POLITICAL RECORD. 101 A motion was before the House of Commons for an increase in the National Defences, and a public meeting was held on January 28, 1848, to consider the propriety of petitioning Parliament against the proposal, whether by the enrolment of militia, or the increase of the standing army or the naval force ; or by an addition to the present coast fortifications : and also to take such other measures as might be deemed advisable in opposition to the existing war establishments. Resolutions in accordance with the objects of the meeting were passed unanimously. The year 1848 was rendered memorable by the French Revolution, by which Louis Philippe lost his throne. A Republican form of Government was proclaimed, and the road made for the disastrous rule of Napoleon III. The people of Birmingham manifested deep interest in this revo- lution ; and watched its progress with intense, and almost painful, excitement. On February "24, the King abdicated ; the Republic was proclaimed on the 26th ; and on March 15, a public meeting was held in the Town Hall, to express sympathy with the French People. This meeting was called by the most advanced Radicals. Mr. J. Baldwin was in the Chair, and Joseph Sturge, Alderman Weston, George Mantle, W. Mantle, J. Mason, and the Rev. Arthur O'Neill, took part in the proceedings. A very hearty address of sympathy and congratulation was passed. " Immediately on the termina- tion of the meeting, the vast assembly which crowded the Hall, quietly dispersed, and in a quarter of an hour after, the streets assumed their usual appearance." On March 29, Mr. George Dawson delivered a lecture on the French Revolution, in the Town Hall, to a crowded and enthusiastic audience. The extreme Chartists were not satisfied with the orderly agitation of the time ; and with a view to render their violence nugatory, and at the same time to agitate peaceably for pro- gressive Reform and an extension of the Suffrage, a Society was formed with the titleof the Birmingham Political Council. The first or preliminary meeting was held on March 31st, and 102 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. a Provisional Council was appointed, Mr. J. Baldwin being elected Chairman, and Mr. G. Mantle, Secretary. Its motto was " Peace ! Justice ! Prosperity ! " The Liberal Electors held a meeting on April 17, Alderman P. H. Muntz in the Chair, at which the following resolution was agreed to : — We, the undersigned, earnestly desire the following Political Changes ; and hereby declare a determination to obtain the same by all peaceful and constitutional means : — Household Suffrage, Vote by Ballot, Triennial Parliaments, and Electoral Districts. A meeting was held in the Town Hall on May 1, in support of Complete Suffrage; Alderman Palmer presided, and Henry Vincent, P. H. Muntz, W. Scholefield, M.P., George Dawson, Joseph Sturge, J. Mason, and the Rev. Arthur O'Neill, ad- dressed the audience. On the 3rd of the same month a meet- ing was also held in the Town Hall, of those who had signed the declaration quoted above. Alderman Weston was called to the Chair, and G. F. Muntz, M.P., George Edmonds, and R. K. Douglas spoke in support of the declaration ; and W. Mantle and J. Mason advocated Universal Suffrage in preference to Household. Resolutions approving of the de- claration, (which had now been signed by 9,000 persons,) and for the formation of a Reform League, were passed. Of the new Society, G. F. Muntz, M.P., was elected President, W. Scholefield, M.P., R. K. Douglas, George Dawson, M.A., and Thomas Weston, Vice-Presidents ; and a large Executive Committee was appointed. Mr. W. E. Timmins was elected Secretary. The Clerks and Assistants held a meeting; at the Public Office on May 2, to take into consideration what means should be adopted for obtaining a voice in the Representation of the Country. There was a large attendance ; and Mr. E. Deny was elected Chairman. Councillor J. Baldwin, W. Beddoes, W. Mantle, J. A. Langford, J. Jones, and E. Sargeant, took part in the proceedings. The expediency of uniting with the middle classes in their effort to procure Household Suf- frage was strongly advocated ; but the meeting was of opinion that it should not rest satisfied until complete franchise was POLITICAL RECORD. 103 obtained. A Committee was elected to carry out the objects of the meeting. At the very time that these Societies were being constituted for the purpose of political agitation, others for similar objects were being formed in all the large towns of the Kingdom. On May 4, the House of Commons passed the Jewish Dis- abilities Bill by 234 votes for, to 173 against; but on the 25th, the Lords rejected it by 163 to 128 votes. This act of the Lorcls gave an additional impetus to the agitation for an ex- tension of the Suffrage. Mr. Joseph Hume had given notice that on June 20, he should move in the House of Commons the following- resolution : — That this House, as at present constituted, does not fairly represent the population, the property, or the industry of the country, whence has arisen great and increasing discontent in the minds of a large portion of the people ; and it is therefore expedient, with the view to amend the National Representation, that the elective franchise shall he so extended as to include householders ; that votes shall be taken by ballot ; that the duration of Parliament shall not exceed three years ; and that the appor- tionment of members to population shall be made more equal. On the 31st of May, a large and enthusiastic meeting was held in the Town Hall, to adopt a petition in favour of Mr. Hume's motion. The meeting was convened by the New Reform League. Mr. G. F. Muntz, M.P. presided, and George Dawson, R K. Douglas, George Edmonds, Alderman Weston, and W. B. Smith moved, seconded, and supported the resolu- tion, which, although an attempt was made by a few Chartists to carry an amendment, was passed amid general acclama- tion; and the petition to the House of Commons was adopted. A meeting of those in favour of Universal Suffrage, con- vened by the Council of the new Political Union, was held in the Town Hall on June 7, Councillor J. Baldwin, in the Chair. There was a very large attendance, and the speakers were E. Sargeant, J. S. Wright, B. Hill, J. Mason, W. Beddoes, J. A. Langford, and George Dawson. A petition to Parliament in favour of Universal Suffrage, Vote by Ballot, no Property Qualification, Electoral Districts, and Payment of Members, was unanimously approved. 104 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. On Sunday, June 11, the Chartists held an out-door meet- ing near the People's Hall, Loveday Street. The speeches were of the most violent character. The meeting adjourned until the evening ; and some fears were entertained that the peace would be broken. The police were assembled at an early hour, and were kept in readiness to act at a moment's notice. The Mayor, Colonel Arbuthnot, Major Brompton, and the Superintendent of Police, were in attendance at the Police Station in Staniforth Street during the time of the meeting, and kept up constant communication with the men on duty near the spot. Early in the morning two companies of infantry arrived from Weedon, and were stationed near the railway ; but their services were not required. Mr. Hume's motion for Reform was rejected by the House of Commons on July 6. The numbers were : — for 84, against 351 ; majority against, 267. Both the Members for Bir- mingham voted in the minority. On August 15, Edward King and George White were com- mitted to the Warwick Assizes on the charge of having delivered seditious speeches at a meeting held on 14th, at the People's Hall, for the purpose of expressing sympathy with the Irish in the rebellion in favour of the Repeal of the Union. William Jenny, who was also arrested on the same charge, was liberated. George J. Mantle, was brought up on the same morning on the charge of assaulting a police constable, and was remanded until the 19th. He was fined 20s. and costs for the assault ; and at the examination a charge of sedition was brought against him for having " in the month of May and June, at divers times attended unlawful assemblies, and uttered seditious speeches." A letter was also found in his pocket, which Mantle admitted to be in his own hand- writing, commencing "From your faithful Commander-in-chief, George J. Mantle." He was remanded on the charge of sedition, till the 28th, when further proceedings in Birmingham were suspended, as Mr. Hyde was waiting with a warrant to convey him to Cheshire, on a similar charge. The Reform League held a public meeting in the Town POLITICAL RECORD. 105 Hall, on August 22, for the purpose of memorializing the Queen " not to prorogue Parliament until measures have been devised for remedying the existing and apprehended distress of the Kingdom ; and also to Petition Parliament to address Her Majesty to the same effect." A meeting was held in the Town Hall on November 22, for the purpose of forwarding the objects of the British Anti- State Church Association. Mr. Scholefield, M.P., was in the chair, and the Revs. Isaac New, Thomas Swan, B. Grant, and J. Barnett; Joseph Sturge, and George Thompson, M.P., were the speakers ; and resolutions in favour of the separation of the Church from the State were passed. In 1848, a Society was formed with the title of the Bir- mingham Democratic Club. Its members met in Bath Street, and its object was the promotion of social intercourse among young men holding democratic opinions; and for the diffu- sion of knowledge in politics and general literature. On October 6, Mr. George Dawson delivered a lecture, under the auspices of the Club, at the Town Hall, on Christianity and Democracj 7 , and the relation between them. The Club had only a brief existence; but was indicative of the political activity of the time, and proved very useful to several of its members. On February 27, 1819, a meeting was held in the Town Hall, at which resolutions in favour of National Arbitration were passed. Mr. Alderman Palmer presided. The principal speakers were Joseph Sturge, Elihu Burritt, the Revs. B. Grant, J. A. James, and Authur O'Neill. At the Warwick Assizes on March 28, before Chief Justice Wilde, Mr. Mellor made an application for the discharge of the witnesses in the cases of Edward King and George White, who had been committed at Birmingham on the charge of sedition. Mr. Mellor said that White was undergoing im- prisonment for a similar offence in another county, and the Attorney-General having caused inquiries to be made regard- ing the general character of King, and having also found that the peace of Birmingham had not since that time been dis- 106 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. turbed, had withdrawn the indictments, and had instructed him to apply for the discharge of the witnesses. The appli- cation was at once acceded to. The political history of this year (1849) was made memo- rable by the Hungarian struggle for liberty, and the wonderful efforts of Louis Kossuth. One of the first meetings held in England, to express sympathy with the efforts of that noble people, took place in Birmingham. On May 23, a public meeting was held at the Odd Fellows' Hall, Mr. Alderman Weston in the chair. The meeting was addressed by Messrs. Julius Partrige, Robert Wright, T. H. Gill, George Dawson, J. A Langford, and W. Harris. The following resolutions were unanimously passed : — That by us, Englishmen and Freemen, no struggle for the defence or attainment of national liberty, can be looked upon with indifference ; and all efforts to secure it should have the advantage of an expression of sympathy from the people of this Country. That the present struggle in Hungary is eminently an effort which demands the sympathy and support of English Freemen, as it at once seeks the preservation of long-enjoyed liberties and the confirmation of newly-acquired freedom ; thus uniting our sympathies as true Con- servatives and friends of progress. That this Meeting pledges itself to aid the Hungarian cause by every available means open to individual effort, and consistent with our duties as citizens of a neutral state. Another public meeting was held on June 23, for the pur- pose of expressing sympathy with the people of Rome and Hungary, and to Petition Parliament on the subject. Mr. Councillor Baldwin was in the chair, and the meeting was addressed by J. Mason, J. A. Langford, James York, (who opposed the resolutions,) Joseph Sturge, W. Beddoes, and A. Dalzell. The resolutions and the petition were adopted almost unanimously. On the 3rd of August a Committee was appointed to arrange for a meeting, to enable the inhabitants of the town to express their sympathy with the Hungarian people in their struggle for Independence. On the 14th, Mr. George Dawson delivered a lecture on the subj ect, in the Corn Exchange, when a large number of persons were unable to obtain admission. POLITICAL RECORD. K)7 The Town's Meeting was held in the Corn Exchange on August 1 3, the Mayor, Mr. S. Thornton, in the chair. The speakers were W. Scholefield, M. P., Dr. Raphael, T. H. Gill, Joseph Sturge, G. F. Muntz, M.P., George Dawson, J. A. Langford, J. Mason, Councillors Baldwin and J. Barnett, Julius Partrige, and George Edmonds. The following resolutions were passed : — That as Englishmen, as lovers of all freedom, civil and religious, as true conservatives, and as friends of progress, this meeting feel it a sacred duty to express their earnest, entire, and unreserved approbation of the Hungarian struggle for Independence, and their humble and hearty admiration of Hungarian heroism. That we look with deep and unmitigated abhorrence upon the savage and horrible manner in which Austria carries on the war ; and as friends of the rights of nations and the freedom of the world, emphatically pro- test against the unrighteous intervention of Russia. That a petition be presented to the Queen, praying the Government to give an emphatic expression to these universal feelings of the people, by immediately recognising the de facto Government of Hungary ; and that the Mayor be requested to sign the same on behalf of the meeting, and to secure its presentation. The political excitement of 1848 and 1849, was followed by a calm ; and it was not until the year 1850 was far ad- vanced, that we find anything in the public life of Birmingham to record under this head. The cause of this arousing of the public mind was the Pope of Rome. On September 30, the Pope created Dr. Wiseman, Cardinal Archbishop of West- minster; and in October he issued a bull creating a Roman Catholic Hierarchy in this Country. On November 4, Lord John Russell, in his once famous Durham Letter — that is in a letter to the Bishop of Durham — condemned this proceeding, and in a few days the national indignation at the Papal pro- ceedings became loud and vehement. The City of London and the Universities led the way, and presented addresses to the Queen on the subject. Other places quickly followed ; and indignation meetings were held in most of the large towns, and Her Majesty earnestly besought to " resist Papal intrusion; to uphold those principles which placed the House of Brunswick upon the throne of these realms ; to avert from 108 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. this land, under God's blessing, the deadly blight of Papal dominion ; to preserve inviolate our Protestant faith ; to main- tain the supremacy of the British Crown; and to enforce exist- ing laws, or if needful, to enact new ones, in order to prevent any foreign person, prelate, prince, or potentate, from having any authority, jurisdiction, pre-eminence, power, or authority, ecclesiastical or spiritual, in these realms." The agitation in Birmingham was very strong ; but here parties proved to be more equally divided than in most other places. The Anti-Papalists were very earnest and energetic, and held a large number of meetings in support of their views. A numerously-signed requisition was presented to the Mayor, Mr. W. Lucy, asking him to call a Town's Meeting on the subject. With this requisition he complied ; and he convened a meeting for December 11. Previous to the meet- ing, great efforts were made in the various pulpits of the town to arouse public feeling on the subject ; meetings were held, lectures and addresses delivered, and a storm of indignation and religious intolerance raised, not creditable to the 19th century. The friends of religious freedom were not idle in their efforts to restrain the spirit of persecution which thus displayed itself. Mr. Joseph Sturge announced his deter- mination to oppose any address such as was expected would be moved at the Town's Meeting, and submitted that it was the duty of his fellow-townsmen to "attend, and negative proceedings which are dangerous to religious liberty." A meeting was held at the Odd Fellows Hall on December 7, of those favourable to the entire freedom of religious opinion. The circular calling this meeting was signed by Thomas Weston and George Dawson, and the room was crowded. The meeting, assuming that the "Anti- Papal" address would partake of the spirit of like resolutions on the same subject, appointed a Committee to prepare an amendment, embodying the fullest toleration to every form of religion. This amend- ment was submitted to a second meeting held on the 9th, and approved. In the meantime, says the Journal of that clay the "drum ecclesiastic" was vigorously beaten in some of the Churches of the Establishment on POLITICAL RECORD. 109 Sunday ; in Carr's Lane Chapel, in the Church of the Saviour, and in Highbury Independent Chapel. The ministers of the two latter only, so far as we were aware, denouncing the agitation. On Monday and Tuesday the excitement was increased by placards for and against the movement, some of them of a disgraceful character. The placards against the movement were, we believe, issued by the Committee of the opposition, and did credit to their sense of fair play and decency ; of the others, many were attacks on the religious belief of the Roman Catholics, and striking appeals to the religious prejudices of the people. As these placards were merely intended to influence the meeting, and have no value beyond, we shall not transfer them to these columns. On Tuesday, however, the following important notice was issued : — Platform Justice. — The Committee appointed at a meeting of the friends of civil and religious liberty, for the purpose of opposing any resolution which may be proposed at the meeting on Wednesday next, having for its object legislative interference, or characterized by a spirit of intolerance, made application to the Mayor for one-half of the platform tickets, (to whom alone belongs the right of disposing of them,) in ac- cordance with the uniform practice in such cases. They were informed by the Mayor, that the requisitionists had taken possession of two-thirds of the tickets for their own use, and had handed over to him one-third for himself and friends. The Mayor, however, has politely given to the Committee a large proportion of those he had the disposal of ; but the result is that the platform will be packed by the requisitionists. Against this gross injustice, which for the first time has been committed in this town, every man who desires to see fair play should firmly protest. In answer to this charge, the following counter-statement was made : — Platform Justice v. Platform Injustice. — Two thirds of the plat- form tickets have been distributed to the requisitionists and their Dissent- ing brethren. One-third of the platform tickets have been given to the small clique forming the opposition, and who do not number one-tenth of the Dissenters. Look at the above ! ! The injustice consists in the requisitionists having been unjust to themselves by allowing their op- ponents to have more than a fair proportion. The meeting was held on the 11th, and it certainly was one of the most extraordinary gatherings ever assembled in the Town Hall. The building was literally crammed ; it being estimated that not fewer than 10,000 persons were present. The platform presented an unusually lively appear- ance. On the right of the Mayor were arranged the requisitionists, and on the left the leaders of the opposition. The cheers and counter-cheers, the groans and hisses which 110 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. greeted those best known, as they appeared on the platform, were deafening ; and the number of witticisms uttered by many of the auditors was not the least remarkable occurrence of this most remarkable meeting. Mr. James Taylor proposed the following address : — To The Queen's Most Excellent Majesty. May it please Your Majesty. "VVe, Your Majesty's faithful subjects, Inhabitants of the borough of Birmingham, beg permission to assure Your Majesty of our dutiful and loyal attachment to your throne and person ; we have learned with feelings of indignation of the Bull recently promulgated by the Pope of Borne, in which he arrogantly assumes the power to parcel out this, Your Majesty's Kingdom of England, into several dioceses, under the government of a Boman Catholic Archbishop and Boman Catholic Bishops, with terri- torial jurisdiction ; and we humbly submit an opinion, that the Boman Pontiff has been greatly influenced in his policy towards this Country by the information which must have reached him concerning the exist- ence in the Church of England of a certain number of the clergy, whose teaching and practice approximate to those of the Church of Borne. We regard the proceedings of the Pope as an insult to Your Majesty, as a violation of the constitution under which we live, and as an audacious attack upon our civil and religious liberties. We protest against the recognition of the authority in this nation of any foreign potentate, as subversive of order, good government, and freedom ; and we earnestly pray Your Majesty to take immediate steps to vindicate the prerogatives of the Crown, and to maintain the liberties of Your Majesty's subjects. This address was seconded by J. B. Melson, M.D., and sup- ported by the Rev. J. A. James, R. Spooner, M.P., and the Rev. R. Vaughan. Mr. Joseph Sturge proposed the following amendment : — To The Queen's Most Excellent Majesty. The humble address of the Inhabitants of Birmingham, in Town's Meeting assembled. May it please Your Majesty. We, Your Majesty's loyal subjects of the borough of Birmingham, in Town's Meeting assembled, for the purpose of expressing our sense of the recent appointment of a Boman Catholic Hierarchy in this Country, beg respectfully to represent to Your Majesty, that in our opinion such appointment does not require any legislative interference. We dutifully, yet earnestly, deprecate all restrictions upon the free enjoyment by every religious body within Your Majesty's dominions, of its spiritual order and discipline. POLITICAL RECORD. Ill We therefore entreat Your Majesty to sanction such measures as may be proposed for securing the maintenance and extension of civil and religious liberty. The amendment was seconded by George Edmonds and supported by George Dawson, the Rev. Brewin Grant, and Mr. Stokes, a Roman Catholic. It was, of course, put first to the meeting, I quote the scene from the graphic report of a contemporary chronicler: — The Chairman then proceeded to read the original address, and the amended one submitted by Mr. Sturge, during which the meeting pre- served the strictest silence until the conclusion of each address, when there was a burst of cheering from the supporters of each. A profound stillness then fell upon the vast multitude that filled the Hall, so that a pin could almost be heard to drop, while 10,000 men contentedly held their breaths in a state of most intense excitement, as the Chairman advanced to the front of the gallery to put the question. The amendment was first put, and a forest of hands and a sea of moving hats and handkerchiefs was instantly displayed, while the pent-up excitement of the mass gave way in a tremendous burst of cheering. The question was then put in the negative, or against the amendment, and an apparently equal numerical display of hands, and an equally enthusiastic manifestation of feeling, followed. When silence was restored, the Chairman, after a pause said, I find it is so exceedingly difficult to decide, that I wish to try it again. (Great laughter and cheering.) The question for and against the amendment was again put, with nearly the same results, and the same vociferous applause. The Chair- man, after silence had been obtained, said, I feel extreme difficulty in deciding this question, particularly as there are scattered in different parts of the hall groups of persons on both sides. I feel, as I say, extreme difficulty in deciding this question, but my opinion is that the amendment is not carried. A tremendous shout of applause, followed by waving of hats and handkerchiefs, burst from the supporters of the original address, their excitement being of the most rapturous and enthusiastic kind, no doubt stimulated by the expectation that they had obtained a triumph. At length silence having been with some difficulty restored — the Chairman, advancing to the front said, I will now put the original address. Those who are in favour of the original address will hold up both hands. In a moment thousands of hands were held up, and cheers and other demonstrations of excited congratulation followed. When the prolonged cheering had somewhat subsided — the Chairman said, those who are against the original address will hold up hoth their hands. A still larger number of hands 112 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. were then held up, followed by the same noisy demonstrations. The Chairman then advanced to the front of the orchestra, amidst the most intense excitement, and said, I feel the same difficulty that I did before in coming to a decision, but it is my opinion, and I decide that the original address is lost. A tremendous burst of cheering, which seemed to shake the building, followed this announcement, while the utmost consternation and disappointment exhibited itself amongst the- requisitionists. The uproarious thunders of applause were prolonged again and again amongst the supporters of the amendment. The Mayor, on the motion of Mr. Sturge, then left the chair, amidst cries of "a most unfair decision," from some of the requisitionists, who were taunted by Mr. Edmonds with gross insult to the Mayor, and as being very inconsistent sticklers for law and authority. Mr. James Taylor, shaking his head at the Mayor, said (as we understood him,) " You have disgraced yourself." Mr. Edmonds then suggested that Mr. Spooner should take the chair, while a vote of thanks was given to the Mayor; but this Mr. Spooner positively declined to do, amid confusion, during which the Mayor left the Hall. Ultimately, however, Mr. Weston was moved into the chair, and on the motion of Mr. Edmonds, seconded by Mr. Sturge, the vote of thanks was put to the meeting and carried inern. con., the requisitionists declining to take any part in the vote. Three cheers were then given for the Mayor, three for liberty, and three for the Queen ; and the proceedings of this, one of the most numerous and important meetings ever held in Birmingham, terminated by the supporters of the amendment singing " God Save the Queen," which was received with silence, and in some instances by hissing from the right-hand side of the hall and platform. The proceedings occupied about six hours ; and although the meeting was occasionally in such an excited state that many of the speakers could not be heard beyond a short distance from the platform, yet the assembled multitude were remarkably good humoured, and separated very quietly. The political record of the decade, ending with the year 1850, closes with this effective protest against religious intolerance. EDUCATION AND LITERATURE. 113 § EDUCATION AND LITERATURE. The record of the progress which Education has made during the last thirty years, is one of great encouragement to all who labour for the permanent prosperity and well- being of the town. At times the work appeared to make but slow advances ; and the most sanguine have given way to momentary despair ; but every step which has been made has been in the right direction, and has helped to create a healthy public opinion on the subject, which will ere long produce a wise system of National Education. Tt is to me a labour of almost unmingled pleasure to trace the history of this progress, step by step, and to record every undertaking which has added something, however small, to this truly civilizing work. Prejudice, bigotry, iron custom, deadly care, and want, are difficult obstacles to overcome ; but one by one these enemies to human advancement have been driven from their strong holds, and we are now earnestly seeking to provide the "establishment of a system which shall secure the Education of every Child in England and Wales." The first addition to our means of Education which I have to notice in this decade, was made by the old Philosophical Institution. In January, 1841, a Junior Department was formed in connection with this society. The objects proposed will be gathered from the following circular, which was issued by the Committee of Managers : — The Managers of the Birmingham Philosophical Institution, actuated by a desire to extend its means of usefulness, have instituted a Junior Department, in which the nature and properties of familiar objects will be explained in a manner calculated to excite an interest in scientilic pursuits, and to impart a knowledge of the elements of Philosophy and Natural History to young persons and others, who have not hitherto 1U MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. devoted their attention to those important branches of general Education. They propose to effect this object hj the delivery of a Lecture once a week on some elementary branch of scieuce, which will be illustrated by diagrams, specimens, and experiments. In selecting experiments, care will be taken to introduce such as illustrate facts of daily observation, or which explain some of those remarkable phenomena of nature which are more esjiecially calculated to attract the attention of youth. The subjects will be carefully and familiarly explained, and the young attendants will be invited to question and converse with the lecturer, in order that any remaining doubts or difficulties may be removed from their minds. Some of the lectures will be devoted to the explanation and illustration of the principles on which the classification of plants and animals is founded, the laws which govern the heavenly bodies, and the arrangement observed in the formation of the earth. The Managers have prevailed on their talented Curator, Mr. Ick. to undertake the office of Lecturer in this department of the Institution for the present year ; and a full detail of the plan of the Course will be given by Mr. Ick in a Lecture which he will deliver to the members of the Institution, on Monday, February 8, On the Importance of Scientific Knowledge as a branch of early Education. Mr. Ick's experience as a teacher of youth, his extensive and accm-ate knowledge of science, and his kindness of disposition and urbanity of manner, render him, in the opinion of the Managers, particularly fitted for the t;isk, which, at their request, he has undertaken. The Managers trust that, bjr the above plan, they shall supply a deficiency in Education which has long been felt, and that it will recommend itself to the heads of families and schools, who are necessarily prevented from engaging in Courses of Lectures on Natural Philosophy by the want of suitable apparatus and other means of illustration. On February 8, Mr. Ick delivered the first Lecture on " The Importance of Scientific Knowledge as a Branch of Early Education;" and on the 15th, Dr. J. B. Melson com- menced a Course of Lectures on " Optics," including the phenomena of the " Polarization of Light." These Lectures were illustrated by admirably conducted experiments. On July 26, Mrs. Forbes began a Course of twelve Lectures on the " Literature of Europe." Her object was to give a " Com- pressed View of the Distinguished Writers of each Country of Europe." In August, the " Father of a Family " appealed to the Governors of the Free Grammar School in favour of science- teaching being added to the curriculum of the school. EDUCATION AND LITERATURE. 115 After extending to the provision made for the classes, the writer thus continued : — - But while learning is thus actively promoted, is that which is even more valuable and efficacious in the civilization of mankind — Science — to be neglected ? I am not oue of those who are disposed to disparage, or even to undervalue, the advantages arising from Classical or Book- learning, nor would I have the pursuit of it in the school at all relaxed ; but in all places the knowledge of things is paramount to that of words, and in this toion, it is of pre-eminent importance. Birmingham is justly considered the metropolis of an extensive mining district; it has been raised into consequence by the exercise of industrial art, it is a seat of practical, though in two many instances, of illiterate science ; is it right, therefore, that geology, chemistry, mechanics, or engineering, should be neglected in the High School of a town in which these sciences form the bases of the employments of the majority of the inhabitants, and from which the means of livelihood of nearly all of them are derived ? There is a strange quaintness in the following paragraph which renders it worth quoting. It also furnishes a fair stand-point from which to mark the wonderful progress of photography : — August 9, 1841. — We have been favoured with the inspection of several specimens of Photographic Portraits, which are certainly to be classed among the most triumphant efforts of modern science. The portraits present the appearance of the most elaborately tinished mezzotinto engravings, whilst the process insures as faithful a likeness as that afforded by a convex mirror. The brief period occupied in the execution is a strong recommendation ; five seconds being the usual time of sitting. We are informed that it is in contemplation to establish a Photographic Gallery in this town, as is being done at Liverpool, Plymouth, Brighton, Cheltenham, and other places. _ ;; . * # Landscapes are also taken by the same process, and for minuteness of detail and brilliancy of execution they certainly surpass everything of the kind that we haA*e before seen. On November 25, Mr. Elliot delivered a lecture at the Athenaeum, on the " Progress of Vocal Music in London," effected by the method of M. Wilhelin ; and which is now being introduced into this country with great success by Mr. Hullah, under the sanction and approval of the Com- mittee of Council on Education. On December 8, Mons. J. L. OTlanagan delivered at the 116 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. same place the first of a course of lectures on the " Literature of France during the reigns of Louis XIV. and XV." We have to quote a striking illustration of the gross ignor- ance which still prevailed in the town. In the last week of this year (1841) four inquests were held, out of twelve witnesses examined, the only one who was able to sign his deposition, was the medical witness. The Mechanics' Institute was now in difficulties, being largely in debt. The mania for holding exhibitions had led to undue speculation, and a single success had ended in disas- trous failure. At the annual meeting held on January 6, 1842, it was reported that the building in Newhall Street was in possession of the creditors ; and that the managers were then merely occupiers, instead of proprietors. The Committee hoped, however, by the exercise of strict economy, and the co-operation of the friends of the Institute, to maintain its efficiency; a hope in which they were grievously disap- pointed. In January, this yea, Mr. Thomas Clark, Jim. published an excellent little work, entitled "The Origin of Sunday Schools ; top-ether with a Letter on the New Postage Plan, showing its tendency to advance the cause of Education." On April 6, 13, 20, and 27, the Rev. M. J. Raphall delivered four lectures " On the Sacred Poetry of the Hebrews, as con- tained in the Old Testament." In April, 1842, the Rev. Hugh Hutton published " The Fall of Babylon, a Sacred Musical Drama ; on which is founded Spohr's new Grand Oratorio of the same title ; to which is added Saul at Endor, a Scene designed for Music." On May 28, 1842, the following important letter appeared in the Birmingham Journal : — School of Design. Sir, — It has long been a matter of much surprise and regret to many, that there is not a School of Design in Birmingham, which has, for at least the last sixty or seventy years, been called the toy shop of the world. When I recollect that in Birmingham the arts of design, drawing, en- graving, painting, and modelling are constantly in requisition in manu- facturing a great variety of articles in paper, wood, stone, glass, and all EDUCATION AND LITERATURE. 117 the metals, 1 must confess that I feel grieved, as well as astonished, that more has not been done to instruct our artisans in the true principles of design. Notwithstanding my disapproval of the sweeping condemnation of Birmingham as a place entirely destitute of all taste excepting bad taste, by a gentleman of much reputed knowledge of one branch of archi- tecture, yet I think it may be said truly, that there is in the operatives of Birmingham a great want of taste in design. The remarks alluded to have been quoted by many magazine and newspaper editors ; but very few of them have attempted to show that that want of taste in the artisan is attributable to his non-education in the principles of design. How has the artisan been educated ? He has been brought up to a slight- of-hand sort of execution, and has had no knowledge of design given to him, excepting that which has forced itself upon him by the emergency of the moment. What description of designing has he become accustomed to, if we except that which may be denominated a mere treading upon previously made designs. Look at well-assorted specimens of orna- mental and useful articles of different dates, and it will be seen that a change of a particular predominant colour, a lengthening of a line, or the alteration of a curve, constitute the difference between the new designs and the old. It is this that makes it extremely difficult for a gentleman of taste to select articles fit to accompany those he may already have in his possession, and the consequence is, he is obliged to take those that most agree, though they, closely inspected, approximate as do the poles. Much has been done by the unaided efforts of the more studious of the artisans ; and the marvel is, that with so little encouragement, scarcely any instruction that is good, and withall at so low a rate of remuneration, s< i much should have been accomplished. However, taking an unprejudiced view of our manufactures, it must be confessed, that instead of a variety of correct distinctive styles, we, in too many instances, see copies of styles that are no one knows what, and of things in a dreadful taste, that in the originals are exquisite. There is a great command of hand over the materials used, visible ; but also a sad want of elegance of design — that elegance calculated to make the useful still more useful. Competition has brought wages down to such a low rate, that it is impossible for hundreds who feel the importance of 'a proper taste in designing, to pay for instruction, unless it could be given, as in the Government School of Design, for a trifle. Some of the many who desire instruction, and who need it, would only require assistance in studies they have already pursued amid difficulties of no ordinary character ; while the others would need complete initiation. A variety of separate classes would meet every case. Let the wealthy and influential take up this matter, and tin -n tin- >li ■ .-r.nv of not | -n «| ■< -rl \ ..■< ln. L12 and 113. 158 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. made his first appearance for nine years, on October 19, in " Hamlet ; " he also played in Miss Mitford's " Foscari," " The Merchant of Venice," " Douglas," and " Richard III." Two performances were given on November 19 and 20, for the benefit of the Licensed Victuallers' Asylum, at which Mr. and Mrs. Keeley performed in " The Governor's Wife," " The Post of Honour," "The Dustman's Bell," and " Twice Killed ; " Mr. John Sloan performing in " His Last Legs," and " The Irish Lion." The performance realized £190 for the funds of the Charity. A rare dramatic treat was presented to Birmingham play- goers on November 23, when Miss Cushman made her first appearance as Meg Merrilies. She also appeared in " The Stranger," " Fazio," and " The Honeymoon." Of her Meg Merrilies, only those who remember how she elevated melo- drama into tragedy, can properly form any conception. It was terribly grand. The contemporary critic of the Journal truly said of this performance, that great as her " Bianca " was, her representation of the old gipsy woman was still greater. The writer adds : — So true it is that genius hallows whatever it touches. Macready has rescued the hue philosophic character of Friar Lawrence from the un- hallowed custody of a mere stage supernumerary ; and Miss Cushman has in like manner brought out in strong relief the singular wildness and devotion of Meg Merrilies. What an exhibition of power in her first hurried entry, when she recognises the lost heir of Ellangowan ? It is not her mere figure, though that is singularly grand and jricturesque ; nor her bare shrivelled arms, wherein each muscle is tightened as in a cataleptic fit ; but as she leans on the forked branch, and rivets her eagle glance on the form of her young lord, a rush of mingled feelings irradiate her strongly-marked features, and impart to them an exjDression more than mortal. As Bertram turns towards her, a wild joy lightens her countenance ; and her attitude, previously strongly significant of surprise, is now expressive of pleasure and anxiety intermingled. Her appear- ance on the rock, where her figure is thrown out boldly against the sky, and the scene in the cavern, are incapable of description. What language could adequately paint her triumphant cry, " Shout, men of Ellangowan !" while the death rattle in her throat, and in her eye the last flash of intelligence burns ! Even the performers seemed paralysed, and for a moment forgot their " cue." Throughout it was a marvellous exhibition, fearfully true and grand beyond all conception. AMUSEMENTS. 159 On December 2, she performed " Romeo " for the first time here, when her sister, Miss Susan Cushman, made her first appearance in "Juliet." Miss Cushman played Lady Macbeth, Rosalind, and Ion. During this engagement, which was eminently successful, the "homage paid to the lady was throughout fervent and unanimous." Mr. W. C. Macready delighted a large audience at the Royal Hotel on December 16, by the magnificent manner in which he read " Macbeth." The reading, which realized £26, was generously given by this eminent actor for the benefit of the Polytechnic Institution. "To the honour of Mr. Macready it may also be stated that not only did he give the reading gratuitously, but he would not allow his travelling expenses to be defrayed from the fund which his liberality had raised." The Pantomime for the present Christmas was " Lady Godiva, and Peeping Tom of Coventry; or Harlequin in Warwickshire." In December, Mrs. Elizabeth Armitage, five feet eight inches in height, and weighing 445 pounds, was being exhibited to the curious in such matters, at the Shakspeare Rooms. On January 15, 1847, Madame Anna Bishop appeared at the Theatre in the opera of " The Maid of Artois ; " which was repeated on the 19th, when she was assisted by Mr. Corrie, and Mr. Arthurson. They also performed in "La Sonnambula," and " Lurline." General Tom Thumb appeared at the Theatre on January 23 ; he played during his brief engagement in "Hop O' My Thumb,' and "Bombastes Furioso." "The Minute Gun at Sea," was played for the first time on February 1. On February 11, the performance was for the benefit of the Queen's Hospital ; " John Bull " was the play, and the parts of Job Thornbury and Dennis Brugruddery were taken by the well-known amateurs, Mr. Joseph Smith and Mr. Herbert Hudson. Mr Smith also appeared in the second act of " William Tell ; " and Mr. Hudson as Simmonds in " The Spitalfield Weaver." On the 15th, Mr. Creswick commenced an engagement in " Othello ; " he also played in " The Stranger," « Ion," " King 160 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. Lear," "Lady of Lyons," "Richelieu," and other favourite plays. Mrs. Butler (late Fanny Kemble,) appeared for one night on March 2, in Julia, in the " Hunchback." Miss Cashman and her sister Susan began a short engagement on March 4; she appeared as Meg Merrilies, and in "Simpson and Co." "The Lady of Lyons," "The Soldier's. Daughter," "The Love Chase," " Romeo and Juliet," and " The Twelfth Night." Madame Vestris entered upon a " farewell engagement " on March 23, and was accompanied by Mr. Charles Mathews. They performed on the 25th, 26th, and 29th, appearing in " Used Up," " A Speaking Likeness," " Patter v. Clatter," "The School for Scandal," "The Follies of a Night," "A Curious Case," " He would be an Actor," " Know your own Mind," and " The Critic." Madame Vestris bade farewell to her Birmingham friends in the following address : — Ladies and gentlemen — The time has at last arrived when I must take my leave, and close a long acquaintance, with a long farewell. The Theatre in which I first appeared, after my debut in London, was the Theatre Eoyal, Birmingham. I will not say how many years ago, although I might do so without surprising any one, since with respect to the date of my birth I am in the exact position and parallel of the last snow storm — it cannot be remembered by the oldest inhabitant ; but whatever my age may be, my memory is as fresh as ever. I am still so young as to remember the many favours you have conferred upon me. I thank you. And now upon retiring from business, allow me to recommend to you my junior partner. He has received my good- will, and has, I trust, entitled himself to yours. As I have come to the determination of closing my country accounts, he will in future under- take the travelling department. My earnest hope is that the many favours you have conferred on me will be continued to my husband ; and having so said, I most respectfully bid you farewell. On April 19, Mr. Macready introduced the new play of "The King of the Commons ; " he also performed in " Macbeth," " Richelieu," " William Tell," and " Hamlet." He was sup- ported by Messrs. Creswick, Conway, Addison, and Swin- bourne, and Miss Emmeline Montague. Mrs. Warner commenced an engagement on May 10, during which she appeared in "Macbeth," "The Gamester," "The Winter's Tale," "The Hunchback," "King John," "Othello," and " The Wife ; " she was supported by Mr. Graham. Mrs. W. AMUSEMENTS. 101 Rignold took her benefit on June 21, when the second act of " William Tell " was played, the benejiciere personating the Swiss patriot on that occasion. This year, Mr. Simpson provided a rare treat for Bir- mingham. On August 19, Madlle. Rachel appeared for one night with the entire French Company from St. James's Theatre. The pieces performed were " Valiere ; or, l'Aveugle ; " " Les Precieuses Ridicules ; " and " Les Horaces," in which Rachel played Camille. The marvellous acting of this gifted artiste electrified the audience. The tragedy ended with the death of Camille, who, the reader is aware, is stabbed by her brother. So terribly real was Rachel's acting, that the curtain fell amidst " a silence that was almost painful ; and only after the breathless suspense had abated did the applause break forth loud and long. Mademoiselle Rachel was called before the curtain, and with a solemnity and grace of manner, and a sadness of countenance that seemed to be her usual characteristic, she received the greetings and the floral offer- ings of the audience." Jenny Lind also made her appearance in Birmingham this year. On August 29, she sang at the Town Hall, assisted by Madame Solari, Signors Gardoni and F. Lablache. At this concert she sang her wonderful Swedish melodies. In a contemporary notice we read : — There are three melodies. One is a fragment of a rustic courtship ; the second, as sung, is a welcome to spring, and the third is a singular air, in which a cowherd is represented as shouting to his cattle. Although all these songs are remarkable for their simplicity and the beauty of the melody, the last is astonishing for the singularities of execution which it displays. The cowherd is singing by the hill-side, and the echo of his voice is first strong, and distinct; as he shouts, it gradually becomes fainter and more faint, until it seems to die into silence. The melodious tones of her voice and the extraordinary effect produced by the echo was the most singidar and delightful exhibition of the properties of sound that can be conceived. A most remarkable quality of her voice is its power compared with the volume of sound. Her lightest whisper tills the hall, as if the air wauled only the contact of her voice to become a flood of music; ; and while the gentlest tone fills the whole space, (lie loudest notes fall gently on the ear as if they were thoughts, not sounds, 'flu' melodies were encored. M 1G2 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. Jenny Lind made her second appearance in Birmingham on September 9, for the benefit of the Hebrew National School. The Theatre opened for the antnmn season on September 13, when Mrs. Fitzwilliam, Mr. Buckstone, and Mr. H. Hall, appeared. The pieces performed were " The Flowers of the Forest," " The Jacobite," and " Jenny Lind at Last." Madlle. Alboni made her first appearance in Birmingham at the Town Hall, on September 17, for the benefit of Mr. Simpson. Madame Celeste played a round of her peculiar characters in the last week of September and the first of October. The Bedouin Arabs were here in October. " The Rag Pickers of Paris" and "The Dressmakers of St. Antoine," were produced for the first time on October 25 ; Mr. Cowle sustaining the part of Jean. After an absence of nearly three years, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kean commenced an engagement on October 29, in "The Gamester ; " they also played in " Macbeth," " The Lady of Lyons," "Hamlet," "Money," and "The Stranger." In November, Miss Rainforth, Mr. Travers, and Mr. Stretton began a series of operatic performances with " La Sonnam- bula." They appeared in " Lucia di Lammermoor," " The Love Spell," " Der Freischutz," and " The Barber of Seville." Mr. J. Smith, the amateur, appeared as Grandison in " The Slave," on November 22 ; Mr. F. Simonite taking the part of Fogrum. The performance was for the benefit of Mr. Addison, stage manager, and Miss Fanny Addison made her first appearance on this occasion. Mr. Templeton, after an absence of five years, renewed his acquaintance with a Bir- mingham audience on December 21, when he gave his musical entertainment, entitled " The Rose, Shamrock, and Thistle." The Christmas Pantomime, bore the same title. It was " Harlequin in England, Ireland, and Scotland ; or the Rose, Shamrock, and Thistle." Sir James Burgers' adaptation of Massinger's City Ma- dam, entitled " Riches ; or, the Wife and Brother," was pro- AMUSEMENTS. 103 cluceci on January 13, 1848; and the new drama "The Bottle," was played for the first time on February 10. On the 11th, Mr. J. Smith performed Lucius Junius Brutus ; Titus being personated by Mr. Couldock. The performance, which was iinder the natronage of Earl Howe, was for the benefit of the Queen's Hospital. Mr. Cowle appeared in " Othello " on February 14, for that night only. The " American Tragedian " commenced an engagement on March G, in " Hamlet ; " and on the same night, our old friend Mr. Munro made his first appearance at the Theatre after an absence of four years. Mr. Hengler's stud of horses began an engagement on O Oct© March 27, in the spectacle of " Mazeppa." Master Hengler made his first appearance on the same night on the tight rope. On April 24, an original drama was produced, called "London in 1840 ; or the Vicissitudes of Mary Graham;" Mrs. J. F. Saville made her first appearance here as the heroine. The afterpiece produced, was " The Seven Castles of the Passions;" — these being respectively envy, pride, idle- ness, avarice, rage, love, and luxury. The Mendelssohn Memorial Festival was celebrated by two Concerts in the Town Hall on the 27th of April. In the morning "Elijah" was performed; the principal vocalists were Madame Caradori Allen, Miss Dolby, the Misses Williams, Mr.Lockey, Mr. T. Williams, Mr. Machin,and Mr. H. Phillips. The " Walpurgis Night" was given in the evening. Mr. H. Webb paid us a visit this season. On May 17, he performed in "The Rag Picker of Paris," for the benefit of Mr. Addison ; and for several nights delighted his old friends by his admirable representations of many of his favorite characters. Shakspeare's House had been purchased ; but it was neces- sary to provide a fund for the endowment of a perpetual curatorship. In order to procure the required sum, the illustrious company of amateurs organized by Mr. Charles Dickens, gave public performances in London and several provincial towns. They appeared at the Theatre Royal on IG-i MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. Tuesday evening, June 6, when they played Ben Jonson's comedy of " Every Man in His Humour," with the following cast : — Knowall, an Old Gentleman . Edward Knowall, his Son Brainworm, the Father's Man . George Downright, a plain Squire . Wellbred, his half Brother . Kiteley, a Merchant .... Captain Bobadil, a Paul's Man Master Stephen, a Country Gull Master Matthew, the Town Gull . Thomas Cash, Kiteley's Cashier Oliver Cob, a Water Bearer . Justice Clement, an Old Merry Magistrate Boger Formal, his Clerk Dame Kiteley, Kiteley's Wife Mistress Bridget, Kiteley's Sister . Mr. Dudley Costello. Mr. Frederick Dickens. Mr. Mark Lemon. Mr. Frank Stone. Mr. G. H. Lewes. Mr. John Forster. Mr. Charles Dickens. Mr. Augustus Egg. Mr. Scharf. Mr. Augustus Dickens. Mi-. George Cruikshank. Mi\ Willmott. Mr. Cole. Miss Emmeline Montague. Miss A. Bomer. Mrs. Cowden Clarke. Tib, Cob's Wife . The performance concluded with Mrs. Inchbald's farce of " Animal Magnetism," which was cast thus : — The Doctor .... La Fleur .... Marquis de Lancy . Jeffery Constance (with a Song) Lisette Mr. Charles Dickens. Mr. Mark Lemon. Mr. G. H. Lewes. Mr. George Cruikshank. Miss A. Bomer. Miss Emmeline Montague. Mr. Dickens was the acting and stage Manager. The Prices were, Lower Boxes and Pit (all reserved) 7s. ; Upper Boxes, 5s. ; Gallery, 2s. There was a capital attendance, the gross receipts amount- ing to £327, and the performers were received and rewarded with the most enthusiastic applause. The acting of Mr. Dickens and Mr. Forster displayed histrionic capacity of the very highest kind ; and all lovers of the drama were delighted to hear that in a short time an opportunity would be afforded of seeing them again perform. On June 27, the amateurs gave a second performance for the same object as the first. This time the prices were, Lower Boxes and Pit, 5s. ; Upper Boxes, 3s. ; and Gallery ] s. 6d. The play was " The Merry Wives of Windsor," with the following cast : — AMUSEMENTS. 105 Followers of Falstaff Mr. Mark Lemon. Mr. Charles Komer. Mr. Charles Dickens. Mr. John Leech. Mr. John Forster. Mr. Frank Stone. Mr. G. H. Lewes. Mr. Dudley Costello. Mr. Frederick Dickens. Mr. Augustus Egg- Mr. Cole. Mr. George Cruikshank. Mr. F. W. Topham. Miss Eobius. Mr. Eaton Miss Emmeline Montague. Miss Kenworthy. Miss A. Bonier. Mrs. Cowden Clarke. Sir John Falstaff Fenton Shallow, a Country Justice Slender, Cousin to Shallow Mr. Ford ) Two gentlemen, dwelling Mi-. Page ) at Windsor Sir Hugh Evans, a Welsh Parson . Dr. Caius, a French Physician Host of the Garter Inn Simple, Servant to Slender Bai'doljih Pistol Pym Robin Rugby, Servant to Dr. Caius Mrs. Ford Mrs. Page ...... Mrs. Anne Page, her Daughter, in love with Fenton Mrs. Quickly, Servant to Dr. Caius The Interlude was, " Love, Law, and Physic," followed by "A Good Night's Rest." All the pieces were capitally played. The total receipts amounted to £262. On July 3 and 4, the Orleans Serenaders gave two per- formances at the Theatre. Mr. Macready was with us this year for three nights, previous to his departure for America. On July 6, he per- formed Cardinal Wolsey, in three acts of " Henry VIII. ; " and Mr. Oakley in "The Jealous Wife;" on the 7th he played "Hamlet," and on the 8th, "The Stranger." He was ably supported by Mrs. Warner. On the 10th, Van Amburgh with his lions and tigers appeared in " Mungo Park." On July 29, a considerable number of the Haymarket Compairy paid us an unexpected visit for that night only. The new piece entitled " Lavater " was performed for the first time ; followed by " Charles the Second," and " Who's Your Friend % " Miss Cushman played Meg Merrilies on August the 1st, for that night only. 1GG MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. Jenny Lind sang again in the Town Hall on September 5 ; she was supported by Mr. Roger, Signors F. Lablache, and Belletti. The same artists appeared again on October 27. Mr. Bnckstone and Mrs. Fitzwilliam commenced a short engagement on September 11, in "The Flowers of the Forest," and " A Rough Diamond : " which latter was played for the first time in Birmingham on that night. Mr. and Mrs. Keeley succeeded them on the 18th, in the new burlesque of " Valentine and Orson." On the 28th, 29th, and 30th, Mr. Webster and Madame Celeste appeared ; and on October 3 and 4, Miss Oushman, for two nights, playing Meg Merrilies and Romeo. The Juliet on this occasion was sustained by Miss Anderton, who made her first appearance on any stage in this most difficult part. Her debut is described as being " very successful." She was " kindly received by the audi- ence, and some of her scenes called down unmistakably real applause." Mr. Webster and Madame Celeste commenced an engage- ment on October 9, with " The Harvest Home ; " and on the 18th, Mr. and Miss Vandenhoff opened a short engage- ment with "Love's Sacrifice." They also played in "The Stranger;' and "The Provoked Husband." Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kean appeared on October 23, for the benefit of Mr. Simpson, and played " The Wife's Secret " for the first time in this town. Mr. Buckstone and Mrs. Fitzwilliam began an engagement on November G, when " Box and Cox " was played for the first time in Birmingham. Mr. Bayntun Rolt appeared in "Othello " on November 1 1 , for one night only. On December 4, Miss Cushman began an engagement in Meg Merrilies ; she also played in Claude Melnotte and Romeo ; and introduced a new play called " The Intrigue ; or a Tale of Arragon in the Thirteenth Century." She was supported by Miss Matilda M. Hays. At Christmas, the pantomime of 1842 was, with modifica- tions and changes, reproduced. Its title was "Harlequin and the Fairy of the Water Lily ; or, Baron Munchausen and the AMUSEMENTS. 1G7 Wizard of the Green Isle;" and was announced as "an old friend with a new face." On December 28, Jenny Lind sung gratuitously in a Concert at the Town Hall, for the benefit of the Queen's Hospital. Madame di Lozano, Signors F. Lablache and Belletti were the other singers. The success of the Concert was very cheering. The gross receipts amounted to £1,300 ; £1,070, were added to the funds of the Hospital. This noble act of the famous Swedish Nightingale is recorded on a tablet placed in the vestibule of the charity. The joint Committee of the Queen's Hospital and College purchased, by private subscription, a beautiful casket, which, together with an address, they pre- sented to the great vocalist, in acknowledgement of her generous conduct. The lid of the casket bore the following inscription : — To Mademoiselle Jenny Lind, from the Lord Principal and Committee of the Queen's College and Hospital, Birmingham, as a small testimony of then sense of obligation for her very noble and gratuitous services at a I oncert held in the Town Hall, in behalf of the funds of the Queen's Hospital, December 28, 1848. On the 5th of February, 1849, a Concert was given at the Theatre, in which Madlle Vere, Miss Bassano, Signor Lablache, and M. Thalberg, were the principal attractions. Signor Nicolle Lablache made his first appearance here on this occasion. The Pantomime had a run of 33 nights, and was succeeded by Mr. Buckstone and Mrs. Fitzwilliam, who appeared on February 9, for that night only ; and on the 1 2th, M. Jullien gave one of his Concerts, at which Madame Anna Thillon made her first appearance. On the 14th, Mr. Mark Lemon's adaptation of Dickens's "Haunted Man and the Ghost's Bargain," was played here for the first time. Jenny Lind visited us again on February the 8th, when Mendelssohn's grand oratorio of " Elijah" was performed. She was accompanied by Miss Dolby, the Misses Williams, Mr. Machin, Mr. H. Phillips, and Herr Staudigl. The enthusiasm of the audience at Madlle. Lind's singing the glorious music of this master-piece was boundless. 168 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. On March 1, was produced a new and original farce in one act, called " Uncle Gregory," written by Mr. Edward Farmer, "familiarly known as 'Ned Farmer." The critic of this production advised that it should he cut into two acts, when he had no doubt that " with all its faults " it would be well received by Birmingham audiences. The author received a " call " on the first night, and the piece was repeated several times ; but " Uncle Gregory " was not a success. Mr. W. Farren appeared as Grandfather Whitehead on March 8, and on the 9th, as Old Parr. On the 27th, Mr. Buckstone and Mrs. Fitzwilliam appeared for one night. The pieces per- formed were " The Dream at Sea," " Widow Wiggins ; or, Music Mad," and "The Jacobite." They made their last appearance for the season on April 2, in " The Green Bushes/' " A Rough Diamond," and " Our Mary Anne." On Easter Monday, April 9, Mr. and Mrs. Sloan appeared in "The Lonely Man of the Ocean," and General Tom Thumb appeared in " Napoleon at the Battle of Austerlitz." Mr. H. Webb commenced an engagement on the 30th, in " The Rake's Pro- gress," and "The Man with a Carpet Bag." On May 11, Mr. Webb played Goldfinch in " The Road to Ruin," for his own benefit, Old Downton being performed by Mr. Addison, Harry Downton by Mr. Conway, and Sophia by Miss Frank- land. Mrs. H. Webb appeared on this occasion, playing Sally Giggle in "Catching an Heiress," to her husband's Tom Twigg. On May 14, "Maritana" was performed; Mr. D. W. King, Mr. Stretton, and Mrs. D. W. King, being the principal vocalists. Miss Coveney and Miss H. Coveney made their first appearance on the same night in " The Young Widow." They afterwards became great and deserving favourites with Birmingham audiences. The Theatre was opened for one night on June 15, for the benefit of Miss Lemmon, when " The Lady of Lyons " was produced, Pauline being played by a young lady " who has kindly offered her gratuitous services, and which was her first appearance on any stage ; " Claude Melnotte, was personated by Mrs. Rignold. Miss Lemmon played Little Pickle, in " The Spoiled Child." AMUSEMENTS. 169 Mr. Macready, after his return from America, arranged to make his re-appearance first in Birmingham, (the town in which he made his dtfbut, on June 7, 1810), prior to his retire- ment from the stage. He was engaged for four nights ; and on June 26, he appeared in " Macbeth," for the last time in this town; the other plays selected for this engagement were " Richelieu," " Hamlet," " Henry VIII.," and " The Jealous Husband." On July 19, Mr. Couldock took his farewell benefit previous to his departure for America, and produced " The King of the Commons ; " and by the kind permission of the author, Mr. Edward Farmer, he recited "The Collier's Family ; or the Death of Little Jim." The Musical Festival this year, commenced on Tuesday, September 4, with Mendelssohn's " Elijah ; " and on the next day his " Athalie" was given, followed by a selection of sacred music. " In conformity with ancient custom, Thursday was allotted to the ' Messiah,' and on Friday morning ' Israel in Egypt' was given. The principal compositions performed at the Evening Concerts were Mendelssohn's ' Walpurgis Night,' his M.S. Overture to Roy Bias, and his symphony in A Minor; in addition to which there were also given Beethoven's 'Pastoral Symphony,' and other important selections from his works and those of Weber and Rossini. Several vocalists of high eminence appeared for the first time at this Festival. Among the number were Madame Sontag (then driven by her husband's misfortunes to return to the stage), Madame Castel- lan, Madlle. Jetty de Treffz, Miss Catharine Hayes, Madlle. Alboni, and Madlle. de Merie, the Misses Williams, and Miss Stephens ; Mr. Sims Reeves, Signor Calzolari, Herr Pischek, Signor Mario, Mr. Machin, and Signor Lablache. The instru- mental performers were reinforced by Thalberg and Sainton ; Dr. Wesley, Messrs. Stimpson, Simms, and Chipp, officiated as organists ; and the conductorship was, for the first time, en- trusted to Mr. Costa. The President for the year was Viscount Guernsey. The gross receipts of the Festival amounted to £10,334, and the profits to £2,448. At this Festival a proof was afforded of the affection with which the memory of 170 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. Mendelssohn is cherished by the people of Birmingham. A subscription was raised for a colossal bust of the lamented composer, and ample funds having been obtained, the com- mission was intrusted to our townsman, Mr. Peter Hollins, who, although the task was beset with difficulties, succeeded in producing a highly characteristic work. . On the morning of the performance of " Elijah " this bust was placed in front of the orchestra, and remained there throughout the Festival. It is the property of the Committee, and is to be seen on the principal staircase of the Town Hall." * A Concert, followed by " La Sonnambula," was given at the Theatre on September 8, in which Madlle. Alboni, Madame Valle, Madlle. L. Corbari, Madlle. Corbari, the Misses Williams, Signors Bartolari, Polomiri, Galli, Salabert, and Tagliafico took part ; M. Benedict was the conductor. On the 10th, Mr. Buckstone and Mrs. Fitzwilliam com- menced an engagement by introducing two pieces for the first time in Birmingham ; " England's Queen," and " An Alarming Sacrifice." They were succeeded by Mr. and Mrs. Keeley, who commenced an engagement on the 17th, in " Creote ; or Love's Letters," " Your Life's in Danger," and "Twice Killed." On the 24, Mr. Webster and Madame Celeste appeared in " The Harvest Home " and " Flying Colours." On October 8, Mr. James Bennett made his first appear- ance here in "Hamlet." Mr. T. P. Cooke, the prince of sailors, was with us this year. On October 15, he played William in " Black-Eyed Susan," and during this engagement he appeared in " My Poll and My Partner Joe," " Poor Jack," and "Luke the Labourer." On the 26th, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kean performed for the benefit of Mr. Simpson ; and the tragic play of " Strathmore " was produced for the first time in this town. During their engagement " Richard III.," "The Wife's Secret," " Money," and " Much Ado About Nothing," were played. Mrs. Glover began an engagement on Novem- ber 6, in "The School for Scandal;" she was here four * " The Birmingham General Hospital, and Triennial Musical Festi- vals." p. 113 and 114. AMUSEMENTS. 171 nights, and also played in "The Rivals," " The Love Chase," and "The Jealous Wife." On November 17, Mr. Macready performed gratuitously for the benefit of the Queen's Hospital, when " The Provoked Husband " was performed. Mr. James Anderson commenced an engagement on December 10, in " Hamlet ; " he also appeared during the week in " The Merchant of Venice," " Othello," " The Stranger," and " The Gamester." The Christmas Pantomime this year was called el The Golden Regions of California ! and the Genii of Light ; or, The Little Fairy of the Silver Ladder." It was performed up to January 21, 1850. On the 22nd Mr. Edward Farmer had a benefit ; playing Phelim O'Crash in his own farce of " Uncle Gregory ; " and Mr. James Bennett, reciting his poem of " Little Jim." The Pantomime was reproduced, and had a run of fifty nights. Mr. Webster played, for the farewell benefit of Mr. Addison, on March 8, in " The Prisoner of War," and " Charles XII." Mr. Macready appeared here for four nights in April, previous to his final retirement from the stage. On the first of that month he performed Iago to Mr. Bennett's Othello. His other representations were Virginius, Brutus in "Julius Caesar," Werner, and King- Lear. On the last night, it is recorded, that " every seat, and every spot that could give a resting place for a foot was occupied. Stalls were formed in the pit, the proscenium boxes were more than full, and even the orchestra was invaded; and the attraction was the burial of a great talent, the voluntary abandonment of a king's supremacy, the abdication of the head of the Republic of Art. In a manner worthy of the last of his race did he ' Bid good nig] 1 1 . And wound ins untorn colours clearly up : Last iu the field, but lord of it ! ' " On his call before the curtain Mr. Macready was received by the audience upstanding ; and the cheers with which he was greeted were again and again renewed, to the visible emotion of the great actor. On April 15, Mr. Alfred Bunn, who for several years had been the manager of the Birmingham Theatre, appeared ; and 172 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. gave his Literary and Dramatic Monologue, which contained some good professional anecdotes, but lacked stamina as an entertainment for the general public. " The Prophet," was produced for the first time on April 22. On May 8, Madlle. Chalon, and the French Opera Comique Company appeared here for the first time in " Le Domino Noir ; " and on the 10th, in "Les Diamans de la Couronne." On the 17th, was produced a new play, entitled " Retribution," written by Mr. Bennett. The Italian Opera Company performed at the Theatre in July. Mr. Sims Reeves, F. Bodda, Mr. Latter, and Miss Lucombe commenced an engagement on September 2, in " La Sonnambula ; " they also appeared in " Lucia di Lammermoor," and " I Puritani." On September 9, Mr. Buckstone and Mrs. Fitzwilliam introduced the new play of "The Serious Family;" and on the 12th, the new and original comedy of " Leap Year ; or, the Lady's Privilege," was produced. Mr. Webb and Madame Celeste opened an engage- ment on September 23, and " The Willow Copse " was played for the first time in Birmingham. Mr. Sims Reeves and Miss Lucombe appeared again on October 8, in " Lucia cli Lammer- moor," and on October 28, " The Prophet " was re-produced. The Christmas Pantomime this year was " Queen Mab, and Harlequin and the Golden Pippin ; or the Fairy of the Silver Shell in the Pearly Lake." Mr. Albert Smith gave his entertainment, " The Overland Route," at the Royal Hotel, on December 27. In addition to the sources of amusements which we have recorded, there was the usual variety of entertainments pro- vided during the decade. We had the admirable Concerts of the Festival Choral Society, the private subscription Concerts, Mr. Stimpson's Concerts, Jullien's Monster Bands, Thiodon's Theatre of Arts, Houdin's Scenes Fantastiques, the Steel and Rock Band, and Concerts D' Ete, in 1847; a splendid Chinese Exhibition in 1847-8 ; the Bosjesmans, Brunetti's Model of Jerusalem ; and on one occasion, which we rejoice to say was the only one, a corps of female Ethiopians, who performed in the Town Hall. THE BIRMINGHAM BLUE COAT SCHOOL. 173 THE BIRMINGHAM BLUE COAT SCHOOL. The foundation of the Blue Coat School dates from 16th of November, 1722, when an indenture was duly signed between Lord William Digby and others (the appointed com- missioners and trustees for building the church and making the new parish of St. Philip) of the first part ; the Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield and the Rev. W. Higgs, rector of St. Philips, of the second part ; and Richard Banner, clerk, and ten others, described as inhabitants of Birmingham, of the third part. This indenture, after reciting the powers given by Act of Parliament to the Commissioners before-mentioned, to convey a piece of ground known as the Horse Close, in trust for building the church, setting out a cemetery, and erecting a parsonage house, proceeds to mention, that " there still remained a little piece of ground not yet made use of," which ought to be disposed of for the most advantage of the rector of the said new church. This curious old document then o;oes on to state that several of the inhabitants of the town of Birmingham " and other pious people," considering that profaneness and debauchery were greatly owing to gross ignorance of the Christian Religion, especially among the poorer sort, and that nothing was more likely to support the practice of Christianity than an early and pious education of youth, (though the parents, however desirous, were in many cases unable to give their child such useful education,) had therefore raised a considerable sum of money, for the pur- pose of erecting a Charity School, and providing a salary for the master and mistress of such school. The object of the institution was the teaching of poor children to read and write, together with instruction in the Christian religion as 174 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. taught in the Church of England, together with " such other things as are suitable to their condition and capacity." For carrying out this laudable undertaking, this said " little piece of ground " was duly granted and demised to Richard Banner and his ten colleagues, for the term of 1,000 years, upon the condition that the school to be erected thereon should be used for the purposes before stated, pursuant to the directions of the duly appointed governors, or such as should be laid down at a " solemn meeting " of such persons as then subscribed a guinea a year each. It was farther provided that when the original trustees should be reduced by death or removal to the number of four, such four should assign the premises for the remainder of the term to seven other inhabitants of the town being subscribers to the school of one guinea per year. The School was erected in 1724, the edifice in the first instance being of brick ; but in 1794 it was much enlarged, and its appearance entirely altered by the addition of its present front, the total cost being £2,800. Further additions were subsequently made to the north end of the building, which greatly increased the accomodation and improved the ventilation. From the foundation of the school, in 1722, to the present time, numerous bequests have been made by benevolent persons for its support, some of the earlier and more important of which may be worth mentioning. Elizabeth White, by will dated the 3rd of February, 1722, bequeathed certain lands and tenements, called Brook House Fields, to her brother and sister, for their use during life, such property to be after- wards applied for ever, for the behoof of the Blue Coat School, for the education of boys and girls. By an indenture dated 15th May, 1845, between Sarah White, sister of the said Elizabeth White, Theophilus Levett, and Thomas Luth- ner, of the one part, and the Rev. W. Vyse, rector of St. Philips, the Rev. Richard Dovej^, rector of St. Martins, and others, of the other part, the trust property before-mentioned was conveyed to the parties of the second part, their heirs and assigns, upon trust, to permit Sarah White and her THE BIRMINGHAM BLUE COAT SCHOOL. 175 assigns to enjoy and possess the property during her life, and after her death to let the premises to the best advantage, and apply the rents and profits for the use of the charity school. The total value of the rents from this trust in 1828, as stated by the Royal Commission appointed to inquire concerning charities, was £24G Os. Id. In 1726, Benjamin Salusbury, by will, made the following curious bequest : — He directed the future possessors of his property to pay yearly 15s., on the 1st November in each year, to the Rector of St. Martin's Church, and 15s. on the 5th of June to the Rector of St. Philips, for a sermon to be preached by each of them on the said days, "for the benefit of the charity school then lately set on foot in Birmingham." He further gave the sum 20s. on each of the said days in every year to the governors of the school, to be applied as they thought best. In case either of the rectors should refuse to preach the sermon on the days prescribed, the money so devised, was to be given, upon every such refusal, to the overseers of the poor " to be laid out in penny bread," for the benefit of the poor. In 1795 the lords of the Manor of Birmingham, (Earl of Plymouth, Christopher Musgrave, Henry Howard, and Edward Bolton Clive,) granted a piece of land, about four acres, to the trustees of the school for a tenure of 999 years, at the yearly rent of Is. They were induced to do so by the representations of three gentlemen; — Matthew Boulton of the Soho, Joseph Gibbs, and John Ward; who had been appointed to inquire into the management and working of the Blue Coat School. This property is situated at Birmingham Heath, and in 1829 was realising a yearly rent of £90 10s., the then lessee covenanting to erect within a year or so three or more substantial messuages, according to a description specified in his lease ; and to expend £1,000 at least in the improvement of the premises. In 1799 William Brown, Henry Kempson, and Joseph Gibbs, " being persuaded of the great utility and very humane institution of the Blue Coat Charity School in St. Philip's Churchyard, and wishing to aid and assist its support," 170 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. bequeathed to the institution an undivided moiety of two messuages in Moor Street, with the slaughter houses and premises thereto belonging ; and also of a piece of land, about seven acres, in the parish of Aston, called " Brickkiln Piece." In the year 1806 the trustees of the school, with a legacy of £400 bequeathed by Mr. Vaughton, and a further sum of £31 14s. 6d. from the funds of the school, discharged a mortgage of £231 14s. 6d. upon the before-mentioned property, and purchased the other moiety of the land. The half share of the houses in Moor Street was about the same time sold to the Commissioners of the Birmingham Street Act for the sum of £236 2s. 6d., which, after remaining some time in their hands at five per cent, interest, was paid in, and added to the funded capital of the school. The seven acres of land was granted on lease, for a term of 99 years from lady-clay, 1825, at the rent of £162 18s. 2d., with a covenant on the part of the lessee, in each year during the first seven of the term, to lay out so much money in erecting good and sub- stantial messuages and out-buildings on the said land as would actually produce yearly rents, amounting together to £40, so as to make a total annual rental of £280 at the expiration of the first seven years. In 1827 the Blue Coat School re- ceived a welcome addition to its funds from the bounty of Miss Sheldon, who bequeathed a legacy of £1,000 for the benefit of the charity. In addition to this handsome gift, the same lady left directions for a further sum of £1,000 to be invested in the public funds in the names of the rector and churchwardens, for the time being, of St. Philip's Church, the interest of which was to be annually given, in equal pro- portions, to ten old maidens, or single women, of virtuous character, parishioners of Birmingham. Also, the sum of £6 5 0, invested in like securities, in the name of the minister and churchwardens, for the time being, of Sheldon, the interest to be applied to the purchase of blue coats, cloaks, and other warm clothing, and given to the aged poor of the parish of Sheldon, annually, on St. Thomas's Day ; and a legacy of £1,000 to the Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge. THE BIRMINGHAM BLUE COAT SCHOOL. 177 From 1828 many donations have been made and legacies bequeathed for the benefit of the institution, which have been duly inscribed on tablets placed in the entrance hall of the School. The following are the most important : — 1833, David Owen, £1,000 ; 1837, James Goode, £500 ; 1853, anonymous, donation, per S. Hasluck, Esq., £500 ; 1854, W. Hoddinott, legacy £500 ; 1855, W. Hoddinott, share of residue, £89. The following is an interesting item. Two brothers having been educated in the School, and one of them having died, the survivor, who had gained an independence by industry and perseverance, as an act of gratitude, presented in 1858, a dona- tion of £1,000 in aid of the funds of the school, in addition to a former donation of £500. In 1861, Mr. T. Cotterill left a legacy of £500, and in 1867, Mr. G. R. Elkington one of a£500. A large number of donations have also, from time to time, been given by the members of the "True Blue Society." This association was formed in 1805, under the title of " The Grateful Society." It consisted of young men who had been brought up at the school, and who were desirous of showing their gratitude for the benefits they had derived from an early education within the school walls, and to which they owed their comfortable and respectable positions in life. Their first donation, in 1 805, amounted to £52 10s. 3d., and in 1810 they presented the sum of £40 ; in 1815, £12 ; and in 1816, £10 10s. The title of the society was then changed to that of "The United Society of True Blues," and the plan was adopted of raising, by weekly payments, a fund for the assistance of such of their body who might happen to be in sickness or distress, and also to enable them to make annual donations to the Blue Coat School. The scheme has worked admirably, and has been productive of great benefit, both to themselves and to the institution to which they owe so much. In the year 1690, Mr. George Fentham, a successful Bir- mingham mercer, by will, bequeathed a large property, for the benefit of the poor of Birmingham and Hampton-in-Arden. A portion of his estate he directed to be divided into two equal parts, the yearly rental of one part to be employed 178 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. for the relief, maintenance, and other benefit of such poor inhabitants of the parish of Birmingham as should be deemed worthy of it by the ratepaying inhabitants of the town, of full age, residing within the space of 200 yards "from and about the Bull Ring." A further annual sum of £10 he also directed to be spent for the purpose of "teaching to know their letters, spell, and read English," poor children, either male or female, of necessitous parents. In pursuance of these directions, the trustees of Fentham's Charity have annually, since 1712, devoted a sum of money for the support, maintenance, and education of children, varying in number, in the Blue Coat School ; and in order to make a distinction between them and the other bluelv- dressed inmates of the school, have caused them to be attired in green. A large portion of the legacies and donations, with savings from the general fund, have from time to time, been invested in landed and other securities. The disposal of Vaugh ton's legacy has already been mentioned. In October, 1731, a sum of £680 was devoted to the purchase of messuages, tenements, and lands at Bordesley, and land at Birchfields ; and in Decem- ber 1787, a further sum of £127 was expended in the purchase of three messuages in Bull Lane. In 1792, seven other houses in Bull Lane were bought, for the sum of £502 (subject, how- ever, with the three messuages above mentioned, to a mort- gage of £250), and in July, 1814, the further sum of £250 was applied to the redemption of the said mortgage. In July, 1789, £100 was devoted to the purchase of a parcel of ground on the south side of Bull Lane, (now Monmouth Street,) adjoining at the west end, the buildings and land belonging to the Charity. The ten houses above men- tioned were afterwards taken down, and the greater part of the site, with additional land, was converted into a play- ground for the use of the children in the school. In 1823 the sum of £79 7s. Od. was expended in the purchase of John Jukes's interest in a lease of ninety-nine years from 1811, granted to him by Lench's trustees, of the Callow Closefield ; .- THE BIRMINGHAM BLUE COAT SCHOOL. 170 and in 1824 the committee purchased freehold ground rents, payable out of land and buildings in and near Great Hampton Street, Birmingham, with reversion in fee of the estate, amounting to an annual rental of £51 lis. o^d. for the sum of £1,289. In 1825 the sum of £596 8s. was expended in the purchase of a piece of land, containing 2,982 square yards, adjoining Smith Street and Barr Street. In 1829, the com- mittee purchased .of Mr. James Allison, freehold land and building, situate in Wagstaff Yard, Bull Street, Birmingham, at a cost of £1,995, for the purpose of building sick wards for the children, a laundry, and other conveniences, separate from the present establishment; and likewise for enlarging the play-ground. In 1827 the following sums had been invested in the funds :— £1,400 South Sea Annuities ; £2,100 Three per Cent. Consols ; and £1,720 in New Fours. Since 1827 many other investments have been made by the committee, which it would be tedious to particularize. The report issued in 1869, shows, that the amount received for rents in that year was £1,775 8s. 3d ; for dividends, £194 Is. 3d. ; interest on deposit account, £40 5s. 9d. ; annuities £11 16s.; total, £2,021 lis. 3d. In addition to this, the amount received for subscriptions was £1,276 5s. 6d. ; donations, £211 19s. ; for children admitted by purchase, £32 ; trustees of Fentham's Charity, for maintenance and education of children, £260 Is. Id. ; congregational collection at St. Martin's, £53 16s. 2d. ; legacies, £105; profits on sale of sand and gravel, £107 !>s. 2d. ; royalty on bricks, £527 15s. ; and other receipts, which brought up the year's income to £4,628 16s. 6d. The total expenditure was £5,503 6s., leaving, with the sum of £137 2s. 4d. withdrawn from the deposit account, a balance due to the bankers of £737 7s. 2d. The internal history of the Blue Oat School has been remarkably uneventful ; the institution having pursued "the even tenor of its way" without any radical changes either in its management, or in the curriculum of education. It has from its commencement been gradually increasing in public favour ; the most satisfactory proof of which is the tact, 180 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. that the subscriptions, though fluctuating, have on the whole steadily augmented year by year. For the first few years the donations and interest on capital were found in- sufficient to meet expenses. In 1729 the amount received from subscribers was £24 9s. Od. ; in 1730, £78 12s. ; in 1740, £90 10s. 6d.; in 1750, £124 Is.; in 1760, £211 Os. 6d. ; in 1770, £296 12s. 6d. ; in 1780, £411 12s. ; in 1790, £748 6s. ; in 1800, £957 6s. 6d. ; in 1810, £1,057 2s. ; in 1820, £1,000 2s. 6d. ; and in 1830, £925 Is. At this time the charity was deriving a large revenue from its invested property, and the subscriptions decreased, until in 1853 we find the income de- rived from this source, to be only £667 ; but in 1860 it had again risen to £1,045 12s. ; and in the report of the com- mittee for 1869, it was stated to be £1,276 5s. 6d. The amount of good which the charity has achieved during its long and beneficent career it is impossible to estimate ; the mere statement of the number of children brought up and educated within its walls, is but an index to the beneficial influence it has exercised upon the inhabitants of the town, whilst those, who by its means, have been enabled to earn a respectable livelihood, necessarily become interested in the success of an institution to which they are so deeply in- debted, and by means of which they have in numerous instances become useful members of society. The number of children admitted into the school from 1724 to December 31, 1783, was ; boys, 500 ; girls, 211 ; total, 711. From Decem- ber 31, 1783, to December 31, 1805 : boys, 386 ; girls, 132 ; total, 518. From December 31, 1805, to December 31, 1816 : boys, 197 ;. girls, 84 ; total, 281. From December 31, 1816, to December 31, 1830; boys, 368 ; girls, 154; total, 522. At the latter date there were in the school, boys, 152; girls, 74 ; total, 226. On December 31, 1859, the number was, boys, 106 ; girls, 66 ; total 172. On December 31, 1869, boys, 155 ; girls, 91 ; total, 246. In the first year or two of the existence of the school, the scheme was adopted of giving education and clothing to some of the children, with- out maintenance, but not being found to work satisfactorily THE BIRMINGHAM BLUE COAT SCHOOL. 181 was discontinued, so that all the inmates have since that period been clothed, educated, and maintained. In 1796, the following resolution was passed by the School Committee for the purpose of inducing employers of labour to take appren- tices from the institution : — " It having been suggested to the committee of the Birmingham Charity School in St. Philip's Churchyard, that the boys belonging to this School might be employed to the advantage of the community, the benefit of the charity, and for the desirable tendency of train- ing them to an early habit of industry : the committee think it their duty to give the public notice, that they are ready to receive proposals from any manufacturers in the town or neighbourhood, for labour of the children for a certain number of hours each day, in such employment as can conveniently be performed in the house, under their own care, or their superintendent's direction; and will lay them before a general meeting: of the subscribers for their consideration and consent." The clergy of Birmingham and district have always from its commencement, taken a deep interest in the school, by per- sonally visiting it, and having collections in their churches in aid of its funds. The following account of an interesting incident in the history of the charity is quoted from the " Century of Birmingham Life : " — A musical performance was given this month, in the various churches and chapels, for the benefit of one of our best charities — the Blue Coat School. The committee thus express their obligations and return their thanks : — November 2, 1801. — The committee return then* very grateful thanks to all the Vocal and Instrumental Performers who generously and suc- cessfully exerted their splendid talents at the different Churches and Chapels for the Benefit of the Blue Coat Charity School. As Mr. Weston lias requested them to be sparing of then Acknowledgments to him, they reluctantly comply with his request ; but think it their indispensable duty to inform the Subscribers to this Charity that , in a very infirm state of health, he has devoted a great part of the last five months to the com- posing, transcribing, teaching, and arranging of that Mass of Music, which has met with such general Approbation ; and that he has declined the Acceptance of any Remuneration for his Labour, or Keiinbursenient of the Expenses which he incurred 182 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. Mr. Weston made the following reply : — November 16, 1801. To the Committee of the Blue Coat Charity School. Gentlemen, — Happy in the Consciousness of Laving, to the utmost of my Power, contributed to the Support of your benevolent Institution, I am almost equally happy in finding that you have complied with my earnest Request, since from your chastized Praise of myself, in last Monday's Paper, the Interested, the Envious, and the Malevolent, will feel less Inclination to gratify their unamiable Propensities, than when, in July last, you so overrated my humble Talents and so overpraised my feeble Service : for I think it a Christian's duty to avoid throwing Temp- tations and Stumbling Blocks in the "Way of the " weaker Brethren." Far be it from me the vanity of attributing the unprecedented amount of the last Collections solely to my Exertions ; the high reputation of the Clergymen who have so distinguished themselves, by their excellent Sermons, on the different Occasions, forbids such an absurd supposition. To my numerous Vocal and Instrumental Friends who so generously exerted their various Talents, without Fee or Eeward, and who even refused to be repaid their Expenses, I return most sincere Thanks, as- surine them that neither Distance of Time nor Place shall ever obliterate their kindness from my Eemembrance. I have the honour to be, Gentlemen, with perfect gratitude and respect, Your devoted servant, Joseph Weston. Solihull, November 12, 1801. Mr. Weston was a local jjoet of the period. As we have previously seen, he edited Mrs. Pickering's (ne'e Poynton), the blind poetess's works ; and added many of his own verses, and some of Mr. Morfitt's, to the volume. A specimen of his poetic powers has already been given. It is only fair to state that the Blue Coat School has always had the advantage of excellent management, and been con- ducted on the most economical principles. Indeed, the Go- vernment Inspectors, who have yearly examined the inmates, have more than once taken the opportunity of drawing atten- tion to the fact, that so large a number of children could be maintained and educated at so little cost per head ; and they have invariably expressed their satisfaction with the discipline of the school, and the progress of the children in the several branches of their education. In the last report of the committee, the annual cost per head of the inmates THE BIRMINGHAM BLUE COAT SCHOOL. 183 was stated to be £16 18s. 8d. ; a sum which, as Mr. Fitch, the government inspector, observes, cannot even by modern economists be complained of as extravagant. The school is in much repute amongst the class for whose benefit it is designed ; as is shown by the fact that at the elec- tion in 1870, there were 124 candidates to fill 50 vacancies. The present building is a most commodious one, and well adapted, in regard to internal arrangement, to the wants of its numerous inmates. The boys' and girls' domi- tories are airy and cheerful looking apartments; the beds being arranged in rows on either side. They present a very neat appearance, and are kept scrupulously clean. The masters and mistresses occupy rooms adjoining the domi- tories of the children in their respective departments, so that they may be within hearing should anything occur to require their immediate attention. The dining-room is spacious, of an oblong shape, with tables placed down the sides and centre, and presents an interesting, not to say animating, ap- pearance, when the children are seated to partake of the good and substantial meals provided for them. Strict disci- pline is rigidly enforced. There are two school rooms ; one for boys and another for girls ; containing all the modern appli- ances for educational purposes. Two rooms are set apart as wardrobes ; and all the children are required to keep their clothes tidy, and in the particular place devoted to them. The kitchen, with its brightly kept culinary utensils and range, is large and convenient, and the wash-houses and laundry, con- tain the most improved apparatus for the saving of labour. At the back of the building is a large flagged playground, where the children are allowed to amuse themselves during certain hours of the day. Having admitted that the accommodation afforded by the present edifice is adequate to the requirements of the inmates, we nevertheless draw attention to the great advantages, which in our opinion, would accrue to the institution, if it were removed beyond the precincts of the town. The exist- ing building, from its central position, is very valuable ; and 184 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. will doubtless continue to increase in value, as considerable improvement is going on in the immediate neighbourhood ; and there can be no doubt but that if the building were con- verted into offices and shops, a large revenue would be derived therefrom ; or, if pulled down, it would afford a most valuable site for building purposes, which would probably yield a still larger income. If such a scheme were adopted, a new school would, of course, have to be erected ; we would suggest, somewhere in the outskirts of the town, where the requisite land could be obtained at a moderate price. Possi- bly the Sparkbrook estate, already possessed by the Charity, would afford a suitable site. One great advantage resulting from such an arrangement, would doubtless be the improved health and comfort of the children. There is no necessity why the school should be centrally situated, since the child- dren do not visit their homes more than once a month, and no inconvenience would consequently result, either to them or their relatives, if they had a little farther to go. The affairs of the school are now under the most efficient management; both masters and mistresses performing the im- portant duties required of them with zeal, and a conscientious desire to promote the best interests of those entrusted to their charge. The school hours are from nine till twelve, and from two till four; with an hour in the evening for the pre- paration of the morrow's work. The girls devote each afternoon to the making and mending of their own clothes and those of the boys ; thus obtaining plenty of practice in needlework. It is a matter for consideration as to whether too much time is not thus occupied, and whether the girls could not be better employed in gaining education of a kind which would prove more valuable to them in after life. Certain it is, that they are placed at a great disadvantage as compared to the boys, whose afternoons are spent in the usual school work. Children are admitted to the school between the ages of nine and fourteen; but with re- spect to the girls an arrangement is made, that a certain number, (usually about sixteen,) shall remain in the insti- THE BIKMIMGHAM BLUE COAT SCHOOL. 185 tution until they arc fifteen years of age ; they being solely employed during the last twelve months in the kitchen and laundry departments. This latter scheme is found to work very well, as the girls arc thereby enabled to obtain practical acquaintance with those homely but important duties which in future they will have to perform. The education of the boys is, comparatively speaking, of a high class ; the more advanced study physical science, euclid, and algebra : they are thus fitted, on leaving school, to take situations of res- ponsibility, and of considerable emolument. A few of the children are admitted by purchase ; the fee being £G0 for five years ; which may be paid in one sum or by instalments, as agreed upon. The children continue to wear the antiquated dress which was in fashion at the time the school was founded. We quite coincide with the opinion expressed by Mr. Fitch, that this dress is more suited to the past than the present time; and besides, it is most objectionable ; inasmuch as it marks the inmates of the institution as " charity children." In concluding our account of this school, we call attention to a very valuable suggestion made by Mr. G. Dixon, M.P., when presiding at the annual meeting of the institution, held on the 17th of April, 1868. On that occasion, he strongly urged the desirability of doing away with the existing restric- tion that no child should be admitted to the school unless its parents belonged to, or professed to belong, to the Estab- lished Church ; and the Hon. and Rev. Grantham M. Yorke, who is one of the warmest supporters of the school, fully concurred in the remarks of Mr. Dixon. In our opinion the restriction is not only very undesirable in itself, but has the effect in many cases of inducing deception, and causing a hypocritical profession of faith. Some parents, who have hitherto been open Nonconformists, or have professed no particular theological creed, have, in order to qualify them- selves, attended church for a few weeks previous to the elec- tion, so as to constitute themselves "Church people." Such a system is much to be deprecated; and we therefore hope, that 186 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. the more broad and liberal principle of admitting children, whatever may be the religion of their parents, will soon be adopted. The work which the school is doing cannot be better under- stood or appreciated, than by a brief enumeration of the cir- cumstances of some of the candidates at the time of their application for admission to its benefits. We take a few instances from the list of candidates in 1870. Martha Green, a widow, applied for the admission of her son, aged ten years. She had lost her husband about eight years previously, and was left with a family of six children, quite unprovided for. She had hitherto supported her family as a laundress, but was then suffering from a cancer, from which the doctor said she could not possibly recover. Louisa White, widow, applied for the admission of her son. She was suffering severely from diseased heart, and unable to do any work ; seven children are living, and totally unprovided for. Ellen Shuttle worth, widow, sempstress, was another applicant on behalf of her son. Her husband, a highly respectable working man, died in October, 1867, after an illness of sixteen months, during twelve months of which he was totally blind. He left his widow and children totally unprovided for. Margaret Cooper made a similar application. Her husband in the previous March had been sentenced to five yea'rs' hard labour for attempting to strangle one of his children whilst in a fit of drunkenness. Emma Paddy, widow, charwoman, applied for the admission of her son. Her husband died in 1862, leaving her with five young children, and another was born soon after. She was suffering severely from asthma ; and her only relatives were her aged parents, who were very poor, and living with her. Elizabeth Edwards, needlewoman, applied on behalf of her nephew, an orphan, and the youngest of three children of the respective ages of 13, 11, and 1). These children Avere left totally unprovided for ; but the aunt, whose husband deserted her some years previously, and who was struggling to support herself and family by her own exertions, had charitably under- taken the care of them. Sarah Stanton, widow, tailoress, ap- THE BIRMINGHAM BLUE COAT SCHOOL. 187 plied on behalf of her son. Her health was extremely delicate, and she had to support herself and children by her own needle- work, which was uncertain. Her youngest child was greatly afflicted. These few examples, taken at random, are by no means ex- ceptional, and will serve to give some idea of the many urgent and distressing cases which every year come under the con- sideration of the committee. There are always very many more candidates than there are vacancies ; and the refusals, however reluctantly made, are consequently very numerous. With increased funds, and a more commodious building, some- where in the country, the institution would be better able to meet the numerous demands made upon it; and thus, by entering upon a wider sphere of usefulness, carry out to a fuller extent the original benevolent scheme of its founders. We need hardly say that the few suggestions we have made, have been induced by no captious spirit, but from a conviction that, if carried out, they woidd materially add to the future success of one of the noblest of the many useful charitable institutions which our own town is so fortunate as to possess. 188 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. THE BIRMINGHAM SOCIETY OF ARTS AND SCHOOL OF DESIGN. The history of the Society of Arts and School of Design in Birmingham is one of great interest. There is no town in the kingdom which offers a larger field for the display of taste and the application of design ; and there are very few in which their development has been so much retarded by the indifference and apathy of that very class which should have afforded the greatest encouragement and support. The variety of our manufactures is without parallel in the indus- tries of a single town ; and to all our productions the cultiva- tion of taste and the application of true principles of art and design are of the utmost importance. It might have been supposed that, if no higher motive could have influenced our manufacturers, self interest alone would have supplied a suf- ficient stimulus. There is no reason why articles of daily use should not be beautiful as well as useful ; why with good- ness of material and goodness of workmanship, grace and beauty of form should not be united. And yet it is only in our own time that this has been fully acknowledged, and the principles of art applied to manufactures. This obvious truth has, nevertheless, had to struggle into existence, in opposition to ignorance, prejudice, and the bigotted resistance of men, whose souls, if they had any, were utterly dead to a sense of loveliness, grace, or beauty. This state of indifference has happily given way to a more enlightened estimate of the value of art, not only as a means of cultivating the taste, 1 >ut as an essential condition of success, in the numerous manu- factures to which it may be applied. The thanks of man- kind are due to those far-seeing men who, in former days made efforts to introduce better, nobler, and truer ideas on SOCIETY OF ARTS AND SCHOOL OF DESIGN. ISO this subject, and took the first practical steps to make our manufacturers and workpeople feel indeed that " a thing of beauty is a joy for ever." In January, 1794, a "Well-wisher" published a letter clearly and forcibly pointing out the importance of the arts of drawing and design to a town like Birmingham. His suersrestion was, however, allowed to remain without results for twenty years. It generally takes a long time for such seeds to germinate. They do indeed germinate, and bear fruit in due season ; but the preliminary labour is very great, and the period of waiting very long. Twenty years after a " Wei 1 - wisher " had written his letter, an attempt was made to d< > some thin g for the encouragement of the Fine Arts in this town ; and, as these early efforts led at last to the formation of the Society of Arts and School of Design, we commence this narrative with an account of the labours of the earliest workers in this wide and then neglected field of culture. On April 11, 1814, the following announcement was pub- lished: — BIRMINGHAM ACADEMY OF ARTS. At a period when taste for the fine arts is become so generally diffused, and societies for the express purpose of encouraging and advancing them are established in many of the principal towns in the United Kingdom, that Birmingham, as the nurse of elegant and useful arts, should so long have wanted an association of her artists, of such manifest importance and advantage to her mercantile interests, must be regarded as a cir- cumstance altogether accidental, and by no means warranting any surmise that the higher arts of design would languish in her atmosphere for want of judges to estimate and patrons to reward them ; or that her artists would discover any inferiority of talents to those of other places, were but a fair field opened for bringing them into action. On the contrary, convinced by their own experience, that Birmingham possesses many local and peculiar advantages for assembling and exhibiting works of art, encouraged by the liberal spirit of the inhabitants, and by the particular attention now excited to subjects of art and science nearly allied to their own, a society, composed of resident artists and amateurs, announce their intention of opening an annual exhibition. Not resting entirely, however, on their own judgment, nor satisfied with their own pretensions, they feli the propriety of submitting their plan to the opinion of some of the first professors in the metropolis, who haw 190 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. not only encouraged it with their warm approbation, but have also given it the sanction of their names as honorary members ; a circumstance highly flattering indeed to the associates in this undertaking, but on which they are fully sensible that they must not build their hopes of public favours but in strict proportion as their exertions and productions shall give them a fair title to public estimation. Among the more obvious advantages of this institution, it may be considered as the means of creating in the public mind a lively operative interest in the pursuits and works of art, and consequently of exciting the industry of professors, and of promoting among them that ardent and honourable emulation which is a most powerful agent in producing professional excellence. The institution of the Eoyal Academy was the commencement of a new and auspicious era to the British artist ; and the progressive improvements of the arts of design in this country, from that period to the present, is principally ascribed to the annual assemblage and exhibition of the masterly compositions of British artists. To places, however far distant from the capital, these genial influences do but feebly extend. Sources of knowledge and improvement so remote are in vain opened to a numerous and ingenious class in this neighbourhood, debarred of travelling far from the scene of their employment, yet possessed of great natural talents which, from being unassisted and unpatronised, are lost to themselves and to society. From the same cause also the means are wanting to many a provincial artist of having his powers excited and his attainments rewarded. These it is one object of this exhibition to supply. Concealed merit will thus be brought to light and stimulated to exertion. An additional motive to the promoters of this plan was the situation of Birmingham in the midst of a populous and opulent district, abounding to a wide extent in lovers and judges of the arts. To these such an establishment may prove a centre of attraction ; it may unite opulence and taste with genius and skill in the advancement of imitative art, and the embellishment of manufactures ; it may kindle the fire of emulation in the concourse of congenial minds ; it may create a fund of knowledge and experience, out of which every disciple of art may draw something to assist his conceptions, to increase the stores of his fancy, to facilitate his studies, to rectify his errors, or supply his defects. When the several motives, therefore, which led to the formation of this society are duly considered, it may be reasonably expected that the works of every artist ami amateur, whose residence within the prescribed limits, and whose abilities entitle them to the distinction, will be found annually assembled in Birmingham, and that their combined efforts will be received with that degree of respect which is necessary to ensure their continuance, and with that indulgence which an infant establishment will necessarily require. SOCIETY OF ARTS AND SCHOOL OF DESIGN. 