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HARVARD 
COLLEGE 
LIBRARY 


/•■A 


LISRARV 

FEB     6  1989 


<2> 


^ 


A  CENTURY 


or 


BIRMINGHAM  LIFE^ 


OB» 


A  CHRONICLE  OF  LOCAL  EVENTS, 


PjtoK  1741  10  1841. 


COMriLBD   AMD   BDITBD    BT 

JOHN  ALFEED  LANGFORD^ 

VOL.  n. 


.  "^  BIRMINGHAM : 
!.  0.  OSBOBNE,  84,  MEW  8TBEET. 

SDIFEIN,  MAIWHKUi  &M9a^^ 


(% 


''  ""'^^  m  &^-K 


lfyUy\\^ -^U^d i 


HARVARD 

UNIVERSITY 

LIBRARY 


PUniD  IT  ■»  0.  OBWl,  KIW 


PREFACE. 


The  success  which  has  attended  the  publication  of  the 
first  volume  of  this  work  has  tax  exceeded  my  most 
sanguine  expectationa  The  cordial  manner  in  which  the 
press  has  reviewed  the  book  has  greatly  cheered  and 
encouraged  me  in  the  preparation  of  the  second  volume. 
The  life  of  Birmingham  since  the  year  1840 — the  time 
at  which  these  annals  close — has  been  one  of  great 
activity  ^d  interest;  which,  at  some  future  time,  I  hope 
to  narrate.  The  relation  of  the  modem  life  of  the  town 
would  require  a  mode  of  treatment  different  from  that 
which  has  been  found  so  acceptable  in  the  present  work. 
It  would  not  be  necessary,  nor  desirable,  to  reproduce 
the  reprints  and  extracts  from  the  newspapers  with  the 
8ame^x>piousness ;  but  to  give  the  results  in  a  consecutive 
and  more  compressed  form.  Should  I  live,  it  is  my 
intention  so  to  complete  the  stoiy  of  Birmingham  life. 

I  have  now  only  to  return  my  hearty  thanks  to  the 
many  friends  who  have  helped  and  encouraged  me  in 
the  production  of  these  two  volumes;  and  to  the  press 
for  the  cordial  greeting  and  the  generous  recognition  which 
my  self-imposed  labour  of  love  has  received 

Birmingham,  July,  1868. 


CONTENTS  OP  SECOND  VOLUME. 


CHAFTEB  L— 1791-1801. 

EfEwte  of  the  Biote — ^Aahted — ^Plan  of  Binniiiffhain — ^The  Lowoellfl — 
I>eriteiid,  Digbeth  and  CSiorry-street — ^Building — Bordealej  TaTem 

—Spring  Qfurdeiw— IVediold  Estate — Tavern  and  Tea  Garden — 
Spioeal-etreet — ^Binningham  Heath — ^Women's  Market— Popnlation 
and  BoMM  Qaiden — Bnckle  Mannfactoiy— Bacldee  at  Court — 
Button  Makera— Buckle  Trade— Aahted  Chapel— Oopper—Beir.  £. 
Bom  and  Dr.  Frieetlej— Button's  Claiina— Fish— Mr.  Ashwin— 
Copper  and  Brass  Trades — Sunday  Trading — Shoemakers — The 
Biota — ^Bamcka — ^Dr.  Mazweirs  Daggers— Incendiary  Fires— Dr. 
Witharing— St  Martin's  Engines— Birmin^^iam  and  Warwick  Canal 
—Tom  Psine— The  Ber.  J.  Frood'a  Address  Sir  R  Lawley— Ban- 
ken^  Notea— FMt  Day— Hemlingf ord  Hundred  BOl— Heniy  Clay 
and  F^iier  Madi6 — ^Boyal  Birthdays — ^Penny-post  for  Birmingham 
—The  Biot  Levy— The  Little  Biot— Lord  Qeoige  Cordon— Warm 
Clothing  for  the  Army  in  Handera— Malicious  Beport — ^Belief  of 
the  Poor— The  Button  at  Court— Appeal  to  the  Ladies— The  King's 
Birthday— Lord  Howe's  Victory— Beggars  and  Ballad  Singers— Biot 

Pkieumatic  Institution — Belief  Plan — Owen  Owen's 


Decent  Burial  Sodefy— Benevolent  Society — A  little  Meeting — 
Tohmteera — Scarcity  Biota — ^Beaaona  for  not  Bioting — ^Distress  and 
Benerdenos — ^Letter  from  the  Duke  of  Portknd — Pbn  of  Belief — 
Binningham  Wockhouae— Attack  on  the  King— Dipt  Button  Trade 
— Earthquake- Dipt  Buttons  i^gain — finployment  for  duldren — 
Metal  Buttona— Deritend  Bridge— Aahted  Chi^— Sunday  Trading 
—Cheap  Cook  Shopa— Bank  Notes— Worcester  and  Binningham 
Ouial  Tunnel— New  Tax  upon  Newqiapera— Deritend  Bridge— Tax 
on  dodn  and  Watches— Admiial  Donoan'a  Yictoiy— Proposed  Tax 
on  Iran— Pttblie  Office  Birmini^iam  Aitylum— Battle  of  the  Nile— 
The  Sundaj  Qneslion— Pttblie  Houses  New  Public  Office— Copper 
TMU— Buttons— Hospital  OoUectkn— Household  Bread— Soup 
Shops— Phmdenoe  Society— Bread  Biot— Collection  for  Soup 
Shops— The  King  ahot  at— The  King^a  Birthday— Forestalling, 
Xngrossi^gi  and  Begrating— Bill  for  the  Improrement  of  the  Town 


VL  CONTENTS. 

— ^BiotB  Again — Scaitsify— Harbome  Penny  Club— Copper  Trade — 
Botanic  Qaiden — Preliminaries  and  Peace — Blue  Coat  School — 
New  Bank — ^Female  School  of  Industry— Job  Nott— Work  of  Art — 
John  CoUard — ^Bisset's  Birmingham — ^Mr.  Eginton— Priyate  Theatre 
—Mr.  Collins— La  Gnillotine— Burning  of  the  Theatre— The  New 
Theatre— The  Woodman— Harlequin  Mariner— Miss  Wallis— The 
Manager— Benefit  Concert— Kemble—Comta  de  Worenzoff— ''  Odd'' 
Entertainm^t — Bull-baiting— Cock-fightii^g}— Fatal  Fight— Spear 
in  a  Tooth— A  Trance— Pitched  Battle— Bull-baiting-Allin's  Ad- 
vertisement— Bill  to  prevent  Bull-baiting — Highway  Bobbery — 
Execution  at  Warwick — Birmingham  Dispensary — ^The  World  of 
Soho— The  Union  Mills— Treason  and  Seditions-Volunteer  Associa- 
tions—A  Ckuse  C61dbre 1-105 


CHAPTER  IL— 1801-1811. 

Houses  and  Gardens  An  elegant  Mansion— Heath-mill  Stream — St. 
Martin's  Churchyard— Bidiard  Pratchet — Improvements  of  the 
Town— Lombard  House— ^< The  Egyptian  Conduit"— Water  MiU— 
St.  Martin's  Churchyard— View  from  High-street— Lord  Nelson's 
Visit— Combination — Christ  Church — Copper — ^Death  of  Dr.  Priest- 
ley-Death of  Mr.  F.  Blick—Sawyen— Parish  of  Birmingham— 
Another  Charity- Fire  Insurance— Prince  William  of  Qlouoester— 
Qeoige  IIL— Ooet  of  the  Poor— Founding  of  Christ  Church— New 
Public  Office— Battle  of  Trafalgar— Patriotic  Fond— Death  of  Wil- 
liam Pitt— Tax  on  Iron — ^Dissenters*  Children — ^Attempt  to  Murder 
a  Watchman — ^Execution  of  Matsell — ^New  Prison — ^Lord  Howick's 
Catbolio  Belief  Bill— The  King's  Birthday— New  Public  Office- 
Death  of  Sampson  Uoyd— The  Combination  Laws—Water  Works 
—Com  Market— Waterworks- White  Metal  Button  Trade- 
Lieutenant  Shaipe— The  Jews^  Synagogue— Genend  Hospital— The 
King's  Ascension  Anniversary- New  Bi^itist  GhH>^'^^^«>^^'^ 
gians— Potato  Biot— The  King's  Jubilee— Death  of  Princess  Amelia 
—Water  Worbh— Dreadful  Tempest— Early  London  Mail— Popula- 
tion in  1801-11— The  Faii^— Masonic  Festival— Birmingham  Library 
— ^Dr.  Birkbeck— Joseph  Lancaster— Blake^s  Bhistntioos— Metho- 
dist Sunday  School— News  Boom — ^Instmction  of  Poor  Children — 
Mr.  Walker— Dr.  Croft— Fiee  School- Private  Theatricals— Mrs. 
Billington— Pandean  Concert— Yonog  Bosctos— 'Miss  Mndie— The 
Thoatee— The  Amphitheatre— Daniel  Lambsrt«-Mrs.  Siddons- 
The  Liceoce  Obtained— Mr.  W.  0.  MacKidy— Esseation  at  Wash- 
wood  Heath— Edward  Allen— Poetic  AdTertiseDM&ti—Ciodc-fi^ting 
— BuU-baiting^The  Pbet  Freetb— Morfitt  and  hk  Aooount  of  Bir- 
mingham — ^To  Aims  I  ToArms^  Once  More  I— Oar  Fint  Statue 

196-810 


CONTENTS.  vii 


CHAPTER  In.— 1811-1821. 


Aoddent 

— ^The  Moat— New  Smithfidd— Podding  Brook — Birmingham  Gar- 
dens—Sanoea's  Head,  Snow  Hill— Temple  Bow— The  Hospital- 
Heath  MiU  Lane^Vanghton's  Hole— Tower-street— New  Beast 
Market— -BaTing-^Gardens— East  India  Oompanj — Order  in  GoonoU 
Mr.  Joseph  Moore— Biote-r-DistreflB — First  Boyal  Mail— Artizan 
Meeting— Orders  in  Cooneil — ^Mr.  Brougham — ^Fire-anus— Welling- 
ton's Yietories  — Oonsecntiion  of  Christ  Ghorch — Conunercial  Society 
-Moreyictorifis— Lying-in  Hospital— Thomas  Attwood— The  Proof 
Honse— Battle  of  Leipsio-^.  Knott— Treaty  of  Pkris— Twyford 
— Com  Laws— Hie  Post  Office — Factory  Act — ^Honse  of  Beooveiy 
Sayings  Bank— Earthquake— Mr.  Brougham— Fire  Anns  again — 
Factory  Act— Mr.  B.  Jabet— Gas  Li^t  Company— Houses  and 
Bates— Attempt  at  Compounding— Canal— Distress— The  Poor  Bate 
Bill— Orthoponlie  Hospital— The  Faii>— Death  of  the  Fijnoeai  Char- 
lotte—Trade  Trouble— CUmhii^  Boys— Factpiy  Act— Domestio 
Servants — Bank  of  England  F<Mfgeries— Church  EztensioiL — Gas 
— Christ  Churdb — ^New  Meeting  Hoase,  Can's  Lane— Chamber  of 
Oommeroe— Death  of  Geoige  IIL— St  Geoige^s  Church— Old 
Meeting  House  School— A  New  Button— Trial  of  Queen  Caroline 
— ^Lnprovement  in  the  Criminal  Law — ^Disinterment  of  Mr.  Basker- 
Tille— Ber.  Bann  Kennedy's  Poem  on  the  Coronation  of  Geoige  lY. 
— Chamber  of  Commerce  Death  of  Queen  Caroline— Education  of 
Poor  Children— Dr.  Bell— Lancasterian  Free  School— Schoob  of 
Industry— New  Charity  School — ^Birmingham  Academy  of  Art»-« 
Philosophical  Society— Evening  Sdiool — ^Mr.  Eginton— ^W.  Hntton 
—James  Luckock— R  Jabet— Messrs.  E.  Everitt  and  Son— Ber. 
Bann  Kennedy— Mr.  Maeready— R  W.  Eiliston— The  Theatre- 
Borneo  Coates  in  Birmingham — ^Bichard  Jones — Speaking  Panto- 
mime—Miss  Maeauley— New  Melo-Drame— Miss  O'Neil— Grimaldi 
—Minor  Theatre— Dutch  Dwaif  — Mr.  EUiston's  Addnss- Paul 
Bedford— The  Theatre  Burned  again— New  Theatre— Matrimonial 
AdTertisemeni— Lamentatioiis  of  James  Serrant  Girlism— Com- 
Iwiation  of  Wockmen— Cocking— Pedestrianism— The  Deaf  and 
Dumb  Institution— Society  of  Arts— Beginning  of  the  Great  Political 
Agitation 311-%ll  ^^1 

GB[AFTEB  IV.— 1M1-18SL 

Drafcc^s  Pietore  of  Birmingham— Deritsnd  Bridge— Markets— Ooadi 
Accident — ^Improrements— Birmingham  Houses  Improvements— 
Duddeston  Town— Savings  Bank— Birmingham  Woikhouae— Conse- 
cration of  St.  Geofge's  Chuidi— CSnuch  and  Parish— Distress  in 


VlU  CONTENTa 

X 

Irelaxid— Abolitum  of  Slftveiy— Terrible  Accident— The  GhanoeUor 
of  the  Exchequer— Mr.  Sadler— The  Eye  Hcepital— St  David's 
Society — CuriooB  Trade  Caatoma — CSatholic  AasodatiQii — ^NewBail- 
zoad  Companiea — Lench's  Troat — Fever  Hospital — Poor  Aged 
Women— St.  David's  Society— Duty  on  Metals — ^The  Bbmingfaam 
Journal — Gatholic  Association — St.  Peter's  Church — ^Dispute  among 
the  Tailors— Eariy  Qoaing— Bichard  Pratchet— Bank  Failure— The 
Oom  Laws — Distaneas  Loan — Distressed  Printers — Steam  Canal 
Boat-Ohamber  dP  Oommeroe— <'  Paddy's  Watch"— Savings'  Bank 
— St  Petei^s  Churdi — ^Religious  Discussion— Pkovident  Society — 
Friendly  Institution — Gbarles  Uoyd — Charities — ^Bef ormation  Asso- 
ciation— Removal  of  the  Deritend  Turnpikes — ^Female  Penitentiary 
— Catholic  Emancipation — ^New  Guardian  list — Botanical  Society — 
New  Boad — ^Birmin^^iam  "Ra^l^if^g  Company — Joseph  Stuige  and 
the  Musical  Festival — St  Thomas's  Church— Capital  Ponishments 
—The  Town  Hall— Princess  "Victoria— Hie  King  and  Buttons— The 
Duke  of  Wellington  and  Sir  Robert  IQmI— Religious  DiBcnssicn — 
Botanical  Society — St  Peter's  Churdi  Burnt— Church-rates— Popu- 
lation Betums— Death  of  Dr.  de  Lg^s— Temperance  Societies — ^The 
Cholera — Society  of  Arts — BlustFations  of  Warwickahire— News 
Room — Spectatoi^-A  Theatrical  War — ^Peter  HoUins— Mechanici^ 
Institution — ^Infant  Schools— Blue  Coat  School — Society  of  Artif 
First  Exhibition — Chantrey — Sdiool  of  Medicine — Spursheim — 
Map  of  Birmingham — Society  of  Arts^  New  Building— Mechanics' 
Institution — Conversazione— iVee  Grammar  School — Law  libraiy 
— Fine  Arts — Sdkool  of  Medicme — Sunday  School  JubOee— 
Madame  Catalani — llieatrical  Looker-on — Wax  Works — ^French 
Giant— The  Cheltenham  Amateurs — Infant  Boadus — Address — 
Master  Burke— Macread/s  Fuewell— African  Boadus— ^  I  cant 
find  Brummagem"  —  J.  Dobba— Coddng  —  Matrimony — Bull- 
baiting-^  For  Better  or  for  Worse  *— The  Resurrectionista— House- 
keeper Wanted— The  Reform  Agitation  and  the  Political  Union 

CHAPTER  v.— 1881-1841. 

The  Town  Hall— Free  Grammar  School— Roman  Catholic  Cathedral- 
Market  Han— Value  of  Property— Fiah  Market-^IVurish  Meetings 
Temperance  Society— Gholera^-Steam  Carriage— A  New  l^ade^ 
Dr.  Priestley  Centenary— Patent  Laws— Anti-Slavery  Meetin^^ 
Factoiy  Acts— Death  of  James  Aimitage— Botanical  Gaitletta— Tem- 
.  perance  Society — ^Intimidation — ^Dcath  of  Rev.  J.  Cooke— Timothy 
Smith— A  Strike— Dr.  Chunk's  Steam  Carriage— Churdi  Bates 
Zoological  Gazden^^Teroentenaryof  tfaeRefomation— Bishop  larder 
—Dr.  Birt  DaTiea-^oaeph  Bimge— Death  of  Dr.  John  Johnstone— 
fiifmingfaam  Journal — Freehold  Building  Sodety— Chnrdi  Bates — 


OOKTENTS.  ix 

FrinoeflB  Yictoria's  BirUiday— The  Artunnfl  and  the  Distreas— Bene- 
fioenoe— ^oaeph  Gorbett — ^llie  Queen's  Aoceedon — ^Opening  of  the 
Birmingham  and  Manchester  Bailwaj— Bishop  Bjder's  Church — 
Ganse  of  the  Distress — British  Association — ^Death  of  James  Dobbs 
— ^Relief  of  Distress — Ooronation  of  Queen  Victoria-— Temperance 
Cbnference — Marshall  Soulfs  Visit — Consecrations — Anti-Com- 
Law  Meeting — Shakspere  Club— Town  Mission — ^Death  of  Thomas 
Kiiott — ^Floods— <]9ittrch  Extension — ^l£aniage  of  the  Queen — Bank 
Faihire — Trade  Deputations— The  Queen  fired  at — The  Queen's 
Hospital — ^Lodge^s  Portraits— Sdiool  of  Medicine— -Weavei's  Mu- 
seum— ^Binningfaam  Herald — ^Free  Chrammar  School — BQstoiy  of 
Arii^s  Birmingham  Qaasette— Free  Qxammar  School— Dr.  Wam^ord 
—  Mechanicif  Institute  —  Educational  Statistic  Society  —  Free 
Grammar  School— Barnes  Montgomeiy — British  Association— The 
Ezhibition — Mr.  Daniel  Wright— In  Memoriam — Amusements 
— Biot  at  the  Theatre— Cricket— Bull-baiting— Fkssing  of  the 
Befonn  Bill  and  Politics  After— The  Charter  of  Incorporation — 
Gharies  Beeoe  Pemberton 651-866 

666 


A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 


CHAPTER  L— 1791-1801. 


§  1.     APPEABAKCE    OF    THE    TOWN. 

The  consequences  of  the  riots  were  most  disastrons  to  the 
town,  and,  for  a  time,  nearly  destroyed  the  public  spirit 
which,  during  the  previous  decade,  had  produced  such  great 
results.  The  pecuniary  loss  was  the  least  of  the  evils  which 
they  entailed.  The  bigotry  and  tyranny  of  the  majority 
overawed  the  minority,  and  utterly  crushed  that  opposition 
without  which  no  healthy  public  me  is  possible.  In  a  country 
like  l^Sngland  the  absolute  predominance  of  any  sect  in  rek- 
cion,  or  of  any  party  in  politics,  is  destructive  of  the  best 
interests  of  the  nation,  and  fisttally  injurious  to  the  prcMB^ress 
and  wdl-being  of  the  people.  This  is  especially  true  of  the 
life  of  towns.  Whenever  one  party  is  overwhelmingly  nu- 
merous and  strong;  true  liberty  is  mipossibla  Whdesome 
competition  for  public  honours  is  one  of  the  best  signs  of 
health  in  a  people,  and  is  as  necessary  for  the  development 
of  the  higher  life  of  a  nation,  as  is  competition  in  trade  for 
the  production  of  the  best  manufactures,  the  development  of 
mecnanical  skill,  and  the  attainment  of  commercial  success. 
This  lesson  was  taught  by  the  bitter  experience  of  1791. 
The  Chuich-and-Eing  party  were  so  powerful,  and  had  used 
thdr  power  so  unscnipulouslyy  that^  for  years  and  years  after- 
wards^ the  town  did  not  recover  from  the  injury  inflicted. 
The  large-minded  leaders  of  the  liberal  party  retired  from 


2  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFK 

public  life,  and  left  an  arena  in  which  defeat,  insult,  and 
ruin  were  their  certain  reward.  Unfortunately,  the  posses- 
eion  of  unlimited  power  is  almost  always  accompanied  by 
intolerance  and  bigotry.     The  triumph  of  party  becomes  of 

greater  importance  than  the  good  of  the  nation.  In  its  ear- 
est  stages  of  development,  party  is  made  to  appear  identical 
with  the  well-being  of  the  people ;  but,  as  it  gams  in  s<j:ength 
and  influence,  party  success  is  the  primary,  and  the  greatness 
of  the  state  tne  secondary,  consideration.  The  history  of 
the  world  shows  how,  in  rdigion,  Roman  Catholic,  Church- 
men, and  Dissenters  have  in  turns  become  intolerant  and 
Esrsecuting;  and  Torv,  Whig,  and  Liberal  have  each  vio- 
ted  the  m^st  principles  of  lioerty.  No  true  finend  of  his 
country  will  ever  desire  to  see  l^gland  in  the  undisputed 
possession  of  an^  sect  in  religion,  or  of  any  party  in  politics. 
A  strong  opposition  is  neoessarv  for  the  good  government, 
the  wel&re,  and  the  liberty  of  the  Idncdom. 

The  doings  of  1791  were  for  a  time  &tal  to  the  public  life 
of  Birmingmim.  Almost  all  the  great  undertakings  which 
distinguished  the  last  ten  years  languished  for  want  of  sup- 
port The  French  war  had  destroyed  oommeroe,  and  the 
terrible  taxation  caused  by  that  war  had  produced  such  a 
depression  in  trade  that  bankruptcy  and  ruin  stared  thou- 
sands of  honest  and  industrious  citiienB  in  the  fietce.  Bir- 
mingham did  not  suffer  so  severely  aa  other  towns.  Then, 
as  now,  the  infinite  number  of  her  industries  saved  her  some- 
what from  the  general  depression  with  which  the  country 
was  afflicted.  But  even  here  the  sufferings  were  very  great 
Public  building  was  stopped;  the  famous  Crescent  ooum  not 
get  completed.  There  was  neither  time  nor  inclination  to 
attend  to  education  or  literature.  Scarcely  any  books  were 
produced  here  during  the  next  ten  years ;  and  comparatively 
few  changes  w^^  made  in  the  appearance  of  the  town.  The 
only  ihi^g;B  which  flourished  with  undiminished  fervour, 
during  this  decade,  were  the  spirit  of  war,  and  the  spirit  of 
charity;  the  latter,  we  rejoice  to  say,  havii^ never fiuled  in 
the  history  of  Birmingham.  Thus  there  is  little  for  us  to 
record  in  tiie  first  section  of  the  present  chapter. 

The  first  advertisement  of  the  decade  refers  to  a  house 

and  garden  ^  near  the  High-street  :* — 

JaaQsry  83»  1798.— To  be  Lsi  and  snterMl  apoo  imoMdiatdl  j,  a  hagt 
bandaome  Meinuige^  with  eonTttnient  Ooilwiildingi  and  QardePy 
pleaasntlj  dtnatad,  near  the  High-streeLin  BinnJoghsiii.  and  late  in  iiie 
ooenpatiMi  of  Mr.  Benjamin  MansdI.  For  fkutlier  partieiilart  appl j  to 
Mr.  Btf  ker,  in  the  Square,  BinnfaigfaaBi. 


APPEABANCE  OF  THE  TOWN.  '3 

Aflhted  was  now  being  rapidly  built  upon.  In  the  follow- 
ing announcement  we  have  an  excellent  specimen  of  a  land 
agent's  abilitj  in  setting  forth  the  value  ofhis  estate.  Eveiy 
point  of  'vantage  is  made  the  most  of,  and  the  crowning 
inducement^  that  the  establishmeut  of  a  market  is  in 
agitation,  carefully  reserved  for  the  close.  The  market, 
however,  was  not  built  until  our  own  time,  which  has  seen 
at  onoe  its  erection  and  £ulure. 


•*''^ A  "^-f^  numeroM  appliMUona  to  B«nt  Honaea  ImUt 

«he  Ad^teM  of  baildug  npon  t  Spot,  whow,  hy  Experienco,  the 
5rt?*  **i*f  *  we  WW  to  fie  reooi.pen«Kl  eitier  fromTcertkin^ 
^T«Mt«,  to  caae  they  «w  toclinrf  to  employ  their  M0119  in 
BmUiag,  or  from  the  annual  Inereaaa  to  the  Valae  of  the  liani  if 
taken  upon  Speeola^on,  aa  la  proved  tgr  thoae  who  hare  taken  Lota 

rfxii^T-SrS^S  *^'t*IS  ^'T7}}!r^  to  the  abort  Space 
rf6^%lT''iS^'^Z.if**"'«  *•  U^Hl•rTenan^  at  the  late 
i^SttAS^f^  «  •««  P»  annum,  oTer  and  above 

in«  HealO^ieaa  rf  the  Spot,  tbo  Advantage  of  the  ChapeL  the 
Ooo^ieaa  uid  BeguUtiona  that  an  ande  fa  tK  8ti«et%  oo^Mbnto 
gnatlvto  the  Benefit  of  ^e  Ground  Tenanta,  aa  well  aa  the  Ooeupiera 
^^^^i'TS!  *"  'S*'"^  *5?  Conaidenrtion  of  plentifol  Sprinn  oTfiiie 
!2?w^  the  moderate  EateBricka  ai*  punsta^d  at  upon  tL  SvcL, 
with  the  Benefit  of  JUnd  only  for  the  t.penoe  of  getti^  m°ybi 
Sf™f  fJ^  matmal  Savbga  to  the  EspeoM  of  BuaSiog^to  wfiicb, 
fa  IKrfnt  of  eaantial  advantage,  may  be  add*!,  the  convenience  of  the 

Bataa  ^etween  .A^  and  Bumtoghaaa,  &ing  at  leaat  TVo-thirfa  len 
in  toe  Jraiiui  Of  Alton. 

gen«l,  Valate  BegiS*a»'eiSntiaUyaii£SSe£4Shtt^ 

S^o?'B2SliSL*^ii^**t!r  •  **^  fe»m  any  Part  of  tiS 
Town  of  Ifouma^  wuhed  to  be  oaavayed  apeedUy,  and  without 
troubh^  win,  Iqr W  put  into  the  Faat«k>a  byTwSve  o'clock  on 
S?r^'i'.5!?^~S,?*"'*^  •*  -****•  *»*«"  Ten  Mtoutea  after 


ngufariy  *^'««i  to  anyPart  of  the  Town,  aa  eariyTtte  Lettera 
frmn  Loidcn  are  delivered—Some  Lota  of  Land.  Whidi  havi^ 

tS:"^  to:iiSr^^'*r*^  •»  ?  5-^  *«-«~»  fi^  2.* 

SSl^  ^^-!f  GenUeoen  or  Laaie,  who  wiah  a  pleaalng 

K.B.    Ilw  eatabUduag  a  MariMt  at  AAtod  ii  fa  Asitattoo 

In  thu  year  a  new  Plan  of  tbe  town  wm  puUiahed ; 

known  to  CVdleetors  as  tii«  pka  of  1792.     ft  is  thus 

annoonoed  in  the  Oazette :— 


4  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFEL 

Flak  or  Biuhnohah.* 
September  24,  1792.— This  Day  is  pabliahecL  Price  1&,  A  lUm' 
Plan  <^  the  Town ;  wherein  is  deecricdsd  all  toe  new  Streets,  the 
Course  of  the  Birmingham  and  Fazeley  Ganal,  the  Termination  of  the 
Worcester  OsnaL  the  Sitoation  of  the  Barracks  now  bnilding,  with 
every  necessary  Information  to  direct  Strangers  to  any  Part  of  the 
Town,  the  pablic  BoUdings  beins  described  in  their  proper  sttnations, 
withoat  any  Eeferenoes;  and  K>r  the  Convenience  of  noprietors  of 
Bcdldings  the  Streets  are  described  withoat  Shading,  in  sach  a  Manner 
that  any  Person  may  have  their  Buildings  exhibited  on  the  Plan  Id 
their  exact  situations. 

The  nert  advertisement  takes  us  again  to 

AsHno. 
December  16,  1793L — ^Doubts  having  been  entertained  whether  the 
AsBigneeB  of  Mr.  Brooke's  Estate  were  empowo^d  to  grant  Building 
Leases,  which  has  prevented  many  persons,  who  wanted  to  take  Lana 
in  this  defdrable  and  much  improved  Hamkt,  being  aooommodated, 
notice  is  Hereby  given,  that  a  Plan  is  now  settled  hjy  eoonsel,  whereby 
Leases  may  be  securely  mnted  to  any  person  desuous  of  taking  any 
Lots  of  the  said  Land  for  Bnilding---and  that  the  same  wul  be 
immediately  Let  for  that  Puipose.  For  further  particulars  apply  ta 
the  Assignees  eveiy  Thursday,  at  Mr.  Suthall's,  at  the  Swan,  m  Bull 
Street  Mr.  Biyan-attheSignof  the  Dukeof  Yoik,in  BrookeStreet^ 
Ashted,  will  show  lihe  Land. 

The  next  advertisement  is  quoted  for  the  sake  of  the 

name  of  the  fitrm  which  it  announces  as  to  be  sold.    It  will 

be  seen  that  it  is  called  the  ''Lowcells;"  and  henoe  is  derived 

the  name  of  that  pleasant  part  of  Aston. now  called  the 

LozeUa 

June  24,  1703.— A  desirable  Farm  near  Birminfifaam.  To  be  Sold 
bv  Auction,  on  the  Premises,  bv  Thomas  Warren,  wis  Bay.  the  i4th 
of  June  inst,  preciselj  at  ten  crdock,  a  Lease  of  all  that  valuable  and 
improved  Farm,  known  bv  the  name  of  the  LowoeUa^  in  the  Parish  <^ 
Aston,  within  one  mile  and  a  half  of  the  Town  of  Binningjbam,  late  in 
the  Tenure  or  Occupation  of  Mr.  Joseph  Cooper,  deceased,  consulting  of 
a  commodious  Fann  House,  with  a  laiffe  Bani,  Stahlei^  Oow-houses, 
Stalls  for  feeding  Cattle,  Qraineries.  Blacksmith's  Shop^  md  other  out- 
buildings, all  in  complete  Bepair ;  also  two  laige  well-pfanted  QardeniL 
and  fourteen  Closes  or  Pieces,  containing  138  acrei^  or  thereabouts,  of 
rich  Arable,  Meadow,  or  Pasture  Land. 

The  following  record  of  a  fatal  accident  calls  ns  back  to 
a  time  when  open  wells  gave  an  additional  country  aspect 
to  the  town.  In  short,  up  to  a  comparatively  recent  period, 
all  the  characteristics  or  Birmingham,  except  Uie  extreme 
activity  of  the  people,  were  those  of  a  rural  district  Thus 
we  read,  on  July  23, 1792,  that  ^  on  Friday  evening;  as  Mary 
Duck,  a  child,  was  playing  round  a  well,  (veiy  carelessly 

*This  Flan  was  If  J.  Hanson,  and  is  used  as  a  IVinitifpiece  to  the  Srd 
Edition  of  Hotlon*s  Birmingham. 


▲PPEiLRANCE  OF  THE  TOWN.  5 

left  tmoovered)  in  Summer  Lane,  she  unfortunately  teil  into 
it^  and  was  drowned." 

In  this  year,  such  a  house  as  that  described  in  the  next 
advertisement  was  to  be  let  in  Cohnore  Row : — 

July  S3, 1792.— To  be  Let,  aud  may  be  entered  on  immediatdy,  a 
good  convenient  doable  Honee,  and  new-erected  Warehouse,  both  in 
eomplete  repair,  ritnate  in  Oolemore  Bow  ;  the  Hoose  ooneists  of  two 
goooPlU'loan,  two  Satefaens,  with  a  Fanfaty,  Brewhonae,  entire  walled 
iTaid,  and  Garden  behind  tJbe  same ;  the  api^er  Stories  contain  four 
good  Ghambcffs,  and  two  Attics,  witii  convenient  Qoaets. — ^For  Fto- 
ticolars  and  to  view  the  Premises,  enquire  at  Ko.  24,  Oolemore  Bow. 

This  however  is  far  surpa^ied  in  attractions  by  the 
following,  in  our  "  prety  street "  of  Deritend : — 

Febmaiy  3,  1794.— To  be  Lmt^  a  handsome^  snbstantial  and  oonve- 
nient  Houss,  siinate  near  Deritend  Bridge,  and  consisting  of  the 
^(dlowing  Partieolais,  vis.,  on  the  Ground  floor  three  good  rarloon^ 
Hall,  la;^  Kitchen,  with  Pkmtrj  adjoiQinff;  on  the  Second  Floor  four 
laige  commodioiis  Lod^g  Booms,  with  i)rossiag^  Boom ;  and  in  the 
Attk  Stoiy  fomt  Lodgug  Booms,  of  the  same  sise  as  those  on  the 
aecondFloor.  Three  diy  and  osefiil  Cellars, a  Brewhoose,  and  Servant's 
Boon,  with  three  Chambers  over  the  same.  Stable,  Hog  SUe,  and 
dvery  other  convenience,  with  a  Vard  paved,  walled  ronnd,  and  entire. 
Two  spadons  Gardens,  walled  ronnd,  and  planted  with  the  choicest 
Wall  mit,  Standard,  and  Espalier  Trees,  and  with  the  most  nsefol 
Vegetables.  The  Hoose,  Offices,  and  Premises,  stand  detached  from 
evenr  other  Boilding,  are  in  compleat  Bepair,  fitted  np  in  a  genteel  and 
comfiirtablB  Style^  and  mav  form  an  agreeable  Benaence  for  a  private 
Pkmily,  or  a  most  profitable  one  for  an  extensive  Mannfiu^rv. 

For  farther  Pisrticalan  enquire  of  Mr.  H.  Geast,  on  the  Ptemiaes ; 
or  of  Mr.  Geast,  Attorney,  Binningham. 

In  Deritend,  in  Digbeth,  in  Cheny  Street,  and,  in  fact,  in 
ahnost  all  parts  of  the  town,  a  garden  was  still  to  be  found 
attached  to  nearly  eveiy  house.  The  two  following  adver- 
tisements are  further  examples  of  this  pleasant  state  of 
things : — 

FebroaiT  17, 1794.-— To  be  Let.  or  the  Lease  to  be  Sold,  and  may  be 
entered  en  immediately,  an  exceeding  good  Front  double  Hoose,  sitoate 
In  Digbeth.  Birminghais.  at  a  vay  easy  Bent,  containing  fimr  Booms 
on  the  Attie  StoiT,  celled,  three  veiT  flood  CSiamberi^  wi&  Closets,  &a, 
front  and  back  Krioor,  HalL  and  Kitdien,  with  good  Qosets  and 
Puitiy,  two  Cellars,  two  Warehouses,  a  two-stalled  Stable^  Brewhouse, 
Kecessaiy,  and  entire  Yard,  a  Pomp  with  good  soft  Wat«^  and  walled 
Qaiden;  may  be  acoommodated  with  a  good  Kitdien  Garden,  well 
stodLsd.— The  House  has  been  recently  papered,  and  fitted  np  with 
Bath  Stove  Gnitea  Kitchen  Grates^  and  other  Flxtores^  which  may  be 
taken  to  at  a  Isir  Yalnation. 

For  farther  BtfticiilarB  enquire  of  T.  Locas^*  Auctioneer,  Na  10, 
Hjgh  Strset^  Birmingham. 

*Hr.  Lneaa  was  for  many  yean  a  fiunons  fbeetions  Auetknieer,  Hie  aian- 
ner  need  le  attraet  huge  crowds  to  his  roons,  which  were  in  High  Street, 
aesily  tippodle  the  preeent  OoMiU  Oflioe. 


G  A  CENTUHY  OF  BIRMINGHAK  LIFE. 

April  14^  1794. — ^To  be  Sold  or  Let,  all  tbat  lai^  and  oommodioiu 
DwelUng  House,  contuning  six  Booms  on  a  Floor,  with  a  Qaxden  behind 
the  same,  all  entire^  sitoate  in  Cherry  Street^  in  Birmingham,  late  the 
Beaidenoe  of  Jamee  Moore,  Esq.,  deceased,  bat  since  fitted  up  and  osed 
as  a  Bank.*    For  fiirther  Particulars  enquire  of  the  Printer. 

The  following  account  of  a  fatal  accident,  shows  the  con- 
dition of  an  old  friend  of  ours  : — 

June  9, 1794. — On  Monday  the  wife  of  James  Dayenport,  pocket- 
book  maker,  unfortunately  fidling  into  the  place  called  '' Pudding 
Brook,"  near  this  Town,  wu  tufoeaUd  by  ths  mud. 

The  active  speculation  in  buildinfi^  which  was  now  going 
on  raised  the  fears  of  the  timid,  and  we  did  not  fidl  in  our 
predictors  of  evil  therefrom.  On  January  26,  1795,  the 
editor  thus  expressed  the  feeling  of  one  of  these  anxious 
souls.  The  passage  is  valuable  to  us  as  affording  some 
further  reliable  evidence  of  the  great  changes  which  were 
then  being  made  in  the  appearance  of  the  town  audits  more 
immediate  neighbourhood. 

**  We  are  desared"  aays  the  editor,  **  by  a  Correspondent  to  remark 
that,  althoiu^  there  is  noiw  smpposed  to  be  a  thousand  houses  untenanted 
in  the  parish  of  Birmingham,  yet  such  is  the  passion  for  speculations  in 
building,  that^  facoording  to  lus  information)  upwards  of  sixty  acres  of 
tiie  common  lano,  lately  enclosed  in  the  parish  of  Handsworth.  under  an 
act  of  parliament^  is  alreat^  taken  or  purchased,  and  intended  to  be 
built  upon^  and  that  some  ofthe  building  clubst  naye  made  a  beginning 
upon  a  scale  of  twenty  houses  and  gardens  to  an  acre  of  land. 

^How  so  great  an  additional  population  as  may  result  therefrom  is  to 
be  suppoiW;  doUi  not  to  our  ^^lespondent  appear,  as  many  of  the 
native  mhabitants  of  the  parish  are  out  of  employmenti  and  whose  situ- 
ation at  this  indement  season  would  be  truly  miserable^  had  it  not  been 
mitigated  by  their  benerolent  neighbours." 

Such  Jeremiads  never  did,  and  never  will,  stop  the  evil 
complained  o£  The  restless  activity  of  men  resolved  to 
''get  on/'  is  not  to  be  calmed  down  by  the  terrors  of 
anticipated  and  prospective  evila  Thus,  in  spite  of  the 
''correspondent's  fearful  picture  of  a  "thousand  houses 
untenanted,"  we  have  such  advertisements  as  the  following, 
still  offering  for  use : — 

BuiLDuro  Lavs. 

September  28,  1785.— To  be  Leton  Building  Leases,  some  valuable 
Lots  of  Land  in  the  New  Fart  of  Ghenr  Street  This  Situation  is  in 
the  Centre  of  the  Town,  and  rendered,  Sy  its  oommunicatioii  with  the 
pnndpal  Streets,  particularly  adTantageous  for  genteel  Betafl  Tndea 
The  Depth  of  Land  is  equal  to  the  opposite  Side^  on  whidi  an  dsgani 

*OiigittaIlT  Meesis.  J.  h,  IfoOlettand  Sons;  and  now  aBiaadiof  Messra. 
Lloyds*  SaaUng  Oonvaay,  Lbnlled. 

t  Building  Clubs  were  ahnys  popular  in  BirmiBaham.  A  detailed  aeoooit 
of  an  eaily  one  Is  giteu  In  roL  i»  p.  20!  ef  this  Won. 


APPEARANCE  OF  THE  TOWN.  7 

range  of  Hoiues  is  erected.  Alao  other  Land  belonging  to  the  Goremors 
of  tne  Free  School,  in  a  Variety  of  deeirable  Situations  in  and  near 
the  Town,  to  be  Let  for  Buildinff. 

For  ParticalarB  apply  to  ^Er.  Brooke,  Attorney  at  Law,  Temple 
Bow,  Birmingham. 

The  next  advertiaement  describes  a  once  fiunous  house  of 
resort  Its  well-known  "small  neat  flower  garden  and 
pleasure-house  therein,"  have  been  absorbed,  like  so  many 
more  of  its  kind,  within  the  memory  of  persons  still  young. 

BORDBSLKT  TaTZRN. 

October  19th,  1795. — ^To  be  Let,  and  entered  upon  immediately, 
ntoate  near  the  Heath  Mill,  Deritend,  and  within  a  few  yards  of  the 
Warwick  and  Birmingham  CSanal,  containing  a  ITifaJiATi  two  P^onra, 
a  Bar,  and  other  proper  OIBcea  on  the  Ghtrand  Floor,  good  dxy  Oellaring 
tmdenieath,  and  a  Smt  of  reiy  convenient  Lodsing  Booms  over  the 
whole;  together  with  a  Brewhoose,  Stable,  Gownoose,  an  upper  and 
lofwer  Shop,  and  other  Oat-officea,  a  small  neat  Flower  Garden,  with  a 
Pkasore  Houae  therein,  and  a  lam  Kitdien  Garden,  well  planted  with 
Household  y  egiBtables.  The  whole  of  these  Ptwusee  are  in  flood 
Bepair,  and  comprise  near  an  Acre  of  Land,  and  a  good  Tenant  wul,  if 
he  requires  it^  be  accommodated  with  more  Land. 

For  BtfticQlari  wfy  to  Measra  Farror  and  Goode,  Anctioneeri^ 
Binningfaam ;  Mr;  wiloam  Jabet,  Land  Sorveyor,  Bordealey ;  or  Mr. 
John  l2we,  of  the  BaTenhorst,  in  Bordealey. 

Our  next  extract  takes  us  to  another  public  garden, 
which  was  once  a  most  pleaaant  placa  In  that  now  unsa- 
voury street^^  called  Floodflate-atreet^  there  was  a  public  house 
called  ^  Spring  Gardens  y  so  named  from  the  very  b^uitiful 
gardens  wnich  extended  from  the  back  of  the  house  down  to 
the  banks  of  the  dear  and  rippling  river  Rea.  The  house 
is  still  there,  but  its  name  is  all  that  remains  to  it  <^  its 
former  glory.  The  river  is  thick,  black  and  tuigid.  There 
are  no  trees,  nor  flowers,  nor  shady  walks,  nor  summer 
bouses  on  its  banks.  Tet  the  present  writer  remembers 
wben  the  Sj^ringOardens  were  eminently  prettjr,  and  well 
worth  a  visit  Mow  vividly  the  whole  scene  is  brought 
before  us  by  the  following  brief  account  of  a  sad  and  almost 
filial  aoddent : — 

Oefeober  S6tb,  1703.— Late  on  Thondaj  night  bst  the  fiunUy  at 


Spring  .Oaideoa  in  this  town,  was  alarmed 'by  some  mooroliil,  bat  in- 
distineL  erie%  wbkh  evidently  proeesded  from  peisoos  In  great  dlstremL 
Hr.  Eulows  ymj  humanely  oot  um  sad  taking  a  servant  and  Ugbts 
with  him,  he  mnd  a  man  ana  a  woman  nearly  exhansled,  and  ollnging 
to  the  floodgaiei^  and  thus  keeping  their  hesdi  dbove  water,  ^i  a 
VHj  frr  mintttes  mon^  but  ftr  the  bsDOToleiit  asertionB  of  Mr.  FsUow% 
th^  mast  h«?o  been  drowned,  ht  ih&j  wmo  beeome  so  cnrnnedinflly 


woak,  that  thej  ooold  aearesly  keep  their  hold  until  he  and  the  senrants 
ooold  readi  tnem ;  and  it  was  then  with  great  diffienltj  they  were 
Ukm  out  These  unlbrtonate  peopte^  it  seems,  wore  two  of  a  large 
party,  who  had  been  spending  the  ermiiog  at  the  gardens,  where  thej 


8  A  OENTURY  OF  BIRMIKGHAK  LIFE. 

were  kept  by  the  nun  until  it  was  late.  When  thej  went  out  not 
being  well  acquainted  with  the  road,  owing  to  the  darkness  of  the 
nighty  and  still  more  so  to  the  shamefnl  negligence  .of  somebody,  in  not 
patting  up  a  rail  or  any  kind  of  fence,  they  walked  into  the  deepest 
part  of  the  river,  some  little  way  above  the  floodgates,  down  to  whidi 
they  were  floated ;  and  they  most^  by  Mr.  Fallowriaoooont^  have  been 
in  weir  uncomfortably  pemoos  situation  full  an  hour. 

In  the  following  advertisements  we  have  still  further 
proof  of  the  great  changes  which  were  now  being  made ; 
and  of  the  spirit  of  speculation  of  which  the  ''corre- 
spondent "  quoted  above  complained : — 

April  11th,  1796.— To  be  Let^  on  a  re-building  Lease,  and  entered 
upon  immediately,  all  those  three  Dwelling-hoase^  sitoate  on  the 
Nortbem  side  OL^and  fronting  to^  High-street^  in  Birmingham,  and 
a^joiJiing  to  the  Dwellinff-hoasss  of  C&rles  Taylor,  Esq.,  and  now  in 
the  several  Tenures  of  Messrs.  Plimley,  Nidiols,  and  Alsop^  with  a 
grmt  dtf4k  of  Lomd  hMnd  the  said  Hooses,  sufficient  far  the  purpose 
of  eredAng  convenient  Warehouses,  and  other  Buildinn. 

K.B.^The  above  situation  is  a  veiy  centrical  one,  itoeing  in  one  of 
the  most  principal  streets  in  Birmin^^iam,  either  for  a  Wholesale  or  Betail 
BoiincM^  and  well  worth  the  Notice  of  any  Person  wishing  to  enter 
into  either  of  than.  Also  to  be  Let  for  Building,  the  Land  whereon 
the  Black  Boy  Inn  and  Buildings  now  stand,  sitnate  in  Edgbaston 
Btrset,  Birmingham. 

N  JBL  That  as  the  House  ac|joining  the  said  Inn  will  be  taken  down, 
and  a  good  opening  made  out  of  Edffbaston  Street,  to  communicate 
with  the  Warwick  and  Alcsster  BoadsL  mr  Garriages  this  year,  the  above 
Spot  of  Land  will  be  a  very  desirable  one,  either  to  erect  an  Inn,  or 
o&er  BvildiDgs  upon. 

Valuable  Fbsihold  Estatb. 

April  i4th,  1707.— To  be  peremptorily  Sold  by  Auction  by  T.  Warren 
(hj  Direction  of  Messrs.  F^rmcep  and  the  Traibbem  of  the  Jate  Joseph 


Cms,  Esq.,  who  have  mutually  entered  into  an  atfresment  for  tiUt 
poipose,)  at  the  house  of  Mrs.  Mary  Lloyd,  all  uiat  spacious  and 
ccnvenient  Bwellinf  House,  four  stories  high,  containing  four  Booms 
on  eadi  Floor,  with  srswfaouas^  Lanndrrover  it,  and  other  Acoommoda- 
tions,  situate  in  Fturk  Street,  opposite  Shut  Lsne  End.  tcwetfaer  witli  a 
very  large  Space  of  Vacant  Land  or  Garden  Qronnd  iMhmd  the  same^ 
all  entire,  wmlled  round,  and  very  suitable  for  tiie  erection  of  other 
Buildings,  Warehouses,  or  Shops;  all  which  said  Fkemises  were  li^  in 
the  Holding  of  Mr.  John  Oolmore,  at  the  /eariy  Bent  of  £25^  but  are 
now  untenanted.  Also  two  other  Dwelhnff  uousss  adjoining  to  the 
above^  and  fronting  to  Failc  Street  aforesaid,  with  Gardens  and  other 
Appuitenanoes  therstOL  now  or  late  in  the  several  Tenures  of  Mrs. 
Bidiards  and  William  Tay,  at  the  yearly  vent  of  £ifL 

.  Our  next  advertisement  is  foil  of  pleasant  reminisoenoes 
to  all  Birmingham  people  who  are  near  or  bqrond  middle 
life.  The  ''road  leading  from  the  Cresoent  Bridge  to  the 
Gottaffe  of  CSontent,"  was  composed  entirely  of  aaidens. 
The  (xyttage  of  Content  still  remains  to  remind  ns  of  a  state 


APPEARANCE  OF  THE  TOWN.  9 

of  things  which  no  longer  exist    The  gardens  have  all  dis- 
appeared 

June  12, 1797.— A  Garden  to  be  Sold  b^  Auction,  on  the  Spot,  hy 
ThomaB  Warren,  To-monow  Ereninff,  preaaety  at  Seven  o'clock;  a 
▼eiy  capital  Garden,  belonging  to  uie  Estate  of  Meaara.  Hawkins, 
aitaate  in  the  Bead  l&adifig  jrom  the  OrucerU  Bridge  to  the  Cottage  of 
Conient^  m  the  eeeond  Walk  on  the  left  hand  from  the  Pit  of  Water ^  and 
iheJ^Oardenonthe  Right  in  that  Walk.  This  Garden  iam  the  highest 
state  of  LnproTement ;  the  soil  remarkably  zich  and  full  of  manure; 
the  VeffetaDles  and  Hot-bed  Plants  in  Terr  great  forwardness ;  the 
IVuits  (of  whkh  there  is  ffraat  Plenty)  are  all  of  the  best  and  in  their 
Prime.  There  is  also  a  <S>llectiou  of  choice  Flower  Boot^  Taziously 
diflpened,  and  a  numbor  of  Auricula  Plants  in  Pots ;  likewise  a  hana- 
some  Bnck  Summer  House,  and  other  OonTenienoes^  and  several 
painted  Garden  Screens,  Tooki^  &c 

In  the  next  advertisement  we  are  freminded  of  another 
tavern  and  tea-garden,  which  once  offered  a  pleasant  place 
for  the  harmless  recreations  of  our   artisans  and  their 


Tavxbv  avd  Tba  GABoav. 

Feibniary  iS,  1796.— TobeLet,  and  majbeentsrsdaponimmediatelj, 
that  pleasantly  aitoated  and  well  aoeustomed  Tavern  and  Tea  Garden, 
known  by  the  Name  of  the  Anchor,  on  Gamp  Hill,  within  ten  Minuter 
Walk  of  the  Center  of  BiimingfaanL  The  House  contains  several  good 
Boonii^  with  CeUan^  &e.  The  Garden  is  aeeommodated  with  Arbmirsy 
Seals,  9tc^  and  well  stoeked  with  exoellent  FhiitlVse%  Shrubs^  Floweri, 
and  Vegetables  of  eveiy  Deseription,  and  is  now  in  a  hJffh  state  of  Coiti- 
vation ;  the  Bent  is  voy  low,  and,  being  in  Aston  Ptfiah,  the  Levies  are 
veiy  moderate.  The  Ooenpier  will  be  expeeted  to  take  to  the  Brewing 
VoMela,  ilztores,  Ac,  at  a  fidr  Valoatioo,  and  may  be  aoeommodated 
wHh  what  Fart  of  the  Furniture  he  pleases ;  he  also  may  be  fuxnlshed 
with  a  Lease  of  the  PremiMs^  sixteen  Yean  of  whidi  are  imexpired  at 
Ladv-daynezt 

For  fbrther  Putienlars  and  a  view  of  the  HouseL  &a,  apply  to  the 
Vnmpt  Tenant,  ICr.  D.  Hunt,  who  is  deelining  the  Public  Bamem, 

In  the  next  advertisement  we  are  taken  to  a  street  which 

we  have  not  been  called  upon  to  visit  more  tlum  once 

before.    Tet  here,  also,  we  meet  with  the  constant  carden ; 

in  this  case  a  huge  one,  and   ''well  planted  wiUi  firuit 

trees:"— 

April  lethy  179ar— To  be  Let,  and  may  be  entered  upon  immedi- 
ately, a  nei^coinmodioas  Dwelling-HoQse^  with  convenient  Oat-bnild- 
Snga  Soft  water  Pnmp^  and  laige  GardeD,  well  planted  with  dioiee 
FMt  T^pses^  to^  pleasantly  situated  in  Caroline  Street^  near  St  Pknl's, 
BinniiMciianL 

Ebqaira  cf  Martha  Grove^  on  the  PtanisiaL 

CSiroline-etreet  was  a  likely  place  in  which  to  find  such  a 
house ;  bnt^  looking  at  the  present  aspect  of  Spioeal-stroet» 
would  any  one  anticipate  that^  only  seventy  years  ago»  sach 
premises  as  these  were  advertised  to  be  let  in  that  street  ? 


10  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFK 

September  24th,  179& — ^To  be  Let,  either  separatelj  or  together, 
Two  commodioiia  Dwelling  Honaes,  situate  at  the  opper  End  of  Hale's 
Gonrt^  in  Spiceal-street^  Birmingham,  at  a  small  JDistance  below  the 
Dog  Inn,  with  a  separate  Court  in  Front,  a  considerable  Banse  of 
Shops,  a  larffe  Garden^  Stable,  and  other  Ont-offioes  and  Conven&noes 
to  tne  same.  The  centrical  Bite  of  these  Premises  in  the  Town,  may 
render  them  eligible  to  a  Merchant^  Factor,  or  ManufiMstorer,  or  to  a 
Broker,  Pawnbroker,  fto,  as  the  Outbuildings  are  easily  convertible 
into  many  useful  Purposes  for  Trade  or  Business,  or  private  Family 
Use.  For  further  Particulars  apply  at  No.  54^  the  upper  Bow  Sash, 
in  St.  iiartholomeVs  Bow,  or  to  Mr.  James  Leag,  Builder^  the  Corner 
of  St  James's-etreeti  St.  Paul's  Square,  Birmingham. 

We  now  reach  the  commencement  of  a  very  important, 
but,  to  our  mind,  not  a  very  acceptable  work — the  Indosure 
of  Birmingham  Heath.  Bit  by  bit,  Birmingham  is  taking 
in  the  surrounding  country,  and  preparing;  for  the  rapid 
growth  of  the  last  twenty-five  vears.  This  is  the  first 
announcement  of  the  new  encroachment : — 

BzBMnroHAM  Hbath  Imglosurs. 

Notice  Is  hereby  given  that  the  CommlauonerB  appointed  in  and  by 
Act  of  ParUament^  passed  in  the  38th  year  of  the  Beign  of  his  prssent 
H^es^  King  Geom  the  Third,  entitled  '<  An  Act  for  diyiding^  allotr 
ting,  and  inclosing  the  several  Commons  and  Waste  Landslring  wiUiin 
the  Manor  and  Pirish  of  Birmingham,  in  the  County  of  Wannek,"  do 
intend  to  hold  thdr  first  Meeting  under  the  said  Aot  of  Purliament 
on  Wednesdav,  the  Fifth  Dav  of  December  next,  at  the  House  of 
Mr.  Crodcet^  Known  hr  the  llame  of  the  New  Inn,  aitoate  at  Hands- 
worthy  in  the  County  of  Stafford,  and  that  the  said  Commissiooers  will 
begin  to  ride  or  perambulate  the  Boundaries  of  the  Commons  and 
Waste  Lands  intended  to  be  indosed  under  the  Powers  of  the  Aot,  on 
the  same  Day,  at  nine  o'dodc  in  the  Forenoon,  on  the  siid  HsaUi 
called  Birmingham  Heath,  near  to  a  Place  celled  the  Lodgs^  within 
the  Manor  and  Perish  aforesaid,  from  whence  the  Commissiciisn  will 
proceed  along  the  Boondaries  a^jotniog  the  seveiml  parishes  of  HarbonML 
Mandsworth,  Edgbastoo,  and  Atton,  in  the  Counties  of  Waiwkk  and 
Stafford,  of  whi<d&  all  pertons  interested  are  to  take  notice. 

Thoxas  Huxt,  ) 

WOiUAic  SiOTB,  >  Solidton. 

November  19, 179&  Amaoss  ManrwABiva, ) 

The  Commissioners  soon  set  to  work  in  preparing  their 
plans,  and  in  canying  out  the  provisions  of  the  Aot  In  a 
year  after  this  first  announcement  they  publidied  the 
foUowing  detailed  account  of  their  intentions.  If  the 
reader  will  look  at  a  modem  map  while  he  is  perusing 
the  statement,  he  will  at  once  see  what  great  changes  were 
made  by  the  Commissioners  for  enclosing  Birmingham 
Heath. 

BaamwBiJi  Haam  Ivolosubi. 

December  S3,  ITBH/— We^  the  Oaininlsrifloei%  named  aadappoialsd 
in  and  bj  an  Ad  of  Fkrliament|  psMcd  in  the  88th  jearof  the  jEt«%Bof 


APPEAJtANCE  OF  THE  TOWN.  11 

liM  present  Majestj,  for  diTiding  and  endodng  the  aeyeral  Commons  and 
Waste  Lands  lying  within  the  Manor  and  Pmsh  of  Birmingham,  in  the 
County  of  Warwick,  do  hereby  give  Notice,  that  we  have  set  out  the 
following  Boads,  in  and  OTer  the  said  Commons  and  Waste  Lands.  From 
the  Wolverhampton  Turnpike  Boad,  near  the  Pinfold,  over  the  Little 
HodLley  Pool  Lane,  and  on  the  East  Side  of  the  Warren  House,  and 
Mr.  Toffees  Estate^  and  into  the  andent  Lane  leading  to  Winson  Green 
Another  Boad  from  the  West  End  of  the  said  Luie,  over  the  South 
Side  of  Winson  Green,  and  to  the  Navigation  Bridge,  called  Winson 
Qreen  Bridge,  and  from  thence,  over  the  said  Heath,  to  the  Turnpike 
Boad  leading  from  Birminfffaam  to  Dudley,  and  nearly  opposite  to  the 
SonUiem  Gate  of  the  Land  belonging  to  Mrs.  Scott^  m  the  ooenpation 
of  Hr.  John  Iddins. 

Another  puWc  Garriage  Boad,  being  Part  of  the  ancient  Icknield 
Street  Boad,  from  the  South  East  Comer  of  the  Garden  in  the  Tenure 
of  Mr.  Thomas  Conway,  and  near  his  Summer  House,  over  an  Ineroadi- 
ment  in  the  Tenure  A  Samuel  Smith,  to  the  first  described  Boad,  and 
fixim  iheno&  nea^  continuing  in  a  Western  Direction,  over  the 
Northern  aiae  of  Kaye  Hill  into  the  ancient  Lane  called  Warstone 
Lane. 

Another  public  Garriage  Boad,  branch^  out  of  the  last  described 
Boad,  at  the  North  East  Comer  of  lattle  Btockley  Pool,  and  extending 
over  the  said  Common,  through  Nineveh,  and  into  the  Boad  leading 
from  Winson  Ghreen  aforsaaid,  to  Handsworth. 

Another  public  Carriage  Boad,  brandling  out  of  the  said  last  men- 
tioned Boad,  at  Ninevdi,  and  extending  itself  over  the  said  Common 
to  the  South  East  End  of  a  certain  andent  Lane  leading  to  Winson 
Green  aforesaid. 

Another  public  Ouriage  Boad,  leading  from  the  Soho,  across  the 
Bead  befbre  described  to  lead  from  Little  Hodcley  Pool  to  Nineveh, 
and  fkcm  thence,  over  <Hbb  Heath,  into  the  last  described  Boad. 

Another  public  Carriage  Bead,  leading  over  the  upper  End  of 
Winson  Green,  to  the  Pig  Mill  Lane  EndT 

Another  public  Carriage  Boad,  leading  from  the  Wolverhampton 
Turnpike  Boad,  near  Hoddev  Brook,  across  the  said  Brook  into  the 
andent  Boad  leading  througli  Handsworth  to  Walsall,  and  also  from 
the  Wolverhampton  Boad  to  a  House  belonging  to  Charles  Colmore, 
Esq.,  in  the  Possesdon  of  Mr.  Bona%  edled  the  AngeL 

All  iriiidi  said  Boads  we  have  caused  to  be  set  out  to  the  Breadth 
of  lirtyFlBet— and  we  have  appointed  Mr.Thomas  Conway,  of  Hockley, 
to  diew  the  said  Boads. 

And  all  Persons  who  have  any  Gljections  to  make  to  the  aforesaid 
Boads,  or  any  or  dther  of  them,  are  desired  to  attend  and  make  su^ 
thdr  Olgeeiions^  in  Writing,  at  our  next  Meeting,  to  be  held  at  the 
Hboae  of  Thomas  CrodcetT  known  by  the  name  of  the  New  Inn, 
aitiiate  at  Handsworth,  on  Tuesday  tlie  7th  Day  of  January  nex^  at 
Elefmi  o'doek  in  the  Foconoon. 

Thomas  Gesbt. 
Samuxl  Wtatt. 
JoBV  Wail. 

The  next  advertisement  is  quoted  for  the  curious  mention 
of  tbe  ^  women's  market "  which  it  contains.  It  is,  I  think, 
the  only  example  of  the  kind.    The  women's  market  was. 


12  A  CEKTUBY  OF  BIBMINQHAM  l^IFE. 

of  coarse,  for  the  sale  of  butter,  eggs,  and  poultry,  and  was 

at  this  time  held  in  Highnstreet. 

H0U8BB  nr  High  Stbsbt. 

July  8, 1709.— To  be  Let,  and  entered  upon  immediatoly,  a  Meesoage 
or  Tenement  in  SQgh  Street,  Birminghajn.  fronting  the  Women's 
ICazket,  late  in  the  Uolding  of  Abraham  Bullock,  Bamcet-maker,  and 
also  five  back  Honaee,  let  to  under  teaaatB,  'who  pay  their  rente 
weekly. 

The  Surveyor  published  this  useful  aud  interesting  bit  of 

information : — 

November  3, 1800. — ^The  public  axe  most  aasuredly  informed  that 
from  the  IGddle  of  the  High-etreet,  facmf  the  Swan  Inn,  Birmin^^iam, 
down  DMwth,  and  up  Deritend  to  the  Middle  of  the  Boad  facing  the 
Bottom  «  BaTunhurat  EQU,  leading  to  Bradford-Street^  Bordealey,  ia 
1672Yaid8;  and  over  BaTenhurstfiill,  down  Bradfordnrtreeto^ 
Idill  Meadow,  by  tiie  Moat^  and  up  Sptceal-atreet,  to  the  Middle  of  the 
Street  facmg  the  Swan  Inn  aforeiaid,  la  1684  Yards ;  conaequently  Dig- 
beth  Boad  u  nearer  by  twelve  Yanla  and  uvwarda,  and  liea  more  on  a 
Level,  aa  appeam  by  actual  Menauratian,  taken  thia  24th  Day  of  Octo- 
bar,  1800,  iy  me,  W.  Tatlob,  Land  Surveyor. 

On  April  27,  1801,  a  return  of  the  population  and  houses 

of  the  town  was  published,  of  which  the  foUowing  is  a 

copy: — 

The  Parish  of  Birmingham  on^y. 

Inhabited  houaea 12,044 

Void  ditto 1,602 

FamiUea 12,683 

Make 28,568 

Femalee 32,264 

Total  number  of  inhabitanta    .       •  60,822 

The  other  parti  of  the  tMonehip — Bordedey  and  Deritend, 

Houses  inhabited 1,017 

Ditto  void 90 

Malea 2,392 

Fcmalea 2,629 

Aehtedf  Dvddeeton^  Se. 

Inhabited  houaea 739 

Ditto  void 98 

Malaa 1,706 

Femalea 1,835 

Total  of  Hamleto 8^562 

Total  of  the  Inhabitants  of  the  connected )      ao  904 
streets  axid  houaea .       ...        J      w,«>« 

The  next  two  advertisements  recall  a  state  of  the  town 
•'for  ever  and  for  ever  gone" : — 


PT7BLIC  LIFE  AND  EVENTS.  13 

A  Capital  Gardsn. 

July,  13, 1801.— To  be  Sold,  a  well-planted  Garden,  in  the  highest 
state  of  ColtiTation.  with  two  fm)d  ABparaguB,  Baspbenry  and  Straw- 
beny  Beda,  a  Brick  Summer  House,  and  other  Conveniencefl^  sitoate 
in  a  Walk  opposite  the  Timber  Company's  'Wharf.— Enquire  at  the 
Bose  and  Crown,  Paradise-street,  Birmingham. 

To  Gabdsnbxu!  and  Other& 

July  13, 1801. — ^To  be  Sold,  a  Crop  of  Potatoes  and  Beans,  now  grow- 
ing upon  a  Piece  of  Land,  containing  about  two  acres,  situate  at  the  upper 
"End  of  Bradford  Street,  in  Bordesley,  and  within  three  quarters  of  a  mile 
of  the  Centre  of  the  Town  of  Birmingham.  Those  Persons  who  are  dis- 
posed to  become  Purchasers,  are  requested  to  send  their  Preposals  in 
Writing,  statins  the  Price  they  respectiyely  are  willing  to  give,  the  Time 
of  Payment)  ana  of  clearing  the  Crops  from  off  the  Ground,  &c.,  to  Mr. 
Lowe,  0f  the  Bayenhurst,  m  Bordesley,  on  or  before  the  18th  instant. 

To  yiew  tiie  Crop,  apply  to  Mr.  Lowe. 


§  2.     PUBUC  LIFE  AND  EVENTa 

The  record  of  public  events  for  the  present  ten  years  will 
afford  a  painful  contrast  with  that  of  the  last  decade. 
There  is  enough  activity,  enough  energy,  a  plentiful  dis- 
play of  public  spirit ;  but  the  eneigy  of  the  inhabitants 
IS  almost  entirely  absorbed  either  in  trade  or  in  armii^  and 
drilling  themselves  in  readiness  for  the  expected  invasion  of 
Napoleon  Buonaparte.  The  loyalty  of  the  town  was  of 
the  most  oppressive  character.  To  hint  at  the  want  of 
moderation  and  wisdom  in  any  of  the  doings  of  the 
"heaven -bom  minister,"  Pitt — to  suggest  the  slightest 
shortcoming  on  the  part  of  the  "Father  of  his  people,'* 
Qeoige  m,  was  treason  of  the  worst  kind,  and  tne  radi 
Beformer  was  sent  to  C!oventiy,  and  in  danmr  of  being 
sent  to  a  worse  place  by  the  respectable  of  his  fellow 
townsmen.  Clesr^  and  luty  alike  participated  in  the  fever 
of  Church«and-Kingism,  and  no  toleration  was  allowed  to 
dissentieuta  The  general  opinion  was  virulently  loyal,  and 
woe  to  the  poor  wretch  who  was  bold  enough  to  utter  a 
doubt^  or  to  whisper  a  suspicion  that  there  was  anything 
rotten  in  the  state  of  England.  The  politics  of  the  cleray 
were  not  a  whit  more  fanatical  than  those  of  most  of  the 
laymen :  and  Dr.  CSroft^  Dr.  Madan,  and  the  Bev.  E.  Bum, 
found,  in  gentlemen  like  Mr.  Morfitt,  Mr.  Weston,  and  the 
once  important  Job  Nott,  men  whose  hatred  of  Dr.  Priestley 
exceeded  their  own,  and  whose  vehement  vituperation  and 


14  A  CENTURY  OF  BIBHINGHAH  LIFE. 

vehement  declamation  exceeded  even  that  of  the  pulpit. 
For  some  years  Birmingham  suffered  from  the  ^'reigh  of 
terror/'  and  it  required  many  years'  experience  of  the  tender 
mercies  of  an  anti-reform  Qovemment  to  bring  back  her 
old  and  healthy  liberalism.  In  spite,  however,  of  this  some- 
what retrogressive  tendency  of  the  people  on  the  subject 
of  freedom,  the  history  of  the  town  from  1791  to  1801  is 
frdl  of  an  interest  of  its  own,  and  is  rich  in  lessons  of  public 
importance,  even  for  our  own  time. 

Our  first  extract  brings  us 'back  to  the  irrepressible 
buckle: — 

BuocLB  Mamutaotobt. 

Janoanr  2, 1792.  —We  had  the  satisfiMstion,  in  oar  last|  to  ansoanoe 
to  the  public  the  circumstance  of  some  GenUemen  of  the  Committee 
of  the  priocipal  manoiMtaren  of  Bncklee  in  this  Town,  Walsall,  and 
Wolyerfaampton,  waitinff  upon  his  BoTalHlghness  the  Prince  of  Wales; 
and  we  are  now  enabiedto  present  to  onr  Bsaders  the  words  of  their 
petition. — Mr.  Sheridan,  who  had  the  honour  of  introducing  the  depu- 
tation to  the  Prince,  nassed  the  highest  compliments  on  the  Abilities  of 
the  Gentlemen  who  orew  it  up :  and  remarked  that  he  had  hardlj  ever 
met  with  sentences  so  happilj  expressed,  and  which  contained  so  mudi 
matter  in  so  few  wordi^  as  those  whidi  we  have  distinguished  bj  an 
itaUc  letter. 

To  His  Boyal  Highness  the   Pbijtob  of  Walh.    The  humble 
Petition  of  the  Buckle  Manuiartmreni,  &a 
Shewethy 

That^  with  minds  strondy  agitated  by  the  alarming  dedine  of  our 
Trad^  we  approadi  tout  Botal  HiOBvam^  not  without  hope,  htiag 
abundantly  convincea  that  you  will  rejoice  in  an  opportunity  of  di^ 
playing,  at  the  same  time,  your  goodness,  public  spiriL  and  humanity. 

It  will  stand,  instead  of  a  thousand  ammentSi  nmply  to  state  to 
your  BoTAL  Hiohhbh^  that  the  Buckle  Timde  giiFes  employment  to 
mors  than  Twenty  Thousand  Pemons,  numbers  of  whom,  in  conss^uence 
of  the  prsYalencT  of  Shoe-strings  and  Slippers,  are  at  present  without 
employ,  almost  aestitute  of  hr^A,  and  exposed  to  the  honors  of  want^ 
at  this  inclement  season  of  the  year ;  That  should  the  same  stagnation 
of  trade  continue^  the  miseries^  emigrations  and  other  homd  eon* 
sequences  that  will  IncTitably  ensue,  may  )>e  better  concsiTsd  than 
expresssd. 

It  is  in  a  sreat  measurs  owinff  to  the  two  Taluable  Manu&ctures  of 
Buckles  and  Buttons,  that  Birmingham  has  attained  her  present  impor- 
tance in  the  map  of  Great  Britain ;  the  latter,  when  in  an  Infirm  stais^ 
was  dierished  by  PlulluaentaxT  sssistance ;  nut  aTerss  to  pt6bMiarx 
penalties,  we  have  the  Ihllest  rdianoe  upon  the  grMious  IntsBfarsDO  of 
your  BoTAL  UioBvan. 

W$  hw  IsoNW  to  oterM,  thai  wkm  FaMm^  tnsfeacf  of  fortigfn  or 
wapn^tMB  ornamnU^  iseon  and  oon^wmn  tio  Jfamifachttm  of  iKw 
Ommtry^jih%  pmU  on  «  more  omgaging  farm  atid  hooomm  Aift'ieh'esi, 
Wkm  Toito,  ol  Me  oamo  imo  amd  by  tko  oamo  means  cAol  ale 
deooraim  ike  formnu  of  ike  RieL  oloaiks  and  fmit  tk§  nolerf  «Mf 
hwn^fy  Poor^  ih€  dturvu  a  worthier  appdloHon^  and  may  be  ttyM 


PUBLIC  LIFE  AND  EVENXa  15 

Bwmamty.  Ws  make  no  doubt  but  your  Botal  HiOHvaBB  vSl  prefer 
tke  bletnfm  of  tMe  Starving  Manufacturer  to  the  encomiums  of  the 
JDrawina  Room. 

We  know  it  ti  to  no  purpose  to  address  Fashion  herself  j  she  is  void  of 
feding  and  deaf  to  argument;  but  fortunatdtf  she  is  svJtjeet  to  your  con- 
trol: She  has  been  accustomed  to  listen  to  your  voice  and  obey  your 


We,  therefore,  meet  eemeetlj  implore  your  Botal  Hianvna^  m  our 
preaent  Hope  and  fbtare  Sovereign,  attentivelj  to  ooneider  the  de- 
pkrable  eitoation  of  our  trade,  which  it  in  danger  of  being  mined  by  this 
mntabiUtj  of  fV»hion ;  and  to  give  that  dirSstion  to  the  public  taate, 
wfaidi  will  ebsure  our  most  lively  and  laating  mtitnde,  and  confirm  the 
general  opinion  of  the  exalted  virtaee  of  your  neart 

And  your  Petitioners  shall  ever  pray,  &a 

December  17,  1791. — The  very  gnuaous  reply  of  the  Prince  we 
have  already  noticed:  and  on  Satcuday  ee'nnight,  hia  Boyal  High- 
nes  having  ordered  the  princijial  persona  of  every  depurtment  of 
hia  houaehMd  into  his  presence^  mfonned  them  that  thev  must  from 
that  instant  discontinue  the  use  of  ahoe-etrinfls;  he  desired  them 
to  go  to  his  own  buckle-maker  for  what  Duckies  the^  mj^t 
-waokt,  and  he  expressed  a  hope  that  they  would  never  ofl»nd  hmi 
Igr  the  disuse  of  so  important  an  aitide  of  British  Manufacture. — 
£us  Boyal  Highness  the  i>uke  of  Tork  (upon  whom  the  Committee  alao 
waited,  attenaed  bqr  Major-Oeneial  Qrenville)  on  the  same  day  perso- 
nally delivered  sinular  orders  to  the  ^(entlemen  and  servants  of  his 
household ;  and  the  Members  of  the  City  of  London  have  assured  the 
Mannf acturen  that  they  will  use  their  endeavours,  both  in  their  public 
and  private  capadties,  to  extend,  as  fiur  as  possible,  the  influence  of  the 
Prince  of  Walm  example,  of  whose  beneficent  intcoitions  in  this,  as  well 
as  in  every  other  instance,  we  cannot,  ii^eed,  sp^k  too  bighlv.  The 
alegant  and  frank  manner  in  which  his  B^yal  Highness  au  along  ex- 
pressed  himsdf,  and  the  humanity  with  which  he  entered  into  the  peti- 
tkn,  has  left  siiiBh  an  impression  upon  the  minds  of  the  Qentlemen  of 
the  Committee,  as  cannot  fsil  of  conveying  the  most  just  representatioii 
«f  so  amiable  a  Prince^  to  the  valuable  boay  of  men  by  whom  they  were 
deputed. 

The  deputation  (which  consisted  of  Messrs.  Cheston,  Bellamy,  S. 
Hands*  and  Bii^ey,  of  this  Town,  and  Mr.  T.  Hipkins,  of  Walsall) 
likewise  Isel  themselves  mder  the  greatest  obligations  to  Mr.  Sheridan 
and  Major  Qeneral  Qrenville,  throuj^  whose  pdite  kindness  they  were 
introduced  to  the  Princes ;  and  thigr  were  honoured  by  the  company  of 
several  of  the  first  Gentlemen  of  the  Prince  of  Walers  houaehold  to  a 
splendid  diimer,  prepared  at  the  New  London  Tavern,  after  which  the 
evening  was  snent  with  the  utmost  conviviality. 

It  is  thoq^t  neosBsaiy  to  observe,  that  two  ridiculoua  parsgrsphs^ 
whii^  have  ttipsared  in  a  London  piper  upon  the  above  subject^  were 
lolallTimantiioriied  hy tiie  Oonunittee  or  Deputation,  whose  names 
were  inproperiy  used  in  them. 

Snooess  attended  the  efibrto  of  the  manofiustnrerB- 
Boymlty  smiled  upon  the  buckle,  and  wore  it;  but  not 
even  the  favour  ot  the  ^fiist  gentleman  in  Europe,"  could 
compel  its  use.     A  more  potent  influence  had  dedared 


16  A  CENTORY  OF  BIRIONGHAM  LIFE. 

against  it ;  and  Faahion,  in  spite  of  Kiuft,  Queen,  Prince 
R^ent,  and  the  whole  Court  united,  doomM  the  buckle,  and 
dedared  in  &your  of  the  ''unmanly  shoe  string."  .  On 
January  23,  however,  the  buckle-makers  received  this  bit 
of  joyful  news :— ''  It  is  with  singular  pleasure  that  we  state 
that,  on  the  Queen's  Birth  Day,  Buddea  were  universally  pre- 
valent. The  b^iuty  and  brilliancy  of  those  worn  by  the 
Prince  of  Wales,.Duke  of  York,  and  Earl  of  Fife,  attracted 
tbe  notice  of  the  whole  Drawing  Room.'' 

Considering  the  violence  of  the  riots  of  1791,  and  the 
animosity  of  the  rioters,  it  is  no  wonder  that  it  was  neces- 
sary to  insert  such  paragraphs  as  the  following : — 

February  SO,  1792. — Some  odtintry  papers  having  asserted  that  there 
have  been  fresh  riots  in  this  place,  we  tnink  it  neoessaxr  to  say  that» 
althoni^  numbers  of  the  Button-makers  have  assembled,  in  a  tomnl- 
tnous  maimer,  in  conseouence  of  a  difference  about  prices  with  their 
masten^  no  outrage  has  oeen  committed ; — most  of  them  have  retomed 
to  their  labour,  and  the  dispute,  we  hope,  will  be  amicably  settled :— 
at  all  cTenti^  we  trust  there  will  not  be  found  amons  them  any  so  rash 
as  to  bring  upon  themselves  the  evils  that  will  inallibly  ensoe  from 
an  attempt  to  raise  a  riot^  with  such  a  strong  military  force  as  the 
town  now 


The  people  at  this  time  were  alarmed  by  ihe  appearance 
of  a  "Aery  meteor ;"  which,  to  their  disordered  imaginations, 
must  have  appeared  of  direful  import : — 

February  20,  1792^— On  Thursdav  niaht^  an  uncommonly  strong 
fiery  meteor  hung  over  this  town,  ana  haa  so  much  the  appearance  at 
bdng  the  effect  of  a  dreadful  fire,  that  people  ran  alarmed  from  all 
parts  to  discover  the  suppoeed  conflagration.  It  continued  an  hour 
before  it  dissipated. 

The  next  extract  refers  again  to  the  Buckle  trade.  The 
isyct  is  highly  creditable  to  the  manufacturers,  and  is  in 
keeping  with  all  tbe'public  proceeding  of  the  people  ci 
Birmingham..  They  have  often  fidled  m  the  exhibition  of 
some  of  the  virtues,  but  never  in  that  of  charity  to  the 
poor  and  afflicted.  A  subscription  had  been  entered  into 
to  defray  the  expenses  of  the  agitation  for  the  preservation 
of  this  important  branch  of  local  industry,  and  a  surplus 
remained  in  handL    On  February  27  we  rc»d : — 

^At  a  meeting  of  tba  prindpal  Itfanuihctarers  of  Buckles  on 
Thursday  last,  in  this  Town,  they  humanelv  resolved  to  expend  the 
aureus  of  their  snbseriptamis  in  bread,  m  poor  and  industrious 
worajuen/' 

The  two  following  extracts  furnish  us  with  a  little  more 
information  on  the  proceedings  of  the  buckle-makers : — 


PUBUO  LIFE  AND  EVSNTS.  17 

Febmaiy  2^  1792.— Thoraday  the  Petition  of  the  Boekle  Traders  of 
London  and  Westminflter  was  presented  to  his  Boyal  Highness  the 
Dnke  of  Glareno^  at  St  Jtane^B.  The  Boyal  Doke  feceiyed  the 
deputation  with  the  considerateness  and  friendship  that  bespoke  his 
Interest  in  the  prosperity  of  the  Bnckle  Traders,  and  aasored  them — 
**  tiiat  he  was  the  last  to  encourage  shoe  strings ;  the  eostom  of  wearing 
them  he  always  oonsideied  extremely  ridiecuooa^  and  injorioos  to  an 
eztensiye  mann&etors.  Thjit  he  never  wore  them  himsefi^  or  sajBTered 
any  of  his  officers  on  board  to  nse  them ;  and  as  fiur  as  he  conld  serve 
the  trade,  he  shonld  be  always  ready  to  afford  it  ereiy  encouragement, 
fund  on  any  fatnre  occasion  to  see  the  deputation  where  his  influence 
was  wanting  to  support  a  manufacture  so  agreeable  to  his  wishes." 

BucKLB  Trade. 

February  27, 1792.— At  a  numerous  and  respectable  Meeting  of  the 
principal  Manufacturer^  held  at  the  Union  Tayem,  CSierry  Street,  on 
Thursday  last,  the  23rd  Instant^  for  the  Purpose  of  receiyiuff  the  Beport 
of  the  Committees  and  to  pass  their  Accounts,  as  also  to  cTetermine  in 
what  manner  the  surplus  Balance  remaining  in  Hand  should  be  dis- 
posed of : 

It  1MU  fmojMSioiej^y  lU$olv6d— 

Thai  the  Thanks  of  this  Meeting  and  Trade  at  hip  be  ffiven  to 
those  Gentlemen  that  acted  on  the  Committees,  fiir  theur  indeutigable 
attention  to  promote^  as  fiu*  as  possible,  the  Interest  and  Extension  of 
tiie  Bnckle  Trade  in  general 

That  the  Thanks  of  this  Meeting  and  Trade  at  laige  be  given  to 
those  Qentlemen  who  composed  the  Deputation  appointed  to  present 
the  Petitioiis  from  the  Manufacturers  to  their  Boyal  Highnesses  the 
Prince  of  Wales  and  the  Duke  and  Duchess  of  York,  for  their  firm, 
mlrited|  and  soecessAil  Szertions. 

That  lespeetftii  Letters  be  sent,  by  the  Chairman,  to  B.  B.  Sheri- 
dan, Eso,  llP.  and  to  Mijor  General  Grenville,  expressive  of  the 
grateful  Benae  the  Trade  at  laige  entertain  of  their  kmdness^  shewn 
towards  them  through  the  Persons  of  their  Deputation,  as  also  for 
their  ready  and  polite  Introductk>n  of  those  Gentlemen  to  their  Boyal 
Hl^esses. 

That  the  frdl  money  be  returned  to  such  Subscribers  as  are  not 
Manufrcturers^  accompanied  with  the  Thanks  of  the  Trade  at  large  for 
theur  liberal  Offers. 

That  a  proportionate  Share  of  the  Suiplus  Balance  be  remitted  to 
tiie  Chairman  <tf  the  Committees  at  Walsall  and  Wolverhampton,  to  be 
dinosed  dhj  the  Subscribers  there  in  such  Way  they  approve. 

That  the  whole  Balance  due  to  the  Subscribers  at  Binninsfaam,  be 
riven  in  Household  Bread  to  sudi  of  the  industrious  poor  Workmen 
ttiat  come  well  recommended.  Eadi  Subscriber  to  have  four  Tl^ets ; 
iHiich  Tickets  are  to  be  sent  fiir  1^  the  Subscribers  to  Mr.  Pearson^ 
Printer,  la  the  Hi^^i-street^  In  the  Course  of  the  next  Week,  or  tl^y 
will,  after  that  TimsL  be  disposed  <tf  by  the  Committee  to  such  Fsnons 
as  bring  credltabis  BecommendatJona 

Thomas  Chbrov,  Chairoan  and  Trsasuier. 

.  Our  next  relates  to 


Febraaiy  27,  1792.— Seme  misunderstanding  having  taken  Place 
respecting  the  Bents  of  the  Pews  in  this  Chapel,  the  PubUe  are 

IL  0 


18  A  CENTUBY  OF  BIBMINGHAM  LIFE. 

respeetlolly  informed  thai  FlanB,  with  the  Benta  of  eadi  Eneeliog,  may 
be  Been  at  the  Chapel,  and  at  Mr.  Brooke's,  Temple  Bow,  Krmingham. 
The  inoonyenieQcet  arising  from  improper  People  coming  into  the 
principal  Sittings  will  in  future  be  prevented. 

The  high  price  of  copper  was  now  engaging  the  serious 
attention  of  onr  maniuactuiera  As  we  have  previously 
seen,  various  meetings  were  held  on  the  subject,  and  various 
plans  adopted  to  remedy  such  an  injurious  state  of  prices. 
A  deputation  was  appointed  to  wait  upon  the  Prime 
Minister,  and  on  Marcn  12,  appeared  this  notice  of  the 
result  of  the  interview:: — ^'We  are  happy  to  inform  the 
public  that  the  Minister  paid  every  attention  to  the  plans 
submitted  to  him  by  the  deputation  firom  this  town,  in 
consequence  of  the  niffh  price  of  cop^,  and  he  promised 
that  the  subject  shoiud  have  his  senous  and  iinmfidiat,ft 
consideration." 

The  feelings  produced  by  the  riots,  and  the  irritation 
under  which  the  sufferers  must  have  borne  their  unjust 
losses,  continued  to  betray  themselves.  Dr.  Priestley,  as^ 
we  know,  had  addressed  a  manly  Appeal  to  the  People  of 
Birmingham.  The  Bev.  E.  Bum  undertook  to  proauoe  a 
reply  to  this  letter,  which  was  to  have  been  published  on 
March  26.  In  the  following  announcement^  Mr.  Bum  states 
his  reasons  for  not  issuing  his  brochure  according  to  promise; 
and  they  are  honouraue  to  him  as  a  dexgyman  and  a 
gentleman.  We  fear  there  were  not  many  who  took  part 
in  this  amtroversy  who  would  have  acted  with  the  same 
thoughtful  considmtion : — 

To 


Mr.  Pearaon,— Ab  I  stand  ennged  by  an  advertiaenent  inroinr  paper 
of  last  Monday,  to  pnbliah,  tEia  day,  a  Beply  to  Da.  InuBVLBr's 
AmuL,  L  heg  leave,  ihxoaA  yon,  to  aavon  the  Beaaon  of  my  not 
keeptnff  mjr  Word  wnh  the  Pabfic.  It  has  been  repreeented  to  me^  bjr 
a  fhena  oc  the  Doctor,  that  the  PoMication  of  my  Answer  ao  immedi* 
ately  before  the  Aaiae,  when  there  would  be  no  opportonity  of  replyiiy 
on  ma  Bait,  might  ponbly  create  a  Pkvjndioe  in  um  Public  mind  to  his 
BieadTantage.  and  would  therelove  be  considered  by  hia  Fkienda  as  an 
Act  of  Injustice  to  Dr.  Priestley. 

Aa  there  is  nothing  farthar  from  my  Intention  than  the  wiah  of 
inflnendng  any  Judicial  Pkooedore  that  may  nspeot  Dr.  Priestley,  aa  a 
Sufferer  in  the  late  Bioti^  I  do  f  oir  thii  Beaaon  most  cheerfully  consent 
that  the  Publication  of  my  Beply  be  deferred  tin  this  Day  Se^imght  In 
the  mean  Time^  Sir,  I  takeit  for  mnted  thatno  advantifle  will  m  taken 
of  my  Silencer  mcoosistent  with  thai  Regard  for  Justice  oy  which  I  feel 
my  own  Cowiuct  to  be  inflnenned  in  this  BusineMi 

I  am.  Sir,  yoQi%  E.B«nui. 

Birmingham,  March  M,  1702. 


PUBLIC  LIFE  AND  EVENTS.  19 

Hutton,  from  his  well-known  penurionsness,  was  exposed 
to  some  not  very  pleasant  reports,  to  which  he  thus  re- 
plied:— 

March  SS,  1798.— The  Beports  that  have  heen  eircalated  to  my 
Pkvjndioe  ohlige  me  to  a  Pahlio  Yindicatioii  of  my  claim  of  2402.  as  a 
Oompeoaatioii  for  my  Loes  of  Trade  for  two  months.  I  still  aver  that 
my  Phxfit^  in  the  mst  Instance,  is  1,4402.  a  Tear ;  hat  it  is  not  to 
be  sapposed  that  I  can  revel  in  tms  Annual  Sum.  I  am  oUiged  to  pay, 
as  current  Enences,  for  canying  on  the  Business,  1,0402.  lOe.,  hefore  I 
csn  procure  a  Shilling  for  my  own  Attention  and  Labour,  or  the  Support 
of  my  Eunily.  MvIosb  of  Trade,^  since  the  Biots,  is  more  than  I  nave 
Haiined,  owing  to  the  Want  of  various  sorts  of  Fkper.  As  the  Iknohi- 
ments  were  lost  and  the  Ezpences  remained,  the  Justice  of  my  CSaim 
jmean. 

jThe  Profits  of  nnr  Business  do  not  exceed  Ten  per  Cent,  upon  the 
Cental  emploved ;  for  the  Beasonableness  of  which  I  appeal  to  every 
Merdiant  ana  Manufantorer  in  Birmingham.  That  Capital  at  tho 
Biots  was  14,0002.  Whether  this  Money  was  my  own  or  another^s 
makes  no  Alteration  in  the  Case ;  eveiy  one  knows  7002.  aTear  follows 
this  Sum  as  Conmion  Interest  The  necessary  Salaries  of  my  Servants, 
who  assist  in  the  Business,  amount  to  1962.  lOa,  the  extra  Bent  and 
^Ikxes  SOL,  and  my  annual  Looms  1002.,  as  most  of  the  Attomejrs  in 
Birmini^iam  can  testify.  The  remaining  small  Profit  of  3832.  10k. 
oftener  attends  a  Capital  of  1,4002.  than  14,0002.  W.  Hdttov. 

The  better  supply  of  fish  to  the  town  was  still  engaging 
the  attention  of  our  public  men ;  and  in  April  this  announce- 
ment was  published : — 

Birmingham,  March  21,  1793. — At  a  Meeting  of  Subscribers  for 
proeuriog  a  better  Suf^y  of  Ush  for  this  Market,  it  was  unanimously 
resolved,  at  the  Beoommendation  of  the  Committee,  that  the  whole 
management  of  the  Businesi^  for  one  year  fiom  this  Time,  shall  be  left 
to  six  of  theConmiittee^  who  have  ffenerously  offned  to  undertake  it. 
The  Public  are  therefore  informed  that  a  constant  Supply  of  Fish  will 
continue  to  be  obtained  and  sold  on  the  usual  low  Terms  at  the  New 
Fish  Shop^  in  Bull  Street  W.  V illsbs^  Chairman. 

Items  of  riot  news  still  appear.     The  first  extract  points 

oat  one  of  the  difficulties  wtach  arose  in  the  settlement  of 

claims ;  and  the  other  speaks  well  for  the  High  Bailiff: — 

April  0,  17951. — ^The  difference  between  the  original  daims  on  the 
Honored  and  those  made  in  Court  was  oceasioned,  it  seenu^  partly 
by  its  rapearing  on  the  triab  oi  the  preceding  week  that  the  per 
entom  diaiged  on  the  whole  esUmateiu  and  some  other  chaigea^  could 
not,  upon  the  eonstraction  of  the  AcL  be  allowed ;  and  partly  by  some 
of  the  sollersn  deducting  fiv  goods  found  or  returned  since  the  first 
daha  was  made. 

April  16^  1798.— We  have  the  pleasuie  to  hear  that  the  High-Baillff; 
and  many  other  Friends  of  the  late  unHartunate  Mr.  Ashwin.  (who 
died  in  consequence  of  a  wound  received  durinff  the  riots)  intend 
opening  a  Subscription  in  this  Town  for  the  Benefit  of  his  relict  and 
h«r  fionUy  of  eight  children ;  there  can  be  but  fow  Instances  In  which 


20  A  CENTURY  OF  BIBMIKGHAH  LIFE. 

the  txmerolent  inliabitaiits  of  the  towo,  and  neigfabourboody  can  be 
more  powetfolly  called  upon  to  nnite. 

The  next  quotation  has  reference  to  the  Copper  and 

Brafis  trades: — 

Bizminghaniy  April  20, 1792. — ^At  a  Meetmg  of  the  Merehante  and 
principal  Mannfiu^nrers  of  this  Town,  Coneomera  of  Copper  and  finun^ 
field  tniB  Daj  at  the  Hotel,  pnraoant  to  pablic  Advertieemente ; 
Mr.  y  iLLERfl  in  the  Chair ; 

The  Chairman  having  read  the  Besolationa  of  the  Meeting  held  at 
the  Shakespeare  Tavern  on  the  2S&nd  of  Febroary  lasL  which  was 
convened  for  the  pmrpoee  of  taking  into  consideration  the  nigh  Price  of 
Copper,  and  of  consulting  on  the  means  proper  to  be  pnrsned  for 
removing  the  EviL  having  also  laid  beibre  tne  Meeting  an  Accoont  of 
the  Proceedings  m  the  Deputation  appointed  at  that  mrmer  Meetings 
«id  the  Answer  received  from  the  Mmiiter ; 

The  fellowiag  Besolntions  passed  Unaiiimoasly : 

It  being  the  Opinion  of  this  Meeting  that  great  inconveniences  have 
arisen  to  the  Trade  of  this  Town  fifom  the  present  high  .Price  of 
Copper,  and  that  still  greater  inconvenleoces  are  likely  to  foUow,  nnless 
some  e&ctoal  Measures  are  speedily  taken  to  prevent  them, 

Besdved  Ist^ — ^That  this  Meeting  entirely  approve  the  BeeolntionB 
of  the  Merdiants  and  Manufacturers  passed  at  the  Shakeqieare  Tkvem^ 
oh  the  22nd  of  February  last^  on  this  soljeet 

Second,  That  ttus  Meeting  also  approve  the  Measures  taken  by  the 
Dentation,  and  desire  them  to  accept  Iha  Thanks  of  this  Meeting  for 
thmr  conduct 

Thud,  That  the  Thanks  of  this  Meeting  be  also  presented  to  Sir 
Bobert  JLawlev,  Bart,  and  Sir  Qeonee  Shuckbuigh,  Bart,  for  tho 
Assistance  whun  they  afforded  to  the  iMpntation. 

Fourth,  That  a  Committee  be  appoisted  finr  the  further  Conduct  of 
this  Borinesa^  that  they  be  desired  to  iq^piy  to  the  neiglibonring  Towns 
lor  their  Concurrence,  and  that  five  be  oompetent  to  act 

Fifth,  That  a  Subscription  be  inmiedlateiy  entered  into  lor  defraying  * 
the  Expenses  already  incurred,  and  to  be  incniTsd  in  this  Badness. 

Sixth,  That  the  thanks  of  the  Meethig  be  presented  to  the 
Chairman. 

A  Committee  was  accordingly  appofaited,  and  a  Subscription  was 
inmiediately  opened  by  the  Company  present^  twelve  of  whom  under- 
took to  obtain  Subscriptions  from  such  as  were  absent 

The  result  of  the  interview  with  Mr.  Pitt  is  given  on 
May  14.  The  editor  is  "  happy  to  hear  th^t  the  Gentlemen 
deputed  from  this  Town  to  wait  upon  Mr.  Pitt  respecting 
the  price  of  Copper,  having  had  a  second  interview  with 
that  Qentleman,  on  Wednesday  last,  entertain  hopes  of 
succesa*' 

Trading  on  the  Lord's  Day  continaed  to  give  trouble 
to  the  authorities,  and  to  all  the  orderly  and  decent 
inhabitants : — 

BOTCHBRS^  PuBUCUUrS,  AMD  HUUMTJUML 

The  Churchwardens  of  this  Town  are  very  sony  to  observe,  thai 
the  Butchery  Hockstere,  Publicans,  ^e.,  still  continue  to  exercise  their 


PUBLIC  LIFE  AND  EYENTSw  21 

TndoB  on  the  LoitTs  Day,  notwithstanding  thflr  have  had  Notice,  both 
peiaonallj  and  by  Public  Advertieement^  of  ue  Consequence  of  their 
oontinning  sach  practioes.  Some  of  the  Batchers  have  been  presented 
at  the  Court  of  Lichfield,  and  paid  a  heavy  Fine,  which  they  nope  will 
bave  the  desiied  eflfoet^  in  preventing  others  offianding  in  fhtore^  for 
they  are  detennined  to  present  all  uiose  ,who  do  not  pay  a  proper 
B^ard  to  this  Notice.    Birmingham,  May  7, 1792. 

There  was  a  dispate  in  the  shoe  trade,  this  year,  but  of 
the  merits  of  the  quarrel  we  have  no  information.  The  cause 
was,  as  is  usual,  the  rate  of  wagea  According  to  the 
following  advertisement,  the  masters  appear  to  have  acted 
with  a  high  hand  :— 

Ifay  14^  1792.— At  a  Qeneral  Meeting  <^  the  Master  Shoemakers  oi 
the  Town  of  Birmingham,  It  was  resolved  nnanimoosly,  That  we  wHI 
Bot  sahmit  to  oar  Joomeymen  in  their  present  very  unreasonable 
Demand  of  an  Advance  of  Waffes^  as  the  Prices  already  given  are 
eqoal,  and  in  some  Instances  hi^er,  than  in  most  other  Plsyoes  in  the 
Emgdom* 

K.  K  Every  Enconragement  will  be  given  to  sober  and  indostrioos 
Workmen. 

On  June  18,  this  unwelcome  anounoement  was  pub- 
lished:— 


It  is  with  the  |[reatest  Beloctance  that  we  are  now  onder  the 
disagreeable  Necessity  of  informing  our  Friends^  and  the  Pnblic  in 
genoal,  that  owinff  not  only  to  the  veir  exorbitant  Price  of  Leather, 
Sot  evny  other  Artfde  niade  Use  of  in  the  Trade,  and  the  great 
Biffienltv  of  pordiasing  those  Materials,  even  with  readv  money,  we 
are  absolntely  necessitated  to  relinqush  the  Practice  of  giving  Credit 

We  are  senuble  this  Information  will  be  disafreeaUe  to  many ;  bnt 
we  are  Mly  convinced,  that  were  evenr  unprejoaiced  and  dtspassionate 
Person  thoroaghly  informed  of  the  Oanses  whidi  compel  ns  to  do  i^ 
they  woold  certainly  acqoiesce  with  as  in  the  Measures  we  are  now 
admsting.  {Signed  bv  66  Persons.) 

Also  wanted  a  Number  of  Journeymen  in  the  above  Branch  of 
Bosjnsss;  steady  Men  will  meet  with  every  Enoonrsgement. 
— Birmingham^  Jmie^  179S. 

As  the  time  of  the  Anniversary  of  the  taking  of  the 

Bastille  drew  near,  fears  were  entertained  that  another 

attempt  would  be  made  to  celebrate  that  glorious  event. 

Accordingly  the  following  notice  that  no  such  attempt 

would  be  made  was  issued : — 

Birmingham,  Jane  8, 1798. — A  Report  having  been  prooMated  thai 
it  b  intended  to  celebrate  the  Commemoration  of  the  Frenen  Uevolvtioa 
in  this  Town,  on  the  14th  of  Jaly  next  ensuing— it  is  hereby  declared 
by  those  who  promoted  the  last  Anniversary  that  the  said  Report  is 

Eindlsss.  And  althongh  they  have  seen  no  Reason  to  ^ange  their 
timenti^  that  thsy  ongnt  to  rejoice,  as  men,  at  the  Eouneipation  of  so 
many  of  tbrnr  leUow  Men  from  the  MSssries  of  a  Government  anivenally 
allowed  to  be  tyrannical :  or,  tn  Britons  and  good  Citisens,  that  the 


22  A  CSNTUBT  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

beneficial  Coiweqiienoes  of  the  French  BeTolntion  to  the  Commerce  and 
to  the  Finances  of  this  Country,  by  preventinff  Foreign  Wan,  haTe  been 
already  ieit,  and  ha^e  contribnted  to  the  National  Peace  and 
Fmsperitx — yet  they  are  too  mneh  the  IViende  of  Peace  and  Order 
to  endanger  the  public  TruK^nillity  in  the  present  CtvoB.  They 
condiide  this  AdTcrtieement  with  the  same  sentiment  as  they  began 
their  last  Meeting,  by  declaring  their  Loyalty  to  ^  the  Khtf  and 
Constitatik>n/'*  their  attachment  to  which  remains  unaltered  not- 
withstandinff  the  Injuries  which  some  of  them  haTe  recdVed  from  the 
temporary  Delnsion  of  then:  Townsmen. 

Here  ib  an  entry  worth  preserving : — 

July  9, 179£.— Died.  On  Friday  last,  in  Digbeth,  in  this  town,  in 
the  103rd  year  of  his  i^  John  Boberts,  who  retained  his  ftculties  to 
the  huitp  ana  followed  his  employment  within  a  few  weeks  of  his  death. 
This  eztnordinaiy  old  man  married  three  wiTss,  by  Hhom  he  had 
S8  diildrea  $  he  was  neariy  80  when  he  manied  last^  and  had  six  of 
the  diildven  by  her. 

The  damage  done  by  the  riots  was — or  at  least  the 
amount  allowed  by  the  court  was— £26^61  2a  Sd.  The 
rate  was  levied  on  the  Hundred  of  Hemlingford,  and  the 
foUowiDg  is  the  account  of  the  plan  adopted: — 

July  S3,  1792.— At  a  Meetinff  <tf  the  Maffistrates  resident  in,  and 
acting  for.  the  Hundred  of  Hemlingford,  in  Sie  Oonnty  of  Warwick, 
the  86th  dar  of  July,  1798,  at  thelSWan  Inn.  in  OoleshilL 

BesolTW^  That  for  the  purpose  of  ralshig  the  different  Sums 
reooTersd  against  the  Inhabitants  of  this  Hundred,  for  the  late  Riots 
at  Krmlpgham,  by  an  equal  and  impartial  Bate^  the  OonstaUes,  Orer- 
•eers,  and  other  Offieen^  acting  under  the  diffetent  Aets  of  Flsriiament 
for  raisiqg  the  Leries  withhi  the  TnUbm  in  this  Hundred,  berequired 
to  make  a  Beturn  of  th^  several  Bates  and  Assesanenta. 

Besotted,  That  it  appears  to  this  MeetiQg  that  a  Statement  of  the 
Poor  Levies  and  Window  Assessments,  in  the  diibient  Ftokhes  within 
the  Hundred,  are  the  most  likely  Means  to  obtain  sneh  Knowledfpe  as 
wHl  enable  them  to  make  an  equal  Bate. 

ATuonoBO.  R  MoLAim. 

B.  NiwnnsAn.     T.  Gauk 
1£  Saduol  R 


This  year  was  remarkable  for  the  introduction  of  banradcs 
for  the  anny.  The  grievances  of  the  billeting  system  had 
become  intolerable ;  and  it  was  qMdally  injmioos  to  the 
character  of  the  soldier  and  the  discipline  of  the  army. 
On  August  17, 1792,  we  read  :— 

"With  the  libend  view  of  relieTing  the  Publicans  of  large  townS|  upon 
whom  s  nnmber  of  horse  and  other  soldien  are  oftantimes  very  meon- 
Vfolently  quartered,  GoTemment  ba^  adopted  the  plan  of  erecting 
Bairadca^  where  they  will  be  lodged,  and  prmde  lor  tnemselTes.  They 
have  aliesdy,  we  nndentand,  begun  to  build  them  at  Manehester, 

^  This  wai  the  tot  4*oest  at  ths  HMl,  IM  Jnlf  ,  17f  1. 


PUBLIC  LIFE  AND  EYElITa  23 

Sheffield  and  Nottiiigham ;  Mid  last  week  Colonel  De  Lanoey  agreed 
with  Mr.  Brooke  lor  foar  acres  of  his  land,  at  Ashted,  to  erect  the 
bairadoB  upon,  near  this  town  ;  the  spot  is  highly  approved  hy  all  the 
offieers  who  have  snrreyed  it ;  and  the  adjacent  land  wUl,  no  doabt, 
soon  be  eorered  with  other  buildings. 

The  first  stone  of  the  Birmingham  Barracks  was  laid  on 
Angost  28, 1792. 

IHie  minute  and  detailed  nature  of  the  taxes,  at  this 
unhappy  period,  was  fearfully  troublesome  and  irritating  to 
tradesmen.  Almost  every  article  of  use  and  of  luxury  was 
taxed  The  consequence  was,  that  there  were  many  oppor- 
tunities for  the  dishonest  tradesman  to  evade  the  lawa  This 
seems  to  have  been  especially  the  case  with  hats  and  gloves; 
and  the  following  report  of  a  meeting  of  these  trades  affords 
us  a  good  picture  of  the  troubles  of  the  times : — 

Shakbbpxarb  Tatkrit. 

Birminj^ham,  Sept  Se»  1792.— At  a  Meeting  of  the  Betailen  of 
Hati  and  Qloree^  conTened  bj  adTertlaement^  held  here  this  da/; 
Beeolred  imanimowaly.  That  we,  whoae  names  are  hereonto  annexed, 
well  aware  of  the  great  Iinarj  sustained, — ^not  onlj  to  the  Bevenne  of 
that  Goremment  under  which  we  live,  bat  to  the  fair  and  oonadentions 
Trader,  hj  the  very  partial  HeUiod  in  which  the  Labels  on  Hats  and 
Gloves  are  at  present  made  use  of  or  evaded,  do  pledge  ouvelves  to 
GovenuneBi.  to  the  PaUio^  and  to  each  other,  that  we  will  not  sell,  in 
fator^  any  Hats  or  Gloves  without  the  proper  Stamps  being  propm  v 
affizea;  sod  as  bv  sach  a  Beaolntion  we  are  fblly  sensible  we  shall 
materially  sailer  m  oar  Bosinees  if  others  in  the  trade  continne  to 
pursoe  a  difleient  Coarse,  and  sell  withoat  Stamps ;  we  farther  resolve 
that^  in  Jostiee  to  oanelves  and  Familiei^  ahoald  anv  sadi  Instances 
oome  to  oar  KnowledM  we  shall  think  oarselves  tally  justified  in 
giving  immediate  InteUiflence  to  the  Committee^  that  thev  mav  inform 
tlie  proper  Offieers,  who  nave  promised  at  this  Meeting  tnat  they  will 
use  theur  utmost  Ekdeavoars  to  convict  the  Offenders. 

At  this  time,  one  of  the  most  shameful  charges  that  could 
lie  made  against  an  Englishman,  was  made  against  a  Bir- 
mingham Manufacturer.  Mr.  OUl  was  charged  with  having 
made  daggers  for  the  French.  As  they  are  curiously 
illustrative  of  the  times,  we  quote  ,tbe  8ta4;ement  and  the 
defence: — 

October  S8,  1798.— An  illiberal  and  onfoanded  article  having  ap- 
peared in  a  late  London  prints  TJke  Sun^  reflecting  on  the  reputation  of 
Mr.  GilL  of  this  towiLcharginffhim  wittimanafiiSarinff  80,000  daners 
finr  Dr.  MaxweD,  of  London,  «&,  (sapposed  for  the  french  Jaeobins) 
we  have  his  aathori^  to  contradict  it  in  direct  terms.  It  is  trae  a 
person  of  the  name  <^  ICazwell  did  call  apon  him,  and  the  other  sword* 
naken  of  this  places'  for  the  parposs  of  ordering  daggersi  all  of  whom 

them  §0T 


eqoally  ready  to  make  them  fn-  him,  as  wul  more  fbllv  appear  in 
Mr.  Gilrs  statement  rffkctSL  whidi  he  has  already  sent  to  ttie  paper  in 
iHiich  the  fidsshood  originaliy  appealed. 


24  A  CENTURY  OF  BIBHINGHAH  LIFE. 

Mr.  Gill's  reply  appeared  in  the  next  paper  .' — 

Dr.  Maxwell's  Daooebs. 
To  th$  Printers  of  Arii$  Birmingham  OazetU. 

Sir, — Much  having  been  said  on  the  Subject  of  Dr.  Maxwell's 
DsAgexs,  in  whioh  my  Name  has  been  nnjostly  tradncedy  I  request  yoa 
wiiliDsert  the  following  fair  Statement  in  jolir  next  Paper. 

Thomas  Gilu 

Birmingham,  October  52d»  1793.~On  Monday,  the  10th  of  September, 
which  proves  to  be  two  Days  before  the  intended  Meeting;  of  the 
Doctor  nimaelf  I  then  knew  nothing  at  all,  a  Peison  called  on  me,  who 
said  his  Name  was  William  Maxwell,  that  he  wanted  some  Daggers 
(mounted  with  Handles  and  Scabbards  comidete}  whidi  he  then  de- 
scribed, and  which  he  sapposed  to  be  in  mj  line  of  Mannfactore  as  a 
Sword-maker ;  that  he  haa  already  been,  with  Meesra  Dawes,  Harvey, 
and  Woolley  (who  are  also  Sword-makexs  at  this  Place),  and  he  requested 
to  know  what  Price  I  could  render  sadi  at.  I  repliea,  that  I  most  first 
oondder  of  it,  and  if  he  called  apdn  I  would  then  inform  him  of  my 
Price.  Immediately  after  this  'hoi.  Dawes  called  npon  me,  and  brought 
a  Dagger  with  him.  whioh  he  had  already  prepared  as  a  Specimen 
for  iK  Maxwell ;  that  he  came  to  consult  with  me  about  the  Prices  of 
such,  as  he  understood  from  Mr.  Maxwell  himself  that  he  would  call 
upon  me  respecting  them ;  Mr.  Dawes  at  the  same  Time  added,  that 
Mr.  Woolley  had  also  been  with  him,  consulting  upon  their  Prices ; 
that  they  had  agreed  the  Price  should  be  228.  per  Dozen,  and  they  both 
requested  I  womd  not  make  them  for  a  less  Irice,  when  I  assured  Mr. 
Dawes  that  I  certainly  would  not  Soon  afterwards  Mr.  Maxwell 
called  upon  me  affain,  and  I  then  informed  him  of  those  Tenns  for  the 
Daggen^  to  whixm  he  did  not  object — said  he  found  we  all  of  us  had 
been  consulting  each  other  upon  the  Business,  but  as  he  preferred  my 
Maoufaoture,  so  he  would  give  all  his  Orderg  to  me,  and  requested  that 
I  would  proceed  in  the  making  o^  at  least,  three  or  four  thousand  of 
them  upon  a  certainty ;  that  he  should  go  to  London  that  Evening,  and 
would  return  to  Binningham  in  about  a  Week  afterward^  when  he 
doubted  not  he  should  confirm  an  Order  to  me  finr  at  least  twenty 
thousand.  A  few  of  these  were  consequently  made ;  but  as  I  neither 
saw  nor  heard  from  Mr.  Maxwell  at  his  appointed  Time  of  retuminff  to 
Binningham,  and  I  having  heard  of  the  disturbance  whidi  happened  on 
the  12th  of  .September,  at  Doctor  Maxwell's  House,  in  London,  I 
instantly  stopped  all  proceedings  in  the  making  of  Daggers.  In 
thii  Interval  Mr.  Dawes  had  waited  upon  me  sgsin,  shewed  me 
an  Undertaking  that  Mr.  Woolley  had  ngned  and  broogfat  to  him, 
whidi  he  had  also  copied,  signed^  and  interehaufled  with  Mr.  Woolly, 
both  of  which  were  as  follows,  except  their  AddroMos  and  Signature 
(viB.>- 

^Mr.  Dawesp— I  have  offered  the  Dagvers  at  22i.  per  Domiy  the 
Boarding  Spikes  at  12k,  with  6  per  GentMoney,  and  shall  not  make 
any  Alteration  without  consulting  you* 

^  Monday,  September  10th,  1792."       (Signed)    Jamis  Woollbt. 

Mr.  Dawes  at  the  same  Time  brofoght  another  exact  copy  of  the  abora 
addressed  to  meL  but  dated  on  the  11th  of  September,  signed  by  himself 
only,  and  said  it  was  Mr.  Woolley's  Bequest,  as  also  his  own.  that  I 
would  give  him  another  to  the  same  Teuor  and  Purport^  ^gned  by  me^ 


PUBLIC  LIFE  AND  EVENTa  25 

for  their  matual  aatisiaction  in  thia  BosineML  which  I  immediately 
complied  with,- and  gaye  to  Mr.  Dawei^  and  whion  is  literally  as  under: — 
''Ifr.  Dawes,  I  have  oSend  theDaggen  at  22b.  per  Dozen,  the  Boarding 
Spikes  at  12B.,with  5  per  cent.  Disoount  for  Money;  and  shall  not  make  any 
Alteration  without  consulting  you.  The  ahoye  is  written  purely  to 
correspond  with  your  note  to  me,  as  also  the  one  from  Mr.  WooUey  to 
yourself ;  and  as  you  had  informed  me  that  you  hoth  had  agreed  that 
the  Price  cf  the  Daggers  should  he  22a  per  Dozen  with  5  per  CSsnt. 
Disoount  for  Money,  so  I  determined  not  to  supply  any  of  them  under 
those  Terms,  and  I  naye  Orders  for  some  Thousanas  of  them  upon  the 
aboye  terms ;  and  as  I  had  been  consulted  through  you  (whid^  in  this 
CSase  I  conttder  as  by  both  of  you)  I  hereby  liberally  |Ht>pose  to  boUi 
of  TOO,  that  either  or  both  are  welcome  to  make  as  many  of  them  as 
ettoer  or  both  may  wish  to  undertake.  (Signod)    Tbouab  Qill, 

*<Btfmingham,  September  l»h,  1792." 

In  the  latter  end  of  September  another  person  eslled  unon  me,  and 
proposed  to  make  himself  responsible  for  the  payment  for  three  or  four 
thousand  of  the  ssme  sort  of  Daggers^  if  I  would  undertake  to  supply 
them  to  him,  upon  which  I  made  this  my  Business  fully  known  to  the 
Treasuiy,  also  sent  one  of  the  Daggers  there ;  and  on  tlM  30th  of 
SejitemDer  I  haye  an  acknowledgment  of  their  Beoeipt  by  a  Letter, 
mm  the  contents  of  whidi  I  feefmyielf  perfectly  at  uhwtj  to  make 
meh  DsAncers,  and  which  there  is  not  a  I>oubt  that  any  or  eyery  one 
of  the  lumufaetorers  of  Swords  or  Daggers  of  this  Pkce  would  readfly 
engage  to  compleat  and  to  mpply.  This  certainly  must  conyince 
eyety  Body  that  I  haye  in  all  in  this  Bosfaisas  acted  consistently:  and 
as  becomes  a  good  CStiaen,  that  my  Neighbours  in  the  Sword  T^nde 
lealiy  are  not  more  yirtuoos  in  this  Daonr  Business  than  mysctf — 
although  the  contrary  has  been  yeiy  roundly  assorted  in  the  Stm. 

Thomas  Qtlu 

In  the  midst  of  all  these  troubles  and  perplexities — ^tbese 

wars  and  ramoors  of  wais — ^it  is  refreshing  to  find  that  ihe 

works  of  chariiy  and  benevolence  were  not  allowed  to  be 

foivotten.    ThnSy  in  October^  the  following  meeting  was 

SocU^  for  tk$  geMfoL  Befitrm  and  Seifmpffari  of  tk€  enminal  and 

dettitMU  Poor  of  Greai  Britain. 
October  29, 1792.— By  deshe  ol'^aeyeral  Subscribers  and  Friends  to 
this  Undertaking:  a  Meeting  is  proposed  to  be  held  at  the  Shakespeare 
Tayem,  Birmingham,  This  Bay,  October  29,  at  Fiye  o*Clock  in  the 
Afternoon,  to  concert  Measures  for  the  most  eflbotoal  support  of  a  Place 
of  so  much  Importance  to  the  whole  Kingdom,  and  the  Attendance  Is 
requested  of  SQ(»  Gentiemen  as  widi  to  forward  this  Design. 

The  next  three  extracts  explain  themselves.  They  afford 
another  illnstration  of  the  eneivy  with  which  the  Birming- 
ham people  always  oooperatea  to  remove  an  evil,  or  to 
sapply  a  want: — 

Birminghami  Noyember  IStfa,  1798.— Between  two  and  three  o'ckMk 
yesterday  mormng  a  most  alannlng  fire  broke  out  in  the  workshops  of 
lir.  CShamberlain,  cooper,  in  Bread-s&eet^  which  almost  entirely  destroyed 
the  samey  and  consumed  a  great  number  of  casks^  all  the  toolS|  and  a 


26  JL  GENTUBY  OF  BIBMINOHAH  LIFE. 

quantity  of  timber,  before  it  oonld  be  extiii^aishedy  notwithstanding  the 
speedy  aasistfaiee  of  the  inhabitants,  and  uie  attendance  of  the  omoeis 
and  privates  of  the  Oxford  Blues,  quartered  here,  to  whose  conduct  upon 
this,  and  STexy  other  recent  similar  occasion,  tihe  town  must  hold  itself 
infinitely  oblised.  There  is  cTexy  reason  to  beliere  the  premises 
were  maliciously  set  on  fire.  Another  timber  yard  of  Mr.  CSiamberlain's 
was  attempted  to  be  fired  about  three  weeks  up}  :  and  the  vile  incen- 
diaries contrived,  under  cover  of  the  darkness  of  the  night,  whilst  it  was 
coming  or  when  it  arrived,  to  cut  in  two  the  brass  pipe  of  one  of  the 
engines,  in  order  to  prevent  its  playing. 

Fmr  PoniiD6  Bewjlbd  fob  Discovbrt  or  Ihoendiabies. 

Birmingham,  November  11, 1792. — Many  attempts  of  the  same  Idnd 
having  beoi  recently  made  in  that  Neigbourhood,  there  is  great  Beason 
to  ^>prehend  that  the  alarming  Fire  which  happened  this  Morning  in 
Breaa-street|  New-market,  was  wilfully  occasioned.  I  do  hereby,  on 
behalf  of  the  Town,  offer  a  Beward  of  Fi^  Pounds  to  buj  Person  by 
whose  Inf onnataon  the  Pez|>etrators  of  this  atrocious  Villainy  may  be 
brought  to  Justice,  and  oonvicted  thereof. 

T.  CooFSB,  Hii^-Bailiff. 

November  20, 1792. — ^In  consequence  of  the  late  Fire  in  Bread-street 
(with  the  probably  wicked  Occasion  of  itX  together  with  the  many 
Disturbances  itom  Nightiv  Depredators,  a  Meeting  was  held  at  Mr. 
Ghamberiain's,  In  BreM  Street^  on  Monday,  November  12,  which  was 
numerous  and  veir  respectable,  when  it  was  determined  to  estaWsh  a 
Nightly  Patrol,  and  the  following  Besolntions  were  entered  and  passed : — 

Besolved,  1. — ^That  a  Ckmimittee^  consisting  of  Eighty,  be  appointed 
to  conduct  the  Nifht  Patrol  <^  District  No  ^  in  Newbali  Straet,  and 
•neh  Dmhbooring  tranches  as  are  specified  in  a  Plan  of  the  Dirtrict 

2.— l£at  the  Laws  of  District  Na  1,  be  strictly  adhered  to  in  this  ; 
and  that  CSbpies  of  the  same  be  printed  as  soon  as  possible,  and  dis- 
tributed to  each  Subsoriber. 

3. — ^Tbat  the  under-mentioned  G^entlemen  bmn  the  Patrol  this 
Evening  >— Messrs.  Homer,  Townsend,  Shore,  and  Beilby. 

4.— That  a  Ni^t  Constable  be  appointed  to  aeoompanv  the  PatroL 

5.— That  the  Move  Besolutions  be  published  in  eaoi  of  the  Birming- 
ham Papers. 
November  22;  1792.  W.  Bblbt,  Chainnan. 

All  Binningbam  people  who  looked  at  the  Gazette  on 
NoYember  26,  1792,  would  read  with  pleasure  ''that  Dr. 
Withering,  who  lately  left  this  place  on  account  of  ill 
health,  is  safely  arrived  in  Lisbon,  after  a  pleasant  passage 
of  twelve  dajTs  from  Falmouth.''  Dr.  Withering  was  one  of 
the  earliest  and  most  eminent  of  tbe  physicians  of  the 
Qomal  Hospital  In  Mr.  Bunce's  useful  little  book  we 
have  the  following  account  of  this  local  ^worthy*' : — 

^  We  owe,"  writes  Mr.  Bonoe,  ''to  Dr.  Withering  anotherof  the  first 


four  Physidans,  the  introdnction  into  praetioe  of  DigitaUs.  or  "  The  Fox- 
glove,"* a  boon  whidi  it  is  dilBcnlt  to  estimate  too  hignly,  and  which 
will  senre  as  eanisr  of  his  reputation  to  a  remote  posteri^.    He  was 

«  Binnla^iam :  K.  Swinnaj,  1780. 


PX7BLIC  LIFE  AND  EVENTa  27 

one  of  the  most  eminent  Rngliah  botamste  of  his  tune^  and  wrote  a  laive 
woric,  in  two  Tolumee,  on  '^The  YegetableB  whidi  grow  in  England,''* 
oompriaing  a  fall  account  of  the  botanical  characterB,  the  medical 
prc^ertieBy  and  eoonomic  naee  of  oar  indigenoua  plants.  It  is  dated 
1776^  three  yean  onlj  before  hia  election  to  the  HospitaL  The  pre&ce 
18  Tery  intereatingy  and  written  with  incomparable  modeety.  In  it  he 
makes  the  cariona  oonf earion  that  much  of  what  was  then  Imown  of  the 
medical  oaes  of  rwtMM  was,  in  fact,  but  little  more  than  mere 
supcratiUan  and  TiiJgar  tradition,  and  expressed  his  oonTiction  that  a 
thorough  examination  by  competent  observers  of  their  reputed  pro- 
perties was  quite  indispensable  to  exact  knowledga  Of  uie  former 
nbot  his  book  abounds  m  illustratioiis.  Among  the  rest  we  find  that 
tlie  Tery  funiHar  and  safe  bitter,  known  to  all  doctors,  nurses  (and  many 
brewers,  we  fear),  under  the  name  of  Gentian,  waa  reputed,  in  1770,  to 
po— BSi  the  power  of  producing  ^sdnrhosities  of  the  liver,  palsy,  and 
j^xiplexy  I "  Of  the  latter  necessity,  and  of  the  great  advantages  oon- 
neeted  therewith,  Dr.  Withering  himself  nTe  us  a  shining  instance  by 
his  investu^tion  oonoeminff  I^xglove.  He  was  oonnectod  wjth  the 
Hospital  thirteen  years,  ana  must  nave  greatly  contributed  to  its  early 
reputation.  There  is  a  Tenr  good  monument,  with  a  bust  of  him,  in  the 
Old  Church,  at  £dgbaBton.^t 

The  following  extracts  famish  12s  with  a  cnrions  incident 
in  connection  with  the  riots.  The  persons  concerned  had 
evidently  taken  their  time  in  explaining  the  affiur  to  the 
paUic: — 

December  8,  179S.— Eftcts  BespecUnf  the  Water  Engines  of  St 
liartin'a  Fteish,  during  the  Time  of  the  fiiots. 

On  the  14th  of  July,  1791,  Joseph  Neal,  who  has  the  Gue  of  these 
EngfaMi^  had  been  exhibiting  Fire  Worka  at  Vauxhall,  and  in  his 
Botntn  was  insulted  by  the  Bioters  eugaged  in  burning  the  New 
Meeting  House,  who  threatened  Destruction  to  him  and  the  Bugines  if 
they  were  brought  fi>r  the  purpose  of  extinguishing.  Mr.  W. 
Homphrevi^  and  hia  Nephew,  went^  about  Eleven  in  the  Evening  to 
demand  the  Engines  ai  Samuel  Brooke,  were  referred  by  him  to  the 
Gbnrdiwarden%  and  when  their  Order  waaobtidned.  Samuel  Brooke 
gate  all  possiUe  Asdstance,  and  Neal  was  waiting  at  tne  Engine  House 
with  the  keys  In  his  hand.  The  Engines  were  taken  along  a  Fisrt  of 
Edgbaston-etoeet^  but  Mr.  W.  Hnmphreyi^  and  his  Nephew,  soon 
disMmared;  Mr.  Mjies  followed  their  example;  upon  whidi,  Mr. 
Wiail]%  and  hk  two  Son%  ordered  Neal  to  take  the  Engmes  baek  again. 
The  meral  eiy  of  the  People,  In  the  mean  Time^  waa  that  the  T^y^^tf 
would  be  uaeleas,  and  that  Neal  would  be  In  danaer  of  losinff  his  life. 
Am  toon  as  the  Engines  were  brought  baek,  S.  Bro^  wrote  a  Letter,  In 
the  Testiy,  to  the  Beetor.  at  Sc^hull,  with  whidi  J.  Neal's  Son  set 
<Nit^  at  one  of eloek  In  the  Morning,  on  Foot  The  Beetor,  bef^  the 
Beoaipi  of  this  Letter,  was  a  Stranger  to  all  the  FkoeeedinA  had  given 
no  Oraers  whatsoerer  respecting  tne  Enginei^  and  the  first  tIaM  he 
Interftred  waa  In  the  Oonrw  of  the  following  Day,  when  he  ordered 
them  to  be  taken  to  Mr.  Byland's  Honss^  but  witnont  Sooeesi^  as  the 

^  Of  this  work  a  Wfh  Edition,  in  4  toU.,  was  pubHsfaed  In  ISlS. 
t  The  BlrBdiM;hsm  General  Hospital,  and  Triennial  Mudcal  Fastltals. 
P^J.T.BnMeJ  VhU^PL 


28  A  CENTUBY  OF  BIBiaNGHAM  LIFE. 

Rioters  would  not  snffer  them  to  be  nfled.  Two  of  the  Enginee  had, 
however,  been  played  with  effect,  for  two  honn,  finom  Eiffht  till  Ten, 
of  the  16th  of  July,  npon  the  Buildings  adjoining  to  the  Old  Meeting 
Hoose. 

Saxuxl  Bbookb, 
Birmingham,  Deoember  1, 1792.  JoesPB  Kxal. 

A  Stateuxnt, 

Occasioned  hj  a  Misrepresentation  of  Fads,  relative  to  the  honid  Blots 

of  1791. 

Mr.  Printer,  Sir, — ^In  your  CkueUe  of  Monday,  the  3rd  instan^  I 
find  myself  mentioned  in  some  Paragraphs,  intiUed  Faets^  resneciing 
the  Water  Engines  of  St  Martin'iL  fta,  to  whidi  the  Names  of  S.  Brooke, 
and  J.  Neal,  are  subjoined.  I  ao  not  mean,  Sur,  to  enter  into  anv 
Altercation  with  these  Personi^  bat  oi^  to  assure  the  Pablic  that  it  is 
a  misrepresentation,  except  in  those  CSrcnmstances  in  whidi  it  a^nves 
with  the  Aoooant  given  oy  the  Bev.  J.  Edwards,  in  Psge  343  of  his 
last  Letter  in  the  Britiih  ifaUon^  Na4.  where  the  Fnblie  will  find  them 
properly  and  truly  stated,  and  of  which  the  following  is  a  Copy. 

I  am,  Sir,  youn^  &&, 

William  HuxPHREra. 

Next  week  we  learn  that  a  new  engine  had  been 
presented  to  the  town : — 

December  24, 1792. — The  Boyal  Ezdiange  Assurance  Company  have 
resented  an  Engine  to  this  Town,  which  Is  kept  at  the  wanhouae  of 
rs.  Salt,  in  Oongreve^treet 

This  year  closed,  and  the  new  ^ear  opened  with  the 
usual  distress,  and  the  usual  activity* in  its  relieC  On 
January  7, 1793,  we  read  that  the  ^  benevolent  subscription 
of  the  inhabitants  for  supplying  the  poor  with  bread  at 
half-price  already  exceeds  the  sum  of  £1,300/* 

It  was  proposed  to  make  a  canal  fix>m  this  town  to 
Warwick,  and  some  of  the  inhabitants  foolishly  thought 
that  such  a  project  would,  if  carried  out^  raise  the  price  of 
coals,  and  consequently  it  was  their  duty  to  oppose  the 
schema  This  narrow- sighted  policy  found  expression  at 
a  meeting,  of  which  the  following  is  the  report : — 

Birmingham.  Jannaiy  25^  1793. — ^At  a  nnmerooa  Meeting  of  the 
Inhabitants  of  thii  Town,  held  at  the  Hotel  In  Temple  Bow,  In  pnxsoanoe 
of  an  Advertisement  inserted  bj  Mr.  William  BMrn,  Oonitable,  in  the 
Birmingkam  CknnUcle  of  Yetterdaj,  requesting  their  Attendanee 
there  at  Three  o'Glod^  to  take  into  OonsiderslSm  the  probable  ill 
oonaeqoenoee  of  the  intended  Ckaal  finom  Birmingham  to  Warwid^ 
and  how  &r  snch  CSuial  will  affeet  the  FHoe  of  OcMua  in  Biimiagham : 
Mr.Barrs  was  called  to  the  Chair,  and  the  following  Besolations  ptawd 
onanimooaly : — 

ReiolTed,  Oliat  it  is  the  Opinion  of  this  Meeting,  that  the  intended 
Gknal  from  Birmingham  to  Warwick  will  open  an  anditional  Drain  fyr 


^ 


taking  Ckwls  firom  Uie  Collieries  bj  whieb  Birmingham  is  sapplied. 


PUBLIC  LIFE  AND  EVENTS.  29 

That  it  18  the  Doty  of  erenr  Izihabitant  of  the  Town  to  oppose  a 
Measure  {ve^nant  with  so  mach  Misdiief  to  the  Manafaetnrersy  and 
evidently  so  mjarious  to  the  Inhabitants  at  large. 

That  a  Petition  he  presented  to  Parliament^  on  Behalf  of  the 
Inhabitants  of  the  Town,  against  the  said  intended  CSanal  from 
Birmingham  to  Warwick. 

A  Petition  to  Parliament  against  the  Bill  for  ""^^'"g  a  CSanal  from 
Birmingham  to  Warwiek  beinf  now  read, 

Besf^Ted,  That  such  Petition  be  adopted  as  the  Petition  of  the 
Inhabitants  of  the  Town.  That  the  Members  for  the  Coontj  be 
raqnerted  to  present  and  support  the  Petition  ;  and  that  the  Ohainnan 
be  requested  to  wait  npon  them  with  the  same,  together  with  a  Copy 
of  th«M  Besolations. 

That  these  fiesolntioDS  be  signed  by  the  Chairman  on  behalf  of  the 
Meeting,  and  that  they  be  pablished  in  the  two  Birmingham,  the 
Covent^,  Oxford,  and  some  or  the  London  Papers. 

Tliat  the  Thanks  of  this  Meeting  be  given  to  the  Chairman  for  his 
ready  Consent  to  oonvene  this  ifoeting  when  requested,  and  for  his 
polite  attention  to  the  Business. 

William  Babbs^  Chairman. 

The  time  had  long  sinoe  arrived  when  the  two  constables 

were  found   inadequate  to  look  after  the  safety  and  to 

preserve  the  security  of  the  town.    The  inhabitants  had,  in 

some  measure,  supplied  the  defidency,  by  providing  and 

paying  night  ^Mtrols.    It  was  now  resolved  to  seek  the  aid 

of  Paniament  m  obtaining  a  police  bill    On  Februaiy  18, 

1793,  this  intimation  of  the  met  appeared : — 

We  hear  a  police,  hill  fixr  }his  town  is  intended  to  he  htooght  into 
Pariiament  the  present  sessiont,  and  that  Joseph  CSarles%  Esq.,  and 
the  Bev.  Dr.  Spencer,  are  to  be  two  of  the  magistrates  appointed 
therein* 

Here  is  an  instance  of  the  fimaticism  of  the  time,  and  an 

example  of  one  of  the  methods  adopted  in  displaying  it : — 

Ton  Pautk. 

Fehmarj  18, 1703. — On  Tuesday  last,  a  weU-dressed  repressntation  of 
the  Author  of  ''The  Bi^tsof  Man,*  with  that  woik  in  one  hand,  a  pair 
of  stajs  under  his  ann,  and  a  label  at'his  back,  exprearing  **  The  Arch- 
traitor,  Tom  Paine,  Erskine^s  Client,*  was  exhibited  through  the  prin- 
cipal streets  of  this  town ;  he  was  attended  by  two  chimney-sweepers 
one  of  whom,  in  a  graTe  clerical  wig,  alternately  exhorted  and  pravea 
for  him  with  great  sokmni^,  and  wiped  the  tears  from  his  eyes;  hut 
the  culprit,  on  the  imroach  oi  death,  as  in  his  life,  seemed  to  pay  but 
little  attention  to  religious  exercises.  He  was  hanged  on  a  ^^ows 
twenty  feet  hi^  suiitmnded  with  fiiggjoti ;  but  the  wei|^t  of  his  trea- 
lnwakin|[  the  rope,  he  was  torn  in  pieces  by  the  indignant  spectators, 


and  thrown  mto  tlie  fire.    After  exjn'esttng  their  loyal^  l^  singing 

xnconise  ct  people,  which  was  yenr 


''God  save  the  King/*  Ac.,  the  conconise  of  people^  which  was  yery 
great,  ^oictly  dispersed^  withont  being  guilty  of  any  diatuihance  what- 
ever. The  haiigiiian  wno  attended  tto  arch  rebel,  carried  the  painting 
of  a  Fox  with  a  halter  round  his  neck,  and  the  music  played  "  The 
Bogue^s  March.* 


30  A  OENTUBY  OF  BIBHINaHAM  UFCL 

The  fismaticism  displayed  itself  in  a  worse  fitshion  than 
burning  Tom  Paine's  effigy.  An  attempt  was  made  to  bum 
down  me  Swedenbori^an  Church  in  Newhall  Street. 

Bunmngham,  MAiyA  n. — Y^esteiday  moming,  about  two  o'clock, 
Bevenl  of  the  pews  in  the  Jenualem  Temple,  in  tbii  town,  were  dis- 
coTered  to  be  on  fire ;  bat  bj  the  timelj  aBsistance  of  the  watchmen 
and  neighbooriiood,  the  flames  were  aoon  extinguiahed.  There  is  no 
doabt  bat  some  incendiaiy  had  got  into  the  Temple  through  a  window, 
and  lighted  a  quantity  of  combuatibleB,  which  he  took  with  him. 

The  Bey.  J.  Froud«  the  first  minister  of  tins,  the  first, 
Swedenboreian  place  of  worship  in  England,  issued  the 
following  address  on  this  incendiary  attempt : — 

An  Address  to  the  InhabUamte  ofBirmingham^from  the  Society  meeting 

at  the  New  Jenualem  Temple. 

March  SI,  1793.— It  ia  with  unspeakable  pleasure  that  we  have  to 
Addreaa  our  Fellow  Citizena  and  Townsmen  on  the  present  oocaaion. 
Great  and  painful  as  our  TVoublea  hare  been,  yet  they  are  peculiariy 
alleviated  by  that  generoua  and  humane  Spirit  which  those  troubles 
have  called  forth,  and  ao  conspicuoudv  manifested.    We  think  oureelves 
under  the  highest  and  most  lasting  Obligationa  to  those  Gentlemen  who 
have  so  nobly  come  forward  with  a  profesMd  Desire  of  bringing  to  light 
the  darinff  and  vile  Incendiary,  who,  divested  of  all  Humamhr,  could 
attempt  the  Destraction  of  an  Edifice  devoted  to  ralidoas  Wonh^ ; 
and  we  can  but  most  ardently  hope  their  Endeavoun  to  oring  to  Justice 
the  wicked  Peix)etratorB  of  ao  nase  a  Deed  may  be  crowned  with 
the   fullest   Sucoesa     It  gives  us  the  hi^est  pleasure,  and   calls 
forth  our  warmest  gratitnde,  to  find  that  .Gaitlemeo  of  the  EstaUiah- 
ment,  and  of  religious  Sentiments  differeut  from  our  own,  have  with 
Candour  and  true  Christian   Charity  interested   themaoves  in  our 
Behalf,  and  that  their  Humanity  and  Virtue  have  totally  prsmiled 
over  all  Party  S|drit  and  Bigotnr.   Nor  shall  we  ever  foiget  the  IViand- 
ahip  and  Affection   so   reoenthr  manifested   towards   u%  both   by 
Churchmen  and  Diaaentera     llieir  sympathianff  with  ua,  wHh  so 
much  Sensibility  and  Eindnesa  wfll  endear  their  Samea  to  our  Hearta 
By  these  repeated  llaika  of  their  Brteenii,  Generosity,  and  Kindneai^ 
we  are  oonvmoed  that  the  idle  Beparte^  and  malevolent  Cenewree^  d  the 
utipntieijoled and  eamMCt^are  treated  mr  them  with  that  Contempt  such 
ill-natured  and  illiberal  Beflectiona  will  ever  merit    Our  most  ardent 
Wiahea  for  the  Welfare  and  Vrottpentj  of  the  Kingdom,  to  whidi  we, 
belong,  have  been  pubUdv  and  solemnl v  declared  in  our  Addreai  to  the" 
Gentiemen  who  met  at  the  Hotel;  ana,  irbidk  Addnm  was  honoQred 
with  their  united  Approbation.     Our  sentiments  remain^  and  wiU 
invariably  remain,  the  same  as  therain  expressed.    And  oar  united 
Efforts  will  ever  be  employed  to  spppraw  Anarefar  and  Disorder,  to 
proniote  the  Peaoe^  HaimonT,  and  AVowaerity  of  toe  Nation  in  wnicii 
we  Hve^  and  to  be  as  useful  to  our  FeUOfw  men  as  we  have  it  in  our 
Power  to  be.     We  are  convinced  that  the  sensible  and  Judidoos 
inhabitantB  of  Birmingham  are  too  libeial  in  their  Sentiments^  and  too 
virtoons  in  Principle,  to  look  with  Contempt  or  Disrespect  upon  their 
felknr  Townsmen,  who  may  diflSnr  with  them  in  Judgement  with 
respect  to  some  circumstantiala  of  Christianity,  aa  to  Godalciie  eveiy 


PUBLIC  LIFE  AND  EVENTS.  31 

Man  IB  ftccoontable  for  hk  Tbou^tB  and  Opinioiifl.  Afl,  therefore,  gach 
a  QenerooB  and  Benevolent  Spint  does  actoallj  appear  at  this  Time,  we 
can  bat  sincerely  wish  that  it  may  spread  and  oifiuse  itself  through 
OTeiy  ClasB  of  Men,  be  coltiTated  by  lul,  and  unite  the  whole  Town  in 
fratenial  Bonds  of  Friendship,  Affection^  and  Goodwill ;  Happ;^  shall 
we  be  to  ooncor  with  all,  without  any  reg^und  to  Name  or  Pro&ssion,  in 
everf  possible  Endeavour  to  restore  that  Harmony,  good  Order,  and 
XJnanim^  so  .essential  to  the  Welfare  and  Prosperx^  of  this  Populous 
Town.  The  grand  Principle  with  us,  next  to  the  Love  of  God,  is,  to 
Ijove  all  Bien  as  we  love  oursdves — and  our  highest  Ambition  is,  to 
diaiibj  that  Principle  in  every  Part  of  our  private  and  public  Conduct 
And  we  are  peranaded  there  are  Numbers  more  of  every  Denomination 
whose  Ambition  is  the  same,  and  whose  desire  to  promote  public  and 
•odal  HajppinesB  is  equally  as  Ardent  as  our  own.  2day  we  all, 
therefore,  m  the  present  convulsed  State  of  Kingdoms^  and  amidst  the 


varioiiB  Diasensions  of  the  Nation  in  which  we  live,  forait^or  ever 
Jbrffei—4he  odious  Distinctions  and  Party  Animosities  which  nave  no 
oUier  Tendency  than  to  promote  Confusion  and  Enmity ;  and  as  Jfen^ 
as  Ckrittiatii,  as  Brethriuy  unite  our  Hearts,  our  Hands,  and  all  the 
Bowers  we  boasL  in  a  laudable  and  vif^rous  Endeavour  to  make  each 
other  haj^iy  in  Life,  and  bless  the  Kingdom  to  which  we  belong.  In 
this  hoDOunble  and  important  Work,  we  profess  ourselves  ready  to 
join  Qor  f eDow  Townsmen  of  every  Description ;  and  may  the  hj^py 
J>aj  sooiip  very  soon,  arrive,  when  it  shall  be  truly  said,  that  Party 
Spiiifti  l^gotry,and  £iuni^,  those  hateful  Demons,  are  fled  to  the 
Infenial  B^gionsi  and  that  Feaoe,  Friendship,  ELarmony,  and  Affection 
TBum.  unite  Heart  to  Heart,  Man  to  Man,  and  diffuse  Happiness  to 
mw&rY  Individual  m  Birmingham  ! 

Signed  in  the  Name  and  Behalf  of  the  whole  Society, 

J.  Pboui>. 

Tn  this  monih  died  Sir  Robert  Lawley,  Bart  He  had 
been  one  of  the  Members  for  North  Warwickshire,  since 
1780;  "WES  a  most  useful  County  Member;  and  had 
rendered  great  services  to  Birmingham.  He  was  a  warm 
friend  of  ue  Qeneral  Hospital  and  the  other  charities  of 
the  town.  This  will  suffice  to  introduce  the  next  three 
extracts. 

Maxdi  18»  1703.— Died.  On  Moodaj^  at  Keniington,  Sir  Bobert 
Lawlejy  Bait,  one  of  the  Bepreeentafavee  In  Pumment  for  this 
comntf  ifaioe  tne  General  Election  in  the  year  178a  Sir  Bobert  Is 
socceeded  in  hie  title  and  estates  by  his  eldest  son  (now  Sir  Bobert)  and 
has  kft  otlMr  isnie  two  sons  and  four  danghtera  Am  a  MemMr  of 
]^effliament»  Sir  Bobert  Lawlej  was  most  independent  and  attentiTe 
to  the  intersfts  of  his  OonstitQents ;  as  a  Memoer  of  Societ j,  the  kas 
of  him  is  sinoerelT  snd  aiSMtioDatelj  lamented  bj  his  friends ;  and  he 
has  dbd  mamamaij  regretted  hj  the  poor  in  the  neighboorfaood  of  his 
residsnee,  iHio  hsTs  aenaiblj  ezperieneed  that  he  ampl/  fulfilled  the 
dvties  of  a  nsl  Christian. 

Ov  TBM  DaaTB  or  Sia  Bobobt  Lawuir,  Bast. 

If  oieAii  knowledge  and  a  heart  sineera^ 
A  Buui  can  render  to  his  ooontvy  dear. 


82  A  CENTUBT  OF  BIBMINGHAM  LIFE. 

With  readiness  to  serve  wben  caU'd  apon, 
In  what  was  jndged  expedient  to  be  done ; 
If  worthy  deeds  adorn  the  haman  breast, 
Long  to  the  world  his  worth  will  stand  oonf est ; 
Trae  to  his  trust,  he  oonstantlyadhered. 
He  lov'd  his  Country,  and  his  King  reyered. 

Binninffham,  March  14, 1793. — ^At  a  Meeting  of  Freeholders  of  the 
County  of  Warwick,  resident  in  the  Town  and  Neighbonrfaood  of 
Binninfl^iam,  held  this  Day  at  the  Hotel,  porsoant  to  pablic  Notice, 
Mr.  Tiflers  in  the  chair, 

It  was  nnanimonsly  Besolved, 

1.  That  it  is  desirable  immediately  to  aasare  Sir  John  Mordaont, 
Baronet^  that  this  Meeting  beUere  it  to  be  the  general  Wish  of  the 
Inhalntants  of  Krmingham  that  he  should  be  elected  a  Elnight  of  the 
Shire,  in  the  Boom  <n  onr  late  worthy  BepresentatiTe^  Sir  Bobert 
Ijtwlej,  Bart,  deceased. 

In  this  year  the  Bank  of  England  began  to  issue  five- 
ponnd  notes ;  and  the  local  bankers  issued  five-guinea  note& 
Some  doubts  about  the  latter  appear  to  have  existed,  for  a 
meeting  was  called,  at  which  a  resolution  on  the  subject 
was  adopted : — 

April  1st,  1793. — At  a  most  nnmenms  and  respectable  Meeting  of 
the  Inhabitants  of  this  Town  and  Neigfabonrhooa,  held  at  the  Hotel 
this  Day,  pnnoant  to  a  Notice  given  in  the  Birmingham  OoMeUe^ 
Mr.  W.  Barks  in  the  Chair, 

It  was  nnanimonsly  Beeolved, 

That  eTBiy  Confidence  may  bejplao^  in  the  Five  Guinea  Notes 
issued  by  the  following  established  Bankers  of  this  Town,  Tia.,  Messrs. 
Taylor  and  Lloyds,  Bobert  Coales,  JSaq^  Messrs.  Dickenson  and 
Qoodall,  Messn.  Spooner,  Attwoods^  and  Ainsworth,  and  Messrs. 
Blozham,  Yates^  Goddington,  Francis,  Smith,  and  Kiught ;  and  we 
^edge  onrselTes  to  the  !hiblic^  and  to  eadi  other,  to  Uke  them  in 
Ikyments  as  nsoaL 

Tliat  these  Besolntions  be  immediately  dreolated  in  Hand  BiUs 
throDgh  the  Town  and  Neigfabonrhood,  and  advertised  in  the  Town 
and  Cimntry  Planers. 

That  thanks  oe  given  to  the  Ciiairman  for  his  Attention  to  the 
general  Interests  of  the  Town,  in  calling  this  Meetings  and  for  his 
obliging  oondaet  in  the  Chair. 

A  day  of  general  fiist  and  humiliation  was  appointed  by 
the  King,  and  was  loyally  observed  by  the  inhabitants. 

April  StS,  1793. — Friday,  the  day  appointed  bjr  the  King  for  a  general 
last  and  humiliation,  was  stricUy  observed  in  tlus  town.  All  the  shopB 
were  thnt  op,  and  the  places  of  wordup  were  mora  than  nsnaUy  crowded 
A  collection  of  upwards  of  thirty-eeren  pounds  was  made  at  St  Mary's 
CSu^mI,  and  anottier  collection  at  Deritend  CIuumI,  for  the  distressed 
emigrant  Clmy  of  France.  A  seasonable  act  of  benevolence ;  and  an 
example  whi^we  hope  wiU  be  followed  by  every  other  congregation  in 
this  town  iudmI  neighbouibood. 


PUBLIC  UFE  AND  ETENTS.  S3 

To  give  the  necessary  powers  for  borrowing  the  money  to 

Ey  for  the  damage  caused  by  the  riots,  an  act  of  Parliament 
d  to  bo  obtained     The  following  is  a  brief  report  of  the 
debate : — 

HEKLnrOTORD  HUHDRBD  BiLL. 

May  13, 1793. — Upon  the  motion  for  the  Speaker  to  leave  the  chair, 
in  order  for  the  House  to  resolve  itself  into  a  Committee  npon  this  fiill, 
for  borrowing  the  greater  part  of  the  money  to  pay  the  SnfTerers  in  the 
late  riots  atKrmingham  ;  Mn  Whitbread  opposed  the  Speaker's  leaving 
the  chair,  in  which  he  was  supported  by  ^.  Courtnay,  Mr.  Fox,  Mr. 
Qrey,  Mr.  Taylor,  and  Mr.  Sheridan,  who  contended  that  this  was  a 
measure  io  alleviate  the  punishment  justlv  due  to  the  most  atrocious 
ijoters,  m^nely  because  they  were  rioters  in  defenoe  of  Kins  and  Churdi, 
— ^Uiat  it  was  In  a  great  measure  a  repeal  of  the  Biot  Act,  and  that 
in  its  effects  it  went  to  the  promotion  and  encouragement  of  such 
disorders.  They  were  opposed  by  Sir  John  Mordirant,  Sir  Henry 
Oou^  Cahhorp^  Mr.  Wigley,  the  Attorney-General,  the  Solicitor- 
Oeneral,  and  Mr.  Ryder,  upon  the  principle  that  many  parte  of  the 
Hundred  of  Hemlingf ord  extended  to  a  distance  of  twenty  miles  from 
the  scene  of  riot,  and  that  it  would  be  injustice  not  to  affora  every  tem- 
poniy  relief  and  snoeour  to  men  who  could  not,  bv  any  poenbilil^,  have 
iMett  prssent  at,  or  aoeessoiy  to,  the  riots.  They  aho  remarked,  that  the 
flofEbrers  would,  by  means  of  the  Bill,  be  more  quickly  paid,  and  mudi 
distress  to  the  lower  orders  of  the  Hundred,  and  the  farmers,  who  had 
no  ooncem  in  the  riots,  be  avoided. 

The  question  at  last  was  put  and  carried,  when  the  House  resolved 
sbsslf  into  a  Committee,  and  went  through  the  BilL 

Jriday,  May  10. — ^The  report  on  the  Hemlingford  Hundred  Bill  was 
hroq^t  up  and  read,  and  oraered  to  be  engrossed. 

On  May  20,  we  read : — 

On  Tuesday  lasti  the  Hemlingford  Hundred  Bill  was  road  a  third 
time,  and  passed  the  House  of  Commons,  and  Sir  G.  Shuckbuigh,  Bart, 
was  ordered  to  carry  it  up  to  the  Lordi  for  their  concurrence. 

The  next  extract  records  the  final  passing  of  the  bill,  and 
gives  some  additional  information  on  the  subject : — 

HmLnroFORP  Huvdrbd  Bill. 

June  3rd,  1793. — This  bill,  for  the  more  easv  raisins  the  money  for 
payinff  the  damages  and  costs  incurred  by  the  lateBiote^  has  now 
psssen  both  Houses  of  Fariiament. 

The  sum  to  be  saised.  including  damages  and  plaintLSs'  costs,  and  the 
eosfes  and  expencss  in  defending  the  action,  is  £29,704  and  upwiids. 
The  ocwnmlsBinnsrs  for  canying  the  act  into  exeeutioo  are  the  Magis- 
tntes  actiqg  for  the  Hundred,  and  the  Members  for  the  Coonly,  who 
are  to  meet  within  Twenty-one  days  after  passinff  the  aet»  and  bold 
sobh  further  Meetiags  as  they  shall  think  proper.  They  are  empowered 
to  appoint  a  Clerk  and  Treasurer,  and  to  borrow,  at  interest^  not 
eoBoeeaing  jS24,000,  and  thev  are  to  cause  the  assessments  to  be  made 
upon  the  inhabitants,  and  tne  eonstahles  or  bead  boroughs  are  to  coUeot 
tos  Batea  The  ^diole  money  to  be  assessed  must  be  assessed  within 
three  years  from  the  1st  of  June,  1793.  Hie  sufferers  sn  to  be  allowed 
an  interest  at  the  rate  of  five  per  eent  upon  the  sums  of  money  for 

IL  o 


34  A  CENTUBY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

which  they  have  leoeived  judgment,  from  the  first  day  of  Jamiaiy,  1793. 
In  case  of  the  removal  of  any  persona  from  premises  assessed,  before  they 
have  paid  the  rate  or  assessment,  the  collectors  are  aathorised  (having  a 
'warrant  for  that  purpose  from  tiie  Gommiasioners)  to  collect  such  rate 
by  distress  on  the  Qoods  of  such  person  in  any  other  part  of  the  county, 
or  elsewhere ;  then  the  collectors  may  distress  upon  the  goods  of  any 
other  person  in  oceanation  of  the  said  premises,  in  the  same  manner  as 
if  such  oocapier  had  oeen  originally  assessed  by  virtue  of  the  act  All 
deficiences  of  rates  are  to  be  made  good  by  a  re-«Bsessment  upon  the 
inhabitants  of  the  place. 

On  May  27,  1793,  we  read :— «  On  Friday,  Mr.  Clay,  of 

this  town,  had  the  honour  of  introducing  to  their  Majeisties 

and  the  Princesses,  at  the  Queen's  Palace,  a  new  material  for 

painting  upon,  infinitely  superior  to  any  substance  hitherto 

used  for  its  surface  and  durability.*      This  was  Papier 

M&ch^ ;   for  the  manufSeurture  of  which  Mr.  Clay  had  taken 

out  a  patent  eleven  years  before  his  interview  with  the 

Boyal  jhmily.    Mr.  W.  C.  Aiticen  says: — ^''The  invention 

of  the  matenal,  as  produced  by  pasting  together  sheets  of 

Ekper,  is  due  to  Henry  Clay,  of  19,  Newhall-street^  in  early 
e  an  apprentice  to  the  celebrated  John  Baskerville,  who, 
at  that  time,  was  ^gaged  in  the  japanning  trade.  Lonfip 
previous  to  Clay's  invention,  however,  papier  mJLch^hM 
oeen  made  bv  i>educing  paper  to  pulp  and  pressing  it  into 
die&  Clay  dia  not  take  out  his  patent  till  1772.  He  formed 
the  papier  mftch^  by  pasting  together  sheets  of  spongy  paper 
over  variously  shaped  ^cores'  or  moulds  of  metal  At  an 
earl  V  period  he  indicated  the  future  extensive  application  of 
his  m vention  for  panels  for  chariots,  cabins  of  snips,  window 
shutters,  mantle-pieces,  tea  trays,  card  and  dressing  tiU>les» 
and  every  other  species  of  elegant  furniture.  He  also  stated 
that  it  could  be  sawn,  planed,  or  turned  like  wood,  and  that^ 
after  being  japanned,  it  could  be  brought  up  to  the  highest 
polish  by  friction  with  the  human  hand.  Manv  of  the  ori- 
ginal articles  made  by  him  are  still  in  use,  and  niUy  confirm 
uie  endurinfi^  character  he  dauned  for  his  materiaL  * 

Mr.  Clay  became  one  of  our  znost  active  public  men.  He 
was  High  SherifiTof  the  County  in  1790 ;  and  we  have  pre- 
viously ffiven  an  illustration  of  the  ^pomp  and  splendour'* 
with  which  he  surrounded  the  oflicat   * 

The  Post  Master  of  the  town  got  into  some  trouble^ 
through  which  he  was  helped  by  sevenJ  gentiemen.  He 
thus  returns  his  thanks : — 


*  Biiisinghsin  and  the  Midland  Hardwaie  District    Fuier  1IA^<  Mara* 
factaro.   Bjr  W.  C.  Aitkea.  p.  666. 

t  Vol.  1,  p.  S47. 


'public  life  and  EVENTS3,  35 

Post  Offiob,  BiRMoroHAic. 
Jane  3, 1793. — ^The  geaerona  Patronage  and  kind  Interposition  of 
my  Friends  on  a  late  trying  Oocaaion,  interestinff  in  the  highest  Degree 
to  my  Family,  and  to  mjsdf,  impresses  me  witn  wannest  Sentiments 
of  Gratitade  and  respeetful  Esteem.  It  would,  Ipresome,  be  deemed 
as  tedions  as  nnneoessaxy  for  me  to  dwell  on  the  Cutnmistanoes  which 
gave  rise  to  my  late  temporary  Suspension,  but  as  I  am  now  folly 
reinstated,  throu^  the  Interest  and  perseTenng  Assiduities  of  €kntle- 
n&en  of  the  first  respectability,  my  future  Life  shall  be  devoted  to  the 
I>aties  of  my  Office ;  and  my  Friends  may  rest  assured  that  I  shall 
erer  retain  the  most  grateful  Sense  of  the  Obligations  they  have 
conferred  upon  me^  JoBir  GkyrrwALTZ, 

Post  Master,  Birmingham. 

The  King^s  birthday  was  observed  in  the  usual  loyal 
manner: — 

June  10, 1703. — ^Tuesday,  the  anniyersaiy  of  his  Majesty's  Birthday, 
was  observed  here  as  usuaL  Public  Dinners  were  given  at  the  Hotel 
and  Sthakenear  Tavern,  which  were  numerously  and  respectably 
attended.  At  the  latter  the  Hon.  Gaptain  Gapel  took  the  Chair,  when 
maay  loyal  and  constitutional  toasts  were  given,  impropriate  to  the 
day.  At  the  Hotel,  in  the  absence  (through  indisposition)  of  our 
worthy  magistrate,  Joseph  Carles^  Esq.,  the  Constable,  presided,  and 
the  day  pMsed  with  that  loyalty  and  conviviality  which  has  ever 
dislinguisned  similar  public  meetings  in  this  town. 

This  was  speedily  followed  by  rejoicings  for  a  victory,- — 

August  5, 1793. — On  Thursday,  when  the  news  arrived  here  of  the 

surrender  of  Valenciennes,  the  bells  of  our  churches  were  rung,  and 

cannon  and  guns  were  fired ;  and  on  Friday  evening  the  whole  town 

was  illuminated. 

Another  royal  birthday  was  celebrated  in  this  fashion: — 
August  19, 1793.— Friday,  the  Birthday  of  his  Boyal  Highness  the 
Duke  of  York,  was  celebratea  in  this  place  by  the  ringmg  of  bells,  firing 
of  guns,  Ac.,  and  at  n^ht  by  a  grand  and  ceneral  illumination.  Severu 
beanrif nl  transparencies  of  nis  Koyal  Hi^mness,  of  his  coronet,  cypher. 
and  anniL  and  emblems  of  his  victory  at  Valenciennes,  were  exhibited 
by  the  innabitants  in  different  parts  of  the  town. 

The  establishment  of  a  penny  post  in  this  town  is  a 

subject  of  greater  importance  than  tne  festivities  caused  by 

royal  birthdays.     On  the  19th  of  Anfust  we  read  that 

^  Two  of  the  principal  Officers  of  the  General  Post  Office 

arrived  here  last  week,  for  the  purpose  of  immediately 

establishing  a  penny-post  in  the  town."    And  on  September 

Snd,  the  Begulations  for  tlie  new  sjrstera  were  published : — 

Post  Omos,  BmniroBjJL 
Auffost  S7,  179a.--His  Majesty's  Post  Master  Qenerai  having  been 
l^eaaea  to  aettk  and  establish  a  Penny  Post,  for  the  Convenience  of  this 
Town,  the  Soboibs  thereof,  and  Places  adiaoent— Kotioe  is  hereby  given, 
that  Oflices  are  opened  for  the  Receipt  ot  Letters  and  Ptekets,  Tnot  ex- 
ceeding ioar  Ouaoes  in  Weight)  froni  Seven  in  the  Monung  till  Nine 
c^elodt  at  Night,  at  the  f oUowing  Pkoes : 
Mr.  Hewhtf%  Grooer,  Na  48,  Smallbrook-stoMt 


86  A  CBNTUBT  OF  BIRHINOHAH  LIFE. 

Mr.  SteveDfl'sy  Grooer,  No.  7S!,  Digbeth,  near  Deritend  Bridge. 

Mr.  Mucott^fly  Grocer,  Coleshill-sti^aet^  qppoeite  Market-etreet 

Mr.  Jjotefn,  Grocer,  Steelhouae  Lane,  the  Comer  of  WhittaU-etreet. 

Mr.  Smith's,  Ghocer,  Ghnrch-atreet^  Ladgate  HilL 

From  which  Places  Letters  will  be  sent  to  the  principal  Office,  opposite 

^e  Theatre,  in  New-street,  four  Times  a  Day,  Tiz.— 
At  ISiAt  o'clock  in  the  Morning,  for  the  first  DeliTerj,  and  in  Time  to 

be  forwarded  by  the  North  Mail,  via  Lichfield  ; 
At  Twdye  o'clock  at  Noon,  for  the  second  DeliTeiy,  and  in  Time  for 

the  Mail  goine  to  ShrewiAmiy ; 
At  a  Quarter  baore  Two  in  the  Afternoon,  f w  the  London  Mail ;  and, 

for  the  third  DeUveiy.  at  Half-past  Three  o'clock  ; 
And  at  Four  o^dock  in  tne  Afternoon,  for  the  Mail  going  to  Bristol ; 
«n  or  before  whidi  Times  Letters  should  be  pat  into  the  above  Offices, 
in  order  to  be  sent  hy  the  earliest  Oonv^anoe ;  for  whidi  One  Penny 
will  be  chaxmd  in  the  Town,  and  Two  Pence  for  the  Snbarbs  and  Places 
within  the  Limits  of  the  Penny  Post,  to  be  paid  on  potting  in,  or  on 
DdiveiT,  at  the  option  of  the  Writers ;  except  Letters  intended  to  be 
forwarded  hv  tlM  liondon  and  Cross  Boad  Mails,  with  which  one  Penny 
must  be  paid  on  pnttinff  into  the  above  mentioned  Receiving  Offices. 

Letter  Carriers  will  oe  dispatched  every  day  (except  Monday)  with 
the  Letters  to  and  from  Solihnll,  Enowle,  Sutton  Cddneld,  Hales  Owen, 
DudUy,  West  Branwich,  Tipton,  Wednesbui^^  Dariaston,  WiUenhall, 
Bilstone,  and  to  the  intennediate  and  adjacent  Places. 

The  collecting  of  the  levy  to  pay  the  riot  bill  was  a  cause 
of  great  trouble  to  the  authorities,  and  the  following  notice 
was  issued : — 

Sqytember  9, 1793.— The  Constables  of  Birmingham  having  advanced 
ajpwards  of  a  Thousand  Pounds  for  the  Lihabitants  who  have  not  paid 
their  proportion  of  the  present  Levy  towards  defraying  the  £n>ence 
incnrrod  anon  the  Honmd  by  the  l^ots^  rather  than  sabject  the  nrish 
to  a  consiaerable  extra  Expence,  whicn  otherwise  would  have  been 
unavoidable,  from  the  CommissionerB  appointed  under  the  Act  baviug 
given  Directions  for  an  Action  to  be  oommenced  against  us^  for  not 
using  the  Means  prescribed  bv  it^  to  enforce  Payment  (which  jnust 
eventually  have  been  def endea  at  the  Expence  of  the  Parish)  and 
which  we  flatter  ourselves,  in  consequence  of  the  present  Situation  of 
Tiade.  eveiy  Inhabitant  will  approve  of  our  deferring  as  long  as 
possible ;  but  as  the  utmost  time  allowed  by  the  Act  for  the  Sufferers 
to  be  paid  will  soon  expire  (and  we  cannot  be  expected  to  be  i^  Advance 
for  a  loDger  Period)  we  hope  none  will  defer  paying  their  Assessments 
after  this  Notice ;  otherwise  we  shall  at  last  he  uncter  tiie  dissfliewiMe 
Keoeasi^  of  enforcing  it,  whidi  will  be  attended  with  actional 
Sxpenoe  and  Inoanvenienoe  to  them.  W.  Wallis^  , 

W.  BaiBS. 

Nor  was  this  difficulty  the  only  one.    The  people  were 

opposed  to  its  payment,  and  the  collection  of  the  levy  pro* 

duced  a  tumult,  which  is  thus  described,  and  which  may  be 

called  The  Little  Riot  >— 

October  S8»  1793.— It  Is  with  much  oonomi  we  states  that  the  pease 
of  this  town  has  been  again  distoibed  1^  the  tumuhuoua  proeeeoiags 
of  a  number  of  the  populace.    One  Wood,  of  lichfleld<-strsst,  having 


PUBUC  LIFK  A27D  EVENTS.  37 

vefaaed  to  pay  his  proporti<m  of  the  riot  rate  (on  account  cf  which  the 
Oonatablee,  Messrs  Wallis  and  Bans,  very  obluingiy  advanced,  sey^ral 
ireeka  since,  upwards  of  1,1002.  more  than  they  nad  collected)  it  became 
absolutely  necessarjr  on  Monday  afternoon  to  distrain  his  goods  for  the 
oame.  llus  he  resisted,  and,  threatening  the  lives  of  the  officers,  soon 
zaised  a  mob^  which  in  the  evening  collected  in  great  numbers  in  8t. 
Fhillip^s  Churchyaid,  and  in  a  most  unwarrantable  manner  attacked  the 
hooae^  and  broke  the  windows  of  Mr.  Barrs,  in  Temple  Bow.  At  ten 
at  m(^tt  the  tumult  and  violence  became  so  great,  that  Joseph  Carles, 
Esq.,  with  the  police,  and  two  troops  of  horse  from  the  Banacks,  found 
it  necessary  to  attena  to  restore  oraer ;  but  the  mob  (with  whom  we  are 
■ony  to  leam,  many  mixed  from  idle  curiosity,  and  without  considering 
the  conaeqnences),  even  after  the  riot  act  was  read,  shewing  no  disposition 
to  desist  nam  violence,  the  Magistrate  ordered  several  into  custody,  and 
instructed  the  militaiy  to  disperse  the  others.  One  man  who  received 
a  severe  contusion  on  the  heaid,  and  another  with  a  broken  arm,  were 
taken  to  the  General  Hospital ;  and  twenty-six  were  conveyed  to  the 
Dungeon ;  the  military  paraded  the  streets  the  greatest  part  of  the 
lulg^t^  during  which  every  thinff  remained  quiet ;  but  eariy  on  Tuesday 
mommg  a  rabble  again  aasem  ued  in  the  Cnurch  yard,  in  front  of  Mr. 
Bans'  house.  Their  number  and  riotous  behaviour  rendered  neoessazy 
the  further  interf ereuce  of  the  Magistrates,  and  the  milituy,  after  the 
reading  of  the  riot  act^  were  anin  obliged  to  disperse  them.  In  the 
course  of  this  day,  two  troops  of  horse,  which  had  been  sent  for  from 
the  neighbouring  towns,  airived;  and  the  persons  who  had  been 
apprehended  the  preceding  dav,  were  examinea  before  the  Magistrates 
at  the  Public  Office^  who  dischazged  some  of  them  and  remanded  the 


In  the  afternoon  a  man  who  had  Tehemently  threatened,  at  a  public 
house,  that  the  prison  should,  that  evening,  be  pulled  down,  was 
immediatelv  conveyed  thither ;  and  between  nme  ana  ten  at  night,  the 
mo^  ansemfling  round  it  for  that  purpose,  and  with  a  view  of  liberating 
their  companions,  were  fired  at  bv  the  gaoler  as  they  were  forcing  the 
door.  Two  were  severely  wounaed,  the  rest  instantly  duroerse^  and 
the  peace  of  the  town  has  not  since  been  disturbecL  'We  hope  the 
humanly  of  the  magistrates,  in  this  instance,  will  have  proper  weight 
with  indSsereet  abettors  of  such  lawless  proceedings,  as  the  consequence 
of  the  filing  of  the  military  would  have  been  the  loss  of  a  numoer  of 
lives,  and  probably  of  some  persons  who  were  present  only  from  curiosity, 
as  I4>pears  to  have  been  the  ease  on  Tuesday  nighty  when  Bichant 
Porter,  who  was  wounded  at  the  prison,  declares  that  he  was  quietly 
retumiog  from  his  work,  and  was  shot  iust  as  he  had  reached  the  mob, 
•and  was  enquiring  what  thejr  had  assembled  for. 

Wood,  the  cause  of  all  this  outrage^  absconded,  but  was  on  Saturday 
appvehended  bv  warranty  at  Walsall,  and  the  same  evening  brought  to 
oar  prison.  From  a  mper  that  Mr.  Barrs  has  publishecL  it  appears 
that  ne  was  fully  capable  of  paying  the  assessment,  his  real  rent  being 
162.  18t.  per  annum,  and  Mr.  B.  having  only  rated  him  at  142.  Of  the 
persons  taken  into  eustodv)  Joseoh  Daroy,  who  threatened  to  pull  down 
vie  prison,  still  remains  tnere ;  l)avis  has  enlisted  as  a  soldter ;  and  the 
rest  are  disdiaiged. 

Of  Wood  we  have  the  following  notice : — 
November  4,  1793.— On  Monday,  Aomas  Wood,  the  occasion  of 
those  diatorbancss  whidi   were   mentioned  in  our  last  paper,  was 


38  A  CENTORT  OF  BIBMIKOHAM  LIFE. 

oommitted  by  J.  Garles,  £kj^  to  Warwick  gaol,  for  aasaalting  Mr. 
BarrSy  in  the  exeeataon  of  hia  office  aa  oonstable,  and  for  promoting 
riota ; — at  the  aame  time,  Joe^h  Daxby,  who  had  threatened  to  pail 
down  the  priaon,  was  committed  to  the  flonae  of  Correction,  not  being 
able  to  find  auretiea  for  his  good  behaTionn 

In  October,  1793,  the  hero  of  the  London  Popish  Biota, 
Lord  Geoige  Qordbn,  died  in  Newgate,  of  a  malignant  fever. 
The  notice  of  his  death  says,  ''It  is  now  six  years  since 
Lord  Georgi^  has  been  confined  for  a  libel  on  the  late  Queen 
of  France,  and  it  is  rather  remarkable  that  the  exit  of  that 
nobleman  and  the  Queen  should  have  happened  much  about 
the  same  period  His  Lordship,  daring  his  confinement^  was 
for  many  months  a  solitary  prisoner  at  the  State  side  of  the 
gaol,  and  during  his  confinement  demeaned  himself  with 
mudi  propriety,  ever  contributing,  in  a  liberal  manner,  to 
the  distresses  of  the  wretched  cu^>rits  in  Newgate.  It  is 
about  five  years  since  he  became  a  convert  to  the  Jewish 
religion,  to  the  tenets  of  which  he  strictly  adhered.  He 
seemed  extremely  sincere  in  his  conversion,  and  ai^ed 
ingjeniously  with  others,  to  become  Proselytes  to  his  opinions. 
This  day  the  body  of  Lord  Geoige  was  delivered  to  his 
relations  for  interment." 

Lord  Geoige  Gordon  was  arrested  in  Birmingham,  and  is, 

therefore,  to  a  certain  extent^  connected  with  its  history. 

We  quote  the  contemporary  account  of  his  arrest : — 

Birmingham,  December  10,  1787. — On  IViday  last,  b^  virtae  of  a 
Judge'a  warrant,  Lord  Qeoi^ge  Gordon  was  apprehended  m  this  town, 
for  contempt  of  the  Court  d  King^a  Bench,  in  not  appearing  upon  the 
prosecution  last  Hilary  Term,  for  pobliflhuiff  a  libel,  of  which  he  was 
found  guilty.    Lord  Geoige  waa  convejred  baore  Joseph  Gariea,  Esq., 
who  directed  him  to  be  conducted  to  town,  attended  by^  an  officer  from 
Bow-fltreet,  and  the  keeper  of  the  prison  here:    It  waa  in  the  month  of 
August  last,  that  Lord  Oeodge  came  to  this  town,  and  he  has  ever 
sinoe,  lodged  at  the  house  of  a  Jewess,  in  Dudley-elroet,  to  whom  he 
waa  unknown  when  first  he  arrived.    When  the  officers  waited  upon 
him  he  did  not  deny  himself,  but  told  them  he  was  a  Jew,  and  whatever 
mufht  happen  should  continue  one ;  sod  when  he  Icamt  that  it  was 
ordered  he  should  be  in  London  on  Saturday  evenings  he  expressed 
much  concern  thereat,  as  it  would  oblige  him  to  travel  on  the  Sabbath 
day  of  the  relinon  he  had  embnoeaT    Lord  Geoige,  we  underrtand, 
first  became  a  J  ew  while  he  was  in  Holland,  and  ever  since  he  has 
resided  in  this  place,  has  been  a  veiy  strict  and  titdd  ohaenrer  of  every 
rite,  ceremony,  and  custom  of  the  Jews,  except  that  of  attending  the 
Svnagogue,  where  he  feared  to  appear  lest  he  should  be  diaoovered. 
His  beard  he  had  sufiTered  to  grow  to  a  eonsidarable  IsQffth,  which, 
together  with  his  dress,  contributed  so  modi  to  disguise  hnn,  that  he 
frequenU  V  went  out  in  the  daytime,  though  most  of  hk  boors  were 
spent  in  his  lodging-room,  in  reading,  writing,  and  leainiag  the  Hebrew 
language." 


PUBUC  LIFE  AND  EVENTS.  39 

A  movement  was  made  this  year  to  sapply  our  troops  in 
Flanders  with  flannel  shirts  and  waistcoats.  Birmingham 
was  at  once  active  in  this  benevolent  work.  On  November 
4,  this  notice  was  published : — 

We  have  the  pleasure  to  state  that  a  number  of  gODtlemen  of  this 
town  engaged,  on  Satoixlay  last,  to  supply  a  qnanti^  of  flannel  shirts 
and  waistcoats  for  the  nse  of  our  troops  m  FLanders  daring  the  winter 
campaign,  and  as  they  have  no  doubt  but  that  there  are  hundreds  in 
this  p\io6  who  will  ffladly  follow  so  laudable  an  example  (which  has  for 
its  object  not  only  the  comfort^  but  the  preservation  of  the  lives  of  our 
brave  defenders)  we  are  desired  to  request  the  benevolent  friends  of 
their  countir  immediately  to  prepAre  such  quantities  as  they  shall  be 
indined  to  ramiah;  and  notice  will  be  given  in  our  next  of  the  place 
fixed  upon  for  receiving  them,  on  Satnrdav,  the  16th  instant. 

The  ffentlemen  who  frequent  the  Talbot  Inn,  in  Digbeth,  unac- 
quainted with  liie  resolution  taken  by  the  Gentlemen  before  mentioned, 
akso  liberall  V  began  a  subsoiption  on  Saturday  nighty  for  the  like 
patriotic  and  humane  purpoeep 

Nov.  11. — Warm  &athing  for  the  Army  in  Hatidert, 

The  humane  and  patrioUc  scheme  of  supplying  our  brave  defonders 
whh  warm  clothing  anrinff  the  winter  campaign,  meets  with  uncommon 
success  in  this  town.  Already  has  the  editor  of  the  London  paper, 
entitled  Tks  Stm,  aeknowled^  the  receipt  of  800  flannel  waistcoats 
from  the  gentlemen  who  fkvquent  the  Talbot  Inn,  in  this  place ;  great 
quantities  more  are  making,  and  the  overMors  having  been  applied  to, 
have  set  apart  one  of  the  rooms  of  the  Public  Office,  in  Dale  End, 
where  Mr.  Charies  Pye  has  generously  offered  to  attend  on  Saturday 
next,  to  receive  and  padc  up  all  the  waistcoats  that  shall  be  sent  in, 
and  take  down  the  names  of  the  liberal  donon  of  them. 

A  meeting  was  held,  and  the  usual  machinery  put  in 

action  to  raise  funds : — 

Birmingham,  November  19, 1703.— -At  a  meeting  of  the  Inhabitants 
of  this  Town  and  Neighbourhood,  held  This  Day,  at  the  Hotel,  agreeable 
to  Advertisement  in  ooth  the  Birmingham  Papen ;  The  High  Bailiff 
In  the  Chair: — 

The  foXLommg  BuohiiionM  i0if»  pasted  unaiUmautly,  vis,^ — 

1.  That  a  Subscription  be  Immediately  opened  forprocuring  such 
extra  Cloathing  for  onr  brave  Soldiers,  now  under  the  Command  of  his 
Royal  HkfanesB  the  Duke  of  York,  as  may  be  a  means  of  alleviatlnff 
the  severraes  which  they  experience  from  the  Season  of  the  year,  and 
the  GUmate  of  the  Ooontxy. 

S.  That  the  Waistcoats,  Ac,  already  sent  from  this  Town,  be  con- 
sidered as  Part  of  thk  general  Subscription,  and  that  the  Psraons  and 
Sodetiea  who  have  subscribed  thereto,  oe  requested  to  put  their  names 
to  this  Listy  with  the  Number  of  Waistcoats^  Ac,  or  the  Sum  of  money 
whidi  each  Permi  or  Society  has  contributM. 

a  ThataCkHnmittee  be  appointed  for  the  Conduct  of  this  Business, 
and  thai  they  be  desfred  to  be  as  expeditioas  as  possible  In  providing 
what  ap|Man  to  them  most  likely  to  answer  the  Purposes  of  this 
Suhscriptioo* 

4  ThaitheCommitteeconslstortheHighBailiff,  and  the  Gentle- 
men who  signed  the  RequisitioB  to  him,  toother  with  such  others  as 


40  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

tliaj  shall  jodgtt  jxroper,  whidi  will,  nerertheless,  be  open  to  trerj 
Benefiustor. 

&.    That  W.  Dickenson,  Esq.,  be  Treasnrer.  to  this  Subscription, 

6.  That  the  Thanks  of  this  Meeting  be  presented  to  Lady  Jane 
Halliday,  and  Lady  Maiden,  for  their  generous  Benefactions,  the 
former  of  100;  and  the  latter  of  60  WaistooaU. 

7.  That  the  Thanks  of  this  Meeting  be  given  to  the  High  BdliiF, 
for  the  Spirit  and  Zeal  for  the  Public  Good,  which  he  has  already 
manifested  since  his  appointment  to  that  Office^  and  particularly  for 
having  written  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  on  the  Day,  and  for  having 
called  this  Meeting,  and  so  ably  presided  in  the  Chair. 

The  following  passage  records  a  subject  which  must  hare 

had  especial  interest  for  those  concerned  :— 

Nov.  2£L  1793. — ^IViday  was  aolemnlv  argued  and  determined,  in  the 
Court  of  Kin^s  Bench,  the  question,  ^  Whether  a  person  exercising  the 
office  of  a  Constable  of  Birmingham  is  liable  to  be  condemned  in  coats 
upon  an  information  in  quo  warranto,  under  the  statute  of  the  9th  of 
Queen  Anne.''  The  Court  said,  that  a  Constable  was  compelled  to  take 
upon  him  the  ofl&oe^  under  the  pain  of  being  indicted ;  and  therefore  it 
would  be  repugnant  to  Justice  to  make  him  pay  costs  for  exercising  an 
office  that  was  forced  upon  him. 

Birmingham  suffered  from  a  malicious  report ;  but  imme- 
diate steps  were  taken  to  destroy  its  effect : 

Birmingham,  December  9th,  1793. — A  report  having  last  week  un« 
accountably  gone  abroad,  that  a  malignant  fever  prevailed  in  this  town, 
and  the  High  Bailiff  having  received  a  letter  purporting  that  it  was  cur- 
rent in  the  country,  very  properiv  addressed  the  following  note  to  the 
I^ysidans  and  Suigeons  of  the  tfoepital  and  Workhouse  ;  whose  certi- 
ficate in  reply  moat  remove  every  apprehension  that  a  report  so  ahaoM- 
fully  propagated  may  have  occasioned. 

**  Birmingham,  Saturday,  Two  o'dodc,  Dee.  7. 

Gtotlemen, — ^In  consequence  of  a  report  having  been  propagated  of 
a  very  malignant  Fever  being  now  prevaleot  in  this  Placs,  I  think  it 
necessary  to  enquire  of  yon  whether  there  is  an^  Foundation  for  the 
same,  and  to  request  your  signaturs  to  contradict  it  if  from  your  obser- 
vations it  appears  to  be  ill-founded;  as  it  will  be  highly  proper  to 
remove  the  iUarm  which  soeb  Beport  has  ooossioned. 

I  am,  Gentlemen,  your  obedient  Servant, 

Thomas  BarkbiL  High  BailiC 
To  the  Physicians  and  Surgeons  of  the  Hospital  and  Workhouse." 

**  We,  the  Phymeians  and  Surgeons  to  the  Hospital,  and  Suigeons  to 
the  Workhouse,  do  certify,  from  our  own  Experience,  that  there  Is  no  Just 
Foundation  for  the  above  Beport,  the  Town  being  is  healthy  as  it 
vsoally  is  at  this  Season  of  the  Year. 

V   t!!!^»«  I  Physicians  to 

ISSSJ''  \   tbe^Hon^tal. 

Jsa.  Vauz,  (  Sumotis  to  the 

T.  ToMuvsov,  I       HospitaL 

O.  FasBB,  Ooeum.tenens)  T 

C.  V.  Wbbb,  )  Surgeons  to  the 

S.  Hiwxivi^  )   Poor  House." 


PUBUG  LIF£  AND  EVENTS.  41 

Afiain  oar  extracts  close  another  year  with  the  records  of 
chanty  on  behalf  of  the  saffering  poor : — 

Beoember  16,  1793.~'W6  have  the  pleasure  to  state  that  a  most 
yeqMctable  meetiiiff  of  the  inhabitants  of  this  place  iras  held  at  the 
JSjAdij  on  Fdday  ujst,  when  a  liberal  sab8cri]>tion  was  begun  for  the 
vorpoee  of  sappljing  the  labouring  poor  with  bread  and  jratatoes, 
dunng  the  depUi  of  winter.  To  so  benevolent  and,  at  this  time, 
neoessary  a  snoecription,  eyery  individual  who  has  the  means,  will,  we 
doubt  not,  ocmtribute. 

December  30, 17d3.— After  the  liberal  Subscriptions  that  are  dailj 
made  for  the  Relief  of  the  Poor,  and  the  several  cnaritable  Institutions, 
that  do  so  much  Honour  to  the  opulent  Inhabitants  of  this  Town,  it 
would  be  unnecessary  and  insulting  to  waste  a  Moment  in  attempting 
to  awaken  Sensations  of  Humanity,  or  to  bring  forward  a  scatterect  Bay 
to  shew  duuity  in  a  stronger  liffht.  But  it  cannot  be  deemed  improper 
to  recal  your  Attention  to  a  Mode  of  Charity,  that,  from  the  tmmtj 
with  which  the  Humane  of  other  great  Towns  in  this  and  other 
Ooontries  have  adopted  it,  from  the  Fru^ity  of  the  Plan,  and  its 
numerous  Advantages,  the  Friends  of  the  mdigent  Sick  must  see  with 
8ux|xrise  and  fi^gret,  still  in  a  State  of  Surmise,  unworthy  of  the 
Merits  of  such  an  Establishment,  and  of  your  well  known  seal  to 
relieve  Distress.  How  far  the  united  Evils  of  Povertr  and  Sickness 
may  be  assua^^ed  by  domestic  Assistance,  and  how  far  this  is  a  peculiar 
Ctintjf  offenng  those  Aids  to  whom  the  expedient  Laws  of  other 
Gbarities  refuse  access,  having  been  already  laid  before  the  Public,* 
it  is  oohr  wanting  to  turn  the  Current  of  your  Philanthropy  into  this 
useful  Qiannel,  and  remove  some  Obstacles  that  may  impede  its  Coutm. 
A  few,  not  ^et,  periu^  fully  acquainted  with  the  Nature  and  Utility 
of  the  Institution  and  the  well-meant  efforts  of  its  Promoters,  have 
seen  in  it  some  Qi^MSttion  to  the  HospitaL  This  Misi^iprehensian, 
however  frivolous,  ou^t  to  be  done  away,  and  it  will  immediately  be 
corrected,  by  turning  our  Eyes  to  other  Towns  of  less  Extent  and 
Opulence  than  this,  where  these  sister  Charities  will  be  found  to  have 
Acted  in  Concert  for  the  noble  Purposes  that  they  were  intended,  with 
nnintermpted  Friendship.  Beside,  the  Institutors  of  the  Birmingfaam 
Bispeosary  have  been  GarefuL  that  the  Boundaries  of  the  CDMiitj 
should  be  so  stroQgly  marked,  tnat  no  Trespass  can  hamMiL  Fortunate 
would  it  be  for  Mankind,  were  the  sum  of  human  Mijwiy  >o  easily 
diminished  that  a  few  hundred  Pounds  laid  out  in  Medicines  for  the 
Belief  of  the  Poor  at  their  own  Houses,  that  so  simple  and  so  cheap  a 
Method,  could  thin  the  Wards  ol  the  Hospital  of  the  lamst  manu- 
liacturing  Town  in  Endand.  The  Lasy  and  damonnis  are  out  too  apt 
to  beset  the  Gates  of  Hospitals  and  Foot  Hoosea  whilst  the  modest 
and  industrious  Sufferer,  that  needs  onl^  Health  to  be  an  useful 
Member  of  Society,  becomes  a  Victim  to  his  own  Delioacy. 

That  there  ii  an  Inability  to  support  both  Charities,  or  that  this  is 
an  improper  Time  to  eneouraip  a  new  one,  the  Overaowing  of  your 
Qeneroaitv  in  a  late  Gontribatuw,  and  the  Increase  of  Wretchednessy 
abundantly  eontndict  Mav  an  Honourable  Oonehisicn  of  the  present 
War  aooo  restore^  in  all  their  Pknitode.  the  Aita  of  Peace,  and  the 
gmlcfnl  Medianic  wfll  then  repy  with  Industij  the  Protection 
eoEtsnded  to  him  in  the  Hour  of  Sickness  and  of  Want 

*  See  Fivpoealf  for  a  Di^Miaaiy  is  Bifmiaghsm. 


42  A  CENTURT  OF  BIBIONGHAH  LIFE. 

-   Early  in  1794,  our  Manufacturers  and  Workmen  read 
this  encouraging  bit  of  Court  news  : — 

January  27, 1794— This  Town  has  the  greatest  rsMon  to  rcgoioe  in 
the  turn  fashion  has  taken,  in  imitation  of  his  Iloyal  HU^hness  the 
Prinoe  of  Wales,  and  the  Princesses,  whose  example  upon  this  occasion 
will  be  the  means  of  affording  employment  and  support  to  hnndrods  of 
£unilies  His  Boyal  Highness  now  always  wears,  both  on  his  morning 
and  eyeninff  dress,  engraved  fancy  white  and  yellow  metal  btOtang, 
The  unmanly  shoe  string  will  henceforth  be  thrown  aside  for  the 
hucHe.  (hi  the  birthday,  his  Boyal  Highness  and  all  his  sisters  appeared 
in  the  Soho  new  itwented  skoe4atekeUj  and  have  since  continued  to  wear 
this  most  elegant  invention.  Indeed  no  well  dressed  gentleman  or 
lady  now  appears  without  these  buttons  and  the  ornament  of  the 
budde.  No  small  degree  of  gratitude,  then,  is  surely  due  from  the 
ingenious  artist  to  the  arbiters  of  taste  and  fiushion,  when  they  are  so 
patriotic  in  their  patronage. 

The  next  two  extracts  will  show  the  earnestness  with 
which  our  fore£Gtthers  entered  into  any  kind  of  charitable 
work.  From  founding  hospitals  to  supplying  our  troops 
in  Flanders  with  flannel  shiits  and  waistcoats — from  raising 
funds  to  provide  their  own  sufTering  poor  with  bread,  to 
sending  boots  to  the  militia  of  other  counties — ^at  all  times, 
and  upon  all  occasions,  the  cry  of  suffering  has  ever  called 
forth  the  active  sympathy  of  this  town.     We  have  peculiar 

i>leasure  in  producing  the  perpetual  proofs  of  this  exhaust- 
ess  spirit  of  Charity : — 

February  S4, 1794.— It  is  with  pleasure  that  the  Printer  inaerto  the 
following  Address,  and  announces  that  the  subsoription  which  it  is  its 
object  to  promote  in  this  place  has  already  begun. 

To  the  Ladiee  of  Birmingham  and  Warwiekehire, 
I  have  been  much  struck  with  a  puUio-sptrited  sdieme  of  Charity 
now  carrvinff  on  with  fpood  success  at  Bath.  It  is  a  plan  among  a 
party  of  Laiues,  for  raismg  by  subscription  a  sum  of  money  suffioent 
to  present  a  pair  of  shoes  to  the  Militia  of  the  County  of  Somerset. 
There  is  a  warm  hope  that  this  considerate  attention  to  our  honest 
Militia,  whose  ffood  conduct  has  been  noticed  from  the  Throne,  will 
become  general  throush  the  kingdom.  This  act  of  kindness  is 
particularly  well  timedu  The  long  and  toilsome  nardiss  whidi  the 
present  exigence  of  ailairs  requires,  makes  an  ^^Kititiil  pair  of  ahoea 
very  acceptaUe ;  their  allowance  being  oidv  one  iialr. 

I  earnestly  wirii  to  see  the  County  of  Warwi^  the  first  to  follow  so 
laudable  an  example ;  and  have  no  doubt  bat  the  liberal  and  s^ted 
Town  of  BirminAam  will  be  the  ftranoft  to  tet  audi  a  subaeriptinn 
on  foot  It  Is  a  charitv  which  baa  eveiy  advantafi  to  recommend  it 
It  will  add  to  the  comfort  of  a  laborious  body  of  bmil  oar  neighbours 
and  fellow  dtisens^  whose  attadiment  to  thdr  aapenors  wfllbeoomo 
still  mater  by  this  small  act  of  attention  to  their  ease :— Hie  monev 
ii  laid  out  on  the  spot  in  a  osefol  artide  of  timde^  and  dorives  a  fresh 
value  fit>m  ftimishing  a  seasonable  employment  lo  the  indostrious 
manufiictarer. 


PX7BLIC  LIFE  AND  EVENTS.  43 

The  Publisher  of  this  will,  no  doabt,  be  happy  to  reoeive  the 
•obecriptioDa. 

March  3rd,  1794. — ^A  liberal  subscription  has  been  entered  into  by 
the  gentlemen  frequenting  the  Talbot  Inn,  Digbeth,  for  purchasing 
shoes  for  the  privates  of  Uie  Warwickshire  Militia. 

Another  general  fiaist  was  kept  this  year,  and  the  town, 

a^  usual,  observed  it  with  all  earnestness  and  decorum : — 

March  3,  1794 — ^Friday  last,  being  the  day  appointed  by  his  Majesty 
to  be  observed  as  a  General  Fast,  every  proper  attention  to  the  same 
was  shewn  by  all  ranks  of  people  in  this  town ;  and  the  places  of 
worship  were  uncommonly  crowded.  At  St  Mary's  Chapel,  after 
Divine  Service,  the  sum  of  £20  was  collected  for  the  poor. 

The  second  collection  of  the  money  for  the  late  riots  was 

announced  in  May : — 

Thursday,  May  1, 1794. — ^The  Constables  of  the  Birmingham  Division 
of  the  Huniired  of  Hemlingford  give  this  public  Notice,  that  they  have 
received  the  Warrakts  w  the  Second  CoLLBcnoN  of  the  Mom  it  for 
the  late  Biots,  and  are  there  commanded  to  collect  the  whole  money  <^ 
the  present  collection  in  Thirtt  datb  from  Saturday  last.  They  there- 
fore request  the  Payers  will  give  them  as  little  trouble  as  possible,  as 
they  are  obliged  to  comply  with  the  Direction  of  the  Warrants  under 
a  very  heavy  Fine. 

The  King's  birthday  was  again  kept  with  the  utmost 
loyalty : — 

June  9»  1794. — We  have  received  accounts  from  all  quarters  of  the 
uncommon  marks  of  loyalty  and  affection  with  which,  on  Wednesday, 
the  Anniversary  of  our  gracious  Sovereign's  Birthdav  was  celebrated. 
In  this  Town  the  bells  were  rung  throughout  the  whole  day,  oxen  were 
roasted,  and  several  barrels  of  lue  were  given  to  the  populace  by  tibe 
Colonels  Boberts  and  MDonnel,  each  of  whom  are  raising  B^giments 
here.  The  King's  own  Drsffoonsi  from  the  Barracks,  were  dniwn  up 
in  New  Street,  and  fired  a  fiu  dejoie  ;  and  large  paiiies  dined  at  the 
principal  Inns,  and  passed  the  day  with  the  utmost  cheerfiilness  and 
festivity. 

On  June  Ist,  Lord  Howe  obtained  his  famous  victory 
over  the  French  fleet.  The  news  sent  a  thrill  of  joy 
throughout  the  country,  for  the  year  had  been  rather  a 
disastrous  one  to  our  armies  abroad.  The  French  Revo- 
lution was  approaching  a  crisis;  and  Robespierre  was 
defeated  and  beheaded ;  but  no  changes  in  the  governing 
powers  at  Paris  checked  the  victorious  career  of  the  French 
arms.  Birminfffaam  celebrated  Lord  Howe's  victory  with 
the  utmost  en&usiasm. 

June  16, 1794. — On  Thursday,  when  the  news  arrired  here  of  the 
glorious  Tietory  obtained  OTer  the  Frendi  fleet  by  Eari  Howe^  an 
uniTerud  joy  spread  through  the  town.  It  happened  on  our  Fair 
day,  and  the  High  Bailiff  as  soon  as  the  mail  had  broiight  the  happy 
intelljgsnee^  be|^  the  eustomaiy  procession  with  the  other  oiBeerB  of 
the  places  and  Ming  upon  this  occssion  honoured  by  the  attendanoe  of 


44  A  CENTUBY  OF  BIBMINGHAH  LIFE. 

Colonel  M'Donnell,  his  regiment,  mnsto,  and  flags  ;  Lieotenant  Si>ooner, 
and  the  Warwicksliire  Feocible  Coitib  (the  Officers  bearing  their  respec- 
tive standards) ;  aod  a  number  of  his  friends ; — the  brilliancy  of- the 
procession,  the  ringing  of  the  bells,  and  firing  of  guns,  united  with  the 
exulting  exclamations  ol  the  innumerable  Toices  in  our  crowded  streets, 
exhibited  a  town  in  a  complete  state  of  triumphant  rejoicing.  A 
sumptuous  entertainment  was  ffiven  by  the  High  Bailifl^  at  Vauxhall, 
to  which  upwards  of  eighty  of  the  military  officers  in  town  and  principal 
inhabitants  sat  down.  The  day  was  spent  with  the  utmost  harmony 
and  festivity,  a  variety  of  loyal  toasts  and  songs  were  given,  and  at 
night  the  whole  town  was  illuminated,  transparencies  and  various 
devices  were  exhibited,  and  laiige  quantities  of  fire-works  were 
played  off. 

The  respectful  and  kind  attention  which  the  Magistratefl  and  Officers 
of  this  town  discovered  towards  the  people  called  Quakers,  has,  we  are 
desired  to  say,  been  gratefully  felt  by  them.  They  believe  that  war  is 
to  them  unlawful,  and  they  would,  therefore,  act  inconsistently  with 
their  principles,  which  promote  universal  peace  among  men,  were  they 
to  illuminate  their  houses  in  token  of  rejoicing  for  victories  obtained  by 
the  effusion  of  blood.    And  on  other  ocasions,  when  illuminations  take 

Slaoe,  thev  think  that  heartfelt  gratitude  to  divine  providence  is  best 
isooverea  by  an  amendment  of  life,  and  an  increased  disposition  to 
alleviate  the  distrsases  of  our  fellow  creatures.  It  is  to  be  hoped, 
therefore,  Uiat  their  conduct  will  give  no  offence,  especially  as  they 
believe  they  act  agreeably  to  the  simplicity  of  the  (Jospel  Dispensation. 

The  police  are  now  beginning  to  pay  some  attention  to  the 
preservation  of  order  in  the  streets ;  and  accordingly  issue 
the  following  notice,  which,  we  dare  say,  was  for  a  short  time 
attended  to,  and  then  allowed  to  repose  in  official  in- 
difference:— 

The  Officers  of  this  Town  ^ve  this  publio  Notice,  that  they  are 
come  to  a  determined  Benolntion  to  apprehend  all  stroUinff  Bsmrs, 
Ballad  Singers,  and  other  Vagrants  found  within  this  Fteish ;  and,  at 
the  same  time,  request  the  Inhabitants  will  by  no  Means  assist  them : — 
those  who  are  chariubly  disposed  may,  at  this  Time,  find  numerous 
Neighbours  that  they  may  wivately  aMst^  who  are  Pariahionen,  and 
real  Objects.— Birmingham,  May  88, 1794. 

Here  is  a  welcome  bit  of  information.     It  seems  scarcely 

credible  that  a  custom  of  this  kind  could  have  existed  at  so 

recent  a  date : — 

June  S3, 17M.— Sir  Charles  Buabnry's  Bill,  by  whidi  the  poor  m 
exempted  from  personal  labour  in  the  repair  of  the  highwayi^  has 
received  the  Boyml  Assent 

The  public  were  thus  informed  of  the  third  collection  of 

the 

Riot  Lewt. 
The  Constables  of  the  Binningham  Division  of  the  Hundred  of 
Hemlingfoni  give  this  Publio  Notice,  that  they  have  rseeived  the 
Warrants  for  the  third  Collection  of  the  M<mey  for  the  late  Rioi%  and 
are  there  commanded  to  collect  the  whole  of  the  prasent  OoUeciioii  in 
Thirty  Ik^  from  Satwxhy  tart  ;  they,  therefore,  request  the  Fayen 


PUBLIC  LIF£  AND  EVENTS.  45 

will  ffiye  them  as  little  Trooble  aa  poaeible,  aa  they  are  obliged  to 
comfMy  with  the  Directiona  of  the  Wanmnta  under  a  ywj  heayy  Fine. 
Satarday,  October  25, 1794. 

At  this  time  there  was  a  great  belief  in  the  curative 
powers  of  oxygen  air  for  almost  all  diseasfts.  Blindness, 
deafness,  and  our  country's  especial  pest,  consumption,  were 
to  be  overcome  by  this  extraordinary  panacea  for  all  the  ills 
that  flesh  is  heir  to.  The  first  notice  of  its  wonderful 
power  appeared  November  17, 1794 : — 

We  are  happy  to  inform  the  public  that  two  persona  have  been  cared 
of  blindness,  caused  by  a  Uutta  Serena,  and  another  of  deafness,  by  the 
ezhibitiim  <k  oxygens  air^  under  the  direction  of  an  eminent  London 
Prsctitioner.  One  cancer  of  the  breast,  of  koff  standing,  has  been 
apparently  cured  in  the  Bath  Hospital,  by  oamnie  acid  air;  and 
another  cancerous  patient  haa  been  so  much  benefited,  that  great  hopes 
of  a  perfect  leoorery  are  entertained.  In  other  malignant  mcers  etfud 
aaocesB  haa  been  obtained.  In  a  few  cases  of  eon/Srwud  consumption, 
aa  far  aa  could  be  jud|(ed,  a  cure  has  been  effected,  and  in  others  great 
relief  haa  been  ezpeneneed.  A  dlsoovery  more  interesting  to  suffering 
humanity  neyer  before  claimed  the  attention  of  the  public^  and  we 
hope  and  trust  that  the  liberal  anpfwrt  of  the  wealthier  clssses  of  the 
community,  will  enable  the  public  spirited  undertakers  to  pursue  their 


This  is  followed  by  a  proposal  to  found  a 

Medical  Pitsvmatic  Ivstitotiov. 

Korember  17^  1794.— From  Tarioua  Triala  lately  made  by  aeveral 
eminent  Fhysieuuis,  it  i^meais  that  the  Inspiration  and  external 
Applieatioii  of  Factitioua  Airs  is  likely  to  proTe  of  great  aenrice  in 
the  Cure  of  several  Diawdera  whidi  have  hitherto  baffled  the 
power  of  Medicine^  particularly  in  Ooosnmptioii,  Osncer,  and  Palsy, 
but  aa  it  is  necessary  that  their  EiBcaey  and  the  best  Mode  of 
Applicataon  ahonld  be  more  fully  asoertamed  than  can  be  done  in 
the  course  of  private  Prsctioe,  mrnnl  nq>ectable  Gentlemen,  both 
in  and  out  of  the  Medical  IVof essioo,  popose  to  form  a  Umporary 
lutitation,  of  the  Nature  of  an  Hospital  where  a  proper  Apparatus 
may  be  estaUiahed  on  a  laive  Scale,  where  Booma  may  entirely  be 
filled  with  modified  Air,  and  the  necessary  Medical  Assistance  be 
provided* 

The  Inatitntiao  will  be  ooodoeted  with  the  utmost  Openness^  and 
Accounts  of  its  Progress  will  be  regularly  oubUshed.  The  eipenee  will 
be  considerable,  ana  can  only  be  raisea  Vy  public  Contribution ;  by 
iHiidi  Means  it  is  hoped  such  Sums  will  he  obtained,  aa,  properly 
applied,  will  produce  some  dedaive  B«mlt|  ao  that  no  Moond  Donation 
will  be  solidted.  The  Undertaking  is  snbaeribed  to  and  patronised  by 
Fersona  of  the  first  Rank  and  ScMnee ;  among  whom  we  need  only 
mentkn  the  Names  of  the  Duke  and  Docheas  of  Devonshire,  of  Dr. 
BbdE,  riofessor  of  Chemistry  at  Edinbni)!^ :  Dr.  Darwin^  Deiby ; 
Dr.  Ewart,  of  Bath ;  Dr.  Ingenboos,  of  London ;  Messra  Wedgwood, 
Ikttwr  and  Soul  of  Etmria;  Mr.  Kirwan,  of  Dublin;  Mr.  a  More, 

Persona  dispossd  to  eontributs^  are  requested  to  give  in  their  Namea 
and  Sabaeripfions  to  Mr.  Fieanion,  the  Printer  of  this  Pl^ier,  with 


4C  A  CENTITBT  OF  BIRHINGHAM  LIFE. 

whom  are  left  Plcopoflalfl  more  at  large,  drawn  tip  by  Dr.  Beddon,  of 
Bristol  Hot-welLs,  tae  Author  of  aeveral  PablicationB  on  this  Subject 

This  year  ends,  like  so  many  more,  in  efforts  to  relieve  the 
distress  of  the  poor.  A  Meeting  was  held,  funds  raised,  and 
the  town  divided  into  districts,  and  two  or  more  gentlemen 
appointed  to  attend  to  each  district.  I  quote  the  list  of 
these  districts,  and  the  names  of  the  gentlemen  who  under- 
took the  labour,  as  they  afford  an  example  of  the  method 
adopted  in  these  case&  The  Meeting  was  held  on  December 
19,  1794*,  80  that  relief  might  be  given  before  Christmas 
day : — 

Mr.  Gharlea  liqyd,  and  Mr.  Thomas   Bellamj— Edgbaston    Street 

Quarter. 
Mr.  Thomas  Colmore,  and  Mr.  Weaman  Hicks — ^Digbeth  Quarter. 
Mr.  W.  W.  Mason,  and  Mr.  Samuel  Bvland— New  Street  Quarter. 
Mr.  Jc^in  Tankard,  and  Mr.  Thomas  Cooper— Hill  Street,  Quarter. 
The  High  BailiflE;  and  Mr.  Thomas  Robinson— High  Stieet  Quarter. 
Mr.  Wuliam  Walker,  Mr.  James  Osborne,  and  j£*.  Joseph  Gibbs-~Bt. 

Ifiary's  Quarter. 
Mr.  Walter  CiTOer,  Mr.  James  WooUey,  and  Mr.  John  Stanton— 

Newhall  Street  Quarter. 
Mr.  John  Ward,  Mr.  Thomas  Smallwood,  and  Mr.  Bichard  Warren — 

Dale  End  Ouarter. 
Bay.  Mr.  Young,  Mr.  Theodore  Price,  and  Mr.  —  Timmins— St  Paul's 

Quarter. 
Bey.  Mr.  Bum,  Mr.  Gaud  Johnson,  and  Mr.  Samuel  Tutin— Bull 

Street  Quarter. 
Mr.  Samuel  Baker,  Mr.  John  Guest,  Mr.  —  Wilcox— Suffolk  Street 

Quarter. 
Ber.  Mr.  DarwalL  Mr.  Qoddington,  Mr.  James  Yates,  Mr.  Joseph 

Jukes,  and  Mr.  James  Cockle — Deritend  and  Bordeslej. 
Mr.  Samuel  Qalton,  •  Jun.,  Mr.  S.  Pemberton,  Mr.  Heaton,  and  Mr. 

Benjamin  Sokes — Five  Ways,  &c. 
Mr.  Thomas  Barker^  Mr.  William  SmiUi,  and  Mr.  John  Startin,  Jun. 

'-Summer  Will, 
Mr.  Bichaid  Ford,  and  kessra.  Baldwins— Hockley,  &c. 

Tn  a  week  the  subscription  had  reached  the  sum  of 
£1,700.  The  distress  was  very  great,  so  great,  indeed,  that 
the  most  extravagant  reports  as  to  the  amount  of  our  levy 
were  believed.  A  neighbouring  paper  actually  published 
a  paragraph  stating  that  the  poor's  rate  in  Birmingham  was 
twefUy  shtUvnga  ia  ihe  pound  The  actual  rate  at  this  time 
Iffing  risq>enee. 

The  opening  of  the  new  year  was  signalised  by  the  pre- 
aenoe  of  illustrious  visitors . — 

January  6,  ITINt. — On  Tuesday  evening.  Earl  FltcwiUiam,  aooompa- 
nied  l^  his  Countess,  Lord  Milton  his  son,  and  Lady  Csroline  Beanderk, 
arrivM  at  the  Swan  Inn,  in  this  Town,  where  tne^  passed  the  nig^t, 
and  the  next  moming  his  Lonlship  proceeded  on  his  journey  to  Irdand, 


PUBLIC  LIFE  AND  EVENTS.  47 

to  assume  the  yioeroTship  of  that  Eongdom.  The  bells  of  St  Philip's 
Church  be^ian  to  ring  at  six  o'clock  and  continued  till  the  noble  Peer 
and  his  Suite  had  left  the  town. 

Mr.  Owen  Owens  had  established  a  Friendly  Society, 
which  attracted  considerable  attention.  It  was  called  the 
Society  for  the  Decent  Burial  of  Men,  Women,  aod 
Children ;  and  at  a  meeting  held  "  at  Hockley,  near 
Birmingham,"  on  January  13,  1795,  the  founder  gave  the 
following  account  of  the  origin  of  the  institution : — 

^For  many  years  past^  my  own  particular  Business  having  caused  me 
to  traverse  every  Street  and  Alley  of  the  great  and  populous  Town  of 
Birmingham,  I  could  not  avoid  making  Observations  of  the  many 
Hardships  to  which  the  Poor  are  exposed,  sometimes  by  Sickness, 
sometimes  Want  of  Employment,  or  Want  of  Cloathing  (especially 
Lying-in  Women,  who  frequently  I  have  noticed  to  be  destitute  of 
proper  Nourishment  and  warm  Covering,  and  other  Necessaries},  which 
many  Times  produced  Distempers  which  ended  in  Death.  This, 
though  a  Welcome  Messenger  to  the  suffering  Patients,  was  a  double 
Misfortune  to  their  affectionate  Belatives,  finrt,  by  depriving  them  of 
the  Objects  of  their  Affections  (for  the  social  Affections  nourish  as 
strongly  amongst  the  Poor  as  the  RichX  ^^^  secondly,  by  stripping  them 
of  their  All  to  procure  decent  Burials  for  the  Drad,  and  that  All  has 
been  freouently  insufficient  for  the  Purpose.  I  remember  a  poor  Man 
had  his  Wife  and  two  Children  IWng  dead  in  his  house  at  one  Time ; 
he  was  obliged  to  break  up  House-Keeping,  and  sell  all  his  Furniture  to 

St  them  interred.  I  have  often  seen  others  pack  up  all  the  Sunday 
oathing  they  had  and  cairv  it  to  the  Pawn-broker;  and  others, 
having  no  Cloathing  that  a  nwn-broker  would  take  in,  I  have  seen 
wandtting  about  the  Town  with  a  Petition,  endeavouring  to  wring  a 
Trifle  from  the  cold  hand  of  Charity,  to  enable  them  to  pav  the  last 
Duty  to  their  Husbands  or  Children ;  others,  indeed,  borrow  from  their 
Masters,  and  were  under  Stoppages  every  Week  for  a  lon^  Time  on  that 
Aocouut.  This,  though  the  least  bitter,  was  far  from  bemg  a  pleasant 
Mode  either  to  Master  or  Servant  These  Calamities  took  su<m  Effect 
upon  my  Mind,  that  I  have  frequently  joined  my  tears  to  those  of  the 
poor  Sufferers,  when  I  had  no  other  Belief  to  give  them,  and  my. 
whole  Attention  was  bent  upon  inventing  some  Method  of  putting  an 
End  to  such  Distresses.  As  I  was  meditating  upon  mv  Bed  upon  the 
Subject^  it  occurred  to  me  that  if  T  oould  establish  a  Society  of  a  few 
Hundred^  who  should  subscribe  One  Penny  a  Week  each,  I  oould  allow 
Three  GKiineaa  to  bury  every  Member  that  should  Die  after  having  paid 
Twelve  Weeks,  and  no  further  Pavment  should  be  required  fr^  his 
Belattvea  on  that  Account.  Next  Morning  I  waited  on  several  of  my 
Friends^  and  laid  my  Plan  before  them.  It  met  their  hearty  Appro- 
bation, but  not  one  of  them  would  advance  a  Penny,  nor  spena  an 
Hoar  in  bringing  it  forward  to  be  useful.  Notwithstandinff  tne  Diffi- 
culties I  had  to  wade  througk  I  did  not  despidr  of  bung  able  to 
aoeomplish  my  Wishes,  thoufh  alone  and  unassisted,  saving  by  the  help 
of  that  Deity  who  never  withnolds  his  Assistance  from  the  good  Acts  of 
his  Ck«aturesw  I  spared  neither  Trouble  or  Expence^  but  walked  many 
Weeks  through  every  Fart  of  the  Town  with  Hand  Bilh^  straining 
every  nerve  to  accomplish  what  had  become  the  first  Wish  ^  my  Heart 
— the  Belief  of  the  Indigent  and  Distresned. 


48  A  CENTUBY  OF  BIBMINaHAH  LIFE. 

^  When  I  had  got  about  600  Memben  I  began  to  collect  the  Pence ; 
then,  instead  of  eeeing  an  End  to  mj  Laboar,  I  foand  a  Street  UpixMir 
raised  against  .me.  The  Plan  was  allowed  to  be  good,  but  it  was 
asserted  that  I  was  nothing  but  a  Catchpenny  who  wanted  to  make  a 
Purse,  and  run  off  with  the  Money  ¥rithout  buryiugr  one  of  the  Con- 
tributors. This  Language,  unfortunately  for  them,  deceived  many,  and 
the  Number  of  Members  was  reduced  /rom  600  to  209.  Those  people 
who  knew  me  well  would  not  hear  anything  against  me,  and  it  is 
further  remarkable,  that  those  who  Vere  loudortt  in  Abuse  against  me, 
had,  in  less  than  two  Months,  one  or  two  dead  in  their  Houses,  and 
came  weeping  to  me  to  request  they  might  be  forgiven  and  re-admitted 
Members.  In  the  Course  of  One  Tear  and  Nine  Months,  the  Society 
has  increased  from  209  to  2361  Persons,  and  I  have  paid  to  different 
Families  in  Birmingham,  during  that  Time,  the  Sum  of  3152.  for  One 
Hundred  Funerals,  which,  to  them,  has  proved  of  the  utmost  Service 
the  Dead  being  decently  interred,  and  the  living  Mourners  suppliea 
with  some  decent  CloaUiing  in  a  Time  of  Distress ;  and  I  have  the 
Pleasure  of  saying  that  the  Sum  of  772.  9#.  2dL  still  remains  in  the 
Bank,  as  a  Fund  to  answer  future  Demands. 

^  I  dball  now  close  my  Account  with  a  Prayer,  that  the  God  of  the 
Poor  may  bless  us  all,  that,  as  we  increase  in  Number,  we  may  increase 
in  Love  towards  each  other,  and  to  all  the  World,  wronging  no  one  of 
his  own,  nor  coveting  our  N^eiffhboar^s  Goods,  and  should  a  Judas  arise 
amonjnt  us  to  betray  us,  that  we  may  discover  him  and  frustrate  his 
evil  Purposes,  and  that  God  will  give  me  Resolution  to  persevere  in  a 
Work  which  has  been  found  so  beneficial  to  my  poor  Brethren." 

There  was  another  general  fSshst  on  April  27 ;  which  waa 
kept  with  "  proper  attention  by  all  ranks  of  persons  in  this 
town." 

The  Benevolent  Society  was  another  of  our  charitable 
institutiona  It  was  established  for  the  relief  of  the  indigent 
sick.  This  year  the  subscribers  laid  before  the  public  an 
account  of  its  objects  and  aims : — 

BnrEVOLENT  SOCIBTT  FOB  THE  BeUST  OP  THB  IVDZeSMT  8ICK. 

March  2, 1705.— The  Subeeribert  to  the  Benevolent  Societj  for  the 
Belief  of  the  Indigent  Sick,  in  the  Town  of  Birminffham,  coaceiving  that 
their  Plan  Is  not  Muerall/  known,  beg  licave  to  scuieit  the  Attention  of 
the  Public  to  the  State  and  Design  of  this  Institution.  They  undertake 
not  to  support  a  Set  of  Pensioners,  hot  their  principal  Aim  is  to 
administer  seasonable  Assistance  in  Ckses  of  Violent  Sickness,  or  other 
Extreme  CSslamitj,  whereby  many  fiunilies  are  involved  in  great 
temporary  Difficulties ;  in  tneh  Oises  it  seems  desirable  that  some 
immediate  Help  shonld  be  administered,  not  only  as  it  may  tend  to 
comfort  the  Dying,  bat  also  to  strengthen  the  Weak,  and  be  the  means 
in  a  short  Time  of  restoring  them  to  their  former  Ooenpations. 

They  have  also  a  farther  End  in  View;  the  Stewards  who  axe 
appointed  to  cany  this  Belief  to  the  Hooses  of  the  Afflicted,  endeavonr. 
by  Serioos  Advice,  to  direct  their  attention  to  their  spiritoai  and  etenoai 

The  Necessity  and  Utility  of  this  Institution  have  already  appeared 
in  an  important  Light  to  those  who  have  had  the  Opportunity  of 
observing  its  Progress^  and  of  maridng  its  salutazy  Effiwts, 


PUBLIC   LIFE  AND   EVENTS.  49 

Tbe  BeDdTolent  Fand  hai,  till  within  the  last  Year,  been  supported 
by  small  monthlj  Contributions  (fiom  One  Shilling  to  Two  Shillingn 
and  SizpenceX  and  these  confined  to  a  very  few  persons.  By  an 
iDcraase  of  Subscrihers  within  that  Period,  the  monthly  Subscription 
has  been  considerably  advanced ;  this,  together  with  the  Sums  collected 
on  the  two  last  Fast  J^^n  ^^®  enabled  the  Stewards  to  extend  Belief 
jdiroQgh  a  mudi  wider  Ciircle  of  Misery  than  has  before  been  attempted. 
Still  the  Number  of  Indigent  Sick  is  found  to  increase^  and  their 
DlsU  esses  become  daily  more  pressing.  This  has  induced  the  piesent 
Subsfvibers  to  make  the  Case  public,  in  the  hope  that  a  Plan  or  Belief 
•o  useful,  and  at  the  same  Time  so  easy  and  fiimiliar  in  its  Execution. 
wiU  not  fiul  to  recommend  itself  to  the  general  Approbation  ana 
Patronage  of  their  Townsmen. 

Tbe  Monies  reoeived  are  Tested  in  the  Hands  of  a  respectable  Person, 
who  acts  as  Treasurer,  and  Visitors  are  chosen  Monthly,  who,  on 
receiving  proper  Becommendations  from  the  Subscribers,  distribute  the 
neoessazy  Belief  in  the  Manner  before  mentioned.  The  Accounts  of 
Monies  so  received  and  distributed  are  reffularly  kept  and  exhibited 
lor  the  Inspection  of  the  Subscribers,  at  public  Meetings  regularly  held 
lor  that  Purpose,  at  St  Marr's  Yestriv  on  tbe  first  Thursday  after  each 
Quarter  Bay,  at  seven  o^dock  in  the  Evening 

Number  c^  Cases  relieved  within  the  last  year-~575. 

Snbseriptums  are  received  by  the  Wardens  of  St.  Mary's,  of  whom 
eveiy  necessary  Information  may  be  obtained. 

The  following  extract  gives  us  a  glance  of  one  of  the 
evils  of  a  war  time : — 

March  leih,  1795. — On  Monday  last  great  confusion  and  some  alarm 
was  created  in  this  town,  in  consequence  of  a  party  of  the  118th,  or 
Fingsl  B^giment^  whidi  had  marched  in  from  Ireland  on  the  preceding 
Saturday,  refiontng  to  continue  their  route  until  they  had  been  paid  ail 
their  bounty  money,  which  they  alleaed  they  had  not  received.  Being 
encoungcd  by  many  among  the  popuaoe  to  continue  in  their  demands, 
and  several  of  them  being  mudi  intoxicated,  titey  forced  themselves  into 
their  oiBoen^  room  at  the  Swan  Hotels  and  treated  them  in  a  very  rude 
and  threateninff  manner.  Our  Magistrates  tried  in  vain  to  appease 
them,  and  as  a  Luge  mob  bcsan  to  collect,  and  add  to  the  tumult,  they 
were  oblked  to  request  Gofonel  Oallow  to  bring  the  Third  Drsfloons 
from  the  Bamdn,  to  preserve  the  peace,  which  they  effectually  did.  A 
note  was  then  ^ven  to  all  the  men  by  their  Lieutenant-Colonel  (Mont- 
mnery)  promising,  upon  their  arrival  at  bead  quarters^  payment  of  all 
the  money  due  to  Uiem,  and  signed  also  by  our  Magistrates,  who  encaged 
to  send  imniediately  to  the  War  OAcs^  and  see  Uiat  eveiy  man  in  the 
lament  had  his  due.  This  satisfied  most  of  them ;  there  were  some, 
however,  who  rqected  the  notes,  and  continued  in  a  veiy  mutinous  state 
all  the  day ;  but  the  Maprtrates  having  directed  the  GonsUbles  and 
their  Sermnts  to  fl»  at  midnight  to  all  the  public  houses  where  the  men 
were  billetted,  and  get  posssssion  of  their  arms  (which  they  easilv  did, 
assisted  hy  an  olBoer  and  a  party  of  the  dragoonsy,  and  everr  publican 
being  forbidden  to  give  them  spirits,  or  any  of  the  liquor  snops  to  be 
opened  in  the  mommg^  Colonel  Montgomery  was  at  length  enabled  on 
iSiesday  to  mareh  out  with  tho  greatest  part  of  the  corps,  and  the 
others  gradually  followed,  or  were  taken  bv  the  officera  who  stayed  here 
to  eolleet  them.  The  Magistrates,  we  understand,  have  since 
n.  B 


oO  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

two  letters  from  the  SecreUiy  at  War ;  who,  in  the  fint^  writes  that 
^  orders  are  sent  to  the  Head  Quarters,  to  prerent  any  difficult j  or  delay 
in  execating  what  the  Magistrates  haTe  oDgaged  for,  and  a  Genwal 
Officer  will  be  immedlatelj  sent,  hj  his  Boj^  Highness  the  Duke  of 
York^  to  ooforoe  those  orders.  And,  in  a  second  letter,  the^Bi^t  Hon. 
Seeietary  informs  the  Magistrates^  that  '^  Lientenant-Qeneral  Forbes  is 
gone  to  redress  grieTancss,  and,  if  possible,  to  proTent  saeh  causes  of 
alarm  for  the  fatiire.'* 

An  act  had  be^i  passed  by  Parliament  for  raising  a  certain 
number  of  men  in  the  several  coanties  of  Ilngland  for  the 
service  of  the  Navy.  The  general  Session  of  the  Peace  held 
at  Warwick  Ga  March  23,  had  allotted  forty-four  men  as  the 
number  to  be  raised  by  Birmingham.  A  meeting  of  the 
inhabitants  was  held  on  March  31,  at  which  ^it  was  deter- 
mined, that  a  Levy^  at  the  rate  of  six-penoe  in  the  pound, 
should  be  immediately  made,  to  defray  the  expenses  of 
raising  the  forty-four  men  for  the  navy,  the  quota  for  this 
parish.'*  The  crimps  were,  as  usual  on  such  occasions,  busy 
m  the  pursuit  of  their  nefkrious  trade ;  and  the  ma^strates 
issued  the  following  notice : — 

A  CAUTION. 
To  the  Birmingkam  Volunietrt  far  tk€  Navy. 

April  13. 1795.— The  Magistrates  acting  for  this  Town  and  Neigh- 
bournood,  having  been  informed  that  seyeral  Crimp  Sergeants,  and 
others,  have  ennged  Men  for  Manning  his  Majesty's  Navy,  without 
an  J  Anthority  for  that  Puipose,  as  no  Sergeant  can  have  any  sodi 
Authoritj,  and  it  beinff  veiy  mjoxioos  to  the  Sorvice  to  pennit  any  each 
illegal  PnictioeB,  all  Persons  so  engiged  are  hereby  aoqaaintea  that, 
upon  ikppltcstioQ  to  any  of  the  Magirtrates^  they  will  be  immediately 
disehaiged  from  soch  EnsngementI  and  be  at  full  Liberty  to  enter 
into  the  Sendee  with  the  CSmrch-Waidens  and  Overseers  of  the  Poor, 
who  are  the  onl^  Persons  AnthoriflBd  to  engage  Men,  and  to  whom  all 
sach  9m  are  wilhng  to  go^  are  recommended  to  appl  v. 

The  Magistrates,  moreover,  wish  to  be  informed  of  the  Names  of  all 
such  Seigeants  as  have  ilkgallv  engaged  Men,  that  they  may  send  their 
Names  to  the  War  QiBoe^  and  have  them  properiy  punished 

The  following  extract  shows  how  the  vanity  of  the 

people  was  worked  upon  to  induce  Uiem  to  volunteer : — 

Ajxril  so,  ITM.— The  patriotic  spirit  which  has  ever  been  evinced  by 
the  inhabitants  of  this  place  to  oppose  the  enemies  of  their  oountiy, 
wilL  we  are  persuaded,  at  the  pnaent  moment^  iHien  Britannia  calls  for 
the  best  energies  of  all  her  Sons^  be  more  ardent  than  ever;  and  we 
assure  oursdves,  the  Town  quota  of  Men  for  the  Serrice  of  the  Navy 
will  soon  be  raised.  Eighteen  gallant  feUows  were  attested  on  Satuidav, 
and  onmbers  of  respectable  gcntlemniy  we  understend,  purpose  this 
week  to  sooompmj  the  Chwdi-Wardens  and  OiBcers  of  the  Town 
throu^  the  pnncinal  streets  ^as  the  chief  inhabitants  of  liveipooly 
Leeds,  and  SheiBeKi  did  at  thetr  respective  pboesj  and  to  give  eveiy 
poasilile  encouragement  to  those  who  may  be  desirous  of  the  glorious 
appellation  of  DdTsnden  of  their  country. 


PUBLIC  LIFE  AND  EVENTS.  51 

Here  is  another  scene  characteristic  of  the  time : — 

April  27,  1795.— On  Thanday  the  High  Bailifl^  Parish  Offioers,  and 
many  of  the  principal  Inhabitants,  paraded  the  streets  of  this  town 
'With  nmsio  and  flags,  to  reoeive  and  enooorage  those  brave  men  that 
might  wish  to  become  defenders  of  their  oonntiy  on  board  the  Boyal 
NavT,  and  volnnteers  upon  this  occasion  have  come  forward  in  snch 
nnmMra,  that  on  Sataraay  only  eight  men  were  wanted  to  compleat 
the  town  qnota,  and  which,  from  the  patriotic  spirit  now  abroao,  we 
doabt  not  will  immediately  be  foond. 

On  May  4th,  we  read :  *'  This  Town's  quota  of  Seamen  for 
Manning  the  ^avy,  is  now  compleated,  and  all  the  men 
have  been  enrolled." 

The  distress  continued  to  increase,  and  the  sufferings  of 
the  poor  were  something  terribla  Wheat  was  scarce, 
and  almost  at  famine  prices.  The  winter  had  been  severe, 
and  it  closed  by  rapid  tiiaws,  which  produced  fearful 
flooda  In  spite  of  this  distress,  however,  Uie  Parliament 
voted  an  immense  sum  of  money  to  pay  the  debts  of 
the  Prince  of  Wales,  and  made  a  liberal  settlement  for 
his  marriaga  But  for  the  charity  of  the  rich  and  the 
tolerably  well-to-do,  the  issues  would  have  been  much 
more  terrible  than  thev  were;  for  the  discontent  of  the 
people  was  becoming  fierce  and  clamorous,  In  Birming- 
ham, as  elsewhere,  they  resorted  to  violence ;  and  in  June 
of  this  year  occunred  that  outbreak  which  we  may  very 
properly  call  the  *'  Scarcity  Biota." 

Jane  29th,  1795. — It  is  with  great  concern  we  state  that  a  miagaided 
popolaoe,  too  nrone  to  hearken  to  the  suggestions  of  the  desiring  and 
evil-minded,  naa  again  broken  in  upon  the  peace  of  soeietjr,  and 
oommittad  the  most  culpable  acts  of  Tiolence  uid  ontrsffe.  The  com 
mill  and  bakehonse  of  Mr.  Piekard,  at  the  bottom  of  Snow  Hill, 
sappUes  a  considerable  nnmber  of  the  inhabitants  of  this  town  with 
ikMir  and  bread.  The  great  scardtj  of  grain  whidi  is  experienced 
thzongbont  Europe  rbut  in  no  conntiy  so  little  as  our  own),  has 
consiiMrabI J  advancea  its  price,  and  of  couse  neither  the  same  quantity 
of  flour,  nor  the  same  weight  of  bread,  can  be  affinded  for  the  like 
moner,  as  in  more  abundant  timea    A  &w  dajs  ago  a  poor  woman, 

'"~iDg  to  the  maid  servant  of  hlr.  Piekard  that  the  loaf  she 

r^ .i  was  less  than  usual,  was  answered  bj  the  maid,  that  she  was 

Sony  for  it;  but  that  wheat  was  so  dear  that  it  could  not  now  be 
afforoed  of  a  laiger  sise  at  the  customary  price ;  to  which  ehe  added  a 
just  remark,  that  we  surely  ought  to  be  contented  here,  and  not 
compUin,  as  our  condition  was  so  much  better  than  in  some  other 


countries :  lor  she  understood  from  the  papers  the  seandty  was  so 
great  in  IVance^  that  t^e  common  people  tbers  were  reduced  to  the 
neceadty  of  eating  graina  The  malicious,  it  seema  soon  penrerted  and 
fixed  the  expression  on  her  master,  and  it  was  quickly  rumoured  that 
Mr.  FSckara  had  said,  he  would  make  the  poor  eat  grains  in  tlieir 
bread^  with  the  addiUoual  calumny,  that  he  had  buried  under  his  mill 


52  A  OEKTURT  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFK 

a  large  qnantitj  oT  oorn.  False  and  improbable  aa  were  soeh  reporte, 
they  too  eacoeesfolly  answered  the  enda  of  their  Tile  fikbrieatore,  and, 
irritated  by  them,  a  mob  (principally  composed  of  women)  assembled 
between  one  and  two  o'clock  on  Monday  afternoon,  roand  the  mil^ 
and  began  to  break  the  window  of  it.  Two  of  our  worthy  and  active 
magistratee  (W.  YillerSy  and  W.  Hicks,  Eeqrs.),  who  happened  to  be 
then  in  town,  hastened  to  the  spot ;  but  it  was  to  no  purpose  that  they 
addressed  the  deladed  multitude  on  the  unlawfulness  and  impolicy  of 
their  proceedings.  A  rabble,  urged  on  by  furious  women,  made  their 
way  into  a  part  of  the  premises,  and  the  persons  of  the  Maffistratea 
were  endangered  by  the  stones  and  brick-ends  which  were  thown  in 
eyery  directioiu  it  became,  therefore,  neeeesaty  to  adopt  the  most 
vigorous  measures,  and  the  King's  own  regiment  of  Dragoons  were  sent 
ibr  from  the  Barracka.  It  happened  that  the  men  Vere  at  this  hour 
watering  their  horses  out  of  tne  town ;  they  were,  howeyer,  with  the 
utmost  expedition  collected  by  C(^nel  Callow,  who  appeared  at  the 
head  of  a  troop  in  time  to  saye  the  mill  from  destruction ;  but  not 
before  the  mob  had  brc^en  into  the  ooonting-house,  and  destroyed 
many  of  Mr.  Pickard's  books  of  account.  In  a  few  minutes  after  the 
arriyal  of  the  Dragoons,  also  appeared,  headed  by  Oaptain  Arden, 
Mr.  Jjtgfge^B  Troop  of  Warwickshire  Yeomanry  Oayalxy,  whom  (being 
at  exercise  a  few  miles  from  the  town)  Oaptam  Aiden^  upon  receiying 
intimatioii  of  the  disturbance,  immediately  Drought  to  our  assistanoer 

The  riot  act  was  now  read.     The  militaiy  speedily  deared  the 
premises  of  the  rioters,  and  parading  through  the  a4Joining  streeta* 

{•reyented  fVirther  tumult  during  the  day.     As  night  came  on,  the 
f  agistrates  eonsidering  peace  was  sufficiently  restored,  and  that  the 
troops  on  horseback  seryed  only  to  draw  crowds  of  idle  people  to  look 
at  them,  directed  that  twen^  of  the  Drafloons  should  be  dismounted, 
and  sent  into  the  mill  with  the  Peace  Officers ;  and  that  the  others^ 
with  the  Yeomanry,  should  retire  to  the  Bairacks,  there  to  wait  in 
readiness  for  further  orders.   Not  long,  howeyer,  after  the  disappearance 
of  the  aoldiera  another  attadc  was  made.    The  troops  within  the  mill 
came  out,  ana  seised  some  of  the  leading  rioters ;  and  the  Oonstablea 
then  ordered  them  to  load  their  pieces  before  the  mob,  at  the  same 
time  telling  the  people,  that  if  the  party  that  was  going  to  oonyey  those 
they  had  apprehended   to   the  aungeon  were  attacked,  they  bad 
orders  to  fire.     Notwithstanding  these  precautioui^  the  escort  had 
not  proceeded  a  hundred  yards  with  their  prisoners,  before  a  rescue 
was  attempted.    The  mob  beat^  pelted,  and  pressed  upon  the  soldiers 
on  eyery  side ;  It  was  in  yain  that,  by  slightly  wounding  some  with 
their  bayonets,  they  endeayoured  to  keep  them  o£  and  that  three  of 
them  dischaiged  their  pieces  oyer  the  people^s  heaas.    This,  instead  of 
intimidating,  seemed  only  to  Increase  tneir  yiolence ;  and  at  len jHUb,  so 
furious  was  the  attadc,  that  to  presenre  his  own  life,  and  in  obMience 
to  the  orders  he  had  receiyed  from  the  peace  oinoers,  one  of  the 
Dragoons  fired  upon  bis  assailants.     A  young  man  of  the  name  of 
Allen  instantly  ml  dead,  and  the  ball,  whidi  passed  throiuh  his  heart 
and  body,  looged  deep  in  the  chest  of  another  (Heniy  Mason)^  who, 
after  lingering  aliye  until  Saturday  mornings  expired  in  our  Hospital. 
Upon  tMse  saerifioes  to  the  offended  laws  of  our  country,  the  mob 
instantly  dispersed  in  eyerr  direction ;  nor  has  the  peace  m  the  town 
been  since  interrupted ;  though,  we  are  sornr  to  say,  some  widced 
incendlaryy  with  a  view  of  renewing  the  tnmmt,  has  been  dropping  in 


PUBLIC  LIFE  AND  EVENTS.  53 

the  straetSy  at  midBighty  written  papers  of  the  most  criminal  and 
inflammatoiy  nature ;  and  for  the  ducovery  of  the  author  of  which,  tin 
magUtrates  and  other  gentlemen  hare  offered  a  reward  of  one  hundred 
guincM. 

Mr.  Brooke,  the  Coroner,  has  held  an  inquest  upon  the  body  of  the 
dead  men,  and  the  Jury  have  returned  their  rerdkijuitifiMe  homicide. 
Two  women  and  a  man,  Mar^|aret  Bowlker,  Mary  Mullens,  and 
George  SAttoty,  sworn  to  as  bemg  most  active  in  the  riot|  are  fully 
committed  by  ue  ma^trates  to  Warwick  goal,  to  take  their  triab  lor 
the  offenoe,  of  whidi.  if  they  are  convicted,  the  punishment  of  the  law 
is  deeUh,  Let  then  tnose  guilty  spirits  who,  b^  iklse  aspersions,  have 
been  exdttng  puUic  animoalr  against  an  individual,  reflect  upon  all 
the  unhappv  consequences  of  their  malignant  designs,  and  consider  how 
mudi  they  nave  to  answer  for.  And  may  the  terrible  example  that 
has  been  made,  and  the  punishments  that  will  ensue^  be  a  lesson  Co  all, 
never  to  be  forgotten,  tnat  the  disturber  of  public  peace^  and  the 
destroyer  of  private  property,  cannot  escape  with  impunity. 

Some  i^jprehebnons  of  a  riot  being  entertained  last  week,  by  the 
inhabitants  m  the  nejghbooriiood  of  Dudley,  and  at  Bromflgrove,  detach- 
ments of  the  Dragoons  were  sent  from  our  Barracks  to  each  of  those 
placei^  who  effectually  prevented  any  breach  of  the  peace. 

BSAIOIIB  FOR  VOT  BlOTIKO, 

Addreued  to  every  poor  Man  in  the  Kingdom, 

latly.  Because  rioting  (to  say  the  best  of  it)  is  so  much  lost  time  to 
a  woriong  man ;  who,  when  provisions  are  almost  double  their  usual 
price,  should  be  doubly  diligent  in  his  calling,  to  provide  for  the  wants 
cf  hisnunily. 

2ndly.  Because  rioting  prevents  farmers  from  bringinf^  com  into  a 
ueighbourhood  where  the  people  are  disposed  to  riot,  feanng  it  should 
be  unjustly  seiaed,  and  taken  mm  them.  This  being  also  the  case  with 
millers,  butchers,  and  bakers,  provisions  of  all  sorts  are  rendered  more 
acaice,  and,  of  couml  more  dear. 

3rdly.  Because,  when  a  riot  is  expected,  a  number  of  soldiers  are  sure 
to  be  drawn  to  the  place  and  neighbouriiood ;  and  every  soldier  must  be 
supplied  with  food.  Thus  the  number  of  mouths  is  multiplied,  where, 
bttore.  there  ware  too  many  for  the  stock  of  provisions. 

4thly.  Because  the  war  abroad,  to  which,  m  some  measure,  the  scar- 
tatf  iB  owing,  is  vm  to  be  prolonged  by  rioting  at  home ;  our  enemies 
being  encouraged  by  it  not  to  make  peace  with  us  but  upon  their  own 
tenna.  And,  oecause  it  is,  moreover,  disgraceful  to  the  character  of 
Englishmen,  not  to  bear  wiUi  fortitude  those  hardships  which,  at  such  a 
time,  pteas  upon  their  country ;  hardships  which,  oy  the  blessing  of 
Qod,  will  soon  be  removed  by  a  plentiful  harvest  which  we  have  in 
pro^wct. 

IjMtly.  Beeanse,  riots  being  attended  with  **  confusion  and  every  evil 
work,*  a  rioter  is puoished  with  death  by  the  laws  of  hb  countrr ;  whidi 
laws  will  eertainfy  be  put  in  execution  more  rigorously  than  tney  have 
been,  as  examples  are  certainly  more  necessary. 

iLSjKox  the  benevolence  of  the  well-to-do  inhabitants  was 

dispuiyed,  and  proved  almost  equal  to  the  emeigency.    A 

few  more  extracfta  from  our  contemporary  authority  will 

afford  U8  a  picture  of  those  fearful  tmiea    On  July  10  we 

read  this  bit  of  good  news : — 


54  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

As  the  BaooQ  is  amved,  the  Tickets  for  it  will  be  given  oat  in 
the  proi>oition  d  Four  Tickets  for  each  Guinea  subscribed ;  and  the 
Bacon  will  be  deliyered  at  a  House  (late  the  Indian  Queen)  in  Snow  Hill» 
on  Friday  and  Saturday  next. 

This  ia  followed  by  a  bit  of  good  advice : — 
July  13th,  1795. — ^At  the  present  period  we  cannot  but  earnestly 
recommend  to  the  masters  ana  mistresses  of  all  families,  to  have  their 
bread  made  of  the  whole  flour  of  the  wheat ;  as  such  bread  will  be  found 
equally  wholesome  and  palatable  as  that  made  of  the  finest  flour,  and  be 
a  material  saving  in  consumption. 

On  the  same  day  we  have  this  report  of  the  benevolent 

activity  of  the  town : — 

It  IS  with  pleasure  we  announce  that  a  most  liberal  subecriptioii  is 
already  begun  in  this  town  for  the  purpose  of  bringixig  to  market  a  more 
ample  supply  of  wheat  and  flour;  and,  we  doubt  not  that  ereir 
individual  who  has  the  means^  will  aid  a  subscription  so  bencTolent  and 
necessary.  The  most  efficacious  methods  of  canying  into  execution  the 
purposes  of  this  Subscription,  have  already  been  adoi>ted  by  the  gentle- 
men appointed  as  a  Select  Committee  upon  this  occasion. 

A  sensible  correspondent  published  this  letter  on  the  pre- 
vailing topic  of  the  day : — 

July  13th,  1796.— To  the  Printer.— ^ir,— Though  little  atteotioD  is 
in  general  paid  to  newspaper  correspondence,  I  am  not  without  hopes 
that  the  particular  circumstances  of  tne  present  period  may  authorise  an 
attempt  to  represent  the  difficulties  of  the  day  in  a  less  formidable  light 
than  tney  mav  appear  in  to  those  who  have  not  sufficientljr  considered  the 
subject  Such  an  attempt  cannot  be  unseasonable,  at  a  time  when  every 
man's  own  conscience  must  remind  him,  that  the  a^^ts  of  mischief  and 
revolution  are  active  in  the  promotion  of  their  iniqmtous  purposes  among 
the  lower  orders  of  Society,  and  are  ever  busy  in  fanning  the  smallest 
sparks  of  discontent  into  tne  open  flames  of  riot  and  confusion. 

The  words  Scarcity  and  Famine  are  so  alarming  in  their  sound,  and 
so  dreadful  in  their  consequences^  that  they  are  most  efficacious  atgu- 
ments  in  the  mouth  of  those  who  wish  to  seduce  the  unwaxy ;  and  it  is 
therefore  necessary  to  cantioii  every  xank  against  giving  implicit  credit 
to  the  mynified  evils  of  false  xjepreaentation,  or  joining  in  their  oom- 
plaint,  before  we  have  examined  mto  the  truth  of  their  assertions.  All 
good  and  evil  is  to  be  estimated  by  comparison ;  and  if  we  find,  on 
enquiry,  that  our  jiresent  distresBes  are  not  only  temporary,  but  ears  to 
be  of  short  duration ;  that  they  are  in  common  with  evenr  nation  in 
Europe,  and  felt  in  infinitely  leas  degree  in  our  own  island  tnan  in  any 
neighoouring  kingdom,  we  ou^t  not  to  repine  at  temporarv  inoooviH 
nienoe,  or  murmur  at  uie  deficien<7  of  a  single  article,  when  Providence 
has  funished  so  many  substitutes ;  and  we  are  ooosequentl  v  straiMrs 
to  rwal  wcmL  from  the  various  stores  of  vegetation  witli  which  she  nas 
now  so  amply  supi^ed  us.  In  times  of  plenty  we  are  all  so  inconsider- 
ately profuse^  that  in  these  times  of  scarcity  we  know  not  how  to  conform 
to  restriction  in  our  habits,  or  to  adopt  such  regulations  as  would  make 
us  little  sensible  to  the  temporanr  diminution  of  any  sin^e  aitieto  of 
ooosumption.  As  men,  we  shonfd  bear  with  resolution,  and  as  Chris- 
tians, with  cheerfulness  and  submission,  the  tnnsieDt  evils  of  the  day  ; 
we  should  consider  how  mudi  we  can  do  for  oar  own  relief,  by  bringing 


PUBLIC  UF£  AND  EVENTS.  55 

certain  portioEB  of  animal  aad  Tegetable  food  in  aid  of  our  remaining 
stock  of  wheats  which,  if  properly  uaed  and  eoonomiaed,  will,  I  donbt 
not,  be  found  aufficient  for  our  suboatence,  till  the  arriyal  of  harvest, 
when  nature  holdfl  out  the  moet  flattering  promiae  of  returning  plenty 
in  every  species  of  grain,  and  every  article  of  life. 

On  July  1,  Mr.  M'Cready  mve  a  perfoimaace  at  the 
Theatre,  for  the  benefit  of  the  poor,  which  produced 
£161  8&  It  was  determined  that  the  best  mode  of  apply- 
ing this  money  would  be  in  purchasing  wheat,  and  selling 
it  to  the  poor  at  prime  cost,  tree  of  carriage.  The  Qovem- 
ment  expressed  its  approval  of  Uie  methods  adopted  in  this 
town  to  relieve  the  aistres&  On  July  20,  a  letter  fix>m  the 
Secretary  of  State  was  published : — 

It  is  with  pleasure  we  lay  before  our  readers  the  following  letter, 
from  his  Oraee  the  Duke  of  Portland,  Secretary  of  State,  to  Heneage 
Lsgge,  Em|.,  of  Aston  Hall,  commending  the  veiy  liberal  subscriptions 
entered  into  in  this  town,  and  the  measures  adopted  by  the  Select 
Committee,  for  procuring  for  our  market  a  more  ample  aupply  of 
wheats  flour,  and  other  provisions  :— 

Whitehall,  13th  July,179S. 

Sir, — Mr.  King  having  communicated  to  me  the  letter  whidi  he 
received  fixnn  vou  on  the  9th  inst,  relative  to  the  measures  adopted  at 
Birmingham,  for  the  supply  of  that  town  and  neighbourhood,  during 
the  present  scareitv;  I  am  desirous  to  express  to  you  my  satis&etioB 
at  the  prudence  aud  discretion  which  has  been  shewn  in  the  application 
of  the  liberal  subscription  whidi  has  been  made  there. 

It  is  to  the  exertions  and  libomlity  of  gentlemen  in  general,  that 
CSovemment  must  look  in  the  present  moment  of  distress^  for  the  most 
effectual  relief  that  can  be  afforaed  to  the  countrjr  at  larae. 

The  endeavours  of  his  MigestVs  Ministers  will  n^t  be  wanting  to 
soch  supplies  as  it  is  possible  to  procure. 


I  beg  leave  to  acquaint  yon,  for  the  Information  of  the  town  of 
Birmin^iam,  that  since  Mr.  King's  letter  to  yon  of  the  3rd  instant,  an 
additional  quantity  of  two  thousand  ouarters  of  wheat  has  been  sent 
to  the  Port  of  Liverpool,  by  order  of  the  Privy  Council,  and  whenever 
their  Lordshipe  are  enaUed  to  send  a  further  supply,  I  will  not  fail  to 
acquaint  you  with  it 

I  am,  Sir,  your  most  obedient*  humble  servant, 

H.  Legge,  Esq.  Portland. 

On   the   same   day  the  plan  of   the    Committee    was 

published : — 

The  Committee  appomted  for  the  Promotion  of  such  Measures  as 
might  be  thought  most  likely  to  secure  a  rmlar  Supply  of  Com  to  the 
Market  of  this  Town,  until  the  Return  of  Harvest  shall  render  their 
further  Exertions  unnecessarv,  have  taken  eveiy  Step  that  appears 
most  advisable  to  them  for  the  Accomplishment  of  that  Pnipose,  and 
flatter  themselves  that  their  Endeavours  will  not  be  wholly  ineffectual, 
though  the  Scarcity  is  so  general,  and  Afmlicataons  so  numerous,  at 
the  different  Sea-Ports,  to  whidi  Quantities  of  Com  have  been  consigned 
by  Government  for  the  Relief  of  the  neighbouring  Counties,  that  it  is 
veiy  difficult  to  procure  any  material  Shiuv  of  it* 


56  A  0ENTX7RT  OF  BIRMINQHAH  LIFE. 

The  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  may  be  aamired,  that  the  Committee 
will  not  relax  in  their  Endeavours  to  discharge  the  Dutiee  of  ^eir 
Troflty  and  beg  Leave  eamestlj  to  recommend  to  all  Banks  of  People 
an  Adoption  of  the  Plan  proposed  by  his  Majesty's  Most  Honooraole 
Privy  Cooncil,  for  nsing  only  that  veiy  wholesome  Bread,  which  shall 
be  made  from  Flour  of  tibie  whole  Prodnct  of  the  Grain  without 
Division,  the  broad  Bran  only  excepted.  Hie  Committee  pledge  them- 
selves to  consume  no  other,  when  they  can  procure  it^  nor  to  suffer  any 
other  to  be  consumed  in  their  Families,  as  tcmg  as  the  present  Scarcity 
exists ;  and  some  of  the  most  respectable  MUlers  in  the  Town  and 
Nei^ibourhood  having  promised  to  grind  no  other,  unless  particularly 
bespoke,  it  is  hoped  that  all  in  the  same  Line  of  Business  will  follow 
their  laudable  Example  for  the  Belief  of  the  Poor  and  Promotion  of 
the  Public  Good.  « 

It  is  further  hoped,  that  the  Consumption  of  Bread  may  be 
diminished  by  the  tree  use  of  Vegetables,  which  are  now  in  the 
greatest  plenty  and  perfection.  And  in  order  more  effectually  to 
aooomplisii  this  desirable  Purpose,  as  well  as  to  afford  immediate  Itelief 
to  the  industrious  Poor,  the  Committee,  who  have  turned  every  Idea  in 
their  Minds  on  this  Subject^  and  are  well  informed  that  there  is  a  great 
Abundance  of  live  Stock  in  the  Kingdom,  judfle  it  necessary  to 
recommend  that  a  Moiety  of  the  Money  subscnoed  for  defraying  the 
Expenses  of  purchasing  Wheat,  be  appropriated  to  the  Purpose  of 
Supplying  the  Poor  with  Meat  at  One  Penny  per  Pound  under  the 
Marxet  Price,  which  will  enable  them  to  buy  that  useful  Artide  at 
from  Two-pence  to  Four-pence  per  lb.,  they  therefore  desire  a  General 
Meeting  of  the  Inhabitants  of  this  Town,  at  the  Hotel,  in  Temple  Bow, 
on  Weanesday  next,  at  Eleven  o'clock  in  the  Morning,  when  we  Plan 
will  be  laid  before  them,  and  their  determination  taken  thereupon. 

July  18th,  1795.  W.  Yillbbs,  Churman. 

On  July  27^  this  paragraph  was  published  : — 
We  are  happy jto  inform  our  readers  that  a  considerable  quantity  of 
the  Indian  com,* purchased  by  the  Select  Committee  for  proeuringa 
more  ample  supply  of  provisions  for  our  market^  has  alraadv  reached 
this  place,  and  proper  persons  are  appcMnted  to  retail  the  flour  of  it 
The  use  of  this  floor  is  particularly  rsoommeoded  in  the  mdkiog  of 
poddiiigB. 

On  the  same  day  a  more  detailed  report  of  the  labours 
of  the  Committee,  and  of  the  success  of  those  labours, 
appeared : — 

July  S7tlL  179&.~Bbhevolbnt  SuBSCRipnoirs.— At  a  General 
Meeting,  held  at  the  Hotel,  on  Wednesday,  the  iSnd  of  July,  179A, 
pursuant  to  publio  Advertisement ;  W.  Yillibs  io  the  Chair ; 

The  Chairman  stated  to  the  Meeting,  that  the  Committee  have 
applied  to  the  Ports  of  Bristol,  Liverpool,  and  Hull,  for  a  supplv  of 
Com,  that  they  have  actually  pnrdiased  upwards  of  3,000  BusheJIs  of 
Indian  Com.  Part  of  which  is  arrived,  and  will  be  dellver«d  to  Millers 
to  be  ground ;  that  they  hope  also  to  obtain  Wheat  fimn  mofe  than 
one  oi  the  Ports,  as  soon  as  the  Vessels  whicb  are  sent  by  GovunmeBt 
shall  arrive  there;  that  they  have  certain  Information  that  the 
prineipal  Supply  for  this  Town  hitherto  had  been  fnm  Ozfordshiiv, 
Nortliamptonahue.  and  other  neighbouring  Counties^  and  that  they 
have  applied  to  those  Counties  through  the  regular  Channels  of  the 


PUBLIC  LIFE  AND  EVENTS.  67 

Tnde,  from  wbeDoe  thej  have  no  Doabt  of  receiTing  a  Supply  as 
aoon  as  thej  can  have  it  protected  on  its  Way,  for  which  End  sadi 
BepresentationB  have  been  made  to  Government  as  they  flatter  them- 
selTes  will  be  attended  with  auocess.  They  hope,  therefore,  that  there 
will  be  no  absolute  Want  of  Bread;  bat  as  there  is  an  undoubted 
Sotfrdty  of  Qrain,  they  must  advise  that  all  Persons  of  every  Class  will 
make  use  of  no  other  Hour  than  such  as  is  made  from  the  whole 
Produce  of  Wheats  the  broad  Bran  excepted ;  that  every  substitute 
possible  should  be  made  for  Wheat  and  Flour,  and  that  one  Moiety  of 
the  Subscriptions  be  appointed  to  the  Selling  of  Meat  to  such  Persons 
as  stand  in  Need  of  Assistance,  at  One  Penny  per  Pound  under  Market 
Price,  in  the  following  Manner,  viz. : 

That  everv  Subscriber  of  One  Guinea,  have  delivered  to  him  Weekly 
for  four  Weeks»  ten  Tickets,  each  Ticket  to  entitle  any  Butcher  to  whom 
it  shall  be  paid,  to  3d.  towaras  the  payment  of  3  lbs.  of  Meat^  purchased 
by  the  Person  who  shall  pay  it  to  such  Butcher.  And  as  it  may  be  a 
great  Belief  to  some  poor  Families  to  have  the  Money  arisiuff  from  the 
Tlieatrieai  Performances  distributed  in  some  Article  of  Food,  the 
Committee,  who  have  purchased  about  3000  lbs.  Weiffht  of  Bacon, 
propose  that  every  Subscriber  of  a  Guinea  shall  have  ddivered  to  him 
two  tickets  eadi  for  1  lb.  of  that  Bacon,  to  be  given  to  such  poor 
Person  as  the  Subscriber  shall  see  fit.  That  the  gentlemen  who  nave 
kindly  undertaken  to  solicit  SubscripUons,  be  earnestly  requested  to 
be  immediate  and  uigent  in  their  Application& 

It  Was  Then  Unanimously  Besolved,  That  this  Meeting  do  approve 
of  the  Plan  laid  before  them  this  Day  by  the  Select  Committee. 

That  the  Select  Committee  are  requested  to  continue  their  exertions^ 
in  forwarding  the  Plan  now  read  to  the  Meeting. 

That  the  Thanks  of  this  Meeting  be  given  to  the  Chairman  and 
Sdoct  Committee,  for  their  judicious  Ezertioiifl. 

W.  YiLLBRS,  Chairman. 

The  workhouse  authorities  this  year  began  a  sensible 
method  of  dealing.  On  August  3,  they  issued  the  follow- 
ing notice : — 

Hie  Committee  of  Guardians  appointed  for  the  internal  Management 
of  the  Workhouse,  give  this  pubhc  Notice,  that  in  future  they  purpose 
purchasing  the  under-mentioned  Articles,  bv  Public  Advertisement,  for 
Beady  Money  only.  Those  Tradesmen  who  wish  to  contract  for  the 
present  Month,  are  desired  to  address  their  Proposals,  with  Samples  of 
such  Articles  as  will  admit  of  it,  to  the  Committee  at  the  Vestry  Koom, 
on  Tuesday  next,  the  4th  inst,  bv  Ten  o'clock  in  the  Morning. 
FUmr  Cheese  l^oes  imd 

Meat  Malt  Groceries. 

A  pamphlet  of  advice  was  published  with  the  following 

title : — 

Beeammendmi  to  ffeacU  of  Familiu^  Baken,  dbe. 

Aiwust  lOj  1795. — On  Thnndinr  next  will  be  imbliahed,  and  may  be 
had  oftbe  Prmters  of  this  Paper,  Pries  One  Shilling,  Some  Information 
Bespeding  the  Use  of  Indian  Com ;  Collected  from  tiie  Bspeis  of  Mr. 
Winthmp  and  Mr.  Howard,  with  Observations  from  Mr.  Pkrmentier, 
on  the  Use  of  Potatoes  in  Bread ;  and  Mr.  Dossiers  Directions  for  the 
making  of  Bread  in  Private  Families. 


58  A  CEKTURT  OF  BIRHINQHAM  LIFE. 

The  Committee  held  another  Meeting,  at  which  the 
following  business  was  transacted . — 

Benevolent  SuUcripUant, 

Birxningliam  Hotel,  Aagust  AUk^  1796. — ^At  a  Town's  Meeting  in 
Oonaeqaenoe  of  Public  Advertisement  in  both  the  Birmingham  Kews- 
papers ;  *  Matthew  Boultcm,  Esq.,  in  the  Chair ; 

"  The  Committee  appointed  for  the  Promotion  of  such  Measures  as 
might  be  thought  most  likely  to  secure  a  B^gular  Supply  of  Com  to 
the  Market  of  this  Town,  until  the  Betum  of  Harvest  shall  render 
their  further  Exertions  mmeceesaiy,^  reported  to  this  Meeting,  the 
Steps  they  had  taken  in  this  Business,  the  great  Difficulties  they  had  to 
encounter,  and  the  pleasing  prospect  which,  in  the  last  three  iMya,  had 
opened  of  a  laige  Supply  of  Com  and  Flour  being  brought  to  this 
Town,  in  the  Bogular  Ooane  of  the  Trade, 

Besolred,  That  the  following  Advertisement  be  inserted  in  both  the 
Birmingham  Kewspapov  :— 

''In  Consequence  of  Measures  directed  bv  €k>vemment^  there  is 
good  Reason  to  believe  that  no  Obstruction  will  now  be  given  to  Com 
and  Flour  in  Passaffe  from  Oxfordshire  and  the  nei^bouring  Counties 
to  this  Place,  and  tnerefore  this  public  Notice  is  given  to  remove  the 
Fears  of  all  concerned  in  that  Trade." 

Besolvedy  That  the  Cbaiman  is  desired  to  write  a  Letter  to  H. 
Legge,  Esq.,  in  the  Name  of  the  Town  of  Birmingham,  expressing  a 
most  gratttul  Sense  the  Inhabitants  have  of  the  Obligations  they  are 
under  to  him,  and  prayiqg  for  a  Continuance  of  his  Assistance  uid 
Support 

''When  things  are  at  their  worst,  they  itometimes  mend." 
This  was  one  of  the  times  at  which  tliey  mend  The  year's 
harvest  proved  an  abundant  one ;  and  on  Auffust  24,  the 
Editor  informed  his  readers  of  the  coming  relief 

^It  is,"  he  said,  ^'tha  opinion  of  persons  the  best  informed,  that 
"when  the  present  plentlAil  harvest  is  got  in,  what  with  the  produce  of 
our  land,  and  the  immense  purchases  of  com  made  in  other  countries 
for  importation,  there  will  be  amassed  in  this  kingdom  an  infinitely 
laiger  quantity  of  gndn  than  ever  yet  known.** 

The  poet  had  his  epigram : — 
September  7th,  179A. 

Otf  THE  CVOOMMOV  RiSB  AVD  FaLL  IH  THE  PrIOE  OF  BrEAO. 

Speculations  modi  varied  *twixt  June  and  September^ 
And  aixpenny  loaves  were  vnoommonly  saudl ; 

The  oldest  man  li^ng  can  never  remember 
So  sodden  a  rise,  and  so  rapid  a  fiJL 

The  new  phin  of  the  overseen  seems  to  have  worked 

well,  and  they  published  the  following  satisfactory  report: — 

BlBXIVOBAM   WoEKHOUSE. 

Yestiy  Boom,  September  7th,  1796.— The  OYerseers  of  the  Poor 
have  the  Satisfaction  to  inlbrm  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Town,  that  from 
the  SaccesB  of  their  lata  AdverUsemeoti,  together  with  the  jodidoai 
Regulations  lately  adopted  by  the  two  Committees  of  Gnardiaitii,  the 
Number  of  Faupen  m  Che  Workhouse  is  now  reduced  to  about 

*  Aris*s  Birminghsm  Gaaette,  and  8fHflnty*i  Birmiagham  Chnwide. 


PUfiUC  LIFE  AND  EVENTS.  59 

two  Thirds  of  what  it  was  a  month  ago;  and  they  hope  that  the 
Mann&ctoren  and  others  of  the  Inhabitanta  who  may  be  in  Want  of 
Hands,  will  continne  to  apply  at  the  Workhonae,  as,  besides  those 
Fiaapers  oocasipnally  admittaa  into  the  House,  Uiey  are  freqnently 
under  the  necesnty  of  reiieTing  Out  Poor,  who  are  destitute  of  Employ- 
ment; and. as  Mr.  Pearson  and  Mr.  Swinney  have  obligingly  offered 
to  insert  a  Weekly  Beport  in  their  respective  Newspapers^  the 
Inhabitants  will  have  an  opportunity  of  seeing  that  one  of  the 
principal  caosee  for  the  late  increase  of  the  Levies,  is  the  enormoos 
Bnrthen  of  Cat  Poor,  which,  notwithstandinff  the  united  Efforts  of  the 
Overseers  and  Guardians  to  reduce  the  number,  amounts  at  this  time 
to  2,427  CSsses^  and  may  be  calculated  to  be  about  Six  Thousand  Souls,  as 
a  grsat  many  of  those  Gases  are  Families,  where  there  are  three,  four, 
or  more  Children. 

TheOverseers  wish  also  to  observe,  that  they  arepreparing  a  particular 
Statement  of  the  Karnes,  Places  of  Abode,  and  Weeklr  Pay,  of  all  the 
Out  Poor  who  are  relieved  by  this  Parish,  which  will  be  printed  as 
soon  as  possible,  and  delivered  to  those  of  the  Inhabitants  who  Pay 
Poor'a  Katea,  by  whidi  Meana  they  hope  that  aome  Abuaea  may  he 
detected  by  the  Keighboara  whidi  may  have  escaped  the  acmtiny  of 
the  Yiaitinf^  Guardiana.  Another  deaintble  Object  whidi  they  have  in 
contemplation  ia,  to  have  a  new  general  Aaaeanienti  whidb,  although 
it  ma^  not  be  proper  to  introduce  at  preaent  (on  account  of  the  num^r 
of  voids  and  temporary  reduced  Benta],  they  hope  may  be  brought 
about  in  the  Courae  of  another  year. 

PJS.  It  may  not  be  improper  to  inform  audi  of  the  Manu&eturara 
aa  have  lately  employed  People  who  boarded  and  lodged  in  the  Work- 
bouae^  that  on  Account  of  that  Privilege  having,  in  aevcoal  Instances, 
been  abused  by  the  Paupm  it  is  now  ordered  that  thoae  who  go  out 
to  Work  ahall  leave  the  Uouae  entirely. 

It  18  with  pleasure,  even  now,  that  we  read  the  following 

jubilant  paragraph : — 

September  21,  179ft. — During  the  courae  of  last  week,  the  joyful 
aouna  of  Harvest  Heme  reaounded  at  almost  every  farm  in  this  and  the 
nei^bourinjif  Counties ;  and  we  shall  hope  that  all  farmers  wiU  feel  it 
their  duty  inatantly  to  begin  their  threahing,  and  bring  tiietr  wheat  to 
the  eariieat  mariceta,  aa  a  meana  of  immediately  putting  an  end  to  that 
great  acardty  of  the  ataff  of  life,  which  haa  been  of  late  experienced. 

The  following  extract  reveals  aome  rather  curions  ways 
of  doing  the  parish  business : — 

BiBunroHAii  WoaKeousE. 

Veatnr  Booon,  September  18, 1795. 

The  Overaeen  and  Onardiana  of  the  Poor  having  appointed  a  certain 
Number  of  Gentlemen  aa  Auditon  of  the  Pariah  Aooounta^  take  the 
liberhr  of  raqoeating  thoae  of  the  former  Overseers,  who  have  not 
alreaojr  made  up  their  GbUecting  Booka,  to  deliver  them,  with  tbe 
respective  Balances  due  there&mn,  into  the  Hands  of  the  Veatiy  Clerk, 
at  the  Workbouae^  en  or  before  FHday  next,  the  S&th  Instant,  aa  the 
Auditors  cannot  proceed  to  eyamfne  the  Aocounta  till  thoae  Booka  are 
aettled. 

They  wiah  alao  partionlariv  to  inform  audi  of  the  former  Oveneers 
aa  have  fumiahed  the  Woruioaae  with  Oooda  of  anv  kind,  that  their 
Accounts  mnat  be  aent  to  the  OeriL'a  OiBoe  to  do  examined  and 


60  A  CENTURY  OF  BIBUNGHAM  LIFE. 

diflchaiml,  in  the  same  regalar  way  as  those  of  other  Tradesmen,  and 
not  deoucted  from  the  Levies  which  they  may  have  collected,  as  it 
would  be  the  cause  of  much  Disorder  in  the  general  Statement,  and 
would  render  the  Parties  liable  to  particular  censure,  when  the  Accounts 
came  to  be  published  for  the  Inspection  of  the  Inhabitants  at  lai^ge. 

And  they  hope  that  those  who  have  not  attended  to  repeated  private 
Applications,  will  not  fail  to  comply  with  their  present  jEtequest^  as  in 
case  of  N^lect  by  any  of  the  Parties,  they  shall  feel  themselves  in 
Duty  bound  to  adopt  such  oompulsoiy  Measures  as  are  specified  in  the 
Act  of  Parliament  made  for  that  purpose. 

The  new  Old  Meeting  House,  to  replace  that  destroyed 
by  the  riots,  was  built  this  year,  its  completion  was 
announced  on  September  28. .  Our  readers  will  be  inclined 
to  question  the  appropriateness  of  the  adjective  *'  handsome," 
m^efi>UowiIlgpl^pll^-  ^ 

A  very  handsome  meeting  house  has  been  erected  by  the  Dissenters 
of  this  town,  in  Old  Meeting-street^  on  the  site  of  the  one  burnt  down 
during  the  riots  of  1791 ;  and  it  will  be  opened  for  the  first  time  for 
public  Worship  on  Sunday  next. 

In  October,  as  the  Ean^  was  going  in  state  to  the  House 

of   PeerSy  to  open  Parliament,  he  was    assailed  by  the 

suffering  people  calling  for  peace,  and  was  fired  at  by  some 

ruffians.    On  Noveml^r  2,  the  people  of  Birmingham  read 

with  horror  this  account  of  an 

Attack  upon  thv  Kixg. 

It  was  business  of  no  less  importance  than  the  circumstanoe  of  an 
attadc  made  by  a  set  of  ruffians  on  the  Sacred  Person  of  the  Eling,  that 
took  the  noble  Secretaries  of  State  from  the  House  of  Peers.  An 
attack  which  must  have  excited  the  most  painful  emotions  in  the  Boyal 
Breast ;  and  in  that  of  every  one  of  his  Subjects,  which  retains  a  spark 
of  loyalty  or  affection  for  their  Sovereign  or  tiie  Constitution. 

It  is  said  that  ''No  violence  was  offered  till  after  the 
Royal  Oarriage  had  passed  through  the  Horse  Guards,  when 
in  rarliament-street,  opposite  the  Ordnance  Office,  a  bullet 
or  stone  passed  through  the  windows  of  the  State  Coach, 
and  which,  it  is  conjectured,  was  fired  from  an  air  fiwi. 
This  circumstance,  and  the  increased  hootings  and  abomma- 
ble  exclamations  of  many  of  the  mob,  occasioned  the  utmost 
alarm  to  bis  Majesty  and  his  attendaiit&  The  King  entered 
the  House  of  Peers  with  great  emotion,  and  the  first  words 
he  uttered  were  these  to  the  Lord  Chancellor,  '  My  Lord,  I 
have  been  shot  at' " 

The  inhabitants  of  the  town  took  immediate  steps  to 
express  their  ''horror  and  abhorrence"  of  the  attempt ;  and 
of  their  devoted  loyalty  to  the  throne.  The  Kins  was  fired  at 
on  October  29th,  and  on  the  31st  the  High  Bi&ff  was  thus 
requested  to  hold  a  public  meeting  on  the  subject . — 


PUBLIC  LIF£  AND  EVENTS.  61 

BinniiighaiKi,  October  Slat,  1705. 
We,  iihe  imdenigned,  imnrened  with  the  smcmst  Attachment  to  our 
Moot  Gracioaa  Sovereigiiy  naving  heard  with  Horror  and  Abhorrence 
the  daring,  oatiageoaa,  and  treaaonable  Attempts  that  were  offered 
to  his  Boyal  Person,  in  going  and  retoming  from  Parliament  on  Thura- 
da>7  huBt,  do  hereby  reqaeat  jou  will  fix  the  earliest  Day  in  jour  Power 
to  oonyene  a  Public  Meeting  of  the  Inhabitants,  for  the  Purpose  of 
addressinff  his  Majesty  upon  so  alarming  an  Occasion,  and  to  ezprass 
the  moetneartf elt  Gongratmations  of  a  Loyal  People,  for  the  Protection 
afibrded  by  DiTine  Providence  to  the  best  of  Ejngs ;  and  at  so  impor- 
tant a  Grins,  animated  by  the  daring  Proceeding  of  seditious  Meetings 
and  AssembUes.  to  assure  our  Sovereign  that  his  loyal  Subjects  of  the 
Town  and  Keignbourhood  of  Birmingmon  are  ever  raidy  to  stand  forth 
in  Support  of  their  King,  his  Crown,  the  Laws,  and  glorious  Constitu- 
tion of  tilieir  Country. 

R  Spencer  W.  Wallis  Mason  Edward  Palmer 

W.  y  illers  Henry  Clay  John  Startin 

W.  Hicks  Wm.  jDickenson  Wm.  Hawkins 

C.  Curtis  M.  Qoodall  John  Tankard 

Spencer  Madan  J.  Brooke  Thomas  Barker 

Edward  Carver         John  Cope  B.  Conquest 

To  Tlionias  Qmndy,  Esq., 

High  Bailiff  of  the  Town  of  Birmingham, 

In  consequence  of  the  above  Application,  I  appoint  a  Meeting  of  the 
Inhabitants  of  this  Town  and  Neighbourhood,  on  Wednesday  next,  at 
Twelve  o'dock,  at  the  Hotel,  in  Temple  Bow,  for  the  Purpose  of 
addressing  His  ^jesty,  agreeably  to  the  Purpose  of  the  above 
1^ii»«tum,  Thoxas  Qrundt,  High  Bailiffl 

The  Meeting  was  held,  and  the  following  is  the  report  of 

its  proceedings : — 

Birminffbam,  November  9th,  1795. — On  Wednesdav  one  of  the 
laigest  and  most  respectable  meetings  we  ever  witoessea  in  this  town, 
was  held  at  the  Hotel,  for  the  purpose  of  addresdng  his  Majesty,  in 
conseooeDoe  of  the  late  atrocious  attack  upon  hie  Boyal  Person.  The 
High  Bailiff  having  taken  the  chair^nd  announced  the  object  of  the 
meeting,  an  address  was  moved  by  William  Yillers,  Eeq.,  and  seconded 
by  Matthew  Boulton,  Esq.,  which  was  nnanimously  approved  and 
applauded.  It  will  be  presented  to  hie  Majesty  by  the  Jaembers  for 
tne  County,  on  Wednesday  next ;  and  the  purport  of  it  is  to  assure 
our  Gracious  Sovereign  that  the  Inhabitants  or  Birmingham  and  its 
neighbourhood  received  with  deep  oonoem  the  painful  intelligence  of 
the  insult  and  danger  to  which  ne  had  been  most  emelly  and  most 
undeservedly  ezposeid  ;  and  they  consider  such  atrocious  conduct  as  a 
melancholy  proot  that  no  extent  of  private  or  of  public  worth  can  aiEard 
a  full  •aeuri^aninst  theexoesB  of  sedition  and  treason;  but  they  trust 
the  freni^  of  a  metion  will  not  shake  hie  Miyesty's  confidence  in  the 
love  of  his  people,  and  that  he  will  Ibnn  no  luifavonrable  inference  to 
the  general  dismee^  from  the  outragea  of  lawless  and  abandoned 
indimuak;  mMereanta  unworthy  tlM  name  of  British  snljeeta; 
disowned  and  detest^  by  the  nation  at  lam.  Tbev  assure  his 
M^eafy  that  their  prayera  are  devoutly  offered^  up  for  the  lonff  con- 
tinuance of  hia  Just  power  and  bririit  example  upon  the  throne  of  these 
realms ;  th^  entreat  him  to  bdieve  and  approve  thebr  effiisions  of 


62  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

ffratitnde  for  his  IbA»  preservaiiou,  and  their  impatience  for  the 
detection  of  the  criminal  agents  and  abettors  of  the  horrid  design ;  and 
thej  condade  with  a  tender  of  property  and  life  to  defend  his  sacred 
Person  and  the  Constitation  against  every  enemy,  whether  open  or 
secret,  whether  foreign  or  domestic. 

On  November  16,  we  read  that  "On  Wednesday  the 
Address  from  the  inhabitants  of  this  town  and  neighbour- 
hood, was  presented  to  his  Majesty  by  our  worthy  represen- 
tative, Sir  John  Mordaunt,  Bart.,  and  most  graciously 
received.  Sir  John  was  accompanied  on  this  occasion  by 
Sir  Henry  Qooch  Calthorpe,  Baxt,  and  H.  Legge,  Esq.,  of 
Aston  HalL" 

We  have  in  the  next  extract  a  protest  against  a  practice 
which  was  only  too  common  in  the  dipt  button  trade : — 

Birmingham,  Novemher  4, 1795. — A.t  a  Meeting  of  the  Commercial 
Committee  of  this  Town,  held  at  the  Shakespere  Tavern,  on  Wednoday, 
the  4th  instant ;  Johv  Startin,  Esq.,  President ; 

It  was  resolved, 

I.  That  the  conduct  of  Mr.  James  Aspinall,  Meanv.  Richard 
Hawkins  and  Sons,  and  sach  other  Mana&ctorers  as  have  refused  to 
mark  their  dipt^  or  anv  other  vellow  Bottom^  that  are  not  really  and 
bonajkh  gilt,  with  the  word,  (?ilt;  or  their  Silvered,  <n*  any  other 
white  Bnttons,  Plated,  merits  our  Approbation. 

II.  That  we  pledge  oarselves  one  to  the  other,  and  to  the  Town  in 
general,  that  we  will  neither,  directly  or  indirectly,  practise  or  eneoiirage 
sach  conduct^  which  we  should  consider  as  disgraceful  to  ourselves^  and 
injurious  to  tiie  Credit  and  Baputation  of  our  Town  and  Nation. 

III.  That  we  recommend  to  the  different  Manu&cturers  with  whom 
we  do  business,  to  write  on  the  List  of  Prices  which  accompany  their 
Cards,  the  real  Quality  of  the  Article,  upon  such  Cuds,  as  well  for  their 
Credit,  as  for  the  Secnri^  of  the  Merchant  or  Etetor  who  sends 
them  out 

Welck  Startin,  and  Co. ;  Qlover,  Son,  and  Prey ;  Matthew 
Bouiton,£Bq. ;  James  Allez  Bourgeois;  Joseph  Green,  Esq.; 
Qurton  &  Brothers ;  Ghrundy,  Russell,  and  Co. ;  Wm.  Walfis 
Mason ;  Hadley  Brothers ;  Bradley,  Shipton,  and  Ca ; 
Sobrot  and  Hughes ;  Benjamin  Stokes. 

In  this  month  the  town  was  visited  by  a  violent  hurricane, 
accompanied  by  the  shock  of  an  earthquake. 

November  23rd.  1705.— On  Wednesday  moming  a  violent  hurricme 
of  wind  blew  in  this  town  and  neighbourhood,  and  tore  from  the  roof 
of  the  house  of  Mr.  Cope,  in  the  High«8treet»  a  large  stack  of  ehimnies^ 
whidi  fell  in  a  mass  without  separating  upon  the  laundrr,  destroyed  it, 
and  a  still-house  under  it;  threw  down  a  brewbonae  in  St  Qwrgt^m 
Market,  and  did  considerable  damage  to  other  adjoiniBg  buildings. 
Very  fortunatelT,  though  Mr.  Cope's  people  were  at  ue  time  In 
diiwent  parts  of  the  premises^  and  sereral  persons  were  passing  along 
the  Street^  no  one  reeeived  any  iiguiy. 

Earthquakm. 

On  the  same  nighty  a  little  before  Eleven  o'doek,  a  shodc  of  an  earth- 


PUBLIC  LIFE  AND   EVENTa  G3 

quake  was  Ter^  sensibly  felt  bj  most  of  the  inhabitants  of  this  town,  and 
in  all  the  adlomlng  oonntieSy  and  occasioned  oonsiderable  alarm.  Those 
in  bed  kit  themselVes  raised  up  in  the  same  manner  as  if  a  person  had 
been  ondemeath  them,  and  a  shaking  of  the  bedstead  and  or  the  other 
fomitore  in  the  room  immediately  ensoed.  Those  who  had  not  retired 
to  their  beds  were  disturbed  by  an  indistinct  rambling  noise,  apparently 
proceeding  firom  the  cellar,  which  was  followed  by  a  rooking  of  the 
hoose.  At  Nottingham  the  shock  was  so  scFere  that  several  stacks  of 
diimnies  were  thrown  down,  and  the  dread  occasioned  by  the  awfol 
ctrenmstanoe  was  greatly  increased  by  the  hollow  soond  of  the  bells 
from  the  steeples.  A  table,  round  which  a  party  of  gentlemen  were 
sitting,  in  the  l^otteries,  we  are  informed,  was  thrown  down,  and  all  the 
glasses  broken ;  and  we  have  already  received  intelligence  of  this 
earthquake  haTing  been  felt  in  a  line  of  wide  extent,  from  the  borders 
of  Yorkshire  to  Bristol ;  and  it  is  not  unlikely  but  further  accounts 
may  be  given  of  its  having  been  still  more  genend. 

Our  neighbour.  Lord  Dudley,  thus  celebrated  the  ''  happy 
escape  of  we  Kii:^ : " — 

November  90th,  1795. — On  Wednesday,  in  celebration  of  our  gracious 
Sovereign's  happy  escape  from  the  atrocious  attack  upon  his  person,  a 
most  magnificent  display  of  fireworks  was  given  by  the  Right  Hon. 
liord  Tisoount  Dudley,  at  his  seat  of  Himley,  to  a  numerous  assemblage 
of  the  neighbouring  nobility  and  gentry,  and  manv  thousand  other 
spectators.  In  the  course  of  the  eveninff  a  military  band  paraded  the 
utfk,  and  at  night  the  Songs  of  ^'God  Save  the  King,"  ''Rule 
britanniay*  &&,  were  sung  in  an  admirable  Style  by  the  celebrated 
Miss  Abrahams,  Mr.  Ghapness,  Ac.  The  fireworks  were  various  and 
uncommonly  beautiful,  and  the  exhibition  of  them  concluded  with  a 
mnd  pieoe,iu  the  centre  of  which  were  the  Royal  Arms  between  the 
Mters  G.  R.,  and  above^  which  brilliantly  sparkled,  on  words  of 
artificial  fire,  the  affectionate  and  loyal  exdamatton,  **  Thank  Heaven  ! 
oorKmgis  Saved  I" 

The  next  two  extracts  refer  to  the  measures  taken  to 
preserve  honesty  in  the  manufiusture  of  dipt  buttons : — 

Shakespeare  Tavern,  Birmingham, 

Wednesday,  November  25th,  1795. 

At  a  Meeting  of  the  Merchants  and  Fkctors  of  this  Town,  held  here 
this  Day,  in  consequence  of  a  public  Advertisement,  with  a  View  to 
disoonntensnce  some  Impositions  pndkising  in  the  Button  Trade ;  a  Set 
of  Besolntioos  were  framed  and  unanimously  agreed  to,  whidi  now  lies 
at  the  Bar  of  this  Tavern,  for  the  additional  Signatures  of  such  other 
Meiduuits  and  Factors  wbo^  though  not  present  at  tiie  said  Meeting, 
mav  wish  to  concur  in  the  Measures  there  adopted.  Said  Refiolutions 
will  remain  for  Signature  until  Wednesday  next,  at  Three  o'clock. 

Shakespeare  Tavern,  Birmingham, 

Wednesday,  November  Sftth,  1705. 

AtaMeetingof  the  MensfaanU and  IVMton of  this  Town,  called  by 
public  Advertisement  and  held  this  Bay,  the  foUowing  Resolutioiis  were 
unanimously  agreed  to^  and  resolved  to  be  inserted  m  Aris's  Binning- 
ham  Qaaette,  Md  Swinnc/s  Birmingham  Ghrooide  of  next  Week. 

L  That  the  Ooodoet  of  those  Manufiwtnrers  who  have  reAised  to 
s^  their  dipt,  or  any  other  Yellow  Buttons,  that  are  not  really  and 
bonafidegilt^  with  the  word  OiH;  or  their  SUvered  or  any  other  white 


64  A  CENTITRT  OF  BIRMINaHAM  LIFE. 

Buttons,  that  are  not  reeiXij  and  bona  fide  plated,  with  the  word  Plated, 
merits  our  entire  approbation. 

II.  That  we  pledge  ourselTes  one  to  the  other,  and  to  the  Town  in 
general,  that  we  will  neither  directly  nor  indirectly  practise  or  encourage 
SQch  Deoi^ytions  as  are  above  alluded  to^  oonsidennf^  them  disffraoeful  to 
onrselTes,  and  injurious  to  Uie  Credit  and  Beputation  of  the  Town  and 
Nation. 

III.  That  wishing  for  9a  full  and  complete  a  Concurrence  of  those 
engaged  in  the  Trade  of  this  Town  as  csn  oe  obtained  for  the  Discou- 
ragement of  such  Imposition,  we  shall  be  hiq>p7  to  unite  with  the 
Manufactureia  of  the  Articles  in  Question,  in  any  Measure  which  they 
may  think  the  best  adapted  for  the  putting  a  Stop  to  such  Proceedings. 

December  14th,  1798. — ^We  the  undersigned  Merchants,  Factors,  and 
Manufaeturen.  observing  three  Advertisements  published  in  Aris's 
Birmingham  Gazette  of  the  16th,  23r<L  and  30th  ult ,  stating  that 
Impositions  had  been  practised  in  the  Manu&otory  of  Buttons,  viz., 
that  unsilt  buttons  have  been  marked  with  the  Word  Gilt,  ana  that 
8tlvere<^  or  other  white  Buttons  have  been  marked  Plated,  thouffh  not 
Plated,  and  that  audi  Buttons  have  been  really  vended  as  Gut  and 
Plated ;  and  that^  in  consequence  thereof  certain  Resolutions  have  been 
entered  into  by  some  Merchants  and  factors,  pledging  themselves  to 
discountenance  such  ini<^uitous  Practices  in  future — 

We  therefore  think  it  incumbent  on  us  solemnly  to  declare,  each 
separately  lor  themselves,  that  we  have  neither  Manufactured  nor 
vended  Buttons  under  such  fidse  Mark%  nor  under  any  other  Deception, 
DOT  would  we  have  done  so  at  the  Instance  of  any  Deacription  of  Men 
whatever.  And  also  that  we  are  desirous  to  co-operate  in  any  general 
Bttg^tion  and  reciprocal  Engagements,  which  shall  be  settled  at  a 
public  Meeting  of  the  Merchant^  Factors,  and  Manu&ctnrera,  for  the 
Purpose  of  fintting  an  effectual  stop,  in  this  Neighbouihood,  to  such 
illicit  Praetioes,  and  thereby  to  preserve  a  valuable  and  extensive 
Brandi  of  our  Trade  from  Disgrace  and  Ruin. 

Those  Merchants,  Factors,  and  Manufiurturen,  who  wish  to  join  in 
this  Advertisement  are  deured  to  send  their  names  to  the  Printer,  that 
the  same  may  be  Inserted  in  some  future  Paper. 

Another  meeting  was  held  on  this  important  aubiect ; 
and,  contrary  to  all  precedent,  we  have  a  report  of  the 
speech  delivered  by  the  .Chairman.  Newspaper  proprietors 
will  hear  with  admiration  and  envy  that,  with  one  exception, 
it  is  the  only  example  which  we  have  yet  had  of  a  speech 
of  the  kind  being  published,  except  as  an  advertisement 

December  S&  1795. — On  Tuesday  last,  a  meeting  of  the  principal 
Merchants  and  Manufheturers  of  this  Town  was  held  at  the  Shakespeare 
Tavern,  on  the  snljeot  of  certain  deceptions  that  have  been  practised 
in  the  manufacturing  of  Buttons ;  M.  Bonlton,  Em.,  being  souctted  to 
take  the  chair,  addrsssed  the  meeting  in  the  following  terms ;  and  the 
Kesolutknia^  whidi  will  be  found  in  an  Advertisement  in  this  page^ 
were  afterwards  enterad  into : — 

^This  meetings  Gentlemen,  is  called  for  the  purpose  of  Taking  into 
eoDBideration  the  most  effectual  means  of  preventing,  in  future,  the 
deoeptioDS  whidi  have  been  practised  in  the  manufacture  of  Buttons^ 


PUBLIC  LIFE  AND  EVENTS.  65 

"^  The  deceptions  alladed  to  are  marking  the  word  Gilt  upon  hnttona 
which  are  not  gilt,  and  the  word  Plated  upon  each  as  are  not  plated. 

'^I  will  not  expatiate  npon  the  impolicy,  the  dishonour,  and  the 
immorality  of  the  act  itcnl^  nor  upon  the  inevitable  consequences  that 
most  ensoe — such  as  rain  to  the  trade,  and  disgrace  to  tne  name,  of 
Birmingham. 

^  However,  let  us  waive  all  reproaches  and  recziminations  for  what 
is  post)  but  let  those  who  have  tranwressed  cease  to  do  so,  and  let  it 
be  remembered  that  honesty  is  the  best  policy,  and  that  fidr  dealing 
must  in  the  end  prove  the  most  advantageous  both  to  the  town  and  to 
individuals. 

^  As  I  am  an  old  button  maker,  allow  me  to  advise  my  brethren  to 
make  ezoeUence  rather  than  cheapness  their  principle  of  rivalry ;  and 
pardon  me  if  I  adviie  the  Merchant  to  be  satisfied  with  buyinff  good 
commodities  at  a  lair  price^  to  lay  aside  the  arts  of  reduction,  and  not  to 
expect  to  bay  his  goods  cheaper  than  any  other  man  who  has  money  in 

^  It  perhaps  may  be  difficult  to  distinguish  the  difference  of  shade  in 
gilt  buttons^  between  one  ^nnj  per  gross  higher,  or  one  pennv  per 
cross  lower,  and  yet  a  repetition  of  soch  small  abatements  will  soon  bru^ 
baek  the  ruinous  trade  of  gilding  without  gold ;  for  let  the  maker  say 
what  he  will,  the  buyer  may  be  assarsd.  that  the  reduction  of  quality 
will  always  keep  pace  with  the  reduction  of  pricey  and  ultimatelj 
diminish  the  returns  of  the  Merchant^  and  destroy  the  trade  of  the 
Manufiustursr. 

- "  The  Legulatures  of  this  and  other  oountries  have  enacted  many 
laws  for  pr^eeting  the  reputation  and  qualities  of  their  commodities 
and  manufactures ;  such  as  Wrought  Flate^  linen.  Woollen,  Sheffield 
Cutleiy,  and  Gold  Laoe  Manuneture,  which  was  so  ruined  by 
leebla  Gildins,  that  the  niaken  were  obliged  to  apply  to  Parliament ; 
and  I  fear  ttie  Bepatation  of  Birmiagfaam  Buttons^  and  some  other 
artides,  will  never  be  retrieved  unless  the  quality  is  kept  up,  and 
protected  also  by  an  Act  of  Parliament  The  gold  wire-arawers  are 
obliged  by  law  to  put  per  dwt.  of  fine  gold  upon  every  pound  trov  of 
aQver,  since  which  our  ^Id  lace  has  been  equal  to  the  Awch  in  oolour 
and  quality.  Theouabty  of  the  Swedish  bar  Iron  is  protected  bylaws^ 
and  various  other  instances  may  be  firand,  the  sood  effects  of  whidi 
Incline  me  to  think  that  an  Act  of  Parliament  willbe  the  most  effectual 
means  of  preventing,  in  future,  the  deceptimw  which  have  been  practised 
in  the  manufaoturs  of  Battooa." 

The  following  Resolutions  were  entered  into  : 

1.  Besohred,  That  the  Pltactioe  of  putting  any  false  Mark  upon 
Buttons,  by  which  the  Purchaser  or  Consumer  may  be  deceived  in  the 
real  Qualify,  is  highly  injurious  to  Uie  Prosperity  ol  that  extensive 
Branca  ol  our  Txtm,  and  oudit  to  be  immediately  aboUshed. 

5L  niat  it  ttipears  to  this  Meeting,  that  it  is  improper  that  any 
Metal  Buttons  snould  be  marked  on  the  underside  with  any  Letter, 
Word,  or  Device  whatever,  except  such  Battoos  only  as  are  nuulv  Gilt, 
or  Plttted.  And  that  an  Act  of  Pariiament  to  iniUet  peconiaiy  Iimish- 
nents  upon  the  Makers  and  Vendors  of  Buttons  frsndulently  marked, 
is  the  most  efficacious  Means  of  putting  an  entire  Stop  to  that  Practice. 

8.  That  it  be  recommended,  as  the  opinion  of  this  Meeting,  that  an 
ApijUeation  be  made  for  an  Act  of  Fuliament,  for  the  Puipoee  of  pro- 
teetmg  the  Quality  and  Bepatation  of  the  Batton  Manufactory. 

II.  F 


66  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  UFE. 

4.  That  in  the  mean  Time,  mitil  an  Act  of  Parliament  is  obtained, 
the  Company  present  do  mntuall^  pledge  themselYea  to  eadh  other,  and 
to  the  I^ibhc,  that  they  will  neither  make,  sell,  nor  purcfaaae  Battens 
marked  with  the  words  Oilt  or  Plated,  mdees  the  same  be  really  and 
bcma-fide  either  Gilt  or  Plated ;  Bills  of  Paxx^els  shall  henceforth  express 
the  real  Qoality  of  the  Buttons  so  sold  or  offered  to  Sale. 

5.  That  a  Committee  of  Twenty-one  be  now  chosen,  seTen  of  whom 
to  ocmstitote  a  Committee,  and  to  meet  every  Tuesday  and  Friday,  at 
Fiye  o^dock  in  the  Afternoon,  at  the  Siakespeare  larem,  to  arrange 
and  digest  the  Business  for  the  further  Consideration  and  Determination 
of  a  future  Public  Meeting  or  Meetings. 

8.  That  the  said  Committee  do  make  known  to  the  Manufacturers 
and  Dealers  in  Buttons  in  London  and  Sheffield,  or  dsewhere,  tiie 
BesolotioDa  ol  the  Meeting,  and  request  their  Concurrence  and  Support 
in  carnruig  the  same  into  effisct 

7.  That  any  Person  wiriiing  to  communioate  his  Sentiments  on  the 
Subject^  preriotts  to  the  same  cominff  again  before  a  public  Meeting 
be  oesiTsd  to  address  himself  in  Writmff,  to  the  CSiairman  of  the 
Committee  of  the  Button  Tkade,  at  the  ShiOcespeare  TsTem. 

8.  It  being  represented  to  the  Meeting^  that  there  are  other  Articles 
of  ManufiMtnre  in  this  Town  which  require  similar  Begulationn^ 
and  whidi  may  probably  be  comprehended  under  the  same  Act  of 
Ptfliament; 

BesolTed,  That  all  CommunicatioBS  relative  thereto^  be  likewise 
addressed  to  the  Chairman  of  the  Committee,  in  Writing. 

a  That  this  Meeting  pledge  themselTes  to  defray  the  necessary 
Expenses  of  earrrlaf  these  Resolutions  into  Efiect|  and  to  solicit  the 
Concorrenee  of  tnose  who  are  absent. 

10.  That  the  IbUowinff  Gentlemen  be  anpointed  a  Committee  to 
attend  to  the  Conduct  of  this  Business,  ana  that  they  be  empowered 
to  appoint  a  Seeretarr  to  assist  them  therein,  tIs.,  Matthew  Boulton, 
Eeq.,  Messrs.  Wm.  Smith,  J.  Bingham,  John  Staitin,  Sen.,  Joseph 
Moore^  B.  Stoke%  Josejdk  BandeU,  >niUam  Walker,  Theonhilus 
Blehanl%  James  Aspinall,  Humphrey  Yala,  Wm.  GiMst^  William 
Hawkins^  Hsn^  Hunt  Beujamin  Hughes^  Geoife  Madely,  William 
Anderton,  William  Didcenson,  Charies  Jennens,  Alexander  Aspinall, 
James  Alston* 

11.  That  these  BesdiitioDS  be  publidied  in  one  of  the  London 
Plapci%  and  in  the  Birmingham  and  Sheffield  P^peiB. 

li.  That  the  unanimous  Thanks  of  the  Meeting  be  given  to  the 
Cliairman. 

Matissw  Bovuov,  Chairman. 

The  reports  of  theee  meetingB  show  how  CMefal  the  chief 
maaa&cturen  were  to  preserve  the  integrity  of  their  trades; 
and  bow  deep  an  interest  liatthew  Botuton  took  in  all 
questions  affecting  the  honesij  of  his  calling. 

The  Bine  Ooat  School  is  one  of  onr  oldest  and  best 
ehaiities.  The  education  given  to  the  children  is  sound 
and  good ;  and  the;^  are  taught  those  things  whidi'  will 
be  useful  to  them  in  after  fife.  In  1796  a  scheme  was 
adopted  which  gave  the  pupils  employment  in  the  school. 
The  Committee  thus  laid  the  proposal  oefore  the  public : — 


PUBLIC  LIFE  AND  EVENTS.  67 

Emflotxent  for  Children. 

April  11, 1796. — It  hayio^  been  8ug^;6eted  to  the  Committee  of  the 
Knningham  Charitj  School  in  St  Philip's  Churchjard,  that  the  Boyb 
belonging  to  this  School  might  be  empfojed  to  the  Advantage  of  the 
Community,  the  Benefit  of  the  Ciiarity,  and  for  the  deaurable  Tenden^ 
of  training  tiiem  to  an  earlj  Habit  of  IndoMtry :  The  Committee  thine 
it  theur  dn^  to  give  this  public  Notice,  that  thej  are  ready  to  receive 
Froposala  nom  any  Mannf actorers  in  the  Town  or  Keighbourhood, 
for  Labour  of  the  Children  for  a  certain  Nomber  of  Hours  each  Day, 
in  Buch  Employment  aa  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 

Committee  Boom,  Monday,  April  4,  1796. 

We  have  seen  the  trouble  which  the  dishonest  button 
manufacturers  caused  the  trade.  The  evils  were  great  and 
pressing;  and  an  act  of  Parliament  was  obtained  to 
^  regulate  the  making  and  vending  of  Metal  Buttons,  and 
to  prevent  the  purchasers  thereof  firom  being  deceived  in 
the  real  quality  of  such  buttona"  Provisions  were  made 
by  which  these  desirable  objects  could  be  obtained,  and 
heavy  penalties  inflicted.  ^' There  is  no  doubt,*'  says  the 
chronicler  of  the  events  ^  but  it  will  be  approved  by  every 
honest  fidr  dealer,  and  particularlv  by  the  wearers  or 
consumers  of  Metal  Buttons;  as  the  difference  of  price 
amounts  but  to  a  few  pence  per  dozen  between  one  set  of 
buttons  that  are  of  so  low  a  quality  as  to  disgrace  a  good 
coat  in  a  few  weeks,  and  another  set  of  buttons  that  are 
gilt  to  a  standard  required  by  the  act  Moreover,  when 
a  tailor,  or  wearer,  Imows  of  a  certainty  that  he  is  not 
likely  to  be  deceived,  and  that  he  not  only  can  buv  buttons 
gilt  to  the  standard  quality,  but  that  he  can  also  buy  them 
with  double  or  treble  the  standard  quantity  of  gold  upon 
them,  there  is  little  doubt  but  that  twist  buttons  will  be 
again  rivalled  by  pure  untamishable  gold,  and  the  reputation 
and  fair  profit  of  the  manufiu^rers  be  restored." 

When  Leland  visited  Birmingham,  the  river  Rea  was 
crossed  by  a  foot-bridge,  in  Dentend ;  and  we  have  had 
to  record  several  &ial  accidents  which  occurred  there,  by 
people  mistaking  the  bridge,  or  by  falling  from  it  into  the 
water.  According  to  Button,  **  in  1750,  a  wretched  one 
was  taken  down^  and  a  stone  bridge  consisting  of  five 
arches  was  erected.  This  the  hiBtorian  cannot  praise. 
He  says  ''the  homely  style,  the  steep  ascent^  and  the 
circumscribed  width,  prevents  encomium."*  This  structure, 
however,  sufficed  for  the  wants  of  the  inhabitants  until 


68  A  CENTURY  OF  BIBMINaHAH  LIFE. 

1788,  when  an  act  of  Parliament  was  obtained  for  rebuilding 
it.  The  following  docaments  will  give  the  reader  a  complete 
history  of  the  undertaking,  and  of  the  difficulties  under 
which  the  trustees  had  to  mbour. 

Dkrttbnd  Briooi. 

July  4, 1796. — ^Tbe  following  Case  respecting  the  Legality  of  com- 
pelling th«  Inhabitants  to  paj  the  Ezpence  incurrod  in  erecting  Deritend 
bridge,  fta,  has  been  sabmitted  to  Mr.  Oibbs,  to  which  his  Answer  is 
subjoined. 

In  the  year  1788,  the  Act  of  Parliament^  which  accompanies  this, 
was  obtained  for  re-bnilding  the  Bridse  over  the  Biver  Bea,  &a, 
empowerinff  Trustees  to  caose  certain  Tolls  to  be  collected  towards 
defraying  the  Ezpence.  These  Tolls  were  to  continue  for  the  Term  of 
Ibnr  Years  (see  Act  p.  16),  and  said  Act  (p.  19)  farther  directs,  That 
in  Case  the  said  Tolls  shall  not  be  sufficienUr  prodnctiye  to  discharge 
the  Money  borrowed  for  erecting  the  said  mdge,  together  with  the 
InteresL  '^Then  the  said  Trustees  shall,  and  are  hereby  authorised  and 
requireoy  within  three  Months  after  the  Expiration  of  the  Term  for  which 
the  said  Tolls  are  herein  before  granted,  to  make  an  equal  Pound  Bate 
or  Assessment  upon  all  Persons  who  do  or  shall  occupy  any  House  or 
other  Buildings  or  Lands  within  the  Parish  of  Burmingham  aUnresaid." 
Now,  the  four  Tears,  or  Term  for  which  the  Tolls  were  authorised  to 
be  continued,  expired  on  or  about  the  Snd  of  January,  179fL  and  from 
that  Time  no  farther  Tolls  were  demanded.  The  ToUs  receiyed  neyer 
produced  a  Sum  sufficient  to  discharge  the  Money  borrowed*  &&»  and 
instead  of  assessing  the  Inhabitants  of  Birmingham,  &a,  within  three 
Months  next  after  the  Tolls  had  ceased,  punuant  to  the  special 
Directions  of  the  Aet^  page  19,  the  Trustees  remained  toCaUy  inactiy* 
in  this  respect  till  the  18th  of  Jannaiy,  179^  when  an  anonymous 
Adrertisement  appeared  in  a  Birmiogfaam  Paper,  stating  that  the 
Trustees  were  commanded  by  a  Mandamus  to  proceed  to  make  a  Bate 
upon  the  InhabiUnts  of  Birmingham,  Ac.  The  said  Trustees  met  on 
Thursday,  the  21st  of  January,  1796,  and  made  an  assessment  on  the 
Inhabitants  of  Birmingham,  &o^  and  proceeded  to  collect^  which  instead 
of  being  within  three  Months,  as  specially  directed  by  the  Act,  was 
more  thim  t%ro  Tears  after  the  Tolls  nad  ceased.  Tou  are  requested  to 
irive  your  Opinion  as  speedily  as  possible  whether  or  no,  now,  after 
haying  n^leoted  to  comply  with  the  Letter  of  the  Act,  the  Trustees 
c  in  compel  the  Inhabitants  of  Birmingham,  fta,  to  pay  the  Bale. 

ArawxB. 

^  I  am  of  Opinion  that  the  Trustees  cannot  now  make  a  l^gal  Bate^ 
no^  conseauently,  compel  the  Inhabitants  to  nay  it 

^By  delaying  to  malce  it  beyond  the  three  Months  prescribed  by  the 
Act^  they  may  cast  the  Burthen  on  adiiTersnt  Set  of  Persons  fitm  those 
on  whom  it  would  haye  fallen  within  the  three  Month%  lor  whidi 
Beason  1  think  the  Aet  is  oompulsoiy  in  this  Bespeet^ 

^V.  QiBBS^  TemplcL 

''Bex  5.    King,  R  T.  S3.,  O.  8.*  ""Juneiith,  179& 

DnmvD  Bamox. 

July  11  1790.— The  Trustees  i^pointed  by  an  Act  ol  Parliament 
for  re^buildmg  Deritend  Bridae,  hayiog  obsenred  a  Publication  in  the 
last  Binnlngham  Qaiette^  ten<ung,  as  well  to  criminate  the  Conduct  ol 


PUBLIC  LIFE  AND  EVENTS.  69 

tiie  Tnuteea,  as  to  raifle  an  Opposition  to  the  F^jment  of  the  Bate  made 
forre-imbnniiig  the  Crediton  the  Money  borrowed  upon  the  Credit  of 
the  Tolls,  think  it  incomb^it  on  them  to  State  shortly  the  foUowing 
Tncta  for  the  Information  of  the  Pablic : — 

In  theyear  1788,  an  Act  was  paased  for  the  Pozpose  of  re-bnilding 
the  said  Bridge,  taking  down  certain  Houses  and  Buildings,  widening 
the  ATenues  to  the  said  Bridge,  altering  the  Course  and  sinkiug  the 
Bed  of  the  Biyer,  and  doing  seTml  other  Matters  in  the  Act  specified ; 
and  for  defraying  the  Bxpences,  the  Trustees  therein  named  were 
anthorised  and  empowered  to  erect  a  Toll  Gate,  and  to  collect  certain 
ToUa  for  four  years ;  and  to  borrow  and  tcJce  up  at  Interest  upon  the 
Credit  of  the  said  Tolls  any  Sum  or  Sums  of  Money,  not  exceeding  in 
the  whole  the  sum  of  3,0002.,  to  be  re-paid,  in  Case  of  a  I>eficien<^  in  the 
Tolls,  by  a  Bate  upon  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Parish  of  Birmmgham, 
the  Hamlet  of  Deritend,  and  Liberty  of  Bonlesley ;  which  Bate  is 
directed  to  be  made  within  three  months  after  the  Expiration  of  the 

menuomecL 

By  a  Gsknlation  made  preyious  to  the  passing  of  the  Act,  but  which 
UBfortanately  prored  erroneous,  it  was  expected  the  Tolls  would  haye 
been  more  Productiye,  but  the  Trustees  nad  the  mortification  to  find 
thai  the  Amount  during  the  four  yean  of  their  Collection  fell  short  at 
least  1000?.  of  the  Sam  at  which  they  had  been  estimated.  This 
deficiency,  as  also  the  Interest  on  the  M<mey  borrowed  (which  now 
Amoonts  to  nearly  10002.)  was  of  Coune  to  be  proyided  for,  and  the 
Trustees  desirous  of  raising  a  further  Sum  of  Money  by  Tolls,  rather  than 
by  an  additional  Bate,  in  the  year  1791  aoain  applied  to  Parliament  for 
that  Purpose,  but  unsuccessfully ;  the  BLu  after  it  had  passed  the  House 
of  Commons,  haying  been  n^gatiyed  by  the  House  of  Lords,  since 
which  Eyent  the  Trustees  haye  repeatecfly  endeayoured  to  remoye  the 
Pkejudioes  of  the  ParUes  who  opposed  the  Bill,  but  without  Effect,  and 
finamg  that  a  strenuous  OppositioD  would  take  place  if  any  Attempt 
were  again  made,  they  thought  it  prudent  to  dedine  any  further 
Api^cation  to  Parliament  on  uat  ground. 

In  the  year  1794,  the  ToUs  ceased  to  be  collected.  The  Inhabitants  of 
the  Town  cannot  haye  foigotten  the  heayy  Bate  then  under  Collection 
for  re-imborsing  the  Suflciers  the  Damages  sustained  by  them  in  the 
kite  Biota ;  <m  which  Account  the  Trustees  thought  it  a  yeiy  unseasouT 
able  Time  to  make  the  Bate  in  Question ;  but  the  Persons  who  had 
adyanced  the  3,000L  upon  the  Credit  of  the  Tolls,  some  time  afterwards 
i^f^«"*'*g  yery  uigent  for  the  Bepayment  of  their  M<niey,  it  was 
nenssssfy  in  Justiee  to  them  to  proceed  in  making  the  Bate ;  howeyer, 
as  more  than  three  months  was  expired  since  the  Cessation  of  the  Tolls, 
the  TVoatees  preyionsly  took  the  Opinions  of  two  eminent  Counsel  as 
to  the  LMpditr  of  the  Measure,  who  ooth  ooocurred  in  Sentiment,  that 
the  WokSm  of  the  Act,  (within  three  Months)  which  reUte  to  the 
maldnff  of  the  Bate  were  directory  only,  and  that  a  Bate  then  made 
woidd  be  good ;  however,  they  reoommeiided  the  Opinion  of  the  Court 
of  Kinsfs  Bendi  to  be  taken,  upon  an  Application  by  the  Creditors 
vndflrtbe  Act  for  a  Mandamus  to eompei  the  Trustees  to  raise  the 
Money  due  by  A  ssiissnumt,  and  such  Appiicatioo  was  in  last  Michaelmas 
Tenn  made  to  that  Court  aoooniingly.  In  the  Affidavits  upon  which 
the  Applicatkm  was  grounded,  it  was  paitienlariy  stated  that  the  Time 
ifipointed  for  the  nuudng  of  the  Bate  was  expired ;  the  Court  was 


70  A  CENTCTRY  OF  BIBIONOHAM  LIFE. 

therefore  fully  acquainted  with  that  Fact,  and  in  granting  the  Mandamna^ 
hath,  it  is  conoeived,  declared  its  Opinions  of  the  Liegality  of  the 
Meaaore.  The  TniateeB  therefore  did  not  in  the  least  ei^ect  that  the 
Bate  thus  sanctioned  could  have  met  with  any  Opposition ;  nor  do  they 
apprdiend  the  CixtmniBtance  of  the  Burthen  or  Hardship,  which  it  is 
suggested  by  the  Delay  in  making  the  Bate  may  be  cast  on  a  different 
Set  of  Persons  from  uiose  on  whom  it  would  have  fallen  within  the 
three  months,  can  hare  mndi,  if  any  Wei^t,  when  it  is  considered  that 
the  few  Individuals  whom  it  may  affect  m  tiiis  respect  now  enjoy  the 
full  Benefit  and  Advantage  of  the  Improvement  in  havinf^  a  commodious 
and  safe,  instead  of  a  narrow  and  dangerous  Fkussaee  (liable  to  Floods, 
which  are  now  effectually  prevented)  over  the  Bric^  m  Question,  and 
that  probably  without  having  paid  any  Part  of  the  Tolls  which  were 
collected  for  sudi  Improvements. 

The  Bate  when  collected  will  be  insufficient  to  repay  the  Debt 
inenned,  thirteen  of  the  Trustees  having,  in  Oonfidence  of  obtaining  a 
new  Act,  voluntarily  advanced  1300Z.  to  ezpediate  the  Improvements, 
and  there  being  also  other  unsatisfied  Debts  to  a  considerable  AmounL 
all  of  which  must  be  provided  for  either  by  Toll%  or  an  additional 
Bate ;  for  surely  the  Town  and  County  cannot  think  it  fit  and  reason- 
able that  the  Burthen  should  fall  on  a  few  Individuals,  who  have 
bestowed  mudi  Time  and  Attention  to  this  Business  (having  attended 
more  than  70  Meetings  at  which  they  have  bome  their  own  Expences), 
and  who  are  conscious  to  themselves  of  deserving  the  Thanks  and  not 
the  Censure  of  the  Public  thou^  the  Tolls  have  unfortunately  been 
leas  productive,  and  the  £xpenaituie  in  putting  the  Act  in  Execution, 
more  especially  in  sinking  the  Bed  of  the  Biver,  hath  much  exceeded 
what  was  expected. 

The  Pkt>ceedingB  of  the  Trustees  at  each  Meeting,  and  the  Statement 
of  the  Accounts,  together  with  the  Cases  above  mentioned,  and  the 
Opinions  of  Ccnmsel  thereon,  may  be  seen  by  applying  to  Messrs. 
Barker  and  Unett.  RABmcR  and  unsit, 

Solidton  to  the  Trustees. 

The  Constable  of  Birminfffaam  now  entered  upon  the 
contest  It  is  dear  that  lu*.  Atkins  was  alive  to  the 
interests  of  his  parish,  and  had  no  desire  that  it  should  be 
saddled  with  a  levy  to  pay  for  the  Bridge : — 

DsRiTEirD  BaiDOv. 


September  S6, 1790.— Whereas  Notice  has  been  given  of  an  intended 
AppUoation  to  Pwliament  lor  Powers  to  raise  Mon«qr  to  disehazge  a 
Beoi  ineaired  in  ereoting  Deritend  Bridge:  and,  whereas,  there  is 
Beason  to  expeet  that  an  attempt  will  be  made  to  saddle  the  Pkrish  of 
Urmingfaam  with  Levies,  to  defray  the  Expenee  ci  Building  the  said 
Bridge,  situated  in  the  Parish  of  Aston,  and  makinff  other  Improvements 
in  the  said  Parish:  I  am  requested  to  eali  a  Town^  Meeting  on  Tuesday 
nezt^  at  the  Pablic  Offiee,  precisely  at  Eleven  o^Cioek  in  tSe  Forenoon, 
Firsts  To  oonsider  of  opposing  soch  an  Attempt;  and,  Seoondlv,  To 
deviee-soflh  Means  as  may  oanse  the  Money  to  be  raised  by  an  ef&oeni 
Toll  on  the  Bridge ;  which  is  the  onlv  fidr  Mode  of  makiiig  every  one 
eontribate  In  ezaet  Proportion  to  the  Benefit  he  may  reoeive. 

Birmlnghsmj  Sept  ^  1796.  Thoxas  AvEnra^  Constable. 


PUBLIC  LIFB  AND  EVENTS.  71 

The  meeting  was  held;  and  the  opinions  of  the  inhabi- 
tants will  be  gathered  fix>m  the  following  report : — 

DraiTEin)  Bridos. 
Oetober  3,  1796. — ^At  a  nameroos  and  respectable  Meeting  of  the 
InhabitantB  of  Rrmin^^iam,  held  this  Day  at  the  Pablio  Office,  agreeable 
to  AdTertisement  in  Aris's  and  Swinnexs  Newvpapera ; 

Mr.  BA.BTH.  Bbdfbrit  in  the  Cnair ; 
The  following  Beeolntions  were  propoeed  and  agreed  to : — 

1.  ^niat  aa  deritend  Bridge  is  a  Gbnntj  Bridge,  and  not  in  the 
Puiah  of  Birmingham,  it  is  anjost  that  a  Ijdvj  should  be  imposed  on 
the  said  Parish  to  defiay  the  Ekpence  of  erecting  it 

2.  That  the  most  eanitable  Mode  of  making;  every  one  oontribnte  in 
exact  Proportion  to  tae  Benefit  he  may  receive,  is  to  obtun  Power  to 
establish  an  efficient  Toll  on  the  Bridge. 

3.  That  the  Overseers  and  Constables  for  the  Time  being,  with  five 
other  rsspectabia  Inhabitants,  to  be  now  nnmed,  be  appointed  as  a 
Committee  to  watch  the  Proceedings  in  Parliament ;  and  to  endeavour 
to  prevent  the  Parish  of  Binninghun  (alreadpr  sufficiently  oppressed  by 
Levies)  from  being  subjected  to  any  additional  Burthen  towaru 
Improvements  in  another  Parish ;  and  that  any  Five  be  empowered  to 
Act 

The  following  Gentlemen  were  chosen  accordingly :  Messrs.  Bartho- 
lomew Bedfem,  John  Collard,  Thomas  Cooper,  Joseph  Fearon,  James 
Pickard. 

4.  That  the  aaid  Committee  have  Power  in  the  Name  of  the  Inhabi- 
tants of  Birminc^iam  to  emplov  Counsel  and  oppose  in  both  Houses  of 
l^rliaroent,  bv  Petition,  or  otherwise,  any  dause  in  the  intended,  or 
any  future  Btu  for  the  same  Purpose,  which  mav  sulMcct  the  Parish  of 
Birmingham  to  pay  any  more  to  wands  the  said  Bridge  and  Improve- 
ments Aan  what  may  be  imposed  in  the  fonn  of  a  Toll  upon  the  Bridge ; 
and  that  the  Expence  attending  such  opposition  be  paid  by  the 
Constables^  and  charged  in  their  Accounts  to  the  Town. 

5.  That  these  Besolutions  be  signed  by  the  Chairman,  entered  in 
the  Church  Levy  Book,  and  Printeid  in  U^th  the  Birroinfl^am  News- 
papers. Babth.  Rbdpsrv. 

Resolved,  That  the  Thanks  of  this  Meeting  be  given  to  the  Chairman 
for  his  impsrtial  Conduct ;  and  also  to  Mr.  Atkins  for  his  readiness  in 
calling  thu  Meeting.    Bimingham,  September  27, 1796. 

The  next  extract  is  a  curious  little  episode  in  the  history  of 


October  31, 1790.— The  Purdiasers  of  Ashted  Chapel  intend  to  Let 
Settings  at  Prices  specified  fai  a  Scheme,  to  be  had  at  the  Chapel  itMl^ 
on  account  of  the  Ofgan^  fta 

Everv  Sitting  Is  understood  to  be  let  for  one  vear.  and,  without 
Haifa  Yeai's  Notice,  the  Ooenpier  will  be  supposed  to  bold  on  for  the 
subsequent  Tear.  The  said  Benta  to  be  collected  quarterly.  It  muat 
be  dear  to  eveiy  impartial  Person,  that  the  Prices  are  more  moderate 
than  could  have  been  ezpectecL  and  that  they  are  varied  more  for  the 
Sake  of  Accommodatfon  than  nom  any  real  DifTerenoa.  Non^  are  at 
an  Inconvenient  Diatance  from  the  Deak  and  Pulpit 

As  it  has  been  lamented  that  there  is  not  gratuitous  AcoommodaUon 
for  the  Poor  in  other  Churches  and  Cbapela,  the  Purdmsers  beg  leave 
to  snggeat^  upon  the  Intimation  of  respectable  Friends^  that  they  will 


72  A  CENTUBY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

treat  for  any  Number  of  Sittings  which  the  charitable  and  humane 
may  be  disposed  to  sabecribe  for. 

It  must  oe  obvious  to  eveir  candid  Mind  that  the  Pamhaaers  can 
expect  little  more  than  Indemnification,  and  that  their  principal 
Satis&ction  arises  from  securing  an  Orthodox  Place  of  Wonhip  to  the 
true  Friends  of  the  Church  of  £ngland. 

Martial  as  Birmingham  was  at  this  period,  and  ready  as 
her  people  were  to  enter  either  army,  or  navy,  or  the 
volunteer  service,  any  exemption  from  military  duty  was 
a  boon  of  which  they  knew  the  value.  On  November  21, 
the  editor  informs  his  readers  that,  ''In  {)erusixiff  the  act 
for  providing  an  augmentation  to  the  Militia,  we  have  had 
the  pleasure  to  ob^rve  that  this  town  is  excused  from 
raising  any  men.  The  other  parts  of  the  county  of  Warwick 
are  to  raise  900,  the  county  of  Stafford  2095,  Salop  1558, 
Leicestershire  928,  and  Worcestershire  825  men." 

The  monotony  of  the  year  was  relieved  by  a  naval  victory. 
On  August  17,  Admiral  Elphinstone  captured  the  Dutch 
fleet  in  Saldanha  Bay.  The  news  reached  Birmitigham  in 
November,  and  was  thus  received : — 

I  irmingham.  November  7. — On  Fridajr,  on  the  aniTal  here  of  he 
important  intelJigenoe  of  the  eaptnre  of  the  Dutch  sqnadnMi,  the  bells 
of  the  ohnrohes  were  ning,  gona  were  fired,  and  the  genetml  £lndnim 
which  was  diffosed  over  the  countenance  of  every  lover  of  his  eoantry, 
evinced  how  warmly  he  lelt  this  new  and  onezDected  sncoasa 

War  brought  its  troubles  as  well  as  its  rejoicings. 
Immediately  after  reading  the  account  of  bell-ringing  and 
gun-firing,  the  other  side  of  the  shield  was  displayed  m  an 
unwelcome  announcement  Uke  this : — "  By  the  n«w  tax  the 
postage  of  a  single  letter  from  the  metropolis  to  this  iown 
will  be  sevenpence.*' 

Again  futile  attempts  were  made  for  the  better  observance 
of  the  Lord's  Dav .' — 

Birmingham  Pablic  OiBce,  December  9^  1790.— At  a  ICeeting  held 
here  this  Svening,  pnrsosnt  to  an  Advertisement  inserted  in  the  last 
Birmingham  Gazette,  relating  to  the  resolation  of  the  GLergy,  Ghnrdi- 
wardens,  Peace  Officersi  and  the  Overwers  of  the  Poor,  for  sSfoi^g  the 
better  Observance  of  the  Lord's  Day,  the  Constables  and  a  nvmber  of 
Gentlemen  then  present,  actoated  by  a  sincere  Denre  to  (vomote  the 
Welfiue  of  the  Commoaityy  volnntunlv  offered  to  meet  at  the  Vestries 
belonnng  to  the  Chorelies  and  Chapels  before  Divine  Service,  to  visit 
the  a^aoent  Neiflhboiiriiood,  in  order  to  enforce  the  decent  Observance 
of  the  Sabbath,  oy  preventing  the  luilawfol  Ezerdse  of  Trades^  and 
the  assembling  of  riotoos  and  disorderiv  Persons,  nstng  these  nnlawlbl 
Sports  and  Ptatimes  which  liave  Istely  disgraced  the  PoBce  of  the  town. 

And  as  the  Profiination  of  the  Sabbath  is  productive  of  infinite 
Misehieis,  and  fkeooently  the  first  Step  to  the  Commlssien  of  the  most 
heinous  CMmes  ana.Offimces  towaids  God  and  Man,  theymort  coidiallj 
invite  all  JViends  to  Beligion  and  good  Order  of  every  Denominatloii 


PX7BLI0   LIFE  AKB  EVENTS.  73 

to  aiBut  in  this  work  so  omontiillj  neoeoaiy  to  the  Peaoe^  Socority, 
Wdfim.  and  HappinMs  of  Sodetr. 

And  in  order  to  preeenre  the  Spirit  of  theM  Beeolations,  they  have 
oonfinned  the  Meetings  to  be  held  at  this  Qffioe  the  first  Friday  in 
ereiy  fntnre  Month,  at  Six  o'Clodc  in  the  Erening,  to  receive  Beporte, 
and  to  consider  of  each  Measnres  to  be  taken  as  may  promote  this 
Purpose,  80  devoutly  to  be  wished. 

At  the  present  day  people  are  afitatiiig  for  good  and 

cheap  dinnera    At  Glasgow,  Mr.  Cor  bett  has  proved  by  his 

many  cooking  d^pdts  that  it  is  possible  to  provide  a  good 

fliabBtantial  meal    at    an    almost   ludicrously   small    cost 

London,  and  other  places,  are  trying  the  experiment    At 

the  end  of  1796,  a  Birmingham  man,  impressed  with  the 

importance  of  the  subject,  especially  to  the  poor,  made  the 

following  admirable  suggestions : — 

December  26, 1796. 

Mr.  Pearson, — Sir, — ^While  we  are  grateful  to  a  kind  Providence  for 
giving  ns  such  an  abundant  harvest^  and  while  we  admire  the  wiidom 
and  attention  of  Government^  in  bringing  so  large  a  stock  of  foreign 
com  into  the  kinffdom,  as  so  effeotoafiy  to  coonteraot  the  rapadty  of 
unfeeling  monopolisers,  that  we  have  again  the  blessing  of  bread  at  a 
moderate  price ;  we  have  still  to  lament  that  Meat  contmnes  so  dear, 
and  consequently  difficult  to  be  obtained  by  the  poor.  While  this  is 
the  ease,  it  appears  strange  to  me  that  small  cooks  shops  are  not  more 
generally  estaolished  in  every  town,  for  selling  provisions  ready  cooked, 
and  paiticttlariy  ^ood  eoup,  than  whieh  notning  is  more  satisfying, 
nothing  mors  nounshing.  For,  in  general,  the  poor  are  so  deficient  m 
the  requisites  iat  cooking,  viz.,  knowledge  of  tne  art,  proper  utensils^ 
and  a  cood  fhre^  that  what  little  meat  they  are  enabled  to  buy  is  near 
one  tfa&d  lost ;  whereas  if  women  who  have  been  cooks  in  gentlemen's 
fiunilies  were  to  keep  small  shops  of  this  kind,  they  would,  by  buying 
their  beel^  oatmeal,  leeks^  oniona  and  other  carden  stufl^  at  the  best 
hand,  be  enabled  to  put  provinons  upon  the  poor  man's  table  at 
half  the  price  he  Is  enabled  to  do  it  himself;  for  it  is  to  be  lamented, 
that  in  general  the  wives  of  artificers  in  manuihcturing  towns  are  but 
moderately  qualified  for  domestic  duties.  Thev  are  meetly  brought  up 
In  shops  mm  infiuiev»  and  conseouently  have  but  few  opportunities  of 
kaming  to  sew,  knit^  make  np  linen,  mend  deaths^  cook,  &c  And 
though  it  Is  rather  foreign  to  my  psesent  purpose^  I  cannot  help  throwing 
out  a  hint — ^That  an  institution*  to  teadi  shop  giris  how  to  conduct 
themselves  usefully  as  wives  in  the  little  arts  above  mentioned,  would. 
In  my  opinion,  be  a  very  desumble  one :  ibr  if  women  could  find  out 
that  great  asoret  of  making  home  oomfortahle  and  agreeable^  less  of  the 
aooroe  of  thehr  comforts  (money)  woold  be  squandered  at  the  ale  house 
by  their  hoebands. 

I  do  hope,  Sir,  that  these  hints,  conveyed  throuffh  the  extensive 
eirde  of  your  paper,  may  be  produetive  of  some  good;  and  if  the  pUn 
fe  not  adopted  in  the  way  wliioh  I  have  already  recommended  for  the 


^  The  writer  of  this  letter  was  fiur  in  adfaace  of  his  sfe.    We  are  only  at 
ipieeaittisMr  ^~ 
in  the  year  17M. 


thepieeait  tijne  fally  recogirfeing  sflid  actiiig  upon  this  wise  suggestion  inade 
tnsyesi 


74  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFK 

mutaal  advantage  of  the  buyer  and  seller,  I  would  propoee  a  subscription 
to  establish  a  large  Ck>oking  Kitchen,  where  provisions  being  purchaaed 
at  the  Tery  best  hand,  and  being  made  the  most  of  by  a  good  cook  (for 
bad  ones  only  spoil  provisions)  might  be  retailed  out  at  low  prices. 
And  pray  let  me  ask — ^Why  would  not  the  Cooking^  Gomnany  sound  as 
well  as  the  Bread  and  Flour  Company  9  Cooking  is  no  aespicable  art^ 
but^  on  the  oontraiy,  it  reflects  great  honour  upon  the  human  species, 
inasmuch  as  it  is  a  marked  distinction  from  the  brute  creation ;  for  I 
believe  a  man  is  the  only  cooking  animal  In  the  universe. 


One  of  these  cooldng  shops  was  opened  in  Peck  Lane.  It 
supplied  the  poor  with  gooa  meat  soup  at  a  penny  a  quart 
It  was  opened  on  Thursday,  January  5,  1797>  and  on  the 
first  day  300  quarts  were  sold,  and  on  Saturday  400.  '*  It 
was  very  pleasant,**  we  are  told,  ''to  observe  the  satis&ction 
which  ihe  plan  gave  to  the  objects  whom  it  was  intended 
to  relieve."  The  practice  was  continued  for  some  time,  and 
was  no  doubt  instrumental  in  lessening  the  great  distress 
which  then  prevailed  in  the  town. 

The  Sunday  question  still  gave  much  trouble  to  the 

authorities,  cleric  and  lav.    At  an  adjourned  meeting  of  the 

^  Peace  officers  and  inhaoitants,"  held  on  February  3,  it  was 

BesolTod,  That  the  Town  be  divided  into  fire  Districts,  for  the 
Ghui^  and  C3iapel  Wardens,  the  OTerseers  of  the  Poor,  Peace  .Officers, 
and  other  Inhabitvits  of  the  Town,  to  visit  the  present  Month. 
And  thev  have  been  authorised  by  our  worthy  Magistrates  to  give 

Siblie  Notice^  that  whatever  compUints  are  made  to  them 'of  the 
readi  of  the  Laws  relating  to  the  Sabbath,  however  respectable  the 
Parties,  they  are  determined  to  execute  impartial  Justice  on  all 
Ddinquents  that  may  be  brought  before  them,  bei^  desirous  of 
supporting  the  Officers  of  the  Town  in  this  laudable  fiegulation,  so 
essentially  neeessaiy  to  the  Wel&re  of  the  Oommunity. 

The  Duke  of  York  had  ordered  a  return  to  be  made  of 
the  billeting  accommodation  of  the  public  houses  throughout 
the  country.  From  this  return  we  find  that  3,286  men,  and 
1,329  horses  could  be  accommodated  by  the  publicans  of 
this  town. 

The  public  credit  was  in  jeopardy  at  this  time.  By  an 
order  in  council  on  February  26,  the  Bank  of  England  had 
been  restricted  from  cash  payments ;  and  one  pound  notes 
were  issued  on  the  4th  of  liarch.  Birmingham  at  once  gave 
support  to  the  authorities;  for  on  March  6th  we  read : — 

A  T«iy  numerous  meeting  of  the  Merchants  and  Tradesmen  of  this 
town  was  held  at  the  Hotel  on  Thursdajr,  to  consider  of  the  most 
effectual  means  of  supporting  public  credit  at  the  present  juncture, 
when  unanimous  resolutions  were  entered  Into  not  onlT  to  take  in 
pajment  upon  all  occasions  notes  of  the  Bank  of  Ei^lanc^  but  the  fiire 
gnmea  and  other  notes  of  the  Banks  of  this  Town,    ffimikur  resolations 


PUBLIC  LIFE  AND  EVENTa  75 

hftTv  been  entered  into  at  other  ]>lacee,  and  it  is  nneerelj  to  be  hoped 
all  penwns  will  be  as  aoooounodating  to  each  other  as  ponible  in  the 
eutnlation  of  the  specie^  as  the  only  means  of  arerting  a  jnobable 
calamity^  which  the  hoarding  of  money  at  the  present  crisis  is  more 
likely  to  create  than  any  one  cause  whateyer.  . 

One  of  the  poweifu  reasons  which  operated  upon  Gbyemment  to 
order  the  Bank  to  withhold  for  the  present  their  payments  in  specie^  is 
the  circamstance  of  an  Englidi  guinea  now  selling  at  Hamburgh  from 
S3  to  S4  shillings ;  and  the  Jews  had  found  secret  means  to  export  our 
coin  thither  by  thousands  weekly. 

The  following  brief  note  is  illustrative  of  the  period : — 

April  3,  1797.^-We  think  it  necesearr  to  inform  our  readers  that^ 
after  Wednesday,  any  person  wearing  a  hat  without  the  Stamp  in  it 
directed  by  Act  <n  Pluiiament  is  liable  to  a  penalty  often  pounds. 

The  next  extract  records  the  completion  of  a  ''work  of 

peace:*' — 

WoBGUnR  AVD  BiBMIVOHAX    CaJTAL  TuHNBL. 

April  10^  1797^— This  gieat  tunnel  ia  at  length  comnleted.  Hie  first 
brick  of  ait  stupendous  woric  was  laid  on  the  28tn  of  July,  1794, 
and  it  was  wholly  arched  over  on  the  25th  of  Februanr,  1797.  It  is 
also  worthy  of  remark,  that  Seyenteen  hundred  and  eighty-two  yaids^ 
two  feet,  and  a^t  inches,  were  finished  from  the  1st  of  January,  1796, 
to  the  1st  of  Januaiy.  1797.  At  the  conmiencement  of  this  undertaking, 
the  practicabili^  oi  it  was  treated  with  the  greatest  ridicule  and 
reprobation :  it  was  said  that  the  embanimenttj  the  deq:>  euttinff^  and  the 
ttiuul,  could  not  be  executed ;  we  can.  howeyer^  at  this  moment  say, 
that  by  the  mat  skill  and  attention  ot  the  Engmeen,  Messra  Jones 
and  Osrtwri^t^  the  whole  of  this  business  is  most  substantially  <^ti^«l»H 
The  extent  S  ue  tunnel  is  upwards  of  a  mile  and  a  half,  and  yet  so 
straight  that  it  may  be  seen  from  one  end  to  the  other,  and  the  accuracy 
of  t&  brick-work  is  well  worthy  the  attention  of  any  arahiteet  or 
brieklayer. 

We  need  not  wonder  that  at  such  a  time  of  general 

Ignorance  newspapers  were  severely  taxed.    The  goveming 

powers  looked  with  no  friendly  eye  upon  the  growing 

importance  of  the  Press,  and  were  not  scrupulous  in  the 

means  they  employed  to  check  and  restrain  it    A  new  Tax 

was  this  year  imposed  upon  newspapers  by  Parliament ;  and 

for  once  our  beloved  Ana  becomes  mdiffnant,  and  gives  the 

^  powers  that  be,"  a  bit  of  his  mind    It  is  quite  refinwhing 

to  read  this  little  outburst  of  genuine  feeling : — 

New  Tax  Urov  NswaPAms. 

May  1,  1797ii — ^If  anj  thincr  could  increase  our  suiprise  aft  the 
llinistei's  unjust,  unpohtic^  ana  enormous  additional  Tax  upon  News- 


papa%  it  is  the  tame  aoquiescence  with  which  the  propoaitioa 
lecdved  in  the  House  on  Wednesday  last  Vt  the  independent  Membera 
not  one  of  whom  had  f eeliBg  enough  for  the  most  numerous  daas  oc 
their  constituents,  to  resist  an  impost  whidi  must  deprive  that  daas  in 
erary  part  of  the  kingdom  of  tlie  gratification,  or  (as  the  HinittiT 
pleases  to  term  it)  of  t£e  Luxury  of  reading  the  public  news. 


76  A  CENTUBT.  OF  BIBMINOHAM  LIFK 

Had  they  made  the  least  oppositioii,  Mr.  Pitt^  we  are  oonyinoed, 
would  not  liave  preased  the  measore ;  and  we  now  persoade  ourselyeB, 
when  he  comes  to  consider  what  a  draw  back  it  will  occasion  upon  the 
Bevenne  it  will  ultimately  be  given  up.  If  he  means  the  tax  to  opente 
as  a  restriction  upon  the  libe^  of  tne  press,  he  has  missed  his  aun ; — 
weekly  and  diurnal  politics,  however  dear  the  purchase,  wj]]  still  be 
read  l^numbers,  though  not  so  uniTersally,  and  ine  image  of  Uie  Snake 
in  the*IVkble,  which  could  not  do  otherwise  than  turn  wien  trod  upan^ 
will  serve  as  a  fit  emblem  to  decorate  the  head  of  every  paper  of 
character  in  the  kingdom. 

Newspapers  have  hitherto  been  a  very  productive  source  of  revenue; 
but^  we  assert  iL  if  the  tax  is  laid^  tney  will  be  so  no  longer — ^many 
must  fall,  and  those  that  survive  the  shock  will  experience  such  an 
abridgement  of  sale  and  advertisements,  as  will  entirely  counteract  the 
views  of  the  Minister.  He  will  do  in  the  present  instance,  as  he  has 
done  by  the  Wine  Tax,  the  produce  of  wnidi  since  he  imposed  the 
additional  duty,  it  i^pears  from  a  conversation,  on  Thursday,  in  the 
House  of  Oommons^  is  deficient  one  third  of  the  sum  at  which  he 
calculated  it. 

When  he  talked  of  luxttriei^  did  it  not  ooouf  to  him  that  there  was 
scarcely  a  house  of  any  opulence  in  the  kingdom,  in  which  there  were 
not  musical  instruments  of  some  kind  or  other!  Or  does  he  deem  music 
paper,  which  is  sold  by  thousands  of  reams  jper  annum,  2esf  a  luxtwv 
than  axl  advertising  Joumid.  whidi  the  profession  of  numbers  necess^ 
tates  them  to  take  in f  We. trust  the  Minister  wiU  re-oonsider  the 
subject^  and  if  he  will  levy  part  of  the  monev  proposed  to  be  tmisod  on 
such  articles  as  those  just  mentioned,  and  lay  only  a  tmall  additional 
duty  on  public  prints,  he  will,  we  are  convinced,  find  his  purpose  best 
answerea. 

The  next  allusion  io  the  subject  is  in  a  slightly  different 
tone: — 

Birmingham,  June  26,  1707. — ^The  Act  which  kys  so  heavy  an 
additional  Duty  on  Newspapers  reoelTed  the  Boyal  Assent  on  Thursday, 
and  the  Printer  laments  that  it  will  oblige  him,  as  well  as  the  Printers 
of  all  other  respectable  Country  Papers^  to  advance  the  priee  of  their 
publication^  aftsr  the  6th  of  next  month,  io  Sixpenoe. 

Eveiy  exertion  was  made  by  the  j^nssion  in  general  to  prerent  so 
heavy  an  Impost,  but  they  found  the  tadgfsoitim  of  the  State  sopeneded 
the  consideration  of  all  the  arguments  they  had  to  offer. 

Under  these  dreumstances  the  Printer  of  This  Ghueette  relies  upon 
the  justice  and  liberality  of  his  Friends,  and  trusts  the  Publie  will  with 
cheerfulness  comply  with  a  regulation  wbldi  neoesslty  Imposes ;  but 


should  any  of  his  customers,  in  eooaeqiMDoe  of  the  unavoldaDle  adTance 

nehlsPki 


of  pice^  determine  to  diseontinue  his  rapei%  he  earnestly  raqoeets  th^ 
will  ipve  a  week's  notioe  to -the  distribator,  as  the  Stamp  office  (not 
aliowmg  of  any  returns)  will  oblige  him  to  pay  the  duty  upon  erery 
sheet  he  strikes  of^  whether  be  sells  it  or  not 


The  dispute  about  the  payment  for  Deritend  Bridge 
continued;  and  on  May  22,  Henry  Parker,  defk  to  the 
subscribers,  issued  the  following  notice. — 

To  the  Inhabitante  of  Birmlofl^iam,  Hamlel  of  Deritend,  and  liber^ 
of  Bordesley. 


PUBLIC  UFE  AND  EVENTS.  77 

Dbbitskd  Bbidox. 
Wbereas  the  Actinff  Oommiasioners  naiued  in  an  Act  of  Parliament 
for  erectinff  Deritend  Bridge,  notwithstanding  the^  (aooording  to  the 
opinions  of  two  eminent  Connsel,  Messrs.  GibM  and  Bomill^)  have  now 
no  legal  Claim,  persist  in  enforcing  the  Payment  of  One  Shilling  in  the 
Pound  on  all  Houses  of  or  above  £10  a  year,  in  the  said  Parish.  Hamle^ 
and  LibMBrty,  and  6d.  in  the  Pound  upon  all  Lands.  And  whereas  on 
Ihe  8th  instsnt  they,  by  Viriue  of  a  Warrant,  seised  the  Goods  of  Mr. 
John  Collazd,*  Hatter,  of  the  High  Street— This  is  to  inform  all  those 
liable  to  be  treated  in  the  same  Manner,  -that  it  is  intended  to  bring 
the  Matter  to  l^gal  Issue,  by  an  Action  of  Trespass,  supported  by 
▼olnntaiy  Subscriptions ;  and  that  a  Deputation  of  those  Qentlemen 
who  are  determined  to  oppose  what  they  consider  to  be  an  Imposition 
jFill  call  on  each  Individual  liable  to  this  Claim,  to  receiye  their 
Cmdtributions  towards  coYering  the  Expenoe ;  and  the  Subscribers  are 
requested  to  meet  at  the  Castle  Inn,  in  the  High  Street,  on  Monday, 
the  12th  day  of  June  nezt^  at  Eleren  o'Clock  in  the  Forenoon,  to 
i^point  a  Committee  to  superintend,  the  Proceedings. 

HxNBT  Parker, 
Birmingham,  May  22, 1707.  Clerk  to  the  present  Subscribers. 

Here  is  another  proof  of  the  heavy  hand  with  which 

the  Chancellor  of  the  Exchequer  imposed  burdens  upon 

trade: — 

Tax  ov  Clocks  and  Watobis. 

Jufy  17, 1797. — At  a  General  Meeting,  held  pursuant  to  Adyertise- 
ment,  at  the  Shakespere  Tavern,  of  Persons  concerned  in  the  Clock 
and  Watch,  and  Watch  Chain  and  Toy  Trades,  the  following  BmoIu- 
tions  were  adopted  unanimously  : — 

Besdved,  L  That  a  large  Piroportion  of  the  Manufacturers  of 
BJrmmgham  are  dependent  for  the  Support  of  themselves  and  Families 
upon  the  Clock  and  Watch,  and  Watch  Chain  and  Toy  Trades. 

Resolved,  II.  That  it  is  the  Opinion  of  this  Meeting  that  the 
intended  Tax  upon  Clocks  and  Watches,  in  its  present  Form,  will  be 
hi^y  injurious  to  the  Trade  of  this  Town,  by  HimiTiwliing  in  a  veiy 
gnat  Degree  the  Demand  for  those  Artides,  and  their  Appendages. 

Resolved,  III.  That  notwithstanding  our  Apprehensions  of  the 
probable  effects  of  the  Tax  as  proposed,  yet  so  fvuly  sensible  are  we  of 
the  necessity  of  contributing  to  supply  the  exigencies  ci  the  State. 
and  of  the  Difficulty  of  finding  fit  Objects  for  Taxation,  that  we  feel 
disposed  dieerfully  to  aoaniesoe  in  the  Measure,  providing  it  be  so 
modified  as  to  remove  the  IHmger  of  injuring  our  Tnde. 

Resotvedy  lY.  That  it  appears  to  this  Meeting,  that  the  evil  dreaded 
would  in  a  great  Degree  be  prevented,  provided  the  proposed  exceptions 
be  made  in  Favour  of  Persons  living  in  Houses  not  assessed  to  the 
House  and  Window  Duties,  all  hired  Servants  and  Aj^rentices  living 
in  Houses  not  chaiged  to  the  Inhabited  House  Duty,  and  all  Seamen 
and  Soldiers. 

Resolved^  V.  That  the  Thanks  ol  this  Meetingbe  presented  to  the 
Chainaan,  for  his  attention  to  the  Rusiness  of  the  Day. 

WnxiAK  Smitb, 


*  A  notice  of  this  Birmingham  worthy  will  be  found  in  the  chapter  on  the 
Poet  Firaeth. 


78  A  CENTUEY  OF  BIBMINGHAM  LIFE. 

Once  more  we  have  to  consider  the 

DunTsnD  Biinx>E  IUtb» 

October  9,  1797. — Sevend  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  having  been 
a^;ain  summoned  before  the  Magistrates  to  shew  CSauae  why  they 
OBJected  to  pay  the  Deritend  Bridge  Bate,  and  having  consented  to 
disdiaige  the  same — ^thoae  Occupiers  of  Houses  and  Land  who  have 
not  yet  paid  the^  several  Sums  assessed  upon  them,  are  informed,  that 
the  Collectors  wiU  attend  at  their  Houses  for  the  Purpose  of  receiving 
the  same ;  and  all  Persons  who  object  to  pay,  upon  Application,  will  be 
summoned  before  the  Magistrates  without  nirther  notice 

The  present  Bate  (whidi  is  One  Shilling  in  the  Pound  upon  Houses 
of  the  value  of  Ten  Pounds  a  year  and  upwards,  and  Sixpence  in  the 
Pound  upon  Land)  is  the  only  Bate  which  the  Trustees  have  a  Power 
to  make  by  the  Act  of  Parliament  * 

Barker  asd  XJnett,  Solidtors. 

Notwithstanding  the  heavy  taxes,  the  bitter  distress  of 
the  people,  aad  the  general  ruin  which  seemed  hanging  over 
the  conntiy,  the  loyalty  of  the  nation  was  as  strong  as  ever. 
Every  royal  birthday  was  celebrated  with  the  utmost 
enthusiasm ;  and  the  news  of  a  victory  obtained  by  our 
forces,  either  military  or  naval,  was  the  signal  for  an  out- 
burst of  almost  delirious  jov.  In  this  year,  on  October 
11,  Admiral  Duncan  defeated  the  Dutch  fleet  off  Camper- 
down,  and  Birmingham  received  the  news  in  the  manner 
described  below : — 

October  23, 1797.-yTh6  fmovineial  papers  teem  with  acooonts  of  the 
Tejoidnff  and  enthusiasm  with  whidi  tne  news  of  the  fflorioos  defeat 
of  the  Xhitoh  Fleet  has  been  received  in  eveiy  part  of  the  kingdom. 
Hie  demonstrations  of  joy  have  been  continued  in  this  town  for  several 
days.  On  Monday  momioff,  the  First  Begiment  of  Dragoons  (the 
Boyals),  attended  by  Odonel  Kinsey  and  the  other  Officers,  with  their 
excellent  band  of  mnsio,  were  drawn  up  in  New  Street^  opposite  the 
new  Inn  now  erecting  by  Mrs.  Llovd,  and  after  going  throoffh  their 
several  mancnivres,  fired  three  grand  voUies,  which  were  saluted  by  the 
load  and  general  cheers  of  the  popolaoe.  In  the  afternoon  the  gentlemen 
of  the  Loval  Birmingham  Association  assembled  in  St  Philip^  Chorch- 
yard,  and  likewise  fired  three  voJlies,  for  the  first  time  since  their 
appMuranoe  in  arms.  Toesdav  was  nshered  in  like  the  other  days,  by 
nnginff  of  bells,  and  other  pablio  rejoidngs.  and  the  evening  eondaded 
with  Fireworks,  and  one  of  the  most  genenu  and  splendid  lUamittations 
ever  witnessed  in  this  Town. 

Beioicing  was  followed  by  thanksgiving.  The  extract^  in 
whiw  this  is  recorded,  also  informs  ns  that  the  parade  was 
at  this  time  in  New-street : — 

December  26, 1797w»Tiiesday  was  strictly  observed  here  as  a  day  of 
General  Thank^ving.  All  tlie  sliops  were  shot,  and  every  Ghnrch 
and  Place  of  Worship  nooommonly  crowded..  The  Military  Assodationa 
of  Oavalnr  and  Infantry  (the  latter  with  their  new  band  of  music) 
assemUea  on  the  parade  in  New  Street— from  whence  they  prooseded 
in  regular  order,  the  former  to  the  Old  Ghudiy  and  the  latter  to 


PtTBLIC  LIFE  AND  EVEKia  79 

St  nulif/fl,  where  eennoiis  saitable  to  the  oocaaion  were  proached  by 
the  Bey.  Speneer  Madan^  and  the  Bey.  J.  Cooke. 

Our  townsmen  showed  their  loyalty  in  a  better  fashion 
than  by  illaminations.  In  this  month  they  formed  a  fund 
for  the  relief  of  the  **  widows  and  children  of  the  brave  men 
who  fell  in  the  service  of  their  coimtry,  and  of  such  as  were 
wounded  in  the  late  glorious  engagement"  In  a  few  days 
upwards  of  £400  was  raised  for  this  object  The  year 
closed  with  the  usual  contributions  to  supply  Uie  poor  with 
meat^  bread,  and  soup. 

Among  the  articles  which  the  ministers  contemplated 

adding  to  the  almost  endless  list  of  those  already  taxed, 

was  diat  of  iron.    The  injury  which  such  a  tax  would 

have  inflicted  on  this  town  and  district  would  have  been 

incalculable ;  and  our  manufacturers  were  most  active  and 

enen^tic  in  their  efforts  to  prevent  its  imposition.     A 

meeting  was  held,  and  delq^ates  appointed  to  wait  on 

Mr.  Pitt    On  April  16,  1798,  the  result  of  these  efforts 

was  thus  communicated  to  the  public : — 

We  haye  the  eatiaCactioii  to  state,  that  Mr.  Gibbcmi,  one  of  the 
delegates  of  the  iron  tnule,  for  the  purpoM  of  ayerthig  the  intended 
tax  on  iron,  haa  reoeiyed  a  ktter  from  lir.  Qeoi^  Boee,  dated  tlM  11th 
inatant^  stating  that  Mr.  Pitt  has  decided  not  to  brinff  f  orwaid  aach  a 
tax  this  Seanon.  Thongh  this  detennination  of  the  Miniater  appean 
not  to  be  a  total  abandonment  of  the  meaaare,  jet  it  afforda  ground  to 
hope  that  a  further  consideration  of  the  strong  resaons  that  haye  been, 
and  may  be  adduoed  against  anch  a  yexatioos  and  ruinooa  tax  (in 
which  uiis  yerj  ponolons  nei^^bouihood  is  so  materially  interested) 
maj  be  the  means  of  inducing  Mr.  Pitt  to  relinquish  the  idea  for  oyer. 

The  next  extract  shows  the  strong  military  feeUng  of  the 
time: — 

Julj  9, 1798.— Early  on  Satnrdajr  moraiog  the  troops  of  the  First  or 
Boyal  B^giment  of  "bi^gotmM,  wnich  haye  been  quartered  in  our 
banacks  and  town  sinoe  laat  September,  marched  hence,  and  took  their 
route  for  Exeter.  Aa  a  Just  tribute  of  respect  and  thankfulness,  the 
Birmingham  Li^t  Horse  attended  their  frienda  and  instructon  out  of 
town ;  and  the  lioyal  Association  of  Infantiy  politely  mustered,  and 
aalutcd  in  line  the  Ofltors  and  troops  as  they  quitted  the  Place.  On  no 
occasion  shall  we  ezecnto  our  dutf  with  fnaXeir  pleasure  than  in 
fiipiesBlng  how  justly  this  is  the  puolie  opimon  of  this  fine  HMriplt^H 
ngiment.  During  their  stay  here,  the  conduct  of  the  men  has  been 
ezempbiy,  motml,  and  civii ;  and  the  polite^  eonatant,  and  friendly 
attention  of  lieutenant  Colonel  Kinsey  and  the  other  Offioere  haa  hm 
such  aa  to  be  beyond  any  ptaiae  we  can  bestow.    Whoever  the  Boyala 

S^  thither  will  they  ewr  be  followed  by  the  grateful  remembrance  and 
St  wishes  of  the  Town. 

Hie  same  moniiitf  the  Boyala  left  ui^  troopa  of  our  old  acquaintance 
the  Third  or  King?  Own  I>n^oons^  marched  into  the  Town  from 
NoCtiiigham. 


80  A  OENTUBT  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

The  next  two  extracts  refer  to  a  public  undertaking  of 
importanca  It  is  strange  to  find  that  it  was  proposed  to 
provide  a  Public  Office  by  the  adoption  of  the  tontine  plan, 
and  not  by  rates : — 

Pablio  OffioBp  July  25,  1798. — ^At  a  nnmeraufl  and  respectable 
Meetizig  held  tluB  Day  (affreeable  to  notice  by  AdTertisement  in  Aria's 
Binningham  Gazette  of  tne  23rd  Instant),  for  the  purpose  of  submitting 
to  the  Consideration  al  the  Town,  the  Propriety  of  taking  late 
Mansell's  House,  situate  in  High  Street,  for  a  Pablic  Office,  Qiarles 
Uoyd  in  the  Chair ; 

The  several  Plans  and  Estimates  for  altering  and  repairing  the 
House  in  New  Street  (late  Bedford's)  and  the  House  (late  ManseU's)  in 
the  Hi^-etreet^  for  the  gsneral  Accommodation  of  the  Justices, 
Overseers,  Oommiasioners  of  lAmps  and  ScaTengers,  and  Town  at  large, 
having  been  taken  into  Consideratioii^  and  a  new  Plan  having  been 
produced  for  erecting  anew  Building  adapted  for  all  the  above  purposes, 
with  an  addition  thereto  of  a  large  Boom  for  Public  Town  Meetings, 
the  Money  to  be  paid  for  the  same  to  be  raised  by  Subscription  of  l%n 
Pounds  each,  on  a  Tontine  Plan,  and  the  interest  thereof  at  6  per  cent, 
together  witn  the  Qround  Bent,  to  be  paid,  one  Half  by  the  Constables, 
B3M,  the  other  Half  by  the  OominisBionerB  of  Lamps  and  Scavengers ; 

Besolved  unanimondy,  That^  taking  all  Circumstances  into  Con- 
sideration, this  new  I^lan  is  most  likely^  to  answer  the  Purposes 
intended,  and  that  it  will  be  a  great  Convenience  to  the  Town. 

July  30,  I70&-— At  a  respecteble  Meeting  d  the  Inhabitants  of  this 
town^  on  Wednesdav  last^  it  was  unanimously  resolved  to  erect^  upon  a 
Tontme  plan,  a  Building  for  the  accommodatioii  of  the  Magistrates^  the 
Commissioners  of  Lamps,  &&.  and  Town  at  large.  Six  Hundred  and 
Fifty  Pounds  has  been  alreaay  subscribed  to  eLOOurage  this  eligible 
plan. 

The  Overseers  and  Qoardians  of  the  poor  had  long  been 

troubled  as  to  the  best  manner  of  dealing  with  pauper 

childreiL    The  plui  adopted  was  that  of  patting  them  out 

to  nurse ;  but  the  evils  resulting  from  the  ^stem  were  very 

great    Accordingly,  in  1797,  uiey  took  some  premises  in 

Summer  Lane,  and  formed  them  into  an  Asylum  for  the 

Infismt  Poor.     The  result  of  its  first  yearns  existence  are 

^ven  in  the  following  report : — 

BiBimroHAif  Abtlum,  Sumx la  Lava. 
July  17,  179a— At  an  Annual  Meeting  of  the  Committee  fer  the 
conducting  this  Institution,  calculated  not  only  to  promote  Economy 
in  the  PtSochial  Be?enue^  but  to  pressr?i  the  Health  and  Morals^  to 
educate  and  train  up  the  In&nt  floor  la  Habits  of  Industry  and 
Usefulness— It  appeared  that  in  an  average  of  S48  Children,  very 
considerable  Savii^  had  been  made  (beside  pranoting  the  above  useful 
and  important  PurpoeesX  the  annual  Sxpenditore  not  being  Thrse- 
fourthsofthatofOnt-nnxiiing;  and  notwithstanding  the  Baye  of  several 
infectious  Diseases,  which  nearly  perfaded  the  imolo  Family,  yet  not 
more  than  seven  died  during  the  whole  Year;— added  to  these 
AdTantM;es  they  hare  been  taught  to  raad.  the  Females  have  knit 
several  Hundred  Fairs  of  Stockings,  besides  Sewing,  repairing  Cloath% 


PUBLIC  UFK  AND  EVENTa  81 

and  ooliBidembly  ludiog  in  the  Domestio  BonuesB.  Taking  the  aboFo 
into  Ooncidaration,  and  aware  of  the  peeoliar  Importance  to  this  Town 
to  have  a  Bnceeesion  of  Female  Senranto  for  its  Saf>ply,  as  weU  as 
to  fiMTward  the  present  laudable  and  needful  Disposition  to  Family 
Soonomy-— 

Kesolved,  That  an  Advertisement  be  inserted  in  Arises  Birmingham 
Gazette,  stating  that  any  restieetable  Family  may,  by  Application 
ct  the  Asylum,  have  the  IVial  of  one,  as  a  Servant  for  one  Year, 
and,  if  approved,  to  be  bound  for  the  remainiog  six.  Several  nseful, 
well  behaved  Boys  may  be  also  had  on  Trial,  as  Apprentices  to 
If anufiustnrers. 

NJB. — ^Knitting  in  Cotton,  or  Worsted,  done  on  reasonable  Terms. 

In  the  next  week's  Oazette,  the  editor  thus  ui^es  the 

cUiins  of  the  Asylum  upon  the  inhabitants : — 

September  3»  1798. — ^We  cannot  but  seriously  recommend  to  the 
notice  of  our  readers,  the  benefits  which  the  town  mav  derive  from 
taking  the  children  of  the  poor  into  their  families,  since  their  education 
and  employment^  in  the  Asylum*  have  so  fitted  them  for  sudi  services^ 
by  habits  of  nsefol  industry,  and  moral  order. 

Deritend  Bridge  is  still  a  source  of  trouble  to  the 
Trusteea  The  expenditure,  as  is  usual  in  such  cases, 
exceeded  the  receipts;  and  the  trustees  give^ notice  that 
they  shall  apply  to  Parliament  for  ''fresh  powers:" — 

DxRimrD  Bridge. 

August  17,  1708. — ^Whereas  an  Act  of  Parliament  was  made  and 
pased  in  the  S8th  Tear  of  the  Beign  of  his  prssent  Majesty,  entitled 
**  An  Aet  finr  rebuilding  the  Bridge  over  the  Biver  Bea,  at  the  Town  of 
Birmingham,  called  Deritend  Bridge,  and  widening  the  Avenues  thereto, 
and  for  widening  and  varyinff  the  Oourse  of  the  said  River  near  the 
•aid  Bridge,  and  making  a  Weir,  and  other  necessary  Works  to  prevent 
the  lower  Bui  of  the  said  Town  from  being  overflowed  ;*'  and  the 
Expenditure  therein  having  neoe«arilv  exceecMd  the  Money  which  the 
Tnstees  b^  such  Act  were  empowered  to  raise ;  Notice  is  herebv  given 
that  Appheation  will  be  made  to  Parliament  in  the  next  Session,  for 
fresh  Powers  to  enable  the  Trustees  to  raise  Money  by  a  Toll  upon  the 
BiidfB^  to  pay  off  and  discham  the  principal  Sums  now  remaining 
unpaid^  and  toe  Interost  tbereoL 

Babksr  avd  Utf nr,  SolidtorB. 

The  joy  at  Lord  Duncan's  victory  over  the  Dutch,  in 
1797»  survived  the  events  and  it  was  resolved  to  celebrate 
its  anniversary  in  a  useful  and  appropriate  manner.  This 
18  the  note  preliminary : — 

September  17,  1798. — ^We  understand  it  is  in  contemplation  to 
eelebraie  *the  Annivenaiy  of  the  glorious  Victory  obtained  on  the 
11th  ofOetober  iast^  by  Admhral  Lord  Duoeao,  over  the  Dntoh  Fleet, 

*The  Aiylam  bnildlng  it  still  standing  in  Snmmer  Lane,  with  the  original 
Beehive  on  the  tablet  in  front.  The  children  were  ramofed  in  185i,  when 
the  present  Wockhouse,  at  Bimii^gham  Heath,  was  opened, 

n.  0 


82  A  CENTURY  OF  BIBMINaHAM  LIFE. 

by  a  Qrand  Conoert  of  Vocal  and  Instninie&tal  Masic,  for  the  benefit 
of  Mr.  Jeremiah  Clark,*  of  thki  Town. 

When  we  reoollect  how  highl j  the  lo^en  of  harmony  were  gratified 
by  the  admirable  perfi>rmanoe  grataitonsly  direoted  by  this  Gentleman, 
for  the  Benefit  of  the  Widowe  and  Orptians  of  the  brave  Seamen  who 
weie  killed  or  wonnded  in  that  ever  memorable  action,  we  cannot  donbt 
that  the  pnblio  in  general,  and  the  infaabitanti  of  thie  town  in  particolar, 
will  diiplay  their  usual  liberality  npon  the  oooaBion,  and  we  are 
perraaded  the  performance  will  be  muh.  as  will  amply  repay  their 
generosity* 

But  this  year  our  naval  forces  obtained  a  still  greater 
Yictory.  On  August  the  Ist,  the  invincible  NelJson  won  the 
Battle  of  the  Nile.  The  news  reached  Birmingham  on 
October  the  8rd;  it  was  brought  and  received  in  this 
Quumer  3— 

October  8, 1798.— The  arriTal  of  the  Mail  Coacii  <m  Wednesday  last^ 
deoonted  with  ribbons,  and  with  oolonrs  fMng  on  it,  annonncea  to  ns 
that  it  broQffht  official  particnlars  of  the  glorions  victory  atohicTed  by 
the  brave  iTelson;  and  the  Town  instantly  exhibited  a  scene  of  the 
most  enthosiastio  joy  and  eznitation.  Here,  as  elsewhere^  a  mneral 
Binging,  Firing,  and  Ulominatlon  took  plsoe  ;•— the  Beffiment  m  Scots 
Gray%  the  Co^  of  Ixiyal  Associated  Uftndry  and  Insmtiy,  paraded 
and  fired ;  and  evety  patriotic  breast  was  wanned  with  the  most  jost 
and  raptnroos  trinmpn  of  the  British  Tua  orer  the  Enemies  of  their 
Count^  and  Mankind.  fVom  almost  evafy  Town  within  onr  cirenit, 
we  have  receiTed  similar  aeoonnis.  Indeed  our  paper  would  not  contain 
all  that  has  been  written  ns ;  and  onr  friends  ana  oorrespondents  will 
be  aware^  howerer  strong  their  rmp^Mre  wishes,  that  it  wonld  ill 
become  ns  to  giro  the  detail  of  what  passed  at  any  one  particular  place, 
in  prefersnce  to  all  the  rest 

November  29  was  set  apart  for  a  day  of  National  Thanks- 
giving, and  eveiy  preparation  was  made  for  keeping  it  with 
the  utmost  decorum.  It  is  true  the  people  were  in  a 
state  of  great  suffering ;  trade  was  very  bad ;  the  Habeas 
Corpus  act  had  been  suspended;  Ireland  was  in  a  state  of 
insurrection ;  trials  for  sedition  were  goinff  on  in  En^^and, 
and  freedom  of  speech  was  a  by-word.  Still  Nelson  had 
obtained  a  splendid  victofy,  and  the  majority  of  the  ]^ple 
were  thoroughly  with  the  stubborn  Idi^  and  his  mimsters. 
In  Birminjgham  a  practical  man  suggested  that  the  day  of 
thanksgiving  should  be  turned  to  account  The  tone  of  his 
letter  is  in  keeping  with  the  deep  loyalty  of  the  time,  and 
the  feelings  which  the  people  hcdd  towards  the  King. 

To  the  Printer  of  ▲ris's  Birmingham  Qaastte. 
November  ftth,  179tf. — Mr.  PearMn, — Oar  rereced  and  mndi  lored 
Bovsreign,  with  that  piety  whidi  at  ones  adorns  and  establishes  Us 

*lfr.  dsik  was  oigsaist  at  8t  ICsiy's  Chmdi,  and  the  avthor  of  nsay 
mnsiesl  woiks,  wUdi  ars  now  cxeeedingly  me. 


PUBLIC  LIFE  AND  EVENT&  83 

ThroiM^  baving,  with  the  advice  of  hui  Privy  Gooneil,  set  iqMut  a  da^  for 
pablic  and  general  Thankagivinff  to  Almighty  God,  for  the  aignal 
aoeeesBea  with  whteh  He  haa  lately  bleaaed  nia  Afijeaty'a  arma  hv  aea ; 
his  fidthfol  BobjeetSy  aenaible  of  the  miaeoiaa  they  have  escaped^  and 
of  the  important  bleaainga  whidi  are  thereby  oontinned  to  them,  will, 
I  donbt  not»  cordially  unite  with  him  in  heartfelt  thanks-giving  to 
the  God  of  all  Merdes  on  the  day  appointed.  Were  it  possible  that  the 
kind  solidtade  of  the  ^Father  of  his  People**  could  be  fully  jmtlfied, 
I  am  pervmaded  not  a  sigh  would  be  heard,  or  a  tear  (except  <ngrateful 
joy)  would  on  that  daj  be  shed  throngh  the  land. 

As  the  mannfiictones  throughout  this  large  and  populous  town  will 
of  course  be  shut  up,  and  tluit  numerous  and  valuable  class  of  our 
fellow  dticena,  the  labouring  poor,  be  deprived  of  the  produce  of  a  day's 
labour,  and  aa  many  of  them  at  present  are  not  allowed  to  work  more 
than  iSrar,  and  others  five  days  in  the  week,  I  be^  leave^  through  jrour 
valuable  paper,  to  suggest  to  the  liberal,  patriotic,  and  ingenious 
mannfiMturers  of  this  town,  the  propriety  of  permitting  such  of  their 
men  who  have  not  full  employ,  to  work  the  whole  of  the  week  preceding 
the  29th  instanti  and  to  reserve  so  mudi  out  of  their  money  on  Saturday, 
the  24th,  to  be  paid  them  on  Wednesday,  the  28th,  aa  shall  be  equal  to 
a  good  day's  wages.  Should  this  hint  oe  adopted,  it  wUl  dieer  the 
hearts  of  many,  and  prevent  the  glow  of  ridnff  gratitude  ftom  bdng 
diilled  by  the  prospect  of  a  scanty  meal,  and  ttie  inabUi^  to  provide 
lor  the  wants  of  a  numerous  and  cravinff  oflEspring.  In  those  cases 
where  benevolence  is  thus  discovered,  I  should  hope  it  is  unnecessaiy 
to  add,  that  the  objects  of  it  would  be  bound  by  the  strictest  ties  of 
ffratitude  and  justice  to  employ  the  money  for  the  comfort  of  their 
fiunilie^  and  not  aquander  it  in  intemperance. 

I  remain,  sir,  very  respectfully, 

Ak  Imhabitakt. 

P.Sw^This  hint  is  equally  applicable  to  the  manufacturers  of  Walsall, 
Wolverhampton,  and  other  towns  in  the  neighbonihood. 

Next  week  this  announcement  was  made: — 

November  12;  1798. — It  is  intended,  we  understand,  on  the  Thanks- 
giving Day,  to  have  a  Collection  at  the  doors  of  all  the  places  of  worship 
in  the  town,  for  the  benefit  of  the  widows  and  orphans  of  the  brave  men 
who  fell  on  the  glorious  First  of  Auffust,  and  we  doubt  not  but  the 
collection  that  wul  then  be  made  will  manifest  the  humanity  cf  every 
individual,  and  the  just  sense  entertained  of  the  benefit  that  must  accrue 
to  our  country  firom  thia  most  signal  victory.  In  annonndn^  this 
intention  here^  our  view  is  to  recommend  to  other  places  a  aimilar 
lesoltttion. 

The  way  in  which  the  day  was  kept^  and  the  amounts 
collected,  are  given  in  the  two  succeeding  Gazettes : — 

Birmingham,  December  3,  1798. — It  is  imposdble  for  us  to  give 
room  to  all  the  accounts  tluit  have  been  sent  to  our  office  of  the 
attention  whidi  was  paid,  within  the  cirooit  of  this  paper,  to  the 
solemnity  of  the  National  Thanksgiving  oo  Thnnday  lait  ^ffytifir% 
thersfi»e^  as  some  of  our  correspondents  seem  to  bs^  that  all  the 


particalan  they  have  written  us  should  appear,  we  must  confine 
ouiaelves  solely  to  state  that,  in  this  and  all  the  nd^booring  towns, 
th*  diurdies  were  Tinusually  rrowded,  the  Volnnteer  Ooips  of  Oftvalry 


84 


A  CENTUBT  OF  BIRMINaHAM  LIFEL 


and  Infiintry  paraded  to  them,  and  the  devoat  aspirations  of  a  gratefol 
people  asoeuded  in  praise  and  thanksgirinpr  to  the  Supreme  Oirer  of  all 
Victory.  In  most  of  the  places  of  worship  collections  were  made  for 
the  relatiTcs  of  the  brave  men  who  hare  fflorioasly  fell  and  suffered  in 
the  defence  of  their  conntry ;  and  in  tSl  the  towns  some  obtect  of 
charity  appears  to  have  been  thought  o£  At  Wolverhampton,  the  fine 
body  of  volunteer  Infantry  there  distributed  bee(  soup,  oread,  &e.,  to 
nearly  1,000  peoplOi  The  collections  made  at  the  churches,  dec.,  hi  ih» 
town,  and  in  the  neighbourhood,  as  yet  reported  to  the  High  Bailiff 
(for  some  bequests,  we  believe,  are  not  now  sent  in)  are  as  IbUowa: — 
In  Birmingham 


St  Martin's  Church 
St  Philip^s  ditto 
Deritend  Chapel 
St  MarVfl  ditto    . 
fit  Fanf'sjditto     . 
Union  diapel 
Livery  Street  ditto 
Bond  Street  ditto 
Baptist  Chapel 
ditto 


64 


1 


76  12 


7 
59 
42 

41 
3 
6 
9 


19 
6 

7 

14 
0 
0 
2 


d. 

2 

0 
0 


Total  in  Biimingham 


^^310    2    4^ 


Edgbaston 
Moseley  Chapel 
Rowley  Begia 
Bilstone 


3 

7 

6 

10 


6 

4 
0 
0 


6 
0 
0 

0 


December  10, 1798.— ColleeCed  in  Churches,  Chapels,  ^,  as  stated 


in  our  last 

St.  Bartholome Va  Chapel 
Ashted  Chapel 
fkradise  Street  Chapel 
King  Street  ditto 
Cherry  Street  ditto 
Cokshill  Sti«et  ditto    . 
Old  Teinnlep  Newball  Street 
Samuel  Pemberton,  Esq. 
Benjamin  Stokes,  Eiq. 
Kinnwood  Meeting 
Edgbaston  Churdi,  In  addition 
Harbome  Churdi 
Caitle  Bromwiob  CIniroh 


/334 
7 

4 
1 
7 


10 

Si 


11 
6 
6 
6 
15 
7  19  10 
3  0  2 
1 
5 
3 
0 
6 
1 
11 


1 
5 
3 
5 
0 
7 
4 


0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
7 


£392  12    5} 


The  Sanday  qaestion  was  a  ■ooice  of  great  trouble  at  this 
tiine,  as  it  has  been  at  many  periods  sinca  Our  forefitthers 
did  their  best  to  preserve  order  and  decorum  on  the  Lord's 
Day;  but  we  are  afraid  with  little  success.  Here  is  the 
xecoxd  of  another  attempt  in  this  direction,  which  shows 


PUBUC  LIFE  AND   EVENXa  85 

the  earnestness  of  the  authorities  and  the  cleigy  in  this 
matter: — 

PBOrAVATZOH  OF  THS  SaBBATE. 

•RiwiingKawi^  PaUic  Office,  October  26,  179a— Great  Complaints 
haTxng  lately  been  made  bj  many  leriona  and  w^-dispoeed  Inhabitanta 
of  tlie  Town,  that  Notwithstanding  the  repeated  Admonition  of  the 
Gharch  and  Chapel  Wardens)  many  Batchers,  Hucksters,  and  others, 
continue  to  exercise  their  Trades  on  the  Lord's  Day ;  many  Publicans 
soffer  Tippling  in  their  Houses  during  DiTine  Service ;  and  many  riotous 
and  disoraerly  Persons  assemble  themselyes  and  practise  unlawful  Sports 
and  Pastimes,  particularly  in  a  place  called  the  Workhouse  Fieldi : — 
Notice  is  hereby  given  tliat  the  Church  and  Chapel  Wardens,  by  the 
Advice  of  the  Clergy,  Peace  Officers,  Overseers  of  tiie  Poor,  and  many 
respectable  Inhabitants,  hav«  resolved  invariably  to  present  before  the 
Magistrates,  and  publish  the  names  of  whomsoever  they  may  hereafter 
find  thus  offending,  without  any  Respect  to  Situation  or  Character. 
Ajid  they  have  the  Authority  of  the  undersigned  Magistrates  for 
stating,  that  they  also  are  determined  strictly  to  enforce  the  Laws 
against  the  P^anation  of  the  Sabbath.  They,  therefore,  earnestly 
entreat  l^e  concurrent  Assistance  of  the  Inhabitanto  of  every  Deme 
and  Denomination,  to  prevent  such  disorderly  Practioes;  and  exhort 
Parents,  and  Masters  of  Fsmilies,  to  oblige  their  Cbildi^n,  Servants, 
and  Apprentices,  to  reverence  and  keep  hofy  the  Sabbath  Day. 

Ana  whereas  Pkofaneness,  Lnmorahty,  and  the  No^lect  of  religiously 
observing  the  Lord's  Day  amon^  the  lower  orders  of  People,  are  usually 
attended  with  Poverty  and  Misery,  and  brinff  heav^  £xpences  on  the 
Pariah ;  the  Overseers  of  the  Poor  request  the  inhabitants  of  the  Town 
to  give  Information  to  the  Vestry  Clerk,  at  the  Workhouse,  of  such 
Persons,  who  receive  Par,  and  are  found  guilty  of  Tippling,  Drunken- 
ness, &&,  in  order  that  their  weekly  Pay  may  he  withheld,  as  they  shall 
consider  such  Objects  unworthy  of  PaitichiM  Belief. 

(Signed.)  W.  Yillers,  W.  Hicks,  Magistrates ;  Rev.  C. 

Curtis,  BMtor,  Bev.  J.  Cook,  Curate,  and  the  Bev.  Dr.  Croft,  Lecturer, 
of  St  Martin's ;  Bev.  S.  Madan,  Bector,  Bev.  W.  Woodcodc,  Curate, 
and  the  Bev^  RDales,  Lecturer^of  St  Philip's ;  Bev.  W.  T.  Toung, 

r.  T. 


Minktorcf  St  Paul'a;  Bev.  R  Bum,  Minister  of  St  MarVs;  Bev.  _ 
Price,  Mjmster  of  St  Bartholomew's ;  John  CUrk,  High  Bailiff;  Mr. 
Sanden,  Low  Bailiff;  Messrs.  Pratehet,  Cope,  Yale,  and  Warren,  Church 
Wardens ;  Hughes,  Aston,  Bock,  and  Groves,  Chapel  Wardens.  Signed 
also  by  the  Constables,  Headborough,  and  the  Overseers  of  the  Poor. 

The  proper  r^ulation  of  public  houses  is  one  of  the  most 

important  of  our  social  questiomu    The  following  rules  will 

show  with  what  care  the  authorities  looked  after  this  part  of 

their  public  duties,  before  the  town  became  a  Corporation : — 

Biimingfaam  Pojilic  Office,  November  9,  1796. — ^Bnles  rospeetintf 
Licenses  for  Public  Houses,  approved  of  by  the  Magistrates,  and  atfraea 
upon  by  the  Parishes  ol  Birmingham,  the  Ministers,  Church  Waraensi 
sad  Cliapel  Wardens  of  the  Town  of  Birmingham,  who  will  sign  no. 
Oerti6cates,  nor  listen  to  any  Application,  unless  the  Parties  appljing 
shall  appear  from  personal  Knowledge,  or  from  authentic  Information, 
t9  be  me  from  every  Kind  of  Prolugacjr,  and  of  such  strict  Honour 
and  Integrity,  ss  may  establish  in  the  nunds  of  the  Magistrates  a  full 


86  A  CENTURY  OF  BIEHINOHAH  LIFE. 

Gonfidenoe  that  ihev  will  discourage  all  Tippling  and  Irregularity, 
particalarlr  in  the  laDOxuing  people. 

If  the  Fkrtr  applying  be  of  another  Parishy  he  must  have  a  Gertifi- 
cate  from  the  Minister  and  Church  Wardens  of  that  Parish,  till  he  has 
resided  three  years  in  this. 

If  of  this  Parish,  he  must  brinff  a  Testunony  from  his  nearest 
Neighbour^and  from  some  respectaole  Person,  who  havinff  furnished 
him  with  JBmployment,  will  answer  for  his  Honesty,  Sobriety,  and 
Industry. 

If  he  has  been  in  Senrioe^he  must  hare  the  Attestation  of  his  Master. 

If  remoTing  from  one  House  to  another,  he  must  proTe  that  the 
Owner  of  the  Mouse  he  leaves  is  satisfied  as  to  his  Honesty  and  good 
Behaviour. 

New  Tenants  often  act  under^  licenses  mnted  to  the  old.  This 
Practice,  as  it  is  dsaifsroJSM  to  themselves,  Skewiae  takes  away  that 
Power  of  Control  which  the  Law  has  vested  in  the  Magistrates  for  the 
Exclusion  of  improper  Per80D& 

Whoever  shall,  from  his  own  Knowledge,  be  aJtAe  to  pronounce  any 
House  disorderly  either  in  comiptinff  uie  Morals  <n  the  Peoplev 
promoting  Sedition,  or  unsettling  good  Principles,  is  seriously  lequertea 
to  give  proper  Information  to  the  Magistrates  themselves^  or  to  any 
other  competent  Persons. 

An  Alenonse  keeper  encouraging  Tippling  forfeits  IOb.,  to  be  levied 
by  the  Church  Waraens  or  Constates. 

Perseverance  in  the  Offence  makes  him  liable  to  a  forfeituro  of  his 
lioeoae  for  three  years. 

An  Alehouse  keeper  encouraging  Gaming,  forfeits  for  the  first 
Ofience  40i.  For  every  subsequent  one  lOL,  Inree-fonrthato  the  Poor 
— One-fourth  to  the  Informer.  Individuals  guilty  of  Tippling  forfeit 
3flL  4d. ;  in  the  case  of  Non-payment^  to  be  confined  four  Hours  in  the 
Stocks. 

DmnkennesB,  first  Offence  6e, 

Alehouse  keeper,  for  Drunkenness,  forfeits  his  License  for  three  years. 

Carriers,  Waggoners  travelUng,  or  Butchers  Killing,  on  the  Ijord's 
Dirr,  forfeit  ds.  §3. 

By  S9th  of  Qeoige  2,  any  Drover,  Hone  Courser,  Waggoner,  Butcher, 
Higgler,  or  their  Servants,  travelling  or  coming  to  an  Inn,  on  tiie  Lord's 
Day,  f (Hf eit  9Qb. 

Penalties  for  Swearing,  Is.,  2l,  and  6s.,  according  to  the  Quality  of 
the  Offender. 

Another  step  is  made  towards  obtaining  the 

Nkw  Public  OfFzcBi 

Public  Office,  Dale  End,  December  ard,  l79&— The  Committee 
appointed  by  a  General  Meeting  of  the  Inhabitants  of  Birmingham, 
to  cany  into  Effect  a  Besolation  of  the  Town,  lor  the  Erection  of  a 
New  Public  Office  (the  Money  to  pay  Ibr  the  same  to  be  raised  by 
Subscription  of  Ten  Pounds  eadi.  on  a  Tontine  Plan,  the  Interest 
whereof  with  the  Ground  Ben^  to  be  paid,  one  Half  by  tlie  Constables, 
and  the  other  Half  by  the  CommlasioiMn  of  Lamps  and  Scavengers), 
have  had  many  Meetings  on  this  Businesiy  and  the  Subscription 
of  £1000,  as  agreed  upon  at  the  said  Town^  Meetings  beia|[  now 
folly  and  the  Puns  ready  lor  Inspection,  together  with  an  Brtmiate^ 
by  which  it  appears^  tliat  a  fiirtlier  Sam  inll  be  wantin|^  in  order 
to  procure  all  toe  requisite  A  ccommodatiopa— the  Committee  request 


PUBLIC  LIFE  AND  EVENTa  87 

the  Inhabitanta  of  BumingliAm  will  attend  a  Meeting  on  this  BaunetSy 
at  the  Pablio  OfBloe,  in  Dale  Eod,  on  Monday,  the  7th  of  January, 
17d9,  at  Ten  o'Clock  in  the  Mominc. 

Clbm.  Ooitbrili^       Charlu  Llotd, 
Tho.  WiLUfouBy         Georob  Boonb^ 
John  Ward,  Tho.  £oBiM80ir, 

Edward  Huohib,       Bobsrt  Powbll, 
Jos.  Shork  Wm.  Walkxb, 

WILUAX  PrICB. 

The  cold  Una  winter  was  intense.  On  the  last  day  of 
the  year  we  find  this  entry : — "  So  extreme  was  the  cold 
here  at  three  o'clock  on  Friday  morning  last^  that  the 
Thermometer  of  Messrs.  Qiles  and  Forest's  Brewery^  was, 
in  the  open  air.  Twenty-seven  degrees  below  the  Free2dng 
point,  on  Farenheit's  scala" 

At  a  meetiiu^  held  on  January  7,  1799,  in  reference  to 
the  erection  of  the  new  Public  Office,  it  was  shown  that 
^a  further  sum  of  £600  at  leasts  over  and  above  the  sum  of 
£1000  already  subscribed  on  the  Tontine  Plan,  will  be 
wanting;  in  order  to  procure  the  requisite  Acconmiodation 
according  to  the  Plans  laid  before  the  meeting;  and  it 
was  resdved  that  ''further  Subscriptions  be  solicited  for 
the  said  sum  of  £600  on  the  Tontine  Plan,  at  Five  per 
Cent" 

The  next  meeting  of  the  new  year  was  on  that  very 
important  subject^  the  Copper  Tiada  It  was  held  on 
Mttfch  26th,  for  the  purpose  of  taking  into  Consideration 
the  present  alarming  high  Price  of  Copper,  and  to 
determine  what  Measures  are  proper  to  be  taken  to 
obtain  such  Provisions  in  the  Bdl  now  pending  in  Par- 
liament for  r^^ulating  the  Exportation  and  Importation 
of  Copper,  as  will  protect  the  Trade  of  this  Town  and 
Neighoourhood  in  future  from  the  creat  Inconveniences 
to  whidi  it  has  long  been  subject  from  the  Fluctuation 
in  the  price  of  that  necessary  Article. 

The  price  of  all  provisions  was  exceedingly  high  during 
this  season  of  calamities.  Meat  and  bread  were  almost  at 
famine  price,  and  various  suggestions  were  made,  and  many 
plans  devised  to  lower  the  pricea  In  April  a  recom- 
mendation was  made,  which  has  been  repeated  in  our 
own  dayB>— 

April  1|  1799.-— A  OormpoDdent  wwrnniiKmils  to  the  aerioas  eon- 
■idenlioiiof  Um  iwblic^  the  OUet  rations  in  our  last  of  the  Afrieoltaral 
Sodflity  at  .Bath,  reqnsstinff  all  luniliss  to  abstain  from  lamb^  in  order 
to  koep  down  the  piieo  of  moat^  and  partionlariy  of  mutton.    It  woro 

^  la  WanloiM  Lane. 


88  A  CENTURY  OF  BIBMINOHABC  LIFE. 

also  to  be  wished,  that  proper  steps  might  be  taken  to  disoonntfe  the 
oonaiimption  of  young  yeal,  and  that  the  Meat  CSonners  woukl  use 
particular  diligenee  in  detecting  and  destroying  such  as  is  unfit  for 
consumption,  whereof  a  great  quantity  is  brought  to  our  market  every 
week. 

The  next  advertisement  g^ves  vb  the  date  of  the  opening 

of  the 

NXW  POBLIO  OVFICB. 

Hay  6, 1799. — ^Notice  is  hereby  giyen,  that  the  Magistrates  acting 
lor  the  Town  and  Neighbourhood  of  Birmingham  will  begin  to  sit  at 
the  New  Public  Office  in  High  street,*  on  Monday  next,  the  13th  Instanl^ 
for  the  Dispatch  of  Public  Business ;  and  that  the  days  of  attendance 
will  be  on  Mondays  and  Thursdays^  at  Ten  o'Olock  in  the  Forenoon  of 
eadi  Day  till  further  Notice. 

The  Einff's  ^  natal  day  "  was,  as  usual,  kept  with  every 
demonstration  of  loyalty : — 

June  10^  1799^ — On  Tuesday  here^  as  CTeiywheve  else,  the  natal  day 
of  our  beloved  Boveragn  was  celebrated  with  the  most  zealoos  loyalty 
and  joy.  The  Handsworth  Cayaliy,  the  Hales  Owen  Cavalry  and 
IniSMitrir,  and  the  Bilstooe  Gayalry  and  In&ntry,  having  marked  to 
unites  mr  the  day,  with  the  Gavalrf  and  Infimtry  of  the  Town,  they 
were  obligingly  joined  by  the  Bi^ment  of  Royal  North  British 
Dragoons  fthe  Greys)  under  the  oommand  of  Colonel  Boardman  ;  and 
after  parading  in  New  street,  they  proceeded,  amidst  an  immense 
oonoonrse  of  people,  to  Birmiogham  Heath,  where  the  whole  were 
reviewed  by  the  ColoneL  On  returning,  the  column  passed  through 
several  streets  of  the  Town,  and  the  day  was  spent  by  the  Voluntem 
(honoared  with  the  Company  of  the  Colonel  ana  Officm  of  the  Grey% 
Lieut  Burnet,  and  the  Staff  of  the  District)  at  the  different  Inns  of  the 
Town,  with  the  utmost  harmony  and  conviviality. 

There  was  an  Anacreontic  Society  in  Birmingham  at  this 
time,  which  held  its  meetings  at  the  once  well-known  house, 
the  Eagle  and  Ball,  in  Counore-street.  IVom  some  cause 
or  other  the^  were  not  able  to  celebrate  his  Mqesty^s 
birthday  untd  the  18th  of  June,  and  they  inform  the 
**  Brothers  of  this  Institution  "  of  the  fej^i,  and  request  their 
attendance  on  that  day,  when  "  the  introduction  of  a  Friend 
by  a  Member  will  be  admitted." 

As  a  result  of  the  Meeting  of  the  Copper  Trade,  held  in 
March,  the  Oazette  of  June  24,  informea  its  readers  that 
that  trade  ''is  to  become  an  object  of  Ftoliamentary 
regulation  early  in  the  next  session.**  This  statement  is 
foUowed  in  a  week  or  two  by  a  report  of  a  meeting  on 
the  same  subject: — 

•The  New  Pnblle  Office  was  called  **The  OonriabaM,"  and  was  ritoal^d 
at  the  boUom  of  a  ihort  paaiage  ahnoel  oppodle  the  end  of  Neir  8tieei.  It 
waf  afterward!  need  ai  a  prieon  for  poor  deoton^  and  was  popnlailj  eaUed  l^ 
an  nnqnotable  $o^tfmtt. 


PUBLIC  LIFE  Ain>  EVENTS.  89 

OoFPBR  Tradi. 

Birmingbam,  Jul/  5, 1709. — ^At  a  Qeneral  Meeting  of  the  Merchants 
and  Maniiiaetaren  of  this  Town  and  Nei^bourhooo,  held  this  day  at 
the  Stork  Tavern,  in  Ponniance  of  a  Pubkc  Advertisement ;  The  Hi^ 
Bailiff  in  the  Chair ; 

Beeolved  nnanimonaly — 1.  That  this  Meeting  learn  with  Pleasure 
that  his  Majesty's  Ministers  are  determined  to  bring  forward,  early  in 
the  next  Sessions  of  Parliament,  some  effectual  Measure  for  reducing 
the  present  exorbitant  and  high  Price  of  Chopper,  for  preventing 
ezceasiTe  Fluctuations  therein,  and  for  checking  the  Spirit  of  Monopoly 
in  that  Trade,  so  detrimental  and  distressing  to  the  Trade  of  the 
Einfldom  in  raieral,  and  to  the  Manufacturers  of  this  Town  and 
Kei^bouthood  in  narticular. 

8.  That  this  Meeting  are  mtefully  sensible  of  the  Attention  and 
AflBiatance  afforded  by  Sir  Jdm  Mordaunt,  Bart,  Sir  Qeoi^ge  Shuckbux]g[h 
Bvelyn,  Bart,  Sir  £dmund  Cradock  Hartopp,  Bart,  Isaac  Hawkins 
Browne,  Esq.,  William  Wilberforce,  Esq.,  and  Heneage  L^ge,  Esq.,  to 
the  Gentlemen  deputed  from  this  Town  to  carry  into  fiffect  the  Prayer 
of  the  Petition  to  nis  Majesty's  Ministers  on  this  subject^  and  request 
the  High  Bailiff  to  present  the  Thanks  of  this  Meeting  to  those 
Gentlemen  respectively. 

3.  l%at  this  Meetmg  have  seen  in  the  public  Papers,  and  read  with 
much  and  just  Indignation  a  Paper  industriously  distributed  at  the 
door  of  the  House  of  Commons,  and  throughout  the  County  of  Cornwall, 
insidionsly  signed  "A  Birmingham  Manufacturer,"  but  which,  so  far 
from  containing  the  Sentiments  of  that  Body;  is  universallv  considered 
by  them  as  a  cross  Attempt  to  impose  upon  Parliament  ana  the  Public, 
and  plainly  wew,  that  if  the  Author  ever  was  a  Birmingham  Manu- 
fibctnrer,  he  has  now  totally  lost  Sight  of  the  Interests  of  the  Town, 
and  can  be  viewed  in  no  other  light  t£m  that  of  a  Traitor  to  its  Welfare 
and  PrcMperitjr. 

4.  That  this  Meeting  feel,  as  they  ou^t,  the  patriotic  and  generous 
Conduct  of  the  Committees  of  the  Birmingham  Metal  Companv,  the 
Binning^iam  Mining  and  Copper  Company,  and  the  Bose  Copper 
Company,  in  haying  (with  a  view  to  alleviate  the  Losses  which  the 
Manufacturen  will  sustain  until  Pariiament  shall  have  passed  an  Act 
for  their  Belief)  agreed  to  continue  the  Prices  of  Copper  and  Brass,  to 
the  Manufacturers,  this  and  the  two  following  months,  the  same  as  the 
three  months  last  past  although  the  Piioe  of  Ore  has  been  so  great 
as  to  have  warranted  their  making  a  very  considerable  Advance ;  and 
the^  do  not  doubt  that  the  other  Brass  Companies  in  this  Town  will,  at 
their  first  Meetimr,  follow  so  landable  an  Example. 

6.  That  the  Thanks  of  this  Meeting  be  fiven  to  the  Committee  and 
to  Matthew  Boulton,  William  Yillers,  and  Geom  Simcox,  Esqrs.,  who 
sacrifioed  their  private  Ooncems  to  the  General  Interests  of  the  Town, 
in  attending  many  Weeks  in  London  on  this  Business,  and  that  they  be 
requested  to  oontinne  their  Exertions  in  such  Manner  as  the^  jndgie 
best  for  the  Attainment  of  the  End  so  necessary  to  the  Seeunty  and 
PMsperity  of  the  Trade  of  the  Town. 

0.  That  the  Thanks  of  this  Meeting  be  also  presented  to  Mr.  Samuel 
Smith  and  Mr.  Thomas  Hadley,  who  so  readiljr  stepped  forward  wiUi 
Evidence  of  Facts,  confirming  ttie  Statement  laid  before  the  Committee 
of  the  House  of  Commons,  Mid  paitiailariy  for  the  Assistanoe  afforded 
by  Mr.  Smith  to  the  Deputation. 


90  A  CENTUBY  OF  BIBMINaHAM  LIFE. 

7.  That  the  Thanks  of  this  Meeting  be  given  to  the  Chaimiati,  and 
that  he  be  requested  to  sign  these  Resolutions,  and  have  the  same 
inserted  in  the  two  fiinaadngham  Papers^  iu  the  Sun,  the  Star^  and  the 
Morning  Herald.  Johv  Glares,  High  BaOiE 

The  following  extracts  refer  to  that  source  of  continiial 
trouble  the  "Gilt  Button."  This  important  article  of 
Birmingham  manu&cture  was  invented  by  Mr.  John  Taylor, 
whom  we  enthusiastic  Hutton  calls  an  ''uncommon  genius/' 
and,  in  a  mighty  flight  of  fancy,  tells  us  we  may  justfy  deem 
him  "  the  Shakespear  or  the  Newton  of  his  day."  He  was, 
indeed,  a  skilful,  ingenious,  and  successful  manufacturer; 
and  the  importance  of  the  button  trade  to  the  town  may  be 
seen'firom  tbe  fact  that>  in  the  historian's  time,  '*  in  his  shop 
were  weekly  manufactured  buttons  to  the  amount  of  £800, 
exdusive  of  other  valuable  production&''  One  of  the  great 
evils  against  which  this  trade  had  to  contend  was  the  skill 
of  the  Birmingham  mechanics  vol  counterfeiting.  The  series 
of  quotations  wMch  follow  refer  to  this  subject : — 

BUTTOH& 

Birmingham,  June  27, 1799.— Upon  Tuesday  last^  L.  Flershaim,  a 
Jew  Merobant,  late  of  Fiankforty  but  now  resident  in  Birmingham,  and 
William  Bring,  Button  maker  (whom  he  employed)  were  seTerallj 
oonvieted  before  the  Magistrates  of  this  Town,  upon  the  Information 
laid  against  them  by  Onler  of  the  Button  Association,  for  causing, 
directing,  and  procunng  the  Words  ^Strong  Qilt"  to  be  stamped  upon 
Metal  Buttons  ooDtrary  to  Act  of  Parliament,  the  Merchant  in  the 
Penalty  of  392.,  and  the  Manu£u;turer  in  the  Penalty  of  15^  fif.  8kf. 
It  appeared  in  Eridence  that  the  Buttons  were  markea  *  Strong  Qilt,* 
and  made  for  a  Price  at  which  it  appeared  it  was  impossible  the 
Manufacturer  could  make  them  without  beinff  at  a  ruinous  Lose^  if 
Gilt  only  according  to  the  Standard  required  by  the  Act  for  sin^ 
Oilt  Buttons. 

N.B— A  Baward  of  Ten  Guineas  will  be  paid  upon  Cooyietion  to  any 
Person  or  Persons  who  shall  diicoyer  any  Offmder  or  QfTenders  against 
the  Button  Act,  by  applying  to  Mr.  Simpson,  Attorney,  Cherry  Street^ 
Treasurer  to  the  Button  Association,  and  the  Name  of  the  Person 
giving  the  Information  will  not  be  made  known. 

BUIVOMS. 

Binningfaam,  July  8, 1799.— On  Wednesday  last,  William  Hawkins, 
of  Birmingham,  in  the  Oouaty  <tf  Warwick,  Button  maker,  was  eon- 
yicted  before  tbe  Magistrates  of  this  Town  in  the  Penalty  of  Kmeteen 
Pounds^  for  eansing,  direciiag^  or  procuring  fifteen  Gross  of  Metal 
Buttons,  marked  ^Gilt**  to  be  jdaoed  or  peeked  upon  Cards  or  Papers, 
the  same  being  Gilt  below  the  Standard. 

The  Magistemtei^  in  conseauenoe  of  what  the  Manufoctorer  uiged  in 
Defonce^  were  indofied  to  niitigate  the  Penalty  to  Nine  Poundla  Ten 
Shillings. 

Gilt  aitd  Puitid  Bunom. 

July  a  1799.->T1ie  Committee  of  the  Button  A«odation  hereby 
giye  Notice,  that  a  Bewaid  of  Ten  Guineas  will  be  paid  hj  Mr. 


PUBLIC  LIFE  AND  EVENT&  91 

Simpsoo,  Ghenj  street^  Solicitor  to  the  AnociAtiony  upon  ConTiction, 
to  any  JPeraon  or  Paraons  who  shall  give  Information  andnat  the 
Makers  or  Vendors  of  Metal  ButtoDa  that  are  gilt  or  marked  contrarj 
to  Act  of  Parliament^  and  the  name  of  the  Informer  will  not  be 
made  known. 

The  Committee  reconmiend  the  following  eaaj  Means  of  trying  the 
Qoality  of  Gilt  Buttons. 

DiHolve  two  Tea  Spoonfds  of  Common  Salt  in  abont  a  Tea  Cnpfal 
of  Uie  BbckboQ  for  deaning  Battona ;  this  laqnor  will  not  immediately 
diseoloor  Buttons^  if  gilt  up  to  Standard ;  bat  every  bare  Part  will 
beoome  black,  as  soon  as  wet ;  if  slightly  gUt^  will  be  speckled 

Mr.  Thomas  Phipson,  in  New  Street  (iway  Master  to  the  Goardians 
of  the  Standazd  of  Wrought  Plate  within  the  Town  of  Binningham), 
and  Mr.  Joseph  Wetherlejr  Phipson,  his  Son,  having  been  proposed  and 
ai^proTcd  of  at  a  General  Meeting  of  the  Association,  as  proper  Persons 
to  assay  Gilt  and  Plated  Buttons^  they  hare  in  Conseqoenoe  made  Oath 
before  the  Magistimtes  to  report  the  same,  in  all  Osses,  iostly  and  truly. 
EaTour  or  AAction,  to  the  best  of  their  Knowledge,  Skill,  ana 


Judgment ;  any  Person  therefore  desirous  of  ascertaining  the  precise 
Quanti^  of  Gold  which  Buttons  contain,  may  do  so  at  the  Expenoe  of 
FLye  Shillings  for  a  double  Asmy  and  haye  the  Buttons  and  sold 
leiunied.  Many  dishonourable  Attempts  haying  been  practisea  to 
eyade  the  Act  of  Parliament  and  miigmde  Purchasers^  by  striking  on 
different  Marks  than  those  authorised  by  the  said  Act,  whidi  are  Gilt, 
Double  Gilt,  Trable  Gilt^  Plated ;  and  it  being  the  Duty  of  every 
Man  to  know  and  obey  the  Lawa^  and  espedally  those  which  relate  to 
his  own  Profession,  the  Committee  refer  the  Manufiicturers,  &&,  and 
particulariy  recommend  them  to  read  the  Act  of  Parliament  pnssed  in 
the  year  1790,  for  regulating  the  Quality  of  GUt  and  Plated  Buttons, 
or  to  an  Abstract  ^  it  pnolished  a  abort  Time  afterwards  by  Mr. 
Psarson,  and  sold  at  One  Penny,  as  they  are  subject  to  an  Information 
for  ordering  Buttons  (marked  GUt)  to  be  gUt  under  Standard ;  public 
Gilden  are  also  liable  to  be  indicted  for  a  Fraud  and  to  be  aued  for 
Damages,  for  puttim|  on  less  Gold  than  ordered  by  the  Maker. 

Any  Person  wishing  to  become  a  Member  of  tne  Association,  will 
signify  tiie  same  to  Mr.  Simpson,  the  Solicitor. 

July  8, 1799. — ^W.  Hawkm%  to  prevent  any  uniavourable  Impression 
on  the  Publle  Ifind,  in  Conssquence  of  the  mitigated  Penalty  which 
was  paid  at  the  Public  OIBce  on  Wednesday  last,  begs  Leave  to  state 
that  the  Error  arose  from  no  Desire  to  impoee  upon  the  Merchant  or 
Consumer.  W.  H.  waa  at  the  same  Ezpence  in  manufacturing  and 
gilding  the  Buttons  in  the  manner  he  did,  aa  if  he  had  literally  complied 
with  ttie  Woids  of  the  Act  of  Parliament  In  adopting  his  Mode 
of  finishing  the  Buttons^  Jus  View  was  only  to  render  their  Colour 
and  good  Appearance  more  durable^  and  not  to  gain  by  any  deception 


He  takes  the  Liberif  fbrther  to  add,  that,  at  his  Desire  the  OmsUbles 
who  visited  hb  Warshousss,  axamined  upwards  of  400  GroM  of  other 
Gilt  Buttons^  and  th^  were  Ibnnd,  on  the  Application  of  Mr.  Alston'a 
Test ,  to  be  fblly  gO  t  to  the  Standard  rsqubwL 

We  have  now  to  record  the  funend  of  an  old  Birmingham 
worthy.  Samuel  Qalton  was  one  of  those  men  whose  names 
and  memoiy  we  should  not  let  die.    He  waa  active  in  all  the 


92  A  CENTURT  OF  BIBMINQHAM  LIFE. 

good  works  of  the  time ;  and  took  great  interest  in  every- 
thing which  could  advance  the  intelfectual  and  spiritual,  as 
well  as  the  material  well-being  of  the  town.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  famous  Lunar  Society,  and  was  a  friend  of 
Watt,  Boulton,  and  other  leading  men  of  the  tima  His 
daughter  was  the  celebrated  Mrs.  Schimmelpenninck,  in 
whose  Memoirs  will  be  found  a  very  good  account  of  the 
father. 

July  16, 1799. — On  Sandaj,  Jaly  7th,  the  remains  of  the  late  Samuel 
€hilton,  Eeq.y  of  DnddeetoiL  were  deposited  in  the  bnrjing-groand 
belonging  to  the  Quakers^  Meeting  in  this  town.*  A  larger  ooncourse 
of  spectators  attended  than  we  ever  remember  to  have  seen  on  a  similar 
ocoasion.  The  most  deoorooa  eondoct  was  obserred  through  the  whole 
solemnity,  and  an  attention  and  order  so  remarkable  as  to  excite  the 
pnblie  aeknowlednnent  of  a  respectable  Minister  of  the  Society,  who 
deliTmd  an  excellent  discourse  upon  the  awful  subject  of  the  day. 

In  an  account  of  the  General  Hospital,  we  have  alluded 
to  the  Annual  Collections  made  at  all  the  churches  and 
chapek  in  aid  of  the  funds  of  our  local  charities.  The  plan 
is  so  simple,  and  the  money  which  it  produces  so  easily 
obtained,  and  so  laige  in  the  aggregate  amount,  that  people 
have  wondered  why  such  a  propo^  was  not  made  earher. 
It  was ;  but  the  time  was  not  npe  for  its  adoption.  It  re- 
mained unnoticed  for  years,  and  it  was  as  late  as  1859  before 
we  resorted  to  a  method  which,  in  nine  years,  has  produced 
the  sum  of  £33,398  14s.  4d.  for  the  various  hospitala 
In  1799,  however,  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  Oazette : — *'  A  correspondent,  who  signs  himself  Philan- 
thropoB,  recommends  to  the  Governors  of  the  Hospital,  as  an 
augmentation  to  its  resources,  and  as  contributing  to  increase 
the  number  of  annual  subscribers,  that  charity  aermona  be 
annually  prea4:hed  in  all  the  churches  amd  chapels  of  what- 
ever description  within  the  county,  for  its  bienefit.  This 
plan,  ha  observes,  has  been  attended  with  great  advantage 
to  the  Nottingham  and  Derby  Infirmaries."  It  will  be  seen 
that  this  correspondent  recommended  that  the  collection 
should  be  made  throughout  the  county ;  and  that  the  plan 
bad  been  successfully  aaopted  at  Nottingham  and  Derby. 

The  efforts  made  to  aecrease  the  distress  which  now 
afflicted  the  mass  of  the  nation,  speak  well  for  the  humanity 
of  the  times.    The  question  of  providing  bread  was  one  of 

^~  *  A  iman  gfrnTe-jaid  In  Ifonmoath  Street,  dose  to  the  Bine  Coat  School 
It  was  absorbed  bj  the  Great  Western  Rallwaj. 


PUBUC  LIFE  AND  EVENTS.  93 

the  most  important  wbich  engaged  the  attention  of  the 
authoTitie&  The  following  quotation  shows  the  method 
which  they  adopted  for  this  purpose : — 

December  ind,  1799. — We  refer  oar  readers  to  the  adTertiaeineiit  of 
our  MagiBtr&tes,  recommending  the  nae  of  no  other  than  homehold 
brtad;  and  we  also  acquaint  the  pnblic,  that  there  is  a  sort  of  bread 
not  commonly  made  in  this  town,  which  seems  calcnlated  to  dinimsh 
the  consomption  of  wheats  and  to  afford,  at  a  cheaper  rate,  a  food  equally 
wholeeome  and  palatable  with  that  whidi  is  now  found  in  Birmingham. 
Though  the  use  of  this  kind  of  bread  has  been  encouraged  by  an  Ad  of 
the  Legidature,  it  does  not  appear  to  be  generally  known ;  we,  there- 
fore, giye  the  foUowing  abstract  from  the  Act^  and  recommend  bakers 
to  mi^esome  of  the  bnad ;  many  persons  will  prefer  it  from  taste^  and 
many  from  ceoonomy.  By  the  36tn  Geo.  3.,  cap.  28.,  it  Is  enacted  that 
it  abdl  be  lawful  to  make  and  sell  peck  loares,  half-peck  loaTcs, 
qoartem  loaves,  and  hal^uartem  loares^  made  of  the  whole  nroduce  of 
toe  #heat^  deducting  only  five  pounds  weight  of  bran  per  DuiJiel,  or 
made  of  an^  sort  of  wheaten  flour,  mixed  with  barley,  rye.  oat%  budc 
idheat^  Indian  corn,  pease^  beans,  xioe^  or  any  other  gnun,  or  with 
potatoes,  in  such  pcoportioi^  and  at  such  prices,  as  the  seUer  shall  think 
VKoner* 

The  baker  will  be  entitled  to  charge  his  own  price  for  this  article,  but 
the  competition  which  must  alwajys  exist  amon£|st  so  large  a  number  of 
tradesmen  as  exercise  this  business  in  Birmingham,  will  probably 
exdttde  any  mischief  from  this  eironmstance^  and  the  statute  has 
guarded  against  any  other  imposition  by  ascertaining  the  weight  of 
these  loaves,  and  nroviding  that  the  bakers  shall  affix  a  paper  in  their 
shoK  specinring  tne  sorts  and  proportions  of  the  mixture  composing 
mok  sort  of  braad,  with  oorrsspooding  marks  on  the  loaves.  If  the 
bread  sold  under  the  authority  <»  this  act  have  any  mixture  not  denoted 
by  the  mark  and  Pf  per,  or  if  it  be  deficient  in  welghtL  the  baker  will 
Incur  a  penalty.  The  peck  loaf  (whatever  it  be  composea  of}  b  to  weigh, 
when  well  baked,  ITllx  fioz.  Avoirdupois  welgfat|  aiM  the  other  kaves  in 
pfoportion. 

Soup-sho^  were  a^dn  opened  for  the  relief  of  the  poor ; 
and  the  recipe  given  in  the  following  extract  will  be  read 
with  interest : — 

December  9,  1799< — ^The  benevolent  example  of  opening  public 
■oap  shops  finr  tiie  poor  (jpriginall^  set  bv  the  subscribers  in  this  town), 
wo  are  happy  to  learn  is  now  followed  in  the  metropolis^  and  everv 
considerable  place  in  the  kingdom ;  and  the  advertisements  in  this 
paper  from  the  Publie  Office,  and  the  Winter  Benevolent  Society, 
must  be  reguded  1^  the  affluent  with  pleasnrs^  and  by  the  poor  with 
gratitode. 

The  foUowiiig  are  the  Ihffredients  and  Bedpe  for  making  the  Soup 
te  the  Poor,  published  by  the  Committee  in  this  Town : — 

QallonalS    60    100    199    200    240    250 
Bsef lbs.  26    90      60      72    120    144    160 


Beef  Cheeks   No.   1    U     2|    -24       6      61       6 

Legs  of  Beef  No.    I    1|      21       3       6       6       6 

OuoUna  Bice,  ground,  lbs.  7)    16     80     96     00     72     76 


94  A  CEKTURT  OF  BIBMIKGHAM  LIFE. 

OalloDBlS  60  100    120    200 

Peas,  white,    «..       quarts   6  12  24 

Onions     lb&  3^  6^  13 

Pepper,  Cayenne  •••     oz.   {  }        1 

Black  Pepper ,     oz.  1*  3        6 

Qinger,  powdffi^  «..     oz.   I  1        2 

kSMii  •••      •••      •••      •••      IDs*  %w     vx        #2 

Ozfs  Melt  or  Lungs  No.           I  1 

Carrots    lbs.  If    3{  7 

Leeks       lbs.  If    ^  ^ 

Celery,  with  the  tops  lbs.    12  4 

Mint^  dried     oz.   ^      1  1| 

Here  is  a  paragraph  which  affords  a  curious  illustration 
of  the  dearth  of  food : — 

December  1<L  1799. — ^We  are  requested  br  a  Correspondent  to 
infram  onr  readers,  that  hawthorn  berries,  which  are  this  winter  in 
sndi  nnoommon  abnndjuice,  have  been  found  very  fiittening  for  pigs. 
It  wiU  be  a  great  saying  of  grain  to  fiurmers,  and  relief  to  the  indigent, 
to  employ  poor  diildren  to  collect  the  berries  at  6d.  a  strike. 

This  year  closed,  like  so  many  of  its  predecessors,  with  a 
proposal  for  another  useful  work  of  chanty .' — 

December  30, 1799.^  We  are  happy  to  learn  that  several  Gentlemen 
of  this  town  have  it  in  contemplation  4o  bring  forward  immediately  a 
plan  for  a  Benefit  Society,  or  Sick  Clnb^  on  a  large  scaler  This  object 
we  vnderstand  to  be,  to  cat  off  the  abuses  and  to  prevent  the  frauds  so 
frequently  complained  of  on  the  plans  now  genmlly  adopted,  and  to 
secure  to  the  honest  and  industrious,  at  the  smallest  possible  ezpence 
to  themselves,  an  adequate  support  in  sicknesa  and  a  certain  prospect 
of  comfortable  aMstanoe  in  old  afle.  The  gentlemen  who  propose  this 
measure^  intend  to  subscribe,  ana  to  solicit  subscriptions  from  others, 
in  order  that  the  Funds  of  the  Sodety  may  better  afford  ample  relief 
to  necessitous  members  in  sidoM 


Early  in  January  a  meetinff  was  held  for  the  purpose  of 
organising  the  Society,  and  a  plan  presented  for  that 
purpose  was  agreed  to : — 

Public  OrricB. 

Januarv  21, 1800. — ^At  a  numerous  and  respectable  Meeting  of  the 
IVtends  of  the  intended  Qeaend  Provident  Society,  for  the  Belief  of 
the  Indigent  Sick  and  the  Assistanee  of  Old  Age,  within  the  Pariah  of 
Bixminflhamf  Wm.  Gflby,  M.D.,  in  the  diair ;  the  following  addiess  to 
the  Public,  explanaloiy  of  their  Design,  was  read  and  unanimously 
agreed  to. 

The  Friends  of  this  measure  wish  distinctly  to  explain  their  Yiews 
to  the  Public  lliey  have  attentively  eonsidered  the  Flans  in  Qenend 
Use  m  this  Town,  and  tho«u^  they  pretend  not  to  deny  that  Good  is 
done  by  them,  they  are  neveitliekM  convinced  that  thef  are  capable  of 
very  essential  Improvements.  The  ICanner  of  conducting  them  is  too 
expensive,  snpposing  the  whole  sum  left  and  nent  by  eadi  Member 
were  only  iWpence  per  Month.  On  the  Puun  now  proposed,  the 
Expenditure  win  be  coimned  to  the  necessary  Expenses  of  Management, 


PUBLIC  LIFE  AND  EVENTS.  95 

together  with  a  Place  suitable  for  tranflacting  the  Btudneas  of  the  whole 
Society^. 

By  this  E^galation,  it  is  presamed,  a  material  advantage  will  arise 
in  Point  of  Economy. 

The  general  Practice  of  drawing  <mt^  cr  dividing  annuaUy^  is  in  their 
oiMnion,  npon  the  whole,  improvident^  and  even  minons.  For  thoufih 
it  may  answer  while  a  Society  oontinaes  yonn^  and  healthy,  and  the 
claims  on  the  Box  are  conscwruently  few ;  in  me  course  of  a  very  few 
veaiSy  cireomstanoes  in  these  iCespects  will  change,  and  this  change  will 
be  seriously  fell  In  Proportion  as  the  Members  grow  old,  younger 
Men  will  be  discouraged  from  entering;  and  the  Sick  Claims  may 
reasonably  be  expectea  to  increase,  while  the  Means  of  supporting  them 


are  constantly  diminishing.  The  Consequence  will  be,  that  a  Man, 
after  contributing  to  his  Club  the  i^reater  part  of  his  Life,  will  have 
the  cruel  dis^>pomtment  of  seeing  it  broken  up  (and  perhaps  on  his 
veiT  Account)  at  the  Period  when,  from  Age,  Infinnity,  or  Sickness, 
he  looked  to  it  for  Support  This  has  amady  been  the  case  in  a 
number  of  very  Distressing  Instances. 

On  the  Plan  of  a  Permanent  Fund,  supported  in  part  by  Honorary 
Members,  this  serious  Evil  cannot  easily  happen.  The  Experiment  has 
been  made  t^Km  a  large  and  respectable  scale  at  Sheffield,  and  has 
hitherto  succeeded.  In  this  view  the  present  plan  offers  a  decided 
Advantage  in  Point  of  Securi^. 

The  Scheme  for  assisting  Old  Age  after  a  certain  Period,  and  when 
the  Funds  shall  exceed  a  certain  Ajnount,  is  a  Point  whidi  the 
Pkomoters  of  this  Measure  hare  ffreatly  at  heart  It  is  well  known, 
that  the  best  exertions  of  working  Men  do  not  in  general  enable  them 
to  make  an  adequate  Provision  for  old  age,  and  especially  when  their 
Families  are  laige ;  and  it  is  equally  understood,  by  every  Man  of 
Principle  and  of  Feeling,  that  nothing  tends  more  to  unstring  the 
Nenre  of  honest  exertion,  to  impair  the  ^irits  and  break  up  the  Health, 
than  the  dismal,  but  too  certain  Prospect  of  old  a^^e  suosisting  on  a 
precarious  Support,  or  driven  to  that  hit  Besort  of  virtuous  Indigence, 
a  Parish  Worknouse  I  But,  as  Sick  Clubs  are  generally  conducted  in 
Birmingham,  this  melancholy  Plraq)ect  can  nerther  be  prevented  nor 
cfiectoaUy  ruieved. 

Besides,  they  indulge  the  hope,  that  this  Plan,  if  extensively 
patronised  and  conducted  with  Perseverance  and  Spirit,  must  eventually 
diminish  our  Parochial  Burdens.  The  impression  with  which  a  Man 
will  act  under  sodi  Circumstances,  will  easily  be  conceived.  He  will 
feel  that  he  possesses  both  the  Motives  and  w  S^ans  of  providing  for 
hinsself  agamst  that  Period,  iriien,  without  such  Help,  hb  must  in  all 
Pkobabili^  become  Burdensome  to  the  Parish.  This  rearj  consideration 
win  produce  and  dieriah  a  Sense  of  CSiaracter  which  will  ever  restrain 
an  Imest  Mind  from  beoomiqg  (without  the  deaxest  necessity)  a  Burden 
tooihen. 

Whether  ffick  Ghibs,  as  thejr  are  now  manned,  do  upon  the  whole 

or  dimtnidi  our  Toorn  Bate^  may  be  miriT  questioned.    That 


any  Fttwiis  m  rdieved  by  them  is  oertain,  b«^^ 


to  Drinking,  Idleness,  and  Extisvaganoeuare  taken  into  the  Aooount^  it 
will  too  generally  be  found  that  the  Distresses  brought  upon  poor 
Families  Dy  these  Excesses,  will  more  than  counterbalance  their  good 
eftets  to  the  Buish.  And  here  the  advantage  of  the  present  Ffain 
must  be  manifest    By  making  sound  Moimls  not  only  a  necessary  Term 


96  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

of  Admission,  but  of  oontiiMiAXice  in  the  Society,  the  Motives  to  a 
re^lar  and  yirtaoos  Conduct  are  stren^^ened  and  increaaed ;  and  bj 
.withdrawing  the  Management  from  Fuolic  Houaea,  the  Temptation  to 
Intemperance,  and  Vice  in  general,  so  commonly  destnictive  on  the 
present  Plana,  will  in  a  still  greater  Proportion  be  diminished. 

Thus,  by  uniting  at  a  simdl  Expence,  and  with  little  Trouble,  the 
generous  Ezeitiona  of  the  Opuleot  with  the  prudent  Economy  and 
^teful  Endeavours  of  their  less  fortunate  I^ei^boun,  the  most 
miportant  Advantages  will  be  realised.  Sicknesa  and  old  A^  will  find 
'  a  certain  Beliefl  Public  Morals  will  be  better  guarded  and  improved. 
The  Bich  will  find  their  labours  more  than  repaid  bj  the  Increase  of 
public  Happineas,  and  the  gradual  Diminution  of  their  Pariah  Levies ; 
and  the  Poor,  benefited  bv  their  XSeneroaity,  wUl  better  and  tnore 
tha$kifitUy  peneive  the  Wisdom  of  thoee  Dittinctione  above  thern^  fohich 
tkeyfed  do  exist  for  their  Oood 

The  Society  was  formed,  and  was  taken  up  with  such 
eneigy  by  the  well-to-do,  that  on  June  SO  we  read : — 

It  gives  us  much  aatiafaction  to  hear  that  the  honorary  members  of 
.  the  Qeneral  Provident  Society,  instituted  in  this  town  for  the  relief  of 
the  indigent  aick  and  for  the  anstance  of  old  age,  already  amount  to  up- 
wards of  000,  and  aa  each  of  these  honoimiy  members  subaciibes  twelve 
shillings  annually,  without  being  entitled  to  receive  any  reliflf  fimn  the 
fund,  which  la  to  oe  applied  sddy  to  the  oae  of  the  receiving  membera, 
we  are  persuaded  that  when  the  plan  is  generally  known,  it  must  be 
very  mudi  approved  of  and  adopted  by  those  inhabitanta  who  wiah  to 
be  members  <«  a  society  which  will  potect  them  in  sickness  and  old  age, 
and  entitle  them  to  medical  attenaaace,  and  medicines  prepared  from 
drugs  of  the  best  quality,  free  of  any  expense. 

The  distress  at  this  time  was,  however,  too  great  for  even 
the  most  active  benevolence  to  relieve.  Bread  riots  occurred 
at  many  places  in  the  kingdom ;  at  Birmingham  the  women 
took  the  l^td,  and  oave  the  first  indication  of  a  feeling  which 
was  afterwards  to  display  itself  in  renewed  acts  of  violence 
and  riot    On  February  17  we  read : — 

In  our  Market^  on  Thursday,  an  attempt  was  made  by  some  women 
and  boys  (for  we  must  do  the  men  the  Justioe  to  say  they  took  no  part 
in  the  disgxaoeful  proceedings)  to  create  a  riot  in  conseqQenoe  of  the 
price  of  potatoes.  The  disturl>ance,  however,  was  soon  put  an  end  to ; 
and  we  have  the  authority  of  the  Magistiates  to  say,  that  every  protec- 
tion will  be  given  to  persons  who  bring  provisions  for  the  ngokrsapply 
of  the  town ;  and  that  the  laws  shall  oe  most  ttrietly  enf omd  i^ainst 
every  one  who  shall  dare  to  insult  or  break  them. 

This  was  followed  on  March  17  b^  the  announcement 
that  **  the  Overseers  of  the  Poor  of  this  town,  from  the  un- 
exampled increase  of  the  exjpenoe  of  the  poor  at  the  present 
perioo,  are  compelled  to  call  for  a  double  levy.** 

All  that  active  charity  could  do  to  relieve  the  wants  of 
the  poor  was  dona  Soup  shops  were  opened ;  bread  was 
sold  to  them  below  the  market  price ;  and  a  collection  was 


PUBLIC  LIFE  AND  EVENTS. 


97 


made  in  all  the  ehurches  and  chapels  of  the  town  in  aid  of 
the  fund.  The  following '  is  a  list  of  the  various  amounts 
contributed  by  each  pkce  of  worship : — 


St  Martin's  . 
StPhiHp'8    . 
8t  Marrs  C9iapel . 
St  PauTs  ditto      . 
Deritend  ditto 
Ashted  ditto 
Friends'  Meeting,  Bull  Street 
Union  Meeting-noaee   . 
Old  ditto       .        . 
Oatholio  Chapel     . 
Garths  Lane  Meeting     . 
Bond-street  ditto  . 
CsnnonHitreet  ditto 
Bartholomew-etreet  ditto 
Lady  Well  Chapel 
Oxford-street  Meeting . 
Bartholomew's  C3iapeT  . 
King-street  Meeting    • 
Fkradise-street  ditto 
Coleshill-atreet  ditto  ) 
Bradford-street  ditto  > . 
Cherry-street  ditto    ) 


£   8. 

d. 

13  12  2^ 
44  16  111 

45  0 

0 

13  4 

H 

6  9 

3 

1  8 

2 

40  4 

2 

a5  4 

9 

15  2 

4 

7  9 

9 

14  4 

3 

8  14 

0 

4  15 

U 

2  1 

0 

1  8 

7* 

0  4 

3 

3  6 

5* 

3  17 

6 

2  9 

0 

6  17    0 


£270    9    bi 


The  popular  discontent  was  very  great.  On  May  5,  the 
OaaetU  contained  reports  of  acts  of  violence  committed  in 
various  neighbouring  towns,  followed  by  the  record  of  a 
riot  in  our  own.    This  is  the  contemporary  account : — 

May  6, 1800.— To  the  above  statements  we  are  sornr  to  be  under 
the  neeewty  of  adding,  that  some  symptoms  of  riot  shewed  themselres  in 
tkU  Town  on  Thnrsday  last.  A  nnmber  of  misgnided  persons  assembled 
in  the  evening,  and  proceeded  to  break  the  windows  of  several  of 
the  prindpal  millers  and  bakers,  and  to  commit  other  acts  of  violence. 
The  Loyal  Birmingham  Light  Hoise  Yolonteers,  and  the  Birmingham 
Loval  Association  assembled  with  their  nsnal  promptness  and  spirit, 
and  Captain  Arden  most  obligingly  called  ont  Lientenant  Colonel 
Legge^s  iVoop  of  Warwickshire  z  eomanrv.  idl  of  whom  remained  under 
arms  the  greatest  part  of  the  night,  and  by  their  timely  eieriions  the 
deprsdatOTB  were  prevented  from  poisaiog  their  designs,  and  the  peace 
«f  the  town  was  restored. 

A  similar  disposition  having  manifested  itself  on  Friday,  the 
Magistrates  thooght  it  necessary  again  to  reoaest  the  assistance  of 
the  troops ;  and  patrols  of  horse  and  foot  were  distributed  thronffh  the 
principal  stnets  of  the  town,  in  the  evening,  to  prevent  any  tommtnoiis 
asssmolage  of  disordwiy  ana  evO-dispcssdpersons ;  and  we  are  liappy 
to  say,  that  in  consequence  the  most  perfect  order  and  tranquillity  was 
prsssrVsd.  Intslligencs  being,  liowever,  received  that  a  numerous 
n.  H 


98  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

body  of  rioters  were  gone  to  a  respectable  fiurmer's  in  the  neighbonrbood, 
threatening  to  bom  his  com  neks,  and  do  -other  injoxy,  part  of  the 
troops  were  immediately  despatched  in  pnrsnit  of  them,  and  came  np 
just  in  time  to  prevent  the  execution  of  their  purpose.  More  than 
thirty  of  the  ringleaders  were  taken  into  custody,  and  are  now  in 
prison.  We  sinoerelr  hope  examples  will  be  made,  to  deter  others  from 
such  weak  and  wick^  designs.  It  is  really  surprising  that  any  one 
can  be  so  ignorant  as  to  suppose  that  to  destroy  com  is  the  way  to 
reduce  the  price,  or  that  to  prevent  bakers  from  carrying  on  their 
trades  can  be  a  means  of  making  bread  more  plentiful. 

(hi  Saturday  ever^  thing  was  perfectly  quiet,  the  Peace  Officers 
most  actively  preventing  all  attempts  of  the  evil  disposed  to  assemble 
in  bodies  in  the  streets — but  the  Yeomanry  and  Volunteers  were  all  in 
readinesBu  had  it  been  necessary  to  call  them  out;  and  the  Earl  of 
Aylesford,  Colonel  of  the  Begiment,  with  that  anxiety  which  he 
invariably  manifests  for  the  prosperity  of  the  C!ounty,  and  preservation 
of  its  peace,  came  in  the  evening  with  his  own  troop  of  Yeomanry,  from 
Merioen,  to  afford  any  assistance  that  might  be  requisite.  The  town 
is  also  indebted  to  the  Officers  and  men  of  the  Inniskillin  Dragoonsi 
in  our  Barracks,  for  every  ud  they  had  the  power  of  affording.  To  our 
Msgistrates,  Constables,  &c.,  our  obligations  are  infinite. 

The  bakers  of  the  town  returned  their  "  sincere  Thanks 
to  the  Magistrates  and  the  Gentlemen'  of  the  Yeomanry  and 
light  Horse  Volunteers,  and  the  Infantry  Vohinteers,  for 
their  Yicilance  in  dispersing  the  Mob,  and  preventing  them 
attempting  to  do  them  any  Injury  on  Friday  night  lastw" 

Next  we  read : — 

In  this  Town,  at  Wolveriiampton,  Stourbridge,  and  throughout  all 
this  and  the  adjoining  counties,  the  principal  people  are  adopting  every 
means  to  supply  the  markets  and  relieve  the  distresses  of  the  people. 
Wheat  has  oeen  retailed  at  15s.,  and  barley  at  Ss.  the  bushel.  On 
Friday,  Mr.  John  Wheeley,*  and  Mr.  Harrison,  of  Edgbaston,  sold  at 
their  own  houses,  to  poor  people,  neariy  two  hundred  bushels  of  potatoes, 
at  8d.  per  peck ;  ana  on  Saturday,  Mr.  Samuel  Wheeley  bronnit  also 
a  large  quantitjr  to  market  whidi  he  retailed  at  lOd.  per  pedc  We 
trust  tiie  poor  will  show  by  uieir  peaceful  conduct,  a  proper  and  grateful 
sense  of  mis  liberal  disposition  m  the  opulent,  and  those  who  have 
the  means,  to  relieve  their  wants. 

And  on  the  same  day  it  was  stated  "  that  several  veiy 
respectable  families  in  this  town  and  neighbourhood  have 
resolved  not  to  purchase  any  lamb,  nor  to  suffer  any  to 
be  consumed  in  their  houses  until  Midsummer  next 


The  King  was  as  popular  as  ever,  and  this  year  an  attempt 
on  his  life  produced  a  display  of  lovalty  which  had  never 
been  surpassed  in  its  enthusiastic  delight.  Mr.  Massey  thus 
records  the  event : — ^  One  of  those  attempts  which  are  so 
frequently  made,  but  so  rarely  with  success,  on  the  lives 
of  kings  and  rulers,  called  forth  a  new  demonstration  of 

^  In  Wheelejr*!  Lane,  Edgbaston. 


PUBLIC  LIFE  AND  EVENTS.  99 

loyalty  and  personal  regard  for  the  sovereign,  which  was  not 
without  significance  and  value  at  this  season.  The  King,  in 
accordance  with  many  good  English  customs,  his  observance 
of  which  went  far  to  endear  him  to  the  people,  frequently 
attended  the  two  great  theatres,  where  the  matchless 
productions  of  the  English  stage  were  represented  by  actors 
worthy  of  their  vocation.  On  the  15th  of  May  their 
Majesties  went  to  Drury  Lane  Theatre.  The  King  had  no 
sooner  entered  the  box,  and  advanced  to  ihe  front  to 
acknowted£;e  the  welcome  with  which  he  was  usually 
received,  than  a  pistol  was  discharged  at  him  by  a  man 
who  sprung  up  on  a  bench  in  the  pit  Happily  a  person 
near  had  seen  the  movement  in  time  to  catch  the  assassin's 
arm,  just  as  the  trig^r  was  pulled.  It  thus  happened,  that 
of  two  large  balls  with  which  the  pistol  was  cnarged.  one 
struck  the  wainscot  a  foot  and  a-hau  above  the  King's  head, 
and  the  other  i[>assed  through  the  curtain  some  inches  higher. 
The  King,  who  saw  the  flash  and  beard  the  report^  turned 
to  Lord  Chesterfield,  the  Master  of  the  Horse,  and  said, 
'  There  is  a  pbtol  fired ;  there  may  be  another ;  stop  the 
Queen.'  He  nimself  stood  firm,  and  looked  round  the  nouse 
with  a  composure  very  different  from  the  huny  which 
usually  marked  his  demeanour.  When  the  Queen  advanced 
in  alarm,  he  desired  her  to  stay  a  moment — '  there  was  a 
fiquib.'  'A  squib,'  said  her  Maiesty,  'I  heard  the  word 
pistol,  and  the  report!'  'Squib  or  pistol,'  answered  the 
king,  '  the  danger  is  now  over,  and  you  may  come  forward 
and  make  your  courtesy/  In  a  few  seconds  there  was  an 
awful  silence,  until  the  audience  were  assured  that  the 
King  was  unhurt  Then  burst  forth  cries  of  'Seise  the 
traitor;  tear  him  to  pieces.'  In  the  midst  of  the  uproar 
the  stace  manager  came  forward  and  announced  that  the 
man  who  fired  the  shot  was  in  custody.  He  had  been 
dragged  over  the  barrier  which  separated  the  ordiestra  firom 
the  pit,  and  hurried  to  the  back  of  the  stage,  to  protect  him 
from  the  rage  of  the  spectators.  The  curtun  then  drew  up; 
but  the  penormance  was  not  suffered  to  commence  until 
tiie  excited  feelings  of  the  audience  had  found  relief  in 
the  Boyal  anthem  being  sung  in  chorus  ^  the  whole 
company/**  The  man's  name  was  James  Madfield.  He 
was  a  working  silversmith,  and  a  dischai|^  trooper  from 
the  Fifteenth  Light  Dragoons.    He  was  insane,  and  at  the 

^AHitlofTofEBgUui4dvriiigtlieR«ignorG«of|etlMTUid.  BjWWiMm 
Mmhj.  M.P..  T.  iTn  pp.  489-90-91. 


100  A  CEKTURT  OF  BnOONQHAH  LIFE. 

trial  was  acquitted  and  detained  in  custody.  There  was 
no  limit  to  the  enthusiasm  with  which  this  escape  was 
welcomed.  Addresses  were  sent  to  the  King  from  every 
town.     Birmingham  sent  the  following : — 

June  find,  lb00.—To  the  King's  Moat  £zcellent  Majestj.  The 
humble  Addrew  of  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  Birmingham. 

Most  Graeioas  Sovereign,— We,  yonr  Majesty's  most  dnUful  and 
loyal  sabjectSy  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  Binningham,  approach 
your  Majesty  with  the  warmest  sentiments  of  attachment  to  yonr 
Maiesty's  Person  and  Qovemment 

in  the  whole  coarse  of  yonr  Majesty's  reign,  yonr  snbjeets  have 
experienced  eveiy  blessing  which  impartial  justice  and  affection  coald 
dispense ;  and  we  therefore  grieve  to  think  that  any  mind  conld  be 
found  ao  depraved  and  void  of  reason,  as  to  meditate  the,  design  of 
atriking  at  your  lift. 

At  ue  same  time  we  deplore  the  malignitv  of  sndi  an  attempt,  we 
look  with  admiration  on  that  firmness  displayed  by  your  Majesty, 
which,  in  the  moment  of  danger,  ooold  only  resolt  from  conscioiis  virtae 
and  the  purest  integrity. 

SiR^ — We  shallever  ftel  the  sinoersst  gratitude  for  that  watdifbl 
care  and  signal  interposition  of  Divine  Providence  manifested  on  this 
occasion ;  and,  permit  us  to  add  our  most  fervent  prayers,  that  your 
rei^  may  continue  lonff  and  prosperous  over  a  free^  bappy,  and  united 
people,  and  that  your  latter  days  may  be  crowned  with  uninterrupted 
harmony  and  peace.  R  S.  Hxatoh,  High  Bailiff. 

The  Volunteers  and  the  soldiers  had  a  field  day  to  cele- 
brate the  Eii^a  escape : — 

AH  the  regulars  in  the  town,  will,  we  understand,  unite  with  the 
Troop  of  Volunteer  Light  Horse  (joined  by  the  Handsworth  OavalryX 
and  regiment  of  Infontrv  of  this  place,  on  Wednesday  next,  in  paying 
the  uraal  honours  of  tne  day,  and  in  testifying  in  the  only  public 


manner,  as  military  bodies^  tbey  properly  can,  thdr  joy  upon  their 
beloved  Sovereiffn's  late  escape.  The  line  will  be  formed  in  New 
Street,  at  ten  o'aodc  in  the  Morning,  and  proceed  thence  to  Birming- 
ham Heath. 

Medals  were  atrock  in  commemoration  of  the  happy 

event    On  the  same  day  on  which  the  address  appeared 

this  announcement  was  made : — 

.  June  2nd.  1800. — ^We  are  inlormed  that  an  emblematical  Mxdal  of 
excellent  Workmanship,  on  the  Kin^fs  happy  escape,  designed  and 
engraved  by  two  ominent  Artists  of  this  Town,  is  this  day  published  by 
Mr.  Kempson.* 

The  Eing^s  birthday  was  on  June  4tii,  and  it  was  kept 

this  year  with  even  more  than  the  usual  rejoicings.    The 

people  for  a  time  foivot  .their  distress,  and  gave  themaelves 

up  to  festivity  and  loyal  displays.     Birmingham  was  not 

^  Mr.  KempsoB  was  an  eminent  die-sinker  and  medaOitt  cf  <he  town ;  he 
produced  a  huge  uumber  of  the  •*  tokens^  issued  by  the  Wotkhoass  sad  pdvile 
individuals. 


PUBLIC  LIFE  AND  EVENTS.  101 

behind  other  towns  in  their  manifestations ;  and  this  is  how 
she  kept 

Thb  Kivo's  Biktbdat. 

Jvna  9,  ISOa — On  Wedneadaj  last,  in  this  Town,  as  well  aa  in  trwy 
other  plaoe  in  the  ndghbonrfaood^  the  ntmost  eagerneaa  prevailed 
throognont  all  ranks  of  people  to  welcome  the  anniTersary  of  a  beloved 
MovAB0B*8  birth.  The  morning  was  nahered  in  by  the  rinffinff  of  bells, 
firing  of  guns,  dco,  and  at  half-past  Ten  o'clock  the  InniskilbnDraffoona, 
in  two  aqoadron^  the  Birmingham  light  Horse  Volnnteers,  wiui  the 
Handsworth  Oavalrj,  formed  ipto  one  squadron,  and  the  whole 
regiment  of  the  Loyal  Birmingham  Association,  were  drawn  np  in 
Kew'Street,  from  whence  they  marched  to  Birmingham  Heath,  wnere 
being  afldn  formed,  lieatenant  Colonel  Morden,  accompanied  by  his 
Stai^nSe  down  the  line.  After  the  aocostomed  salates,  and  passing 
the  Colonel  in  review,  the  Cavalxy.performed  the  sword  exercise^  the 
Infimtrythe  manual  and  platoon.  A  few  manoeavres  (the  principal 
intendea  being  omitted  in  conseqnence  of  the  nniaToorableness  of  the 
weather)  were  then  gone  throngh,  and  the  Regiment  having  fired 
several  rounds  in  companies,  and  lastly  in  voUies,  with  a  corrsetneas 
which  woald  have  done  credit  to  f  eterans,  the  respective  corps  returned 
from  the  Heath  in  the  like  order  in  whidi  they  went,  and  aismissed  in 
New-etreet.  Public  dinners  were  provided  at  the  Hotel,  Shakespear 
Tavern,  and  other  Inns,  and  the  Voinnteeri  of  the  Town  were  honoured 
with  the  company  of  Lieut  Colonel  Morden,  Lieut  Colonels  CDonovan 
and  Hatcher,  and  the  other  Officers  of  the  Inniskillins,  the  Becmiting 
Officers  in  the  place^  the  Magistrates,  &c,  &c.,  and  the  afternoon  was 
spent  with  the  greatest  hilarity  and  most  convivial  loyalty.  The 
spectators  on  the  ground  were  numerous^  notwithstanding  the  un- 
fiiveiirable  weather. 

We  have  the  pleasure  to  state  that  Colonel  Morden  has,  in  letten 
to  the  Commanding  Officers  of  the  Associated  Corps,  requested  the 
Yolnnteers  ''to  accept  his  particular  Thanks,  with  the  assurance  of  his 
having  been  highly  gratified  at  their  military  and  soldier-like  appearance 
on  this  day.'* 

AH  this  illumination,  ringing  of  bells,  firing  of  guns,  and 

reviewing  of  troops^  did  not,  however,  banish  the  sufferings 

of  the  peopla    One  of  the  great  difficulties  of  the  time  was 

that  of 

FoanfALLnrOi  IiroBOSSiMOy  Aim  Rsorativo. 

Auf^ust  85,  1800. — ^The  Committee  i4>pointed  at  a  Meeting  ci  the 
Inhabitants  of  Birmingham,  for  preventmg  Forestalling,  Ingrossingy 
and  fiMTating  in  the  town  and  Ne^bouihood,  give  Notice,  that  the 
OoDstaEles  of  the  Town  will  receive  mf ormations  aninst  Persons  guil^ 
of  ^e  above-mentioned  offences,  and  the  proper  fiewards  will  be  pan 
on  eonvietioii ;  and  in  order  that  no  one  may  plead  Ignoranc^  it  is 
thoQsJit  proper  to  subjoin  the  following  dear  iMfinitions  of  the  Offenoes. 

Whosoever  shall  ImrVy^  or  cause  to  be  bought,  any  Merdiandiae, 
Tietualy  or  anv  other  Ininji^  whatsoever,  coming  by  Land  or  by  Water 
toward  any  Market  or  Eur  to  be  sold  in  the  same,  or  cominff  toward 
anv  Cit^y  ^ort,  Haven,  Creek  or  Boad^  from  any  FSsrts  beyooa  the  Sea 
to  DC  sold :  or  mav  inake  any  Baigsm,  Contract,  or  Fktiiiuse,  for  the 
having  or  buying  the  same,  or  any  put  thereof,  so  coming  as  is  aforesaid. 


102  A  CENTUBY  OF  BIRMIKQHAM  LIFE. 

before  the  said  Merchandize,  YictaalB,  or  other  Things  shall  be  in  the 
Market,  Fair,  City,  Port,  Haven,  Creek,  or  Hoad,  ready  to  be  sold,  or 
shall  make  any  Motion  by  Word,  Letter,  Message,  or  otherwise,  to  any 
Person  for  the  Inhancing  of  the  Price,  or  dearer  selling  any  of  the 
Things  aboye-mentioned ;  or  else  disraade,  moVe,  or  stir  any  Persons 
coming  to  the  Market,  or  Fair,  to  abstain  or  f orb^  to  bring  or  oonvey 
any  of  the  Tlungs  above  rehearsed  to  any  Market,  Fair,  Gty,  Foit, 
Haven,  Creek  or  Boad,  to  be  sold  as  aforesaid,  shall  be  deemed  a 
forestaller. 

Whosoever  shall  ingross,  or  get  into  his  Hands,  by  buying,  contracting, 
or  promise  taking,  other  than  by  Demise,  Qrant  or  Lease  of  Land  or 
l^rthe,  any  Com  crowing  in  the  fields,  or  any  other  Com  or  Grain, 
Butter,  Cheese,  FLui,  or  other  dead  Victuals  whatsoever  to  the  Litent 
to  sell  the  same  again,  shall  be  deemed  an  unlawful  ingrosser. 

And  whosoever  shall  by  any  Means  rmate,  obtain,  or  get  into  his 
Hands  or  Possession,  in  a  iW  or  Market,  any  Com,  Wine,  Fish, 
Butter,  Cheese,  Candles,  Tallow,  ^eep.  Lambs,  Calves,  Swine,  Pigs^ 
Geese,  Capons^  Hens,  Chickens,  Pigeons,  Conies,  or  other  dead  victual 
whatsoever,  that  shall  be  brought  to  any  Fair  or  Market  to  be  sold,  and 
do  sell  the  same  again  in  any  Fair  or  Market  holden  or  kept  in  the 
same  Place,  or  in  any  other  Fair  or  Market  within  four  miles  thereof, 
shall  be  deemed  a  Begrater. — ^Birmingham,  August  21, 1800. 

Amidst  all  these  troubles  the  inhabitants  were  not 
neglectful  of  their  civic  duties,  and  the  following  interesting 
document  ^ves  an  account  of  what  it  was  now  proposed  to 
do  for  the  improvement  of  the  town : — 

Bim&ingham,  August  16di,  1800. — ^Nonos  is  hereby  given,  that  ap- 
plication is  intended  to  be  made,  next  Session  of  Parliament,  for  leave 
to  bring  in  a  Bill  for  the  better  Begulation  and  Improvement  of  the 
Town  w  Birmingham,  tlwi  Heads  of  mdch  are  as  follows,  (viz.)  :— 

1.  Tliat  the  present  Number  of  OommisBioners  be  extended  to  100  : 
such  Commissioners  as  shall  not  attend  twice  in  every  Tear  to  be  dis- 
qualified, unless  prevented  by  Absence  from  Home,  Illness,  or  other 
sufficient  Oiuse,  and  until  re-elected  at  future  Meetings  of  the  Commis- 
sionen ;  any  seven  of  them  to  act  in  all  cases. 

2.  Any  Inhabitant,  whether  rated  or  not,  to  be  admitted  Evidence 
in  all  cases. 

3.  The  Commissioners  to  have  Power  to  purchase  and  remove 
the  Welch  CroaB,  Joseph  Knight  (the  Glover's)  House,  and  the  House 
adjoining,  and  also  the  Houses  now  or  lately  occupied  by  —  Boden  and 
—  LawBon,  all  the  Houses  now  or  late  in  the  occopation  of  Messrs.  May, 
Tippin,  Moleu  and  Docker,  with  the  Buildinfis  adjoining  to  Spioeal- 
■troet,  and  all  the  Shambles,  with  the  Dwuling  Houses  belonging 
thereto^  as  far  up  as  where  the  Old  Cross  stood,  and  the  Houses  culei 
the  Bound-about  Houses,  the  Swan  Alley  at  the  upper  End  of  Wotces- 
ter-«txeet,  leading  into  New-street,  the  lower  Ektd  id  WoroeBter-«treek^ 
leading  into  Edgbaston-street,  and  the  lower  Parts  of  Moor-street 

4.  The  Commissionen  to  have  Power  to  increase  the  present  Bate, 
not  exceeding  Six-penoe  in  the  Pound,  upon  all  Pkemiies  onder  the 
Value  of  SOL  per  annum,  and  Nine-pence  m  the  Pound  upwards ;  and 
that  no  House  whatsoever  to  be  excused  horn  the  Bate  without  the  oom* 
sent  of  the  Comnussionen. 


PUBLIC  LIFE  AND  EVENTS.  103 

5.  The  Commiasiouen  to  have  Power  to  borrow  any  Sum  not  ex- 
oeedinff  5,0002. 

6.  Tbe  Gommianoners  to  have  Power  to  improve  every  Opportunity 
of  aettin^  back  any  Hooaee  or  other  BuildinflB,  that  now  project  beyond 
the  regular  Line  of  any  Street  or  Banfe  of  Building,  whenever  such 
House  or  other  Building  shall  be  taken  down  to  be  rebuilt ;  Satisfaction 
to  be  made  to  the  Owners. 

7.  In  all  new  Streets,  and  the  present  unpaved  Streets,  the  Builders 
and  Owners  of  Houses,  and  the  O^ers  of  Land  adjoining  such  Streets^ 
whenever  three-fourths  of  any  sudi  Streets  shall  oe  buSt  upon,  to  be 
obliged  to  pave  the  Square  of  their  Houses  or  Land  into  the  jfiddle  of 
such  Street,  under  the  Direction  of  the  CommiasionerB  ;  and  all  such 
new  Streets,  when  paved,  to  be  exempt  from  paying  Highway  Levies 
for  ^Te  Years  from  that  Period ;  a  Proviso,  that  when  Owners  of  Lands 
adjoining  such  Street  have  only  Life  Estates  in  such  Land,  their  Execu- 
ton  may  compel  the  next  succeeding  Owner  of  such  Land  to  reimburse 
the  Expense. 

8.  nevious  to  any  Street  being  built  upon,  proper  Notice  to  be  given 
to  the  Gommiaaionera,  when  they  ahall  aend  a  Surveyor  to  adjust  and 
settle  the  Level  of  the  aaid  StnMt,  which  ahall  be  conformed  to  by  every 
Peraon  who  ahall  erect  any  Building  within  the  Limita  of  the  aaid 
Street 

9.  All  Bttlk%  Bulk  Saahea,  and  Projectiona  erected  Prior  to  the  firat 
Act  obtained  by  the  Comnuaaionera,  to  be  aubject  to  the  aame  Powera 
aa  thoae  erectea  aubaeqnent  to  the  Paring  of  the  said  Act  Half  the 
Expence  of  removing  audi  Bulk,  Bulk  Saahea,  &&,  to  be  paid  by  the 
Gommiaaionera,  ^vided  auch  Half  ahall  not  exceed  in  any  caae  the 
Sum  of  Fifty  ShiUinin. 

10.  No  CJoach  or  Ghaiae,  without  Horaea,  to  stand  in  mlv  Street, 
except  they  take  up  or  set  down  a  Tioading  at  the  House  or  Warehouse 
of  a  Merdiant,  Manufacturer  or  Shopkeeper,  unconnected  with  any 
such  Stage  Waogon  or  Stage  Gart  Ghaining  Waggona,  Garta,  Ghaiaea, 
Coaches,  or  other  Garriaffos  to  be  considerod  as  taking  them  to  the 
Pound.  To  regulate  the  lianner  of  all  WajQgons,  Oarts,  and  all  other 
Carriages  loading  and  unloading,  and  if  passing  alonj^  the  Streets. 

1 1.  All  Manure  to  be  taken  away  by  Ten  o^dock  m  the  Morning. 

12.  The  Owners  of  Hackney  Coaches  to  be  put  under  Regulations 
similar  to  those  in  London. 

13.  Hie  Boundaries  of  the  Town  to  be  fixed  from  Time  to  Time  by 
the  Gfimmissfopers,  and  Lunns  tb  extend,  and  the  Bates  to  be  collected 
to  the  utmost  Parts  of  such  ooundaries. 

14.  AU  Coals  and  Potatoes  to  be  sold  by  the  Weight  of  IfiO  Pounds 
to  the  Hundred,  under  the  Penalty  of  lOa 

16.  All  Meat  to  be  weighed  by  Scales  only. 

William  Smith,  Clerk  to  the  GommissionerB. 

But  this,  and  other  good  works,  were  again  interrupted  by 

Biom 

September  Ifi,  ISOa — We  lament  that  we  are  under  the  ijainful 
necessity  of  recording  the  imgular  behaTionr  of  the  populace  in  this 
town,  dnrittff  the  last  week. 

On  MoncLy  morning,  in  oonseauenoe  of  the  vtry  high  price  of  flour 
and  bread,  mat  agitation  was  Tiriole  in  the  town,  and  a  small  crowd  of 
people  meeting  with  a  well-known  dealer  in  com,  assaulted  and  pursued 


104!  A  CENTURY  OF  BIBMIKGHAH  LIFE. 

him  till  he  took  ref u^  in  an  inn  in  Ball-«treety  from  whence,  after  a 
confinement  of  eeyaral  nonre,  he  was  liberated  by  Mr.  Millward,  one  o€ 
oar  peace  ofiioers.  A  larse  aaciemblage  of  peraona  being  now  formed, 
feara  were  entertained  of  fmiher  ontragea,  and  the  event  too  fally' 
justified  those  apprehenaion& 

At  night  a  very  general  attack  was  made  upon  the  shops  of  the 
bakers  and  meahnen ;  the  mob  assumed  the  riffht  of  disposing  of  the 
bread  at  reduced  prices,  and  in  ^ome  instancea,  uie  unprincipled  rabble 
most  dishonestly  seized  quantities  of  flour,  bread,  and  whatever  else 
thev  could  purloin,  at  the  same  time  wantonly  breaking  the  windows 
and  doors  ox  the  shops  of  several  houses. 

The  civil  power,  nowever,  calling  to  their  aid  a  detachment  of  the 
17th  liffht  Dragoons,  quartered  in  our  Barracks,  and  a  party  of  the 
Biimini^am  Li^t  Horse,  a  stop  was  put^  for  that  ni^t>  to  further 
deraedations. 

Tuesday  morning  commenced  with  considerable  anxiety  and  alarm. 
The  misguided  mob  renewed  their  attack  on  the  Steam  Mill  of  Mr. 
Pickard,  m  Snow  Hill,  and  fearful  that  they  would  efiect  their  avowed 
purpose  of  breaking  in,  before  proper  assistance  could  be  procured,  the 
persons  within  fired  upon  them,  and,  we  are  sorry  to  add,  four  persons 
were  dangerously  wounded,  one  of  whom  is  since  dead. 

The  Magistrates  were  tiien  applied  to,  and  as  soon  as  possible  after 
hastened  to  the  spot  with  a  troop  of  the  17th  Id^t  Dra^noons,  under 
the  command  of  Oolonel  Grey,  when,  having  read  the  not  act,  they 
succeeded  in  checking  the  sanguine  and  vindictive  diqiosition  of  the 
multitude ;  the  Maxnstrates  after  placing  &  guard  over  the  premiaea, 
returned  to  Head  Quarters,  at  the  Shake^Mare,  and  immediatelv  the 
bugle  of  the  Loval  Birminghun  Light  Horse  Volunteers  soundea,  and 
the  drums  of  the  Birmingham  Loval  Association  beat  te  arms,  and 
these  corps,  with  Lieutenant  Goodall  and  O^itain  Lycett  at  their  head, 
were  verv  soon  at  Head  quarters;  mcMengers  were  also  instantly 
dispatched  te  the  Earl  of  Aylesford,  and  Mr.  Le^Ke,  for  their  TVoops  of 
YeomaniT  CSavalrv ;  and  every  proper  measure^^ng  used  te  stop  the 
torrent  of  mischief,  and  protect  the  peaceable  inhabitants,  we  have  the 
happiness  to  say  thieir  efibrto  were  not  in  vain. 

Mr.  Legge's  troop  verv  speedily  arrived,  and  that  of  the  Earl  of 
Aylesford  readied  town  about  ten  o'doek,  which,  oonsiderioff  the  few 
boon^  notice,  and  the  distance  at  which  the  members  of  the  troops 
reside  from  each  other,  astonished  every  one.  Thus  reinforced,  the 
Magistrates  very  jndiciouslv  divided  the  town  into  eleven  diitricts,  and 
patrols  of  horse  and  foot  being  aUtioned  in  each,  the  town  was  kept 
perfectly  quiet. 

On  Wednesday  eveuioff  the  alarm  became  still  more  serious  ^— «t 
half-past  seven,  a  multitude  of  peofde  assembled,  and  in  a  lew  minutM 
after  the  shops  of  Mr.  Madelv  were  discovered  to  be  on  fire.  Thi^  it 
aanoe  appears^  was  occasioned  by  accident ;  but  happening  at  su^  a 
time,  it  made  a  very  serious  imroession.  The  same  steps  were  iostantly 
taken  as  on  the  preceding  nigtit.  The  Military  were  assembled,  and 
every  district  patroled,  and  by  these  vigilant  efforta  all  baa  been  kept 

n'  t  to  the  present  hour ; — and  to  the  {wodent  and  humane,  as  well  m 
means  taken  by  the  Mtfistrates,  we  have  to  cougratulato  our 
readers  that  not  a  drop  of  blood  has  been  spilled  by  the  military, 
•zcept  in  one  instance,  where^^at  the  fire,  a  man's  nose  was  out  1^ 
aedaent   We  now  can  have  no  doubt  but  that  all  will  remain  petfictly 


PUBLIC  LIFE  AKD  EVENTS.  105 

quiet— f<»r  from  the  measorea  takeiii  and  the  faTonrablenesa  of  the 
weather,  bread  mxut  neoeasarily  yery  soon  be  cheaper,  the  average  price 
of  wheat  daring  the  laat  week  heine  fourteen  shUlinge  per  bushel. 

The  town  is  very  mneh  indebted  to  the  unwearied  yigilanoe  of  the 
Magistrates,  and  to  the  zealous  and  prompt  assistance  of  the  Earl  of 
Aylesford  and  Mr.  Legge,  and  their  respectiye  troops  of  Yeomanry 
Gavalry,  to  Colonel  Grey  and  the  17th  Begiment  of  Light  Dragoons, 
to  Lord  Brooke  and  Major  Breynton,  who  joined  their  recnmeDt  upon 
the  first  report  of  disturbance,  and  in  general  to  the  Loyal  Birmingham 
Light  Horse  Volunteers,  the  Birmingham  Loyal  Association,  imd  the 
Oonstablea,  for  their  alacrity  and  exertions  in  protecting  the  public 


During  the  riots,  a  man,  whose  name  is  Fish,  was  apprehended 
attempting  to  set  fire  to  Mr.  Pickard*s  mill,  and  he  is  to  take  his  trial 
at  the  next  Assizes.  Several  others  were  apprehended  for  breaking 
the  peace— some  of  whom  were  dischai^ed,  giving  security  lor  their 
good  behaviour,  and  others  are  still  in  custody. 

A  man  of  the  name  of  Purceli  is  also  apprehended  for  selling 
caricature  prints  of  an  inflammatory  and  dangerous  nature. 

September  15,  1800. — In  consequeuce  of  the  distuibances  in  this 
Town,-  the  following  Hand  BiUs  were  circulated  during  the  Week — 
some  Anonymous,  some  by  the  Manstrates,  and  some  by  our  old 
Acquaintance,  Job  Nott ;  which,  as  Uiey  have  all  a  Tendency  to  do 
Ooixl«  we  give  them  in  the  Order  in  which  the^  came  out^  for  the 
Information  of  such  Persons  that  are  in  the  Habit  of  firequenting  the 
Maricet,  who  will  perceive  that  their  Persons  and  Fropiriy  wifi  be 
held  samd,  and  all  Infractions  of  the  Peace  severely  punished. 

CopiB  OF  The  Hand  Bills. 

September  9,  1800. — ^The  Bakers  are  not  to  blame !  and  why  should 
the  Innocent  saDTer  for  the  Quilty  t  If  there  are  any  Persons  to  blame, 
it  is  the  Forestaller  and  Begrater ;  and  to  defeat  their  Purposes,  the 
most  vigorous  Measures  are  every  where  pursuing ;  but  Bome  was  not 
built  in  a  Day.  However,  no  one  has  a  Bight  to  tiJce  the  Law  into  his 
own  Hands.  Be  peaceable  and  do  your  Dutpr,  and  doubt  not  but  that 
very  soon  all  will  be  well.  There  is  nothing  adds  so  much  to  the 
Distresses  of  the  Poor  as  Bioting.  It  general^  keeps  Provisions  firom 
Market^  and  often  ends  in  Loss  of  Life  and  the  greatest  Misery.  Let, 
therefore,  •▼wy  one  keep  in  his  own  House,  which  is.  in  this  happv 
Country,  his  CMtle,  and  in  which  he  has  a  Bight  to  defend  himself. 
Then  let  him  keep  there,  and  no  Harm  can  oome  io  him.  and  a  little 
Time,  with  the  Plans  that  are  now  pursuing,  will  doubtless  faring  all 
Thinp  right 

Birmingham,  September  9th,  1800. — ^The  Magistrates  hereby  eamest- 
Iv  reoommend  idl  Manner  of  Persons  to  keep  iiithin  their  Houses  untU 
toe  Peaee  of  the  Town  is  perfectly  restorsd. 

W.  YOLEMMf     ObO.  SiMOOX, 

W.  HioKS,       Tbbo.  Peio& 
My  dear  Brother  Artificers,— My  Advice  is  now,  as  it  always  has 
been  upon  soeh  occasions,  to  keep  out  of  Harm's  Way. 

Now  yon  see  several  Persons  nave  been  shot  at  the  MilL  Many  sar 
they  were  wantonly  firsd  upon ;  if  so,  the  Laws  of  the  Ooontiy  (which 
proteot  the  Poor  and  Bieh  alike)  will  punish  the  ofienders.  At  the 
same  Time  we  all  know  that  a  Man^  House  Is  his  Osstls^  and  thai 
ef«rj  Man  has  a  Bight  to  defend  himself  if  attacked.    HowereTi  let  ua 


106  A  ce;ntury  of  BIBHINOHAIC  LIF£. 

saspeDd  our  Judgment  a  little  while ;  for  at  present^  I  am  told  none  of 
the  ahot  PexsonB  are  dead.  If  any  of  them  do  die,  a  Jury  and  the 
Coroner  will  ait  upon  the  Body,  and  we  shall  hear  what  that  Jary  saje. 
Let  na,  in  the  mean  Time,  pray  that  none  of  them  may  die ;  and,  aboTe 
all,  let  na  keep  every  one  of  ua  in  our  own  Hoosee.     Youra  ever, 

September  9,  1800.  Job  Nott. 

The  Mi^tratea  whoae  Duty  it  ia  to  reatore  the  Peace  of  the  Town, 
do  hereby  inform  the  Inhabitanta  that  hia  Aiajeaty'a  Proclamation  haa 
bean  read  more  than  an  hour ;  and,  therefore,  all  Peraona  who  are  now 
found  unlawfully  aaaembled  togeUier  in  any  of  the  Streeta,  to  the 
Number  of  twelve,  although  no  Outrage  ia  committed,  are  liable  to  be 
apprehended  and  aubject  to  the  Paina  and  Penaltiea  of  the  Biot  Act; 
they,  therefore,  again  moat  earnestly  recommend  all  Peraona  to  keep 
within  their  Honaea,  and  to  take  eapedal  Gare  that  their  Apprenticea^ 
Children,  and  Servants  are  kept  within. 

Shakeapear  Tavern,  Tueaday,  September  9, 1800.    One  o'dock  p.m. 

September  10,  1800.— The  Magiatmtea  aetinff  for  the  Town  and 
Neighbourhood  of  Birmingham,  lamenting  the  miacSiievoua  Conaequencea 
which  reault  from  the  riotoua  prooeedingaof  a  miaguided  Populace,  who 
thereby  increase  the  Evil  of  whidi  they  complain,  while  they  feel  it  to 
be  their  indispenaable  Duty  to  enforce  Obedience  to  the  Lawa  of  their 
Country,  cannot  be  inaenaible  to  the  Distresses  of  the  Poor,  occasioned 
by  the  mvaent  uncommonly  high  Price  of  Com,  and  desirous  of  doing 
every  Thing  in  their  Power  to  alleviate  those  Distrcsaei^  eameatly 
recommend  to  all  Gentlemen  of  Landed  Property  to  uae  their  In- 
fluence with  their  Neighboura  and  Tenants  to  induce  them  to  send 
what  Com  they  have  immediately  to  Market,  and  to  sell  it  to  Millers 
and  Bakers,  and  that  at  such  a  reasonable  Bate  as  to  enable  them  to 
supply  the  Poor  with  Bread  on  moderate  Terms.  They  do  also  call 
upon  all  Farmers  who  may  not  be  under  the  Influence  of  Landlords 
to  step  forward  in  manifesting  a  laudable  Zeal  for  the  Public  Qood, 
and  Curiatian  Comparaion  for  the  Wanta  of  their  indigent  Fellow 
Creaturea,  hj  exerting  themaelvea  to  get  their  Com  to  Barked  and 
diapoaing  of  it  at  a  mo<lerate  Price. 

The  peaceable  Inhabitanta  of  the  Town  of  Birmingham  are  struck 
with  Horror  at  the  deplorable  Sitoation  of  a  great  Number  of  their 
Neighbours.  Men  who  are  guilty  of  no  Crime,  but  being  only  the 
Sellers  of  the  Necessaries  of  Lift,  are  innocent  of  the  Cause  <n  the  great 
Advance  of  them.  A  Mind  not  totally  callous  to  all  SensibUity  must 
feel  for  the  Snflerincs  of  Men  under  an  Alurm  that  their  Property,  and 
even  their  personal  Safety,  Is  not  secure  from  one  Hour  to  another. 

Great  as  the  Sufierings  of  the  Poor  may  be,  sudi  Outrage  only 
increases  the  £vi],  with  the  Addition  of  Terror  to  €f9irj  worthy 
Inhabitant  The  Magistrates,  with  the  AssisUnce  of  the  urindpal 
Inhabitants,  have  for  some  Time  been  Taking  every  possible  Method  to 
reduce  the  Price  of  ever^  Description  ctf  Provialona,  and  there  was  and 
is  every  Prospect  of  their  Labours  befaig  crowned  with  Sucoesa;  thev, 
therefore^  hope  that  every  Inhabitant  of  the  Town  will  in  fiitore  rsmam 
in  Peace  and  good  Order ;  but  ahould  any  daring  evil'Mdlspoeed  P«noii% 
whoae  Ptirpose  Is  Plunder,  assemble  in  onlawikd  Numbenyaod  attempt 
to  disturb  the  King's  Peaoe,  sudi  Measures  wlU  be  taken  as  will  bring 
them  to  condiip  Punishment.  Those,  tiherefinv^  who  have  Nothing  to 
gratify  but  an  Idle  and  a  dangeroos  Cariority.  are  eamastly  requested  to 
refrain  from  entering  into  any  Appoaranoe  of  an  unlawful  Assembly,  as 


PUBLIC  LIFE  AND  EVENTS.  107 

ibej  not  only  ooantenance   eyil-duposed    PenonB,  bat   mxy  incur 
Paniahment  indiflcriminately  with  the  Guilty. 
Birmingham,  September  11, 1800. 

To  the  Farmers  ioho  come  to  Birmingham  Market, 

Gentlemeu,  my  Advice  to  you  is,  drop  the  Price  of  Wheat  im- 
mediately— ^that  my  Betty  and  her  Children,  and  all  my  poor  Brother 
Artifioera,  whose  dutreaBes  are  great  indeed,  may  partake  of  the  Bounty 
of  Ptoridcvioe. 

We  have  ffreat  Ganae  to  complain,  though  it  ^eves  my  Heart  that 
Bioting  diovud  have  taken  place.  Whaf  8  more,  if  you  should  not  &x.  a 
moderate  Price  to  Day,  it  may  lie  upon  your  Hands,  and  you  may  be 
glad  to  take  much  less  for  it  in  a  Month ;  for  the  Price  will  come  down, 
thaf  s  certain.  Dont  you  see  how  the  Weather  glass  rises  ?  and  don't 
you  know  that  four  or  five  days  will  get  all  in  7 

And  my  further  Advice  is  that  I  hope  you  will  sell  it  to  our  MiUers 
and  Bakers,  and  such  as  won't  sell  it  agam  out  of  our  Town,  and  then 
we  shall  have  Plenty  at  a  moderate  Price.  At  any  Bate,  don't  sell  it  to 
Badms,  nor  let  them  whisper  in  your  Ears,  and  persuade  vou  to  raise 
the  Maiket  for  their  own  Advantage.  I  say,  hear  none  of  their  wicked 
Advice,  for  the  Devil  is  at  the  Bottom  of  aU  such  Advice ;  and  what 
little  you  get  in  that  War  will  never  proq)er.  Qod  Almighty  wont 
Uess  the  Land  of  that  Man  who  does  any  Thing  to  oppress  the  Poor, 
but  sooner  or  later  it  will  come  Home  to  him,  or  to  his  Children  after 
him  ;  for  whafs  got  over  the  Devil's  Back  ia  sure  to  be  spent  under  liis 
Belly :  so  take  my  Advice,  and  be  good  FeUows,  and  let  us  have  Plenty 
and  Cheap.    So  no  more  at  present,  from  your  humble  Servant, 

Sqitember  11th,  1800.  Job  Nott. 

To  Farmers  and  others^  who  haive  Corn  to  sdl. 

Public  Office,  September  11th,  1800. 
The  MsAstrates  earnestly  recommend  to  sucn  Peraons  who  have 
Cora  for  Side  immediately  to  sell  the  same,  at  a  moderate  Price,  to 
Milkn  and  Baken  who  will  dispose  of  it  to  the  Inhabitants  of  this 
Town  and  Neighbourhood,  and  not  to  sell  it  to  any  Peraona  who  are 
likely  to  sell  it  again  before  it  ia  manufactured  into  Flour.  And  with  a 
View  to  the  Conviction  of  any  Peraona  guilty  of  enhancing  the  Price  of 
Corn,  or  other  Pkwisions  in  the  Market,  by  offering  a  higher  Price  than 
required  bv  the  Seller,  or  by  other  undue  Influence,  they  hereW  offer  a 
Reward  of  Ten  Pounds,  in  Addition  to  any  other  Bewards  offered  bv 
the  Public.  ^ 

Shakespeare  Tavern.  Eleven  o'clock,  September  IS,  1800. 
At  a  Meeting  held  this  Morning,  R  S.  Heaton,  £m.,  the  High  Bailifi; 
in  the  Cbair ; — We,  the  underai^^  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  Bir- 
mingham  and  the  Hamlets  of  Deritend  and  Bordesley,  anxious  to  pre- 
serve the  Public  Peace,  and  to  protect  the  Markets^  in  Oitler  that  fio- 
viaions  may  be  broughtno  Town,  have  ounelves  accepted  the  Office  of 
Special  Constables  for  the  above  Purpose,  and  earnestly  recommend  our 
Nei^boors  to  repair  immediatelv  to  the  Shakespeare  Tavern,  where  the 
Msffwlntes  are  now  sitting,  and  will  attend  the  whole  of  the  Day,  in 
Order  to  swear  such  Persons  into  that  Office ;  and  as  the  £zigen<7  <^ 
the  present  Time  requires  evenr  Exertion  on  the  part  of  the  Inhabitants, 
we  nope  and  trust  every  well-disposed  Peraon  will  immediately  attena 
to  enrahis  Name. 

[Signed  by  a  great  Number  of  Inhabitants.] 


108  A  CENTUEY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

In  the  next  paper  it  was  stated,  **  that  all  riots  and  tu- 
mnltuous  assemblies  in  this  town  and  neighbourhood  have 
entirely  ceased." 

As  one  of  the  results  of  these  bread  riots,  we  read  on  Oct. 

18,  that— 

On  Saturday,  the  4th  instaiit,  Wm.  Tonks,  one  of  the  nnfortonate 
bojB  that  was  ahot  daring  the  late  riots  in  this  town,  died  in  our  Infir- 
mary, where  he  had  lingered  since  the  9th  ot  September.  The  Joiy 
returned  Verdict^  Justimible  Homicide. 

The  condition  of  the  nation  at  t;his  disastrous  period  is 

painfully  shown  in  the  following  extracts : — 

Birmingham,  December  20,  1800. 
To  Thohas  Hadlsy,  Esq.,  High  Bauitf. 
Sir, — ^His  Majbstt  having  issaed  a  gracious  Proclamation,  recom- 
mending such  of  his  subjects  who  have  the  Power  to  purchase  other 
Prorittons,  to  abstain  as  much  as  possible  from  the  use  of  Bbbad,  in 
order  that  the  Poor  may  have  less  Difficulty  in  procuring  that  article, 
and  it  appearing  to  us  that  the  good  Effects  to  be  expected  can  only  be 
derived  irom  fni^agements  entered  into  by  the  Inhabitants  in  every 
Town — ^We  request  that  you  will  call  a  Msbtoio  of  the  principal 
InHABFTAHTB  of  this  Town  and  Neighbourhood,  to  take  the  same  into 
Consideration,  to  enter  into  such  Besolutions  as  m^  be  expressive  of 
a  dutiful  aoqulesoenoe  with  his  Majesty's  gracious  KecommendationSy 
and  most  conducive  to  give  it  Effect 

Wm.  Villebs,  Edwabd  Palkeb, 

Wm.  Hicks,  Wm.  Smith, 

Thbodobb  Priced       Wm.  Andkbtok, 
Qbobob  Simooz,        Wm.  Walkbb, 
Hehrt  Glat,  Thomas  Gbuvdt, 

Thomas  Babkbb,       Rich.  Pbatohbt. 

Birmingham,  December  26,  1800. — At  a  numerous  and  respectable 
Mbktino  of  the  principal  Inhabitants  of  this  Town  and  Nbiohboub- 
HOOD,  held  at  tne  Hotel  pursuant  to  public  Advertisement^  for  the 
Purpose  of  giving  Effect  to  his  Majesty's  gracious  Ptt>ciamation, 
recommending  the  strictest  Eoobomt  and  Fruoalitt  in  the  use  of 
every  species  of  Gbaiv,  but  particularly  Wheat ;  The  High  Baiutv 
in  the  Chair ; 

The  following  RBBOLxnnoirs  were  entered  into  by  the  Persons  present, 
wbidi  they  earnestly  hope  will  be  universally  adopted  by  sudi  of  their 
Neighbours  in  Town  and  Country  who  have,  through  the  Bounty  of 
Providence,  the  means  of  procuring  a  plentiful  Supply  of  every  other 
kind  of  Food,  the  Sole  ODJeet  of  these  Besolutions  bmng  to  leave  to 
the  Poor  and  distressed  Piirt  of  the  Community  those  articles  which 
are  really  necessary  to  their  Comfort  and  Support,  but  which  no  Man 
of  true  Benevolence^  who  witnesses  the  present  sufferings  of  his 
distressed  Fellow  Creatures,  can  desire  to  nave  at  the  Cost  of  one 
Moment's  Want  to  the  Poor  and  Indigent. 

1.  That  in  Conformity  to  His  Maibbtt*8  gradous  Prodamatioa 
we  will,  in  oar  respective  Families,  observe  the  utmost  possible 
Economy  in  the  Use  of  all  Articles  of  Qnin,  and  in  particular  of  Bread 
Com,  and  in  no  Case  suffer  our  Consumption  to  exceed  one  Quartern 
Loaf  to  each  Person  weekly,  whidi  is  about  ten  Dances  per  Day. 


PUBUC  LIFE  AND  EVENTS.  109 

2y  That  W6  will  abstain  altogether  from  Pastry  made  with  any 
other  Floor  than  of  Bice. 

3.  That  in  Order  to  lessen  still  fiurther  the  Consumption  of  Bread, 
we  will  abstain  as  mnch  as  possible  from  that  of  Cheese,  which  Article 
bttng  a  Necessary  to  the  Poor,  by  this  means  may  be  obtained  on  mnch 
lower  Tenna  than  at  present. 

4.  That  we  will,  sndi  of  ns  as  have  horses,  and  especially  those  kept 
lor  ^easore^  restrict  as  mnch  as  possible  the  Consumption  of  Oats,  and 
other  Qndn,  in  their  maintenance. 

C  That  we  will  obsenre  the  preceding  Beeolutions  for  Nine  Months 
from  this  Period,  unless  the  Price  of  Wheat  should  be  reduced  to  Ten 
ShilUmnthe  Bushel 

e.  That  as  no  salutary  Effects  can  be  expected  to  arise  from  the 
TOoposed  Retrenchments^  unless  they  are  generally  adopted  by  the 
Penons  to  whom  thev  apply — it  is  the  opinion  of  this  Meeting,  that 
H  contraiT  to  their  Hopes  and  Wishes,  similar  Measures  shomd  not 
be  generally  adopted  throughout  the  Kingdom,  it  will  be  expedient  to 
petition  Pariiament  to  pass  a  Jaw  to  restrict  the  Consumption  of 
Bread  in  mudi  manner  as  may  be  found  fully  sufficient  to  meet  the 
Diffienlties  arising  fitun  the  present  Scarcity  of  Com. 

7.  That  Copies  of  these  Besolutions,  with  the  Names  of  the  Sub- 
■cribtts^  be  hang  up  at  the  different  Banks  and  IVinters^  throughout 
the  Town,  and  that  Twenty-four  Gentlemen  be  appointed  to  wait  upon 
•abb  of  tl^  Nei^^bours  as  may  be  expected  to  subscribe  them. 

6w  That  the  HiOB  Baiuff  be  desired  to  send  Copies  of  these 
Besolutions  to  the  different  Noblemen  and  Gentlemen  in  the  Neigh- 
bourhood, requesting  their  Concurrence  and  Support. 

Thomab  Hadlet,  Chairman. 

The  Thanks  of  the  Meetinff  were  Toted  to  the  Chairman,  for  his 
ready  Aoquieseence  in  calling  the  Meeting,  and  lor  his  Attention  to  the 
Busineas  of  the  Day. 

And  80  closes  the  local  annals  of  the  year  of  suffering,  1800. 

The  year  1801  was  also  one  of  scarcity,  suffering;  and 
violence.  The  cry  for  peace  was  now  loud  and  vehement^ 
The  state  of  Birmingham  at  this  time  will  be  gathered  from 
the  following  advertisement,  published  in  the  assumed 
name  of  one  who  took  an  important  part  in,  and  had  a 
great  influence  on,  the  public  life  of  the  time — ^the  ''truly 
humorous''  and- plain  spoken  Job  Nott 

To  tMe  Btrmingkam  IfanMfaeiwerg, 
Anil  8, 1801.— Brother  Artifieers,— Tlie  hi^  Price  of  Troyukma^ 
and  the  SoantineBS  of  Orders,  fntrm  me  to  Uie  ^eart;  and  Baotinff 
(whidi  new  did,  or  ever  is  hkely  to  produce  any  lasting  Ghai^^ 
tptiwm  me  soraly.  Lot  mAjhen,  as  yoor  true  Friend,  entreat  yon  for 
tM  Sake  of  OorselTe|s  oar  w  ires  and  our  Children,  to  bisa^ 
with  becoming  Christian  Fortitude.  I  know  many  will  say  it*s  fine 
talking  to  empty  BeDiea  But  what,  my  Friendsy  ii  to  be  done  f  If  the 
Thioff  eould  m  nmedied,  do  tou  not  think  the  King,  his  liinirters, 
and  niiiament,  would  remeaytti  I  beUere  there  is  not  on  Earth  a 
bettsPHdiaposed  Man  than  our  Kipg,  nor  one  more  worthy  to  be  oJled 
the  nther  of  his  Beople ;  and  his  Ministers  being  Men  of  the  beat 
Charaeter,  can  we  poasuily  suppose  that  th^  do  not  sensibly  feel  for 


110  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRHINOHAM  LIFE. 

the  sufTeriiicB  of  the  People  ?  I  believe  they  do,  and  that  eveiy  thing 
that  can  be  aone  has  been  done,  is  doinff,  and  will  be  done,  to  prodaoe 
both  Plenty  and  Peace.  But  disaffected  Men  will  tell  yon  otherwise, 
they  keep  up  the  old  Tale,  that  the  King  swallows  all  the  Taxes,  and  a 
hundred  Tales  as  idle  and  absurd ;  whereas  I  believe  he  has  not,  at  his 
own  Command,  so  much  per  Annum  as  many  of  our  Noblemen  and 
Fellow  Subjects. 

Finally,  the  Disaffected  urge  you  on  to  be  their  Tools  in  breaking 
the  Peace,  and  creating  Alarm,  and  then  leave  vou  in  the  Lurch  to  die 
at  the  fatal  Tree.  Bioting,  by  frightening  People  who  have  Provisions 
to  sell,  may  lower  the  Price  for  a  short  Period,  but  I  never  knew  an 
Instance  where  it  did  not  return  again  with  redoubled  violence.  If  a 
'  man  is  plundered  of  his  Flour  or  Gneese,  he  must  go  to  Market  again, 
and  that  raises  the  Price.  Besides,  the  Waste  of  any  thinf  makes  it 
scarcer,  and  that  must  make  it  dearer.  Whilst  our  rich  Neighbours 
are  tiyinji^  all  Ways  to  lessen  our  Distresses,  and  whilst  the  Overseers 
are  openmg  their  Hands  as  liberall;^  as  Circumstances  admit^  My 
Advice  is,  let  us  consider  the  Calamity  a  Visitation  horn  Heaven,  to 
shew  us  not  only  where  our  dependence  is  for  our  Daily  Bread,  but  also 
to  bring  to  our  Recollection  our  past  Ingratitude  in  eating  it  without 
Thanks,  unmindful  of  the  Hand  m>m  whence  these  Blessings  coma 

I  exhort  you  to  rel^  on  the  King  and  the  Parliament^  and  firmly  to 
believe  that  eveiy  Thmg  is  doing  that  is  in  the  Power  of  Man^  to  inake 
Things  better;  and  earnestly  Pray  to  the  Qiver  of  all  Qood,  for  a 
favourable  Seedtime  and  Harvest ;  and  then  if  we  do,  one  and  all,  turn 
from  our  Sins,  and  implore  His  Mercy,  it  mav  be  His  Pleasure  to 
shower  down  Blessings  upon  the  Nation,  and  make  us  more  prosperous 
than  ever  we  were.  Therefore,  my  Friends,  commit  no  Outrage,  but 
act  like  worthv  Men,  above  all,  obeying  the  Divine  Command  of  our 
Saviour,  viz.,  ^To  do  unto  all  Men  as  you  would  thev  should  do  unto 
you."    That  this  nu^  be  the  case,  prays  your  ever  Well  wisher, 

Birmingham,  March  28, 1801.  Job  Kvon. 

P.S.  Bemember  that  the  Country  People  will  take  their  Provisions 
to  that  Town  which  is  most  peaceable,  ana  where  the  Inhabitants  treat 
them  with  most  Civility.  It  ia  well  known  the  Market  that  is  best 
supplied  will  be  the  cheapest^  therefore  the  Price  of  Articles  at  every 
Market  must  necessarily  rise  and  fall  in  Proportion  as  Towns  ^  are 
peaoeabte  or  riotous. 

Our  own  age  has  given  practical  effect  to  many  tentative 
undertakings  of  a  past  time  ;  and  we  are  too  apt  to  suppose 
that  they  are  the  inventions  of  the  present  tima  Periooical 
Ck)llections  in  Churches  and  Chapels  for  charitable  purposes, 
were  not  only  suggested,  but  practically  acted  upoa 
Industrial  Schools,  for  children,  were  also  founded,  and 
worked  welL  Benevolent  Societies  of  various  kinds  existed, 
nor  WES  the  institution  of  penny  dubs  unknown  to  them. 
A  very  good  one  was  started  at  Karbome  in  1800,  of  which 
we  have  the  following  account : — 

HAtBOBVX  Pxirvr  Club. 

April  87,  laoi.— In  Goiissqpeiioe  of  the  Institatkm  of  a  Pennv  Glnb 
among  the  Sunday  School  Ghildrsn  of  Harbonie,  the  most  iHeasing 
Effect  has  been  already  prodnced.    It  is  now  two  yean  sinoe  this  little 


PUBLIC  LIFE  AND  EVEKT&  111 

Qnb  was  institated,  and  last  Sunday  presented  the  most  channiii^ 
Spectacle  of  more  than  two  Hundred  Goildren  neatly  clothed  by  thia 
small  weekly  Deposit  of  Money.  As  we  think  the  Plan^  wherever 
adopted,  cannot  mil  to  be  prodnctiTe  of  ffreat  Good,  we  shall  give  a 
Sk^ch  of  it  as  publiahed  at  the  Time  of  the  Institution. 

The  Children  Subscribers  are  about  two  Hundred  and  Twenty,  and 
the  Fond  is  increased  by  about  One  Hundred  Neighbours  who,  fnendly 
to  the  Cause,  subscribe  the  like  Sum,  as  Honorary  Members. 

The  Advantage  arisiiig  to  Society  in  general,  and  to  the  Poor  in 
particular,  from  mbitual  Cleanliness  and  a  decent  Appearance,  are  so 
obrioos,  that  they  need  little  Explanation.  It  is  only  to  notice  and 
contrast  the  genend  Health  and  Conduct  of  poor  Children  kept  dean 
and  decently  doathed,  with  that  of  those  who,  from  Idleness,  always 
appear  in  Jjtrt  and  Bags.  The  latter,  on  a  Sunday  in  particular,  are 
found  wandering  about  the  Lanes  and  Fields,  breaking  the  Fanner^s 
Hedges^  and  engaged  in  all  Kind  of  mischievous  noisy  Play,  and  not 
unf requently  cursing  and  swearing,  whilst  the  others  are  found  in  the 
path  (MP  Dut^  at  Church  or  at  Home. 

It  is  a  Practice  which  greatly  contributes  to  Health  that  the  poor 
Child  who  has  decent  Garments  to  put  on,  will  be  induced  to  Wash  and 
Oomb,  an  important  Practice  too  mudi  n^lected  by  the  Poor  in  generaL 

It  contributes  to  the  general  Stock  of  Hapmness  arising  frcnn 
Industry,  for  whilst  the  poor  Children  of  the  Paridi  are  exerting 
ihemsdves  by  NaO  making  or  otherwise,  to  save  a  Penny  for  the  Club, 
poor  Children  in  other  l^urishes  are  at  the  same  Time  employed  in 
manufacturing  the  Materials  for  the  yeiy  Garments  to  be  thus  purdiased. 
Thus  Villages  become  composed  of  industrious  and  respectable  Poor, 
who^  it  mar  be  reasonably  noped,  will  transmit  to  their  Children,  and 
their  Children's  Children,  the  same  proper  and  useful  Habits. 

To  effect  this  desirable  Purpose  in  this  Parish,  a  Penny  Club  has 
been  established.  The  Members  are  composed  prindpally  of  poor 
Children,  and  such  of  their  Kind  Neighbours  (Honorary  Members) 
whom,  for  wise  Purposes^  God's  Proyidence  has  placed  here  comparatiydy 
in  more  exalted  Situations. 

Eyeiy  Member  subscribes  One  Penny  per  Wedc;  the  Money  is 
placed  in  a  friendly  Hand,  who  is  so  kind  not  only  to  take  the  Trouble^ 
out  to  allow  Fiye  per  cent.  Interest  for  it ;  and  once  in  two  yean  the 
Stock  is  to  be  laid  out  in  Qoathing,  and  then  equally  distributed  among 
andi  poor  Members  who  diall  be  then  upon  the  Lii^ 

The  next  extract  refers  to  some  important  parliamentaiy 
proceedings  in  relation  to  the  Copper  trade : 

June  6, 1801. — On  Wednesday  the  following  resolutions  were  moyed 
and  agreed  to  in  the  House  of  Commons ;  and  a  Bill  ordered  to  be 
brought  in  founded  upon  them  : 

'^Ist  To  pennit  the  Importation  of  Copper  after  a  time  to  be 
limited. 

Snd.  To  enable  his  Majesty*  1^  Reclamation  or  Order  in  CounciL 
to  prohibit  the  Exportation  of  Copper  to  any  place  within  the  limits  of 
Eorope. 

3rd.  That  the  Duties  now  payable  on  the  Importation  of  Copper 
Bride.  Boss  Cqiper,  Copper  Qom^  and  on  all  Oast  Oopper,  and  the 
Draw  badn  now  allowed  on  the  EzportatioQ  thereof »  aball  ceaw  and 
determine. 


112  A  CENTOEY  OF  BIBIONOHAM  LIFE. 

4th.  That  instead  of  former  datieey  a  Duty  of  Five  Shillings  and 
Three  pence  be  chaiged  a|>on  every  hundred  wco^t  of  all  Copper  Brick, 
Boee  Copper,  Copper  Coin,  and  Cast  Copper,  imported  mto  Great 
Britain.'' 

Hie  attention  of  the  L^gislatare  to  the  interests  of  general  industry, 
can  in  no  case  be  more  necessary  and  nsefol  than  the  Copper  trade, 
"where  the  operation  of  laive  capitals,  and  the  long  practice  of  aTaricioiis 
fineaee  and  canning,  is  Uoatingafew  persons  with  riches,  while  the 
useful  and  laborious  Manufacturer  is  starving^  or  committing  his  family 
to  the  care  of  an  already  over-barthened  parish.  The  population  of 
Warwickdiire  is  as  useful  as  the  population  of  Kent^  and  the  Monopo- 
liser of  Hops  is  not  the  only  enormous  OapitaUst  whose  steps  diould  be 
watched  by  GoTemment. 

In  thin  year  our  Botanic  Qarden  was  originated.    On 

September  21,  this  preliminaxy  editorial  notice  appeaxed : — 

IVom  the  general  difPusion  of  taste  for  Botany,  perhaps  the  most 
deliffhtful  of  all  the  Sciences,  Botanic  Qardens  are  now  forming  in 
▼anous  parts  €ft  t|ie  kingdom.  Our  readers  will  peroeire  from  an 
advertisement  in  this  page,  that  the  votaries  of  Flora,  amongst  whom 
we  may  number  some  of  the  most  accomplished  of  the  l*air  Sex, 
are  likely  to  be  soon  gratified  with  a  aimilar  establishment  in  this 
neighbonrfaood. 

The  same  paper  also  contained  this  advertisement : — 

Botanic  Qardbv. 

Those  Ladies  and  Gentlemen  who  are  disposed  to  promote  the 
Establishment  of  a  Public  Botanical  Garden  in  the  Vicinity  of 
Birmingham,  by  an  annual  Subscription,  are  requested  to  leare  their 
Names  at  Mr.  John  Clarke's,  DruMst,  Bull  Street ;  Messra  Knott 
and  Lloyd's,  or  Messra  Swinney  and  Hawkins,-  Printers,  where  a  Ust 
of  upwards  of  160  Subscribers  may  "be  seen.  When  the  Number  of 
Subscribers  Is  increased  to  200,  a  Meeting  will  be  called  to  adopt  th^ 
most  eligible  Plan  for  carrying  the  same  into  Effect 

The  good  work  was  carried  on  with  our  usual  energy ;  for 

in  the  next  week's  Oaaette  we  find  this  advertisement : — 

Wanted  to  purchase,  or  on  a  Long  Leass^  about  Two  or  Three 
Acres  of  Land,  in  the  Vicinity  of  Birmingham,  for  the  Purpose  of 
forming  a  Public  Botanical  Garden. — App^  to  J.  darice,  Druggist, 
BirmlngfaaoL 

A  meeting  of  the  subscribers  was  held  on  November  10, 
Matthew  Boulton  in  the  chair,  at  which  the  laws  were 
passed,  and  a  committee  elected. 

The  war  had  now  existed  for  nine  years,  and  the  whole 
nation  was  eager  and  damorous  for  peace.  Negociationa 
had  been  going  on  for  some  time  and,  to  the  unparalleled 
joy  of  the  people,  the  preliminaries  were  signed  in  London 
on  the  first  of  October.  The  news  spread  rapidly  through 
the  country,  and  the  demonstrations  of  delight' with  which 
London  had  welcomed  the  news,  were  repe&d  throughout 
the  country.    The  manner  in  which  the  mhabitants  of  this 


PUBLIC  LIFE  AND  EVENTS.  113 

town  received   tbe  intelligence  will   be   seen   from   tbe 
following  extracts: — 

Biimugfaam,  October  5, 1801. — The  glad  iidiugs  of  Preliminaries  of 
Peaee  beiog  signed  were  first  brought  to  this  Town  on  Satarday 
morning,  hj  the  Bristol  mail  (which  arrived  two  honrs  and  npwards 
before  ue  London)  in  eonsetjaence  of  a  letter  receiTed  by  a  gentleman 
at  the  former  place,  on  Friday  afternoon^  from  the  Prime  Minister. 
Thia  was  saffieient  to  set  the  town  in  commotioft ;  but  an  anxiety  for  a 
confirmation  of  the  good  news  led  bodies  of  the  people  to  the  wrders 
of  the  town,  waiting  the  arrival  of  the  London  coaches,  whose  appear- 
ance at  a  distance  with  flags,  blue  ribbons,  ftc,  soon  dissipated  all  their 
doabts  as  to  the  truth  of  the  agreeable  intelligence.  The  horses  were 
taken  from  the  Mail  coach  and  drawn  bjr  the  popnkce  through  the 
atreeti  to  the  Post  Office;  and  the  distribution  of  the  Gazettes 
Extraordinary  soon  satbfied  the  most  incredulous.  The  whole  day 
exhibited  a  scene  of  joy  and  exultation,  bells  ringing  and  guns  firing, 
and  persons  of  both  sexes  appearing  in  the  streets  with  blue  ribbon% 
and  at  night  there  was  a  general  and  splendid  illumination. 

Ibat  Peace,  and  one  so  unexpectea,  should  produce  with  us  the 
Bost  joyful  effects  is  not  surprising,  for  no  otlier  place  in  the  kinsdom 
we  may  venture  to  assert  has  suffered  more,  or,  upon  the  whole,  borne 
with  eo  much  temper,  and  tmlv  national  and  loyal  spirit^  the  affliction 
of  war,  as  the  Town  of  Birmingham. 

Oct  12,  I801.^-Tlie  delirious  joy  with  which  the  news  of  the  signing 
of  the  Preliminaries  of  Peace  was  received  here,  was  considerably 
damped  towaid  the  latter  part  of  the  week.  Some  <k  the  London  Jour- 
nals nad  siserted  Hhh  Batification  of  the  Articles  might  arrive  in  town 
on  Tuesday  nigfati  the  people  therefore  made  themsdves  certain  that  a 
Conriety  or  person  of  greater  consequence,  would  not  fail  to  be  in  London 
CO  Wedmeeday ;  consequently,  pret^  early  on  Thursday  the  streets  were 
UxmAf  we  may  venture  to  aay,  with  mm  ten  to  fifteen  thousand  persons, 
from  the  borden  of  the  town  to  the  Post  Office.  Considecable  disap- 
pointment took  place  on  this  day.  and  more  so  on  Friday,  when  ue 
people  bmn  quite  to  despond.  On  Saturday,  a  paragraph  in  tiie  Sun 
eoDsideimbly  relieved  their  anxiety ;  and  yesterday  morning,  the  Mail 
Coach  enteted  the  town  drawn  by  six  horses,  with  fiags  imd  suitable 
paintinge^  with  a  number  of  persons  on  horseback  preceding  it^  and  fol- 
lowud  1^  a  BumenMis  body  of  people,  some  of  whom  went  four  or  five 
miles  to  meet  it  The  news  of  the  Batification  wa%  of  course,  reed  ved 
with  rapture^  and  this  night  there  will  be  a  general  illumination^  which 
Is  expeeted  to  be  moat  sjuendid,  exhibiting  transparencies^  te. 

We  are  sorry  to  atate  that  during  the  rejoicing,  firing,  illumination, 
Ac.  on  Saturday  in  this  town,  a  man  who  had  the  unpardonable  neglect 
ana  fanprudence  (we^trust^  for  humanitv's  sake,  we  ahould  not  use  any 
other  tern)  on  dlaehai^ging  his  piece,  unmciunately  killed  dead  upon  the 
spot  m  poor  boy,  ofabMt  13  yean  of  age.  There  were  scoundrels  too 
who  might  also  willully  havv  oeeasioned  death,  or  something  near  it. 
Th^  amused  themselves  by  coming  gently  behind  gentlemen,  andpla- 
eing  a  pistol  dose  to  their  car,  fired  it  off^  stunned  them,  and  singed  the 
hatay  some  6csi^  and  their  deaths.  None  of  these  fellows  were  taken, 
but  we  trust|  to  nighty  if  they  follow  up  thdr  amusements,  every  good 
person  at  hand  will  assist  at  once  in  taking  them  up,  and  we  can  rdy 
upon  thorn  rsedving  a  very  proper  punishment  from  the  Magistrates, 
u.  I 


114  A  CENTURY  OF  BIBMINQHAM  LIFK 

Btnniiigliam,  October  19, 1801. — ^The  iilamiDation  that  we  mentiooed 
in  oar  last  wonld  take  place  in  this  town  on  Mondaj  evenioff  was  one 
of  the  most  splendid  and  brilliant  Birmingham  ever  witnessed.  There 
was  scarcely  a  house  that  did  not  exhibit  some  beantifai  transparency 
or  deWce.  The  Free  School,  Bloe  Coat  School  (lighted  by  a  private 
subscription)  and  other  pablic  batldings,  particularTy  attracted  notice ; 
and  the  immense  fire  of  loads  of  coals  in  front  of  the  Canal  Office,  at 
the  end  of  a  wide  street,  where  an  ox  was  roasting,  had  a  very  good 
effect.  We  are  happy  to  say  that  we  have  not  heiund  of  any  accident 
happeniog ;  but  that  this  day  of  rejoicing  closed  in  the  most  orderly, 
happy,  and  peaceful  manner. 

The  non-participation  of  the  Quakers  in  the  public 
festivities  on  this  occasion  excited  considerable  antagonism. 
The  Chxaette  took  up  their  cause,  and  we  read  with  great 
pleasure  the  foUowii^  liberal  paragraph  on  the  subject : — 

November  2,  1801^— It  must  always  be  painful  to  men  of  liberal 
minds  to  di£for  in  sentiment  and  conduct  from  their  respectable  neigh- 
bours, especiallyat  a  time  of  such  universal  rejoicing  as  the  present  for 
the  happy  return  of  Peace ;  and  this  we  have  reascm  to  believe  has  been 
the  case  with  the  Society  of  Friends  in  this  town  and  elsewhere;  but 
whosoever  attentively  considte  their  general  religious  principles^ 
which  have  a  particular  tendency  to  lead  tiiem^'out  of  all  excess  of  joy 
or  |[rie^  and  to  preserve  that  thankful  tranquillity  whidi  keeps  thie 
passions  nnruflSec^  must  see  that  illuminations  and  such  like  tumul- 
tuous expressions  of  joy,  are  inoonsistent  with  those  principles^  and 
more  especially  as  they  too  often  an  attended  with  excesses  of  various 
kinds. 

If  any  circumstance  could  induce  them  to  illuminate  th«r  bouses,  it 
would  be  the  return  of  peace,  at  whkh  thev  most  cordially  rejoice ;  bnt» 
even  on  this  ocoasioDy  thev  think  thankfuloess  to  Divine  Fkovidence  k 
best  discovered  by  heartiul  gratitude  and  amendment  of  life.   It  should 


also  be  considered^  that  were  they  to  illuminate  on  some  occasions  it 
would  be  almost  unpossible  for  them  to  avoid  doinff  it  on  othen^  and 
as  their  well  known  principles  against  war  do  not  idlow  them  to  join 
in  public  rejoiciog  for  victories  obtained  by  the  effusion  of  blood,  wbidi 
are  the  graeral  ocoasbns  of  illuminations,  this  is  another  rsason  for 
their  thinking  it  most  consistent  to  decline  the  practice  altogether ;  and 
it  is  mudi  to  the  credit  of  this  town  that  these  samples  of  conscience 
have  been  treated  with  so  much  kindness  and  moderation. 

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  obligati<Mis»  and  return  thdr  thanks : — ' 

November  9,  1801.— The  Oommtttee  return  their  very  giateftil 
Thanks  to  all  the  Vocal  and  Instrumental  Performers  who  generously 
and  successfully  exerted  their  splendid  Talents  at  the  different  Ghurdies 
and  Chapels  for  the  Benefit  of  the  Blue  Goat  Charity  School  As  Mr. 
Weston  Las  requested  them  to  be  sparing  of  their  Acknowledgments 
to  hun,  they  reluctantly  comply  with  his  request ;  but  think  ft  tlieir 
»le  duty  to  inform  the  SobsoriberB  to  this  Charity*  that»  in  a 


indispensabi        ^  

veiy  infirm  State'cf  Health,  he  has  devoted  a  great  part  <rf  the  lart  five 
Months  to  the  composing^  transcrihii^  teachings  and  aixmnging  of  that 


PUBLIC  UF£  AND  EVENTS.  115 

Mam  of  If  nnc,  which  has  met  with  mieh  general  Approbation  ;  and 
that  he  has  declined  the  Acceptance  of  anv  RemuDeration  for  his 
LabooTy  or  Beimbarsement  of  the  Expenoes- which  he  incorred. 

Mr.  Weston  made  the  following  reply : — 

November  16, 1801. 

To  the  CammtUee  of  Hu  Blue  Coat  Charity  School 

Gentlemen, — Happy  in  the  Consdoosness  of  haying  to  the  ntmoet 
of  my  Power,  contributed  to  the  Support  of  your  benevoMnt  Institntion, 
I  am  almost  equally  bappy  in  finding  that  you  have  complied  with  mj 
earnest  Bequest^  since  uom  your  ekatiiMod  Praise  of  myself^  in  last 
Monday's  Paper,  the  Interested,  the  Enyious,  and  the  Malevolent^  will 
feel  less  Inclination  to  gratify  their  nnamiable  Ptopensities,  than  when, 
in  Julr  last^  you  so  overrated  my  humble  Talents  and  so  oveipraiaed 
my  feeble  Sinvice :  for  I  thiuk  it  a  Christian's  Duty  to  avoid  throwing 
Temptations  and  Stumblmg  Blocks  in  the  Way  of  the  '^weaker 
Brethren." 

Far  be  from  me  the  vanity  of  attributing  the  nnpreoedented  amoont 
of  the  three  last  Collections  solely  to  my  Exertions ;  the  high  reputation 
of  the  Cleigymen  who  have  so  distinguished  themselves,  by  their 
excellent  Sermons,  on  the  different  Oonsions,  forbids  such  an  absord 
Supposition.  To  my  numerous  Vocal  and  Instrumental  Friends  who  so 
readily  and  generously  exerted  their  various  Talents^  without  Fee  or 
Beward,  and  who  even  refused  to  be  repaid  their  Expenses,  I  retnm 
most  sincsre  Thanks,  assuring;  them  that  neither  Distance  of  Time  nor 
Place  shall  ever  obliterate  their  Kindness  from  my  Bemembranosi 

I  have  the  Hc^nour  to  be, 
Gentlemen,  with  perfeet  Gratitude  and  Bespeet^ 

Tour  devoted  Servant 

Solihnll,  November  12, 1801.  Josxth  Wkov. 

Mr.  Weston  was  a  local  poet  of  the  period.  As  we  have 
previously  seen,  he  edited  Mra.  Pickering's  (nie  Ponton), 
the  blind  poetess's,  works;  and  added  many  of  his  own 
▼erses^  and  some  of  Mr.  Morfitt's,  to  the  volume.  A  specimen 
<3i  his  poetic  powers  has  already  been  siven. 

The  next  extract  announces  the  formation  of  a  new 
bank: — 

Birmfagham.  December  7^ — We  lean,  from  undoobted  anthorityy 
that  a  new  Bank  will  be  opened  in  this  town  hj  John  Wilkinson,  Eiq.* 
of  Bradley,  with  the  additional  names  of  Mr.  Sturtiny  and  Mr.  William 
Smith,  of  Temple«treet^  at  Christmas  next 

Amonsst  the  charitable  societies  of  the  time  was  the 

Female  School  of  Industry ;  and  in  an  advertisement  calling 

a  meeting  of  the  subscribers  we  have  a  brief  account  of  its 

objects: — 

Dec.  7,  1801.^The  Committee  of  the  Female  Sdiool  of  IndostQr 
(Na  6.  Qoeen-etreet)  are  lespectfuHyinfonoed,  that  a  General  Meeting 
of  the  Snbaaiben  win  be  held  at  the  Charity  Sdiool,  St  Philip^  Gbinc^ 
Yard,  To-morrow  (Tnesday),  Deosmber  SySt  Bievaio^elock  in  theFore- 


Ai  the  Object  of  t^iis  Institiitioa  may  not,  perhaps,  be  vnygenenOjr 
known,  the  Committee  b^  to  observe,  that  it  Is  intended  for  the  Beesp' 


116  A  CENTXTRT  OF  BIBHINGHAM  LIFEL 

tion  of  Female  Ghfldren  of  the  Poor,  who  are  ta»ght  to  read,  knit  aikl 
aewy  and  inatmcted  in  each  other  Dntiea  aa  will  be  the  Meana^  it  is 
hoped,  to  qnahtv  iheni,  whatever  be  their  future  Situation  in  Life,  to 
become  flood  and  £uthful  Servants,  and  useful  Members  of  Socie^. 

The  Committee  are  happj  further  to  observe,  that  the  Institution, 
though  in  its  Infa^,  has  not  failed  to  answer  the  Expectations  of  its 
beloved  Patrons,  lliey  feel  it  their  Duty,  however,  to  say,  that  its 
Success  depends  not  merely  upon  the  liberality  of  its  Supporters,  but 
that  it  mav  be  promoted  as  much,  or  more,  b^  personal  Attention.  It 
is  OBsentiai  to  its  very  Existence,  that  each  Visitor  endeavours,  as  much 
aa  possible,  to  be  nonctnal  in  the  di8ehax;ge  of  her  duty ;  and  it  would 
be  of  great  Benent  it  every  Subscriber  would^  occaaionallv,  as  may  be 
most  convenient!  call  at  the  Sdiool,  and  aid  its  Design  by  enforcing 
B^gularity of  AtfeBndanc&by a  seasonable Beproof  and  Oonection  of 
EiTor,  and  by  a  judicious  JBnoouragement  of  Merit 

The  following  annoimcexnent  of  a  deaili  ought  not  to  be 

withoat  interest  to  the  reader : — 

Birmingham,  December  14, 1001. — On  Saturday,  died,  in  the  40th 
year  of  hia  age^  at  Moor  Green,  near  thiatown,  sincerely  and  deservedly 
regretted  by  lua  numerous  friends  and  accjuaintance,  Mr.  lliomas  Ana 
Peanon,  many  yean  sole  proprietor  of  this  Qasette.  The  Gaaette  wiU 
contnme  to  be  pnUiahed  aa  usual,  by  his  Executors,  at  No.  99,  High- 
street. 

On  December  21,  the  artisans  of  the  town  received  the 
welcome  information  that  ''A  Pin  liannfactoiy,  on  an 
extensiye  scale^  is  being  established  in  this  town,  under  the 
firm  of  Lovell  and  Co.  And  thus,  with  new  trading  and 
commercial  prospects,  and  with  the  hope  of  a  permanent 
peace,  closed  this  sad  and  disastrous  decade. 


§  S.     EDUCATION  A2n>  UTBRATUBS. 

^  The  litenuy  activity  of  this  decade  was  confined  to  poli- 
tical and  polemical  pamphlets,  with  an  occasional  sermon, 
which  was  generally  political  and  p'dlemical  together.  Freeth 
still  wrote  and  sung  his  political  songs,  but  his  best  poems 
belong  to  an  earlier  date ;  Morfitt  sounded  the  "  tocsin," 
abused  the  French,  anathematised  Dr.  Priestley,  and  his 
voice  was  still  for  war.  He  also  contributed  to  Pratt's 
Harvest  Home  aome  valuable  information  on  the  condition 
of  Birmingham  in  his  own  time,  to  which  we  shall  direct 
special  attention  in  a  separate  chapter.  Weston  wrote  his 
feeble  verse;  and  Bisset  sung  of  Birmingham.  Giarles 
Lloyd  publidied  some  of  his  poems ;.  but  the  literaxy  harvest 
of  uiis  sad  and  troublous  tune  was  not  a  rich  one.     We 


EDUCATION  AKD  UTEBATURK  117 

have  a  few  pamphlets  advertised ;  one  with  the  curious  title, 
*'  Any  Thing,  or  From  Any  Where ;  otherwise,  Some  Ac- 
count of  the  Life  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Turnabout,  the  Great 
High  Priesf  On  September  10,  1792,  this  notice  was 
published : — 

A  Mavusobift. 
J.  Th<nii])0oii,  Printer,  inf  orma  the  PerBon  who  aent  him  a  Manuscript 
for  PaUication,  entitled,  The  Toochatone.  or  Advice  to  Tradeamen,  on 
Tneadar  laati  that  he  wiahea  to  dedinepu  oliahing  it  in  ita  preaent  atate, 
aa  the  Satire  ia  too  peraonal,  both  on  Iradeamen  and  their  CSerka  If 
the  Author  will  oonaent  to  aome  of  the  objectionable  PMsagea  being 
omitted,  it  ahall  be  publiahed,  otherwiae  it  wOl  be  retained,  upon  receiv- 
ing a  Lme  written  m  a  correapondent  Hand,  and  paying  the  Expence 
ci  thia  Advertiaement. — ^Moor^treet^  Sept.  8, 1792. 

Job  Nott  was  veiy  busy  at  this  time.  He  published, 
price  three-pence,  his  own  Life  and  Adventures.  The  an- 
nouncement of  the  third  edition  of  this  work  will  suffice  as 
an  example  of  his  method  and  style : — 

Job  Nott's  Third  Editiov. 

Febmaiy  11, 1793.— On  Wedneadaj  mommf  next,  will  be  publiahed, 
Price  3d.  each,  or  one  Gkiinea  a  Hundred, — The  Life  and  Adventarea 
of  Job  Nott^  tiie  Third  Edition.  In  which  Miaa  Spanker  ia  reproved 
for  her  iU  Hannera,  and  made  a  more  proper  Companion  for  tne 


Brother  Engliahmen,  it  ia  rery  pleaaing  to  me  to  hear  from  my  Book- 
adler  that  my  Xife  is  going  at  aach  a  BiSe ;  and  ia  in  ffeneral  ao  mndi 
a{iproTed.  A  freaX  and  good  Man  has  aaid  that  "  Nobodj  can  read  it 
without  Langhmff,  nor  leare  it  off  withoat  being  more  Loyal  and  more* 
Moral"  And,  tnerefore,  to  all  Loyal  Maatera  my  Advice  ia,  give 
your  Serranta  one  a  Piece.  To  all  Loral  Ofiicera  my  Advice  ia,  eive 
your  brave  Becmitaonea  Piece  for  a  Knapaack  Companion*  And  to 
my  Brother  Artificera,  and  the  amaU  IVy,  my  Advice  ia,  get  a  dab  of 
over  Work  that  yon  mar  be  able  to  lay  out  Three-pence  in  a  Book, 
wrote  entirely  for  your  IJae,  Information,  and  Amuaement^  and  by  one 
that  regardi  and  never  will  deceive  yon.    Yonra  to  Command, 

Job  Now.* 

P.&— I  aee  Dr.  Prieatley  haa  jnat  writ  to  the  Frendi  to  tell  them 
there  ia  a  God,  and  that  the  Mindea  recorded  of  Jeaoa  Ghriat  in  the 
New  Testament^  and  by  Moaea  in  the  Old  Teatament,  are  true  upon  a 
GRtainty.  Who  knowa  but  what  I  aaid  in  my  Book,  Plage  33  and  34, 
nay  have  mured  np  the  Doctor  to  write  thia  Letter  to  the  French,  and 
irfiieh  I  thmk  doea  him  very  great  Credit.  "^  Fair  Play'a  a  Jew^"  aa 
^^iffflfjn  John  aaid* 

The  Bey.  J*  Riknd,  Hector  of  Sutton  Coldfield,  nublished 

in  Birmingham,  on  December  17,  hia  ''Biffhta  of  Uod,  occa- 

tioned  by  Mr.  Paine'a  Bights  of  Man.**    In  thia  year  also 

Button,  who  unfortunately  in  his  old  ace  had  taken  to  write 

▼erses,  issued  his  "Barbers;  or,  the  Road  to  Biches.    A 


*  It  ia  not  known  with  eertaialy  who  wn>le  mder  thii  mMawH;  hat  the 
fCBCial  feefiiigwaaia  HiToorof  the  Ber.  B.  Bam,  and  Theo.  Pnoe. 


118  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

Poem."     In  1796,  Dr.  Withering  published  his  important 

book  on  British  Plants,  which  parsed  through  five  editions, 

and  was  accepted  as  a  standard  work  on  the  subject. 

A  passing  visitor  gives  this  description  of  a  work  of  Art 

whicn  he  saw  in  this  town  : — 

To  the  Printer  of  Ariis  Birmingham  Ocuette. 
'  Nov.  S7, 1797. — Sir,^Paa8mg  some  time  nnoe  throng  fiinningham 
on  mj  road  to  London,  I  was  inclined  to  see  a  little  of  the  town,  and, 
after  rambling  through  some  of  the  principal  streets,  I  was  retoming  to 
mjr  inn,  when  mj  cariosity  at  seeing  some  models  and  fiffores  at  a  win- 
dow in  finU-tftreet,  induoed  me  to  enter  the  shoj).  The  first  thing  that 
canght  my  eye  was  a  most  beantif  ul  little  figure,  in  rice  past&  of  a  dyinff 
fiaint^  of  ezouisite  workmanship,  and  en^uiiin^  who  was  tne  artiaSL  I 


was  answoM  by  a  curious  lookm^  fellow  m  a  white  jacket,  who  said  if 
I  would  notthiu  the  worse  of  it,  it  was  the  work  of  an  Kngiishman  who 
was  yet  a  boy,  and  was  suxprised  at  finding  him  to  be  the  artist.  I  must 
ocmf  ess  I  was  hig^y  entertained  with  the  ^reat  variety  which  surrounded 
me,  such  as  miniature  paintiim,  models  m  wax,  rice  paste,  and  plaster 
of  FSaris,  which  for  dehcacy  ofnnishing  suipasBsd  any  thing  of  the  kind 
I  had  ever  seen ;  landscapes  and  devices  of  oifierent  unds,  which  fonned 
■adi  a  pleasing  variety  1  never  before  found  in  tokj  shop  of  the  kind.  I 
was  equalljr  gratified  with  the  sight  up  stairs,  wluch  was  an  ezhibitioii 
of  Wax  Figures.  Pulling  ont  my  watch,  I  re^^rstted  I  had  but  ten 
minutes  to  qiare,  or  I  would  have  sat  for  my  likeness ;  to  whidi  the 
artist^  smiling,  replied  he  required  no  more  than  half  the  time,  which  I 
freely  gave,  and  had  the  pleasure  to  receive,  in  a  few  days,  that  which  is 
nnivenally  aUowed  to  be  a  good  likeness.  Merit  like  lus  should  not  go 
nnnotioed,  I  am,  Sir,  youz's  J.  P.  Lb 

The  next  is  a  sad  annonncement .' — 

August  27,  1798. — ^Mr.  Bullock,  the  young  Artist  who  has  gained 
such  great  repute  in  Birmingham,  we  are  sorry  to  say  is  on  the  point  of 
leaving  it,  and  retumiug  to  London,  the  statue  business  not  answering 
his  exnectation.  He  now  intends  giving  his  whole  attention  to  the 
modelling  and  painting  of  likenesses.  We  bellere  him  to  be  the  only 
one  in  ^igland  who  professes  both  those  arts^  although  his  age  does  not 
exceed  twentv.  What  may  we  expect  to  see  from  him  when  he  has 
had  ten  yeanr  practice  f 

On  March  4, 1799,  appeared 

Proposals  for  publishing  by  SubscriptioD,  (Price  10a.  6d.>— Eight 
Songs  and  Four  tSanconets^  dedicated  (oy  Permisrion;  to  the  Riffbt 
Honourable  Lord  Yisoount  Dudley  and  Ward.  Bj  Jeremiah  Olme^ 
ILBLy  Oiganisti  in  Birmingham. 

On  July  8,  Mr.  John  CoUard  published  his  well  known 
''Fkvxis  of  Logic,  for  the  use  of  Schools.*  This  gentleman 
was  one  of  the  Twelve  Apostles  who  used  to  meet  at  "Poet 
Freeth's;**  and  he  consequently  figures  in  Eckstein's  Tontine 
Paintinff.  He  was  a  hatter  and  tailor  in  High  Street^  and 
is  de8cm)ed  as  "bein^  veiy  fond  of  discussion.**  He  retired 
from  busioess  and  lived  ma"  pretty  sylvan  cottage,  near 
the  Ben  and  Cuckoo,  on  the  Sutton-road.**    Here  he  wrote 


EDUCATION  AND  UTEBATUBE.  119 

his  works^  the  "  Esseniiftls  of  Loffic,"  the  ^  Praxis  of  Logic/' 
and  ''other  elaborate  treatise&  A  mezzotint  portrait  of 
Mr.  CoIIard  was  published  in  1808,  from  a  picture  by 
Lonsdaloi  His  works  obtained  considerable  reputation  at 
the  time,  and  are  not  quite  unknown  at  the  present  day. 

In  Jul^  of  this  year  (1799),  appeared  the  advertisement 
of  ''Birmingham,  a  Poem,"  by  iir.  J.  Bisset  This  gentle- 
man was  also  of  the  "Twelve ;"  who  seem  to  have  included 
nearly  all  the  men  of  intellect  of  the  day.  In  the  key  to 
the  "Tontine  Painting'*  we  have  the  following  brief 
biography  of  this  old  Birmingham  worthy : — 

Mr.  Juam  Biwet  kept  a  Baxaar  and  MuMom,  in  New  8treet»  and 
being  the  longest  liTer  of  the  twelve,  he  nltimalelT  beeame  poeeeeeor 
of  the  Tontine  Pietore.  Later  in  life  he  removed  to  Leamington,  where 
he  continued  to  keep  a  Mnaenm  ontil  hie  deceaae.  One  evemng,  whilst 
living  in  New  Street,  and  soffering  most  acately  fiom  an  attack  of 
f^%  two  of  the  Club,  agrecablv  to  a  pre-concoted  plan,  entered  his 
sitting  room  disguised  as  highwaymen  and  well  armed,  roughly 
demanded  his  mon^,  and,  as  wm  expected,  Mr.  Bissst  reskted,  and 
forgettittff  his  goat»  actually  chased  the  sapposed  robhers  to  IVeeth's 
houe  in  £ell  Street,  where  the  practical  joke  became  at  once  apparent, 
and,  strange  to  say.  he  never  again  snfiered  from  the  same  excmciating 
complaint^  to  whicn  he  had  Ibr  a  long  time  previonsly  been  a  martvr. 
Another  anecdote  has  been  rdated  to  the  writer  of  these  sketdies  by 
an  eye  witneai^  which  afforded  a  **  striking  exhibition  *  of  the  hittemess 
of  party  feelink  which  ran  high  at  the  period  referred  to  (Circa  1790). 
One  evening  Mr.  Bisect  had  the  temerity  to  call  in  at  Linden's,  the 
Tory  house,  in  Peek  Lane,  when  one  <^  the  company  indecently  pnffed 
a  volume  of  smoke  into  his  fiice.  Up  to  this  moment  Mr.  Bisset  had 
sobmitted  with  perfect  indifference  to  the  many  petty  and  insulting 
ohservations  maae  indirectly  at  him,  bat  the  moment  an  indifliiW  was 
directly  offered  to  him,  he  resented  Uie  insult  bv  ftlling  the  offcDoer  to 
the  groond.  A  general  m616e  took  place^  whidi  ended  in  Bisset^s 
snmmary  faction  Into  the  street,  and  a  breakage  of  glasses  and  Jags, 
&C.,  amoonUng  to  nearly  five  poond%  whkh  Mr.  B&set  had  to  pay, 
being  soed  for  the  amount  in  the  Coart  of  Beqaests,  He  was  con- 
sidered a  connoiaMar  of  paintings  and  worics  of  art  The  following  is 
a  copj  of  the  inscription  on- the  tombstone  erected  to  his  memory  by 
his  mends  and  admireia,  in  the  chorch-yard  at  Leamington : — 

Sacred  To  the  Memory  of 
JiJias  BissR, 
Hfho  died  Aamt  17,  1838,  Aged  78  yeara 
lUs  Honoment  was  erected  bv  his  Friends  in  tolDsn  of  their  respect  to 

hu  memory. 
BoROTHT  BiasKT,  Dicd,  December  14th,  1886^  Aged  68. 

Hk  poem  <m  Birmingham  wbb,  in  het,  a  new  method  of 
adyertising,  as  elegant  as  it  was  ingenious.  Week  after 
week  bis  annoanoement  of  this  new  ventare  anpeared  in  tbe 
Oazette;  shewing  that  he  was  a  master  of  toe  art  himself, 
and  set  a  good  example  to  those  whose  fitvoara  he  solicited. 


120  A  CENTUBT  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

One  of  ihese  advertisements  will  afford  the  reader  a  clear' 

idea  of  the  character  of  the  undertaking : — 

Jnlr  29, 1799. 

BIBMINGHAM: 

A  POAC, 

ContaiDiDg  a  Description  of  the  different  Manu&ctories  and  other 
CariosiUes  to  be  seen  in  the  Town  and  Neighbonrhood, 

Acoompanied  by  a  most  maflnifioent  Directory,  or  Nominal 
Concatenation  of  all  the  pnncipal  Gentlemen.  Merdianta,  ArUsts, 
TVadeemen,  Mann&bctnrerSy  &c.,  in  and  aboilt  Birmingham. 

J.  Binet  roapectliilly  informs  the  Pablic^  that  having  executed  the 
Designs  for  the  Copper  Plates,  which  are  now  in  the  Hands  of  the 
most  eminent  Artists — those  Gentlemen  who  may  wish  to  have  their 
Names,  Professions,  or  Place  of  Besidence  inserted,  will  be  pleased  to 
transmit  the  same  to  him,  at  his  Mnsenm,  in  order  that  they  may  be 
properly  registered  and  alphabetically  arranged. 

Many  of  the  Designs  are  emblematical  of  the  different  Professions 
or  Trades,  whidi  contain  the  Names  of  the  respective  Parties,  viz. : 
Artists,  Merchants^  Gnn-makers,  Sword-Cutlers,  Japanners,  Brass- 
foonden^  Stationers,  principal  Inn%  Ac,  See,  Others  represent  some 
of  the  principal  Bnildinjn  in  the  town,  vis. :  the  Chnrdies^  Free  Sdiod, 
Blae  School,  Crescent^  Theatre,  Lloyd's  Hotel.  6ea,  &c ;  sJso  a  perspeo- 
tive  View  of  Deritend  Chapel,  and  the  Apollo,  with  a  Soroll  for  the 
Names  of  Gentlemen,  Thulesmen,  &&,  in  that  Qoarter. 

As  it  is  an  Undertaking  that  will  combine  both  Elegance  and 
Usefalness,  no  Pains  nor  Expenoe  will  be  spared  to  make  it  worthy  the 
Attention  of  the  Pablie.  The  seneral  Approbation  his  novel  and 
eccentric  Proposals  have  received  from  those  respectable  Gentlemen 
who  have  honoured  him  with  their  Names,  and  inspected  the  Designs, 
has  induced  him  to  proceed  on  a  most  extensive  scale. 

Those  who  may  not  pfoperl^  comprehend  the  magnificent  Plan 
J.  B.  has  adopted,  to  extend  the  Circulation  of  the  respedable  Addresses 
he  may  receive  (and  at  the  same  Time,  he  hopes^  do  Honour  to  the 
TownX  may  see  Specimens  of  Uie  jSngravings,  and  receive  an 
Explanation,  by  applying  as  abovioL  or  at  the  Pnnter^a 

Any  Gentleman  wishing  to  find  hn  own  Plate^  may  be  accommodated 
with  a  Place  finee  of  Expence^  otherwise  the  Insertion  of  the  Name  will 
be  10a  ed.,  to  be  paid  when  the  Plates  are  complete;  but  any  indigent 
or  ingenious  Artist  or  Manufacturer  who  cannot  afford  to  pay,  dudl 
have  a  Place  gratia 

No  Name  can  be  inserted  after  the  lOth  of  August,  and  as  no 
personal  Application  will  be  made,  and  nc  Names  engraved  but  those 
who  send  in  their  Address,  it  rests  with  every  Gentleman  whether  he 
chuses  to  have  his  Name  appear  along  with  those  of  his  respectable 
Nelghboura 

J.  B.  in  a  former  Advertisement  obviously  pointed  out  the  general 


Utility  of  his  Phin,  as  it  is  meant  to  snpmede  the  NecsAtv  of 
Gentlemen,  fta,  issuing  their  own  Oardi^  as  by  this  Mode  tW  wui  be 
disseminated  not  only  over  the  whole  kingdom,  but  will,  in  lime,  find 
their  Way  to  the  first  atlss  In  the  Univena  and  wHI  (doubtless)  be 
■ouriit  with  Avidi^  by  all  Encouragers  of  the  liberal  Aria 

fie  can  promise  out  little  for  the  Pbem  which  wOl  accompany  sudi 
an  elegant  Combination  of  Superb  Engravings— 


EDUCATION  AND  LITERATURE.  121 

Bat  if  an  Aathor  does  his  best, 
*  Sore  Oandour  will  excuse  the  rest 
The  nmneroos  and  respectable  Applications  J.  B.  has  received  to 
pablidi  the  Rambles  of  Tony  Lnmpkin  through  Birmingham,  which 
was  spoken  at  the  Theatre,  by  Mr.  Mnnden  (and  receiyea  with  sndi 
nnboonded  applause),  he  freely  coinplies  with  their  Bequest,  and 
intends  annexmff  it  to  the  aboye  Poem,  which  he  hopes  will  be 
published  about  tne  middle  of  September. 

Bemainsy  with  great  Respect, 

The  Public's  Obsdiint  Beslyabt, 
Museum,  Birmingham,  July  25, 1799. 

what  tho^  we  boast  no  Riyec^s  genial  Source, 
And  from  the  Ocean — ^Rocks  impede  our  Course^ 
Imperyious  Mountains  yielding  to  our  Skill, 
We  pierce  their  Centers — and  the  Valleys  fill, 
Direct  their  Springi-H9onstruct  a  Nayioation, 
To  waft  our  Oommeroe  to  each  distant  Nation, 
And  show,  when^er  our  Patterns  are  unfurrd, 
For  Worin  of  Fancy  we  outstrip  the  World. 

The  book,  heralded  by  so  many  **  puffi  prelimixuuy,^  was 
published  in  January,  1800,  and  is  an  admirable  specimen 
of  an  illustrated  DiiectoTy,  Many  of  the  engravings  are 
artistically  designed,  and  beautifully  executed.  It  is  also 
useful  as  giving  us  the  names  ana  places  of  business  of 
many  of  our  ear^  manufacturera  The  illustrated  Directoxy 
is  preceded  by  two  poems,  ezdnsive  of  an  ''Address  to  the 
Beader,"  and  an  "  Introduction,''  the  first  called  a  **  Poetic 
Survey  round  Birmingham,  &c."  and  the  second  a  *'  Ramble 
of  the  Qods  through  Birmingham."  We  will  accompany 
the  Qods,  and  see  with  them  now  Birmingham  looked  to  a 
contemporary  in  1800  :-;- 

Of  Public  Charities  we  hare  our  share, 

To  which  all  freely  give,  who  auffht  can  gptxt ; 

For,  independent  of  the  Levies  clear. 

Which  net  near  Tbibtt  Thousaho  Pouium  per  year, 

There's  various  Institntioiis,  where,  indeed. 

Beliefs  afforded  to  the  poor  in  need ; 

Who  oft^  with  grateful  hearts,  those  gifts  receive, 

Which  hb'ral  Smon  oft  so  freely  give. 

Of  PoBUo  PLAOn  for  Am  usncmT,  we 
Cuk  bcMSt  of  little  more  than  Two  or  Thru  ; 
Of  LnaAmoHi  lars,  we  number  two. 
One  called  the  Ou>,  the  other  styl'd  the  Nbw. 
We^re  Hails  and  Ooaoubs,  HoiraLT  setting  out 
For  ev'ry  Towv  and  Couirrr  round  about, 
And  am  eonvayaaoe  have  to  every  part, 
For  East,  Wm,  NoBfs  and  Bonn,  they  daily  start. 

Of  handsome  Haonnn'  OoAons  we^re  our  share. 
But  yet  BO  Act  to  regulate  their  fare ; 
Of  course  the  Oo AOBiaur  diaige  whatever  they  please^ 
Tho^  few  are  found  extorting  extra  fees; 


122  A  CENTUEY  OF  BIBMINGHAM  LIFEL 

Youll  find  them  steady  fellowB,  and  quite  willing 
To  drive  you  several  stieets'  length  for  a  sfaiUing ; 
Two  Shillinos  to  Yauzhall's  their  nsoal  fare, 
Or  EiOHTBrar-PxirGB  the  CassomiT  or  the  Squasb  ; 
But  those  who  visit  Handsworth  or  Soho, 
Had  better  make  a  baigain,  ere  they  go. 

Of  Bavks  we've  Four, — ^than  which  none  in  the  land 
Upon  a  steadier,  firmer  basis  stand ; 
"Wnen  Stoces  were  low,  and  disooont^s  rapid  foroe 
Had  almost  drained  Old  Abr'am's  grand  resource, 
The  Credit  of  onr  Bakkbrb  firmly  stood ; 
As  sterling  Qold,  their  Noris  were  fall  as  ffood. 
Nor  c/'er  were  aaeation'd  all  throof  hont  the  land ; 
The  Beason's  plain — they  pay  ^T^v  Dbjcand." 

Old  Yolcan  said,  ^  Of  one  thing  he  was  sure, 
^  The  atmoq>here  we  breathe  is  dear  and  pure ; 
^  The  num'rous  Firbs  around,"  he  said,  ^  bid  fair 
''T'expel  all  Yafours,  purify  the  Air; 
**  And  though,  in  some  thmgs.  Doctors  differ  still, 
"  To  controvert  that  truth,  there's  none  that  wilL** 

OurSTRSsn  are  spacious,  BniLDnros  neat  and  dean, 
As  in  a  Tradxvo  Towk  were  ever  seen ; 
And  FcTTBiar  Thousaxd  Housbb  here  you'll  find. 
With  thrice  Tev  THonaAKD  Shops  arranged  bdiind. 

The  Strbbib  are  paVd,  'tis  true,  but  all  the  stones 
Are  set  the  wronff  way  up,  in  shape  of  cones. 
And  BTBaHOBBS  ump  along  the  best  paVd  street, 
As  if  parch'd  peas  were  streVd  beneath  their  feet ; 
Wb^  custom  makes  the  Nativbs  scarodv  fed 
Sharp-pointed  pebbles  press  the  toe  or  heel 

A  Traveller  furnishes  us  with  the  following  remarks  on 
some  of  the  works  of  Mr.  Eginton,  an  eminent  artist  in 
stained  glass : — 

July  28, 180a 

To  the  PriMUr  oftk$  Birmimgham,  OaseU€. 

Sir, — ^EUkvinff  frequently  beheld,  with  infinite  pleasure^  the  various 
works  of  that  justly-oelebrated  artist  in  stained  glass,  Mr.  Eoivrov,  of 
Handsworth,  near  Birmingham,  pennit  me,  as  a  small  tribute  to  his 
superior  merits  thus  to  express  the  delight  and  satirfaetion  I  again 
lately  felt  in  viewing  another  of  his  pioductioiis,  put  up  by  the  munifi- 
cence of  JosBPB  Soon,  Esq.,  in  the  east  wmdow  of  Great  Bar  Chapel, 
the  16th  Instant.  Thesubjeetof  this bsaatifal pictars is  veiy  happily 
borrowed  from  the  Bev.  w,  Peter's  Spirit  of  a  Child  conducted  bv  an 
Antttl  into  the  Presence  of  its  liaksr ;  in  the  eBSCntion  cl  whidi  uere 
aivhere  evidently  some  very  material  impvovenMots  upon  the  orijpnal 
design,  particularly  in  the  judicious  introdoction  of  some  hi|^y-finiahed 
douds,  which  baopilv  rehere  the  brilliant  effect  of  the  preteraatnnd 
light  The  gmcsful  f onns,  light  flowing  hair,  and  exquisitely  beantifnl 
and  interesting  countenances  ct  the  two  figoiss,  are  admirahly  dsBneatsd 
and  sf^Ptened  by  that  gradation  cl  tints  and  cnasts  cokniring  mknown 
to  the  antients  m  the  art  ol  painting  ^bss.    The  excellent  proportion  of 


AlCUSEKENTS.  123 

the  window  must  likewise  strike  eveiy  beholder^  as  well  as  its  adTsnta- 
0BOII8  flitaatioii  in  a  semi-dreley  where  no  intruding  side  Jiflht  diminishes 
the  happy  effect  of  the  whole.  On  the  foUowinf^  Snnoay.  being  the 
wake,  T  had  the  satisfaction  of  attendmff  Divme  Wonhip  in  this 
eleoant  GhfqMl,  when  the  Bev.  K  Waters  deliTered  a  Tery  appropriate 
ana  ^^^n*^*^  dinoarse  on  the  occasion,  from  the  1st  chi^)ter  A  tne  Ist 
book  of  Kings,  the  7th  and  8th  Terses,  on  the  merits  of  whidi  I  conld 
expatiate  trolj;  bat  from  the  fear  of  takinj^  up  too  much  of  your 
▼aluable  V^^^t  I  *K^  conclude  with  lefemnff  your  readers  to  his 
volume  of  SxRicoirSy  immediately,  I  undeistan^^  to  be  adTertised  for 
publication.  Viatob. 

There  were,  of  course,  occasional  lectures,  scientific  and 

others,  but  the  literary  progress  of  the  town  between  1791 

and    1801  was  not  iBncouraping.     War,  distress,  political 

despotism  and  religious  intoferance,  were  enough  to  check 

any  efforts  for  increasinff  the  educational  resources  of  the 

town.    The  Blue  Coat  School,  the  Protestant  Dissenting 

School,  and  the  -Sunday  Schools,  were  almost  the  only 

institutions  which  were  now  engaged  in  giving  education  to 

the  poor. 


§  4.     AHUSEBCEMT& 


The  badness  of  the  times  had  a  depressing  influence  on  the 
amusements  of  the  peopla  The  theatre  was  open  for  its 
ordiniuT  season  of  four  months  in  each  year ;  and,  judging 
from  the  slight  notices  given,  was  toleraUv  succesafol 
Some  of  the  greatest  pmormers  on  the  iSiglish  stage 
appeared  in  the  town,  and  some  new  plays  were  produced, 
^tertainments  of  other  kinds  were  not  numerous.  A  time 
of  dearth,  of  war,  of  short  trade,  and  overwhcdming  taxes, 
is  certainly  not  a  time  in  which  we  should  expect  to  find 
much  pipmff  and  dandnff.  The  ordinary  seriousness  and 
gravity  of  the  people  would  be  increased  by  their  sufferings, 
and  they  had  httle  care  for  what  under  such  circumstances 
would  have  appeared  the  frivolities  of  Ufa  The  first  para- 
graph we  meet  with  relates  to  private  theatricals : — 

FuvATs  TRmanu^  Livbrt  SnBBr. 

Febmaiy  <L  1798.— The  Kanageis,  bsiog  sensible  of  the  Incon- 
TenisDoe  which  many  Ladies  must  have  eamwimead,  from  a  more 
numeioas  andioioe  mnerallj  attendim  than  the  ThesAra  will  oonTeni- 
ently  hold,  retpeetfollj  inform  their  VnmdM  that  in  Man  no  Gentle- 
man, beinff  a  non-sobseriber,  can  be  admitted ;  and  tiiat  ibtt  Ti^els 
defiTsred  for  the  last  Eycning's  FolonnaDoa^eamiot  be  admitted  on  an j 


124  A  CENTUBT  OF  BIBHIKOHAM  LIFE. 

future  eyening,  m  no  ticket  will  be  deemed  admisBable  unlesB  r^galarly 
indozved  by  a  eabeciiber. 

The  once  celebrated  Polish  dwarf  was  wiih  us  this  year : 

February  13,  I792.--B7  PeimiasimL— Mr.  Boruwlaaki  (the  Poliah 
Qeutlemaii),  aged  62  years,  only  Three  Feet  Three  Inches  in  Statare, 
has  the  Honour  to  announce  his  Arrival  in  this  Town.  His  favourable 
Beception,  among  persons  of  the  first  Bank,  haa  induced  him  to  hope 
for  the  same  Protection  from  the  Ladies  and  Gentlemen  of  this  Place, 
and  its  environs. 

He  will  receive  Company  from  Eleven  o'clock  in  the  Morning  till 
Three,  and  from  Four  m  the  Afternoon  till  Seven,  at  Mrs.  Momll's, 
Shoeinaker,  Hi^^-street,  opposite  the  end  of  New-atreet. 

Admittuio^  to  see  hun,  la  each 'Person. 

N.R — ^If  Mr.  Boruwlaud  does  not  give  a  Concert,  which  his  Frioids 
have  done  him  the  Honour  to  BequMt^  he  will  leave  Birmingham  on 
Saturday  next 

There  were  Maccabes  in  those  days,  and,  judging  firom  his 

billy  Mr.  Collins  was  of  the  number . — 

January  14, 1793. 

For  Two  or  Three  Nights  at  Most. 

""Sport,  that  wrinkled  Care  derides. 
And  Laughter,  holding  both  his  sides." 

At  the  Gentlemen's  Private  Theatre,  in  Livery  Street,  on  Wednesday, 
January  16, 1793,  will  be  presented  for  the  first  time  in  Birmingham, 

Gbllins's  New  Embellished 
jBvuniio  BausB, 
For  Bnbbing  off  The  Bust  of  Osre, 
As  exhibited  Fifty-two  Nij^ts  last  Winter,  at  the  Lyceum,  in  ixindon, 
to  overflowing  Houses,  after  One  Hundred  and  Ninety-four  Bepetitiona 
of  the  Brush  in  its  original  Sti^  at  the  Boyalty  Theatre,  and  the 
ijyo&oBk  before, 

By  the  Author  Himself. 

The  whole  interspersed  with  the  f oQowingNew  and  Oridbal  Songs : 
The  Brash,  The  Kmg^  The  Stage  GoachTThe  Glorious  Ninety-three, 
John  Bun,  Prospect  cl  To-nunrow,  Gimblet-eyed  Kitty,  England's 
Alann,  Bodney's  Dag^f  Tngi-comie  Murder,  von  Two  Tree  leetel 
Voids  a  la  Fhui9oi8e,  and  the  Historjr.  of  Ennand  through  Two  and 
Thirty  Beigns,  a  copious  subject  short  in  Detail  1 

Dom  open  at  Half  after  Six.  Begin  exactly  at  Seven.  Admittance, 
Two  Shillings. 

The  House  will  be  oom^letely  aired,  as  two  lam  stoves  will  be  kept 
eonstantiy  boniing  every  Day,  and  have  been  so  for  several  Days  past 

N.Bw  Gonveoient  l4ghU  placed  in  the  Gonrt  Yard  leading  to  the 
Theatre. 

The  French  Revolution  introduced  what^  in  ''these  degene- 
rate days,"  would  be  called  a  new  sensation  in  amusements. 
This  was  no  other  than 

ApnliiBd,1798. 

La  GmLLonin; 
Gr  Beheadinff  Madiine  horn  Plaria.     As  exhibited  at  the  Hay  Market^ 
houSaa,  before  the  principal  Nobility  of  the  Kingdom. 


AiiusEHEirrs.  1 25 

The  unhappy  Fate  of  the  late  King  of  France  having  excited  univer- 
•al  Oompassion  in  this  Ck>iintr7,  it  is  presomed  that  the  Curiosity  of  tiie 
PaUic  will  be  ([ratified  by  tiie  View  and  the  Effect  of  an  Instrument 
like  that  by  which  he  suffered.  Accordingly  a  Guillotine  has  been  con- 
■tmcted  under  the  immAHiai^tt  Direction  of  a  Gentleman  who  was  present 
at  the  &tal  Period,  and  who  very  minutely  examined  the  Origmal,  to 
whidi  it  is  exactly  similar  in  every  Bespect  And  in  order  that  the 
Effect  of  Uie  Machine  may  be  better  conveyed  to  the  Spectator,  the 
Execution  is  performed. on  a  Figure  as  large  as  life;  the  H€»d  is  severed 
from  the  Boay  by  a  tremendous  Fall  of  the  Axe,  and  the  Illusion  is 
complete. 

The  Exhibition  to  conmience  on  Wednesday  next^  at  the  Public 
Booms,  New-street,  and  to  continue  •▼^  Dey  of  this  and  the  following 
Week.  Admittance  One  Shilling  each  BorBon.  Hours  from  Eleven  tifi 
Five  o^Glock  each  Day. 

Our  friends  the  GampaDologiaiis  will  be  delighted  with 

the  following  record  of  a  succcssfol  feat : — 

October  7, 1793.— On  Tuesday  last  was  rung  at  St  Peter^s  Churdi, 
Aston,  near  this  town,  a  true  and  complete  peal  of  Bob  Majors, 
consisting  of  15,360  diangea,  which  was  completed  in  9  hours  and 
31  minutely  by  eight  of  the  society  of  that  nboe ;  including,  it  is  said, 
the  most  changes,  and  greatest  length  of  time,  ever  rung  in  this 
kingdom. 

The  events  in  France  famished  the  Birmingham  people 

with  another  entertainment^  which  is  thus  announced : — 

November  4,  1793.— We  understand  that  a  large  beautiful  Trans- 
parent Painting,  descriptive  of  that  most  afTeoting  and  interesting 
Event,  Louis  X  Yl.,  King  of  France,  taking  a  final  Leave  of  the  Queen 
and  IVanilv  in  the  Temple^  a  few  Minutes  previous  to  his  Execntioii. 
with  two  laige  emblematical  Side  Pieces,  representing  CSalumny  ana 
lyrannv;  is  in  great  Forwardness,  done  as  laxge  as  Life^  by  an  eminent 
Artist  of  this  Town,  and  will  be  exhibited  in  a  large  oommodious  Boom 
at  the  Union  Tavern.  Cherry-street,  on  Thnrsdav  next,  and  following 
Bayi^  from  eleven  ordoek  till  two,  and  from  nve  till  ^ht  In  the 
evenmg.  And  in  order  tofrepaU  the  duagfreecAle  EJUmia  arinmgfrom 
Lamf^  «M  art  informed  U  it  the  Proprietar^e  InieiUian  to  Ugkt  up  the 
Fieee  with  Wax. 

This  '^  transparency''  produced  four  extempore  lines: — 

November  18»  1793L 

EzTCMPORK — On  seeiog  Mr.  Wilson's  Transparent  Painting,  now 
exhibiting  at  the  Union  Tavern,  Cherry-street 

If  aoght  ean  make  us  feel  another's  pain, 
Or  raise  a  sigh  for  Friends  in  deep  distress, 

lis  this  afSMting— eUent — tragie  scene^ 
Whieh  dictates  more  than  language  can  express. 

Theatrical  amusements  were  suspended  for  some  time  by 

an  act  of  incendiarism.    On  August  20,  1792,  the  Oazette 

contained  the  following  account  of 

Tbb  Bmarnio  or  tbb  Thsatri. 
Many  ineffeetoal  attempts  have  been  made  for  some  mbnths  past 
to  set  lire  to  oar  Theatre ;  bat  at  leogth  the  wicked  villains  have 


126  A  CENTUKY  OF  BIEMINGHAM  UFE. 

saooeeded  in  their  execrable  designs.  A  little  after  one  o'clock  on 
Friday  morning  last  this  beautiful  edifice  was  disooyered  to  be  on  fire ; 
and  scarcely  had  the  alarm  been  giyen,  when  immense  fiames,  preceded 
by  yast  yolumes  of  smoke,  issued  from  the  fVont  and  eyery  part  of  the 
building,  and  illuminated  the  whole  town.  Though  the  engines  amved 
with  allpossible  expedition,  and  the  Officers  and  Troops  of  the  Roj^ 
Bagiment  of  Horse  Guards,  quartered  in  the  town,  as  well  as  the 
inSibitants,  gaye  their  ready  assistance,  the  flames  raged  with  unabating 
fhry  the  well-constructed  roof  soon  fell  in,  and  in  the  course  of  about 
four' hours  the  whole  inside,  with  aU  the  scenery,  wardrobe,  musical 
instruments,  &c.,  and  whateyer  else  it  contained,  was  entirely  consumed, 
and  nothing  of  this  elegant  fiibrick  now  remains  but  the  bare  walls. 

The  consternation  into  which  the  whole  town  was  thrown  by  this 
dzeadfhl  fire  will  easily  be  imagined.  Most  of  the  neighbours  were 
employed  in  hastily  remoying  their  goods ;  and  the  fiunily,  as  well  as 
lodgen,  at  the  Shakespeare  Tayem,  with  ditteulty  escaped  suffocation 
laying  undressed  from  their  chambers.  Happily  the  night  was  calm, 
and  Uie  strength  of  the  party  walls,  and  the  engines  playing  upon  them, 
preyented  the  flames  from  communicating  to  the  Tayem  and  conliguous 
tuildings.  Mr.  Wilday,  the  Master  of  the  Tarem,  howeyer,  is  a  great 
■uifeier  from  the  destruction  of  much  of  his  furniture  in  remoyinjg 
it|  and  the  depredations  which  some  inhuman  wretches  took  this 
opportunity  to  commit  upon  him  and  the  rest  of  the  neighbours. 