191 The society pledge themselves for the inpartiality of their proceedings. No consideration shall induce them to swerve from the conduct prescribed to them, by a regard to the success and reputation of their establishment, and in the general taste of those whose judgement they respect, and whose approbation, therefore, it will always be their principal study to obtain. Honorary Members. In the Department of Painting. Benjamin West, Esq., President of the Royal Academy. Thomas Phillips, Esq., Royal Academician. J. M. W. Turner, Esq., Royal Academician, and Professor of Per- spective in the Royal Academy. In the Department of Sculpture. John Flaxman, Esq., Royal Academician, and Professor of Sculpture in the Royal Academy. Richard Westmacott, Esq., Royal Academician. In the Department of Architecture. John Soane, Esq., Royal Academician, and Professor of Architecture in the Royal Academy. In the Department of Engraving. James Heath, Esq., Associate of the Royal Academy. Charles Warren, Esq. In the Department of Anatomy. G. De Lys, M.D., and John Blunt, jun., Esq. Conditions for the Reception of Pictures, Ac. 1. That those artists and amateurs only who are permanently resident within thirty miles of Birmingham be eligible as exhibitors. 2. That the exhibition shall consist of original paintings, in oil and water colours, sculptures, models, architectural designs, engravings, pictures in crayons, miniatures, and impressions from medal dies, and from engravings on precious stones. 3. That the admission or rejection of all works sent for exhibition shall depend on the dicision of a committee, composed of an equal number of amateurs and professors. 4 That pictures sent for exhibition shall be properly framed, with or without glasses, having the name and address of the artist or amateur and a description of the subject, to appear in the catalogue, pasted on the back ; and those works which are intended for sale must be accompanied by a written communication, stating the terms upon which they are to be disposed of. 102 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. The sociey, however, will not be accountable for breaking of glasses, or for any accidents that may happen, to the works sent for exhibition, although the utmost care shall be taken to protect them. 5. That the exhibition shall open the first week in September, 1814, and that pictures and other works of art intended for exhibition must be delivered on the 22nd, 23rd, and 24th of August preceding. An early intimation will be given of the place of exhibition. Those artists and amateurs who intend to become exhibitors are re- quested to communicate their intentions to the secretary as early as possible, stating the probable number and sizes of their productions, that the society may calculate accordingly. J. Vincent Barber, Secretary. Birmingham, April 9, 1S14. The new society soon arranged for its first exhibition. One of the greatest illustrators of Warwickshire, the colleague of David Cox and De Wint, Mr. J. Vincent Barber, was the first secretary. In this year one of our famour medallists received a metro- politan recognition of his merits : — June G, 1814.— Mr. William Wyon (son of Mr. P. Wyon), of this town, has been presented with a second gold medal for a die engraving, by the Society of Arts and Sciences, Adelphi, London. The first exhibition of pictures was opened on Monday, September 1 2, 1814. It was held in a room in Union Passage, at the back of the (late) Birmingham Fire Office. The two following brief paragraphs is all that the newspaper of the day has to say on this great and happily permanent work : — ACADEMY OF ARTS. September 19, 1814. — We are desirious of directing the attention of our readers to the first exhibition of the Academy of Arts, an institution reflecting great credit upon its projectors, and which promises to be of very considerable advantage and benefit to the town. The exhibition room was first opened on Monday, since which its visitors have daily in- creased, all of whom, we understand, have expressed themselves much delighted with the many choice specimens of art which may there be found. We trust the spirited and praiseworthy exertions of a few individuals who have commenced this undertaking will be liberally sup- ported by all lovers of art and science. October 3, 1814. — At a period when this town is about to be honoured with the presence of a great portion of the rank and opulence of the SOCIETY OF AETS AND SCHOOL OF DESTGN. 1 OH surrounding counties, we feel particularly anxious to direct the public attention to this society, which, from the excellent arrangements pro- jected by its institutors, appears well calculated to promote a more ex- tended culture of the fine arts, and of consequence a more general advancement of public taste. The first annual exhibition has already excited great interest in the town and its immediate vicinage, and is universally allowed, by those whose knowledge, taste, and judgment in the arts enable them to decide with accuracy, to possess many works of peculiar merit. It is the intention of the members and friends of the institution, so soon as the state of their funds will admit, to erect a hand- some building, where the academy will be permanently established, and where the artist, whose talents might otherwise continue buried in obscurity, will, by means of the annual exhibition, have an opportunity of giving effectual publicity to his productions. We have no doubt but that our fellow-townsmen will exert themselves in a cause of so much local interest ; and we confidently trust that among the strangers whc may be induced to visit their first essay, many will be found who need only to be made acquainted with plans for the promotion of the arts to become strenuous patrons and supporters. The new .society issued the following advertisement :— BIRMINGHAM ACADEMY OF ARTS. October 3, 1814.— The first exhibition of the works of artist-; perma- nently resident within thirty miles of Birmingham, is now open to the public at a temporary room in Union Street. Admission, Is. Catalogue, 6d. Tickets of admission for the season, 5s. J. V. Barber, Secretary. The members of the Academy of Arts deem it proper to lay before the public a plan for the reception of donations. The unfitness of the presenl exhibition-room, and the general advantages to be derived from the es- tablishment on an extended scale;, will, they trust, justify an appeal for pecuniary aid towards the erection of a commodious building, which ma] lie suitable to the general purposes of an academy and of annual exhibi- tions. During the short period which has elapsed since its opening, tin society are induced to hope that a, favourable opinion has been formed with regard to the general utility of the establishment, even in its present limited state ; its ultimate extension must depend upon the degree of support it may hereafter receive. Judging, however, by the attention their plans have already experienced, they indulge a confident expecta- tion that the taste and liberality of the public will enable them to ac- complish the full extent of their designs. 104 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. Plan of Donations towards the Erection of an Academy of Arts in Birmingham. A donor of five guineas to have personal admission to the annual exhibition. A donor of ten guineas to have personal admission, and the liberty of bringing one friend each day. A donor of fifteen guineas to have personal admission, and the liberty of bringing two friends each day ; and so on to any amount of donations. The donations will not be called for until the amount required is subscribed. The Society established in 1844 was not successful; but it prepared the way for two Art Institutions, which still exist, and are doing good work in cultivating a taste for works of art in the town. Year by year the desire for some permanent means of art instruction continued to increase; and this desire led, in 1821, to the establishment of a society which has suffered many mutations, and ultimately became divided into two ; but, in spite of the many difficulties which it has encountered, the objects for which it was originally founded have been maintained. On the first of January, 1821, the following article ap- peared in Ariss Gazette : — THE FINE ARTS. We congratulate our readers on the probability of an Institution being- soon established in this town for encouraging the cultivation of the Fine Arts. The friends of this great manufacturing district have long had occasion to regret that there has not existed among us any collections of casts of the more approved specimens of sculpture, for the imitation of our artists, whose talents and ingenuity, if aided by an advantage of this kind, would, in all probability, enable them to arrive at a higher degree of perfection in various articles of manufacture, and thereby extend the demand for them in foreign markets. We are informed that some noble- men and gentlemen, resident in this neighbourhood, have expressed their readiness to contribute liberally to the support of an institution for sup- plying this deficiency ; and, if determined upon, there is a probability that it would, at its outset, be presented with a numerous and very valuable collection, comprising models of nearly all the most approved statues of antiquity, and of other specimens of sculpture more immedi- ately applicable to the purpose of many of our manufactures, by a gentleman who has taken great interest in promoting its establishment. SOCIETY OF ARTS AND SCHOOL OF DESIGN. 195 We sincerely hope that the views of these munificent patrons of the Arts may receive the liberal concurrence of the principal inhabitants of the town, and that their endeavours may be successfully combined in establishing upon a permanent plan a Museum for the reception of models in sculpture and engraving, which will afford the means of forming and correcting the taste of the rising generation, and contribute essentially to the improvement of all those branches of manufacture which are most susceptible of decoration. In a week or two the originators of the new society issued the following;- advertisement : — o SOCIETY OF ARTS. Birmingham, January 26, 1821. — We, the undersigned, considering that the due cultivation of the Fine Arts is essential to the prosperity of the manufacturers of this town and neighbourhood, and that no society at present exists for this specific purpose, and being of opinion that it is extremely desirable such a society should be now formed, do hereby invite all persons resident in the town and neighbourhood of Birmingham, who may be disposed to unite in promoting this object, to a Meeting, to be held at the Public Office, in Moor Street, on Wednesday, the 7th of Feb- ruary, at twelve o'clock in the forenoon, in order to take the subject into consideration. Samuel Galton Josiah Corrie Edward Outram J. A. James William Hamper John Johnstone Edward Johnstone Timothy Smith J. H. Spry S. Tertius Galton James Woolley John Gordon Samuel Ryland Thomas Attwood William Wallis John Towers Lawrence H. Galton Edward Thomasou George Yates Archibald Kenrick W. Wynne Smith John Badams J. W. Unett Theophilus Richards, jim. P. M. James J. V. Barber. George Barker The meeting was held, and the results are given in the following report : — February 12, 1821. — At a meeting held, pursuant to advertisement, at the Public Office, in Birmingham, on the 7th of February, 1821, to take into consideration the propriety of forming a society for promoting the cultivation of the Fine Arts, Samuel Galton, Esq., in the chair : It appearing to this meeting that the due cultivation of the Fine A its IDG MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. is essential to the prosperity of the manufacturers of this town and neighbou rhood, and that no society at present exists for this specific pur- pose, it is considered to be extremely desirable that such an institution be now formed, at the same time retaining the power of hereafter ex- tending its plan to such objects as are in any way connected with the general promotion of useful knowledge ; It is resolved : — 1st. — That an institution be now established in Birmingham for the encouragement of Arts and Manufactures, and that it be called " The Birmingham Society of Arts." 2nd. — That a Museum be formed for the reception of casts and models of the most approved specimens of sculpture, and of all such other works, illustrative of the different branches of art, as the Society may have the means of procuring. 3rd. — That suitable accommodation be provided for students in the Fine Arts, subject to such regulations as may be framed by the com- mittee to be appointed for conducting the affairs of the Society. 4th. — That if at any time it shall be deemed expedient, the committee have the power of making arrangements for public exhibitions of the works of art, and for the delivery of lectures on subjects connected with the purposes of the institution. 5th. — That the members of the institution consist of patrons, pro- prietors, and governors. Gth. — That each subscriber of ,£100 or more be a patron of the Society ; that he hold a transferable share in the property in proportion to his subscription ; that he have two votes at all general meetings ; that he have a power to attend and vote at all committee meetings ; and that he be eligible as a trustee. 7th. — That each subscriber of ,£50 shall be a proprietor ; shall hold a transferable share in the property in proportion to his subscription ; and that he have one vote at all general meetings of the Society. 8th. — That each annual subscriber of two guineas be a governor, and as such entitled to attend and vote at all general meetings of the Society. 9th. — That the property of the institution be vested in five trustees, to be elected from the body of patrons, who shall hold the same in trust for the proprietors, and that the number shall be filled up at the next general meeting when reduced to three. 10th. — That every member have free admission for himself to the institution, and the power of admitting any number of individuals of hia family to view the Works of Art, and to draw and model there, subject to the regulations of the committee. 11th. — That every annual subscriber of one guinea be entitled to personal admissions to the institution, to draw or model, subject in like SOCIETY OF ARTS AND SCHOOL OF DESIGN. 197 manner to the regulations of the committee, and that he be at liberty to transfer such right, for the year, to any individual of his family ; but that this subscription do not entitle him to any share in the manage- ment of the affairs of the Society. 12th. — That there be an annual general meeting of the members on the first Wednesday in October, and that all ladies being members of the society, and all members resident more than five miles from Birming- ham, be entitled to vote by proxy, such proxy being a member, and authorised by the signature of the party. The following resolution was also passed : — That a general meeting be called of this society on the first Wednes- day in March next, and that in the meantime the following gentlemen, who signed the requisition, be requested to act as a Provisional Com- mittee : — Samuel Galton W. Hamper Edward Johnstone J. H. Spry James Woolley John Corrie Hyla Holden Samuel Ryland William Wallis John Johnstone Timothy Smith S. Tertius Galton John Gordon Thomas Attwood J. T. Lawrence H. Galton George Yates W. W. Smith J. W. Unett George Barker Josiah Corrie J. A. James Edward Thomason A. Kenrick John Badams Theopls. Richards, jun. James Yates. Among the early patrons and proprietors were the follow- ing, who, it will he seen, subscribed liberally to the new Society : — Sir Robert Lawley, Bart., a valuable Collection of ( lasts. Lord Beauchamp . Sir ( liarles Mordaunl . H. Legge 1). S. l)u -dale Timothy Smith F. Lawley LOO 100 100 100 50 100 £ T. Lawrem e . 50 Edward Thomason . .")(> Samuel Galton 1(1(1 S. Tertius Galton . J (HI Hubert Galton 100 M. R. Boulton 100 James Taylor . 100 Samuel Ryland .11 HI Mark Sanders . 100 In May, 1822, we hear that the " Museum in New Street is now fitted up, and furnished with the valuable Collection of Casts from the Antique, presented to the Society by Sir Robert Lawley, Bart.; and wo understand the apart- 108 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. ment will be opened on the 4th of next month, for the ad- mission of members and students. The Committee, we also learn, have availed themselves of a favourable opportunity of providing a considerable addition to the present collection, through the assistance of a gentleman who is visiting Italy, and who has politely offered his services in selecting such specimens of the works of art, as will best promote the objects of the Society." Five years elapsed before the Society was able to hold an Exhibition. The first took place in September, 1827, and the following is a contemporary account of this important event: — We have been highly gratified with the pictures and other works of art in this collection, which, whether as it respects the number of artists and their productions, or the high degree of merit which they display, is calculated to increase the reputation of Birmingham for improved taste in design and execution, and to bring the artists themselves under that public notice and fostering patronage which is the proper reward of their superior talents. It must be highly gratifying to the committee of managers to see the first exhibition so promptly and creditably supported, and to experience such cordial assistance and co-operation from the numerous contributors to it. The chief object of the Society of Arts is to improve the taste and to afford facilities for the display of native talent ; to combine, as far as may be practicable, the beauty ami grace of Italian design with the unrivalled skill and substantial qualities of British workmanship ; and auxiliary to this object is the collection and exhibition of pictures, designs, and statuary. The catalogue contains 247 subjects, and the names of 84 artists. There are many good pictures, both landscapes and portraits ; and whilst we cordially acknowledge the excellence of artists who have attained a well-deserved reputation, we rejoice to see so many students 'and young painters who are eagerly and successfully pursuing the right course to distinction. There are five paintings, all of them beautiful landscapes, by Mr. J. V. Barber ; nine- teen by Mr. S. Lines and his Sons, some of which are very good pictures ; seven by Mr. Evans, including a fine portrait of Count Woronzow, and another of the late Black Emperor C'hristophe ; seven by Mr. Thomas Wyatt, finely painted. Landscapes by Messrs. Price, Henshaw,Creswick, Everett, Wallace, Jukes, Roberts, Miss Chawner, &c., &c. Portraits, by Messrs. Coleman, Boom, Hobday, Rhodes, Smith, Mills, &c, &c. Game, by Messrs. Wyatt, Walker, Harper, &c. " Lost Money," by Rippingale, a picture which tells its own tale in a very pleasing manner ; and six miniatures of extraordinary beauty, by the Miss Sharpes ; and others, by Mrs. Wright, Miss Jabet and Sister, Miss Saunders, &c, &c. SOCIETY OF ARTS AND SCHOOL OF DESIGN. 199 The celebrated sculptor, Chantrey, visited the exhibition prior to its opening, on the 10th of the month. He was met by several of the committee. He expressed a lively interest in the welfare of the institution, and suggested many valu- able hints in reference to the exhibition, " of which," we are told, " the committee intend to avail themselves." The next most important event in the history of the society was the erection of the building in New Street. This work was completed in 1829, and the following description of it will be read with interest : — It consists of a magnificent circular Exhibition-room, 52 feet in diameter, with a dome roof, and lighted from the centre by a skylight, 29 feet diameter ; the ceiling is thrown into panels, and the general effect of the room is novel and striking ; indeed, when filled with well-painted pictures, we have little doubt of its being considered the finest room of its kind in the kingdom. It is approached from New Street by a spacious flight of steps, and on each side are convenient and well-lighted rooms, one of which will be used as a library or committee-room, and the other as an exhibition-room for sculpture ; between the latter and the circular room is a small octagonal room, forming a communication between the two, ami which it is intended to use for miniatures or other small works <>f art. Beyond the large room is a light and spacious room for the exhibition of water-colour drawings, and adjoin- ing thereto is a long room for exhibiting prints. It will thus be evident that ev T ery accommodation has been provided which can be required in an exhibition of works of art; and care has been taken so to arrange the rooms as to make them available for the other uses to which the Society will appro- priate them. In addition to the rooms above enumerated, accommodations have been provided for the keeper, &c, &c. The exterior elevation in New Street is executed in Bath stone, and is of the Corinthian order of architecture. It has a finely proportioned portico, which, by the permission of the Commissioners of the Streets, it was allowed to extend across the footpath; thus not only affording greater convenience 200 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. for persons visiting the exhibition in carriages, but also ma- terially adding to the architectural beauty of the edifice. The example which has been chosen by the architects as their model, and which, although not servilely copied, they have adapted to their purpose, is one of the most chaste and ex- quisite remains of Roman splendour, the Temple of Jupiter Stator, the purity of which is worthy of the most refined period of Grecian excellence in the arts of design. In this new room the first conversazione of the Society was held on November 4th, 1829. The newspapers of the time make occasional references to the Society of Arts, criticise its exhibitions, and report its conversaziones ; but the record is that of a continual struggle with difficulties. The subscriptions were insufficient to meet the expenditure. In 1835, the House of Commons voted a sum of money for the promotion of the Fine Arts, and, in November, 183G, Mr. John Corrie, one of the original subscribers and founders of the society, wrote the following letter to Mr. J. W. Unett, the lion, secretary. It was read at the committee meeting, held on the first of December : — Old Hummims, Covent Garden, 29th Nov., 1836. My dear Sir. — In a party I met at dinner yesterday, it was stated, in conversation, that " Government, on the recommendation of a Committee of the House of Commons in the last session, had assigned ,£1,500 to be employed in the promotion of the Fine Arts, and the general improve- ment of taste in Architecture, Painting, Manufacture, &c." It was added, the artists in London wished to engross the whole ; but a Man- chester gentleman, who was present, said that he had applied for a part, to be employed in Manchester to encourage the improvement of patterns for silks and printed cottons, and was to see Mr. Poulett Thompson to-morrow {i.e., to-day) on the subject. Why should not Birmingham have a share >. Our Society of Arts was instituted, as you know, principally from Lord Wenlock's desire to im- prove the taste of our manufacturers. I am persuaded the institution has not been without beneficial effects ; but it might be greatly aided, if two or three hundred pounds of this grant could be placed at the disposal of the committee, or, together with them, of such other parties as Gov- ernment might appoint. Would it not be well to call a special meeting of the committee imme- SOCIETY OF AKTS AND SCHOOL OF DESIGN. 201 diately, and pass a resolution that application be made to Government without delay ? A short resolution, presented by a party or parties who could briefly state the origin, progress, and j)resent state of the Society of Arts, would probably prevent such an appropriation being immediately made as would exclude Birmingham, and, if necessary, might be followed by a full memorial. If you think this information worth attention, I would gladly give any assistance I can, and, if some one were deputed with me, would take care to make the proper communication, either at the Home Office, or to the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Pray let me hear from you by return of post, as I may leave town soon. If you think I can act more advantageously as a subscriber, please to replace my name in the list ; I may be called one of the founders. Dear sir, sincerely yours, John Corkie. Mr. Come was requested to wait upon the Secretary of State or the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and endeavour to obtain a portion of the grant for the use of the Birmingham Society; and Mr. W. Tooke, M.P., and Mr. Peter Hollins, were requested to accompany him. A statement of the amount expended in the establishment of the Society, of the receipts and expenditure for 1855, and of the mortgage and other outstanding debts, was supplied to Mr. Corrie, in order to strengthen his application. From this document we learn the position of the Society at this time. STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS. 185.">. £ s. d. Dec. 31st. — There was owing to the treasurer and sundry tradesmen 1,127 5 10 On mortgage of the buildings 1,800 £2,927 5 10 Expenses of last year amounted to 485 14 5 1855. £ s. d. Dec. 31st. — Cost of erecting the present rooms of the society 3,976 3 8 Receipts of last year from all sources ... 3G7 (i The burden of paying the poor rates, then, as now, pressed 202 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. heavily on the committee, and Mr. Corrie was requested to bring the subject before the Chancellor of the Exchequer ; to state the hardship of this and other similar societies, sup- ported by voluntary contributions, and from the establish- ment of which no rent or pecuniary profit arises, being subject to such payment. The committee expressed a hope that Government would take the same into consideration and pass a short Act of Parliament to exempt such societies from poor rates. The friends of education and charitable insti- tutions are still endeavouring to effect the same object. That such exemption was needed by the Society of Arts is evident from its financial position, and from the following resolution passed on the 2nd of May, 1837 : — That it is the opinion of this committee that it would be very desi- rable to have a boarded floor to the large room of this society, but this committee deeply regret that in the present state of the finances of the society, it is not in their power to do so. The following memorial to the overseers on the subject of the poor rate was adopted by the committee : — To the Overseers of the Parish of Birmingham. The Memorial of the undersigned Magistrates, Clergy, anil other inhabi- tants, Ratepayers of the said parish : — Sheweth — That the Society of Arts was established by liberal dona- tions from noblemen and gentlemen in this town and neighbourhood, in the year 1821, in order to promote extensively and efficiently the study of the Fine Arts as connected with manufactures of the town, by pro- viding ready means of accpiiriug a correct taste, and gratuitously afford- ing to artists and manufacturers an opportunity of making their talents known to the public. That the society has ever since been, and is now, supported by small voluntary subscriptions and occasional donations, which are fluctuating, and not to be depended upon, while the annual expenditure of the society is permanent and comparatively large, and its public utility, for want of the necessary funds, is materially cramped, and the valuable end for which it was founded is, in a great degree, frustrated. That no individual belonging to the society derives any pecuniary advantage therefrom. That the amount of levies which the society has been in the habit of paying for the relief of the poor, forms an important item in its annual expenditure. That considerable relief would be given to the society by an exemption from these rates. Your memoralists, therefore, pray that SOCIETY OF ARTS AND SCHOOL OF DESIGN. 203 the same liberal exemption from the payment of the poor rates be extended to the Society of Arts as is made in favour of the Charitable Institutions of the town ; and, should the funds of the society become more than sufficient to meet the unavoidable annual expenses, the society will gratuituously contribute to the levies as heretofore. In October of this year (1837) we find the following curious minute : — " The improved facility of communication between Liverpool and Birmingham, and Manchester and Birmingham, by the opening of the railway, having enabled all persons residing in those towns to view the Exhibitions in Birmingham, and return the same day, and this committee being well aware that there are many patrons of the Fine Arts residing at Liverpool and Manchester who would, if applied to, kindly assist this society by subscriptions or donations, and Mr. George Unett, the son of the hon. secre- tary, having volunteered to go to Liverpool or Manchester, and gratuitously canvass those places for subscriptions and donations " — it was resolved that the offer be accepted, and Mr. J. F. Ledsam, Mr. George Barker, and Mr. Joseph Walker were requested to write to some influential friends in both these towns, to accompany him. From the report presented at the annual meeting, held on February 6, 1838, we quote the following passages, giving a very brief account of the Society : — " The Society was established in the year 1821, to assist in promoting a knowledge and cultivation of the Fine Arts in the town and neighbourhood of Birmingham, by affording to the inhabitants generally, and especially to the artists, additional means of forming a correct taste, and furnishing the latter with favourable opportunities of making their talents known to the public. '' The foundation of the society was laid by the late Lord Wenlock, who presented a most valuable collection of those perfect casts from the fine remains of Grecian sculpture, which were moulded at Paris, when that capital possessed the original moulders. This liberal donation was followed by subscriptions from noblemen and gentlemen in the neigh- bourhood, amounting in the whole to upwards of £1,500. A 204 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. part of this sum has been expended in adding to the collection of works of art by purchases made at Rome and other places. The remainder, with an additional sum raised by mortgage, has been expended in the erection of a building for the various purposes of the Institution, which has been universally ad- mired for the beauty of its architecture, and which, with other smaller apartments, contains a circular room fifty-two feet in diameter, lighted from a dome, and which is allowed to be as admirably adapted for the exhibition of paintings as any room in Europe." The report also stated that the receipts had increased, and the expenses decreased during the past year ; and that the Committee had, in conjunction with several other literary and scientific institutions, at Liverpool, Manchester, or else- where, taken steps to support a bill to exempt such societies from the payment of parochial rates and taxes. On the 9th of August, 1838, the following letter was pub- lished in the Midland Counties Herald : — Sir.— As you have, by the frequent, extended, impartial, and gra- tuitous notices in your columns, invariably shown a disposition to forward the interests of every useful institution in the town, I am emboldened to request the insertion of a few remarks, particularly addressed to the committee of the " Society of Arts," but in which every townsman of Birininghain is interested. While on the continent, in the metropolis, and in our principal towns, " schools of design " are being established for the improvement of artists in different branches of manufactures, I venture to assert, without fear of contradiction, that a cultivated taste, a knowledge of correct drawing and design, are more requisite, and of greater advantage to the inmimer- able varieties of manufacture in Birmingham than in any other town in the world. With this consideration, I have deeply regretted to see the lamentable state into which the antique academy of the Society of Arts has been allowed to fall. These remarks have been called forth seeing the con- dition of the casts, to which I beg to call your particular attention. I happened, a few days since, to go with a visitor to view that splen- did collection, originally not surpassed by any in the kingdom, muni- ficently presented by Sir Robert Lawley and others, at an expense of at least one thousand pounds. I found them in so neglected a state that there is not a figure that is not more or less injured, and some shamefully mutilated, literally for want of common care. SOCIETY OF ARTS AND SCHOOL OF DESIGN. 205 The quantity of dirt and dust that filled the room was an effectual prohibition to anybody that regarded cleanlhiess, from entering. It appears that these inimitable sjieciniens of art thus suffer all kinds of indignity. One cause of their destruction I find has been the frequent removing at the times of the exhibitions. They were huddled away, for- sooth, into an obscure corner, to make room for the empty packing cases of the pictures. Why should they not be exhibited ] They would be a far greater attraction to many lovers of art than the paintings ; and I would earnestly suggest the consideration of such an arrangement at the forth- coming exhibition ; and not only during the autumn months, but let them form a permanent exhibition, open to subscribers and their friends at all times. * * * Under the care of a competent and responsible curator, the improved condition of the whole institution would soon create an interest in town, and amply repay any trifling additional expense, should it be required. I would here remark that it has often been a subject of regret among the patrons of the institution that its resources could not be economised so as annually to afford a moiety for the purchase of some superior work of art, to form the nucleus of a permanent exhibition . I do not pretend here to enter into the details of this or other arrange- ments, but I may trouble you again with some suggestions for improve- ment. We have models for imitation in the institutions of Liverpool, Manchester, and Bristol, who I am jealous of seeing so far outstrip us in their regard for the arts. There is a higher talent among the artists of Birmingham, and, with the elements of usefulness and an excellent foundation, our institution has not kept pace with the intention of its founders. Let us then improve the means that have been so liberally bestowed, and show that we appreciate while we encourage patronage. I am, sir, your obedient servant, A Subscriber. To this the committee made the following reply : — The two committees of the Society of Arts, having observed in your paper of the 9th instant a letter, signed "A Subscriber," reflecting on the management of the society, and which, if not answered, is calculated to injure the society in the eyes of the public, think it necessary to give the following explanation : — The committee coincide in opinion with the writer of the letter, that the school of design, as connected with the various manufactures of Birmingham, is of the utmost importance ; and they are happy to inform him and the public that a school for modelling and drawing from the antique casts, has been for the last two years opened gratuitously for the use of the students, that it is fully attended, that it is superintended bj artists competenl to instruct them in the 20G MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. knowledge of correct drawing and design, and that there is annually a course of anatomical lectures, which are calculated to be of important service to the students. As to the mutilated condition of the casts, the committee beg to state that the cores which are necessary to connect the limbs with the trunk being improperly made of iron, the rust and expansion of the iron is the principal cause of their present dilapidated state, and' for this there is no effectual remedy but a complete restoration of such parts as are broken or cracked. The necessity of these lias occupied the attention of the committee for several years, and they have been most anxious to effect them ; but they are sorry to say, the funds of the society are not in a condition at present to justify them in expending so large a sum as will be necessary for this purpose. The casts are open to the subscribers and their friends at all times, and itwould be an encouragement to the committee if the subscribers more generally availed themselves of this privilege . The casts did on one occasion form part of the annual exhibition ; but many persons doubting the pro- priety of such an arrangment, the committee discontinued it in future ; but the casts may be viewed, on application at the doors, either during the exhibition or at any other time. Before the erection of the present room for the reception of the casts, the removal of them during the period of the exhibition was a matter of necessity, and it is much to be regretted that in these removals they did sustain some injury, which, with every care, was unavoidable. The dis- colorations and stains are the natural consequence of many years' exposure to the dust and smoke of a large town like Birmingham. With respect to the appointment of a curator, the committee are of opinion that it is highly desirable, and they hope that the public will duly appreciate their efforts, and, by a more extended encouragement and patronage, will enable them to carry such a measure into effect. — Signed by desire of the Committee. j w ^^ H(m gec _ The first letter was written by Mr. W. R Lloyd, and in the same number of the Herald, in which the Committee's reply was published, a brief note from that gentleman also ap- peared : — Sir — Having been called uj>on by Mr. Unett, as writer of the letter that appeared in your paper of the 9th instant, signed " A Subscriber," and having had an opportunity of meeting the committee of the Society of Arts, I think it due, both to them and to myself, to observe that the above letter contains information that cannot be otherwise than gratify- ing to the subscribers and friends of the institution. The liberal manner in which the committee have entered into these explanations is highly SOCIETY OF ARTS AND SCHOOL OF DESIGN. 207 creditable. Their desire to exteud the usefulness of the society entitles them to better support from the public ; and it is sincerely to be hoped that the number of subscribers, both to the Society of Arts, and to that for the " Purchase of Works of Living Artists," will be much increased at the forthcoming exhibition. — I am, sir, yours respectfully, W. R. Lloyd. Bingley, 29th August, 1838. The Society endeavoured to carry out its object by making arrangements by which young men engaged in the different manufactories of the town could see the pictures and other works of art. Subscribers had also the privilege of recom- mending students to draw and model in the academy gratu- itously ; and these students had free admission to the exhibition at all times. The committee also sent 25 tickets to young men, members of the Mechanics' Institute, for the same purpose. At a committee meeting, held March 16, 1841, the follow- ing report was presented and adopted : — To the Chairman of Sub-committee for Preparing the Annual Report. Sir, — A resolution having been passed January 12th, 1841, at a meet- ing of both committees, wherein the Professional Committee were re- quested to suggest whether any, and what, plan could be adopted to render the Academy and School of Design more efficient : — The Professional Committee, at a meeting held January 20th, 1841, Resolved — "That this committee is of opinion that the efficiency of the Academy might be greatly increased if it were in possession of the nee sary material, viz., enlarged f inn Is, and tine casts from the antique, of candelabra, foliage, and vases. These being provided, the professional members pledge themselves to their utmost to make them available to the public." In conformity with the above resolution, the Professional Commi submit the following plan for your consideration : — "The exhibition not to be interrupted by any extension in the plan of the schools. That the Government be memorialised to present the society with a set of casts from the Elgin Marbles. " That a collection be made of casts, models, &c, &c, from the most approved Grecian and Roman Works of Art, consisting of Architectural Ornaments, Basso Relievo, ( 'andelabra, Foliage, Medals, Intaglios, &c. "That a similar collection be made from the works of the Middle Ages, and also from those of the more recent or modern times. "That two nights in each week be devoted to the study of the Ant i Figure ; two nights to the study of Ornamental Art ; and one night to 208 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. Geometrical Drawing, Perspective, and the general principles of Archi- tecture, with occasional address to the students. " To carry out this plan will require an additional expenditure of at least £100 a-year. " F. H. Henshaw, Chairman." In March, 1842, the Committee adopted the following memorial to the Committee of the School of Design : — To the Honourable the Committee empowered by her Majesty's Govern- ment to make grants in aid of public Schools of Design. The humble memorial of the Society of Arts in Birmingham, Sheweth — That this society was established in 1821, for promoting the cultiva- tion of the line arts, and lias been ever since supported by voluntary subscriptions and benefactions. That the society comprises an academy furnished with a collection of antique statues, and casts and prints of various architectural and orna- mental works. That there is a regular attendance of students in the academy, who are instructed in the art of design as connected with the manufactures of the town. That the only remuneration the society is able to make the parties wh< i professionally attend the instruction, is a gratuity of £25 a year, originally destined by the founder of the society for a different purpose. That, being convinced that the cultivation of the Fine Arts is essential to the prosperity of the manufactures of the town and neighbourhood, and being anxious to promote the same as much as possible, your memorialists respectfully request your assistance in furthering these views, by a grant, in money or otherwise, under such regulations as you may deem proper. To this memorial the following reply was received : — Sir. — I have the honour to inform you, the memorial of the Committee of the Society of Arts, Birmingham, dated the 12th instant, was sub- mitted to the Council of the School of Design yesterday. The Council wdl readily give assistance for the establishment and maintenance of a School of Design in the town of Birmingham, provided the inhabitants are disposed to support such an institution, and will guarantee a certain subscription for a period of three years. The sum which the Council will advance must depend on the local subscription, and would not, in any case, exceed the amount of that subscription. I have the honour to be, sir, Your obedient servant, J. B. Gardiner. SOCIETY OF ARTS AND SCHOOL OF DESIGN. 209 It was agreed that the offer of the Council afforded a most favourable opportunity for extending the usefulness of the Institution, by the introduction of several departments of in- struction of great importance in the Arts, which had not yet been taught in the school, on principles similar to those of the School of Design, established at Somerset House. In accordance with this resolution, the following scheme was adopted : — Section 1. — Elementary Instruction. I. Drawing, outline drawing, geometrical and freehand. Shadowing, use of chalks, &c. Drawing from the round ; drawing from nature, in- cluding anatomy, proportion, and landscape. II. Modelling from the antique and from nature. III. Instruction in colours, water colours, including water body- colours and fixed oil-colours. Copies of coloured drawings, and colour- ings from nature. IV. Isometrical perspective, and perspective. Section 2. — Instruction. I. History, principles and practice of ornamental art. This included the antique styles, styles of the middle ages, and modern styles, with lectures. Section 3. — Instruction in designs for manufactures, including study of the various processes of manufacture, and practice of design for individual branches of industry. The Society of Arts had hitherto been managed by a joint committee, consisting of three elements — the non- professional, elected by the subscribers; the professional, which consisted of artists; and five others selected by the committee from the list of guinea subscribers. The offer of aid on the part of the government, and the condi- tions under which that aid was offered, rendered a reorgani- zation of the society necessary. Accordingly, in March 31, 1842, the committee, "having considered the present state of the Society of Arts, in reference to the grant of money liberally offered by her Majesty's Government," resolved — That the following principles are indispensable to be adopted in a reconstruction of the society, viz. : — 1st. That one committee be annually appointed, to consist of patrons, a certain number of annual subscribers of ,£2 2s., a certain number of persons subscribing £1 Is., and a certain number of artists who shall be eligible as members of the committee without subscribing. 210 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. 2nd. That the committee shall meet monthly, inspect the accounts, receive report of the state of the school of design, and transact the other business of the society. 3rd. That tuition in school shall be committed to one person, to be elected by the committee, and subject to their control. 4th. That visitors shall be appointed by the committee from its own members, one — always an artist — to inspect and report on the school. 5th. That pupils admitted shall pay a certain sum, to be fixed, except a limited number to be recommended by subscribers according to rate of subscription. 6th. That there shall be an annual meeting to elect the committee, the voting to be as in the 12th original rule. 7th. That there shall be an annual exhibition under the direction of the committee, who shall appoint a sub-committee, of which artists, members of the committee, shall always form a part, with power to engage additional professional aid if necessary. Against these resolutions, the Professional Committee "firmly, but respectfully protested," declaring "that they could take no share in proceedings which they conceived to be contrary to the laws of the Society." At the request of their colleagues, the professional gentlemen submitted the four following resolutions, containing their views as to the management of the Society : — 1st. That tuition in the school be committed to one person, to be elected by the committees, and subject to their control ; and that the instruction in any specific branches to which the course of education may be extended, shall be confided to lecturers of competent attain- ments. 2nd. That the committee shall meet monthly, and inspect the ac- counts, and receive a report of the state of the School of Design. 3rd. That visitors shall be appointed by each committee from its own members, to inspect and report on the school. 4th. That the admission of students be according to the present regulations. "&"■ This series of resolutions was signed by Edward Everitt, chairman. The unprofessional committee considered these propositions " wholly inadmissible, and unsuited to the cir- cumstances and requirements of the Society," and made arrangements for calling a special general meeting of the " whole body comprising the Society of Arts," in order to SOCIETY OF ARTS AND SCHOOL OF DESIGN. 211 obtain an expression of opinion from them on the subject in dispute. The two committees continued their controversy for some time, each committee expressing the deepest regret that it could not accept the proposals of the other. A special general meeting of the members was called for Tuesday, July 12, 1842, to consider such measures as might extend the advantages of the Society, and authorise its management in future by a single committee. The unprofessional committee earnestly requested the attention of the subscribers to the following statement, their object being "to prepare the way for extending the School of Design, without discontinuing the annual exhibitions : " — The Society was founded in 1821, when it was presented with a valuable collection of casts by the late Sir Eobert Lawley, to which additions have been made. The exhibition was not commenced until 1827. The school for drawing from the antique, with which the Society commenced, has continued until the present time. Six members of the Professional Committee have for some years kindly undertaken to act as teachers, in rotation, two evenings in each week ; but the average attend- ance of students for the last year has amounted only to fourteen in each evening. It is obvious that a considerable extension of the above plan is neces- sary to carry into execution the original design of the Society, in sup- plying the wants of the manufacturers of Birmingham, and in improving the general taste of the town. Under this impression, the Unprofes- sional Committee have applied to her Majesty's Government for assist- ance, to enable them to carry out such an extension. The application has been favourably received, Government having expressed a willingness to grant to the Society a sum of money not exceeding that raised by subscription. This grant, being thus in aid of subscriptions, is made to the subscribers to the Society, and on condition of their guaranteeing an equal sum. Considerable inconvenience having already arisen from the direction of the affairs of the Society being confided to two committees of equal powers — an inconvenience likely to increase in future, and prove fatal to the interests of the Society, if the proposed School of Design lie established and carried on to any extent — it is suggested that the following- propositions will tend, by the union of the present governing bodies, without injury to either, to secure uniformity, promptitude, and regularity in the dispatch of the Society's affairs : — 1st. That the management of the Society be henceforth entrusted to one committee, to possess all the powers heretofore enjoyed by both committees of the Society. 212 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. 2nd. That the committee he composed of the president, honorary secretary, donors of £100, together with nine subscribers of £2 2s. annually, five subscribers of £1 Is. ; to be appointed at an annual general meeting ; and seven artists to be chosen by the professional members of the Society of Arts. 3rd. That tie privileges of personal free admission to the schools, the library, and the exhibitions, and of one vote at all general meetings, and of sending students to the school (as provided by the present law No. III.) be fully preserved to the present and future professional members of the Society, not exceeding, however, at any time, their present number of twenty -four. 4th. That if the professional members shall delay or omit to certify to the committee their election within one month after the annual general meeting, of the seven artists to form part of the committee as above- mentioned, the other members of the committee shall have power to fill up the vacancies so caused. The Professional Committee also issued a circular to the subscribers, in which they gave their reasons for opposing the course proposed to be taken for the future management of the Society. In this document they stated that for the " first time in the history of the Society a difference has arisen between the two controuling bodies : the artists find the Academy suddenly denounced as inefficient, and their position in the Society assumed to be a barrier to the exertions of the Unprofessional Committee in carrying into effect the original design of the institution ; and the remedy proposed is the entire abnegation of the powers of the unprofessional mem- bers, as an integral and independent body of the Society ; a proposal which the members believe to be prejudicial to the best interests of the Society, and in direct violation of that fundamental law which formed the basis of a permanent union of the artists with the institution twelve years ago." They then quoted a passage from the report of 1841, in proof of the "efficiency of the Academy as a School of Design, both in principle and practice ; " and protest against the pro- posal that the Society should be managed by a single com- mittee. The first law of the institution provides " that the Society shall consist of two distinct bodies, professional and unprofessional, with equal authority ; " the second, " that the SOCIETY OF AETS AND SCHOOL OF DESIGN. 213 professional body shall consist of artists who shall he called Members of the Society of Arts. They shall not be subject to removal except by their own body, and agreeably to their own bye-laws." Law 15 provided " that no measure shall be passed at a general meeting, unless previously approved by both these bodies." They, therefore, asserted that the pro- posal about to be submitted to the special general meeting of the subscribers, not having received the assent of the professional body, could not be legally entertained. Notwithstanding this protest, the meeting was held in the Waterloo Rooms on July 12, Captain C. Tindal in the chair. Mr. Peter Hollins moved, and Mr. W. Scholefield seconded the following resolution : — " That, under law fifteen, this meetino; seeino 1 that the Professional Committee has not assented to the measure proposed, does not feel itself com- petent to entertain the resolutions on the notice paper." The motion was lost by eight votes; thirty voting for it, and thirty-eight against. Mr. W. Phipson then moved, and Mr. J. W. Unett seconded, as follows : — " The Unprofessional Committee having applied to a Board of Commissioners appointed by her Majesty's Government for promoting the formation of Schools of Design, for assistance in carrying out the original purpose of the Birmingham Society of Arts, and the application having been favourably received, the Commissioners having expressed a willingness to grant to the. subscribing members of the Society a sum of money not exceeding that guaranteed by them — Resolved : — That the management of the Society be hence- forth entrusted to one committee, to be composed of the president, honorary secretary, and donors of one hundred pounds, together with nine subscribers of two guineas an- nually, and five subscribers of one guinea, to be appointed by the donors and subscribers at an annual general meeting; and also seven artists to be chosen by the professional mem- bers of the Society of Arts; and in case the professional members shall delay or omit to certify to the committee the election within one month after the annual general meeting, 214 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. of the seven artists to form part of the committee as above- mentioned, the other members of the committee shall have power to fill up the vacancies so caused." Mr. Thomas Clark, jum, moved, and Mr. W. Scholefield seconded : " That the management of the Society be hence- forth entrusted to one committee, and that one-half of the members of such committee be selected from the professional members." The amendment was lost by a large majority, and the original resolution was passed. It was then moved by Mr. J. Ledsam, and seconded by Mr. Theophilus Richards : " That the privilege of personal free admission to the schools, the library, and the exhibitions, and of one vote at all general meetings, and of sending students to the schools, be fully preserved to the present and future professional members of the Society, not exceeding, however, at any time, their present number of twenty-four." Mr. W. Wills moved, and Mr. Francis Clark seconded: "That this meeting expresses its grateful sense of the liberality of her Majesty's Government, manifested in the offer of a grant in aid of the School of Design, and approves of the measures that have been taken on behalf of the Society to obtain such grant ; and that a general meeting of the Society be convened for the Uth of August, to appoint a committee in pursuance of the foregoing resolutions, and to transact the usual business of the annual meeting." The last two resolutions were carried unanimously, the artists and their friends not voting. o In consequence of the course taken at this meeting, the artists withdrew from the Society, and immediately formed the Birmingham Society of Artists, which still exists with the addition of "Royal" to its title. The history of this society will be narrated in a subsequent chapter. At a meeting, held August 8, the committee voted the sum of one hundred guineas to Mr. Thomas Gutteridge, Hon. Secretary, " for his valuable services rendered on many oc- casions," and for the " zeal, assiduity, and talent displayed in his Lectures on Anatomy." SOCIETY OF ARTS AND SCHOOL OF DESIGN. 215 From a memorial presented to the Committee of the Privy Council for the establishment of Schools of Design, in October, 1842, we learn that the annual income from all sources for that year was as follows : — Sir Francis Lawley, Bart 25 Subscribers 63, at £2 2s. each 1 32 6 Subscribers 222, at ,£1 Is. each 233 2 Total ,£390 8 The annual value of the premises in New Street, in the occupation of the Society, (cost £3,976 3s. 8d.) was 205 12 6 Annual rent for entertainments 80 £285 12 6 It was stated that the income of the Society up to the present period, over and above the expenses of the Academy, had been applied to the payment of ground rent, and interest on mortgage, amounting to £165 2s. Cd. per annum; towards the salary of a resident keeper and a secretary ; the purchase of works of art ; the parochial and other rates on the premises, (which are unusually high in Birmingham,) repairs, and the liquidation of the Society's debt incurred in building. The liabilities amounted to upwards of £2,300, to which sum it had been reduced from £3,050 since December, 1836. The committee continued to correspond with the Com- mittee of the Privy Council on the subject of the proposed Government grant, and the result of the year's labours was given in the report presented at the annual general meeting, held September, 1813, Mr. James James (Mayor) in the chair. The following is an extract from this important document : — The Committee of the Society of Arts, in presenting with the deepest interest their report to the subscribers, feel called upon to request their especial attention to the present situation and prospects of the Society. The return to the original principles of the Society, as laid down by the munificent founder in 1821, "that the due cultivation of the tine arts is essential to the prosperity of the manufactures of this town and neigh- bourhood," joined to the liberal assistance and co-operation afforded by her Majesty's Government, appear to hold out advantages of a kind hitherto not enjoyed by those engaged in manufactures in the town ; 210 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. while, on the other hand, the cultivation of the public taste, and provision of an elegant, inexpensive, and improving accomplishment, at a cheap and easy rate, may be considered, in a moral point of view, as bringing with it benefits equally important. " But your committee hasten from these jjleasing anticipations to detail the circumstances which have led to the present position of the Society. At the annual general meeting of the subscribers, held on the 23rd of March, 1841, a declaration of approval of the extension of the Academy was entered on the minutes. At the special general meeting, held on the 12th of July, 1842, an expression of the "grateful sense of the liberality of her Majesty's Government, manifested in the offer of a gi-ant in aid of the School of Design," and an approval " of the measures that had been taken in behalf of the Society to obtain such grant," were unanimously agreed to. It now becomes the duty of your Committee to state what steps have been taken by them in accordance with these instructions of the general body of subscribers. The withdrawal of the Professional Committee, and subsequent forma- tion by them of a separate society, and the circumstances under which this event took place, have been already laid before the subscribers, in the circular of August 4th, 1842, issued by the Unprofessional Committee. To meet the exigencies of the case, an exhibition of pictures by ancient masters was resolved on, and an able instructor temporarily engaged to superintend the Academy, the care of which was now relinquished by the six members of the Professional Committee who had heretofore undertaken that chai-ge. The result of both these resolutions was eminently successful ; the exhibition, liberally contributed to by the owners of pictures in the town and neighbourhood, might fairly challenge comparison with any previously opened in a provincial town, while the number of pupils was nearly trebled, without any means whatever having been had recourse to, to give additional publicity to the school. In turning their attention, as early as circumstances permitted, to the extension of the Academy, by the foundation of a School of Design, your committee derived much encouragement and support from the kindness and munificence of the Society's tried friend and patron, Sir Francis Lawley, Bart., who, at a meeting of the committee, not only placed his annual subscription of £2.3 at their disjiosal, but, on learning the objects contemplated by the School of Design, further liberally increased the funds of the Society by a second donation of ,£100. In October, 1842, having been encouraged by an influential member of the Council of the School of Design in London, to expect their liberal concurrence and support, your committee resolved on memorialising Government for aid in carrying out the extension of their plans. A memorial was accordingly forwarded to London, and favourably received. The exact situation of the Society, particularly in reference to the seces- SOCIETY OF ARTS AND SCHOOL OF DESIGN. 217 si mi of the Professional Committee, having been communicated to the Council of the School of Design, the terms on which a grant of money in aid of the designs of the Society would be made by Government were announced to the committee, and a grant of ,£150 per annum offered. This grant, in consequence of communications which took place in July last, will, after the present year, be extended to £250 annually, in addition to a collection of casts and books, a portion of which has already arrived at the rooms of the Society. Your committee have also to report, with much satisfaction, the appointment, by the Council of the School of Design in London, of Mr. Dobson as teacher in the School of Design, to whose ability and taste they have the strongest testimony from most competent sources, inde- pendently of the high sanction of the authority by whom he was ap- pointed. They sincerely congratulate the subscribers on the acquisition of this gentleman's services to the town of Birmingham, and the prospect of the extension of the school, which may now be looked for immediately. Anxious to promote the real advantages of the town of Birmingham, to allay and (if possible) extinguish any unpleasant feeling which might have arisen in the minds of the members of the late Professional Com- mittee, and to remove the possibility of any doubts being entertained as to the fairness of their own measures, your committee, acting under the advice and suggestion of Sir Francis Lawley, proposed an interview between a deputation from their own body and the members of the Society of Artists, to ascertain whether any arrangement could be made as to an exhibition of Works of Art by the Society of Artists on the premises of this Society, hi proposing this arrangement, your com- mittee were most anxious to avoid all grounds of disunion, to place the artists in the recognised position their profession and ability entitled them to, and, by affording every facility in their power to their exhibition, to secure to the subscribers and public at large the full advantage of the Society's admirable exhibition room. After several conferences, the committee of the Society of Artists delivered in writing, through their chairman, Mr. Peter Hollins, the terms of the arrangements they required, a copy of which is here subjoined :— 1st. — That the Society of Artists become occupants of the front room west, the large octagonal room, and [lacking room, and passage at the I iack of the great room, for the whole year, and occupants of the great room for six consecutive months, commencing the 1st day ft' August in each year, at an annual rent of one hundred pounds, or, in lieu of money, four hundred five-Snilling season tickets of admission to their exhibition ; and if the subscriptions to the Society of Arts do not amount to a number sufficient to require four hundred season tickets at the rate of two for each guinea., the artists to pay the difference in money. 218 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. 2nd. — The subject of two separate subscription lists having been fully discussed, and thought by the deputation of the Society of Arts to be fraught with danger to the interests of that Society, the artists agree to relinquish their subscription, and cordially recommend their friends to subscribe to the School of Design ; provided the Society of Arts will, in return, purchase, for every guinea of their subscription, two season tickets of admission to the Artists' Exhibitions. 3rd. — That the distinctive title of the ' Society of Artists ' be re- tained, and appear on that part of the building which the artists per- manently occupy. 4th. — That the Society of Arts or School of Design shall not exhibit any works of painting or sculpture, either alone or forming part of any exhibition they may have, during the period the artists do not occupy the great room. 5th. — That the price of admission to any public exhibition that the Society of Arts may have iu the said room, be not less than the average price of the admission charged by the Artists to their exhibition. 6th. — That the Society of Artists be indemnified by the Society of Arts from loss by the occupation of their present building. 7th. — That the floor of the great room be boarded at the expense of the Society of Arts. This was accompanied by a copy of the rules of the Society of Artists, from which it appeared that immediately on their voluntary secession the establishment of Schools of Drawing was contemplated by them, and that precautions were taken against any union of the two societies. An ofl'er on the part of your committee, of the use of the front room west for five months, the large room, the octagonal room, the packing room, and passage, for four months, from the 1st of August in each year, was then made, but declined. From this time the society has been called " The Bir- mingham Society of Arts and School of Design." At the first committee meeting held after the annual meeting, the following interesting letter from the late Rev. Hugh Hutton was read : — Sir. — Having read this morning in the Herald the report by the Com- mittee of the Birmingham Society of Arts and School of Design with great interest and satisfaction, I take the liberty of requesting from you, as honorary secretary of that important institution, a little information in regard to the extent to which it is designed to make the classes under the care of its teacher available to the public at large. The particular aim of my inquiry is to ascertain whether it is in the contemplation of the managers to extend the benefits of the institution to a class who may SOCIETY OF ARTS AND SCHOOL OF DESIGN. 219 be described as " honorary students," who on the payment of a fixed annual stipend, and on their compliance with the laws appointed for the regulation of the school, would be permitted to attend upon the usual institutions, and go through the routine exercises of the academy. I am convinced that such an extension of the plan of the school would do much towards allaying the feeling of opposition to the Society of Arts, which is unhappily still lingering in the minds of many of our towns- men ; while it would afford to niaster-manufacturers and to gentlemen of taste, the opportunity of becoming acquainted with those principles of art and those laws which regulate all beautiful and effective design, without the knowledge of which the manufacturers of the one class and the taste of the other must rest on a visionary basis, and have but little power in advancing the true interests of art among us. If there be such a regulation on the books of the Society as that to which I allude, I shall be happy to enrol myself as a pupil, willing to go through all the elementary discipline, and to comply with all the rules that may be judged necessary for the improvement of the other students. I have the honour to be, sir, Most respectfully yours, Hugh Hutton, M.A. J. W. Unett, Esq., Hon. Sec. Soc. Arts. To this communication the committee replied that the matter had already been discussed by them, but as Mr. Dobson, the master appointed by the Government School of Design, had not yet arrived, they were not prepared to give a definite answer. The school opened, with Mr. Dobson as master, in October, 1843. The teaching consisted of drawing from the antique and figure, ornamental drawing, and classes for females. Every subscriber, not attending the school, had the right to nominate a student for each £1 Is. subscribed; the fees of admission for drawing from the antique and figure were 20s. a year, or Gs. a quarter for the morning, and 15s. and 4s. 6d. for the evening school ; for ornamental drawing the fees were respectively 16s., 5s., 12s., and 3s. Gd. The fees for ladies were 10s. and 3s. The school was open on Monday, Wed- nesday, and Friday, from ten to one o'clock in the day, and from half-past seven until half-past nine in the evening for male .students; and on Thursday from two to four in the afternoon for female students. Donors of £100 and upwards 220 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. were entitled to nominate four pupils ; of £50 three ; of £30 two ; and of £20 one ; in addition to the privilege previously proposed of recommending students who were resident mem- bers of their families. A return of the number of pupils attending the school, made up to the 25th of March, 1844, showed a total of 210 pupils; 108 males, and 48 females. In this year Mr. J. Howard Galton presented Etty's " Pandora " and a picture by Opie, to the Society. Both these pictures are now in the Corporation Art Gallery. From the report presented to the members at the annual meeting, held May 30, 1844, we learn that the number of students on the books was 243, of whom 00 attended the female class on Thursday afternoon and evening. In all 210 were engaged in various branches of ornamental drawing, 30 in the study of the human figure, and three in modelling. The receipts, including a donation of £100 from Mr. W. Middlemore, and £113 2s. government grant, amounted to £585 14s. Gd., and the expenses to £450 15s. 7d., leaving a balance of £128 18s. lid., which was paid to the bankers in reduction of the debt due to them. In 1844 Mr. Kidd was appointed assistant master ; and in 1845, Mr. Dobson, the head master, acting under the advice of friends, having resolved to pursue the study of the higher branches of his profession in Italy, resigned his office. Mr. John Heaviside was appointed Mr. Dobson's successor. In December of the same year (1845), Mr. Heaviside tendered his resignation, in consequence of " having received an offer of a situation " which he was desirous of accepting. The resig- nation was, of course, accepted. In February, 1846, the Council selected Mr. Thomas Clarke as the new head-master of the school ; and the Birmingham committee passed a warm vote of thanks to Mr. Murdock, who, for two months, had temporally discharged the duties of head-master. A letter was also sent to the director of the School of Design in London, expressive of the high satisfaction of the committee with Mr. Murdock. From the report presented at the annual meeting, held May 28, 1846, we learn that the number of students had increased SOCIETY OF AKTS AND SCHOOL OF DESIGN. 221 from 307 in the preceding year to 355. The average attend- ance had also increased. The Council of the Government School of Design granted an additional £100, making the total allotted to the Birmingham school for the year 1845, £350. During the year a lending library was established, consisting of works relating to art, which under certain regulations, were circulated among the pupils. Mr. Ambrose Poynter, the inspector of Provincial Schools of Design, visited in Birmingham twice in 184-5, and on each occasion he expressed his warm satisfaction and approval of the ar- rangements of the school. For the year 1846, the number of students had increased from 383 to 423. The Government continued their grant of £350. The additional £100 was only obtained after a long- correspondence between the committee and the council, the latter stating the intention of the government was, that the £100 should have been applied to the payment of an ad- ditional master. The school was visited by Mr. Wilson, the director of the London Government School of Design, and Mr. Poynter, the Inspector of Provincial Schools. Satis- faction was expressed at the progress and improvement of the students. The lending library, which contained between 300 and 400 volumes, had been opened. In 1847 the Society lost the services of the head-master of King Edward VI. School, the Rev. James Prince Lee, on his being appointed to the bishopric of Manchester. Mr. Lee had held the office of chairman for two years and a-half. On his retirement his colleagues on the committee presented him with the following address : — Birmingham, December 1, 1847. Dear Sir, — As the time for your removal from this town is now at hand, we feel it to be incumbent upon us, as well as on behalf of the general body of subscribers by whom we have been elected to manage the affairs of this institution, as for ourselves individually, to express to you the lively sense we entertain of the obligation we are under for the untiring I hi severance with which you have so uniformly laboured in furthering its best interests. It is to your energy that we are mainly indebted for Hie introduction of (he efficient system of instruction now in operation, 222 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. and by your vigorous and judicious efforts the institution has been brought to its present most gratifying state of prosperity and usefulness. We are persuaded that this institution is calculated not only to produce the o-reatest improvement in the character of the manufactures of this town and neighbourhood, but also to exercise the most beneficial influ- ence on the moral condition of a large mass of our population ; and when we see the happy effects already resulting from it, and this to an extent which the most sanguine could hardly have ventured to anticipate in so short a time, and call to mind that they are the' fruits of your un- wearied exertions, we cannot allow you to depart from among us without tendering you our grateful acknowledgments for the benefits which have sprung from your disinterested labours, as well as for the uniform ur- banity and kindness which we have experienced from you as our chair- man ; and while we beg to offer you our most cordial congratulations on the attainment of the high dignity to which you have been so honourably called, we cannot take leave of you without deeply regretting that our connection with one who has conferred so many benefits on this town and neighbourhood is now about to cease. "Whatever may be the degree of influence which the Birmingham School of Design is destined to exercise upon our trade and population, it has certainly received its first vital impulse from your judicious efforts and untiring labours ; and if, amid the numerous and important concerns which will hereafter claim your attention in that extended sphere of usefulness on which you are about to enter, a thought of this institution should sometimes recur to you, we trust that the future progress of the school will enable you to look back to the time you devoted to its welfare with pleasure and satisfaction. Again tendering you, dear sir, our best thanks for the benefits you have conferred on the Birmingham Society of Arts and Government School of Design, with our sincere congratulations, we bid you most cordially farewell. (Signed by the Vice-Chairman, Honorary Secretary, and the Members of the Committee.) To the Rev. James Prince Lee, M.A., Lord Bishop of Manchester, Elect. To this address Mr. Lee thus replied : — King Edward's School, Birmingham, December 2nd, 1847. Gentlemen, — I feel it to be impossible for me to express in adequate terms the pleasure and satisfaction I have derived from your most kind and gratifying expression of goodwill. For the honour you have done me and for the uniform personal kindness I have experienced at your hands, I request you will accept my warm and grateful acknowledgments. SOCIETY OF AETS AND SCHOOL OF DESIGN. 223 To whatever extent any efforts on my part may have contributed to the establishment and success of the Birmingham School of Design, those efforts have mainly owed then origin to the local information and valuable instruction I have derived on many subjects connected with taste, art, and manufactures from several members of our committee, united with the cordial encouragement and co-operation of all. And I shall always regard it as a peculiar happiness and privilege to have been associated in a work which, though commenced amid varying opinions, has been carried on with 2>erfect unanimity, and has united the pro- secution of what I firmly believe to be a great and good public object with much individual kindliness and friendly feeling. May the good work prosper in the elegance and taste displayed by our manufacturers, in a wider cultivation of the intellectual and moral qualities of a large portion of our townsmen, and in the perpetuation of the great common object of the union of wealthy and enlightened employers to provide the means and inducements for self -improvement in the employed ! However removed by circumstances or time from the immediate sphere in which for the last nine years it has been my lot to labour, I shall still watch with deep interest the advancement of the school. And, though I am not vain enough to think the occasion will be needed, I would add it will afford me real satisfaction at any time to tender it any service in my power. For all and every instance of your kindness I again respectfully thank you, my most kind and valued friends ; and believe me ever, with sincere esteem, your much obliged and faithful friend and servant, James Prince Lee. To the Vice-Chairman and the other members of the Committee of the Birmingham Society of Arts and Government School of Design. In February, 1848, Mr. Thomas Clarke tendered his resig- nation as head-master, which lie afterwards withdrew. The Report for 1847 shows that the number of students had in- creased from 423 to 448 ; and the progress of the school in other respects is made the subject of congratulation. In July, 1848, the committee adopted a memorial to the President of the Board of Trade, drawing his attention to the very partial mode of distributing the Government grant, the largest sum appropriated to a Provincial School being £425, while that to the London School was £3,500. The memorialists also pointed out that the London School which 224 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. absorbed this disproportionate sum, had but 422 students, while the Birmingham School, which received only £350, had 480 students ; and they asked for a more liberal assistance to the provincial schools. The Lords of the Committee of Privy Council for Trade did not agree with the Committee of the Birmingham School on the subject of grants, but they con- cluded a long memorandum, by making a "special grant of £100 for general purposes, in addition to the grant already made by Parliament, which is to be applied to the payment of salaries." The communication concludes with the state- ment, that " it is to be distinctly understood that this extra grant is for the present year only, and is not to be drawn into a precedent, nor looked upon in the light of an annual grant." In May, 1849, Mr. Kirk was appointed modelling master, in place of Mr. Kicld, who had removed to Manchester ; and Mr. Williams, third master to the school. A misunderstanding occurred between Mr. Clarke, the head master and Mr. Williams, the third master, in 1851, which led to the dismissal of the latter, and the retirement of the former gentleman. On the 15th of September the school opened under the temporary and special supervision of Mr. Peter Hollins, assisted by Mr. Lines, sen., Mr. Lines, jun., and Mr. R Mills. Mr. George Wallis, formerly of the Manchester School, was appointed by the Board of Trade the new Head Master. He visited Birmingham on September 15, and the next day addressed the following letter to Mr. J. W. Unett, hon. sec. : — Sir, — I have now the honour to address yon in yonr capacity of the honorary secretary of the Birmingham School of Design. The very satisfactory interview I had the pleasure to hold with the committee yesterday, has led me to hope that a distinct understanding as to the future usefulness of the school, and the position of the head master in relation thereto, will be quickly established. It may perhaps be desirable that the committee should distinctly understand that I have accepted the appointment from an earnest desire to be useful in a most important locality ; that I was no candidate for the office ; and it was only after repeated solicitations and a distinct under- standing on certain points, both of principle and detail, that I at last consented to undertake the duties. The hours of attendance for teaching SOCIETY OF ARTS AND SCHOOL OF DESIGN. 225 I was especially particular about, as my health suffered severely from incessant labour at Manchester : the periods I understand as then laid down were in the afternoon of each day, (Saturday and Thursday excepted) from two to four, with one or two slight deviations, and from half-past seven to half-past nine in the evenings, Saturday only excepted ; and Mr. Poynter informed me that the pending arrangement with the class from King Edward's School would have to be made by some modification in the female classes. I may say, however, that I objected strongly to the late hour of half -past nine, as I consider it alike too late for young boys to go home, as also for the health of the masters and elder students. This, I am quite aware, is a difficulty in Birmingham, owing to the fact that most of the manufactories are open until eight o'clock. Another point to which I attach great importance personally, is a room devoted entirely to the use of the Head Master for his private studies. I had been particular in ascertaining that a room was still devoted to the Head Master, as I knew it was at an early period ; but was much astonished at being shown into a room yesterday by Mr. Kirk, who described it as owr room. I did not think it worth while to seek any explanation then on this point ; but I now wish distinctly to understand, whether or not a room is to be exclusively devoted to my use ; and you will oblige me by in- forming me of this as early as convenient. There is yet another point connected with my position, to which it is desirable to allude at the outset. I deem it essential that, in all matters affecting the arrangements of the school, the responsible master should have a voice, though not a vote, at the Board. He knows, or ought to know, the true bearing of all tilings connected with the school much better than any member of the committee or other officer can possibly do ; therefore, we save much time by explanations before legislation, instead of going there after a resolu- tion is arrived at. It is therefore desirable, that the committee should take care that I am duly summoned to attend all meetings for general purposes ; and in this capacity I shall report monthly and quarterly on the state of the school, give indications for alterations and improvements, which will be for the consideration and discussion of the committee. In matters of finance, and all things connected with myself personally, as to the fulfilment of my duties, &c, I shall, of course, desire to be absent ; but the results in the latter case will be better announced by the usual official note from the Secretary, than by calling me into the committee- room to announce them viva voce, as I have a particular objection to such a mode of proceeding. In making these remarks, I beg most respectfully that yourself and the committee will receive them in the spirit of candour in which they are written. Q 226 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. I desire to stand thoroughly well with all parties, and it is infinitely better that a distinct understanding should be arrived at in the outset, than that future petty annoyances should arise from the want of a little plain speaking now. It is very immaterial to myself whether I hold the office I have accepted, a month, a year, or ten years ; but it is very material that, for the period I do hold it, every thiug should be done that can be done for the prosperity of an institution to which, I believe, too much importance, as regards the commercial prosperity of Birmingham, cannot be attached ; and which, if conducted on sufficiently elevated princq:>les, may have a moral influence of no mean character, according to the tone and feeling existing within its walls. I write to my friend Mr. Hollins by this j>ost on points connected with my view as to the modes of instruction, in which I have distinctly stated, that I do not consider any sudden or violent change desirable. As Mr. Hollins will doubtlessly lay this letter before your committee, I need not allude further to that subject here. Mr. Wallis drew up a report to the committee, in which he proposed a complete re-organisation of the school. The history of this year, so important to the interests of the Society, is given in the following extract from the report presented at the annual meeting, held June 29, 1852 : — The past year has been a period of complete revision and re-organisa- tion ; and in stating this fact the committee desire in the outset to account to the subscribers for any apparent deficiency in those more popular and showy works that have heretofore adorned the walls of the school-room on the occasion of the annual meeting. It will, at the same time, be satisfactory to the subscribers to know that the paintings, di-awings, and models exhibited, are the bona fide works of the students' own hands ; that they have been, without exception, done in the school ; and that they are selected from the labours of the whole half-year, instead of being the result of a competition at the close of it. The committee, therefore, are satisfied that the present exhibition affords a far better test of the efficiency of the system of teaching and the progress of the students, than can possibly be obtained from the view of a smaller number of works got up for the occasion of the annual meeting. The committee must again beg the subscribers to bear in mind that the specimens upon the walls are the products of, at most, three-quarters of a year, and that during that time, as has already been stated, a con- siderable change of system has been introduced. With respect to the circumstances which led to the change just alluded to, your committee desire very briefly to state that, in consequence of a dis- SOCIETY OF ARTS AND SCHOOL OF DESIGN. 227 agreement between the late head and third masters, the Committee of the Board of Trade determined, after the most careful and minute investiga- tion of the matter, to remove Messrs. Clarke and Williams, and to appoint Mr. George Wallis, the present head master, and his brother, to succeed them. Some delay, however, unavoidably took place, owing partly to Mr. Wallis's engagement to the Committee of the Great Exhibition not having quite expired at the time fixed for the re-opening of the school after the summer vacation, and partly to the necessity which Mr. Wallis found to exist for a short cessation of work on his own part, after the very arduous prosecution of his interesting and honourable task in con- nection with the Exhibition of all Nations. Although, therefore, the school was re-opened on September the loth, under the highly valuable superintendence of Mr. Peter Hollins, assisted by the two Messrs. Lines and Mr. Richard Mills, (to all of whom the committee and the subscribers, as well as the students themselves, are under the greatest obligation), it was not till the month of November that Mr. Wallis was fully installed in his office. Nor could much lie effected in the re-organisation of the school at so late a period. The head master, therefore, very wisely contented himself with investigating the condition of the various classes, and digesting his plans for future improvements until the Christmas vacation, when he made a very able report to the committee, detailing the condition of every department, and offering several very valuable suggestions for the improvement of the school in various points of arrangement and discipline. The labours of your committee in the work of reform then commenced ; and, accordingly, on the 22ud of December, two sub-committees were ajipointed : one to consider and to cany out Mr. Wallis's suggest ions with respect to repairs and alterations, cleaning, lighting, and other matters connected with the material organisation of the school ; and the other to assist Mr. Wallis in re-organising the classes, altering the mode of awarding the prizes, revising rules and regulations, and otherwise amending the discipline of the school. The result of the labours of the first-named sub-committee has been a complete examination, repair, classification, and arrangement of all the models and examples in the school; a more complete arrangement of desks necessary for the division and supervision of the classes ; im- provements in the position of the gas burners, so as to pi'oduce a greater diffusion of light ; and many other necessary but nameless alterations, tending to a far more complete system of supervision and classification than had heretofore existed. The number of students at this time was 520, and 186 candidates were waiting for admission. The committee were of opinion that the school had made a most decided and im- portant step in advance during the past year, and tin')' most 228 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. readily and most emphatically ascribed " the merit of its im- provement to the talent, public spirit, and untiring assiduity of the head master, Mr. George Wallis, ably seconded by the assistant masters." A special general meeting was held on March 4, 1853, at which it was resolved, in order to render the institution more self-supporting, to institute half fees for the nominations, to raise the general rate of payment in all the classes, and to assign a proportion of school fees to each of the masters in lieu of fixed salary. The ladies' class, " for those who learn drawing as an accomplishment," was raised from 3s. a quarter to 15s.; female class, from 3s. to 5s. for "those who learn drawing for the purpose of adding to their means of obtaining a livelihood, on producing a recommendation by a subscriber, stating the purpose for which they study, and signing a declaration to that effect." For males, the day class was raised from 5s. to 7s. 6cl., without the privilege of attending in the evening ; from 5s. to 10s., with the privilege of attend- ing in the evening ; and from 3s. 6d. to 5s. per quarter for the evening class. The salaries of the masters were to be reduced — head master from £300 to £250, second master from £150 to £130, and third master from £100 to £80; and one-half of the whole fees to be appropriated to make up the deficiency in the following proportions: — head master 5-10ths, second master 5-20ths, and third master 5-20ths. On April 6, 1853, a deputation, consisting of the Rev. Chancellor Law, Arthur Ryland, Peter Hollins, and J. B. Hebbert, waited upon the committee and made a proposition, that the Society of Arts should give up their present building for an exhibition of artists' paintings ; and that, in considera- tion thereof, some suitable rooms and accommodation should be provided for the School of Design in the building of the projected Institute. This "projected Institute" has since become the Birmingham and Midland Institute — the work- ing men's college of the town. In 1854 a school for elementary drawing was opened at St. Peter's School-room, Dale End, the Rev. J. B. Marsden, SOCIETY OF ARTS AND SCHOOL OF DESIGN. 229 Incumbent, having granted its free use for four evenings a week. The progress of the School from 1843 will be seen No. of Students. 481 in the following return 1843 No. of Students. ... 84 1849 1844 ...217 1850 1845 ...302 1851 1846 ...355 1852 1847 ...423 1853 1848 ...448 1854 514 536 536 548 782 The number for 1854 includes the 204 pupils in the Branch School, at St Peter's. In 1856 the Society sustained a great loss by the death of its honorary secretary, Mr. John Wilkes Unett. In noticing this event in their next report, the committee said : — " It is due to the memory of Mr. Unett to recall the fact that he was in effect the founder of the Society of Arts. It was he, who, on the suggestion of the first Lord Wenlock, (then Sir Robert Lawley,) in the year 1820, publicly brought forward the plan of the Society of Arts. Lord Wenlock was at the time residing in Italy, and with characteristic generosity, he pro- ceeded at once to purchase and present to the Society that valuable collection of casts which still adorn this building. Mr. Unett continued his labours in the service of the Society for thirty-six years, during which time he acted, with scarcely any intermission, as honorary secretary to the committee, and was instrumental in obtaining a considerable amount of sup- port to the funds of the Society. It is satisfactory to your committee to reflect that the venerable founder lived to see the institution in the most flourishing condition, and producing an influence amongst the artisans of Birmingham, which must conduce to the improvement of its various manufactures." During the year 1856 the committee was earnestly em- ployed in considering the question of accommodation, pro- posed to be provided by the Council of the Midland Institute, for the Society in the new building in Paradise Street. In 1857 Mr. George Wallis was compelled to resign the office of Head Master in consequence of his health being 230 MODEBN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. unequal to his continuance in such a responsible position. The present Head Master, Mr. David W. Raimbach, was ap- pointed in his place. In the report presented to the annual meeting on February 4, 1858, the committee thus allude to services rendered to workmen by the school : — As a proof of the practical value of the instruction given in the school to the manufacturers of Birmingham, the committee refer to the last report of the head master made to the department of Science and Art, which shows that, during the year ending 30th of June, 1857, 254 of the male students were engaged in the special trades of the town. Included in this number were 10 brassfounders, 15 chasers, 39 die sinkers, 53 engravers, 23 jewellers, 24 japanners, 10 modellers, and 8 silversmiths. In addition to those engaged in the special industries of Birmingham, there were 50 students employed in the building and furnishing trades, together with 33 employed in miscellaneous industrial occupations, in which drawing is of great practical value. This statement is by no meaus an exceptional one, but on the contrary, gives a fair average representation of the composition of the school during the last six or seven years at least, as ascertained annually, though not made public. On analysing the occupations of 4,938 students, who passed through the classes of the school during the fourteen years since its establishment in 1843, there are found 81 modellers for manufactures, 100 brassfounders, 268 japanners, 249 engravers, 158 jewellers or silversmiths, 200 die sinkers, 50 glass painters, 113 chasers, and 106 engineers, machinists, or engine-fitters. It may be quite clear, therefore, that, with such an attend- ance on the part of those to whom a knowledge of drawing is valuable, the result must have been very beneficial to the manufacturing industry of the town, and therefore of great practical value to the manufacturers themselves. The school removed to its new rooms in Paradise Street in the summer of 1858. A general meeting of the patrons and subscribers was held on July 6, 1858, the Hon. and Rev. Grantham Yorke in the chair, at which it was resolved : — That the Birmingham Society of Arts and Government School of Arts shall obtain incorporation with limited liability, under the Joint Stock Companies Acts of 1856 and 1857 ; and that, in order thereto, seven or more of the members of the committee of the Society be requested to sign the requisite memorandum of association. SOCIETY OF ARTS AND SCHOOL OF DESIGN. 231 This resolution was rescinded at a special general meeting held on November 27, 1860, at which the following resolutions were unanimously agreed to : — 1. That the resolution which was passed at a special general meeting of the Society, held on the 6th day of July, 1858, in which authority was expressed to be given to the Society to obtain incorporation with limited liability, under the Joint Stock Companies Acts of 1856 and 1857, be, and the same is hereby, rescinded, in consequence of the difficulties which have arisen in carrying the same into effect ; the Board of Trade having refused to enrol the articles of association, unless the company have shares created in their property. 2. That four of the original trustees of the Society — namely, Dugdale Stratford Dugdale, Esq., Sir Francis Lawley, Bart., James Taylor, Esq., and Timothy Smith, Esq., being dead, and John Towers Lawrence, Esq., the surviving trustee, having expressed his desire to retire, the following five gentlemen — namely, Sir Francis Edward Scott, Bart., Charles Bogers Cope, Esq., Feter Hollins, Esq., Frederick Elkington, Esq., and Charles Henry Jagger, Esq. — be and are hereby appointed new trustees, and Mr. J. T. Lawrence be requested to assign to them, at the expense of the Society, the leasehold and other property of the Society now vested in him, subject to the mortgages thereof. 3. That all the acts of the said J. T. Lawrence, as such trustee, be, and are hereby, confirmed ; and that he be discharged from or indemnified by the Society against all liabilities of whatever nature incurred by him as such trustee, including any further liabilities in respect of the rents and covenants affecting the leasehold property of the Society, and in respect of the mortgages thereof. At another special general meeting, held on January 8, 1860, the following resolutions were adopted : — 1. That the draft of the proposed deed of trust now read, be approved, and that the same be engrossed and executed by the President of the Society, and the present Committee of Management, or the major part in number of the members thereof, and also by the trustees respectively. 2. That when the said deed of trust shall have been engrossed and executed, the trustees be authorised to complete and carry into effect the agreement of tenancy entered into with the Birmingham and Midland Institute and the Society of Artists respectively. On January 4, 1863, Sir Francis E. Scott, Bart., resigned the chairmanship of the committee, in consequence of ill- health. In their report, presented to the annual general meeting, February 25, Lord Calthorpc in the chair, the com- mittee thus allude to this resignation : — 232 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. Your committee cannot close this report without referring to the deep loss which they have sustained in the necessary retirement of Sir F. E. Scott from our chairmanship, on account of ill-health, and his consequent removal from the neighbourhood. In common with other institutions connected with art and science, this loss is to them almost irreparable. The deep interest which Sir Francis took in art, called forth his constant endeavours to suggest anything conducive to the advancement of the school, which his energy of purpose never failed to carry out to the fullest extent. They can only hope that his removal to a milder climate may have all the beneficial effect that his friends can wish. In their report, presented at the annual meeting, May 17, 1864, Lord Lyttelton in the chair, the committee state : — Certain changes have taken place in the regulations of the Science and Art Department, largely affecting the provincial schools of art — the chief of these being that all certificate and other allowances heretofore paid to art masters are cancelled, and increased payments on an extended and complicated scheme of results substituted. While your committee are strongly of opinion that these changes are both uncalled for and unnecessary, as well as likely to act most injuriously on the school, they have taken no part in the agitation which has been made against their introduction, being both willing to give any scheme proposed by the Government a fair trial, and convinced that if it is found impracticable it will be withdrawn. Should, however, these new regulations be persisted in, and be found to act prejudicially on the Birmingham School of Art, the committee are prepared to take the strongest measures to render their school inde- pendent of any adverse influence. The progress of the central school continued satisfactory, and in the report for 1864, presented at the annual meeting, July 5, 1865, Mr. C. R. Cope in the chair, it was stated that the " number of students registered during 1864 has been greater than that of any previous year." The numbers of the last seven years have been respectively : — 1858 820 1859 839 1860 874 1861 903 Of the number [for 1864) 525 had attended the whole year, and 414 for six months only. The female classes comprised 209 ; the male afternoon class, 33 ; the Grammar School pupils, 122 ; and the evening classes in two divisions, 565. 1862 906 1863 923 1864 939 SOCIETY OF ARTS AND SCHOOL OF DESIGN. 233 The committee also reported that, in answer to the appeal which was made to the public in June, 1864, donations to the amount of £140 16s. Od. had been promised ; of this £93 9s. 2d. had been expended in furniture and fittings for the new class-rooms, and in necessary alterations in the old rooms. This expenditure did not include the cost of building the new class-room alluded to in last year's report, which had still to be provided for. The income of the school had been a little more than sufficient to meet the expenditure ; but there still remained a debt of £321 Is. 7d. The increase was much greater in 1865, the number on the books being 1,009. This exceeded the number of students in any other provincial school (for the same class of instruc- tion) by nearly 400; the next largest number being — Glasgow, 626 ; Liverpool, 614 ; Leeds, 508 ; Dundee, 438 ; Dublin, 436 ; and Manchester, 339. In 1866, the committee presented to the Corporation, for the new Art Gallery, the seven pictures belonging to the Society of Arts, and the four large cartoons presented by the late Earl of Dartmouth. The number of students was 1007, and George Morgan obtained a national scholarship. These national scholarships, established by a Minute of Council, are open for competition by all students of the provincial schools who propose to adopt industrial art as a profession. The holders are entitled to one, in some cases two years' free instruction at the central school, with free access to the Museums, Library, and Horticultural Society's Gardens at South Kensington; besides a money payment of from £52 to £104 per annum, according to their own progress and diligence. The number of students in 1867 was 1,010 ; of these 528 attended the Night Artisan Class. The following analysis of their occupations will show in what proportion they repre- sented the various trades of the town : — Architectural Draughtsmen and Clerks . . . 12 Brassfounders and Chandelier Makers . . . 15 Building Trades 46 ■■& 234 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. Carvers and Gilders Chasers and Embossers . Clerks, Warehousemen, &c. . Decorators .... Draughtsmen and Designers Die Sinkers and Tool Makers Engineers, Fitters, Machinists, &i Eugravers and Lithographers Gardeners Gilders and Platers Glass Cutters and Engravers Japanners Jewellers and Chain-makers Letter-cutters Miscellaneous occupations Modellers Printers Teachers and Pupil Teachers Unoccupied .... Upholsterers and Cabinet-makers Total The increase in the number of students during the last thirteen years has been very gratify 2 22 73 4 14 38 78 70 4 G 5 2 58 4 26 14 6 9 2 5 528 ing, as is shown by the following return : — 1858. 1859. 1860. 1861. 1862. 1863. 1864. .820 .839 .874 .903 .906 .923 .939 1865 1,009 1866 1,007 1867 1,010 1868 1,082 1869 '. 1,108 1870 1,077 The committee of the Society of Arts have on several occasions co-operated with the Free Libraries Committee, in obtaining the loans of works of art, and in purchasing articles for the Free Art Gallery. The following is a list of the Presidents from the year 1851 to the present time : — Rev. Chancellor Law . . . . . . 1851 The Right Hon. the Earl of Stamford . . . 1852 „ „ Lord Lewishain .... 1853 BIRMINGHAM AND EDGBASTON DEBATING SOCIETY. 