That  the  Theatre  was  maliciously  set  on  fire  there  caimot  be  a  doubt 
Those  who  had  the  courage  to  enter  it  found  doors  opened  which  were 
locked  when  the  house  was  left  by  the  serranta  the  preoeding  eyeninff, 
and  they  obeenred  the  fire  had  been  lightedi  and  was  burning  with 
equal  fury,  in  three  different  parts  of  the  premises,  widely  distant 
from,  and  without  any  communication  with^  each  otoer;— out  what 
oonld  be  the  motiye  of  the  perpetrators  of  thb  horrid  aet»  cannot  be 
oonceiyed.  With  a  yiew,  howeyer,  of  diseoyering  the  yillainous  authors 
of  so  iniquitous  a  deed,  the  Proprietors  haye  ofiered  a  reward  of  200 
guineas,  which  we  trust  will  brinfthem  to  ligh^and  to  the  punishment 
tiiey  so  justly  merit.  The  premises  were  insured,  and  Mr.  Yates,  the 
Manager,  had  also  an  insurance  upon  the  wardrobe  and  soenes,  &&,  but 
toimamount  by  no  means  equal  to  their  yalue-  The  Performers  will 
be  yerr  great  sufferer*— the  dresses  of  all  of  them  were  entirely  bum^ 
except  Mr.  Maishall's,  who  had  the  intrepidity  to  enter  the  dressing 
TOOBL  and  resene  his  clothes  from  the  flames, 

=*      -        ••  '  -   —  ^'  -we  he 

l)le  connaj 

Birmingham  charity  at  once  came  in  to  relieve  the 
distress  caused  by  this  wicked  act  '  On  the  same  day 
that  the  report  of  the  fire  was  published,  we  read: — 

August  SO,  179i.— The  lata  dreadfbl  Fbe  in  New  Street  hanng 
depriyed  seyeral  Performers  of  the  aoeosloaied  Adyuitages  arising 
from  thrir  lespeetiye  Benefits— the  Oentleme A  of  the  Private  Theatre 
in  Liyery  Street,  haye  ffenerously  stepped  fbrwaid  in  this  Hour  of 
Distress,  and  haye  libenOly  offered  to  the  Oompany  the  Use  of  their 
Theatre  for  the  above  PonxMe.  The  Pablle  1^  therefore,  rsspeetfnlly 
informed  that  the  said  Theatre,  after  having  beeo  aoeoratehr  surveyed, 
is  nndergoing  Alterations  which  will  make  It  capable  of  eontaining 


AMUSEMENTa  127 


near  600  Penons ;  but  that  those  iMdiea  «nd  Qentlemmi  who  wiah  to 
pfttronixe  this  UndertakiDg  maj  meet  with  every  possible  Oon- 
▼enieiioe^  Tickets  for  400  only  will  be  issued. 

A  public  subscription  was  opened  for  the  same  purpose. 
The  proprietors  of  the  Theatre  contributed  sixty  euineaa 
They  also  voted  a  purse  of  twenty  guineas  to  the  soMiers  of 
the  Koyal  Bc^iment  of  Horse  Gua^,  for  their  active  assis- 
tance  during  the  fire ;  and  they  at  once  commenced  to  repair 
the  disaster  by  issuing  the  following  advertisement : — 

To  ArekUeeiSf  BuUden^  dte. 

A  Thvatrb. 

The  Committee  of  the  Proprietors  of  the  Theatre  at  Birmingham, 
lately  destroyed  by  Fire,  hereby  give  Notice  that  they  are  desirous  of 
rseeiTing  Plans  and  Sections  for  rebnilding  the  Inside  o(  and  roofing, 
the  said  Theatre.    * 

The  intention  of  the  Proprietors  is  to  have  a  eommodioiis  Stagey  a 
Pit^  two  Bows  of  Boxes  all  round  the  House,  and  a  Qalleiy  OTer  all  the 
Boxes.  The  Extent  of  the  Gromid  within  the  Walls  is  as  follows :— in 
Length,  One  Hundred  and  TwoIto  Feet ;  in  Breadth,  Forty-eiffht  Feet. 
A  (men  Boom,  Dressing  Booms^fte.,  a^foin  the  Theatre,  and  remain 
on  the  Ootaide  of  the  Walk. 

Thoraday,  the  First  of  Notember  next,  is  the  latest  Day  on  which 
Plans  csn  be  reedved ;  and  with  a  View  of  encooraffing  Artists  to  do- 
Hver  them  in,  the  Committee  onnge  to  pay  fat  the  flan  most  approred 
the  8am  of  Twenty  Ooineas,  ana  for  the  Plan  approred  after  that  the 
8am  of  Ten  Guineas.  All  Plans,  &&,  are  desired  to  be  addressed  to  the 
Committee^  at  the  8hakespeare  TaTorn,  Bumingbam,  or  left  with 

T.  Baoox^  Seer^aiy  to  the  PkY>prietor8. 

Binnins^iam,  October  10, 1798. 

By  November,  1 794,  the  new  building  was  so  far  advanced 
that  the  proprietors  advertiaed  for  a  manager : — 

BnimroBAii  TBxani. 

De&  1, 1704.— The  Gommittee  of  the  Proprietors  of  the  Bhrmingfaam 
Theatre  give  this  Pnblic  Notice,  in  conse^oence  of  thefar  Promise  to 
Tarious  Applicants  on  the  subject,  that  their  Theatre  will  be  ready  Ibr 
openlnff  the  latter  end  of  the  month  of  May,  1705,  and  that  the  Plan 
npon  wnidi  they  are  desirous  to  agree  wHh  any  Gentleman  to  engage 
and  manaoe  a  Cmnpany  Ibr  the  Sommer  8eason,  may  be  seen  on  lion- 
day,  Tuesday,  and  WednesdMr,  the  fin*.  8econd,  and  Third  Days  of 
December,  at  the  Office  of  G.  Sanden^  Esq.,  Na  86S,  Oxford-sUvet, 
London.  It  is  also  left  with  Mr.  Brooke,  Attorney  at  Law,  Temple 
Bow.  Burmingham.  to  whom  any  Gentlemen  inclined  to  make  Ph>posala 
are  oesfaned  to  send  them  before  Monday,  the  8th  of  December  next. 

Binniqgban,  Nor.  M,  17M. 

The  result  of  this  advertisement  is  given  in  the  next 

paragraph  >— 

May  tfthy  1790.— TtaB  Trbatu.— Our  new  Theatre  (whidi  for  the 
present  we  shall  content  onrsehrips  with  saying  will  be  enpeiior  in  ele- 
fpoeandgruideartosnyprovineialcneiniataver)  opens  next  month. 
The  GentMnan  with  whom  the  Pkt)prietois  have  eng^^  asMsnager  cf 


128       '  A  CENTUBY  OF  BIBiaNGHAM  LIFE. 

the  Oompanyis  Mr.  ITCready,  the  author  ci  the  new  Comedy  called  the 
Bank  NoUj  now  perfonning  with  aach  ftppUraae  and  aaoceasat  CSorent 
Garden.  The  Peif ormera  (the  names  <n  some  of  whom  we  hope  to  be 
able  to  give  in  our  next),  are  selected  from  the  London  Honaee ;  and 
from  w&t  we  can  learn,  the  liberal  Manager  appears  to  possess  the 
abilitj  and  spirit  to  form  suitable  arrangements  for  openmg  such  & 
House. 

That  }£r.  M'Cready  intended  to  conduct  his  management 

witii  spirit  is  evident.     The  next  theatrical  notice  gives  a 

list  of  the  **  stars"  he  had  engaged  for  the  season.   It  includes 

the  greatest  names  in  the  annals  of  the  stage . — 

June  Ist^  1795. — ^Thbatrb. — It  is  with  pleasure  we  inform  oar  readers 
that  the  spirited  Manager- of  the  Company  here,  this  Summer,  has 
engaged  for  the. public  amusement  ,a  greater  number  of  the  priiuar  * 
Lopflon  Peiformen^  than  ewex  yet  appeared  in  one  season  at  any  profn 
dal  theatre.  In  hit  list  we  perceive  uie  names  of  Mrs.  Siddons,  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Pope,  Mr.  Lewis,  Mr.  Middleton.  Mr.  Townshend,  B£r.  Hariey, 
Mr.  Ooxndlys^Mr.  Powell,  Mr.  Richardson,  Miss  CSbapman,  Miss  Mel- 
lon. Ac.  Mr.  Byrne  and  Madam  Bossi  (indisputably  the  first  dancers, 
ana  Hariequin  and  Columbine  in  En^hmd)  are  also  engased ;  as  are 
Master  ana  Miss  Standan,  the  favourite  ^  Children  in  the  Wood,"  and 
in  the  Prize  and  Tom  Thumb.  No  small  pains  have  been  taken  to  select 
a  snitaUe  Band  for  the  Orchestra.  It  will  be  led  by  Mr.  Weir,  of 
Oovent  Qarden  Theatre ;  and  Mr.  Clark  will  play  the  harpaidiord. 

The  new  Theatre  opened  on  Monday,  June  22, 1795,  and 
we  quote  the  contemporary  description  of  the  house : — 

.    Tbb  Tbsatbi. 

June  15,  1795. — We  have  the  satisfaction  to  announce,  that  onr 
Theatre  opois  on  Monday  next,  and  we  are  happy  that  we  can  gratify 
vublio  duiosity  with  some  description  of  tbis  splendid  edifice ;— erected 
sum  the  designs  of  George  Sanders,  Eaq.,  Architect,  of  London,  and 
under  the  directions  of  Mr.  Norton,  of  the  Crescent,  In  this  Town. 

Upon  entering  the  House,  the  eye  is  stnick  with  its  capacioosnees, 
el^ganca^  and  ricnnesa.  Its  fotm.  for  the  audience  part  of  the  Theatre, 
is  semi-CHrenlar  to  the  box  on  either  side  of  the  stagey  which,  as  iar  as 
eaeh  extends,  takea  the  line  of  a  oirde  reversed.  Two  tier  of  Sixteen 
Boxes  surround  the  House;  thev  are  decorated  with  many  white 
enamelled  Iron  Oolnmni^  representing  a  Bundle  of  Beeda^  the  fillet  that 
eneireles  and  binds  them,  and  the  vases  and  capitals,  bemg  richly  gilt. 
From  above  the  colamns  project  elegant  brackets,  which  suspend  the 
brilliant  glass  cut  cfaandeli«ts.  The  coloor  of  the  inside  of  the  Boxes  is 
a  deep  pinky  the  covering  of  the  seats  crimson,  and  the  cushions  apple 


The  Pit  is  most  ample  and  commodion^  and  here  the  spectator  sees, 
with  peihaps  better  effect,  the  whole  decoration  of  the  Hoose,  whidi,  in 
executing  from  the  Ardiiteoi's  design,  does  so  much  oedit  to  Mr.  Dixon. 
He  sees  as  he  directs  his  view,  the  elegant  ornaments  painted  on  the 
parapets  in  IVont  of  the  Boxes^  the  magnificent  Ceiling  in  the  form  <tf 
a  Fan,  adorned  with  antique  4giues  and  omamenta  corresponding  with 
the  decoration  of  the  Boxes,  and  the  costly  painted  Curtain,  through 
which  spP|MU«9  in  an  opening  38  ftsi  wide,  the  Stage  with  the  vivid  and 
splendia  Scenery  of  Measra  Qrsenwood  and  Dixon,  the  masterly  exe- 


JLMUSSMENT&  129 

cation  of  which  wiU,  we  doabt  not^  oonfimi  and,  if  pooBiUc^  increase  the 
oelebriiy  of  these  eminent  Artists.. 

The  Gallenr  is,  perhaps,  the  largest^  and,  we  may  Tentnie  to  pro- 
noance,  one  of  the  oest  in  Europe ;  and  the  pubHc^s  safe^  andconve- 
nience,  in  coming  to  and  goinff  from  tiie  House,  has  been  partienlarly 
eonsolted.  The  entrance  to  Box,  Pitb  and  GaLlerr,  is  fix>m  different 
Streets ;  and  there  is  not^  what  has  oeen  so  mnda  complained  of  in 
other  theatres,  any  step  or  descent  whatever  in  the  entiy  from  the  street 
to  the  Pit  A  himdsome  Saloon  receives  the  company  before  tiiey  so 
into  the  Boxes,  and  a  commnnication  is  made  from  eadb  lobby  to  tne 
larse  ball-room  in  front  of  the  house,  where  refreshments  will  be  pro- 
▼ioed ;  and  whither  those  Ladies  and  Qentiemen  who  may  wish  to 
relieve  themselves  between  the  actsi  and  the  play  and  entertainmentv 
may  repair.  We  shall  now  only  aad.  that  as  the  walls  of  this  hoge 
fikbric  (whidi  enclose  a  space  in  lenfftli  of  one  hundred  and  nine  £wt^ 
and  in  width  of  seventy-nine)  have  oeen  erected  nearly  two  years,  no 
apprehension  of  dampness  need  be  entertained ;  and  observe,  that  as  the 
Manager  seems  to  vie  with  the  spirit  of  the  PMprieton,  by  txringing  to 
the  fint  provincial  Theatre  a  Company  of  Performers  snperior  to  any 
that  ever  yet  left  the  metropolis^  we  hope  the  exertions  that  have  been 
made^  and  the  great  expences  incurred  for  the  public's  accommodation 
and  amusement  will  not  be  unremunflnted.  Indeed,  we  persuade  our- 
selvsi^  that  when  it  is  considered  how  many  thousands  must  have  been 
expended  in  ereetiog  this  sumptuous  edifice^  and  how  large  an  income 
will  be  required  to' support  a  Company  worthy  of  it^  the  public 
liberality  will  not  exact  that  the  admission  prices  here  to  the  Box  and 
Pit  should  be  laww  than  at  other  respectable  towns  in  the  country.  At 
Liverpool^  Bath,  Bristol,  Bichmond,  Margate,  and  Brighton,  the  Box 
price  IS  /bur  MlUnffS^  the  Pit  tw>  skiUiiws  wui  nxpenoe^  taid  in  several 
of  these  Theatres  when  very  capital  perxormers  appear,  those  prices  are 
raised;  but  here  it  is  respectfully  proposed  to  fix  upon  tneuL  and 
invariably  abide  by  theoL  The  admission  to  the  Gallery  will  oe  aa 
usual,  only  a  Shilling. 

A  later  adyertisement   informed    the   public  that  the 

house  would  be  illuminated  with  wax. 

The  report  of  the  opening  ia  exceedingly  brief : — 

June  SKh,  1705.— Tbb  THnATRS^— Having  already  given  a  descrip- 
timi  el  this  large  and  costly  fabric,  it  wOl  now  be  unnecesnry  for  us  to 
say  more  upon  the  subject^  than  that  it  was  opened  with  great  edat  on 
Monday  evenmg,  by  Mr.  MXJready*  and  a  London  CMnpanv;  and 
that  to  its  other  recommendationa  ii  to  be  added  that  the  actors  voice 
is  hmxd  in  every  part  of  the  house  with  the  flreatest  deamess.  No 
expence  or  exertions  seem  to  be  spared  by  Mr.  M'Creadjr  to  aiford  the 
Duuic  the  best  amusement ;  and  with  that  liberality  whidi  he  has  uni- 
formly evinced  in  all  his  transaetiona  here,  he  has  made  an  offer  to  the 
Msmrales  of  the  whole  receipta  of  a  iijgnt,  for  the  benefit  of  the  poor 
of  we  town.  This  offbr  has  been  acoepteiL  and  the  niflht  is  fixed  for 
Wednesday  nflxt|  wlien  we  doubt  not  but  the  Theatre  will  be  filled  by 
the  beoevelent  ot  all  nmka 

The  seaaon'waa  aucceaafuL    The  manager  gave  a  benefit 

^  The  father  of  the  famons  actor,  W.  C.  Msereadj.    The  great  tmgediaa 
made  his  first  appearsnoe  on  the  stage  la  this  town, 
u.  K 


130  A  QENTURT  OF  BIRMIKOHAH  LIFE. 

for  the  poor,  and  another  for  the  General  Hospital.     We 

quote  the  paragraph  relating  to  the  last  night : — 

September  14th,  1796. — Oq  Friday  eyening  oar  Theatre  cloeed  for 
ihie  Seaeon.  The  pUy  (Alexander  the  Great)  waa  for  the  Benefit  of 
Mr.  Hollman ;  and  the  appearance  of  the  Hon.  Mrs.  Twialeton,  in  the 
diaracter  of  Statira,  oontrioated  in  no  small  desree  to  fill  the  Honae. 
Mr.  MTGready,  the  Manager,  io  a  handsome  address,  took  his  leave  of 
the  town,  and  ex  pressed  in  a  yery  feeling  manner  his  gratitude  for  the 
eonnteDance  and  iayours  he  had  experienced ;  and  it  is  but  justice  to 
him  to  say  that,  if  unwearied  exertions,  liberality  of  spirit,  and  an 
ardent  desire  to  know  and  conform  in  eyery  instance  to  the  wishes  of 
the  public^  can  entitle  a  man  to  fnture  finyonr  and  protection,  no  one, 
we  think,  can  nige  a  stronger  daim  than  Mr.  M'Gready. 

The  next  season  opened  with  mudi  promise;  and  we 
have  a  few  unusually  long  critidsms,  or  notices  of  the 
performanoea  We  quote  one  or  two  of  these  as  illustrationa 
of  the  time.  On  June  20, 1796,  we  have  this  notice  of  a 
comic  Opera : — 

Thkatrioaus. 

The  comic  Opera  of  the  Woodman,  perlbrmed  last  week  at  our 
neatra,  and  receiyed  with  soch  flattering  maris  of  ffeneral  approbation, 
was  brought  forward  as  a  most  compMt  and  Inished  exhibition. 
Independent  of  the  combined  excellence  of  the  psi-ftyrmers^  rinffers,  and 
orchestra,  the  Archery  Scenes  with  the  addition  of  a  most  exceUent  and 
characteristic  dance^  woald  haye  reflected  honour  upon  any  Theatre^  and 
cannot,  in  troth,  be  equalled  by  any  other  groiip  of  performers  in  this 
kingdom.  A  repetition  of  this  pi«oe  is  mndi  wished  for  by  the  town, 
and  will  be  amply  supported.  The  new  and  fityoorite  monad  drama 
of  Lock  and  Key  was  acted  for  the  first  time  here  on  Friday  last ;  the 
performers  seemed  to  yie  with  each  other  In  the  exercise  of  their 
yarioos  and  extensiye  talents  in  ^neral  wnolation  for  the  approbation 
of  their  audience^  and  the  entertainment  was  rsceived  throai^oot  with 
reiterated  bursts  of  laughter  and  applause. 

With  pleasure,  we  understand  that  a  correct  copy  of  the  celebrated, 
popular,  and  unpublished  new  comedy  of  The  way  To  Qet  Married, 
lias  been  obtained  (by  pennission  of  the  Author  and  the  Manager) 
through  the  interference  of  Mr.  Lewis,  as  a  testimony  of  his  unceanng 
respect  and  attention  to  the  Birmingham  andisoca 

Next  we  have  a  criticism  of  a  Pantomime : — 

July  11. 1796.— The  new  Fkntomimeof  'Harlequin  Mariner:  or.  The 
Fairy  of  the  Oak,**  produced  kst  week  at  oar  Thealn^  is  an  additional 
proof  that  neither  pains,  labour,  or  expenoe  ars  at  all  coosidersd,  when 
placed  in  competition  with  tlie  deUgnt  and  entertainmeut  of  an  en* 
conraffing  pubua  The  incidental  busineas  ci  this  exceUent  exhibitioa 
woulu  not  naye  been  diigraoeful  hi  the  higher  parte  of  the  dnuna.  and 
might,  with  grerit  coDsisten<7,  haye  been  interwoven  in  a  Oomeoy  or 
Opera  The  magic  effects  produced  br  tiie  machineiy,  sosneiT,  and 
deceptions,  were  yisible  to  slL  and  called  Ibrth  the  most  tomultiiOQS 
approbation  and  appUnsa    Tne  last  scene  produced  a  sublime  cUmaz 


of  scenic  noyel^.  assisted  by  the  appearance  of  a  map  of  beauteoos 
childron  habited  m  the  ftecinating  garb  of  capidi^  while  tl 


the  intentice« 


AXUSEHENTS.  131 

of  the  tUgtt  were  eompleiely  filled  up  with  the  meet  interetting  and 
cbaractemtie  female  figaree,  fonning  an  almost  entire  system  of  heathen 
mTtholoffy,  as  represented  in  the  pantheons  of  the  antients.  We  maj 
assert^  that  the  united  powers  of  the  painter  and  the  mechanio  were 
never  offered  to  ^  pablic  on  the  Birmingham  Theatre^  with  more 
effsetiye  exoellenoe^  nor  has  the  town  witnessed  in  pantomimic  exhibi- 
tion a  more  interesting  and  splendid  spectacle. 

Here  is  an  eulogy  upon  a  once  charming  actress : — 

Septraiber  6^  1790. — ^Mias  Wallis. — ^This  accomplished  and  elegant 
performer  (as  much  distingaished  in  private  for  her  worth,  as  in  pablic 
for  her  talents)  makes  her  entr6e  on  oar  stage  this  evening,  for  Mr. 
IAiddIeton*s  Beiiefit,  in  her  most  admired  chancter  in  tragedy— Joliet 
--eapported  by  Mr.  Mlddleton  in  his  best  diaraeter — Bomeo^  What 
most  ensure  an  overflow  ii^  that  this  Is  the  only  night  on  whidi  she  can 
perform  here.  It  will  be  remembered,  that  in  Boxalana  she  received, 
on  the  I^iJ  I^ane  boards  last  season,  the  most  distingaished  applanse, 
where  she  toy  the  permission  of  the  proprietors  of  Oovent  ^Mrden) 
performed  tnat  part^  ibr  the  Benefit  of  the  widow  and  Children  of  the 
late  Mr.  Storace^  and  that  she  had  also  the  honour  of  receiving  a  letter 
from  the  Gentlemen  of  the  Bar  at  Edinbor)^  (at  whidi  place  she  has 
been  performing  this  Bommer)  'accompanied  by  a  noble  present, 
leanssting  her  to  retam  after  her  ensoing  enguement  in  London, 
▲ad  to  ula^  Groodi's  pleasing  and  enchanting  fLalh.by.''  and  the 
ezprssrive  •'Spirit  of  my  Sainted  Suv**  of  the  aoentific  KellT,  together 
with  that  eelefmted  Letter  Daet  Scene,  from  the  veqr  macn  aomhed 
Opera  of  the  Sim  cf  Belgrade^  and  there  can  remam  no  doubt  thai 
this  will  prove  a  £amatlc  banquet  almost  nneqoalled. 

The  next  extract  relates  to  the  manager : — 
September  Sfi,  1797.— Mr.  M'Craady,  oar  Theatrical  Director,  seems 
beat  upon  it  to  make  his  exit  with  an  aniversal  graoe.  To  say  nothing 
of  what  he  has  doos^  we  cannot  bat  look  with  an  admiring  eye  opon 
what  be  this  nlsht  means  to  da  Bannister  and  SnHt's  attractions 
combined,  in  warn  fitvoorite  cfaaraeten  as  the  Fhilpots,  Lingo^  Dagger- 
wood,  Fastlaa,  Scoat,  and  Snarl,  are  too  powenal  a  temptation  to 
resist^  even  if  a  man  had  made  np  his  mind,  as  the  old  saying  ii^  to  go 
■^  "  "the 


to  the  Play  DO  mors  this  season.  It  is  now  some  yean  since  we  had 
pleasare  <k  seeing  Saett  on  the  Biiminflfaam  boards,  bat  sll  most  well 
remember  that  he  was  the  idol  of  the  pablic  then ;  and  as  improvement 
has  kept  eqaal  pace  with  his  absence^  we  mar  expect  to  see  him  now 
''in  all  the  Joeund  vein  of  Isiigh-provoking  nnmoor.*'  Bannister  hss 
so  reesntlr  oelighted  oi^  that  h&  merits  want  no  memento^  as  they  are 
wglsterea,  **  wfiere  ereiy  daj  we  torn  the  leaf  to  read  them.*  Mor  do 
we  think  It  neoessaiy  to  dwell  on  what  is  due  to  the  Manager,  iriKMS 
lavish  spirit  and  wnsbaHng  ardoar  to  give  the  pablic  eveij  spedss  id 
the  rimst  sntertsinment  a  Theatre  can  afford  throogfaoat  the  season, 
most  have  sntafled  Qpon  him  an  sxpence  enonnoas,  and.  Indeed,  soch 
a%  kMsl^  eoiiBldsrei(  k  totally  onprecedented  in  the  histoty  of  the 

To  combine  amusement  with  charily  is  no  new  invention; 
and  it  is  oot  a  bad  way  of  raisinp^  jfunos.  The  ^nnco  ffade** 
sometimes  make  a  dolorons  objection  to  socb  a  umon  of 
this-worldliness  with  the-other-worldliness,  bat  we  believe 


132  A  CENTURT  OF  BIBIOKGHAM  LIFE. 

there  is  no  instance  on  record  that  they  ever  refused  the 
money  so  obtained.  This  year  a  Conceit  was  given  at  the 
Theatre  for  one  of  the  noblest  objects  of  charity — ^''the 
relief  of  the  widows  and  children  of  the  brave  men  who 
fell  in  Lord  Duncan's  glorious  victonr  off  Camperdown.'' 
The  concert  was,  as  it  ought  to  have  been,  a  success.  The 
criticism  is  exceptionally  minute : — 

Nov.  S7y  1797.— We  have  seldom  witaeased  a  more  interestiiig  spec- 
tacle than  was  presented  at  our  llieatre  on  Friday  eTening  last,  at  the 
Concert  for  tiie  relief  of  the  Widows  and  Children  of  the  brave  men  who 
f dl  in  Lord  Doncan's  glorious  victoxy.  €hie  sentiment  only  appeared  to 
peivade  a  most  elegant  and  crowded  andience ;  raraine  loyal^,  blended 
with  the  tenderest  sympathy,  seemed  to  burst  from  every  heut.  The 
Concert  was  honoured  with  uie  company  of  ^e  Bight  Hon.  Lord  Vis* 
count  Dudley  and  Ward,  Lady  DncQeyy  the  H<m.  Mr.  Shiri^  and  his 
Lady,  LadyBowager  Lawley,  Sir  Bobert and  Lady Lawley,  &t Qeoxge 
and  LadjT  Yongey  Sir  Edmund  and  Lady  Hartopp,  and  man^r  other  of 
the  principal  jgieiitrv  of  the  neiflhbourtiood,  and  at  the  same  time  ezhi- 
hited  an  additional  proof  of  the  benevolent  spirit  which  actuates  the 
inhabitants  of  this  town. 

We  have  not  yet  been  able  to  learn  the  exact  amount  of  the  money 
received,  but  it  is  hoped  that^  with  the  addition  of  212.  presented  by  tlie 
Eari  of  Aylesford,  lOL  lOf.  paid  by  Lord  Dudley  for  ten  tickets,  U.  fit. 
received  from  Lord  Ljttelton,  62.  5a.  from  H.  Leffge,  Esq.,  6L  6i.  from 
Sir  Geoige  Yonge,  62.  Oe.  lOoL  fincnn  Messrs.  Didranson  and  Goodalls, 
the  balance  of  a  subscription  left  in  their  hands  for  the  relief  of  a  person 
deceased,  and  62.  fit.  from  the  party  of  Marines  recruiting  in  this  town, 
aided  further  by  other  contributions  which  the  Committee  look  for  (and 
which  may  be  left  at  any  of  the  Banks),  they  will  be  able  to  send  at  least 
4(XML  to  the  Committee  at  Lloyd's,  for  the  use  of  this  excellent  charity, — 
the  Perfoimers,  without  exception,  having  rendered  their  services  gratis. 

Of  the  musical  talents  exerted  upon  tms  occasion,  it  will  be  observed 
we  have  forborne  to  speak,  as  one  of  the  most  elegant  votaries  of  the 
Muse  (who  graced  the  festival  with  her  presence)  has  been  solictted  to 
testify  their  excellence ;  and  we  copy  her  own  wwds: — ^^  Qreat  praise  is 
due  to  Mr.  Jeremiah  <9ark,^  of  this  town,  who  first  su^^gested  the  idea 
of  a  meeting,  that  proved  xidi  in  the  blended  giatification  supplied  by 
taste  for  music,  bjr  patriotic  feeling,  and  hj  benevolence.  Our  concert 
was  adorned  by  ms  acknowledged  ability  m  musioid  composition,  and 
by  the  aocunM7  and  brilliaace  S  his  nerfonnanoe.  It  was  strengthened 
by  the  excellent  band  of  the  fiojral  Dragoons^  and  by  the  libenl  assis- 
tance of  several  Gentlemen  in  B^rm^ng^am  and  its  environs ;  and  high 
were  its  obligations  to  the  Himley  SMiety,  exerting,-  at  Lonl  Dudley's 
request  all  their  nowers  to  chann ;  to  toe  three  Syren  Sirtm  alter- 
nately oreathing  the  solemn 'Sweetness,  and  seraphic  grace  of  BuMidel's 
pithetae  airs,  the  elegance  of  the  Italian  strain,  and  the  simple  beauty  of 
the  pastoral  ballad  and  glee ;  to  the  celebrated  Mr.  Ejiyvett  and  his 
Son ;  to  the  two  Mr.  Cindlev's,  who  gave  tiieir  anstaace  at  Lord 
^ksfocd's  request :  and  to  tne  respected  veteran  of  the  science,  Mr. 
Cnamppess,  whose  deep  voice  rolled  its  manly  melodies ;  to  the  united 
■trsqgth  of  one  of  the  nrstdioirs  in  England,  of  whichthe  varied  powers 
of  Mr.  SaviHe'svoice.thepathosandeneigyof  his  expresrion.  have  been 
long  the  boast^  while  they  were  felt  and  acknowledged  from  every. 


AHUSEHKNTS.  133 

difltaat  orchestra  which  sammoned  him  to  their  band.  He  acquitted 
himaelf  on  Friday  night  with  all  his  wonted  animation.  The  prettf 
duet  bj  Mifls  FletcherB,  was  given  in  a  style  which  evinced  their 
rising  talents ;  the  fine  bass  notes  of  Mr.  Birch  did  justioe  to  Handel's 
heroic  sonff ;  while  the  full  and  jpleasing  tones  of  Mr.  Taylor's  voice  were 
distinguished  most  agreeably  m  the  admirable  trios.  Thus  was  tlus 
generous  concert  at  once  the  triumph  of  the  musical  prafessiony  and  bf 
tiie  virtues.'^ 

The  great  Eemble  was  with  Ha  again  in  the  season  of 

1799  ;  and  here  is  one  notice  of  his  peiformance .' — 

July  S2nd,  1789. — ^Never  was  curiosity  so  mudi  excited,  or  so  much 
natified,  as  in  the  representation  of  FLeuio  at  our  Theatre  last  week. 
The  Boua  of  Mr.  Ejemble  must  be  acknowledged  his  chef  d'oenvre, 
umI  is  in  itself  sufficient  to  attract  the  crowded  and  overflowing  houses 
we  have  had ;  but  when  aided  by  so  exoellent  a  set  of  pezfonners,  such 
brilliant  soenenr,  dresses  and  decorations  as  are  brought  forward,  we 
cannot  but  applaud  that  public  taste  which  so  liberally  encourages  and 
lewanls  the  gnat  efforts  tnat  are  made  for  its  entertainment. 

Our  theatre  was,  this  year,  honotdred  with  distinguished 

foreign  visitors  >— 

August  6th,  1799. — ^The  Bussian  Ambassador,  his  Ezcellen<7  Gomte 
de  Woronnxfi^  who  has  been  for  this  last  week  on  a  visit  to  Mr.  Boulton, 
id  the  Soho^  and  viewing  the  principal  manufactories,  minea^  canals,  &c 
in  this  town  and  neighDouxhood,  on  Wednesday  bespoke  the  Play  at 
our  Theatre,  and  was  so  hi|^y  gmtafied  by  the^Maudits  of  the  audience 
and  attentkms  of  the  manager,  thai  Mr.  M'Uready,  we  understand, 
received  from  his  Excellency  the  most  liberal  and  munificent  proof  of 
his  approbatioD,  The  following  soq^,  introduced  upon  the  occasion, 
the  Gomte  considered  as  a  hi^h  compliment  to  that  Imperial  Personage 
whom  he,  with  so  much  digmty,  represents. 

When  Britain  fix«t|  at  Heaven's  wnnmand, 

Arose  from  out  the  asnre  Main, 
This  was  the  Charter— 4he  CSuffter  of  the  Land, 

And  Qnardian  An^ls  sung  this  Strain-^ 
Bnle,  Britannia  I  Britannia  rale  the  Waves^ 
For  Britons  never  shall  be  Slaves  I 

Italians  hSr  and  lertile  Plains 

Must  haDDv  Bestoration  see : 
The  brave  puwaiTOw— Suwairow  breaks  their  Chains^ 

And  bids  her  Sons  again  be  free  t 

Bnle.  Britannia^  ftc 

In  Europe,  two  good  Monardia  join 

To  humoie  Fninoa  BeUgion'a  Foe; 
Great  Geo^te  1  the  Ocean--4he  Ocean  still  be  thine, 

Whikt  Panl  on  Land  dueets  the  Blow. 

Bnle,  Britannia^  Ac 

The  seasons  of  1800  and  1801  were  also  distingnished  hy 
the  presence  of  actors  whoee  venr  names  fill  old  playgoers 
with  delight  and  enthusiasm.  Biddons,  Pope,  Lewis,  Hvley, 
Cooke  and  Kemble,  were  among  the  number,  and  were  sup- 
ported by  good  companies,  not  appearing  as  solitary  stars  m. 


134  A  CENTUBT  OF  BIEMIKOHAH  LIFE. 

a  world  of  dulness  and  incapacity.     We  need  not  wonder  at 
our  grandfiBithers  sighing  for  the  "  brave  days  of  old." 

At  the  present  time,*  Mr!  Thnrton  is  amusing  the  Bir- 
mingham people  w;ith  a  very  clever  and  amusing  entertain- 
ment under  the  title  of  Odd  Folks.  ^  Sixty-six  years  ago, 
our  fore&thers  had  their  Odd  entertainment  also.  Is  there 
anything  new  under  the  sun  ? 
Beoember  28, 1801. 

Oabb  Sent  to  ComnrBT, 
By  a  Set  of  Odd  Fellows. 
That  Is  to  aaj — ^Bj  an  Ideal  Group  of  Anaareontic  Wage,  lappofledl/ 
met  to  driTO  the  dull  Drone  from  tlieh*  jocand  Hire ;  like  Sentinela  on 
Guard,  all  alive  to  their  Daty^  with  Muih  for  their  Watdi  Word  and 
Good  Hnmoor  for  the  Oonnteniffny  exhiUting,  in  their  own  C3iazaeten^ 
a  laughable  Epitome  of  Etoit  Man  in  His  Hnmoor ;  and,  at  thej  axe 
distingaiahed  hj  the  Name  or  Odd  Fellows,  the  broad  Yortex  of  their 
Merriment  embractoe  the  following  Odd  Subjeete: — 

Odd  TraYels  and  Odd  TraTellen. 
Odd  Oonntriee  and  Odd  Inbabitanta 
Odd  Cities  and  Odd  Towna 
Odd  Streets  and  Odd  Houses. 
Odd  Signs  and  Odd  Insoriptiona. 
Odd  Pieturee  and  Odd  FUntinge. 
Odd  Flgnres  and  Odd  DresBM. 
Odd  Oiutoms  and  Odd  Mannera 
Odd  Trtdes  and  Odd  Employments. 
Odd  Games  and  Odd  Amusements. 
Odd  Mode  and  Odd  Mueidans. 
Odd  Hays  and  Odd  Poppet  Shows. 
Odd  Qoacks  and  Odd  Coiyorora 
Odd  Ghosts  and  Odd  Speetres. 
Odd  Witches  and  Odd  Derils. 
All  which  Odd  Matten  are  Oddly  strong  together  and  set  forth  in  an 
Odd  sort  of  a  Way— Ovm  mumi  OdduUnu  tmrnlmt  Odd!    And  in 
Addition  to  the  Okl  Qoips  and  Qoiddities  of  those  Qoi^  Oddbodies, 
three  or  Ibor  Odd  Soaps  from  the  Aotboi's  Qoondam  BodfEet^  soch  as 
the  Speakinff  dock,  the  XJnfiirtonate  Mouse,  the  Monster  in  Pettiooati^ 
and  tne  Irish  Sdioolmaster,  wiU  be  reseoea  from  ObliTion.  merely  as 
occasional  Hooki  and  Pins  to  hang  the  Norelties  of  the  N(ght  opon. 

The  whole  intertpersed  with  a  oontfasted  Selection  of  Original 
Comic  Song%  of  which  not  one  was  erer  yet  sonffby  any  Person  bat 
the  Aothor ;  and,  as  hebTno  Means  ssts  vp  Ibr  a  Warbler,  the  Woid^ 
independent  of  Vocal  Embellishmenti^  are  what  th^  most  stand  or  fiUl 
by  in  the  Ertimation  of  the  Poblic. 

TBBa  TiTLas, 
Poor  Old  Jack.  i    The  Iriih  Watchman. 

The  Odds  on  the  Bight  Side.  The  Growth  of  a  Ue. 


The  Theatricsl  Motton. 
little  MoUt  Mae  Brawn. 
Osie  CommetelT  Broshed  Away. 
The  IhM  British  Tar. 


The  Golden  Furmer. 
The  Life  of  a  Soldier. 
The  Bondle  cf  8cr^»  and 
The  Tsii^able  Gh^^ter  of  War. 


*  K^omnber,  1S67* 


MANKEBS,  CUSTOMS,  ETC.  135 

The  Doors  to  be  opened  at  Six,  to  b^gin  exactly  at  Seven. 

Boxen  38. ;  Pit  Sta. ;  Gallery  la. 

The  Hoaae  is  rendered  pei^Mby  dry  and  warm,  by  Stoves,  well 
•applied  with  Fael,  having  been  kept  in  every  Part  of  it  for  many 
days  past 

Tickets  to  be  had  of  Messrs.  Knott  and  Lloyd ;  of  Messrs.  Swinney 
and  Hawkins ;  asd  at  the.  Bine  Coat  Charity  Sdiool ;  and  Places  in  the 
Boxes  are  to  be  taken  of  Mr.  Sanderson,  at  the  Theatre. 

And  now  we  let  down  the  curtain  on  tbe  amusements  of 
this  decade. 


§  5.      MANNERS,    CUSTOMS,   ETC. 

It  is  a  pleasant  thing  to  be  able  to  open  this  section  with 
a  i>rotest  aeainst  one  of  the  cruellest  customs  of  the  time. 
It  is  true  that  sudi  protests  are  few  and  far  between,  and 
for  a  lonff  and  weaiy  period  have  little  influence,  and 
produce  httle  apparent  good.  They  are,  however,  the 
D^ginnin^  of  improvement;  the  certain  indicators  that  a 
change  is  coming.  An  evil  once  protested  against  is 
doomed.  It  is  certain  to  die  hard ;  and  to  "take  a  deal  Of 
killing;"  but  kiUed  it  assuredly  will  be.  So  it  was  with 
bull-baitinff,  cock-fightinff,  and  other  barbarous  customs 
of  the  good  old  tima  Their  fate  was  sealed  the  moment 
that  good  and  merciful  men  b^ean  to  denounce  them.  The 
legislature  might,  as  it  did,  d^end  them ;  the  ministers  of 
reugion  migh^  as  they  did,  attend  them;  but,  once  set 
Inovinj^  the  opinion  of  the  few,  on  such  a  subject^  becomes 
in  time  the  conviction  of  the  many,  and  Parliament  and  all 
other  oppodng  powers  have  to  yield— or  rather  become 
convertea  to  the  immoved  feeling  which  has  taken  pos- 
session of  society.  Here  is  one  of  these  early  protests 
against  buU-baiting : — 

October  8,  1792. — ^A  Ooxrespobdent  laments,  with  some  degree  of 
astonishmenti  that,  in  this  nei^boorhood  (ao  distingniahed  for  ita 
atteatiop  to  diaritable  institotinia,)  a  enttom  so  barbarous  as  that  of 
BaU-baiting  should  still  have  continnanoe  among  the  common  people. 
A  lew  days  sao  he  beheld  a  scene  upon  the  miblie  road  in  anei^bonnng 
parish,  that  Msply  affected  bis  feeliii|g«.  One  of  theee  cruel  diversiona 
was  Just  ever,  and  the  rdentlesi  mob  were  leading  the  man|^  object 
el  tlieiroittnm  from  tiie  place  when  it  had  been  batted.  Itsnoeeand 
fins  (bceraledlyj  d^)  semed  strings  cf  bleeding  flesh  I  The  spedee 
of  dog  kept  f<Nr  thii  purpose,  never,  or  vm  seloom,  quit  their  hold 
without  tearing  through  the  pait  co  which  they  fasten.    The  poor 


Ib< 


186  A  CENTUBT  OF  BIBMIKGHAM  LIFE. 

abuBed  animal  now  alluded  to  had  (for  four  aaooesaiye  days)  been  tied 
to  a  stake,  and  made  to  undergo  this  torture ;  so  broken  was  its  Bpitity 
or  80  inofSonsiTe  was  it  in  its  nature,  that  notwithstanding  it  had  thus 
ezperienoed  injurious  treatment  sufficient  to  render  it  outra^|neous,  it  was 
lea  along  without  any  resistance,  like  a  lamb,  amid  its  cruel  tormentmrs; 
nay,  even  bearing  one  of  the  numan  savages  upon  its  back  in  patient 
quietness  and  submission. 

Surdj  cruelties  of  this  kind  may  be  prevented,  bjr  refusing  those 
bUoms  a  licence  who  either  procure  the  animal  (which  is  sometimes 
e  case)  oar  who  supply  with  liquor  the  tinfftnling  rabble  who  assemble 
to  enjoy  the  horrid  amusement  f 

Amusement  I  gracious  Qod  !  who  ronidest  the  ^falling  qMurrow, 
and  feedest  the  young  ravens  that  cafi  upon  thee,"  are  not  these 
things  written  in  thy  book?  Doubtless  tnej  are;  and  man  must 
account  for  the  cruelties  whidi  he  wantonly  inmcts  on  the  brute  crea- 
tion : — **  for  all  these  things  God  will  bring  him  unto  judgment." 

CockiD^  was  also  doomed  when  the  report  of  a  dis- 

craoefnl  piece  of  barbarity  was  prefaced  by  the  words  found 

in  tiie  following  paragrapn  : — 

November  12^  1792. — Oook  Fiobtiko. — This  barbarous  amusement, 
we  are  ooncemed  to  say,  holds  its  nnk  among  the  tuIw  qpoits  that 
diigraoe  the  oountiv.  Gentlemen  still  countenance  the  narbarity,  and 
are  seldom  more  elated  than  when  the^  witness  a  bloodv  aihd  hard 
fought  battle.  For  the  credit  of  humani^,  we  trust  that  the  report  is 
not  tru^  that  a  gentleman,  near  Shrewsfaux/,  betted  a  wager  tluit  his 
breed  of  oocks  would  fi^t  though  set  on  fire.  Hie  bet  was  aooeptedi 
and  the  cock's  feathers,  which  were  covered  with  turpentine,  set  on  fire. 
The  animal,  it  is  said,  though  roasting  aliTS,  fought  ana  killed  hu 
adversary  in  the  midst  of  the  fiames ! 

The  paper  in  which  this  appeared  still  published  such 
advertisements  as  this : — 

CocnKo. 

April  1st,  1703. — ^At  the  new-«reeted  Pit  in  Binninflribam,  will  be 
fought  a  Main  of  Cocks,  between  the  Gentlemen  of  BtMTorddiire  and 
Warwickshire,  to  shew  and  weigh  twenty-one  Cocks  on  each  side,  for 
Four  Guineas  the  Battle,  and  Fifty  the  Main.  likewise  ten  Cocbi  on 
each  side,  for  Two  Guineas  the  Battle,  for  Byes,  and  to  fight  the  ttnd 
and  23rd  of  April  instani 


jRowley,  for  StaffwMure^   Jpeeden. 
Turner,  f or  Warwickahue,  J*''~«»* 


Lovers  of  the  Sport  are  requested  to  be  there  as  eariy  as  possible,  as 
thej  intend  to  bcgm  precisely  at  Twelve  o^dock. 

Stw  Philip's  Chnrchyard  appears  to  have  eiyoyed  as  bad 

a  reputation  then  as  now,  wnen  it  is  the  nightly  resort  ci 

the  most  depraved  characters ; — 

October  7th,  1703.— On  Saftordaj  ni^t,  the  88th  ultimo^  a  voong 
woDian,  Toy  imprudently  stof^iing  imder  a  lamp  in  8t  PhiUi^  enured 
vard  In  this  town  to  look  at  her  wafleaa  man  came  behind  Mr, stopped 
her  mouth,  took  them  from  her,  and  tnen  knocked  her  down  and  made 
oft    It  ii  noped  this  will  serve  as  a  oantioii  to  people  in  fatara 

Here  is  a  specimen  of  a  matrimonial  advertisement 


MANKEBSy  CUSTOMS,  EXa  137 

MATaiKOvr. 

Jaanaxy  9th.  1797.— A  QenUeman  of  Property  and  respectabla 
Character,  who  iiaa  been  well  brought  up,  under  30,  health j,  and  well 
aitoated  in  Boaineai^'  finding  a  Companion  eiwentially  necoMmy,  and 
having  bat  a  ali^t  Acaoaintance  among  the  Female  Sex,  adopts  thia 
Mode  of  olfiBring  himself  a  Candidate  for  the  Notice  of  any  Lady 
inclined  to  an  Hymeneal  Union. 

A  Line  addressed  to  N.  O.  P.,  to  be  left  at  the  Post  Office,  New 
Street^  Birmingham,  with  real  Name  and  Place  of  Abode,  will  be  dnly 
attended  to,  and  the  most  inviolable  Secrecy  may  be  depended  mouL 

N.Bb — The  Postmaster  has  leceiTed  a  Signal  to  refuse  all  Addresses 
but  to  the  Fioper  Person. 

Here  is  a  record  of  a  quarrel  and  its  filial  result : — 

Angost  28th,  1797. — A  few  eYeninjg(B  ago,  two  Compositors  belonging 
to  the  Birmingham  Chronicle  Office,  m  consequence  of  a  dispute,  f ondit 
a  battle  of  an  hour  and  three  quarters  in  a  neighboorinff  fida,  when 
they  so  tenibly  beat  each  other,  that  one  of  them  ezpiied  in  less  than 
four  hours  afterwards,  and  the  other  is  rendered  a  twrible  i^Mctade  to 
hii  friends. 

The  Coroner's  inquest  sat  on  the  body  of  the  deceased,  and  retvned 
a  Verdict  of  Manslaughter  against  the  surrivor. 

Our  next  extract  is  a  specimen  of  the  ''big  gooseberry" 
paragraph : — 

Jan.  14, 1799. — That  toads  in  a  perfect  state  have  been  found  in  solid 
rock  and  marble,  and  enveloped  in  the  laigest  and  closest  gxained  treea 
are  facts  attested  by  the  most  respectable  anthoritiea  A  similar,  ana 
perhaps  little  less  surprising,  circumstance  was  discoTered  last  week  by 
Messrs.  Pope  and  Tart,  of  this  town,  who,  in  sawing  an  elq^anfs  tooth, 
found  in  the  middle  of  it  a  perfect  iron  spear  head,  6^  inches  long ;  the 
corroded  state  of  the  iron,  the  firm  texture  of  the  ivory,  uid  the  well- 
known  longevity  of  the  elephant,  render  it  highly  probable  that  it  had 
been  in  that  aitoation  40  or  60  years  before  tne  death  of  the  aoimaL 
Its  first  introduction  into  the  centre  of  a  solid  tooth  of  six  feet  length, 
the  writer  of  this  does  not  pretend  to  account  for,  but  confines  himsdf 
to  remark,  that  the  wpeKt-hmd  is  exactly  of  the  description  of  those  used 
by  the  nanves  in  the  interior  part  of  Africa,  who  hunt  the  dephant 

The  following  refiBrs  to  another  custom  of  the  time,  more 
honoured  in  the  breach  than  the  observance.  It  also  shows 
what  heavy  penalties  were  inflicted  for  brealdng  a  fiscal 
law: — 

Nov.  S6^  179A.— On  Thursday,  a  vouns  man  of  thii  town  was  convicted 
in  the  psnaUy  of  twen^  pounds  (whum  the  Macpstntes  mitigated  to 
ten  pounds)  for  weatiqg  hair  powder  without  naving  taken  out  a 


The  nert  two  extracts  bring  before  ns  a  case  of  trance 
which  ended  fttally: — 

Jan.  SI,  ITSa— A  TaairaL— Hie  goss^  in  this  town  have  for  these 


street    The  poor  sleqper  breathes  veiy  hard. 


138  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

Jan.  28,  1709. — ^The  woman  mentioned  in  our  last,  died  without 
awakening  on  Tuesday  last ;  so  that  she  had  slept,  without  intennisBiony 
a  whole  week. 

In  dealing  with  prize-fighters'  the  authorities  of  the  pre^ 
sent  time  mi^iit  talce  a  lesson  from  their  predecessora  It 
will  be  seen  from  the  next  quotation  that  they  determined 
to  utilise  this  class  for  the  good  of  the  state : — 

PiTOHBD  Battlb. 

November  SSrd,  1795. — Whereas  it-has  been  represented  to  some  of 
his  Majesty's  Justices  of  the  Peace  acting  for  the  Counties  of  Stafford, 
Warwick,  and  Worcester,  that  a  Pitched  fiattle  is  intended  to  be  f ouffht 
between  Alloock  and  Johnson,  on  Monday  the  dOth  day  of  November 
instant,  on  the  borders  of  the  said  Counties ; — ^Thev  do  therefore  hereby 
ffive  Notice  respectively,' that  if  such  Battle  shall  be  foueht  in  either  of 
the  aforesaid  Counties,  they  are  dUemwMd  to  put  the  Jmpreu  Act  in 
Foree^  and  Arrut  and  Send  on  hoard  the  iTosy,  not  only  the  Pereone  vAo 
shall  JSffht,  but  all  othere  who  shall  he  present  and  encouraging  them. 

A  correspondent  communicated  to  the  Notes  and  Queries 
which  appeared  in  Arises  Oaaette  in  1856,  the  following 
record  of— 

Bull  BAimro  iv  BiBMuroHAX. 

We  have  received  from  an  old  and  hisfalv-rmected  inhabitant  of 
Birmingham,  an  account  of  a  memorable  Irall-ciaiting,  which  took 
place  m  tlus  town  in  1798,  the  occasion  bemff  dupel  Wake,  a 
festivity  instituted  to  commem6rate  the  erection  of  St.  JBartholomew's 
ChapeL  On  the  day  in  question  the  bull  was  baited  in  a  field  behind 
the  Salutation  Inn,  Snow  Hill,  and  in  conf onnity  with  the  wishes  of 
the  respectable  inhabitants  (who  desued  to  put  down  the  nuisance)  the 
BimMngfaam  Association — a  body^  of  militia  voluntary^  fonned  bjr  the 
trading  dan — undertook  the  f oimidable  task  of  cantonng  the  bull  and 
diroersinff  his  tonnentors.  The  Association  assemDled  in  the  Bull-ring, 
ana  marcned,  with  odours  flying  and  drams  beating,  to  the  baiting 
pboe  in  Snow  EQIL  On  azriving  there  they  found  that  the  mob,  having 
notice  of  the  attack,  had  transferred  themselves  and  the  bull  to  Bixming- 
ham  Heath.  Although  the  day  was  intderably  hot,  the  Aasodation 
gallantiy  resumed  their  weaiy  mardL  and  after  a  due  amount  of  toil 
xesdiad  the  scene  of  action.  Tkts  fmli-baitevs  scampered  off  in  aU 
direetiona  taking  their  doa  with  them,  but  leaving  the  bull  tied  to  the 
stake,  ana  the  Association leisurdy  proceeded  to  secure  their  formidable 
prise.  A  strong  cord  was  made  nst  to  the  bnlTs  bonis  and  tied  round 
nis  fore  l^;s,  the  chain  was  unloosed  from  the  stakes  guards  were  told  oil^ 
who,  with  fixed  bayonets,  xeoondncted  the  poor  ammal  in  triumfli  faito 


the  town,  a  vast  crowd,  of  course,  **asrisHng*  at  the  novel  oeramony. 
The  procession  passed  through  the  nrindpal  streets^  and  at  last  the  buli 
was  safely  lodged  in  the  ym  of  the  old  nrisoa,  in  Ptodc-lane.  Daring 
the  night  an  attempt  at  rescae  was  maoe^  bat  it  failed,  and  finr  years 
aftennuds  the  street  boys  reven|^  thsmaelvieB  Ibr  the  distoi^snoe  of 
the  sport  by  singing  a  song  depictug  the  volunteers  In  the  most  onioom- 
plimentaiy  cokmn.     One  of  the  stanns  was  as  f oDows  :^ 

^  They  spoiled  the  waaksL 

Ana  palled  up  the  staake. 

And  put  the  boll  f  the  dungOL** 

*  DungeoB,  loeally  prooonaccd  "  dsi^Q." 


BIAKNEBS,  CUSTOMS,  ETa  139 

Tbe  baU-baitiDgB  were  afterwards  carried  on  at  Handeworth,  where 
the  powers  of  the  Asaodatioii  oonld  not  be  exercised.  On  the  diasolu- 
Hon.  of  this  redoubtable  body,  its  oolours  were  hung  up  in  St  Martin's 
Church  in  honour  of  its  valourous  exploits — the  capture  of  the  bull 
bemg  tiie  only  one  inyolring  actual  service. 

The  next  notice  is  oiie  more  indication  of  the  growth  of 

an  improved  state  of  feeling  amongst  the  better  class  of  the 

town: — 

Bt  Order  of  thb  Magistratbs. 
.  January  fiSth,  1799. — ^We,  the  Constables  of  Binninffham,  do  hereby 
ffire  this  timcJy  Notice,  that  all  Publicans  who  shaUy  in  future,  he 
vmnd  enoouniging,  or  in  anywise  aiding  or  abetting,  in  the  inhuman 
and  unmanly  Pkaetioe  of  uock-fiffhting,  or  Throwing  at  Cooks,  on 
ShroTe  Tuesday,  or  on  any  other  day,  will  most  assuredly  have  their 
licenses  withheld,  as  we  are  determmed  to  use  the  utmost  Vigilance 
in  disoorering  offenders. 

We  quote  one  specimen  of  the  poetic  advertisements  of 

this  decide : — 

ATTnmoir. 
April  Sth,  1799.— To  Cheap  Cloathinff,  Wholesale  and  EetaiL— T. 
John  Allin,  Hay  Market^*  Birminsham,  begs  leaye  to  inform  Country 
Shopkeepers  that  deal  in  new  and  old  Cloathes,  that  they  may  be 
aeoommodated  with  a  greater  Choice  than  at  any  Shop  in  London,  and 
at  the  same  low  Prices.    All  EaTOurs  will  be  gratefuDy  aeknowledsed, 

By  their  humble  Serrant^        T.  A. 
To  m  Oybrsbsrs  of  tbb  Poor. 
^'Maywe  never  wantHeads  to  plan,  Hfarts  tofeel,  and  Hands  toezecute." 

X  e  neighb'rinff  Oreiseera  who  oft  to  Town  repair. 

And  wSih  to  doathe  the  Poor  with  Pkudenoe  and  with  Care^ 

I  pray  yoa^U  condescend  to  look  into  my  Shop, 

I  iiaTe  no  kind  of  doubt  your  Penoejnm'U  freely  drop ; 

With  ease  I  can  mnride  with  eVry  Thing  complete, 

Ooat»  Waistcoat^  Shirts  and  Shoes,  yea,  Stockings  for  the  Feet; 

Hiata,  Bnedies,  Qowns^  Stays,  Amt>n%  Cloaks^ 

In  shorty  all  Things  to  suit  poor  Folks— 

So  dieap^  so  good,  quite  atrong  and  sound, 

And  all  this  new  for  one  small  Pound 

The  Earmna,  too^  I  can  complete 

With  good  SmodL  IVoek,  both  atrong  and  neat ; 

Doe-akin  Breeehea,  home-made  Shoes, 

Or  Boota  if  he  should  rather  diooae ; 

StitMig  Snirts  for  them  I,  too,  proride^ 

And  ereiy  Artide  beaide. 

And  next|  the  Gemen  of  the  Whip, 

Who  oft  to  London  take  a  Trip ; 

Good  dieap  Hose  Ooata  of  cTery  Slae^ 

For  thoae  who  do  ibeir  Health  mudi  prise. 

To  keep  them  dry  in  Time  of  need — 

A  vaefiil  Artide  hideed ; 

*Kow  Ann  Street  AlHo's  shop  was  tfie  one  at  the  conierof  Congreve 
Street,  now  in  the  oceapatioD  of  Mr.  W.  Biyaa. 


140  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRKINOHJlM  LIFE. 

Twill  senre  Bometimes  to  lend  a  Friend, 
And  ofttimes  gain  a  private  End ; 
For  in  the  Wet^  I  think,  indeed, 
All  those  joa  aenre  ahonld  freely  bleed. 

liay  the  Bach  be  charitable,  and  the  Poor  grateful ; 
May  ve  alwaya  feel  for  another'a  Diatrees ; 
And  may  the  Tean  of  Diatress  be  wip'd  away  with  the  soft 
Paper  of  Abraham  Newland. 

'^  To  Err  is  Hnman 
To  forgire  is  GodlOce." 

In  the  year  1800,  a  bill  was  introduced  into  the  House 
of  Commons  to  prevent  bull-baiting.  On  a  division  it  was 
lost  by  a  minority  of  two,  in  a  house  of  84.  The  following 
brief  abstract  of  this  memorable  debate  will  be  amusing  to 
the  modem  reader : — 

BTTLIr-BAirnrO. 

April  21, 1800. — Sir  W.  Pulteney  moved  the  consideration  of  the 
HU  to  prevent  Boll-baiting. 

Mr.  Windham  arose  to  oppose  the  further  proceeding  in  this 
Basiness.  It  did  not  invite  Legislative  interference,  and  he  thought 
the  poor  laboored  under  too  many  restraints  in  their  Amnsementa 
In  IVance  and  other  coontries  they  might  dance  at  will,  and  see  phm 
all  night ;  bnt  here^  if  a  hap  or  a  pantomime  were  annouicea,  too 
Magistrates  were  instantly  in  arms.  It  was  politic  and  pradent  to 
encourage  athletic  exercises  amongst  the  lower  classes ;  and,  if  heads 
were  ocaudonally  broken  in  these  contests,  that  was  their  affior.  There 
was  a  species  of  ^ory  in  these  conflicts^  as  acceptable,  perhaps,  to  the 
individnal,  as  that  which  was  conned  in  the  hi|^er  walks  of  life ;  and 
it  was  to  be  remembered,  in  the  words  of  the  Poet»  ''that  he^  who 
subdued  the  world,"  mighty  under  different  drcnmstsnces,  have  been 
onlv  ''the  first  wrestler  on  the  |;reen."  He  shoold  be  sony  if  the  breed 
of  bull  dogs  were  extinct  since  the  days  of  Angnstna  th^  were 
emblematic  cf  the  national  character.  There  was  no  more  eraelty  in 
bnll-baiting  than  in  hare-honting,  or  shooting  of  flame.  If  the  Honse 
was  indind  to  prohibit  any  of  these^  they  should  set  the  example  by 
the  abolishing  those  which  were  almost  peeoliar  to  themselvei^  Defore 
they  interfere  with  the  divernona  of  the  common  people.  He  shonldy 
therefore,  move  to  defer  the  consideration  of  the  report  to  this  daj  dx 
months. 

Mr.  Canning  supported  Mr.  Windham's  axgoment  He  did  not 
think  this  was  a  matter  which  called  for  a  Legislative  provision,  nor 
that  any  Legislative  proceeding  could  be  correct  which  militated 
directly  agunst  the  bent^  the  feelings^  and  the  spirit  of  the  people. 
Bnll-baitiuK  to  this  hour  was  encourtffed  throughout  dl  Spain. 

Sir  W.  Pulteney  said,  the  object  of  his  Bill  was  to  promote  humanity 
and  prevent  idle  meetinfls.  In  Shropshire^  to  his  knowledge^  uersoDS 
would  assemble  at  a  BuIUbaiting  to  toe  number  of  between  1,900  and 
1,400  pecpla 

Sir  Bicfaard  Hill  ff>nfinnad  this  statement^  And  observed,  that  in 
Staffordshire  the  practice  was  a  source  of  perpetual  distuzbance,  and 
of  ngret  to  the  mends  of  Humanity. 


ICAKNEBS,  CUSTOMS,  ETC.  141 

Mr.  Sheridan  thought  the  laws  oofht  to  render  all  cruelty  to  the 
bmte  creation  a  miedemeanonr,  and,  with  much  wit,  remarked  on  some 
of  the  arguments  of  Mr.  Oanning  and  Mr.  Windham ;— the.former,  he 
ohsenred,  had  alluded  to  the  Bulf  fighte  in  Spain ;  to  ^ich  practice,  no 
doubt,  it  was  to  be  attributed,  that  the  valour  of  the  Spaniards  shone 
BO  eminentlj  conspicuous  above  that  of  our  British  Sailors.  But  there 
was  one  Tory  essential  point  of  distinction  between  the  Bull-fights  of 
Madrid,  and  the  Bull-baiting  in  this  countxy.  In  the  former  case  it 
was  the  men  who  Ibught,  not  dogs ;  men  it  was  who  partook  of  the 
danger  as  well  as  the  spoii.  In  England  the  case  was  directly  reTersed. 
Here  the  animal  was  nstened  to  a  stake,  and  a  pack  of  ferocious  dogs 
let  loose  upon  him.  The  human  ssTsges  who  assisted  at  this  cruel  spoit 
were  merelj.spectators,  not  actors.  As  to  Mr.  Windham's  anxiety  for 
preserring  the  amiable  race  of  bull-dogs,  he  must  tell  him  that  the 
DulI-dog  was  not  an  animal  of  an  open  ana  courageous  nature.  It  was 
a  sly,  sulky  animal,  that  bore  a  strong  resemblance  to  certain  political 
eharaeters,  in  this  respect,  that  the  bull-dog  slyly  attacks,  and  when  once 
he  fastens^  never  lets  go  his  hold,  no  more  than  certain  plaeemen  would 
let  go  their  place  while  they  could  stick  to  it 

On  a  diyisioiiy  Mr.  Windham's  motion  was  carried— for  it  43^  against 
it  41.    Bill  thrown  out  by  a  majority  of  twa 

The  next  quotation  brings  before  as  another  of  the 
pleasant  customs  of  the  tunes : — 

July  21,  1800. — ^Between  ten  and  eleren  o^dock  on  Thursday  ni^t 
lasti  as  a  gentleman,  in  his  own  carriage,  with  his  wife  and  sister,  were 
traTcJling  into  this  town  from  Lichfield,  on  their  road  to  Bath,  they 
were  stopped  in  the  narrow  cross  Lane  opposite  Aston  Etfk  comer 
{whkh  way  carriages  are  now  obliged  to  take  whilst  the  road  is  mend- 
mg)  about  a  mile  distant  from  the  town,  by  two  footpads,  with  crape 
over  the  upper  part  of  their  faces,  one  oC  whom  stood  at  the  head  of 
the  horses,  whilst  the  other,  opening  the  diaise  door,  took  from  the 
gentleman  and  his  wife  their  Tery  valuable  gold  watdies  and  sealiL  and 
also  bom  the  gentleman  his  purse  and  pocket  book,  containing  gold  and 
bulk  notes  to  the  amount  of  about  thirty  pounds.  Upon  shutting  the 
carriage  door,  the  gentleman  requested  the  robber  to  return  him  a  few 
memorandum  papers  (useless  to  any  one  but  himself)  that  were  in  his 
podket  bookj  when  the  man  told  him  they  should  be  sent  to  him  in  the 
moining,  ana  ordered  the  postillion  to  drive  on ;  but  to  add  to  the 
fright  of  the  ladies,  it  hi^ppened  Teiy  unfortunately  that  they  had  not 
proceeded  fifty  yards  before  the  pole  of  the  carria^  broke,  and  they 
were  obli^  to  get  out  and  walk  the  rest  of  their  way  to  the  Swan 
IiuDL  in  this  town. 

The  next  morning  our  Tery  aetiTe  Constable,  Mr.  Millward,  haTing 
received  from  the  gentleman  a  description  of  the  man  who  opened  the 
diaise  door,  suspected  a  particular  person,  whom  in  a  short  time  he  found 
hi  an  anction-room  in  the  Hig^-street,  and  taking  the  gentleman  into 
It,  atkt  moment  he  entered^  he  pointed  out  John  ThorahiU  M  po^flistic 
notoriety)  as  the  man  who  actaallr  robbed  him.  Mr.  Millward  imme- 
diately apprehended  him:  on  Batorday  he  was  taken  before  our 
Magistnites,  and  the  ^tleman  swore  positiTely  to  the  lower  f/ui  of 
his  &oe  and  to  his  voioe,  and  the  ladies  and  posSllion  to  the  aiaularity 
of  his  voice  to  that  of  the  robbers  :•— whilst,  on  the  other  hand,  three 
persons  deposed  he  was  at  a  pnUic  house  in  Moor-street  all  Thuiday 


142  A  CEKTURT  OF  BIRMIKGHAM  LIFE. 

evening.  He  has,  however,  been  fully  committed  by  the  Magistrates 
to  Warwick  gaol,  to  take  hia  trial  at  tibe  coming  aaeize.  The  man  who 
stopped  the  horses  has  not  been  apprehended. 

We  dose  this  decade  with  the  report  of  a  scene  diefgracefiil 
to  our  dvilizatioiL  In  September,  1800,  eight  men  were 
hanged  at  Warwidc,  one  for  sheep  stealing,  and  seven  for 
foigeiy.  It  is  horrible  to  think  of  the  sacrifice  of  life  caused 
by  the  inhuinan  laws  of  this  period.  No  wonder  that  the 
people  were  fond  of  cock-fighting,  bull-baiting,  pugilism,  and 
other  barbarous  sports,  when  the  legislature  continually 
afforded  them  such  spectades  as  that  detailed  in  the  follow- 
ing report : — 

ExBoonoH  AT  Wakwick. 

September  1st,  IBOC-^Fridaj  last  presented  a  troly  awfbl  spectacle 
in  onr  County  Town,  amidst  the  greatest  concoorse  of  people  ever 
assembled  npon  a  like  occasion,  fi^t  male&ctors  were  ezecated  ; 
▼is.,  W.  Hewitt,  for  sheep  stealing ;  J.  Mould,  T.  Wilmot,  T.  Wells, 
W.  Welli^  T.  Beeyes,  J.  Astlej,  and  T.  Forster,  for  Ibtging  and  uttering 
counterfeited  notes,  with  intent  to  defraud  the  Qoremor  and  Company 
of  the  Bank  of  Eogland*-  liay  the  impression  then  made  upon  the 
minds  of  the  spectators  be  lasting,  may  they  eyer  remember  that 
**  honesty  is  tibe  oest  policy,"  and  may  they  haTs  the  wisdom  to  prefer 
a  moderate  income^  and  a  piopwsive  Incnaae  of  wealth,  accompanied 
by  a  tranquillity  of  mind  generally  consequent  upon  honest  industty 
and  economy,  to  the  desire  of  gam  without  labour,  and  to  a  sudden 
increase  of  wealth,  accompanied  by  perpetual  anxiety.  The  latter 
desire  was  the  bane  of  these  sufferers,  as  they  generally  acknowledged ; 
and  such  b  the  hudness  of  heart  acquired  by  habitual  yice,  that  one- 
of  the  male&ctors  dedared  he  was  forging  notes  on  the  rery  day  he 
knew  his  acquaintance,  Henshaw.  was  exeeated  at  Coventxy.  How 
careful  then  ought  they  to  be  who  nave  the  ears  of  the  rising  generation, 
or  are  the  guaraians  of  the  public  moral%  to  check  the  first  swwring 
from  rectitude. 


Notwithstanding  theae  unhappy  men  all  acknowledged  their  guilt, 
and  appeared  penltenti  and  little  as  could  be  their  hopes  of  escaping 
from  audi  a  pmou,  yet  we  find  that  they  had  conspirsa  to  mi^e  their 


ipe,  even  if  it  inToived  the  destruction  of  those  who  were  administer- 
ing to  them  CTenr  comfort  and  consolation.  Happily  their  diabolical 
intentions  were  uustrated  bj  the  componetion  or  a  man  whom  they 
had  made  their  confidant,  and  wlio  was  to  have  made  a  divenion  to 
effect  their  purpose  in  another  part  of  the  gaoL 

T.  Wells,  with  view  to  make  some  atonement  to  the  public,  desired 
St  might  be  made  known  that  the  kmd  notes  in  wbi^  he  was 
concerned,  and  on  which  the  water4nan  was  impressed  l^  a  tool, 
might  always  be  dIsooTered  from  real  Bank  of  England  notes^  )aj 
completely  damping  and  afterwards  drying  them,  when  the  finged 
water-mark  would  entirely  disappear. 

In  consequence  of  the  desperate  dedgn'of  these  oonTicta  they 
finished  their  derotlon  within  the  prison,  and  were  hung  in  wUn^ 
being  cautiously  brought  upon  the*  new  drop  at  the  gate  of  the  giu>1, 
and  tied  up  as  they  came  out  one  bjr  one,  and,  in  a  very  6w  ndnutes 
after  their  aj^warance^  were  launched  into  eternity. 


THE  BIRMINOHAM  DISPENSABY.  143 


THB    BIRMIKGHAM    DISPENSABT. 

In  the  year  1792  the  BirmiDgham  people  began  another 

work  of  charity,  which  has  been  of  immense  service  ,to  the 

suffering  poor,  and  is  still  numbered  among  our  many 

useful  ana  b^^oent  institutiona     On  November  19  in 

that  year,  the  following  paragraph  was  published : — 

We  sre  happy  to  hear  tfast  it  is  in  agitation  to  estahlish  a  Dlspenauy 
in  this  town — a  charity  to  beneficial  to  thepoor  that  we  are  anrpriiied  it 
has  not  been  thought  of  before  now.  The  first  Dispenaary  in  this 
oountrr  was  set  on  foot  in  London,  in  the  year  1770,  by  a  few  priTata 
indiridoals.  The  number  of  sobeoribers  for  the  first  year  did  not  ezoeed 
100,  and  its  fbnd  only  amoonted  to  1682.  In  177S  the  Go?emors  had 
increased  to  300,  the  iiuid  to  3972.,  next  year  to  9092.,  till  in  the  year 
1778^  the  sobseribers  amoonted  to  14,000.  By  the  report  of  that  year 
it  had  admitted  5^820  patients,  and  in  less  than  ssTen  years  26,46a 
After  this  the  adTantages  of  this  institation  became  so  obTiona^  that  in 
the  course  of  a  few  years  they  were  adopted  in  Tarions  parts  of  the 
metropoUi^  and  in  all  the  considerable  provincial  towns,  patronised  by 
namcroos  sabscribers,  among  whom  were  many  persons  of  .distingaished 
rank,  so  that  Dispensaries  are  now  general  in  EngUnd,  Scotland, 
IreUnd,  on  Tarions  parts  of  the  Continent,  West  Indies,  and  America. 
One  has  been  lonff  established  in  Dublin,  and  assistea  by  grants  of 
money  fiom  the  Irish  Legislature. 

The  proposal  for  a  Dispensary  was  not  allowed  to  sleep. 
On  Februaiy  11,  a  pan^graph  appeared,  having  reference 
to  a  similar  institution  in  Philadelphia,  U.S.,  which  was 
said  to  exhibit  *'an  application  of  something  like  the 
Mechanical  Powers  to  the  Purposes  of  Humanity.    The 

Seatest  Quantity  of  Qood  is  produced  in  this  Way  with 
e  least  Money."  Mr.  Charles  Pye,  in  his  Description  of 
Birmingham,  in  the  year  1818,  pves  the  following;  brief 
bistoiy  of  this  useful  charity.  ''This  laudable  institution 
originated  among  a  select  society,  and  was  carried  on  in  a 
private  manner  for  some  time  ;  until  they  were  joined  by 
the  late  Matthew  Boulton,  Era.,  who  took  it  under  his 
pairona^  in  the  year  1793,  when  a  house  was  iakea  in 
Temple  now,  and  an  establishment  formed ;  he  taking  upon 
himself  the  office  of  treasurer,  saying,  'if  the  funds  of  the 
institution  are  not  sufficient  for  its  support^  I  will  make  up 
the  deficiency/  It  continued  in  Temple  Bow,  supported  by 
voluntary  suDscriptions  and  donations,  until  the  year  1808, 
when  a  commodious  building  having  been  erected 'for  the 
purpose,  in  Union  Street^  at  the  expence  of  more  than  two 
thousand  pounds,  the  establishment^  consisting  of  a  house 


144  A  CBKTITBT  OF  BIBMIKGHAK  LIFE. 

apoihecaiyy  another  for  compounding  and  dispensing  of  the 
medicines,  and  a  midwife,  removed  tiiere.    Those  who  have 

Sreviously  received  a  recommendation,  are  here  accommo- 
ated  with  medicni  advice  and  assistance,  gratis,  and  the 
females  in  the  time  of  need  are  attended  at  their  own  dwel- 
lings by  the  midwife,  as  are  also  sick  patients,  who  are  too 
ill  to  attend  personally." 

The  first  annual  report  was  presented  at  a  meeting  held 
November  7,  1794,  Mr.  Matthew  Boulton  in  the  chair. 
From  this  report  it  appeared  that  325  Patients  had  received 
medical  advice  and  assistance  at  their  own  houses,  of  which 
numb^  246  were  Sick  Patients,  48  MidAJoifery^  and  .81 
Inoculation  Patients.  That  the  encouragement  given  to  the 
Institution,  and  the  peculiar  benefits  resultii^  to  the  poor, 
had  been  such  as  to  have  determined  the  Committee  to 
take  a  house,  and  engage  an  apothecary,  whose  whole  time 
should  be  devoted  to  the  service  of  the  charity.  The  house 
in  Temple  Row  was  soon  found  to  be  inadequate  for  the 
wants  of  the  new  Oharity,  and  in  1806  a  subscription  was 
opened  for  the  purpose  of  providing  a  more  commodious 
building*  On  December  1st  we  read  that  ^our  ingenious 
townsman,  Mr.  W.  HoUins,  has  finished  a  drawing  of  the 
intended  new  building  for  the  Dispensary,  which  will  this 
day  be  exhibited  at  the  Printer^s  or  this  paper." 

In  the  OazetU  of  the  following  week  this  additional 
information  is  given : — 

DupEMBiar. 

December  16th,  1806.— The  liieiidB  of  this  vidiukble  iosUtntion  will 
be  happy  to  see  saeh  a  respeotable  list  of  subacriberi  to  the  new 
building  aboat  to  be  erected  in  this  town  for  the  purpoees  of  the 
charity,  as  will  be  found  in  oar  first  p^e ;  and  we  tmtt  that  in  another 
week  we  ehall  find  the  number  considerably  increMed,  in  order  to 
enable  the  committee  not  only  to  ^noTide  an  attached  dwelling-Jiouie 
for  the  midwifeiy  attendants,  bat  to  administer  those  comforts  to  the 
poor  women  of  this  class  of  patients  of  which  they  so  fiwqaently  stand 
in  need,  and  which  the  scanty  lands  of  the  institntion  nave  hitherto 
mvented  the  committee  from  sapplriniL^  The  bailding  committee 
nave  fixed  apon  the  plan  prodoced  by  Mr.  Hollins,  whioli  may  be  seen 
at  the  Printex^s  of  this  Paper,  and  the  foondation  stone  will  be  laid  in 
a  few  days. 

The  stone  was  laid  on  December  2Srd,  and  we  select  from 
the  report  this  acoonnt  of  tlie  ceremony : — 

New  DmPXKBABT. 

December  89,  1806^— On  Toesday  morning  the  Low  Bailiff  cf  the 
townjthe  dtrgj^  the  Bailiff  and  other  GoTemors  of  the  Erse  School, 
the  Physicians  and  8af|;eons  of  the  InstitoUon,  with  many  other 
respectablo  Inhabitants^  assembled  at  Style's  Hotd,  n^ere  an  elegant 


THB  WOBLD  OT  80HO.  J  45 

braak&st  mm  prepared,  after  whidh  tbe  Company  proceeded  to  Union 
Street^  where  ^ywj  thmg  was  in  readinen  to  b^;in  the  foundation  of 
the  new  bnilding  to  oe  eiwcted  in  that  street  for  the  purpoeee  of 
the  eharity.  Aboat  eleven  o'doek  the  Low  Bailiff  laid  the  first  stone, 
upon  the  top  of  whidi  there  was  a  brsas  plate^  with  the  following 
insenption: — 

^  The  first  stone  of  this  Dispensary  for  the  inhabitants  of  Birmingham 
was  laid  by  Thomas  Potts,  Esquire,  Low  Baili£^  on  the  23rd  Day  of 
December,  1806,  in  the  47Ui  year  of  oar  Sover^ffi  Lord,  King  Geoi^e 
the  niird.  Jouh  Bottov,  Esqoire,  Hi|^  &iliffl 

^l^dende  valetndini  nnllam  non  hnmanam,  opem  adhibeamns^ 
nnlljun  non  divinam  imploremns." 

After  the  ceremony  was  finished,  the  Low  Bailiff  addressed  the 
meeting  in  nearly  the  following  wxms:— < 

^Gentlemen,  in  oxpressing  the  warmest  wishes  of  my  own  hear!  I 
am  perraaded  I  shall  express  those  of  yonrs  also — Tliat  tiio  blsmng 
of  Heaven  may  ever  rest  on  this  Institution ;  That  tiie  poor  of 
Burmingham  maj[  never  be  destitute  of  the  aaristance  it  is  intended 
to  impiurt ;  That  its  means  and  its  nsefblness  may  so  on  in  progressive 
enlargement  firom  year  to  year :  and  That  its  benendal  influences  may 
descend  to  the  latest  posterity/' 

The  new  building  was  opened  in  1808,  and  from  the 
last  report  we  leam  that,  auring  the  year  which  ended 
December  31,  1866,  7,100  sick  patiente,  and  856  mid- 
wifery patients  received  medical  and  snigical  aid,  and 
1,169  vacdnations  were  performed.  The  total  number  of 
patients  from  the  foundation  of  the  Institution,  in  1793,  to 
1866,  was  328,312,  divided  into  196,834  sick,  86,065  mid- 
wifeiy,  and  95,413  vaccination  cases ;  a  splendid  record  of 
MndoeB  rendered  to  safferiog  hmnamty  by  the  Binniii^ 
Ihspensaiy. 


THB  WOBLD  OF  80H0. 

One  of  the  most  important  undertakings,  not  only  to  the 
trade  and  prosperity  of  Birmingham,  but  to  the  trade  and 

Erosperity  of  the  civilized  worlc^  was  the  founding  of  Soho 
y  that  ^  great  Captain  of  Industry,'*  Matthew  Boulton. 
Here  it  was  that  some  of  tbe  most  remarkable  inventions 
were  applied  to,  and  discoveries  made  in,  manufactures, 
and  in  the  application  of  art  to  trade.  Here  gas  was  finit 
used;  here  coining  was  made  an  art;  here  plating 
was  perfected;  here  a  thousand-and-one  novel  appli^ 
cations  were  tried  and  ezperimants  made  to  lessen  the 
amount  of  labour,  and  to  improve  the  artides  produced  in 
this  epitome  of  the  manufacturing  world;  and  here,  to 
crown  all,  that  bloodless  revolutiomstk  that  greatest  saver 
n.  ft 


146  A  CENTURY  OF  BIBMINGHAIC  LIFE. 

of  time  and  toil,  that  traest,  most  potent  and  never- 
wearying  fiiend  of  man,  the  steam-engme  of  James  Watt, 
was  brought  to  perfection.  The  labours  of  Boulton  and 
Watt  at  &II10  changed  the  commercial  aspects  of  the  world. 

Before  the  erection  of  this  maniifectory,  Mr,  Boulton  car- 
ried on  business  in  Snow-hill,  as  a ''  toyn^iker  f  the  word 
meaning  a  manu&cturer  of  buttons,  buckles,  and  the  enor- 
mous varietj  of  trinkets  known  in  ike  Birmingham  trade  as 
*^iojB.*'  He  was,  however,  a  man  of  vast  ideas.  Hismanufius- 
tunng  ambition  was  enormoua  We  have  seen  in  the  record 
of  the  public  life  of  the  town  fix)m  1781  to  1791,  the  impjorr 
tant  part  which  Mr.  Boulton  took  in  all  questions  affecting 
trade  and  oommerca  He  resolved  to  be  a  Prince  of  Manu- 
facturers, and  to  spread  his  name  throughout  the  trading 
world ;  and  some  time  before  he  b^[an  his  work  at  Soho,  the 
Snow-hill  premises  had  become  too  small  for  his  actual 
bumness ;  out  when  compared  witli  the  business  which  the 
ardent  and  sanguine  Boulton  contemplated,  he  indeed  felt 
himself,  ^cabined,  cribbed,  confined,"  and  resolved  to  erect 
a  world  of  his  own — ^the  World  of  Soha 

Mr.  SmileSy  in  his  excellent  Lives  of  Boulton  and  Watt, 

S' ves  the  following  account  of  the  site,  and  the  begioning  of 
le  work : — 

*8oho  is  aboat  two  mOat  north  ai  Birmingfaam,  on  the  Wolrer- 
hampkon  load.  It  is  not  in  tiie  pariah  of  Birmingham,  nor  in  the 
county  of  Warwick,  bnt  iost  orer  t£e  border,  in  the  conntT  ol  Stafford. 
Bown  to  the  middle  of  last  centonr  the  groand  on  whidi  H  standa  waa 
a  barren  heath,  need  only  aa  a  rabbit-wazren.  The  aole  dwelling  on  it 
waa  the  warranei^a  hnt^  which  stood  near  the  aommit  of  the  hill,  on  the 
spot  afterwardaocenpied  by  Soho  Honae';  and  the  warrenei^B  well  iaatill 
to  be  found  in  one  of  the  eeUara  of  the  mansion.  In  1766;  Mr.  Edward 
Bnskon  took  a  lease  of  the  ground  for  ninety-nine  years  from  Mr. 
Wyerl^,  the  lord  of  the  maoory  with  libarly  to  make  a  eat  about  half 
a  mile  in  length  for  the  pttrpoaa  A  toniinff  the  waters  of  Hoekley  Brook 
into  a  pool  under  the  brow  of  the  hilL  The  head  of  water  thna  formed 
waa  i»ed  to  driTO  a  feeble  mill  below,  which  Mr.Boatonhad  eatabliahed 
for  laminating  metala.  BLe  alao  bnilt  a  small  dwelling  honae  aboot  160 
yards  from  the  mill,  and  expended  npon  the  plaee  a  anm  of  aboat 
;n00O  In  alL  When  Mr.  Bonlton  waa  aatiafied  that  the  plaee  would 
salt  his  puposfl^  he  entered  into  amngementa  with  Mr.  Boaton  for  the 
porohaae  or  hie  leasee  on  the  eomplMion  of  whieh  be  proceeded  to 
ivboild  the  inill  on  a  larger  seale^  and  in  eoorae  of  time  remoTed  thither 
the  ^ole  of  hlatooli^mMhioeryi  and  workmen.  The  new  manafactorr, 
when  finlahed.  eoosisted  of  a  senei  of  roomy  workahopa  oonTenientfy 
oonneoted  with  each  other,  or  capable  of  aeoommodating  upwards  of  a 
thouaand  wofkmen.  The  buUdtng  and  atocUng  of  the  premisea  cost 
upwards  of  £S(V00a*^ 

^lifescfBoalloa  and  Watt,   ^y  Samuel  Sadke.  p.  167. 


THE  WORLD  OF  SOHO.  147 

Mr.  Boulton  bought  the  lease  from  Mr.  Ruston  in  1762  ; 
but  the  mill  which  he  rebuilt  was  soon  too  small  for  "  his 
great  designs,"  says  Mr.  Morfitt ;  and  "  in  1704,  lie  laid  the 
toundation  of  the  present  superb  manufactory,  which  was 
finished  the  next  year,  at  an  expense  of  £.9,000."  Dr. 
Darwin,  who  was  a  friend  of  Mr.  Boulton,  writing  in  1 768, 
says  of  Soho,  ''Here  are  toys  and  utensils  of  various  kinds, 
in  gold,  copper,  tortoiseshell,  enamels,  and  many  vitreous 
and  metallic  .compositions,  with  gilt,  plated,  and  inlaid 
works,  all  wrought  up  to  the  highest  elegance  of  taste  and 
perfection  of  execution."  It  was  in  1767  that  Watt  paid 
his  first  visit  to  Soho,  but  it  was  not  until  1774  that  he 
entered  into  partnership  with  Boulton  "  in  the  manufacture 
of  Steam  Engines."  In  Swinney's  Directory  of  the  same 
year  we  have  this  short  but  clear  description  of  Soho  when 
Watt  became  so  intimately  connected  with  its  future 
fortunes : — 


**  Tills  plaoe  is  ntoatad  in  the  Bariih  of  HaDdswoith,  in  the  Coonty 
of  Stafford,  two  Miles  distant  from  Birmlnghain.  The  bniiding  oon- 
•iflti  of  foor  SqoaTCi^  with  Shops,  Wkrehoosei^  &c.,  for  a  Thousand 
Wotkmen ;  who^  in  a  snat  vaiie^  of  Bnoiches,  excel  id  their  several 
Departments ;  not  otu^  in  the  fabricatioD  of  Bottona,  Backlea,  Boxes, 
^inkit^  fte^  m  Gold,  Silver,  and  a  varietj  of  Oompoeitioii%  but  in 
manj  other  Azta,  long  predominant  in  IVanoe,  which  lose  their  Bepa- 
tation  on  a  Oompariaon  with  the  product  of  this  Place :  and  it  ia  bj  the 
natiTea  herao^  or  of  the  parte  adjaoent,  (whoae  emnlatioa  and  taate  the 
Pkoprifltori  hare  spared  no  CSare  or  Expenoe  to  exdte  and  improre) 
that  it  ia  brought  to  ita  preaent  floiuriaiiin^  State.  The  number  of 
ingeniooa  medmnieal  OontriTanoea  thej  avrnl  theniaelTea  of,  by  the 
means  of  Water  Mill^  much  facllitatea  their  Work,  and  aa^ea  a  great 
portion  of  Time  and  Labour.  The  Plated  Work  has  an  aroeanmee  of 
aolid  Silver,  more  espedallT  when  ;oompared  with  that  or  any  other 
manofaetofy.  Tbeir  excellent  oniamental  Pieoea.  in  Or-Molu,  hare 
been  admiied  by  the  Nobility  and  Qentiy,  not  only  of  this  Kiiigdooi, 
bat  of  all  Europe ;  and  are  allowed  to  eurpaaa  anything  of  the  Idncl 
made  afaroad.  And  aome  Axtidea  lately  executed  in  SUver^Plate  ahew 
that  TMe  and  Elegance  of  Dmw^  praviil  here  in  a  auperior  degree, 
and  are^with  Mechanism  and  Chymietiy,  happily  united.  The  en- 
▼froBs  of  tins  Building  waa^  Seren  .Teari  ag(s  a  harren,  uncultiTatcd 
Heath ;  though  it  now  contame  manr  Hoaaea,and  wean  the  appearance 
of  a  popolooa  eoontry ;  and  notwithstanding  the  number  of  PMpfe  in 
that  niiah  is  double  idiat  they  were  a  few  jreais  aince,  yet  the  Pooi'a 
Batea  are  diminialied,  iHiich  ia  a  veiy  ^^rikiiMT  inftfiw*e  of  the  good 
oAeti  of  Indostiy.* 

A  new  power,  bemdes  ^  Water  Mills,**  was  now  to  be  in- 
troduced to  Soha  After  many  unsuooessful  experiments 
and  trials,  running  tbroogh  a  period  of  four  jears,  success 
attended  the  labours  of  \^tt 


148  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

''  In  November,  1774,  Watt  wrote  Dr.  Boebuck,  infomung  him  of 
the  saooess  of  his  trials ;  on  which  the  Dr.  expmsed  his  surprise  that 
the  €ai|g;ine  should  have  worked  at  all.  'considering  the  slightness  of  the 
materials  and  its  lonff  exposure  to  tne  injuries  cf  the  weather.'  Watt 
also  wrote  to  his  fatner  at  Greenock :  *  The  business  I  am  here  about 
has  turned  out  rather  suooeaaful ;  that  is  to  say,  the  fire-engine  I  have 
invented  is  now  going,  and  answers  much  better  than  any  other  that 
has  vet  been  made ;  and  I  expect  that  the  invention  will  be  very  bene- 
fidal  to  me.'  Such  was  Watrs  modest  announcement  of  the  successful 
working  of  the  engine  on  which  such  great  results  depended.* 

In  the  OazetU  for  August  15, 1791,  we  have  a  report  of 
the  rejoicings  at  Soho  on  the  coining  of  age  of  Mr.  Boulton's 
Son.  It  gives  us  a  pleasant  glance  into  the  inner  life  of 
the  manumctory ;  and,  so  fiur  as  we  know,  it  has  not  been 
reprinted  in  any  life  of  Boulton  or  in  any  history  of  Soho: — 

HoLU>AT  AT  Soho  Mavutactobt. 

August  15th,  1791. — It  is  much  to  the  honour  of  the  workmen  at 
Soho^  that»  in  oonfonnitj  to  the  wishes  expressed  by  their  emnl<^jen^ 
not  one  of  them  was  absent  finom  the  Mannfactory  daring  tiw  late . 
Biots.  Soon  after  the  military  arrived  at  Birrotnriiam,  and  tranquility 
WM  restored,  Mr,  Boqlton  took  an  opportimity  of  thanking  his  peopb 
fer  the  good  order  they  had  obsemd^  and,  at  the  aune  time^  inTitad 
th«m  al(  with  the  womea  and  efaildren  employed  in  the  manofiustoryy 
to  dine  with  hfan  on  Monday,  the  6th  ol  Aqgos^  being  the  BIrthdigr 
of  hk  son,  and  when  he  beeame  of  ase. 

The  morning  was  nahered  in  hf  the  ringing  of  bells  at  Handsworth 
and  at  Birmingham  At  one  o*eiook,  all  ttie  nenons  employed  in  the 
Mannfiietoty  aswmhled  within  its  wal]%  ana  were  marahalled  into 
rcgolar  oorps^  aooording  to  their  respeetiTe  trades^  from  whenoe  tiii^ 
marohedy  two  by  two^  preceded  by  an  axoelknt  band  of  etrii  and 
militaiy  mnirie* 

Fbst  eorpi.  One  hondred  yomig  women,  mostly  dieased  in  whiter 
with  bloe  nbbont. — Second.  A  corps  of  fifty  Rngjneeis,  headed  by 
Perrini^  in  the  diaracter  of  Ynlcan,  bearing  a  working  Fire  Encine 
en  his  head,  followed  by  the  PjelofM^  with  hqfe  banunen  on  their 
ehonldeia,  and  closed  by  «me  of  them  carrying  a  Oopyii^[  lladdnew— • 
Third.  Six  corps  of  Bntloiieen,  50  in  each,  with  the  enngns  of  their 
rmptd&w%  trades;  Tia.  gUt,  pUted,  steel,  inkid,  whit*«Mtal,  fto. 
Each  eosign  consisted  of  a  lam  sheet  of  pasteboard,  soitably  decorated 
with  great  taste^  and  closed  with  a  Bee-hiTC^  composed  of  snail  bottc 
as  an  emblem  of  iadortiy. — ^Fourth.  Two  coqis  of  Artists  smf^i 
in  the  sUrer,  plated,  and  cr-molvmaiuifiietare.  The  flrrt  bore  a  simr 
^[Mrgiie,  and  the  last  two  solden  Tase%  upon  a  stand  coveted  witfi 
a  crimson  vehret — Fifth.  The  woricmen  smploTed  in  the  BoUu^ 
Mills,  carryiog  an  ensign  composed  of  fillets  of  rolled  metal  of  vmrioas 
coloiu%  formmg  ftstooo^  loosely  pUying,  and  iriiich  had  a  msiit 
ofiSwt--8tztlL  A  corps  of  Moneyen^  canying  a  glasi  visi^  fiUea  witti 
Coin. 

The  prociiJsdoamo'Tod  in  ryilsr  order  iktmi  the  MaantotogrthroiaA 
the  lower  part  of  the  Soho  Gardeoa  and  roand  the  oxtremi^  of  the 
groonds,  whilst  Mr.  Booltcn's  frieiids  were  sealed  upon  the  lawn  at 

*  Smiles,  p.  tCS. 


THE  WORLD  OF  SOHO.  149 

the  front  of  the  house.  The  gradual  appearance  of  the  procession, 
rising  firom  behind  the  hill,  with  the  martial  music  playing,  the  extent 
of  the  procession  (for  the  rear  of  it  was  not  in  sight  when  the  van  had 
paased  the  lawn),  the  good  order,  their  cleanly  drees,  with  the  joy  and 
happiness  that  sparkled  in  every  eye^  afforded  the  hifffaest  pleasure  to 
all  the  benevolent  beholders.  During  this  intervsu,  the  StewaixLs, 
Butlers,  and  Cook%  were  employed  in  placing  dinner  upon  the  tables. 
The  procession  continued  its  march  through  the  plantation  down  to  the 
terrace  at  the  front  of  the  Manu£uH»ry,  and  was  closed  by  the  Visiting 
lUends.  Upon  th«r  arrival^  the  musicians  entered  an  orchestra 
(which  had  been  erected  for  the  occasion,  decorated  with  laurels  and 
flowers),  the  several  corps  took  possession  of  their  respective  table^ 
and  there  fixed  their  standards.  Mr.  Boulton,  with  his  Friends  ana 
Partners,  entered  a  Dining-room,  where  an  excellent  dinner,  with  a 
fine  turtle,  was  prepared  for  theuL  lieanwhile,  all  were  seated  at  tiie 
■iz  tables  on  the  terrace^  each  aooommodatlng  100  persons,  besides  two 
tables  in  the  long  rooms,  consisting,  in  the  whole,  of  upwards  of  700 


At  a  aignal  all  arose^  and«  with  hats  ofi^  Qrace  was  pronounced, 
accompanied  with  a  short  eznortation,  to  be  merry  and  wise.     The 


Holidav  was  proolaimcd^  and  the  mono  ordered  to  strike  up  the  Boast 
of  Old  Knglaiid.  and  dinner  besan.    Every  dish  baa 


Beef  of  Old  Knglaiid,  and  dinner  began.  Every  dish  had  its  carver 
appointed,  and  cash  table  ita  waiters,  so  that  everyone  dined  comfortably^ 
without  toe  Isasl  disocdcr  or  confiisioiL  When  dinner  was  endetL  the 
band  played,  and  the  company  son^as  Grace^  Not  unto  u%  O  Lord!,  &a 
The  taUes  beiqg  cleared  of  the  eataUei^  the  company  prepared  for  the 
litcscf  Baoohua. 

TIm  fint Toast  given  was  The  King!  followed  by  three  humsu 
8001^  Qod  Save  the  King^  by  Mr.  Stanley,  with  the  choros  by  all  the 
coapanyw-^S.  The  Qocen  I  A  Glee  hj  Probin,  Stanley,  &&— 3.  The 
FHncs  of  Wales*  Botuu  See  the  CSooqnering  Hero  comeiL  4& — 1  The 
Duke  of  Tcrk  and  the  Sritish  Army.  Song.  Briton%  Strike  Home,  by 
all  the  conmany.*— A.  The  Bcyal  Tkr  and  the  Navy  of  Old  England 
with  Bole  Britannia  in  flill  chcraa— 4L  All  the  Boyal  Funfly,  and  a 
Glee.  ThtUlbaroondbainiriiowcovarsdwiththoQssndscfBpeetaton^ 
Mr.  Bonlioii  and  his  «mi  witbdrsw  to  make  them  a  viaiti  and  to  exhort 


them  to  peace  and  good  oidcr.  Finding  the  Fireworks  could  not  be 
aesa  to  advantafc  fium  the  mannfiMtofy,  ne  proniaed  to  have  them  let 
off  fircmapcoporamiaeiiDes  and,  aa  a  testiniony  of  hia  good  willygave 


IHnriqg  thair  abisaesi  tbe  company  diaak  three  toaflt% 

7.  Mr.  BoaitdL  aad  asany  happy  years  to  him. 

S.  His  Sea,  and  flMonr  happy  retana  of  this  day. 

81  May  BcMton  aad  Binnii^iham  continue  an  hoaoor  to  cor  coqnfay 

At  Mr.  Booltca'a  retarn,  hi  gave  All  tho  MaaalMturars  cl  Old 
ftMlaadi  TUa  was  lailowcd  by  a  mog,  paraphraaed  firam  cae  by 
O.  A.  BtavcasL  ia  piaiaa  cf  the  WnakiAtm  aaa  Soho  MaaufiMtoren^ 
with  wUeii^llMpcMdawaiahli^  delisted. 

Whea  the  health  cfJlr.  Boaltca,Jaaior.waa  drank,  a  BaUooa,  with 
a  complhaeataiy  iaserifitioa,  waa  iaanched,  aad  a  aong  from  Bcsina 

ly  Joined  la  choras,  Tbh  is  NatuVs 


wmagf  la  which  all  tho  compaay 
Holiday.    The  Ooaatry  Daaees  aow  begaa  (nnoa  a  boarded  pbtfona 
prsvioosly  piaparcd  m  that  porpoae)  m  which  part  of  the  company 


150  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

V- 

from  the  diniDg-room  joined ;  but  the  dancers  being  too  large  for  one 
set,  thej  divided  into  three,  with  as  many  bands  of  mnsic. 

The  Dancing  oontinned  nntil  evening.  A  Balloon  was  andn  sent 
np ;  Rockets  and  Cannon  were  dischaiged ;  to  these  sncoeeded  some 
beantiftil  Fireworks  pre|Mred  by  Mr.  Keale,  and  at  ten  the  dosing  gun 
was  fired,  when  all  peaceably  departed  in  the  highest  good  homoor, 
and  those  who  came  to  Birmingham  had  the  satis£ftction  of  being 
preceded  upon,  the  road  by  the  martial  music. 

The  Soho  Foundry  at  Smeth  wick,  built  by  Messrs.  Boulton, 
Watt,  and  Sons,  was  completed  in  January,  1796,  and  tiie 
''Bearing  Feast"  was  celebrated  on  Saturday,  the  SOth  of  that 
month.  In  the  Oazette  of  the  following  ULonday  we  find 
this  ver^  graphic  report  of  the  Feast  It  affords  us  a  good 
insight  mto  tne  fine  character  of  Matthew  fioulton : — 

8OHO  FOUKBBT. 

On  Saturday  last  the  Bearing  Feast  of  the  new  Foundry,  lateljr  built 
by  Messrs.  Boolton,  Watt^  ana  Sons,  at  Smethwick,  was  given  to  the 
enraMHsmiths,  and  all  the  other  workmen  employed  in  the  ereetioiL 

Two  Cat  dieep  (the  firrt  fnuts  of  the  newly-cultivated  land  at  Soho) 
were  ■acriJBced  at  the  Altar  of  Viilcaa,  and  eaten  by  the  Cyclops  in  the 
Great  Hall  of  the  Temple,  whidi  k  46  feet  wide  and  100  feet  loam. 
These  two  mat  dishes  were  flandihed  with  ramps  and  rounds  of  beef, 
legs  of  Tsa^  and  gammons  of  bacon^  wHh  irniumereMe  meat  pies  ana 

Sum  puddings,  aooompanied'with  a  good  band  of  maitialmusia  When 
nner  was  over,  the  Founder  of  Soino  entered  and  consectatad  this  new 
bnmch  of  it»  br  sprinkling  the  walls  with  wineu  and  then,  in  the  name 
of  Vnlosn.  and  all  the  Gods  and  Goddesses  of  Fire  and  Water,  pro- 
nooneed  ue  name  of  it  Soho  Foondiy,  and  all  the  people  cried  Amen. 
A  benediction  was  then  proDonnoed  b^  him  upon  the  undertaking,  and 
a  tfaank^giTing  offiBred  for  the  protection  and  pieseiistion  of  the  lives 
and  limbs  oftne  worianen  during  the  erection.  These  eeremonies  being 
ended,  six  esnnon  were  disdiarged,  and  the  Band  of  If  inric  struck  up 
God  Mve  the  Kiitf.  whidi  was  sung  in  full  diorus  bv  two  hundred  kyid 
snbieets.  After  t£i%  many  toasts  were  given  suitable  to  the  oeoMion, 
bgr  the  Ftaident  of  the  iWi  Mr.  H.  Bobinson  Bonhon,  iHiidi  wm 
conduoted  by  him  with  great  spirit  and  hilarity;  eaditosstwasaeoom* 
panied  with  three  Jovm  huBM  anda  disolMigeof  esnnoiL  ABsIl, 
irith  teS}  was  given  m  the  evening  to  Venus  and  the  Gtaoe%  whidi 
ended  alMNit  ten  o^dodi^  iHistt  the  conduding  guns  were  fired,  and  all 
deiparted  in  good  hunumr. 

The  Addras  of  Mr.  Boulton,  Sen.,  upon  entering  the  Foundiy,  was 
eonodved  in  the  following  terns  :-^ After  making  an  excuse  to  the  com- 
pany for  liot  dining  with  them,  he  said,  **  I  oonld  not  deny  myadf  the 
■atiabetion  of  wisOog  yon  a  hanpj  and  Joyons  day,  and  expressing  my 
regsrd  for  all  good,  honest,  and  zaithfnl  workmen,  whom  I  have  atways 
eonaidmd  as  rtesemJ  with  ny  best  friends. 

^  I  come  now  as  the  Fmerof  Soho,  to  oonssenite  this  pises  as  one 
of  itsbtandies;  I  also  eone  to  give  it  a  name  and  my  benediction. 

**  I  win  therefore  proceed  to  pufify  the  walls  of  it,  by  the  SBrinklmg 
of  wine,  and  in  the  name  of  Yueen  and  all  the  Gods  sm  Goodesses  01 
Fire  and  Water,  I  pronounce  the  name  of  it  8oho  Foundir.  May  that 
name  endure  for  ever  and  ever,  and  let  all  the  people  say  Amen,  Amen. 


THE  WOULD  OF  SOflO.  151 

**  This  Temple  now  haying  a  name,  I  will  propoee  that  every  man 
shall  fill  his  pitcher,  and  drink  auooesB  to  Soho  Foundry." 

Mr.  B.  then  proceeded  to  gire  the  EBtabliehment  hu  benediction  :— 
^May  thia  Establishment,*'  said  he,  "be  ever  prosperous,  may  no 
misfortune  ever  happen  to  it,  ma^  it  give  birth  to  manjr  useful  arts  and 
inventions,  may  it  prove  beneficial  to  mankind,  and  yield  comfort  and 
happiness  to  all  who  may  be  employed  in  it 

<«  As  the  Smith  cannot  do  without  his  Striker,  so  neither  can  the 
Master  do  without  his  Workman.  Let  each  pcof  onn  his  part  well,  and 
do  their  duly  in  that  state  to  which  it  hsAh  pleased  Goa  to  call  them, 
and  this  they  will  find  to  be  the  true  rational  ground  of  equality. 

**  One  senous  word  more,  and  then  I  have  done.  I  cannot  let  pass 
this  day  of  f  esti  vitjr,  without  obsenring  that  these  hage  piles  of  buOoing 
have  been  erected  in  a  short  tnne^  in  the  most  inclement  season  of  the 
vear,  without  the  loss  of  one  life,  or  any  material  aocndent    The««fore 


us  offer  up  our  grateful  thanks  to  the  Divine  Proteetor  of  all  things, 
without  whose  permissioii  not  a  sparrow  falleth  to  the  ground.  Let  us 
cfaaont  Hallelujahs  in  our  hearts  rar  these  Uessingi,  and  with  our  voices, 
like  loyal  subjects.  singOod  Save  Great  Geoige  our  King !"— Which 
was  done  in  full  ehoms,  and  amidst  the  disdiaige  of  the  cannon. 

Biflset^  in  his  Poetic  Survey  round  Birmingham,  pdUiBhed 
in  1800,  hae  the  following  lines  on  Soho : — 

^  SoBO  I— where  OsviiTS  and  the  Ak9S  preside, 
Bubofa's  wonder  and  BRiTAnru's  pnde ; 
Tbt  matdiless  woiln  have  laissd  Old  Ekiglaad's  fame^ 
And  fatnre  ages  win  rsond  thy  Name ; 
Each  rival  Natkn  shall  to  tfase  resign 
The  Palm  d  Tasv^  and  own— >*tiBlQstly  thine; 
Whilst  OoKiasaB  shaD  to  thee  an  altar  raise, 
And  infant  Geniiis  kam  to  Ikp  thy  praise : 
Whilst  Art  and  Bcisnss  reign,  ti^rli  stm  prodaim 
Tton!  ever  blMided  with  a  Boijuoa's  naoM." 

William  Murdock^  one  of  the  many  men  of  genius  whom 
Bonlton  had  gathered  around  him,  was  the  inventor  of  ^gasi" 
In  1798  several  of  the  offioes  in  Soho  were  thus  lighted ; 
and  ''on  the  general  illumination  which  took  plaoe  in  cele* 
bratimi  of  the  Peace  of  Amiens  in  1802»  the  nont  of  Soho 
Manufactory  was  brilliantly  illuminated  with  jam,  to  the 
astonishment  and  admiration  of  the  puUia"  The  OauUe 
of  April  5,  gives  the  following  report  of  the 

iLUDMnranoas  ar  Sono^ 
whieb  for  el^gaaoe  and  boldnsse  of  design,  arandear  of  eflbeCi  aad 


nroprietore 

pablis  sfsiv  reason  to  antidpale  a  very  soperfa 


and  brilliant  aidiibition ;  monMogij^  ssily  in  ^  alUmooiL  the  road 

ffstsBofthe 


Iroaathistown  was  crowded  with  iMMeengHS.    The  gates  of  the  gaidens 

wen  thrown  opsn  and  fSTs  sdoMuse  to  naiqr  thoinaads  of  speetalors, 
of  whooiy  it  is  hat  Jostioo  la  obserf%  that  sneh  was  thofa*  orderly 


152  A  C£NXURY  OF  BIBKINQHAH  LIFE. 

behaviour,  that  they  departed  almost  without  breaking  either  shrub  or. 
tree^  or  doing  any  damage.  The  hooee  was  adorned  on  the  summit  of 
the  roof  by  a  magnifioent  star,  oomposed  of  variegated  lam|)8,  and  the 
centre  window  was  embellished  by  a  beantiM  transparency,  in  glass,  of 
a  female  fig^»  in  the  attitude  of  offering  a  thanlogmng  for  the  return 
of  peace.  The  mannfactory  was  illuminated  throughout  its  spacious 
front  with  upwards  of  2^600  coloured  lamps,  disposed  into  the  forms  of 
G.  R.,  with  the  word  "  f  eace,''  above  which  was  placed  the  crown,  with 
a  star  of  exquisite  brilliancv.  In  the  centre  of  the  fronts  a  transparency 
represented  a  dorcL  the  emblem  of  peace,  desceaditig  on  the  globe ;  on 
the  left  winfb  another  represented  the  Osduceus  of  Mercury  between 
two  Coniuoopiaa ;  and  on  the  rights  a  beehive  decorated  with  flowers. 
In  addition  to  tiie  above,  three  very  splendid  Mongolfier  balloooa 
aioeftded  in  snccession  from  the  oour^ara  within  the  manufiwrtorT  at 
proper  illtervakL  on  a  dgnal  ftom  the  disdiarge  of  cannon.  KumDcrs 
of  aky-fucketa  also  teiided  to  enrich  the  scene.  The  whde  gave  the 
greatest  aatlsfiMtion,  and  p^odoMd,  in  the  minds  of  the  spectatora, 
tokins  of  admiration  and  sentiments  of  respect  iat  the  munificent 

S Rector.     Every  house  in  the  neifhbouxliood  was  also  splendidly 
ominated;  andanthe  woiionan  bsicogingto  the  manufiMtory  wen 
regaled  at  public  houses. 

In  1809  Mordock  wbb  ezammed  before  a  Parliamentaiy 
.Oommittee  on  the  subject^  and  Hr.  Smiles  rdatee  the 
following  etiaxuctemtic  aneodote.  ''Bo  yoa  mean  to  tell 
nsy"  aand  one  member^  that  it  will  be  poeaible  to  have  a 

S(ht  tcfitibtrf  a  tiTtdk/''    ^^^^  I  do,  mdeed,"  answered 
urdock.    *Ah,  my  fiiend,''  said  the  legislator,  *  Yon  are 


tr^ng  to  prove  too  mneh."  It  Iras  as  suzprionff  and  ineon- 
ceivaSle  to  the  honourable  member  as  Qeoige  Stephenson's 
sabsecroent  evidence  before  a  Bsiliamentsiy  Committee,  to 
the  eneet  that  a  eaitiage  mk;fat  be  drawn  npon  a  railway  at 
the  rata  <if  twelve  miles  an  Eoortpitftottl  a  tefva"^^    ^ 

The  Bdho  was  the  place  to  which  men  of  inventive 
genhia  tamed  as  to  their  naborsl  home.  Within  its  walls 
were  «mplo3red  a  very  laxge  nmnbo*  whose  names  have 
beeome  nm<ms  in  the  annals  of  indnstiy.  In  addition  to 
the  master  of  them  all,  James  Watt^  and  Kurdoek,  and 
Ej^ton,  the  well-known  John  Wyatt^  who  was  connected 
with  Lewis  Paul  in  his  great  invention  of  ninning  by 
roUen^  worked  here  during  his  later  years.  As  rei^ects 
the  relfieMive  daims  of  tmse  two  men  to  the  great  inven- 
tion, lu  Smiles  says,  in  a  note  to  his  euellent  w<nrk  on  the 
Hnguenoti^ ''So  far  as  we  can  judge  firom  the  Wyatt  MSS.,t 

•F|p.4Si-e. 

t  An  Ihess  1C88.  have  wisdf  beea  eecvied  hf  the  Wee  litauW  Gobi- 
Mlllse  fbr  the  Blnalashaai  SelmMS  lihiaijr.  iHme  thcj  eaa  he  eeassHed 
I7  aaj  oM  iaieiesled  in  this  iaiportaat  epissds  ef  oar  loeal  isdastrial  histofy. 


THE  WORLD  OF  SOHO.  153 

Paul  was  the  inventor  of  the  principle  of  Bpinning  by 
rollers,  and  Wyatt,  the  skilled  mechanic,  who  embodied  the 
principle  in  a  workiM  machine.  In  a  letter  addressed  by 
the  latter  to  Sir  H.  Gough,  he  describes  himself  as  *  the 
principal  agent,  I  might  almost  say  the  sole  compiler  of  the 
machine  for  spinning.' "  Mr.  Smiles  adds,  "  Wyatt  after- 
wards proved  his  ability  both  as  a  mechanic  and  an  inventor. 
The  machine  for  weighing  loaded  carriages,  still  in  use,  was 
invented  by  him.  Among  his  other  inventions  waa  a 
method  of  neutralising  the  friction  of  wheels,  by  suiround- 
ing  the  wearing  parts  of  the  axle  with  three  or  more  cylinders 
enclosed  in  a  steel  box  impervious  to  dust — ^an  invention  for 
which  several  patents  have  since  been  taken  out^  and  in  one 
of  which  Wyatt's  expedient  has  been  applied  with  success 
in  railway  turntables.  Another  of  his  contrivances  was  a 
double  lathe,  of  beautifol  construction  and  arrangement,  for 
cutting  out  of  bone  the  mould  in  which  a  pecimar  button 
was  formed,  which  proved  of  much  use  in  the  Birmingham 
tnule.  During  the  latter  yean  of  his  life  he  waa  emptoyed 
bjr  Matthew  Boulton,  to  whom  he  was  of  great  servioa  in 
erecting  the  machinery  for  Soho.  He  died  in  1766,  and  his 
funeral  was  attended  by  the  principal  inhabitants  of  Bir- 
mingham— Baskttrville^  the  prmter  (also  desoended  from  a 
French  refugee),  a  man  of  eccentric  oharacter,  arraying  him* 
self  on  the  occasion  in  la  splendid  suit  of  gold  lace."^ 

The  &me  of  Soho  was  so  widdy  spread  that  no  disUn- 
f^uiahed  visitor  ever  came  to  Birmingham,  or  to  anv  place 
m  the  neighbourhood,  without  going  over  the  manumotory> 
80  early  as  1776,  Kaiherine  H,  Empress  of  Buasla^  ^"^^«^ 
guest  of  the  great  manufiicturer,  in  a  letter  to  Watt  in 
uat  year  he  mentions  the  fisust^  and  adds  ''and  a  channiiig 
woman  she  is."*  Bopral  and  noUe  peraonagea  were  con- 
tinuathp*  inspecting  the  wonders  of  this  seat  of  the  arta. 
But  wnat  ia  of  atiU  greater  importance  to  uB|  a  laige  num- 
ber of  the  learned  and  adentinc  men  of  the  tima^  aa  well 
aa  the  great  oontemporaiy  leaders  of  indnatipr,  wen  bia 
frienda  Amongst  theae  we  may  name  Beigainm  IVankHn, 
Thomaa  Day,  &  Lovell  Edgworth,  Samuel  Galton,  Dn 
^'^*  John  Baakerville^  Dr.  Frieatlqr,  Josiah  We^g* 


*  The  HqgMBOli,  tlielr  SetUeneoti,  CbaidiMb  sad  IndailrfM.  la  Bbc^^ 
ana  Ireknd.  Byauaael  BmUet.  No«0lop.4a4.  In  the appoidiz wIU be 
iMnd  tiM  admin^bfe  aeeoaat  git«B  b J  tidf  ladd  wifler  of  llw  greal  iatiatfoB 
of  Lewis  F^il  and  Jeha  Wjatt. 


154  A  CENTURY  OF  BIBHIKGHAM  LIFE. 

wood  *  Dr.  Darwin,  Jit.  Parr,  Dr.  Small,  Mr.  Keir,  Sir  Joseph 
Baaktt,  Sir  William  Herschel^  and  his  own  still  more  famous 
partner,  James  Watt.  Many  of  these  were  members  of  the 
notable  Lunar  Club,  which  did  so  much  for  the  progress  of 
science  and  its  application  to  manufiau^tures.  Indeed,  into 
his  hospitable  house,  Ihjotd  de  TamitU  sur  Handarvorth 
Heath,  as  he  loved  to  call  it,  Boulton,  at  various  times. 

Slathered  all  that  was  famous,  ffifled  and  renowned  in  Great 
ritain,  as  well  as  all  the  mstiniruished  foreurners  who 
visited  this  oountiy  in  those  troublSTtimea   ^ 

In  1797  Mr.  Boulton  was  appointed  by  the  king  to 
execute  the  new  copper  coinage^  of  which  we  have  the  fol- 
lowing account : — 

CtoppsB  OonrAai. 

JniM  fieth,  1707^— The  King  htm  finallj  imMd  bis  wanant  to 
empower  Mr.  Boulton,  of  Sobo^  to^  ezeoata  a  coniiderftble  Oopper 
Oouiago  of  penny  and  twopenny  plaoes.  Haying  aeen  speebnens  of 
tbeniy  we  think  the  following  statement  may  be  aooeptoble  to  our 
veaden: — 

No  Chdnaai  or  olbar  national  Ooin^  now  in  ciroQlatioi&  in  any 
eoontiy  k  roinid,  or  of  eqnal  diamflter,  lor  want  of  bdng  stnuk  in 
steel  eollai%  as  medals  are^  which  is  of  great  importance  in  gold  cob  in 
parUeokr,  as  a  gage  is  applicable  to  socib  money,  and  tbeieby  baae 
gold  may  be  detected ;  ami,  thom^  Ibis  is  not  eo  neceamcy  in  oopper 


coiiL  yet  by  means  of  snob  a  oige^  eoontetftite  maj  be  ascertained,  and 
at  all  events  it  imns  an  hanomner  and  smoolher  edge  tban  it  otber- 
wiee  eoold  be.  This  ciiwiiiiitamju  baa  also  enabled  Mr.  Boolton  to 
establisb  a  ooinddent  between  oor  measmf<S|  weigbti^  and  copper 
money 

The  twopenny  pieces  will  wdiflt  1  onnces  eacb,  and  eight  cf  Hmu 
one  moi. 


Tbepenny  plecea  wiU  weigh  1  ovnce^  and  aermiteen  of  tbem  measvre 

The  hal4Mnny  pieois  win  wel^  I  oonce^  and  twelte  measore  one 

Hence  erety  Individnal'will  bave  a  set  of  weiditi^  and  tiie  means  of 
detecting  fiJse  ones )  and  Ibme  li  BO  donU  bnt  the  peer  will  be  able  to 
obtain  a  penny  worth  ftr  a  peunr,  as  diteea  of  tbem  wilgb  cnejpomid, 
wbereasmostof  tbeeoimtetftit  iial4Mneeaie84toaMQnd.  Twenty 
tons  of  oopper  aie  now  ved  weeUy  at  Mr.  BooltoiiAi  Mint^  in  eOecting 
this  naclUeclnage. 

The  eactent  of  this  work  may  be  gathered  from  the  fS^t 
thai  from  1797  to  1805  Mr.  Boolton  ^ocnned,  under  oontnet 
for  the  British  Cbvemment^  upwaids  of  4,000  tone  wdght 
of  copper  coiOy  amoontiiif^  at  its  ^Aminaii  value,  to  neariy 

•  Dor  a  Ml  aa4  nBable  accomt  of  tbe  lift  and  hbonn  of  Htm 


*  Kir  a  lui  aa4  lenaNc  accoent  or  ibe  aft  and  kAoaia  of  tte  cieal 
poller,  eee  Miee  Menyaid'i  ^ilmdid  book,  ^  Life  ef  Jceiah  We^gwoodT 


THE  WORLD  OP  SOHO.  155 

£800,000."*   And  on  this  princelv  scale  was  carried  on  the 
work  of  industry  in  the  World  of  Soho. 

The  men  who  made  the  World  of  Soho  were  now 
beginning  to  pass  away.  On  Monday,  March  25th,  Francis 
Egmton  died;  and  the  following  obituary  notice  appeared 
in  the  Gazette  : — 

April  Ist,  1805. — Died,  on  Monday  after  a  very  long  and  painful 
illnees,  in  the  68th  year  of  his  age,  Mr.  Francis  Eginton,  of  Handsworth, 
celebrated  as  the  restorer  of  the  art  of  painting  npon  glass,  which  he 
carried  to  a  state  of  excellence  never  attained  at  any  former  period, 
uniting  with  colours  brilliant  as  those  produced  by  the  ancients^  a 
fulness  of  efifec^  a  propriety  of  light  and  shade,  and  a  delicacy  of 
execution  of  which  tney  gaye  no  examples.  The  numerous  and  great 
works  he  executed  will  long  remain  monuments  of  his  taste  and  skill, 
and  bear  testimony  of  the  unremitting  application  to  his  profession. 
While  the  public  suffer  by  the  death  of  an  ingenious  artist,  his  numerous 
friends,  to  whom  he  was  endeared  by  the  constant  exercise  of  erery 
amiable  quality,  testify  in  their  regret  how  much  they  &el  the  loss  of 
a  Tirtaous  and  ujiright  man. 

In  four  years  after,  the  great  Father  of  Soho  himself  bade 
fiurewell  to  the  scerita  of  all  his  triumphs,  but  left  behind  him 
a  name  which  will  last  while  men  are  capable  of  giving 
honour  to  whom  honour  is  due.  Matthew  Boulton  was 
among  the  very  highest  in  that  noble  fvle  of  Captains  of 
Industry  for  which  this  land  is  happilv  so  fiunoua  He 
died  on  the  17th  of  August,  1809,  at  the  ripe  ace  of  8], 
rich  in  years,  and  rich  in  honours,  and  rich  in  the  Dlessincn 
of  thousands  to  whom  his  persevering  and  indomitaUe 
spirit  had  given  employment  The  entiy  of  bis  death  is  as 
follows : — 

Dnm. 

Augosi  81st»  1809.— On  Thursday  last^  at  his  house  at  Solia  8taf« 
fordsh&e,  Matthew  Boultoo,  Esq.,  F.&a,  &&,  aged  81.  No  lass 
distiDguished  by  the  energies  of  his  mind,  employed  during  a  long  and 
aetive  lift  in  improring  various  manulaetares  by  bia  adenoa  and  tastiL 
and  in  fimnding  eztendTe  establlahmeota^  whereby  he  has  advancad 
the  trade  and  prosperity  of  hia  counter,  and  aoqwrad  a  very  geDeral 
and  juatlT-mented  celebrity,  than  by  hia  generooa  encouragement  of 
the  useful  arts,  his  kind  and  benevolent  dispoaition,  and  the  Uberalitj 
of  hia  aentimentSL  Hia  memory  will  be  long  honoured  with  afleetioa 
l^  hia  Menda,  and  with  gratitode  by  the  many  who  bene6ted  by  his 
talenta  and  virtiiea.  The  inhabitanta  of  thia  hia  aathra  town  can 
never  ceaaa  to  dieriah  the  recoUeetion  of  thefar  eioeUeiit  aelghboar  and 
benefiielor,  and  a  gratefbl  conatiy  will  iaacribe  hia  name  amoQg  the 
great  and  good. 

^  Birmiaghsm  Coinaire,  by  Ralph  Heatoa ;  in  "  TOfmiiijii—i  and  ifMUn^ 
Hardware  District,"  p.  555. 


156  A  CENTUBY  OF  BIRHINQHAM  LIFE. 

The  scene  at  his  funeral  was  specially  affecting,  and  is 
thus  described  by  the  contemporary  chronicler : — 

Mr.  Boulton's  FunbbaXa. 

August  28th,  1809. — Never  have  we  vitneflsed  a  more  affecting 
ceremony  than  the  last  sad  tribnte  of  respect  paid  with  eqaal  solemnity 
and  sorrow  to  the  remains  of  this  ezoellent  man.  On  Thursday  last^ 
his  body  was  borne  from  his  house  to  the  grave  at  his  parish  diurch 
of  Handsworthy  br  some  of  his  oldest  workmen,  attended  by  his  son, 
by  a  laive  assemblage  of  his  relatives  and  friends,  and  by  all  the 
indiridaus  connected  with  his  manufacturing  and  commercial  establish* 
ments.  Many  thousand  persons  attended  on  the  mournful  occasion, 
the  decorum  of  whose  conduct  bore  a  respectfhl  testimony  to  the 
genenl  estunation  of  his  virtues.  The  sorrow  of  his  friends  was  still 
more  impressive ;  and  the  silent  sympathy  of  his  numerous  workmen 
unfeignedly  and  affectionately  demonstrating  the  greatness  of  his  value 
and  of  their  lo«  1  Magnificent  in  his  manufacturing  establishmentiu 
and  noble  in  his  reception  of  ingenious  and  oelebnited  men  of  all 
countries,  he  dignified  the  character  of  the  British  manu&cturer.  The 
variety^  m  his  tolents  was  only  equalled  by  his  liberally  in  the  pro- 
motion of  eveiy  usefiil  art^  and  the  pure  honour  and  intmity  wnieii 
marked  his  commercial  transactions  added  a  lustre  to  nis  ganenl 
worth.  In  the  emphatic  words  of  the  aolMiin  serTioe  on  this  omaion, 
^His  body  is  buried  in  peaoe^  bat  his  name  Uvoth  ovennoio.* 

It  WBB  ten  years  before  the  still  greater  Watt  followed 

his  fiiend  and  partner  to  the  bonme  whence  ^  no  traveller 

retama"    **  He  parted  with  life  quietly  and  peacefully^  on 

the  25th  of  August,  1819,  in  the  eighty-third  year  <n  his 

am.    He  was  buried  near  hb  deceased  friend  and  partner, 

Mr.  Boulton,  in  Handsworth  ChuicL    Over  his  remaina^ 

which  lie  in  a  mde  aisle,  was  placed  a  monument  hy 

Chantre;^,  perhi^  his  finest  work,  justifying  tiie  comidi« 

ment  paid  to  the  sculptor,  that  he  'cut  brem  ;*  for  wnen 

first  uncovered  before  the  old  servants  assembled  round  it 

at  Soho,.it  so  powerfully  reminded  themof  their  old  master, 

that  they ' lifted  up  their  voices  and  wept'** 

Hr.  Smiles  gives  August  19th  as  the  date  of  WattTs  death. 
This,  however,  is  a  mistake^  for  we  read  in  the  Oamtte, 

Sblisbed  on  Monday,  August  the  SOth.  1819,  ^  On  Wednes- 
y  last^  the  25th  of  August^  at  his  house  at  TT^iat^im^ 
James  Watt^  Esq.**  This  nmple  oUtoaiy  notice  is  followed 
by  a  warm  tribute  to  the  memory  of  the  ample  great  one 
gone: — 

By  the  daalh  of  this  tn^y  gnat  Baa  our  oouatiy  is  dsnifsd  of  ens 
of  its  nost  fllostrioua  omaaBsnta  Ifr.  WaltnM^jssUybeplaoadattha 

by  tlia  applioatioQ  Off  Soiiooa  to  tba  paetioal  puppasB  of  liCa    Hk 
steam  sngme  is  probably  the  most  peneot  prodimoii  of  phyaioal  and 

*8«8biI]ss.    Lhras of Boahon and Waa   p.se7« 


THE  UNION  MILLS.  157 

mechamcal  skill  which  the  world  has  yet  seen,  while  in  the  variety, 
extent,  and  importance  of  its  application,  it  certainly  far  transcends 
eTery  similar  invention.  So  great  was  the  activity  and  power  of  his 
mind,  that  he  not  only  embra^d  the  whole  compass  of  science,  but  was 
deeply  learned  in  many  departments  of  literature  :  and  such  was  the 
felicity  of  his  memory,  that  it  retained  without  effort  all  that  was  con- 
fided to  it.  He  was  still  more  distinguished,  not  only  by  the  highest 
prerogative  of  genius,  promptness  and  fertility  of  invention,  but  also  hy 
its  rare  and  happy  union  with  a  calm  and  sagacious  judgment^  reflated 
and  matured  by  those  habits  of  patient  attention  and  investigation, 
without  which  no  great  production  of  human  art  was  ever  carried  to 
perfection.  His  manners  were  marked  by  the  simplicity  which  generally 
characterizes  exalted  merit ;  he  was  perfectly  free  from  parade  and  affec- 
tation ;  and  though  he  oould  not  be  unconscious  either  of  the  eminent 
rank  he  held  among  men  of  sdenoe.  or  by  those  powers  of  mind  by 
which  he  bad  attained  it,  yet  his  cnaraeter  was  not  debased  by  the 
•lightest  taint  of  vanity  or  pride.  He  had  for  many  years  retired  from 
business,  but  his  mind  continued  actively  employed  on  scientific  improve- 
ments. He  perfected  an  i^paratus  for  the  medical  apj^cation  of  fiicti- 
tioiis  airs ;  and  the  amusement  of  his  latter  days  was  tne  oontrivanoe  <tf 
a  machine  for  hnitating  and  multqdymg  rtatoai^,  which  he  lm>ugfat  to 
a  oonaiderable  state  of  perf actioiL  Haprar  in  his  domestic  oonnectioniL 
in  the  complete  enjoyment  of  his  extraminary  intellect^  respected  and 
bekrred  by  the  wise  and  good  of  every  country ;  and  having  attained 
the  great  age  of  ei^ty  yearsi  his  useful  and  honourable  life  was  termi- 
nate, after  an  illness  of  short  duration^  rather  of  debili^  than  of  pain. 


by  an  easy  and  tranquil  death. 

Mn  Tl4tt  was  elected  a  Fellow  of  the  Boyal  Society  of  Edinbnivh  in 
1784 ;  of  the  Bo3ral  Society  of  London  in  1766 ;  and  a  MemlMC  of  the 
Batavian  Society  in  1787.  In  1806  the  honorary  degree  of  Doctor  of 
Iaws  was  conferred  upon  him  by  the  spontaneous  aira  unanimous  vote 
of  the  Senate  of  the  University  of  Qlauow ;  and  in  1808  be  was  elected 
a  Member  of  the  Katioiial  Imititiite  of  IfVanoe. 

William  Murdock  surviyed  until  as  late  as  the  year  1889; 
and  on  the  15ih  of  November,  in  his  8Sth  year,  he  died  at 
his  house,  at  Sycamore  Hi  11,  HandsworUL  And  thus  passed 
away  the  last  of  the  men  whose  ffenius  and  labours  have 
made  for  ever  famous  the  World  of  Soho. 


THE  UNION  XILLa 

The  scarcity  of  1795,  besides  caUing  forth  the  charity  of 
the  wealthy,  was  productive  of  some  permanent  good  by  the 
establishment  of  Union  Mills  in  the  town.  A  subscription 
was  raised  to  buy  foreign  com,  and  to  make  it  into  cheap 
bread  to  be  sold  to  the  poor.  When,  however,  the  com 
arrived,  it  was  found  that  "  neither  wind  nor  water  mills 
coidd  be  worked  to  grind  it"    Mr.  William  Bell  then 


158  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

suggested   that  a  steam   mill  should   be   provided.    This 

suggestion  was  made  in  the  right -time,  ana  on  September 

2l8t  of  this  year,  the  following  paragraph  was  published  : — 

We  are  happy  to  hear  that  some  of  the  principal  inhabitants  of  the 
town  have  it  in  contemplation  to  forward  a  plan  for  the  erection  of  a 
steam  mill,  for  the  purpose  of  grinding  com  for  the  consumption  of  this 
town. 

The  scheme  of  the  projector  is  admirably  detailed  in  the 
following  letters,  which,  we  believe,  were  fix)m  the  pen  of 
Mr.  Bell  :— 

Pro  Boko  Pubuoo. 

Febmary  1st,  1796. — The  Practice  of  monopolising  Com  is  arrived 
at  a  Pitch  that  calls  npon  the  Public  for  every  Exertion  to  check  the 
Progress  of  so  alarming  an  EviL  It  is  the  Doty  of  all  Countries,  Ages, 
and  Descriptions  of  People,  to  unite  in  one  oommoQ  Endeavour  to 
render,  disinoombered  as  much  as  possible,  the  principal  Sustenance  of 
Human  Life,  finom  the  various  Hands  through  which  it  passes  before  it 
arrives  at  the  Consumer.  The  foUowinff  Extimets  will  in  some  Measure 
exphdn  the  Variety  of  Profits.  Hie  Distresses  of  the  Poor  are  too 
obvious  to  need  Illustration.  To  alleviate  their  Miseries  Is  the  Duty  of 
every  one  who  possesoos  Ability.  The  following  Plan  is  respeetroUjr ' 
offmd  to  the  P^ronage  of  the  Public^  whioh.  earned  into  eflboL  eannot 
but  tend  to  the  desired  End  of  reducing  the  Pries  of  Bread,  whieh 
regulates  the  Prioe  of  almost  every  Artiele  of  FrovieioiL 

Suppose  14,000  of  the  Inhabitants  of  this  Town  were  to  enter  into  a 
Subsonpticm  at  one  Guinea  each,  for  the  following  Purpose : —    . 

To  ereet  a  Steam  Mill  capable  of  grinding  WSmi  to  the  Amount  oC 
lOOLdaflv. 

To  bnUd  a  Bakehouse^  with  Ofens  cnificieat  Ibr  baking  the  aame 
Into  wfaoleMme  Bread. 

lOOOOL  it  is  nresnmed  would  be  an  adequate  Sum  te  bnOding  the 
■aid  FremissB^  off  oourse  4^8002.  would  remain  to  pordiaae  Qraln  al  the 
most  oouTenlent  Maricets. 

Proper  Person^  under  the  Direetions  of  a  Weekly  or  Monthl j 
OommittesLappointed  to  maiiM^  the  diilereni  Bnuieheeof  this  OoeMsm 
and  irhtTsti  Tnnnmii  irss  deprnTiiint  irm  the  flnnnsss  nf  thn  Itnsiiwi^  wmild 


find  it  their  advantage  to  promote  its  Interests. 

Befaig  thus  oondueted,  I  would  udertake  toproTi^  that»  on  grinding^ 
tliers  would  not  be  a  less  PMit  alter  every  T&piit*^  than  a  net  Fbm 
per  Cent 

To  limit  the  Profit  on  Baking  to  a  net.Five  per  Oent  after  all 
Eipeneee  of  Firing.  Workmen,  &&,  fta  Suppoee^  then,  thai  the  14,000 
Subseribers  would  daUy  consume  lOOL  in  Bread— that  to  every  Guinea 
Subecription  to  deUver  One  ShilUflg  worth  of  Bread  weekl/.  the  same 
to  be  psid  Ibr  on  Delivery.  The  Bwrinem  thus  duly  vwulated,  the 
Return  of  lOOL  daily  is  made  certain,  iHiieh  of  Coome  promoea  a  dafly 
Pkvfit  of  lOL,  weekly  TOf.,  yeariy  3JB40L 

Upon  a  moderate  OUculation  taere  are  aiz  Times  thai  Number  of 
IiihaDitaatsinBirmingliam,eonsequeatlv,  waaaoflha  Plan  adopted  faj 
the  whole  Town,  it  would, aoeording  to  the  above  StatementipimiQee  a 
Sum  amply  sttffieient  to  pay  the  Poor^s  Bates.  The  Staff  of  Uftwonld 
be  thereby  rendered  wholesome  and  on  moderate  Term%  and  prermii 


THE  UNION  MILLS.  159 

the  many  ahamefal  Impositions  the  Public,  Rich  as  well  as  Poor,  now 
labour  under,  by  these  extravagant  Profits. 

The  Com  Badgei's  Profits  are  not  les  than  6  per  Cent. 

The  Miller 5  per  Cent. 

The  Baker 5  per  Cent. 

The  fiaker  allows  the  Breadseller  6  per  Cent 

20  per  Cent 

I  doubt  not  but  it  will  be  allowed  by  all  who  have  a  Knowledge  of 
the  Tarions  Branohes  thus  stated  that  I  have  not  exaggerated. 

Air  Inhabitant  ov  Biriunobax. 

Pro  Bono  Pubuoo. 

Februaiy  IStfa.  179e.^(Na  8.)— The  genend  satisfiiction  fftren  by 
a  Paper  cireulatea  on  the  13th  ultimo,  entitled  '  Pro  Bono  Publico,' 
propodng  a  Plan  for  the  Reduction  of  the  exorbitant  Price  of  Bread, 
eertainly  demands  our  most  serious  Consideration^  and,  if  property 
attended  to,  will  benefit  the  Public^  partieulariy  the  necessitous  part  of 
it  Whatever  oppodtion  it  may  receive,  must  arise  from  interested 
Indivkluak.  Bvery  InxtMul  upon  an  estabUshed  Business,  whether  to 
dieek  Monopolr.  or  lor  the  direct  Service  of  the  Communibr  at  lam^ 
will  Ml  be  subject-to  the  unprisdpled  Attacks  of  those  who  ars  the 
Oaosa  of  it  Interference  at  tUs  poiod  to  prevent  loading  the  Publio 
with  umecessanr  Dealers^  in  an  Article  that  is  the  Baste  of  human 
Sobsislence.  ia  mgfaly  onrnmendahle.  It  is  scarcely  poosible  to  suppoect 
on  8i|^t  of  ao  many  Lnpositions^  any  Kind  of  Combination  between 
thMB  eoold  osiat  (notwithstanding  tlie  present  Iawi  to  prevent  such  a 
eompaet  seems  to  axdude  any  Idea  of  a  rational  Plan^  but  the  Illusion 
vaanhas  upon  Inspeetion,  and  we  are  daOy  convinced  of  the  illegal 
OonlsdenMiy  famed  to  enliance  the  Price  of  Grain  in  various  Stages 
bsfao  it  arrives  at  the  Consomer.  Tlie  common  Good  ou|^t  to  be  Uie 
great  End  of  all  onr  Aetiona ;  and  it  becomes  our  indinmisabls  Dutr 
to  nas  evesy  Endeavour  to  crush  that  which,  if  not  timely  resisted, 
wonldinevmhly  overwhelm  uiL  The  late  HiarveBt  was  to  have  rslieved 
US,  and  the  Fkodues  was  amplv  aufident;  bnt  still  the  Evil  reiffns 
trinmpbanti  and  a  alight  Befleotten  will  eonvinee  every  unbiasssd  Mind 
eC  the  Oollosion  oxisting  fiom  the  Wumn  down  to  the  Huckster,  all 
nnltfag^  in  one  Scheme  ^  general  Deprsdatkm. 

To  pany  off  ths  Uigenciss  of  the  Piaonls^  ma^y  tpedons  Ptatences 
have  besn  nssd  to  lull  and  decsivo  ns ;  and  even  now.  that  the  Imposi- 
tion nay  eontinns^  th^  oay,  The  Ifatkel  wiU  be  Mtted  with  Grain 
^horUv,  therefore  bear  witii  It  n  lltUe  longsr.  %aUow  Artifiecal 
Why  delay  that  whidi  is  within  yonr  Power  T  UniU  in  the  adoption 
of  a  Plan,  the  great  and  general  TJtili^  of  nndeokble  Prooft,  and 
applauded  by  oveiy  intelligent  Man,  BeAr  to  the  varions  Associations 
famed  to  Mppcw  Mom^y  and  regiUale  the  Market,  such  ae  the 


Fish  8hop^Tinibsr,Oooper|and  Bnas  Companies;  .exdunve  of  their 
BaBBSSi^  thsy  have  eheeked  the  nvariciona  Yiewa  of  desining  Men. 
If  Exampleo  of  a  higher  daas  are  necessaty  to  eonvinee  the  Unthinking^ 
or  eotreet  pr^ndiced  Obstinafly,  look  at  a  bright  Example  in  the 
Maniula  of  Hertford,  whoee  Knoirieto  and  Amenity  are  equally 
oonspicnoos  by  his  libsimlity  to  tho  Inhahitants  of  Aksstcr  and  iU 
Tklnihr.  Even  on  the  oontraeled  aeale  of  his  preasnt  MilL  he  is 
enabled  to  distribnte  of  good  and  wholesome  Brmd  Seven  nunda 


IGO  A  CENTUBY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

Weight  for  One  Shilling ;  whiltt  here  we  have  only  from  Four  Ponnds 
Ei^ht  Oances  to  Fire  Poohds  for  the  same  Sum.  His  Lordship, 
satisfied  with  the  Benefits  arising  from  public  Works  for  grinding 
Com,  &C.,  has  determined  to  erect  extensive  Mills,  sufficient  for  the 
Consumption  of  the  Neighbourhood  where  he  resides.  At  Chesterfield, 
likewise,  the  Inhabitants  have  associated  for  similar  laudable  Purposes ; 
at  Sheffield  they  are  going  largely  upon  the  same  Scheme ;  and  at 
several  different  Places  Measures  are  pursuing,  all  tending  to  the  same 
great  and  food  End. 

When  tne  Albion  Ifills  worked,  the  Advantages  to  the  Metropolis 
were  very  considerable  there  was  a  net  Saving  <S  Three  Shillings  and 
Fourpenoe  to  the  Pumic  upon  every  Sack  of  Flour  sold  from  that 
Mill,  hj  which  Computation  it  saved  London  173,333/.  in  One  Year. 
Supposing  Birmingfaam  to  be,  upon  a  Calculation,  in  the  Phyportion  of 
one-tenth  of  the  Inhabitants  to  those  of  London,  the  Saving  would  to 
Birmingbam  be  Seventeen  Thousand  Three  Hundred  uid  Thirty*three 
Pounds  per  Annum,  exclusive  of  the  Proprietors'  Profit. 

These.  Things  taken  into  our  serious  and  mature  Consideration  must 
undonb^dly  overrule  evenr  Objection  to  the  Establishment  of  public 
Workup  partioulariy  when  the  Profits  are  restricted  to  moderate  Bounds^ 
and  those  devoted  to  the  Service  of  the  Inhabitants,  It  will  also 
enable  the  Baker  to  pursue  his  Trade  with  a  fiJr  Prc^t ;  wfll  restrain 
the  inovdinala  Avaiioe  of  the  Miller;  and  effectnally  cut  off  that 
uaslswj  Bulscbiefong  Jjamb»f  called  Badgeia. 

Ajt  Jmbabjtaxt. 

The  scheme  met  with  public  sapport  The  mibecriptioiiy 
which  cloeed  on  April  ioih,  had  reached  to  between  £6^000 
and  £7,000.  A  meeting  was  held  on  the  SOth,  at  which 
the  company  was  formed  and  other  important  rewdotions 
passed: — 

Floub  AMD  Bread. 

Binningfaani,  April 


At  a  Geoenl  MsttiMfof  the  Subsoriben  to  the  Plaa  f  or 
thePrieeof  Floor  and  Biead,  hski  i^groeablr  to  gabUc  advt 
in  AriA  ChMPtte  of  Mooday  lasL  a*  the  Hotd,  ia  Tsnpb  Bo^^ 
day  the  aoth  Instaat ;  Wm.  YiUtfrB.  Bm|.,  in  tiie  Chair ;  the  following 
Basolutiflaa  w««  jmosed  and  nnannnoosly  agreed  to  >— 

L  Hiat  thkMesnng  da  fonn  themselves  into  aOampany,  uadar  ths 
Naoaof  the  Bimringham  Flour  and  B^wmI  Gonuaany,  f or  the  puipoae 
d  porohariag  Qndn,  and  manufacturiajg  it  into  Flour  and  BtmmI,  and 
distributing  the  sMaa  to  the  Subscribers  at  Prime  Oost 

n.  That  the  Sabaoripdoos  be  dividad  into  Sharas  ol  Oae  Pound 
each,  and  no  PerMn  be  permitted  to  hold  more  than  Twenty  sooh 
Shara^  cither  in  his  own  or  any  other  Penon'a  Name^  onJeas  audi 
Pisnon  beeoBMS  posBSBSsd  ol  mors  by  WilL 

III.  That  a  Committee  bemmnted  by  Sabseriben  pramL  with 
disorstknaiy  Power,  to  eonduet  tne  BoaiMss  of  the  Chanpany  lor  Twelve 
Months,  but  that  tb^  be  not  empowsrsd  to  panhaee  or  ersot  any 
BaikUitfwithoat  tbe  saneiion  ol  a  General  Ifaeimg. 

IT.  That  the  Coomiiltee  consist  of  Twenty-one  Pemooi^  aaeh  of 
which  isa  Sabseriber  fiirnotlem  than  Five  Sharsi^ and  that  Five  be 
oompeleot  to  aet» 


THE   UNION  mLLS.       ^  161 

Y.  That  A  Deposit  of  Ten  per  Cent,  be  immediately  made  by  the 
Sabscribers  to  this  Undertiddng ;  and  that  all  fiitare  Oills  shall  be  in 
that  Proportion,  at  such  Times  as  the  Committee  for  the  time  being 
shall  find  it  necessary. 

YL  That  Messrs.  Dickenson  and  Qoodall  be  Treasurers  to  this 
Company. 

YII.  That  a  General  Meeting  of  the  Subscribers  shall  be  called  upon 
the  Friday  in  erery  Year  which  shall  happen  to  be  nearest  the  20th 
Day  of  April,  and  that  a  true  State  of  the  AfGurs  of  the  Concern  shall 
be  then  laid  before  them. 

YIIL  That  the  Committee  be  empowered  to  admit  the  Overseers 
of  the  Poor,  and  QoTeruors  of  the  General  Hospital,  and  the  Govemors 
of  the  Charity  Schools,  as  Subscribers,  in  order  that  those  Establish- 
ments may  leoeiTe  the  Benefits  which  may  be  derived  from  this 
Inatitotion. 

IX.  That  the  Subscription  be  re-opened  at  the  several  Places  where 
it  has  hitherto  been  received. 

X.  That  the  first  Meeting  of  the  Committee  be  held  at  the  Hotel,  in 
Temple  fiow,  on  Friday  next,  the  6th  Instant,  at  Seven  o'clock  in  the 
Evening ;  aiid  that  they  have  power  to  adjourn  from  Time  to  Time,  and 
from  Fuee  to  Place,  as  they  may  judge  proper. 

XL  Thai  the  Committee  have  also  Power  to  eall  a  General  Meeting 
of  the  Subseribers  whenever  tli^  see  fit 

XIL  That  unon  the  Death  of  ay  of  the  Committee^  the  Remainder 
have  Power  to  fill  up  the  Yaoancj  from  the  Snbeoribers  at  large. 

XnL  That  Sharta  in  thia  Company  be  transferable^  sulgeot  to  the 
emxHid  ItfleolutioiL 

XIY«  Thai  tiie  SaXhwina  Gentlemen  oompoee  the  Committee : — 
Wm.  Yiller^  IBaq. ;  Wm.  Mieka.  Esq. ;  Mr.  John  Ward,  Dale  End ; 
Mr.  Joseph  l^lor,  Silversmith,  Newhall  Street ;  Mr.  Thomas  Warner, 
Ditto;  Mr.  Wm.  Binglev,  Islington ;  Mr.  Thomas  Cheston,  St  Ptal'a ' 
Square ;  Mr.  Joseph  BMer,  Great  Charles  Street ;  Mr.  Joseph  Towns- 
heiid,  Newhall  Street ;  Mr.  Jesss  8immoD%  Great  Charies  Street; 
Mr.  Thomas  Baxter,  NewbaU  Street;  Mr.  Johs  Cook^  Chenry 
Street;  Mr.  Edwaid  Wilkes,  Tsmpis  Street ;  Mr.  Humphry  Yale,  New 
Street;  Mr.  Christopher  Law,  Pkmdiss  Street:  Mr.  John  Heeley. 
HoUoway  Head ;  Mr.  Thomas  Forty,  Ouoline  Street ;  Mr.  Richard 
Jeipoate^  Great  Charles  Strsst:  Mr.  William  Whitmon^  Newhall 
Street ;  Mr.  Ridiard  Qtmrm,  IsUngtoo ;  Mr.  Thomas  Chapman,  Bull 


X  Y.  That  the  Thanks  of  this  Meeting  be  given  to  the  Chairman, 
Ibr  aeeeptittg  the  Chair,  and  fM*  liis  impaitial  Ooadnst  therein. 

W.  YiLLns. 

On  Avgnst  22  this  appeared : — 

We  liave  the  pleasure  to  leani  that  the  Committee  Ibr  managing  the 
Flour  and  Breao  SuhserintioQ  have  at  length  taken  a  suitable  pieee  of 
land,  adjoining  the  Iowa,  for  their  Mill  and  Ovens,  ftei,  and  are  preparing 
immediaU ly  tg  srect  one  ef  Msssis,  Boultoa  and  Wattes  steam  enginei^ 
for  the  puiposs  of  carrying  ths  ol^jeet  of  the  subseription  into  oKscution. 

At  a  meeting  held  on  Hay  8,  1797,  a  committee  was 
elected  to  conduct  the  bnsineee  for  the  enaoing  year.  They 
were: — 

II.  M 


162  A  CENTUBT  OF  BIRMIKOHAM  LIFE. 

William  Yillen  Esa. ;  William  Hickfl^  Esq. ;  Meesra.  Joaeph  Taylor, 
William  Whitmore,  Hichard  Greavee,  Tbomas  diapman,  Thomas 
Warner,  William  Binglej,  Joseph  Barber,  Joaeph  Townahend,  Thomas 
Baxter,  Edward  Wilkes,  Thomas  Tor^,  Bichard  Jefooates,  Christopher 
Law,  James  Qoddinffton,  Beojamin  Moghes,  Thomas  Barnard,  Thomas 
Bock,  Edward  WrighL^Aaron  Meeson. 

Jmy  10th,  1797. — We  have  the  pleasare  to  state  that  the  pnblio 
Com  Mill  of  this  town  is  now  in  fall  work,  and  to  the  philanthropic  and 
scientific  ej^e^  there  cannot  be  a  more  gratifying  object  than  the  powerful 
and  beantifiu  Engine  of  Hesirs.  Boolton  and  Watt,  which  puts  in 
motion  the  whole  machinery  that  thus  prepares  the  stsff  of  life  for  the 
■ostenance  of  man.  Upon  the  principles  on  which  this  concern  is'con- 
dncted,  it  must  be  attended  witn  great  advantage  to  the  Sabseribers  ; 
and  the  neighboiiring  Farmer  will  also  participate  in  ita  benefits ;  for  if 
he  can  produce  good  samplee^  he  may  be  sure  of  always  finding  a  weekly 
ready  money  market  for  his  ooni. 

The  advantages  of  such  a  mill  to  the  public  are  ^ven  in 

the  following  parallel  passages  on  the  price  of  bread  in 

London  and  in  this  town : — 

Feb.  20,1709. 
In  London,  the  Qoartem  Loaf  Binoingfaam  Unkm  Mill  sells 
of41b.6os.8dnan%  is  at  present  toHsSabseribMsaLoafofeibSos. 
■old  finr  Bi|^i-MDoe  HaU^pomj,  Ibr  One  Shilling ;  and  its  Second 
eqnivilent  to  a  Loaf  of  81h  Soi.  7  FUnv  at  86a  per  aadc.  So  that 
dgMDS  fcr  One  Shilling.  Birmfaghaw  k  aapplied  with  three 

pounds  nine  drams  more  of  Bread 
ror  One  SUIUngthan  the  people  of 
the  Metropolia 

On  September  80, 1799^  we  also  read  :— 

The  adfaataM  derived  br  the  Inhabitants  of  this  town  from  the 
establishment  of  the  Union  Iioar  and  Bread  Company  we  have  before 
shewa,  aad  a  eorrsspoodsni  enables  as  again  to  mention  them.  -  In  ad- 
ditioii.toadiTld«iid  of  10  per  esat  whieh  is  deeland,  eaeh  snbscribsr 
has  leosived  a  banaftt  la  the  redoeed  pries  of  bfsad  of  more  than  000 
per  enth  pir  fT»>*iff^|  §ot  the  ase  of  his  ffnpital 

The  new  Union  Mill  was  founded  on  the  same  plan,  and 
hj  the  ssme  gentlemen,  in  the  year  1797. 


TBBA80K  AVD  StDmON. 


The  honor  with  which  the  exesssss  of  the  French  Revo- 
Intion  were  regarded  hy  the  vast  majori^  of  Kndishmen, 
and  the  foolish  conduct  of  Fox  and  his  nieMs  in  the  House  of 
GonmiODs^  enabled  the  govemment  of  the  day  to  carry  what- 
ever repressive  measores  they  pleased.  In  May,  1791,  the 
King  issued  a  Prochunation  ror  the  suppression  of  seditious 


TRE-VSOX  AND   SEDITION".  1C3 

writings  and  criminal  correspondence,  which  was  followed 
by  some  of  the  most  disgraceful  trials  in  England  and 
Scotland  which  stain  the  annals  of  our  country.  Yet,  such 
was  the  terror  of  the  dissemination  of  French  principles  in 
this  country,  the  government  was  encouraged  rather  than 
opposed  by  the  nation.  Except  from  the  small  band  of 
Wniffs  in  parUament,  and  the  earnest  minority  of  Reformers 
outside  its  walls,  the  people  were  in  fieiyour  of  all  that  Pitt 
did,  and  would  have  supported  even  severer  measures  than 
those  which  he  introduced  and  passed.  Birmingham  was 
not  behind  other  towns  in  this  display  of  blind  and  confiding 
lo^ty ;  and  the  people  of  this  town  fully  proved  that  the 
spirit  which  producea  the  Churchi  and  Eing  Riots  in  1791 
was  still  the  dominant  one.  The  king's  proclamation  was 
issued  in  May,  and  early  in  June  a  meeting  was  held, 
at  which  it  was  resolved  unanimously : — ^  That  an  Humble 
and  Loyal  Address  be  presented  to  His  Hqesiy,  from  this 
Town  and  Neighbourhood,  ej^ressive  of  our  Attachment 
to  the  Constitution  of  this  <]!ountry,  and  our  Gimtitnde  for 
His  Majesty's  late  gracious  Proclamation  for  the  Suppression 
of  seditious  Writings  and  criminal  Correspondences  And 
on  Friday,  tiie  16th  of  the  same  month,  the  foUowing 
address  was  presented  to  the  King  at  the  levee,  by  ''our 
worthy  matfiatrate,  Joseph  Carles,  Esq^  and  most  gndously 
received,  fibr.  Carles  had,  afterwards,  the  hofioor  of  kissing 
his  Majesty's  hand :" — 

To  the  Kinfl'a  Movt  EzMUeiit  Udttikj. 

Tlie  hnmble  Addren  of  the  Inhabitants  eftbo  Town  and  Nslghboor- 
hood  of  Birmingham. 

Most  graoioiw  8o▼•leigl^-*W•,  yovr  Mk^os^a  HMMt  d«ti Ad  and  lojal 
aabjeeta,  Inhabitaata  of  the  Town  and  BOtfhbourliood  of  Birmiagfaaa^ 
b^  !«»▼•  humbljr  to  aoproaeb  jroor  Bojal  nrtoo  with  antlmonta  of  the 
wurmott  nAtiUide  aua  aibotioa  fur  Um  prorldant  wiadom  and  patomal 
eai«  manueatad  bj  yimr  Mi^Mty'a  lato  graoioM  Phidamalioi^  iMod  ^ 
tima  whan  tha  aaditiooa  wntingi  of  aoaM^  aidad  bj  tba  aaarai'maohliia- 
tiooa  and  eriminal  oorraapoodaaoa  of  othara  wars  avowiqg  dJaafJaatioa 
to  oar  axoallant  eooatitvtioii,  threataning  the  aabvanioii  of  all  order, 
and  tha  daatmetion  of  thoaa  invalnabla  privilagaa  wbiob  bate  Jnaily 
randared  thaaa  kingdoma  tha  tnrj  and  admiratioo  of  tha  wotld. 

Whan  wa  raflaoi  on  tha  ■apeam  of  oar  manafcatniif^  tha  daddad 
aaparioritj of  oor oommaroa ovar  that  of  otliarnatiaii% tha  ODOotttflualad 
eDjojmaiit  of  oar  propattj,  and  tha  fraa  asarolaa  of  aivil  and  laligioM 
libartj,  btaaabga  aaaorad  to  oa  bj  joor  imaat/a  oUld  and  aaapCioaa 
goTanunant,  wa  aannot  help  aapraaing  oar  aorpriaa  and  indignation 
that  thara  ahoald  ba  foand  in  yoor  iCjcatj^a  donisiaaa  a  aaqjaet  ao 
laaaDaibla  to  tha  Uaadnga  ha  ai^oj^  aa  to  ba  aa|Mibla  af  nt  taring  a 
mormar  of  diaeontanti  or  a  wiah  mr  any  ianovatian  ao  partioalariy 
dangarooa  at  tha  praawt  period. 


164  A  CENTUKY  OF  BIKMINGHAM  LIFK 

That  jour  Majesty  may  long  lire  the  Father  of  yonr  People,  and  the 
illustrioufl  Guardian  of  those  wholesome  ProyisioDs  established  at  the 
Beyolntion ;  and  that  yonr  people  may  eyer  be  sensible  of  and  grateful 
for  the  inyaluable  blessings  we  enjoy,  under  your  Majesty's  benign 
Goyemment,  are  the  sinoere  and  hearty  wishes  of  your  Majesty's  most 
£uthful  and  loyal  subjects. 

Associations  were  formed  in  all  the  large  towns  to  assist 
the  ^vemment  in  canying  out  its  poUcy  of  suppression, 
and  in  destroying  liberty  of  speech,  under  the  eroecious  plea 
of  calling  all  opposition  to  the  goyemment  or  its  measures 
sedition.  On  Xfovember  20,  an  Association  for  preserving 
Liberty  and  Property  against  Republicans  and  Levellers 
was  formed  at  the  Crown  and  Anchor  Tavern,  London.  An 
influential  reduiaition  was  presented  to  the  High  Bailiff  of 
this  town,  Thomas  Coopier,  to  call  a  meeting  for  a  like 
object.  The  requidtionists  were  ^impressed  with  the 
Patriotism  of  this  Association,  and  conscious  of  the  necessity 
of  opposing  the  progress  of  Sedition  in  every  shape."  The 
'  meeting  was  held  on  December  the  .7th,  and  the  report  of 
its  proceedings^  and  the  resolutions  agreed  to,  will  show  the 
objects  of  these  loyal  associations : — 

Birminghain.  Beoember  7, 1792. — ^At  a  most  numeroos  and  rsneet- 
aUe  Masfeig  of  Inhabitants  of  this  Town  and  Neighbanriiood,  held  this 
Daj  at  the  llolaly  agreeahla  to  poblio  AdvertiMment^  for  tiiJdng  into 
GonddsiatiMi  the  Ptopriotj  of  mminK  an  AjHodatioa  for  the  fioteo- 
tioa  of  Iib»ly  and  Property  aoftinst  BepaUieana  and  Lerallfln; 

The  Hi^Bafliff  in  tha  Chair ; 

The  Sentimenti  of  the  Oentleaian  aHoeiatad  for  the  like  Pnrpoee  at 
the  Grown  and  Anebor  Xaveni,  In  London,  as  published  1^  them  on 
the  SOCh  of  NovsBiber  lasly  having  been  read, 

It  was  unanlmonel/  Iteeulfsd^ 

1.  That  Ihle  Meettng  do  inii  Itielf  into  an  AsMdation  for  the 
PMeervalioa  of  Ubertyrmperty,  and  the  Ckmetitotaon  of  this  Cki^ 
against  BepahUeana  and  LeveUeta. 

t.  Ihaft  we  do  meet  heartil J  and  fidlj  ooindde  with  the  Sentimenta 
ooBtained  in  the  Paper  pabliehed  hj  the  Aeeochition,  at  the  Oown  and 
Anebor  Ikvan,  la  London,  Korember  SOth  Jest,  and  adopt  them  aa 


a.  Thai  this  AawwhUim  wilL  to  the  ntmoet  of  thdr  F^ywer,  aieit 
themselves  In  eapmmfa^  ana  dieoooreciag  aeditlooe  PahUeatkwi^ 


bj  bringli^  to  JoeOoe  the  Anthoia  and  PAaJdien  of  eaeh  Writinge. 

4.  Thai  thfa  Maelii^  deepi j  aearible  of  the  invaloable  PiMbgea 
derired  to  Brttona  hja  Oonetitation  whiA  extends  to  eirery  Citiaen 
the  Protection  of  eqnal  Lawi^  and  in  the  Adndnietiation  of  whoee 
GovarsBMni  Liber^  k  ao  hapjpilT  oonneeted  with  Older,  eannot  bot 
lament  oveiy  VIolatten  of  that  Ofder,  or  ai^  Attempt  to  dieanite  thoee 
whob  as  Men  and  aa  Fellow  CMaHie^  can  have  bvt  one  Gommon  Otkfeet-* 
the  PNeperitT;  the  Hbnonr,  and  the  Pteeeiiatiuu  of  their  Ooantrr: 
and,  that  this  Meeting  le  datetmined,  at  the  Ride  of  their  Livei  and 
Fortunei^  and  in  Aid  of  the  Ciril  Kagiatiatei^  linnl j  to  oppoee  and 


TREASOK  AND  SEDITION.  165 

dlfloonntenanee,  by  every  l^gal  and  vigorous  Method,  whatever  attempt 
may  be  made,  and  under  whatever  Pretext,  to  disturb  the  Pablio 
Tranqnillity, — beinff  oonvinced,  that  nothing  will  condace  more  to  the 
healing  of  our  Divisions,  or  serve  so  effectiudly  to  promote  the  great 
Objects  of  this  Association. 

5.  That  a  Subscription,  not  exceeding  One  Guinea  each  Person,  be 
immediately  entered  mto  for  the  Support  of  this  Association,  and  the 
Money  lodged  in  the  Hands  of  Wm.  JDickenson,  Esq.,  who  is  hereby 
appointed  Treasurer. 

6.  That  the  Subscription  Books  be  opened  at  the  Pablio  Office,  and 
at  Mr.  Pearson's,  and  Mr.  Swinney's. 

7.  That  a  Committee  of  Twenty-one  be  appointed  to  conduct  the 
Business  of  this  Association,  and  that  Five  be  competent  to  Act 

a  That  Sir  Bobert  Lawley,  Bart.,  the  HIA  Bailifl^. Joseph  Gsries, 
Esq.,  the  Bev.  Dr.  Spencer,  Isaac  Spooner,  Esq.,  H.  G.  Lewis,  Esq., 
E.  Qsrver,  Esq.,  0.  W.  Willis,  Esq.,  the  Bev.  Dr.  Croft,  the  Bev.  Mr. 
Cutis,  the  Bev.-  Mr.  Madan,  Wm.  Dickenson,  Esq^  Wul  VillerB,  Esq., 
Mr.  Wallk  Mason.  Mr.  Wql  Hicks,  Heniy  Clay,  Esq.,  the  Bev. 
Bidiaid  Smith,  Bobert  Ooales,  Esq.,  and  the  Bev.  Mr.  Bum,  be  the 
Committee. 

9.  That  Mr.  Brooke  be  appointed  Secretanr  to  this  AModation. 

10.  That  the  first  Meeting  of  the  Committee  be  held  on  Monday 
next^  at  £iev«n  o^Cloek  in  the  Forenoon,  at  the  Hotel ;  and  that  they 
have  Power  to  adjourn  from  Time  to  Time  as  thev  Judge  proper* 

11.  That  Copies  of  these  Besolntions  be  printed,  ancTBooks  prepared 
bv  the  Committee  for  the  Signatures  of  such  Perlons  as  wisn  to  pat 
their  Names  thereto. 

Sir  Bobert  Lawley  having  read  and  delivered  to  the  Chairman  the 
following  Letter : — 

^  Mr.  Tsylor  presents  his  Compliments  to  Sir  Bobert  Lawley.  He 
is  too  much  inmspoeed  to  attena  the  Public  Meeting  io-day,  at  the 
HoteL  He  assures  him  he  shall  ever  exert  the  utmost  of  his  Power  in 
Support  of  the  King  and  Constitution,  and  shall  ftlwava  be  glad  to  join 
with  his  Neighbours  in  endeavouring  to  promote  the  Peaoe  5t  Binnmg- 
ham,  which  he  Is  aony  to  tay  has  bm  hitherto  so  IneflbetoaL 

Spark  HiU,  Dea  7»  ITdS.'^ 

And  likewise  the  saboequent  Besolutkm  of  the  Dissentef  ■ 
*'An  Invitation  bebj;  made  by  Sir  Bobert  Lawley  and  other 
Gentiemen  to  the  Dissenters,  to  unite  wHh  the  Members  of  the 
Estafcbllstiment  in  the  Business  of  To4norrow,  the  Dissenters  ars  sony 
that  it  is  not  In  thehr  Power  to  aet  with  them  on  that  Ooosiion,  the 
Form  of  the  Advertisement  bdng_objectiqnable^  but  are  hapmr  in 


txpresBJpg  their  Attachment  to  the  King  and  Constitution,  and 
fllad  to eo-c^pnate  with  the  Gentlemen  of  the  ErtabUshment|in  eveiy 
Means  that  may  be  deemed  necessaiy  to  promote  Peace  and  jSannony 
in  the  Town  of  Burmingham.  That  the  Besolation  passed  this  Evening 
be  conveyed  to  the  Gentiemen  who  i^ypear  on  BdiaJf  of  the  Brtablish- 
UMttt,  and  that  they  be  informed,  that  should  the  MeeHng  To-moffow 
appoint  a  Deputation  to  confer  with  the  IHsssnten^  they  inll  be  happj 
in  an  opportunity  of  concurring  in  the  Measnrsi  naewsaty  to  pro- 
moting the  Peaoe  of  the  Town,  and  will  immediately  ^ipoint  a 
Comintttee  for  that  purpose.  Joav  Tatlob, 

Birmingham,  Dee.  6^  1798.**  ChaLrman  to  the  Dlasenten. 

It  was  also  unanimouslv  Resolved, 


16G  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

12.  That  a  deputation  be  appointed  to  meet  the  Dissenters,  to  confer 
with  them  on  the  Subject 

13.  That  the  Committee  of  this  Associatioii  be  desired  to  appoint  a 
Deputation  from  their  own  Body. 

14. — ^That  the  Committee  be  authorised  to  add  to  their  number  five 
Gentlemen  trom  the  Bodjof  DiB8entera,ptDTided  on  the  intended  Con- 
ference they  shall  be  found  willing  to  umte  with  them,  for  carrying  the 
great  Objects  of  this  Association  mto  Effect 

15.— That  the  Thanks  of  this  Meeting  be  given  to  Mr.  YillerB,  for 
the  veiy  able  manner  in  which  he  introduced  the  Business  of  this  Day. 

16.  That  the  Thanks  of  this  Meeting  be  given  to  the  Bev.  Mr.  Proud, 
and  others,  Members  of  his  Congregation,  calling  themselves  the  New 
Jerusalem  Church,  in  ilus  Town,  for  the  Expresdaa  of  their  Attach- 
ment  to  the  Constitution  and  Government  of  this  Country,  oantained 
in  his  Lettere  read  to  Uie  Meeting. 

17.  That  the  Thanks  of  this  Meeting  be  given  to  Sir  Bobert  Lawley, 
Bart,  for  his  Attendance  this  Day,  and  for  his  constant  Beadiness  to 
assist  in  every  Measure  conducive  to  the  Prosperity  of  the  Town. 

"Tiatth     "     "  -      -      -  -       .    ^    . 


1&  That  the  thanks  of  thia  Meeting  be  given  to  Joseph  Oariea,Esq., 
and  the  Bev.  Dr.  Spencer,  for  their  nnwooied  EzertioDs  aa  Magistratea. 

19.  That  the  Thanks  of  this  Meeting  beoiven  to  the  HiA  Bailiii; 
for  having  called  the  Meetings  and  his  able  Condnet  in  the  CEair. 

TBOiua  OooPBB,  Chairman, 

This  brief  editorial  paragraph  ahows  the  character  of  the 
meeting,  and  the  nnanimiiy  or  its  prooeedingB  i — 

Birmingham,  December  lOi — On  Fridav  the  most  nnmeroos  and 
respectable  Meeting  of'tha  TnhahJtants  of  the  Town  and  Netshboor- 
hood,  ever  known  £&  this  )daoe^  waa  held  at  the  Hotel  fan  Tempe  Bow, 
MTseably  to  an  advertiaement  from  the  Hk^iBailif^  who  having  taksn 
the  diair  predsdj  at  elef«n  e^dook,  Mr.  vHkra  in  an  d^gant  speech 
addressed  the  Meeting  and  fntrodnoed  the  bnsineas  of  the  dav;  and 
after  reading  the  aentunenti  of  the  Genttaaen  who  aawnataa  at  the 
Crown  and  Anoiior  Tavern,  en  the  iOthol  Korember  laat^  he  propoaed 
that  the  Meeting  ahonld  adDpt  tiMm  aa  their  own,  and  fonn  iMf  faito 
an  Association  for  the  pteaeliaUun  ol  libvl^j  Pl^jorty,  and  tiie  Oon* 
stitntion  ol  thia  Coontay;  wbkh,  mm  inmediatelv  i^^ieed  to  Inr  the 
ooopanj.  Thia  and  the  other  resohitions  proposed  were  raoeivea  with 
hma  aedaniatifina  ^"<^  applauae*  and  such  waa  the  nnaninity  d  the 
nnmerona  aaswiblv,  that  ifiei^  all  jtaaaed  without  a  Dfaienting  veioa. 

Several  of  toe  eodeties  in  the  town  took  independent 

action  on  thia  anbjeet    The  ''Loyal Trae Blneap'  and  the 

''Church  and  Kimt  dub,"  were,  aa  miffht  have  been  ez« 

pected  from  their  utleai  the  fiiat  in  the  field  >^ 

AaMKaanov  or  Lotal  Tbub  huawL 
December  ard,  170S.— Thia  Society  have  agreed  to  meet  at  the  Union 
Tavern,  in  Cbmrj  Street,  and  the  Ghareh,  in  CSnirflh  Streets  thie 
Efeaii^  December  ard,  1798.  in  order  to  eoneolt  npon  proper  atepa  to 
be  taken  to  aonprem  the  PabUealion  of  all  fieaemieble  and  aeditiona 
Writing  Md  to  defend  Onr  Beloved  Kiag.  Me  Government  and 
Snl^feete,  their  liberty  and  Pkoperty Jkom  all  Atlempta  of  the  Bepnb- 
lieaaa  aM  LeveUeia ;  for  promoting  Pieaoe,  and  aldinsr  the  Magtotracnr 
of  thia  Kingdom  in  hiingiQg  to  Joatlee  all  who  ahall  dare  to  oftna 
agaioat  the  Laws  of  this  Ooontqr* 


TREASON  AND  SEDITION.  167 

The  Sociefy  wilL  at  the  same  Time,  take  into  Oonaideration  the 
oroTidiog  proper  Places  for  meeting  in  fdtore ;  and  rec^nest  all  His 
Jiiyesty's  gooa  8abject8  to  step  forwards  and  assist  their  Views  for 
preserving  the  Peace,  Happinees  and  Proeperitj  of  this  Kingdom. 

It  is  earnestly  wished  that  all  Persons  myoorable  to  this  Design  will 
signify  it  by  inserting  their  Names  in  the  Books  now  open  for  that 
Pnrpoee  at  the  above  Places  evezy  Evening,  firom  seven  till  ten  o'clock* 

God  Save  the  King. 

Chubcr  asd  Kiva  Olxtb. 

Birmingham,  November  5th,  1792.— A  General  Meeting  .of  the 
Members  of  this  Sodety  will  be  held  at  the  Hotel  in  Temple  Bow, 
Birmingham,  on  Tuesday,  the  87th  of  this  instant  November,  at  Eleven 
o'clock  in  the  Forenoon.  Dinner  to  be  on  Table  at  Three  o^clock ; 
and  Tickets,  at  Two  Shillings  and  Sixpence  each,  to  be  had  at  the  Bar 
of  the  Hotel. 

This  Society  being  founded  upon  tme  Constitntional  Principles, 
wishes  to  give  an  Opportunity  to  every  loyal  Subject  to  become  a 
Member,  and  for  that  Purpose  has  appointed  a  previous  Meeting  to  be 
held  at  Hobeon's  Tavern,  in  Worcester  Street^  in  Birmingham,  on 
Tuesday,  the  SOth  Instant^  at  Twelve  Vdoek.  Sueh  Gentlemen,  there- 
foe,  in  tnis  Town  and  Neighbourhood  as  are  desirousof  being  aamitted 
Into  this  Society,  are  requested  to  signify  their  Intention  to  Edward 
Ckrver,  Esq.,  the  President^  or  to  Mr.  John  Brooke^  Seoretary. 

Mr.  Morfiit  wrote  two  songs  for  the  Loyal  True  Blues. 

A  verse  from  each  will  suffice  to  give  the  reader  some  idea 

of  the  spirit  of  the  times,  and  of  the  calibre  of  the  poet: — 

"This  besnteona  ■<J>^>iw*^  of  thimn 
Shall  PoNM^  sworn  foe  to  KiMg$^ 

Of  aeribbling  shake  I 
Shall  low-bted  vilkny, 
Brawling  eqoali^, 
Plonder  your  property  ? 

BHtoos,  awake  1* 

^W€  never  wQl  swerve  from  (M  LSbwi^t  Boad, 
But  trsad  in  the  Paths  wbieh  our  Fatk^n  have  trod ; 
False  FatrioC%  through  wild  Speeulations  may  lange^ ' 
The  World  may  nm  mad— but  Taus  Buxas  esanot  change." 

The  fever  aeiaed  all  classes  of  the  community.     The 

Bomaa  Catholics  of  that  day  were  subject  to  the  pressure 

of  uiyust  and  unequal  law&    Their  ha&ed  of  French  prin- 

dples  wasy  however,  more  intense  than  their  hatred  of 

oppression.    The  members  of  that  Church  in  Birmingham 

puUiahed  the  fi>Ilowing  resolution : — 

Birmingfaaaa,  Deoember  18th,  1791.— At  a  Meetimr  of  the  OOhoEos 
of  this  Tows,  held  en  T^Miday  kflt» 

It  was  uoaDfaDoasly  molTed, 

That  this  Meetfaig  (impressed  with  the  deepest  Sense  of  Gmtltude 
§9t  the  maajr  Advantages  they,  in  coouion,  e^jejr  with  their  Fellow 
Cltiaens^  under  the  prseent  System  of  Qofemment;  eannot  but  shudder 
as  the  Attempt  at  any  Subvenion  of  it  by  lorMgn  FmimsririB,  and 
dimlferted  Persons  here;  that  they  perfeeUy  coincide  with  the  loyal 


1G8  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

r 

Sentiments  and  Declarations  made  bj  th6  Establishment  and  other 
Assemblies  for  that  Parpoee  oonrened ;  that  they  are  ever  read^  to 
shew  their  firm  attachment  thereto,  and  prove  themselves  Subiects 
worthy  of  the  Confidence  placed  in  them  by  so  happy  and  mud  a 
Legislature.  William  Hughes,  Secretary. 

This  wa43  followed  by  a  meetmg  at  which  the  Catholics 
and  their  Priests  were  thanked  for  their  conduct : — 

BiRMIKOHAM  AasociATioir. 

Hotel^  December  14, 1792. — At  a  Meeting  of  the  Committee  of  the 
Association  for  the  Protection  of  Property,  and  the  Constitntion  of  this 
Conntiy,  against  Bepublicans  and  Levellers, 

Ordered, 

That  the  Letter  from  the  Boman  Catholics  resident  in  this  Town,  to 
this  Committee,  be  printed  in  both  the  Birmingham  Papers,  and  that 
the  thanks  cf  Um  Committee  be  tnnsmitted  by  the  Chairxnan  to  Mr. 
KnU  and  Mr.  Millward,  the  Priests,  and  the  rest  of  the  Boman 
Catholics  who  signed  the  same.  C  W.  WuiLIS,  Esq.,  Chairman.  . 
Birmingham,  I>eoembcar  11, 1792. 

Sir — As  neoessaiy  Duty  on  the  7th  Instant,  prsvented  several  of  ns 
from  oeing  present  at  the  nnmeroas  and  respectable  Meeting  convened 
at  the  Hotel,  We,  the  under  written,  for  oiuielves  and  other  Catholics 
of  Birminghaih,  horn'Mj  h^  leave  to  aasore  too.  Sir,  and  through  yon 
the  v«y  remectablc  Committee,  that  the  Gall  of  the  AasemUv  was 
most  agreeable  to  us ;  your  Besolntions  we  i^ipland ;  as  loyal  Babjects 
we  most  hesf^^  ooneor  in  yovr  Sentimsnts^  with  oar  nuMt  eamsst 
wishes  for  theUVWars  of  our  gradoos  Sovmjgn  George  the  Tlurd,i&d 
our  hi^ypy  Constitation  under  which  we  live^  and  wish  to  live ;  eveiy 
System  *^"»^'"g  to  withdraw  the  Subject  from  his  Dntj  and  All^gianoe 
to  his  King  wbA  Constitation,  by  Law  established,  we  «bhor;  all 
loveUiog  Pnnciples  and  Sentiments  sabvenrive  of  BeligioD,  Hazmonv. 
and  good  Order,  we  detest ;  Psaoe  and  good  Nei^lxmriiood  we  wul 
pranote,  SJng  and  Constitatian  we  will  defend ;  and  with  the  greatest 
Hesped  we  sobscribe  oarsdvea. 

(Here  louow  the  sjgnatarea) 

An  addrees  was  publiahed  to  the  Hundred  >^ 
To  iHB  InunxASTB  ov  tHB  HuvnasD  ev  HnoiDrofOBn. 


Wk  whose  Karnes  are  bersontosafaseribed,  bsnif  nnanimoaalT  and 
decidedly  of  ewiion  that  for  the  Seeority  and  Happmssi  of  all  CJIassss 
of  oor  fellow  Bkibjeds,  for  the  Maintenanee  of  ear  own  Bights  and 
Llbeiiisa^  and  for  the  dearest  Interests  of  enr  Postsrity,  it  is  in  the 
piesent  monient  incombent  on  as  to  give  to  the  exeeatlve  Qovemmsnt 
a  vyoroas  and  effectosl  SappoH,  in  eoonteracting  the  namsroos  Bfbrls 
of  fedition,  in  detecting  and  bringing  to  legal  Pnniahment  the  Persons 
eooosned  therein,  and  in  sapfjressing  in  their  Bfginning  all  Tamalts 
or  Biols,  en  whatever  Pretense  they  may  be  excited— do  hereby  pnV 
lidy  declsie  oar  determination  to  talte  all  eoch  Sisps  for  these  Poi  poses 
as  are  within  the  limits  of  oar  Doty,  in  the  ssveni  Stations  in  idiidi 
the  Constitation  of  oor  Coantvy  has  plaosd  ns,  and  to  afford  by  oar 
individasi  Sxsrtiona,  that  active  Assishinre  to  ths  Aothority  ef  ths 
kwfal  Msgistrstes,  and  to  the  Maiatcnanoe  of  the  esUUkhsd  Qo?em- 
nsnt,whM&  is  at  all  Timss  doe  from  the  Sobjeets  of  this  Besfan,  bat 
whidi  we  feel  to  be  mors  pecolisriy  ncesssaiy  under  the  Oireomstaness 
ef  ths  pssssnt  Time. 


TREASON  AND  SEDITION.  169 

For  these  Porpoees,  and  to  thU  Intent^  we  are  resolved  and  do 
declare, — 

1.  That  we  will  jointly  and  indiyidnallj  use  oar  ntmost  Endeavoors 
to  disooYer  and  proeeeate  bj  due  Course  of  Law,  the  Authors,  Pub- 
lishers, and  Distributors  of  all  seditious  Writing  which  shall  be 
published  or  distributed  within  our  respectiTe  Neiffhbourhoods,  and 
particularly  all  Persons  who  shall  be  ena^nd  in  any  iD^l  Associations 
or  Conspiraoies  for  the  Publication  and  l^tribution  ot  such  Writings, 
or  lor  the  exciting  of  Tumult  and  Blot  therein. 

2.  That  in  order  to  cany  the  aboTS  Besolution  into  the  fullest  Effect, 
we  do  hereby  mutually  bind  ouraelTeay  that  whenever  it  shall  come  to 
oiur  Knowledge  that  any  Person  or  Persons  haye,  within  our  respectiye 
Neighbourhoods^  pubUsned  or  distributed  seditious  Writings,  or  engaged 
themaelyes  in  such  AModatJons  and  Ooospiraeias  for  the  Purposes 
aforessid,  we  will  use  our  utmost  endeayoma  to  put  the  Laws  strictly 
in  Force  against  him  or  them. 

3.  That  we  will,  on  eyery  Ooeaaioii,  exert  ourselyes  on  the  first 
Appearance  of  Tumult  or  ]>iaorder,  to  maintain  the  public  Peace,  and 
to  Act  in  Support  of  the  dyil  Autboii^  for  suppreasmg  all  BiotS|  and 
hr  biinginff  tae  Pkomottta  of  thorn  to  Upl  Pontshment. 

Those  WBO  agree  in  the  PHnoiplss  Esrs  stated  are  inyited  to  set 
their  Names  to  this  Dedaimtioo,  Copies  of  which  wiU  be  left  for  that 
Purpose  at  the  Swan,  at  Coleshili;  at  the  Three  Tuns,  in  Sutton 
Coldfield;  at  the  Castle,  at  Tamworth ;  the  Bed  lion,  at  Athsrstone ; 
the  George,  at  Solyhull ;  and  the  Bull,  at  Nuneaton. 

It  is  reouestad  that  any  Information  tending  to  cany  into  Effect  the 
Pttrpose  of  tiio  aboye  Besolntions  may  be  commonicated  to  the  acting 
Jwtices  of  the  Peace  lor  the  Hundred  of  Hendingford,  or  to  the  Eari 
of  Aylssfiird,  Sir  Bobert  Lawloy,  Bkrl,  Biohard  Goist,  Bhl,  Charles  & 


Addttlsj,  Eisq^  Andrsw  HaeM»  Esq.  &  a  Hartopp^  Esq.,  Joseph 
Booltbss^  Esq.,  E.  CboxalLEiq,  W«  Ililke,  Jul,  Esq.,  John  Hadcst, 
L,  Hampoxy  Ardso,  Esq.,  BoiHand  ICainwaring,  Esq.,  or  W. 


Dsa  7, 17M. 

Aylesfard.  EbCkoiall,inn. 

BobeH  Lawloy.  Boland  ICamwariog. 

T.  W,  Xnigjitley.  Hnmnhnr  Arden. 

William  lltila.  Joseph  Boultbee. 

Bidiard  Gsast  C  R  Hartopp^ 

Andrew  Haekst  Wol  Dilke,  jun. 

John  Haekct  W.  Digby. 

Andrew  HadbsCi  JmL  Edward  Sadler. 

The  MBodation  bwui  to  work  by  aeekuig  to  make  spies 
and  infonnen.  On  ue  ■une  dar  as  the  oounty  addreas 
given  above  was  pnbUahed,  an  advertisemeiit  was  inserted 
which  ^reonestea  that  all  Persons  who  have  any  Know- 
ledge of  Seoitions  PaUioations  being  issoed,  or  of  Seditious 
Meetings,  or  of  Persons  guilty  of  uttering  Seditious 
Expressions^  will  flive  iininemate  Infixnoation  thereof  to 
this  Assodation,  bv  Letter,  addressed  to  Mr.  Brooke, 
Attorney,  Temple  Bow,  the  Seeretaiy.''  This  was  signed 
by  C.  W.  Willis,  Esq.,  Chairman. 


170  A  CEXTURT  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFR 

Another  meeting  was  held'  on  December  20th^  of  which 
this  report  was  published  : — 

December  24th,  1792. — The  Committee  of  this  Aesoeiation  cannot 
help  expressing  their  Congratulation  to  the  Town  on  the  great  Strength 
aoqnired  br  the  Association  in  the  daily  Increase  of  its  Members ;  and 
when  the  Jsooks  which  are  now  in  CSrcolation  shall  haye  been  taken 
round  to  every  House  in  the  Town,  they  doubt  not  but  it  will  be 
discovered  that  the  number  of  Disloyal  and  Disaffected  in  this  Place 
form  a  Tery  small  F^portion  of  the  uihabitants  of  Birmingham.  The 
genezal  Gbod  likely  to  be  produced  by  this  Plan  of  the  Conunittee  has 
alreadv  alarmed  the  secret  Advocates  for  Biot  and  Disorder,  and  has 
bam  the  Occasion  of  the  Publication  of  some  very  insidious  and  daring 
Hand  BUls^  witii  a  View  to  intimidate  and  check  the  loyal  and  honest 
ManufiMStorsrs  of  Birmingham  from  putting  their  Signatures  to  the 
Books  of  this  Aasoeiation. 

The  Authors  and  Publishers  of  such  Hand  Bills  oertainlj^  will  not 
ese^»e  the  nroper  Notice  and  Attention  of  the  Committee  in  a  leal 
Way ;  but  lest  the  Unwary  shall  be  can|4it  by  the  spedous  and  fiJse 
Aiffuments  made  use  of  m  them,  the  Uommittee  tnink  themselTes 
oalMd  upon  by  the  Aiterest  of  the  Public  to  shew  the  IVoitility  of  audi 
Argnmenta.  The  Public^ in  these  Hand  Baia^are  told  that  the  FHends 
of  9ie  Anodation  an  boond  to  snpnart  the  wessnt  Syatem  of  Govvm- 
ment|  oonvpted  faj  Innovation.  tVom  what  Anthori^  is  soch  an 
Aawrtion  madel  And  from  what  PabUeatiotf  of  the  Bsntimants  of 
tha  Association  do  the  anonymous  Writsra  hatard  sodi  a  Fhmoaition  f 
That  wbieh  the  Association  frel  thomaelvias  bound  to  protset|  and 
wUdi  ihtj  bava  nledged  thefar  lives  and  Fortones  to  maintaini  la  tlie 
Ctorwumant  iMStk  iSm  been  handed  down  to  vs  Vjr  our  Anostton. 
namalv.  KinSi  Ittda.  and  Oommona  Osn  anv  Man  (eiteti  if  aaonstomaa 
to  diawtlia  moat  wild  and  aztBavaoant  Inftraioes)  laTtbat  tfaia  Siqh 
port  oaUanpooaiiT  Individoal  toreniae  Us  Afldstanoa  m  endsavoariog, 
Dj  avvy  ifligal  Method,  to  make  every  Branch  of  the  L^gidatma  as 
pors  as  it  waa  in  its  Institntion  t  Or  can  it  be  said  that  any  Opinkm 
naa  over  bean  offnnad  by  the  AssodatioOy  that  any  Oornqmoa  of 
CkvarnmeBt  in  wliieh  Dapaftment  it  niav  eadali  o«gh*  not  to  be  oorrso 
On  the  oontrafytho  Oooimittea  woold  inl  tiMnsslves  to  be  aotiog  vi^ 
ineonahtSBtly  with  tbo  Opinions  thsy  entortain,  did  th^not  oonesivo 
that  their  Yaoaration  and  Bespeet  frr  the  prsssnt  Pom  of  Govam- 


t  woald  MesasarQy  indnos  thorn  to  wiah  to  asa  ovenr  Bpedea 
of  OwmpUon  destroyed  (if  andi  Comption  does  aziat)  whanovsr  a 
proper  vppor*vni»y  oooora 

Tho  Friends  to  a  Bafbrm  of  Fluliaaant  cannot  UmI  thenaalvea 
either  oppooad  or  anpfMxied  hj  tho  Principles  of  tho  Assoriation,  tho 

Msnbsn  of  wliich  ^s^^'in  any  OolMidenilkm  of  that  Sabieot  Tlio 
Tazeapayabla  to  Uovommont  are  also  held  ont  aa  a  Spedso  of  Oppna- 
aioQ  under  wliioh  the  Inliabitanta  of  thia  Coantnr  labour :  and  Tazai^ 
in  thafar  Katsre  alleeting  ovaty  Individnal,  are  brought  nnvaid  aa  a 
Babjeot  to  prodnoe  Inveetivo  and  Aboea  of  Oovammeat  Tha  Air 
and  Candid  will  oonrider  whoUisr  any  diavfe  in  tho  Coootitatioii'will 

Sty  tho  Tasea  already  impoaed,  or  aake  onr  Boftlieaa  leas ;  and  the 
basrvation  naturally  occnn^  that  a  Oomplafait  againat  the  Magnitade 
of  the  Tiazea  oomea  venr  01  at  a  ftelod  when  ttie  National  Debt  ia 
yearij  paying  cS,  and  when,  bat  for  tha  internal  Diatarbanosa  orsatod 


TREASON  AND  SEDITION.  171 

by  the  Frienda  of  Innoyation  and  the  Supporters  of  Disorder,  some  of 
these  very  Taxes  were  intended  to  have  been  abolished. 

The  Committee,  trusting  with  the  ^eatest  Confidence  in  the  Loyalty 
and  good  Sense  of  the  Inhabitants  of  Birmingham,  doubt  not  but  that 
they  will  shew  their  Attachment  to  Loyalty  and  gjood  Order  by  joining 
their  Names  to,  and  thereby  supporting  the  Principles  of,  this  Associa- 
tion. 

The  Protestant  Dissenters,  meaning  by  those  words,  the 
Unitarians  of  the  town,  held  a  meeting  on  the  subject;  and 
issued  the  following  report,  which  gives  us  the  political 
principles  of  men  who  had  recently  suffered  so  much  from 
the  bigotry  and  fimaticism  of  their  fellow  townsmen. 

At  a  nnmerons  and  respectable  Meetinffof  Protestant  Dissenters, 
held  at  the  ChArity  School  in  Park-street,  on  Wednesday,  Dec.  19,  1702 ; 

William  Bossell,  Esq.,  in  the  Chair : 
An  Invitation  haying  been  given  to  the  DiMenters  to  attend  the  Meeting 
at  the  HoteL  on  the  7th  of  this  Instant,  by  some  very  respectable 
Members  of  the  Establishment,  a  general  Summons  has  been  sent  to  the 
difbrent  Congregations  in  this  Town,  in  consequence  of  whidi  sevenl 
numerous  MeetiniBB  hare  been  he!d  (prindpallv  attended  by  Members 
of  the  two  SodeCiea  belonging  to  the  late  Old  and  New  Meetinffs) 
wherein  the  Peeoliaritj  of  their  present  Sitnation  has  been  freely  &- 
ensMdy  and  the  present  Assembly,  convened  for  the  Parpose  of  settling 
the  Business  agitated  in  those  which  preceded  it,  oondnae  it  ineambent 
upon  them  at  this  Crisis  to  declare  their  Politiad  Prindples,  fblly  per- 
saaded  they  entertain  none  which  it  is  their  Interest  in  any  shape  to. 
dissemble  or  to  eonoeal ;  iber  do  therefore  thus  publidy  express  those 
PHndplas  in  the  following  Besolutions : — 

Bssolvedunaiiimoudv;  1.  That  the  IMssenters  appeal  to  the  uniform 
Tenor  of  their  jpublie  donduct  as  an  uneouivocal  Testimony  that  Uiey 
ilsssive  well  of  the  Nation  in  general,  ana  of  the  Eunily  on  the  Throne 
in  pariieular ;  this  Charaeter,  which  they  apprdiend  thsj  oan  justly 
Uj  elaim  to^  they  are  detennined  to  maintain. 

Beaolvud  uaanimoualjr ;  &  That  they  are  Friends  to  the  Constitution 
of  this  Country,  on  the  Principles  assetiod  at  the  Revolution  of  16S8^  as 
cioneisting  of  King,  Lords^  ana  CoromoMb 

Beeolved  unanlmonely ;  3w  That»  in  oonaequenee  of  the  Abuses  which 
have  crept  into  our  Constitution,  they  declare  themselves  wann  and 
Maloua  JViends  to  such  a  Plarliamontaiy  Befinrm  as  shall  make  the' 
Beprsscntation  apeak  the  Voice  of  the  People,  by  rendering  Ele^iona 
waom  fruqumiti  and  the  Bepiesentation  mors  oquaL 

Bosolved :  4.  That  they  coneeive^  whatever  Alarms  and  Discontenta 
oziati  the  Adoption  of  mStk  a  Measure  would  be  a  aure  Means  of  remo- 
ving thwu 

Resolved;  6.  That  the  Disssnton  are  Enemies  to osditiotts  and  dia- 
oidoriy  Plraotics^  under  whatovw  Pretence  onmmitted  ;  are  tho  finn 


rtssnilsrs  of  the  liUer^  of  tho  Prsss,  and  shall  ovor  ingnd  it  as  tho 
mon  invmlnable  of  tho  PrivUegsa  of  EbgUshmon,  and  tho  firmest  Bul- 
wark of  their  BightSL 

Reaolved  unanimously ;  6.  That  tho  IHsssnten  will  ebearfnlly  concur 
in  all  oonstAtutional  lloasurse  lur  onouumgiug  Obedience  to  the  Inwa 
and  assisting  tho  Civil  Magittraftes  on  every  Occssion,  whm  such 
Aasiatance  is  rendered  ncosmary  by  Overt  Ads. 


172  A   CENTURY  OF   BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

Besolved  nnanimously ;  7.  Tliat  the  Kiffht  Houonrable  Charles 
James  Fox  is  entitled  to  public  Gratitude  for  the  oonstitutional  and 
mauly  Language  so  seasonably  held  forth  by  him  in  his  two  Speeches 
on  the  Address  to  the  Throne,  at  the  opening  of  the  present  Sessions  of 
Parliament. 

BesoWed :  That  these  Beaolationa  be  printed  in  the  London  and 
Birmingham  Papers. 

Besolved  ananimousl  y :  That  the  Thanks  of  this  Meeting  be  giyen  to 
the  Chairman  for  his  able  and  impartial  Conduct  in  the  C£dr. 

William  Bussbll,  Chairman. 

On  December  24  was  published : — 

An  Address  to  the  Association  for  the  Protection  of  Liberty  and 
Property  against  B^pabUcana  and  Lerellers,  held  at  the- Hotel,  Bir- 
minghanL  Bv  a  friend  to  liberty  and  Property.  Birmingham  : 
printed  and  sold  by  T.  Thompson,  .^jid  in  a  few  Days  wiU  be  pub- 
lished, Will  Deepsee's  Observations  on  ConstitutioiuMocietieSyaddreiBsed 
to  the  Association  at  the  HoteL 

The  Association,  at  a  meeting  held  January  24,  1793, 
^reconnnended  to  the  Innkeepers  and  Publicans  in  this 
Town  and  neighbourhood,  to  prevent,  as  £Eur  as  lies  in  their 
Power,  all  Seditious  Meetings  in  their  Houses,  and  to  give 
Ltiformation  to  the  Secretary  of  this  Association,  of  every 
Person  who  shall  be  heard  to  utter  any  Seditious  Enres- 

810D& 

Inspired  by  this  resolution  the  Innkeepers  held  a  meeting, 
and  resolved  to  more  than  comply  witn  its  recommenda- 
tion : — 

Birmingham,  Mardi  15,  1793.«— At  a  mj  nmiMimis  and  most 
rsepeeUble  Meeting,  held  this  day  at  the  Hotel,  agraesblyto poblie 
AdverttsemenL  of  the  Innkeepsn  and  Yiotnalkn  ci  this  Town  and 
Neighbonrfaood ;  Mr.  Thomaa  Dadky  in  the  Chair ;  Besolved  vnani* 
moiul J  i^> 

That  in  order  to  shew  our  Loraltv  to  the  King:  and  o«r  Attaehaunt 
to  onr  pmant  azeeUent  Ooostttatioa,  We  will  aoflSv  no  Paraon  or 
Persoiw  to  iM^d  any  Soeietf  in  our  taapeetifa  Hontsi^  or  nnka  use  of 
an  J  Laogoaga  thai  taada  to  aabvart  the  Govamniant  of  this  Kingdon, 
wiUioQt  ginng  Notioe  to  our  worthy  Maglstratsa  of  thte  Town. 


Magistrates  in  the  Ezeeation  of  thair  Offioe,  in  omo  of  any  Biot  or  aodi* 
tioQfl  Tamnlt  wbatarer. 

That  We  will,  to  the  vtoMSt  of  oar  Powar,  sapprooi  any  inflamma* 
toiy  Writing  that  the  iaetiooo  BaTolntkmisto  may  ttro  to  Ismm^  and  use 
ff^nrr  Eodeavonr  to  bring  the  Anthoia  to  Jnstloo. 

liiat,  for  the  more  eifeetaall j  moenring  Order  and  TkaaqnQliij, 
We  mntoallj  agree  to  diadooe  and  make  known  any  tressopabls  or 
seditions  Expreeiions  whieh  najeoma  to  oar  Knowledge^  in  order  that 
the  Qailtr  maj  receiTo  doe  Poniihmant  And  Wa  aaniesUy  roqoest 
Men  in  all  Banks  to  onita  witha%  f or  the  porposa  of  praaonriag  oar 


TREASON  AND  SEDITION.  173 

present  inestimable  Constitation,  wliich  has  been  the  Glory  of  this 
Conntry,  the  Envy  of  other  Nations,  and  is  at  this  Time,  under  Provi- 
dence, the  Cause  of  our  Happiness,  Wealth,  and  Prosperity. 

That  it  is  the  Duty  of  all  cood  and  loyal  Subjects  to  preserve  Fidelity 
to  the  King,  and  the  sacred  Constitution  of  this  Country,  as  established 
by  the  glorious  BeYolution,  and  to  maintain  and  support  the  Peace, 
I^perty,  and  personal  Security  of  every  good  Subject  under  its  Pro- 
tection. 

That  we  hereby  declare  our  unfeigned  Admiration  of  the  Laws  of 
this  Country,  fully  convinced  that  none  can  be  more  wisely  framed  nor 
better  calculated  for  the  Protection  of  Liberty  and  Property,  or  for  tlie 
impartial  Administration  of  Justice. 

That  to  support  the  Constitution  and  those  public  Men  who  make 
the  l^eservatioin  of  it  their  predominant  principle  of  Action,  is  the 
Object  to  which  the  present  Meetii^  will  direct  their  Attention. 

That  to  watch  the  insidious  Desi^ins  of  those  lurking  Enemies  who, 
by  eyefiy  dark  ManosuTre^  are  endeayouring  to  siq^  the  Foundations  of 
oior  gbiJoQs  Coiutitation,  and  to  expose  them  to  the  public  Eye,  is  a 
Du^  oyer  which  we  will  neither  sleep  nor  slumben 

That  the  Thanks  <tf  this  Nation  are  due  to  his  Majesty's  Ministers, 
for  having  adyind,  and  in  their  respectiys  Departments  carried  into 
Ezeeotioii  with  Effect^  the  wise  and  firm  Measares  lately  adopted. 

Tliat  the  Thanks  of  this  Meeting  be  j^yen  to  Joseph  C^les,  Eaq^ 
and  the  Bey.  Dr.  Spencer,  for  their  unwearied  Exertions  as  Magistrates. 

That  the  Thanks  of  this  Meetin|r  be  given  to  the  Hu^  Bailiff,  for 
conyeninff  the  Inhabitants  of  this  Town  and  Neifffabournood  together 
en  the  7tn  ^i  December  last,  for  the  Purpose  of  iMcUring  our  Attach- 
ment to  our  preeent  Goyemment. 

Thai  the  Thanks  ol  this  Meeting  be  giycn  to  the  r^i'rmMn^  for  his 
n^fbi  Oondnct  in  the  Chair  duiing  ™m  Busineaso 

Tliat  the  abofve  BeeolntioniiDe  printed  in  both  the  Birmin^^um 
D^MH^  m  the  Soil,  the  Star,  and  the  Qeneral  Evening  Post 

TmaiUM  DADLBTy  Chairman. 


mkI  yictoalkra  who  eonld  not  attend  the  Mesting  and  may  wish  to 

No  wonder  that  we  eoon  meet  an  advertiaement  like 

tliias— 

Twaarr  Qvoeab  BawAan. 
fieplember  30th,  1793.— Whereas  aome  evil-minded  malieioiis  Persoo 
or  Persona  haye  written  and  aent  l^  Poet  a  letter  to  the  Bey«  Mr. 
littlcL  Minister  of  the  Independent  Society  in  Pteadise  Stieet,  and 
djgDed  ^Bad.  Bdiolefleki,  Ibceter  Bow,"  containing  Sentimente  and 
ffnasMirms  of  the  moat  seditioas  and  even  treasonable  Natore,  I  take 
this  pnhlie  Method  of  avowing  my  total  I^piofanoe  of  sodli  a  Letter, 
and  aaj atler  Deleitatioa of  the  Principles  it  contains;  and  with  the 
fiimesi  Aanuanoe  that  eveiy  Friend  to  the  Peace  of  the  Town  would 
moioe  in  bringing  each  baaey  aeeret  Incendiaries  to  Joetice,  I  hereby 
oiler  a  Bewaid  of  Twenty  Gniaeas  to  any  Peiaon  who  will  give  me  such 
Inf ormatkm  ae  ahaU  enable  me  to  proeecnte  to  Conviction  the  Offender 
or  OffiBodem  BaDCLim  Scbolefisld, 


174  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

The  Association  was  not  provided  with  any  business  for 
more  than  two  years.  This  was,  doubtless,  owing  to  their 
activity  and  strength,  for  there  was  plenty  of  sedition  in 
the  country.  The  London  Corresponding  Society  were 
sending  delegates  about  the  country  advocating  the  doctrines 
of  the  French  Revolution,  aud  teaching  the  people  the 
principles  of  Paine's  Bights  of  Man.  It  was  not,  however, 
untU  the  year  1796  that  we  find  a  record  of  any  of  these 
emissaries  visiting  Birmingham.  On  Monday,  March  14th 
of  that  year,  we  read . — 

Od  Friday  night  last^  Binns  and  Jones,  two  delegates  from  the 
London  Ooiresponding  Society,  regardtesB  of  the  laws  and  peace  of  the 
country,  delivered  (the  one  at  the  Swan,  in  Swallow  Street,  and  the 
other  at  the  Bell  public  house,  in  Suffolk  Street  in  this  town)  their 
inflammatory  Lectures ;  information  of  which  being  given  to  William 
Hicks,  Esq.,  one  of  our  Mafistrates.  he  immediately  repaired,  with  the 
peace  Officers,  to  the  illegal  assemolings.  The  meeting  at  the  Swan 
Lad  broken  up,  but  at  the  Bell  they  found  Jones  in  a  room  haranguing 
about  Sevang  P^2I?^^  -^  *<><>>^  *■  he  saw  the  Magistrate,  he  was 
sQent ;  but  Mr.  Hlcks^  being  made  acquainted  by  aemai  who  were 
present  of  the  seditious  language  he  had  nekL  immediately  ordered  the 
proclamation  against  disorderly  meetings  to  be  read,  and  the  people  in 
a  few  minutes  disponed.  Jones  was  admonished  oy  the  Magisteate, 
who  wanied  him  to  beware  of  his  conduct  in  fiiture,  as  a  fltikt  mtdh 
should  be  kept  orer  him  and  all  lus  aasodatea 

A  fortnight  later  this  notice  was  published : — 

Mardi  iethy  1796.— Binns  and  Jooes,  the  DeWates  from  the  Cor- 
responding Sooiety,  were  again  brought  before  our  l&gistrBtes  on  Thurs- 
day, and  oommitments  were  made  out  against  them  to  take  their  trials 
at  tne  next  Aanaes  at  Warwick.    They  found  bail  for  their  appeanaee ; 


but  Bathurrty  the  jobbing  smith,  has  not  been  fortunate  enoiqgh  to 
uoonre  any,  and  is  still  in  confinement.  The  duurses  against  them  are 
for  seditious  and  tmasmnblo  expressions,  and  for  nAM«ng  meetiiuEs  to 
discuss  pditical  questions  without  giving  the  requisite  puGUc  notice. 


The  next  thing  we  hear  of  Bimm  is  from  an  advertisemeat 
which  appeared  on  August  7, 1797 .' — 

As  there  has  been  a  Person  taken  up  as  a  seditious  Haranguer  in 
London,  on  Monday  last,  of  the  Name  off  Binns,  and  as  it  is  mierally 
supposed  it  is  the  same  Binns  who  has  latdr  been  at  Binningnam,  and 
who  is  to  be  tried  for  Sedition  at  Warwick ;  that  there  may  not  be 


any  Aspenioii  at  all  upon  the  Character  of  that  Qentleman,  the  Public 
Buy  rest  asmired  that  he  was  at  the  House  of  Mr.  Parr,  the  OotCage  of 
Oontenty  on  Thursday  Evening  last^  until  a  late  hour,  in  Oompanr  with 
many  remetaUe  Gentlemen  of  this  Town,  whose  Fbtttics  acoora  with 
hii,  and  tne  Karnes  of  all  which  most  worthy  Gentlemen  may  be  known 
en  application  to  me,  &  JiATom,  White  Horsey  Friday  Street 

This  advertisement  led  to  the  publication  of  two  others, 
which  are  curious  illustrations  of  the  time 


TREASON  AKD  SEDITICWf.  175 

To  the  InkabUanU  of  the  Town,  of  Birmingham, 
Aagagt  14,  1797. — Fellow  Townsmen, — ^An  Advertisement  which 
was  inserted  in  MondaVs  Birmingham  Paper,  signed  B.  Jearons,  White 
Horse,  Friday-street,  being  very  geuerailj  misunderstood  from  the 
Ambiguity  of  the  Language,  and  the  Obscurity  of  the  Individual  whose 
Name  it  bears;  we,  Uie  Company  who  supped  at  the  Cottage,  not 
wishing  to  conceal  any  Thing  from  you  which  happened  on  the  Night 
of  Thursdar.  August  3,  and  unwiUing  to  suffer  the  proceedings  of  the 
night  to  be  blaekeued  by  Malice,  or  misrepresented  by  Prejudice,  trouble 
you  with  the  following  Statement,  for  the  Truth  of  which  we  pledge 
ourselves. 

On  Thursday  Evening,  Auffust  3,  a  Party  of  FHends  went  to  sup  at 
the  Cottage  of  Content^  near  wis  Town.  As  the  Peraons  who  supped 
had  most  of  them  attended  the  County  Meeting  to  Petition  for  Peace, 
thejr  have  since  been  denominated  Jacobins.  If  a  sincere  Desire  of 
givmg  Peace  to  the  People  of  England,  of  ffiving  Employment  to  the 
unemployed,  and  agun  bringing  Wealth  and  Commerce  to  the  Shores 
of  Qraat  Britain,  be  what  constitiites  the  Character  of  a  Jaeobin,  we 
disclaim  not  the  Epithet 

Before  Supper  we  observed  acme  Persons  pass  and  rBpass  the 
Window ;  among  the  Number  was  Lovelaoe  Walan,  who  oave  Evidence 
against  Mr.  Jooes^  last  Warwick  Aasiass.  'We  snpposea  Curiosity  to 
be  their  onlr  Motivab  ^^  ^  this  we  have  since  haa  reason  to  doubt. 
About  Ten  aCloek,  one  of  oar  Company  going  to  Walk  in  the  Garden 
was  surprised  on  openiqg  the  Door  to  nnd  fi>ur  Persons  elose  to  it  and 
the  Window  of  the  Boom  in  whkh  we  aat»  apparently,  nay,  evidently, 
with  the  Intention  to  overliear  wliat  might  all  Iran  the  Company 
within.  The  Man  that  ma  be  eapaUe  of  the*  MeannoM  of  Listening, 
and  of  wishing,  if  possible,  to  aeias  upon  the  Moment  of  unguardM 
Conviviali^  to  bring  Injniy  npon  others,  is  unworthy  the  Chmeter 
and  benealn  the  Coinpany  of  n  Gentleman.  Thus  deteeled«  tliose 
FsTBons  walked  into  a  Boom  and  called  for  some  Spfarita  and  Water, 
wliich,  having  dimnk,  thefy  doparted.  We  hoped  they  were  gone  for 
ever ;  bat  we  were  deoeived — they  only  went  to  repMt  Ptogress  to  a 
Company  who  were  sittiog  at  n  Pteblio  Moos^in  Binningham.  It  was 
resolved  Ijr tide  Fot-valiant  Company,  that  Jacobins  had  no  Right  to 
the  Good  Thiap  of  thia  Worid.  and  that  they  would  go  and  rout  them. 
Pkudencs^  in  despite  of  Good  Ale^  ealled  aloud  *Beinlbroe;*  listening 
for  ooee  to  mlvtaiy  Advice,  theoe  Volnnteer  Heroes  called  at  the 
Hooae  of  Jeavooti  where  tlisj  were  rsintooed ;  thus  etrengthened, 
strong  in  Nunben  and  vndannted  in'  Coomge^  tiiey  determined  to 
ittaeE  and  torn  ottt  the  Company  at  the  CottiiM.  Pnidenoe  again 
whispsnd  "take  aviiy  FSreeanlioo/  a  Watdiwoid,  Signal  to  Atteck, 
&QLf  being  agreed  vpon^  and  their  JPktidenee  thne  onieted.  they  boldly 


marohed  mm  a  aid  tniilr  seal  heated  with  Uauor.  and  eon&dent  in  their 
Knmbere  tUyentmed  the  Cottage  abont  Eleven  o^Clodc,  when  we 
had  paid  onr  Bill  and  ware  aboot  departing ;  bat  onwilling  to  lead 


thoee  Men  into  Error,  and  leet  they  ahoold  suppom  we  left  the  Hi 
on  their  Aeooonti  wn  delermlnad  to  remain  eome  Time  longsr.    Upon 


qaestioniagthem  as  to  their  Motivm  fiur  intmdlng  thoa  insoleatly  bsto 
a  private  Boom  and  Companyi  varioos  and  oontradtctoiT  were  the 


M  assigned  But  none  more  eingalar  than  that  given  by  Jeavons, 
''I  happened/'  add  he, ''to  be  passing,  by  Aeddent,  and  came  in  to 
take  a  Cap  of  Ale.*.   A  man  ttiat  ie  gidl^  of  telling  a  premediuted 


176  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

Falsehood  is  caj^bla  of  eveiy  Thing  mean  and  contemptible.  Their 
Designs  in  commg  were  exposed  almost  immediately  on  their  entering 
the  Boom ;  one  of  the  Party  said,  I  come  as  a  Peacemaker.  Where 
was  the  Necessity  for  such  a  Declaration  if  War  had  not  been  previooBly 
determined  on  ?  They  demanded  liqaor ;  the  Jjandlord  said  he  never 
drew  any  after  Eleven  o'clock,  nor  would  he  then  for  any  Man.  Per- 
ceiving that  the  Company  was  not  intimidated  or  friffhtened  at  theti; 
Military  Appesrance,  it  allayed  the  rsging  Heat  of  their  Zeal,  cooled 
their  Coorage,  awakened  their  Prudence,  and  wisely  determined  them 
to  remain  quiet.    About  Twelve  o'clock  we  departed,  and  those  who 

came  to  insult  us  remained.     After  singing  a  Song,  d iug  the 

Landlord  and  abusins  the  Landlady,  they  returned  to  Birmingham, 
hooting,  hissing  and  hallooing,  ^D — ^n  all  Jacobins."  Their  Conduct 
aboold  have  remained  unnoticed,  and  treated  with  that  contemptuous 
Silence  which  it  deserves,  had  not  some  of  the  Party  boasted  of  their 
Atzocity.  and  induatrionuy,  though  secretly,  insinuated  that  the  Meet- 
ing  was  neld  for  political  ^uiposes^  inimical  to  the  Government. 
^We  assure  the  Public  that  all  such  Reports  are  unfounded,  and  that 
the  Meeting  was  a  Friendly  and  not  a  Political  one.  If  the  whole  Oon- 
▼enation  had  been  spoken  in  the  Presence  of  S|>ie%  their  Inf;enuity  and 
complying  Oonsdenoes  oould  not  have  tortured  it  into  Criminality. 
JfJi  " 


leavons  shall  ag^  lend  his  Name  to  an  Advertisement  which  he 
Is  not  to  see  till  it  is  inMrted,  the  Public  will  do  him  Justice  to  acquit 
him  of  b^ng  an  Author,  and  exonae  as  from  replying  to  any  Thmg 
whidi  may  appear  under  aiiohSignatiira.  At  Jeavons  has  promised  (or 
othonhaTe  promised  In  his  Name)  that  he  will  furnish  any  Person  with 
a  lint  of  thoae  who  suppod  at  the  Cotta^  we  abo  promise  any  Person 
who  will  call  at  Mr.  PImx'sl  Cottage  of  Content^  our  Karnes,  and  the 
Namoi  of  thoae  Intraden  who  wiahed  to  shew  their  Loyalty,  u  it  could 
havo  boMi  done  without  the  Pomibility  of  personal  Danger. 

Aa  thara  are  many  of  the  Persona  who  mtmded  on  ttie  Company  at 
the  Ootlage  Uiat  hare  aince  ozpnmed  their  Sorrow  for  audi  Condoeti 
and  deelars  ther  ware  prevailed  on  and  in  aome  measure  foioed  by 
othan^  wo  pcomise  to  axpoQga  their  Names  aftor  making  a  proper  Apo- 
logy to  any  .of  the  Company  who  were  pwaent 

Signed  in  Name,  and  1^  Ordar  of  the  Companr, 

Wm.  Habboldi 
.  N.BL  The  Inlnidin  wtt«  Twanty-aiz,  the  Company  Fifteen,  one  of 
Iham  iiaving  departed. 

^gaJtufiun,  Aagaai  S,  1707. 

Aqgoak  H  1797.-~I  am  rsqnealed  hy  tiia  Fluty  who  attended  me  to 
the  Cfttaffe  of  Oontoil^  on  Thnrsday  Svoniuf,  the  8rd  Instant,  to  atato 
to  the  Poblic^  wo  hava  no  aenmle  In  tKmimmg  we  went  thers^  though 
not  aeereUy,  to  aarartafai  the  Fefaons  of  a  Set  of  known  Birmingham 
Jaoobiaa  Lovxlaci  Walbb. 

The  hiatorv  of  thia  y ear  waa  xnaiked  byaeveral  important 
eventa.  Ckah  payDieata  were  reatricted  in  oonaeqaenoe  of 
the  ahotteeaa  m  apema  There  were  mntiniea  in  the  fleeta 
at  Spithead  and  tne  Notol  Fox  and  hia  friends,  nnable  to 
inflaence  the  oondaet  of  the  Govemment,  ceaaed  to  attend 
the  Honae  of  Commona.    Meetings  were  held  in  variotts 


TREASON  AND  SEDITION.  177 

iowiis  and  cities,  and  addresses  to  the  King  adopted  praying 
bim  to  change  his  Ministers.  A  county  meeting,  called  by 
the  High  Sheriff,  was  held  at  Warwick,  on  the  last  day  of 
May,  1797,  and  a  long  Petition  was  adopted.  It  set  out  by 
expressing  sentiments  of  unfeigned  reverence  for  the  King, 
the  Royal  family,  and  the  institutions  of  the  country.  Then 
deprecated  the  origin,  and  complained  of  the  conduct  of  the 
war;  and  said  that  the  minist^.  had  "endeavoured  to  in- 
sure Impunity  for  their  Mi.srnanagement,  and  Perpetuity  to 
their  Power,  by  the  Severities  of  unconstitutional  Statutes, 
and  by  menacing  Intimations  of  Coercion  beyond  the  Laws." 
It  next  alludes  to  the  fearful  distress  and  poverty  of  the 
people,  peasantry  and  artisans ;  the  burdens  of  taxation,  the 
milure  of  the  war,  the  repressive  measures  of  the  Qovem- 

ment,  and  concludes  with  this  request : — 

Most  eimestly,  then,  we  intreat  your  Majesty  to  diamiis  without 
Delay  thoee  MinisterB  wnoae  "Brotanoxk  htm  impoTerished  your  Subjecti, 
whoee  Arrogance  has  diiynted  your  Alliee,  whose  Iiicapacitv  has 
emboldened  ^our  Foes,  and  whose  Misconduct  in  War  is  a  glaring 
Fkoof  of  their  Unfitness  to  procure  Peace  equitaU^,  or  to  preserve  it 
penDanentljr,  eipecially  under  the  Ptessore  of  Difficulties  which  their 
own  inanspdous  Measures  have  accumulated,  far  beyond  an^  FiTample 
recorded  m  History  of  the  most  unsuccessful  AdministratK>n  in  ttie 
most  tnglofious  Beimk 

Warned  by  past  JBTsntSy  and  dismayed  at  our  future  Prospects,  we 
beseech  you,  Bire,  to  admit  into  your  Coundls  other  and  better  Men, 
whose  Exertions  may  endear  a  ntriot  Einf  to  a  loyal  People,  hj  the 
Extinction  of  VeDality.the  DifKusicn  of  Fkeeaom,  the  gradual  Beduction 
of  Tazea  the  speedy  BeTival  of  Commerce,  the  Bestorataon  of  public 
Gkedit,  toe  Securi^  of  landed  Pkroperty,  and  all  the  various  Keanngs 
whidi  Wisdom  in  the  Executive  Government,  seconded  by  the  Integrity 
of  an  Independent  Parliament,may  yet  obtain  for  us,  after  Becondliatioa 
with  our  Jbnemiesi  and  by  Union  among  ouiselTes. 

Signed  by  Order  of  the  Meeeting, 

BoBBiT  KviOBT,  BherifL 

In  a  few  days  the  address  received  nearly  4,500  siffnatures 
in  this  town.  It  was  not^  however,  till  1801  mt  Pitt 
resigned,  and  the  farce  of  the  Addington  Cabinet  was  played 
not  quite  to  the  edification  of  the  nation.  The  repreasive 
meaaures  were  continued ;  prosecutions  for  seditious  speeches 
were  numerous ;  and,  in  1798,  **  Gale  Jones,  a  well-lmown 
and  active  agent  of  the  Cornsponding  Society,  was  prose- 
cuted to  conviction  for  a  seditious  spMch  at  BirmingnaoL" 
In  1800  the  following  startling  government  notice  was 

published : — 

Paanov  Avn  oss  Huvnasn  Qvnnus  Bswaba. 
Whitehall,  November  1st,  180a— Wheresa,  a  most  Tkeasonable  and 
Seditioua  Paper  was,  on  Monday  night,  distributed  in  the  Town  of 


178  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINQHAM  UFE. 

« 

Birmingham,  beginning  with  the  words  **  Vive  la  RepMic,"  and  signed 
"  T.  W.,  Secretary,"  dated  " Constitution  Hall,  October  27th,  1800 ;" 

His  Majesty,  for  the  better  apprehending  and  bringing  to  Justice 
the  Persons  concerned  in  writing  and  dispersing  the  said  Paper,  is 
hereby  pleased  to  promise  his  most  gracious^ardon  to  any  one  of  them 
(except  the  Person  who  actually  wrote  the  same)  who  shall  discover  his 
or  their  Accomplice  or  Accomplices  therein,  so  that  he,  she,  or  they, 
may  be  apprehended  and  convicted  thereof.  Portlavd. 

And,  as  a  further  Encouragement,  a  Beward  of  One  Hundred 
CKiineas  is  hereby  offered  by  the  MagistrateB  of  the  said  Town  to  any 
P6nK>n  making  sach  DiscoTeiy  as  af ornaid  (except  as  is  before  excepted) 
to  be  paid  on  the  ccmyiction  of  any  one  or  more  of  the  Offenders. 

T.  MiLLWARDy  Constable. 

We  do  not  find  that  these  liberal  rewards  were  ever 
claimed,  or  that  the  authors  of  this  ''most  Treasonable  and 
Seditions  Paper"  were  ever  discovered. 


VOLTJNTEEB  ASSOCUTIOKS. 


The  year  1794  was  distingaiahed  by  the  oommencemeni 
of  the  Tohmteer  movement^  in  which  the  patriotism  of  the 
people,  their  lojjralty  to  the  kinff,  their  love  for  the  const!- 
tution,  and  theur  hatred  of  the  Irench,  were  displayed  in  an 
equal  degree.  The  aaoifioes  which  the  nation  made  at  this 
period  have  never  been  sorpassed;  and  the  following  aoooont 
of  the  part  which  Birmingham  took  in  the  defence  of  the 
conntipr  is  a  bright  ohaptor  in  the  histoty  of  the  town. 
Early  m  the  year  a  drcolar  was  iasned  firam  the  Secretaiy 
of  State's  offices  addressed  to  the  Lord  lieatenants  of  conn* 
ties»  recommending  the  formation  of  Tdtanteer  companies 
in  aid  of  the  mifitia,  and  suggesting  the  expedienqr  of 
making  pecuniary  contributions  in  support  of  tne  schema* 
A  county  meeting,  called  by  the  Earl  ci  Warwidc,  was  held 
in  the  County  &11,  on  April  28,  and  th^  machineiy  was 
put  in  action  to  give  effect  to  the  kin^s  prooLutnation.  In  a 
fortnight  nearly  £8/)00  was  subscribed.  The  feeling  of  the* 
times  may  be  seen  in  the  following  announcement : — 

liay  M,  17M.— TIm  GentkiiMn  of  ^  Oommittee  residmi  fai  tha 
Town  and  Neighboarfaood  ol  Www<itgi*Mm  think  it  right  to  intimste 
to  those  who  havs  not  jot  sabsoribod,  that^  ss  do  penonsl  appUeafeioo 
Will  bo  madsL  H  is  hoped  ovenr  one  will  Tolnntaril j  step  forth  and 
manifest  to  all  the  Kingdom  thil  his  Zed  hi  Defenoo  ol  the  inTihiablo 
CotisUtttUon  ol  his  Oowitfy  is  not  oonfincd  to  pioleonba  only. 

*  A  HifloiT  of  Eoglsad*  dvriag  die  Beign  olGeoife  the  Thirl  Bj 
W.  Mmmj,  M.r.,  T.  4.  p.  7S. 


VOLUNTEEB  ASSOCIATIONS.  179 

In  tliis  earnest  spirit  the  work  was  begun.  The  local 
-writers  of  the  time,  including  Morfitt,  Weston,  Job  Nott, 
and,  more  important  than  all  the  others,  the  poet  Freeth, 
gave  their  support  to  the  project;  and  the  people  were 
ready  and  willing  to  join  the  regiments  formed — especially 
as  a  tolerably  good  bounty  was  mven.  The  folloTidng  is  a 
copy  of  one  of  the  recruiting  bins : — 

June  2, 1794. — ^Warwickshire  H^flpment  of  Fendble  Light  Dragoons, 
oommauded  by  the  Earl  of  Warwidc.  All  high-spirited  Young  Men, 
who  are  able  and  willing  to  serve  their  Kin^  and  Country,  in  support 
of  their  most  excellent  uid  h^ppy  Constitution,  the  Enyy  oi  the 
World^  hare  now  a  glorious  opportuni^  of  shewing  their  Zeal  in  the 
Warwickshire  Begiment  d  Cavalnr,  to  senre  only  during  the  present 
War,  and  within  the  Kingdom  of  Great  Britain,  to  be  commanded 
bf  the  Right  Hon.  Earl  Brooke  and  Warwick,  and  other  officers  of  the 
Coontir. 

A  j3oimty  of  Fire  Fonnds  will  be  given  to  each  young  man  who  is 
apprpyed  of,  and  One  Guinea  to  any  Person  brining  sudi  Recruit 

Thev  will  be  all  mounted  on  fine  Hunters,  superior  to  most  Regiments 
of  Li|^t  Dragoons, 

Let  them  rapair  to  the  Bemant,  at  Mr.  Owen's,  the  sign  of  the 
Esgle,  in  Hill  Straei :  and  at  the  uose  and  Crown,  in  Moor  Street, 
where  thsj  will  enter  into  present  Fky  and  Good  Quarteni  God  save 
the  King. 

This  town  applied  for  permission  to  raise  a  n^;iment,  and 
the  iq^yplioaiion  was  ffraciously  flianted : — 

Birmingham,  June  9th.  1794. — ui  order  publickly  to  make  known 
the  Kinn  mcious  oompiiance  with  the  application  mm  the  Town  in 
FhyooTotl&aUKiauiComdBohu^  thefoUowing 

Oapy  ci  a  Letter  vsoei^sd  hma  Lord  Amhent  is  userted.  It  is  need- 
less to  doubt  thai  Ookiiel  Robsrti^s  Friends  who  hare  already  interested 
in  his  Behalf  will  use  all  proper  Means  to  facilitate  the  completion  of 
the  intended  Regiment 

(Copy.) 

St.  ^amei^s  Square,  June  6, 1794. 

Sir,— HsTiog  some  Days  sinoe  laid  before  the  King  the  A|^ication 
froiB  the  Town  of  Birmingham,  signed  by  yourself  and  many  othen  of 
ths  Gentlemen  and  mincipal  Mannfacturem  of  that  FIm^  in  favour  of 
Lientenant  Gdooel  Bobeiia,  and  making  an  Offn*  to  assist  and  support 
him  in  his  Dmm  to  isise  a  Begiment,  1  hats  the  Honour  to  aequaint 
yon,  Hk  Majesty  was  pleased  to  veosiTS  this  Msrk  of  the  kysHj  and 
seal  ol  the  Town  of  Binni^fffaam  Toy  gradoualy,  and  to  order  that  the 
neoessaiy  Anthorities  showd  be  gymo,  to  Lieutenant  Oolonel  Roberts 
to  enable  him  to  aTaO  himself  ol  fliis  handsome  OflEer,  by  setting  about 
to  raise  a  Begiment  in  Birmingham  aooordingly. 

I  Imvs  the  honour  to  be,  Sir. 
Tonr  most  obsdisnisad  most  humble  Senrmt* 

J*  QiTieB.  Bsqm  Binninsham*  Amiiubi 

In  Angost  we  read : — 

It  is  with  jp^at  pleasure  ws  snnoance  that  Colonel  IlardT,  so  well 
known  In  this  town  and  n^^booihood,  has  received  his  Majesty's 


180  A  CENTUKT  OF  BIRHINQHAM  LIFE. 

Commistton  to  form^a  regiment  of  Riflemen,  to  be  dietiiigiiiahed  by  the 
name  of  the  Royal  York  FusUeer:  The  regiment  it  to  oonaiat  of  ono 
thoaaaud  m^  and  the  Colonel  has  already  ooUected  more  than  that 
number  of  the  best  marksmen,  foresters,  and  gamekeepers,  on  the  Con- 
tinent 

The  Free  Masons  acted  with  their  usual  loyalty;  they  held 
two  meetings  oxl  the  subject.  At  the  first  they  resolved  to 
form  "one  or  more  Companies"  out  of  the  society ;  and  at 
the  second,  held  on  June  20,  it  was 

ResolYod  nnanimonsly : — That  the  Committee  do  immediately  make 
an  Offer  to  QoTwnment  of  the  Services  of  this  Assoeiation. 

As  there  are  many  IVee  Masons,  hearty  well-wishen  to  the  Snoesss 
of  this  Undertaking,  who^  from  Ageor  other  Infirmities^  cannot- attend 
inPeisony 

Beaolyed : — ^That  a  Sabseription  be  opened,  and  the  Money  so  raised 
api^ied  to  the  Purposes  of  proTiding  Arms  and  AoooQtreme&ts  finr  those 
Mothers  who  mav  find  it  inoonTonient  to  furnish  themselTies  with  the 


The  people  of  Harbome,  Smethwick,  Handsworth,  and  of 
all  the  places  in  the  neighbourhood  resolved  to  enrol  them- 
aelvea.    The  Odd  Fellows  also  determined  to  **  imi 


form  themselves  into  a  militaxy  corpa''  On  July  S4  it  was 
stated  that  **  A.  very  loyal  armed  Association,  for  the  puipose 
of  strengthening  the  hands  of  Oovemment^  for  the  security 
of  property,  and  for  the  preservation  of  good  order,  is  now 
forminff  in  this  town,  and  many  hundreds  have  already  been 
ballotea  into  this  respectable  corps;  which»  we  doaot  not^ 
will  soon  form  as  strcmg  a  regiment  as  anjr  in  thekin^om.'* 
Eadi  member  was  to  clothe  and  arm  himself  at  his  own 
expense*  and  to  serve  personally  without  pay.  The  King 
approv^  of  the  plan ;  and  on  Tuesday,  August  22,  "  the 
members  of  the  Birmingham  IjojbI  Assooiation  paiaded  at 
their  Ezerdse  Ground,  m  Ooleshill-street*  for  the  first  time, 
in  Full  XJniform,  and  made  a  very  splendid  appeannee. 
They  patronise  the  play  on  Wednesday  night*  for  toe  benefit 
of  toat  most  deserving  &yourite  of  the  town.  Miss  MsnseL'* 
The  inhabitants  were  not  content  with  fionniiig  a  corps  of 
infimtry.  It  was  resolved  to  have  a  cavafay  regiment  as 
wdL  A  meeting  was  held  early  in  September  finr  this  pur- 
poee: — 

LOTAL  BfamVOBAM  ASSOOUTID  GaVALlT. 

Shskcspssrs  TWvem,  September  t,  1797w— We^  wImms  Names  ars 
hersonto  sabscribed,  hsTing,  with  the  mmbslioB  of  the  Miigistealss 
ptessnt  (vis^  W.  Yilkn  and  W.  Hieki^  £sq[Diral  sssnoiatad  for  the 
Purpose  of  f ormiiig  oonelves  into  a  Oorps  of  Oavairy,  aadsr  the  above 
Deiiomtiiation,  for  the  Proteetioii  ol  this  Town  ud  nrisb,  sad  to  act 
in  Coajunctaon  in  aid  of  the  Ghril  Power ;  leqaest  saeh  o^mt  Ocatle- 


VOLUNTEER  ASSOCIATIONS.  181 

men  who  may  be  disposed  to  join  the  Corps,  to  send  in  their  Names  to 
the  Committee,  at  the  Shakespeare  Tavern,  before  Ten  o'clock  on 
Wednesday  morning  next.  Jakes  Bktkolds,  High  Bailift 

Henry  Cla^r  ^os-  Whately,  W.  Cope, 

John  Startin,  Edwaixl  Bower,  Joseph  Sheldon, 

T.  A.  Pearson,  Wm.  Saigant,  jnn.  James  Wooliey, 

Thomas  Barker,        Alex.  Walker,  Joseph  Bandall, 

Mich.  Goodall,  Francis  Walker,  Wm.  Dunn, 

dande  Johnson,       John  Ooghton,  Wm.  Waddell, 

Geo.  Madeley,  Wm.  Bam,  jun.  Jos.  Cottrell, 

Wm.  Ketland,  John  Phillips,  Isaac  Maxvton* 

Theodore  Price,         John  Cope,  Henry  Osborne, 

John  Wilkes,  W.  W.  Mas<Mi,  John  Harris. 

W.  Wyime  Smith      Thomas  Bock, 
KJB.    It  is  tmderstood  that  each  Gentleman,  at  his  own  expense, 
provides  his  Horse,  Uniform,  Accoutrements,  &a 

Another  corps  was  formed,  which  was  called  the  Loyal 
Binmngham  Light  Horse  Volunteers,  and  on  October  7  the 
following  appointments  were  made. — ^''Thomas  Aris  Pearson, 
to  be  CmtBin ;  Michael  Goodall,  Gent,  to  be  Lieutenant ; 
Theodore  jPrice,  Gent,  to  be  Lieutenant;  Alexander  Walker, 
Jun.,  Gent,  to  be  Lieutenant** 

A  meeting  was  held  on  November  10,  at  which  it  was 
resolved  to  present  the  two  Loyal  Associations  with  their 
Standards  and  Coloura    Here  is  a  report  of  the  infantry: — 

Nov.  1%  1797. — On  Taesdaj,  the  Lojal  Birmingham  Association  of 
Infiuitiy  asssmblsd  at  their  Easreise  Ground,  nsar  the  Five  WaTs^  for 
theparpoasrof  being  sworn  ;  when  an  Oath,  similar  to  that  taken  br  the 
Lig^t  Hone  YolimieerB,  was  administered  to  them  bj  W.  Vlllen^  Esq. ; 
after  whieh  tb^  find  sereral  Tollies^  and  went  throngn  their  manoeoTres 
with  neat  eometoess. 

A  laige  eoDcomse  of  people  wen  assembled  oa  this  ocession ;  baithe 
mrand  being  kept  clear  by  the  great  attention  of  ajMrt  of  Lieot 
LeggiTa  TMk»  or  Warwiekahin  Yeomanrjr,  none  of  the  mancraTres  wen 
iatemipted  by  the  crowd*    The  Pickpockets^  however,  wen  nrr  voo- 
oesrfal,  and  a  ^7  bill  was  in  one  of  the  pocket  books  they  carried  oft 

Next  week  ve  have  a  report  of  the  first  meeting  of  the 
cavalry  >— 

Nor.  tO^  1797.— On  IViday,  the  Lotal  Birmingham  Light  Hone 
Voinnteen  mastered,  for  the  fint  tlme^  in  oompleCe  onifom  and  aeooa- 
tnments^  at  the  KInflfs  Bsmeka,  from  whence  they  pnceeded  tn  the 
front  of  the  Shakespear  Tareni,  when  then  Mtlemen  who  had  noi 
been  awom  bad  the  oath  adaiaistend  to  them  by  W.  Villen,  En|. 

The  l^oop  afterwards  dined  at  the  above  tanrn,  and  wen  hononnd 
with  the  eonpaiqr  ef  the  OIBesn  of  the  fioyals,  Ueot-OoloMl  Bornetlt 
Distriet  CoaBflEMmdaat ;  the  OIBean  and  Oommltleeof  the  Lojal  Bh^ 
minriuun  Assodatioti  of  Infontgy:  the  acting  llagistntes  for  the  Town; 
the  Hkh  Bailiii;  M.  Bonlton,  Esq. :  HeaiyOaj,  Esq  ;  aadaU  the 
other  Honorary  Memben.  The  oar  was  spent  wiih  the  ntoMst 
harmony  and  oonTiviality,  and  the  frulowing  wen  among  the  toasts 
gina: — 


182  A  CENTUBY  OF  BIRMINQHAM  LIFE. 

The  King,  and  long  life  to  him.— The  Constitution,  and  may  it  lire 
for  ever. — ^Tlie  Queen  and  Family. — ^Field  Manihal  the  Dnke  of  York 
and  the  Army. — ^The  Wooden  Walla  of  old  England. — General  Qolda- 
worthy  and  the  Boyj^-^Bv  Mi^or  Cerjat»  of  the  Royals)  The  Loyal 
Birmingham  light  Horse  Volunteers. — Lieut-Colonel  Bomett,  Com- 
mandant of  this  District. — The  Lord-Lieutenant  and  Warwickshire 
Fencibles. — ^The  Man^uis  of  Hertford  and  Warwickshire  Militia. — The 
Earl  of  Aylesford  and  Warwickshire  Yeomanry. — Captain  Timmins  and 
the  Loyal  Birmingham  Association. — ^The  High  Baili£^  and  Prosperity 
to  the  Town  of  Birmingham. — ^The  Acting  Mi^trates  for  the  Town. — 
Admiral  Lord  Duncan  and  his  surviving  Heroes,  and  to  the  Memory 
of  all  those  who  hare  died  nobly  fighting  in  their  Countiy'a  Cause. — 
The  Ladies  who  worked  the  Standards  and  Colours  of  the  AModations. — 
The  Stewards  of  the  Day  (Messrs.  Walker  and  Barker)  and  thanks  to 


IT  tne  approacmng  bi 
yield  Comfort  to  the  Widow  and  Orphan.— (By  Cdonel  Burnett)  May 
the  riung  Generation  emulate  the  Spirit  of  the  OonstitailoDal  Assoeiar 
tion.— Oonfusion  to  those  who  shall  attempt  to  intempi  the  Hanaooy 
that  exists  between  the  Loyal  Associations  of  Oavalrr  and  Infantiy.— 
Colonel  £insqr»  (on  their  i«tirin|^  Mijon  Oenat  and  Wyndham,  and 
may  the  Obligations  the  T^m>p  k  under  to  the  fioja]%  b^  ever  indelibly 
impresisd  upon  the  Minds  of  the  Loysle.— 4a  Aft 

As  the  yean  passed  on  the  fears  of  an  invmoion  in- 
creased; and  the  people  were  stall  willing  to  contribnte 
towards  the  volunteer  fund.  In  1798  more  than  two 
millions  were  thus  subscribed  The  Bank  of  Tfagland  gave 
two  hundred  thousand  pounds ;  and  Mr.  Peel,  the  father  of 
the  late  Sir  Robert^  suipzised  the  world  by  putting  down 
his  firm  for  ten  thousana  pounda  Krmingfaam  came  out 
magnificently.    The  first  announcement  is  as  follows  ^^ 

Maich  18, 179a— Hie  VolimteyOontribiitiQn  in  thk  town 


BOW  nearly  to  j67/XWl  butthssuiicaanoibeaoaiaft^y  staled,  as  the 
repoitikaTeBoi  yet  peenall  wedded  Iw^  the  diliegmt  puhlio  monia 
wh&n  we  leam  subacripliaBi  h«fs  bem  ofMoed  with  great  apiiit  mm 


and  we  hare  do  doabi  a  Toy  eoosidenhle  addition  will  be 
made  to  die  eom  in  a  few  dayi^  aa  the  inhahitaoti  will  be  wailed  upon 
at  their  own  hooiee,  where  any  gift  aeootding  to  the  abiK^  of  the 
donor:  win,  with  pleMore^  be  veesfed. 

Whikl  the  Mai  and  alMiitf  meaifeslid  in  0fmy  eonMr  of  the 
kingdom,  sad  by  e?My  dewitption  of  panoM^inpMMoliiJVtlie  YoImh 
taiyOontrilwtifln%mMtbehi|^giaUfyingtoeffMytnMltffereg  Us 
eonntiy:  it  moat  sorely  tand  to  eomriaM  the  mamiM  el  ourfrMand 
hamy  Wand,  that  ebouU  thMT  dam  to  set  foot  en  Bkiliih  gmuid, 
wflT  only  arouM  thoM  enet^  iBmkblydiMhmd,aBdwyflli  ommI 
tetmioale  in  the  eoMpiele  dIaeoMitwe  ol  thefr  wuk  and  ilM|ieiale 
cateqNriM. 

A  London  newspai>er  eireokted  a  report^  wUdi  received 
irom  Aria's  the  following  well-merited  rebuke  :-* 

March  18;  179a— A  corrMpoodent  ranarfa^  that  he  ia  eony  to  aM 


VOLUNTEER  ASSOCIATI0N&  183 

a  pangraph  in  one  of  the  London  papers,  stating,  that  the  Dissenters 
in  this  town,  had,  at  a  vestry  meeting,  determined  not  to  subscribe  to 
the  volnntary  contribution,  as  the  statement  is  known  to  be  without  the 
least  foundation.  Some  of  thoee  gentlemen  have  already  subscribed 
liberally,  and  others  there  are,  who,  no  doubt,  will  foUow  their  example. 
It  is  surely  a  most  unwise  and  unpatriotic  measure,  to  endeavour  to 
divide  Englishmen^  at  a  time  when  union  is  so  essential  to  the  public 
safety. 

The  subscriptions  flowed  in.  Some  fifty  gentlemen  were 
found  in  this  town  who  subscribed  one  hundred  pounds 
eacL  School  bo^  and  girls  add^  their  mites  to  the  com- 
mon fund ;  and  in  a  short  time  our  contributions  exceeded 
£10,000.  The  popular  fervour  was  increased  by  selecting 
this  time  for  the  presentation  of  the  colours.  On  May  21 
the  following  announcement  was  made  : 

PaBKMTATIOV  OF  TBS  COLOURS  TO  THB  LOTAL  BlRUUTOHAX 
AmOOLLTlOMB  aw  CaTALRT  AMD  IvWAXTBr. 

The  Gommittoe  have  the  Pleasure  to  infonn  the  Pablie  thai  the 
Cok>m  are  completed,  and  (ji  the  weather  permits)  will  be  prssented 
on  Monday  Mominff,  the  Fourth  of  Jane  next,  beinff  the  AnmTenary 
of  flk  Majes^s  Birthday. 

The  Committee  have  cleared  a  laige  Piece  of  Land  on  Bimingfaam 
Heathy  near  to  Winaon  Green,  for  the  pnrpoae ;  and,  in  order  to  accom- 
modate socfa  Ladies  and  Gentlemen  who  may  wish  to  haye  a  near  and 
commodiooa  View  of  the  Prmentationy  have  determined  to  fix  Seats 
within  the  Line,  which  will  he  oUigini^y  kept  by  Colonel  L^g^a 
Troop  of  Yeomanry  OaTalry,and  will  m  perfectlv  free  from  intermption 
by  tne  anrroanding  Spectators,  and  yet  placed  in  tndk  a  Manner  aa 
not  to  intercept  tlmr  view,  it  being  the  Wiih  «f  the  Conmiittee  to 
afford  every  pomible  Accommodation  to  the  Public  in  general  upon 
thia  intererang  Occaaion.  If  any  Sorptna  remains  after  Mdocting  the 
nececmry  Expenaei,  it  will  be  applied  to  the  Fond  already  fonnM  by 
the  Town. 

Tickets,  at  ts.  6d.  eadi,  may  be  had  of  Mr.  Sanderson,  at  the  Back 
of  the  Theatre,  en  Thursday,  Friday,  and  Satnrdar  MoniingB  next, 
between  the  Hours  of  Ten  and  One ;  and,  as  the  Committee  wish  to 
ascertain,  aa  early  aa  possible,  the  Number  of  Seats  whidi  wQI  be 
wanted,  they  rsq;uesi  the  Fkronr  of  those  who  intend  to  purchase 
Tickets  to  apply  on  one  of  those  BayiL  as  it  will  not  be  in  thetr  Power 
to  cngsge  to  furnish  Tickets  after  taat  Time,  and  no  more  will  be 
issuecT than  the  Bents  will  commodioQdy  contain. 

P.8. — Shoold  the  weather  be  veir  unfavouiable  on  the  4th  of  June, 
the  Presentation  win  take  place  on  tne  first  fine  Dayafterwaidi^  Notice 
of  which  will  be  ^vsn  hy  a  lUg  hoisted  upon  St.  rhilip's  Church,  and 
the  Binging  of  BeUs  at  Five  oi'dodL  in  the  Morning 

B|y  Dcsirs  of  the  Oommittse, 

GioBon  Smxtb,  High  BsQiff 

Next  week  this  pangraph  was  pabUahed  >— > 

May  S8, 179&*It  is  now  determined  (whatever  mav  be  the  state  of 
the  weather)  that  the  Oolours  worked  for  the  Loyal  Uorpe  of  Osvalnr 
■and  Infantry  of  this  town  shall  certainly  be  preeented  on  his  Majes^e 


ISI-  A   CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

Birthday  (Monday  next),  and  every  arraQBement  has  been  made  to 
render  toe  gala  interesting  and  splendid.  Saactly  at  ten  o'clock  in  the 
morning  the  Boyal  Dragoons  will  head  the  Line  in  New  Street^  and 
lead  the  march  to  the  Heath. 

Medals  were  Btruck  to  commemorate  the  event    The  fact 

is  thus  recorded  : — 

Pbkskvtation  of  thb  Colours. 

Jone  4, 1798. — To  commemorate  this  Erent^  a  Medal  is  stmek  from 
an  approYed  Desi^  (by  Barber),  and  dedicated  to  the  Inhabitants  of 
the  Town  of  Birmmffham,  and  in  a  more  especial  manner  to  the  Loyal 
Assoeiations  of  GaTiIry  and  Infantry, 

By  the  Pablic^s  obedient  Servant, 

J.  S.  JOBDXV. 

As  the  Public  at  large  may  be  aooommodated,  the  Medals  are  of 
Silver,  &onze,  and  Copper,  either  adapted  as  Regalias,  or  for  the 
Cabinet,  and  by  Permission,  the  Beadles  of  St.  Philippe  will  attend  with 
them  on  the  Parade,  in  New-street,  to  deliver  them  to  the  Gentlemen  of 
the  Corps ;  and  in  the  Field  to  those  Ladies  and  Gentlemen  who  may 
be  desirous  of  possessing  them.  The  Medals,  in  ttther  Metal,  may  m 
had  after  this  Day,  at  Messrs.  Bichards,  High-«treet. 

Mr.  Jordan  lias  had  the  Honoor  to  rscelTs  an  order  for  a  Gold 
Medal  for  eadi  of  the  Ladies  who  hare  worked  the  Cdonn^  idikb  are 
to  be  prseented  to  them  by  the  Town,  and  Ml  be  won  on  tiie  Oeoa- 
doo. 

The  long-exMcted  aay  at  length  arriyed ;  and  the  cere- 
mony passed  on  with  the  great^  success.  The  following 
grapoio  report  was  published : 

June  11,  1708.— 
PRSSBVTaTiOH  OF  THs  STAimamD  ov  iHK  LoTAL  BnxnreBAic  LiaBT 
Hoan  YovBmwBB,  Am  of  thb  Coloubs  or  thb  Bibmibbbax 
LoTAL  AssocuLTiov  OF  GaTALKr  avn  Ibfabtbt, 

Every  preparation  had  been  aiade  tnr  the  Hioh  Bailiff  and  ComBiittee 
to  render  the  speetadeinterestiag;  whilst  at  tae  saase  tinie  all  preeaa 
tioB  was  taken  to  aroid  eoafWon  and  aeodeat  Hie  sssldidty  of  the 
gentlemen  who  bad  deroted  tbeb  attentfan  to  these  objeets  was  amply 
gradAedlqritiBaeceM.  Notaaaeeideat|if  waezeeptUieooiioQSBtoDoir 
two  borsss  In  the  performaDoe  of  the  sword  szereiie  at  speed  (bat 
without  any  permanent  iidoir  to  the  fidersX  ocearred  in  a  pnwnlsouoni 
assembly  for  neariy  a  whola  day  of  upwards  of  fifl^  thoniaBd  peoplSi 

Early  In  the  mondnic^  LkateaaBt  Ardea,  with  OoIomI  umgifn 
ntwp  of  Warwiekshire  YeooMaiTy  and  amisled  by  a  detaduaeat  firam 
tha  Eari  of  Ayleaford'iv  ohlfgligly  rsnalrad  to  Binalnghsm  Hsalh  to 
keep  the  froaad  deared  there  mr  tbs  oecasloBp  and  wUeh,  for  the 
aeoomaiodatloa  of  the  eonpsBy,  had  besD  partly  satrovadedaiUi  ssata^ 
booths,  ft&    The  Ladles  who  worked  the  Btsadard  and  Oolov%  (tIs., 

Mrs  Ftee  aad  Mra  Eves,  of  the  CrMosati  and  Mia.  Wyatli  of  Binabff- 
ham  Heath,)  and  the  LsdUs  who  isristiilBptassBtisftiwa,bwakfostsd 
with  the  GsntlsBiea  of  the  TofWB  OoonltleiH  al  the  Bhakespesr  Tkvera 
la  New-sliaet»  and  at  ten  d'fllosk.  In  fooat  of  the  tavin  and  alo^  tho 
sireeti  the  line  was  fonned  In  the  foUowiag  ordert  for  the  pai  poses  of 
proeeediag  and  eseortiag  the  Ladies  and  Oommlttee  to  the  Heath : 


VOLUNTEEB  ASSOCIATIONS.  185 

Iiieat-Ck>loneI  Kinaej,  with  the  Troop  of  the  Bojal  Regiment  of 
DniffooDB. , 

The  Loyal  fiirmingham  Ught  Hone  YolanteerB. 

The  Birmingham  lioyal  Anociation.  Lieutenant  Colonel  Burnett, 
Commandant  of  the  Becmiting  District^  with  the  whole  of  the  Becrult- 
ing  OffioerB^and  Parties  in  the  Town. 

In  this  order  the  proeeauon  mardied  to  the  ground,  the  carriages 
containing  the  Ladies,  Committee,  and  Colours,  haTing  fidlen  into  ue 
line  between  the  Cavaliy  and  Infimtry.  Upon  arriving  on  the  Heath, 
the  Ladies  having  been  some  time  seated  in  the  places  prepared  for 
them,  the  ceremony  of  presenting  the  Colours  took  place.  Tbe  High 
Bailiff  the  two  Magistrates,  with  the  Ladies  who  worked  the  Standard 
and  Colours,  accompanied  by  Mrs.  Kinsev,  Mrs.  Tavlor,  and  Mrs. 
VUleri,  and  the  whole  of  the  Committee,  aciTanced  to  the  centre  of  the 
ground,  between  the  military  and  the  company,  being  attended  on 
either  nde  by  the  ]|roung  Ladies  of  Mrs.  Wyatt'^  Mrs.  Evei^s.  and  Mrs. 
Pope's  schooli,  uniformly  and  el^gantir  mmfa,  and  who,  aurinff  the 
ceremony,  formed  a  beautiful  drde  The  Standard  and  Colours  being 
then  ^co  by  the  Ladies^  An:,  into  the  hands  of  the  Captain  of  the 
Llgfat^orse,  and  the  two  senior  Captains  (Ospts.  TImmins  and  Lyoett) 
of  the  Infimtey,  the  High  BailifT  addressed  to  the  QfBeefs  the  f oUowiag 
admirable  speech  3 — 

Qentlemen,— Upon  an  oooadon  so  important  and  so  inteiestinff  as 
the  present,  it  is  impossible  Ibrme  to  enter  mon  the  do^  aasignea  me 
by  the  ladies  and  gentlemen  with  whom  I  hare  the  booour  to  be 
associated,  with  any  common  emotion  of  mind.  I  must,  tbsrsfora^ 
throw  myself  upon  your  candour  and  indulgence,  and  have  cnlr  to 
solicit  that^  however  imperfectly  I  may  dlMharge  the  trust  commi  tied 
to  ms^  it  may  tnoi,  in  the  snisHssf  degress  be  eooaldersd  as  diminidiiQg 
from  those  ssntlBieQtsof  high  esteem  and  rtgud  whkh  it  is  the  wishes 
the  town  on  this  ocessioii  to  oonvsj. 

Oentlemen,— These  edoois  ars  prsssntsd  to  you  by  the  Tswn  ef 
Bbminriiam  as  a  mibiio  and  soleoui  plcd«  of  its  apprebalioa  and 
respect  vor  tlie  manly  and  patrioHs  uaansr  m  ithkh,  you  lukve  stepped 
Ibrward  to  enrol  yourselves  at  this  critical  and  important  Junctors,  for 
the  Fkessrvation  of  the  Fiiaee  and  Property  cf  the  Town  and  Ks%h- 
boufhood,  and  in  defence  of  oor  bdoved  Mooareh  and  the  happy 
Constitution  of  this  oountiy. 

In  the  name  of  the  town,  therelbie^  Osntlemeo,  we  bsf  you  to 


accept  them,  and^leel  the  firmest  conviction  thai  by  you  th^  will  be 
ffuardcd  with  a  Soldiei^s  cbtcl  and  will  be  eonsidend  as  a  lasting  and 
boooorable  testimooy  of  pnblie  Oralitade  and  BifMd. 


GentleoMn^— No  day  eould  have  been  mors  ausnlshwM  fiir  this 
Solemnity  than  the  one  whidi  fave  birth  to  a  Menarch  who  is 
emphaticslly  the  Tkther  of  his  Ps^4e.  and  whose  nenory  will  ever  be 
dear  to  Britons  widle  BeUgioo,  Monlity,  and  gsnuine  ^tiiotism  hold 
^  pluffl^  fa  their  affttr^iftiiti 

Oentleme^r-I  t  is  in  the  Defaies  of  this  Kiag^  and  the  OoBsUtnticB 
of  which  he  ii  the  Gnardian,  that  700  have  nohfy  ettrelled  yonrsslvsa^  a 
Coostitatloo  whidi  endears  itself  by  proleelh^  aliko  the  iahahitaats 
of  the  splendid  mandon  and  the  peainfU  dwulll^  of  the  humblest 
cottager  aiQonstitoticn  wfaid^atthis^ventft^^and  mementow  erisls» 
has  hitherto  proved  its  snperior  ezeeUsoey  by  havbg  withstood  ths 
rude  attacks  of  desobtlog  anardiyy  and  whld^  I  trust,  has  tiiiMn  dssper 


186  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

r 

root  tbau  eVer  in  the  Hearts  of  EDglishmen,  and  "wtiich,  I  am  persuaded, 
they  will  never,  never  consent  to  hurter  for  the  viaionary  phantoms  of 
modem  lUuminati. 

Gentlemen, — I  should  consider  myself  highly  negligent,  were  I  to 
omit  calling  to  your  recollection  the  very  hiaidsome  manner  in  which 
the  Ladies  who  have  done  us  the  honour  to  work  the  Colours  had 
anticipated  the  wishes  of  the  town,  and  the  no  less  polite  way  in  which 
they  consented  to  forego  their  own  inclinations,  and  to  resign  their 
dauns,  from  a  conviction  that  the  present  woula  be  attended  with  a 
higher  sanction,  from  the  town  than  from  any  private  individuals, 
however  respectable.  They  are  certainly  entitled  to  our  best  thanks, 
which  I  b^  leave  thus  publicly  to  offer  them.  On  the  exquisite  manner 
in  which  the  Colours  are  worked,  it  is  needless  for  me  to  remark ;  your 
own  taste  has  already  appreciated  their  merits,  and  I  am  penoaded  no 
encomiums  of  mine  coiua  add  to  the  high  sense  you  entertsin  of  their 
mperior  ezoeUence. 

•.. '  Gentlemen,-^I  shall  detain  you  but  a  moment  longer,  while  I  observe 
that  wheie'er  thai  Banner  and  those  Colours  fly»  there  will  the  best 
•wishes  of  your  fdr  Otmntrywomeny  your  Townsmen,  and  your  Nei^- 
booxB  attend  you.  Should  a  momentary  dehurion  at  any  future  period 
Intemqyt  our  domcatie  tianquiUity,  to  your  .well-regulated  hands  we 
shall  look  with  confidence  for  the  restoration  of  peace  and  good  order ; 
and  ahoqld  ever  the  laah  mtcrprias  of  amthlesi  and  vindidiive  foe  call 
yea  to  jnoro  haaMdooe  asrviee^  I  trait  we  ahall  oAr  up  oar  fervent 
nayeie  to  the  Ahn^htyy  that  lie  wvmld  ehieid  your  beads  in  the  day  cf 
nane^  mewife  vea  m  efery  time  el  damrar,  and  give  jnoo,  when  peaoe 
ahall  ititom  to  dm  the  wend,  one  and  afi  to  ahare  iti  lidiett  oomf  orti, 
lad  to  the  lateat  period  el  your  Uvea  may  you  enj^^  the  heartfelt 
■itiefieKfln  el  hpmiur  oontoboted  to  year  eoontiT'a  welftie^  and  el 
liaivinff  stood  fat  tiM  niteBMMt  nnka  el  thfien  to  wnom.  under  Ood.  we 
are  indebted  for  the  pnaervatiaii  el  that  gnmd  Bolwaxk  el  genuine 
libett^Midaolid  H^ipmem— Tbe  Biiiish  OoDstttatioii— a  ConstztatioQ 
whidi,  I  eaimot  f omar  to  npeaL  I  tvott  the  plain  and  good  aenae  d 
IfctfiiAmen  vriD  never  be  iAdoead  to  better  for  the  vjaonaryphantone 
el  ttoden  mmBlnaiL 

.  HHiMi  the  Hkh  Bailiir  had  eondnded^  the  Ber.  Mr.  Curtis.  Beotor 
el  the  TiMnif  read  en  fffrf^fit^  Adinee,  and  eooeecntcd  the  Standard 
and  CdoanL  Aa  we  andonstand  the  Sector  BMioa  to  eonplimsnt  eadi 
Henber  el  the  AMoeiatMa  with  a  eopx  el  tUa  Addrea^  it  wiU  Boffioe 
lor  oa  to  naaik,  that  after  lamsnting  the  asoseiity  el  nan'a  feeori  to 
enML  and  die  inteiaptkn  ol  haimonj  betweoi  nattOBa,  he  epoke  el  the 
beaeacial  eflectswMco  moat  BatmaMlyarieefaom  the  timely  mteifeieaee 
elgoodcitiaaMinsnppoiteltlieirlMiaodltbsitMSL    The  main  ebjeet 


el  aoeh  AamciaHena  waa  doI  to  dietotb  bat  to  uiewme  peace;  and, 

eonuneMlng  As 


he  wie  net  awaie  thati  in  eonuDeadlng  Aasooiatione 
eoodoflive  to  pablio  tnaqaiUityy  lie  wia  departiqg  from  the  character 
d  a  Minister  el  the  Goqwl  el  Peace.  Mr.  Q  tlMa  eoomenited  the 
Staadaide  ia  the  following  tsrma : 

**  Under  the  haproMJon,  thsa,  el  the  utility  and  impeitaaee  el  mch 
A  iwiatlima  le  the  poaee  ol  eocJefaTf  I  am  persoaded  theleeliopelthia 
anawieue  and  rMpedahle  ■■wably  will  go  with  aM.  wh«i  I  JMieate 
theee  Staadaid%  as  far  aa  the  aelaia  of  my  eOee  will  alknw,  to  the 
heaoar  ol  Qod,  the  maintenanoe  el  ear  BeljgiOB,  and  the  prMervaliea 
^  the  order  aad  welfare  el  eociety. 


VOLUNTEER  ASSOCIATIONS,  187 

^  I  now  ooQsign  them  to  the  hands  of  those,  who,  in  a  moment  when 
their  services  are  most  wanted,  have  united  themselves  for  the  professed 
purpose  of  supporting,  with  unshaken  zeal,  the  social,  moral,  and 
reliffious  rights  of  th&  fellow  citizens  and  themselves;  and  in  full 
confidence  Uiat  their  conduct  will  correspond  with  a  plan  so  judiciously 
formed,  and  with  intentions  so  laudably  professed,  I  do  not  hesitate,  as 
a  Mimiater  of  the  Gospel  of  Peace,  to  pray  that  the  especial  protection 
of  Providence  mav  lignt  on  the  Loyal  Associated  Corps  here  present. 
May  the  God  of  &ttles,  who  is  alike  powerful ''  by  many  and  bv  few," 
to  save  and  destroy,  watch  over  and  preserve  them  ;  and  if  it  be  His 
ffood  pleasure  to  visit  them  wiUi  a  day  of  peril,  may  He  inspire  their 
hearts  with  wisdom  in  council,  and  courage  on  the  field.  May  ''  the 
Lord  of  Hosts  be  with  them,  and  the  God  of  Jacob  be  their  Befuge."— 
Amen.  After  the  consecration,  the  Captains  delivered  the  standard 
and  colours  (with  suitable  addresses)  to  the  Comets  and  Ensigns. 
Coloned  Kinsey  then  reviewed  the  troops,  who  went  through  their 
varioiis  maaceuvres  and  evolutions,  and  a  part;f  of  the  Royals  gratified 
the  spectatorB  with  the  Austrian  Sword  &ercise,  and  the  Attack  and 
Defence  at  full  qpeed.  Three  volleys  (aooompanied  with  cheersof  three 
times  three^  &e.)  were  fired  by  the  whole  line,  in  honour  of  his  Majesty, 
and  three  more  in  compliment  to  the  Colours,  after  which  the  procession 
retimed  to  New  Street,  in  the  same  order  in  which  it  came,  with  the 
addition  cf  the  Qentlemen  of  the  Teomamy  bringing  up  the  rear  of 
the  line. 

The  dav  proved  remarkably  fine.  Such  a  conooarse  of  people  (com- 
puted at  D&ween  fiftv  and  mxXj  thousand)  had  perhaps  never  before 
assembled  hi  this  ne^bonriiooa ;  and  their  peaceful,  respeetfbl,  loyal, 
and  ezempluy  eoMliiet,  afforded  to  eveiy  good  subject  the  most  heart- 
felt eatisfiietion.  At  a  time  when  the  most  industrious  and  profligate 
attempto  are  niade  to  ooniipt  the  mofali  of  our  countnrmen,  to  estru^ 
them  mm  their  duty  towards  thdr  Clod,  and  their  allegiance  towaras 
their  Sovenign,  we  meptioa  with  pride  an  instance  so  honourable  to 
the  ehametor  of  onr  townsmen  and  nei^boors.  We  have  already 
had  the  sifisfartimn  to  state,  that  not  one  accident  happened  Bir^idft-  thi^ 
mohitode  of  spectators  to  interrupt  the  pleasure  ef^e  day. 

As  there  was  no  room  by  any  means  laijpe  enough  to  accommodate 
the  two  Ooqis  and  the  Yeomanry,  th^  dmed  at  sepaiate  Tavenis, 
and  were  honoured  with  the  company  of  the  Officers  of  the  B^gnlars. 
The  afteraoon  was  spent  by  the  whole  town  with  the  greatest  femvity, 
and  the  enrenho^  conchided  with  the  utmost  harmony.  Three  guineas 
per  troop  were  sent  hj  ths  Ckimmittee  to  the  privates  of  ths  R^ak  to 
drink  tneir  Being's  heahh.  and  in  the  proportion  of  numbem  a  like 
complement  was  made  to  tne  recruiting  partiea 

Of  the  Standard  and  Ookmrs,  which  are  all  worked  from  Mr.  Barber's 
deafgna,  it  is  impossible  ferns  to  speak  in  just  and  i4ipropriate  tenns : — 
Thety  ars  objects  of  umvurml  admiration,  and  evmce  the  ezquisiie 
testa  and  talents  of  the  Ladies  who  have  wrought  them. 

A  Medal,  also  dcsjyned  \fj  Mr.  Barber,  and  executed  by  Mr.  Jorden, 
was  worn  by  the  Ijulies^  Oommittse,  Ac 

Tlie  parade  and  manoeuvres  of  the  day  were  settled  by  Colonels 
Kinsey  and  Burnett,  and  the  Committee  and  the  Coips  feel  and 
acknowledn  the  great  and  obliging  attention  of  these  offioeia  upon 


as  well  as  upMi  man  v  other  oocasions. 
We  should  be  very  dendent  if,in  concluding  tliis  account,  we  omitted 


188  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

to  observe f  thit  the  ground  was  kept  with  so* much  judjgment  and 
temper  bj  Lieutenant  Arden,  with  the  Yeomaniy^that  notwithstanding 
the  immense  numbers  that  sunounded  them,  it  was  never  broken  into, 
and  all  the  spectators  departed  in  perfect  good  humour. 


A  CAUSE  C^L&BRE. 

4 

Towards  the  end  of  the  year  1791  fiirmingham  witnesaed 
the  beginning  of  a  cauee  ciUbrt,  which  is  qnite  a  criminal 
romance.  A  man  named  Hubbard,  with  the  aliases  of 
Griffin,  Lord  Massey,  and  the  Duke  of  Ormond,  had  com- 
mitted foigeiy  for  a  very  lai^  amount^  and  succeeded  for 
some  time  in  escaping  from  the  hands  of  justice.  He  was, 
however,  aoprehended  at  Yauxhall  in  this  town,  and  ulti* 
matdy  paia  the  penalty  of  lus  crime  on  the  scaffold— one 
more  of  those  victims  to  the  cruel  penal  laws  of  the  time, 
who  even  then  b^^an.  to  excite  the  sympathy  of  the  public, 
and  to  make  juries  palter  with  their  consciences  rather 
than  return  verdicts  of  euilty  against  prisoners  whose 
punishments  would  be  so  disproportionate  to  their  crimes. 
The  first  notice  we  have  of  Hubbard  is  the  following  adver- 
tisement:— 

Iiuosiom. 

October  i4th,  1791.— >Wheress  a  BerKm,  callinf  himself  the  Duke  of 
Oimond,  did^  <m  Friday  the  7%ol  this  instaiit  Oetobor,  finradolaitij 

bj  gctthiff 
Dntft  dated  the  i7th  of  September,  drswn  hv  one  Smbow  Porrii  oC 


obtaiii  nom  Masni.  Eaion  apd  HsimiMind,  Biaken  at  Newmsrint.  the 
Bom  of  iOOL,  bj  getthig  them  to  give  him  their  BiOs  and  Otth  for  a 


DoBCister,  upon  Mewra  OodiBg  and  Ooi,  Biaken,  m  Fleet  Street, 
London,  pajafale  8  Dajs  after  date  to  tlie  Duke  of  Omond,  or  order; 
at  the  aame  time  informing  thenA  he  was  the  Dake  of  dmond.  when  In 
fsetithat  Title  has  been  eztinet  man/  jeara  He  is  eniyosea  to  eone 
hem  Binningham  or  Doncaster,  and  has  sone  1^  the  Name  of  Qrifis 
or  Oriffln,  and  is  well  known  at  Stilton  ana  StamfonL 

He  meare  to  be  about  25  Teare  of  Age,  abont  6  Feet  10  Indies 
high,  and  Weia^t  abont  14  Stone,  fair  Oomplezkin,  daik  Hair  and  Bjm 
BrowB,with  his  Hair  aneii*d  and  foreTbpfriaed  baeki  Sidea  sindgbti 
diemed  in  a  daric  SmdT-eoloued  mat  CoaL  with  lA^fk  hlaek  OoOar, 
and  nnder  that  had  on  a  new  bhie  stnight  Coat»  with  ftnhlimable 
jellow  Hajeoek  Bottona,  and  Six  on  each  Goat  Skeve,  iHdte  evtride 
oorded  Dimitr  Waisteoat,  fiottone  of  the  Ookmr  and  set  wide,  a  Bine 
Silk  nnder  Waietooat,  Thiek-aet  Breeehea,  bine  ribbed  Stoddag^  Boots 
almoatnew.aadaronnd  Hat;  haa  a  vwy  small  Dim|ile  or  Sear  on  the 
Bottom  of  hii  left  Cheek,  or  mlbsr  on  the  Jaw  BoMb  iWM"  to  be 
done  br  Onnpowder,  hnt  so  small  as  not  to  be  ohaerrvd  wmiovt  near 
InepeetiMi;  waapnisnedontheNofth  BoadaefMrasNewaric  "Wlio- 
ever  will  apprehend  the  above  Fenon  diall  noeive  Fortj  Foonds 


A  CAUSE  C^LtlBRE.  189 

Beward,  to  be  paid  by  Mr.  EUiaon.  No.  4,  Crane  Court,  Fleet  Street, 
London,  Secretary  and  Solicitor  to  tne  Aasociation  of  Country  Bankers. 

On  Novembier  7th  we  have  the  report  of  his  arrest : — 

On  Wedneaday  last,  a  young  man  of  very  ffenteel  appearance  waa 
apprehended  at  Vauxball,  near  this  Town,  and  is  suppoeed  to  be  the 
peraon  who  called  bimaelf  the  Duke  of  Ormond  (an  Iriah  title  forfeited 
in  the  year  1716),  and  who,  under  that  titles  fraudulently  obtained,  on 
the  7th  of  October  Jaat|  of  Mr.  Hammond,  a  oanker  of  Newmarket,  the 
anm  of  two  hundred  pounds^  for  a  awindllnff  bill  to  that  amount, 
purporting  to  be  drawn  by  Spencer  Punria,  of  Doncaater,  on  Measre. 
Qoeling  and  Co.,  banker^  in  London,  and  payable  to  his  Qiuc£%  orders. 

This  young  man  (whoae  name  appeaia  to  be  Ghriffin)  arriyed  late  on 
Sunday  oigh^  the  3(Hh  ult,  at  the  Hotel,  in  this  Town,  accompanied 
by  a  handsome  young  woman,  and  attended  \rr  a  aerrant  The  next 
day  he  removed  to  vauxhall,  strling  himself  Captain  Mouaon,  of  the 
Dragoons.  The  yoong  woman,  he  said,  was  his  sister,  and  she  had  a 
septirate  apartment.  On  Wednesday,  howerer,  Mr.  Spooner,  master  of 
this  Blue  Bell  Lin»  in  Lsiosster,  aooompanied  hj  two  mend%  arriTed  in 
this  town  fai  punoit  of  a  nmowov  daughter.  GrifBn,  it  seems  (if  he  is 
the  pretsnded  duke)  had,  since  his  tnnsaetlon  with  the  Newmarket 
BanWy  ehleflr  reslaed  at  this  Inn,  in  Leicester,  where  his  address  and 
ths  graces  of  bis  person  had  gained  so  mudi  upon  the  young  woman's 
aflSmoii%  that  1m  foand  it  no  diilionlt  matter  to  cany  her  oOl  The 
fiUher.  «poii  Us  airival,  soon  diseovered  wliere  the  IbgitiTes  were ;  he 
immediaisly  wunt  to  Vanzhall  and  demanded  his  daughter.  QriiBn 
lefiised.  to  surrender  her,  and  said  be  would  with  his  fife  defend  the 
posBSSsloiiofher.  Upon  this  ths  fsUier  returned  to  Birmingham,  and 
as  hbdaqgliter  was  under  Mje^beif^ged  the  assistancs  of  Mr.  wallis^  the 
Cbestable^to  wslcgs  bar  to  nim ;  it  was  at  the  aame  time  hinted  by  one 
of  the  peiaoBS  wbo  ascompaaied  Mr.  Spooner  torn  Leicester  that 
Grifia  was  most  probably  tae  Newmarket  Impostor,  ▲eeordiagfy  Mr. 
Wallis,  with  his  oldest  son  and  Bruce  the  thief-taker,  attended  the 
iMlisr  OB  his  retain  to  TanshalL  Whea  they  arrived  there  OriiBu 
wasslttiagaloaeiatiie  parlour;  he  had  twobmceol  loaded  pistols  oa 
ths  tables  and  a  braes  In  his  podEsCa.  Mr.  WalUsbjua,  being  the  first 
that  satersd  the  rooa^  Qrifiln  pointed  a  pbtol  at  him ;  Mr.  W.  had 
only  tfano  to  say,  ^  What,  Qrifin,  is  it  you— you  wont  snrsly  shoot  ms," 
whea  the  pistol  was  diseliaiged ;  the  aim  was^  unlbiiunately,  eo  well 
dirselsd,  tfiat  the  ball  stni^  Mr.  WaUiira  fh»t  teeth  ia  aa  oblique 
dirsstioa.brokealzof  them,  most  terribly  tors  his  tongus^  aad  took  off 
a  pises  or  his  appsr  Upi  Mr.  Wallii^  ssa^  and  BHmc  aow  raihed  hito 
tas  room ;  to  tko  breast  of  the  Ibnaer  Oriffin  prsssutsd  aaothsr  pistol, 
which  happily  flashed  in  the  pan,  aad  aa  he  waa  going  to  point  a 
thirds  Braeep  with  a  Tiolmit  blow  of  hie  bludgeon  oa  Oriffin'a  head, 
brosttht  him  to  the  ground,  and  after  he  had  much  beaten  him,  he 
secured  aioB. 