235 The Right Hon. Lord Leigh 1854 „ „ The Earl of Hardwicke 1855 „ ,, Lord Ward 1856 ,, ,, The Earl of Warwick 1857 Sir Francis E. Scott, Bart. 1858 The Eight Hon. C. B. Adderley, M.P. 1859 „ „ The Earl of Aylesford 1860 Sir Francis E. Scott, Bart. 1861 The Right Hon. Lord Calthorpe 1862 „ „ Lord Lyttelton 1863 „ ,, The Earl of Lichfield 1864 „ „ C. B. Adderley, M.P. 1865 „ ,, The Eai'l of Dartmouth 1866 „ „ Lord Leigh 1867 Sir Robert Peel, Bart 1868 George Dixon, Esq., M.P 1869 Sir M. D. Wyatt, Kt 1870 James Timmins Chance, Esq. 1871 In concluding this history of the Birmingham Society of Arts and School of Design, I have to thank the Committee for the kind and courteous way in which they permitted the freest and fullest access to and use of the minute-books, and the other important papers in their possession. i;ii;.MI.\(.llA.M AM) EDU1USTOM DEBATING SOCIETY. The Birmingham Debating Society was founded on Decem- ber 3, 1846. Mr. George Jabet was elected hon. sec. There was also in existence at this time the energetic and flourishing Edgbaston Debating Society. These Societies existed as independent bodies untill the year 1855, when they amal- gamated. The Birmingham Society held a public debate in January, 1853, on the then exciting question, " Whether it is probable that the late re-establishment of the Empire in 236 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. France, under Louis Napoleon, will be beneficial to that country ? " The Venerable Archdeacon Sandford was in the chair. The affirmative was supported by Dr. Heslop, Mr. T. P. Salt, and Mr. Buckton ; and the negative by Mr. George Dixon and Mr. J. A. Langford. The debate was adjourned till February 10, and was decided by vote in the negative. The same Society held another public debate on May 13, on the question, " Whether it is probable that Hungary will shortly achieve her independence ? " Mr. J. P. Turner opened in the affirmative, and Mr. T. J. Buckton in the negative. At the adjourned debate Mr. W. Harris opened in the affirm- ative, and Mr. R. Wright in the negative. The Edgbaston Debating Society held a public debate on June 2, on the subject, "That the present condition of Ireland is mainly attributable to the misgovernment of England ; " Mr. T. Martineau opened in the affirmative, and Mr. W. Mathews in the negative. The two Societies held a joint social meeting this year on June 30, at the New Inn, Hands worth. The President of the Birmingham Society, Mr. G. Jabet, occupied the chair, and the President of the Edgbaston Society, Mr. S. Timmins, the vice-chair. At this meeting the union of the two Societies was advocated by Mr. Jabet. The Birmingham Society held another public debate on November 11. Subject: " Whether a diplomatic compromise of the differences between Turkey and Russia would be pre- ferable to war ? " The President, Dr. Heslop, was in the chair. The affirmative was opened by Mr. Henry Chance, and the negative by Mr. C. T. Saunders. On April 7, 1854, the same Society publicly debated the question, " Whether the estab- lishment of a Republican form of Government in Italy is desirable ? " The affirmative was opened by Mr. J. A. Lang- ford, and the negative by Mr. George Jabet. The Edgbaston Society held a public debate on May 4. Subject : " Whether the Norman Invasion had been prejudicial to the best interests of England ? " Mr. S. Timmins opened in the affirmative, and Mr. H. Chance in the negative. The Birmingham Society BIRMINGHAM AND EDGBASTON DEBATING SOCIETY. 237 held one on May 25. Subject: "Ought England to have taken up arms in the present war in defence of Turkey against Russia ? " The affirmative was opened by Mr. W. Harris, the negative by Mr. George Dixon. The two Societies held a joint public debate on June 1, 1855. The subject discussed was : " Is it the duty of England, at the present crisis, to take active measures in aid of the resuscitation of Poland ? " The affirmative was opened by J. A. Langford, and the negative by W. Mathews, jun. ; the former being supported by S. Timmins and J. P. Turner, and the latter by George Jabet and C. M. Ingieby. The affirmative was carried by a large majority. The separate existence of two similar Societies was a matter of regret with some of the best friends of both, and the ad- visability of an amalgamation was frequently discussed. At a meeting of the Edgbaston Society, held on October 31st, 1855, the committee reported that in accordance with the resolution passed at the last annual meeting, requesting them to consider the best means of carrying into effect the amal- gamation of the two Societies, the Secretary had communi- cated with the Birmingham Society on the subject. It was afterwards arranged that an amalgamation should take place forthwith ; and that the united Society should bear the name of the " Birmingham and Edgbaston Debating Society." The last meeting of the Edgbaston Society was held on Novem- ber 14th ; the subject discussed was, " That it is probable that the present war will further the progress of civilisation in Europe," which was carried by a majority of fifteen to three. The first meeting of the united Societies was held on Novem- ber 28th, when the subject discussed was, " That the Bank Charter of 1844 is most vicious in principle, and ought not to be renewed." This debate was adjourned to the 12th of December, when the affirmative of the proposition was car- ried by the casting vote of the chairman. The number of members for the first year was one hundred and twenty-one, and the number of meetings held since the amalgamation of the two Societies, prior to the holding of 238 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. the first annual meeting, which was held on October 8, 1856, was eleven. The number of subjects discussed was nine. One public debate was held this session on May 3rd, on the subject, "That it is the duty of the Government of this country to establish a National System of Secular Educa- tion." The affirmative was opened by Mr. S. Timmins, sup- ported by Mr. C. M. Ingleby and Mr. J. A. Langford ; and the negative was opened by Mr. Mathews, jun., supported by Mr. W. Hudson, and Mr. W. Reynolds. The majority was in favour of the affirmative. The President delivered an address " On Language as the Instrument of Debate." From the report presented at the annual meeting, October 21, 1857, is the following extract : — One of the most striking features of the debates of the last year is the manner in which they reflect and represent the political and social questions, which have engaged public attention during the period of your Society's meetings. The first discussion was upon the important topic of our interference in Neapolitan affairs, which was followed at intervals by discussions on the career of Lord Palmerston, the Chinese War, and the spread of Democracy. Of the social topics — the important question of marriage with a deceased wife's sister, of the transportation of criminals, of national education, and of strikes — were the subjects of very animated debates. The character of Henry VIII., as newly set forth in Mr. Froude's recent work, was an interesting subject to all students of history ; nor will the Shakspearian members of the Society soon forget the scholarly debate on the character of " Hamlet." The two remaining questions, " Whether creed has a greater influence than climate on the character of man ; and whether it is a sufficient argument for a future state that there are irregularities in this life which may be redressed in another," pro- duced debates which fully sustained the Society's credit. The number of members now amounted to one hundred and sixteen. The President, Mr. C. M. Ingleby, delivered an address on the subject of " Clothes." During the session of 1858-9, there were one hundred and thirty-four members ; the number of debates were eleven ; one of them being a public one, on the subject, " Ought the future government of India to be vested in the Crown?" The affirmative was supported by Mr. J. A. Langford and Mr. T. BIRMINGHAM AND EDGBASTON DEBATING SOCIETY. 239 P. Salt, and the negative by Mr. J. P. Turner and Mr. C. E. Mathews. The affirmative was carried almost unanimously. The President, Mr. T. C. Saunders, delivered the annual ad- dress at the meeting held October 6, 1858. Mr. J. T. Bunce was elected President for the ensuing year. The next session was a very successful one. At the annual meeting held on October 4, 1859, it was reported that the Society numbered one hundred and sixty members. The number of meetings held was fourteen, and eleven subjects were discussed ; but there was no public debate this session. Mr. G. J. Johnson was elected President for the ensuing year. The Society had hitherto held its meetings at the Hen and Chickens Hotel, New Street ; but an arrangement was made during this session that they should take place at the Midland Institute. The first meeting under this arrangement was held on November 2, 1859. The annual meeting took place October 2, when it was reported that the number of members was one hundred and fifty. Eleven debates — four political, one politico-economical, four literary, and one moral — had been held. A public debate was held on the 25th April, on the subject : " That it is the policy and duty of England to assist, even by arms if necessary, the efforts of Switzerland to pre- vent the annexation of Savoy to France." The affirmative was taken by Messrs. W. Mathews, jun, S. Timmins, and W. Harris ; and the negative by Messrs. G. J. Johnson, J. A. Langford, and J. S. Gamgee. The debate was adjourned to the 9th of May, when Messrs. J. Chamberlain, C. E. Mathews, and C. Gibbs spoke in the affirmative : and Messrs. Sebastian Evans, W. Kendrick, and J. T. Bunce, in the negative. On being put to the vote, the negative was carried by a majority of seven. The President's retiring address was " On the Use and Abuse of Ridicule in Debate." Mr. C. E. Mathews was elected President for the ensuino- year. The report for 1860-1 showed that the number of members had increased from one hundred and fifty to one hundred and six-two. Ten subjects were discussed ; five being political, 240 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. one artistic, one scientific, one philosophical, one historical, and one of general interest. There was also a public debate on January 30, 18G1, on the subject, "That the works of the English novelists since the days of Scott are superior to those of their predecessors." The affirmative was maintained by Messrs. G. J. Johnson, J. Chamberlain, and Sebastian Evans; the negative by Messrs. S. Timmins, W. Kenrick, and J. H. Chamberlain. The affirmative was carried by a maj ority of thirty-one. At the annual meeting, October 3, 1861, Mr. C. E. Mathews, the retiring President, delivered an address on " Eloquence and Oratory ; and the difference between the two." Mr. J. H. Chamberlain was elected President for the ensuing year. In the session of 1861-2, the Society numbered one hundred and fifty-five members, and had held one public and nine private debates. Of these, four were political, two social, one philosophical, one politico-economical, and one personal. The public debate was held on January 30, 1862; the subject being, " That Lord Bacon was the ' brightest, wisest, and meanest of mankind.' " The speakers in the affirmative were Messrs. G. J. Johnson and C. E. Mathews ; and in the negative, Messrs. S. Timmins, J. A. Langford, and T. Hawkins. The negative was carried by a majority of seventeen. The annual meeting was held on October 29, 1862, when the retiring President delivered his address on " Provincialism." Mr. J. Chamberlain was elected President for the ensuing year. The number of members for 1862-3 was one hundred and fifty-nine. There was one public, and eight private debates, of which three were political, two politico-economical, two social, one theological, one moral, and one personal. A public debate this year was held on May 13, 1863, when the subject was : " That Mr. Kinglake shows an utter want of historic judgment in his indication of the causes of the Crimean War ; and betrays a petty and malicious prejudice in his estimate of the character and conduct of Louis Napoleon." Messrs. J. H. Stack, Sebastian Evans, and W. Harris spoke in the BIRMINGHAM AND EDGBASTON DEBATING SOCIETY. 241 affirmative, and Messrs. C. E. Mathews and S. Timmins the negative. The negative was carried by a majority of four. The animal meeting was held on October 14, 18G3, when the retiring President delivered an address on " Difference of Opinion." Mr. Sebastian Evans, M.A., was elected Pre- sident for the ensuing year. In the session of 18G3-4, the number of members had increased to one hundred and seventy-five, being thirteen more than any former period. Six subjects were discussed ; two political, two social, one judicial, and one theological. There was no public debate this session. The annual meeting was held on October 19, 1864, at which the retiring President delivered an address on the " General Politics of England, the Causes of our Present Position, and the Duties of the various Members of our State." Mr. W. Harris was elected President for the ensuing year. The first debate of the session 1864-5 on the subject: "That Robert Browning was a greater poet than Alfred Tennyson," was open to the public. The speakers in the affirmative were Messrs. Sebastian Evans, S. Timmins, and W. Kenrick ; and in the negative, Messrs. C. E. Mathews and J. A. Langford. The negative was carried by a majority of twenty-nine. The number of members this year was one hundred and seventy-four. Eight debates — four political, three social, and one theological — had been held. The amiual meeting took place on October 18, 1865, when the retiring President de- livered an address on the "Objects and Duties of Our Society; and against the Economy of Truth." Mr. G. S. Mathews was elected President for the ensuing year. The first debate of this session was a public one, the sub- ject being, " That Byron is the greatest poet of the present century." The affirmative was taken by Messrs. S. Timmins, Sebastian Evans, and J. P. Turner; and the negative by Messrs. J. A. Langford and W. Kenrick. The affirmative was carried by a majority of thirty-one. A second public debate was held on December 20, when the subject discussed was, " That the proceedings of Governor Eyre, in the suppression 242 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. of the alleged rebellion in Jamaica, have been hasty, tyran- nical, and unjust." The affirmative was maintained by Messrs. G. J. Johnson and Lovibond Percival, and the nega- tive by the Rev. H. E. Dowson and Mr. T. H. Chance. The affirmative was carried by a majority of two. A third public debate was held on January 24, 1866, on the subject, " That the present mania for Alpine Climbing ought to be discoun- tenanced by all sensible men." In the affirmative Messrs. Sebastian Evans, Arthur Hopper, and W. Harris were the speakers ; and in the negative Messrs. C. E. Mathews, G. S. Mathews, and W. Mathews, jun., members of the Alpine club. The negative was carried by a large majority. On May 2, a fourth public debate was held; the subject discussed was, " That the ancient Jews believed in a Future State of Rewards and Punishments." The affirmative was advocated by Dr. C. M. Ingleby and the Rev G. J. Emanuel; and opposed by Messrs. J. P. Turner, and G. J. Johnson. The affirmative was carried by a majority of twenty-six. This was one of the most successful years of the Society's existence ; the number of members being one hundred and ninety-five. Eleven subjects were discussed — two political, two social, two theological, one literary, three commercial, and one " comico-scientific." The annual meeting was held on October 24, 1866, at which the retiring President delivered an address on "Induction." Mr. W. Kenrick was elected President for the ensuing year. In the session of 1866-7 there were three public debates ; the first took place on November 7, on the subject " That Ritualism is injurious to the cause of true Religion," which was argued in the affirmative by Messrs. W. Hudson, J. A. Langford, the Revs. H E. Dowson and Vickers ; and opposed by Messrs. Sebastian Evans, G. Yates, the Rev. T. B. Pollock, and W. Mathews, jun. The debate was adjourned to Novem- ber 21, when the affirmative was supported by Messrs. R. F. Martineau, J. A. Partridge, the Revs. C. Clarke, and M. Hill; and the negative by Messrs. C. Watkins, J. D. Mullins, N. Dawes, and J. P. Turner. A large majority decided in favour BIRMINGHAM AND EDGBASTON DEBATING SOCIETY. 243 of the affirmative, The second debate was held on February 20, 1867, the subject being, "That the present Government is qualified to deal with the question of Reform in such a manner as to satisfy the requirements of the people, and ensure the support of the present House of Commons." The speakers in the affirmative were Messrs. T. H. Chance and Sebastian Evans ; in the negative Messrs. C. E. Mathews and J. Codings. The negative was carried by a majority of two. The third debate was held on March 20. The question for discussion was " That (excluding the drama) English poetry, from the time of Cowper downwards, is equal to any in the language." Messrs. W. Kenrick and S. Timmins spoke in the affirmative, and Messrs. Arthur Chamberlain, Sebastian Evans, and N. Dawes in the negative, which was carried by a majority of two. The members of the Society had increased this session to two hundred and twenty-six during the year. Eight subjects were discussed, five of. which were political, one theological, one literary, and one general. The annual meeting was held on October 2, 1867, when the retiring President delivered an address upon " Debateable Ground." Mr. J. P. Turner was elected President for the ensuing year. There were three public debates in the session of 1867-8 ; the first was held on November 14, upon the question, " That the course recently pursued by Garibaldi in relation to the Papal States was impolitic and unjust." The speakers in the affirmative were Messrs. J. S. Gamgee and A. Caddick ; in the negative, the Rev. C. Clarke, Messrs. Sebastian Evans and Jesse Collings. The proposition was carried in the affirmative by a majority of four. The second debate was held on January 15, 1868, on the subject, "That the mode of observing the Sabbath, as enforced in this country, is anti- Christian." The affirmative was maintained by Messrs. J. P. Turner, R. F. Martineau, and the Rev. G. J. Emanuel ; and the negative by the Rev. M. Hill, Messrs. H. Payton, and M. Berlyn. The debate was adjourned to the 22nd, when the speakers in the affirmative were Messrs. A. Caddick, John 244 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. Deeley, P. Butler, and M. Parke ; in the negative, Messrs. A. Osier, Brooke Smith, A. Park, and the Rev. M. Hill. The affirmative was carried by a majority of thirteen. The third public debate was held on April 22, on the question, " That Female Suffrage is a Fallacy," Messrs. H. Lakin Smith, A. Osier, and A. Chamberlain taking the affirmative, and Messrs. Howard S. Smith, J. P. Turner, and J. S. Gamgee the negative. The negative was carried by a majority of three. The number of members this session was two hundred and nine. Ten subjects were discussed — six political, one theological, one philosophical, one social, and one politico- economical. The annual meeting was held on October 8. The retiring President delivered an address on "Home Aspects." Mr. R. F. Martineau was elected President for the ensuing year. The first public debate for the session 18G8-9 took place on December 8, the subject being, "That a National System of Compulsory Education will be productive of greater good if secular, than if denominational." The affirmative speakers were Messrs. Jesse Collings, W. Rogers, and the Rev. Charles Clarke; the negative, Mr. Lovibond Percival, Dr. James Sawyer, and the Rev. J. H. Burges. The affirmative was carried by a majority of forty. The second debate was held on January 20, 1869, when the question was, " That England will not long retain her present position among nations." The affirmative was maintained by Mr. R. F. Martineau and the Rev. Charles Clarke ; and the negative by the Rev. Micaiah Hill and Mr. J. D. Mullins. The proposition was lost by a majority of twenty-one. The number of members this session had increased from two hundred and nine to two hundred and forty. Nine sub- jects were discussed — four political, two politico-economical, two social, and one educational. The annual meeting was held on October 20, 1869. The retiring President delivered an address on " A Secular View of the Sunday Question." Mr. Alfred Caddick was elected President for the ensuing year. BIRMINGHAM AND EDGBASTON DEBATING SOCIETY. 245 There was one public debate in the session of 18G9-70, on the subject, " That variation of species is due to development rather than to special acts of creation." The speakers in the affirmative were Messrs. Walter Chamberlain, W. Kenrick, and the Rev. H. W. Crosskey ; in the negative, Dr. P. Leslie, Messrs. Howard Lloyd, J. Crane, W. H. Ryland, and W. Rogers. The affirmative obtained a majority of one. The number of members this session was two hundred and fifty-five. Seven subjects were discussed — one social, two theological, one literary, one scientific, one facetious, and one "spiritual."' The annual meeting was held on November 2nd. The retiring President delivered an address on " The state of Europe." Mr. J. A. Langford, LL.D., was elected President for the ensuing year. The number of members for the session 1870-1, was two hundred and seventy, showing an increase of fifteen over the preceding year. Seven subjects were debated — five political, one metaphj'sical, and one social. Two of the debates were public. The first took place on December 7, 1870, on the subject " That the demand of Germany for the cession of Alsace and Lorraine as a condition of peace is both justifiable and politic." The affirmative was supported by Mr. W. Hornblower, Mr. A. E. Park, and Dr. J. A. Langford ; and the negative by Mr. W. A. Smith, Mr. C. T. Saunders, and Mr. H. C. Burdett. The affirmative was carried by a majority of sixteen, the numbers being for, thirty-seven, against, twenty-one. The second was held on March the 15th, 1871, and the subject was " That political opinions ought to have no weight in the Elections for the Town Council." The affirmative was maintained by Mr. Lovibond Percival, Mr. H. C. Burdett, Mr. T. Grosvenor Lee, and Mr. Hornblower; the speakers in the negative were Dr. J. A. Langford, Mr. A. C. Osier, Mr. G. Basnett, Mr. S. Basnett, and Mr. R. F. Martineau. The affirmative was carried by eleven against ten. The annual meeting was held on October the 25th, and the retiring President delivered an address on " Birmingham 210 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. Debating Societies." Dr. J. A. Langford was re-elected President for the ensuing year. The report for the session 1871-2, stated that the number of members was two hundred and sixty, and that thirteen maiden speeches had been delivered. The two semi-public debates were attended by an average of about one hundred and forty. There had been eleven meetings, and the subjects debated might be classed as follows : — social, three ; political, two ; theological, one ; moral, one ; literary, one. The two public debates were more than usually attractive, and were well attended. The first took place on November 15, 1871, on the subject "That the principle of the Permissive Pro- hibitory Liquor Bill is inconsistent with true civil liberty." The affirmative was advocated by Mr. A. C. Osier, Mr. Howard S. Smith, Mr. A. E. Park, and Mr. T. G. Lee ; and the negative by Mr. M. Macfie, Mr. T. C. Lowe, Mr. G. Basnett, Mr. C. Dudley, and Mr. C. A. Harrison. The debate was adjourned to the 22nd, when the speakers for the affirmative were Mi-. G. E. Matthews, Dr. J. A. Langford, and Mr. C. Taafe; and in the negative Mr. J. Kempster, Mr. E. L. Tyndall, and Mr. A. Bird. The votes were affirmative forty- three, negative thirty-three, majority for the affirmative ten. On May 8, 1872, the second public debate of the session was held on the subject "That the existing legal, social, and political position of English women is unjust and immoral." The affirmative was maintained by Mr. G. E Mathews, Rev. H. W. Crosskey, and Mr. R. F. Martineau ; and the negative by Mr. T. Grosvenor Lee, Mr. E. Tanner, and Mr.- W. J. Knapton. The affirmative was carried by a majority of twenty-two, the numbers being for, sixty-four; against, forty- two. The annual meeting was held on October 24, when the retiring President delivered an address on " The Religious Aspects of Modern Poetry.'"' Mr. Howard S. Smith was elected President for the ensuing year. The Society continues the good custom of having every year a summer meeting in the country ; which are among BIRMINGHAM AND EDGBASTON DEBATING SOCIETY. 247 the most pleasant and enjoyable gatherings of its members. A large number of "pleasant spots and famous places " in the neighbourhood of Birmingham have thus been visited during the existence of the Society; thus adding to the historical and topographical knowledge of the members, as well as supplying them with pleasant remembrances. Since the amalgamation of the two Societies eighteen years have elapsed ; years of great importance in the history of the world, as well as in the history of our own town. During that period the Society has held one hundred and ninety meetings, and debated one hundred and fifty-three questions ; it has witnessed the development of the Midland Institute, the establishment of the Free Libraries and Reading Rooms, the extension of popular education, and the enormous advance of political freedom. There cannot be the slightest doubt but that the free discussion of all questions which affect the progress and the best interests of humanity, which is the principle that has animated this Society, has enabled its members to take a prominent and useful part in bringing about that change in popular opinion which is necessary to the establishment of all reforms, moral, social, intellectual, physical, political, and spiritual. This Society has proved a training school in which the intellectual athlete has prepared himself for the more vigorous, if not the more difficult, con- flicts of public life ; and it is a most gratifying fact that many of its members are bearing an honourable and active part in the important public duties which are essential to the well- being of this town. It is the earnest wish of the writer that the Birmingham and Edgbaston Debating Society may long continue to be what it now is, — one of the most flourishing literary societies of the town. The following is a list of the Presidents of the Society : — Henry Chance for the Session 1855-6 C. M. Ingleby, M.A. C. T. Saunders J. T. Bunco ( !. .). .Johnson . C. E. Mathews 1856-7 1857-8 1858-9 1859-60 1860-1 248 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. John Henry Chamberlain for the Session 1861-2 Joseph Chamberlain n 11 1862-3 Sebastian Evans, M.A. n 11 1863-4 William Harris ■ )) 11 1864-5 G. S. Mathews )> 11 1865-6 W. Kenrick, M.A. . n 11 1866-7 J. P. Turner . )) 11 1867-8 R. F. Martineau 11 . 11 1868-9 Alfred Caddick >) 11 1869-70 J. A. Langford, LL.D. 11 11 1870-1 J. A. Langford, LL.D. 11 11 1871-2 Howard S. Smith " 11 1872-3 THE BIRMINGHAM AND MIDLAND INSTITUTE. The history of this, our most useful and important public Institution, ought to be of special interest to all friends of popular education. A knowledge of its origin and progress, from the time when its establishment was first suggested, to its present flourishing condition, must afford pleasure to every inhabitant of Birmingham. The number of students who have been educated within its walls has been very large ; this however, is only part of the good work which the Insti- tute has effected. The cause of popular education has been thereby greatly advanced. At the time the establishment of the Institute was first suggested, Birmingham was but poorly provided with the means of education for adult artisans. The once useful Mechanics' Institute had failed, and the Polytechnic, which was founded upon its ruins, never suc- ceeded in securing popular sympathy or support. The Philo- sophical Institution was limited in its resources, and its operations were somewhat narrow and confined. Such was THE BIRMINGHAM AND MIDLAND INSTITUTE. 249 the state of things in 1849, when a suggestion was made as to the desirability and importance of founding a great Educa- tional Institution of an essentially public character. The first practical step taken to carry out this suggestion was made at the close of the year 1849 ; and in December a meeting was held of a few friends of education, for the purpose of considering the propriety of founding an Institution on a wide and comprehensive basis, suited to the requirements of the town ; when the following memorial to the then Premier, Lord John Russell, was adopted : — That it is highly important to the welfare and character of all large towns, that every opportunity should be afforded to the inhabitants for the occupation of their leisure hours in intellectual and elevating pur- suits ; and that for this purpose, as well as for promoting improvements in the arts and manufactures, ample and permanent provision should be made for facilitating the instruction of all classes in Science, Literature, and the Arts. That the literary and scientific institutions which have hitherto existed in Birmingham, although they have been productive of much general benefit, and have evinced the public spirit and liberality of individuals, have manifested in their decline the insufficiency of private support for such objects. That whilst much satisfaction is felt in the circumstance that the Legislature has, by the Act " for encouraging the establishment of museums in large towns," recognised the principle of founding such and similar institutions at the public charge, your memorialists desire to urge upon the attention of your lordship, and of the other members of Her Majesty's Government, the insufficiency of that Act, and the expediency of so extending it as to make more adequate provision, at the public expense, for the literary and scientific recpiirenients of the people ; and your memorialists would refer for confirmation of their views to the report presented to the House of Commons last session by the Select Committee " on Public Libraries." And your memorialists pray, That your lordship may be pleased, on behalf of Her Majesty's Government, to sanction the introduction of a Bill into the House of Commons during the ensuing session to extend the above-mentioned Act, so as to enable Town Councils to erect and provide, and maintain insti- tutions containing museums of ail ami science, libraries and reading rooms, with the necessary accommodation for classes, lectures, and laboratories ; the whole to be considered public property, but applicable, under proper regulations to the use of private societies and individuals. 250 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. Mr. W. P. Marshall was appointed Honorary Secretary to the Committee for promoting the object set forth in the memorial. However good the object proposed, the suggestion was made before the time had arrived for carrying it into effect. Three years had to elapse before any successful steps were taken in the matter. By a curious and happy coincidence, Mr. Charles Dickens, one of the latest Presidents of the Institute, was among the first to assist in its foundation. The cause of this visit of Mr. Dickens to Birmingham has been told in a letter by Mr. G. Linnaeus Banks, from which we make the following extracts : — In the year 1852, the local Society of Artists being in a somewhat declining state, I was waited upon by Mr. J. E. Walker and Mr. W. T. Roden, two of its youngest members, with a view to devise means for restoring its prosperity and efficiency. The interview terminated in a proposition to raise a supplementary fund for the purpose of offering a prize to the author of the most notable picture sent in for exhibition during the session next ensuing, and Mr. Walker, Mr. Roden, and your humble servant, constituted themselves a deputation to wait upon the Mayor and other officials, and gentlemen of the borough, to explain the project, and invite their co-operation. Mr. Henry Smith, then chief magistrate, promptly endorsed the undertaking with a cheque for ,£10. Other subscriptions followed, and in a few days the Fine Arts Prize Fund Association became what our neighbours across the channel call un fait accompli. Elated with their success, the promoters of the Prize Fund resolved to crown it with a banquet, and, in invitations to celebrities, to associate literature with art. By this time the small committee had received several auxiliaries, including Mr. Peter Hollins, Mr. John Jaffray, Mr. Arthur Ryland. and Mr. Harris and Mr. William Hall, of the Society of Artists. Meanwhile, a totally distinct committee met at the Trees Inn, Hockley, and inaugurated a shdling subscription to present to Charles Dickens, a testimony of admiration and esteem from the working men of Birmingham. This committee consisted of Mr. Henry Brisband, Chairman ; Mr. Henry Davenport, Treasurer ; Mr. J. E. Walker, Mr. W. T. Roden, Mr. John Tye, your correspondent (Hon. Sec), and many others. Up to this period there had been some difficulty in the way of Mr. Dickens coming amongst us. He was made acquainted by letter with the desire of the working men to present him with a ring and some other specimen of local art manufacture, and the approaching banquet was THE BIRMINGHAM AND MIDLAND INSTITUTE. 251 suggested as a fitting opportunity for making the presentation, the Banquet Committee having been previously conferred with on the subject. A very charming characteristic reply was received from Mr. Dickens, accepting the homage offered to him, and thus all doubt was set at rest respecting his presence at the banquet. As you will be aware, I had the honour of presenting the testimonial at the Society of Artists' rooms, and the banquet took place at the Eoyal Hotel the same evening. The "charming characteristic reply" of Mr. Dickens should find a place here ; and therefore we quote the letter : — Tavistock House, Sunday, 26th December, 1852. My dear Sir, — I will not attempt to tell you how affected and gratified I am by the intelligence your kind letter conveys to me. Nothing could be more welcome to me than such a mark of confidence and approval from such a source ; nothing more precious, or that I could set a higher value upon. I hasten to return the guages, of which I have marked one as the size of the finger from which this token will never more be absent as long as I live. With feelings of the liveliest gratitude and cordiality towards the many friends who so honour me, and with many thanks to you for the genial earnestness with which you represent them, I am, my dear sir, Very faithfully yours, Charles Dickens. (!. Linnaeus Banks, Esq. The presentation, which consisted of a copy of the " Iliad " Salver, by Messrs. Elkington, and the diamond ring alluded to above, was made on the afternoon of January 6, 1853, at the Society of Artists' Rooms, in Temple Row. In the evening a dinner was given at the Royal Hotel, two hundred and eighteen gentlemen, many of them among the most dis- tinguished of our artists and literary men being among the number. The Mayor, Henry Hawkes, Esq., occupied the chair, and Mr. Peter Hollins the vice-chair. At the side tables the Presidents were Mr. J. Jaffray and Mr. Henry Smith ; the Vice-Presidents Mr. Henry Harris and Mr. G. Linna3us Banks. In proposing the Educational Institutions of Birmingham, Mr. Dickens thus alluded to the proposed Institution : — 252 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. Lastly, he was rejoiced to find that there was on foot a new Literary and Scientific Institution, which would be worthy of this place, even if there were nothing else of the kind in it. It was to be an Institution where the words " exclusion " and " exclusivism " should be quite un- known ; where all classes and creeds might assemble in common faith, trust, and confidence. It was designed to graft on it a great gallery of painting and sculpture, and a museum of models, where industry might exhibit the various processes of manufacturing machinery, and thereby come to new results. Nay, the very mines under the earth and sea would not be forgotten, but be presented in little to the inquiring eye. It would be an Institution by which the obstacles which now stood in the way of the poor inventor would be smoothed away, and if he had anything in him he should find encouragement and help. He observed, with unusual interest and gratification, that a large body of gentlemen had agreed for a time to lay aside their individual opinions, and at an early day to meet to advance this great object, and he would particularly call upon the company, in drinking this toast, to drink success to their endeavours, and to make a pledge to promote the welfare of the Institution. Mr. P. Hollins also spoke of the new Institute. He said that, if in the scheme suggested provision could be made for accommodating the School of Design and the reclamation of the old Exhibition Rooms in New Street for the Society of Artists, he should have pleasure, on behalf of the Society, in offering a donation of £100. This was the first subscrip- tion offered to the proposed Institute. Previous to his de- parture from Birmingham, Mr. Dickens requested Mr. Banks to inform Mr. Ryland that he was willing publicly to read his Christmas Carol in aid of the new project. The next day he formally communicated this proposal to Mr. Arthur Ryland in the following letter. This letter, we believe, has not been hitherto published : — Tavistock House, Tavistock Square, Friday, 7th January, 1853. My dear Sir, — Mr. Banks being so good as to come down to the railroad last night with the keys of the salver case, which had been forgotten, I mentioned to him something that had occurred to me, and which I meant to have communicated to you. As I begged him to do so for me, I need only say that I would read the Christmas Carol next Christmas, (we being, please God, all alive and well,) to the Town Hall folk, either on one or two nights. I should particularly desire, in any case, to have large numbers of the working THE BIRMINGHAM AND MIDLAND INSTITUTE. 253 people in the audience. I should like to do it in some way for the benefit and to the advantage of the new Institution, and yet I should like the working people to be admitted free. If you approve, and can in the mean time devise some means of doing this, to the advancement of the great object, I am entirely in your hands. It would take about two hours, with a pause of ten minutes about half way through. There would be some novelty in the thing, as I have never done it in public, though I have in private, and (if I may say so) with a great effect on the hearers. I was so inexpressibly satisfied last night by the warmth and en- thusiasm of my Birmingham friends, that I feel half ashamed this morning of so poor an offer. But as I had decided on making it to yon, before I came down yesterday, I propose it nevertheless. Believe me, always, Very faithfully yours, Arthur Kyland, Esq. Charles Dickens. On January 8, 1853, the following advertisement appeared in the Birmingham newspapers : — NEW SCIENTIFIC AND LITERARY SOCIETY. We, the undersigned, request the attendance of all pei'sons interested in the subject, at a public meeting of the inhabitants of this town and district, for the purpose of considering the desirableness of establishing in Birmingham, a Scientific and Literary Society, upon a comprehensive plan, having for its object the diffusion and advancement of Science, Literature, and the Arts, in this important community, to be held in the Lecture Theatre of the Philosophical Buildings, Cannon Street, on Monday next, the 10th day of January. The chair to be taken at twelve o'clock precisely. W. C. Aitken Frederick Ash Samuel Beale William John Beale Charles Birch Alfred Bird S. H. Blackwell W. H. M. Blews James T. Chance R. L. Chance, jun. Charles Clifford J. E. Clift J. S. Dawes George Downing Henry Elwell John Hollingsworth William Holliday William Howell John Jaffray David Jones Timothy Kenrick John Towers Lawrence J. F. Ledsam James Lewis S. S. Lloyd James Lloyd, jun. W. R. Lloyd G. B. Lloyd, jun. Howard Luckcock William Lucy A. Follett Osier Abel Peyton Richard Peyton, jun. James Russell, M.D. Arthur Ryland Frederick Ryland George Shaw Henry Smith Thomas Southall Samuel Thornton Samuel Timmins Charles Tindal J. P. Turner George Wallis J. W. Whateley 254 MODEKN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. Brooke Evans Eobert Martineau Joseph Wickenden Allen Everitt W. P. Marshall William Wills Bell Fletcher, M.D. Edwin Marshall E. W. Winn eld William Fowler James Oliver Mason J. Faulkner Win field Frederick W. Harold J. Mathews Henry Wiggin Jonathan Harlow William Mathews Eobert Wright John Henderson William Mathews, jun. Peter Hollins James Moilliet This meeting, at which the Institute was really founded, was most influentially attended. The Mayor, (Mr. H. Hawkes,) was called to the chair, and there were also present — Lord Lyttelton, the Hon. and Bev. G. M. Yorke, Archdeacon Sandford, the Eevs. J. C. Miller, Chancellor Law, J. A. James, J. B. Marsden, Sydney Gedge, J. Eagles, T. H. Morgan, S. Bache, and Hugh Hutton ; Mr. George Dawson, M.A., Henry Smith, Esq. ; Aldermen J. H. Cutler and T. Phillips ; H. Luckcock, Esq., W. Mathews, Esq., J. T. Chance, Esq., S. Thornton, Esq., J. T. Lawrence, Esq., H. Van Wart, Esq., Capt. Tindal, Dr. Bussed ; Messrs. A. Eyland, J. Sturge, J. Cadbury, Brooke Smith, E. Martineau, J. O. Mason, Peter Hollins, J. F. Winfield, W. E. Lloyd, A. F. Osier, S. Timmins, S. Lines, A. Bird, O. Pemberton, T. P. Salt, E. C. Osborne, W. Holliday, W. H. M. Blews, E. Everitt, F. Ash, H. W. Tyndall, J. S. Dawes, C. Clifford, H. Wiggin, J. A. Langforcl, W. Southall, W. Morgan, (Town Clerk,) and others. Letters of apology were received from Lord Dartmouth, W. Schole- field, Esq., M.P., C. Geach, Esq., M.P., Messrs. J. F. Ledsam, J. Moilliet, W. Sharp, W. Barlow, and Dr. A. Evans. At this meeting Mr. Eyland read the letter from Mr. C. Dickens, in which he offered to read his Christmas Carol for the benefit of the proposed Institution. Mr. W. P. Marshall read the report of the conveners of the meeting, by whom it was considered " desirable to com- bine a general scientific and literary association with an industrial institute, which would economise buildings, attend- ance, management, and expenses of lectures, and concentrate into the Institution the energies of those who would support either." The following passage from this report will show how large and comprehensive was the plan of the originators of the Institute : — In the first branch we recommend that general scientific and literary information should be supplied by lectures and museums, and a means afforded of promoting science, and in ] (articular those sciences with their THE BIRMINGHAM AND MIDLAND INSTITUTE. 255 practical applications, which are connected with the manufactures of the town and district. With respect to the Fine Arts, we beg to call the attention of the committee to the importance of establishing a public gallery of paintings and sculpture ; and although we are aware that to effect this will require an expenditure beyond our means at present, we recommend that an appropriate room be provided, where works of art presented to the town may be placed ; and thus we should lay the foundation of an important and valuable collection. In the second branch we recommend that scientific and industrial instruction be pro- vided for the operative classes, in such departments of knowledge as are not accessible to them by any other means. It is evident that, in order to cany out these objects fully, a larger sum of money may be required than we shall be able to raise at present ; at the same time, we think it better to present a complete scheme, of which certain portions may be carried out at first, without interfering with their efficiency, or with the future effective execution of the whole. We recommend that the institution shall contain the following departments : — 1. Lectures in the different branches of science, literature, and the arts, to be regularly delivered at stated times. These lectures to be open to all the members of both the branches of the institution. 2. Classes for instruction in mathematics and natural philosophy, including under the second head, mechanics, astronomy, optics, chemistry, electricity, mineralogy, geology, and physical geography, with their practical applications. 3 . A laboratory in connection with the chemical class. 4. Museum : — The museum is to be divided into three departments, the first department to be principally devoted to geology and mineralogy, their economic applications, and such parts of natural history as illustrate these sciences. This department also to include those animal and vegetable productions which are used as raw material in manufactures. The second department to be devoted to manufactures. It is proposed to illustrate the progress of manu- factures, particularly those of the district, by specimens of articles in the different stages of make, and specimens of finished articles of different dates and countries. The third department to include models and speci- mens of machinery, tools, furnaces, &c, and all such instrumental means as are used for the productions of manufactures. 5. Mining Eecords : — A record of the mining operations of the district, with plans and geo- logical sections, in connection with the National Mining Records of the Government School of Mines. (>. Libraries : — First, a scientific refer- ence library and reading room, for the use of the members of the general branch. Second, a general lending library. 7. Two news rooms ; one for the general and the other for the industrial branch. 8. A Meeting Room to be provided, in which the members of the general branch may meet periodically for the reading of papers and discussion of subjects of scientific interest. 9. A Hall of Fine Arts, to form a convenient re- pository for the reception of donations of painting and sculpture. As a 25G MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. School of Design already exists in the town we do not propose to make any provision for that department, but we cannot but express a hope that at no distant time that school may form part of this Institution. In connection with the intended building, the report stated the nature of the information which had been obtained respecting various lecture theatres in other parts of the kingdom, recommended that the one now to be constructed should be capable of seating 700 persons on the floor, with a gallery, (the erection of which might, if necessary, be postponed,) to accommodate 250 more. A suggestion was made that, to economise space and material, the rest of the building should be arranged round the theatre, according to an accompanying plan prepared by Mr. Marshall. The cost of the building was estimated at about ,£13,000 ; of the furni- ture, £2,000, including £250 for the purchase of books for the libraries and specimens for the museums ; of the land, £4,000 ; making a total of £19,250. The means pointed out for raising the money were the obtaining of private donations, with an application (if these should fall short) to the Corporation for assistance, the donations to be unconditional, and to confer no privileges, one of the causes of failure with the late Philosophical Institution having been the loss of annual subscriptions occasioned by the privileges of proprietors. It was considered advisable that no more of the building should be erected than might be provided for by the funds actually raised ; so that the annual income, being free from all charges of interest, &c, might be entirely devoted to the working expenses of the Institution. The current expenses, over and above any grant from the Corporation, were proposed to be defrayed by a sub- scription to the general branch of one guinea per annum, and of not more (if possible) than three shillings per quarter to the industrial branch. No doubt was entertained that if the budding were once pro- vided, sufficient subscriptions would be obtained to carry it on in an efficient manner. The Institution, it was suggested, should be managed by a committee elected annually by the members, and, in case of assistance from the Corporation, with the addition of the Mayor and senior Alderman for the time being. In order to secure the permanence of the Institution, and to guard against the possible dispersion of books and specimens at any future time, the budding and the contents were intended to be vested in the Corporation as trustees. The report concluded by mentioning a few of the many practical advantages which would be derived from the establishment of the In ; Litution. " The Museums will be of the greatest utility to persons engaged in the arts and manufactures ; to the iron- masters, by the exhibition of the different kinds of ores and iron, and of models of furnaces and machinery used in the different parts of Britain, America, and the Continent ; to the architect and builder by the exhibi- tion of building materials, with records of their cost and durability ; and THE BIRMINGHAM AND MIDLAND INSTITUTE. 257 to the manufacturer generally, by the exhibition of the raw materials and finished articles of this and other countries. The establishment of mining records, in connection with the National Mining Record Office, will be of particular value in this district, by affording information of the position of the workings, and of the situation and peculiarities of the state in which the minerals occur. The proposed plan of concen- trating the two branches into one Institution will afford the means of obtaining a better class of lectures than would be accessible to either branch separately. And the classes will be of the greatest practical importance, as a knowledge of the scientific principles involved in the various departments of manufactures is so necessary for effecting im- provements in them, and the operatives have at present so little means of obtaining instruction. From the importance of the foregoing con- siderations, we feel great confidence in the accomplishment of the whole scheme at no distant date." The following were the resolutions passed at this meet- ing:— Moved by the Right Hon. Lord Lyttelton, and seconded by the Rev. Sydney Gedge : ' That, in the opinion of this meeting, it is highly im- portant to the welfare of this town and neighbourhood to establish a Scientific and Literary Institution upon a comprehensive plan, having for its object the diffusion and advancement of science, literature, and the arts in this important community, upon the principles set forth in the report now read.' Moved by Mr. Howard Luckcock, and seconded by the Ven. Arch- deacon Sandford : ' That a subscription list be immediately opened for donations to the proposed Institution.' Moved by Mr. W. Mathews, and seconded by Mr. J. T. Chance : ' That a Committee, consisting of the gentlemen named in the foot of this resolution, with power to add to their number, be appointed to solicit donations, and generally to carry into effect the resolutions of this meet- ing ; and that James Moilliet, Esq., be appointed Treasurer, and Messrs. W. P. Marshall and William Mathews, jun., be appointed Secretaries.' Moved by Capt. Tindal, R. N., and seconded by Mr. Peter Hollins : ' That if the Committee shall find that the sum named in the report cannot be forthwith obtained, they be empowered to apply the donations which shall be received, provided they shall amount to £4,000, to the establish- ment, upon the principle of the report, of a smaller Institution, to be extended, as further sums shall be received.' The Committee thus appointed immediately began their work, and issued a circular preparatory to a canvass of the town, in which the objects of the Institute were thus briefly set forth : — 258 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. The Institute will consist of two departments ; the first being intended to carry on similar objects to those of the late Philosophical Institution, upon a more comprehensive and extended scale, with the addition of a public gallery of Fine Arts. The other department to be an Industrial Institute, or in other words, a School of Science applied to the arts, for artisans, the members of which will partake of the more essential ad- vantages of the first department, in addition to various class instruction, and weekly progressive lectures on the different branches of science, with special reference to the requirements of the town and neighbourhood : these, which may be termed the elementary lectures, will include mechanics, metallurgy, mineralogy, geology, chemistry as applied to the various manufactures and agriculture, ventilation of mines, and mining engineering. The education of our artisans, practical miners, and others, in the scientific principles of their daily occupations, will thus become a primary object of the Institute ; and the importance of this object is universally recognised. It is also contemplated, in addition to an ex- tensive geological museum, which will especially illustrate the mineral resources and paleontology of the district, to establish a model room for machinery, sections of mines, furnaces, &c, and a spacious hall for the exhibition of manufactures. In connection with the first department, it is intended to hold periodical meetings for the reading and discussion of original communications, upon the principles of the late Literary and Philosophical Society — similar, in fact, to the sections of the British Association. The accomplishment of these objects will, of course, require extensive funds, say about ,£20,000, for the erection of suitable buildings, and purchase of land, &c. ; but, as this Institute will be of so much im- portance to all parties in the town and neighbourhood, we confidently hope for their cordial support and co-operation. In the following week Mr. Sands Cox published a scheme of his own for providing an Institute to be engrafted on the Queen's College. The Committee of the proposed Institute requested Mr. Cox to submit to them his complete plan, but he referred them to his published letters, and they very wisely resolved that it was not expedient to connect the proposed Institute with any existing Educational Institution, so as to make it a subordinate or supplementary part thereof. It was also determined to alter the name to the " Birmingham and Midland Institute," as being more in accordance with the proposed extended objects. On March 21 the Committee unanimously adopted a resolution, affirming the desirability of effecting an amalgamation with the Society of Arts and THE BIRMINGHAM AND MIDLAND INSTITUTE. 259 School of Design, or rather of providing accommodation in the proposed Institute for that department of industrial education. The proposal was, that accommodation, estimated at double the space then at the service of the school, should be provided in the new Institute, free of rent ; and that the rooms in New Street should be transferred to the Society of Artists. A deputation waited upon the two bodies concerned, and the general feeling was in favour of the proposal. The Committee also forwarded an outline of the proposed plan to the Royal Commissioners, in order to elicit their opinion as to how far it promised to fulfil the requirements of an Industrial Institute ; and secondly, in what manner it was proposed, under the new Government Department of Science, that aid would be afforded to provincial institutions. The following are quotations from the reply, written by the Secretary : — Her Majesty's Commissioners direct me to acquaint yon, in reply, for the information of the Committee, that they have received this com- munication with the greatest interest, as they are sensible of the value to a large manufacturing town like Birmingham of any institution which may serve to communicate to artisans, in a systematic manner, the principles of science upon which their respective industries are based, with especial reference to the requirements of the town and neighbour- hood They are fully convinced of the great value, not only to the local interests of Birmingham, but also to the general interests of science, of such a museum as the one which you propose to establish, especially when used for the purposes of instruction ; and they feel assured that a museum employed to illustrate a systematic course of study will be of the greatest importance to the artisans of Birmingham, and will ultimately form a source of economy and profit to the productive powers of the neighbourhood generally. The Commissioners cannot conclude without once more expressing the great satisfaction with which they have seen the large and comprehensive plan, which Birmingham has adopted on the important subject of indus- trial institutions ; thus practically evincing, by its own local exertions, its confidence in the views expressed in the memorial addressed by it to J Us Royal Highness Prince Albert and the Royal Commissioners, on a former occasion. The Committee were referred to the Secretary of the new Department of Science for information as to the mode in 260 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. which the advantages of the Central College of Science would be extended to the provinces. They at once appointed a deputation to wait upon Dr. Lyon Playfair, to ascertain in what manner and under what conditions local institutions might be affiliated with the Central College. The Commitee of the Society of Arts and School of Design held a special meeting on May 4th, and passed a resolution approving of the proposals made by the Institute Committee, and agreeing to co-operate in carrying them out. On May 21st Dr. Lyon Playfair, the Secretary of the Board of Trade Department of Science and Art, visited Birmingham for the purpose of conferring with the Committee " upon the nature of the plans which they had promulgated for carrying out their important and influential undertaking." The following is the report : — The interview took place at the Philosophical Institution, Cannon Street, the deputation consisting of Captain Tindal, R.N., (chairman of the Committee,) the Rev. Chancellor Law, Messrs. J. S. Dawes, P. Hollins, A. Ryland, G. Shaw, J. Jaffray, "W. P. Marshall, and Mr. W. Mathews, jun. In the course of the interview Dr. Playfair expressed a warm general approval of the comprehensive scheme adopted by the Committee. He also stated that the promotion of the projected Institute was regarded with peculiar interest by Prince Albert and the Government, who were very desirous to encourage the establishment of such an Industrial College in this important seat of industry. The aid, however, was at present restricted to guaranteeing a minimum salary to teachers, to the supply of apparatus at a cheap rate, and occasional scholarships. He further intimated to the deputation that whatever aid the Government might afford them, would not in the slightest degree interfere with the complete independence of the new Institution, either as to the appoint- ment of its officers or general management. He also suggested that the Industrial Department should be established at once in the rooms in Cannon Street. The Doctor, in the course of the day, visited both Queen's College and King Edward's School. On June 11th, the Committee appealed to the public, and published the first list of donations, amounting to £4,730 ; of this sum £495 were contingent upon the amount reaching £8,000. The number of subscribers was 130, but no sys- tematic canvass of the town had been made. The Committee THE BIRMINGHAM AND MIDLAND INSTITUTE. 261 had also applied to the Town Council to be allowed to erect the building on a piece of land near the Town Hall, not re- quired for Corporation purposes. When it is considered that the land so appropriated was not to be alienated from the use of the town, but to be made additionally valuable by the buildings proposed to be erected thereon, the whole of which will be vested in the Corporation, it seemed reasonable to hope that neither in or out of the Council would there be a dissentient voice. The Committee undertook to pay the expenses occasioned by some legal difficulties which existed in reference to the proposal. The appeal set forth in detail the multifarious objects contemplated by the Committee. The application for the grant of land came before the Town Council on June 6th, and was referred to the Estates and Buildings Committee for consideration, with instructions to report thereon. Mr. W. Earl was appointed the first Secretary of the Institute, and on his resignation in July, Mr. W. Oliver was elected in his stead. On August 20, a second list of subscriptions, amounting to £783, was published. The total sum subscribed up to this date was £5,520 4s. 6d. The Estates and Buildings Committee reported to a meet- ing of the Council, on September 6, and recommended that the application of the Committee of the Institute be com- plied with, under the conditions named ; and Mr. Alderman Muntz moved that the Town Clerk be instructed to intimate to Captain Tindal that the land was at the disposal of the Institute, subject to the sanction of Parliament. The motion was carried by only two dissentients, Councillors J. Gameson and J. R. Boyce. In October additional donations amounting to upwards of £600 were advertised, making a total of £6,043 lis. A public meeting in support of the proposed new Insti- tute was held in the Town Hall, on November 17, when there was a very large attendance, the platform being literally crowded with the friends of popular education. Captain 2G2 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. Tindal was in the chair ; and the meeting was addressed by Sir Robert Peel, Mr. W. Scholefield, M.P., Sir F. E. Scott, Bart., the Rev. E. H. Gifford, the Hon. and Rev. G. M. Yorke, Mr. Peter Hollins, Mr. H. Cole, the Rev. Sydney Gedge, the Ven. Archdeacon Sanclford, and Mr. George Wallis ; and on the part of the working classes, by Mr. Thomas Purton and Mr. C. S. Mackintosh. Resolutions in favour of the Institute were passed with much enthusiasm. Dr. Lyon Playfair was expected to accompany Mr. H. Cole, but was unfortunately unable to attend. He sent, however, the following important letter, which was read at the meeting : — Marlborough House, 16th November, 1853. Sir, — I much regret that I am unable to fulfil my engagement with you to be present at the meeting. No cause less valid than the one which keeps me at home — the dangerous illness of my daughter — would have kept me from visiting Birmingham on so interesting an occasion. You do not require to be assured of my warm sympathy in your under- taking. If it be carried into execution, with the conditions required for its ultimate success, Birmingham will have reason to be proud of containing within itself all the elements of education required by its industrial producers. In Queen's College you have an institution labour- ing to supply scientific instruction to the higher classes. In your Insti- tute you will provide equal facilities for tradesmen and artisans. - But the immediate success of either involves the supposition that all classes of your townsmen appreciate the value of the instruction given : the failure of Mechanics' Institutions throughout the country shows that its value, even as a means of drawing out the faculties, as well as its im- portance to production in the future competition of the world, is not generally recognised. Hence, everywhere systematic instruction in science and art is being pushed aside by unconnected series of the most desultory lectures. Unless you join the movement for the creation of this Institute for secondary education with one for infusing science and art into your elementary schools, Birmingham will not grow men having such a sufficient love for such knowledge as will induce them to go through the head work of class instruction. But it has been suggested in Bir- mingham itself that peculiar facilities exist there for thus acting on the primary education. It has a school nobly endowed, and rejoicing in a head master of enlightened educational views. In connection with this there are elementary schools, which surely might be induced to participate in the desire to put the working men of Birmingham in that position of moral dignity and self-respect which would result from thus exercising their reasoning powers in the understanding of the scientific principles THE BIKMINGHAM AND MIDLAND INSTITUTE. 2G3 which they are every day engaged in carrying blindly, though successfully, into practical execution. If these primary schools created a love and taste for science and art, depend upon it youi Institute will not lack food for its support ; but in the absence of a nursery for your young trees, I do not see your prospect of tending them to fruit-bearing in their adolescence. But I kuow that these subjects are being carefully considered by your Committee, and that they are sure to be carried into a successful issue by the people of Birmingham. But it cannot be wrong even in a stranger to your town, to view with congratulation the promising means which are at its command of carrying out amoug all classes of producers, and with perfect co-operation of interests, a scheme of industrial instruction that would be a model to the kingdom. I have the honour to be, sir, Your obedient humble servant, Lyon Playfair. Captain Tindal, R.N. A meeting of artisans was held on November 28, at which resolutions were passed fully concurring in the objects pro- posed by the originators of the Institute. A Committee was appointed to canvass their fellow-workmen for subscriptions, and to explain fully to the working classes the intentions of its projectors. A circular embodying these resolutions, was sent to all the manufacturing and trading establishments of the borough, requesting the appointment of a delegate or delegates, who should be working men, to form the Artisans' Committee. The delegates held a meeting on December 8, (Mr. George Wallis in the chair,) when resolutions approving of the objects of the Institute, and appointing a canvassing committee, were unanimously passed, and at which a sub- scription was commenced. Messrs. J. Downing, F. Grew, J. C. Evans, T. Bradley, T. L. Preston, T. Ewerbank, G. Bill, S. Newby, and J. A. Langford took part in the proceedings. A meeting of the ratepayers was held in the Town Hall on December 1G, 1853, to consider the propriety of giving the Town Council authority to make application to Parlia- ment for power to grant the land for the Institute building. The resolution was moved by Mr. Alderman Muntz, and seconded by Captain Tindal; there was an opposition — as there always will be to the best of undertakings — led by Mr. 264 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. Councillor Gameson, and supported by Mr. Councillor J. R. Boyce, the last-named gentleman proposing a plan of his own for street improvement, consisting of opening up a thorough- fare from Broad Street to the Town Hall. Mr. Blaxland opposed it because the Corporation were to be appointed trustees, and Mr. B. Hill because it would create an aristocracy amongst the working classes. The resolution was supported by the Rev. J. C. Miller, Mr. Joseph Allday, the Rev. Sydney Gedge, and Mr. J. A. Langford. The resolution was carried all but unanimously, Mr. Boyce and Mr. B. Hill being the only persons present who voted against it. On the 10th of December a fourth list of donations was advertised, raising the amount subscribed to £7,000. Mr. Charles Dickens gave his promised readings in aid of the funds of the Institute as follows : — On December 27, the Christmas Carol ; on the 29th, the Cricket on the Hearth ; and on the 30th he repeated the Christmas Carol, when, in consequence of a direct request from Mr. Dickens that an opportunity for hearing him should be afforded the working classes, the admission to the Hall was sixpence to all places except the side galleries. The readings were a great treat, and in every respect a great success. On the Friday night Mr. Dickens prefaced his readings with one of those pleasant little speeches, which is worth quoting. He said : — My good friends, when I first imparted to the Committee of the projected Institute my particular wish that on one of the evenings of my readings here the main body of my audience should be composed of working men and their families, I was animated by two desires : first, by the wish to have the great pleasure of meeting you face to face at this Christmas time, and accompany you myself through one of my little Christmas books ; and, second, by the wish to have an opportunity of stating publicly, in your presence, and in the presence of the Com- mittee, my earnest hope that the Institute will from the beginning recognise one great principle — strong in reason and justice — which I believe to be essential to the very life of such an Institution. It is, that the working man shall, from the first to the last, have a share in the management of an institution which is designed for his benefit, and which calls itself by his name. I have no fear here of being misunderstood — of being supposed to mean too much in this. If ever there was a time THE BIRMINGHAM AND MIDLAND INSTITUTE. 2G5 when any one class could of itself do much for its own good, and for the welfare of society — which I greatly doubt — that time is unquestionably past. It is in the fusion of different classes, without confusion ; in the bringing together of employers and employed ; in the creating of a better common understanding among those whose interests are identical, who depend upon each other, who are vitally essential to each other, and who never can be in an unnatural antagonism without deplorable results, that one of the chief principles of mechanics' institutions should consist. In this world a great deal of the bitterness among us arises from an imperfect understanding of one another. Erect in Birmingham a great educatioual institution — properly educational — educational of the feel- ings as well as of the reason — to which all orders of Birmingham men contribute ; in which all orders of Birmingham men meet ; wherein all orders of Birmingham men are faithfully i-epresented ; and you will erect a tem])le of concord here which will be a model edifice to the whole of England. Contemplating, as I do, the existence of the Artisans' Com- mittee, which not long ago considered the establishment of the Institute so sensibly, and supported it so heartily, I earnestly entreat the gentle- men — earnest I know in the good work, and who are now among us — by all means to avoid the great shortcoming of similar institutions ; and in asking the working man for his confidence, to set him the great example, and give him theirs in return. You will judge for yourselves if I promise too much for the working man, when I say, that he will stand by such an enterprise with the utmost of his patience, his perseverance, sense, and support ; that I am sure he will need no charitable aid or condescending patronage, but will readily and cheerfully pay for the advantages which it confei's ; that he will prepare himself in individual cases, where he feels that the adverse circumstances around him have rendered it necessary ; in a word, that he will feel his responsibility like an honest man, and will most honestly and manfully discharge it. I now proceed to the pleasant task to which, I assure you, I have looked for- ward for a long time. This reading was probably the best of the three. The enthusiasm of the audience excited the enthusiasm of the reader. "It was one of the finest things, without exception, ever seen in that Hall." The vote of thanks to Mr. Dickens was passed with a deafening " Ay ; " after which, at the sug- gestion of a working man in the audience, three cheers were given for Charles Dickens, and three more for Mrs. Dickens, to which he thus responded : — You have heard so much of my voice since we met to-night, that I will only say, in acknowledgment of this affecting mark of your regard, 206 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. that I am truly and sincerely interested iu you ; that any little service I have been able to render you I have freely rendered from my heart ; that I hope to become an honorary member of your great institution, and will meet you often there when it becomes practically useful ; that T thank you most affectionately for this new mark of your sympathy and approval ; and that I wish you many happy returns of this great birthday time, and many prosperous years. On the following morning Mr. Dickens was entertained at breakfast by the Committee, when an elegant flower-stand, manufactured by Messrs. Elkington, was presented to Mrs. Dickens; and a bronze inkstand presented to Mr. Charles Dickens, jun, in acknowledgment of the generous services which Mr. Dickens had given to the Institute. The proceeds of the three readings amounted to £227 13s. 9d. With the announcement of this fact, it was also stated " as an evidence of the desire of the Committee to meet the requirements of the times, they voluntarily inserted a clause in the bill for the transference of the site, to enable them to set apart a portion of the land for the purposes of a free library and museum, should the burgesses agree to adopt the Act." The first of a series of meetings in connection with the artisans' movement in support of the Institute, was held in the People's Hall, Loveday Street, on the 22nd of February, 1854, at which a deputation, consisting of the Rev. S. Gedge, A. Ryland, P. Hollins, and T. P. Salt, attended from the general Committee, and resolutions in favour of supporting the undertaking, were unanimously passed. A second meet- ing was held at Mount Zion School-room, the Rev. C. Vince in the chair, on March 2nd, when similar resolutions were passed. Meetings were held at St. John's School-room, Deritend, Mr. Alderman Cox in the chair, on March 9; at St. Martin's School-room, Inge Street, April 9, the Rev. J. C. Miller in the Chair ; and in various other parts of the town. The bill enabling the Town Council to grant the land passed the House of Lords in June, 1854, and received the Royal assent on July 3. The following is an analysis of the Act:— THE BIRMINGHAM AND MIDLAND INSTITUTE. 2G7 There are fifty-six clauses in the Act, with a preamble and schedules. The object of the Institute is defined to be for the advancement of science, literature, and art. It is to be divided into two departments — the general and the industrial. Subject to any alterations to be made by a general meeting, the general department shall comprise : — First, reading rooms and news rooms, sup- plied with books, newspapers, and other suitable things for the use of the members. Second, libraries, museums, or gallery of the fine arts, collections of mining records, and other collections for scientific purposes. Third, lectures and meetings for discussion on the higher branches of knowledge. Subject to alteration, to be made also by a general meeting, the indus- trial department shall comprise : — First, classes fur elementary and pro- gressive instruction in mathematics and practical science, and such other subjects as may seem fit to the Council of the Institute for carrying out the objects of the Institute. Second, laboratories, models, philosophical apparatus, and all other things necessary for carrying into effect the objects of the industrial department. A subscription of a guinea constitutes membership ; and a member must give three months' notice of withdrawal. Every member is entitled to vote at general meetings, and may attend all lectures and meetings in the general department,, with access to the libraries, news rooms, &c. ; but shall not be entitled to attend the classes in the industrial department, except on such terms as the council may determine. Annual students in any class of the industrial department, if above sixteen years of age, shall enjoy all the advantages of the general department, if their class fees amount to a guinea ; but if not, upon payment of 5s. or of such less sum as shall, with their class fees, amount to a guinea. The affairs of the Institute are to be managed by a council of twenty-five governors, consisting of the president, two vice-presidents, and treasurer ; the head master of the Free Grammar School, the Warden of < Queen's College, and the Chairman of Committee of the Society of Arts; the Mayor and four members of the Town Council; thirteen elected governors, eleven of these to be members of the Institute, and two students of the Industrial Department. The mode of election is to be by the members at the annual meeting ; the Town Council to elect their representatives, or, failing to do that, the members of the Institute may fill up the vacancies. The names of the office bearers and governors are given in the bill, Lord Lyttelton being the first president, and ( iaptain Tindal and Mr. Arthur Ryland the vice-presidents. The Council of the institute are empowered to appoint teachers. Lecturers, &c. ; to superintend the formation of the libraries, museums, and collections; to provide a lecture theatre ; to admit the public gratuitously on certain days of the week ; to provide accommodation for the Society of Arts and School of 2G8 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. Design ; and to make available a portion of the building for the recep- tion of a Free Public Library, on terms to be agreed on with the Town Council. They have also power to regulate the terms of admission, the subjects to be taught, &c, in the Industrial Department. Moreover, amongst other things, they are empowered tc apply the income iu such manner as they may think most conducive to the interests of the Insti- tute ; to hire premises until the premises about to be erected are com- pleted ; and to invite distinguished persons in science, literature, and art to become honorary members, without payment of any description. The greater portion of the Act following has reference to the meetings, making of bye-laws, mode of voting, keeping of accounts, and other matters relating to the internal economy of the Institute. The Corpora- tion is directed to grant a site for the building, upon satisfactory proof being furnished that a sum of not less than ,£10,000 has been contributed and paid to the Institute, and is available; and the council of the Institute may purchase the lands scheduled ; but the power to enforce a compulsory sale shall not be exercised after the expiration of three years from the passing of the Act. If, after the expiration of seven yeai-s, the Institute fails, or is unwilling to carry into effect the objects for which it was established— the Board of Trade deciding on this question — then the whole of the property is to be vested in the Cor- poration, who shall hold the same upon the same trusts upon which such property was held by the Institute. In the bill originally introduced to Parliament, there were clauses respecting the arrangement between the School of Design and the Institute ; but these were withdrawn by the advice of Lord Redesdale, (the Chairman of Committees of the House of Lords,) and will be made the subject of a special agreement. The managing Committee held its last meeting on July 17, 1854, the powers and duties of that body having been trans- ferred to the Council of Governors created by the Act of Incorporation. The library of the Specifications of Patents which was granted by the Government to the Institute, was opened to the public in the beginning of August, 1850, the Committee of the Institute having provided a room and a librarian. The opening of this library, as was truly said at the time, marked a " great social era. We have for the first time a Free Library in Birmingham ; a collection of works of the utmost commercial value, and which in themselves, consti- tute, in point of numbers, a respectable library. It is, how- ever, as the nucleus of a great Free Library, worthy of the THE BIRMINGHAM AND MIDLAND INSTITUTE. 2G0 town, that we think it specially valuable." Since the open- ing of the library to the present time (1871) the specifications have been consulted no fewer than 60,000 times. Various classes had been added to the Industrial Depart- ment. The programme for the autumn term, commencing September, 1856, showed the following admirable provisions for the education of the students : — ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE AUTUMN TEEM, 1856. TUESDAYS. Language and Thought — Text Book, Bacon's Essays Bev. C. Badhain, D.D. Algebra Mr. W. Mathews, Jun., M. A. Household Fhilosophy — (Female Class) Mr. W. M. Williams. WEDNESDAYS. Advanced Arithmetic Mr. B. Rickard. Experimental Fhysics — Electricity and its Application to the Arts Mr. W. M. Williams. French Language — Practical, Theo- retical, and Conversational M. A. Albites, LL.B., Paris. On the 17th of December, M. Albites will deliver a French Lecture ; Histoire de la Literature Francaise. Second Junior Class — Mechanics ... Mr. W. M. Williams. THUBSDAYS. History — Constitutional History of ) Mr. H. Bogers. England, from Alfred to Henry VIII. ) Bev. C. B. Hutchinson, M. A. Logic Mr. C. M. Ingleby, M.A Elementary Arithmetic Mr. B. Rickard. FBIDAYS. Chemistry— The Non-metallic Elements and Inorganic Acids Mr. W. M. Wiliiams. Geometry Bev. F. J. Haie, M.A. Latin Mr. H. Chance, M.A. SATUBDAYS. ( Mr. Geo. Dawson, MA. English Literature ) Mr. Samuel Timmins. (Mr. Wm. Alan Bussell, M.A. This term was distinguished by the commencement of a series of friendly meetings of the members on such Monday 270 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. evenings as were not occupied by professional lectures, and at which papers were read and discussed. The following is the first list of subjects, with the names of the readers :— Nov. 17.— Dr. Bell Fletcher, " The Advantages which have been derived from Literary Institutions in Birmingham." Nov. 24.— Dr. Mansfield Ingleby, M.A., " Neology of Skakspeare." Dec. 1. Mr. Jabet, "The Etymologies of some of the Words in Richardson's Dictionaries, with a view to exhibit the Celtic element in the English Language." Dec. S.— Mr. Samuel Timmins, "Venice." Dec. 15.— Mr. W. L. Sargant, " The Economy of the Working Classes." Dec. 22.— Mr. W. Mathews, jun., M.A., F.G.S., "Notes of a Tour in Switzerland." Jan. 19.— Mr. J. A. Langford, "The English Language; its Origin, Character, and Changes." Jan. 26. — Mr. H. Wiggin, " The Manufacture of Copper." Feb. 2.— Mr. W. M. Williams, " Notes of a Tour in Norway." Yeb. 9— Mr. J. S. Dawes, F.G.S., " Remarks on the Geology of Some Portions of North Wales." Fe b. 16.— Mr. T. P. Salt, "Phrenology." At the annual meeting, a number of gentlemen, not mem- bers of the Institute Council, undertook to canvass the town for donations to the building fund; and on December 8th they reported that they had canvassed four wards with the follow- ing result : — S £ s. d. St. Peter's Ward, per Messrs. Holliday and Martineau 150 17 6 Market Hall, per Messrs. Bar! o w and Osborn 86 4 6 St. Paul's, per Messrs. Saunders and Turner 76 13 6 Hampton, per Mr. Jabet 35 8 6 £349 4 Miss Glynn gave two readings on behalf of the building fund at the Town Hall, on January 9th and 13th, 1857. On the first night she read " Macbeth," and on the second " The Merchant of Venice." The amount realised was £33 3s. lid. On January 24>, ] 857, a soiree was held in the Music Hall, which was attended by six hundred subscribers, students, and friends of the Institute. Addresses were delivered by Colonel Sykes, Dr. Booth, and Mr. Sheriff Mechi, on the THE BIRMINGHAM AND MIDLAND INSTITUTE. 271 advantages offered by association with the Society of Arts. The meeting was also addressed by Mr. Fairbairn, Dr. Bad- ham, Mr. J. F. Winfield, Mr. S. Timmins, Mr. William Schole- field, and Mr. Peter Hollins. The News-room in Bennett's Hill having been closed this year, the Council of the Institute resolved to provide one in Cannon Street until the Institute building was completed. This was opened to the subscribers on June 25th, 1857. In September of this year Lord Brougham and Mr. Charles Dickens were elected honorary members of the Institute. Both gentlemen accepted the distinction ; Mr. Dickens in the following characteristic letter : — Gads Hill Place, Higham-by-Rochester, Saturday Evening, 3rd October, 1857. My dear Sir, — I have had the honour and pleasure of receiving your letter of the 28th of last month, informing me of the distinction that has been conferred upon me by the Council of the Birmingham and Midland Institute. Allow me to assure you with much sincerity, that I am highly gratified by having been elected one of the first honorary members of that estab- lishment. Nothing could have enhanced my interest in so important an undertaking ; but the compliment is all the more welcome to me on that account. I accept it with a due sense of its worth, with many acknowledgments, and with all good wishes. 1 am, my dear sir, Very faithfully yours, Charles Dickens. Arthur Ryland, Esq. On October 13, the Lecture Theatre of the present Insti- tute building was opened, under veiy memorable circum- stances. The newly-organised National Association for the advancement of Social Science had held its first meeting on] v on the preceding evening, and the presence of Lord Brougham and other " distinguished strangers " had suggested the de- sirability of engaging them on the occasion. Lord Hatherton, President of the Institute, occupied the chair, and read a long and elaborate address of the Council to Lord Brougham, to 272 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. which his lordship made a brief speech in reply. Lord Stanley delivered the prizes and certificates to the successful students, and Lord John Russell spoke a few words of warm congratulation on the flourishing condition of the Institute. On April 29, 1858, the Birmingham Flute Society gave a concert on behalf of the Building Fund, which realised the sum of £45. In the same month Miss Taylor, late of Moseley Hall, pre- sented to the Institute a valuable collection of recent British and foreign shells, which formed a very important addition to the Museum. On March 25, 1859, a special general meeting of the mem- bers was held, Lord Leigh, the President, in the chair, at which the following report of the financial position of the Institute in reference to the Building Fund was presented : — The Council have convened this special meeting of the members and friends of the Institute, in order to explain to them the present state of the finances in respect to the building, which demands the serious attention and energetic aid of every one who desires to promote the successful prosecution of the important educational work carried on within these walls. The amount already received for donations is ,£11,173 7s. 4d. ; this, together with £2,420 17s. advanced by the bankers, has been ex- pended in the erection of the Institute building, and its indispensable fittings, and in the Parliamentary expenses. There remains to be paid to builders and architect, and sundry other persons for fittings and miscel- laneous matters, the sum of £4,845 16s. 5d. To this has to be added the before-named sum of £2,420 17s. due to the bankers, making a total of £7,266 13s. 5d. ; towards which there are available assets of £1,780, leaving a balance of £3,486 13s. 5d. to be provided. Before we proceed to state how this deficiency may be supplied, we feel it our duty to ex- plain how this state of things has been brought about. When the con- tract for the building was entered into, it was divided into three parts, and it was intended to have only such parts of it executed from time to time as the money in hand would cover. But the desire to provide the accommodation for the Society of Arts on an early day, the hope that proceeding with the works would stimulate the public to contribute more freely, the convenience and advantage in reference to the building itself which would result from completing parts much sooner than was originally intended — these considerations led the Council to depart from their original intention. The Council were, however, disappointed in the donations not keeping pace with the calls upon the building fund. THE BIRMINGHAM AND MIDLAND INSTITUTE. 273 Now the day for payment has arrived, and the Council is without the funds to meet the demands; and consequently appeal to the members and friends of the Institute to supply them. The amount required, as before stated, is £3,486. And it is important — nay, it is essential to the fair reputation and to the continued independent existence of the Insti- tute — that the means should be provided at once to discharge its existing liabilities. When these are discharged, the Council will not have to incur any further liabilities in respect to the building. The interior painting and decoration have to be done, but will not be entered upon until the funds are in hand for the purpose. These and similar requirements may be safely left to the new donations which will every year be received. Many who contributed to the Building Fund of the Institute five or six years ago, are prepared to renew their donations, as will be seen by the list appended to this report, and the Council feel confident that most of the donors will do likewise when it is made known that there is imperative necessity for so doing. In addition to the present donors, there are many persons in the town who have not yet made any contributions to the building, and we have now so large a number of annual subscribers, that a well-oi-ganized and zealous body of canvassers may easily be found amongst that intelligent and influential body. The Council recommend that all donations for the especial purpose now before the meeting shall be solicited upon the condition that, if the sum of ,£5,000 be not raised, the donations shall not be required to be paid, or if paid, shall be returned. Believing that this may induce many to give who would be otherwise unwilling to contribute, or to give larger sums, from a knowledge that the proposed sum will remove the whole of the financial difficulty of the Institute, and place its Council in a position to realise all the objects for which it was established, the Committee further recommend that a canvassing committee should be appointed, consisting of all gentlemen who will contribute to the funds, and undertake to solicit donations. That this committee shall co-operate with the Institute Council, and report to it from time to time the result of their canvass ; and that all money received for these conditional donations shall be placed in Messrs. Molliett's Bank, to the credit of Messrs. J. D. Goodman, John Jaffray, and J. F. Winfield, until the sum of £5,000 be subscribed for, and then that it be transferred to the credit of the Institute. The Council would also recommend that an especial appeal be made to the working people, and that cards for the collection of small sums be issued. It should be borne in mind that the deficiency of funds is not at all connected with the current expenses of the Institute. The ordinary expenses are covered by the annual subscriptions, and one of the most important advantages which will result from the payment of these building debts will be that a large amouut of interest, now paid out of the annual subscriptions, will cease, and the Council will then be able to provide additional teachers 274 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. in the industrial department, and in other ways to develope more com- pletely the capabilities of the Institute. Although the Council cannot doubt that the required sum will be raised when the circumstances now stated are known, and when it is borne in mind what has already been accomplished, and how much more may be done when the Council is relieved from all anxiety respecting the Building Fund, and can devote the whole of its attention and the whole of the annual income to the proper work of the Institute; nevertheless, it is right to state clearly and frankly that if ,£5,000 be not raised, then the work so nobly begun, so full of promise, must be abandoned, and Birmingham will be deprived of the only literary institution at all worthy of its size or importance ; and with such a splendid failure, it will be long before the foundation of such another will be attempted. To preserve this great and important town from such a disgrace, is now the work to which the Council invite your co-operation and assistance. Mr. W. Mathews stated that the appendix included a list of fresh donations amounting to £700 towards the special object the Committee now had in view. The Rev. Dr. Miller moved, and Mr. Chandos Wren Hoskyns seconded the resolu- tion — « That the Institute is desirous of the continued cordial support of all friends of education ; and this meeting pledges itself to use its best exertions to carry into effect the recom- mendations of the report." This was passed unanimously : as was also a resolution proposed by the Rev. E. H. Gifford, and seconded by Mr. S. Thornton, appointing a Canvassing Committee to solicit subscriptions. Mr. Alderman Thomas Lloyd then moved: — "That as the working classes are especially interested in the welfare of the Institution, arrange- ments be made to canvass for small subscriptions amongst them, and that the masters of the various establishments in the town be requested to aid in this canvass by using their own influence, and by permitting the canvassers to have access to their works for the purpose of the canvass." This was seconded by the Rev. C. Clarke, supported by Mr. Arthur Ryland, and passed. In June, 1859, the list of honorary members was increased by the following eminent names : — Lord Wrottesley, Lord Lyttelton, Sir Charles Lyell, Sir Charles L. Eastlake, Lord THE BIRMINGHAM AND MIDLAND INSTITUTE. 275 Macaulay, and Earl Stanhope. No honorary members have been elected since this date. The Committee speedily and earnestly set to work to raise the £5,000 special fund referred to in the foregoing report ; and Sir Francis E. Scott was most zealous and indefatigable in his efforts for this purpose. On April 2 the first list appeared, announcing subscriptions to the amount of £1,118 8s. 6d. By the beginning of June it had reached £3,587 5s. 3d. On the 3rd of that month the Birmingham Amateur Dramatic Association gave a performance at the Theatre Royal, by which £92 -is. 5d. was added to the fund. The Council were able to report, at the Council meeting on January 9, 18G0, that the whole amount had been received. At the conclusion of the meeting the Museum, in connection with the Institute, was opened. It contains an interesting collection of firearms, a good geological collection, and specimens of natural history, which have been classified by Professor Morris and others. On July 2, I860, the portrait of Mr. Arthur Ryland, painted by Sir J. Watson Gordon, was presented to the Institute; and on the same occasion a handsome volume, illustrative of the process of chromolithography, was presented to Mr. Ryland, and an elegant Arabesque inkstand, in oxidised silver and gold, to Mrs. Ryland. The presentations were made in recog- nition of the active part which Mr. Ryland had taken in the establishment of the Institute. The portrait is now in the Art Gallery. On October 17, 1861, the Birmingham Amateur Dramatic Association gave another public performance in the Theatre Royal, for the benefit of the Institute. The pieces played on this occasion were, "All that Glitters is not Gold," " Bombastes Furioso," and " The Wonderful Woman." The amount realised was £35. The history of the Midland Institute affords a rare example of the power of earnest perseverance to overcome difficulties. For a few years, its progress was comparatively slow, and a con- siderable time was needed to awaken the popular sympathy which is absolutely necessary for the success of a Working 27G MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. Man's College, which was, in truth, what the Institute aimed to be, and has, to a great extent, become. Money had to be raised for the building by voluntary contributions, always a precarious and difficult method of obtaining funds. Neither the o-eneral nor the industrial department received the sup- port to which they were entitled, and the balance-sheet of nearly every year showed a deficit. This state of things has happily been reversed; and the persistent labours of the Council have now been crowned with comparative success. We say comparative, because we firmly believe that, as education and the desire for knowledge increases, still greater success remains to be achieved by the Institute. The friends of the Institute have been numerous, and a considerable number of them have proved their interest in its work by noble presents. In 1859 Mr. A. Follett Osier, F.R.S., presented the anemometer, of such great use in the study of meteorology. In the following year, 1860, Sir Francis E. Scott, Bart., offered a prize of £5 to every student who may obtain a first-class prize at the Society of Arts Ex- aminations. This prize, of course, lapsed with the lamented death of Sir Francis. The portrait of the late Mr. David Cox was also presented to the Institute in I860. In the Act of Parliament under which the Institute was established, power was reserved to the Council of the Institute to set apart any portion of the land, or the buildings erected thereon, for a Free Library and Museum, which may be founded under the Free Libraries Act. This Act having been adopted at a town's meeting held on February 21, 1860, the Institute Council accordingly gave up to the Corporation, sufficient land for this purpose. The late Mrs. Barber bequeathed to the Town Council four valuable pictures, casts, and the sum of £50, on con- dition that an Art Gallery were provided for the exhibition of pictures and casts ; otherwise the bequest would pass to the Midland Institute, which, in fact, it did in the year 1861. The report for this year also announced that the anemometer was completed and at work, THE BIRMINGHAM AND MIDLAND INSTITUTE. 277 All our readers, doubtless, are acquainted with the famous series of drawings from the pencils of David Cox, Dewint, Westall, Harding, and Barber. They were originally exe- cuted for a work entitled " Graphic Illustrations of Warwick- shire," and were re-published in lithography as illustrations to the new edition of that book issued by Mr. Underwood. Almost every place of interest, of fame, or of beauty in Warwickshire, is embraced in this series. " Stratford-on- Avon," "Guy's Cliff," "Stoneleigh Abbey," "Aston Hall," " St. Martin's Old Parsonage," " Birmingham Market Place," "Warwick Castle," " Kenilworth Castle," and "Baddesley Hall," may be mentioned as examples of the famous places contained in this admirable collection. This precious series of works of art was in 1862 secured for the Institute. They were at that time the property of Mr. Underwood, and the whole were announced to be sold by auction on the 30th of September. Public attention was called to this sale by articles in the Birmingham Journal and the Daily Gazette, and the desirability of purchasing them for the town was warmly advocated. On the day preceding the sale, the writer of this history waited upon Mr. John Jaffray to ascertain if a sufficient subscription could not be at once obtained to prevent their dispersion. Mr. Jaffray entered heartily into the proposal, and gave his name at once as a subscriber, offering to double the amount if the pictures were purchased for the Midland Institute. He added that he should meet the Council and other friends of the Institute that evening, and would bring the subject before them. William Scholefield, Esq., M.P., Sir Francis E. Scott, Bart., and others, whom it was believed would be friendly to the undertaking were written to on the subject, and all these gentlemen subscribed. Mr. Jaffray was successful in his appli- cation, the necessary amount was raised, and this fine collec- tion of drawings was purchased for the Institute. The art treasures of the Institute were also increased this year by Mr. Lines, who presented his admirable picture of " Llyn Idwal." 278 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. In the report for this year, the Council stated that they had also the " pleasure of recording that an offer had been received from Mr. Roden to paint, for the Institute, a portrait of Sir Francis Scott, and were happy to say that Sir Francis had been prevailed on to give the necessary sittings." Every friend of the Institute, and every lover of art will regret that in consequence of the ill-health and subsequent death of the generous-hearted Baronet this addition to our gallery of local worthies can never be supplied. The report for 1862 states that " The chief event in the history of the Industrial Department during the year has been the delivery of the inaugural address, at the commencement of the autumn term, by the President, Sir John Pakington. The Council felt anxious to take advantage of the opportunity offered by the re-assembling of the classes after the recess, to bring the object and operations of the Institute in its different departments prominently before the students and the public. They felt, moreover, that by assembling all the students on such an occasion, they would be doing something to promote a feeling of union amongst them, which the isolation of the different classes is not calculated to foster. With these objects they requested Sir John Pakington to open the session by the delivery of an inaugural address, and they feel deeply indebted to him for the readiness with which he complied with their request, and for the distinguished ability with which he carried out their wishes. The address was delivered, to a crowded audience, on the evening of the 29th of September." From the report for 1863 we learn that the Warwickshire drawings had been arranged and placed in the News Room, and also that Mr. Roden's portrait of Mr. Lines had been presented to the Institute. This year the Institute, as well as many of the other educational institutions of the town, especially those con- nected with art, sustained a severe loss by the death of Sir Francis Scott. This patron of all which tended to the elevation of the people, to the cultivation of taste and design THE BIRMINGHAM AND MIDLAND INSTITUTE. 279 as applied to manufactures, showed the undying interest which he took in the Institute, by bequeathing to it his fine collection of Limoges enamels ; he also added to this bequest the sum of fifty pounds to purchase a case for their exhibition. This interesting collection is now exhibited in the Art Gallery. In the report for 1864 the Council were enabled to state that in consequence of their long continued exertions, in con- junction with the other educational institutions of the town, the British Association had been induced to re-visit Bir- mingham. A deputation from the Council accompanied the Mayor, the Head Master of King Edward's School, and other gentlemen, to the meeting of the Association at Bath in that year, when, after considerable discussion, the invitation to visit the town in the autumn of 1865, was unanimously accepted. The Limoges enamels bequeathed by the late Sir Francis Scott, were this year placed in the Museum, and we have pleasure in quoting the following passage from the report : — " The Council have to record with great gratitude the genero- sity of Lady Scott, who, with the same spirit of liberality which always distinguished her lamented husband in his con- nection with this Institution, took upon herself the entire burden of the legacy duty on the bequest, so that the enamels passed to the Institute as a free gift." We have also much pleasure in recording another act of generosity. In the report for 1863, it was stated that the sum of £81 3s. 2d. was required to free the Institute from debt. The president for the year was William Scholefield, Esq., M.P., who, with his usual liberality, sent a cheque for that amount, thereby enabling the Council to announce that the Institute was in the happy position of being out of debt. There was also this year a great improvement in the financial position of the Institute. The Industrial Department was more nearly self-supporting than it had been for several years, the deficiency being only £82 17s. 7d. In the General Department the excess of income over expenditure was £147 18s. 3d. ; so that, taking the two departments together, the income for the year more than equalled the expenditure. 280 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. In March, 1864, the Institute lost, by death, its valuable Secretary, Mr William Oliver, who had acted in that capacity almost since its establishment, and " who had so zealously fulfilled the duties of that office, as to earn the respect and esteem of all with whom he was brought into contact." Mr. Edwin Smith, Assistant Secretary, who had held the office since 1859, was appointed his successor; and in the report, announcing this change, the Council state that they have " every reason to be satisfied with the mode in which Mr Smith has fulfilled his duties since his appointment." This gentleman still holds this onerous and important office, and every one who has business with the Institute will bear willing testimony to his courtesy, and the earnestness and ability with which he attends to the interests of the Institute. We have now reached the period in the history of the Institute at which the persistent labours of the Council were beginning to receive their reward. Year by year increased success, both in the General and Industrial Departments, will have to be recorded. A new policy in reference to the Monday evening lectures was adopted. Gentlemen of the highest attainments in the various branches of literature, science, and art were engaged, and the result was that the Lecture Theatre of the Institute was soon too small for the increased number of subscribers. As examples of the eminent lecturers who had accepted the invitations of the Council, we may mention Professors Owen, Huxley, Roscoe, Michael Foster, Maurice, H. Morley, Seeley, Odling, and Rankine, Dr. George Mac- donald, Dr. Carpenter, Sir Samuel Baker, Sir John Lubbock, M. Louis Blanc, Mr. Norman Lockyer, Dr. Noad, Mr. E. B. Tylor, Dr. Vambery, Mr. J. A. Froude, Mr. Anthony Trollope, Mr. Emanuel Deutsch, Mr. E. A. Freeman, and Mr. George Dawson. In the Industrial Department the attendance at the classes increased to such an extent that the class-rooms of the Institute were barely sufficient for the accommodation of the students. The accession of members was materially accele- rated by a yearly conversazione, held in the Town Hall, to which only members of the Institute were admitted. We proceed to trace this progress year by year. THE BIRMINGHAM AND MIDLAND INSTITUTE. 281 In 1865, in consequence of the completion of the Free Library, the Specifications of Patents were removed from the Institute to the Central Reference Library, and the collection of paintings lent for exhibition in the Art Gallery, on the condition that the Institute should be at liberty to remove them on giving a month's notice to the Town Council. In this year the English Literature and History Classes were opened to the members of the General Department, without the necessity of enrolling their names in the class lists or paying the class fees. The opening of the Free Libraries had a considerable influence in increasing the number of persons who visited the Institute Museum. In the year 1865 there were 2,512 visitors, as against 1,229 in 1864. The Industrial Department was largely attended in 1865 ; the number of persons receiving instruction at the various classes was no fewer than 1,067, thus divided : — Students paying quarterly 601 Students at the Penny Classes : — Elementary Arithmetic 133 Advanced Arithmetic 65 Penny Lectures 99 Elementary Singing 169 1,06 The financial condition this year was, from various causes, not quite satisfactory. The deficiency in the General Depart- ment was £191 2s. 2d. but £163 18s. 5d. had been expended in painting the building, and for the first time, the Institute was charged with Property Tax and Inhabited House Duty, amounting to £40 12s. 6d. Nor was the result of the year's working in the Industrial Department, financially, more satisfactory. The increase in the number of students had, of course, increased the amount of the class fees, and the general expenditure, so that there was a deficitof £137 16s. 6d., making the total deficiency £328 18s. 8d. We rejoice to say that the growing popularity of the Institute soon enabled the Council to get rid of this debt. The British Association revisited the town in 1865, and a 282 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. local Committee was elected to make the necessary arrange- ments for the reception and entertainment of this august scientific body. A public subscription for defraying the necessary expenses was resolved upon ; and so liberal was the response, that the Committee was enabled to present the Institute with the handsome sum of £287 19s. 4d., which remained after the payment of all expenses, on condition that a part of the money, not exceeding £100, should be spent in the purchase and erection of a King's Self- Registering Mercurial Barometer ; a condition to which, it is scarcely necessary to add, the " Council gladly acceded." The total number of members in the General Department had increased in 1866 from 641 to 710 ; and in the Industrial from 1,067 to 1,371. In reference to the finances, we quote the following passage from the report . — The Council has the pleasure of reporting that the financial condition of the Institution is in a more satisfactory condition than at the corres- ponding period of last year. At that time the deficiency amounted to £319 7s. 8d. ; it is now reduced to £165 13s. lOd. The accounts of the Industrial Department have this year been made out in a different form to that adopted on former occassions. Hitherto it has been the custom to charge the whole of the working expenses of the Institute to the General Department ; that department has, in the accompanying accounts, been charged with a fair proportion of the general expenses. This sum so charged amounts to £152 14s 6d., and the whole excess of expenditure over the receipts of this department is £327 3s. lid. This deficiency has been more than met by the surplus arising from the receipts of the General Department. The surplus on the department, including the sum of £187 19s. 4d. received from the Local Committee of the British Association, amounts to the sum of £480 17s. 6d. Therefore, although the financial condition of the Institute is much improved since the publication of the last report, the excess of the year's expenditure over its income would have amounted to £49 5s. 9d., if it had not been for the help afforded by exceptional donations. Two important events occurred during this year. At the Council meeting held January 8, 1866, Mr. George Dawson suggested the establishment of morning classes for the in- struction of ladies. A discussion followed. A Committee was afterwards appointed to consider the subject ; and in the THE BIRMINGHAM AND MIDLAND INSTITUTE. 283 Spring term of this year, classes for the study of the English language and literature, and of English history, both under the direction of Mr. Sebastian Evans ; and of the French language and literature, under M. Nottelle ; and of Geometry, under Mr. Rickard, were commenced. At the beginning of the Autumn term, an additional class was formed, under Dr. R. C. R. Jordan, for the study of physiology. The number of ladies attending these classes in this term was thirty-nine. The other important event of the year was that, on the 5th of December, the first conversazione in connection with the Institute was held in the Town Hall, which proved to be a great success. The cost was defrayed by private subscription. The year 1867 was one of great prosperity to the Institute. Mr. Alfred S. Evans vested in the Institute a sum of money sufficient to produce an annual income of £20, as a prize to the most deserving student in chemistry and practical mechanics, or in either of these subjects, " in order to encourage the study of chemistry and mechanics in the classes of the Industrial Department of the Institute." A Committee of gentlemen, with Mr. J. S. Wright for chairman, and Mr. S. Timmins for honorary treasurer, exerted themselves to raise an " apparatus fund," towards which the sum of £120 had been subscribed at the close of the year. The number of members in the General Department had increased from 710 to 820, and it was consequently found necessary to refuse admission to the lectures by payment at the doors to all except ladies. The number of persons visiting the Museum had also increased from 1,818 to 2,514. There was a slight falling off in the number of students attending the various classes of the Industrial Department ; the number for this year being 1,307, as against 1,371. The ladies classes, also showed a diminution in the number of attendants. The Council had " to regret the loss of one of its most experienced and accomplished teachers, through the resignation of Mr. Sebastian Evans." Mr. William Bates was appointed his successor, as teacher of English literature and history to the ladies classes. 284 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. The financial condition for the year was gratifying. The last balance sheet showed a debt of £165 13s. lOd. At the conversazione given in 1866, a subscription commenced, and a sum of money was thus raised more than sufficient to pay off the debt. The income of the year showed also a considerable increase, so that the Council was enabled to set apart a sum of thirty pounds towards the painting and repairs of the building ; and they hoped " to be able to con- tinue this provision year by year, so as to obviate the necessity of calling for special subscriptions whenever this work is again required to be done." From the ordinary sources of the Institute the balance of income over expenditure was £50 10s. 4d., which, with the donations mentioned above, amounted to £169 19s. 5d. The increase in the number of members in the General Department continued during the year 1868, rising from 820 to 930. In the Industrial Department the number was 1,304, showing a diminution of three as compared with 1867. The visitors to the Museum reached the unprecedented number of 10,588, as against 2,514 in the preceding year. This large increase was doubtless due, as the Committee stated, to the exhibition of the statue of the late Prince Consort and the Kensington Loan Collection, in the Art Gallery. The Whit worth Scholarship of £25, placed at the disposal of the Institute by the Birmingham Town Council, was gained by Mr. J. T. Waldron, a student in the mathematical class ; the Evans Prize of £20 by Mr. Charles Preston, for practical mechanics ; and the Society of Arts Prize of £5 in English literature by Mr. E. G. Sellman. This was the third time that this prize had been gained by a student of the Institute. The balance of income over expenditure this year was £30 0s. 7d. ; £30 of which were set aside towards the fund for painting and repairing the building. The balance in favour of the Institute was £170. The Institute building had for some time been too small to accommodate the visitors to the lectures and the students at the classes. In the early part of 1869, the land at the back THE BIRMINGHAM AND MIDLAND INSTITUTE. 285 of the Institute was announced for sale, and the Council endea- voured to purchase 500 square yards. The money required for this purpose proved to be larger than the Council thought itself justified in expending, so that 400 square yards only were subsequently purchased. Upon this land it is deter- mined to erect, as speedily as possible, a new Lecture Theatre, capable of holding six hundred persons, rooms for the accom- modation of the Industrial School, and additional class rooms for the Chemical Department. It was also arranged with the Committee of the School of Art, that their present rooms in the Institute building should be given up, if funds could be provided for the erection of a new School of Art. At the end of that year, the number of members in the General Department was 1,077, as against 930 in 1868 ; the increase in the Industrial Department was 234, being 1,538 against 1,304. The Evans Prize of £20 was gained by Mr. C. B. Caswell, for passing the best examination in chemistry. The Museum was visited by 0,618 persons. The subjects taught during the year in the ladies classes were French, chemistry, physiology, and English literature. There were eight students in the French class, twelve in the chemical, and eight in the physiological. The class in English literature was opened by a course of lectures given by Mr. Hales. This class had as many as one hundred and eleven pupils. Mr. Hales having resigned at the close of the winter course, the Council obtained the services of Mr. George Dawson, who delivered a course of lectures during the spring term, in continuation of those given by Mr. Hales ; the class consisted of eighty-seven students. The course was resumed by Mr. Dawson in the autumn term, the number of students being thirty-seven. On the financial position of the Institute at the end of 1869, we quote the following passage from the report : — The Council has the pleasure of reporting that the balance of ordinary income over ordinary expenditure for the past year amounts to the sum of £227 lis. 4d. Of this balance the sum of .£30 has been added to the fund for painting and repairing the buildings. The total balance in favour of the Institute would therefore have been £367 lis. -Id., as 280 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. against ,£170 last year ; but the Council decided to appropriate the balance to the part payment to Mr. Adams of the sum of £'400, due to that gentleman on account of the recent purchase of the land, referred to in the earlier part of this report. The sum of £400 having been now paid, there is a deficiency on the general account for the year, amounting to £32 8s. 8d. The sum of £2,000 has been borrowed from the Joint Stock Bank to meet the remaining liability due to Mr. Adams. This sum the Council hopes shortly to be able to repay, as it would be most injurious to the Institute to have its annual income burdened with the payment of interest on so large a sum. In 1870 the Council had to regret the loss, by death, of two old and valued friends of the Institute ; one was the late Charles Dickens, whose services to the Institute had been of the most important kind, and who had ever taken the most lively interest in its prosperity. Mr. Dickens had only completed his year of office as president a few months before his death. The other was the late Alfred S. Evans, Esq., the founder of the " Evans Prize," which has proved so largely useful to the best interests of the Institute. Mr. Robert Smith this year bequeathed a legacy of £ 1 00 to the Institute, which the Council caused to be invested ; the income to be applied to the Industrial Department. The Birmingham Dining Halls Company, after winding up their affairs, had a balance in hand of about £300, which the shareholders voted should be presented to the Institute. This sum, together with Mr. Smith's legacy amounting to £402 lis. 3d., was invested in the Great Western Railway Rent-charge Stock. This investment bears the appropriate title of the " Institute Industrial Endowment Fund." In 1870 was founded the Archaeological Section of the Institute. Mr. S. Timmins was elected President ; Mr. George Jabet, Treasurer ; and Messrs. A. E. Everitt and F. B. Osborn, Hon. Secretaries. The following are the objects of this section : — 1. — The holding of meetings once a month during the Institute lecture session, at which lectures, papers, discussions, exhibitions, and illustra- tions of local antiquities shall be introduced. THE BIRMINGHAM AND MIDLAND INSTITUTE. 287 2. — The publication of illustrated reports of papers, and of meetings, &c, &c, for the members of the section only. 3. — Summer excursions to places of archaeological interest. 4. — The formation of a "copying fund," by donations and annual subscriptions, for the purpose of securing drawings, lithographs, or photo- graphs of old buildings, records, registers, maps, and plans, such docu- ments to be the property of the Institute. The Section numbers 190 members, who pay an annual subscription of five shillings each. Any member of the Institute has the right of joining the Archaeological Section. The inaugural address was delivered by the President on November the 1 0th ; and on the same evening Mr. J. T. Bunce, F.S.S., read a paper on St. Martin's Church. Mr. J. A. Langford, LL.D., on December 8th, read a paper on " Bir- mingham Names," and the President one on " Men and Names of Birmingham," by Miss Lucy Smith. During the year the section made three excursions : — on June 14, to Hereford ; on August 3, to Kenil worth ; and on September 12, to Malvern Hills. The papers read, together with a record of the various excursions, and the report of the Committee, have been published in the first volume of the "Transactions of the Section." The circulation of this work is strictly limited to the members, and it may safely be pronounced worth more than the amount of the annual subscription. In 1871, the following papers were read: — January 12, " The Old Houses in our Neighbourhood," by Mr. A. E. Everitt; February 9, " Kenil worth Castle," by the Rev. E. H. Knowles, M.A.; March 9, "The British Town and Fort Caer Seion," by Mr. George Jabet ; April 27, " Hales Owen Abbey," by Mr. J. R. Holliday; October 20, "Matthew Boulton," by Mr. S. Timmins; November 16, "Early Building Societies in Birmingham," by Mr. J. A. Langford, LL.D. ; and December 21, " Pre-historic Fortifications," by Mr. Lawson Tait. For the first time in the history of the Institute, the Annual Distribution of Prizes to the Industrial Department in 1870 took place in the Town Hall. The distribution was made by the late President of the Institute, Charles Dickens. One thousand four hundred and thirty-nine persons were present on the occasion. 288 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. In December, 1869, the Department of Science and Art informed the Council that one of Sir Joseph Whitworth's Exhibitions, of £25, had been placed at the disposal of the Institute, to be awarded to a candidate for the Scholarships of 1870. The Council awarded the exhibition in question to Mr. George Smith. Mr. Smith was afterwards placed first in honours in chemistry on the list of successful candidates throughout the kingdom, and he also passed theoretically in all the other subjects in his examination for the Scholarship. Mr. Smith was, however, unsuccessful in the competition for the Scholarship, owing, as the Council had reason to believe, to a want of practical knowledge, and from this cause failed to pass the examination in " Practical Workmanship." The Evans Prize of £20 was this year gained by Mr. Ernest Morton, for passing the best examination in Practical Mechanics. The following passage, which we quote from the report, is especially gratifying : — The Council has much pleasure iu reporting that a former student of the Institute, who will not permit his name to be made public, but who, in his own words, " is turning the knowledge gained in the Institute to profitable account every day," has most liberally given an annual prize of six guineas, to be used by the Council, for the time being, in the purchase of Chemical Apparatus, applicable to the Chemistry of the Metals, and given to the successful competitor in an examination on the Chemistry of the following metals : — Iron, Copper, Lead, Tin, Silver, Gold, and Zinc. Six candidates entered their names for this " Special Prize," which was finally awarded to Mr. George Smith, the student before mentioned ; and the examiner reported that five of the papers submitted were of a very high order of merit, and that any one of them would have been deserving of the prize. The return of members in the General Department still showed an increase of 1,252, as against 1,077 of the preceding year. There was, however, a decrease of 153 members in the Industrial Department, the number being 1,385, against 1,538 in 1869. The financial condition will be seen in the following extract from the report : — On the General Department there has been an expenditure of ,£1,072 18s. 10d., whilst the receipts have amounted to £1,480 17s. 6d., leaving a balance in favour of the Institute of £407 18s. 8d, THE BIRMINGHAM AND MIDLAND INSTITUTE. 289 On the Industrial Department there has been an expenditure of £930 15s. 5d., whilst the receipts have amounted to £399 14s. 5d., leaving a deficiency of £531 Is. Od. This amount has been paid out of the funds of the General Department. In the Investment Account £30 has been set by for repairs, as here- tofore. The expenses connected with the investments, mentioned in a former part of this report, amount to £32 lis. 3d., and the debt at the beginning of the year amounted to £32 8s. 8d. The surplus gained upon the General Department is, therefore, not sufficient to meet deficiences by the sum of £218 Is. 3d. It should not, however, be forgotten that the Institute lias invested /; WO of its previous savings in part payment of the site for the new theatre and class-rooms, and that many items in the present year's accounts are exceptional. For instance, the amount paid as interest on money borrowed to pay for the land mentioned above, the law charges, and cost of fencing, have amounted to £131 14s 9d., and also the cost of hiring the Masonic Hall has added about £40 to the expenses of the current year. The Council hopes that by the speedy erection of the new theatre, the Institute may shortly be relieved from these pressing burdens. We are now in a position to detail the work done by the Institute since its formation. The materials for this summary are contained in an admirable paper read before the Social Science Association, at its meeting in this town, in October, 1868, by Mr. Edwin Smith, the Secretary. This paper, revised and completed to the 31st of December, 1869, has been published ; and we shall draw largely from its pages for the information which we now present to our readers. " The work of the Institute," Mr. Smith says, " has always been carried on in two divisions, known as the General and Industrial Departments. In the General Department, weekly lectures on scientific or literary subjects, a news-room, a yearly conversazione, and occasional courses of afternoon lectures, are provided. To these, subscribers of £1 Is. per annum are entitled to admission. The Industrial Depart- ment consists exclusively of classes for the study of science, arithmetic, mathematics, languages, English history, litera- ture, and grammar, and composition, and singing. The fee for admission to most of these classes is 3s. a term, or 9s. a year. There are, however, some classes to which the u 290 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. admission is one penny a lesson, and in one class — the prac- tical chemistry class — the fee is 7s. 6d. a term. The classes meet from October to June, and are closed during the summer months. All of them are open to females." The progress of the Institute is shown in the following statistics : — In 1855 there were 195 annual subscribers of £1 Is. each, entitled to the privileges of the General Department, and the income of the Institute was £310. In 1858 there were 595 subscribers of £1 Is., and 49 sub- scribers of less amounts, entitled to the same privileges, and the income was £'845. In 1869 there were 1,077 subscribers of £1 Is., and 274 subscribers of less amounts, and the income was £1,3G7. In 1870 there were 1,252 subscribers of £1 Is., and 389 of less amounts, and the income was £1,480. These amounts do not include the fees paid by students in the Industrial Department. As the present building was not completed until 1858, all the classes formed before that year were held in rooms tem- porarily engaged for the purpose. Owing to the limited income which was at first at the disposal of the Council, and to the experimental character of the work in which they were engaged, the Industrial Department was opened in 1855, with three classes only. In the following year, seven additional classes were formed. From the imperfect character of the earlier registers, no information as to the classes, except the number of entries, can now be obtained. The following table shows the attendance at each class, in the first term of the sessions of 1855 and 1S5G : — Physics Chemistry Physiology Arithmetic Algebra Geometry Latin . 855 1856. 21 29 44 58 20 Discontinued. — 21 — 4 — 4 — 11 THE BIRMINGHAM AND MIDLAND INSTITUTE. 291 1855. 1856. French 146 English History 33 English Literature .... 62 Language and Thought . . 43 Logic 10 Totals .... 85 421 In 1857, a register was opened, giving the trades of the students in the various classes : and from this we learn the gratifying fact that almost all the various trades of the town furnish students to the Institute. In 1857 the proportion of students known to be artisans was 39 per cent. ; that propor- tion has since increased to 45 per cent. ; and in twelve years the total number of students has risen from 578 to 1,538. It is worthy of notice that the largest proportionate in- crease in the number of students has been in the penny classes. In the elementary arithmetic class, which in 1857 had 21 students only, there were in 1SG0, 145; in the ad- vanced arithmetic class, which was a quarterly one until 18G5, there was an average attendance up to that year of 27, in 18G9 it was 66; and in the elementary singing class, which at its commencement had an average attendance of 116, there were 407 students. "The register also shows that the greatest proportion of the students attending the quarterly classes live within a distance of two miles from the Institute. In 1809, 36 per cent, of the students lived within one mile, 45 per cent, within two miles, 13 per cent, within three miles, and 6 per cent, lived at distances varying from three to twelve miles." Mr. Smith adds : — " The satisfactory character of the work which is beino- carried on in the Institute classes cannot perhaps be more clearly shown than by the following- state- ment. In 1851, the earliest year in which all the examina- tions now in operation were held, 1 22 certificates and prizes were awarded to students in the Institute classes, 33 of them being certificates from the Society of Arts and Science and Art Department. In L869 the number was 342, of which 112 are awards from those bodies." 202 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. The great want of the Institute is larger and more con- venient class-rooms, and if these were obtained, there can be no doubt but the Institute would have a considerable increase in the number of its members. As a proof of the efforts made to provide an educational institution worthy of the town, we may mention that no less a sum than £18,500 has been voluntarily subscribed to the Institute. The following is a complete list of the classes now con- ducted at the Institute, Avith the names of the teachers. Those marked with an asterisk have been conducted by honorary teachers : — Chemistry (Elementary and advanced stage). Practical Chemistry and Experimental Physics : C. J. Woodwaixl, B. Sc. * Practical Mechanics : Alfred Cresswell. Practical Plane and Solid Geometry : W. G. Causer. Vegetable Physiology and Anatomy : William Hinds, M.D. Geology : Rev. G. Deane, D. Sc, B.A. Animal Physiology : G. S. Dunn, B.A. Physical Geography : W. T. Bulpitt. Latin : W. Krisch, Ph. Dr. French : L. Nottelle, B.A., Paris. German : Karl Danimann, Ph. Dr. English Language and Literature : J. A. Langford, LL.D. English History : Rev. Charles Clarke. English Grammar and Composition : C. S. Mackintosh. * Writing : John Crane. Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, and Mensuration, Elementary Arithmetic, and Advanced Arithmetic : P. Packard. Elementary Singing : C. J. Stevens. We add a list of the Presidents since the opening of the Institute : — Lord Lyttelton Lord Calthorpe Earl of Dartmouth Lord Hatherton Lord Ward Lord Leigh Sir Francis E. Scott, Bart. Arthur Rylaud, Esq. . Right Hon Sir John S. Pakington, Bart. 1854 1855 1856 1857 1858 1859 1860 1861 1862 THE BIRMINGHAM AND MIDLAND INSTITUTE. 203 William Scholefield, Esq., M.P 1863 Eight Hon. Sir C. B. Adderley, M.P. . . . 1864 Lord Wrottesley 1865 Earl of Harrowby, K.G 1866 Matthew Davenport Hill, Q.C 1867 Earl of Lichfield 1868 Charles Dickens, Esq 1869 Lyon Playfair, Esq., M.P., C.B., LL.D., F.E.S., &c. . 1870 T. H. Huxley, Esq., LL.D., F.B.S., &c. . . . 1871 In order to make this a complete record of the working of the Institute, we give a list of all the lectures delivered in the General Department since the commencement to the present time : — (The Lectures marked with an asterisk were delivered free of Charge.) 1856. January 14, * " Shakespeare," the Eight Honourable Lord Lyttelton. January 21 and 28, February 4, 11, 18, and 25, "The Structure and Functions of the Higher Animals," Edwin Lankester, Esq., M.D., F.E.S. March 3, 10, 17, and 24, * "Recent Discoveries in Electricity and Magnetism," George Shaw, Esq. April 21 and 28, " The Genius and Comedies of Moliere," Charles Cowden Clarke, Esq. May 12, " Working Men's Colleges," Eev. F. D. Maurice, M.A. June 23, "Hamlet" and "A Midsummer Night's Dream ;" June 30, "Much Ado about Nothing" and "Merry Wives of Windsor," Charles Cowden Clarke, Esq. October 20 and 27, November 3 and 10, " The Eaces of Men," B. G. Latham, Esq., M.A., M.D., F.E.S. 1857. February 23, March 2 and 9, * "Lunar Phenomena," J dinger Symons, Esq. March 17 and 24, * "Russia," Eev. J. K. Stallybrass. March 23 and 30, April 6, 13, 20, and 27, "The Connection between Structure and Function in the Lower Marine Animals," P. H. Gosse, Esq., F.E.S. May 4, 11, and 18, "The Improvers of Shakespeare," George Dawson, Esq., M.A. June 8, 15, 22, and 29, * "Combustion," W. J. Russell, Ph. Dr. October 20 and 27, November 3 and 10, "Italian and German Painting," George Scharf, Esq. November 16, 23, and 30, December 7, 14, and 21, "The Relation of Plants to the Life and Wants of Man and of the Animal Kingdom,' Edwin Lankester, Esq., M.D., F.E.S. 29 i MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. 1858. January 11, * " Adventures in the Four Quarters of the Globe," Rev. C. P. Wilbraham, M.A. January 18 and 25, "The Popular Fairy Mythology of England,'' Toulmin Smith, Esq. February 1 and 8, " The Institutions of India," William Theobald, Esq. February 15, * " A Few Words on English Architecture," Edward M. Barry, Esq., AR.I.B.A. February 22 and March 1, " The Importance of Sanitary and Economic Science as part of General Education," W. B. Hodgson, Esq., LL.D. March 8, * " Edmund Burke," Rev. F. D. Maurice, M. A March 15, * "The Glaciers of Switzerland," William Mathews, jun., Esq., M.A. March 29 and April 5, "Good Queen Bess," G. Dawson, Esq., M.A. April 12, " Manners and Customs of the Ancient Britons and Anglo- Saxons," George Harris, Esq. April 19, * " The Contemporary Poets of France," J. P. Turner, Esq. April 26, * " The Duke of Wellington's Despatches," W. L. Sargant, Esq. May 3, * " The French Dramatists," M. A. Albites, LL.B., Paris. May 10, * "A Popular Explanation of the Various Means Used for Producing Insensibility to Pain," Furneaux Jordan, Esq. May 17, * "On the Construction and Management of Marine and Fresh Water Aquaria," W. M. Williams, Esq. May 24, * " Modern History of Greece," Samuel Timmins, Esq. May 31, * "On the Social and Domestic Peculiarities of the Norwegians and Laplanders," W. M. Williams, Esq. October 11 to November 2, " Seven Lectures on some of the Principal Luminaries in Art, their Companions and Contemporaries," George Scharf, jun., Esq. November 29 to December 20, " Four Lectures on the Extinct Animals of the Ancient World," B. Waterhouse Hawkins, Esq. 1859. January 24, " The Mineral and Vegetable Products of the World," P. L. Simmonds, Esq. January 31, " Coriolanus ; " February 7, "Julius C«sar ;" and February 14, " Antony and Cleopatra," J. Montgomery Stuart, Esq. February 21, * "Science in Relation to Human Happiness," J. S. Gamgee, Esq. February 28, " The Life and Times of John Milton," Sebastian Evans? Esq., M.A. March 7, * " Pre-Rajjliaelitisin in Art, Architecture, and Sculpture," and March 14, * " Pre-Raphaelitism in Painting," J. H. Chamberlain, Esq. THE BIRMINGHAM AND MIDLAND INSTITUTE. 295 March. 21 and 28, * "James Watt and his Inventions," illustrated by the original models, kindly lent by the proprietors, J. F. Winfield, Esq. April 4, * "The Ancient Glaciers of Britain," Rev. J. G. Cumming, M.A. April 11, "Poets and Song, or the Influence of Popular and National Songs on the Character of a Nation and the Progress of Events;" April 18, "The Popular, National, and Historic Songs and Ballads of England;" April 25, "Allan Rao Robert Burns, and the Popular Songs of Scotland," C. Mackay, Esq., LL.D. May 2, * " Sir Thomas More's Utopia," W. L. Sargant, Esq. May 9, * "The Vandois Persecutions," Eev. J. G. Cumming, M.A. May 16, * "Narrative of Excursions in the Val de Bagnes, Canton Valais, Switzerland," Wdliam Mathews, jun., Esq., M.A. May 23 and 30, " Chaucer ;" June 7 and 14, " Samuel Pepys and his Diary," G. Dawson, Esq., M.A. June 20, * " The Siege of Lucknow," H. M. Greenhow, Esq. September 26 and October 3, " On Palceozoic Geology," illustrated 1 • D'Orsey, B.D. October 20 and 27, and November 3 and 10, " National Music," Henry F. Chorley, Esq. October 17 and 24, and December 1, "Animals and their Uses to Man/' B. W. Hawkins, Esq. December 8 and 15, "Some Great Schoolmasters — Eoger Ascham, Dr. Arnold, and others," George Dawson, Esq., M.A. 1863. .January 19 and 2(i, " JM-ona.utics," dames < daisher, Esq., F.E.S. February 2, *" Impressions of three Visits to Palestine," John Anthony, Esq., M.D. February 9, "Water and its Circulation through Rocks;" and February 16, " Volcanoes and Earthquakes," Professor Ansted, F.E.S. February 23, "The new applications of science illustrated in the international Exhibition;" and March 2, "The science of the Inter- national Exhibition," Eobert Hunt, Esq., F.E.S. March 9, * " Modern Greece," Samuel Timmins, Esq. March 16 and 23, * "The Art Eecord of National History and I. .1. II. < 'hamberlain, Esq. March 3u, "The Inner Life of the House of Commons," Shirlej Brooks, Esq; April 6 and 13, "Life of Dr. Johnson," George Dawson, Esq., .M.A. 298 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. LECTURES ON THE EXHIBITION OF 1862. April 20, " Mining and Metallurgy," Robert Hunt, Esq., F.R.S. April 27, " Chemistry of the Exhibition," Win. Crookes, Esq., F.RS. May 4, * " General Metal Works," W. C. Aitken, Esq. May 11, * " Works in Precious Metal, Ecclesiastical and other Metal Work," F. Skidmore, Esq. May 18, * " Stained and other Glass," John Powell, Esq. May 25, " Design, as shown in Works exhibited in Exhibition," J. II. Chamberlain, Esq. October 5 and 12, " The History of English Literature, early period,' Rev. A. J. D. D'Orsey, B.D. October 19, "The Progress of Early Civilization," illustrated by a series of ancient coins ; October 26, " The Progress of Modern Civili- zation," illustrated by a series of coins of the British Monarchy, H. Noel Humphreys, Esq. November 2, * " Warwickshire — its Associations," J. Bickerton Williams, Esq. November 9 and 16, "The Chemistry of Illuminating Gas," Alfred Hill, Esq., M.D. November 23 and 30, " The Order of Creation ; or Succession of Life on the Earth," J. W. Salter, Esq. December 7, " Socrates ; " and November 14, " Sir Thomas More," George Dawson, Esq., M.A. 1864. January 18 and 25, and February 1, "Light" James Phillips, Esq. February 8, "Iceland and its Geysers," the Rev. C. P. Wilbraha'm, M.A. February 15, " History of Writing," H. Noel Humphreys, Esq. February 22 and 29, " The Chemistry of Explosive Compounds," Alfred Hill, Esq., M.D. March 7, " Siemen's and Gore's Gas Furnaces," William Willis, Esq. March 14 and 21, " The Grave and Gay in Art, as exemplified in the Works of W. Blake, the Visionary, and George Cruikshank, the Humourist," Sebastian Evans, Esq., M.A. April 4, * " The History of Gothic Window Tracery in England, the Rev. T. N. Hutchinson, M.A. April 11, * " The Aymara Indians of Peru and Bolivia," David Forbes, Esq., F.RS. April 18, "The Three Centenaries of Shakespeare," Samuel Timmins, Esq. April 25, " Poetry," the Rev. T. L. Claughton, M.A. May 2 and 9, " Thackeray and his Works," George Dawson, Esq., M.A. May 16 and 23, " The Phenomena of Electrical Induction," James Phillips, Esq. THE BIRMINGHAM AND MIDLAND INSTITUTE. 299 May 30 and June 6, " English Art in the days of Shakespeare," J. H. Chamberlain, Esq. October 3, 10, 17, and 24, " The Classification, Geographical Distri- bution, and Geological Eolations of the Class Mammalia," Professor Owen, F.E.S. October 31, " The Life, Character, and Oratory of Burke," and Novem- ber 7, " The Life and Times of Washington," C. J. Plumptre, Esq. November 14, "Optical Illusions;" and November 21, "Electric Telegraphy," James Phillips, Esq. November 28 and December 5, "The Leaf and the Flower," Chris- topher Dresser, Esq. Ph.D. December 12 and 19, "English Literature," "The Anglo-Saxon Period," the Eev. Alexander J. D. D'Orsey, B.D. 1865. January 16 and 23, "The Socialistic Schemes of St. Simon ami Fourier," Dr. Hodgson. Jan. 30, "The Snowy Mountains of Great Britain," J. W. Salter, Esq. February 6 and 13, " The Eelations of Great Men to Women," Ceorge Dawson, Esq., M.A. February 20, " The Life and Writings of Sydney Smith," J. Bickerton Williams, Esq. February 27, March 6 and 13, " The Eeproduction of Natural Forms by Art and Manufacture, having special reference to Art Metal Work in Birmingham," B. Waterhouse Hawkins, Esq. March 20, * " A Few Words on English Poets, with selected Passages," the Eight Honourable Lord Lyttelton, F.E.S. March 27 and April 3, " The Ornamental Art of Japan," Dr. Dresser. April in and 17, "Illustrations of the Early Manners, Customs, a guage, and History of England, derived from the Public Records of the State," Toulmin Smith, Esq. April 24, * "The Life and Poetry of Wordsworth." the Eev. G. D. Boyle, MA. May 1, " Eochefoucauld," J. Thackray Bunce, Esq. May 8, " The Idylls of the King," George Dawson, Esq., M.A. May 15, 22, and 29, "Meteorology, with more especial reference to the Law of Storms and the System of Coast Warning for the Preven- tion of Shipwreck," Alexander S. Herschel, Esq., B.A. October 2, 9, 10, and 23, "The ['resent State of our Knowledge of the Laws of Life, and their Application to the Preservation of Human Health," Edwin Lankester, Esq., M.D., F.E.S. October 30, "Dynamic Photography and Pistolgraphy," Thomas Skaife, Esq. November 6, " Shakespeare's Tempest," Sebastian Evans, Esq., M.A. 300 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. November 13 and 20, " English Composers of the 19th Century (with Illustrations from their Works)," A. B. Gaul, Esq., Mus. Baa, < iantab. November 27, "The Play of Macbeth — its Characters, Construction, and Scope," George MacDonald, Esq., M.A. December 4 and 11, "William Cowper and his Works," George Dawson, Esq., M.A. 1866. January 15, "Hamlet;" and January 22, "Julius Caesar," George MacDonald, Esq., M.A. Jauuary 29, " The Use of Human and Animal Forms as Ornament," Mortimer Granville, Esq. February 5 and 12, "The Conservation of Force," Professor Eoscoe. February 19 and 26, * " A Glance at some of the Teachings of Modern Physiology," T. P. Heslop. Esq., M.D. March 5, * " The Metamorphoses of Insects," Sir John Lubbock, Bart., F.E.S. March 12, " India — Past and Present," Colonel Meadows Taylor. March 19, " The English Trade in Central Asia : its Evils and its Remedies," Dr. Arminius Vambery. March 26 and April 2, "Popular Stories of the Middle A; Sebastian Evans, Esq., M.A. April 9, "Vibratory Motion and the Propagation of Sound," C. J. Woodward, Esq., B.Sc. April 16 and 23, " The Sun, Moon, and Stars," Alexander S. Herschel, Esq., B.A. April 30, " Archbishop Laud ; " and May 7, " Eichard Baxter," George Dawson, Esq., M.A. October S, "Kent's Cavern, Devonshire," William Pengelly, Esq., F.E.S., F.A.S. October 15, "The True North- West Passage," W. B. Cheadle, Esq., M.D. October 22, " The Chemistry of the Ocean ; " and October 29, " The Laws of Colour," Dr. Grace Calvert, F.E.S. November 5 and 12, " Charles Lamb and his Works," George Dawson, Esq., M.A. November 19, " The Physical Geography of the Holy Land," the Eev. H. B. Tristram, M.A. November 26, * "Milton," the Eev. F. D. Maurice, M.A. December 10 and 17, "The Characteristics of the Different Schools of Eeformers in the 16th Century — Erasmus — Luther," J. A. Fronde, Esq., M.A. 1867. January 21, "The Geography and People of Western Equatorial Africa," M. Du. Chaillu. THE BIRMINGHAM AND MIDLAND INSTITUTE. 301 January 28. "The Stone Implements of Antiquity," John Evans, Esq., F.E.S. February 4, * " The Expedition to the Nile Sources," Sir Samuel W. Baker. February 11, "Sir Philip Sidney;" and February 18, "Shelley," George MacDonald, Esq., M.A. February 25, " Mr. John Buskin's Political Economy," Dr. Hodgson. March 4, 11, and 18, "The Geology of Warwickshire: — Lecture 1. On the Drift and Upper Beds of the Lias. 2. On the Lower Lias, Keuper, Sandstone, and Permian. 3. On the Carboniferous Series, the ( !oal Formation," the Rev. P. B. Brodie, M.A. March 25, "The Probable Exhaustion of the South Staffordshire < !oal Field," Stanley Jevous, Esq. April 1, # " Samuel Taylor Coleridge," the Eev. G. D. Boyle, M.A. April 8, "American Humour," Samuel Timmins, Esq. A] nil 22, "The Improvers of Shakespeare," George Dawson, Esq., M.A. April 29, " Modern Education," the Eev. F. W. Farrar, M.A., F.E.S. May 6, * " On some of the Electrical Phenomena presented when Signalling through long Telegraph Cables," Cromwell F. Varley, Esq., F.R.S. October 7 and 11, " The Character, Distribution, and Origin of the Principal Modifications of Mankind. Lecture 1, Facts ; 2, Speculations," Professor Huxley, LL.D., F.E.S. October 21, " The Cultivation of the Salmon and Oyster by natural and artificial means," Frank Buckland, Esq., M.A. October 28 and November 4, " Don Quixote," George Dawson, Esq., M.A. November 11, " Value," November 18, " Competition," Dr. Hodgson. November 25, "The most recent Discoveries in Kent's Cavern, Devonshire," William Pengelly, Esq., F.h'.S. December 2, * " Madrigals," Professor the Eev. Sir Frederick Gore Ouseley, Bart. December 9, "Michael Faraday, his Contributions to Science," C. J. Woodward, Esq., B.Sc. December 10, "Old England's Sea Kings," Gerald Massey, Esq. 1868. January 20, " Organisation and ( llassincation of Birds ; " and January 27, " Geographical and Geological Distribution of Birds, or their Relation to Space and Time," Professor Owen, F.R.S., &c. February 3, " Abyssinia and the Abyssinians," Charles T. Beke, Esq.. Ph.D. February I 1 ", "Raphael," J. Beavington Atkinson, Esq. February 17, "Simon of Montfort ;" and February 24, "Edward the Firs.," E. A. Freeman, Esq., M.A. 302 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. March 2, * " Our Old Town," Samuel Timmins, Esq. March 9 and 16, " The Animals of the ancient Writers — Sacred and Profane," Professor Rolleston, M.D., F.R.S. March 23, " Tennyson ; " and March 30, " Hood," George Macdonald, Esq., M.A. April 6, "Animal Life in the Tropics ;" and April 13, " Philosophy of Birds' Nests and the Colour of Birds," Alfred R. Wallace, Esq. October 12 and 19, "The Lowest Forms of Animal Life," T. H. Huxley, Esq., LLP., F.R.S., &c. October 20 and 27, "Dean Swift," George Dawson, Esq., M.A. October 26 and November 2, " The General Results of Paleontology," T. Spencer Cobbold, Esq., M.D., F.R.S. November 9, " Old English Romances," J. W. Hales, Esq., M.A. November 16, " Our Mission to Theodore," Henry Blanc, Esq., M.D. November 23 and 30, " Turgot : His Life and Writings," W. B. Hodgson, Esq., LL.D. December 7, " The Talmud : Its Law and Legend," Emanuel Deutsch, Esq. December 14, "Glees," Professor the Rev. Sir Frederick A. Gore Ouseley, Bart. 1869. January 25, " The Art of Phidias as exemplified in the Sculptures of the Parthenon ; " February 1, "The Art of Scopas as exemplified in the Sculptures of the Mausoleum," C. T. Newton, Esq., M.A. February S, " Dean Milinan," the Rev. G. D. Boyle, M.A. February 15, "Greenland and the Greenlanders," Edward Whymper, Esq. February 22, March 1 and 8, "The Involuntary Movements of Animals," Professor Michael Foster, B.A., M.D. March 15, "King Lear;'' and March 22, "John Milton," George Macdonald Esq., LL.D. March 29, " Some New Experiments in Sound, including the Pheno- mena of Sensitive and Singing Flames," W. F. Barrett, Esq. April 5, " The Great Sahara," the Rev. Dr. Tristram, F.R.S. April 12 and 19, " Letter Writing and Famous Letter Writers," George Dawson, Esq., M.A. October 4 and 11, " The Physical Constitution of the Sun," J. Norman Lockyer, Esq., F.R.S. October 18 and 25, " Periodical Criticism and the Early Edinburgh Reviewers," Robert Carruthers, Esq., LL.D. November 1 and 8, " Literary Forgeries and Impostures," George Dawson, Esq., M.A. November 15, " Imperialism in France," Professor Seeley, M.A. November 22, " Heat," G. F. Rodwell, Esq. THE BIRMINGHAM AND MIDLAND INSTITUTE. 303 November 29, " The Luminosity of Flame," C. J. Woodward, Esq., B. Sc. December 6 and 13, "The Temperature and Life of the Deep Sea, as made known by the most recent researches," W. B. Carpenter, Esq., M.D., F.R.S. 1870. January 17 and 24, "King Arthur: his Place in Literature, from Geoffrey of Monmouth to Tennyson," Professor Henry Morley. January 31, " Modern Fiction as a Rational Amusemeut," Anthony Trollope, Esq. February 7 and 14, "French 'Esprit' on the Eve of the Great Revolution," W. B. Hodgson, Esq., LL.D. February 21, " Before and after the Captivity," Emanuel Deutsch, Es< [. February 28, " The Ice Age in Britain," Archibald Geikie, Esq., LL.D. F.R.S. March 7, "Tennyson's 'King Arthur,'" Professor Henry Morley. March 14, " Respiration," John Harley, Esq., M.D. March 21, " Waves," Professor W. J. M. Rankine, F.R.S. .larch 28, " The Works of John Sebastian Bach," Thomas Anderton, Esq., Mus. Baa, Cantab. A piil 4, " Waves," Professor W. Rankine, F.R.S. A. April 11, "Imperialism in France," Professor Seeley, M.A. October 3 and 10, "The Movements of Gases," Professor Odling, M.B.. F.R.S. October 17, and 24, '' Extinct Animals, intermediate between Reptiles and Birds," Professor Huxley, LL.D., F.R.S. October 31 and November 7, "Erasmus Darwin and Anna Seward : their Works and (heir Friends," George Dawson, Esq., M.A. November 14 and 21, "The Age of Goethe and Schiller," Professor Seeley, M.A. November 28, "The Trustworthy Portraits of (lie Rival Queens, Elizabeth and Mary Queen of Scots," George Scharf, Esq. December 5, * "The Commercial and Political Value of India to Great Britain," Iltudus Prichard, Esq. 1871. January 16, "Decorative Art," E. J. Poynter, Esq., A.R.A. January 23, " The Revival of Learning," W. G. Clark, Esq., M.A. January 30, "Ancient Egypt ;" and February G, "Modern Egypt," Reginald Stuart Poole, Esq. February 13, " Primitive Civilization," E. B. Tylor, Esq., F.R.S. February 20, "The Music and Musicians of the Future," Thomas Anderton, Esq., Mus. Bac. February 27 and March 6, "The Spirit of English War;" "Litera- ture, Past and Present," Professor Henry Morley. 304 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. March 13 and 20, "The Astronomy of Comets," Professor Robert Grant, LL.D., F.R.S. March 27, * " War Ships and their Guns," E. J. Reed, Esq., C.B., late Chief Constructor of the Navy. April 3 and 10, " Jean Jacques Rousseau," George Dawson, Esq., M A. April 17 and 24, "Recent Researches in Physical Science," W. F. Barrett, Esq., F.C.S. In closing this history of the Institute, we have to express our warmest thanks to Mr. Arthur Byland for the use of his collection of papers relating to its formation; and to Mr. Edwin Smith for his numerous suggestions, and for his in- valuable aid in supplying materials not otherwise accessible. THE BIRMINGHAM FREE LIBRARIES. " Books are not absolutely dead things, but doe contain a potencie of life in them to be as active as that soule was whose progeny they are ; nay they do preserve, as in a violl, the purest efficacie and extraction of that living intellect that bred them. I know they are as lively, and as vigorously productive, as those fabulous Dragon's teeth ; and, being- sown up and down, may chance to spring up armed men. And yet on the other hand unlesse warinesse be us'd, as good almost kill a Man as kill a good Booke ; who kills a man kills a reasonable creature, God's Image ; but hee who destroyes a good Booke, kills reason it selfe, kills the Image of God, as it were in the eye. Many a man lives a burden to the Earth ; but a good Booke is the pretious life-blood of a master-spirit, inbalm'd and treasur'd up on purpose to a life beyond life." These are the noble and eloquent words used by John Milton when pleading to the Parliament of the Commonwealth on behalf of a free and unlicensed press. Such words rise naturally to the mind in thinking of large THE BIRMINGHAM FREE LIBRARIES. 305 public libraries, and of the provisions which those towns have made to supply the people with the free use of well- selected collections of the "pretious life-blood" of all the master spirits who have, from the earliest to the latest times, " imbalm'd and treasur'd up " their thoughts to " a life beyond life." The Birmingham Free Libraries have only been in existence a few years, and the historian of " Free Libraries " has already pronounced the Reference Library to be " really a library ; and not merely a heap of books." * Before, how- ever, this great good was accomplished, those who advocated the introduction of the Act into the town had to suffer a defeat ; and several years of agitation were necessary before the public mind was ripe for its adoption. In 1845 the Museums Act was passed, by which public free museums were authorized to be established by town councils in cities and boroughs containing not less than 10,000 inhabitants. A Committee of the House of Commons was appointed in 1849, to consider the subject of Free Libraries, and the information which it elicited led to the passing of Mr. Ewart's Acts of 1850 and 1855. "By the Museums and Libraries Act of 1850 the Act of i!845 was repealed, and town councils were authorized to establish ' public libraries and museums ' in towns, in case two-thirds of the number on a poll of the burgesses should be favourable thereto. This Act restricted the expenditure to an amount equal to one half-penny in the pound on the annual value of the property in the borough, which amount was authorized to be raised by a library rate, or included in the borough rate ; but such rate was only applicable to the maintaining of a museum and library when formed, and did not alloiv any portion of it to be expended in the purchase of books for the library or specimens for the museum." *f* It was under the provisions of this Act that the first attempt to found a library in Birmingham was made ; and * Free Town Libraries — Their Formation, Management, and History ; in Britain, France, Germany, and America. By Edward Edwards. — 1869. t Paper on Free Public Libraries and Museums, &c, read by Mr. David Ch.ulwuk . < Meeting of the National Association for the Promotion of Social Science, held in Birmingham in 1807. Tliis was the fust Congress held by the, Association. W 306 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. to Mr. Councillor Boyce belongs the credit of having been the first to bring the subject before the public. On February 6, 1852, he introduced it to the Town Council, and moved that at the next meeting the Council should take it into con- sideration, and then decide as to the advisability of intro- ducino- the Act into the borough. On March the 19th, the Town Council, by resolution, requested the Mayor, Mr. Henry Hawkes, to take the necessary steps to determine in accor- dance with the Act, whether or not the Public Libraries Act should be brought into operation. The Mayor thereupon appointed April 7 as the day for taking the opinion of the burgesses on the question. The extreme advocates of volun- taryism, (headed by the Rev. Brewin Grant,) and the devotees of ignorance, coalesced on this occasion, for the purpose of defeating the proposal. The advocates of the proposition, were not inactive. On the 31st of March, a meeting of friends favourable to the object was held at the Public Office, Mr. T. Weston presiding. A sub-committee, consisting of J. R. Boyce, E. C. Osborne, George Dawson, M.A, Samuel Timmins, W. Harris, and J. A. Langford, was elected to canvass the town, in order to secure the necessary majority. All their efforts, however, were in vain; ignorance, prejudice, and bigotry once more prevailing. The result of the polling was — f or the adoption of the Act,534 ; against it, only 363 ; and as the Act of 1850 required a majority consisting of two-thirds of the votes, the proposal was therefore lost. The people were indebted to Mr.R. Spooner, M.P.,for the objection- able clause requiring a majority of two-thirds; and principally to the Rev. Brewin Grant for the rejection of the Act on this occasion. " We have no inclination," wrote the editor of the Birmingham Journal at the time, " to discuss the causes that have contributed to this result, and much less to expose the means adopted by a portion of the opposition. Printed state- ments, in which it would be difficult to say whether the falsehood, or the ignorance and impertinence of the writer prevailed, were freely distributed; and even at the polling place persons were detected personating voters," THE BIRMINGHAM FREE LIBRARIES. 307 By another provision of the Act, two years must elapse before the question could again be brought before the burgesses. In 1855, Mr. Ewart, M.P., succeeded in greatly amending the Act of 1850. Through this gentleman's inde- fatigable efforts and persistent zeal, the existing Act was obtained, which contains important additional powers, and not only facilitates its introduction into Boroughs, but also increases the library rate from a halfpenny to one penny in the pound on the annual value of property. It authorizes the use of the rate for the purchase of books and specimens, and confers power to borrow money for the erection or pur- chase of suitable buildings, the interest and sinking fund being payable out of the library rate. The commencement of a Free Library was made in 1855, by the presentation to the town of 200 volumes by the Commissioners of Patents, of Indexes, Specifications, and other works, on condition that they were to be deposited in a free public library. This subject was brought before the Town Council on June 5, and a letter was read from Mr. W. Mathews, jun., Honorary Secretary of the Midland Institute, offering to provide a proper place of deposit and a librarian. It was resolved, " That the Institute be requested to accept the offer made by the Commissioners of Patents, and that the Council inform them that the books will be placed in the rooms of the Midland Institute, open to the public without charge; that when a Free Library is established, the works are to be transferred to such library, and that the Council be responsible for the books." We now reach the period when public opinion having been sufficiently educated, the Act was ha] >pily adopted. The sub- ject was again brought before the Town Council on August 1G, 1859, by Councillor E. C. Osborne, who moved : — " That this Council doth hereby request the Mayor (Mr. Thomas Lloyd) to convene a public meeting of the burgesses, to determine whether they will adopt for this borough an Act passed in the 18th and 19th years of the reign of her present Majesty, intituled 'An Act for further promoting the 308 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. Establishment of Free Public Libraries and Museums in Municipal Towns, and for extending it to Towns governed under Local Municipal Acts, and to Parishes,' and to do all other acts required by the said Statute, for convening such public meeting, and obtaining the opinions and determination of the burgesses thereon." Mr. James Taylor, jun., moved, as an amendment, which was adopted, " That a Committee, consisting of Aldermen Manton and Lloyd, Councillors Maher, Osborne, Biddle, Wright, Taylor, and Holland, be appointed to consider the subject, and report to a meeting of the Council previous to a meeting of the burgesses." On the 3rd of January, 1860, this Committee presented its report, which was as follows : — The Committee appointed by the Council on the 16th day of August last to draw up a report for presentation to a public meeting of the burgesses, to be convened by the Mayor, to determine whether they will adopt for this borough the Act of the 18th and 19th Victoria, "For further promoting the establishment of Free Public Libraries and Museums in municipal towns," present the following report : — Upwards of seven years have elapsed since an attempt was made to introduce the Free Libraries and Museums Act into this borough. As is well known, that effort proved unsuccessful ; owing, it is believed to the public being but imperfectly acquainted with the nature and pro- visions of the Act, and from the existence of prejudices and doubts incident to all new and untried projects. It is thought the present is a favourable time to make another appeal to the burgesses. During the period above named, several large towns have adopted the Act, and we have, therefore, the means of estimating its value by their experience, and of thus ascertaining if it is productive of those beneficial results which its friends anticipated. The Act under which it is now proposed to establish a Free Library and Museum, is entitled, ' An Act for further promoting the Establishment of Free Public Libraries and Museums in Municipal Towns, and for extending it to towns governed under Local Improvement Acts, and to parishes." It received the royal assent on the 30th of July, 1855. It repeals the preceding Libraries Act of 1850, but enacts that all libraries founded under that Act shall be maintained under the provisions of the present Act. The Act applies to all boroughs in England, the population of which at the latest census shall exceed 5,000 persons, and to districts and parishes. In order to the adoption of the Act in any such borough, a public meeting of the burgesses must be didy convened, after at least ten days notice by the Mayor ; and the proposition for its adoption must be voted for by at least two-thirds of THE BIRMINGHAM FREE LIBRARIES. 309 the burgesses present. After such vote, if it be iu the affirmative, the Act comes into immediate operation. If the decision of the meeting be adverse, one year must elapse before the question can be renewed. The Act having been adopted, the Town Council may defray the expenses of carrying it into execution out of the borough fund ; or a separate rate may be levied, to be called the library rate ; provided that in either case such separate rate shall not exceed one penny in the pound on the rateable value of the property assessed. The library accounts must be separately kept, and be publicly accessible. The general management and control of libraries and museums thus established, and all the real and personal property therein, are vested in the Council. The Council may delegate their powers to a Committee, the members whereof may or may not be members of such Council, " who may from time to time purchase books, newspapers, maps, specimens of art and science, fuel, lighting, and other similar matters," and " may appoint salaried officers and servants, and dismiss the same, and make rules and regulations for the safety and use of the libraries and museums, and for the admission of the public," which must be " free of all charge." Powers are also given to rent and purchase lands (subject to the approval of Her Majesty's Treasury,) to erect new buildings, or to purchase, adapt, and fit up old buildings for the reception of books or other collections, and to borrow money on mortgage in order thereto. From the foregoing outline, it is obvious that the Act is founded on the broadest and most catholic principles. The advantages it offers are freely, and without favour, extended to all classes without exception ; and as the rate levied for the purposes of the Act is paid by the com- munity generally, all have an equal right to these advantages ; so that while these institutions are placed beyond the need of charity or bounty, those who avail themselves of the benefits they afford, do so without being subject to those depressing influences that arise from a sense of dependence or sufferance. About twenty towns have adopted the Act, and amongst the number those of Manchester and Liverpool. A brief reference to the working of the Act in these towns, as more nearly resembling our own than some others, may be useful. The town that first adopted the Act of 1850 was M a nchester, in the year 1852. As by this Act it was \ ir< bibited to expend any portion of the library rate (which was limited to a halfpenny in the pound,) in the purchase of books or works of art or science, thus leaving the formation and support of the library and museum to chance gifts, it became necessary to raise a fund for the purpose, by an appeal to the generosity of the public. Subscriptions for this reason were raised in these towns. The present Act, however, renders it unnecessary to seek this auxiliary aid. In Manchester the sum of .£12,823 was thus raised, £7,013 of which was expended in the purchase of a suitable building and site. The number of volumes purchased amounted to 18,028, at a 310 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. cost of ,£4,156. About 3,200 volumes of books were presented by various donors ; the most valuable, amounting to 500, were from public boards and departments, and from learned societies. Of the remainder, four-fifths were of very small value. The experience of this library, in that respect, as of many others, tends to confirm the opinion, that casual donations is a totally untrustworthy source for the formation of public libraries under any circumstances. The 21,000 volumes with which the library opened have increased during the seven years of its existence to 51,240 ; 27,012 of which are contained in the reference library, and 19,739 are apportioned to the three lending departments, situated in various parts of the town. The Eeference Library contains 33,224 Specifications of Patents, contributed by Her Majesty's Commissioners. These 51,240 volumes are classified as follows ; from which it appears that a large proportion are connected with the higher branches of knowledge and literature : — CLASS. . 2,234 . 15,876 Theology and Philosophy History Politics and Commerce Science and Art . Literature and Polygraphy Specifications of Patents Miscellaneous Educational Books, Maps, Charts, &c, Total . 6,087 3,699 16,540 2,306 3,655 843 51,240 The aggregate issues of books during the first year were 138,312, or an average of 455 daily. The aggregate issues during the past year were 305,512, or a dady average of 1,042. Of the issues during the past year 115,206 were from the Reference department, and 190,306 from the Lending department. Each volume, therefore, in the Reference depart- ment has been issued five times during the year, while in the Lending department it has amounted to seven times for the same period. The dady average number attending the News Rooms during the past year was 1,929. The total number of books which has been issued since the formation of the Library is, in the Reference department 602,659 ; in the Lending department, 1,397,672 ; making a total for the seven years of 2,000,329 volumes. The class of works issued during the past year in the Reference department is as follows : — I.— Theology 3,317 II. — Philosophy III. — History IV.— Politics . V. — Science and Art VI. — Literature and Polygraphy 868 16,272 44,675 9,035 41,041 THE BIRMINGHAM FREE LIBRARIES. 311 The public utility of free access to the Specifications of Patents may- be judged from the fact that during the year as many as 36,927 references have been made to them. The class of books principally in demand in the Lending Libraries may be estimated when it is stated, that in the chief Lending Library alone such books as the following have been issued from 20 to 50 times during the year : — Taylor's Holy Living and Dying. Macaulay's History of England. Life of Wellington. Hoblyn and Lardner on the Steam Life of Cromwell. Engine. Field's Grammar of Colouring. Thompson's Chemistry. Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. Household Words. Chambers's Works. Dickens's Wox-ks. Shakspere. Sir Walter Scott's Works. Eeid on the Human Mind. And others of an equally high standard. The number of borrowers to whom cards have been issued since the formation of the branch Libraries is 23,775. During the past year an Educational Department has been added to the library, from which the most important results are anticipated. Books, maps, diagrams, models, &c, have been freely contributed by many of the principal publishers in the kingdom. As regards the Liverpool Free Library, the results are equally grati- fying. This Library was established in the year 1854, the number of volumes consisting of 4,437, which have increased to 53,018. The aggregate issues in 1854 were 35,978 ; for the past year they amounted to 639,043, being an actual circulation of 12,290 volumes per week, or an increase in the issues of 52,177 volumes during the year, or upwards of 1,000 per week. 202,534 persons have availed themselves of the Refer- ence Library during the year, being an increase of 7,081 over the pre- ceding year. The average number of books issued daily in this depart- ment for the same period was 710. After giving a classified list of the books read during the last twelve months, the report of the Liverpool Library observes, " That whilst the issues on the whole have considerably increased, the proportion of works of imagination has considerably diminished. The issues in the lending department exceeded those of the previous year by 45,096 volumes, the total number issued being 436,509. In the winter months the demand for books is enormous, as many as 10,000 having been lent in one week. The number of cards issued to borrowers since the establishment of the library is 17,514 ; there are at the present time 8,277 readers." The report goes on to remark, that of this number it is believe about 3,000 really read with a desire to furnish their minds with useful knowledge, while the remaining number appear to read simply for amusement and recreation. Large as this proportion appears, it will bear comparison with any library in the kingdom where 312 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. a mixed description of literature is freely circulated. The total number of volumes issued during the six years the library has been established is 1,703,003, or a daily average of about 2,000. It is of inrportance to observe that the experience of Manchester and Liverpool proves that, whilst the libraries are extensively used by pro- fessional men, merchants, students, clerks and shopkeepers, by far the larger proportion of readers, being about three-fifths, consists of artisans, and that a considerable portion of the whole number are young persons and females. The occupations, for instance, of 7,755 persons, the number of readers in the Lending Library for the year 1858, were as follows : — Apprentices, office lads, and school boys . . . 1,832 Mechanics, labourers, warehousemen, and police officers 2,826 Clerks and shopmen 1,390 Commission agents and retail tradesmen . . . 186 Students and others engaged in professions ... 60 Business not ascertained, principally females . . 1,461 7,755 Of this number there were 6,383 males, and 1,372 females, 3,395 being under twenty-one years of age. The following extract from the Man- chester report also fully bears out these facts : — " From the first the Library of Eeference has been extensively used by persons of all classes in society. Many clergymen and ministers of various denominations frequently visit it, for purposes of research. Commercial men of all grades occasionally come thither, in search of information on some pending question of politics or trade, on points connected with patents of inventions, and other like subjects. Young men of good education and acquirements come habitually, some to read history, some to read books on commerce, others to study theology or philosophy. There are readers of this class who come almost daily, both morning and evening for many months. But the majority of evening readers — and it is in the evening that the library is most largely frequented — have always belonged to what are popularly termed ' the working classes.' Many, of course, read merely for amusement ; but not a few, consecutively, and with an obvious purpose of self -improvement." After the examples given, it is perhaps unnecessary to give further illustrations of the working of these institutions. It may however, be observed, that from every town from which reports have been obtained — Salford, Sheffield, Birkenhead, and Oxford being among the number — similar encouraging results are recorded, and in every instance the establishment of a Free Library has been hailed by the inhabitants as an important agent towards the mental and moral improvement of all classes of society. THE BIRMINGHAM FREE LIBRARIES. 313 In this report the Committee have confined themselves to an inquiry into the working of Free Public Libraries in other large towns ; but they have not thought it necessary to offer any suggestions as to the expendi- ture it would be advisable to make in the erection or purchase of suitable buildings. These are considerations which of course will engage the atten- tion of the Council, in the event of its being empowered to establish such libraries. The penny library rate would produce ,£3,436 on the present assessment of the borough ; a small portion of this sum would be required to pay the annual interest and sinking fund on amount borrowed for the buildings, if it should be decided upon to build. The remainder would be the fund which would annually be expended in the purchase of books and works of art and science, and in the maintenance of the library generally ; and as this may be regarded as a cumulative fund, ample means exist for the development of the library in the course of time, to a degree commensurate with the wants of the population. Before closing their report, your Committee would impress upon every member of the Council the importance of exerting himself, individually, in order to secure the success of this effort. The question will be decided at a public meeting of burgesses of the borough ; and, if each member of the Council will but unite with those of then- fellow-citizens who desire to assist in promoting the establishment of a Free Library and Museum in this great and important town, there can be no doubt but that their efforts will be crowned with a triumphant issue. Finally, your Committee recommend the Council to re-appoint this Committee, so that they may be enabled to organize and make all neces- sary arrangements for the meeting of burgesses, when it shall have been convened by the Mayor. It was resolved — That the report of the Free Public Libraries Com- mittee be adopted as the report of this Council to the Meeting of bur- gesses to be convened by the Mayor, in pursuance of the provisions of the Act, and that the Free Libraries Committee be re-appointed, for the purpose of organizing and making all necessary arrangements for such meeting accordingly. The meeting of the burgesses was held in the Town Hall, on February 21, I860, Mr. Thomas Lloyd, the Mayor, in the chair. Mr. Alderman E. C. Osborne moved the resolution for the adoption of the Act, which was seconded by the Rev. Dr. Miller, and supported by Mr. George Dawson. It found an opponent in Mr. Councillor Gameson, but was carried by an overwhelming majority. In announcing the result, Mr. Lloyd said he felt it a great honour that the Act had been adopted during his year of office. 314 MODERN BIRMINC4HAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. The passing of the resolution by the burgesses was reported to the Council at its meeting on March 6, and the following resolution was adopted : — " That a Committee be now ap- pointed, to be called ' The Free Public Libraries and Museums Committee,' and that all necessary powers be conferred by this Council on such Committee to enable them to bring into operation in this borough an Act passed in the 18th and 19th years of the reign of Her present Majesty, intituled ' An Act for further promoting the establishment of Free Public Libraries and Museums in Municipal Towns, and for extend- ing it to Towns governed under Local Improvement Acts and to Parishes,' reporting from time to time to the Council for approval; and that such Committee do consist of sixteen members, eight to be elected from the Council and eight out of the Council." The Committee was elected at this and the following meeting, March 13, and consisted of — MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL. NON-MEMBERS. The Mayor Rev. E. H. Gifford, M.A, Alderman T. R. T. Hodgson „ C. Badham, D.D. J. H. Cutler Dr. T. P. Heslop „ J. Baldwin Mr. John J affray Councillor A. Ryland „ Peter Hollins „ E. C. Osborne „ Samuel Timmins „ M. Maher „ J. T. Bunce H. Holland. „ W. Middlemore. The new Committee presented its first report to the Council on the 15th of May, 1860. It was as follows : — The Free Public Libraries and Museums Committee have to report that they instructed the Finance Committee to make provision for de- fraying the cost of bringing into operation the Free Libraries and Museums Act, by raising a sum amounting to one penny in the pound on the present assessment of the rateable property of the borough, for the service of the present municipal year. Your Committee have carefully considered the best mode of carrying into effect the provisions of the Act, and they have unanimously agreed to the following recommendations : — Your Commiteee is of opinion that the scheme as a whole should comprise a Central Reference Library with Reading and News Rooms, THE BIRMINGHAM EREE LIBRARIES. 315 a Museum and Gallery of Art, and four District Lending Libraries with News Rooms attached. The value of a Reference Library, where useful and expensive books may be consulted, and where the publications of the Commissioners of Patents, gratuitously furnished to the borough, may be deposited, requires no remark ; but your Committee desire to bring before the Council the advantages that would result to the inhabitants generally from the in- corporation therewith of a Museum and Gallery of Art. Until lately, the privilege of possessing a collection of works of art to which the public have free access, was confined to the metropolis. Edinburgh, however, has now a public gallery, and there is good ground for believing that so soon as the principal provincial towns shall possess proper places for their custody, they will share in some of those gifts which have been and are annually being made to the nation, and for which adequate accommodation cannot be found in the metropolis. The Council is probably aware that one of the recommendations, almost amounting to a condition, which accompanied the splendid gift by Mr. Sheepshanks of his Gallery of Modern Paintings, was that they should circulate in the provinces. The Committee have reason to believe that, if a proper Gallery were erected, there would be no difficulty in obtaining the sanction of the Government to the Exhibition of this matchless collection in Birmingham. The Royal Society, in a report issued about two years ago, has also recom- mended that the provinces should have the advantages of the treasures of art and manufacture now exclusively confined to the metropolis. Your Committee need scarcely remind the Council that, independently of the intellectual pleasure derivable from such a gallery, the pursuits of a vast number of the manufacturers and artisans of this town require a knowledge of beauty of form and colour which the best examples of art are calculated to impart, and this fact will no doubt greatly influence the Government in any application made to them for aid, either permanent or temporary, in the formation of a local gallery of art. The Committee have also reason to believe that donations of pictures and statuary will be made by private individuals. Your Committee propose that there should be four District Lending Libraries, so situated as to render them easy of access to the inhabitants of the more densely populated localities. With this view they recom- mend that they should be situated as nearly as possible as follows : — That for the Northern District, near St. George's Church. „ Southern District, in the vicinity of Bradford Street. „ Eastern District, near Gosta Green. „ Central and Western, near the Town Hall. Your Committee recommend that the Central and Western Lending Library should form part of the proposed central building, but that until such building is erected rooms should be rented for that purpose. 316 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. The following is an estimate of the first cost of establishing each of the four Lending Libraries, which they propose should in the first instance be established in premises rented for the purpose, with the expense of maintenance for one year, and also the annual sum required for their future maintenance. 3,000 Volumes .... Rent and Taxes Gas, Water, and Insurance v^oal .••••• Librarian's Salary Assistant (a Boy) Cleaning and Sundries Printing, Stationery, and Advertising Newspapers and Periodicals Preparing Catalogues Bookshelves and Furniture £813 The establishment and maintenance for the first year of the four lending libraries would, therefore, cost the sum of £3,252. £ s. The annual cost of each after the first year would be 240 Add new Books 100 30 £ s. d. 450 50 15 10 75 13 10 20 40 5 125 for Binding d. £370 Annual cost of maintaining the four libraries after the first year, £1,480. From this sum, however, would have to be deducted £90, rent and cost of newspapers and periodicals, which will not continue to be paid when the Western arid Central Library is transferred to the new building, leaving the net annual expenditure on the four libraries £1,390. Your Committee have received a communication from the Baths and Parks' Committee, suggesting that suitable accommodation for some of the proposed District Lending Libraries may be provided in connection with the Public Baths, and your Committee recommend that they be authorized to confer with the Baths and Parks' Committee in order to ascertain whether arrangements can be made for obtaining permanent accommodation for the Libraries in connection with any of their estab- lishments : and further, that your Committee be empowered to open four Lending Libraries forthwith in the localities before indicated, and to rent premises suitable for that purpose until such time as permanent buildings shall have been provided. The following resolution was passed : — THE BIRMINGHAM FREE LIBRARIES. 317 That the report of the Free Public Libraries and Museums Committee be approved, and that the Committee be and they are hereby authorized and instructed to carry into effect the recommendations contained in their report. On July 31st the following report was presented to the Council : — The Free Libraries and Museums Committee report that in conformity with the resolution of the Council, authorizing them to open forthwith four lending libraries, and to rent premises for that purpose, they caused advertisements to be published in the local newspapers for suitable premises in the various localities approved of by the Council, and received many replies thereto, but upon examination of the several premises offered, your Committee found that none of them were suitable except those belonging to Mr. Cartland, in Constitution Hill. These they consider to be admirably adapted for the purpose of a Lending Library for the northern district of the borough, being advantageously situated, and commodious with respect to the dimensions and arrangement of the rooms. The premises referred to are situated on the west side of Con- stitution Hill, and have been used as part of the floor cloth manufactory recently occupied by Messrs. Kempson, and will afford accomodation on the ground floor for a library 60 feet long by 19 feet wide, and 14 feet high, and on the upper floor for a reading room 27 feet by 24 feet, and 10 feet high, together with a residence for the librarian. Certain alterations which your Committee will require, may be effected at a cost not exceeding .£300. This property, which is of a most substantial con- struction, has been offered upon a lease for twenty-one years, at an annual rent of £45, subject to the Council keeping the premises in proper repair and condition. Your Committee, in accordance with the directions of the Council, placed themselves in communication with the Baths and Parks' Com- mittee, and have ascertained that in connection with the proposed Baths in North wood Street, two rooms might be erected, each 35 feet by 18 feet, the cost of which would be about £600. The accommodation which would be afforded by these rooms would be greatly inferior to that which would be obtained in Mr. Cartland's premises, and it cannot be extended, and in the opinion of the Committee the situation of Constitution Hill is more central and convenient than Northwood Street ; and as it is obvious that it is of importance the library first opened should be in a principal thoroughfare of the district, they therefore recommend the Council to authorize them to take a lease of Mr. Cartland's premises at an annual rent of £45, and to expend a sum not exceeding £300 in adapting the premises for the library. The report was approved, and the Committee was autho- rized and instructed (with the approval of the Commissioners 318 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. of Her Majesty's Treasury,) to accept the offer of Mr. Cart- land of the premises in Constitution Hill, upon the terms contained in the said report, and adapt the same for the purposes of a Free Lending Library for the northern district of the borough. The Committee immediately began to carry out the in- structions of the Council. On the 4th of September they reported that — In their opinion the piece of vacant ground belonging to the Midland Institute, and adjoining the Institute buildings, is the most eligible site that can be found whereon to erect the Central Eeference Library, Museum, and Gallery of Art. Your Committee have had several inter- views with a deputation from the Council of the Institute on the subject, and ascertained that about 10,000 square feet of land are available for the purposes of the library and other buildings contemplated by your Committee, and that the Council of the Iustitute have power under their Act of Incorporation to grant such land, and are willing to transfer it to the Corporation for such purpose upon the following conditions ;— 1st. That the Corporation undertake to erect the building in accord- ance with the plan of Mr. E. M. Barry, with such internal variations as may be necessary. 2nd. That the Corporation repay the Institute the cost of certain leasehold interests on that part of the property unoccupied by the Insti- tute, and included in the site proposed to be granted to the Corporation, (being about £500) the Corporation also taking upon itself the payment of the annuity of £40 per annum for the remainder of the lease. 3rd. That all questions of right of way and access to the upper stories of the building be subject to future arrangement between the Council of the Institute and your Committee. It is scarcely necessary for your Committee to point out the import- ance of securing this valuable and in every respect eligible site for the erection of the Central Library. It would perhaps be impossible to obtain a piece of land better adapted to the purpose required, in so con- venient and central a locality, and even presuming that such could be obtained, its great value would be a serious impediment to its acquisition by the Council. While, therefore, the Midland Institute site affords all accommodation needful, with the advantage of an excellent situation, the Free Library will have the benefit of posessing laud rent free, and thus have the means of devoting a larger sum annually to its operations than would otherwise be the case. Your Committee are unable to state the exact amount required to erect the proposed building, but judging from the information received from the Institute Council they are of opinion it will not exceed the sum of £9,000. THE BIRMINGHAM FREE LIBRARIES. 319 Your Committee therefore recommend the Council to authorize them to accept a transfer of the land from the Council of the Midland Institute upon the foregoing conditions, and to obtain plans for the erection of the requisite buildings in accordance with Mr. Barry's design, subject to such modifications in the internal arrangements thereof as may be necessary, together with an estimate of the cost of carrying such plans into effect, and to submit the same, together with a report thereon, to the Council for approval. The Council resolved to take the report into consideration at the next monthly meeting, and in the meantime the Com- mittee were instructed to prepare plans showing the manner in which the intended building was proposed to be adapted for the purpose of the library, and lay the same before the Council, with an estimate of the cost thereof. On the 12th of February, 1861, the Committee reported as follows : — Your Committee have accepted Mr. Cartland's offer of a lease of the building adjoining his manufactory in Constitution Hill, upon the terms contained in their report of the 31st of July last, and are now in possession of the premises, which they have caused to be adapted and fitted up for the purposes of a Lending Library. The alterations and fitting up of the premises necessarily occupied a considerable time, but with the exception of the fixing of the book-shelves and other fittings (which is rapidly progressing,) they are now completed. The Committee having received from the Committee for the amal- gamation of the old and new libraries, an offer of the books of the new library in Temple Row West upon advantageous terms, entered into negotiations with the proprietors, and having ascertained that the library consisted of about 6,500 volumes, comprising the works of most of the standard writers in all departments of Euglish literature (including complete series of the principal reviews and magazines,) all in good order and condition, and well adapted for general circulation, your Committee effected the purchase of the same at the sum of ,£300. The purchase of books rendered it incumbent upon your Committee to proceed to the appointment of a librarian, which they did in the customary manner by advertising for candidates. On examination of the testimonials of the 120 persons who applied for the office, fifteen only appeared to have had any experience of the duties required of them, and among those were two who then held situations in institutions of a similar character ; one as manager of the Free Lending Library, Camp- field, Manchester, the other as sub-librarian at the Free Library at Salford ; and after a personal interview with each of these candidates, 320 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. the choice of your Committee fell upon Mr. Edward Lings, of the Manchester Free Library, as possessing the most knowledge and experi- ence, and being in their opinion the best qualified for the office, and he was thereupon appointed librarian accordingly at the salary fixed by the Council, namely, £15 per annum, together with residence, fire and light. Since Mr. Lings entered upon his duties on the 1st of December last, he has been actively engaged in classifying, arranging, labelling and making a catalogue of the books purchased from the New Library, and from the progress hitherto made, your Committee have reason to anticipate that the library will be open for public use in the ensuing month. With reference to the proposition for the erection of the Reference Library on the land adjoining the Midland Institute, your Committee report that they are in communication with Mr. Barry, Architect, upon the subject, and will shortly be prepared to lay before the Council plans of the intended buildings for approval. The correspondence between the late and present Mayors, and the Executor of the Will of the late Mrs. Barber, respecting the bequest to this Borough of four pictures, has been considered by your Committee, who have conferred with the Town Clerk thereon, and have been advised by him that on the 12th of October last (the date of Mrs. Barber's decease,) the council did not possess " any Public Gallery or permanent Institution for receiving and exhibiting pictures presented to the town," within the meaning and intent of the condition of Mrs. Barber's bequest. They therefore recommend that no furthur proceedings be taken by the Council with reference thereto. The first annual report of the Free Libraries Committee is for the year 18G1 ; it gives the following account of the opening of the first Library, and of its success : — The Library in Constitution Hill was opened to the public on the 3rd of April, 1861, by Arthur Byland, Esq., the then Mayor of the borough. The members of the Council, together with those of their fellow citizens interested in the cause of education, numbered about three hundred, were hospitably entertained by the Mayor, at Dee's Royal Hotel, after which they proceeded to the Library in Constitution Hill, for the purpose of publicly inaugurating it ; addresses were delivered by the Mayor, the Rev. Canon Miller, George Dawson, Esq., and others, and the Library was then formally declared to be open to the public free, subject of course to certain rules and regulations which are appended to this report. The arrangements for the issue of books were not completed till the 22nd of April, on which day the first issue took place. Crowds of persons pre- sented themselves for tickets, and so great was the excitement that for several weeks applicants had to wait upwards of an hour before their turn arrived to be attended to, as many as two hundred persons applying THE BIRMINGHAM FREE LIBRARIES. 321 at one time. The Reading Room, however, which forms an important feature in connection with the Lending Library, was opened on the day of inauguration, and, as will be seen from the report, the public have not failed to avail themselves of its advantages. The experience of the past year proves most conclusively, that all classes of society fully appreciate the importance of the means of educa- tion which Free Libraries afford ; 108,057 volumes have been issued since the Library was opened, a period of 287 days, being an average daily issue of 376 volumes. As many as 813 volumes have been issued in one day. It will be seen by the returns in this report, that the number of issues is steadily increasing ; 5,422 persons have been enrolled as borrowers, and as the Library consists of 6,288 volumes, the larger portion of the Library is constantly in the hands of the borrowers ; 2,373 volumes have been added to the Library dui'ing the year, and so great has been the demand for these books, that they have never been on the shelves since they were purchased, excepting for the half-yearly examination. This state of things, doubtless, arises in some measure from the fact, that out of the four Lending Libraries, authorized by the Council to be established, one only is at present opened ; an examination of the residence of the borrowers, however, proves that by far the greater number live within a moderate distance of the Library, so that there is no reason to doubt but that, when the Libraries are opened in the three remaining districts, no material diminution in the numbers will take place. The Committee much regret that they have been unable to open either of the other three branch Libraries. This has arisen from the difficult}- of obtaining suitable sites. By a recent vote of the Council, land has been obtained for a Library in the southern district, at the junction of Mill Lane with Deritend ; but as this land is purchased under the powers of the recent Improvement Act, some time must elapse before it can be in possession of the Free Libraries Committee ; meanwhile, efforts are being made to obtain a suitable site for the eastern district, and negotia- tions are now pending, which it is hoped will terminate successfully. When the two branch Libraries referred to are established, it will only remain, to complete the scheme sanctioned by the Council, to erect the Central Library on the land adjoining the Midland Institute. This build- ing will contain, in addition to the Lending Library and News Room for the western district, a Gallery of Art and the Reference Library. Un- foreseen difficulties have delayed the erection of this important building ; the sum of £10,500, which the Council voted for its erection, was found inadequate to carry out the designs of E. M. Harry, Esq., the architect of the Midland Institute, there being a difference between his estimate and the lowest tender of nearly £8,000; but as this amount was voted on the assurance of Mr. Barry that it would lie sufficient for the purpose, 322 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. it is manifest that no blame can attach to the Committee, who were guided by the report of that gentleman. The Committee have, however, in accordance with the decision of the Council, advertised for new plans and estimates, and it is hoped that a building, in every respect adapted to the purpose, may be erected without further delay. One of the most interesting features of the experience of the past year, is the uniform good conduct and order manifested by the thousands who frequent the Library, not a single instance having occurred where it has been found necessary even to complain. Another fact also worth especial note is, that out of an issue of upwards of 108,000 volumes three only have been lost to the Library, and only one instance of dishonesty has occurred — two magazines having been stolen from the table of the News Room. In their report, presented to the Council on the 4th of March, 1802, the Committee gave the following account of their labours with regard to the Reference Library : — The advertisement for tenders for the erection of the Reference Library Buildings, on the land adjoining the Midland Institute, according to Mr. Barry's designs, was responded to by seven builders ; but your Committee regret to report that all the tenders received were greatly in excess of the amount placed at their disposal by the Council, the lowest being that of Messrs. Branson and Gwyther, at £'18,213. Under these circum- stances, your Committee invited Mr. Barry to attend them in Birmingham, when the plans of the buildings were carefully reconsidered, and various suggestions for reducing the cost were made by the Committee, and Mr. Barry was instructed to report thereon, embodying therein his own pro- positions for the amendment of the jalans. Accordingly, on the 1 1th of November last, Mr. Barry reported that he had carefully considered the designs for the building, with a view to the reduction of the cost, in which he had had the co-operation of Messrs. Branson and Gwyther, the contractors for the Midland Institute, whose tender for the erection of the Library was the lowest in amount, and through whose courtesy he had been able to compare the prices tendered for the Library with those charged for the Institute, when he found them the same in almost every instance, and did not think better terms could be obtained, even if the works were again thrown open to competition. Mr. Barry submitted the following list of omissions and alterations, an estimate of the reduction in the cost of the building which would be effected thereby, viz. : — 1. Omitting the Gallery of Art .... . £2,000 2. Omitting the Cellars proposed to be let, and carrying down only such portion of the basement as will be absolutely wanted . .,,... 1,000 THE BIRMINGHAM FREE LIBRARIES. 323 3. Omitting the carved figures at the principal entrance, and leaving it in its present condition . . . 320 4. The adoption of the modified design for the Reading and News Rooms 1,050 (The modified design referred to reduces the height of the Library and Reading Rooms, and alters the form of construction of the roof.) 5. Omitting the closets and washing room at the back of principal staircase, and providing substitutes under the flights of stairs ; also substituting Wingerworth stone for Hopton Wood stone, in the construction of the staircase 2S0 G. Making certain changes in the details and construction of the building, which may be effected without detriment to its appearance or stability, simplifying some of the more ornamental portions, omitting others, and substituting a more ordinary construc- tion for the large amount of wrought iron work proposed, would effect an estimated reduction of . 1,312 10 Total £5,962 10 The above amount deducted from Messrs. Branson and Owyther's tender of £18,213, reduces it to .£12,250 10s. ; or if the Gallery of Art is included, to £14,250 10s. ; beyond which Mr. Barry does not consider it possible to lessen the amount, without sacrificing the convenience of the Library and the architectural appearance of the whole building. Mr. Barry finally expressed his regret at having been instrumental in leading the Committee originally to a different conclusion, and stated that his estimate was based on the supposition that the Free Library would cost the same sum per cubic foot as the Institute, but a sufficient allow- ance had not been made for the extra expense entailed by the necessary peculiarities of the new building, considered with reference to its destined occupation and use. Your Committee then submitted (through their chairman) some further suggestions to Mr. Barry, and requested him again to revise his designs so as to obtain a further reduction in the cost of the buildings, and also to report, if, by any re-arrangement of the plans altogether, the requisite accommodation could be afforded for the amount voted by the Council ; when, after fully considering the subject, Mr. Barry expressed his opinion that he could make no alteration or re-arrangement which would effect a Greater saving in the cost of construction than as before detailed. Your Committee, after bestowing much and anxious consideration on Mr. Barry's suggestions, are of opinion that it is desirable to make an effort to obtain the erection of the buildings, including the I rallery of Art, 324 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. for the sum voted for that purpose by the Council ; and recommend that they be empowered to obtain, by advertisement or otherwise, as to your Committee shall seem fit, plans and estimates for the erection of a building affording all the required accomodation, with an elevation uniform with that of the Institute, at a cost not exceeding the sum already voted. And your Committee further recommend that they be authorized to offer premiums for the plans that may be considered most meritorious. The report was approved, and the Committee was autho- rised to obtain plans, specifications, and estimates for the erection of the Free Library Buildings, in accordance with the recommendations contained in such report ; and to offer, if they should think desirable, premiums of £30 for the best, and £20 and £15 for the second and third best plans; such plans, specifications, and estimates, together with their recommendations thereon, to be submitted to the Council for approval. The Committee reported on the 1st of July, that having advertised for plans and estimates, they had received designs from three architects ; and after a careful examination and comparison thereof, were unanimously of opinion that those sent in by Mr. William Martin were the best, as affording the requisite accommodotion, with the most convenient and economical arrangement ; the cost, however, of carrying out the same would amount, according to the architect's estimate, to the sum of £12,000, being £1,500 in excess of the sum voted by the Council for the erection of the said buildings. The Committee submitted the plans to the Council for ap- proval, and recommended that they be authorized to obtain tenders, and to enter into contracts for the erection of the works at a cost not exceeding £12,000. On the 12th of August, the Committee reported that they had given Mr. Martin instructions to prepare the necessary detailed specifications and working drawings in accordance with his designs already approved by the Council, and that they had invited builders to compete for their erection. On the 25th of November, the Council authorised the Committee to purchase 287 square yards of freehold land at the corner of Legge Street and Aston Road, for the sum of £1,000, as the site for a branch Library. THE BIRMINGHAM FREE LIBRARIES. 325 The annual report for 1862 shows that the Library in Constitution Hill was a continued success. The total num- ber of books in the Library was 8,001, of which 1,713 were added during the year. The total issues were 108,058, or a daily average of 377 volumes. The News Room had also been visited by large numbers of readers, averaging between 9,000 and 10,000 a week. The next report of the Committee was presented to the Council on the 17th of March, 18G3. It stated that they had received ten tenders for the erection of the Central Free Library and Art Gallery in answer to their advertisement, varying in amount from £10,238 to £8,600. The marked discrepancy between the amounts of these tenders and those formerly received for the erection of the buildings in accord- ance with Mr. Barry's designs, induced them to defer their consideration, and to decide that the plans, working drawings, and specifications, prepared by Mr. Martin, should be sub- mitted to a consulting architect, with instructions to examine the same, and to advise the Committee as to the sufficiency of the structural works for the purposes for which they were intended. Mr. Martin having concurred in this proposi- tion, they appointed Mr. Philip Hardwicke, jun, of London, an eminent architect, to whom Mr. Martin's plans and speci- fications were submitted, and from whom a report was received detailing the result of his examination, in which he makes suggestions for increasing the strength of certain parts of the building, which the Committee had, with the approbation of Mr. Martin, adopted. They also reported that they had ac- cepted the tender of Messrs. Branson and Murray, of the 25th day of October last, for the erection of the buildings in accord- ance with Mr. Martin's designs, for the sum of £8,000, Messrs. Branson and Murray agreeing to execute the additional work required to cany out Mr. Hardwicke's suggestions at the same prices as those on which their tender was based, with the addition of 10 per cent, thereon, and also to modify the prices in the schedule attached to their said tender, as arranged between them and the architect. 326 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. The Committee also reported that the conveyance of the property at the corner of Legge Street and the Aston Road, agreed to be purchased as a site for a Free Lending Library, was in course of preparation, and only awaited the sanction of the Treasury to be completed. Notices to quit had been served upon the tenants of the premises, with a view to obtain early possession. In order to meet the expenditure to be incurred in erecting the Central and the District Library Buildings, and to com- plete the purchase of the sites thereof, it was necessary that funds should be provided forthwith; and the Committee recommended that the Finance, Rate, and Appeal Committee be instructed to negotiate and obtain a loan of £10,000 under the provisions of the "Free Libraries Act, 1855," for such purposes. The report was approved, and the Finance Committee was instructed to negotiate a loan of £10,000 to defray the cost of erecting Free Public Reference Library Buildings for this borough, and the cost of the sites of the District Libraries. The annual report for the year 1863 called attention to the marked success which had attended the Free Library in Constitution Hill, and the unabated interest of the public therein. Returns had been procured from Free Libraries in twenty-three towns, by which it appeared that the Bir- mingham Free Library had, between the date of its opening and the end of the year, circulated more books than any other Library during the same period. The returns of the four principal towns are as follows : — Liverpool — North District . . 155,966 vols. South District . . 208,451 „ Manchester 236,320 „ Sheffield 341,053 „ Birmingham ..... 357,436 „ The Free Library and Museum in connection with Adderley Park were opened on January 11, 1864. The Town Council had already, by a resolution passed on August 18th, 1863, instructed the Free Libraries Committee to undertake their THE BIRMINGHAM FREE LIBRARIES. 327 management. On March 15, 1864, the Committee reported that at the time it was opened it contained in addition to a number of books used for reference only, 783 volumes for circulation; to these 500 volumes had since been added. Upwards of 400 applications had been received for tickets to borrow books, many of which were granted. The News Room was supplied with copies of the Times, Telegraph, Star, and of each of the Birmingham newspapers, together with some of the more popular periodicals. The attendance of readers in the News Room was reported to be increasing, and the Museum, which was free to the public, had been visited by many persons since its opening. In the same report the Committee informed the Council that they were taking measures for obtaining designs for the erection of Libraries at Gosta Green and Heath Mill Lane, Deritend. The next report was presented on August 2nd, 1864. The Committee expressed their regret that considerable delay had occurred in the erection of the Central Library Buildings, which was attributed to the late unfortunate strike in the building trade, thus depriving the contractors of their stone- masons at a period when their services were most essential to the continued progress of the works. The Committee also reported that the surplus land at the corner of Heath Mill Lane belonging to the Corporation, having been offered for sale to the owners of the adjoining premises entitled to the right of pre-emption therein, and they having failed to avail themselves of such light, they had memorialised the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury for authority to appropriate such surplus land for a Free Library; and the Commissioners having signified their approval thereof, they were taking steps to obtain plans for the erection of the pro- posed buildings, which would be submitted to the Council for their sanction. In 1(S(!4 the number of volumes in the Constitution Hill Library had increased to L0,158; the number of issues for the year was 112,557, showing a decrease of 17,903, as com- 328 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. pared with the preceding year. The Committee say that this " may be attributed, in some degree, to the increase of trade in the borough." The Adderley Park Library now contained 2,825 volumes, with an issue of 18,351 for the past year. The building of the Central Libraries was now so far advanced, that the Committee reported to the Council, April 11, 1865, that the time had arrived when the appointment of a chief librarian should be made ; and they recommended that they be authorized to advertise for candidates for the office, at a salary of £200 per annum, and to select and submit the names of three of the best qualified to the Council for their selection. This was approved. The Committee also reported that about 10,000 volumes had been purchased for the Central Lending Library, at a cost of £907 17s., or an average of Is. lOd. a volume; that during the past quarter 1,000 volumes had been added to the Constitution Hill Library, and about GOO to the Adderley Park Library. The plans of Messrs. Bateman and Corser for erecting a Branch Library at Heath Mill Lane, at a cost not exceeding £1,000, exclusive of fixtures and furniture, were approved, and the Committee authorized to proceed with the building. The Committee advertised for candidates for the office of Chief Librarian, and on May 30, 1865, they reported to the Council that they had "received thirty-two applications, which, together with their accompanying testimonials, having been carefully considered, your Committee had an interview with four of the candidates who appeared to possess the great- est amount of experience in the duties, and having examined them respectively touching their qualifications for the office, selected Mr. George M'Whea, Mr. J. D. Mullins, and Mr. Edward Lings, whose names they now submit to the Council, with a recommendation that Mr. George M'Whea be appointed to the office." The Council however elected Mr. J. D. Mullins Chief Librarian. The intelligence and zeal which has charac- terized that gentleman since his appointment fully justifies the choice that the Council made. His courtesy to all persons who use the Library, and his advice and assistance to students THE BIRMINGHAM FREE LIBRARIES. 329 seeking the proper books of reference, are most valuable and beyond all praise. The Central Lending Library and the Art Gallery were formally opened on September 6, 1865, the day appointed for the first meeting of the British Association in this borough, that being considered an appropriate occasion on which to inaugurate so important an educational institution. The Committee embraced the opportunity which the presence of many distinguished visitors to the borough afforded, to invite their co-operation at the ceremony. The members of the Council, the magistrates, and many of the principal in- habitants and visitors, interested in the cause of popular education, having been hospitably entertained by the Mayor (H. Wiggin, Esq.,) at breakfast, at the Royal Hotel, accom- panied his Worship to the Libraries in Ratcliff Place, and assisted at the inauguration. A short religious service having; been celebrated by the Lord Bishop of the Diocese, addresses were delivered by the Mayor, the Right Hon. Lord Stanley, M.P., the Rev. Dr. Miller, and Mr. George Dawson, M.A. ; after which, the Library was formally declared by the Mayor to be open, free, to the people of Birmingham for ever. The rooms were used by the British Association during its meetings, so that the issue of books did not begin until the 19th of September. The number of persons who applied for tickets during the next two months was 8,000, 2,500 of whom had complied with the conditions upon which tickets were issued, and 1,870 had exercised their privilege of borrowing books. The average number of volumes issued per diem was 575, and of persons using the News Room 300, The report of the opening of the Library was presented to the Council on November 28. On August 7, 1866, the Council approved the plans of Messrs. Bateman and Corser, for the Gosta Green Library, and authorized its erection, at a cost not exceeding £1,000. The Central Reference Library was opened on October 26th, 1866. Mr. George Dawson, M.A., had been invited by the Committee to deliver the Inaugural Address. At hall- 330 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. past one the Mayor (E. Yates, Esq.) took his seat, supported by the Town Clerk (Mr. T. Standbridge,) on his right, and Mr. Dawson on his left ; the Manuscript Catalogue of the Library lying on the table before him. The room was crowded by the Members of the Town Council, the Magis- trates, the Clergy and Nonconformist Ministers, and the principal inhabitants of the town. At the. request of the Mayor, the Venerable Archdeacon Sandford offered up a prayer, after which the Mayor gave a brief review of the history of the Free Libraries of Birmingham. He said, " Before calling upon Mr. Dawson for his inaugural address, he desired to congratulate the people of Birmingham on the events of that day, and to remind them of a few of the diffi- culties which were created in days gone by, only to be over- come by the energy and perseverance of their fellow-towns- men. In thinking of the past, he naturally reverted to the time when it was first proposed in the Town Council that Birmingham should have Free Libraries for the use of the people, and on referring to the 6th of February 1852, he found that Mr. Boyce, then one of the Councillors for Deritend and Bordesley Ward, first introduced the subject of Free Libra- ries by moving " That the Council at its next meeting do take into consideration the subject of the Public Libraries Act, 13 and 14 Vic, Cap. 65, of 1850, with the intention of decid- ing upon the desirability of the Council requesting the Mayor to take the necessary steps in accordance with the said Act, to ascertain whether the provisions thereof shall be adopted in this borough." On the 19th of March 1852, (the same year,) it was resolved : — " That this Council requests the Mayor to take the necessary measures in accordance with the provisions of the Public Libraries Act of 1850, in order to ascertain if it is the wish of the burgesses that the provisions of the said Act shall be carried into effect in this borough ;" but on appealing to the burgesses the Act was rejected. Had he been in the Council in those days he had no doubt he should have voted for Mr. Boyce's resolution, and regretted that the bur- gesses had arrived at the decision thus recorded ; but at this THE BIRMINGHAM FREE LIBRARIES. 