WHh  the  first  blood  that  issued  fnm  his  month,  Mr.  Wallis  spit  eat 
the  baU  (quite  fiatteaed}  that  had  straek  him  {  whsa  Qriflb  ssid  bs  was 
Sony  he  was  so  agitated  aatofirsatMr.  W.,lNitifhshad  bsea  a  Bow- 
street  Bnaasr,  he  should  not  hsTs  lameated  shooting  him. 

Oriflla  was  eoaroyed  from  Yaazhall  to  our  Dungeon.  It  was  at 
first  thought  his  skaU  was  finaelursd  by  the  blow  he  recsived  oa  his 
head,aadtfaatliewaiindaaMrfbomhisothsrbniissa  TheSorgsoas, 
howertr,  iHio  attead  him  aaTu  siace  dedared  the  coatraiy.    On 


190  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINaHAM  LIFE. 

Thiu«d|i]rh6  was  taken  before  the  Magistratei^  at  the  Public  Office. 
From  the  loea  of  blood,  and  the  pain  of  his  wounds,  he  had  nearly 
fiiinted  from  the  fatigue  of  ascending  the  stairs  when  he  was  brought 
to  the  bur ;  he,  however,  soon  recovered  himself^  and  politely  addressing 
the  Magistrate,  expressed  a  hope  that  they  would  not  consider  him  as 
wantinff  a  proper  respect  for  them,  or  as  contemptuous,  if  he  declined 
answering  any  other  qaestious  that  were  put  him  but  such  as  related 
to  the  circumstance  of  his  capture.  He  requested  the  fiiTonr  of  having 
some  of  bis  cloaths,  which  was  granted;  and  evidence  having  been 
taken  of  his  shooting  Mr.  Waliis,  he  was  ordered  back  to  the  dungeon 
for  future  examination. 

Cariosity  has  drawn  nnmbers  of  gentlemen  to  visit  the  prisoner. 
He  18  a  most  handsome  athletic  young  man,  about  six  and  twenty 
years  of  age,  is  said  to  apeak  two  or  three  foreign  languages,  and  by  hia 
oonvemation  he  appears  to  be  a  man  of  ability ;  his  whole  demeanour 
is,  indeed,  so  very  prepossessing  and  genteel,  that  many  feel  themselves 
interertadinhisfate.  IthasbeenreMrtedhewasbomatHatflev;  bat 
be  deniea  having  any  knowledge  of  tae  plaoe ;  and  we  are  told  tluut  the 
native  of  Hagley^  for  whom  by  many  he  was  taken,  is  now  a  patient  at 
oar  Hospital.  It  ia^  however,  oertain  that  he  has  frequently  been  in 
this  town.  Iq  Aagost,  1790,  he  waa  at  the  Bed  Lion,  in  oompany  with 
A  person  who  went  by  the  name  of  Norman ;  and  it  is  remembered^ 
thsit  on  the  SSnd  of  last  Joly.  he  came  in  the  eoaeh  to  the  Union 
Tavenii  with  another  man  ana  two 'genteel  yoaths;  the  bova  were 
•eat  away  in  ehaJsea,  bat  be  -and  tSe  other  man  continoed  at  the 
Tavom  m  five  day%  when  they  aaddenly  left  it,  forg^Uiiig  to  pay  the 
landlord*^  bill,  and  also  a  neighbouring  taylor'a,  whom  they  had 
obliged  with  ihehr  ordera  ▲  aimilar  act  of  /oryef/Wji«ft  is  also 
diamd  apon  Qriifin  hf  the  laadkfd  of  the  Swan  Inn,  at  liehfield^ 
who  naa  a  oill  afpaEost  htm  fat  f  ipffntts  daring  the  races  at  that  plaee « 
bat  whether  or  not  he  be  the  person  who  asenmed  the  title  ol  the  Dake 
of  Ormond,  eannoti  perhaps^  be  poaidvely  known  ontil  Mr.  Hammond 
or  hii  dark  ahali  oee  him ;  he  oertainly  nearly  answers  the  description 
given  of  tho  man,  and  among  Us  doatbs  was  foond  a  bloemat  eoa^ 
with  hayoook  battoo^  similar  to  tho  one  deecribed  in  Mr.  SQunmond'a 
advertiMBMnt  in  this  paper  of  tho  i4th  nit. 

Aa  oooii  as  GiiiBn  was  secmrod.  Mr.  Snoooer  took  hia  daoshter  bade 

toI^ltoMt■^. 

Wo  are  happy  to  infbnn  oar  leaders  that  Mr.  Waliis,  Jan.,  thoogh 
he  b  to  aevwoiy  woonded,  is  likely  to  do  wolL  This  Gentleman  had 
bat  Josi  arrivea  from  London,  imn  he  set  oat  with  his  lathtf  upon 
this  nnfiirtaiiata  baslness.  On  one  part  of  the  ball  wUh  which  he  was 
shot  Is  indented  a  perfect  Imiirssilnaof  one  of  hk  comer  teeth. 

In  the  week  following  we  have  the  report  of  his 
identification .' — 

Biimins^iam,  November  14th,  1791. — On  Frida)r  morning  last,  Mr. 
BammoiM,  tho  Banker  from  Newmarket,  attended  by  the  Magistaates^ 
went  to  oar  prison.  He  immediately  recognised  the  persoQ  who  now 
ealk  himself  Henry  Oriffin  (bat  who  is  also  known  by  the  name  ol 
Qeotge  HnbbanL  which  is  thooi^t  to  be  his  rsal  one),  as  the  man  who 
assnmod  the  title  ol  the  Dake  ol  Onnond,  and  «aiged  him  with 
ottering  the  swindlii^^  bill  for  SOOL  The  prisoner  said  nothing  in  his 
own  daienos ;  and  yesterday  he  was  sworn  to  by  Mr.  Green,  Jeweller, 


A  CAUSE  CiLfeBRE.  ^91 

of  London,  as  bemg  the  penon  -who,  in  March  last,  defmitdtHi  him  and 
his  partner,  Mr.  'mUerton,  of  jewels  to  the  amount  of  700/.,  which  he 
ordered  at  their  shop  in  Bond  Street,  pretending  to  he^  Lord  Massey, 
and  giving  them  a  draft  purporting  to  be  drawn  by  Karl  TankerviUe,  on 
Messrs.  (S>utts,  of  the  Strand,  for  1,449^  The  leweis  were  delivered 
at  his  lodgings,  and  so  satisfied  were  Messrs.  WiilerUnA  and  Qreen  that 
he  was  the  person  he  called  himself,  that  he  made  out  a  draft  upon 
their  Banker  for  the  difference  of  the  bill  he  had  left  with  theuL  This 
draft,  however,  he  never  called  for,  havinff  hastily  quitta^l  his  lodgings 
the  moment  he  had  possession  of  the  jewds.  He  in  at  prment  detained 
here  on  account  of  tne  assault  upon  Mr.  Wallis,  that  gentleman  being, 
we  are  sony  to  say,  as  yet  too  ill  to  undeigo  an  examination. 

On  the  2]8t  we  read : — 

The  person  committed  to  our  priaon  by  the  nanM  of  Itenry  Qriffin 
atill  remains  there^  Mr.  Wallia  having  been  aa  yet  incapable  ci  under- 
ffoing  an  examination.  Jealousy  one  of  Sir  Sampaoo  Wright^a  men,  has 
been  here  to  see-  him.  He  savs  the  prisoiiera  rml  name  is  James 
Hubbard^  that  he  ia  a  native  o^  vod  faaa  been  an  oAotr  in,  America, 
and  that  m  the  year  1790.  he  was  oonvkted  of  an  oftooo  in  Ireland,  for 
which  he  was  oniered  to  oe  tnuoBported,  but  that  h$  than  found  means 
of  escaping  from  hia  gayolen.  He  ako  dedarea  U»  to  be  the  person 
who^  some  time  since,  was  gnOty  of  the  impoattion  ttpPli  the  Duke  of 
York,  whidi  Hia  TTighness  forgave ;  and  that  h9  onot  Ussnmflrl  the 
diameter  of  the  DuEe  of  Manrhwitftr,  wiUi  a  ri^w  of  taking  in  a 
watchmaker. 

We  have  next  a  brief  account  of  his  cofsmittal  to  War- 


December  6, 1791d-^0&  Tuesday  laijLtlie  jm'  ditmU  Doka  of  Oxnund 
was  committed  by  oor  Hagiatratea  to  warwidc  gaoly  «adar  the  name  of 
Hennr  QriiBn.  for  f elooioiialy  diootiQg  at^  aod  JaUfMniialy  woundini^ 
Mr.  John  Wallia  the  Toangar,  aa  BMBtknad  In  f  omar  papera.  The 
elder  Mr.  Wallia  waa  bound  over  to  proaeoata  at  ilbe  nazt  Warwick 
aaiiaea.  Mr.  Wallia,  Jon.,  could  not  attend  at  tha  Ptablio  Office,  and, 
therefore^  a  certificate  beiog  aigned  by  the  ThjMtti  and  Bnigeona 
who  have  attendad  him  amca  hia  confiMment^  alMiaf  that  hia  removal 
mi^t  endaagar  his  lifcu  the  M^giateatea  nolitaly  toM  hia  denoaition  at 
hia  uMtftmanta.  Detameis  are  aim  BoolEed  againit  the  maoner  for 
firanda  committed  on  Mr.  Hammond,  toe  KewmaHcet  Banker,  and 
Meana.  Green  and  Oo.,  JewaDen,  in  New  Bond  8tract|  London.  He 
waa  coiivey»d  to  Warwidr  in  a  pcat-coach  and  loaVf  aceonmanied  by 
Ifr.  IWn,  Mr.  8andef«,  and  foor  cHiar  Conalablaii  •■ponially  awcni 
for  the  due  ezeentioB  of  the  warranL 

On  the  aame  day  the  readera  of  the  OazeU$  were  f omiahed 
with  a  rather  fall  hiatoiy  of  thk  "  intereattflg**  criminal  >— 

DcxB  or  OsHom. 

December  Mi,  1791.— Aa  many  etwrnaoaa  conjaeinm  hava  apptaiad 
in  the  publk  printa  laapeeliw  tfi0  mJ  Mmo  and  faarfly  af  ttia  aafcNTtii* 
nateyonng  man  now  confined  fai  Wanridt  gaoL  by  <fc>  lima  of  Heuy 
Qriflh^  duttged  with  defamding  the  banker  ai  Kaw^ 
of  the  Duke  of  Ormond,  we  are  now  cnaUad  to  Uf  bilor»  our  readera 
the  following  partieuhra,  whidh  may  be  dsMnded  npon  aa  anthentie. 

Hia  real  name  ia  Jamea  MoleawoHh  Huhard,  aoA  of  JaaMa  Hubard, 


192  A  CENTUBT  OF  BIRMINGHAM   LIFE. 

£tq.,  late  his  Majesty's  Judge  Advocate  to  the  province  of  Virginia, 
ana  he  was  bom  in  North  America.  The  virtues  of  the  fatlier  were  a 
sufficient  recommendation  to  Lord  Dunmore,  who  immediately  took  the 
son  under  his  protection,  and  placed  him  in  the  rank  of  an  officer  in 
one  of  the  regiments  of  Loyalists,  in  which  he  was  distin^uiahed  soon 
for  his  personal  and  mental  accomplishments,  having  added  to  a  genteel 
and  handsome  person  a  very  liberal  education. 

Li  the  above  regiment  he  was  also  distin^ished  for  his  personal 
courage,  and  was  looked  upon  as  a  very  promising  officer.  With  this 
character  he  marched  with  the  corps  into  winter  cjuarters  at  New  York, 
where  dissipation  and  extravagance  were  at  their  height.  Naturally 
of  a  gay  disposition,  caressed  by  his  superior  officers,  and  his  vanity 
ilatterea  by  the  attention  of  the  first  ana  finest  women  in  the  place,  it 
is  not  to  be  wondered  at  that  he  launched  inconsiderately  mto  the 
follies  and  vices  of  the  town.  His  income  not  being  equal  to  his 
extravagant  way  of  living,  he  absconded  with  some  money  belonging 
to  the  army.    He  was  then  forced  to  sell  his  commission. 

When  he  came  to  this  country,  the  money  he  obtained  by  the  sale 
of  his  commission  was  soon  expended,  and  having  run  considerably  into 
debt,  he  was  am»ted  and  thrown  into  the  Kind's  Bench  prison,  from 
whidi  he  was  liberated  by  a  certain  Lady  ofhi^hrant. 

The  above  connection  lasted  but  a  short  time ;  he  was  again  dis- 
treesedy  and  again  set  his  invention  to  raise  his  finances.  To  this  end 
he  wrote  to  Cord  Howard,  under  the  feigned  signature  of  an  officer 
who  was  well  known  to  his  Lordship,  and  who  at  that  time  stood  in 
need  of  pecnniaiy  aid,  by  which  means  be  obtained  a  sum  of  money. 
He  was  indicted  for  this  offence ;  but,  by  an  oversight  in  the  Solicitor 
for  the  proMcution,  he  was  acauitted.  After  this  he  practised  the  same 
fraud  on  various  gentlemen,  tul  at  length  he  was  detected  in  writing  in 
the  name  of  an  officer  in  the  Coldstream  regiment  to  the  Duke  of  York, 
and  obtaining  from  his  Itoyal  Highness  twelve  guineas.  For  this 
offence  he  was  tried  and  convicted  ;  but,  at  Uie  instance  of  the  Duke, 
his  sentence  was  a  very  mild  one. 

After  thisi  the  first  acooonts  we  have  of  him  are  from  Ireland, 
where  he  was  tried  by  the  name  of  Bedman  for  shop-lifting,  and  was 
sentenced  to  be  transported  for  seven  years ;  but  he  escaped  from  the 
prison,  by  Xowtnng  nimself  from  the  top  by  ropes,  in  which,  it  is 
reported,  he  was  aasisted  by  the  keepei's  daughter. 

He  then  went  to  Fhmoe,  where  he  again  got  connected  with  a  woman 
of  rank,  from  whom  he  obtained  upwards  of  jCl,5U0,  and  here  he  kept 
his  carriage,  and  was  afterwards  ooncemed  with  a  fiimons  English  gMa- 
bier,  who  has  fonnd  it  convenient  to  reside  in  that  country  for  some  time 
baek.  They  kept  a  Faro  Bank,  but  quarrelling  about  the  profits,  sepa- 
rated. He  again  came  to  England,  and,  by  a  detainer  lodged  against 
him  at  Birminsbam,  he  appears  to  be  the  iierson  who,  under  the  bor- 
rowed title  of  Lord  Massey,  defrauded  Messrs.  Willerton  and  Green  of 
jewels  and  trinkets  to  the  amount  of  jG7(H).  Afler  this,  he  \ths^i\  upon 
a  watchmaker  in  Hoi  bom  as  the  Duke  of  Manchester,  and  ordered  two 
watches  to  be  sent  to  his  lodgings  in  Charleaoitreet,  St.  James's  Square ; 
but  as  the  watchmaker  was  informed  that  his  Grace  was  abroad,  instead 
of  watehes,  he  sent  him  two  officers  from  Bow  Street  Hubard  being  at 
that  time  near  his  own  lodgings,  and  seeing  the  offioera,  whom  he  well 
knew,  decamped.  The  story  of  the  Dake  of  Ormond  is  fresh  in  the 
Binds  of  the  public,  we  need  not  therefore  repeat  it. 


A  CAUSE  c£lI:bre.  193 

After  this,  he  vent  to  York  races,  where  he  met  Shaw,  who  is  ad- 
mitted an  evidence  against  the  mail  robbers,  and  was  by  him  advised  to 
reform  his  life,  as  he  had  got  off  so  well  from  Newmarket.  He  assured 
Shaw  he  would,  but  that  there  was  a  girl  at  Leioeeter  whom  he  tenderly 
loved,  and  that  he  would  obtain  her  at  anv  rate.  The  sequel  is  well 
known ;  he  was  tdcen  in  running  away  with  her. 

He  has  for  some  time  kept  a  servant  in  liveiy,  has  a  horse  at  this 
time  for  which  he  has  been  offered  a  hundred  and  fifty  guineas.  The 
elegance  of  his  address  |;ained  him  admission  to  the  tables  of  the  first 
ffentlemen  in  the  counties  through  which  he  has  travelled ;  and  he 
Doasts  of  having  evaded  the  search  made  after  him  at  the  same  time 
that  he  walked  publicly  about  London,  di^uised  only  by  wearing 
spectacles,  a  cocked  hat  and  cockade. 

At  'Leicester,  in  the  house  from  whence  he  took  the  daughter  of  the 
landlord,  he  gave  several  public  entertainments,  at  whi<m  the  most 
respectable  persons  of  the  neighbourhood  were  present 

Were  his  whole  history  laid  before  the  public^  it  would,  perhaps, 
exhibit  a  eombination  of  the  most  extraordinary  incidents  that  ever 
concentred  in  any  man  of  his  age,  which  apparently  is  not  more  than 
five  or  six  and  twenty.  He  has  a  mother,  two  sisters,  and  a  brother, 
now  livinff  at  Williamabnigh,  in  Ylrainia,  with  whom  he  has  never 
corrssponded  since  he  lost  the  &voar  of  Lord  Dnnmore.  His  mother  is 
a  native  of  America ;  her  maiden  name  was  Morton ;  she  retains  rwj 
Ltfge  possessions  in  the  province  of  Yiiginia. 

The  committal  gave  rise  to  a  bit  of  local  literature,  with 

the  following  curious  title : — 

Dee.  fi.  1791.— This  day  Is  Pnbllshed,  price  Fomvpenoe,— A  SQUINT 
at  ELTSIUBi ;  or,  DUKE  and  NO  DUKE :  a  Poem,  oooasioned  fagr 
the  Oommitment  of  Heniy  Qriffin  to  WarwidL  By  a  Lady  of  Bir- 
minghanL 

At  the  Warwick  Spriu^  AssijEe^  in  March,  1792,  the  com* 
miBsion  was  opened  oy  Mr.  Bait>n  Thompson  on  the  27th. 
On  the  following  day  his  Lordship  proceeded  to  try  the 
causes  at  the  Nisi  Prius  Bar;  and  ''whilst  the  Judge  was 
at  this  bar.  Griffin,  (the  Duke  of  Ormond)  elegantly  dressed, 
was  put  up ;  but  on  an  affidavit  of  younff  Mr.  Wsllis's  Sur- 
geon being  read,  stating  that  that  ffenUeman  was  as  yet 
mcapaUe  of  attendimr,  he  was  remanded  to  take  his  trial  at 
the  next  assiasea"  Tlius  the  matter  stood  over  until  the 
Summer.  The  trial  at  Warwick  took  place  on  August  21 ; 
and  the  following  brief  report  of  it  appeared  in  the  ChueUe 
of  the  27th:— 

On  Tuesday  morning,  a  little  befbrs  eight  c^olodc,  the  Ooort  bsi^g 
extrsnely  crowded,  Qrifin,  siiaa  Habbsrd.  the  pretended  Daks  of  Or- 
mond, appeared  at  the  bar  to  take  hie  trial  lor  shootinff  at  Mr.  Wallii^ 
JQtt.  His  dcpoTiment  was  exoeadingly  genleel,  and  iiie  whole  CMiri 
seemed  to  lament  that  his  impmdencies  shoald  have  harried  him  into 
eo  perilous  a  predieameni.  The  first  jory  was  totally  obleeted  to  1^  his 
Ooansel ;  the  leoond  being  sworn,  the  trial  oommenceo,  and  aboat  18 
o'dodc  he  was  proooaneed  Kor  Oviltt.     . 

If.  o 


194  A  CENTURY  OF  niRMINGIIAM  LIFE. 

In  his  defence  he  spoke  with  great  ability  and  feeling.  He  adverted 
to  the  wanton  and  malicious  calamuiea  which  were  circulated  against 
him  in  the  public  papei-s,  to  his  prolonged  imprisonment,  and  the  treat- 
ment which  he  met  with  when  he  was  apprehended.  He  hoped  his 
Lordship  and  the  Jury  would  not  consider  the  act  of  firing  as  an  act  of 
premeditated  murder,  or  the  act  of  a  bad  heart,  but  rather  as  the  act  of 
a  moment,  produced  by  the  critical  and  peculiar  situation  in  which  he 
stood — an  act,  perhaps,  of  intemperance,  but  committed  under  the  im- 
prest idea  of  sheltering,  from  an  exasperated  &ther  and  a  malicious 
lover  (his  envious  and  enraged  rival),  a  oeloved  woman,  one  of  the  most 
amiable  of  her  sex,  who  hiul  claimed  his  protection,  and  whom  (dearer 
to  him  than  life)  he  had  promised,  at  the  hazard  of  his  life,  to  protect. 

The  young  lady  was  with  her  father  in  Court  during  the  trial,  and 
seemed  much  interested  in  its  issue.  Judge  Ashurst  stated  the  Liw  to 
be  as  follows  ;  and  it  determined  the  case  :  "  That,  if  an  officer  be  killed 
iu  endeavouring  forcibly  to  enter  an  apartment  to  secure  an  offender,  it 
cannot  be  deemed  Murder,  except  the  officer  shall  have  acquainteil  the 
offender  by  what  authority  and  for  what  offence  he  is  about  to  secure 
him." 

Griffin  has  still  lodged  against  him  two  detainers ;  one  on  the  char^o 
of  Mr.  Hammond,  banker,  of  Newmarket,  and  the  other  on  that  of  Al  r. 
Green,  jeweller,  London  ;  and  a  Ilahea*  Corpus,  to  remove  him  to  the 
gaol  of  Suffolk,  has  been  made  out  in  consequence  of  the  firat  above- 
mentioned  charge. 

We  hear  nothing  more  of  the  case  until  DoccdiIht  17  ; 
when  this  jjaragraph  was  published  : — 

On  Tuesday  (Dec.  11)  G.  lIubKinl,  alias  H.  Griffin,  th»»  ^ni-r/iAn.if 
Duke  of  Ormond  and  Lord  Massey,  wh<i  \^-:i?4  l.-itt-ly  t'.-l  ••  ^^"  w'uk, 
for  sliootiiirr  ^fr.  WalliH,  was  capitally  con\  rtod  ;it  tlie  01«1  Ruley  fnr 
for^inj;  and  publii^hing  a  Bill,  |iur|»<)rtiiig  to  Iw  dniwn  l»y  Knl  Tankir- 
vilie,  for  i^  1,449,  and  thereby  ul»tainin<f  from  MoHsn*.  Given  and  Wil- 
k*rti>n,  under  the  afuumed  title  of  l»rd  Massey,  jewels  and  cash  f<>r  the 
ffanie.  He  did  not  bear  hid  conviction  with  tiiat  fortitude  whiih  he 
K'fMre  a]»|*eareil  to  |M>Rai*a!i. 

The  aristocratic  swindler  waA  now  TOpldly  appruacliiii;^ 

liis  en<l.     On  February  «H,   17!>3,  the  Rec<»rdfr  of   London 

•*  iniule  liis  rejKjrt  of  rriininals  in  Newgate  to  his  Maji»sty. 

when  Gritfin  (the  Duke  of  Ormond)  ami  nin«?  others  wi-re 

onlered  for  execution."      On   February    14,  the  folJi»win«x 

curious  and  illustrative  anecdote  appeare*! : — 

(Jriflin.  the  late  Duke  of  Onuond,  i.ii«Iv  nent  for  a  t-ivlnr  wlio  livi»s 
op|Hi8it4.«  to  Newgate,  to  me;Lsure  him  for  a  nuit  of  nioumin^.  The 
t,-iylor,  thinking  his  custonier'n  trirls  at  an  en  1.  itnnu*>li:it<'ly  niadt*  tin* 
rioiaths,  and  carried  tliem  to  the  ci'lls,  uhcre  (friflin  vtrv  (K-liUnitf-lv 
|>ut  them  on.  declaring  he  was  uewr  l>etter  fitt<Hl,  and  {aid  many  coni- 
pliuients  on  the  neatnens  of  the  cut,  &r.  The  tivl«>r.  |KTCfivintr  no 
•  •witurert  of  iKiyment,  reniin«li*d  hi**  eniployer  <»f  hJM  charj;e.  (iritfiii, 
turning  ntuna,  replied,  **true,  Mr.  Tayl(»r,  your  fharcf  »}»  nnnK'nit.',  and 
T  will  put  you  in  a  way  of  being  |Kiid.  1  know  iVf»ntinuiii  tin*  malo- 
fiutoi,  that  viiu  h't  out  vour  hous**  at  sixiH*neea  h«'a»l  at  evtTV  liaiiL'in'T- 
Niut :  ii"\v.  n-  I  :ini  •'liMrtly  to  In*  hangisl,  au*l  you  know.  Mr.  T:«yl«»r.  I 


A  CAUSE  C^LtBRE.  195 

am  no  common  rascal,  I  would  advise  yon  to  raise  your  price  to  half  <a- 
cioTm.  If  that  wont  do,  why  you  may  have  your  cloatns  again,  but  I 
am  determined  first  to  be  hanged  in  them." 

On  the  same  day  appeared  this  very  brief  report  of  a  very 

ghastly  spectacle : — 

February  14,  1793. — ^Yesterday  morning,  soon  after  eiffht  o'clock^ 
Francis  Hubbajrd,  aliaa  Griffin,  alias  Lord  [Massey  and  Duke  of 
Oimond^f or  foigery,  and  seven  other  malefactore,  were  executed  oppo- 
site the  Debtor's  door  of  Newgate.  Hubbard  stabbed  himself  in  the 
aide  on  Tuesday  morning,  ana  is  also  said  to  have  taken  some  poison, 
neither  of  whidi,  however,  proved  effectual ;  he  appeal^  very  weak 
from  loss  of  blood,  but  bdiaved  with  great  fortituae  and  composure 
previous  to  his  being  executed. 

And  so  terminated  the  life  of  the  hero  of  this  curious 


196      .  A  CfENTUBT  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFEL 


CHAPTER  IL— 1801-1811.    ' 


§  1.     APPEARAKCE  OF  THE  TOWN. 

'  Great  and  important  changes  were  made  in  the  appear* 
anoe  of  the  town  during  this  decade.  The  prindml  were 
the  removal  of  the  houses  which  surrounded  St  Martin's 
Church  and  the  enlarging  of  the  churchyard.  To  appreciate 
the  difference  thus  made  we  have  oulj  to  compare  the  pore- 
sent  aspect  of  the  BuU-Bingand  the  church  wiui  thatwhidi 
we  see  in  the  old  mapsi  Land  for  buildiiig  on  was 
announced  to  be  sold  or  let  in  all  parts  of  the  town ;  and 
although  these  ten  jears  were  far  fixmi  being  prosperous, 
and  were  chieflv  distinguished  by  a  brief  peace,  succeeded 
by  a  renewal  of  the  bloodiest  and  most  expensive  war  on 
record,  the  town  continued  steadily  to  increase^  and  the 
open  spades  to  be  built  upon.    Our  first  advertisement  is 

Jjaxd  to  Boild  Urov. 
liardi  1, 180S.— To  be  Let^  sevwml  ouaotttiM  of  Land,  balonaiof  to 
MJM  Fbber,  dtoaUd  in  the  IVuiih  of  Krminghain,  hereiofare  ealiad  tha 
WorkhouM  Flald,  and  ftooUog  to  Mvend  new  Udd  oat  Btrssts  thm 
(alnadj  in  part  built  npon)  and  cftlled  Moland,  Lwn  and  Fiihcr 
Btreeta  The  «Mna  may  be  fespeelivelj  taken,  in  smainBnildinf  Loli^ 
or  in  aav  hofgw  Qnaatit j  that  maj  appear  mora  elUrfble  §oit  biildiog 
upon.  For  farther  yMticoUrs  enqniie  of  Mr.  Jotiah  Mohins,  Bur? <3ror| 
or  Mr.  W.  Homi^  Na  9%  Leggo^treet  afureiid. 


The  next  takes  us  to  a  part  of  the  town  whidi  at 
time  was  a  scene  of  rural  beauty;  a  veiy  paradise  of  oottages 
surrounded^  by  their  beautiful  gardena  The  Cottam  of 
Content  exists  at  the  present  time :  the  gardens  are  almost 
all  built  upon : — 

A  Gartal  OAionr. 

Hay  17, 1802.— To  be  di^Msad  of;  a  Oardon,  lately  bilongina  to  Mr. 
John  Bmitli,  Dio-doker,  deeeaNd,  with  an  ezodlent  Boaimer  Houm,  a 
ehoiee  Oolloetlon  of  Frait  TVeai^  flowen,  8hmb«,  well  taoed,  fte^  ritn- 
aied  near  the  Cottage  of  Oontent  For  Particnlari  apply  to  Mr.  W. 
Jeokioa,  LoTeday-atieot,  Birminghani. 

N.B— Mr.  Parr,  at  the  Cottage,  will  shew  the  Oaiden. 


APPEARANCE  OF  THE  TOWN.  197 

The  foUowiiig  is  the  last  record  we  have  relating  to  a  ouce 

famous  ornament  of  the  town : — 

TowH  Clock. 
Oct  4, 1802.-— To  be  Sold,  the  Clock  with  three  Dials,  now  belonging 
to  the  Welsh  Cross,  Birmingham,  also  the  weather  Vane,  Iron  Worl^ 
and  Ball  thereto  belonging.    Apply  to  Mr.  Thomas  Greaves,  Clock- 
maker,  High-street^  or  Mr.  W.  Jones,  Builder,  Snow  Bill,  Birmingham. 

The  houses  in  New  ELall-Street  were  still  adorned  with 

gardens: — 

Capital  Houbs  in  Nbwhall  Street. 
November  29th,  1802. — To  be  Let|  a  very  good  Hoose,  in  oompleat 
Bepair,  fit  for  the  Besidence  of  a  lAroe  genteel  Family,  containing  four 
Booms  on  the  ground  Floor,  also  a  China  Closet^  two  other  Closets,  and 
F^try ;  eight  handsome  Lodging  Booms,  excellent  Cellars,  spacious 
entire  Yard  and  Qardens,  a  large  firewhouse  and  Laundnr  over,  a  large 
oompleat  four-stall  Stable^  with  Saddle  House,  &&,  now  in  the  Occupa- 
tion of  Mrs.  Startln. — ^For  Partieulan  please  to  apply  at  the  House. 

The  gardens  in  Edgbaston  Street  were  now  being  sold : — 

Sale  of  Gabdbv  Gbouhss,  &a 
October  lOtb,  1803w— To  be  Sold  by  Auetkniy  on  the  Pkemises,  by 
Thomas  Lucas  and  Son^  on  Wednesday  nszt,  the  12th  of  Octobnr 
instant^  at  Four  o^dock  in  the  Afternoon,  the  hoamedlate  Possession 
(subject  to  Oonditions  then  to  be  prodooed)  of  a  well-planted  Garden 
and  Yard,  with  a  Stream  of  soft  Water  running  through  it ;  together 
with  a  Briek  Stable  and  other  Appurtenances,  late  in  the  Occupation 
of  Mr.  LoQff,  as  a  FelUnongei'a  Yard,  and  situated  at  the  Back  of 
Edgbaslon  StieeC^  near  Lady  WelL 

Great  ehanges  have  taken  place  in  NewhaU  Street  smce 

the  foUowinff  advertisenient  m  an  elegant  mansion  appeared. 

The  houael^eh  then  stood  almoet  ^. »  now  sui^^S^^ 

and  crowded  in  hy  bnildingB  >— 

Ajr  Elmavt  ICaviiov. 
Febraaiy  SOth,  1804.t-To  be  persnplorily  Sold  by  Auction,  by  T. 
Wanwi,  at  the  Swan  TaTeniy  in  Bali  Street^  Btnningham,  on  Wednesday 
the  i9th  instant^  at  Four  o^dodc,  nilgect  to  ConditkHis  then  to  be 
produced,  all  that  oqiital  genteel  Dwelliig  House,  with  its  Appur- 
tenances, eligibhr  dtuale  in  NewhaU  Street,  at  the  Comer  of  Lionel 
Street,  Birmingham,  late  the  Besidenee  of  Mr.  J.  K  Bolls.  Merdiant 
(but  now  unooonpiMQ,  held  under  two  Lsasss  granted  by  Charles 
Colmore^  Esq.,  fiir  a  Term  in  idiidi  88  Years  will  be  unezphwd  at 


Lady  Dmr  next 

Fremisss  consist  of  eight  flood 
Booai%  Water  Clceet^  a  spadous  ttawiag  Itooin,  two  excellent  Front 


llie  Fremisss  consist  of  eight  flood  Lodging  Booms,  two  Dressing 


FkrkmTB^aHall  with  doable  Entrance,  and  a  lofty  flight  of  Stone  Steps, 
with  Iron  BahBHtrade  in  Front ;  a  China  Closet^  Batcben,  BrewhouM, 
good  Oeliars^  and  otiisr  anitable  donestie  Oflicesi  together  with  a  range 
of  Wareboases^  Comnting  Houss^  an  entire  Yaitl«  with  Pump  of  good 
Water,  a  GardeiLana  other  coaTenleooss  lying  behind  the  said  alaninon, 
all  enclosed  by  Brick  Walls ;  there  are  also  two  eommodioas  spadoua 
Vaalu  lor  the  Stowage  of  Goods  in  IVont  of  liooel  Street  aforewd,  but 
very  conveniently  detached  from  the  rest  of  the  Premises. 


198  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

Tlie  House  (independelit  of  the  great  Advantage  of  a  oompleat  Lead 
Roof,  and  a  large  Lead  ^Reservoir,  with  Aqaedncta  for  the  Supply  of 
the  Water  Closet  and  other  Apartments)  is  baiJt  in  a  remarkably 
substantial  Manner,  and  fitted  up  in  the  best  st^ie,  with  an  elegant 
Maho^ny  Staircase,  Mahogany  IKoors,  Marble  Chimney  Pieces,  &c.,  in 
all  tli'- :  :'•  n\'-\\  R'^^^m^  :  it  l;n*«  nl^n  recently  undeigone  many  expensive 
improvements,  so  as  to  render  it  a  truly  oompleat  and  eligible  Residence 
for  a  Professional  Gentleman,  as  well  as  for  a  genteel  Family,  either  in 
tbe  Mercantile  or  Manufacturing  Line. 

Further  Particulars  may  be  known  of  Mr.  Whately,  Solicitor,  in 
Chen^  Street,  or  of  the  Auctioneer,  Dale  End,  who  will  show  the 
PkvmiMS. 

Heath  Mill  Lane  is  now  being  encroached  on ;  but  what 

a  pictare  of  the  place  in  1805  is  given  in  the  following 

advertisement : — 

April  22, 1806.— To  be  Sold  by  PriTate  Treatr,  either  together  or  in 
Lots,  all  thoee  ten  modem  and  subetantiallybnift  Freehold  Messuages, 
sitaated  in  Deritend,  in  the  Pariah  of  Alston,  near  Binnincham,  and 
fronting  upon  a  Street  or  Boad  there,  called  Heath-mill  Lane,  and 
abutting  upon  tht  HmUhrmOl  Stream  cr  PooL 

TheM  HoQBea  are  weQ  deiezviDg  of  Attention  not  only  on  aoooont 
of  tlio  Soondneas  and  Bolidi^  of  the  Building,  and  the  peculiar  Con- 
FBDienoe  of  the  Oat-otBoes  belonging  thereto^  but  also  by  reason  that 
mmj  two  of  tk&m  Aom  ik$  <Kioeomi9Mdaitwn  of  on  tnhrs  Twrd  and 
G€Brd$m  unUsd  m,  oontamiii^  a  Pump  well  supplied  with  sood  Water 
for  Family  Use,  toMther  with  an  eaar  aooeas  to  the  Pool  Water  for 
other  poipofea ;  ana  are  therefore  well  adi^)tad  either  to  priTate  Ben- 
denoea,  or  to  Manufactories  requiring  *  plentifnl  Supply  of  Water. 

Anp^  to  Mr.  Lowei  of  Bannhnnt^  Bordeslej,  near  Kirmingham.^ 

The  chan^  in  the  town  mnce  a  garden  was  to  be  sold  in 
the  ^  Centred  walk  leading  from  tbe  Cottage  of  Content  to 
the  Sand  Pits,*  has  been  great  indeed!  Tet  there  are 
many  persons  living  who  can  trace  in  their  minds  the  delight- 
ful appearance  of  tiiis  part  of  the  town,  when  the  following 
advertisement  appeared ;— 

Anil  82, 1806.— To  be  Sold  by  AueCkn,  en  tbe  Spot,  by  W.  Ooode, 
on  Wediiflsaay  nezL  April  M,  ISOS,  precis^  at  Three  Vdodc  in  the 
AftenMon,  an  ezoelleBt  Garden,  weQ  fenoetl,  and  plsBted  with  Fruit 
Tnm  and  Vegetables,  in  a  high  state  of  eoltrrataon,  with  a  Brick 
Sommer  House  aad  other  GonTeaieiioes,  plesaaatly  sitoated,  being  No. 
1 45  in  tbe  Oottage  Field,  the  Central  Walk  leading  from  the  Ckrtti^  of 
Oontcnt  to  tbe  Sand  Pita 

We  have  quoted  aeversl  passsges  about  the  Moat ;  some 
of  them  recording  fittal  accidents  which  ooeoired  in  oonse* 
quence  of  the  want  of  proper  protection.  The  Moat  is, 
however,  destined  to  be  oesUoyed  with  so  many  more  re- 
cords of  the  past  The  muA  of  improvement  and  the 
ffrowth  of  the  town  are,  bit  b]^  Ut^  swaliowinff  up  an  the  old 
hind  marks.    The  Moei  was  in  such  a  muddy  condition  it 


APPEARANCE  OF  THE  TOWN.  199 

would  not  be  correct  to  call  it  a  water  mark.    But  whatever 

its  condition,  it  is  now  to  be  dried  up  and  built  upon.    Read 

ajid  perpend : — 

October  14,  1805. — ^Xo  be  Let  in  Lots,  on  Building  Leasee,  near  the 
central  part  of  Birmingham,  and  being  within  three  minatesi*  walk  from 
the  Market  Place,  all  that  valuable  Spot  called  the  Moat^  which  will  be 
laid  dry  for  that  purpose.  For  further  particulars  apply  to  Mr.  John 
Parker,  Digbeth,  where  a  plan  of  the  Premises  lies  for  Inspection. 

Old  houses  are  also  being  taken  down,  as  is  proved  by  this 
record  of  a  miraculous  escape : — 

August  26)  1605. — On  Monday  the  lives  of  two  persons  in  thu  town 
were  in  a  most  providential  and  miraculous  manner  preserved.  In 
taking  down  one  of  the  old  houses^  four  stories  high,  in  the  Bull  Btng, 
the  workmen  employed  very  incautiously  overburthened  the  floor  of  the 
uppermost  story,  which,  from  the  pressure,  gave  way,  and  the 
unfortunate  men  were  precipitated^  witn  an  accumulated  load  of  brick, 
timber,  and  rubbish,  into  the  cellar.  We  are,  however,  able  to  announce 
that  both  of  them  are  again  able  to  follow  their  oceupationa. 

Another  improvement  is  thus  recorded : — 

October  21, 1806.-— It  gives  us  pleasure  to  observe  the  great  improve- 
ments which  are  making  in  Braaford-street,  by  removiiig  the  dill  at 
the  top  and  carrying  the  soil  to  the  lower  part  thereot  W%  think  it 
proper,  liowever,  in  order  to  prevent  aeddente,  to  reeommend  tnreUen 
and  the  publie  in  general  to  avoid  passing  with  horses  or  cafiiafes 
along  that  part  of  Imtend  till  a  safe  and  aeenre  road  is  oompletad. 

We  are  now  about  to  narrate  one  of  the  most  important 

changes  yet  made  in  the  appearance  of  the  towiL    In  the 

old  maps^  and  in  the  memories  of  old  inhabitanta,  one  of 

the  most  distinctive  characteristic  pictores  is  the  sitoation  of 

the   Parish  Church.     We  see  it,  and  they  remember  i^ 

entirely  surrounded  hy  houses.    Such  was  the  condition  of 

the  church  until  the  year  1806,*  when  it  was  a^[reed  to 

remove  the  houses  and  enlaige  the  churchyard.    With  these 

alterations  ■•  also  pass  away  such  places  as  Cock,  or  Well 

Street^  Well  Yard|  and  Com  Cheaping,  and  their  names 

only  preserve  the  memoiy  of  their  existenca    The  first 

announcement  of  this  great  change  was  made  in  a  veiy 

brief  advertisement  i — 

A  Most  DmaASLi  Impsovsmsiit  of  8r.  MA«Tni*s  CmracHTAmD. 
May  seth,  ISOa^Haoy  of  the  prineipsl  InbaUtants  of  the  Town, 
follj  penoaded  of  the  Utalitv  of  opening  St  Martin's  Gbnroh  on  eveiy 
Side,  nave  amed  to  lend  to  toe  CSmrohwardens  and  the  OommiarioiMn 
of  iif  BimuDgfaam  Street  Aefes  certidn  Sams  ef  Monev  requisite  fat 
the  Purchaae  «f  Uie  adfaoaii  t  Boildian  to  be  repaid,  with  latenst,  and 
thsy  have  little  Doubt  of  the  Una  CoDearrenee  of  others  in  the 
AeeomplishflieQt  of  so  IsndaUe  a  Design.  The  Sun  of  XS^SOO  is 
alresdj  anhseribed. 

*Bj  a  miipiint  in  page  17 of  Vol.  1  the  jear of  tliii  efaaage  is  giren  as 
1800;  resdeis  will  please  oontet  it  to  1806. 


200  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

A  short  editorial  nole  of  the  same  date  affords* a  little 

additional  information  on  this  question.    The  readers  are 

told  that  *'  A  subscription  is  set  on  foot  for  the  improvement 

of  the  town,  which  in  the   short  space  of  three  hours 

amounted  to  £3,600.    The  loan  is  to  be  refunded  within  a 

limited  time,  and  the  interest  of  5  per  cent,  reralarly  paid 

half-yearly ;  of  course  it  will  be  a  desirable  kind  of  security 

for  those  who  are  disposed  to  lay  out  their  money  to  the 

best  account,  and  add  to  the  accommodation  and  nealth  of 

the  town  they  reside  in." 

'    By  June  2nd  we  learn  that  the  subscription  had  reached 

£5,460 ;  and  on  June  9th  we  read : — 

The  Sabacription  for  the  xtatoml  of  honses  round  St.  Martin's 
Choroh  in  tUe  town  now  amounts  to  8^460^  Indeed,  when  it  it 
recollected  the  many  aoddente  that  happen 'to  earria^  from  the 
narrownefli  of  a  part  of  the  Bull  Bfai^  we  are  not  snrpnaed  that  the 
inhabitants  feel  a  laudable  dedre  to  remoTe  a  nuiaanoe  so  mudi 
complained  of  b j  all  who  Tidt  the  plaoe. 

Mr.  M.  D.  Hill  informs  'me  that  the  chief  merit  of  the 
important  improvement  made  in  the  neighbourhood  of  St 
Martin's  was  asoribed,  both  by  friends  and  opponents,  to 
Richard  Pratcbett/  a  dmggist,  whose  shop  was  either  the 
same  as,  or  situated  close  to,  that  now  occupied  by  Mr. 
Sumner,  in  BSgh  Street*  He  was  also  a  leading  man  among 
the  Commissioners.  *'A  Toiy"  says  Mr.  Hill,  ^he  became 
an  object  of  attack  for  the  small  wits  of  Birmingham,  who 
accused  him,  in  rhymes  of  no  very  lofly  character,  of  a 
great  partiality  for  ezpendinff  pumic  money  on  his  own 
part  01  the  town.  One  of  these  epimms  lives  in  my 
memory.  To  make  it  inteOigiUe,  i  uiould  say  that  he 
destroyed  the  last  hope  cf  a  fbrther  widemiu;  of  Union 
Street^  which,  Hnttcm  say%  former  anthorities  had  made  a 
Uetle  better  than  theretofors,  by  building  the  IMspensaiT 
on  the  narrow  line  of  the  Street^  as  it  existed  in  Pratchetts 
time.    The  verses  ran  as  follows  :«- 

*  To  PtatehstlL  a  ftiMid  sf  the  tras  Oharbh  I 

Afriflodf    AT^hs^aiidaboldoiM; 
Wh J,  bePs  stopped  ap  a  road  to  the  Hew  Churoh, 

But  he's  opsDsd  aU  wajs  to  the  Old  coe!** 


Another  sqnib  of  the  day 

Slag  to  the  praiae  of  BUhsid  FMdiett^ 
A  naaas  so  gnat  thai  aooe  eaa  nateh  il  t 
Attention  was  also  beiog  paid  to  the  Market^  whidi  was 
then  held  in  the  High  Street    The  inconvenienoes  arising 

*  Ste  Plate  D  is  BiweTi  M^isHloenl  Diiectoiy.    Is  tUa  woik  Flrmtehett*! 
Shop  appean  next  door  lo  Ari^i  OneUe  Cj/kt, 


APPEARANCE  OF  THE  TOWN.  201 

from  this  practice  are  set  forth  in  the  following  notice  from 
the  Commissioners : — 

June  2dcI,  1806. — In  oonsequenoe  of  the  many  accidents  which  daily 
oocar  in  the  High  Street  from  the  number  of  Stalls  being  erected  on 
Market  and  other  days,  to  the  great  annoyance  of  passengers  of  every 
description,  the  Commissioners  of  the  Birmingham  Street  Acts  have 
▼ery  landably  given  orders  that  no  stall  shall  be  erected,  or  vegetables 
thrown  down,  between  Mr.  Knight's  house  (late  the  Welsh  Gross)  and 
the  end  of  Phillip  Street  afitr  thu  day^  there  now  being  ample  room  in 
the  Bull  Bing  ior  eveiy  purpose  of  that  kind ;  and  whoever  offends 
will  have  their  goods  seized  by  the  oflicers  of  the  town,  and  the  heaviest 
penalties  will  be  levied. 

The  ea.me8tne8S  of  the  inhabitants  in  making  the  improve- 
ments is  proved  by  the  rapidity  with  which  the  necessary 
funds  were  raised.  On  June  30th  this  advertisement 
appeared : — 

Hie  Chuichwaidens  of  Saint  Martin's  Parish  and  the  CommissionerB 
are  highly  gratified  and  flattered  by  the  approbation  and  peenniaiv 
Support  off  so  man^  remctable  Inhalntants,  and,  thou^  they  find  it 
unneoessaiy  to  aoliat  additional  Subscriptiona,  yet  they  are  well  oon- 
vinoed  that  many  more  Names  of  6qp&l  Bespectability  may  be  added ; 
and  thef,  therefore,  will  leave  the  List  with  the  Printers,  an  Inerease 
of  which  will  afford  still  higher  Satisfaction,  as  nearlv  approaching  to  a 
cordial  Unanimity  in  the  iScecntion  of  a  most  desirable  Jrlan. 

Improvements  were  also  being  carried  on  in  other  parts 
of  the  town.  The  bottom  end  oi  Worcester-street  was  very 
narrow,  and  the  commissionerB  resolved  to  widen  it ;  and 
the  town  i^pears  to  have  made  a  profit  by  the  transaction. 
The  example  might  be  followed  by  those  now  in  power,  who 
have  often  looked  down  with  something  like  contempt  on 
the  labours  of  our  old  commissioners : — 

iMPBOVaH— T»  09  THB  ToWV. 

October  6, 1806. — ^Tbe  old  bouses  purchased  by  the  Oommisrioiiera 
of  the  Krmingham  Street  Acts,  nine  months  Mf^  to  widen  the  boUom 
part  of  Worcester-atreety  were  put  up  for  Safe  by  pnUie  auction  on 
Tuesday ;  and  so  mudi  will  that  part  of  the  town  oe  improved  by  the 
alterstions,  that  some  small  lots  of  land  and  the  materials  of  the  buHd- 
ittg  were  sold  for  sueh  laige  sumS|  that  the  town  will  gain  /900 1^  the 
pnrdiaae,  besides  the  removal  of  a  dangerous  nuisance.  The  r^it^ti'i 
of  the  old  prisoDy  in  Peck  Lane,  were  sold  for  £250. 

The  well-known  Lombard  House  was  at  this  period  really 
a  country  rendence,  and  one  to  which  any  manufacturer, 
merchant  or  professional  might  retire  after  his  day's  duties, 
and  enjoy  his  Uium  cum  dianitaie  with  (ileasure  and  satis- 
faction.   It  is  thus  described  in  an  advertisement . — 

LoMBaED   Hovsa. 

June  8th,  1807.— Near  the  ApoUo,  Deritend.  To  be  Let,  and 
entered  upon  in  August  or  September  next,  the  above  very  eommodioni 
House^  and  Garden  sdjoining.    Hie  House  contains  two  Buioun, 


202  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

Servant's  Hall,  ElitofaeD,  Scull^,  six  Lodging  Booms,  good  Cellaring, 
Stable,  and  other  conveniences ;  the  Garden  is  well  stocked,  and  the 
whole  covers  Half  an  Acre  of  Groand,  and  forms  a  very  desirable  and 
pleasant  Besidence. 

Apply  to  Mr.  Thomas  Webb,  on  the  Premises. 

In  1807  the  eyes  of  the  Binningham  people  were 
delighted  by  the  erection  of  the  fistmous  Bull  nine  Pump, 
and  which  took  the  place  of  a  more  humble  one,  wnich  had 
hitherto  been  somewhat  concealed  by  the  houses  surrounding 
the  church.  The  architect  was  Mr.  William  HoUins,  father 
of  our  present  sculptor,  Mr.  Peter  Hollins.  It  was  con- 
sidered one  of  the  improvements  with  which  Mr.  Pratchett 
had  so  much  to  do,  and  an  ornament  to  the  town.  Its 
erection  caused  much  talk  a^t  the  time,  and  the  architect 
published  the  following  description  of  the  pump,  which  he 
somewhat  grandiloquently  calls  "^  the  EgjrpUan  donduii" 

To  THs  PanrsBa 

JanvaiT  18^  1806.— As  a  great  deal  hat  been  aaid  about^  and  twj 
little.  I  b^T6^  genezalljiuMMratoodo^  the  axdiiteetnre  of  the  £^ptian 
Ctondmti  lately  erected  in  the  market  pliuM^  and  aaao^ 
beneath  their  notiee,othefti  will  not  take  the  tronblsL  said  tharemaindar 
do  not  know  how,  I  feel  it  a  duty  whkk  I  owe  the  pabUo^  mj  amplojan^ 
and  mywtHL  to  endeaTonr,  by  a  fidr  azplanationi  to  rsnunrs  thoae  pftqn- 
dieei^  which,  I  imst^  €(W7  eandid  mind  will  mtunalely  allow  to  haTo 
been  rather  too  hamlj  formed.  At  a  tuna  whan  the  oonaeqaenoea 
attending  the  splendid  Tietoiy  attained  1^  onr  immortal  Hero,  the  lets 
Lord  Neuoa,  at  the  NilOy  have  introdneed,  not  only  into  tha  pah^aa  oC 
onr  nrinee%  and  the  eaittea  of  onr  noUa^  bot  into  the  hoaaea  of  oor 
mareiianta  and  oor  mannfaetnraim,  a  new  slyia  of  ornamental  Ihmitora 


and  deooiationy  namely,  the  Kgyptiaa;  at  aaoh  a  time  I  oonsidaiad  that 
atyla  of  arehiteetore  to  be  tha  best  adapted  to  a  pnblio  baiUUag^ 
pwtiealarly  as  tha  Statue^  wfaldh  pahlic  g^natitoda  ana  Tanvatioii  ai« 


about  to  lalaa  to  tha  mamoiy  of  that  atar  to  ba  lamantad  Hero^  la 
intended  to  be  placed  ao  near  tha  apot  Wban  I  contamplatad  tba 
noble  GoUda  BmOktL  dadicatad  to  tihrMaal^,  which  atanda  at  tha 
back  of  the  Condnit^  I  conceirad  H  mi^t  be  pcoiibla  to  blMd,  at  lcMl» 
tha  idea  of  tha  J^gyptlan,  tha  Orarian,  and  tha  EnffiUk  arohitaetara 
The  pyiamidical  torn  being,  among  tha  byptiaaa,  emblematical  of  tiia 
Deity.  I  coniidared  woold  not  appear  to  ba  Improperly  stand  jm  near 
that  aacred  Fkna  Tba  Egyptian  lymmid  waa  likawisa  an  amblem  of 
ati«agth,bnilttola8^ioparpatnajta,aadlohanddowatotlia  rtmoteal 
agm^  the  wonderftd  aldU  of  the  Egyptian  boildera  of  an  nnknowa 
datc^  aiactad  to  an  unknown  pnrpoae^  and  wiioea  maaelTa  atonea  ware 
brooght  from  an  unknown  plao^  according  to  aoma  antlionL  and 
accoraiiw  to  others,  3^7  yaara  have  rolled  away  dnca  the  Cfffotioa  of 
this  mighty  pila  for  a  Manaolenm  or  Sapolchra.  to  recciTO  the  aahea  of 
their  depmted  kinga  Bot  antlicri  of  mora  celehfity  contend  thai  It 
ereHad  for  a  more  noble  pmrpoaa ;  for  aa  tha  whole  of  tba  IJgyptiaa 


tiiaolo^  waa  dothad  in  mystic  eniblama  and  fignrmi  ao  waa  tha  axtarnal 
fam  of  tha  boilding  a  rapreiantation  of  thcb  Qod  Odria,  or  tha 
aa  being  in  tin  tom  of  the  8an*8ray;  and  that  the  Deity  which 


APPEA1LA.NCE  OF  THE  TOWN.  203 

typified  in  the  outward  form  was  to  be  worshipped  within.  It  con- 
tained a  trough  of  granite  marble,  as  a  reservoir  for  the  holy  water 
used  in  their  religious  ceremonies,  which,  by  meaus  of  a  well  in  the 
Pyramid,  was  drawn  out  of  the  Nil&  The  propriety  of  such  a  building 
enclosing  a  well  of  water  for  public  use,  I  trust,  will  not  be  disputed. 
I  have  ornamented  it  with  a  representation  of  the  Papyrus,  grouped  in 
form  of  quarter  columns  at  each  angle,  with  Grecian  Honeysuckles, 
and  with  an  Urn  at  the  top,  which  last  may  be  considered  as  a  symbol 
of  our  departed  Hero's  aahes ;  as  proper  appendages,  the  Lion's  Head 
18  significant  of  that  Hero's  strength  and  prowess  in  battle,  and  of  his 
noble  disposition  when  not  oppoMd  to  an  enem^ ;  as  disgoi^ng  the 
water,  it  is  a  symbol  of  the  element,  for  the  ISgyptians  believed  water  to 
be  the  strength  and  principle  of  all  things.  Seaides,  the  Lion's  Head  is 
a  very  ancient  ornament  for  water  spouts,  and  was  used  in  all  Grecian 
Temples.  The  Pyramid  is  also  in  the  form  of  a  flame  of  fire,  and  within 
this  form  the  Grecian  and  Boman  statuaries  wrought  those  sublime  and 
beautiful  groups  of  figures  which  have  been  the  admiration  of  every 
age.  These,  Gkentlemen,  were  the  considerations  which  induced  me  to 
adopt  such  a  form  for  a  building  which,  though  so  small  in  bulk  that 
the  whole  ez|>enoe  of  erecting  it  will  not,  prouibly,  exceed  fifty  pounds. 
Is,  in  my  opinion,  so  great  in  aignificanoe  that  I  do  not  hesitate  poblidy 
to  aeknowfedge  myself  as  the  architect. 

I  am,  Gentlemen,  yours,  dec, 

WlLLUX  H0LLIV& 

In  a  few  days  the  following  diverting  pasquinade  was 

published  in  the  Birviingham  Uommercial  Herald : — 

Neoeasarium  eat  mitti  ^  te,  vel  aquilegem,  vel  architectnm,  ne  rursus 
eveniat,  quod  aoeidit — ^Pliv.  Ep. 

The  Humblx  PjEnriov  of  tbx  Puhp  in  thb  Bull  Bivo  to  the 

iKHABirAHTS  OF  BlRVIKORAX, 

Sbxwkth, — ^That  yoor  Petitioner  hath  been  a  resident  in  the  town 
of  Birmingham  manr  yean,  and  bath  alwm  been  aoooanted  a  flood 
neighbour  and  oseftu  member  of  society.  That  your  Petitioner  hath 
uniformly  borne  a  ffood  charactor,  both  u  morals  and  religion ;  and  in 
all  the  dianges  which  have  taken  plaee,  he  has  never  forsdcen  the 
church,  as  he  can  prove  by  credible  witneeees.  That  your  Petitioner, 
being  bv  nature  Qnostentatiool^  took  up  his  abode  in  a  narrow  passage 
below  the  Shambles,  where  he  quietly  remained  onnotioecL  and  almost 
onknown^  except  bv  his  neighboors.  That  in  this  age  of  innovation, 
your  Petitioner  hath  foond  oimaelf  snddenljr  throst  into  notiee  by  the 
destntiBtioii  of  certain  boildlngt  behind  wluch  he  had,  for  so  many 
yean,  screened  himself  and  that,  on  looking  around,  your  Petitioner 
eoold  soaroely  recognise  hie  old  aoquaintanos,  Moor  Street,  who,  like 
Tonr  Petitioner,  lived  in  a  verf  retired  way,  and  who  was  noted  fiur 
being  a  disagreeable,  close  old  fellow,  began  to  give  himself  the  ain  of 
a  young  man,  and  instead  of  the  dirty  gaiments  he  formerly  won. 
shone  away  in  gaudy  uipareL  That  your  Petitioner  in  his  ezpoeea 
•itoation,  grew  ashamea  of  his  old  eoat  and  hat,  ana  hearing  taat  a 
certain  ingenioos  clothier  had  eapplied  Moor  Street  with  his  splendid 
habiliments,  your  Petitioner  orderad  fiom  him  the  new  garments  whidi 
he  now  wears,  and  which  has  so  transmiMnrified  him  that  he  is  searoely 
known  by  his  best  frienda  That  your  Petitioner  having  asked  calmly 
why  he  supplied  a  eoat  of  sndi  an  outlandish  cnt^  the  nid  clothier  broke 


204  A  CJBNTURT  OF  BIBMINGHAK  LIFE. 

• 

out  into  each  an  incoheroDt  rhapeody  abont  Bastlicaa,  LotVMa,  IVpjnu, 
IVramids,  Fire,  Ashes  and  Water,  Egjpt  and  Qreeoe,  departed  Heroes, 
Urns,  Statues,  &c.  that  your  Petitioner  Terily  concluded  that  ^  much 
learning  had  made  him  mad."  That  since  the  said  clothier  finished 
jour  Petitioner's  coat,  he  has  dubbed  him  with  the  new  name  of 
Conduit,  whereas  the  iamUy  name  of  your  Petitioner  has  been  from 
time  immemorial  plain  Pump,  which  he  hopes  may  be  continued, 
maugre  the  said  clothier.  That^  although  your  Petitioner  is  somewhat 
stricken  in  yearSf  he  disdains  the  imputation  of  having  become  a 
Driveller,  which  it  is  evident  the  sud  clothier  has  attempted  to  cast 
upon  him,  by  having  aflSzed  to  him  a  slobbering  bib  as  part  of  his 
appareL  That  the  a&resaid  clothier  has  pnssod  a  sentence  of  denationa- 
lisation against  your  Petitioner,  who  is  a  true-born  Englishman,  atthou^ 
the  said  clothier  asserts'  that  he  is  a  gipsy.  That  vonr  Petitioner  is 
well  disposed  to  live  peaoeablv,  but  he  fears  he  shall  be  involved  in  a 
dispute  with  his  opposite  neighbour,  the  statue^  in  consequence  of  hie 
having  been  forced,  much  against  his  will,  to  interfere  with  the  concerns 
of  the  said  statue.  The  truth  of  these  premises  being  made  apparent, 
▼our  Petitioner  pravs  your  humane  interference  to  mvent  his  name 
from  being  changed  mm  ^the  Pump  in  the  Bull  xting,"  to  that  of 
^  Cgjfptiaa  Oonduii  in  the  Forum,*'  as  propoesd  in  Aria's  pi^Mr,  and 
jour  Petitioner  shall  ever  pray. 

This  ^  Egyptian  Conduit "  was  removed  in  1836^  and  its 
place  is  now  occupied  by  a  structure  as  ugly  as  was  the  old 
pump  itsel£ 

A  water  mill  in  Park-street  is  a  thing  difficult  for  liyinfi^ 
persons  to  realize.  In  1809,  however,  one  was  advertised 
to  be  let  there.  The  announcement  records  that  it  had  been 
lately  used  in  the  thread  trade— &  budness  whidi  has  en- 
tirely fled  finom  this  town.  Our  extract  is  the  last  allusion 
to  the  noUe  attempt  of  Lewis  Paul  and  John  Wyattto  add 
cotton-spinning  to  the  other  industries  of  Birmii^^iam. 

WATsa  MnXi  Ae. 

Mardi  S7|  1809.— To  be  Let  and  entered  upon  Immediately,  a 
Watsr  HI]],  with  the  WarakoQ8S%Chimnlinff4ioa888^  Owpsy  I^^ 
DryiQg  Houses^  Stofves,  8tableS|  aad  other  BoildiQgi^  aitnale  and  being 
in andnear  Ftfk  DUeel^ Birauiigfaam. 

Ihese  Fkvmises  have  been  latdy  used  in  tiie  Thread  T^nnde,  to  whidi 
they  are  partjcalariy  wdl  adapted,  but  thev  maj  eeafly  1m  conferted  to 
other  Puipoasi^  and  fhim  their  osntnd  Bitiiatioii  aie  well  worthy  of 
Notice. 

Also  aefend  BoildnuPi  adJofadBg  the  abote  FlwBftns,  weD  adapted 
for  Shopping  and  oUier  Puipoees,  Ftet  of  which  osntaia  a  large  power- 
ful Wlied,  calenlated  for  Polidung  or  Tuning  lig^t  Aitkies. 

Also  a  good  Dwelling  House,  with  fihoppiitf  soAasot  to  employ  80 
pair  of  hsods,  also  vtnSked  near  ftik-etieet  ataeoaid. 


Also  to  be  Let,  on  Building^  Lmsss,  a  Qnsnti^ef  Land  near  the 

9loaiey,Tmft] 


above  premlsss.    ApplytoMr.Miiidi,Attoaiey,XmftpleBow. 

The  reader  has  only  to  take  a  walk  in  Summer  Lane  to 
iHing  vividhr  before  him  the  change  which  has  taken  place 
since  the  following  advertisement  appeared : — 


.    APPEABANCE  OF  THE  TOWN.  205 

Capital  Gardekb. 
May  29th,  1809. — ^To  be  Sold,  toother  or  separate,  two  excellent 
Qardena,  in  the  second  Walk  on  the  left  Hand  Side  of  Sommer  Lane, 
near  ihe  Hospital,  with  good  Fences,  in  high  Condition,  and  planted 
with  tJie  Vegetables  of  the  season,  which  are  in  a  very  forwiuti  and 
loxiuriant  State  ;  containing  also  various  Fruit  Trees,  such  as  Plums, 
dierries.  Apples,  Pears,  Siberian  Crabs,  Gooseberries,  Raspberries,  &c. ; 
also  a  constant  Spring  of  excellent  Water,  which  forms  a  small  Fish- 
pond.   Apply  to  Mr.  Cebon,  Steam  Mills,  Snow  Hill,  Birmingham. 

The  following  notice  gives  us  full  information  of  the 
method  of  raising  the  money  for  the  improvements  in  the 
Bull  Ring:— 

Improtkment  or  St.  Martm's  Cbxtech  Yard,  akd  Additiokal 

Burial  Oroukd. 

August  5th^  1811. — Whereas  an  Act  of  Parliament  was  passed  in  the 
Year  1807,  for  enlarging  the  Church  Yard  belonging  to  the  Parish  of  St. 
lt&^in*l^  In  Binningfaam,  In  the  Countj  of  Warwick,  and  for  providing 
an  additional  Burial  (Hound  for  the  Use  of  the  said  Parish  ; 

And  wberaasi  to  enable  the  l^rusteee  named  in  the  aforesaid  Act  to 
raise  Money  to  <)«fi^  the  Ezpe&oes  of  taking  down  the  Buildings  situ- 
ate round  the  said  Courdi  Yard,  lor  the  purpose  of  enlaiging  the  auncL 
and  to  purchase  other  Land  for  an  additional  Osmeteiy,  or  Burial 
Ground,  the  following  Clansa  Is  oontained  in  the  said  Act : 

**  And  be  it  Airther  anacted,  that  finom  Time  to  Time,  and  as  often  as 
an  J  Money  shall  be  wanted  to  pay  for  any  Messuages,  Lands,  Teno- 
menta,  or  Heredttanenti^  whieh  shall  be  Purehassd  for  the  Purposes  of 
this  Aet|  it  shall  and  mgj  be  lawful  to  and  for  the  ChnrchfNffdens  and 
TVuatees^  at  a  Yestiy  Meeting  lor  that  Purpose^  to  be  summoiied  by 
Writing  under  their  Hands,  to  make  an  Assessment  or  Aasesnoents^ 
Bale  or  Baftes,  on  the  Oooupien  of  all  Land&,  Homssl  Shops,  Ware- 
hooseiL  Yaalti^  Ooadi-hoosss,  Stables^  OsHan^  Gardens,  Tenement^  and 
Heredltanien^  wHhIn  the  Town  ana  Fsrisfa  of  Birmliigbamy  in  Addi* 
tkm  to  the  Bates  and  Lerlce  the  said  Chnrehwardeoa  are  already 
anthoriiedaadiiBpowvrsdtoiiiake^inaiiySumof  Moufjmoittfemiiwff 
tkrm  Fmo$  in  fA#  JPotuMf  tn  «Mjf  One  Tear,  on  the  aanval  or  ImproTed 
Bent  or  Yalua  of  aaeh  Lands,  Hovisss.  Shops^  Warehouses.  Vaults^ 
Ooadi-hoasea,  Stablsi^  Cellanu  Garden^  Tenements,  and  Hereditaments 


as  aforesaid,  raefa  Batea  and  Suina^  Mooinr  aa  shall  be  ao  aassssed  or 


imted  aa  aforesaid,  all  wbleh  aaki  Bales  and  Assessmenla,  to  be  rated, 
aaseased,  and  coUeeled,  are  hereby  Tealed  in  the  said  TnMtesi^  in  Thist 
to  be  appied  by  them  for  the  Pnmsea  of  this  Aet  and  ahidl  oontinne/w- 
€mddunf^9uek  Timt  om my  of  tk$ McmiMy  to  he  borrowed ot  Iniermt^ or 
raimd  bjf  tko  Solo  of  AmmMUim  apoii  Me  Oecftir  of  tkii  AeL  at  htrein- 
fMtiHo>Mdf  aAoff  remaim  ommg^  or  ham  OonHmmamet^  and  no  loiiger.* 

MaayoiftiialBhabitaBtshaTiaf  fefbsedlopaytbe  AassBwwntamada 
aider  the  Anthoriir  of  the  aaldAeli  oo  jmleiiee  that  they  are  not 
Uabla.  or  that  ttiey  do  not  vadentead  the  nrpori  or  Meaaiiig  of  the 
said  Bala,  it  JafettndniBimiy  to  pnbliA  the  foregoing  Brtraet  of  the 
Aet    All  PstMoaars,  therefore^  reqassled  to  pay  to  Ihe  CoUeetor  their 


respeeti^  LerioB  and  Arrears,  when  oalled  for,  aiL  in  mm  of  Befosal, 
tlie  Tnnlees  ha^  ordered  Ftaymeiit  to  be  eiif oread.  It  is  lioped,  also, 
that  the  Inhabilasti^  eoiwideniw  the  Ezpenee  of  eotleetiog  ao  onall  a 
Levy,  win  not  oeoaaloii  the  Thmble  of  repealed  Odls. 


206  A  CENTUBT  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

The  fint  Lerj  from  MtciiMlmaa,  1808,  to  Miduielmas,  1809. 
TheieooDd  ditto  1809,  ditto  1810. 

The  third  ditto  1810,         ditto  1811. 

R  W.  Gem, 
Clerk  and  Treasurer  to  the  said  Tmateea. 

Our  townsman,  Mr.  Thomas  HoUins,  did  a  useful  bit  of 

work  this  year.    The  words  '^  picturesque  appearance  of  the 

adjacent  countiy"  in  a  view  ot  High-street,  sound  strangely 

to  modem  ears;  but  in  1811  they  were  literally  correct. 

September  16, 1811. — ^We  are  happv  to  amunmoe  that  an  iiiA[aiioiis 
artist  d  this  town,  Mr.  Thomas  HoUinfl^  has  saooeeded  in  making  a 
Teiy  beantifal  drawing  of  the  High-etreet  The  Tiew  takes  in  the 
whole  prospect  from  neaiiy  the  top  <3  £Qgh-street^  indnding  the  elegant 
sUtoe  erected  to  the  immortal  l^elaon,  St  Maiiin'e  Chmx^h,  and  the 

BetarMoae  appearanoe  of  the  adjacent  ooontr^.  We  anderstand  that 
[r.  Holuns  intends  to  publish  a  print  from  it  immediately ;  and  we 
are  convineed  that  it  will  afford  saAisf action  to  ereiy  perwn  connected 
with  the  town  of  Birmfa||[ham,  from  the  excellent  style  of  the  painting, 
and  from  tiie  jndidoas  pomt  of  new  from  whidi  the  artist  has  taken  it. 

In  acaroely  any  decade  of  our  hist'^y  have  greater  changes 
been  made  in  the  appearance  of  the  town,  than  that  which 
doeed  in  1811. 


§  2.     PUBUC  UFE  AKB  EVENTBL 

*  The  public  life  of  the  town  for  the  present  decade  was 
mainly  displayed  in  oiganiaing  and  keeping  up  the  volun- 
tear  oompaniea.  •  Thia  great  Mid  neoeaaaiy  work,  however, 
did  not  entirely  abeorb  the  eneigiea  and  attention  of  the 
inhabitanta.  Om  of  the  earlieet  public  events  was  the 
reoepUon  of  our  greatest  sea  captam — ^  the  greatest  sailor 
ainoe  our  world  begun"— Lord  Nelson.  There  was  a  fear 
that  he  would  not  pass  throiu^  our  town,  but  this  was 
happi^  removed ;  and  on  Monwy,  the  29th  of  August^  the 
noDle  nero  paid  us  a  visit  How  the  inhabitants  reoeived 
him  will  be  seen  from  the  following  report: — 

Oept— her  t,  ISO&r— The  hopes  ssmsssd  in  oar  last  that  the 
ia^tatioB  from  ear  High  and  Lsw  Bailib  would  iadaee  Loid  Nelson  to 
alter  his  dstonaioatioB  of  not  pasriaflhroqgb  this  town,  wo  are  happv 


to  sigr»  have  been  folly  giatifted,  s%  oo  IfoMay  afternoon,  aboot  bait- 
past  five  o^elook,  hb  Lordsbip^  aooooipaBied  by  8ir  William  and  Lady 
Hamilloo,  Or.  sad  Mia.  Noim,  tbeir  soa  and  soile^  sirivod  at  6tyWk 


Uolol,  In  this  Iowa,  IromWoiOBSter.  In  poMigoooosolhis  LotdsaipTs 
ooodof  two  boon  sooasr  Ibaa  woo  ozpsolod,  boi  low  people  mot  him  at 
bis satnaee into tbo town;  tbokaowMftof bisamvalsooo,bowovor. 
goasial,  tbo  bells  WHO  roQg^  and  an  immaose  orowd  eoUeetod 


PUBLIC  LIFE  AND  EVENTS.  207 

round  the  Hotel,  anxious  to  behold  the  gallant  Admiral  who  had  eo 
noblj  fought  and  bled  in  his  country's  service.  His  Lordship  kindlj 
gratified  tlieir  curiosity  by  repeatedly  shewing  himself  at  the  window, 
when  he  was  as  repeatedly  greeted  with  the  applauding  shouts  of  the 
surrounding  multitude.  Shortly  after  his  arrival,  James  WooUey  and 
Timothy  Smith,  Esqra,  our  Hieh  and  Low  BailifiB,  waited  upon  his 
Lordship,  and  in  the  evening  the  whole  party  attended  the  Theatre, 
both  to  and  from  whence  the  carriage  was  drawn  by  the  populace.  On 
the  entrance  of  his  Lordship  the  band  struck  up  ''Rule  ^tannia,''  and 
the  whole  house  rose  and  testified,  by  their  vnanimoua  and  long  con- 
tinued plaudits,  the  gratification  th^  experienced  at  the  sieht  of  the 
**  Hero  returned  from  the  Nile."  Tuesoay  morning  the  noble  party, 
attended  by  the  High  and  Low  Bailifia,  and  the  Magistrates,  and 
followed  by  a  retry  laive  crowd  of  people,  repeatedly  huzzaing,  pro- 
ceeded to  view  some  of  the  different  manufiustories  of  the  town,  viz., 
Mr.  Clay's  Japan  Manu&ctory,  Messrs.  W.  and  R  Smith's  Button 
Manufiustoty,  Messrs.  Woolley  and  Deakin's  Sword  Manu&ctory, 
Messrs.  Simoox  and  Tlmminr  Bui^e  and  Bing  Manufiustory,  and 
Messrs.  Timmins  and  Jordan's  Patent  Sash  Manufi^tory  ;  from  Uience 


bis  Lordship  was  drawn  bv  the  populace  to  Mr.  Efiinton's  Stained 
Glass  Manufactory,  at  Handsworth ;  from  Mr.  Esinton  the  party  paid 
a  short  visit  to  Mr.  Boulton,  at  Soho.  whose  health  would  onlv  permit 
him  to  reosive  them  in  his  bed  ehamoer ;  tliey  were  aftenraras  shewn 
the  Mint|  and  had  several  appUeable  medals  stmek  in  their  presence. 
Fkom  Soho  they  returned  to  the  Hotel  to  partake  of  an  el^pmt  dinner 
(consisting  of  eveir  delicacy  the  season  could  afford),  provided  by  the 
High  and  Low  Bailifih,  who  had  invited  a  select  party  of  gentlemen  to 
meet  them.  After  dinner.  Lady  Hamilton  fiivoured  the  company  with 
several  tongs  in  the  most  superior  style.  In  the  evenioff  the  whole 
party  again  attended  the  Theatre,  wbmn  Lord  Nelsoii  had  bespoke 
ShakesMsi^s  First  Tit  of  Kinff  Heniy  4,  and  the  hrct  of  the  Beview, 
or  the  Wafi  of  Windsor.  His  Lordahip  was  afdn  reeeived  with  every 
possible  demonstratioii  of  admiration  and  lespseti  and  aeveral  appro- 
priate soiig%  written  for  the  wtruAfm,  were  intvoduesd  in  the  coarse  of 
the  perfonnaaee.  Wednesday  morniog  his  Lordship  and  frioids^ 
attended  and  flawed  as  on  the  preceding  day.  visited  Mr.  Badenhnrsf  • 
Whip  Mann&etory,  Messrs.  T.  and  T«  Bidianf s  Toj-shog  Mr.  T. 
Fhipson'a  Pin  Mannlantoiy,  and  Mr*  Bisse^s  Mnseiun.  Thmr  then 
proceeded  to  the  Blue  Goat  Charity  Sdiool,  when  th^expreasea  much 
pleesnre  at  the  appearance  cf  the  children ;  from  thence  ttuqr  retimed 
to  the  Hotel,  ana  soon  after  one  o*tMk  act  ont  for  Warwick  CSastle. 

Fkevione  to  his  departore  hie  Lofdship  expwsd,  in  the  etrongeet 
terms^  the  eense  he  entertained  cf  the  very  respectAil  attention  whidi 
bad  been  shewn  him,  and  the  pleacora  and  iitiafagtioii  he  had  expe- 
rienced during  his  stay  in  the  town* 

The  laws  against  the  comfaiiiation  of  working  men  were 
very  severe ;  but  they  oould  not  prevent  sacn  a  natural 
nae  of  freedom.  This  year  the  nhoemaken  united  to  obtain 
an  increase  of  wacea  The  ojnnion  of  the  masterB  on  the 
subject  is  expressed  in  the  following  paragraph  . — 

November  1,  ISQS. — Combniallcny  that  ensmy  to  indoatiy  and  im- 
provement,  still  continues  to  exert  its  banefnl  ininencee.  Notwithstaad- 
mg  the  veiy  high  wages  allowed  to  journeymen  shoe  maker%  and  the 


208  A  CENTUBT  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

daily  reduction  in  the  price  of  prOTiBiDns,  the  working  people  of  this 
class,  in  thia  town,  following  the  example  of  their  brower  Crispins  in 
London,  demand  an  increased  allowance,  though  boots  and  shoes  are 
already  become  enormously  expensive.  We  trust,  therefore,  that  the 
wisdom  and  power  of  the  Legislature  wiU  interpose,  and  adopt  some 
system  which  may  remove  this  great  and  accumulating  eviL 

In  December  the  charities  of  the  town  were  enriched  by 

some  munificent-  leffacie&    One  of  them  was  for  erecting  a 

Free  Church ;  which  in  the  course  of  time  was  completed, 

and  Ohrist  Church  was  added  to  our  places  of  worship.    The 

legacies  thus  bequeathed  were  as  follow  : — 

December  20, 1802. — ^We  feel  infinite  pleasure  in  stating  that  our 
Hi^  Bailifi^  last  week,  received  a  letter  nt>m  Isaac  Hawkins  Browne^ 
Esq.,  inf orminghim  that  he  and  the  Bev.  T.  Gisbome,  as  the  ezecutors 
of  tibe  late  —  Hawkina,  Esq.,  of  Burton,  have  proposed  to  the  Court  of 
Ghanceiy  (who  have  expressed  their  approbation)  to  give  the  following 
sums  to  charitable  institutions,  &c.j  in  tnis  town,  bei^  a  proportion  (3 
the  property  devised  hj  Mr.  Hawkins  to  Trustees,  to  be  disposed  of  in, 
duuntable  donationa.  vi^,  the  sum  of  two  thomandpoundi  in  the  3  per 
cent  ooosols  to  the  Genond  Hospital ;  six  htmdreapmmdt  3  per  cent 
oonaols  to  tibe  Blue  Goat  Charity  Sdiod ;  and^fM  lumdr^  jdowuU  in 
oaah  towards  the  erectinff  of  a  IVee  Church  m  this  town,  u  tfaephn 
now  in  agitation  be  bappi^  cazried  into  effect  The  Committee  oT the 
Blue  Coat  Chaiitj  School  meet  this  evening,  and  a  Ouarterly  Board  will 
be  holden  at  the  Honutal  to-morrow,  when  the  TBffi  BaiOiif  will  attend 
to  lay  Mr*  BtowneTa  letter  before  them. 

.  The  question  of  a  Free  Church  was  farther  discussed  in  a 

letter  which  appeared  on  January  10, 1803  •' — 

To  ns  PanmBs. 
GenUemeBL— As  I  undenland  that  a  public  Meetiqgiitobeooii- 
wied  onFmajBezt  ft  is  nncii  to  be  wished,  as  welllor  the  adfaatM 
as  f or  the  boooiir  of  Biniiiaghani,  that  the  following  JafannatioosheM 
be  stated  to  its  inhabita&ta  The  kto  valnablo  offiur  of -a6500  in  aid  of 
a  plan  for  building  a  IVeo  Churdi,  can  only  bo  oonflnned  to  theni  bgr  a 
liboidand  immeoyitoooooiingwnentof  tlMplaa.  TIm  Laid  Obaneel- 
kn^  aanetioQ  to  the  bsDOfolflnt  designs  of  the  Exeeoton  depends  at  this 
moment  on  tlie  ptobabOtty  of  an  meNal  commmcemmii  of  thomeason. 
HiadedBloiiissnMidedffora  few  days,  that  the  inhabitants  jnar  bo 
able  to  ooBsider  tnat  messnra  and  to  deiaiare  their  ssatimeiiti  by  tnsir 
local  oootribiitloiia.  Can  a  ncAler  opportunity  bo  given  for  tiwhadablo 
ezeitions  of  my  Townsmen,  and  for  a  ptmmU  miafimf  of  that  ^pMr 
which  has  long  distinfoisbed  the  oondnotof  thistonminthopiompt 
execution  of  great  nofiie  undcftakingit  I  havo  the  pleamra  to  hsMy 
also,  that  the  Lord  Bishop  of  this  dioeese  has  offered  to  assist  the  pto- 
pooed  plan,  by  amioxiag  a  Prabend  in  thoGbuidiof  liohlWdtotho 
moome  of  the  Ttmt  Chnrdi ;  bat  this^  it  seams,  will  remiire  an  Aot  of 
Fteiiament,  giving  his  I^ordihip  the  appointment  of  the  Minister,  as  he 
cannot  depriTe  future  Bashops  of  the  potroni^  at  present  bolo«giqg  to 

theSee. 

Heartily  wishuD^  that  my  TowMmen  may  accept  and  aaeu«  these 
valnablo  oobn^  I  am.  Gentlemen,  yonr  homfale  8errant| 

Biimfa^gham,  Jan.  7, 180a»  A.  &  C. 


PUBLIC  LIFE  ANP   EVENTS.  209 

A  pamphlet  on  the  subject  was  published  by  a  neighbour- 
ing cler;cynian  of  the  last  century ;  and  a  public  meeting 
was  held  on  January  14,  wiiii  the  following  results : — 

Free  Oburch. 
January  17th,  1803. — ^A  very  respectable  Meeting  of  the  inhabitants 
of  this  town  was  held  (porsoant  to  advertisements)  on  Friday  mominff, 
at  the  Shakespeare  Tarem,  when  the  thanks  of  the  meeting  were  onani- 
moody  reaolyed  to  be  given  to  Isaac  Hawkins  Browne,  Esq.,  and  the 
Bev.  T.  Gisbome,  (as  £cecators  to  Isaac  Hawkins,  Esq.)  for  their  offer 
of  £500  sterling  towards  erecting  a  Free  Church ;  to  the  Bight  Bev. 
the  Lord  Bishop  of  Lichfield  and  Coventry,  for  bis  offer  of  annexing 
a  prebend  of  the  cathedral  church  of  licbfield  to  the  income  of  the 
said  church ;  and  to  W.  P.  Inge,  Esq.,  for  his  offer  of  a  site  of  land  on 
which  the  chnrdi  miffht  be  erected.  It  was  then  resolved  that  the 
above  gcoieroas  offers  be  gratefully  accepted,  if  the  right  of  patronage 
be  not  disputed ;  and  that  a  subscription  be  entered  into  for  the  pur- 
pose of  earryhkg  the  plan  into  effect ;  when  upwards  of  two  tAouiomd 
ppundi  were  immediately  subscribed.  Some  other  names  have  since 
oeen  added^  making  the  amount  of  the  subscription  already  received 
^2,990  15«L  Spolqi  jrm  ordered  he  be  left  with  the  different  Bankers, 
ftc,  for  the  purpose  of  receiving  the  names  of  those  persons  desirous  of 
snbscribinflb  ana  we  doubt  not  that  a  sum  amply  sufficient  to  perfeol 
this  plan  <€he  objects  of  irliieh  are  ao  momentous)  will  speedily  be  sub- 
scribed* 

llie  siibecriptioiis  soon  reached  over  £8,000;   and  on 
Febroary  21  tne  icommittee  issued  this  appeal . — 

BiaicnroRAif  Frkb  Chvbob. 
The  Committee  of  Subeeribers  to  the  Plan  of  Buildinga  Free  Church 
in  Birmingham,  take  the  Liberty  of  proposing  that  Flan  to  Public 
Patronage.    In  jt^e  larg^  and  popndous  town  of  Birmingham,  the  lower 
pissiei  ,ar^  at  ptesent,  m  a  m$^  measure  excluded  from  the  Churches 
and  Chapels  by  the  Want  off  Accommodation ;  and  are  consequently  * 
deprived  off  Che  means  and  advantuns  of  attwiding  Divine  Service,  as 
Miembais  off  the  Cbuidi  off  Khglann.    To  the  Opulent,  the  Huoimml 
and  the  Beligkws,  it  will  suffice  briefly  to  sqg|^  the  various  and 
alanning  Evils  resulting  from  this  dreumstanoe,  not  merely  in  a  local  ■ 
batinanofioiiolpolntoff  view.    TbeEfbds  are  Schism,  Indifference  to 
the  higbcst  Duties,  Violation  off  the  Sabbath,  and  Iteprarit^r  off  Monds I 
The  Committee,  tbeneffon^  are  induosd  to  offer  this  public  Notice  of 
their  Und^^rtaking,  as  wj  venture  to  assure  themselves  that  manv 
benevolent  and  pious  Fsnonsy  who  may  thus  become  informed  off  the& 
Designs,  will  gudly  assist  them  in  accomnlishing  a  work  so  expensivs  . 
and  so  imporfimt     Ifan^  (it  is  presumed),  though  uncatrntcied  with 
the  Ptoot,  will  not  be  willmg  to  p<u$  by  a»  8iraMg§r$^  when  an  interest* 
i^g  Object  solieita  their  SSnmrt^  or  the  united  Fleas  off  a  general 
Bil^ad  lo  the  Widfare  of  oodety  and  the  unlimited  inflnenoe  off 
Christian  Charity. 

Hie  Committee  rsspeetlully  infonn  those  Inhabitants  who  kindl  v 
Intend  to  Support  the  Undertaking,  that  a  penonal  Application  will 
be  made  to  them  if  required;  hot  eaniestly  request  them  to  render  that 
step  unnecessary  hj  a  eo^imfary  AiUt^dotie^  to  subscribe  their  Namse 
ana  Contribvtiona.  A  Board  isplaoed  for  that  Purpose  at  the  Charity 
School  in  fit  Philip'*  Church  Yard,  in  Addition  to  the  Pisces  already 
II.  1 


210  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

*  « 

Advertified,  viz.,  the  several  Banks  of  this  Town,  and  the  Shops  of 

Messrs.  Knott  and  Lloyd  and  Mr.  Swinney. 

A  townsman  made  the  following  offer  to  the  Committee : — 

April  4th,  1803. — Among  the  liberal  contribators  to  the  intended 
Free  Church  we  may  justly  notice  the  name  of  J/r.  James  Millar,  a 
native  of  this  place.  That  able  and  insenions  artist  has  very  hand- 
somely imposed  to  give  a  picture  (already  painted)  for  an  altar  piece ; 
or  to  paint  one  upon  any  subject  which  the  Committee  may  prefer,  to 
the  value  of  one  hundred  p<mnd$. 

The  Bill  passed  both  the  Houses  of  Parliament,  and  on 
July  11th  we  read  that  ''  The  Royal  Assent  was  on  Tuesday 
given,  by  commission,  to  the  Bill  for  erecting  a  new  Church, 
to  be  called  Christ  Church,  in  this  town ;  and  for  providing 
a  maintenance  and  residence  for  the  IGnister  or  perpetuid 
Curate  thereo£" 

In  this  year  a  laudable  effort  was  made  to  induce  manu- 
£Eu;turers  to  pay  their  workpeople  their  wages  at  an  earl^ 
hour  on  Saturday.  We  have  no  account  whether  this 
appeal  was  successful  or  not : — 

Mardi  14»  1803.^The  Oonatabtoi  and  Charohwardens  €#  tfak  town 
havings  with  a  landable  Zed.  determinMl  to  prosecute  all  Panont  ^idio 
OMreise  their  Ihide  on  the  Lord* •  l>ay,  the  M^gisiimles  ftal  it  a  Duty 
they  owe  to  the  labouring  Poor,  earnestly  to  request  all  Merdiants^ 
FaetonL  and  Manufiteturen^  to  pay  their  respeetive  workmen  at  an 
ear^  Moor  on  the  Saturday,  that  they  mar  not  be  under  the  necessity 
of  faceakiQg:  the  Law,  or  gouig  without  Meat  or  other  neosnary  Food 
on  the  Sunday. 

Wlf.  YlLLBBS.  Gca  SiMOOX. 

Wn.  HuKB.  Thm.  Pbks. 

The  Old  Meeting  Congregation  lost  their  pastor  this 

year ;  and  the  OautU,  in  reoordinjr  his  death,  testifies  to 

the  admirable  Christian  character  of  the  deceased : — 

Jane  S7,  I808.r-Taeaday,  after  a  ahinrt  Olnesi^  in  the  70th  year  of 
bis  ace,  the  Bev.  Baddiffe  SeholeSeld,  30  years  Futor  of  the  Old 


Meeting  Congregation  in  this  town,  wno,  as  a  man,  a  Christian,  and  a 
minisler,  exhibited  that  steadr  fiiendebip^  aetive  benevolence^  ehesrftd 
piety,  and  sweetness  of  disposition,  whieh  will  long  endear  bis  meoMny 
to  a  numeivns  drele  of  friends  and  acquaintance. 

The  next  extracts  refer  once  more  to  thai  important 
subject^  the  copper  trade : — 

October  31, 1803.— We  have  the  aatisfiwtion  to  hear,  that  owing  to 
the  veiy  scanty  supply  the  tnMie  of  this  town  has  lately  bad  of  copper, 
ooessioDed,  we  believe^  by  a  genersl  inereased  demand  for  thai  aiilde^ 
some  persons  of  respectability  are  coming  Ibrward  to  establish  a  New 
Copper  Company  bero.  When  we  eonrider  the  fostering  dd  which  the 
neeent  state  of  the  trade  of  the  town  rtquins^  and  when,  on  the  other 
band,  we  discover  a  disposition  not  only  to  maiotain  it^  but  to  multiply 
its  oonrosa  and  prosperity,  we  cannot  out  consider  suoi  efforts  as  truly 
laudable,  and  ouch  as  merit  univenal  commendation  and  support 


PUBLIC  LIFE  AND  EVENTS.  211 

Copper. 

November  7, 1803.— On  the  subject  of  the  supply  of  copper  for  the 
trade  of  this  town,  we  have  received  the  following  statement  confirmed 
to  us  by  several  verv  respectable  manufacturers,  who  are  themselves 
lai^  consumers  of  that  article : — ^The  two  Copper  Companies  already 
established  in  this  town  are  capable  of  smelting;  otr  more  than  sufficient 
to  supply  the  manufacturers,  and  the  complaints  made  by  any  of  the 
members  of  those  companies  have  been,  not  that  too  small,  out  that 
too  large  a  quantity  has  been  allotted  to  them  quarterly.  This  has 
compelled  the  companies  to  seek  other  markets  fur  the  disposal  of  the 
anpembundance ;  Mit  to  them  tbey  never  resort  while  the  manu&cturers 
of  this  town  and  neighbourhood  are  in  want,  it  having  been  their  firat 
and  prindpal  object  to  supply  those  wants.  The  principal  reason  why 
copper  has  lately  been  scarce  m  Birmingham,  has  been  the  Yery  unusual 
scarcity  of  watar  in  the  Severn,  which  has  almost  put  a  stop  to  the 
navigation  of  that  river  for  many  months  past.  If  other  new  companies 
were  to  be  established  for  the  purpose  of  opening  new  Copper  Mines, 
the  quantity  oi  tluit  article  might  be  augmented  ;  but  the  instituting 
of  new  Smelting  Companies  would  not  increase  the  quantity  of  copper 
one  ounce ;  it  wotUd  have  an  injurious  ratlier  than  a  beneficial  tendency, 
inasmuch  as  inoraasing  the  number  of  bidders  for  copper  ores  would, 
in  all  probability,  inereass  the  price,  and  certainly  bo  productive  of 
othor  aeriout  evils^  wbieh,  persons  who  have  not  reflacteu,  or  who  are 
miafiquainted  with  that  tnde,  are  not  aware  ot 

On  April  9  the  following  obituary  notice  of  Dr.  Priestley 

a{q>eaTea : — 

On  the  6th  of  February,  at  his  house,  In  Northumberland,  Penusyl- 
▼aniiL  in  his  7lst  veAr,  the  Bev.  Joseph  Priestley,  LL.D.,  F.RS.,  and 
Msmoer  of  most  ofue  rnblle  and  Fhiiosophlosl  Institutions  throughout 
Europe  and  Amoiea.  Wm  scitntifie  and  other  works  will  be  a  lasting 
mooumeDt  of  the  vigour  of  his  mental  abilities^  and  the  variety  of  his 
aequirementa.  He  was  many  years  Pastor  of  the  New  Meeting  Oon- 
gr^;ation  in  this  town. 

On  April  23  we  have  a  fuller  notice  of  this  event,  copied 
from  the  Philadelphia  Gazette — a  notice  which  will  be  read 
with  interest  by  all  the  admirers  of  this  truly  great  man : — 

Db.  PaiBRLIT. 

April  23rd.  1804. — ^In  oar  obitnaiy  of  the  9th  instant  ws  annomieed 
the  death  of  the  Bav.  Dr.  PriesUsv ;  the  report  of  that  ovoot  has  since 
been  confirmed  by  letters  received  from  his  fiunlly  in  America  to  their 
friends  in  England.  The  following  partleolars  are  coj^  from  the 
Fhlladolnhia  Oaaetto  :— 

SUice  nb  illnsss  at  Philadelphia,  in  the  year  1801,  ho  never  regaiued 
his  former  good  stale  of  health.  His  comnlaint  was  constant  indigos* 
tion,  and  a  difBcoltv  of  swallowing  food  or  any  kind.  But  dor^  this 
period  of  genoral  dobUitv  ho  wss  hSnly  omnlojod  in  printing  his  Cfanrdi 
History,  and  tho  1st  vol  of  his  Notes  oo  tno  ocriptnresi  and  in  making 
new  ana  original  experiments.  Doriag  this  period,  likewise^  ho  wrote 
his  pamphlet  of  Jesus  and  Socrates  compared,  and  reprinted  his  osssy 
on  Phlogiston.  IVom  tho  beginning  of  November,  1803,  to  tho  middle 
of  January,  1804,  his  complaint  grew  more  oerions,  yet  l»y  judicious 
medical  treatment  and  strict  attention  to  diet,  he^  after  some  time, 


A  CENTPBY  OF   BIRMIKQEAM  LIFE. 


a  (ulTftnced — he,  boweTer,  oonsideml  hia  life  aa  very  precarioiu. 
JSTen  At  thia  time,  beaiiJe  bU  miacellaDeoaa  readiog,  -which  waaat  ^L 
ttmea  very  extensive,  be  read  thratigh  ftU  the  works  quoted  in  his 
oomiMuiscni  of  the  dilbrant  syBteuis  of  the  Orecino  PhiloM)phen  wKh 
CSuwUauitj ;  oompoeed  thkt  work,  and  trsDacribed  the  whole  of  it,  in 
leat  tlisn  three  monthly  bo  that  he  has  left  it  reaitj'  for  the  pr«ss. 
Dnriiik  this  period  lie  oompoaed,  in  one  day,  hia  aecond  re;uj  to 
Dr.  Tlnn  In  the  last  fortnight  of  Janoarj  hia  fits  of  iadlgeation 
became  more  alarming,  his  lees  swelled,  and  hia  weakness  isoraMad. 
WiUiin  two  days  of  bu  death  Ee  became  aa  weak  tliat  he  conld  walk 
bnt  Sk  little  way,  and  that  with  great  difficalty ;  lor  aonie  time  lie  fbnnd 
himaelf  anible  to  speak  ;  bnt,  on  reoovering  a  little,  he  told  his  frieads 
that  he  had  never  ult  more  pleasantly  daring  hia  li&Uxne  than  daring 
the  time  that  he  waa  nnable  to  speak.  He  was  folly  senuble  that  ho 
had  not  long  to  live,  yet  talked  with  cheerfolneM  to  all  who  called  on 
him.  In  the  oontse  of  the  day  he  expreawd  his  thankfolnass  at  being 
permitted  to  die  qnietly,  in  his  &mily,  without  pain,  and  with  erair 
eoonnienee  and  eondbrt  that  he  ooold  wish  for.  He  dwelt  BpoB  the 
peeoliarly  happv  aitoation  in  which  It  had  pleased  the  Dirfaia  Being  to 
place  him  In  life,  and  the  great  advantage  he  had  enjoyed  In  the 
aeqnaintanee  and  friendship  of  some  of  the  Met  nnd  wlaset  at  men  in 
the  age  in  wUcli  he  lived,  and  the  satis&etion  he  derived  from  having 
led  an  oaefU  a>  well  as  a  happy  life.  He,  this  4aj',  gave  ^ireetlona 
ftbont  priatlog  Qw  teaudaderM  bis  Notea  on  Seriptwe  (a  werk  fat  the 
eompletkm  of  vU^  he  wm  modi  inteiestedX  and  looked  ovw  the  <nt 


night  be  re*d  to  bim.    He  stopped  the  n 


the  adTaataiies  be  hf, 
d  reoMuneadsd  tt ' 


lebnp. 
dinU 


Seriptues  dally,  and  reoMuneadsd  Vble  |a  wi 

prove  ft  eearea  of  the  poreat  |deanra.    *  1 1 

finally ;  wo  only  nqnin  diflmat.  dasrse  » 

difireot  loapati,  to  pn|a»  as  far  utal  aai 

into  bis  roooL  he  mm    "Yea  see,  atr,  &  wh  >hu  uiuvb     ^r 
ebeerrsd.  "that  he  would  alvv*  Uve."    "Tas,  /  Mwm /ateO; 
shall  meet  anla  la  uoOmt  and  a  better  woiM."    He  mid  thk  with 
grwl  aalmiHoB,  lavlef  bold  id  Ifr.  — *•  hand  In  both  his  owo.    After 
ereninc  prayera,  wliea  hia  grmndohildrsn  were  farangfat  to  hie  bed«lde^ 
be  apoEe  to  them  eepantaly,  and  exhorted  them  tolove  eaeh  etbet 
o  I  am  girfnf  (idded  W}  to  deep  so  weU  as  von,  far  death  k  ody  a 
long  aooad  eleep  in  the  grave,  and  we  dudl  meat  agdn.'    Oa  Hoi 
mot^DC the Otbombnmrr. en  belnc Baked howhtdT'  ' 
It  appeared 
1  to  have  tl 


eaeh  ether,  ft& 
good 


-  took  down  the  anbetanes  of  what  be  aald,  wMeh  was  nad  to 

hhn.    Ha  cbasrved.  "Sir.  yon  have  pat  In  yonr  own  langaage  i  I  wleh 


PUBLIC   LIFE  AND  EVENXa  213 

tphcU  he  had  before  said,  and  when  it  was  transcribed  and  read  over  to 
him,  he  said,  **  that  is  right,  I  have  now  done."  About  half  an  hoar 
after  he  desired  that  he  might  be  moved  to  a  cot.  About  ten  minutes 
after  be  was  moved  to  it  he  died,  but  breathed  his  last  so  easily  that 
those  who  were  sitting  close  to  him  did  not  inimediatelj  perceive  it. 
He  had  put  his  hand  to  his  face,  which  prevented  them  from  ooserving  it 

In  June  of  this  year  the  editor  of  the  Gazette  died,  and 
we  gladly  quote  the  following  notice  of  one  to  whose  labours 
we  are  so  deeply  indebted : — 

Jane  18, 1804. — In  the  performan^  of  a  painful  duty,  we  have  to 
add  to  the  catalogue  of  mortality  this  week,  the  name  of  Mr.  Francis 
Blick,  Editor  of  this  Gazette,  and  sou  of  the  Rev.  F.  Blick,  of  Bonehill, 
near  Tamworth  :  he  died  on  Monday  jnorning  last,  after  a  few  days' 
illness.  It  will  not  be  too  much  to  say  of  his  character,  that  he  was  at 
ones  a  pattern  to  youth  and  the  delight  of  bis  friends.  Endowed  with 
a  penetrating  genius,  a  mind  of  uncommon  strength,  and  a  judgment 
remarkably  acute,  this  amiable  vonng  gentleman  had  more  than  equalled 
all  the  warmest  expectations  of  a  fond  and  exulting  parent  At  the  age 
of  twenty-three  he  seema  to  have  gained,  and  worSiil v  possessed,  every 
honour  Uiat  moral  oonduet  oould  merits  every  prize  that  polished  man- 
ners, and  superior  abilities,  oould  contend  for.  But,  alas  I  the  weakness 
of  his  frame  owned  no  kindred  to  tho  energies  of  his  mind.  He  had 
aceomalated  upon  it  a  burthen  not  proportioned  to  its  powers,  and,  like 
iJI>flortcd  traTellersy  they  very  eariy  parted.  He  has  been  torn  from  the 
enjoyments  of  life  at  a  period  when  the  mellow  fruit  of  study,  and  the  * 
rieb  prospect  of  independence^  beamed  full  upon  him  ;  and  we  are  per- 
■oadcd  there  ia  not  a  single  individaal  in  the  wide-extended  cirde  or  his 
acqoaintance  who  will  not  long  and  sincerely  lament  his  loss.  The 
premators  diasolntioD  which  we  are  nnder  the  sad  necessity  of  recordioff, 
ailords  a  strikioff  memorial  of  the  vncertainty  of  life — an  awfnl  admoni- 
tion to  be  at  all  Umee  prepared  for  death,  and  for  that  great  event,  when 
we  know  that  the  moral  conduct,  whidi  we  commemorate,  sprung  from 
fiuth  in  Christ,  early  implanted  and  deeply  roofed,  we  may  humbly 
hope  oar  yoong  and  valued  fUend  was  not  nnpreparecL 

The  sawyers  of  the  town  and  their  masters  had  a  trade 
dispute  this  year ;  but  beyond  the  following  notice,  we  can 
glean  no  information  on  the  matter,  nor  learn  how  it  was 
settled:— 

To  ALL  Pflttdirs  nrrBunnD  or  thb  Prigs  op  Sawtxbs^  Work. 

Angnst  6, 1804. — ^The  Wui  king  Sawytts  of  the  town  of  Birmingham 
having  cireaUtcd  a  printed  List  of  Prices,  tending  to  advance  their  wages 
very  considerably,  the  Masters  having  taken  the  same  into  consideration, 
think  it  nceessAry,  for  the  Begvlation  of  the  Trade  in  general,  to  give 
thb  public  NoticiL  that  the  nnreasnnablc  Prices  therein  named  will  not 
be  seceded  to^  and  that  anv  Psrson  willing  to  be  lomlshsd  with  tho 
isgolar  Mess  for  all  Unas  of  Sawing^  may  have  a  list  of  them  by 
i4>plyiQg  at  the  Printsn-of  this  Paper. 

The  following  statement  in  reference  to  the  .Asylum  in 
Summer  Lane  rives  us  full  information  as  to  the  working 
of  that  useful  charity  at  this  time : — 


21 4f  A  CENTURT  OF  BIK&IINOHAM  LIFE. 

Parish  of  BiRMiNOHik^. 

November  IQtIi.  1804 — ^The  following  is  a  Copy  of  the  Annaal 
Statemeut  made  by  the  Asylum  Committee  of  the  Ezitenoes  aud 
sapposed  Savings,  with  the  average  Number  of  Children  niaiutaiued 
each  Year  in  that  Eftablishment  from  its  commeuoemeut  in  J  uiy,  1797, 
to  July,  1804^  inclusive. 

First  Eeport—Jnly,  1798.  &TingB  to 

Ihe  average  Number  of  Children,  248,  if  put  the  Parfth. 

out  to  nurse  would  cost  the  Pmrish  28.  each,       £      ■.    d.    A     •.    d. 

per  Week 1289  12    0 

Their    nudntenanoe,   Inelading    Bent,   Fire, 
WaffeSi  &&,  at  the  Asylum,  at  Is.  4j|d.  each 

per  Week,  cost 884    2    0 

406  10    0 

Seoond  Beport— July,  1799.  ' 
The  average  Number  of  Children,  890,  if  at 

nurse  would  cost  8s.  each  per  Week  .    1508    0    0 

Their  Maintenance,  at  Is.  4^.  eodi  per  Week, 

cost 1021    8    6 

A86  11    7 
Third  Beport--Jalv,  1800. 
The  avenge  Namber  of  Children,  869,  if  at 

nurse,  would  ooat  8s.  0d.  each  per  Week      .    1748  10    0 
Their  Maintenance,  at  la.  lOd.  each  per  Week, 

boat 1283    1    4 

465    8    8 
Fonrtli  Bepart-^uly.  1801. 
The  arsngis  Number  of  Children,  881,  if  at 

niUMLWoaldooat  as.  each  Der  Week    .       •    8191  16    0 
Their  Maintaoanos^  at  9l  l4d.  eaoh  par  Week, 

cost 1555  14    6 

636    1    6 

FlfUi  Beporir^olr,  1808. 
The  average  Number  of  Children,  800,  if  at 
ann^  woald  oust  8b.  M.  eaeh  per  Week     .    1787  10    0 

cort 1538    1    4 

856    fl    8 

Sixth  Beport-Joly.  1803. 
The  avenffB  Nvmberof  Childran,  800,  if  at 

niUMLWOQld  cost  9L8d.  each  per  Week      •    1430    0    0 
Their  Malntenanmy  at  8i.  84d.  each  per  Week, 

cost 1168  10    8 

876    9    4 

Beventh  Report— Jolv,  1804. 
The  avenge  Nombcr  of  Childno,  835,  if  at 

none,  would  cost  8b.  IM.  each  per  Week      .    1680    5    0 
Thdr  Maintenance, at  la.  ll|d.  each  per  Weel^ 

*  .    1196  10  10 

'       ■         163  14    8 


• 


jC3000    3  11 


PUBLIC  LIFE  AND  EVENTS.  2l5 

Beside  the  abore  Sayings  in  the  Maintenance  of  the  Children,  they 
have  made  considerable  Earnings  in  Labour  suited  to  their  Ages ;  the 
Boys  in  the  Heading  of  Pins  and  sticking  them  in  Hows ;  the  Girls  in 
Weaving  Straw  for  Lisidies*  Hats,  knitting  Stockings  for  the  Workhouse 
and  Asylum,  mending  Linen,  &&  The  smaller  Cliildren  are  employed 
in  makinff  Oakum  from  old  Etopes ;  the  elder  Females  contribute  to  the 

Eneral  Comfort  by  their  Labour  in  the  House,  which  reduces  the 
(tablishment  to  a  Qoyemeas,  Schoolmaster,  and  Mistress,  and  one 
Female  Seryant  Their  Habits  of  Industnr  produce  a  cheerful  Sub- 
ordination, and  render  them  more  acceptable  when  called  into  any 
Seryipe  in  aetiye  Life.  Their  Health  is  also  much  benefited  by  the 
Order  in  which  they  liye ;  for  many  Weeks  in  Succession  not  one  is  to 
be  seen  on  the  nek  List,  and  seldom  more  than  one  or  two  at  a  Time ; 
few  in  such  a  Number  haye  died,  and  none  are  opprased  with  hard 
Labour  so  as  to  produce  Deformity,  which  was  not  uncommon  while 
under  the  Care  ot  hireling  Nurses  in  the  neighboonnff  Villages. 

It  might  also  be  added,  that  the  yiew  in  making  this  Beport  public 
is,  not  only  to  shew  the  Town  that  oontiderable  aiad  not  unsuccessful 
Ifforts  are  made  to  mitigate  the  Burthens  of  Psrodiial  Taxes,  but  at 
the  same  time  to  preyent,  in  some  measure,  their  Becunvnoe^  by  uniting 
profitable  Labour  with  useful  Habit^  in  this  Bnmch  <tf  the  rifling  Gene- 
ration—•'^  The  Ghildven  of  the  Poor/  It  was  Ukewiae  ccmsiddr^  that 
it  mi^t  afford  tome  useful  Hints  to  neighbouring  Tmtlbm,  to  proye 
that  tne  moderate  Labour  of  GhOdren  is  not  only  produotiye  of  present 
Ph>fit^  but  of  permanent  and  extendye  Benefit  to  the  Bsrish,  and  to 
Sode^.— Public  Office,  Birmingham,  Oct  9, 1804. 

At  a  Quarterly  Meeting  of  the  Qnardians  and  OyerMers  of  the  Poor, 
the  aboye  Beport  was  ordered  to  be  printed.  J.  Wblob. 

The  Aqrlum  report  elicited  the  following  letter.     The 

S resent  reader  wilt »  we  tnut  his  contemporarieB  did,  par- 
on  the  writer  for  expremng  his  ojnniona  on  the  sabject : — 

Noy.  S4,  leOi.— To  the  Printen.— TVuly,  QentleaieD,  amidst  the 
calamitiea  of  war,  and  the  oonfliets  of  parties^  ciyfl  and  rsUgioos^ 
whidi  this  town  has  oeoasionally  witoeasad,  I  lelt  a  peoaliar  gratification 
In  penuiiig  the  brie(  bbt  Intsristing  rsiBan%  ooenactad  witti  the  atate- 
bmbI  made  by  the  Asylum  Committee,  and  published  In  your  paper  of 
last  week.  In  whatever  view  I  eontemulate  the  and,  the  means,  and 
the  happy  rasolt  of  this  Inatitation,  I  acknowledge  myself  andar  a  ape- 
das  of  obUffatkm  to  the  Oommittas^  whiflh  I  am  really  at  a  loas  how  to 
aiptwi.  And,  GentleaMiL  permit  ma  toask,  Ihroogb  the  aMdiom  of 
yoor  paper.  If  I  am  to  look  upon  tlua  Aqrlam  fiir  nalplsas,  negleeted, 
and,  too  oftiwi,  dsasrtad  innoeeata,  so  raplata  with  psrmiiisat  adyantages 
to  ita  ofcjeets  and  to  the  oommnnity,  aa  procaadlnf  firam  the  flaetiiating 
ayatem  oc  parodiial  aeonony,  to  which  wa  haya  been  ao  many  years 
sabiaeit  orarsweindabtadtoafcwiadiyjdoali^who^actnatodbyapors 
apint  of  beoayolaaes^  are  determined.  If  thwreannotaoeompUsh  all  they 
ttoLtodoalithayegj^lowagdalssssningthaayllaofaoeiohrt  Indeed, 
Qanueman,  if  thb  k  the  eaae^  ancb  noraona  aomiaand  mv  highest  estem, 
and  dsasrya  the  gnOefui  adaiowlsdgments  of  thair  neighbottrs.  Tlieir 
aaartiooa  haye  not  been  wasted  In  nroitlsss  ellbrts  beyond  their  spbers 
of  infloanosb  Whilst  many  others  haya  been  amblUoos  to  preside  oyer 
or  tosopportaparticahvaeelorpar^;  orhayaaagagsdlnthehflpeiess 
task  of  promottng  uniformity  of  opinion  on  literaiy,  pollticai,  or  rdi- 


216  A  CENTUBT  OF  BIBMINGHAH  UFE. 


giodfl  tubjecU  ;  tbev  must  bare  better  nndentbod  the  genius  of  ^our 
▼eoerable  cbarter  of  immortalitj,"  and  bave  endearonred,  in  the  prac- 
tice of  their  duty,  to  be  of  one  hearty  rather  than  of  one  mind.    Their 


report  proves  that  they  have  been  emalous  to  protect  the  Orphan,  and, 
silently  and  assidaonsly,  to  promote  the  health,  osefnlness,  morals,  and 

E resent  and  fatnre  happiness  of  that  part  of  the  risinff  generation  who 
ave  none  to  help  them.  Pardon  me  for  thos  pnblicTy  expressing  my 
feelinf^s  on  this  subject,  under  the  hope  that  we  shall  be  made  Mtter 
acquainted  with  the  htstorv  of  this  humane  establishment,  and  of  those 
to  whom  We  are  so  much  obliged.  HuMAiirrAS.    - 

The  philanthropy  of  the  people  of  Birmmgham  appears  to 

have  been  exhaustless,  ana  assumed  an  infinite  variety  o^ 

forms.  .  It  is  one  of  the  most  gratifying  traits  in  the  charac* 

ter  of  tilie  peopla   Misfortune  and  suffering  have  ever  excited 

the  most  active  fli3rmpAthy  and  practical  benevolence.    Hkp-i 

pily  it  is  a  charactoristic  which  we  have  preserved  to  the 

present  day.      The  year  1805  opened  with  the  following 

proposal  >-^ 

SoGittt  voE  iMpaovnro  tbb  Oohditiov  of  tbm  Pooay  bt  Ivcnnro 

Tbbm  to  Doiobvos  ajtd  CEcx>iroiiT. 

JTanduT'  28d^  1805.— IVom  tlie  almost  total  Want  of  CBoonomy  in 
the  Pbor  many  of  them  must  remain  destitute  of  eren  neeossaiy' 
Comfort^  tinlsBS  the  higher  Ordais  of  thd  Gommunity  anist  them  by 
Adyioe  as  well  as  BottH^. 

Td  promote  this  Object  a  Ibw  Pemos  formed  themselTee  into  a 
Sodefy  about  a  TwelveuMmth  iboe^  and  elected  a  Gommittee  for  the 
Parpossa  of  vMti^g  the  Pbor  at  thair  own  Houaei^  of  inatruotiQg.tiittn 
in  tba  Pkimaplaa  «£  damaatio  (Boonouiy.  of  atron^y  poiiiting  out  to. 
tbam  tba  Kaoeasity  of  Oleanllneai^  and  m  enoouiaffmg  thafn  to  depoait- 
amatt  Sana  of  Hoi^yy  weakly,  la  tha  Handa  of  Um  Committee^  with' 
tlia  Tiaw  of  d&Mhaniiig  thdr  DabCa  redeamiitt  their  Pledgee^  and 
wtiAaahg  IVid,  Baffljj^,  ClothiM^  4k,  ^ 

From  ua  Annual  B^ott  of  tfia  Pkooaadiitta  of  tlua  Oommittea  it 
appaan  thai  Depoailai  aaKMmtiBg  aliogattiar  to  ZXIU  1  la  ed,  hate  baan 
naAa  by  S38  Fanona ;  in  AiWSoa  to  wliioh,  ana  IVmrth  of  that  Sua 
haa  been  paid  is  PkaaiiBma,  i^raaablv  to  tha  Bulaa  of  tha  Soeiefy. 

Althoiigli  vaay  ladividwb  ana  Ikmiliaa  have  azparienead  tiia 
Patnanga  of  thia  Boeiaty,  thsy  toni  bvt  a  vwr  sbmU  PjraportiQn  of  tiia 
poor  Tn&hitairta  of  Binitfngfaaaa.  Wan  tha  IVmds  of  tba  InatitBtioD 
aogBMotad,  tha  aolid  Benaflti  of  aryflh  Hhaaahaady  bean  prodaetiNnL 
would  ba  anfayad  to  a  far  wider  Bztant;  and  tha  DonatioBa  and 
SabaoriptioM  Mm  now  InadaqoBla  to  tha  Belief  of  new  appliaan 
Pttblk  aM  raapaedbUy  invited  ta  aid,  I7  their  libarali^,  tha  Aeeom- 
piidiaacBiof  an  Objaet  ao  intiaaaaaly  eoaaantad  with  tha  taat  Inftanala 
af  tba  Town,  of  tha  Neuihboiuhood,  and  of  tha  OoaamuaitT  at  lama. 

SabacripttoBB  and  Doaationa  wiU  ba  rnaivad  by  Mka  DeaUa, 
Haadaworth;    Miaa  Bhofthonaa^  Qraat  Ghaiiaa-atraat;  cad   Mia 

In  thia  yearwaa  formed  the  first  Fire  Insnraaoe  OompaBW. 
Aa  frequently  happens  there  were  two  attempts  made 
oontempoianeooaly*     The  firat   proposal  was  to  Ibrm  a 


PUBLIC  LIFE  AND  EVEJITS.  217 

society  to  be  called  the  Birmingham  Fire  Office,  with  three 
hundred  subscribers  of  £1,000  eacL  The  other  proposal 
was  of  a  more  popular  kind,  as  will  be  seen  by  this  report 
of  the  first  meeting : — 

Birminffham,  February  9,  1805. — At  a  nnmerous  and  respectabld 
Meeting  of  the  Inhabitants  of  this  Town,  held  at  the  Johnson^B  Head 
Inn ;   Johk  Startin,  Esq,,  being  called  to  the  Chair ; 

It  was  then  unanimously  Besolved — 

I.  That  a  Company  be  formed  in  the  Town  of  Birmingham,  upon 
the  moat  liberal  and  extensive  Plan,  for  Insuring  of  Prop^y  agamst 
Fire,  and  that  the  Capital  be  not  less  than  Two  Hundred  lliousand 
Founds,  to  be  invested  in  the  Funda 

II.  That  the  same  be  called  by  Shares  of  One  Hundred  Pounds  each* 

III.  That  a  General  Meeting  be  called,  requesting  such  Persons  as 
are  desirous  of  becoming  Members  of  tiiis  Company  to  attend  at 
Sty  Ws  Hotel,  on  Wednesd^  nezt>  precisely  at  Eleven  o'clock  in  the 
FopenooD,  when  Rules  and  Kegulations  for  the  future  Government  of 
this  Company  will  be  laid  before  the  Meeting ;  in  the  Interim,  Gentle- 
men  wishW  to  become  Subscribers  are  requested  to  leave  their  Names 
at  Mr.  BinTs  Office,  Solicitor,  Edmundnrtreet 

lY.  That  the  above  Eesolntiona  be  insertad  in  the  two  next  Bir- 
min^^iam  Papers,  and  the  Chairman  be  requested  to  sign  the  same  on 
Behalf  of  the  Meeting.  JoBV  Startih,  Chairman. 

The  Chairman  having  left  the  Chair,  Besolved,— That  the  Thanks  of 
this  Meeting  be  given  to  him  for  his  impartial  Conduct 

BlOHABD  BnuD. 

At  a  meeiixig  held  on  Febroaiy  13,  it  waa  resolved  that  a 
company  be  immediately  formed,  and  that  it  be  called  the 
Birmingham  Union  Fire  Office.  Upwards  of  1 ,500  shares 
had  be^  subscribed  for.  A  correspondent  sent  an  interest- 
ing letter  on  the  subject,  which  contains  some  valuable 
information  on  the  state  of  the  town.  We  therefore  repro- 
duce it : — 

To  THB  PanmBa    * 

'Febraaij  18, 180S. — Qfntlemen, — ^Very  emneous  opinioiis  seem  to 
have  prevailed  respecting  the  profits  of  Fire  Lunuance  QflBces,  whidi, 
when  divided  amonj^  a  laige  number  of  proprietors,  are  not  worth  anj- 
bod /s  notice ;  and  it  may  afford  some  entertainment  to  jtrar  readen  to 
see  a  few  ohservations  on  the  two  inannmoe  oAoes  proposed  to  be 
established  in  BirmingfaanL 

The  insurable  pronerty  in  Birmingham  may  be  about  two  wiiiii^n^ 
the  insursnce  of  whicn  would  amount  to  £2,000  per  year,  a  considerable 
part  of  which  would  alwava  go  to  London  and  other  distant  Insuranoe 
QAoes ;  we  may  suppose,  however,  that  property  oat  of  Birmingham, 
insured  in  Birmingham,  would  be  more  tnan  equal  to  supply  this 
deiidepcy,  and  that  at  the  end  of  seven  y«an  tnsre  mig^t  be  a  dear 
amiual  profit,  (after  pajring  all  losses  by  fire  and  other  conaideiable 
expenses)  of  £2000,  which  misht  admit  of  an  increase. 

Aoooraing  to  the  plan  of  the  Birmingham  Fire  Office,  thero  are  SOO 
shares  of  £1,000  each  and  XlOO  is  to  be  advanced  on  each  ahare^  and 
laid  out  in  the  Qovemment  Fopda    Suppose^  then,  the  dear  annual 


218  A  CENTUJIY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

profits,  after  the  end  of  Beven  years,  to  be  £2,000  and  there  had  been 
no  other  similar  institution  in  uie  town,  the  profits  on  each  share  would 
be  jCiO  exclusive  of  interest. 

According  to  the  plan  of  the  Birmingham  Uniou  Fire  Office,  there 
are  2,000  slmres  of  £100  each,  and  £25  is  to  be  advanced  on  each  share, 
and  laid  out  in  the  Qovemment  Funds.  Suppose,  then,  the  clear  annual 
profits,  after  the  end  of  seven  years,  to  be  £2,000,  and  that  there  had 
been  no  other  similar  institution  in  this  town,  the  profits  on  each  share 
would  be  £1,  exclusive  of  interest. 

If  the  profits  are  to  be  divided  between  the  two  companies,  and  the 
dividends  oe  but  half  the  sums  there  specified,  will  it  be  worth  any 
person's  notice  (even  with  the  uncertain  prospcSct  of  an  increase)  for  such 
trifling  dividends  as  £6  a  share,  to  run  the  risk  of  being  called  upon 
for  the  capital  subacaibed  of' £1,000  for  eadi  share  in  the  first  conoem, 
and  for  a  dividend  of  lOs.  to  run  the  risk  of  being  called  upon  for  the 
capital  subscribed  of  £100  for  each  share  in  thejMoond  concern,  besides 
bemg  liable  to  make  good  a  proportionate  share  of  the  defidendes  of 
any  nartner  f  It  is  aUowed  these  are  not  probabilities,  but  they  are 
poMibilities. 

How  far  the  drcolating  medium  of  this  town  and  neighbourhood 
may  be  affected  by  withdrawing  therefrom,  and  lodging  in  the  public 
^ds,  such  hofi  sums  as  thts  c^>ita]s  of  both  Oompames  wiU  amount 
to,  deserves  senoua  oonnderatiQD.  :     I  am,  QeDtlemflni  youxs,  &e», 

A.R 

Competition  is  said  to  be  a  sign  of  health  and  strength, 
and  there  were  now  two  schemes  for  the  establishment  of 
Insurance  Societies  before  the  publia  It  certainly  proved 
beneficial  to  the  Oazette;  advertisements  of  a  wonderful 
length  appealed  in  its  pages,' and  on  Februai7.25,  we  read 
once  more  an  excuse  for  not  inserting  them : — 

The  Besolntknis  of  the  two.  Birmingham'  Insoranoe  Ofiioes  are 
omitted  this  week  Ibr  want  of  room.  Our  advertising  fHends  are 
rsspeeifiiUj  requested  to  tend  long  advortiaaments  mors  early  in  the 


The  antagonism  was,  however,  soon  removed ;  for,  at  a 
meeting  of  the  subscribers  to  the  Birmingham  Union  lire 
Office,  held  on  March  6,  ^a  proposition  for  an  union  with 
the  Birmingham  Fire  Office  was  adopted.**  The  amalgamated 
Society  opened  its  offices  this  month.  The  Office  was  in 
Union  Street,  which,  says  a  contemnoraiy  writer,  ^  for 
chasteness  of  design  is  equal  to  any  otner  building  in  tiie 
town.** 

In  May  the  town  was  delighted  by  the  presence  of  a 

royal  visitor : — 

Hay  SO,  1806.— His  Boyal  Qghoea  IVines  WOliam  of  Oloaesstar 
hoDOiErad  this  town  with  a  vidt  last  week.'  8o  soon  as  it  was  known  on 
Monday  afternoon  that  the  Frinee  intended  to  stophors  on  hii  road  to 
liToipool,  every  arrangement  was  madoi  that  the  short  period  would 
allow,  to  express  that  loyal  respect  and  attention  whSdi  tne  inhabitants 
of  this  plaoe  are  always  diiposed  to  maniftst  to  ofory  bcandi  of  the 


PUBLIC  LIFE  AND  EVENTS.  219 

Royal  House  of  Bronswick.  On  Tuesday  moroing,  the  Loyal  Birming- 
ham Yolunteers,  preceded  by  a  party  of  the  Boyid  Dragoons  from  our 
Barracks,  marched  to  Camp  Hill,  where  they  were  drawn  up  in  line 
to  receive  hia  Boyal  Hignness  with  military  honours ;  the  Prince 
passed  by  them  about  one  o'clock,  and  was  escorted  to  Stvles's  Hotel  by 
the  Boyal  Dragoons,  where  the  Magistrates,  the  High  Baili£^  and 
other  gentlemen  were  assembled 'to  reoeiye  him.  Upon  the  return  of 
the  muitary,  they  paraded  in  New  Street,  and  his  Boyal  Highness  being 
informed  of  the  circumstance  directly  Joined  them,  and  walked  un- 
eoyered  along  the  whole  line ;  he  aalutea  the  officers  as  he  passed,  and 
thanked  them  and  the  priTates  for  their  polite  and  marked  attention, 
and  observed,  that  he  had  neTer  aeen  a  finer  body  of  soldienu  The 
Prince  was  afterwards  conducted  to  Tiew  the  Mint^  and  other  objecta 
of  curiosity,  at  Mr.  Bonlton's^  Soho;  Mr.  Benton's  exhibition  of 
stained  glass ;  and  Mr.  ClaVa  manufiustory.  On  Wednesday  morning, 
his  Boj&  Highness  jprooeeded  to  inspect  other  subjects  of  obsenration 
in  the  town,  and  visited  the  manufactories  of  Messrs.  WooUey,  Deakin, 
and  Co. ;  Messrs.  Simoox  and  Timmins,  the  Brass  Works ;  Messrs. 
Biduurdi^s  Toy  ahopu  &e..  &e.  The  Prince  examined  every  plftcs^ 
machine  process,  ana  arnelet,  with  the  moat  minute  and  scientifie 
attention.  About  three  o'dodc  in  the  afternoon  his  Boyal  Hig^mea 
left  the  town  on  his  way  to  UrapooL 

Tlie  Prince  eondueted  bimaalx  in  the  moat  eairy,  ftoiillar,  and  con- 
descending manner,  and  nid  he  should  with  giatitade  always  bear  in 
mind  the  regard  and  polite  attention  shewn  to  him  by  the  gentlemen 
that  eonduetod  him  throqrii  the  town,  and  the  loyalty  and  kindness 
testified  to  him  by  the  whote  of  the  inhaUtant& 

Wo  hacf%  <m  this  oeearinin,  to  rsoord  the  patriotism  of  the  Lojral 
Rnningham  Volimteera.  It  was  late  in  the  morning  of  Tuesday 
betee  it  was  determinod  to  oall  oat  the  Vblnnteen ;  however,  when 
the  drums  beat  to  •!»%  the  greatest  part  of  the  three  Battaliona 
aaembled  at  liead  qvarten  in  little  Dore  than  an  boor,  fully  armed  and 
aooovitved  for  the  fittd,  imlaiowiiig  Ibr  what  aervioe  they  were  ao  hastily 
called  ODt|  but  fUl  of  ardent  seal  f»  the  oanse  Ibr  which  they  had 
associated,  and  indiilersiit  in  their  efaoioe  wliether  to  pay  respect  to  the 
amily  of  thehr  Borereign,  or  to  fi|^t  the  battles  of  tbsir  eoontry. 

A  Rtfll  greater  honour  was  promised  to  Birminfffaam — ^no 
less  than  a  yint  from  the  king  himself  It  is  hara  for  us  to 
realize  the  complete  popularity  of  Qeorve  IIL  He  was 
during  his  long  reiffn  tne  idol  of  nearij  all  his  peopla  His 
kindness  of  hearty  nis  domestic  virtues^  his  familiarity  with 
his  people,  his  careful  plodding  industry  hel]>ed  to  make 
him  popular.  They  were  so  Engliah.  Even  his  prejudices 
were  the  prejudices  of  the  vast  majority  of  his  sumectSy  and 
only  the  more  endeared  him  to  their  uTections.  Me  was  so 
like  them  in  almost  all  thinn  that  they  could  not  help  but 
love  him,  and  call  him  the  Tather  of  his  people.  It  was 
now  announced  that  the  king  was  about  to  visit  the  loyal 
folk  cf  Birmingham;  and  Uie  most  ardent  hopes  were 
exdted — ^hopes  which  unfortunately  were  never  to  be 
realized. 


220  A  CENTURY  OF  BIBMINOHAH  UFE. 

HOTAL  Yl^IT  to  BiRXINQBAX. 

Jane  3,  1805. — We  are  happy  in  beinff  enabled  to  announce  that  the 
Inhabitants  of  this  loyal  town  will  soon  be  gratified  with  a  sight  of  onr 
highly  revered  SoTereign.  In  conseqaenoe  of  its  having  beien  lately 
represented  that  the  Koyal  Family  intended,  in  the  course  of  ttie 
sommer,  to  honour  this  Neighbourhood  with  their  presence,  the 
Trustees  for  conducting  the  erection  of  the  Free  Church  in  this  town 
solicited  his  Majesty  that  he  would  be  graciously  pleased  to  lay  the  first 
stone.  The  King,  with  that  reeard  which  he  always  manifests  to  what- 
ever appertains  to  the  cause  ol  religious  worships  has  condescended  to 
Ssnt  the  request,  which  was  signifiM  to  Hie  High  Bailiff  on  IViday,  in 
e  f ollawing  letter  from  the  Earl  of  Dartmouth  : — 

**  Windsor,  May  27, 1805. 
'.'Sir,— I  had,  yesterday,  the  honour  to  lav  before  his  Majesty  the 
ermtents  of  your  letter  to  me,  dated  May  23rd,  and  I  have  received  the 
BojbI  o(miinand  to  inform  you  that  his  Majestr  is  mdously  pleased  to 
eomphr  }irith  your  request,  and  that  he  will  lay  toe  first  stone  of  the 
intended  Free  Ghurdi  in  Birmingham.  "  I  am.  Sir,  ' 

^  Tour  obedient  Servant^ 

"Daetxouth.* 

The  following  fitatement  of  the  goardiaiis  gives  ns  tiie 
oost  t)£  iher  poor  ia  18(Mh-5. 

€f  tiie  QwOTism  and  Ovmssw  ef  the  Poor,  *  ststsanent  of  the  Baonpts 
•Dd  EzpendiUirs  of  the  last  Tear,  from  Bnter,  1804^  to  Ssstsr,  100& 
wtm  OEhibited,  wherein  it  appeared  thai  sixtosn  Levies  had  produoad 
19JML  U.' 6^4,  and  that  after  haviag  relieved  th»Oiit*poQr,  paid  the 
tMumuj  Kipsnass  of'  the  Poor  and  the'  A^lnm,  there  renuuned  a 
Balnor  ol  eStf:  6a  Od  in  Hand,  the  partkmhtf  ItsiM  of  vhkdi  Sta^ 
BMii  aiay  bo  ten  by  andving  at  tlis  Gleries  Off^ 

:A^wi^Ktimbsr  off  (>at^oor€hMsraliov«d  per  week.    2246 
\     Avon^  Nnmber  of  Pioor  in  the  Howe 284 

'  Avvn^Nxmborof  Qiildmin^  Aflylam  •    •    •    •     Sll 

«741       * 

By  Order  ol  the  Heetiqg, 

J.  Wblob,  Gsshier. 

..  The  alternate  hopes  and  fears  which  the  proposed  visit 

of  the  koaff  produccMl,  wiU  be  best  gathered  by  an  extract  or 

twa    On  Jmy  1  we  read : — 

nsir  MajcslieB  have  not  given  «p  (as  some  of  the  London  and  pro- 
TiacisI  fnp^n  most  erroneow j  state)  the  eawonBon  to  the  Midland 
Oonaties.  We  ere  enabied,  from  the  best  — thority,  to  ssserty  that  very 
soen  after  the  psofliqgatiQn  of  FlsriisaMnt,  the  King  will  visit  thk  town 
tolaythsflsatslonsol  the  intended  FkeeCharoh,  and  from  the  pessnt 
anaaMMnti^  thst  higfal j  interesting  and  impoftent  eenmonj  will  take 
plaoein  the  coarse  of  a  fortnight  or  three  weeks.  Momentous  state 
albiis  kespiitf  Fuliament  sssfimblsil  so  fiff  in  the  snmmef  mav  pro- 
bsblv  pravent  his  Majesty  firom  nsidiag  with  hk  kjsl  people,  the 
Inhsteants  ol  this  plMs,  so  Umg  ss  it  was  int  intended.  Madak  to 
coBimomoiaie  the  erection  ol  the  IVee  CSiitrdi  sre  ezscnttng  bj  that 


PX7BUC  LIFE  AND  EVENTS.  221 

in^^enious  artist,  Mr.  Webb.    The  Trustees  will  present  their  Majesties 
-with  impressions  upon  cold. 

Next  week  tne  hope  is  given  up,  for  in  the  interval  the 
king's  illness  had  been  announced  : — 

His  Majesty. 

July  8,  1805. — ^At  a  moment  when,  in  common  with  all  ranks  of 
people  in  this  town  and  nei^hbourhooa,  we  congratulated  ourselves  on 
the  happy  prospect  of  flpeedilr  seeing  the  King,  a  much-lamented  cir- 
cumstance nas  occurred,  whicn  will  entirely  prevent,  for  the  present, 
the  pleasure  we  expected  from  so  august  a  i^t.  His  Majesty  has 
lately  been  attacked  with  a  slight  complaint  in  his  eyes,  which  rapidly 
increasing,  a  consultation  of  his  ^vsidans  took  place  on  Friday  se'nmght ; 
after  which,  Mr.  Fhipps,  the  oculist,  communicated  both  to  the  King 
himself,  and  to  the  i^ueen  and  Family,  the  afflicting  intelligence  that  a 
cataract  was  formed  in  one  eye,  and  that  there  were  the  most  unec^ui- 
Tocal  symptoms  of  its  extencunff  to  the  other.  His  Majesty  received 
the  information  with  a  fortitude  the  most  exemplary.  He  said  that 
the  deprivation  of  sight  was  an  affliction  which  he  nad  fong  dreaded,  and 
from  which  he  had  most  fervently  prayed  to  be  relieved.  But  if  doomed 
to  endure  the  calamity,  he  would  ahow  the  resignation  wludi  was  the 
duty  of  a  Christian  ;  and  if  he  was  to  tmderao  an  o|>emtion,  he  trusted 
lie  should  display  the  firmness  of  a  man.  His  Majesty  has  been  ear- 
nestly advisea  not.to  expose  himself  to  hJdmie  or  to  sudden  chan^ ; 
therefore  the  tour  of  the  Itoyal  Funflyto  the  Af  idland  Counties  is  given 
up  for  this  season.  On  Saturday  the  High  Bailiff  received  the  following 
letter  from  the  Earl  of  Dartmoath: — 

'<S«ndweIl,Jiily6,180S. 

**  Sir,<^I  have  this  dayreoeived  a  letter  from  Lord  Qawkesbozyy  to 
communicate  to  me  (by  His  Majesty's  command)  that  in  consequence 
of  the  complaint  in  his  eyes,  His  Majesty  has  judged  it  moat  pnident 
to  defer  his  projected  visit  to  this  nei^bouxhooa  tOlanother  year;  and 
likewise  to  transmit  to  me  His  Maje^r*s  pleasure  Hiat  I  shoiud  lav  the 
first  stone  of  the  new  Church  at  Bmmngfaam  in  bis  name.  I  beff  leave 
to  exprees  the  latiafaction  I  shall  have  in  obeying  His  Majesty^  com- 
mands npon  this  occasion,  and  my  readiness  to  attend  for  tnat  poipose 
on  any  day  that  may  be  judged  most  convenient.  I  have  it  farther  in 
command  to  request  that  yon  will  adopt  the  pioper  maaai  to  make 
known  His  Majesty's  concern  at  the  neeearity  he  is  nnder  of  not  being 
present  at  that  ceremony,  and  hii  hopes  of  being  able  to  viat  the  town 
of  Binningfaam  on  some  other  ocoasion. 

«*  I  am.  Sir,  Yoqr  faithful  and  obsdiant  Serwant, 
**  To  the  High  Bailiff  of  Birmin^iam."  "  Dartkocjtb. 

The  kinff  being  unable  to  come.  Lord  Dartmouth  had  the 
honour  of  laying  the  comer  atone  of  our  fimt  Free  Church; 
and  of  the  third  church  in  Birmingham.  St  llaiy'a,  St 
Paul's,  St  Bartholomew's,  and  St  James's  being  diapela. 
The  ceremony  was  performed  on  Monday,  July  22 ;  and  was 
thus  described : — 

FouKDnro  or  CEanr  OHvacB. 

Jnly  29,  180a.-^On  Monday  the  Earl  of  l>artmoath  laid  the 
foQDdatlon  atone  of  the  Free  Choreh  eraeting  in  this  town.  His  Lord- 
ship was  attended  by  the  Bishop  of  the  Dioesse^  the  Eari  of  Ayiesidrd, 


222  A  CENTURY  OF  BIBHINGHAM  LIFE. 

the  Earl  of  Warwick,  the  Dean  of  Windsor,  the  Membere  of  the 
Gounbr,  Joeeph  Sooit,  Esq.,  M.P.  for  Worcester,  Charles  Mills,  Esq., 
M.P.  for  Warwidc,  H.  Le^m,  Esq.,  the  Magistrates  and  Clergy  of  the 
town,  the  Trostees  of  the  Chnrch,  and  the  Hi^h  and  Low  Baili£  The 
Earl  of  Dartmouth,  in  la^g  the  stone,  made  nse  of  the  following 
words:  "I lay  this  stone  in  the  name  and  htf  command  of  our  Most 
Oraeious  Sovereign.**  A  guinea,  half-a-goinea,  and  the  other  coins  of 
the  last  impressions  of  the  present  reign,  were  deposited  in  a  chamber 
cat  in  the  stone^nd  covered  with  a  orass  plate  Dearinff  the  following 
inscription : — ''The  first  stone  of  Christ  Church  was  laid  the  twentj- 
secona  day  of  July,  1805,  by  command  of  his  Most  Qracious  Majesty 
Qeorge  the  Third,  the  pillar,  guardian,  and  ornament  of  the  Christian 
IVdth,  in  the  68th  year  of  his  f^  and  the  45th  of  his  reign. — Biohabd 
Pratchstt,  High  BailiffL" 

After  the  ceremony  was  finishedL  his  Lordship,  with  the  nobility. 
gentnTt  <uid  clergy  that  attended  iiim,  proceeded  to  Styles's  Boyal 
Hotel,  where  Uiey  were  joined  by  a  lam  party  of  gentlemen  of  the 
town  and  neudkbourhood,  and  partook  of  an  excellent  dinner.  After- 
wards a  number  of  appropriate  toaata  were  drank,  and  the  erenlnff 
ecmdnded  with  the  utmost  hilarity  and  good  humour.  The  aeeond 
troop  of  the  Warwickshire  Teomanry,  and  the  three  battalions  of  the 
Loyal  Binningham  Yolunteen^  attended  upon  the  occasion,  and  the 
greatest  good  order  preTailed.  The  Eari  of  Dartmouth  presented  the 
noD-oommkBioned  officers  and  privates  of  the  Loyal  Birmingham 
Volunteers  with  a  sum  of  monej  to  legUe  themaelTea, 

In  the  following  week  it  was  announced  that  the  Idr^ 

had  ^most  graciously  ^ven  a  donation  of  a  thousana 

pounds  towaras  the  erection  of  the  Free  CSiurch.''  The  next 

paragraph  records  an  eyent  of  local  iinportance : — 

Nsw  PuBUo  OmcB  avd  nisov. 

September  S3|  1805.— On  Wednesday  maminib  the  first  stone  of  the 

yariooa  offices  intended  fiir  the  oonTenienee  of  the  Hagistniles^  the 

aeeoffimndatkwi  of  the  town,  and  the  more  tranquil  and  {uiTate  eonYsj* 

anee  of  prisoiMv%  was  laid  by  the  High  Bailil^  and  this  neesssaiy  sod 


important  undertaking  wae  honooied  by  the  prssenes  of  the  IVes 
lissoDs  in  thehr  waj  to  QU  liartin*s  Ch'nreh.  The  Oommittee  for 
ereetbg  the  edifices^  by  laTitslloii  of  the  High  BiiUli;  partook  of  a 
sociabie  eatartahunsnt  at  Mr.  Freeth's  TsTem  in  Bell  Street 


useful  and  necessary  work  was  executed  in  amanner 

that  must  have  delighted  the  inhabitants.    We  can  fiincy 

the  pleasure  with  which  the  ratepayers  read  the  following 

statement  :-— 

October  S8, 1805.— We  are  bappj  to  announce  that  sudi  prudent 
airaagements  baTe  been  made  br  the  Giuurdiaas  and  Oreiasers  of  tids 
town,  that  the  sxpenees  ineuRsa  in  eraeHnff  the  NewPabUeOffloe  and 
FriaoiL  in  lIsoivstTCet  will  be  defrayed  wMout  Me  bmrdm  of  any  addi- 
tionai  lenee  being  laidupoiti  the  tnkAitants  for  thai  purpose. 

Several  fiunous  victories  enriched  the  Britidi  annals  this 
year— the  greatest  and  most  glorious  beinff  the  Battle  of 
Trafidgar,  won  on  October  21.  A  Bay  of  General  Thanks- 
giving was  appointed  for  Thursday,  December  <th.    The 


PUBLIC  LIFE  AND   EVENTa  223 

following  Quotations  show  in  what  manner  Birmingham  kept 

the  great  oay : — 

Dec.  9,  1805. — ^Thandav  being  the  day  appointed  for  a  General 
Thank  egivinff  for  the  splendid  Tictories  with  which  Prbvidenoe  has  been 
pleased  to  bleee  the  British  arms,  it  was  celebrated  in  all  the  charehee 
and  chapels  with  religions  adoration,  and  in  everj  part  of  the  town  with 
dne  deooram. 

There  waa,  on  this  great  occasion,  no  distinction  of  sects  or  parties ; 
the  impression  was  deep^  solemn,  and  nniversaL  All  the  places  of  diyine 
worship  were  well  attended,  and  the  contribntions  made  for  the  relief 
of  oor  defenders  who  bled,  and  of  the  relatives  of  those  who  fell  in  the 
late  glorions  aetaons,  formed  an  offering  worthy  to  be  laid  npon  the 
altars  of  Pietj,  Qratitnde,  and  Hamanitj.  The  following  collections  in 
aid  of  the  Batriotie  Fond  have  already  come  to  oor  knowledge^  and 
sereral  others  are  yet  to  be  announced : 

£     1.      d. 

St.  Martin's  Chnreh 37    7    0 

8t  PhiUp'a    ditto 86  11    0^ 

8t  Bartholomew's  CSiapel 6  10    6 

St  MaiVa  ditto $X)    8  11 

St  FiMirs  ditto  ,.  .  • ao  3  0 

St  Jobn'a  dittos  Deritand 17  .  3    0 

HaodaworUi  Ghnrdiy 87  18    8} 

A  fine  impoaed  by  a  Magiatrate  on 

a  nmaway  Apprantioe  from  Soho 

Haanfiietory    •••.....    5  11    0 —  38    9 

Hbae^yOiaM  •    •    •    • 12    7 

<Md  Maa^  House 18    8 

New  Meeting  House 31    0    4 

Union  Ohap^  LiTaiy-atreet 90    S    8^ 

KioMlreet  Chapel «...    lA    0    0 

Bartholoiiiaw-atraat  ditto 6    0    0 

Bood-airaat  ditto 600 

MoselT-aireat  ditto,  Deritand 8    8    0 

FhuradiaMtreai  ditto 870 

Lady  WaU  ditto 1  13    4 

The  Caibolie  Cbapel 10    4    6| 

The  Jawi^  Synag^gna 330 

CoUaeUona  ware  also  made  in  tha  Mttliodist  Chapels^  to  Uia  amoonl 
of  17L  !«.,  Ibr  tha  abora  banaTolant  porpoaa,  wliieh  baa  been  tmia-> 
mlttad  to  London  to  be  praasntad  to  Ilia  Ooinmittaa,  togalher  with  other 
aama  aabseribad  in  the  diapela  iMloiiging  to  thia  religioQa  persoarion 
throngiioiit  tlia  United  Kingdom. 

FATUono  Fuva 
December  18, 1806.^The  High  B^dliff  of  this  Town  has  raseired  the 
following  Mtar,  M^nowladging  the  reeaipt  of  the  soms  collected  at  the 
Tariooa  pboea  of  wonhm^  aa  sSitad  laat  weak. 

*<  Lloyd's,  December  10, 1806. 
**  Sir^— Your  noble  remittanoe  of  400t.  7s.  6dL  is  reeeiTed,  and  the 
partacnlai8,,aa  par  nawipapen,  shall  go  to  aoooont  for  naUicatioo,  with 
the  other  cdlactkoa  for  the  fnnd.  in  whidi  bostneas  tne  Committee  ia 
now  ocenpied.  *  I  am,  Bur,  Your  obedient  Serrant, 

^  J.  WsLsroiD,  Sec 
"*  To  Wm  Smith,  Eaq.,'High  BaOifi;  Birmingham.* 


224  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

Since  which  the  followiug  sums  have  been  paid  into  his  hands,  viz., 

£     s.    d. 

From  Ashted  Chapel 10    0    <> 

Old  Meeting  House 1 8     2     n 

Carr*s  Lane  and  (a;  non  Street  Societies     .         .         i'>     4     0 

Newhall  Street  Meeting 2     W     0 

Another  Meeting  House  in  Newhali  Street         .  1   11   10 

Aston  Church 14     1     7 

Yaitiley  Chui-ch 4    4    0 

Smetlnvick  Chapel 13    0    0 

Captain  Osborne* s  Company  of  L.B.V.  one  ^vcf^  pay — 
Three  Serjeants        .         .         .         .      £0    4    G 
Tliree  Coqwrals  .         .        .         0    3    6 

Two  DiTimmers        .         .         .         .        0    2     4 
Fifty-seven  Privates        .         .  2  17    0 

Captain  Osborne      .  .  110 

4    8    4 

The  above  sums,  with  what  has  been  remitted,  make  the  collections 
amount  to  501^.  19«.  8c/. 

On  January  23,  1806,  at  the  age  of  47,  died  the  great 
Minister,  William  Pitt.  He  was  laid  in  Westminster 
Abl»ey  in  tlie  same  grave  as  his  still  greater  fiither,  Lord 
Chatham,  on  February  22.  Bii-mingham  shared  in  the 
sorrow  of  that  day,  and  mourned  the  loss  of  the  splendid 
statesman. 

February'  24th,  1806. — Satunlay  Ixjing  the  tlay  fixe<l  U|>on  fur  the 
public  funeral  of  the  late  Prime  Minister  of  this  C'ountrv,  the  .sziiiie  \v:us 
oliscrvfil  ill  this  town  by  the  tollint;  of  the  large  l>ell  of  the  churclii-H 
thniughuut  the  day,  and  at  intervals,  the  xc,  or  funenil  |)^ihn  tune, 
was  solenmly  struck  uiM>n  the  Ix'lls  of  St.  Martin's  and  St.  Philip's,  as 
a  mark  of  resjiect  to  the  manes  of  an  illustrious  character. 

Government    pro|K>s4»d    to    levy   a    tax    on   iron.      The 

manufacturers  of  tliis  town  were  in  miction  at  oiif^e ;  and  it 

will  be  seen  by  the  following  qnotitions  that  thoir  ener^^y 

and  peraeverance  were  at  last  rewarded  with  success : — 

Tax  ox  Iron. 

April  I4lh,  1W)C. — On  Friday,  a  numerous  and  most  re.^pect.ihle 
Meeting  of  Merchants  and  Manufacturers,  convt>n<"l  ^y  tlie  High  liailiiT, 
was  held  at  l>unu*s  Hotel,  and  Swan   Inn,   iii  ;  am.  to  take  into 

consideration  the  intended  duty  of  2^.  ))er  ton  upoij  i*ig  Iron.  The  aub- 
j<H:t  was  ablv  discussed,  and  its  impolicy  and  ruinous  cou:*ei{aences  to 
the  iron  tnufe  were  mo^t  clearly  pointed  out.  A  deputation  w.-is  chosen 
to  repi^seut  to  I»rd  Henry  Petty  the  ill  etfecU  of  such  a  liicisure  ;  and 
several  pointed  resolutions,  stating  the  opinion  of  the  nifeiin;:  u|s)n  the 
subject,  were  unanimously  adopted.  Similar  meetinj-i  h:i\ e  heeu  held 
in  many  other  places  ;  and  a  town's  meeting  i.s  to  take  place  u;ou  th<; 
Kime  bu'<iuess  tliis  day  at  Walxall. 

April  2*5,  l^oG. — It  wouM  have  given  us  much  sati.sfw'i  -n  to  liav»} 
informed  our  roadei-s  that  tlio  reasons  Hulmiitted  to  ihf  <  h.iiKell'fr  «»f 
the  Exchequer,  |>oiiitinir  out  t!ie  ini(H)liey  of  the  pr«»jMised  tax  of  -VU. 
|>er  ton  on  pig  iron,  with  the  ruinous  consequences  which  were  likely 


PUBLIC  LIFE  AND  EVENTS.  225 

to  attend  slionld  the  tax  be  enforced,  had  induced  him  to  abandon  it 
altogether^  but  this  does  not  appear  to  be  the  case  at  present 

Tax  on  Iron. 
May  12,  1806. — ^A  most  interesting  debate  upon  this  snbjeet^  took 
place  in  the  Honae  of  Commons  on  Friday.  From  the  small  majority 
obtained  by  the  Chancellor  of  the  Exchequer,  in  favour  of  the  com- 
mitment of  the  Bill,  we  tmst  it  will  this  day  be  given  np,  as  many 
of  the  members  who  voted  for  its  goinf;  to  a  Committee  were  averse 
to  the  tax  in  its  present  form,  bat  wished  to  have  an  opportanity 
to  examine  whether  amendments  might  not  be  framed  so  as  to 
meet  the  wishes  of  those  concerned  in  the  iron  trade.  The  speech  of 
Mr.  Mordannt,  one  of  the  Members  for  this  County,  wherein  he  forcibly 
depieted  the  ruinous  consequenoes  likely  to  ensue  to  the  hardwars  trade 
of  this  oountry  if  the  bilfpassed  into  a  law,  made  a  deep  impression 
upon  the  House,  and  the  Hon.  Member  was  hiflfaly  oomplimented  by 
Mr.  Fox  and  Mr.  Wilberforoe  upon  his  eloquent  lanf^uage.  Great  praise^ 
is  due  to  the  gentlemen  deputea  upon  the  business  in  Condon,  for  their 
unwearied  exertioiis. 

Tax  ov  Fio  Ieoit. 

May  19, 1806.— We  have  the  pleasure  to  announee  that  Lord  Henry 
Petty,  in  a  Committee  of  Ways  and  Means  in  the  House  of  Commoiu^  on 
Tuesday,  moved,  that  the  forther  oonsideration  of  the  Bill  for  a  Dn^ 
on  Fig  Iron  be  postponed  from  Thursday  to  that  day  ss^nnightb  Thb 
he  said  he  was  induosd  to  do^  that  he  mi^t,  in  the  mean  tlme^  have  an 
opportanity  of  proposing  some  other  tax  u  its  room,  to  the  oonaderatioin 
or  the  House.  We  congratulate  our  townsmen  upon  the  abandonment 
of  a  tax  that  would  have  been  a  serioas  nievance  to  the  inhabitants  of 
this  plabe  and  ncLriiboarhood :  and  we  nave  the  grati6catlon  also  to 
announce  that  the  Chancellor  of  the  Exchequer,  throughout  the  whol« 
of  the  enquizy  into  the  iron  trade^  behaved  with  the  grsatest  liberality 
and  candour,  and  was  desirons  not  to  press  a  measure  that  woold  ao 
materially  injure  the  commenial  interests  of  the  countiy.  His  Lord- 
ship listened  with  attention  to  the  aigoments  uifsd  bjr  the  depaUes 
from  tills  placs^  upon  the  impomibili^  of  fixing  a  sofliaciii  drawback 
that  would  answer  the  puraosm  of  the  exportatton  of  hardware  goods ; 
and  the  ill  conseqoences  likely  to  ansae  fimn  the  eflRMts  of  the  tax  opon 
the  maaoftctorers  of  this  town  and  ndgfaboorhood,  made  a  deep 
impression  apon  tiie  mind  of  his  Lordshlpw  To  the  gentlemen  depoted 
apoo  this  Important  baabam  the  town  eaaiioi  be  too  gnUdai  for  thdr 
miwaaried  aad  ardvons  exisrtlooi, 

1^[  96;  1806.-^Oa  Wednosdi^,  a  town's  meeting  WM  held  at  Doaii'a 
Bwaa  Inn  and  Hotel,  iathlstoini,  to  rscsifa  the  report  of  the  fsntla- 
mea  depoted  from  hence  to  oppom  the  tax  on  pig  iron.  IVe  rsporti 
whidi  coavuyed  inf ommtioii  or  the  most  importaat  tendenqr  to  the 
advantage  of  thia  place  aad  aelghbovilioody  was  received  with  the 
iatersat  aiia  approbation.    •     •    •    It  Is  in  agitation  to  print 


the  varioos  papera  and  calcntotifflns  auide  am  of  by  the  depatanoo, 
wfakhso  fiilly  eoavinced  Lord  Hcniy  Petty  of  the  ImpoUcv  of  taxing 
Iron,  aad  whioi  may  be  of  Importaace  to  have  recootee  tou  kst  at  aome 
futore  period  another  Cbaneellor  of  the  Excheqoer  shoald  enln  intro- 
duce into  the  House  of  Commons  so  obaoxioos  a  measore.  TheChan- 
cellor  of  the  Exchequer  haa  brouj^bt  into  the  Hoose  of  Commons  a  sub- 
atltnte  for  the  propoeed  tax  oa  pig  iron. 

II.  Q 


226  A  CENTURY  OF  BIIUXINCniAM  LIFE. 

We  have  previously  given  xa  anecdote  illnsia»tive  of  Dr. 
Croft^*  the  well-known  and  able  Lecturer  at  St.  Martin's 
Church,  and  of  his  feelings  towards  Dissenters.  On  June 
23, 1806,  the  following  letter  from  his  pen  was  published  in 
the  Oazette : — 

Baptisx  of  thb  Children  or  Dissentsbs  m  ms  Caurgs. 

To  the  FrintoFB. — Qentlemen^ — I  hare  been  taught  to  beliere,  thai 
not  only  the  Clertty  of  the  Church  of  England,  but  alio  the  diaeenting 
Ministen  themaelyee,  admit  the  glaring  vaproptieiy  of  preeenting  the 
efaildren  of  Dinenteni  for  Baptiam  in  uie  CnnraL  How  prepoaUroos 
were  it  to  give  thanka  that  they  are  inoorporated  intoa  Chnrai  of  whidi 
thev  are  not  to  be  memberab  to  require  toeir  attendanoe  upon  Sermoma 
which  they  will  not  hear,  toeir  repetition  of  a  Oateehiam  iHiidi  tfaev 
will  not  learn,  and  their  introdaetion  to  a  Biahop  whoae  office  they  will 
disparage^  and  whoae  impodtion  of  handa  they  will  be  tau^t  to  dia- 
rMttdl 

what  the  Beligiona  Opiniona  of  the  Sponaoia  may  be  ia  of  no  moment. 
They  would  be  ouled  upon  to  pomiae  what  would  never  be  performed. 
It  Ja  thia  promiae  whidi  diaonminatea  the  office  of  Baptiam  fixm  all 
otibera  whataoever,  unleoa  it  can  be  prored  that  the  matrimonial  engage- 
ment ia  binding  on  none  but  membera  of  the  Church. 

The  chai^B  Sr  undiaritaUeneai^  l4goli!T|j^ 
honest  indignati<ML  I  only  widi  tliM  auTeadiera  were  men  of  letters^ 
and  at  the  age  of  diaavtioiL  The  rfght  of  wivate  fudgment  muat  erer 
be  liable  to  abuae^  eapedally  in  men  of  Invxior  education.  Let  ncne^ 
howeTer,  in  daiming  tne  privfl^ge  of  wonhippiqg  God  according  to  the 
dicfatea  of  their  own  conadencea  presume  to  ^ranniae  over  the  con- 
■dMice  of  othaa^  mudi  leaa  eodeaTonr  to  make  us  the  dupea  of  groaa 
pD0vancatunL 

X  am,  Qentlemen,  yonn  ftc, 

Q^Crott. 

We  bavB  now  to  record  an  attempt  at  murder  committed 
in  this  town,  which  ia  memorable  nom  the  fiMsi  that  it  led 
to  the  only  execation  with  wMdi  our  annals  are  sullied. 
Would  we  could  add  that  it  uraa  our  only  murder ! 

Paana  ATtnar  ax  Mirtnaa, 

July  lip  1800.— On  THaaaday,  nlghl  lOmi  Twehna  cPdoek,  Bdbart 
Twyfotd,  a  watchman  atatiwied  upco  Saew  Hiil  and  Raenvircn%baiiy 
informed  that  aome  aaapickwia  ciiafactatB  wwe  lurid^g  abooi  Uaieoa^ 
made  fcr  the  Quarter  he 
the  Tillaina  of  the 
piatol  ahot  in  hia  bieMt, 

unfortunate  man  waa  diradly  tdmn  to  the  Hcapltal,  wlMra  lie 
witii  eome  hopea  of  racoreiy.    The  ball,  irtiieb  baa  bean  eztneled  hj 


V  be  waadiraded  to^aBdaUiKMi  oueatloBlM  one  of 
olject  cf  hia  beJM  eat  at  tK  ttBM^  he  leedfed  a 
raaat|  and  the  fuAm  imnedlaldy  daeaBpad*   The 


Mr.  O.  IVaer,  enteied  at  hia  M  braMti  pMaed  throeA  the  luagi^  rkdft 
blade-boae,  and  waa  lodged  in  the  M^  part  cf  Qa  ahoulder.  Tlie 
Oooalahlaa  have  vwy  laudably  cflbied  a  leward  of  Mj  pooada  te 
the  ypwhaoalcn  of  the  dariag  vUhdn,  yd  the  OommJaaiceeie  of  the 
Buminpiam  Otieet  Acta  ooe  hundred  gulneaa 

•  Yd.  1,  ^  49$. 


PUBLIC  LIF]?  AND   EVEXTS,  227 

■ 

The  criminal  was  discovered      His  name  was  Philip 

Matsell ;  he  was  tried  at  the  Wai'wick  Summer  Assize,  found 

guilty,  and  condemned  to  be  hanged  on  the  spot  where  he 

shot  Twyford.    The  following  is  the  contemporary  report  of 

our  one  execution : — 

Execution  of  Matsell. 

AogoBt  25, 1806.— We  have  this  week  the  melancholy  task  of  record- 
ing a  rare,  and,  within  our  memoiy,  an  unprecedented  transaction.  The 
man  found  guilty  of  shooting  at  and  wounding  Bohert  Twyford,  the 
watchman,  was  condemned  to  he  executed  in  this  town,  and  on  Friday 
the  dPMdfol  sentence  of  the  hiw  was  put  in  force.  Ahout  half-past 
eight  o'clock  in  Uie  momins^  Mr.  Tatnali,  the  keeper  of  the  county 
gaol,  set  out  of  Warwick  with  the  criminal,  accompanied  b^  the  Under 
Shenfl^  and  escorted  by  the  proper  officers  and  the  javehn  men.  At 
Knowle  they  halted,  and  Matsell  took  something  to  eat  and  a  few 
glasses  of  wine.  When  the  malefSutor  and  the  cavalcade  arrived  within 
two  miles  of  this  town,  they  were  met  by  the  Constables,  Headborough, 
and  Police  Officers  of  this  town,  accompanied  by  a  troop  of  dragoons 
from  the  Barracks.  Here  Matsell  again  partook  of  refrsshmen^  was 
pinioned,  and  rsmoTed  from  a  coach  into  a  cart  covwed  with  black 
doth,  wherein  was  his  coffin,  and  he  was  fixed  upon  a  board  across  the 
carriage.  Boon  after  eleven  o'clock  the  solemn  procession,  aceompanied 
bj  a  RTsat  nomber  of  spectatorsu  moTod  slowly  on  towards  the  town, 
and  afterwards  passed  thit>ngh  Deritend,  D^^beth,  High  Street,  Bull 
Street^  and  arriVed  in  8now  Hill,  the  place  of  ezeeutaon,  about  half- 
past  twelve.  An  elevated  scaffold  had  been  erected  in  the  morning,  ia 
that  part  of  Snow  HUl  where  the  road  la  j<^ned  by  the  ends  of  Great 
GharMB  Street  and  Bath  Street*  which  Matsell  ascended,  acoompauied 
by  the  Bev.  Mr.  Langhame,  of  Warwick,  who  prayed  br  him,  and  took 
eviBi^  pains  to  impress  upon  the  mind  of  the  convict  the  neeesiity  of 
rspentanea.  About  twenty  minutes  after  one  the  ezeentioDer  proceeded 
to  ptrfiNrm  his  office,  bv*  fastening  the  fatal  cord  around  his  neck,  and 
binding  a  handkeremef  over  his  eyes ;  and  then  being  asked  to  giro  the 
dgnal  when  ha  was  ready,  the  criminal  immediately  ezdaimed,  **  Here 
goes  I*  at  the  same  time  endeavoured  to  throw  up  a  Ppeket  handker^ 
<^lef  be  held  in  hia  hand  into  the  air,  and  was  immediately  launched 
into  etemi^,  amidst  the  lamentation  and  within  the  aiffht  of  forty 
thousand  apectatoia.  After  hanging  the  usual  time  the  body  was  cut 
down,  put  Into  the  coffin,  and  convered  to  the  dungeon,  and,  in  the 
course  of  the  nlght»  was  conveyed  to  St  Philip'a  Churaiyard.  Matsell 
was  only  thirty  years  of  age,  was  bom  at  Yarmouth,  and  apprenticed 
to  a  snmon  in  London,  from  whom,  it  la  said,  he  ran  away  and  went 
to  tea  when  only  fifteen. 

It  aflbrded  us  the  ffrealcst  satisfaction  to  notice  the  behaviour  of  the 
immense  coocourse  of  apectatora  upoo  this  awful  occadon ;  it  waa  in 
every  respect  sudi  as  could  be  wished,  and  refieeta  the  highest  caredit 
upon  the  disposition  of  the  Inhabitants  of  thb  large  and  pojMilous  town. 
The  most  profound  silence  prevailed,  and  every  person  eeonisd  to  fetire 
under  an  impression  which,  we  trust,  will  long  be  lenembered.  Indeed 


■Milefiictor  disoorered  signs  of  deep  repentance  and  contrition  fi»r  his 


228  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINQHAM  LIFE. 

Tarioiu  and  flagrant  offences — ^bnt  here  truth  eompele  ns  to  be  lileat ; 
we  were  unable  to  procure  anj  aatia&ctory  information  on  this  subject, 
from  the  quarter  where  alone  it  could  have  been  obtained.  He  stands 
now  before  a  more  awful  tribunal,  and  it  becomes  us  rather  to  draw  a 
veU  over  the  scene  than  assume  an  office  which  belongs  odIj  to  that 
Judge  at  whose  bar  we  must  all,  sooner  or  later,  appear.  Yet^  whilst 
-we  would  abstain  from  reflection  upon  the  dead,  we  cannot  withhold 
from  the  rising  generation  the  cautions  which  necessarily  present 
themselves  on  this  solemn  event  We  feel  it  a  duty  to  warn  them 
against  the  smallest  deviations  from  the  path  of  honesty  and  dutr ;  to 
remind  them  how  one  sin  leads  on  to  another  till  the  mind,  whi<m  was 
before  shocked  at  the  very  name^  becomes  so  hardened  and  insensible  as 
to  be  capable  of  committing  the  most  horrid  and  unnatural  crimei^ 
without  remorse  or  oompunctum,  and  till  it  becomes  necessary,  for  the 
aeeority  of  socie^,  that  tney  shoidd  finish  their  career  by  an  ignominious 
and  shameful  death.  ^ 

The  next  extract  gives  a  deecription  of  the 

Nkw  Przbov  avd  PuBLio  Offiob. 

September  29, 1806.— This  day  possession  is  to  be  taken  of  our  new- 
buflt  Prison-House  and  Prison,  situated  in  Moor  Street,  by  Mr.  Payn,. 
the  Keeper,  the  first  stone  of  which  was  laid  by  Mr.  Bi^ard  Prstdiett^ 
the  Hiflh  Bailiff  for  the  time  being,  September  18, 1805.  Ihen^idity 
with  wnieh  this  public  fabrie  hM  been  erected,  reflects  tfie  grastest 
credit  on  the  .Committee  w^o  eonducied  the  undertaking;  and  tiie 
greatest  praise  is  due  to  Mr.  WHliam  HcUins,  the  architect  and  masoiiy 
and  Mr.  camnel  Copland,  the  builder  and  surveyor,  for  their  punctuality 
-and  workmanlike  conduct  Hie  internal  arrangemente  of  the  prisoii 
are  erdered  with  such  judgment  and  convenience^  as  to  draw  forth  the 
highest  enconuums  from  t&t  philanthropist^  Mr.  Neal,  (the  Howard  of 
the  present  day,)  and  several  other  emment  diaraetera.  Hie  eeUs.axe 
roomv  and  well  ventihted ;  the  eonit-vaid  b  of  ample  dimensions^ 
wdl  migmd,  and  in  aU  the  apartments  and  offices  the  healtfa  and  dett^ 
nem  ofthe  unf ortonate  prisoners  that  may  become  Inhabttanti  have 
been  studied  with  the  most  peculiar  ears  and  attention.  Aveiynroper 
imd  judicious  ananmnent  Is  also  obseiTed  in  the  erection  of  tnis 
prison — the  male  ana  female  piisoners  are  kept  entirelT  apart 

Hie  exterior  ef  the  PnUie  Office  is  nearly  eompleteo,  sod,  tf  we  majr 

ege  of  the  whole  from  wbal  is  dlsoornibie  in  tne  front,  tne  anhtteot 
displayed  no  email  pottien  of  judgment  and  taste;  The  style  of 
the  buildiQg  is  betwixt  the  Greek  and  Roman ;  the  Gbpitals,  of  tlie 
graceful  Ionic  order,  bear  the  Bsmblanee  of  otiginali^.  On  an  im- 
perfect building  criticism  must  be  silent ;  but  we  cannot  help  dedariqg 
that  the  elmnoe  of  the  etnicUue  would  gnee  the  first  situation  hi  the 
town;  and  the  time  may  come  when  this  public  edifice  will  be  a  t«ml- 
Bating  object  to  a  spadoos  street 

On  April  17, 1807,  a  town'a  meeting  waa  held,  at  whieh 
an  addresa  to  the  king  waa  adopted  expresaive  of  the 
gratefiil  aenee  which  the  inhabitante  entertained  of  his 
''Tigiknt  and  ipatemal  attention  to  the  preservation  of  a 
happy  constitution  as  by  law  established,  and  to  assoie  his 
ilajesty  of  their  firm  determination  to  support  him  in  the 
jnst  and  undiminished  exercise  of  his  prerogative."    The 


1^ 


PUBLIC  LIFE  AND   EVENTa  229 

cause  of  this  display  of  loyalty  was  the  introduction  into 
parliament  of  a  oill  by  Lord  Howick,  to  enable  Boman 
Oatholics  to  hold  commissions  in  the  army  and  navy.  The 
king's  opposition  to  this  wise  proposal  called  him  to  dismiss 
his  ministers.  In  this,  as  in  almost  all  his  illiberal  and 
narrow  conduct,  the  king,  with  the  exception  of  a  small 
minority,  had  the  nation  with  him.  The  address  sent  from 
this  town  shows  how  Birmingham  felt  on  the  subject . — 

To  THB  Kino's  Most  EzcBUjarT  MAjBsrr. 

May  4, 1807. — ^Most  Gracious  SoY6r6k|n, — ^Wcl  your  Majettya  most 

dutiful  and  loyal  aubjecta^  the  Qentry,  Glenj.  Merdiant^  Manufao- 

turers,  and  other  Inhabitanta  of  the  town andricinity of  Birminghani. 

4)eg  leave  to  approach  your  throne  with  sentimenta  of  &e  moat  prnound 

attadunent  ana  veneration  for  your  Majeaty'a  person  and  formrameat. 

Your  faithful  aubjeeta,  Sire,  can  never  foi^  the  dignified  and 
parental  Sentimenta  with  which  your  Hkistiioua  reign  commenced ; 
SentimentB  which^  for  nearly  half  a  oentuzy,  and  under  circumatmoes 
of  unexampled  difficult  and  perils  have  continued  so  eminently  to 
diatinguiah  it 

We  have  seen  with  admiration  the  ■ncccwdve  steps  of  yoor  Majesty^ 
eventful  reton.  mailLed  hv  an  inviolable  adhemoe  to  thoae  Mcml 
principlea  wnSuui  f onn  the  laaia  of  our  envied  Oonatitatioo,  and  plaeed 
your  illuatrioua  Houae  on  the  throne.  Deeply  impresMd  1^  a  oonaeious- 
of  the  invaluable  bleaainga  we  enjoy  under  your  Majea^  mild  and 


patenial  flovenunenti  we  feet  it  an  impexiims  dntji  at  this  momentoos 
eriai%  to  &y  befote  your  as^goat  throne  the  tribute  of  oiv 
to  ezpreaa  the  high  aenae  we  entertain  of  your  Majea^  vi^plant  and 
patriotic  attention  to  the  pieaetvatiun  of  our  j^oriooa  CSooatitation  as 
ly  law  eataUiahed.  Zealoo%  in  oommon  with  all  yoor  liaieaty^  faith« 
fol  eubleetiy  for  the  integrity  and  iweaei  lalltai  of  Aat  matAleaa  lyatem 
which  iaa  hitherto  proved  the  impiMmUe  bulwaricof  Britidi  friedoin, 
penait  ua  to  aarare  your  Mi^eaty  of  oar  unaltenble  datenaiaatiflo  to 
aoppoft  your  throne  in  the  inat  and  undimlniBhed  exeroiae  of  yoor 
Bond  pterogatiTe.    We  oooiiae^  under  Qod,  in  your  Mideatj^  wiadom 


men  maattMaMe  varae^  wiii,  m  nMn|f  u>  iMoe  roaUH^  praoog 
the  number  of  your  Majealy's  days;  and  amidat  the  awful  oonvukkiiia 
and  downfal  of  anrrounding  nati?ina|  aecure  to  your  Ifajeaty  the  heait- 
f elt  aatiiAietion  of  tranamnting  to  poateri^,  unimpamMl,  the  Britiah 

Signed  m  the  name  and  at  the  ie<|MBt  ol  the  meetings 

QaoBoa  Socooz,  Ghainnan. 

The  Addreaa  waa  taken  to  London  by  the  Hjgb  BaOilfaBd  the  Bev. 
C.  Cbrtia  in  ofdar  to  preaent  the  aame  to  hia  jlajeB^ ;  bat»  aa  hia 
Mi^lea^doea  not  leoeireaddreaaea  at  hia  private  Jevee%  fee  addrani  waa 
left  with  the  Becveteiy  el  StafcOi  and  ptea&ed  hy  him  to  hia  Ifajeafy. 

We  need  not  be  gorixriaed  that  the  kiiijgf a  next  birthday 
was  oelebrated  evian  with  more  tluai  (Miiiiaiy  fbrronr— «t 
least  it  was  so  here  >*^ 


230  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

June  8th,  1807. — ^The  birthday  of  oar  revered  and^  Tenerable 
Sovereign  was  celebrated,  on  Thni-sdaj,  by  the  inhabitants  of  this  town 
with  the  most  ardent  loyalty.  The  three  battalions  of  the  loyal 
Birmingham  Volunteers,  cloathed  in  new  regimentals,  paraded  in  the 
morning  in  New-street,  and  afterwards  marched  to  their  ground  on 
Birmingham  Heath,  where  they  fired  three  volleys  in  honour  of  the  day. 
The  officers,  with  many  other  respectable  gentiemen  of  the  town,  dined 
at  the  Shakespear  Tavern ;  and  the  privates  were  presented  by  the 
Volunteer  Committee  with  one  ahilling  each,  to  regale  themselves  upon 
this  happy  festival. 

In  October  the  New  Pablic  Office  was  op^ied  for  the 
transaction  of  business. 

October  lOth^  1807.— Tks  Kxif  Pobuo  OmcK,  in  this  town,  being 
finished,  the  Magistivtes  trill  attend  thwe  this  day  for  the  first  time  W 
transact  business.  This  very  handsome  edifice^  which  is  not  excellecf 
by  any  building  for  a  similar  purpose  in  the  kingdom,  has  been  erected 
from  the  plans  of  Mr.  William  Uollins^  the  ingenious  architect  of  this 
town,  and  the  taste  he  has  exhibited  will  be  a  lasting  testimony  of  bis 
merit.  Mr.  Copland  is  the  builder,  to  whom  grsat  praise  is  due  for  his 
punctual  and  assiduous  attention,  and  for  the  great  skill  and  judgment 
ne  has  dispUyed  in  the  chcto  of  matsrials  and  workmanship.  Althougb 
the  KewPauic  Office  and  IMson  has  cost  a  larger  sum  in  eredins  than 
it  was  at  first  expected,  ystftiie  town  has  libenJlv  supplied  the  builduig 
oommittee  with  rands  fully  adaquats  to  finish  tne  whole  in  a  aannsr 
hlf^j  ornamental  to  the  plaos. 

We  must  not  omit  the  following  obituary  notice  of  a 

gnuine.Birmingham  wortiiy,  wiiose  spirit  cf  active  benevo- 
loe   and   lazge-hearted   charity  survives  in  the  living 
inheritor  of  hia  name;** 

December  9^  1807^— Died,  yssUrdav  uMtning,  Sampson  Lloyd, 
banker,  of  tUs  toiwn,  in  his  604h  yesr.  The  death  of  ibis  worthy  man 
is  onirerBsIl jT  Ismented.    ffis  long  Ufa  hss  been  pssssdwithjionoiir  and 


int^ty,  and  as  he  was  TClii^ooshr  attached  to  tbs  OMHe  of  Ohiistisni^, 
hs  sndeavoiired  to  aet  up  to  Its  dui^ne  preespli. 


The  next  extract^  though  brief,  brings  before  us  a  vivid 
TOoture  cf  the  tyranny  then  ezerdsed  towards  working-men. 
The  combination  laws  of  the  time  were  as  dismceful  as  the 
criminal  laws.  Reform  in  law  is  slow  and  tedious  work  ; 
and  there  is  much  yet  to  be  done  before  we  can  aay  that 
law  and  equity  are  one.    But  to  the  old  aboemaken  :— 

July  4,  1806.— The  master  boot  and  shoe-msksrs  in  other  Isiga 
town%  as  wsU  ss  tlii%  are  using  vaty  spirited  messnrss  ht  sopprsisiug 


mlanfol  combinations  amons  the  journeymen ;  guarding  the  well-dla- 
posed  agsinst  tiis  principles  of  the  Hie  and  ahanqoned;  and  holding  out 
eneoorsgenMnt  to  sodi  as  have  bssn  mlslsd,  snd  are  disposed  to  save 
thsmselvis  and  fiuniiiss  firom  ndn,  bj  vsiandqg  agdn  to  thair  duty. 

The  first  case  at  the  Public  Ofl^  which  we  find  reported 
is  one  arising  out  of  these  combination  laws.    It  will  be 


PUBLIC  LIFE  AND  EVEKT3.  231 

seen  by  tbis  report  bow  tbe  magistrates  dealt  witb  tbe  com- 
biners : — 

August  1,  180a— At  the  Public  Office,  on  Thursday  hjst,  William 
Brown  and  WiUiam  Knight,  two  journeymen  boot  and  shoe  makers, 
were  convicted  before  Theodore  Price  and  Geoige  Simcoz,  Esquires,  for 
having,  with  others,  unlawfully  combined  together  to  prevent  an  un- 
employed journeyman  of  the  same  trade  workmg  for  Mr.  Edwarda  a 
master  boot  and  snoe  maker,  of  this  town,  and  sentenced  to  two  montns' 
imprisonment  in  the  house  of  correction  at  Warwick,  there  to  be  kept 
to  nard  labour.  The  Magistrates  in  passing  sentence,  most  strongly 
reprobated  the  conduct  of  tiiese  men,  and  pointing  out  tiie  mischievous 
and  dangerous  consequences  that  must  necessarily  result  to  individuals 

Silty  of  such  an  offence :  an  offence  the  more  aggravated  from  its 
ving  been  satisfactorily  proved  before  them  that,  although  the  de- 
fendants sought  by  their  conduct  to  obtain  an  advance  of  wages,  they 
could  easily  earn,  at  the  present  prices  paid  by  the  masterB,  from  five  to 
seven  shilhngs  ]>er  day ;  and  ezpreoed  that  they  should  not  only  feel 
it  their  indmation,  but  their  boundea  duty  which  thev  owed  to  the 
publia  to  poniah  to  the  utmost  extent  of  the  law  all  penons  who 
ahoula  be  brought  before  them  and  eonvictad  of  similar  oronoes. 

An  anonymous  advertisement   appeared  in  tbe  news- 

¥q)ecs,  announcing  that  an  application  would  be  made  to 
krliament  for  an  act  to  establish  water  works  in  the 
town.  The  principal  inhabitants  at  once  took  addcm  in  the 
matter.  A  meeting  was  held,  and  the  proiect  was  opposed — 
and  appaxtntly  on  veiy  suiBicient  grounds.  The  following 
is  tbe  report  of  the  meeting : — 

Public  Ornci^  BiaiuvoBAiL 
October  10,  1A08. — ^At  a  numerous  Haeting  of  the  Inhabitants  of 
the  Town  of  fiinningham,  sommoned  by  the  High  Bailiff,  by  public 
advertisement^  in  consequence  of  an  anonymous  Advvrtisement  having 
amieared  in  the  Bimmigham  Pspen^  puiporting  ''Tliat  an  implication 
will  be  made  to  Parliament  in  the  ensamg  BeHioiiay  for  leave  to  bring 
in  a  bill  for  maldng  and  maintaining  Water  Worki^  for  sapnlying  the 
Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  Birmin^mam  with  Water  for  eotiiutfy  and 
domestic  Purposes,  and  for  extingoisning  Accidents  by  Firs ;" 

The  Hi^  Bailiff  in  the  Chair; 

Beaolved  nnanimonsly,— Hist  the  Qoestion  of  the  Expediency  or 
Necessity  of  Water  Wons  in  the  Town  of  Birmingham^  ought  to  be 
determined  solely  and  exdnsively  by  the  Inhabitants. 

That  snfBdent  Infomiatioo  has  not  been  laid  before  this  Meeting  to 
determine  the  expediency  of  establishing  Water  Works  in  the  Town  of 
Birmingham. 

That  ahonld  any  Attempt  be  made  withoat  the  Oonearrenee  of  the 
Town  to  introdnee  a  Bill  into  Failiameat  flroanded  upon  the  abovs- 
noticed  Advertissnent^  it  Is  the  Duty  of  tbb  Town  to  oppose  it  bj 
•veiy  Exertion  in  their  Power. 

Resolved  nnanimoualy, — ^That  a  Committee  be  appointed  to  coodoot 
saoh  Opposition,  if  requisite,  and  that  they  be  also  authorised  to 
aaeertain  the  Expediencj  of  ereetlng  Water  Works  in  the  Town  ot 
Bumingham. 


232  A  CENTURY  OF  BIBMIKQHAH  LIFE. 

That  iho  followiDi^  Gentlemen  oonetitate  the  Committee^  trith  Power 
to  add  any  oUier  Names  thej  maj  think  proper : — 

The  High  and  Low  Bailiffii  Measrs.  Thomas  Blood 
for  the  Time  being  „       Thomas  Beilby 

William  Villers,  Esq.  »        James  Osborne 

William  Hicks^  Esq.  ,,        Thomas  Lee 

Theodore  Price,  Esq.  .  „       Thomas  Bichards 

George  Simcox,  Esq.  „        Charles  Llojrd 

John  Taylor,  Esq.  ,,        Henry  Perkins 

liatthew  Boolton,  Esq.  „       Thomas  Small 

.  James  Watt^  Esq.  „        William.  Whitmoro 

Dr.  Croft  „       James  Alston 

Dr.  QUbr  ,,       James  Woolley   . 

Hesnm.  iL  R  Bonlton  „       Timothy  Smith 

0       James  Watt^jnn.  „       Mark  Sanaders 

«       iBiohard  Fratoheti  ^       Isaac  Spooner,  jon. 

M        Samuel  Baker  „       Thomas  Attwood 

n        Samuel  Lloyd  ^       JohnPhillipa 

„       John  Cope  „       John  Heely 

9       JohnBlonnt  „       Theophilos  Bicbardt 

I,       Geoige  Boone    .  „       John  Lawrence 

James  Iloyd  '  ,,       Edward  Boi 


BasJT6dnnan!monalyy--^ThatMeitti.  Baiter  and  Ua^ttbeappolatod 
the  SoOcitcMnB. 

Tliat  a  SabaeriptioD  be  immadlafuly  entered  Into  to  aoooniiilsik  the 
abore  ObjeeCsi  the  Management  and  Disposal  of  whicb  shall  be  Tseted 
in  the  Oooimittee. 

That  Metoa.  Spooner  and  Attwooda  be  appointed  Treasorm. 

Thai  the  abore  BesolntioiMi  be  inasrtid  la  the  Bbinte|diam  Pimm. 

That  tlie  Tliaiiki  of  this  MetUiig  be  fjtwm  to  the  H^jti  Bailiff  far 
Ilia  able  and  impartial  Oondnet  in  tSa  Chair.  . 

An  attempt  una  also  made  this  year,  hy  a  oomniativdy 
few  peraona,  to  lemove  the  Oom  Haiket  m»n  the  jBqII  Bing 
to  {Ee  Old  Squaxa  The  adyertiaement  annonncang  thia 
propoaed  diaoge  waa  immediately  followed  hy  the  oflkial 
prohibition ;— -,  , 

OetolwMO,  1806.— An  AdTwtiaamcnt  faaTlqg  appaiied  fai  the  Bir- 
of  the  3rd  of  October  imtant^  atetiitf  that  the  Bk^ewaii^ 
0%  Earaier%  and  etben  latararted  m  the  Oom  TndB, 
are  thareonto  aaneredj  wooM  meal  in  tlia  8qaai%  in 
Birmingham,  on  T1ivnday«  the  0th  ef  Oetober,  and  areiT  TbarKiajy 
following  at  TwelTo  cTGIoac  at  Noon,  frr  the  Pmrpoaa  of  nyhitf  ana 
■elliag  Gtmin.  Notice  ia  herabj  aivaa  that  each  AdieiHaamaat  waa 
inaarted  withoat  the  aathority  of  the  Hkh  Bdliff  ef  the  Town  ef 
Birminghamj  and  that  all  Ftanna  aMatiagln  the  Sqaara  for  the  Par* 
poae  thelriin  apeeified  will  be  ptoeeeded  iupbat  aceoraiag  to  Law. 

Hmr  PamB%  Wfgh  fiyiiC 

The  iohabitatita  of  the  Soaaie  also  held  a  meeting,  iDd 
proteated  againat  the  propoau :— 


PUBLIC  LIFE  AND  EVENTS.  233 

October  10, 1808.— At  a  Meeting  of  the  Proprietors  and  Inhabitants 
of  Houses  in  the  Square  and  the  NeighbourhcKxi  thereof,  on  Saturday, 
the  8th  of  October  instant,  to  take  into  Consideration  the  Propriety  of 
opposing  the  Bemoval  of  the  Com  Idarket ;  Mr.  Phillips  in  the  Chair ; 

AnAdvertisement  hayin|[  appeared  in  the  Birminfi^ham  Paper  of  the 
3rd  of  October  instant^  stating  '^that  the  Brewers,  Millers,  Maltsters^ 
Farmers,  and  others  interestea  in  the  Com  Trade,  whose  Names  are 
thereto  annexed,  would  meet  in  the  Square,  in  Birminj^hun,  on 
l^ursday,  the  6tii  Day  of  October,  and  every  Thursday  following,  at 
Twelye  o'Qodc  at  Noon,  for  the  Purpose  of  buying  and  seUing  Oram ; " 
and  this  Meeting  having  taken  the  same  into  Cknisideration,  cannot  help 
ezpressinf  their  Surprise  at  the  Attempt  of  any  Individuals  to  remove 
the  Com  Market  from  its  present  pubho  and  oommodious  Situation  to 
0udi  a  retired  Spot  as  the  Square,  emdally  when  it  is  considered  that 
the  Town  has  enended  a' very  laige  Bum  of  Money  in  rendering  them 
eveiy  jwesible  Aocommodatian,  ur  taking  down  the  Shambles  and 
mltifpng  the  present  Market  Place;  and  this  Meeting  being  of 
Opimoii  that  no  Persons  have  a  Bight  to  hold  or  establish  a  Market  in 
anyother  Place  than  where  it  has  Men  hdd  from  Time  immemorial ; 

Besolved,— That  if  the  Attempt  to  hold  a  Com  Market  in  the  Square 
ht  penuted  in,  they  will  ofipoae  it  by  eveiy  legal  Means  in  thdr  Power. 

Tliat  a  Bubecription  be  immediately  entered  into  for  this  Purpose. 

Tliat  Mr.  John  Phillips,  Mr.  fiobert  Ward,  Mr..  Samuel  Bogers,  Mr. 
Vicken,  Mr.  Cresshull,  and  Mr.  TJnett,  be  appointed  a  Committee  to 
canr  the  Intcmtioii  of  this  MeeCinff  into  Effect  (anv  three  of  whom 
■haU  be  competent  to  act);  and  uat  Messrs.  Barker  and  Unett  be 
aimdnted  Bohcitors. 

That  thsieBesalntiops  be  published  in  the  Birmingham  Newspapers. 
Signed  at  the  Bequest  of  the  Meeting, 

John  Fbuajtb,  Gbainoan. 

The  change  was,  of  conne,  not  made,  and  the  market 
continned  to  be  held  in  the  old  placa  The  water  works 
qnestion  was  aflain  agitating  the  public,  and  the  overseers 
adopted  the  toUowms  very  sensible  mode  of  ascertaining 
the  opinion  of  the  innabitiuits : — 

Ooldbsr  H  180&— We  are  antluniBsd  to  inform  the  public  that  the 
aooompanied  bj  the  oommittee  upointed  by  the  town  to 


i^tttTTnint  the  ezpedisoey  of  eatablishipg  Water  Works  in  this  plaoe^ 
wilL  in  the  coarse  of  a  lew  dav%  wait  upon  the  inhabitants  to  collect 
thnr  ssntimcats  anon  this  suDJeeti  when  qoestions  of  the  f oUcwimr 
poipott  will  piobaoly  be  proposed  to  them  ^-Whether  yon  are  weO 
smnlaed  with  good  watsrt  whether  an  additioiial  supply  of  soft 
water  will  be  desirable  I  What  aom  you  will  be  willing  to  pay  annuaUy 
lor  a  SBpp^  ol  good  water,  or  for  soft  water  t 

The  responses  to  these  qaeetions  appear  to  have  been 
sstisfiictoiy  to  the  opponents  of  the  bill,  ibr  on  Febmaiy  10, 
1809,  the  committee  appointed  to  watch  over  the  "*  interests 
of  the  town  '*  published  the  following  important  report : — 

WAna  Woaxs. 

The  Oommittee  appointed  bjr  the  Town's  Meeting  think  it  their 
DatT  to  states  that  noiwithstaodmg  the  Besolotion  nnanimootly  passed 
by  tlM  Town  at  laige^  disoountenandng  the  Establishment  of  Water 


234  A  CEimJRY  OF  BIR^dNGHAM  LIFE. 

• 

Worka,  thej  bare  learnt  that  Mr.  Dodd  persists  in  his  determination 
to  apply  to  Parliament  for  Power  to  carry  his  plan  into  Eflfec^  and  that 
he  has  been  endeaTOforing  to  obtain  Signatures  to  a  Petition  m  support 
of  it.  It  is  sorely  a  Thing  without  Example  that  a  Speculator  should, 
in  Opposition  to  Uie  Sense  of  a  Town's  Meeting,  unanimously  expressed, 
perseTcre  in  a  Scheme  which  he  has  tmifomdy  refused  to  explain,  either 
to  the  Town  at  large  or  to  the  Committee  appointed  to  inveetigcUe  the 
8uJtject.  The  Committee,  wishing  to  give  the  fullest  Publicity  to  the 
ProoeedinfiB  which  have  taken  Place  upon  this  Subject,  have  subjoined 
a  Detail  of  the  Measures  which  have  been  pursued,  and  they  rely  upon 
the  public  Spirit  of  the  Inhabitants  to  support  their  own  Kesolutions 
and  Appointments.  On  the  12th  day  of  September,  1808,  the  following 
Adverasement  appeared  in  the  Birmingham  Paper  >-^ 

^  Notice  is  hereDy  gi^en,  that  Application  is  mtended  to  be  made  to 
Parliament  the  ensuing  Session,  for  leave  to  bring  in  a  Bill  for  Making 
and  Maintaining  Water  Worios,  for  supplying  the  Inhabitants  of  the 
Town  of  Birminriuam  with  water  for  enlinary  and  domestic  pnrposesL 
and  for  extingniuiing  Accidents  by  Fire ;  wmdi  aforesaid  Works  will 
be  oonstnietad  in  the  Parishes  of  St  Martin's  and  8t  Philip's,  in  the 
ixnin^  ox  vrarwicK. 

In  conaeqiience  of  this  Advertisement  a  reqniaitiQii  was  addressed  to 
the  WA  Bailiff  of  the  Town  as  follows  >- 
*^  To  Hanry  Peridn%  Esq..  High  Bailiff  of  the  Town  of  Bixnungham. 

''An  anonymoiis  iiolioe  having  appeared  in  the  Rlrmfngham  Plqiers 
of  Mcmday  and  Thnrsdar  last  of  an  intended  Applieation  to  Psrliament 
for  Leave  to  bring  in  a  fill  for  making  and  Maintainfag  Water  Works 


for  supplying  the  Town  with  Water ; 

''We,  the  undersigned  inhabitants  of  Birmingham,  reqnest  yon  to 
cell  a  Pablie  Meeting  for  the  Porpoee  of  taking  mto  oonauieration  the 
Fkoptiflty  of  raeh  an  AppUeatkm : 

William  ViUen^        JohnBloont^  Thomas  Beilby, 

Bifiihard  Pratdiatt^     George  Boone^         James  Osborne, 
.  Samiisl  Baker,  James  Llovd,  Thomas  Lssl 

pffffnitl  Lloyd.  Thomas  Bloody        Thomas  Bionards." 

John  Oopa^ 
In  Pumaaee  of  aodi  Bsqaisition,  the  High  BuUff  eslled  a  General 
Meetiag  of  the  Inhabitaato  of  the  Town  for  tha  4th  of  Oetober,  whidi 
Msetlag  was  mort  nnmeRMHly  and  leqieetably  attended,  and  the 
following  Pssoltttjona  wore  unanimously  passsd : — 

The  High  Bailiff  in  the  Chahr ; 

•Besdved  nnanimooslyf— 

*  Thai  the  Qaestkm  of  the  Expedient  or  KeesssHy  of  Water  WorioL 
in  the  Town  of  Birmingham,  oqght  to  be  detennined  solely  ana 
azdnsively  by  the  Inhabitanfa. 

"  That  sufficient  Information  has  not  been  hid  before  this  Meetmg 
to  detennina  the  Expediency  of  establishing  Water  Works  in  the  Town 
of  Bimingliam.       *^^^  ^ 

"Tliat  ahoold  any  Attempt  be  made  without  the  Ooocomnoe  of 
the  Town  to  introdnoe  a  Bill  mto  Parliament  monded  npon  the  above 
mentioned  Advertisement,  it  is  the  Duty  of  ttie  Town  to  oppose  it  \ij 
ovary  Eiailioo  in  their  Power. 

"That  a  Committee  be  appointed  to  coadoct  aodi  Opposition,  if  ra- 
qioisite ;  and  that  tlioy  be  also  aothorised  to  ascertain  «oe  BipeaieBpy 
oif  orseting  Water  Works  in  the  Town  of  Binningham. 


PUBUC  LIFE  AND  EVENTS.  235 

"  That  the  High  and  Low  Bailiffs^  and  thirty-eif  ht  Gentlemen,  then 
named,  constitute  the  Committee,  with  Power  to  add  any  other  Names 
they  may  think  Proper." 

The  Committee  met  in  Pursuauoe  of  their  Appointment,  and  with 
a  view  the  better  to  enable  them  to  determine  the  Expediency  of 
erecting  Water  Works  in  the  Town,  they  deputed  twelve  Gentlemen^ 
who,  together  with  the  Overseers  of  the  f  oor,  were  recmested  to  enquire 
into  the  different  districts  of  the  Town,  whether  the  Inhabitants  were 
in  general  well  supplied  with  good  Water.  They  likewise  instructed 
their  Solicitors  to  ascertain  in  what  Towns  Water  Works  had  been 
erected,  and  how  far  their  situation  differed  from  or  corresponded  with 
the  Situation  of  this  Town.  They  also  applied  to  Mr.  Dodd,  to  desire 
him  to  put  the  Committee  in  Possession  of  the  Means  he  proposed  to 
adopt,  in  order  to  enable  them  to  judge  how  far  his  Scheme  was  likely 
to  be  beneficial  or  otherwise  to  the  Town,  in  case  it  should  be  eventuaU  v 
deemed  expedient  to  establish  Water  Works ;  and  whether  it  was  his 
intention  to  persevere  in  his  proposed  Application  to  Parliament  against 
the  judgment  of  the  Town. 

Mr.  I>odd,  however,  refused  to  shew  his  plans  to  the  Committee,  as 
he  had  formerly  declined  doing  at  ibe  fint  Town's  Meeting  at  wluoh 
he  was  present.  The  Committoe  having  received  the  Beports  of  the 
different  Gentlemen  deputed  to  enquire  of  the  Inhabitants  in  what 
manner  the  Town  was  supplied  with  water,  passed  the  following  Beso- 
lutions : — 

^  Besdved  unanimously, — That  it  appears  to  this  Meeting  that  the 
Besult  of  the  Inveetjflation  made  througnout  the  Town  is  Qn&voQrable 
to  the  Erection  of  Water  Woiks." 

Oommunicatioiis  from  several  Individual^  relative  to  the  Water 
Worics  established  in  different  Towns  having  oeen  read, 

^  Resolved  nnanimoosly, — That  it  appean  to  this  Meeting,  fromsodi 
Commnnicatioofl,  that  the  places  which  are  now  sumdied  wiUi  Water 
by  Water  Works,  were  before  the  erection  ol  such  Wmn  very  iU  sup- 
plied with  Water,  which  is  not  the  case  in  this  Town. 

'^  That  it  ii  the  decided  opinion  of  the  Committee  that  the  Erection 
of  Water  Works  in  this  Town  is  wholly  nnnecesaaiy,  and  would  be 
productive  of  great  EviL 

**  That  a  ^neral  Meeting  of  the  Inhabitants  be  called  to  receive  the 
Report  ol  this  Cmnmitt.ee,'  and  that  at  such  Meeeting  it  be  proposed  to 
use  ewry  Means  tooppoee  any  Attempt  to  obtain  an  Act  ol  nniament 
lor  the  erecting  of  Water  Works." 

In  Porsnanoe  ol  these  Eesolnttoos  the  BIA  Bailiff  called,  by  duUic 
Advertisement,  another  «neral  MeetiQg  ol  the  Inhabttants,  wbiok  was 
also  veiy  numerously  ana  respectably  attended ;  at  which  Meeting  the 
following  Resolations  were  unanimously  passed : — 

The  High  Buliff  in  the  Chair; 

^Resolved  unanimously,— That  the  Erection  ol  Water  Woiks  in  the 
Town  of  Birmingham  is  wholly  onneoessaiy  and  would  be  productive 
ol  great  EviL 

^  That  the  Oonunittee,  appointed  at  a  Town'b  Meeting  on  the  4th  ol 
October  last,  be  anthoiised  to  nse  evwy  Exertion  to  countenct  any 
Attempt  to  obtain  an  Act  ol  Parliament  for  the  Establishment  A 
Water  Works  in  the  Town  ol  BiimingfaanL  any  five  ol  them  competent 
to  act;  and  particniariv  that  they  be  desired  to  make  Immediate 
Applicataon  to  the  Mem  oers  ol  the  Ooonty,  and  all  other  Qentkmen  in 


236  A  CENTUET  OF  BIRHINOHAK  LIFE. 

Parliament  ^th  whom  they  msj  have  any  Influence  or  Wek^t,  to 
oppose  any  Bill  which  may  be  introduced  into  Parliament  u>r  the 
Enaction  of  such  Works." 

At  a  suhfleqnent  Meeting  of  the  Committee^  held  at  the  Public 
Office,  Januaxy  9, 1809. 

''  It  was  unanimouBiy  Beeolved, — That  the  Solidton  be  directed  to 
write  to  Mr.  Dodd,  informing  him  of  the  Besult  of  the  Town's 
Meeting  of  the  6th  Instant^  and  that  they  take  such  Measures  as  to 
them  may  seem  most  proper  to  obtain  the  earliest  Infonnation  of  any 
Application  to  Parliament  to  bring  in  a  Bill  for  the  Purpose  of  erecting 
water  Works  in  this  Town. 

**  By  Directions  of  the  Committee, 

**  RAKKim  AXD  XJHrar, 

''Soliciton.'' 

The  opposition  was  successful,  and  on  April  10  it  was 
announcea  tiiat  Mr.  Dodd's  plan  had  been  rejected  by  the 
Committee  of  the  House  of  Commons,  who  found  that 
his  allegations  could  not  be  proved.  ''It  is  to  be  hoped," 
says  the  advertisement,  signed  by  John  Alston,  High  Bailiff 
«that  this  repulse  will  he  an  admonition  to  all  projectors 
and  adventurers,  never  to  obtrude  any  viaonary  scheme 
upon  a  body  of  People  oontruy  to  their  approbation  and 
ccmaent.''  We  shall  flee  that  it  was  no  admonition  at  all; 
for  in  the  following  Tear  the  sdieme  was  revived  and  the 
battle  had  to  be  fought  over  affaan. 

The  white  metal  jetton  traSe  was  an  important  hnmch  of 

onr  industiy  at  this  time*    The  workmen  'employed  in  it 

were,  however,  sadly 'underpaid;  and  by  the  foUowiiig 

petition  appealed  to  the  masters  to  raise  their  wagea  '  The 

respectful,  almost  humUe,  tone  of  the  appeal  is  in  atrSdn^ 

contrast  with  similar  documents  which  have  been  tmUishea 

in  our  own  time ;  and  indicates  a  latent  dread  of  tne  uigust 

combination  laws : — 

To  TBM  Maams  nr  in  Wbrb  Hbcal  Bonov  TaAoa 

Hsidi  6^  1809.— Oe&tkmen,— We,tbeu]idflr-inittsB  JoomeymsQ  in 
tlM/Whita  Mslal  Button  IMUl  do,  in  Behalf  of  ounsltea  and  att 
otiien  in  the  said  Tiade  in  mk  Town,  most  hmnli^  and  mnmMj 
nddnsi  jToiL  piajrinff  yon  ssriowsly  to  tria  our  0ms  mo  Onnsidwition 
with  Begird  to  the  MDes  whidi  we  at  th^ 

We  wish  to  rsmsent  to  von  the  almost  InuMOBbilitT  of  pcoridinff  for 
oar  FamiliM  the  NeesaMries  of  lifs^dnnog  the  h%b  pnee  ofl^vi. 
aions,  at  the  vtir  low  Bate  ws  are  now  p&d  for  onr  WoiIl  We 
tfaonf ore  hare  taken  this  Method  of  appljiu  to  yon  to  redross  car 


Ckiofanes^as  hr  as  yon  maTJadge  rsasdnaUe  aai  popsr,  fom  the 
fltatsmonts  we  aie  wilfiog  to  laj  bsf ore  yoo,  bj  Baisuig  the  piioss  in 
the  nspeetiTe  Bnndies  in  wmdi  we  are  aDfiloysd;  and  whatofwr 
ad^anoes  yon  may  think  proper  to  favour  ns  with  will  bo  most 
thankfnUy  veceivod  and  gnMolly  aoknowledged  liy  yonr  hnmble 
Benranti^ 


PUBLIC  LIFE  AND  EVENTS.  237 

Thomas  Perksy  William  Podmore,  John  Richards, 

James  Cass,  Samuel  Hodcetts,  John  Slater, 

John  Isaacs,  Thomas  Pardoe,  Wm.  Veal, 

T.  Hemming  Tliomas  Darby,  Charles  Hill, 

Benjamin  Linall,  James  Jones,  Henry  Gibbe, 

Wm.  Ashmora,  Henry  Baker,  Thomas  Pinsill, 

Charles  Upton,  John  Bratt,  D.  Bindley. 

In  March  we  learn  that 

A  petition  has  been  presented  to  the  House  of  Commons,  from  the 
batten,  praying  for  a  repeal  of  the  hat  duty,  as  it  is  not  only  found  to 
be  unproductiYe  of  the  sum  it  was  originally  taken  at,  but  is  become 
too  frequenUy  a  source  of  yexatious  litigation. 

The  following  terrible  story  of  disappointed  love  and 
revenue  is  so  far  within  the  scope  of  this  work,  that  Sir 
Stakdy  Shnckbuigh  was  intimately  connected  with  this 
town ;  and  was  for  some  time  one  of  the  representatives  of 
the  northern  division  of  the  county  which  included  Bir- 
mingham. 

Aprfl  Srd,  1809. — We  ditchaige  a  most  painftd  duty  to  our  readen^ 
in  remding  the  r&sj  dreadfbl  irnAsaetion  wnieh  hat  ioTolTed  Uie  fiunily 
of  Sir  StokelT  Shuekbinvh,  Bart,  of  this  oonntf,  and  the  family  sad 
relatiTvs  of  Lteotenant  Sharpe,  of  the  Bedfordshire  Foment  of  militia^ 
in  the  deepest  distnsa  lieutenant  Bhazpe  haTing  paid  his  sddreiaeB 
to  liisi  Snnekbiiri^  sad  beinff  disappointed  ia  obtaining  the  objeot  of 
his  affeetioaa  fdnaad  the  horm  determination  of  putting  a  period  to 
his  own  saa  her  axistenoe,  which  he  carried  into  effect  on  Sunday 
morning,  the  86th  vlty  ia  the  sommer-hoose  ia  the  plaatations  of 
BnndLuufgu  nunc* 

On  Kay  28,  the  first  stone  was  laid  of  the  Je Vs  Synsr 
te  in  Severn  Street  The  buildinff  is  now  a  Masonic 
in  which  the  brethren  of  the  Athol  Lodge  hold  their 
meetings.  It  will  be  seen  from  the  following  paragraph 
that^  at  the  dinner  riven  after  the  ceremony,  our  Hebrew 
friends  set  the  laudable  example  of  having  ladies  present : — 

liaj  89, 1800.— Oa  Toaedaj  last  the  first  stoae  of  the  iatended 
Syasg^giM^  ia  Serera-street  ia  this  towa,  was  laid  br  Mr.  Mordecsi 
Solomon,  attended  b^  Babbi  J.  Fhillipe,  the  reader,  ana  the  whole  eoa* 
gregitloos  of  Jews  ia  this  town,  also  msnj  ladiee  and  geatlemsa  of  their 
penrassiea  from  GoTsatiy  sad  other  towaa  We  witneseed  with  plea- 
sure the  ragolaritj  of  the  proeeirioa  to  and  from  the  ground,  also  the 
csremoBVor  layiag  the  stone^  which  commenoed  with  a  suitable  prsjer, 
oomposed  bj  Bsbbi  A.  M.  DeUisoo,  Hebrew  Teseher,  of  this  towa ; 
sflsr  lajiag  of  the  stone  aa  orstion  was  delivsred  hy  Mr.  Dellison. 
The  piooesrioa  eoatiaiisd  hi  r^galsr  oidsr  to  the  Roes  Ian,  iHmto 
vprwds  of  ssfeat J  ladles  sad  geatknieB  psriook  of  a  most  samptaons 
dmaer ;  ssrsrsl  lojal  and  appropriato  tossts  were  draak,  sad  ooadoded 
with  sa  sNgat  ball.  The  oompsay  did  aoi  separate  till  earl/  the  aezt 
meraiag.  The  whole  was  oondnoted  la  a  maaaer  that  refleets  tbs 
hij^iest  honoor  oa  the  msasger  of  the  iMtivsL 


238  A  CENTURY  OF  BIROTNGHAM  LIFE. 

The  funds  of  the  General  Hospital  were  veiy  low  at  this 
time,  and  the  charity  was  in  aebt.  Again  a  benevolent 
con-espondent  suggested  that  a  collection  should  be  made  at 
all  the  churches  and  chapels  in  the  county.  He  calculates 
that  this  would  raise  £3,000.  It  will  be  remarked  that  he 
explicitly  advises  that  this  should  not  be  done  annually; 
and  under  the  circumstances  this  was  probably  wise  advice. 
The  number  of  our  charities  has  so  largely  increased,  that 
an  annual  collection  is  but  the  natural  corollary  of  these 
frequently-repeated  suggestions. 

October  2,  1809.— To  the  Printers. — Gentlemen,— In  common  -mth 
many  others  of  yoor  readers,  I  feel  real  conoem  on  being  informed,  hj 
a  statement  of  the  acooants  respecting  the  Birmingham  Gteneral 
Hospital,  that  the  Food  of  that  ezcelfent  Institation  U  not  onl^ 
ezhaosted,  but  that  the  establishment  is  actually  in  deht  To  restore  it 
to  that  competent  which  every  good  man  most  wish  it  to  possess,  allow 
me  (througn  the  medium  of  your  paper)  to  suggest  to  the  Committer 
who  manage  its  affiun,  the  foUowinff  expedient^  whidi  may  he  adopted 
without  inconTsnienc^  and  aocomuished  with  little  expense : — Let  a 
suitable  M^peal  be  made  to  the  public  by  adTtrtisement^  requesting  the 
Ministers  of  all  denominations  (throughout  the  oounlgr  of  Warwick 
and  in  thoee  distriets  of  the  neighbouring  oounties  which  are  benefited 
by  the  institution)  to  address  thSr  rsqMOtiTo  flocks  on  the  aulnecti  that 
oollections  may  be  made  in  thdr  seTecal  Chnrehei^  Chapel%  or  Meeting- 
houses^  and  to  transmit  the  sunai  so  ooUeeted  to  the  Trmmmt,  These 
I  cn^lcniate  will  amount  to  not  less  than  £^000^  and  will  consist  of  audi 
free-will  offeringi  as  scarcely  to  be  misssd  by  those  wiio  bestow  them. 
Perhaps  it  would  not  be  advisable  that  tnese  collections  be  made, 
annually ;  and  the  public  sliould  ezplidtly  be  told  that  they  will  not ; 
but  only  take  plaee  when  a  real  ezigBB^ylike  the  present^  renders  them 


Indiapensihle  an  eziMMy  which  peiaone  of  evsfy  reiigifllus  psnuaalon, 
will^  no  doubti  cfaeennlijr  eontribota  to  rsnore;  lor  the  diaritable 
institution  that  now  fiMb  it  is  of  no  particular  sect ;  but»  like  Heaven's 
flenend  dew,  aheda  its  healing  bouhty  equally  on  all  whom  sioknsssand 
human  suffmng  lead  to  its  g^esL 


The  25th  of  October  was  the  anniversary  of  the 
aocesaion;  and,  on  FHday,  September  29,  a  meeting  was 
held  to  consider  the  best  manner  of  celebrating  the  event 
**  The  idea  of  an  iUamination  on  the  occaaion  -was  mtixiduoed, 
and  very  properly  negatived.  Indeed,  when  it  is  cooaideied 
that  iliere  are  npwaras  of  12,000  inhabited  honaes  in  this 
town,  and  if  only  6,000  of  them  were  illuminated,  it  would, 
at  five  shillings  each,  cost  Xl,500 1  This  sum,  collected  and 
forwarded  for  the  future  bcaiefit  of  the  pom*,  would  be  more 
grateful  to  the  feelings  of  our  ffood  old  King  than  to  hear 
of  the  momentary  blase  of  an  iUuminati<m.'' 

On  October  25,  the  following  earnest  appeal  to  the  public 
was  made  by  the  two  prindpiJ  officers : — 


PUBLIC  LIFE  AND  EVENTS.  ^39 

The  High  and  Low  Bailifib  earnestly  recall  the  attention  of  the 
inhabitants  of  Birmingham  to  Uie  sn^nestion  contained  in  the  resolution 
passed  at  the  Public  Office  on  the  dOu  of  last  month,  which  is  copied 
with  the  concurrence  of  the  Magistrates.  They  beff  leave  respectmlly 
to  recommend  to  the  proprietors  of  retail  shops  to  Keep  them  shut  on 
the  25th  instant. 

''Besolved  unanimously, — ^That  the  Clergy  and  Ministers  of  every 
denomination  in  the  town  of  Birmingham,  be  respectfully  reauested  to 
preach  in  their  difierent  churches,  chapels,  and  otner  places  or  worship, 
on  the  25th  of  October,  1809 ;  and  that  collections  be  afterwards  made, 
the  amount  of  which  shall  be  lodged  in  the  hands  of  the  High  and  Low 
Baili£Gi,  to  be  applied  hj  a  committee  (to  be  hereafter  appointed  at  a 
town's  meeting)  for  the  benefit  of  the  poor.  That  it  is  the  opinion  of 
this  meeting,  that  it  would  not  be  advisable  to  illuminate  on  the 
occasion,  but  that  the  inhabitants  be  respectfully  and  earnestly  recom- 
mended to  contribute,  at  least  what  they  would  have  so  expended,  in 
aid  of  the  above  charitable  fund." 

Lord  Dudley,  with  his  accustomed  beneficence,  has  subscribed  £2S 
in  aid  of  the  proposed  collection  for  the  benefit  of  the  poor  on  Wednes- 
day next;  and  we  hear  that  the  High  and  Low  Bailifb^  upon  the 
recommendation  of  our  worthy  Magktratee,  have  already  apmiea  part  of 
the  diaritable  fund  in  liberating  all  the  prisonen  oonnned  fixr  aebt  in 
the  Court  of  Bequests, 

The  anniversary  was  kept  in  accordance  with  tlie 
resolution  of  the  Meeting. 

On  December  10,  ''the  Christian' Church,  hitherto  wor- 
shipping in  Paradise  Street  Chapel,"  commenced  their 
meetings  in  the  newly-erected  Meeting  House  in  Little 
Oamaon  Street;  at  which  place  they  still  hold  their 
worship. 

liie  Swedenboigians,  who  had  hitherto  met  at  their 
Chapel  in  NewhaU  Street^  took  that  vacated  by  the  Biqytists 
in  Paradise  Street  The  followinff  is  the  record  of  their 
opening  services,  which  were  celeDrated  on  December  17» 
1809,  only  a  week  after  its  old  posseason  had  removed  to 
their  new  Chapel : — 

SennoDS  were  prsadidd  bv  the  Bev.  William  Esnday,  and  the 
Ibllowing  grand  Seieotion  of  Baored  Mnsie,  from  the  Works  of  Haiid^ 
and  othen^  was  performed  by  the  Chanl  Sodety  of  this  Town : — 
Morning.  Oooasional  Overture,  HandoL  After  first  Lssson,  S<mgf 
"*  Lord,  remember  David  f  Cboms^  "<  And  the  Qlotr  of  the  Loid? 
After  seoond  Lesson,  Song,  «For  behold  Darknessr  Clionis,  ''For 
onto  US  a  Child  is  bom."  After  Prayen^  Solo  Anthem,  Mr*  Bndclow. 
of  the  Lichfield  Cathedral,  Lidifield ;  Choni% "« Worthy  is  the  Lamb.'' 
After  Sermon,  Sodi^  ^^Eveiy  Day  wHl  I  give  Thanks;"  grand  Hal* 
lelnjah  Choroa.— Erening.  Orgrturs^  Samson.  After  first  Tnssnn 
Anthem,  ^  Hear  my  ^trnftj'  Kent  After  seeond  Lesson,  Song  and 
Choros.  '■O  thon  that  teUest/'  HandeL  After  Frayen,  Song, "Why 
do  the  Nations ;"  Choms,  ^  Let  ns  break  their  Bonds.*  AfterSermon, 
grand  Double  Choms  firom  Inad  in  ligypt»  ^He  gave  them  Hailstones 


240  A  CENTUBT  OF  BIBHINQHAM  LIFE. 

for  Eain.**  Oondnetor,  Mr.  fiacginf ;  First  Violin,  Mr.  Saonden ; 
principal  Second,  Mr.  Hodgete.  X^Collaetion  was  made  for  the  Benefit 
of  the  Sunday  SchooL 

In  1810  the  town  was  again  the  scene  of  a  riot,  which 
had  its  rise  in  so  insignificant  a  trifle  as  two  women  quarrel- 
ling in  the  market  place  over  the  price  of  potatoes.  Here 
isuie  contemporary  account : — 

RlOTB. 

June  4^  1810. — On  Monday  lasL  in  consequence  of  a  quarrel  between 
two  women  in  the  market  respectmff  the  price  of  potatoes^  a  diBpositioii 
to  riot  began  to  shew  itself  among  Uie  lower  dasses  in  this  town ;  but^ 
by  the  yifforous  exertions  of  the  eiTil  powers,  the  mischief  done  was 
not  more  Sian  throwing  about  the  potatoe^  breaking  some  stalls  and  a 
few  panes  of  glass.  ,  The  more  evil-diBposed  part  of  the  mob,  howcTer. 
whlcn  consisted  prindpalljr  of  bcm  and  women,  beinff  thus  preventea 
from  oommittinff  much  miaehief  m  the  town,  ]nocee£d  to  the  village 
of  Edgbaston.  about  two  miles  distanL  whare^  we  are  sony  to  say,  they 
entered  the  oouse  and  broke  the  windows  and  fiimiture  of  a  moat 
respectable  frrmer.  A  troop  of  the  seventh  draooon  guards  opportunely , 
aniTed.  and  took  into  custody  thirteen  of  tne  mob,  in  the  act  of' 
d«stroyuig  and  plundering  his  proper^,  and  broiu;ht  thmn,  tied  torn 
with  a  rope^  to  the  ptisoiL  On  TnesdaT  the  mob  aaaia  assembled,  and 
piooeedeato  aaothsr  fiam  house  at  Bdgbaston,*  imvs  they  bMaa  to 
plunder,  when  a  tioop  ti  the  Warwidniiire  Yeomanry,  whion  had 
mustered  with  uncommon  speed,  arrived,  and,  taking  five  of  them  into 
custody,  prevented  fbrther  misnlet  Inese^  together  with  two  others 
taken  in  the  town,  making  a  total  of  twenty,  wera  all  committed,  and 
■ant  off  In  thneooadMSiUiidaraatfeogesoor^toWarwiflk  noL  On 
the  ovming  of  Tuesday  another  attempt  at  disoidsr  was  made  at  tlie 
bottom  of  Snow  Hill;  tut  the  Haadsworth  Volunteer  Cavalry  arriviog 
prevented  any  ndsbhief  tliere^  except  the  little  which  they  experienoea 
theaoaelvis^  liy  a  volley  of  stenes  and  brickbats  thrown  1^  aone  vilUias 
who  had  esareted  themselves  under  the  eaoaltttoneL  FurthermlsQhlef 
has  been  happUy  prevented  by  the  aotivitj  of  the  civil  power,  ao 
promptly  alosd  ur  the  military,  whoae  head  quarters  were  at  the 
Hen  and  Cbidnos  Hbtsi,  under  the  eommaiid  of  ObIomI  Mad^ 
whose  atlsBtioa  was  atenrittfa^  The  town  haa-te  aooM  days  past 
been  perlbetlv  quiet  and  great  praise  is  doe  to  those  who  have^  1^ 
their  unwearied  diligence  and  «zartioii%  eontributed  to  produce  the 
deriiedeffeetk 

'  The  following  is  a  report  of  the  trials  of  the  xioten: — 

Tbb  BiomsL 

July  le,  18ia«-On  Wednssday,  Oecrae  l^uads  IMd,  Thonaa 
Butler,  John  WesONuyiKathaBislJoosiih  ftishweli,  Bidiard  Hcnaby, 
Henry  Balnli,  Joasph  ifimmona.  flnssnnah  Batea  and  Susannah  Jcnas^ 
were  ealkd  to  the  bar  and  ainJigned,  ehaifed  with  having^  on  the  astli 
ol  May  kst,  at  the  parMi  of  Edgbaston,  uakwfuUy  and  riotously 
aaswnblfldthemasivestMether,  with  djiers  other  psBaoM  yet  unknown, 
to  the  great  terror  of  i&MaJe^a  subjects  and  hMih*  his  Mi^es^a 
peace;  to  wliidi  charge  they  aU  pkaded  not  guilty. 

•  Mr.  Wheslqrs,  hi  Wheiiqr's  Lane. 


PUBLIC  UFB  AND  EVENTS.  241 

Mr.  Maurice  obBsrved  to  the  Ck>urt,  it  was  not  the  wish  or  intention 
of  the  proaecation  to  call  for  any  punishment  npon  the  two  giria.  The 
Chairman  said  that  the  charactera  of  the  girla  were  such  that  the  Court 
was  unwilling  to  keep  them  in  a  place  where  they  might  inistain  any 
further  inluxy ;  he  tiien  ordered  them  to  jMiy  a  fine  of  Is.  eadi,  and  be 
dischargeo.  Field  was  sentenced  to  be  impriaoned  twelve  months; 
Butler,  JSuahwell,  Homabv,  and  Simmons,  three  months ;  and  West- 
buiT  and  Ralph  one  month  each,  and  sevendly  fined  one  shilling. 

Charles  Bmffle^  and  Thomas  Woodward  were  next  arraigned  for 
riotously  assemohng,  with  many  others,  at  the  house  of  Mr.  Wilkes, 
farmer,  at  Edgbaston,  about  nine  o'clock  on  the  night  of  Tuesday,  the 
29th  of  May.  The  mob,  armed  with  sticks,  &c.,  attacked  the  house  by 
throwing  ToUeys  of  stones  in  at  a  chamber  window,  which  was  open, 
and  where  there  was  a  youn^  child  lying  on  the  bed.  The  prisoners 
were  both  found  guilty.  Bmgley  was  fined  Is.  and  ordered  to  be 
discfaaroed,  but  Woodwud,  a  recruit  in  the  Stafford  Mih'tia^  who,  his 
Lordahip  said^  as  a  soldier,  was  breaking  the  King's  peace  mstead  of 
preserving  it|  was  fined  ISi  and  imprisoned  thrae  months.  John 
Moseley,  diaxged  with  a  similar  offence,  was  diacfaaiged  by  prodamsr 
tioiL 

Edwazd  Hodgson  and  James  Batchelor  were  found  gufliy  of  pulling 
down  the  publio  stalls  in  the  market  plaoe  in  this  town ;  the  former 
was  fined  Is.  and  disdiaiged,  and  the  latter  fined  Is.  and  imprisoned 
three  months.  Heniy  Boffsrs,  for  shouting  and  hnaaiug,  fined  Is. 
James  Jones  and  Samuel  I)ale,  for  breaking  down  the  stalls  in  the 
market  place,  were  each  fined  la.  and  imprisoned  six  months, 

SxDinoir. 

This  trial  was  of  a  Tery  different  nature  to  any  that  preceded  it, 
and  exdfted  consjderable  interest  Joseph  Fellows,  a  deooit  looking 
man,  was  indicted  lor  haTing,  on  the  erening  of  the  90th  d  May  lasti 
fulawfdlly  endeavoured,  bj  woids  and  geetiues,  to  exdte  divers  of  hie 
Kajesty'a  liege  mbjeets  to  riot  against  the  King's  peace.  The  only 
witness  against  the  prisoner  was  lieutenant-ColonerOcnd^  Hestateo, 
that  on  9ie  evening  of  the  aoth  of  May  last,  about  ten  oX?loek,  he 
obeerred  a  great  number  of  people  collecicd  t<^pether  at  the  comer  of 
Tsmpie  Staiet,  in  this  town ;  he  beard  one  man  i^TM^*«»g  the  mob 
and  ^M^dng  vety  load ;  he  heard  the  prisoner  say  "7  eon  earn  /Sm 
amd  twmUy  AiOvigM  a  wmk^  and  that  u  fu4  iufkietU  to  9upportmt:^ 


right  momnduty  amd  now  tt  Me  tim$,*'  The  Colonsl  then  pressed 
IhrovgB  the  mob  and  seised  the  prieoner  by  the  collar.  Theprieooerat 
first  eoaesiited  to  go  with  the  witness,  but  a  man  and  woman  interfered 
and  attemnted  a  lesene.  In  the  senflte  the  Colonel  received  a  violent 
blow  en  the  temple  bv  a  laige  8ton&  whidi  at  fiiet  atonned  him,  he, 
however,  kepi  hie  bold,  and  acme  off  the  peaoe  officers  coming  to  hie 
■aristaiMiSb  Nlowe  was  immediately  taken  before  the  MasnatratM,  the 
witness  never  qnittuig  hold  of  the  prisoner  all  the  time.  On  his  eroes- 
OYsminarion  the  witneas  said  the  prieoocr  was  ■^'H^ng  en  the  cub* 
•tone,  abont  eight  inohea  higher  than  the  rest  of  the  street;  the  words 
spoken  by  the  prisoaes  were  as  he  had  before  etated,  or  worde  to  that 
eiiwt:  the  prieoDor  Mpearsd  to  have  been  drinkii^  but  he  wasadber 
enoiMpi  to  know  what  he  was  aboat 

n.  a 


242  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

Mr.  Beyxkolds,  ooxmsel  for  the  prisoner,  took  an  exception  to  that 
count  in  the  indictment  charging  his  client  with  sedition,  on  the 
ground  that  the  words  were  not  positively  and  expressly  stated,  bnt  the 
objection  was  over-ruled  by  the  Court  Mr.  Maurice,  for  the  prosecu- 
tion, in  a  veiy  able  address,  called  for  judgment  on  the  prisoner,  who, 
he  insisted^  deserved  the  most  exemplary  punishment.  Mr.  lUynolds, 
in  a  most  eloquent  and  impressive  speech,  addressed  the  jury  in  reply. 
The  Chairman,  with  his  usual  accuracy  and  candour,  summed  up  the 
evidence  to  the  juiy,  who,  after  consulting  for  a  short  time,  retuxned  a 
r^a!6ict  ot  not  gmliy. 

In  tbe  next  extract  we  have,  in  the  briefest  of  paragraphs, 
the  sentences  of  the  rioters : — 

Fatal  EiTKcn  of  Riots. 
Sept  lOth,  I8I0.~TVllliam  Cottam,  Thomas  Davis,  and  Matthew 
BustoD,  who  were  found  guilty  of  beginning  to  demolish  and  pull  down 
the  dwellinff  house  of  Mr.  John  Wheelv,  at  Edgbaston,  near  this  town, 
and  received  senteuce  of  death  at  the  late  Warwick  Assizes^  are  to  be 
tnnqported  for  and  during  their  natural  lives.  Trom  the  fate  of  these 
young  men  let  youth,  in  every  situation  of  life,  take  an  impressive  war- 
ning, and  reost^  with  firmness,  under  whatever  form  it  may  present 
itMiS^eveiy  temptation  to  ontrage  and  riot  These  unfortunate  prisoners 
who^  in  the  firat  instance,  might  liave  Joined  the  mob  with  the  intentian 
nfnltunMing  only  the  aets  of  others,  were  induced  to  eommit  a  capital 
fdony,  Ibr  inach.  crime  th^  Itave  justly  forfeited  their  lives  to  the  laws 
df  their  coontiy.  Bv  an  aot  of  Boyal  mercy,  they  have  been  permitted 
to  live ;  but  under  the  bitter  reflection  of  being  estranged  from  all  their 
dearest  connexions  in  this  world  for  ever ! 

King  Geoige  the  Third  had  now  occupied  the  throne  of 
Great  Britain  for  50  years ;  but  the  national  enthusiasm 
wiih  which  the  event  would  have  been  celebrated  was  re- 
strained by  the  critical  state  of  his  health.  The  anniversary 
of  his  accession  to  the  throne  was  October  25 ;  and  on  No- 
vember the  first  the  king^s  ilkiess  waa  officially  announced 
to  the  Lord  Mayor  of  I^ndon.  Under  such  circumstances 
it  ii|  not  surprising  to  find  the  local  chronicle  indulging  in  a 
few  loyal  rraections  on  this  occasion : — 

October  SO,  1610.— On  Thnrsdax  oar  revered  Monaroli  oonpleted  the 
Both  jasr  of  his  reign.  The  day  was  observed  in  thk  and  neuhbouriiig 
towns  with  tokens  of  jojfol  rsqieet  Fat  rsasoas  whieli  will  bo 
obvious  to  evsty  reflecting  and  Mliagmindy  the  aaalvwsMy  was  not 
eeUbmted  with  those  puhliedeBionstmiioiis  of  Jey  which  were  bttt  year 
so  univeiwUj  fluuiif esUd,  jH  tbe  hesrtlelt  vanomoo  whidi  the  Yirt^ 
of  oar  beloved  sovereign  exeiU,  bavenot^  wo  are  eooftden^  jglowed  with 

bssMen' 


less  ardoor  as  tbe  period  of  his  rsigobss  been  leagtheoed;  mdeed, 
we  esllod  unon  to  name  the  period  at  wbieb  bis  liijeity  was  rewsd 
bj  his  people  with  tbe  most  alEMlloQale  lannL  wo  believe  wo  waA^t 
name  the  present  time  witbont  hesitation.  In  additioii  to  tha  i^w^ifl 
virtnes  wbieb  adorn  bis  diaraetor,  the  droumstaiioes  of  snrroimdiiiig 
Batlons  have  tended  to  make  the  people  of  this  coontrv  rdlv  romid  the 
tbroo^  and  profeenng  their  attadiment  to  tbe  maa  who  mm  14^  devote 


PUBLIC  LIFE  AND  EVENTS.  243 

themselT68  to  the  defence  of  him  who  is  so  jostly  entitled  to  the  appella- 
tion of  the  Father  of  the  People. 

To  the  grief  of  the  Koyal  Household  and  of  the  nation, 

the  youngest  and  favourite   daughter  of  the   Eling,  the 

Princess  Amelia^  died  on  November  2,  aged  only  27.     The 

national  mourning  was  deep  and  sincere.     On  November 

19  we  read  :-r- 

Panrosss  Amelia. — Am  a  token  of  respect  for  the  memory  of  this 
amiable  Prineess,  the  lam  bells  of  Bt.  Martin's  and  St  Philip's  dinrches, 
in  this  town,  were  toUea  on  Tuesday,  the  day  of  her  faneral,  from  six 
o'clock  in  the  morning  till  ten  at  night 

In  August  of  this  year  the  proposals  for  a  water  works 
company  were  again  published.  The  opposition  was  imme- 
diately active ;  and  oolumnEs  of  letters  pro  and  con,  reports 
of  meetings  for  and  against,  with  the  resolutions  and  reasons 
given,  appear  in  the  Uazette;  and,  strange  as  it  may  sound 
to  the  proprietors  of  newspapers  at  the  present  time,  letters 
and  reports  are  all  advertasementa'  In  a  lonj^  declaration, 
published  on  Februaiy  18, 1811,  and  signed  by  idmost  aU 
the  public  men  of  the  time,  the  subscribers  state  that  they 
are  ^  decidedly  of  opinion  that  the  establishment  of  Wat^ 
Works  in  this  Town  is  wholly  unnecessary,  and  mav  be  pro- 
ductive of  great  eviL''  A  town's  meeting  was  held,  and  a 
petition  against  the  biU  adopted  The  opposition  was 
fluccearful ;  on  the  second  reading,  on  March  7,  the  bill  was 
neffatived  in  the  House  of  Commons  by  a  majority  of  13. 

In  April  and  May  of  this  year  collections  were  made  at 
the  various  churches  and  chapek  in  the  town,  and  a  huge 
sum  of  money,  was  raised  for  tne  relief  of  the  British  priso- 
ners in  France.    The  town  was  also  visited  by  a 

DaxADruL  Tnimr. 
Jons  Srd,  ISll. — One  of  the  most  sertrs  storms  of  ndn,  hail,  and 
Ikhtoiog  CTsr  rsmanbersd  in  this  kingdom,  took  plsos  on  Monday, 
wnieh  ooatinaediiiSDj  lioiir%  and  its  ^tttStM  have  bssa  of  ths  most  awful 
and  destmotivs  nature.  It  appsars  to  havs  taken  a  north-east  dirse* 
tion ;  and  we  havs  aoooants  of  lu  ravagiss,  commonmnff  in  Somersetshirs, 
and  oontinoed  in  the  ooonties  of  Gkmesster,  Hsrefor^  Woroestsr,  War- 
wiok,  and  Mopv  that  would  fill  oor  sewmpsr.  Tim  following  brief 
•ketoi  will  give  ear  readen  some  fidnt  idea  of  the  havoe  it  has  made : — 
The  effMSi  of  the  etorm  wers  ■sversly  felt  io  this  town  and  Bsigh- 
bonrliood.  B/theovsrflowingofthoBiTorRsaymaohdamagshMbsMi 
done  in  the  ndnitj  of  DigbeUi  and  Deritttd.  Saltlay  Bridge  has  bssn 
destrojed :  and  also  the  Imdgss  of  HoeUey  and  Arton,  in  oonssqnanoe 
of  the  Moks  of  Soho  grsal  pMl  giving  way. 

On  June  24,  we  read  that  the  ^attention  of  the  prin* 
dpal  inhabitants  of  this  place  has  been  lately  directed 
towards  the  benefits  that  would  accrue  to  the  mercantile 


244  A  CENTOBT  OF  BIBXINGHAM  LIFE. 


r 


and  manti&ctariiifii  interests  of  the  town  and  neiglibouilioody 
could  the  lettersior  London  be  forwarded  at  f(Air  o'clock 
in  the  afternoon  instead  of  three,  the  usual  hour." 

A  town's  meeting  was  of  course  held  on  this  important 
subject,  of  which  this  report  is  preserved : — 

June  5S4^  1811. — ^At  a  most  nnmeroas  Meeting  of  the  MerchantB^ 
ManiiEBctorenL  and  other  Inhabitant!  of  the  town  of  Binniii^;hmm, 
oonrened  bj  the  Blgh  Bailifl^  at  the  Pablio  Office,  thia  2lat  £7  of 
Jone^  1811,  in  Foraoance  of  a  Beqoiaition  lor  that  Porpoae; 

Joieph  IieciwTn,  Esq..  High  Bailiil^  in  the  Cliair; 

Besolvedy— That  it  la  the  Opinion  of  thia  Meeting  that  the  Extent 

and  Importanee  of  the  Trade  of  the  Town  of  Birmingham  reqnirea  the 

moat  qpeedy  Commnnication  with  thd  Omtal  that  the  Diatonee  will 

'   ot  and  that  the  preeent  Mode,  adfopted  by  the  General  Poat 


Office,  of  oonyying  Lettera  fitmi  Birmingham  to  London  bj  the  Holy- 
head Maily  anbjeeta  all  Peraona,  haying  regolar  Oomapondence  with 
LondooL  to  great  Delay  and  InoonTenience. 

Beaolved,— That  it  la  the  Ophuon  of  thia  Meeting  that  fiie  Evil 
eomnkined  of  can  only  be  remedied  by  the  Eitabliahment  of  a  direct 
lUl  from  Birmingham  to  London^  by  the  ahorteat  itaite^  by  whidi 
Meana  it  la  aaeertauied  that  the  London  Letters  need  not  bedeapatdied 
from  Bbmfarfiam  natfl  IVmr  c^Olodci  lun.,  and  yet  airire  in  London 
at  the  naoal  Tfane^  br  which  the  Inhabitaata  of  Biimiagham  will  gidn 
an  addltliMial  Hoar  m  the  Lutenral  between  the  AxriTal  and  Bepaitora 
of  the  Mail 

Baaolfod,— Tliat  there  is  no  Town  of  equal  Importance  whldi  has 
not  a  diraot  MaQ,  and  that  many  Town%  not  oontriontiog  in  the  aame 
Begne  to  the  Poat  Qffioa  BevwiiN^  havvfora  aamber  of  yeanpoaaeaaed 
tlM*  AdfantMn. 


BaadlTedr-^Thai  a  Petition  be  pnaenti'd  to  the  Btfl^t  HeiL 
Maaten  General,  praring  that  they  would  be  pieaaed  to  ealabliah  a 
diraot  MaU  from  Lmmou  to  Bfanmgham,  by  the  ahorteat  Bonte.  and 
that  the  HUh  fiaiUil(  the  Low  Btflll(  and  the  Gentlemen  who  aigned 
the  BeqnlalSoB,  be  a  Oonmittee  to  pvapare  the  Batitkn  and  to  cany 
the  OUeet  of  thia  Meetii^  into  Xftet ;  that  they  have  power  to  add  to 
thefar  Nnmber,  and  that  aeren  be  competent  to  act 

The  applioati0ii  was  toooeHfiiL  The  neztquotatioii  gives 
vs  a  good  idea  of  the jnrowth  of  the  tofwn  between  the 
yean  1801  and  181L  Ae  QgoreB  rdate  to  the  Piuish  of 
jSuotiifliiaiii  ofiljrs"'^ 

Jv^l,  181L-*rorVLAftov^— The  foflowiog  are  the  ratans  of  the 
popoUHcQ,  homaae,  te..  of  the  Puidi  of  Bumin^aB^  aacduiM  of 
Scrdealiy,  Daiiteiid,  AAted.  Dnddeatoo,  doa.  In  1801  and  161L 


Inhabited  honaaa 18,044  13,686 

Uninhabited  hooeea    •    •    .    •  1,068  813 

Honaea  boildmg 116 

Nomber  of  luniliaa    .    .    .    •  18,683  14,038 

Malea 88»M8  37,076 

f^nnalaa                 38^854  36J861 

Total  wmbtr  of  lababitaiita  •  00^888  74/)37 


EDUCATION  AND  LITERATUBE.  245 

The  power  held  by  the  local  authorities  was  rather  great. 

For  the  sake  of  the  musical  festival  the  High  Bailiff  actually 

changed  the  time  for  holding  the  usual  Michaelmas  bir. 

The  &ct  is  thus  recorded : — 

August  19,  1811. — ^We  understand  the  Committee  of  the  General 
HospiSd  of  thjB  town  have  represented  to  the  High  Bailiff  that  great 
inoonvnnienoe  wouM  arise  from  the  fair  being  held  the  same  week  with 
the  grand  musical  festival,  whidi  can  only  m  celebrated  the  first  week 
in  (^tober ;  and  that,  in  order  to  promote  as  much  as  posnble  the  in- 
terests of  this  excellent  charity,  it  is  the  intention  of  tne  High  Bailiff 
to  have  the  fair  proclaimed  the  week  preoedinff. 

The  public  events  of  this  decade  dose  with  an  extract 
which  will  be  welcome  to  the  brethren  of  the  Meiaonic  craft 

August  19, 1811.— On  Monday  last  there  was  a  grand  procession  of 
IVee  and  Accepted  Masons  of  this  Town  and  Oounty,  who  met  to  com- 
memorate the  anniversary  of  the  Birthday  of  their  Grand  Masteri  his 
Boyal  ffiflhness  the  Prince  B^gent^  whidi  moved  from  the  Shakespeare 
Tavern  about  eleven  o'clock,  in  regular  order,  to  8t  Martin's  Church, 
whece  an  excellent  Semon  was  preadied,  by  the  Bev.  Jetfaio  Inwood, 
late  Ftorincial  Qnmd  Ofaa|>lain  of  tiie  ooontieB  ci  Kent  and  FiMSi,  to 
a  most  respectable  oonmgatioii.  (whidi  aerman  Is  ordered  to  be  printed) 
and  after  serrice  a  couectioin  oi  £M  Iftt.  4dL  was  made  for  the  benefit 
ol  the  excellent  institntion,  the  Birmingham  IH^pensaiy.  The  biothers 
ol  the  different  lodges  appeared  dothed  in  the  insignia  d  their  reqpeo- 
tive  orders,  with  appromate  bannera ;  and  we  mive  great  reason  to 
believe,  from  the  peaceable  and  respectable  ooodnoi  of  the  qpeotaiora, 
who  were  very  numenras,  tha<  thev  were  moch  mtified  by  the  pro- 
cession. Aboat  one  hundred  and  fifl^  of  the  orediren  afterwards 
dined  together  at  the  Shakespeare  Tavern,  with  the  greatest  otder  and 
r^gnlari^,  when  their  Depa^  IVovincial  Grand  Master  pwrided  and 
gave  a  ntamber  of  the  most  loyal,  patriotio^  and  maennfe  toaitii^  which 
added  to  the  convivialily  of  the  day. 


§  8.     XDUCATIOK  AKD  LITEEAT0B& 

Slowly  bnt  aorely  the  edncational  inatitntioiis  of  the 
town  increaaed ;  and  in  eveiy  decAdo  in  oar  history  aome 
important  provision  was  made  for  the  ednoation  of  the 
pNBople.  In  the  present  decennial  period  the  first  Lsneaste- 
rian  School  was  rounded,  and  has  jwoved  ol  immense  senrioe 
in  the  town.  In  other  respects  the  yean  between  1801  and 
1811  are  not  the  brightest  in  our  literaxy  annals;  bat  still 
some  good  and  memorable  work  was  done.  On  September  12» 
1803,  was  pablished  Hatton*s  Remarks  apon  North  Wales, 
beiiu^  the  result  of  Sixteen  Tours  through  part  of  the  Frin- 
dpaSty.  This  work  was  illustrated  b¥  four  eugraTings  by 
Landseer  and  E^ton,  fix>m  drawings  by  Barber. 


246  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM   LIFE. 

The  following  letter  shows  the  low  estate  into  which  our 
Old  Library  had  fallen  at  this  period : — 

BiRMixoHAM  Library. 

December  !0,  1803. — It  ia  clear  that  the  present  Funds  of  the 
Birmingham  liibrarj  are  far  from  being  adequate  ;  that  the  Augmenta- 
tion of  the  annual  Subscription  ia  no  Object  to  any  of  the  Proprietors ; 
and  that  any  Law  (for  no  Exception  is  stated;  may  be  altered  by  two 
Thirds  of  the  Subscribers. 

In  this  Statement  I  have  the  Concurrence  of  so  many  respectable 
Proprietors  acquainted  with  Books,  with  the  Situation  of  the  Indi- 
viduals who  compose  the  Body,  and  with  the  Meaning  of  the  Laws  by 
which  the  institution  is  regulated,  that  I  feel  the  fullest  Confidence  in 
their  approbation.  G.  Croft. 

In  January,  1805,  Dr.  Birkbeck  delivered  a  coui-se  of 
lectures  on  Electricity,  Galvanism,  and  Pneumatic  Chemistr}% 
at  the  "Stork  Tavern."  In  November,  of  the  same  year, 
Mr.  Lloyd  delivered  a  course  on  Astronomy,  in  the  Theatre. 
The  advertisement  states  that  "  Stoves  are  phvced  in  the  Box 
lobby  and  the  Pit,  and  the  Theatre  will  be  rendered  perfectly 
warm."  This  important  announcement  is  added : — ^"  " The 
Moon  will  be  favourable  ! " 

In  this  year  the  first  reference  to  Lancaster's  school  system 

is  made,  and  the  following  statement  about  his  l»ook  : — 

Noveml>er  4,  1805. — It  gives  us  pleasure  to  inform  our  readers,  that 
the  third  edition  of  Josteph  Lancaster's  Hook,  entitled  '*  Improvements 
in  Education,"  consisting  of  3,5(N)  copies,  is  all  siihscril>ed  for,  and  as 
not  a  conv  can  be  had  of  any  Itookseller  in  the  Tuitef]  Kin<:^ilom,  it  is 
proposed  to  leave  the  subscrintion  open  Air  a  fourth  edition.  The  King, 
Queen,  and  Princesses  lately  honoured  this  benevolent  man  with 
an  audience  at  Weymouth,  and  after  many  inquiries  mtfiectinf;  the 
mode  of  education  practised  in  his  institution,  in  the  Iiiiix)n;;h  H«»ad, 
South wark,  expi-essed  a  benevolent  desire  to  see  the  sani*?  lienelit 
extended  to  the  country  ;  au«l  for  this  pur|K>!(e  he;;nu  the  f«»llowinrr 
annual  suliscription  to  enable  Joseph  LanctuHter  to  establiKh  holi(H>U  in 
villages  and  country  towns,  fur  the  education  of  tvu  thoui«:4ud  ]>o«ir 
children,  for  which,  on  his  plans  of  economy,  two  thousand  {louuds  p<*r 
annum  will  be  sufficient 

Annual  SulMoribors. 

The  King  .        £U\0  The  Princess  Mary     £\0 

The  Queen  .        50  The  Princess  Sopliia      lo 

The  Princoss  Augusta      10  The  PrinceM  Amelia     lO 

Tlie  Princess  Elizal>eth    lo  Tlic  Duke  of  Kent        lo 

On  January  28,  LSOO,  the  publication  of  Blair s  (Jmw, 
with  Blake's  illustnUions.  wjis  advortisfd.  The  «lnnvin;,^s 
were  exhibited  in  Birmin<^luun,  and  the  eontcm|>onny  critic 
thus  describes  them  : — 

Fine  Arts. 

July  28th,  ISOC.— We  have  never  experienced  gna(«r  satitifactiori 
than  in  announcing  to  our  readers  that  there  are  now  in  this  town,  fnr 


EDUCATION  AND  LITERATURE.  247 

the  inspection  of  the  lovers  of  the  fine  arts,  some  most  beautiful  desij^ns, 
intended  to  illustrate  a  new  and  elegant  edition  of  Blair^s  Grave.  At  a 
period  when  the  labours  of  the  penSl  are  almost  wholly  directed  to  the 
production  of  portraits,  thej  who  dare  to  soar  in  the  sublime  regions  of 
fancy,  surely  claim  the  patronage  of  men  of  taste  and  discernment ;  and 
the  specimens,  here  alluded  to,  may,  with  the  strictest  adherence  to 
truth,  be  ranked  amongst  the  most  vigorous  and  classical  productions 
of  ^e  present  age. 

Here  is  a  brief  account  of 

Thv  Mkthodist  Suvdat  School. 
November  24th,  1806. — ^This  School  was  b^gun  in  1795,  and  is 
governed  by  a  Committee  of  13,  chosen  annually  from  among  the  Sub- 
scribers. The  increase  of  Scholars  has  been  so  considerable  this  last 
year  that  the  Committee  has  found  it  necessarv  to*  add  two  Schools 
more,  for  Uie  Beoeption  of  Children  who  have  been  recommended  as 
proper  Objects  of  this  Charity.  At  present  the  Applications  of  such 
Objects  are  so  numerous,  that  the  Committee  finds  itself  reduced  to  the 
Alternative  of  rejecting  them  or  appealing  to  the  Public  for  additional 
Support  It  has  chosen  the  latter,  and,  l£erefore,  proceeds  to  state  ita 
Object^  its  Plans,  its  Sucoesi^  and  its  Ezpenoea. 

In  1808  was  opened  the  first  private  reading  room  in 

Biimiugham.    On  August  8  the  following  advertisement 

appearra : — 

News  Book. 

Proposals  for  establishing,  hj  Sabecription,  a  News  Boom^  at  Messrs. 
Thomson  and  Wrightson's^  MokseUers,  Stamp  Offioe^  New  Street^ 
Birmingbam. 

T.  and  W.  havinff  been  repeatedly  solicited  by  iereral  respeotabld 
Inhabitants  of  Binnmgfaam  to  open  a  News  Boom,  have  detsrmlned  to 
appropriate  to  that  Purpoae  an  eiM[aat  and  spadoos  Apartmant  at  their 
Bettdenoe  in  New  Street^  to  which  they  request  the  Atvooage  of  their 
FHends  and  the  Public. 

The  Boom  to  be  onened  fimn  Nine  in  the  Homing  till  Nine  in 
the  Evening,  and  to  oe  regalarlj  snpplied  with  Ibor  Xondoii  dtflj 
Papers,  liojd's  List,  Priess  Cnmnt^  one  Simdaj  PIi^mt,  thise  Popolar 
Provineial  npers,  and  the  three  KrmJngham  Pkpen^  also  the  BoYiew% 
and  most  popular  Magaitnisa  • 

The  Utilit J  of  a  private  News  Boom,  on  a  Plan  like  thii^  niiisl  bo 
partiealarlj  obvious^  as  it  will  afford  an  opportunitj  of  obtaining 
Inlbmiaiion  withoat  the  Hurry  and  InoonTonieiioe  natarallr  attending 
upon  a  PnbUe  Boom,  and  it  inayfonn  a  place  of  Meeting  for  Mecobanta 
itadesmen  and  othera  The  SaboeriDeis  will  have  the  liber^  of 
making  their  own  Bolea 

A  number  of  respectable  Gentlemen  hare  already  become  Snbecri* 
bcr%  and.  as  it  is  particularly  wished  that  the  Boom  bmv  be  speedily 
opened,  thoae  Qentlemen  who  apptore  of  the  Plan,  and  wish  to  become 
Subscriber^  are  requested  to  tend  in  their  Names  as  sariy  as  posribk^ 
that  no  time  may  be  lost  in  completing  the  necessary  arrangementa 

A  Lbt  of  Subscribers  amy  be  seen  at  the  Stamp  Office^  where 
Prospectuses  may  be  had. 

The  projectors  soon  found  encooFSjranent  enough  to 
warrant  them  in  opening  the  Boom ;  for  only  a  fortnight 


248  A  GENTUBY  OF  BIBMINQHAM  LIFE. 

later  we  have  the  Bonbunoement  that  it  will  be  opened  on 
that  day : — 

NXW8  AND  BsADDTa  BoOK,  StAICP  OWFICK,  KkW  StRBBT, 

BlBMIVQBAlC. 

Angast  22,  1806. — ^Thomson  and  Wrightson  Tetarn  their  grateful 
AeknowledgmentB  to  their  munerotu  Subsoriben  and  the  Poblic,  and 
beg  leave  to  inform  them  that  their  News  and  Beading  Boom  will  be 
opened  this  present  Monday,  Angost  22nd.  and  will  be  regolarly 
■applied  with  the  Oonrier.  TraTeller,  Star,  and  Qlobe  Bveninff  Papem, 
the  Snndapr  Beyiew,  the  Edinbni^h  Herald,  Oore'e  liyerpool  Adyertieer, 
Llord's  List^  Fricee  Gnrrent^  and  the  three  Birmingham  F^ipen^  together 
with  the  meet  ararored  Beviewi  and  Magazinea 

Terms— One  Guinea  per  Annnm^  to  be  paid  at  the  time  of  Snb- 
aoriptioiL 

We  have  now  reached  the  year  in  which  was  introdnoed 
Lancastei^B  system  for  instracting  poor  children.  In 
November,  1808,  Mr.  TiWicaster  gave  two  lectures  on  his 
system  in  this  town.  A  liberal  sabecription  was  raised  to 
establish  a  School  on  his  plan,  and  the  work  was  begnn : — 

December  6, 1806. — We  have  nodoabtbatthat  all  who  take  a  Hvely 
interest  in  the  welfare  of  diildrai  in  the  lower  dasses  of  aodsty  will  M 
mtified  to  hesr  thai  Mr.  Joseph  Laneester,  whose  sdiool  in  London 
for  instructing  poor  ehOdren  in  readings  writing,  and  arithmetie  on  a 
sew,  expeditioiis,  and  ehe^>  plan,  and  who  has  reosiTed  the  psytJcolar 
patronage  and  sobseriptlotts  oif  the  Kin^  and  Qaeen  and  Bojal  Fkmily, 
and  manjof  the  first  diaraeters  inthekmgdom.  has  givvn  two  Leotores 
in  this  town  to  large  and  respeetable  sssemblies,  and  explained  ilie 
^enend  principles  on  which  his  school  is  oondiicted|  which  were  rsosiTsd 
with  mndi  satjsfsfltkm ;  and  we  are  gratified  in  hearinf^  that  a  liberal 
sabsomtion  is  entered  into  to  establish  a  sdiodl  in  this  town,  on  the 
plan  K^idi  has  been  saccessfiilfar  adopted  in  l/nt^hn.  ftiH^  i  fiwnbri*^g% 
and  serenJ  other  pkosa 

In  Janosxy,  1809,  the  advertisement  appeared  osUing  the 

first  meeting  on  this  important  subject : — 

IssrauofKMT  ov  Foos  GHzuoBBr. 

Jannaiy  16^  1800w— Tlis  Friends  and  BcMlMtots  of  a  8diool,aftsr 
the  Flan  oif  Joseph  Lanesster,  for  instnntiQg  poor  CSiildren  in  Besding^ 
Writing,  and  Aiithmetid^  in  Bhrninghain,  are  rBonested  to  attoMl  a 
GenenJ  Meeting,  whidi  will  be  held  at  the  Public  Oaeeb0nfridsj,ths 
fiOth  Instant,  at  Half-past  Ten  o^Oock  in  the  Mondngi  to  vmire  the 
Beport  of  the  CVnmiitte^  and  to  consider  ef  the  EHgffilily  of  encthig 
a  fidiool  Boom,  after  a  Pkn  iriiidi  will  be  then  sabaaitlsd  to  the 
Meetmg.  P.  IL  Jams,  Chaiman. 

The  meeting  was  held,  and  the  work  was  commenoed 
with  the  QSQiu  eamestnessi  We  quote  the  report  of  this 
important  meeting  >— 

Jannarj  S3, 1800^At  a  Gcnsnd  Meeting  €f  the  Vrinds  Md  BsBS- 
faeton  of  a  Sdiool,  after  a  Flan  of  Josqih  Lsnessfesr,  lor  insli  siiMug 

Kir  childran  in  Bsadi^g,  Writing,  and  Arithmetie^  is  BJmiwfhewi, 
d  at  the  Fablie  Ofiloe^  on  Iridar,  the  SOth  of  Janvai7»  1800 ; 

Samuel  Oai  ton  in  the  Chair ; 


EDUCATION  AND  LITERATT7BE.  S49 

The  Committee  appointed  at  the  last  Q^ieral  Meeting  having 
brought  in  the  followmg  Rules  and  Regulations  to  be  observed  in  the 
School  or  Schools  to  foe  established  in  this  Town,  and  for  the  general 
Management  of  the  Same  : — 

1.  That  all  Benefactors  of  Ten  Guineas  or  upwards  be  Governors  for 
Life;  and  all  Annual  Subscribers  of  One  Guinea  or  upwards  be 
Governors  during  Payment. 

8.  That  all  Bene&ctors  of  Ten  Guineas  or  annual  Subscribers  of  One 
Guinea,  shall  be  entitled  to  keep  constantly  in  the  School  four  ScholarSy 
and  so  proportionably  for  any  larger  or  sniaUer  Subscriptions.  But  no 
Benefiictorof  less  thui  ilve  Guineas  nor  annual  Subscriber  of  less  than 
Ten  Shillings  and  Sixpence,  be  entitled  to  these  Privilfi«[es. 

a.  That  if  the  School  or  Schools  shall  be  capable  of  taking  in  a  greater 
Number  of  Children  than  shall  be  rscommended  by  Bene&ctors  and 
Subscribers,  the  Committee  shall  arrange  a  Plan  for  the  Admission  of 
Children  not  so  recommended. 

4b  That  two  of  the  Committee  shall  attend  at  the  Sdiool  every  Mon- 
day momiDg,  at  Ten  o^dock,  to  receive  the  Children  recommended,  who 
must  be  attended  by  a  Parent  or  FHend.  at  their  first  introduction ;  and 
that  soch  Parent  or  iViend  be  informed  that  the  Children  most  attend 
th^  School  rsffularly  at  the  Hour  appointed,  and  be  sent  dean  and 
decent,  with  Mair  combed,  and  Eaee  and  Hands  washed ;  and  that  the 
Parent  or  Friend  be  also  infimned  thai  thej  will  be  expected  to  take 
oan  that  the  Child  or  Children  broq|^t  t^^  them  shall  be  regularly 
taken  to  a  Place  of  Worship  every  Sondaj,  or  introdooed  to  a  Sunday 
SdiooL 

ft.  Thai  before  the  Children  prooeed  to  learn  in  the  Mornings  Silence 
•hall  be  observed,  when  one  or  two  CbtupUn  in  the  Old  or  New  Testis 
meni  be  audibly  and  solemnly  read  fay  the  Master,  or  one  or  more  of 
the  elder  Boy%  and  the  aame  Praetiee  shall  be  repeated  in  the  coarse  of 
the  Aftenoon  or  Evening. 

6.  Thai  the  Committee  shall  aelsei  the  Teacher  or  Teadiers,  and  fix 
l^lf  0r  their  Salary  or  Salaries  and  change  them  as  i?OTmlftn  nay 
reonire* 

7.  Thai  the  Coanmittee  shall  provide  a  anitable  Boom  or  Bocmi^ 
Bedka,  Book%  and  ofery  thing  aeudiol,  and  shall  determine  upon  the 
Rewards  that  are  to  be  dispensed  Ibr  the  Eooooragement  of  Merit;  and 
the  Nature  of  the  Ponishments  §&t  the  Bisorderiy  and  Vidoos. 

&  Thai  the  Committee  shall  depute  one  of  thefar  nnmber  to  attend 
the  School  or  Schools  daily.  fiNrthe  first  three  Months^  and  shall  aftsr> 
wards  appoint  Iran  the  Snoaoribera  ai  laige  two  weekly  Yidtors ;  and 
a  Book  shall  be  kept,  in  whidi  the  Yidtors  shall  make  such  Bemarksaa 


mar  aimnar  to  them  norwisssiT  which  Book  diall  be  laid  faefiire  the 
ODmmfttee. 

9.  That  the  Committee  diall  keep  an  aeeorateAeeoimt  of  all  Beedpiti 
and  I]tebiirsement^  and  exhiUt  toe  same  to  the  General  Meetiag  el 
BeaefiMtors  and  Safaaeriber^  which  wHI  be  hdd  annually  on  the  aeMiid 
Tnesdiqr  In  Deesmber,  and  these  Aeoomts  diall  be  prtvioody  examined 
by  two  Anditora  appointed  fay  the  fttmer  OeosnJ  Meeting. 

la  That  ai  the  Anneal  Meeting,  In  December,  a  Bepori  ahall  be 
made  by  the  Ooomuttee  of  the  State  of  the  School  or  Schod%  and 
of  the  Nnmber  of  Children  admitted. 

11.  Thai  at  the  Annval  Meeting  a  Comidttee  of  fifteen  Gofsmcrs 
fae  dioeen  ly  Bdlot  far  the  Tear  ensnii^  and  that  five  be  eompetent  to 
aet 


250  A  CEllTURT  OF  BIBMINQHAM  LIFE. 

12.  That  all  new  Bales  and  Begulaiions,  and  all  Alterations  or 
Amendments  of  the  present  Bules  and  Begidations,  shall  be  made  at 
the  Annual  General  Meeting,  when  no  Oovemor  shall  be  allowed  to 
▼ote  by  Proxy,  except  Ladies,  or  Governors  that  reside  at  a  distance  of 
more  tiian  five  miles  from  Birmingham ;  but  none  of  the  Laws  now 
made  shall  be  altered,  but  bj  a  Majority  of  two  Thirds  of  the  Meeting. 

13.  That  the  Committee  or  any  Ten  Govemors  be  empowered  to  &Si 
a  Spedal  Meeting,  by  giving  not  less  than  ten -Bays'  previous  Notice^ 
by  circular  Letten^  or  by  public  advertisement,  in  one  or  more  of  the 
'  Birmingham  J^uaen,  speci^ng  the  Object 

Besoived, — Tnat  these  Boles  and  Eolations  be  adopted. 

Besolvedy-— That  it  is  the  opinion  of  this  Meeting  that  a  proper 
Building  should  be  erected  in  an  eoononucal  Manner  with  necessary 
Accommodations,  and  in  a  Situation  likely  to  serve  the  Purpoess  <d  the 
Establishment. 

Besoived, — That  the  Oommittee  be  requested  to  take  Ground,  and  to 
cause  a  Boildiiig  to  be  erected  upon  sudi  a  Plan  and  Estimate  as  shall 
appear  to  them  eligible^  and  that  the  same  be  done  by  Oontraet 

jEtesdlved,--That  Samuel  Lloyd  be  app<4nted  Treasurer. 

Besoived,— That  P«  K.  James  be  appouited  Secretary. 

Samuel  Galtov,  Chairmao. 

Beacdved,— That  the  Thanks  of  the  Meeting  be  given  to  the  C^iair- 
man  fiv  hit  aUo  and  inteUunnt  Conduct  in  the  CkSbp. 

SofaMriptiaDa  and  Beneactiona  an  leoelviBd  fay  Samuel  Lloyd  and 
P.lLJamea. 

In  Januaiy,  1810,  Mr.. Walker  delivered  &  course  of 
Lectures  •  on  Astronomy  in'  the  Theatre.  The  paragraph 
notice  will  be  read  with,  pleasure : — 

January  8^  .1810.— Mr*  Walkei^a  astroDomieal  leetnres  on  his 
adminble  tnmnparent  Orrery»  the'EUloaraniaii,  have  met  with  grsat 
saeosss  in  the  last  week ;  nil  aadieness  have  doobled  eadi  evening. 
TUa  ociiinal  attempt  at  familiarising  the  eldest  of  the  sdenees  vras 
earried  into  eflbot  in  thb  town  aboatttihrty  years  agou  by  Mr.  Walker.; 
and  the  eneoiinigeaient  it  reoeivea  aeknowledges  the  taknta  of  the 
inventor,  and  the  merit  of  the  artista  eoneemed  in  its  eieoiition.  The 
hnmble  imitationi  that  liave  ooeasioaallT  virifesd  tliia  town  had  some- 
wliat  abased  the  hom  of  great  saeeeai^  Vat  we  fear  not  still  to  rival 
liveipool  and  Mancnester  m  tiie  doe  eneoamgement  of  trae  merit 

Dr.  Oroft^  the  lecturer  at  St  Martinis  CShurch,  died  oh 
Thursday,  May  11»  1809,  in  the  62nd  year  <tf  his  age.  In  the 
obituary  notice  of  his  death  we  learn  that  he  was  ''formerly 
FeDow  of  TTniTersity  College,  Oxford,  Preacher  of  the 
Bampton  Lectures  in  l786,  Yicar  of  Amdiffe,  and  Rector  of 
Thwing^  in  the  County  of  York,  late  Head  Master  of 
Brewood  Sebod,  Staffindshire,  and  for  the  last  18  years 
Lecturer  of  St  Martin's  Church  in  this  town.  To  groat 
classical  learning  he  added  a  considerable  knowledge  of  the 
Hebrew,  the  8jrriao»  and  some  modem  languages,  and  an 
eztensiTe  aoquaantanoe  with  Kcclesiartioal  Law,    He  was  a 


EDUCATION   AKD  LITERATURE.  251 

zealous  supporter  of  our  excellent  Constitution  in  Church 
and  State,  and  made  himself  known  in  the  literary  world 
by  several  publications  on  Theology,  Politics,  and  Ethics. 
By  all  who  knew  him  in  private  lifehe  was  highly  esteemed 
for  his  integrity,  his  hospitality,  his  constancy  and  ardour 
as  a  friend,  nis  kind  and  anxious  attention  as  a  counsellor  of 
the  poor,  and  his  most  amiable  disposition  as  a  husband  and 
a  father." 

Dr.  Croft  had  contributed  rather  largely  to  the  literature 
of  his  time.  He  was  the  author  of  the  ISampton  Lectures 
for  1786  ;  and  wrote  many  pamphlets  on  the  topics  of  the 
day.  From  his  Thoughts  on  Methodism  (1795)  we 
make  the  following  extract ;  which  proves  that  on  some 
subjects  the  opinions  of. the  divine  were  rather  more  liberal 
than  is  generally  supposed : — 

**  Much  baa  been  Mia  by  Wedej  and  Whitfield  against  plays  and 
hone-racee,  against  asaembliaB  and  balla.  Perhaps  the  sta^  was  never 
leai  exceptionable  than  at  present  If  it  be  not  a  school  of  Tutoe,  it  may 
be  a  aooroe  of  innocent  anuuement.  Of  bone-rBce8,jiritbont  donbL 
the  evil  far  ootweigbs  the  ^ood.  Tbev  bring  toffetber  the  refoae  of 
creation,  they  eneoorage  gaming,  and  wno  will  derend  the  caaiustiy  of 
iodcevs  7  What  are  the  tml  of  balls  and  anemblies  we  have  not  yet 
heara.  Gan  the  two  sexes  meet  in  more  innoomt,  and  at  the  same 
time  more  pleasing  interooam  t  Nothing  bat  an  eariy  introdactioQ 
seems  objectionable.  Against  private  theatres  we  may  enter  a  wann 
and  serious  protest  They  destroy  that  amiable  diffideiice  so  pleaang 
in  both  sexes,  and  so  esiential  to  theifemale  sex."* 

He  was  a  bitter  opponent  of  Dr.  Ptiestley ;  he  defended 
the  Test  Laws  in  a  sermon  not  wanting  in  strength  of  abuse; 
he  opposed  Parliamentaiy  Reform,  and  in  his  letter  to  the 
Rev.  C.  Wyvill  on  this  question  he  says : — 

**  Of  yourself,  as  chairman  of  the  splenetic  and  <iueni]oa%  of  Dr. 
Priestley,  of  Mr.  Whitehead,  of  Mr.  Grey,  and  Major  Garturi^^t,  I 
shall  CTer  say.  Da  it(o$  pair<ma$  advermMtriit,  Of  Mr.  urey  in  partacular, 
the  advocate  of  the  disMnters  and  the  retailer  of  their  calumny,  the 
dei^y  <if  Birmingham,  of  wlosi  Ae  «s^  k$  can  bditm  anytkingf  wiU 
ever  think  it  immaterial  what  he  beUeves." 

He  thus  oondndes  his  letter  on  Refonn : — 

''The  landable  attempts  whidi  have  been  used  to  couTinoe  the  lower 
claaeos  of  the  people  that  they  are  happy,  have  already  been  mora  soo- 
ceaeful  than  we  expedted,  and  I  console  myself  that  the  whole  com- 
munity is  represepted  in  the  proper  sense  of  representation,  not  onljr  by 
the  House  ot  Gommona,  but  by  the  House  of  PeerB,and  by  our  gracious 
Sovereign  himself.  They  act  in  our  stead,  and  they  cannot  ruin  ua 
without  being  involved  in  the  niin."t 

•  Thoughta  eoBceining  the  MetboditCe  and  the  EetabHibed  Cleigy.  By 
Oeoige  Grain,  D.D.,  pp.  16  k  17. 

t  Plaae  of  Fariianentaiy  Beform  Prared  lo  be  Viaoiiaiy,  in  a  letter  to 
tbeBeT.C.WyTill,hileChainnaaoftheA«ociatioii.  ^jrGeafgeCrofl^DJ)., 
pp.  S7,  SS. 


252  A  CENTUBT  OF  BIBIONOHAM  LIFE. 

• 

In  sliort  Dr.  Croft  was  a  Tory  divine  of  what,  in  irony, 
is  often  called  the  "good  old  schooL"  After  his  death  his 
widow,  Ann  Croft,  published  two  volumes  of  his  sermons, 
dedicated  to  Lord  Eidon. 

The  next  extract  gives  the  report  of  the  first  year's 

working  of  our  new  educational  effort.    It  will  be  seen  that 

it  was  eminently  successful : — 

Lavcasteriak  Frbb  School^  SKvxRsr  Strbbt.  Bibmihghax. 
December  24^  1810.— At  a  Qenerml  Meeting  of  the  Subecriben  tad 
Bene&eton,  held  at   the  PaUio  OtSaee,  on  Taeeday,  the  llth  of 
December,  1810 ; 

Samuel  Galton  in  the  CSuur ; 

A  Beport  of  the  State  of  the  Inetitation  having  been  presented  &oid, 
the  Committee,  of  which  the  following  k  the  abetnust^  t£e.  : — 

^  The  Oommittee  are  happj  in  being  able,  at  the  end  of  the  first 
Year,  to  report  to  the  <3enend  Meeting  Ihejpraperoas  State  of  the 
Btteblidunent  in  regard  to  the  Nnmbw  of  Onildren  that  have  been 
admitted,  aa  well  as  the  Profieiencj^  and  excellent  Older  of  the  Bom 
resolting  prindpallT,  as  thej  ooDceiT^  from  the  particnlar  System  of 
Education  that  has  been  adopted. 

^FiTO  Hondred  and  Fiftj-lbar  Bajn  have  been  admitted  ainoe  the 
llth  of  September,  1809,  when  the  School  was  first  opened.  Of  this 
Nnmber.  One  Hundred  and  Flftj-fimr  haTe  left  Soiodl,  and  Four 
Hnndred  are  now  in  the  Habit  of  rtgolar  Attendance. 