331 distance of time he wished to believe the 1850 Act was re- jected, not because the people did not require the libraries, but because the Act did not go far enough. It was well known the Public Libraries Act, 1850, authorized the levying of a library rate of one halfpenny in the pound only, out of which to build or rent premises, and provide fuel, lighting, fixtures, and furniture, the salaries of officers ; but omitted books. He supposed the promoters of this Act thought, in the towns where it may be adopted, that a sufficient number of generous and philanthropic persons would be found who would furnish the Libraries with books gratuitously ; but Birming- ham men felt that they ought not to depend altogether on such a source for a supply. The Act of 1855, which repealed the former Act, authorized a rate of one penny in the pound, and provided for the purchase of books, newspapers, maps, and specimens of science and art, in addition to the erection of buildings, &c, as included in the former Act ; on the 21st of February, 1860, at a public meeting of the bur- gesses, in the Town Hall, presided over by the then Mayor, (Mr. Thomas Lloyd,) a majority of upwards of two-thirds of the persons then present voted for its adoption in this borough. On the 13th of March, 1800, the Council appointed eight of its own body, and eight gentlemen, burgesses, but not members of the Town Council, to be the first Free Libraries Committee, and those gentlemen proposed, in their report presented to the Council May 15th, I860, that there should be four district Lending Libraries, with News Rooms, and one central Refer- ence Library, with a Museum and Gallery of Art, so situated as to be convenient for the whole of the inhabitants of the town. In pursuance of this object, the Northern District Free Library, Constitution Hill, was opened in April 1861, during the mayoralty of Mr. Arthur Ryland ; the Western and Central Lending Library, Ratcliff Place, in 1865, during the mayoralty of Mr. Henry Wiggin ; the Southern District Library in Heath Mill Lane, was opened that day, when the stone was also laid for the Eastern District Library, Gosta Green. As regarded the opening of the Central Reference 332 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. Library to-day, in that splendid room, the whole town had cause to rejoice, and might well congratulate itself upon the success which had attended the efforts of the Committee selected by their representatives in the Town Council to make so useful an institution so complete and so inviting. All honour, then, to those who suggested, supported, and assisted in carrying out these grand objects. . The name of Alderman E. C. Osborne, who, in 1859, moved in the Town Council the resolutions which led to the town's meeting in 1860, when the Act was adopted, and who had since, whether as chairman or committee man, indefatigably worked in for- warding the object, should be specially mentioned. Mr. Jacob Phillips and Mr. Samuel Timmins, as members of the Committee, should also be specially mentioned as having rendered good service ; but were he (the Mayor) to mention each and all of the gentlemen who had served on that Com- mittee, they would agree with him in saying they were well deserving of their special thanks for the great services they had rendered to the town. The Birmingham Reference Free Library appeared to be the first of its kind that had been opened where the erection of the building and the supply of books had been paid for solely out of the rates ; and in this respect they might consider that they had set an example worthy of being followed elsewhere. The Adderley Park Library, on the borders of the borough, was more appreciated every day, and as that part of the town became more densely populated, the wisdom of the Town Council in accepting the generous gift of Mr. Adderley would become more apparent. In the five Free Libraries now open to the public, there were 39,000 volumes for the use of strangers as well as citizens, properly recommended. The number of persons who had qualified as borrowers was 8,320 ; the issue of books averaged 4,925 weekly, and the number of persons who visited the various News Rooms was estimated at a very few short of G,000 every week, so that a vast amount of knowledge was being accumulated, which could not fail to be of benefit to the whole town hereafter." THE BIRMINGHAM FREE LIBRARIES. 333 Mr. Dawson then delivered an eloquent address, from which we make a few extracts on the subject of Libraries : " Were I to tell you all that I think a library is, your patience would be exhausted and my strength would be in like plight. But there are one or two things it will be well to call to mind. A great library contains the diary of the human race ; for it is with the human race as with the individuals of it : our memories go back but a little way, or, if they go back far, they pick up but here a date and there an occurrence half forgotten. But when a man keeps a diary of his life, he can at any time bring the whole of its scenes before him. The memory of the human race is just as short, as fragmentary, and as accidental as the memory of the individual ; but when the books of mankind are gathered together in a room like this, we can sit down and read the solemn story of man's history from his birth, through all his mutations ; and so in learning the history of man, we reverence our ancestors, ascertain our own pedigree, and find the secret sources of the life we ourselves are now living. Remember, we know well only the great nations whose books we possess ; of others we know nothing or but little. The great Hebrew people — their solemn thoughts and their glorious story — lie open to us because we have their books. We know the Greek, we are familiar with the Roman, but as for the nameless tribes which peopled the far deserts of the world — unchronicled, bookless, libraryless — we have but a name, a date or two, a few myths, some trumpery legends, and that is all. But here in this room are gathered together the great diaries of the human race, the record of its thoughts, its struggles, its doings, and its ways. The great consulting room of a wise man is a library. When I am in perplexity about life, I have but to come here, and, without fee or reward, I commune with the wisest souls that God has blessed the world with. If I want a discourse on immortality, Plato comes to my help. If I want to know the human heart, Shakspere opens all its chambers. Whatever be my perplexity or doubt, I know 334 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. exactly the great man to call to me, and he comes in the kindest way, he listens to my doubts and tells me his con- victions. So that a library may be regarded as the solemn chamber in which a man can take counsel with all that have been wise, and great, and good, and glorious, amongst the men that have gone before him." The speaker then alluded to the immediate utilities of a library ; dwelt upon the importance of its being a Corpora- tion Library, free for the use of the whole town ; drew loving attention to the fact of its being also a Reference Library ; enlarged upon the uses to which such a collection of books could be put, and concluded his address in the following words : — " Now, Mr. Mayor, we probably could not part without some little looking forward to the future. For man's part in immortality is so great that he always looks beyond that day when 'the earthly house of this tabernacle shall be dissolved;' beyond the day when these earthen vessels, so gloriously shaped by the Almighty potter, shall have fallen back again into shapeless clay ; and he longs, with a par- donable desire, that his name may be remembered, when the place that knew him knows him no more. That glorious weakness I hope we all of us share — that we would fain haunt some place in this world even when the body is gone; that we desire that our names shall be gratefully spoken of when we have long passed away to join the glorious dead. If this be your passion, there are few things that I would more willingly share with you than the desire that, in days to come, when some student, in a fine rapture of gratitude, as he sits in this room, may for a moment call to mind the names of the men who, by speech and by labour, by the necessaiy agitation or the continuous work, took part in founding this Library. There are few places I would rather haunt after my death than this room, and there are few things I would have my children remember more than this, that this man spoke the discourse at the opening of this glorious Library, the first-fruits of a clear understanding THE BIRMINGHAM FREE LIBRARIES. 335 that a great town exists to discharge towards the people of that town the duties that a great nation exists to discharge towards the people of that nation — that a town exists here by the grace of God, that a great town is a solemn organism through which should flow, and in which should be shaped, all the highest, loftiest, and truest ends of man's intellectual and moral nature. I wish, then, for you, Mr. Mayor, and for myself, that, in years to come, when we are in some respects forgotten, still now and then, in this room, the curious questions may be asked : Who was Mayor on that famous day ? Who said grace before that famous banquet ? Who returned thanks for that gracious meal ? Who gathered these books together ? Who was the first man that held that new office of librarian ? I trust his name will be printed when- ever the name of this Corporation appears. What his title is to be I don't know — whether it is to be Town Librarian or Corporation Librarian — but I envy him whatever it may be, and I am glad the Corporation has given itself an officer who represents intellect — that it looks upward deliberately and says, ' we are a Corporation who have undertaken the highest duty that is possible to us ; we have made provision for our people — for all our people — and we have made a provision of God's greatest and best gifts unto man.' ' Thus step by step the great work was carried on. In 1SGG we had provided the Reference Library, the Art Gallery, the Central Lending Library and News Room, the Libraries in Constitution Hill, Deritend, and Adderley Park, each with its News Room. In purchasing books for the Reference Library, the Committee were guided by three principles : — I. That the Library should, as far as practicable, represent every phase of human thought, and every variety of opinion. II. That books of permanent value and of standard interest should form the principal portion of the Library, and that modern and popular books should be added from time to time, as they are published. III. That it should contain those rare and costly works which are generally out of the reach of individual students and collectors, and which are not usually found in provincial or private Libraries. 336 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. At the time of opening, the Reference Library contained 16,195 volumes in general literature, and 2,030 of specifica- tions of patents; and in the 54? days of 1866 on which the room was open, 11,468 books were issued, being an average of 212 per day. The Central Lending Library contained 11,276 volumes, had 7,148 borrowers, and made during the year 164,120 issues, or a daily average of 588.. The Constitu- tion Hill Library contained 7,065 volumes, issued 36,747, or a dailv average of 142 ; the Deritend had 4,447 volumes, was open 51 days, and issued 8,622 volumes. Adderley Park had 2,345 volumes, and issued during the year 9,383. The Gosta Green News Room was opened on February 1, 1868 ; the Lending Library in the June following : the Act, as we have already stated, was adopted in February, 1860, so that in eight years the scheme of the Committee was realised. A large Central, and four Branch Libraries, with News Rooms and an Art Gallery, had been provided for the free use of the people, and it now only required time and money to make them all that such institutions should be. Unfortu- nately the revenue is limited to a rate of one penny in the pound, and the interest on the loan for building consumes a large portion of it every year. The first outlay for books was also necessarily a very large one, and thus, to some ex- tent, the future income was anticipated ; so that for the next three years the Committee were unable to increase the number of books to the extent they desired. On the 11th of February, 1868, the following important report was presented to the Council : — The Free Libraries Committee report that they have received from Messrs. Martin and Chamberlain, architects, accounts of the expenses incurred in connection with the erection of the Central Reference Library Buildings, and of providing and fixing the fittings and furniture therein, from which it appears that the total cost of erecting and completing the building, inclusive of the sum of £550 required for completing the fittings to the Shakspere Library, amounts to the sum of £14,896 2s. 6d. The sum appropriated by the Council for the purpose of erecting the buildings in accordance with Mr. Martin's designs was £12,500. THE BIRMINGHAM FREE LIBRARIES. 337 The actual cost of erecting the same, in accordance with such designs, amounted to The further expenditure has been as follows : — Room for School of Art Messrs. Branson and Murray, fittings .... Messrs. Haden and Son, for warming apparatus, &c. Mr. Samuel Thomas, for locks and ironmongery . The Birmingham Gas Company, for pipes and fittings . Mrs. Newbold, for painting, colouring, &c. Messrs. ( 'richley, Wilde, & Co., iron gallery, staircases &c. Messrs. Tonka and Suns, for brass rods and brackets Messrs. Messenger and Son, for gas fittings . Mrs. Newbold, for decorating and painting fittings £10,310 19 5 120 17 6 2,297 3 8 389 16 28 1 9 146 6 4 146 19 2 370 17 *> 7u 18 1 388 5 6 <»9 17 in £14,346 a Amount as agreed for the fittings to the Shakspere Memorial Library 550 £14,896 2 G In addition to this, the architect's charges and commission in connec- tion with the erection and completion of the Libraries amounted to £972 5s. In March, 1809, another important event in the history of the Libraries occurred. This will be best explained by the following letter from Mr. Arthur Ryland, which was read by the Mayor to the Council, at its meeting on the 10th of that month : — 7, Cannon Street, Birmingham, March 11th, 1869. Dear Mr. Mayor, — On behalf and in the names of Messrs. Aldermen Avery and Wiggin, and Messrs. Councillors Barker and Hinks, and my- self, I desire to inform the Town ( !ouncil, through your Worship, that we are willing to transfer to them at cost price, if the Council desire to have it, a plot of land, with the buildings standing on it, adjoining to the Free Library in Edmund Street, which we purchased, on the 2nd instant, at au. -i ion, for the sum of £4,832. We should expect to receive at once the amount we have paid for deposit ; (namely £483 ;) and we should make it a condition that the Council should grant to the Midland Institute the space I m 'low the level of the first floor story of the Reference Library, upon such terms as the Council and the Institute might mutually agree upon. We made the purchase because we knew that the Library Committee were of opinion that it would be necessary to extend the building for I he deference Library in the course of a few years; and we feared that if the Council should have to negotiate for the land, either under the provisions 338 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. of an Act of Parliament for a compulsory sale or otherwise, a very much larger price would have to be paid than if it were now bought at public auction, by a private individual ; and we also knew that the Midland Institute were in great want of more class rooms. The land measures, next to Edmund Street, 58 feet 9 inches, and con- tains, in the whole, 604 squai'e yards, and the price we have purchased it at is at the rate of ,£8 a yard. The conditions of sale require the purchase to be completed on the 24th of June next. It will be necessary for us to have an early answer to this offer, as the investigation of the title must be at once made, and we should wish, if the offer be accepted, to hand over the papers to the Town Clerk, so as to avoid unnecessary costs. If we should, by delay, have to incur costs of such an investigation ourselves, we should have to add the amount of such costs to the purchase money. Moreover we have had a proposal made to us by the owner of the adjoining property, to which we must give an early reply. This proposal would afford accommodation to the Institute, but would deprive the Corporation of the opportunity of ex- tending the Eeference Library Building. I am, dear Mr. Mayor, yours truly, Arthur Eyland. Henry Holland, Esq., Mayor of Birmingham. The letter was referred to the Free Libraries Committee, with instructions to consider the same, and to report to the Council the following month, as to the advisability of ac- cepting the offer. On April the 6th, the Committee reported that they had for some time past been impressed with the necessity of making provision for an extension, at no distant period, of the Free Reference Library. An advertisement having appeared in the public newspapers, that a considerable quantity of land in the neighbourhood, including a plot im- mediately adjoining the Library, was about to be offered for sale by auction, the Committee were induced to inquire whether any portion of it could be secured for the Council, and an attempt was made to obtain the omission or reserva- tion at the sale, of the piece of land adjoining the Library, on an understanding that the Committee would recommend the Council to purchase the same, at a price not exceeding the average price of the land that might be sold in Edmund Street, less the value of the buildings thereon. In this endeavour the Committee were unsuccessful, the vendor's THE BIRMINGHAM FREE LIBRARIES. 339 acrent havine declined to negotiate at a less price than .£12 10s. per square yard ; and as, without the authority of the Council, the} r were unable to bid at the auction, the op- portunity of acquiring the land would have been lost, had not Messrs. Aldermen Ryland, Avery, and Wig-gin, and Councillors Barker and Hinks, generously acceded to the suggestion of the Committee, to become purchasers of the lot in question, which they accordingly did, at the rate of £8 per square yard, at which price they offered it to the Council, as agreed upon between them and the Free Libraries Com- mittee. The Committee, in their report, state that, in accordance with the condition contained in Mr. Ryland's letter, the Council should grant to the Midland Institute the space below the level of the first floor story of the Reference Library, upon such terms as the Council and the Insti- tute might agree upon. The Committee applied to the Council of the Institute to ascertain the terms upon which such arrangement might be effected, and have received the following reply : — Resolved — "That the Free Libraries Committee be informed that, while gratefully acknowledging the kindly feeling evinced towards the Birmingham and Midland Institute in the offer conveyed in Mr. Ryland's letter to the Mayor, this Council regret that the conditions involved in the offer make it undesirable for them to accept it." The Committee being of opinion that the whole of the land will be required for the purjiose of the Reference Library, strongly recommend the Council to accept the offer. They regret that the consideration of this oti'er admits of no postponement, and that the Council has no alter- native but to accept or reject the recommendation now submitted. They are aware that at the present moment the financial position of the Free Libraries is not favourable to the incurring additional expenditure, but having regard to the annual increase in the amount of the Library rate, and the reduction in the payment of interest yearly occurring, and to the fact that no building will be required on the land for some years ; that the property now standing thereon will yield an annual rental of £62 8s., which may be increased by the letting of a large vacant space in addition ; and that by the exercise of a rigid economy in the ordinary expenditure of the existing libraries, a saving may be effected ; the Committee feel that, although some temporary inconvenience will arise from the im- mediate purchase, yet the resources of the institution will speedily enable them to overcome it, and they are of opinion that the opportunity now ottered for purchasing the land should be embraced, as it cannot occur again, and if neglected, the possibility of increasing the accom- modation for the Library will be lost for ever, 340 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. The Council resolved — That, siibject to the approval of Her Majesty's Treasury, the Free Libraries Committee be authorized and instructed to purchase the 604 square yards of land in Edmund Street, with the buildings now standing thereon, referred to in their report now sub- mitted, at a cost not exceeding £8 per square yard, for the purpose of the extension of the Reference Library ; and that the said Committee be further instructed to obtain the approval of the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury to such purchase, and to the borrowing the amount required for that purpose, under the provisions of the " Free Libraries Act, 1855." By this wise act the future extension of the Library is provided for ; and it will now be possible to render it equal to the demands which an ever- increasing population and the growing desire for knowledge may require. At its meeting on May 3, 1870, the Council, on the recom- mendation of the Free Libraries Committee, increased the salary of Mr. J. D. Mullins, Chief Librarian, from £200 to £250 per annum. We have now brought the history of the Birmingham Free Libraries down to the present time. The report of the Committee for 1870 is before us. It is their ninth annual report, and in it they record the continued usefulness of the Libraries, News Rooms, and Art Gallery, and the in- creasing appreciation of them by the public. The only draw- back is the limitation of the funds at the disposal of the Committee. Out of about £1,500 produced by the penny rate, nearly £2,000 is required annually to provide for interest and repayment of loans ; thus leaving only £2,500 for the maintenance of six Libraries and News Rooms, and the Art Gallery. As regards the latter, material assistance has been afforded by a special fund, raised by voluntary contributions ; and, therefore, the want of adequate support from the rate has not been so keenly felt as in the case of the Libraries and News Rooms. So great is the pressure upon the funds, that only £125 has, during the year, been expended in the purchase of new books for the five Lending Libraries; a very small outlay in comparison with that of Manchester, where the expenditure is upwards of £1,000 per annum. The effect of this difference is observable in the respective issues from the THE BIRMINGHAM FREE LIBRARIES. 341 two sets of Libraries ; Manchester (with but a slightly larger population than Birmingham,) having an issue of 477,") 14 volumes a year, while Birmingham has an issue of 287,515 volumes, being a considerable decrease on the issues of the preceding year. This, as the Committee believe, is attribu- table to the small amount at their disposal for the purchase of new books for the Lending Libraries. The Reference Library maintains the interest it has commanded from the moment of its opening. The News Rooms, also, have been thronged during the year ; even beyond their capacity, large as this is. It says much for the influence exerted by such institutions, that, notwithstanding this pressure upon the News Rooms, — many persons frequently waiting their turn for the newspapers, — no difficulty of any kind has occurred, the utmost order and good feeling prevailing even on the most trying occasions. Doubtless, this result is due in a great measure, to the attention and courtesy of the librarians and their assistants. The Committee have much pleasure in recording their sense of the services rendered by the stall' as a body ; from the chief librarian to the youngest assistant, they appear to be animated by the desire of doing their duty to the Corporation, and of making the Libraries a credit to the town. The following table gives the number of volumes in the several Free Libraries at the end of 1870 : — Theology, Ecclesias- tical History, and .Moral Philosophy. Histoiy, Biography, Voyages, and Travels. Law, Politics, and Commerce. Arts, Sciences, and Natural History. Miscellaneous : including Poetry, the Drama, Fiction, Periodicals, &c. So > O 4 P O P-. Reference Library Central Lending Constitution Hill Deritend 1,987 4(18 22] 144 273 161 5,891 2,445 1,643 1,507 i.i k; 479 1,329 134 96 59 53 37 4,311 1,004 603 367 449 INI 10,582 8,199 2,545 2,768 2,726 L,693 405 207 52 L20 46 2490 26,590 1.2,595 5,315 4,897 Axiderley Park ... 1,767 2,600 3,194 13,111 1,708 6,918 28,513 830 2490 56,764 342 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. The total aggregate issue of books for the same year was : — Reference Library, 124,368 ; Central Lending Library, 1 53,752 ; Constitution Hill, 44,149 ; Deritend, 39,179 ; Gosta Green, 46,245; and Adderley Park, 4,190; total, 411,883. It will be seen from these returns that the daily issue from the Lending Libraries is upwards of 1,000 volumes ; a number not at all proportionate to the large population of the town, especially when we remember that every inhabitant can borrow books without any payment whatever. During the year the following additions were made to the Reference Library : — By gift (including 79 volumes of Specifications, Journals, &c, of Patents, presented by the Commissioners of Patents) 479 By additions to the Shakspere Library, (given by the Shakspere Memorial Committee) 986 Continuations of Periodicals and Works already in the Library. . . 245 By transfer from other Libraries 4 By other additions 432 2,146 This Library now contains 26,590 volumes, arranged in the following classes : — Theology, Ecclesiastical History, and Moral Philosophy 1,987 History, Biography, Voyages and Travels 5,891 Arts, Sciences, and Natural History 4,311 Law, Politics, and Commerce 1,329 Dictionaries, Encyclopaedias, &c 507 Poetry and the Drama, including the gifts to the Shakspere Memorial Library 4,243 Miscellaneous 5,832 Patent Library 2 > 490 26,590 We quote from the report the following interesting in- formation in reference to the books most in demand : — In Theology, Moral Philosophy, and Ecclesiastical History : — Alford's Greek Testament ; The Commentaries on the Bible, by Clarke, by Henry, and by Scott ; on the New Testament, by Barnes, by Lange, and by Olshausen ; Conybeare and Howson's Life and Epistles of St. Paul ; Cruden's Concordance ; Essays and Reviews ; F. W. Robertson's Sermons; Smith's Dictionary of the Bible ; Kitto's Cyclopaedia of Biblical Litera- THE BIRMINGHAM FREE LIBRARIES. 343 ture ; Liddon's Our Lord's Divinity ; Lecky's History of Morals ; Lewes's History of Philosophy ; Wesley's Works ; Mill's Logic ; History of the Jews, by Josephus ; Mosheim's Ecclesiastical History ; Stanley's Jewish Church ; Milman's History of the Jews ; Hook's Church Dictionary ; Cobbett's Protestant Reformation ; Bishop Browne on the Thirty-nine Articles ; Bain's Philosophical Works. In Geography : — The " Complete Atlas " of the Society for the Diffu- sion of Useful Knowledge ; Johnston's Royal and Physical Atlases ; The " Dispatch" Atlas ; Somerville's Physical Geography ; Johnston's General Gazetteer ; McCulloch's Geographical Dictionary ; Knight's Geography of the British Empire ; Blackie's Imperial Gazetteer ; Ansted's Physical Geography ; Hughes's Geography. In History and Topography : — Froude's, Hume's, Knight's, Macaulay's and White's Histories of England ; Jardine's Gunpowder Plot ; Par- tington's History of London ; Dugdale's Warwickshire ; Borrow's Wild Wales ; Journal of our Life in the Highlands ; Beattie's Scotland, Illustrated ; Maxwell's Irish Rebellion ; Thackeray's Irish Sketch Book ; Murray's Handbook for the Continent ; Carlyle's French Revolution ; Motley's Dutch Republic ; Bossoli's War in Italy ; Gibbon's Roman Empire ; Chamber's, Kinglake's, and Russell's Histories of the Crimean War ; Kitto's History of Palestine ; Kaye's Sepoy War ; Allam and Wright's China ; Cumming's South Africa ; Baker's Albert N'Yanza ; Baldwin's African Hunting ; Livingstone's South Africa ; Lang's Queens- land, Australia ; Dickens's American Notes ; Catlin's North American Indians ; Dixon's New America ; Burton's City of the Saints ; Sala's Diary in America ; Russell's Canada ; Dilke's Greater Britain. In Biography : — Caulfield's Remarkable Characters ; Carlyle's Letters and Speeches of Cromwell ; Dickens's Life of Grimaldi ; Boswell's Johnson ; Diary of Samuel Pepys ; Stanhope's Life of Pitt ; Memorials of Thomas Hood ; Burke's Peerage and Landed Gentry ; Thackeray's Four Georges ; Newman's Apologia pro Vita Sua ; Men of the Time ; Smiles's Life of Boulton and Watt ; Imperial Dictionary of Biography ; Smith's Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biograj)hy and Mythology ; Charles Dickens, the Story of his Life. In Arts, Sciences, and Natural History : — Ruskin's Stones of Venice ; Barnard's Water Colour Drawing ; Barnard's Foliage and Foreground Drawing ; Bell's Anatomy of Expression ; Owen Jones's Grammar of Ornament and 1,001 Initial Letters ; Dresser's Decorative Design ; Ruskin's Elements of Drawing ; Hogarth's Works ; The Turner Gallery ; Pugin's Gothic Ornament ; Pugin's Ecclesiastical Ornament; Cundall's Examples of Ornament ; Cottingham's Metal Worker's Director ; Plant Form, by Hulme ; Humphrey's Illuminated Books of the Middle Ages ; Antiquites de l'Empire de Russie ; Les Arts Somptuaires ; K bag's Study Book of Mediaeval Architecture and Art ; Humphrey's Coin Collectors' 344 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. Manual ; Tymms and Wyatt on Illuminating ; Percy's Metallurgy ; Hewitt's True Science of Music ; Knight's Scroll Ornaments ; Faraday's Electricity ; Pitman's Works on Phonography ; Fairbairn's Crests ; Burke's Encyclopaedia of Heraldry ; Galloway's First and Second Steps in Chemistry ; Macadam's Chemistry ; Williams's Chemistry for Students ; Wilson's Inorganic Chemistry ; Muspratt's Chemistry ; Hof man's Chemis- try ; Copland's Dictionary of Medicine ; Tyndall's Heat considered as a Mode of Motion ; Tyndall on Sound ; Barnard Smith's Arithmetic and Algebra ; Todhunter's and Coleuso's Mathematical Works ; Lardner's Handbooks of Natural Philosophy ; Ure's Dictionary of Arts and Manu- factures ; Tomlinson's Dictionary of Arts and Manufactures ; Herschel's Astronomy ; Chamber's Astronomy ; Balfour's Class Book of Botany ; Bentley's Manual of Botany ; Hooker's British Ferns ; Lyell's Principles of Geology ; Miller's Sketch Book of Popular Geology ; Carpenter's Animal Physiology ; Huxley's Physiology ; Audubon's Birds of America ; Cassell's Natural History ; Morris's British Birds ; Humphrey's Moths and Butter-flies ; Prichard's Natural History of Man ; Gall and Spurzheim's Physiognomical System ; Maury's Physical Geography of the Sea ; Wood's Natural History ; Stephens's Book of the Farm ; Loudon's British Wild Flowers ; Blaine's Sural Sports. In Law, Politics, Commerce, <&c: — Mill's Political Economy ; Fawcett's Political Economy ; Lewis's Best Form of Government : Kay's Social Condition of the People ; Stephen's and Blackstone's Commentaries on the Laws of England ; McCulloch's Dictionary of Commerce ; Creasy's History of the English Constitution ; Mayhew's London Labour and London Poor. In Dictionaries and Encyclopaedias : — Encyclopaedia Britannica ; Ency- clopaedia Metropolitana ; Webster's English Dictionary ; Smith's Latin- English Dictionary ; Godwin's Latin-English Dictionary ; Liddell and Scott's Greek-English Lexicon ; Elwe's French-English Dictionary ; Beeton's Dictionary of Useful Information ; Chamber's Encyclopaedia ; Worcester's English Dictionary. In Poetry and the Drama : — The Works of Burns, Byron, Eliza Cook, Mrs. Hemans, Hood, Longfellow, Macaulay, Milton, Tennyson, Shaks- peare, Lytton, Sheridan ; The London Stage ; Inchbald's British Drama; Aytoun's Lays of the Scottish Cavaliers. In Miscellaneous Literature : — Bacon's Essays ; Carlyle's Sartor Besartus, and Essays ; Chamber's Book of Day's ; Chamber's Encyclo- pedia of English Literature ; Defoe"s Woi'ks ; Hallam's Literary History ; Hood's Works ; Jerrold's Works ; Lamb's Works ; Macaulay's Essays ; Smiles's Self Help ; Valpy's Variorum and Delphin Classics ; English Translations of Classical Authors, published by Bohn ; the Volumes of the Eeviews, Magazines, and Newspapers; Emerson's Essays; The Percy Anecdotes ; Buskin's Works ; The Traveller's Library. In Books relating to Birmingham: — Huttou's History of Birmingham ; The Town Crier ; West's Warwickshire. THE BIRMINGHAM FREE LIBRARIES. 345 We are enabled, through the courtesy of the Chief Librarian, to present a statement of the money expended in books since the commencement of the Libraries in I860. In the Refer- ence Library the amount has been between £0,000 and £7,000; Central Lending Library, nearly £1,700; Constitution Hill, nearly £1,800; Deritend, £450; Gosta Green, £210; Adderley Park, £58 ; general, £3(3 ; newspapers, £1,413 ; making a total of about £12,000 thus expended. The reason that the Con- stitution Hill Library has had such a comparatively large sum expended upon it, is that it was the only Library open from L860 to 1803, and, therefore, the only one for which books had, for a long time, to be provided. The statistics furnished by the working of the Free Libraries afford grounds for serious reflection. We shall first quote the figures, and then direct attention to some of the most instructive of these returns. It will be seen that in many instances they are of a nature for surprise and regret rather than for congratulation. The number of borrowers during the year 1870, at the various Libraries, were as follows : — Central Lending Library . . . 5,501 Constitution Hill .... 1,009 Deritend 1,430 Gosta Green ..... 1,507 Adderley Park 105 10,572 The population of Birmingham at the present time is upwards of 343,000, and out of this large number of persons only 10,500 avail themselves of the opportunity of borrowing books. The actual borrowers include men, women, and children; and it will be seen by the following table that nearly 7,500 of these are under twenty-five years of age. The return of the ages of borrowers is as follows: — Under 14 14 to 20 21 >) 25 26 n 30 31 >) 35 36 » 4(1 41 11 45 L,807 46 to 50 194 4,340 51 „ 55 103 UTS 56 „ 60 88 837 Over 60 58 478 Not stated 730 129 221 10,572 346 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. This table shows that only thirty out of every thousand of the inhabitants borrow books. Of course, this does not give the full number of readers, because many individuals of a household may use the books taken out by one borrower. But making the largest possible allowance, and supposing that five persons read each book, this would give only 50,000 readers, or 145 in each 1,000 of the population. This strange and startling comparison of the number of persons availing themselves of the Free Library with the population, will be made more manifest by the following table, which gives the trades of the borrowers : — Agents .... 66 Apprentices . . . .144 Architects and Surveyors . 25 Artists 43 Assistants and Shopmen . 294 Bakers, Confectioners, &c. . 55 Bedstead Makers ... 33 Blacksmiths, Forgers, &c. . 39 Bookbinders, &c. ... 32 Boot and Shoemakers . . 68 Brush Makers . . 39 Brassfounders, &c. . . 292 Building Trades . . .55 Cabinet Makers . . .149 Carpenters and Joiners . 26 Chemists and Druggists . 53 Clergymen and Ministers . 24 Clerks, Bookkeepers, &c. . 1,306 Commercial Travellers . . 54 Curriers . . . .18 Die Sinkers .... 44 Errand Boys . . .110 Engineers and Machinists . 179 Engravers .... 142 Filers 14 Glass Cutters and Blowers . 75 Grocers .... 88 Gun Makers . . .191 Housekeepers . . .61 Japanners .... 33 Jewellers, Goldsmiths, &c. . 576 Labourers, &c. . - 36 Lacquerers, &c. . 40 Lamp and Chandelier Makers 66 Letter Carriers . 12 Manufacturers and Merchants 44 Metalsmiths, &c. . . 119 Milliners and Dress Makers . 116 Nail Makers . 13 Painters . 113 Pawnbrokers . 33 Platers . 95 Pocket Book Makers . . 12 Policemen 9 Porters, &c. . . 113 Printers and Compositors . 235 Eailway Employes . 37 Rule Makers . 22 Saddlers . 41 Scholars and Students . . 1,213 Schoolmasters . 162 Servants . 23 Tailors and Drapers . 166 Tin Plate Workers . 62 Tool Makers . 69 Tube Makers . 46 Warehousemen, &c. . 289 Watch and Clock Makers . 30 Wire Workers . 30 Wood Turners . 20 Miscellaneous . 1,112 No occupation . 1,886 Total 10,572 THE BIRMINGHAM FREE LIBRARIES. 347 On analyzing this table, we find the following remarkable results. Brassfounding is one of the staple trades of the town, and the numbers employed at the various branches of this important branch of industry is estimated at over 8,000, of whom 6,000 are men and boys, and 2,000 women and girls ; and yet only 292 are returned as borrowers. But there is even a more surprising fact to record than this. In the button trade some 6,000 people find employ- ment, and yet that trade is not represented at all among the borrowers of books from our Lending- Libraries ! The gun makers, numbering between 7,000 and 8,000 persons, give us 191 borrowers; of the glass workers of the town, estimated at some 2,000, only 75 are borrowers; and the building trade, employing many thousands of workers, give but 55. Jewellers, who number 7,000, as might have been anticipated, are considerably above the average of other trades, being represented by 57G borrowers. The printers and compositors are also above the average, the number being 235 out of about 3,000 persons engaged in that craft. The letter carriers, who number nearly 130, have only 12 bor- rowers ; and the police but nine out of a force of 400 men. Were we to pursue this examination through every trade named in the list, the result would be found to be similar. It is manifest, therefore, that at present only a very small per centage of the inhabitants of the town use the Free Libraries, and avail themselves of the means thus offered of beinjj acquainted Avith the immortal productions of our poets, historians, philosophers, novelists, and scientific writers. These returns show that the greater number of our artizans are as yet untaught, and that Knowledge to their eyes her ample page, Rich with the spoils of time, has ne'er unroll'd. One fact we regard as of good augury. We mentioned before that of the 10,500 borrowers, upwards of 7,000 are under 25 years of age, and of these over 4,000 are be- tween the ages of 14 and 20. This, as far as it goes, is encouraging ; but when we call to mind that there are 348 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. probably 70,000 persons in Birmingham between these ages, 4,000 is but a small proportion. Year by year we trust that this number will increase, until the readers become the majority. It is a melancholy reflection that so few of the people are disposed to taste the rich delight and share in the ennobling pleasure provided by a good library. That the glorious realm of poesy and song should remain a charmed region, into which so few enter to partake of the banquet which genius has provided, is a fact of sad import to all who believe that the highest pleasure consists in being acquainted with the works of our greatest poets, philosophers, historians, and others. In various parts of the town are now treasured up the greatest productions of man's intellect, which are brought, as it were, to the very doors of the people, and can be had without cost ; and yet only a comparatively small number avail themselves of the great and priceless boon. The beauties of poetry, the marvels of science, the stories of other lands, the history, customs, and manners of other nations, are freely offered for the improvement and pleasure of our toiling thousands; and yet only a few of those thousands are alive to the inestimable advantages of such possessions. The mere statement of such a state of things ought to inspire every friend of education with greater zeal and enthusiasm. Every one who can forward the great task of the present day, and help in making the future life of our people nobler than the past ; who can assist in advancing their education and culture, should remember that Ignorance is the curse of God, Knowledge the wing wherewith we fly to heaven ; and that he who labours to lessen the one and increase the other, is engaged in a holy crusade against an enemy whose triumphs are crime, suffering, want, and woe. It will be interesting to watch the yearly returns of these Libraries ; for the degree to which they are made use of, will be the measure by which to calculate the progress of education and the cultivation of a literary taste amongst the people generally. THE SHAKSPERE MEMORIAL LIBRARY. 149 THE SHAKSPERE MEMORIAL LIBRARY. To Birmingham belongs the credit of having reared the noblest monument to the memory of England's greatest poet. The Shakspere Memorial Library, in which will be gathered not only all the editions of the marvellous dramas which Shakspere wrote, but the thousands of works which those dramas have inspired other people to write, will be a perpetual memorial of the greatness of the universal and "manv-sided" genius, in honour of whom it has been founded. It is also most fitting that in Birmingham, the real capital of the county in which Shakspere was born, the proposal for founding such a memorial should have originated. This noble work was originally suggested by Mr. Samuel Timmins, at a Shakspere celebration dinner, on April 23, 1858. Although not forgotten, the suggestion was not acted upon for three years. On the 20th of April, 1861, the fol- lowing letter from Mr. George Dawson, appeared in Aris's Birmingham Gazette : — PEOPOSAL FOR A SHAKSPERE LIBRARY. To the Editor of Aris's Gazette. Sir, — The near approach of the anniversary of Shakspere's birth-day reminds me to claim from you the fulfilment of a promise to give me space enough to propose a favourite plan of mine, and to ask the help, in carrying it out, of those who may agree with me in its desirableness. I want to see founded in Birmingham a Shakspere Library, which should contain (as far as practicable) every edition and every translation of Shakspere ; all the commentators, good, bad, and indifferent ; in short, every book connected with the life or works of our great poet. I would add portraits of Shakspere, and all the pictures, &c, illustrative of his works. This collection should have a room devoted exclusively to it ; a small endowment, and some trustees zealous for its preservation. It might be put under the care of the Council of the Midland Institute, or the Library Committee of the Corporation, or of the Old Library, as may be determined by its founders. I need not set forth the uses of 350 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. such a library, nor the fitness of Warwickshire possessing such a collec- tion. My proposal is not addressed to those who need argument on such points. I simply ask communication from those who are willing to join in this work. I will, should such a library be founded, make over to it the best part of my Shaksperian books. I am, Sir, The Brook House, Yours truly, Near Bromsgrove, George Dawson. April 15th, 1861. The proposition was now before the public ; but three more years elapsed before any active steps were taken to give effect to the proposal. In June, 18G3, the Shakspere Club took the project into consideration, and on July 10, a meeting- was held at the Philosophical Institution, Cannon Street, the Rev. Charles Evans in the chair, at which subscriptions were entered into and a committee elected. Mr. J. H. Chamberlain, Mr. George Jabet, and Mr. Samuel Timmins were appointed honorary secretaries. Many donations were promised, and at the meeting of the Town Council, August 4, the Mayor (Mr. Charles Sturge,) read a letter addressed to him by the secretaries of the Shakspere Tercentenary Celebration Com- mittee, applying for the grant of a room in the Central Refer- ence Library for the reception of editions of Shakspere's works. The letter was referred to the Free Libraries Committee, with instructions to report to the Council thereon. The Committee reported on November 24, stating that they had considered the application, and had had an interview with a deputation from the Shakspere Memorial Committee, from whom they received a statement of their requirements, as follows : — 1. A room to be specially applied for the deposit of books, consisting of the various editions of Shakspere's Works, and the literature, etc., to which they have given rise. 2. Such Library to be placed under the same regulations as the Free Reference Library. 3. The Library to be maintained and augmented by the Free Library Committee, and all works purchased by them of the same class, to be arranged in the Shakspere Memorial Library. THE SHAKSPERE MEMORIAL LIBRARY. 351 4. The Library to be called the " Shakspere Memorial Library." 5. That the Shakspere Committee shall, if their funds allow, decorate the room in an appropriate manner. The Committee had conferred with their architect, and were of opinion that the room shown on the plans of the Central Library as the librarian's room, and entered from the Reference Library, might be appropriated for the Shaksperian Library, and was well suited for the purpose : the dimensions of the room would be 20 ft. by 17 ft. G in., and 12ft. high. The adaptation of this room to the proposed purpose, would necessitate an additional expen- diture of £-10, and a further sum of £50 would be required for providing fittings and decorations, superior to those specified in the contract. The Committee recommended that this room be exclusively appropriated for the purpose proposed, and that they be authorized to accede to the stipulations of the Shakspere Committee, and take all necessary measures for carrying their recommendations into effect, proper accommodation for the librarian being provided in another part of the building. The Council approved of the recommendation ; and on the 3rd of May, 1804, the Mayor (Mr. W. Holliday,) informed the Council that on Saturday, the 23rd of April, the Shak- spere Memorial Library Committee presented to him, on behalf of the Council, a collection of books (to be con- siderably increased,) comprising numerous valuable editions and works in elucidation of the poet and his writings. The presentation was accompanied by the following address, which will more fully explain the nature of the gift, and the conditions upon which it comes into the possession of the Council : — To the Worshipful the Mayor and Corporation of the Borough of Birmingham. In pursuance of the course adopted during the last summer by those persons who were anxious to do honor to the memory of Shakspere in the most fitting manner, by founding a Shakspere Memorial Library in Birmingham ; a library which, in itself monumental, should contain each 352 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. edition of Shakspere's works, and as far as it might be possible, include the whole range of Shaksperian literature ; the committee appointed to carry this purpose into effect avail themselves of this, the tercentenary of the birthday of the poet, to present to the. Corporation of Birmingham the works which have been given and purchased for the library up to the present time, a list whereof with the names of the donors, is hereto ap- pended. In addition to the works given, a sum of money, amounting at present to about ,£450, has been subscribed, and from time to time, as occasion offers, will be expended by the Shakspere Memorial Library Committee in the purchase of books to be added to the library, or in such other manner as may seem to them desirable in carrying out the original intention of the founders. It may be desirable to embody in this presentation the terms on which the Committee, acting on behalf of the donors and subscribers, propose to give the collection of books to the Corporation ; which terms, it is understood, have been accepted and agreed to by the Council of the Borough. 1. That a room be specially appropriated for the deposit of the books. 2. That such Library be placed under the same regulations as the Free Reference Library. 3. That such Library be maintained and augmented by the Free Library Committee ; and all works of the same class purchased by them, or by the Shakspere Library Memorial Committee, to be placed and arranged in the Shakspere Memorial Library. 4. That such Library be called " The Shakspere Memorial Library." 5. That the room in which such Library is placed be exclusively appropriated for the purposes thereof. The Committee feel impressed with the conviction that, in thus cele- brating the three hundredth birthday of the man who combined the most profound knowledge of the human heart with the mightiest power of pourtraying its workings ; of the man who added to the most vivid imagination of the poet the most minute observation of nature, and who, by virtue of this wonderful combination, has perfected works teeming with delight and instruction to mankind, they have laid the foundation of no temporary or ephemeral work, but have begun to found an insti- tution which, by combining in one spot the numerous editions of the poet's works, and the literature which has sprung from this fruitful source, will draw to it for many succeeding generations all students of Shakspere — an ever increasing band — from all parts of the world. It is the strength of this conviction which has determined the Com- mittee to associate this Memorial Library with the Birmingham Cor- poration ; feeling assured that while the town of Birmingham continues to exist, it will be a pride and a pleasure to the Council of the Borough to maintain, support, and increase the Shakspere Memorial Library. THE SHAKSPERE MEMORIAL LIBRARY. 353 To you, then, as representatives of the borough of Birmingham, we now present the books already collected, requesting your acceptance thereof on behalf of the town. Signed on behalf of the Committee, Geo. Jabet, Saml. Timmins, John Henry Chamberlain, Honorary Secretaries. To the foregoing address, the Mayor replied in the following terms : — Gentlemen, — On behalf of the Corporation, and in the name of the town of Birmingham, I accept with cordial thanks this munificent proof of your goodwill to your fellow-citizens. Your gift will, I am sure, be welcomed by all, not only on account of its intrinsic value, or because it is prompted by such a considerate and intelligent sympathy with the intellectual wants of this town, but also because it is an evidence that we have among us a confederation of scholars and thinkers in whom the pursuit of Literature is at once the cause and the effect of manly and liberal sentiment, and of a generous zeal for extending to others that which has proved a delight and an ornament to themselves. That the propriety of the occasion might be a still further commendation of your gift, you have presented it on that day when every Englishman has a right to feel more than usually proud of his country — a day on which, through- out the length and breadth of this land, every man who has the slightest tincture of education feels his heart beat higher within him, when he remembers that he is the countryman of William Shakspere. Of the many ways in which men have proposed to celebrate this day, it seems to me that this one, which you have originated, is the most rational and the most expressive of those feelings which this great anniversary inspires ; for you do not seek to immortalise one whose immortality was achieved long before we were born, nor have you sought to describe or to extol in words that universal genius whose excellence eclipses all praise ami " beggars all description ; " but you have put into our hands the means of entering still more deeply into that inexhaustible treasury of thought and observation, of wit and fancy, of tenderness and grandeur ; and not only so, but you have enabled us to make a yet larger number to partici- pate in this intellectual heritage. Gentlemen, the municipal body, who are the guardians of the peace and welfare of this town, have had their duty set before them this day in its noblest and most genial aspect; for they are reminded that it is their duty to encourage everything which can tend to refine the taste, to enlarge the conceptions, and to exalt the aims of the working classes. As for myself, gentlemen, I beg you to believe that I shall ever hold it a great honour and privilege to have presided on such an occasion as the present, and 1 shall continue to 351 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. remember with pleasure that my year of office was associated with the name of Shakspeare, and with the good work which you have performed to his honour. The Mayor added that on that occasion he had the honour of entertaining a large number of the Magistrates, the Town Council, and other influential inhabitants at breakfast at the Royal Hotel, and could truly say that he never presided over or took part in the proceedings of an assembly which began and ended in a more satisfactory or instructive manner. The meeting was addressed by T. C. S. Kynnersley, Esq., Rev. Dr. Miller, Mr. R. W. Dale, Mr. George Dawson, M. D. Hill, Esq., Mr. George Jabet, Alderman Osborne, and Mr. S. Timmins. In their report, presented to the Council on September 5, 1865, the Free Libraries Committee said : — " A communication having been received from the Shaks- pere Memorial Library Committee, expressive of its regret at finding the room appropriated by the Council for the reception of their library both too small and insufficiently lighted, and requesting that the room immediately beneath it — which, it is urged, is in all respects far more suitable — may be devoted to that purpose instead ; that as the books of the Shakspere Library will be protected by glass cases, it will be no objection that the lower room is not under the immediate inspection of the librarian ; and the Library being of a monumental character, many persons will desire to see it who will not require the use of the books for the purposes of study. Your Committee, having fully considered the application, are of opinion that the lower room will be a more fitting depository for the Shaksperian collection than the one originally proposed, and that the latter room may be more conveniently used in connection with the Reference Library, with which it communicates, — therefore recommend that they be authorized to comply with the application." This recommendation was also approved by the Council. In 1868, the Committee reported that, in accordance with the deed of gift, the Town Council had provided a suitable room for the Shakspere Library in the Central Reference THE SHAKSPERE MEMORIAL LIBRARY. 355 and Lending Libraries; and after various unavoidable delays, the Shakspere Library was opened to the public by the Mayor, Mr. Thomas Avery, on the 23rd of April, 1868. In the evening a banquet was given by his Worship in celebration of an event reflecting so much honor on the town, and in recognition of the generous labours of the Shakspere Memorial Library Committee, consisting of his Worship the Mayor, M. D. Hill, Esq., Q.C., Rev. S. Bache, Rev. G. D. Boyle, Mr. J. T. Bunce, Mr. J.H. Chamberlain, Mr. George Daws, m, Mr. Sebastian Evans, Rev. Charles Evans, Dr. Bell Fletcher, Mr. James Freeman, Mr. W. Harris, Dr. Heslop, Rev. T. N. Hutchinson, Dr. Ingleby, John Jaffray, Esq., Mr. George Jabet, Mr. G. J. Johnson, Mr. J. A. Langford, Thomas Lloyd, Esq., Mr. Thomas Martineau, Mr. William Martin, Mr. C. E. Mathews, Mr. Arthur Ryland, Mr. George Shaw, Mr. W. L. Sargant, Mr. J. H. Stack, Mr. Samuel Timmins, Mr. Edmund Tonks, and Rev. Charles Vince. In addition to the donations of money and books, a sub- scription was commenced on the 23rd of April, 1868, which amounted to more than £50 per annum, to be devoted to the purchase of books. On the same day, special donations were given for the completion of the oak carving on the book-cases, cornices, and panels of the door. The generous donation by Charles Knight, Esq., of more than a hundred volumes, used in the preparation of his various editions of Shakspere; of a copy of the Fourth Folio, by Messrs. Henry Sotheran and Co.; of the fac-simile of the First Folio, by Howard Staunton, Esq. ; of an original quarto Henry V. (1(508), and other volumes, by J. O. Halliwell, Esq. ; of Boydell's splendid folio Shakspere, by the late James Hunt, Esq. ; of Knight's Pictorial Shakspere, by the Birmingham Book Club; of the Shakspere Society's publications, by Sebastian Evans, Esq, ; of Memorials of the Tercentenary, by Samuel Whitfield, Esq.; the purchase by the Shakspere Committee of Halliwell's magnificent folio edition in sixteen volumes, and of many other rare and valuable books, have already made the Library so successful, that in the words of Mr. Charles Knight, it already " realizes 356 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. the best idea of honouring the memory of the greatest of England's sons." The Shakspere books number (December, 18G8) : — No. of English. Editions. Vols. Editions of the Works of Shakspere 71 469 Separate Plays and Poems 87 Shaksperiana 439 995 French : Editions of the Works of Shakspere 4 31 Separate Plays and Poems 9 Shaksperiana 24 64 German : Editions of the Works of Shakspere 7 63 Separate Plays and Poems 15 Shaksperiana 98 176 Italian : Shaksperiana 3 Dutch : Shaksperiana 1 1239 The following are among the principal editions of the works of Shakspere now in the library : — The First Folio of 1623, photo-lithographed under the direction of H. Staunton ; the Fourth Folio, 1685 ; Pope's, 1725 ; Capell's, 1767 ; Hanmer's, 1770 ; Johnson and Steven's— 2d, 1768— 3rd, 1785— 4th, 1793 —5th, 1803— 6th, 1813 ; Bell's, 1788 ; Ayscough's, 1790 ; "theBoydell" 1802 ; Wood's, 1806 ; Malone and Boswell's, 1821 ; Chalmer's, 1823 ; Valpy's, 1832-34 ; Knight's "Pictorial," 1843 ; Collier's, 1853 ; Knight's "Stratford," 1856 ; Dyce's, 1857 ; Staunton's 1858-60; White's (Boston U. S.), 1861 ; C. and M. C. Clarke's, 1864 ; Keightley's, 1864 : Marsh's " Beference," 1864 ; HalliweU's, 1853-65 ; the " Cambridge," 1863-66 ; Bowdler's, 1867 ; Dyce's, 1867. At the annual meeting of the committee, donors, and subscribers, held on April 23, 1869, the following report was presented : — £1 3 2 10 6 10 THE SHAKSPERE MEMORIAL LIBRARY. 357 In accordance with the presentation deed to the Town Council, the donors and subscribers are presented with the following report on the occasion of the first meeting after the formal opening of the Shakspere Memorial Library. At the last meeting in April, 1868, a subscription was commenced, and the amount promised for the year 1868-69, and now nearly collected, reached ,£50 ; and it is believed that as the interest and value of the library becomes more known, the annual income, as well as the donations of books, will continue to increase. Not only was this subscription for the purchase of books commenced, but si>ecial donations were given for the completion of the carving in the library room. Since the last meeting of the Committee the following carving has been done by Mr. Barfield, viz. : — Several elbows to bookcases, twenty capitals to standards of ditto, foliage in cornice over door, and the carving to the moiddings of archi- trave round the door, the cost being as follows, viz. : — Cost of each elbow and capital over Cornice above door ..... Upper part of Architrave Sides of Architrave (£3 5s. each) . Colonel Eatcliff having offered to pay the cost of carving the large panel over the door, a design has been made for it by Mr. Barfield. This design is now fixed to the panel in question for inspection. The mould- ings of the cornice are still unfinished, and about £12 is wanted to com- plete them ; and the Committee would also be glad of donations towards the finishing of the carving to the standards by the door, and particularly to the angles of the room. During the year a large number of French and German Shaksperean works have been purchased and included in the catalogue, which forms part of the Reference Library Catalogue, but which will hereafter be printed separately by the generous offer of Messrs. Corns and Bartleet. In France, Germany, and the United States great interest has been shown in the foundation and progress of the Library. The Chevalier de Chatelain, M. Emile Deschamps, M. Daffray de la Mornay have contributed various French Shaksperean works. The German Shaksperean Society of Weimar, through the secretary, M. Schaeffer, have presented some valuable volumes, and have promised more hereafter. The following is a translation of the letter sent and the reply returned : — Weimar, 6th July, 1868. By the orders of the Council of the German Shakspere Society of Weimar, the undersigned has the honor of transmitting, through the kind mediation of the house of Williams and Norgate, of London, to the Shakspere Library of Birmingham, the Shakspere Jahrbuch (vols. 1 to 3), so far as at present published, as a mark of the interest the society lakes in the endeavours of the latter institution. The German Shakspere 358 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. Society will further do itself the honor of presenting to you the new translation of the Shaksperean dramas, now in the course of publication by George Beimer, of Berlin, as soon as it shall be complete. It will appear in twelve volumes, of which two volumes are out. Wishing yo.u an active participation of all lovers of Shakspere in your endeavours, I am, yours respectfully, By order, L. Scha.effer, Secretary. Mr. J. H. Chamberlain, Secretary to the Shakspere Library, Birmingham. Christ Church Buildings, Sir, Birmingham. We have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your very kind and courteous letter, accompanying the three volumes of the " Year Book," presented to our Memorial Library by the Council of your society. Permit us, on the behalf of the Shakspere Memorial Library Committee, to thank your Council for its liberality, and to assure you that we very highly value these proofs of the interest taken by your Society in our endeavour to raise a worthy and lasting monument to our great poet. We have the honor to be, most faithfully yours, Samuel Timmins and J. H. Chamberlain, Honorary Secretaries. In America, Mr. R. Grant White has greatly assisted the Library by procuring an insertion of a drawing of the room in Harper's Weekly Newspaper, and by his earnest appreciation of the value of the memorial. The fame of the Library has been spread in Italy by the advocacy of the veteran Shakspereans, Mr. aud Mrs. Cowden Clarke. "Our Shakspere Club" has made its annual donation of a Shaksperean work, the one chosen being " A Midsummer Night's Dream," with 24 silhouettes by P. Konewka and A. Vogel. During the year 200 volumes have been added to the library, of which 50 have been presented. The additions made to the Library in 1809, were thus recorded in the report presented at the annual meeting on April 23,1870:— In accordance with the Presentation Deed to the Town Council of Birmingham, the Honorary Secretaries have prepared the following report to the subscribers, assembled at the annual meeting, on the 23rd of April, 1870, in the Library Room : — Although no important money donations have been received during the year, the annual subscriptions have increased from .£'50 7s. in 1868, to £74 lis. in the years 1868-9 and 1869-70, and with the balance in hand, have enabled the Honorary Secretaries to increase the Library by THE SHAKSPERE MEMORIAL LIBRARY. 359 the addition of numerous and valuable works, a summary of which is appended to this report, and also a summary of the classes of books now forming the Library. The amount expended in the purchase of books during the year is ,£291 14s. 8d., and as the whole expenses of management (excepting small amounts, about £5, for stationery and postages,) are defrayed by the Free Libraries Committee, nearly every shilling of the income is expended in the purchase of books. The recent sale of a fine collection of Shaksperiaiia, by Messrs. Sotheby, Wilkinson, and Hodge, of London, has enabled the Honorary Secretaries to enrich the Library by the jmrchase of 100 volumes, all in fine condition, and many handsomely bound, at a cost of £41 17s., and such an opportunity may not occur again for many years. The funds of the Library would not allow the purchase of the rarer and costlier Shakspereaii works, such as the first folio edition of the plays, which was sold for £360, or the third folio, which sold for £200 ; but it is hoped that such valuable works may be hereafter pre- sented or bequeathed to the only Literary Memorial of Shakspere, the Library, in which they will be reverently preserved for every succeeding age. Although no such costly additions have been made during the year, the Honorary Secretaries are glad to report that so much interest is felt in the progress and increase of the Library, that a proposal has been made to purchase a sjnendid and unsurpassed copy of the first folio at the apparently high price of £520. A fund for this purpose was begun by Mr. Joseph Chamberlain, with a donation of £50, and Mr. Thomas Avery and Mr. Charles Ratcliff promised £20 each ; and the Honorary Secretaries hope, from further promises of donations, that the Shakspere Library may yet secure this magnificent copy of the first collected edition of the whole of Shakspere's Plays. In the meantime the Honorary Secretaries report that fine copies of the second and third folios are now procurable from Messrs. Sotheran and Co., for £65, which they recom- mend to be purchased by a special fund. The donations of books have been numerous during the year, and a list thereof is appended to this report. Some idea may be formed of the interest felt in the Shakspere Library by the presentation of five hand- some volumes of a Polish translation of the plays, by M. Josef Poznanski, of Warsaw ; by the gift of an excellent bust of Shakspere, carved from a fragment of Heme's Oak, in Windsor Forest ; and accompanied by a volume appropriately bound in oak from the same tree, presented by Mr. William Bragge, C.E., of Sheffield ; and also by the presentation of a portrait of Shakspere, which has just been received from Mr. Joseph Lilly, the eminent Shaksperean bookseller, of Garrick Street, London. "Our Shakspere Club," which took the first public steps for the formation of the Library, has made its annual presentation a copy of a rare and valuable work, " Harding's Illustrations of Shakspere's Plays ; " 360 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. and the President of the club, Mr. George Dawson, although absent from England from ill-health, has presented a very scarce folio of engravings, " Mortimer's Illustrations to Shakspere's Plays." The Free Libraries Committee has spared no pains to keep the Shakspere Library in perfect order, and to render its treasures as acces- sible to students as a regard for due and proper preservation will allow ; but it must be remembered that many of the volumes are so rare that, if lost or damaged, they could not be replaced. ADDITIONS TO LIBRARY, 1869-70. English 688 French . 59 German 386 Italian 36 Bohemian 25 Danish 13 Dutch 10 Frisian 2 Hungarian 11 Polish 5 Spanish 2 Swedish 18 1,255 of which number 111) volumes were presented, 27 were transferred from other departments, and 1,118 were purchased from the Shakspere Sub- scribers' Fund. At this meeting a special fund was commenced for the purchase of copies of the second and third folio editions of Shakspere's Plays. During the year 1870, 1,214 volumes were added to the Shakspere Library. Eighty-five volumes were presented ; 227 removed from the general Reference Library, being the lives of actors, and of the characters in Shakspere's plays, Histories of the Stage, and of Early English Literature ; and 902 volumes were purchased, from funds specially subscribed for the purpose. i^The Library now (January, 1871) contains 3,463 volumes, classified as follows : — Volumes. English Editions of Shakspere's Works . 893 „ Selections » 11 „ Separate Plays and Poems . . 258 „ Shaksperiana .... 900 THE SHAKSPERE MEMORIAL LIBRARY. 30 1 French Editions of Shakspere's Works „ Selections .... „ Separate Plays and Poems „ Shaksperiana .... German Editions of Shakspere's "Works Selections .... Separate Plays and Poems Shaksperiana .... Bohemian Editions of Shakspere's Works Danish Editions of Shakspere's Works „ Selections .... „ Separate Plays and Poems Dutch Selections .... ,. Separate Plays and Poems „ Shaksperiana .... Frisian Selection .... „ Separate Play (I reek (Modern), Separate Plays „ „ Shaksperiana Hungarian Edition of Shakspere's Works Italian Edition of Shakespere's Works „ Selections „ Separate Plays and Poems „ Shaksperiana . Polish Editions of Shakspere's Works Spanish Separate Play „ Shaksperiana Swedish Edition of Shakspere's Works „ Separate Plays and Poems „ Shaksperiana Wallachian Separate Play Welsh Separate Play Total 37 13 3(5 75 327 15 122 400 29 24 5 18 2 27 5 1 1 1 1 12 18 8 6 5 1 1 12 6 4 1 I 3,463 3G2 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. THE FREE ART GALLERY. In a town like Birmingham a Free Art Gallery should be made one of its most useful institutions. The great variety of trades in which design may be profitably introduced, renders it desirable that every effort should be made to cultivate the taste of the workman, and to instruct him in the ait of drawing and designing. As early as 1754, a well- wisher of Birmingham addressed the following- letter to the printer of the Birmingham Gazette, on this important sub- ject :— That Arts and Commerce are the means of putting every Nation into a flourishing and respectable Condition, is now fully proved from the general practice of all Countries, and no people can be more sensible of it than the Inhabitants in and near this Place, who have felt the pleas- ing effects of it. This should put every country upon considering as well how to increase the Number of Manufactures, as also how to improve such Manufactures as have been the general Employment of any par- ticular Time or Place for some Time past. It's supposed the Iron Manufactory hath been a considerable Employ- ment iu this Town for three huudred years past and upwards ; and I have often heard it observ'd that there are at this Time in it some as good working Hands for putting into execution any Plan or Design in the Iron Way, as are to be met with in any other Place ; but they are still wanting in the Art of Drawing and Designing. This is such an Impediment as calls out for a speedy Eelief . It is a Eeproach to the Manufacturers of this Place to have it declared and confess'd that if a Gentleman here wants to be supplied with a Pair of Gates and a few Palisadoes, for his own use, that he must apply to Derby or Warwick to be furnished. If a deficiency in the Art of Drawing and Designing is the great Obstruction to our making a more considerable Figure in the Iron, or any other Manufactory than what we have hitherto done, why is not some Method fix'd upon for improving that Art amongst us ? The People of Birmingham don't want Generosity to encourage any useful Undertaking, when it is promoted upon any rational Principles ; and I dare venture to affirm, that if an Academy or School yas to be set up THE FREE ART GALLERY. 3G3 by Subscription for teaching some Young Persons, under proper Restric- tions, in the Art of Drawing and Designing, and in some parts of Mathe- matical Learning, as have the Appearance of promoting any useful Manufactory, that proper Encouragement will be given to it suitable to the Undertaking. These are the Thoughts of A. B., A well-wisher to Birmingham. Birmigham, Jan. 18th, 1754. It was a long time before this suggestion received the attention which it deserved ; many years had to pass away before we had a School of Design, and many more before we had a Free Art Gallery. The establishment of Free Libraries comprised also an Ait Gallery ; and a room for that purpose formed part of the plan of the Central Library Buildings. At a meeting of the Town Council, held November 22, 1 864, the Mayor read the following letter, offering a Picture by Mr. Coleman, as a donation to the Gallery of Art : — Birmingham, 21st November, 1864. Dear Mr. Mayor, "We have the pleasure of informing you and, through you, the Council of the Borough, that the liberality of a number of gentlemen has enabled us to secure for the town a fine Picture of Dead Game, by one of our most eminent local artists, the late Mr. Edward Coleman, for many years in the collection of Mr. R. G. Reeves, recently deceased. The erection of a Gallery of Art, which the Council, with great wisdom and liberality, have sanctioned, seemed to invite such contributions as that we have the honor of presenting ; and considering that the occu- pations of many of the people of Birmingham have a direct connection with ;i knowledge of the fine arts, it is to be hoped that the Gallery may soon be enriched with a collection of pictures that will not only be a representation of the skill of local artists, but may be the means of educating the tastes of those upon whom the reputation of Birmingham manufactures chiefly depends. Requesting you will accept the Picture by Mr. Coleman as a donation to the Gallery of Art, We are, dear Mr. Mayor, Yours faithfully, Charles R. Cope, John J affray, Peter Hollins. To the Mayor of Birmingham. The report of the Libraries Committee, presented to the Council on November 28th, 1805, states, that an offer had 3G4 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. been received from the Birmingham Society of Arts, to deposit in the Art Gallery several valuable pictures belong- ing to the society, all, excepting one, being by celebrated artists of the English School, upon the following terms, viz.: — That, as the pictures cannot be alienated, they are to be lent to the Council ; and all, or any one of them, to be returned at any time, if required by the Society of Arts: The Council to insure from fire. The two largest pictures, it is stated, require a little expense to be incurred in setting up and repairing the canvas, which, as the funds of the Society are very low, it is hoped that the Council will not object to incur, the frames being all complete. They also reported that they had received, through William Scholefield, Esq., M.P., from the Lords of the Com- mittee of Council on Education, an offer of six pictures, belonging to the Science and Art Department, which will be forwarded whenever the Council may desire them for exhibition. The Council authorized the Committee to accept the foregoing, and such other loans of pictures and works of art as may be offered to them for exhibition in the Gallery of Art, upon such terms and conditions as the Committee in their discretion might deem fit. The Gallery was re-opened to the public on the 1st of August, 18G7, and included Mr. E. H. Henshaw's fine picture, " An Old Oak Tree, Forest of Arden," presented by the Art Gallery Association ; the seven pictures deposited by the Birmingham Society of Arts ; Weigall's portrait of the Right Hon. C. B. Adderley, M.P., painted by order of the Town Council ; F. W. Hulme's " An English Lane Scene," presented by Mr. J. Coppock; seven pictures, presented by Mr. E. Everitt; " Dead Game," by E. Coleman, presented by subscription ; " Hortensia," by C. Le Brun, presented by Mr. B. Johnson ; Portrait of Joseph Sturge, presented by Mrs. Sturge ; Land- scape, by Bond ; and the Publications of the Arundel Society, by purchase. The following, deposited by the Birmingham and Midland Institute :— " The Banditt's Home," by J. V. Barber ; " Morning," by J. V. Barber ; " Gipsies, Hereford- shire," by J. V. Barber ; " Llyn Idwal," by S. Lines ; "Burning THE FREE ART GALLERY. 365 of York Minster," by H Harris; "The Poacher," by W. Underhill ; Portrait of David Cox, by Sir J. W. Gordon ; Portrait of A. Ryland, Esq., by Sir J. W. Gordon ; Portrait of Samuel Lines, Esq., by W. T. Roden. There were also several pictures which were lent for exhibition by their respective owners. In 18G8, the loan of a very fine collection of armour, jewellery, and other art workmanship from South Kensing- ton, increased the attractions of the Art Gallery, so as greatly to increase the number of visitors. In their report for this year the committee desire to record their strong sense of the very handsome manner in which the loan from South Kensing- ton was granted ; the cost and care of transit, the providing of cases for the exhibition and the arrangement of the articles, being all undertaken by the South Kensington authorities, and carried out most effectively by their officer, G. Wallis, Esq. The committee also reported that the Albert Statue Com- mittee, having no appropriate site for the out-door location of Mr. Foley's fine statue of the late Prince Consort, had deposited it in the Art Gallery, where for some months it had been the object of special attraction, having been admired by thousands of persons, the labouring classes, who crowded in at their dinner hour and other leasure time in large num- bers, evincing great interest in it. The bust of David Cox, by P. Hollins, Esq., the cost of which was defrayed by pub- lie subscription, and which had been presented to the Cor- poration, had been transferred from the care of the Council of the Midland Institute to the Art Gallery. The bust of M. D. Hill, Esq., by Hollins, ordered by the Corporation, in commemoration of his services for many years as Recorder of the borough, had also been placed in the Art Gallery. At the Town Council Meeting, held February 11, 1868, the Free Libraries Committee submitted the following letter from the worshipful the Mayor, notifying his desire to present to the Art Gallery a marble bust of the late William Scholefield, Esq., M.P., an offer which the committee had gladly accepted ; — 366 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. Borough of Birmingham, Mayor's Office, January 1st, 1868. My dear Sir, I have the honour of informing you that it is my wish to present to the Art Gallery a bust of the late Mr. William Scholefield, M.P., in commemoration of his eminent public services in the administration of the local affairs of the borough, and subsequently as one of its represen- tatives, for a period of twenty years, in the Imperial Parliament. I have communicated with Mr. Peter Hollins, and am assured by him that there is every probability that a lifedike and correct resemblance can be obtained. If your committee favour me by accej^ting this jjroposal, I will imme- diately take the necessary measures for carrying it into effect. I have the honor to remain, my dear Sir, Yours faithfully, Thomas Avery, Mayor. Mr. Alderman Osborne, Chairman of the Free Libraries Committee. The committee had also received the following letter from Elijah Walton, Esq., offering to present to the Ait Gallery three valuable pictures of scenes in the Dolomite Moun- tains : — Westbourne Lodge, Staines, Middlesex, January 14th, 1868. Sir, I shall be obliged if you will inform the Town Council that I desire to present to them, for the jmblic Art Gallery, three large oil pictures, which I have lately painted, of views in the Dolomite Moun- tains, and which were exhibited in London last summer. These paintings are the largest and most important works I have pro- duced ; and I wish to present them to my, native town as an acknowledge- ment of the aid and encouragement I received from kind friends there in my youth, and of my obligations to the School of Art, in New Street. If these paintings be the means of encouraging the young students to persevere in an art so truly elevating to the mind, I shall be glad indeed. I have mentioned to my friend, Arthur Byland, Esq., some suggestions as to the hanging of the paintings, and their transmittance, if the Council accept them, and which he will submit to the Committee, having the care of the Art Gallery ; and I would add that it would be as well, if pos- sible, to put glass before the pictures, in order to preserve them from the damaging influence of the dust and smoke unavoidable in a manufactur- ing town. I subjoin the particulars of the pictures. I am, Sir, your obedient Servant, Elijah Walton. T. Avery, Esq., Mayor of Birmingham. THE FREE ART GALLERY. 3G7 No. 1. — " Monte Marmorolo," scene from Val dAuronzo, Italy. Size 9 feet by 6 feet. No. 2. — " Monte Tofana," as seen from above Cortina d'Ampezza, Tyrol, Austra. Size, 6 feet by 4 feet. No. 3. — " Monte Civita and Largo dAllegho," Size, 9 feet by 6 feet. To this the Mayor returned the following reply : — January 17th, 1868. Sir, Mr. Alderman Byland has forwarded to me your communication of the 14th instant, proposing to present three large and valuable oil pictures to the Public Art Gallery of this town. I have now the honour of acknowledging this noble and generous proposal, and will take the earliest opportunity of submitting your letter to the Town Council. In the meanwhile, I may express my conviction that the paintings will be accepted by the Town Council, and by the public at large, with sentiments of grateful appreciation. I have the honour to remain, Sir, Your most obedient Servant, Thomas Avery, Mayor. Elijah Walton, Esq. The Committe also appended a letter from C. R. Cope, Esq., offering to present to the Corporation one of the pictures lent by him for exhibition in the Gallery last year; and recommending that they be authorized to accept the foregoing offers, and to cause the pictures to be framed, and to take such measures for the preservation thereof as they may deem necessary. Metchley House, Edgbaston, January 28th, 18GS. Dear Sir, I shall be glad to have the two large pictures I lent to the Art Gallery returned to me as soon as convenient. The third picture, " Fish," by Moses Haughtou, I wish to present to the town for the Art Gallery, as it is a good specimen of one of the best artists our town has produced, and particularly of those whom the art of japanning brought out. I am, dear Sir, Y^ours truly, T. Standi iridge, Esq., Charles R. Cope. Town Clerk. The report was approved, and the thanks of the Council voted to the donors of the pictures. 368 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. In September, 18G8, R L. Chance, Esq., presented to the Art Gallery a fine picture by H. J. Johnson, entitled " The Rock of Gibralter;" and in August, 18G9, supplemented this handsome gift by presenting two valuable and interest- ing works, viz. : " The Edge Hills, from Burton Dasset," by C. T. Burt, and " Paddy Preparing his Ammunition," by A. Gunn. Mr. P. Cormouls presented, in September, 1869, " The Old Gravel Pit," by W. W. Gill. In July, 1869, the Committee, in reply to a joint applica- tion made by them and the Society of Arts, received from the Secretary of State for India, from the Government Museum, a collection of Indian workmanship, on loan to the town. This fine collection was exhibited in the Art Gallery, and from a descriptive Guide, prepared by Mr. W. C. Aitken for the School of Art, we select the following information : — The Corporation Free Art Gallery was opened to the public on the 1st of August, 1867. Since that time nearly one third of a million of visits have been paid to it, and it is very gratifying to know, chiefly by artisans. To give accurate figures, the number (if visits up to the 12th of February 1870, amounted to 332,360, made up as follows : — From August 1 to December 31st, 1867 - 34,560 From January 1 to December 31st, 1868 196,703 From .January 1 to December 31st, 1869 93,225 From January 1 to February 12th, 1870 7,872 Total - - 332,360 The average attendance over the period (deducting Sundays, on which day the Gallery is not open,) reaches 418 per day. The large excess of visits paid in 1868 is attributable to the introduction, in that year, of the Albert Statue, and a loan of very attractive objects from the South Kensington Museum, borrowed by the Committee of the Birmingham School of Art, and by permission of the Free Art Gallery Committee exhibited in the Gallery. This collection attracted crowds of artisan visitors. In order to show how materially the attendance to the Gallery is increased by the introduction of new objects, eight months have been selected in which the Gallery was dependent only on its permanent attractions, i.e., pictures, &c. ; the attendance averaged only 143 visits per day. THE FKEE ART GALLERY. 3G9 The Albert Statue on its Lntroduc- 711 — total number of visits 74,596 324 — total to February 12th 20,404 tiou, and for four months there- after, raised the attendance to, per day The South Kensington Loan, 7i ~| 774 — total number of months open, to, per day j visits 159,820 The East India Collection for three months, from November 11th, 1869, to February 12th, 1870 (still open), to, per day If a proof may be given as to the increased interest felt by the public in the examination of objects of art and taste, we have the means of comparison — by contrasting the numbers who visited a loan collection from South Kensington, open for three months in the Athenaeum Eooms, Upper Temple Street, in the months of February, March, and April, 1855. During that period the total number of visits paid was only 12,711 ; but, as has been already stated, the Loan Collection in the Art Gallery, 1868-9, open 7i months, shows a total of 159,820 visits paid, which dis- tinctly proves a growing interest in such exhibitions, and the importance of maintaining such an institution as the Corporation Free Art Gallery of Birmingham. It also proves how the introduction of new objects, by gift and loan, increases and whets the desire to visit such places of amuse- ment and instruction. To encourage the growth of taste, it is essential that those who are expected to produce the beautiful shall be surrounded by what is beautiful. Taste is retarded or advanced ; it " grows by what it feeds upon." Continental taste is the result of Free Art Galleries ; and the abuse which has been heaped wholesale on the ornamental manufactures of Birmingham, may be traced to the absence (until recently) of any collection of objects calculated to increase and cultivate the (esthetic faculties of its artisan population. The absence of such means of education has been dearly paid for locally, and has cost more in the aggregate than the maintenance of a dozen Art Galleries. Accepting the Free Art Gallery as one of the institutions of the town, a worthy pendant to the very successful Free Beference and Lending Libraries, and Beading Booms, it becomes a matter of great importance that its contents should be added to, and its usefulness be thereby in- creased. The liberality of local possessors of works of art will, no doubt, by their gifts and loans in the future, help its success. From public collections such as the South Kensington Museum we have a right to claim loans. In time coming there is yet another source from which aid may be demanded. On good authority we are told that, " If the Government made a national collection of the superfluities known to be in existence, there might be many separate collections of works of art for distribution A A 370 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. in the provinces." The Turner bequest forms one of the elements of the national collections ; apart from his finished works there were included in his bequest the contents of seven cases, containing in all 19,000 sketches or studies. Mr. Ruskin selected "four hundred of the most characteristic, and had them framed, glazed, and cabinets constructed for them, which would admit of their free use by the public." Where are these drawings ? On the 19th of July, 1869, on the occasion of the vote for the Educational Supplies being put in the House, in answer to a question asked by Lord Henry Lennox respecting the distribution of the superfluities of the National Collections, a reply was given by a Lord of the Treasury, ' that two collections of Turner drawings had been chosen, and would be estab- lished in Dublin and Edinborough.' " The Provinces were passed over, and will be, until united action is taken by members of Parliament, and a Bund be formed by them to demand from the Lords of the Treasury the immediate selection of the superfluities from the national collections, the formation therefrom of one collection, its division, and the distribu- tion of the parts to localities, in order to aid the public generally, and the art and special industries practiced in each. In this way alone can strict justice be done as regards the proper distribution of works of art to provincial Free Art Galleries — that of Birmingham being specially included. But the Corporation Free Art Gallery has yet another claim to permanence. Viewed as a place of amusement, apart from the instruction to be derived, it has probably supplied the best public test as to the good behaviour of those who paid the 332,360 visits to it. Of all the visitors, it has been found necessary to expel only one. Not one single object gifted or lent has been injured ; the utmost order and propriety has been observed, even when the gallery has been thronged, as at Christmas and Easter holidays. And it is satisfactory to know that the students, male and female, who have, by permission, made copies from one or two pictures in the gallery, have been allowed to continue their painting without interruption, or interference from being overlooked. The catalogue which Mr. Aitken prepared gives some useful and interesting information concerning many of the pictures exhibited in the Art Gallery. ' The portrait of C. Jennens, Esq., of Gopsall, Leicestershire, lent by C. H. Bracebridge, Esq., is introduced in the following brief but excellent sketch, and the old worthy is thereby made to live again for the pleasure of the visitor to the gallery : — The subject of this portrait was born in 1698, died November, 20th, 1773, aged 75. He was a Nonconformist gentleman, who is said to have accumulated a fortune amounting to three millions of money. He was a THE FREE ART GALLERY. 371 gentleman of considerable literary taste, was the friend of Handel, and is said to have written the words for the Oratorios, the " Messiah" and " Belshazzar," composed by the great musician. He commenced an edition of Shakspere's works in 1769, and published " King Lear," " Hamlet," " Othello," and " Julius Coesar ; " but becoming entangled in a discussion with Stevens and Johnson, the publication ceased. He lived in right royal magnificence, was a munificent patron of the arts ; and it is said, when he resided in London, he drove to correct his proofs, from Great Ormond Street, Bloomsbury, to his printer's, in Red Lion Passage, Fleet Street, " in a four-horse carriage with four lackeys. On arriving at the Passage he descended from his coach, and was preceded by a servant, whose business it was to clear away oyster shells, and any other obstacle that might impede his passage." His connection with Birmingham may be traced to his renting Erdington Hall and the water mills in its vicinity, from the Holtes of Aston (the mills, or others since erected on their site, are now known as Rollason's Boiling Mills). Mr. Jennens was buried near Coleshill. Of his immense fortune (by his will, which is given by Nichols,) he left the great portion to his sister's son, William Penn Assheton Curzon, and in default to the heirs of his godson, Charles Finch, second son of Heneage, Earl of Aylesford. His property eventually passed into the Howe family, by his nephew, William Penn Curzon. The last-named inherited the pictures, engravings, statues, library of books, plate, etc., at Gopsall. His music books and instruments were left to the Earl of Aylesford, to be considered as heirlooms of the family. It was commonly believed that Mr. Jennens died without heirs. This delusion was kept up for many years ; even within the last two years, letters have appeared in the Birmingham newspapers from would-be -claimants of the Jennens estate and wealth. By his will munificent legacies were left to be devoted to charitable purposes. — See Schcelc/ier's Life of Handel, Biographical Dictionary, by Stephen Jones, Letter of C. H. Bracebridge, Esq., etc. Of Henry Wyatt, the painter of " Juliet," presented by the Birmingham School of Art and Design, we learn that " on the death of his parents, Wyatt resided at Handsworth, with his guardian, son-in-law of Egginton, celebrated as a glass painter. This evidently determined the choice of his pro- fession as an artist ; he went to London in 1811 ; studied at the Royal Academy, and in the studio of Sir Thomas Lawrence, from 1817 to 1819 ; painted portraits in Bir- mingham ; died in Manchester, February 27, 1840." Moses Haughton, painter of the Group of Fish, presented by C. R. Cope, Esq., was in early life engaged in the decoration of 372 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. japanned and papier-mache wares, and worked for Mr. Clay, whose manufactory was in New Hall Street, and who held the appointment of japanner in ordinary to George III. He was one of the successful manufacturers of this town who filled the office of High Sheriff of Warwickshire. Haughton eventually essayed art, and became celebrated for his examples of ' still life.' A tablet is erected to his memory under the organ gallery in St. Philip's Church, Birmingham." The notice of the picture (Landscape), " Morning," by J. V. Barber, another local artist, furnishes us with the follow- ing facts of his life : — Principally engaged as a teacher of drawing, the late T. Creswick, F. H. Henshaw, J. J. Hill, and other artists who have achieved excellence, studied under him. His powers as an artist are well represented by the examples in the Gallery. He was one of the local artists who formed the present Eoyal Birmingham Society of Artists. After retiring from teaching drawing, in 1837, he visited Italy frequently. In his last visit there while sketching in the vicinity of Eome, he exposed himself to the influence of the " malaria" of the Pontine Marshes, caught fever, and died, without one friend to cheer him, at Eome, September 11, 1838 ; Mrs. Barber, on his last visit, being unable through illness to accompany him. His pictures bear evidence " that the end he aimed at, viz., not to create scenes altogether, or to adhere slavishly to the delineation of all parts of those which Nature presents to us," was carried out in his finished works. J. V. Barber was the son of an artist, Joseph Barber, who died 16th January, 1811, and to whose memory a tablet is erected near the entrance door of St. Paul's Church. Of his greater son— whose remains, brought from Eome, were interred in the interior of the same church— there is no visible record. Contemporary local artists admit that he was the best artist and most successful local teacher of art which Birmingham had up to that period produced. His only monument exists in his works. Should this be 1 Our readers will, doubtless, repeat Mr. Aitken's question, " Should this be ?" The group, consisting of dog, dead peacock, swan, fawn, heron, hare, and pheasant, which was presented by subscrip- tion, was painted by the late Edward Coleman, also a Bir- mingham artist. Mr. Coleman is remembered for the fidelity of his portraits. He also painted dead game, etc., with success and ability. The above is an excel- THE FREE ART GALLERY. 373 lent example of his skill in the last-named department of Art. He was the son of a Birmingham artist of no great repute, was born in a house, the site of which is now occupied by the Clarendon Hotel, (corner of Upper Temple Street,) and died in a house in the Crescent, Birmingham, a few years ago. Of Daniel Bond, of this town, who is represented by a landscape, purchased by the Free Libraries Committee, we have the following information : — Bond was in early life engaged as a painter of japanned and papier mache ware, chiefly " tea boards," or trays. He was apprenticed to Mr. Clay, of Birmingham, the original inventor of papier mach6, in England. In connection with his trade as a decorator, Bond studied art, became an artist, and painted landscapes similar in style to the above- named example, which bears the impress of those executed at the period when he painted — i.e., when artists studied their effects at home, not from nature. He studied at the Boyal Academy of London in 1764, and exhibited a picture of " The Angels appearing to the Shepherds," at the Royal Academy, which was severely criticised by the London press. This picture is now in the possession of Mrs. Bhodes, Handsworth, near Birmingham. He was prosperous in the world, and resided in a house still standing in the Hagley Boad. He died in Birmingham, 1804. In 1764 Bond gained a prize of 25 guineas from the London Society of Arts for the second best landscape, and the next year, 50 guineas for the first. " Llyn Idwal, North Wales," is the work of Mr. Samuel Lines, who was born at Allesley, February 7, 1778, and died in Birmingham, November 22, 1863. " Mr. Lines," Mr. Aitken writes, " will be long remembered as a successful teacher of drawing and as a local artist ; many of the manufacturers m this town were his pupils, and received their lessons in drawing at his Academy of Arts, Temple Kow West. His memory is cherished by all who knew him. His remains are interred in St. Philip's Churchyard, opposite the house in which he spent his long and useful life." Mrs. Sturge presented the portrait of the late Joseph Sturge, painted by Mr. J. Barrett ; and of this noble-hearted man we have this brief sketch : — Joseph Sturge, known as a distinguished practical philanthropist, was born at Elberton, Gloucestershire, August 2, 1793. Commenced business as corn merchant at Bewdley, afterwards at Birmingham, where he 374 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. permamently resided. He was an energetic advocate for the abolition of slavery and the corn laws. As a member of the Peace Society, he visited France in 1848, to urge on the Provisional Government (after the flight of Louis Philippe,) the preservation of peace, and the freedom of slaves in its colonies. He visited Bussia in 1854, and presented to the Emperior Nicholas a remonstrance against the prosecution of the war in the Crimea. He died, honoured and respected, 14th May, 1859. The Art Gallery also contains the marble bust of the late David Cox, Esq., artist, subscribed for and presented by the Cox Memorial Committee, by Peter Hollins, V.P.R.B.S.A., Sculptor. Of this glorious painter, Mr. Aitken says — David Cox was born in Birmingham, April 29, 1783 ; died June 7, 1859. His remains lie interred in the churchyard of Harborne. He was celebrated as an artist in oil and water-colours, chiefly the latter, in which he was a master. His works are distinguished for then* fidelity, freedom of execution, breadth of effect, and local truth of colour. They are essentially English, and are universally appreciated by all who recognize a department of art in which England has no equal. He was the son of a white-smith, who lived in Hill Street, and in early life was engaged as scene painter in the theatres of Birmingham and London. He studied art under a miniature painter named Feilder, thereafter under John Varley, one of the early water-colour artists of the English School. The marble bust of Mr. William Scholefield was presented by Thos. Avery, Esq., and is also from the studio of Mr Peter Hollins. Mr. Scholefield was for twenty years one of the Members of Parliament for the Borough of Birmingham. He was eminently distinguished for his kindness, courtesy, and attention to the interests of his constituents, whose views he firmly advocated and consistently maintained. Another local artist, the painter of many delightful pictures, is Mr. C. T. Burt, whose " Edge Hills, from Burton Dasset," was presented by R. L. Chance, Esq. " In addition to the intrinsic value of this picture as a work of art, it is interest- ing as representing a landscape, including the field on which the battle of Edgehill was fought, on Sunday the 23rd of October, 1G42. This battle was the commencement of the Civil War in England, which may be said only to have ended with the death of Charles I. on the scaffold, January 30th, 1649." THE FREE ART GALLERY. 375 We have previously mentioned the three pictures presented by Mr. Elijah Walton. This artist was "born in Birmingham, November 22nd, 1832, he received his early lessons in art at the School of Design, and completed his studies in London ; he is celebrated for his pictures of Alpine and Egyptian scenery, and has produced, from drawings and paintings made by himself, illustrated works on ' The Camel : its Anatomy, Proportion, and Paces,' 1865 ; ' Peaks and Valleys of the Alps,' 1867; 'Clouds, their Forms and Combinations,' 1869 ; 'Flowers from the Upper Alps,' 1869." Mr. Hemy Harris is represented by " The Burning of York Minstu-," presented by W. J. Beale, Esq. Of this painter we an told : — This artist wa^the son of Mr. Harris, a manufacturer of this town, a o-entleman of edicated taste, who resided in Colmore Bow. He was born in Birminghan, 1805, and died in 1865. Studied art under an artist named Bidr, of Leamington. His early works attracted the attention of the Dvmess of St. Albans. By a rich bachelor, of the name of Wilton, he was iduced to visit and study in London, and exhibited at the Boyal Acadeny, where his works were well hung and favourably criticised. An admrer of Gainsborough, Collins, Constable, and Cox, his works breathe th spirit of poetry and beauty of quiet English land- scape, lit up by the e,rly rays of the rising, or the last gleams of the setting sun. That M. Harris would have made a success in dealing with another class o: subjects, " The Burning of York Minster" is a proof. Mr. Harris wa secretary of the Birmingham Society of Artists from 1852 to 1859, anc was one of the then Birmingham artists who originated the present hciety. The fire was the work of an incendiary, named Jonathan Marti, brother of the celebrated artist, John Martin, who painted " Belshazzr's Feast," etc. The fire occurred February 2nd, 1829 ; the damage sustaied was estimated at ,£60,000. We have selected :-om this admirably prepared catalogue, those parts which relr to local men and local events. An exceedingly useful paer on the Indian Collection from the same skilful pen, wa added to the catalogue, which may be read with much prfit and instruction, and fully proves the importance of the V.rt Gallery. The year 1870 wa^-one " of unexampled progress;" and its history is thus recoled in the report of the Committee : — 376 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. "An application to the Trustees of the National Galleiy resulted in the loan of a most valuable and interesting col- lection of drawings and sketches bv the late J. M. W. Turner, the greatest master of English landscape. The Council of the Midland Institute at the same time added to the obliga- tions they had previously conferred upon the Committee, by placing in the Art Gallery their fine collection of drawings illustrative of Warwickshire, comprising admiralle studies by David Cox, De Wint, Westall, Baxter, and otter eminent artists, which they specially had re-framed for the purpose. By the exertions of the Curator, Mr. William Hsll, (to whom the Committee are specially indebted,) man r pictures of merit were borrowed for exhibition ; and the gallery having been thoroughly cleansed and re-decorated, the collection was opened to public view immediately before the Musical Festival, when it attracted an unusually ltfge number of visitors ; and since that time, by additions to the contents of the gallery, the public interest has been iilly maintained, and the value of the collection increased aid demonstrated as a means not only of recreation but of ai education." The great feature of 1870, which resulted in a successful effort to lay the foundation of a Museumof Industrial Art, had a direct bearing upon this object. In June, on the recommendation of tb Art Gallery Sub- Committee, a meeting of gentlemen inteested in art educa- tion, was called, for the purpose of rising funds for the erection of an Art Museum. Negociafons had previously been opened with Mr. Henry Cole, C3., on behalf of the Department of Science and Art, axl with Dr. Forbes Watson, F.R.S.. on behalf of the IndAn Museum ; and in both cases unusually favourable terms ^ere obtained for the purchase of specimens from South Kejsington and from the India collection ; the Science and M Department, on the recommendation of Mr. Cole, consents to bear seventy-five per cent, of the cost of purchases fmn South Kensington ; and the India Department, throughfhe good offices of Dr. Forbes Watson, entered, in all resjjbts, most warmly into the views of the committee. THE FREE ART GALLERY. 377 The meeting above referred to was held on the 14th of June, 1870, when a committee, was appointed to collect funds, to be expended in purchases for the Art Gallery. The efforts of this committee, aided by the Free Libraries Committee, resulted in a subscription of upwards of £1,100. Of this amount, £100 was contributed by the Free Libraries Com- mittee, for . the purchase of specimens from the South Kensington Museum ; £100 by Mr. Jaffray, for a collection of Indian metal work, etc. ; £100 by Mr. W. Middlemore, for Indian textile fabrics ; and £100 each from Messrs. Elkington and Co., Messrs Nettlefolcl and Chamberlain, Messrs. F. and C. Osier, and Mr. Archibald Kenrick ; and £50 each from the Eoyal Birmingham Society of Artists, Mr. G. Dixon, M.P., and Messrs. R. W. Winfield and Co. The other subscribers to this fund were — £25 each from Mr. Alderman T. Avery, Mr. T. Lloyd, and Mr. W. H. Avery; £20 from Lieutenant-Colonel Ratcliff; £10 10s. each from Messrs. Evans and Askin, Mr. J. T. Collins, Mr. Alderman Phillips, and Mr. Councillor Heaton ; £10 each from Messrs. W. Tonks and Son, Mr. T. Kenrick, Mr. A. Field, Mr. C. R. Cope, Mr. J. S. Wright, and Mr. Councillor Baker ; £5. 5s. each from Mr. Councillor Hinks and Mr. J. W. M'Cardie ; £5 each from Messrs. J. Graham and Son, Mr. Councillor J. B. Stone, Mr. Alderman A. Ryland, Mr. George Jabet, Mr. R. F. Martineau, Mr. John Bragg, Mr. J. P. Turner, Messrs. Hopkins and Son, Mr. George Shaw, Mr. C. T. Parsons, Mr. W. Martin, and Messrs. Mams and Norton ; £3 3s. each from Mr. Alderman Manton and Mr. Alderman Yates; £2 2s. each from Mr. Joseph Hatton, Mr. J. A. Langford, L.L.D., Mr. Thos. Prime (Mayor), Mr. Alderman E. C. Osborne, Mr. J. Thackray Bunce, Mr. Councillor Harris, Mr. Councillor Jesse Collings, Messrs. C. Payton and Son, Mr. Councillor Deykin, Mr. Councillor Perks, Mr. Councillor Rolason, Messrs. W. and J. Randel, Messrs. James Hinks and Sons, Mr. C. J. Philip, and Messrs. Watts and Manton ; £1 Is. each from Mr. B. Harris, Rev. C. Evans, M.A., Mr. Councillor Brooke Smith, Mr. S. Timmins, Mr. W. C. Aitken, Mr. W. Pearce, and Mr. J. HiU. 378 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. On behalf of the Corporation, the Chairman of the Free Libraries Committee (Councillor W. Harris,) and the Chair- man of the Art Gallery Sub-Committee (Mr. J. Thackray Bunce,) were appointed to superintend the expenditure of the fund in the purchase of specimens; and the co-operation of two gentlemen to be appointed by the subscribers was requested by the Committee. In compliance with this request, Mr. J. H. Chamberlain and Mr. W. C. Aitken were nominated by the subscribers. The Committee of Selection have already expended a considerable portion of the fund in the purchase of examples of works of art from the South Kensington Museum ; and of Indian carving, metal work, and jewellery, from the India Museum and elsewhere. With respect to these purchases, they acknowledge with sin- cere thanks, the courtesy and liberality of Mr. Henry Cole, C.B., and Dr. Forbes Watson, F.R.S., who manifested the greatest anxiety to further the work undertaken by the Committee. They also purchased a collection of ancient and modern Venetian glass from Messrs. Salviati ; and a collection of English Glass, the productions of Messrs. Barnes, artisan glass-workers, of Birmingham. Many of these speci- mens are now in the gallery, and others are in preparation for exhibition. The remainder of the fund was reserved for the purchase of examples from the International Exhibition of 1871, and for the necessary fittings for the exhibition of works in the gallery. In connection with the Art Gallery, the Committee record- ed their deep sense of obligation to the Board of the General Hospital, to Mr. W. Sharp, Mr. Gillott, and other gentlemen, for loans of valuable pictures, and to Mr. Frederick Elkington, for the loan of a most important collection of Japanese and Chinese enamels, of an extent and excellence, unsurpassed by any in the kingdom. The best reward of the donors and contributors, will be found in the appreciation which the public manifest in the pictures and works of art exhibited. The Art Gallery was never so valuable as it is now, or so useful as a means of cultivation in art knowledge, and in the THE FREE ART GALLERY. 