''The  B<^  an  dassed  aooordiog  to  their  Profidener  in  Raiding. 
Many  instances  hare  oceomd  of  Bots  haring  been  raised  foar,,and,  in 
some  instance^  five  Classas  higher  than  when  thqr  were  first  admitted 
— «  Period  of  MSi  than  fi>arteen  Months^ 

^  At  the  opening  of  the  School  fivtj-one  Bojs  had  learnt  to  write ; 
an  who  were  then  admitted  esa  now  write  tolenbl j  welL  and  tha 
nnmber  <if  those  now  in  the  School  that  haTs  not  b^gnn  to  write  is  imij 
twenty-two. . 

**  llMre  were  at  first  only  riz  Boys  idio  had  b^gnn  Arithmetio ;  this 
nnmber  has  since  been  incrassed  to  ninety-two. 

« As  tt  is  concsiTsd  that  thsM  is  no  Speeies  of  poblie  iMatntioB  in 
which  the  ApplfamtJnn  of  a  osrtain  Son  cfMbn^  esn  be  prsdnetiTS  d 
a  grsatsr  Qiisntity  of  Good.  It  is  eonfidently  hoped  that  the  Estabiish- 
aMnt  may  meet  with  that  Bappcrt  which  ti  reqniidte  fer  enaWing  It  to 
oontinne  to  exert  its  beneficial  nifinsnco  as  widely  as  It  is  now  dmosed. 

«  The  Oommittee  beg  to  express  their  earnest  wUi  that  the  School 
shonld  be  more  genenlly  visited,  beimr  oontincsd  that  aa  aotaal 
Inspection  mnst  rsoommend  It  more  fcreuilT  then  any  Beptessntatlwi 
that  esn  be  made  of  the  Adtrantages  of  the  System. 

*The  Sdiool  is  open  to  VisitcrB  ererr  Week  Day,  excepting  Satnr- 
day:  between  the  Hoon  of  Eleren  and  Twelve  in  the  ForenooiD' 

fiesolTed,— That  the  said  Beport  be  printed  and  distriboted. 

A  Sutement  of  the  Aceonnti^  aadited  and  signed,  having  been  laid 
befiire  the  General  Meetings 

BesolTed^— That  these  Aeconats  do  pssb 

Samusl  Oauov,  Chairman. 

Besolfod,— That  the  Thanks  of  this  Meeting  be  presented  to  the 
Chaiiman  te  hk  able  Ooodoct  in  the  Ohair. 


EDUCATION  AND  LITERAT0BE.  253 

On  April  16,  1811,  John  Eempson  published  a  new 
map  of  the  Town  and  Parish  of  Birmingham, "  descjribinff 
particularly  the  Boundaries  of  the  same,  as  perambulated 
oy  the  Commissioners  of  the  Birmingham  Street  Acts  in 
the  year  1810." 

The  second  annual  meeting  of  the  Boyal  Lancasterian 
Free  School  was  held  on  December  10, 1811.  The  report 
of  the  Committee  is  full  of  interest  to  all  who  desire  to 
trace  the  growth  of  education  in  a  large  town,  which  may 
be  accepted  as  an  index  of  its  growth  throughout  the 
country.    Here  is  the  report : — 

In  reporting  the  IVogrooe  of  the  Boyal  Lancasterian  Free  School,  the 
Oommittae  have  the  oratification  of  obeervinff  that  their  Attention  has 
been  drawn  to  new  Prooh  of  iti  Utility  ana  beneficial  Coneequences. 
Since  the  opening  of  the  School  in  September,  1809,  Seren  Hnndred 
Boy  haw  noAtSl  Instmction ;  and  or  these  it  may  be  presamed  that 
the  greater,  number  would  have  grown  up  in  Ignorance,  had  it  not 
been  lor  the  Aid  which  has  been  grantea  them  hj  this  Institution. 
This  important  Act  affords  to  the  Chtktiui  Mind  the  most  pleasing 
Befleotioni^  and  offers  a  powerftd  indnoement  fi»r  penereiing  in  an 
Undertaking  of  sodi  eztensiTe  Benefit 

Four  Hnndred  Bm^  bdns  the  fhll  Number,  continne  to  attend  the 
School ;  and  soch  has  been  Uie  progreaa  effected  in  their  Instmction, 
that  more  than  One  Half  have  bean  adiranced  to  the  two  higher  Claaaes 
cf  Beading  and  Writing,  and  One  Hnndred  and  Sixty-two  are  admitted 
into  the  Arithmetie  ChMB.  Sixty-eight  Candidates  are  regbtered  fiir 
AdrnJaaimii  and  it  is  uniformly  fimnd  that  applications  keep  Bace  with 
the  Oeonmnee  of  a  Taeaney. 

Sinoe  the  last  Annual  Meeting  the  Librarr  has  been  presented  with 
a  Knmber  of  Book%  chiedj  cf  Natnral  HSstorr,  and  Voyages  and 
levels.  Forty  Bm  are  entered  on  the  Linraiy  List^  imd  this 
Pririlege^  being  the  BewanI  of  oood  Conduct^  operates  as  an  InoentiTe 
to  Imnrtnremcnt  and  oideri/  BebaTionr.  The  System  of  moderate  and 
soiteble  Bewards  has  been  prodndrre  of  the  happiest  Bffeete;  and  soch 
is  the  adaptaftioii  of  the  Discipline  cf  the  Sdiool  to  the  DispoeitMm  of 
the  Scholara,  that  Occasiona  for  PoniAmente  rarely  occur.  Begnlarity, 
Order,  and  Fttnetnality,  become  habitiiaL  and,  when  they  leare  Sdiool, 
the  Boys  take  with  them  these  denrahle  Habits,  and  ara  therebj 
rendered  more  Tahiable  Servanteto  their  Employera. 

Kor  is  the  B^gdation  for  the  Attendance  of  the  Bojrs  on  Beligioas 
Worship  unprodnctiTe  or  neglected.  The  following  is  the  Besolt  of  an 
eraminaficin  cf  Three  Hondred  and  Forty  Boys,  present  on  the  3rd  cf 
December,  1811. 

Of  thk  number,  187  attend  Sondaj  Schools;  64aretakentoCbiireh 
hf  their  Parente;  80  to  Disaenting  Ohiqpela  and  Meeliqg  Houses ;  4  to 
tne  ^ynamoe ;  and  6  kept  at  home  by  Accidente. 

In  or&r  to  complete  the  BoikUng  and  Tsntilato  the  School  Boom 
the  Oommittee  haTe  been  nnable  to  Liquidate  the  Debt  cf  kst  year, 
and  are  still  indebted  to  the  Indnlgence  of  the  T^easorer  to  the  Snm  of 
iP47S  14iL  7d^  notwiChstending  the  liberal  Contribntions  which  they 
haTs  receiTed.    Th^measore  neiqg  now  completed,  and  the  Oomm^ 


254  A  CENTURT  OF  BIBMINQHAM  LIFE. 

dionsness  of  the  Building  asoertained,  such  Expenses  will  !uot  again 
occur,  and  after  the  above  Debt  shall  have  been  cleared,  the  Expendi- 
ture will  be  confined  to  the  more  immediate  Objects  of  the  Institution* 

The  Simple  Principle  of  teaching  the  Bible  according  to  the  Prac- 
tices of  the  Bible  Society,  without  Note  or  Comment,  withdraws  all 
Ground  of  Offence  from  the  believers  in  the  Sacred  Text,  under  what- 
ever Denomination  tfaej  may  be  divided. 

It  is  an  inviolable  liaw  to  teach  nothing  but  what  is  the  Standard  of 
Belief  of  all  Christians,  the  Scriptures  tkemtdvei  ;  thus  extending  the 
Benefits  of  Education  to  all  religious  Classes  of  the  Community,  instead 
of  confining  them  to  one  or  a  few.  The  Invitations  to  umte  in  this 
good  Work  may  be  as  freely  and  unexoeptionaUy  accepted,  as  the  Ad- 
vantages will  be  universally  and  impartitiUy  diflused.  Jt  is  an  obvious 
Truth  that  to  render  the  Distribution  of  the  Bible  efficient  it  is  neces- 
sary that  the  People  should  be  able  to  read  it 

In  the  Town  of  Birminghlon,  where  the  labouring  dass  f<Hnns  so 
laige  a  Proportion  of  the  Imiabitants,  the  importance  of  a  cheap  and 
expeditious  Mode  of  Instruction  will  be  duly  appreciated.  Ignorance 
has  ever  been  found  the  abundant  Souroe  of  Yioe,  and  is  frequentlv  the. 
Cause  and  Companion  of  Poverty.  In  a  reoent  Examination  of  the 
Stote  of  the  Poor  in  this  Place,  it  was  ascertained  that  of  3|  1 84  Persons 
who,  in  the  oonrae  of  seiveral  soooessive  years,  had  been  sworn  to  Settle- 
ments and  other  Katten  daiming  parochial  Belief,  8,370  ooold  not 
write  at  all,  and  of  the  remaining  754  many  ooold  not  write  a  l^gibla 
Hand. 

The  Committee  feel  themselvea  called  npdn  to  acknowledge  the 
Benefit  tdiich  has  been  derived  from  the  Eneny,  Abilities^  and  Fidelity 
of  Mr.  John  Yee  vers,  the  Master  of  the  SdiooL  He  has  aeooiided  their 
Efforts  with  vnremittingZeal,  and  uiderhk  intelligent  Care  the  School 
bas  been  carried  to  a  JPyee  cf  BzoeUenoe.  at  once  verifying  the 
Kfficienqr  of  the  l<inffasterian  System,  and  Adnlling  the  expectations  of 
the  benevolent  Foonden.  It  lias  been  oonsideradbT  many  competent 
judges^  kHio  have  had  opportonitiee  of  compering  it  with  othen,  ae 
•Aming  the  moat  perfeel  Kiample  cf  popular  Inatniction  m  the 
Ooonti^;  honoorable  to  the  Svpraters,  and  cf  emential  Benefit  to  the 
Town  cf  Birmingham,  Thcae  who  have  not  yet  seen  Hm  Sdiool,  are 
entraated  to  virit  it  and  Judie  for  themaelvea,  and  the  Afloent  and  tim 
Oharilable  are  camcitly  eoBdted  for  their  aid  to  an  Inrtitiition  whidi 
yields  coch  abundant  Svidsnee  cf  its  Utility  and  Advantage. 

With  tlus  enooonging  report  our  eduentionai  record  of 

this  deoede  eloaaa. 


§  4    ▲MU8EiCEirr& 

The  recreations  of  n  people  are  as  permanent  as  their 
manners  and  oostoms^  and  present  little  chance  in  the 
coarse  of  years.  In  the  eignteenth  century  we  nad  few  of 
the  out-door  sports  which  onr  forefiithecs  loved  so  much, 
and  which  were  so  characteristic  of  this  coontiy  as  to  win 


AHUSE3IENTS.  265 

for  it  the  title  of  "Merry  England."  During  the  last  quarter 
of  a  century  we  have  endeavoured  to  restore  the  love  of 
out-door  and  athletic  games;  and  the  success  which  has 
attended  these  efforts  is  verv  encoura^g.  The  organisa- 
tion  of  the  Volunteer  Rifle  Corps  and  the  opening  of  Free 
Parks  have  done  much  to  foster  a  change  in  the  habits  of 
the  people,  which  cannot  but  be  productive  of  the  greatest 
good.  At  the  time  of  which  we  write  there  wbs  a  great 
Volunteer  movement  going  on ;  but  then  it  was  a  work  of 
necessity  as  well  as  patriotism^  and,  excepting  the  brutal 
sports  of  the  a^e,  there  was  scarcely  any  amusements  but 
the  theatre  and  concerts.  Our  theatrical  annals  of  the 
period  are  full  of  events  interesting  to  all  lovers  of  the 
drama.  Our  chapter  opens  with  a  pleasant  record  of  amuse- 
ment and  charity  comoined : — 

Private  Thxatbtoalb. 
Janoarj  26th,  1802. — The  LadleB  and  Gentlemen  who  80  homanely 
Tolonteered  their  eemoee  huit  season  for  the  benefit  of  the  Soup  Skop^ 
Oeiteral  Hoipital,  and  Blue  Coat  Charity  School,  haveimin  kindly  offered 
to  perform  a  Play  for  the  benefit  of  the  General  Hospital,  whidi  has 
been  thankfally  received  by  the  Committee,  and  we  nnderttand  the 
Gomedy  of  Secrete  Worth  Knowing,  with  the  Harce  of  Bamaby 
Brittle,  will  be  performed  in  the  coarse  of  next  month ;  and  we  donbt 
not  bnt  the  avidity  of  the  PaUie  to  m&m  this  excellent  Inttitntion  will 
keep  pace  with  that  cnriosi^  which  was  ao  highly  gratified  last  year, 
by  the  display  of  talents  which  at  once  did  faonoor  to  the  heads  ana 
hearts  of  the  Performers  Too  much  praise  cannot  he  given  to  those 
philanthropic  minds  whose  stocky  it  «a#  to  aUeviate  the  distressss  of 
the  poor  daring  the  late  nnhi^py  prsssare  of  the  timesy  and  who  now 
so  hnmanely  step  forward  to  poor  balsan^  wine^  and  oil  into  the  woonds 
oftheafiUoted.    . 

This  performance  produced  ''the  dear  somof  £156  ISaSd.** 
Our  next  is  worth  qaoting  for  several  reasons  ^— 

AXUBUfJUTS. 

Hay  24,  1802.— The  Ladies  and  Gentlemen  of  Birmin||bam  are 
respectfally  informed  that  a  Tory  commodloos  portable  AnwkUhoain  t# 
JUhna  %p  an  the  Premme  of  the  Stork  Taiem,  and  will  Opeo  on 
Monday,  the  31st  of  Ifa^  with  the  greatest  Variety  of  Equestrian 
Feats  ever  exhibited  in  Simdnflfaaniy  by  the  most  select  Hoisemeo 
from  Astley's  and  Jonei^s  Ampnitheaties  in  London.  Futicolariof 
the  Performances  will  be  timely  advertised* 

One  of  the  £avouriie  singers  at  this  period  was  the 

celebrated  Mrs.  Billington.    Her  performance  excited  the 

warmest  admiration,  as  is  proved  by  the  following  brief 

notice  of  her  first  appearance : — 

Aogost  2, 180SL-^On  Wednesday  eivMilng  Ida  Billingtoii  made  her 
first  appearance  at  oor  Theatre,  in  the  ehaiiieter  of  Boeett%  in  Love  in 
a  Village.  To  add  to  her  jostly-merited  fiune  wo<ald  be  imposrible  as 
to  describe  the  excelleaoe  of  ber  performaaes^  partioolariy  on  Friday 


256  A  CENTUBY  OF  BIBIONOHAM  LIFE. 

evening,  in  the  songs  of  Mandane,  in  the  Open  of  Artaxerzes,  in  which 
was  combined  the  purest  and  most  sublime  melody  with  the  most 
astonbhing  and  comprehensive  execation.  In  ''The  Soldier  tired  of 
Wax's  Alarms,"  she  introdnoed  a  variation  fh>m  thirds  to  fifths,  no  less 
novel  than  pleasing,  thus  evincing  at  will  the  wonderful  powers  of  her 
voice.  .  The  House,  we  are  happy  to  say,  has  been  numerously  attended 
each  evening  of  her  poformance  bv  a  brilliant  audience,  who  strongly 
testified,  bv  their  unbounded  applause,  the  gratification  which  they 
experienced ;  and  we  doubt  not  the  Mansger  wul  be  amply  remuneratea 
£ot  hia  liberal  and  spirited  exertions. 

Our  old  friend,  Mr.  Joseph  Weston's  Mnse^  laboured  on 

the  occasion,  and  was  thus  aeliyered : — 

August  2, 1802.— 

To  Mbs.  BiLLnroTov. 

Vocal  Enchantrsss,  whose  Seraphic  Song 
Now,  gently  undulating,  steals  along — 
Now,  awful  rolling,  fills  the  astonished  Ear, 
With  Sounds  that  Angels  might  with  rapture  hear —  . 
Potent  the  Depth  of  &ence  to  explore^ 
And  add  to  Music  Charms  unknown  bdfore ; 
Waste  not  too  lavishly  nnrivall'd  Powers 
.  To  Uessoorjoyous-HBOoihe  our  pensive  Hoon: 
Lest  Thou,  fiur  Star  of  £venin|L  daasling  brlp^t 
Should'st  cease,  too  soon,  to  gila  the  gloom  of  Nig^t^ 
And  we  should  vainlv  SMC,  among  the>Bao6 
'  Of  beauteous  Twinkte^  to  supply  thy  Place  1 
SoUhull,  Joly  31, 1808.  Josm  Wasxov. 

.  The  fimoiiB  mn^  1^0  as  genenms  as  she  was  gifted ;  aiid 

we  have  one  pleasing  instanoe'of  her  geoeroaity  to  quote  :— 

Au^^ust  9,  18(ML— On  Saturday  evening,  Mia.  BiUington,  with  a 
liberahty  hi^y  honourable  to  her,  pertemed  mftqitoiidy  thenart  of 
Muidaae^  in  the  Opera  el  Artazenes,  Ibr  the  mnefit  <k  the  Oensnl 
Honital,  near  this  town ;  and  Mr.  Hill,  Mm  Atkfai%  and  the  other 
pemnnera^  also  disintareatedly  nniting  their  elBntSi  Mr.  MXTrsadj. 
with  a  geoeroai^  no  leas  laudablsb  appraptiatsd  tha  entire  reeelpis  of 
the  hooee  to  the  aervioe  <tf  thai  azoeUent  bwtitiitlon.  If  there  could  ba 
any  addition  to  the  gratification  axperienoed  by  the  aadienoe  on  that 
occsaiffD,  it  mast  have  arisen  horn  tnerefiection  that  sacfa  transeendeni 
abilities  were  exerted  to  alleviate  the  most  poignant  of  human  ealaml- 
tiss— aldtnees  and  distress.  Such  an  appftcation  of  aapsrior  talent 
eminently  demonstrates  that  harmony  and  bsnevoleace  are  the  kindred 
inhabitants  of  the  same  breast^  and  eeonoi  ML  to  prove  an  aooeplable 
ofiforlng  at  that  shrine  where  only  her  melody  can  be  excilled.  The 
dear  receipts  of  the  hooss^  we  ars  happy  to  sti^  amounted  to  1S32.  lU. 

In  March,  1803,  the  amusements  were  varied  bj  the 
presence  of  a  onoe  noted  hand  of  mnmdana,  who  gave  a 

Pavdbav  OoiwasT. 

Maieh  S8|  1803.— The  Italian  Company  of  Mnrieiaae,  who  have  had 
the  Hoooor  of  peiteming  hslore  His  Boyal  Highnem  the  Priaee  of 
Wales  sad  some  of  the  int  NohiUtj  fai  &e  Kiafdom,  begs  tosoUelt 
the  FUronsga  ef  the  Ladies  and  GentlesMn  of  Biimiaigfaam  to  a 
Ooooer^  ftr  an  Hoat^  AmiMemsati  ^^ieh  thqr  propem  havlaf  on 


ABfUSEMENTS.  257 

Friday  next,  April  Ist,  at  the  Great  Room,  Shakespeare  Tavern.— To 
be^in  precisely  at  Eieht  o'clock.  The  Instrnments  to  be  played  upon 
are  four  sets  of  Pandean  Pipes,  two  Goitars,  a  Mezza  Luna,  Cabals, 
Turkish  Drum,  &c.  The  Sweetness  of  Tone  of  the  Pandean  Pipe  is 
well  known,  and  the  Combinations  of  the  whole  playing  in  Harmony, 
which  make  a  full  Concert,  they  flatter  themselves  will  be  a  complete 
Novelty,  and  produce  such  an  Efiect  as  will  not  £sdl  to  please. — 
Admittance  2s. 

Later  on  we  have  another  band,  of  a  different  kind, 

catering  for  the  amusement  of  our  fitthers : — 

May  S3,  I803.--For  a  few  Nights  onlv,  the  Famous  Band  of  Silver 
Miners  wiU  perform  a  Grand  Concert^  this  present  Monday,  the  23rd, 
and  Wednesday,  the  25th,  and  Thursday,  the  26th  of  May,  at  the  Hotel, 
Temple  Bow,  Birminffham.  A  Change  of  Performance  will  take  place 
on  Wednesday  and  iSursday  Evenings. 

The  theatrical  season  of  1804  was  very  rich  in  attractions- 
•We  had  Mr,  O.  F.  Cooke  in  a  round  of  his  best  characters, 
Blanchard,  Harlej,  Suett,  and  others ;  but  ike  great  event 
^was  the  appearance  of  the  Young  Boscius.  We  can  scarcely 
conceive  the  furore  which  the  performances  of  this  prodigy 
created.  Old  people,  who  remember  bis  visits  to  our  theatre^ 
tell  wonderful  stories  of  the  awful  crushii^  which  a  perse- 
vering populace  endured  in  order  to  witness  this  phenomenon. 
We  have  heard  of  enthusiaBtic  persons  waitii^  at  the  pit 
and  galleiy  doors  from  mid-day  until  half-past  six  in  the 
evening,  and  taking  their  meals  with  them  in  order  to  be  able 
to  endure  their  theatri<»d  martyrdom  with  somethii^  like 
comfort  The  enthusiasm  was  contagious,  and  people  went 
to  the  playhouse  who  ordinarily  looked  upon  it  as  the  high 
road  to  perdition.  The  earnings  of  this  Doy  surpass  even 
the  enormous  sums  which  a  Toole  and  a  Sothem  are  said 
to  make  in  the  present  day.  In  the  ''puff  preliminary" 
of  his  visit  to  this  town  we  are  told  that,  in  Edinbuwh^ 
he  made  a  "  clear  sum  of  £1,500  in  nine  ni^ta"  The  fol- 
lowing is  the  notice  of  his  first  appearance  m  Birmingham, 
which  took  place  on  August  18, 1804  :— 

Augvst  90. 1804.— The  yoaiig  Bosdiu  made  his  first  appesraaee  oq 
this  stage  on  Monday  evenings  in  the  cJMuacter  of  N onral  in  the  ing&Aj 
of  Doogbs.  This  charsoier  k  admintblj  adi^lad  to  dkghj  tlie 
abilitiot  of  the  perfonner  to  the  bast  advantage,  verj  great  ezpoota- 
tion  had  been  ezoitad,  oooseoiientlj  the  TliMtrs  was  filled  to  witae« 
the  dUmi  Of  the  yoiuig  oaadioato  for  poblie  fitvonr.  In  his  delineation 
of  the  cfaafaetor,  the  yoathfal  warrior^  in  the  hands  of  Master  Betty, 
lost  none  of  the  firs  and  ynmar  whioh  mark  his  y^ieas  through  the 
various  soenes  in  which  he  la  engaged.  The  andioDoe  seemed  to  feel 
the  intsrsst  whldi  his  performanee  ezdted,  and  testified  their  appro- 
hation  hy  lend  plaadita.  The  astonishing  Jndgment  whioh  he  displaved 
in  deiiveriog  the  text  of  his  anther,  the  animation  which  he  evincea  in 
u.  a 


258  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

■ 

giving  it  effect^  the  power  and  flexibilitv  of  his  Toioe,  and,  in  fiiot^  the 
tout  emembU  was  such  as  to  call  forth  the  most  unbouDded  tokens  of 
applause.  It  was  a  performance  in  which  Master  Bettj  must  be 
allowed  to  eqoa],  if  not  surpass,  that  of  the  greatest  actor  the  stage  can 
boast.  His  attitudes  were  appropriately  correct,  and  the  elegance  of 
Ids  dcmcauour,  at  the  i-.imc  liiuc  combiiiiii^'  u^Klc-i y  with  it,^  was 
calculated  to  impress  the  spectators  with  the  most  favourable  opinion 
of  him.  There  was  something  novel  and  astonishing  in  seeing  a  child^ 
for  he  is  not  more  than  twelve  years  old,  play  a  character  in  so  perfect 
a  manner  which  was  assigned  to  mature  ace.  The  part  of  Lady 
Bandolph  was  most  admin3>ly  sustained  by  Miss  Smith.  Mr.  Harley 
in  Old  Korvaly  and  Mr.  CSarles  in  Qlenalvon,  were  veiy  respectable.— 
On  Wednesday  he  played  Bella,  and  added  to  the  &me  which  he  so 
deservedly,  on  his  first  performancsL  had  acquired. — On  Thursday 
Hamlet.  Both  charaetexB  he  has  studied  with  the  utmost  attention, 
and  plays  them  so  admirably  as  to  set  eriticiun  at  defiance. — On  Friday 
ho  undertook  the  veiy  arduous  charaeter  of  Bidiard  the  Third.  The 
variety  of  conflicting  passions  which  the  crook-backed  1r)rrant  at  all 
times  was  ajxrey  to,  were  depicted  by  the  young  Bosdus  in  the  most  able 
maniMr.  Me  was  particularlv  great  in  the  scene  with  the  murderers, 
and  where  he  dares  Bichmond  to  the  field.  Miss  Norton  in  the  gentle 
Ladv  Anna  and  Miss  Smith  in  the  Queen,  were  entitled  to  much 
apputuse.  Mr.  M*Cready«  in  ^high-readiing  Ba<^ingfaam,**  was  ^eir- 
eamspaet*'  in  his  attannon  to  gam  credit  with  the  audieooe  for  his 
oonoeptloD  of  the  eharafttnTi  which  he  porfivmed  with  oooslderaUa 
effect;  indeecL  the  whole  cast  of  the  plar  waa  creditable  to  the 
performers  and  the  manager. — ^This  evening  tlie  play  of  Hsmlet  will  be 
repeated,  in  whidi  voiing  Boediis  will  make  his  second  appearance;!  for 
tlM  bendit  of  that  mvourita  of  the  public^  Mr.  HilL 

Hr.  Weston  again  came  forward  to  celebrate  the  wonder, 
and  produced  the  following 

August  fiOth,  1804.     .  Livn 

Written  on  seeing  the  theatrical  phenomenoDy  called  Touko  Botdut  (a 
boy,  twelve  years  old)  at  the  Birmingham  Theatreu  In  the  Gharaeteve  of 
Young  Korval,  Bolla,  Hamloli  and  Bichaid  the  Thfard.  Bj  Mr. 
Weston. 

Katubs  one  Day  with  Aar  was  Notes  coiBparing ; 
"  I  cannot  inur  (said  she)  your  Vaunt  of  sAoru^ 
''My  aool  GNation!  If  I  mnt  that  Kembie    , 
^  May,  of  us  Twain,  ftninmf  the  moti  resemble ; 
''And  that»  thou^  I  beatow'd  the  Shape  and  fV^e, 
'*Tou  added  Action,  Eaem^and  Qrsoa^ — 
*  What  then  t  Ezdosivelyls  Coon  mu  mm; 
^  Of  Thee  riyievtCeei,  nay,  to  TkcB  imliiowii /* 
''MaRTOomeupl  (quoth  Ab!1)  since  thus  too  float  mc^ 
''And  boast  that  yon  can  do  vour  Work  wnhoiit  ne^ 
*'TaT  I  Make  cms  Man  (deprived  of  my  Aanstanes) 
"  A  psrliMt_phiy*r-«nd  I  will  keep  my  distance  I" 


'' A  Mav  !  (DttDO  Natu»%  in  a  Biige^  replied) 
*A  Cbiu>— Ik  9wy  Cbod  shall  emsh  thy  Prtdar 
Tme  to  her  Word,  she  stamp*d  her  Iw^knt  Son, 
The  fsithfol  Miniature  of  Eoeduspwie— 
Oooke,  Kembie;  Holmaa,  Gabbige— off  in  one 


; 


AMUSEMENTS.  259 

The  engagement  did  not,  however,  conclude  without  a 
misunderstanding,  to  which  his  father  thus  refers : — 

To  THS  Editor. 

September  3rd,  1804. — Sir, — Your  grantiDg  a  place  in  your  paper  to 
the  following  lines  will  be  considered  a  particular  obligation  conferred 
on  the  fiitber  of  the  Toung  Roscitu,  who,  in  bis  ion's  name,  embraces 
this  opportunity  of  returning  his  most  unfeigned  thanks  to  the  Ladies 
and  Cfentlemen  of  Birminglutm,  for  the  truly  flattering  reception  they 
have  honoured  him  with  dn  his  Fint  visit  to  England.  The  applause 
bestowed  on  his  juvenile  efforts,  and  the  hospitality  he  has  experienced, 
impresses  his  youthful  mind  with  sensations  which  time  or  circum- 
stances can  never  efface. 

The  attention,  punctualiU^,  and  liberal  conduct  of  the  Manager  call 
forth  his  sincere  acknowledgments.  It  was  with  infinite  regret  Mr. 
Betty  observed  that  a  misrepresentation  of  &ct8  had  placed  that 
OenUeman  in  to  unpleasant  a  predicament  on  Friday  evening; 
although  Aii  owm  ttatemaU  was  sufficiently  dear^  eandid^  and  evidently 
tatiifaetortf  to  the  Audience,  yet  I  leel  it  is  but  juatiee  in  me  to  assure 
the  public  that  Mr.  BiPCreadv  (so  &r  from  objecting)  rtpeaUdly  and 
eomettfy  requested  I  would  allow  the  youth  to  continue  the  remainder 
of  the  season,  and  perform  for  every  604^  and  that  ke  would  be 
responmble  for  the  amount  ot  any  eqgagement  I  would  enter  into ;  but 
the  drmd  of  continue  extrtum  proving  i^ptriou§  to  his  healtli^  earn- 
pdUd  me  to  dedine  aU  tdUcUoHoiu 

In  the  moit  positwe  and  ime^vMoeo^  manner  /  declare  that  no 
individual  whatever  had  a$^fromtee  of  hie  aid  fivm  me,  who  alone  had 
ike  power  to  BUikteuekptomue. 

1  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  great  rcspeeti  Sir, 

Four  ouiged  humble  Servant, 

Hbvet  BcriT. 


letter  receives  an  illastnttion  from  a  pangn^h 
which  appeared  in  the  Oasette  of  the  same  date : — 


Mr.  Hill,  grateful  for  the  imblie  favour  be  ezperienoed  on  his  benefit 

to  tae  Ladies  and  Oenuemi 


b^  leave  to  state  to  the  Ladies  and  Oenuemen  of  Btnningham, 
that  it  was  to  the  kindvtkd  wneolieited  inteiference  of  the  Manager  he 
was  indebted  for  the  veryeffBctiial  advantage  he  derived  from  the  per> 
formanoe  of  the  Yoong  Boseiiia.  An  invOiom  and  faUaoiome  report 
being  in  ciimlat.iop,  emntiog  tiiii  Mr.  M^Croady  had  endeamwrod  to 


premmt  the  Tbm^  gendeman  perftrmiMf.  indncsa  Mr.  Hill  to  obtrude 
en  the  imblie  this  aoknowled^ent  el  Mr.  M'Creadye  vohmtai^  act  of 
friflodsmpv  at  a  moment  when,  in  tigreai  degree^  it  mUUatod  against  Am 


nieatre,  September  1,  1804. 

Toung  Betty's  fame  iras  destined  to  remain  long  after  his 

departora    Our  townsman,  l£r.  J.  Biaset,  whose  literary 

produetions  we  have  previoosly  notioed,  on  October  22, 

announced  the  following  woik  in  preparation : — 

Speedily  will  be  nabliihed,  Tta  DaaiUTio  ExoiLT.twcns  of  the 
JrvsviLB  Bosoius  cleariy  elucidated,  wHh  critical  BemariDi  on  the 
Hjpewriticiis  of  Justus^  Enma,  and  Carro.  Intenpersed  with 
antoentie  and  fa&tereiting  Aneodotea  «f  the  Biaa  and  Pipgiess  ef  this 


260  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

Vonderful  Phenomenon,  "who  so  biighlily  illnmines  the  Theatric  Hemi- 
sphere. Faithfully  oompiled  by 

J.   BiSSlST,  MUfiAUMy   BiBllIKOHAV. 

Vvd^!  Aude/  Credef 

In  the  defence  of  Boecius  (injured  Youth), 
Impartial  111  adhere  to  strictoBt  Truth ; 
111  nazard  few  Opimone  of  my  <non 
Bni  faithful  ^Ye  jonothei^B  pro  and  con. 

While  you  assert  your  Birthxight  (Britons'  Pride) 
To  judge  his  Cause — let  him  he  fairly  tried ; 
But  let  your  Mihdb  from  Fr^uaUce  be  free. 
Britons  I  before  Decision— Aeor  and  jm  / 

Biimingfaaniy  printed  for  the  Author,  by  Knott  and  lioyd. 

In  his  next  advertisement  the  enthusiastic  critic  seems 
quite  beside  himself  in  alluding  to  the  genius  of  this 
^  Wonder  of  the  Age,** — ^but  we  hw  better  quote  his  words : 

October  29, 1804. — ^BoscimB. — ^The  young  Qentleman  whose  eztraor- 
dinaiy  dnunatio  Talents  have  acauired  for  him  the  abore  Appellation, 
having  lately  engrossed  a  great  degree  of  public  attention,  the  Editor 
pvesmnes  that  an  attempt  to  lay  bobre  the  Lovers  ol  the  Drama  and 
the  Friends  of  literstore  some  anthentic  Documents  respeotinf  this 
''Wonderofthe  Age^  will  not  heunaooeptable;  andasvarioosOpuiioiis 
have  bsen  circulated  in  the  pnblie  Prints  on  the  Merits  and  Acquire- 
ments' of  this  Phenomenon— on  the  maffto  Powers  and  trsnacendent 
Ezeallenoes  of  his  Performance  in  a  vast  yarieW  of  dissimilar  Charac- 
ters—on his  astonishing  Display  of  native  unsophisticated  Genius^  and 
its  Infliienes  <yv«r  the  wHling  and  tuiwilllng  minds  of  aia  his  Auditors; 
and  as  the  exalted  l^snegyiics  which  his  unrivalled  TWlents  have  called 
Ibrlliy  have  Undled  thePlames  of  Envy,  and  provoked  the  Mmaufemt 
OHMMFrwnu  itis  hoped  thai  a  Air  and  Impartial  Btatsmait  of  the 
AisvsMals  on  both  Sides  wHl  be  oonsidsred  as  an  Aet  of  Justice  towards 
inralted  GeoiiH^  and  an  humble  Eflbrt  to  prepare  his  way  to  Just  Be- 
nowB  and  hoooinable  Eunsu  by  the  Removal  of  those  Obstacles  which 
P^wipdfes^  Bnv7,  or  Mslevolence  have  Interpoeed. 

Himliigham:  printed  for  the  A«thor,  by  Knott  and  Lloyd.    ' 

In  July  of  the  next  season  the  petted  child  appeared 

anin,  and  pkyed  in  Norval,  Bichaid  the  Third,  Uaioilet^ 

Cmttes.  Tanered,  and  Zanga     The  dramatic  season  was 

otherwise  well  sooDorted.    We  had  Ifr.  Cooke  again,  Hr. 

Barrvmore,  lira  Jonnstone,  Mrs.  Glover,  that  f ami  of  fun 

and  niunoar,  Unnden,  and,  unfortonatehr,  another  infiuit 

phenomenon  in  the  shape  of  a  Miss  lindie,  **  a  child  ionly 

seven  yean  of  aga"  Oor  old  friend  Mr.  Morfitt  was  smitten 

with  this  voong  lady  much  in  the  same  manner  that  Mr, 

Bisset  had  been  with   Boseins^  and  oflbred  the  ^^* 

tiibate  to  this  the  ''sweetest  bod  of  genius"  :— 

Mns  Munis. 
AxmA  \%  ISOS.— To  the  Priotcfs.— GsDtleBMn,--X)ar  diaauOio 
hosli  Mr.  M*Craa4ji  wbo^  year  after  year,  ipan  the  Jaded  appelilehy 


AMUSEMENTS.  261 

some  new  delicacy,  has  lately  furnished  us  with  a  treat  in  Miss  Mudis^ 
a  young  lady  not  ^ite  seven  years  old.  She  is,  without  flattery,  the 
sweetest  bud  of  genius  I  ever  beheld ;  and,  if  fostered  by  the  genial  rays 
of  public  patronage,  promises  to  be  the  pride  of  the  theatriod  garden. 
At  an  age  when  other  girls  are  scarcely  out  of  their  primer,  she  discloses 
dramatic  talents,  which  not  only  please  but  astonish,  and  is  a  most 
striking  instance  of  the  prcecox  tr^emum.  HowcYer  it  may  perplex 
philosophy,  and  make  ignorance  stare,  it  is  certain  that  we  cannot  set 
Donuds  to  the  "  wonder-working"  power  of  nature,  who  sports  as  she 
pleases,  givincr  wisdom  to  babes,  and  gigantic  abilities  to  pigmy  forms. 
We  are  told  oy  naturalists  that  she  is  maxima  in  minimis;  and  that 
there  are  more  wonders  disooyerable  in  the  minutest  fly  than  in  the 
most  unwieldjr  elephant 

This  theatrical  phenomenon  (for  I  know  not  a  more  iq;>po6ite  appel- 
lation) made  her  dSbiU  on  our  boards  on  Wedneaday  last,  in  the 
characters  of  Miss  P^ggy,  in  the  Country  Girl,  and  Fribole,  in  Miss  in 
her  Teens.  She  has  since  performed  young  Nerval  twice^  with  Nell,  in  the 
Devil  to  Pay,  and  Cowshp,  in  the  Agreeable  Surprise,amidst  a  thunder 
of  applause.  Her  voice  is  dear,  expressive  and  melodious,  by  no  means 
destitute  of  flexibility,  and,  with  xeference  to  her  yem,  singularly 
powerful.  Her  declamation  is  articulate,  distinct}  and  generally  conrecti 
and  she  posnopson  far  more  digni^  than  could  be  expected  from  such  a 
punjr  person.^  Her  gesture  is  animated,  but^  of  course^  admits  of  cor- 
rection and  improvement,  and  her  conceptions,  particulariy  in  young 
Nerval,  are  much  too  big  for  her  powers  of  expression.  Yet  her 
endues  surprize,  and  she  appears  a  spirited  thougn  Lilliputian  hero. 
Such  was  the  astonishment  excited  by  her  general  acting,  that  it  was 
dlfllcult  to  discriminate  particular  paats ;  but  in  speaking  the  wordi^ 
*^the  blood  bf  Douglas  can  protect  itwlf,"  and  vanous  o&er  paasarai 
of  animation,  her  mind  seemed  to  dilate  her  little  foim,  and  swelfit 
into  importance.  In  the  scene  where  Glenalvon  trettta  voanff  Norval 
with  the  most  provoking  insolenoe.  the  agitation  of  the  uttiehero  was 
admirably  ponrtraved ;  he  aeemed  oonviused  with  pastionfl  whidi  he 
laboured  to  conceal^  whfle  contempt  sat  scowling  on  his  brow. 

But  great  as  she  is  in  tngiedy,  she  is^  in  my  opinion,  greater  in 
comedy.  Thalia's  sweetest  smile  plavs  upon  her  countenance;  die  is 
the  duld  of  fun,  and  vivacity  sparkles  in  her  eyes.  GOie  poaaesies  a 
naXvetif  an  infantine  simplicity^  wnidi,  in  aosna  diaraeters,  must  be.very 
fascinating.  Besides  her  flgnie  opentes  less  against  her  in  oomic  than 
in  heroic  scenes^  and  she  grows  so  much  in  our  estimation,  that  instoad 
of  seven  we  cannot  help  sometimes  fancying  her  to  be  seventeen.  Badk 
is  the  magic  of  fancy,  which  he  who  poaaesses  not  will  never  duly 
appreciate  the  merits  oif  this  Hide  but  great  artiew.  Her  Ndl,  in  the 
Devil  to  Flay,  was,  in  some  parts,  Mn,  Jordan  in  miniatare,  and  aha 
iittdoabtedly  poaaosses  all  the  ements  of  exoellenoe  aa  a  comedian. 


Arch  and  easy,  nrightljr  and  nnaffected,  she  seems  quite  at  hone ;  an4 

uny  critic  i  "     '     " 


he  must  be  a  suriy  critic  indeed  who,  making  a  candid  allowance  f o^ 
years,  doea  not  nronoimoe  her  to  be  in  tm^y  interesting,  and  in 
eomedy  admiFabi& 

I  hiave  ^frj  reason  to  believe  that  this  impartial,  but  hasty  and 
imperfect,  critique  will  excite  the  aneer  of  aecptieism.    People  will 
naturally  ridicule  what  they  cannot  believe ;  bat  I  d^  they  will,npoii  the* 
principles  of  common  candour,  anapend  tlmr  judgment,  and  bridle  their 
censure,  until  they  have  seen  thialtttle  phenomenon,  being  aband«it)y 


262  A  CE^^puRY  of  Birmingham  life. 

■ 

convinced  that  their  doubts  will  be  lost  in  a«(oniihment,  and  their  oen* 
sore  finally  terminate  in  applause.    1  am,  Gentlemen,  Yours,  &c., 
8t.  Paul's  Square,  Binhmgham,  August  9,  1805.  J.  Morfitt. 

In  1806  the  Theatre  waa  newly  painted  and  decorated ; 

and,  as  the  present  house  is  not  the  same  in  which  such 

marvels  as  Young  Eosdus  and  Miss  Mudie  appeared,  it  will 

not  be  out  of  place  to  give  our  readers  the  description  of 

the  Theatre  before  it  was  called  the  Boyal : — 

Thx  Thsatrk. 
May  26, 1806. — Our  Theatre,  which  has  long  been  the  admiration  of 
all  Tlsitors,  will  be  opened  this  evening,  newly  painted  and  decorated, 
in  a  style  of  such  taste  and  elegance  as  to  eclipse  eveiy  other  provincial 
theatre,  and  rival  the  most  superb  in  the  metropolis.  Upon  entering 
the  pit  (where,  perhaps,  the  beauties  of  the  bouse  are  seen  with  the 
best  effect),  the  eye  of  the  spectator  is  so  fascinated  with  the  elegance  of 
the  place,  and  the  brilliance  of  the  colouring,  as  to  hesitate  upon  which 
point  to  dwell,  and  whether  to  admire  most  the  embellishments  of  the 
stage  or  the  fanciful  decorations  of  the  other  part  of  the  Theatre.  The 
fronts  of  the  lower  tier  of  boxes  are  ornamented  with  festoons  of 
flowers;  the  fronts  of  the  upper  tier  are  decorated  with  historical 
subjects  and  architectural  ornaments;  and  the  fii>nt  of  the  gallery 
terminates  with  arches  filled  in  with  trophies.  The  whole  of  the 
decorations  are  minted  in  ciifaroe  senro,  relieved  by  green  and  salmon* 
coloured  grounds^  and  the  mouldings  and  ornamental  parts  cf  the 
architecture  are  gilt  The  insides  of  the  boxes  are  ajipropriately 
painted  and  elegantljjr  adorned.  The  back  parts  and  sides  of  tbs 
gallery  are  most  fimmully  decorated  in  panek  of  green  4Uid  marble 
pilasters,  and  the  ottltng  of  the  boose  is  beautifully  illuminated  with 
a  large  pidntad  drde^  sorroonded  with  arehlteetutml  omamenta.  On 
the  stage  (as  we  last  week  observed)  several  judioions  alterations  have 
taken  piaoe^  and  the  whole  fronUspleoe  now  assumes  a  light  and  eleguit 
appearance^  classically  ornamented  with  comio  and  tra^^  flgnrea^ 
trophies^  and  other  scenic  decorationa.  The  aoenes  and  aide  wings 
have  also  been  newly  painted  and  beautified,  and  several  new  scenes^ 
with  a  front  drop  curtain,  have  likewise  been  added.  'The  whole 
has  been  exeentad  in  water  eoloni*.  (of  course  the  least  olEnaive  mdl 
€i  paint  9rill  not  be  fbnnd  in  the  novise)  from  designs  by  Mr.  IMxon. 
ana  executed  under  his  direction.  The  taate  and  iudgment  dlsplayea 
will,  no  doubt,  eonfirm,  and,  if  posdble,  increase  the  oelehrity  of  &iB 
eminent  arUst 

Young  Boscittd  appeared  again  this  aeason;  and  the 
company  induded,  fixun  iim0  to  time,  all  the  old  favonriteaL 
One  adFertiaemeni  will  inform  the  reader  of  the  performanoee 
at  "*  the  Amphitheatre,  Stork  Tayem  Yard  :'*— 

Kkw  HABLiQonr  Pavtomimi^  Nsw  Bvblrta,  asd  Oomo  Sooicn 

Davci. 

November  14^  IfiOOr-At  the  Amphitheatn^  Stock  IWvem  Yar^,  this 
present  Monday  £veni«g,  November  S4,  1806,  and  every  Eveaioff  Uli 
further  Notiee,  will  be  performed  a  new  Borletta,  called  The  Widow's 
Choice ;  or,  Oont»  Pappyism,  Penunr,  and  Heart  of  Oak. 

Cmmpley,  Mr.  Freeiand ;  Flattie,  Mr.  Fyne ;  Gobble  (afterwaida 


AHUSE^IENTSr.  263 

Jack  Spritsail)  Mr.  Miller;  Gregory  Gaukey,  Mr.  Hamphrejs;  Dr. 
Slopi  Mr.  Hawkins ;  and  Constance,  Mrs.  McCartney. 

In  the  coni-se  of  the  Eyening  will  be  produced  an  entirely  new 
Scotch  Dance  (under  the  Direction  of  Mr.  Simpson)  called  The  Gretna 
Blacksmith. 

Characters — ^Messrs.  Humphreys,  Jeryis,  Barrett,  Hawkins,  and 
Sixnpson,  Miss  H.  Lettin.  Mrs.  Freeland,  and  Miss  Johnson. 

TIffht  Bope  Dancing,  by  the  inimitable  Master  Saunders. 

Auer  which,  the  foflowinff  iayourite  Songs : — '*  When  Vnlcan  fonfd 
the  Bolts  of  Joye,"  Mr.  F^ne;  '^I  thought  it  was  queer,"  Mrs. 
M'Cartney ;  '^  Bound  Trentioe  to  a  Waterman,"  Mr.  MUler.  There 
will  be  presented  a  pleasing  and  extensiye  Variety  of  nnparalleled 
Feats  of  Horsemanship,  Ennobled  by  the  astonishing  rowers  of 
Master  Sannders.        ^ 

The  whole  to  oondnde  with  (first  time)  a  New  Comic  Pantomime, 
written  and  inyented  by  Mr.  Barret ;  the  Machinenr,  &e.,  executed  by 
Mr.  Jeryis ;  and  got  Qpjander  the  Direction  of  Mr.  Simpson,  calleSl 
The  Mystic  Tomb ;  or,  Harleqnin  and  the  Genii 

Haneqain,  Mr.  Simpson ;  Zanjr,  Mr.  Hawkins ;  Old  Harlequin,  Mr. 
Pyne;  Genii,  Mr.  Humphreys;  Columbine's  Father,  Mr.  Ireeland; 
Loyer,  Mr.  Hengler ;  MnfBn-man,  Mr.  Griffiths ;  Deyili  Master  Day ; 
Doctor,  Mr.  Jones ;  Landlord,  Mr.  Adams ;  and  Whimsicnlammdifoskj 
(the  Clown)  Mr.  Millar ;  Oolumteie,  Miss  Leltin.    . 

Various  Noyelties  are  in  Preparation,  and  will  be  shortly  produoed. 

Fires  are  constantly  kept  in  the  Theatre. 

Half-prioe  will  be  taken  on  Saturday  Eyenings  only,  standing  places 
exoepteoy  to  eommenoe  at  Nine  o^dock  precisely. 

Iioon  open  each  Syuning  at  Half-past  Six,  and  the  Petfimnanoe  to 
becin  at  Half-paai  Seren. 

Plaoes  for  the  Boxes  to  be  taken  from  Ten  tili  Four  o^doek  at  the 
Theatre. 

Boxes, 3s. ;  Pit  fis. ;  Gallery,  la. ;  StandingPlaees, ed. 

K.&— Horsea  broken  fta  Tuition  in  the  JSquestriaa  Ait,  by  Mr. 
Saunders^  Jnn. 

In  Januaiy,  1807,  tbai  renowned  Son  of  Anak,  Daniel 
Lumberty  was  exhildtinff  himself  in  the  town.  Of  this 
worthy  we  have  the  fofiowing  canons  bit  of  information 
mea  m  the  advertisement, — **  although  from  his  Bnlk,"  the 
ooenment  condndes,  **  he  would  be  supposed  to  be  precluded 
from  obtaining  sporting  Knowledge,  be  is  beUeyed  to  be 
remarkably  well  read  on  the  Turf,  and  can  furnish  the 
best  Pen  of  Cocks  of  any  Man  in  the  Kingdom.''  We 
suppose  that  in  the  year  1807  these  fiu^  in  the  giant's 
histoiy  were  considered,  and  would  be  an  additional  attrac- 
tion with  the  puUia 

The  theatrical  season  of  1807  was  distinguished  by  the 
appearance  of  Mrs.  Siddons,  who  ''was  taking  leave  ot  her 
provincial  friends  previous  to  her  retirement  from  the  stage." 
IDm  appeared  in  the  character  of  Isabella  in  the  Fatal 
HiuTiage,  and  her  acting  is  thus  described  >* 


264  A  CENTUBY  OF  BIBlflNGHAH  LIFE. 

July  27tb/^1807.— Thbatrb. — On  Thnnday  ereniDg,*  the  celebrated 
Mrs.  Siddous,  who  is  now  taking  leave  of  her  provincial  friends,  prepa- 
ratorpr  to  her  retiring  from  the  stage,  made  her  appearance  at  oar  Tlie- 
atre  m  the  character  of  IsabeUa,  and  was  reoeiTed  with  the  greatest 
applanse.  A  correspondent  has  sent  as  the  following  remarks  on  this 
eminent  actress : — ^"The  surprisingly  transcendent  talents  of  Mrs.  Sid- 
dons  have  beto  so  long  and  so  universallj  acknowledged,  that  to  praise 
her  would  be  to  descant  on  the  obvious  splendour  of  the  sun ;  yet  some-^ 
thing  tre  must  eaj  to  gratify  the  ebullition  of  admiration  her  sublime 
performances  excited*  Perfection  in  any  art  is  so  rarelv  arrived  at  that, 
when  seen,  it  delights  by  its  novelty  as  much  as  it  does  by  its  excellence. 
Mrs.  Siddons,  in  me  histrionic  art^  has  reached  the  utmost  boundary  of 
perfection ;  so  compleat  are  her  powers  of  assumption  that  nature,  in  all 
ner  own  native  loveliness,  appears  before  us.  Her  attraction  can  never 
lose  its  force ;  for  howe¥er  sne  may  cease  to  be  a  subject  of  curiositv,  she 
must  still  continue  to  the  classic  mind  '  an  ever  new  delight'  We  un- 
derstand that  this  is  positively  her  last  visit  to  this  county." — ^In  justice 
to  the  fleneral  performances  we  cannot  but  observe,  that  the  plavs  on 
Xhnra&y  and  Friday  were  filled  in  a  manner  that  did  great  credit  to 
the  Theatre. 

Madame  Oatalam  appeared  here  on  the  I9ib  and  20th  of 
November,  ISOT^  when  ''her  astonishing  power  of  voice 
drew  forth  the  most  raptorons  appkusa" 

In  an  advertisement  which  appeared  on  November  2, 
1807,  announcing  the  benefit  of  mra  Hodges  and  her  dis- 
tressed fiunily,  uie  theatre  is  for  the  first  time  called  the 
Theatre  BoyaL  The  Oazette  gives  ns  no  information  on  the 
subject,  ana  we  have  to  turn  to  the  Journals  of  the  House 
of  Uommons  to  aspertain  when  our  Theatre  was  made  a 
patent  housa  From  this  source  we  leam  that»  on  Februanr 
26, 1807,  a  petition  of  "*  William  Shaxpe,  Em.,  James  Wool- 
VbVp  Esq.,  Matthew  Boulton,  Esq.,  and  several  other  persons, 
aU  of  the  town  of  Birmingham,  in  the  county  of  Warwick, 
or  the  vicinity  thereof  bemg  propnetors  of  the  Theatre  or 
Hav-honae  in  the  said  town,  was  presented  and  read."  The 
petition  set  forth— -That  about  the  year  1792  the  only  thea- 
tre in  the  town  was  destroyad  by  fire ;  and  that  it  being 
^  expedient  to  provide  another  for  the  amusement  of  the 
inhabitants  of  tne  said  Town,  and  that  of  the  Nobility  and 
Gentiy  of  the  ndffhbonriiood,  some  of  the  Petitioners  and 
oUier  Inhabitants,  Doing  the  Afoprietors  of  the  old  Theatre, 
erected  on  the  scite  thereof  a  new  and  more  commodioua 
Theatre  or  Fli^*house  on  an  extended  scale,  at  a  very  great 
expense:  And  praying  that  leave  may  be  given  to  bring  in 
a  Bill  to  enable  nis  lCajes(y,&a,to  grsnt  Letters  Patent  for 
estsblishing  a  Theatre  or  Play-house  in  the  said  Town." 
The  Petition  was  referred  to  a  Committee^  of  Which  Loid 


AMUSEMENTS.  265 

Lyttelion^  Sir  Chaxles  Mordaunt,  and  Mr.  Dugdale  were 
membei-s.  On  March  23  Sir  Charles  Mordaunt  reported 
fix>m  the  Committee  that  they  had  examined  the  matter. 
The  report  was  presented  and  leave  was  given  to  bring  in  a 
billy  and  Sir  Charles  Mordaunt  and  Mr.  Dugdale  were  ordered 
to  prepare  and  bring  in  the  bilL  The  bill  was  brought  in  on 
March  25,  and  nas^  the  Commons  on  April  21.  It  also 
passed  tiie  Loros  with  a  few  amendments,  to  which  the 
Commons  agreed ;  and  on  August  1st  received  the  Royal 
assent  by  G)mmission.  And  mus  the  New  Theatre,  Bir- 
mingham, became  the  Theatre  R^^^ 

On  the  29th  of  August  the  Theatre  was  opened  for  a 
short  time  by  Mr.  Crisp,  the  manager  of  the  Theatres  of 
Worcester  and  Shrewsbury.  On  Thursday,  September  1, 
the  famous  tenor,  Incledon,  appeared  for  tiiat  nisht  only, 
(hi  November  7>  1808,  the  following  important  meatrical 
announcement  wais  made : — 

TasAntB  BoTAXi. 

Theatriods  are  to  be  introduoed  in  this  town  during  pert  of  the 
winter  ■eason,  whicb  is  oertainly  most  fitTonnible  to  theni,  and  wfaerain 
they  are  f oond  pleaaanti  and  liberallj  enoooraged  in  moat  large  places. 
The  inhabitanta  of  Birmingham  have  a  daim,  and  indeed  are  entitled 
to  ererr  gntifioatton  that  can  be  soggerted  towards  ratioDalamnaement. 
Their  daja  are  devoted  to  praiaeworthy  exeitiona,  whidi  render  the 
town  one  of  the  richeat  boaata  of  Britain,  and  sorelj  it  may  he  expected 
that  a  flood  nlay  (in  one  of  the  handaomeat  Theatrea  anywhere)  will  be 
rdiaheS  on  long  winter  evenings,  provided  the  actors  be  reqiectabley 
and  the  idiole  well  regulated.  8tvoD|4j  impressed  with  these  Ideas, 
Mr.  Wataon  ventorea  to  oommenoe  a  wrntsr  Hsssoo. 

The  lianager  ia  detennined  to  engage  the  very  best  perfonnera  that 
can  be  had.  Stoves  are  erecting  to  render  the  lobbiea  fto,  wann  and 
oomfortabl^  and  the  most  unremitting  aasidnity  ahall  be  exerted  on 
every  occasion^  to  give  the  amosements  of  the  drama  in  a  corraet  style^ 
so  as  to  be  honoared  with  apptobatioB,  and  obtain  the  TMH?tiflti  of  a 
general  pnblio. 

At  present,  it  is  intended  that  the  perfbnnaDoea  ahall  ^vwiiwHmfft 
eariy  in  the  next  week,  with  The  Bivala  and  The  Midnight  Hoar. 

In  1809  the  list  of  famous  performers  who  appeared  at 
the  theatre,  included  Mr.  Stephen  Kemble,  Master  IDouious- 
set,  odled  the  **  Young  Musical  Roedus,"  Mrs.  Emeiy,  and 
Madame  Oatalani,  whose  "extraordinaiy  powers  of  her  voice, 
and  wonderful  flexibility  in  executing  her  bravura  songs, 
the  richness  of  tone,  and  the  beautiful,  pathetic,  and 
exquisite  manner  of  her  singing  'O  quesia  Tanima,'  and 
other  pieces,  produced  sensations  of  the  liveliest  interest  on 
the  audience,  and  called  forth  the  greatest  bursts  of  ap- 
plause ever  witnessed  in  the  Theatre ;  and,  we  believe  it  is 


2GG  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMIXGHAM  LIFE. 

the  general  opinion  that  she  possesses  the  finest  combination 

of  talents,  as  a  singer,  ever  heard  in  this  countiy." 

By  far  the  most  important  theatrical  event  of  this  decade 

was  the  fii'st  appeai*ance  of  Mr.  W.  C.  M'Cready,  which,  as 

all  the  world  knows,  was  made  at  the  Birmingham  Theatre, 

then  under  the  management  of  his  father.     This  event  took 

place  on  Thursday,  June  7,  1810,  and  is  thus  recorded  : — 

Theatre  Boyal. 

Jane  11,  1810. — The  Tragedy  of  Borneo  and  Jaliet  was  brought 
forward  at  our  Theatre  on  Thursday  last,  for  the  purpose  of  introducing 
a  young  candidate  not  18  years  of  age  (Mr.  William  M'Cready)  to  the 
stage,  from  whose  performance  we  have  r.o  hesitation  in  predicting  his 
future  fame  and  prosperity  ;  indeed,  we  have  never  witnessed  a  better 
first  appearance.  He  looked  the  cliaracter  admirably  ;  the  elegance  of 
his  figure,  the  expression  of  his  countenance,  and  the  very  greac  ease  of 
his  defiortment,  united  in  forming  a  perfect  representation  of  what 
Borneo  should  exactly  appear.  He  received  the  most  encouraging  and 
rfiattering  applause  through  the  first  four  acts,  and  at  his  dying  scene 
there  were  several  distinct  peals,  testifying  surprise  and  tne  highest 
admiration  of  talents  which  have  been  seldom  equalled,  if  ever  surpassed. 
Mrs.  Young  seemed  much  interested,  and  exerted  herself  with  the 
happiest  eifect ;  we  have  never  seen  her  to  more  advantage.  The 
whole  play  merited  and  obtained  the  warmest  plaudits,  particularly  the 
Friar,  Mercutio,  The  Prince,  and  The  Nurse.  It  is  to  be  repeated  tliis 
evening,  with  the  grand  Melodrama  of  Valentine  and  Orson,  in  which 
Mr.  Conway  and  ^Ir.  Betterton  perform. 

During  the  season  he  appeared  in  Lotliair  in  the  play  of 

Adelgitha,  Young  Norval,  several  times  as  Romeo,  Zanga 

in  Dr.  Young's  tmgedy  of  Revenge,  and  other  first-class 

])arts,  and  thus  commenced  that  long  and  successful  career 

in  a  profession  to  which  he  has  done  so  much  honour,  and 

earned  a  fame  scarcely  second  to  any  of  the  gi'eat  stars  in 

the  ditimatic  firmament     During  the  same  season  we  had 

that  "darling  child   of  whim  and  fun,"  Mr.  Munden,  Mr. 

Buttorton,    y\i\    Harley,    Mr.    Fawci'tt,    Mr.   Conway,    Mrs. 

Jordan,  an<l  Ml-s.  E^jerton.     In  the  season  of  ISll  the  voun;j 

Mr.   M'Cready  was  one  of  the  jirincipal  attractions,  and 

fully  confinnod  the  success  whicli  he  hatl  already  won.     Ho 

now  ap])eai'ed  in   Hamlet,  in   Daran  in  tlie   Exile,  and  a 

rountl  of  diaract4'i*s  wliirh  proved  the  jKiwer  and  versatility 

of  tlio  young  actor.     A  corri'sjwndent  thus  describes  him 

'I  ill*'  company  at  this  time  : — 

To  THE  Printer. 
November  2'»,  }>\\. — Sir, — On  Monday  evenhi{;  last  I  wan  indoced 
to  vihit  vuiir  Theatre  to  seo  tliat  admiral ilc  proiluctiou  of  oor  immortal 
Lard,  I'oineo  and  Juliet,  wliicii  yran  iH*rf(»rmeil  with  a  re^^'ularity,  pre- 
risiou,  and,  I  may  Kiy,  excollenci.'  tliat  surpiis^cil  me  to  witness  in  a 
pix>vincial  Theatre.     Miss  Smith's  Juliet  cvincc<l  {towers  of  the  most 


MANNERS,  CUSTOMS,  ETC/  267 

luperior  kind,  either  to  insinuate,  delight,  or  terrify,  as  the  varying 
scenes  required,  and  she  was  most  -ably  supported  with  the  Itomeo  of 
Mr.  William  M'Cready.  Never  was  appearance  better  calculated  to 
persouate  the  youthful  hero,  and  his  last  scene  must  have  stamped  him 
an  Actor  in  the  opinion  of  the  severest  critic  ;  Mercutio,  Capulet,  the 
Friar,  Nurse,  and,  indeed,  all  the  characters  were  most  respectably 
sustained.  In  the  afterpiece  Mrs.  Stewart  gave  the  songs  of  Margaretta 
with  a  taste  and  sweetness  that  afforded  general  satisfaction,  and  the 
applause  at  the  dropping  of  the  curtain  testified  the  unqualified  appro- 
bation of  the  audience,  which  were  numerous  enough  to  send  the 
Manager  home  to  reflect  that  the  entire  receipt  of  the  night  was  not 
sufficient  to  discharge  one  half  of  the  ezpences  attending  the  perfor- 
mance of  the  eveuinff.  How  lament?ible  that  a  man,  inde&tigable  in 
the  service  of  the  public,  who  is  proverbial  for  obtaining  the  greatest 
novelties,  who  is  ever  ready  to  assist  all  charitable  institutions,  and 
xealous  to  gratify  the  town  at  any  ex  pence  with  the  first  of  every 
thing  I  How  lamentable  it  is,  that  such  a  Caterer  and  such  a  Theatre 
should  be  neglected  and  deserted  1  Dramatic  compositions  have  ever 
been  esteem^  among  the  greatest  productions  of  the  human  genius,  and 
the  acting  of  them  has,  by  some  or  the  wisest  and  best  men  in  all  ages, 
been  countenanced  as  highly  serviceable  to  the  cause  of  virtue.  Examjde 
is  the  strongest  manner  of  enforcing  precept,  and  a  sUge  representation 
(rightly  conducted)  the  best  picture  of  nature.  What  pleasure  so 
rational  as  that  proceeding  from  a  well  written  and  well  acted  Tragedy 
or  Comedy*  where  the  mind  may  have  at  once  improvement  and 
delight!  Tht  spirit^  liberalitv,  and  good  sense  that  pervade  the 
inhaoitants  of  Birmingham,  and  bring  Uiem  forward  on  all  meritorious 
occasions,  it  is  hoped  will  not  lie  dormant  on  so  interesting  a  subject 
These  observations  are  offered  with  great  deference  and  the  purest 
oiotivei^  by  a  Townsman^  and  '       Av  Evoouraqkb  07  ths  Ans. 

There  were  the  usual  oonoerts,  exhibition  of  panoramaa^ 

and  other  sources  of  amusement  to  satisfy  and  to  gratify  the 

varied  tastes  of  the  people. 


§  5.     XAKKEBS,  CUSTOMS,  ETa 


Perhane  nothing  more  foreibfy  illustrates  the  progress 
which  tnis  country  has  made  in  religion  and  civilization 
than  the  change  which,  in  a  comparativefy  few  years,  has 
been  made  in  our  draoonic'  code  of  criminal  law.  Death 
was  the  punishment  for  almost  every  crime.  The  same 
measure  was  meted  out  for  stealing  a  loaf  to  satisfy  the 
cravings  of  hunger,  and  for  the  most  cold-blooded  murder. 
In  cases  of  treason  a  few  refinements  of  cmelty  were  added 
which  gave  to  that  ofience  a  ''bad  preeminence''  in  our 
annals.  At  the  Spring  Assizes,  held  at  Warwick,  in  March, 
1802,  twenty  persons  were  condemned  to  death,  not  one  of 


268  A  CENTintT  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

whom  had  committed  murder.     Here  is  the  melancholy 

record  of  this  wholesale  condemnation : — 

April  5, 1802. — ^The  Assizes  for  this  County  ended  at  Warwick  on 
Thnrsdajy  when  sentence  of  death  was  passed  on  the  following  twenty 
prisoners,  viz..  R  Allen,  J.  Hill,  K  Baker,  J.  Garter,  and  J.  Groire,  for 
foigeries  on  tne  Bank  of  England ;  J.  Manning  J.  Parkes,  and  Sam. 
Bryan,  for  a  buxglaiy  at  Menden;  J.  Woolley,  G.  Harlam,  and  Sarah 
Sheppard,  for  burglaries  in  this  town ;  J.  Mifls  and  S.  Frost,  for  sheep 
steaLng ;  K  Davies,  aLioM  Garratt,  and  T.  Green,  for  horse-stealing ; 
Phoebe  Trueman,  for  shop-lifting ;  and  J.  Peaoe,  W.  Lane,  T.  Moore, 
and  F.  Linney,  for  foigray.  Peace,  Lane.  Davis.  Green,  Grove,  True- 
man,  Mills,  woollev,  Karlam,  Sheppard,  and  Iixwt  are  reprieved,  and 
the  nine  others  left  for  execution,  which,  we  understand,  will  take  place 
on  Washwood  Heath,  near  this  town. 

On  April  19,  Washwood  Heath,  near  this  town,  waa  ihe 
scene  or  this  hideous  spectacle.  On  that  day  eight  of  ihe 
nine,  viz. : — E.  AUen,  B.  Baker,  J.  Hill,  J.  Garter,  S.  Biyan, 
J.  Parkes,  T.  Moore,  and  F.  Linney,  were  hanged  for  foigery 
on  the  Bank  of  England.  It  is  said  that  100,000  persons 
assembled  on  the  occasion. 


April  26, 1808. — On  Mondaj  the  ttgfat  unfiyrtanate  man  mentioned 
in  our  last  were  execntad  on  m  drop^  purposd j  erected  on  Waahwood 
Heath,  near  this  town.  Thejr  left  Warwidc  aboat  eight  o^doek  in  the 
morning,  and  were  esoortad  to  Stonebridgo  hy  Lord  Aylasford'a  troop 
of  WarwicUhire  Teomanxr;  and  from  thenoe  to  their  niaoe  of  suffering 
hj  the  troop  of  H.  Lme,  Esq.,  where  thej  arrired  aoont  two  o^dooik, 
and  were  re8%ned.to  tna  care  of  three  troops  of  the  King's  DnAoon 
Guards  who  had  proTionely  enoirded  the  dropu  The  men  spent  about 
two  boon  in  prayer  and  other  preparatiopii^  when  tha  drop  feU,  and 
tbsT  were  lannched  into  eternity.  After  haooiQg  the  usual  tlma  thsir 
bo&s  were  oat  down  and  deUnced  to  thebriMKH.  They  all  acimow- 
ladged  the  justioe  of  their  ssnteneo  bvt  one  (Edward  AUeo),  who 
domed  to  the  last  bavlng  been  gaO^of  tho  erime  for  whidi  hasonerid, 
bat  sdmowledgod  otheri  be  had  been  ooooemed  in  of  e^iital  fan- 
port  The  sMist  orderly  and  pesceaUe  eoiidoet  was  obssnred 
by  the  immense  ooaeoarw  of  psople  (sopposed  to  b*  not  lass  than 
lOO^OOCn  that  bad  eolleetsd  togeUier  from  ewy  plaes  within  SO  oodlss^ 
to  be  wttnemes  of  this  awfbl  seene ;  and  we  suMsrely  <tnist  that  sodi 
may  be  the  effMt  prodaeed  npon  the  aainds  of  the  apa0tatot%  that  we 
may  nsTor  sgain  bare  to  reoord  a  similar  stent. 

The  case  of  Alien*  who  died  protesting  his  innocence^  led 
to  the  following  correspondence : — 

To  TBS  Pmstbm  of  Abu^s  BmmieBAiE  QAnartL 
April  S^  180S.—Oentleoitn,— Edward  Alien,  one  of  the  nnfortonnfc 
Hen  wliosraered  on  Washwood  Heath  on  Monoay  last,  fora  forgery  on 
the  Bank  of  England,  bariag  psrnstsd  in  Ills  Inaocenoe  to  the  laitiand 
seeosed  wm  of  being  bis  MaraeNr,  I  think  it  a  Jostios  doe  to  smelf  to 
state  to  the  Pohlifl^  throogh  the  medram  of  voor  Fspsr,  tiis  Girana- 
stanoea  whidi  led  to  liis  Deteetioii  and  GooTiotioo,  and  to  IsaTo  tbsm 
to  dedde  bow  fiur  Allen  was  jastifisd  in  the  rsdi  Assertion  he  has  mads. 
Allen  bad  long  been  known  to  be  an  eztendTe  Dealer  in  Forged  Bank 


MAKKERS,  CUSTOMS,   ETC.  209 

of  England  Notes.  This  appeared  from  the  confession  of  Atkinson 
and  another,  who  lately  suTOred  at  Nottingham  for  the  Utterance  of 
Foiled  Bank  Notes  they  had  purchased  of  him,  and  from  the  Confession 
of  other  nnfortanate  Persons,  who,  bj  means  of  Notes  purchased  from 
Allen,  had  forfeited  their  Lives.  He  was  also  suspected  to  be  a 
principal  Fabricator  of  such  Notes ;  and  the  Bank  of  England,  anxious 
to  detect  the  Fabricator  as  the  Root  of  the  Evil,  I  was  directed,  as  their 
Agent)  to  employ  two  Men,  of  the  Names  of  Wildsmith  and  Millington, 
in  the  Detection  of  Allen.  Accordingly,  on  the  28th  of  September  last. 
Ten  Guineas  in  Notes,  principally  of  the  Nottingham,  Leicester,  and 
Hinckley  Banks,  were  delivered  to  Wildsmith  for  the  purpose  of  buying 
"Forged  Notes  of  Allen  in  order  to  his  Detection,  the  Particulars  of  each 
such  Notes  being  first  taken  by  me,  and  a  private  Mark  written  on 
each  in  order  to  identify  them  again.  On  the  29th  of  September 
Wildsmith  and  Millington,  as  appears  by  their  Evidence,  witli  two  of 
these  marked  Notes,  purchased  or  Allen  four  Forged  One  Pound  Bank 
of  England  Notes,  and  one  Forged  One  Guinea  Pontefract  Bank  Note, 
which  Wildsmith  immediatelv  brought  to  my  House,  leaving  Millington 
in  the  mean  time  watdiing  Allen's  House,  to  see  that  no  Person  went 
in  or  out.  I  at  this  time  was  from  Home,  but  Wildsmith  found  me 
out,  and  informed  me  of  his  having  pim^ased  the  Foi^ged  Notes  in 
Question  from  Allen,  and  desired  the  Aanstanoe  of  a  Constable  to 
apprehend  him.  Mr.  Evans,  the  Constable,  was,  therefore,  called  upon, 
who  went  with  Wildsmith  and  myself  to  Allen's  House,  and  in  ffing 
thither  Wildsmith  ffave  to  me,  in  Mr.  Evans's  Presence,  the  five  Notes 
he  had  purchased  of  Alien.  On  enterinff  Allen'R  House,  Allen  produced 
two  Notes  and  a  Guinea,  which  he  threw  ou  the  Table  in  Evans's 
Pkwenoe,  and  told  Wildsmith  to  take  his  Notes  and  Money  again,  for 
that  he  should  not  have  the  Dog  or  any  Thing  else.  Mr.  Evans  took 
poMsssion  of  the  Notes,  and  also  of  a  great  Quantity  of  Counterfeit 
Shillings,  edged  and  soorsd  ready  for  Cdoaring,  and  nov^  'Printing  Ink, 
which  he  found  in  Allen's  House.  He  likewise  apprehendciA  Allen.  On  my 
examining,  with  Mr.  Evans,  the  Notes  whidi  Wildsmith  and  Millington 
had  purchased  of  Allen,  I  found  them  to  be  of  the  new  Sort,  with  waving 
lines.    They  were  the  first  of  the  kind  which  I  had  ever  teen. 

This  was  the  Substanoe  of  the  Evideooe  given  before  Mr.  Hicks,  the 
Maffistrate,  respecting  the  purchasing  of  the  Forsed  Notes ;  and  Allen's 
Defence,  before  the  same  Maffistnte,  was  that  be  had  never  sold  the 
Foiged  Notes  in  Question  to  Wildsmith  or  Millinffton ;  that  the  Guinea 
they  had  given  him  for  the  Dog,  and  the  two  marked  Notes  found  upon 
him,  thev  had  left  with  him  as  they  were  going  to  a  Bawdy  House. 
Upon  this  Evidence  he  was  committed,  and  the  same  Kind  of  Evidence 
bems  given  against  him  upon  his  Trial,  and  the  two  Guinea  Notes  paid 
him  by  Wildsmith  for  the  Foiged  Notes^  and  found  upon  Allen  bv  Mr. 
Evans,  and  the  Forced  Notes  pnrdiaaea  of  Allen  by  Wildsmith  being 
produced  and  identified,  he  was  eonvieted.  Allen's  Defence  upon  his 
IVtal  was  the  same  as  before  the  Magistrate,  and  he  called  no  Evidence 
in  support  of  it 

Bucn  being  the  Facta  of  hit  Cue,  I  know  not  upon  what  Grounds  he 
oould  feel  himself  justified  in  the  harsh  Expressions  he  has  nsed  towards 
me.  In  endeavouring  to  detect  him  by  the  means  before  mentioned,  I 
did  no  more  than  what  I  oonsidawi  was  my  Duty  to  do  as  an  Ajpent  of 
the  Bank ;  and  in  Fft>of  that  the  Statement  of  Facts  here  given  is 
correct,  and  such  as  appeared  upon  his  first  Examinatimi  before  the 


270  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

Magistrate,  and  upon  his  Trial,  I  appeal  to  Mr.  Hicks,  the  Magistrate 
who  committed  him,  to  the  Court  and  Jnry  who  tried  him,  and  to  the 
Bjestanders  who  heard  his  Trial.  The  only  Evidence  I  gave  against 
Allen  was  that  the  Notes  found  upon  him  by  Evans  were  two  of  the 
Notes  Wildsmith  had  received  from  me,  and  that  the  Forged  Notes  pro- 
duced u;ainst  Allen  on  his  Trial  were  the  four  Forged  Buik  of  England 
Notes  Wildsmith  delivered  to  me,  and  of  these  fiusts  not  a  doubt  was 
raised.  If^  therefore,  Allen  was  wrongfully  accused  in  any  Thing,  it 
must  be  by  Wildsmith  and  Millington ;  but  I  believe  no  Person  who 
heard  his  Trial  entertains  the  least  Doubt  of  his  Guilt ;  and  it  seems  to 
be  too  much  to  suppose,  merely  because  Allen  had  been  hardy  enough, 
to  deny  bia  Quilt,  that  Wildsmith  or  Millington  could  be  so  wicked  and 
profligate  as  to  perjure  themselves  merely  for  the  Purpose  of  taking 
away  Allen's  life,  if  he  were  innocent,  especially  as  they  nad  no  Enmity 
towards  him,  nor  any  Inducement  to  do  it 

I  am,  Gentlemen,  your  most  obedient, 

Wm.  Spurruer. 
I  Think  it  my  Duty  to  state  that  the  Evidence  given  before  me 
prsTious  to  Allen's  Commitment,  as  stated  above  by  Mr.  Spurrier,  I 
oelieTe  to  be  correct ;  and  Millington  and  Wildsmith's  Evidence  was 
giyen  in  the  moat  positive  Manner.  Wn .  Hicks. 

Our  poetio  advertising  tailor  of  this  period  was  Mr.  J. 

Allin,  whom  we  have  previously  met  in  the  Hay-market 

He  bad  now  removed  to  New  Street ;  a  specimen  or  two  of 

bis  advertisements  will  suffice : — 

April  30,  1804.-^.  AUin,  Draper,  Tailor,  and  Salesman,  at  hia 
dieap  dotbes  and  York  Shoe  Warehouse,  the  Sign  of  the  Flag,  oppo- 
■Ita  tM  Top  of  New  Street,  Bixmingham. 

I  saT-^'top  I!  I 

linth  the  best  of  my  Neighbours'  at  fioir  I'll  pop. 

Baonapuia,  that  fierce  tyrant,  ia  not  yet  come  over, 

TW  nightly  espeetad  to  land  man  at  Dover  1 — 

JoKVVT  Bull's  Essex  ealvas  are  preparing  to  meet  him, 

With  lood  peals  of  eannon  so  awaetly  to  greet  him  ; 

The  old  balla  with  pikea  will  f one  down  the  joke^ 

And  cimm  him  with  lead  pills,  to  make  him  lood  croak« 

A  ^ange  Iron  frpg-fceding,  so  light  of  digestion, 

For  now  all  alijght  food  most  be  oat  of  the  qneation. 

The  ladiea,  believe  me,  are  all  ezpeeUtion, 

To  see  this  aad  being;  who  threatsna  the  nation. 

Eadi  yoath,  with  light  heart,  as  he  shonlders  his  gon, 

Hopes  to  pop  at  the  Frenchman,  aad  ealla  it  great  fan. 

Ken  the  women,  poor  sonla!  talk  of  atieks  and  of  stones. 

To  belaboiir  the  Monaieurs,  aad  batter  their  bones. 

little  children,  old  maids,  all  promise  to  kick,  scratch  and  bite ; 

So  all  will  be  ready  aad  willing  to  fight 

The  old  men  and  priests  are  to  mind  all  the  cattle, 

And  console  the  air  sex,  while  their  lores  are  in  battle. 

Thslr  coomge  so  mat^we  fear  no  inTSsion, 

Bat  eageriy  look  wr  the  promii^d  occasion ; 

So  that  Mooaiear  may  come  as  soon  as  he  can. 

For  ws  are  all  ready  to  act  the  brsTe  man. 


MANNERS,  CUSTOMS,   ETC.  271 

Then  come  Baonapart6  as  soon  as  yon  like, 
And  you  shall  immediately  sup  off  a  pike  ; 
Bed-hot  balls  for  a  garnish,  to  make  it  the  better : 
And  thus  I  conclude  my  rhymatical  letter. 

This  was  John  Allin's  pride : — 

Dec.  31, 1804.— 
John  Allin  I'm  called — at  the  Grand  Fancy  Warehouse ; 

But  the  Name  of  all  Names,  of  vrhlch  I  feel  Pride, 
Is  that  which  Fm  called  by  my  Customers  many, 

And  that  is — for  both  High  and  Low  I  provide. 

An  attempt  was  made  in  1806  to  remove  a  few  trouble- 
some customs,  of  which  we  are  not  yet  quite  relieved : — 

January  27th,  1806. — We  are  truly  glad  to  find  that  the  laws  passed 
with  a  view  to  more  regularity  in  this  populous  town  and  neighbour- 
hood, are  now  likely  to  be  strictly  enforced  ;  and  that  none  should  be 
taken  by  surprize  or  plead  ignorance,  a  short  sketch  of  the  laws  and 
rules,  respecting  waggoners,  carmen,  coachmen,  and  others,  are  pub- 
lished, both  by  an  advertisement  aud  by  handbills.  The  great  irregu- 
larity in  driving  has  long  been  a  subject  of  complaint^  we  trust  now  it 
will  for  ever  oeasa 

The  rule  of  the  road  is  a  paradox  quite, 
As  you  drive,  ride,  or  walk  it  along. 
If  you  go  to  the  left,  you  are  sure  to  go  ri^ht. 
But  S  you  go  riff/tt,  you  go  wroiig. 

Advertisements  like  the  following  still  appeared : — 

COCKIKO. 

Iklay  16, 1809. — A  Main  of  Cocks  will  be  fought  at  the  new  Pit  in 
Smallbrook-etreet,  Birmingham,  on  Thursday,  the  25th  of  May,  and  the 
two  foUowing  dajfv,  between  the  Gentlemen  of  Warwickshire  and  the 
Gentlemen  of  Worcestershire ;  to  weigh  51  Cocks  each  for  five  Guineas 
a  Battle  and  one  Handred  Guineas  the  Main.  A  pair  of  Shakes  to  fight 
for  twenty  Gnineas-on  Saturday. 

Twiflt^  for  Warwickshire ;  willets,  for  Worcestershire. 

A  Pair  of  Cocks  will  be  on  the  Sod  precisely  at  Twelve  o'clock. 

One  cruel  sport  of  the  time  was  very  near  its  end  Bull- 
baiting  was  doomed,  and  the  publication  of  the  following 
opinion  of  the  highest  legal  authority,  only  indicates  the 
change  which  was  taking  place  in  the  public  mind  on  this 

*5nl»i^ct.       Tt  w.'K  now  considero*!  n   "l»:u*l»nron<?  :uv\  cnu'l 

b|iuil '   by  allllo^L  all  who  could  iuilueiicc  public  upiuiuu  .v> 

as  to  act  on  the  legislature — and  therefore  its  days  were 

numbered : — 

Febraary4th|  1811. — BuLL-BArrivo. — A  correspondent  informs  ns 
that  the  Attorney-General  has  given  his  opinion  that  ball-baiting,  in 
the  pablic  highway,  to  the  hindrance  of  bosiness,  is  not  at  all  tolerated 
by  law,  and  that  persons  concerned  therein  are  liable  to  indictment  for 
a  nnisance.  The  friends  of  humanity  will  rejoice  in  this  decision^  which 
we  hope  may  operate  as  a  check  to  the  eontinnation  of  this  barbaroos 
and  bnital  sport 


272  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

Its  end  was  also  hastened  by  such  a  scene  as  is  described 
in  the  following  paragraph  : — 

September  2, 1811. — Bull- Baiting. — We  trust  the  advocates  fortius 
brutal  pastime  will  relinquish  their  favourite  sport,  when  they  hear  of 
the  dreadful  catastrophe  which  lately  took  place  at  Chapel  Wake,  in  this 
town  ;  where  a  fine  animal  having  been  tormented  for  some  time,  broke- 
from  his  confinement,  and  in  this  irritated  state  arrived  in  Coleshill 
Street,  where,  he  tossed  and  trampled  upon  every  person  within  his 
reach.  One  child  was  killed  upon  the  spot,  and  several  persons  were  so 
dreadfully  maimed  and  bruised,  that  very  little  hopes  are  entertained  of 
their  recovery. 

And  this  occurred  in  Birmingham  only  half  a  century'- 
ago  !  Surely  the  eulogists  of  the  past,  and  the  maligners  of 
the  present  age,  will  admit  that  we  have  made  some  im- 
provement in  the  sports  of  our  people. 


THE  POET  FBEETH. 

Few  men  occupied  a  more  notable  position  in  Old  Bir- 
mingham than  John  Freeth— or  aa.he  was  invariably  called 
Poet  Freeth.  Notwithstanding  his  popularity  (and  this  is 
proved  by  the  large  number  of  editions  of  his  Political 
Songster  which  were  published)  the  materials  for  his 
biography  are  very  slight  We  laiow  that  he  was  bom  in 
the  year  1731 ;  tmit  he  kept  a  tavern  at  the  comer  of  Lease 
Lane  and  Bell  Street ;  that  he  wrote  and  sung  and  pub- 
lished a  very  large  nxmiber  of  songs ;  that  he  was  one  of  the 
group  in  John  Ecstein's  famouspicture  of  Birmingham  Men ; 
a  member  of  the  ''Jacobin  Club;"  one  of  the  ''Twelve 
Aposttes,"  as  they  were  called  by  their  political  opponents ; 
and  that  he  died  September  29, 1808,  at  the  sood  old  age  of 
77.  These  fiei^ts  are  all  that  are  known  of  tne  man,  ^oept 
what  we  gather  from  his  poema  In  the  Preface  to  his 
collected  works,  entitled  "The  Political  Songster,  or,  a 
Touch  on  the  Times,  on  Various  Subjects,  and  adapted  to 
common  Tunes,"  he  thus  lets  us  into  the  secret  of  their 
composition.    "  It  is/'  he  says,  "  a  very  common  and  not  an 

uni..'  "0 '^'o  ^^''"''-  ^''' '}  '^^*^^  l^''^  his  hobby-borBe.  Some- 
times, indeed,  it  is  a  profitable  one ;  more  frequently  it  is 
otherwise.  My  hobby-horse  and  practice  for  thirty  years 
past*  have  been  to  write  songs  upon  the  occurrence  of 
remarkable  events,  and  nature  having  supplied  me  with  a 

•This  was  written  in  1763. 


THE  POKT  FREETH.  273 

voice  somewhat  suitable  to  my  style  of  compositions,  to 
sing  them  also,  while  their  subjects  were  fresh  upon  every 
man's  mind,  and  being  a  Publican,  this  faculty,  or  rather 
knack  of  singing  my  own  songs,  has  been  profitable  to  me ; 
it  has  in  an  evenin|^  crowded  my  house  with  customers,  and 
led  me  to  friendships  which  I  might  not  otherwise  have 
experienced.  Success  naturally  encouraged  me  to  pursue 
the  trade  of  ballad^making,  for  without  it,  it  is  not  probable 
I  should  have  written  a  tenth  part  of  what  this  volume 
contains." 

Thus  inspired  b^  pleasure,  friendship,  and  profit,  the 
genial-hearted  publican-poet  sang  about  aknost  everything 
under  the  sun.  From  oaes  for  thanksgiving  days  to  Pres- 
cot's  fSeunous  breeches — from  royal  celebrations  to  paviours 
— ^from  the  Qold  Coin  Act  to  Tutania  buckles — ^from  the 
Old  Ku^  Ghost  to  Seven  Devils  in  the  Tavlor — ^from  Par- 
liament Wake  to  Birmingham  Ale-tasters,  all  subjects  were 
alike  acceptable,  and  there  was  nothinfi;  too  lofty  nor  too 
lowly  for  this  prolific  and  self-contented  singer.  Mis  verses 
sing  because  they  are  always  written  to  some  **  common 
tune/'  but  there  was  little  poefarv  in  John  Freeth.  He 
maintains  a  curious  level ;  rarelv,  if  ever,  rising  in  his  flight, 
and  rarely,  if  ever,  reaching;  the  royal  demesne  of  lynoal 
power,  fancy,  or  pathos*  Efe  was  not  one  of  those  who  saw 
''the  light  uiat  never  was  on  sea  or  shore** ;  the  ^vision  and 
the  fiumlty  divine"  were  not  bestowed  upon  him.  But  he 
had  a  keen  eye  for  the  life  of  a  town  and  of  a  nation^.  All 
public  events,  whether  of  local  or  national  importance, 
attracted  him,  and  he  threw  them  into  a  lilting  kind  of 
verse,  which,  doubtless,  he  sung  to  the  admiration  and 
delight  of  his  parlour  audiencea  One  critic  says,  '*  manv  of 
Freeth's  published  efiusions  possess  the  merit  and  sterling 
animus  peculiar  to  Dibdin's  popular  songs,  whose  style  they 
closely  resemble.***  This  is  certainly  the  veiy  highest  praise 
which  a  friendly  pen  could  write ;  and  no  Birmingham  man 
could,  or  oufi^ht  to  be  other  than  friendly  to  Freeth.  The 
specimens  a&eady  given  of  his  powers  in  the  Record  of  the 
Book  Qub,  and  the  Canal  Navigation  show  what  an  interest 
he  took  in  all  that  concerned  the  progress  and  well-beinff  of 
the  town  ;  and  his  volume  affords  many  vivid  illustrations 
of  old  Birmingham  lifa    He  is  the  rhyming  chronicler,  the 

^  Ths  BsUdiagt  of  Bifmiagfasm,  TmU  sad  FktM&U    [Edited  bj  StniL 

Tiimiiini.] 


274  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

ballad-maker  of  his  day  ;  and  gives  us  rare  glimpses  of  ih6 
life,  the  manners  and  customs  of  the  times  in  which  he 
lived.  He  celebrates  all  the  sports,  even  to  cock-fighting, 
bull-baiting,  and  pugilism;  and  in  his  rhymes  we  have 
many  of  the  characteristics  of  6ur  old  town  preserved  for  us 
—characteristics  which  the  historian  passes  over,  or  only 
cursoiily  alludes  to.  One  or  two  of  these  illustrative  songs 
may  be  very  appropriately  quoted  here.  Here  is  the  poetic 
record  of  the  duties  of  an  office  now  no  more : — 

BIRMINGHAM  ALE  TASTEHS. 

Tune — How  happ^  a  State  does  a  MQUr  posieu^ 

Of  all  civil  offioen  annually  diose. 

There's  none  in  the  kingdom  equal  to  those  « 

Whose  Duty  requires  little  more  than  to  rove^ 

And  taste  at  th^  pleasure  what  Enqushmbn  love. 


Bou>m.ST  to  HocKLxr  our  paomroB  extends ; 
I  wish  we  had  time  to  address  all  our  friends ; 
Of  Houses  all  fiiee-oost  to  viut  'tis  clear. 
The  number  ia  more  than  axe  days  in  the  year. 

We  eanry  no  TauiroBion  our  power  to  show, 
With  QoTemm^t  matteis  baTe  nothing  to  do ; 
We  drink  with  the  Oommon,  yet  rank  with  the  best, 
And  like  ALDxaiOEir  lire  at  a  Low  Baiutv's  fsast 

Our  good  Bbotbbe  Officcbs  strangers  must  be, 
When  beating  our  rounds,  to  the  pleasures  we  see ; 
From  Office  of  Cok8TABUb  troubles  ensue. 
But  that  of  a  Tastsb  is  joy  the  year  throuj^ 

For  when  upon  Duty,  as  Custom  has  taught, 

We  eall  lor  a  Tawkams  'tis  insUntly  brought ; 

And  how  pleasing  it  is  for  a  LAirou>BD  to  say, 

^  You're  weloome^  kind  Sirs,— there  ia  nothing  to  pay.' 


We  Tisit  the  Mabkbkb  and  traTerse  the  STBxm^ 
Our  Cbist  to  sMlst  in  adjusting  the  WeighU ; 
And  wish  'twere  the  praciioe  in  all  kind  of  Sales 
To  down  with  the  Sissltabob  and  up  with  the  Soaus. 

The  Btttohers  may  throw  out  their  Maehow-bovs  spite; 
But  reason  informs  us  tie  but  the  right ; 
For  JuancB,  relying  on  T^th  as  her  guide, 
When  pioMix^dy  has  always  the  Scales  by  her  nde. 

Fm  a  Bumper  to  Tbadb,  'tis  the  Tabtbb's  request ; 
With  plenty  asay  Britain  for  erer  be  bleet ; 
Where  DnooBD  abounds  may  true  fnenddiip  oommenea^ 
And  BiavnioBAM  ^'ikwiish  a  thousand  years  henoa* 

In  1788,  the  following  lines  addressed  to  Freeth  were 
published.  The  **  No  Matter  Who "  was  our  old  friend 
J  oseph  Weston,  who  edited  Mrs.  Pickering's  Poena 


THE  POET  FBEETH.  275 

Dec.  19, 1788. 

Lines  addressed  to  Poet  Freeth. 

JSvo  rariflsima  nostro 
Simplidtas. — Ovid. 

Let  bookish  Barda,  whom  Scholars  call  divinei 
With  classic  fiackram  stiffen  every  Line  ; 
Let  Laureate  Wartok,  in  the  newest  Modes, 
Carre  out  those  splendid  Trifles,  Birth  Day  Odes ; 
Proceed,  dear  Fbseth,  to  chaunt  thy  natire  Lay, 
Sweet  as  the  Thrash  that  whistles  on  the  spray. 
I  hate  the  dull,  cold  progeny  of  Art; 
Mine  be  the  spri^htlV  Oflbpring  of  the  Heart ! 
Mine  be  the  Strain  that  flows  from  Nature's  Tongue, 
The  Ploughman's  Carol,  and  the  Milkmaid's  Song ! 
I  love  the  Muse  in  Bobes  of  Country  Brown, 
Not  flaunting  like  a  Lady  of  the  Town. 
I  hate  to  see  Parnassian  Waters  tost^ 
And  in  forced  Curves  elaborately  lost 
Mine  be  the  Stream  that  no  Bestriction  knows, 
But  down  its  pebbly  Channel  gently,  floiri.. 
What  Magio  sweet  Simplieity  diqilays  1 
Thy  Manners,  PVeeth,  are  artless  as  thy  Lays : 
Averse  to  Satire,  Ikiemy  to  Steif cl 
No  Rancour  stains  thy  Paper  or  tojr  Life. 
All  Friends  to  native  Wit  and  aoeial  QU^ 
Shall  charge  a  sparUing  Glassy  and  fill  a  Pipe  to  thee. 

No  Mattsb  Who, 

The  Yoliinteers  of  the  present  time  will  not  object  to 

Freeth's  description  of  their  brethren  ^when  Geoi^  the 

Thiid  was  King."* 

BIBMINQHAM  YOLUNTEEBS. 

Tune— ^0%  Jforlo^f. 

JoUy  Sons  of  Mirth  and  8puit» 
Stranflers  knofwn  to  Cares  and  Fean ; 

If  you  ^oiy  would  inherit, 
Join  the  noble  Toi^mmsEBS. 

Fife  and  Drum  afford  enjoyment ; 

And  what  trade  so  brisk  appears 
As  that  spirited  employmenti 

Beating  up  the  YouTsrsBas. 

Mark  the  youths  parading  yonderi 

Scaroelv  one  tum'd  sixteen  years ; 
Cnrsinff  fate  because  they^rs  under 

Standard  proof  for  YoLmnrnaSi 

Lass,  as  tuht  as  ooat  can  eover, 

Birmingnam  for  Service  rears ; 
Not  a  Towv  f ran  TwsiD  to  Doria 

Sends  the  King  more  YoLUvrans. 

Scorning  in  the  cause  to  waver. 

Sworn  to  ap  where  gloiy  8tea% 
Foarnini  wiD  for  ever  favour 

All  true-hearted  YoLUHTiEas. 


276  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

Our  next  quotation  is  in  a  different  vein  The  place  to 
which  the  poet  invites  his  feUow-townsmon  has  passed  away 
with  all  its  glories.  Its  noble  walks  beneath  statelv  trees, 
its  long  lines  of  vari^ated  lamps,  its  alcoves  and  bowers, 
its  bands,  its  singers  and  dancers,  ita  pyrotechnic  displays, 
are  now  no  more.  The  song  writer  preserves  the  memory 
of  the  place  which  was  once  the  fiivounte  resort  of 
thousands,  and  the  scene  of  many  and  frequent  gay  and 
festive  gatherings.  The  modem  growth  of  the  town  has 
swept  away  VauxhaU  along  with  so  many  other  things 
even  better,  perhaps,  than  this  once  fashionable  place  of 
amusement 

INVITATION  TO   VAUXHALL  GABDENS. 

Soft  SpriDff  the  proclaimer  of  nural  Delight^ 
Again  to  toe  sweet  natiTe  Bowen  invitee ; 
IVom  Toil  to  reUz,  and  enjoy  the  frarit  air. 

All  ye  who  the  peausefal  amaNmente  would  »ai«, 
When  Mirth  givefl  the  Snmmona  to hoD<rartne call, 
Kake  much  of  the  Joy-giTing  honza  at  Vauzbauu 

When  the  evening  la  fine^  how  enliyaning  the  Soen^ 
The  walka  to  parade,  or  to  trip  o'er  the  green ; 
No  tronUea  to  hazaai^  no  lean  to  alaim 
The  mind  eita  at  ease  when  then^a  Mnaio  to  chann ; 


Then  qnicklT  away,  to  the  rmona  raaorti      .     ^      . 
Whidi  neaaora  makea  choice  of  for  keeping  her  Oourt 

The  Tradbbkav  who^a  got  a  few  momenta  to  apare^ 
Finds  here  a  Befreahment  to  aolace  his  cue ; 
The  Artist  will  often  hia  labofins  throw  by, 
The  sweet  ninl  pastime  andule  to  enjcpr ;   • 

For  Genius,  whose  Sons  oft  indine  to  be  gar, 
Would  droop  if  thsi«  waa  not  a  Seam  to  play; 

Where  all  appears  channing  and  graced  by  the  lUr, 
What  gardfios  for  nlendour  with  theae  can  coiMai« ; 
When  Natnroembelllah'd  with  choice  strokes  ci  art» 
The  Mind  to  regale  does  her  Beanties  Impttti 
And  Mirth  and  good  Fdlowahip  keep  «p  ^  B^,, . 
What  mora  wouM  a  Heart  wish  to  find  at  YanzhaU  I 

Birmingham  buckles  were  at  this  time  one  of  the  aUidte 
maniifiictaree  of  the  town ;  and  amongat  theae  artidee  of 
fiaahion  the  Tntania  buckles  held  a  prominent  plaoe.  Our 
poet  who  nnga  of  royal  Inrthdava  wiU  alao  aingof  the 
ornaments  of  a  shoe.  It  goes  to  the  tone  of  **  Jolly  llortala, 
fill  your  glaaseB,"  and  these  are  the  last  three  Terses: — 

BucKUB  isahion'd  are  hj  many ; 

Bong  composin|p  rests  with  few ; 
Nature  has  a  gemua  stampi  hint 

That  compleatlj  both  can  do. 


THE  POET  FREETH.  277 

All  to  one  good  soul  muat  tnickle ; 

He  that  does  the  rest  eclipse, 
Makes  a  Sonq  and  forms  a  Bucklb, 

Whilst  a  Pipk's  between  his  Lips. 

Now  farewell  to  vain  disputing, 

Of  the  evening  make  the  most ; 
Fribkdship,  Frbedom,  Trads,  and  Tornr, 

Bound  the  Board  shall  be  the  Toast. 

In  reference  to  the  name  Tutin  in  this  song  Freeth  says 
in  a  note  he  was  "The  manufacturer  of  the  metal  called 
TuTANiA — a  friendly,  cheerful  companion,  and  exceedingly 
fond  of  a  pipe."  To  the  last  impeachment  the  poet  might 
also  have  pleaded  guilty. 

Freeth  nas  another  claim  to  our  respect ;  he  believed  in 
local  patriotism.  To  him  Birmingham  town  and  Birming- 
ham men  were  the  best  in  the  world.  It  is  probable  that 
in  tiiese  more  cosmopolitan  days  this  wiU  be  looked  upon  as 
a  defect  of  eharaeter — a  narrowness  and  a  limitation.  Still 
we  like  him  all  the  better  for  it ;  for  we  share  with  him 
ihe  same  belief  In  his  flibng,  ^  The  General  Election,"  the 
following  verse  shows  that  whatever  changes  may  have 
taken  juace  since  he  wrote,  the  people  are  still  in  one 
notable  leflpect  like  the  men  of  old. 

WarwieiihiM  Ladi^  to  their  honour  be^t  said, 

Ind^fmuhmee  have  ever  sapported ; 
Ke^er  maj  so  noUt  a  eanse  be  oetnj'di 

Or  its  mterest  ever  deserted : 
The  free  Sami  of  Trade^  by  matj  sway'd, 

Displa J  sneh  a  powerfol  oonnexion  ; 
When  oontesto  snse,  tis  the  BnimroHAic  Botb, 

That  always  can  crown  an  EUctUm. 

In  1792  John  Eckstein  painted  the  well-known  picture 
of  the  twelve  friends  who  met  nighUy  at  Freeth's  house. 
The  original  is  now  in  the  possession  of  Mr.  Dugdale 
Honghton ;  and  the  following  MS.  memorandum  is  attached 
at  the  back  of  the  painting .' — ^  This  picture  is  the  common 
property  of  the  twelve  folfowing  centlemen  represented  on 
the  reverae,  to  be  disposed  of  at  afi  times  as  a  majority  of 
them  shall  think  proper,  and  to  be  the  sole  property  of  the 
survivor :  James  oketdil^»  John  Freeth,  John  Miles,  James 
Murray,  Joseph  Blunts  Kichard  Webster,  Joseph  Fearon, 
Jeremiiii  Vaux,  Samuel  Toy,  John  CoUard,  James  Bisset^ 
John  Wilkea"  Mr.  Underwood  has  published  a  lithograph 
copy  of  this  picture  in  the  book  on  **  Birmingham  build- 
ingSy"  fix>m  which  we  have  alr^uly  quoted.  The  number  of 
the    sitters,  of  course,  originated  one  of  the  nicknames 


278  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM!  LIFE. 

applied  to  this  early  convivial  club.  In  consequence  of  the 
politics  of  Freeth  and  his  friends  Mr.  Timmins  tells  us  that 
"  at  a  tavern  in  Peck  Lane,  kept  by  Joe  Lindon,  over  the 
fire  place  in  the  room  in  which  tne  opposite  or  Tory  party 
were  in  the  habit  of  assembling,  was  minted,  in  large  clear 
type,  'No  Jacobin  admitted  here,'**  The  same  writer  also 
tells  the  following  curious  anecdote  of  James  Bisset,  one  of 
these  twelva  "  One  evening,  whilst  living  in  New  Street, 
and  sufieiing  most  acutely  from  an  attack  of  gout,  two  of 
the  Ctahf  agreeably  to  a  premeditated  plan,  entered  his 
sittinfi^  room  disffuised  as  nighwaymen,  and,  weU  armed, 
rougUy  demandea  his  money ;  and,  as  was  expected,  Mr. 
Bisset  resisted,  and,  forgetting  his  gout,  actually  chased  the 
supposed  robbers  to  Freeth's  nouse  in  Bell  Street,  where  the 

Jractical  joke  became  at  once  apparent,  and,  Strang  to  say, 
e  never  wun  suffered  from  toe  same  excruciatm^  com- 
plamt,  to  'much  he  had  for  a  long  time  previously  l)een  a 
martyr/'    The  people  were  fond  of  fun  in  those  daya 

Freeth  gives  ns  a  picture  of  Birmingham  in  1776,  which 
is  more  litend  than  poetical    He  calls  it 

BIBMINGHAM  TRANQUILLITY,   177«. 

Tune— ^A«  MOUr  o/Jian^/UUL 

In  England's  fair  capital,  e^eiy  jear, 
A  tomnlt  is  niaed  about  chooainff  Lord  liajor ; 
Badi  par^  angagaa  with  f niy  and  qilaen, 
And  noihmg  mit  atrifa  and  contaotion  ia  seen. 

Ta  wnngltng  old  cits,  let  ma  beg  yon'd  look  down. 
And  oopy  from  Birmingham'a  paaoeabla  town, 
Where  aoob  mxtj  thousand  or  more  too  maj  riew, 
JfopuHee  dwdU  hv%  ami  hui  cmutMm  two. 

In  no  plaoa  beaSdea  that* a  ao  popolooa  grown, 

Waa  e?ar  laaa  noiaa  or  diatoraanoea  known  : 

All  handa  find  amploymenti  and  when  thair  wwk'a  dona^ 

Are  hiqipj  aa  anj  aoua  under  the  aon. 

With  hammer  and  file  time  ia  carsfullj  hmi, 
For  audi  ia  the  moaic  of  every  etreet ; 
The  anTfl'a  ahaip  aoond  ii  tha  aitiaf  a  delight, 
And  atampa,  latneai  and  preaaea  in  concert  nnita. 

Let  citiea  and  boro«urha  for  conteata  prepare, 
In  chooaiing  of  aherims  recorder,  or  major, 
With  moat  Unda  of  titlea  theT^^  nothmg  to  do^ 
Nor  dieoord  in  chooaing  of  omcen  ahew. 

Tha  mtrj  and  hatred  eleetiona  bring  on, 
Thahr  hearty  intention  ia  alwaja  to  ahun ; 
No  polling,  no  aeratdiing,  no  aenitiniea  riae, — 
Who  hiendahip  eateem  mnat  muh  meaanrea  deapiae. 


THE  POET  FREETH.  279 

To  far  distant  climes  doth  her  commerce  extend  ; 
Her  channels  of  traffic  admit  of  no  end  ; 
And  Birmingham,  whilst  there  is  trade  in  the  land, 
In  brightest  invention  unrivalled  shall  stand. 

We  wonder  what  lie  would  have  said  had  he  lived  through 
the  contest  which  ended  in  1832,  and  some  of  the  elections 
which  followed  the  passing  of  the  Reform  Bill !  One  of  the 
noblest  of  our  townsfolk's  characteristics  has  descended  to 
us  from  the  past.  The  charity  of  our  forefathers  has  proved 
an  example  which  we  have  happily  followed  to  the  present 
time ;  and  its  glory  has  sufferea  no  diminution  or  soil  in 
our  hands.  In  a  poem  on  the  Birmingham  Overseers,  Freeth 
says — 

Whilst  friendship  I  boast  of,  and  truth  is  my  guidsi 
Of  Birmingham's  welfare  to  sing  is  my  pride ; 
Nor  u  there  a  town,  if  we  eeareh  the  lana  o*er^ 
That  pay*  a  more  decent  regard  to  the  poor. 

He  concludes  his  poem  in  a  different  mefare.  The  last 
verse  tells  us  of  the  changes  which  were  then  taking  place 
in  the  appearance  of  the  town,  and  the  poet's  mind  enlaigea 
with  the  prospect. 

BnuovoBAX  must — (whose  fame  shall  iin^ 

SaooDd  in  siae  to  Lovdov  be ; 
Evexy  month  fresh  houses  springs 
Every  year  new  streets  we  see ; 

whilst  health  remainsy 

And  plenty  reigii% 
Well  drink  in  a  binn|Mr  of  hearty  cheer, 

**  Of  iriendanip  the  lorer, 

And  all  the  wmd  overi 
To  every  worthy  OvrasEsa  1" 

Thus  throuffh  a  long  and  useful  life  our  cood  old  song- 
writer  invoked  bis  muse.  She  was  not  a  haughty  dame, 
sandalled  and  buskined,  but  a  li^rht-hearted,  light-footed,' 
tripping  litUe  coddess,  fond  of  socud  life,  of  homely  people 
and  nomely  habits.  In  his  songs  are  preserved  many  of  ibe 
habits,  manners,  and  customs  of  old  Birmingham ;  and 
among  the  men  of  whom  we  ought  to  think  with -pride, 
and  whose  names  ought  to  be  precious  to  us,  John  Freeth 
holds  a  hiffh  and  hcmourable  place.  As  we  have  previously 
said,  he  £ed  at  the  ripe  age  of  77.  His  death  is  thus 
recorded  in  the  Oazette : — 

Oct  3, 1806w— On  Thvndav,  In  the  78th  year  of  his  a^e,  Ur.  John 
Freeth,  of  this  town,  eommonfy  called  the  Poet  Freeth,  a  noetions  hard 
of  natare,  forty-eight  yean  proprietor  of  fVeeth's  Coffee-hoose,  Bell* 
strseti  a  hooae  mndi  frequented  oy  strangers  as  well  as  the  inhabitanti^ 


280  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

where  the  "Poet"  need  every  evening  to  delight  a  hrg9  oompAny  with 
original  eonga,  oomposed  firom  subjects  of  a  public  nature,  replete  with 
wit  and  humour — 

^  Who  when  good  news  is  brought  to  town, 
Immediatelj  to  work  sits  down. 
And  business  hirly  to  go  throuf^h, 
Writes  aonp,  finds  tunes,  and  sings  them  too.** 
His  morals  were  unsullied,  and  his  manner  unaffected^    Formed  to 
enliven  the  social  drdey  pocoessing  wit  without  acrimony,  and  indepen* 
deuce  of  mind  without  pride,  he  was  beloved  by  his  friends,  courted  by 
strangers,  and  respected  by  all.   The  hannless,  yet  pointed  nllies  of  his 
muse,  will  be  remembered  with  pleasing  pain  l^  thousands  who  admired 
his  talents  and  revere  his  virtues. 

Several  oontemponuy  portraits  ci  Poet  Freeth  hare  been 

preserved.    One  is  in  tne  hands  of  Mr.  S.  Timmins,  and 

another,  representing  the  Poet  as  a  <x>mpiuratiyelv  young 

man,  was  presented  to  him^  and  in  a  scrou  in  his  hi^  are 

the  following  lines : — 

^By  Gen'roos  Bubeeription  this  Fieee  was  |daoed  hers; 
Had  the  Bard  Gave  the  order  himsel£ 
The  Worid  at  the  Picture  not  only  would  stare. 
Bat  aak  bow  be  came  by  the  Pell'' 

'The  poet  left  behind  him  a  &mily  of  two  sons  and  eight 
daughtera  He  was  buried  in  the  Old  Meeting  House  bunal 
ground ;  and  on  his  tombstone  are  engraved  the  following 
Bnes:— 

^Frse  and  easy  through  life  *twas  bis  wish  to  proosed. 
Good  msD  he  rsvereoL  whstsfer  their  ereed ; 
His  pride  was  a  sodaUe  evening  to  wend/ 
For  no  man  loved  better  his  pipe  aad  his  Mead.* 

In  sueh  genial  words  we  take  leave  of  one  of  the  most 
genial  and  most  notable  of  Binningham  mea  of  the  last 
century. 


VR  J.  MORFrrr,  and  his  ▲cooinvT  of  BiniairoEAiL 

The  opening  of  the  nineteenth  centuiy  was  distinguished 
Ir^  the  publication  of  two  works  whidi  aflbid  a  ami  deal 
of  information  on  the  condition  of  the  town  and  the  people 
We  have  already  examined  Bisset's  Shirvev,  and  we  now 
turn  to  the  more  instructive  lettcn  of  Mr.  Mcnrfiti  like  so 
many  who  have  left  a  name  behind  them  whidi  Birmiiigham 
people^  at  leasts  will  not  willin^y  let  die,  he  was  not  a  native 
of  the  town.  But  with  that  **  predilection  for  Birmingham 
entertained  by  every  denomination  of  visitant/*  having 
once  come  to  Uie  plaoe  he  made  it  his  home ;  and  when  he 


MB.  J.  MORFITT  AND  HIS  ACCOUNT  OF  BIRMINGHAM.    281 

wrote  his  own  impressions  of  the  town  and  its  people,  he 
had  lived  in  it  long  enough  "  to  see  it  in  all  points  of  view, 
in  prosperity  and  adversity,  in  sunshine  and  in  storms ;"  and 
though,  he  says,  "  I  may  not,  perhaps,"  be  so  accurate  as  if 
indigenous,  I  am  more  likely  to  be  impartial."  At  all  events 
in  his  pages  we  have  the  advantage  of  seeing  our  old  town 
and  our  mthers  as  they  were  seen  by  one  not  a  "  native 
and  to  the  manner  bom." 

Mr.  J.  Morfitt  was  a  Barrister-at-Law,  and  lived  in  St. 
Paul's  Square.  His  name  is  in  Bisset's  "  Mamiificent  Direc- 
tory/' in  Plate  N,  and  appears  in  a  scroll  of  Miscellaneous 
Erofessions.  This  was  published  in  1800,  two  years  before 
e  wrote  his  first  letter  on  the  town.  That  he  had  lived 
long  enough  in  the  town  to  "  see  it  in  all  points  of  view,"  is 
evident  fi^m  the  fact  that  eleven  years  before,  or  in  1791» 
he  published  an  "  Abstract  of  all  the  Acts  of  Parliament  that 
relate  to  the  Town  of  Birmingham  and  Hamlet  of  Deritend, 
alphabetically  airanffed,  with  a  correct  Index,  The  whole 
expressly  calculated  for  understanding  with  Ease,  and  finding 
with  B^tdiness,  the  contents  of  no  less  than  Eleven  volumi- 
nous local  Statutes,  some  of  which  are  of  great  Scarcity,  and 
all  of  ipneat  Importance."  His  motto  to  this  useful  work  is 
**  Brevis  esse  laboro."  Mr.  Morfitt  also  published  an  abstract 
of  several  acts  respectinff  the  Court  of  Kequests  in  this  towiL 
And  in  the  year  1794,  he  published  a  valuable  little  work 
on  Birmingham. 

In  1805  Mr.  J.S. Pratt  published  three  large  octavo  volumes 
containing  not  only  his  own  compositions  but  the  contri- 
butions of  friends,  both  in  prose  and  verse.  This  work 
appeared  with  the  following  title : — •'  Harvest  Home :  con- 
surting  of  Sapplementary  Qleanings,  original  Dramas  and 
Poems,  Contributions  of  literary  Friends^  and  select  Repub- 
lications, including  Sympathy,  a  Poem,  revised,  corrected 
and  enlaiged  finom  the  eighth  edition.*  In  the  first  of  these 
Yolnmes  appear,  under  Uie  bead  "  Warwickshire  Station," 
not  only  Mr.  Morfitt's  letters,  but  the  account  of  the  Gleaner's 
own  obaervaiions  during  his  visits  to  the  town.  Thus  we 
have  a  rather  complete  and,  te9ted  hy  other  evidence,  a  very 
reliable  aoooiml  of  the  then  state  of  Krmingham,  ^  including 
the  origin,  progress  and  expansion  of  the  manufactures^"  and 
"the  character  and  customs  of  its  numerous  inhabitants." 
This  is  done  with  a  friendly,  but  truthful  hand ;  and  the 
picture  drawn  by  Mr.  Morfitt  will  be  highly  gratifying  to 
the  present  generation  of  readera 


282  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

After  describing  ihe  government  of  the  town  and  its 
places  of  worship,  the  one  feature  of  the  people  which 
arrests  our  author  s  attention  and  elicits  his  praise  is  one 
which  has  attracted  so  many  both  before  and  since  his  time, 
and  that  feature  is  their  social  spirit.  His  words  are,  ''  Its 
striking  characteristic  is  a  superlative  degi*ee  of  the  social 
spirit,  and  a  marked  attention  and  respect  to  stranger&" 
Hutton  had  before  marked  this,  and  bore  willing  and 
hearty  testimony  to  this  characteristic.  ''I  mixed,"  he 
says,  ''with  a  variety  of  company,  chiefly  of  the  lower 
ranks,  and  rather  as  a  silent  spectator.  I  was  treated  with 
an  easy  freedom  by  all,  and  with  marks  of  favour  by  some. 
Hospitality  seemea  to  daim  this  happy  people  for  her  own.** 
The  Oleaner  himself,  who  had  travelled  &r,  and  seen 

'^  cities  of  men 
And  manxieni,  dimatefl^  eooncil^  governmental" 

says,  *'  I  have  never  found,  in  any  part  of  the  world,  a  more 
unaflfocted  desire  to  see,  serve,  or  amuse  a  stranger,  whether 
information  or  curiosity  be  his  motive;  or  more  general 
good  desire,  in  union  with  good  manners,  than  m  the 
inhabitants  of  Birmingham*  They  were  also  renowned  for 
their  love  of  good  ale.  Bisset  tells  us  that  we  were  fiuned 
for  this  commodity;  and  Morfitt  wishes  to  lay  a  stress  on 
the  ^*  epithet  gooa,  for,  were  it  otherwise,  in  vain  mig^t  the 
landlord  bow  and  the  landlady  apologiBe :  no  atrinement 
could  possibly  be  made,  and  the  most  elegant  parlour  would 
be  deserted  for  the  meanest  tap-roont  It  is  by  no  means 
tmoommon,  after  the  usual  salutations  and  greetings,  to  ask 
one  another  as  a  most  important  question,  'Where  is  the 
best  tap  t'  "^  According  to  the  same  authority  ^  Chie  of  the 
diief  luxuries  of  a  Birmingham  mechanic  is  a  leg  of  mutton, 
with  tamip9  and  caper  sauce.  This  is  the  common  public 
house  waffer,  and  is  generallv  eaten  for  supper.**  A  fiivourite 
treat  of  w  Hasses  is  recorded  to  have  been  tripe  and  cow- 
heel,  a  luxury  which  then,  as  in  our  own  time,  used  to  be 
announced  by  the  ^town  crier**  as  ^ready  at  seven 
o'dock," 

Of  the  people's  love  for  gardens,  and  the  extraordinaiy 
opportunities  they  had  of  gratifying  that  love,  we  have  often 
spoken,  and  now  quote  the  testimony  of  an  eye  witness. 
Mr.  Morfitt  thus  describes  their  **  uncommon  partiality'  for 
gardens  and  gardening  :'* — 

Like  the  ancie&t  Romans,  tbey  are  all  fond  of  ealtiTsting  their 
cabbagesy  jet  not  for  profit,  bat  pleasure.     In  conaeqaeiiee  oC  this 


MR.  J.  MORFITT,  AND  HIS  ACCOUNT  OF  BIRMINGHAM.    283 

hoitictdtiiTal  propensity,  the  town  is,  in  every  direction,  bordered  by 
gardens,  ana,  in  the  language  of  poetry,  invested  by  a  zone  of 
Testable  beauty,  in  which  are  stuck,  by  way  of  grotesque  ornaments, 
arbours  and  summer  houses  of  all  the  forms  that  untutored  fancy  can 
devise.  Into  these  rural  recesses  (most  of  which  lie  at  a  considerable 
distance,  and  some  a  mile  or  more,  from  the  habitations  of  their  owners) 
retire  the  merchant,  manufacturer,  and  mechanic  to  relieve  the  tcedium 
of  the  counting-house,  and  the  labours  of  the  workshop.  Here  the 
sons  of  the  anvil  *'  relax  their  ponderous  strength."  Ye^  though  the 
rural  principle  is  triumphant,  it  cannot  entirely  extirpate  the  habits  of 
the  town.  Many  of  the  little  fabrics,  dignmed  with  the  name  of 
summer  houses,  tiiou^h  in  general  built  with  a  sovereign  contempt  of 
all  the  orders  of  architecture,  contain  a  commodious  repository  for  their 
favourite  bevera^ ;  and  in  aU  of  them  it  is  accounted  a  luxury  to 
smoke  a  pipe;  without  this  auxiliary  the  dtvini  gUma  raris  loses  its 
charms  in  the  eyes  of  a  Birmingham  mechanic  ;  yet  still  this  propensity 
bespeaks  a  refined  taste,  and  dispositions  naturally  quiescent.  1m  it 
prooable  that  a  race  of  savages  should  erect  altars  to  Flora,  or  that 
people  fond  of  liot,  confusion,  or  plunder  should  take  delight  in  the 
tranquil  recreations  of  a  garden  ! 

^  To  thia  pretty  picture  of  old  Birmingliam  Mr.  Pratt  adds 
bis  testimony,  and  tells  tis  in  a  note  what  he  saw  here 
in  1802^. 

I  must  oonf esi^  he  says.  I  was,  no  ksi  than  my  estimable  oomspon- 
dflot^  delighted  with  the  aonndaiwe  ol  groand  thus  laid  into  npwavas  d 
m  thousand  gardens.  Fmn  the  point  at  which  I  took  my  obsenratian* 
thej  fonned  a  Qiinese  view,  witn  little  fandfol  temples  and  various 
arbonntfe,  calculated  for  recreation  and  use.  It  was  refreshing  even  to 
think  01  so  many  thousands  of  ingenious  ereatnres  retiring  to  their 
floweiy  nooks  and  verdant  recosses,  aflsr  bending  ovier  the  ooonter, 
working  at  the  anvil,  filing  or  naiUng  ihxiinfjbaat  the  day.  I  looked  at 
it  even  with  aomething  ol  a  tender  satirfaction,  as  ^qaaJly  ooadadve  to 
healthy  virtue,  and  domestic  happiness. 

At  this  time  there  were  **  lodges  of  Free-masons,  Bucks, 
Druids,  Odd-feUow8,and  Knights  of  the  Wood."  Mr.  Morfitt 
ia  "  convinced  that  the  principle  of  most  of  them  is  philan- 
thropy, and  of  all  harmless  hilarity.''  His  next  statement 
will  surrorise  most  readers  of  the  present  tima  Mr.  Morfitt 
says,  "  The  inhabitants  seem  to  have  a  voracious  appetite 
for  reading,  which  is  amply  gratified  h^  two  large  suDscrip- 
tion  libraries,  exclusive  ot  many  drculaui^  ones,  particularly 
that  of  Mr.  Lowe,  our  law-stationer,  which  in  its  comple- 
ment of  novels,  romances,  and  other  books  of  fimcy  and 
amusement,  is  p^haps  exceeded  bv  no  other  provincial 

the 


collection  in  the  kingdom.  Even  the  working  mechanics 
have,  by  a  small  weekly  contribution,  accumulated  a 
number  of  useful  books,  which  they  denominate  the  ArlUUt 

*  From  a  former  passsge  we  kam  that  this  point  was  in  the  High  8treet» 
at  a  part  that  fronts llew  Strea;  veij  piobably  Mr.  HatlOB*s  hosss. 


284  A  CENTUUY   OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

Bepoaitoi'yr  In  a  note  he  mentions  as  subscription  libmries 
of  this  period  Pearson'H,  and  Grafton  and  Riddell'a     We 
have  ah'eady  in  our  accounts  of  the  formation  of  many  of 
our  pliilanthropic  institutions,  and  in  our  records  of  the 
yearly  contributions  to  the  relief  of  the  poor,  given  a  full 
confirmation  of  the  following  sentences  of  Mr.  Morfitt,  which 
we  rejoice  to  have  the  opportunity  to  quote.     *'  In  Birming- 
ham," he  writes,  "'Charity  never  faileth  ;*  and,  to  its 
immortal  honour,  the  hallowed  flame  has  uniformly  burnt 
the  brightest  in  the  darkest  scenes  of  adversity  and  distress. 
Never,  since  the  town  liad  existence,  was  it  more  exhausted 
than  during  the  late  war ;  and,  yet,  never  were  its  charities 
supported    with  greater  vigour."      Then  follows  a  brief 
history  of  most  of  the  charitable  institutions  then  existing. 
The  morals  of  the  working  class  were  at  thb  time  exceed- 
ingly bad.    This  is  the  reverse  side  of  the  picture.    All  the 
witnesses  confirm  Mr.  Morfitt  in  his    complaint  of  the 
sliameful  language  used  by  the  workpeople.    Their  talk 
was  a  succession  of  oaths.     Mr.  Pratt,  describing  the  scene 
in  St  Philip's  Qiurch  Yard,  as  "  the  countless  multitudes, 
formed  from  the  different  manufactories"  were  going  home 
to  dinner,  says,  **  oaths,  no  less  unprovoked  than  dire,  were 
to  be  heard  on  all  hands,  though  uttered  more  in  wantonness, 
from  continued  bad  habit,  than  from  any  bad  intention :  and 
yet,  in  general,  perhaps  without  the  idea  of  the  wickedness 
of  the  practice.      Drunkenness  was  a  common  vice  of  the 
artisan  and  mechanic ;  and  Mr.  Morfitt  draws  a  very  gloomy 
picture  of  the  wav  in  which  earnings  were  wasted  and 
squandered.    Nor  is  he  less  emphatic  in  his  statement  of 
evils  which  follow  the  employment  of  women  in  our  manu- 
fiEU^tories.    His  words  are  worth  quoting  now.    *  It  must  be 
confessed,"  he  sa^s,  "that  the  wives  of  the  artisans  of 
Birmingham  are,  in  general,  as  deficient  in  those  duties  as 
their  husbands.  They  are  lamentably  unfit  for  wives ;  which 
will  always  be  the  caiic  where  women  are  brought  up  in  the 
shops  or  manufactories ;  because  this  allows  no  time  for 
attention  either  to  tlie  decencies  or  the  discretion  of  life. 
The  very  state  of  childlirKxl  is  almost  necessarily  abandoned 
bv  mothers  who  are  engaged  in  the  workshops  of  this  town. 
Till  the  boys  and  girls  can  themselves  get  into  occupation, 
thev  are  suffered  to  run  loose  in  the  day,  and  to  ramble  at 
night.    And,  as  idleneiw  is  the  source  of  licentiousness, 
which  leads  them,  the   little  unprotected  creatures,   into 
constant  temptations,  no  wonder  if  they  almost  as  constantly 


MR.  J.  MOBFITT,  AND  HIS  ACCOUNT  OF  BIRMINGHAM.    283 

fall  into  the  snare.     .    .     .     .     .     Boys  and  girls,  men  and 

women,  frequently  associate,  and  there  is  'scarcely  a  line  of 

separation  drawn,  either  by  policy,  decorum,  or  sexual 

distinction.     So  that  the  work  of  the  maniifacturer  be 

carried  on,  too  many,  it  is  to  be  feared,  are  totally  indifferent 

whether  vice  or  virtue,  health    or    disease,  modesty  or 

indecency,  compose  the  society.    But  what  makes  it  the 

more  flagrant  is,  that  these  associations  are  necessary  to  the 

children  who  are  in  training  for  the  manufactoriea    The 

men  and  women  teach  the  boys  and  girls  the  mingled 

industry  and  immorality  they  have  learned  themselves." 

There  is  too  much  of  this  true  at  the  present  time ;  but  a 

great  chuige  for  the  better  is  indicated  by  the  fact  that  a 

vast  majority  of  our  manufacturers  anticipated  and  gladly 

accepted  the  regulations  of  a  wise  Factory  Act 

On  the  politics  of  the  time  Mr.  Morfitt  must  surely  have 

taken  an  exaggerated  view ;  or  he  was  himself  so  opposed 

to  the  Libends  of  the  day,  and  so  fully  shared  the  prejudices 

of  the  time,  that  he  saw  nothing  but  evil  in  their  hopes  and 

aspirations.    Writing  in  1804,  only  thirteen  years  after  the 

Qburch  and  King  riots  of  1791,  he  thus  pictures  the  political 

life  of  the  working  men : — 

"  Nor  must  we,  in  this  enomerfttion  of  the  gieat  ctnies  of  a  def ectiTe 
state  of  morals  in  this  town,  fonet  to  obaervejopon  the  wicked  industry 
with  which  lieenHout  pHndj^  [that  ii  Wnjg  politicsl  have  been 
propagated.  The  manulMtones,  my  friend,  have  tneir  politidans  and 
repubucans  as  well  as  the  barber's  shop  and  the  ale-hoose,  yea,  and 
their  revolntionists,  Bobeqrierea,  and  atheists,  are  as  nnmeroos  and  as 
fieroe ;  and  it  is  as  oommon  to  hear  the  downfall  of  states,  the  lAija  and 
low  Charch  party,  the  indivisihility  of  the  mat  nation^  the  imperfec- 
tion ol  thrones  and  dominions^  and  the  perteetability  or  human  natore, 
the  bUl  of  lights  and  the  bill  of  wrongs  diseaased  and  determined  in 
easting  a  button  or  pointing  a  pin,  as  at  the  Devil  Tavern,  or  the 
BoMn  Hood  Society  r 

And  then  we  have  a  fearful  picture  of  the  dangers  which 
come  from  "*  the  rocks  of  treason,  and  the  quicksands  of 
rebellion ;"  or,  if  these  are  escaped,  from  the  ''shallows  or 
the  depths  of  infidelity ;"  whicn  we  have  happily  passed 
througn  without  much  injury.  He  next  aUudes  to  the 
habits  of  the  idle  in  collect mpr  at  street  comers ;  round  the 
public  office ;  at  the  coach  offices,  to  watch  the  **  exits  and 
entrances  of  the  stage  coachea**  Here  is  a  street  corner 
scene,  as  painted  in  1804 :  ^  Eight  or  ten  people,  with  Uieir 
hands  on  their  head,  or  in  their  bosoms,  stand  fixed  in  a 
stupid  gaze  at  each  other,  veiy  seldom  converse^  and  yet 
seldomer  appear  to  be  in  the  least  degree  amused  or  in- 


28G  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

terested  ;  yet  tliey  keep  their  station,  oocupjring  more  than 
three  parts  of  the  foot- way,  making  it  almost  impossible  to 
work  your  way  through  them.  This  well-compacted 
phalanx  of  loungers  is  so  firm  that,  although  there  appears 
to  be  neither  aim  nor  end  in  it,  I  question  whether  the 
famous  pass  at  Thermopylae  was  more  stoutly  disputed." 

Our  author  also  gives  some  admirable  notes  for  the 
history  of  the  staple  trades  of  the  town  at  the  time.  In 
this  work  we  have  the  first  reliable  record  of  the  manufac- 
ture of  guns,  swords,  buckles,  buttons,  and  an  infinite 
variety  of  other  articles.  There  is  a  brief  account  of 
Baskerville  and  his  printing ;  of  Taylor  and  his  buttons ; 
and  an  excellent  sketch  oi  Soho,  from  which  we  have 
quoted  in  our  description  of  that  little  world  of  art  and 
industry.     One  extract  fix)m  this  letter  must  suffice. 

The  art  of  Founding,  or  casUnff  in  iron,  has  here  attained  sinffular 
exoellenoe,  and  was  carried  on  with  sin^lar  idat,  by  a  Mr.  Hodgeta, 
upwaida  of  fifty  years  ago.  Every  article  almost  that  can  cross  the 
imagination  is  now  ccut ;  locks  and  keys,  hinges  with  moveable  joints, 
buttons  to  imitate  steel,  naUs,  scissors,  razors,  and  even  needles ;  but 
the  last  must,  by  a  subsequent  operation,  be  tempered^  that  is  heated 
alonff  with  some  substance  contaming  cijurhon^  in  order  to  give  them 
flexioility  or  aouteness.  The  above-named  Hodgets  wrote  upon  his 
sign  '^  Every  thing  cast  here."  A  wa^,  seeing  the  inscription,  asked 
him  to  coit  a  tall  grove  of  trees  near  lus  house.  **  With  all  my  heart," 
says  Hodgets ;  ''I'll  cast  them  if  you  will  but  send  me  the  patUnu." 

Mr.  Morfitt  also  tells  us  that  "Thread  making  is  an  old 
and  lucrative  business  in  this  town,  havine  been  carried  on 
in  *  the  days  of  other  years,'  by  a  Mr.  Aoney,  who  lived 
at  the  Moat,  the  seat  of  our  antient  feudal  lords."  This 
trade  has  now  entirely  lefl  ua 

Mr.  Morfitt  was  an  enthusiastic  Church-and-Eanff  man. 
He  bated  Dr.  Priestley  with  all  the  hatred  of  the  old  Tory. 
He  wrote  against  him  both  in  prose  and  verse,  and  it  is 
hard  to  say  in  which  he  was  the  most  vehement  and  vitu- 
perative. Ho  supported  the  Government  in  all  their 
measures;  was  favourable  to  the  war,  and  {uitrioticaUy 
abused  the  French  in  the  old  English  fashion.  In  1803  he 
published  a  war  pamphlet,  entitled  **  The  British  Tocsin ; 
or  the  War  with  France  justified,  and  the  Charge  Sounded  : 
concluding  with  an  Address  to  the  Regulars,  Militia,  Yeo- 
manry, and  Volunteers  of  Great  Britain."  A  passage  or 
two  from  this  trumpet  blast- of  war  will  sufiice  to  show  Mr. 
Morfitt's  principles,  method,  and  style  : — 

At  this  tremendous  crisiii,  when  we  are  unairoidablv  involved  in 
hostilities  with  an  audacious  and  unprincipled  usurper,  who  never  made 


MR.  J.  MOBFITT,  AKD  HIS  ACCOUNT  OF  BIKmKGHAM.    287 

war  but  with  an  intention  to  endaye,  nor  peace  but  with  an  intention  to 
betray ;  he  must  be  more  of  a  philosopher  or  less  of  a  Briton  than 
myself,  who  ^  can  refrain  eyen  from  ffood  words."  When  the  son  of 
Croesus,  who  was  bom  dumb,  saw  the  nostile  sword  suspended  oyer  the 
head  of  his  yenerable  parent,  the  yocal  oi*gans  were  stimulated,  "  and 
he  spake  with  his  tongue."  The  theme  on  which  I  can  no  longer  be 
silent,  requires  not  a  series  of  calm  dispassionate  reasoning  :  it  abounds 
in  facts  that  render  moderation  no  longer  a  yirtue,  and  in  their  discus- 
sion I  shall  not  dread  the  sneer  of  criticism,  nor  make  any  apology  for 
redundancy  of  epithets  or  yehemenoe  of  diction.  The  field  is  far  more 
open  to  inyectiye  than  to  aigument,  and  my  business  is  to  animate,  where 
I  need  not  instruct  The  circumstances  to  which  I  shall  haye  occasion  to 
allude  are  too  notorious  to  be  denied,  too  recent  to  be  foigotten,  and  too 
plain  to  be  perplexed.  In  a  cause  so  interesting  to  my  fedings  and 
those  of  my  countrymen  I  deprecate  the  censure  of  saying  too  little 
more  than  that  of  saying  too  much.  Talk  not  to  me  of  guarded 
phraseology,  when  speaicing  of  a  darinff  despot,  equaUy  the  enemy  ot 
England  and  of  Europe,  who  woul^  like  a  Colossus,  bestride  the 
British  Channel|  and,  like  the  Persiany  enchain  the  winds  and  whip  the 


The  praises  which  were  at  this  time  lavished  upon 
Bonaparte  in  France  fill  our  anther  with  horror  uid  raise 
his  indignation  to  the  highest  pitch*  After  giving  a  few 
examples,  he  says : — 

Eyeiy  rational  mind  must  revolt  with  horror  and  dii^gust  from  this 
hlas^emotts  rant  ol  praise  bestowed  on  a  most  consummate  hypocrite 
and  unpostor ;  whose  regard  to  the  cresoent  and  the  cross  is  equal,  and 
who  after  professing  hiDuelf  in  i^ypt  one  of  the  faithful  followers  of 
Mahomet^  now  kisses  the  cross^  reoeiyes  the  aspersion  of  holy  water, 
and  bows  with  alEBcted  veneration  to  all  the  mommery  of  Rome. 

His  address  to  our  various  armed  forces  is  thus  con-^ 
duded : — 

^  Unwind  yoar  patriot  flags,  ye '  stems  of  a  yietorioos  stock !'  Grasp 
the  ffleaming  sabra^  point  we  tube  of  death ;  and  tell  the  insolent 
inyaders,  as  loud  as  your  guns  can  roar,  that  ye  are  the  ondannted 
champions  of  year  Kivo,  yoor  Couxtrt,  and  yoor  Qod. 

*  Ogive  a  glorious  scope  1  unhinge,  destroy 
Their  vsiv  power  of  doinff  fatare  wrongs  I 
So  shall  ttie  resea*d  worlaponr  forth  its  blemtnfrs. 
And  kings  and  kingdoms  tnank  your  anus  loi  oaiciy.' " 

Amoncst  his  poems  is  one  on  Birmingham  which  was 
pubUshed  in  Tyes  description  of  the  town  ia  1818 ;  and  in 
quoting  this  we  take  leave  of  Mr.  Morfitt  and  his  works  >— 

niastrions  oflbpring  of  volcanic  toQ  I 
Pride  of  the  oonntnr  I  glory  of  the  isle  I 
£orope*s  grand  to^rsnop !  Art's  ezhaustless  mine  ! 
Tbesep  and  more  titlesi  Binntngham,  are  thine. 
From  jcfldoos  fearsi  from  chartered  fetters  free. 
Desponding  genius  finds  a  friend  in  thee ; 


288  A  CENTUET  OF  BIBMINGHAM  LIFR 

Thy  8oal,  as  liVral  tm  the  breath  of  spring,  ^ 
Cheers  hiB  faint  heart,  and  plamet  hia  flagging  wing. 
'Tifl  thine,  with  plastic  hana,  to  mould  the  mass 
Of  ductile  silver  and  resplendent  brass ; 
Tis  thine,  with  sooty  finger,  to  produce 
Unnumbered  forms  for  ornament  and  use. 

Hark  !  what  a  sound  ! — mart's  ponderous  &bric  reels, 
Beoeath  machinery's  ten  thou<uind  wheels : 
Loud  falls  the  stamp,  the  whirling  lathes  resound, 
And  engines  heave,  while  hammers  clatter  round : 
What  labour  foni^es,  patient  art  refines, 
Till  bright  as  dazzling  day  metallic  beauty  shines. 

Thy  swords,  elastic,  arm  our  heroes*  hands ; 
Tny  muskets  thunder  in  remotest  lands  ; 
Thy  sparkling  buttons  distant  courts  emblaze ; 
Thy  polish'd  steel  emits  the  diamond's  rays ; 
Paper,  beneath  thy  magic  hand,  assumes 
A  mirror  brightness,  and  with  beauty  blooms. 
With  each  Etruscan  grace  thy  Tases  shine, 
And  proud  Japan's  &m*d  Tarnish  yields  to  thine. 

Thine,  too,  the  trinkets  that  tlie  &lr  adoro. 
But  who  can  count  the  spangles  of  the  mom  f 
What  pencil  can  pourtray  this  splendid  marl^ 
This  vast,  stupendous  wilderness  of  art. 
Where  fimcr  sports  in  all  her  rainbow  nues. 
And  beauty's  nuliant  forqis  perplex  the  muse  t 
The  boundless  tlieme  transeends  poetic  layi^ — 
Let  plain  historic  truth  record  thy  praise. 

The  following  is  the  contemporary  record  of  Mr.  Morfitt's 
death : — 

May  15,  1809. — On  Monday,  in  the  58nd  year  of  his  age,  John 
Morfitt,  Esq.,  son  of  the  Hev.  Mr.  Morfitt,  Rector  of  Horsforth  and 
Scarborough,  Yorkshire,  and  perpetual ,  Curate  of  HatUm,  in  this 
county.  Mr.  John  Morfitt  was  a  barrister-at-Iaw,  had  formeriy  been  a 
member  of  (Jniversity  GoU^,  Oxford,  and  was  for  many  years  an 
inhabitant  of  this  town.     With  a  benevolent  temper  and  nonourftble 

Srinciples,  he  united  a  considerable  share  of  classical  learning,  especially 
I  Latin  authors  ;  great  geneml  knowledge  of  modem  writers,  a  correct 
taste  in  English  prose,  and  talents  for  English  poetry.  His  eminent 
talents  were  very  frequently  employed  in  assisting  Uie  distrsssed  and 
unfortunate,  and  hundreds,  in  addition  to  his  numerous  friends,  will 
have  to  lament  the  loss  of  one  who  felt  a  pleasure  in  distributing  the 
advantages  which  Nature  and  Education  had  so  liberally  bestowed 
upon  him. 

''  S^k  not  his  merits  farther  to  disdose. 
Nor  draw  his  frailties  from  their  draid  abode ; 

There  they  alike  in  trembling  hope  repose, 
The  bosom  of  his  Father  and  his  Qod/'^Gray*$  Ei^ffy. 


TO  arms!    to  arms  once  5I0RE!  289 


TO  arms!  to  arms  onoe  more! 


The  year  1802  opened  with  hopes  which  were  destined 
to  a  speedy  disappointment.  The  peace  of  Ainiens  was  a 
short-lived  one  indeed.  It  was  signed  on  February  27 ; 
and  the  rejoicings  of  the  nation  showed  how  deeply  the 
people  longed  for  a  cessation  of  the  ruinous  war.  Birming- 
nam  was  as  anxious  for  peace  as  the  rest  of  the  kingdom. 
The  prosperity  of  the  mn  and  sword  trades  was  but  a  small 
satisfiustion  in  return  K>r  the  depression  of  the  thousand  and 
one  industries  upon  which  depended  then— even  as  it  now 
depends — ^the  well-being  of  the  inhabitants.  The  news  of 
the  definitive  treaty  having  been  signed  was  thus  received: — 


April  5y  180S. — With  heartfelt  satiafaction  we  congratulate  our 
reader!  upon  the  arrival  of  the  Iong-«xpeeted  I)efi]iitive  Treaty  of 
Peace.  The  joyful  infonnation  was  fint  brought  to  thia  town  on 
Tneaday  morning,  before  three  o'dock,  by  the  Balloon  poet  coach,  which 
oame  fiom  London  (110  milee)  in  ten  hionn  and  forty  minatea  The 
streeta  were  in  a  veiy  ahort  time  crowded  with  thousands  of  people,  in 
aazioqa  ez|Metation  of  the  Mail,  which  came  in  between  nine  and  ten, 
drawn  by  six  horses,  and  decorated  with  flags,  ribbons,  &c  Immedi- 
ately on  its  arriTal  at  the  Inn  the  populace  took  out  the  horses,  and 
dragged  it  in  exultation  round  the  town  for  several  hours.  Bonfires 
anda  general  illumination,  though  not  so  brilliant  an  one  as  we  hare 
asen  on  former  ooeasiona,  concluded  the  day. 

On  Wednesday,  at  one  o'clock,  the  Birmingham  Loral  Association 
met  in  New  Street,  and  fired  a  feu  de  joie ;  and  in  the  evening  the 
inhabitants  of  this  town  and  neignbourfaood  were  most  highly  gratified 
by  a  splendid  illumination. 

On  the  second  of  April  Mr.  H.  Legge,  of  Aston  Hall, 
celebrated  the  arrival  of  the  news  by  '*  giving  to  his  poor 
neighbours  an  ox  and  two  sheep,  and  a  quart  of  ale  to  each 
man  and  a  pint  to  each  woman."  These  rejoicings  were 
followed  by  addresses  to  the  king,  by  celebration  dinners, 
by  medals,  and  all  the  other  manifestations  of  satisfaction 
usual  upon  such  occasiona  The  1st  of  June  was  appointed 
as  a  day  of  public  thanksgiving ;  and  a  hopeful  correspon- 
dent trusted  that  this  event  would  tend  .to  allay  the  rancour 
of  party  which  still  afflicted  the  town.  His  letter  is  worth 
quoting,  as  it  is  a  contemporary  witness  of  the  sad  and  long- 
enduring  effects  of  the  nots  of  1791.  The  meeting  alluded 
to  is  the  one  at  M'liich  an  address  to  the  king  was  adopted 
on  the  "happy  re.storation  of  peace:" — 
u.  D 


290  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGIIiVM  LIFE. 

To  THE  PrTNTERS  OF  Aris's    BIRMINGHAM   GAZETTE. 

May  31,  1802. — Gentlemen, — Will  p-ou  allow  me,  through  the 
medium  of  your  paper,  to  congratulate  the  Town  on  the  happy  presage 
of  returning  harmony  manifested  at  our  Public  Meeting  on  Friday  last. 
I  rejoice  that,  after  the  unhappy  auimositica  which  have  so  long 
divided  us,  a  question  hath  been  submitted  to  the  Town  of  Birmingham 
on  which  there  appeared  but  one  opinion.  The  experience  of  the  last 
ten  years  hath  indeed  kept  a  dear  school ;  but  it  has  taught  us  lessons 
which,  I  trust,  will  not  soon  be  forgotten.  A  consideration  of  the  perils 
into  which  we  have  been  thrown— of  the  dangers  from  which  we  have 
been  rescued — of  the  protecting  energies  of  oui-  admirable  Constitution, 
directed  by  the  mild  out  vigorous  administration  of  our  Government — 
and  of  the  distinguished  privileges  we  enjoy  under  the  l^est  of  Sovereigns, 
calls  loudly  for  National  Gratitude ;  and,  if  rightly  improved,  will 
powerfully  induce  the  friends  of  good  order  not  only  to  cultivate  the 
arts  of  i>ubUc  peace,  but  to  promote,  to  the  utmost,  domestic  union  and 
good  neighbourhoo<i. 

Under  this  impression  I  cannot  but  cherish  the  ho))e  that,  in  the 
public  solemnities  of  the  approaching  day  of  Thanksgiving  to  Almighty 
God,  the  rancour  of  party  feuds  will  expire  in  the  ardour  of  genuine 
devotion,  and  that  the  glorious  event  of  i*oace,  which  has  given  rest  to 
Europe,  will  teal  in  oblivion  the  memory  of  our  past  dissensions. 

Tours,  &C.,  M. 

Tho  day  of  thanksgiving  was  held,  and  was  "  devoutly 

observed  in  this  town.    Collections  were  made  after  service 

at  the  difTerent  Cliurches  and  Chapels  for  support  of  tho 

Sunday  Schools,  and  the  following  sums  received  : — 

£    8.  d. 

St  Martin's 13    6  61 

St  Philip's 22  17  8 

St  MarVs 24  12  8 

StPaoTs 11     1  0 

St  liartholomew's                                 .  5  11  7 

Ashted 4    3  4 

Total  .     /81  12    9J" 

This  happiness  was  of  short  duration.  Tlic  amhitious 
groe<l  of  Bonaparte,  and  his  liatrcnl  of  Englan<l,  made  jicacc 
distasteful,  and  at  the  earliest  moment  he  made  its  con- 
tinuance impossible.  On  March  18, 1803,  war  was  decbired. 
•*  This  time,  says  Mr.  Goldwin  Smith,  "  a  necessary  war ; 
for  I  am  confinncd  that  witli  the  perfidv  and  rapine  of 
Bonaparte  no  peace  could  be  made,  that  tlie  struggle  with 
him  was  a  struggle  for  the  indei>endencc  of  all  nations 
against  the  armed  and  disciplined  honles  of  a  conqueror  as 
cruel  and  as  barbarous  as  Attila.  The  outwanl  mark  of 
civilisation  Bonaparte  wore,  and  ho  could  use  jKilitical  and 
soc*ial  ideas  for  the  purposes  of  his  ambition  as  dexterously 
as  cannon;   but  in   character  he  was  a  Coi*sican,  and  as 


TO  arms!  to  arms  once  moke!  291 

savage  as  any  bandit  of  his  isle.  If  utter  selfishness,  if 
the  reckless  sacrifice  of  humanity  to  your  own  interest  and 
passions  be  vileness,  histoiy  has  no  viler  name.  I  can  look 
witli  pride  upon  the  fortitude  and  constancy  which  England 
displayed  in  the  contest  with  the  universal  tyrant."*  The 
war  now  began  in  earnest.  Bonaparte  threatened  the 
invasion  of  England,  and  the  whole  nation  at  once  leapt,  as 
it  were,  to  aims  to  oppose  him.  Oui*  town  was  not  behind 
in  this  patriotic  work.  A  requisition  was  presented  to  tho 
High  Bailiff,  who  thereupon  called  a  Town's  Meeting  for 
Friday,  August  5th,  of  which  we  have  this  report : — 

Augast  8,  1803. — We  ueyer  felt  gi^eater  satUfiiction  than  in  wit- 
nessing the  very  unmerous  and  respectable  meeting  of  the  inhabitants 
of  this  town  and  neighbourhood,  at  Styles' s  Hotel,  on  Friday,  to  con- 
sider what  steps  were  proper  to  be  taken  most  promptly  and  effectually 
to  forward  the  views  of  Government  at  this  critical  and  important  junc- 
ture. With  the  utmost  pleasure  we  record  the  unanimity  tnat  prevailed 
throughout ;  even  those  persons  who  have  on  former  occasions  so  widely 
differed  from  their  fellow-townsmen  on  political  subjects,  now  declared 
their  sentiments  to  be  in  full  unison  with  the  rest  of  the  meeting,  and 
that  they  were  willing  to  come  forward  with  their  last  shilling,  and  to 
spend  the  hut  drop  of  their  blood  in  support  of  this  now  happy  country 
against  the  threats  '>f  the  Ck>rsican  Usurper. 

A  subscription  was  commenced,  which  at  the  fii^t  meeting 
amounted  to  nearly  £4,G00.  The  following  are  a  lew  of  the 
nmnes  of  our  townsmen  with  the  amount  they  subscribed 
on  this  occasion : — James  Goddington,  £105  ;  Jolin  Taylor, 
£ii\i}  ;  Spooner  and  Attwoods,  £315  ;  Isaac  Spooner,  £105 ; 
Rol>ert  Coales,  Wooliey,  &  Co.,  £210;  Woolley  and  Deakin, 
£105;  Dickenson,  Goodalls,  and  Co.,  £210;  Samuel  Pcm- 
Ix'i'ton,  £105 ;  fiinningham  Mining  and  Copper  Company, 
£500;  Samuel  Oalton,  £210;  John  Rotten,  £105.  By  the 
22nd  of  August  the  subscrij)tion  exceeded  £9,000.  Nor 
wsis  the  spirit  of  the  people  disj>laye<l  by  money  contribu- 
tions alona     On  the  same  day  this  |)aragraph  appeared  : — 

Auj;.  22,  180.3. — In  addition  to  tho  patriottc  offers  of  individuals 
already  announced,  we  reconi  with  mncli  plaisiire  that  of  Mr.  Robert 
S.  8key,  who  engages  to  have  at  the  diHpoeal  of  Government,  in  case  of 
invasion,  ten  boats  (trigetlier  of  2fK)  tons  tonnage)  at  his  wharf  in  this 
town,  and  fifteen  boats  (of  3(K)  tons)  at  Stour]>ort,  with  men  and  horses, 
and  alrto  two  waggons  and  horses,  with  drivers.  Mr.  Styles,  of  the 
Hotel,  in  this  town,  has  aluo  most  patriotic:illy  offertftl.all  hiii  cluuHes 
and  horses  to  convey  his  Majesty  s  trtiop,  free  of  expeuoe,  t<>  tlie  extent 
of  one  stagti,  at  any  time  in  case  of  inviision. 

Anil  ai^aui  : — 

*  Tlirec  Kn^rli-'li  StatoAincti :  A  Cour.<c  of  lectures  on  the  Political 
Hi'ton*  of  England.     \ly  lioldwin  ^^lllith.    |>p.  3I3-314. 


292  A  CENTURY   OF  BIBMIN0HA31   LIFE. 

Aug.  22, 1803. — Instakces  of  Patriotism. — Wm.  Jonesy  a  jobbing 
smith  of  this  town,  fearful  that  his  age  (73)  would  preclude  him  from 
serving  hb  countiy,  made  his  return  63,  at  the  same  time  offering  him- 
self as  a  Tolunteer. — Wm.  Cooke,  a  bolt-maker  of  this  town,  on  receiying 
his  bounty  to  serre  as  a  substitute  in  the  Warwick  Militia,  immeHi  >  tely 
took  means  to  remit  five  guineas  as  his  subscription  to  the  patriotic 
fund  at  Lloyd's. 

In  tlie  next  week's  paper  we  have  this  further  account  of 
the  progress  of  the  patriotic  movement : — 

We  are  glad  to  perceive  that  the  subscription  for  the  encoursgement 
of  the  Volunteer  Corps  of  this  town,  daily  receives  great  and  liberal 
additions ;  it  will  be  seen  by  the  advertisement  that  it  exceeds  ten 
thousand  seven  hundred  pounds,  to  which,  we  have  reason  to  believe, 
a  ooHDsiderable  sum  will  be  brought  forward,  from  the  parish  of  Aston, 
in  our  next  publication.  It  is  a  source  of  generous  pride  to  us  that^ 
though  our  means  of  wealth  have,  for  a  series  of  time,  been  dimlnishingy 
still  the  same  liberality  exhibits  itself  upon  every  great  and  important 
eriids.  With  no  less  pleasure  do  we  hear  that  that  very  respectable 
part  of  our  fellow  townsmen,  the  Quakers,  intend  to  come  forward  with 
peeoniary  aid,  under  particular  modifications  consistent  with  their  reli- 
gious tenets.  They  admit,  as  every  good  citizen  must,  the  necessities 
of  the  timeiL  and  that  the  present  moment  calls  for  every  sort  of 
exertion.  We  must,  however,  and  it  is  an  irksome  duty,  deprecate  tlia 
parsimonious  conduct  of  some  individuals,  upon  whose  gratitude  the 
town  has  the  strongest  claim,  because  in  this  place  they  have  emeiged 
from  obscurity  to  opulence;  such  characters  must  and  will  be  con- 
temned, and  care  shotiM  1*e  tnlcen  that  they  be  held  up  to  infiuny  and 
dishonour.  With  tliiA  v.cv\,  lii.ici-io,  we  are  hnp*  ♦'>  hear  that  a  r- 
reeted  schedule  of  our  contributions,  distributing  i ..  .^<  v  ral  ^  ul  •> a  1 1  ers 
into  streets,  will  finally  be  published. 

In  the  two  days  that  the  books  have  been  opened  in  this  town  to 
receive  the  names,  upwards  of  eighteen  hundred  persons  have  enrolled 
themselves  to  serve  in  a  Volunteer  Coras.  The  Committee  attend  aaain 
this  day  and  to-morrow,  at  Stvles's  Hotel,  from  nine  o'doek  till  four, 
for  the  purpose  of  receiving  additional  nameS|  when  we  trust  that  tha 
householders  will  come  fora*ards  more  genendly  with  their  ofiers  of 
service  than  they  have  yet  done. 

The  regiment  of  Volunteer  Infantry,  now  raising  in  this  town,  is 
intended  to  consist  of  three  battalions  of  ten  companies  each,  with  a 
Lieoienunt-Colonel  and  two  Majors  to  each  battalion.  The  Colonelcy 
has  Ijeen  oflered  niiJ,  wo  are  happy  to  say,  accepted  by  the  £arl  of 
IMrtinonth  ;  the  other  Field  Ofiicers,  and  the  Captains  to  the  first  bat- 
talion, were  aIho  nmuiuated  on  Friday,  but,  as  the  consent  of  all  of  than 
M  not  yvt  obtained,  we  cannot  insert  their  names  till  our  next  publi- 
cation/ 

We  are  authorised  to  state  that  the  Earl  of  Warwick,  the  Lord 
Licttleuant  of  this  County,  has  made  an  offer  to  Government  to  subscribe 
the  sum  of  ten  thousancl  pounds,  to  be  expended  in  the  purchase  of 
arms  for  the  use  of  all  the  Volunteer  Corps  of  the  County  of  Warwick, 
which  may  have  received  his  Majesty's  approbation.  We  are  likewise 
informed,  that  his  Lordship  Iulh  declared  his  intention  of  allotting  the 
sum  of  1,(HK)/.  for  the  relief  of  the  families  of  such  volunteers  of  the 
county  of  Wnrwick  as  may  fall  in  the  honourable  defence  of  their 


TO  ahms!  to  abms  once  moue!       293 

ooantrj ;  or,  if  not  00  expended,  in  aid  of  the  general  snbscription  at 
Lloyd's.  Mrs.  Lloyd,  of  the  Hen  and  Chickena  Hotel,  in  this  town, 
anxious  to  render  every  senrice  in  her  power  to  the  general  canse,  has 
offered  all  her  chaises  and  horses,  as  well  as  her  waggons,  ourta,  &c.,  at 
her  fiurm,  for  the  aooommodation  of  the  eountry  in  case  of  invasion,  to 
be  under  the  direction  of  the  Bepnty  Lieutenant  of  the  District 

The  pens  of  Freeih,  Bisset,  Morfitt^  Weston  and  Nott,. 
were  at  work  encouraging  the  spirit  of  the  people.  The 
Buke  of  York  expressed  his  approval  of  some  of  the 
songs,  and  sent  letters  of  acknowleogment  to  their  authors. 
Mr.  Joseph  Harris  supplied  both  words  and  music  to  a  song 
called  ''  J  ohn  Bull ;  '^  Mr.  J.  Bisset  issued  hb  **  Pai^tic 
Clarion;  or,  a  Call  to  Qloiyl  containing  twelve  original 
Songs,  written  on  the  threatened  Livasion."  These  were 
inscribed,  ''by  permission,"  to  the  Commander-in-Chief; 
Mr.  Morfitt  published  his  '^  Tocsin ; "  and  Mr.  Job  Nott  his 
tract,  ''The  British  lion  Brayed,  and  the  French  l^rrant 
Trembles."  So  there  was  no  lade  of  local  war  litenttur^ 
on  the  occasion. 

The  following  local  appointments  were  made  by  the  War 
Office  ^— 

October  17tb,  }d03. 

Wae  Orrid. 
Zoyal  Birmimgham  FottmlMr  InfauUry, 

To  be  Oolonel,  George,  Esrl  of  DMrtaMiiUL 

First  Battalion  of  the  Lojral  BimiinghMn  YolimtMr  hduktrj^^To* 
be  lieatenaatOoloiiely  Jofain  Brejntoo,  Eh|.;  to  be  Ki||or,  Locd 
Lewishsm. 

To  be  Cbpteins : 

Junas  TimmfD%  En.  Joseph  Hboce.  Esq^ 

Alazander  Forreati  Esq.  Bobart  Bamiiu  Skajr,  Esq. 

laaao  Fftttt,  Esq.  Hawy  Pkatl^  Eaq. 

Blcbard  WanvD,  Esq.  Lowa  Smith,  Em|. 

Thomaa  Hanaoo,  Esq.  Bidiard  Bsarnnonti  Esq. 

To  be  Ltaotanaiita : 

Matthew  linwood,  Gent  Fkmncia  Johaaon,  Gant. 

Bichard  Gaxdinar.  Gent  Jamsa  N.  Watiad,  Gant     . 

Joaiah  Bicfaarda,  Gaot  Lorelaoa  Waldi,  Gant 

Edmund  Tompkina^  Gent  Jamsa  Mala^  Gaot. 

Samuel  Tomlinaon,  Gent.  John  Simaon,  Gant 

William  Shora,  Gant  -  Joaaph  Hawkaafocd,  Gaot 

TobaEnrigna: 
Daniel  Clowas^  Gant  J.  A.  SoaUnar,  Gant 

John  Hemalaj,  Gant  Gaorga  Froetor,  Gant 

Gaoiga  Richards,  Gant.  Tbo.fi.  BoUnaon,  Gant 

William  Hajnas^  Gant  John  Smith,  Gant 

To  ba  Soifson,  Gaotga  IVsar,  Gant 

To  ba  AssiaUnt  Snigaon,  C.  V.  Webb^  Gant 


294  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAH  LIFK 

r 

Second  Battalion  of  the  "Loyal  Birmingham  Yolanteer  Infiuitry. — 
To  be  I^eatenant^Colonel,  John  Qordeu,  Esq. ;  to  be  Major^  John 
Taylor,  Esq. 

To  be  Oaptains : 
GeoTve  Timmins,  Esq.  Joseph  Bandell,  Esq. 

Joseph  Willmore,  Esq.  James  Osborne,  Esq. 

John  Porter,  Esq.  Obadiah  Bellai^,  Esq. 

George  Meredith,  Esq.  Edward  Jesse^  JBsqi 

Thomas  Bam,  Esq.  Joseph  Mason  Gaest,  Esq. 

To  be  Lieatenants : 
William  Betts^  Gent.  John  James  Iddens,  Gent 

John  Matbhe^  Gent  Ohaiies  Kenclow,  Gent. 

Bichard  Hipkias,  Gent  William  Oapenhiust,  Gent 

Thomas  Bartleet^  Gent  William  Jones,  Gent 

'     TobeEnnnis: 
John  Twemlo V,  Gent '  Edward  WaddelL  Gent 

John  Banoek,  Gent  Edw.  Yilleis  WUkes,  Gent 

Henry  Hnnt^  Gent  Joseph  Walsh,  Gent 

Thiid  Battalion  of  the  Loyal  Birmingham  Volunteer  In£antiy.--To 
be  Lieatenant-Oolonel,  Henry  Johnstone,'  Esq. ;  to  be  Majon^  John 
Wilkes^  Esq.,  Wyrley  &roh,  Esq. 

To  bo  Oaptaitts : 
'>  'Samnol  Bellamy,  Esq.  •  John  Heraiek  Jerris^  Eiq. 

John  Meredith,  Esq.  Thomas  Attwood,  Esq.  , 

George  Borrish,  Esq.  RIdiard  Bird,  Esq. 

Bobert  Lloyd,  Esq.  ^^^^S^  Williams  Gem,  Ek|. 

Edward  Thomaaon,  Esq.  WiUiam  Withering,  Em^. 

To  be  Llentenanti : 
\raiiam  Binc^,  Geati  Wttliaai  WUlmoi«,'G«it 

r..CliariesCkM<isnt  Jolm  LbiwoodL  Gent 

.  J^raods  EuntooL  Gent  John  Fkrke^  Gent 

James  BsEonsLGent  Bobert  Webb^  Gent 

John  Seward,  Esq. 

To  be  Ensigns : 
Abel  Wiftlam^  Gent  Wllllain  Wilday,Gent 

Charies  Grafton,  Gent  Joseph  Walker,  Gent 

Thomac  Dizoo,  Gent  Wm.  Hmnphiy  Tale^  Gent 

FranelB  Sbeppe^d,  Qent. 

At  the  same  time  ure  aie  infonned  that  **  Official  com- 
mimicationa  have  been  received  from  Qovenmient,  atating  it 
to  be  their  intention,  in  the  conne  of  a  few  days,  to  pat  all 
Volunteer  Oorpe,  both^Ckvaliy  and  Infimtry;  upon  per- 
manent pay." 

In  order  to  incraaae  the  enthnuaam,  and  to  enlist  all 
pemns  in  the  great  work  of  national  defence,  the  bdiea 
were  specially  appealed  ta  On  November  14  was  issued 
the  following 

Addrm  io  0$  ladim  and  I^Ur  Sex  in  ^m^m^  9/ Birmuig 

Vieimtjf, 

FAia  CouaTEi  iimua,-»Yoo  most  be  aware  of  the  new  and  nn* 

ptecedenteddangpr  with  wfaiAonraatton  is  at  this  moment  threatened, 


t6  arbcs!  to  arms  once  more!  293 

and  of  the  immediate  prftpaTation  (to  which  the  famous  Spaniah  Annada 
and  all  former  invasions  Dear  no  oomparisou  in  magnitude)  which  that 
Barbarian,  Buonaparte,  has  made,  in  hopes  of  subduing  this  kin^^dom,  of 
killing -its  brave  defenders,  of  plimdering  its  treasures,  of  rumingits 
trade  and  commerce,  and  of  reducing  us  to  the  wretched  and  contempti- 
ble servitude  of  the  nations  which  he  has  already  conquered  and  en- 
slaved.  You  have  seen  how  a  truly  British  spirit  has  animated  jour 
fathers,  brothers,  husbands,  sons,  and  lovers  to  arm  themselves  volun- 
tarily in  defence  of  their  country,  their  religion,  tlieir  laws,  and  liberty, 
their  property,  their  lives,  (what  is  as  dear  to  them  as  all  these)  to 

frotect  you  from  injuiy,  and  your  sacred  charms  from  ruffii'm  violation, 
'or  these  noble  purposes  they  have  engaged  to  fore^  the  ease  and 
comforts  of  domestic  life,  to  expose  themselves  to  the  toils  and  hardships 
of  military,  seivioe,  and  to  hasard  their  persons  and  lives  in  repelling 
an  inveterate  and  powerful  foe.  Though  your  sex  preclude  all  per- 
sonal exertion  (as  tiie  modem  taste  is  not  sufficiently  neroic  to  admire 
ladies  of  a  waiiike  spirit),  let  your  influence  over  tlie  minds  of  men, 
which  is  known  to  nave  been  powerful  from  the  days  ci  £ve  to  the 
present  time,  be  employed  to  encoon^pe  them,  and  to  reward  their 
labonn  bv  yoar  esteem  and  favour  in  this  great  cause. 

lliough  jroa  cannot  defend  and  cover  uem  from  the  dangers  of  the 
field  by  a  veil  of  douds,  as  Venus  did  her  favourite  Paiia  y^  you  may. 
without  a  mirsde,  and  by  the  ample  aid  of  a  Flannel  Jacket,  defend 
them  from  the  severity  of  a  cold  and  wet  winter  campaign,  and  conse- 
quently acainsi  the  fatal  diwaascs  to  which  armies  are  liable  from  this 
canse,  ana  which  aie  generally  more  destructive  than  the  sword. 

Yjofo,  have  probably  Aeard  m  the  subscriptions  whichhave  been  entered 
into  by  your  mx.  for  profviding  flannel  clothing  for  the  volunteers  in 
London  and  other  places.  Be  assured  you  cannot  imitate  a  better  ex- 
ample, not  one  whicn,  for  the  smaUness  of  expense,  can  contribute  more 
to  the  health  and  comfort  of  voor  protectors ;  and  yon  may  also  be 
aasoredy  that  the  vmloe  of  the  eif  t  win  be  greatly  enhanced  by  the  love 
and  regard  whidi  they  will  have  for  their  fair  benefactors.  Every 
gallant  volunteer,  while  on  senice,  will  feel  the  clothing  doubly  warm 
and  donbly  comfortable,  when  he  recollects  by  whom  it  has  been  given, 
perhaps  aaxMog  oUiere  oy  the  fair  one  whom,  of  all  the  worid.  he  loves 
iiest.  He  wiUvalue  his  portion  of  flannel  more  hi^y  than  he  would 
the  celebrated  Gfoldcn  Fleece ;  a%  indeed,  it  will,  besides,  be  much  more 
nsefnl* 

Too  nii^t,  if  rocni,  be  reminded  from  histonr  of  many  patriotic 
and  Boble  examples  given  by  your  sex ;  of  the  Koman  ladies  liaving 
■acrificad  their  jewek  and  oraameuts  for  the  defence  of  their  country ; 
and  of  the  Outlu^enian  damwels  catting  off  their  flowing  locks  to  oe 
formed  into  coitlaffs  for  wariike  instruments ;  bat  Englisli  women  will 
reqoira  no  oilier  mdaoement  than  merdy  to  be  informed  that  a  sub- 
■enption  for  tfie  pnrpose  of  soppl ving  the  Birmingham  Volunteers  with 
flamiel  ^^W>«ffg  naa  neen  propoaea  bv  some  patriotic  ladies,  to  be  opened 
at  Measra.  Knott  and  Uoyifa  and  ouer  place^  where,  undoabtedly,  the 
fairsat  and  beat  will  be  the  moat  forward  in  piaeing  their  namea  in  this 
licnoarable  and  benevolent  list  Possibly  some  of  the  fair  sempstresses 
may  add  to  the  value  of  their  benefaction  by  aasisHng  in  the  workman- 
ship at  their  hooaea. 

It  is  further  propoaed,  that,  in  order  to  |^ve  every  well-iliflpnsed 
female  an  ojiportumty  of  shewing  her  gooil  will,  the  subscription  shall 


29G  A  C£NTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIF£. 

be  limited,  80  that  no  one  lady  shall  subecribe  more  than  two  goineaa, 
or  as  much  leas  as  may  suit  eveiy  one's  oonyenience.  The  widoVs  mite 
will  be  held  in  no  less  regard  than  the  lai^gest  benefaction. 

Fair  ConntiTwomen,  you  have  now  an  opportunity  of  shewing  your 
gratitude  to  your  protectors,  your  good  inshes  for  their  safety  and 
suooess,  and  your  seal  in  the  glorious  cause  of  defence  of  all  that  you 
hold  most  dear !  Av  Old  Soldier. 

The  ladies  responded  nobly  to  this  apjpeal.  They  not 
only  gave  money,  but  undertook  to  make  flannel  dresses  for 
the  volunteera  Before  the  end  of  1803  more  than  5,000 
dresses  were  promised.  Lady  Dartmouth  offered  120,  lOss 
OoodaU  120,  Miss  James  100,  Mrs.  Knott  120,  the  Schools 
of  Industiy  200,  Mrs.  Sumner  and  Miss  Mallett  144,  Mrs. 
Birch  100,  Miss  Hunt  100,  and  so  on  through  a  long  list  of 
namea  The  ladies  also  subscribed  more  than  £700  in 
money.  The  advertisement  announcing  the  ladies'  ffifls  and 
donations  was  so  louft  that  the  editor  Imd  to  append  a  note, 
stating  that  **  From  uie  length  of  the  above  aavertisement 
we  are  obliged  to  postpone  till  next  week  the  insertion  of  a 
number  of  other  subscnbers,  as  well  as  the  offers  to  make 
the  dresses." 

The  first  field  day  of  the  Volonteera  was  held  on  Novem- 
ber 15 ;  of  which  we  have  this  contemporary  report : — 

Nov.  21|  I803.--On  Toesdaj  the  whole  of  tlie  fint  battalion  of  the 
Loyal  Binnipgham  Volonteen,  aooompanied  by  the  Luiit  Infantiy  of 
the  seoond  battalion,  appeared  for  the  fifst  time  in  faD  vnifoniii  and 
were  inqpeeted  bj  their  Colonel  the  Eeri  of  Dartmouth,  on  their  exer- 
dafaig  groond,  leading  to  the  Five  Waja.  We  witneiaed  with  pride 
and  exaltation  the  tralj  military  appearuioe  of  this  fine  bodv  of  men« 
who^  at  thii  most  important  crisisi  have  so  nobl  v  stepped  forth  in 
defence  of  their  oonntiy ;  aod  we  fed  mndi  aaftiiAmon  in  leying  before 
CNir  readeis  the  thanks  of  theur  Golonel— the  most  flattering  teetunonj 
of  their  appeannoe  and  their  state  of  discipline  :— 

(OoiT^ 
'^Omurai  Ordeti. 

^The  Ooknel  desires  to  repeat  the  acknowledgment  of  the  vecy 
Ifreat  and  nnmized  pleamre  whidi  he  derived  yesterday  from  the 
inqwdtfcn  of  the  first  oattalion,  and  the  light  infantry  of  the  second 
battalion.  He  congratolates  LientcnaniXk>lonel  Breynton  and  the 
cAoen  npon  the  appearance  of  the  corps,  their  gnaA  stcndmese  nndcr 


the  pndaion  with  wiiiefa  th^  perfomed  eveiv  part  of  their 
ezsrdae.  He  regneets  the  oflkere  to  convey  ths  eipresBon  of  his  lu|^ 
approbation  to  the  non-comniiseioned  officere  and  privates  vnder  thsir 
command,  and  to  aantre  themaelves  and  them  that  a  continnanoe  of  the 
same  seal  and  alacrity  in  the  diaham  of  their  duty  will  place  the  Loyal 
Binningbam  Tolnnteen  among  Uie  fmemoat  of  those  whom  the 
gkirioQs  and  interesting  canse  of  their  coontiy  has  nnited  in  the  defence 
cf  everything  moat  dear  and  moat  aacred  to  men  and  firitona  an  the 
preaent  anjoooa  moment  (Signed) 

**  Sandwell,  Nor.  10,  laoaL"  **  Damm onm,  Colond. 


TO  ABMSl   TO  AR&IS  ONCE  MORE  ^  297 

It  waa  intended  that  the  light  infantry  of  the  third  battalion  should 
have  appeared  on  the  same  daf,  completely  doihed,  &c,  but  all  their 
appointments  not  being  reacfy,  they  were  unable  to  attend.  They 
paraded,  however,  yesterday  morning  in  full  uniform,  and  afterwards 
marched  to  church.  The  other  companies  of  the  second  and  third 
battalions  are  expected  to  be  clothed  m  the  course  of  three  weeks. 

This  notice  was  also  published : — 

It  is  generaUy  believed  that  the  time  of  the  lon^-threatened  invasion 
is  at  no  great  distance^  and  it  must  afford  great  satisfaction  to  the  nation 
to  witness  the  preparations  which  Qovemment  is  making  for  that 
event  It  is  of  the  ffreatest  importance  that  the  internal  ffood  order 
and  tranquillity  of  the  country  should  be  effectually  provide  for ;  and 
with  this  view  the  Secretazy  of  State  has  received  his  Majesty's  com- 
mands to  recommend  to  the  magistrates  throughout  the  kingdom  to 
enquire,  in  their  several  districts,  what  trustworthy  housekeepers  or 
others  who  are  not  enrolled  in  any  volunteer  corps,  or  liable  to  military 
service  from  being  indnded  in  the  first  and  second  dasses  UQder  the 
general  defence  ai^  will,  in  the  event  ol  the  enemv  landing,  engage  to 
come  forward*  and  to  act  as  Bp&daX  constables  within  their  respective 
parishes  and  aistricti»  and  to  take  a  list  of  sndi  names,  with  their  places 
ol  residence.  It  is  rscrwnmcmded  that  the  special  constables  shmud  be 
f onnad  into  small  dinsionai  with  penoos  seleeted  from  each  divinon 
and  placed  at  the  haadthereol^  as  saperintendents^  by  the  readent 
wi  BgifftratflS- 

The  pbysiciajis  of  the  town  took  their  share  of  the  good 
work,  and  looked  after  the  health  of  the  men.  The  following 
report  will  show  the  sendble  advice  which  they  gave  on  the 
occasion: —     .  . 


Nov.  13, 1803.— Commitlae  of  the  Ydontaen  of  the  TWn  of 
nuBgham:  the  Eari  of  Dartmouth  in  tha  Chair.    TheCdlowiiigAddnss 
from  the  Fhysidaas  of  Btnningfaam  was  read  : 

The  Phyrieiam  of  Birmimffkam  to  tk»  Lojfol  Birmu^Kom  Vdunieen. 

Fellow  TowBsmeiiy— Our Oountiy  is  thraataned;  and,  with  trve  Bri- 
tish Spirit,  von  have  Tolnntarilj  stepped  forward  and  ranged  vousdves 
in  Arms.  But  to  reader  your  SeiVices  efleetual  food  health  is  neces- 
sary ;  and,  as  JadividQsl%  wo  beliove  that,  at  tnis  Conjanetora^  we 
cannot  mora  esssatisllj  serve  the  commoii  Ganse  than  by  pointtna  oat 
to  yoor  Notice  SBehBegolationsss  may  tend  to  the  rrtsalvatioB  of  that 
Blessing  and  to  the  laetssse  df  your  Comfort 

The  Lift  of  a  Soldier  in  aetosi  Service  will  be  fonnd  widelv  to  differ 
fromUiat  of  Iheeomnon  Citlssn.  Heat  and  Cold,  Hnagerand  Fatigne, 
most  each  bo  onooonierad ;  hot  these  Evi]S|  by  proper  Attention  on 
your  Fart^  may  bs  auOerially  mitifcatedy  ana  even  rendered  compsrar 
tively  light' and  inoppraasive.  Flannel  ia  the  proper  Clothing  £nr  a 
Soldier;  it  not  only  wevsnts  the  heat  of  the  Body  from  being  too 
specdilv  dissipstsd^  Mt  it  resdOy  absorbs  the  Moistora,  whether  pio- 
daced  by  over  Esertioo,  or  the  Effect  of  external  Hamidity.  In  oar 
variable  Climate^  it  is  a  Shield  saainst  sadden  Vtciaaitadea,  and,  to  a 
Conatltation  not  aceastomed  to  Blardahips^  it  is  the  best  Inventive  of 
Disease.  Evsij  Soldisr,  therefore,  oaglit  to  provide  himssif  with  two 
Flann^  Waistcoats^  to  bs  worn  neat  the  Skin,  two  F^  ol  Flannel 


298  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 


Drawen,  two  Ttdr  of  wann  Worsted  StoekincB,  and  two  Flannel  Nigbt- 
cape,  and  with  what  is  no  less  necessary,  two  I^  of  warm  stout  Shoes. 

After  Ezposore  to  the  Weather^  wheUier  you  haye  suffered  from  Cold 
or  Heat,  or  from  the  Bain,  do  not  remain  inactive.  If  you  are  hot, 
take  ffentle  Exercise  in  the  Shade  till  you  are  cool ;  avoid  Currents  of 
cold  Air,  and  do  not  indulge  in  Draughts  of  cold  Lioulds.  If  you  are 
cold,  gradually  recover  your  lost  Heat  by  Friction  or  Exercise  in  a  tem- 
perate Boom  ;  but  avoid  the  sudden  Approach  to  a  laige  Fire.  If  you 
are  wet,  whether  with  Bain  or  Perspiration,  or  even  should  your  Clowes 
be  damp  only,  do  not  neglect  to  shift  yourselves  immediately.  If,  after 
the  Fatiffues  of  a  forced  March  or  of  a  Battle,  you  should  find  youreel  ves 
much  ezbaosted,  do  not  seek  to  indulge  too  freelv,  but  let  ^our  firugal 
Heal  be  seasoned  with  the  very  moderate  Use  of  Wine,  Spirits,  or  of 
Malt  Liquor ;  and  for  this  Temperance  ^ou  will  be  recompensed  b^ 
iound  Sleep,  horn  whidh  you  will  arise  with  renewed  Yigoor  and  Am- 
teation. 

The  popular  Belief  that  the  Use  of  Spirituous  Liouora  renders  a 
Person  less  susceptible  of  cold  and  better  enables  iiim  to  endure 
IVtt^e  cannot  be  too  much  reprobated ;  the  veiy  Beverse  is  the  Truth. 
The  Drsm-diinker  is  eThllfnit.ad  for  the  moment^  but  he  soon  is 
benumbed  by  cold  and  exhausted  bv  fatigue;  while  he  who  drinks 
Malt  lAcfiar.  or  Wine,  or  Spirits  tiie  most  sparingly,  sets  Cold  at 
Defiance,  ana  performs  all  his  du^witii  Ease  and  Alacrity,  But  the 
0vil  conseymiow  to  toe  Spirit  drnucen  ire  not  mersly  temporaiy ;  his 
Stomadi  soon  becomes  disordered,  his  Appetite  is  lost,  and  mortal 


The  MUitary  Life  is  one  either  o^  very  great  exertion  or  of  compara- 
tive Lmctivity ;  but  the  latter  is  the  Foe  to  Health.  Do  noL  therefoie, 
mttar  Tiglliwnwi  or  Sloth  to  oecapy  tiie  Soldier,  bat  let  those  hoars 
not  filled  ap  with  the  duties  of  yoar  Prolenon  be  dedicated  to  cheetful 
and  aetiTe  Anwiawnfnt 

.  Jiiabettarto  pwvent. diaeaea  than  to  core;  and  by  attention  to 
these  soggestftQiis,  a  proper  obaervaoM  of  the  M^golar  Hoors  for  Food, 
and  the  strictest  Cleanliness  of  Peiaon,  wetmst  that  your  Health  may 
be  protected,  and  vour  comforta  increased.  To  these  general  Instruc- 
tiona  wa  aamoin  that,  in  paiticalar  oases  of  Disease^  any  one  or  all  of 
nB  will  ever  be  vaady  to  raider  owiy  Asaiataoioe  to  the  Loyal  Yohu- 


Tboxas  Shitr,  Bobiit  Brbb, 

EowaaD  Jonaaron^  Job*  Jonvaioiia, 

WiLUiM  OiLBT,  Faavcn  Booaaa, 

John  CAnncHAiL,  Oao.  Edward  Maia 

Koti.— The  Flannel  Waistcoat  dioald  be  made  huge,  with  deeves^ 
and  to  axteod  below  the  Hip  Bone,  at  least  eight  indiea.  In  the  dioea 
loose  Ooric  Boles  are  admiraole  Protectors  from  Damp. 

Beadved,— That  the  warmest  thanka  of  this  Committee  be  presented 

to  the  Phyddana  for  their  very  opportune  and  meritorious  attention  to 

the  Health  of  the  Volunteers ;  and  that  their  address  be  printed  a»l 

diatribttted  to  the  aeversl  Ydonteen^  and  inserted  in  the  Birmingham 

''^nsneiaL 

BaaKsa  and  Uvrt,  Secretaries. 

We  have  great  pleasoie  in  quoting  thia  brief  record  of  an 
heroic  act  by  a  Birmingham  man  :^- 


TO  arms!  to  arms  oncb  more!       299 

Dec  19, 1803. — On  Friday,  the  cap  of  liberty,  which  waa  placed  upon 
the  top  of  Pompey's  pillar  l^  the  French,  as  a  memorial  of  their  con- 

a nests  in  Egypt,  and  taken  from  thence  by  lient.  George  Meredith,  of 
iia  town,  was  tnspended  with  mnch  solemnity  from  the  ceiling  of  the 
Great  Hall,  in  the  British  Mnaeom,  to  be  preserved  with  other  monu- 
ments of  British  trinmph. 

The  next  two  extracts  need  no  comment : — 

One  Huvdbed  Poukds  Bswabd. 

Dea  19, 1803. — Whereas  Two  Anonymous  Letters,  signed  the  one 
**  A  Private  in  the  Third  Battalion,"  the  other  '*  A  Private  in  your 
B^giment^"  have  been  lately  addressed  to  Lieut-Colonel  Johnstone,  of 
the  Third  Battalion  of  Loyal  Birmingham  Volunteers,  in  which  the 
Writer  or  Writers  threaten  to  dhoot  Lieut-Colonel  Johnstone  the  first 
time  the  Regiment  fires — a  fieward  of  One  Hundred  Pounds  is  hereby 
ofiered  by  the  Committee  of  the  Loyal  Birmingham  Yolunteers  for  the 
Detection  of  the  Author :  if  more  than  one  is  concerned,  and  will 
impeach  his  Accomplice  or  Acoomplioas,  application  will  be  made  to  hia 
Majesty  for  a  Pardon.  Barkbb  and  Uxbtt^  Secretaries. 

^  December  26,  1803. — ^We  learn  with  r^:ret  that  there  yet  are  indi- 
viduals so  totally  devoid  of  ]»ineiple  as  to  continue  to  address  letters  to 
Lieut-CoL  Johnstone,  of  the  third  Battalion  of  our  Volunteers^  threaten- 
ing his  personal  safety ;  and  we  do  most  sincerely  ho])e  that  the  steps 
now  taking  may  succeed  in  bxinginff  to  the  merited  punishment  persons 
guilty  of  so  diabolical  a  practice.  Independent  of  the  reward  of  £100 
ofiered  by  the  Committee  for  the  discovery  of  the  ofienders,  the  Captains 
of  the  iiattalion  have  offend  100  guineas,  the  Subalterns  100  ^gumeaSi 
and  the  Serjeants  31  guineas. 

Field  days  and  reviews  followed  in  rapid  suooession ;  and 
evexywhere  the  people  bdield  ''the  pride»  pomp^  and  cir* 
emnstance  of  gloriood  war  *  with  very  few  of  its  peiilB, 
although  they  liad  their  share  in  the  snfferinCT  which  it 
produced.  The  enthusiasm^  however,  increased;  by  January 
80, 1804,  the  hdies'  subacription  for  providing  flannel  dresses 
had  exceeded  £1,000.  ''  Most  highly,*'  said  the  editor,  ""do 
we  applaud  tliat  generosity  our  fair  town's  women  have 
displayed,  in  so  libciully  answering  the  call  of  the  committee, 
ana  congratulate  them  on  the  probability  that  now  appears 
of  the  speedv  completion  of  a  work  at  once  so  useful  and 
patriotia"  In  Februaiy  ''The  Committee  beg  leave  to  in- 
form the  Subscribers  that  3,600  Wabtcoats  and  1,800  Pair  of 
Drawers  are  now  completed — 1,800  Flannel  Gaps  remain  to 
be  made.  The  CSommittee  will  be  obliged  to  those  Ladies 
who  may  be  disposed  to  make  any  part  of  them,  to  send  to 
the  Blue  Coat  Qiarity  School  for  them.** 

The  method  adopted  for  signalling  parade  is  curious  and 
worth  quoting : — 

LOTAL  BlBMIVOBAM  YoLUVTSSBS. 

February  20, 18<^. — ^The  foUowinc  signab  for  the  parade  or  assembly 
of  the  battalions,  aix*  in  future  to  be  hoiked  on  8t  Pnilip's  Chnrdi :— 


300  A  CENTURY  OF  BIBMINGHAM  LIFE. 

First  Battalion     .    .    .    ABalL 

Second A  Pendant. 

lliiid Two  Pendants. 

First,  Second  and  Third    A  Ball  over  two  Pendants. 

First  and  Second  ...    A  Ball  and  a  Pendant. 

First  and  Third   .    .    .    A  Ball  between  two  Pendants. 

Second  and  Third     .    .    Two  Pendants  oyer  a  BalL 
The  signals  to  be  continued  until  the  bi^taliims  are  dismiiwed  ;  and 
to  be  withdrawn  if  any  cause  prevent  their  assembling. 
On  the  following  week  a  change  was  made . — 
February  27, 1804. — TiM  signals  arranged  for  assembling  the  Lo^ 
Birmingham  Yolimteers  being  considered  too  complicated,  the  following 
are  to  he  made  use  of  in  future,  and  diiqJayed  at  the  top  of  St  Philipt 
Church  :— To  call  out  the 

First  Battalion     .    •    .    ABalL 

Second  Battalion  ...    A  Ilaff . 

Third  Battalion    ...    A  Pendant. 

In  Jane  our  chronicl6!r  pronoonoes  the  following  eulogy 
on  our  anned  citicens : — 

BmcniOBAic  Tolubtiib«. 

June  11. 1804.— To  record  the  respective  merits  of  the  different  Bat- 
falSona  of  tUa  truly  Taluable  corps  is  a  taak  peenliariy  gratifying  to  our 
fMnp,  tinea  H  requires  neither  the  oUatkm  of  Hattery  nor  the  aaeri- 
fioe  of  truth.  But  in  a  body  of  men  so  laudably  aecuatad  br  the  same 
noble  and  geneioua  emulation,  it  is  difficult  periiaps  imposiible^  to  make 
distinetiena ;  we  shall,  theremre,  eonfine  oonelTes  to  aplain  narratiTe 
of  thefar  operations  linoe  thsj  mardied  on  permanent  duty,  up  to  the 
period  of  their  retmii  indoding  the  lionoQiable  and  weUeanied  testl- 
Moniei  ofwprobatien  beatowod  upon  ifasm  fhw  all  ^pmitaia 

On  Monday; , the  4th  of  Jone^  the  firrt  Battalion  waa  renswiad  on 
Whittington  Heathy  by  Lient-GeneralQaidlner;  altar  ffoingthroa|^ 
their  efolatioii%  they  fired  three  toII^  in  hooour  of  nk  imea^a 
Birth-day.  The  whole  of  thefar  mancMTrss  were  OKaouted  in  anoh  a 
style  of  profieien^  as  to  oall  Ibrth  the  IdAesi  apprdbaftion  from  tfia 
GenetaL  On  Wedneadar  th^  marched  fium  liehfiald  to  this  plaes^ 
and  ware  greeted  on  theb  return  by  the  ringing  of  bell%  and  other 
pobUe  damooatvationi  of  wileome  and  esteem. 

On  August  29,  an  enoimoua  gathering  of  the  people  wit- 
nessed the  interesting  oeremony  of  the 

CovswaAnov  amd  PansTAnov  of  CoLomwM  «o  na  Lotal 

BmavoHAM  YoLUims. 

8ept  X  1801— On  Wednesday,  the  fiisl  and  third  batteUooaof  our 
Loyal  Yoluntaan  (thaaeeoad  battalion  liafingreeeiveditaOoloaialhHn 
the  handa  of  the  Ooonteas  of  DartoMntliy  aosM  aMmtha  past)  were  pra- 
aentad  ^th  their  Ooloara  given  by  the  town,  at  Meae^y  Wake  Green. 
The  Ooounittee  had  aude  the  neeessaiy  pnparalioiia  to  render  the 
apeotade  intersstingi  while  at  the  aame  tliM  erairy  preeuitioii  waa 
adopted  to  aroid  ovary  oonfbalon  and  aeoidsBl  The  assiduity  of  the 
gentlemen  who  liad  deroted  their  attention  to'tliesa  dljeeti^ 


«nply,p.tlfi«i^lU««-.   Not««.id«tortUU-t«-„ 


oeeumd  to  mar  the  brilUaney  of  tlie  aesne^  although  upwarda  of  3(^000 
paraoaa  ware  preaent  from  the  a4jaeant  oooatiy. 


OUR  FIBST  STATUE.  301 

The  pariahes  of  Edgbaston  and  Aston  joined  that  of  Bir- 
mingham in  the  formation  of  volnntea:  companies,  and 
also  in  offering  to  furnish  the  goyemment  with  waggons^ 
carts,  horses,  and  drivers  for  the  conveyance  of  troops,  in 
case  of  invasion,  to  any  part  of  the  country.  And  thus  for 
many  more  years  the  volunteer  corps  were  ready  and  willing 
to  defend  their  homes  against  any  invader. 


OUR  FIRST  STATUS. 

On  the  13th  of  September,  1842,  Birmingham  was  visited 
by  the  Gennan  traveller,  J.  G.  EohL  The  industries  of  the 
town  astonished  him  ;  but  in  all  other  respects  be  did  not 
think  it  entitled  to  much  praise.  He  teUs  ns  that  '^  as  far 
as  the  useful  arts  are  concerned,  Birmingham  may  be  a 
paradise,  but  with  respect  to  the  fine  arts,  it  is  a  very  desert 
Of  this  I  had  occasion  to  Convince  myself  at  the  theatre, 
where  I  made  the  disoovenr  that  even  one  of  Shakespeare's 
masterpieces  mAj  be  so'  plaved  as  to  become  weansome." 
But  even  this  ^sooveiy  dia  not  surprise  him  so  much  as 
tiie  &ct  that  we  had  only  one  statue.  He  says* "  Amonff 
the  numberless  Nelson  statoes  to  be  seen  in  00  many  EkiglisQ 
towns;,  Birmingham  has  the  smalliMt''  After  a  short  criticism 
of  the  woric,  he  adds,  ^TIob  statue,  small  as  it  is,  is  the  onlv 
one,  literally  the  only  statue  that  Birmingham  can  boast  of  i 
a  dty  of  200,000  living  specimens  of  humanity,  and  only 
one  marble  man  among  them !  In  Rome  and  Athens  there 
was  probably  a  statue  or  a  monument  for  every  fifty  in- 
habitants ;  but  even  in  cities  of  more  modem  date,  as  iierlin 
or  St  Petersbui|^,  there  will  scarcely  be  less  than  a  statue 
for  eveiy  4,000  mhabitants.  It  may  be  questionied  whether 
in  the  whole  world  another  town  of  equal  extent  and  im- 
portance could  be  found,  so  destitute  of  public  monuments 
as  Birmingham.  Not  onlv  Liverpool,  Manchester  and 
Glasgow,  but  even  Newcastle,  Bristol,  and  Hull,  have  more 
of  embeUidiment  to  boast  of,  to  say  nothing  of  sudi  magnifi- 
cent cities  as  Dublin  and  Edinbui^  BirmiMham  and 
Leeds  appear  to  me,  among  all  the  luge  towns  of  England, 
to  be  the  two  most  destitute  of  taste,  ornament  and  enjoy- 
ment" If  the  worthy  traveller  were  to  visit  us  at  the  pre- 
sent time  he  would  have  to  pass  a  different  verdict    At  iJl 


802  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

events,  he  might  leaM  that  when  he  visited  tho^^  plaide  we 
had  not  even  one  *'  marble  man,"  for  Nelson's  statue  is  in 

bronze. 

The  English  people  have  always  taken  more  interest  in, 
and  displayed  more  love  for  their  naval  than  their  military 
estabUshmenta  They  respect  and  honour  the  soldier ;  but 
they  love  as  well  as  respect  and  honour  the  sailor.  Our 
favourite  heroes,  from  Lord  High  Admiral  Howard  and  the 
"  sea-dog,"  Drake,  down  to  the  present  time  are  our  great 
naval  victors.  At  the  very  head  of  this  long  list  stands  the 
name  of  Nelson — ^the  "  saviour  of  the  silver  coasted  isle," 
the  ''  shaker  of  the  Baltic  and  the  Nile."  He  is  our  model 
hero ;  "tender  and  true,"  and  "pure from  taint  of  craven 
guile."'  When  the  news  of  his  final  victory  reached  England 
it  was  impossible  to  say  which  was  the  deepest  and  most 
manifest  feeUne  displayed— ^joy  for  the  triumph  of  our  fleets 
or  sorrow  for  tne  death  of  our  hero.  The  battle  was  fouriit 
on  October  S]^  1806,  a&d  the  news  was  received  in  Bit- 

piingham  on  November  7 1^^  *    « 

LosD  Nsc«oM*i  Yioiovr* 
KoTember  11, 1806^— Tlik  Dew%  to  glorkms  yet  *o  melaiidioljy  was 
reoelTed  in  this  town  earlj  on  Thandaj  moming»  hr  an  ezpr«M  sent 
from  Ftymonth  to  Mr.  Oottwalts.  tbe'postmaator  of  this  plaoe.  who 
took  STenr  means  to  difibae  the  Jojrfiil  bnt  nnhapiky  tidinn  x^erer 
waa  tba  lieiorioaa  bannar  ao  daricHiad  aiid  diMoloand  is  Ulia  has  batti 
IqrfhadaaibofthaflMDwan'iatnpidChis^  lliioiigii  whoaa  akOfdl 
aRanflamenta,  aided  by  eonganial  mntu^  tba  oonqnaat  waa  achisfad. 
Ibis  tell  duKxnrd  marred  tba  Miaralliannosy  of  opinion.  Ereiy  man 
aaodled  at  the  cpreatnawi  of  netey ;  bctt whan  the  priee  waa  told  tUa 
$mMU  waa  IbUowM  by aa^^'  The  ganeral  iteaalfcm  was  ana  of  glad- 
neaaebaaianadlnraofffowysaebaaithaa  asvar  befiwa  bean  aor  Mto 
witniai,  The  bella  ware  nag  with  daoga  of  joy,  bat  thoaa  demonatni* 
tioaa  of  triumph  ware  again  aoltanad  by  the  moamfhl  peal  of  muffled 
bcUa.  The  inhabtUmta  did  not  |Unminata  thehr  houea  npon  thia 
oeoaaba,  beeanaethebarothataokte^paidaTidtto  thia  plaee^  and 
who  many  tfanaaatoeaaapfeeaed  hfaMslf  highlypleaaad  with  the  taeapitioa 
be  met  with,  waa  no  mora  I  Wa  hava^  bowavafy  great  aetiafaotion  in 
atating,  from  the  moat  raapaeCahla  anthority,  that  it  ia  in  eontemplalion 
to  reqoeat  the  Hkh  Bailiff  to  oonvane  a  meeting  of  the  inhabitanti  of 


thia  town  and  ne&hboariioody  to  oonalder  of  the  beat  meana  of  teatiijf- 
irananmon 


ing  their  iranaialkn  and  aateea  for  the  diaffactcr  of  the  eonqnaror 
of  the  battlaa  of  Abonkhr,  OopaeliagiD,  and  Chdis ;  and  of  handing 
down  to  the  lateat  poataritjr  a  memorial  of  their  giatitada  fbr  hia 
nnezampled  aenrioea  to  hia  fing  and  Oovntty. 

The  paper  of  the  aame  date  also  contained  the  foUowingi 
in  Iai]ge.t7pey  leaded : — 

Mors  OLoaioua  Ncwa ! ! ! 

Nor,  11, 1805.— Jrif*«  OasetU  Office,  half  paat  elcren  o*dock.  Sunday 
nigihl— Wa  atop  the  preae  to  annonnee  that  Mr.  Oottwalts,  the  Foat- 


OUR  FIRST  STATUE.  303 

master  of  this  town  hus  this  moment  received  an  Express  from  the 
Postmaster  of  Bristol,  containing  the  following  despatch  from  Mr. 
Hawker^  agent,  at  Pljn\oath : — 

"Plymouth,  November  9,  1865. 

"  His  Majesty's  ship  JSolns  is  jnst  amved,  and  brings  an  aocount 
that  the  Cs^ar,  Sir  Richard  Strachan,  Conragenz,  Lee,  Bellona,  Pater, 
Namar,  Halsted,  Goliath,  Barton,  fell  in  with  the  Rochefort  Squadron, 
and  captured  Foub  Sail  of  Frsnoh  Ships  of  the  Like,  commanded 
bv  Du  Monore,  a  Rear  Admiral,  and  it  is  said  he  is  on  board  the 
JSolns,  and  his  flag  has  been  sent  on  shore  to  our  port — I  am,  &c., 
&c,  J.  Hawker. 

''P.S. — I  have  just  learned  bv  a  note  from  Admiral  Young  to 
General  England  that  the  four  sail  were  of  the  number  of  those  which 
escaped  from  Admiral  Collingwood's  Fleet." 

Lady  Pellew  has  a  letter  from  Captain  Halsted,  which  states  that 
hiB  ship  has  not  suffered  much  in  the  action,  and  confirms  the  account 
that  the  four  nil  were  part  of  the  Cadiz  Fleets  which  came  out  of  that 
port  ttfter  the  defeat  of  the  Combined  Fleet  The  action  lasted  three 
noun  and  an  hal^  and  only  thirteen  killed  and  wounded  in  the  engage- 
ment 

The  mourning  for  Nelson^s  death  was  nniversaL  Eveiy 
Englishman  shared  in  the  general  sorrow,  and  a  whole 
nation  put  on 'the  weeds  of  grief  A  correspondent  made 
the  following  suggestion,  which,  in  this  town,  at  least,  was 
generally  adoptra : — 

To  the  PrkUen  of  AtUb  Birmmgham  OateOe. 
(November  11, 1805. — Gevxral  MouairiNo. — ^A«  it  is  unquettionablj 
the  wish  of  enury  Bdtiah  soul  to  shew  tome  diitinguisbed  mark  of 
vespeei  to  the  meiiKwy  of  our  late  gidlant  Nelaoii,  sAd  as  it  is  veiy 
improbable^  beeanae  it  nji^t  bt  improper  for  manj  leaaona.  that 
Government  should  order  a  mblie  moonung  for  him,  I  would  take  the 
liberty  of  sugratiiig  a  mode  oj  which  the  spontaneous  sentiment  of  the 
nation,  or  ratoer  of  evenr  individual  in  it,  might  be  expressed  without 
even  the  ezpence  of  a  blade  garment,  for  the  expeuee  would  prevent 
many  anxiooa  hearts  from  showing  the  respect  they  feel ;  and  the  late 
Court  mourning  having  supplied  what  might  be  called  the  genteeler 
part  of  the  oommunitv  witn  sable  habOimenta,  the  appearance  of  a 
partial  mourning  would,  at  this  moment  £dl  to  be  a  distinction  of  that 
unportanee  whioi  the  case  demands,  it  will,  no  doubt,  occur  to  you 
that  the  militaiy  style  of  expressing  mourning  by  a  black  scarf  on  the 
arm  is  not  only  the  most  eof^euous  but  the  simplest  and  cheapest;  i^ 
therefore,  this  mode  was  to  be  adopted  bv  those  that  have  not  mourning 
already  bj  thein,  there  is  no  ooubt  but  it  would  instantaneously 
become  general,  for  every  one  (except  those  whose  religious  teoeU  do 
not  allow  then  to  wear  theee  symbols  of  ffrief),  could  directly  furnish 
himaelf  with  a  yard  of  crape,  or  even  a  riboon,  and  this  mode  baa  the 
advantage  of  enablfaig  the  poor,  as  well  as  those  in  easy  circumstances, 
to  express  their  sense  of  gratitude  and  respect  to  the  memoiy  of  an 
hero  of  such  wonderful  achievements.  Yours,  &c. 

In  less  than  a  weelc  after  the  receipt  of  the  news  tho 

cneigetic  spirit  of  tlie  town  displayed  itself  in  discussing  the 

question,  Uow  best  to  do  honour  to  the  memory  of  the  dead  ? 


304  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

On  November  19  we  read,  ''The  High  Bailiff  has  convened 
a  general  meeting  of  the  inhabitants  of  this  town  and 
neighbourhood  on  Friday  next,  to  take  into  consideration 
some  plan  for  erecting  a  Monument,  Statue,  or  Pillar  to  the 
memoiy  of  the  late  gallant  hero.  Lord  Nelson,  which,  wo 
doubt  not,  will  be  most  numerously  attended.  The  erection 
of  some  kind  of  monument  to  the  memory  of  such  departed 
greatness  is  most  certainly  due  from  every  commercial  place, 
and  the  inhabitants  of  this  town  will,  we  trust,  hold  out  a 
most  noble  example  of  what  should  be  done  to  commemorate 
a  man  that  has  so  often  raised  the  drooping  spirits  of  his 
country.  Whatever  plan  is  adopted,  whetiier  statue  or 
pillar,  it  will,  no  doubt,  be  erected  in  the  most  frequented 
part  of  the  place,  the  oftener  to  excite  emulation  in  others. 
The  spot  near  where  the  old  Cross  once  stood  is  suggested 
as  the  properest  place,  as  there  the  inhabitants  and  stran^rs 
will  have  more  fSrequent  opportunities  of  being  reminded  of 
a  character  which  holds  out  so  many  objects  of  imitation-^ 
as  a  warrior,  a  christian,  and  a  man !  We  hope  and  trust 
that  a  dutiful  and  loyal  address  of  congratulation  and 
condolence  to  his  Majesty,  on  account  of  the  late  victories 
and  death  of  Lord  Nelson,  will  be  adopted  at  the  Town's 
Meeting  to  be  held  on  Friday.** 

The  meeting  was  held  on  November  23,  and  it  was 
''iinanimoasly  resolved  that  some  monument^  statue,  or 
piUar  should  be  erected,  by  subscription,  in  this  town,  to 
commemorate  the  glorious  achievements  of  the  Hero  thai 
fouriitk  conquered,  and  fell  at  the  battle  of  TiafiJgar.*' 

One  enthusiiatic  correspondent  advocated  a 

Naval  Folab. 
To  tlie  Frintera— GentlemeB,— To  sueh  a  mui  at  Knjov,  djiaf 


saoh  a  death  m  man  who  powaw ed  the  qwiddam  divinwrn 
Sc^noif  and  who  died  the  death  of  Epaminonda^  gialefal  antiquity 
wonld  anfleriy  faaTa  ereoted  monument^  statoee,  trophiee,  the  navil 
pillar,  and  the  triompbal  ardL  Britain,  iDheriting  the  Boman  soul, 
will,  no  doubt,  soon  exhibit  dmilar  veneration  for  her  departed  warrior, 
the  oravest  ainong  the  hraTe,  the  pattern  of  the  ofltoer.  and  the  darling 
of  the  sailor.  Almdr  hat  the  poet  stroBg  his  Ijre,  tne  sealptor  pie« 
psred  his  diieel,  ana  the  pidnter  his  ooloara  Birmingham  esnnoi' 
endure  to  be  left  behind  in  thii  glorioos  eompetition  to  lament  and 
mise  a  eommander  who  can  never  be  soiBeientlT  lamented  and  prais«L 
To  Birmingham  the  name  of  Nebon  la  endeared  oj  a  train  of  interest 
Ing  reooUeotiona  Not  long  ainee  oar  beilei  which  the  other  dajr 
mourned  hia  death  with  mofBod  aoaode,  annoanoed  in  damonra  of 
Joj  hie  hMppy  arriral  among  na  Well  do  oor  gentrj  reoollect  bis 
manlj,  eondeeoending  politoneei^  and  onr  popnlaoe  bie  noble  weather- 
beaten  eonntenanee.    lie  gare  and  he  receiTed  genuine  eatisfaetion ; 


OUR  FIEST  STATUE.  805 

spibke  IB  raptnroiis  terms  of  our  ingenmty  and  improvementt,  and  was 
perfectly  delighted  with  oar  loyalty  and  public  spirit  Shall  we,  of  all 
others,  be  deficient  in  testimonies  of  respect  and  affection  to  the  man 
who  respected  as ;  the  hero  who  has  served  his  ooantrr  with  the  loss  of 
his  invalaable  life  ?    Forbid  it  E^tish  gratitade  and  British  feeling  ! 

With  pride  and  pleasure  be  it  announced  that  it  is  in  immediate 
contemplation  to  erect  in  this  town  a  public  memorial  to  such  exalted 
virtae ;  and  it  is  humbly  saggested  that  a  Nayal  Pillar  will  be  the 
most  appropriate  and  the  most  dassical,  and  that  a  tribute  of  Birming- 
ham gratitude  will  look  better  if  executed  by  Birmingham  artists,  who, 
there  is  abundant  reason  to  belieye,  are  fully  adequate  to  the  subject. 

Such  a  memorial  will  be  far  more  meritorious  than  those  whidi 
decorate  the  ci^  of  Borne.  The  pillars  of  Trajan  and  of  Antonine 
were  erected  to  gratify  Tain-glorious  conquerors,  while  ours  will  owe , 
its  origin  to  pumic  gratitude  and  veneration  for  the  best  and  bravest 
of  our  Admirals,  who  seemed  peculiariy  destined  to  revive  the  droop- 
inff  spirits  of  his  country :  wno,  after  a  series  of  achievements  equally 
spte&did  and  opportuxie,  and  after  having  been  repeatedly  mangled  in 
our  service,  died,  nmlingl^  died,  in  the  midst  of  onpanJleled  victory* 
This  cannot  be  construed  into  a  miuii»,maiM^  an  empty  unavailing 
honour :  on  the  eontranr,  it  has  a  direct  tendency  to  animate  posteri^ 
to  dmilar  ezploiti^  and  Ibrm  the  firtore  hera  Such  monumeDts  of 
piety  and  patriotism  as  the  t*RU  Ohubos  and  NxLMUi'a  GoLUior  will 
throw  a  wreath  of  gloiy  roond  Birmingham  to  **  the  Isst  syllable  of 
noorded  time."  I  ami  Qentlemen,  youci^  &a 

The  subscriptions  came  in  lapidly.  In  a  fortnight  £1,600 
had  been  promised,  and  the  treasurer,  before  the  dose  of  the 
year,  had  purchased  £600  in  the  Four  per  centa  with  a  part 
of  the  sum  collected. 

Ndson  was  buried  in  St  Paul's  Oathedral,  on  tEe  9th  of 
January,  and  ^the  bells  of  the  churches  in  this  town  b^gaa 
tolling  at  six  o'clock  in  the  mo^linfi^  and  continued  the 
mournful  knell  throughout  the  day.  The  same  testimonies 
of  reverence  and  attawment  were  observed,  on  this  occasion, 
by  the  neighbouring  towns  and  parishes.*'  * 

In  Hay,  1806,  the  committee  received  models  and  designs 
from  several  artists  for  the  proposed  memorial ;  and  from  a 
paragraph  which  appeared  on  the  19th  we  learn  something 
of  the  diversity  or  opinion  which  prevailed  on  thisf  sub- 
ject:— 

Nblbo«%  Pillab. 

The  quettion  will  soon  be  brought  before  the  rabeeriben,  for  their 
dedilon,  whether  a  moauiiMnt,  etafiie^  or  olllar,  ie  to  be  araeted  la  this 
town  to  the  memory  of  Lord  NelBOii.  A  eomepoodeat  augsests : — 
^That  a  pllkr  would  be  the  moat  appropriate  memorial  tluS  can  be 
arected  to  perpetuate  the  name  of  the  illuetriooe  diieC  Oar  departed 
hero,  who  was  omnpoeed  of  materials  truly  Britieh,  might  be  justly  com- 
pared to  a  stately  £nglieh  oak,  that  has  long  undauntedly  stood  the 
rsTa^  of  etorms  and  tempeete:  therefore,  to  eommemorats  Nelson's 
heroic  deed%  some  pillar  ahoold  raise  its  eleTatad  head,  which,  like  the 

n.  X 


306  A  CENTtTRT  OF  BISMINQHAH  LIFE. 

'giant  of  the  forest,' inllboseeiiaiidbdveiientedywillendareiaidbe 
admired,  for  ages  long  to  come."  Another  correspondent  recommends 
tiiat  the  funds  should  be  expended  in  a  charitable  purpose. 

*'  Our  ingeoious  townsman,''  Mr.  Hollins,  desired  to  com** 
bine  the  useful  and  the  beautiful  in  the  following  rather 

peculiar  manner : — 

Lord  Nelson. 
June  9th,  1806. — Our  ingenious  townsman,  Mr.  HoUina^  has  made  a 
drawing  of  a  memorial  to  be  erected  in  this  town,  which  consists  of  a 
pillar  one  hundred  fiset  high,  vith  an  ajapropriaU  buUdinff  wth  two 
jroniSf  mtUabU  for  a  ditpauoartf  and  a  poU-^jfiee^  or,  for  ciker  pMic 
butinstt.  The  pilao,  we  doubt  luyC^  will  meet  the  sui^Kxrt  of  a  lur^  ma> 
jority  of  the  subscribem  to  the  Nelson  Fund,  as  it  at  once  combines  a 
regard  to  the  memoiy  of  our  naval  conqueror,  the  cause  d  humanitjy 
of  public  usefulnesfl^  and  will  be  a  great  onianient  to  the  place.  The 
drawing  may  now  be  seen  at  the  printers  of  this  p^wr. 

From  a  large  nxmiber  of  letters  which  appeared  on  this 
sul^ect^  I  sel^  three  which  will  show  at  once  the  interest 
which  it  ezdted,  and  the  diversity  of  opinion  amongst  the 
leaders  in  the  proposed  memoiiaL  Thej  axe  all  from  the 
Gazette  of  June  9th,  1806. 

LoBor  Nklsov. 

That  a  proposal  to  unite  substantial  Good  witii  a  gratefbl  Hianiorial 
should  eitbar  oe  censured  or  ridiculed,  to  impartisl  minds^  miHt  appear 
estnordlnaxy.  But  Oeosuie  and  Bidienle^when  imivopsrij  diieete^ 
have  ndtherFcroa  nor  Pdgnaacj.  It  is  impossible  tnat  aar  JEtaprssen- 
tatioQ  ol  the  departed  Hero  should  be  mistakoD,  as  that'  Aleyander  or 
Julius  OMsr  should  be  forgotten.  Itis  little  toihe  Purpose  to  stats 
bj  wliom  ths  Proposal  was  first  made ;  bst  the  lasinustlMtthal  It  Is 
bitNight  fivwaid  fai  OompUaiMs  with  tha  Wiriiss  of  a  eertain  DsiMni^ 
tkm  of  ChristiaDS  is  at  ones  arropeooi^lnTidioq^  and  iirdetant.  The 
Plea  of  Deoeptioii  upon  the  Gontribntors  fiJls  to  the  Gromid,  when 
they  themsslTes  are  rsspeetliillrrsquestsd  to  direct  the  amogemoDt  of 
the  Plan;  anditwillnotbeeasjtoprofs  thal|WhsotwoI>es|giiBavs 
iBTitedyOiieol  themisdsBtiojedorn^Qrsd.  A  plain  Uttdsistsodlm 
would  rather  iafai  hat  saehwOl  atrnyUMn  the  oOier  and  that  the 
Adfooates  of  sadi  an  Union  naj  Uj  Claim  to  as  unsuUled  TfuHj  of 
Intention  as  thejr  who  oppose  it:  and  all  should  rsooUeet,  that  no  siieh 
Pnri^  can  exist  where  tbBrs  is  Uie  least  Iiiitalioii  or  Besentment 

June  7th,  1808.  &  Paaarann^ 

To  the  Printers^— Gentlemenr-The  Odnmns  of  your  P^mt  prove 
that  there  ia  some  amicablo  Discord  respeeting  the  Mode  of  celebntiQg 
our  illmtriotti  Hsro^  ^hattl^-daifC*  llie  patrietie  Oppositioiiists  am/ 
be  diTided  into  throe  CSaasos:  the  first  and  most  aumeroiMaro  in  fiiToar 
of  a  Naval  Pillar,  cr  trophied  Ooluma ;  the  seoond  prefer  a  Brwue 
Statue ;  and  the  third,  small  in  Kumbor,  but  highhr  roopeetahlo  ia 
Chaiaetor,  seem  dosiroiis  of  oonneeting  the  NaiM  of  xfelson  with  an 
enlarged  Dispeniacy.  With  deforonco  to  my  FeUow-8abeeriber%  I 
cannot  help  giTing  a  decided  preference  to  the  first  Mode  of  Calebratioii. 
as  the  most  classiwil  and  apprcqpriate,  the  most  diaractsristie  ana 
sublime.    Cosunon  Heroes  have  been  honoured  with  Statues :  Neiaoii*s 


OUR  FIEST  STATUE.  307 

Merits  are  o£€oiou(d  Magnitude :  compared  with  the  Grandeur  of  his 
AehieFements  a  mere  Statoe,  whether  of  Bronze  or  of  Marble^  dwindles 
into  Insignificance.  M^  Feelinfi;8  will  not  suffer  me  for  a  Moment  to 
countenance  sndi  a  trivial  Tribute  to  transcendent  Excellence.  Milton 
seems  to  have  been  of  the  same  Opinion  when,  speaking  of  Shakespeare, 
he  eajs, — 

**  What  needs  my  Shakespeare,  for  his  honouiM  Bones, 

The  Labour  of  an  Age  in  piled  Stones, 

Or  that  his  hallow'd  Eelics  should  be  hid 

Under  a  staz^ypointed  Pyramid  Y 
.  .    Bear  SonofMemorj,  flreatHttrofFame, 

What  need*st  thou  such  weak  Witness  of  th  j  Name  ? 

.Thou,  in  our  Wonder  and  Astonishment, 

JQast  built  th jMlf  a  live-long  Monument^ 

And  so  sepuldu'd  in  such  Pomp  dost  lie, 

That  Kings  far  such  a  Tomb  would  wish  to  die  f ' 

The  loftj  Qenius  of  Milton  never  thought  of  such  a  pun j  Memorial  as 
a  Statue ;  be  ^xm  upon  a  "star-yp(iintlng  l^iamid"  as  the  noblest 
IMbuta  of  natiopsl  Esteem,  but  considered  even  iAai  unaecesBaiy, 
beeanse  Shakespeare,  like  Kelsoo.  was  **  aqraldired  in  the  Bm*t" 

Tet^  though  the  Pillar  towers  &r  above  the  Statue  in  P(dnt  of  Qran- 
denr  aad  Sublimity,  itasems  desiiable  to  pfssenre  the  Lineaments  of 
the  Hera^  scnlptuxM  by  the  Hand  of  Qenius  in  ^mrlaHi)^  Baaas ;  and 
it  is  equalij  Aesirahle  that  his  glorious  Lift^  and  still  more  glorious 
Death,  alioold  operate  «a  a  Stimulus  to  Benevdenoe  and  Humanity. 
Hene^  tberefiiriL  it  is  devoutly  to  be  wished  that  tliese  thrse  Sdiemes 
ahould  be  combined  in  one  grand  Wliole^  and  that  a  Plan  ahould  be 
adopted  that  would  cquaUly  gnlijQr  the  Lonrer  of  his  Gountiy,  the  Ama- 
teur of  the  Aiti^  and  the  Atnm  of  the  Side  aad  helpless  Poor.  On 
thiabtoad,  libenl,  and  aeoommodaliii^  Principle,  Mr.  W.  Hollins,  a 
Native  of  this  Town  (whose  Ii^gsiiuitv  is  well  known,  aad  whoss  Nali- 
vity,  I  trusty  will  Botopente  to  his  DisadvaatageX  has  diawna  Plan 
worthy  la  mj  Opiaion,  of  Sukgium  aad  Adopuoo.  It  eontaias  a 
adbla  Qreeian  Hated  PlUar,  100  fiet  hig)^  fnpaij  embellished,  aad 
nf^i^ffrt^^P^gff^  with  aa  intemsl  Btairoassb  At  the  Bcttwa  are  thrse 
graad  Cooipaitneata,  oa  whidi  may  be  sealptorsd,  ia  high  or  low 
Belief  the  BMst  nleadid  of  the  Kelaonie  Tieloffis%  aad  abuadaat  Spaes 
is  lessired  ia  a  Nidie  fiir  the  latroduelioa  of  the  fitvourile  Broaas 
Statue.  As  a  baek  Ground  to  this  nsgaifieeat  Column,  he  has  desigaed 
aa  Edillesuequally  eonuiodious  aad  elefuit,  one  Fsrt  of  which  may  be 
used  as  a  JOisMassiy,  aad  the  other  aa  a  Post  Officer  The  Sitaatioa 
proposed  is  the  Bottom  of  Bull  Street,  oa  the  Suppositioa  of  Mr. 
&a|ght*s  House  beiag  takea  dowa.  Itisspadousaadeoospieuousyaad 
beiageeatialiseUgiEKpartieuhtflvwithrmsettoaPeetOAes.  The 
Whdewill  famastrikhtf  AassmUage of  Uee uaited  with  Oraameat 
aad  PlUriolism  with  Oharitv. 

The  only  rational  Olgectton  to  this  Plaa  Is  a  dlf/teAweriisisii,  orla- 
■ufleieaey  of  Itod ;  but  let  it  be  eoasldersd,  that  the  Advocates  of  a 
Dispeasaiy  will,  it  is  hoped,  ealarge  their  fiinBer8aboeriptions,aad  that 
aa  opuleat  aad  liberal  Seel,  who  detest  War,aad  shudder  evea  at  Military 
Heroisn^  will,  it  Is  ezpeeted,  aiake  a  haadeome  Doaation  to  the  same 
ezesUeat  Charity.  Add  to  this  that  then  is  ao  Beason  to  distrust  the 
LibenJity  of  Miaister^  should  that  Put  of  the  Plaa  which  leguds  the 
Post  Offiee  be  adopted;  aad  that  thsj  will  do  so^  we  may  roadily  believe^ 


308  A  CENTUBT  OF  BIBMINQHAH  LIFE. 

since  it  is  connected  with  the  liobleet  Principles  and  most  patriotid 
Views,  and  will  be  equally  honourable  to  the  Town  and  advantageons 
to  the  Kingdom.  Lsetlj,  let  it  be  considered  that  great  Efforts,  though 
uosaccessraiy  are  always  meritorions.  A  Subscribsb. 

Mdcort  of.  Lord  Nelsov. 

To  the  Frinter& — ^Had  I  not  read  in  the  Commercial  Herald  of  the 
Second  Instant,  in  the  Reasons  given  for  preferring  a  Statue  to  a  Pillar 
with  Astonishment,  ''.Because  thereat  present  exists  no  situation  in 
Birmingham,  in  which  a  Pillar  can  be  advantageously  placed,**  I  should 
not  have  troubled  you  with  any  Thoughts  of  mine ;  but  have  now  to 
beff  the  Favour  of  you  to  publish,  in  your  Paper  of  Monday  next^  the 
following  Seasons  why  I  tnink  a  Pillar  preferable  to  a  Statue : — 

Not  because  there  is  not  any  Person  in  Birmingham  who  msj  be 
competent  to  the  Completion  m.  a  Bronze  Statue,  Imt  because  a  PUlar 
would  be  a  much  more  conspicuous  Ornament^  and  may  be  so  constructed 
as  always  to  convey  the  Idea  lor  which  it  was  erected.  Because  there 
are  Artists  in  this  Place  who  are  capable  of  designing  and  erecting  a 
Plllary  which  will  do  Credit  to  the  Town  and  Honour  to  the  depaiied 
Hero.  'Beoaose  it  may  be  composed  of  Materials,  and  in  a  Manner, 
that  will  last  for  Ages  without  Kepair,  and  be  of  dngular  Use  in  the 
Celebration  of  all  future  Naval  YictorieSi  Because  there  is  ahready  ex- 
isting In  this  Town  a  place  where  a  Pflhv  may  be  erected  with  eveiy 
'Advantage  of  Uniformity  of  Building  and  ElevaUon  of  Ground.  And 
the  Plaee  alloded  to  Is  now  wiihctitaBy  specific  Titles  except  that  of  its 
qaadrangnlar  IVmOtthan  which  I  know  not  wlmt  can  be  more  appropri- 
ate to  the  Bsseof  aPOlar,  and  henceforth  bmt  be  called  NelsoniB  oquare^ 
whieh  will  perpetuate  the  memory  of  our  Hero  to  the  latest  Posterity. 
Because  It  n  presumed  that  this  Ground  mav  be  had  without  expenoe 
to  the  Town,  and  whattvermay  be  ereoled  m  the  Centre  thereot  will 
not  only  be  seen  from  the  Grand  ▲vennes  of  the  Town,  but  at  the  great- 
est disteiiee  fitim  the  Plaosb  it  being  fMMv /Waters  elevated  than  any 
Spot  where  endhaBqUdingeanirith  any  h^opi  iety  be  pbced.  Because 
h  may  be  less  liable  to  Aeddents  fai  tfafe  IW  y«t  eoilleieBt];  aeeo,  than 
if  erseled  In  a  more  fmbllo  Bltoaftftoa  If  this  Ground  can  be  had,  the 
EkveUoii  will  be  proeeeded  vpoo  wlihovt  Ddar,  and  If  a  proper  FWee 
be  pot  rovnd  the  FlUar  there  will  be  no  Occasion  for  the  prseent  Bail- 
fng,  wlisrsli;y  the  pssssge  through  the  Square  will  be  rmdered  much 
more  eoainodiooa.  and,  I  triMti  thought  oongsnial  with  the  present 
libsral^prsvalling  Spirit  of  Improvement 

Jnne  7U^  1808.  Mnoavom. 

..All  these  differenoes  of  opinion  were  set  et  rest  at  a 
meeting  of  the  tub8criben»  held  on  June  18th,  at  which  it 
was  reaolved  that  a  statna  ihonld  be  ereeted  firom  the  model 
pneented  hj  Mr.  Weetmaoott^  and  a  committee  was 
appointed  ''to  canv  the  reeolution  into  effect**  At 
another  meeting,  held  at  the  beginning  of  December,  1807* 
the  aite  waa  detennined : — 

NnM>v*a  Statcb. 

December  7th,  1807.— At  a  meetiaf  hM*  week  the  committee  uh 

poiated  by  the  aobaoriben  for  rueing  a  stetoe  hi  this  town  to  toe 

ttsmeiTof  Lord  NelsoB,  ICr.  Weotmaeott,  the  artist  employed,  being 

pcesstt^  it  waa  rssolved  the  most  eUgible  plaoe  to  erect  a  aUOaeb  when 


:OUE  FIBST  STATUE.  309 

finished,  will  be  the  centre  of  the  Market  Place,  nearly  oppoeite  to  the 
I>og  Inn,  subject^  however,  to  the  approval  of  the  Commiseioners  of 
the  Street  Acta.    The  statue,  we  understand,  is  in  great  forwardness. 

The  Jubilee  Day  of  Qeorge  III.  was  selected  on  which  to 
open  the  Nelson  statue.  At  midnight  the  scaffolding  was 
taken  down,  the  people  assisting  the  workmen  in  their 
labours ;  and  such  was  their  enthusiasm  that  the  whole  was 
removed  in  a  few  minutes.  On  October  25,  1809,  amid 
great  rejoicing,  the  Statue  was  opened  to  the  public.  A 
description  of  the  work  from  the  pen  of  the  sculptor,  Mr. 
Westmacott,  was  distributed  to  those  present,  and  is  as 
follows : — 

In  this  work,  intended  to  perpetuate  the  frreatest  example  of  naval 

genius,  simplicity  iias  beeen  the  chief  object  in  the  arrangement  The 
ero  is  represented  in  a  reposed  and  dignified  attitude,  his  left  arm 
reclining  on  an  anchor ;  ne  appears  in  the  costume  of  his  native 
eounti^,  invested  with  the  ins^piia  of  those  honours  bj  which  his 
sovereign  and  distant  princes  distinguished  him.  To  the  rtsht  of  the 
statue  uie  grand  symbol  of  the  navu  profession  is  introduced  Victory, 
the  constant  attendant  upon  her  fitvourite  hero,  embellishes  the  prow. 
To  the  left  is  disposed  a  sidl,  which,  beinf^  placed  behind  the  statue^ 
gives  breadth  to  tnat  view  of  the  composition.  Above  the  ship  is  a 
&e  simile  of  the  Flag  Staff  Truck  of  L'OrienL  which  was  fished  up  by 
Sir  Samuel  Hood  the  dav  following  the  battle  of  the  Kile,  and  pre- 
Moted  by  himflo  Lord  if elson,  the  same  being  deposited  at  Mitlord  as 
a  trophy  of  that  ever  memorable  aetloiL  This  group  is  mounted 
upon  a  pedestal  of  statuary  marble,  a  cireular  form  having  been 
■elected  as  best  adapted  to  the  sitnation.  To  personify  that  affectionate 
regard  which  caused  the  present  patriotic  Uibute  to  be  raised,  the 
town,  Birmingham,  is  representea  in  a  dejected  attitude,  murallv 
crowned,  mourning  her  loss ;  she  being  accompanied  by  jRoups  of  genii, 
or  diildren,.in  allusbn  to  the  rising  geueration,  who  offer  consolation 
to  her,  by  producing  tLe  trident  and  the  rudder. 

In  fitmt  of  the  pedestal  is  the  following  inscription : — 

This  Statctb 

Iv    Hovoun   or 

Admiral 

Lord     Nblsov 

Was  Ebbctxd 

BTTHS 

IVHABITAVTS    OF     BlRVIVOBAM. 

A.D.  lf.DOOC.IZ. 

The  whole  is  enckwed  by  bon  palisadoes,  in  the  fonn  of  boarding 

gees,  connected  by  a  twisted  cable,  and  at  each  of  the  four  corners  is 
ed  a  cannon  ereet^  from  whidi  issues  a  lamp  post,  repres<mflng  a 
duster  of  pikes  supporting  a  dhip  lantern. 

Mr.  Joseph  Farror,  an  aactioneer,  who  lived  in  Hififa 
Street,  bequeathed  the  sum  of  sixpence  per  week,  to  be 
naid  for  ever  out  of  the  rent  of  a  house  in  Bradford  Street^ 
for  cleaning  the  statue  and  basement  The  money  to  be 
received  by  the  churchwardens  of  St  Martin's. 


310  A  CENTURY  OF  BIBMINGHAM  LIFE. 

The  first  mention  of  oilr  townsman,  Mr.  Samuel  lines, 
the  artisl,  is  in  connection  with  Nelson's  Statue.  On 
November  6,  1809,  a  short  paragraph  informs  us  that  "  Mr. 
Samuel  Lines,  drawing  master,  of  this  place,  has  published 
an  accurate  likeness  of  the  Nelson  Statue,  erected  in  this 
town,  drawn  and  etched  by  himself." 


APPEARANCE  OF  THE  TOWN.  311 


CHAPTER  III.— 1811-1821. 


§  1.      APPEARANCE  OF  THE  TOWN. 

Slowly,  but  surely,  the  town  is  encroaching  on  thecountiy, 
and,  bit  by  bit,  Birmingham  is  losing  its  niral  picturesoue- 
ness  and  country  aspect  It  wUi  be  a  long  time  yet  before 
all  its  gardens  and  pleasant  suburbs  are  absorbed  by  the 
growing  demand  for  new  habitations  for  the  ever-increasing 
people.  The  rapid  growth  of  population  is  especially  due 
to  the  enormous  immigration  which  was  continually  going 
on  from  all  the  surrounding  towns  and  villa^^,  and  from 
places  far  away  throughout  the  kin^om.  We  shall  see 
that  the  pleasant  vales  and  beautiful  hill  countiy  of  Wales 
send  their  quota  of  food-seekers  hero,  who  formed  quite  a 
little  colony  to  themselves.  From  the  east;,  and  from  the 
west^  and  m>m  the  north,  and  from  the  south,  they  came ; 
and  all  strangers  wero  welcome.  For  Birmingham  was  a 
free  town,  rfo  guild  or  corporation  impo^  rules  of 
restriction  unon  citizenship;  and  so  the  industrious,  the 
in£;enious,  ana  the  persevering,  found  this  their  natural  home, 
whero  each  could  develop  his  abilities  unfettered,  and  at 
once  profit  by  the  gifts  with  which  he  was  endowed.  Still, 
notwithstanding  uus  perpetual  flow  of  immigrants,  the 
town  continued  for  some  vears  yet  to  wear  those  counfay 
robes  of  garden  and  field,  which,  combined  with  ito 
admirable  situation,  made  it>  even  in  the  memories  of  men 
not  farther  advanced  towaixb  the  '^sero  and  yellow  leaf" 
than  the  present  writer,  a  place  lovely  to  behold.  The 
stranger  visiting  us  in  this  year  of  mce,  1868,  can  form  no 
idea  of  the  extreme  beauty  of  the  Birmingham  of  the 
present  decade. 

We  now  proceed  to  cull  a  few  examples  iHustrative  of  the 
appearance  of  the  town  between  1811  and  1821.  And  first 
we  quote  two  advertisements  of  gardens  at  Summer  Hill : — 


312  A  CENTURY  OF  BIBMINOHAM  LIFE. 

March  16,  1812. — ^To  be  Sold,  and  immediate  FoaBesBioD  giren, 
a  Garden,  No.  72,  in  the  Upper  Walk,  &cing  the  Bottom  of  Sammer 
TTiH  Terrace,  in  a  high  State  of  Coltiyation,  and  well  planted  with 
▼aloable  and  neeftiljmiit  Trees  in  full  Bearing ;  there  are  two  laige 
and  productive  Aspaxagos  Bedii,  a  Brick  Sammer  Hooae,  with  boarded 
Floor,  Tool-honae  a4joining^  Ac,  &a 

The  next  adveriiseinent  takes  us  to  a  place  onoe  fieunoiis 

for  pleasant  rambles  in  the  '^gloaming."    It  was  the  haunt 

of  '^ happy  lovers/'  and  hence  its  nama    Yet  this  ''Love 

Lane"  vras  close  to  the  Crescent;  and  very  appropriately 

close  to  the  Cottage  of  Content : — 

GABDnr  OH  Saul 
May  11,  1818.— To  be  Bold,  a  Qardcoi  in  Lore  Lane^  near  the 
Ootta^B  of  Content,  well  planted  with  Qooeeherrr  and  Conant  Treeg^ 
fine  Baspberriei^  Fiowera  Shrahi^  fta,  and  stocked  with  iispan«iia 
and  YogetaUes  of  Tariooa  Idnc^  containing  a  Siuuner  Hoom^  a  shaded 
8eat»  &&    The  Bent  is  one  Qoinea  per  Annwn. 

At  this  date  Camden  Hill  Villa  vtbb  a  very  pleasant 

countiy  residence ;  .a  house  to  which  a  wealthy  .merchant 

or  a  hard-worked  professional  gentleman  could  retire  at 

the  end  of  the  day  and  enjoy  his  Mitfm  with  satiiifaction : — 

Gakdbi  Hux  YiLLa.    - 

April  26,  1813^To  be  Bold,  by  private  Oontraet^  thai  beantifid 
Villa,  the  Beddenee  of  Mr.  John  fiekerinff,  ddk^tfoUj  situated  on 
Ounden  Hill,  in  the  Keighboariiood  of  Ladj  Wood,  Bbmingham 
Haath^and  Boho^  and  coimnandlng  in  Tngpeei  the  Dndlij  and  Bowkj 
Hill%  ttor  Beaoon,and  an  ScteiU  of  cidi  m  Tiriad  Ctaataj. 

^e  Bioase  is  a  modem  Btractnrab  with  a  Btona  Piortioo  and  Steps  to 
the  IVont^  and  Verandahs  to  the  principal  Wlndowii  eoptalning  Break- 
frst Boom,  16 hr  14;  Pittloiir,  18 br  16;  BlBiiiig Boau^  tl  bji6;  and 
sern  Lod^^  Boemi^  with  Oot^mees  eompls^  oil  a  aieat  eoBT^ 
Han*  •  ■■    •/    *  .  .   t       .  ■ 

The  Lawn,  omamaotal  Plantation,  and  Qaideos  are  taiteftillT  laid 
ovt^  and  the  whole  forms  one  of  the  most  pleasant  and  deslmble 
Beridenees  in  the  Vlei^  of  Bbmioriiam. 

Apply  to  Mr.  R*W.  dem,  Roaettor,  Kaw  BtMst 

Sommer  Bow  was  at  tins  period  'a  place  of  gaidens- 
Qnly  those  who  remember  this  state  of  thinge  can  fiiUy 
rselise  the  picture  contained  in  the  following  advertise- 
ment}-^ 

May  31, 1813/— A  Urg$  and  wnr  prodaetifa  OAanor  to  be  Bolol  ta 
iki/mAm  9f0mdm»  bejfamd  StUmrdm  Bntfj^mtk^  Mood  iotJ^ 
SoMd  Pin,  in  an  axeellent  atate  of  CBmnUloo.*-Appl7  J.  JeaTom^ 
Gardener,  No.  10^  Sammer  Bow. 

From  Summer  Bow  we  pass  to  Holloway  Head,  and 

there  we  find  houses  not  only  witii  Gardens,  bat  Orchards: — 

Jane  7, 1813.— A.  Pleasnt  Hooee  to  be  Let,  and  may  Im  aDteied 
vpon  immadfaitelx,  sitaate  near  the  WbdmlU,  Easter  Bow,  vith  a  good 
Gardea,  Ordiard,  and  Soft  Watar.  Bentmodsfate.— Af^j  Mr.  Jarrii^ 
Lombard  Hoese^  Deritend; 


APP£iRAKC£  OF  THE  TOWN.  313 

The  Streets  were  not  kept  in  a  very  good  condition  by  our 
forefathers.  The  reports  of  accidents  aiising  from  the  bad- 
ness of  the  roads  are  common.  We  have  not  materially 
improved  in  this  respect.  Our  streets  are  good  and  well 
maiie,  but  our  care  of  them  is  often  no  care  at  all ;  and  we 
trust  to  heavy  rains  to  do  our  scavenger  work.  La  the  year 
1814,  Bradfordnstreet  was  almost  a  new  street ;  in  the  year 
1868,  some  of  our  new  streets  might  have  been  the  scene 
of  an  accident  like  the  following,  had  we  not  passed  the 
coach  era : — 

Sept.  18, 1814. — ^We  are  sony  to  learn  that  the  Prinoa  Begent  ooachy 
on  its  way  out  of  Town,  on  Fndaj  eyeninff,  waa  nnfortonately  OTer- 
torned  in  Bradf ord-atreet,  owing  to  the  darkneaa  of  the  night,  and  the 
bad  atate  of  the  road,  by  whidi  nnfortnnate  ooeorrenoe  the  coachman  had 
hia  leg  dreadfolly  fxaotnred,  and  a  gentleman  waa  so  much  broised  that 
he  has  nnoe  contmned  in  a  atate  of  complete  inaenaibility  ;  aeyeral  other 
pawcngeii  were  mneh  hort  Upon  enqoiiy  we  find  that  no  blame  can 
poaribljr  be  attadied  to  the  coachman. 

We  are  also  about  to  lose  the  Moat  The  seat  of  the 
£Eunily  of  the  Birminghams  is  to  be  converted  into  a  cattle 
market  The  fflory  of  Pudding  Brook  is  also  about  to 
pass  away ;  and  with  it  the  mud  in  which  unfortunate 
devotees  of  Bacchus  so  often  stuck,  and  in  which  some  of 
them  lost  their  Uvea  The  anoestral  home  of  the  lords  of 
the  manor,  and  its  moat,  ^  defensive  to  the  house,**  have  been 
boug^  by  the  Oommisnoners ;  and  antiquity,  historioEJ 
a8S(wiations,are  as  nothingto  the  urgent  wants  of  the  peoplei 
The  markets  had  long  been  in  unsuitable .  places,  and 
were  altogether  inadequate  for  the  growing  demands  of  the 
fiurmers,  mitchers,  and  dealers ;  and  so  another  link  connect- 
ing U8  with  the  past  is  about  to  be  destroved,  and  being 
buaneas  men,  the  CommisrionerB  go  about  their  work  in  a 
meet  business-like  manner.    Here  is  their  advertisement : — 

NbW  SmTBflKtD. 

Ifan^  S7,  ISIIL— The  CVimmfaricncra  d  the  BinBii^;liam  Street 
Act  do  hntAsj  give  Notice,  thai  thej  are  in  want  d  a  Flan  for  adi^itinff 
the  Plraniiaei,  which  they  have  lateljr  pnrdiaaed,  called  the  Moat  ana 
Moat  Home,  for  the  Acoonunodation  ol  the  intended  Smithfield,  and 
thejr  do  hereby  oAer  a  Preminm  of  Ten  Poonda  for  the  Plan  whi^ 
shall  be  moat  arorored  of,  and  live  Poonda  for  the  nest  Gktmnd 
Bketdiea  of  the  ramiaea  may  be  had,  and  other  PMrttcatora  known,  by 
applying  at  our  Oflloe  in  New  Street,  Binningfaam,  where  the  Plana  are 
to  De  delivered  in  by  the  reapectiTe  Gandidatea  on  or  before  the  30th 
Day  of  March  instant  By  Order  of  the  Commiaaioneri^ 

Smitb  akd  AmvoLD,  Clerks. 

In  the  next  advertisement  the  advantages  of  a  honse  are 
told  in  rhyme  by  the  gushing  agent : — 


314  A  CENTURY  OF  BIBMINGHAM  LIFE. 

*Ma7  22. 1815.— To  be  Let^  a  House,  it  the  top  of  Frederick  Street, 
Hajper'sHilL 

The  Hoiue  genteel,  oompact^  and  neat, 
i  The  Neignboun  kind,  the  Proepect  wide, 

The  Water  soft,  the  Yud  complete, 

'■r  '  And  smaller  Comforts  well  sappl/d. 

»•      •       ■  ^^ 

The  next  takes  us  to  our  old  £dend.  Pudding  Brook,  once 

more: — 

May  29, 1615.— ^To  be  Sold  by  Auction,  by  James  Tregent,  Senior, 
on  Wednesday  next,  the  31st  Day  of  May,  between  the  houra  of  Five 
and  Six  o'clock  in  the  Eveninjg,  on  the  Premises,  a  Qaboev,  situated  in 
the  third  Walk  oh  the  left  Hand  leading  from  Hurst  Street^  Pudding 
Brook,  Birmingham.  The  Qarden  contains  choice  Goosebeny,  Gurran^ 
and  other  Fruit  Trees  and  Variety  of  Y^getablei^  with  a  Wood  Summer- 
house  recently  built 

Birmingham  was,  even  at  this  period,  and  much  later, 
par  esDoeUmce,  the  place  of  cardena  .  These  abounded  in  all 
parts  of  the  town,  and  were  let  at  all  prices  from  ten  shillings 
and  sixpence  a  year.  The  "'sainea  gardens"  were  in  veiy 
large  numbers.  .  It  was  a  ''nobby"  with  the  Birmingham 
working-man;  and  the  cultivation  of  flowers  was  carried  to 
great  perfection  Vy  him.  Summer  evenings  and  Sunday 
knomings  were  the  usual  times  of  labour  in  this  his 
taiodem  paradise ;  and  on  Sunday  afternoons  and  evenings  he 
used  to  take  his  wife  and  fimily  to  rejoice  in  his  floral  trea- 
ties. Until  very  faoently  there  were  Jarape  numbers  of  them 
near  Bromsgrove  Street^  Essex  Street^  followay  Head,  Mid 
many  ottier  now  almost  central  parte  of  the  town;  while 
the  present  Wheeler  Street^  the  St  George's  district^  includ- 
ing Dunmier  Lane,  and  the  neighbourhood  of  Nova  Scotia 
Street^  were  almost  entirely  covered  with  these  ''guinea 
wardens."  On  Maidi  11, 1815,  in  a  lon^  advertisement  cf 
houses  and  other  property  to  be  sold,  is  mduded  "the  very 
excellent  Garden,  being  number  154  in  the  third  walk  on 
the  lower  side  of  Nova  Scotia  Street**  The  increase  of  the 
population  has  absorbed  them  nearly  alL  A  remnant  of 
our  former  glories  stiU  exists  in  the  vicinity  of  Saltiey.  I 
quote  an  advertisement  of  a  ^  three  guinea  garden;* — ^which 
also  aifords  us  a  ^pood  illustration  of  the  country  aspect  of 
the  General  Hospital  at  this  time : — 

CSariTAL  OAKDcr. 

June  2^1815.— By  J.  P.  Tr^gent  To  be  Sold  by  Aaetkm,  on  the 
Spot,  on  Fridar,  the  dOth  of  June  inttant,  at  Six  o'dock  in  the 
EVeniQS^  the  iWney  of  a  rery  prodoctiTe  three  Quioea  Qardeu, 
abonndmg  with  numerooe  ehofee  young  Fruit  Trees  of  superior  Sorts. 
Ftowering  Shrabe,  and  Vegetable^  a  o^Htal  Wood  Summer  House,  and 


APPEARilNCE  OF  THE  TOWN.  315 

a  Pomp  of  Soft  Water ;  the  whole  jadicionsly  displayed,  situate  and 
being  the  third  Garden  on  the  Left  Hand  side  of  the  first  Walk  on  the 
Bight  of  Summer  Lane,  behind  the  Hospital,  Birmingham. 

An  advertisement,  September  4,  1815,  announcing  that 
that  **  capital  Public  House  and  Liquor  Shop,"  the  Saracen's 
Head  in  Snow  Hill,  is  to  be  let,  affords  a  good  illustration  of 
the  enormous  changes  which,  in  a  comparatively  few  years, 
have  taken  place  in  the  town.  It  is  described  as  a  '' first-rate 
situation ; "  and  in  a  K.B.,  which,  like  a  postscript  to  a 
lady's  letter,  is  the  most  important  part  of  it,  we  are 
told  that  "  Snow  Hill  is  one  of  the  greatest  Thorough-fSares 
in  Birmingham,  upon  the  great  North  West  Road,  andi 
Tnore  than  40  Maica  and  Post  Coaches  pass  daily,  and  the 
Situation  is  really,  without  Flattery,  inferior  to  none." 

Hie  following  announcement  of  a  sale  recals  the  old 
aspect  of  Temple  Bow,  and  gives  some  information  on  the 
improvements  then  being  mMe  in  the  town : — 

Fnekold  Property  in  Temple  Row^  oppoeiu  St.  PhU^e,  BimUnghaim, 

Maj  13,  18ia— To  be  Sold  bj  Auction,  by  Joeiah  and  Comeliufl 
Bobint,  on  Taeidaj,  the  18th  Day  tf  Jnne  nex^ 

Lot  1.— The  very  Ezeellent  Botaii  Shop,  of  large  Dimenriona  •  » 
•  •  •  together  with  the  very  eenteel  Family  Hooae  connected  there- 
with, affixroing  ample  Acoommooation  on  a  lam  Scale,  with  the  Ooort 
Yaro,  Garden^  ana  othe&  Cbnveniencei^  aoooraing  to  the  Plan,  behug 
Na  7  in  Temple  Bow,  with  a  Bight  of  Boad  along  the  FlHnge  or 
Entry  into  Chary  Street 

Lot  i.— 'The  Terjr  letpeciaUe  and  wdl  ammged  FamOy  Hodm 
adjoining  Lot  1,  being  No.  8  .  •  .  •  toffetber  with  a  Yard  and 
Garden,  and  the  joint  Uee  of  the  said  Fluaafle  into  Oheiry  Street 

Lot  3.— The  yerj  capital  Warehooaes  and  AooompUng  Home,  with 
a  three-etall  Stable  and  other  Premieea,  at  the  back  of  the  two  firat 
Lota,  having  a  flood  Boad  into  Cherry  Street  The  above 

highly  reapeetaule  and  deairable  Pkoperty  ia  IVeehold,  meet  pleaaantly 
aitnate  in  Temple  Bow,  opposite  the  Ayenaes  and  Area  of  St  Philii/^ 
and  is  very  important,  oeing  a  ndghbonrhood  very  fiivonrable  for 
eztendTe  Badness,  and  at  the  same  Ane  of  the  firtt  Kespeetability  as 
Gentlemen's  Besidencss ;  and  will  begreatlw  improved  by  the  Rcm^e  of 
eeniral  Street,  or  new  weetem  Road  through  tke  Town^  intended  to  open 
UnM  of  Sight  from  the  Hold  to  Ckriet  Ckurek  and  Patadiee  StreeL 

A  earden  with  a  iishpond  near  the  Hospital  is  advertised 
for  saia  The  words  at  **  the  further  ena  of  the  Avenue* 
refer  to  a  pleasant  state  of  things  which  has  long  ceased  to 
exist : — 

A  large  capital  and  highly  cnltinkted  Garden,  planted  with  a  great 
▼ariety  of  choice  Fmit  Trees^  Flowering  Sbmbs  and  Vegetables,  having 
a  neat  Arbonr  and  Fishpond  therein,  and  the  Walks  tastefnlly  laid  on^ 
well  gravelled  and  boxed,  aitoated  at  the  farther  end  of  the  Atwum^ 
near  the  HosjHtal,  Sommer  Lane,  Birmingham. 


31 G  A.  CENTUBT  OF  BIBHIKGHAH  LIFE. 

Heath  Mill  Lane  is  soon  to  lose  its  distinctive  character, 
and  he  cut  up  into  huilding  lots.  In  one  advertisement  we 
have  ameadow, hounded  hy  the  river  Bea^  thus  disposed  of: — 

JqIt  1,  ISie. — ^Freehold  Mentutgea.— To  be  Sold  hy  Anciion,  bj 
IflaaoFarror. 

Lot  8.— The  Tannety,  near  the  High  Street^  in  Deritend  aforeaaici, 
late  in  the  oocapation  of  the  said  Thomas  Shajle^  ooDsiatinff  of  a  Leather 
Warehoiue,  Back  Sheds,  Tan  Yard,  Tan  Vats,  Lime  fits,  Stables^ 
Piffities,  and  Apportenances.    ...... 

lK>t  10.— Fonr  front  and  two  back  Meesnaffes,  and  part  of  a  Meadow, 
containing  in  the  whole  1,657  aqoare  yards,  aitoated  in  Mill  Lane 
aforaaaid. 

Lot  11. — ^Another  part  of  the  aud  Meadow,  containing  eleven  yarda 
to  the  front  of  Mill  Lane,  npwarda  of  60  yarda  in  depui,  and  in  the 
whole  082  aqoare  yarda. 

Lot  IS. — ^Another  part  of  the  aud  Meadow,  containing  eleren  yarda 
to  the  front  of  Mill  Lane,  upwards  of  SO  yarda  in  depth,  and  in  the 
whole  886  aqoare  yarda. 

Lot  13. — ^Another  Part  of  the  aaid  Meadow,  containing  eleven  yards 
to  the  front  of  MiU  Lane,  npwarda  of  00  yarda  in  dept^  and  in  the 
whole  808  aqoare  yards. 

LoU  a^  11,  Ifi,  and  13  are  boonded  on  the  North  by  the  Biver  Bea. ' 

Maov/now  living  vnllrememher  the  gardens  alluded  io  in 
the  ibliowing  advertiaement^  and  the  lovely  walk  fitnn  the 
Deritend  Brewery  to  Vaughton'a  Hole ;  now  one  of  the  least 
attract!  ve  parts  of  the  town : — 

.    Aiigoat  6. 18l(L— To  be  aold  by  AuotioiL  \}j  Doonea  and  Thomas 
a  wiiricably  dboice  Ojjkdo,  at  present  in  the  Oocnpatkn  of  Mr. 


Hila  deUghtfol  Garden  is  situated  in  the  ATonne^  leadhiv  from  the 
Deiitaad  Brrwvy  to  Yan^ton'iB  Hole^  and  ia  well  stocked  with  IMt 
IVeaa^  sdeeCed  with  the  graatast  Oue  and  Jadgmenti  haTiqg  produced 
thefbeat  Fhiit  within  sersral  Idea  d  the  FIms,  and  for  a  nnmbor  of 
Teaisgiined  the  first  Priaea  at  the  aanoal  Shew  of  Fhdt,  abonndiog 
in  dicioa  Fbwen  and  Shmba^  and  ahmidanoe  of  VegctaUa^a  o^imi 
Brick  Sonuner  Hoosci  and  a  Well  always  sappBed  with  watar,  di# 
whole  andoaed  with  a  ramaikaUy  strong  doable  Fence;  the  Soil  is  In 
hidli  Coaditifln,  and  hi  no  Probabilily  d  svw  being  disbuhad  &r 
boildii^ 

ma  will  be  f oond  a  deairshle  OuporUud^  for  a  Fanon  wishing  to 
pnrehasa  a  Garden  on  whidi  neither  Byna  nor  Eipanes  have  bean 
spared  in  bringing  Things  to  perfection.  The  qnanty  of  the  Fhdt 
Traea  saeaeda  all  Oanunant»  and  ass  on^y  to  be  apps^afliitsd  hj  those  who 


Tower  Street  was,  in  fiict»  in  the  ooontiy  as  recently  as 

1816,  and  houses,  with  '^  gardens  bdiind,  and  plantations  in 

firont^*  were  to  be  found  in  it    Let  the  dwellen  in  that  now 

not  veiy   pleasant  street  think  of  the  time  when  the 

following  aavertisement  was  published: — 

September  16, 1816L— Two  genteel  Houaaa,  sitoafted  hi  Tower  Street 
i^qrloa  Bead,  Btrmingham    To  be  Sold  byAnction,  byJoaiah  and 


APPEARANCE  OIF  THE  TOWK.  817 

t>omelius  Bobins,  at  a  time  and  place  to  be  fixed  in  a  futare  paper, 
unleflB  dispoeed  of  by  private  Contract,  two  mibetantial  newljr-erected 
Beddences,  on  a  very  convenient  plan,  with  Oarderu  behind  and 
PlofUatums  in  front,  commanding  extensive  and  varied  Y iews  in  the 
Midst  of  the  Improvements  which  axe  daily  making  in  that  increasingly 


respectable  and  pleasant  Part  of  Miss  Colmore's  Estate,  lining  between 
Walmer  Lane  and  Hockley  Brook,  being  in  Front  of  Tower  Street, 
which  is  16  yards  wide,  and  the  principal  Boad  between  those  two 
Points,  in  the  Environs  of  Birmingham. 

The  Buildings  are  well  arranged,  each  House  consisting  of  a  neat 
Entrance  and  Hall,  Parionr,  Sitting  Boom,  three  Lodgmg  Booms, 
Kitchen,  Lanndry,  Cellars,  &c.,  the  Whole  well  fimshed  ana  fitted  up 
in  a  neat  manner.  Tbere  is  also  a  pleasant  Qardsn  of  ridi  Soil  at  the 
back  of  each  Hoose^  and  the  IVont  is  tastQ^  laid  oat,  the  Buildings 
hehut  set  seven  Yards  from  the  Boad,  which  is  the  judicious  Plan 
actea  upon  on  both  Sides  of  the  Street,  making  the  whole  Length  open 
and  aiiy.  as  well  as  pleasant  and  respectable. 

The  aWre  are  Leasehold  for  upwards  of  96  Yean^'  at  a  low  Qround 
Bent,  For  other  pMrticolars.  and  to  treat  for  the  same,  apply  to 
Messrs.  Webb  and  Tyndall|  SoUdton,  Little  Charies  Street^  or  to  the 
Aoctioneen,  New  Street^  all  d  Birminghainj  where  Plans  may  be 


The  valae  of  land  has  changed  since  the  following  adver- 
tiaement  appeared . — 

September  ao,  1810.— YaluaUe  Situation  in  Islington  Bow,  near  the 
Five  ways.  To  be  sold,  lyyinivate  CSontne^ a  valuable  Tract  of  Land, 
thhrtj  Yards  in  Fkuoti  opposite  the  best  Pixt  of  Islington  Bow,  now 
used  as  a  cultivated  Garaen,  eontaining  upwards  of  8,000  mpan  Y ards, 
endosed  with  kfty  Wall%  and  is  held  bj  Lean  for  90  Years,  at  about 
one  Penny  per  amre  Yard,  in  the  Pulah  of  Edgbaston. 

£nq[Qlre,  AOi,  fte. 

The  new  Cattle  Market  was  opened  on  May  29,  1817. 
There  is  only  the  following  anticipatory  notice  of  this 
rather  important  event : — 

Ha^  88, 1817.— Our  Whitsun  lUr  will  be  held  on  Thunday  next, 
on  whidi  da^  the  New  Market  Plaoe,  on  the  site  lately  occupied  by  the 
Moat  BnildmgSi  will  be  opened  for  the  reception  and  sale  of  cattle, 
sheep^  rig%  fta,  and  on  the  IViesday  following  for  hay  and  straw.— The 
sale  of  noises  on  the  fur  day  will  continue  at  the  nsoal  place. 

The  official  notice  was  as  follows)— 

Ksw  Bbast  Mamr. 

MsT  6^  1817.— Notice  is  hereby  «▼«,  that  tiie  Land  porehased  for 
a  Manet  Place^  and  commonly  called  and  known  fajr  the  Name  of  the 
MoBt»  will  be  completed  and  opened  as  a  Matket  Place  for  the  Sale  of 
neat  Oittle,  Horsey  Sheep^  and  Pin  en  Thursday,  the  SOth  Day  of 
May  matanti  beina  Whitsun  lUr  day.  and  for  the  ade  of  Hay  and 
Straw  on  the  Tuesoay  foUowiog;  and  if  aiqr  Ptoson  or  Persons  shall, 
at  any  Time  thereafter,  expose  to  8al»  aar  neat  Qtttlle.  Horses^  Sheep^ 
and  Pigs,  Hajr  or  Straw,  m  any  other  nit  of  the  sud  Town,  erenr 
such  Person  will,  for  erenr  such  Head  of  neat  or  other  Oattle.  or  Load 
of  Hay  or  Straw,  be  su  Dject  and  liable  to  the  Penalty  of  Twenty 


318  A  CENTURY  OF  BIBMINaHAH  LIFE. 

ShiUings  (except  as  to  the  Sale  of  Hoiees  in  the  two  public  Fairs  held 
in  this  Town,  which  wiU,  on  those  Days,  be  held  in  a  Place  called  the 
Hone  Fair,  aa  umuJ).  By  Order  of  the  GommiflBionere, 

Smith  and  Arkold,  Clerks. 

A  garden  and  a  water-mill  were  to  be  let  near  to  the 

Smithfield  Market . — 

May  3,  1819. — ^To  be  Let,  on  a  Building  Lease  for  scTenty-^ight 
Years,  the  Mill  Ghunden,  in  Bradford  Street,  near  Smithfield  Market^ 
containing  5^70  Square  Yards ;  the  Water  from  the  Mill  runs  at  the 
back  of  it 

In  this  vear  the  Commissioners  commenced  a  work  which 

was  greatly  needed,  and  which,  if  it  had  been  thoroughly 

carriM  out,  would  have  materially  improved  the  appearance 

of  the  town.    Unfortunateljr  the  attempt  was  not  supported 

by  the  inhabitants ;  and  Birmingham  remains  to  tnis  day 

the  worst  paved  of  all  our  large  towns : — 

Sept  13^  1819. — ^The  OommlMlDnerB  of  our  Street  Aci,  we  are  happv 
to  say,  have  adopted  a  plan  which,  if  seconded  by  the  Inhabitants^  wiU. 
lead  to  the  deainbla  reinilt  of  having  the  footpaths  of  our  prindpal 
streets  well  flagged*  The  manv  advantages  that  would  be  derived  from 
sneh  alteiBtioii  must  be  so  obnofos  that  we  are  sore  they  can  need  no 
remaik  in  reoommendatlon  of  our  townsmen's  eoaeureAee.  Stnngers 
have  loDfc  sad  with  great  leasen,  oomplsiaed  of  the  ineonYsnisnoe  and 
pain  they  sofBff  from  walkiMOor  etieete,  in  oonseooenoe  of  the  present 
mode  in  pavinff  them,  wa  vndentaad  the  CommisBionerB  have 
aathoriaed  the  nving  Oomlnittee  to  pay  one4ialf  the  szpenoe  of 
flagging  any  of  the  fiwtpaths  of  the  town,  pioHded  the  Inhabttsnts  of 
the  atreet  will  fiist  ndae  by  sabseription.  and  pay  Into  their  hands  a 
soiBeie&t  sum  lo  defray  the  other  half;  they  are  no^  howerw,  aatho- 
riaed to  make  eBQgMmnente  for  leas  than  one  side  of  a  stieeti  or  a 
distmee  of  two  honoiad  yarda 

The  aspect  presented  by  little  Hill  Street  when  the  fol- 
lowing advertisement  was  published  is  in  striking  contra^ 
with  tbat  presented  at  the  present  time : — 

CUriTAL  Gaanmr. 

Oct  1&  1819^To  be  Sold  bj  Aoetloo,  by  H.  P.  Sfsna^  this  pneeat 
Mooday,  Oetober  18^  oo  the  spot|  at  Three  o^eloek  in  the  afternoon,  a 
oapital  QAaonr,  in  the  ATsnae  leading  from  little  Hill  Strfwt. 
Bristol  Street^  and  the  ksi  Garden  in  the  IM  walk  on  the  left  hand 


From  the  advertisements  of  ISSO  which  relate  to  the 
appearance  of  the  town  we  select  the  following : — 

GaAsnra  Lava. 

Kay  tl;  18ia— To  be  Le^  and  entered  upon  Iflunedktely,  several 
Pieeee  oCesosUeat  Qraiing  Gioand,  now  iaeqiital  eoaditioay  and  veiy 
fell  of  GrMS,  wfakh  mav  be  had  upon  Leaae  for  Garden  Gnmnd,  eitaate 
In  Warstoae  LaaOy  In  the  Parish  of  BinningfasoL 

Forpartleakrsspiily  toMsBKs.  Smith,  Anoldi  and  Haiasi^  8oliel> 
tot%  Rinnlnghsm, 


APPEARANCE  OF  THE  TOWK.  319 

A  Capital  Qardbn,  Handsome  DEsrsvr  Gio,  &a 

July  3, 1820. — ^To  be  Sold  by  Private  Contract,  a  laxve  and  most 
excellent  Garden,  fally  planted  with  all  kinds  of  choice  Fniit  Trees, 
Yegetables,  scarce  Flower  Boots,  Shnibe,  &a,  with  a  good  Brick  Snm- 
mer-hoose,  Tool-house,  Arbour,  Privy,  and  Pamp ;  the  same  is  situated 
among  the  npper  Novascotia  Gardens,  eommandmg  fine  Views  of  the 
Country. 

Two  Capital  Gaedevcl 

July  24, 1820.— To  be  Sold  by  Auction,  on  the  Spol^  by  Isaac  Farror, 
this  present  Monday,  July  24,  at  Six  in  the  Evening,  m  two  Lots :— - 

Lot  1. — ^An  excellent,  well-planted  Garden,  aw>iinding  with  the 
choicest  Fruit  Trees  and  Vegetables  of  all  kinds,  with  a  Well  of  good 
Water,  and  surrounded  by  a  capital  Fence,  now  in  the  highest  possible 
State  of  Cultivation,  having  a  remarkably  rich  Soil,  pleasantly  situated 
near  the  Sand  Pits  Terrace,  being  No.  139,  in  the  Walk  &cing  the 
new  Bead  leading  from  the  Crescent  to  the  Sand  Pits,  Birmingham. 

Lots. — Another  Garden,  adjoining  the  above,  being  144^  with 
Entrance  up  to  the  next  Walk,  also  al^unding  with  a  {Te&t  Variety  of 
Fruit  TreeL  Vegetables^  &&,  having  a  neat,  well-bailt  Brick  Summer- 
house  theretn. 

A  Person  will  attend  to  shew  the  Gardens  the  whole  of  the  After- 
noon  of  the  Day  of  Sale,  and  other  Particulan  may  be  Imown  of  the 
Auctioneer. 

For  1821  tbe  following  brief  references  will  soffice : — 

June  18^  1881.— SupnioB  Gardsk,  tastefully  laid  out  with  Shmba 
and  Flowers.— ByBoderiek.  To  be  Sold  by  Auction,  on  the  Spot,  with- 
out Beeenro,  on  Wednesday  next,  the  20th  of  June^  a  l»gOb  exoslient, 
well-plaated  Garden,  tastmlly  lud  out  with  Shrubs  and  Flowers^ 
boxea  Walk%  and  oontunioff  several  Hundred  remarkably  fine  Filbert^ 
Plum,  Cherry,  Apple,  Pear,fiaspberrT,andGooeeben7Trees^  Aspangus^ 
Artichoke,  and  StrawbenryBeds,  and  welUtoeked  with  Vegetables ;  it 
hasalaige  Briek  Arbour,  Wood  ditto^  Privy  and  Wall,  fenced  all  round, 
situate  and  being  Ka  18^  in  the  first  Walk  beyond  Thomas  Hilfs. 
Gardener,  in  Walmer  Lane^  at  the  Back  of  the  Asylum.  The  Garden 
may  be  seen  on  Application  to  Thomas  Hill,  Gardener. 

I*or  parUenlars  apply  to  the  Auctioneer. 

August  80^  1881.— We  are  dad  to  bear  that  it  Is  intended  by  the 
Commissioners  of  our  Street  Acts,  to  make  considerable  alteration  in 
the  level  of  the  steep  descent  of  the  Hirii  Street  in  this  Town. 

Oetobv  1ft,  188L— To  be  Let,  a  good  House  and  Premises,  situated 
in  Bradlbrd  Street,  near  Smithfield,  eonsisting  of  six  Bed  Booms,  two 
Psriours  to  the  Front,  two  Kitchens,  with  good  Cellaring,  together 
with  Stabling  and  an  excellent  Garden,  a  Warehouse  andShopping 
attached  thereto,  and  also  a  Oom  Mill  now  in  full  work. 

The  above  will  be. let  free  of  Levies^  and  may  be  entered  upon 
immediatelT. 

For  further  PkrUcuIars  apply  to  Thomis  Gibson. 


320  A  CENTUBY  OF  BIBMINGHAH  LIFE. 


§  2.     PUBLIC  LIFE  AUD  EVENTS. 

The  public  events  of  this  decade  axe  of  a  very  varied  and 
important  character.  In  the  pubKc  life  of  this  period  we 
first  meet  with  many  of  the  names  which  have  since  become 
fiunous,  not  only  in  our  local,  but  in  the  national  annala 
We  shsdl  now  frequently  meet  with  Attwood  and  Spooner, 
Muntz  and  Scholefield,  Edmonds  and  Salt,  and  the  heroes 
of  the  Political  Union,  the  agitators  for  and  the  procurers 
of  the  Reform  Bill  of  1832.  It  will  be  seen. that  these 
leaders  took  an  active. part  in  almost  all  the  public  events 
of  their  time,  and  proved  themselves  earnest  workars  for. 
the  prosperity  of  their  native  town;  and  that  they  earned 
and  richly  deserved  the  confidence  and  gratitude  of  their 
fellow  citazena  They  fought  a  good  fi^t,  and  won  a  great 
victoiy,  and  added  their  names  to  tne  long  list  of  Bir- 
mingham worthies. 

The  first  public  act  of  the  decade  was  another  vain 
attempt  to  form  a  Water  Works  Company. 

On  March  the  4th  a  meeting  was  held  ''to. take  into 
oonsideration  the  meeent  state  of  the  mannfiiotaiiBS '  and 
commerce  of  the  United  Kingdom,  and  the  proptiety  of 
petitioning  both  Houses  of  Parliament  to  diBContinue  such 
parts  of  the  East  Indian  Charter. as  esEdode  Britisb  mer* 
chants  fiom  trading  to  the  Easf*  Thonuis  Attwood,  Esq.; 
the  High  Bailiff,  opened  the  business  with  a  long  and 
interestmg  speech,  of  which  a  more  than  ordinar^  foil 
rqport  is  given;  and  the  meeting  resolved  ^bat  ''The 
commerdal  monopoly  of  the  East  udia  Company  must  be 
abolished.** 

In  1807»  was  issued  the  order  in  Council  prohibiting  all 
trade  between  England  and  the  parts  occupied  Dy  the  French. 
In  1809,  further  wders  were  issued  which  pkoed  still  greater 
restrictions  on  Trade.  The  early  part  of  1812  was  manDsd  by 
great  disturbanoes  in  the  manufacturing  districts^  Mills 
were  bumt^  machineiy  was  destroyed,  and  many  murdeni 
committed.  The  merchants  and  manufactarers  agitated 
for  the  repeal  of  the  fiital  orders  in  CouiHsiL  Meetings 
were  held  m  Birmingham,  and  veiy  decided  resolutioiis  were 
passed  on  the  subject  Ilie  agitation  was  so  tu  successful 
that  in  June  the  orders  were  revoked,  so  fiu*  as  the  U.  S.  of 


PUBLIC  LIFB  AND  EVENTS.  321 

America  were  concerned.  In  March  a  very  unportant  meet- 
ing was  held,  in  reference  to  the  Birmingham  Street  Bill,  at 
which  it  was  resolved,  that  it  contained : — "many  unprece- 
dented, arbitrary,  and  extraordinary  powers  which  ought  to 
be  modified,  or  opposed." 