379 influence it is calculated to exert upon those engaged in the various manufactures of the town. The following is the return of the number of persons visiting the Art Gallery in 1870: — No. of No. of Daily Days open. Month. Visitors. Average. 26 - - Jan. - - 6,518 ---- - about 251 24 - - Feb. - - 4,306 .-- - - „ 180 24 - - March - 11,667) Models for Mason Statue f „ 186 25 - - April - - 15,934 j exhibited X » 637 26 - - May - - 7,094 ... - „ 273 25 - - June - - 5,643 - „ 226 13 - - July - - 2,034 - - - * - „ 156 2 - - Aug. - - 5,389 | Musical Festival and f „ 2,919 - 1 „ 605 26 - - Sept. - - 15,726 j the Fair - 26 - - Oct. - - 6,458 --- - „ 248 26 - - Nov. - - 5,775 - - „ 222 6 - - Dec. - - 4,112 - „ 685 249 91,106 366 The present Committee of the under whose management the Fr placed, were: — Free Libraries, [1871] ee Art Gallery is also MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL. NON- Mr. G. B. Lloyd, Mayor. Rev Mr. Councillor W. Harris, Chair- Mr. man. Mr. Mr. Alderman E. C. Osborne. Mr. Mr. Alderman E. Yates. Mr. Mr. Councillor Jesse Collings. Mr. Mr. Councillor J. Hinks. Mr. Councillor W. Perks. Mr. Councillor J. B. Stone, F.G.S. Mr. Councillor J. M. Coppock. Mr. Councillor T. Griffiths. Mr. Councillor R. C. Barrow. -MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL. C. Clarke, F.L.S. John Bragg. Thackray Bunce, F.S.S. G.J. Johnson, F.R.S.L. J. A. Langford, LL.D. S. Timmins, F.R.S.L. We cannot conclude the history of the Free Libraries without calling special attention to the invaluable services rendered by Mr. S. Timmins, who has been a member of the Committee from its first appointment. To his extensive know- 380 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. ledge of books, and to his unceasing attention, the excellence and completeness of the selection of the Library is in a great measure due. The numerous donations of books also which he has made have been most valuable ; and it is especially gratifying to the writer to inform all those who use the Libraries, of the obligation they are under to one who has contributed so much to its success. Nor, we feel pursuaded, will any of his colleagues consider this brief reference to one who has laboured so nobly and so well, to be invidious. APPEARANCE OF THE TOWN. 381 CHAPTER II. 1851—1861. § 7. APPEARANCE OF THE TOWN. In March 1852, the New Workhouse at Birmingham Heath was opened for public inspection. The excitement was very great ; upwards of 8,000 persons visited the build- ing, of which the following is a description : — It was erected from the designs of Mr. Baternan, and the building and grounds cover an area of somewhat more than five acres. It is intend- ed to accommodate 1,610 inmates, including officers ; — viz. : 602 adults, 601 children, 310 in the infirmary, 80 tramps, and 17 officers. The principal features of the plan are the perfect isolation of the various departments ; the complete separation of the classes and sexes in each department. The building is so arranged that every part of it has the 1 tenefit of sunshine during the day ; a matter apparently of trivial im- portance, but really of great advantage in contributing to the health and comfort of the inmates. The site itself is dry and airy, the result in these respects being in strong contrast with the prognostications of those who so vehemently opposed the removal of the Workhouse from Lichfield Street. The building is throughout of two stories, with the exception of the central portion, which consists of three. There is only one entrance to the establishment. On either side are the porter's lodge and apart- ments, the clerk's and assistant clerk's offices, and waiting rooms. On the second floor is a spacious board-room, retiring room, cloak and hat room, and closets. This, however, is altogether apart from the Workhouse proper, which is separated by a court-yard, in front of which are the master's and matron's rooms, so that all persons entering or passing out of I lie establishment may be seen by them. The building is divided into four departments : namely, the adult's, the children's, the infirmary, and (I,,. lrani|i"s. Tin- main portion, which is three stories, is devoted toadull males and females ; a remarkably line corridor, 460 feet long and 10 382 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. wide, open from the floor to the roof, with galleries on the second and third stories, rims from one end of the building to the other. This arrangement affords ample facility for supervision, and the open space promotes the thorough ventilation of the building. The corridor separates the able-bodied paupers from the aged and infirm. The pumps for the supply of water to the establishment are situated near to the able-bodied department, and are worked by hand labour. Separate day rooms and dormitories are provided for each class, with airing yards, lavatories, and other conveniences. Each adult pauper has a separate bed ; all the rooms are well lighted and cheerful ; and everything has been arranged so as to preserve the health and comfort of the inmates.. The classifi- cation and accommodation in this department are : — Infirm and aged men ... 74 Ditto, of better character ... 40 Able men ..... 86 Ditto, disorderly .... 46 Infirm and aged women ... 83 Ditto, of better character ... 60 Able women . . • • 114 Ditto, disorderly .... 83 Aged couples . . . • • 16 Total 602 The average superficial space allotted to each pauper is, in the day rooms, 14 feet, and in the dormitories 30 feet 7 inches. At the back of the female department is the laundry, fitted up with every convenience. The dining hall, which will accommodate about 1000 persons, is over the centre of the corridor, so as to be readily accessible ; and by means of a gallery the officers can overlook the occupants during meal hours. The children's department is isolated from the other portions of the building ; and is surrounded with an air of cheerfulness, comfort, and independence, so as to deprive it as far as possible from all association with pauperism. This department consists of a main building with two wings. The ground floor is devoted to educational purposes, the sexes being kept distinct. There are separate class and work-rooms, which are lofty and airy ; and day rooms are set apart for the boys, girls, and infants, which also serve for play-rooms in wet weather. In these rooms each child has his own seat, which is numbered, with a little box for his play things, and a peg for his hat ; an arragement which tends not only to habits of order, but to excite in the mind a spirit of independence, and habits of providence arising from actual possession. Shoemakers' and tailors' shops are provided for the boys, and work rooms for the girls in the respective yards. There are also spacious lavatories and separate bath rooms for the boys and girls, with plunge and slipper baths attached APPEARANCE OF THE TOWN. 383 to each department, which may be used cold or hot at discretion. Three dining halls are provided — one for children above seven years of age, another for those under seven, and a third for infants. Above are the dormitories. The sleeping accommodation is as follows : — Infants ..... . . 150 Boys Girls • • 176 220 Non-settled and probationary boys g irls • • 25 30 Total children 601 The apartments of the school-master and school-mistress are so placed as to give complete supervision over their respective departments. A wash-house, drying stoves, laundry, &c, adjoin the general washing department, but there is no communication between them. Under each of the wash-houses, which are supplied with hot and cold water, are immense tanks, capable of containing upwards of 20,000 gallons of rain water. At the end of the children's department, and facing the turnpike- road, is the chapel, one of the neatest structures of the kind we have seen. It is in the perpendicular style of architecture, surmounted at the intersection of the transept with a light and elegant bell turret. The interior is fitted up with much taste, and is calculated to accommodate 500 adults and 500 children. The aisles, nave, and chancel are paved with encaustic tiles, presented by Mr. Bateman the architect, and Mr. Minton. The seats are open, and are of stained deal, as is the other wood-work of the establishment. There are galleries in the transepts for the children. The roof is open, supported by six light bronzed pillars. There is an elegant stained-glass window, the gift of the Guardians, Officers of the Parish, and the Contractor. The very elegant altar cloth, was executed and presented by Mr. Bateman's sister. At the opposite end of the house is the Infirmary, which is detached from all the other buddings. It consists of spacious and well ventilated wards for common cases, four convalescent wards, four for idiotic and epileptic cases, nurses rooms, sculleries, water-closets, and bath-rooms ; with separate staircases and airing courts for the different classes. The fever, infection, and lying-in wards are detached from the building. The dispensary and surgeon's rooms occupy the centre of the ground floor. The cost of the Workhouse, including land, building, furniture, &c, amounted to £41,470. The extension of the railways to the centre of the town, and the erection of the Station, were producing great and important changes in the appearance of the town at this 384 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. period. In order to provide the necessary space for the great Station in New Street, an immense number of houses and shops had to be taken down, and the character of this central part of the borough became completely changed. The building of the Station was rapidly progressing. On January 14, the first section of the rib arch for the vast roof was raised : — This roof is of larger dimensions than any other in the world, being 1,080 feet long, with a span of no less than 212 feet across, unsupported by a single pillar except at either side. The rib arches are each composed of three sections, and the weight of each rib is 25 tons. There are no less than forty-five of these in the roof, at distances of 24 feet apart ; and yet notwithstanding their ponderous character, poised at a height of 75 feet from the rails, they look light and fragile. The rapid growth of Birmingham at this period is well illustrated by the return of the new building registered ac- cording to the Act, from January, 1852 to the end of March, 1853, a period of only fifteen months. This return shows : — Houses Chapels Schools Warehouses Manufactories Malthouses . Stables In the beginning of June, the scaffolding was erected for the purpose of taking down the beautiful old spire of St. Martin's Church, which had become unsafe ; and a public subscription was commenced to erect a new one. On the 22nd of July the top of the spire was reached by the workmen and the tail of the weather-cock decorated with ribbons. From the measurements taken on this occasion we learn that the height of the tower was 72 feet 6 inches ; of the spire (exclusive of the cock,) 109 feet 9 inches, or with the cock, 113 feet. The diameter of the clock dial was 9i feet. After a series of delays, arising from difficulties in raising the funds, the foundation of the new spire was laid by the Rev. J. C. Miller on June 20, 1855 ; and on November 22, the topmost 3,620 Sets of Offices 3 5 Flour Mills . 2 3 Saw Mill . 1 20 Foundry 1 20 Sets of Shopping . 13 4 New Shop Fronts 35 8 Alterations and Additions 20 APPEAEANCE OF THE TOWN. 385 stone was laid by Mr. Perkins, Church- warden. There is a slight difference in the height of the new tower as compared with the old one. The new spire (exclusive of cock and cross,) measures 116 feet 3 inches. The height of the present structure is: — tower, 69 feet 1 inch ; spire, 116 feet 3 inches ; cock and cross, 12 feet 5 inches; total height, 197 feet 9 inches. On July 23, the progress of the works at the Central Station in New Street, was thus recorded : — The works at this vast terminus, from which radiate lines to every part of the kingdom, are rapidly proceeding, although notwithstanding that nearly 200 men are employed upon them, Christmas will have ar- rived before they are altogether completed. The building will contain no less than 122 rooms and offices, including a magnificent refreshment room, about 73 feet long by 34 feet broad, and hotel accomodation to the extent of 70 chambers with apartments en suite. The refreshment room is intended to be very handsomely fitted up, the roof (divided into prettily decorated panels,) being supported by marble pillars of the Ionic order. Six magnificent staircases lead down to the platform. Some alterations have been made in the original plan : it was intended that a coffee room should occupy that part of the ground within the gates next to King Edward's School, and considerable progress was made in its erection. It was, however, an awkward structure, standing at a very oblique angle, and ranging with nowhere. A further purchase of land has since been made, and this erection has been removed. It is now intended to construct a more handsome building in harmony with the principal edifice, and ranging with Stephenson Place. It is to consist of only one extensive room 52 feet long by 34 feet wide, with a small but elegant music gallery at one end. The great iron roof of the station is proceeding most satisfactorily. Here also considerable alterations have been made. It is now proposed to extend the vast roof to the north of the tunnel at Worcester Street. There it will terminate in that direction with a handsome glass gable screen, divided into arches. By this ex- tension the roof, which was before of the largest span of any similar erection in existence, being 212 feet across, will be about 1,000 feet long. In the Journal of January 21st, 1854, the following review of the progress of Birmingham appeared : — " The progress of Birmingham during the last fifty years, has few parallels, even in the new world. "Within the last half century, the town has almost tripled in magnitude, and every year seems to increase its power of expansion and the energy of the community. During the BB 38G MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. first fifty years of the century, the average increase was G08 houses, with above 3,000 of a population per annum ; for the ten years ending 1851, the increase of houses was about 890 every year, with an annual augmentation of the population of nearly 5,000. The last two years, however exhibit results of a far more extraordinary and gratifying character. In the fifteen months ending March last year, the increase in houses was 3,020, equivalent to an augumented population of nearly 15,000 persons in this brief space of time. The last year, taken altogether from the 1st of January to the 31st of December, 1853, shows that this expansion of the town — the result of manufacturing activity — is still going on. A return of the building plans registered for this period, according to the Improvement Act, gives the following result : — Houses 2,784 Manufactories . 22 Chapels 3 Malthouses . 4 Synagogues . 1 Stables . . 7 Schools 5 Sets of Offices . 4 Sawmill 1 Machine Houses . 2 Foundries 3 Casting Shop . 1 Workshops . 38 Bakery . . 1 New shop fronts . 37 Building (Bingley Hall) 1 Warehouses . 23 Additions and alte rations 56 " Thus the borough is increasing at the rate of nearly 14,000 persons a year. This is exclusive of the multitudes of build- ings springing up on every side in the suburbs, including the agricultural districts of Warwickshire and Worcestershire on the one hand, and the great manufacturing localities of South Staffordshire on the other. If we were to include these, probably we should have to add to last year's doings another 1,000 dwellings, and another 5,000 persons to the estimate given above. It is not, however, merely in material wealth that the vitality of the community is being developed. An Institute, which in the beginning will cost £20,000, has been added, parks and pleasure grounds have been sanctioned, and a free library will speedily, we hope, be among our institutions ; while, on every side, public improvements are APPEARANCE OF THE TOWN. 387 being proceeded with, sanitaiy measures adopted, and a system of sewerage, which will cost £150,000, is in the course of construction — making Birmingham not only the cleanest, but the best drained and the most healthy town in the kingdom." On June 1, 1854, the great Central Station in New Street, was opened for traffic. We have already given a description of this noble structure, and need only add that the roof alone contains upwards of 130,000 square feet of glass, weighing nearly 120 tons ; that there are between 92,000 and 93,000 square feet of corrugated iron sheeting, and that the total weight of the iron used is over 1 ,400 tons. Six lines of railway meet at this station : — the London and Birmingham, the Grand Junction, the Midland, the Stour Valley, and the South Staffordshire lines. The number of trains entering and leaving the station on ordinary days is 254. The long- wished for Memorial to Sir Robert Peel was "inaugurated" on August 27, when the Hon. and Rev. G. M. Yorke, as chairman of the Committee, presented a document to the Mayor, conveying the Statue to the town, and at the same moment it was unveiled. The following is a description of the work : — The statue, which is by Mr. Peter Hollins, and cast by Messrs. Elkington and Mason, (the first colossal work of the kind ever produced in one piece in Birmingham,) is in bronze, and stands eight feet and a half high, it weighs upwards of a ton. In the casting three tons of metal were used. Its execution, as a work of art, maintains the reputation of this house. The Statue is placed upon a square pedestal of polished Peterhead granite, resting upon a sub-plinth of grey stone. The whole is placed upon an octangular platform, from which the railing and lamps spring. The total height from the platform to the top of the Statue will be about twenty feet. The pedestal is an admirable piece of work, and somewhat colossal, the principal slab weighing about four tons, and the whole about ten. It is from the polished granite works of Mr. Alexander Macdonald, Aberdeen, and does his establishment much credit. The pedestal bears the simple inscription " Peel" in bronze. The Statue is placed with the face looking towards New Street. The railing, which is from the Eagle Foundry, Broad Street, is in good keeping with the subject. Its bars are designed after the antique wands of the " Heralds of Peace," with the addition of clusters of 388 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. wheat ears, indicative of the deceased statesman's last great act. The interstices are prettily filled up with poppies. Handsome lamps and pillars of a decorative character, in keeping with the other parts of the works, are erected at each angle, from the designs of Messrs. Messengers, of Broad Street. The railing and pillars, designed by Mr. Peter Hollins, are in bronze ; the wheat ears are picked out in gold. The Statue cost two thousand guineas. The New College, erected by the Congregationalists, at Moseley, was opened on June 24, 1857. The object of this Institution is the training of ministers in connection with this body. The former building, erected in the year 1839, was located at Spring Hill, and was known as Spring Hill College. For the sake of the prestige attaching to it, and in order to avoid the expense of obtaining a fresh charter, the original name has been preserved. The old build- ing being very inconvenient for collegiate purposes, a fund for the erection of a new one was started in 1840 by a donation of £500, presented anonymously through the Rev. J. A. James ; John Lea, Esq., of Kidderminster, and John Barker, Esq., of Wolverhampton, also gave £500 each ; and amongst the donations made from time to time were those of Mr. J. Hall, Birmingham, £250 ; J. R. Mills, Esq., London, £200; John Shaw, Esq., Wolverhampton, £100; Richard Parry, Esq., £100 ; William Fowler, Esq., Birmingham, £100 ; Mr. William Beaumont, Birmingham, £100 ; Mr. John White- house, Dudley, £100; Mr. Hatfield, M.P., £100; The Rev. J. A. James, £100; Mr. Henry Wright, Saltley, £100. At the close of 1856, the building fund amounted to £12,985. In anticipation of the erection of a new and enlarge^, college, the Committee were prudent enough to purchase twenty-two acres of land on Moseley Common as a site for the purpose. A better position could not have been obtained in this neigh- bourhood. The subsoil is dry, and the site commands a fine and extensive view of the surrounding country. The building was commenced in 1854, from the designs of Mr. Joseph James, of Furnival's Inn, London. Mr. George Myers, builder, of London, obtained the contract for its erection. APPEARANCE OF THE TOWN. 389 The College is undoubtedly the best of its class which the neighbour- hood of Birmingham possesses. The style is that of the early part of the fifteenth century ; the details inclining more to the decorated period than to the perpendicular. The building forms three sides of a quad- rangle, the main front being to the south. In the centre of the south front is a battlemented tower, 78 feet in height, flanked by a bell turret carried 14 feet higher. In this tower is the principal entrance to the building. The doorway is exceedingly beautiful, the carving with which the face of the arch is enriched, being a clever combination of many of the best examples, all brought out with scrupulous care. One of the bands bears the inscription, " The fear of the Lord is the be- ginning of wisdom ;" and on each side are shields, on which are in- scribed, " On earth peace, goodwill to men," and " Glory to God in the highest." Above the main entrance rise, in succession, three bay windows, for the lighting respectively, of council room, museum, and laboratory. The tracery of these windows is of a very elaborate character, a but- tress to the right of the doorway being decidedly original and beautiful in form. To the west of the tower is the library, on the exterior of which a large amount of ornament has been lavished. It is lighted by four very large moulded windows of stained glass, supplied by the Messrs. Chance, of Spon Lane. Over the tracery of these, is a rich pierced parapet, surmounted by four elegantly carved pinnacles. Im- mediately beyond the library, and forming the west angle, is the Warden's house, flanked by an octagon turret, on the summit of which is a water tank for the use of the establishment. To the east of the tower is the dining hall, with lecture rooms over it ; and beyond these the matron's residence. The wings, which are two storied and have transomed windows, are in keeping with the main front, though not so rich in decoration. At the end of each wing is a bell turret. Inside is a handsome entrance hall, paved with encaustic tiles, and having in one of the walls a most elaborate piece of carving, in Caen stone, intended to serve as a frame for a metallic tablet to be erected to the memory of the original founders of Spring Hill College, Mr. G. S. Mansfield, Mr. Charles Glover, Mrs. Sarah Glover, and Miss Elizabeth Mansfield. A corridor window, immediately fronting the entrance hall, is fitted with stained glass, and contains the Mansfield and Glover arms, together with those of the three county towns, Warwick, Worcester, and Stafford. The library, the entrance to which is from the hall, is a fine lofty apart- ment, open roofed, the principals resting on corbels of winged angels. Bookshelves are carried round three sides of the room, and over these is a small gallery. As regards detail, the most noteworthy feature of the library is the chimney-piece at either end. Both are of Caen stone ; they have the appropriate motto, " Scientia potentia est;" and they are covered with the most delicate carving which human hands ever executed. Each 390 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. flower or bit of foliage introduced is worthy of special study. Imagine a lily-of- the- valley for instance, executed in high-relief, with nearly as much delicacy as nature's self could give it. The carver could not have been more successful if wax or Parian marble had been his material, instead of stone dug out of the quarries of Normandy. One chimney-piece is surmounted by a bust of Dr. Joseph Fletcher, formerly of Stepney, the other by a bust of Dr. Pye Smith, who may, we suppose, be regarded as the " representative men" of Nonconforming collegiate life. The dining room has also two fine chimney pieces, more massive in style, but with carving equally beautiful. None of the other public rooms call for special remark. Along the north side of the principal building runs a lengthy corridor, with pointed arches, the perspective effect of which is a very fine one. The wings are appropriated to the students ; the studies being on the first floor, and the dormitories overhead. Each study has an area of ten feet by eleven feet, and is nine feet in height. There is at present accommodation for thirty-six students ; but at the cost of a couple of thousand pounds this could be easily doubled by running a central building into the quadrangle. The kitchens, &c, are in the basement story of the east wing. All the internal arrangements seem complete, and not the least satisfactory is the apparatus which heats the budding. The cost of the land and building amounted to nearly £20,000. The New Temperance Hall was opened on October 11, and thus one more public building was added to those already existing. The following is a description of the Hall : — It consists mainly of the large room to be used as a public hall, arranged not only for meetings of the Temperance Society, but available for public meetings, concerts, &c. The external elevation is of two storeys, with five openings to each storey ; the central one of the lower openings forming the principal entrance, the windows on both sides giving light to staircases, lobbies, &c. The upper storey, which is divided from the lower one by a cornice, consists of five semicircular windows, with pilasters, having enriched capitals, architraves, and key stones, with swags of fruit and flowers. The elevation is completed by an entablature, enriched with dentils, medallions, and balustrade. The elevation is worked in white brick, Bath stone, and Poi'tland cement, and is fifty feet high and fifty feet wide. The interior consists of a hall seventy feet long and forty-eight feet wide, approached by the principal entrance from Temple Street, and by secondary ones at the back, with lobbies, staircases, &c. Galleries are provided on three sides, and a platform on the fourth, which is available as an orchestra. In the rear of the platform and accessible therefrom, and from the ground floor of APPEAKANCE OF THE TOWN. 391 the hall, are committee and retiring rooms, &c. Underneath the hall is an extensive basement, suitable for a warehouse, with entrances from Temple Street and the adjoining passage. Inside, the hall is divided by a series of pilasters into bays, with covered ceiling, and is lighted by panels in the centre of the ceiling at the upper range of windows to Temple Street. The cost was\£2,00(>. The progress made by Birmingham in 1858, is shown in the returns of the Borough Surveyor. It was not so rapid as in several preceding years ; the number of new houses was 605, while in 1852 it reached the extraordinary number of 3,000. In addition to the new houses erected in 1859, we have the following list to record : chapels, 3 ; schools, 2 ; manufactories, 4 ; warehouses, 5 ; workshops, 24 ; new shop fronts, 46 ; slaughter-houses, 3 ; stables, 8 ; alterations and additions, 23. The statue of Thomas Attwood, which was intended as a public memorial to that gentleman, was inaugurated, on June 7, 1858, with considerable ceremony. Mr. Alderman Hodgson read the address the committee had prepared for the public dedication of the statue, and which was signed by T. R. T. Hodgson, Chairman ; J. H. Cutler, Deputy Chair- man ; T. Aspinal, Treasurer ; W. W. Cooper, Secretary ; and by the members of the Executive Committee — George Edmonds, John Jaffray, W. Mathews, John Betts, S. A. Goddard, John Webster, William Mills, E. Gwyther, and T. C. Salt. The following is a description of the work : — The figure is nearly nine feet high, and has been cut from an extremely fine block of Sicilian marble. The base is of freestone, and the shaft of grey granite, the height of the whole being twenty-two feet. Mr. Attwood is represented in the act of addressing a meeting. The very posture of the outstreached arm shows that his eloquence was not of the fiery inflammatory kind ; even the hand conveys the idea that he is appealing to reason rather than passion. The left hand holds a roll, on which is inscribed the word " Reform," and this rests on a Roman fasces, (emblematic of the unity of the j:>eople and the supremacy of law,) on the bauds of which are the words " Liberty, Unity, Prosperity." The shaft bears the inscription, " Thomas Attwood, Founder of the Birmingham Political Union." The pose of the statue is remarkably easy and uncon- strained, and a more perfect success in every way could nut ha.\e been desired. It is certainly an honour to the town. 392 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. The Sculptor was Mr. John Thomas, of London, and the cost of the whole work was J800. In 1859, building operations showed an increase for the first time during eight years. From 1852, in which year the enormous number of 3,000 new houses were erected, a great and steady increase had been shown by the annual returns. In 1858, only 605 houses were built in the Borough, but in 1859, the number had increased to 689. Thanks to the admirable taste of Mr. J. H. Chamberlain, architect, an example was this year given of the way in which beauty of design may unite with utility, and excellence of execution with business requirements, in the premises of Messrs. Eld and Chamberlain (now Messrs. Chamberlain, King, and Jones,) in Union Passage. The building is ex- ternally and internally beautiful, and is one of the architec- tural ornaments of the town. In 1860 the number of new houses was 778, schools, 10 ; chapels, 2 ; manufactories, 10 warehouses, 16 ; and 46 workshops. PUBLIC LIFE AND EVENTS. 393 § 2. PUBLIC LIFE AND EVENTS. We open this decade with the record of the death of one of the best scholars and ablest translators of his time. On January 2, 1851, in his 79th year, died the Rev. Rami Kennedy, M.A., who for many years had been the Incumbent of St. Paul's Chapel. He was, writes a contemporary, " for upwards of half a century, one of the most useful and eloquent members of this community, and singularly guileless, benevo- lent, and upright in private life. His religious teaching was always entirely free from bigotry or intolerance, and it caused him to be loved and honoured by good men of all persuasions, through the whole of his long and exemplary career. He was a man of great and varied powers of mind, an elegant poet, and an accomplished classical scholar. It may be truly said of him, as of Playfair, that, independent of his high attainments, he was one of the most amiable and estimable of men, upon whose perfect honour and generosity his friends might rely with the most implicit confidence, and on whom it was equally impossible that, under any circum- stances, he should ever perform a mean or questionable action, as that his body should cease to gravitate or his soul cease to live." His Essay on Versification, prefixed to a translation of Virgil, is an admirable example of elegant writing and acute criticism, and is still remembered by readers and scholars. On March 17, a meeting was held at the Public Office, at which a Committee was formed to consider the best means of assisting the Hungarians in their struggle with Austria, and to provide for the necessities of the exiles in this 394 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. country. Mr. George Dawson was elected chairman, and Mr. J. A. Langford hon. secretary. From a letter written by the secretary, and which was published April 26, appeal- ing for employment for the refugees, it appeared that the number of exiles were, at this time, 262, and that 114 had, through the exertions of the Liverpool Committee, procured work. The writer adds, that they are all desirous of earning their own living, and furnishes the following classification of the number and trades of the men remaining unemployed :— Acquainted with German Ditto and French Possess a Liberal Education • Competent to teach German and the pianoforte - Wishing to learn any trade ■ Want work in Manufactories As Clerks in Commercial Houses - - - ■ Joiners .... Bookbinders - Ironworkers - - - ■ In April the town lost another of its most useful members. On the 19th of that month, Mr. Joseph Moore, of the Crescent, died in his 86th year. In recording his death, the Gazette very truly remarked : — " The obituary has seldom to record a name more universally respected, esteemed, and beloved for public use- fulness and private worth. He was virtually the founder of the Musical Festivals of this town, which under his supervi- sion, have for more than fifty years, supplied a large propor- tion of the resources of the General Hospital ; he was also one of the projectors and governors of the Birmingham Dispensary, not to mention other institutions which he either established or ably assisted by his advice and energies, especially the Town Hall, which originated with him, and owes its fine proportions, its noble organ, and many of its beauties, mainly to his suggestions and unwearied exertions. The characteristics of Mr. Moore were an enlarged philan- 34 Stonemason - - 1 13 Sugar Refiners - 3 49 Locksmiths . - - 6 Draughtsmen - 3 2 Bricklayer - 1 65 Lithographer - 1 36 Grooms - 2 Tailors - 5 7 Confectioners - 3 3 Chemists - 2 2 Brewers - 2 3 Doctor (M.D.) - 1 PUBLIC LIFE AND EVENTS. 395 throphy, directed by sound practical sense and judgement ; a just and refined taste, which, while, it was most conspicuous in his favourite science of music, displayed itself almost equally in all other departments of art which have for their foundation fine feeing and cultivated taste. With these, which gave a charm to his conversation and manner, were united a kindness of heart, a cheerfulness of temper, and a sweetness of disposition which made his friendship a source of happiness to those who enjoyed it, and was felt by all who approached him in every relation of life." This was the year of the first Great Exhibition, in which the manufacturers of Birmingham took such a lively interest, and by their energy and skill made the Birmingham section one of the most attractive, interesting, and instruc- tive portions of that wonderful collection. The Birmingham exhibitors resolved to commemorate the event by a fete and dinner, and this resolution was successfully carried out. Prince Albert was unable to accept their invitation to be present, but the Koyal and Foreign Commissioners and the Executive Committee accepted it with delight. It took place on Thursday, June 19th, "and had some peculiarities attending it. It was considered that the town (from whose Exhibition in 1849 the idea of a universal in- dustrial display was suggested to Prince Albert,) that had taken such a deep and practical interest in its arrangements — that had furnished the material composing the Crystal Palace — that had sent a greater number of classes, and occupied more space, than any town in the world, the Metropolis alone excepted, — and that ranked with others in like productions was second to none — should also be the first to testify to the indefatigable zeal, impartiality, and talent which had directed all matters connected with the great industrial display, and had brought about the success which attended everything connected with it." Upwards of four hundred invitations were issued by the Mayor (Mr. W. Lucy,) of which nearly three hundred were accepted. Earl Granville came with, and introduced, the 396 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. illustrious visitors from London, and a dejeuner was provided at the Queen's Hotel ; after which the principal works in the town were visited, and a fete champetre took place at the Botanic Gardens. The day was brilliant with sunshine ; and it would be impossible to imagine a more gay and lively scene. The gardens were in their choicest trim, gorgeous with beautiful flowers and rich in foliage ; the greensward was covered with elegant parties, and all went "merry as a mar- riage bell." In the afternoon about 500 ladies and gentlemen sat down to a cold collation, presided over by the Mayor. The usual toasts were given and responded to; Earl Granville warmly eulogized the excellence of the Birmingham contributions, and offered to the manufacturers a hearty tribute of praise for the zeal, energy, and skill, they had displayed in their respective departments. On the 30th of June, the Rev. Dr. J. H. Newman delivered the first of his series of lectures on " The Present Position of the Catholics in this country." The eloquent lecturer wore the habit of the Oratorians. The Corn Exchange was crowded; and all who heard those extraordinary utter- ances, however much they might differ from some of the state- ments made and the conclusions arrived at, will never forget the rich literary treat which they had on the occasion. The bursts of fervid eloquence, the sparkling flashes of wit, the passages of keen irony, the subtle though often deceptive logic, the deep sincerity and the earnest piety of the speaker, all combined to produce an effect upon the mind of the hearer which can never entirely pass away. Those who heard the lectures will recall the pleasure of those evenings as they read them now ; but to those who did not hear them, the published volume is no more than the letter of a correspondent whom they have never seen and whose voice they have never heard, as compared with the letter of a departed friend whose very look and accent is in the words which they read. The Local Committee of the Great Exhibition called a meeting of the local subscribers on August 27, for the purpose of passing the accounts and bringing the business PUBLIC LIFE AND EVENTS. 397 to a close. The Mayor (Mr. W. Lucy) was in the chair, and the balance sheet exhibited the following results : — "C3 £ s. d. £ s. d. • • • • • • 908 6 896 14 500 396 14 soft ^A n 287 subscribers promised 281 ditto paid Remittance to general fund Local Expenses Mr. Marshall and Mr. W. C. Aitken were specially thanked for the valuable services which they had rendered. A memo- rial to the Royal Commissioners, praying that the surplus, which probably exeeeded £200,000, should be devoted to the education of artisans, not merely theoretical but practical and manipulatory, was suggested ; but no resolution on the subject was passed. A sad event took place in August, which, on its own account as well as from its subsequent results, attracted a very large share of public attention, and led to the display of a great deal of unmerited censure, and to an outburst of general, but misplaced indignation. In August, a Hungarian lady, known as the Baroness Von Beck came to Birmingham, and here, as at other places, she was represented as aiding Kossuth and the friends of independence in Hungary, and as having done some good service to the patriotic cause ; that after the defeat of the national party, she suffered such cruel- ties from vindictive Austria, that she was compelled to exile herself from her country. She had previously published a book entitled " Personal Adventures during the Recent War of Independence in Hungary," which in a short time reached a second edition. She was now preparing a new work, " The Story of my Life," and, accompanied by her secretary, Constant Derra, visited several towns for the purpose of obtaining subscribers to her book. In this town she was received with much kindness by Mr. Joseph Sturge, Mr. H. W. Tyndall, Mr. Arthur Ryland, Mr. George Dawson, and others, who exerted themselves very much in her behalf. 398 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. She was staying at the Clarendon Hotel, in Temple Street, when she was taken ill, and Mr. Dawson asked Mr. Crompton to attend her. Upon his report of the state of her health and of the necessity of quiet for her recovery, Mr. H. W. Tyndall invited her to his house, where she was treated with the greatest kindness and consideration. A large number of subscribers was obtained for her book at £1 4s. each. At different times Constant Derra had received £14 of this money, and Mr. Tyndall had about £100 more to be paid to the lady herself. I quote the following passage from the Journal of September 6 : — Thus matters were, when by mere accident Mr. Tyndall and Mr. A. Ryland, in writing to their mutual friend Mr. Toulmin Smith, barrister, of Highgate, London, accidently mentioned the circumstances attending the residence of the " Baroness Von Beck" amongst them. Mr. Smith being acquainted with many Hungarian gentlemen in London, instituted enquiries, and the consequence was that strong suspicions were excited of the bona fides of the " Baroness." These were communicated to Mr. Tyndall, and Mr. By land proceeded to London in order to be personally convinced that the grounds of suspicion were sufficiently strong to warrant the exposure of the imposition, if such it should be. No doubt remained upon his mind ; it was convincingly shown that the soi-disant "Baroness" was a native of Vienna, named Wilhelmina Racidula, a woman of indifferent reputation, who had been often seen tipsy in the streets there, and amongst the common soldiers ; that she had been a spy in a subordinate capacity connected with the Hungarian army, and had subsequently been paid by Austria for services in the same capacity. She was, in short, no Baroness at all ; and there was no person in existence of the name. In order, however, that there might be no possibility of mistake, M. Hajnik, who had occupied the positon of Chief Commissary of Police in Hungary, came to Birmingham, and being introduced into Mr. Tyndall's garden, had an opportunity of seeing the " Baroness" through a window, and identified her at once. Accordingly it was determined to give her into the custody of the police. On the application of Mr. Dawson and others, a warrant was granted by James James, Esq., for her apprehension, and on the evening of Friday last, Chief Superin- tendent Stephens, accompanied by Sub-Inspector Tandy, proceeded for the purpose to Mr. Tyndall's house, at Edgbaston. The " Baroness," the moment the announcement was made to her that she was in the custody of the police, appeared thunderstruck ; but she recovered her presence of mind almost instantaneously, and proceeded to put on some article of dress. In the meantime M. Derra was also apprehended as an accomplice. He was very indignant, protested against the whole PUBLIC LIFE AND EVENTS. 399 proceeding, but finding that he was not listened to he endeavoured to resist. That course, however, was equally unavailing, and he was con- veyed to the New Street Station in a car. The " Baroness," who was quite composed, walked with a firm step to the car, and was conveyed to the Moor Street prison. There she was placed in a cell, a female attendant remained with her all night, and every attention was paid to her. On the 30th the case came before the Magistrates, and as the female prisoner was being led from her cell to the dock, she died in the ante-room of the Court. Such a sudden and awful calamity caused the most intense excitement ; nor was this lessened by proceeding with the case against Constant Derra, which was heard before William Lucy (Mayor,) Henry Smith, R, Martineau, and F. J. Welch. Mr. Toulmin Smith, in laying the charge before the magistrates, gave a very minute account of the case, and M. Paul Hajnik, a Magyar noble and a member of the Hungarian Diet, was examined, and stated that the woman called the Baroness Von Beck was a paid spy who went by the name of Racidula. Mr. Dawson and Mr. Tyndall were also examined; and at the close of the case, Constant Derra was discharged. The Mayor said " the bench showed by their decision that they were not satisfied that the prisoner had been guilty of conspiring with the woman. He thought they had been not only justified in arresting the woman under such circumstanees, but in taking the prisoner also. He begged, on his part, to express his thanks to those humane gentlemen who had taken part in affording shelter to persons whom they considered destitute strangers. He regretted, for the cause of Hungary, that such deception had been practiced. Had the two parties been before the Bench in place of the one, the decision might have been different." An inquest was held on March the 1st, and a verdict of died by the visitation of God, returned. The unfortunate woman was buried privately in St. Bartholomew's grave yard. But the case of the " Baroness Von Beck," did not terminate with her funeral. In August Mr. George Wallis was appointed Head Master to the Birmingham School of Design. 400 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. One of our ablest physicians, Edward Johnstone, died on the 4th of September, in his 94th year. He was the second son of Dr. James Johnstone. He graduated at Edinburgh, and on the 14th of June, 1779, was honoured by the University of that city with the title of M.D., and soon after published in latin his "De Febre Puerperali." "The mental qualities of the author," writes Mr. J. T. Bunce, " shine conspicuously in the thesis; exact observation of the phases of disease; sound judg- ment, as evinced by the minute directions for its control; and an entire repudiation of hypothesis. He strongly declares the too numerous assemblage of patients in hospitals to be a predisposing cause of the malady, and appears in this point of view to have anticipated later research. He gives a deeply interesting account of the disease as it appeared at Kidder- minster, in 1776, for which he was indebted to his father, of whom he says, with filial tenderness, that ' he pointed out the appearance of disease, and with prodigal hand did all that the best father and teacher could effect for him.' He came to Birmingham in the autumn of 1779, having been chosen a physician to the General Hospital at its first opening. In 1829, the medical profession met to celebrate his having reached the fiftieth year of his practice in this town. In 1824, the founder of Queen's College submitted the plan of the Medical School to Dr. Johnstone, who immediately entered warmly into the proposal, presided at the inaugural school, and was a constant attendant during the entire course. On the plans of the School being matured, he accepted the office of President, and for eighteen years he was never absent from the Council Board. Long before his death he gave up his practice, and enjoyed the sweets of retirement and the solace of an affectionate family, in the pleasant old Hall at Edo-baston ; but he ever took the utmost interest in the wel- fare of the institutions of the town, and especially in the " then struggling cause of medical education." There is a characteristic portrait of him in the dining-hall of Queen's College.* * See " Warwickshire Worthies," by the Rev. Frederick Lefgh Col vile, p. 474. PUBLIC LIFE AND EVENTS. 401 On September 17, the magistrates elected Mr. R. A. Stephens, Chief Superintendent of the Police, Governor of the Borough Gaol in the room of Captain Maconochie. At the meeting of the Guardians of the Poor on September 24, a paper was read showing the amount expended for the relief of the poor for the last eleven years : — 1841 . 1842 . £ 27,012 24,880 1847 . 1848 . £ 37,863 44,108 1843 . 27,012 1849 . 54,062 1844 . 28,733 1850 . 37,548 1845 . 31,382 1851 . 27,968 1846 . 36,425 The increase in the population for the same period was 35,617 ; in 1841, the cost per head on the total population was 3s. lOfd. ; in 1851, it was 3s. 2|d. The return was furnished by Mr. Hunt, the Auditor. The Birmingham Protestant Association engaged Father Gavazzi to lecture, or rather to deliver " two orations," in Birmingham, in October. In consequence of this engagement the Rev. J. C. Miller and the Rev. G. S. Bull resigned their membership of the Association, but the orations were never- theless delivered. On the morning of October 20, he addressed a large audience in the Town Hall, on " The Infamy of the Inquisition," and on the evening of the 21st, about 6,000 persons, on the "True Policy of England in resisting the Papal Aggression." The illustrious exile, Louis Kossuth, who had reached England, was invited to visit Birmingham; an invitation which he readily accepted. On October 18 was published a letter from Mr. R. K. Douglas, proposing that a subscription should be raised in Birmingham for the service of Kossuth, and enclosing five guineas as his contribution to the pro- posed fund. The address, which was prepared for presentation to him from the town, was submitted by Mr. G. Dawson to Kossuth, who expressed his delight with it, and his astonish- ment at the number of names attached to it. Kossuth stated in reply that, if he visited any other place than London, he should most certainly come to Birmingham. On October 27 a purse, containing £250,jwas presented to c c 402 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. Captain Maconochie upon his leaving Birmingham. The pre- sentation, which was made at a meeting, was intended to mark the respect of the subscribers for his character, and to express their sympathy with the humane and benevolent principles which he had so assiduously laboured to introduce into the reformatory management of prisons. The expected visit of Kossuth to Birmingham now absorbed public attention, and preparations for his reception were in active progress before any positive promise had been obtained. On October 31, a meeting of deputations from various trades, convened by the flint glass makers, was held at the Odd Fellow's Hall, to take into consideration the best means of welcoming Kossuth to the town. The large room was so crowded that many were unable to obtain admission. Mr. Curwell, of the flint glass trade, was unanimously called to the chair. The proceedings, in which Mr. G. Dawson, Mr. J. A. Langford, Mr. Nixin, and Mr. Wilkinson, as well as several other speakers, took part, were of a most enthusiastic nature. Resolutions were passed to the effect that processions of trades, societies, and firms, with their banners and regalia, should take place, and every possi- ble demonstration be made on the part of the working classes, which could show their respect and esteem for the illustrious Magyar on his visit to the town. It was further resolved, "that a committee of working men be formed to co-operate with the Kossuth Committee, and to render every aid and assistance in their power." When people are in earnest, difficulties are easily overcome ; and Birmingham was intensely in earnest on this subject. That earnestness was increased by the following " heart-stirring" reply of Kossuth to the address : — 80, Eaton Place, November 6, 1851. To the Five Thousand Men of Birmingham, whose names, given in one day, testify the heartiness and earnestness of their sympathies. Gentlemen, Let me beg you to accejot the very warm expression of my gratitude for the remarkable example which the address I have had the honor to receive from you affords of the appreciation, in England, of the cause for which my country has suffered, and for which I am now an exile. While I thank you for recalling to my mind the grateful fact that in PUBLIC LIFE AND EVENTS. 403 Birmingham the first public meeting was held in behalf of Hungary, I rejoice to feel assured, from the extraordinary promptitude and nume- rousness with which your address has been signed, that the feelings which have animated you were no result of mere temporary excitement, but have been the offspring of deep-seated conviction and enduring motive. Be assured that such testimonies as your address affords to the sen- timents of Englishmen, are highly prized by me and by my country- men. We have striven in a cause which we know to be a just and holy one. For a time that cause has been found to yield to the over- whelming consequences of a foreign intervention, alike unjustifiable in itself and dangerous to the liberties of the whole of Europe. But my countrymen know the value of the institutions they have inherited. By a steady course of peaceable and lawful means, the enjoyment of the benefits of those institutions had been, before the late struggle, opened to them all. My countrymen, therefore, in common with myself, wait with confidence for the hour — we believe not far distant — when the liberties and laws of our country shall assert themselves again, and when we shall be knit, as a people, in the bonds of closest amity, and with mutual benefit to the country in which your fathers have so long- maintained their liberties, and which their enterprise and your own have raised to such a height of wealth and greatness. I have the honour to be, gentlemen, Your obedient servant, (Signed) L. Kossuth. The history of this event is admirably narrated in the Journal of November 8, as follows : — On Monday next, Birmingham will be honoured with the presence of the illustrious Kossuth. The old heart of the men of Birmingham which beat warmly in the days of the Reform Bill, has been reanimated by the announcement of the event ; and a scene, the parallel of which exists only in the remembrances of '30 and '31, will be realized once again. It may be well to trace how the visit of the noble Magyar has been brought about. Many will recollect that at a meeting hastily called, but yet well attended, an address was agreed to, and in one day signed by nearly 5,000 persons, to be presented to Kossuth on his arrival at Southampton. It was entrusted to Mr. George Dawson, who submitted, but did not formally present, the document to Kossuth, and who also gave him a cordial invitation from the inhabitants to visit Birmingham. M. Kossuth, however, having intimated that, in order to avoid allying himself with particular political parties in this country, he would only accept invitations proceeding from municipal bodies, the ( lommittee wait- ed upon several members of the Corporation, in order, if possible, to secure the necessary invitation. Six of the Aldermen and eight or ten 404< MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. of the Councillors accordingly sent in a notice to Mr. Lucy, the Mayor, re- questing him to call a special meeting of the Council, to take the subject into consideration. The Mayor asked time to consider whether he should or should not comply with this requisition, and ultimately, we regret to say, found it necessary to give a refusal, stating that he was advised to decline calling a special meeting of the Council for such a purpose, as it was inconsistent with the provisions of the Municipal Corporations Act. This decision placed the Committee in a position of some difficulty, and fears were entertained that the noble Hungarian would leave the country without honouring the town which first in England gave its sympathy to the Magyar cause. Finding, however, that Kossuth had agreed to attend non-corporate meetings in London and Manchester, they resolved to make another effort. A deputation from the Committee, consisting of Messrs. Weston, E. Wright, and Salt, accordingly proceeded to London, on Monday, and waited on M. Kossuth, at Eaton-place. It was then ex- plained to him that all parties and classes in Birmingham shared in the feeling of anxiety that he should be induced to visit the town ; that there was the most enthusiastic devotion to him for the noble struggles he had made on behalf of his country, irrespective of any party considerations whatever, and these and other facts by which he was informed of the true character of our municipal institutions, so far operated on the mind of M. Kossuth as to induce him to reconsider the subject. " I have the greatest mind," said the illustrious chief, " to visit Birmingham. I have reserved myself for it ; there I intend to make what I consider my great effort — my practical speech respecting the future of Hungary, and the means by which its interests will be best promoted by the people of this country. Indeed added he, after a pause, if I leave England without visiting the toAvn of Birmingham, I leave it without fulfilling my mission — without fulfilling one of the great objects which I had in view in coming to this country." After an interesting conversation of an hour and a half, Kossuth requested that the deputation would allow him to consider their invitation, and he would communicate his decision to them on Wednesday. On the morning of that day the following letter was received from him : — 80, Eaton Place, November 4, 1851. Sir, To acquit myself of the promise to give you a reply to-day, and through you to the Committee, I have the honour to inform you that Mr. Touhnin Smith, who goes to-morrow to Birmingham, is instructed by me to settle the affair. I am, Sir, Yours truly, Bobert Wright, Esq. ' L. Kossuth. PUBLIC LIFE AND EVENTS. 405 Mr. Toulmin Smith met the Committee on Wednesday, and on behalf of M. Kossuth, formally accepted the invitation to visit Birmingham. Funds were subscribed, not only to pay the expenses of the reception, but to aid the Hungarians in their patriotic struggle. Mr. H. B. S. Thompson was appointed treasurer, and was most indefatigable in raising money, as well as in organizing the general scheme. The most active and energetic steps were immediately taken to do fitting honour to the illustrious guest ; sub-committees were appointed, and so earnest and united were they all, that in a very short time the principal arrangements were completed. The day, November 10, arrived, and with the day the hero. The whole town kept holiday ; nearly all the manufactories were closed, and a procession of from 60,000 to 70,000 men was formed to meet Kossuth at Small Heath and escort him into the town. Since the day that the Political Union met Thomas Attwood at the same place, Birmingham had not witnessed such a magnificent display of generous enthusiasm. Flags, banners, and trade symbols were carried in profusion; six bands of music were placed in different parts of the proces- sion, and almost every person wore the Hungarian tri-colour. The streets were lined with people, every window on the line of route was thronged with gazers, — men, women, and children, — all displaying the popular colour. Platforms were erected in every convenient place, and were crowded with spectators. As the carriage containing Kossuth passed along the streets, he was greeted with the loudest demonstrations of welcome and the heartiest enthusiasm — surpassing in this respect any public event ever witnessed in Birmingham, not excepting those in connexion with the Political Union. During the afternoon several addresses were presented to Kossuth, and on November 12 a bancpiet took place in the Town Hall, the side galleries and great gallery being crowded with ladies. W. Scholefield, M.P., was in the chair; G. F. Muntz, M.P., and C. Geach, M.P., were present. The Vice-presidents were Aldermen Beale, Baldwin, Cutler, Hawkes, James Janus, Lawden, P. H. Muntz, Martineau, Phillips, and Palmer. Thu following is a list of the Stewards : — 40G MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. Alderman Matchett „ Van Wart Councillor Goodrick „ Carter „ Prime „ Hinks „ Hodgson „ Blunt „ Goode „ Allday „ Blews „ Knowles „ Aspinall „ Rod way „ Roderick „ Harcourt „ Wynn „ Dixon „ Ganieson „ Atkinson „ W. Wood „ Jos. Wood „ Turner „ Norman „ Aston „ Brisband 5, Haycock „ Poolton Thomas Eyre Lee James Turner Abel Peyton Arthur Byland Thomas Redfern C. M. Ingleby Samuel Messenger W. P. Marshall T. C. Salt George Downing E. D. Wilmot John Betts William Ryland John Richards Hyla Holden Betts S. A. Goddard W. R. Lloyd S. A. Bindley Thomas Slaney Edward Oliver T. Clarkson Osier A. E. Osier F. Ash George Dawson, M.A. Rev. Brewin Grant, B.A. Rev. R. A. Vaughan, B.A. Thomas Weston H. W. Tyndall Robert Wright J. F. Feeney T. P. Salt S. Hill W. Potter Jos. Jones H. B. S. Thompson R. Clark T. H. Eyland T. H. Gill J. A. Langford George Dixon J. P. Turner W. S. Allen F. Blyth W. Whitlock R. K. Douglas E. V. Blyth John Jafi'ray James Taylor, jun. E. C. Osborne Benjamin Harris James Cobley George Smith Richard Peyton, jun. John Jefferys James Hinks William Middlemore W. Prosser Richard Thomas W. Hinds, M.D. William Smith After dinner several toasts were propose'd, and Kossuth delivered one of his magnificent orations. PUBLIC LIFE AND EVENTS. 407 In a few days after he left Birmingham, the sum of £750 was remitted to him, to be applied as he should deem most advantageous, to the cause of Hungary. It could not there- fore be said of the Birmingham reception, that it was vox et prwterea nihil. On the 22nd, Kossuth, his wife, M. Pulszky, Madame Pulszky, and suite, embarked on board the Humboldt on their voyage to the United States. At the meeting of the Town Council on November 9, Mr. Henry Smith was elected Mayor for the ensuing year. Father Gavazzi delivered in the Town Hall, on November 25, an oration on " Nunneries and the Confessional," and on the 27th on the "Present Apostolate of Italy." The Annual Cattle Show was opened on December 9, and continued the three following days. On December 10th, an important conference was held on Juvenile Crime and its prevention, and on Reformatory Schools. A public meeting was held in the evening on the same subject. On March 1, 1852, a Town's Meeting was held to adopt measures for relieving the sufferers in the Holmfirth Flood. Previous to the meeting the following account of the loss caused by this terrible calamity was published : — "There have been 4 mills, 10 dyehouses, 10 drying-stoves, 27 cottages, 7 tradesmen's houses, 7 shops, 6 bridges, 1 county bridge, 10 warehouses, 18 barns and stables, totally destroy- ed; while 5 dyehouses and stock, 17 mills, 3 stoves, 139 cottages, 7 tradesmen's houses, 44 large shops, 11 public houses, 5 bridges, 1 county bridge, 200 acres of land, 14 warehouses, 13 barns, 3 places of worship, and 2 iron found- ries, are partially destroyed. Great, however, as has been the immediate pecuniary loss, amounting it is estimated, at from £250,000 to £500,000, it sinks into insignificance when con- sidered in connection with the sacrifice of life. No less than 100 human beings were hurried in a moment into eternity; the bodies of only 71 have yet been found. Whole families have perished; some have left survivors — helpless widows and young children. These have to be cared for, and there are also others to whom assistance must be rendered. 408 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. The number of adults thrown out of employment by the wreck of property is stated at 4,986, and the number of children 2,142 — altogether 7,128, whose earnings, when at work, amounted to £3,748 per week. " The Mayor presided, and it was resolved to commence a subscripton in aid of the sufferers. A committee was elected, consisting of the Mayor, Aldermen Lucy and Van Wart, and the Rev. J. C. Miller, to carry out the object of the meeting. The Rev. James Bateman, Vicar of Hucldersfield, and Mr. J. Charlesworth, of Holmfirth, attended the meeting, and gave an account of the state of things at the scene of the disaster. On March 10 died Mr. Alderman James James, in his 02nd year. In the Journal of the 13th appeared the folio w- ino - notice of the deceased : — By the death of Mr. James, Birmingham has lost an energetic and most useful public man. For the last thirty years he has been connect- ed with one or other of the governing bodies of the town ; and his shrewd judgment and excellent business habits were always devoted to the promotion of the public interests. Soon after the charter of incor- poration was granted, Mr. James was chosen an Alderman, and in 1842 was unanimously elected Mayor. He was also appointed a magistrate for the borough, and in this capacity his attention to the important duties of the office was unremitting, as his conduct on the bench was charac- terized by strict impartiality. For a long period he was a Commissioner of the Birmingham Street Act, and continued an active member of the body until its dissolution in January last. In committee his sound practical wisdom rendered him invaluable ; and it ought to be recorded to his honour that, throughout the several discussions which terminated in the transfer of power from the Commissioners to the Corporation, his good offices were always exercised in smoothing down the asperities of controversy, and in effecting an adjustment of differences, which, while it would sacrifice no principle, would still conduce to a harmonious settlement of the question in dispute. In religion Mr. James was a Dissenter, and in politics a moderate Liberal. As such, he took a prominent part in many of the political and religious questions which agitated the community. His charities were beneficent, and his dis- position kindly. His unblemished reputation gave to his opinions the weight which society concedes to those of an able and honest man ; and there can be but one feeling of regret in the community that such a one has passed away from amongst us. PUBLIC LIFE AND EVENTS. 409 On May 17 the foundation stone of St. Paul's, Balsall Heath, was laid by Mrs. James Taylor, of Moseley Hall, and on June 2, was laid the foundation stone of the Church of St. Silas, Lozells, by Lord Calthorpe. Constant Derra, who it will be remembered was the young man charged, in conjunction with the " Baroness Von Beck," with obtaining money under false pretences, and discharged by the Birmingham magistrates, brought an action against George Dawson, Henry Witton Tyndall, Arthur Ryland, and Richard Peyton. This was tried at the Warwick Assizes on July 28th, and the " plaintiff charged that the defendants, on the 29th of August 1851, appeared before the magistrates at Birmingham, and falsely and maliciously, and without probable cause, charged him with obtaining £1 4s., the moneys of George Dawson, by false pretences, and afterwards caused him to be brought before certain magistrates, by whom he was discharged." The damages were laid at £5000, and the defendants pleaded not guilty. The hearing of the case lasted more than six hours, and ended in the plaintiff being non-suited, in consequence of the warrant upon which Derra was apprehended not being produced. Mr. Baron Alderson, who tried the case, declaring that he could "not leave it to the jury to infer a charge where there is no charge whatever." An application was subsequently made to have the judgment set aside, and for a new trial, which was granted. On August 3 the resignation of Mr. Solomon Bray, as Town Clerk, was received by the Town Council ; and on the 14th September Mr. W. Morgan was elected his successor. On August 27 the first broad guage carriage entered Birmingham, at the Snow Hill Station. It belonged to the Birmingham and Oxford Junction Railway ; and on the 28th the Directors of the London and North Western Railway Company made an experimental trip from London to Bir- mingham. This line was opened for passenger traffic on the 1st of October. On the 30th the Queen passed through Birmingham on her way to Balmoral, when the Town Council presented an address to Her Majesty at the Railway Station. 410 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. In the Court of Queen's Bench, on November 6, Serjeant Miller applied for a rule to show cause why the nonsuit of the plaintiff, Constant Derra, in the cause of Derra v Dawson and others, should not be set aside, and a new trial heard. The non-suit was directed by Baron Alderson, on the ground that the warrant on which Derra was apprehended was not produced, and that there was not sufficient evidence to shew that the defendants had set the law in motion. Lord Campbell replied " there is ground for contending that there was evidence to go to the jury that the defendants procured and obtained the warrant for apprehending the plaintiff on the charge of obtaining money under false pretences : you may take a rule." Rule was granted accordingly. At the meeting of the Town Council on November 9, Mr. Alderman Hawkes was elected Mayor for the ensuing year. On the morning of the 9th an earthquake was felt in Birmingham ; it had been preceded by very heavy falls of rain on the 6th and 7th; and on the 11th, a flood of a far more serious character occurred, doing considerable damage, and inflicting great loss on a large number of people. Rea Street, Deritend, Cheapside, Moseley Street, Lawley Street, and most of the lower parts of the town, were completely submerged ; and in Montague Street the water was nearly six feet deep. A public meeting, convened by the Mayor, was held on December 3, at which a subscription was commenced for the relief of the sufferers; upwards of £120 were sub- scribed. Father Gavazzi delivered an oration in the Town Hall in Italian and English, on November 11, on "The Roman Catholic Doctrine of Transubstantiation, and Mariolatry." The Duke of Wellington died on September 14, aged 83. The Queen directed that he should be buried in St. Paul's Cathedral, and that the funeral should be a public one. This solemn and magnificent event took place on October 7. The Town Council had declined to send a deputation to the funeral, but the Mayor suggested that the event should be marked by a total cessation from labour. This suggestion was generally acted upon. The bells of most of the churches PUBLIC LIFE AND EVENTS. 411 sent forth muffled peals during the day ; and at nearly all the places of worship sermons were preached on the event. Father Gavazzi delivered two farewell addresses in Italian and English at the Town Hall on December 16 and 17; the subject of the first was "The Popish System, one of Invasion, Rebellion, and Intolerance : " of the second, " The Popish System, one of Blindness, Immorality, and Slavery." The bells which rung in the year 1853, had to many ears a pleasant sound, for scarcely had the festivities of the season ceased ere steps were taken for founding the Birmingham and Midland Institute, of which a detailed history is given in a separate chapter of this work. The next public act to record is, that on the 21st of January a public dinner was given to the Hon. J. R. Ingersoll, the Representative of the United States. On the same night a public meeeting was held in the Town Hall to express sym- pathy with Francesco and Rosa Madiai, and the other victims who were suffering imprisonment in Florence for reading and distributing the Bible. Resolutions were pas- sed, and a memorial to the Queen, adopted. A very influential meeting was held on January 27, Lord Calthorpe in the Chair, in which Mr. W. Morgan, Captain Tindal, R.N., Mr. J. W. Whateley, Lord Lyttelton, Mr. Thomas Wright of Manchester, Mr. C. B. Adclerley, M.P., Mr. W. Scholefield, M.P., and others took part, at which it was re- solved that a society be formed to establish an Industrial Institution for the care, education, employment, and reforma- tion of criminal boys, to be called the Birmingham Reforma- tory School. On March 6, in the 85th year of his age, died the Rev. John Kentish, who for more than fifty years had been con- nected with this town. During forty of these years he officiated as the minister of the New Meeting House. He was a man of deep and extensive learning, of a gentle and kindly disposition, and of a large and liberal Christian tolerance. The foundation stone of the Wesleyan Methodist Chapel in the Bristol Road was laid by Mr. Alexander Brogden on March 21. 412 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. The friends of peace held a meeting in the Town Hall, on April 7, the Mayor presiding. Mr. Charles Gilpin and Mr. Henry Vincent attended as a deputation from the National Society, and Joseph Sturge, George Edmonds, Alderman Baldwin, Alderman Palmer, and George Dawson took part in the proceedings. A petition to Parliament was adopted in favour of Mr. Cobden's intended motion, urging negocia- tions with France and other Foreign Powers for a mutual reduction of the existing vast standing armaments, and in favour of treaties of international arbitration. On April 26 a public meeting was held under the presi- dency of the Rev. G. S. Bull, for the advocacy of the Satur- day half-holiday. It was announced that a large number of firms already closed their works at mid-clay, and that about 9,000 working men partook of its advantages. A deputation was appointed to wait upon the managers of the Botanical Gardens, the Reservoir, and other places of public resort, to induce them to open those places on the Saturday afternoon. Mrs. H. Beecher Stowe, accompanied by her husband, paid a visit to Birmingham at the end of April, and on May 2, prior to Mrs. Stowe's departure, about 180 ladies and gentle- men were invited by Mr. Sturge to meet her at his house, when an address from the Ladies' Negroes Friend Society was pre- sented to the author of " Uncle Tom's Cabin." It may be mentioned as a curious coincidence, that the melo-drama founded upon her book, was at the time enjoying an unpre- cedented run at the Theatre Royal. St. Paul's Church, Balsall Heath, was consecrated by the Bishop of Worcester on May 17. Strange rumours were current this year of cruelties prac- ticed at the Borough Gaol, which caused great public excite- ment, and which were borne out by several suicides committed by prisoners. On May 28 a deputation, consisting of Joseph Allday, G. Turner, W. Hale, and J. W. Cutler waited upon Lord Palmerston to present a memorial from the burgesses and rate- payers adopted at a public meeting, praying for a public inquiry into the discipline at the gaol, and the treatment of PUBLIC LIFE AND EVENTS. 413 prisoners. After hearing the statements of the deputation, his lordship said that the newspaper report had been sent to him, and in consequence an Inspector of Prisons had been appointed to make inquiries ; but he had not yet received his report. The statement now laid before him was of so startling a character as to demand a full investigation, which he would promise them should take place ; although the mode in which that investigation should be conducted would require some consideration. On May 29 died Dr. Samuel Wright, at the early age of 3G. The Gazette furnishes the following brief notice of this learned physician : — He was a native of Nottingham, and prosecuted his medical studies at the University of Edinburgh, where he achieved distinction, receiving twice the annual jDrize of the Harveian Society for medical essays, and being elected to the Senior Presidentship of the Eoyal Medical Society. He took the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1840, having selected " Mercury" as the subject of his inaugural thesis, which received one of the Gold Medals of the University. He soon after commenced practice in this town, being appointed one of the physicians to the General Dispensary, an office which he filled for ten years. About seven years ago, he succeeded Dr. Sandys as one of the physicians to the Queen's Hospital. Dr. Wright was the author of a " Treatise on the Physiology and Pathology of Saliva," which has been translated into French, Italian, German, Dutch, and Latin ; an essay on " Death, in its relation to Burn- ing ;" and other publications. He was a member of the Imperial Society of Physicians at Vienna, and corresponding member of the Medico- Chirurgical Society of Geneva, the receipt of which latter honor was announced in our columns no longer than last week. The Doctor's literary acquirements were of a high order. He was a graceful and effective speaker, and his writings were remarkable for elegance of diction and force of reasoning. Another public meeting in favour of the Saturday half- holiday was hold in the Town Hall, Mr. Henry Wright, of Saltley Works, in the chair. The resolutions were supported by Mr. J. Henderson, of Smethwick, the Hon. and Rev. G. M. Yorke, Mr. R. W. Winfield, the Rev. Dr. Dixon, the Rev. G. S. Bull, Mr. Joseph Sturge, Mr. George Dawson, the Rev. J. C. Miller, and the Rev. P. Sibree. On the 11th, a meeting of clerks was held, and a society formed, called the Professional, Commercial, and Manufacturing Clerks' Association, for ob- 414 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. taining a half-clay's holiday on Saturday. The following clerks were elected a Committee of Management : — E. Ball M. Exley John Hunt George Ingall Charles King D. J. O'Neill Thomas Simpson Albert Townsencl J. Jones J. L. Smith George Veitch S. Storer H. Bourne J. L. Phelps Thomas Sutton On June 29 the magistrates held their usual session at the Public Office; at which meeting was presented the report of the visiting justices in reply to the charges of cruelty in the discipline of the gaol as practiced by the governor, Mr. A. Austin ; and to the report of Mr. Perry, the government inspector. The inspector said : — In the course of this inquiry, facts have been brought to my know- ledge which warrant me in stating that the governor is in the habit of inflicting on the prisoners, especially those of the juvenile class, punish- ments not sanctioned by law, which, while they are not even effectual in repressing disorder, are in their nature repugnant to the feelings of humanity, and likely to drive the prisoners to desperation. The revelations of the disgraceful cruelties practiced, of the suicides and attempts at suicide to which they led, were of the most revolting character. The crank was one of the favourite instruments of torture ; one poor prisoner was stripped, and condemned to turn it 10,000 times in one day: — 2,000 before breakfast, 4,000 between breakfast and dinner, and 4,000 between dinner and supper. The case of a poor lad, named Andrew, who committed suicide, and which led to the inquiry, was even more revolting. He, as well as other prisoners, were treated with the utmost barbarity. They were days without tasting food; they were fastened to the wall by a collar which nearly strangled them ; a straight jacket, contrived to inflict the most subtle pains, was regularly used; and when the victims fainted from exhaustion, buckets of cold water were thrown over them, by order of the governor. In fact, almost every form of punishment that ingenious cruelty could devise was practised in an English PUBLIC LIFE AND EVENTS. 415 goal in the year 1853. The examples given in the report are of the most shameful character, and fill every reader with the utmost indignation ; the discipline was in fact a species of slow murder, accompanied by torture ; and yet, with the evidence before them, the visiting justices actually reported that, from the time of his first appointment in the prison, they had " found Mr. Austin faithful, energetic and painstaking in the discharge of his difficult and laborious duties ; and that since his appointment as governor, he has maintained good order, both amongst officers and prisoners, with that consideration for the officers which ouo-ht to have received not only the obedience, but the support of all ; and as regards the prisoners, although occasionally using some severity and discipline, yet always with a sense of their position, and a desire to avoid the necessity of recurrence to harsh measures." Such a judgment was probably never before pronounced by a number of gentlemen upon a governor who had introduced punishments " unsanctioned by law, and while ineffectual in repressing disorder, were in their nature repugnant to humanity, and likely to drive the prisoners to desperation." Not only likely, it may be added, but which actually did drive, in less than four years, seventeen persons to desperation. On August 3 the foundation stone of the Unity Fire Assurance Buildings, in Temple Street, was laid by the Mayor. At the Warwick Assizes on Tuesday, August 2, the cause of Constant Derra v. Dawson and others, came on for a new trial, before Mr. Justice Maule ; and lasted until eight o'clock on Wednesday night. A verdict was returned for the plaintiff, damages £800. " The charge of Mr. Justice Maule to the jury," as was truly said in the Journal at the time, "was somewhat remarkable. He was evidently exhausted, could only with difficulty make out his notes, and frequently committed singular mistakes. He ignored the evidence for the defence altogether, and made observations by no means flattering to the defendants and their witnesses. He had no doubt about the unfortunate lady who died, being the 41 G MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. Baroness Von Beck, and was equally clear that she resided at the Court of Vienna, because she lived at Vienna, which was pretty much the same thing. From the slight sketch we have given of the learned judge's dicta, it will be per- ceived that his ruling was entirely in favour of the plaintiff, and there could be no doubt on the mind of any person in court, that the verdict would be upon that side." A bill of exceptions was tendered, but while accepting it, Mr. Justice Maule refused to allow the defendants to give security for the judgment and costs until the points of law were settled, and therefore they had to be paid within a very short time. In consequence of this verdict, Mr. Dawson tendered his resignation as minister of the Church of the Saviour, which the congregation not only refused to accept, but they raised by subscription his portion of the costs and damages. The proceedings of the visiting justice in reference to the discipline of the Borough Gaol, produced a considerable amount of indignation, and the inquiry promised by Lord Palmerston was anticipated with much anxiety. In August a Commission was appointed for that purpose. It consisted of Mr. Welsby, the Recorder of Chichester; Captain Williams, Inspector of Prisons for the Home District ; and Dr. Bailey, Medical Inspector of Milbank Penitentiary. On the 15th, the governor of the gaol tendered his resignation. The Commissioners commenced their inquiry at the Queen's Hotel on August 30. The inquiry lasted twelve days ; and every case of alleged cruelty which was thoroughly investigated, fully confirmed the opinion expressed by Mr. Perry in his report. A more harrowing report than that published by the Com- missioners has probably never seen the light in England — certainly not during the nineteenth century. On September 15, in commenting upon the inquiry, the Times said " Bir- mingham Gaol has in secret been the scene of doings which, as they are described in the depositions of certain witnesses, have literally filled the public with horror. * * * * Stories, which would have been thought exaggerations if found in one of Mr. Dickens's books, are now related of a borough gaol in 1853." PUBLIC LIFE AND EVENTS. 417 A public meeting, called by Mr. Joseph Allday, whose con- duct in reference to the investigation of the alleged cruelties, deserves the highest praise, and who, from the manner in which he acted during the inquiry, called forth some words of warm acknowledgment from Mr. Welsby, the Chief Commissioner, was held in the Town Hall on September 27. The object of the meeting was to " receive the report of the deputation to Viscount Palmerston, on the terrible atrocities at the Borough Gaol ; to protest against the present justices appointing another governor, surgeon, and chief warder to the said gaol, until the decision of the Home Secretary upon the reports of Her Majesty's Commissioners shall be made known ; and to take into consideration the propriety of the appointment of a Stipendiary Magistrate for this great and important borough." Resolutions in accordance with all these objects were passed, and also votes of thanks to the Deputa- tion and to the Commissioners. There were between 9,000 and 10,000 persons present, Mr. George Edmonds in the chair. Notwithstanding these protests, the magistrates on October 19, appointed Mr. Hillyard, governor of the gaol, and re-appointed the visiting justices, thus placing them- selves in antagonism to the justly indignant feelings of the inhabitants of the town. The Commissioners' Report, which contains the whole of the evidence in a blue book of 500 pages, was published in July, 1854. The Commissioners state that Captain Macono- chie " is a gentleman of humanity and benevolence," but that in his desire to reform the prisoners, he maintained the " infliction of punishment which was not warranted by law." Of Lieutenant Austin they observe that, "on the whole, Ave arc constrained to declare our conviction that his conduct in his office, as disclosed in evidence before us, was deserving of the most severe censure." Of Mr. Blount, the surgeon, they say " generally we are compelled to speak of his conduct in terms of strong condemnation." " With respect both to Lieutenant Austin and Mr. Blount, the latter in particular, that much of their evidence before us was given in an evasive, dism- D D 418 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. is senuous. and discreditable manner." The conduct of the chaplain, Mr. Sherwin, deserves some praise, although the Commissioners think he lacked moral courge in not reporting to the visiting justices the horrors of which he was an un- willing witness. The subordinate officers of the gaol " were in many instances guilty of wanton and of very reprehensible severity." They were glad to have the opportunity of naming one warder, William Brown, who showed much humanity in his attempts to relieve prisoners from the extremity of suffer- ing. The visiting justices are said to have sinned mainly through ignorance ; they had such confidence in the governor that " in truth, no real supervision was exercised by them." Mr. Luckcock and Mr. Lucy are expressly blamed ; and all of them, except Mr. Wills, are declared to be " liable to grave censure." Mr. Austin resigned his office before the commencement, and Mr. Blount immediately after the termination, of the investigation. The government decided upon prosecuting Messrs. Austin and Blount, and the Messrs. Whateley, solicitors, were en- trusted with the prosecution. The trial came off at the War- wick Assizes in August 1855, when the governor and surgeon were found guilty. On November 21th, Lieutenant Austin was sentenced by the Court of Queen's Bench to be imprisoned in the Queen's Bench for three months, as a first-class misde- meanant. The abolition of the advertisement duty and the supple- ment stamp on newspapers, was celebrated by the printers of Birmingham at a public dinner on September 12 ; Mi-. Muntz, M.P. was in the chair, and Alderman Baldwin in the vice chair; and Mr. George Dawson and Mr. Dobsou Collett were among the guests. On September 21 Mr. J. B. Gough made his first visit to Birmingham and delivered one of his famous temperance orations in the Town Hall. Mr. Joseph Sturge was in the chair. PUPLIC LIFE AND EVENTS. 419 The new Hebrew Synagogue, in Wrottesley Street, was consecrated with considerable ceremony on September 29 ; when a banquet took place in the evening. At the Town Council meeting, November 9, Mr. James Baldwin was elected Mayor for the ensuing year. The Privy Council on December 8, gave a decision which in effect abolished the Court of Record for the Borough. The Annual Show of Cattle, Poultry, &c, was opened at Biugley Hall on December 13. There were 129 head of cattle ; the number of sheep was smaller than usual ; the number of pigs greater ; and there were no fewer than 2,275 pens of poultry. On the morning of December 20th, an important conference was held at the Royal Hotel on the subject of Juvenile Delinquency. Sir J. Pakington was appointed chairman ; and amongst those who took a leading part in the business were the Earl of Shaftesbury, Mr. C. B. Adderley, M.P., the Rev. J. A. James, Mr. J oseph Sturge, the Earl of Harrowby, Mr. Monckton Milnes, M.P., and the Recorder, Mr. M. D. Hill. This conference was a renewal of a similar meeting, held in the same room, on the 10th December, 1851. It will be recollected that in January last, another meeting, presided over by Lord Calthorpe, was held, when the report of a Com- mittee of Inspection, appointed to inquire into the working of the Ryland Road Reformatory Institute, set on foot last summer by Mr. Joseph Sturge, under the superintendence of Mr. Ellis, was unanimously adopted. The success attending this effort led to the erection by Mr. Adderley of a similar school at Saltley, in which twenty-four boys are now being taught useful trades, so as to fit them for gaining an honest livelihood as soon as the}^ have gone through that period of self-denying probation which is requisite to fit them for going out once more into the world. It was with the view of securing the co-operation of the legislature in the extension of such institutions, that this conference was held. 420 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. In the evening a public meeting was held in the Town Hall, the Earl of Shaftesbury presiding, at which resolutions in accordance with the object of its promoters were passed. At the Town Council meeting, January 3, 1854, Mr. Manton moved a resolution for the appointment of a Stipen- diary Magistrate for the borough, but, after a lengthy debate, it was negatived by a majority of six votes. The winter of 1853-54 was a severe one, and great distress prevailed. On January 6, 1854, a meeting was held to adopt such measures as might be deemed expedient for the im- mediate relief of the poor during the continuance of the extra- ordinaryly inclement weather. The Mayor (Mr. J. Baldwin,) presided. A subscription was commenced and a committee elected for its distribution. The severity of the season had been unparalleled since the winter of 1837-8. The Committee appointed Mr. James Corder and Mr. Michael Maher honorary secretaries. The sum of £759 10s. 6d. was subscribed, which was distributed to the poor by the clergy and ministers of religion of all denominations. At the close of this " labour of love " there was a balance in hand of £7 14s. 2d. At the Town Council meeting, February 21, 1854, the General Purposes Committee reported that they had taken the subject of purchasing the plant, &c, of the Water- Works Company into consideration, and they thought it desirable that early notice should be given by the Council of their intention to do so; and asked that power should be given by the Committee, to take proceedings and negociate terms. The recommendation was approved. It appears that at this period the Company had expended upon existing works £120,000, and had incurred debts amounting to £30,000, making in all a capital of £150,000. They proposed, by a new bill, to raise £150,000 more, making in all £300,000. On April 4, the Committee were instructed to continue nego- ciations with the Company, and oppose the bill in the Lords, if they found it desirable. In May the Peers Committee pronounced in favour of the application of the Company, and against the Corporation. The lords introduced the following clause in the bill : — PUBLIC LIFE AND EVENTS. 421 That, if the Council of the borough of Birmingham, under the powers of the Birmingham Improvement Act, shall, within two years from the 7th day of March last, purchase the Birmingham Water Works, then, and in such case, in estimating the amount to be paid to the Company in respect of any new shares to be created under the powers of this Act, it shall be estimated as if such new shares constituted a stock entitled only to £6 per cent dividend. Father Gavazzi delivered his last lecture in Birmingham in the Town Hall on March 10, on " The Papacy in England." St. John's Church, Ladywood, was consecrated by the Bishop of Worcester on March 15. April the 27th was set apart for a day of humiliation and prayer on account of the war. It was most solemnly observed in Birmingham. Almost every church and chapel was crowded with worshippers ; nearly all the shops and manu- factories were closed, and the railways ran trains as on Sundays. Collections were made at all the churches and chapels towards the fund in aid of the widows and children, when upwards of £1,200 was subscribed. On May 21, aged 50 years, died Mr. R. Prosser, civil engineer of this town. The following is from a notice of his life, which appeared in the Journal on the 27th : — In early life he was employed in the then extensive brass foundry estab- lishment of Penn and Williams, Bromsgrove Street. As the natural bent of his genius, however, led him to desire a more intimate acquain- tance with machinery, he spent his leisure hours in the examination and study of the principles of mechanical philosophy, the study of applied mechanics, and in the practice of mechanical drawing. By these means he qualified himself for the profession of civil engineer, in the active duties of which he was engaged until his lamented death, which took place on the morning of Sunday, at his house near King's Norton. On matters relating to inventions or the processes carried on in the manu- factures and trades of the town, Mr. Prosser was an undoubted authority. He was appealed to on the occasion of the trials of several important patent cases, and but rarely, if ever, was his aid in this direction sought in vain. In the late agitation respecting the Patent Laws, which resulted in the extensive and important alterations which aow regulate the law of property in inventions, Mr. Prosser ranged himself in front of the battle. Intimately acquainted with their iniqiu- tous conditions, absurd anomalies, and glaring abuses, lie spared neither time nor personal exertion in agitating for their amendment. In the 422 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. summer of 1851 he was examined before the Parliamentary Committee of the House of Commons, and gave important information as to the defective state of the law of patents. To him we owe the possession by government of the "Indexes of Patents," compiled by Professor Woodcraft, until the purchase of which the nation was really ignorant of what had been done or patented in machines or manufactures. Aware how much valuable time was lost in inventing what had been done before, Mr. Prosser agitated for the publication of specifications in groups, referring to particular classes of manufacturers. He not only did this, but something more ; he showed how it could and ought to be done, by printing three valuable specifications relating to the working of wood — viz., those of Bentham, Brunei, and Elizabeth Taylor. They bore on the cover the following characteristic inscription : " Suggestions as to the form of printing the past and future specifications of letters patent for inventions, so as to render them available to the public at a cheap rate, with a view to their classification into groups illustrative of the history and progressive improvement of the trade or manufacture to which the patents relate." At head-quarters an unexpected difficulty presented itself in the cost at which lithographic diagrams could be had to illustrate the printed matter ; the difficulty was at once overcome by Mr. Prosser becoming contractor for the necessary supply at little more than half the customary charge made by trade lithographers. At the period of his death Mr. Prosser was actively engaged in increasing his facilities for the production of these illustrations. Appreciating his general acquaintance with mechanical construction, the Commissioners of the Patent Office had applied to Mr. Prosser to write the appendix to the group of specifications on small arms. This work, we understand, was very far advanced at his death. It would have been amply illustra- ted with drawings of improved machines employed in the manufacture enter Boad, and was discovered insensible by two members of the Council. The injuries he then sustained rendered him almost incapable of dis- charging his duties ; but he was still retained by the Corporation at a reduced salary. On April 1 the Town Council appointed Mr. Kynnersley Stipendiary Magistrate. Four candidates were nominated; the votes for Mr. Kynnersley, being 50 ; Mr. Adams, 33 ; Mr Bevan, 31 ; and Mr. Simons, 30. The appointment was sub- sequently confirmed by the Queen. Mr. Kynnersley was introduced to the Town Council and the Magistrates on April 19, and took his seat on the Bench for the first time on the same day. At the meeting of the Council on May 6, the Mayor read a letter from the Lord Chancellor announcing that he had appointed S. Buckley, W. Middlemore, T. A. Attwood, and G. R. Elkington, as Borough Magistrates. M. Kossuth visited Birmingham again this year, and, on the nights of May 7 and 8, delivered two lectures in the PUBLIC LIFE AND EVENTS. 435 Town Hall, on the " Concordat between the Pope and Francis Joseph of Austria, with special reference to Hungary in general, and to the Protestants of Hungary in particular." The proceeds of these lectures, amounting to £121, were hand- ed over to M. Kossuth. The Bishop of Worcester consecrated the Church of St. Matthias, in Wheeler Street, on June 5. It is capable of accomodating 1,151 adults, 741 of the sittings being free. The total cost, including endowment, was £G,430. A terrible inundation took place in France this year, which inflicted fearful sufferings on some 40,000 persons, and des- troyed property amounting to nearly £1 3,000,000. A meeting was held on June 27, at which a subscription was commenced for the relief of the sufferers. The Mayor was in the chair, and the Rev. J. C. Miller, Alderman Lucy, Dr. Melson, T. A. Attwoocl, Alderman Ratcliff, J. A. Langford, Thomas Lloyd, the Rev. George Jeffries, and Mr. R. W. Dale, took part in the proceedings. Upwards of £3G0 were subscribed at the meeting, of which the first instalment of £250 was for- warded by the Mayor to the Prefect of the Seine on June 30 ; and £250 on July 9. The total amount subscribed was £910, the expenses about £(30. The first stone of the new Presbyterian Church, in New John Street, was laid on July 14, by Mr. John Henderson, of the London Works. The first stone, also, of St. Paul's Schools, Balsall Heath, was laid on the 17th of the same month. The jubilee of the Cannon Street Chapel was celebrated on July 1G, and in the speech of Mr. J. W. Showell he gave the following summary of the history of the chapel : — The present chapel originated in 1806, under the pastorate of Mr. Morgan. At the present time there were but twelve members in con- nection with the chapel, who were members when Mr. Morgan resigned. Mr. Birt was the next minister, and his labours, particularly among the youthful, were greatly successful. Towards the year 1823 he became much afflicted, and resigned in 1825. During his pastorate the congre- gation, in 1816, cleared off the debt on the chapel by subscriptions among themselves, amounting to nearly .£'1,700, and 438 members were added 436 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. during his ministry. On resigning his office the church granted him an annuity of ,£100, which was continued until his death in 1837. The church then remained destitute of a pastor till January, 1839, when Mr. Swan entered the pastoral office. Under his ministerial care the church had enjoyed a large measure of peace. Mr. Swan had had the pleasure of introducing into the church 1,200 members, upwards of 950 of whom were by baptism. In 1806, the only Baptist Chapels in the town were Cannon Street, Bond Street, and Lombard Street, the united members of which did not exceed 600. There were now ten Baptist Churches, numbering about 2,500 members. Since the erection of Cannon Street Chapel in 1806, seven Baptist Chapels have been erected in the town, and the congregation in Cannon Street alone have erected chapels in Wythall Heath, King's Norton, Alvechurch, and Shirley Street. Since the chapel was opened in 1806, there had been added to the church in Cannon Street by baptism 1,495, and by letter, &c, 403, making a total of 1,898. The British Medical Association held their annual meeting this year in Birmingham. The sittings commenced on July 29, and continued on the 30th and 31st. Dr. James John- stone, the president, occupied the chair. A soiree was given at the Town Hall on the 30th, and on the evening of the 31st a public dinner took place. At this meeting subjects of great importance to the profession were discussed. A meeting was held on August 25, for the purpose of organizing a local committee in aid of the national move- ment for commemorating the heroic services of Miss Florence Nightingale. An influential committee was elected. Mr. Charles Ratcliff was appointed treasurer, and Mr. Alfred Davidson, hon. secretary. In September the Attwood Memorial Committee published an appeal to the men of Birmingham, informing them that it was proposed to erect a statue to his memory, for which purpose from £1,200 to £1,400 would be required, of which only £700 had up to that time been subscribed. The Com- mittee had resolved to close the subscription on October 4. " Let every man," continued the appeal, " who values the blessings of free institutions subscribe at once to do honour to him who assisted in so eminent a degree to make them heir- looms to all Englishmen." PUBLIC LIFE AND EVENTS. 437 The new Jewish Synagogue was consecrated by the Chief Kabbi, Dr. Adley, on September 24. On November 9, Mr. Alderman John Ratcliff was elected mayor for the ensuing year. Another town's meeting in favour of the repeal of the Income Tax was held on December 18, in which the mem- bers for the borough, J. S. Wright, George Dawson, T. A, Attwood, W. R. Lloyd, Julius Partridge, and Mr. W. Morgan took part. The Cattle Show was held this year on the accustomed days, the total receipts were £3,533 3s., and the expenditure £3,293 18s. 8d., showing a balance of income over expen- diture of £239 4s. 4d. The year 1856 closed while this country was engaged in the Chinese and Persian wars, and on the 19th of January, 1857, a meeting was held in the Music Hall, at which resolutions condemning those wars were passed. Mr. Alderman Baldwin occupied the chair, and Mr. W. Morgan, the Rev. C. Vince, Joseph Sturge, the Rev. A. G. O'Neill, Julius Partridge, and J. S. Wright took part in the proceedings. Mr. Henry Mayhew paid his first visit to Birmingham on February 19, 1857, when he delivered a lecture in the Town Hall, on "London Labour and the Loudon Poor." On March 9, the Rev. Thomas Swan died suddenly, of apoplexy, at Glasgow. The Journal of the 14th contained the following notice of the deceased : — The suddeu and unexpected death of the Rev. Thomas Swan, of this town, has cast a gloom over all his friends, and has involved the church of which he was the honoured Pastor in sorrow and distress. He left home in the early part of last week, in his usual health, to obtain assistance from friends in Scotland on behalf of the Scholastic Institute for the education of the sons of ministers, at Shireland Hall. On Sun- day morniug he had an attack of apoplexy, by which he was rendered totally unconscious, from which he never recovered. A telegraphic message was immediately despatched, summoning Mrs. Swan ; and another message wj red about eleven on Monday morning, stating dial In' was still alive, bul that his recovery was hopeless intelligence which struck his friends with surprise and dismay. In the evening the members of his church had assembled in Cannon Street Vestry, in great 438 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. numbers, to offer prayers on his behalf, during which another message arrived, stating that he had expired at about ten minutes past six. The overwhelming effect upon the audience need not be described. The disappearance from our midst of one so excellent and highly respected, claims something more than a mere record of his death. Mr. Swan, though born in Manchester, was of Scottish ancestry, and spent his earlier years, up to manhood, in Scotland. When but a young man, he became connected with the church, and the accomplished Rev. W. Anderson, of Edinburgh, who entertained a high opinion of his young friend, and cherished for him the greatest regard during his life. By him Mr. Swan was recommended to the Baptist College in Bristol, where he became a student for the ministry ; and by his amiable spirit, his classical attainments, and his superior talents, he won the esteem and affection of all his collegiate brethren. From college he went to India, as Professor of Theology in the college of Serampore. His residence there, however, did not exceed more than two or three years ; when on his return to England, he became the pastor of the chm*ch in Cannon-street, in the year 1828. Since that period he has been amongst us for nearly twenty-nine years, taking an active and prominent part in all religious movements among the Dissenters, and gaining for himself universal respect by his blameless and devoted life, and acquiring a character which he has left behind him in a thousand memories, without the slightest stain of reproach. His urbanity, his kindness, his courtesy, his freedom from assumption, his blandness of manner and sunny smile, his genial spirit, and gentlemanly demeanour, will be long remembered by those who intimately knew him ; while his readiness to render assist- ance to every good cause which commended itself to his judgment, to- gether with his liberality in responding to almost every well-authenticated claim made on his charity, were virtues which will not be easdy for- gotten. In fact, if anything, his generosity was not sufficiently discrimi- nating, a small fault, however, in the midst of so much goodness. Hail to his memory, and farewell. On May 25 Mr. G. J. Holyoake delivered a lecture at the Odd Fellows' Hall, on "A Free Sunday, not a Jewish Sabbath :" and on the 27th, on " Design, considered as the Footprint of the Deity." Felice Orsini, the Italian patriot, who in the year 1856, had effected an almost miraculous escape from the prison of St. Giorgio, Mantua, delivered a lecture in the Masonic Hall, on July 10, on " Italian Liberty and the Papacy." Mr. George Dawson occupied the chair ; and at the close of the lecture the following resolution, moved by Mr. T. C. Salt, and second- ed by Mr. J. A. Langford, was passed unanimously : — public; life and events. 