One  of  the  most  earnest  and  devoted  supporters  of  the 
General  Hospital,  and  the  master  oi^ganiser  of  our  great  Musi- 
cal Festivals,  was  Mr.  Joseph  Moore.  For  years  ne  devoted 
himself  to  this  work  with  that  zeal,  eneigy,  and  ability  which 
in  the  end  command  success.*  It  is  not  the  habit  of  Bir- 
mingham people  to  let  such  services  as  these  pass  unrecog- 
nised and  unrewarded.  Accordingly,  on  April  6,  1812,  we 
read  the  foUowing  account  of  the  manner  m  which  the  in- 
habitants testified  their  value  of  the  labours  of  Mr.  Moore : — 


On  IViday  lasti  at  the  Qenend  Hoipital,  near  this  town,  a  splendid 
silver  vase  and  stand,  and  four  al  ver  didiee,  with  ooven,  provided  by  a 
sabKription  of  the  gentlemen  of  the  town  and  neighbourhood,  w«re 
pieeented  to  Mr.  Joseph  Moore,  as  an  acknowlednneat  of  hk  disinte- 
Tested  services  to  that  most  nsefol  oharity ;  on  whioh  oocanon  tfie  Ber. 
Dr.  Ontnun,  Bector  of  8t  Philippe,  t^pcke  as  follows : — 

^Mr.  Joeeph  Moore,  it  ia  a  nal  gntifioatian  to  me  that  it  has  fallen 
to  my  lot  to  present  to  yon,  in  the  name  of  a  very  nnmerons  and  most 
respectable  body  of  oentlemen,  tibese  elmnt  and  beantifnl  memorials 
of  the  high  sense  which  they  entertain  oi  the  services  randeced  bj.^ 
to  this  exceDcnt  institataon.  They  well  know,  sir.  that  the  floonahing 
•tale  of  that  important  bnindi  off  its  revennes  wfaidi  is  derived  from 
oar  Triennial  Mnsical  Festtvmla  is  to  be  attriboted,  in  a  great  measure^ 
to  your  hmnane,  spirited,  and  iniAiusifiil  exertjona  IVmt  it  deserves  to 
be^  and  it  will  be^  remembered,  thal^  wheieae,  before  yoo,  sir.  stepped 
forwatd  in  thii  canse,  about  thiiteen  yean  aflo.  the  grosi  receipts  mm 
oar  festivak  did  not,  in  ahv  instanee,  ezceea  ue  som  of  two  tbowaand 
and  f orfy-three  poonds ;  t^oy  have  since  that  time  piogiesrive^y  and 
lapidly  mcreaaed;  so  that  at  the  festival  eelebtaied  in  the  month  of 
Octoher  laat,  there  were  received,  within  three  dm^  the  soma  to  the 
unprecedented  groes  amooiit  of  aix  thoosand  six  hnndred  and  eighty 
ponnds. — Sir,  had  a  perMn  of  the  highest  profmimuU  fame,  a  Handel 
or  a  Haydn,  effeetea  this,  it  would,  with  rtason,  have  been  deemed  a 
great  aiMl  memorable  wqhl  But  for  a  private  gentleman,  without  any 
•elfiah  end  in  view,  without  anv  other  motive  flian  that  of  compasrion 
for  the  afflkied,  to  have  oombmed  repeatedly  the  first  mnsical  talents 
of  the  empire^  and  harmonised  the  jarring  interesti  that  are^  perhaps, 
insqiavahle  from  soch  oomUnatkn  of  ^1,  so  as  at  length  to  have 
raked  the  Birmingham  Feativab  from  the  state  of  respectable  coontry 
meeti]^  to  nnrivalled,  and  what  may  jnstly  be  called  iiahoiial  grandeur 
and  celehrity,  is  an  jnsfamce  of  enteiprising  snd  perwvering  philanthropy 
worthy  to  m  recorded  in  the  annab  of  any  age  or  natkn.  It  has  be«n 
nsoal,  air,  for  pubUc  Jbodies  of  men  to  present  to  statesmen  and  warriors 


^Fora  very  good  aceoost  of  the  eervicee  readered  by  thk  **B!nningham 
Worthy,*  the  reader  k  rekrred  to  '<The  Birmingham  Ckaenl Boepital,  and 
the  Tkkanial  Feetivak.*'    [By  J.  T.  Bonce.]  p.p.  lOS-S. 

n  T 


322  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

tokens  of  Teneration,  for  their  havinff,  bj  their  cotinsels  or  their  heroism, 
established  the  independence  and  the  glory  of  their  cooutiy.  Yours, 
sir,  have  not  been  services  or  triumphs  of  this  nature.  But  it  will  be 
admitted  that  a  tribute  of  respect,  of  esteem,  of  gratitude,  is  not  1^ 
due  to  him,  who,  bv  enriching  a  great  charitable  asylum,  established  in 
the  very  heart  of  tne  kinf;dom,  tor  the  maimed,  the  diseased,  and  the 
destitute  around  it,  has  mfused  into  the  lower  ranks,'  in  wnich  the 
physical  strength  of  the  community  consists,  a  love  of  their  oountiy,  and 
thereby  added  to  the  power  of  the  national  aim,  whidi  has  so  often, 
under  the  divine  Proviaence,  beien  found  irresistible  in  the  heat  of  battle. 
It  is,  sir,  in  acknowledgment  of  such  beniefits,  donfeired  by  you  on  the 
place  in  which  we  live,  and  on  our  countiy,  that  I  now  present  to  you 
what  I  have  in  cfaazve.  And  althou|^h  you  have  generously  declined 
receivinjg  any  acknowMdgment  provided  from  the  funds  of  this  charitable 
institution,  .;^et  this  vase,  and  tnese  other  memorials,  provided,  as  they 
have  been,'m  a  manner  so  highly  creditable,  both  to  them  that  give 
and  to  he  that  takes,  you  will  not,  I  trust,  hesitate  to  aooept;  aadlong, 
very  lonff^  may  you  live  in  health  and  hiq^pineas  to  view.  them.  Mav 
these^  when  you  behold  them,  bring  to  Ytmr  mind  reflections  that  wiU 
cheer  and  comfort  you  in  days  of  nealtn  or  hours  of  wckiiew  I  And 
when  voa  aie  removed  to  another  state  of  beiiu;^  where  the  bri^ 
rewards  of  true  charity  await  you,  may  they,  ashaUowed  gifts  oonae- 
crated  at  the  shrine  of  Benevdlflnce,  be  preserved  by  those  to  whom  joa 
shall  beqaeath  them,  and  by  their  poeterityy  without  spot  or  Jblemishy 
forever!" 

Mr.  Moore  replied  in  the  following  words  i^ 

*'8ir^— My  humble  services  to  this  great  duaity,  whose  interests  I 
shall  ever  have  at  hearty  must^  I  fear,  have  been  nuMsh  too  highly 
appreciated.'  ^JBot  It  is  jnore.  gnti^jioff  to  me  than  J  ma  sxptess,  to 
reoJBJve  these  valqabla  py eaunta  ihos  ofired  onihe.paii.d  those  whose 
i^robalaan:aiid  gpod  qpinioiis  are  most  dear  to  me^  iTo  them  my 
inomest  aoknowlMgments  wiU  ]be  always  doe ;  and  to  yon,  air,  for  the 
Te>7 flattsring  teims  jnwhidi  voii.have  been  pleased  io.con^  their 
generous  ssnaments  to  me^  I  Mgleavs  to  rstism  my  sinoers  and 
reqwetful  thanks.* 

Distrees  was  prodnciiig  its  nsaal  resnltc     The  people 

were  becomii^^  oiscontented,  and  displayed  a  tendency  to 

lioi   ^Ott  Apm^7,  we  read  t--- 


A  disporitlon  totmnolt  wearasony  to  annoenes^  was  manifested  ly 
the  popiuaee  in  this  town  lasi  week  who  asssmbled  on  Monday,  Tues- 
day, and  Wednesday,in  laigs  nnmoers  In  the  Marfcsi  Plsei^  and  pro- 
eeeded  to  some  sots  ofvioleiics;  bntthepRMiptiindieioai^anddaefatve 
measnres  imrsoed  }jj  the  Magistrates,  aided  Iqr  ttis  polios  offissr%  the 
North  Bmiih  Dragoon^  the  warwi^EshiM  Yoonaniy.  the  Haadsworth 
Oavali3r,a  party  of  Marines  and  other  militery,  spsedHy  restored  ipood 
order,  and  the  town  has  been  free  from  the  lesstafipearanee  of  riot  ainoe 
Wednesday  ovoningi 

Fatal  Emoss  or  Bion. 

April  S7th,  ISI&P-Wailsm  Cotton,  TWoasai  DaT^  and  Matthew 
Riiston,  were  foond  goiltv  of  banning  to  desMlish  and  poll  down  the 
dwelling  house  of  Mr.  John  Whssl^,  ofRjgbssten,  near  this  town, and 
received  sentenee  of  death  at  a  late  Assias  frr  this  oonnty,  bnt  which 
sentence  was  eommnted  to  tiansportation  kit,  and  daring,  thsfar  natoral 


PUBLIC  LIFE  AND  EVENTS.  823 

lives.  From  the  &te  of  these  young  men,  let  yonth  inerery  situation 
of  life  take  an  impressive  warning,  and  resist,  with  firmness,  under  what- 
ever form  it  may  present  itself  every  temptstion  to  outraffo  and  riot. 
'These  unfortunate  prisoners,  who,  in  the  first  instance,  might  nave  joined 
the  moh  with  the  mtention  of  witnessing  only  the  aots  of  others,  were 
induced  to  commit  a  capital  felony,  for  which  crime  they  justly  forfeited 
their  lives  to  the  laws  of  their  country.  By  an  act  of  Bioyal  mercy,  they 
have  been  permitted  to  live,  but  under  the  bitter  reflection  of  being  es- 
tranged fit>m  all  their  dearest  connexions  in  this  world  for  ever. 

The  usual  efforts  were  made  to  relieve  the  distress : — 

Town's  MscnNQ. 

Majr  4,  lS12.^0n  Friday  a  meeting  of  the  inhabitants  of  this  town 
and  neigliboorfaood  was  held  at  the  Public  Office^  whidi  was  most  re- 
q)eetabfy  attended,  to  take  intoconsideration  the  best  mode  to  be  adopted 
at  this  juncture  for  the  relief  of  the  poor.  A  most  liberal  subscription 
was  entered  into,  and  a  committee  appointed  to  carry  the  laudable  view 
of  the  meeting  into  effect 

Tlie  obfeet  of  the  Oommittee  will  be  to  procure  such  artides  as  will 
reduee  the  eonsamption  of  flour,  meat  and  potatoes.  With  this  view, 
large  porehasss  will  be  made  at  distant  markets^  and  which  will  be 
dimbated  to  the  poor  at  half  price.  This  at  present  Is  the  outline  of 
the  plan  whidi  is  to  be  adopted ;  and  we  trust  that  every  one  will  con- 
tribute  aoeorduig  to  Us  abih^  in  aid  of  a  measure  upon  whidi  the  com* 
fort  and  welfare  of  the  town  so  materially  depends.  It  b«ng  intended 
that  eadi  snbsoiber  ahall  have  a  number  of  tiekets  proportionate  to  the 
amoontof  his  snbseriptionyit  la  evident  that  the  master  maaufiMtorsrs 
will  thereby  have  the  opportonity  of  relieving  those  who  are  Immediately 
under  thefar  employ. 

On  Minr  14»  we  read  that  the  ^^UU  for  enlaiging  the 
powers  of  the  Birmindiam  Street  Acta  passed  the  Mouse 
of  Lords,  on  Saturday?    [May  12.] 

Here  is  the  reoora  of  the  starting  of  our  first  Boyal 

HaU:— 

June  1,  ISli.— On  Tuesday  last  the  new  Birmingham  and  London 
Boyal  Mau  Coach,  establishea  for  the  particular  accommodation  of  this 
town  and  neudiboorhoodt  set  out  from  the  Swan  Hotels  at  four  o'clock, 
the  bells  of  St  Martin's  Church  ringing,  and  thousands  of  spectators 
assemblsd  en  the  oecasion,  grseti^g  H  as  it  passsd  with  diesaring 
ahoQtsL 

About  two  o'dodE  the  same  day  the  eoadi,  attended  by  eic^t  mail 
guards  in  full  unifom,  adorned  witti  blue  ribrais,  paiadea  the  streets, 
under  the  direction  d  lir.  Hart,  stopped  at  the  residences  of  tiie  Hish 
and  Low  Bailiff^  the  several  banks,  and  many  of  the  principal  inhabi- 
tants; the  nroceesion  doeed  after  it  had  remained  some  time  at  the 
house  d  lir.  Pratchett^  Hish  Street,  where^  as  at  the  other  restiag 
plaoei^  the  attendanta  were  liberally  supplied  with  wine,  biscuitB,  sanf 
widica,  Ac  The  oarriage,  horses,  ana  harness  were  in  a  s^le  of 
splendour  and  ezcelleooe  we  had  not  before  witnessed,  and  reflect  great 
credit  upon  our  apirited  townsman,  Mr.  Dunn ;  puUic  patronage,  we 
doubt  not,  will  amply  repay  him  and  the  other  Contractors  for  the 
ez]ieiiiae  and  risque  they  have  incurred  in  this  attempt  to  affoid  greater 
facilities  to  the  commercial  intercourse  between  this  town  and  the 


324  A  CENTURY  OF  BIBMINGHAM  LIFE. 

metiOpolis^  both  by  gaixung  an  additional  hotor  to  answer  lettera  by 
retain  of  post^  and  enabling  the  public  to  insure  places  in  the  mail  to 
London,  instead  of  waiting  as  formerly  for  a  vacancy,  the  chance  of 
which  was  always  vexy  precarious. 

The  next  extract  to  our  mind  records  a  most  important 
event.  It  is  the  first  instance  we  have  of  the  artisans 
taking  any  part  in  public  life — unless  we  look  upon  their 
doings  at  the  riots  of  1791  as  having  a  prior  daun.  This 
first  appearance  in  public  life  is  honourable  to  their  sense 
of  right,  and  is  an  instance  of  the  gratitude  which  working 
men  have  always  manifested  towards  those  who  have 
rendered  them  a  service.  This  report  is  also  noticeable  as 
being  the  first  which  we  have  met  containing  the  name 
of  Geoige  Edmonds.  It  was  published  in  the  paper  of 
June  22  :— 

At  a  Dumeroiis  and  reapaeUbla  Mealing  of  the  Artizans  of  fiinning- 
ham,  held  pnmiant  to  pablio  adTartiaement^  at  the  8hakeapear  TaTero, 
in  this  town,  ihia  ITth  day  of  Jona*  1812,  f  to  conddar  the  beat  Maaaa 
of  egpreaaipg  thair  Oimtitada  to  thoaa  Qentlemen  of  Biiminffham  who 
hara  ao  laadably  axartad  thamaaiTaa  to  raatora  tha  anqmKtod  Timd«L 
and  alao  to  thoaa  who  have  m>  baoarolaDtly  aobaeribad  to  tha  raUttf  of 
tha  Poor  of  thiaTown:"  Mr.  John  Steer  m  tha  Ghaur: 

Baaolvad  unaaimoiialy,— That  they  who  andeaToar  to  mnnota  the 
CoDimeroial  Fkeaperitv  of  the  Ooontiy,  npon  which  ita  Weliara  and 
Happinaaa  ao  matariaUj  dapand,  daaanre  tae  lasting  gratitade  of  the 

AiolTadiiiianimoaaljrr-^I^t  we  have  aaan  with  mat  aatiafaetion 
tha  laudable  ezertiona  <n  oor  prmdpal  MardiantaandlfknnfiMiarari  to 
eall  the  attentloD  of  Fkriiament  to  the  praaant  daploiable  atate  of 
Trada^  and  the  eonaaqoant  dlitieaaea  of  tha  laboiiring  Maehaniea 

BeaolTed  unaaimoaal jr-ThaL  baiag  daaplj  Impwaaad  with  a  Sanaa 
of  oor  Obligationa  to  thoaa  onr  fellow  towntmen,  we  bag  them  to  aeoq[»t 
ot  our  moat  eotdial  and  heartfelt  Thanka. 

Bcaolved  unanimonslyi— >Tbat  in  partieolar  we  would  offer  our 
Qoftignad  thanka  to  Thomaa  Attwood,  Eiq^  High  BaililT  of  Bhrming- 
hMMKkf  fi)r  hia  inTaloable  acrficea  in  this  Oraaa ;  aanrioea  whidi  it  ware 
aaadlaai  to  leaapitiilata^  aa  thaf  are  without  doubt  eograTaa  on  the 
MemofT  of  ereiy  Medianie  of  the  town. 

Beaolfed  aianimoaal j»— ThaLaa  a &rUiar  expreadon of  our  grati- 
tude to  Thomaa  Attwood.  Eaq.,  High  Bailiii;a  anhaeriptioD  be  imme> 
dialelj  antaied  into  to  oaftmy  the  ezpanea  of  a  Piece  of  Phtta^  with 
a  aoitabla  laaariptioov  to  be  pteaantad  onto  him ;  and  aa  we  eooddar 
it  daairable  to  have  nvmarona  rather  than  laxge  sabaeripUonay  that 
no  MiaoD  be  allowed  to  give  mora  than  aixpanea. 

BeaolTed  nnanimondjr,— That  tha  thanka  of  thia  Maatbg  be  given 
to  Tboinaa  Phipton,  fiiq..  Low  Bailiil^  tot  hia  heart/  oo-operation  with 

BaaolTfd  vnaafanood jy— That  the  eapedal  thanka  of  thia  Meatiog 
be  ciTen  to  Bidiard  Spoooar,  £aq^  fiir  tha  Flrmneaa  and  Etoqnence 
wUch  he  haa  diaplajed  on  variooa  public  ooeadona  whan  tha  Intermta  of 
the  Medianioa  biaTe  been  oonoarned. 


PUBLIC  LIFE  AND  EVENTS.  325 

Besolved  nnanimooaly, — ^Tbat  we  slioold  oonaider  oarselres  wanting 
in  gratitude  did  we  not  embrace  the  opportunity  of  expressing  our 
acknowledgments  for  the  very  liberal  contributions  made  by  the  wealthy 
Inhabitants  of  Uiis  Town  for  the  Belief  of  the  Poor ;  and  we  request 
them  to  accept  our  thanks  for  their  beneficence. 

Kesolved  unanimously, — ^That  the  following  persons  be  appointed  a 
Committee  to  carry  the  above  Besolutions  into  c^ect^  with  power  to  add 
to' their  number  as  they  may  think  proper : — 

John  Steer,  William  Jennings,  Thomas  Taylor, 

Joseph  Wood,  James  Gonnard,  William  Latham, 

James  Boyce,  Samuel  Thorpe,  William  Bailey, 

John  Lane,  Joseph  Bower,  William  Dent, 

Charles  Kelk,  William  Wight,  Jabez  Aaton, 

John  Bourne,  William  Cox,  Edward  Crowder. 

John  Hinkfl^  George  Edmonds^ 

Besolved  unanimously, — That  these  Besolutions  be  advertised  in 
such  Newspapers  as  the  Committee  may  think  proper. 

John  Stebb,  Chairman. 

Mr.  Steer  having  left  the  Chair, 

Besolved  unanimoualy, — ^That  the  thanks  of  this  Meeting  be  given 
to  Mr.  John  Steer,  for  lus  able  and  impartial  conduct  in  the  Chair. 

GnOBGX  EdM OVDS. 

Here  is  the  next  appearance  of  oar  artisans  in  public 
life:— 

BlVOCATION  07  THB  OrDXBS  nr  COUHCIL. 

July  6, 1812.— The  Artisans  of  this  town  being  informed 'that  Mr. 
Biehard  Spooner  and  Mr.  Thomas  Potts,  (two  of  the  deputies  sent  from 
hoice  to  wocore  this  important  measore)  would  retom  from  London  on 
Wednesoay,  tliey  wars  determined  to  meet  them  near  the  town,  and 
shew  them  that  respect  the  oondnet  of  the  Depatation  meritsd  from 
thmr  townsmen.  Accordingly  they  assembled  at  the  Shakespear  Tavarn, 
in  New-street,  earl^  in  the  afternoon,  and  at  four  o'do^  notwithstanding 
the  heavy  rain  which  leU,  and  continned  almost  without  intermission 
dorioff  the  remainder  of  the  day,  they  formed  in  procession,  preceded  by 
a  band  of  music  pUvinff  the  loyal  national  air  of  ^  God  save  the  King,^ 
and  paraded  throogn  toe  nrindpal  streets,  and  readied  Ounp  HilL  £e 
spot  where  it  was  expectea  to  meet  the  Deputation  at  abont  five  o*doek. 
After  waiting  about  half  an  hour,  the  approadi  of  the  Dqmties  was 
annonnced,  and  the  Committee  of  Artiams,  with  their  chainnan  at  their 
head,  proceeded  to  meet  them.  The  carriage,  whidi  was  drawn  by  fbmr 
horses  adorned  with  Une  ribbons,  contained  Messrs.  Spooner  and  Potts. 
The  horses  were  taken  ofi^  and  tiie  cairiage  drawn  by  the  mnltltnde^ 
rending  the  air  with  their  acdamationa 

After  proceeding  in  this  manner  for  a  few  hondred  Yards,  to  that  part 
of  the  road  where  the  Committee  of  Artisans  and  the  band  were  endea- 
vooring  to  press  throagfa  the  crowd,  the  carriage  halted,  and  the  Chair- 
man of  the  Committee  addressed  tne  Depatauon  in  a  soltable  speech. 
After  the  address  the  procession  was  formed,  and  proceeded  to  the  town 
in  the  following  order: — 

PaocBniov.— Joint  bands  of  two  rmments  of  the  Warwidcdiire 
Local  Militia,  in  fnll  nniform.  Flag— ^  Friends  of  Commerce."  The 
Committee  of  Artisans  three  abreast    Fbig—**  Birmingham  has  done 


326  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINQHAM  LIFE. 

« 

its  dat];.*'  BeTeni^— ''Gratefal  AHuans  w^oome  the  Deputation." 
The  Committee,  as  before.  Flag^— "  Attwood,  Phipsoa,  Spooner^  Potta^ 
and  the  Depatation."    The  carriage  drawn  by  the  popolaoe. 

The  prooeerion  thos  formed  moved  throogh  the  principal  etraets  of 
the  town,  the  windows  of  which  were  thronged  witn  inhabitants,  who 
oonaratnlated  the  deputies  as  they  passed  along,  and  arrived  at  the 
ShfS^espear  Tavern  abont  eight  o'dock,  where  the  High  and  Low  Bailiff 
and  a  number  of  other  gentlemen  were  assembled  to  receive  theuL  Mr. 
SpMDoner  and  Mr.  Potts  severally  addressed  the  persons  assembled  in 
animated  and  appropriate  speeches  (which  we  r^ret  our  limits  will  not 
allow  us  to  insert^,  at  the  conclusion  of  which  t£e  immense  mnlUtode 
collected  on  this  joyful  occasion  quietly  and  peaceably  dispersed. 

There  was  great  rejoicing  in  the  to¥m  over  this  victory. 
At  a  public^  meeting  all  those  noblemen  and  eentlemen  who 
bad  assisted  in  procuring  the  revocation  of  the  Orders  in 
Coundl  were  warmly  thanked.  Mr.  Brougham  was  espe- 
cially signalled  out^  "  for  the  great  Zeal,  Ability,  and  Perse- 
verajice  ne  had  so  fully  evinced  hy  his  unparalleled  and 
successful  Exertions  in  obtaining  a  Kevocation  of  the  Orders 
in  Council,  and  for  his  truly  eloquent  -A.ppeal  to  the  House 
of  Oommons,  on  the  16th  Tnst,  on  Behaii  of  the  Manufiic- 
turinff  and  Commerdal  Interests  of  the  United  Einfldom.'* 
On  August  1,  the  triumph  was  celebrated  by  a  ruUic 
Dinner. 

The  foUowinf^  is  a  brief  obituary  which  ought  to  find  a 

plaoe  in  this  ^  wronide"  :*— 

NoviMab«**fl^' ISl&^Bied,  on  Mday,  alUr  a  ]oi«  lIlaeH,  at  bto  bo^ 
atAthiedy  Hr.Myles  Swioaey.  aged  7^  nesriy  50  yeais  pcopriilflr  of 
^8wiiiiMy*sBiiuiQfl|liamCammtel«."  '    - 

:   The  following  extract  contains'  infonnation  which  must 

have  delighted  thousands  of  Birmingham  mechanics  at  the 

time: — 

MawhM^lSlS."-ABintor^giilatetlii!wisfnswc€them«auiiistiuMi 
of  firs  anii%  was  lately  introdoesd  in  the  HoQss  of  OoaoBOiiiyaadnad 
aiiiettinia.  ^Had  the  bUl  wasssd  into  a  law,  it  would  BiosI  matw<aUy 
have  injorsd  the  trade  of  this  town  and  neiAbooriiood^  and,  of  eonss, 
was  opposed,  and  with  suAsneeMi^  that,  on  ths  second  rssding.  en  Tbss» 
day.  the  hill  was  lost  by  a  mi^ty  of  SO  $  tli«e  being  for  the  sseond 
reading  18,  against  it  78.  The  gentlonen  deputed  from  this  town  to 
oppose  the  moasare  reaehed  hons  on  Mday,  and  wne  leeeivsd  witfi 
oTory  demonstration  of  Joy.  The  mannfiMtinciB  are  araeh  indebted  to 
Sir  Charles  lioidann  t  lir.  Dogdalsb  Loid  Qower,  Mr.  liUlelon, 
Mr.  F^ter  Moore^  the  Hon.  Mr.  waid,  and  other  Members  onnneeted 
with  this  neighboinhood,  te  their  ezsraoos  in  opposii^  the  ofanaikMS 
r^golalioo. 

Our  armies  in  Spain,  under  Wellington,  were  this  year 

achieving  those  victories  which  have  made  the  Peninsular 

War  so  glorious  in  our  militaiy  annals.    On  June  21,  the 

battle  of  Vittoria  was  won,  and  King  Joseph  and  Qeneral 


PUBLIC  LIFE  AND  EVENTS.  327 

Jourdan  were  totally  routed.  The  Birmingham  Gazette  an- 
nounced the  intelligence,  and  ventured  to  prophesy  on  the 
occasion.  It  will  be  seen  that  the  prediction  was  fiilly 
realised : — 

Jnljr  12, 1813. — In  our  last  publication  we  ventured  to  pre<lict  that, 
in  oon8e<]uenoe  of  the  glorious  mtelliffenoe  received  fipom  Spain,  a  gene- 
ral illumination  would  take  place  in  uiis  town,  and  our  prediction  has 
been  full v  verified.  The  war  carried  on  in  the  Peninsula  is  for  a  truly 
British  object — ^the  emandpation  of  a  generous  people  from  the  cruel 
grasp  of  the  most  inhuman  tyranny  ever  held  over  the  human  race ; 
and  when  this  humane  and  laudable  intention  is  on  the  point  of  being 
aooompiished,  and  principally  by  the  martial  deeds  of  our  own  country- 
men, it  readilv  occurred  that  every  Englishman  (exempt  he  refrained  from 
religious  motivea^  or  where  seaa^  means  bid  him  rorbear),  would^  on 
such  an  occasion,  hang  up  a  light  as  a  token  of  his  joy ! 

So  soon  as  the  London  Gasette  Extraordioafy  was  read  on  Monday 
morning,  the  inhabitants,  as  it  were  by  common  consent,  began  to  make 
]>rBparations,  and  in  the  -evening  a  most  brilliant  and  genend  illumina- 
tion took  place.  Many  appropriate  tnosparenoies  and  tasteful  devices 
were  displayed.  The  next  time  there  is  a  •  slraflar  cause  for  rqjoidng, 
(and  we  trust  the  time  is  notfiur  distaDtl  w  hope  those  whose  duty  it 
is,  will  point  out  when  such  demonstraUons  of  joy  should  be  testified, 
in  order  to  obviate  a  complaint  that  has  been  made^  that  the  inhabitants 
should  have  sufiicient  notice,  and  that  the  artists  m  the  plaoe  may  have 
an  opportunity  of  displaying  their  talents  and  ingenuity. 

The  same  paper  which  contained  this  reoort  of  the  joy 

over  our  Spamsh  yictories,  pahtishes  the  following  account 

of  the  • 

'  OomoKAfiov  OF  Ctanv  GnmunL 

On  Tuesday  last  our  venerable  Bishop  irasveoeived  at  the  gales  of  the 
Free  Churdi  by  the  Trustees  and  CSeigy.  amidst  a  great  eooeoiUM  of  speo- 
tators.  whose  conduct  was  highly  orderljr  snd  lespeetftiL  His  Lordship 
looked  well,  and  went  through  the  service  with  great  ease  and  in  a 
very  impressive  Mid  effective  manner.  The  musie  was  aMv  performed 
through  the  voluntuy  exertions  of  the  Choral  Society  of  thn  town,  and 
other  eminent  profesnonalffsntlemen.  The  opening  with  an  appropriate 
hymn,  to  what  le  called  the  Old  Bedford  tonOb  was  strikingly  grand 
andimpicseife;  and  the  anthems  gave  great  ana  untrereal  satJsiJMtion, 
The  sentenee  of  oonaeeration  was  read  by  the  Viee  Ghanoellor,  the 
Bev.  Dr.  Buekeridge,  first  OuMm  of  the  Galhednl  Cbnroh  of  Lichfield. 
The  prayers  were  rsad  by  the  Bev,  Edwa^  Diale^  Lsetnrer,  and  the 
sermon  preadied  hj  the  Bev.  Dr.Ontimni,  Bsetorof  St  Fhilip^s  Church, 
from  Matt  xi  5, '^  The  poor  have  the  Qoepelnreaehed  to  them."  In  the 
course  of  this  vny  excellent  and  impressive  disooarBe,  a  just  tribute  was 
paid  to  our  beloved  Sovereign,  and  the  other  benefiMstors  and  oontritmtors 
to  so  good  a  work;  and  more  partieolarly  to  the  Bishop  of  the  Oiooese^ 
for  having  given  full  eillKt  to  their  mnnificsnes  and  benevolence^  by  a 
valuable  grant  of  prebendal  propertv  lor  the  support  of  a  Minister  of 
this  Church  for  ever.  The  sum  of  £19S  Ifis.  Id!,  was  raised  by  tickets 
of  admisdon  and  donations  at  the  doors  of  the  €%urdi.  In  the  after- 
noon a  public  dinner  was  ^ven  at  the  Bapl  Hotel,  which  was  honoured 
with  the  presence  of  the  Bishop^  the  YiochChsneellor,  Wm.  Digby,  Esq., 


328  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

and  several  of  the  Magislratea,  the  Gentry  and  6er«y.  ^^  pinner 
the  Chairman  (Dr.  Outram)  announced  the  kind  intention  of  the  Sidiop 
to  give  ;C100  to  he  laid  out  in  Bihles  and  Prayer  Books  for  the  use  of  the 
poor  at  the  Free  Church ;  and  the  following,  among  other  toasts  were 
given:— "Our  revered  Sovereign,  the  munificent  Contributor  to  the 
SVee  Church." 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  larger  contributors  to  this 

noble  undeiiaking:  — 

The  King        .        .        .        .        •        j^IOOO  0  0 

J.  H.  Browne,  Esq^  and  the  Bev.  T. 
Giabome,  as  Trustees  of  the  late 

J.  Hawkms,  £ki.    ...  1000  0  0 

J.  n.  Browne,  Esq.     .       .       .       .  .  200  0  0 

Lord  Vlsooant  Dudley  and  Ward  .  900  0  0 
The  Bidiop  of  Liehfield  and  Coventiy. 
fii^adlDg  £100  lor  Bibles  and 

I^yw Books).       .       .       .  600  0  0 

TheEarlof  Warwiek         .       .       .  500  0  0 

Wriothed^  Digby,  Esq.  600  0  0 

AniiiikiiowiiBeiiefiiotor,byI>r.Oatxam      600  0  0 

The  Ber.  Dr.  liadan                          .  460  0  0 

Lord  CUtherpe      •       •  300  0  0 

HeiM^Lw.  £iq.  •       •       •       •  IS  2  S 

Inae8pooiiir,£iq.         .       .  300  0  0 

Isaac  BpooMrJuo^  Esq.     .       .       •  100  0  0 

Edwaid  fklmsr,  Ek|.     ...  S50  0  0 

James  WooDej,  Esq.  ....  850  0  0 

ThelatoBttlof  DartmouUi  .       .  900  0  0 

The  Ute  ShI  ol  Aytafixd  .       .       .  SOO  0  0 

8irGliaitoMfltdaaiit|BMri.JLP..  SOO  0  0 

^  Di^dakSlnlibrdDqgdalcTBMHlLP.  SOO  0  0 

XIm  late  Or  JohaMoidaimt,  Bait.    .  100  0  0 

Thoniaa  WUtaoN^  Eiq,  ICjP.      .  iOO  0  Q 

The  day  dPter  the  OottMcntkn  the  *Bidio^ 

Chuiches  Madly  1900  iMnoM^  a  ttomber  cottBdenbly  eseeeding  that 
ai«]ie]afltObainMlkamtheyearl810;eiidltwasaaioii  interertp 
lag  end  gnltfviiv  iUbi  to  ehnrre  ao  maoy  amiable  jomiff  psnone 
teitiMitf  tlisfr  dasp  mum  d  the  nommiloiis  «ig»gsmeiiti  thsgr  were 
takiag  upon  tbeoMsivHi  by  their  esrioosMss  and  devotion  dniuig  the 
whole  ei^  eolsan  and  effecting  eeranony.- 

Vr.  R  SpooMTirae  Hifffa  fieiliffthie  Tear,  and  hie  term 
of  office  ifTas  dietinguiehed  br  theforaiationof  aOommeraal 
Sodety,  ''for  the  purpoee  ot  colleftting  and  comparing  the 
oniniona  cdT  ite  lUrdbanta  and  HannfiMstaren^  of  acting  ae  a 
Medium  of  Oonmranication  with  IGniiten  and  the  Lflfpa- 
latore  on  the  enbject  of  Trade,  and  of  co^perati^»  ae 
oceaaion  may  req;iiire,  with  other  parte  of  the  u  nited  Ejii^- 
dom  on  qneetione  affecting  the  ffeneial  proenerity  of  the 
ILmnfiMstnree  and  Commerce  of  the  Britieh  £minre.  The 
meeting  wae  hdd  on  July  21, 1818 ;  and  it  reecdved  nnani- 


PUBLIC  LIFE  AND  EVENTS.  329 

mously  *  That  the^proposed  Society  be  called  the  Chamber 
of  Manufactures  and  Commerce  of  Birmingham.'" 

Wellington  continued  his  victorious  march  in  Spain.  On 
July  24th  he  besieged  Pampeluna ;  and  on  the  28th  Marshal 
Soidt  was  defeated  in  the  battle  of  the  Pyrenees.  The  news 
of  these  fresh  triumphs  were  thus  received  in  Birmingham : — 

Mabshal  Welunotom's  Yigtorus. 

August  23, 1813. — The  tel^raph  dispatch  announcing  the  battles  of 
the  Pyrenees  was  reoeived  in  this  town  on  Monday,  and  farther  par- 
ticulars of  the  gratifying  intelligence  were  obtained  soon  after  midnight. 
Mr.  John  Hart,  the  coach  proprietor,  of  this  town,  had,  it  appears, 
given  directions  that  bo  soon  as  any  satiafactoxy  information  oi  these 
^reat  events  could  be  obtained  in  London,  one  of  his  coaches  was 
immediately  to  set  off  with  all  speed  to  Birmingham,  and  the  Balloon 
post  coach,  through  Coventry,  was  driven  at  so  great  a  rate  that  it 
reached  here  before  one  o'clock  on  Tuesday  morning!  bringing  a 
second  edition  of  the  Timei  newspaper.  The  coachman  and  ffuard  soon 
gave  notice  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  joyful  tidings  they  had  brought^ 
and  (it  beioff  Bell  Wake)  a  lam  concourBe  of  people  very  soon 
assembled,  who  set  the  ringers  to  cumff  the  beUs  of  8t  Martin's  and 
St  PhiliD^8,-a]id  then  drew  the  coach  iJong  the  streets  with  cheers  of 
congratnlation  and  loud  huzzas  I 

About  noon  the  same  day  mian^  thousand  jwrsons  assembled  to  meet 
the  mail  coach,  which  arrived  with  decorations  indicative  of  victory. 
The  populace  took  out  the  horses  at  the  commenoement  of  the  town, 
and  ojitfged  the  coach  to  the  Post  Office,  and  afterwards  through  the 
prindpiastreets.    In  the  evening  there  was  a  general  illumination. 

Here  is  the  first  note  of  another  noble  work  of  Charitj : — 
Oct  ^  1818L — ^li  flives  vm  much  gratification  to  hear  thai  a  sooe^  is 
about  to  be  wtaWislifid  for  the  express  purpose  of  affording  relief  to 
poor  lying-in  women.  A  meeting  has  beoi  held,  the  result  of  ^idi 
gives  evcuy  reason  to  believe  that  the  society  will  be  well  supported, 
and  we  doubt  not  will  be  essentially  serviceable,  as  there  certamly  is 
not  anv  sitaalion  to  which  the  poor  are  exposed  that  calls  so  loudly  for 
relief  frooi  those  iHio  have  it  in  their  power  to  afford  it 

On  October  the  4th  iq>peared  the  following  advertisement 
of  the  Artisuis; — 

Biimingham,  October  1, 1813.— We,  the  undersigned,  the  Committee 
of  Aitizsns  appointed  to  cany  into  effect  the  Resolutions  of  a  Meeting 
held  at  the  Shakemar  Tavern,  on  Wednesday,  the  17th  of  June,  181^ 
do  most  reqwctf nlly  request  the  Artizsna  of  Birmingham  to  meet  on 
Wednesdi^n6xt»at  Ten  o'cbbk  in  the  forenoon,  at  the  Shakespear 
Tavern,  for  the  purpose  of  reoeivingthe  Report  of  our  proceeding. 
Jobn  Steer,  William  Wigfat^  William  Hartshorn, 

Joseph  Wood,  William  Ooz,  William  Stevens, 

James  BoyoSi  Qwrg&  Edmondsi  William  €h«enway, 

Jobn  Lane,  Thomas  Taylor,  Thomas  Hooper, 

Charles  Kelk,  William  Latham,  Joseph  Holliman, 

John  Hinks,  WiUiam  Bailey,  J.  Berresfoid, 

William  Jennings,     Jabez  Aston,  William  Humpage, 

Thomas  Thorp,  Edward  Crowder,         William  Dent, 

James  Connard,         J.  Faulkner,  John  Stuiges. 

J.  Bower, 


330  A  CENTURY  OF  BntMINQHAM  LIFE. 

The  Committee  intend  to  dine  together  at  the  Shakespear  Tavern 
after  the  Business  of  the  Meeting  is  over.  Such  Friends  as  are  disposed 
to  honour  tiiem  with  their  company  may  be  supplied  with  tickets  at  the 
Bar  of  the  Shakespear.  Tickets  at  tbiree  shilliugs  each.  Dinner  on 
the  Table  at  Four  o'clock. 

The.  meeting  was  held,  and  the  presentation  made  on 

October  6th,  and  the  -whole  proceedings  passed  off  with 

great  credit  to  all  concerned.     This  is  the  brief  report  of 

the  ceremony : — 

October  4, 1813. — Wednesday,  bein^  the  Anniveraazy  of  the  birth  of 
our  late  woruiy  and  public-spinted  High  Baili£^  Thomas  Attwood,  Esq., 
was  fixed  upon  by  the  Artizans  of  this  town  to  present  that  true  friend 
of  British  Commerce  with  a  Silver  Cup.  of  the  value  of  200  guineas,  as 
a  grateful  testimonjr  ^or  the  seal  and  inaef ati^ble  exertions  with  which 
he  originated,  and,  in  a  great  measure,  assistM  in  the  destruction  of  the 
East  Lidia'  Monopoly,  as  well  as  his  many  other  public  services.  The 
bejls  of  both  diurches  announced  the  ceremony  with  complimentary 
peab  due  to  so  interesting  an  occurrence. 

The  next  quotation  is  the  aocount  of  hijing  the  foundation 
stone  of  the  Troof  House : — 

October  4, 1813. — The  principal  yinmakers  of  this town^after  very 
oouidenble  pains  and  ezpenoe,  havuiff  procured  an  Act  of  Pisrliament 
for  the  erecong  and  estoblisning  oc  a  Proof  House,  proceeded  <ui 
Wednesday  last  to  lay  the  first  stone  of  the  building,  whidi  is  situated 
in  Banbuiy  Stxeet,  near  the  Faxeley  oanal,  and  will  be  of  incalculable 
benefit  to  the  town  and  the  community,  as  the  barrels  of  all  ffuns 
maaufaciaxed  at  Birmingham  must  be  full  Tower  proo^  by  yndck 
penoDS  may  nse  tueh  firs  ams  wiUi  the  matest  wbMj,  Tbs  GKuu> 
diana,  TVoiise%  and  Waidens  attended,  ana  depodted  within  a  ek^nty^ 
prerioaalypivparadinthestoiie^aaeiiesef  sdM  and  ahrar  ooIbs  of  lus 
praent  ftajeirtyy  the  Bmk  of  Ei^giaiid  t^cnsi  and  the  rilwr  and 
copper  tokens  of  this  town,  with  a  namtive  of  the  efvenii  which  led  to 
the  establishment  written  upon  par6hmept»  and  endosed  in  a  glan 
bottle ;  over  the  whole  was  laui  a  nrsM  platcL  engraved  with  a  soitabie 


inserratioDy  containing  the  names  of  the  Qqardian%  Trustees,  and 
Wardens^  ft&  Alter  the  eeremony  the  parties  ratir«d  to  a  dinner 
nmarsd  for  the  oeessinn ;  mirth  and  good  humoor  presided,  and  th« 


lesavis  s^aMCireulated  freely  to  a  lato  hoar.  At  the  tune  of  lading  the 
atone  tCe  bells  of  the  diardies  stmck  up,  and  continued  their  meny 
peab  oooMkxDally  throoglioat  the  day. 

Acsin  we  have  rejoidngs  over  the  defeat  of  Napoleon. 
The  Mttle  of  Leipsic  was  a  four  days'  fifht^  beginning  on 
October  16th«  ana  ending  on  the  19tii.  It  was  one  of  the 
dedflive  battles  of  the  world,  and  was  won  by  the  Allies. 
The  scene  at  Birmingham  on  the  arrival  of  the  news  must 
have  b^en  worth  seeing : — 

Kovember  8, 1813.— Hie  intdligence  cf  the  Olorions  and  DeeisiTe 
Yietories  obtained  by  the  Allies  over  Buooi^iartey  in  the  neuhbooiliood 
of  Leipsicy  waa  brooght  to  this  pbce  as  early  as  six  o^dock  in  tlie 
morning  ol  Thursdayi  by  the  Balloon  Coach,  to  the  Swan  Hotel,  and 


PUBLIC  LIFE  AND  EVENTS.  331 

confinned  by  the  aniTal  of  the  Union  at  the  Dog  Inn  at  eight.  The 
{^tifying  news  was  soon  spread  throughout  the  town  bj  placards 
issued  from  the  various  minting  offices,  and  bj  the  ringinff  of  the  bells 
of  St  Martin's  and  St  Philip's,  and  St  John's,  Deriteno.  The  nudl 
coadi,  in  consequence  of  being  detained  to  brinff  the  Extraordinary 
Qazette,  did  not  reach  here  till  one  o'clock,  althou^  our  public-spirited 
ooachmaster,  Mr.  John  Hart,  had  despatched  an  extra  pair  of  horses 
to  Stonebridffe  to  enedite  its  arrivaL  Lon^  before  twelve  o'clock 
thousands  and  tens  of  thousands  of  the  inhabitants  had  assembled  in 
the  streets  through  which  the  mail  coach  was  to  pass,  and  on  its  arrival 
(decorated  with  a  provision  of  laurels,  flags,  and  ribbands,  and  the 
postilion  of  the  extra  pair  of  horses  dressed  in  a  complete  suit  of  blue 
sarsnet)  was  greeted  with  the  most  enthusiastic  shouts  of  joy.  On  the 
following  evening  a  great  part  of  the  unhabitants  manifested  their  joyful 
sensations  by  an  iUumination,  in  which  many  tasteful  and  m)ropriate 
transparencies  and  mottoes  were  exhibited.  Many  years  have  the 
mantuacturers  of  this  town  and  neighbourhood  severely  felt  the  weight 
of  Buonaparte^s  preasore  on  the  Qmtinent;  now  we  hope  they  will 
speedily  be  relieved  from  their  suffering ;  and  we  conffratolate  them 
and  the  pubUc  in  the  emphatical  words  Si  the  Honoorable  Sir  Charies 
Stewart :  ^  Europe  aft  kaigth  approaches  her  deliverance,  and  England 
may  triumphant^  look  f orwaxxi  to  reap^  in  conjunction  with  her  Allies, 
that  gloiT  ner  imexampled  and  steady  effirats  in  the  common  canse  so 
justly  entitle  her  to  receive.* 

On  January  S,  1814,  we  read : — 

The  Boval  AMcnt  was  given  on  Monday  se'nni^t  'to  an  Act  for 
enlaigmgtiiepowenof  anaofefor  rebuildiiig  the  bndge  over  the  river 
Bea,  eonmonly  ealled  Deritend  Bridf^  near  this  Tcnvn,  an 
other  improwMBte  adjonuog  that  nver. 

In  Febmaiy  of  ibis  year  the  town  lost  a  very  nseful 
dtisen,  and  the  Ocuette  its  editor.  The  death  of  our  worthy 
predeceaaor  is  thus  recorded : — 

Fehniary  81, 1814.— Died,  on  IViday  Evening,  in  his  48Ui  year,  from 


the  anddai  mptnre  of  a  blood  vessel,  nreoeded  By  an  indimsition  of  a 
few  weeks,  whidi  had  greatly  hnpaiiea  bis  bodily  frame,  lir.  JonaUian 
Knott,  for  many  vssrs  an  eminent  Booksdler  aaid  Printer  of  this  towti. 
His  rabtives  ana  friends^  by  whom  his  private  worth  was  properly 
appreciated,  will  loqg  have  raason  to  lament  his  removaL  As£ditorof 
inis  Oaaett^  his  several  duties  were  pexfbnned  with  impartiality, 
candoor,  and  integrity,  carefully  exefaidmg  from  its  psM  all  matter 
whidi  mi^t  ii^we  the  chanwter,  or  even  weund  t£e  feelingi  of 
individoals. 

The  Treaty  of  Paris  was  eigned  on  the  SOth  of  May ;  and 
the  national  rejoicings  were  of  the  most  enthusiastic 
character.  London  was  visited  by  the  Emperor  Alexander, 
the  King  of  Fruasia^  filucher,  Platoff,  Metternich,  marshals 
and  gei^rala  not  a  few;  and  was  illuminated  for  three 
nights,  while  banquets  and  balls  were  ^ven  without 
number.  The  provinces  imitated  the  capital;  and  Bir- 
mingham, like  tne  others,  donned  holiday  attire  and  kept 


332  A  CENTURY  OF  BIBMINGHAM  LIFE. 

high  fesEiyal  in  celebration  of  the  auspicioiis  event    Here 
is  the  contemporary  reoord  of  the  scene  :-^ 

Jane  6,  1814.— The  aoootint  of  the  Bignature  of  the  long  expected 
Treaty  of  Peace  arriyed  on  Friday.  The  first  intimation  reached  as  at 
the  early  hoar  of  two  in  the  morning,  by  express^  from  Mr.  Willan,  the 
coach  proprietor,  to  Mr.  Johnson,  at  the  Nelson  Hotel,  by  way  of 
Oxfora,  in  the  short  s^ace  of  ten  hoars  and  a  halfl  This  laudable  ^ort 
to  famish  the  town  with  the  earliest  tidings  of  the  auspicioas  event  was 
followed  by  a  similar  oommanioation  from  Mr.  Waterhoose  to  Mr. 
Hart^  at  the  Swan  Hotel,  which  airiyed  aboat  four  o'clock ;  at  five  the 
Ancient  Briton  Coach  came  in,  drawn  by  six  horses,  bringing  the  same 
joyful  intelligence.  It  may  readily  be  imagined  that  news  so  important 
would  not  be  slow  in  ciroulating ;  the  popalaoe  rapidly  collected,  and 
with  an  anxious  desire  for  its  promulgation,  took  every  means  of 
awakening  their  neiffhbour%  by  dimwing  one  of  the  coaches  through  the 
principal  streets,  and  by  knocking  and  ringing  at  the  doors,  &a  At  an 
early  hour,  thousands  of  our  fellow  townsmen  proceeded  to  meet  the 
mail,  which  was  expected  to  exhibit  the  characteristic  decorations  with 
which  important  political  Intelligence  has  of  late  been  accompanied. 
Persons  of  both  sexes,  and  of  all  rlsfisnn^  flodLcd  to  those  parts  of  the 
town  through  which  the  ndi  usually  passes.  Upon  its  arrival  soon 
after  twelve  o'doek,  we  tslfflilstfwl  thai  not  less  than  one  half  the 
population  of  Birmingham  was  collected.  Never  have  we  witnessed  a 
more  crowded,  and  at  the  same  time^  a  mors  joyous  scena  The  mail 
ooad^  drawn  by  eiffht  horses,  profiisely  eoverad     "'  ^  "  -.i^i-— j- 


tion%  passed  in  ptocession  tpthe  Swan  Hotel,  followed  b^  the  torrentof 
the  popnlaoa  Every  oooateiianoe  tesUfied  the  exultation  this  happy 
■oene  was  so  wuU  ealcnlaled  to  exeitei  the  windows  were  also  filled 
with  our  fiUr  townswomsOi  who  wdoomed  the  arrival  with  waviog  of 
handkerchieft^  Aa  The  mall  was  preceded  about  half  an  hour  by  the 
Unkm  Coadi|  whidi  was  drawn  to  the  CSsstle  Inn  by  the  people,  amid 
the  aeelsmatMins  of  all  asiimlilnd  Sfivefal  oxen  and  sheep  will  be 
roasted  in  dUBwent  parts  of  the  town  to-day.  Mr.  Jossph  Taylor,  of 
Newhall  Street,  intends  givi&g  to  Us  workmen  and  their  wives  an  ox 
and  six  barrels  of  alo  on  the  nappy  oooaslon. 

These  rejoioiDgs  wero  followed  by  an  address  of  congratu- 
laiton  to  the  Prince  Begent 

nie  watchman,  Twyfoid,  for  shooting  at  whom  Matsell 

was  hanged  on  Snow  llill,  in  1809,  died  this  year ;  and  we 

have  the  following  further  particiilars  respecting  him : — 

Nov.  S8,  1814— Dnn>«-On  Tuesday.  Mr.  Robert  Twyford,  one  of 
the  NIglit  OoasUbles  ef  this  town.  Our  nsders  will  rscoUect  that 
Twyf oni  was  the  watchman  who  was  shot  bv  lli^sell  some  vears  since. 
The  poor  man  becsme  sfllietsd  with  strangulated  hernia,  and  underwent 
the  qwntion  for  that  diseass  wiUi  the  greatest  firmness.  Eveiy  circum- 
stsnce  Induced  the  snraeoiM  to  expect  a  speedv  recovery,  except  the 
sffitatlaii  whidi  a  dresdfnl  eoQgh  sxeited,and  which  In  ten  days  carried 
him  oC  His  widow,  a  poor  woomui  <tf  most  respectable  diarscter,  Is 
left  desolate;  and  In  appealing  to  the  public  in  her  favour,  we  are 
certain  we  shall  not  pleaa  In  vain,  partkuiariv  when  the  dreumstances  of 
her  husband's  oonduct  are  recoUected,  and  tnat  the  disesse  of  the  lungs 


PUBLIC  LIFE  AND  EVENTS.  333 

"which  destroyed  him  was  caught  while  in  the  faithful  diachange  of  his 
duty.  What  adds  to  the  poor  woman's  misfortune  is,  that  a  dub  which 
Twyf Old  belonged  to  refuse  to  pay  the  usual  sum  on  such  occasions,  on 
account  of  the  man  having  died  after  an  operation  for  strangulated 
hernia,  althou|^h  the  body  was  opened  on  that  account  to  investigate 
the  cause  of  his  death,  and  the  parts  connected  with  the  operation  were 
found  in  a  natural  state,  but  the  lungs  were  in  the  bluest  state  of 
inflammation, — Donations  will  be  received  by  the  Printer  of  this  paper. 

The  agitation  against  the  Com  Laws  was  now  beginning; 
and  it  will  be  seen  by  the  foUowin^  quotation  uiat  the 
people  of  Birmingham  early  took  up  the  subject^  and  with 
their  usual  earnestness : — 

Corn  Laws. 

March  13,  1815.— The  Town's  Meetinj^  which  was  held  at  the 
Madras  School,  on  Wednesday  last,  to  petition  the  Leffislature  on  the 
subject  of  the  Gom  Laws,  was  most  numeroualv  attended.  Several  of 
the  Cietgr  and  Magistrates  and  a  considerable  number  of  the  moat 
respectaUe  inhabitants  of  the  town  were  present.  After  a  few  intro- 
ductory remarks  from  Joeeph  Burden,  Esq.,  the  chainnan,  the  assembly 
was  addressed  by  W.  VillerL  Esq.,  Mr.  P.  M.  James,  W.  Hamper,  Esq., 
Mr.  J.  Turner,  &&,  &c.  Tlie  molations  were  unanimously  canied, 
and  a  fwiition  against  the  Oom  Bill  agreed  to.  Many  persons^  imable 
to  obtain  admission,  were  obliged  to  remain  on  theontsiae  of  the  School 
Boom,  in  which  it  is  calculatea  near  3000  individuals  were  assembtod. 
Immediately  upon  the  breaking  up  of  the  meeting  skins  of  parchment 
were  handed  round  for  signatures.  We  nndentand  that  48,o00  names 
were  obtained  by  four  o'cloek  the  following  afternoon,  when  the 
petitioos  were  forwarded  to  Lcmdon.  That  to  the  Oommons  was  pre- 
mnted  on  IViday  evening. 

The  Petition  mddxtmA  to  the  House  of  Commons  bj  the  Chamber 
of  Mannfactores  in  this  town  was  presented  on  IViday  evening. 

The  old  post  office  was  in  Bennett's  Hill,  and  was  most 

inconvenient  for  the  publia    The  growth  of  the  town,  and 

the  new  postal  fSau^ues,  had  made  it  inadequate  for  the 

wants  of  the  town.    Accordingly,  we  are  not  surprised  to 

find  both  the  authorities  and  the  public  anxious  for  a  change. 

On  June  5,  an  answer  to  a  complaining  correqK>ndent  gave 

the  public  the  following  information : — 

We  would  inf onn  **  a  Townsman  *  that  hiis  soggestion,  rdative  to 
the  inoonvenienoe  attending  the  transaction  of  bosness  at  the  Boat 
Ofllee  in  this  town,  owin^  to  the  confined  space  appraxriated  to  Uie 

Cblic^  has  been  foUv  anticipated.  Upon  enqoiiy  we  nnd  that  steps 
ve  been  already  taken,  bv  some  inoividiials,  and  a  plan,  somewhat 
difiering  from  that  proposea  by  him,  is  very  nearly  matnred,  whidi  we 
hope  to  see  speedily  ratified  by  a  town's  meeting,  what  oar  camspon- 
dent,  and  other  public  spirited  inhabitants  of  uie  town,  wiU  have  an 
opportunity  of  contributmg  towards  the  accomplishment  of  ao  deaiiabia 
an  alteration. 

''We  rejoice**  to  make  the  next  extract  It  is  the 
beginning  of  that  social  legislation  which^  in  our  own  day, 


334!  A  CENTtJRT  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

has  culminated  in  the  Factory  Acts,  and  the  Regulation  of 
Labour  BilL  'Such  notes  are  to  social  questions  like  a  ''beam 
in  darkness ;''  they,  may  reveal  the  surrounding  gloom^  but 
they  also  show  the  way  out  of  it.  The  new  fife  they  give 
rolls  " from  soul  to  soul/'  and  happily  ''grows  for  ever  and 
for  ever,"  On  June  12,  the  editor  says  "we  rejoice,"  and 
even  now  we  rejoice  with  him,  "  to  hear  that  a  Bill  is,  to  be 
brought  into.Parliament  to  fix  the  age  under  which  children 
shall  not  be  admitted  into  manufactories ;  to  limit  the  hours 
in  the  day  beyond  which  they  shall  not  be  worked ;  and  to 
secure  some  portion  of  useful  instruction'  to  those  little 
beings." 

Our  present.  Coroner,  Dr.  Birt  Davies,  wrote  a  series  of 
very  able  letters  in  the  OaaetU,  advocatiiig  the  establishment 
of  a  House  x>f  Recovery  in  cases  pf  fever.  In  the  paper  in 
which  the  first  letter  appeared,  signed  Hedicus,  the  editor 
thus  drew  attention  to  it  r^ — 


December  11,1815.— W«  would  direct  the  attention  gg  <mr  tmSien 
to  a  letter,  ineeirted  in  our  £tBt  pefle,  on  tlio  eiBcaqr  and  adTantagee  of 
eeteblfehmente  ezdoairely  devoted  to  tlie  nception  of  poor  :penoos 
lahofiTing  under  contagioiiB  diBOKdeE&  •  The  writer  straDglj  sets  forth 
the  beneficial  eflBwte  prodoced  by  inititntfaini  of  tibe  kind  in  eeveial  parte 
of  the  kinyiioin,  and  etron^y  nigee  the  neoBMatr  of  a  lindlar  eelaMiih- 
mcnt  hi  this  town.  We  have  no  doobt  the  mbject  will  meet  witii  that 
■eiioas  attention  inTariaUy  BTOi  bj  oar  townnnen  to  any  plM  alB^^ 
the  comf oit  of  the  poorer  cfiiBeee. 

We  have  had  the  pleasant  task  of  recording  from  year  to 
year  the  innmneraUecharitaUe  undertaking  m,  the  prosper- 
ens  inhabitantB  of  Birmingham,  In  eveir  manner  m  which 
philanthropy  could  employ  itself  to  dimmish  the  suffering 
and  to  relieve  the  distress  of  the  poor,  was  the  benevolence 
of  our  fiithera  employed  They  nave  left  to  us  a  legacy  <^ 
good  works,  whicn  we  have  not  been  neglectful  to  maintAin 
nor  unwilling  to  increase.  For  the  most  part»  however^  un- 
til the  time  we  have  no  w  reached,  the  efforts  of  the  charitable 
were  rather  employed  in  reli0vin|^  thepoor,  than  aiwinting 
the  poor  to  help  themselvea.  Sdc  Gtnbs  and  Oi^  and 
other  institutions  of  a  like  kind  were  established  by  worldng 
men*;  but  generally  these  were  based  upon  wrong  principles, 
and  were  more  fiuiiful  of  evil  than  of  good ;  often  crediting, 
and  nearly  alwATO  fostering,  habits  of  £unk6nne88  instead  of 
providence  and  forethought^  and  were  more  profitable  to  the 
landlords  of  the  public-houses  in  which  they  were  invariably 
held,  than  to  any  of  the  members^  except  the  lasy  and  the 
drunken,  who  were  always  on  the  ^x,"  living  on  the 


PUBLIC  LIFE  AND  EVENia  335 

money  of  the  soberer  and^  therefore,  healthier  of  their  fellow 
members.  In  1816,  however,  a  new  institution  was  intro- 
duced^ in  which  the  working  man  could  place  his  savings 
and  receive  interest  for  his  deposits.  The  time  was  come 
to  teach  the  poor  how  to  help  themselves,  and  to  make 

})rovision  for  the  future.    The  year  1816  opened  with  the 
bllowing  announcement : — 

•      SAvnras  Bakes. 

Jannaiy  8th,  1816. — We  have  great  aatisfiietion  in  announcing  to  our 
readen^  that  these  admirable  institutions  hare  attracted  the  serious 
attention  of  several  of  onr  most  respectable  toimsmen,  and  that  the 
expedien<r^  of  forming  an  establishment  of  the  kind  in  Birmingham^ 
will  be  ta£en  into  immediate  oonttderation. 


Only  a  month  after  this  brief  announcement  the  Bank  was 
oiganised,  a  committee  appointed,  and  the  whole  machineiy 
set  in  action.  And  we.  leam  ^  thkt  on  Monday  lasti  at  the 
first  opening  of  the  Bank  for  Savings  in  this  town,  the  sum 
of  £26  WH8  deposited.''     •       •    "       

On  March'  24,  ''about  one  o'clock  p.m.,  the  shock  of  an 
earthquake,  which  lasted  'twen{^  seconds/  was  sensibly  ex- 
perienced in  this  town  and  neignbourhoodi'' 

It  is  pleasant  to  record  the  following  gxateful  recognition 
of pubhc services:-^'  •  •.   *  '.'  *-  ;.'• '  '     .  •       ^  •    «; 

Mb.  BaovasAiCi 
April  S2nd,  18ia-On  the  7th  df  July.  1812,  a  rapeetaUe  Meeting 
of  tba  Metcbanti^  Mannfactqrar%  and.otber  lAahitanti  of  this  town 
was  bold  at  the  Pnblie  Office^  to  exptCM  thdr  gmtaftd  Hhanks  to 
the  Membon  of  both  Honaes  of  Pariiament  &  their  gnat  and 
•noeniftil  ezertionfl  in  obtaining  a  rsfoeatfoii  6f  the  Oiden  in  OooneU ; 
when  the  tbanki  of  the  meetuig  wer6  unaaimoiialj  Tolod  to  flcniy 
Brooghaai.'  Bn^  *lbr  the  jpre  eminent  ahOitj,  seal,  and  pttwfeiaaee 
manifetted  in  nta  imDaralleled  exertions  to  obtain  the  raveeatlop  of 
the  Orden  in  Ooondl,  and  ftr  hit  elomieBl  appeal  to  the  House 
of  Commoiis  on  the  lOth  of  June  last  in  behalf  oi  the  mano&ctnring 
and  eommerefad  interests  of  the  United  Klnffdoin.*  As  a  ftuther  pitNn 
of  the  gratitude  of  the  perKms  eomposing  this  mesHwg^  a  Bnbaeription 
was  immedfaitdy  cnterea  into  to  defiigr  escpenees  Ibr jmrdiasing  oertidn 
artides  of  plate  to  be  preeented  to  him,  as  a  token  oithefar  Ugh  esteein. 


These  artides,  baring  been  finiahedy  were  sobmitted  on  Tuesdaj  and 
Wednesday  to  imblie  intpeetion,  in  a  room  at  the  Pnblie  Office^  in  this 
town,  pnyionaly  to  their  beiiw  forwarded  to  London.  Thnr  were 
mannfactnred  at  the  Soho^  of  the  nnest  worinnanihlft  and  are  aa  fellows ; 
Two  richly  embossed  Tnreenty  bearing  this  inscription,  ''To  Henry 
Brongliam,  Emj^  the  enlightened  Advocate  of  the  maavftetnring  and 
commerdal  Interests  of  his  Coontiyt  this  Memorial  of  Gfatitnde  was 
nnanimonaly  Toted  at  a  pnblio  Meeting  of  the  Inhabitants  of  Binning* 
ham,  7th  Jnly,  1812;"  a  richly  chased  foliaged  Epogne;  a  pair  of 
beantifol  Tripodsi  each  carrying  three  llgbti^  serpents  in  the  c&tre, 
and  anpportea  by  Satjt's  beads  and  feet 


336  A  CENTUBT  OF  BIBMIKQHAH  LIFE. 

The  Board  of  Ordxianoe  were  at  thiis  time  coiuddering  the 

desirability  of  removing  the  manufacture  of  arms  fix)m  this 

town.    Such  a  proposal  was  sure  to  rouse  Birpdngham 

manufacturers  and  workmen  to  the  utmost   activity  of 

opposition.     The  proposal  of  the  Qovemment,  and  the 

chims  of  this  district  are  set  forth  in  the  next  extract : — 

April  29ih,  1816.— At  a  time  like  the  present^  when  the  reeouroes  of 
many  of  our  indoBtrioiui  manQfaoturers  have  been  redaoed  by  the  great 
changes  that  haTe  .ooonrred  in  thoee  branches  of  trade  which  were 
principally  dependent  upon  a  state  of  warfare,  it  tnnst  be  a  matter  of 
aeriona  regret  to  oar  townsmen  to  learn  that  nreparations  haye,  for 
some  time  pas^  been  making  bv  the  Board  of  Oxdnanee  for  removing 
the  mannfsetnre  of  arms  f  rom  tnii  district  to  new  establishments  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  metropolis^  to  be  oondaeted  altogether  bv  their  own 
Servants.  We  are  at  a  loss  to  aarign  any  adeqnate  motive  for  removing 
tiie  remidns  of  that  manoQustore  from  thistown,  which,  by  fnmiihing 
to  the  Government  upwards  of  one  thoosand  muiqtiets  per  day  daring 
many  years  of  the  late  Drench  war,  has  provM  its  ability  at  any  time 
to  soiqsly  the  ezigeades  of  the  State  to  the  graatesl  possible  extent 
When  wo  consider  the  pecoliar  and  natorsl  aofaatafss  of  this  district 
for  the  dieop  imly  of  maturfais  requisite  for  thai  mannfoctors^  and 
the  erident  sapenoritT  in  point  of  economy 'of  pilnle  foetoiies  over 
those  which  an  pboed  nnasr  the  managenient  of  a  GovemmentL  we 
•re  indnoed  to  express  oor  hope  that  the  attentiott  of  the  pablie  will  be 
diiMted  to  thisimportaat  snlifeot^  and  that  th^  will  see  the  wopcisty  of 
aerioosly  remoostntiQg  agdiist  a  measore  ao  materially  anecting  the 
Snterestsof  this  town  ud  neifl^boarliood,in  no  dsgrM  called  for  on  the 
groond  of  anedianqri  and  wfich  cannot  foil  to  be  wastefolly  expensive 
m  Its  operatkm.  '  * 

On  Hjpty  6  this  editorial  notice  appeared  }— 

.   We  nijo&oe  to  find,  Inr 

qolsitlcii  whldi  appsanm  oor  paper  of  this  day,  IIm  o«  townsmen  are 
properiy  loosed  to  a  sense  of  the  n^niy  whidi  the  pvqjected  ramofal  of 
the  mannfoetiireof  mall  arms  to  the  r^ralMtablkhsMAt  in  the  yieinity 
of  the  metoopolis,  would  eeession  to  the  town  and  neiAbonribibod.  A 
town^  meeting  vpon  the  snbieei  is  fixed  by  oor  H^  fiailifrfor  Toes- 
dav.  the  SlsTIiistant  We  ferast  the  leprsssntatisB  of  thai  assembly 
wul  not  only  eoBvinee  Us  Halesiys  Qorernmant  of  the  ii^ostiee  of  the 
snil  nf  iTii  InmTm-'nlrTT  f-j-^-^*7*-  -jt! mnismillj  iiimll  tn 


this  distrieti  by  so  eoiMldeiabU  a  portion  of  itapopolalioQ  beiog  thrown 

ooi  of  employaenti  hot  also  of  the  ImpoU^  of  the  pfoeeedimc  ooMidered 
In  All  AflODomiflsl  ^M-  nf  fwmsenniiBiiie  a  Batlonal  nsial  ^  viMr 

The  meeting  was  held  on  May  12th,  inateadof  the  2l8t^ 
as  mentioned  above.  Theodore  Prioe,  Bichard  Spooner, 
Timothy  Smith,  Tertins  Galton,  and  other  eminent  mer- 
chantsand  mannfactnreri  took  part  in  the  proceedinga.  Mr. 
Dickenson*  one  of  the  qMakere^  mentioned  a  eorioos  eiroom- 
stanoe  which  is  worth  quoting.     He  said,  ^seeing  so  many 

Stlemen  who  had  attained  htf]gp  forttiiies  from  the  gon 
10,  he  proposed  that  a  suhseription  shonU  be  entca:ed  mto 


PUBLIC   LIFE  AND  EVENTS.  337 

to  defray  the  expenses  for  carrying  the  object  of  the  meeting 
into  effect,  instead  of  beinff  taken  from  the  Poor's  Rates,  as 
he  thought  that  the  manufiicturers  and  shop-keepers  of  tliis 
town  were  sufficiently  burthened  by  the  ordinary  expenses 
of  parochial  assessment ;  ikere  being  only  about  a  fouHh 
part  who  pay  rates  out  of  17>000  houaes  which  tlie  town 
contavnedJ* 

A  Town's  Meeting  was  held  on  May  14,  and  resolutions 
expressive  of  the  utmost  alarm  and  regret,  and  the  most 
determined  opposition  to  the  proposed  measure  were  unani- 
mously passeo. 

Factory  legislation  has  now  assumed  a  most  important 
position  in  social  politics.  Nearly  the  whole  of  the  nation 
recognise  the  principle  that  the  duty  of  the  legislature  is 
to  provide  laws  for  the  protection  of  those  who  are  unable  to 
protect  themselvea  If  parents  neglect  their  duty  and  allow 
their  children  to  grow  up  in  wickedness,  or  make  of  them 
juvenile  slaves  for  their  own  selfish  purposes,  the  State 
must  come  in  and  throw  its  segis  of  protection  over  her 
future  citizens.  If  masters,  seizra  with  the  spirit  of  greed, 
would  work  the  littie  striplings  to  the  prevention  of  their 
development  into  healthy  and-  strong  men  and  women,  the 
State  must  come  in  and  compel  the  dictates  of  humanity 
to  be  acted  upon,  even  1^  men  who  are  ij^orant  of  their 
meaning.  The  history  of  this  movement  is  an  instructive 
chapter  in  the  progress  of  the  natioa  When  the  ^  Factory 
Act**  of  1816  was  introduced,  it  was  opposed  by  employers 
and  employed  alike  At  the  present  time  employers  and 
employed  are  united  in  assisting  the  legislature  to  pass  such 
acts,  and  using  their  utmost  exertions  to  make  them  as 
]>erfect  as  possible.  In  IHOl,  an  act  was  passed,  in  spite 
of  great  opposition  from  the  mill-owners,  ''for  the  regulation 
of  apprentices  in  cotton  miUs  and  factories.*  In  1816,  it 
was  proposed  to  extend  the  provisions  of  this  act;  and  the 
Binmngnam  CSiamber  of  Manufactures  and  Commerce 
entered  this  protest  against  such  extension : — 

Maj  6;  ISIO.— At  a  nseiing  of  the  Crambbs  of  llAVurAoroRBS  and 
CoMVBacB  in  this  town,  held  on  Monday  Utt,  the  wibjoined  petition 
waa  oidered  to  be  presented  to  the  Houee  of  Commone  agBinst  the  pra- 
poeed  ezteneion  of  the  Aet  ^  for  the  rmlation  of  appieDtioes  in  ootton 
mills  and  fiMtorlee*  to  all  mana&ctonee  eniplojiiig  twenty  or  more 
perMms  under  the  m  of  eighteen. 

To  tk€  HonomraSU  the  Cammmu  of  Orwt  Britain  and  Ireland  in 

The  petition  of  the  nndenigaed  Direeion  of  the  Chamber  of  Manu- 
fiietnreB  and  Oommeroei  at  Burminghem, 


338  A  CENTUKT  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

HUMBLT  8HEWBTH, 

That  your  petitioners  hftye  felt  oonaiderable  alarm  and  aneadn 
in  coDseqaence  of  a  bill  baying  been  introduced  into  jonr  Honour- 
able House  for  extending  to  ail  manu&ctorieB  whatever,  containing 
twenty  or  more  persona  under  the  age  of  eighteen  years,  the  pro- 
visions of  an  act-  made  in  the  42nd  year  of  the  reign  of  his  present 
Majesty,  intituled  <'an  act  for  the  nreservatioii  of  the  health  and  morals 
of  apprentices,  and  others  employea  in  cotton  and  other  mills,  and  cotton 
and  other  factories,"  together  with  certain  alterations  and  amendments 
thereto^  against  which  your  petitioners  are  anxious  to  submit  to  the  con- 
sideration of  your  Honouraole  House  the.  following  objections : — 

1st  niat  your  petitioners  are. not  aware  that  any  of  the  abuses 
which  the  bill  contemplates  are  to  be  found  in  the  numerous  manufac- 
tories  of  this  town  and  ndi^bourhood.  That,  in  case  such  abuse  should 
at  any  time  occur,  the  existing  laws  give  ample  power  to  magistrates  or 
parbchial  authorities  to  correct  or  remove  them. 

indlv.  That  the  manufactories  of  Birmingham  afford  various  employ- 
nents  for  children  under  ten  years  of  age,  whidi  do  not  require  any 
bodily  exertion  detrimental  to  nealth,  but  which  greatly  contribute  to 
'^oim  eariy  habits  of  attention  and  general  industiy. 

Srdly.  That  the  danse  which  pronibits  altogether  the  employment  of 
diildren  under  the  a^e  of  ten  yean  would  have  the  effect  of  depriving 
most  of  the  induatnoos  mediniios  of  this  town  and  neiffhboamood  of 


penoDS 
in  many 


tikOM  rasouroes  in  the  earnings  of  tlwir  children  whidi  have  oontributed 
to  the  decent  maintenance  and  education  of  their  growing  families^  who, 
in  a  great  number  of  instannps,  have  been  em|^oyed  under  their  own 
immraiate  notice  and  superintendence  at  an  earner  age  than  ten  years. 

4thly.  That  the  danse  limiting  the  boars  of  «m|doyment  of  aD 

none  under  ek^teen  years  of  age  would  be  most  inoonvenientiv  felt 

many  of  the  Jaige  mannfaetories  of  fhis  district  in  whidi  the  noon 
of  attendance  are  necessarily  dependent  upon  certain  proeess^js  of  the 
manufacture,  whidi,  in  mai^  caaes,  it  Is  imposaifale  to  oontrd  in  regard 
to  the  present  hoan. 

Mhfy*  Thai  the  opportontties  for  education  wliidi  hkn  been  «o 
amply^  provided  for  in  almost  evoy  numirfaotnring  town,  and  partioa* 
larly  in  that  in  which  your  petitioiien  reside^  are  mudi  more  efficient 
than  could  be  expected  from  the  nropoead  oompulaoiy  r^gulationa. 

0thly.  That  the  proposed  anpofirtniant  of  viswow  is  altogajthermwallad 
for  by  the  state  of  the  mamnaetories  in  this  town  and  nei^bouliood» 
and  would  be  liable  to  great  abuae  from  the  vexations  mtecference 
nanufaeturers  would  enerienca^  and  the  exposures  to  whidi  their 
operations  would  be  subject 

Tthly.  That  the  powers  propoeed  to  be  veated  in  the  viBttoi%  by 
■nbetituting  Icgishtive  aathority  f  or  that  of  parents  and  masten.  mnst 
lend  to  weaken  and  deetroy  that  aalutaiy  eontrol  iHiidi  ia  requiaile  for 
promoting  habita  of  regidtfity  and  indnitrry  and  lor  ««^fa>*»&»<«^  that 
proper  degree  of  aabordinataon  upoa  wldA  the  wdl-behtg  of  aodety 
materially  depends* 

Sthly.  That  medical  Mntlemen  can  well  attest  tiiat  no  facts  cxiat  to 
prove  the  necesaitgi  of  Isgiaktive  r^gohtiona  lor  the  nrsventaon  of 
Infeetiooa  diaeasas  m  the  manufactoriea  of  thia  town  and  tta  vidnitj. 

That,  should  your  Honourable  Houae  have  reason  to  believe  that 
eoeh  aboses  aa  have  been  contemplated  do  exist  in  certain  bnuidMa  of 
manufacture  in  this  United  Kinjgdom  as  to  require  legislative  inteiv 


PUBLIC  LIFE  AND  EVENTS.  339 

ferenoe,  your  petitionen  humbly  pray  that  such  intexf erenoe  may  be 
confined  to  those  manufactures ;  tne  {[eneral  proYisions  of  the  present 
bill  appearing  to  your  petitioners,  in  their  application  to  their  immediate 
neighbourhood,  to  be  erroneous  in  principle — ^vexatious  and  embarFsasing 
to  the  manufacturer — inquisitorial  in  their  nature — oppressive  to  the 
labouring  class — and  in  tneir  tendency  injuriously  affecting  the  public 
interests.  And  your  petitioners  will  ever  pray. 

England's  especial  &yoaiiie,  the  Princess  Charlotte  of 
Wales,  was  married  on  the  2nd  of  May  this  year,  to  Prince 
Leopold  of  Saxe  Cobourg,  amid  the  great  rejoicings  of  the 
.nation.  Birmingham  joined  in  -these  demonstrations  of 
affection,  and  sent  a  loyal  ooiu;ratulatory  address  to  the 
''  loving  fiEtther,*  and  the  well-beToTed  and  amiable  Princess. 

The  distress  this  year  was  very  great  throughout  the 
.country,  and  led  to  the  usual  tumult;.  Birmingham 
was  the  scene  of  a  curious  episode,  of  which  our  resj^cted 
^owiuBiian,  Mr.  R  Jabet,  was  tiie  unwilling  and  innocent 
hero : — 

Norember  4, 1816.— We  are  wanj  it  beoomet  onr  duty  to  state  that 
a  spirit  of  insabordinatioii  mantfewted  iUslf  in  this  town  duriiig  the 
«arhr  pMt  of  last  week.  An  addrsss^  originally  oiroolated  amonff  the 
woixmen  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Bolton,  was  on  the  preoeding  Sator- 
4ay  printed  l^  Mr.  Jabet^  in  the  fonnof  a  hand-bill,  and  genmlly 
•diatribntad,  as  we  nnderstaod,  with  a  view  to  coonteraot  the  aiSMU  of 
laome  paVliealloDs  whieh  had  been  disaemfnated  among  the  lower  daasss^ 
aadwhioh  ware  ooAsiderad  aa  tending,  under  the  present  want  of  em- 
jpkmii6nt»  to  irritate  the  minda  of  the  woddog  part  of  the  oommonity. 
'Thii  addveaa  was  nad  with  aridity,  and  eoplea  being  nlaoed  in  the 
.windows  of  the  Obmmeroial  Hisrald  Offibe^  on  -the  Monday,  attneted 
'towards  eireninio  a  number  of  idle -peoplamniottg  wlioman  unfounded 
and  malieioiis  reporL  prsjndieial  to  Mr.  Jabeti  was  aprsad  br  some  evil 
dispoaed  and  designing  persona^  by  wliieh  the  indignation  of  the  crowd 
waaaAnmgiy  eisated  aflunat  him,  uid  at  lea^ 
upon  hb  hooae  by  whieh  tlie  windows  off  the  shop  and  front  of  the 
dweliing  were  eompletely  demolished  beCsrs  any  tnterferenee  of  the 
poliee  eoold  take  plaoe  to  prsTont  it.  We  are  ^ad  to  observe  that  no 
part  of  Mr.  Jabers  fiunllV  peraonally  ooflersd  in  thia  tu^nstifiable  and 
onezpeeted  attadc  upon  liii  premises. 

The  mnltitode,  whieh  had  by  this  time  greatly  increaaed,  fanmediately 
proeeeded  to  destroy  the  windows  of  a  lionw  on  the  opposite  side  of  thte 
street  Th^  wore  howerer  interropled  by  tlie  speedy  arrival  of  W. 
Hamper,  Esq..  one  of  oor  Magiatratea,  aopported  oy  a  strong  jMees  of 
constables,  ana  by  detaohmonts  of  the  10th  HneeaiSi  and  Ttrd  reobnent, 
headed  by  Mijor  Thaekwell  and  ObL  Crawford ;  the  riot  aet  naring 
•been  read,  the orowd  was  drivenup  the  High  Street  by  the  military, 
who,  in  the  coarse  of  an  hoar  or  two  soeeeeded  in  entirely  disponing  the 
popolaee  and  rsstorinff  quiet,  whieh  oontinned  throogh  the  night  The 
windows  of  ssTerai  of  toe  hoosss  were  broken  in  the  progress  of  the 
mob  apthe  High  steeet  On  the  following  morning  a  nameroas  assem- 
blmfle  took  plaoe  in  the  Ball-ring*  bat  upon  the  appearanoe  of  W.  Bed* 
forc^  Eaq.,  and  the  other  Magistrates^  by  whom  the  riot  aet  was  again 


340  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

•  • 

read,  rapported.by  a  nameroiu  body  of  special  oonstableB,  and  of  the 
military,  they  gradually  disperBed,  aod  the  town  has  ainoe  continued  in 
a  perfbcUy  tranquil  state. 

To  the  Haglstrate^y  for  their  prompt  and'  efficient  exertions,  the 
thanks  of  the  town  are  most  justly  due ;  and  likewise  to  the  militaiy 
for  the  humanity  and  forbearance  which  distinguished  their  conduct 

The  proprietor  of  the  Spring  Gardens,  appeared  in  this 

matter  as  follows : — * 

(November  4, 1816.— Whereas  I,  William  Lowe,  of  Spring  Qardens^ 
Birmlogham,  Victualler,  did  incautoiosly  report  that  I  had  read  in 
Mr.  Janet's  Window,  a  Paner  purporting  that  it  was  Mr.  Jabet^s  Opinion, 
^Ifins  ShiUings  per  toeek  toere  euJlcterU  far  the  Stmxfrtqf  a  Man^ 
his  Wi/e^  and  Six  Children;'  and  for  which  Words  Mr.  Jabet  has  threat- 
ened an  action  aeainst  me ;  but  in  Consideration  of  my  thus  publicly 
acknowledging  that  such  Paper  wu  not  in  Mr.  Jabet^s  WindoW|  be  has 
kindly  eonsented  tawithdraw  all  legal  Proceedings.  Witness  my  Hand, 
the  3M  day  of  October,  1816.  William  Lows. 

The  following  notice  was  issued  by  some  of  the  Magis- 
trates s — 

Norcmber  4, 18ia— -We,  the  Magistrates  acting  for  the  Town  and 
neigbboorhood  of  Birmingham,  were  much  conoenied  lo  find  that  on 
Monday  BTening^  some  oT  the  inhabitants,  misled  br  seditloas  and  ill 
disposed  Persona  and  esnedally  by  some  rsoetat  PnbUeatlons  misehie- 
Tionsly  ciroalateoy  showea  an  Inclination  to  BSot  and  Distorbancs^  and 
proceeded  to  Acts  of  Violence  on  the  Shop  and  House  cf  Mr.  Jabet^a 
rearr  lojal  and  respectable  Printer,  wbo^  with  the  most  landabls  View% 
badpobllshed  a  Letter  written  by  a  Qentlenian  in  *LsiMMhii«,  the  sols 
Tsttdsoej  of  which  was  to  pnserfo  Peace  sad  Order Jnths^Kl^ffdoai. 
We  iodsed  had  hoped  that  wo  should  have  to  boast  of  tho  pesoeabis 
and  orderly  Oondnot  of  all  the  Inhabitants  of  this  Town ;  and  haviiv 
by  ptOBpt  Ezsrtioos  qnsUed  the  Distorfaanoee^.  still  flatter  oonelves 
tbaiwosbaUaoiliairoanhitolamsnisimilarOiitnma  ^ Woarshov- 
eror  dotsimined  on  aU  Ocessloos  to  pnt  the  Ia w  striotlj  In  force  agiii^nt 
every  Disturber  of  the  public  Bsaee^aadhitsBdloliaToalaigeBodyof 
Speasl  Ocmstables  (composed  o£  the  principal  Inhabitants^  who  .hKw 
dedsfod  their  Bsadiness  to  aotX  always  at  Sfand  lossdit  as;  neither 
will  wo  negleet  the  Aid  of  the  MlUtaiy,  ih^  nnder  the  Control  of  tho 

QtU  Ziowor^sro  strictly  legslPksssrvws  of  the  Ptaos.     

W*  HioKBL  Bl  firascuuL 

W.  YnuBs.        TuMk  Puck 
'   W.Bnroiou      W.Wnenatiia. 
W.Hamu 

Tba  remainder  of  the  year  1816,  was  almost  entirely  de- 
voted to  charitable  work ;  relieving  the  distress  of  the  poor, 
and  providing  employment  for  those  out  of  work. 

Auhough  gas  had  been  employed  at  the  Soho  in  1802,  it 

was  not  nntif  1817  that  a  company  was  Cotmed  to  apply  it 

to  the  lighting  of  the  town : — 

lammsD  BisiniroBAif  Oa»  Liobt  Ookpaitt. 
JsmisiT  6|  1817.— Proposals  for  nusing,  bjjr  8absmption|  a  capital  of 
lOOjOOOf.  fer  erecting  and  maintaining  Oas  Li^t  Worluana  Appantos^ 


PUBLIC  LIFE  AND  EVENTS.  341 

for  lufbtinff  up  the  public  Streets  of  the  Town,  and  the  Houses,  Shops, 
and  Manufactories  of  such  Persons  as  may  be  desirous  of  the  same,  oy 
a  Company  of  Proprietors,  to  be  called  the  *'  Birmingham  Qas  Light 
€k>mpany. 

L  That  the  Capital  of  this  Company  be  100,0002.,  in  10,000  Shares 
of  10£  ea<^,  and  the  Shares  to  be  tnuisferable. 

IL  That  each  Person  shall,  at  the  Time  of  his  becoming  a  Subscriber, 

Say  down  a  Deposit  of  10^  per  Cent,  towards  the  necessary  Expences  of 
unreys,  Plans,  Parliamentary  and  other  incidental  Chaiges,  to  be 
incurred  in  procuring  the  Establishment  of  the  Company's  Works ;  and 
in  case  20,0002.  is  not  subscribed  for  in  three  Months,  that  the  Deposit 
be  returned,  after  deducting  the  Expences  incurred. 

IIL  That  no  Person  m  admitted  a  Subscriber  who  is  not  an 
Inhabitant,  or  otherwise  concerned  in  Trade  in  the  Town  of  Birmingham, 
till  after  the  Ist  Day  of  March  next ;  after  which  Time  the  Subscription 
to  beoome  open  to  the  Public. 

lY.  That  no  Person  shall  be  allowed  to  subscribe  for  more  than  40 
Shares  until  the  said  Ist  Day  of  March  next 

y.  That  when  5L000  Shares  shall  be  subscribed  for,  a  General 
Meeting  shall  be  held,  pursuant  to  public  Notioe,  to  be  giyen  in  the 
Btomingham  P^mts,  for  the  Purpose  of'Electinff  a  Oommittee  of  not 
Um  thu  16  Persons;  and  such  Oammittee  to  be  inyested  with  full 
Powen  to  nuuutfe  the  Ooncems  of  the  Company  till  an  Act  of  Parlia- 
ment is  obtained  (if  necessary),  with  Power  to  add  to  their  Number  if 
they  shall  think  fit,  so  as  not  to  exceed  fi4 ;  and  no  Person  to  be  eligible 
to  serre  on  the  Committee  who  is  not  the  Holder  of  10  Shares,  and  Uiat 
six  do  f  onn  a  Qoonnai 

.  VL  That  BO  Oall  be  made  of  motB  than  10?.  per  Cent  on  each 
Share,  and  that  not  cftener  than  eyeiy  three  Montha 

YIL  Thai  at  erery  Genena  or  Special  Meeting  the  Yoics  shall  be 
Ukok  by  ShsraL  andf  not  by  Vbices;  and  any  absent  Member  to  be 
at  Liberty  to  vote  by  Froxyy  each  Pkozy  being  a  Subsoiberi  and 
appointedf  in  wriiiuff. 

Lists  of  the  Subscribers  to  the  intended  Birmingham  Gas  Light 
Oompany  are  left  at  the  seyeral  Banks  in  the  Town,  and  at  our  Offices, 
whm  sndi  Persons  as  are  desirous  of  heonming  Chibscribefs  are 
requested  to  leaTs  their  Names  and  pay  theur  Deposits. 

This  year  Mr.  Eempeon,  Surveyor  to  Uie  Overseers,  gave 
a  report  at  the  Sessioina,  showing  the  number  of  houses  and 
the  amount  paid  in  ntea 

The  total  number  of  houses  in  Birmingham  Parish  18,068 
Of  these  odntribute  towards  the  Mamtenanoe  of 

the  Poor 3,803 

Houses  that  pay  no  Poor^s  Bates    .       •       •       •  14,189 

His  annual  valne  of  the  whole  Ptoish  is  .  £810,170 
The  annual  value  of  Fremisss  paying  F^r's  Bates 

is 114,665 

Ditto          ditto  that  pay  no  Poor^s  Rates     .  05,606 

Of  the  3,803  houses  that  contribute  towards  the  Poor's  Bates,  many 
pay  only  one  rate  in  two,  others  one  in  three,  and  recently  many  of  the 
occupiers,  when  suinmoned,  have,  from  their  po^'erty,  been  excused 


342  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 


/■ 


alU^geth^ ;  so  that  the  number  of  hoiues  reguUrly  oontributing  is  far 
beUnr  the  number  above  stated. 

The  number  of  houses  above  the  value  of  202.  per 

annum  is  only  2,236 

Ditto  under  201  per  annum 15,846 

Ditto  under  122L  per  annum 13,871 

Ditto  tinder  102.  per  annum  13,072 

Ditto  under  72.  per  annum 9,218 

It  may  be  obsexred  that  the  rents  of  those  houses  which  do  not  nay 
Poor's  Bates  are  hi^^er  in  proportion  on  that  account,  so  that  what 
should  go  towards  the  mamt^ianoe  of  the  poor  is  shared  by  the 
landlords  of  small  houses,  without  benefit  to  the  poor  tenants.  In 
othsr  populous  towns  the  landloids  have  been  compelled  to  contribute^ 
in  some  proportion,  towards  the  Poor's  Bates  for  their  small  houses. 
At  a  time  when  ue  pranure  of  these  Bates  is  so  great  upon  a  small 
number  of  the  inhslntants,  a  similar  anangement  is  surely  needful  in 
this  town. 

« 

*  On  Janoaty  27  we  read : — 

Oas  Liohtb. 
An  arrangemeiit  between  the  Oommissioneni  of  the  Street  Aet  and 
a  fsatleman  of  London,  for  lighting  the  town  with  gas^  is  nearly 
coflMpletad.  The  oontxact^  we  understand,  provides  that  oar  atrseta 
iliall  be  lighted  from  sonset  to  sontias^  eoinmenein|[  In  Aognst  and 
eostlaning  nntii  liay. 

The  amount  reiaed  for  the  relief  of  the  poor  thia  winter 
waa  nearly  £4,000 ;  and  27,000  qoarta  of  aoup,  and  aa  many 
alioea  of  bread  were  diatributed  weekly. 

Thi  payment  of  raiee  waa  es^ti^g  aa  much  attention  at 

thia  time,  and  csiiaiiig  ie  fierce  diaeuaaiona  aa  have  been 

produced  by  the  New  Reform  iBill  of  1867.    Aa  the  origin 

and  the  ayatem  Af  compounding  are  not  ao  well  known  aa 

they  ought  to  be,  and  aa  the  auqect  itaelf  ia  of  conaiderable 

inqportanoe  to  our  local  history^  and  intereating  in  itaeli^  we 

rmroduce  the  dbcumeiite  raUitili^  to  thia  aul^ect    In  1817 

a  dBI  waa  to  be  introduced  into  rarliament  mr  the  purpoae 

of  i»ting  the  landlorda  instead  of  the  tenanta  of  houaea 

under  £12  a  year  rent    The  landlorda  of  that  day  oppoaed 

the  paaaing  of  thia  bill  aa  heartily  aa  in  our  own  tncnr  have 

opposed  the  annihilation  of  the  compound  houaeholder.    A 

good  deal  of  valuable  infonnation  on  the  condition  of  the 

town  ia  contained  in  thia  atatement: — 

PMle  OflK  Hinninijluan.— VshmteT  lOlh,  iei7.— At  a  very 
nattiroos  and  raspselaUe  Mealing  of  Ltndlflrds  and  OwBsn  of  Hoosss^ 
in  Bmning^m,  oonvaned  by  jmQle  AdTsrtissBisnti  Ibr  tha  Poiposs  of 
tskiM  into  Oonsldaraion  the  BUi  intended  to  be  faraigfat  into  the  pfa- 
■cai  Bssrion  of  Fkriiamteti  KM*  laling  the  Pkcprietoia  insisad  of  Iha* 


OwBiitos of  Honsss^ fa  BtmrfnghMn, nnder  19LaY«wBsnt; 

WiUiatt  Fries,  Esq.,  in  the  Chsir ; 
lisselred,— That  it  appears  to  this  Meeting  to  be  both  an  nnwar- 


PUBLIC  LIF£  AND  EVENTS.  343 

• 

rantable  and  unpreoedented  Pxx>06ediag  on  the  part  of  the  Promoters 
of  each  intended  Bill,  that  a  Subject  of  so  much  and  serious  importance 
to  the  Town  in  genend|  and  to  the  Proprietors  of  sndi  Houses  in  par- 
ticnlar,  should  have  been  brought  before  Parliament  without  any  puolio 
Kotice  having  been  ffiren  of  tiieir  Intention  so  to  do. 

That  Uie  taxing  of  the  Luidlords  and  Owners  of  Houses  instead  of 
the  Occupiers  is  a  Departure  from  the  Prtndple  of  the  43rd  of  Elizabeth^ 
chap,  ily  which  lirst  establiriied  the  Bate  for  the  Belief  of  the  Poor,  and 
which  has  been  acted  upon  to  the  present  Time,  with  some  few  local 
Exceptions ;  and  should  the  present  Bill  be  carried  into  a  Law,  it  will  be 
extremely  oppreeslTe  and  partial  on  the  Proprietors  of  Houses  whoso 
Bents  are  under  1S2.  per  Annum,  a  great  Number  of  whom  are 
dependent  upon  the  Income  arising  from  such  Bents  for  the  Support 
and  Maintenance  of  themselres  and  numerous  Families. 

That  in  the  few  local  Acts  of  ParllMnent  which  have  been  obtained 
for  other  Parishes  for  altering  the  Collection  of  the  Poor's  Bate, 
ProTisions  have  been  contained,  authorising  the  compounding  with  any 
such  Landlords  or  Owners  so  rated  for  a  Bate  at  a  diminution,  a 
Ph>vision  rery  liable  to  Abuse,  and  a  Collusion  likely  to  be  oppressive 
to  the  Occupien  of  audi  Houses^  as  it  must  be  obvimis  that  no  Land- 
lord or  Owner  would  be  likely  to  compound  unlea  with  the  reasonable 
Prospect^  and  always  with  the  Intention,  of  exacting  from  the  Occupier, 
in  the  shape  of  increased  Bent,  e^ual,  if  not  more  than*  would  be  the 
fair  Compensation  or  simple  Beunbursement  of  what  he  is  to  pay 
towards  tlio  Pooi^s  Bate,  and  by  tHliich  the  Flayment  of  the  Bates  will 
nltimately  fiOl  on  the  labouring  Claaees  of  the  People^  who  in  these 
Times  can  with  Diffieul^  maintain  themselves  and  numenMit 
Esmilies ;  and  any  System  of  Tucation  whidi  may  fiJl  upon  the  lower 
Orders  of  Persons  to  ray  ought  not  to  bcTprsssed  against  them. 

That  Houses  in  the  PsrisE  of  Rirmingham  under  18/L  a  Yeai^s  Bent 
are  mosUy  lei  to  weekly  Tenants^  that  a  j^vat  Number  of  iueh  Hooses 
are  freqnentiy  unoecnpiML  and  that  there  is  a  very  great  Difficulty  in 
obtainmg  the  Payment  ok  the  Bents ;  and  it  often  happens  the  Tenants 
set  into  Arrears  fi>r  Bent  and  leaye  the  f^emisss  withont  ptying  the 
Landlordik  whereby  they  sustain  yery  great  and  eerious  Losses^  and  if 
the  Landlords  were  to  distrain  for  i&  Becorery  of  their  Bents  the 
P^tfties  must  Isll  on  the  Parish  lor  Belieil 

That  it  is  a.notorious  het,  and  well  known  to  the  promoters  of  the 
intended  Bill,  that  the  Persons  ooenpriqg  houses  withm.  the  Piuish  of 
Birmingham  whose  rents  are  under  a12  a  year  are  in  reduced  dzcnm- 
stances^  with  large  fcmilies,  and  more  in  need  of  Pisrish  Belief  than  in 
the  ability  to  co&ribute  to  the  payment  of  the  rates ;  thataeoordiiy|to 
Mr.  Kempson*s  statement  there  are  near  14,000  booses  in  BirminsjEam 
whose  rents  do  not  amount  to  £12  per  annum,  and  at  the  ealoilation  of 
four  persons  to  each  House  the  number  amounts  to  6d,000,  a  mat  many 
of  whom  are  at  this  tine  out  of  Employments  and  maintslned  at  tkle 
Expenee  of  the  Puish  and  other  Tolnntiuty  Contributions  of  Uie  Inha- 
bitants. 

That  shonld  the  intended  Bill  pass  into  a  Law,  Housss  in  Buming- 
ham,  under  £1%  per  Annum  Bent^  will  be  rednead  in  Value  not  less 
than  85  per  Cent,  and  presuming  the  aTerage  Value  of  each  House  at 
£70,  which  would  amount  to  the  Sum  ofi980,000,  aSum  of  notices  than 
£245,000  would  be  taken  from  the  Properties  of  the  Pkt>prietors  and 
Owners  of  such  Housssl 


344-  A  CENTURY  OF  BlUMINGHAM  LIFE. 

That  by  the  present  Laws  the  Pku4sh  Officers  liave  fall  and  adequate 
Powers  to  assess  and  collect  the  Bates  from  the  Tenants  of  those  Houses 
which,  by  the  intended  Bill^  they  want  to  impose  upon  the  Landlords 
and  Owners  of  one  description  of  Property  only. 

That,  for  the  foregoing  and  a  variety  of  other  Reasons  which  might 
be  stated,  it  is  the  Opinion  of  thia  Meeting  the  said  intended  Bill  oaght 
to  be  opposed,  and  that  immediate  and  proper  Steps  be  taken  to  oppose 
its  further  promes  in  Parliament 

That  a  Petition  be  forthwith  prepared  for  the  Signatures  of  the 
Persons  intereeted  in  opposing  the  intended  Bill  being  passed,  and 
forwarded  by  the  Chairman  to  D.  8.  Dugdale,  Esq.,  and  Sir  Chsrles 
Mordaunt^  Bart,  the  Members  for  the  Gounty,  together  with  a  Copy  of 
ihese  Besolutions,  with  a  Request  to  Uiose  Gentlemen  to  present  the 
same  to  the  House  of  Commons,  and  to  use  their  Exertions  against  the 
intended  Bill  being  passed  into  a  Law. 

5    William  Pbigi,  Chairman. 

The  same  paper  contains  the  following  editorial  para- 
giapli : — 

To  Lavdlobds  avd  Patkrs  oy  Poor  Rates  iv  BraimroBAX. 

Feb.  84, 1817.— The  Besolutions  which  have  been  passed  at  a  Meeting 
of  Landlords  and  Ownen  of  Houses  in  BSnningfaam,  on  the  Subject « 
the  Bill  in  Psrliament  to  aathorise  the  nOing  of  the  Landlords  instead 
of  the  Tenants  of  small  Houses,  require  a  few  Obsermdons  in  order  to 
set  the  Question  in  an  impartial  Point  of  View.  These  Besolutidns 
seem  to  have  been  framed  without  tuAdentlnfonnation  as  to  the  Scope 
and  Extent  of  the  intended  Bill,  and  to  have  been  adopted  from  Eeeling^ 
tremblingly  alive  to  individual  Literasts.  * 

Private  enterprise,  as  well  as  pnUie  spirit^  was  busy  in 
useful  undertakings  whidi  proved  for  toe  benefit  of  the 
town.    Here  is  the  brief  record  of  one  of  ihese: — 

Mardi  3, 1817.--It  gives  OS  grsal  Vlsssors  to  be  able  to.inlbnni]M 
tnbdfatf  WoridyUiat  Thooiss  Gibson  hss  completed  hb  Ckaal  at  Bssker- 
Tllle  Plaos.  uliis  is  csrtalnly  one  of  the  grsi^isst  Wcfks  any  single 
Individual  in  this  Ptti  of  the  Goontiy  bas  undertaken  fisr  msaqrvusrs ; 
and  ws  wish  him  that  saccess  ho  so  Jnklr  merita  Tlioihioof  WhaiCi 
intended  to  bo  ersotad  en  thk  OmisI,  OMbt  to  bo  caUod  by  his  own  KsBML 
<*  Gibson^  Wharia*  IVj  #ill  bo  wdsitoatodibrthsOMivsnienoeof 
Tndb,  being  noarl v  in  tho  Centre  of  Boglsnd  ;  and  aoeofdiiy  to  a  LsvoL 
takoo  by  an  ingenious  Engineer,  to  dstmnlne  the  Height  orthis  OmisL 
found  tobo  3»000  Feot  above  tho  Lovol  of  tho  Thamis  at  London,  ana 
IS  Feet  higher  than  any  other  OnmI  in  Enrisnd. 

Tho  first  Boata  laden  will  be  raised  from  iUlowv  to  tho  higher  Level 
this  Morning  at  Elovon  o^eloelL 

The  following  paragrapb  is  a  sad  testimony  to  the  fearful 
distress  of  this  unhappy  time  >^ 

liav  18. 1817.— In  conseqnenee  of  tho  deproosed  slalo  of  the  msnn- 
fretoruig  rIssBBs  in  this  town,  wo  Issm  that  many  families  have  bsea 
oompelled  to  vacate  the  sbmJI  tenemsntain  which  thegr  have  hitherto 
lived  with  comparative  oomfiirt»  and  are  now  crowded  tofstherlnsmsU ' 
houses ;  numbers  of  which,  from  being  orseted  In  doss  sitaayons^  are 
in  a  great  measure  deprived  of  a  free  ctrculation  of  air.    This  drcnm* 


PUBLIC  LIFE  AND  EVENTS.  345 

staDce,  unless  oonntencted  by  the  utmost  attention  to  cleanliness,  must, 
38  the  summer  approaches,  render  them  offensive  and  unwholesome, 
and  expose  the  inmates  to  disorders  perhaps  of  an  infectious  kind.  Fre- 
quent Yentilation  and  occasional  white-washing  would,  if  attended  to, 
prove  powerful  auxiliaries  to  the  preservation  of  health  in  such  situ- 
ations ;  and  we  would  remind  Landlords  of  tenements  so  occupied,  of 
the  great  benefit  they  would  confer  upon  their  tenants  by  occasionally 
inspecting  the  state  of  their  property,  and  directing  them  to  be  white- 
washed as  often  as  may  be  deemed  necessary.  In  many  cases  the  ex- 
pense o(  the  lime  would  fall  upon  the  Landlords,  as  the  tenants  would 
no  doubt  cheerfully  devote  theur  time  and  labour  to  wuh  the  walls  and 
ceilings  of  the  houses  they  inhabit. 

The  Birmingham  Poor  Bate  Bill  was  not  nassed.  On  May 
19,  we  read :  ''The  motion  for  the  secona  reading  of  this 
Bill  produced  in  the  House  of  Commons,  on  Monday  night, 
a  discussion  of  some  length,  which  ended  in  the  following 
division :— Ayes  103 ;  Noes  36,  Minority  67.  The  Bill  was 
consequently  lost  The  application  appears  to  have  £uled 
in  consequence  of  the  detmoined  hostilitv  of  tiie  landlords, 
and  the  landed  interest  in  the  House,  to  the  principle,  of  the 
BiU.**  In  this  Session  a  bill  was  introduced  for  the  purpose 
of  putting  a  stop  to  the  circulation  of  local  copper  tokena 

This  year  witnessed  the  establishment  of  an  Orthopodic 
HospitaL  On  August  4,  appeared  this  report  of  the  meeting; 
at  wnich  it  was  resolved  to  add  one  more  to  our  many  chari- 
table institutions : — 

AtaMeeting  held  at  Birmiiis^iamthsfi4thdayor  J«n^  lS17,lbr 
the  Purpote  of  eonaiderinf  the  Propriety  of  eslablinlQff  an  Inrtitatkn 
for  the  relief  of  PenoM  laKoiiriiig  mider  Bodily  Deftrauty ; 

The  Eui  of  Dwiiiioiith  in  the  Chair; 

This  Meeting,  takinif  into  CondddfatJoa'the  great  BiiBoDlty  of  ob- 
taining Advice  and  BeUef  in  CSasea  d  Bodily  Delbnnity,  and  Mug  of 
Opinion  that  it  would  be  deeirablo  to  promote  an  Inatitiitioii  for  tl^e 
Porpoee  of  lellavinff  those  who  labour  under  nMk  Deformity,  either 
natural  or  aoddentaC^and  who  have  not  the  Meant  of  ^ooiriog  Advice 
and  Inatmmenta  nroperly  adapted  to  thefar  unfortunate  Situation ;  and 
takfaig  into  Conaiaeratioa  alao^  the  prevalence  of  Herakry  Oomplainte : 
Do  now  Bflcolve  to  cetahliih  a  Socbly  for  racfa  cbaritabto  PuiJueaa  to 
becalled  "" Tk^  Ommal  ImtUuiion  f^ IJU Editf  of  Pmwm$  Momrmff 
umd&r  BodUjtJh/cnmiy/' 

That  the  JEUght  Hon.  the  Eari  of  Dartmouth  be  the  Prtron  of  this 
Institution. 

That  Mr.  IVeer  be  appointed  Sumon  to  the  Eitahliahment 

That  Mr.  John  Welounan  Wbatdy  be  amxrfated  Secretaiy. 

That  the  following  Gentlemen  be  app<nnted  a  Oommltlae  for  the 
precent  year,  with  power  to  add  to  their  numbcTi  and  that  three  be 
eompetent  to  aet^  via.  :— 

The  Eari  of  Dartmouth. 
Heneage  L^gge»  Esq.  fVands  Lawley  Esq. 

F.  B.  HackeL  Em|.  Isaac  Bpoonsr,  Esq. 

Gharies  lioyd,  Em|.  Tertius  Galton,  Esq. 


34G  A  CENTURY  OF  BIEMINQHAM  LIFE. 

Iter.  £.  A.  Bagoi,  Enq.  Bar.  T.  L.  Freer. 

A.  8.  Lillington,  Eeq.  John  Bolton,  £eq. 
Bey.  J.  EL  oprj.  Bav.  J.  Kentish. 

B.  Spooner,  Esq.  Theodore  Price,  Esq. 
Dr.  John  Johnstone.  James  Taylor,  Esq. 
Dr.  De  lijs.  James  Llojd,  Esq. 
Timothy  Smith,  Esq.  Dn  Booth. 

Dayid  Lloyd,  Esq.  Mr.  Thomas  Potts. 

Mr.  J.  Pearson.  Mr.  P.  M.  Jamea. 

Mr.  J.  Scholefield. 

On  the  same  day  the  editor  thus  refers  to  the  subject : — 

When  we  haye  considered  the  great  adyantara  deriyed  from  puUic 
hospitaJs  and.  dispensaries,  it  has  often  excited  oar  sorprise  that  no 
institation  has  hitherto  been  establiahed  for  the  mcial  rdief  of  those 
sniferinff  under  infinnities  pEodooed  hy  yarioos  disCortioiis  of  the  limhs 
and  by  Aemiaxy  compUints.  It  is  periiaps  not  generdly  known  how 
y«ry  mqoeiitly  instances  of  this  kind  are  met  with  in  man^  *   ^    • 


dismcts,  where  the  natm;«  of  the  employments  in  which  the  poor  are 
CDi^iged  fendeni  tbsm  peenliari^  liable  to  disease,  and  aocidenti  y^iich 
pvodiioe  def onniigr,  rmj  often,  m  the  prims  of  life,  depririnff  tbem  of 
ttie  afailHrf  of  sanung  a  snbsiiitence.  In' such  oases  it  Is  obvious  that 
fwnyw%mAu*M  ^^d  ptopeot  appljcatjon  is  frequently  the  means  of  prersntiog 
the  BMst  dirtnsring  consequences,  and  that  eyen  where  a  nidical  core  csn- 
notbeslbelsdtliatreliflf  may  beaifonled  whidi  will  enable  ths  sufferer 


to  pusne  bis  ordinaiy  ocenpalion  witii  eonmistiye  esse  and  comfort 
It  should  bs  recoUeeied  taat  nmnbeia  oc..  duldm  axe  born  with 
defi>nnitie%  most  of  whidi  may  bs  remoysd  by  an  eariy  attention  to 
instnunsntal  asristmca     It  will  bs  perosiyed,  by  tos  resolntioDs 


inserted  in  this  paffe^thataopnyictioncfitsgreatvtuitybasat  Isngtii 

Mwn  oCa  soeiefy  te  tbs  paiiieiilar  reUsfof  psrsoDs  so 
Mitral  dtoalion  of  Bhrmiagham,  and  the  ftdlity  witii 

iHilsh  the  sUU  And  Jidlgmeot  of  its  soigsons  ssn  bs  ssooodsd  by 


ingenious  artists  fa  this  eonstriMtlon  ef  proper  inslnmisnti^  tender  ft 
mrtlmilariyeligibis  ftr  oash  an  sstiJilidhinent ;  and  bsaring  in  mind 
llie  great  portion  of  bnman  mlsisy  tinit  aviy  be  obflated  bjanehan 
InititntieB,  it  eimnot  ftJl  to  leoonunsnd  itnif  to  the  atlsatiosi,  and  daim 
ths  sappQst  of  the  opalitt^  ths  bsnsrrolsnt^  and  tbs  hnmana 

The  new  boqpital  waa  situaied  in  New  Stroet^  and  was 
immediately  prodaciiTe  of  good.    Onlj  a  month  after  its 
foundation  we  ba^e  the  foUowing  report  of  ita  snooees : — 
Boeitijf  far  tU  BdSrf  of  Bod^  Jkfitrmitim. 

fisptsmber  &  1817«— In  calUag  the  attention  of  ear  rsadsrs  to  tbs 
adysrtisenient  of  this  Institvtion,  It  giyss  as  sinesre  plsasoxe  to  annonnos 
that  tbs  soeio^,  althsogb  ao  leoend^  estaUishsd,  bn  ainady  bssn  the 
means  of  aDemtiag  tns  softrings  of  many  isol  objoets  of  cfasii^. 
Twenty41yo  patients^  wo  nnderstand,  bays  bssn  reorifo£  and  tbs  applicsr 


tions  for  sdmissinn  oontinas  to  bo  airy  aaonroiM,    Bodosply  improsiid 

are  lbs  Oommlttoo  and  other  Mends  of  tbo  bisdtation  ol^  noosssitj 
of  the  aid  ubieh  it  is  oaleolatod  to  aflbfd,  and  so  oonyinesd  that  its  atili^ 
will  only  bo  bounded  by  its  moans^  that  thsr  have  detsrminsd  to  mdko 
personal  applioation  in  tbo  town  and  no&hbonriiood  lor  additional 
subscriptions.    Of  tlio  success  of  tliofar  ondaanNus  wo  cannot  doubt, 


PUBLIC  LIFE  AND  EVENTS.;  347 

and  we  feel  a  firm  oonTiciion  that  an  institoUon  so  benevolent  in  its 
▼lews,  and  likely  to  become  soextensiyelj  beoefleial,  has  only  to  be  more 
generally  known  to  ensure  it  a  support  comtuensurate  with  its  impor- 
tance. . 

During  the  first  year  of  its  establishment  235  patients 
wei^  relieved  From  the  last  report  we  learn  that  634  out- 
patients were  treated ;  and  14  in-patients ;  and  1874  were 
m  attendance  from  June,  1865,  to  June,  1866.  Of  these 
486  have  been  cured,  120  greatly  relieved,  and  42  under 
treatment ;  244  operations  were  performed,  294  sets  of  in- 
struments used  in  their  management;  and  amongst  these  189 
cases  were  from  the  surrounding  districts.  The  cost  of 
instruments  and  medicine  beinff  a  little  over  £235. 

In  ^is  year  the  time  of  our  Michaelmas  Fair  was  fixed: — 

BiBMTiroHAX  Faii. 

Sept  ft2/L8l7^— Notice  is  hereby  giTen,  tbat  Binninsffaam  Edr  will 
be  held  on  Thnradajnezt^  the  S6th  Instantibtltigthe  last  Thursdaj  in 
September;  a&dinfatnre  will  always  be  held  fai  the  last  Week  of  that 
Month.  JoBV  TvursB,  Hirii  BaUift 

On  November  6,  England  lost  a  Princess  over  wnose  early 
death  more  earnest  and  eloquent  tean  have  been  deservedly 
shed,  and  more  deep  and  genuine  sorrow  felt,  than  perhaps 
iver  yet  followed  a  toyal  aeoease.  At  the  youthful  age  of 
ii,  the  pride  and  hope  of  the  nation,  th^  lieloved  Princess 
Charlotte  of  Wales  oied ;  and  the  whole  people  at  once  went 
into  univnsal  mourning.  •  Eveiy  town  sent  addresses  of 
6ondoleno6  to  the  unworthy  fiitner,  and  for  a  short  time, 
even  Qeoige  IV.  was  honotured  with  a  love  ^  not  his  due.** 
We  had  our  meeting  and  sent  up  our  address ;  and  the  scene 
must  have  been  veiy  afiiscting. — 

Not.  S4, 1817.— On  Fridaj,  pnTsoant  tp  adTeitisement,  a  meeUng  of 
the  inhahitttitB  of  the  town  was  held  for  the  parpose  of  voting  an 
addrass  ef  eondolMiee  to  his  Boyal  Hii^ess  the  Prince  B^geDt.  It  is 
scarcely  needful  to  mention  that  the  proneadiny  were  ananimousl j  oon- 
dnoted.    The  Bev.  Dr.  Ovtrsm  moved  the  address,  and  was  seconded 

a  the  Bev.  Mr.  Kentish  ;  the  Rev.  Mr.  Kenaedy  and  Mr.  Price  ako 
jremed  the  amemUv.  The  Bev.  Mr.  Bon  proposed  an  address  to 
the  Macs  of  8aze  Oooniif,  which  met  with  the  most  prompt  coQcai> 
rence  of  the  meeting.  The  delicate  and  trul j  sjrmpathetic  manner  in 
which  the  ktter  aiMremi  in  partienkr,  is  ooadied  could  not  fail  to 
reconanend  ft  to  the  immediate  appro^  of  all,  as  we  are  dear  onr  raaden 
wiUcoBOQrwith  US  in  pTODOTmeiBffy  when  in  iMd^ 

it  to  their  penisaL  we  cannot  mit  reniari(Jbew«?er.  and  expect  it  was 
obvioiis  to  all  present^  that  never  was  businem  pasMo  tliroiiffh  in  a  more 
eoiet  and  snitabie  manner.  It  is  somewhere  ramariced  oj  Addison 
mat  "Silence is  sometimes  more  significant  aad  soblime  than  the  most 
derated  and  expressive  doqaence,"  and  we  thiak  that  the  sentiment 
was  most  strikingl/  illustrated  on  this  ooeasioa.  Eznbersnce  of  fedins 
operated  rather  to  prevent  than  to  promote  the  doquence  which  would 


34!8  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

have  otherwise  been '.called  into  exercise.    Much  could  not  be  said 
where  feeling  was  so  strong,  and  that  feeling  known  to  exist  reciprocally 

A  question  of  considerable  importance  to  the  trade  and 
manufactures  of  the  town  was  discussed  at  this  time  in 
several  letters.  In  January,  1818,  a  meetinj^  was  held  of 
those  interested,  and  the  foUowing  repor^explainstiie  griev- 
ance and  gives  the  remedy  proposed : — 

Public  Office,  Jahuaiy  13, 1816. — At  a  veiy  numerous  and  respectr 
able  Meeting  of  Manuf  actuxvrs,  oonyened  by  public  advertisement,  to 
take  into  consideration  the  best  mode  of  rescuing  the  Trade  of  this 
Town  from  the  present  degraded  state  into  which  many  of  its  Branches 
are  reduced,  from  the  unprecedented  means  adopted  by  some  Merchants 
in  the  Execution  of  their  Orders,  who  purchase  Artides  in  an  unfinished 
state,  and  employ  Journeymen  to  complete  the  same  in  a  very  inferior 
manner,  not  only  at  very  reduced  but  oppressiTe  Prices. 

Mr.  William  Blakeway^  bein^  called  to  the  chair,  the  following  reso- 
lutions were  carried  unanimouuy : — 

1.  Besolve<L— That  this  syston  is  calculated  not  only  to  injure  the 
regular  manuncturer,  but  to  render  the  earnings  of  the  labouring 
Mechanic  insufficient  for  his  neoessaiy  support ;  to  increase  the  present 
ahurming  extent  of  Pauperism,  as  atto  eventually  to  deoshre  toe  oon- 
anmer  by  imposingiipofi  him  Goods  of  deteriorated  qualitiss.  ' 

8.  Jtssolyed,— That  it  is  theOpinion-of  this  Meeting  that  the  most 
efSsetual  way  to  remedr  the  eyil  oomplidned  of  would  M  for  respeoUble 
Manufactorers  to  withhold  their  Patterns  and  oonfidenoa  from  those 
Houses  who  shall  pursue  a  system  so  fiUladous  in  Prinetnls^  so  ii\]iiriou8 
In  Praetiea  and  so  destmetiye  of  tha  Bopute  of  British  liaiiofretiiras. 

3.  BesoiTed,— that  the  IbUowIng  Gentlemen  be  a  Oommittee'  to 
.oany  into  eieot  the  objects  of  this  Meetings  with  Powoia  to  add  to 
thfllivnamber : — 

Jamea  Woolly,  Esq.  Thomas  Pemberton,  WQliaa  Aaton, 
William  Blakeway,  William  Bannister,  Thomas  darioa^ 
John  burner,  "^{niliam  Lawley,  Thomas  Mssssngtt, 

T.  Gfoen  Bimooz,  James  Akion,  William  TM, 

John  Byland,  William  Saigant^         Thomas  Eriaadi 

Matthew  Dixon,  Thomas  Lowe^  GhariosJEuia. 

Edward  AllporL  Thomas  Oooke^ 

4.  Besolyed,— That  the  Oommitteo  be  rsqnsstsd  to  maei  at  tho 
Pnblie  Office^  at  Biz  o^dook  in  the  Bronfaig,  on  tha  Pint  Tnsadaj  fai 
a?ary  month,  to  receiTa  aodi  infimnation  from  tha  Maaofiietaren  aa 
they  may  be  able  to  aommimiflats^  aalcnlatad  to  fiirthar  tha  Tiaws  of 
this  Meeting. 

b.  Beaolvad,— Thai  Oommonioation  by  Lsttar  ha  idiirssssd  ^'To  tha 
Chainnan  of  tha  Oommittaa  of  MannfiM&irea,  at  tha  PnbUa  OIBoa.*' 

6.  BeadlTad,— That  tha  OonuBittaa  ba  ampowwsd  to  publiah  tha 
Proasediaga  of  this  Meeting  in  Arii^a  Birmingham  Gaastti^  and  in  such 
other  Way  aa  thay  shall  thmk  proper.  • 

7.  Basolved,— That  tha  thanks  of  this  Maatiitf  ha  fhan  to  thoaa 
GanUeman  who  haTooallad  tha  attention  of  tha  MannfreCavanol  this 
Town  to  so  important  a  Snbjeet  Wv.  Buuebwat. 

The  Chairman  haring  left  tha  Chairs  and  Mr.  Thomsa  Oooka  baiag 
ealled  to  the  same: — 


PUBLIC  LIFE  AKD  EVENTS  849 

8.  Besolyed, — ^That  the  Thanks  of  this  Meeting  be  ffiven  to  the  Chair- 
man, for  his  impartial  and  independent  Ck>nduct  in  uie  Chair. 

Thohas  Cooke. 

BimiiDgham  joined  her  voice  to  that  of  other  towns 
in  calling  upon  the  legislature  to  protect  the  "climbing 
boys" : — 

Town's  MBvmro. 

FebmaTy  16, 1818. — The  public  meeting  convened,  for  the  purpose  of 
petitioning  the  Lagislatore  to  prohibit  the  fatnre  employment  of  in&nt 
children  as  climbing  boys  in  the  Sweeping  of  Chimnies,  was  held  at  the 
Pnblic  Office,  on  Taesday— the  High  Bailiff,  William  Cotterill,  Esq.,  in 
the  Chair.  Mr.  P.  M.  James^  in  proposing  the  resolutions  adoi)ted  by  the 
meeting,  took  a  view  of  the  miseries  and  dangers  the  T>oor  children  em- 
ployed in  this  degrading  occupation  are  neoesarily  subjected  to ;  and  of 
the  success  which  has  attenaed  the  use  of  improved  machines  in  the 
Metropolis  and  other  places^  as  an  effectual  substitute.  A  netition,  em- 
bradnff  the  spirit  <d  tne  resolution^  was  read  and  moved  oy  the  Bev. 
Edwara  Buniy  who  drew  an  affecting  pleturs  of  the  intelleotnal  and 
moral  debasement  entuled  upon  this  acgeet  dass  of  our  fallow  creatures^ 
from  the  insulated  state  of  Society  in  which  they  are  placed,  and  from 
an  almost  total  want  of  the  mdms  of  moral  and  religious  euitura. 

The  Beverend  GentlemaOy  in  adverting  to  the  neenliar  disadvantages 
under  whidi  these  pitiable  objects  labour,  stateo,  that  when  the  poor 
nooep  has  attended  a  Sunday  Sdiool  with  the  desire  of  reeeivinfl  in- 
struction, the  children^  even  there,  have  been' known  to  withdraw  them- 
selves from,  and  reftue  society  with  him.  The  resolutiotts  and  petitions 
wercL  as  must  have  been  antSdpated,  unanimously  agreed  ta  The 
thanJn  of  those  present  were  votod  to  Mr.  Jame%  for  the  interest  and 
exertion  he  has  made  in  calling  the  attention  of  our  fellow  townsmsn  to 
thesabject  Oneof  ttie  resolutions  psssed  by  the  msetiqg,  strongly  re- 
commends the  snoouiagement  of  tooss  mastsr  ohimniBy-swespen  of 
the  town  who  will  purdiase  and  make  use  of  the  improvsd  machlBss. 
In  the  hope  of  idding  the  benevolent  intention  of  the  meeting  ws  would 
suggest  that  the  Committee  should  procure  a  supply  of  the  madilnes 
from  London,  and  dispose  of  them  to  sodi  of  the  msst«  sweeps  who 
will  engage  to  use  them  sldlftilly. 

The  Petition,  most  respectahly  signed,  was  presented  on  TMmj 
evening  by  Mr.  Dngdaleu 

The  manufacturers,  however,  were  not  so  carefol  about  the 

children  employed  in  their  own  workshops ;  and  as  a  matter 

of  precaution  the  Chamber,  which  then  answered  to  our 

f  resent  Chamber  of  Commerce,  petitioned  against  Sir  Robert 
^ed's  Factory  Act  The  change  of  public  opinion  on  this 
subject  is  one  of  the  healthiest  signs  of  the  tmie.  In  1818, 
the  Cotton  Factories  Bill  was  oppoeedfiom  the  very  natural 
fear  that  it  would  be  extended ;  in  1868  there  is  scarcely  a 
manufiicturer  of  any  respectabilify  who  is  not  in  fiiTOur  of 
a  Factory  Act  1  The  nation  has  heard  **  the  cry  of  the  chil- 
dren," and  resolved  to  protect  those  who  are  n^lected  by 
their  natural  guardians.    It  was  not  so  in  1818 : — 


350  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

March  30,  ISiai — Chakbbb  of  IIavutaotubbb  astd  Coiocebck.-*  A 
Bill  hayix^  been  introduoed  into  the  Honae  of  Commons,  by  Sir  B.  Peel, 
for  the  purpose  of  limiting  the  age  at  which  children  should  be  per- 
mitted to  work  in  cotton  mctbries.  and  for  restricting  the  empbyment 
of  all  penons  working  therein,  under  16  years  of  age,  to  a  certain  num- 
ber or  hours;  and  £>r  appointing  inspectors  in  such  factories  ;'->-the 
Directors  of  the  Chamber  .of  Manufantnres  and  Commerce,  ap|»«hinriye 
lest  the  proYisions  of  this  Bill,  if  paaspd,  should  be  afterwards  extended 
to  all  manufactories  whatever,  have  zesolved  upon  poeseiiting  a  petkion 
to  the  House  4>t  Commons,  janymg  that  such  J^  may  not  pass  into  a 
law,  until  it  shall  have  been  satisfactorily  proved,  by  a  report  of  a  Orai- 
imssion  of  Members  of  that  House,  that  the  oondition  of  persons  woildng 
in  cotton  factories  is  such  as  to  render  the  inteiferonoeof  the  legislature 
for  securing  their  health  and  comf ort^' 


We  are  accustomed  to  consider  the  servant  difficult  as 
4)eciiliar  to  tlie  present  time.  The  ^greatest  ^plague  of  fife** 
.troubled  our  'farefaiherfl  -quite  as  much  as  oqjmLves.  The 
following  letter  proposing  an  -Institution  for  the  impiwe* 
ment  of  domestic  senrants  affords  a  sad  picture  of  their 
condition  filly  jears  a^.  This  is  prohablv  a  ;in9ateiOi  or  |k 
jniHtuMMi's  vi6W4  -we  fwuHx  itwsJd  p^  mppleoi^ted  Igr  ^ne 

'from  the  aervaats  >—  • 

•  •  • 

March  aoth,  1818^!iy>  tbe.EdHflrof  thsBirmhighMn  Qawttv-Sir, 
«— Among  ths  different  Institutioiis  .esUbUabed  in  this  Town,  /br  pur- 
fMsss  «f  MDSToleiio^aiid  .of  jn^osMttng  lb*  ;ireU4)ai|ig  id  fii»  ial!kbl- 
4aali,rtli«e  is  oiie^  lbs  tmpoitsim  of  ^lAkb  dippesrp  to-Nifs  SMppuiI 
-ebssCTraHon^httngh,  3ritb  drfegmos,  I^wwWer.it  possipses  afiMroiatar 
idaimttoattMitioii  /than  at  iftrstdHghtJiiny  appear  |tp  do^  irninwhring 
bow  ■HMhftf iwgitfomiirt  ■ndisiifttyifa.lAmfsabi  ifs ^OQsaqiMMik  I 
siMan  aa  IiiaftitBtioii,fiViftba  ImnfoiMiiflnLaiid  snaoiuaaainsiit  of  .Amm^. 

^lepttpMiy  10  isdli(  tfe  ilifntfiifiicif  «f>a^ 

leotnesi^  apnlj  this  mtbet  to  inos^  tbrowfaig^  inr  Ibeir  impnpm  mm' 
diMli  thoM  amilies  wttb  whom  tbqr  sre  .eonaeeted^  and  whose  htp^ 
depends  so  modi  upon  their  humoor  and  omios^  Into  InquktsSk  and 
oonftinoD.    Allow  meifaen  to  adc,  through  die  medigm  iDf^jour  widely 

extended  paper,  whethMT  an  hisltetioawhkh  hM  ttOM  hnmediMIx  lor 
JtsoljeeltbeiirefeiitioiioreQmetkMiof  4bsseieiv{l%  and  rf  eeaiie  tbs 


ImpioTenMnt  of  mords  hi  this  daseriplkm  of  hidiTiduals.  would  aot  hi 
this  town,  be  attended  with  the  greatest  adfantage  t  ErtablUbflMiits 
of  the  kind  hare  been  instituted  in  London.  Brteiol,  AflL,  wbsti^  h^m 
the  reports  of  their  respeetiipe  ooamitleeSi  it  would  appear  tbiy  bava 
|»iuvea  Irighl J  ussliiL  I  Ihink  I  am  not  oupposhig  too  umeh  when  X 
add,  that  Uiere  k  aoareelj  the  head  of  a  taiQr  in  this  nolghhsuiliuud 
who  wonld  not  cheerfniljisend  his  flTs  or  ten  shillings  a  year  lowaids 


the  sapport  of  Its  ftind.  With  your  permlsBlon  I  leaToat  Toureffee  ths 
plan  or  outline  of  the  Soetety  esUblhbed  in  Hattou  Garden,  of  whieh 
the  Duke  of  Kent  is  FMran;  and  should  aqy  one  bettor  ^mM^ 


PUBLIC  LIFE  AND  EVENTS.  351 

than  the  writer  be  difipoeed  to  pnt  things  in  a  state  of  progression,  the 
end  of  this  commnnicatiQn  will  be  answered.  ^ 

I  am,  Sir,  your  obliged  &c,  W. 

The  followiog  subject  is  one  which  touches  Birmingham 

in  a  sore  point.      This  town  was  the  centre  of  the  coining 

and  forging  industry  of  the  kingdom,    A  Royal  Commiflsion 

was  appointed  this  year  to  enquire  into  the  best  means  of 

preventing  forgeries  of  Bank  [Notes.     A  crime  which  was 

very  common,  notwithstanding  that  it  was  punished  by  our 

draconic  laws  with  death.    The  Oazette  thus  notices  the 

subject: — 

Bask  ot  Evox^avd  Fobosriss. 

April  13, 1818. — ^We  refer  our  readers  -with  great  satisfitction  to  the 
▼err  nnmerons  and  highly  zespeetable  requisition  inserted  in  this  pase, 
callinff  the  attention  of  our  fellow  townsmen  to  the  consideration  of  a 
qnestfon  of  peotdiar  interest  to  themselTes,  and  Titallj  affecting  the 
Moeral  pRMperitj^of  the  ooantrf ;  and  we  are  proud  in  the  zefleetion 
thatoor  own  town  will  be  the  first  to  oige  a  Wialatiyo  enqniipr  into 
the  mbject  He  obssrvitions  under  this  head  m  our  last  pnbheation 
we  ai«  happy  to  find  haTe  been  copied  Into  nuoiy  of  the  London  as  well 
as  the  pnrnneial  papain^  and,  m  trart,  that  elronmstanoe  Is  but  a 
prelude  to  the  question  beiiu^  generally  taken  up  in  the  same  public 
manner.  The  temptatioQ  a&raed  by  the  oomparatiTeease  with  whidi 
liotes  of  the  bank  may  be  imitated  has  indeed  proved  a  heavy  afflicticm, 
and  htghlyinjurionstothe  ehameter  of  Binmnfjiham— vmy  fbw  trf  tiie 
Assiiss  lbi|lhe  county  havinff  fat  many  years  iiMsed*withoiit  consigning 
uome  of  ftAnhabKlants,  oouTieted^of  eogaging  in  the  execution  or  utter- 
ing of  fimeriss,  to  a  lota  turn  of  imprisonment,  transportation,  or 
milh.  luetecsntlTooQciudeduBBfaBe  fbiuiriiesmdfeadfUbQt 
able  iUnstntion  of  tnii  frdt  No  town  in  tiie  kingdom  will  therefors 
Imto  gieitter  rasaon  to  hail  with  pleasoio  the  adq>tion  of  any  plan  by 
whish  f  omrics  of  bank  paper  tusf  h%  If  not  entirely  prevented,  at  any 
rate  placed  above  theoxecotioD,  ■■  at  present,  of  ahnosttJie  lowest  dass 
of 


A  public  meeting  was  held  on  thiB  subject  on  April  '22, 
Mr.  William  Cotterill,  High  Baalifl^  in  the  chair ;  ana  it  was 
resolved,  ''That  this  Meeting,  oboerving  with  feelings  of 
deep  concern  the  inereasing  number  of  Prosecutions  arising 
^m  and  out  of  the  Foigeiy  of  Bank  of  England  Notes,  is 
of  opinion  that  a  due  regard  to  public  Monus,  as  wall  as 
pubue  Oedit  and  Securi^,  requires  thai  the  utmost  endea- 
vours should  be  made  to  dimiiiish  the  evil.** 

A  C!hurdi  Extension  meeting  was  held  in  October,  at 
wbich  it  was  authoritatiyely  stated  that  out  of  a  population 
of  60,000  souls  the  churches  and  chapels  connectra  with  the 
Establishment  could  not  furnish  accommodation  for  more 
than  7,680.  At  this  meeting  the  following  report  was  given 
on  the 


352  A  CENTURY  OF  BIBMIXGHAM  LIFE. 


S^ATE  or  St.  Martik's  Parish. 


Grots  Popalaiion  estimated  at  60,000 
At  St  Martin's  Ghoroh 

—  St  Mary's  Chapel     . 

—  St  Paul's  ditto 
—^  St  Bartholomew's  ditto 

—  Christ  Church  .' 


Church  Boom  as  follows : — 
'  8,200  persons 
2,000  ditto 
1,130  ditto 
800  ditto 
1,500  ditto 
— -    7,630 


One-third  deducted  for  in&nts,  sick,  persons 

occupied,  aged,  &c. 17,456 

Total  numbers  of  Persons  unaccommodated 

with  Church-room    .        •        .   '    •        •       34,914 


62,370 
Thus  the  erection  of  three  churches  within  this  parish,  each  calcu- 
lated to  contain  2,000  indlTidualSy  would  still  leave  28^914  persons 
iinproTided>for  by  the  Establishment 

A  meeting  waa  held  on  November  4,  at  which  it  was 
resolved  to  raild  a  Chnrdi  or  Chapel  in  Bozdealey ;  and  also, 
that ''  the  npper  Part  of  Mr.  John  jBradford's  Land,  adjoining 
to  the  Strauord  Boad  Toinpike  Bead  and  to  Snail's  Lane, 
is  a  desirable  situation."  Tnis  was  done,  and  the  place  of 
worship  is  known  by  the  name  of  Holy  Trinity  ChapeL 
The  two  following  extracts  relate  to  church  matters : — 

DecL  7»  1818.— Ebneser  Chapel^  Steelhoase  Lane,  will  be  opened 
for  poblie  Wocridp  OB  WediMiday  nejct  the  9Ch  of  DebMnbff,  when  the 
Est.  W.  Thorpe^  of  Bristol^  k  axpeeted  to  preach  in  the  mornings  at 
Barano^dookt  aod.tha  Bav.  a  Bradlej,  of  Mancfaester,  in  the  Ervning 
atSiz.    A  Ooilaolloa  will  be  inadc^  after  each  Berrioe. 

In  order  to  prtrant  the  Introiioii  of  improper  Persons^  Admission 
TUsti  wUl  be  fasoed,  whidi  mar  be  had  natia  at  the  Yettiy,  Lifwj 
8trsel|On  ToisdayyboCweiD  the  Doan  of  Klneaad  Four. 

IVianda  eominff  from  ti&e  eountr?  on  Wednesday  Morning  maj  be 

aooommodaled  with  Tidwta  bj  H^jinfai  Mr.  Walker^  opposite  the 
Chgptl. 

Dsa.  t6^  1818.-— We  ImI  gnat  nieasare  in  amiooneinff  that  the  Com- 
inisslansrs  appointed  under  the  ^Aet  for  boUding  and  promoting  the 
boiUUsg  of  Gborehea  in  popalou  parishes^"  haTo  determined,  with  a 
liberal  eondderation  of  the  wanta  of  our  numerous  nopnlation,  imme- 
diataij  to  build  a  new  Ghureh  within  the  parish  of  6l  Martin,  out  of 
the  Fkriiamentaiy  grants  prorided  a  proper  dte  lor  the  building  be 
proeursd.  The  board  Mipmnted  bj  the  Lord  Bishop  of  the  Dioeese  are 
now  aetiTelT  engaged  m  making  the  aeeessaiy  peUminarr  arrange- 
ments ;  and  we  nnderatand  that  aooM  gentlemen  nave  kindlj  engaged 
to  aolieit  subseriptions  from  the  nindpal  inhabitaale,  at  the  eommenoe- 
ment  of  the  new  year,  in  aid  of  toe  fund  already  formed  lor  the  purpose 
of  proridiaff  a  site  Ibr  the  intended  buildia|L  and-  dcftajing  any  other 
ezpenaso  wmoh  maj  be  incidental  to  the  undertaking. 

The  introduction  of  gaa  into  the  town  was  an  important 
event    On  February  15, 1819,  we  read : — 


PUBLIC  LIFE  AND  EVENTS.  353 

A  peUtiou  has  been  presented  to  the  House  of  Oommonsy  and  leave 
obtained  to  bring  in  a  bill  for  the  establishment  here  of  a  chartered 
Oas-light  and  Coke  Company. — We  understand  the  Commissioners  of 
oar  Street  Acts  have  appointed  a  Committee  to  see  that  proper  clauses 
are  introduced  into  the  oill  for  the  protection  of  the  interests  of  the 
town.    The  subscription  lists  are  already  most  respectably  filled. 

A  warm  and  rather  spirited  agitation  distingaished  the 
early  part  of  1819.  The  Trustees  of  Christ  Church  made 
an  application*  to  Parliament  to  raise  a  sum  of  money  by 
rate  for  the  purpose  of  discharging  the  debts  still  outstand- 
ing, and  for  the  erection  or  purchase  of  a  parsonage  house. 
A  determined  opposition  was  made  to  this  proposal  A 
requisition,  "numerously  and  respectably  signed,"  was 
presented  to  the  High  Bailiff,  calling  upon  him  to  convene 
a  public  meeting  to  consider  the  propriety  of  petitioning 
against  the  proceeding.  This  was  done;  and  after  many 
conferences  and  much  discussion  the  Trustees  abandoned 
their  application. 

One  of  the  fiscal  measures  of  this  year  was  a  proposed 
tax  upon  coaL  Biimingham  at  once  took  the  alarm,  and 
held  meetings  to  protest  and  petition  against  the  imposition. 
A  meeting  was  hdd  on  the  2nd  of  March  ;  and  on  the  10th 
Sir  Charles  Mordaunt  presented  the  petiticm  in  the  House 
of  Commons.    The  proposal  was  abanaoned 

On  ilay  I7»we  learn  that  ''The  Birmingham  Gas  Light 
Bill  was  read  a  second  time  in  the  House  of  Lords  on  Thurs- 
day night"  It  received  the  Royal  assent  on  the  14th  of  the 
same  month. 

The  Nonconformists  will  read  the  following  extract  with 
interest: — 

New  MxRiHo  HousCy  Caer's  Lavb. 

Aogost  8, 1819. — On  Friday  momiog  the  firti  stone  of  the  intended 
Kew  Meetiog  House  in  Carr'a-lana,  in  this  town,  was  laid  hy  the  Bav. 
John  Amrell  James,  in  the  pretence  of  a  nnmerons  aawmblMe  of  speo- 
tatois.  fij  the  judidons  arrangements  of  the  ardiiteet^  ticbd  hj  the 
building  committee,  the  ceremony  was  condncted  with  thegreatest  order 
and  deoomm,  and  without  the  sLiffhteet  accident  or  alarm.  Ine  derotional 
parts  of  the  proceedings,  In  which  the.  Rer.  T.  East  and  the  fier.  J. 
Sirt  engaged,  were  aolemn  and  affecting.  Hymns  were  snng  by  the  as- 
semblyy  and  cue  by  the  children  of  the  congregation.  Mr.  James  de- 
livered an  animated  and  appropriate  address  to  those  ■wambled  on  the 
oceadon,  in  hit  ntoal  imprettive  and  energetic  manner.  Hie  intended 
Meetinff  Hooae,  when  complete,  will  be  the  third  that  has  been  erected 
on  neany  the  tame  lite  within  the  tpace  of  73  ycMS.  It  is  intended  to 
accommodate  8,100  persona,  of  which  350  free  sittings  will  be  appro- 
priated  to  the  nae  of  the  poor,  and  300  for  the  childrra  of  the  Sunday 
Schools  connected  with  the  society. 

II  AA 


354;  A  CENTURY   OF  BIIUIINGHAM  LIFE. 

Nov.  1, 1819.~N6W  MeeUng  Houm,  Carr;fl  ^^^(77^ "i^^^^^^ 
nnparalleied  diHpatch  in  the  erection  of  public  ^^^^ings  in  this  town, 
itn^  to  the  Irchitect  •nd  Committee  ^r  «>nducting  the  budd^^^ 
the  New  Meeting  Houae  in  Oan'e  Lane^  and  eepeciBUy  to  the  spirited 
StrtioM  orthe^BuUder,  to  mention,  that  idthough  the  CommitU« 
^lunUrily  extended  the  time,  yet  the  building  was  covered  in  on 
Saturday,  one  day  within  the  period  originaUy  contracted  for. 

Upon  the  hwt  slate  was  engraved  the  following  insCTiption :— 

«£[emor«ida.-On  the  30tl  day  of  July.  1819,  the  first  stwie  of  tins 
bmlding  was  laid  by  the  Bev.  John  Angell  James^  the  Minuter.  On 
the30£day  of  October,  in  the  same  year^  this,  the  last  slate  was  Iwd 
Sr  H«ary  ieneve  Hollind,  the  buUder.lnihe  presence  of  Stedman 
ftomas  WhitwelL  the  architect--Zat«  2)eo."  jv-^.rt«*» 

Some  idea  of  Oie  magnitude  of  this  chapel  may  be  fo™®^**^  ™™f' 
that  it  contains,  withinTts  external  boundaries,  about  305,000  cubic  feet. 

The  members  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  were  not  m- 
aetive  this  year,  but  puisoing  their  important  work  with  the 
^^.^r^.^  ^hich  has  always  distingaished  this  class  m 

Here  is  a  reooid  of  one  of  their  labouiB  j— 
Chaicbeb  or  MAiruFAoniRn  axd  Ccmmebom. 

Oct  4,  X819.--W6a»glad  toobieryeby  UieBeport  of  theO^ 
of  Manu&ctures  and  Commerce  that  the  attention  of  the  Committee. 
has  been  directed  to  the  consideration  of  the  preset  commercial, 
tcealiei  aUowing  exdorive  mivUegea  to  the  subjecte  of  ™^«2![!S^ 
mwite,  in  conformity  with  tSiat  shortslAted  pdkr  ''^Jl^fP^ 
peediar  &ciUUes  to  the  importatioii  of  thejiifcrf«p  but  »2"^«~J 
pvodue^  our  fonign  eustomen,  hM  the  d&ot  of  oWte»«  «^ 
Muntrrmea  to  accept  of  a  much  .less  proftteble  return  fi»  *««'.  ™P: 
menteW  a  compiratlTeIr  ill^ppUed  inaifci^  •^^•^??TKrL2 
Sminiahing  those  WminM 

oftbemwuacl  thettala    Thus  the  inftrior  win«i  of  Poi^gM.  •» > 
admitted  at  a  duty  conalderaWT  !«•  than  tiia*  impoMd  a 

of  Fiance,  and  ^  heavy  duties  upon  the  produdioos  «  m  iMMr 
ocimtiy  <»erate  as  a  proMWtioa  to  tfc  lmparteti« 
the  bengal  trade  which  would  naturally  arise,  either  direoay  or 
cirenitottsly,  fiom  a  libenl  intefcoune  with  the  latter  oonatiT,  is  Mn- 
iieed  te  a  narrow  and  mistelren  pdli^. 

On  December  18  we  read:— 

CBiJCBia  OF  MAVUVAoroav  Aim  CoiniBROa 

It  will  be  satis&ctoiy  to  our  readers  to  leam  that  the  adcaowledg- 
meat  of  the  Memorial  from  the  Ghambei>  on  the  sub jeot  of  a  Oonineroial 
Tkvaty  with  France^  it  aoeomnmlod  with  an  asnranoe  ''that  the  I^irds 
of  the  Boaid  of  IVade  are  ftd|y  sendble  of  the  importaaoe  of  the 
Queetion.  and  will  not  &il  to  give  it  their  most  anxious  coarideratinn; 
Mid  that  it  bad,  indeed,  abeady  oeonpied  mudi  of  tlieir  attention.^ 
We  earnestly  hope  the  endeanNiVB  of  oar  Government  may  be  aniited 
by  a  fiiTOurable  dispodtioo  on  the  part  of  France  in  obtaiidng  to 
desirable  an  ol^ieet 

The  "good  old  King,**  Oeoive  IIL,  died  on  Januair  29, 
1820,  at  3ie  ripe  age  of  83  ;  and  Qeoxge  IV.,  who  had  been 
nine  years  Resient,  reigned  in  his   stead     Birmingham 


PUBLIC  LIFE  AND  EVENTS.  355 

shared  in  the  genuine  sorrow  of  the  nation  at  the  death  of 
the  "  Father  of  his  people."  His  successor  was  proclaimed 
here  on  Thursday,  February  3,  with  the  usual  signs  of 
loyalty,  and  amid  the  ordinary  display  of  loyal  enthusiasm 
and  rejoicings.  The  Ameral  day  of  tiie  deceased  monarch 
was  kept  with  due  solemnity ;  and  on  the  23rd,  a  ''suitable 
address,  to  be  presented  to  his  Majesty  on  his  accession/' 
was  adopted  "at  a  numerous  and  highly  respectable 
assembly  of  our  fellow  townsmen." 

The  first  stone  of  Si  George's  Church,  the  first  new 
church  erected  in  this  town  by  CommisaionerB  under  the 
Church  Building  Act,  was  laid  on  the  19th  of  April  The 
following  is  the  contemporaiy  description  of  the  building : — 

The  desiffns  from  irhieli  the  work  is  to  be  eiecated  preeent  a  strietly 
correct  mwel  of  the  best  period  of  EoftltBh  eoclee(»ttical  arofaiteetore^  m 
which  the  injadidotu  alterations  maae,  from  time  to  Ume,  among  oar 
church  buildings  of  that  date,  have,  it  is  to  be  lamentecL  left  nt  so  fow 
good  specimens.  When  finished,  we  have  no  doabt^  it  wul  refleei  great 
credit  npon  the  talents^  taste,  and  research  of  the  ardiiteot^  and  cannot 
but  prove  highly  ornamental  to  the  town.  The  local  position  of  the 
church  will  render  the  tower  the  most  conspioaoos  object  from  the  top 
of  Snow  Hill,  and  its  elevated  siioatlon  will  canse  it  to  form  a  pNOii- 
nent  featore  from  most  of  the  approaches  to  the  town.  It  is  to  bo 
erected  at  the  expence  of  little  more  than  twelve  thonsand  poonda^  and 
will  be  capable  of  aiTording  accommodation  for  upwards  of  two  tfaonnad 
peiaons.  Every  well  wisher  to  the  extension  of  Christian  prindplei^ 
whether  of  the  establishment  or  among  dissenten^  will  r^oiee  at  tlie 
advancement  of  so  good  a  work;  it  most|  howsvori  still  be  rsoolkoted, 
that  when  this  and  other  places  of  Christian  wonhlp  In  progress  are 
completed,  there  will  yet  remain  want  of  aeoommooation  lor  newl j 
fixr^  thousand  of  our  gross  popolation. 

On  the  18tb  of  the  same  month  ''the  Bev.  Stephen 
Weaver  Browne,  as  one  of  the  pastorB  of  the  congregation 
assembling  at  the  Old  Meeting-noase  in  this  town,  laid  the 
first  stone  of  a  laige  building  intended  for  the  use  of  the 
Sunday  Schools  supported  by  that  society/' 

The  petition  from  Birmingham  <m  the  distressed  state  of 
the  manufactures  was  presented  to  the  House  of  Oommons 
by  Mr.  Dugdale  on  the  12th  of  May,  and  Mr.  BTOuA»m,  in 
a  very  eloquent  speech,  drew  a  pathetic  picture  o£  toe  state 
of  the  timea  Our  manufiieturen,  howeyer^  might  have 
found  a  little  consolation  in  flie  following  item  of  news  :— 

Maj  29, 1890. — ^We  have  great  pleasnre  in  observing^  by  stvend  of 
the  London  papers,  that  a  new  button,  of  a  gold  thread  pattern,  if 
generally  adopted  in  the  fihihionable  eirae  of  the  metropolis^  wfaidi.  we 
understand,  has  alread  j  cnated  a  considerable  demand  for  the  artldes 
in  this  town. 


356  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

The  first  stone  of  Holy  Trinity  Chapel,  Bordesley,  Was 
laid,  with  Masonic  honours,  by  tiie  Eail  of  Plymouth,  on 
Friday,  September  29,  1820. 

.King  Qeorge  lY.  signalized  this  year  by  his  dis^aceful 
attempt  to  pass  an  Act  of  Pains  and' Penalties  against  his 
foolish  and  unfortunate  wife.  Queen  Caroline.  The  Bill 
passed  the  Lords  by  a  majority  of  nine,  which  was  very 
properly  accepted  by  the  ministers  as  a  defeat,  and  to  the 
great  joy  of  the  country,  the  shameful  measure  was 
abandoned. 

The  news. of  the  Queen's  victory  was  thus  received  in 

Birmin^am: — 

'  Nov.  20^  1890.— Although  the  news  of  the  abandonment  of  the 
prooeedingi  agidnst  the  Qaeen  wae  by  no  means  received  here  with 
that  general  and  open  exprenion  of  feelinc  that  has  shown  iteelf  in 
many  other  placet,  yet  as  toon  as  it  wae  nnoentood  that  the  metropolis 
had  iJ  laminated,  a  nnmber  of  the  inhabitants  made  active  preparaooDs 
to  evince  their  ntis&cUon  at  the  event  in  a  similar  way.  In  conse- 
quence^ a  hand-bill  was  issued  about  noon  on  lionday  by  our  constafalesy 
xequasang  the  inhalNtantsyoiild  refrain  fktmi  illuminating  until  the 
HaUowing  eveidnc.  .  .This  notice^  which  it  seems  was  published  conttaij 
to  the  advice  of  the  Magistrates^  has,  it  is  to  be  regretted,  given  riie 
to  a  public  manifestation  of  the  contrariety  of  opinion  whidi  exists  as 
to  the  interference  of  those  officers  on  the  ocoasion.  A  protest^  signed 
by  a  number  ol  inhaUtantSi  censuring  the  conduct  of  the  Constaolei^ 
i4>peared  vetT  shortljr  after  the  fllnimnatbn  had  taiken  place,  which  it 
will  be  seen  Is  now  mllowed  by  a  counter  protest  in  full  approbatioii 
ofthe  step  adopted  by  them.  . 

The  notice  of  the  uonstables  bad  csrtainlv  the  effect  of  rendering 
the  iUumintftlon  more  general  than  it  otherwfae  would  have  been.  The 
streets,  many  of  them,  were  well  Ikdited  mx  UiOQgh  It  waa  vei7  evIdsBt 
that  a  mat  number  of  houses  eimbited  Qghts  merely  for  the  prolee- 
tion  of  their  windows^  while  others  were  ooossionally  to  be  sesn 
enveloped  in  total  gloom.  ▲  number  d  small  tran^arenciss  and 
devlcsswurseshibit^mai^wiiidowBweretasteftdiy  lighted  v&aad 
several  houses  in  different  parts  of  the  town  made  a  biuliant  display 
of  variegated  lampa .  The  populace  upeared  fblly  to  eq{oy  the  eeeac^ 
and  there  was  no  laeik  of  firswotk^  disenaigiog  of  guns,  nistcle,  dDa,  to 
the  annc^yance  of  those  who  wished  mietlv  to  grrafy  laetr  ouriesity 
abroad.  The  police  were  eari|y  upoei  ttie  alerty  and  were  stationed  ^ 
the  Msgistratee^  in  proper  ntuatloiis,  to  protect  those  who  mi^t 
lefVise  to  Ught  upi  We  are  happVy  howevsTy  to  say  that,  as  fer  as  we 
can  Icani,  no  attempt  was  maae  by  the  populace  to  feroe  a  iwwnpllsnoe 
with  their  wishes,  either  by  intimidalicB  or  violence.  The  ewwd 
busily  amused  themselves  in  their  own  way,  and  when  eatkfied  they 
reUred  quietly  to  their  homee^  and  the  lights  were  extiaguishsd  at  an 
eariyhoeir. 

The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  handgun  iaaaed  by  the 
CSonstables : — 

The  ConsUblee»of  Birmingham,  understanding  that  it  lathe  wish  and 
intention  of  the  Inhabitants  to  illuminate  thehr  houses  this  evenisf^  In 


PUBLIC   LIFE  AND   EVENTS.  357 

« 

coiiseqneDoe  of  the  withdrawizig  of  the  £111  which  had  been  introduced 
into  the  House  of  Lords  against  her  Majesty  the  Queen,  beg  to  suggest 
to  their  fellow  townsmen  that  the  Public  Accommodation  will  be  best 
consulted  by  illuminating  for  one  evening,  yiz.,  To-morrow  (Tuesday), 
the  14th  instant. 

The  Constables  also  think  proper  to  state  that  they  shall,  on  the 
occasion  now  referred  to,  put  in  force  such  Begulations  as  cannot  fail  to 
promote  and  secure  the  utmost  Peace  and  Tranquillity. 

James  Bbale,  1 

Thomas  Buthbrford,  >  Constables. 

Joseph  Gibbs,  Headborough,  ) 
November  13, 182a 

A  numerously  signed  protest  against  the  conduct  of  the 

officials  was  published : — 

Birminffham,  Nov.  20, 1820. — ^We,  the  undersigned,  hereby  express 
cor  unqualified  Disapprobation  of  the  Oondoct  of  the  Constables  of  the 
Town  CD  iBsaing  a  Hand  Bill  on  Monday  Jast^  stating  that  it  was  the 
Wish  and  Intention  of  the  inhabitants  to  Illuminate  on  the  Occasion 
of  the  Sill  of  Pains 'and  Penalties  against  the  Queen  being  withdrawn. 
As  fiur  as  the  Sense  of  the  Ii^bitants  has  been  ascertained  by  us,  it 
was  neither  their  Wish  nor  Intention  to  lUnminate.  We  do,  therefore, 
protait  aoainst  the  Proceedings  of  the  Constables,  whereby  in  our 
Opinion^  the  Peaee  of  the  Town  and  the  Property  of  IndiTlduals  were 
wantonly  endangered ;  and  espedally  as  we  understand  this  Hand  Bill 
WM  published  in  direct  Oppoeition  to  the  Opinion  and  Advice  of  the 
Magistrates,  who  had  been  preTiousIy  coDsmted  on  the  subject  by  the 
Constables  ihemaslyss. 

A  much  lai;^  number  of  the  inhabitants  issued  a  brief 
notice  expressmg  their  approval  of  the  Constables ;  and  so 
this  ''storm  in  a  tea-pot    ended : — 

Ker.  80, 18201— We,  the  undenigiied,  havnog  ohsenred  with  Begret 
the  appearanee  of  a  Protest^  esBSuring  the  Constables  of  Birmingbtm 
Isr  toe  Pahlicatlon  of  the  above  A^rertisement,  which,  we  are  con- 
▼inesd,  originated  in  thsir  beeoming  and  laudable  Anxiety  to  preserve 
the  IVanqiullity  of  the  Town ;  and  being  aware  of  the  impropriety  of 
•algecting  eonstitatad  Aathority,  of  any  Bank,  to  inconsiderate  and 
disrespeetfal  Inipatataon%  think  it  right  thus  publicly  to  declare  oar 
eatirs  Approbation  of  thdur  CoDdoet  on  this  Oonsiou. 

The  Birmingham  people  took  their  share  in  the  philanthro- 
pic labours  of  endeavouring  to  improve  our  diticouic  crimi- 
nal coda  The  report  of  we  meeting  held  on  this  subject 
18  highly  honourable  to  the  liberality  of  their  opinions : — 

May  14, 1821.— At  a  namerons  and  respectable  Meeting  of  the  In- 
habitants of  the  To%ni  and  Nstghbcforfaood  of  Birmingham,  held  at  the 
F^blle  OiBoe  in  Moor  Street,  on  Friday  the  eleventh  Day  of  May,  1821, 
parsnaat  to  a  Beqaisltlon  to  the  High  Bailiff,  dnly  convened  by  pnblie 
Advertisement,  to  take  into  Consideration  the  Propriety  of  Petitioning 
the  L^gislatiTs  for  a  Beviaion  of  the  Criminal  Law.^, 

0.  F.  Mnnts,  Esq.,  High  Bailiff,  in  the  Oiair, 
The  following  Basolations  were  nnanimoosly  passed :— 


358  A  CEKTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

Fint— Upon  tho  Motion  of  Charles  Lloyd,  Esq.,  and  seconded,  by 
the  Bev.  John  Corrie  : — ^That  this  Meeting  haying  ohseryed,  with  the 
greatest  K^;ret  and  Alarm,  the  great  and  progressiye  increase  of  Crime 
m  this  District,  as  well  as  the  other  Parts  of  the  United  Kingdom,  are 
of  Opinion  that  this  £yil  would  be  diminished  by  the  Reyision  of  the 
Criminal  Laws,  and  by  adopting  a  graduated  Scale  of  Punishment  pro- 

S»rtioned  to  the  De^;ree  or  Crime,  with  a  View  of  rendering  the  In- 
ction  of  such  Punishment  more  certain. 

Seoond.— Upon  the  Motion  of  8.  T.  Galton,  Esq.,  and  seconded  by 
the  Bey.  J.  A.  James  :-~That  the  Petition  (now  read)  be  presented  to 
both  Houses  of  Psiiiament. 

Third. — ^Upon  the  Motion  of  George  Lee,  Esq.,  the  Low  Bailifl^ 
seconded  by  r,  M.  James,  £b<^.  :— That  Lord  Calthorpe  be  respectfully 
requested  to  present  the  Petition  to  the  House  of  Lords,  and  that  the 
Members  for  the  County  be  also  requested  to  present  the  Petition  to 
the  House  of  Commons. 

Fourth. — Upon  the  liotion  of  William  Beale,  Escl,  seconded  by 
Thomas  Byland,  Eftq.  >-That  the  High  Bailiff,  with  the  Qentlemen  who 
signed  the  Beqmsitiony  be  appointed  a  Committee  for  curying  the  aboye 
Besolutions  into  effect^  and  to  adopt  sudi  other  Measures  as  to  them 
mayappear neoessaiy.  O.  F. Muim^  High Bailifll 

The  High  Bailiff  haying  left  the  Chair,  and  the  ssme  being  taken 
by  8.T.Galtoii,EBq.:— Besoiyed  unanimously,— That  the  Thanks  of  this 
Meeting  be  giyen  to  the  High  BailiU;  for  his  able  and  impartial  Conduct 
in  the  Chair. 

Our  next  extiract  records  an  event  which,  at  the  time,  ex- 
cited considerable  interest ;  and  which  was  looked  upon  hj 
the  supeiBdtiofis  with  mudi  alarm  and  fear : — 

DisDiTiuaiiT  07  Ma.  BAnaayiUB. 

May  88, 1821. — It  is  in  the  recollection  ol  many  of  the  inhabitants 
d  this  i^aos  that  Mr.  John  Bsskenrille,  oekbrated  for  the  improyement 
he  made  in  Ictter-foimdiagyWaabiiried,  by  an  express  direction  eoplaiiied 
in  his  win,  in  his  own  ground,  in  a  mausoleum  erected  for  the  nmpoee 
pnrvioQS  to  his  decease.  Upon  his  death  the  ground  was  eold,  andpassed 
mto  the  hands  of  John  Byland,  £«).,  and  from  him  to  his  son,  Samuel 
fiylaad.  Esq.,  who,  a  few  years  aso,  demised  it  to  Mr.  Oibeon  for  a  long 
tmsy  wiio  has  sines  cot  a  canal  tEronsh  it,  and  oonyerted  the  remainder 
into  whaif  land.  Soon  after  Mr.  Byland  becune  the  possessor  of  this 
poperif  ,  the  nansolettm,  which  was  a  small  oooical  building,  was 
taken  down,  and,  it  was  rumoured  at  the  tune,  that  the  body  had  been 
nmoyedt 

This  proyes^  howeyer,  to  be  unfounded,  for  it  appears  that  a  short 
time  before  Ohristmas  last  some  workmen,  who  were  employed  in  gft- 
ting  graful,  discoyersd  the  leaden  coffin.  It  was  howeyer  immediately 
eoyeied  up^  and  remained  untouched  until  a  few  days  since,  when,  the 

r;  haying  been  recently  let  for  a  wharf,  it  became  neceasanr  to  remoye 
coffin,  and  it  was  accordingly  disinterred,  uid  depositea  in  Mi 


Oibeoii  and  Son's  warehouse,  where  a  few  indiyiduats  were  allowed  to 
inspect  it  The  bodr  was  in  a  singular  state  of  presenration,  coosidmng 
that  it  had  been  under  ground  alwut  46  yeara  It  wss  wrapt  in  alinen 
shroud,  which  was  yeiy  perfect  and  white,  and  on  the  breast  lay  abranch 
ol  laurel,  faded,  but  entire,  and  firm  in  texture.  There  were  also  leayes^ 
and  sprigs  of  bay  and  laurel  in  other  parts  of  the  coffin  and  on  the  body. 


PUBLIC   LIFE  AND  EVENTS.  359 

The  skin  on  the  face  waa  dry  but  perfect.  The  ejes  were  gone,  but  the 
ejebrowBy  eyelashes,  lips,  and  teeth  remained.  The  skin  on  the  abdomen 
and  body  generally  was  in  the  same  state  with  that  of  the  face.  An 
exceedingly  offensive  and  oppressive  effluvia,  strongly  resembling 
decayed  cheese,  arose  from  the  oody,  and  rendered  it  necessary  to  close 
the  coffin  in  a  short  time,  and  it  has  since  been  consigned  to  his  survi- 
ving connexions  for  the  purpose  of  re-interment  It  was  first  supposed, 
by  those  who  examined  the  body,  that  some  artificial  means  had  been 
employ^  to  protect  it  from  putrefaction,  but,  on  enquiiy,  it  was  not 
ascertained  that  this' was  the  case.  The  putrefactive  process  must  have 
been  arrested  by  the  leaden  coffin  having  been  sealed  hermetically,  and 
thus  the  access  of  air,  which  modern  discoveries  have  ascertained  is 
essential  to  putre&ction,  was  prevented. 

George  lY.  was'  crowned  on  July  19,  and  tfae  coronation 
festivities  in  Birmingham  were  carried  out  with  the  utmost 
enthusiasm.  The  poor  were  fed ;  the  rich  gave  dinners  and 
balls ;  and  the  illuminations  are  recorded  as  being  unprece- 
dentedly  brilliant  and  magnificent.  A  public  dinner  was 
given  at  the  Royal  Hotel  In  the  course  of  the  evening  the 
*' following  lines,  hastily  written  for  the  occasion  by  the 
Rev.  Rann  Kennedy,  were  recited  by  Mr.  Yandenhoff,  of  the 
Theatre,  in  a  highly  impressive  manner" : — 

Assembled  eonntrjrmen,  who  mingle  here 
The  flow  of  soul  with  plen^s  f estol  cheer, 
Well  mi^t  ye  long,  in  all  its  fargwan  state, 
To  view  the  iolaom  act  ye  oelemSe : 
Well  might  y»  bom,  as  patriots,  to  tnrrey 
The  scene  tliat  blazoDS  tiiis  anspicioiu  day ; 
Where  beauty,  rank,  and  aancti^  oombinM, 
By  turns  debj^t,  impresi,  and  awe  the  mind ; 
where  all  that  fills  and  fires  the  busy  thought^ 
In  rich  Tarietj  to  ai^t  is  brought ; 
All  that  procttims  wnat  this  our  native  land 
Now  boasts  as  ooitiT,  wondrous,  lor'd,  or  gnnd, 
With  coantleas  qrmDob  that^  to  lancVs  eye, 
Tell  what  die  was  in  ages  long  gone  mr. 
There  all  her  Ohivaliy,  with  crest  ana  star, . 
The  wise  in  coimdl,  and  the  {[reat  in  war, 
A  aacred  bandL  aroond  their  Sjng  nnite, 
To  witness  and  to  seal  the  Holy  Bite 


Which  crowns  the  royal  heir  of  Bnniswid[fs  stem, 
In  Britain's  name,  with  Britain's  diadsm. 
Bat  eve  it  ciitles  nis  anointed  brow, 
They  hear  him  speak  the  great,  momentous  tow. 
The  TOW  which  consecrates  a  monaidi's  throne, 
JSTw  rights  and  duties  binding  with  ovr  own. 
No  aonnd,  no  murmur,  scarce  a  breath  is  heard. 
Attending  thousands  hang  on  erery  word ; 
He  swears  for  vs  to  think,  for  ns  to  feel. 
To  act,  to  reign,  to  live,  for  Albion's  weal ; 
To  guard  our  freedom's  ark,  protect  our  laws. 
Ana  stand  the  duunpion  of  Ueligion's  cause. 


360  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE, 

It  is  the  lot  of  othdn,  not  of  you, 

This  great  aolemnitj  to  share  or  view  ; 

Yet  are  ye  in  the  mightier  train  of  thoee, 

To  whom  its  glory  and  its  worth  it  owes. 

Tis  yours  to  swell  the  rapture  it  imparts. 

And  crown  your  sovereign  with  consenting  hearts ; 

To  hear,  in  thought^  his  lips  for  ^ou  declare 

What  his  breast  owns  as  its  presiding  care, 

And  feel  ^f^mr  breasts,  in  answering  purpose,  glow    , 

With  all  that  Britons  to  their  Monarch  owe. 

Ye  join  to  crown  him  with  the  shouts  that  rise. 

Ana  prayers,  the  breath  of  millions,  ta  the  skies ; 

Ye  ffive  the  poor  this  dajr  his  name  to  blesi^    . 

Ana  crown,  him  with  their  mirth  and  happiness ; 

Ye  crown  him  with  a  meed  all  pomp  aboye,—  « 

Ye  join  to  crown  him  with  a  nationV  love. 

Then  let  brimm'd  wine  cups  mantle  on  the  board 

Bound  which  your  loyal  tide  of  soul  is  poured ; 

AjkL  through  this  dome,  be  these  the  words  that  rinff. 

While  your  nearts  echo  them,  ^  Qod  save  the  King  r 

In  July  we  have  this  paragraph  referring  to  the  efibrts 
now  being  made  to  extend  oar  foreign  trade,  dj  breaking  np 
the  East  India  monopoly : — 

Gbambie  of  Mavufactuub  Aim  Comxkbci. 

July  90, 1821. — ^Wa  refer  our  readers  to  the  report  of  the  Committee 
for  ffraUfyioff  ioformation  on  the  snbjeet  of  the  extension  of  our  Foreigo 
Trader  wbid,  duriDg  the  last  sesMon,  engaged  the  aioal  aasidiioiia 
attention  of  Oommltteeaof  both  Houses  of  the  LefMaUve.  Ameafst 
other  measores  likely  to  resnlt  fixim  th^  inquiries  of  these  Oommittssa» 
an  Aot  has  passed  to  allow  any  of  his  lii^esty's  mibjecU  *lo  trade  to  aiid' 
at  any  intermediate  porta  or  nlacss  situate  between  the  United  King- 
dom and  the  East  Indiea,  and  Mlongiog  to  any  nrince^  slats^  cr  eoant^ 
in  amity  with  his  Hajes^ ;  and  to  cany  or  ttade  and  traffic^  dlrsetly  or 
eireoitoiisly,  in  any  gooda  wares^  or  merohandiae  wbaterer "  with  the 
aole  exception  of  the  dominkinsef  the  Emperor  of  China.  Thw  a  mesa 
important  extension  la  obtabed  of  oor  iMTTrade  to  the  East  Indies^ 
ana  by  the  eaublishment  of  free  porta  in  the  Indian  8ea%  graal 
adfantaM^  from  whieh  the  sabjeets  of  this  eonntiy  have  hitherto  neea 
exdndeo^  are  thrown  opeki  to  the  enterprise  and  capital  of  Britlab 
merchants.  It  will  be  in  the  reooUeetlon  of  many  of  our  TCaderSi  that 
the  Binningham  Chamber  of  OMnmeroe  prasented  a  MMnoiiai  to  the 
Lords  of  the  Tkeasnry,  and  Petitkma  to  tae  Legislativeu  for  the  rerlsal 
of  the  Laws  restricting  oor  Foreign  Oommerae^  and  it  is  creditable  to 
the  perserering  excttieBs  of  the  Birmingham  Chamber  to  ofaesrre^ 
that  It  Is  owing  to  thefar  petitions^  and  to  those  of  similar  commoelal 
bodies  In  other  large  towns,  that  the  Comndttees  of  Farilament  were 
appdutedy  whose  eniiglitenea  Inqoiries  are  likely  to  prove  so  beneficial 
to  the  TVade  and  Commcroe  of  tlie  onited  Hngrlom. 

The  nnhapmr  Queen  died  on  Anguet  7»  and  on  the  ISth 
thia  notiee  of  the  reoeipt  of  the  news  in  Birmingham 
appeared: — 


EDUCATION  AND  LITERATURR  '  361 

August  13, 1821. — ^The  earliest  tidiugs  of  the  afflictive  and  melan- 
choly termination  of  her  late  Majesty's  eventful  and  checquered  career 
were  brought  to  this  town  by  the  Courier  day  coach,  which  reached  Mr. 
Harf  s  office  at  half-past  Seven  on  the  Wednesday  evening.  The  news 
rapidly  spread,  and  was  generally  known  prior  to  the  arrival  of  the  mail 
on  the  following  morning.  The  latter  bringing  the  Gazette  account  of 
her  Majesty's  demise,  the  bells  of  our'  two  parish  churches  commenced 
tolling  soon  after  its  arrival,  and  continued  at  intervals  throughout  the 
day.  Our  Theatre  was  in  consequence  closed  on  that  evening ;  and  it 
will  be  seen  that  the  meeting  to  luidress  his  Majesty  on  his  Coronation, 
intended  to  have  been  held  on  Wednesday  next^  is  postponed  by  the 
High  Bailiff  until  after  her  Majesty's  funeral 

With  this  extract  we  close  the  record  of  the  public  life  of 

a  decade  fuU  of  activity,  and  rich  in  labours  of  great  local 

importance  and  abiding  interest. 


§  3.     EDXrCATION  AND  UTERATCfRK 

As  we  approach  nearer  to  the  present  time,  we  meet  with 
a  continually  ffrowing  activity  in  moviding  education  for 
the  people.  Tne  ten  years,  the  laoours  of  whidi  we  are 
now  recording,  were  especially  fruitful  in  this  respect 
Schools,  on  the  qTstem  of  Bell,  were  founded ;  schools  for 
the  education  of  the  poor  in  connection  with  the  established 
chundi ;  the  Birmingham  Aoidemy  of  Arts  was  formed,  and 
the  first  exhibition  of  piotures  hela;  and  last^  but  not  leasts 
the  Institution  for  the  instruction  of  the  Deaf  and  Dumb 
was  established  in  this  deoade.  Not  a  trifling  or  unimpor- 
tant series  of  labours  for  ten  years  in  the  history  of  any 
town. 

In  the  spring  of  1812  the  good  work  commenced ;  and 

ca  Ibieh  tbe  9th  of  tut  yeu- we  find  the  foUowing  !»». 

graph : — 

Educatiov  or  Pooa  CmLDanr. 

A  most  retpeetable  meeting  of  the  Memben  of  the  Church  of  £o|^ 
kad  raridiog  m  this  place  and  the  nsighboorhood  wsa  held  at  the  Bios 
Coat  Charity  School,  on  FHdar.toeoiislderof  themssasof  cstsblishing 
^  Sdiools  In  Birmingham  ftr  Ilia  Education  of  the  Poor  In  oonna&ion 
with  the  EBtabliahsd  Choroh."  The  fisv.  Charles  Curtis  opsosd  the 
badness  of  the  meeting  in  a  most  animated  speech,  a  oopj  of  whidi 
we  were  promised,  hot  had  not  been  able  to  obtain  when  this  paper 
was  pQt  to  press.  Dr.  Ooiiam  and  the  Ber.  &  B«m  also  addrssssd 
ths  meeting ;  and  the  resolatioas  were  unanlmoosly  adopted. 

In  a  fortnight  after  we  find  the  Committee  were  at  work : — 

March  S3, 1818.— At  a  Meeting  of  the  Oommlttee^  held  at  the  Bine 
Coat  Charity  School,  on  Tnesdaj,  the  17th  of  Mardi,  181i,— It  was 


362  A  CEKTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

Betolved,— That  the  Donatioxu  to  this*  Institation  be  applied,  In  the 

fint  place,  to  the  erection  or  poichaBe  of  plain  nnornamental  Boildings 

for  School  Rooma. 

Lam  Booma  Wanted. — ^It  being  the  wish  of  the  C6mmittee  to 
.  establiSi  and  open,  as  speedily  as  possible,  a  sufficient  number  of 
;  SchooLi  indifforent  parts  of  the  town,  it  is  requested  that  those  persons 
'-  who  have  detached  Booms  or  Buildings,  suitable  for  the  purpose,  to  sell 
-or  to  let  until  TOt>per  BuUdings  can  be  erected,  will  apply  to  Mr. 

Burrish,  Temple  Kow,  one  of  the  Sub-committee. 

Wx.  J0BV8OK,  Sea. 

July  27, 1818. — We  have  great  pleasure  to  obserre  from  an  adver- 
tisement m  this  page  of  our  paper  that  the  Institution  for  the 
•Edncatioin  of  the  Poor  in  connexion  with  the  Established  Church, 
'  intend  to  commence  their  benevolent  labours  on  Monday  next^  at  the 
rooms  in  Temj^  Bow,  which  they  have  hired  as  a  temporsxy  aooom- 
modation.  Th»  laige  building  now  erecting  in  Pinfold  Street  and 
Peek  Lane  is  expected  (as  we  are  informed  from  good  authority)  to  be 
ready  veiry  soon  after  Michaelmas. 

Aug.  10^  1818.— So  exceedingly  numerous  have  been  the  applications 

lor  admission  to  the  sdiools  of  tnis  institution  that  the  Oomnuttee  have 

determined,  by  an  unanimous  votsu  to  add  to  their  original  plan  of  the 

fldiool  Dow.ereeliiv  in  Pinfold  Street,  and  to  enlim  it  eo  as  to 

.  accommodate  near  one  thonsind  children.    In  doing  ttiis  thev  have 

*  confided  much  in  the  known  Uberalitjr  of  the  inhabitants  of  Birming- 
ham, by  incorring  an  expense  fiur  beyond  their  funds ;  but  as  the  cause 
in  wUeh  they  are  ongstfed  ia  the  cause  of  every  friend  of  pore  religloD, 
moialvitiiicandaooiarorder,  thev  have  no  doubt  of  the  public  support 

.  to  enable  them  to  oomplete  their  undertiking.  The  donations  are 
,  Intended  to  be  fliM  applied  to  this  purpose,  and  as  thie  weekly  expendi- 
'  tors  is  now  "narj  considerable^  it  is  partlcalariy  requested  that  all 
^'^subsoripUons  notW  jpsld  in  may  be  immediately  sent  to  the  trsasursn^ 
i  tMiwi  s?Oeal<%  »Woelhy,'and  QcrdoiL 

On  Noremb^  SO/nre  read : — ^Dr.  Bell  has  lately  been  in 
this  town,  and  inapeeted  the  school  recently  established 
here  on  th6  ICadras  system ;  the  luid  progress  of  which, 

•  in  the  greaiwork  of  educating  the  <mildron  of  poor  persons^ 
gave  him  much  satisfiustion.  And  on  December  14  was 
pubUshed  the  following  interesting  report  of  the  laboars  of 
the  Boyal  Lancastrian  Free  School  since  its  foundation  in 
September  1809. 

« Dseember  H  181&— TheOommitteeof  the  B^yal  Lancisterian  IVee 
School,  Mipointcd  for  its  mansgement  daring  Uie  year  ISIS;  have  agrsed 
to  the  fcUowiog  report :— Since  the  first  establishment  cf  thislnstitu- 
tioQ,  in  Septembsr,  1800, 878  boys  have  been  admitted,  of  these  478  have 
left  the  sebool ;  of  the  400  boys  that  remain, 

S38  are  in  the  daUy  habit  of  resdiDg  the  Scriptares. 
49  read  words  of  two  syllablea 
68  spell  words  of  foor  or  five  i^Uablss. 
37  spell  words  of  three  letters. 
16  ^mU  words  of  two  letters. 
16  are  in  the  alphabet  or  sand  dass. 


EDUCATION  AND   LITERATUEE.  363 

All  the  boys  in  the  scbool,  with  the  exception  of  thoee  only  who  are  in 
the  sand  class,  are  in  the  daily  habit  of  writing  upon  slates,  and  of  these 
there  are  50  who  write  also  npon  paper. 

The  number  of  boys  comprisea  in  the  different  arithmetical  classes 
is  195. 

Qreat  pains  have  been  taken  to  impress  upon  the  minds  of  the  parents 
the  importance  of  religious  instruction ;  with  this  view  they  have  been 
direct^  either  to  intrDduoe  their  children  into  Sunday  Schools,  or  to 
take  them  re^arly  to  a  place  of  worship. 

The  committee  have  much  satisfaction  in  believing  that  their  recom- 
mendation in  this  respect  has  been  very  generally  attended  to.  In  order 
to  satisfy  themselves  on  this  head,  they  have  occasionally  directed  the 
master  to  obtain  a  oozreot  account  of  the  employment  of  the  children 
<m  some  particular  Snbday.  The  following  statement^  which  is  founded 
on  the  return  made  of  the  boys  who  attended  the  sdiool  on  the  19th  of 
November,  will  account  for  their  mode  of  spending  the  Sabbath  imme- 
diately precedinff  it : 

.  213  attended  Sunday  Schools. 
84  were  taken  to  <murch. 
76  were  taken  to  their  respective  Meetings. . 
4  were  taken  to  the  Synagogue. 
IS  were  unable  to  leave  home  in  consequence  of  illnesi^  or  aod* 

dents,  and 
11  were  detained  by  their  parents. 

The  Schools  of  Industiy,  in  Water  Street,  were  among  the 

most  praiseworthy  of  our  educational  efforts.    The  foUow- 

ing  paragraph  explains  their  objects : —  . 

SOBOOLS  OV  IirDUSTRTy  WATKB-STBOBr. 

March  6, 1813^— On  Wednesday,  the  lOth  inst,  being  the  day  ap- 
pohited  fo  a  General  Flsst,  Oolleetions  will  be  OMde  in  the  Morning  and 
Eveninir,  at  6t  MarVa,  in  behalf  of  this  Charity,  after  Sermons  bv  the 
Rev.  Edward  Bum,  M.A.,  Minister.  The  Swvtee  to  b^n  in  the  Mor- 
nimr  at  Half-past  Ten,  and  in  the  Evening  at  Half-past  Six  o'doek. 

The  poblicare  reepeetfolly  informed,  that  the  Design  of  this  Charitj 
is  to  teach  poor  Girls  to  read,  write,  sew,  and  knit,  and  to  instmet  them  in 
the  Flrinciples  of  the  Christian  Beligion.  Thejr  have  also  an  opportnnitj 
of  becoming  acquainted  with  the  most  necessarv  Bnndies  of  Hoosehold 
Work.  There  an  at  present  in  the  Day  and  Night  Sdiook.  1(KI  Girls. 
The  Daj  Schools,  which  contain  one  Half  of  this  Nnmoer,  consist 
chiefly  of  younger  OirU;  and  the  Night  Schools^  whidi  receive  the  Be- 
mainder,  are  intended  for  an  elder  Class,  who  are  for  the  most  part 
employed  in  the  Mann&ctories  durinff  the  Day ;  and,  bat  for  this  and 
similar  Charitleamast  in  general  be  deprived  of  the  Advantages  of  In* 
stmction.  The  Children  assemble  twice  every  Sabbath  at  their  respec- 
tive Scliools,  and  regalia ly  attend  Divine  Service.  The  intended  Col- 
lections are  designed  to  enable  the  Committee  of  Ladies  who  saperintend 
tills  Charity,  to  extend  and  improve  the  Plan  by  fitting  ap  a  Boom  al- 
ready built  for  the  Purpose,  and  sufficiently  capacious  to  accommodate 
100  Girls  in  tlie  Day  Scnool,  and  the  same  number  In  the  Evening. 

The  first  annual  meeting  of  the  friends  of  the  institution 

for  the  education  of  the  poor  in  connexion  with  the  Church 

of  £ngland  was  held  at  the  Blue  Coat  School,  on  March  9, 


364  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

■ 

1813.     It  appears  from  the  report  that  the  receipts  for  the 

J^ear  were  £1,074  17«.,  and  the  expenditure  £1,117  18«.  2d, 
eaving  a  balance  due  to  the  treasurer  of  £43  la,  2d  The 
report  informs  us  that  ^'the  Committee,  desirous  that  the 
Benefits  of  the  Institution  should  begin  to  be  felt  as  early 
as  possible,  engaged  two  contiguous  Rooms  in  Temple  Sow ; . 
ana  having  procured  a  Master,  whose  Qualifications  for  the 
Office  they  have  hitherto  had  great  Reason  to  appreciate 
very  highly,  they  opened  one  of  these  Rooms  as  a  ocbool  on 
the  3rd  of  August,  and  have  admitted  239  Boys,  of  whom  ^ 
upwards  of  200  are  now  daily  receiving  Instruction." 

Our  next  extract  is  the  report  of  the  opening  of  the 
Pinfold  Street  School :— 

4 

New  CflAiuTT  School. 

April  26,  1813. — On  Thursday,  the  hme  new-erected  School  in 
Pinfold  Street,  in  this  town,  established  on  i)r.  Bell's  (or  the  lisdras) 
STsteni  ol  educating  poor  diildren,  was  opened  to  the  public  «  PlneTioos 
to  the  ceremony  tiie  children  of  this  sdiool,  with  the  oiildren  belonging 
to  King  Edward's  free  mmmar  schools,  the  Blue  Coat  school,  the 
School  of  Industry,  and  tne  Sunday  schools  oonneeted  with  the  Ghurdi 
of  England,  consisting  in  the  whole  of  ^700,  assembled  at  the  Blue 
Cbat  Mhool,  in  St  Philip^s  ehurdiyard ;  tram  thence,  at  half-past  ten 
<^clock  they  proceeded  in  procession,  attended  by  their  instructors,  and 
headed  by  the  deigy,  to  St  Martin's  Church,  where  an  exceDent  sermon 


was  delivered  by  we  Bector,  the  Ber.  Qianea  Curtis,  in  the  course  ol 
which  the  preadisr  drew  a  comparison  of  the  respective  merits  and 
advantages  of  the  ICadrss  and  Lancasterisn  avstems,  and  oooehided  1^ 
recommending  to  his  audience,  as  members  of  the  Established  CSmroh, 
the  aealous  support  of  the  former.  After  service  a  ooUeotiop  was  made 
forthebonefitof  thesdiool;  the  children  of  whidi  then  repaired  to  the 
new  sdiool-room,  where  a  suitable  address  on  the  oonasinn  was  made  by 
Mr*  Ctertis,  who  oonduded  the  ceremony  by  a  prayer  for  the  sucwae  of 
the  institution.  A  second  collection  was  made  at  the  door  as  the 
company  separsted,  after  witnessing  a  spectacle  highly  interestiqg  to 
the  canse  oi  religion  and  humanly. 

The  following  litenuy  advertisement  will  be  read  with 

interest  by  many : — 

May  31,  1813.— This  Bav  is  published,  in  three  Volumes,  ISmo., 
Price  l&a,  Boards,  Tlie  Miser  Married.  A  NoiveL  By  OUheiine 
Hutton. 

We  are  now  on  the  eve  of  one  of  the  moat  important 


icational  labours  yet  undertaken  in  the  town.  Ajb  early 
January,  1794,  a  ^  Well-wisher  "*  bad  pointed  out  the 
importance  of  the  arts  of  drawing  and  design  to  a  town 
like  Birmingham.  The  sugsestion  was  made  too  early  to 
produce  immediate  practiS  results;  but,  like  all  sudi 
suggestions,  it  only  waited  until  the  time  was  ripe  for  its 

«  r(kie  Tol.  i.,  p.  sa. 


EDUCATION  AND  LITERATURE.  365 

adoption  to  be  of  great  Bervica  As  general  education 
advanced,  the  want  of  Art  instruction  would  be  more  and 
more  deeply  felt ;  and  in  the  end  the  want  is  sure  to  be 
supplied.  ^Birmingham  had  now  arrived  at  that  period  in 
her  history  when  a  greater  attention  to  Art  was  oecoming 
a  necessity.  With  the  growth  of  wealth,  and  the  consequent 
improvement  of  manners,  a  desire  for  pictures  and  ornament 
was  sure  to  arise,  and  with  the  demand,  as  usual,  the  supply 
would  come.  Accordingly,  on  April  11, 1814,  the  following 
announcement  was  pubushed  : — 

BiBMIHQHAlC  AOADDCT  OT  ArIV. 

At  a  Period  when  Taste  for  the  Fine  Arte  is  become  so  generally 
diflfdsed,  and  Societies  for  the  express  Purpose  of  encoanginff  ana 
adipanci^  them  are  established  in  many  of  the  principal  Towns  m  the 
United  Kin^om,  that  Birmingham,  as  the  Nnrse  of  deffsnt  and  nsefol 
Arts,  shoold  so  long  have  wanted  an  Association  of  her  Artists,  of  sadi 
manifest  Importance  and  Advantage  to  her  mercantile  Intensti^  must 
be  recpunded  as  a  Cireomstsnce  alt^;ether  accidental,  uid  bj  no  means 
warranting  any  surmise  that  the  hwier  Arte  of  Dengn  would  l^ngnMli 
In  her  atmosphere  for  Want  of  Adges  to  estimate  and  Patrons  to 
reward  them ;  or  that  her  Artiste  would  disoover  any  Inferiority  of 
Talente  to  those  of  other  Places,  were  but  a  fair  Iield  opened  for 
bringing  them  into  AcUoil  On  the  contnuy,  convinced  by  their  own 
Ezpmence  that  Birmingham  nossesses  many  local  and  peoiuiar  Advan- 
tages for  assembling  and  ezhibiting  Works  of  Ar^  encouraged  by  the  . 
liberal  Spirit  of  ite  Inhabitanti^  and  by  the  particular  attention  now 
excited  to  Subjects  of  Art  and  Science  nearly  allied  to  their  own,  a 
Sodetjjry  composed  ol  rendent  Artiste  and  Amateun^  annoonoe  their 
Intention  ol  opening  an  annual  E^iibition. 

Not  resting  entirely^  howeyer,  on  their  own  Judgment^  nor  satisfied 
with  their  own  Pretensions,  they  felt  the  Propriety  of  submitting  thair 
Plan  to  the  Opinion  of  soma  of  the  first  Proffeasora  in  the  Metropolian 
who  have  not  only  eneoniaged  it  with  thair  wann  approbation^  but 
have  also  given  it  the  Sanction  ol  their  Names  as  Honorary  Hcmbeis ; 
a  CSreumstance  highly  flattering  indeed  to  the  Associates  in  this 
Undertaldnff,  but  on  which  they  are  fully  sensible  that  tibiey  must  not 
build  their  Uopes  of  public  Favour,  but  in  strict  Proportion  as  their 
Exertions  and  Pkt)ductions  ahall  i^ve  them  a  lair  Title  to  puUio 


Amonff  the  more  obvious  advantages  of  this  Institntlon  it  may  be 
considered  as  the  means  of  ereaUnffin  the  public  mind  a  lively  opera- 
tive  Interest  in  the  Pursuite  and  Works  of  Art,  and  eonsequentiy  of 
axcitinff  the  Industry  of  Profbsaor%  and  of  promotiog  amoag  tLem 
that  araent  and  honourable  emulatioii  which  is  a  most  powivfnl  agent 
in  producing  professional,  axosllence.  The  InstitutioQ  ol  the  B^pd 
Academy  was  tae  commenaement  of  a  new  and  aaspioions  era  to  the 
British  Artist ;  and  the  progressiva  improvemente  of  the  Arte  of 
Desiffn  in  this  country,  from  that  period  to  the  prasent,  is  prineipally 
aserioed  to  the  annual  assemblage  and  exhibition  of  the  masteriy  com- 
positions of  British  Artista.  To  places,  howevar,  far  distant  fram  the 
capiUly  these  genial  infiuences  do  but  feebly  extend.     Sources  of 


366  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAAI  LIFE. 

knowledge  and  improvement  so  remote  Bpe  in  vain  opened  to  a 
nnmeroiu  and  ingenious  class  in  this  neTgbbonrhood,  debarred  of 
tzayelling  &r  from  the  scene  of  their  employment,  jet  poesessed  of 
great  natnial  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  obiect  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  tbe  Arts.  To 
these' such  an  establisbment  may  prove  a  centre  of  attraction;  it  may 
unite  Opulence  and  Taste  with  Qenius  and  Skill  in  the  advancement  A 
imitative  art^and  the  embellishment  of  manufactures ;  it  may  kindle 
the  File  of  Emulation,  in  the  concourse  of  congenial  minds ;  it  may 
create  a  fqnd  of  Knowledge  and  Experience,  out  of  whidi  evecy 
Disciple  of  Art  may  draw  something  to  assist  his  oonceptioiis,  to 
increaae  the  stores  of  his  fancy,  to  f aciEtate  his  studies,  to  rectify  his 
errcn^  or  supply  his  defects.  When  the  wversl  motives,  therefore^ 
which  led  to  tne  fonnation  of  this  Socie^  are  duly  oamddered,  it  may 
be  reasouahly  expected  that  the  wosks  of  enxj  Artiat  and  Amatmr^ 
wjiose  residence  within  the  prescribed  limits^  and  whose  aibilitaes  entitle 
them  to  the  distinctian«  will  be  found  annually  ■wmbled  in  Binning- 
ham,  and  that  their  combined  efEDorts  will  be  leceived  with  that  dm^ee 
€(  respect. whidi  is  necessary  to  ensure  their  oontinnanoe,  and  with  that 
Indulgence  which  an  infant  establishment  will  neeesssrinr  requira. 

The  Society  pledge  themselves  Ibr  the  Impartiality  of  thefr  PktMeed- 
inga.  No  OonttderatioDS  shall  indues  them  to  swerve  fimn  the  Oonduct 
mscrfbed  to  them,  by  a  Begaid  to  the  SooesM  and  BepotatkNi  of  their 
Wrtahlishment,  and  In  the  miend  Tssta  of  tlioae  whoae  Judgment  they  ' 
rmp9t^  and  whose  appiotiatioiiy  thsrefon^  it  will  always  be  their 
prindpal  Stody  to  obtauL 

HOVOEABT 


In  tk§  IkpartmmU  of  PuuUit^. 

Bei^amin  West|  Esq.,  Pkeddent  of  the  Boyal  Aeademy* 
ThotDas  FhnUps^  Esq.,  Boyal  Academician. 

J.  M.  WlrTtow,  Esq.,  Boyal  AeadamManiaadrfofessai  of  PmqweUTa 
la  the  Biqral  Aeadanqr. 

In  tk»  Dtparimmi  qf  Sctifyim$, 


John  Haxnan,  Esq.,  Boyal  Aesdemleian,  and  PkefsMOir  of  SeolpCnre  In 

the  Boyal  AeadenT. 
Biflhard  Westmaeot^  Bsq.,  Boyal  Aeadsmlciao. 


thoB^ 

lUM 

the  Boyal 


John  Soane^  Esq.,  Boyal  Aeadanidaaia&d  Pkvlenor  of  Arehiteotnre  la 
il  Aoadsmy. 


Jaaca  Heath  Bn..  Airwiatt  of  the  Bmd  AeadMBy. 
Gharlss  Waiven,  lisq. 

In  th4  IkpartmmU  of  AmUomif. 
O.  De  lyi^  up,  aad  Jclm  Bloaat,  Jan^  Esq. 


EDUCATION  AND  LITERATURE      -  367 

Conditions  for  the  Reception  of  Pictures,  ttc 

1.  That  those  Artists  and  Amatears  only,  who  are  permanently 
resident  within  30  miles  of  Birmingliam,  be  eligible  as  Exhibitora 

2.  That  the  Exhibition  shall  consist  of  original  Paintings,  in  Oil  and 
Water  Golonrs,  Scalptnres,  Models,* Architectural  Designs,  Enmyings, 
Pictnres  in  Chrajons,  Miniatures,  and  Impressions  from  Medal  Dies,  and 
from  Engravings  on  precious  Stones. 

3;  l%at  the  Admission  or  Kejection  of  all  Works  sent  for  Exhibition 
shall  depend  on  the  Decision,  of  a  Committee,  composed  of  an  equal 
Number  of  Amateurs  and  Professora 

4.  That  Pictnres  sent  for  Exhibition  shall  be  properW  framed,  with 
or  without'  Glasses,  having  the  Name  and  Address  of  the  Artist  or 
Amateur,  and  a  JDescription  pf .  the  Subject  to  appear  in  the  Catalogue, 
pasted  on  the  Back,  and  those  Works  which  are  intended  for  Sale  must 
oe  accompanied  by  a  written  Communication,  stating  the  Terms  upon 
whicdi  they  an  to  Im  disposed  o£ 

Ttb  Society,  however,  will  not  be  accountable  for  Breaking  of 
Glasses,  or  for  any  Accidents  that  may  happen  to  the  Works  sent  for 
Eshibition^  althouffh.the  utmost  Care  shall  be  taken  to  protect  them. 

6«  That  the  Exhibition  shall- open  the  first  Week  in  September, 
1814,iuid  that  Pictures  and  other  Woiks  of  Art  intended  for  Exhibition 
must  be  delivered  on  the  S2nd,  Sdrd^or  S4th  of  August  preceding. 

An  eazly  Intimitfim  will  be  given  of  the  Pbioe  ot  Exhibition. 

Tboia  Aftista  andAniateurs  who  intend  tobeoome  Exhibitors  are 
reqiuMted  to  ooaimunicate  their  Intention  to  the  Secretair  as  early  as 
poasible,  stttting  the  probable  Number  and  Stses  of  their  noductions, 
that  the  Society  may  calculate  according. 

Biminghaai^  April  fl^  ^814. .  J.  YvHoan  Babbir,  Seentey. 

The  new.  nodety  soon  airanged  for  ita  first  exhibition. 

One  of  the  greateet  illnstrston  of  Warwickshire,  the  col- 

leagne  of  'David  Cox,  De  Wint^  ftc.»  be,  J.  Vincent  Barber, 

was  the  first  secretary;  and'  on  Angost  16  the  following 

advertisement  was  published : — 

Bmcnoaax  Aoaniinr  or  Am» 

lliose  Penons  who  Intend  to  become  Ezhibilon  at  the  ensuing 
le^KnAinai  an  rsquesCsd  to  attend  to  the  following 

CbfM^Moiu  fitr  ik$  R^espiiom  of  Pietwm,  So. 

I.  Hist  those  Artists  and  Amateurs  only,  who  are  permanently 
rssidsnt  within  thirty  miles  ol  Birmingham,  be  digible  as  Ezhihiton. 

a.  Thai  the  Ezhibitkm  shaU  ooMMt  of  originiaP^tii^m 
Water  Coloun^  Senlptares,  Modeh^  Aidiiteetand  DesuniLSiumnngi^ 
Kctmes  in  Orayons^  MjnistQrai^  Tmprewinns  from  fieoal  fiis^ted 
from  JBQgmiviitfsi  on  precioQS  sIcmssL 

a.  That  the  Admimion  or  B^feetion  of  all  Worin  sent  for  Exhibition 
■haU  depend  on  the  Decision  oif  a  Oommittes^  comprised  of  an  equal 
Knmbsr  of  Amitenfs  and  I^ofemota 

4.  Thai  Pfetorsi  sent  for  Bzliihition  shall  beproperiTtemed,with 
er  without  Ohsss%  bsTing  the  Name  and  Addrem  of  the  Artist  or 
Amateur,  and  a  DeKriptiMi  of  the  Snbfeet  to  i^ipear  In  the  Galalogne 
pasted  on  the  back ;  and  those  worin  which  are  mtcnded  for  Sale  must 
OS  accompanied  by  a  written  Oommunlcation,  stating  the  Tenna  upon 
whieh  th^  are  to  be  disposed  of.    The  Society,  howeier,  will  not  be 


868  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

accwntable  for  Breakage  of  CHj?-?' ^r  for  jny  ^«»^«^^J^  "f 7 
happen  to  the  WorkflMnt  for  Exhibition^  although  the  utmost  care 

shall  be  taken  to  protect  them.  i   •    a    x     v      io^a 

6.  That  the  Ediibition  shall  open  the  first  week  m  SepteEabw-^  1814, 
and  that  Pictures  and  other  Vorks  of  ^^  intended  for  ^AibiU^^^ 
must  be  deUveKHi  on  the  22nd,  23rd,  or  24Ui  of  Augu^  precedmg,  at 
the  Sodetys  Eoom,  adjoining  the  Fire  Offi<»,  m  Umon  Steeet  ^ 

Those  Artists  and  Amateurs  who  mtcnd  to  become  Exhibitors  are 
requested  to  communicate  tiieir  Intention  to  the  Seatjtajy  as  «jly  as 
possible,  stating  the  probable  Number  Mid  Sues  of  their  Productions, 
that  the  Sodcty  may  calculate  accordingly. 

/       /  J  V^nfCTjnp  Babbbb,  Secretary. 

In  this  year  one  of  bur  famous  medallists  received  a 
metropolitan  recognition  of  his  merits : — 

June  6,  I814.-Mr.  WiUiam  Wyon  (son  of  Mr.  P.  Wyon),  df  ttds 
town,  has  been  presented  with  a  srond  gold  medal  for  a^^^  Engrar 
▼ing;  by  the  SoSety  of  ArU  and  Sciences,  Adelphi,  London. 

The  first  Exhibition  of  Pictures  was  opened  on  Monday, 
September  12,  18U.  It  was  hdd  in  »^«>om  in  XJion 
Paassfte.  at  the  back  of  the  (late)  Birmmgham  Fire  Officea 
Thelollowing  two  brief  paragraphs  is  afl  that  the  news- 
paper of  the  day  has  to  say  on  this  great  and  happily 

permanent  work : — 

AoADXicr  OF  Arts.   . 

Sept  19, 181i.-We  are  desiroiis  of  directing  *he  atteiitioj^^ 
Kftd^to  the  first  exhibition  of  the  AoMteny  of^Arts,  an  mstttataoii 


bunmS.  an  JTHbam,  we  nndwrtrnd,  have  jipw«ed  th«Md«« 
Bio^dd^ted  with  tlM  mu/  dwloe  'P^^^'i'^^l^^y^^ 
be  tomirw*  tni*  tbe  qwiW  end  praieewOTthjr  «»«*f"  <f  *«^ 
faidiTidaeb  who  heTe  cwSnenoed  thU  imdertekaig  wiU  be  Kberdly 
■oi^MCted  bgr  all  loven  of  art  end  loeiMe. 

Oct  $,  1814.— At  a  period  wh«i  thb  town  fa  aboat  to  be  bt^nrad 


rSanSr^thfa  e^.  whfciC<w«  *V?^*  "2S£^i"^ 
ieoled  br  its  hiatitaton,  appean  weU  caknlatad  to  pionioto  a  more 

the  artaeioJe  them  to  decide  with  ao«imcy,  to  poemm  many  worita  rf 
iteealiar  merit  It  fa  the  faitentioii  el  Uie  membei.  and  fnenda  oTUie 
EHStaA».ai»aoaBaathe  etato  e(  their  foada  wiU  vi"^*. Jp  vM^a 
hSboBMUlUaDg.  when  the  academy  wiU  be  pennaoeDtlyeeUbh^ 
•ad  whentiMH&t,  whoee  taleota mlAt oUwrwiee eootmne  l»«W  m 

ofXinc eOtrtiud  pabUeity  to  hfa  pwductwiifc  We  hare  no  doabt 
bnt^itwlMow  townJen  will  exert  themeel*ee  m  a  <Mue  of  ao 


EDUCATION  AND  LITERATURE.  369 

« 

much  local  interest ;  and  we  confidently  trust  that  amonff  the  strangers 
who  may  be  indnoed  to  visit  their  first  essay,  many  wilTbe  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 : — 

BiBXIHGHAH  ACADBHT  Or  AbTS. 

October  3,  1814.— The  First  Exhibition  of  the  Works  of  Artists, 
permanently  resident  within  thirty  miles  of  Birmingham,  is  Now  Open 
to  the  Public  at  a  temporary  Boom  in  Union  Street. 

Admission  Is.    Catalogue  6d  Tickets  of  admission  for  the  Season,  6s. 

J.  y .  Barber,  Secretary. 

The  Members  of  the  Academy  of  Arts  deem  it  proper  to  lay  bcSbre 
the  Public  a  Plan  for  the  Beoeption  of  Donations.  The  Unfitness  of 
the  present  Exhibition  Boom,  and  the  general  Advantages  to  be  deriTed 
firom  the  Establishment  on  an  extendM  Scale,  will,  tiiey  trust,  justify 
an  Appeal  for  pecuniary  Aid  towards  the  erection  of  a  commodious 
Buildmg^  which  ma^  be  suitable  to  the  General  Purposes  of  an  Academy 
and  of  annual  Exhibitions.  During  the  short  period  whidi  has  elapsed 
sinoe  its  opening,  the  Sodetjr  an  indnoed  to  hope  that  a  finrourable 
Opinion  has  been  formed  with  regard  to  the  seneral  utility  of  the 
Establishment^  even  in  its  present  limited  State ;  its  ultimate  Extensian 
must  depend  apon  the  degree  of  support  it  may  liereafter  receive. 
Jttdg^nff,  however,  by  theattentlontheir  Plans  have  alreadv  experienced, 
thev  indulge  acooMent  Expectation  that  the  Taste  uid  liberality  of  the 
PnUiowiU  enable  them  to  aooompUsh  the  fall  extent  of  their  Designs. 

Flan  of  Jkmationt  towardt  the  JSr^Uiom  of  an  Academy  of  Arts 

in  BtnUnffham^ 

A  Donor  of  Five  Guineas  to  have  personal  admladmi  to  tlia  Annual 
Exhibition. 

A  Donor  of  Ten  Guineas  to  have  personal  admission,  and  the  Uberty 
of  btiiwing  one  friend  each  Day* 

A  Donor  of  fifteen  Guineas  to  havo  personal  admission,  and  the 
liberty  of  bringing  two  IVionds  each  Day ;  and  so  on  to  any  Amount 
of  Donations. 

The  Donations  will  not  be  oalled  lor  until  the  amonnt  xequired  is 
Mibseribed* 

The  Binnuu^am  Fhiloaophical  Sodety  was  founded  in  the 
year  1800.  ^This  institution  is  indebted  for  ito  orinn  to  a 
few  scientific  inhabitanto  who  held  a  meeting  in  the  year 
1800,  and  having  disclosed  their  ideas  to  others,  they  after- 
wards formed  themselves  into  a  society,  who  having  engaged 
premises  and  procured  proper  apparatus,  devoted  a  consider- 
able  portion  of  their  time  to  experimental  philosophy, 
occadonally  deli vering  lectures  amon([  their  own  memoers. 
This  heing  carried  on  as  a  private  soaety  for  several  years» 
continualqr  increasing  in  numlMra,  they  in  the  year  1818 
purchased  commodious  premises  in  Cannon-street^  which 
thev  fitted  up  in  a  similar  manner  to  the  Boyal  Institution 
in  London,  and  is  now  become  a  most  valuable  establishment 
The  various  lectures  that  have  been  delivered  by  the  different 


370  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

fellows  of  this  society^  on  mechanism,  chemistiy,  mineralogy, 
and  metalloigy,  have  produced  very  beneficial  effects,  and 
contributed  in  a  considerable  d^;ree  to  the  improvement  of 
gilding,  plating,  bron2dng,  vitrification,  and  metallic  combi- 
nations.'^ In  Drake's  '^  Picture  of  Birmingham,''  published 
in  1826,  there  is  the  following  account  of  this  very  useful 
institution : — 

''The  society,"  he  says,  ''assembled  in  an.  obscure  apart- 
ment, and  the  members  read  lectures  on  scientific  subjects  to 
small  and  select  audiences ;  but,  increasing  in  numbers,  the 
premises  now  occupied  were  purchased  in  1813,  and  fitted 
up  in  a  convenient  manner.  Tliey  contain  a  small  but  elegant 
theatre,  for  the  delivering  of  lectures ;  a  museuxn ;  rooms 
for  the  pursuits  of  e3q)6rim6ntal  philosophyi  with  extensive 
apparatus;  a  news-room,  and  proper  apartments  for  the  con- 
servator of  the  place.  Thereiageneraily  a  course  of  lectures 
on  a  ffiven  subject  delivered  each  winter,  bjr  a  professor  en- 
gageafor  the  purpose;  which  are  succeeded  dv  detached 
bctures^  read  by  .the  fellows  of  the  institution.  The  attend- 
ance is  usually  numerous  and  rather  farillianl'^ 

The  announcement  of  the  first  lecture  in  the  new  building 
appeared  October  10, 1814 : — 

.  BlBKIVOBAX  FmLOOOFHIGAL  IHlTiTUTIOg. 

The  fint  Leetare  d  this  Insthntioa  will  be  siTen  aft  the  Boomi^  in. 
Cteinan8trae^€aMoiidi^e?ttii9|Ootl7.    Saueriben are  teqiMStod 
tOMndtbthalnstitntionfortheirTioketa  prarioaiio  that  day;  Umj 
an  now  imdy  lor  ddiireiy  en  pajment  <tf  tao  Babaorq^^ 

On  October  26,  we  have  the  following  description  of  the 
new  building: — 

On  Moodaj  last  the  new  roons  fitted  up  bv  the  FUlosoplikal 
Sodetj  inadtntad  in  thia  town  were  opanad^  ana  the  Laatniea  eom- 
manoad  for  the  aeaaoiL  Hie  bofldintf  thus  oeenpiad  is  the  vny 
cytcnaiTe^hqiQaa  and jprenEJaaa  In  CSumon  Btieati  ktalj  the  wanheoaa  oif 

aveiTeon 
inm  in  adaptiog  it  to  their  pnipoaa ;  and  tiiair  eiaitiona  nave  not  baan 


MceiH*  Bidiida,  Burind«n  and  Oo.^  the  leaaa  d  whidi  haniur  bean 
poreiiaaad  I7  the  Oommittaey  thay  ha?e  expanded  a  vbit  eooalacnUe 


in  vidn,  lor  hj  the  alteraticoa  thay  have  mada^  it  k  now,  perhaps  the 
firat  aataWianiniint  of  the  kind  out  of  the  matropolia  tor  e^paoa, 
aooommodatkm,  and  oonyenieiioa.  The  Lactora-room,  whidi  ia  wmaaoM, 
and  aapabla  of  aaaHng  npwaida  oif  two  hundrad  paraona,  la  aemldreiilar, 
with  raiaad  tian  of  baaoiaa ;  the  oaOiDg  k  aopportad  dj  two  light  oaat 
tronpillaxa.  The  Lactnrar  atanda  in  the  anoa,  with  a  laiga  tahle 
brfoie  him,  for  the  exhibition  of  axparimanta  ^  bahind  him  la  a  leoaai^ 
with  doon  leadiog  to  retiriiig  rocnm,  fte.    Baaidaa  the  Laetorii^ff-iooiiit 

•  **|Iodani  Birnilnghamr    By  Chailaa  7^  18l8.^pp  t7-8. 
t '*Tba Flctueof Binnlogham.*'    JamaaDiaka.  18S5— p.ae. 


EDUCATION  AND  LlTERATUBE.  S71 

there  are  apartments  devoted  to  an  extensive  philosophical  apparatus 
for  the  use  of  the  Fellows.  Another  room  is  set  apart  for  a  museum, 
and  a  third  for  a  reading  room  and  library.  Attacned  to  the  baUdin^ 
are  conveniences  and  re(]uisites  for  the  prosecution  of  chemical  and 
other  philosophical  pursuits,  upon  an  extensive  scale.  Too  much  praise 
cannot  be  bestowea  upon  the  Oommitte&  by  whose  exertions  the 
Society  has  been  so  well  accommodated,  and  the  literaiy  character  of 
the  town  advanced. 

The  £ev.  John  Ck>rrie  (President  of  the  Institution)  was  chosen  to 
deliver  the  opening  Leobire,  which,  at  the  request  of  the  Oommitte<^ 
was  devoted  to  a  survey  of  the  rise  and  progress  of  the  Society,  and  an 
illustration- of  the  objects  of  and  the  aavantsffes  likely  to  result  from 
their  labours.  He  commenced  bjr  a  wann  eumium  on  the  gentlemen 
under  whose  fostering  care  the  institutioii  ha3  attained  its  present 
flourishing  state.  He  then  took  oocaaion  to  point  out  the  difference  of 
intention  oetween  the  Boval  Societ^^  of  Knyand  and  the  other  gntit 
Societies  of  EnropOp  and  the  class  of  institutions  under  which  the  Bir- 
min^^iam  Philosophical  Society  fidls.  Among  the  members  of  the  former, 
he  observed,  idio  comprised  the  most  leaxned  and  illustrious  amonff 
mankind,  were  men  who  devoted  their  whole  Ufss  'to  the  promotum  oi 
fresh  discoveries,  and  farther  advances  In  sdeuoes;  while  the  members  of 
the  latter,  being  generaUv  those  whose  principal  attention  waa  direrted  to 
the  necessary  pursuits  of  conimeroe,  attempted  th^  dissemination  rather 
than  the  dincraries  of  seienoe.  ^He  pointed  out  the  principal  topics 
whidft  would  mobaUy  engage  the  attention  of  the  Society.  vi&,  Natural 
Philosophy,  Mond  PhiloaqpEy,  Political  Economy,  and  the  sobjeot  of 
Taste. 

The  Lecturer  then  descanted  upon  the  advantages  arising  from  their 
prosecution  of  these  studies  to  sooety  at  large,  and  this  town  in  pai^ 
ticulaTy  and  defended  the  ezperimenta  of  the  stadioosy  howevor  triniQg 
and  useless  ther  mi^t  appear  to  the  vulgar  eye^  from  the  diaige  cl 
absnrditv  and  roily.  No  man,  he  said,  oi$it  to  despair  of  adding  to 
the  stock  of  human  knowledfle,  since  some  of  the  most  important 
dieooveriea  had  been  made  acdaentaHy,  and  even  at  a  time  when  tiio 
discoverer  was  nuJcmg  experimepts  with  far  other  views  than  what 
their  result  led  ta  Thus  he  iwstanoed  the  acddcotal  diseoveiy  of  gun- 
powder by  the  chemioal  experiments  of  a  Honk,  who  probably  was 
striving  to  make  his  fortune  bv  the  disooverr  of  thephilosopha's  stone, 
or  whose  studies,  at  any  rate,  nad  an  ob]^  nr  remote  hom  effecting  a 
diaim  In  the  art  of  war.  Tne  Inventkm  of  the  compass  was  anotner 
dngmar  Instance  of  the  f ortnitoos  result  of  sdsnttlic  putnitSi  and  to 
wmoh  we  are  indebted  for  those  valuable  certainties  that  at  once 
extended  the  science  of  navigation,  to  which  Great  Britain  is  indeibte^ 
for  her  present  elevation  among  tne  nations  of  EuroDC.  He  fbfdbly 
demonamted  the  dose  connexion  between  the  most  aostrase  brandies 
of  learning  and  the  axis  and  wants  of  life.  Ardiimedes^  by  his  know- 
ledge of  the  — *^^-^yf"fttitli*i'^  whidi  he  applied  to  medianiosL  defwded  his 
native  dty  of  filjracQse  for  a  long  time  ucm  the  afttadoi  of  the  Bomans^ 
then  the  complete  masters  el  the  art  of  war.  From  the  study  of  conic 
secticps,  on  tne  hyperbolic  curves  the  most  exact  conputatioos  of  life 
annuities  are  dehvered ;  and  upon  the  knowledge  of  the  properties  of 
the  parabolic  curve  the  sdencecc  gunnery  is  founded.  Iran  theee  and 
other  instancss  he  inferred  that  no  person  in  the  pursuit  of  the  sciences 
should  deipair  of  making  fredi  discoveries ;  ana  secondly,  that  it  was 


372  A  C£NTUBY  OF  BIBMINGHAH  LIFE. 

wrong  to  ridicule  anyone^s  pursoitB  after  kfiowledge,  ahonld  the 
immedia^  object  asppoar  ever  bo  trifling. 

The  Lecturer  then  adverted  to  the  eciencee  of  Moral  Philosophy  and 
Political  Eoonomvy  and  the  neoeanty  and  advantages  of  forming  a 
correct  Tute ;  ana  condnded  a  moeb  able  Lecture  by  pointing  out  in 
slowing  and  emi^tio  langnage  the  more  important  advantages  arising 
nom  the  prosecoUon  of  scienoe,  by  raising  the  mind  of  the  enqairer 
from  the  consideration  of  effects  to  that  of  the  first  Great  Caose,  of 
whose  omnipotence' and  wisdom  we  are'  led'  to  Ibrm  mors  coxrect  and 
reverential  sentiments  by  the  survey  of  his  works  in  creation,  especially 
in  the  elevated  walks  of  Astronomy,  and  of  whose  goodness  the 
leseardies  of  Natoral  Philosophy  In  the  objects  more  immediately 
imderoor  own  notice  on  the  fiMse  of  the  earth,  inspire  ns  with  more 
devoat  and  gntefbl  ftelings. 

Another  important  addition  'wbb  made  to  our  educational 

institutioiiB  this  year.    In  a  town  of  Buch  varied  industries 

as  Bimiingliam,  many   of.  which    afford  not  unhealthy 

emplimnent  to  very  young  children,  day  schools  alone 

would  not  be  sufficient  to  enable  us  to  provide,  instruction 

for  those  at  work.  -Night  schools  have,  therefore,  been 

founded  to  r^u^  the  industrial  dasses,  and  hietve  proved 

veiy  effective  in  enabling  those  who  deored  it  to  obtain  a 

useful  .education.     The  school  to    which  the  fdlowing 

advertisement  refers  has  been  of  great  utility  in  this 

respectj—  .  . 

Eysirora  School. 

.  lUiieh'i,  181(1— The  Oommltftee  of  the  Lancssteriaa  SohooL  in 
fievem  Btrael^  with  a  view  efertendliy  the  benefits  of  this  inatitinioii 
to  those  Iwys  whoars  empbysdin  woMtfiopsandmaniiftototieadTOing 
41is'digr,liavisrssolvsdtoopenaa  Svenlog  SohooL  Ibr  Ibstraotion  in 
Bsading^  Writings  and  Aiithmstjc^  to  bs  condnded  by  lir^  T«  Baker, 
Ifaalsr  ol  the  LaaeastsriaB  Dar  SohobL 

The  Eveninff  School  will  be  opened  upon  Mondaj,  T^sesday,  Wed- 
aesda/i  and  Jnldav  evHdogi^  fmn  sevn  to  nhM  o^elooL  ToeommeDoe 
CO  lioMav;  tho  11th  dav  of  March,  1816.  The  Tmns  <tf  InstmetioQ 
are  ThrBaPnee  per  week  far  eaeh  Baj.  to  be  paid  in  advanesp  No 
BoreanbeadnilUedontfllishaapaidloe  weekfydiaige^  EveiyBoj 
will  be  required  to  attend  aft  Sovea  o^dodc^  and  to  eome  as  dean  as 
he  possiblr  can.  No  Boy  who  behaves  diaordeil/,  or  who  does  not 
oonplv  wHh  the  established  MohUloiM^  win  be  pera^ft^ 
the  ediooL--^7  order  ol  the  Gnmilttes^ 

P.  IL  Jammb,  Secrstaiy. 

The  next  extract  refian  to  Mr.  E^nton,  our  ftmous  glami 
stainoT}— 

Jslj  8^  1816;^Mr.  William  Banhael  I^toiL  of  Newhall  Stnet 
In  this  toin^  bad  the  hoaoK  CO  Saturday  as^Ukl^^  of  bsi^  iatrodiiesd 
to  their  B071I  and  Seme  Hlghneans  the  FHneaas  Ghariotte  of  Wales 
and  the  FHnee  of  Saze  Oolmig,  who  were  flsassd  to  exprass  their 
entire  anprohation  cf  the  window  sKoented  Ibr  her  Bojal  Higbneai^ 
and  eonllnned  his  warmt  of  appofntmcnt  as  Glass  etaitier  to  their 
et(abllsiunent» 


EDUCATION  AND  LITEBATURE.  373 

The  followim  literary  announcement  will  have  a  special 

interest  for  all  Birmingham  folk: — 

July  2%  1816.— This  Day  is  pabliBhed,  in  one  YoL  8^0.,  with  a 
Portrait,  price  12f.,  Tiie  Life  of  WUliam  Mutton,  FjLS.S^  including 
a  narticniar  account  of  the  Biota  at  Birmingham,  in  1791 ;  to  which  is 
suDJoined,  the  History  of  his  Family,  written  by  Himself  and  published 
hy  his  Dauehter,  Catherine  Hutton.  London :  Printea  for  Baldwin, 
Cmdocky  ana  Joy,  Paternoster  Bow ;  and.  sold  by  B«lby  and  Knotts^ 
and  Samuel  Hntton,  Birmingham^ 

In  1817  Mr.  James  Luckcock  published  a  volome  with  the 

following  tide:— 

MoBAL  Cultubb;  attempted  in  a  Series  of  Lectures,  deliTered 
to  the  Pupils  and  Teachers  of  the  Old  and  New  Meeting  Sunday 
Schools,  in  Birmingham ;  interspersed  with  a  Tariety  of  iflustrative 
Anecdotes.  To  which  is  added,  a  concise  Narratiye  of  the  Origin, 
Progress,  and  permanent  Success  of  the  Institution,  and  the  Laws  imd 
Begulatioos  by  which  it  is  at  present  governed. 

A  periodical  called  The  Secureher,  a  Loyal  Political  Tfuct, 
was  published  this  year.  Mr.  Bichard  Jabet  was  the  printer. 
It  oommented  upon  local  events,  but  its  life  was  of  the 
shortest    Its  early  decease  was  not  to  be  regretted. 

A  private  institution  which  for  a  long  t^m  of  years  has 
been  ezoeedinfflv  useful  in  cultivating  a  taste  for  the  fine 
arts  was  the  J&hibition  of  Messrs.  A  Everitt  and  Son;  the 
ancestors  of  the  present  earnest  and  inde&tigable  honorary 
aeoretaxy  of  the  Society  of  Artists.  This  room  was  in 
Union  Street,  and  until  1817  was  only  occasionallv  open. 
In  June  of  that  year  the  proprietors  announce  that  they  are 
preparing  to  re-open  it  as  a  permanent  one;  and  ''all  pictures, 
either  in  oil  or  water  oolourB^**  were  to  be  forwarded  on  or 
before  the  14th. 

The  Bev.  Bann  Kennedy  published  his  poem  on  the  Death 
of  the  Princess  Charlotte  tnis  year.  It  is  in  good  blank 
verse,  and  is  a  glowing  tribute  to  the  many  virtues  of  the 
royal  lady  whose  earlj^  death  was  mourned  by  the  whole 
nmon.  The  poem  will  repay  reading  even  now,  for  Mr. 
Kennedy'was  a  poet. 


374  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 


§  4.     AMUSEMENTS. 

The  principalamufiements  of  theinhabitants  continued  to  be 
the  theatre,  concerts,  panoramas,  wax-work^  and  other  ezhi* 
bitiona  The  theatriod  season  was  the  four  summer  months, 
June,  July,  August,  and  September ;  and  during  that'  short 
time  Birmingham  -was  visited  by  nearly  all  the  fisimous 
players  of  the  time.  Mr,  HOeady,  in  1812,  was  in  the  last 
year  of  his  successful  and  liberal  mana^ment  It  is  quite 
a  pleasant  thing — and  the  comparison  m  this  respect  with 
our  own  days  is  not  at  all  favourable  to  the  latter-— to  read 
the  announcements  of  benefits  given  under  his  direction  for 
all  the  charitable  objects  and  institutions  of  the  time. 
Benefits  for  the  Fund  for  the  Poor,  for  the  Dispensaiy,  for 
the  proposed  Deaf  and  Dumb  Institution,  for  the  Blue  Coat 
School,  are  frequently  met  with ;  and  sums  yBXjing  fcom 
£160  to  £200  were  often  realised  on  these  ooea8i0n&  The 
General  Hospital  was  a  yearly  participator  in  these  benefits. 
They  were  so  generally  successful,  and  the  amount  thus 
raised  had  been  so  laige,  that  in  1807  the  Quarterly  Board, 
resdved  thst  a  silver  cap,  .of  the  value  of  thirty  guineas, 
should  be  presented  to  Mr.  M*Oready,  ^as  a  token  of  grati- 
tude for  his  eonstant  and  generous  attention  to  the  interests 
of  the  Omgityf  This  cup  is  still  in  the  possesnon  of  Mr. 
Vf.  O.  Maeresdy,  the  fiunous  son  of  the  UbiBral  mansosr. 

The  season  of  1812  was  distinguished  by  the  production 
of  a  new  piece,  of  which  we  have  thefollowing  preliminary 
whiqper>— ' 

Jolr  13.  ISIS^— Graen-room  report  my  Hie  Seeret  Mjim  sorpaaMS 
an  jtfaiDg  tliat  has  been  presented  on  our  stage  amoe  the  bouse  has  beoi 
eraeted.  The  prepamtioiia  exceed  ereiy  fotmer  eomnditare  on  auoh 
occaaiona  Funtm,  carpenten,  aBBitha  tafloi%  Ae^  Ac,  are  all  eaiMat 
in  their  endasvoare  to  acoompliah  the  lianaM^  oe^gii  of  otkriag  to 
the  inhahitaata  of  Knolngfaam  and  ite  vicinity  a  dnunatio  repnaenta- 
tion  iHiiefa  ouMt  astoniah  and  delist  all  who  witoeai  its  uneqiialled 
aplendoor,  iqgenoitjr,  and  intereat 

Tounff  Macieadv,  or,  aa  the  name  was  then  spelled, 
M'Creadhr,  appeared  again  this  season ;  and  we  have  this 
notice  of  his  acting: — 

August  t4,  ISIS.— The  petfoimancea  of  last  week  were  attended 
with  great  applanae^  though  not  with  great  hooaea  Miae  Smith 
appeared  in  five  of  her  ptincipal  cbaraoten  with  inereaaed  •Hmi>iyt|^yn 


AMUSEMENTS.  375 

from  all  who  witneased  her  exertioxuL  Collinfi's  Ode  on  the  Paaaionfl 
ehe  has  so  completely  made  her  own.  that  any  other  person  attemptuiK 
the  recital  must  (compared  with  her;  appear  inferior.  The  play  whi<£ 
particularly  called  forth  our  praise  was  Phillipe*s  Distrest  Mother, 
where  eyeiy  part  was  nnexceptionally  pourtrayed.  Miss  Smith,  in 
Hermione,  was  excellence  itself ;  Andit>mache  had  an  able  representa- 
tive in  Miss  Norton ;  and  we  have  never  sem  Mr.  William  A'Cready 
witii  more  ^tification  than  in  Orestes.  His  dress  was  picturesquely 
dassical ;  his  a{>pearance  altogether  brought  back  departed  ages  to  our 
imagination  ;  his  acting  throughout  was  dignified  and  impressive ;  his 
mad  scene  was  finely  conceived,  and  executed  with  correctness,  judg- 
ment^ and  feeling,  that  merited  the  repeated  plaudits  which  aooompanied 
his  exit.  IVom  the  very  great  satisfaction  which  this  piece  afforded, 
we  cannot  but  lament  that  the  absmoe  of  Miss  Smitn  renders  the 
repetition  of  it  hopeless ;  yet,  with  his  usual  industry,  the  Manager 
offers  this  evening  a  new  operatic  Drama,  called  The  Yii^  of  uie 
Sun,  in  a  style  of  aocuracy,  splendour,  and  magnificence  that  exceeds 
all  former  expenditure,  by  this  it  appears  that»  in  defiance  of  thin 
Houses,  he  is  determined  to  persevere'  in  his  dutgr  as  though  each 
endeavour  that  this,  his  last  morL  cannot  fail,  or,  if  it  should,  that  ha 
may  condnde  the  season  with  toe  melandioiy  consolatiop  of  having 
■paoed  neither  pain%  trouble,  or  expenoe  to  gratify  the  publie  taste. 

Those  who  remember  the  peiformancea  of  the  Gnome 
Fly  will  find  that  he  was  anticipated  in  his  greatest  feat  by 
the  Sieur  Sanche&  On  September  21  it  is  announced 
that>— 

Prtvlons  to  the  FlaVj  Sieur  8aiidiei,the  wonderfbl  Antipodean,  will 
go  through  Us  astonisning  Perfonnaiioes  (never  attempted  W  any  man 
bat  himself)  vijl.  IFatt  against  tks  etSUmg  with  kis  kmd  domtiwafd; 
and  between  the  PlaTindZntertafaunent  will  show  wonderfbl  modula- 
tion of  the  Hunan  Voieet  imitating  the  Notes  of  various  Birds,  and 
performing  In  Ooneert  the  sounds  m  diffsrent  Modoal  Instrnments. 
And  will  eondnde  his  unparalleled  Performanee  on  the  Slaek  Bope ! 

After  whieh  will  be  presented  the  new  and  popular  Buitoinhne  of  the 
White  Gbi;  or,  Harlequin  in  Fkiry  Wood.  Under  the  direeiion  of 
Mr.  Lauren  (down). 

The  principal  new  Scenery  consists  of  the  Fdiy  Wood  and  Thms- 
fonnatkm  of  the  broken  lYssa  The  Exterior  of  the  White  Catfs 
Rnchanted  Gaitle.  The  Dragon,  who  combato  with,  and  opposss  the 
Entnyace  of  the  Prince.  The  animated  Imagw.  Theflotooblia.  Hand- 
some Cliina  Sbopw  Had  Boil  I .  The  Equestrian  Statue.  Ibe  IVoff.  The 
FUhesaadFkyingBuL  ThewholetocondudeinabesiitlMrBq^ndent 
fan^  Scens^  terminated  by  a  traaparsnt  and  correct  TJkensss  of  the 
gallant  lisrqids  of  Wellington,  sent  from  London  ezprsssl j  for  the 
puipcss. 

THSaTlS  BOTAL. 


September  i8;  lAli.-*On  Thursday eveniogUie  Tbsatrs  doses  for 
the  season  with  the  Pky  of  Odumbiii^  or  a  world  DiscoTored,  and 
other  entertainments^  bemg  for  the  benefit  of  Mr.  MK^eady. 

When  we  reflect  what  sums  of  money  haf»  been  exhaosted,  what 
industry  and  &tiffue  have  been  bome^  and  what  anxious  care  onr 
worthy  Manager  nas  displayed  throogh  the  whole  of  the  season  for  the 
gratification  H  the  lorers  of  the  drama;  and  when  we  bear  in  mind. 


376  A  CENTURY  OF.  BIRMINOHAII  LIFE. 

that  nearly  the  whole  of  thew  graat  nciifices  and  «zertioii8  have  jMuned 
airay  without  haying  brought  him  that  renmneration  which  he  had 
.every  reason  to  expect^  we  nope  and  trost  that  the  inhabitante  of  this 
town  and  neighbourhood' will,  on  the  above  night,  do  all  thi^t  they  can 
this  aeaeon  perform,  and  by  one  grand  effort  fill  the  hons^  as  a 
testimony  that,  although  the  timee  are  against  theatrical  amuaementa, 


^et  the  public  are  diapoaed  to  reward  «a  man  who  haa  risked  ao  mudi 
for  the  entertainment  of  the  place. 

This  closed  Mr.  M^Gi^ady's  managerial  connectian  ^th 

the  town.    His  successor  was  the  famous  R  W.  Elliston. 

The  announcement  of  the  change  appeared  on  April  6, 

1813:— 

Tbmaxbm  Botax»  ' 
.  IlieloveraofthediamawillbehaimytolesmthatMr.  EUiatonbaa 
taken  the  Theatre  in  thia  town,  wfaioi  he  pnrpcaea  cpmlng  for  the 
aeaaon  in  the  oourse  of  the  fmauing  month.  • 

On  Uay  24  the  plan  of  the  new  manager  was  published  .>-^ 

THXA.TBS  BOTAIk 

Mr.  EUiaton  haa  aainoonoed  hia  intention  ol  opening  the  Theatre  on 
Mondaynext  The  Mananr  has  dheeted  the  attention  of  the  loren 
of  the  drama  to  the  saQeet  of  the  Theatre  in  a  eiroobr  letter, 
addreaaed  to  the  bdiaUtanta  of  the  town  and  neS^^iboaiioo^  of  wUeh 
theibUowingiaaoopy: — 

«8tfatfotd  IlaoB,  LondoiLlCaySO,181&r--HaTfaigtakeoaieTheitTO 

Boyal  In  Birmingham,  far  a  tenn  of  year%  I  bcff  leafemoat  respeelflilly 

to  mtnat  your  attention  to  an  OQtliaa  of  thepiaalineaatopiDSQein 

the  approaddM  aeaaon,   IporpoaeAoopfln  the  theatre  Airapetiodof 

twmfy  wedn^Mneiit  nights  fiidnded,  on  Mdnday,  ihe  Slat  oT  If^ 

inatant»  Parii^^thfapeiiodpeifcnpawinthehjgfaeateatfmatfaBwflloeea" 

alooallyappear.  ThepleeeaneifiimiedwlIlbeeaTCAiIljaalaetidl,anddfli- 

gentlyaBpenntepded;aaditwillbeMyaimtoniaaeB^aaellaoasciieni" 

ataneeapennltitheTeiyheetenmpIeoftheBntlahDiiaia.   Ibaolaifa 

aDdpo^jlooaatownaaBlrmlnghamiWithanttohbophbodsoerewded 

with  opolenoe  and  disthictkn,  a  Iheatrieal  eatablbhaant  h  ob^ovhr 

neoaaaaiTy  In  point  of  policy,  as  well  as  of  latlonaliMNatiQn.  -laaMh 

a  aitwalion,  it  night  he  sopposad  that  a  theatre  woold  snataln  ttaelf 

without  wy  eamaat  aoUdtaUoos  Inr  support    The  hdtf  howsver,  la 

thati  aren  In  thia  aitnat&on,  udsaa  a  marked  degree  of  protection  be 

eztended  by  there  who  lead  and  fareni  the  pnblie  tista^  the  bast  efiHta 

of  the  Manager  mnat  be  enfeebled,  and,  In  the  end,diftated.   fiSythooa^ 

thereCbra^  who  may  be  deairoos  that  Biimingham  ahoold  hare  the 

adTantam  aa  well  as  erediti  of  a  weU-regolated  Theatre^  I  ahali  be 

eieoaeH,  X  hopew  when  I  anggaat  that  a  BMOt  effMtnal  Md  reUt  be 

ailSnded  1^  oaireng  one  erenmg^  at  leaat^  la  the  week  to  be  eonSdared 

iaahiooable  for  theatrioal  ^anreamanta.    On  thia  erenlag^  without 

Inoonrenienea^  periiaps^  to  aay  Individual,  an  eoqieetation  a^gbt  be 

held  oat  that  the  beat  eonpany,  or  that  a  ooosideBable  pottloB  of  the 

beat  eompaar,  of  Binniagfaaai  and  Its  nekhbowhood,  wovld  be 

eolleeted  at  the  Theatre.    An  elegant  plare  of  periodkal  reaereblage 

might  be  thoa  eaUbUahed  |  and  the  Manager  eaAled  todo  Jretlre  to 

hie  own  indinationi^  and  to  aatlafT  the  wlah  the  pobtte  are  always 

entitled  to  cntertaioy  that  what  la  done  on  a  stage  at  all  dball  badone 


AMUSEMENTS.  877 

"welL  My  intention  is,  that^  in  the  general  cotme  of  the  season,  there 
shall  be  three  peiformancee  in  the  week,  namely,  on  Monday,  on  Wed- 
nesday; and  on  IVidav.  The  Monday  night  will  be  oommonly  deyoted 
to  Tragedy;  on  the  Wednesday,  the  perfonnanoes  will  be  miscellaneons ; 
and  on  the  Friday,  some  Comedy,  or  other  Drama,  of  pre-eminent 
merit)  will  be  represented.  If  that  night  were  to  be  distinffuished  in 
the  manner  I  haye  pointed  out,  all  persons  coming  to  the  fteatre  on 
the  ¥Vida^  would  be  assored  of  beholding  an  interesting  performance, 
and  of  bemg  snrronnded  by  those  they  Imow,  and  might  oe  pleased  tp 
meet.  My  own  personal  effiorts  on  the  stage  will  be  humbly  oflfored  to 
your  notice  for  a  few  nights  during  the  season.  During  the  unayoid- 
able  discharge  of  my  dmes  elsewhere,  those  who  act  on  my  behalf  will 
be  urged,  both  by  their  own  sense  of  respect  and  my  most  earnest 
injunct&rais^  to  show  eyeir  possible  attention  to  the  accommodation,  and 
the  inclinations,  of  all  who  may  honour  the  Theatre  by  their  presence, 
or  by  their  encouragement  Anxious  as- you  must^  no  doubt^  be,  for 
the  welJGue  of  Birmingham  and  its  neighbourhood,  I  trust  you  .will 
pardon  this  intrusion  on  a  subject  so  materially  connected  with  its 
gratification  and  public  character.  The  chief  object  of  my  ambition  is 
to  place  the  theafrical  entertainments  of  Birminj^uun  on  a  par  with 
those  of  other  great  commercial  places,  b  the  pursuit  dT  this  object^ 
I  ahall  do  m^  utmost  to  deserve  patronage ;  and,  if  I  gain  it^  all  I  can 
to  show  that  I  am  gratefiil  for  it.  I  haye  the  honour  to  be,  your  most 
obedient  humUe  senranti  Bobikt  William  Ellistov." 

The  folloiriiig  advertisemeixt  shows  what  a  strong  com- 
pany Hr.EIliston  had  engagaged  for  his  new  undertaki^ — 

n  :   ^       -       TsaaTia  Botal,  BnimroBAiL 

Hay  81, 1818.— Mr.'EDistoii  remetfully  aojuaints  the  J^dies  and 
Qentleiiien  of  Birmingham  and  its  Yidnityy  that  the  Dramatic  Amuse- 


ments for  the  Season,  will  commence  tMspresent  Mondi^,  May  81, 

an  Occasional  AddresL  written  by  E,  J.  ^nne,  Esq.,  whid  will  ne  spoken 

by  Mr.  Bartley,  from  ne  Theatres  Boyal,  Druty  Ijane,  Kdinburdit  tA\ 


pool,  Ac,  his  fint  appearaiice  on  this  sta^  After  whi»  will  be 
pi^asepted  the  layoiite  Comedy  of 

Tbs  Soldibb's  Dauobtbb. 

iVank  Heartall,  Mr,  Baitl^;  Qoyemor  Heartall,  Mr.  F.  Middletoo, 
from  the  Theatre  Boyal,  liyetpool :  MalforL  senr^  Mr.  Bicliards,  from 
the  Thealn%  Derby  and  Nottingham;  Malfort,  junr.,  Mr.  Barnard, 
from  the  Theatre  fioyaL  Brighton;  Timothy  QnainL  Mr.  Mallinsnn, 
from  the  Theatre  BojraJ,  Hiqrmarket ;  FeneC,  Mr.  Wilson ;  Oaptahi 
Woodly,  Mr.  Ddbbs,  num  the  Theatre  Boyal,  liyerpod :  Symon,  Mr. 
Wahon;  Williani,  Jir.  HollingBwoithj  The  Widow  Gheerly,  Mrs. 
Dobbs,  Qate  Miss  Wheeldon),  from  the  Theatre  Boyal,  liyerpool ;  Mra 
Malfor^  lira  Bayne,  from  the  Theatre  Boyal,  Bichmond ;  Mralldget, 
Mrs.  Grove,  from  the  Theatre  Boyal,  Haymuket ;  JuliaMalfort,  Miss 


Weston;  8usaiiLMva  Weston,  from  the  Theatre  Boyal,  Dublin;  Mrs. 
Town^y,  Mrs.  Bidiarda.  End  of  the  Flay,  a  yariety  of  Dancing,  br 
Mr.  Fkyne^  and  Miss  Green,  from  the  London  Theatres.  To  oooeluda 
with  tlie  ^yorite  Faroe  of 

Tbe  Mdviobt  Houb. 
The  Marq^a  Mr.  LewisL  from  the  Theatre  BoyaL  Lyceum ;  the  Gene- 
nl,Mr.  Middleton;  Sebastian,  Mr.  Wilson  ;Kidiolas,  Mr.  MaUlnMm; 


378  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINQHAH  LIFE. 

Ambrof,.  Mr.  tUdurdfl ;  Mathiu,  Mr.  Walton ;  Jidia,  MJas  Holland, 
from  the  Theatre  Boyal,  Brighton ;  Oioely,  Mrs.  Oro^e ;  Flora,  Mrs. 
Hatton,  from  the*  Theatre  Boyal,  Manchaater. 

With  Mr.  EUiston's  management  commenced  the  custom 
of  considering  Friday  the  fashionable  nighi  The  tradition  is 
'still  powerfm  enough  to  induce  those  "who  are  nothing  if 
not  fisuabionable/'  to  reserve  their  visits  for  this  select  evening; 
and  is  still  stnmg  enough  to  make  the  Fridajr^s  box  atten- 
dance tiie  laigest  and  b^  dressed  of  the  week : — 

Jnna  14,  1813. — ^We  think  onr  Managei^a  hint  of  setting  apart 
Friday  as  a  fiwhionable  night,  meets  with  l^e  approval  of  oar  feUow 
townamsDi  as  we  witneaeed  on  toat  eyening  an  nnoaaal  display  of  beanty 
and  fiwhioB,  who  b j  their  eheerii^  appsonition  of  the  perfonuers,  gare 
an  additSonal  spur  to  their  portions.  We  observe  that  Shakespeare'a 
tragedy  of  Macbeth  is  announced  fin*  this  evening,  in  which  Mr.  Bartley 
ana  Mra»  Wrench  nndertake  the  principal  charactera  and  we  have  no 
donbt  buA  they  will  do  them  justice.  Mr.  Ooleiidgrs  new  tnmdy  dT 
Bemorsi^  and  the  new  comedy  of  the  StndeDts  of  Salamanca,  ana  otber 
pojtailar  pieces  are  annonnced. 

The  season  commenced  veiymioceasfully;  novelty  followed 

noveligr  in  quick  succession.     Ilrst  amongst  these  was  the 

wonderfbl  dnma  of  Aladdin  >— 

Tmuns  Botal. 

July  1^  181X— The  popular  tale  of  Aladdin ;  or,  the  Wonderfbl 
Lamp^  Is  handed  from  the  avisery  to  the  amusement  of  our  gfaver 
jBai%  sad  there  is  sneh  an  exqnisite-miztiire  of  ftn^,  of  chaiaeter,  of 
tha  BiarfiUoas  Biized  with  the  pitilid)leL  of  lomaneeaDd  inten^ 
wonderfld  and  snbUme^  and  above  alL  of  magnificent  aeeneiy  and  rapid 
ineidsBt^  that  It  is  not  surprising  thi^  itsEoold  captivate  the  imagi- 
aalioD  Of  evwy  description  of  psnmiB.  The  London  managen  availed 
themoslfw  of  the  pcpolaritr  of  the  stoiy,  and  introdnoed  It  on  their 
boards  Hds  asaaon  with  an  Mol  nnptecedented.  *Men  are  bat  chfldron 
of  a  laiftr  aiae^'*  aays  Drvden;  and  to  this  speoCade  diOdren  of  all 
alaaa  wete  attraeted ;  nor  is  it  matter  of  soiprlse  that  parents  ahonld 
be  anzloos  Ibr  their  olbpring  to  witness  a  representation,  where  the  mind 


detanaisisg  not  to  be  oatvied  by  the  London  proprietoia,  haa  taken  onr 
tenses  by  assanlt^  and  we  will  ventnrs  to  say  tbat^  in  the  memonr  of  onr 
oldest  Inhabitant  no  pieoe  has  e^er  been  broqdbt  npon  oor  boards  when 
the  aaeesos  has  been  more  nnqnalified,  and  where  the  splendonr  has  In 
anydsgrsobeennarallelto  thk.  We  uidenlaad  that  the  dnsssa  and 
properties  alone  have  eost  a  thoQsandgnhieni:  bat  as  this  piece  will  be 
aeen  by  ovwy  lOay-coing  person,  and  partlm  from  the  eoontrv  an 
already  ifeeUog  to  behold  it»  we  reftr  to  their  authority  an^ 
to  eonm  the  tnith  of  onr  ronuttk. 


Mr.  Elliston — ^reserving  we  suppose  his  trump  caid— did 
not  appear  untU  nearl  v  the  middle  of  the  season.  We  quote 
the  aoooont  of  his  early  performanoes : — 


A^nrsEMEKTs.    .  379 

Thkatrb  Rotal. 
July  19, 1813. — On  If  onday,  Golman's  play  of  the  Monntaiiieers  was 
prodaoed,  in  which  onr  Manager,  Mr.  Eiliston,  made  hie  iint  appear- 
ano^  as  Oetavian — ^he  supported  the  character  with  his  aocostomed 
ezcellenoe.  His  yery  snooesBfal  and  spirited  representation  of  the 
three  Singles,  on  Wednesday,  (aided  by  the  comic  powers  of  Measrs. 
MaUinaon  and  Dobbs)  conynlsed  the  house  with  continued  bursts  of 
laughter.  On  Thursday  he  took  the  part  of  Othello,  for  the  benc^t  of 
Mr.  Dunn.  On  Friday,  the  comedy  of  The  Will  was  presented :  Mies 
Booth,  of  Coyent  Garden,  made  her  debui  in  the  chancter  of  AlbiniL 
which  she  sustained  with  yery  great  ability,  and  drew  forth  uniyersol 
applause.  Those  who  witoeased  the  spuit  and  yiyadty  of  her  per* 
formance,  and  the  delicate  proportion  of  her  form,  will  think  it  almost 
incredible,  that  she  had  played  Angela  in  London  on  the  eyening 
preceding,  and,  after  that  exertion,  had  trayelled  all  night  and  day, 
to  aniye  in  Birminffham  just  in  lime  to  dress  for  Albina.  Mr.  EUiston 
personated  Howara  with  all  that  whim  and  comic  spirit  for  which  he  Is 
so  peculiarly  distinguished ;  their  united  attracUon  drew  a  crowded 
and  fitthioDable  attendance.  Miss  Booth  takes  leaye  for  the  present 
this  eyening^  in  Juliet  and  Little  Fickle,  two  of  her  most  celebrated 


Mr.  Payne,  the  American  Bosdus,  who  has  lately  appeared  with  so 
mucii  SeUu  at  Drory  Lane,  and  whose  performances  haye  been  receiyed 
with  audi  enthusiastie  applause  Ht  layerpooL  is  engaged  to  perfonn 
here  for  two  nights  only,  toe  first  of  whl<»  will  be  on  Thursday,  when 
he  will  take  the  part  of  Lothair,  in  AddgithiL  The  admirers  of  that 
menr  son  of  Thalia.  Mathew%  will  learn  wiUi  pleasure  that  he  will 


par  them  a  short  yiait  next  week,  on  bis  way  to  Bcotland. 
"    !peedi-i    " 


Mr.  EUiflton  was  a  speecn-makhig  manager,  and  at  the 
cloae  of  the  season  he  delighted  his  audience  by  one  of  those 
managerial  efforts  which  are  generally  composed  partly  of 
thanks,  partly  of  flatteiy,  and  Pf^y  of  business.  Here  is 
a  specimen  of  Mr.  Elliston's  abilities  in  this  line : — 

TmULTBB  BOTAI.. 

September  6^  1813. — On  Mday,  a  brilliant  and  oyerilowiBg  boose 
espressed  the  pnblie  sense  of  the  extraordinaiy  eiertiops  Mr.  Klllston 
has  made  to  reiider  the  theatre  worthy  of  their  patronage.  His&yoor- 
aUs  diarsetsr  of  Maaaffer  was  supported  with  that  earaess  gaiety  and 
oonie  spirit^  whidi  at  &e  present  day  It  possesses  in  no  otMr  bands; 
the  airs  and  sraoes  of  Cflannda  were  exhibited  with  great  elegance  and 
▼ifad^  by  ifiss  Booth,  who,  anxious  to  eontribnte  to  the  amusement 
of  the  aadienes^  yolunteered  to  redte  OoUinifs  Ode  on  the  F)mbIoii%  In 
which  she  pourtrayed  the  yarious  grades  and  trMisitlons  of  pavloii,  by 
yoloe^  by  oountenanoe  and  moyement^  with  admirable  Judgment  and 
most  pletnrseque  eflfoet  She  retired  amidst  the  most  unbounded 
applause.  Mr.  Sindahr  and  Mrs.  Bldio|L  In  the  gnmd  burietta  of 
Midai^  which  has  been  brou|^t  forward  with  i^aat  snleadour  of 
soeneiy,  exerted  their  harmouous  talents  with  considerable  ineesss. 
Preyious  to  the  oommenoement  of  Mida%  Mr.  Klllston  iddressed  the 
audience  to  the  following  effect  >-* 

''Ladiee  and  Gentlemen,  it  has  been  usual  to  return  thanks  for  the 
patronage  of  the  Theatre  at  the  latter  part  of  the  season,  hot  as 
imperious  drenmstances  wUl  preyent  me  nom  beiiig  on  the  spot  at  a 


380  A  CENTURY  OF  BIBMINQHAH  LIFE. 

more  advanced  period  of  it,  I  have  selected  this  erening  as  the  best 
opportunity  of  addressing  yon. 

When  this  Theatre  was  offered  to  my  notice  by  its  Fhnnieton,  I 
was  induced  to  pay  attention  to  the  appUcation,  from  a  coniietion  that 
a  town  possessing  an  extensire  population,  aboohdinff  withmfads  whose 
talent  and  ingenuity  are  prober  Dial,  and  surrounded  oy  an  Independent 
neighbourhood,  must  possess  both  the  inclination  and  power  to  support 
the  drama.  With  this  persuasion,  I  entered  upon  my  offios  with  that 
alacrity  which  was  due  to  the  situation  I  had  undertaken,  determined 
to  make  those  effiwts  for  your  amusement  that  should  sersen  me  fiom 
censure^  if  they  did  not  ensure  me  success.  I  took  the  Uber^  to 
propoae  for  3rour  oonaideration  certain  pointy  whidi  I  tboi^t  inti« 
mately  connected  with  the  proeperity  of  your  stagey  and  If  la  tome  of 
my  suggestions  I  bare  not  been  enabled  to  adhere  to  the  lloe  of  conduct 
I  had  prescribed  for  myself  your  kindness  will  Buppl^  an  euose  in  the 
difficulties  I  baye  encounterad  irom  the  short  yacatmn  of  tiie  Metro- 


politan Winter  Theatres ;  and  I  ilatter  myself  yon  will  l^tii  me  ccedit 
tor  unremittinff  exertions. 

Ladies  and  Gentlemen,  I  feel  greatly  obliged  to  you  for  the  readiness 
with  which  you  adopted  my  idea  of  making  one  perf onnioee  in  the 
week  a  fashionable  nigfati  which  in  itself  crei^  an  interest  mortidesi- 
raUe  for  my  object 

That  object.  Ladies  and  Gentlemen,  was  to  produce  Hie  greatest 
yiriety  oonaistantly  with  the  deoooram  and  taste  toat  oaAi  to  perrade 
a  regular  stage,  au  in  these  particulars.!  took  no  Loodonlkeaitro  for 
my  model,  Imt  hays  proceeded  on  a  plain,  nnobtniaiye  aoali^  iHieiv  the 
merits  of  the  plan  nudbt  gradually  .unfold  itself  witibottt.theqinackiefy 
of  mere  pretension.  This  edienie  has  snooseded  beyond  my  Iwpes^  but 
there  is  a  debt  dne  to  you  fer  the  imocsm^  and  I  stedhest  to  admow- 
ledge  nqridfyoar  debtor.     .    ;  :  .  .  ^ 

fibre,  Laoies  and  Gentlemen,  I  ou^t  to  pause;  because  h  thepio- 
portion  that  your  kindness  has  exneeded  my  most  sanguine  eneetatMns, 
do  I  And  a  ^oroeyndent  difltoil^ln  aJmowiedging  ik  Theiowill, 

hcweyer,  be  a  nDaU  ratnm  of  gratime  in  the  antieipitiim  of  a^y  IMo^ 
efforts,  and  I  ctkar  you  in  thai  anticipation  a  heart  and  mind  denited  to 
the  interests  of  the  drama;  j^t  nmiTiin^r'  ^  thir  eTrsf  irn  irfll  nrwopt  to 
younoveltieBaiidpsrfoimersoljyiebcstfune;  and  I  am  aataorissd  in 
holding  out  a  distant  peobabilife  that»  pnTinus  tn  the  npsnliM  rf  next 
■eaeon,  aome  aKemtiona  In  the  deoorstiye  and  mechanical  |Ms  of  this 

Tbeatre  may  reader  it  what  it  ou|^t  to  be^  espond  to  none  la  tbe  United 
KingdonL 

flieperfonaei%Tjidiseand  Qfntleiaen,whohayeoooaitoaaHyyisited 
11%  haye  been  d^ighted  with  their  rsoeption }  permit  me  to  add,  that 
the  Acting  lisnagor,  Mr.  Bart^y ,  to  w&aa  I  am  greathr  JndehTuit  and 
the  Gonqpaay  in  geiwral,  are  no  leas  aensible  of  your  libemlity ;  and 


with  the  expresBon  of  a  fervent  dedre  that  the  tade  and  Mmrityof 
Biimlnj^iam  may  mhand  in  hand  with  itaej^ansionof  MeUed^and 
Its  patnnage  ef  the  arta,  I  moat  reepedfuUy  tender  yon  wf  amcen 
admoiHedgmantB  for  the  hononia  and  lavonrs  yon  Aava  eonfened 
upon  ma.* 


lir.  E.  was  fioquently  interrupted  during  the  deliysiy  of  tUiaddna^ 
by  loud  dieers  and  plandita  from  ereiy  part,  of  the  hooee» 

TheThentre  dud  not  dose  until  Novembm*,  and  t)afare  iU 

termination  Mn.  Jordan  and  Madame  Oatalani  paid  oa  a 


AMUSEMENTS.  381 

viedt ;  and  the  manager  produced  a  pantomime  called  ^'  The 

Witch  and  the  'Wizsrd ;  or  Harlequm  in  Birmingham." 

James  Dobbs,  the  comedian,  was  a  Birmingham  man^  and 

was  a  great  favourite  here.    In  1802  he  published  a  small 

pampmet  of  verse,  which  is  ver^  poor  indeed.    He  was  then 

very  young,  and  so  were  his  writings.    He  afterwards  wrote 

comic  songs,  which  he  used  to  sing  on  the  stage  himself;  and 

which,  thoi^h   utterly  worthless,  were  veiy  popular  at 

the  time.    He  also  wrote  a  &rce  called  '^Peeping  Tom  of 

Coventry;"    but  it  was  never  acted,  and  we  venture  to 

predict  that  it  never  will  be.    Oneof  his  songs '^  I  can't  find 

Brummagem,"  is  quoted  in  another  part  of  this  work  for  the 

sake  of  its  local  allusions.    In  1813  he  and  his  wife  were 

part  of  the  regular  company,  and  they  thus  announce  their 

joint  benefit     It  is  curious  to  note  one  of  the  customs 

expected  of  a  &ene/{ciaire  at  this  time  :-^ 

BepL  13, 1S13.— Mr.  and  Mn.  DoBn  most  respectftin^r  bctf  leaye  to 
inform  the  Ladies  and  Gentlemen  of  Binningham  and  mabt  Friends  in 
mend  that  their  Benefit  is  fixed  for  Friday  naxt^  September  17.  iHm 
Dobbe  f eela  it  incumbent  upon  her  to  eqaeea  her  great  regret  that  her 
etate  of  bealtifc  has  prevented  her  for  some  weeke  Som  frtt^Hfng  to  her 

Afrkerio  Aom  tkektmim'  offa^fwg  kerpenomd  ntpmU  to  ikoUjMmkd^ 
mAo  MOV  MlroiMM  A«r  oil  im  .oooml^ 

in  wfaicn  ner  hnmUe  efforts  to  please  were  reoeired  at  the  oommenoe- 
nent  of  the  seasoHf  she  Tentarea  to  flattifr  henelf  that  her  f^r— "mt  will 
be  eicoeed,  and  hojoes  to  prove  }a  her  sttennoos  coDertkos  (when  her 
hcahh  may  pennit  ner  to  leeiiiiieitei  iiMia(ii<Mi)nnt  the  is  not  ■wi«>i«^fal 

widiwifle^ 

Madame  Toasaiid  paid  us  a  visit  this  year,  as  wre  leam  by 
ike  foUowing  little  notice : — 

Wax  Woek. 

Not.  S9y  1818.— We  hsTe  no  hesitataon  in  waimlj  reeommending 
»  our  readers  a  Tint  to  liadame  Tuannd^  admiraMe  eolleelioPi  now 
nliibtting  at  the  Shakeepear  Ikfem,  in  this  town,  whidi  has  never- 
ailed  to  produce  the  meet  lirely  eneomianB  from  huramenUa  viiilon 
n  the  fiitt  cities  and  towns  of  the  Brftiih  empire. 

The  theatrical  season  for  1814  commenced  under  very 
avourable  anspioeSb  As  will  be  seen  from  the  next  extract^ 
'calls**  are  not  a  modem  imiovation : — 

TtenairiB  Botal. 

liaj  18, 1814--EzDeeCatioD,  whidi  has  been  on  tiploe  to  wftness 
he  opening  of  ^^  ^iii^  in  iHiich  altentkms  and  embeihahmenta 
terededarod  to  be  ezeconQg  under  Artists  of  the  fint  denomination, 
las  been  amplj  gratified.  In  the  andience  part  of  the  theatre^  it  ia 
ertainlj  '^aeoond  to  none  in  the  kingdom,'*  whether  we  rete  to  the 
laarical  efltei  of  the  designs,  the  magnificenoe  of  the  ptoeenfom,  the 
onvenience  lor  sighl^  or  the  ineomparaUe  eoostmetionof  tlie  theatre 


382  A  CENTUBT  OF  BIBMINOHAM  LIFE. 

forheariiig.  .  The  diaiidelien  are  all  new ;  thoM^  the  stage  exoeed  in 
brilUanej  anything  we  hare  erer  beheld  in  a  aimihur  aitoation :  and  the 
chaste,  nnobtnuiTe  effeot  of  the  whole^  will  ocmunand  the  admiration  of 
every  patron  of  the  drama.  Inbrief^  the  word  of  promise  "has  not  been 
'^  kept  to  the  ear  and  broken  to  the  nope."  The  whole  exceeds  oor  most 
iwngnine  wishes ;  may  its  soooess  be  oommensorate  with  the  expenditore 
whkh  both  the  ^pieion  and  the  manager  most  have  incnzred.  We 
intended  to  detul  the  varioiis  new  f  eatores  which  so  forcibly  stmdc  us  in 


their  combination ;  bat  It  was  imposnble^  on  a  first  impressioni  to  nin 
soffident  knowledge  of  the  work  to  partioolarise  with  predsion.  One 
mark  of  respect  we  oogfat  to  notice  as  a  noble  instance  of  attention 
and  proper  liberal  fteling  on  the  part  of  the  andience :— «t  the  com- 
mencement  of  the  pLuy,  Defivre  tbiqr  wonld  soffer  it  to  proceed,  Mr. 


EUiston  was  loudly  called  toi  and  on  hia  entrance  accompanied  by  the 
acting  manager,  Mr.  Btftte^^  and  the  nrincipal  performen^  tiie  whole 
anditory  stood  np^  and  witn  repeatea  hozsas,  and  other  tokens  of 
approbi^tioD,  areeted  their  appearance. 

Dtuing  uie  season  lira.  Jordan  and  Miss  S.  Booth,  Mr. 
EUiston,  Mr.  Munden,  Mr.'Matbews^  and  Mr.  Eean,  appeared 
and  defigfated  the  Birmingham  playyers  with  their  piarvel- 
loos  histrionic  powen.  Of  Mr.  Sean's  performanoes  we 
qdote  the  following  notice  y^ 

'    TBMiSBM  BonXii'BaaayoHix. 

September  19.  1814.-*Mb.  Ksav's  FtaiOBiiAXOiB.— The  airiTal  of 
this  gimHenaa  m  Bimiagliam  has  ooeastoned  a  fmj  eager  eorioaiiif, 
and  2l  Ae  real  and  well  skilled  loters  ol  the  druna  hairs  diewn  an 
impatieDes  to  iHtaess  his  eObrt^  which  has  increased  on  every  tepetU 
tion.  The  sstonlshfng  effNts  «iid  atlnctloos  of  this  pettonsr  in 
London  Imts  bone  Us  fiMDS  bsfoe  Urn  to  aU  parts  of  Eo^aad,  and  we 
natvaUf  aatieinated  ftem  the  nietropolltan  stany  aflenlM  of  no 
eommon  sort*  « ikMng^  how&wwfp  itobii  an  obserration  wnkh  has  been 
at  least  sttentiTe^  if  not  aeelnite,  it  sppears  eridsntlj  eonqAeooiis  tlu^ 


he  iiaaiost  extraotdlasqraelcr;  his  ■epiesenlatton  of  pssBlon  ti  no* 
desoripatwbnt  haitatlve  rthssOent^  fKfacibiesltaekshs  makes  on  the 
hearts  and  fteliogs  of  his  saditots  are  Jnesistlbli^  and  we  are  iavolna- 
tarilT  hanisd  lais  a  egrmpall^  with  the  eharaeter  befcte  «.  With 
^'   &ssn  ' 


Mr.  &esn  the  Pansier  is  asver  seen  to  be  well  eihlbited,  as  In  aona  J 
eadaeni  jMsfaBisi%  bol  k  the  ehaiaetsr  itself  sad  we  forget  the  aotcr 
in  our  tm,  faavdii^gttet  or  licrror  of  the  individoal  repteeeated.  The 
paae  or  aatore  nas  ocenjiied  Mr.  £ean^  Mtention,  and  1m  has  read 
Toramss  with  a  fMilitf  Of  attention  sad  exertion  wUch  ordinsij  ndads 
must  TtJULf  hops  to  attslSL  and  wUeh  SMte  stod jt  psrliape^  wfll  never 
aeoomnliih.  His  ej«^  liis  up^  jsnequalled  In  enrarion,  hli  eveij  Ihnb 
and  Ms  every  fhre  seel  to  act  inanleoB  with  tnefsseien,  sad  to  anits 
in  proawUng  one  jaodlgloaB  whoiSi  He  mnet  oe  seen  to  be  tral j 
appreelstsd:  aad  if  a  «nr  sseetiee  ehoold  be  elow  hi  bslK  the  effnl- 
genes  of  seen  a  star  arast  be  aaoKt^  aalvenallj  ackaovdedged. 

Oor  fiiend,  Mr.  Ddbhs,  again  daims  onr  notice ;  bat  this 
time,  eorioady  enmi^  as  an  inventor  ae  well  as  an  actor. 
On  October  Z,  1614.  wa  read>— 

Mr.  IMibs  0ste  ef  e«r  Ibeatre)  hm  jnrt  obtalasd  his  Mms^ 
Letters  BMtent  ftr  a  Madilae  te  reaping  com.   We  are  la&nned  by  a 


AKUSEMENTS.  383 

gentleman  who  has  seen  it  work,  that  it  is  a  most  valaable  inyention, 
and  is  equally  adapted  for  Indian  oom,  rioe,  and  cutting  of  sugar  canes. 

In  the  week  following  this  notice  appears : — 

October  10, 1814.-- For  the  Benefit  of  Mrs.  Dobbs.  J.  Dobbs  most 
respectfully  informs  Us  Friends  and  the  Public,  that  hayinff  invented  a 
Maoiine  to  expedite  the  Bbapdio  of  Cobh,  &e.,  but  having  neen  unable 
to  obtain  the  flatent  till  too  late  to  give  it  a  Qeneral  Inspection  in  the 
Field  with  safety,  he  is  induced  to  take  advantage  of  his  Theatrical 
Profession,  and  make  it  known  to  his  Friends^  who  have  been  anxious 
to  see  it^  throuf^  that  Medium. 

Part  of  the  Stage  wiU  be  planted  with  Wheats  &C.,  that  the  Machme 
has  cut  and  gatherad  where  it  grew,  and  the  Machine  worked  exactly 
as  in  the  fielo. 

Any  Invention  that  will  enable  the  Farmer  to  gather  his  Grain 
quicker  and  cleaner  than  the  old  method  (in  our  climate  so  uncertain) 
must  be  a  national  advantage  of  no  small  consideration ;  that  the 
Maddne  in  question  possesses  that  advanta^  will,  perhaps,  be  better 
decided  by  its  own  merits^  than  anything  its  Inventor  could  say  in 
its  fiivour. 

The  petfomaaoss  are  to  eoDdude  with  the  celebrated  Fsroe  of 
Fortune's  Frolle.  The  part  of  Bobin  Boughhead  by  Mr.  Dobb«,  in 
which  ho  will  Wotk  the  Maddne  in  Charactor,  In  an  Artificial  Field  of 
Wheats  planted  at  near  as  possttile  In  the  Manner  it  Grows. 

Here  is  the  report  of  the  experiment : — 

Oetobsr  17,  1814.— Mr.  DobUTs  Beudv^vented  Patent  Beapiaff 
Machine  was  shown  at  our  Tbeatie  on  Friday  evenings  uid  appMied 
to  be  hiiMj  appcoved  oC.  Mr.  I/s.  fint  experiment  was  eonplslely 
■ooosHfiu,  Mid  we  have  no  doubt  the  other  would  have  been  equul  v  so^ 
had  not  the  aesoeiT  ebrtmoted  the  pKqgiess  of  the  Machine^  whidi 
oansisg  a  little  embanassoieiiti  pfoveatea.  Mr.  Dobbs  from  weririig 
It  so  emrtnallv  es  he  could  have  wished.  Mr.  I/a  explaaatioa  of  the 
priadples  and  properties  of  thb  iaveatioa  was  very  satlsfiMtoiy,  aad 
we  aie  iadiaed  to  thiak  It  will  peeve  of  gnat  poblic  utility. 

The  Theatre  was  opened  for  a  short  time  on  December  12, 
1814,  when  we  are  informed  **  Mr.  Ifathews,  who  has  been 
presented  hy  his  late  serious  accident  from  appearing  on  our 
iXMrds  at  an  earlier  period  of  the  season,  wiU  this  eveninff 
introdnce  an  entertainment  prepared  by  himself,  called  Mau 
Coach  Adventiires,  in  the  course  of  wmch  he  will  sing  most 
of  his  ponular  songs.**  The  following  important  announce- 
ment is  also  made : — ^Laigellres  kept  in  the  Lobbies  Day 
and  Night"  The  most  eztrabrdinanr  event  of  this  season 
was  u^oubtedly  the  mpearance  of  that  eccenteic  gentle- 
man Bomeo  Coates.  ouch  an  exhibition  has  rarely  been 
'on  any  stage  as  the  foUovring  passage  records : — 
BoMBo  CoATBi  nr  Bibmivobam. 


I**!;-.'  '-• 


Ib  the  IfoBth  of  September^  1814.  this  ringuhtf  individual  or  as  ho 
was  oJled  in  the  printsof  the  dayi  ^tnii  celebrated  amateur  of  fuhion,'* 


384  A  CEKTURY  OF  BIRMINQHAH  LIFE 

appeared  in  his  favounie  character  of  Borneo,  on  the  boarcLB  of  the  Bir- 
mingham  Theatre  'Captain  Gronow,  in  his  Beminieoencea,  describes 
him  as  ''a  person  of  nfty.  somewhat  gentlemanlike,  but  so  different 
from  the  usual  men  of  the  oaj,  that  considerable  attention  was  directed 
to  him.*^  ^  He  attended  the  Bath  assemblies,  and  from,  the  gandy 
appearance  of  dress — ^his  buttons  and  buckles  being  oi  diamonds^  ^ 
great  curioeitjr  was  excited  to  know  who  tiie  stranger  was.  Nor- 
was  this  cunodty  lessened  by  the  aimounoement  that  he  would 
appear  in  the  character  of  Bomeo,  as  his  eccentric  manner  indicated 
that  comedy  rather  than  tragedy  would  be  most  congenial  to  him. 
He  appeared  at  the  Bath  and  London  Theatres,  and  frecjuently 
in  the  character  of  Bomea  ^His  dress,''  (honow  says,  ''was  IDce 
nothing  ever  worn.  In  a  doak  of  sky  blue  silk  prafosely  spangled, 
red  pantaloons,  a  vest  of  white  muslin,  surmounted  by  an  enormously 
thick  eraTai,anda  wig  d  to  Gharies  the  Second,  d^ypeab^r  an  opera  hat^ 
he  proscnted  one  of  the  most  grotesque  spectacles  ever  witnessed  upon 
the  stage.  The  dying  scene  was  irresistibly  comic.  He  dragged  the 
unfortunate  Juliet  from  the  tomb  much  in  the  same  manner  as  a  washer- 
woman thrusts  into  her  cart  the  bag  of  foul  linen.  But  how  shall  I 
desoribe  his  death  f  Out  came  adirty  silk  handkerchief  from  his  pocket 
with  which  he  carefully  swept  the  ground ;  then  his  opera  hat  was  care- 
fully laid  for  a  pillow,  and  down  he  laid  himself ;  after  yarioos  tossings 
9hfmtf  ha  aeeiaiad  reoondled  to  his  positiaii,  but  the  house  Toctfenrasiy 
banded  bat,  *  Die  again,  Borneo,'  and  obedient  to  the  oonmiaad,  h!s 


rose  up^  and,"  to  the  amusement  of  the  andience^  went  tfaronflfa  the 
oeramony  again ;  and  so  well  pleased  was  the  amatisnr  with  his  per- 
formam^  that  ha  was  evidentrr  prepared  to  enact  the  death  scene 
a  thfrd^time.*  A  paper  of  the  date,  September,  1814|  fliTuig  an 
a<90ouiitlDf  Ids  appearance  on  another  occasion,  states^  that  ^OnWed- 
nesday'asPennigh^lwpetfonMdat  Birmfagham  in  Ms  «aal  dassical 
■lyley  the  pait  of  the  gallant^  gay  Iiotharia  Hie  lioase  was  crowdedL 
and  the  amateur  was  reoeiTed  with  e?eiy  attention.  No  borria 
disooKds  gxated  npon  his  ear  when  he  entered— no  crowing  of  oodn  or 
hideous  eat^dls  aistoxbed  his  aspbiuff  spirit ;  but  one  i^ounded  peal 
of  aiiplaiise  marked  his  entnuiee,  and  the  three  ananbr  bows  with  wn^ 
he retomed  the  eompUaient  were reeeifed  with  *»ato  1  biafol'  The 
psflbaiiaiioe  rifOfieeQ(nd  ^«*Mi^  ||^<jftw*^^^ifia^  1^tTfasi^!1led  bj  the  ■t^^gwi^i^ 
attitudes  and  emphasis  of  the  amateur;  the  other peifonnert  parHei- 
pating  in  the  general  mirth,  added  to  the  risibOityor  the  aodienos^  who 
were  so  miieh  pleased  hj  his  dying,  that «  gsnenl  mieor§  produced  aa 
entire  new  soeiie  not  intended  by  the  author— this  was  a  nsgooiatica 
beibre  tha  andianee^  between  the  dtad  moii,  the  manager,  and  the 
characters  on  the  stage,  aU  reqnestiBg  him  to  indulge  the  andimei^  and 
to  whieh  ha  aooaentML  The  manager  aaoordinidy  annooneed  that  he 
would  repeat  tha  dying  seana:  but  after  waiting  tOl  the  patianee  of  the 
andispee  iraa  aKhawsted,  the  kat  act  nrnnmeneed  amid  iqnaar,  and  was 
pstfonaed  antinly  in  dumb  show.  The  manager  then  eama  lorwiinl 
and  aald,  that  as  the  dtad  mem  had  not  spoken  quite  plainlr  thej  had 
misunderstood  him,  and  that  lir.  Ooates  would  speak  ua  aodrsss 
whieh  be  |iad  intended  to  deliver  betoe  the  FHnee  Beoent  and  the 
Emperor  of  Bnssla,  bat  which  he  was  prsfsnted  from  doiQg,  hf  their 
not  giving  him  an  opportnni^.  To  this  the  andienee  assented— tha 
curtun drew un^ the liand  plajred  *8ee,the  Oonqneriog Hero  Oone^' 
and  in  marchea  the  amateur  m  regimentals.    The  storm  was  hushed^ 


AMUSEMENTS.  385 

but  scarcely  liad  a  coaplet  proceeded  from  hit  lipfl,  than  an  unlucky 
wight  in  the  gallery  called  out,  '  Sins;  it'  The  blood  of  the  amateur 
was  up ;  he  took  off  his  hat,  and  showed  as  much  contempt  as  the 
nature  of  bbfkce  would  admit  o£  He  said  he  'would  be  d-d  if  he 
•poke  any  more  ;*  he  ran  off  the  stage  to  the  regret  of  the  whole  house, 
and  all  the  rhetoric  of  the  maoager  was  exerted  in  vain  to  induce  him 
to  return.  The  after  piece  pasMd  in  dumb  show,  and  thus  ended  the 
mighty  htstory." 