439 That a memorial be presented to the House of Commons, praying it to adopt such measures as may be necessary to induce her Majesty's Ministers, in conjunction with her allies, to procure the evacuation of the Roman States by all foreign troops ; that the Chairman be requested to sign the memorial on behalf of the meeting, and that W. Scholefield, Esq., M.P., be reqeated to present it to the House of Commons. This year we lost our senior representative, Mr. Muntz, who died at his residence, Umberslade Hall, on July 30, in the 63rd year of his age. The following is a brief sketch of his life : — George Frederick Muntz, Esq., M.P., was born in November, 1794, in the house at the corner of Great Charles Street, fronting the Institu- tion of Mechanical Engineers on the opposite side of. Newhall Street. His early education was entrusted to his mother, under whose careful tuition he acquired several languages, and became especially well read in history. About the age of twelve he was sent to the school of Dr. Currie, at Small Heath ; but he only remained there a year, and this was the only professional education Mr. Muntz received. At the death of his father in 1811, he was placed in the establishment in Water Street, managed, until he came of age, by his uncle, Mr. Purden. He began early to take an interest in national affairs, and wrote a series of letters to the Duke of Wellington in 1829 on the "Currency," which attracted considerable attention. When upwards of thirty years of age he began to take an active part in public life. The period was one of bitter party hostility and stormy change. The Test Acts were abolished, and freedom to the Roman Catholics had been granted, but there still remained the great question of Reform. Mr. Muntz at once attached himself to Thomas Attwood and his opinions, and, with Mr. Attwood and Mr. Scholefield, he organized the " Political Union for the Protection of Public Rights," on the 14th of December, 1829. On the 25th of Jan- uary, 1830, the great movement was inaugurated at a monster meeting in Beardsworth's Repository, with Mr. Muntz as chairman. In the ex- citing and perilous campaign of the Union he took an active part, so active that warrants were prepared, but not signed, for the arrest of Attwood, Scholefield, Muntz, and other leaders of the Union : but the Reform Bill passed, and Messrs. Attwood and Scholefield were returned as the first representatives of Birmingham in Parliament. After eight years labour in the House of Commons Mr. Attwood retired, and Mr. Muntz was elected on the 24th of January, 1840, and continued to occupy that position until the close of his career, in spite of some opposition. Asa speaker in the House he never acquired any great reputation'; his extremely plain speaking strongly contrasting with the more polished oratory of the other Members ; and as he attached himself to no party, 440 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND IT£ INSTITUTIONS. he had but little opportunity to originate any measures of national im- portance ; but his good offices were equally available for political friends or foes, as he considered " he represented everybody." Mr. Muntz took a prominent part in local politics for many years, and the period of " the Church-rate riots " was one of the most stormy of his public career. The Dissenters had made several attempts to oppose the passing of a Church Rate, and the struggle reached a crisis on Easter Tuesday, 1837. The Conservatives were for the rate, and the Liberals against it. Both parties tried to secure a large attendance of their friends at St. Martin's Church on that day. The Rector presided, and on his refusing to put a motion, Mr. Muntz moved him out of the chair, and general confusion followed. Mr. Muntz was charged with assaulting Mr. Rawlins, the head constable. Upon this comparatively trivial charge, an application was made to the Court of Queen's Bench for a criminal information against Mr. Muntz and three others. The informa- tion was granted, and a fund was established for Mr. Muntz's prosecu- tion. Public sympathy, however, was all in his favour. The trial took place at Warwick, on Friday, the 30th of March, 1838, when the de- fendants were arraigned before Justice J. A. Park on a charge of having " unlawfully, tumultuously, and riotously assembled in the parish church of St. Martha, on the occasion of an election of churchwardens, and that they did then and there assault Mr. Gutteridge and Mr. Rawlins." Lord Campbell (then Attorney General), was for the prsoecution ; Lord Truro (then Sergeant Wilde), was for the defence. The trial lasted three days, and terminated in what was virtually an acquittal. Mr. Muntz was found guilty on the second count (an affray), and was acquitted on the other twelve counts. The preceedings, however, were subsequently quashed on an application to the Queen's Bench. The Judge (Justice Park,) and the Court were of opinion that the proceedings were illegal, and that the prosecution should never have been instituted. The whole proceeding was peculiarly harsh aud unnecessarily severe. It gave Mr. Muntz much anxiety and annoyance ; and it was very costly. Sergeant Wilde had a retaining fee of 500 guineas, and the total expense was full ,£2,500. The sympathising public, however, would not suffer Mr. Muntz to sustain this loss, and generously contributed the greater part, if not the whole cost, of the proceedings, which, however, we believe, he refused to receive. Although no rate had been granted for years before these occurrences, yet from this period the attempts in favour of its imposition became more feeble, and then gradually ceased to be made. There can be no question that the proceedings taken against Mr. Muntz greatly contributed to this result. Birmingham was nobly represented in the Crimean war ; and one of the gallantest heroes who fell in that terrible con- PUPLIC LIFE AND EVENTS. 441 test was Leiutenant-Colonel Thomas Unett, whose heroic conduct and death were commemorated by a granite obelisk erected in St. Philip's Churchyard. It was finished in August, and the pedestal bears the following inscription : — THOMAS UNETT, C.B., LEIUTENANT-COLONEL OF THE 19TH FOOT, BORN IN BIRMINGHAM ON THE 12TH NOVEMBER, 1800, WAS MORTALLY WOUNDED AT THE SEIGE OF SEBASTOPOL WHILE LEADING THE BRITISH COLUMN TO THE FINAL ASSAULT ON THE REDAN ON THE 8TH SEPTEMBER, 1855. HIS FRIENDS AND FELLOW TOWNSMEN DEDICATE THIS OBELISK TO HIS MEMORY, AS A RECORD OF THE NOBLE EXAMPLE OF ONE WHO CHOSE THE FOREMOST PLACE IN THE PATH OF DUTY, AND MET DEATH WITH THE CALM UNDAUNTED SriRIT OF A CHRISTIAN SOLDIER. The obelisk bears simply the words " Alma, Sebastopol." The Indian Mutiny, with its horrors and frightful cruelties, was exciting the indignation and sympathy of the English people ; and Birmingham, never backward in any work of beneficence, joined the rest of the nation in giving practical proof of its depth of feeling on this terrible event. A public meeting, called by the Mayor, was held on Septem- ber 18, in which the Hon. and Rev. G. M. Yorke, W. Scholefield, M.P., the Rev. J. C. Barrett, R. Spooner, M.P., the Rev. G. S. Bull, R. W. Dale, Alderman Hawkes, and John Jaffray took part. A resolution of sympathy was passed, a committee appointed, a subscription commenced, and upwards of £600 subscribed. On October 6, it was reported that the fund had reached £2,700, of which £1,500 had been received. It was resolved that this amount be transmitted to the London Committee. On October 7, the day of " solemn fasting, humiliation, and prayer," a collection was made in aid of the fund at almost all the churches and chapels. A meeting of the Committee was held on January 11th, 1858, when the Finauce Sub-Committee presented the follow- ing report : — 442 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. Your sub-committee report that the amount of subscription to this date is ,£4,715 Os. 4d., aud that £4,391 7s. 9d. has been received. In addition to this, various sums have been collected by the Wesleyans and others, and paid in London. The total amount of local subscriptions therefore far exceeds the estimate formed by your committee. Your sub-committee beg to remind you that the sum of £3,000 has been transmitted to the London Committee, and the other balance of the subscriptions collected remains to be disposed of. ■ Your sub-committee has reason to believe that the amount at the disposal of the London Committee is quite, if not more than, sufficient to meet the demands likely to be made upon it ; and it is submitted to the committee whether a portion of the money now in the hands of the local committee, could not with propriety, and with great advantage, be applied to the relief of the wives and children, residing in Birmingham aud immediate vicinity, of soldiers serving in India, many of whom are suffering great privations. Your sub-committee are aware that the fund was subscribed for a definite object, but they submit that the one now mentioned is almost involved in the other. They suggest that a circular be addressed to each subscriber, requesting to know if any objection exists to the appropriation of a portion of the funds in hand to the relief of wives and children, or widows and orphans, as the case may be, of soldiers serving, or who have fallen, in India, the appropriation of the money to be under the superintendence of your committee, cooperating with Lieut. -Colonel Bamford. Birmingham had the honour of being the birth-place of the National Association for the Promotion of Social Science. Its first meeting was held in the Town Hall, on October 12, 1857, the president, Lord Brougham, delivered the " In- augural Address." On the 13th, 14th, and loth, the various sections met, and a large number of papers were read and discussed. The sections with their respective presidents were : Jurisprudence and Amendment of the Law, Lord John Russell ; Education, Sir John Pakington ; Punishment and Reformation, M. D. Hill ; Public Health, Lord Stanley ; and Social Economy, Sir Benjamin Brodie. On the evening of the 13th a soiree was held in the Town Hall ; on the 14th a conversazione' at the Society of Artists, Temple Bow ; and on the 15th a public meeting in the Town Hall in aid of the Reformatory movement. The vice-presidents for this year were the Mayor of Birmingham (Mr. John Ratcliff), and the Recorder (Mr. M. D. Hill) ; the local secretaries were Messrs. PUBLIC LIFE AND EVENTS. 443 J. T. Bunce, Charles Ratcliff, and J. F. Winneld. The papers produced by local writers were : Proposed Bill for amending the Laws of Bankrupts, by Sampson S. Lloyd; Statistics of King Edward's Grammar School, by the Rev. E. H. Gilford ; The School and the Manufactory, by the Rev. Sydney Gedge ; Results of an Inquiry into the State of Education of the Working Classes of Birmingham, by the Rev. W. Gover ; Adult Evening Schools, by the Rev. J. C. Miller, D.D. ; Constitution and Management of Schools of Art, by George Wallis ; Irish Convict Prisons, by M. D. Hill ; The Industrial School of Art, 1857, by Alfred Hill; the Adaptation of Punishment to the Causes of Crime, by the Rev. J. T. Burt; The Mortality of Birmingham compared with that of London and seven other Towns, by Thomas Green ; The Sewers of Birmingham, by John Pigott Smith ; Parks and Public Places of Recreation, by J. A. Langford ; An Improved Air-tight Metallic Coffin, by J. J. Salt ; The Adulteration of Food and Drugs, by John Postgate ; The Teaching of Social Economy, by W. M. Williams ; and The Employment of Women in Factories in Birmingham, by J. S. Wright. The great African traveller, Dr. Livingstone, visited Bir- mingham this year (1857). On October 23, he met the mem- bers of the Chamber of Commerce, and in a most interesting speech gave a large amount of information relative to the commercial prospects which he anticipated would result from his recent discoveries in that country, to the trade and com- merce of England. In the evening he addressed alarge audience in the Town Hall on the subject of his travels. On Novem- ber 2, a meeting was held, at which a subscription was com- menced to assist Dr. Livingstone in his work of exploring Africa. The objects of the fund were, to enable the doc- tor to pursue his researches ; to provide for the maintenance of his wife and family while he was in Africa ; and for their support in the event of his losing his life during the proposed expedition. The total amount raised was £255 2s. lid., which sum included £74 13s 3d. the proceeds of the 444 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. doctor's lecture. In acknowledgement of this subscription, the great traveller wrote the following letter to Mr. Thomas Lloyd : — 50, Albermarle Street, London, 1st February, 1858. My dear Sir, — I beg leave thankfully to acknowledge the receipt of your favour, containing a cheque for ,£255 2s. lid., and to request you to tender my hearty thanks to the kind donors for their liberality. For none of the gifts given me by the different contributors had I the least hope or anticipation when pursuing my labours, and even while accepting them gratefully, as tokens of approbation for the j)ast, I feel myself laid under additional obligations to pursue the same course for the future ; and I hope that the interest which has been awakened in Africa may be the earnest of blessings to that long trodden-down country. That interest is certainly not my production, for I believe that I might have done all I did and come home attempting to move heaven and earth for applause, and entirely failed in securing that interest which has sprung up without effort. It has been produced by the Divine Spirit moving the public mind in the direction He wills to work, and I am deeply grateful to Him for making me an instrument, and to you all for your kind aj:>preciatiou of my services. I am, my dear Sir, Most gratefully yours, David Livingstone. The foundation stone of the New Church Schools of St. Clement's, Nechell's Green, was laid by Lord Calthorpe on October 27. On November 9, Mr. John Ratcliff was re-elected Mayor for the ensuing year. The Annual Cattle and Poultry Show was held on the four days ending December 3 ; the receipts amounted to £1,235 5s. ; and the number of visitors was 43,858. The foundation stone of the Temperance Hall, Upper Temple Street, was laid on January 12, 1858, by the Mayor, Mr. John Ratcliff Mr. Thomas Lloyd convened a meeting on the 15th of January, " for the purpose of expressing in a permanent form a sense of the invaluable services of the deceased General Havelock, and of doing something to perpetuate the memory PUBLIC LIFE AND EVENTS. 445 of so good a man and so eminent a soldier." The Mayor presided, and it was decided to hold a public meeting on the subject ; Aldermen T. Lloyd, T. E. T. Hodgson, and H. Manton ; Messrs. Arthur Ryland, W. Lucy, John Jaftray, W. C. McCa'rdie and J. A. Langford, were appointed a committee to make the necessary arrangements. The Town Council, also, at its meeting on January 19, adopted an address of condolence to Lady Havelock. The public meeting was held on the 21st, and resolutions approving the object, and appointing a committee were passed with enthusiasm. The Mayor was appointed chair- man, Mr. Thomas Lloyd treasurer, and Mr. W. R. Kettle and Mr. W. S. Allen hon. secretaries. The first list of donations, amounting to £140 19s., was announced on March 30. On January 25, the Princess Royal was married to Prince Frederick William of Prussia, and Birmingham rejoiced with the other towns of the kingdom on the event. The Town Council adopted addresses of congratulation to the Queen and to the Royal pair. The Mayor, Mr. J. RatclifF, gave a dinner at Bingley Hall to 1,200 persons, and a banquet at the Royal Hotel ; a free concert took place at the Town Hall in the evening, and there was a ball at the Music Hall. The clay was observed as a general holiday in the town, and numerous festivities were indulged in on the occasion. A considerable number of the inhabitants illuminated their houses. The most characteristic part of this celebration con- sisted of the marriage presents which the Birmingham trades- men made to the Princess. These consisted of a beautiful card case, from T. Aston and Son ; some exquisite specimens of the silversmiths' art, from G. R. Collis ; a group in bronze of the Queen and the Prince of Wales, and a pair of large can- delabra of the same metal, from Messrs. Messenger ; a papier- mache" writing desk, from Messrs, Jennens and Bettridge ; a gold chain, from B. W. Goode ; a case of fine steel pens, from Messrs. Hinks and Wells ; a morocco case of pens and pen- holders, from Messrs. Myers and Son; an elaborately em- broidered lady's .saddle, from W. Middlemore ; a lady's 146 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. round bridle, from T. Birtles ; a set of handsome fire irons, from Messrs. A. Gray and Son ; a pair of carved library bellows, from J. C. Onions ; a toilet pincushion, from Messrs. Kirby, Beard, and Co. ; a case of buttons, from W. Aston ; a pair of grape-pattern gold ear-tops and drops, from B. W. Westwood ; a splendid pair of carriage lamps, from E. Simons; the " Surprise " inkstand, from W. Gough ; a fine gold brooch, from Messrs. Mills and Wilkes ; a case of patent gold lock- pins, from C. Rowley ; a necklet, chain and pendant, from Messrs. T. and J. Bragg; six small ornamental chains, in silver and gold, from Messrs. Browne and Clarke ; a set of steel scissors, relieved with gold, from Messrs. T. P. Salt and Son ; and other contributions from S. Tonks, Messrs. Rea and Webb, T. Ottley, and Messrs. J. Defries and Son. These gifts were presented to her Royal Highness at Buckingham Palace, on February 10. The deputation from the Corporation con- sisted of the Mayor (Mr. John Ratcliff,) Aldermen Hodgson and Palmer, and the Town Clerk; the manufacturers ap- pointed Messrs. Middlemore, Aston, Hinks, Onions, Tonks, Stinton, Simons, Messenger, Collis, Bragg, and Goocle, to represent them on this occasion. W. Scholefield, M.P., and R. Spooner, M.P., introduced the deputations. The Town Clerk read and presented the address, and the Prince returned the following reply : — Mr. Mayor and Gentlemen, — Accept, on behalf of myself and the Princess, our warmest thanks for your congratulations, and for your beautiful and interesting present, which is a most worthy rejjresentation of the manufactures of one of the vast centres of British industry. Your gift will ever remain to us a precious token of the affectionate sympathy of the Corporation and the manufacturers of Birmingham. With you, I hope that this union, the source of the greatest happiness to myself, may at the same time prove the means of increasing the friendly relation which so happily subsists between the two countries. The winding-up of the Patriotic Fund, which was commen- ced in 1855, was not completed until February 22, 1858, when the finance committee presented their report. The total amount raised was £12,936 17s. 3d, £12,000 of which had been remitted to the Royal Commissioners ; and the balance PUBLIC LIFE AND EVENTS. 447 £323 lis. 10d.,was ordered to be forwarded. Upwards of 7,000 persons subscribed to the fund, the total expenses of which amounted to £613 5s. 5d. Mr. Robert Wright gratuitously audited the voluminous accounts. Mr. J. B. Gough, the American temperance advocate, delivered another of his orations in the Town Hall, on March 17 ; Mr. Joseph Sturge in the chair. The new spire of St. Martin's Church having been finished, public attention was directed to the desirability of completing the work, by the restoration of the clock, chimes, and bells. A meeting was held for this purpose on March 31, under the presidency of the Mayor, when a subscription was commenced to provide the necessary funds. It was estimated that between £300 and £100 would be required. Eighty pounds were subscribed at the meeting, the Mayor giving £20. Dr. Miller, acting on a suggestion made by Mr. T. C. S. Kynnersley (the Stipendiary Magistrate for the borough) this year organized the " St. Martin's Shoe-black Brigade." It consisted of thirty -five lads; and on the morning of April 5, thirty-three of them assembled in the Sunday-school room, Shutt Lane, dressed in their uniform, where they were regaled with a breakfast previous to beginning their labours. Each lad was presented with a copy of the rules and a ticket, on which was written his station for the ensuing week, and was presented with a shilling to start with. The boys were ad- dressed by Dr. Miller, the Mayor, and Mr. Kynnersley, the last named gentleman giving Dr. Miller five shillings to be presented to the boy who first earned a similar sum. The expense of equipping the brigade amounted to about £100. Birmingham added one more protest against the opium trade. At a public meeting held on May 4, the Mayor in the chair, the following resolution, moved by the Rev. S. Gedge, seconded by the Rev. J. A. James, and supported by Alderman Manton, was passed : — That in the opinion of this meeting the growth and preparation of opium in British India for introduction into China, in violation of the laws of the empire, is disgraceful to this country, prejudicial to its legiti- 448 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. mate commerce, contrary to the dictates of Christianity, and calculated to bring discredit upon the Christian name. Another resolution, moved by the Rev. G. Pettitt, seconded by C. H. Bracebridge, and supported by Joseph Sturge, was also passed, which, after enumerating the evils caused by this pernicious drug, declared that no fiscal advantages to be derived from the continuance of the traffic could justify the State in obtaining Indian revenue from so polluted a source. A petition, praying for its abolition, moved by the Rev. W. Cockin and seconded by the Rev. A. G. O'Neill, was approved by the meeting. A town's meeting was held on May 17, on the subject of Christianity in India. The Rev. W. Cockin, Alderman Manton, Admiral Moorsom, George Dawson, the Rev. G. Pettitt, and the Rev. C. Vince, took part in the proceedings, when resolutions in accordance with the objects of the meeting were passed. The attendance was a very small one. On the 20th, the Hall was crowded to hear Mr. A. Layard, who had just returned from India, deliver a lecture on the present aspect of affairs in that country. The foundation stone of the new Wesleyan Chapel, King Edward's Road, was laid by Sir John Ratcliff, on July 14. On the 16th, Mr. Rarey visited Birmingham, and exhibited his wonderful power over the most vicious horses The exhibition was replete with interest, and the results were a full confirmation of the efficacy of his system, which consisted of an union of gentleness, patience, and firmness. The Duke of Malakoff, the French Ambassador, paid a private visit to Birmingham on July 20, on which occasion he visited Mr. Creswell's Cut Nail Works, Aston Park and Hall, Messrs. Jennens and Bettridge's Papier Mache Show Rooms, and Messrs. Everett and Hill's, to inspect Mr. Baker's picture, " The Allied Generals before Sebastopol." After a short interview with Sir John Ratcliff, at the Hen and Chickens Hotel, the hero of Malakoff left foivLondon. The failure of the joint stock banks, and other large 'com- mercial firms, which formed the subject of observation in the PUBLIC LIFE AND EVENTS. 449 Queen's Speech in December, caused great distress and suffer- ing to the working classes in this town. A large number were thrown out of work. The workhouse was crowded, and thousands made application for relief in the outdoor department, anxious but unable to procure work. Skilled artisans were set to break stones. Upon two occasions serious riots occurred. A Committee of working men was organized to procure funds for supplementing the relief afford- ed by the parish. This distress continued through the winter and spring into the summer. For the week ending the 1st of May the number of paupers receiving relief was G,442, being 850 more than in the corresponding week of 1857. Up to May 10, the amount received towards the unemployed relief fund was £837 8s. Id, of which £822 5s. Od. had been expended. On July 28, Messrs. Joseph Allday and Mr. Maher, the honorary secretaries to the committee, published a state- ment, by which it appeared that the total amount subscribed was £1,217 9s. 6d, of which £1,187 9s. 6d., had been expend- ed, leaving a balance of £30 in the hands of the bankers. The total number of relief payments made, amounted to 4,44G, representing in all nearly 15,000 persons. The Rev. John Garbett, Vicar of Harborne, died rather suddenly on the 23rd of August, aged QQ years. " The event," writes a contemporary chronicler, " produced a deep sen- sation in the village, his six or seven years' intercourse with the parish- ioners of Harborne having endeared him to all classes. Its peaceable con- dition during that period is proof, also, that he strove to live on good terms with Dissenters. In St. George's, Birmingham, however, his memory will be long revered. Here he laboured nearly a quarter of a century previous to receiving the preferment of the vicarage of Har- borne ; and in organizing the educational machinery of that populous district, he was one of the earliest and most zealous labourers in that field of good works which have given the church so much stronger a hold on the affections and respect of the people of Birmingham, than it had when Mr. Garbett commenced his labours amongst them. As a working pastor and an accomplished divine, the deceased gentleman occu- pied an honourable position amongst the clergy of the town ; and in all matters affecting the social well-being of the community, he took a warm interest. He was Eural Dean of Birmingham when he removed to F F 450 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. Harborne. Subsequently he was appointed one of the Honorary Canons of Worcester. He was also one of the Governors of the Free Grammar School." A young musician, full of the richest promise, but who had already arrived at a glorious maturity, passed from our midst this year. On the 24th of August, died Mr. Francis Edward Bache, in his 25th year. " Those whom the gods love die young," said the Greeks ; and here was a sad illus- tration of the words. In recording the melancholy event, the Journal of the 28th, had the following appropriate notice : — On the eve of our great Musical Festival we have the duty of re- cording the death of a young townsman, to whom, in the opinion of many competent men, the Festival might one day have owed an attraction that would have given it another claim on the admiration of the musical devotee. Mr. F. E. Bache, son of the Eev. S. Bache, of this town, died on Tuesday, aged twenty -four. At a very early age he showed the bias of his tastes so strongly, that it was determined to give him a musical education. Owing much of his executive skill to the charming home lessons of his excellent mother, he received his scholastic education at Leipsic. In London and at home he improved his acquaintance with the works of the first masters by incessant study, and this, joined to the labour of teaching, and of original composition, seriously impaired a constitution never very robust. A residence in Algiers one winter, in Italy the next, only checked the progress of consumption. Last winter he passed at Torquay ; he returned in the early summer, knowing, and resigned to the knowledge, that his days were numbered. He toiled on — if toil a task so loved can be called — at his compositions, until his physical powers refused their office, his imagination and his brilliant fancy vigorous to the last. We do not intend at this time to write an essay on the genius of Mr. Bache, or do more than record the fact that death has removed one from amongst us of whose fame, had he lived, the place and the country that gave him birth would have been justly proud. A Homoeopathic Congress was held early in October, at which various papers were read. Among other subjects brought under the notice of the members was an amusing account of the battle of the " Protection Clause," in the Medical Act. In one of the earlier Medical Reform Bills, a clause, expressly directed against the Homceopathist, was PUBLIC LIFE AND EVENTS. 451 introduced, permitting the striking off the register the name of any medical man guilty of irregular practice ; this was subsequently superseded by a counter clause, forbidding the erasing of the name of any medical man on account of difference of opinion in medical creed or practice. Thence ensued an incessant struggle, during which this protective clause was alternately struck out and reinserted in each suc- cessive bill, and sometimes in the same bill, according as the influence of one or other party became for the time being in the ascendant. At length, when the bill — which has now become law — was before the House of Lords and about to be read a third time, a representation was made in the proper quarters, that the authorities of Marischal College, Aberdeen, had just refused to grant a diploma to a candidate unless he would make " a distinct declaration that, as a man of honour, you have not practised, and do not entertain any intention of practising, the profession, on other principles than those taught in this and other legally recognized schools of medi- cine — that homoeopathy, or any other species of irregular unauthorized practice, is what you entirely repudiate." Upon this a clause was introduced, which Mr. Cowper, upon the amended bill being remitted to the House of Commons, ex- plained had been added by the Lords, " for the protection of the homceopathists." The Congress subsequently passed a vote of thanks to the Right Hon. Lord Ebury for the con- stant and unwearied attention he had always given to the Homoeopathic practitioners, and another to the Right Hon. Lord Elcho, the Right Hon. W. Cowper, and Mr. Headlam, for the pains and care they have taken to secure the fair interests of Homoeopathic practitioners in the Medical Act. Lady Havelock and her two daughters paid a short visit to Birmingham on October 8. She had written to Sir John Ratcliff, informing him that she would have occassion to pass through the town, and expressing the "pleasure it would give her to be able to thank him in person, and through him the Corporation, for the address voted to her immediately after her great bereavement — the first address she had 452 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. received, and one that had given her much consolation." Sir John courteously invited her Ladyship to rest here on her journey; and on the understanding that her reception was strictly private, the invitation was accepted. Lady Havelock reached Birmingham about two o'clock, and was met by the Mayor, who entertained her at his residence ; when, in con- sideration of her request, a few gentlemen only were invited to meet her at luncheon. Among those present were Alderman J. W. Cutler, the mover and seconder of the address to Lady Havelock, Alderman Palmer, Mr. Charles Ratcliff, the Town Clerk, Rev. I. Spooner (the Mayor's Chaplain), Colonel Lowe, and Captain Gifford, of the 4th Light Dragoons. On October 18, Mr. Charles Dickens gave the first of a series of readings from his own works, at the Music Hall. On this occasion he read the " History of Richard Double- dick," the story told by the " Boots at the Holly Tree Inn," and some leaves from the life of " Sairey Gamp ; " on the 19th he read " Little Dorritt" and the "Trial Scene" from "Pickwick," and on the 20th he repeated his first night's programme. The Town Council on Nov. 9, re-elected Sir John Ratcliff Mayor for the ensuing year, thus conferring upon him the honour of being three times in succession the chief magistrate of Birmingham. The Tercentenary of Queen Elizabeth's accession to the throne was celebrated on November 16, by a public prayer meeting in the Music Hall. The Rev. Dr. Miller presided, and the Revs. W. Cockin, G. S. Bull, J. B. Gabriel, J. Eagles, G. Pettitt, J. A. James, P. Sibree, J. F. Moody, C. Vince, and C. Hay don, took part in the proceedings. On Aug. 17 a thanksgiving service took place in St. Martin's Church, when a sermon was preached by Dr. Miller, on the text " What mean ye by this service?" The preacher expatiated upon the blessings which had followed the Protestant Reformation, and the inestimable glory of a free Bible. The Cattle and Poultry show this year opened on Novem- ber 29, and was continued on the four following days. The PUBLIC LIFE AND EVENTS. 453 financial results were less by £200, than in 1857 ; the total amount realized being £1,034 10s., as compared with £1,235 5s. ; the number of visitors was 42,389, as compared with 44,448 in 1857. A public meeting was held on December 22, at which it was resolved to adopt a memorial to the government, praying for a repeal of the excise duty on paper. Mr. Van Wart was in the chair, and Mr. John Cassell attended and gave his own experience of the restrictive and injurious working of the duty. The resolutions were moved, seconded, and sup- ported by Alderman Thomas Lloyd, Henry Smith, P. H. Muntz, Alderman J. Baldwin, Brooke Smith, and J. S. Wright. A committee was appointed to prepare the memorial and to obtain subscriptions for carrying on the agitation for the repeal of this objectionable law. Towards the end of 1858, an attempt was made to re- impose church-rates, and a public meeting on January 12, 1859, was held at the Town Hall for the purpose of con- sidering the subject, under the presidency of the Mayor. The requisition was signed by upwards of 800 inhabitants, and there was a large attendance. A letter from Dr. Miller was read, informing the meeting that engagements in London pre- vented his attending, but that his views on the subject were unchanged. He wished to see " every Nonconformist in the kingdom fully and finally exempt from payment." Mr. Allday moved the following resolution : — That the imposition of Church Eates in Birmingham having been discontinued for upwards of half a century, in consequence of the votes of the parishioners in 1832 confirming the decisions of the people, and great advantages having been derived from the improved state of social and religious feeling in the community produced by the extinction of this fertile source of irritation and strife, this meeting now declares its opinion that the great bulk of the inhabitants of the town are still satis- fied of the justice of the principles upon which they formerly acted, and will resist any attempt to revive the impost under whatsoever form. This resolution, which was seconded by the Rev. S. Bache, was carried unanimously ; as was also the following, moved by Mr. J. S. Wright, and seconded by Councillor H. Holland : — 454 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. That this meeting feels bound to express its surprise and regret that a recent deputation from a portion of the clergy and churchwardens of Birmingham have made statements to the Prime Minister which show the existence of a desire to re-impose Church Bates, notwithstanding their happy extinction by the inhabitants ; and this meeting declares its intention to adopt every legitimate means to resist the renewal of the tax. Mr. W. Scholefield, M.P., then moved : — That this meeting is of opinion that no settlement of the Church-rate question can be satisfactory by which any attempt is made to continue the exaction under another form, or which fails to jirovide for the com- plete extinction of the existing system throughout the country. This resolution was seconded by the Rev. R. W. Dale, and carried unanimously ; as was also a memorial embodying the foregoino- resolutions. The Town Council having frequently discussed the ques- tion of the desirability of taking the necessary measures for constituting Birmingham an Assize Town, resolved to petition Her Majesty in favour of the project; and on the 14th of January a proclamation, which was published in the London Gazette, declaring that, by the advice of her Privy Council, the Queen had ordered and directed that in future Assizes for the dispatch of civil business in the county be holden both at Warwick and Birmingham, on the same circuit. The Recorder, Mr. M. D. Hill, addressed a long letter to the Mayor congratulating him and the inhabitants of the borough on the important privilege conferred by this order. A number of the inhabitants, acting under the auspices of Mr. Edward Taunton, addressed a memorial to Mr. Bright, soliciting his " advocacy in Parliament on behalf of the in- terest of Labour against that of Money." when that gentle- man forwarded the following letter in reply : — Bochdale, January 12, 1859. Sir. — I have received a memorial with many signatures, of which yours is the first, requesting me to endeavour to procure " The abolition of the Monopoly in Money." It might be deemed a sufficient answer to say that my time and thoughts are just now so fully occupied with a great public question, that I cannot undertake anything further ; that PUBLIC LIFE AND EVENTS. 455 is certainly the position in which I am placed, but I will not confine myself to such a reply : to tell you the truth, I do not comprehend what you complain of, or what you wish to be done ; for in the many conver- sations I have had with jDersons who thought themselves well informed on what is called " Our Monetary System," I have never found any two of them agreeing upon the exact grievance or the precise remedy. I have always thought this a great misfortune, because, until I could see clearly where the wrong was or is, I coidd have small hope of discovering a remedy. I do not defend what exists in connection with the bank of England ; much of it seems to me at variance with the laws of political economy ; but I find many of the propositions made by those who wish for a change, are even less in accordance with that science ; and long discussion with those who most loudly denounce the present system only leaves me more puzzled than before. I confess, therefore, that I am not the most suitable person to undertake the great change which I presume you are looking for. I will willingly support any inquiry by Parliament, in the hope that the truth may at last be discovered ; but I do not feel competent to teach Parliament and the country on the abstruse questions to which you have drawn my attention. When it comes before the House of Commons I will give it all the consideration in my power. I wish I could send you a more satisfactory reply. I am, very respectfully, yours, John Bright. On January 18, Mr. John Cassell delivered a lecture in the Town Hall, on " Popular Education : The Moral and Intel- lectual Advancement of the People obstructed by the Paper Duty." On the joint requisition of the Town Council and the Borough Justices, the Lord Chancellor, in February, added eleven magistrates to the commission of the peace for Bir- mingham : The Mayor (Sir John Ratcliff), Aldermen Joseph Sturge and Cox ; Messrs. Armitage, T. Lane, S. S. Lloyd, C. R Cope, Brooke Evans, W. Gough, Westley Richards, and Samuel Rawlings. The Council nominated eight, of which number only the first three named above were appointed ; the magistrates nominated ten, of whom eight were selected. Lola Montez delivered two lectures in the Town Hall in March, the first on the 2nd, was entitled " The Comic Aspects of Fashion " ; and the second on the 4th, " On English and American Character." 456 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. On the 6th of March sixty-seven Neapolitan exiles, most of whom were gentlemen of birth and education, who had been removed from the prisons of the King of Naples, were landed at Cork in a state of complete destitution, nearly all being enfeebled and worn-out by long imprisonment and hardship, and some confirmed invalids. The celebrated Count Poerio was one of these illustrious sufferers. A subscription was at once entered into, and a committee formed in London with Lords Palmerston and Russell at its head, for the purpose of aiding the sufferers. There was no organization in Birming- ham in aid of this noble object ; but the proprietors of the Birmingham, Daily Post offered to take charge of any donations which might be sent to them, and transmit the same to the proper authorities. In two months £149 4s. 4d. was forwarded to the office, and of this sum £148 9s. 4d. was devoted to the relief of the exiles. This year we lost one of the best known men in connection with the Birmingham Political Union. On April 27, died Thomas Clutton Salt, at the ripe age of seventy years. From the Journal of the 30th the following biographical sketch is taken : — Mi*. Salt was born in this town on the 26th of April, 1790. He was emphatically well-born. On the father's side he was connected with Salt, the Abyssinian traveller ; his mother was lineally descended from Simon de Clutton of Cheshire, born about 1280, a contemporary of Dante and Edward I., Wallace and Bruce. Among his maternal ances- tors he coidd claim Sir Thomas Morgan, a soldier of the Commonwealth, who led, at the battle of Dunkirk, 1658, the English troops with which Cromwell assisted the French against the Spaniards, and was left in command in Scotland when Monk marched into England to effect the Restoration. Mr. Salt's early life did not lack the element of romance. At the beginning of the present century his family removed to France, where they were detained after the rupture of the peace of Amiens, and from which he escaped in a very remarkable manner about 1810. Not long after he took up his residence and entered into business in Birmingham. His ardent public spirit threw him ere long into political activity ; the singular generosity of his nature, and his intense sympathy with the weak and the oppressed, made him a hearty Reformer at the time when to be a Reformer was to incur obloquy and suspicion. These tendencies PUBLIC LIFE AND EVENTS. 457 were strengthened by his close and affectionate intimacy with Mr. Thomas Attwood, under whom he took a leading part in winning the victory of 1832. During the next twenty-five years he took a more or less active part in public affairs, distinguishing himself especially by the champion- ship of certain views respecting the currency, which he more than once defended with remarkable ability against the Times, which deemed him worthy of several leading articles. A few days had only elapsed after the death of Mr. Salt, when not only Birmingham, but the whole civilized world, had to lament the loss of one of the most genuine and kindly- hearted philanthropists. On the 14th of May, Mr. Joseph Sturge died suddenly, at the age of sixty-five. The following sketch of his life is from the Daily Post of the lGth : — Joseph Sturge was born at Elberton, in the county of Gloucester, on the 2nd of August, 1793. He was the second son of Joseph Sturge, a farmer of that place, and was the sixth in direct succession who bore that name. While yet young, a circumstance occurred in his history which, related by him at an anti-militia meeting in 1852, we may here record, as it strikingly marks what was probably the most prominent feature of his mental and moral character. While ruanaoqne; the affairs of the farm, at the early age of eighteen, he was drawn for the militia. His principles as a man, and his profession as a member of the Society of Friends, forbade him to obey the call ; he allowed the law of the country to take its course ; and several sheep and lambs were seized and sold to pay the fine incurred by his refusal, just as his goods and chattels have more than once been seized for church-rates in Edgbaston. On coming of age he established himself in business at Bewdley as a corn merchant, and removed to this town about the year 1822. We need scarcely say that by dint of enterprise, energy, and integrity, he and his brother Charles succeeded in establishing one of the first houses in England, the business done by this firm constituting a large proportion of the trade of the port of Gloucester, where their storehouses are chiefly situated. Mr. Sturge married, first Eliza, the only daughter of a well- known and opulent philanthropist, James Cropper, of the Dingle, Liver- pool ; and secondly (after having remained a widower for many years,) Hannah, daughter of Barnard Dickenson, a member of the Coalbrook- dale firm. By the latter he leaves one son and four daughters. Mr. Sturge first appeared prominently in public life in connection with the anti-slavery movement, which resulted in the Emancipation Act of 1833, though for the previous ten years he had been working quietly in the same course. Seeing that the principle of "gradual emancipation" was gaining ground with the professed friends of the slave, Mr. Sturge 458 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. stirred up the country by means of meetings and lectures, in favour of immediate freedom, convened a conference of 400 delegates in London, and in a few months sealed the fate of British Colonial slavery. But the work was not done when the Act which conferred nominal freedom was passed. The working of the apprenticeship system gave Mr. Sturge cause for alarm. In 1836, therefore, he and a friend or two visited most of the West India Islands for the purpose of personally investigating the position of affairs. He saw enough to convince him that the appren- ticeship system ought to be abolished ; and having on his return home published the result of his inquiries in a volume of much interest, and which speedily passed through several editions, he became the recognized leader of an agitation for the completion of the great work. Govern- ment was obstinate, but the result was that the apprenticeship system was abandoned, and that by August, 1838, we had not a slave in any of our colonies in the western seas. A visit to the United States in 1841, chiefly with a view to the investigation of slavery, produced another interesting volume ; and to the day of his death, Mr. Sturge ceased not to do all in his power for the spread of opinion against the " peculiar institution " of our Transatlantic friends. His bounty also reached many a fugitive slave. Whilst fighting for freedom in the west, he did not neglect " the good old cause at home." In conjunction with Sharman Crawford, Mr. Sturge organized the Complete Suffrage movement, drawing up with his own hand the famous declaration against class legislation, and in favour of the people being endowed with that fair, full, and free exercise of the elective franchise, to which he considered them entitled by the great principle of Christian equity, and also by the British Constitution. It will be remembered how he astonished the moderate politicians of his day by quoting from " Blackstone's Commentaries " the passage " for no subject of England can be constrained to pay any aids or taxes, even for the defence of the realm or the support of the Government, but such as are imposed by his consent or that of his representatives in Parliament." This declaration, which Mr. Sturge originally prepared at the instance of the Anti-Corn Law League, received millions of signatures through- out Great Britain and Ireland, was embodied in a memorial to the Queen, and formed the basis of the resolution to which Mr. Sharman Crawford, after repeated struggles, obtained the assent of a majority of the House of Commons. Birmingham need not be reminded how hard he worked for the Complete Suffrage movement, but it was ultimately swamped by the growing power of the Free Trade agitation, in which Mr. Sturge also took an active part, lending time and money most freely to the efforts of the League. Indeed we may claim for his sagacity the credit of having perceived, so early as 1841, that unconditional repeal must inevita- bly be obtained, for in that year, when the leaders of the agitation were PUBLIC LIFE AND EVENTS. 459 prepared to accept a fixed duty of 8s. a quarter on wheat as a compromise, following the abandonment of the sliding scale, Mr. Sturge, single- handed, prevailed upon them, by the offer of an annual subscription of ,£200 to continue the agitation for immediate and entire abolition of the duty, until the final success of the enterprise. Mr. Sturge's growing influence pointed him out, as early as 1836, as a suitable person for Parliamentary honours ; but though many constituencies competed in the endeavour to secure his services, he never sat in Parliament. On the retirement of Mr. Alt wood towards the end of 1839, the leading Radicals of Birmingham brought Mr. Sturge forward. The late Mr. Muntz and Sir Charles Wetherell were also candidates ; but though duly nominated, Mr. Sturge was withdrawn in order that the Conservatives might not reap the advantage of a split in the Liberal Camp. In 1842 the representa- tion of the borough of Nottingham became vacant, and that borough being one which Mr. Roebuck, in the House of Commons, had proved to be shockingly corrupt, from the amount of money which its elections always cost, Mr. Sturge, as a gentleman of unimpeachable integrity, was invited to stand in the Liberal interest. His Tory opponent was the late Mr. Walter, of the Times. The contest, like that we have just had, was regarded as a national one. The result was that Mr. Sturge was defeated by only eighty -four votes — a majority obtained by excessive bribery and intimidation, for which, on the re-assembling of Parliament, Mr. Walter was un-seated. Mr. Sturge, according to usage, was offered the seat, but he declined it. In 1844, on the death of Mr. Joshua Scholetield, Mr. Sturge was requested by a large town's meeting to offer himself once more for Birmingham, and he complied the more readily, as there was an understanding at the time he withdrew in favour of Mr. Muntz, that when the next vacancy occurred he should have the preference. However, Mr. William Scholefield being brought forward by some of the Liberal party, the result of the poll was that Mr. Spooner was elected member for Birmingham. In 1847 Mr. Sturge contested the borough of Leeds, but was unsuccessful, though he polled nearly 2,000 votes. He made no other attempt to enter Parliament, but adhered to the last to his old political faith. Many men, chagrined and disappointed at not being able to apply the lever of their power and influence in the way they considered most likely to do good, would have retired from public life in a state of disgust. Not so Mr. Sturge. His time and money were more than ever devoted to the promotion of whatever he conceived likely to advance the interests of humanity. In 1848 he formed one of the deputation who successfully memorialized the government for the abolition of slavery in the French Colonies. He attended the Peace Congresses held at Brussels in 1848, at Paris in 1849, at Frankfort in 1850, at London in 1851, and at Edin- burgh in 1852. During the Schleswig Holstein war he visited Denmark 460 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. and Holstein, with a view, if possible, to bring about some mediation, and spent some time with either army on the battle field. Mr. Sturge actually succeeded in arranging for a settlement of the question by ar- bitrators ; but a dispute took place as to the composition of the court of mediation, and hostilities recommenced. In 1854, Mr. Sturge, with Mr. Henry Pease, of Darlington, and Mr. Eobert Charlton, of Bristol, were appointed by the Society of Friends a deputation to proceed to St. Petersburgh, for the purpose of endeavouring to induce the Emperor Nicholas to avert the war then impending, and which was declared a day or two afterwards. A memorable deputation this, though lightly spoken of at the time. We next find Mr. Sturge, at the close of the Eussian war, taking a journey to Finland, for the purpose of enquiring into the condition of the inhabitants of that region, who were suffering, not only from famine, but from having had their means of livelihood, their fishing boats, &c, destroyed during the war. His own firm, if we recollect rightly, subscribed £500 to the fund for the relief of the poor Fins. Such missions of good-will as these were what brought Mr. Sturge before the public of late years ; but in our town and neighbour- hood he was always at work. No Birmingham man will have forgotten his earnest efforts to mitigate the effects, and to unravel the causes, of the riots of 1840, and to restore to the Corporation that constitutional control over the police, of which they were unjustly deprived under the influence of the groundless terrors which those riots occasioned. He established and maintained at his own expense the first Beformatory set on foot in the Midland district ; he took great personal interest in the Severn Street Schools, doing duty as a superintendent Sunday after Sun- day ; he devoted several acres of valuable land to the purpose of a free play-ground for the working classes ; he was president of the Birming- ham Temperance Society, president of the Band of Hope Union, and always ready to give counsel and substantial aid to every practical scheme of social improvement. A few days before his death he sent the Birmingham and Midland Institute a cheque for ,£100. The extent of his private charities and good deeds was only known to himself. Immediately after the funeral of Mr. Joseph Sturge, a meeting was held at which a committee was appointed to take the necessary steps for determining upon a suitable memorial to his memory. Death was busy with our notable men this year. On June 7, David Cox died at Harborne, aged seventy-six years. The following notice of this great artist is from a recent biographer [Mr. Solly] : — Mr. Cox was a native of Birmingham. He was born of humble parents, in a small house (now pulled down,) in Heath Mill Lane, Deri- tend. His father was a smith, and David was originally intended to be PUBLIC LIFE AND EVENTS. 401 brought up to his father's business, but being rather a weakly boy, the occupation was considered too laborious for him. By some lucky accident his attention was directed to drawing (for which pursuit he had a natural inclination) ; he began to execute small pictures copied from prints, which he disposed of at very moderate prices, and painted miniatures for lockets, and for the tops of snuff-boxes, selling them readily to the tradesmen who dealt in these articles. Although but poorly remunerated, his wants were but few, and he persevered with his painting, and in acquiring a knowledge of art after this humble fashion, until an oppor- tunity presented itself for doing something more advantageous. In course of time this opportunity arrived, and David Cox became scene painter at the Birmingham Theatre, then under the management of Macready, father of the eminent tragedian, who was at that time a boy at Rugby School, and for whom young Cox painted several scenes to adorn a small toy theatre which was constructed for the boy's amuse- ment. With Macready he travelled from Birmingham to Leicester, and probably to other places ; occasionally, when necessity required his assist- ance, trying his hand upon the stage in some subordinate character. At length he found his way to London, and his parents disapproving of his connection with the theatres, he threw up his appointment and quitted the players. By this time he had become somewhat expert in the use of the pencil and brush, and occupied himself once more in making drawings, which he sold at the shops. He used to wander about the streets of London, looking in at the windows where pictures were exhi- bited for sale, studying attentively what he saw, and catching hints for his own practice from the most artistic of those productions. The draw- ings of John Varley were great favourites of his, and he determined to call upon that clever man and take a few lessons. Varley received him affably, and gave him several lessons, for whicli David Cox paid the usual charge, but on his going the third or fourth time, Varley asked him what was his object in learning to paint, and whether he meant to be an artist ] Cox replied, " he was trying to be an artist." " Then," said Varley, " come whenever you like, and see me work ; I will take no more money from you." Cox at this time made numbers of drawings in Indian ink and sepia, which he sold at the shops for about two guineas a dozen ; they were purchased chiefly by the country drawing- masters, who visited London to buy patterns for their pupils. The cele- brated Prout, who was an early friend of Cox, also obtained a liveli- hood in the same way. Cox sold at one shop, and Prout at another. Whilst thus occupied, a lady, who kept a large school at Hereford, came up to London to engage a drawing-master. Cox heard of this, sought out the lady, obtained an interview, exhibited his specimens, and was engaged. Consequently to Hereford he went. There he resided some time, giving lessons, making drawings from the scenery around 462 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. Hereford, and selling them. Many very beautiful drawings were made about this time. There he realized money enough to enable him to build a charming cottage, which was admired by every one, and which, on his leaving Hereford for London again, brought him nearly a thou- sand pounds. On going to London the second time he obtained the appointment of drawing-master at one of the military colleges, and one amongst his pupils was the afterwards illustrious Sir William Napier, author of the " History of the Peninsular War." The situation, how- ever, though promising to be a lucrative one, soon became irksome to him. He could not endure the routine duties, the rigid order, nor the exact punctuality required there. On summer days he sighed for freedom, thinking of the country and the fields. Abruptly he threw up his situa- tion, and rushed away. With varying fortunes he pursued his art, made drawings and sold them, sometimes for little, sometimes for more, but was never downhearted or discouraged. Whilst residing at the charming little village of Dulwich, he was sought out by the late Earl of Plymouth, then the Hon. Colonel Windsor, who had seen and ad- mired some of his drawings, and who was desirous of taking lessons. Col. Windsor gave him some good introductions, and he soon began to improve his position. In the course of time he raised his terms for teaching from five shillings a lesson to ten, from ten ultimately to a guinea ; patrons, aristocratic and otherwise, crowded around him, and the foundations of his success were laid. He has often been heard to say, that many a time when he has knocked at the door of a house where he was going to give a lesson, he has not had the remotest idea what subject he should paint before his pupil, but when he took up pencil and colours to begin, a thought has flashed across his mind — some par- ticular effect, perhaps, which came to his recollection — this he dashed upon the paper in his own spirited and happy way, the result being one of the best drawings he ever made. He has received his guinea for the lesson, and afterwards sold the drawing for ten or fifteen pounds. David Cox early became a member of the Society of Painters in Water Colours, and exhibited with them in Spring Gardens. He has been a constant contributor to their exhibitions up to the present year ; and as every one knows his charming productions have been the delight of thousands during each successive season. They have almost in- variably found ardent admirers and eager purchasers, and the name of Cox has become of world-wide celebrity. His beautiful transcripts of nature are to be seen on the walls and in the portfolios of many an en- thusiastic art-collector in this country, and his fame has reached wherever art is cultivated and esteemed. The scenery of Yorkshire and Wales furnished the subjects of many of his finest productions. North Wales was always his favourite sketch- ing-ground ; and for very many years he visited the Principality in PUBLIC LIFE AND EVENTS. 4G3 search of those glorious subjects and effects on which he loved to dwell. Bettws-y-Coed is a name made famous by him. The scenery of that delightful spot has supplied him with countless subjects for his pencil, and the charm which his genius imparted to them has sent thousands of tourists to that locality, and made it populous with artists ambitious to tread in the footsteps of so able a man. Every one at Bettws knew David Cox, and everybody loved him. It would be hard to say whether he or my Lord Willoughby was the greater potentate there. If his lordship owned the land, David Cox reigned in the affections of the people. When he first visited Bettws there was but one inn in the place, mean and miserable ; now there are five or six comfortable hostel- ries, with lodging houses innumerable. The Boyal Oak was his favour- ite house, and he took up his quarters there during many summers. He decorated the walls with his pencil, and painted the sign over the door. No place like Bettws-y-Coed to David Cox. During his latter days, when incapable of travelling, he delighted to recal that beautiful spot to memory, and frequently exclaimed how happy he should be if he could see " clear old Bettws" once again ! Some sixteen or eighteen years ago, Mr. Cox quitted London, and took up his residence at Harborne. He was desirous of being near friends whom he greatly esteemed, and perhaps had a secret wish to end his days where he first drew the breath of life. Here he first essayed his powers as a painter in oils ; and having made a great reputation as a water-colour draughtsman, he was determined to try to achieve success in the more enduring vehicle. How ably he accomplished his purpose, the neighbouring collections (in which his works in oil are chiefly to be found,) will satisfactorily show. In these collections may be seen paint- ings by David Cox which, in many excellent qualities, are equal to any- thing landscape art has produced, and as they become known to the public, so will their value increase ; but his fame will rest mainly upon his works in water-colour, and few will venture to dispute his supremacy in that branch. He was a giant amongst the men of his time and towered aloft. Whether he depicted the sublime of mountains and moorland, or dwelt with loving pencil upon the charms of green fields and running streams ; whether he took us into the embowered lanes of old England, among the farms and rustic cottages of the peasantry, or led us out to the coast, where the ocean ripples up cheerily on the shingly beach, or dashes its mad waves against the rugged cliffs ; his was the spell of the enchanter, and our spirits were made to feel the power of his genius. It is difficult to say whether he excelled in the grand or in the graceful and soft. His works of the latter description are as sweet and lovely as those of the former are solemn and sublime. He was equally great in small tilings as in large ; and his weedy banks, and bits by the way-side, are as full of charms as his purple mountain ranges and solitary moors. 464 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. Of the many good qualities of his heart and character much need not be said. He had " honour, love, obedience, troops of friends." Those who came into contact with him can testify to his worth. His house at Harborne was the frequent resort of friends, who admired him for his genius, and loved him as a man. His honesty of purpose, his unaffected simplicity of manners, and his kindness of heart, will ever live in the memories of those who were j)ermitted to approach him, and who were honoured with his friendship. To the young and inexperienced artists of his acquaintance he was ever communicative, and many are the valuable hints and suggestions which they have received from him. To all he was the kind and loving friend. There are those who will miss him greatly, and will mourn his loss, feeling that he can never be replaced. But it will be some consolation to them to think that he to whom they were so much attached is now beyond the reach of suffering, and that the glories of a brighter world than this have opened upon his view. At the request of the Society of Artists a number of friends and admirers of David Cox met on June 80, at the Society's Rooms. Dr. Bell Fletcher was called to the chair, and the following resolution was agreed to : — " That this meeting, entertaining a high admiration of the genius and character of the late Mr. David Cox, and desirous of commemorating in some enduring manner the eminent services he has rendered to Art, Resolved, — That a committee be appointed to consider and determine upon the best mode of doing honour to the memory of our late illustrious townsman." Mr. John Jaffray accepted the office of honorary secretary, and in a short time subscriptions were obtained which enabled the committee to give Mr. Peter Hollins a commission to execute a bust of the great artist. The committee also de- cided that the portrait by Sir John Watson Gordon, which was presented to Mr. Cox, on condition that at his death it should be placed in some public building in Birmingham, should be entrusted to the care of the Midland Institute, until an Art Gallery was provided for the town. This admira- ble picture, together with the equally excellent bust, now form part of the Art Gallery collection. The foundation stone of the Church of St. Barnabas, in By land Street, was laid on August 1, by Miss By land, who gave the land on which the church stands, and a large sum of money towards the building. PUBLIC LIFE AND EVENTS. 4G5 A meeting of the committee and other gentlemen favour- able to the proposed memorial of the late Joseph Sturge was held on August 2-i, at which the following letter from Mr. John Bright, M.P., was read : — Eochdale, August 19, 1859. My dear Sir, — I am sorry that an engagement, which I caunot well get rid of, will prevent me being with you at the interesting meeting you are to hold on the 24th inst. I am not generally in favour of statues or monuments erected to the memory of the departed ; but, in the case now before us, I shall gladly support any plan that is likely to aid in keeping before the eye and mind of the people the noble character and the eminent services of our lamented friend, Joseph Sturge. To me, his life, so far as I was acquainted with it, was a great lesson. I knew him most intimately in the last years of his life, when there was about him a ripeness of goodness which is rarely seen among men. In looking back to him, — in recalling that which was striking in his conversation, his temper, his habits of thought, and his actions, I often say to my- self, — ' What a glorious man he was ! what courage and what meekness ! what benevolence in action, and what charity in thought ! what a charming unselfishness, and what a following of that highest example afforded to us in the New Testament history.' I hope, if you succeed in raising any memorial of our departed friend, it may serve as a stimulus to good to all who see it and know its origin, and that it may increase amongst us a feeling of reverence for that true nobleness which was so con- spicuous in his character. I am, very sincerely yours, John Bright. Mr. Alderman Manton, Birmingham. ',->■ The following resolution, moved by the Mayor, and se- conded by the Rev. J. A. James, was unanimously adopted : "That this meeting acknowledging the claims of the late Mr. Sturge to the grateful recollection of his fellow countrymen, cordially approves of the proposal to raise a memorial to his eminent public virtues." A committee was appointed ; it was also resolved that Lord Brougham be requested to accept the chairmanship. Mr. Thomas Lloyd was appointed treasurer, and Messrs. J. A. Cooper and W. Jelf, honorary secretaries. G G 4G6 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. The new church of St. Clements, at Nechells, was conse- crated by the Bishop of the Diocese, on Aug. 30. The total cost of its erection was £3,200. It affords accommodation for 852 person. One of the most terrible catastrophes that ever happened in this town occurred on September 28, on which day an ex- plosion took place at the percussion cap manufactory of Messrs. Pursell and Phillips, in Whittal Street. By this awful accident eighteen persons, all women and girls, were killed, and several others seriously injured. A subscription to assist the sufferers was at once commenced, and over £1,500 were raised. The committee distributed £525 lis. 7d. among the wounded and the friends of the unfortunate victims of this calamity ; one hundred guineas were paid to the General Hospital, in consideration of the valuable services rendered by that institution on the occasion; £20 were paid to the Rev. J. H. Burges, Incumbent of Bishop Ryder's Church, for the benefit of others who had suffered from an explosion which took place on a former occasion at the percussion-cap manufactory in Legge Street, and the surplus was paid over to the permanent fund for the relief of accidents and urgent medical cases connected with the two hospitals, in the proportion of three-fifths to the General, and two-fifths to the Queen's Hospital. The Nonconformist body, not only in Birmingham but throughout the country, sustained a great loss this year in the death of the Rev. John Angell James, which event took place on Saturday, October 1. The Rev. gentleman was in his 75th year. The Daily Post of the 3rd published the following sketch of this well-known preacher and theological writer : — For some time past the venerable old man had manifested symptoms of the wear and tear of years. Indications of physical decay made them- selves felt now and then, but his intellect was as clear and vigorous, and his imagination as fresh and buoyant as it was fifty year ago ; age only seemed to render it more brilliant and acute. For the last ten days pre- ceding his death he had, however, become perceptibly more feeble, but his illness assumed no very distinct or serious aspect, though he occasion- PUBLIC LIFE AND EVENTS. 467 ally suffered greatly. On Sunday morning week he preached at the Edgbaston Congregational Chapel, and although the hand of time was evidently tracing dissolution upon him, yet he delivered a discourse marked by all his old eloquence, vigour of thought, and practical piety. There was much that was remarkable about that sermon and the prea- cher that day. He took for his text the words, " Unto you is the word of this salvation sent :" — " how shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation" — and in the course of the sermon fouuded upon this text, he declared with the deepest solemnity of tone and manner, as if with some mysterious presentiment of coming dissolution, that if he knew that was the last discourse he should ever preach, these were the words he should choose for his dying theme. The sermon and the occasion were all too surely realised. He left the chapel that day, and never entered it more, though in the evening he was present as a hearer in Carr's Lane Chapel. He was very feeble and ill during the week ; but was much better on Friday. On the evening of that day, however, he was seized with an attack of indigestion. Dr. Evans, who occupies the adjoining residence, was called in, prescribed, and succeeded in alleviating the pain to some extent. No danger was anticipated, and Mr. James retired to rest apparently almost in his usual health. He was, however, frequently sick during the night, but slept from half-past four till six on Saturday morning, when he awoke. His appearance then somewhat alarmed his attendant, who instantly sent for Dr. Evans and Mr. Bindley (his usual medical adviser), while Mr. T. S. James, his son, was likewise summoned. At a glance the medical gentlemen saw there was no hope. The nervous system was utterly exhausted, there were symptoms of heart disease — the physical structure had fallen into perfect decay. The venerable minister lay upon his death-bed calm and unmoved ; he held out his hand and muttered a word or two to his son, and with a calm smile upon his face, he closed his eyes and placidly fell into the sleep of death. The career thus closed, although long, honourable, and prosperous, was like that of many other eminent men, uncrowded by incident or striking event. Mr. James was born at Blandford on the 6th of June, 1785, and was consequently in his 75th year when he died. He was, when a mere youth, destined for a commercial life ; but through the advice of Dr. Bennett he was, after being educated at Wai'eham, sent to prepare for the ministry at the academy of Gosport, under the tuition of the late Dr. Bogue. It was while Mr. James was a mere youth of nineteen that the event occurred through which he became connected with Birmingham, and was destined to be one of its most honoured citizens. Dr. Bennett, then minister at Romsey, Hants, happened to visit Birmingham on his wedding tour. He preached to the congrega- tion of Carr's Lane, and with so much fervour that they pressed upon his acceptance their vacant pulpit. He declined the offer, but promised 468 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. to recommend a pastor to them. In August, 1804, then, the youthful Mr. James entered Birmingham to preach to the Carr's Lane congrega- tion temporarily, and with no conception that he would be chosen its pastor. He had not, however, preached to them more than four times, when a deputation waited upon him with an invitation that he should become their minister as soon as he might be permitted to leave college. Looking back upon that period in his history, Mr. James used to say that "with perhaps too little reflection, and a promptitude that savoured more of boldness than of prudence, he gave at once a favourable answer to their invitation ;" that in after years " he did not know at what most to wonder, their precipitancy in giving the invitation or his own in accepting it ;" and that although " results proved that it was of God, yet circumstances at the time argued little for the wisdom of either party." The youth, however, returned to college, and after another year spent there, came back to Birmingham to enter upon the serious and respon- sible duties of the pastorate. On the 8th September, 1805, he preached his first sermon, taking these words for his text, " Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises, that by these ye might be partakers of a divine nature." What the young preacher felt on that memorable occasion he has left on record. " I have," he said, " a very clear and vivid recollection of the impression of awe which I received on my first survey from the pulpit of the congregation, which was pro- duced, not of course by the number of hearers, but by the unusual pre- valence of venerable, noble, I might almost say, majestic old men that sat around me, waiting for the message of the juvenile preacher. I now seem to wonder how I could open my lips on that occasion, and can only account for it by thinking that the Lord helped me." However, he succeeded well, and on the 8th of May following was ordained. At that time Carr's Lane congregation was not the numerous, wealthy, and influential body it now is. It consisted of not more than 150 persons, and the church itself of only about forty members. The pidpit minis- trations of the young minister for nearly seven years did not tend to in- crease the number of his hearers. Still he laboured on, heavy at heart with want of success, and sometimes resolving to seek another and more favourable sphere of action ; but he persevered, and the result was the gathering of a congregation always needing an enlarged structure for worship, and a constant stream of prosperity attending all his ministerial efforts. It is impossible to conceive the closeness of the affection ex- isting between Mr. James and his congregation. They were bound up together in the promotion of every good work,— in education, missionary labour, in works of charity. They were mutually proud of each other. In such harmonious relationship Mr. James's life passed smoothly by, varied by incidents of chapel extension, the establishment of schools, the promotion of missionary enterprise, the publication of works, and PUBLIC LIFE AND EVENTS. 469 occasionally by marks of special favours. Thus in 1845, on completing the fortieth year of his pastorate, the congregation, while congratulating him on the event, resolved to commemorate it by founding a scholarship in Spring Hill College, for the education of young men for the Christ- ian ministry, to bear the name of John Angell James. This was the mode in which he wished presentations to himself to be applied ; and he also devoted ,£500 to an additional scholarship in the College, and by his unwearied and zealous exertions, the erection of a new College at Moseley was mainly effected. After so many years of labour, Mr. James feeling the advance of old age coming more fastly upon him, was deeply anxious regarding the selection of a co-pastor. It was with him a subject of constant care and solicitude, considering that upon the congregation's choice depended the present peace and future welfare of the church. All his anxieties, however, were set at rest by the perfectly unanimous and cordial choice in 1854, of the Rev. R. W. Dale, M.A., upon whom much of Mr. James's friendship was lavishly bestowed. Then came the last great incident in Mr. James's career — the jubilee service, commemorative of his having completed the fiftieth year of his ministry in 1855. The events connect- ed with these services must be fresh in the recollection of many of our readers : how his venerable octogenarian friend, Dr. Bennett, took part in the religious services ; how addresses were poured in upon him not only from his own church and congregation, and from the members of the numerous educational and philanthropic societies connected with it, but from the Independent body, from clergymen of the Church of Eng- land, from the Wesleyan Methodists, the Baptists, the Presbyterians, from the Directors of the London Missionary Society, the Committee of the London Tract Society, from the Tract Society at New York, from the Evangelical clergy in Philadelphia, and from others ; how his con- gregation presented him books, the most prominent amongst which was Bagster's noble Bible, with a magnificent silver vase, and a cheque for £500 ; and how, in commemoration of the event, the foundation stone was laid by him of the handsome edifice, the Congregational Chapel, Edgbaston. If there had been no single particle of vanity in that great heart of his, these honours showered down upon him by all men, of many modes of thinking, and of widely differing creeds, must have touched him deeply, as indeed they did, but only to prompt the utterance with even more than his wonted impassioned energy, " To Thee, Lord, be all the glory." As a proof of Mr. James's great consideration for others, it may be added, that he placed another £500 with the above cheque in the bank at interest, as the nucleus of a fund for the sustentation of necessitous and aged ministers of his own denomination. Although with that jubilee ovation his great public life almost ceased, he was an indefatigable and earnest worker. His leisure moments for 470 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. a long series of years were occupied in sending out many works of eminent merit and of universal circulation. The publications which issued from his pen are very numerous, but none of them is so well, or more universally known than his " Anxious Enquirer," which, next perhaps to the Bible and " The Pilgrim's Progress," has been more ex- tensively read than any other work. Countless editions of it in the English language have been issued ; into all the Continental tongues it has been translated, and thousands of copies sent, out every year speak of the lasting and living interest in a very remarkable work. Amongst his other publications are— " The Young Man's Friend and Guide through Life to Immortality ;" " Female Piety : or the Young Woman's Friend and Guide through Life to Immortality ;" " A Pastor's Sketches ;" " The Christian Father's Present to his Children ;" " The Course of Faith ;" "An Earnest Ministry the Want of the Times ;" " The Church in Earnest ;" " The Christian Professor ;" " The Family Monitor;" " The Widow Directed to the Widow's God ; " " The Flower Faded : or Memoirs of Clementine Cuvier, daughter of Baron Cuvier, the celebrated French Naturalist ; " " The Olive Branch and the Cross." One of his earliest publications— " The Christian Father's Present"— after passing through eighteen editions, the Author entirely revised in 1857— adding suitable Prayers to each chapter. This year he also abridged his " Church Mem- ber's Guide," and reduced the price so as to make it accessible even to the poorest member. All of these works have run through from two to nineteen editions ; and some of his latest productions, especially a series of "Christian Charity," "The Course of Faith," and "Christian Hope,"— the last only recently completed, and about which he used to say he thanked God he had been enabled to complete before he died — have been no less successful. His last published discourse was the funeral sermon he delivered upon the death of his lamented friend, Joseph Sturge. A man of Mr. James's energetic and active habits and of his practical mind had other and no less congenial occupations. In tract societies and in missionary associations he took a leading part. He contributed many works to the former, and in the latter was always busy. In the London Missionary Society especially he was deeply interested, and by that body was deputed to present the Bibles to Williams, whose mission to the south Sea Islands is memorable in enterprise, and to Moffat, the father-in-law of Dr. Livingstone, whose labours in Africa are no less famous. China, however, was Mr. James's grand missionary field. The opening up of that vast land to the truths of Christianity was with him almost a passion. His special services for the promotion of his project to send a million copies of the New Testament amongst the disciples of Confucius, and which resulted in despatching more than two millions, are so recent that they cannot be forgotten. More recently still he pub- lished " God's Voice from China," the effect of which was a response from PUPLIC LIFE AND EVENTS. 471 the public of £7,000 or £8,000 to the funds of the Missionary Society. There was in fact no end to his labours. During the past year he stimu- lated his congregation to make a special effort for India, and upwards of £500 were raised. He took a prominent part in the formation of the Bible Society and the Evangelical Alliance ; he devoted much time to the prosperity of Spring Hill College, and indeed to all philanthropic works, and to all moral movements he lent the inestimable aid of a fervid eloquence and indomitable personal energy. We need scarcely tell our local readers that Mr. James took a deep interest in the abolition of slavery, and that long before such opinions became so prevalent as to cease to be singular. Mr. James was buried in Carr's Lane Chapel on the 7th of the month. The body was followed by sixteen mourning coaches, and thousands of the inhabitants of the town " gathered by the way-side to witness the sad procession." On Sunday morning, the 10th, the Rev. R. W. Dale preached the funeral sermon in Carr's Lane Chapel ; and in the evening the Rev. Dr. Miller added his tribute to the worth of the Nonconformist Divine, preaching a sermon on the occasion in St. Martin's Church. On the same evening Mr. George Dawson made special reference to the numerous losses which the town had this year sustained, by the death of so many of its memorable men. At the Town Council Meeting October 18, on the report of the Burial Board Committee, it was resolved, that the land at Witton be purchased and laid out for a Borough Cemetery The Committee seconded the purchase of the estate which contains one hundred and five acres, for the sum of £10,350, or at the rate of about £150 per acre. The Council ap- proved of the report, and instructed the Finance Committee to raise a loan of £25,000, which sum included the cost of laying out the ground and the necessary works. The foundation stone of the new Baptist Chapel in the Bristol Road was laid by Mr. W. Middlemore on November S. It was named the Wycliffe Chapel, and was mainly erected by the munificence of Mr. Middlemore, at a cost of nearly £0,000, and is one of the prettiest places of worship in the town. 472 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. On November 9, Mr. Alderman Thomas Lloyd was elected Mayor for the ensuing year. This year is memorable in our local annals from the establishment of the annual collection at all the churches and chapels in the town, in aid of the funds of the local charities. " In 1799 a wise and far-seeing man recommended the adoption of this very plan to the governors of the General Hospital. On the 23rd of September we read in the Gazette : — ' A correspondent, who signs himself Philanthropos, recom- mends to the governors of the Hospital, as an augmentation to its resources, and as contributing to increase the number of annual subscribers, that charity sermons be annually preached in all the churches and chapels of whatever des- cription within the county, for its benefit. This plan, he observes, has been attended with great advantage to the Nottingham and Derby Infirmaries.' It will be seen that this correspondent recommends that the collection should be made throughout the county ; and that the plan had been successfully adopted at Nottingham and Derby." This ad- mirable suggestion remained unnoticed for years. In 1859 the Midlandj Counties' Herald earnestly advocated the adoption of such a plan, the Rev. Dr. Miller took up the subject, and by his energy and perseverance the proposal was adopted. The first collection took place on Sunday, November 13, when the sum of £5,200 8s. lOd. was realized. The following is a list of the amounts collected and paid over to the several charities from its commencement down to the year 1871 :— 1859 General Hospital 1860 Queen's Hospital 1861 Amalgamated Charities 1862 General Hospital 1863 Queen's Hospital 1864 Amalgamated Charities 1865 General Hospital 1866 Queen's Hospital 1867 Amalgamated Charities 1868 General Hospital £ s. d. 5,200 8 10 3,433 6 1 2,953 14 3,340 4 7 3,293 5 3,178 5 4,256 11 11 4,133 2 10 3,636 8 6 4,253 9 11 PUBLIC LIFE AND EVENTS. 473 1869 Queen's Hospital .... 4,468 19 2 1870 Amalgamated Charities . . . 4,111 6 7 1871 General Hospital .... 4,886 9 2 The Cattle and Poultry Show was opened on November 28. The receipts were £1,126 5s. 0d., and the number of visitors, 45,952. We have previously alluded to the proposal of the Govern- ment to establish a central arsenal in or near to Birmingham, and the course adopted by the Peace Society in reference thereto. Nothing more was heard of the subject until 1847, when the Journal of May 15 announced, that "some time ago, the Government selected the neighbourhood of Bir- mingham as the situation for the establishment of a great central depot for the military, considering that the position occupied by the town in the centre of the country, and the advantages it possessed with regard to railway accommoda- tion, rendered it most eligible for that purpose. Negotiations were accordingly entered into, and a piece of land at Hands- worth was purchased for the erection of barracks. We under- stand, however, that this land has since been let to yearly tenants, and that for the present, at least, Government have no intention of carrying out their original views." It was not until 1860 that anything further was heard of the proposal. On January 3, the Mayor, Mr. T. Lloyd, brought the subject before the Town Council, by calling attention to the fact that the Government proposed to form such an establishment, and that several sites had been spoken of as suitable for the purpose. He said that when they considered that Birmingham was the capital of the midland district, that it was the centre of a net of railways, and that it was sur- rounded by a vast population, he thought it very desirable that they should bring under the notice of the Government the claims the town possessed to the erection of such an establishment in its immediate neighbourhood. Upon his proposal it was resolved " That the communication now made by the Mayor, with reference to the establishment, by the Government, of a central arsenal in the vicinity of this borough, be referred to the General Purposes Committee." 474 MODEKN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. On the 27th of February, 1860, the Prince of Orange arrived in Birmingham. He was met at the Railway Station by the Mayor, who accompanied him to several of the principal manufactories of the town. A public meeting was held on February 28, at which resolutions were passed and a petition adopted in reference to the then impending Chinese War, with a view to the just settlement of the questions at issue without further blood- shed. Alderman Baldwin presided, and the Rev. A. O'Neill, Alderman Gameson, the Rev. J. J. Brown, George Edmonds, J. S. Wright, H. Richards (of the London Peace Society,) and W. Morgan, took part in the proceedings. This year Mr. Stephens sent in his resignation as Chief Superintendent of Police, and on March 13, the Watch Com- mittee appointed Mr. G. Glossop as his successor to that im- portant and onerous office. This was the year of Garibaldi's glorious mission for the freedom of Sicily. On the 5th of May he sailed from Genoa with a body of only 2,000 men as volunteers, to assist the Sicilians in their insurrection against Francis II. On the 10th he landed at Marsala, and assumed the title of Dictator of Sicily, " in the name of Victor Emmanuel of Italy." On the 27th he attacked Palermo, driving the Neapolitan troops before him into the citadel, which they afterwards evacuated during an armistice. The news of this successful expedition was received with the greatest enthusiasm in England, and subscriptions were raised to aid the patriot in his great under- taking. The proprietors of the Birmingham Daily Post took the initiative in Birmingham, by offering to receive subscriptions at the office in aid of the fund. By the end of June upwards of £250 had been subscribed. On the 22nd of the same month a Town's Meeting was held in furtherance of the object. The Mayor, Mr. T. Lloyd, who had taken a deep interest in the matter, presided. The first resolution, moved by the Rev. Charles Clarke, and seconded by Mr. George Dawson, was as follows : — That this meeting, deeply sympathizing with the Italian patriots in their straggle for the liberation of Sicily from a cruel and hateful des- PUBLIC LIFE AND EVENTS. 475 potism, and entertaining a high admiration of the bravery and mag- nanimity of General Garibaldi, resolves that a fund be now raised to be presented to Garibaldi. The next resolution was moved by Mr. S. Timmins, seconded by Mr. J. S. Wright, and supported by Mr. J. A. Langford ; it was : — That this meeting, while thanking Lords Palmerston and John Russell for their denunciation of the tyranny of the King of Naples, calls upon the Government to observe a strict neutrality in the affairs of Italy, and to use every legitimate means of enforcing the same rule upon other European Powers, and that a memorial embodying this resolution be pre- sented to Lord John Russell, the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. On the motion of Mr. W. M. Williams, seconded by Mr. Brooke Smith, a committee was appointed to collect sub- scriptions. The foundation stone of the new Unitarian Chapel in Broad Street, (Church of the Messiah), was laid on August 12, I860, by Mr. T. Kenrick. At the meeting of the Town Council on November 9, Mr. Arthur Ryland was elected Mayor for the ensuing year. The Cattle and Poultry Show was held this year on December 3 and the three following days ; the total receipts were £1,181 5s. Od., and the number of visitors 47,387. The Treaty of Commerce with France induced the French Government to create a consulship for Birmingham. M. Paul Pigne was appointed the first consul. He entered upon his duties in the December of 18G0. One of the most important local events of the year was the adoption of the Bill for conferring on the Corporation additional powers for the improvement of the town. It oc- cupied the attention of the Town Council during the greater part of the year, and a large number of meetings were taken up in discussing its provisions. A Town's Meeting was held on December 5, which was most probably the noisiest ever held in the Town Hall. A poll was demanded, which took place on the 6th, 7th, and 8th, of the month. The official declaration of the result was made on the 17th, and the polling showed a majority of 95 voters, and of 2,729 votes 476 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. in favour of the Bill ; and the Council proceeded to Parlia- ment supported by the majority of the burgesses, in their efforts to improve the borough committed to their care. It was a satisfactory termination of the public life of 1860, and closes our second decade by an act which affords renewed hope of the public spirit which will distinguish the third. This was also the year in which the Free Libraries and Museums' Act was adopted, to the detailed history of which undertaking we have devoted a separate chapter. § EDUCATION AND LITERATURE. The Birmingham branch of the Public School Associa- tion continued to agitate the question of a national system of education, and on February 6, 1851, Mr. T. Weston read a paper explanatory of the principles of the Association, and on March 5, Mr. R. K. Douglas read a paper on education, in which he showed that while in Switzerland the propor- tion of children receiving education was to the population about 1 to 4| in the best provided cantons, and in the worst 1 to Gh ; in England it was only 1 to 11|. Mr. W. Harris and Mr. J. A. Langford spoke after the reading of the paper, and stated that the association was rapidly gathering strength, and that it was intended to introduce the subject into the neighbouring districts. In October was published " Birmingham," a Poem, by H. H. Horton. In this little work we have a picture of the town, sketches of the Rev. J. A. James, the Hon. and Rev. G. M. Yorke, George Dawson, and other local preachers ; brief descriptions of the Town Hall, the Theatre, and the EDUCATION AND LITERATURE. 477 Society of Arts, " where Creswick first his ' prentice hand' essayed, and Henshaw gave his early promise ;" the Queen's College, the two Hospitals, Aston Hall, the Soho Works, and other famous places. It also contains eulogies on Dr. Priestley, James Watt, Charles Reece Pemberton, the Rev. Rami Kennedy, Joseph Moore and other local worthies. In November was published " The Young Man's Friend and Guide through Life to Immortality," by the Rev. J. A. James, and on the 2nd of January, 1852, the same author published his first sermon to young women, on the "Influence of Christi- anity on the Condition of Women." Mr. John Postgate also published his tract on the " Sanitary Condition of Birming- ham and Suggestions for its Improvement." A useful little book, entitled " The Assay of Gold and Sil- ver Wares," by Arthur Ryland, was published in March. The 2nd of January this year (1852), was the Tercentenary of the foundation of King Edward's School ; but the celebra- tion of that great event was deferred to the holiday time at Easter, and on Thursday, April 16, the celebration took place. The following was the number of pupils receiving instruction at this time : — KING EDWARD'S SCHOOL. Classical School 250 English ditto 215 465 ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS. Gem Street, Boys 135 Ditto, Girls 130 265 Edward Street, Boys 140 Ditto, Girls 135 Meriden Street, Boys 150 A Girl's School will be added during the present year for about... 140 275 290 Bath Eow, Boys 140 Ditto, Ghls 140 - 280 1,575 478 MODEEN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. The contemporary chronicler thus records the pageant: — A somewhat bleak and chilly morning found hundreds of well dressed romping children, with some idea that they should be very joyous, al- though a bitter cold wind which pinched fingers and noses rather chilled any effective demonstration, loitering along the streets in the direction of King Edward's School. There the symptoms of the festival were strong- ly marked. A magnificent royal standard floated from the roof, and laurels crowned the gothic pinnacles. The heraldic lions who guard the main entrance with their little brazen flags always unfurled, and keep blowing in one direction in supreme contempt of any change whatever in the wind, were smothered in bay and laurel leaves, so that the fabidous animals their neighbours on the opposite side, would have had some difficulty in recognising them. The staid and quiet seat of learning it- self was vocal with many voices. Hundreds of laughing children mounted the steps, and crowded about the doors, making New Street ring with their drolleries and youthful fun. Venerable men, " in the sere and yellow leaf," in odd ecclesiastical garb, who had won their honours, and youthful aspirants in well fitting collegiate costume, with hope before them, gathered about the porch ; and as the bells of St. Martin's rang out a peal, and St. Philip's clanged in concert, the children, to the num- ber of nearly 1,400, formed into line, and about a quarter to ten walked in procession in the following order to St. Martin's Church, the crumbling old tower of which was decorated with banners : — Two Beadles. Assistant Mistresses. The Girls of the different Schools, three abreast. The Mistresses. The Boys of the Elementary Schools. The Masters. The English School. The Two Writing Masters. The Classes, in order, three abreast, begining with the lowest ; each Master following his Classes. The Classical School. The French Master and German Master. The Classes, in order, three Boys abreast, beginning with the lowest Class, each Master following his own Class. The old Pupils, not Members of the Universities. The old Pupils, Members of the Universities, in academical dress. The former Master of the School. Masters of others Schools. The Officers of the Queen's College. Dissenting Ministers. The Clergy. EDUCATION AND LITERATURE. 479 The Clerk of the Peace and Town Clerk. The Aldermen. The Borough Magistrates. Members of Parliament for the Borough and County. The Archdeacon of Coventry, Dr. Jeune, and the Chancellor of the Diocese. The Mayor and Recorder. The Bishop of Worcester. The Bishop of Manchester. The Bishops' Chaplains. Architect, Counsel, and Solicitor. General Visitors. Peers of the Realm. Former Governors. Governors. Secretary. It was pleasant to see so many happy youthful faces, as they marched on quietly and orderly, along New Street, and into the Bull Ring, hund- reds of spectators lining the whole procession all the way. It seemed odd to witness the collegiate and academical robes, the lawn sleeves, the grave professors in their gowns, which one would expect to meet only in the cloisters of some old quaint cathedral town, or in some out-of-the- way nook of a university, in the busy streets, and retiring learning and divinity elbowing commerce and bustling trade, in the very heart of manufacturing industry. The scene was a novel one in Birmingham, and attracted throngs of delighted sjjectators to the streets. Upon entering the church, the two bishops, with their chaplains, Archdeacon Sandford, the Rural Dean, (Hon. and Rev. G. M. Yorke), the Rector of St. Martin's, and the curate, took their place within the altar rails ; whilst the governors, the members of the corporation, the clergy, and the other gentlemen, proceeded to the gallery to the right of the pulpit, two divisions of which they occupied. Service commenced at half-past ten ; prayers being read by the Rev. Mr. Miller, the lessons by the Rev. E. H. Gifford, head master of the school, and the litany by the Right Rev. the Bishop of Manchester. The sermon was preached by the Rev. Dr. Jeune, Master of Pembroke College, Oxford, and the predecessor of Dr. Lee in the mastership of the school. The 32nd verse of the 8th chapter of Romans was selected as the text, " He that spared not His own Son, but delivered him up for us all, can He not with him also freely give us all things?" The influence of apostolical Christianity upon the progress of civilization was the theme of the discourse ; its main point being the fact that intellectual cultivation had always accom- panied the gospel when preached in its fulness. In the afternoon a meeting took place in the Classical School, to hear commemorative addresses, and to distribute the annual prizes founded by the Bishop of Manchester and by W. Chance, Esq., and by the for- 480 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND TTS INSTITUTIONS. mer pupils of the school on the occasion. The Hall was crowded. Many noblemen, amongst whom we observed the Earl of Dartmouth and Lord Calthorpe, the Bishops of Worcester and Manchester, and other digni- taries of the Church, the Governors, the Mayor, the Eecorder, Mr. Scholefield, M.P., Mr. Spooner, M.P., Mr. Newdegate, M.P., the clergy of nearly all denominations, and many of the influential laity of the town, were present. Many ladies were also present. Speeches were delivered by the Bishops of Manchester and Worcester, the Head Master (the Bev. E. H. Gifford), Mr. W. Chance, Mr. B. Spooner, M.P., and, for the first time in the history of the School, several munificent prizes were awarded. Mr. J. W. Whateley gave a historical epitome of the school from its foundation as the Guild of the Holy Cross ; and observing that unfor- tunately there were no records connected with the institution for upwards of a hundred years after the charter was granted. It was, however, satisfactory to know that all the lands originally granted had been pre- served to the institution. It was probable that the revenue of the School during the century following the granting of the charter was devoted to the payment of the masters. The population of. Birming- ham was not large at the time, as he found that in 1555, three years after, the number of houses in the town did not exceed 700 ; and that in the year there were thirty-seven baptisms, fifteen weddings, and twenty-seven burials. The first record he could find was the appointment of Nathaniel Brookesby as head master, on the 25th of April, 1654, who had a salary of ,£40 a year. The first usher whose appointment he found was William Harrison, in 1725, at a salary of £20 a year. He was in indigent circumstances, and he was buried in 1764 at the expense of the governors, an account to the following effect being still extant :— " Paid Mr. Careless, according to the order, for Mr. Harrison's burial, £4." It also appeared that "two sums of 5s. were given to support him in his sickness," and two similar sums were given to his widow. The first account of the revenue and expen- diture now in existence contained these items : — Imprimis, account for rents £72 16 6 Wood cut down and sold in Lady wood ... 79 13 4 On the credit side of the account there appeared— Imprimis, wages to two schoolmasters . . . £70 Bepairs, coals, and sweeping the school ... 109 And the treasurer went on to pray that he might be allowed Is. 6d., which he could not get from some one who owed that sum to the Insti- tution. Mr. Whateley gave an amusing account of a "barring out," which took place in November, 1667, and the ringleaders were forgiven on promising not to put then masters in bodily fear of violence for the future. The number of scholars at that time taught in the school was EDUCATION AND LITERATURE. 481 200, exclusive of boarders, who were then called " tablers." He detailed the quarrels of the Governors in the latter end of the reign of Charles II., the consequent surrender of the charter, and the granting of a new charter by the second James. The original charter was recovered after a great deal of litigation, one thousand pounds were spent by the Gover- nors out of their own pockets. He also alluded to the connection of the Rev. William Wollaston, the author of "Nature Delineated," at this period with the school as second master ; and to the neglect of the Governors to pay for exhibitions. When the old Governors came in under the old charter, they elected the Rev. James Parkinson as head master " out of compassion as he had lost his fellowship, it being all he had to depend on." He had been expelled from the University for his anti-monarchial principles, and the Governors hoped that he " would be peaceable in his office ; " but in this they were disappointed, and had to pension him off. During the whole of that period none of the scholar- ships were filled up. From 1734 down to 1797 matters went on har- moniously ; and in 1750 branch schools were first established, although they were shortly afterwards discontinued as being contrary to the pro- visions of the law at that time. Mr. Whateley then referred to the labours of the Governors in 1821, which resulted in the determination to remodel the school. Examiners from Oxford and Cambridge were appointed, elections were made to exhibitions, of which there were ten, and the whole institution was brought into a very much better condition. He then detailed the proceedings consequent upon the erection of the new school by Sir Charles Barry ; and traced the connection of Dr. Jeune with the institution, showing that to that gentleman, in conjunction with the Governors, was due the present admirable mode of instruction adopted in the school. The character and acquirements of that gentle- man were warmly eulogised, as were those of the Bishop of Manchester, who had raised the school to a very high place amongst the educational institutions of this country — references, both of which were received with prolonged acclamations. With regard to the elementary schools, which, in his opinion, had been instrumental in effecting a great amount of good, he showed that since the year 1838 down to the present time no fewer than 5,000 children had been received into these schools ; and as the revenues of the school were increasing the Governors would be anxious to extend the system for the education of the poorer classes as far as they possibly could. They had had a debt of £98,000, incurred to carry out an improved system of education ; but he was happy to say that the whole of the debt had been swept away by sales to the railway companies. The present income was £10,000, and was increasing, and although they had a debt of £6,000 that would speedily be repaid. Upwards of two centuries ago the fortunes of the school were imperilled in a manner probably unknown to Mr. ii ii 482 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. Whateley or to any of the governors either at the time or since. While engaged in searching the State Papers, preser- ved in our noble Record Office in Chancery Lane, for quite a different purpose, I came upon two documents relating to our Free School, which, although short, are full of interest. The first bears the date September 30, 1633, and is a letter from F. Nicholls to Secretary Windebank. This paper, which throws some light on the condition of the school at that time, is as follows : — May it please your honour to take into your consideration that, whereas divers Kings and Queens of this Realme of England, and sun- dry other persons, deceased, have heretofore given great and pious donations to schools, hospitals, highways, bridges and the like : The lands whereof are not only now improved unto yearly values far greater and more worth than they were in those days expected to come unto ; but the same land and profits also are now diverted to other uses than were intended by the donors. As for one instance : — The Free School of the Town of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, was founded by King Edward the Sixth, of pious memory, and by him endowed with lands, then surveyed to 20li. yearly ; which now are worth 20011 per ann., besides great stores of wood and timber which is still on those grounds, and many a hundred pounds worth of wood and timber heretofore gone and sold off from those grounds ; whereof it were not amiss to know who hath pursed the money. And whereas that school hath but two schoolmasters, which have no more than 20li. a piece per annum allowed unto them out of the whole revenue of the lands aforesaid. If thereby the grants be avoidable in as much as the surplusage goeth neither to the King, the schoolmasters, nor to the poor of the town, whether may not the King's Majesty now take the managing of the revenues into his own hands, allowing to the schools and schoolmasters as much or more than now the Trustees and Govern- ors do allow them. And then his Majesty to consider of the lessors and their improvements as by his commissioners (in such case) he shall find the lessors to have deserved, and also to call the Governors to account for the surplusage of the profits of the lands and of the money made of the timber sold since the donations. Which things in all England would bring in to the King great profit in the present and daily increase thereof for his Majesty and his succes- sors, by the future surplusages of the general great revenues of this nature. The second document is a petition from a Mr. Thomas Howard, who, in a very brief space accuses the Governors EDUCATION AND LITERATURE. 483 of the most shameful frauds and malpractices, and modestly prays the King to grant him the " said premises," on the condition that he allows to the school £100 a year, the Governors having never allowed more than £60. This pre- cious document is not dated, but is conjecturally calendered under the year 16G5. (?) Here is the petition : — To the King's most Excellent Majesty. — The humble Petition of Thomas Howard, Esq. Sheweth, — That whereas King Edward the Sixth, of blessed memory, by his Letters Patent, bearing date the second day of January, in the fifth year of his reign, did grant to xx governors of the town of Bir- mingham, at Birmingham, in the county of Warwick, certain lands and tenements within the said town, to hold the said premises to them and their successors for the maintenance of a free Grammar School in the said town, the said Governors hath since, contrary to the tenour of the said grant, alienated much of the said lands, sold the woods, let long leases, taken great fines, and converted the same to their own private uses ; and therefore the said lands are, by law, forfeited into your Majesty's hands. Your petitioner humbly desires that your Majesty would be graciously pleased to grant the said premises to your petitioner, your petitioner allowing to the said school the sum of lOOli. per annum, whereas the said Governors never allowed above sixty pounds per annum. And your petitioner shall ever pray, &c. In May was published "The Course of Faith; or the Practical Believer Delineated," by the Rev. J. A. James; and in June, " The Drama of a Life : and Aspiranda," by J. A. Langford. The Polytechnic Institution was in difficulties this year, and the Committee recommended its dissolution. At a meeting held June 15, Mr. S. Timmins in the chair, it was announced that, at Midsummer, the Institution would be £200 in debt. The recommendation was not adopted, but a Committee appointed to act in conjunction with the general Committee for the purpose of endeavouring to remove the difficulties, and for suggesting a plan for its continuance. The adjourned meeting was held on the 29th to receive the report, but the attendance was so small that the meeting was again adjourned until July G, when the Committee reported 481 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. that upwards of £100 had been already promised towards liquidating the debt. The year 1852 ended with an attempt to establish a Magazine in Birmingham. On December the first, was issued number one of the Midland Metropolitan Magazine. It existed for about a year and then joined all its local prede- cessors, and became part of the forgotten literature of the nation. There were, however, some pretty poems, a few fair essays, and a good tale or two published in this Magazine. In May was published a series of four lectures, delivered at the Old Meeting House, by the Kevs. S. Bache and Charles Clarke, in reply to a sermon by the Rector of St. Martin's, entitled " The Working Man Rejecting Unitarianism." In the same month was published anonymously, a pamphlet with the strange title " The Gauntlet of Freedom : A Satire, a Treatise, a Warning, an Exposure, a Denunciation, a Pro- phecy, and a Defiance." This brochure has since been acknowledged as the work of Mr. J. A. Partridge. In Jnne Mr. George Wallis published " The Birmingham School of Art Drawing Book," containing twenty-four lessons in elementary drawing, with introductory instructions. In August the Committee of the Proprietary School elected Dr. Charles Badham head master, in place of the Rev. L. P. Mercier, resigned. The establishment of the Birmingham and Midland Insti- tute was fatal to the long-struggling Polytechnic. On September 15, a special general meeting of the members was called, at which the following report was presented : — In their last annual report your committee expressed a hope that they should be able to carry on the Polytechnic Institution until the Midland Institute was prepared to commence operations, and they have to congratulate the subscribers on the realization of that hope, and on the improved financial position and educational results attained during the past year. Without any extraordinary effort, or any special appeal, the income of the year has exceeded the expenditure, and the debt of the Institution has been reduced from £160 to £89. Your Committee would gladly have recommended the continuance of the Institution on its present basis for another year, as they feel convinced that it is in an improving state. A notice, however, has been received from the EDUCATION AND LITERATURE. 485 Midland Institute to quit the present Lecture Theatre at Christmas next, as it will be required for the purposes of the Institute after that date, and your Committee regret that no other suitable room can be found. In addition to which the Midland Institute contemplates sup- plying news rooms and lectures on a larger scale, and better adapted to the wants of the public, than your own Institution can afford ; and your Committee, therefore, beg to recommend that the Polytechnic In- stitution be closed at the end of the present quarter, being also the end of the Institution year. Your Committee would, however, recommend that a course of lectures be arranged for the winter quarter towards the liquidation of the debt of the Institution, and they feel assured that by such means a considerable amount may ber aised. Your Committee beg also strongly to recommend that a special effort should be made by annual subscriptions from the present supporters of the Institution to continue the Adult Female and Boys' Classes, as heretofore, as they have been well attended during the past year, and as they afford valu- able elementary instruction which they believe the Midland Institute does not at present contemplate supplying. And your Committee con- sider that if the library be removed to the rooms in Suffolk street, and made accessible to those attending the Classes at a small charge, that the change will be productive of very beneficial results. In conclusion, your Committee regret the necessity of the present meeting, but they rejoice to think that their efforts have been attended with success, and their regret is modified by the reflection that the Polytechnic Institution may, by its library and classes, afford much useful elementary instruc- tion, and prepare many for the greater advantages which the Midland Institute proposes to afford. After a short discussion, it was unanimously resolved to close the Institution at the end of the quarter : to arrange a course of lectures during the next quarter to liquidate the debt, and to appoint a Committee to continue the adult female and boys' classes as heretofore. In November was published " Summer Sketches, and other Poems," by Bessie Rayner Parkes ; and in December, " Aston Hall and the Holte Family," by Alfred Davidson, illustrated by Allen E. Everitt. In January, 1854, was published, " Lectures on the Histoiy of the Turks, in Its Relation to Christianity," by the Very Rev. J. H. Newman, D.D. Dr. Arnold Ruge, a political exile from Germany, delivered a lecture at the Polytechnic Institution on January 20, on " The Political History of Modern Germany." 486 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. In February was published " English Democracy : Its History and Principles," by J. A. Langford. In 1856 was published " The Science of Social Opulence," by William Lucas Sargant ; and " A Universal Alphabet, Grammar, and Language," by the veteran reformer, George Edmonds. The other additions made to our local literature this year were : — " Creation's Testimony to its God," by Thomas Ragg ; " The Lamp of Life : a Poem," The Jubilee Services of the Rev. John Angell James ; " The Stereoscope, considered in Relation to the Philosophy of Binocular Vision," byC. Mansfield Ingleby, M. A. ; "The Age of Cant: a Satire," by Redwood Trevor ; " The Relative Rights and Interests of the Employer and Employed Discussed : and a System pro- posed by which the Conflicting Interests of all Classes of Society may be Reconciled," by M. Justitia, [Frearson] ; " An Essay, showing how the Surplus Funds of the Amalgamated Society of Engineers may be partially employed in Associa- tive Productive Industry, &&," by the same author ; " Hints to Political Reformers, and Our Abortive Political Associa- tions," by John J. Britten ; " The Sabbath, Its Claims, Its Blessings, and Lessons," by P. G. Anderson ; " Wanderings Among the High Alps," by Alfred Wills ; " The Orations of Demosthenes against the Law of Leptines, &c," translated by Charles Rami Kennedy; "The Arabs of the City: a Plea for Brotherhood with the Outcast," an address de- livered to the Young Men's Christian Association, by William Morgan ; " Punishment is not Education," by C. B. Adderley, M.P. ; " A Letter to C. B. Adderley, Esq., M.P., on the Ques- tion of Tickets of Leave," by M. D. Hill; "Hours with the Mystics: a Contribution to the History of Religious Opinions," by Robert Alfred Vaughan, B.A. ; " Elements of Theoretical Logic," by C. Mansfield Ingleby, M. A. ; " Dramas for the Drawing Room : Charades for Christmas," by E. H. Keating ; " The School and the Workshop : why should they not Combine ? " by the Hon. and Rev. G. M. Yorke ; " Birming- ham : Its Educational Condition and Educational Require- ments," by the Rev. Nash Stephenson, M.A. Such a list speaks well for the literary activity of the town in 1856. EDUCATION AND LITERATUKE. 487 A renewed effort to provide education for the people was made in November, which resulted in the formation of an association, on December 2, for the purpose of inquiring, especially with reference to the employments of juveniles, the ratio of the attendance at schools, and the influence of long hours of labour on the training of the young. The pay- ment for membership to the new association was a subscrip- tion of not less than five shillings a year, and Lord Calthorpe was appointed president, J. F. Winfield and J. T. Bunce, secretaries, and Alderman Thomas Lloyd, treasurer. Com- mittees were appointed to make the necessary inquiries as to the amount and kind of education in Birmingham, and the employment of juveniles, the operation of legislative measures on education in other localities, and into the subject of juvenile vagrancy. At a meeting on March 31, 1857, the prize scheme was adopted, " provided the examinations as to prizes on re- ligious subjects affecting the parochial schools be conducted upon the principle adopted by the Committee of Council on Education, i.e. by an examiner or examiners of the religious denomination to which the school belongs." It was also determined that " prizes being intended for the children of the industrial classes, the Committee reserve to themselves the right of defining what school shall be eligible to send candidates." The following is the Prize Scheme adopted by the Com- mittee : — QUALIFICATION OF CANDIDATES. Third Class (Lowest) Prize. 1. — Boys or girls (not being pupil teachers or paid monitors), who can produce certificates that they have attended for one year, and are still attending any public elementary school within the borough of Birming- ham, and who can also produce certificates of good conduct and character. 2. — These prizes being intended for the children of the industrial classes, the Committee reserve to themselves the right of defining what schools shall be eligible to send candidates. Second Class (Middle) Prize. 3. — Candidates for the second class must produce certificates that they are attending school, and have attended for two years; and must pro- duce the same certificate in regard to conduct as the third class. 488 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. First Class (Highest) Prize. 4. — Candidates for the first class must produce certificates that they are atteudiug school, and have attended for three years ; and must pro- duce the same certificates of conduct as in the former classes. 5. — In the case of girls, certificate of a knowledge of needlework (sewing) will, in each class, be required, in addition to the other qualifi- cations. 6. — No child can compete for the second (or middle) prize without having previously obtained the third (or lowest) prize, or a certificate of commendation ; nor can any child compete for the first (or highest) prize without having previously obtained the third and second prizes, or cor- responding certificates. The third prize will be confined to children under eleven years old, the second to children under thirteen years old, and the first prize to children under sixteen years old. 7. — For the present and next year (1857-8), the preceding clause will be modified, so as to allow properly qualified candidates to compete for prizes in the three classes. 8. — A year's attendance at school will, throughout this scheme, be understood to mean that the scholar has attended not less than 176 days in the year. In computing the 176 days, two half days, whether morn- ing or afternoon, may be reckoned as a day, but Sunday attendance will not be counted in. 9. — The certificates of attendance and moral character must be signed by the teacher of the school, and countersigned by the minister of religion to whose place of worship the school is attached, or by the managers of the schools. 10. — If a child moves from one school to another, certificates must be produced from each school attended during the period for which atten- dance is required. In cases of change of school, the aggregate attendance will be counted as attendance within this rule, provided the committee are satisfied that sufficient reason is shown for such change. SUBJECTS OF EXAMINATION. Third Class, (Lowest.) 11. — Candidates must read fluently ; write from dictation, spell cor- rectly ; work the first four rides of arithmetic, simple and compound ; answer questions on the map of England. Second Class, (Middle.) 12. — Candidates must read fluently ; write from dictation ; work the four first rules of arithmetic, and reduction, proportion, and practice ; answer questions on the map of Europe ; parse an easy sentence. First Class, (Highest.) 13. — Candidates must answer questions in arithmetic generally; in geography, (general outline) ; in English grammar ; and on the outlines of English History. EDUCATION AND LITERATURE. 489 Eeligious Knowledge. 14. — Candidates will be examined in various portions of the Holy Scriptures, to be fixed from year to year bjr the Board of Examiners. This part of the examination will be conducted (if required,) by an examiner or examiners of the denomination to which the school belongs. SPECIAL PEIZES. 15. — Individuals will be allowed to offer special prizes for the following subjects, subject to regulation by the Committee : Boys and Girls — arith- metic, grammar, geography, mechanics, English history, composition, drawing. Girls only — cutting out, sewing, knitting, darning, marking, &c. 16. No candidate can compete for more than one of the special prizes. NATURE OF THE PRIZES. 17. — Prizes of books or money will be given to each candidate who shall obtaiu such a proportion of the whole number of marks as shall be fixed from year to year by the Committee. Certificates will be given to each candidate who shall obtain a certain lower proportion of marks, to be similarly fixed. MACHINERY OF ADMINISTRATION. 18.— Prize Fund to be raised, and kept distinct from the General Fund of the Association. 19. — A Board of Examiners to be appointed yearly by the General Committee of the Association ; of these a certain number to be appointed to act as examiners, and the questions framed by them to be submitted to and approved by the whole Board ; but this regulation shall not apply to the questions included in clause 14. 20. — Examinations to be conducted entirely on paper. The Association appointed a committee to obtain reliable statistics as to the state of education among; the working classes. These were obtained from 1,043 families in various parts of the borough, and related to 1,373 children between the ages of 7 and 13, and they showed that, as respects males, the number who received daily education was 62 per cent, be- tween the ages of 7 and 8; 61 per cent, between 8 and 9; 45 per cent, between 9 and 10 ; 41 per cent, between 10 and 11 and 17 per cent, between 11 and 12. Mr. Thackeray paid us a welcome visit this year. On May 6, he lectured in the Music Hall on George the Third, and on the 7th, on George the Fourth. The Ashted Working Men's Association held its celebra- tion meeting on Nov. 25, 1858. This society was founded by the Rev. J. B. Podmore, B.A., Curate of St. James's, and 490 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. Mr. C. Hull, one of the churchwardens, and its early suc- cess was almost unexampled in the history of such institu- tions. In a short time it numbered about 400 members, had a library containing 2,000 volumes, reading rooms opened daily, instruction classes meeting twice a week, and the subscrip- tions and donations amounted to more than £100 a year. The All Saints' Instruction Society, at Hockley, was " inaugurated" on March 29, 1859, by a Conversazione and an exhibition of objects of art manufacture, science, and curiosity. It was founded by the Incumbent, the Rev. J. B. Gabriel, and Mr. W. Torknell acted as honorary secretary. In a few days upwards of thirty members were enrolled, and the society started with every prospect of success. The following is a list of the principal additions to Bir- mingham literature made during the year 1859 : — "Self: a Satire," by the Rev. C. Morse ; "Social Innovators and their Schemes," by William Lucas Sargant ; " A Mid- summer Day's Dream, and other Poems," by W. Avon; "An Ode to the Memory of Shakspere ;" " Rustic Rhymes," by Frederick Price ; "Through Norway with a Knapsack," by William Mattieu Williams ; " Poems of the Field and the Town," by J. A. Langford ; and " The Devonshire ' Hamlets' of 1603 and 1604, with a Bibliographical Preface," by Samuel Timmins. The following books by Birmingham authors were pub- lished in 1860 ; — " Robert Owen and his Social Philosophy," by William Lucas Sargant ; " Shelley : the Death of St. Poly carp : and other Poems," by J. A. Langford; " The Eagles' Nest, in the Valley of Sixt, a Summer Home among the Alps : together with some Excursions among the Great Glaciers," by Alfred Wills ; " Selections from the Papers of the late Thomas Wright Hill, Esq., F.R.S.A." ; " Youthful Musings," by George Gibbons ; " The Trials of Achmet, a Romance in Rhyme," by E. W. Simcox ; and " A Complete View of the Shakspeare Controversy, concerning the Authority and Genuineness of Manuscript matter affecting the Works and Biography of Shakspere published by Mr. J. Payne Collier, as the fruits of his Research," by C. M. Ingleby, LL.D. AMUSEMENTS. 491 § AMUSEMENTS. The Pantomime of Christmas, 1850, was not withdrawn until February 27, 1851 ; and on March 1, the "impressive moral drama" of "The Bottle" was performed again. " Belphegor, the Mountebank " was performed for the first time on March 8. On the 17th, Miss Louisa Pyne, Signor Borrani, H. Corri, and W. H. Harrison, begun an engagement in the Opera of " Maritana." On March 19, that extraordinary instance of the early development of musical talent, Henrich Werner, made his first appearance at the Town Hall. He was only in his eleventh year, and his execution of the most difficult as well as the most simple piano-forte music excited the utmost admiration and delight. On March 31, Mr. G. V. Brooke commenced an engage- ment in "Othello," playing during the week Hamlet, Sir Giles Overreach, Virginius, and Alfred Evelyn in "Money." On the 21st was produced " Shakspeare's Early Days," William Shakspeare, Mr. James Bemiett ; and on the same night, a new drama entitled "Sinbad the Sailor; or, The Valley of Diamonds." Mr. Webster and Madame Celeste appeared for one night only, on April 15, in "'Flying Colours," for the benefit of Mr. Wadds. Mr. Simpson took his benefit on May 23, Mr. G. V. Brooke performing Othello. He remained the following week and played Hamlet, Macbeth, Othello, Shylock, and Sir Giles Overreach. On June 7, was played for the first time, that delectable drama, " The Bloodhounds ; or the Orphan's Grave." Mr. Webster and Madame Celeste appeared on the 12th, 13th, and 14th, in the "Green Bushes," "Flying Colours;' and other of their well-known dramas. 492 MODEEN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. The Autumn season opened on September 8, with " Bel- phegor, the Mountebank." On September 23 and 24, Madame Celeste made her farewell appearance, previous to her depar- ture for America. She was accompanied by Mr. Webster, and appeared in " The Green Bushes" and " Flying Colours." On the 29th Mr. G. V. Brooke commenced an engagement in " Othello," prior to his departure for America. On October he played Iago, for the first time here, and appeared in his usual round of characters. On the 13th the romantic drama of " Ingomar" was performed for the first time, Miss Vanden- hoff playing Parthenia, her original character, andMr. James Bennett, Ingomar. On the 20th, Mr. James Anderson com- menced an engagement in "Hamlet," and on the 21st he played Ingomar. Mr. Wright commenced an engagement on the 27th, in " Paul Pry," and for the first time here, in Bob Bryanstone, in Mark Lemon's farce of " Jack in the Green ; or, Hints on Etiquette." On March 17th, 1852, Sims Reeves, Frank Bodda, Mr. Delavanti, and Mrs. Sims Beeves, commenced an engage- ment in "La Sonnambula." They also played " Lucia di Lam- mermoor," " The Bohemian Girl," and " I Puritani." Mr. Creswick was with us for one night, December 1, and played Hamlet. On the 9th, Mr. Charles Pitt played King Lear, and Mrs. Charles Pitt the Fool, for the benefit of Mr. Atkins. It was their "first and only appearance since their return from America." An entirely new drama, by Stirling Coyne, entitled " King Liberty; or the Hungarian Patriot," was performed on December 16, for the benefit of Miss Edwards. The Christmas Pantomime was " Jack-in-the Box, and Harlequin and the Princess of the Hidden Island." The Pantomime had an extraordinary run, not being with- drawn until March 8, 1852, and on the 11th, Shiei's play of " Evadne" was performed. Josh Silsbee, the Yankee come- dian, made his first appearance here in the " Forest Rose," on March 29. On April 12, "The Corsican Brothers," and "All that Glitters is not Gold," were produced for the first time. The Amateur Company of the Guild of Literature and Art gave two performances in the Town Hall on May 12 and AMUSEMENTS. 493 The Duke of Middlesex The Earl of Loftus Mr. Frank Stone, A.E.A. Mr. Dudley Costello. 13, for the benefit of the Guild. The play was the new comedy- written by Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton, Bart., for the purpose, and entitled " Not So Bad as We Seem; or Many Sides to a Character." The following is the cast : — Peers attached to the Son of James II. commonly call- ed the First Pre- tender Lord Wilmott (a young man at the head of the mode more than a century ago, Son to Lord Loftus) .... Mr. Shaddowly Softhead (a young gentleman from the city, friend and double to Lord Wilmott) Mr. Hardman (a rising member of Parliament and adherent to Sir Eobert Walpole) . Sir Geoffrey Thornside, (a gentleman of good family and estate) .... Mr. Goodenough Easy (in business, highly respectable, and a friend of Sir Geoffrey) Lord Le Trimmer ) Frequenters of Will's j Colonel Flint ) Coffee House I Mr. Jacob Tonson, (a bookseller) . Smart, (valet to Lord Wilmott) . Hodge (servant to Sir Geoffery Thornside) . Paddy O'Sullivan (Mr. Fallen's Landlord) . Mr. David Fallen (Grub Street Author and Pamphleteer) Lord Strongbow, Sir John Bruin, Coffee House Loungers, Drawers, AVatchmen, Newsmen. Mr. Charles Dickens. Mr. Wilkie Collins. Mr. John Forster. Mr. Mark Lemon. Mr. F. W. Topham. Mr. Peter Cunningham. Mr. R. H. Home. Mr. Charles Knight. Mr. Coe. Mr. John Tenniel. Mr. Eobert Bell. Mr. Augustus Egg, A.E.A. Lucy (Daughter of Sir Geoffrey Thornside) Barbara (Daughter of Mr. Easy) The Silent Lady of Deadman's Lane . Scenery. Lord Wilmott's Lodgings . . painted by Mr. Pitt Miss Mitchell. Miss Fanny Young. Mrs. Coe. The " Muiillo" .... Sir Geoffrey Thornside's Library . Will's Coffee House . The Streets and Deadman's Lane The Distressed Poet's Garret (After Hogarth) .... Mr. Absolon. Mr. Pitt. Mr. Pitt, Mr. Thomas Grieve. Mr. Pitt. 494 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. The Wall in^tke Park . . . painted by Mr. Telbin. An Open Space near the Biver . „ „ Mr. Stanfield, E.A. Tapestry Chamber in Deadman's Lane „ Mr. Louis Haghe. The Act Drop ....„„ Mr. Boberts, K.A. The performance concluded with a farce, in one act, by Mr. Charles Dickens and Mr. Mark Lemon, entitled " Mr. Nightingale's Diary," with the following cast : — Mr. Nightingale Mr. Dudley Costello. Mr. Gabblewig (of the Middle Temple) . Charles Bit (a Boots) Mr. Poulton (a Pedestrian and Cold Water Drinker) ...... Captain Bowler (an Invalid-) .... A Bespectable Female A Drab Sexton Tip (Mr. Gabblewig's Tiger) . Mr. Charles Dickens. I Mr. Mark Lemon. > Mr. Augustus Egg, Christopher (a Charity .Boy) .... J ° to ° Slap (professionally Mr. Fumiville — a country actor) Mr. Tickle (Inventor of the Celebrated Com- pounds) A Virtuous Person, in the Confidence of "Maria" Lithers, (Landlord of the " Water-lily") . . Mr. Wilkie Collins. Bosina Miss Fanny Young. Susan Mrs. Coe. The price of admission to all parts of the house was seven shillings. The Haymarket Company commenced an engagement on August 2, in the " Rivals" and "Married Life." Mr. Buckstone and Mrs. Fitzwilliam commenced a three nights' engagement on the 24th, producing for the first time here, "Presented at Court;" on the 25th, was played for the first time, "Atkins Worried by Buckstone ;" and on the 2Gth, for the first time, Mr. Buckstone's last new drama, in five acts, "The Foundlings." This (1852) was the Festival year. It commenced on Sep- tember 7, and continued the usual four days. Lord Leigh was president, and the principal vocalists were Madame Viardot Garcia, Madame Castellan, Miss Dolby, Madame Anna Zerr, AMUSEMENTS. 495 Macllle. Bertrandi, Miss M. Williams, Madame Clara Novello, Signor Tamberlik, Messrs. Lockey, T. Williams, Sims Reeves, and Weiss, and Signers Polonini and Belletti. The solo performers were, violin, Sainton ; violoncello, Piatti ; double- bass, Bottesini ; piano-forte, Kuhe ; organ, Mr. Stimpson. Mr. Costa, whose conducting had commanded universal applause at the previous Festival, was again appointed to discharge that all important duty. For nearly the first time for fifty years we miss, from the leading instrumental perfor- mers, the name of the venerable Robert Lindley, who was, however, worthily succeeded by his pupil, Mr. Lucas. Another famous name, that of Dragonetti, the celebrated double-bass, also disappears from the list, and is replaced by that of Mr. Howell, whose ability supplied any loss that might have been sustained by the death of his eminent predecessor. The Festival opened with Elijah ; on Wednesday the programme included Haydn's Creation, Mendelssohn's Christus, and an Anthem by Dr. Wesley. On Thursday, in accordance with time-honoured custom, the Messiah was performed ; and on Friday, Handel's Samson. At one of the evening concerts, Lorely, part of an unfinished opera, by Mendels- sohn, was performed. The Festival receipts were £11,925, of which £4,704 were paid to the Hospital in the shape of profits. At the Theatre, on Sep. 11, the last act of "Lucia di Lam- mermoor" and " Lucrezia Borgia" were performed, the prin- cipal vocalists being, Madame Grisi, Madame Castellan, Madlle. Bertrandi; Signors Tamberlik, Mario, Susini, Polonini, Galli, and F. Lablache. On the 13th Mr. B. Webster and Madame Celeste commenced an engagement. On October 28, we regret to say " Jack Sheppard" was reproduced. On November 1, Mr. Buckstonc and Mrs. Fitzwilliam commen- ced an engagement in " The Flowers of the Forest," and on the 8th they appeared in an entirely new and original drama, by Mark Lemon, entitled " Sea and Land." Mr. Sims Reeves and Miss Julia Harland appeared on December 20, 21, and 22. The Christmas Pantomime was "Don Quixote de la 496 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. Mancha, and the Sleep of a Hundred Years ; or Harlequin, the Omened Bird, and the Fairy of the Golden Waters," which was performed for the last time on March 4, 1853. On the 7th Mr. Josh Silsbee, the Yankee, commenced an engagement; and on the 14th was played a new local drama, by E. Stirling, with the ominous title of " The Jew of Birmingham ; or, the Mendicant's Son of Digbeth." The "best dramatized ver- sion" of "Uncle Tom's Cabin," which "had been months in preparation," was produced on March 28, and had a run of more than thirty nights. On May 16, Miss P. Horton appeared in Nicolo Angelo in the " Little Devil," and in Don Leander, in the " Invisible Prince." In 1869 a German, named Schultz, was giving a very attractive entertainment under the title of " Masks and Faces," which was spoken of as something entirely new. On June 6, 1853, Mr. Coleman commenced a series of perform- ances at the Shakspeare Rooms with precisely the same title. On June 13, "Uncle Tom's Cabin" was revived as the second piece. " The Will and the Way ; or, the Lost Heir of Carrow Abbey," was produced on the 27th, and on July 1, Mr. Sims Reeves played Henry Bertram for the benefit of Mr. H. Hall, the stage manager ; the singer giving his services on this occasion. Mr. Buckstone and Mrs. Fitzwilliam commenced an engagement on July 20, for three nights only. On the 25th Mr. G. V. Brooke appeared in " Othello." The Hay- market Company began a short engagement on August 15, in " London Assurance," and "Old Honesty." A grand Operatic Company, consisting of Mr. and Mrs. Sims Reeves, Miss Julia Harland, Weiss, Manvers, H. Corri, Farcpiarson Smith and H. Horncastle, commenced a series of performances on September 5, in " Fra Diavolo," and " Why Don't She Marry ?" They also appeared in " Lucia di Lam- mermoor," " La Sonnambula," " The Bohemian Girl," and " No Song No Supper." On the 26th, Mr. B. Webster and Madame Celeste were with us again, and played in a round of their usual characters. Shakspere's play of the " Merchant AMUSEMENTS. 497 of Venice" was performed on October 18, and on the 22nd Mr. G. V. Brooke appeared, for that night only, playing " Othello," and on the 28th, Mr. Wright appeared, in " Paul Pry" and the " Spittalfields Weaver," for the benefit of Mr. Simpson. " Uncle Tom's Cabin" was revived on the 13th. Mr. and Mrs. Sims Reeves and a company of eminent vocalists commenced another series of operatic performances on No- vember 7. The " final" farewell of Grisi and Mario took place at the Town Hal] on November 3. The hall was thronged, and their reception was a most enthusiastic one. The Christmas Pantomime this year, was " Jack the Giant Killer; or, Harlequin and Robin Goodfellow." Jack was taken by Miss Emma Hall, "her first appearance on any stage." Another place of amusement was added to the list in December of this year. Mr. John Tonks opened Bingley Hall with an equestrian company. It had been fitted up as an amphitheatre capable of holding 4,500 persons. It was called " Tonks's Colosseum." The Pantomime ran till March 10, 1854; and on the 18th was displaced by " The Struggle for Gold; or the Sea of Ice and the Orphan of Mexico," which was produced here for the first time. On April 10, Miss P. Horton, appeared for one night, in the "Barrack Room," and " Lola Montes; or the Pas de Fascination." A new local historical drama, " written expressly for this theatre," and entitled " Aston Hall ; or, Birmingham in the days of the Civil War," was produced on April 17. It was admirably placed upon the stage, and was performed several times, but cannot be pronounced to have proved a dramatic success. On the 20th, Miss Cushman played Meg Merrilies, and oil the 21st, Mrs. Haller ; this " being the only occasion on which Miss Cushman can visit Birmingham." Mi\ Tonks opened his theatre at Bingley Hall for the sea- son on A] nil 1 7, with Lord Byron's " Sardanapalus," followed by a Divertissement, which introduced Madlle. D'Antonie to a Birmingham audience as pr< mice ir William Don commenced an engagement on November 3, in " The Toodles " and " The Rough Diamond." He also played in " The Evil Genius," " Used Up," " Single Life," " Rob Roy," and in other pieces. Mr. James Bennett succeeded him in "Hamlet" on the 10th. Miss Rebecca Isaacs, Miss Fanny Reeves, Messrs. 0. Summers, J. B. Bowler, Loder, and Elliot Gules, commenced a series of English Operas on December 8. The season closed on Decem- ber 23, when Mr. Charles Mathews appeared in " Married for Money," for the benefit of Mr. Simpson. The Christmas Pantomime this year was " Old Mother Hubbard and her Dog; or, Harlequin Jack Horner and Margery Daw," which was not withdrawn until March 19, 1857. Mr. William Brough lectured on "Burlesque," at the Gallery of Illustration, on January 24, 1857. An Italian Opera Company appeared for three nights, com- mencing March 12, including Madames Grisi, Amedei, Gassier, Chierici, Henreich, Madlles. Berti and Sedlazek, Signors Volpini, Lorini, Albicini, Luigi Mei, Kinni, Herr Formes, and others. The operas represented, were " II Trovatore," " Don Pasquale," and " Don Giovanni." AMUSEMENTS. 505 Miss Glyn commenced an engagement on March 21, in "Macbeth;" and during her visit she played in "Antony and Cleopatra," "The -Hunchback," "The Duchess of Main," and " The Winter's Tale." " Dred ; a Tale of the Great Dismal Swamp," was produced on April 13. Mr. Woolgar made his first appearance in Birmingham for many years, in Sir Giles Overreach, on April 27. Mrs. Alfred Mellon {nee Miss Woolgar), appeared, after an absence of fourteen years, for the benefit of her father, Mr. Woolgar. She played Rosalind, in "As You Like It," and Nan, in " Good for Nothing." Mr. Phelps and Miss M. A. Atkinson commenced an en- gagement on May 18, in " Hamlet," they also appeared in " Henry IV.," " Richelieu," " The Man of the World," " The Stranger," " Othello," " The Merry Wives of Windsor," and " The Bridal." A most delightful treat was provided for playgoers on June 1, when Mr. and Mrs. Barney Williams, the " Irish Boy" and " Yankee Gal," made their first appear- ance in Birmingham. They remained until June 20, playing in a round of pieces, and afforded the utmost pleasure to large audiences. On July 3, Mr. Charles Mathews performed for the benefit of Mr. Simpson ; the pieces were " Married for Money," " Cool as a Cucumber," and " Patter v. Clatter." Madame Ristori appeared here for one night on August 13, when she played Lady Macbeth, Signor Vitaliani played Macbeth, and Signor Bellotti Bon, Macduff. An extra night's performance took place on August 20, on which Mr. Charles Mathews made his farewell appearance prior to his departure for America, and played " Used Up," and " Cool as a Cucumber." An Italian Opera Company commenced a series of six per- formances on August 31. The principal performers were Mesdames Bosio, Didire, Tagliafico, Madlles. Parepa, and Victoire Balfe. Signors Gardoni, Neri Baraldi, Graziani, Tagliafico, Zelgcr, Polonini and Ronconi. The operas repre- sented were "II Trovatore," " La Favorite," "La Sonnambula." " Lucia di Lamniermoor," " I Puritani," " II Barbiere di Siv- 506 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. iglia," and "L'Elisi d'Amore." Madame Bosio, Madlle. V. Balfe, and Signor Ronconi made their first appearance in Birming- ham on this occasion. Mr. Alfred Mellon was conductor. Mr. Simpson had a concert in the Town Hall on September 30, at which the vocalists were Madlle. Piccolomini, Ortolani, Maria Spezio, Madame Porna, Signor Giuglini, Aldighieri, Bossi, and Belletti. Miss Glyn paid us another visit this year, commencing an engagement on October 10, in " The Stranger ;" she also played in " The Winter's Tale," "Macbeth," and "The Duchess of Mam." On November 2, Miss Vandenhoff and Mr. S win- bourne opened an engagement for twelve nights ; they were succeeded by Sir William and Lady Don. The Pantomime this year was entitled "King Blusterbubble and the Demon Ogre ; or, Harlequin Prince Honourbright, and the Dwarf King of the Ruby Mines." It was continued until February 19, 1858. On the 22nd, Mr. T. C. King commenced an engagement in Hamlet. Miss Marriott made her first appearance here on the 28th, and on the 5th of March Mr. H. Webb played Touchstone, in "As You Like It," for Mr. King's benefit. He remained for a week, and on his benefit on the 12th, produced "Much Ado about Nothing." Mr. Webster, Mr. Wright, Paul Bedford, and Madame Celeste opened an engagement on the 15th in "The Poor Strollers,'' and during their stay in " A fearful Tragedy in the Seven Dials." Mr. and Mrs. Barney Williams were with us again on April 5, appearing in " The Irish Boy," and " An Hour at Seville." They were followed on the 2Gth by Sir William and Lady Don, who appeared in "The Creole," "The Toodles," " Married Life," " Flowers of the Forest," " Single Life," and "Perdita, the Royal Milkmaid." On May 10, Mr. J. Anderson commenced a short engagement, producing on the 13th his own play, "Clouds and Sunshine." The next thing to be recorded in the theatrical world was the appearance, for one night, of Madame Ristori. On August 5 she performed Elizabetha, in " Elizabetha, Regina d'Inghleterra." She was supported by Madame Ferroni, AMUSEMENTS. 507 Madlles. Ferroni and Tessero, and Signors Majeroni, Boc- conini, Glech, Tessero, and Bellotti Bon. Our four days Musical Festival commenced this year on August 31; the principal vocalists were Madames Clara Novello, Castellan, Alboni, Viardot Garcia, Madlle. Victorie Balfe, Miss Dolby, Messrs. Sims Reeves, Montem Smith, and Weiss; Signors Tamberlick, Ronconi, and Belletti. Mr. Costa was, as usual, the conductor, and Mr. Simpson presided at the organ. On the first morning "Elijah" was performed, on the second " Eli," on the third the " Messiah," and on the fourth " Judith" (a new oratorio by Henry Leslie), Mendels- sohn's " Lauda Sion," and " Beethoven's Service in C." The Earl of Dartmouth was president. The total receipts amounted to £11,141, of which £2,731 were realized for the funds of the Hospital. The Italian opera at the Theatre on September 4, was " II Trovatore," with Madame Piccolomini as the heroine ; she was supported by Madame Viardot Garcia, and Signors Guiglini and Aldighieri. Mr. Alfred Mellon was the conductor. The autumn season opened on September 6, with Mr. T. C. King in "Richelieu;" and on the 27th "Faust and Marguerite" was produced, Mr. M'Clain as Faust, T. C. King as Mephis- tophiles, and Miss Kate Percy as Marguerite. It had a long run, not being withdrawn until November 20. Mr. Sims Reeves sang in " Guy Mannering," on November 30, for Mr. Atkins's benefit ; and on December 6, an English Opera Com- pany, including Miss Fanny Reeves, Miss Hudson, Madame Anna Bishop, Messrs. Burrani, E. Corri, A. St. Allyn, Bentley, and Elliot Galer, began a series of operas. They performed "The Bohemian Girl," " Maritani," "II Trovatore," "La Traviata," "La Sonnambula," and "Martha." On December 19, Mr. and Mrs. Barney Williams performed for Mr. Simpson's benefit in "The Fairy Circle," "An Hour at Seville," and "Ireland as it is.'' The Pantomime this year was "The Wolf and Little Red Ridinghood ; or Harlequin Little Boy Blue, and the Fairy of Happy Land." 508 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. M. Jullien was announced to give a farewell concert at the Town Hall, on December 30, and its success caused Mr. Simpson to induce him to give a " positively last concert," on January 25, 1859, at which Madame Anna Bishop and M. Wieniawski appeared. The notorious P. T. Barnum made his first appearance in Birmingham, on February 28, giving his views of the " Science of Money-making, and of Humbug generally." The Pantomime ran till March 19, when it was with- drawn ; and on the 21st, those inimitable performers, Mr. Mr. and Mrs. Barney Williams, commenced an engagement in " Ireland as it Was ; or the Agent," " In and Out of Place," and " Barney the Baron." To the regret of all lovers of genuine humour, these merry souls took their farewell benefit on April the 1st. Madame Celeste commenced an engagement on the 1th, in " The Green Bushes," and on the 15th was produced " Marion de Lorme," a drama written expressly for that lady. On April 25 was produced " Never Too Late to Mend," a drama founded on Mr. C. Reade's novel of the same title, which owed its inspiration to the scenes enacted in the Birmingham Gaol, under the governorship of Lieutenant Austin. It was performed until May 28. On the 31st, Mr. Walter Montgomery played in " Romeo and Juliet," for the benefit of Mr. C. Humphreys, the box book-keeper. On June 3, the Birmingham Amateur Dramatic Association gave a performance for the benefit of the Building Fund of the Midland Institute ; the pieces were " Plot and Passion," " La Pauvre Jacques," and " I've Eaten my Friend." The American tragedian, Mr. Kean Buchanan, made his first appearance here on June 6, in " Othello." During his engagement he played in " Hamlet," " Macbeth," " Richard III.," and " The Moors in Spain." On the 13th the Pyne and Harrison Royal English Opera Company opened a twelve nights' engagement. "The Rose of Castile," "Satanella" "La Sonnambula," "II Trovatore," and "The Crown Dia- monds," were performed during their stay. Madlle. Piccolomini appeared at the Town Hall on August 19; she was supported by Madame Reichardt, Signors Belart, AMUSEMENTS. 509 Aldigliieri, and Billetta. On August 30, Signora Fanny Gordosa made her first appearance in England, at the Town Hall ; she sang a second time on September 1. The theatre was opened for the autumn season on Septem- ber 12, when Mr. H. Loraine made his first appearance here in " Hamlet." Mr. Charles Pitt appeared in " King Lear" and " Othello" on the 3rd. Madlle. Piccolomini appeared at a concert in the Town Hall in September. The first part consisted of Verdi's " La Traviata;" the second of selections from "Don Giovanni," " Lucia di Lammermoor," " II Trovatore," and " Martha." Among the principal vocalists were Madame Dell'Anese, Signors Aldighieri, Mercuriali, Rossi, Castelli, Belart, and Corsi. Miss Glyn read " Hamlet," at the Music Hall, on October 21st. The same lady also appeared at the theatre on the 25th and 26th in " Macbeth" and the " The Winter's Tale." Mr. Charles Dickens visited us for one night on the 26th, and read his " Christmas Carol," and " The Trial from Pick- wick" at the Music Hall. Mr. Sims Reeves sang at the Town Hall on October 20 ; the other vocalists were Mr. Weiss, Madame Sherington, and Miss Dolby ; M. Sainton performed on the violin, M. Paque on the violoncello, and Mr. Davis on the harp. Mr. James Bennett commenced an engagement on Novem- ber 7, in Iago. On November 24 and 25 Miss Glyn per- formed for the benefit of the Licensed Victuallers' Asylum, in " The Duchess of Malfi" and " The School for Scandal." The annual Pantomime this year was " The House that Jack Built, and Harlequin Lord Lovel ; or Mother Bunch and the Fairy of the Avon." At a concert given by Mr. Harrison on February 9, 1800, Madame Rudia made her first appearance in Birmingham ; Mr. Brinsley Richards, the pianist and composer, presided at the pianoforte, for the first time here, at the same concert. On March 1, at a concert given by Mr. Stimpson, Mr. Foster, 510 MODERN BIRMINGHAM AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. Mr. Winn, and Professor W. Sterndale Bennett made their first appearance in Birmingham. Miss Cleveland was the leading lady at the Theatre this season, and soon deservedly became a general favourite with the Birmingham playgoers. The Pantomime ran till March 31, and on April 2, " Virginius" was played, for the benefit of Mrs. Field, widow of a carpenter who had been killed whilst employed in the theatre. On the 3rd, Mr. F. Robson appeared in the new drama of " Daddy Hardacre, the Miser," for the benefit of Mr. Humphreys, leader of the orchestra. This was followed by several of Shakspere's dramas, in which Mr. Loraine and Miss Cleveland performed. On April 14, was presented, for the first time, "The Romantic Legendary Drama of Ruthven ; or, the Vampire's Bride." Mr. and Mrs. Charles Mathews appeared on May 4, in " The Game of Speculation," and "The Dowager," for the benefit of Mr. Simpson. They were engaged during the ensuing week, and appeared in a round of their favourite characters. A new drama, called " Christmas Eve ; or, a Duel in the Snow," was produced on May 12. On Ausfust 13, Mr. Charles Dillon, with a select London Company, opened the theatre for a few nights with "Virginius" and the " The King's Musketeers." He also played in " Louis XL," "Belphegor," " The Bride of Abydos," " Othello," and <' Hamlet." Mr. Westland Marston's drama " Hard Struggle," was performed for the first time on August 17. On August 27, Verdi's Opera of " Macbeth" was performed for the first time in this country, by Signor Ginseppe Operti, in aid of the Ladies' Garabaldi Benevolent Association for the relief of the sick and wounded, widows and orphans of Garabaldi's followers, and for the Birmingham Hospitals. It was repeated on the 28th, 29th, and 30th. The Autumn season opened on September 1, with the tragedy of "Hamlet." On the 3rd, Madame Celeste com- menced an engagement in " The Green Bushes," and on the 5th, the drama of " A Tale of Two Cities" was performed for the first time. Mr. F. Robson commenced a six nights' en- AMUSEMENTS. 511 gagement on the 17th, in "Daddy Hardacre, the Miser." The new burlesque of " Medea" was played for the first time on the 19th. " Faust and Marguerite" was revived on the 27th. On October 1 5 Mr. James Anderson commenced an engagement in " Othello." During the week he played in "Ingomar," "Hamlet," "Macbeth," "The Merry Wives of Windsor/' and "Richard III." Madame Clara Novello took her farewell of the Burning- ham public, at an evening concert given by Mr. Stimpson on November 15. Mr. Macfle, the " celebrated American tragedian," made his first appearance here on November 12, in the new tragedy of " Metamora ; or, the Last of the Wampanoags." Mr. Gardiner Coyne, another American actor, appeared on the 19th, in " The Knight of Arran." Mr. Walter Montgomery appeared on December 14, in " The Wife," and " Not a Bad Judge," for the benefit of Mr. C. Humphreys ; and on the 18th, Mr. Wybert Rousby played in " The Man with the Iron Mask," and " Lovel's Disguise," for the benefit of Mr. P. Watkins. The Pantomime for this year was entitled " Gosling the Great and Harlequin Prince Blue Bell ; or, Baa, Baa, Black Sheep, Little Bo-Peep, and the Fairy of Spring." The orthodox Boxing Night was anticipated, as it was first per- formed at 2 o'clock on Monday, December the 24th. The usual variety of amusements marked the present de- cade, but there was not anything, in addition to those already recorded, which calls for special notice, or the memory of which is worth preserving. END OF VOL. I. INDEX. Albert, Prince, 34. Allen, Eobert, dinner to, 48. Anti-State Church Association Soiree, 51. Allen, J. R., 56, 124. Association, Birmingham, for the Dissemination of Political Know- ledge, 65. Alfred the Great, celebration of the 1000th anniversary of, 65. Anti-Corn Law League, 74, 77, 90, 94, 96, 97. Attwood, Thomas, deputation to, 92 ; death of, 432 ; statue to, 391, 436. Adderley, C. B., 93, 96, 235, 332, 364, 411, 419, 486. Anti-Papal Aggression Agitation, 107. All Saints' Schools, 122. Adams, R., on Atmospheric Pail- ways, 124. Athenic Institute, 124. Anderson, J., 143, 147, 153, 171, 502, 506,511. Allan, Caradori, 144, 163. Anderson, Professor, 144. American Giant, the, 146. Arabians, the Morocco, 147. Angell's, Miss, debut, 147. Addison, Mr., 149, 162, 163. Addison, Miss Fanny, 162. Afiucan Roscius, the, 154, 156. Antigone first performed, 154. Armitage, Mrs. E., L59. Artiiurson, Mr., L59. Alumni, Madlle., her first appear- ance, L62, L69. Arabs, the Bedouin, Ki2. Andkrton's, .Miss, dt'but, 166. Allison, James, 17!). Aylesford, Earl of, 235. Allday, Joseph, 264, 412, 417, 430, 449, 453. Albites, A., 269. Avery, T., 339, 355, 366, 374, 377. Art Gallery, the, 362 ; an early letter, 362 ; picture by Coleman, 363 ; donations, 364 ; Prince Albert's statue, 365 ; Alderman Avery's gift of the bust of William Scholefield, 366 ; Elijah Walton's gift, 366 ; C. R Cope's gift, 367 ; R. L. Chance's and other gifts, 368 ; attendance, 368 ; contents, 370 ; subscription to purchase works of art, 376 ; loans, 378 ; attendance in 1870, 379 ; com- mittee, 379 ; conclusion, 380. Aitken, W. C, 368, 370, 372, 373, 374, 377, 378. Avery, W. H., 377. Aspinal, T., 391. Austin, A., 414, 417. Advertisement Duty, Abolition of, 418. Amusements — Theatre Royal, 136 ; local amateurs, 136 ; Van Am- burgh, 137; " Alice Grey," " Bru- tus," "the Jewess," "Hamlet," Mr.Macready, theAdelphi Comp- any, first subscription concert of the Birmingham Choral Society, 137; "Robespierre," "Oliver Twist," " Sir Roger de Coverley" " Tom and Jerry," Mr. Macready, Van Amburgh, Mario's first ap- pearance in Birmingham, 138 ; Miss Biffin, Operatic Company, Mis. I loney. Madame < ieleste, the Royal Wizard of the South, Miss Ellen Tree, 139; Mis. llnney, "Harlequin Sinbad," theatrical fiasco, 140; Mrs. Honey K k 513 INDEX. Mr. and Mrs. Vandenhoff, Mr. Ducrow, Miss E. Tree, Mr. C. Kean, Mr. W. Eignold, Madame Celeste, 141 ; " Cherry and Fair Star" ; Ducrow's Horses, Mr. Tem] ile ton, Opera, Miss Keni- ble's first appearance, the Covent Garden Company, 142 ; Mr. Macready, Miss Faucit, Mr. An- derson, "Stabat Mater," Wilson's " Scottish Music," Madlle. Cerito and the Theatre, Mr. Catlin's North American Indians, 143 ; Mr. Pearsall, The Flying Kail- way, Mr. Butler, Concert at the Theatre, Paul of Russia, Pro- fessor Anderson, Mr. Simpson's Benefit, 144 ; Theatrical Record, 145 ; Sims Reeves, 146 ; new Operetta, 146 ; anew Drama, 146; the Musical Festival of 1843, 147 ; Opera at the Theatre, 147 ; Professor Risley, 148 ; presenta- tion to Mr. Simpson, 148 ; the Infant Sappho, 149 ; Sign or Sivori, 149 ; Theatrical Record, 150 : German Dwarfs, 151 ; Mr. Lowe, the Polyphonist, 151 ; the Lion King, 151 ; Theatrical Re- cord, 152, 153,154; the Hutchinson Family, 155; Pose's Plasti 155 ; Theatrical Record, 156 ; the Musical Festival of 1846, 157 ; Miss Cnshman's first appearance, 158 ; Theatrical Record, 159 ; Madame Vestris's farewell, 160 ; Madlle. Rachel, 161 ; Jenny Lind, 161, 162; Autumn Season, 162, 163 ; the Mendelsshon Memorial Festival, 163, Charles Dickens and the Amateurs, 163, 164, 165 ; Mr. Macready, 165 ; the Hay- market Company, 165 ; Miss Cushman, 165 ; Jenny Lind, 166; the Theatre, 166 ; Jenny Lind and the Queen's Hospital, 167 ; the Theatre. 168 ; Mr. Macready, 169 ; the Musical Festival, 169 ; the Theatre, 170, 171, 172 ; mis- cellanious amusements, 172 ; the Theatre, Henrich Werner, 491 ; " Jack-in-the-Box " pantomine, 492 ; Amateur Company of the Guild of Literature and Art, 492 ; " Not So Bad as We Seem ; or Many Sides to a Character," 493 ; the Musical Festival, 494 ; Opera at the Theatre, 495 ; Mr. Cole- man's " Masks and Faces," 496 ; Operatic Company, 496 ; farewell of Grisi and Mario, 497 ; Bingley Hall opened, 497 ; " The Struggle for Gold," 497 ; "Aston Half; or, Birmingham in the days of the Civil War," 497 ; first appearance of Madlle. D'Antonie, 497 ; Mr. Vandenhoff's farewell, 498 ; first performance of " Unarno," 498 ; first appearance of Madlle. Cru- melli, 498 ; the Aztecs, 499 ; " The Ruby Ring ; or, the Murder of Smithfield Moat," 499 ; " The Battle of the Alma," 499 ; the Musical Festival, 499 ; Madame Gassier's first appearance, 501 ; "A Woman's Heart" first per- formed, 501 ; Jenny Lind, and first appearance of Mr. Otto Goldschmidt and Mr. Swift, 502; the new Music Hall, Broad Street, 503; the first apj:>earance of Madlle. Piccolomini, 503 ; Opera- tic Recitals, 504 ; first appearance of Madame Bosib, Mdlle.V. Balfe, and Signor Ronconi, 506 ; first apjjearance of Miss Marriott, 506; " Clouds and Sunshine," 506 ; the Musical Festival, 507 ; " Faust and Marguerite," 507 ; M. Jul- lien's farewell, 508 ; " Never Too Late to Mend," 508 ; first appear- ance of Mr. Kean Buchanan, 508; first appearance of Madame Rudia and Mr. Brinsley Richards, 509 ; first appearance of Mr. Winn and Professor W. Sterndale. Ben- nett, 510; "Ruthven; or, the Vampire's Bride," 510 ; "Christ- mas Eve, or, a Duel in the Snow," 510; Verdi's "Macbeth," 510; Clara Novello's farewell, 511 ; first appearance of Mr. Macfie, 511. INDEX. 514 Attwood, T. A., 430, 434, 435, 437. Adley, Dr., 437. Allen, W. S., 445. Aston and Son, T., 445. Aston, W., 446. ANTi-Church-Eate Meeting, 453. Armitage, Mr., 455. Arsenal for Birmingham, 473. Amateur Company of the Guild of Literature, 492. Anderson, P. G., 486. Ashted Working Men's Associa- tion, 489. All Saints' Instruction Society, 490. Avon, W., 490. Birmingham, populatian of, 1 ; Debtor's Gaol, 1 ; Lock-up house, 2 ; Streets of, 3 ; Corn Exchange, 6 ; Lunatic Asylum, 7 ; Odd Fellows' Hall, 8 ; General Elec- tion, 9 ; Loyal and Constitution- al Association, 28 ; Proposal for Public Baths, 28 ; Poor Law Amendment Bill, 29 ; Charter of Incorporation, 29 ; Royal assent given to, 31 ; and to Police Bill, 31; Journal, "no news," 31; Cham- ber of Commerce, 32 ; Post Office, 33 ; Peace Society, 33 ; distress in, 34 ; Father Mathew in, 34 ; Prince Albert's visit to, 34 ; New Workhouse, 39; Local Authorities in, 41 ; and the transfer of Local Arts Bill, 42; Public Parks in, 43 ; the Borough Gaol, 43 ; Institu- tion for the relief of Deafness, 45 ; Improvements in, 47 ; Borough Gaol, 49 ; Pharmaceutical Institu- tion, 61 ; Protestant Association, 62 ; Licensed Victuallers' Asy- lum, 63 ; the Queen passed through, 65 ; Association for Political Knowledge, 65 ; Cattle and Poultry Show, 66 ; and the Great Exhibition, 66 ; Jewish Dissabilities Removal Bill, 69 ; Elections, 70; Anti-Corn Law League, 74; House Property in,76; Complete Suffrage Association, 79 ; Democratic Club, 105 ; Phi- losophical Institution, 113 ; Me- chanics' Institute, 116 ; Polytech- nic Institute, 120 ; Mercantile and Literary Institute, 124 ; In- fant Schools, 125; Ragged Schools, 127 ; Free Industrial School, 131; British Association in, 132 ; the School Association, 134 ; Choral Society's first subscription concert 137 ; Musical Festival, 147, 157 ; Miss Cushman's first appearance in, 158; Blue Coat School, 173; Society of Arts and School of Design, 188 ; and Edgbaston Debating Society, 235 ; and Mid- land Institute, 248 ; The Free Libraries, 304 ; Shakspere Me- morial Library, 349 ; Art Gallery, 362 ; New Workhouse, 380 ; Growth of, 383 ; Progress of, 385 ; Temperance Hall, 390 ; and the Exhibition of 1851, 395 ; Poor Relief, 401 ; Increase in the popu- lation of, 401 ; Protestant Asso- ciation, 401 ; Visit of Kossuth to, 401 ; and London Radway, 409 ; Cattle Show, 411 ; The Queen in, 409 ; Earthquake in, 410 ; Re- formatory School, 411 ; Abolition of the Court of Record of, 419 ; Cattle Show, 419 ; and the Water Works, 420 ; Day of Humiliation in, 421 ; King of Portugal in, 423 ; and the Patriotic Fund, 425 ; Cattle Show, 427 ; Chamber of Commerce, 428 ; New Improve- ment Bill, 429 ; and the Sunday Question, 441 ; Stipendiary, 434 ; Cattle Show, 437 ; and the Indian Mutiny, 441 ; and the National Association for the Promotion of Social Science, 4-12 ; Cattle Show, 444 ; and the Marriage of the Princess Royal, 445 ; and the Opium Trade, 447 ; the Duke of Malakolf's visit to, 448 ; Lady Havelock's visit to, 451 ; Cattle and Poultry Show, 452 ; and Church Rates, 453; an Assize Town, 454 ; and the Neapolitan 515 INDEX, Exiles, 456 ; Borough Cemetery, 47 1 ; Collection for Local Charities, 472 ; Arsenal, 473 ; and Garibal- di, 474 ; Visit of the Prince of Orange to, 474 ; Cattle Show, 475 ; Bill for the Improvement of, 475 ; Horton's "Birmingham," 476; and " Midland Metropolitan Mag- azine," 484 ; Education Prize Scheme, 487. Brindley, John, 10. Boucher, John, 12. Betts, Alderman, 13, 391, 433. Baptist Missionary Society, 28. Bull, Eev. G. S., 56, 126, 129, 131, 401, 412, 413, 441, 452. Burritt, Elihu, first lecture in Birmingham, 58, 61, 63. Bracebridge, C. H., 60, 370, 448. Bowring, Dr., M.P., 63. Bache, Bev. S., 66, 125, 355, 425, 450, 453, 484. Bache, F. E., Death of, 450. BOULTBEE, W., 75. Baldwin, J., 101, 313, 405, 412, 418, 419, 437, 453, 474. Baines, Mr. E., 125. British Association, the, second visit, 132. Blythe, E. V., 135. Barrett, Bev. J. C, 135, 441. Bedford, Paul, 137, 143, 506. Benedict, M. Jules, 139, 153, 157, 170, 498. Biffin, Miss (Mrs. Wright), 139. Bernarkina, Signor, 142. Bland, W. H., 142. Birch, Miss, 143. Butler, Mr., 144. Buckstone. J. B., 145, 150, 154, 156, 157,'l62, 166, 167, 168, 170, 171, 494. Braham, Mr., and his Sons, 148, 151. Batty' s Horses, 149. Brockstedts, the, 151. Birch, Miss E., 151, 152. Bishop, Madame Anna, 159. Butler, Mrs., (late Fanny Kemble,) 160. Belletti, Signor, 166, 167. " Box and Cox," hrst time, 166. Bassano, Miss, 167. Bartolari, Signor, 170. Bennett, James, 170, 171, 491, 498, 502, 504, 509. Bunn, Alfred, 171. Barber, J. V., 192, 277, 372. Barker, George, 203, 339, 377. Buckton, T. J., 236. Blue Coat School, the, 173, built 174 ; bequests, 174,-5-6-7-8 ; in- vestments, 178-9 ; revenue, 180 ; progress of the school, 180; mu- sical performance, 181 ; the state of the school, 183 ; removal of the school suggested, 184 ; conduct of the school, 184 ; Mr. Dixon's suggestion, 185 ; the class pro- vided for, 186 ; conclusion, 187. Bunce, J. T., 239, 247, 287, 314, 355, 377, 378, 379, 400, 443, 487. Berlyn, M., 243. Butler, P., 244. Burgess, Eev. J. H., 244, 466. Burdett, H. C, 245. Basnett, G., 245, 246. Basnett, S., 245. Bird, A., 246. Banks, G. L., 250, 251, 252. Boyce, J. K., 261, 264, 306, 330. Bradley, T., 263. Bill, G., 263. Blaxland, Mr., 264. Badham, Dr. C, 269, 314, 484. Booth, Dr., 270. Brougham, Lord, 271, 442, 465. Barber, Mrs., 276. Baker, Sir S., 280. Blanc, M. Louis, 280. Bates, William, 283. Biddle, Mr., 308. Boyle, Bev. G. D., 355. Burt, C. T., 368, 374. Burt, Bev. J. T., 443. Bond, Daniel, 373. Barrett, J., 373. Beale, W. J., 375, 405. Bragg, J., 377, 379. Barrow, B. G, 379. Barker, John, 388. Beaumont, W., 388. Bateman, Bev. J., 408. INDEX. 516 Bray, S., 409. Brogden, A., 411. Blount, Mr., 417. Buckley, S., 428, 434. Bird, C, 429. Beddoes, W., 431. British Medical Association, 436. Brodie, Sir Benjamin, 442. Birtles, T. 446. Bragg, T. & -J., 446. Browne and Clarke, 446. Bright, John, 452, 465. Brown, Rev. J. J., 474. Britten, John J., 486. Borrani, Signor, 41)1. Brooke, G. V., 491, 497, 498. Bingley Hall, opened as a Theatre, 497. Bosco, A., 503. Brough, W., on " Burlesque", 504. Bosio, Madame, 506. Balfe, Madlle. V., 506. Barnum, P. T., 508. Buchanan, Mr. Kean, 508. Bennett, W. Sterndale, 510. Central Railway Station, 4. Corn Exchange, the, 6. Corn Laws, repeal of, 11, 74, 77. Churches, St. Luke's, laying the foundation stone, 11 ; St. Mark's, Consecration of, 11; St. John's, Deritend, election of the Chap- lain of, 24 ; St. Stephen's, laying the foundation stone, 31 ; St. Andrew's, laying the foundation stone, 44 ; Consecration of, 57 ; Church of the Saviour opened, 59. CHURCH-rate, attempt to levy a, 11 ; enforcing one, 20, 22. Cottrt Leet, 17. Clerk's Provident Association, 18. Chambers of Commerce, 21, 32. Conservatives' Petition against the ( lharter of [incorporation, 22 ; meeting of, 92. Chimin als, young, 4 1 . Cutler, J. H., 43, 56, 57, 131, 314, 391, 405,432. Cnu ucii of England Cemetery, 49, 64 Calthorpe, Lord, 56, 123, 231, 235,409, 411, 487. Chance, W., 56. Cadbury, R. T., 63. Colonization Society, 63. Cattle and Poultry Exhibition, 66, 68, 411, 419, 427, 437, 444, 454, 475. Chartist Church, 73 ; meeting, 83. Collins, J., 73. Cobett, Joseph, 74. Complete Suffrage Association, 79, 89, 91. County (North Warwickshire) Election, 90. Cobden, Richard, 94. Clark's, T., "Origin of Sunday Schools," 116. Craven, Rev. C, 122. Collins's, M. T., "Gertrude," 131. Clarke, Charles Cowden, 135. Cowle, Mr., 137, 156, 162, 163. Celeste, Madame, 139, 141, 145, 162, 106, 170, 171, 491, 492, 498, 501, 503, 506, 508, 510. ( 'erito, Madlle., 143. Catlin, Mr., and the North Ameri- can Indians, 143, 151. Creswick, Mr., 147, 148, 151, 154, 159, 498. Carter, Mr., the Lion King, 151. Calkin, Mr., 151, 152. Corelli, Signor, 152. Carte, Mr., 152. Cushman, Miss, 158, 160, 165, 166, 497, 501. Cushman, Miss Susan, 159, 160. Corrie, H., 159, 494. Couldock, Mr., 103. Coveney, the Misses, their first appearance, 168. Corbari, Madlle., 170. Cooke, T. P., 170. ( ii a i. on, Madame, 172. ( 'ottrell, T., 177. "Century of Birmingham Life," L81. Cox, David, 192, 276, 277, 365, 374, 376, 429 ; Death of, 460. ( 'hantrey's visit to Birmingham,- L99. 517 INDEX. Corrie, John, 200, 201 . Clark, T., jun., 214. Clark, Francis, 214. Clarke, T., 220, 223, 224. Cope, C. E., 232, 363, 367, 371, 377, 455. Chance, J. T., 235, 257. Chance, E. L., 368, 374. Chance, H., 236, 247, 269. Chance, T. H., 242, 243. Chamberlain, Jos., 239, 240, 248. Chamberlain, J. H., 240, 248, 349, 355, 378, 392. Chamberlain, Arthur, 243, 244. Clarke, Eev. C, 242, 243, 244, 274, 379, 474, 484. Collings, Jesse, 243, 244, 377, 379. Caddick, A., 243, 244, 248. Chamberlain, Walter, 245. Crossket, Eev. H. W., 245, 246. Crane, J., 245. Cox, Sands, 258. Cole, H., 262, 376, 378. Cox, Alderman, 266, 455. Carpenter, Dr., 280. Cresvwell, C. R, 285. Cartland, J., 318. Coppock, J., 364, 379. Clat, Mr., 372. Coleman, E., 372. Collins ,J. T., 377. Congregationalist New College, 388. Cooper, W. W., 391. Charlesworth, J., 408. Cutler, J. W., 412, 430, 452. Court of Eecord, Abolition of, 419. Chamber of Commerce, establish- ment of, 428 Collett, Dobson, 418. Corder, James, 427. Carr's Lane Chapel, Mr. James's Jubilee at, 428. Cannon Street Chapel, Jubilee of, 435. Chinese and Persian Wars, 437, 474. Christianity in India, 448. Collis, G. E., 445. Cockin, Eev. W., 448, 452. Cassell, John, 453, -455. Collections for local charities, 472. Cooper, J. A., 465. Coyne, Stirling, 492. " Corsican Brothers," the, first per- formed, 492. Crumelli, Madlle., 498. Costa, M., presentation to, 501. Cleveland, Miss, 510. Coyne, Mr/ G., 511. Douglas, E. K., 12, 66, 98, 401, 476. Denham, Lord, and the Charter of Incorporation, 29. Distress, meeting on the, 34. Deafness, Institution for the Eelief of, 45. Dawson, George, M.A., 48, 51, 56, 59, 60, 68, 98, 101, 102, 105, 108, 123, 135, 269, 280, 282, 285, 306, 313, 329, 330, 334, 349, 354, 355, 394, 397, 399, 401, 402, 409, 410, 412, 413, 415, 416, 418, 431, 433, 437, 438, 448, 471, 474. Douglas, Mr. Frederick, 57. Dunn, Samuel, 65. Derry, E., 65. Dee, F., 68. Dickens, Charles, 122, and the Amateur Company, 163, 164, 165, 250, 251, 252, 253, 254, 264, 265, 266, 271, 286, 288, 452, 509. Dickens, Charles, jun., 266. Daniel, Eev. M., 126. Ducrow, Mr., 141, 142. Dobler, M., 151. Dolby, Miss, 151, 152, 163, 167. Dixon, George, 185, 235, 236, 237, 377. Dobson, Mr., 219, 220. Dartmouth, Earl of, 233, 235. Dowson, Eev. H. E., 142. Dawes, N., 242, 243. Deeley, J., 244. Dudley, C, 246. Downing, J., 263. Dawes, J. S., 270. Dewint, 277. Deutsch, Emanuel, 280. Dale, E. W., 354, 425, 426, 435, 441, 471. Deykin, A. W., 377. INDEX. 518 Derra, Constant, 397, 409, 410, 415. Dixon, Dr., 413. Davidson, Alfred, 436, 485. Defries, J., and Sou, 446. Dillon, C, 498, 499, 510. Don, Sir William and Lady, 506. Debating Society, Birmingham and Edgbaston, 235 ; separate debates, 236 ; amalgamation of the Societies, 237 ; record of debates, 238, list of Presidents, 247. Edmonds, George, 12, 34, 62, 98, 126, 391, 412, 417, 432, 433, 474, 486. Early Closing Association, 55, 56. Egypt, Pasha of, visit to Birming- ham, 56. Everett, James, 65. Elections, 95, 99. Elliot's, Mr., Lectures, 115. Emerson, R. W., 128, Eagle, Bernardo, 13!). Elssler, Fanny, her first ap>pear- ance, 145. Elkington, G. R., 177. Elkington & Co., 377. Elkington, F., 378. Everitt, Ed ward, 210, 364. Everitt, A. E., 286, 287, 485. Evans, Sebastian, 239, 240, 241, 242, 243, 248, 283, 355. Emanuel, Rev. G. J., 242, 243. Earl, W., 261. Evans, J. C, 263. Ewerbank, T., 263. Eastlake, Sir C. L., 27-4. Evans, Alfred S., 283, 286. Ewart, 305, 307. Evans, C, 350, 355, 377. Eggington, F., 317. Evans & Askin, 377. Exhibition of 1851, the, 395. Education & Literature, 113 ; Philosophical Institution, 113 ; Lecture at, 114 ; the Free Gram- mar School and Science, 114; Photographic Portraits, 115; Mr. Elliott's Lecture, 115; M. O'l'lau- agan's lecture, 115; Gross Ignor ance, 116; Clark's " Origin of Sun- day Schools," 116 ; Rev. Dr. Raphaell's lectures, 116; Rev. H. Button's " Fall of Babylon," 116 ; the School of Design, 116 ; the Mechanics' Institute, 118 ; Free Grammar School, 118 ; the Polytechnic Institution ; 120 ; All Saints' Schools, 122; St. Peter's Schools, 122; annual meet- ing of the Polytechnic, 122; H. H. Horton's " Sutton Park," 123; Charles Kemble's Readings, 123 ; St. Paul's Schools, 123 ; Polytech- nic, 123 ; Odd Fellows' Literary Institute, 124; Athenic Institute, ] 24 ; Philosophical Institute, 124 ; Mercantile and Literary Institute, 124 ; Annual Meeting of the Polytechnic, 124; Infant Schools, 125; St. Mary's Schools, 125; Government aid to Ed ucation, 1 25 ; Polytechnic in difficulties, 126 ; Government bill, 127 ; Ragged School, 127 ; Infant Schools, 127; R. W. Emerson's first lecture, 128; the Polytechnic again, 128; Resignation of J. P. Lee, 128 , Head Master of the Free Gram- mar School, 129 ; Infant Schools, 129 ; the first school, 131 ; Gem Street Industrial School, 131 ; Bazaar in aid of, 132 ; British Association, 132 ; Philosophical Institution, 133 ; Rev. J. A. James's " Protestant Nonconfor- mity," 134 ; " Thoughts from the Inner Circle," 134 ; Birmingham School Association, 134 ; Lectur- ers, 135. Elkington, F. G, 434. Eagles, Rev. J., 452. Evans, Brooke, 455. Explosion, Percussion Cap, 466. Elsworthy, Miss, 502. Free Grammar School, 61, 114; Bill, 118; resignation of .Mr. J. P. Lee, 128 ; tercentenary of, 477. 519 INDEX. Greg- French Bevolution, the, 101. Forbes's, Mrs., Lectures, 114. Fraser, Miss, 139. Farren, W., 142, 145, 147, 168. Faucit, Helen, 142, 143, 147, 149. Fitzwilliam, Mrs., 145, 146, 149, 150, 152, 153, 156, 157, 162, 166, 167, 168, 170, 171, 494. Fitzwilliam, Miss, her first appear- ance, 152, 154, 156. Freeman, C., 146. Farenti, Signer, 150. Fornasari, Signor, 150. Frabli, Madlle. Flora, 156. Farmer's, Edward, " Uncle ory," 168, 171. French Opera Comique Company, 171. Fentham, George, 177. Fletcher, Dr. Bell, 270, 355, 464. Fairbairn, Mr., 271. Foster, Professor, M. 280. Froude, J. A., 280. Freeman, E. A., 280. Freeman, J., 355. Field, A., 377. Fowler, W., 388. France, Inundation in, 435. French Consul, appointment of, 475. Free Libraries, the Birmingham, 304 ; John Milton on Books, 304 ; the Act, 305 ; unsuccessful at- tempt, 306 ; Specification of Patents, 307 ; Eeport of the Com- mittee, 308 ; adoption of the Act, 313; first Committee, 314; report to the Council, 314 ; the Central Library, 318 ; opening of the first Free Library, 320 ; the Eeference Library, 322 ; the Gosta Green Branch Library, 324 ; Central Library and Art Gallery, 325 ; returns, 326 ; Adderley Park Library, 326 ; Deritend Branch Library, 327 ; election of Chief Librarian, 328 ; opening of the Central Lending Library and Art Gallery, 329 ; opening of the Eeference Library, 329 ; Contents of the Libraries, 336 ; Cost, 337 ; letter from Mr. Eyland, 337 ; enlargement of the Eeference Library ; 339, books in the Libraries, 341 ; books most in demand, 342 ; money spent in books, 345 ; ages of borrowers, 345 ; trades of ditto, 346 ; ana- lysis of the table, 347. Gutteuidge, Thomas, 13 ; and the General Hospital, 35 ; presenta- tion to, 38 ; and the General Hospital again, 49, 214, 425. Green, Matthias, 15. Gas in Edgbaston, 33. Gaol, the Borough, 49 ; laying the foundation stone of, 50 ; Cruelties in, 412, 414, 416. Garrison, Mr. Lloyd, 57. Geach, Alderman C, elected Mayor, 63, 66, 91, 135, 405 ; Death of, 423. Griffiths, Wm., 65. Gill, T. H, 65, 106. Grant, Eev. Brewiu, 111, 306. Garbett, Eev. J., 125, 126 ; Death of, 449. Gedge, Eev. S., 126, 257, 262, 264, 266, 443, 447. Gifford, Eev. E. H, 129, 262, 274, 314, 443. Gem Street Free Industrial School, 131. Goodrick, G., 135. Garbett, E., 135. Grisi, Madame, 138, 150, 153, 157, 497. Grisi, Ernesta, 138. Grisi, Carlotta, 156. Giubilei, Signor, 139, 144, 147. Glover, Mrs., 142, 145, 170. Griffin's, Gerald, "Gisippus" play- ed for the first time in Birming- ham, 143. Gallinari, Signor, 147. Garcia's, Madame A., first appear- ance, 153. Gore's, Mrs., " Quid Pro Quo," 150. General Tom Thumb, 159. Galli, Signor, 170. INDEX. 520 Goode, James, 177. Gardiner, J. E., 208. Galton, J. Howard, 220. Gamgee, J. S., 239, 243, 244. Gibbs, C, 239. Grew, F., 262. Gameson, 246, 313, 474. Glyn, Miss, 270, 502, 504, 505, 506, 509. Goodman, J. D., 273. Gordon, Sir J. W., 275, 464. Gunn, A., 368. Gill, W. W., 368. Graham, J. & Sou, 377. Griffiths, T., 379. Goddard, S. A., 391. Gwyther, Edwin, 391. Gavazzi, Father, 407, 410, 411, 421, Gilpin, C, 412. Gough, J. B., 418, 447. Gover, Rev. W., 443. Green, Thomas, 443. Goode, B. W., 445. Gray, A., and Son, 446. Gough, W., 446, 455. Gabriel, Eev. J. B., 452, 490. Garibaldi, General, 474. Glossop, G., appointed Chief Super- intendent of Police, 474. Gibbons, George, 490. Gassier, Madame, 501. Goldschmidt, Otto, 502. Hill, Dr. R, 7. Hebbert, J. B., 13, 228. Hutton, Alderman, 16. Hollins, George, death of, 19. Hill, M.D., (Recorder), 27, 41, 126, 354, 355, 365, 419, 425, 442, 443, 454, 486. Hollins, William, death of, 31. Hoby, Dr., 33. Hebrew, National School, the, 33. Hill, Rowland, Testimonial to, 43. Hutton, Catherine, death of, 53. Hollins, Peter, 60, 66, 135, 170, 201, 213, 224, 226, 228, 251, 252, 257, 262, 266, 271, 314, 363, 365, 374, 387 .464. Horton, H. H, 65, 123, 430, 476. House Property, 76. Holbery, S., death of, 84. Hawkes, Henry, 99, 251, 306, 405, 410, 441. Hungary, Sympathy with, 106, 390. Harris, William, 106, 134, 135, 236, 237, 239, 240, 241, 242, 248, 306, 355, 377, 378, 379, 431, 476. Hutton's, Rev. Hugh, " Fall of Babylon," 116, 135, 218. Harris, B., 135, 377. Hinks, J., 135, 339, 377, 379. Holland, H., 135, 308, 314, 453. Hayes, Mr. De, 136, 140. Hudson, H., the Amateur, 136, 159. Honey, Mrs., 139, 140, 141. Haywood, H., 142, 153, 157. Harley, Mr., 142. Hawes, Miss, 143. Harper, E. R., 145. Harrison, W. H, 150, 491. Harkett, Mr. the American Come- dian, 152. Hall, H., 154, 162. Hutchinson, Family, the, 154. Hudson, J., 155. Hengler, Mr., 163. Haymarket Company, the, 165. Hays, M. M., 166. Hoddinott, W, 177. Hasluck, S., 177. Henshaw, F. H., 208. 364. Heaviside, J., 220. Hardwicke, Earl of, 235. Heslop, Dr., 236. Hudson, W., 238, 242. Hawkins, T., 240. Hopper, Arthur, 242. Hill, Rev. M., 242, 243, 244, 431. HORNBLOWER, W., 245. Harrison, C. A., 246. Harris Henry, 251, 375. Hill, B., 264. Hutchinson, Rev. 0. B., 269. Hutchinson, T. N., 355. Hare, Rev. F. J., 269. Hatiierton, Lord, 271. Hoskyns, C. W., 274. Harding, 277. KK 521 INDEX. Huxley, Professor, 280. Illegal Meetings, 85. Holliday, J. R, 287. Jerrold, Douglas, 123. Hodgson, T. R T., 314, 391, 420, Infant Schools, 125 127, 129 ; the 445, 446. first opened, 131. Heslop, Dr. J. P., 314, 355. Inverarity, Miss, 139. Holliday, W., 351. Infant Sappho, the, 149, 150. Halliwell, J. 0., 355. Jullien, M., 150, 167, 508. Houghton, Moses, 371. Italian Opera Company, 171. Hall, W., 376. Jabet, George, 235, 236, 237, 270, Heaton, R, 377. 286, 287, 350, 354, 355, 377. Hopkins and Son, 377. Ingleby, Dr. C. M., 237, 238, 242, Hatton, Joseph, 377. 249, 269, 355, 486, 490. Hinks, James and Son, 377. Johnson, G. J., 239, 240, 242, 247, Hill, J., 377. 355, 379, 431. Hall, J., 388. Johnson, H. J., 368. Hatfield, Mr., 388. Jaffray, John, 251, 273, 277, 314, Hajnik, M. Paul, 399. 355, 363, 377, 391, 429, 441, 445, Holmfirth Flood, the, 407. 464. Hale, W., 412. Jordan, Dr. R C. R, 283. Henderson, J., 413, 435. Jennens, C, 370. Hebrew Synagogue, Consecration Johnstone, Dr. Edward, death of, of, 419 ; New, 42S. 400. Harrowby, Earl of, 419. James, Joseph, 388. Holyoake, G. J. 438. Juvenile Crime, Conference on, Hill, Alfred, 443. 407, 419. Havelock, General, 444. Ingersoll, Hon. J. E., 411. Havelock, Lady, visit of 451. Income Tax, Opposition to, 430, 437. Hinks and Wells, 445. Jeffries, Eev. J., 425, 435. Homoeopathic Congress, 450. James, W., 428. Haydon, Eev. C, 452. Ingham, G., 430. Hull, C. 490. Indian Mutiny, the, 441. Hill, T. W., 490. Johnstone, Dr. James, 436. Horton, Miss P., 497. Jennens and Bettridge, 445. Jelf, W., 465. Jones, Lloyd, 9, 1(>. Justitia, M. [Frearson], 486. Inquests in Birmingham, 23. " Ingomar," performed for the first James, Eev. J. A., 33, 56, 63 66, time, 492. 78, 110, 125, 134, 388, 419, 426, 428, 447, 452, 465, death of, 466, Kimberly, Nathan, 12. 477, 483, 486. Kellog, Eev. H. H., 33. James, Mr. James, 34, 61, 215, 405, Kent Street Baths, 56, 63, 66. 408. Kemble's, Charles, Eeadings, 123. Imprisonment for Debt, Abolition Kean, Charles, 141, Marriage with of, 44. Miss E. Tree, 141, 143. Ick, Dr. William, death of, 44 ; his Kemble, Caroline, 142. lectures, 114. Keeley, Mr. and Mrs., 144, 148, Improvements in the town, 49 158, 166, 170, 502. Jones, Joseph, 56. Kean, Mr. and Mrs. Charles, 145, Jews, relief of the, 61. 151, 162, 166, 170. Jewish Disabilities Bemoval Bill, Keller, Heir, and Pose's Plastiqu.es, 69, 103 ; Synagogue, 437. 155. INDEX. 522 " King of the Commons," the, first performed, 160. Kidd, Mr., 220. Kirk, Mr., 224. Kenrick, W., 239, 240, 241, 242, 243, 245, 248. Kenrick, A., 377. Kempster, J., 246. Knapton, W. J., 246. Knowles, Eev. C. H., 287. Kynnersley, T. C. S., 354, 434, 447. Knight, C, 355. Kenrick, T., 377, 475. Kennedy, Rev. R, death of, 393. Kossuth, Louis, 106, 401, 402, 405, 407, 434. Kentish, Rev. J., 411. King of Portugal in Birmingham, 423. Kettle, W. R., 445. Kirby, Beard and Co., 446. Kennedy, C. R., 486. Keating, E. H., 486. " King Liberty ; or the Hungarian Patriot," first performed, 492. King, T. C, 504, 506, 507. Lunatic Asylum, the Borough, 7. Ledsam, Rev. D., 11. Local Rates, increase in the, 19. Leavitt, Rev. J., 33. Langford, J. A., 59, 60, 65, 102, 106, 134, 135, 236, 237, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 245, 2-46, 248, 263, 264, 270, 287, 306, 355, 377, 379, 394, 402, 425, 431, 435, 438, 443, 445, 475, 476, 483, 486, 490. Lowe, Thomas, 60, 455. Lucy, Wm, 60, 66, 68, 108, 395, 397, 399, 408, 418, 430, 435, 445. Lee, J. Prince, appointed Head Master of King Edward VI.'s School, 61 ; appointed Bishop of Manchester, 221. Licensed Victuallers' Asylum, Lay- ing the Stone of, 63. Lyttelton, Lord, 63, 233, 235 257, 274,411. Loyal and Constitutional Associa- tion, 93, 96. Lee, Thomas Eyre, 99. Latham, H., 134. Laud, Miss, 136. Lyon, W., 137, 145. Lablache, F., 138, 150, 151, 153, 157, 166, 167. Lablache, Nicolle, his first appear- ance, 167. Lucombe, Miss E., 147, 172. Lowe, the Polyphonist, 151. Lind, Jenny, 161, 162, 166, 167,502. Lockey, Mr., 163. Lozano, Madame de, 167. Lemon, Mark, 167. Ledsam, J. F., 203, 214. Lloyd, W. R, 206, 437. Lines, Samuel, 224, 277, 278, 365, 373. Lines, S. Junr., 224. Law, Rev. Chancellor, 228, 234. Leigh, Lord, 235, 272. Lewisham, Lord, 234. Lichfield, Earl of, 235 Leslie, Dr. P., 245. Lloyd, Howard, 245. Lee, T. Grosvenor, 245, 246. Lowe, T. C, 246. Luckcock, Howard, 257, 418. Lloyd, Thomas, 274, 307, 308, 313, 331, 355, 377, 430, 435, 444, 445, 453, 465, 472, 473, 474, 487. Lloyd, G. B., 379. Lyell, Sir C, 274. Lubbock, Sir John, 280. Lockyer, Norman, 280. Lawrence, Sir Thomas, 371. Lea, John, 388. Lawden, Alderman, 405. London and North Western Rail- way, Experimental Trip, 40!). Lawrence, John, death of, 426. Lloyd, James, 428. Lloyd, S. S., 428, 443, 455. Livingstone, Dr., 443. Layard, A., 448. Labour and Money, 454. Lola Montez, 455. Loraine, H, 509, 510. Murphy, J. L, 10. M'Donnkll, Rev. T. M., 13. 523 INDEX. Muntz, P. H., 16, 91, 261, 263, 405, 453. Morgan, Eev. T., 33. Montefiore, Sir Moses, 33. Muntz, G. F., 34, 42, 59, 66 ; ad- dress to the electors, 71, 98, 405, 418, 425, 430, 433 ; death of, 439. Mathew, Father, 34 ; help for, 46. Maynooth College, 49. Mouseley, Eev. T., 56. Miller, Rev. J. C, appointed Rec- tor of St. Martin's, 58 ; 66, 126, 129, 264, 266, 274, 313, 329, 354, 384, 401, 408, 413, 425, 431, 435, 443, 447, 452, 453, 471, 472. Martineau, Mr. Robert, elected Mayor, 58, 399. 405. Manton, J. S., 59, 431. Madeley, Rev. E., 59. Mason, J., 60, 98. Malins, D., 62. Moilliet, James, 67, 257. Marshall, W. P., 67, 257. Miall, Edward, 83. Montefiore, Sir Giles, 78. Melson, Dr. J. B., 110, 114, 425, 431, 435. Mechanics' Institute, 116, 118, 120, Manners, Lord John, 124. Mercantile and Literary Institute, 124. Middlemore, W., 135, 220, 314, 377, 434, 445, 471. Matthison, A., 136. Macready, W. G, 137, 138, 143, 152, 153, 159, 160, 165, 169, 171. Maywood, Miss, 138. Machin, Mr., 138, 150, 163, 167. Mario, Signor, 138, 150, 157. Martyn, Mrs., 139. More, Mr., a theatrical fiasco, 140, Munro's, Mr., benefit, 142, 163. Mellon, A., 144, 150, 503, 507. Mellon, Mrs. A., 505. Mellon's, Miss M., Paul of Russia, 505. Musical Festivals, the, 1843, 147 ; 1846, 157 ; 1849, 169 ; 1852, 494 ; 1855, 499 ; 1858, 507. Mathews, C, 149, 151, 154, 160, 498, 501, 502, 503, 504, 505, 510. Myer, Madame David, 152, Manners, Mr., 152. Mackay, Mr., 154. Montague, Miss M., 156. Mendelssohn's "Elijah" first per- formed, 157 ; Memorial Festival, 163. Massinger's "City Wisdom," 162. Murdock, Mr., 220. Mills, R., 224. Mills, W., 391. Marsden, Rev. J. B., 228, 431. Morgan, George, 233. Martineau, F, 236, 355, 431. Martineau, R. F, 242, 243, 244, 246, 248, 377. Mathews, W., junr., 236, 237, 239, 242, 257, 269, 270, 274, 307, 443. Mathews, C. E., 239, 240, 241, 245, 242, 243, 246, 247, 355. Mathews, G. S., 241, 242, 248. Midland Institute, the Birming- ham, and, 248 ; Memorial to Lord John Russell, 249 ; Charles Dickens and the Institute, 250 ; Letter from Charles Dickens, 252; " New Scientific and Literary Society," 253 ; Public Meeting, 254 ; Plans of the Originators, 254 ; Resolutions, 257 ; Objects proposed, 258 ; Mr. Sands Cox, 258 ; The Committee and the Royal Commissioners, 259 ; Dr. Lyon Playfair, 260 ; Donations, 260 ; Land granted by the Town Council, 261 ; Public Meeting, 261 ; Dr. Playf air's Letter, 262 ; Meeting of Artizans, 263 ; The Ratepayers confirm the grant of Land, 268 ; Readings by Charles Dickens, 264; Artizans' Meetings, 266 ; The Act of Parliament, 267 ; Specification of Patents, 268 ; The Classes, 269 ; Original Papers, 270 ; Miss Glyn's Read- ings, 270 ; Soiree, 270 ; The News Room, 271 ; Letter from Charles Dickens, 271 ; Opening of the Lecture Theatre, 271 ; Flute Society's Concert, 272; The Build- ing Fund, 272 ; Honorary Mem- INDEX. 524 bei-, 274 ; Special Fund, 275 ; Presentation of Mr. Arthur Ryland's Portrait, 275 ; Amateur Dramatic Performance, 275 ; The Institute and the Art Gal- lery, 276 ; " Graphic Illustrations of Warwickshire," 277 ; Death . of Sir Francis E. Scott, 278; The Limoges Enamels, 279 ; Lecturers, 280 ; Industrial De- partments, 281 ; Ladies Classes, 282 ; The First Conversazione, 283 ; The Evans' Prize, 283; The Whitworth Scholarship, 284 ; The Institute and the School of Art, 285 ; the Archaeological Section, 286 ; Distribution of Prizes, 288 ; the Work of the Institute, 289 ; the Classes, 292 ; Presidents, 292 ; Lectures, 293. Mullins, J. D., 242, 244, 328, 340. Macfie, M., 246. Marshall, W. P., 249, 254. Mackintosh, C. S., 262. Mechi, Mr. Sheriff, 270. Macaulay, Lord, 274. Morris, Professor, 275. Maurice, Professor F. D., 280. Morley, Professor H., 280. Macdonald, Dr. G, 280. Morton, Ernest, 288. Milton, John, 304. Manton, H., 308, 277, 445, 447, 448. Maher, M., 314, 427, 449. Martin, W., 355, 377. M'Cardie, J. W., 377, 445. Marris and Norton, 377, Moore, Joseph, death of, 394. Mills, J. R, 388. Myers, George, 388. Maconochie, Captain, 401, 402,417. Morgan, W., 409, 411, 423, 425, ■437,474,486. Madiai, Francesco and Rosa, 411. Milnes, Monckton, 419. Magistrates, New, 434, 455. Maddocks, Charles, death of, 433. Mathew, Henry, 437. Messenger, Messrs., 445. Myers and Son, 445. Mills and Wilkes, 446. Moorsom, Admiral, 448. Malakoff, Duke of, 448. Moody, Rev. J. F, 452. Mercier, Rev. L. P., 484. Morse, Rev. C, 490. Montgomery, Walter, 499, 508, 511. Marriott, Miss, 506. Macfie, Mr., 511. Newdegate, C. M., M.P., 56, 90. Nantz, Mr., 138. Nigri, Signor, 143. Novello, Clara, 147, 503, 511. Nisbett, Mrs., 147. Newbey, S., 263. Noad, Dr., 280. Nottelle, M., 283. New Street Railway Station, the, 383, 385. Nettlefold and Chamberlain, 377. Newman, Dr. J. H., 396, 485. Nixon, Mr., 402. Nightingale, Florence, 436. Neapolitan Exiles, the, 456. Odd Fellows' Hall, the, 8 ; Literary Institution, 124. Oldknow, Rev. J., 9. Owen, Robert, 9. O'Neill, Rev. A. G., 59, 63, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 101, 126, 437, 448, 474. O'Connor, Feargus, 61, 83. Osborne, E. C, 65, 306, 307, 308, 313, 314, 332, 354, 377, 379. O'Connell, Daniel, 94. O'Flanagan's, M. J. L., Lectures, 115. Owen, Rev. J. B., 135. Ostergard, Madlle., 143. Orsini, Signor F., 150, 438. Owen, G, the Youthful Tragedian, 157. Orleans Serenaders, the, 165. Owen, David, 177. Osler, A., 244, 245, 246, Oliver, W., 261, 280. Osler, A. F., 276. Owen, Professor, 280. Odling, Professor, 280. Osborn, F. B., 286. Osler, F. & Co., 377. 525 INDEX, Onions, J. C, 446. Ottley, J., 446. Operto, Siguor G., 510. Pane, Mr., 12. Phillips, Alderman, T., 16, 45, 50 56, 63, 99, 377, 405. Post Office, 17, 20, 33; and Sunday- delivery, 66. Peel, Sir Bobert, Flogged in effigy 22 ; and Maynooth, 48 ; death of, 68. Priestley, D., Celebration of the Birthday of, 23. Pennington, Eev. J. W. C, 33. Poor Law Act, Opposition to, 43. Public Parks and Baths, 43, 44, 55, 48, 56, 57, 63. Police ^Regulations Bill, 46. Palmer, John, 66, 405, 412, 426, 430, 446, 452. Pasha of Egypt, Visit to Birming- ham, 56. Potter, W., 59, 124. Pharmaceutical Institution, Bir- mingham, 61. Protestant Association, Birming- ham, 62, 401. Peace Meeting, 63, 412. Political Union, Dinner of Old Members of, 77. Partrige, Julius, 106, 430, 437. Photographic Portraits, 115. Polytechnic Institute, 120, 122, 123, 124, 126, 128, 483, 484. Philosophical Institute, 113, 123, 124 ; Dissolution of, 133. " Protestant Nonconformity," by Eev. J. A. James, 134. Pazzi, Signor, 139, 143, 150. Parsini, Signor, 143. Political Eecord, 69 ; Jewish Disabilities Bill, 69 : Eepeal of the Corn Laws, 70 ; Mr. J. Scholeheld's Address, 70 ; Mr. G. F. Muutz's Address, 71 ; Mr. E. Spooner's Address, 71 ; the Nomi- nation, 72; Conservative Dinner, 73 ; List of Voters, 73 ; Chartism and Mr. Joseph Sturge, 73 ; Anti- Corn Law Association, 74; Anti- Corn Law Medal, 75 ; State of Trade, 76 ; House Property, 76 ; Liberal Dinner, 77; The Political Union, 77 ; Anti-Corn Law Association, 77; Sir Giles Monte- fiore, 78 ; Town's Meeting, 78 : Complete Suffrage Association Conference, 79 ; Their Address, 80 ; List of Delegates, 82 ; Char- tist Meeting, 83 ; Nottingham Election, 84 ; A stirring placard, 84 ; H. Vincent's Lecture, 84 ; Christian Chartists, 85 ; George White's Appeal, 86 ; Arrest of White, 86 ; Arrest of the Eev. Arthur O'Neill, 87 ; Dinner to W. Pare, 88 ; White on Bail, 88; Complete Suffrage Association Meeting, 89 ; Anti-Corn Law Tea Party, 90 ; North Warwick- shire Election, 90 ; The Distress and the Town Council, 91 ; Com- plete Suffrage Tea Party, 91 ; Conference, 92 ; Conservative Meeting, 92 ; Deputation to Thomas Attwood, 92 ; Meeting on the State of Ireland, 93 ; Loyal and Constitutional Associ- ation, 23 ; Anti-Corn- Law Meet- ing, 94 t Meeting on Ireland, 94; Death of Mr. J. Scholefield, 95 ; Election of Mr. E, Spooner, 96 ; Loyal and Constitutional Associ- ation, 96 ; Anti-Corn Law Meet- ing, 96; Eepeal of the Corn Laws, 97 ; Open the Ports, 98 ; General Election, 99 ; Sympathy with the French, 101 ; Birmingham Political Council, 1 01 ; Complete Suffrage, 102 ; Clerks and Assist- ants, 102 ; Jewish Disabilities Bill, 103 ; Universal Suffrage, 103 ; The Chartists, 104 ; Anti- State Church Association, 105 ; Birmingham Democratic Club, 105 ; National Arbitration, 105 ; Charge of Sedition, 105 ; Sym- pathy with Hungary, 106 ; The " Papal Aggression," 107. INDEX. 526 Peel, Sir Bobert, 235 ; Statue to, 327. Phelps, 499, 502. Piccolomini, Madlle., 503, 506, 507, 508, 509. Percy, Miss Kate, 507. Phillips, H., 143, 144, 147, 153, 163, 167. Pearsall, Mr., 144. Parry, John, 144, 147,151,152,157. Pitt, C, 147, 509. Pelham, E. W., 149. Baltoni, Signor, 150. Persiani, Madame, 150. Piatti, Sigiior, 151. Poole, Miss, 152. Polomiri, Signor, 170. Phipson, W., 213. Poynter, Ambrose, 221. Percival, Lovibond, 242, 244, 245. Pollock, Eev. T. B., 242. Partridge, J. A„ 242, 484. Payton, H., 243. Parke, M., 244. Park, A., 244, 245, 246. Playfair, Dr. Lyon, 260, 262. Purton, Thomas, 262. Preston, T. L., 263. Preston, C, 284. Pakington, Sir John, 278, 419, 442. Phillips, Jacob, 332. Parsons, C. T., 377. Prime, T., 377. Payton, C., and Son ; 377. Perks, W., 377, 379. Philip, C. J., 377. Pearce, W., 377. Parry, R, 388. Poor Eelief, 401, 420, 427, 448. Population, increase in the, 401. Peyton, E, 409. Patriotic Fund, the, 425, 446. Prosser, E., death of, 421. Pickering, J., 431. Postgate, J., 431, 443, 477. Presbyterian Church, new, 435. Princess Eoyal, marriage of the, 445. Pettitt, Eev. G., 448, 452. Paper Duty, Eepeal of, the, 453. Poerio, Count, 456. Pursell and Phillips', explosion at, 466. Prince of Orange in Birmingham, 474. Pigne, M. Paul, 475. Parks, Bessie Eayner, 485. Podmore, Eev. J. B., 487. Price, Frederick, 490, Quebec, the Fire at, 49. " Quid pro Quo " first perf ormed, 150. Queen Elizabeth's Tercentenary, 452. Eedfern, William, 9. Eyall, Dr., 59. Eaphall, Eev. Dr., 59, 60, 116, 122, 123, 135. Eagg, Thomas, 59, 62, 123, 486. Eitchie, Dr., 82. Bagged School, 127. Eignold, Mrs. W., 138, 141, 144, 261, 168. Eomer, Miss, 139. Eossini's "Stabat Mater," 143. Eubini's, Signor, farewell, 143, 147, Eailway, the Flying, 144. Eonconi, Madame, 144. Eonconi, Signor, his first appear- ance, 441. Beeves, Sims, 146, 172, 494, 497, 501, 503, 507, 509. Eidgway Family, the, 146, 156. Eainforth, Miss, 147, 150, 152, 157, 162. Eisley, Professor, 148. Eussell, H., 151. Eichard III., five gentlemen play the king, 156. Eachel, Madlle., 161. Eoger, Mr., 166. Bolt, Eayntun, 166. Eichards, Theophilus, 214. Eyland, Arthur, 228, 252, 254, 266, 274, 275, 304, 314, 331, 337, 3:',!), 355, 365, 377, 397, 409, 430, 431, 445, 475, 477. Eainbach, D., 230. Eeynolds, W., 238. Eogers, W., 244, 245. 527 INDEX. Eyland, W. H., 245. Eyland, Miss, 464. Eussell, Lord John, 249, 272, 442. Eickakd, E., 269, 283. Eogers, H., 269. Eussell, W. A., 269. Eodex, W. T., 278, 365. Eoscoe, Professor, 280. Eankine, Professor, 280. Eatcuff, Colonel C, 377, 436, 443, 452. Eolason, W., 347. Eandall, W. and J., 377. Eeformatory School, 411, 419. Eatcliff, Sir John, 435, 437, 442, 444, 445, 446, 448, 452, 455. Eowley, O, 446. Eea and Webb, 446. Earey, Mr., 448. Eichards, Westley, 455. Eawlings, Samuel, 455. Eichards, H., 474. Euge, Dr. Arnold, 485. Eobson, P., 498, 499, 502, 510. Eistori, Madame, 505, 506. Eonconi, Signor, 506. Eousby, Mr. W., 511. Smith, J. Pigott, 3, 4, 6, 443. Sturge, Joseph, 9, 33, 63, 73, 77, 84, 101, 108, 125, 373, 397, 412, 413, 418, 419, 437, 447, 448, 455; death of, 457, 465. Sturge, C, 12, 350. Socialism, Discussion on, 9. Salt, T. C, 19, 85, 391, 425, 433, 438 ; death of, 456. Scholefield, Joshua, Address to the Electors, 70 : death of, 95. Scholefield, William, 15, 16, 56, 60, 69, 74, 75, 77, 98, 135, 213, 214, 261, 271, 277 279, 364, 365, 374, 405, 411, 425, 430, 431, 432, 433, 441, 446, 454. Swann, Eev. T., 33 ; Death of, 437. Simpson, James, on Public Baths, &c, 48. Smith, Henry, elected Mayor, 51, 251, 399, 407, 453. Slavery, Address on, 57. Shakspere's House, purchase of, 63. Stubbins, James, 63. Scober, John, 63. Sibree, Eev. P., 63, 413, 452. Smith, Toulmin, 65, 399, 405. Smith, Miss L., 287. Smith, W. B., 65. Spooner, E, M.P., 66 ; Address to the Electors, 71, 98, 110, 123, 306, 428, 441, 446. St. Peter's National Schools, 122. St. Paul's Church Schools, 125. St. Mary's Church Schools, 125. Shaw, George, 134, 135, 355, 377. School of Design, letter on, 116 ; Begining of the School, 188 ; First announcement, 189 ; First Exhibiton, 192; Decoration Plan, 193 ; Society of Arts, 194 ; The First Meeting, 195 ; Early Patrons, 197 ; Opening of the Eooms, 197 ; The First Exhibi- tion, 198 ; Chantry's Visit, 199 ; The Building in New Street, 199 ; The first Conversazione, 200 ; Letter from Mr. John Corrie, 200 ; Statement of Accounts, 201 : The Question of Poor Eates, 202 ; Proposed Canvass of Manchester and Liverpool, 203 ; Eeport, 203 ; Correspon- dence in the Newspapers, 204 ; The Professional Committee's Proposals, 207 ; The Committee and the School of Design, 208 ; Scheme of Instruction, 209; Be- construction of the Society, 209 ; Protest of the Professional Com- mittee, 210 ; Proposals for Ex- tending the School, 211 ; Circular of the Professional Committee, 212 ; Meeting of the Subscribers, 213 ; Withdrawal of the Artists and formation of the Society of Arts, 214 ; Income of the Society, 215 ; Eeport of the Committee, 215 ; Letter from the Eev. Hugh Hutton, 218 ; Opening of the School, 219; Eeports, 220; Eesignation of the Eev. James INDEX. 528 Prince Lee, 221 ; The Govern- ment Grant, 233 ; Mr. George Wallis appointed Head Master, 224 ; His Eeport, 226 ; Half- Fees, 228 ; The School and the New Institute, 228 ; St. Peter's Elementary School, 229 ; Death of Mr. J. W. Unett, 229 ; Resig- nation of Mr. Wallis, 229 ; Appointment of Mr. Eainbach, 230 ; Working Men in the School, 230 ; Removed to Paradise street, 230 ; Proposed Changes, 231 ; Present to the Art Gallery, 233 ; Classification of Students, 233 ; List of Presidents, 234. School Association, Birmingham, 134, 476. Smith, J., the Amateur 136, 137, 159, 162, 163. Simpson, M. H., 138 ; presentation to, 148. Stretton, Mr., 139. Sloane, John, 139, 158, 168. Shaw, Mrs. Alfred, 144. Selby's, C, "Maximums and Speci- ments," 146. " Summer Night's Love," a, 146. Sivori, Signor C, 147, 151. Smith, O., 149. Salvi, Signor, 150. Stretton, Mr., 150, 152, 162. Schloss, Madame, 152. Standigl, Herr, 152, 167. Simonite, Mr., the Amateur, 162. Saville, Mrs. J. F., 163. Shakspere's House, Amateur Per- formance for the Purchase of, 163, 164, 165. Salabert, Signor, 170. "Strathmore" played the first time, 170. Scott, Sir F. E., 231, 235, 262, 275, 276, 277, 278, 279. Stamford, Earl of, 234. Sandford, Archdeacon, 236, 257, 262, 330. Salt, T. P., 236, 239, 266, 270, 431, 446. Saunders, C. T., 236, 239, 245, 247. Stack, J. H., 240, 355. Smith, Brooke, 244, 377, 453, 475. Smith, H. L., 244. Smith, Howard S., 244, 246, 248. Sawyer, Dr. J., 244. Smith, W. A., 245. Sargant, W. L., 270, 355, 486, 490. Sykes, Colonel, 270. Stanley, Lord, 272, 329, 442. Stanhope, Lord, 274. Smith, Edwin, 280, 289, 304. Seeley, Professor, 280. Sellman, E. G, 284. Smith, R, 286. Smith, George, 288. Standbridge, T., 330, 426. Staunton, H., 355. St. Martin's Church Spire, 384, 447. Stone, J. B., 377, 379. Sharp, W., 378. Shaw, John, 388. Saturday half-holiday, 412, 413. St. Paul's Church, Balsall Heath, 409, 412. Shakspere Memorial Library, 349; Mr. Dawson's Letter, 349 ; Ap- plication to the Town Council, 350 ; The objects j5roposed, 350 ; Presentation of the Library to the Council, 351 ; Reply of the Mayor, 353 ; Change of Room, 354 ; the Memorial Library Committee, 355 ; Special Donations, 355 ; Books in 1868, 356; Report, 356; Additions made in 1869, 358 ; Contents of the Library in 1871, 360. Stephens, R. A., 401, 474. St. Silas' Church, 409. Stowe, Mrs. Beecher, 412. Stipendiary Magistrate, first motion for, 420. St. John's Church, Ladywood, 420. Sherwin, Mr., 418. Shaftesbury, Earl of, 419. St. Martin's Shoe Black Brigade, 447. Showell, J. W., 435. Salt, J. J., 443. Simons, E., 446. St. Barnabas' Church, 464. 529 INDEX. St. Clement's Church, 466. Stephenson, Rev. Nash, 486. Simcox, E. W., 490. Toll Gate, the Five Ways, 11. Twells, M., 13. Trade, Depression of, 15. Town Council, the, and the Post Office, 17, 20 ; and the Borough Sessions, 27 ; the attempt on the Life of the Queen, 27 ; the Poor Law, 27 ; Charter of Incorpora- tion, 29 ; and the Water Works, 420 ; and the Town Clerk, 423, 426 ; New Improvement Bill, 429. Taylor, James, 56, 66, 308. Thompson, George, 57. Timmins, W. E., 59, 102. Thornton, Alderman S., elected Mayor, 63, 274. Thomason, Sir E., Death of, 64. Thompson, H. B. S., 65, 134, 405. Thorn, Colonel, 86. Thompson, Colonel, 94. "Thoughts from the Inner Circle," 134. Tree, Ellen, 139, 141. Thalberg, M., 144, 151, 167. Toulmin, Miss A., 144. Ternan, Miss F., 150, 151. Taglioni, Madlle., 152, 153. Ternan, Mrs., 153. Toumaire's, M., Tableaux Vivants, 156. Travers, M., 162. Templeton, M., 162. Thillon, Madame Anna, 167. Tagliafico, Signor, 170. Tooke, W., M.P., 201. Tindal, Capt. C, 213, 257, 261, 262 263 411. Turner, J.' P., 236, 237, 239, 241, 242,243, 244, 248, 377. Timmins, S., 236, 237, 238, 239, 240, 241, 243, 269, 270, 271, 283, 286, 306. 314, 332, 349, 354, 355, 377, 379^ 475, 483, 490. Taafe, C, 246. Tyndall, E. L., 246. Tyndall, H. W., 397, 399, 409. Tanner, E., 246. Taylor, Miss, 272. Taylor, Mrs. James, 409. Tyler, E. B., 280. Trollope, Anthony, 280. Tonks, E., 355. Turner, J. M. W., 376. Tonks, W. and Son, 377. Temperance Hall, the, 390, 444. Turner, G., 412, 430. Tonks, S., 446. Taunton, Ed., 454. Thackeray, W. M., 489. Torknell, W., 490. Vincent, Henry, 61, 84, 412. Visschers, M., 63. Victoria, Queen, in Birmingham, 65. Vauxhall Gardens, Old, Closing of, 68. Vaughan, Rev. R. A., 110, 486. Van Wart, H, 135, 408, 453. Van Amburgh, 136, 138, 165. Vandenhofp, Mr. and Mrs., 141. Vandenhoff, II., 141. Vandenhoff, Mr. and Miss, 145, 154, 166, 498, 501. Vandenhoff, George, 501. Vestris, Madame, 149, 151, 154 ; Her farewell, 160. Vieuxtemps, M, 152. Vere, Madlle., 167. Valle, Madame, 170. Unett, J. W., 200, 206, 213, 224 ; death of, 229. Unett, George, 203. Unett, Thomas, Obelisk to, 441. Vickers, Rev. C, 242. Vince, C, 266, 355, 437, 448, 452. Underwood, T., 277. Vambery. Dr., 280. Von Beck, the "Baroness," 397, 410, 415. Unitarian Chapel, New, 475. Worcester, the Bishop of, 1 1, 329, 412, 421, 435, 466. INDEX. 530 Weston, Thomas, 13, 34, 45, 59, 66, Warwick, Earl of, 235. 91, 93, 94, 101, 106, 108, 134, 135, Wyatt, Sir M. D., 235. 306, 476. Watkins, C, 242. Workhouse, the New, 33, 39, 42, Williams, W. M., 269, 270, 443, 57, 58, 60, 62, 67, 68. 475, 490. Whitfield, T., 56. Wiggin, H., 270, 329, 331, 339. Whittington Club, Meeting in Wrottesley, Lord, 274. favour of, 59. Westall, 277, 376. Wright, Dr. S., 61, 413. Waldron, J. T., 284. Watt, James, death of, 61. WlIITEIELD, S., 355. White, George, 86. Walton, E., 366, 375. Wright, J. S., 103, 283, 377, 431, Workhouse, the New, 380. 437, 443, 453, 474, 475. Wyatt, Henry, 371. Wright, Robert, 106, 135, 236, 308, Watson, Dr. F., 376, 378. 426, 447. Watts and Manton, 377. Winfield, R. W., 129, 413. Whitehouse, John, 388. Winfield, J. F, 271, 273, 443, Wright, Henry, 388, 431, 425. 487. Webster, John, 391. Winfield and Co., 377. Welch, F. L., 399. Wright, the Comedian, 137, 143, Wesleyan Chapel, Bristol Road, 146, 497, 506. 411; King Edward's Road, 448. Webb, H., 138, 140, 156, 168, 171, Wilkinson, W., 402. 506. Wellington, Dnke of, 410. Wilson, Mr. 139 ; "Scottish Music," Whateley, J. W., 411. 143. Wright, Thos., 411. Woolgar, Mr. and Miss, 140. Water Works, the, and the Town Wood, Mr. and Mrs., 142. Council, 420. Webster, B., 140, 145, 166, 170, Wolverhampton, Broad Gauge 171, 491, 498, 501, 503, 506. open to, 426. Welch, H., 149. Welsby, Commissioner, 417. Williams, the Misses, 150, 157, Westwood, B. W., 446. 163, 167, 170. Wycliffe Chapel, 471. White, Mr., the Lion Conqueror, Wills, Alfred, 486, 490. 153. Wallace, Mr. and Mrs. J. W., Weiss, Madame J., and the Dan- 498. senses Viennoises, 154. Widdicombe, H., 498. Warner, Mrs., 160, 165. Williams, Mr. and Mrs. Barney, Weston, Joseph, 181. 505, 506, 507, 508. Wint, De, 192, 376. Wton, W., 192. Yorke, Hon. and Rev. G. M., 56, Walker, Joseph, 203. 66, 126, 185, 230, 262, 387, 413, Wills, W., 214. 486, 425, 441. Williams, Mr., 224. Yates, Mr. and Mrs., 137, 138. Wallis, George, 224, 226, 228, 229, Yates, Mrs., 145, 149. 262, 263, 400, 443, 484. Yates, G, 242. Ward, Lord, 235. Yates, E. 330, 377, 379. THE END. E. (.'. OSBORNE, PRINTER, NEW STREET, BIRMINGHAM. BY THE SAME AUTHOR, In two large Octavo Vols., Price £2 2s., A CENTURY OF BIRMINGHAM LIFE. OIPIINTOlSrs OF THE PRESS. The Times. We have read these volumes with much pleasure, for they are an excellent work on an interesting subject. After Manchester, Birmingham stands pre-eminent among those magnificent hives of industry which have made England the factory of the world, and whose power and greatness, in Macaulay's language, " this generation contemplates with wonder and pride, not unaccompanied by awe and anxiety." Our readers generally are aware how the busy town has more than fulfilled the poet's boast, that " labour and genius would unite happily on the banks of the Ilea," and the stateman's prophecy that a Warwickshire hamlet would before long become the " toyshop of Europe ; " how Birmingham is now a capital of trade more extensive than several European capitals, and how the products of myriad forges and the cunning hands of its swarms of artificers are famous in every quarter of the globe. Few persons, however, know much about the antiquities, gradual rise, and progress ; how the " village of smiths" which grew up under the shades of the towers of its baronial lords expanded into the " stout-hearted place " whose burghers braved the cavaliers of Rupert ; how, under the influences which, in the last century, contributed to our commercial greatness, the " hardware town " of the first G-eorges became a thriving centre of manufactures ; and how during the last two generations the " Queen of the Midlands " has advanced a pace in civilization, numbers, and wealth, and has won a commanding position among the feats of political power in England. A good local history of Birmingham, accordingly, more complete than that of ordinary handbooks, could not fail to be amusing and valuable, and these volumes, we are happy to say are, in all respects, a work of that cha- racter. The Century of Birmingham Life contains a full account of the early annals of the town, and of its rapid and brilliant development from the reign of George II. to that of Victoria ; it describes minutely the social existence, the manners, customs, and fashions of the people ; it follows the course of their political sympathies from the days of Walpole to those of Peel ; it notices the splendid progress of the crafts and arts which have given the place its renown ; it dwells on the lives of the illustrious inventors who have not only added to the fame of the spot, but have been a blessing to our common estate ; and it shows how, even in that huge wilderness of brick and slate, which seems to the travel- ler a mere giant monument of modern labour — an immense portal of the black country — there are numerous interesting relics of old times that deserve more than passing attention. Mr. Langford's book being almost wholly a selection from original documents, quaint chronicles, ballads, poems, and advertisements, and articles in ancient newsletters — its information is usually trustworthy, and its descriptions are singularly fresh and life-like ; so we can commend his work as a very careful, Elaborate, and picturesque compilation. Saturday Review. Mr. Langford has evidently discharged with painstaking care and research the labourious task he has imposed on himself as a labour of love. * * * In conclusion, we must thank Mr. Langford for the pains he has bestowed on an unambitious but not unprofitable field of labour. CENTURY OF BIRMINGHAM LIFE. ■ Westminster Review. Mr. Langford has shown that Birmingham, with a name that has an antiquity of eight hundred years or more, has been honourably distinguished in the various aspects of thought and action, from the year 1741, when it was a little hard- 'ware village, down to the present time, when it has become in reality the ' Midland Capital of the realm.' British Quarterly Review. Mr. Langford has compiled a very interesting and curious book. * * * Mr. Langford has done his work very well ; and newspaper editors in other great towns would render great service if they would produce similar volumes. Contemporary Review. Mr. Langford has had the happy idea of extracting a local history from the file of an old-established provincial paper. Not the least merit of his book will be that of setting an example, which is sure to be followed from time to time wherever similar files may have been preserved, whether of one newspaper or of successive ones — the latter case being the more likely one, since few journals can boast of the longevity of Aris's Birmingham Gazette. Daily News. Mr. Langford, who is already known as a writer in prose and verse, has made in the volume before us an industrious and amusing compilation of Birmingham archaeology, and even Londoners may find matter to interest them in the record of the steps by which what was once only a ' little hardware village' has become a great seat of industry, and one of the most important towns in the kingdom * * * The book is deserving a place on the shelves devoted to county histories, borough records, and topographical descriptions. Spectator. Mr. Langford's industry deserves some reward, and we hope he will find it in the [ approbation of his fellow townsmen, as well as in the quotations of future writers. Morning Post. To the lover of antiquarian literature and to the student of social progress, this book will be full of interest. Morning Star. Mr. Langford has given us, however, more than a mere dry sketch of its progress. He has shown us what it was ; he has entered into the everyday life of the olden inhabitants ; he has shown us what sort of houses they lived in, what kind of business they did, what were the amusements in which they de- lighted, what social and political troubles they had. Necessarily the book is somewhat scrappy. Mr. Langford has, wisely we think, preferred to make his book rather a compilation than a long written record of Birmingham and its people. The result is, that we have the doings of the last century, told by the people of the last centuary, and thus we are enabled to get a much truer insight into what was done than would otherwise be possible. We can cordially reccommend the book. Standard. Mr. Langford tells the story of Birmingham life, and this he does in a way that is equally creditable to his judgment, taste, and industry. He is content to be a chronicler, and gives us a mass of facts very ably arranged. The suc- ceeding volume or volumes will deal with the period in which the manufactures of Birmingham became famous in every mart ; but that record will not be more curious and engaging than that of the present volume. Examiner. Modestly professing to give little more than a string of newsjtaper cuttings, he has really produced a graphic and very comprehensive history of the growth CENTURY OF BIRMINGHAM LIFE. of a town, which almost more than any other, illustrates the commercial and political progress of the country at large. The cuttings are so judicious and so skilfully arranged that Birmingham is made to tell its own story vividly and completely. * * Nearly every page contains some fact of interest and im- portance. Politics and trade, education and amusements, private life and public life, each is here lucidly set forth. Mr. Langford shows us Birmingham at work or at play, growing rich itself and helping on the progress of the nation, and weakening its own resources and the strength of the country by foolish and factitious conduct. Nearly all the merits and ^demerits attaching to our career as a ' nation of shopkeepers,' are portrayed in the career of ' the toy-shop of Europe.' All the Year Round. We could not have a better guide, for he has done his work both well and thoroughly. * * * Has certainly produced a most interesting and valuable work at the cost of immense pains, industry, and deep research. Notes and Queries, Mr. Langford is a bold man, and, acting upon very sensible advice, has pro- duced a book which is quite original, from the utter absenceof all originality. Instead of doing, as a great many compilers of such a work would have done — re-writing in our modern and refined language the curious old notices given us in the advertisements and paragraphs from Aris's Gazette, which forms the staple of the book, Mr. Langford has been contented to transcribe them literally, and just string them together with the necessary comment ; so that in the first volume, which contains five chapters, each of which occupies a decade, we have ' the very age and body, the form and pressure,' of Birmingham Life from 1741 to 1790, brought before us in a most remarkable and instructive manner. The book deserves to be well known far beyond the important seat of manufacturing enterprise to which it relates, the rise of which enterprise, among other things, it curiously illustrates. Press and St. James's Chronicle. The work is interesting, and it would be well if the lore of other places could be registered with equal zeal and industry. The Gentleman's Magazine. As a contribution to general history, Mr. Langford's work may be consulted with profit by future historians ; as a picture of the inner life, manners, customs, opinions, and progress of Birmingham, the work is unique. Worcester Herald. This volume embraces a moiety of the period over which Mr. Langford's researches have extended, and we hope that the remaining half will be soon forthcoming. The important part which Birmingham has borne in our national and social progress — her share in the great inventions which have so changed the habits and condition of society — and the long list of names eminent in science and art connected with the town during the century described — render the book peculiarly acceptable to all, whether inhabitants of Birmingham or otherwise. Worcester News. To the inhabitants of Birmingham and the neighbourhood, and the thousands of visitors who move in and out of the ' midland metropolis,' wo strongly com- mend this w< irk as being brimful of interest. Indeed it must form the basis of any future history of the great town. We heartily wish that every place of note possessed a chronicler so industrious and accomplished as Mr. Langford. Carlisle Express. His difficult task has evidently been a labour of love to him ; and to a prac- tised and scholarly writer, animated by this spirit, all things are possible. With CENTURY OF BIRMINGHAM LIFE. rare patience and industry he has waded through the unique and complete file of our contemporary, the Birmingham Gazette, extending back for upwards of a hundred years — an authority without consulting which, as Mr. Langford truly observes, no history of Birmingham could be written, — and has transcribed every fact, bearing on his subject, he met with in his laborious search. Besides this he has spared neither time nor labour in consulting other sources of information not generally available, but which were freely placed at his disposal ; and his practiced literary skill, and wide and varied knowledge have been employed with success in placing before the world, in the most attractive light possible, the numerous interesting facts he has thus dibgently collected together. The book, if only for the instructive light it throws on the manners and customs of our forefathers, deserves a place in every library worthy of the name ; and we cordially commend it to the notice of our readers. Durham Chronicle. No better or truer reflex of Birmingham in the last century could ^well be presented, the editor having pursued his task with tact and care. Birmingham Daily Post. These and hundreds of more or less important events are fully illustrated from the contemporary accounts which Mr. Langford has contributed and col- lected with so much industry and care. No amount of detail, except a full description of all the numerous quotations in this volume, could give any ade- quate idea of its varied and peculiar interest, for it contains something under every heading which will be welcome to all tastes, and read with pleasure by all who feel any interest in such remarkable sketches of the life of our town. Midland Counties Herald. Having been granted access to the file of our venerable contemporary, Aris's Gazette, Mr. Langford has extracted from it such advertsements, paragraphs, and reports as, with the knowledge derived from other sources, when properly grouped and strung together by explanatory remarks, convey an intelligible idea of how our forefathers lived, and moved, and had their being. His task has evidently involved much labour, not alone in the collection of the materials, but in their arrangement and elucidation. Tne result is satisfactory and interesting. Birmingham Daily Gazette. Mr. Langford, with devoute laboriousness and loving discrimination, has toiled conscientiously through the formidable sequence, and has embodied the result in a volume, of which it is not too much to say that it contains more, and more trustworthy, materials for the history of Birmingham during the time of which it treats, than all the other contributions of our local history put together. He has brought to bear upon his self-imposed task the ready skill of one long versed in literary labours, the kindly insight of a poet, the genial enthusiasm of an antiquary, and the affection for his subject which becomes a true citizen of Birmingham. The Town Crier. His volume is most valuable, a most acceptable summary of those waifs and straws of public life, too trivial to be dignified as history, and yet the real material of which history is made. Mr. Langford deserves the hearty thanks of every Birmingham man, for the industry and care which he has shown in collecting these fruits of a century of our life. He has had the good fortune to propose a new form of local history, and to develop his plan by original, contemporary, and most important facts. His book will be read with interest by all who are in any way associated with our town. C(V (nL^_ u University of California SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY 405 Hilgard Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90024-1388 Return this material to the library from which it was borrowed. THE LIBRARY UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES .*#4fe. 3 1158 01002 2191 UC SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY AA 000 395 250 4 „-- -— •*