The  season  of  1815  was  marked  by  the  appearance  of 
Mrs.  Jordan,  Mrs.  Jones,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  C.  Kemble,  Mr. 
Braham,  Mr.  Emeiy,  and  others  not  unknown  to  fame. 
Birmingham  has  added  many  famous  names  to  the  history 
of  the  staffe ;  but  we  anticipate  few  lovers  of  the  drama 
know  mucn  about  Richard  Jonea  He  was  however  a 
*' Birmingham  Blade,"  and  the  contemporary  Oazette  thus 

descants  upon  him  : — 

Thbatbb  Botal. 
May  15, 1S15. — We  feel  partienlaily  happy  that  we  have  it  in  our 
powBr  to  reooid  the  ootnpMie  micoem  of  our  fellow  townsman.  Mr. 
BiGHARO  Jovn,  In  OTery  chaneter  he  has  assumed.  We  may  Justly 
style  him  (to  adopt  the  language  of  the  excellent  address  whidi  he  so 
admirably  deliTerad  of  Oomian's)  a  tnily  brxobt  and  moH-mTTLiD 
BiamvoHAJf  BukDB ;  for  the  Ltmdan  FoUsh  instead  of  detracting  from 
the  tterlxng  vo/irs  of  his  natiTe  ort^  has  rather  added  a  degree  of  taste 
and  refinement  to  the  original  mas$^  that  renders  him  onnvaUed  in  the 
line  of  acting  be  porsues,  and  «lcMi|it  him  the  Intimate  sueoassor  of  that 
BLACiKO'LiniiVAET  in  the  theatrioal  hemiaphers,  the  lata  inimitable  Mr. 
Lewis.  By  the  indefiatiflable  azertioDS  of  oar  judieioiia  astiog  manager 
Mr.  Bmnton,  we  have  aueady  been  gratified  with  a  new  melo-drame,  of 
the  most  inteiwiUng  deseripttoo,  in  whiflh  his  amiable  daughter  made 
her  first  curtsey  to  a  Bhrmingham  aadience^  and  racelTed  that  heart- 
cheerinff  encoun^psment  her  oawning  abilities  so  justly  entitle  her  to. 
Our  old  &Toarites^  Mallinson,  FitswiUiam,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hall,  tc^  were 
laptoroody  anplanded,  and  the  resmirt  of  our  corf$  dtamaiipu  seem  to 
bid  fair,  by  the  exceUence  and  TOTiatili^  of  their  talenti^  to  insure  a 
most  pleasant  and,  we  trust,  prosperous  rampalgn.  Beport  says  the 
new  Pantomime  in  rsheanal  for  the  approadung  fdr.  Is  of  a  niuwdle 
description. 

One  of  the  novelties  of  the  season  was  a  ''  speaking  pan- 
tomime** :— : 

May  IS,  ISlfi.— On  Thursday  will  be  produoed  the  entire  new  speak- 
ing Flantomime  of  KxMdOrins;  or,  Harfcquin  Mag  and  Hariequin  rsg : 
whidk  will  be  broai^t  forward  with  splmidid  new  Scenery,  Madiinery, 
Deooniikiooa,  Chaqges,  &c.    Clown  by  the  oelebtated  Tomro  Jovn. 

May  S9, 18ia.~Xlie  ezertiona  of  our  Acting  Manager  i^ipsar  to  be 
nnabafing ;  he  has  already  nrodneed  a  noiisuffs  Entertainment  in  the 
shape  of  t^speatni^  Fantonmnew  It  would  seem  to  be  foonded  opon 
looat  circumstances,  as  most  of  the  jests  and  tricka  hare  an  allusioo  to 
popular  incidenta  The  manager  very  properiy  deeming  **  brevity  to  be 
the  soul  of  wit,"  has,  since  its  first  representation,  assisted  its  aitraetkm 
by  a  judicious  curtailment,  and  it  is  now  become  a  popular  entertain- 
ment. 

II  CO 


386  A  CENTUET  OF  BIEMINQHAH  LIFK 

The  next  adyeitisement  is  the  first  in  which  we  have  met 
the  name  of  Mr.  Ryan^  the  onoe  famous  rope-dancer  and 
equestrian.  ..  Few  men  of.  this  profession  are  better  known 
to  Birminghrtm  than  Mr.  Ryan.  For  many  years  he  was  a 
regular  caterer  for  their  amusement^  and  he  erected  a  perma- 
nent circus  in  Bradford-street ;  the  building  now  converted 
into  the  CSircus  Chapel* : — 

New  Equestriah  Cirous  oh  tab  Moat,  Birminohak. 

May  15,  1815.— DuriDg  the  C*air.  On  Tharaday  next,  May  18^ 
1815,  the  Pablic  are  respeetftilly  informed  that  Mesna  Adami^s 
oelebrated  EqneBtrian  Troop  and  Stnd  of  Hones  will  go  through  their 
rarprising  Feats  of  Afitivity,  oonmsting  of  Horsemanship  in  all  iU 
brandies;  Tiffht-rope  Daneing,  bj  Mr.  Bjan,  the  yonng  Hibemian, 
indispntably  fiie  first  Bope  Danoei'  in  the  world  of  his  age  • 
Eqoiiibiiam  oh*  the  Slaok  Wire,  bj  the  Child  of  Promise,  onlr  sis 

S\n  of  age.      ....      The  Whole  to  oonelade  wim  tha 
travagansa  of  The  ELectioo,  or  Billy  Button's  Jonrney  to  and  from 
London  to  Brentford. 

Our  last  extract  for  1816  is  one  oontaiiiixig  some  common- 
sense  observations  in  reference  to  the  sti^  'whidi  have 
not  yet  lost  their  relevanj^ : — 

September  S5»  1815.— It  is  a  painfol  lefleoiion,  that  while  the  stage 
Is  ooikidered  aa  the  vehide  of  improvement^  instruction,  and  amnsa- 
ment,  its  profiossors  are  so  seldom  rewarded.  ICissMaouilfljineBRad 
on  her  benefit  nisht  aa  expense  of  near  ^Oi  The  receipts  of  the 
boose  wen  48L  lOa  ikl  The  gen«al  habits  of  sooiaty,  and  tha 
delioBoy  of  the  lemale  diaiaeter^  prsdodes  the  nosslbili^  of  their 
ftnning  aoqnalntancs^  and  ersating  that  eztendve  interest  whieh  it  Is 
in  -the  power  of  men  to  do ;  yet  that  verr  helplessneHi  wliidi4ia|^ 
to«xdtethejNiUibinterest|isthe  prine^  motive  otpMio  Mgket 
''She  is  a  stranger  hsrak"*  Is  the  nsoal  ontcty  wlien  a  ftnaSile  psrfbraMf's 
night  &i]s  of  snoesss  ;  bat  sorely  this  aigoment  is  veiy  iUibstal;  ths 
tenn  SraAvoaa  alMNdd  be  a  pasraort  to  the  heart;  aboold  awafaa 
sympathy,  and  excite  ngard.  llie  floetoatlaig  state  of  piwiiMlal 
theatiicai%  and  the  dsrire  of  thepoblie  for  conetant  novel^,  tmoAm 
a  soeesssion  of  sew  perlbrmeni  rsqolsite  to  the  interest  cf  a  maiiMSi; 
The  salariM  of  pnmncial  aetors  can  only  be  eonsidsrsd  as  aqoivmoi 
to  their  r^golar  expeoditore ;  it  is  thehr  benefite  they  most  look 
fixrward  to  as  tlie  remoneralion  of  their  laboors,  and  §09  the  sqiply  of 
thoee  nomeroos  esira  expenses,  wiiich  does  not  attach  to  any  other  dasi 
of  penoM.  If  thie  reward  be  withheld,  where  k  the  stfmolos  ta 
axertioQt  The  ftunsr  looks  fiirward  to  hk  harfssl  Mlbe  nHms  cf 
comnensatiQg  §x  the  losses  of  the  past  year,  and  psepariag  lor  the 
oontingeocies  of  the  next ;  hot  it  most  with  aoiobs  ba  pecpetosi 
Vf Mte-.  if  the  Bprn^  of  Hope^  sad  the  8wmmm  of  Bnceoiifsneat 
never  lead  on  to  the  ^oftiaia  of  Beward ;  genial  mast  pefMi,  and 
Indostiy  Ms^  where  the  aiind  Is  deprassed  by  dlai^ipoiBtmiol  and 

^  Mr.I^jansidRnedgieatvBveneseflbrtane.    He  it  slQl  afife  (IMS)  hfl 
la  eztrane  porerty.    Berend  attoqits  Imtc  been  nude  to  give  him  a  b 
at  one  of  the  theatres;  bat  for  some  reason  or  other  tlMy  haft  «I1  fiidlsd. 


AMUSEMENTS.  3S/ 

n^leet— where  a  youth  of  penary  only  points  out  the  proepect  of  an 
age  of  affliction.  The  benefit  of  a  performer  onght  not  to  be  oonsidered 
as  a  charity,  but  as  a  reward  tor  exertion.  Their  yoath,  health, 
strength,  and  spirite  are  prematnrely  warted  ;  it  ie  their  daty  to  ezer 
themselFea  in  uiat  station  to  whic^  accident,  inclination,  or  necesaiti 


strength,  and  spirits  are  prematnrely  wssted  ;  it  is  their  daty  to  exert 
themselFea  in  uiat  station  to  whic^  accident,  inclination,  or  necessity 
has  led  them ;  bat  the  compact  should  be  mutual ;  those  lives  which 


are  doToted  to  public  amusement^  9Kovld  be  entitled  to  pMic  reward. 
This  subject  is  extensive,  but  the  limits  of  a  newspaper  will  not  admit 
of  its  being  prolonged.  Miss  Macaaley  proposes,  at  the  dose  of  the 
theatre  (if  a  saffieteat  number  of  snbsmbers  can  be  obtained  for  that 
purpose)  of  giving  public  Headings,  interspersed  with  Bedtations 
and  Singing.  The  very  flattering  approbation  bestowed  upon  this 
species  of  entertainment^  as  given  by  Miss  Macauley  in  the  north  of 
£ngland,  and  in  Irelaad,  justifies  her  in  the  undertaking ;  and  her 
recent  loasi  after  five  months'  exertion  in  the  public  causs^  will,  it  is 
hoped,  be  a  sufficient  recommendation  to  that  spirit  of  liberality  which 
does  honour  to  itself  iHiile  it  confers  a  fitvour  on  the  person  obliged. 

Suhseriben^  names  will  be  received  by  Miss  iCacauley,  at  Mr. 
CSsmpbell's'  PetrefiMUoa  Warehouse^  New  Street;  and  at  Aris's 
Gaiette  Oflloe,  High  Street 

In  1816  Mr.  Haddock  was  here  with  his  fiunous  Mechanic 
Theatre,  and  In^leby,  the  coivjiirer,  deUdited  the  Birming- 
ham people  with  his  sleight  of  hand.  The  Musical  Glasses 
and  Philosophical  Fireworks  attracted  audiences  to  a  then 

fitshionaUe  place  of  amusement : — 

May  SO^  1816L— Hbrniag  and  Evsninf  Amusementi^  Storic  Ikvem, 
hi  the  Ssuare^  Bumlaflfaam. — Ckrtwrignt^s  Performance  on  his  Har- 
msnie  Qissbss,  and  £hibition  of  niLOSorHioaL  Fiuwobxs  [,(by 
psrticvlar  desire)  this  present  Mond^. 

When  the  tiieaire  op«Ded  for  the  season  renewed  attention 
was  paid  to  the  novel  introduction  of  a  fashionable  night 
In  a  volume  of  Birmingham  plaj-biUs  for  this  year,  pre- 
sented to  me  by  Mr.  Akers  E.  Edwards^  the  announcements 
for  Friday  nights  are  always  under  ouch  distingnished 
patronage  as  the  *  Hi^h  and  Low  Bailiffi^  Churdiwardens» 
Oonstames^  and  the  pnndpal  ^pentlemen  of  Birmingham  and 
its  ▼idnity."  The  first  ushionable  night  for  1816  was 
Friday,  June  21,  and  the  patron  was  W.  W.  Oapper,  Esq., 
the  d^  Bailiff    Acoordmg  to  the  following  paragraph  it 

Thbateb  Botal. 
Jans  f4|  ISISL— The  plan  ef  a  fiMhiooable  night,  eonineiieed  nnd^r 
saeb  bappv  aasplses  sad  with  soeb  Ubersl  mtro^ige,  wilL  ire  deem  it 
fMobsble^  M  foUowid  up  by  a  sseesseinp  ei  iniosaoe  hMly  eosiplimsa- 
taiy  to  our  msBsger,  and  sseentially  neeessuy  to  the  IntsresCs  of  ths 
theatre.  The  nasM  of  the  High  Bsiliff  wsa  sdnirably  adapted  to 
ssaetion  ths  idea;  and  if  ths  ladies  will  eondsseend  to  lead  their  aid 
to  the  esvsSy  the  sneeese  is  oertsln.  A  crowded  box-Ust  k  eonidently 
expeeled  for  Friday,  when  all  the  foist  fomiliesof  tsleat  or  conseqaenee 
'"  ■   to 


388  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

On  the  28th  it  Was*  under  the  patronage  of  the  Ladies  of 
Birmingham,  and  the  fine  comedy  of  John  Bull  was  played, 
with  the  manager,  Mr.  Elliston,  as  Job  Thombeny.  K  the 
lady  patrons  selected  this  play  it  was  creditable  to  their 
dramatic  tasta  Among  the  patrons  for  the  fashionable 
nights  of  this  season  we  have  the  Ofiicers  of  the  15th  or 
King's  B^al  Hussars ;  B^enry  Qreewold  Lewis,  Esq.,  ^  of 
Malvern  Hall ;"  Mr.  Richard  Pratchett ;  John  Taylor,  Esq., 
""of  Moseley  Hall ;"  Henea^e  Legge,  Esq.,  ''of  Aston  Hall ;" 
the  gentlemen  of  Birmingham ;  and  we  Wardens  of  the 
Proor-housa  The  great  singer,  Lidedon,  was  here  for  one 
night  only.  Some  new  plays  were  introduced  which  are 
now  ahnoet  unknown  to.  the  stage.  We  have  a  brief 
description  of  one  of  these  melo-dramas,  which  will  be  read 
with  pleasure  by  modem  play-goers : — 

Kxw  Mblo  Dbau. 
,  Sept  S,  18I&— A  New  Malo  Drama,  entitiod  ""Tha  PoiwaM  Amulet ; 
or,  Megdalana  and  her  Faithful  Dog,*  is  annoimoed  for  representatioa 
Oa  WaaDeedar.  Wa  hsTia  been  fiivoniad  with  a  dioit  aooontit  of  Ha 
£abla>— Maffddapa,  an  orohan  bairea^  ia  left  to  Uia  gnardiaaahip  of  her 
unala,  Lord  JLaolin  ;  bat  Uaroaratti  Laolin'a  wile,  km  a  plan  lor  her 
daatroatSon,  In  order  to  plaoe  nar  eon  Lodobart  (who  ia  the  nest  heir)  in 
ICagdalana'a  ponawiona.  For  that  parpoae  aha  andeaToma  to  win  over 
bar  noaband  to  aaaiat  in  bar  plan  of  agiprandlaement ;  bnt^  firm  to  the 
TOW  ha  bad  made  to  protaot  Magdalena'a  orphan  atata,  reieeti^  with 
honor,  her  propoaiUon,  in  aonaaqoanaa  of  which  HargaiHt  la  rwolTad 
to  rid  naraatf  or  thb  double  obatada,  and  fer  that  porpoae  baa  Laolin 
mnrdatad  by  poiaoning  an  amnlat  praaanted  him  far  Magdalana,  aeeaaea 
Magdalana  ol  the  mnrder,  and  procorea  bar  baniihmant  to  a  daaolata 
Idandy  with  prorlaloiia  far  twaDtydaja  Magdalana  k  aonTarad  to  tha 
Uand,  and,  in  oomplianaa  with  bar  raqnaati  bar  Dog  la  allowad  to 
aoeomnany  bar.  TiMmiy  daja  dofmi^  bar  proThdona  aiaaxbaaatad,  aba 
k  on  tna  Mint  af  azpirtng  tor  wanti  when  1^  a  Prorldantlal  Intaifaianaa 
la  bar  banalf  tha  Doa  baaooMa  tha  MuCrwMitf  of  bar  divmomm.  The 
Umita  of  oor  paper  will  not  adaiit  of  oor  aatariag  Into  araiy  partlaalar ; 
it  te  awlBriant  to  aaT  that  ha  appaaia  In  tha  moat  Intmating  altaaiioni^ 
and  DO  doobi  will  azelta  oonaldarabla  fteling  In  tha  brsaata  of  tha 
anditora  Aa  It  la  aald  to  ba  written  by  a  gentleman  in  Biimtngbam, 
moob  oorioaiif  will  natually  be  azaited  to  Mam  who  the  Aothor  b ; 
bowaffar,  aa  be  b  to  apeak  aa  oeeaafonal  addreaii  It  will  aeon  ba 
grallAed.  We  wieh  Mr.  Bobart%  fiir  wboae  benefit  It  la  annonnced, 
•fanr  aoeoeaii  nartienkiriy  aa  be  b  a  worthy  indiridnal  with  a  lofya 
FunHj  and  a  kmA&t  InaooM^  wblah  k  a  oooaideratkNiy  wa  are  aoxa^ 
that  aavar  laoia  Ha  weight  with  a  Birmv^hBm  Awiinyo%^  who  are  etar 
laadrtodofood. 

Our  two  fiunoua  gardans  were  atill  attrMive  to  amuae- 
ment-aeekera.    I  quote  an  adTerkiaement  of  each : — 

VAVZEau.  OAanam. 

Jane  t4,  ISlfi.— Fireworka,  aaperior  in  BrilUanaj  and  Variety  to 
any  avar  before  eabibitad,  will  be  prodnoed  bj  the  PjfmUckmcdL 
AmaUmn  of  Birmingham. 


AMUSEMENTS.  <  389 

TIm  Public  are  respectfullj  informed,  that  the  above  Colleetion  hat 
been  made  at  the  particular  reoueatof  a  ^;reat  Number  of  Gentlemen 
who  have  seen  S2>ecimenfl  of  the  fjrrotechnical  Talents  of  the  Amateurs ; 
it  18  iuoouteatibly  th«  largest  and  most  numerous,  and,  it  is  presumed, 
will  be  the  most  splendid  ever  displayed  in  these  Qardena 

July  22. — Pyrotechnical  Amateurs. 

August  5. — In  honour  of  the  Birthday  of  his  B..BL  the  Prince 
Begent,  and  by  the  particular  desire  of  many  Gentlemen  of  the  Town, 
the  Pyrotechnical  Ainateurs  wilt  present  at  v  auxhaU,  &a,  &c. 

8pRiirQ  Qardsml 

August  5,  1816. — TinE  Wobk& — Brilliant  Illumination,  and  a  laige 
and  bMutiful  Transparency,  representing  the  Soho  Mannfactoir,  as  it 
appeared  at  Uie  Time  of  Peace  with  IVance^  trith  several  adaitional 


A'  joung  lad  J  of  Birmingham  made,  her  debiU  at  the 

theatre  this  season,  and  we  have  the  following  brief  tribute 

to  ''native  talent:" — 

TaAOBDT  ow  Aurovao. 


September  9,  ISia— On  IVidav  nighty  Miss  J.  Whitaker,  a  young 
ladjr  of  this  town,  made  her  debmt  in  the  aranous  diaraeter  ofAmeU^osa, 
in  iir.  LewiiTs  tragedy  of  AJfonsa  Her  reception  was  highly  flaUering, 
and  her  performance  thnmgbont  was  raptaroosly  applancMd.  When 
we  aee  a  yenng  female  on  her  first  appearance  labouring  under  ezcasstve 
tioridity,  and  yet  at  the  same  time  giving  proof  of  real  abilities  by 
oecasienal  flashes  of  geniui^  we  think  we  may  Teatare  to  foretell  that  a 
fkrtber  acquaintance  with  the  atags  will  raiae  her  high  in  the  estima- 
tion ef  the  public^  particolarlyaa  aha  noiswsBS  an  ezcellent  figars and 
an  expressive  eonntenance.  We  were  forcibly  atmck  witli  the  manner 
in  wmkh  liie  faapUred  fbrgiveneas  from  her  fiither ;  and,  when  in 
anawer  to  her  entraalaei^  he  aay%  ^Twera  wuaknesa,*  fta,  her  reolr, 
^  If  to  fagivo  were  aia,  how  deeply  thea  must  heaven  have  danei  to 
maalf  waooae  of  the  fiaeat  apeeimeaa  of  aentimental  delivery  we  ever 
beard.     We  anderatand  that  thia  dii&ealt  character  was  undertaken  at 


a  varv  Aoit  notice;  we  ara^  thsrefiMo^  glad  to  find  that  a  very  general 
viah  aaa  been  expraaaed  to  witaeasa  ranetitioa  of  the  perlbrmanca. 
The  great  ineatrieal  event  of  tne  season  was  the  appear- 


maoe  of  the  celebrated  Hiss  O'NeiL  We,  of  this  degenerate 
a^  hear  our  fathers  talk  with  ecstasy  of  the  golden  age  of 
Siddons,  Eemble,  0*Neil,  and  Eean.  The  following  lustonr 
of  the  visit  of  Miss  O'Meil  fully  reveals  the  enthusissm  with 
which  her  coming  was  welcomed.  The  ^  great  aetreas"  was 
to  have  appeared  on  October  2,  but  at  five  o'clock  on  that 
day  the  foUowins?  bill  of  apology  was  issued  •' — 

TaxaTaa  Botal,  BiBMaroaaii. 

Wedaead^y  4  c^eloek,  October  8,  ISISL 

It  is  with  Feelinga  of  the  moat  anzioaa  and  diatraaaad  kind,  that  Mr. 
EDistoa  has  to  annoonce  that  he  faas^  by  this  Ba/s  Peat,  received  the 
f oUowingLetter  from  Iir.  Barlow,  Ageat  of  the  noprietora  of  Oovent 
Garden  Theatre  :— 

Manckmur^  Oetobit  1,  ISIS. 

8ir^ — /  arrived  kere  ikU  Uoming  in  Coti$tfumc$  of  Mr.  Earrii  being 
informed  tkaU  Mim  (fNElL  was  to  perform  eeveral  SigkU  ai  Birming- 


390  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

ham  after  the  Fenod  of  her  'Leave  ofAheence  had  expired.  Miee  QNeSL 
made  her  Engagement  under  a  Mistake  that  $he  ehauld  not  be  wanted  in 
London^  htU  Mr.  Harrie  requiring  her  immediate  Attendance,  he  hoe 
promieed  to  admit  of  her  completing  any  Promise  she  had  made  in  a  few 
Weeks,  I  am,  Sir,  your  obedient  Servant, 

Edwabd  Barlow; 

This  vexatioas  Disappointment  was  entirelj  unforeseen,  and  oat  of 
the  Power  of  Industry  or  Oaution  to  prevent  At  the  Conclusion  of  the 
Engiu^ement,  upon  Miss  (yNeiTs  own  Termsy  **  six  Hundred  Ouineas 
for  the  six  Nights^'  Mr.  Elliston  made  all  the  neoesaazy  Preparation  to 
give  due  Publicity  to  l&iisa  (^Neil's  Appearance  by  every  means  pro- 
perly within  his  Beach,  both  in  the  London  and  Provinciaf  Kewapapen^ 
and  Posting  BiUs  have  been  sent  to  all  the  Towns  within  30  Miles. 

The  Post  of  Yesterday  brought  a  Lett^  from  Mr.  OVeil,  ooh  raiova 
a  Second  Time  the  Eogaflement  of  Miss  O'Keil,  and  at  the  same  Time 
informing  Mr.  BDistdn -Siat  Miss  CyNeO  would  not  be  able  to  reach 
Biimmgham  until  ^  One  6'C3ock''  on  the  Thursday ; .  the  same  Post 
brin^png  abo  a  Letter  from  Mr.  Harris^  assertinflr  that  Miss  (^Neil's 
fiemces  were  indispensable  at  Oovent  Garden  'Aeatre  on  Thwrsday 


In  this  Dikomia— where  the  Faith  of  Mr.  O'Neill  after  a  loiy  Cor- 
yespondenoe,  was  twice  pledged— against  the  Veto  of  the  principal 
Ph)prietorof  Coveot  Garden  Theatre— Mr.  Elliston  was  pusled  aato 
the  Line  of  Conduct    ha  oo^t  to  adopL     He  deeined  the  cnlj 

f  rodent  C<mi»e  wonld  be  a  Consnltation  witn  a  few  eonfidential  Wsnd^ 
y  whose  Advice  he  has  awaited  the  Arrival  of  the  Manrhcwtwr  Mall 
this  Day;  the  Result  has  been  the  Receipt  of  the  Letter,  a  Copy  of 
whioh  is  issTHMJ  to  the  Public 

Mr.  JiUiston  hae  no  Alternative,  in  the  Cbse  of  Miss  (yNieiTs  Kon- 
avrival,  but  to  oums  tbm  Doobs  of  the  Theatva  He  hmnMy  and 
iraepeetfnUy  hopes  that  this  plain  Statement  of  FMta  (the  Cofiespoudtnee 
npon  whioD  may  be  seen  at  the  Box  Office)  will  ereate  aoma  Sympatiy 
for  th]%  to  him,  most  niortil|yiaff  and  oroel  -Disappomtmsnt.  Hejhin 
waited  only  one  Hoar  to  issue  thM  Notioe^  and  has  set  off  to. London,  to 
pbce  his  Situation  before  the  IVoprktora  of  Covent  Gacden  Tlieatm,ln 
the  Hope  of  prevailing  with  them  that  she  shall  rommenme  her  £Qg^;»- 
ment  on  Monday  next 

He  has' only  further  to  slate,  that  Mi«  CyNeiTsBoz  of  Clothes  is 
<m  the  Spot,  that  a  Letter  has  beian  addressed  to  her  here  from  Londong^ 
and  that  she  is  advertised  to jpefloim  at  Shrewsboiy  this  fif«ning^  on 
her  Way  from  Manchester  to  Birmingham. 

On  Sntardaj,  October  5,  n  boldly  printed  hand-bill  ynm 

pohliahed,  of  whidi  the*lbllowing  is  n  oopy : — 

By  permission  of  tiie  Bnoprielon  of  Covent  Garden  Theatre.     ' 

MISS      O'NE  IL 

Is  Arfivad  in  Birmingham,  and  iHll  commence  her  Eogagament  on 

Monday  next,  Oetober  1 7th,  in  the  part  oT 

J  ULIBT. 

Hie  part  of  Rom>  by  Mb.  Oovwat. 
With  the  Fkroe  of 
Thb     Dbaf     Lotbb. 

Captain  Meadows Mb.  ELLmmr. 

Miss  CNeirs  other  Nicfats  will  be  announosd  in  Aitare  BUk. 


AMUSEMENTS.  S91 

On  Monday  the  QazetU  published  the  following  version 

of  this  theatrical  event : — 

Miss  (yNsiL. 
October  7th,  1816. — ^We  feel  mtified  in  aDnonneinff  to  our  readers 
tbat  Mr.  EUiston  has  effeetmdly  sormonnted  the  difficalties  which 
threateaed  to  prevent  the  appearance  of  Miss  0*Neil  upon  onr  boards. 
It  is  pnett^  cenerally  known  tbat  early  on  ThoTBday  morning  last^  the 
day  on  whicA  Miss  O.  N.  was  announced  to  appear,  printed  notices 
were  issued  by  Mr.  Elliston  to  the  public,  dedanng  his  apprehension 
that,  from  the  interfer^ttce  of  the  Corent  Qarden  Proprietors,  this  ladv 
would  be  proFented  from  fulfilling  the  engagement  contracted  with 
him.  This  apprehension  originated  from  his  having  received  a  commu- 
nication from  Mr.  Harris,  on  the  Tuesday,  stating  that  Miss  O^Neil 
oould  not  be  allowed  to  continue  longer  <h>m  town,  her  services  being 
indispenaable  there^  and  informing  him  that  he  had  despatched  a 
special  messenger  to  meet  her  at  Manchester.  This  letter  was  followed 
the  succeedlaff  day  (Wednesday)  by  another  from  the  agent  (Mr. 
Barlow),  who  had  reached  Mancliester,  to  the  same  purport ;  added  to 
this,  her  appsaranoe  at  Oovent  Garden  Tlieatre  on  the  Thuisday  evening 
was  positively  announced  in  the  London  prints.  Anxious  to  pravent  the 
disappointment  which  would  have  arisen  nad  Miss  QTStSfu  engngement 
been  completely  cancelled,  and  not  again  hearing  /rem  that  ]s3y  subse- 
quentlv  to  the  receipt  of  Mr.  HarriA  letter, 'Mr.  EUiston,  fanmediately 
upon  the  arrival  oF  M&  Bariowfs  eommiunieation,  set  <4r  by  mail  to 
town,  hoping  he  should  be  able  to  prevail.upon  Mr.  Harris  to  consent  to 
her  return  this  week,  .diould  she,  in  compliance  with  his  requisitioii, 
have  already  reached  London,  liiss  OD'eil,  Imsgining  from  her  inter- 
view with  Mr.  Bulow,  that  her  immfdiitte  attgndanoe  was  absolutely 
necessary  in  town,  left  Manchester  with  the  intention  of  perf onniiui 
here  oms  niflU.  and  oonduding^her  engagement  at  some  future  perioo. 
She  aooordmglv  arrived  in  RinuinCTam  eariy  in  the  afternoon  of 
Thursday  for  taat  purpose,  but  findu^  Mr.  HUstoa  absent,  and  the 
noUes  too  d&oit  to  give  publicity  for  that  evening,  she  immediately 
followed  to  town.  Opon  her  arrival  there,  finding  that  Mr.  Elliston  had 
•ueceeded  in  his  applicalaon  to  Mr.  Harris,  she  mstantly  left  London, 
and  tcaveUing  all  nicht.  readied  Birmini^iam  Main  eariy  on  Saturday 
momiflg,  determinsa  if  necessary,  to  peif cnn  tSst  evning.  In  justios 
to  Miss  O'KeQ  it  should  be  remarked,  that,  instead  of  ^ving  ussd 
her  utmost  endeavours  to  gjA  rid  of  her  cogsgementat  Birmingham,*  aa 
stated  by  the  msnsgers  at  Oovent  Cbrdea/m  their  notice  respecting  her 
non-appearance  there^  she  used  evenr  possilde  ezeitioa  to  fulfil  that 
anngemeat,  and  that  ^the  object  ef  ner  wi4i«*  was  to  eomplete  her 
nndertaking  with  the  greatest  exactness  in  her  power.  We  cannot  Imt 
add,  that  the  diitiess  of  Mr.  Elliiton,  vpon  Ming  himself  obUged  to 
condnde  that.Mies  (XNeil  wss  prevented  from  continuing  her  romU  to 
Birmingham,  wss  inconcdvably  great ;  and  we  consider  ne  promptaeas 
with  whidi  he  deteimined  to  proceed  to  Londoa,  and  hisaetiveeBmons 
thare,  to  whiAsaeesse  can  alone  b6attributed,entitte  him  to  the  thanks 
ofthepublicr  It  will  be  seen  Iqr  the  advertissmento  that  Miss  O^fefl 
will  perform  ssery  evening  this  week,  in  order  to  complete  her  engage- 
ment of  six  nights  prior  to  Monday  next,  when  she  has  undertaken  to 
play  in  London.  Mr.  Wlistoa  has  riady  availsd  himself  of  the  services 
of  Mr.  Conway,  and  Mr.  Bsrtley,  iriMse  impoetuit  aid  en  ^lis  ooession 
"'  enaUe  him  to  oast  the  sevsnl  piecsi  in  the  most  dBdsnt  mamier. 


392  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

To  the  advertisements  of  these  performances  this  N.B.  ^wab 
added  : — "  No  Places  can  be  altered  or  Tickets  exchanged ; 
and  Servants  keeping  Seats  must  be  at  the  Box  Door  at 
Half-past  Five  precisely." 

.  In  the  notice  of  the  appearance  of  this  famous  actress  it 
will  be  seen  that  our  mend  • "  the  oldest  inhabitant"  is 
called  in  to  do  service  again : — - 

Tbbjltbs  Botal. 

October  14,  1816. — ^In  the  memoiy  of  the  oldest  iohabitant  of  the 
town,  no  event  in  oar  theatriod  history  has  occasioned  a  sensation  so 
remanable  as  the  performa^oes  of  Miss  (^NeiL  The  mania  for  a  view 
of  this  interesting  and  highly  gifted  young  ladT  has  not  been  confined  to 
any  particolar  dass  in  aocieU.  oat  pervaded  all  ranks ;  even  a  glance  at 
her  in  her  carriage  was  considered  worthv  of  contention,  and  the  doors 
of  the  Boyal  Hotel  were  constantly  besieged  with  spee^tors,  anxiooa 
to  catch  a  glimpa  of  her,  at  her  entrance  or  departnre  from  the  honse. 

Excepting  at  the  periods  of  onr  Mndcal  Festivals,  we  do  not 
recollect  to  nave  seen  so  great  an  Inflaz  of  strangers ;  and  certidnlv  on 
no  former  occasion  do  we  remember  sadi  overflowing  houses,  or  to  baTO 
witaewed  so  extraordinary  an  avidly  to  obtain  adnussion  within  the 
theatre.  On  almost  eveiy  nt^^  of  her  appeamce,  the  house  filled  so 
quickly  that  the  doors  have  been  <dosed  long  befiire  the  usual  hour  ci 
oommencementi  and  hundreds  unable  to  efieot  a&  entrance  have  been 
obliged  to  return  disappointed.  To  enter  upon  a  minute  eriticiam  of 
Miss  O^Neirs  acting  is  unnecessary,  the  tnousands  who  have  been 
present  during  her  performances  nave  only  to  reeal  to  their  minds 
thoee  touches  of  deep  pathos  by  which  thefar  sympathy  was  so  ftequentlj 
and.ineaistiUy  excited.^. Her  tooee  and  enundanon  are  peenliarl/ 
harmonious  and  dist{net,'and'lier  attention  to  the  ecene  undeviating. 
Her  delineation  of  the  progress  of  uasrion  appeared  to  us  striking^ 
oorreet— her  bursts  seemed  Id  eleetri^  the  whole  of  her  anditora. 

Mr.  ElUston,  who  has  been  unesarfng  In  his  eflbrts  to  Meure  her 
eminent  talents,  has^  we  pereslve  with  saBsfiifltion,  re-engagwi  her  fer  a 
few  nights  next 


The  exertions  of  Mr.  Oonwaj  and  Mr.  Bartl^,  during  the  eugage- 
ment  of  Miss  O^Nell,  have  moit  Nsentially  cootribntad  to  civs  due 
effiMt  to  that  ladv*s  perlbrmanes^  bf  the  able  manner  In  wiildi  the 
diaraeters  allotiea  them  have  been  sustained.  The  fiarmer  of  these 
gentlemen  will  take  Us  beoefii  this  evsnlnfi^  being  the  only  remunera- 
tion lor  his  valuable  eervicssi  and  Mr.  Bartley  on  ¥Vlday.  On  both 
occadonsL  we  trust,  their  friends  and  the  public  will  eouTlnce  them  that 
thehr  eminent  servlcee  on  this,  and  on  former  oeoasioiiS|  are  not  for* 
gotten,  and  will  not  be  allowed  to  pass  unrequited. 

Durinff  her  six  nights'  engagement  Miss  (XNeil  played 

Jaliet ;  Mn.  Oaljcley,  in  the  Jealous  Wife ;  Belvidm,  in 

Yenioe  Preserved ;  Mrs.  Haller,  in  tlie  Stnuo^ ;  and  Mrs. 

Bever^,  in  the  Qamester.     Oo  the  tomination  of  the 

engagement  Mr.  EUiston  issued  the  following  address : — 

TasaTSB  Botal,  BmnvosAM. 
Oelober  14  181&— Mr.  EUiston  nspeetlbllv  InfiNnns  the  Ladies  and 
Qentlenen  of  Birmingham  and  He  environ^  that  In  oonsequeiios  of  the 


AMUSEMENTS.  393 

« 

•nthtiBiastic  applause,  and  the  Dnmerone  Dinappointineiits  for  Places 
which  have  accompanied  all  the  performances  daring  Miss  O^NeiFs 
▼isit,  he  was  induced  to  undertake  a  second  journey  to  liondon,  after  the 
Performances  of  Thursday  Evening,  in  the  hope,  although  distant,  of 
securing  that  Toung  Lady's  valuable  assistance  for  three  nights  longer. 

The  carrangemenU  oj  Cfovent  Oarden  Theatre  forbad  the  BealiscUum 
Qf  his  hope,  and  he  densUdfiym  the  Pursuit  of  his  obtect. 

He  has,  however,  the  satisfietction  to  announce,  that,  aware  of  the 
high  opinion  in  which  the  merits  of  Miss  0*Neil  are  held  in  this  Town, 
he  has  secured  her  services  for  a  few  nights  in  the  next  Season,  and  due 
Notice  will  be  given  of  her  appearance. 

The  Manager  feels  that  no  opportunity  can  be  more  proper  than  the 
present  to  convey  his  veiy  grateiul  acknowledgments  for  the  assistance 
tie  has  received  from  the  advice  and  persoiuil  exertions  of  several 
QeuUemen  of  this  Town,  in  the  arduous  and  critical  arrangements 
necessary  to  be  made  for  the  accommodation  and  approval  of  so  laige 
an  Influx  of  Company,  where  all  were  anxious  to  ^n  admission.  In 
such  trying  circumstances,  some  Cause  of  Dissatisfaction  ma^  have 
arisen  towards  the  best  imagined  Plans ;  but  Mr.  Elliston  faithfully 
assures  the  Fktrons  of  the  Theatre^  that  eveiy  Plrecaution,  every 
Endeavour  was  used  to  give  the  least  possible  cause  of  Complaint 

Nnmerooa  and  large  Fees  which  were  offered  for  Places  were 
refosed,  and  not  the  slightest  Preference  was  shown  to  those  Gentlemen 
with  whom  Mr.  Elliston  is  in  tiie  Habit  of  the  most  IViendly  Inter- 
eoune,  and  not  a  single  individual  prwatdy  admitted. 

Mr.  EUitton  understands,  since  his  arrival,  that  many  persons  got 
into  the  Pit  from  the  Box  Entrance,  on  Friday  Evening,  and  he  finds 
that  no  Means  oould  have  prevented  this^  for  on  the  Admisskm  of  the 
Sermnts  to  keep  Places^  tbe  Crowd  was  so  mat,  in  Colonade,  of  Box 
Comjpanv,  that  all  Resistance  was  ineffectual  and  thus  Numben  were 
admitted,  who  proceeded  over  the  B»xes  into  the  Pit,  beibre  the  Pit 
Poors  could  be  opened,  many  of  whom  must  have  been  so  hurried  by 
the  F^nessure^  as  to  prevent  their  best  Efforts  to  pay. 

Mr.  Elliston  repeatedly  refused  applications  to  lay  the  Pit  into  the 
Boxei^  bat  the  Pkaetice  ii  getting  into  the  Pit  through  the  Boxes^  on 
similar  ooeasion%  has  oecwrr^d  in  all  Theatres. 

Mr.  Elliston  has  now  merely  to  advert  to  the  Conclusion  of  the 
Season,  wfaidi  will  take  plaee  as  soon  as  the  remaining  Benefits  can  be 
disposed  oil 

The  dramatic  season  of  1817  was  not  specially  dis- 
tingaished.  Mr.  Elliston  was  still  the  Manager,  and  was  a 
host  in  himself  Grimaldi,  ''that  Son  of  Momus^''  appeared 
in  a  new  comic  pantomime.  Our  local  critic  savs — ^"it 
is  worthy  of  remarlc,  that  in  the  hands  of  this  actor,  the  most 
humorous  sallies  never  exceed  the  bounds  of  the  strictest 
propriety  and  decorum."  In  July  the  once  famous  Junius 
Brutus  Booth  performed  a  round  of  dumacters,  and  was 
supported  by  Miss  Somenrille,  afterwards  Mrs.  Bunn.  The 
"grand  Dramatic  Bomance  of  the  Forty  Thieves,"  was 
revived;  the  Forty  Thieves  to  be  "mounted  on  Real 
Horses!  !"    In  October,  Mr.  Ducrow  made  his  "wonderful 


394  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

ascension  from  the  Stage  .to  the  Gallery,  surrounded  by 
ilre-works,  after  the  manner  of  the  celebrated  Ma4ame 
SaquL''  On  the  whole,  1817  appears  to  have  been  a  rather 
dull  year. 

There  was  a  minor  Theatre  in  Worcester  Street,  and  in 
February,  while  the  Royal  was  closed,  it  was  opened  by 
permission  of  the  magistratea  We  have  only  two  announce- 
ments of  performances  at  this  place  of  amusement : — 

MnroB  Thbatbi^  Wobosstke  Strxit. 
By  Permisium  of  the  Moffistratei, 

Feb.  SL  1818. — Wt.  Allaii  respectfully  informs  the  Ladies  and  Gen« 
tlemen  toat  the  above  Theatre  is  open  on  Monday,  Wednesday  and 
Friday  Sveninff,  with  a  Variety  of  KSADuros  from  some  of  the  most 
pomdar  Tng&OMB  and  Gomediee,  and  select  Masic. 

Idonday, — ^Beadincs  from  John  Boll,  or  an  EngliAman'a  Fireside ;  a 
Oomic  Song,  by  Mr.  Cross ;  a  Hornpipe,  in  Chanuster  of  a  Britbh  Sailor, 

S*  a  Yoimff  Lady ;  and  for  this  night  only,  Miss  Evans  will  appear  on 
)  slack  Wire ;  to  oondnde  with  Readings  from  Sylvester  Daggerwood. 
Wednesday, — ^Doiu^aa,  and  Baising  the  Wind. 
Friday^— By  partu«lar  Desire,  Othello,  and  Three  Weeks  after 
Maxriage ;  the  Beadinga  of  lago,  by  a  Qentleman  of  Bespeetabilitjy, 
being  his  first  Appeanaoe  on  any  Stage. 
Boxes,  9k    Qailery,  la    To  b^gin  at  Seren. 

MnroE  TBBA.TftB,  BmcnroHAX. 

By  Frnmution  of  the  MagittnUu. 

FebiS  181&— Madame  and  Monaiear  Ck>bert  respectfully  inform  the 

InlM^JitantB  of  Birmingham  and  its  Vicinity,  that  toy  are  fast  anivad 

from  BaxiiLaiid.mupose  peiformiqg  at  the  above  Theatre  To-montnr^ 

(Tuesday)  Thunaay,  and  Saturday,  the  3d,  6th,  and  7th  of  Febroanr. 

Madame  Qobert,  the /Vsia20  ifsrviite,  wiU  exhibit  a  Variety  of  W 
sraodeifol  Feats  of  Strkvoth  and  AoiiiiTr.  After  whidh,Moiia.Gobsfi 
will  perform  a  Variety  of  satioval  and  vlbaaivo  AMUsnum ;  the 
Whole  to  oondnde  with  the  It^fwnal  Torek 

Boors  open  at  Six,  Performance  to  eommwioe  at  Seven.  Boxes,  fla 
0all«i7,U. 

An  entertainment  peculiarly  gratifyuur  to  sight-seen  wm 
made  of  the  obeequies  of  ihe  raneess  Charlotte.  The  de- 
scription of  this  spectacle  is  quite  graphic : — 

March  JD,  181&— For  ten  Davs  only.— Is  opened  at  the  Shakespesn 
om.  Kew  Street^  the  f;rand  Beprasentation  of  the  Lying  in  State  of 
Her  Boyal  and  Syene  Highness  thsPrineess  Cbariotte  Angnsta»  at  the 
liQfwer  iiodgia  WiDdsor. 

PacQliar  Caronmstances  having  rendered  it  imposrible  to  gratify  the 
intsMe  Cnriosily  of  the  Pablie  to  see  those  splendid  Honoms  which 
were  paid  to  our  .late  lamented  Prinoeai,  at  the  Lower  Lodge,  Windsor, 
on  Ihe  Day  of  her  Interment,  Permiarion  hss  been  given  to  exhibit^  for 
a  limiled  Time,  a  Fae-sfanile  of  that  most  Magnliloent  Speetade,  In 
wbidi  are  introduced  (by  special  Grant),  the  mater  Fart  ofthe  superb 
Artiiifs  which  are  always  need  on  the  melandidly  ooeaaion  of  departed 
Boyal^,  amongst  whidi  are  the  identical  OandeUbras  and  Sc^oei 


AMUSEMENTS.  395 

lighted  with  Wax  T^>en  of  l^lb.  each.  The  whole  ib  got  up  tiiider 
the  Directioii  of  the  aame  Penons  who  had  the  superintendaixoe  c^  the 
august  Original ;  and  being  upon  the  same  scale  of  Grandeur  and 
Expenoe,  presents  a  Scene  ox  solemn  Magnifioenoe  and  splendid 
Beautjy  unrivalled  hj  any  Exhibition  ever  offered  to  the  Public. 

Admission,  from  TwelTe  o'Glock  until  Four,  Ss. ;  and  from  Six  until 
Nine,  Is.    Children  Half  Price. 

The  next  exhibition  was  of  a  different  kind,  but  was  pro- 
bably not  less  attractive : — 

May  18, 1818.—- The  Celebrated  Dutch  Dwarf,  Exhibited  under  the 
Patronage  of  his  Royal  Highness  the  Prinoe  Begent^  and  has  been  Tie  wed 
in  London  by  above  900,000  Persons ! 

Mr.  Paap  most  respectfully  informs  the  Public,  in  Compliance  with 
the  Wishes  of  a  mat  Number  of  Parties,  he  will  have  the  honour  to  see 
Ccnnpany  at  theiMrffe  Boom,  Bed  Lion,  Dale  End,  this  present  Monda;^, 
To-morrow,  and  Wednesday,  and  takes  this  opportuni^  to  retum  lus 
gratehil  Admowledgments  for  the  liberal  Batraiaffe  he  has  reoeiTed. 

The  BMALLisT  Mav,  and  the  greatest  Wonder  of  the  present  Age !  1 1 
Mr.  Simon  Fsi^  a  (Gentleman  29  Tears  of  Age,  whose  diminutive 
Stature  miiMuxes  only  S8  Inches,  ^diose  «»  ben  Fami  and  perfect  Sym* 
meiiT  render  him  a  most  pleMing  Object  Unobstructed  by  his  WejgfaL 
which  is  onlv  27  Pounds  ne  is  perfectly  a^Sy  and  performs  the  M^Tiw^J 
Exercise  witn  peculiar  Once !  In  sh<nt,  for  Smallness  and  Exactitade 
of  Proportion,  ne  challenges  the  Worid  to  produce  his  FeUow  1 1  His 
Intellects  bear  no  Proporaon  to  his  Person— they  are  much  above  the 
oommooi  Conception  1  He  writes  in  three  Languages,  and  converses 
with  perfect  Ease. .  He  is  a  Native  td  Zandvoort,  near  Haarlem,  hi 
Holland,  has  had  the  Honour  of  exhibiting  before  His  Boyal  ffi^mess 
the  Prince  of  Onmge,  and  the  Whole  of  tibe  Nobility  of  that  Countzy ; 
•nd  on  the  Mh  of  May,  1816^  at  Oaiitoi  House,  before  her  Majee^, 
theur  B<oraI  Highnesses  the  PriDCSSs  EUaOMth  and  MaiT,  and  the  Pritt- 
eess  Charlotte  of  Wales,  the  Prince  Regent,  and  the  Dukes  of  Toric  and 
Clarence,  and  has  been  visited  bjmost  of  Uie  Nobili^  in  J&igiMMJ. 

Will  receive  Company  from  Ten  o^dook  in  the  Moniog  till  ten  at 
Night 

Admittance,  Is.    Servants  and  Children  Half-prioa. 

The  Thefttre  was  opened  during  ibe  usual  aummer  months; 
and  one  or  two  wonaeiful  spectacular  pieces  were  produced. 
Modem  sensationalists  miff ht  take  a  lesson  firom  a  dnuna 
I^layed  here  called  ''The  North  Pole,  or  the  Arctic  Expedi- 
tion;" produced  with  extraordinary  scenic  ^ect&  The 
^splendid  last  scene"  is  thus  described : — 

July  13»  1818.— A  Ship  of  InmeDse  siae,  fhlly  rimd«  with  a  Gk«w  of 

Forty  Penoii8.oommaDded  by  a  Naval  OfBesr,  win  effect  hear  iMMHige 
through  Floatiog  lahmda  of  ic^  whleh^  on  seMiatiag^  will  show  an 
Ezpanee  of  Ocean  covering  the  whole  StaM ;  elie  willwdl  down  to  the 
Front  Lighta  with  her  Boweprit  oror  the  Fit!  prodneing  as  novel  and 
powerfnl  eflect  as  can  be  exhibited  on  the  stage. 

The  name  of  Mr.  Joseph  Carles  has  finequently  appeared 
in  the  course  of  this  work.    He  was  one  of  die  most  active 


396  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

of  our  public  men,  and:  in  the  difi^?raceful  riots  of  1791 

earned  the  reputation  of  being  one  of  the  prompters  of  that 

display  of  bigoted  violence  and  cruel  outrage.      His  son 

became  an  actor,  and  on  the  occasion  of  his  benefit  the 

following  appeal  was  made  in  his  behalf: — 

Augnat  24,  1818. — ^Among  the  theatrical  notioes  of  this  week  is 
annonnoed  the  benefit  of  Mr.  Oarles,  who,  it  will  be  reooUected,  ia  son 
to  the  late  Joseph  Carles,  Esc^.,  of  Handsworth.  When  the  exertions 
of  his  fiKther,  as  a  magistrate  in  this  town,  are  considered — ^hii  constant 
attention  to  the  duties  of  his  office  during  a  rery  arduous  period,  and 
the  last  twenty  yean  of  whose  life  were  devoted,  without  any  emolu- 
ment^ to  the  serrioes  of  the  public — ^it  is  confidently  presumed  that  that  . 
public  will  feel  desirous  to  show  their  expressions  or  j^titude  to  the 
memory  of  their  late  worthy  firiend,  by  warmly  espousmg  the  cause  of 
his  son — a  cause  which  has  every  honourable  daim  to  the  generous 
consideration  of  the  inhabitants  of  this  town  and  neighbourfabod.  .  Mr. 
Oarles  has  selected  his  friend,  Mr.  Thompson,  oolieaffue  for  that  even- 
ing i  a  gentleman  who,  on  his  first  vimt  here,  evinces  by  his  talent  and 
great  assiduity  in  his  profession,  a  daim  to  publio  patronage  and 
uvour.    We  cannot  but  unite  in  wishing  prosperity  to  the  partnership. 

The  season,  although  Mr.  Elliston  was  still  mana^,  was 
an  UDsaocesi^  ona     Towards   its    dose   the  fdlowing  ' 
address  was  published.    It  is  curiously  illustrative  of  the 
Manager,  ana  throws  not  a  little  light  on  things  theatrical 
in  Birmingham  at  this  time  : — 

Addrbbs  vob  thb  GoirsiDERATiov  ov  TBB  PoBua 

It  is  always  a  disagrseable  and  an  irksome  Ttk  Ibr.the  Conductor 
<tf  a  Theati%  to  have  occasion  to  oomplain  of  a  want  of  Patronage.  It 
Is  difltolt  to  call  into  aetion  that  Support  which  haa  been  withhekl ;  bat 
good  sense  and  poner  feeling  frequently  do  moeli  when  excited,  and 
nothing  Is  more  likely  to  excite  thein  than  a  **  plain  unvarnished  TUe^* 
at  once  Ingenuous  and  explanatory.  An  Expos6  cf  this  sort  will  be 
made  with  considerable  reluctance ;  but  It  appears  to  be  a  du^  that 
the  manacer  ouj^t  not  to  shrink  from,  and  he  has  never  avoidea  what 
be  deemea  to  be  hb  duty. 

Under  this  impression  it  Is  that  Mr.  Bniston  most  raspeetftdly 
addresses  the  PubUe  i^  g9tk0toi  on  the  very  alamlng  Deoeaaa  eif 
Patronage  which  has  been  so  several  v  felt  this  oaaaon. 

It  would  be  irrelevant  to,  and  incompatible  witk  the  nature  and 
oompass  of  this  Address  to  analyse  all  the  Gauaes  whish  have  led  to  ao 
rainoQs  a  Neglect  of  the  Interesta  of  the  Theatra  FHends  have 
suggested  Beaeons  In  direct  Cbntradietion  to  the  Voice  of  othen. 
P^udicss  wfll  coostanUy  be  ralasd  by  Intsresttd  Indivkluals— these 
prodnes  a  Temporaiy  Mischief;  bat  in  this  kind  of  mock  seriooe 
warfiue,  there  ou^t  not  to  be  any  radical  evil ;  the  Mind  that  ImUbes 
a  Pr^odice  fiem  a  desultory  and  lialf4nformed«  eonvereation.  Is  not 
likely  to  aot  upon  it  with  determined  Hostility ;  Oommon  Undw- 
standings  revolt  at  the  wickednees  ef  defiuner%  and  the  poison  ef 
their  bnath  is  seldom  ymtj  snbtila 

To  ^diat  cause  then  is  the  total  negjeet  of  what  b  called  the  Stock 
Kights  of  the  Theatre  to  be  attributed.    The  Treaswer's  booka  have 


6 

0 

8 

6 

7 

0 

8 

6 

15 

6 

AMUSEMENTS.  S97 

been  exainined ;  on  taking  the  average  Receipts  they  amount  to  £2i 
and  a  fraction  per  nighty  while  the  Benefiteof  thoee  Performers  engaged 
for  a  limited  period,  hare  produced  the  following  sums: — 

£   s.    d.       £ 

Mrs.  C  Kemble      ...        39  18    0  —  60  secured  to  her 

Mr.  De  Camp  ...        32  19    6  —  40  secured  to  him 

Miss  Clara  I^er   ...        45    3    6  ^100  secured  to  her 

Mr.  fiartlej  ...      164  16    0 

Miss  Eallj  ...        45    6    0  —  90  secured  to  her 

Miss  Somerville      ...      142 

Mr.  Conwaj  •••      ISO 

Mr.  Knight  ...        77 

Miss  Brunton  •..        85 

Mr.  M<Creadj         ...        95    0    0  ^100  secured  to  him 

Mr.  Bologna  ...        37    5    6  —  35  secured  to  him 

added  to  this,  it  maj  be  remarked  that  the  Benefits  of  the  regular 
oompanj  have^  in  moat  instances,  been  gvsfttly  produetive. 

In  this  enumeration  of  London  Penormanoes^  it  will  be  seen  how 
•zpensiFe  in  many  instances  the  terms  have  been;  and  where  no  certain 
sum  has  been  giyen,  the  division  of  the  Benefit  has  paid  at  the  rate  of 
from  twenty  to  thirty  ffuineas  per  weak— in  some  instonces  the  payment 
of  the  Stan  has  exceeded  the  whole  receipts  of  the  week. 

Mr.  Elllston  is  aware  that  his  genersl  Company  has  not^  in  Publio 
estimation^  been  held  in  that  repute  he  could  have  wished ;  but  to  those 
who  enooursge  this  opinion,  he  hegt  to  say,  that  a  great  deal  of  the 
general  effect  of  a  Permrmance  depends  on  points  not  at  all  connected 
with  individual  talent^  and  that  no  foredght  can  ascertain  the  Suecess 
of  a  Company  eoUeetad  from  vaHona  Quartern  Ezperlmenta  upon 
new  talent  must  be  made,  and  will  often  fidi;  yet  engngements  f or  the 
Season  must  be  honourably  ftilfilled. 

It  is  prssumed  that  enough  has  been  aald  to  excite  some  sort  of 
sympathy,  aad  the  object  of  thie  Appeal  is  not  to  do  more.  The  loss 
upon  the  season,  without  an  eObrt  from  the  pobUcL  will  be  £1,500. 
liie  loes  is  not  to  be  remedied,  but  it  may  be  lesssned. 

Mr.  Wllston  requests  a  wavm  and  aotive  eiertion  for  thrse  nigbta 
onlv. 

On  Wednesday,  September  t,  aooie  Oentlemen  of  the  town,  Ama- 
ten%  have  generously  oilbrsd  their  ssrvieea  in  Colman's  Comedy, ''The 
Heir  at  Law.'' 

On  FHday,  the  4th,  the  same  idd  wiU  be  oflersd  Ibr  Mortoo*a 

Comedy,  ealled'' A  Cure  for  the  Heart  Ache  r  and  on  this  evening  an 
endeavour  will  be  made  to  procure  an  ezteaeive  patronage  from  the 
frmilics  resident  in  Birmingnam  and  its  environs. 

Mr.  ElllstoQ  wfll  announee  bis  own  benefit  frr  Monday,  the  7th  of 
September,  on  whidi  occasion  he  will  have  the  honour  of  presenting  a 
new  Comedy,  called  ^The  Qrren  Man."  The  Theatre  will  then  be 
dosed  until  the  ¥tdr  Week,  when  a  perfenaerof  eonsldegable  eminence 
will  appear.^ 

The  dbeervmtions  that  have  been  made  breathe  no  ill  humour  or 
discontent ;  they  are  offisred  in  the  Spirit  of  Integrity  and  Sincerity, 
and  will,  it  is  hoped,  be  reedved  with  indukenee.  Mr.  EUiston's  whole 
mind  has  been  employed  in  promoting  the  tnterosts  and  rospeetability 
of  the*  Drama  in  this  town,  and  from  the  period  he  first  undertook  the 
management  of  this  concern,  his  tlme^  his  pnrse,  his  perNoal  ellbrte, 


398  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  UFE. 

r 

hare  been  devoted  to  it  Hq  takes  this  opportonitj  of  returning  his 
heartfelt  thanks  to  those  who  have  attended  the  Theatre,  although, 
their  efforts  have  not  been  sufficient  to  support  the  expenses  of  his 
estublishmentk 

N.R— The  Treasurer  is  directed  by  Mr.  Elliston  to  show  the 
Beodptfl^  if  any  Qentleman  should  be  inclined  to  inspect  them. 

Private  concerts  were  always  a  £BLYOurite  and  pleasant 

source  of  amusement  in  Birmingham.    In  1819  a  new  series 

commenced,  and  from  the  first  announcement  we  learn 

that  the  best  singers  of  the  time  were  ei^aged  to  perform 

at  these  entertainments.    On  April  12,  this  advertuement 

appeared:— 

Nnr  Prtvaxb  Covokbib. 
We  nndentaiid  the  Oonunittee  have  enasged  for  their  first  GoncerL 
irhibh  ^rill  take  place  liiis  €ivetiin|^y  some  oftoe  most  eminent  focsl  and 
instmmontal  penormers  in  the  Kingdom,  among  idiom  an  lini  Salmon^ 
Miss Symonds,  Mr.l^jne^  CHgnor  8ps^]etti,Mr.  WiUmaiiylfr.  Piele^ 
Mr.  Nartoo,  and  etfaen  cc  gnat  odiebniry. 

Bell-ringing  was  also  Teiy  popular.  Here  is  a  record  of 
one  of  thtte  pleasant  peals: — 

Apjl  IS,  1811k--^0n  Monday  last  was  rimg^  at  St  PhiUp^s  Gho^ 
the  Dt.  Martin's  Society  of  this  town,  a  |Mal,  consisting 
of  SteadmanOntorayinShoaraandaCminntes;  the  mth  and  sixth  beUs 
were  to  their  loll  extent  behind  the  ninth  in  four  iwilar  main  eoaisei 
withoot  dooUe  eidla.    Composed  and  conducted  l^  Mr.  T.  Thuntance. 

The  Theatre  was  le-decorated  and  improved  this  season. 

On  June  H«  we  leani  thai  ''no]^eifonnanoe  will  take  pkoe 

on  Thursday;  that  evening  bemg  reserved  for  a  dress 

rehearsal  of  JBrutus^  intendM  to  be  brought  forward  on  the 

Friday.**     On  June  22,  Mn  Paul  Bedford  made  his  first 

appearance  in  Bfarminriiain,  in  the  ''musical  Faroe  of  tiie 

Quaker."*     Nor  was  ue  method  of  producing  a  spectral 

iUuaon  unknown  to  the  stage  resources  of  the  tima    On 

JidvS,  weread:-^ 

Tlie  new  meto-druna  of  the  Cbitle  ol  Fkhim  was  produoed  f or  the 
iist  time  last  Wedaeedav.  Oonwaj,  as  the  Coont^  ezhibiled  a  fine 
pietnre  cl  thegnil^  8alTiati»  and,  snpported  bj  Mra  Weston  in  the 
BMuder  soflDa  ti^ll^  forth  the  auist  tunnltaeos  applanae*    Tlie  BMMt 

the  mnrder,  and  so  deztsronalj  is  the  illnsioii  managed,  that  hiJz 
the  andinee  believed  the  1^  was  vaaL 

This  season  it  was  suggested,  ''by  the  prind^  Mtrons  of 

the  Drama  in  this  Town,  that  one  evening  in  the  Week 

should  be  dedicated  to  the  performance  of  the  Plays  of  our 

tnunortal  Bard,  Siakespeare,  it  is  most  respectlull^  intiniated, 

that  eveiy  Wednesday  evening  will  be  appropriated  to  the 

same."     As  will  be  seen  by  the  following  paragraph '*  * 

suggestion  was  adopted . — 


AMUS£U£NTS.  899 

• 

July  19, 1819. — ^It  will  be  seen  that  the  ManajKer,  in  aoootdanoe  with 
the  suggestiou  of  some  of  his  friends,  kis  established  a  night  whidi  he 
intends  dedicating  to  the  memory  of  Shakespeare ;  this  will  enable  the 
admdrers  of  the  immortal  bard  to  visit  the  theatre  on  a  particnUr 
evening,  certain  of  witnessing  some  one  of  his  dramatic  works.  The 
acquisition  of  such  performers  to  our  company  as  Mrs.  Bonn,  Mr. 
Conway,  Mr.  Pope,  and  Mrs.  Weston,  under  an  arrangement  of  this 
nature,  cannot  but  be  strikingly  obvious.  For  the  information  of 
visitors  from  the  country,  the  nights  of  Mrs.  Bunn*s  appearance  next 
week,  in  her  celebrated  <maracten  of  Bianca,  Adelgitha,  Hermione,  and 
Belvidera.  have  been  announced.  Her  perforznance  of  two  of  them  are 
too  well  known  to  need  comment ;  Adelgitha  was  the  second  piece  in 
which  Mrs.  R  appeared  at  Covent  Qarden,  and  is  decidedly  one  of  her 
best  efforts ;  the  ^E7inteI's  Tale  was  also  revived  there  in  the  express 
purpose  of  bringing  her  Hermione  before  the  publie. 

On  Thursday,  January  6,  1820,  tbe  Theatre  Roval  was 

again  destroyed  by  fire.  '^  It  is,**  sajrs  tbe  reporter  of  the  time, 

^  a  singular  coincidence^  that  the  theatre  which  stood  on  the 

dte  of  the  late  one,  aad  which  was  consumed  by  fiiti,  caused 

by  incendiaries  after  several  unsucces&dPul  attempts,  during 

the  night  of  the  17th  of  August,  1792,  should  have  taken 

place  on  the  same  day  of  the  wec^  and  that  it  shoidd  have 

broken  out  exactly  at  the  same  hour,  and  have  been  entiiehr 

destroyed  in  the  same  short  space  of  time,  three  houia.     It 

is  likewise  a  curious  coincidence,  that  Pubuto  was  the  play 

performed  on  the  night  Oovent  Qarden  Theatre  was  burnt 

down,  and  that  it  was  then  also  coi\jectured  that  the 

wadding  from  the  gun  fired  at  Bdla  bad  caoaed  the  can* 

fiagration."    The  m^  was  purely  accidental    Theatrical 

amusements  were  not  suspended  in  consequence  of  this 

disaster.    *By  permission  of  the  Magisizates,  performances 

were  given^  at  the  Minor  Theatre,  in  Worcester  Street 

Nor  were ,  other  entertainments  lacking.    On  July  8  the 

following  announcement  appeared : — 

The  celebrated  Mr.  Ifathewi,  from  the  Eq^iah  Opera  Hoaaeyhaa  the 
Honour  to  inform  the  Public  of  Birmingham  and  ila  Netthbooihood, 
that  he  will  have  the  FleaBure  of  beiQff  ^  At  Home,"  in  the  B^  HoM 
Ajm&nMj  Booma,  on  Thundaj,  the  JMth.  and  Saturday,  the  iSnd  Inst, 
when  he  wOl  entertain  hia  IVienda  with  nia  two  last  pqpolar  &iteitain- 
menta--<"  A  IMp  to  Fari%"  and  hk ''Conntiy  Oooaina.'^ 

The  rebuildung  of  the  Theatre  Royal  was  rapidly  carried 
on.  Only  seyen  months  after  its  destruction  toe  ioDowing 
paragraph  .was  published : — 

KSW  TkSASBB  BOTAL. 

July  S4, 18S0L— Oar  lfaaafler,it  will  be  aeen»  aanottnoea  the  opening 
of  thia  aplendid  ediiiee  on  Moiidaj,  the  14th  of  next  month,  and  the 
peifofmeia  are  by  public  notioe  directed  to  atmUe  on  the  IOUl  Of 
the  company  at  prnent  engaged  the  following  may  be  enumeraftcd :-- 


400  A  CENTURY  OF  BIBMIKGUiJI  LIFE. 

/■■ 
Mr  Oonway,  acting  manager ;  'Mr.  Bae,  late  stage  manager  d  Drui7 
Lane  Theatre,  a  gentleman  of  the  highest  talents ;  Messrs.  Butler,  Den- 
ning, and  Foot;  Mr.  Benson,  jprindpal  singer  at  Droiy-lane ;  Mr. 
Isaacs,  of  Govent-ffuden ;  Mr.  Thome,  of  Driuy-lane ;  and  Mr.  Egan,- 
from  Bath,  &c  The  establishment  will  derive  great  accession  from  the 
engagement  of  Madame  Vestris,  who,  with  Mrs.  Coni,  Miss  Blanchard, 
from  the  Haymarket  Theatre,  Mrs.  I^gan,  Miss  Bojoe,  from  Drai74aney 
and  Mrs.  Weston,  will  form  the  leading  female  performers.  Mrs.  Bunn, 
as  long  as  she  can  possibly  be  spared  by  the  proprietors  of  Govent- 
{(azden,  will  also  give  the  aid  of  her  powemil  talents.  By  this  statement 
It  will  be  deariy  apparent  that  Mr.  Bunn  has  spared  no  ezpence  in  his 
endeavour  to  assemble  a  company  sarpaasiug  eveiy  f>roTincial  one  that 
has  preceded  it.  Thesceneiyof  ue  new  ThMtre^  which  wUl  far  exceed 
anjrthinjy^  of  the  kind  ever  seen  in  this  town,  is  in  the  hands  of  those 
able  artist^  Mr.  Greenwood,  Mr.  Whitmarey  and  Mr.  Grieve.  The  front 
dnm^  on  which  nearly  1002.  will  be  ezpendedi  ii  painting  by  Mr.  Dixon, 
and  the  interior  decorations  are  execating  in  London,  on  the  most  splen- 
did  scale,  by  Dixon  and  Son.  The  atmost  attention  has  been  paid  to 
the  orchestral  arrangementi^  and  the  band,  led  by  Mr.  Pamell,  will  be 
full  and  complete. 

On  August  7  we  have  this  description  of  the 

Ksw  Thkiteb  Botal. 

We  are  tlus  week  enabled  tojrive  some  farther  and  more  minute 
partieolais  relative  to  the  bnilduig,  deocuntioiL  Ae.,  of  this  supeib 
establishment  When  it  is  raooUseCed  how  veoently  the  new  edifice  was 
oommenoed,  it  will  become  a  mattar  <d  great  astanishment  that  its 
opening  should  be  acoompliahed  .bj  the  time  annonnced ;  and  the 
greatest  credit  must  be  considered  as  JusUy  due  to  every  individual 
thiuogh  whose  exertions  so  soiptWng  an  eflort  has  been  brouj^t  about. 
It  is  now  nearly  twenty-six  jaais  sinosthis  town  witnessed  the 
opening  of  ft  New  Theatre ;  we  an  tfasfiefors  hsooy  in  beli^  able  to 
grntiiy  public  anxiety  and  euiosltj  bj  entering  mfeo  a  detail  of  its 


particular  ehaiacter  and  appesxanee. 

The  present  Theatre  is  onilt  on  tfie  Mte  of  the  late  one,  on  a  plan  of 
great  and  valuable  improvement,  froat  the  destns  of  Bamnel  Beayley. 
Esq.,  ardiitect,  of  Lcmdon,  and  exeontedby  Um  nrinctpal  builders  of 
thistown.  The  Box  Ekitnaios^  lor  the  pgwent,  rstMns  its  old  sitoatkwL 
as  there  has  not  been  time  mumA  to  admit  of  erecting  the  Intendeu 
new  one.  Hie  Pit  Is  entered  oj  the  old  passage  in  iiower  Temple 
Stmt,  where  immediately  after  jpssslog  the  eneck-taker,  a  pair  of 
loldmff  doon.  and  a  stafmsss  eitber  to  the  right  or  left,  shews  the 
pit ;  the  old  lobbies  are  converted  into  addftkmal  sitting  rooma.  The 
Gallery  Is  anprosdied,  as  fonnerlv,  in  Queen  Street;  on  gaining 
admission,  and  passing  the  money-tskei^  ooo^  a  lew  steps  are  eraoted 
to  level  the  steep  ascent  so  audi  enwyiained  oc  in  thelatelmilding^  and 
the  gyieiy  b  thn  gained,  as  beiors^  fy  a  donb^ 

On  entering  the  iJonse  the  eye  wfli  be  attracted  ty  a  brilUanfly  of 
light  and  ornaments  of  the  most  qilendid  apnsarance^  but  on  mors 
dosely  examining  its  effiMt  the  beholder  wUl  soon  dlsttngoish  Its 
dilEueat  degrees  of  bean^  and  order  efdeeonUion.  Thefcnnefthe 
Theatre  b  tUt  of  a  I^reb  united  to  the  sts«  I7  an  sUiptio  cove^  wUeh 
iomm  the  ProsconiunL  The  yrmr  novel  out  beautiful  §ona  of  tUs 
Froseenlomboneof  the  UMotslrikinfffiMitnras  of  the  i^ole  house.  It 
is  eonsideiably  contrMted  Iboai  its  old  f otm  sad  lypearanea^  and  the 


AMUSEMENTS.  401 

room  is  thrown  into  the  bodr  of  the  Theatre,  thereby  affording  a  modi 
greater  space  for  yisitors.  Over  each  stage  door,  and  jnst  under  the 
springing  of  the  Prosceniom  arch,  are  two  private  boxes,  which,  in 
addition  to  their  appearance^  wQi  form  a  pleasant  retreat  for  a  party 
wishing  to  attend  the  Theatre  not  loll  dres8ed«  The  next  most  striking 
fisatnre  of  the  house,  and  one  on  which  too  much  eologinm  cannot  be 
passed,  is  the  nniqu^  bat  singolarly  beantifol,  constmotion  of  tfie 
fDeiling.  It  is  a  stellar  oome,  supiMrted  by  Greek  pill^^y  formoigugLted  by 
a  veiy  rich  entablature^  from  which  the  ceOing  springs. '  It  is  divided 
into  compartments,  with  an  Apollo's  head  in  the  centre.  Its  decora- 
tions are  gilded  reUevos  on  a  i^nk  ground,  and  each  compartment  ii 
panelled  with  a  rich  gold  moulding.  The  effect  of  the  whole  ii 
peculiarly  rich.  The  decorations  of  the  three  tiers  of  boxen  are  perfectly 
classical,  being  selected  and  adapted  from  the  antique  Temples  of 
Greece.  On  the  lower  circle  a  veiy  bold  Etruscan  scroll  Is  fixed ;  on 
the  second  circle  a  less  prominent  ornament  appear^  and  the  top  one 
is  composed  of  the  honeysuckle.  The  nanels  on  which  these  resp«ctive 
omamenti  apjMar  are  divided  from  each  ot^er  by  pilasters,  decorated 
alternately  with  antique  lyres^  caduceii,  and  oak  wreaths.  The 
columns  which  support  the  boxes  are  white  and  gold  The  jirevafling 
colour  in  the  house  is  a  warm  pink,  vet  the  whole  of  the  colouring  is  so 
blended  as  to  leave  no  hswhness  of  dirtinctiooi  between  the  different 
tints.  Over  each  column  protrudes  a  bumiriied  gold  bn^t»  support- 
ing a  rich  cut-f  less  chandelier;  and  the  bumer'ofeaoh  light  is  endrded 
in  a  globe^  distributing  it  to  great  advantage.  The  chandeliers  are 
manumctured  by  Messrs.  Hawkes,  of  Dudley. 

Under  the  door  of  each  box  in  the  dress  circle  will  be  perceived  an 
iron  plate,  perlbrated  for  the  purpose  of  admitting  warm  and  cold  air 
through  every  part  of  the  Theatr^  and  various  communicatkms  have 
beenMftin<»uer  jtofliveitfiUleflect  By  the  erection  of  this  madilne^ 
on  whidi  no  expense  nas  beoi  spared,  a  emulation  of  4^000  cnble  leet 
of  air  IS  thrown  into  the  house ;  and  the  whole  is  kept  In  constant 
opeimtion  by  means  of  a  ^lindrical  turn-cap^  erected  on  tbe  loof  of  the 
Tjieatre^  access  to  which  is  obtained  by  aunieiousveiitiiatota  introduced 
in  the  ceiling  of  the  gallery  outer  drde.  IVom  the  front  of  the  Theatre 
the  ^ye  is  natural!  v  directed  to  the  stagey  and  here  the  greatest  pcedble 
Improvement  has  Dcen  effected,  ^y  talang  in  an  angle  of  seven  feet  of 
ground,  In  Queen  Street,  tlie  stage  lias  besn  materially  widened ;  and 
it  is  the  opinion  of  the  manager  and  different  theatrical  persons  who 
have  seen  IL  that  it  is  one  of  the  moot  comjdete  and  masteriy  pieces  of 
workmanship  cif  the  Idnd  in  £n|^and.  The  IVontispiece^  alter  the 
model  of  Covent  Garden  Theatre^  will  rise  dglit  ^Mt  above  its  usual 
height  on  partlcnlar  occasions^  when  prooeerions  are  introduced ;  and 
by  means  of  moving  pilasters  on  eadi  side  of  the  Fkoooenium,  the  stage 


ground  on  whidi  it  is  erected  can  adndt  o£ 

From  this  description,  and  from  the  annonncementof  the  Psiformers^ 
Axtirts^  and  various  operative  pereons  migugtd  in  the  formation  of  this 
elegant  Theatre,  it  wul  be  seen  that  eo  lugh  a  treat  has  never  before 
bemi  offered  to  the  pnUio  of  Birmingham.  The  esteblidinient^  in  the 
oi>inion  of  eveiy  person  wholsable  to  judge  on  the  enbject^  may  vie 
any  in  Great  Britain ;  and  Mr>  Bunn  having  gone  to  an  unusual 


402  A  CENTUBT  OF  BIBKINQHAH  LIFR 

•zpenoe  in  offeriDg  enterUimnent  in  erery  respeet  worthy  of  tho 
Theatre,  will,  no  donbt,  reoMTe  from  the  town  that  patronage  his  recent 
loesee,  yet  continued  anzie^,  jmtly  entiUe  him  ta 

In  raerence  to  the'Tery  excellent  company  intended  to  be  introdnced, 
we  cannot  allow  onnelves  to  omit  alldding  to'the  engagement  of  Madame 
Yeetris  as  one  of  the  meet  fbrtonate  and  Talnable  tkat  conld  have  been 
inade.^  This  ftacinating  actress  and  moat  aecompUshed  sinffer,  has  been 
the  prima  donna  of  the  Italian  Opera  both  of  London  and  Paris,  was 
last  season  the  prindpal  attraction  at  Dmry-lane,  and  is  now  dzawinff 
crowded  hoosea  nififauy  to  the  flaymai^t  Aeatre.  She  was  edncated 
in  the  veiy  first  scmool  of  singing,  and  is  folly  enUtled  to  the  high  eolo* 
pnms  oniyerBally  passed  upon  &r.  • 

The  new  theatre  vtba  opened  on  August  I4/i;dih  the 

comedy  of  The  Biyals,  ana  a  new  fiux^e,  written  by  Mr.  S. 

Beazloy,  Architect  of  tiie  Tbeatrey  and  called  The  Proxniasory 

'Note.    During  the  eeaaon  Madame  Vestria/  Miss  Stephent^ 

Mra  Bnnn,  and  other  celebrities  appeared  ''  '^^iginina  and 

Black-Eyed  Sosan  were  also  performed  for  the  first  time| 

The  aeaaon  of  1821  was  not  distingaished  l^  any  roedali* 

ties.'  Mrs.  Bmm,  Mr.'Yandenhofi,  Mr.  W.  Macreacfy;  and 

Mr.  Mathews  appeared^  and  the  drama  kept  on  the  even 

tenor  of  its  way  daring  the  sommer  months  in  which'  thd 

Theatre  was  open.  .   ^   -  '\  \ 


*  I  '  "        §  4   MAimms;  ctJBTOMB,  raa  '  ' 

<•  '  •  .     •  >**«'» 

»■•  •  •  i»'.>f.«>  ,  ^\  • 

'•  We  have  only  a  veiy  few  items  to  reooid  in  this  tectioni 

for  the  present  decade.  BvU-baiting  and  oock-fi^ting  were 

happily  diminiRhing,  but  were  not  entirely  abdhshed.    The 

first  tztraet  is  a  curious  matrimonial  advertisement  >-r- 

•Tb  L4DnB, 

AmO  H  Iblll— Seeing  that  Oomfatt  and  Happineaiara  the  Aim 
and  Bad  of  every  reflecting  IndiTidna],  and  that  taaaa  Qoalitiei  eamiot 
be  foU J  realiaed  in  a  dooMstio  Point  of  Yiew,  without  aa  DUonof  the 
two  Sezas;  it  ia  fheretee  herabj  nottfled  that  two  Mandai  whoas 
eharactsBi  for  wapecfaMTity  an  wwl  knewn.  tiie  one  ao  mwaiemabeted 
Widower  of  flf^»  the  other  ainalfl^  about  tidrtf^  both  with  Bmmbb 
hst  from  daqHoable,  and  DfapootiQos  wbieh  tend  to  ingraliale^  aad  that 
invst  be  aeomable  to  aoj  Lady  of  an  elefated  aad  wdl  infonned  Miad, 
hare  the  Intentioo,  in  the  ensoiQg  Sunnier,  of  peifoiining  a  Tour 
through  fieotland  and  Ireland,  and,  to  give  andi  an  Eioiinion  its  InQ 
Efbet,  the^  iorite  two  Ladiea^  wfao^  bj  nniliqg  their  HMida  Ikle^  aad 
Fortone  witli  theira,  wfll  not  only  aenompany  tiiem  in  ma  pleaaiog 
Bamblei  bat  allao  in  their  Peregrination  thrcmgh  Life.  Asapmfofthe 
Seriooaneaa  of  thia  luppiSeation,  and  Uiat  Ladfea  naj  be  aanired  that  it 
ia  not  done  with  a  view  to  amnse  or  deeeiTe  them,  a  Bnson  of  their 


MANNERS,  CUSTOMS,  ETC.  i03 

own  Sex  is  already  properly  instracted  to  remove  the  Doubts  of  the 
Diffident^  and  to  fully  satisfy  the  Inquiries  of  any  Lady,  who  preferring 
CSandour  to  rigid  Formalities,  looks  forward  to  an  Alteration  of  her 
Situation  not  to  be  n^lected.  Personal  Application  will  be  preferable 
to  Letters,  though  if  any  are  addressed  (Poet  paid),  the  strictest  Honour 
and  Secrecy  may  be  relied  on,  and  under  such  Confidence  it  is  expected 
none  will  be  sent  unless  with  real  Names  and  Places  of  Abode ;  to  any 
Thing  short  of  this,  no  Beply  can  be  expected.  Address  to  X.  Y.,  at 
No.  21,  Upper  Temple  Street,  Birmingham. 

The  following  is  a  g^n  in  its  way: — 

Fmr  GuiHXAs  £^abii. 

May  26, 1812. — ^If  the  woman,  who  on  the  9th  of  M;^J  inst,  left  at 
Arises  Gazette  Office  an  adrertisement  written  with  fied  Ink,  and 
beginning  with  ''Speedily  will  be  published,  the  First  Chapter  of  the 
Luientations  of  James,*  and  purporting  to  be  printed  by  **  richer  and 
Son,*  will  discover  her  Employer,  she  shall  be  exonerated  frcnn  all 
Prosecution,  and  receiye  the  above  reward,  on  application  to  the  Printer 
of  this  Paper. 

Hie  Editor  embraces  this  Opportunity  of  expressing  his  dncere 
Begret  thai  the  impudent  and  onwarrantable  Use  whidi  was  made  of 
Mr.  fiekhei^a  name,  should  have  induced  him  to  admit  an  Advertise- 
ment^  which  it  now  appears  was  solely  intended  to  wound  the  Feelings 
of  a  Gentleman,  whose  unsullied  Bepntation  can  neither  be  tarnished 
bv  the  Mildew  of  Insinuation^  nor  be  depreciated  in  the  Kstimation  of 
Manlrind  by  the  Whispers  of  Malevolencai 

Hot  rolls  were  not  allowed  to  be  sold  on  the  Sunday,  as 

two  unfortunate  bakers  found  to  tbeir  cost: — 

August  2e,  1810.— GantioB :  On  Thursday  last^  two  bakers  of  this 
town  wsre  convicted  in  the  Ml  penalties^  and  eosti^  £or  biJdng  and 
ixpoaing  to  sale  AoT  rdU  upon  the  Sunday. 

Here  is  a  specimen  of  old  servant-girlism : — 

SlTOATIOV. 

August  le,  1813.— Wanted  by  a  young  Person  who  has  had  oon- 
ttderaue  Phiuetioe  in  plain  Oookei%  Wsahmg^  gsttiog  up  of  Linen,  and 
iie  entire  Business  of  a  House.  Would  be  nad  to  engage  as  Servant 
n  a  small  Genteel  Family,  where  she  eonld  unnrove  herself  at  vacant 
Kmrs,  in  otlier  brandies,  suck  as  needlewonc,  fto.  If  consisting  of 
niddle-aged  Ptople,  or  two  or  three  Fbmales  only  who  are  instmmvo 
vill  be  the  more  dedrabla  Waffss  not  so  mndi  an  oljeet  as  a  eom- 
ortable  Situation  and  recjuidte  Instmetion ;  the  Purtieulars  of  wliidi 
oaybe  known  by  addressing  a  line  (with  real  Name  and  Beaidenoe)  to 
L  X^at  the  Printen^  whi^  will  meet  with  immediate  attention. 

NA— Has  lived  several  years  in  lier  last  plaee^  and  ean  be  well 
econmended. 

What  wiU  our  trades*  unions  think  of  a  state  of  things 
u  which  the  following  sentence  was  possible  f — 

CoMBiKATiov  or  WoaKMiir. 

July  87, 18ia— On  Thuxadav,  Henry  Peters  and  Hark  Bills,  two 
lomevmen  Qun  Fumitare  Forgers,  were  convicted  at  the  Poblie 
office  in  this  town,  before  William  Bradford  and  Isaac  Spooner,  Esqrs., 


404  A  CENTURY  OF  BIBMIKGHAM  LIFE. 

for  an  anlawfol  combiDation  to  niae  the  price  of  their  wages,  and 
aentenoed  to  two  months'  imprisonment,  and  to  be  kept  to  hard  labour^ 
in  the  honae  of  correction. 

The  following  is  a  record  of  one  of  the  custx>ms  of  the 
time: —  •     .      i 

_  _  .  •  ,  ,      * 

July  1, 1816. — Caution :  Artificers,  hnsbandmen,  and  the  public  at 
large,  are  requested  to  be  upon  their  guard  against  the  many  delusive 
liand-bills  and  sinister  arts  ttiat  are  used  to  entice  them  to  emigrate  to 
America ;  the  number  of  disappointed  and  distressed  artists,  manu- 
fiusturers,  &c.,  &c ,  who  are  now  starving  in  America,  fi>r  want  of 'the 
necessaries  of  life,  are  exceedingly  numerous.  Upwards  of  1000  of 
these  unfortunate  people  have  applied  to  his  Miyenty's  Consul,  at  New 
York,  for  passports  to  return  to  tneir  native  country,  having  expended 
what  little  money  they  had,  and  being  unable  to  obtam  employment. 

'   That  Cocking  was  not  a  custom  which  was,  as  yet,  driven 

to  secret  devices,  the   following   advertisement  is  proof 

sufficient : — 

Nsw  Cook  Pi^  CoLismLL  SrunET,  BiBioKOHAic. 
March  81, 1817.-^A  Main  of  Cocks  to  be  liraghi^  at  the  above  Fit, 
on  Easter  Monday,  and  the  three  following  Bava,  between. the  Gentle- 
men of  Warwidahire  and  the  Gentlemen  of  btafibididdre^  for  t>tte 
Hundred  Guineas  the  MaiUfand  two  Guineas  eadi  Battle.  Feeders: 
Gimver,  for  WarwieUiiie  $  jP^urtridge,  te  8taff^^ 

The  next  two  ertracts  record  an  extraordinaiy  feat  of 

pedestrianism : — 


May  85. 18ia— J.  Wright^  the  oelebnted  Bristol  Pedestrisi^  aow 
In  the  60ih7«aref  Usages  has  vndertaken  to  walk  ei5  miles  In  IS 
days  (Bondays  exoepte^X  la  Yauzhall  Gaidens,  near  this  town,  being 
limited  to  14  houa  a  day,  resting  time  included.  He  commenced  the 
aiduous  task.  In  the  pnsenee  of  manv  spectafton^  at  seven  o^dodc  oc 
Tuesday  morning,  and  completed  on  that  day  68  mQes  befim  aliie  at 
night ;  on  Wednesday,  witnin  the  aams  hoiu^  he  walked  62  ndlss ;  oi 
Thnzaday 61 :  iVidaj  6S)  and  fiatedav  6a.  He  ooatinaes  in  Ugil 
spirits^  and  amesses  Us  cooiidepqe  in  bcoQg  able  to  psif onn  the  lierea 
leaii  vadeKtakiog  witldn  tiie  l^w^tf^  period. 

Jons  6.  ISia^Wrtght^  the  PedsstriaiL  completed  hk  task  of  walk 
ing  686  miles  In  twelve  daymen  Monday  last  On' that  day  he  had  ti 
perfenn  61  miles  In  14  houa,  to  make  good  his  oqdeitakiBgi  and.  Ii 
conseonenao  of  a  bet  to  that  elfiw^  he  extended  hb  walk  to  76  mfies 
the  Wuols  of  which  he  aooomplished  soon  afler  elsfsn  o'clock* 


THE  DEAF  AND  DUICB  IN8TITUTI0H. 


We  owe  this  admirable  charity  indirectiv  to  th* 
Philosophical  InstitaUon.  In  the  year  1812  Mr.  De  Ly 
was  lecturing  to  the  members  of  the  latter,  and,  writes  Mi 


THE  DEAF  AND  DUMB  IN&mTUTIOK.  405^ 

Pye,  ''he  descanted  upon  the  advantages  an  unfortunate 
class  of  society  (tiie  deaf  and  dumb)  might  derive^  if  they 
were  put  under  proper  management ;  and  to  elucidate  the 
subject  he  introouced  a  ^I,  about  eight  years  of  ^age,  who, 
labouring  under  those  defects,  he  and  his  Mend,  Mr.  A. 
Blair,  haS  been  very  attentive  to.  She,  being  in  other  respects 
endowed  with  an  excellent  capacity,  paid  great  attention  to 
what  was  going  forward,  and  with  promp&ess  executed,  or 
rather  anticipated,  the  wishes  of  her  instructors,  which 
proved  a  verv  animating  and  affecting  spectada  This 
circumstance  gave  rise  ^  a  Qeneral  imstitution  for  the 
Instruction  of  Deaf  and  Dumb  Children.*^  In  a  few  days 
after  the  lecture  had  been  delivered  a  private  meeting  was 
held,  at'  which  it  was  resolved  to  estabtiah  such  an  iiuBtita- 
tion  in  fhis  town.  On  November  23^  1812,  the  following 
paragraph  appeared  in  the  QoeMt : — 

It  will  be  leamod  with  rexj  general  pleasnrey  that  it  Is  hi  bontem- 
plation  to  eatahtiih  an  iostltotion  in  this  town  for  the  instroetioii  of  the 
deaf  and  dunb.  There  is  aijnreoenl^  in  thia  kingdoinjwit  one  eatabliih- 
ment  of  the  kind,  inthe  neighbonihood  of  LondoiL  But  thereia  leaeon 
to  believe,  that  eveiy  great  town  oomtafaa  Indiiidiiali  enoa^  hi  thia 
unhi^y  eondition,  to  sapply  a  adiool  of  ita^  own ;  and  H  Sa  piobaUe 
that  tMi^itig  iinii  been  wantmg  to  the  eatabUahnmt  of  aueh  ffinwie  in 
manjrplaoeabiittobeoiioebegan..  13ie  meana  of  aonport  teold  not  be 
wantmg  towardi  the  inatraetion  of  the  deaf  and  dmooL  The  atrangth 
of  their  olaim  on  aocielj  for  thia  office  of  hnmaniiy  must  be  felt  1^  aU 
who  have  thod^t  on  the  natore  of  their  conditkm,  debaniog  them  in 
aome  aort  from  fifwnwimiicatian  wiHi  their  fellow  eraatore^iaid  with- 
hddinff  from  them  aU  important  knowledgte,  which  olMBa 
fpeciiJlj  thoae  tmtha  whidb  are  given  to  all  men  to  know* 


The  following  is  the  report  of  the  private  meeting: 


November  ao,  1818.— At  a  Meetiagheld  at  8t  FhiUp^  Itowiiagfl^ 
Ml  the  Slat  Daj  of  Nofember,  1618, 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Oiitnm,inthe€9iafar; 


Bev.  John  Oooke,  Jf r.  T.  Qieen  Sfaneoz^ 

'Bev.  Baan  Kennedy,  Mr.  iraUam  Fh^iaoo, 

Bev.  John  Conie,  Mr.  Bichaid  Favton, 

Chi|iitaln  Lewia^  ICr.  Joanh  WHfaioie^ 

Mr.  Wodlev;  Mr.  WOBam  BUkawaj, 

Mr.  Joeeph  Tiedaamj  Mr.  Jamea  Male^ 


Mr.  6.  Tatthm  Qalton,  Mr.  Thomaa  Ohik, 

Dr.  BooUi,  Mr.T.W.HilL 

Dr.flolomon,  Mr.  Fredevkk  fiergr, 

Mr.  Thomaa  Bljlaiid,  Mr.  A.  Bhir,  Jimr. 

Mr.  O.  DeLja. 

*  Moden  BinBlBsbam.    By  Chailee  ^e.  |ft.  ao. 


406  A  CENTURY  OF  BIBHIKQHAM  LIFE. 

Beaolved  uxuuumouBlyv— Thai  it  appears  to  this  Mee^Dj^,  that  it  ia 
practicable  and  expedient  to  establiah  an  Institution  in  this  Town  for  the 
Instroction  of  Deaf  and  Dumb  Children. 

Besolved  unanimouslT,— That^  although  it  is  probable  the  Expenses 
of  such  an  Institution  will,  at  the  Outsety  be  very  moderate,  it  is  deniable 
that  it  A&M  be  begun  under  as  respectable  and  extensive  a  Patrtmage 
as  possible. 

Kesolved  unanimously, — ^That  such  Ladies  and  Qentlem^  of  this 
Town  and  Neiffhbourhooa  as  may  be  disposed  to  support  the  intended 
Institution,  be  hereby  invited  ^  ^^^  *^  «^^  ^^®  ^^^  CSiariiy  School, 
on  Friday  necktytlie  4th  of  December;  the  CSiair  to  be  taken  at  Twelve 
o'clock  prectsely,  EoxninD  Outrak,  Chairman. 

On  December  4,  a  public  meeting  was  hdd  at  the  Blae 
Coat  School,  the  Bev.  Dr.  Ontram  in  the  Chair,  and  it  was 
resolved,  >  iLuBrt  a  Society,  be  formed  for  the  Support  and 
Instraction  of  Deaf  and  Dumb  Children.  The  chairman 
was  elected  the  first  President ;  the  Bev.  James  Conie,  Vice- 
President  ;  James  WooUey,  Treasurer ;  0.  De  L^  Secre- 
taiy;  and  the  fdlowing  Glentlemen  the  first  Committee : — 

William  Villers,  £^.,  MessiB.  W.  W.  Copper, 

George  Simooz,  Esq.;  '   «  Joseph  Lecbam, 

.       W.  Uunper,  Esq.,        •  Timothy  Smith, 

£.  Johnstone^  lux,  ^  ,/  &T.Galton, 

Bev.  K  Bum,  A.BlairJun., 

Bev.  T.  L.  ¥rwr,     -  :  .    .  W.  Lardner, 

Bev.  R  Kennedy,        *  William  Phipson, 

;:.;  Bev.  John  Kentish.  :         ^      *     Thomas  Byland, 

.    Mr.aQalton. 

i'  In  less  than  a  year  from  the  date  of  this  meeting  the 

Committee-  were  aUe  to  make  this  important  annoonoe- 

ment : — 


GmnuL  InmoTiov  torn  sbb  Imauonov  or  Deaw  amd  Duvb 
'    GBiXAaas  ERaausno  nr  BiaimrsBAif. 

October  18»  1813y-^IlM  Oonmittss  U  Bab&BObtn  to  this  diaiitaUe 
Plan  have  gnttt  Pkasmeia  aDDoaaoing  to  a  bensvolfliit  PaUie^that 
th^  have  angMod  the Senrioesdlfr.  Bnidwood.  who  will  riBMd6wholl> 
In  or  near  BinmoiB^bamy  as  Teadier  of  the  Deaf  and  Domlx  fVoni  the 
Month  of  December  laat»  (when  this  InHjtatka  was  fonned)  the  Oom 
Biittes  were  .aazkNis  to  provide  an  eaqMrienoed  Tesdieri  or,  if  that 
ehoii]dbeiiDpnctioabl%toiqipoiiit  aa  active  and  intelUgent^  althoogl: 
iBsxperieocedPlewoa.aM|«eeareforhimthereqoieiteiD^^  Bui 

so  dflBooh  and  laieiitiiliAft.  which  hat  been  well  defined  to  be  the 
Art  of  teadbhig  to  hear  with  tte  4re»aiid  sovdnablekit*deeBMdtc 
its  vety  few  PitrfJeeeciie,  that  tfieir  beet  and  ausBytfeedCflbfts  were  fron 
time  to  tioM  of  littla  acnSL  And  madi  as  thej  then  lamented  thii 
Want  of  8qooeM»  they  now  eeteem  it  fottqMito  that  they  did  not  toall) 
aoDoint  anv  other  Teaehsr :  eonfident  that  the  DelaT  which  has  ariser 
wul  be  aanJy  eompenaated  by  the  Advuiti^ee  to  bo  deriTod  from  Mr 
Bnddwoodreiii|wiMrTiJentiandBzpericnoe;  and  that  the  InatitotioD 


THE  DEAF  AND  DUMB  IN3TJflfUTI0N.  407 

if  supported  bj  adequate  pecuniary  Aid,  will  be  highly  creditable  to  this 
Town,  and  interaating  to  the  Gountnr  around  it  Mr.  Braidwood  is  of  a 
Family  well  known  to  have  practiaed  the  Art  of  instructing  the  Deaf  and 
Dumb  with  great  and  distinguished  success  for  three  Goierationa.  The 
Ability  and  Humanity  of  his  Grandfather  and  Father,  Mr.  Thomas  and 
Mr.  John  Braidwood,  who,  not  lon^after  the  Middle  of  the  last  Century, 
established  a  celebrated  Sdiool  or  College  of  this  Description  at  Edin- 
buiffh,  have  been  long  and  deseryedlv  acknowledged ;  and  from  them, 
all  Uiat  ii  now  tan^t  of  the  Art  in  tnis  Countiy  appears  to  be  derived. 
The^  received  the  Tribute,  which  was  so  justly  due,  from  Dr.  Johnson 
in  his  journey  to  the  Hebrides,  Mr.  Pennant  in  lus  Tour  through  Soot- 
land,  and  Mr.  Axnot  in  lus  Histoiy  of  Edinburgh.  Aftorwaids  they 
removed  with  their,  whole  EBtabushment  to  Hackne^r,  where  it  hai 
continued  ever  since,  and  where  Mr.  Biaidwood  (with  whom  the 
Conmiittee  have  treated)  has  to  this  Time  conducted  a  lam  and 
flourishing  Academy.  It  is  almost  needless  to  assure  the  PubScL  that 
he  could  Ukj  before  them  the  stixingegt  Testimonials  both  of  moral  and 
inteUectual  Character,  and  of  suoomuI  Exertions,  if  it  were  requisite. . 
The  Ccunmittee  are  well  aware  that  there  is  in  London  an  excellent 
and  opulent  Establishment,  where  a  hundred  and  forty-four  Deaf  and 
Dumb  Children  are  at  present  both  instructed  and  supported.  Yet  it 
appears  from  the  Beport  and  Usts  of .  that  Asvlom,  that  Hb  .GorenorB 
are  not  able  to  receive  more  than  one  Third  of  the  unfortunate  Objects 
that  are  offered  to  them ;  and  that  the  Children  whom  they  do  receive 
are  sent  frcmi  all  Parts  ci  England.    These  simple  Facts  r^ativa  to  that 


been  asoertamed  that  there  .are,  in  the  Town  of  Birmingham  9lao%jiat 
fewer  than  twenty  poor  CSifldien,  fit  Objects  of  thia  ClMirity. 

The  Ooaunitfeae  are  U^^  gratified  in  haviiig  h  in  Ihttr  Ibiww  to 
state  IhaiL  at  the  last  Assiae  at  Warwick,  tha  Qeatkmsn.  oC  a.  moat 
remctabie  Qrand  Jniy.  and  the  High  SheiifL  unanimously  aabacribed 
to  this  Institution,  and  kindly  honoured  it  with  their  powerful  Beoom- 
mendation  to  the  Country  at  laige^  as  appears  t^*  the  ibBowiqg 
Min«to^^ 

''Grsnd  Juiy  Chamber,  Warwidc,  August  17, 181^.— It  hamif  been 
represented  to  the  Gentlemen  of  the  Giuid  Jury,  that  an  InstttatioQ  is 
established  in  the  Town  of  Birmingham  for  tne  InstmctioB  d  the 
Deaf  and  Dumb,  which,  if  ita  Tunm  were  enlaiged  might  become  of 
great  and  extensive  Utility,  thev  strong  recommend  ft  to  the  Nolaea 
and  Baronage  of  the  Coanty  In  gennaL  OL  Moidanit,  Hiaoridhia 
Biddulph,  WiUiam  Hamper,  t>.  &  Dugdale,  Abraham  GnavwL^raliam 
Holbe^  Franda  OMining,  C.  B.  Bepmgton,  William  LftUew  Thaodora 
Pricey  CI.  P.  Baekwood,  Bobert  mltougfaby,  Matthew  Wis^  jonr., 
John  Boohbee^  Joseph  Bonltbee,  C  G.  Wade.  O.  Bowyer  Adderlej, 
William  Moody,  Thomaa  Barker.  wlUiamHanling,  William  WMMsfog, 
James  Woolly,  Bvdyn  J.  Shiil^  (Sheriff),  Heneaga  Leggew  William 
YillenL  Geom  Simoox.*  Tha  Oommittae  are  eacotmiged  to  liopa  thai 
manv  MnevNent  Inhabitanta  of  the  other  Inland  Oouitlea,  and  mora 
partwsnlarly  tha  ncjghboiiriiig  Countiea  of  Staffnd  «id  Woreeatsr,  wUl 
coQcnr  in  aiding  and  patnmisiQg  an  Institotion  whidi,  wiUMBl  an 
extensive  Subscription  cannot  be  supported,  and  which  baa  for  ita  Object 
the  Belief  of  a  nnmeroua  Imt  almoat  unseen  and  miknown  Cbss  of 


408  A  CENTUBT  OF  BIRinNGHAH  LIFE. 

fellow  Creatdres,'  wLoee  Oondition  in  all  Bespeda,  and  especially  in 
Bemtoi  of  their  total  Want  of  Beli^ons  Ejiowled^e,  is  moat  dxeary, 
hel^esB,  and  pitiable,  llieir  Misfortune  has  been  dbancteriaed  as  the 
most  4eq)erate  of  hmnan  OalamitieB.*  XJntlltfaeFandaof  this  Establish- 
ment shall  be  enlai^ged.  it  iHll  not  be  practicable  to  dothe  or  maintain 
anyof  iheChildren«  Those  who  recommend  them  (as  all  the  Subscribers 
are  invited  to  do)  iHll  have  to  take  care  that  th^jr  be  provided  with 
Board  and  Lodfiii^r}  and  sent  daily  to  the  Boom  of  uie  Institation.  The 
Benevolent  ana  Kunane  of  every  Denomination  kte  eatnestly  solicited 
to  contribnte  their  Assistance  towards  carrnnff  this  charitable  Under- 
taHng  into  fall  Effect,  and  are  respectfoUy  mformedi  that  lieaftrs* 
Ooales,  Woolley,  and  Gordon,  Bankers,  of  Birminrfiamj  win  receive 
Subscriptions  and  Donations;  and  thltt  Mr.  Gabriel  De  Lys,  of 
Birmingham,  is  Secretary  to  the  Oharity. 

R  OvnUM,  Bectorof  St  )   i>.,^M^nf 
Fliiltp*8  Biimingfaam,5   *T«»<»e«^*- 

J^  0>BBn,  Yiee-FMidflnt 

The  notice  of  the  opening  of  the  instituiion  appeared 
Januaiy  10, 1814,  the  day  upon  which  ihai  memoraUe  event 
took  place: —  -  .       . 

Jahnai^  10, 1814— We  are  happjr  to  ie  able  to  state  that  the  Inaii- 
tation  ibr  the  Instnietion  of  Deaf  and  Bomb  Children,  which  wai 
Idnned  In  this  town  about  ti^lte  montha  ainee^  thia  day  opena  iti 
•dbool,  under  the  direction  (^  Mr.  JSraidwood ;  and  thm  the  eztnKndi- 
haiyart  whidi  aiforda  to  ah  maibrtiuiaie, class  of  bdn^  the  meana 
(which  seemed  to  have  been  detiiadtlMmcby  nature)  of  commitnication 
With  their  apedefe^  has  at  length  ii  fited  establiahment  la  TOrtnfngham. 

.^e  report  of  .ihe)aimiialiV^pMCi|i4r"^^>^*^  puUiaihed  oa 
September  12.  iAdfimhtluib4dOBq^  that  "The 

litimber  of  children  iadisifttl^ .  Ili^f fniete  detignedly  innall, 
because  it  waa  conceited  thM  irheM  a  ajrstem  of  instmctioli 
was  to  be  introduced  whic^ .  was  altogei^  new  to  the 
pupils,  it  could  be  much  more  effectually  as  well  as  more 
easilj  estabUshed  in  the  Sebooi  hy  Hmitang;  the  number  at 
firsts  imoiurwhom  thi  attention  of  the  iSadier  was  to  he 
divided.  .There  are  faow  fifteen  diildren  attending  the 
School,  three  of  whom  are  not  of  this  town,  but  sent  to  it 
firom  a  distance^  and  their  support  provided  finr  without 
iexpenoe  to  the  Institution.* 

On  the  28th  i»f  Abgust  Mr.  H'Oready  gave  the  Tbeatro 
Boyal  for  the  benefit  ixf  the  new  Institution.  An  address, 
written  bj  the  Bev.  GL  Keimedy  lor  the  ooossion,  %as 
ddiveted  by  Mrs.  Edwin.  On  September  12  tUs  address 
was  published^  with  a  preliminsty  note 


Impsftet  eopiea  of  the  IblhmiBir  IhM  bafa«  la  efavsistf OIL  sad 
haWag  ssliiaU/  sppaMsd  hi  the  iTaniMw  Ai^  «f  tfaeeth  lmt,(with 

^  Johaaon*t  Josiaqr  to  the  WeMm  Uaada  ef  Seeikad. 


THE  DEAF  AND  DUMB  INSTITXTTION.  409 

■ 

the  anthox^s  name,  but  with  an  academical  title  which  does  not  belong 
to  it;  the  Committee,  at  whose  request  they  were  written,  think  proper 
to  send  them  in  a  correct  form  to  the  press. 

Addbbdd    Spoken  by  Mrs.  Edwin,  immediately  after  the  Play  of 
the  Deaf  and  bomb,  acted  in  Birmingham,  on  the  28th  of  Aufl^ost,  ^ 
1814^  before  his  Grace  the  Dake  of  Devonshire,  for  the  Benefit  of  the 
General  Institntion  for  the  Instruction  of  Deaf  and  Dumb  Children,  of 
whidi  he  is  Prasident, 

If  ye,  spectators  of  our  Drftma's  plot^ 
Have  sympathised  with  injured  Julio's  lot^ 
And  if  your  breasts  have  faail*d  with  glad  applause, 
The  warm  asserters  of  his  riffhteous  cause. 
In  them  behold  yourselTes^  that  hither  come, 
As  generous  Patrons  of  the  Deaf  and  Dumb, 
Outcasts  by  Inrth,  that  still  might  want  in  Tain, 
Bights  dearer  fiur  than  Julio's  lost  domsin, 
TluLt  unacquainted  with  ersaUon's  plan, 
Might  nerer  feel  the  diffnity  of  mail, 
Tet  wear  his  form,  while  sunk  in  mental  death, 
They  walk  the  earth  mere  Tehides  of  breath. 


No  Tdee  maternal  soothed  theu^  infimt  honrs^ . 
Or  woke  br  prattled  lore  their  thinking  powers ; 
Shut  out  mr  ever  from  the  realms  of  sound. 
With  them  the  countless  moTing  lips  around 
Hdd  no  communion,  far  beyond  their  teadi 
Are  all  the  soeial  blandishments  of  speed), — 
All  that  to  hearing  can  be  told  or  snng^ 
When  the  heart's  music  modulates  the  tongue. 

Tet^  as  where  Julio  his  loVd  home  obtain'd. 
Here  may  their  nahar^t  heritage  be  gain*d. 
Where  with  sneesM  to  De  rSpee  miJmown, 
For  them  a  Braidwood's  maravsikill  is  shown ; 
'TIS  here^  while  knowledge  courts  their  tutored 
Their  mouths  unlodcM  can  mimic  words  aright 

And  though  its  fiune  is  i|Kead  cf er  ereiy  coast, 
Say,  can  this  Seat  of  Arts  as  nobly  boast 
That  here  each  metal  ererr  shape  avumes 
Whidi  use  contriTis  and  eiManoe  illumes, 
As  thal^  in  Woe^s  mute  ehildrsn,  hers  we  find 
Upnis'd  and  dear,  the  buried  Ore  of  Mind, 
That  on  their jeaae^  to  her  asylum  bfou^t, 
Hers  patient  fitr  opes  new  worids  of  tnought, 
With  sense  and  fedbff  gires  thdr  eyes  to  snlne^ 
And  Iklits  up  all  the  human  fkce  divine^ 
Qirm  Sisn,  m  dknt  prayer,  to  lift  on  Ufgh 
The  mile  ct  cooseious  fanmartality  f 

^^7  T>^  ^Imms  cAMis  aoch  deskns  belrlsBd, 
StiU  more  and  more  their  Usd  elbcU  ezteod. 
And  c^er  those  efforts  be  it  long  your  pride 
To  see  th*  illustrious  OsTendidi  preddeL 
Who,  thus  engaged,  with  purer  joy  dull  glow 
Than  wealth  e*er  brought^  or  graadeur  can  bestow. 


410  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMIKOHAK  LIFE. 

Early  in  1816  we  have  this  brief  noti(^  of  the  Insti- 
tution:— 

Feb.  6y  181&— We  axe  bappT  to  infonn  the  imblio^  that  the  ABylum, 
at  Edgbaetoiiy  for  the  loBtraetioii-  of -Deaf  and  Dmnb.Children,  hand- 
aomely  fitted  up  by  Lord  Oalthorpe,  is  nov  opened,  and  that  twenty 
childnn,  admitted  by  ballot^  are  lodged  and  inatracted  under  the  care 
of  Mr.  Braidwood  and  a  matron.  The  building  is  apactonfl  enough  to 
aooommodate  a  mudi  larger  number;  provided  the  funds  vera  increaBod ; 
and  our  hopes  of  a  far  more  extended  patronage  are  very  sanguine, 
fixmi  the  impresiion  on  the  public  mind  respecting  the  great  importance 
of  this  Central  Institution,  estaUished  for  so  boievolent  and  humane 
a  purpose,  and  intended  to  admit  proper  objects  from  every  part  of  the 
kingdom;  but  men  especially  from  all  the  sniiounding  counties.  In 
these  hopes  we  are  muck  encouraged  by  the  liberal  support  previously 
received  under  the  .valuable  patroni^  of  his  Grace  the  Duke  of 
Devonshire,  and  other  distinguished  personages.    ... 

From  the  jrear  1812  this  institution  has  been  actiyely 
discharging  its  noble  and  merdful  office.  'EVorn  a  state- 
ment published  in  1867  we  fold  that  the  number  of  children 
educated  and  boarded  during  the  jmst' three  years  was  as 
follows:  On  the  books  in  October,  1864— Bovs,  67;  sub- 
sequent, admissions  in  1865,  10;  in  1866, 7;  m  1867, 18  ; 
total,  87.  Girls,  60.;  subsequent  admismons,  in  1866, 7 ;  in 
1866|  9 ;  in  1867,  6 ;  total,  71.  Total  under  instruction  in 
three  years— Boys,  87 ;  Oirls,  71  f  total  168. 


SOGnETT  OF  JLRT8. 

1  .5  i     »  .'■•.' 


The  .jear  1821  deserves  a  golden  cross  in  our  annals. 
From  tune  to  time  the  importaiioe  of  the  cultivation  of  the 
fine  arts»  and  the  arts  of  jderign,'to  a  manufiiebiring  town 
like'Binningham,  had  been  fordUy  pointed  out^  and  readily 
admitted.  Still  no  ffeoMoral  effivrt  waa  made  to  give  effect  to 
these  sugffestioDSL  The  old  and  noi-yet-wom-out  cry  that 
^  we  are  aoing  very  well  as' we  are,*'  was  even  more  potent 
sixty  years  ago  than  it  is  now.  At  last  our  leadmg  public 
men — ^the  men  ever  foremost  in  all  fiood  work  for  the  im- 
provement of  the  town  and  the  peop&— took  this  matter  in 
nand,  and  set  to  work  with  their  usual  eamestoesB,  and  in 
a  little  time  Krmingham'  added  to  her  many  noUe  and 
useful  institutions  the  mudi-needed  Society  cc  Arts.  The 
first  intimation  we  have  of  this  undertaking  appeared  in  the 
Oaz€tU  on  the  fint  of  Januaiy,  1821 — a  hopeful  and  gra- 
cious augury  for  the  new  year : — 


SOCIETY  OF  ARTS.  411 


The  Fisb  Abts. 


*  We  oongratnlate  our  readers  on  the  probability  of  an  Institniion 
being  soon  established  in  this  town  for  enoonraging  the  cultivation  of 
the  fine  Arts.  The  friends  of  this  great  mann&etnring  district  hare 
long  had  occasion  to  regret  that  there  has  not  existed  among  us  any 
oolledjon  of  casts  of  the  more  approved  specimens  of  scolptore  for  the 
imitationofonrarUstSy  whose  talenta  and  ingenoitj,  if  aided  by  an 
advantage  of  this  kind  wonld,  in  all  probabUit^,  enable  them  to  arrive 
at  a  higher  degree  of  perfection  in  various  articles  of  manafikctnre,  and 
thereby  extend  the  demand  for  them  in  foreign  markets.  We  are 
informed  that  some  noblemen  and  gentlemen,  resident  in  this  neigh- 
bonriiood  have  expressed  their  readiness  to  contribute  liberally  to  ttie 
support  of  an  Institution  for  supplying  this  deficiency ;  and,  if  deter- 
mmed  upon^  there  is  a  probafauity  that  it  would  at  its  outset  be 
presentea  with  a  numerous  and  veiy  valuable  collection,  comprising 
BEiodels  of  nearly  all  the  most  apipityved  statues  of  antiquity,  and  of 
other  specimens  of  sculpture  more  immediately  applicable  to  the  pur- 
pose of  many  of  our  manu&ctureiL*  by  a  genttooan  who  has  taken 
great  interest  in  promoting  its  establishment. 

Wa  sincerely  hope  that  the  views  of  these  munificent  patrons  of  the 
Arts  may  receive  tne  liberal  concurrquce  of  the  principal  inhabitants  of 
the  town,  and  tlutt  thdr  ^ndeavouzs  nay  be  snceessftilly  eombbed  in 
establishing  upon  a  pennanent  plan  a  Moseum  for  tne  reception  of 
models  in  senlptnre  and  engravinff  whidi  will  afford  the  means  of 
f onning  and  correoting  the  taste  of  toe  rising  ffeneration,  and  oontribute 
essentially  to  the  improvement  of  all  thoee  brandies  of  manufiusture 
.whiebarenioatanfloeptibleof  deoontioiu  *         •      ^ 

,  In  a  week  or  two  the  originators  of  the  new  society  issued 
the  following  advertisement:- 

Socnrr  or  Aiss. 


. Jiam.  January  26.  1821v— We,  the  undersigned,  oonsldering 

that  the  due  eultivation  of  the  Fine  Arts  is  essential  to  the  poqwrity 
of  the  manu&otures  of  tide  town  and  ndghbouliood,  ana  that  no 
aooie^  at  present  exists  lor  this  spedfio  pwposi^  and  Imng  of  opinion 
that  it  &i  extremely  desirable  raeh  a  mcMj  should  be  now  IbnnML  do 
hereby  invite  all  penons  resident  in  the  town  and  neighbo^ooa  of 
Birmingham,  who  may  be  dinposed  to  unite  in  nromoUng  thb  obiact,  to 
a  meeting,  to  be  held  at  the  rublie  Office,  in  Moor  Street^  on  Wednes- 
day, the7ih  of  Febraary,  at  twelve  o^doek  in  the  fira«no(»^  in  order  to 
take  the  rabjeet  Into  oonnderation. 

.    Samuel  Galton,  Geotp  Tates,         &  Tertius  Qaltoo, 

Edward  Outnm,        W.  Wyuie  Smithy  JohnCknrdon, 
William  Hamper,      J.  W.  TJnett^  Thomas  Attwood, 

Edwaid  Johnstone,    P.  H.  Jamesb  John  Towers  Lawrenee, 

J.  H.  Spry,  Qeom  Barker.        Edward  Thomaeon, 

James  Woolley,         Josian  Oonrie^         Arohihald  Kenriek, 
Samuel  Inland,  J.  A.-Jaaies^  John  Badam^ 

William  wallis,  John  Johnstone^      Theophilus  Bidiaidi^  jun., 

H.  Qalton,  Timothy  Smith,       J.  V.  Barber. 

The  meeting  was  hdd^  and  the  results  are  given  in  the 
following  report : — 


412  A  CENTURY  OF  BIBMINGHAM  LIFE. 

Fdbmanr  12^  1821.— At  a  Meeting  held  punmant  to  adTertiseinent, 
at  the  Public  Office,  in  Birmingham,  on  the  7th  of  Febmair,  18S1,  to 
take  into  consideration  the  propriety  of  forming  a  Society  for  promo- 
ling  the  cultivation  of  the  Fine  Arte,  Samuel  Galton,  Em}.,  m  the  Chair ; 

It  appearing  to  this  Meeting  that  the  due  cultivation  of  the  Fine 
Arts  IB  eeeential  to  the  PkxMpetitj  of  the  ManufiMturen  of  this  Town 
and  Neighbourhood,  and  that  no  Society  at  present  existe  for  this 
spedfie  purpose,  it  is  considered  to  be  extremelj  desirable  that  sudi  an 
Institution  be  now  formed,  at  the  same  time  retaining  the  power  of 
hereafter  extending  its  plan  to  such  objects  as  are  in  any  way 
connected  withilie  general  promotion  of  losefnl  knowledge^ 
..    It  is  Basolvedc — 

Ist-^That  an  Institution  be  no^r  established  in  Birmingham  for  the 

encouragement  of  Arts  and  Mannfacturea,  and  that  it  be  called  ''The 
Birmin^iamSocielarof  Aita.**^  .  /  :  .  : 
'.  9n4-rThat  A  Jf«umim.;be  formed  for  the  Beception  of  CSasts  and 
Modeli  of.  the  Inolirt  appnyved  Specimens  of  Sculpture,  and  of  all  such 
other  Works,  ^illustimtiTe  of  the  different  Brandies  of  Arty  as  the 
Sodehr  may  have  tiie  means  of  prooniing*  : 

^  ard.— That  soitable  aecommodation  be  provided  for  Stodents  in  the 
Eine  jLrt^  irabjeet  to  .sodi  Begnlatioos  as  may  beframed  hy  the 
CoQsunittee  to  be  appointed  teoondoeloig  the  afbua  of  the  Sodety. 
..  4th.-r^Ibat  if  at-aiqr  iima  it  shall  be  deemed  e(spedieni,  the  Oom* 
mittee  bava  thd  powst  cC  naJdagairangemsnti  fer  pabUo  Edubttions 
of  the  Works  of  Art^-aad  te  the  DeOvenr  of  Leetmnes  on  Suljects 
connected  with  the'piirpdssi  of  the  Institatkm. 

6th.— That  the  Jiemben.of  the  Institation  eonsisl  of  Patrons, 
Pkoprfetora^  and  QovemonL 

6th^That  ^adi '^Babieriber"«f  £100  or*  more  be  a  Fatron  <^  the 
Sode^  that  he  bold  a  tnoiifoableahinin  the  SroMty  in  propel 
to  his  Sabscriptioii  I  thatheJiaTe  two  Totes  at  all  GenendMeetingp; 
that  he  have  a  power  to'aitend'aad  vote  at  all  Oommittee  Meetings 
aiiatiMft1i6be%lUb&isiri>dst^  ~> 

.  TUl— Thai  fMidi 'Bobeeriber  nT  £66  ihall'.be  ia  Proprietors  shall 
iiold  a  transfitfable  Share  In  tlie  Properly  In  pioportion  to  Us  8ub<- 
■oripHen;  and  that  he  have  one  Vote  al  all  Qeoend  MeeCbgi  of  the 
Bocmf*'  i  ".  \i  '-",  *  •  *     -':'•' 

8lb.«^T)iat«adi  iHttittal  Babecriberof  Two  OiifaMaa  be  a  Gofeniw^ 
and  aa  Midi  entitled  to  attend  and  Vole  at  aU  General  Meetiiv  of  the 
Bodefy.   -^  .  '  '  ■•  '•. 

ML-^That  the  Tkopeity  of  the  Insiitaltai  be  Tesled  In  live 
T^nleea  to  be  deeted  ftom  the  body  of  Patrona  who  duOl  held  the 
same  In  Thn*  ibr  the  PkopcMorL  and  that  the  Niimber  ahan  be  mied 


up  at  the  next  General  Meetiag  wfcea  reduced  to  thwa> 

lOtL-^TiiatoveqrMiiiiber  bafolkw  lor  himsdf  to  the 

Institntloii,  and  the  power  of  adndttiig  any  nvmlNr  of  tedivldoals  of 
his  fiunfly  to  tIow  Mt%  Works  of  Ait|  and  to  Draw  and  Modd  there^ 
■aUeettothoBegaladoaaof  the  Oonaittee. 

llth.— That  oveiy  ammal  Babsoribsr  of  one  Guinea  be  ontitled 
to  personal  admissioine  to  the  iBstitBtfan,  to  Diawor  Moddyao^eetln 
|iirf  mennftr  ■  to  the  -lt<tfTi1^^^f*t  of  the  ^^VMf^wt^ttocL  and  tiiat  ho  be 
at  liber^  to  transfer  am  ngh^  Ibr  the  year^  to  anir  Indifldaal  of  his 
fiunily ;  bot  that  this  Bobsenption  do  not  entitle  hJm  to  any  Bhare  In 
the  Management  of  the  Affairs  of  the  Bodety. 


BEGIKKIKO  OF  THE  GBEAT  POLITICAL  AGITATION.    413 

12th. — ^That  there  be  an  anntuJ  General  Meetin^p  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 
Birmingham,  be  entitled  to  vote  by  proxy,  sadi  proxy  being  a  Member, 
and  authorised  by  the  Signatore  of  the  Party. 

The  following  resolution  was  also  passed  : — 

That  a  General  Meeting  be  called  of  this  Society  on  the  first  Wed- 
nesday in  March  next^  and  that  in  the  mean  time  the  following 
Gentlemen,  who  signea  the  Beqnisition,  be  requested  to  act  as  a 
FMyisional  Committee : — 


Samuel  Galton 
W.  Hamper 
Edw.  Johnstone 
J.  H.  Spry 
James  WooUey 
John  Corrie 
Hyla  Holden 
Sunuel  Ryland 
Wm.WaUis 


John  Johnstone 
Timothy  Smith 
S.  Tertius  Galton 
John  Gordon 
Thos.  Attwood 
J.  T.  Lawrence 
H.  Galton 
George  Tates 
W.  W,  Smith 


J.  W.  Unett 
Georse  Barker 
Joeian  Ck>rrie 
J.  A.  James 
Edw.  Thomason 
A.  Kenrick 
John  fiadhams 
T.  Bichards,  jun. 
James  Yates 


Among  the  early  Patrons  and  Proprietors  were  the  fol- 
lowing, who,  it  will  be  seen,  subscribed  liberally  to  the  new 
Society : — 


Sir  Bobert  Lawley,  Bart,  a  yalua- 
ble  CoUeetion  of  Oasts. 


Lord  Beanchainp  • 
Sir  diaries  Monlaunt 
H.  liMffS 
D.aKwda]e 
Timothy  Smith 
F.  Laidey      . 
T.~ 


£ 
100 
100 
100 
100 

50 
100 

60 


Edward  Thomason 
Samuel  Galton 
8.  Tertius  Galton 
Hubert  Galton 
ICRBoulton 
James  Taylor 
Samuel  Byland 
Mark  Sanders 


60 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 


And  thus  the  good  work  Was  set  in  motion.  In  the  next 
chapter  we  shall  be  able  to  trace  the  process  of  a  Society 
which  has  been  of  incalcuIaUe  benefit  to  uie  town. 


THE  BEGINKINO  OF  THB  QBBAT  POLITIGAL  AOITATIOK. 


The  most  important  event  of  this  decade  was  the  com- 
mencement of  the  great  political  agitation  which  produced 
the  Political  Union  and  ended  in  obtainiQg  theBeform  Bill  of 
1882.  It  was  b^gun  amid  obloquy,  <q>po8ition,  and  persecu- 
tion and  had  to  endure  many  yean  of  toil  and  suffering  before 
success  was  obtained.  For  some  time  the  public  mind  had 
been  prepared  for  this  agitation.  In  everv  town  of  impor- 
tance Hampden  Clubs  had  been  formed,  for  the  purpose  of 


414  A  CENTURT  OF  BIBHINGHAH  LIFE. 

creatm^  &  demand  for  reform^  and  educating  the  people 
in  politic&  In  February,  1817,  the  year  in  which  the  first 
New/Hall  Hill  Meeting  was  held,  the  report  of  the  secret 
committee  of  the  House  of  Commons  on  the  subject  of  these 
clubs  was  presented,  and  firom  the  following  extract  we  learn 
their  oi^ganisation,  and  their  object ;  and  can  readily  under- 
stand how  very  terrible  they  must  have  appeared  to  the' 
party  of  Church  and  King. 

**  The  fiiftt  thing  which  has  here  forced  itself  upon  their  oheervation 
is  the  widely  diffoMd  nullification  of  a  system  of  dahs,  associated  pro- 
fessedly  for  the  purpose  of  Parliamentanr  Beform,  upon  the  most 
extended  principle  of  universal  snfinffe  ana  annual  Fiu-liaments.  These 
dahs  in  fleneral  designate  themsdves  hy  the  same  name  of  Hampden 
Clabs.  On  the  professed  object  of  their  institation,  they  appear  to  be 
in  communication  and  connexion  with  the  dub  of  that  name  in  London. 

^  It  appears  to  be  part  of  the  system  of  these  dubs  to  promote  an 
extension  of  dubs  of  the  same  name  and  nature  so  widdy  ai^  if 
possible,  to.indude  CTeiy  Tillage  in  the  IdnfEdom.  The  leading  mem- 
oeis  are  aefire  In  the  drcnlation  of  publications  likely  to  prom^  their 
otjeot  Petitions^  ready  prepared,  have  been  sent  down  from  ^ 
metropolis  to  all  sodeties  in  the  country  disposed  to  reeeiTe  them.  The 
oommn^cation  between  these  dubs  takes  place  by  the  miaion  <^dde» 

Ktes  i  delegates  from  these  dabs  in  the  country  hare  assembled  in 
mdon,  and  are  expected  to  assemble  again  early  in  Mardi.  WhatcTer 
mar  be  the  real  objects  of  these  dubs  in  genemly  Tonr  Oommittee  haTe 
nonedtation  in  stating^  from  infiirmation  on  whidi  they  place  foil 
rdiaaoeu  thalTin  fiur  the  greater,  number  of  them,  and  puticolariy  in 
those  widdi  are  estabUsned  in  the.great  manufi»tnrinff  districts  of 

are  composed  of  the  lower  order  of  artisaan^  nothing  uort  cli  a  Bevoln- 
tikmk  toe  olijeeittqweted  and  avowed/'  .... 

The  first  meeting  on  Nev  Hall  Tfill  was  oaOed  under  the 

anapioeB  of  the  Binninriiam  Hampden  Qub,  of  which  ^  A 

Mr.  Oeoige  Edmonds'^  was  chairman.     The  mgh  Bailiff 

refiufled  to  call  the  meeting,  bat  it  was  held  notwithstanding; 

and  is  the  first  of  those  New  Hall  Hill  ^[atherings  wh^ 

have  become  so  £unons  in  our  political  bisfany,  and  were 

ultimatdy  attended  with  soch  great  resulisL   The  b^;inning 

of  this  movement  and  the  records  of  its  earliest  proceedin^B 

are  fiill of  interest^  and  will  be  read  with  pleasore  bjiul 

fiirmini^iam  people.    They  form  also  a  part^  and  that  not 

an  nnimporbmt  one,  of  the  nistoiy  of  the  nation,  as  Buming- 

ham  beoame  the  centre  of  a  national  movement^  and  was 

the  sool  of  the  agitation  which  produced  so  great  a  change 

in  our  constitution,  and  which  has  been  atteided  withsndi 

beneficial  consequences  in  the  progress  and  devdopment  of 

the  people.    The  first  cry  for  Reform  arose  in  the  midst  of 

dire  distress^  and  although  feeble  at  firsts  and  almost  lost  in 


BEQINNIKG  OF  THE  GHtEA!r  POLITICAL  AOITATIOK.    415 


the  clamour  of  opposition,  it  arose  from  eveiy  defeat  stronger 
and  stronger^  nntU  it  was  taken  np  by  the  vast  majority  of 
the  nation  and  was  irresistible^  and  a  revolution  was  at  last 
averted  only  by  the  ungracious  pelding  of  a  hostile  and 
opposing  House  of  Lords.  The  first  effort  of  the  Reformers 
was  made  in  the  following  requisition : — 

To  THB  High  Baiutt  of  Bibmihohaic. 
Jannaxy  80, 1817.— Sir, — We,  the  anderriffned  inhabituits  of  Bir« 
mingliam,  oonoeivinff  it  to  be  the  indispennme  daty  of  this  town  to 
deeliire  to  the  L^giwttare  the  unexampled  diftrefls  in  which  the  people 
are  involTed.  and  to  petition  that  evtty  praetioahle  Betrenchment  in 
the  National  Ezpenmtnre  may  be  made^  as  a  mode  of  preaent  alleTia- 
lion,  and  that  a  Beform  in  the  Honae  of  Gommona  be  inatitnted 
without  further  delay,  for  restoring  the  Oonatitation  to  its  pristine 
purity,  aa  the  best  aeeority  against  similar  calamities  in  fhtnre,  do 
request  Ton  to  call  an  early  meeting  of  the  inhabitants,  to  take  this 
sabjeet  into  eomideration. 

[To  idiiflh  were  affiiMd  63  respeotahle  signatures.] 

The  H^pi  Bailiff  haTinff  refused  to  eomply  with  the  above  xoquin- 
tioD,  we^  the  undenigned  inhabitants  cf  Birming^iam  do  iuTite  our 
fellow  townsmen  to  meet  on  Wednesday  next,  January  SS,  1817,  on 
the  open  ground  to  the  left  of  St  FkiI's  Square^  called  Newball  Hill, 
to  take  into  consideration  the  Important  olgects  of  the  requisition. 

The  pfaair  will  be  taken  at  twntf  o^dock. 

JcssphJooea 
*    JoMMi  Waiuham, 

£•  llioaipson. 
'    W.  BawkM  amlth, 

W.  K.  WhitehoQsa, 

J.aBetehky, 

JohnHineki^ 

William  Jenningi^ 
'  Thomas  Amphlott^ 

Edwin  Hill, 
James  Belli^p 
Isaae  Smith, 

vamss  ^^BCBCocKa 

Joseph  Willmon^ 


ueom  jgas^ 
JohnBqgle^jun.^ 
■  Edmond  Cbrtlo- 
JohnFellowi^ 
Philip  Baizingtooi 
A*  Simood. 
Thomas  Wrigh^ 
Qeorge  Coz, 
wOoodb  jDeosoOtt 
P.  Osborne, 
Thomas  Oos, 
John  Burton, 
Samuel  Efe^ 
William  PtoUn, 
James  Haroourt, 


Joseph  Lttdboodc, 
James  Efans, 
Thomas  Harrison, 
CharlcB  liaddodEB, 
Thomas  Olarke, 
Geoive  Bam^ 
W*  ICoon^ 
Q.  Edmondi^ 
George  Bagg, 
aWhitworSL 
W.BuDoek, 
Samuel  Burrell, 
Samuel  Bradley, 
&  Walnwrigh^ 
B»  liOTat^ 


W.HWignall, 
and  a  great  number  of  other  respectable  signatures. 

The  meetaiiff  was  held,  and  is  evidently  alluded  to  in  the 

Oazette,  only  because  neighbouring  and  London  prints  had 

made  it  pu  olia    This  is  all  thai  we  have  reported  of  our 

fiiBt  New  Hall  Hin  Meeting  >- 

January  i7M817.— The  piooeedings  of  the  meeting  held  upon  New 
Ball  Hill,  on  Wednesday  last,  for  the  purpose  of  petitioning  the  Jj^s^ 
lature  on  the  subject  of  the  present  dislwui,  have,  throvwh  the  medium 
of  the  neii^bounng  and  London  prints,  been  so  general^  made  public, 
that  It  becomes  almost  necessaiy  to  allude  to  them.  The  number  of  the 
populace  attending,  among  whom  were  a  great  proportion  of  women  and 


416  A  CENTURY  OF  BIBKINQHAM  LIFE. 

chiMnn,  has  been  variously  compated  from  10/XX)  weahould, 

howeyerioonnder  the  foixner  as  n^uch  nearer  the  actual  amount  than  the 
latter,  xlie  epeakew^ '  conaifltiTig  aUnoet  wholly  of  the  members  and 
BupportfflB  of  the  Hampden  Olab  formed  in  thia  town,  were  elevated 
n  pon  acaffolding  at  the  bottom  of  the  hill  near  the  Parade,  from  whence 
th^  addreaaed  the  crowd  A  Mr,  JBdmosida»  cbainnan  ol  the  CSlub,  waa 
the  principal  speaker,  and  his  address  emoraced  the  various  topics 
usually  discussed  at  similar  meetings.  The  Petition  was  ordered  to  be 
presented  to  the  House  of  Commons  by  Peter  Moore  and  Joseph 
Butterworthy  Esos.,  members  for  Ooyentrr.  At  the  condusion  of  the 
meeting  the  popiuaoe  quietly  dispersed  to  tiieir  homes.  The  Magistostes 
pradantly  CMuied  the  precaution  of  awearinff  in  special  constablea  to  be 
adopted,  lest  the  peaoe  of  the  town  should  be  disturbed,  ^t  it  not, 
however,  tine,  as  has  been  stated,  Chat  the  troops  were  brought  from  the 
banaidu  and  quaxteied  in  the  centre  of  the  town;  no  such  measure  was 
tsonaidarad  neoessarv.       '    '  ' 

'  On  Januaiy  28  the  Prince  Begent,  on  bis  way  to  open 
Parliament^  was  insulted  bj  the  populace,  and  iired  ^tt  by 
one  of  the  ciowd.  A  zequisition,  signed  b^  a  Ibx^  number 
of  the  inhabitants,  was  presented  to  the  High  Bailiff  to  call 
b  meeting  for  the  purpose  df  presenting  an  address  on  the 
occasion.  From  tne  report  of  the  proceedings  it  is  quite 
*  evident  that  the  recent  Be£bnn  Meeting  had  excited  a 
strong  opposition  in  the  town  >^ 

EeUlk  1817^-To  John  Tnoaar,  Esq^  ffigh  BaO^ of  ik$  Tamn  of 
JPJbswpdksa.  We^  the  nndwstensdy  reqaeat  j^ 
the  Magfahmfcs^  Gentqr,  Cgetgy,  Hswhanti^  M annf aetorar^  and  other 
lahaUluitiflf  the  Town  and  ifejgWwnrhood  of  KrmhigbaiB,  to  lake 
4ato  eooddetatiop  thepnpiislj  of  presenting  a  dotiial  and  lojal 
addrsas  to  his  Boyal  mghness  tlia  Fnnsa  B^gent^  expssrifs  ef  ear 
nnaltenJila  altaohmsat  to  his .  flioalrioaa  hooM^  and  of  oar  alter 
ahhomoea  of  the  lata  andadoas  aad  wldoed  aasaalt  upon  hb  Brad 
Peraon,  whfla  ezeroiaing  one  ef  the  most  important  fimetions  of  Um 
B^gai  aalhiaitj. 

•Aad  also  to  satsr  into  soma  JEtMotnttona  that  Biaj  deebie^  that  wUlai 
wa  bold  the  xi|^t  of  PstlUoidBf  to  ba  tba  midonbtad  vivUMa  of 
EngUsbBMSitWa  stroM^  dapr  eesTa  any  aasrdae  of  that  rigat  wUdi  ia 
ita  oeaaennaanai  may  lead  toseeaaaof  oolnga  andvioleoosuaadaithe 
aaoM  tisM  to  espcesa  oor  fiimdslaesdnalion  to  aopport  the  Obnaiitatkm 
of  thia  mat  aaid  free  Gdonliy  as  H  haa  been  tranamittad  to  aa  inm 
OQV  fiaenAheni 

Here  fiiUow  the  SignatnresL 

In  epBiplianoa  with  tlia  above  hiflUr  rsspaetabla  reqaiaitioB.  I 
do  haiaby  appobt  a  Meallmr  of  the  MMlaUateap  Oentiyv  Okigj. 
MarehaaoL  Manafiictoreni  and  other  JnhaSitaata  of  the  iSma  aad 
KebriiboaiWNi  of  Binnh^AMun,  to  ba  hddan  at  the  Shakespaar  Boon, 
la  1^  8lrsal»  en  Taaai^,  U19  11th  liMlaat  at  Eleven  i/doekla 
the  Fonaoon.  Jem  TDavn,  HM  BmOif. 

Hie  Chafar  to  ba  taken  at  T««l?a  oTckMk  piednly. 

The  meeting  was  not  allowed  to  pass  without  a  protest 
The  reformers  mustered  in  oonsidentUe  strength  and  pre- 


BEGINNING  OF  THE  GREAT  POLITICAL  AGITATION.     417 

vented  the  resolutions  fi*om  being  passed.     The  proceedings 

were  thus  commented  on  in  the  Oaaette  in  an  article  which 

more  nearly  approaches  that  of  a  ''leader"  than  anything 

we  have  yet  met  with  in  the  paper . — 

Febmary  17, 1817. — We  presame  every  friend  of  good  order  and 
peace  amongst  us  must  have  viewed  the  transactions  of  the  last  week 
with  deep  concern,  and  have  lamented  that  the  artful  misrepresenta- 
tions of  a  few  restless  and  designing  individuals  should  have  betrayed 
so  large  a  portion  of  the  manufiicturing  classes  into  conduct  equallv 
tumultuous  and  unjustifiable.    Almost  every  neighbouring  print  which 
has  this  week  reached  us,  contains  some  account  of  the  events  to  which 
we  allude ;  but  as  the  details  are  in  many  instances  grossly  incorrect, 
we  conceive  it  our  duty  to  present  as  full  a  report  of  the  whole 
proceedings  as  our  utmost  limits  will  allow. — Our  readers  are  aware 
that  a  meeting  was  to  have  taken  place  on  Tuesday  last^  for  the  purpose 
of  coniriderinff  an  address  to  tiie  Prince  Regent,  on  the  late  atrocious 
attack  upon  hfs  person,  and  to  enter  into  resolutions  d^jdaratory  of  a 
determination  to  support  the  constitution  of  our  country,  and  the  just 
authority  of  the  executive  government.  -  The  principal  promoters  and 
actors  at  the  late  reform  meeting,  hdd  in  this  town,  thought  proper  to 
take  offence  at  that  part  of  the  inquisition  which  related  to  the  subject 
of  petitioning,  and  determined,  by  the  most  active  exertions,   to 
excite  a  spirit  of  opposition  to  the  meeting.    With  this  view,  plawda 
were  posted  up^  inviting  those  who  approved  the  late  meeting,  to  attend 
and  aedare  publicly,  ttiat  while  they  oordially  united  in  expressing 
their  abhorrenoo  at  the  outrage  upon  the  Fnnoe  Begent^  they  had 
correet  views  of  the  privilege  of  petitionin|^  the  exerdse  of  whiolt 
had  been  fonniL  by  nnimim  experisnoe,  not  to  lead  to  scenes  of  outrsge  . 
and  riot    Under  this  specious  pretext  was  their  real  design  masked — 
to  prevent,  if  possible,  a  pdblie  expression  of  sentiment  on  the  pari  of 
a  gTMt  portion  of  tiie  most  respectable  inhabitanta— to  prevent  the 
exerdse  of  a  right  whidi  they  had  so  reeently  eontenaed  for  and  \ 
^oyed  quietly  and  undisturbed  bv  those  who  differed  from  them*  / 
We  regret  to  say  that  they  succeeded  in  collecting  a  numerous  con- 
course of  the  working  elssses,  who^  thus  instmoted,  were  induced 
to  imagine  the  object  of  the  meeting  inimical  to  their  interests,  and 
were  persuaded  to  attend  for  the  express  purpose  of  interruptibg 
the  proceedings. 

A^reeaUv  to  usual  custom  those  persons  who  signed  the  requbiUon 
were  invited  previoudy  to  the  hour  of  meeting,  and  attended  in  great 
numbers.  At  deven  the  dooiB  were  opened  to  the  public^  when  the 
crowd  alreadv  aesemblad  in  the  strset,  rushed  in,  in  laige  and  separate 
bodies,  and  the  room  was  almost  immediatdy  filled.  Am  soon  as  the 
prindpal  movers  in  thisdiigraeelhl  scene  made  thdr  appearance,  they 
were  recdved  with  noisy  expressions  of  approbation,  ana  long  before  the 
hour  appdttted  for  the  ehaur  to  be  taken,  loud  and  incessant  eries  of 
a4)oiuiiment  took  placsu  In  the  midst  of  this  tumult  the  High  Bailiff 
attempted  to  open  the  budness  of  the  day.  After  repeated  but 
ineffectual  attempts  to  restore  order  and  gain  a  hearing,  he  consented 
to  adjourn  to  the  hslcony  in  front  of  the  room,  and,  accompanied  by  a 
few  of  the  gentlemen  around  him,  proceeded  thither,  when  finding  it 
In  vain  attempting  to  be  heard,  from  the  tumult  which  still  prsvailed, 
he  almost  immediately  dissolved  the  meeting. 

II  n 


418  A  CENTUBV  OF  JilRMIXGHAM  LIFE. 

The  Blf^  Bailiff  and  the  respectable  part  of  the  aaaembly  soon  after- 
wards retired.  An  attempt  was  then  made  by  one  of  the  most 
prominent  characterB  among  the  disorderlji  supported  b j  his  adherents, 
to  take  the  cbair,  bnt  finding  themselves  prevented  from  carrying  their 
ulterior  desi|;ns  into  effect  there,  they  aajoumed  to  the  place  of  their 
loxmer  meetuig  (Kewhall  Hill^  where  a  prepared  address  and  resolutions 
were  carried  by  the  acclamations  of  between  three  and  four  thousand 
persons,  and  the  former  ordered  to  be  presented  €u  the  Addreu  of  the 
Town,  by  the  members  of  the  County.  We  understand  the  chairman 
has  nnoe  set  off  to  London  to  place  the  address  In  the  hands  of  those 
Qentlemen- 

We  most  willingly  turn  from  this  relation,  and*ref er  our  readers,  with 
the  bluest  satisf amon,  to  the  steps  adopted  by  those  of  our  fellow 
townsmen  who  were  thus  preventea  from  expressing  their  opinions  in 
the  usual  and  long  establisned  f  oim,  a  detailed  account  of  which  will  be 
found  in  our  second  page.  -  We  cannot  conclude  without  bein^  allowed 
to  express  our'  deadS  approbation  of  the  firm  and  digpified,  but 
tempeiBte  and  oondliatoiy  manner  in  which  this  unprecedented  event 
has  been  met  by^  those  against  whom  it  was  directed.  .We  most 
unequivocally  oomdide  with  the  letter  ind  the  qpirit  both  of  the 
decuuration  ttid  resdlutionsi  distinj^uishing  as  they  do^  the  exdted  from 
the  exdten^  and  directiqff  the  disapprobstion  and  censure  where  i^ 
should  fsll— upon  the  heaaiB  of  those  who^  without  the  least  shadow  of 


\ 


justiM^  persuaded  their  nnwaxy  and  too  credulous  foQowens  to  oppose 
what  in  faotthe^  were  totally  i^orant  of.  Andwehopeandoonfiaently 
beUisve  thai  their  good  sense  will  eventually  pcervail  over  the  attemjpts 
to  mislead  them,  and  that  they  will  at  leogth  reooguae  who  in  reautj 

•  The  inhabitants  of  Birmingham  have,  ineveiy  &ne  of  need,  dona 
much  to  relieve  the  neocMities  of  their  pooKer^nei^bous :  and  that 
relief  has  alwa^  and  we  fed  no  doubt  win  always  be  thankfuUviwdv^ 
It  willbegrati^yiitf  to  the  feelings  of  eveiy  Individual  to  fina  that  this 
sjpuit  is  known andaoknowledgea  abroad.  ^  Witti9Qt  apology, or  further, 
rsmazk,  we  aoUoin  an  intererao^extnct^reli^Te  to.  tbn  towDytem 
the  number  of  the  Quarterly  Bevufw/ just  published  >^ 

**  No  town  in  the  Bji^pdom  ia  at  tlw  time  experisDciog  Boeh  diiB^^ 
and  distrsM  as  BJimingham,  for  thiaobviooa  reason,  that  no  other  pboe 
rsoeivisd  ao.muoh  dire»  emphTmentjbom  Qovanunent  during  the  war. 
This  great  annual  eiq>enditure  was  snddeniy  witfadiawi^  and  there  are 
now  neai^  a  fifth  part  of  the  population  reoenriog  we^y  relk^  the 
mastem  boBg  no  longer  able  to  «^plpy  the  nieii ;  wy  many  indeed 
havutf  been  rained  themselveai  liiis  is  »  depl^cahle  slate  of  tfaiqa^ 
bnt  it  nas  not  been  oecasionad  by  any  misoonduct  or  impoliqr ;  itisttie 
plain  unavoidable  consequence  of  events  ever  whidi  no  man  or  bodv  d 
men  could  have  any  eontroL  Insud&acMoirfiatlstobedboet  Aiqr 
nMUif  who  Is  not  either  a  r^tv^ft^^t  or  avil]aln«  mnstsee  that  there  Is  but 
one  course  to  mitigate  the  evU  by  gWiog  as  auoh  tenmomy  reliel  as 
possible  till  new  means  of  snbsistencs  csn  be  provided,  by  epenn 
chsnnels  of  employment.  To  this  the  Inbabitsnis  have  applied 
selves  with  a  aealoos  Uberslity  of  whkh  no  OTanmle  Is  to  oe  loond  In 
other  countries!  and  which  periiaps  has  never  been  egaaUed  In  thk. 
Every  parish,  evenrreligioascoogregsticncl  whstsver  aeseriptlon,  has 
Its  Benevolent  Society.  There  are  snbseilntioos  for  providlqg  soom  Ibr 
bhmkets,  for  clothing,  for  coate^  for  the  reuef  d  the  sick,  for  women  In 


BEGINNING   OF   THTt  GREAT  POLITICAL  AGITATION.     419 

cliild-bedy  for  the  wants  of  infancy.  There  are  above  a  hundred  guardians 
of  the  poor,  who  go  through  the  town,  which  is  divided  into  disj^ricts 
for  their  superintendance,  and  see  where  relief  is  wanted,  what  inalief^ 
and  that  it  be  properly  employed.  It  is  scarcely  too  much  to  affim, 
that  beneficence  was  never  more  liberally,  more  generally,  or  more 
stroDuously  employed,  than  it  is  at  this  time  in  Birmmgham,  where  all 
who  have  anvthing  to  spare  from  their  own  necessities  are  doing  what- 
ever can  be  done  by  human  and  Christian  charity,  for  the  relief  of  .those 
who  are  in  need.  And  it  is  to  the  journeymen  and  poor  of  this  town, 
at  this  time,  that  Dtfr.  Cobbett  addresses  hmisel^  seekmg  to  irritate  and 
inflame  them  by  the  most  seditious  language,  and  the  most  calumnious 
falsehoods,  and  telling  them  that  they  are  'coaxed  and  threatened  with 
a  basm  of  carrion  toup  in  one  hand,  and  a  Judter  in  the  other.' " 

The  convenera  of  ihe  meeting  on  the  same  day  published 
the  following  statement  :^ — 

Dbclabatiok. 

Public  Office^  Bumingham,  Febmaiy  ISL  1817.— We,  the  undersignad 
Inhabitants  of  the  Town  and  Neighbournood  of  Birmingham,  having 
been  prevoited  from  proceeding  with  the  BusineaB  of  the  Town's 
liaeting  intended  to  have  been  held  yesterday  at  the  ShakeqMar, 
by  the  tomultuoua  and  disorderly  oondaet  of  a  number  of  personi^  who 
eame  into  the  room,  apparently  pra-instmcted,  to  deprive  ua  of  the  dae 
ezareiae  of  that  right  which  we  poaaeis  in  common  with  all  our  fellow 
~  jecti^  of  azpressing  our  aentimenta  upon  the  aituation  of  puUio 
and  our  determination  to  support  the  Gonatitntion  as  trans* 
to  us  by  our  forefitthera,  take  Uii%  the  beat  eonraa  now  laft  open 
to  11%  of  declaring  thoae  sentiments ;  and  wa  suggest  to  all  the  loyal 
and  peaoeable  in£U)itanta  of  the  town  and  neighbourhood  the  profviety 
of  oomiag  finrwaid  at  tbia  eriaia  with  a  solemn  pledse  to  support  our 
glorioos  Conatitatioa  against  eraiy  attempt  to  wesjcen  or  overturn  it» 
whatever  may  be  the  pretext  under  which  that  attempt  is  di^gnbad,  or 
whoever  majr  be  the  penona  by  whom  it  is  directed.  And  that  we  may 
enable  the  frienda  of  peace,  flood  order,  and  lovalty  to  judge  of  tlie 
apirit  in  whidi  it  waa  our  wiui  to  have  proceeded  on  the  11th  InaCan^ 
Ittd  not  diMwder  and  tnmult  compelled  the  High  Bailiff  to  diaaolve  the 
meetings  we  here  subjoin  the  Besolnttons  whidi  ware  then  intended  to 
have  been  nroposed  xor  the  consideration  of  that  meeting. 

It  ia  witn  sentiments  of  deep  regret  we  add  that  the  circumstances 
which  then  took  place  oblige  as  now  to  withdraw  a  part  of  the  third 
Resolation  aa  inapplicabla  to  the  preaent  atate  of  thia  town.  Bat  though 
we  cannot  bear  teatimon^  to  the  order  and  good  conduct  of  all  our 
fellow  townamen,  we  hesitate  not  to  expraaa  our  firm  belief  that  the 
disorder  of  whidb  we  complain  waa  produced  by  the  efforta  and  madii- 
natioiia  of  a  law  individuala  onl  v. 

And  whUe  we  lament  the  ddoaion  under  whidi  the  artleaa  people^ 
who  were  their  inatrumenti^  i^ppc>^  to  ua  to  labour,  we  call  upon  all 
who  bv  thdr  character,  atatlon,  or  abHitiea  may  be  suppossd  to  possaaa 
an  iniiuence  in  the  town  and  neighbourhood,  to  counteract  theaa  ddu- 
sions,  and  to  expose  their  authors  to  the  merited  acorn  and  contempt  of 
the  penona  whom  they  have  mialed ;  for  on  the  exertiona  of  the  well 
dispoaed  in  thia  iieceaaary  work  depend  ihe  aafety  and  welfare  of  every 
daia,  the  prosperity  of  the  poor  as  well  aa  the  rich,  the  comfort  and 
happineaa  of  tne  labourer  aa  well  aa  hia  employer. 


420  A  CENTTTRY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

The  fitaia  which  the  Tiolenoe  of  a  few  penons  has  attached  to  our 
town  and  its  vicinily  may  thus  be  removea,  and  we  may  re-aasert  that 
character  for  good  order  «nd  loyalty  which  we  are  conTinoed  the  great 
minority  of  oar  popolation  have  never  intentionally  forfeited* 

Bksolxttiohb, 

Intended  to  have  heenpropoud  at  the  TcwtCe  Meeting  at  the  Shakeapearf 

on  the  Wth  instant, 

1.  That  while  we  hold  the  Bight  of  Petitioning  to  be  the  nndonbted 
and  sacred  Privilege  of  Engliehmen,  we  most  strongly  deprecate  the 
Exercise  <rf  it  in  any  Way,  and  under  any  Pretence,  wmch  may  lead  to 
Semes  of  Oatrage  and  Violence. 

2.  That  any  Abuse  of  this  Bight  may  tend  to  depriye  the  People  of 
their  due  Weight  and  Influence  in  the  Oonstitation^  bv  bringing  tiie 
Bight  itself  into  Contempt,  even  when  properly  exerosecL 

a  That  we  consider  the  Bight  of  Petitioning  to  have  been,  in  some 
recent  Instances^  grossly  abused :  we  have  seen  in  the  Metropolis  At- 
tempts too  succesmlly  made,  under  the  specious  pretext  of  its  exercise, 
to  inflame  the  Minds  of  a  suflering  ana  unemploTed  Pqpulation,  by 
Means  the  most  insidious,  by  Assertions  the  most*  false,  and  by  State- 
ments the  most  unfounded ;  but  while  we  advert  with  Soitimenti  of 
deep  Begret,to  the  £ffect  which  has  thus  been  produced  in  the  Metro- 
pohs,  we  hate jmat  Satisfaction  in  bearing  Testimony  to  the  otderiy 
and  peaceable  Demeanour  d  the  Inhabitants  of  this  Town  and  Keigh- 
bourtiood,  and  we  are  most  confldent  that  eveiy  Endeavour  which  may 
be  made  to  seduce  the  Population  of  Birmingham  and  its  Vidni^  from 
thttur  acknowledged  Loyslly  will  £aiL 

4.  Impressed  with  a  deep  Sense  of  the  glorious  PrivHeges^  we  pledge 
ounelves  individually  and  odlleetively  to  support  the  just  Authoray  ol 
the  executive  QcvenimenJL  and  to  resist  eveiy 'Attempt  whidi  may 
be  directed  against  the  Oomstitution  as  tnmamitted  to  ns  from  our 
Ancestora. 

The  meeting  was  held  at  the  PaUic  Office  on  the 
following  day,  February  12^  the  High  3ailiff  in  the 
Chair.  A  dedaration  was  read,  adoptM,  and  tdgned ;  an 
address  to  the  Prince  B^^ent-was  also  passed,  and  the 
resolutions  ''intended'*  to  bve  beenpropoeed  at  the  Shake-' 
spear;  the  GQgh  Bailiff  Bev.  Dr.  Outxam,  Isaac  Spooner^ 
&  T.  Oalton,  Geoige  Barker,  and  the  Bev.  J.  H.  Spry,  were 
appointed  a  committee  to  cany  them  into  effect..  This 
additional  resolution  was  also  psissed : — 


BesolTed  unaafanouslj,— That  this  Msstiiiff  oaomtw  It  to  be  tiieir 
Dntf  to  reprobate  in  the  strongest  Terms  the  Insnlt  ofiined  Yesteiday 
to  tibe  Hign  Bailifi;  and  at  the  same  Time  to  expresi  their  Thanks  for 
bis  temperate  and  dignified  Conduct  in  the  Chair,  under  Obrcnmstaaoes 
hitbuto  unpnoedcnted  in  this  Town. 

And  thus  ended  the  first  act  of  our  great  political  agita-. 

tion. 

The  year  1818  was  scarcely  marked  by  any  political 
agitation,  but  in  1819  the  Liberal  party  had  grown  ni 


BEOINNINQ  OF  THE  GREAT  POLITICAL  AGITATIOy.    421 

strengtb,  and  took  a  bold  and  decisive  step  in  asserting  their 
right  to  be  represented.  At  a  meeting  held  on  New  Hall 
fiSll,  on  Monday^  July  1 2,  they  elected  Sir  Charles  Wolseley 
as  their  ''  Legislatorial  Attorney  and  Bepresentative."  As 
this  is  one  of  the  most  important  and  interesting  of  all  the 
public  acts  in  which  the  Birmingham  people  had  yet 
engaged^  and  in  the  course  of  a  few  years  almost  produced 
a  revolution  in  the  kingdom,  and  compelled  the  passing 
of  one  of  those  laws  which  form  an  epoch  in  a  nations 
history,  it  will  be  desirable  to  dwell  a  little  more 
fully  upon  an  agitation  which  at  its  commencement 
was  assailed  with  the  most  virulent  opposition;  cradled 
in  obloquy,  reared  amid  persecution,  and  at  last  crowned 
with  the  most  triumphant  success.  The  feeling  of  the 
nation,  that  is  the  well-to-do  and  respectable  part  of  the 
nation,  is  dearly  reflected  in  the  fdlowing  contemporary 
report  of  this  fiimous  meeting  :— 

MKSnVO  AT  NxWHALIi  HiLL. 

July  19,  1819. — ^^  BiRMnrGHAX,*'  MTt  a  London  paper,  ^has  com- 
meooed  the  wotk  of  reform  in  a  very  nmple^  and  it  most  be  confeeeed, 
complete  way.  In  one  moment  a  miblio  meeting  inTeated  the  town 
with  the  rignt  of  sending  a  Memoer  to  Parliament ;  and  without 
waiting  for  the  Speakec^a  writ^  or  uy  other  dd-fiMhioned  proecw^ 
nominated  and  eleeted  Sir  Chariea  wolaelev  to  that  honoor.^  This 
farcical  molt  of  the  proeeedingi  at  Newhall  ffilL  on  Monday  hst^ 
na%  before  this,  fonnd  ita  way  to  every  eomer  in  the  kingdom.  The 
diaracter  and  station  of  the  individnala  with  whom  these  prooeedinn 
originated  and  were  carrried  into  aeUon,  are  noC^  however,  quite  so  wwl 
known  at  a  distanee ;  it  therefore  beeomes  oor  doty,  in  idloding  to  the 
meetings  to  aaeist  in  the  deTelopment  of  this  neoenaiy  part  of  the 
snUeet  For  some  time  past  tiie  daae  of  worthies  amoDgtt  ns.  aelf- 
stvfed  ^  fiefbrmen^"  have  threatened  the  inhabitants  with  an  aMemolage 
or  the  popnlaca  for  ^  the  pnrpoee  of  taking  the  work  of  reform 
into  their  own  liands,  by  cooosing  a  BepreaentatiTO^  and  instmcting 
him  forthwith  to  denumd  a  seat  as  a  member  of  the  Commons 
Honae  of  Puliament  by  virtoe  of  sodi  appointment ;  bat  whether  the 
postponement  of  the  important  day  was  owing  to  JcAum,  whidi  it  is 
notorious  had  ariaen  between  the  prindpal  movar  of  the  party  and 
thoee  of  hia  adherenta.  who  oonsidered  he  had  too  soon  foiig»tten  the 
terms  of  eqnal  foUowihip  upon  whidi  they  aet  ont  in  their  ^imixUic 
determination  to  amend  the  State— to  the  want  of  aome  peraon  weak 
enough  to  allow  himaelf  to  be  propoeed  bv  them— or  that  they  puw 
poael  T  dioae  to  defer  the  meetuig  until  tne  etoae  of  the  Scsdoe,  by 
whidb  the  objeet  of  Uieir  dioiee  might  hsTo  the  fuU  benefit  of  the 
reooM  to  emoy  hia  noblv-aoquired  honour,  or,  if  neoeaiary,  te  whet  hia 
courage  and  prepare  mr  the  diaige  at  the  next  awembling  of  th# 
F^liament — we  know  not  The  cMay,  however,  appeared  to  beeome 
offenaiTe  to  aome  of  the  party,  and  their  eomplainti,  by  pladng  his 
iniiuenoe  and  importance  among  his  brethren  in  ieopardy,  at  length 
rouaed  their  leadto*  from  an  apparent  deaerUon  of  his  post ;  they  even 


422  A  CENTURY  OF  BIHMXNQHAM   LIFE. 

threatened  to  undertake  the  necesBaiy  bosineas  without  his  aid  ;  Uiis 
had  the  desired  effect,  and  preparations  for  an  immediate  meeting 
became  evident  Placards^  signed  ^  Geoi^  Edmonds/'  on  behalf  pf  the 
reqoisitioniBts,  were  exhibited  appointinff  the  day,  and  announcing  the 
expected  attendance  of  Sir  C.  Wolseley,  Major  Oartvright^  Wooler,  and 
other»-*without  the  advantage  of  whose  names^  by  way  of  dedoy,  we 
are  disposed  to  think  the  attempt  to  raise  a  numerous  assemblage 
would  have  fedled.  The  names  and  description  of  the  promoters  of  the 
meeting,  as  handed  by  themselves  to  the  Clerk  of  the  Peace  for  the 
Oountyy  are  as  follows : — 

Geoige  Edmonds,  Proprietor  of  the  Weekly  Becorder  and  SatuT' 
day's  Advertiser,  CSiurch  Street;  diaries  Haddocks,  Pawnbroker, 
Lionel  Street;  Timothy  Massev,  Garpenter,  Canal  Street;  William 
Haroourt,  Brassfounder,  Loveoay  Street;  Bobert  Haroourt^  Brass- 
lirander,' Staniforth  Street;  George  Cox,  Measnring-ti^  Maker, 
Martin  Street ;  and  Joseph  Alloook,  Butcher,  High  Street.  . 
.  In'oompliment^  we  suppose  to  the  old  Mijjor  and  his  worthy  com- 
panion Wooler,  the  business  of  the  day  was  announced  to  commence 
with  a  procession  from  the'  lodffings  of  the  former  to  the  place  of 
meetin|L^  An  open  hadcner  charfot  was  aocordinglT  provided,  and  the 
Major,  Wooler,  liewis  (a  aohoolniaster,  formerly  of  tUs  town,  but  now 
of  Coventry),  ioA  Edmonda  being  atowed  thar«in|  it  moved  forward, 
aceompaniea  1^  twobannerv  and  nreoedad  and  followed  hy  a  muneroiaa 
concourse  of  persona.  The  <Sgmmitfs>  were  to  have  walked  In  procsa* 
aion  after  the  carriaM^  but  the  imposslUlity  of  adtaUy  disthignishfug 
them  from  the  crowd  being  too  eviden^  the  pttjeot  was  abandoneo, 
and  we  conolnde  they  moved  pell-mell  with  the  rest.  On  readiing  the 
j^MOb  of  meetbg;  abont  three  o^dock, ;  Edmonda  was  called  to  the  dialr. 
Mm  oDeninff  aoeecli  waa  foUowad  bv'uma  fion  a  aoiioolniaatMr.  ^*-^^** 
Maddpeki^  who  lately  auoceeded  tpthe  adiool  deserted  by  Us  prede* 
psssor.  Edmonds^  for  the  more  Incratlve  trade  of  poUtios.  A  letter  was 
read  from  Sir  Charles  Wolsel^,  expressive  of  Us  inabOUy  to  attend 
in  eonsequence  of  the  recant  death  ahia  mother*  Yarioni  rssdationa 
were,  thou  moved,  followed  by  a  long  and  woidy  ^Complaint  an4 
Bemonstranos^  of  the  Gartwrinit  adiOM,  the  length  and  extreme  dry- 
ness of  which  evidently  tried  the  paUenpeol  the  a^eeting.  Xhereadiog 
and  adoption  of  this  doeoment  wasaoooeeded  by  jnssdlotions^  deeiaring 
the  determination  of  the  meetior  Ito  not  thdr  tii^ta  of  election  at 
isBoa  by  retomiqg  aome  hidividQai  tn  wnom  they  could  eooflde  aa  their 
L^gisli&orial  Attwmqr  and  Bcpreeentative^  and  in  whose  penon  thigr 
might  tiy  the  question  of  their  right  to  Psriiamentaiy  Bepiessntation ; 
also  determining  that  Sir  Charles  wolssl^  be  ao  elected,  and  that  he 
be  instructed  to  daim,  by  letter  to  tha  Speaker^  adaiarion  into  Oe 
flooae  of  Commona  as  a  mombery  aa  well  aa  to  ocnmunieale  on  the 
oocMion  the  rssolvo  of  the  meetin|L  to  be  by  the  said  Speaker  laid  before 
the  House ;  and  in  the  event  of  his  beioff  aeknowlodgsd  and  recdved 
as  their  rsprsesntative^  ha  is  to  nee  his  noncat  oodsavooia  to  eeears  to 
them  an  rnnnfl!  elefttiftp  of  IiMlslatorial  Brarsisntatlw  by  ballnl  and 
to  move  for  the  adoptkm  ofMiiior  Qwtw£^tfa  "J^  ^Bightaand 
Libertlea;*  bot  In  a  eontaiy  event  the  rssofattona  wisely  proindo  that 
Sir  Charlea  la  to  obtain  a  proper  laanuBflriptdialt  of  the  bill,  and  nse 
his  utmost  influence  to  have  ft  propoeed  to  Bullament  \j  aome  other 
member.  The  ahow  of  hands  in  fovoor  of  Sir  Chariesia  nomination 
was  followed  by  a  partial  eiy  of  ^another  membei''  by  those  immedi- 


BEGINNING  OF   THE  Gft£A.T  POLITICAL  AGITATION.     423 

atdy  around  the  huatiDgs.     Whether  the   additional    honour  thej 
wiflhed  to  confer  was  intended  for  AAigor  Okrtwright,  Wooler,  or 
Edmonds  did  not  appear.      The   cry,    however,    snbeided  wiUioat 
apparently  being  obeexred  by  the  speakers^  and  passed  off  without 
notice.     This  important  part  of  the  proceedings  oeing  settled,  and 
Edmonds  (ss  chairman).  Major  Cartwright,  and  Wooler  being  deputed 
to  wait  upon  Sir  Charles  with  the  determination  of  the  meeting,  they 
wersj/nrtlier  addressed  by  Lewis  (  who,  it  will  be  recollected,  appeared 
at  the  late  Stockport  meeting  as  the  friend  of  Sir  Charles  Wolseley), 
and  afterwards  by  Wooler.     Thanks  were  then  yoted  to  the  two 
strangers  for  their  attendance ;  and  the  poor  Migor,  whose  spectral 
fona  had  remained  almost  motionless  during  the  whole  of  the  pro- 
ceedings, rose  and  bowed  his  thanks  to  the  crowd,  who  in  turn  testified 
thdr  re^Mct  l^  taking  off  their  hats  while  he  remained  on  his  l^gs. 
The  speeches,  with  the  exception  of  Wooler*s,  displayed  little  of  novelty. 
The  full  catsl<me  of  political  grievances  was  detuled,  and  the  expe- 
dients resortea  to  declared  to  be   the   only  plan  which  could  be 
recommended  to  them  as  prondsing  redress.    Wooler,  in  the  course  of 
his  harangue,  observed  tnat  their  petitions  had  hitherto  been  easily 
disposed  oi;  but  that  by  embodying  the  principle,  and  sendiog  up  Cur 
Obaries  Wolseley  instead  of  the  petiUon,  the  task  of  the  honourable 
House  would  not  be  quite  eo  easy.  -  ^Tbey  will  no^**  he  added,  **  be 
able  to  lay  Sir  Qiarles  so  quietly  upon  the  table  nor  under  the  table. 
They  can  direct  the  Seigeantat-Arms  to  take  him  out  of  the  House, 
but  what  are  thejr  to  do  with  him  afterwards  t    If  they  liberate  him 
he  can  return ;  ix  they  argue  with  him.  he  can  confute  them.    Like  the 
•pint  of  Banquo  to  the  conscienee  of  Maebetb,  he  will  oertainly  haunt 
tnem  with  his  presence.    And  when  you  have  placed  him  at  your  head^ ' 
this  at  least  we  know,  that  jfou  iHll  not  suffer  Ids  enemies  and  voun  to 
remove  him  from  bk  situation :  where  you  place  him  you  will  protect 
hinIL"    It  Is  really  lamentaWe  to  see  crowds  of  well-disposed  persons 
Usteaing  to  such  absurd,  and  at  the  same  time  dangerous,  docteine  as 
this.    Its  misdilevoos  disseminators  wdl  Jtnaw  that  th^y  are  urging  the 
pursuit  of  an  unattainable  oljeet. 

Not  a  single  individual,  resident  or  holding  a  respectable  aituatioii  in 
•odebr,  took  a  prominent  ahare  in  the  day's  proceeoings ;  and  this,  we 
ars  told,  ezdtea  chagiin  and  dieappdntmentto  Ihe  old  ^alor,  who  had 
eoDsidered  things  here  to  be  upon  a  different  footing.  Tbe  muster  of 
natim  rrfarnwiff  talent  on  the  hustings  also  appeared  unusually  deficient. 
The  number  of  persons  present  has  Men  vanonslj  and  widely  computed, 
flome  rating  than  at  firteen,  and  others  ascending  to  thirty,  f ortv,  ana 
even  fiftv  flionsand :  peshaps  if  estimated  at  from  twenty  to  twenty-five 
thoosana  it  would  be  nearer  the  actaal  result  The  novelty  of  the 
exhibition  and  of  Uie  object  of  meetings  considered  in  connexion  with 
the  jreat  number  of  workmen  who,  we  are  sony  to  say^  can  at  present 
obtam  but  partial  employment  in  our  various  manulactones,  wiU  account 
for  the  extraordlnaiy  number  of  persons  attending ;  a  very  large  pro- 
portion of  those  present  we  are^  however,  sure  would  ^adly'  nave 
preferied  the  pursuit  of  their  usual  occupations  to  an  unprofitable 
attendancs  of  several  hours  at  sudi  ameeting.  At  the  condusion  of  the 
proceedings,  about  six  o^dodc,  the  crowd  quietly  dispersed  towards 
ncme;  tM  duuiot  of  the  speakers  was  accompanied  mto  town  \j  a 
numerous  concourse,  and  when  disburthened  of  its  load,  those  conpo- 
smg  the  eeoort  also  quietly  separated. 


424  A  CENTURY  OF  BIBHINQHAM  LIFE. 

We  have  the  meet  confident  reliance  upooi*  thd  good  principles  and 
conduct  of  the  working  population  of  Binningfaam ;  we  are  therefore 
not  afraid' that  the  Tinonaiy  schemes  of  weak,  or  the  malevolent  designs 
of  bad,  men  will  tempt  them  to  stray  far  from  the  track  which  prudence 
and  a  proper  attention  to  tibe  interests  of  themselves  and  their  families 
teach  them  is  the  best  and  safest  course  to  pursue  ;*  they  may  listen  to, 
and  periiaps  be  persuaded  to  give  tiieir  assent  to,  public  measures 
speciously  recommended  to  their  belief  as  calculated  to  oetter  their^con- 
oition  in  times  of  general  adversity  and  trial,  but  when  convinced  either 
of  their  absurdity,  or.  that  to  be  attained,  it  must  be  at  the  sacrifice  of 
princifde,  and  of  obeaience  to  the  laws  of  their  country,  we  feel  assured 
their  support  will  be  indignantly  refused  to  any  measures  of  the  kind, 
by  whomsoever  they  may  be  recommended  or  enforced. 

la  the  same  paper  we  also  find  ihe  following  paragraph : — 

July  19, 1819.— Sir  C  Wolseley,  it  since  appears,  has  accepted  the 
office  ii  Zeffidaiorial  AUanuy  amd  RmremUiitive,  conferred  upon  him 
by  the  late  Meeting  at  Newhall  HilL  He  is  said  to  express  hunself  as 
having  no  doubt  of  their  right  to. send  members  to  the  House  of 
CkHnmons:  and  while  grateful  for  the  obligation,  he  is  filled  with 
apprehennon  lest  the  responsibilitieB  of  the  appointment  should  exceed 
his  power  of  performance.  He  however  promises  his  best  exertions  in 
contending  lor  their  electoral  rights,  and  derives  gratification  from  the 
understaiiding  that  a  di^Msition  prevails  in  other  mat  towns  to  ftUow 
the  example:  eaohaeleeQugoi^persoii,  through  iniose  means  they  are 
to  Join  in  trjing  the  question.  It  remains  Jto  bsseen  whether  any,  and 
what  description  of,eompanions»  Sir  Charles  will  meet  with  m  the 
preeioua  taek  he  has  undertaken.  By  thoee  who  contend  for  the  honour 
of  being  hiaeonetitttenta^  he  k  already  |mbliclytyladl£.P. 

'  The  Government  at  onoe  took  alarm ;  and  a  Prodamation 

afiainat  aeditiouB  assembliea  was  puUiahed,  in  which  the 

New  Hall  Hill  Meeting  had  the  honour  of  being  specially- 

alluded  to.    We  need  not  quote  the  Proclamation,  rat  the 

following  pangraph  referring  to  it  may  find  a  place : — 

August  SL  1819b— Our  Pest  of  this  dayeontahisaFkodamation  issued 
by  oommaaaof  the  Prince  B^gent^  adverting  to  the  various  Seditious 
Assemblies  throughout  the  manuiketuring  dntricts  of  the  Kingdom— 
to  those  iSar  ^  election  ^  pteudo  ReprumUUifm  to  Psrliament— and 
to  the  Seditioas  Publicatimis  on  everv  hand  so  industriously  thrown 
into  drenlatien ;  It  then  calls  upon  aU  k^yal  subjects  to  refnin  from 
and  discourage  sadi  illegal  proceedings ;  and  commands  Magistrates 
and  persons  In  authority  to  make  ihe  most  dIUgent  enquiiy.  in  order  to 
bring  to  punishment  those  persons  who  have  been,  or  may  be^  guil^  df 
offences  of  the  kfaid.  The  kte  meeting  at  New  Hall  Hin,  it  will  be 
seen.  Is  partleulariy  alluded  to  In  the  FkoclamatloQ ;  and  the  proceed- 
ings there  entered  Into  by  a  hm  evfl  and  discontented  splriti^  and  by 
tbsm  Impudently  disseminated  as  the  deliberate  act  of  the  popuhtion 
of  the  town  at  laige^  are  designated  as  a  ^frocftjotaftoii  of  cAe  Iota  The 
Fh>damatlon,  we  should  hope,  will  glfe  a  ueefhl  admonitory  cauUon  to 
Shr  Charles  Wolseley,  as  connected  with  the  rasult  of  that  meeUng. 

The  jpaaaage  referring  to  the  Birmingham  Meeting  ia  thua 
wOTdea: — 


BEGINNING  OF  THE  GREAT  POUTICAL  AGITATION.    425 

And  'whereas  it  hath  been  represented  unto  us  that  at  one  of  such 
meetings  the  persous  there  asBembled,  in  gross  violation  of  the  law,  did 
attempt  to  coostitute  and  appoint^  and  did,  as  much  as  in  them  lay, 
OQUstitute  and  appoint,  a  person  then  nominated,  to  sit  in  their  name 
and  in  their  behalf  in  the  Commons  House  of  Parliament ;  and  there  is 
reason  to  believe  that  other  meetings  are  about  to  be  held  for  the  like 
unlawful  purpose. 

The  advisers  of  the  crown  were  foolish  enough  to  invoke 
ihe  law  against  the  leaders  of  this  meeting.  At  uie  Warwick 
Spring  Assizes  a  bill  of  indictment  was  found  by  the  Grand 
Jury  against  Migor  Oartwiight  and  Wooler,  George  Ed- 
monds and  Charles  Maddocks,  of  this  town,  and  W.  G.  Lewis, 
of  Coventiy,  ^for  conspiring  (at  the  Newhall  Hill  meeting) 
to  elect  and  return,  without  lawful  authoritv.  Sir  Charles 
Wolseley,  Bart.,  as  a  member  to  represent  the  inhabitants  of 
Birmingham  in  the  Commons  House  of  Parliament." 

The  mdictment  was  removed  by  oerUorari  into  the  Court 
of  Eing^s  Bench,  and  was  to  come  on  for  trial  at  the  next 
Warwick  Assizes  in  the  Nisi  Priua  CourL  The  defendants 
had  all  given  bail  to  appear  and  plead  to  the  chaige  in  the 
Eing^s  Bench  next  tenn.  The  question  was  thus  brought 
to  issue ;  "and,**  says  the  local  chronicler,  "  we  trust  these 
daring  innovators  will  be  taught  that  the  laws  of  the  country 
are  not  to  be  violated  with  impunity.  They  affect  to  rejoice 
that  the  aflhir  has  taken  this  course,  and  we  are  sure  everv 
real  lover  of  peace  and  of  his  counti^  will  for  once  coincide 
with  them  in  the  expression  of  a  smiilar  feeling  of  satia- 
faction." 

The  audiences  at  the  Theatre  appear  to  have  been  loyal 
at  this  time.  The  little  incident  recorded  in  the  next  para- 
graph is  not  without  its  significance : — 

Auffust  S3p  1819.— We  cannot  allow  ourselves  to  pass  over  n«iiA<aft<M^ 
an  entansiastie  displsv  of  feeling  which  was  so  irresirtiblj  elicited  during 
the  performance.  We  allude  to  the  effect  produced  by  a  passage  admi- 
ablv  delivered  by  Term,  eoaanntang  ^Perhaps  some  loAl  hearts  may 
yet  M  found.*  llie  eentenoe  thus  (mt  had  hanuy  escapea  his  lips,  when 
the  walls  d  the  theatrs  resounded  from  every  nart  with  one  of  the  most 
astounding  and  lanp^eontinued  hunts  of  appumae  we  have  ever  heard. 
Another  passige,  **We would  reisn  midiBtarbed  bv  chril  war "  drew 
forth  a  second  display  of  the  same  loyal  and  most  weloome  eTprMsion  of 
feeling. 

The  following  curious  letter  of  one  of  the  earliest  and 

best  friends  of  popular  education,  when  that  olgect  could  not 

boast  too  many,  is  characteristic  of  the  man  and  the  time : — 

To  Tu  PuBua 

September  27,  IBIO. — From  my  known  extreme  rsluetaaoe  to  pablio 
business,  and  more  especially  to  that  deseription  of  it  so  w^  under- 


426  A  CENTURY  OF  BIIttllNGHAM  LIFE. 

stood  by  the  term  Politica]^  I  had  hoped  to  pass  unsotioed  by  ihe 
meeting  held  last  ThondaTy  on  Newhall  HilL  I  had  no  hand  whateTer 
in  the  two  last  Town's  MeetingSy  not  baring  even  seen  either  Sir  CL 
Wohnley  or  Mr.  Wooler,  dnnng  the  whole  of  their  stay  in  town ; 
yet  has  an  appeal  been  made  to  my  principles  by  the  nnanimons  voice 
of  my -fellow  townsmen*  '  Let  me  not  be  upbraided  with  ihsir  being 
the  **  riff-raff  and  scorn  of  sodety."  Wherever  I  see  a  hnman  being 
I  recognize  the  image  of  Gk>d,  and  however  meanly  he  may  be  dad,  he 
has  a  claim  on  my  good-will  and  fellowship.  Let  his  oondnct  be 
correct^  and  I  stop  not  to  ask  what  cash  he  has  in  hii  podcei^  before  I 
shall  dedde  if  he  oe  entitled  to  dvility  or  to  contempt  I  thierefore  beg 
leave  to  state,  that  I  sinomly  sympathise  with  the  lower  class  in  their 
privations  and  saffBrinn.  A  vast  portion  of  the  great  mass  of  oer 
popolation  is  now  working  from  twelve  to  fifteen  hours  a  day  for  the 
m&erable  pittance  of  one  shillinff-fl  appeal  to  bar  Pariiamentaiy 
Beports  for  the  tmth  of  the  allegation-^-«na  even  this  wretched  eanung 
cannot  always  be  obtdned,  throngh  the  want  of  employment.  -  Is  thi% 
or  is  it  not»  soiBcient  eanas  of  compiahitf  .  And  if  tbey  Mmetimes  err 
in  the  mode  of  eeeking  redress^  with  whom  lies  the  leproadil  with 
those  whose  wants  drive  them  to  use  sach  means' as  their  knowledge 
affords— or  with  those  who,  pretending  to  know  better,  at  the  same 
time  reftise  their aasistanoe^  protertion,aad  edvioef  Wboevertells  them 
that  their  distresses' are  temponuT.  and  that  it  liToatof  the  powerof 
hqman  means  Id  ymntpressntrelisft  are  ntteripg  the  fimlsst  libel  on  the 
bovn^  of  IVomence. :  The  physical  resonroes  of  nature,  and  the 


eneigies  of  man,  if  properly  employedi  might  convert  our  miserable 
oonntiy  into  a  eomparaave  Eden-^bnt  alas  I  what  has  been  attemptedf 

Hie  late  proeeedinge  at  Mandiester  appear  to  me  so  pernellT 
atrocions^  aiitMiEirtiaa-'<-«D  joatOHlp^^ 

homanity— so aobvmivB  of  flodaTorderi and  oxevmy mond doty  and 
so  dhrectly  opposed  to  evoy  prindple  of  law  and  of  justice  that  I 
■hoold  think  it  eolpable  to  withhold  my  hnmble  asiMtion  from  the 
aabeeription  propoeed  oq  behalf  of  tfie  snrviving  ■uferers.  If  nj 
name  will  be  of  asrviceilwiUfaii^lendit^tlkNi^IamiiQable  lo  use 
that  exertion  in  the  cause  to  whidi  I  th<«^  it  so  well  entitled. 

Whatever  snbeeriptions  mav  be  depodted  in  my  handsp  I  hope  I 
need  not  pledge  my  word  fer  tnelr  fidtnfiil  appropriation. 

Bt  P^oTe^  8ept  23^  1810.  Jameb  Ldokoook. 

With  a  liberality  which  has  always  chamcteriaed  the 
Oazette,  in  opening  its  eolnmns  to  cprrespondents  who  diffar 
most  "widely  from  its  prindplesy  the  above  letter  was 
printed.  The  Editor^  however,  entered  this  polite  bat 
decided  protest  against  its  opinions : — 

In  another  part  of  our  Impresdon  of  ^is  day  k  an  address  to  the 
pnblie  from  a  respectable  innabitant  of  the  town,  wlddi  we  eumot 
allow  to  go  forth  tnrengh  the'  mediom  of  oar  edamBs  withevt  at  the 
nme  time  einreaelHfl  oar  dissent  from  the  varioas  sseiimirttons  and 
y*ousHflied  opuiions  tt  eontains* 

In  Angjost  occurred  the  fittal  attack  by  the  Yeomamr  on 
the  meeiunff  at  ICanchestw,  which  has  ever  since  been 
known  by  toe  name  of  the  ^Peterloo  Hassaone.''  The  result 


BEGINNING  OF  THE  GREAT  POLITICAL  AGITATION.    427 

of  this  cruel  and  shameful  act  was  to  excite  the  indignation 
of  the  reformers  throughout  the  country.  At  Birrmngham 
another  Newhall  Hill  meeting  was,  held^  of  which  the 
Oaaette  gives  us  a  report  interspersed  with*  the. editor's 
comments  and  reflections : — 

MBvnNa  AT  NswHALL  Hill. 

Sepft  27, 1819. — The  lamentable  resalt  of  the  late  Manchester  meeting 
has  Berved  the  purpose  of  temporarily  selievin^  the  reforming  bodjr  <S 
this  town  from  the  awkward  iiilemma  into  which  their  former  precipi- 
tation and  orer-onzioas  zeal  had  betrayed  them.  But  for  the  conse- 
quences which,  to  the  duqniet  of  UdBjMUriot  band,  are  likely  to  arise 
out  of  their  last  proceedings,  a  successioD  of  puUic  meetings  would,  in 
all  pKTobability,  have  been  attempted,  in  the  hope  of  further  cajolingand 
disturbing  the  minds  of  our  honest  and  unsuspecting  townsmen.  I>e6i- 
xous,  however,  as  they  must  have  been  to  stand  fair  in  the  eyes  of  their 
fraternity  at  a  distance,  and  equally  aware  of  the  effects  of  leaving  those 
who  bad  been  induced  to  listen  to  them  to  thdr  own  reflection  au  flood 
sense,  every  idea  of  tapnblic  assembly  torenewthe  dlsmMian  of  reform 
must  have  been  palsied  by  a  fearful  anticipation  of  what  mi^t  yet 
result  from  their  former  meetinff.'  Without^  thersfdfe^  Incumng  the 
danger  of  rendering  themselves  further  amenable  to  the  laws  of  their 
conntiy,  thqr  could  not  pursue  the  question  with  any  degree  of  eoosis- 
teney,  and  at  the  same  tune  to  any  purpose.  In  this  state  of  difficulty 
a  meeting,  ostensibly  to  consider  the  lianehester  proceedingp^offared  an 
o|4MirUuiit)^toop«ecionstobeiiqgleeted,ofagaindiawingc«rpo|^^ 
frmn  thor  homes  and  oceupatums,  and  of  rsnewmgttliioqgh  another 
medinmi,  the  endeavour  to  excite  hostility  to  the  prasDt  osder  of  thiqgs. 
Specious,  however,  as  the  plan  may  have  been,  and  gnat  asiq[>peaied 
the  desire  to  get  up  the  business  mth  suitable  eoEoi;  ws  are  eonfldent 
the  result  most  havetotalhr  disappointed  its  pro jeetois ;  they  will  have 
discovered,  to  thetrmortiikation  and  dismay,  that  a  vsiy  large  pcopor- 
tioii  of  those  -who  fonneriy  attended  their  harangimsars  now  oeoome 
both  indifferent  to  them  sm  their  speeches^  and  are  no  longer  disposed 
to  consume  their  time  and  attention  in  a  pursuit  so  unprofitable. 

A  fearful  ndwiving  as  to  the  attendance  at  the  meettngwas  evident 
from  the  nnusuid  pains  taken  to  convene  it  SirCSharies  wolsdey  and 
Woder  were  summoned,  but  the  fonner  alone  attended.  ShoitivbeforB 
three  </€lock.  Sir  Charles,  accompanied  by  Bussell,  Lewis  (the  Ouventry 
sdiodbnaster)  and  Edmonds,  made  his  appearance  in  the  ground  in  a 

diately  ascended  the  scaiibld,  the  frontof  whioh  was  hung  with  black 
ckyth.  Edmonds  was  then  called  to  the  diair.  and  proceeded  to  address 
theerowd;  his  mech,  from  beginning  to  eno,  was  a  tiasoe  of  misrepre- 
sentation, and oiinvective against Qovemmenty  the Mandisster antho- 
ritiea  and  the  Teomaniy.  fie  was  followed  V]riKrCaiarie%  who  stated 
that  he  had  refused  to  take  the  dudr  from  prudenHal  sttfriet,  having  a 
prosecution  already  hanging  over  his  bead,  and  on  that  account  ne 
begged  tiiey  would  excuse  him;  he  then  briefly  adverted  to  the  professed 
object  of  the  meeting  and  condnded  l^  fohibiting  a  drawing  of  a 
column  or  a  pillar,  whidi  he  assured  his  hearers  he  meant  to  erect  in  his 
park  at  Wolseley,  in  '^oommemoration  of  the  brave  rsfonnera  who  fell 
on  the  16th  of  August  f  it  was  intended  to  be  (ortj  feet  high,  and 


428  A  CENTURY  OF  BiaMINGHAH  LIFE. 

would  be  FJ|aoe2l  in  a  ntnation  to  overlook  the  road  leading  to  Man- 
chester. The  reeolutions,  little  differing  from  others  wmch  have 
preceded  them,  were  then  proposed  by  RaneD,  who  was  followed  by 
Lewis  and  a  new  orator  named  Laldns.  Thanks  were  then  voted  to  the 
chairman,  and  the  crowd  quietly  separated  about  half -past  five.  The 
mouminff  coach  which  conveyed  the*  speakers  from  the*  field  was 
escorted  by  numerous  followers  to  town. 

Hie  number  of  pmons  present  was  certainly  far  below  any  former 
assemblage  on  the  same  i^ot,  notwithstanding  the  attendance  of  a 
numerous  conoourse  from  au  parts  of  the  surrovmdinff  country,  who,  it 
bdng  market  day,  were  thus  enabled  to  obtain  a  sinit  of  Sir  Charles 
Wolselev,  an  important  personage  ci  whom  they  had  heard  so  much  of 
late.  JHie  proceedings  went  off  very  flatly ;  a  laige  portion  of  the 
crowd  appeared  whoUy  inattentive  to  the  q>eakerB,  ana  the  i4)planse 
whidi  accompanied  their  harangues  was  but  partial,  even  among  those 
who  were  more  faimedlately  around  the  hustings. 

The  Idek^Uld  Mtremy^  m  gi^inff  *n  aooount  of  the  meeting,  states, 
that  during  Sir  Cliariei^sspee<£.  **  The  disdiarge  of  ordnance  iniaheani 
at  a  distance,  and  the  roll  of  a  onim,  iriueha^^tated  the  outddrtacf  the 
people^HRippoaed  to  be  a  triok  of  the  aathonties  a  very  foolish  one— > 
to  teyihe  nerves  of  &6  meeting.  The  great  body  stood  firm,  on  the 
def cDsive^  and  we  are  told  that  not  leas  toan  from  six  to  efgfat  thousand 
had  aimed  themaelveB  with  pistols^  incase  they  should  be  attacked."  It 
is  true  a  portion  of  the  crowd  beeune  alarmed  at  some  noise  iHiidi  was 
heard  from  a  distanoe^and  a  ay  in  oonse^[aenoe  that  soldiers  were 
i^yproadiinff  oaosed  for  a  few  moments  eonaiderable  oonfosion,  but  it 
•oonrabsidbd.  The  snppodtian  that  a  diadiam  of  ordnance  tocc  place 
1^  direction  of  the  Magistrates  is  too  absurd  to  need  oontradiction ; 
and  the  report  that  a- Jam  body  <if  the  crowd  wen  anned  wi^ 
we  iMkve  no  hesitallott  In  oedacmg  to  be  a  gross  calnmny. 

We  have  before  expressed  onr  dedded  conviction,  that  every  attempt 
to  aliepate  the  minds  of  oar  tun  nsmen  from  that  attariiment  lad  allegi" 
anoetotheGofvennMntof  their  eoontiey,  wUdi  has  eirer  characteriaed 
them,  moat  ultimately  lafl ;  and  that  the  great  body  are,  and  will 
eontinue  firm  and  heaHT  mpporters  of  that  anthoiity  OMsr  which  th^ 
and  their  futtilies  have  Desn  protected.  Sveiydayssrvestoatreogthsn: 
tiiis  eoBvietion  t  and  we  have  fr«|iientlv  an  opportonify  of  ohserviQg  a 
high  toned  natimial  pride  and  leeling  mvohmtaIi^y  borstiiMr  forth  mto 
acML  A  most  otrinBg  tnsfanne  nff^  ocenrrsd  at  cor  Thsatre  on 
Satorday  night— a  alible  voice  from  we  galleiT  demanding  ^CMmm 
<JU  iTtM^,*  occasioned  an  iostantansoaa  reecho  from  almost  every  voices 
the  periormerB  meared,  and  the  air  waa  amup,  the  andisnoe  *^'^*ig 
and  not  only  Joining  in  the  chorasi  bvtaetiiaUy  iateiposinff  the  most 
ithnsiastie  diseni  between  each  disttnet  aentiment ;  when  finished,  an 


universal  encorv  sneee«ded,  and  ft  waa  Main  aong,  aeoon^ianied  by  the 


audience  with.  If  poeaibl^ 

The  Beformers  were  not  the  oiilj  party  who  petitioned 

and  eeat  iip  eddreww     The  oppodtion  was  actiTe ;  and  on 

October  1^  we  read  as  fidlowa  :«— 

A  Dedaratjon,  of  whldithefollowiitfisaeopTylsnowintheeoBiee 
of  dgnatarslntlustowiL  It  baa  afaeai^r  reoeived  the  names  of  a  mat 
number  of  the  inhabitanta.  and  in  the  eoniie  of  a  few  days,  wifl,  no 
doubt,  obtain  a  very  powernil 


BEGINNING   OF  THE  GKEAT  POLITICAL  AGITATION.    429 

"We,  the  undersigned  inhabitants  of  the  town  and  neighbourhood  of 
Birmingham,  being  fully  oonvinoed  that  the  welfare  and  prosperity  of 
this  great  and  free  Country  will  ever  depend,  under  Providenoe,  upon 
the  steEuly  attachment  of  all  dasses  of  his  Majesty's  subjects  to  the 
Laws  and  Qovemment  of  the  Bealm  ;  and  having  seen  with  deep  con- 
cern and  anxiety  the  attempts  of  designing  and  desperate  individuals  to 
excite  a  spirit  of  discontent  and  disloyalty,  Do  hereoy  solemnly  declare 
our  imaltered  and  unalterable  attachment  to  our  present  happy  consti- 
tution, and  our  determination  to  uphold  the  same  as  by  law  established 
to  the  utmost  of  our  power.  And  we  engage  that  we  will,  at  all  times, 
as  in  duty  bound,  enaeavour  to  maintain  the  public  peace ;  and  that  we 
will  exert  ourselves  to  detect  and  bring  to  justice  all  who  may  attempt, 
bj  seditious  and  inflammatory  writiiigs  or  speeches,  to  create  diaafieo- 
tion  to  the  established  authorities,  and  thereby  endanger  the  security 
and  happiness  of  our  Oountiy.  And  we  call  upon  all  those  who  value 
the  real  liberty  which  they  now  enjoy,  and  have  any  regard  for  the 
welfare  of  their  families,  or  theprotoctioin  of  their  property,  to  stand 
forward  and  co-operate  with  us  in  such  measures  as  may  appear  neoes- 
nuy  for  the  preservation  of  the  Oonntry  from  the  destruction  with  which 
it  may  be  otnerwise  overwhelmed  by  the  unrestrained  violence  of  some 
turbulent  individuals.* 

The  pen  and  the  pidpit  al/io  joined  in  resisting  the 
Radi(»l8.  The  Bev.  E.  Burn,  minister  of  St  VLdrfB 
Chapel,  delivered  and  published  a  sermon  entitled,  ^A 
Word  for  my  King,  my  Countiy,  and  my  God."  Another 
political  brochure  bore  this  curious  title: — ''A  few  Words 
to  my  Neighbours,  by  Joe  Shrewd  the  Die-sinker;  with 
a  copy  of  a  new  Song,  called  the  Badical  Dandy."  The 
effect  of  these  lucubrations .  was  the  oiganising  of  a 
Constitutional  Society.  A  meeting  was  held  on  Tues- 
day, November  9th,  the  result  of  which  was  the  **  {or- 
mation  of  a  sodety  for  the  refutation  and  suppression 
of  blasphemy  and  sedition,  and^  for  the  support  of  the 
civil  power  and  established  authorities.  A  subscription  haa 
hem,  opened  for  the  purposes  of  the  association,  which,  it  is 
to  be  hoped,  will  be  countenanced  by  the  friends  of  Chris- 
tianitv  both  in  the  town  and  neighbourhood." 

This  month  was  distinguished  by  another  political  prose- 
cution : — 

Nov.  8, 1819.— On  Monday  last,  George  Bagg,  a  shopkeeper  in  Ball 
SIrest,  in  this  town,  was  apprsliMidod  aoder  a  warrant  issood  by  our 
mansUatss,  ibr  selling  a  aambcr  of  **  The  BspiiblioaD,'!  a  bbaphemoiis 
work  still  pnbliahing  by  OarliU.  Ho  was  detained  in  eottody  at  our 
priaoQ  in  Moor  Street,  antil  Wedaeeday,  when,  not  being  able  to  pro- 
cure two  sareUes  of  i!50  eadi,  fer  hie  appearsnee  at  the  a«isei,  he  was 
conveyed  to  the  coonty  gaol  at  Warwick.  This  man's  shop  has  long 
been  notorioos  ai  a  nuurt  for  the  sale  of  the  meet  nozkrai  pnblioations 
of  the  day,  aod  we  are  glad  to  flad  that  It  has  at  lensth  been  broacht 
under  the  obeemnoe  of  oar  legal  aaChoritlea  Shoold  similar  pablte- 
tioQs  eontinae  to  be  exposed  for  sale  in  other  sltQatioDs,  we  tnist  raeh 


430  A  CEiVTUUY  OF  BIRMINGHAM   LIFE. 

infomuition  as  majtlead  to  the  suppression  of  their  £M^ther  circalation 
will  not  be  wanting. 

The  next  extract  gives  us  a  curious  picture  of  the  times : — 

Nov.  22,  1819. — A  strong  muster  of  the  ''Badicals*'  of  this  town 
took  place  yesterday  ^Sunday)  morning,  for  the  purpose  of  marching  in 
a  bodj  to  church.  Aoout  the  usual  time  of  assembling,  from  three  to 
four  hundred  of  these  deluded  men  passed  through  the  streets  in  pro- 
cession to  Christ  Church,  and  took  possession  of  a  great  portion  of  the 
free  sittings  in  the  body  of  the  place,  to  the  exclusion  of  the  regular 
attendants.  Their  appearance  excited  some  degree  of  alarm  amonff  the 
females  usually  attending,  man^  of  whom  returned  home,  while  others, 
having  heard  of  their  mtention,  kept  away  altogether.  After  the 
morning  service,  the  Minister,  the  Bev.  J.  H.  Spry,  most  ^)propriately 
preachM  a  forcible  and  impressive  seimon  from  1  St.  Peter  11  13 : — 
rSubmU  ^aundvet  to  tvery  crdiiyixM^  of  man  for  the  Lord^9  taheJ* 
Their  behaviour  during  service  wis  not  marked  by  anv  direct  or  open 
impropriety,  but  at  tne  instant  of  its  conclusion  their  motives  for 
appearing  there  became  manifest  by  their  simultaneously  rinog^  putting 
on  thdr  hats^  and  marching  out  of  church  covered.  This  insulting 
movement,  if  meant  to  distingniah  themselves  from  those  immediately 
anmnd  thamy.was  altogether  unnsesssarr,  fbr  the  serious  attention  off 
the  regular  hearer  to  the  exhortations  of  the  minister  was  too  evident 
to  allow  of  his  being  mistakelK  for  one  of  Uiem.       .    -  - 

;  On  iDeoembef*  13  we  are  told  that  the  signatures  of  up- 
wards of  4,500  inhabitants  of  the  town  afid  its  neighbourhood 
Vere  then  affixed  to  the  loval  dedaratioiL  Ne^  yreek  we 
have  the  other  side  of  the  snidd :—       ' 

l>eoember  SO^  iiB19L-^A  most  Inilami&atoiy  hand-bill,  bearing  the 
name  of  Ban,  of  Bull  Sireeti  in  this  town,  as  printer,  and  signea  by  a 
man  oalliog  nmiBelf  Ghairmaa  of  the  Union  Sode^,  mado  Its  appear- 
aiies  in4Hir  strests  ]ast  wsek..  As  it  contained  a  direot^lndtenent  to 
acts  of  losnrrsetion  and  nballioiL  omnr  magistrates  took  Immediate 
eognianee  of  It ;  a  wanaat  was  forthwith  Issaed,  and  the  anthor, 
Charles  Whitworth,  Is  for  tba  present  in  adb  eostody  at  our  prisoo. 
He  Is  etpeoted  to  be  brooght  «p  i>r  eaamliiaftloa  to  day. 

Theyearl819  dosed  with  another  political  prosecation: — 

December  t7, 1819.---Whitworth,  Ghairmaa  of  the  Union  Society  in 
this  town,  waa  on  Toesday  lasl^  bailed  for  bis  anpeanace  at  the 
aessioiiSi  biflsseu  In  900L  aBcl  two  sofstlss  of  lOOL  saeb,  to  answer  to  an 
Indictment  charging  him  as  the  aathor  of  a  seditions  and  inflammatory 
address  late^  posted  in  our  stresta 

*  Theproeecntions  went  on;  and  on  April  S,  I82O9  we  have 
these  brief  records  of  the  trials  at  the  Warwidc  Spring 


The  KInff  r.  Oeboma^This  Indietmeat  tried  by  four  special  joir- 
BMtt and ei^t talesawn.was nest pcoessded In.  llie def endant* lately 
a  fMunphlet  vender,  of  Union  8trast»  In  this  town,  was  chaiged  in  the 
Indietaients  with  having  sold  the  ISth  nvmberol  a  pnbUoaUon,  called 
•  The  Blade  Book,"  whidi  contained  a  wkJMd  and  mafieioQs  libel  on  the 
established  religion  of  the  ooontry,  the  Book  of  Common  Frayeryfte^fta 


BEGINN^fG   OF  THE  GREAT   POLTTICAI-   AGITATION.     431 

The  prosecution  was  ably  oondacted  by  Mr.  CLirke,  who  proved  the 
purchase  of  the  book  by  himself,  in  two  instanoen.  The  defence  was 
undertaken  by  Mr.  Denman,  who,  havinff  made  a  l^;al  objection  which 
was  overruled  by  his  Lordship,  addressed  the  jury  in  an  eloquent  and 
ingenious  speech  on  behalf  of  the  defendant.  The  learned  Counsel's 
remarks  were  however  most  pointedly  replied  to  by  the  Judge,  and 
a  verdict  of  guilty  was  immediately  declared.  His  Lordship^  in  the 
course  of  his  observations  to  the  jury,  insisted  most  distinctlv,  that 
venders  of  publications  were  bound  to  know  and  answer  tor  the 
contents  of  everv  work  they  sell,  and  in  consequence  equally  liable 
with  the  ori|rinal  publisher  to  prosecution,  and  to  punishment,  should 
they  be  convicted  of  diBseminating  seditious  or  blasphemous  productions. 


The  first  cause  that  eame  on  was  the  King  v.  George  Bagg,  lata  of 
Bull  Street,  in  this  town,  also  for  publishing  the  12th  number  of  the 
Black  Book.  Mr.  Seijeant  Vaughan  brieflv  stated  the  case,  and  said 
the  only  questions  to  be  deddM  were,  whether  the  libel  tended  to 
poduoe  the  mischief  imputed  to  the  defendant,  and  secondly,  whether 
it  was  malidonsly  published  by  him,  knowing  that  it  contained  sneh 
1^  libeL  He  reminded  the  loiy,  that  although  the  defendant  might  not 
have  sold  the  libel  himself,  yet  he  was  still  guiltvof  a  criminal  aet 
if  it  were  sold  under  his  authority.  The  book  having  been  proved  hi 
evidence  to  have  been  pordiased  of  a  lemale  at  his  shop,  Mr.  Denman 
made  the  same  I^gal  objection  as  In  Osbome^s  case,  relative  to  the  non- 
piodnetion  of  prm  as  to  the  existence. of  the  Catechism  described  in 
the  indictment ;  or  of  the  existence  of  any  public  office  regulating  the 
ordination  of  priests^  against  whidi  formularies  the  defendant  was  said 
to  have  eommitted  a  libel.  The  objeetlon  was  again  oveimled  bv  the 
beneh,  and  the  learned  Connael  proceeded.  The  questions  remaininff 
iat  coQsidenktkm,  he  said,  were^  whether  the  defendant  had  pablished 
the  alleged  libel,  and  wheuer,  having  done  so^  he  did  it  with  a  malidou 
intent.  Now  by  the  evidenee  ibr  the  proseoation,  it  was  admitted  that 
the  defendant  was  not  in  Birmingham  for  a  finrtai^t  within  the  time 
the  book  was  sold.  If  the  book  was  sold  by  ihe  defendant's  servant, 
she  oqght  to  have  been  produced  before  than..  No  feet  of  the  proof 
of  the  pahUeatlon  had  been  made ;  and  although  he  waa  not  disposed  to 
qnami  wHh  the  Birmingham  Aasoeiation  for  suppressing  ubellons 
pQblieations^  yet  he  thought  the  proseeation  of  miserable  men  who 
merely  sold  the  pamphlets,  fo  whloi  the  aathors  remained  nnpnnlshed, 
was  deeply  to  be  regretted.  He  thought  the  libel  of  little  importanofl^ 
fuid  not  ao  dangerous  as  had  been  stiSed,  and  the  ease  was  altogether 
made  up  of  pnsnmptions,  and  oertainly  did  not  warrant  them  in 
fiadlng  a  verolet  of  guilty. 

Mr.  Justice  Best,  after  recapitulating  the  etidenoe,  eombattnff  the 
points  adduced  by  the  learned  Counsel  with  tome  f otosl  obeervea  that 
if  a  man  allowed  a  work  to  be  published  by  his  servants  ne  was  answer- 
able for  it  It  was  the  mum  with  bookselleis  as  with  proprietors  of 
Bewqnpers  who  frequently  resided  at  a  distance  from  taeir  establish* 
ment%  and  were  yet  liable  to  every  act  committed  by  the  persona  they 
employed.  The  objeot  of  the  work  before  them  most  dearly  was  not  to 
instniftt,  bat  to  disgrace ;  not  to  convince  us  of  etror,  but  to  lessen  the 
respect  of  the  lower  dsMss  for  religion,  and  weaken  their  hopes  of  its 
oopsolstion  hereafter.  If  the  same  attack  had  been  made  on  anv  sect 
or  establishment  of  Christians  it  would  be  open  to  the  same  animad- 


432  A  CENTURY. OF  BIRMINGHAM   LIFE. 

TerrioiL  He  waa  a  friend  to*toleration,  and  was  one  of  those  who  would 
always  defend  every  sect  tcom.  calumnious  and  gross  attacks.  His  Lord- 
ship concluded  by  observing,  that  he  thought  the  libel  in  question 
calculated  to  produce  the  most  pernicious  eflScts,  and  one  which  called 
for  the  interference  of  the  jury  to  arrest  its  progress.  The  juiy  consul- 
ted together  for  a  few  minutes,  and  then  brought  in  a  verdict  of  guilty 
on  the  first  count  of  the  indictment.   * 

Qeorge  Edmonds  waa  tried  for  libel  at  the  same  Aasize. 
The  tiial  excited  considerable  interest  at  the  time ;  and  is  a 
carious  episode  in  the  life  of  our  early  and  energetic 
Beformer : — 

April  3y  1820. — AonoN  TOR  Libel  :  Spurrier  v.  Qeoxve  Edmonds. — 
■This  cause  stood  for  Thursdav,  but  on  toat  day  the  de^dant,  who  it 
wasundetstood  meant  to  plead  in  person,  put  in  an  affidavit^  stating  that 
his  solicitor,  Mr.  Pearson,  who  was  in  nossession  of  his  papers  and  docu- 
ments, had  not  arrived  from  Tork,  ana  reauested  it  mi^t  be  pos^xmed 
nntil  the  f oUowxng  day,  which  was  grantecL  On  its  bemg  called  on  the 
next  mominff,  the  derondant  again  presented  himself  to  the  Judge,  and 
begged  for  nirther  delay ;  he  was  allowed  until  the  termination  of  the 
next  cause,  and  expressed  himself  content  However  vdien  the  trial 
oommenoea  he  vehemently  protested  against  the  proceeding,  and  ab- 
rdptlv  IdFt  the.Oourt^  declann|^  he  shoud  wash  his  hands  of  we  causa. 
Mr.  Beader  opened  the  pleadings  by  sti^uiff  that  it  was  a  slandenma 
libel,  published  by  the  defendant,  who  resided  in  Union-street,  Binning* 
ham,  a^^iinst  Mr.  Spurrier,  a  renwcftaUe  attomej  of  the  same  pb^e. 
Mr.  S^eant  Vanflhan  read  the  libel  to  the  jury,  commenting  upon  the 
various  partii  and  insinuations  contained  in  it,  as  he  prooMded.  He 
obesrvaa  that  it  did  not  require  mndi  exertion  to  impress  on  themindi 
of  the  Joiy  the  slander  it  waa  impregnated  with.  Mr.^mrrierhadbean 
amplojed  nsariy  thirty  years  as  an  agent  for  the  Bank  of  En^^d,  and 
the  mipIeasHit  part  of  his  duty  was  to  collect  dqKwitions  againk  pm 


pciMn  of  the  name  of  Alien  was  exeented  on  Waahwood  Heath,  lor 
loigeij ;  and  the  allusion  in  the  libd  was  that  he  (BCr.  Spurrier)  had 


who  had  committed  fotgaries  on  the  above  establishment.    In  180S  a 

of  Alien 
loigenr ;  and  the  al 

reaped  a  harvest  of  rioiy  on  that  occasion,  from  the'declaratjon^aid  to 
hava  been  made  bv  Allen,'  that  he  had  been  SMrificed  by  Mr.  Spurriir, 
who  had  peoenrra  his  conviction  by  spies  and  informers  in  order  to 
obtain  the  Uood-money.  Ihe  defendant  mif^t  havejustified  if  he  had 
thoqghtpmer:  this,  nowever,  he  had  denned.  He  could  not  state 
the  axtent  of  tnjuiy  oone  to  the  plaintiff  by  such  a  foul  libdL  dreolated 
against  him  amon^^  hie  neighbour  and  where  he  resided.  The  jury,  ha 
trusted,  would  weigh  the  case  well,  and  riva  audi  damages  as  would 
completely  vindicate  the  diaiaeter  of  bi«  jienL 

lb  evidence  hiring  been  gonethwwA— ly  which  the  admission  of 
Mr.  Spurrier  aa  an  attomev  «7  the  Oonii— the  acknowledgment  of  the 
defenoaat  toMn  Ingleby,  Mr.  Spurriet^s  partner,of  hie  beimr  the  author 
of  the  libel— the  agenqr  of  Mr.  Sponrier  to  the  Bank  SoEdtota— tha 
conviction  and  execution  of  AUen,  &&,  were  proved,  the  leanied  Jmiga 
addressed  the  huy  to  the  following  eflbet  ;—*  Gentlemen,  the  defendant 
having  retired  from  the  Court,  it  now  becomes  my  duty  to  state  the 
nature  of  this  action  for  your  oonsideration.  It  is  an  action  brought  1^ 
Mr.  Sponrier,  an  attorney,  for  a  most  standeroua  libel,  published  against 
him  by  Edmonds^  but  eooceniing  which  Mr.  Ingleby  had  nothing  to  do. 


BEGINNING  OF  THE  GREAT  POLITICAL  AGITATION.    433 

The  principal  part  of  the  sting  of  the  libel  is  contained  in  the  obser- 
Tationa,  which  state,  that  Mr.  spurrier  does  not  practise  in  the  court  of 
public  opinion — ^where  acts  are  looked  to  instead  of  precedents,  and  in 
whidi  men  are  practitionerB,  instead  of  spies  and-^  seekers  after  blood- 
money.  Mr.  Spurrier  l^as  the  satisfaction,  periiaps  the  best  that  can  be 
obtained,  in  thus  vindicating  his  character.  In  &  dvil  action  the  defen- 
dant has  an  opportunity  of  proving  the  truth  ;  but  the.  plaintiff  has 
f^ed  all  that  an  honest  man  could  wiah,  by  braving  in  a  Court  of 
justice  the  assertion  made  bv  the  defendant^  ci  his  having  employed 
spies  and  also  procuring  blood-monev*  The  defendant  has  not  put  upon 
tne  record  anv  plea ;  and  periiaps  he  could  not  have  done  better  than 
by  not  defending  himself.  The  plaintiff  had  also  the.  satisfaction  he 
desired  in  rescuing  his  character  from  the  attacks  of  so  foul  a  libeL 
Tbere  was  not  tbe  least  pretence  to.  enquire  into  the  character  of  the 
plaintiff,  and  that  was  the  reason  he  had  stopped  the  learned  counsel  in 
attemptmg  such  enquiry.  The  jury  would  say,  by  their  verdict,  as  to 
what  damages  the  plaintiff  was  entitled,  but  nioderate  damages  would 
oompeosatcL  as  the  vindication  of  his  character,  no  doubt,  was  the 
principal  ooject  It,  however,  should  be  recollected  that  the  pl™H<)P 
oeloQged  to  the  profession  of  toe  Law,  and  it  was  a  most  serious  impu- 
tatioQ  MAinst  audi  a  person  being  concemed  in  taking  away  the! 
life  of  a  fellow  creature;  If  such  a  diaige  was  not  nnjurt,  he  would 
be  unworthy  to  remain  a  moment  loi^per  in  that  profession.  The 
libel  had  been  completely  made  out,  they  would  therefore  fauiy  take 
into  their  consideration  all  the  circumstances  d  the  case,  and  award, 
such  damagesas  they  thoudit  just" 

The  jniy  were  in  consultation  alxmt  a  quarter  of  an  hour,  and  re- 
turned a  verdict  for  the  plaintiff^  with  two  hundred  pounds  damagesi' 
aad  fcMJy shillings  costs.      ..   ^    . 

Befoi«  sepaiating.  tbe  Qmid  Joiy  adopted  the  following 
resolatioii: —  .     ■        .h. 

•  ■  '       •      '  •  ' 

**  We^  the  Grand  Jury  of  tbe  county  of  Warwick,  assembled  at  the 
Lent  Aasjaes,  bein^  convinced  that,  the  dissemination  of  blasphemous 
and  seditious  publications  is  dangerous  to  the  monJs  of  the  people  and 
&tal  to  evecy  leUgioos  prinetple,  bee  to  reoomniMid  most  eaniestly  to 
all  persons  to  whom  any  such  misehievoiis  work  may  be  offered  for  sale 
or  otherwise,  to  possess  themselves  of  the  same,  and  to  give  Immediate 
infimnation  thetcol  to  the  nearest  oonstaUe^  in  order  tfibt  the  distribo* 
tor  may  be  brought  as  soon  as  possible  befoni  a  magistrate.  The  Qxand 
Jury  are  the  mors  anxk>us  to  impress  this  reoommendation  on  the 
attention  of  their  ooontrymen,  because  th^^think  that  a.aealoas  eo- 
opeiation  of  all  Htsses  of  his  Majes^s  loyal  subjects  is  absdliitelj 
mcasssiy  to  tho  suppression  of  so  subtle  and  pemiokMis  an  eviL* 

.    The  following  extracts  are  illugtrative  of  the  re^reaaiTe 

acts  of  the  Oovemment :  ihcy  also  show  that  Birmingham 

had  men  willing  to  nafEer  for  tne  cause  of  Beform :— - 

April  17, 18S0L— Easter  Quarter  Bsssioni  for  this  oounty  commenoid 
on  Mondav,  and  eondaded  on  Thursday,  at  noon.  On  the  Wednesday 
Bidiard  Mansfield  was  Ibnnd  goii^  ol  imlawftilly  selling  in  this  town 
assditious  pnblioatioD,  eailecT  **Aii  Address  to  the  Befinmem,"  and 
lentenced  to  twelve  monthiT  imprisonment^  and  to  find  sureties^  himself 
in  iSlOO  and  two  in  £20. 

n  WW 


434  A  CENTURY  OF  BIBMINaHAM  LIFE. 

* 

May  8, 1820.— Geom  Bagg  and  Jolm  Otbame,  eonTieted  at  ovr  last 


ootmty  aMisM  of  pnbli&ing  the  twalfth  number  of  the  *^Bluk  Book," 
fB  nnoe  oonyejed  fiom  Warwiek  Gaol,  and  delirerad  to 

"ion,  wl         "         " 

)T  onr 
ireek  that  a  paper,  signed  by  Geoige  £dniondfl|  late  of  za£cal  notoriety 


'Were  a  few  days 
>ft] 
ejadgmenl 
Jmy  31, 182a— It  will  be  seen  by  onr  BtfUameniary  report  this 


the  Tinetaff  of  the  Kin^a  Beneh  JPrieon,  where  they  at  preeent  await 
the  Jnagment  of  the  Oonrt 


here^  and  ikleelT  irarporting  to  be  ^the  cmnpiaint^  remonfltranee,  and 
petition  of  the  innabitants  oi  Iffirmingfaam,'^  wm  preeented  by  Alderman 
wood  to.  the  Honae  of  Commons  on  Tnesday  lasti  UnfiirinnatelT  to 
members  who  were  absent  when  this  predons  doeoment  was  rmd,  the 


worthy  Aldennan^i  motion  to  hare  it  printed  was  immediately  njeeted. 
By  soTeral  of  the  membos  present  it  was  dedared  to  be  too  mneh  to 
OKpeot  thai  snoh  nonsense!,  Tirolenoe,  and  slander  should  be  allowed  to 
be  printed.'  •  ^       •    ♦ 

.  The  most  important  poHticaleveiit  of  this  decade  waa^^ 

Trial  roa  CossnaAor. 

Ang.  7, 182a— Hiis  eanse,  which  has  excited  so  moch  pnblie  interest 
eameon  betoe  the  Lord  Chief  Bsxon  on  Thandnr  mormng^  and  oon« 
tinned  ontQ  lato  on  the  ibllowing  sight  IVom  ue  gfest  length  of  the 
trial  it  is  imposdble  for  ns  to  attempt  more  than  a  very  brief  outline  of 
the  prooeedinga  whidi  we  shall  oondode  with  the  kamed  Jadgi^s 
addras  to  the  J  m^ 

His  Lordship  took  his  seat  at  nine  o'ciodL  and  soon  after  tha 
deftndaats,  John  Ouiwrigh^  Qeone  Kdmonds,  ThooyM  Jooathsa 
Wooler,  William  O.  Lewi|^  and  Gharies  Maddorfi^  ttoae  into  tomt, 
Alter  some  trouble^  the  eoort  being  excesriTsly  eromed,the  deftodanto 
hairing  loom  made  to  them  at  the  ooansaTstaUe^  OneaUi^gorerfha 
(aasl o^ylbiirqpeoialJmTinsn  answered  to  thair  bsbmb)  the  iieiiimi 
sbr  the  piossoation  than  pn^ed  a  tsle%  imon  which  Kr.  DenasiL 
ooussl  to  Bdmonds  and  Maddodca  mofad  the  eoart  that  the  trial 
sfaoald  stand  orar,  in  emiseqaenoe  or  a  Jaiymsa^lfc  PJeack  'pj  Illeol% 
who  stood  flmt  on  the  lisl^  not  hariog  bsen  sommoned  until  6ne  cf clock 
on  that  momhifl^  and  thereby  the  dcfandants  had  lost  the  benefit  of  his 
attsndsaes.  The  Omni  granted  a  deky  of  an  hoar,  and  dariaff  that 
tiaMaaafidaritwasprmredtothataflbet  bjlir.  .ftaisoi^  auicitor 
to  the  delHidaati^  whidi  was  alterwuds  juessaisd  and  lead^  and 


asfsnl  cOeen  of  the  Oonrt  aramtned  as  to  me  rifwiwisnees  attend- 
faff  the  •■wwtiMiinar  mi  iir,  Piaoch.  ICr.  wm,  eoaasel  to  Mslcr 
Outwifi^  chaUeaged  the  array  on  te  grooad  of  BWhtadlflwency; 
Wooto  also  challenged  t}ie  aixay,  and  ol^jeeisd  to  the  maaaer  la  iHiioli 
the  iaiy  lists  had  been  nSde  ont^  He  piotssted  iMnhist  all  the  wh 
assAngi,  as  did  Leidi^  another  of  the  detodanta  no  kansd  JW^ 
bowaver,  leftissd  to  vat  off  ths  caasi^  and  the  fcHowiig  iaiy 


thenmoa  empaacUed  >-Bpeoial  Jarotst  Bteahea  Barber.  Ei^  (tot- 
BBaa),JohaHatri%QeomLasT,lLF,paiidJamss&  Blckael]»  Xiqia 


TUes:  John  Barman,  John  Bnrbanr»  WaL  Oaml^,  Ihoaus  Salt 
Benjamin  Hagfae%  James  LsUn,  Eaward  8hattlswoffth»  and  lasidi 


When  the  foMnaa  had  the  book  given  Into  his  haad  Wooto  Mid^ 
^Mr.  BsrtMr,  IwiditosskyaawhsUicr^  have  ever  aqrassdM^ 


opinion  as  to  ths  merits  or  demerila  of  thii  caw  r  Hk  Lordsh^  kw 
aver  interfered  and  said,'as4  spseisl  Jafyama  he  was  not  boand  tc 
answer  the  qacstion.    The  same  qaoy  was  pat  to  the  three  otliei%  si 


BEGINNING  OF  THE  GBEAT  POLITICAL  AGITATION.    435 

well  as  to  the  common  juiymen,  the  latter  of  whom  all  replied  in  the 
negative.  Mr.  Balguy,  as  junior  Counsel,  opened  the  case,  which,  as  is 
alroadj  known  to  our  readers,  charged  the  defendants  with  a  seditious 
conspiz&cy  in  this  town  on  the  12th  of  July  last  jeaxj  and  with  illegally 
electmg  Sir  Charles  Wolseley,  Baronet,  as  Legislative  Attorney  and 
Eepreeentative  for  the  town  of  Binningham.  Mr.  Serjeant  Vaughan 
stated  the  nature  of  the  ease,  and  detailed  the  proceedings  at  very  great 
lenffth,  in  the  course  of  whiw  he  read  extracts  from  the  printed  report 
of  the  speeches  and  resolutions  of  the  meeting,  as  publishea  by  Edmonds. 
Mr.  Francis  Johnson,  Mr.  Dickenson,  surseon,  and  Mr.  Isaac  Pember- 
ton,  of  this  town,  were  then  examined,  ana  deposed  to  the  substance  of 
the  speeches  delivered  on  the  occasion  by  the  defendants,  the  mieral 
tenor  of  which  is  well  known.  The  Beports  oi  the  Meeting  by  Eomonds 
and  Wooler  were  then  put  In  and  sworn  to^  and  other  evidence  examined 
in  support  of  the  conspiracy.  The  witneeses  were  oroas'examined  bjr 
Wooler  and  Lewis  on  their  own  behalf  by  Mr.  Denman  for  Edmonds 
and  Maddoeks,  and  by  Mr.  Hill  for  M^jor  Oartwrigfat  Wooler  and 
Edmondfl^s  reports  of  the  meeting  were  afterwards  r«Ml,  and  dosed  the 
ease  Ibr  the  proseootion. 

4£r.  Denman  then,  in  a  speech  of  great  length  and  Ingenuity, 
addressed  the  court  on  behalf  ot  Edmonds  and  Maifiocka^  in  the  covtrse 
of  winch  he  attempted  to  establish  that  no  conspixaoy  was  entertaiued 
by  his  dients;  and  with  respect  to  the  meeting  and  its  oUset^  the 
learned  genUemaa  comparsd  it  to  the  annual  election  of  »  Mayor  of 
Garratt^  or  to  the  two  msmbers  to  senrs  Ibr  Eye,  in  Devonshire^  main* 
talning,  that  while  nobody  thoof^t  of  taking  notloe  of  sodi  thing*,  the 
Indlcroos  fiuree  at  Bumlngfaam  should  also  M  exeeptad,  and  not  made 
the  nnworthr  oljeet  of  grave  dMiiindation.  Arter  thi%  Mr.  Hill 
followed  on  the  part  of  MSjot  Oartwrkht^  cnfiireinff  the  arguments  of 
Mr.  Denman.  read^  varloDs  extnets  m  svpport  cs  bisDositions^and 
Ittsistuur  that  Sir  fmarios  was  oolv  oooditionallv  eleflteal    Unon  Mr. 


WJl  condadlns^  he  raqnested  permlssinti  to  read  a  written  defanee^ 
drawn  up  1^  the  Mijor,  whidi  was  leftMed  by  his  Lordship^  as  ineon- 
dstent  with  the  roles  of  the  Oourt  Mr.  Wooler  then  bemd  frooi  the 
lateness  of  the  boor  (neariy  eleven  o^doek)  that  he  might  m  allowed  to 
defer  his  defSmee  ontll  next  nl0l1llnf^  wliidi  was  wfllingly  aeqoieseed  In 
by  the  Jodge,  and  the  Ooort  IniiDediatdy  a4|o«iied. 

The  Govt  met  On  Fddar  mocnloff,  at  ten,  soon  after  whidi  Wooler 
eommeneed  his  deteee^  whidi  ocoopud  opwards  of  three  hoars  in  its 
ddiveiy.  In  the  eoorse  of  H  he  inslBted,  that  the  deeUon  of  Sir 
Charles  was  not  a  violent  aet,  and  that  he  was  merdy  dioeen  to  try  the 
right  of  the  people  of  BinDlngham  to  have  a  repwssntatlve ;  he  was 
depoted  merely  to  send  a  letUr  to  the  Hoose  and  to  dalm  a  seat  en 
thelrbshall 

Major  GartwHgJit^  written  defenoe^  whkh  was,  in  hiei,  a  detafl  of 
the  iti^s  pditleal  lU^  was  then  permitted  Iqr  the  eoort  to  b^ 
Mr»  Pisarton,  his  SoUdtor.  It  oeeopled  several  home  In  rsadiaig^  and 
when  Ihilshedi  Lewl%  entered  iqwn  his  defaMOi  No  witnesses  were 
called  by  the  dff*!^^****!  ^i*^  thdr  ease^  thsrsfiirsL  olosod  as  soon  as 
Lewis  oat  down. 

The  Lord  Chief  Baron  then  eommeneed  hie  address  to  the  Jory, 
briefly  toodiing  in  his  cemrae^  open  the  varioos  points  nrged  In  ' 
la  the  following 


436  A  OEKTUKT  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

• 

His  Lordship  oonduded^  bis  sammiiig  up  at  twenty  mintites  pas€, 
nine  </eloek,  when  the  jury  retired,  after  stating  in  answM*  to  a  question 
from  the  Jadge,  that  they  did  not  think  it  necessary  to  have  any  of  the 
papers  produced  in  the  canse  with  ^era  for  their  perusal  In  twenty 
minutes  afterwards  they  returned  and  gare  in  their  yerdiet)  finding  all 
^  the  defendants  guilty. 

The  court  was  by  no  means  so  crowded  cm  the  second  day.  The 
defendants  will,  of  course^  reoeiTe  sentence  in  the  court  of  Swing's 
Bench,  fai  the  ensuing  term.  Edmonds  did  not,  we  beliere^  appear 
in  Cotfft  during  the  proceeding 

Sir  Charles  Mordaunt,  Bartr,  one  of  the  mem'bers  for  the 
Northern  Division  of  the  County,  vacated  his  seat  this  year ; 
and  the  Birmingham  electors  recommend(9d  Richard  Spobner 
as  a  fit  and  proper  person  to  represent  them.  The  county 
magnates,  however,  proposed  Mr.'  Francis  Lawley.  The 
nomination  took  place  at  Warwick,  on  October  24;  the 
show  of  hands  bemg  in  fsivour  of  Mr.  Spooner,  a  poll  was 
demanded.  After  a  contest  of  six  days  lu*.  Spooner  retired, 
leaving  Mr.  Lawley  elected  by  a  majority,  of  1,255  votes. 
'  We  must  now^reyert  to  the  subject  of  the  Seditious 
libel  prosecutidn  >—^ 

Not*  27,  ISSOi— It  will  be  seen  t^  ^^^  report  of  the  prooeedingi  in 
the  CSoorl  of  King's  fienbh  thst  iodgment  has  been  ptSMd  upon 
serenl  indiWduAb  eoQTietsd  cf  baTing  pabliihed  libtls  er  a  ssditSmis 
•ad  bkspbeminis  duuraoter  la  tlkii  town.  .  On  ToeidMr  Joseph  Bnwell 
^vassoDtoaeedtoinipritomttentlB  oar  ooontj  nol  fiir  etg^t  mouthy 
Slid  slUrwards  to  siTs  sooiiriti«  far  bis  good  Moafiour  for  throe  7001% 
Uoeelf  fai-jfiSO,  and  two  sarelies  in  £10  oedi.  Joeepb  Bnndi%  fiir  a 
libeUoqs  iddwei  to  the  BeJwrMsn^  oaoyesr,  and  to  ftad  aeearitiee  lor 
tfaMo  3r«sn»  himsolf  iaXSO^  sad  two  onrotte  la  iC25  oseh  1  and  John 
Osbom^fairaliboloiitbosnnTyOot  jisi's  linptbouiiont  in  the  hoooo 
of  eorroelioD  fai  Oold-bstb  Fiflda  On  Thorny,  tbodsfindsats  in  tbs 
OMO  of  tbo  King  «.  Edmonds  Owtwrishti  sad  otb«^  obtaiasd  a  mla 
to  show  osiHo  why  a  bow  trkl  showd  not  bo  gnatod  %,  bol  it  was 
uadotood  that  tMaigiiaioat  was  fasmodlatsly  to  bo  proooodod  with, 
aad  not  to  bo  plaood  on  tho  BOW  trial  pmr.  QathooBino  day«Lowl% 
of  OoToatiyi  OBOooodod  In  doCerrlng  Jadgmout  agtfnit  hiia  vatil  this 

^oa  i,  iasa-*In  tho  Covrt  of  Kfaq^s  BoBoh.  oa  Monday,  W.  a 
Lowis^laU  of  Oovoatiy,  was  ooatoBood,lwra  llbol  on  tho  Maglstnios 
«kf  Handioolor,  to  pay  a  faio  of  £60  to  tho  King,  to  aa  Impriooanont 
of  two  yoars  la  Oaknam  nol,  sad  at  tho  sxpuatioa  of  thai  term  to 
tod  secBritioiiar  his  good  bdiavloar  lor  five  yeai%  hinuielf  la  £9001 
and  two  sarotiee  la  bonds  of  £100  eaeh.  Tho  aiguneat  Ini  the  oaeo  of 
Mi^  OartwHgbt  and  othen^  fn  a  ooBspiiaqr  in  thb  town,  and  tho 
motion  fiir  JBagmoat  aaaiaei  George  Kaaoadii  Ibr  a  libel  apoa  the 
Idbigiitraloe  of  BirmbignaBiy  wera  oa  tho  sasM  day.  dofcrred  to  tho 
ftratdayof  tlioonoainglonB,Batu  which  period  tho  latter  has  OBtored 
Into  reeofBlmaoe  to  bo  of  good  beha¥io«r. 

The  politiosl  history  of  tbe  yeur  closes  with  the  report  of 

a  loyal  meeUng,  held  at  the  Publio  Office : — 


BBGINNING  OF  THE  GREAT  POLITICAJi  AGITATION.     437 

Deo.  18,  I88a — On  Friday,  a  numerous  and  highly  resneetable 
meeting  of  inhabitants  friendly  to  the  promotion  of  an  adareae  of 
loyalty  and  attachment  to  his  Majesty  at  the  present  juncture, 
was  held  at  the  Public  Office,  in  this  town.  The  meeting  was 
originally  intended  mei^y  as  a  preliminary  one,  but  in  consequence  of 
the  number  of  our  townsmen  who  attended,  and  the  strong  desire 
manifested  to  enter  at  once  into  the  consideration  of  an  address,  Isaac 
Spooner,  Esq.  was  unanimously  called  to  the  -chair,  and  the  business 
was  regularly  proceeded  in.  The  Bof.  Mr.  Spry,  after  a  few  introduc- 
tory remarks  on  the  necessi^  of  persons  steppinj^  forward  and  openly 
avowing  their  sentiments  in  these  perilous  and  divided  times,  submitted 
to  the  judgment  of  those  assemblea  an  address  he  had  prepared,  and 
which,  haviog  been  seconded  and  put  from  the  chaiTy  was  immediately 
«nd  unanimoudy  adopted. 

Several  resohitions  were  afterwards  entered  into  by  the  Meeting, 
whidi  wOl  be  f  ofund  in  the  second  page  of  our  publication,  together  wiui 
.the  names  of  those  who  have  already  sanctioned  the  address  and  proceed- 
ings by  ibtSr  signatures.  Copies  of  the  address  are  intended  to  be, 
for  the  reception  of  additional  names^  at  the  Publie  Office,  and  at  the 
Shakeepear  Tavemi  until  Friday  next^.  when  it  will  be  forwaided  to 
our  county  Members  for  preaentatioa.  The  following  is  a  copy  of  the 
address :~ 

*To  the  Kin^s  Meat  Excdlent  Majesty, 

*<We,  your  Majesty's  dutiful  and  loyil  subjects,  the  undenigned 
Magistrsteis  Gto^r»  Merehanti,  Mannfactursii,  and  other  inhabitants 
of  tiie  town  amd  neig^boaxliood  of -Banningfaamy  humbly  $fipnmch  your 
Majesty  with  oar  eaniest  expressions  of  sealoos  and  unalterable  attedi- 
snent  to  TOUT  Majeal^a  Fisrson  and  Goveinment. 

**  We  nave  watqied,  with  disgust  and  alann,  the  diiwnination  of  prin- 
dpIasiddchdinotlytendtothesnbvierBoiiof  allthatisdeartoBntoiiB, 
totkedeatnietioQ  of  ourOhuveh,  and  the  overthrow  of  our  happy  Consti- 
tntion.  We  haw  seen  the  effect  of  these  principles  in  the  riotous  conduct 
of  an  unnily  and  mii^g^uided  pOTulace,  in  oatnges  ofGwsd  to  the  ^ 
Heads  of  our  Eodesiastical  Wrtahlishmmt,  m  the  menaces  and  inmlts 
with  which  the  most  iUnstrions  of  our  NoUea  havtsbeen  pumed  in  the 
public  streets  of  the  metropolis^  and  in  the  unmeasured  ai!d  hi^ydine- 
apeetfal  haunmft  which  has  been  addressed  to  your  Majesty  oa  a  late 
oecaskm.  We  fdtl  it  to  be  the  duty  of  every  loyal  -auhjeot  to  stand  up 
fn  opposition  to  sodi  principiss,  and  to  avow  his  oamingled  sUiormce 
of  aeich  conduct  And  we  humbly  assurs  your  Majesty  of  our  fixed 
detenninataon  to  maintaini  iBviolate»  the  Laws  and  the  AHan  of  our 
Country,  and  of  our  unchangeable  reaolutaoii  to  resist  and  rspd  every 
attadc  that  may  be  made  upon  them,  under  idiatever  gmse  it  may  m 
meditated,  and  from  whatever  quarter  it  may  come. 

**  We  earnestly  implore  that  all  w&w  and  walehful  ProvidsDOS  whidi 
has  hitherto  proteetca  this  laboured  countiy  from  foreign  enemies^  and 
from  domestic  traaaon,  still  to  extend  its  sheltering  arm  ovur  voor 
Maiest/s  valuable  life,  and  so  to  control  and  defeat  the  onunssla  of  the 
turmlent  and  seditious,  that  vour  Majesty  may  long  continue  to  reign 
over  a  free,  huppf,  and  unitea  people.'' 

On  February  5, 1821,  we  read  in  the  case  of  ""The  King 
V.  Geoige  Edmonds" — that  ''on  Thnnday,  this  defendant, 
with  the  consent  of  Mr.  Serjeant  Vaughan,  obtained  a  farther 


438  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFF, 

<  ■  , 

delay  of  judgment  until  the  question  of  new  trial  in  the 
fdrefi;oing  case  shall  be  decided. 

The  reference  to  the  Birmingham  prosecutions  during  the 
year  are  as  follows : — 

Feb.  12,' 1821.— In  the  Court  of  Eincfg  Bench,  on  iViday,  the  role 
obtained  against  the  printer  and  pabUoher  of  the  John  Ikill  newspaper, 
for  a  libel  on  the  late  Lady  Wrottedey,  was  made  absolute.  ^  the 
same  day  Qeoi^  I^^gS;  -l*^  of  this  town,  was  sentenced  to  twelve 
months'  imprisonment  in  the  Hoose  of  Oomction,  Ck>ld  BaUi  I1eld% 
for  pabUshuig  a  seditions  and  blasphemons  libel,  in  No.  9,  of  the 
Bepablican. 

Feb.  12, 1821.— On  Saturday,  Mr.  Serjeant  Yanffhanmoyed  the  jndg- 
ment  of  the  .Court  upon  Qeoi]se  Kdmondw,  for  a  in>el  upon  the  lutfis- 
trates  of  this  town,  when  the  defendant  put  in  an  affidaTit,  stating  that^ 
previously  to  the  trial  at  Warwick  AssLses^  he  had  written  to  Messrs. 
Dpooner  and  Price,  two  of  the  proseeutor%  informing  them  that  he  shoidd 
suffer  a  Terdiet  to  g;o  against  huoL  on  the  understanding  that  he  was  not 
to  be  eallsd  up  for  judgment.  .  Tne  Cotirt  then  inquired  of  Mr.  Seijeant 
Yanghan  whether  he  had  any  affidavit  eznlanatoiy  of  the  dreomstanee^ 
and  upon  the  learned  Counsel  replying  in  the  n^gative^  Mr.  fvutiob 
Baylqr  remarked  that  the  Benoh  wereplaoad  in  a  very-awkward  aitua- 
Hon  u  the  whole  ease  was  not  brou|^t  before  them  1^  the  Counsel  for 
the  Grown*  The  Court  eventually  ordered  that  the  aeftndant  should 
be  brought  m  again  on  the  eighth  di^  of  next  Term,  his  reoogniaanoas 
in  the  mean  time  to  be  continued. 

MavS8,1821.-Oourt  of  King's  BsdcIl— The  Eii^«.EdmoiulL  Cart- 
wxjg^^  and  othera  lor  a  Conqihaoj^^-Yesterdaj  the  Atfeomiey  Cmsfal 
niom  th«  judgment  of  tfaeCoutupon the  deleDcbmtBinthisoBsa  The 
Chief  Justus  oommenoed  Iqr  stating  the  nature  of  the  aotfton  upon  which 
the  dilimdants  had  beanconvicted.  The  objections  which  had  oeen  made 
to  the  iQC^sliiy  of  the  verdict  wera^  that  tae  Judge  upon  the  trial  had 
not  pennitted  certain  diallenfles  to  be  put  to  t&  Jumt  irbo  tried  the 
cause  for  their  supposed  unindnfomce.  ItwaspRmertoieoutfkatthis 
stMSof  tiie  judgmenty  that  no  dialVwge  could  at  all  events  have  been 
made^untilafujlJuiyanMaredL    Xvnj  cue  of  the  challenges  mads  aft 

maae  befoN 


the  trial  had  been  made  before  a  limjuiy  had  been  assembled,  and 
theraf ore  there  were  no  grounds  for  a  new  triaL  Several  mattera.d 
fact  had  also  been  stated,  in  order  to  sustain  the  avennent  that  the  jurors, 
were  not  indiiEnentlycolleeted.  The  Court,  however,  were  unanhnous^ 
of  ophkion,  that  the  array  could  not  be  Aallenged  for  the  supposed 
unindiibnnce  of.the  Master*  The  OhielJustioe  oeliversd  a  veij  ample 

were  erpcsed  by  the  powers  vested  in  the  Master,  and  conohaded  by  ob- 
serving^ that  manifest  inconvenisnoe  must  arise  to  the  administesftion  d 
justice^  if,  in  eveiy  cas^  dief cndsnts  or  prosecutois  w«re  at  liberty  to 
challenge  the  array  for  the  snppossd  umndiflEerence  cr  hostili^  be  the 
Master.  ^The  Oourti''  his  Lofdship  continued,  ^having  maturely 
weighed  all  the  dxcumstsnces  of  tiie  case^  were  cf  opinion  uattibeiuls 
lor  a  new  trial  ou^t  to  be  disefaamd.* 

The  Attomev  GeneraL— ''In  thSi  casa  i^y  Lorde^  I  propose  to  move 
the  judgment  or  the  Court  upon  tiieee  aelendants  on  Monday  next* 
The  day  was  afterward^  on  tae  suggestion  of  Mr.  Denmaa^  to  whiA 


BEGINKINO  OF  THE  GBEAT  POLITICAL  AGITATION.    439 

m 

the  Attorney  General  acceded,  changed  to  Wednesday,  and  on  that  day 
the  defendants  were  ordered  by  the  Uonrt  to  attend. 

The  Sling  v.  Greoige  Bdmonds,  for  a  libeL — This  defendant^  on 
Monday,  requested  that  the  case  should  go  oVer  until  the  day  on  wnidi 
the  other  matter  against  him  was  to  be  heard.  The  learned  Sexjean^  he 
dared  to  say,  would  not  object^  as  the  present  was  a  thing  of  minor 
consideration. 

Mr.  Serjeant  Yaughan. — ''Oh,  quite  minor !  This,  my  Lord,  is  only 
fk  libel  on  the  Ma^is&ates  of  a  County ;  the  other  is  upon  the  Qorem- 
mentatlaxge:  quite  minor  I  It  may  come  on  as  the  defendant  pleases.** 

And  thus  closes  the  reooid  of  the  Political  Agitation  of 
the  decade  ending  in  1821  • 


440  A  CEKTUBT  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 


CHAPTER  IV.— 1821-1831. 


§  1.     APPEARANCE  OF  THE  TOWN. 

As  we  approach  the  present  time  the  chaDges  in  the 
appearance  ot  the  town  become  of  a  more  marked  character. 
Modem  improyements  partake  of  the  nature  of  the  modem 
spirit,  and  are  carried  out  on  an  extensiye  scala  ^  The  prin- 
cipal destroyer  of  old  land  marks  and  old  buildings  has 
been  the  railway,  which  is  in  itself  a  not  unfitting  type  of 
modem  ciyilization — ^haste  beinff  one  of  its  most  pecmliar 
and  special  characteristics.  Birmingham,  howeyer,  preserved 
its  old  aspect  down  to  a  very  recent  date.  In  the  middle  of 
the  present  decade,  in  the  year  1826,  James  Drake  published 
his  ^  Picture  of  Biimin^am."  llie  writer  is  standing  on 
the  CSreseeni^  and  says^From  the  west  end  of  this  area  we 
eigoy  a  pleasinfi^  and  liydy  summer-yiew  oyer  a  considerable 
tract  oT  land,  laid  out  in  small  gardena  This  mode  of 
applying  plots  of  ground,  in  the  itnmediate  yidnity  of  the 
town,  is  highly  beneficial  to  the  inhabitants.  There  must 
be  some  of  these  mrdens  in  different  quarters  round  Bb- 
mingham,  letting  from  10s.  6d.  to  two  guineas  per  annunL 
They  promote  healthful  exercise  and  rational  enjoyment 
among  the  fionilies  of  the  artisans ;  and,  with  good  manage- 
ment^ produce  an  ample  supply  of  Uioae  wholesome  y^getable 
stores^  which  are  comparatiyely  seldom  tasted  by  the  mid- 
dling classes,  when  they  haye  .to  be  purchased.  "*  There 
can  be  no  doubt  but  that  these  ~  woricmen's  pets"  added  to 
the  beauty,  the  health  and  material  moqwrity  of  the  town. 

On  Weonesdiay,  April  S,  1822,  the  Kogfvl  assent  was  giyen 
to  an  Act  for  emaiginff  the  powers  of  two  acts  of  the  late 
reign,  **  for  rebuildiiu;  jJeritend  Bridge,  and  for  widening  the 
ayenues  thereto,  and  maVing  certain  other  improyements.* 
Here  is  the  record  of  some  of  the  other  improyements :— r 

• 

*  Ffctare  of  Biminsluuii.    Bj  JaiMs  Dnke.  pp.  45-e. 


\      APPEABANCE  OF  THE  TOWN.  441 

Nonember  1€L  1828. — We  have  pleasure  in  notidnff  the  projected 
improYemeuts  already  commenoed  in  New-etreet,  in  this  town.  We 
understand. it  is  intended,  after  levelling  as  nearly  as  practicable  the 
whole  of  the  street  from  one  end  to  the  other,  to  flag  hoth  foot  paths, 
and  to  light  the  streiiBt  by  lamps,  raised  npK>n  iron  colnmns,  at  the  edge 
of  the  eaoseway.  We  learn  aJso,  with  satisfaction,  that  these  desirable 
alterations  will,  as  speedily  aa  possible,  be  followed  by  similar  improye- 
ments  in  the  High-street  and  other  principal  streets  of  the  town. 

Our  markets  were  all  .held  in  the  open  air.    The  £ull 

Bing  was  the  scene  of  the  grea4/  miGirket,  and  those  who 

remember  the  turmoil,  the  inconvenience,  the  stoppage  of 

traffic,  and  the  'Hhousand  and  one"  nuisances  which  were 

caused  by  the  assemblage  of  dealers  with  their  staUs,  and 

heaps   of  all  kinds  of  goods  exposed  for  sale,   will  be 

surprised  that  a  public-spirited  people  like  ours  could  have 

tolerated  it  so  Ipng.     Custom,  however,  is  a  terrible  tyrant, 

and  ''let  well  alone"  a  proverb  which  has  delayed  numv 

an  improvement.     The  first  ^suggestion  for  a  market-hall 

appeared  on  December  9,  1822,  and  then  it  was  made  by  a 

correspondent: — 

We  fidlva^^ree  with  our  eorretpondent  as  to  the  great  advantage 
that  would  ansa  fimn  the  ereeiion  of  a  pnblio  maiket-hoose  in  aome 
oential  part  of  the  town ;  but  we  trndsrataiid  thoeareeertain  obstadss 
of  a  Ugal  nature  wUeb  wiU  neesaaarily  pnv«Dt  an  ondertddnff  of  the 
kind  Dttnvearried  into  ofibeti  for  aomo  jesnatlesst  We  do  aot^ how- 
ever, think  the  qwi  to  whioh  ha  refiwaat  all  ealonhted  for  the  pupoie. 

,The  following  aocouni  of  two  coach  accidents  shows  the 
state  of  the  streets  at  this,  period  9 — 

Dea  28, 18i8^--On  Holiday  iiMffiuBg  last,  the  Ohnm  FHnoe  e^ 
on  its  way  out  of  lowii,  waa  upset  near  the  ehapel  erseting  at  Bordes^y, 
by  TMssing  over  a  heap  of  stones  en  the  road  aide.  The  aeeident  was 
entirely  oeeaaioned  by  the  denoenees  of  the  ftg^  and  we  beliera  only 
one  of  the  paeseagen  waamatwially  hurt  On  the  same  morning  the 
8o¥«nign  eoadi  neai^  experienced  a  shnilar  aeeidan^  fay  the  leaden 
falling  upon  a  heap  of  manure^  in  Digbeth.  The  horses  were  vwy 
much  injured,  and  it  wis  with  the  grei^est  difBonl^  the  driver  suo- 
oeeded  in  preventing  the  ofer  turning  of  the  eoaeh.  la  it  not  the  duty 
of  the  Commissionere  of  our  Street  Aets  to  insist  that  U^Ibl  iHwn 
neoesmry,  should  beplaeed  upon  all  such  eollsctioni  of  soil  unui  their 
temoTii  le  wholly  efleeted  I 

The  spfare  of  8i  Ptal's  was  finished  in  1823;  and  we 

re^t  to  leam  that  its  ezecotion  was  almost  ruinous  to  the 

builder  >— 

Aug.  11»  1883.F-11ie  spire  of '8t  BsuTs  Chapel,  whieh  is  now  com- 
pleted, is  univsnally  allowed  to  be  a  great  ornament  to  the  town,  and 
TOT  aeditable  to  Mr.  Goodwin,  the  arehiteet  It  also  reileelB  peculiar 
credit  on  Mr.  Seaboume^  the  botlder,  wlio  has  executed  the  work  in  a 
▼enr substantial  and  masteriy  style;  but,  firam  advuree  droumstanoes 
whteh  occurred  last  winter,  the  oontract,  it  ie  to  be  ftarad,  has  not 


442  A  CBNTUBY  OF  BtBMlKaHAM  UFE. 

r 

proYedaprofitabl#o0iibemtoliim;  and  it  is  hoped  that  tliaCSDiiiinittee 
maj  yet  obtain  fondfl  whieb  will  enable  them  to  liilfil  thmr  intention 
of  making  him  a  oomplimentarjr  present,  which  he  joetlj  deserves.  * 

The  event  recorded  in  the  foUowuig  paragraph  opened 

ihe  way  io  many  changea  whidh  .Were  afterwards  made  in 

the  appearanoe  of  the  town  >-^ 

Birmingham,  Hardi  6, 18S4.-»It  gTves  ds  pleasure  to  state  that  the 
OommissioneEBof  our  Street  Aets  hare  brotk^t  their 'treaty  with  the 
Iiord  of  ihe  Manor  £ir  the  porohaas  of  his  ri^t  in  tiie  market  of 
this  town,  to  a  soocessful  eondonon.  Yvnok  the  oircmnstanoes  of  these 
rights  haying  for  many  yestti  past  interfered  with  the  improTement  of 
tfi  place,  piraedlarlT  as  it  i^pects  the  ereetbn  of  a  soitable  market- 
lioase^  we  are  Indooed  to  annoonoe  their  pnrohase,  in  itself  an  advan- 
tsge^na  batgsiii^  as.a  snlgeet.of  ooogiatalation  to  our  ibUow  townsmen^ 

.'  Early  in  18S5  the  Commiadoneni  applied  to  Parliament 

for  powers  to  enable  them  to.  effect  sondry  important 

improTemants  in  the  town.    A  pabUc  meeting  was  held 

on  March  2,  to  oonmder  the  proposals.     The  nature  and 

extent  cif  these  improTements  are  ^^ven  in  the  following 

extract  finom  the  Oommissionen^  report: — 

The  improfement  which  appeared  to  daim  the  flrst  attention  of  the 
ChNnmisrioBsni  was  the  piiopoeed  eolaigsnieot  of  the  Msilcet  Flaoei 
and  a  aite  moat  sidtahleisrsiieh  a  purpose.'  Alter  modi  deliberaftioD, 
thev  are  of  opinioD|that  the  space  between  the  preesnt  Market-plaee 
In  Hig^  Street  and  woroester  Btrset  indnding  Bell  Stxeet  and  liiilip 
Otinel  is  the  most  saitahia  udsr  all  droomstaaoea  to  — MwmimaiMi  to 
the  OQusideration  *  of  thit  iwha^twntf  i  Its  oontlguty  to  the  present 
market  the  fitfiMties  ftr  Myproaddng  It  and  the  little  ehaage  soeh  a 
dioloe  woold  pradnee  in  the  Talne  or  ael^bonring  property,  are 
sirsBmstsBees  wlilah  eontrlbiite  to  noint  out  this  aa  tne  moat  ^wiM^ 
SDoIx  and  to  strensthen  the   loosBesnt  of  the  OosunlseiflBeni  In 


apprbfflng  of -JtliejreeeBt  par^aae  of  pnt  of  the  piopeKy  In  High 


Afeet  aad  FhOlp  8treot»  In  antidpation  of  this  obJed»  and  with  a  new 
to  oMAdw  the  stallam  rlfht  In  Ikont  of  Mr.  C^a  pfondses^  whish 
was  the  eorr  BHyMrial  iAAsl  nomoddM  with  the  aaiketa  not  pre- 
Tloaslf  bslo«gta«  to  the  Ooanafadoneia 

Another  Impoctaat  fmptofenenti  la  some  OMSsors  eoonsoted  with 


the  imffoing^  Is  the  fwrdisse  of  the  property  between  the  Beast 
IfsrkelaM  &  MMIn  IjMie  and  Moat  LuMi 

It  Is  aaaeesssaijto  make  any  tesBaric  apon  the  great  advaatagee  the 
town  has  derived  from  the  establishmsat  of  the  Bsast  HariDst  The 
Increased  aamber  of  neat  and  other  eattls  broogbt  there  rendere  it 
neeessaiy  that  the  same  dionld  be  enlaiged  and  made  mors  cooimo- 
d&oos  X  and  thor  therefore  rseommend  that  the  whole  ef  the  boildiog 
from  Sadthidd  Market  to  8t  Ifardn^a  OmNh  sbovld  be  pot^ased 
and  taken  dowB,  sad  so  mash  of  ths  Isod  as  any  hsreaftsr  be  eon* 
sUeied  aseossaiy  Idd  to  ths  maikel^  and  the  lesldQe  sold. 

Ihe  widealog  of  Btaflbtd  Street;  Opsafaif  Into  Fuk  Street  from 
Di^Mlhf  WideolagsadlmprovemsBtofIHgbeth}  Widening  the  end 
of  AlUsoo  Stieet  t  Improfemsnt  of  New  Street  at  the  appsr  end  of 
Woroester  Streot }  Uata  Fmesg^  from  Chsnj  Street  to  Mil  Street ; 


APPEARANCE  OF  THE  /rOWN«  443 

Widening  Smallbrook  Street  ftt  the  end  of  Dadlej  Street ;  Improve- 
ment of  MnzBt  Street }  Improvement  of  Navigation  Street  and  Pinfold 
Street;  Improvement  of  Manhoiiee  Lane;  Improvement  of  the  bottom 
of  Woroeeter  Street,  leading  into  Edgbaston  Street,  and  by  opening  a 
Street  to  lead  into  Bromsgrove  Street 

In  conaidering  the  means  poweaeed  by  the  GommianonerB  to  accom- 
pliah  theee  improvements  withont  any  additional  burthen  on  the 
inhabitantSi  they  referred  to  their  Finance  and  Market  Oommittees^ 
and  from  their  reports  it  appeared  that  a  disposable  balance  of  receipts 
if  not  less  than  £2fi00  m&nt  be  calculated  upon.  Oslcolatinff  on  the 
present  reduced  interests  of  money,  this  surplus  would  enable  t£e  Com- 
misrioneri^  under  the  present  rate^  to  borrow  for  the  purpose  of  the 
projected  improvement  the  additjonal  som  of  £60^000^  at  4  per  centi 
per  annum* 

The  applicatiozl  was  opposed,  and  a  deputation  was 
appointea  to  oonfer  with  the  oommissioneFB.  The  scheme 
was  not  carried  out  this  year.  On  March  the  2l8t  the 
commissioners  informed  the  inhabitants  *  that  owing  to  the 
length  of  time  occapied  in  .the  discussion  df  the  Town 
Improvement  Bill,  with  the  deputation  appointed  at  the 
late  public  meeting,  they  are  prevented  introducing  the  hill 
into  Parliament  this  Sessionf  and  have  therefore  suspended 
all  further  proceedings.*' 

The  following  advertiBements  will  show  the  kind  of 
reddences  still  to  be  obtained  in  parts  of  the  town  now 
crowded  with  shops  and  dwelling  nouses  :— 

Febniaij  88;  1825.— Dbuobivul  BamoBroi^  in  Lombard  Btnt/t, 
PiMish  of  AstoBy  OTSilDokinir  the  Plsasore  Groniids  of  the  ApoUo^ 
the  nnmeroos'Qaraens  of  8t  Fhflip^s  Beotoiy,  Hid  the  THndings  of  the 
Biirsr  Baa,  through  the  Longbtldge  ICeadowi^  aft  ODoe  ^*'^"*^"''^  the 
advantages  of  boUi  a  Town  mi  Ooon^  Honsa 

TobeSoIdaftafidrvidaatioii:  the  House  Is  TenriobsliatiaUjlniflt^ 
and  consists  of  flagged  entrance  hall  and  stone  sudroMM^  lahj  dinlBf 
room,  18  fret  by  16  fret;  with  eUaa  dosst;  well  fitted  up;  drawiog 
room,  tt  fret  bjr  16  fret ;  frnrgood  bed  liMini;  w|th  dresrfng  room  aad 
fimrdosets;  utdien,  18  fret  1^16  fret;  with  two  pantries:  eapitalali^ 
beer,  and  wine  eellars ;  brewhoins,  and  coal  Taolt;  and  is  dso  fitted  up 
with  ereiy  nseftil  fixture^  and  fit  finr  the  fanmediate  reception  of  a 
gsntesi  fiunllj. 

^Ihe  Ontboildingi  consist  of  a  glf-lioasa^  haokiiiy  slaUi^  and  saddle 
rooniy  a  stable  frr  two  honsi;  ana  otlMr  erseUoBS  easQ j  eooTertible 
Into  a  eoosidersble  mannfretonr.  The  fixmt  of  the  boose  Is  towMids 
the.nrden,  at  the  bottooi  of  wnkh  Is  a  eoostaat  atrsam  of  water,  Ihim 
whA  a  fountain  and  bath  are  supplied  1^  a  steam  eqgine  gensfallj  aft 
work.    llr.  Fislmery  tenant 

There  li  also  a  eondderehle  spaoe  of  ground  adfjoiningy  upon  wUeh 
sereral  houses  maj  be  boilt|  wHhont  anamng  the  present  propeKj, 

The  whole  li  leasehold  for  an  vnezpirea  tem  of  74  yean;  su^eeft  to 
the  low  gnmnd  rent  of  three  half-penee  a  jud. 

For  iorther  partiedare;  and  finr  tiekets  to  tIow  the  aboire^  ^tpfltj  to 
James  Harrison^  General  Ageati  New  8treet|  Binningham. 


444  A  CEMTURT  OF  BIBHINOHAM  LIFE. 

April  25.  18S5.-«To  be  Let,  the  Me«iug&  Hot4ioii8e,  Vinerj, 
Qarden,  and  Paddock^  in  Bradford  Street,  Bordeslej,  near  Birmingham, 
late  tlie  reddence  of  Mr.  John  Horton,  deceased. 

May  16, 1825.— To  be  Let,  and  may  be  entered  npon  immediately,  all 
that  genteel  DweDiiig  Honae,  consisting  of  handsome  vestibule,  two 
pariouTS,  and  Kitchen  on  the  ffronnd  floor,  with  excellent  ceUars,  four 
cfaambera,  and  fonr  attics,  brewnbuse,  capitid  out  bnildings,  laige  Gkurden 
and  Park,  fenced  in  with  hi^  wiJIb,  two  Fish-ponids,  Qreenhonse,  Pine- 
house,  Hot-house,  ftc,  in  9ie  highest  state  of  perfection,  the  whole 
situated  in  Bradford-street^  Bordesley,  and  late  the  residence  of  John 
Horton,  Esq.,  deceased. 

The  House  is  fitted  up  with  ereiy  convenient  fixture,  the  Garden 
and  Park  abound  wiUi  choice  fruit  trees,  and  the  Pine  Plants  and  Vines 
are  in  the  best  possible  order. 

:  IV>r  particulars  ^Vf^  ^  ^*  Bunoo^  Solicitor,  Bull-ring,  or  to  John 
Kempson,^urveypff»  xfar-stoeel»  Binningham.    .    ,  •  .     r 

•'  The  following  selection  from  a  Ipng  list  of  similar  notices 
affords  a  good  pictoie  of  the  appearance  of  Saffi>Ik  Stareet 
at  this  time: —  -  /      '  ' 

January  \\  isSSJ^-Xhe  extensive  premises  (Na  118)  in  Suffolk 
Street;  consisting  el  a  substantial  DweUingHouse^  Warehouse^  liaau« 
faetoi7,and  other  Buildinss,  with  an  entire  Yard  attadied  thereto. 

Also  the  commodious  f  retnises  adjcwning  to  the  above,  beii^:  Nall4^ 
in  the  occupation  of  Mr.  Bagnall,  WhipmaEer ;  conaisttnff  of  a  substan- 
tial and  oonvenient  Dwellmg  House,  Shopping,  entire  Yard,  Gardea, 
and  other  amuitsnanoca .  K  \'   , 

Also  the  hi|^ J  'valuable  «id  oonvenient  Property  sdjotdnff,  bebg 
Kalis;  in  flitf  occupatian  of  lir.  Lorton.  Jupanner ;  oooslstmgof  a 
handsomie  stone^fronted  Dwelling  Hduse^  warehouse^  Oounting.House^ 
extensive  Shoppings  Lsige  Garden,  end  other  premises^  with'  a  edbsider- 
able  extent  of  front  BoiEUng  Land.  :    . 

.  The  next' extract  gives  the  names  of  the  streets  first 
lighted  hy  gas  ^^     ;         -   -  • 

liaj  1,  1826L— Mie '  Btrmingham '  and  Staffoidihire  Gas  Ooinpany 
commenced  lighting  the  undennentioned  stveetfe  oi|  Satordaj  nigb^  as 
an  enaimeat  to  07  the  aeoessarv  pressure  ieq[ui8ite,  via,  Hoduej, 
Great  oampton-streoti  HaU-streeL  St  Fknl's-scruare,  Northwood-steeet, 
livery-etreety  and  part  of  Snow-hill.  The  result  was  hi^diljMtisCMtoiy, 
and  proves  bcgrona  all  doubt  that  gas  mav  be  canMd  to  almost  any 
distance  with  sneeess.  The  dustanee  from  tne  gasosaeter  at  West  Brom- 
widi  to  the  extreBoiijf  of  the  leading  main  )i^  is  neaifyevghtmilea 

Qaidens  "were  still  to  be  had  in  all  parts  of  the  town. 
Here  is  one  near  the  new  maiket  to  be  sold : — 

GinrAL  Oassss. 

af  98, 18S7^To  be  8old»  an  eseeOsBt  QardMi.  within  aahoft  walk 
tfaileftd  Maiket,  eoB^tletel J  stocked  with  choios  fruit  trees,  stcaw- 
beny  plantations^  full  crap  ef  VMetables  in  a  forward  stata^  verjr 
snpBrior  aqMOigas  bed,  laige  bri»«bnilt  snouner  home^  with  sash 
window^  and  fitted  np  with  cnpbosrd^  sesta^  fire-plaee^  Aci  eonunsad* 


APPEABANCE  OF  THE  TOWN.  445 

a  pleasant  and  extensiTe  view.     The  whole  ia  very  aecurely  fenced, 
and  oompletdj  retinMl. 

Apply  to  Charles  Gheaton,  Bridge-row,  DeHteud. 

In  tiiis  year  the  Commissioners  published  the  following 

notice:—^ 

Nov.  12,  1827. — ^Tlxe  Commiasionen  of  the  Street  Acts,  in  conse- 
quence of  applications  made  to  them  by  the  Magistrates  and  others, 
nave  again  given  the  notice  reornired  by  Parliament^  of  their  intention 
to  apply  in  the  ensuing  session  lor  an  act  to  enable  them  to  effect  sundry 
contemplated  imnrovements,  and  particularly  to  erect  a  market-house, 
and  to  mcrease  tne  accommodations  which  are  indispensably  necessary 
for  the  due  administration  of  justice.  It  therefore  remains  to  be  seen 
whether  the  Oommissioners,  acting  as  trustees  for  tiie  public  benefit^ 

fioi 


will  receive  that  degree  of  support  from  the  inhabitants  generally  which 
is  essential  to  their  sucoem. 


The  improvements  which  the  Oommissioners  now  oohtem- 
plated  making  in  the  town  were  of  a  most  extensive  and 
important  kind.  A  meeting  of  the  rate-payers  ^was  held  on 
Friday,  March  7»  1828,  in  Beardsworth's  Bepositoiy,  Qieap 
side,  when  leave  was  obtained  to  apply  to  Parliament  for  a  bill 
for  powers  to  cany  them  out.  The  extent  of  these  improve- 
ments will  be  appreciated  when  we  state  that  they  induded 
**  the  enlargement  dT  the  Market-place;  the  enlargement  and 
improvement  of  Smithfieid  Market :  the  widenmgof  Staf- 
ford-street; the  opening  into  Park-street  fix>m  Digbeth: 
the  widening  and  improvement  of  Digbeth ;  ditto  the  end 
of  Allison-6&eet ;  the  improvement  c£  New-fitreet  at  the 
upper  end  ai  Worcester-street;  XTnion-passa^  from  Cherry* 
Bbceiet  to  Bull-street ;  the  widening  of  SmaUbrook-sfa-eet  at 
the  end  of  Dudley-street;  the  improvement  of  Hurst-street; 
the  improvement  of  Navigation-street  and  Pinfold-street ; 
the  improvement  of  Masshouse-lane ;  and  the  improvement 
of  the  Dottom  of  Worcester-street" 

In  addition  to  this  long  list  of  changes,  a  new  building  of 

the  greatest  use  as  well  as  ornament  to  the  town  was  also 

contemplated  by  the  Comnusdoners.     They  say  in  their 

report  >— 

"The  aezt  object  to  whidi  the  attantioii  of  toot  Commitlea  was 
eallsd  was  the  jmrdiasa  of  a  propar  site  isr,  and  the  arsetioo  cKfa  Town 
Hall,  saitabla  s>r  the  traasaetJon  of  publio  bosinesa  an  oljeet  to  which 
the  attantion  of  the  CommlssioiMts  was  called,  ia  ttie  first  instuios.  1^ 
the  Mosiflal  Committee  of  the.General  Honpital,  and  which  has  suioa 
been  more  forcibly  uiged  hj  a  veiy  lai|^  proportion  of  the  late-payan. 
On  this  subject  Toar  (S»nsuttee  thought  itazpedient  to  eonler  with  the 
deputation  of  taa  Memorialists^  who  azhibitad  to  your  Oommittea  a 
pian  of  a  suitable  buildinff  capable  <if  ewitahiing  2^000  parsons,  the  esti- 
nated  czpence  of  which,  Indudhig  the  purchase  dt  a  inAold  aite^  tl^y 
staled  to  be  about  ^SfO^OOa" 


446  A  CENTURT  OF  BIBMINQHAM  LIFE. 

On  May  26  we  read: — ^'^The  Town  Improvement  bill 
passed  the  House  of.  Lords  without  amendment,  and  on 
Friday  last  received  the  Boyal  Afeeni" 

The  question  of  a  site  for  the  Town  Hall  troubled  the 

Commissioners  not  a  little.    Here  is  their  first  resolution  on 

the  subject : — 

Jnhr  9S,  1828. — ^At  a  spadal  meeting  of  the  OommiflBioQeri  of  the 
New  ImproTement  Aet^  on  FridAjy  it  wm  rasolTed,  that  (he  intended 
Town  Hall  ehoiiid  be  erected  in  Bennetts  Hill,  near  to  .tho  Poblio 
News  Boom.  Flans,  eetimatee,  and  speoificationa,  will  be  adrertiaed 
lor  as  aoon  aa  the  purchase  of  the  land  noooMsiy  for  the  pozpoae  la 
arranged. 

The  work  of  improvement  was  soon  commenced  after  the 
bill  was  obtained.  On  September  16,  it  was  announced 
that  ''The  widening  and  improving  tiie  Stafford  Street  end 
of  the  town  has  been  determine  upon,  by.  the^Oom- 
missionerB,  as  the  first  public  work  to  oe  executed  under 
the  authority  of  the  new  improvement  act''* 

Still  further. changes:     ,    '  '  ' 

Norember  82^  ISSOir^The  ratrid  maniMr  in  whibh  tikis  town  has 
been  extended  on  all  ddes  within' the  last  ftw  mra'  oannol'liava 
esQ^Md  the  ohaerration  of  anj  one  whohas  reeentfy  vimd  the  plaoa 
A  popolona  distriet  is  now  ibnniqg  between  Ashted  and  the  Aston 
Boad|  to  be  called  Doddeston  Town,  aiui  a  main  street^  named  Qreat 
Lister  Street^  has  been  bid  open  fioni  Gosta  Qfeen  to  the  Saltlev,  or 
Half-penny,  Chite^  therahff  dpeoin|[  a  direel  rottd  IWmi  thi  OH^ 
town  to  Cbstle  Bromwieh,  fbleshill,  An.  Hubhof  tfaliimivofementis 
to  be  atteibated  to  the  prompt; and. spirited  manasr  ia)whiflh  the 
Gommisskmen  under  the  reosntlj-obtained  Pnddeston  Aet  have 
eflbeted  the  Ughtiog  and  watehinff  of  a  distriol  hitfastto  inqpioteeted 
and  apparentl J  mioomieeted  with  Ae  town. 


.1      -c 
*    ■    •     - 


§  Sb   TUBua  UFX  m>  jivcmth. 


The  active  part  of  the  pnblio  life  of  this  decade  was 

Kilitical,  to  tiie  record  of  wfiieh  we  shall  devote  a  section  of 
is  diapter.  In  other  departments  we  were  also  tderaU^ 
active ;  and  the  people  fiilly  sustained  the  rmotatioQ  wlii» 
they  bad  obtained  of  being  aUa  to  look  after  their  own 
affiura  The  first  woik  of  the  year  1822  was  a  good  one. 
On.  January  7  an  intimation  appeared  that  it  was  under 
eomddMation  to  form  a  Savingaf  Bank  in  Birmfagham  The 
hint  was,  as  we  shall  see,  soon  csiried  out,  and  a  Savings' 
Bank  was  added  to  our  odier  institotioos. 


PUBLIC  LII'E  AND  fVENTa  447 

A  curious  controversy  and  law  suit  arose  out  of  the  action 
for  libel  brought  against  Geoige  Edmonds.  In  the  accounts 
of  the  Constables  for  that  year  a  sum  of  money  was  charged 
as  expenses  incurred  in  that  prosecution.  On  Wednesday, 
January  23,  a  Town's  Meeting  was  held  on  the  subject,  at  the 
Public  Office,  and  was  so  larg^  attended  that  it  had  to  be 
adjourned  to  Beardsworth's  Kepositonr.  The  constituted 
authorities  carried  their  resolution;  but  the  opposition 
resolved  to  appeal  to  the  Court  of  Sing's  Bench  against 
the  decision  of  tbe  meeting.  This  was  done  and,  after 
several  hearings^  the  resolution  of  the  meeting  was  con- 
firmed. 

In  this  year  was  published  the  following  important  report 
on  the  condition  and  management  of  the  poor : — 

BnticnrGHAK  WoaKHotnn. 
Maioh  90tli.  1S9SL — OomidmbLe  improvemeat  haring  taken  pUoe 
la  Bespect  to  tae  Ckmditiaii  sad  MaoageoMot  of  the  Poor,  the  Employ- 
ment A  Pkupen^  and  the  OoUeetion  of  Poor  Lemi^  in  the  P^mh  of 
BJimingham,  the  Guardians  and  OveneenL  at  their  last  Qoarteily 
Meetings  diracted  that  a  brief  Sommaiy  of  these  affidxs  ahoidd  be 
pabliahed  for  the  infbnnatlon  ct  their  f eUow  townsmen.  This  has 
aooordinAlir  been  dxawn  np^  and  is  offered  as  foUoin^  under  the  headi  of 
Puish  fieots  Em^yment  and  Manigement  of  the  Poorr-«od  Ool- 
leedon  of  Poor  Lenes. 

Fiist— Aoooont  of  Debts  owing  hy  Binninghain  Puish 


Lady  Day,  18SL 

£     u.  ^ 
ForProvisifln^CaoUiingiDnigi^ 

ko.       ....       4,080    8    1 
Lawezpenses.  .    1,087  11    6 

To  Jnstioei^  GleilES  lor  fees  at 

Pablio  QfBoe,  fta  .  609    4    8 

jpConstobles  •    1,103    7    8| 

For  Board  of  Lnnatios  at  Droit- 

wich     .  680  18  lOi 

For  Salaries,  and  Snndiy  other 

Debts  .      470    0    6 


8^480  19    4 


1888. 
£     ad. 

1,480    8    8 
49    6    8 

108  15    6 
M6  17    8 

686  11    I 

89    1    6 

8,098  18  11 


By  the  abore  statement  it  will  be  seen,  that  during  the  last  jmx  the 
debte  owing  hy  the  Ptoish  have  been  Mooed  to  the  eiEtent  A  about 

a780L  The  Oreneers  are  now  enabled  to  settle  their  aeeoonts  onarteriy, 
i  the  above  som  of  £8,098  oomprises  little  move  than  the  dents  neees- 
aaril J  inenrred  dnring  the  last  qparter. 

Seoond.  ^Employment  and  Hsnamnent  of  the  Poor.^In  the  begin* 
ning  of  1881,  tlie  attention  of  the  Guardians  and  Ofereeers  was  mora 
particolariy  called  to  the  nmnber  of  stnog  able-bodied  men  who  were 
still  applymg  weekly  for  parodiial  relief,  and  farther  steps  were  then 
taken  with  a  riew  to  niMce  soch  perwns  ean  the  relief  by  labour 


448  A  CKNTUBT  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

prtrioiuly  to  its  being  paid  them.  In  addition  to  the  Parish  mills  for 
grinding  com,  the  manufacturing  of  flax,  and  the  sand  cliffii  at.  Hockley, 
30  acres  of  land,  adjoining  the  parish  land  on  Birmingham-heath,  were 
taken,  and  thus  ample  means  were  furnished  of  employing  eveiy  able- 
bodied  pauper  that  applied  for  relief,  in  order  '^npt  only  to  ffire  employ-^ 
ment  to  the  industrious  and  well  disposed,  but  to  deter  and  drive  away 
tiie  more  idle  and  jprofligate,''  and  these  desirable  objects  have^  with 
much  labour  and  diligence,  been  fuUy  accomplished 

At  the  present  time  there  are  about  84perBons  employed  in  working 
at  the  sand  dif^'^and  upon  the  Uotxl     Their  labour  lias  been  so  far 

SroductiYe  tiiat  the  amount  iMid  to  the  Parish  Cashier  for  sand  sold 
uring  the  last  year,  was  ^£436  18s.  The  Worichouse  and  Asylum 
have  been  supplied  with  potatoes  from  the  fann  through  the  winter,  and 
000  bushels  remain  in  hand. 

Since  the  appointment  of  the  Employment  Committee  in  May,  1819; 
''the  whole  amount  <^  expenditure  inenired  in  the  purohase  <^  wheal, 
ttilliy  repairs,  rent,  wages,  and  inodentals,  is  ^956  13s. ;  the  retormt 
in  floor,  bran,  fixtures,  m.,  are  ;^,70S  6s.  3d.,  leaving  a  defidenej  of 
4^54 .7s.  9d  for  a  period  of  neaxlT  three  year%  in  which  the  men  em- 
ployed (who  would  otherwise  haTs  oeeo,  in  different  degrees,  efaaigeabl« 
to  the  parish)  bave  received  in  wages  nearly  ^900.  The  sum  sand  by 
deterring  people  from  making  appuoatimi  for  relief  eannot,  of  oourse,  m 
estlmateg.  In  the  flax  deparUnent^'a;394  yards  of  doth  have  bem  women 
dnce  the  first  introdnotfon  of  the  mananetnre  in  16S0L  This  emi^oy- 
ment^  so  suitable  fixr  fha  finnale  poor  in  the  Houses  Is  now  in  oourse  of 
being  extended.  Twelve  boys  and  Ibur  men  are  now  employed  in  the 
Wonhoose^  under  a  snperintendant^  in  making  and  mendinf  dices. 

In  oonsequenoe  of  tnese  arrangements,  oombined  with  tne  Vigilant 
saperintendMioe  of  the  Ovwatan^  .the  general  revival  of  trade  in  Bir- 
mmgham,  and  the  low  prioe  of  providons,  very  fii  w  aUe-bodied  persona 
have  recently  applied,  far  paroehial  rdiet  Those  who  are  raallr  m  wani 
of  empb^ment  take  greater  pains  to  obtain  it  fiv  themselvei^  and 
instances  have  ooeoned  wherein  idle  and  diHoIate  persons  have  been 
made  indostrioos^  by  compeUiog  them  lo  earn  tfadr  mbslstanee  if 
labour.  In  the  Aj^lnm  there  are  at  present  884  diildran,  bdng  81  less 
than  at  Lad J-dar,  1881.  Forty4hree  having  been  admitted  in  the  ooarse 
of  last  year,  make  the  total  nnaber  of  184  who  have  been  removed  to 
dtoatioos  as  servants,  or  who^  by  the  improved  condition  of  thefar 
parsnii^  have  been  vidontarily  taken  nndertiieireare.  As  many  of  the 
childra  as  are  aUe  to  work  are  employed  in  bboor  mdtaUe  to  their 
tender  yeariL  The  fidlowing  b  a  statement  of  thdr  present  oooapa- 
tkm: — 
Piii.making  .  •  •  •  Bi^i^  189  GUfii^  89  —  187 
8traw-plat  „  88 

Britlshlaee „        •        18. 

Total  employed  857 

The  aetoal  prodnee  of  their  labour  from  Maroh  86, 1881,  to  Mareh  88w 
18^is/6&  ls.6d. 

Tne  Asylvm  Committee  flfftber  report  '^  Hint  they  have  great  plsor 
■one  in  stating  that  not  only  is  the  preoant  appeatmnee  of  the  ehiimn 
pleasing  and  intersstinff  to  evory  parental  ana  feding  hearty  bat  their 
metal  oondnet  is  equally  as  moeh  so— th^  ire  diligent^  soboitliaate^ 
and  peaoeable^*' 


PUBLIC  LIFE  AND  EVENTS.  449 

Namber  of  Poor  in  the  House:  1821.        1822. 

Lady-day      •••»•••••       5^6  465 

Number  of  cases  of  out-poor  receiving  parish  relief     .    3,785  2,603 

Ditto  Children  in  the  Asylum 405  324 

Weekly  pay  to  the  out-poor :                                                £  s.  d. 

Lady-day 1821        525  3    2 

Ditto 1822        360  0    8 

Third. — Collection  of  Poor  Levies.  The  very  partial  and  oppressive 
manner  in  which  the  Poor  Levies  had  been  collected  for  many  years  in 
Birmingham  Parish,  namely,  by  collecting  only  from  the  inhabitants  of 
the  principal  streets  and  liu^  houses,  and  excusing  the  much  greater 
proportion  of  assessed  property,  which  generally  consisted  of  smaller 
houses  in  back  streets  and  courts,  had  fordbly  excited  the  attention  of 
the  inhabitants,  and  had  naturally  eiven  rise  to  great  complaints  on  the 
part  of  those  persons  upon  whom  uie  heavy  burthen  of  tne  poor  levies 
had  hitherto  exdosivefy  rested.  It  also  appeared  that  those  houses 
which  did  not  pay  poor  levies  paid  to  the  landlord  a  higher  rent  in 
consequence  of  the  omittion ;  and  it  was  found  necessaiy,  for  the  more 
perfect  correction  of  this  flagrant  irregularity,  to  represent  the  fiiet  to 
the  Legislature ;  and  in  consequence  of  the  representation,  the  General 
Act  of  69th,  Geo  III  was  obtained,  whieh  enaUed  overseers  to  collect^ 
from  the  landlords  of  small  houses,  where  this  was  Ibund  more 
expedient  than  to  eolleet  from  the  tenants.  In  order  to  shew  the 
great  partiality  which  prevvled  in  collecting  poor  levies  under  the  old 
aystem.  it  may  be  observed,  that  the  total  amount  of  eadi  levy  in  the 
grand  levy  book,  calculated  upon  all  property  within  the  parish  at 
two-thirds  of  the  ammal  value,  is  £4^041,  wnilst  the  sum  ooUeetad  under 
the  old  sjBtem  was  only  about  £1,700. 

After  various  attempts  to  remedy  tihis  evil,  which  were  in  a  great 
degree  fnistrated  by  toe  opposition  of  many  of  the  landlords  of  small 
houses^  combined  with  other  droumstancei^  it  was  found  necessary 
to  recommend  a  Testry  meeting  of  the  inhabitanti^  to  appoint 
twelve  standing  oveneen^  whose  whole  time  should  be  occupied 
in  coUeetfaiff  poor  rates,  and  that  equally,  as  fiir  as  could  be 
aooomplishea,  mm,  nteable  property  of  eveir  deaeriptioiL  Their 
appointment  took  place  at  Lady-day,  1881.  subject  to  the  direction 
of  the  OverseeriL  and  it  Is  a  subject  of  congratulatioa  that^  as 
lar  as  they  have  hitberto  been  enabled  to  act  upon  the  new  system, 
thelrexeraonamateriallyaidedby  the  co-operation  of  the  nutf^strates, 
have  been  highly  beneficial  to  the  town,  and  the  parish  burtnen  has 
been  more  equitably  divided  than  heretofore^  although  it  is  still  to  be 
regretted  that  the  tame  oppodtion  on  the  part  of  some  of  the  landlords 
of  small  booses  has  increased  the  labour  of  oolleetlttg,  and  has  Idtherto 
prevented  the  Inhabitants  In  general  from  deriving  that  full  benefit 
whidi  thsy  have  a  right  to'  calonlate  upon,  when  the  new  qrstem  has 
been  carried  into  eoectk 

The  foUowingis  a  comparative  statement  of  the  years  1821  and  1822, 
andingat  Lady  Day  in  each  year: — 

1821.  1822. 

Number  of  Single  Levies,  .       .       30  20 

j£       a  d.        £  a  d. 

Amount  coDeeted  .               .    50,106    1  7   44,631  9  1 

Aversge  amount  of  each  Levy     1,670    0  0     ^280  0  0 
u                                                                                 00 


450  A  CENTURY  OF  BIBMINQHAM   LIF£. 


In  making  any  general  report  of  the  Parish  ai&irB,  it  would  be  im- 

f  roper  not  to  notice  the  Town  Infinnaty,  whidi  forma  a  part  of  the 
^anah  Workhonae.  The  following  statement  will  ser^e  to  ahew  the 
great  importance  of  this  parochial  establishment  to  the  oomf  (ttt  and  relief 
of  the  poor,  as  well  as  tne  great  labour  which  is  necessarily  incurred 
by  those  gentlemen  to  whose  priaf essional  skill  thia  important  branch 
18  so  beneficially  entrusted. 

During  the  past  year  the  average  number  of  Patients  in  the  Town 
Infirmary  has  been  66. 

In  the  same  period  6,744  Patients  have  received  medical  relief  at 
their  own  dwellings ;  and  76 1  have  undeigone  vaccine  inoculation. 

There  is  one  bnmdi  oi  parish  expenditure  which  used  to  reouire  a 
lam  sum  annually,  but  which  has  been  conducted  with  a  conaiaerable 
reauetion  of  expense,  namely,  in  cases  of  dispute  with  other  pariahes  re- 
specting the  settlement  of  panpers..  This  reduction  of  expense  wiU  be 
iMstexplainedby  an'ex1a»ct  from  tlieBeport  of  the  Committee,  by  whom 
this  buiineM  has  been  recently  conducted. 

"The  Law  Committee  wiah  to  expross  their  convictioii,  that  the 
■ystem  whidi  has  recently  been  acted  upon,  in  regard  to  the  numeroua 
oases  of  disputed  settlement  which  have  occurred^  namelv,  endeavoiiiing  ' 
to  aettle  these  disputed  cases  by  friandlv  explanations  witti  odieif  pariahs 
without  having  reoonrseio  law  prdoeaaing%  excepting  matters  of  neoea- 
mty^haM  not  only  been  the  means  of  saving  lai^e  nuns  of  money  to  the 
pansh,  but  has  occasioned  similar  oonoQiatoiy  proceedings  on  thb  part 
of  other  pariah  officers.  With  a  view,  therefore,  to  serve  the  Pariah  of 
Birmingham,  the  Law  Committee  would  earnestly  recommend  to  future 
CKiaHians  and  Overseeis  a  peweverance  in  the  same  ajvatem.  13ietotal 
amount  of  law  chams  incurred  tmder  the  directian  cif  thia  Committee^ 
for  one  year,  lip  to  tae  prtfasnt  time^ls  £86  4fl.  41* 

-(BignfldX'    '    P.M.  jAiDH^Ohainnan.    ^ 


On  Hay  21  and  22,  the  town  was  visited  bya  yenr  severe 
thondar-etorm/ aooompanied  bv /*  toxxents  ca  rain,  *  wliidi 
caused  a  great  destmotion  of  property* 

On  the  SOth  of  July,  8t  George's  Church  'was  conse- 
crated:— 

ComoRisiov  or  Sr.  Qsoioifs  GBirtoB. 

Angnst  ^  18SS.»On  Tuesday  last^  the  eeiemony  of  eonasetating  SL 
Gecnrge^a  Chureh  took  place ;  and,  nqtwithstaadiag  the  unfitvoiiiable 
state  of  the  weather,  a  oonaiderahle  number  of  the  fahaWtanti  attended 
to  witness  the  perfixrmaaee  of  tUa  solemn  and  intteestingritai  Shortly 
before  eleven  o*doek,  the  Chmr  sad  Gentlenen  assembled  at  the 
Hos^tal,  the  appointed  pisee  ofiaestlng^  prseeded  Ij  the  chlldrsn  of 
the  Bine  Coat  School,  moved  in  proeswion  towards  tiie  charehy  and 
At  the  fi)ot  of  Coostitntion  Hill  they  were  met  hy  the  Bidiop  of 
Chester,  attended  by  his  Son,  the  Ohaneellor  of  this  dtoeesa  snd  hr  the 
Begistrar,Mr.  Mott;  hiaLoffdahip^aeairlagetfaenftUiawiUiandeksed 
the  proeessloiL    On  reaching  the  ehordi,  the  galleriea  of  whldi 


oeeapied  hy  a  respectable  cougwgatfam,  a  line  was  fcnnsd  tma  the 
west  door  by  the  devgy  sad  fSQUsmen,  throogh  which  his  Lordship 
passed.  Tha  service  of  ConseeraUon  Immediately  commenced,  and 
eonduded  with  a  sermon  from  the  Bev.  C  Cnrti%  Bector :  the  pnysva 
were  read  by  the  ^'^a^'iig  minister,  the  Bev.  John  uarbett    On 


PUBLIC  LIFE  AND  EVENTS.  451 

• 

leaving  the  church  his  Lordship  proceeded  to  the  Barial  Ground,  and 
there  went  through  the  usual  form  of  consecration.  The  congregated 
then  separated. 

About  four  o'clock  a  party,  consisting  of  about  sixty  gentlemen,  sat 
down  to  a  dinner,  prepared  at  the  Bojal  HoteL  The  Rector  of  6t 
Mjurtin's  presided,  having  the  Bishop  on  his  rights  and  Lord  Aston, 
Vicar  of  Tardebige^  the  Bev.  the  Cnanoellor,  &.,  on  his  left.  After 
the  removal  of  the,  doth,  a  number  of  appropriate  toasts  were  given 
from  the  chair,  together  with  the  healths  of  those  concerned  in  the 
erection  and  completion  of  the  sacred  edifice.  The  kind  attention  and 
urbanity  of  the  Bev.  Prelate  were  not  foi^tten  on  this  occasion;  and 
his  Lordship,  in  acknowledging  the  compliment^  seemed  fallv  to  appre- 
ciate the  smceritj  with  which  the  thanks  and  good  wishes  ot  the 
company  were  offered  him.  In  the' course  of  thelulemoon  a  model  of 
the  d^ureh,  executed  in  wood  hy  Mr.  Shutt,  was  exhibited,  and  afforded 
mudi  gratification  to  all  present  The  accuracy  with  which  the  artist 
has  succeeded  in  copyings  not  only  the  general  effect  and  details  of  the 
exterior,  but  even  the  morei  minute  decorative  parts  of  the  interior, 
was  indeed  well  calculated  to  draw  forth  the  warmest  admiration. 

The  Bishop  of  Chester  retired  ^arly,  and  the  majority  of  the 
company  leparated  soon  after  eight  adodc. 

live  heamly  congratulate  our  toimsmen  on  the  completion  of  the 
■aerad  structure :  and  we  trust  it  irill  hereafter  become  as  distinguished 
for  the  piety  of  those  who  Wordiip  therein,  as  it  is  now  strikingly  impo- 
sing and  ornamental  to  that  part  of  the  town  in  which  it  is  erMted.  Of 
IQodera  times  it  is,  perhaps  without  exception,  the  most  complete  and 
thorovglilj  harmoniotis  specimen  of  the  beautiful  style  of  diureh  aidii- 
tectoe  it  represents^  whether  regarded  extemallj  w  internally ;  and, 
what  is  of  equsloonsequenee^  it  is  admirably  adapted  to  give  the  fullest 
efEset  to  tlie  roice^  whether  proceeding  frcmi  the  pulpit  or  the  dunr ; 
and  for  the  perftormance  of  instromental  munc  we  diould  judge  it 
peouliariy  anited.  We  have  fiequenthr  alluded  to  the  boildinff  in  its 
progress  with  pleanire ;  and  -now  that  it  is  finished,  it  becomes  but  jus- 
tioe  to  the  arehiteets  to  state  the  important  ikot,  that  the  entire  expence 
e£  the  ehurdi  famonnting  bat  to  £l%48l)  instead  of  exceeding,  as  is  not 
vnoommoQlj  the  cmo,  was  eootneted  lor  and  comj^ed,  under  tlieir 
eunerintenaence,  for  upwards  of  d€9$m  kmmdndjxmndi  U$$  than  their 
original  estimate ;  and  we  are  atronglv  of  opinion,  upon  dose  investiga- 
tion, it  will  be  found  that  8t  Georgers  Ghureh  has  been  completed  for 
one-third,  if  not  one-hal^  under  the  cost  of  any  ehurdi  of  its  siae  and 
eapaeity  ereeted  of  late  years.  We  understand  that  it  Is  not  intended 
to  periorm  divine  aerviee  tiiers  for  two  or  three  week%  and  that  due 
notiee  will  be  i^ven  of  ita  opening. 

In  a  laternumber  the  following  interesting  information 
'  '* '  new  parish  was  pnUished : — 

8r.  QsobsiTb  CSBuaoH  avd  Paeisb. 

Aug.  96.  IMi.— Attendanee  will  be  given  atthisdiuroh  in  the  course 
of  the  present  wedc  for  the  purpoee  St  letting  pews  and  dttings,  pre- 
paratory to  its  opening  for  the  pmonnaace  of  divine  worship. 

The  afidrs  of  this  newly  ersated  paridi,  we  understand,  will  be 


administered  by  a  select  vestfy,  appointed  in  perpetuity,  by  hit  Majestv** 
Oommissionens,  from  the  pew-bolders  and  pnndpal  inhabitants  of  the 
parish,  with  power  afterwards  to  fill  all  vacancies  in  their  own  body,  to 


452  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

elect  one  of  the  waxxleiifl,  and  aaaeaa  the  chnrch  levies.  The  pariah  will, 
have  a  separate  ecdesiaatical  tate,  being  only  botind  to  contrionte  to  the 
repair  of  St.  Maddn'sjcharoh  for  twenty  yearsy  and  the  church  will  be 
effectaal  for  marriagee  and  all  i»ther  religioas  rites.  For  the  information 
of  oar  readen^  we  have  traced  the  foDowing  boundaries  of  the  new 
parish  as  delineated  on  the  mu>ythe  limits  of  which,  althoaf;fa  extensive, 
are  jnore  regular  and  distinct  uian  in  meet  parodiial  divisions.  Com- 
mencing at  the  bridge  over  the  old  canal  between  Lady  Wood  and  the 
Cottage  of  Content}  the  canal  is  the  boundaiy  westward  to  the  bridge 
in  Lady  Wood  Lane;  from  thence  the  line  goes  alon^  Ladv  Wood  Lane 
northward  to  the  Summer-hill  toll-gate ;  and  from  ue  toll-gate  direct 
alongthe  road  to  Hockley-biidge,  keemnff  Messrs*  ForresA  breweiy 
and  Key-hill  to  the  righ^  and  little  Kodde;^  pool  to  the  left  From 
Hocklev-briclge  the  boundaries  of  Aston  pansn  are  the  limits  of  &t, 
Oeoxgers  as  fw  as  .to  the  Britannia  brewery  and  Faseley  canal ;  from 
whence  it  is  bounded  l^  the  l^LBolevfanal  to  the  bri<to  in  Livery-street 
Hence  thelKmndaiy  is  more  complicated — ^it  proceeds  from  the  bridge, 
up  Liveiy-etreet  to  EJenion-street,  and  along  Kenion-atreet  to  the  north 
end  of  Caroline-street;  from  whence^  at  the  back  of  Begent-place,  across 
VlttorisHrtreeti  along  Begent-street  into  TVederick-steet^  and  down 
PrederickHitreet  into  Kewhall-hilL  From  FrederidcHitieet  the  line 
crosses,  incleajng  the  houses  on  •Oamden-hiU,  over  the  lower  part  of 
Camden-street  and  8ummer-hiII  j(between  Messrs.  Hadlqr's  Wareho«UHL 
and  Mr.  Ledssm's  house)  into  Nelson-street^  and  along  bv  the  Cottage  of 
Content  to  the  bridge  near  Lady  Wood.  The  parts  off  the  town  thus 
oomnrised  in  St  GeoigeTs  parish,  are  8ummer4ifll,  Osmdeii-stz«et,Oun- 


hUl,  Qrait  Hampton-row,  Henrietta,  BoncL  Little  Hampton,  Hosnttal, 
Tower,  and  Breazisjv  Stxeets;  Summer-lane,  Cdlmore-terrace^  Mew 
Town^ow,  Ormond,  Manchester,  Blsws,  and  Brewery  Streets ;  part  of 
New  John,  and  FHtohitStrsets;  the  Qeneral  Hospital,  <Aiqium,&e,&c 

Daring  this  year  Ireland  was  ike  scene  of  feaifal  distress ; 
and  Binuiiigbam,  as!  usual,  bore  her  part  in  attempting  to 
alleviate  it  Meetinn  were  held,  and  suhscription  lists 
opened.    Weqaotethisrecordof  the  work: — 

OusmifTioii  foa  na  RkiiTW  or  tbm  SurRuiro  FkasavraT 

nr  lBK.avn. 

Aagost  1^  18S1— Oommittee  Boom,  Publie  Offiee ;  Ghariss  Lloyd  in 
the  Chahr.  It  Is  with  mndi  satisfaeHen  that  the  Committee  for  pio- 
motiag  a  Bnbaeriptkm  for  the  Belief  of  the  Distressed  Lrishnow  lay 
befon  the  PaUie  a  general  Aeooont  of  the  UlMnd  sahseriptioiis  In 
Siminfl^iam  and  its  neighbourhood ;  and  thqr  r^olee  that  the  same 
Ubenlifyhas  besnohiarfed  by  the  nation  at  lam,  which  doubtless  will 
be  duly  appreciated  by  our  soifsring  Fsllow-Bolgeeto  In  Lreland. 

TaiTLOM  AVD  LLorns^  Treasureni. 


P13LIC  UFE  AND  EVENTS.  453 


Dr.  Or. 

£      8.    cL  ;£    a.  d. 

By  Advertising,  Prin- 
tiIlC^  Stationeiyy 
Anstant    Seere- 


To  Amount  of  8ab- 

BoriptionsreoeiY^d  2,490  6  0^ 
„  OoUected   in  very 

small  weekly  Sab- 

acriptions,  by  two 

benevolentyounff 

men  of  St  Marys 

Congreflation .  .  4  18  4 
„  A  Friend  ditto  to 

the  distressed .    •       110 


£%4M    0    4 


n 


taxT,  and  Postage     47    0    2 
Remittance  to  tne 
Irish  Committee, 
in  London .    .    .  2,449    0    2 


je2,496    0    4 


On  Decem1)er  6,  tlie  town  a^ain  suffered  fix>m  the  effects 
of  *'an  appalling  storm  of  wina  and  rain." 

On  t^e  28rd  of  January,  1823,.  the  ''Lord  Bishop  of  Chesto*, 
acting  "on  behalf  of  the  venerable  Bishop  of  this  dioeese, 
consecrated  the  new  Chapel  at  Bordealey;  which,^  at  the 
desire  of  the  Committee,  who  have  largely  contributed  to 
its  decoration,  after  presenting  tibe  Commissioners  with  the 
site^  on  whidi  it  is  built,  was  dedicated  to  the  Holy 
Trinity." 

A  public  meeting  was  held  on  March  14^  when  a  petition 
was  adopted  praying  the  House  dT  Commons  fibr  a  revision 
and  amendment  of  we  Insdlvent  Debtors'  Act 

In  this  year  Birmingham  once  more  took  up  the  subject 
of  the 

Aboutiov  of  Slavskt. 

May  ISth,  1823.— Porsoant  to  mointmsnt  a  respeefable  assemblage 
of  o«ir  townsmen  took  plaeeat  the  Jrablie  Office^  on  Toetday,  to  eoDd<& 
a  petition  praying  the  adoption  of  sadi  l^g^ilatiTe  messores  as  would 
lead  to  the  gtadoal  Abolition  of  Slavery  in  oar  colonies.  Thediairwas 


taken  at  twelve^  W  Charles  Cope^  Esq.,  Sgh  Ballifl;  who  having  read 
the  reqnisition  addressed  to  him,  prooeededtaeznress  his  fbll  eooeor- 
rsnoe  m  the  oljeet  lor  idiich  the  meeting  was  helOy  and  his  best  wishes 


for  its  sneeess.  Fith  its  promoten^  he  aJsd  agreed  that  a  total  abolition 
eonld  alone  be  effeetw^gradnidly,  as  it  was  neoessary  that  the  ndnds  of 
the  negroes  should  be  prepared  lyy  edoeaUon.  and  hj  the  Ineoleatlon  of 
the  prtnelples  of  Chrirasnity,  for  the  reeeptaon  of  that  fieedom  whkfa 
It  was  the  happiness  of  this  eoontiy  to  ezperienee. 

Mr.  Charles  Lloyd,  In  moviog  the  prenminaiy  resolatlon,  ezpresnd 
the  diiBdenee  he  folt  in  addressing  sodi  a  respectable  meeting,  leat  he 
dioold  not  dojostloe  to  a  caose  80.  deeply  Intensthig  to  hwnam^ 
Abolition  of  Slavery;  he  trusted,  however,  that  the  ndnds  of  the  people 
at  large,  from  the  infonnation  whioh  th^  had  leoeivedon  thismost 
Interesting  snbjeet  in  the  numerous  pabllcations  Mid  newspapere^  were 
so  well  oonvinoed  that  SUveiy  was  utterly  ineomdstent  with  Chris- 
tianity, and  with  the  noble  principles  of  Itbertr  so  dear  to  English- 
men, that  it  was  not  needfol  to  harrow  op  the  foelings  of  lushearen  by 


454  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

reciting  the  horrible  circmnitances  which  attended  Slavery.  He  would, 
however,  read  an  advertiflement  whidi  appeured  in  the  Cape  of  Good 
Hope  QasEotte^  dated  September,  182S^  in  which  a  woman,  aged  54,^  with 
her  five  children,  were  advertised  to  be  sold  bj  public  unction,  in  «t4r 
•qparctte  lots.  What  a  horrid  advertiaement,  and  how  did  it  chill  the 
blood!  " 

It  was  more  than  thirtv  years  ago  when  this  town  took  a  most  active 
part  in  promoting;  the  Abolition  of  the  Slave  Trade.  The  dei^  and 
the  dissentinff  mmisters  imited  in  preaching  aermons  on  behalf  of  the 
oppressed  Africans ;  and  how  gratifying  is  such  an  onion  of  sentiment 
among  Christiana  who,  though  they  may  differ  in  some  points  of  doc- 
trine, can  all  ooraially  join  in  promoting  the  happiness  of  their  fellow 
ereatnrss ;  and  may  we  not  tnist^  that  such  benevolent  union  in  this 
world,  Is  a  prelude  to  that  glorious  union  when  ^  they  shall  come  from 
the  etJsL  and  from  the  we^  and  fitxm  th^  north,  and  fixHn  the  south, 
and  shall  ut  down  in  the  Kingdom  of  God."        * 

But  though  we  earnestly  wiahed  for  the  AboHtion  of  SUvmr,  candour 
would  induce  us  to  believe  that  many  of  ^the  West  Indian  puuiten  en- 
deavoured to  make  their  ah^ves  comfortable  aa.^far  as  the^  could^ba 
made  so,  under  sudia  horrid  system  as  SlaveiT;  and  we. should 
remembc^  that  Great  Britain,  though  f ordmost  in  the  glorious  cause  d 
libertyywassolittleawarecf  the  enormity  (tf  the  Slave  Mule,  thiKt^  on 
middng  peace  with  Spain  lnl7IS,she  etpreoly  at^mlafeed  that  Grsat 
Britain  should  have  the  moiiq;Mly  of  nbqpplymg  the  SptAish  Odloiiies 
in  America  with  Slaves.  But  now  how  lumil^  axe  the  eyes  of  "EngJish* 
men  opened  1  and  how  do  they  beholdf  with  hoiroTi  what  fonner 
generations  bdield  with  Indifference!  owing  howefver,  in  d^gree^  to  their 
not  being  acquainted  with  the  subject  be  could  tad^belisve  there  wottkl 
be  one  assenting  voieB^  in  sobMpwtabie  atneetinfcto  faestotaPetftJoa 
to  Psriiamait  for  the  gradual.  AMlition  of  Slavery. 

In  seconding  the  resolution  moved  by  Mr.  lAor^  Biduufd  Spooner. 
Esq.,  said,  he  oordiaUvcgrn^  witkandcdddaddtatlifttb  to  wfaitbM 
fallen  from  his  wortnv  friend.  He  eipiess^di  in  .ttrong  tennaL  bis 
abhonence  of  davery,  ndUing  ft  to  be  tmgotakt  tD  every  nindple  foi 
the  Christian  religion,  inconsistent  with  the  natioiial  diArtietiBr,  «ukl  in- 
defensible  on  sny  ground. 

.  The  petition  was  submitted  to  (he  meeting  1l7^BeT.Jam«Y^ 
who  prefaced  its  reading  at  eome  leogtlL  fir.  Beile,  the  Loir  Ballil( 
seconded  its  luloption,  and  inveighed  with  gteit  fedii^  agiinet  tliii  eon- 
tinuanoe  of  daveir.  As  a  nation,  be  (oontended,  we  mn  hnpenlifely 
called  upon  to  maxe  audi  regulations^  and  pass  such  lawa^  as  snonld  |ivt 
an  endto  a  system  sodemoralisfaigto  onr  feOdwiDen.  After  a  lew 
remarks  from  Theodore  Prioe^  ^Bml.  thepetHion%as  tNrt^indnnanS- 
moasly  approved  by  the  meetinff.  Thanks  were  th^veled  to  the  Hidi 
Bailiff  and  the  assembfy  diapmed. 

The  petition  was  tiansmitted  by  the  ^^  BaOiff  to  London  hi  the 
coune  of  the  afternoon,  and  in  the  absenoe  of  Mr.  Dqgdale^  who  was 
prevented  attendmff  the  House  from  indispositioii,  it  was  Presented  to 
the  Commons  by  lur.  Lawley  on  the  next  oay.  In  ealUngtJie  attention 
of  the  House  to  ft,  Mr.  Uwl^  slated,  tfiat  it  wedd  have  reesived  tfas 
s^Cpatures  of  a  great  portion  of  the  mhabitants  ef  the  town  and  lis 
neighbourhood,  but  from  the  circomstance  ef  the  meetiog  befaw  held  se 
abort  a  timepravions  to  the  expected  motion  of  the  member  nr  Wey- 
mouth (Mr.  Buxton)  on  the  snVjeet    The  diffnent  parts  ef  the  petition 


^PUBLIC   LIFE  AND   EVENTS.  465 

.  * 

were  then  uxged  on  the  particular  notice  of  the  Hoxue,  and  the 
Hon.  Member  conduded  07  remarking — ^*  such  are  the  feelings  and 
opinions  of  a  body  of  men  well  calcolated  to  form  the  justeat  estimate 
of  the  yalae  of  free  labour  Kodfree  exertions."  The  petition  addressed 
to  the  Lords  was  presented  by  Lord  Calthorpe. 

Here  is  a  record  of  one  of  those  terrible  accidents  which 
have  so  frequently  occurred  in  Birmingham : — 

August  11,  1823. — Li  the  discharse  of  our  public  duty  through 
a  long  series  of  years,  it  has  not  fallen  to  our  lot  to  record  a  more 
appalunff  and  dreadful  accident,  or  from  the  peculiar  domestic  affliction 
under  which  the  &mily  of  the  principal  sufferers  previously  laboured — 
one  that  has  excited  a  more  lively  and  general  feeling  of  sympathy 
and  regret,  than  that  which  occumd  in  8t  Mary's  Square,  in  this 
town,  on  Monday  last  Soon  after  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  the 
inhabitants  for  a  considerable  distance  around  the  square  were  alanned 
by  the  report  occasioned  by  a  tremendous  explosion,  and  the  fears  of 
thoae  in  the  immediate  vicinity  were  heightened  oy  effects  ffreatly 
resembling  those  <^  a  slight  shock  of  an  earthquake,  accompanied  p^  the 
destraotion  of  a  numMr  of  their  windows.  It  was  immediately 
ascertained  thai  the  report  proceeded  from  the  premises  of  Mr.  Wilson, 
formerly  in  the  ooeopation  of  Messrs.  Wilson,  Starkey,  and  Go.,  button 
makers ;  and  several  persons  almost  immediately  proceeded  to  the  spot, 
when  a  dreadful  scene  preaented  itself-  In  a  back  room,  or  warehouse 
adjoining  the  houses  the  body  of  Mr.  Wilson  was  discovered,  almost 
entirely  Duried  beneath  a  heap  of  mbbUh,  shockingly  mutilated  and 
disfigured,  and  deprived  of  all  signs  of  life;  and  in  another  part 'of  the 
same  room,  bat  at  some  distance,  one  of  the  ftmales  employed  in  the 
mannftetory  was  foond  expiring  from  the  effects  of  the  u^ury  she  had 
sustained.  Hie  room  in  wnidi  the  bodies  were  lyings  we  understand, 
preeentsd  an  appearance  of  the  most  complete  rmn  and  desolation — 
Che  floor  was  pemrated,  the  oeilingB  and  walls  stripped,  the  roof  and  a 
part  of  the  laths  displaced,  and  a  large  counter,  at  whidi  it  afterwards 
appeared  Uie  unfortnnate  sufferers  had  been  engaged^  riven  to  atom% 
and  the  greater  part  fbroed  through  the  apertare  mto  a  worinhop 
beneath.  In  a  room  adjoining  seiwd  females  wers  at  work,  two  of 
whom  wsre  also  found  to  be  very  seriously  injured  far  the  oifocts  of  the 
explodon,  and  two  others  slightly  sa  Other  more  instant  parts  of  the 
manu&ctonr  were  mudi  shattered,  and  the  windows^  &e.  broken.  His 
bodies  of  tae  deceased  were  removed  into  the  boose,  and  the  females 
injiwed  were  forthwith  conveyed  to  the  hospital,  where  immediate 
soxxieal  aid  was  rendered  them.  The  natural  inference  as  to  the  eanas 
of  m  melancholy  catastrophe  wa%  that  it  proceeded  from  an  explosion 
of  gunpowder ;  the  real  cause  was,  however,  soon  ascertained,  and, 
dreadful  as  was  the  oecnmnoe^  the  most  exs^pgerated  reports  wero  in 
speedy  dreolation,  and  great  erowds  wen  in  consequence  attracted  to 

In  the  course  of  the  evening  an  inquest  was  summoned  by  the 
eoroner,  Mr.  Whateley,  whidi  met  on  the  following  morning.  The 
mindpal  evidence  was  obtained  fix>m  the  under  sexton  of  8t  Mary's 
CSiapel,  who^  it  seems  was  the  first  to  enter  the  premises  after  the 
explosion ;  and  from  several  persons  employed  ^n  the  establishment, 
frtMn  whose  testimony  it  appears  that  Mr.  Wilson  had  been  for  soms 
Ume  in  the  habit  of  manufoctnring  pereoHion  or  fulminating  powder-* 


456  A  CSNTURT  OF  BIBMINGHAM  UFE. 

a  chemical  oompoond  of  highly  daageroos  preparation — now  generallT 
used  as  priming  to  fowling-pieceiB.  Sj  two  of  we  individoala  examined, 
Mr.  Wilsony  .Toiy  idiortly  prior  to  tne  accident^  was  observed  to  be 
occnpied  at  the  ooanter  of  the  warehouse,  attended  by  the  female  who 
also  nnfortnnately  fell  a  victim,  with  a  quantity  of  the  powder  before 
him,  which  he  was  about  to  put  into  a  bottle  standing  near  at  hand. 
One  of  these  witnesses  passed  b^r  him  so  shortly  before  the  explosion, 
that  it  took  place  before  he  had  time  to  descend  the  steps  of  the  ware* 
house :  and  that  moment  he  observed  that  Mr.  W.  was  rubbing  some  of 
it  between  his  hands,  but  by  what  preciae  means  the  explosion  was 
caused,  remains,  and  must  still  remain  wholly  unexplained.  It  was 
known  that  the  deceased  was  sometimes  in  the  habit  of  collecting  the 
powder  with  the  aid  of  a  kni£9-blade,  when  putting  it  into  bottles,  but 
whether  he  tised  it  on  tins  occasion  could  not  be  ascertuned  ;  a  blow  or 
friction  against  some  hard  substance,  no  doubt^  however,  gave  &tal 
effect  to  the  latent  qualities  of  the  mixture.     It  is  supposed  the 

auantity  that  exploded  was  from  four  to  five  pounds  weight ;  and  from 
be  testimony  of  the  medical  gentleman  rMr.Xloyd)  who  examined  the 
bodies,  it  is  some  slight  consolation  to  know  that  the  deaths  of  the 
sufferers  must  have  been  almost  instantaneous.  After  a  long  and  most 
{Mdnful  investigation,  the  verdiot  returned  in  both  cases  was  Acddental 
Death.  The  females  who  were  conveyed  to  the  hospital,  notwith- 
standing the  sevecity  of  thdr  injnriei^  we  are  happy  to  say,  are  in 
a  fidr  way  of  recovery.  The  remains  of  Mr.  Wilson,  who  was  little 
more  than  SI  yean  of  age,  were  interred  on  IViday,  in  8t.  Maiy^i 
Chapel-yard. 

In  this  year  the  town  was  gratified  by  a  visit  firom  Mr. 
Bobinson,  the  Ohanocllor  of  the  Exchequer.  - 

TbS  pEAVGIXXOB  OV  THB  EZCEBQITBR. 

.  8ept  15, 1823.— A  dotv  has  seldom  presented  itself  more  oongenSal 
to  our  leelinn  or  more  nirly  ofiEning  matter  of  congratnlatioo  (oour 
townsDMO,  than  that  devolving  nponiia  In  oonaequflnoe  of  the  late  most 
gratifying  visit  from  the  Bight  Hon*  Qentleman,  idiose  offidal  distinc- 
tion introduoes  the  present  artiela  It  Is  already  known  that  the  Ghan- 
cellor  of  the  Exofaeqoeiy  taking  advantage  of  a  tempoimnr  reddence  in 
the  neighbourhood  with  his  fimOv,  visited  this  town  within  the  last 
ftrtnigfat^  lor  the  porpose  of  inspeeoDg  some  of  the  manufiMtnting  esta^ 
lishments  of  the  plaoe ;  and  liaviitg  gratified  his  eurioslty  as  &r  as  his 
engagements  then  permitted,  he  retimied  to  Leamington.  Indneed  hj 
the  probabllitjof  lus  remaining  there  a  short  time  IoomTi  an  Invitation 
was  transmitted  on  Monday  last^  in  the  name  of  the  Magistrates*  ffigh 
and  Low  Bailiff,  and  a  number  of  reqieetaUe  inhabitants  of  the  town, 
requerting  the  honour  of  his  company  to  dinner  at  the  Boyal  HbteLon 
the  fidloinng  Thursday;  the  Invilaiion  was  aeeepted  la  the  moat  flat- 
tering terms,  and  a  committee  was  immediately  nrmed  to  prepare  Ibr 
his  reception. 

The  Bight  Hon.  Gentleman  reached  town  soon  afternoon,  and  on  his 
way  to  the  Hotel,  he  visited  the  naanfiictoty  of  Messra  Yales  and 
Hunper,  where  be  eontinncd  a  considerable  lengtli  of  tfane.  The 
remainder  of  Uie  morning  was  occnpied  In  the  Inspectta  cf  oli^ 
lidbtments  of  interest  The  flantieaien  who  had  Intiniated  their  intention 
ctf  giying  him  the  meeting  began  to  assemUe  soon  after  sis  c^ck)dc.  and 
after  amort  time  had  eh^Mco^the  Chancellor  entered  the  rooBi,  and  was 


PUBLIC   LIFE  AND   EVENTS:  457 

introdaoed  to  the  oompanj.  Dinner  was  soon  announoed,  and  the 
party,  seventy  in  nnmbery  took  their  seats.  The  chair  was  taken  by 
Theoaore  Prioe,  Esq.,  having  the  Bight.  Hon.  Gentleman  on  his  right 

The  following  is  a  record  of  sight-seeing  under  difficulties, 

which  might  have  deterred  a  less  persistent  people : — 

Oet  fiUy  1823.— AsGB3fT  or  Mr.  Sadler.— The  hoisting  of  a  flag  on 
the  tower  of  St  Philip's  Church,  on  Monday  mominff,  announced  the 
intention  of  Mr.  Sadler  to  attempt  an  ascent  with  his  halloon ;  and  not- 
withstanding the  V617  unfavourable  state  of  the  weather^  thousands  of 
the  inhabitants  were  observed  in  all  directions  making  their  way  towards 
the  Crescent^  the  spot  fixed  upon  for  the  ascent^  while  a  sull  denser 
stream  of  our  population  directed  their  course  towards  Newhall  Hill 
and  other  emlnenoss  around,  commanding  a  view  of  the  Crescent,  and 
from  which  the  ascent  though  at  some  diBtance,  could  be  seen  with  the 
best  possible  effect  In  these  situations  the  populace  quietly  remained 
during  the  process  of  inflation,  though  the  ram  continued  to  descend  in 
toirentsi  and  ahnost  without  intermission,  during  the  whole  of  the 
"  mcuming.  As  the  hour  fixed  upon  for  the  ascent  d^w  near,  our  streets 
became  almost  wholly  deserted,  and  many  of  the  shops^  as  well  as  Uie 
diflfarent  warehouses,  were  dosed,  the  attraction  being  too  great  to  be 
resSsted.  whether  by  masters  or  servants ;  indeed,  since  the  ascent  of 
Mr.  Sadler  from  Yaoxhall  in  1811,  we  do  not  recollect  any  instance  in 
which  publio  cnriorfty  was  more  generally  excited. 

The  ezhausttees  charity  of  the  Birmingham  people  now 

fomid  another  field  for  ite  beneficence.   In  this  year  the  Eye 

Hospital  was  established.    The  report  of  the  meeting  gives 

its  ODJeet  and  e(Mistitation : — 

Nov.  84.  l8S8r— Aia  Meeting  held  this  d^,  for  the  wmmt  of  estab- 
liahintt  in  &rmiqdiam  an  Infiimary  for  the  Ueliel  of  the  Poor  afflicted 
with  Diseases  of  th^]^;  The  Hi|^  Bailifl^  in  the  Chair ; 

•  It  was  resolved  unanimously, — 

1.  Thati  in  the  opinion  d  this  meetiog,  it  will  be  highly  benefldal 
to  the  labouring  daaaes  of  this  populous  town  and  neighbourhood,  that 
an  InstittttioQsnould  be  fonned  tor  the  Jtelief  of  the  Poor  afflicted  with 
Diseases  of  the  Eye. 

8.  That  this  Institntioii  shall  be  caUed  ^The  Infirmary  for  Diseases 
of  the  £ye^  established  m  Birminriiam,*  and  shall  be  supported  by 
OontribnaoiiSi  Legacies^  and  Annuiu  SubaeripCions. 

S.  That  every  Annual  Subscriber  of  One  uuines,  or  Donor  of  Five 
Quineai^  shall  be  a  Governor,  and  possess  the  right  cif  recommending  an 
wnlimfted  number  of  patients. 

4.  That  in  the  Governors  shall  be  vested  the  power  of  making  the 
Bules  and  Begulatiooa^  of  eleothiff  Offioere^  and  appointing  a  Committee 
for  the  pnipoae  of  condncianff  the  business  of  the  Infirmaiy ;  that  a 
Meeting  ol  the  GovemorB  shiul  take  place  annually  on  the  Tmrd  Moo- 
day  in  October,  or  at  any  other  time  when  summoned  by  the  Committee. 

ft.  That  the  Committee  shall  consist  of  not  more  than  twenty  Gover* 
nors,  that  it  shall  meet  quarterly,  or  oftener  if  found  necessary;  that  at 
each  Meeting  a  Member  present  shall  be  nominated  Chairman,  and  that 
three  Membeti  shall  form  a  quorum. 

fi.  That  the  following  Gentlemen  shall  form  the  Committee  for  the 
present  year,  namely : — 


458  A  CENTURY  OF   BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

The  High  Bailifi;  J.  F.  Lednm,  Esq., 

The  Low  Bailiff,  Thomas  Attwood,  Ek}., 

The  Bev.  J.  H.  Spry,  Oharlea  Oope,  Esq., 

The  Bev.  J.  Fenwick,  W.  Blakeway,  Esq., 

Bichard  Spooner,  Esq.,  G.  Borrish,  £Bq., 

a  T.  Qalton,  Esq. ,  P.  M.  James^  Eml, 

J.  F.  Lawrenoe,  Ssq.,  Timothy  Smith,  Esq., 

The  Bev.  J.  Come,  T.  G.  Simeon,  Esq., 

Joseph  Walker,  Esq.,  J.  Sdiolefidd,  Esq^ 

Geoive  Attwood,  Esq.,  W.  Ptitten,  ISsq. 


7.  That  tne  Medical  Oflfioen  coiunst  of  one  Physician,  one  Sux^geon, 
and  one  Assistant  Snigeon. 

8.  That  Dr.  De  Lys  be  appointed  Physidai^  Mr.  Hodgson,  Surgeon, 
and  Mr.  J.  F.  Ledsam,  Assistant  Snigeon  to  the  Infinnary- 

9.  That  this  Meeting  be  adjoomed  to  aday  to  be  namea  bjr  theOom- 
mi^ee^  for  the  pnipose  of  recetying  a  report  of  their  prooeedm^ 

Bailiff  having  left  the  Chair,  and  the  same  having  be^ 


The  High 
taken  by  the  Low 

It  was  resolved  unanimously, — ^That  the  Thanks  of  this  Meeting  be 
given  to  the  High  Bailiff  for  hisaiUe  conduct  in  the  Chair. 

Donatioiia  and  Subscriptions  an  received  by  the  Treasnren^  Messrs. 
Attwood,  Spboner,  A  Oou,  Bankers,  Birmingham. 

It  ^waa  due.  to  the  eaergy  and  peraisteiioe  of  Mr,  Ho^^boh, 
the  first  Surgeon  of  the  new  chanty,  that  this  Hoflmtafwaa 
established.  Some  estimato  of  the  good  which  it  nas  been 
enabled  to  do  may  be  formed  when  we  state,  that  since  its 
foundation  in  1823  to  the  end  of  1867,  no  fewer  than  187^78 
patients  have  been  relieved  at  this  institation.  The  fidlo  w- 
ing  is  the  annual  statement'!fit)m  Maixh  81st^  1866,  to  March 
Slst^l867:  In-patients,  588;  out-patients,  6,810;  operations 
on  patients  blind  with  cataract^  lat;  other  openitioDS,  1,606 ; 
gross  number  of  patients  relieved,  187,278 :  number  of  bckls, 
50.  Income,  indudingdonations^l^aciesy&a,  £1,757  lia  5d. 
Expenditure,  £1^42  11&  Sd.  Officers  of  the  Charity : 
committee  of  governors,  20;  consulting  suxgeons,  2;  honoraiy 
surgeons,  4 ;  resident  surgeon,  1 ;  treasurer,  auditors,  secre- 
tary, and  matron.  Mortgage  debt^  £2,000 ;  debt  on  current 
exMsditure,  £769  11a  8cL 

The  year  1823  tlosed  with  a  work  of  Charity,  and  veiy 
early  in  1824  another  was  commenced.  Birmii4;ham  being 
a  me  town  to  which  all  adventurous  spirits  could  resort 
without  fear  as  to  their  citizenship,  it  is  not  surprising  that 
a  large  number  of  Welshmen  were  found  amoiunt  its  in- 
habitants. One  of  its  crosses  was  called  the  Welsh  Cross;  and 
the  number  of  that  race  must  have  been  conriderable  when 
the  wealthy  found  it  incumbent  upcm  them  to  fonn  a  Si 
David's  Society,  for  the  purpose  of  assisting  the  poor.  The 
report  of  this  good  work  appeared  on  Marcm  8, 1824 : — 


PUBLIC  LIFE  AND  EVENTS.  459 

At  a  Meeting  of  the  Gentlemen  connected  with  the  Prindpality  of 
Wales,  held  at  the  Bojid  Hotel,  Birmingham,  on  Monday,  the  let  of 
March,  1824^  in  parsoance  of  a  public  advertiaement,  for  the  pnrpoee  of 
taking  into  consideration  the  practicability  of  establiBhing  a  WeLali 
CSharity ;    Edward  Uoyd  Williams,  Esq.,  in  the  Chair ; 

Besolved, — That  it  appears  to  this  Meeting,  from  the  report  of 
Gentlemen  well  acquainted  with  Birmingham  and  its  yicinitj,  that 
there  are  a  very  conuderable  number  of  poor  Persons,  connected  with  the 
Pincipdi^  of  Walea^  resident  in  the  town  and  neighbourhood,  whose 
fsmihes  reauire  the  aid  of  the  more  opulent 

BeBolvecL-— That  a  Society  be  formed,  to  be  called  ^  The  Birmingham 
St  David's  Sociefy,''  its  object  being  to  assist  in  educating  and  clothing 
Children  of  Welsh  Parentage^  not  having  parochial  setUement  in 
Warwickshire  or  the  adjoining  counties. 

Besolved, — That  a  Fund  for  that  purpose  be  established  bv  annual 
Subscriptions  and  Donations;  and  tnat  GenUemen  and  Ladies  con- 
nected with  tiie  Principality  be  requested  to  lend  their  assistance  in 
furthering  tbe  dbieet  of  this  Meeting. 

That  Soetor  firt  Bayiea  be  appomted  IVeasurer. 

Thai  the  Bar.  Beigamin  Howell  be  appointed  Secretaiy. 

That  the  following  Qentiemen^  with  the  T^mwurer  and  Seeretaxy,  be 
appohited  a  Committee  to  manage  the  affidn  of  the  Institution  for  the 
eosningyaar*  withpower  to  add  to  their  number : — 

Iber.  John  Corner  John  Morton  Tiedsam^  Esq., ' 

'hSx.  ILearj  ErmniL  J.  R  Ledsam,  Esq., 

,  Ber.  John  Howelb.    .  Mr.  Edward  T.  M!oore^ 

Clement  Ingjel^y  Bm|.,  Mr.  RBoberta^ 

MffiKcDdridc.  Mr.  John  Beeoe, 

Thomas  I^  Iiee^  Esq.,  Edw.  Lloyd  WiUiams,  Esq. 

Edw.  Llotd  YtiLLULna,  Ohainhan. 

Tha  Chairman  havioglsft  the  diair, 

Bflsolfed^--That  the  Thanks  of  this  Meeting  be  giren  to  the 
nan  Ibr  his  able  conduct  in  the  diair.  Bbvjamdt  Howsll,  Sea 

Babscriptimis  and  Donations  will  be  raeelinad  at  the  Bank  of  Mi 
Taykn  and  Lloyds  s  by  Dr.  Birt  Daviesi  Treasurer,  Na  18^  Colmors 
Bow ;  the  Bar.  &  Howell,  Secretary;  Great  Brooke  Street^  Ashted,; 
and  at  the  Ofl&oa  of  the  Birmingham  Cmaette. 

The  next  panupraph  records  the  abolition  of  a  ciiriouii 

custom  in  one  oToar  trades,  the  existence  of  which  seems 

almost  inerediUe  >— 

Mardi  lli^  18S4.— The  Tohmtary  abandonment^  bjr  the  Mastar 
Codcfounders  of  this  town  and  neighboBrhood,  m  the  ptaotioe  of 
dedttctiog  a  per  oentage  in  aettliog  with  their  journeymen  at  the  dose 
of  eadi  week|  la  an  tiample  well  diiaaiTlng  tho  imitation  of  other 
ManunwrUirewL 

A  meeting  was  held  on  September  8«  at  which  it  wais 
resolved:— 

That  a  Baflroad  from  the  town  of  Birmingham,  through  the  Stalfotd* 
diire  CoDieriea  and  Iron  Works,  hj  WolTeihampUmy  Maatwidiy  and 
Gheatery  to  the  Mener,  to  communicate  with  the  town  of  liteipool ; 
with  branchea  to  DncUrr  and  8toort>rid(;e,  to  the  Shropahire  Goal  and 
Iron  Work%  to  the  Stanbrdshire  Potteries,  and  to  Cheater,  would  be  of 


460  A  CENTURY  OF  BIBMIMOHAM  LIFE. 

the  greatflBt  advantajge  to  the  above-mentioiied  pUpoee  and  districts,  and 
pro&ctiTe  of  eeaentS]  benefit  to  the  nation  at  laxge. 

It  was  also  resolved  that  a  Company  be  formed  for  this 
object,  and  that  the  capital  be  £600,000  divided  into  12,000 
shares  of  £50  each. 

The  Catholics  of  this  town  held  a  meeting  for  the  pur- 
poses given  in  the  following  report : — 

8ept  5K7, 1824. — On  Wednesday  last  a  public  meeting  of  the  Catho- 
lics <i  the  Midland  Gounties  was  held  at  the  Bo^  Hotel,  in  this  town, 
for  the  puxpose  of  forming  a  Catholic  Association  in  connection  with 
that  established  in  the  metropolis.  The  dia{r  was  filled  by  Edward 
Blonnt,  Esq.,  by  whom  the  plan  and  objects  of  the  association  were 
detailed,  A  number  of  resolutions  were  entered  into,  the  most  im- 
portant of  which  were  the  two  following: — 1.  ^That  this  meeting 
nigfalj  approves  of  the  plan  and  objects  of  the  British  Catholic  Associar 
tion,  and  hereby  forms  itself  into  a  orandi  of  the  said  association,  under 
the  name  of  the  Midland  Branch  Oathdlie  Assodatian.  S.  That  the 
basis  on  ¥^iich  this  Assoniatioii  is  founded  is  the  right,  whidi  ereiv 
man  possenesu  of  worshipping  God  aooordinjf^  to  the  dictates  cf  Jlus 
ffm/m^m^  witnout  being  subjected  on  that  account  to  any  ciTil  paina^ 
P<»M^<«",  or  diaabOities  whataoerer.  That,  In  aooordaace  with  the 
principle  above  dedared,  we  solemnly  protest  against  being  called  upon, 
as  the  oonditioii  of  enj<mnjff  our  dvfl  ii^t%  to  take  any  oath,  or  make 
any  d^ftTTf^*"^^  or  suomit.to  any  aixaijgemento  whidi  mmr,  In  the 
remotest  degree,  affect  the  mostfree  exercise  of  our  religion ;  but,as  we 
have  already  tmn,  80  we  shall  be  aft  an  future  times  prepared  to  take^ 
any  oath  approved  by  our  aoelesiastical  superiorsi  idnxh  will  perfectly 
■ecure  onr^most  fuU  and  complete  all<gfance  In  all  dvfl  coneenis  te  the 
floveniment  (tf  our  country,*  FhrndsOuming,  Esq.,  the  Bev.  Messrs. 
IrOonnell,  Bock,  Wareing,  Martyn,  Beadi.  CGisstiydi,  and  others  took 
partlnthepiooeedingBof  ttieday.  Mr.  Bbunt  was  elected  dudrman 
of  the  nsiw  association;  Mr.  Haraman,  treasurer;  and  the  Bev.  T.M. 
MTXiinne11,secretaiysaiiddialinianof  tteOommittee. 

In  rrferenoe  to  this  subject  the  following  notice  appeared 

<m  November  29 : — 

The  Oitholifls  of  the  Midland  Distrioty  oomprising  the  counties  of 
Warwkk,  Btaffnd,  Woroestar,aiid  Saloa  finding  that  the  desigpation 
wiiiditheT  had  assumed,  as  loiming  a  naadi  of  the  Genenl  Btitish 
GatibolieAModatioQ  was  iUml,  have  formed  themsdves  Inte  a  distlnet 
aodetv.  to  be  called  the  K^i**^  f^thfffltff  Assodatlon. 

The  railroad  mania  was  now  beginning : — 

Nxir  BahtBoad  OoMPAvm. 

December  ao^  18S4— Daring  the  past  week,  the  rage  to  obtahi  rafl- 
itMd  diM«s  has  risen  in  this  town  to  a  most  axtraordinary  height^  and  the 
aeid j4bnned  eompaaiss  have  alfotded  eatendve  opportunlUes  to  those 
eager  Ibr  speoalation.  Al  a  meeting  of  gentlemen  Interested  In  the 
inteiided  Hnnliiriiam  and  livwpooT  Bafl-road,  held  on  Wedaesdar 
hMt|  at  the  Bi^yaTHoteL  to  thk  town,  Bobert  Sadth,  Eiq^fllgh  Ba^ 
to  tU  ehahr,  It  was  resolved  that  a  rall^tMid  tern  this  town  to  the  dto 
of  London,  eoimeeted  with  the  ptOMsed  Liverpool  rail-road  and 
f nralshlBg  a  direct  and  rapid  eommunlflation  across  the  countiy  from 


PUBLIC   LIFE  ANDl  EVENTS.  461 

the  port  of  London  to  that  of  Liverpool,  would  facilitate  the  interoourse 
with  Lreland,  and  be  of  the  highest  national  advantage ;  and  that 
a  company  be  forthwith  formed,  with  a  capital  of  one  mfilion  sterling, 
divided  into  20,000  shares,  at  £50  each.  A  committee  was  then  formed 
of  six  and  twenty  indivianals  for  the  pnrpoee  of  carrying  the  resola- 
tions  into  effect,  with  power  to  add  to  their  number,  and  to  increase  the 
capital  by  additional  shares  if  necessary. 

Messrs.  Attwood,  Spooner,  and  Go.  were  appointed  treasurers,  and 
Mr  Barker,  solicitor  to  the  company.  Names  were  immediately 
subecribed  for  a  great  number  of  sluures,  and  the  book  being  removed 
to  the  treasurers,  those  allotted  to  this  town  were  all  engaged  in  the 
course  of  that  and  the  following  day. 

Intimation  of  the  establishment  of  the  Company  at  Bristol  reached 
this  town  on  Tuesday  morning,  and  becoming  soon  spread  abroad,  the 
bank  of  Messrs.  Attwoods  anaOo.  was  thronged  by  persons  desirous  of 
subscribing  their  names^  and  such  was  the  eagerness  dispUyed  that  the 
number  of  shares  appropriated  to  this  place  (^600)  was  encaged  in  lees 
than  two  hours  afterwards.  Many  who  were  disappointed  in  obtaining 
ahares  did  not  hedtate  immediately  to  offer  premiums,  and  shares 
rapidly  advanced  unto  they  reached  £7  pr^um.  The  frequent 
obstruction  in  the  Severn  Navigation,  and  the  consequent  delays  so 
lonff  and  justly  complained  of  bv  manufacturers  and  others  interested 
in  Uiat  line  of  conveyance^  will  perhaps  account  for  the  avidity  with 
which  shares  in  this  proposed  undertaking  have  been  sought  after. 

The  foUowixig  is  a  ver^  interesting  account  of  one  of  our 
most  useful  private  chanties : — 

Lehgh's  Trust. 

Dee.  S7, 1824.— We  have  pleasure  In  giving  publieitv  to  the  follow- 
ing intererang  account  of  a  diarity  that  has  long  eodsted  in  tliis  town, 
but  wliichf  notwithstanding  its  extent  and  nsenOness,  isy  ^exhaps,  hut 
little  known  to  the  great  majority  of  our  readers.  Comparing  the  good 
it  eflfocts  with  the  means  onployed,  it  ia  perhaps  unequatkd ;  and,  cer- 
tainly we  are  aware  of  no  institution  more  eagerly  sought  after  bv  those 
lor  whose  benefit  it  is  designed.  On  Tuesday  lairt,  bemff  8t  Tnomas^s 
dajTi  the  Bailiff  of  Lmdi'sTrust  (the  present  Low  Bailiff  of  this  town) 
paia  the  usual  mtuity  of  ten  shillings  to  eadi  ^  the  1 12  occupants  of  the 
alms-hoosesi  who  are  principally  wioows.  There  are  at  this  tame  neariy 
a  hundred  mplicants  tor  admission ;  and  such  is  the  attention  paid  by 
the  trust  to  tiae  comfort  of  the  inhabitants,  that  but  four  deaths  have 
occurred  during  the  last  two  yean^  althoiu;h  there  are  forty  between 
70  and  80  years  of  sflSy  e^^hteen  between  fi)  and  90,  and  five  upwards. 
Several  have  ooeupiea  their  rooms  from  20  to  30  yssrs,  a  few  more  than 
40^  sad  one  individual  not  less  than  00  years,  and  who  is  now  neariy 
one  hundred  vears  old,  scarody  any  of  than  being  under  60.  Of  late 
years,  to  render  the  charity  boieficial  to  ths  mostneedy,  it  has  been  the 
custom  not  to  admit  any  much  under  70  years  of  age.  They  receive 
gnaiteriy  five  shillings  each ;  but  at  this  season  of  the  year  the  trustees 
nave  thmigfat  it  right  to  double  the  usual  allowance. 

The  founder  of  this  excellent  and  well  i^ipronriated  diaritjr  died  in 
the  reign  of  Heniy  VIII.,  and  bequeathed  a  small  sum  for  the  benefit  of 
the  poor,  and  in  part  for  the  naving  and  improvement  of  the  town* 
The  present  income,  however,  noes  not  all  arise  from  his  bequest,  for 
more  than  one  benevolent  inaividual  since  his  time  have  bequeathed  to 


462  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM   LIFE. 

the  aame  trust  property  to  be  applied  by  tlieiii  ior  the  benefit  of  the 
poor  of  this  pliu)e»  at  their  own  cUsoetion.  The  late  Mjs.  Soott^  of  Ne v 
Street,  some  few  years  back,  enabled  the  trostees  to  build  one  side  row 
of  the  almshouses  sitoated  in  Dudley  Street^  and  at  her  decease  she 
endowed  theuL  .  '• 

The  original  buildings  for  this  puipose  are  those  in  Steelhouse  Lane, 
oontainhig  42  rooms ;  next,  those  m  Dudley  Street  oontaming  38 ;  and 
lastly,  those  in  Park  Stroet^  oontaininff  32  rooms,  making  a  total  of  112, 
whidi,  bein^  erected  at  an  average  of  peihaps  not  more  than  ;£40  a 
room,  supply  as  many  comforts  in  proportion  to  the  oqienditure  .as 
pertiaps  any  institutioa  for  the  poor  can  exhibit 

Daring  the  year  1824  Dr.  Birt  Davies  had  writien  a 
series  of  eloquent  letters,  advocating  the  establishment  of  a 
House  of  Recovery,  or  Fever  Hospital,  in  this  town.  ^  The 
subject  was  taken  up,  and  it  was  resolyed^.to-adfl  thisinsii- 
tution  to  our  other  &aritie&  A  meeting  was  lield  and  -^ 
committee  appointed.  The  following  is  me  report  of  their 
first  meeting: — 

Jan.  3, 1825.— Ata  lieetingof  the  Comnu^ee  for  the  Establishment 
of  aHoiaaeof  BeooveiTyOrFeverHonxtaLin  Birmingham,  held  at  the 
Stork  TaTem,  on  Wednesday,  the  39th  of  i>eoember,  iaS4,  present^ 

The  Ber.  Ed  ward  Bon,  in  the  Chair, 
F.  Lawle^,  Esq»  IIP.,  Mr.  Unett^ 

James  Taylor,  An^  '    Hr.I>imhart 

W.aBnaBell,Biq^  Mr.  Meradit^ 

Mr.  Lee,  Mr.  Beal^ 

Dr.  John  Johnstone,'  Mr.  A  maid, 

Mr.a<>pe,  Mr.  a  Indflfcj,  - 

Mr.W.WrSmHh.         ^  Dr.  BlitlSwieB. 

BesblTed,— That  the  Boles  and  Bsgolaiioos  now  read,  be  the  Bnlj^ 
and  Regnlatiops  of  the  House  of  Beooreiyi  or  Fenrer  Homtal,  snhjeet 
to  the  i^iprobation  of  a  general  Mestjng,  or  Board  of  Ihe^Govenion.' 

It  appearing  from  a  stidMneDt  laid  More  this  Meettog.that  ft  yM 
reqoire  a  subscription  of  £^  ^7^^  to  sopport  ^  Hotaseof  Beeofenr, 
Besoh7ed,--That  the  Idlowing  (ientlflmen,  Tis^  ^Mr.  W.  W.  8m^ 
a Inglebr, Dr.  Biit  Datl^Jir; Han^ton. Mr.  JaAson. Mr., James 
Mason,  Mr.  Donbar.Mr.  Bower.  Mr.  0«ni,Mr.B[jme%  and  Mr.  naett» 
bereaaestedtoBoUdtannQalsnDser^itioiis;  andwhenthesiimef  jfiaOO 
shall  oe  snbseribed,  that  a  genend  Board  be  held  ior  tiie  prnpose  of  eon- 
finniQg  the  Bnlesi  and  of  appointing  OflBoers  to  the  Instrtotioa. 

That  Mr.  O.  Cope,  Mr.  Beale^  a^  Dr.  Daviea;  be  req[iieated  to  maloa 
inqniries  f or  an  ehgibls  baildin«  in  the  Tkinitgr  of  ibe  Tdwn  lor  fiie 
House  of  Beoorerj :  Moertafaiue  terms  npoii  which  the  same  naj  be 
ranted,  and  report  the  rssqJt  of  thririnqiririss  to  the  OomarftteepwT^^ 

to  the  General  Board. 

That  these  reaohitioai  be  adrertind  in  the  Birmiogham  Kewspapets, 
and  that  sabsor^ptioii  lists  do  lie  at  the  wtnnl  Banks  in  the  town. 

Edwaid  Bubv^  Chairmaa. 

The  next  work  of  the  new  yesr  w»s  also  one  or  Oisri^ ; — 

Soonorr  ion  thm  Bbust  or  Boon  Aoid  Woxsv. 
Jannaiy  S4^  18S&.— The  state  of  eztrene  wrstdiedneas  and  desti- 
ttttion  in  which  great  nnmbeis  of  Women  pam  the  latter  term  of  their 


PUBLIC  LIFE  AND   ETV^^a^TS.  463 

existence,  after  the  season  for  active  exertion  has  ^ne  by,  will  be  allowed 
to  are  them  a  powerful  claim  to  assistance.  It  is  proposed,  therefore, 
to  form  a  '^Society  for  the  Belief  of  Poor  Infirm  Aged  Women,"  resident 
in  this  town  and  neighbourhood,  and  the  kindoo-operation  of  the  bene- 
volent is  earnestly  requested  for  the  furtherance  of  thir  measure. 

With  a  view  to  bring  the  design  and  objects  of  the  proposed  Sodely 
effectual^  before  the  public,  it  is  intended  that  the  Meeting  should  he 
held  on  Fridav  next^  the  28th  of  January,  at  eleven  for  twelve  o'clock 
predselv,  at  the  Blue  Goat  SchooL  on  which  occasion  the  attendance  of 
those  who  may  take  an  interest  in  the  proposed  Sodety,  and  feel  desirous 
of  supporting  it^  is  respectfully  solicited. 

Jaios  Moobx,  A.M.,  )  Provisional 
jAxn  PEABSOKy  3  Secretaries. 

Our  neixt  quotation  is  the  report  of  the  first  annual  meet- 
ing of  the  St  David's  Society : — 

BnucnraBAic  St.  DAvm's  Socmrr. 

MarcSi  7, 1825.— The  first  Axmivenaiy  Meeting  of  the  Subseriben 
to  this  Society  DTis  held  on  Tuesday  last  at  the  Boyal  Hotel,  in  this 
town.  The  ohair  ynm  taken  by  Edward  Lloyd  WilUam^  Esq.,  FnA- 
dent  for  the  day.  Among  the  renolatkms  of  the  maetuiff,  was  «ne 
udddi  anthonses  the  conunitlee  to  plsoe  five  diildren,-ooDfinnably  to 
the  roles  of  the  institntiony  in  the  Binningfaam  Blue  Goat  Sdiool,  to  be 
maintained  and  edneated.at  the  expense  of  the  St  David's  Sooietj. 
When  the  badness  of  the  meeting  was  disposed  iH,  sevend  members  of 
the  Sodety  dined  togstiier.  In  the  eoone  of  the  erfwoingMiRnal  l^yil 
and  patriotio  toasts  were  given,  among  wliidi  wa%  *%>  the  pioos 
memotT  of  St  David.*  Many  eandidates  have  already  applied  ibr 
admission  into  the  sohodli^  bnt  ihh  present  ibnd%  tboum  rapidly 
inrrearinfc  will  not  aft  nroeent  tiistain  the  expenw  of  one-fiftii  of  the 
applieants.  TheannoaisabseriptionsamoanttoaboatdOLandweare 
bappy  to  learn  that  persons  ihim  variona  parts  of  Bngiana  and  Wales 
have  beoome  oontribators. 

.  If  anv  donbt  existed  before  as  to  tfie  neossdty  of  this  inatitationy 
that  doaDt  must  be  removed  fimn  the  minds  of  all  when  it  is  stated^ 
on  most  respeetable  anthori^  that  there  are  not  less  than  between 
five  and  aeTen  thousand  Welsh  fomiUes  residing  within  fourteen 
mfles  of  Birminaluuny  most  of  whom  ooosirt  of  the  labouring 
eiasi^  for  rsmoved  firom  their  native  land,  nljeeted  to  a  variety  m 
dUBcnltieo  and  deprivations^  and  not  entitled  to  parodiial  settlement  in 
England ;  and  when  the  benerolent  objects  of  tne  society  are  nroperly 
nnderstood  and  appreciated,  there  will  be,  doobClea^  a  general  aispo- 
isltkm  nMmiiiffed  amongst  oar  opulent  follow  townonen  and  neighboiir% 
but  more  espedally  amongst  respectable  persons  connected  with  the 
Principality  of  Wales  (either  bj  descent^  birth,  rslationshia  property, 
or  traoeX  to  ooontenance  and  sapport  this  good  canae.    It  most  be 


peeoliarlvjmklQring  to  the  generoos  heart  of  a  Welshman  to  see  ten  or 
twenty  Aildrsn  of  welsh  parents  rescoed  from  wretchedness,  igncranoe, 
and  profligacy,  and  comfortably  maintained  and  odacated  in  soch  an 
excelleat  instltntlon  as  the  Bine  Coal  SdiooL 

The  maanfSMstiirera  of  the  tame  must  have  read  the  fol- 
paragraph  with  great  pleaanre: — 


4G4  A  CCNTURY  OF  AIAMIKOHAM  LIFE. 

March  14,  I885.v-Tlie  Petition  from  the  Gfaamb^  of  Manofacturei 
and  Commerce  €d  Uaa  town,  prayiiu^  a  redaction  of  dutied  upon  the 
importation  of  iron,  conper.  and  ower  metalfl^  was  meaentedf  to  the 
Honse  of  Oommone^  ^Z.^*^*  lAwlej,  on  Friday.  Mr.  Hnskiflsoo,  Fred- 
dent  of  the  Board  of  Trade,  in  oonaequenoe^  stated  that  he  ahonld,  on 
the  2l8t  instant^  aabmit  certain  reeolations  to  the  House,  with  a  view 
of  affording  increased  fiualities  to  commerce  and  navigation,  in  which  it 
would  be  proposed  to  make  such  a  change  as  would  vimit  the  importa- 
tion of  iron^  copper,  brass,  tin,  and  other  Ibreif^  minerals  into  this 
countiy.  Mr.  Lyttelton  said  he  had  conversed  with  some  of  the  prin- 
cipal iron  nOtfters  on  the  salgect  of  a  reduction  of  the  import  duty  upon 
iron,  and  that  they  were  quite  content^  and  admitted  the  utility  and 
sound  policy  of  a  reduction  taking  place. 

The  next  advertisement  is  the  first  announcement  of  the 
puUication  of  the  Birmmgham  Journal . — 

Nxw  BntmiroBAK  Pafir. 


April  18^  1825.— On  Saturday,  the  4th  dav  of  June  next,  will  be  pub- 
lishea  a  new  weekly  paper,  to  be  entitled  Tbe  BntMnroHAM  Jovutal. 


throoriiout  the  extenme^  populous  and  important 
'  the  sflQoinlng  ooontiesL  .... 

Tbe  Birmingham  Journal,  containtng  the  Tonagia  TntetUgenee  re- 
ceived in  London  to  the  latest  period  on  the  preceding  evenfaig^  Builia* 
flMntaiy  FirooeedinflL  a  eorreei  report  of  the  Londra  and  Kovinciai 
'  MarkeUi^  withafadMaosly  aelecteamsss  of  important  locsl  informatioo, 
will  be  published  predselty  at  Iw^  &doek  eveiy  Saturday  momiiu|^. 
^y  this  anaogamen^  and  through  the  medium  of  its  ageneifli^  H  will  & 
,  efarculated  throufljhoat  a  district  of  twan  ty-lhre  miles  rcrand  Bifmins^itm 
THB  SAMS  svannc^  and  in  the  principal  towns  in  the'kfaigdom  eany  on 
the  Allowing  monungi 

Printed  and  pfubuUMd,  te  the  Phyprietoral^  William  Hb4grt 
No.  16.  Spieeal-stioet.  (opposite  St  Martho^s  Qiureb)  to  whom,  or  to 
the  Eoitor,  all  ommmmiiffiUnns  (bee  of  postage)  are  reqiMSted  to  be 


Agonts  la  Loodon.  If esBia.  Newtoo  and  Ckx,  No.  &  Warwlek«iQanL 
andMr.  Bafkwr,  Na  33,  nest«treet 

The  annivenaiy  meetuig  of  the  New  CSatholic  Aiwociation 
18  thtrn  farieflj  reported : — 

Kaj  8,  ISSBw— The  SMmbeta  of  the  Midland  CteftboUe  Assneiation 
held  their  Annivenanr  Heethur  at  tbe  Boval  Hotel,  in  this  town,  on 
Thondaylsst^  Edward  BloimtiBm.,  in  tbe  flhalr/  Mr.  CKOoobsO  arrived 
In  town  time  enoofl^  to  take  part  in  the  proceeding  Mid  addresBsd  tbe 
ineetiivinaneedoeeiipviqgaboiittwolMmfa  TheAssooiatioaafter^ 
wards  entertamed  their  CDalnnaa  and  Visiton  at  dbmi&t,  and  the  com- 
pany did  not  braak  vp  tiQ  a  late  boor. 

On  Kay  17  petitiona  both  for  and  against  Cktholic  Emaa- 
cipatioii  w«re  proomtod  to  the  House  of  Lords  from  this 
town.  The  one  in  opposition  to  conoession  by  the  Lord 
Chancellory  and  the  other,  strangely  enough,  by  Lord  OeiI- 
tiiorpe. 


PUBLIC  LIFE  AND  EVENTS.  465 

On  May  20  the  B^ral  assent  was  given  to  the  Birming- 
ham New  Gas-light  Company's  Bill 

In  this  year  was  commenced  the  building  of  St.  Petei^s 

Church,  Dale  End : — 

Aaguflt  1, 1826. — The  corner  stone  of  a  church,  dedicated  to  St  Peter, 
in  course  of  erection  in  Dale  End,  in  this  tdwn,  was  laid  with  due  cere- 
monial, on  the  part  of  those  officially  concerned,  on  the  momiiu^  of 
Tuesday  last  Two  of  the  Local  Gommissioners,  the  Bev.  h,  Gardner, 
D.l>.,  Bector  of  St  Philip's,  the  parish  in  which  the  structure  is  to  be 
raised ;  and  James  Taylor,  of  Moor  Green,  Esq.,  with  their  Solicitor, 
the  Architects,  and  a  numoer  of  the  deny  of  the  town  assembled  to 
breakfast  at  the  Royal  Hotel,  and  soon  after  ten  moved  in  procession  to 
the  spot  where  the  formalities  usual  on  such  oocsaions  were  observed, 
and  the  stone,  under  which  some  coins  of  the  present  reign  were 
deposited,  was  lowered  into  its  position.  The  ceremony  being  concluded, 
an  appropriate  prayer  was  offered  up  by  Dr.  Gardner,  after  which  the 
procession  retumea  to  the  hotel  The  brass  plate  embedded  in  the 
moriaur  immediately  under  the  stone,  bears  the  following  inscription  : — 

^  The  firrt  stone  of  a  new  Church,  dedicated  to  8t  Feter,  was  laid 
on  the  26th  day  of  July,  1625,  by  the  Bev.  Charies  G9rti&  the  Bev. 
lAwrence  Gardner,  D.U.,  and  James  Taylor,  Ebgl,  the  Local  Commis* 
sionerB  for  building  Churches  in  this  district  The  expense  of  the  site 
and  structure,  amounting  to  ^^19,676  2s.  lid.  was  demyed  out  of  a 
Parliamentaiy  Grant  of  £l,000,00a  The  Hon.  and  Bight  Bev.  Henry 
Byder^.D.,  Lord  Biaho])  of  the  Diocese ;  the  Bev.  Lawrence  Gardner, 
D JO.,  Sector  of  the  Parish :  John  Welchman  Whateley,  and  John 
Cope,  GSiarehwaidsDS  of  the  Parish;  BicJnnan  and  butchinson, 
Ardiiteets." 

The  Master  Tailors  seem  to  have  been  fineqnently  engaged 
in  trade  disputes  with  their  men.  In  1777  there  was  one 
rendered  fiunons  by  bdng  the  first  on  record*  in  which  the 
men  proposed  the  now  popular  method  of  co-operation. 
We  have  here  the  record  of  another  dispute  of  which  (mly 
the  masters'  aoooont  is  publidied.  The.  laws  against  com* 
bination  were  then  so  severelv  need  acainst  the  men,  Uiat 
we  doubt  not  the  masters  fblly  carriea  out  their  threat  of 
prosecution.  It  is  also  curious  to  notice  that  the  masters 
m  this  case  adopt  a  mtem  which  it  has  often  been  aUeged 
belongs  entirely  to  the  men.  They  will  not  ffive  employ- 
ment to  those  who  continue  members  of  tiie  ^  ong^nal  House 
of  Gall,  the  Three  Crowns,  in  Worcester  Street*^  We  wish 
that  the  men's  record  of  this  contest  had  been  preserved : — 

To  Jonunmsv  Tanoia 

September  19, 18S6.~-Wanted  hnmediately,  a  number  of  Journey- 
men  Tallort.    Good  steady  workmen  will  meet  iriUi  eonstaat  employ- 
ment, at  S7a  per  week— day  or  pieee  work,  bj  applying  to 
Catetree,  New  Street  Dabbs,  Snow  Hill 

*8eeToLl,p.  sa5. 


466  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

Bate,  New-«traet  CWby,  Aston  roftd 
Greeley  &  M'Biyd,  Union  Stnet       Foreter,  KewhaU  Street 

Englieb,  Cherrr  Street  Herbert,  Oolmore  Row 

Allport^         mtto  Minshnll,  Ann  Street 

Hatton,  ditto  Waring,  Ann  Street 

Johnson^  Summer  Lane  ^KE^  Swolk  Street 

Henahaw,  St  Paul's  Square  Sabel,        ditto 

Boll,  Itnaj  Street  Wilson,  King  Street 

N.R — Gentlemen  are  particolarly  solicited  to  allow  as  much  time  as 
possible  wi&  their  orders,  to  admit  of  their  being  aent  to  town  to  be 
exeented. 

Thb  Mastbr  Tailobb  would  not  tronble  the  Pablie  with  a  redtal 
of  any  of  their  ffrievanoes,  bat  from  the  nntme  statements  of  their 
Jonmeymen  in  their  advertisement  in  the  Chronicle  of  Thnnday  last 

We  now  beg  leave  respectftdl j  to  state,  that  we  nerer  took  anj  part 
in  regol&ting  or  agreeing  to  their  list  of  prices  in  April  last,  bnt  were 
oblic^  to  submit  to  the  imporftion  of  paying  them  upwards  of  SOt 
per  week,  nnder  the  mask  of  what  they  are  now  fdeased  to  call  twen^- 
seren  shillings. 

We  have  since  offered  them  9,7s.  per  week  day-work  (the  nomhial 
▼alne  of  their  demand)  and  would  willingly  have  given  good  coat  hands 
28$,  or  S9IL,  according  to  merit  To  our  requisition  at  that  time,  for 
them  to  appoint  a  deputatioQ  to  meet  a  timilar  deputation  of 
Masters,'  to  nmpli^r  their  list  into  day^woik,  hr  make  warn  alteration 
as  would  tend  to  the  interest  of  both  partiesL  we  need  only  add  their 
reply,  in  order  to  convince  a  diaceraiqg  trnblie  how  unwiUi^  the  men 
were  to  come  to  any  terms  of  amicable  a4j«tment 

Copy  of  the  Journeymen*!  reply  above  reftrred  to^  addrsMed  to  the 

Secretary ,  Ifir.  Bate,  New  Street  :-r 

'  *8ir,  in  ansvir  to  yionn  I  hmlolntemyooiltii  our  deCeimi* 

nation  to  stand  or  ikU  hj  the  list  yoU  have  been  prassnted  with^  and 

not  to  rob  maateia  who  have  promised  to  euppnrt  na. 

*K3l— We  are  ready  to  aerviiyou  or  any  other  master  on  the  same 


tf  -  » «      ^  % 


*  Years  obedienlly.         *  - 

<<  April  Ifi,  1686.*  .  JoBV  Tatxai,  Beorstaiy.* 

Hie  Pablie  will  ^  once  ase  l^  the  above  Istter^  the  eombination  we 

have  to  cope  with ;  and  it  Is  diieiy  by  a  rsUanee  on  thdr  fndujgsnes 

Inr  a  short  period,  in  the  way  pointed  oat  as  above^  that  we  hope  to 

ensore  eonplete  eQeosss.    Thefcflnreefthrir  fluids  will  at  enee  take 


from  them  the  power  of  vahMhUfy  briUw  and  enlisting  those 
who  are  willing  to  work  by  the  new  Itet  TMr  thrsatsdetsr  steady 
workmen  frtmi  rstnmiog  to  their  doty;  and  cCki  are  held  oot  by  toe 
sodetv  to  Induee  them  to  leave  thehr  employsrs. 

It  is  now  our  detendnatkatoproBseote  those  alsgaided  tadlvidnslB 
who  Bsyin  fktors  be  delsefeed  m  the  above  praenessi  nor  wiU  we 


take  any  of  ^sm  into  oar  emfilgpnent » loiiffM  thsy  ars  msoibeBS  ef 

ruL  W< 


the  ori|^  House  of  CMl,  the  Ttrse  Ctowml  worosster  Btrset 
September  1^  18tS. 

Here  ia  the  fint  reoootd  we  have  of  the  Eariy  donqg 
ICovemeiit:*" 

September  SM,  1820.— The  Inhabitants  of  Biraaogham  and  Its 
vidnity  are  most  respeetfolly  informed,  that  a  nomeroos  Meeting  of 


PUBLIC  LIKE  AND  EVENTS.  467 

Linen  and  Woollen  Drapersy  Silk  Meroeri,  Habeidashen,  Laoemen, 
Hattera  and  Hosiers  of  IBirmingham,  held  at  the  Boyal  Hotel,  the  Slet 
of  September,  1825,  to  take  into  consideration  the  respectful  appeal  of 
their  Assistants,  soliciting  to  be  liberated  at  an  earlier  hour  in  the 
evening  from  business,  in  order  to  afford  them  better  opportunity  for 
recreation  and  mental  improvement^  it  was  resolved, — ^That  it  is  highly 
expedient  for  the  health  and  comfort  of  those  engaged  in  retail  tnules, 
that  Business  should  be  closed  at  an  earlier  hour  than  has  been 
customary,  and  to  carry  this  salutaiy  measure  into  effect,  it  was  unani- 
mously Sjp^reed  to  dose' the  Shops  during  Summer  at  nine  o'clock,  from 
the  1st  of  March  to  the  Ist  of  SeptemMr,  and  in  the  Winter  at  eight 
o'clock,  from  the  Ist  of  September  to  the  1st  of  March  inclusive^  (Satar- 
days  excepted)  to  commence  on  the  Ist  of  October  next 
Signed  by  aesire^  and  on  behalf  of  the  Meeting, 

R  T.  Cadburt,  Chairman. 

Another  new  Church  is  to  be  added  to  the  list : — 

October  10,  1885.— The  Local  Commissioners  for  the  buildinff  of 
Churdies  in  this  town  n^et  on  Saturday  morning  lagt^  to  dedde^  from 
among  the  varioua  designB  and  eatimates  submitted  to  them,  wjpua  a 

flan  finr  the  erection  of  the  new  Chiireh  intended  to  be  built  at 
[oUowar  Head,  when  we  understand  the  one  made  choice  of  was  that 
fiimished  by  Messrs.  Bickman  and  Hntdiinaon,  under  whose  snperin- 
tendence  tlie  work  wOl  therefore  be  earned  into  execution. 

Bachard  Pratchet  was  one  of  the  most  active  of  our 
puUic  men,  and  as  a  Commissioner  was  inde&tigable  in 
canying  out  improvements.  He  died  ''at  his  home.  Sand 
Pits,  near  this  town,"  on  July  4,  1824,  a^  67.  It  was 
resolved  to  acknowledge  his  public  services  with  a  monument. 
The  execution  '<^  tms  memorial  was  entrusted  to  our 
townsman,  Mr.  Hollins,  and  in  November,  1825,  the  work 
was  placed  in  St.  Martin's  Church. 

The  doseof  the  year  was  marked  by  one  of  those  fiulures 
whidi  so  disastrously  affect  a  tradinff  community.  OnDecem- 
ber  17»  the  Banking  House  of  Oibbins,  Smith,  and  Ooode, 
suspended  payment  In  the  OazeUe  on  Monday,  the  Csict 
was  thus  notified : 


Dee.  19. 18S5.— It  b  with  sinoere  ngni  we  state  that  on  Satnidaj 
moming  toe  Bsiiking  Hoose  of  Mew».  Gibbinfl,  Smith,  and  Goode, 
instesd  ni  epening  for  bnrinf  as  unul,  exhibited  tne  following 
nolioa:— ''It  is  witti  the  deepest  eonoem  that  Mesva  Gibbin%  Smith, 


'Smpend  their  payments. 

ft  thqr  f  eel  eonSent  that  the  AsMts  of  the  Bank 

win  be  loaad  eooal  to  meet  all  its  engigementa 
''Satorday  i>eoember  17.* 

The  statement  made  in  the  last  paragraph  of  this  notice 
proved  to  be  correct  In  the  end  the  creditors  were  paid  in 
ML 


468  A  CENTURY   OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

In  1826  tihere  was  another  dispute  in  ther  Boot  and  Shoe 

trade.    It  is  a  misfortune  that  in  so  many  of  these  early 

trade  quarrels  we  have  only  the  statement  of  the  masters: — 

JanoaiT  2d,  1826.— To  the  Public.— The  Master  Boot  and  Shoe 
makers  of  Birminghain  respectf uU ^r  inform  the  PabliCy  that  in  conse- 
quence of  their  Journeymen  refusmg  to  work  without  an  advance  of 
wa^pesy  which,  after  mature  deliberation,  they  feel  persuaded  they  cannot 
in  justice^  not  only  to  the  public  and  themselyes,  but  even  to  the 
Journeymen,  consent  to  giye,  they  beg  leave  to  solicit  its  indulgence  in 
the  execution  ci  orders,  as  it  must  be  obvious  that  they  cannot  execute 
them  with  their  usual  promptitade  until  thev  have  obtained  other  men, 
which  they  will  fmdeavour  to  do  as  speedilv  as  possible,  being  unani- 
mously determined  to  submit  no  longer  to  the  tyrannical  dicUtion  of 
their  JoumeymeQ. 

A  Town's  Meeting  was  held  in  March,  on  the  subject  of 
Free  Trade  and  the  Com  Laws  A  series  of  resolutions  were 
proposed  and,  with  one  exception,  carried  unanimously. 
^The  series,  as  originally  framea  by  the  Committee  of  Bequi- 
sitionists  was  moved  by  Mr.  Turner ;  the  first  was,  however, 
objected  to  by  Mr.  Kichard  Spooner,  because  it  did  not 
merely  ask  for  a  reformation  of  the  Com  Laws,  but  contained 
a  general  expression  of  approbation  of  the  conduct  of  Minis- 
ters, with  wbich  he  was  unwilling  to  concur;  be  therefore 
submitted  an  amendment,  expressive  of  the  opinion  of  the 
meeting  that  sufficient  attention  bad  not  been  given  bv 
Qovemment  to  tbe  sutgect^  which,  beinff  more  in  aooord- 
ance  with  the  ^preat  body  of  those  assembled,  was  carried  by 
a  laxge  majontjr.  Mr.  Osier,  and  Ur.  Turner  in  vain 
attempted  to  defend  the  reaoludons  as  originally  worded,  the 
latter  gentleman  contending  that  ]the  amendment^  if  carried, 
would  deprive  the  petitions  of  many  names  which  it  was 
most  desirable  they  should  oontlun.  Mr.  Spooner  replied 
previous  to  its  beinff  put  to  the  vote."  The  lollowing  is  a 
copy  of  Mr.  Spooners  amendment  It  was  seconded  by  Mr. 
Jonn  Towers  jLawrence : — 

That  this  meeting  is  willing  at  ones  to  reeogalse  the  tnith  of  the 
prindples  of  fbee  Uirae,  and  wmdd  willingl j  eoocur  with  his  Miiies^s 
Minisian  in  the  adoption  of  audi  mMsdres  as  may  toad  to  the  ptwss 
ilTS  removal  of  those  restrietioiiB  on  oonuiMroa  aiid  manu&ctaras  inddi 
so  long  ohstmelod  the  indoslry  and  vesooreos  of  tlie  ooontry ;  bat  this 
mooting  oannot  at  tho  same  tim^  help  miiiaring  its  opiaion  that  soffi- 
eiont  attention  has  not  boflopdd  to  tho  intoiOBtswIiioii  have  grown  up 
imdorthowstrioUTesysl<Bi,andthatth(SiiiitappBoationofthosoprin« 
dploa  ought  to  have  bean  to  tho  trade  in  oom,  a  bnmdi  so  important  as 
in  a  groat  dogreo  to  afroot,aiid  ovon  to  ngulato  ororjothor. 

The  commercial  distrust  and  the  consequent  distress  were 
so  great  this  year,  that  unusual  efforts  were  made  to  avert 


PUBLIC  LIFE  AND  EVENTS.  469 

the  evils.  There  were  distress  riots  in  various  parts  of  the  -; 
country ;  and  the  commencement  of  that  great  agitation  for 
&ee  trade  which  ended  in  the  repeal  of  the  com  laws  may 
be  da*ted  from  this  time.  In  order  somewhat  to  relieve  the 
commercial  distress^  a  large  loan  was  issued  by  the  Bank  of 
England  for  the  accommodation  of  the  trading  world.  A 
sum.  of  £300,000  was  apportioned  to  this  town,  and  Mr. 
Theodore  Price,  the  Bev.  John  Corrie,  Thomas  Lee,  W.  C. 
Russell,  and  Benjamin  Wright  were  appointed  commissioners 
for  its  distribution. 

The  principal  manufacturers  of  the  town  issued  the  fol- 
lowing manifesto : — 

We,  the  undennentioned  mana&ctorexBof  the  town  of  Binniiigliam, 
think  it  ottr  duty  to  make  known  to  hia  Majes^s  Goyemment  the 
following  statement  of  facte : — 

lat  For  the  kst  mx  months  we  have  experienoed  a  great,  continnal,  1 
and  progreesiTe  falling  off  in  the  demand  for  oar  manx&etares,  and  an  f 
mereanng  diffieol^  in  obtaining  payment  of  oar  debts  dae  from  even  ' 
the  moat  reaponai  me  hoaaea.  ^ 

2nd.  That  in  order  to  meet  this  state  of  trade,  we  have  been  compelled 
to  diamiaa  great  nambers  of  oar  workmen,  and  have  generally  placed 
the  remainder  of  them  npon  f oar,  three,  and  even  two  dayi^  wow  per 
week. 

3rd.  TSiatt  notwithstanding  theeediatreaaingredactioDa  in  the  employ- 
ment of  oar  worknifln,  we  find  that  the  diminidied  demand  fin:  oar 
manafactarea  reqairea  still  farther  sacrifices; '  that  we  are  keeping  open 
oar  manafactoriea  at  a  great  and  positive  loaa  and  many  of  oaapmhend 
that  it  win  be  necessary  f or  oa  to  dose  them  altogeOie^  nnJess  his 
Majesty'a  If  inistera  can  devise  some  measores  iCat  oar  relief. 

4th.  That  some  of  as,  vdioae  names  are  hereto  affisted,  have  been 
manof actaren  in  thia  town  from  forty  to  fiftv  Tears,  and  that  daring 
that  eventfal  period  we  never  eiperienoed  diimsaltiea  of  a  chaneter  ap 
oniveraal  and  overwhelming  aa  those  in  whidi  wears  now  Involved. 

0th.  Wealao  think  it  oar  daty  to  repcesent^  that  hitherto  aome  sab-  1 
aiatenoe  haa  been  obtained  by  the  working  claa»ea  from  their  paataavinfp^  I 
and  the  aale  of  clothes  and  nimitare ;    oat  that  we  oontemplato  with  I 
great  alarm  the  rapid  ezhanation  of  these  meana,  and  the  longer  contina-  I 
ance  of  ao  great  a  popalation  oat  of  employment  I 

Birmingham,  Jaly  13»  ISJg.  ' 

The  following  notice  is  honourable  to  the  printers  of  the 
town: — 

DurtnssD  Pbditibs  iv  Lovdov. 
^  September  18,  ISae.-^-The  attentJon  of  the  JooneymenFrintera  of 
Birmingham  having  been  called  to  the  onpreoedented  diatiess  *>^**^g 
in  the  fietropoli^mm  the  very  great  dearth  of  the  printing  bQsines% 
a  meeting-  of  the  trade  waa  held  on  the  90th  of  Aogost^  to  adopt  sndi 
measares  aa  might  aiibid  aoma  temporary  relief  to  their  distieawid 
brethren.  A  very  handsome  aabaeription  waa  then  entered  into ;  and 
on  a  representation  of  the  aame  being  made  to  the  principal  masters, 
thev  moat  liberally^  aided  the  canae ;  whereby  the  Oommittee  have  heea 
enabled  to  transmit  jC25  to  the  Oommittee  in  London.    The  number 


470  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE 

destitute  of  employment  is  without  precedent,  and  there  being  no  imme- 
diate prospect,  of  a  revival  of  businefls^  the  Birmingham  Committee  are 
induced  humblj  to  solicit  the  aid  of  a  generous  public  towards  the  alle- 
viation of  the  great  miseiy  entailed  on  numerous  families,  there  being 
at  this  time  upwards  of  2,000  totally  destitute  of  employment.  Sub- 
scriptions will  be  received  by  the  respective  booksellers  of  this  town. 

The  foundation  stone  of  St.  Thomas's  Church,  Holloway 
Head,  was  laid  by  the  Lord  Bishop  of  the  Diocese,  on  Mon- 
day, October  2,  with  the  usual  pomp  and  ceremony.     * 

llie  next  extract  records  the  arrival  in  Birmingham  of  the 

first  steam  Canal  Boat : — 

Steak  Cahal  Boat..  .  . 
October  S,  1826.— A  Steam  Canal  Boat  arrived  in  this  town  on 
Friday  last^  from  London*  oanring  twentj  ton%  and  is  the  fint 
smccessfbl  attempt  ever  made.  Toe  steam  is  generated  with  the  Patent 
Duplex  Generators,  npon  an  entirelj  new  principle^  without  a  boiler, 
and  withoat  danger.  The  weight  ol  the  machinery  does  not  ezeeea 
four  tons.  Her  oonsomption  of  coal  upon  the  trip  was  one  ton. .  She 
baa  a  wheel  in  the  stem,  upon  an  unproved  oonstruietion,  that  is  oapaUe 
of  bemg  raised  up  on  entering  a  lock.  The  aTerafle  of  her  apeea  was 
equal  to  that  of  the  flj  boats.  She  passed  through  ttie  long  tonnel,  one 
nule  and  three-fourths^  in  forty  minutes^  and  towed  another  boat  eaixy- 
ing  ten  ton%  withoat  aenribly  diminishing  her  spee<L  Ko  inoooTenienee 
was  experienced  from  the  smoke.  Great  curiosity  was  excited  on  the 
banks  of  the  canal  by  thia  novel  mode  of  travellingt  and  at  one  time  she 
had  no  less  than  mty  passengers  npon  lier.  deck.  The  resolt  of  this 
experiment  has  been  perfectly  aatismctory,  and  when  the  machinery  la 
applied  to  rmlar  ouial  boats  of  a  aoitable  coDstraotici^  it  k  Ci^^ 
toat  one  whole  dar  will  be  aayed  in  time  between  London  and  Biiv 
mingham.  It  is  the  intention  of  the  proprietors  to  ettaUidi  a  line  of 
itnem  boats  ImmediatelT.  This  machinery,  from  ita  liflhtnesa  is 
peooliax^  adqvted  for  ahcal  rivers  and  fanab;  and  the  Patentee^  idio 
is  now  in  town,  will  dl^Kiee  of  exdnslTe  priTikiges  for  any  partes  the 
coontfy,  upon  Twy  naaonable  teima. 

Here  is  the  report  of  another  meeting  on  the  sabjeot  of 
fi^etnde:- 

GBAicBxa  C9  MAMutAxmmEB  AXD  ComoBci  At  HmayoHiJi. 

KoTember  13, 18S6.— At  a  Special  General  Meeting  of  the  Member^ 
held  in  Cannon  Street  this  day,  for  the  purpose  oi  taking  Into  con- 
sideration the  Fkt>priety  of  Petitirainff  thcL^gialataxe  for  aBdTlslcii  of 
the  Laws  for  r^gnlating  the  Importation  of  Foreign  Oom ; 
8b  Tnnus  GAuroVy-EsQ^  In  the  Ghahr ; 

It  was  resoWed  1— 

1st— That  after  the  adoption  and  applicatfan  cf  these  freeprindplea 
of  trade  whkh  have  been  so  ably  advocated  by  bis  K^ifesty'a  lliniataiL 
and  nactioiied  1^  both  Hooasa  of  PttUament^  it  beeomea  an  act  ef 
legishUhre  justice  towards  the  comiiMroial  part  of  the  commiinity  so  to 
BBodiiy  the  Laws  lor  ngolatiiig  the  Importation  of  Oocn  aa  to  aceord 
with  those  prindplca 

Sad.— That  the  present  system  of  Octn  Lawsi  by  jporsasjug  the 
wagea  of  labour,  by  psedading  other  aallciia  from  making  snltabie 
rstoitti  for  an  exteiiaed  demand  for  oor  naavfoetoraSy  by  Mfordlag  a 


PUBLIC  LIFE  AKD  EVENTS.  471 

pretext  for  their  exclusion  by  high  datiei,  and  by  caiuinff  sudden 
nnetnatioDs  in  the  price  of  subsistencei  tends  to  depress  the  mana- 
fitctoring  and  commercial  interests  of  this  country,  and  to  snbject  the 
growers  and  consumers  of  com  to  the  most  distressing  Ticiasitndes. 

drdw^That  this  Meeting  trusts  that  the  modifici^on  of  the  Gom 
Laws  requisite  for  accommodating  them  to  the  late  salutary  alterations 
in  the  manu&cturiog  and  commercial  policy  of  this  country,  must 
OTentnally  promote  the  welfiu^  of  the  agriculturists  themselves,  by  its 
tendeo^  to  prevent  great  and  sudden  Tariations  in  price  at  home,  and 
in  foreign  states  retaliatory  laws  and  hostile  feelings  towards  this 
nation,  which  in  their  effects  cannot  fidl  to  depress  its  manufactures  and 
commerce,  upon  whose  prosperity  the  s^eulturists  greatly  depend  for 
the  consumption  of  the  Tsrious  productions  of  the  sou. 

4th. — ^Tnat  this  meeting,  in  urging  the  importance  of  such  increased 
fineedom  in  the  foreign  com  trade  as  shall  oe  commensurate  with  the 
reduction  of  protecting  duties  upon  imported  manufactures,  nerertheless 
unequivocally  recognize  the  necessity  of  such  degree  of  protection,  both 
for  the  British  i^pricnlturis  tand  Manufacturer,  as  shall  cover  so 
much  of  the  cost  of  production  as  is  reforable  to  the  burthens  sustained 
for  disdiamng  the  imhlie  engagements  of  the  country. 

5tLr— That  Petitions  founded  upon  the  prsoeding  Besolntions  be 
presented  to  both  Houses  of  Parliament^  praying  for  a  re^sion  of  the 
Obm  Laws,  with  the  view  of  making  audi  uterations  as  to  their 
wisdom  may  seem  proper,  for  rendering  them  more  compatible  with  the 
general  interests  or  the  British  Nation. 

'  eth.— That  Lord  Viscount  Dudley  and  Ward  and  Lord  Galthorpe  be 
requested  to  present  the  petition  to  the  House  of  Lords. 

7thw— TluLt  Dugdale  Stratford  Dugdale^  Beq.  and  Franeis  Lawl^, 
Esq.,  the  Bepteeentatives  for  the  County  of  Warwick,  be  requested  to 
present  the  petition  to  the  House  of  Oommona. 

8tfaL— That  the  preceding  Besolutiona  be  printed  and  advertised 
under  the  direction  of  the  Committee. 

8.  Tnnva  Gaiaov,  Chairman. 

The  petition  adopted  at  this  meeting  was  presented  to  the 

House  of  (Commons  by  Mr.  Duffdale,  on  October  28.    The 

followinff  brief  paragraph  records  the  dangers  which  men 

incnrrecCsnd  the  punishments  they  endure^  before  England 

obtained  the  full  liberty  of  a  '^  free  and  unlicensed  **  press. 

Jan.'  1|  18S7w— Edward  Cl^gg  and  Qeoige  Taylor  were  last  week 
eommitted  by  our  Magistrates  to  Warwiek  House  of  Corrsetion  for 
three  months  each,  for  selling  unstamped  almanarfm^  commonly  called 
"•Fladd/s  Watck"^ 

The  first  attempt  at  founding  a  Savings^  Bank  was  not 
successful,  and  tins  rear  another  was  made,  and  a  bank 
established  which  had  a  long  and  prosperous  existence.  At 
a  meeting  held  on  May  16,  Mr.  Geoige  Attwood,  High 
Bailiff,  in  the  chair,  it  was  unanimously  resolved  to  institute 
a  Savings'  Bank  and  Friendly  Societ)r,  for  the  benefit  c^  the 
working  classes  of  this  town  and  neighbourhood.  The 
Bank  was  opened  on  May  24,  and  by  July  the  9th  it  was 


472  A  CENTURY  OF  BIBMINQHAH  LIFE. 

announced  that  the  **  deposits  already  invested  at  the  Bank 
of  En^Iimd  amount  to  £2,300,  and  tiie  list  of  depositors  is 
formed  of  those  classes  of  persons  for  whose  benefit  the 
institution  is  more  particularly  designed." 

This  Saving'  ^utik  continued  until  the  Qovemment 
Post  Office  dyings'  Banks  were  established,  when,  in 
1862,  full  of  years  and  rich  in  fiinds,  its  business  was 
transferred  to  the  government  institution. 

Here  is  another  item  of  Church  News : — 

CkfnsMCBJLTiOK  bv  St.  Fstkr^s  Ohubch. 

Aogott  13)  1627. — On  Friday,  \maa  the  day  appointed,  the  Lord 
Buhop  of  the  Dloceee,  after  meeting  Ixnd  Dartmouth,  the  Hod.  Mr. . 
Legge,  and  the  Local  CommisBionerB,  at  the  hooae  of  Dr.  Qaidneri  Beo- 
tor  of  St  Philips,  where  they  partook  of  an  elegant  breakfut^  prooeeded 
to  the  oonaecration  of  St  Peter^a,  in  Dale-end,  at  ten  Vdoek. 

The  interior,  aa  well  as  the  exterior  of  the  edifioe,waa modi  admired; 


the  style  ia  Grecian,  and  leflecta  credit  upon  the  Architeete,  Ifeanni. 
Bickman  and  Hntdunaon.  It  ia  calcnlatM  to  seat  full  1,900  persona  ; 
the  greater  portion  of  the  aittinga  are  free.  The  expense  of  erectioQ  haa 
proved  to  be  £882  lOi.  8d.  less  than  the  esttmat^  wfaidi  was  sbited  at 
£13,067.  The  whole  haa  ^een  undertaken  br  his  Kajestjli  Oomnus* 
sionen  for  boflding  new  Churches  and  Ghapeu. 

Public  interest  was  excited  to  the  utmost  this  year  on  the 
subject  of  Protestanism  and  Boman  CSatholidsm.  The  Bev. 
Mr.  M'Donnell  was  a  Tciy  active  priest  of  tbe  B<»nan 
Oatholic  CSiurch,  and  took  part  in  all  the  puUic  cruestioiis  of 
the  day,  whether  social,  political,  or  religioua  This  year  a 
discusaon  was  arranged  Mtween  him  and  the  Bev.  J.  Gurnet, 
ofToric    The  f die  wing  is  the  contemporazy  account  of  this 

event: — 

August  13^  1827.  — PnUio  DiseossioiL — On  Taesdajmonung  the  Ber. 
J.  Baniet,aiidtheBeT.T.H.M'I>onneUmet,aooordi]^^toaiTanganaii^ 
in  Moant  Zkm  Chapel,  and  about  elaren  o^dodL  entmd  upon  the  dii- 
enssioii  aanoimced  m  our  kst  pnblioatipn.  Bknaid  Bpoooar.  Esq.,  of 
this  town,  and  Eneaa  M'DooneU,  Esq.,  of  Londoo,  msidad,  tlie  former 
aa  the  Fkotestant^  and  the  latter  aa  the  CSatholie  Chairman  Half  an 
hour  at  a  time  waa  allotted  to  eadi  speaker,  whidi  was  dosalyobserred. 
The  attondsnce  waa  namarona.  and  tne  proceediDgi  eommenced  l^  Ifr. 
Spooner  reading  the  BegnlattoHa  whidi  woe  to  mfmok  the  miieting, 
wnen  the  Ber.  T.  Bomet  called  upon  the  Bar.  T.  1£  HDonneD,  to 
state  the  OOhdlio  Bale  of  Euth,be  was  replied  to  bv  Mr.  B,  and  an 
animated  debate  ensufd.  Soon  after  two  o^Jodc  Mr.  bpoopsr  oiisnissed 
themeeting.  On Wedneaday moniing at eJeren o^doca, the diapotanta 
took  their  atation  on  the  platf oim,  ana  the  proceediiwB  oonuneooed  by 
Mr.  £.  MDonniOl  icadiog  the  rggoktiona,  when  M^IT  DonneU  ealled 
upon  Mr.  Bomet  to  define  the  Pkotsstant  Bole  of  lUtb,  to  wfaiA  Mr. 
M'DoimeU  nplied,  and  the  discoawon  waa  conducted  aa  on  the  pnee- 
ding  day.  We  purposely  abstain  from  any  reference  to  the  axgomcnta 
It  waa  prerionaly  arranged  that  no  outward  eTpiassion  of  approbation 
or  disapprobation  should  be  allowed,  and  though  mof«  than  once  on  each 


PUBLIC  LIFE  AND   EVENTS.  473 

day  there  was  an  indication  of  the  kind,  it  was  checked  and  suppressed 
by  the  vigilanoe  of  the  chair.  After  the  termination  of  the  discussion^ 
thanks  were  given  to  the  chairmen,  and  Mr.  Eneas  M'Donneli  rose  to 
acknowled^  the  compliment.  In  doing  this,  he  stated  that  experienced 
as  he  was  in  public  meetings,  he  had  never  witnessed  one  conducted  in 
a  way  more  honourable  to  the  paities  opposed  to  each  other,  or  to  an 
auditory.  Mr.  Eneas  M'D.  then  proceeded  to  request  of  the  meeting, 
that  in  reference  to  iLe  resolutions  of  the  society  in  which  the  discussion 
had  originated,  he  might  be  allowed  to  meet  them  in  that  place  on  the 
following  day,  in  order  to  correct  what  he  deemed  to  be  erroneous  im- 
pressions,, with  respect  to  the  education  necessary  for  the  Irish  population ; 
out  the  majority  of  ^e  committee  of  the  sode^  to  which  reference  was 
made  being  absent  at  the  time,  Mr.  Spooner  pomted  out  the  impractica- 
bility of  such  a  proceeding  emanating  from  that  meeting,  at  the  same 
time,  recommended  that  any  proposal  of  the  kind  should  oe  made  in  a 
f onnal  manner,  and  in  the  pit>per  quarter.  This  unexpected  proposal 
threw  the  meeting  in  confusion  for  some  time.  The  discussion  was 
-commenced  without  the  nomination  of  an  umpire  by  the  chairman.  The 
■am  raised  from  tidLcts  <^  admission  amounts,  we  find,  to  upwards  of 
£2O0f  whidi,  after  defraying  the  expenses^  is  to  be  applied  to  two  of  our 
paUic  institntioiiB. 

The  following  extracts  relate  to  the  Proiddent  Society, 
and  are  interesting  items  in  the  social  histoxy  of  tiie  town : — 

September  Z,  1827^— We  remi  to  learn  that  upon  a  dose  examina- 
tion into  the  state  of  the  fiinds  of  the  Provident  Sodety,  some  years 
sinee  established  in  this  town,  it  dearly  appears  thai  the  calcinations 
upon  whidi  it  was  f oonded  were  falladoos,  and  that  in  oonseqaenoe  the 
loads  most  STentaally  prove  very  inadeqitata  to  meet  the  demands 
apon  them.  It  hss  tnerefore  oeea  determined  by  the  Honoraiy 
Msmber%  in  whose  hands  the  management  rests,  that  no  additional 
members  diall  be  adoiitted ;  and  it  remains  lor  the  8ode^  at  large  to 
consider  the  most  prndential  eoorss  to  be  adopted  in  their  present 
eziflen^.  Jnsteady  as  hss  been  suggested,  of  at  once  dissolTing  the 
soMtj  and  dividing  the  fvnds  among  the  eontribntioff  members  as  fiur 
as  they  will  oo,  it  is  worthy  of  serious  oonsideratioa  whether  it  wonld 
not  be  a  mooi  wiser  resolve  for  the  members  edleetively  to  negodate 
fcr  admittance,  and  trassfer  their  funds,  to  the  Friendlj^  Sodety  vpop, 
the  best  terms  the  regalations  of  the  latter  institution  will  allow.  We 
led  strongly  persuaded  that  sudi  a  step  is,  under  all  the  dreumstancesy 
the  best  recoittree  the  members  ean  avail  themsdves  o^  and  therefore 
hope  some  plan  to  effect  an  inooiporation  so  desirable  will  be  recom* 
meoded  to  tosm  and  ultimatdy  aaopted. 

Oetober  16, 18S7.— At  a  meeting  of  the  Provident  Sodety,  held  at 
the  Lancasterian  School,  in  Severn  Btreeti  on  Wednesday,  lOth  October, 
16S7|  ealled  for  the  pinpose  of  taking  into  oondderation  the  present 
slate  of  the  Fund%  and  to  advise  aoooraingly,  Mr.  Samuel  Lloya  in  the 
Chair :— The  Hooonry  Members  having  renrsssnted  to  this  Meeting 
that  it  is  totally  imjposdble  to  continue  tne  Pkovident  Sodety,  and  pay 
the  demands  upon  it  aooordinff  to  the  original  rules  of  the  Institution ; 
Besolved— That  the  Sodety  be  dissolved  at  Christinas  next,  and  that 
all  Contributory  exoept  the  Honorary  Members,  be  paid  their  propor- 
tion of  the  Funds  in  the  manner  direeted  hj  Uie  Act  of  Parliament 
passed  in  the  39th  year  of  the  Reign  of  Qeo.  IIL 


474  A  CENTURY  OF  BIEMINGHAM  LIFE. 

That  all  paymenU  to-the  Society  be  made  good  up  to  the  25th  of 
December  next^  and  that  all  the  carrent  expenses  of  the  Sodeiy, 
indading  the  pay  to  sick  members  and  the  usual  funeral  expenses, 
be  paid  up  to  the  same  time.  Saxuxl  Llotd,  Chairman. 

.  That  the  thanks  of  this  Meeting  be  given  to  the  Chidrman,  not  onlj 
for  his  kindness  in  acting  as  Treasurer  for  many  years  past  but  for  his 
conduct  In  the  Chair  this  evening.  T.  W.  Ujieti^ 

BiKXIHGBAM  FrIBNDLT  IhSTITUTIOH. 

November  5,  1827. — ^At  a  Special  Meeting  of  the  TVnstees  and 
Directors  of  the  Friendly  Institution,  held  at  the  Publio  Office, 
Birmingham,  on  Friday,  November  2,  for  the  purpose  of  taking  into 
consideration  the  Report  of  a  Select  Committee  of  the  House  of 
Commons  relative  to  Friendly  Societies, 

TflOXAS  Lek^  Bw}.,  in  the  Chair; 
It  was  unanimoosly  Besolved  :-— 

1.  That  it  is  enedlent  to  suspend  the  operations  of  this  Society, 
until  the  investigation  now  in  prcM^reai  for  determining  the  probabilities 
of  life  be  brought  to  a  condunon,  and  the  laws  affecting  Benefit 
Societies  be  finally  settled  l^  the  Legidature. 

2.  That  it  is  with  the  deepest  r^gret^  and  soldy  tmm  a  Moae  of 
duty  to  the  public^  and  to  avoid  the  probable  oocnrrenee  of  mater 
ineoiivttnieiioe  hereafter,  ifaat  ihe  Directors  of  this  Institution,  in 
deference  to  the  opinion  expreesed  by  a  Sdeet  Committee  of  the  Boose 
of  Commons^  liave  now  resolved  to  suspend  its  operations  for  a  time^ 
oonvineed  am  they  are  that  audi  a  Society,  when  founded  on  a  aeeore 
basis,  and  platwd  under  iudidous  manaftementb  is  ealenlated  bevnid  all 
others  to  effect  the.  most  extendve  aiM  permanent  food  among  the 
workiiui  dasssa.  Until  nAi  time^  therefijteu  as  the  Direetors  diall  bo 
enahlef  under  ithe  aswntinn  of  the  IiesislatnrSL  wittL  aonfidsnaa  to 
ra^ipen  the  Aieiidly  InstitutioQ  fior  the  aomiwion  of  Hlsmbea^  tfasiT  do 
most  eamsstly  rseommend  their  poorer  neii^boura  generaUj,  and  those 
irfio  had  purposed  enterinff  tiia  Institution  in  particular,  to  aava  all 
they  can  out  of  their  weeuy  earnings^  and  deposit  the  amount  ia  tha 
8avin«^  Bank,  wiiero  it  wul  he  •eeore^  and  gather  intsrsst,  and  ba 
afaiUUe  at  a  time  of  need;  or  hereafter  enable  tham  to  enter  Ihia 
lartittttkm  with  increased  advantage  to  themsdvas  and  their  fJamOiea. 

TBOKAa  Ln^  OhaJrman, 

There  is  no  Birmingham  family  now  living  whose  name  ia 

80  frequently  met  with  in  our  annals,  as  tbe  Lloyda    fVom 

the  beginning  of  this  Chronicle  in  1741,  to  its  oondamon  an 

1841»  we  find  them  busily  engaged  in  all  works  of  benevolence 

and  public  utility.     Long  berore  the  first  named  year  th^ 

were  thus  engaged  in  serving  their  native  town ;  and  then: 

^  representotives  prove  that  the  old  blood  still  runs  in 

veins,  and  that  tney  possess  the  same  will,  and  happily. 

they  possess  the  same  power,  to  labour  for  the  well-being  of 

the  community,  of  which  they  are  such  active  and  useftd 

membera      We  have  now  to  quote  the  obituaxy  notice  of 

one  of  the  worthiest  of  this  worthy  family: — 

JannaiT  21, 18S&— On  Wednesday  hsit,  in  the  SOth/earof  hiiiM 
CSuuies  liojd,  £m|..  Banker,  of  this  town,  a  member  of  tiie  Soeiety  off 


'      PUBLIC   LIFE  AND   EVENTS.  476 

Friends.  His  lonff  and  actiTe  life  was  marked  by  great  intelligence  in 
business,  nnaffected  pietj,  and  zealons  exertions  to  promote  the  welfare 
of  his  f dlow  creatorea.  How  often  has  his  simple  yet  impressive  elo- 
quence been  heard  amongst  us,  pleading  the  cause  of  the  oppressed 
African,  advocatinff  the  dimision  of  the  Holy  Scriptures,  and  promoting 
the  Education  of  the  people  1  For  the  prosperity  of  the  General  Hqs- 
pital  he  always  manifested  deep  interest^  and  aided  it  by  his  personal 
exertions.  As  Treasurer,  he  kept  the  accounts  with  his  own  hand  during 
a  period  of  fifty  years.  -  In  public  subscriptions  he  set  a  generous 
example,  and  m  private  Ghuity  he  was  most  bountiful  and  kind. 
Cheemuneas  and  piety  were  mingled  in  his  character  with  a  simplicity 
truly  patriarchal.  Strict  and  conscientious  in  his  own  conduct^  he  mani- 
fested a  christian  and  benevolent  spirit  in  regard  to  others — and  whilst 
he  endeavoured  to  act  up  to  the  principles  of  the  society  in  which  he 
was  ^ucated,  he  felt  un  bounded  love  and  dbarity,  and  prayed  for  the 
proeperi^  of  all  denominations  of  Christians.  To  a  very  numerous 
famuy  he  was  ever  a  most  affectionate  Either,  counsellor  and*  friend — 
setting  them  the  example  of  a  religious  life  and  conversation ;  and  reap- 
ing, during  seasoDS  of  great  trial  and  affliction  the  divine  cooaolations  of 
his  Lord  and  Maater.  Hopeful  imto  the  endy  ha  shewed  Jiis  mounfol 
friends  with  what  peace  a  Gori8tia&  can  diel  f. 

The  spirit  of  active  beneTolenoe  which  has  alwajrs  been  a 

distii^aishin^  characteristic  of  the  Birmingham  people,  was 

veiy  DUS7  this  year,  as  the  following  ei£:acts  samdently 

prove : — 

Hait^lT,  182&— It  will  be  obMrred  thati  at  a  meetipff  ol  Sabscri- 
bera  on  Toera^  last^  it  was  xeaolted  forthwith  to  establfsn  a  House  of 
Baoovery,  or  f*«iver  Hospital  in  this  town.    A  distinci  fund  for  this 


object  has-been  obtained  l^  the  perwverance  of  its  original  advocate^ 

~  a  oommiwaa  has  been  aimintM  to  take  the 


Dr.  Biii  Bavies;  and 
neoessaxy  steps  pcepan^ory  to  its  opening.  Dr.  John  Johnstone^  who 
was  present  at  the  meeting,  and  waxmly  expressed  his  i^^probataoii  of 
the  measure^  was  reqaestea  to  aooept  the  office  of  Oonsnltisg  Phyaiciany 
and  Dr.  Birt  Davies^  that  of  Physidan  to  the  institution. 

Maidi  H 1688.— At  a  Meeting  of  the  Committee  of  the  Birminffbam 
House  of  BeeoverTy  eonvened  by  dreolar  kttera,  and  held  at  the  Stoik 
Hotel,  in  the  Old  Souare^  the  SSnd  day  of  Mudiy  18S8;  The  Bar. 
George  Peake  In  the  Chair ;  *     . 

Dr.  Birt  Davies  having  eommunioated  to  the  Committee  thai  an  oflfer 
had  been  made  to  him  of  a  House  situated  at  the  comer  of  Bishopwats 
Street^  and  fronting  Holloway  Head,  belonging  to  Mr.  Henry  Wii^jnekL 
at  an  annual  rent  of  £70^  and  whidiyfrom  ita  being  entirely  detaohed 
from  other  habitaftionsy  erected  in  a  spacious  gardan,  in  a  complete  state 
of  repair,  and  poaseasing  manv  local  advantages,  was.  In  hb  judgment^ 
particularly  weli  adapted  lor  the  purpoaea  of  the  Institution;  sad  some 
of  the  Committee  having  been  to  new  the  Hooae^  and  eoDSorring  In 
opinion  with  Dr.  Birt  Davies,  that  It  Is  very  suitable  for  the  purpose ; 

Boolved.— That  the  House  above-mentioned  be  immediately  taken 
for  the  purposea  of  the  Establiahment 

April  21, 182&— It  will  be  aeen  that  a  self-supportiog  Dispensary 
ibr  this  town  and  neighbourhood  has  been  determined  upon.  The  first 
Institution  of  the  land  waa  established  by  Mr.  Smith,  at  Soatham,  to 
whom  the  pnblie  Is  Indebted  to  the  principle,  and  nr  the  seal  and 


476  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

peneTeranoe  with  wliich  he  has  advanoed  it  The  plan  of  the  present 
Dispensary,  by  which  this  new  and  important  principle  is  first  adapted 
to  the  pecoliarities  of  a  large  and  popolons  ^lace,  originated  with  a 
practitioner  of  this  town.  It  embraces  two  objects---to  sa^y  medical 
aid  to  the  mechanics  and  the  labonring  claoseo  on  terms  snited  to  their 
dreamstanoM,  and  to  afford  ffratoitpos  assistance  to  snch  as  reside 
beyond  the  limits  of  the  Birmlngfaam  Diipensary,  and  are  unable  from 
their  poTerty  to  contribute  for  themselTes.  It  is  intended  that  patients 
shall  nave  the  privilege  of  choosing  their  surgeons,  and  that  the  latter 
shall  supply  their  respeotire  patients  with  medidne,  by  whidi  means 
the  expence  of  an  establishment  is  aToided. 

BirmingTiam  has  always  been  remarkable  for  its  zealous 
Protestantism.  We  have  already  related  the  maimer  in 
which  the  Centenaiy  of  the  Bevdntion  of  1688  was  cele- 
brated in  this  town«  The  riots  of  1791  were  as  much 
religious  as  political  It  seems  a  fiettal  coincidence  that  in 
the  following  report  of  the  formation  of  anotiber  Protestant 
Association,  the  name  of  the  leader  should  be  Qordon : — 


Bailiff  was  ealled  to  tne  ehahr,  and  CSaptain  QordoOy  fitmi  the  Parent 
Sooietyy  briefly  stated  the  objects  of  the  instltntion  to  be  the  promotion 
of  the  mrinoiples  of  the  Belbnnation ;  assisting  the  loioal  dttgy  of  Irdaod 
in  the  distribation  of  bibles  and  traets;  the  pablieation  of  traets  in  far- 
theranoe  of  protestantism;  and  the  dreolaUon  of  aaibanticfnfi)rmalioii 
M  to  the  moral  and  veligioaieonditlon  of  that  eoantry;  disdaimiogat 
the  tame  time  aU  internranee  with  pottties^'and  holding  oat  no  temponil 
indncements  tojyroselytism.  The  fiivi  MolntUm  haTingbeentnov^d 
by  the  Ber.  E.  BwcUf  and  seconded  by  fiidiard  Spocmery  Eiq^  the  Bor. 
Mr.  ITDoonell  ttMe  fer  the  purpose  of  tiffining  an  amendment -to  Hie 
lesdlation. '  The  rsr.  gentleman  then  stated  his  dgsetioDS  to  the  sodcty 
at  great  length,  and  eondnded  bynoring  an  Immediate  adjotmiaMnti 
Ckptain  Gkmon  replied,  eonfininff  his  ranarka  to  the  points  Wfsd  In 
oljeetlon  bylfr.  li'DonnelL  The  amendment  was  then  put  to  the 
meeting^  and  n^gatiysd  by  a  large  majotity.  The  Ber.  Mr.  Xterd, 
another  oatholio  nriest^  followed,  and  was  answwed  bjr  Mr.  Spoooar. 
lir.  Fhieh,  on^  of  the  depntatloQ  from  the  parent  aootety,  afterwards 
addressed  the  diab,  and  Mr.  Ml>oiineU  again  apdke  and  mofsd  a  seeoad 
aBModmenti  which  was  nmllyed,  and  the  otigmal  motion  carried,  after 
a  fordble  reply  from  Captain  Gordbo.  ThsHigh  Bailiff  soon  afterwards 
qnitted  the  cbahr,  and  the  thanks  of  the  meeting  were  gifien  to  Uol 
Towardathedooeof  theproeeedinismiidi  oonftision  prmlled,  aadil 
was  with  great  difieolty  order  eoola  at  all  be  pressrvecL  T1iefrsq(MBl 
interroptaone  which  took  plaoe,  oeeasicned  the  meeting  to  beprolnieted 
to  an  mrasQ^lly  late  hoar.  GoUeotioDS  were  made  at  the  dooraas  the 
meeting  broke  np. 

Here  is  an  aooonnt  of  the  sncoess  of  onr  new  Fever  Hoe- 
mtal — a  charity  which  has  since  been  meif^  in  theClenend 
Hospital : — 

Aiignst  11, 188a— WehaYepieasmnehileamliigthatthe  FevwHoapilal 


PUBLIC  LIFE  AND  EVENTS.  477 

is  affording  eyidence  of  its  QsefblnesSi  and  aoqairioff  that  sapport  which 
it  well  deserves.  From  the  minates  of  the  last  Monthly  Board  of  the 
QoTemors  and  Committee  it  appears  that^  in  two  months,  thiritf  patients 
have  received  the  benefit  of  the  charity,  twenty-five  of  whom  were  dis- 
charged cared,  one  died,  and  fonr  were  convalescent.  80  very  small  a 
proportion  of  mortality  to  the  admission  is  fortunate  for  the  rising  cha- 
racter and  snccess  of  the  institotion,  though,  from  the  severe  nature  of 
the  cases  admitted,  and  the  advanced  stages  at  which -some  of  them  are 
sent  in,  it  is  scarcely  possible  but  that  the  general  ratio  of  deaths  should 
Tery  mudi  exceed  this  proportion.  It  was  reported  to  the  Board  that 
the  Earl  of  Bradford  nad  intimated  his  intention  of  supporting  the 
charity,  and  that  the  funds  had  received  altogether  an  increase  of  fifteen 
guineas  a  year.  It  is  much,  however,  to  be  wished  that  some  gencovi 
efforts  were  made  to  obtain  additional  donations  and  subsoriptionsL 

The  turnpike  gates  in  Deritend  were  removed  this 
year:— 

August  5US,  182a— Hie  Tolls  j^yable  at  Deritend  Bridge,  and  at  the 
other  Gates  in  Deritend  Ieadin|^  mto  the  town,  will  cease  on  the  27th 
instant^  at  twelve  o^dock  at  nighty  and  the  turnpike  gates  and  houses 
will  be  removed.  It  may  not  m  uninteresting  to  our  readers  to  give  a 
short  account  of  the  origm  of  these  tolla^  and  ofthe  improvements  whidi 
have  been  made  by  the  Trustees  under  the  sevwsl  Acts  of  PSailiament 
that  have  been  passed  lor  ereetto^  the  bridge.  At  a  meeting  of  the  in- 
habitants, callea  by  public  advertisement^  on  the  17th  of  January,  1787, 
it  was  resolved  that  an  application  shoula  be  made  to  Parliament  for  an 
act  to  erect  a  Tnmpiks  at  Deritend  Bridge^  for  the  purpose  of  taking 
down  and  rebuilding  the  bridge^  for  widening  the  avenues  thereto^  ana 
for  preventing  the  tower  part  oi  the  town  mm  being  overilowed.  It 
win  be  in  the  recollection  of  many  persons  now  livings  tnat  at  this  period, 
in  times  of  flood,  the  lower  part  of  Digbeth  was  impassable,  and  it 
became  absolutely  neoeomy  to  take  down  and  rsbuiki  the  bridge,  and 
to  widen,  deepen,  and  vary  the  bed  and  course  of  the  river.  Irom  an 
account  taken  by  a  Ckmtleman  residing  in  Deritend,  of  the  number  of 
caniages  and  honMS  paanng  over  the  nridfl^  it  was  calcolatcd  that  a 
small  ton  of  two-penos  lor  ssch  fonr-wliseled  carriage,  one  penny  for 
every  two*vdieelea  eazriage^  and  one  hslf-pennv  for  evoy  hoise^  would 
be  sufBcisnt  in  the  oonrss  of  fonr  yeaisto  enaolethe  Trustees  to  take 
down  and  rebuild  the  bridgsuand  make  evwy  other  necessary  imnrove- 
Bienl  The  amount  of  the  loUs  collected  dnrfiy  the  four  years  produced, 
however,  but  £600  per  annum,  whidi  was  UtiM  more  than  one  half  the 
estimated  produce ;  the  oooaequenoe  wa%  that  the  Trustees  at  Uie  ex- 
pintaon  of  the  act— the  toUs  naving  produoed  so  mudi  less,  and  ^e 
woik  having  cost  so  mudi  more  than  was  expected— found  themselvesu 
nothwithstanding  the  receipt  of  arale  in  aid  of  the  tolls,  msny  thoosand 
ponndsindebt  In  this  diwnmia,  th^  i^iplied  to  BM&ment  to  renew 
the  Act  lor  a  further  term,  and  for  an  meresss  in  ths  tolls;  but  in 
eonsequenoe  of  a  powerful  opposition,  the  application  was  unsueoeasfuL 
Thus  the  matter  rested,  with  a  bridge  not  more  than  half  oompleted. 
until  1813,  when  the  trusteea  renewea  their  application  fisrand  obtmnea 
another  act  to  complete  the  bridge,  and  make  the  other  improvements 
required  by  the  first  act,  and  to  pay  ue  prindpal  of  the  amount  borrowed, 
the  persons  who  had  lent  money  on  the  credit  of  the  toUs  having  agrsed 
to  sacrifice  all  interest    This  act  continued  in  force  until  IStt,  when 


478  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

another  act  was  ftppliad  for  and  obtained*  for  the  poipoae  of  wi^< 


anotner  act  was  appuiM  for  ana  ootainea*  tor  uie  poxpofle  ox  wiiiemnff 
the  lower  part  A  Digbeth,  between  Bearstreet^  and  Mili-bme,  and 
widening  and  repairing  the  two  biidja^  in  Bradford-street^  and  Cheap- 
side.  Yixt  this  pnrpoee  power  was  given  to  the  trostees  to  continue  the 
toUa  imtQ  the  let  of  January,  1830.  The  trosteee,  however,  have  been 
enabled  to  acoomplifih  all  the  objects  of  this  last  act  in  a  shorter  period 
than  was  given  by  it,  and,  as  we  have  before  stated,  the  toll  will  be  dis- 
continned  on  the  27th  instant.  The  Trustees  have  diligently,  faithfully, 
and  disinterestedly  aooomplished  the  object  of  their  trusty  axul  the  public 
diould  be  informed,  that  whenever  expenses  were  incurred  at  any  of 
their  meetings,  such  expenses  were  paid  by  the  trustees  out  of  their  own 
pockets.  Out  of  ninety-five  members  of  the  trust  who  were  appointed 
\ff  iJie  first  act  in  1788,  the  followiiu^  axe  all  that  are  now  living : — ^Bev. 
C  Curtis,  Bev.  Dr.  Madan,  Samuel  Oalton,  Esq.,  Mr.  Anderton,  Mr. 
Timothy  Smith,  Mr.  Cockle^  Mr.  John  Parker,  and  Mr.  Henry  Parker. 

Attempts  were  made  to  keep  up  ihe  Birmingham  Provi- 
dent Institution ;  but  they  fiuled.  A  meeting  of  the  mem- 
bers was  held  on  August  24,  at  which  it  was  unanimously 
agreed  to  dissolve  the  Society. 

The  last  public  work  of  1828,  is  again  one  of  Charity — 
the  formation  of  a  Female  Fenitentia^ :— r 

Kovember  S4,  1888.— Cor  readers  will  obserre  that  it  has  been 
resolved  to  establish  a  Female  PenitentSaiy  in  this  town,  so  soon  as 
ade<iQate  funds  shall  be  obtained.  An  institution  of  the  kind  had  been 
lor  some  time  contemplated,  and  various  pnlimlnary  meetings  were 
held ;  difficulties  and  dlffereacas  of  opinion  nowsver  arose,  whi£  it  was 
endeavoured  ineflTeetuallv  to  remove  or  reeonoiie^  and  the  provisional 
committee  were  at  lengtn  dissolved.  A  new  committee  has  since  been 
formed,  and  the  prcneetod  establishment  is  patronised  bv  the  fiisfacm  of 
the  Diocese,  the  Arwideacon  of  Coventry,  and  bv  Lord  OUthorpe.  One 
of  the  points  on  which  the  former  committee  divided  was  the  appoint- 
ment ci  a  fimale  committee  of  vistUns. 

The  object  of  sooh  an  Institation  as  that  here  contemplated  ii^  by 
affNdiqff  a  suitable  Ainrlum  and  the  means  of  Esliflidns  Instmetion,  to 
feelaim  ftom  a  lift  of  nn  unhappy  gbmalest  proftsBint  themselves  peni- 
tent  aad  to  restore  them  to  the  natfas  of  vinne  and  happiness. 

The  importance  of  siidi  an  oqjeol^  If  attainable,  cannot  fiul  of  com- 
mending  itself  to  eveiy  hmnaae  and  benevolent  mind 

That  it  is^  throQgh  the  divine  Ueesfaig^  at»ainabl»  in  a  majoriW  of 
instancsi^  wliore  the  attempt  is  properlv  mads^  we  seem  warranted  to 
infer  from  the  experience  off  various  insUtiitions  c^  this  natnra 

The  year  1829  was  made  memorable  b^  the  determination 
of  the  gOYcnmient  of  the  Duke  of  Wellington  to  grant 
Oathdio  EmandnatioiL  The  Irill  for  that  object  passed 
both  Houses  of  Psriismentk  and  on  April  18  reoeiTed  the 
Rcml  Assent  As  will  be  seen  fiom  the  foUowiqg  extract^ 
pablio  opinion  in  Birmingham  was  divided  on  the  sulgeet  :h* 

MaichS;  18S9^— PelitioM  against  and  in  iavcor  of  ftirther  eoneeailcn 
to  the  Rooean  Oatholics  are  in  coarse  of  general  stgnatore  In  this  town. 
Both  petitioDs  proceed  from  meetings  convened  vij  dicolar  the  one 
held  OB  Wedaesdayy  and  the  other  on  Friday  kst    The  former  meeting 


PUBUC   LIFE  AND   EVENTS.  479 

took  place  at  the  Institution,  in  Temple  Bow,  and  the  ioTltation  was 
signed  by  Isaac  Spooner  and  James  Taylor,  Esqrs. ;  the  Bav.  Edward 
Bam,  and  A.  J.  Clarke  ;  Dr.  Damall,  and  Mr.  w.  C.  Alston. 

Soon  after  tiie  hour  appointed  for  aasembling,  Mr.  Spooner  was 
called  to  the  chair,  and  fully  explained  the  object  of  the  proceedings. 
In  moving  the  resolutions  on  which  the  petition  is  founded,  the  meeting 
was  addressed  at  considerable  length  hy  James  Taylor,  Esq.,  and  the 
Ber.  Edward  Bum ;  after  which  the  petition  was  proposed,  and  being 
read  from  the  chair,  was,  with  the  resolutions,  adoptea  amidst  three  or 
four  dissentient  Yoices  only.  In  passing  the  remaining  resolutions 
considerable  discussion  took  place,  and  much  confrision  at  one  period 
prevailed,  in  consequence  of  an  attempt  to  address  the  meeting,  by  a 
gentleman  opposed  to  the  proceedings.  Order  having  been  at  length 
restored,  the  buainess  of  the  day  was  resumed.  The  petition  is  to  be 
presented  to  the  Lords  by  the  JBarl  of  Bradford,  who,  the  Chairman 
stated,  was  decidedly  opposed  to  concession  ;  and  to  the  Commons  by 
the  County  Members.  A  vote  of  thanks  was  passed  to  those  peers  and 
commoners  who  have  opposed  the  measure  in  Parliament ;  and  a  sub- 
scription was  entered  mto  to  defray  the  expenses  in  canying  the 
resolutioDS  into  effect  A  committee  was  auo  appointed  to  obtain 
signatures,  and  to  forward  the  petitions  for  presentation  when  signed. 
A  large  nrqpariion  of  those  present  attadied  their  names  as  the  meeting 
separSfcecL 

The  meeting  held  for  the  purpose  of  petitioning  the  legislators  in 
support  of  the  measure  recommended  by  government  took  place  at  the 
Public  Office.  The  Chairman,  Bichard  .Spooner,  Em.,  after  reading  the 
invitation,  stated  that  the  meeting  would  not  have  oeen  oonvenedhad 
not  the  opponents  of  concession  previously  determined  upon  addressing 
parliament  on  the  subject '  The  resolutions,  dedantory  of  the  opinions 
of  the  meetings  were  moved  bv  Dr.  John  Johnstone^  and  supported  by 
the  Bev.  J.  A.  James.  The  Bev.  Bann  Kennedy,  m  remarking  upon 
some  obsforations  of  the  Bev.  gentleman  who  prooeded,  contended  toat 
the  sole  object  of  the  meeting  was  to  support  the  mhiisters  of  the 
ooontiy,  leaving  to  them  and  to  parliament  the  adoption  of  audi 
messoxes  of  concession  as  wers  consistent  with  oar  Piotestant  con- 
■titution,  with  the  succession,  and  with  the  security  of  Uie  IVotestant 
estabUsliineiit^  he  also  took  ocession  to  pass  a  high  and  warm  eulcgium 
on  the  Duke  of  Wellington  and  Mr.  Peel,  to  whom  he  thou^t  sndi  aa 
iprssslon  of  confidence  Mcnliaily  doe.  The  adoption  of  the  petition 
was  moved  l^  Vr.  NichoDs,  and  seconded  by  Thomas  Lee,  Esq.  Both 
reaolotions  and  petition  were  passed  unanunoualy.  Loira  CUthoipe 
win  present  the  petition  to  the  House  of  Lords,  and  the  Members  of  the 
County  that;  to  tneOommona.  A  Committee  was  afterwards  appointed 
to  cairy  the  resolutions  into  effect ;  and  a  considerable  number  of  sig- 
nataieaweie  attadied  to  the  petition  in  the  room.  BoUimeetings  wers 
very  respectably,  though  not  so  numerondy  attended  as  might  have  been 
eipeetea.  The  two  Cmunitteea  have  ainoe  been  czoeediogly  active  in 
piosernHng  the  dntiea  awigned  theoL    Tlia  patftlftnaagaMM^^vwifff^^m^ 

op  to  Satuday  evening,  we  understand,  have  received  upwards  of  fifteen 
thounnd  seven  hundred  signaturea.  Of  the  progress  made  by  the  advo» 
cates  of  coneesrion  we  have  not  yet  received  any  precise  rspcnrt 

A  new  Guardian  Act  was  proposed  this  year.  The  objects 
of  which  are  thus  given: — 


480  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM   LIFE. 

1.  To  enable  the  Ga&rdiani  to  let  thepariBh  lands  on  boUdiogU 
There  are  thirty  acres  on  Birmingham  H^th,  and  aeyen  acres  near  the 
Asylum.  The  present  rental  is  al^ai£287 ;  the  improYed.rental  is  esti- 
mated at  £1,600  per  annom. 

5.  To  render  TaIid>SMAtiiM&-Mf  parish  indentures  of  apprenticeship, 
which,  by  a  recent  decision,  are  rendered  invalid — the  seal  of  a  Jnstioe 
of  the  Peace  being  declared  requisite  as  well  as  lus  signature. 

3.  To  alter  the  mode  of  compounding  for  poor-rates  upon  small 
houses,  by  limiting  it  to  houses  of  £12  rent  and  under.  At  present 
tilers  are  15,821  houses  compounded  for  by  the  landlord  at  nialf  the 
rental,  and  a  further  deduction  of  one-third  for  Toids,  and  onljr  3^894 
houses  paid  for  by  occupiers  in  fnlL  The  latter  number  is  oontmually 
dimtnisning,  whilst  the  former  is  inereasinff.  . 

4.  To  empower  the  Orerseers  and  Gkuuroians  to  elect  Assistant  Over* 
seen^  and  to  remove  the  election  out  of  a  Church. 

6.  To  alter  the  mode  of  electing  Guardians,  so  &r  as  to  assimilate  it 
to  the  mode  of  voting  under  the  nrish  Vestcy  Act  The  qualification 
of  a  Guardian  to  be  in  future  a  rental  of  £15,  and  j&KK)  property,  either 
personal  or  otherwise. 

6.  To  enable  the  Ghiardians  to  divide  themselves  into  Committees. 

7.  To  prevent  alteration  of  Assessments  in  the  Grand  Levy  Book| 
without  notice  to  the  parties  and  oonsent  of  a  minority  of  overseers. 

The  folic  wing  paragraph  displays  not  only  the  eneigy  of 

the  people  but  the  feverish  anxiety  of  the  tunes : — 

April  6, 18S9.->It  is  but  justice  to  notice  the  heavy  expense  incozred, 
and  the  extraordinary  exertions  made  to  supply  tms  town  with  early 
intelligence.  For  several  weeks  psst^  in  oonseouanoe  of  the  prolonged 
debates  in  Parliaments  the  publication  of  the  Mondng  Papers  has  been 
delayed  until  after  tne  departure  of  the  early  eoiSliei^  to  overtake 
whidi  expresses  have  been  fi»warded.  On  Satiuday.  however,  the  dis- 
patch was  unprecedented.  Mansell  and  Co.,  of  Union-street^  received 
on  that  day  the  morning  papers  hr  express  at  S5  minutes  past  six  in 
the  evening,  whloh  were  dispatehea  by  the  emress  time  bill,  from  the 
office  of  their  fuii,  Mrs.  Hannah  Barnes^  in  Dt.  liartinVle-Qfaady  st 
half-pest  nine  the  same  morning. 

The  new  Befonnation  Society  held  its  first  annual  meeting 

on  July  the  Srd. 

July  €L  1889.-^11ie  first  SBrnversaiy  meetii^  ol  the  fiirmioglism 
AuxibaryjEtefonnation  Society,  was  held  at  the  B^rsl  Hotel,  on  raday 
last  TheChairwastakenbytheThonaasMoselsyiBeetorofSt  Mar- 
tinis; and  George  Finch,  and  J.  E.  QordOp,BsQis.,  attended  ss  deputiss 
from  the  FMnent  Society,  related  to  the  meeoM  sevend  nmanoible 
facts  illustrstEve  of  the  eagerness  with  which  the  *>!*'^^  iwirlaffm  irf 
Irdand  crowd  to  the  meetings  held  In  that  country,  iHisnever  th^  have 
an  opportunity  of  doing  so,  nctwithstaading  the  T«^  stiennoas  sxertioos 
of  tne  priesthood  to  repress  theur  attendanca  The  Bev.  Messra  Bora, 
Garbetti  and  Momn,  and  M'Donald  of  the  Scotch  OhurA,  also  took 
part  in  the  proosediogs.  A  Oollection  was  made  at  ths  doois  as  ths 
Oompaay  retired. 

We  are  now  about  to  add  a  Botanical  Society  to  oar  other 
Qseftil  instittttiona  The  history  of  this  adnurable  under- 
taking is  given  in  the  following  extracts : — 


PUBLIC  LIFE  AND  EVENTS.       •  481 

Botanical  and  HoBTiouLTa&AL  Sogixtt. 

July  20, 1829.— At  a  Meeting  held  at  the  Old  library,  on  ThurBday, 
the  9tn  of  July,  for  the  purpose  of  taking  the  necessary  steps  towards 
the  formation  of  a  Botanical  and  Horticaltoral  Society ; 

Thomas  Lee,  Esq..  in  the  Chair ; 
the  following  Besolutions  were  passea  unanimously : — 

Proposed  D^  James  Taylor,  JSsq.,  and  Seconded  by  Dr.  Darwall, — 
That  it  is  desirable  to  form  a  Botanical  and  Horticultural  Society  in 
the  neighbourhood  of  Birnungham. 

Moyed  by  the  Bey.  Mr.  P^ke,  and  Seconded  by  Mr.  George  Hiadley, 
— That,  for  this  purpose,  Four  Hundred  Shares  be  raised,  at  £5  per 
share,  and  that  each  share  be  subjected  to  a  subscription  of  one  Guinea 
per  annum. 

Sept.  28, 1829.— The  Earl  of  Dartmouth  presided  on  Wednesday,  at 
a  meeting  of  the  Shareholders  and  friends  ox  the  Botanical  and  JB!orti- 
CQltnral  Societj^  lately  established  in  this  town.  A  code  of  laws,  pre- 
Tionsljr  prepared  by  a  committee,  was  read  to  the  meeting,  and  with  some 
alterations  adopteiiL  A  committee  of  management  was  afterwards 
mmnt&i,  and  roll  powen  were  fliyen  to  it  to  select  a  site  for  the  gar- 
dens, and  to  euiy  tneobjeoCs  of  ttiesociefyinto  effect  The  noble  &tL 
at  tlie  request  of  the  meeting,  was  also  pleased  to  aooqit  the  oflke  oi 
Prtsident  of  the  Institution«  A  yezy  warm  and  general  feeling  prsyails 
in  fayour  of  the  undertakings  and  there  is  now  no  doubt  but  that  it 
will  be  attended  with 


The  following  reoordB  a  useful  undertaking . — 

August  lOj  1829.— The  noUe  proprietor  of  the  Edgbaston  estate,  and 
the  owners  of  the  Long  Moors  andTBalsall  Heath  estate^  haye  agreed 


immediately  to  focin.  at  a  cost  of  at  least  jSl,000,  adirect  line  of  road, 
86  feet  wide,  from  tneWoroester-road,  opposite  the  end  of  the  Wellinff- 
ton-road,  leadiQg  across  the  Pershore-ioad  and  the  liyer  Bea,  into  me 
Alcerter-road.  near  to  Mr.  Haden's  residence.  This  new  line  en  commu- 
nication  has  neen  long  wanted  by  the  inhabitants  of  Edgbaston  and 
Hiflfagate,  and  will  re«ioe  the  distance  between  the  two  points  from  two 
mibs  to  aoout  three  qnaiten  of  a  ~" 


The  following  is  the  announcement  of  the  onening  of  the 
reoentlj  suapeided  and  Ul-&ted  Birmingham  nanking  Com- 
pany >- 

BmnvGRAX  Bavkuto  Gokpavt. 
C^QiOal  £600,000  M  10^000 /Slow  0/ £60  McA. 

Sept  fi&^18SII.--Tbe  DiraeCon  talw  the  earliest  qppoi^ 
mii^the  Shaieholdem  and  Poblie,  that  the  Bank  will  open  on  the  first 
day  of  October  at  the  pwimiaas  at  prassnt  occupied  b^  Messn.  CKbbins 
and  LoveU,  in  ITew  Straet     Eyeiy  inf omiation  relatiye  to  the  mode  of 
doinff  bwness  will  be  giyen  bj  their  Managiari  Mr.  Joseph  Qibbin%  at 

This  was  the  year  of  one  of  our  neat  Musical  Festivals, 
which  was  rendered  locally  fiimous  by  the  attack  of  a  very 
goodand  generous,  but^  I  cannot  but  think  in  this  respect^  a 
very  narrow-minded  man.  On  October  5, 1829,  this  para- 
graph was  published : — 

n  II 


482  A  CEMTURT  OF  BIRMIKOHAM  LIFE. 

We  regret  to  My  that  within  the  last  day  or  two  a  circular,  entitled, 
**  Ck)nnderation8  on  the  Musical  Festival,^  has  been  veiy  freely  trans- 
mitted thiooj^  the  Post-office,  the  object  of  which  is  to  dissuade  persons 
from  attending  the  performances,  on  the  ^und  that  sanctioning  them 
is  altogether  inconsistent  with  their  profession  as  Christians.  Its  appear- 
ance on  almost  the  very  ere  of  tiie  meeting,  and  at  a  moment  when, 
whatever  mischief  it  might  have  ^ected,  it  would  have  been  too  late  to 
repair  the  evil,  has  justly  excited  {general  indignation.  Whoever  the 
writer  may  be,  or  whatever  hie  motive,  he  may  rest  assured  that  he  has 
laid  hiwfftif  open  to  the  imputation  of  having  wantonly  and  designedly 
attempted  to  injure  the  chanty,  at  the  same  time  that  he  has  done  serious^ 
misc^ef  to  Uie  cause  which  he  professes  to  advocate,  lliere  are  in 
■Birmingham  many  highly  respectame  individuals  who,  from  consdentioua 
scruples,  dedine  taking  part  in  Uie  meeting ;  they,  however,  we  feel 
satimed,  will  be  among  the  fint  to  condemn  an  act  as  unjust  as  ill-timed, 
as  in  its  consequences  it  might  have  been  injurious  to  the  instttutioii 
for  the  support  of  which  the  Festival  originated  and  has  been  so 
long  carried  on. 


The  writer  of  the  Circular  had  no  wiah  to  oonoeal  his 
name.  In  the  OaaetU  of  October  19,  he  publidy  avowed 
and  defended  his  conduct  Few  people  were  surpriaed  when 
l^ey  learned  thai  it  waa  written  by  that  gentle-hearted 
Friend  and  philanthropist^  JosepL  otuige.  The  letter  is 
worth  preserving : — 

October  19, 1829.— To  the  Editor  of  Ark's  Qacette.— &  mudi  indkr- 
nation  has  been  excited  by  the  drcnlation  of  the  ^ConsidentioDS  on  toe 
Mnsioal  Festivaly"  that^  to  mvent  any  odium  attadiing  wheit^itoo^t. 
not|  I  think  it  right  to  stats  ezpliettly  the  dreomstaooes  uider  wfaidi 
that  oirsolation  took  place. 


Feeling  8trooj;}y  impressed  with  the  lerioiis  evils  connected  wiih  the 
Oratorio^  oeUsfvug  that  many  excellent  individuals  oontinned  to  give  it' 
their  support  becanse  they  had  never  fairly  examined  the  objections  to  it^ 
and  being  convinced  that  the  Hoi^tal  itself  mi|^t  be  rendered  indepen- 
d»i  of  any  snch  aid,  I  was  desiroiis  of  biingmg  the  subject  before  the' 
view  of  the  influential  and  refleotiog  part  of  the  Chriitian  Oomapmiity 
of  Binnipgham  in  a  maimar  which  sboald  amit  their  atteatjoo. 

Ify  friend  and  ne^flbboar,  Thomas  Swaa^  whose  views  on  thiaanbjeet^ 
nponeupiiiVt  Ifoona  weseinaooordaiioe  with  myown^atmysoggertioa 
wrote  and  pkoed  at  my  diqiosal  the  address  whidi  has  exdted  so  modi 
dispJeasnra.  The  nredse  time  of  its  appearance  Iras  aoddentaL  the 
maaoseript  having  oesn  pot  into  my  httuls  aome  time  belorai  sad  my 
absence  mm  hcene  having  alone  prevented  its  pablioation  at  an  earlier 
period.  :  I^  therefore,  it  waa  iU-limedy  I  am  aione  reapoorible.  I  am 
also  reyansible  for  having  attadied  the  extracts  to  it 

It  is  wdl  known  that  9ie  religions  Sodety  to  which  I  belong  obfjeel^ 
asabody«to  these  entertainmonts ;  bat  I  insh  distinctly  to  state,  thai 
my  iiUow  mhnbeia  are  not  implieated  in  this  addresi.  whStAi  was 
prated  and  olroolated  on  mv  own  Jndgmenti  and  whoUy  at  my 
expense.  The  doeoment  not  being  of  a  natore  to  require  the  stenatore 
of  the  writer,  we  thought  it  woiud  give  him  nnaeeeasavy  poMidty  to 
aAx  it ;  bat  thoogh  the  printor  waa  rejoested  not  to  name  the  ^oartsr 
whence  it  came,  merely  to  gratify  eonoslty,  he  waa  left  at  litwrty  to 


PUBLIC  LIFE  AND  EVENTS.  483 

refer  to  me.    Sabflcriptioii  liato  to  the  Charitable  Institutions  of  Bir- 
mingham were  famished  for  guidance  in  the  distribution. 

I  regret  the  name  of  the  printer  did  not  appear,  as  I  expected  it 
would  when  I  handed  him  the  manuscript ;  but  it  will  be  easily  seen, 
from  the  feeling  produced,  that  he  might  have  reasons  for  not  wishing 
to  be  at  all  identified  with  it  fioth  the  writer  and  myself  can 
sincerely  say,  in  givinfi;  it  circulation,  we  had  no  uncharitable  feeling 
towards  any  individuai  ;  nor  do  we  consider  ourselves  less  earnestly 
solicitous  for  the  prosperity  of  the  Hospital  than  its  warmest  sup- 
porters through  the  medium  of  the  Festival  The  nature  and  extent 
of  the  impression  it  has  made  were  wholly  unexpected  by  me.  I 
confess  I  am  not  insensible  to  the  censure  of  some  whose  esteem  I 
value ;  ye^  as  I  was  actuated  by  no  motive  but  a  sense  of  duty,  so^  on 
the  most  mature  reflection,  I  cannot  see  that,  on  diaritable  grounds,  I 
have  any  cause  for  self-condemnation. 

Edgbaston,  10  month,  15th,  1829.  Joskph  Stuboe. 

This  year  Si  Thomas's  Ghurch  was  consecrated : — 

October  2A,  1829.— On  Thursday  last,  St  Thomases  Chureh,  at 
HoUoway  Head^  hi  this  town,  was  Consecrated  by  the  Lord  Bishop  of 
the  Diocese,  aiwst.6d  by  his  Begistrar  and  the  Araideaoon  of  Coventiy 
and  StaffoitL  A  number  of  respectable  inhabitants^  indndhiff  the 
several  Churdi  and  Chapd-wardenii,  assembled  between  nine  and  ten 
o^dock  at  the  cfaurdL  whence  they  proceeded  to  8t  Martin's  Bectory, 
where  the  Bishop,  tlie  newly-i4>p(nnted  Minister  of  St  ^omai^s  (the 
Bev.  W.  Marshy  and  tJie  dogy  of  the  town  and  immediste  nelg;hbour- 
hood,  had  been  entertidned  atDreak&st  Being  Joined  bv  the  deigy 
and  two  of  the  local  oommissionen^  James  Tj^lor  and  William  Hun- 
per,  Eiqra..  the  nrocesrion  retunoied  to  8t  Thomases  Churdi,  and  the 
ceremony  immeaiatdv  commeneed,  according  to  the  prescribed  form. 
The  service  was  read  b^  the  Bav.  Thomas  Miosdey,  Beetor  of  St 
1  an  appropnata  disooom  was  ddivered  nom  the  pulpit 


I's,  and  an  appropnata  disooom  was  ddivered  nom  the  pulpit^ 
by  the  Bight  Bev.  Praate.  On  the  oongregation  retiring^  coUertions 
were  made  at  the  doors  to  defray  the  expenses  of  the  ceremonyi  and 
upwards  of  thirty  pounds  ware  contributed. 

The  Sacrament  was  afterwarda  administared  to  the  tlngr  and 
others ;  and  at  the  termination  of  this  ^ai^  of  the  aerfioe^  thelndiop 
proceeded  to  consecrate  the  adjoining  burial  ground. 

St  Thomases  Chuidi  was  creeled  from  the  designs  of  Mesni. 
Bickman  and  flntchinaon,  Architects^  of  this  town;  and  the  entire 
expense,  together  with  the  cost  of  dte^  was  defraved  by  his  Mije^s 
CoMnmisBionerB  appointed  under  the  Act  for  holloing  dinrdies.  llic 
artimale  for  the  oioreh  amoontad  to  £14^795  \%l  M.,  and  the  total 
cxpcnditore  of  the  crectioQ  was  ^614^222  13b.  lOd.,  bdng  £672  18bi  7d. 
leas  than  the  estimate.  The  accommodation  provided  Is  for  2;125,  of 
whidi  e25  sittings  are  in  pews,  and  the  remaining  L600  are  fiae^  and 
appropriated  to  the  use  of  the  poor.  The  ediroe  Is  hn  the  Qredan 
style  of  architeelare,  and  of  the  ionic  cider';  and  the  eharactar  of  both 
exterior  and  interior  is  great  simplidty.  and  In  every  tmp9dt  consistent 
with  the  sacred  irarpoee  to  whidi  it  is  dedicated.  At  the  west  end  is  a 
statdv  Ionic  colonnade,  affording^  with  the  open  ardies  of  the  tower, 
complete  shdtcr  to  cadi  of  the  entrance  doors ;  the  tower  rises  from 
masdva  piers  to  the  hdght  of  190  feet  long,  and  dxty  wide :  and  from 
the  mode  of  arrangement  every  person  wUT,  we  have  no  douot,  be  able 


484  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINQHAM   LIFE. 

to  flee  and  hear  distiiicUj,  notwithstanding  the  mracnially  lai^  ^aze  of 
the  church.  The  aidiiteets  appear  to  have  paid  particular  attention  to 
the  convenience  of  the  entrances^  which  are  designed  on  a  novel  plan, 
and  seem  well  adapted  hoth  for  the  ingress  and  egress  of  the  congrega- 
tion. Among  other  improvements  we  are  glad  to  observe  that  the  me 
seats  are  all  provided  with  kneeling  and  book  boards,  thus  affording  to 
the  poor  everv  convenience  contained  in  the  pews.  From  the  elevated 
dte  of  the  dinrch  it  becomes  a  particolanj  desirable  sitoation  for 
a  Cemeterj,  and  we  are  in  great  hope  that  the-endeavonrs  of  the 
Chareh-wardens  to  obtain  an  addittooal  acre  of  the.  land  adjoining  Ibr 
burial  ground  will  be  saccessfoL 

The  next  extract  also  relates  to  matters  ecclesiastical : — 

November  83^  1829.— We  nnderstand  that  at  a  recent  meeting, 
attended  bj  the  Cletgv  of  the  different  Ghnrdhes  and  Chapeb  of  this 
town,  it  was  a^reedToj  mntoal  arrangement^  to  divide  that  lam 
]X)rtion  of  Birmingham,  which  will  still  remain  to  8t  Martin*s  parfin 
after  the  separation  of  the  new  parishes  of  St.  Qwrge  and  8t  Thomas^ 
into  small  dirtricte^  eadi  miniiter  taking  the  obaige  of  that  portion 
which  immediately  soRoonds  his  own  dioroh  or  chapel^  with  a  vkw  to 
remedy  the  deficien<7'  of  spiritnal  saperiintendence  whidi  the  want  of 
ofinlesfasycal  division  necessaribr  ereates.  The  deigj  being,  almost 
withoat  exception,  either  resident  near  their  rsspeetivo  places'  of 
worship^  or  in  a  popolons  part  of  the  parish,  will  experience  little 
difficoltv  in  carrying  their  oqjeot  into  execatioii ;  and  t&ir  labours  In 
this  wide  field  may  oe  greatly  facilitated  by  sobordinate  lav  assbtanooL 
upon  the  plan  recently  recommended  by  several  of  the  Prelates^  ana 
sQcoessfiilly  tried  in  certain  extensive  parishes^  partieolariy  that  <»  BL 
Gil8%  London,  by  the  lata  and  present  rectory  the  Bev.  Prebendaiy 
Benson  and  ^Mr.  Tyler,  nnder  the  espedal  sanction  of  the  Malons 
Bishop  of  that  diocese. 

On  Febmaiy  11,  1830,  a  meeting  of  the  Obamber  of 
Manofitctares  and  Commeroe^  and  ''other  respectaUe  in- 
habitants,'' was  held  to  protest  against  the  restrictions  of 
the  East  India  and  CSiina  Trade. 

In  Mardi  we  have  this  fait  of  good  news  for  the  button 

trade:—. 

Mardi  i|  188a— His  Majes^  has  been  ^eased  to  accept  a  riflhly  gili 
and  besntirally  ezeoated  set  of  bottoni^  of  BSnniogliani  inaniifaotars^ 
from  the  depntation  of  Joaniaymen  button  mahetanowlnLondoiL  His 
Bcyal  I>ake%  and  some  of  the  prinoqial  Nobility,  have  ako  otdered  the 
motniogasweUasthehr  drass  solti^  to  be  deoonted  with  gOt^  instead 
of  silk  and  covered  battons.  The  gilt  button  is  beoooe  IJMhwnabls  in 
the  ban  and  dxawing-room,  and  copsegneptly  will  be  genenJl^  adopted 
throQi^ioat  the  coontiy* 

The  following  report  of  a  meeting  is  highly  ereditaUe  to 
the  hnmanitgr  ra  the  Birminghain  j^ople : — 


OiBcs^  Biimingbam,  Ifareh  IS,  I88a— At  a  IffeetfaijgeonviBed 
Ijf  droolar,  to  take  into  considerKkion  the  eoqwdien^  of  petitioiiiiw  F)v^ 
liament  on  the  subject  of  Obpital  Punishment  as  cooiieeted  witti  the 
crane  of  IVvgeiyy 


PUBLIC  UFE  AND  EVENTS.  485 

William  Chanoe,  Esq.,  Hi£^  Bailiff,  in  the  Chair  ; 
the  tollcfwing  resolatians  were  tmanimoosly  passed  : — 

1.  Thatthis  meeting  deeply  deplores  the  frequency  of  Capital  Punish- 
ments amMed  by  the  crimmal  code  of  this  countiy,  and  oheerYing  that 
the  Bi^t  Hxm.  we  Secretaiy  of  State  for  the  Home  Department  has 
cnven  notice  oi  his  intention  to  bring  into  Parliament  a  bill  for  the 
Consolidation  of  the  Laws  relating  to  Foigezy,  deems  it  riffht  to  avail 
itself  of  the  opportonity  thus  afforded  of  expressing  to  the  L^palatore 
the  sentiments  and  wishes  of  a  laige  and  increasing  portion  of  tiie  com- 
munity, on  the  momentous  subject  of  the  punishment  of  death  as 
connected  with  that  crime. 

2.  That  the  experience  of  a  long  series  of  years  has  demonstrated  the 
insufficiency  of  uie  punishment  of  deaUi,  as  a  prerention  of  this 
offence,  the  frequencr  ti  which  has  alanningl j^  increased,  notwithstand- 
ing the  acrrerity  of  the  laws  intended  to  restrain  itw 

3.  That  the  more  enlu^tened  state  of  ^blic  opinion,  which  has  for 
some  time  declared  itaelf  against  the  too  mdiscriminate  infliction  of  so 
dreadful  a  penalty  has'nnaToidabljr  lessened  that  degree  of  certainty 
from  whidi  eireiy  description  of  punishment  derives  its  greatest  efficacy. 

4.  That  this  nnoertamty  is  still  farther  increased  bv  the  entire 
abandomnent  of  piosecution  for  Fotg^ry  on  the  part  of  great  num* 
ben  of  indiriduajs^  who  oonscientiomdy  refuse  to  incur  the  awful 
responsibility  of  depriving  a  fellow  creaturs  of  eristence  for  an  oflbnce 
wiuohaffBotstheaeeaxit^of  piopeity  only. 

fi.  Tliat^  on  these  oonsideimtioDs,  this  meeting  concludes  to  intreat  the 
British  Tn^latnre  to  nnder  the  existing  Statutes  more  accordant  with 
the  dictates  of  jmblio  and  private  opinKai,  and,  by  that  meana  more 
practioaUy  conducive  to  tiie  prevention  of  a  crime  so  essentially  injurious 
to  the  interests  of  aodelj. 

0.  Tliat  apetitioin  to  the  House  of  OonmiooiL  founded  on  the  pre- 
cedin|[  resolutkos,  be  pieseuteii^  under  the  directum  of  the  QenUemen 
vriio  signed  the  drpokr  conveniBg  the  msfiHnfj^  and  tnaismitted  to  the 
ICemben  of  the  Oounty  for  nrassotatioiL 

7.  That  these  lewlntions  pe  advertised  in  the  Binninriiam  papers. 

W.  OHATiCT,Chairman, 

Besolved,— That  the  thanks  of  the  meeting  be  given  to  the  Chainnaa 
for  his  atteptjon  to  the  bnslneM  of  the  day.  Jaiub  Psabsov. 

The  bill  to  amend  the  St  IfArtin'a  Burial  Ground  Act 
was  withdrawn  hj  the  Trosteea.  The  Oommittee,  appointed 
at  the  late  Yeatiy  Meeting,  met  on  Tuesday ,  and  after  a  bng 
diacnamon,  the  fidlowing  resolutiona  were  carried : — 

Besdhred^—Tliat^  in  the  opinion  of  this  Committee^  there  is  amoral 
obluation  upon  the  town  of  Birminriiam  to  disdiaige  the  debt  now 
eadsting  on  aoooant  of  the  Burial  Qroond  Thist|  provided  it  shall 
KppmTf  upon  investigation  of  the  aoooonta  and  transactions  of  the 
trasti  that  no  improper  ezpenditore  of  the  money  has  taken  place;  bnt 
that|  in  order  to  aflord  suincient  time  to  investigate  the  aooounti^  ttid  to 
allow  of  anT  siunestioDs  for  Improviqg  the  clauses,  or  engrafting  them 
upon  anT  other  mil,  it  is  expedient  to  withdraw  the  bill  now  introduced 
into  BaniaaMntk 

That  the  Yestiy  Clerk  do  lay  a  copy  of  the  above  resolution  before 
the  Trustees,  and  communicate  their  oetermination  thereon,  in  writings 
to  this  Committee^  at  the  Public  Office,  on  Friday  next,  the  18th  inst, 


486  A  CENT0RT  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

at  four  o'clock,  and  that  this  Oominittee  be  apecially  sommoned  to  meet 
at  this  time  and  place  to  receiye  the  same. 

These  reeolutiona  were  bad  before  a  meeting  of  the  trostees  and 
creditoro  on  the  Frid^vv  and  having  been  taken  into  conaiderationy  it 
was  determined,  as  wiU  be  seen  by  the  eabjoined  resolution,  to  postpone 
the  bill'tmtil  next  year. 

BesolTod  unanimously,— -That  the  Committee  appointed  by  the  late 
Vestry  Meeting  hayiiijg  recognised  the  obligations  of  the  town  to 
discharge  the  cfobt  owing  to  the  Creditors  oc  this  trusty  the  Trustees^ 
confident  that  no  expenditure  has  been  made  foreign  to  Uie  objects  of 
the  Act  of  Parliament^  do,  with  the  concurrence  of  the  Crediton 
convened  at  this  meetings  consent  to  postpone  the  bill  tQl  the  next 
Senion  of  Parliament^  and  that  Mr.  Gem  be  authorised  ta  deliver  a 
copy  of  this  resolution  to  the  said  Committee.  A  8ul>-Committee 
is  stated  to  have  been  since  appointed  to  examine  and  report  upon 
the  accounts. 

.    On  April  26»  it  was  announced  **  with  r^ret" 

.  That  the  Town  Hall  Committee  have  found  themselves  compelled  to 
abandon  the  contemplated  site  at  iJie  further  end  of  New  Street,  in 
eooaequenoe  of  the  exorUtant  prices  demanded  by  the  present  oocupierB 
«f  the  premiaea. .  It  would  cerUdnly  have  been  a  desirable  situation  on 
account  of  its  alevaiUon,  the  open  apace  around  i%  the  excelienoe  of  the 
approachea  to  it  on  all  aides^  and  the  handsome  termination  it  would 
liave  Ibnned  to  New  Street.  We  trusty  however  that  another  aite  will 
ere  long  be  Ibnnd,  and  we.  would  suggest  to  those  persons  who  may 
have  anitable  situations^  the  expediency  of  ofiering  them  t6  the 
OnmmiiaionetB  lot  the  porpoae. 

George  IV.  died  on  June  26,  and  his  suocessor  William 

IV.  was  proclaimed  in  Birmingham,  on  Thursday,  July  the 

Ist    On  Wednesday,  August  4,  the  Duchess  of  Ken^  and 

her  daughter  the  Princess  Yietoria^  now  our  beloved  and 

noble-hearted  Queen,  Tinted  Birmingham,  and  were  loyally 

and  heartily  reoeiyed : — 

Thb  Ion  BoTAL  Visa 

'  August  9,  leaa— Their  Boyal  Highnesses^  attended  ^7  1^7  G- 
Jenkliison,  the  Baroness  Lehyea.  Sir  John  Opnioy,  and'  soite^  readied 
IWa  B^yal  Hotel  about  six  o'aodc  on  Wednesday  evefdng^  and  weie 
feeelved  by  the  genUemen  in  attendance^  who  bad  been  Joined  \ff 
Theodore  niee^  Emi,,  and  by  lir.  and  Mrs.  Dee.  The  apartments 
nreparsd  for  thefar  Boyal  TTignnassss  were  aaoat  ekfuitiT  and  tastefbUy 
ntted  up;  prepaiationa  were  making  for  brilllantlv  illuminating  the 
front  oc  the  hotel  {  and  every  arrangement  was  edeeted  to  insure  the 
oonvsi^uiee  and  eomfiort  of  the  RojJimtij.  An  immfmse  nomber  of 
persons  had  aawmiMfid  aboot  the  hotel,  and  the  entranoe  haU  waa  lined 
on  both  sides  1^  rsapectable  inhaUtants,  who  waiisd  to  met  thefar 
Royal  nighnsawis  on  their  entraaea,  'Vnthooti  th^  were  balled  with 
loud  aodamatloii,  and  within  by  the  moat  lespeotlbl  and  ffflfdlal 
wekome.  The  Dncbeas  recslved  theoe  attentions  m^e  most  graesftd 
and  eondeoeending  manner,  and  the  yonthfbl  Ptlnosm  was  regarded  by 
all  with  the  deepest  Iseling  of  Interost  The  dspntation  bad  an 
immediate  interview  with,  and  were  Introdooed  to  the  Dnchern^  and 


PUBLIC  LIFE  AND  EVENTS.  487 

their  respeeifiil  oongratalations  and  tender  of  •enrioee  were  freelj  «nd 
fininkly  admowledged  and  accepted.  The  immediate  attendance  of  a 
milita^  giurd  of  honour  was  made  to  the  Dacheae,  which  she,  withoot 
hesitation,  dedined.  The  Dachees  and  the  PrincesB  showed  themselves 
soon  afterwaids  at  a  front  window  of  the  hotel,  and  were  londly  cheered 

S^  the  popolace.    PrcTionslj  to  dining,  and  after  dinner,  their  Boyal 
ighnesses  again  shewed  themselves,  and  were  most  enthnsiasticidly 
greeted. 

At  last  the  site  for  the  Town  Hall  was  settled : — 

Aug.  16, 1830. — At  a  nnmerons  meeting  of  the  Commissionen  of  the 
Street  Act  on  Tuesday  last,  speeiallY  convened,  it  was  unanimonslj 
determined  that  the  intended  Town  ^all  should  be  erected  in  Paradise- 
street.  This  yerj  desirable  nte,  so  well  calculated  to  give  a  good  arehi- 
teotural  finish  to  New.street^  has,  we  understand,  bMU  contracted  for 
and  obtained  by  the  Oommissioners  at  a  fair  and  reasonable  price ;  and 
there  Is  now  every  prospect  that  the  work  will  proceed  without  further 
interruption.  In  addition  to  the  land  required  for  Uia  bnildlnff  itself 
the  Oommisdoners,  as  a  matter  of  convenience  and  to  prevent  the  ereo- 
tion  of  any  nuisance  in  the  immediate  neighbouriioodi  have  purchase^ 
on  rm  advantageous  terms,  the  reversion  of  the  property  at  the  htutk, 
extending  to  Edmund-street  and  fronting  to  Goiigrev»«treet 

Once  more  our  button  makers  laboured  under  the  delusive 
hope  that  Boyal  patronage  could  change  the  decrees  of 
&snion,  and  appealed  to  the  King  and  nolnlity  to  wear 
''  plain  metal  buttons  ": — 

Sept  13^  1830.— The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  liemorial  presented 
to  the  King  from  the  working  Button  maykers  of  this  town,  to  which  we 
adverted  in  our  last  >— '  - 

''Sire,— We  are  in  the  deepest  diatnss  lor  want  of  cmploymflnt^ 
and  we  know  of  no  mode  of  obtaining  ratief  bat  1^  an  appeal  to  your 
Majestv.  We  are  full  of  hope  from  your  graeknia  oondeacfnaion,  and 
from  tne  repeated  evidenoea  oif  the  sympathy  of  your  ILifesfy  wiUi  the 
p«»le. 

^In  the  month  of  February  last  great  and  sucotarful  eflbrla  weie 
mad^  by  a  deputation  from  Binningfiam  to  indues  the  great  penonagea 
of  the  atate  to  wear  plain  metal  Duttooa,  and  hia  lato  Majes^  most 

Sdously  set  the  example  to  the  ooontiy  at  laige^  whidi  waa  followed 
many lUustrions noblea and  oommoners,  and  our  tnulematly revived. 
I  lamented  flhwmand  death  of  his  late  Ifajestv  suddenly  obscured 
our  bri^t  hopea^  and  the  trade  of  plain  buttons^  whidi  depends  for  its 
prosperity  on  the  prevailing  fashion  of  the  polite  worid,  was  pveeqpltated 
mto  its  presentdenlontUe  oonditton. 

^Sirer-Onr  only  hop  now  ia  in  the  condeaoansion  of  your  ICaJesty, 
and  we  humbly  iqppeal  to  our  gradoos  and  benevolent  ninoe  that  ne 
will  condeaoend  to  accept  the  humble  token  of  our  lovalty  whidiacoom- 
panics  the  petition,  and  wear  the  aame,  with  the  Una  puipoae  of  indu- 
dnff  the  btim  mond§  to  follow  jroor  Majesfy's  illustrioas  exampla 

^Sire,— By  a  complianoe  with  this  humble  petition,  your  ICaJeaty 
win  give  biead  to  thousanda  of  your  subjeda^  whose  gratitude  and 
loyalty  can  obIj  be  exceeded  bv  the  virtues  and  benevownoe  of  thor 
gracious  Sovereign ;  and  your  liajcat/a  petitioneii^  aa  in  duty  bound, 


488  A  CENTUBT  OF  BIBMINQHAM  LIFE. 


On  September  the  2Srd,  the  High  Bailiff  (Mr.  W.  Ohaace) 
entertained  the  Duke  of  Wellin^n,  Sir  Robert  Peel,  and 
other  distinguished  guests  at  uie  Theatre  Boyal  It  is 
described  as  the  ''mcwt  magnificent  affair  of  the  kind  that 
has  ever  taken  place  in  this  town,  or  in  any  part  of  the 
kingdom  out  of  London.*'  Over  seven  hundrea  sat  down 
tocUnner.  We  refrain  from  quoting  the  long  report  given 
of  this  noble  reoast;  and  content  ourselves  with  the  nrief 
account  of  the  Duke's  visits  during  his  short  istay : — 

The  Noble  Dnke^  acoompanied  by  the  Big^t  Hon.  Krane^  Lady 
Peel|  Mn.  Arbatfanot^  and  Mr.  Holmei^  M.P.,  reached  town  aboat  noon 
from  the  aeat  of  Sir  Bobert  at  Drayton  Btrk,  and  immediately  pro- 
ceeded to  the  Ezhibitioa  at  the  rooms  of  the  Sodety  of  Arte,  where  tiiey 
were  received  by  the  H]£^  Bailiff  and  other  gentlemen.  TneamTBlol 
the  party  soon  became  nown^  and  the  rooms  were  epeedfly  crowded  to 
their  utmost  extent;  a  oonnderable  crowd  aleo  aaeembled  roond  the 
entrance  awaiting  their  comiogont.  So  anzums  were  the  perBona  who 
had  gained  atlminaiffn  to  obtain  a  i&^t  of  hia  Orticef  that  it  was  with 
extieme  difSecdtf  lie  was  allowed  to  more  roond  the  difforent  rooms  for 


extreme  difSecuty  lie  was  allowed  to  more  roond  the  difflBrent  rooms  for 
the  porpose  of  mmotrng  the  piotoies ;  the  eonaeqnent  inconvenience 
'■nd  pnarara  wera^  howvvBi^  aobmitted  to  witfi  the  gieateat  good  hn 
l^  all  the  party  I  and  on  leavhy  the  kige  room,  the  Duke  repeatedly 
.bowed  to  tne  oon^Mmy,  who  rephed  by  wann  and  anihiating  bheen.  On 
deaoendingthe  staiieaae  to  an  open  caniafle  hi  waiting  for  them,  the 
cheeis  were  renewed  and  oontmned  vntu  the  party  were  seated  and 
driien  cBm  Borne  jDaiLs  of  diaanprobation  arose  from  the  crowd,  but 
tiieywegefuweiliiifly  fewandlamt  IVom  the  rooms  of  tiie  Sooiety 
of  Artathepartypeeceededtoinmeotthe  new  wcrbcf  t^ 
Oanal  Oonpanvi  and  attended  ^y  the  Ghainnany  Thomaa  Iiee^  jBeqi, 
flmd  ether  membenief  the  Oonmiittee^  they  emhaiked  on  board  the  Ooin- 
|)ny^  btt|p  and  neooeeded  akngtiM  line  M 


they  landed  for  tbe  paipoae  cf  Hispeelii^  the  Glaae  Woefa  of 
Chance  and  Hazt^y.  Here  the  caniagea  met  them  firam  town,  and 
they  wen  dihnen  to  the  Tmi  Hooae^  which  tiiey  inapeoted,  and 
aftfwaids  to  Mr  Tbomaaon'a  mannfactoty,  where  they  reenained  a  eon" 
aidenble  time^  reaeUng  the  Boyal  Hotel  on  their  retomaoon  after  five 
e^dod^  The  I>ok%  we  midentandi  wqireeeed  ^«'w«— i^  hi^My  gntiAed 
with  the  ot^ects  snteitted  to  his  notka  and  with  the  atlantMa  paid  to 
him.  On  letixh^^  from  the  dinner  tahle  at  nifl^t^  the  Dnke  and  Sir 
Bobert  Pbel  hnmediately  entered  the  caniageof  the  latter,  which  waa 
In  waitinfl^  and  dwfe  Off  for  Dn^ton  BuIl 

At  this  time  the  Duke  was  verjr  unpoptalar  with  the 
people  because  of  bis  oppontaon  to  the  Kefonn  Bill,  and 
their  didike  waa  not  concealed  on  the  occasion  of  this  viidtb 
Wherever  he  appealed  in  puUio  he  waa  greeted  with  the  most 
marked  eypresiiani  of  diaapMt)hatioii,whidi  he  bore  with  all 
the  indifmenoe  of  an  old  eoidieriised  to  fixe. 

The  following  is  the  report  of  a  religioiis  diseossion, 
which,  it  will  m  perceived,  terminated  as  sndi  discussions 
generally  do : — 


PUBLIC  LIFE  AND  EVENTS.    :  489 

October  A,  1830. — On  Wednesday  a  Meeting  of  the  Birmingfaam 
AoxUiaTy  Beformation  Society  vras  held  in  this  town ;  the  Rev.  Edward 
Bum  in  the  chair.  The  meeting  was  attended  by  a  dejpntation  from  the 
parent  institution,  consisting  of  Captain  Gordon,  Lieutenant  Bhend, 
and  the  Bev.  N.  Armstrong,  oy  whom  animated  appeals  were  made  in 
support  of  the  object  of  the  society — ^that  of  exciting  Protestants 
to  oppose  the  proselyting  efforts  of  the  Boman  Church,  by  shewing 
that  tne  doctrines  held  by  members  of  that  church  are  unscripturaL 
A  strenuous  endeayour  on  the  part  of  the  Bey.  T.  M.  M'Dounell  and  a 
^Boman  Catholic  layman  was  made  at  the  commencement  of  the 
proceedings  to  be  heard  in  objection ;  but  after  much  altercation  and 
warm  contention  the  Chairman  decided  against  the  interference^  and 
the  Bey.  gentleman  and  his  friend  left  the  room,  followed  by  a  number 
of  other  persons,  supposed  to  be  of  the  same  communion,  llie  business 
of  the  meeting  was  then  entered  upon,  and  another  temporary  inter- 
ruption from  a  different  quarter  haymg  been  oyeroome,  the  resolutions 
were  seyerally  proposed  by  the  different  speakers,  and  unanimously 
passed.  A  collection  was  made  at  the  doors  as  the  meeting  separated. 
On  the  following  morning  notice  haying  been  giyen  that  a  public 
diseusuon  would  take  place  between  the  members  of  the  depatation 
and  any  Boman  Catholics  who  might  step  forward  to  de&nd  the 
doctrines  attacked,  an  eleyated  jplatlbnn  for  the  acoommodatioo  of  the 
speakers  was  erected  in  the  Methodists^-  Chapel,  Cherry  StreetL  which 
was  crowded  in  every  part  soon  after  the  hour  appointed  xor  the 
meeting  to  take  place.  The  Bey.  Edward  Bum  was  again  called  to  the 
chair,  the  deputation  and  a  number  of  the  deri^  of  the  town  and 
neighbourhood,  the  Bey.  Mr.  M'DonneU,  a  Mr.  lalyey,  and  seyeral 
other  Boman  OathdlioB  taking  their  places  on  the  platform.  Before  the 
re^[nlar  proceedings  commenced,  a  warm  altercation  ensued  on  some 
pouts  of  anangement  and  cider,  and  such  a  long  continued  scene  of 
noisy  and  ebmoroiis  contenticn  between  the  adherents  of  the  two 
parties  arose  thai  it  was  with  the  utmost  difSculfy  order  was  at  all 
restored,  and  thai  at  the  late  hour  of  half-past  two  the  Chairman  was 
enabled  to  call  upon  Captain  Gordon  to  commence  Us  amment 
aoainai  the  doctrine  of  ^  Tnfallihility,*  bdd  by  members  of  the  Churdi 
<n  Bome.  Mr.  Faly^  replied  and  defended  the  doctrine.  Captain 
Ocrdon  afterwarda  rejoined,  and  his  opponent  was  again  heard  In 
answer,  eadi  addrea  occupying  fbll  three  parts  of  an  hour.  The  Bey. 
Mr.  Armstrong  next  rose^  but  he  had  scaraly  commenced  when  it  was 
determined  to  a4joum  nntU  the  following  day.  The  discussion  was 
aceordlnglyresomed  on  IViday,  and  Mr.  Armstrong  and  others  in  reply 
to  him  were  heard.  The  (nme  qiirit  of  angnr  foeling  was  a^^ 
displayed  on  the  part  of  some  of  the  speakers  and  of  their  respectiye 
adherents,  and  the  most  yiolent  damoar  and  disorder  fr^uently  borai 
forth  and  intermpted  the  proceedings  The  business  was  at  lensth, 
howsrer,  broQght  to  a  dose  amidst  much  confusion,  and  the  assemoly 
dinMrMo,  we  Sellefeu  withoat  coming  to  any  decision  or  resolution  on 
thetnljeet 

The  Botanical  Society  this  year  obtained  a  piece  of  land 
for  their  proposed  gardens : — 

October  S&  1830i — At  a  general  meeting  of  shareholders  of  the 
Botanical  and  Hortienltural  Society,  held  at  the  Boj^d  Hotel,  on 
Tuesday  last,  it  will  be  seen  that  the  recommendation  of  the  Committee 


490  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

for  Uie  fonn&tion  of  Agardbm  at  HoUj  Bank,  in  the  pariah  of  EdffbMtoii, 
was  unanimoiialj  appitoved.  The  nto  thus  Miected  is  aominbly 
adapted  tor  the  purpose,  and  offers  many  peculiar  adiranta^^es  not  else- 
vhere  to  be  met  with  in  this  neighbourhood.  The  meeting  was 
£EiToared  with  the  presence  of  the  £arl  of  Dartmouth  and  of  Lord 
Galthorpe^  and  both  these  noble  peers  entered  with  mnch  interest  into 
the  plan  and  objects  of  the  sodety.  Since  the  meeting  a  considerable 
nomoer  of  additional  shares  have  Men  taken ;  and  no  doubt  now  exists 
but  that  the  required  number  will,  in  the  course  of  a  few  days,  be 
subscribed  •  £>r.  We  should,  therefore^  recommend  those  who  ar# 
desirous  of  holding  shares  to  be  earl^  in  their  application,  as  after  the 
proposed  number,  now  £ut  completuig,  is  filled  ua  all  applications 
must^  by  the  regulations  of  the  sode^,  be  submitted  to  a  ballot  before 
additional  share  are  assigned 

Again  the  year  closes  with  a  work  of  charity.    At  & 

xneetm^  held  at  the  Public  Office,  on  December  21,  ''it  waa 

resolyea  to  establish  in  this  town  a  General  Bcnievolent 

Society,  for  the  relief  of  cases  of  ui^gent  or  temporary 

distiess  for  which  no  provision  was  made  by  any  of  the 

charitable  institutions  already  fonned    The  meeting  was 

numerously  and  most  respectably  attended  by  persons  of  all 

denomination^  and  the  oDJepts  of  the  proposed  society  were 

advocated  with  a  benevolent  warmth  of  feeling  nigfaly 

commendaUa*' 

In  January,  1831,  the  following  catastrophe  occurred : — 

•     ^    .  Danauonov  of  8t.  Fsn^s  Oeubob  bt  Hxe, 

'  Janvaiy  81. 183L— We  r%p«t  thatit  becomes  our  duty  to  record  the 
dettnielioiiof  BL  FMei'aone  of  the  dmnt  and  newlj-eracted  diurdies 
built  in  this  town  by  the  Pariiamentary  Commfssiffinera  Thelamsntablft 
€wmk%  as  oor  readers  are  aware^  took  place  duriitf  the  n{|^of  Mioodair 
last  Ills  llre^  from  whateyer  cause  it  originatei^lHwke  out  in  iberooi^ 
and  must  haTs.  made  very  considerable  progress  before  the  ahim  was 
given,  lor  in  less  than  an  hour  after  the  diaooveiT  took  place  and  admis- 
sion had  been  obtained,  the  whole  of  the  roof  had  fsDen  into  the  area 
beneath,  and  the  burning  msteriaJs  of  whidi  it  was  composed,  ali^^ting 
upon  the  flallenes  and  paws  in  the  body  of  the  churdi,  set  lire  to  them 
and  apeeduly  inTolred  m  one  cnmrnon  destraction  the  whole  of  the  in* 
tenor,  Indnding  the  oiym,|mlptt,and  altar  pyea  (hithe&pereadiinff 
the  west  end  of  the  church,  it  commnnieated  itself  to  the  wood  work  of 
the  bcdfry  and  tower,  and  after  buminf  lor  some  time,  the  cross  and  bell 
were  weeipitated  beknr,  canying  with  them  in  their  fall  a  portkm  of 
the  jnfaior  masooryy  indnding  the  stone  stairnase  leading  to  the  galkgjea 
Socompleie  indeed  IS  the  demolitian,  that  scaroely  a  vestifle  or  the  In* 
ieiior  remains  with  the  exception  of  the  Testriea  into  whi»  the  Hre  did 
not  penetrate^and  a  Twy small  poition  of  the  noctn-west  gaUeiyadjofauiig 
oneofthem.  The  exterior  walls,  the  portico^  and  the  tower  are  staadini^ 
and  do  not  iqppsar  to  be  preatly  injured  or  endannred. 

The  engines  of  the  Birmingham  and  other  offices  were  eaiir  on  the 
wpoi,  but  it  was  soon  erident  that  there  was  little  nvobabilit^  ofsiiKlinff 
anythiitf  towards  arresting  the  pogress  of  the  flames;  m&f  eonynnea 
playin^howeTer,  for  a  consideraole  length  of  time  on  the  burning] 


PXTBLIC  LIFE  AND  EVENTS.  491 

In  the  mean  while  the  efforts  of  thoee  who  were  present  were  directed  to 
the  preservation  of  tiie  moveable  articles,  and  seyeral  loads  of  panellings 
and  other  materials  were  fortunately  snatched  from  destruction.  The 
police  were  also  early  in  attendance,  and  they  were  essentially  assisted 
m  the  preservation  of  order  b^  a  detachment  of  the  Dragoons  stationed 
at  our  barradok  which  remamed  throughout  the  night  The  church 
beinff  insulated  nx>m  the  houses  on  either  side,  there  was  no  apprehension 
of  the  fii«  extending;  much  alarm  and  confusion  was  oonsequently 
prevented. 

With  respect  to  the  cause  of  the  calamity  many  conflicting  opinions 
prevail  On  the  one  hand,  it  is  bdieved  oy  some,  that  the  fire  was 
communicated  to  the  roof  by  means  of  a  flue  at  the  east  end  of  the 
buOding  used  in  wanning  the  interior ;  while  on  the  other,  from  some 
threatening  communications  lately  addressed  to  the  clergy,  in  which  8t. 
Fet^s  among  several  places  of  worship  was  stated  to  be  marked  for 
destruction  by  fire,  fears  are  entertainea  by  others  that  it  wm  the  work 
of  an  incendiary.  An  investif^atian  <m  the  subject  is  howeyer  in  progresL 
and  several  minute  examinations  have  taken  place  hv  a  conmuttoe  oi 
builders  and  others  appointed  for  that  purpose.  These  examinatioDS 
have  been  continued  from  day  to  day  siiioe  toe  fixe,  and  minutes  have 
been  made  of  their  obeervaUons ;  but  as  Ihey  are  not  yet  concluded,  we 
feel  ourselves  bound,  in  justioe  to  the  parties  interested  in  the  dedsiain, 
not  to  giye  publicity  to  any  partial  view  of  the  case  that  may  have 
reached  us,  Init  to  wait  the  reporlL  which  will  no  doubt  be  made  in 
the  course  of  a  few  dajns.  The  Bishop  of  the  Diocese  was  in  town  on 
Thursday,  making  inquiries  on  the  subject,  and  we  understand  that  the 
Barliamentazy  Oommisskmen  have  officially  required  a  statement  of 
the  circumstances,  as  far  as  they  can  be  ascertained,  to  be  made  to 
them.  The  Ghurch  cost  upwanu  of  thirteen  thousand  pounds  in  the 
erection,  and  it  accommodated  upwards  of  two  thousand  penmnSi 

EndeaTOUTs  are  makinff  by  tbe  Waidens  to  find  a  suitable  place  for 
the  congregation  to  assemble  during  the  re-buildinff  of  the  chuxdi,  and 
we  hear  that  the  National  Sdiodl  will  most  nrobabljr  ^  ^iMd  for  the 
purpose:    The  Minute^  the  Bev.  A.  J.  darKO,  it  ^ves  us  pleasure  to 

the  fire,  been  presented  with  a  living  m  Somenetshire  by 


add^has.  since 

the  Lora  Chancellor,  who  handsomdy  and  spontaneously  made  the  offer 
to  the  Ber.  gentleman's  father  on  oomiqg  .to  a  knowledge  of  the 
occurrence  by  means  of  the  public  pqwrs. 

The  attempt  to  levy  a  church-rate  in  Si  Martin's  parish 

was  the  cause  of  much  excitement^  and  led  to  many  most 

indecorous  scenes  in  the  *01d  CSiurch.''     The  meetings 

assumed  a  political  character,  as  will  be  seen  hv  the  persons 

elected  this  year  to  fill  the  various  offices  of  the  church. 

The  language  of  the  chronicler  is  that  of  a  defeated  partisan, 

and  must  be  taken  cwn  grano  mUb: — 

April  11, 1831.— The  soenes  of  damour  and  angry  contention  wUeh 
have  of  late  disgraced  the  proceedbgs  at  the  Yestnr  MeetingB  of  this 
parish,  appear  at  length  to  have  driven  the  respeetable  portion  of  rate 
payers  mm  taking  any  part  in  them ;  and  the  eonsequenee  is  thal|  at 
the  meeting  heki  on  Tuesday  sad  Wednesday  last|  the  leaders  of  the 
multitude  managed  ererythlng  entirely  thdr  own  way.  On  the  iist 
named  day  they  propoeed  and  carried  the  election  of  Mr.  W,  WestoOi 


492  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

one  of  their  own  bodj.tUB  Pamh  Warden  of  St  Martin's;  and  hirfint 
offidal  act  was  to  nominate  bis  friend  and  propoeer,  BnsselL  as  a  Sides- 
man for  that  4^ardL  On  the  latter  day,  a  meeting  was  held  for  the 
appointment  of  tw^Te  Trustees,  under  the  new  Burial  Ground  Aet, 
and  the  same  parties  succeeded  in  rejecting  a  number  of  highly  respect- 
able names,  and  filling  up  the  list-with  others  nominated  bj  themaeiyesL 
The  persons  declared  elected,  we  b^eve,  were :— rMr.  Thomas  Attwood,  - 
Mr.  Joshua  Scholefield,  Mr.  O.  F.  Mnntz^  Mr.  J.  Betts,  Mr.  Charles 
Jones,  and  Messra  Knight,  Bussell,  Salt,  B.  Hadlej,  B.  Bedfom,  J. 
Portlook,  and  T.  Hadlej  (Smallbrook  Street). 

At  one  of  tbese  exciting  meetings  the.Bev.  Mr.Moseley, 
the  Hector,  was  rather  violently  assaulted.  A  meeting  was 
held  the  6th  of  May^  at  whidi.  resolutions  of  sympathy 
were  passed,  and  a  declaration  adopted  ''exDressive  of  the 
abhorrence  in  which  conduct  so  unmanly  ana  disgraceful  is 
held.  The  meeting  was  attended  by  persons  of  all  parties 
and  opinions ;  and  the  great  respectability  of  the  signatures 
will  suffidently  attest  we  general  feeling  of  disgust  which 
in  consequence  prevailed.  The  High  Bauiff  presided  on  the 
occasion;  and  the.  principal  resolutions  were  inoved  and 
seconded  by 'Mr.  Nicholis/ Mr.  Bacchus,  t^e'Bev/John 
Corrie,  Dr.  Parwall,  the  Low  Bailiff,  Mr.  Whateley,  Thomas 
Lee,  Esq.,  Ac."  . 
The  dedgn  for  the  Town  Hall  was  adopted  this*  year  s — 
June  13,  1831. — ^At  a  meeting  of  the  Oommiailoneti  tyf  the  Street 
Act,  on  Mondial  the  three  derigns  presented  hj  the  Oommittee  for  the 
proposed  Town  fiaU  were  sumnitted  to  the  seneral.bodjr,  by  whom 
thatsentlnbyMesBra  Hansom  and  Weldi.of  Lberpooil^was  tdeeted 
for  ezeeation.  The  premlnma  for  the  two  aesigns  mart  approfed  were  ^ 
awarded  to  Mr.  SUlowt  and  f^tmin,  Biotbnan  imd .  HntdunsoiL  of  tfafs 

On  June  20  were  published  the  following  : 

roruLaxxov  Bannuia 
Bnbjolned  wilT  be  found  copies  of  the  ofBdal  returns  of  the  parities 
of  Binniiu^iam  and  Aaton.   JVom  these  docomenti  the  popiuatioii  of 
this tow^mdnding the  parish  of  Edgbaston, maj fairiy  ne  estimated 
asundar>— 

Males.    Females.     TotaL    Inereaaa. 

Fkriah  of  Birmingham     .      64,819      6fi,0S8      110,347     2iJ»n 

Hamlet  of  Doddeston  0,118       <V685       1S;0O8       6^788 

.  BoidealeT  8,664       8,940         7,694       8,818 

.  Deritend  •       •       8,408     .  8,689         7,091       8,076 

Ptaiah  of  Edgbastoo  1,668       8,801         8,964       1,887 

69,141      7S^648     141,684     88^444 


Making  a  total  of  141,684  parsoDi^  and  an  increase  sinee  the  csDSUi  in 
18817^88^444.     ] 

There  was  great  distress  in  Ireland  this  year,  and  the 
inhabitants  of  Birmingham  displayed  their  ordinaiy  bene- 


PUBLIC  LIFE  AKD  EVENTS.  493 

volence  on  the  occasion.     A  subscription  was  raised  for  the 
relief  of  the  sufferers,  and  on  June  27  we  read : — 

We  have  the  pleMore  to  state  that  the  sum  of  £660  was  last  week 
remitted  to  ^e  London  Gdmmittee,  for  the  relief  of  the  diatreesed 
Irish,  making,  with  the  amounts  previooslj  transmitted  from  this 
town,  a  total  of  Xl,000.  Additional  oontribations  are  reported  in  this 
page,  indoding  sereral  congregational  collections  made  yesterday. 

Doctor  de  Lys,  .the  originator  of  the  Deaf  and  Dumb 
Institution  dieci  this  year,  and  the  following  just  tribute  to 
his  memory  appeared  in  the  Gazette : — 

Angost  29, 183L— On  Wednesday,  the  24th  inst»  at  the  house  of 
William  Phipson,  Esq.,  Edgfaaston,  in  his  48th  year jifter  a  lingering 
iUnesi^  Gabnel  J.  M.  De  Lys,  MJ).,  one  of  the  JPhyaicians  to  the 
Qeneral  Hospital  in  this  town. 

Dr.  De  l^ys  was  the  lepresentative  of  the  nohle  fiunUy  of  his  name^ 


in  Brittany,  bat  left  IVanoe  'when  a  chUd,  with  his  fiither,  daring  the 
early  titmbies  of  the  Berolotion,  and  from  that  time  he  resided  in  this 
coontiy.  He  was  edoeafted  for  the  military  prafiMsion,  in  the  Sdiooi 
established  br  the  British  Govenunenti  at  the  insUnoe  ol  the  late  Mr. 
Borloe,  Ibr  the  aoDS  of  the  IVenoh  Emigrant  Nobility,  at  Penn.  in 
Bobkinghamshire.  Sobseoaent  chan|[es  in  the  politieai  prospeeta  of  his 
ooontry  indaced  him  to  relinqaish  this  parsait,  and  he  oommenoed  the 
Btady  of  medicine.  HaTlnff  passed  with  distinffoished  approbation 
throogh  the  regular  eoorsss  m  professional  edaeatfon,  he  graaoated  in 
1808^  and  ^  the  ftUowhup  year  he  settled  in  this  town.  Hers  his 
■dentifio  aoqoirements  and  praetieal  ddll,  his  inde&tiflable^  fidthftil, 
and  tender  disoham  of  the  dalles  of  his  profession,  his  pondiiioos 
attention  to  the  eudma  of  its  older,  ana  his  aetiTe  aeal  for  the 
adfanoement  (xf  ita  yvaitfer  member^  raised  him  to  the  highest 


eminenee  in  the  est  asm  of  his  medied  brsthreo  and  of  the  pobiie 
atlaige. 

Those  who  eijoysd  the  liappiiMaB  of  his  intimaoy,  lament  the  loss 
of  a  friend  wImms  onbendiag  and  sempoloos  integri^,  the  importance 
of  whose  coaii8sl%  the  eneigetie  »al  of  whose  good  offioe%  the  wannth 
of  whose  a£EiMtioiisu  the  simptieity  of  whose  mannera  and  the  intsresta 
of  idiose  eonTenatko,  thsy  will  ever  hold  in  aflbotionate  vemsmbnoieai 
^i«  able  lectoi'ss  at  the  Bir->iBg>^Mn  Philoaophieal  Institation  are 
fresh  in  the  leeolleotioii  of  maqy  of  oar  readerej  and  the  Sohool  lor 
the  Instroction  of  Deaf  and  Domb  GhOdrsn  at  Mgbastop,  firanded  in 
eonssaoenca  of  ^<>  lufamsts  whieh  some  of  thsee  isotorea  ^^^^^ 
remains  a  monameat  of  Ids  bsnofolsnes^  and  of  the  sneosss  with 
whidi  he  eoald  H'Ply  bis  aoate  and  ^kgamoM  vadsrstanding  to  a 
not  fidlinff  witnlB  the  seope  of  puifissional  attentioo.  He  was 
ifdr  appointed  Pliiyridaa  to  the  Diqionaaiy,  Oensnd  Hospital, 
Ldumaiy,  in  this  town,  and  Us  aasldooos  attention  to  the 

~  the  anzioas  Interast  he  Mt  in  his 

toeollstitaEtion•  it  is  too  wobable 
wntidfiiably  Kjistened  his  prsmators  and  lamentsd  dnath. 

Temperance  Sodetiea  were  now  beinff  founded,  and  a 
great  social  reform  was  being  introduced,  uie  iaaues  cf  which 
have  proved,  and  will  continue  to  prove,  of  the  utmost 


and  Eye  Ldumanri  in  this  town,  an 
laborioos  daties  of  nls  professloii,  and 
patisnti^  aetiag  on  a  natorally  fflJiflsi 


494  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

advantaf^e  to  the  .-^orld.     The  first  aimiversaiy  o£  the 

BirmingnaTn  Society  was  held  this  year,  and  the  following 

brief  notice  is  all  tnat  the  contemporaiy  chronicle  contains 

of  the  meeting  : —  * 

^^  Sept.  6, 183I.--TKMFBRAKCB  SociBiT.— The  first  AnniverBagy  of  this 
Sodety  wu  held  at  the  Pablio  Office,  on  Taeedaj  last  William 
Ghanoe,  Ebo.,  who  was  called  to  the  chair,  ooened  the  proceedings,  and 
explained  toe  steps  that  had  been  previously  taken.  The  Report  was 
read  by  the  Bev.  8.  Byer^  and  the  adoption  of  it  was  moved  bythe 
Bey.  Thomas  Moeeley,  and  seconded  by  the  Ber.  B.  Slater.  The  JEtev. 
Dr.  Hewitt,  from  the  United  States,  who  had  taken  a  distingaiBhed 
part  in  the  origin  of  these  Societies  in  America,  then  entered  into  some 
TBiy  interesting  statements,  ^7  whidi  it  would  appear  that  already  the 
beneficial  eflEeet  of  Temperance  Societies  has  extenaiyely  appeared  in 
Ajnerica,  where  distillea  spirits  were  drank  to  a  veiy  aliurminff  degree, 
bat  where  a  eondderable  diminution  of  consamption  has  taken  puce  since 
attention  has  been  thns  called  to  the  sabjeot  The  Bev.  Dr.  strongly 
v-ged  the  finmation  of  similar  societies  in  JBkigland,  and  Brodoced  some 
▼err  improssive  reasons  which  will  no  doubt  be  embodiea  in  the  fatnre 
addresses  of  the  society.  The  Ber.  Mr.  James,  Mr.  Oadbnty,  and  Mr. 
Ofaapman,  of  Ashted,  addressed  the  meeting,  which  terminated  with  a 
Tote  of  thanks  to  Dr.  Hewitt 

Our  nfixt  ertract  shows  the'  progress  which  had  been 
made  in  the 

BntMoroHAM  Botavkuzi  avd  HoRTiouiffirBAL  Soomr, 

dPaHrona 
Hii  Bgrsl  fUghnew  the  Doke  of  Sussex, 
The  Bight  Hon.  the  Eari  Hbwe^      ffir  Edward  Dohnaa  Soott^^Btot, 
The  Bight  Hon.  Eul  Ferxen,  MA. 

The  Bight  Hon.  Earl  Mo«mtnorri%  D.  &  Dugdale^  Esq. 
Tlie  Bight  Hon.  Lord  Lyttelton^      William  Withering,  Eaq.,  LJ[iJ>« 
The  B^t  Hon.  Laid  CS^thorpe^     John  Qougfa,  Esq. 

/VwMfatf---The  Bight  Hod.  the  Eari  of  Durtmouth. 

Six  months  baTing  elM»ed  dnoe  the  formation  of  the  Botanical  Qar* 
den  eommeueed,  the  Oommittee  deem  it  tight  to  give  some  aooonnt  of 
their  proceedfagi  to  the  IVoptietars  and  the  PuUkL 

Having  taken  twelve  aeras  of  Land  fhxn  Lord  Oblthoi*pe,  peeuliariy  ' 
weUsitaiSed  for  the  purpoesi  of  the  Sodety.  and  having  engaged  Ifr. 
Oameron  as  Curator,  of  wboae  competency  tl^y  had  the  highest  tsstt- 
nioaials  (the  esrrsctnem  of  which  their  own  experience  now  enables 
them  to  eoofirmX  the  OommHtee  applied  to  Mr.  Loudon,  of  Bayswater, 
to  assist  tiiem  la  laying  oat  the  groQiid  to  the  best  advantUM.  Ineon- 
seqiieDee  of  this  mltatioii  that  MUeman  eamedown  lo3rmlii^;ham, 
SM  slier  naiarefy  eoosldsrlng  aU  the  dronoetanees,  he' gave  it  as  his 

decided  opinion  that  the  Society  ovttht  to  obtafaipoasesrion  of  the  house 
then  oeeupied  by  Mr.  Aspley,  awl  the  remaiaiQg  four  seres  of  land 
stisflhed  to  It  On  wdgfaing  the  reasons  asrigned  1^  Mr.  Loudon  for 
this  rscommendatkm,  the  Onnmlttee  ware  oonvineed  of  the  wisdom 
of  the  ooialon ;  and  after  some  time  spent  In  n^goeiating  with  Mr. 
Aspley,  bis  interest|  extending  over  the  ensuing  seventeen  yean,  in  the 
premisei  and  four  acres  of  lud  he  oeeupied,  was  purehaeed  oy  the 


EDUCATION  AND  LITERATURE.  495 

The  fearfdl  and  &tal  Cholera  Morbus  was  now  raging  in 
the  neighbourhood  of  Birmingham,  and  the  most  careful 
precautions 'were  taken  to  prevent  its  appearance,  or  to 
mitigate  its  fury,  should  it  unfortunately  visit  the  town. 
A  General  Board  of  Health  was  at  once  formed ;  but 
towards  the  end  of  the  year  this  was  superseded  by  the 
Lords  of  the  Privy  Council,  who  appointed  a  Board  for  Bir- 
mingham and  Aston.  The  new  Board  held  tbeir  first 
meeting  on  Saturday,  December  the  10th.  The  notification 
of  this  appeared  on  the  12th  : — 

BOABD  OF  HSALTH  FOB  BlBMUrOHAlC  AND  ASTON. 

N'otice  is  hereby  ffi^en,  that  the  following  Qentlemen  have  been 
appointed  hy  the  XJords  of  the  CouncU  a  Board  of  Health  for  Bimiixig- 
ham  and  Aiton,  ▼]&, 

CShairman,  Samuel  Tertius  Qalton,  Esq., 

Bepaty  Ghaiiman,  The  Bev.  Georoe  Hodaoii.  Ajrchdeaoon  df  Stafford, 

The  High  Bailifl^  Mr.  William  Beale, 

The  Low  Bulii^  Mr.  R  T.  Oadhoxyy 

Geoige  NichjdUi^  Eaa.,  Mr.  Jamea  Peanon, 

Mr.  Thomas  Knott ; 
Of  whom  three  axe  to  form  a  Qaorom. 
All  persons  axe  desired  to  take  notice  of  this,  in  porsoanoe  of  the 
Orden  m  ConncU  of  the  Slst  of  Kovember  last 

The  Board  wOl  meet  for  the  present  on  Monda,^,  Wednesday,  and 
TMfjf  at  one  oTdoek,  at  the  rooms  of  the  FhflosophioJ  Society,  in  Oan- 
hqh  Street 

All  commiinieations  to  the  Board  are  requested  to  be  addressed  to 
the  Ghalrman  as  above.  Savuxl  Tkbhtto  G  altov,  Ghainnan. 

Happily  Birmingham  eaceaped  almost^  if  not  eniirehr,  from 

the  eoects  of  this  terrible  aoourge.     A  few  cases  of  death 

from  tme  Ajsiatic  Cholera  were  recorded.    These,  however, 

were  so  few,  and  the  circomstanoes  attending  each  case 

were  so  peculiar,  that  it  may  be  safely  asserted  that  this 

town  has  idways  eigoyed  an  immunity  from  the  visitations 

of  this  fittal  plagua    May  it  ever  continue  to  do  so ! 


§.8.     EDUCATION  AND  LITERATURE. 

This  decade  is  hononiaUy  distinguished  by  the  great 
advances  made  in  education.  Infimt  Schools^  and  the 
Mechanics'  Institute  were  founded ;  and  the  recenUjr  estab- 
lished Society  of  Arts  waxed  strong  and  grew,  llie  first 
paragraph  we  meet  with  is  a  notice  of  the  doings  of  this 
Society: — 


496  A  CENTURY  OF  BIBMINOHAH  LIFE. 

■ 

May  27th9^822.— SodetjT  of  Arta.— -The  Moieiim  in  New  Street  is 
now  fitted  up,  and  furnished  with  the  valuable  Collection  of  Casts  from 
the  Antique,  presented  to  the  Society  by  Sir  Bobert  Lawlef,  Bart. ;  and 
we  undentand  the  apartment  will  he  opened  on  the  4th  of  next  month| 
for  the  admission  of  members  and  stnaents.  The  Committee,  we  also 
leazn,  have  availed  themselves  of  a  fovouiable  opportunity  of  providing 
a  considerable  addition  to  the  present  collection/ through  the  asaiB- 
tance  ci  a  gentleman  who  is  visiting  Italy,  and  who  has  poutely  offered 
his  services  in  selecting  such  specimens  df  the  works  of  art,  as  will  best 
promote  the  objects  of  the  Society.  The  Committee,  at  their  next 
meeting,  will  pass  some  bye-laws,  m  conformity  with  the  rules  of  the 
Society,  for  the  adnussion  of  strangeri. 

The  next  extract  is  the  first  advertiflement  of  a  publication 
which  obtained,  and  deserved,  connderable  refutation  in  its 
own  day,  and  which  has  been  Tepubliahed  in  ours.  The 
original  orawings  have  been  purchased  for,  and  are  now  the 
property  of  the  Midland  Instituta  It  is  with  pleasure  I 
record  that  this  purchase  was  the  result  of  a  sufaecription 
commenced  and  carried  out  by  Mr.  John  Jaffiay  and  the 
writer  of  this  record,  who  thus  procured  the  acquisition  of 
a  permanent  Art  Treasure  for  the  town : —  .. 

August  19.  1622.— Under  the  Pstronage  of  the  Bidbt  HoDOiirable 
the  Eiurl  of  Warwick.  In  the  oouie  of  the  Autumn  wul  be  pubUshed, 
Pitrt  L  of  Graphic  lUustrationa  of  'Warwiokshire ;  ooDsisong  of  a 
Seriesof  EngraTingBof  the  most  oelebiated  Axuhiteetund  Remains,  and 
tiie  most  interesting  Natural  Sceneiy  of  the  County,  aooompanied  by 
niskoriMl  and  Dssoripave  Nodeea 

The  Work  will  be  completed  in  eight  paHa^  eadi  ^wnt^ning  iV)iir 
Flatei^  with  subordinate  sulgeeti  enmTed  as  Ylgnettes.  Boyal 
quarto^  price  to  snbeeribeq.  tro^e  sMI  nngs  and  dxpepee  each  pari. 

A  limited  number  of  noof  Tiupiesilnns  on  Inoia  pspari  mipefial 
quarto^  price  one  guinea  eaeh  part     .'•..>• 

A  aeieet  number  of  Fkoof  Impteariops  on  India  paper,  erown  iblio^ 


(for  Uluslimting  Dugdale)  price  two  ffuiaeaa  eaeh'nari 

The  Eogra^ngi  will  be  ezeented  by  W.  BaacMRk  troat  erisinal 
Diawfain  made  ezpresdy  te  tfali  ^wnck  bj  Mr.  Westail,  A.RA., 
y.  Dewinti  J.  T.  Bufaar,  and  F.  Maokanria^ 

As  a  not  unimportant  educational  institution  we  quote 

this  report  of  the  News  Boom  :-— 

New  Street^  September  10^  IStt^At  a  lam  and  hidily  tespeetaUa 


Meeting  of  the  flttoiflribeta  it  was  pinposed  and  lesolwL— 

L  Thai  the  fidlowing  Daily  Kpen  be  laid  on  the  taUes  of  thk 
room.  Tis^  Homing  Ohronide^  Coatiar,  8iin»  ^avellar,  Tine  Briton, 
and  0*^  BtaAsman* 

S.  Thai  the  foUowhig  Weekl|j  BqMn  be  taken  in.  iris^ObMrter, 
FUlaathropie Oaaetteultonei'a  Joonal, Examiner, BelTs  wimmngm, 
Biimingham  Qaaetle^  Hirmingham  Ohgonkie^  Qonfk  Liferpool  Adfsr* 
tiaaf^with  Uoyd'a  lik  the  Price  CoRant^  and  the  Ainqr  ^ 

8b  That  a  box  be  placed  in  the  room  with  a  list  of  all  liie  London 
NewspapeiiL  and  remain  in  the  room  hr  one  month.  That  eadi  8d>- 
aoriber  shall  be  inyited  to  write  the  names  of  aix  pi^Mn^  and  deporit 


EDtJCATION  AND  LITERATUBE.  497 

the  same  with  his  signature  in  the  said  box,  and  those  papm  which 
have  the  majority  of  votes  shall  be  taken  in  for  the  ensain^  year. 
Notice  of  the  Annual  Meeting  shall  be  given  in  Aria's  Birmingham 
Gazette,  at  least  two  weeks  prior  to  the  meeting. 

4.  Should  the  number  or  Subscribers  amount  to  one  hundred  and 
ten/an  additional  daily  paper  shall  be  taken  in.  and  so  in  proportion  to 
a  rarther  increase  of  Snbscriben.  When  it  is  tnus  needfiu  to  introduce 
another  paper  a  notice  will  be  placed  in  the  room,  and  the  paper  to  be 
taken  in  shall  be  decided  by  a  majority  of  Subscribers. 

Annual  Subscription,  ^1  5s. 

In  presenting  to  the  Public  the  foregoing  Besolutions,  I  beg  leave  to 
solicit  the  Sub^riptions  of  my  Friends  in  support  of  the  News  Boom, 
and  shall  be  obliged  by  an  early  intimation  m>m  those  who  favour  me 
with  their  patronage.  Bespectfblly, 

J«  IxyvBLL. 

In  1823  a  Commercial  and  News  Room  was  established ; 
the  following  is  the  report  of  the  meeting : — 

November  24^   1823. — At  a   numerous   Mieeting    of  Gmitlemen 


assembled  at  the  Public  Offio^  to  take  into  oonsideratiaQ  the  propriety 
ofestablishinga  Public  News  iCoom  in  the  town,  John  Vale,  1^.,  High 
Btlli£;  in  the  (%air ; 

'It  was  resolved  nnanimonsly — 

That  it  appeals  to  this  Meetiiur  that  a  Public  Boom,  to  be  called  a 
^News  and  Oommerdal  fioom,^  would  be  sztramelj  desjiable  in 
the  town  of  Birmingham. 

• .  That  It  is  the  opinion  of  this  mMitagf  that  a  buHdfaig  for  this 
purpose  should  be  erected,  l^  shares  iiot  axeeeding  £90  eadii  bearing 
an  mtsNit  of  5  per  cent,  per  annuoL 

.  It  beinff  reported  to  tnis  Meeting  that  more  than  100  shsres  are 
already  siusoribed,  .       - 

.  Besolved— That  a  sail  of  £5  on  each  share  be  immediately  made,  to 
be  paid  to  the  Treasurers. 

That  Messrs.  Gibbon,  Smith,  and  Goode  be  appointed  Treasurers. 
.  That  a  Committee  be  now  appomted  to  asoertain  the  proper  dimen- 
sloDS  of  such  room— to  consider  of  dtnationa,  plans,  and  esamates,  and 
to  eolleet  sndi  infermatioQ  as  they  shall  dieem  neeessaiy  to  be  laid 
before  a  Meeting  of  the  Proprietors  to  be  convened  as  early  in  the 
ensuing  year  as  possible. 

That  the  following  ten  Gentlemen,  who  originally  met  to  take  this 
subject  into  oonnderation,  be  now  appointed  sa<»  Committee,  with 
power  to  add  to  their  number : — 


Mr.  G.  T.  Simooz 
Mr.  Edward  llioaiason 
Mr.  H.  Van  Wart 
Mr.  John  Walker 
Mr.  Joseph  Walker 


Mr.  Thomas  Bolton 
Mr.  Ghsrles  Cope 
Mr.  J.  F.  Ledsam 
Mr.  R  T.  Moore 
Mr.  Charies  Shaw 

That  Mr.  K  8.  Moore  be  requested  to  aeoept  the  office  of  Honorary 
Seoetaiy  to  the  Proprietaiy. 

That  the  proceedings  of  this  day  be  published  in  the  Birminghsm 
newspapers.  Jonv  Vale. 

A  periodical  called  the  Birmingham  Spectator  was  started 
in   1824  ;    but,  like  so  many   preceding  ani  succeeding 

U  KE 


498  A  CENT0RT  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

attempts  of  the  kind,  it  did  not  long  sorvi v&  It  gav^ 
considerable  attention  to  theatrical  questions,  and  was  pub- 
lished by  Mr.  J.  Drake^  of  New  Street  A  paper  war 
which  excited  a  great  deal  of  attention  was  carried  on 
this  year.  It  was  commenced  in  January  by  the  publication 
of  "  y  outh  Warned,"  by  the  Rev,  J.  A.  James,  and  intensified 
when  the  play  of  the  Hypocrite  was  produced  at  the  Theatre 
Boyal,  and  Mr.  James  wrote  his  '^Scoffer  Admonished,'' 
protecting  in  very  warm  terms  against  the  irreligious 
tendency  of  the  performance.  This  pamphlet  was  replied 
to  by  uie  Manager,  Mr.  Alfred  Bunn,  in  a  letter  which 
speedily,  run  through  four  edition&  The  Spectator  was  thus 
announced>— '  . 

fiSDIVZVUB  liXTBRABiUS. 

ISbj  17. 1884.— On  Sattirdaj,  ^j  S9,  irill  be  renovated  the  Spirit 
of  The  llieatrioalLooker  On?*  Nolongerezdiislvely  devoted  to  tbe 
Btage^  it  will  take  the  more  oompreheoaiTe  appeUation  of 

«Thb  BiBimroHAM  Sfbokatob.**  .   . 

BtOl,  however,  lingering  about  its  femer  haunti,  It  SdIV  during  the 
Theatitel  6«Mon,  sftve  a  large ^pdrtioo  of  itaattntimi  to  the  acted 
Drama,  whikitaotoereoiiteiitB'will  embiaoe  a  wide  tange  of  aobjeala 
oonneoted  with  Literatm«^  OHtidam,  the  Art%  Loealitiei^  fta,  ommiiffi 
nothinff  whiA  ahonld  be  noted  by  an  olnaiiaat  .BpeetatoTi  whose  botf 
ne»  itla  to '^aee,  haarji'aiid  aay/'-^^  Bood  daaL  •: 

**The  Birmingham  Bpectalor*  will  appear  In  weakly  trambenLeaoh 
nomber 'eontah^lng^aMeen 'fiaggi^' wnall  6vo^  'prioa  Three  FeMa. 
Pnbliahed  everj  Satordaj  Afteraoon,  at  fomrVdock,  by  J.  Draka^  1S8. 
New  atieal»  Birmfa||^am,  anddalmred  to  Snbaoriban  in  all  parte  oi 
the  town.  .  k.  i-^  l    ;:   -    .  .i.     • 

A  Box  win  be  opened  ftr  the  leoeptloQ^Oommonkatlona 

The  first  number  contained  ''the  Edit(»^8  Address  Freli* 
minaipr— an  aooount  of  the  last  moments  of  the  Looker  On, 
and  hia  dying  Beqaesto  to  the  Speetator  and  the  Critic  of 
the  Chnmicle^-NoticeB  to  Oorreapondents— a  foil  and  candid 
examination  of  the  Theatrical  Iwfbrmances  of  the  week — 
and  other  interesting  matter  toJUl  icp.* 

Contemporaneous  with  the  bpectator  was  puUiahed  the 
Theatrical  John  Bull,  which  was  announced  in  the  following 


Oo  Satorday  nazt»  May  »,  will  be  paUiahad,  by  W.  ODoper,althe 
Original  London  Newapapar  Ofliee^  UnkuhaUeat^  Binnli^^iaaii  Na  1 
ofanawWork,  tobeeontinnedweekly,  Price  Two  Bsoee^  to  be  eelkd 

*  Twcntj-fiva  amnban  of  tfiia  periodical  appeamd ;  IWn  May  t7,  less,  to 
Korembcr  S,  ISSS.  The  Biimiasham  Beporler  unaared  ia  Jaae  and  Jahr, 
1888;  and  the  Theatrical  Kola  Book  la  Jaae.  ISM.^ 


EDUCATION  AND  LITERATURE.  '499 

The  Thsatbigal  John  Bull. 

The  leadiDg  feature  of  the  Pablication  will  be  independent  and  original 
CriUciBms  on  tiie  Performances  at  the  Krminffham  Theatre ;  bat  the 
Editors  will  occasionally  introdace  select  Aneodotes  and  short  Memoirs 
of  eminent  Actors,  -with  other  matter  that  tiiej  may  deem  nsefal  and 
interesting  to  the  JPablic. 

No.  3  will  contain  some  Observations  on  ^  Yonth  Warned."  A  box 
for  eommnnicatiops  is  prepiuied  at  the  Pnblishei^s. 

i^r  A  good  Ponster  wanted,  as  the  Looker-on  is  dead. 

Another  periodical  of  a  kindred  character  was  also  pub- 
lished in  September : — 

The  Mousb  Trap  1 1 ! 
<<  The  Mouse  ThH>l    Many,  how  t    TropioaQy  t**— iTomlef. 
The  First  Nnmber  of  a  Work  with  the  above  title  will  be  pablished, 
at  twelve  o'clock,  price  Two  Pence^  by  T.  Dewson,  Lower  Temple-street^ 
and  may  be  had  of  most  Booksellers. 

^  Whomsoever  readeth  not  this,  doth  lack  of  taste." — ^Micelb. 

On  September  27,  this  curious  notice  appeared : — 
7^  tJU  Bsaden  of  tke  Ifauie  Trtyf  / /^TAat  %$,  AU  JBagland  1 1 1 
The  Tripartite  who  condact  this  ^dever  work"  are  gone  to  Bath  for 
a  few  weeks^  jost  for  a  Lark— when  they  retnm  they  will  resome  Uieir 
holy  work  a^Jn.  Li  the  mean  time,  all  they  have  to  aav  to  the  Bir- 
mindiam  Literati !»— Look  to  it^  and  as  yon  valne  your  ratnre  peaces 
avoid  PniiwualitifWi . 

The  local  poets  entered  the  field;  and  in  the  same  month 
was  paUished '' Oant^  a  Satirical  Poem.^  This  was  followed 
W  ^ Anti-Oant ;  an  Extra  Satirical  Burlesqua  Witii  Notes 
that  may  be  usefiiL'*  By  Hudibras  the  Younger.  This 
pamphlet  had  for  motto :  ^  Of  all  the  cants  which  are  canted 
m  this  canting  world,  though  the  cant  of  hypocriay  may  be 
the  worsts  the  cant  of  criticispi  is  the  most  tormenting. 

On  October  25  this  advertisement  was  published : — 

On  Wednesday  next»  precisely  at  Twelve  o'doek,  *^  The  Plagiary 
Warned  f  *a  YiDdlcatioo  of  the  Drama,  the  Stagey  and  Poblic  Morals, 
from  the  Plagiarisms  and  Compilation  of  the  Bev.  John  Angell  James, 
If  inisisr  of  Oan'a-lane  (%apel,  Birmbgfaam.  Pabiished  by  J.  Drake, 
New-etreel;  and  Baldwin,  Gradoek  and  Joy,  Fatemoster-row,  London* 

The  foUowing  testimony  to  the  work  of  an  artist  still 

liviiLg,  and  whoso  name  is  honoured  wherever  genius  is 

admired,  will  be  read  with  interest : — 

To  ike  JSdiior  of  Ariie  JMrmmgiam  GoMeUe. 
Dee.  SO,  1884.— Sir,— As  I  had  the  {deasore  of  being  Intimatelv 
aeqnaintad  with  the  late  Mr.  Edward  Grainfler,  I  have  examined  with 
great  care  the  marble  host  which  Mr.  Peter  Botlins  has  ezecnted  of  my 
lamented  IrUttid^  and  whidi  b  a  most  accurate  resemblance  of  him« 
From  its  beinff  unpoasible  for  the  senlptor,  like  the  painter,  to  exhibit 
the  eokmr  of  tne  uce,  and  to  shew  that  great  oigan  of  expression,  the 

*  Thin  is  attributed  to  Mr.  Joseph  Paikes. 


500  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  UFK. 

eye,  we  too  freqnenUj  find  boats  mere  inaniniftte  copies  of  the  features }. 
bat  in  tfak  the  artist  hM,  with  admirable  skill,  contrived  to  ezpren  the 

treat  intellectual  powers  of  the  deceased.  The  artist  eertainly  had  a 
ne  snbject  to  woik  upon,  as  tho'bead  is  of  the  first  order,  the  forehead 
ample,  and  the  other  features  of  marked  eijH'ession  ;  and  well  has  he 
availed  himself  of  this  advantage.  When  I  learn  that  this  is  the  first 
prodiKtion  ci  so  youig  a  man  as  Mr.  P.  H.  is,  I  cannot  exiM^ess  my 
snrprise  at  its  masterly  execution,  as,  from  the  natm^  fleshy  appearance 
which  he  has  contrived  to  produce^  and  the  great  animation  he  has 
infosed  into  the  features,  it  certainly  would  not  disgrace  the  diisel  of 
the  most  experienced  artist 

I  am»  Sir,  your  most  obedient  servant, 
8t  Paal*8-8qaare,  Dec  IS,  1824.  TRANcia  B.  Elkikqtok. 

.  The  two  noblest  educational  laboars  of  this  decade  were 
commenced  in  1825.  That  year  is  distinguished  in  our  his- 
tory by  the  formation  of  a  Mechanics'  Institute  and  the 
foimding  of  In&nt  Schools*  Of  the  former  the  f<dlowing  is 
the  first  announcement : — 

llBGHAViOB^  ImnroTEOir,  BnimroBAir, 

'  Jdno  &'  18S0. — ^A  number  of  FerK»%  Meehanioi^  Artians^  and 
othen^  bdni^deaiioaB  that  a  if eaAaiMo/  ImtihOion  should  be  formed  in 
SSrmingfaam,  ou  a  phm  veBembling  those  which  have  been  established 
in  other  plaoea  do  hereby  invite  ssch  of  thefar  Townsmen  as  with  to 
sliare  in  the advaataM  offered  by  sndi  an  institation,  toenter  their 
names  as  mwhig  tooeoone  snbsmbers,  at  iheiate  djUvMUmgiper 
quarter.  Aia  is  thoiu^  dssiraWa  previously  to  the  annonncement  of 
any  public  meetfaig^  wmeh  will  be  called  as  aoou  as  a  snffideat  number 
(kfnantfes  are  received. 


Whiles  however^  the  advertlasri  take  this  means  of  aRsertaininff  the 

ventort  poblidy  to  cspvBSB  auope 


itimeniiof  thdrownbody,  thsyv 
that  some  of  the  inhabitants  of  this  town  and  neighboiiriioody  distliK 
gaished  for  thehr  weaHli,  reapectabilitT,  liberality,  and  the  wish  to  pro- 
mote Mod  to  extend  sdentlfic^  intelleotnal  and  mom  improvementi  wfll 
come  forward  to  give  the  valuable  aldof  their  Judgment  and  experience 
in  tiie  formation  and  arrangement  of  the  dedred  establishment  wliicfa 
the  present  propoaers  foel  amuiwl  will  then  be  mere  eligibly  efisded 
than  if  left  to  their  unasdstM  efforts. 

The  names  of  subseribenr  will  be  received  by  Messrs.  J.  Drake^  IS^ 
NeW'«treet;  W. Cooper, Union-street ;  W. Snffield, Bolkslreet ;  andaS 
the  Artisaai^  library,  Edmund-street 

JjjoM  RblT|  Fkovlsional  SeerBtary* 

It  was  not^  however,  until  Uaieh,  1826,  that  the  Institu- 
tion was  opened. 

On  June  27  this  parsgnqph  was  published : — 

We  understand  that  a  plan  is  in  contemnlatiou^among  some  benevo* 

lent  faidiviJaals  of  this  town  for  the  estahUshment  of  an  Infont  School, 
upon  the  model  of  that  so  soccessfhlly  porsnad  in  the  melropolia 

On  July  18,  we  read  thata  meeting  had  been  hela,uid  that 
it  was  resolved  to  establish  In&nt  Sdiools  in  this  town: — 

Sodi  of  our  readers  as  are  interested  in  the  establishment  ci  Infont 
Schools  will  be  gratifled  to  learn  that  a  meeting  convened  at  the  Pnblic 


EDUCATION  AND  UTERATURE.  501 

Office  npon  the  aabject^  o&  Friday  laet^  wu  meet  resMctably  attended, 
and  reaolationB  were  entered  into  that  measores  shomd  be  immediatelj 
taken  to  set  on  foot  an  institution  of  this  description  in  Birmiugham. 

The  following  extract  from  the  report  of  the  first  public 
meeting  explains  the  purpose  of  the  origbiiators  of  tms  im- 
portant work : — 

Sept  26, 1826« — ^At  the  Public  Meeting  for  taking  into  consideration 
the  proprid^  of  esiabliBhing  an  In£uit  &hool  in  Birmingham,  held  at 
the  Boyal  Hotel,  on  Tuesday  the  aoth  Instant, 

The  Biffht  Hon.  Lord  Galthorpe  in  the  Chair ;    . 

The  business  of  ike  day  having  been  opened  by  the  noble  chairman, 
the  iCTort  of  the  FroYvdoaBl  Committee  was  read  : — 

Puolie  Office,  Sept  19,  1625. — The  mtem  of  early  moral  education, 
adopted  in  the  Spitameldi^  Infant  School  and  elsewhere,  having  for  some 
tune  engi^ed  the  attention  and  awakened  the  interest  of  many  indivi- 
duals in  Birmingham,  they  were  naturally  led  to  desire  that  the  impor- 
tant benefits  which  have  been  ascertained  to  result  from  it  in  those 
excellent  establishments,  should  be  extended  to  the  Infant  Poor  of  their 
own  neiighboiuhood. 

With  a  view  to  promote  this  object  a  number  of  Gentlemen  met  a( 
the  Public  Office,  on  the  15th  of  July  ust,  and  unanimously  adopted  the 
fbliowing  resolution : — 

^That  it  appears  to  this  meetinghi^y  expedient  that  an  Infant 
School  be  estaDliBihed  in  the  town  of  Birniingham.'' 

The  estimated  cost  of  the  whole  building,  including  the  two  School- 
room^ with  the  mastei's  house^  plajr  ground,  &C.,  according  to  plans 
whidiihav8becaiprq)ared,isujpwwnu  of  ^/XX);  but  it  is  calculated, 
thai  if  about  £S00  could  be  raised  by  donations,  the  rent  derived  from 
the  above-meotkmedsonrees  would  be  sufficient  to  pay  the  interest  of  the 
sum  which  it  would  be  necessaiy  to  borrow  for  completing  it ;  and  the 
ground  rent  of  £25  ner  annum  vrould  then  be  the  annual  charge,  as  far 
as  rehites  to  the  bufloin^  remaining  upon  the  Institution. 

The  following  resolution  wbb  also  passed .' — 

That  the  Bight  Hon.  Lord  Galthorpe  be  requested  to  accept  the  office 
of  Fatnm  of  the  Institution ;  Messis.  Tkjrlor  and  Lbyds  that  of  Treasu- 
rers; the  Bev. Thomas  Nunns  and  Mr.  John  Stuige  that  of  Secretaries^ 
and  that  the  foUowing  Qentlemen^  with  the  Officers  of  the  Institution,  do 
fonn  a  Oommittee  for  the  ensuing  year,  with  power  to  add  to'their 
number,  to  draw  up  rules,  promote  subsaiption%  and  adopt  such  othec 
measures  as  thcgr  may  find  expedient  for  canying  into  effect  the  resolu* 
tioos  of  this  meeting : 

£.  Johnstone,  Esq.,  M.D.  R.  W.  Oem 

&  Tertius  Qalton,  Esq.  Bice  Harris 

Thomas  Lee,  Esq.  P.  M.  James 

Bichard  Spooner,  Bm|.  J.  F.  Ledsam 

Bev.  Edward  Bum  Samuel  Lloyd 

Bev.  Bann  Kennedy  James  Pearson 

Bev.  John  Gkurbett    '  Josiah  Pumpheiy 

Bev.  Qeoige  Hodson  T.  G.  Simcox 

Bev.  J.  A.  James  Timothy  Smith 

Bichard  Oadbury  Joseph  Stuiige. 


502  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINaHAM  LIFE. 

The  next  extracts  narrate  the  formation  and  opening  of 
that  most  useful  society; — ^the  Mechanics^  Institute : — 

Febmaxy  e,  1896. — ^At  ik  nmnerous  meetiiiff  of  the  .Krminffham 
Mechanicfl^  InBtitation,  held  on  IVidayweek  in  t£e  School-room  beioiig- 
ii^  to  CSuys-lane  meeting  honae,'  for  ttie  pnipoae  of  deddng  its  Qfficen^ 
Bichaid  Spooner,  Em.,  was  appointed  Fi^ddent ;  Mr.  K  Oook,  Yioe- 
Pteddent ;  Thomas  Attwood,  Esq.,  Treasarer ; .  Mr.  Joseph  Parkes  and 
Mr.  Francis  CSaik,  Secretaries ;  and  twenty  individuals  were  chosen  of 
the  Committee,  two-thirds  of  whom,  by  the  regulations  of  the  Society, 
are  medianicB.  The  resolutions  were  moved  and  seconded  by  Thomas 
Attwood,  En.,  Mr.  G.  E.  Jackson.  Mr.  Parkes,  the  Bev.  T.  M.  MDonneU, 
Mr.  Schdefi^d,  Mr.  Hill,  senr.,  Mr.  Wrigfateon,  Fhmds  Oanning,  Esq., 
(of  Foxcote).  Mr.  Enk^t^  Mr.  W.  Phipson,  and  Mr.  Com.  The  meeting 
was  also  addresMd  by  Mr.  Edmonds.  I>arinfl[  the  pooeedings  Mr. 
Spooner  officiated  as  Chaiixnan. '  The  names  m  neaxfv  two  hondred 
mechanics  are  stated  to  have  been  recehnid  as~  flnbecnbers  before  the 
meeting  broke  up. 

MwTiTAwictf  iHsnnmoK. 

March  SO,  ISSe.— The  i«wn;t»£rh«Tn  Mecfaanicfl^  Institation  will  be 
opened  To-monow  ^esday)  evenings  Mardi  21,  at  half-^sst  seven 
o^dock,  Inr  an  Introdoctoiy  Leietare  from  Mr.  R  Cook,  the  vloe-Aresi- 
denl  at  Moant  Son  Oiapel,  Newhall-hilL  which  has  oeen  kindly  lent 
for  tnis  occasion.  The  Oranmittee  raspectrally  atmoonce,  that  at  this 
Lectors  the  Chapel  will  be  open  to  all  the  Snbecriben  and  FViends  of 
theInstitati0ii.andtoanyof  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  who^  on  that 
occasion,  may  nnvoar  them  with  their  attendance. 

Persons  widbinf  to  become  Members  of  the  Institution  may  obtain 
Tickets  of  A^f^^'W^^  on  aimlication  at  the  Chronide  Office;  liL  New- 
street;  Mr.  Dnk^s,  mNew-«(x«et;  Mr.  Jmes^ 
streets  or Mf •  IVancis (dark, i^ IJand-strecft    . 

Marai  S7, 18fi6b— On  Taesday  oveninj^  the  Mechanici^  Institoticn  in 
this  town  wasfoxmally  opened  oy  the  oelivery  cf  an  address  from  the 
Vioe-P^mident^  Mr.  Benjamin  Cooke^  from  the  jmlpttof^Zion  OhapeL 
The  pkoe  was  filled  by  Merhanim  and  othen  soon  aft^  seven,  and  the 
addresi  Mmeared  to  giTS  vmy  general  satisfaflHnn,  .       . 

The  rollowingeziinctfrom  the  first  Annual  Report  of  the 
Birmingham  ^mnt'Sdiool,  gives  a  bcief  xecord  <n  the  pro- 
gress of  that  institution  >-^ 

October  S3,  IfiSd— The  Oonunittee  fint  made  cngidiy  In  varioiis 
qnartem  for  snitiJiIe  persons  to  occupy  the  station  of  Master  and  Mis* 
tresB,  and  at  leofth  fixed  their  dioioe  upon  Mr.  and  Mis.  John  Hayea 
ai  thisjdaoe,  wEom  they  sent  to  WaHnamstow  to  leam  the  qrslan  off 
Infant  ibtroction  in  the  sdiool  of  the  Bov.  Wnu  Wilson,  wiio  has  kh^ 

S'  mt  permisBon  for  that  poiposa  They  also  direeted  them  to  viaiti 
bra  thwietoin,  the  Bpital&dds  and  other  sdioob  in  London,  fa  Older 
the  moie  eompletdv  to  q[iialify  themselves  for  the  aftoatioa  they  fatended 
to  filL  The  School  was  aooaidinfll  v  opened  fa  the  room  above  alladed 
to,  on  the  15th  of  March  laiA,  and  mr  the  hut  ISoor  or  five  monHis  it  has 
had  an  sTeisge  attendance  of  horn  80  to  100  children.  At  the  time  of 
its  removal  to  the  sitoation  it  now  occapies  fa  this  boUdfai^  the  whuJe 
nnmber  upon  the  books  was  1S8. 


The  present  school-room  being  at  kngth  completed,  the  diiMren  were 
removed  to  it  on  the  SOth  of  last  month,  and  dariai^  tiie  fortnif^  vdiich 


EDUCATION  AKD  LITERATURE.  503 

has  since  dapaed,  38  fresh  children  have  been  admitted,  making  the 
whole  number  at  iiresent  upon  the  books,  166,  bein^  still  above  60  less 
than  the  room  will  accommodate ;  but,  as  the  applications  for  admission  to 
the  f  onner  room  were  more  numerous  than  the  means  of  accommodation 
rendered  it  then  practicable  to  comply  with,  there  can  be  little  doubt 
that  the  present  wiU  be  quickl  v  Med,  more  espedallv  as  your  Committee 
are  constantly  receivinff  proora  that  the  wonLing  daases  become  every 
day  more  sensible  of  the  great  benefits  their  ofbpring  will  derive  from 
the  Institution.  The  progress  which  these  chiloren  have  made  in  the 
several  branches  of  instraction  suited  to  their  infantine  capacitiee,  the 
willing  attention  and  cheerful  obedience  which  tbiey  ezhibit^imd  the  order 
and  harmony  of  the  Sdiool  in  seneral,  have  been  highly  gratifying  to 


your  Committee,  and  wiU,  they  oeUeve^  be  considered  bv  all  who  visit 
the  School  to  funiish  decisive  evidence  that,  your  establishment  is  really 
efifecting  the  benevolent  purposes  for  which  it  was  instituted* 

The  Blue  Coat  School  received  a  welcome  addition  to  its 
funds: — 

Februaiy  H,  1827.— The.  Treasuxers  of  the  Blue  Coat  School 
acknowledge  the  receipt  of  £lfiOO  Imqy,  deduoting  duty,  bequeathed 
to  that  charity,  by  the  late  Miss  Sheldon. 

In  addition  to  the  bequest  of  this  ladv  already  made  known,  the  sum 
of  £1,000  has  been  invested  in  the  pnblie  fbnds  in  the  names  of  the 
teeter  and  diurchwarden%  fo  the  time  b(Edn£^  of  St  Philippe  Church,  the 
interest  of  which  is  to  be  annnallv  given,  in  equal  proportions^  to  ten 
old  maidenly  or  sin^  women  of  virtuous  eharaeter,  parishioners  of 
Birminghain.  Also  the  sum  of  £650^  invested  in  like  sesuxities,  in  the 
name  of  the  minister  and  ehordiwardeoa  for  the  time  beings  of  Sheldon, 
the  interest  to  be  applied  to  the  poraaae  of  blue  coats,  doak^  and 
other  warm  eiothfng,  and  given  to  the  aged  poor  of  the  parish  of 
Sheldon,  annually,  on  St  ThomaiTs  day. 

The  ExeeaUns  of  the  deceased  have  likewise  paid  a  l^gaqy  of  jSl,000 
to  the  Society  for  the  Pkomotioo  of  Christian  Xnowledga 

The  following  is  an  important  literary  annoancement : — 

liarch  S6, 1827^— This  day  is  published,  in  one  volume^  royal  4to., 
with  Portraits  and  Autompha,  pme  il  8a,  in  boards, 

The  lii^  DiMy,  and  Ooirapondenee  of  Sir  William  Dngdale^ 
Knight,  sometime  Garter  Frindpal  King  of  Anna  Edited  by  Wm. 
Hampei.  Esq.,  JFAJl  ^^ 

The  Life  and  Diaiy  of  Sir  William  Dogdale  Ibrm,  peihaM  the  most 
important  illastrations  (xf  the  momentous  period  m  whion  he  lived. 
The  fimner  is  printed  from  the  Anthor^s  own  antooi^  preserved  in 
the  Ashmolean  Mosenm,  and  tlM  latter  firom  bis  ICaaiisaript  Biaiy, 
whidi  extends  through  the  period  of  the  great  BebelUon  to  the  year 
10861  and  is  preset  fed  amoQff  the  arbhifes  of  his  descendant^  D.  S. 
Pngoale,  Esq.  at  Herevale^  Oa  Warwick.  It  eommeness  in  1643, 
wiien  the  Anthaf^s  official  attendanep  inKA  ih%  Ooort  of  Charles  L,  at 
Ozted,  affinded  him  opportonitisB  lor  ousetiatkiu  which  be  noted  Iran 
day  to  day.  and  depicts  the  prindpal  efents  during  the  si^ge  of  that 
citv,  until  its  surrender  to  the  rebels  in  1646;  with  apredskm  attainable 
only  by, an  eye  witness  of  Uie  events  which  he  reoorda  In  the 
Correspondenee  will  be  fimnd  Original  Letters  of  the  most  celebrated 
persoos  of  the  age^  not  hitherto  published. 


504'  A  CENTURY  OF  BIKMINOHAM  LIFE. 


^  What  Dogdale  haa  done  is  prodigioas.  >  His  memory  ought  to  be 
'▼eneratedy  and  had  in  ereriasting    remembnnoe." — Tfooc^    F<uU 

London:  Printed  for  Harding^  Lepaxd, and Oo^  Pall  Mall  East 
The  publication  of  this  book  was  honoured  with  an 

editorial  note,  whicli  is  quite  an  exceptional  thing  in  the 

Oaaette  of  those  days : — 

Mareh  26,  1827.— The  ppblieation  of  the  forthooming  life  of  Sir 
William  Dngdale,  under  the  snperintendenee  of  our  respected  tovnis- 
man,  William  Hamper,  Esq.,  is  looked  for  ^th  interest  The  Life  and 
Diaiy  is  at  onoe  a  iraduable  specimen  of  autohiogn4)h7,  and  eminently 
cfaarBcteristic  of  the  distjngnished  historian  of  oar  conntr;  and  the 
Oorrespondenoe  inll  be  found  to  throw  mach  important  light  upon  the 
eventfol  period  of  En^ish  History  in  which  Sir  William  liyed.  the 
wdl-known  antiqaarian  researdi  sad  discrimination  of  the  Editor  foUy 
qoslified  him  to  do  justice  to  the  task  he  had  undertaken,  and  we 
smcerelT  oongratidate  him  on  the  snccessftal  resolt  of  his  laboare. 
nrough'his  idnduesi^' we  have  been  favoured  with  a  siflfat  of  the 
▼olume,  and  we  understand  It  will  be  in  the  hands  of  the  suDsciibers  In 
the  course  of  a  Teiy  &w  days. 

'A  new  serial  isras  puUished  this  year,  under  the  title  of 
Paul  IW.  It  waa  to  have  appeared  weddy— every  Thurs- 
day, and  its  price  was  twopenoe.  The  first  number  was 
announced  as  ^  containing  the  best  critique  on  the  Theatre 
Boval,  local  information  respecting  the  news  of  the  town, 
public  meetings  and  pasdn^  events.*^.  It  had  only  a  bri^ 
^eadatence.: .  On. July  80th»  a  focal  monihly  was  advertised:--- 

On  Saturday  nezt»  Avgiut  4.  will  be  published,  br  J.  BosmU, 
81,  Moor  Street,  price  thrsepeoce^  <to  be  oontuiQed  on  the  mst  Saturday 
In  each  aooceeding  monthjTKa  1  of  ^The  Binnlngham  Independent^ 
oontainiag  a  Tkw  of  .the  Bsnefits  likely  to  result  mm,  and  sqggQstkms 
how  to  avoid  inccuTeniences  in,  the  contemplated  Bepresentaticp  of 
Birmingham  ;  bow  to  reduee  the  Orareh  Bate ;  Obsem^tloiis  on  the 
Kecesrity  of  a  Miaiket  Hall--litii  best  aiid  che^Mst  iltoatta 
same:  Tboiigfats  on  the  mora  bwieftdal  IHsboMiiMnt  of  the  Ftands 
«f  King  Edhrardfs  Qrammar  School ;  ImptoprietT  of  the  Gkiks 
attemprag  tp  eoUaot  Easter  QflEaiings  by  cempdsion }    Notices  to 

The  next  extract  la  a  report  of  the  first  exhiUtion  of  the 
Sodely  of  ArtB>— 

September  17,  1827.^We  have  beoa  hMily  giattted  with  the 
Pictores  and  oUier  Worics  of  Art  In  tfik  OoUeetkMi,  which,  whether 
.as  it  respects  the  number  of  artists  and  their  prodnetlon%  or  the  hLA 
degree  of  merit  which  they  display.  Is  calenhitad  to  Increase  Oie 
repatatkm  of  Birmingham  lor  Improfod  taste  In  design  and  aiieeaticn, 
and  to  bring  the  artlels  thsmaelfes  under  that  pdUic  notice  and 
fostering  natrcnage  which  Is  the  proper  reward  of  their  aupaiior 
talenta  ft  muef  ho  highly  grsf ifjinff  to  thn  Onmmltfoo  nf  Uaiisgiiis 
to  see  the  first  EKhlbition  ao  prompflyand  crsditahly  auppcrted,  and 
to  experience  each   cordial   aaristance  and  co-operaticn  fiom  the 


EDUCATION   AND  XITERATURE.  o05 

nameroas  contribnton  to  it.  The  chief  object  of  the  Society  of  Arts 
IB  to  improve  Uie  taste  and  to  afford  {eunlities  for  the  display  of  native 
talent  ;.to  combine,  as  fiur  as  may  be  practicable^  the  beauty  and  grace 
of  Italian  design  "with  the  nQrivalled  skill  and  substantial  qualities  of 
British  workmanship ;  and  auxiliary  to  this  object  is  the  collection  and 
exhibition  of  Fictunes,  Designs,  and  Statuary.  The  catalogue  contains 
S47  subjects,  and  the  names  of  84  artists.  There  are  many  sood 
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  porsuinff  the  riffht  course  to  diatinctioD. 
There  are  five  paintings,  all  of  them  beautifiu  landscapes,  bv  Mr.  J.  Y. 
Barker ;  nineteen  by  Mr.  S.  lines  and  his  Sons,  some  of  which  ai*e 
very  good  pictures;  seven  by  Mr.  Evans,  including  a  fine  portrait  of 
Count  Woronzow,  and  another  of  the  late  Black  Emperor  Christophe ; 
seven  by  Mr.  Thomas  WyatL  finely  painted.  Landscapes,  by  Messrs. 
Pricey  &enshaw,  Ckeswick,  Everett,  Wallace,  Jukes,  Boberts,  Miss 
Chawner,  &c..  &e.  Portrait^  by  Messrs.  Coleman,  Boom,  Hobday, 
Bhodes,  Smith,  Mills,  &C.,  &e.  Game^  by  Messrs.  Wyatt,  Walker, 
Harper,  &e.  ^Loet  Money,"  by  Bippinsale,  a  picture  which  tells  its 
own  tale  in  a  very  pleasing  manner;  and  six  Miniatores  of  extraoidinaiy 
beauty,  by  the  Miss  Sbarpes ;  and  othcvi^  by  Mra  Wright^  Miss  Jab^ 
and  bister,  Miss  Saunders^  &e.,  &a 

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  wel&re  of  the  Institution,  and  suggested 
many  valuable  hints  in  reference  to  the  Exhibition,  ''of 
whidi,"  we  are  told,  **  the  Committee  intend  to  avail  them- 
selvea* 

Another  effort  waa  made  this  ^ear  to  add  to  our  local 
literature.  On  October  15,  the  Birmingham  Magazine  was 
advertised . — 

On  the  first  of  Kovember^  1827^will  be  published,  price  One  Shilling 
to  be  oonttnoed  Monthly),  the  First  Number  of  The  Birming^iam 


(*obeo 

Maguana  or  Literary  and  Theological  Bepoeitoi^.  Printed^  and 
PaSliahed  bjr  James  Drake,  52.  New  Street^  Binnmgfaam,  to  whom 
all  Oommmucaticms  are  reqaested  to  be  sent  (post  paid)  for  the  Editor, 
and  by  whom  8ubsariben^  names  will  be  received.  Pablished  idso  on 
the  iini  of  each  Month  bv  Mesrs.  Lonffman  and  Co.,  Bivternoster 
Rowy  London,  and  may  be  had  (through  tnem)  on  apfdication  to  any 
Bookseller  in  the  United  Kingdom.  Arrangements  have  been  made  to 
Insert  Advertiaements  on  the  cover  of  the  work,  on  reasonable  terms. 
tF  PMwpectuses  may  be  had  on  application  as  above. 

Like  so  many  of  ito  predecessors  and  successors,  this 
magazine  was  destined  to  nave  but  a  short  span  of  life.  It 
survived  until  July,  1828,  having  reached  its  ninth  issue. 
Ito  contento  are  varied,  and  all  subjecto,  religious,  political, 
and  social,  are  treated  of,  and  it  is  not  a  bad  example 
of  a  local  magazine. 


506  A  CENTURY  OF  BIKMINQHAM  LIFE. 


• 


In  Peoember  the  Rev.  Bann  Kennedy  published  his 
"  Tribute  in  verse  to  the  Character  of  the  late  Right 
Honourable  Geoige  Canning."  The  eminent  statesmiBii 
died  on  August  the  8th  in  the  same  year,  1827. 

In  the  b^inning  of  1 828  Mr.  Joseph  Barkes  published  his 
History  of  the  Court  of  Chancery.  Mr.  Brougham,  on 
February  7,  in  the  House  of  Commons,  delivered  an 
elaborate  speech  on  the  Administration  of  the  Law,  and  thus 
alluded  to  the  work  of  our  townsman: — ^"If  the  House 
requires  further  authorities  upon  this  point  I  can  refer  them 
to  one  of  the  ablest  and  most  instructive  books  ever 
published,  now  on  the  point  of  issuing  firom  the  press,  by 
Mr.  Parkes,  a  most  respectable  solicitor  of  Birmingham ;  its 
iiUe  is  a  History  of  the  Court  of  Chancexy,  but  it  inciden- 
tally displays  an  abundance  of  learning  on  the  history  of 
the  common  law  of  this  cotrntiy." 

In  this  year  was  founded  our  first  School  of  Medicine  and 
Surgery.    The  intention  was  announced,  on  April  21, 1828. 

We  are  informed  that  a  Sdiool  of  Medicine  uiid  Soxgeiy  vill  speedilj 
be  eetablnhed  in  this  town,  upon  the  plan  of  dmilar  inttitationB  already 
finrmed  at  Liverpool,  Bristol,  Leeds,  and  Maneheeter.  The  system  w 
Intended  to  embrace  erery  oanential  branch  of  medical  and  soxgical 
tednoation.  and  will  eonaeqaently  aave  oonidderabie  time  and  expense  to 
paiu]%  wmle  it  will  enable  them  to  reap  inoreaaed  advanti^ieB  tram  the 
public  institntiona 

In  the  week  following  Ve  have  the  plan  of  study  to  be 
adopted  in  the  new  school  •^— 

Tbb  Boboojm  of  Medioivb  akd  BxntOERT,  JBBtAmJSBMD  nr 

BiBMIVOHAX. 

April  Sfi|  ,1828.— The  Winter  Seadon  of  the  School  commencea  in 
October^  and  the  Plan  of  Study  eompielienda  the  following  cooieea 
of  Lectorea : 

On  Anatomy,  Fhyaioloffy,  and  Flathology.— By  Mr.  W^  &  Cox, 
Member  of  Uie  BoyiJ  College  of  Saxgeona,  London,  Surgeon  to  the 
Bojal  Diapenaaiy,  and  AHistant  Soigeon  to  the  Town  Infirmanr. 

On  the  Priuciplea  and  FhMtice  of  Pbyaia— By  John  K  Booth,  MD., 
Member  of  the  Boyal  Physical  Society  of  Goongen,  formeriy  Senior 
Piesidentof  the  Bml  Medical  Sodety  of  Edfaibaittfa.  Member  of  the 
Boyal  College  of  Pnyaiciana,  in  London,  and  one  of  tbii  Phyaldana  to 
the  Birmingham  Oenend  HoapitaL 

On  Materia  Medica  and  Phannacyw— ^y  B  Peanon,  MD.,  Member 
of  the  Boyal  College  of  Phyddana,  London,  and  Ibrmeriy  Fnyddan  to 
the  BirminghamGeneral  Blospltal;  and  by  John  Ecdci^  Mj).,  Senior 
Fhyddan  to  the  Birmingham  Diapenaaiy. 

On  the  Prindplea  and  Pftieticea  of  Snigeiy  jaad  Snrgical  Operationa.— 
By  Alfred  Jnkea,  Member  of  the  BoyalCoUcge  of  Borgeona,  London, 
and  one  of  the  Soigeona  to  the  Birmingham  Qeneral  **      *-  * 


EDUCATION  AND  UTERATURE.  507. 

On  Midwifeiy  and  the  Diseaaes  of  Women  and  Children.— Bj  John 
Ingleby,  Memmr  of  the  Bo^  College  of  Surgeons,  London,  and 
Soraeon  to  the  Birmingham  Dispensary. 

&  Chemistry. — ^y  Jir.  John  Woolridi. 

These  Lectures  will  be  illustrated  by  Cases. 

*  Here  is  a  short  reference  to  the  instruction  given  at  the 
Mechanics'  Institute : — 

Angust  lly  1828. — At  a  nmneroos  meeting  of  the  Mechanics^  Insti- 
tution, on  Thursday  evening,  a  public  examination  took  place  on  the 
sabjects  comprehended  in  the  f  onr  lectores  delivered  by  Mr.  Woolrich, 
on  PneUanatwi  and  HydrottcOics.  After  an  appropriate  introduction, 
Mr.  W.  entered  upon  the  examination,  and  proposed  a  number  of 
questions  refening  to  the  principles  which  he  had  explained  during  the 
ooorse.  Many  oT  the  members  were  engaged  during  the  evening  in 
replying  to  the  questions  proposed,  and  ^enever  an  erroneous  answer 
was  given,  others  rose  to  correct  the  error.  It  was  evident  during  the 
wfaoMitf  the  examination,  which  was  kept  up  with  much  spirit,  that 
mainr  of  the  members  were  not  onlv  well  acquainted  with  the  principles 
of  those  blanches  of  science,  but  also  with  tneir  various  appliottions. 

The  fiunous  Spursheim  visited  the  town  this  year: — 
October  13,  182a— On  Thursday  Dr.  I^purdieim  gave,  in  this  town, 
a  very  interertmg  demonstration  of  the  Anatomy  of  the  Brain  to  a 
pivate  medical  class.  The  FhiloBophical  Booms  have  been  engaged  for 
nis  popular  course  on  Phrenology ;  and  it  will  be  seen  that  theDoctor 
demners  his  introductory  lecture  this  evening. 

The  following  is  a  description  of  a  very  useful  and  now 

very  interesting jpuUication.    The  Map  was  fix>m  a  survey 

made  by  Mr.  J.  iiggott  Smith  :— 

December  ^  18fi&— The  lane  Mxp  of  Birmingham,  whidi  has  been 
■0  kB^  prepannff,  is  announcea  for  irablieation  on  Thum  The 

paUic  utility  of  this  work  must  oe  obvious  when  the  accuracy  and 
miurteneM  of  the  survey  in  whidi  it  is  formed  are  considered^  and  when 
it  is  recollected  that  it  is  the  onlv  plan  of  any  extent  since  that  pnblidied 
bj  Hanson  in  the  year  1778.  Between  that  period  and  tiie  present  time 
tSe  town  has  incrrased  three-fold  in  extent  and  population,  and  the  real 
property,  then  in  the  hands  of  a  few  laige  proprietors,  is  now  subdivided 
into  an  an  immense  number  of  distinct  interests.  On  this  account  the 
great  importance  of  a  map  which  defines  with  deamess  and  fidelity  the 
prindpal  ownerships  at  ine  present  day,  and  whidi  will  render  it  an 
anthority  that  may  hereafter  be  relied  upon,  will  be  readily  admitted. 
To  set  forth  in  a  mil  more  striking  point  of  view  the  extraord^ary  ex- 
tent of  the  town,  compared  with  its  sue  about  a  century  ago,  a  sketdi  of 
a  plan  executed  in  1731  appears  in  one  corner  of  the  map,  and  forms  an 
interesting  feature  of  the  work.  The  execution  of  the  map  in  its  various 
departments  cannot  fiul  to  call  forth  the  hic^est  admiration.  Thesorrey 
is  so  minute  as  to  enable  ai^  reafdent  to  trace  the  exact  exikentof  hui 
premises,  and  as  &r  as  we  have  had  the  means  of  ascertaining,  is  correct 
m  an  its  minutjae^  exhibiting  the  result  of  mudi  taloit  and  persevering 
industry.  In  the  engraving  great  taste  and  ddll  are  exhibited,  and  the 
fleneral  arrangement  and  finiwiing  of  the  work  are  exceedingly  elegant. 
Those  only  imo  have  been  engaged  in  undertakings  of  this  kind  can 
foim  a  just  estimate  of  the  labour  and  expense  with  whidi  they  are 


508  A  CENTUBY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIF£. 

attended  ;  a  project  tlierefore  so  suooesalally  completed  ceitainlj  has  a 
strong  claim  on  the  support  of  those  who  possess  any  interest  in  the  town. 

On  May  4, 1829,  we  read  :— 

A  Meetinff  of  seveial  Gentlemen  interested  in  f orminfan  association 
in  this  town  m  aid  of  '<  The  8ociet|r  for  the  Diffusion  of  Useful  Know- 
ledge.* was  held  at  the  Public  Offioe,  on  Satnixiay  se'eonight^  when  a 
Memuer  of  the  London  Committee  reported  the  present  state  and  objects 
of  the  Society,  and  the  succeasfol  efforts  made  by  the  circulation  oi  up- 
wards of  twenty  thousand  copies  of  each  of  the  published  Elementary 
Treatises.  It  was  then  determined  to  call  a  more  general  meeting  of  tlie 
friends  of  education  and  popular  instruction,  previous  to  the  foimataon 
of  a  Local  Association  on  the  principle  adopted  at  Manchester  and  otiher 
laige  towns.  Several  immediate  public  engagements  have  occasioned 
the  postoonement  ci  the  second  meeting  until  next  week. 

On  tfoly  13,  appeared  the  following  descripiioD  of  ihe  new 
building  ror  the  Ebdiibitions  of  the  &)ciet7  of  Arts : — 

The  new  buQdings  of  the  society,  which  are  now  so  near  their  oom- 
pletion,  consist  of  a  nuuniifioent  circular  Exhibition-room,  68  feet  dia* 
meter,  with  a  dome  roo^  and  lighted  from  the  centre  by  a  akylikht,  89 
feet  diameter;  the  ceiling  is  thrown  into  pand%  and  the  generu  etbc/t 
<^  the  room  Is  novel  and  striking:  indeed,  when  filled  with  well  painted 
pieturas,  we  have  little  doubt  ofitB  b«ng  considered  the  finest  room  of 
ita  kind  in  the  Iringdom.  It  is  approached  fixMn  New-street  by  a  spa- 
dons  flight  of  >ton  And  on  each  side  are  convenient  and  well-lighted 
rooms,  one  of  whi<»  will  be  used  at  a  llbrazy  or  oommittee-room,  and 
the  otoer  as  an  exhibition-room  for  seolptnre ;  between  the  latter  and 
the  drcolar  room  Is  a  small  octagonal  room,  forming  a  commnnlcation 
between  the  tw^*  and  which  it  is  intended  to  use  fixr  miniatures  or  other 
man  works  of  art  Bqrondtfae^  lam  room  is  alight  and  spacioasrcKMn 
fiir  the  ttdiiUtion  of  water-eokmr  drawing  and  adljoining  thereto  is  a 
long  room  for  exhibiting  prints.  It  will  thus  be  evident  that  evenr 
aooommodation  has  been  nrovlded  which  can  be  required  in  an  exhibi- 
tionof  wocksof  art;  ana  care  has  been  taken  so  to  arrange  the  rooms 
as  to  make  them  available  for  the  other  uses  to  wUdi  the  8odety  will 
appropriatif  them.  In  addition  to  the  rooms  above  enumerated,  aooom- 
modalioBS  have  been  provided  for  the  keeper,  fta  &a  The  exterior 
elevation  In  New-street  Is  exeeoted  |n  Bath  stone,  and  Is  of  tiie  CV»in- 
thian  order  of  arehlteetore.  It  has  a  finel  v  nroportloned  portico^  which, 
by  the  permisrion  of  the  Commissioners  of  the  Streets^  It  was  allowed  to 
extend  across  the  footpath ;  thus  not  only  affording  greater  oonvenienoe 
Pxt  persons  visiting  the  exhibition  In  carriages,  uai  also  materially 
adding  to  the  architectural  beauty  of  the  edifiM.  The  example  whin 
has  been  ehosen  by  the  Architects  as  thdr  model,  and  which,  although 
not  ssrvilely  copied,  th^  hare  adapted  to  their  purpose^  ia  one  of  -the 
most  chaste  ana  exquisite  remains  of  Bomau  splokioar,  the  Temple  of 
Jupiter  Stator,  the  parity  of  which  Is  worthy  oi  the  most  refined  period 
of  QredaB  excellence  in  the  arts  of  design.  It  is  the  Intention  of  the 
Society  to  erect  other  buildings  b^ond  the  present  termination  towards 
the  Boat  Office,  so  as  entireljto  exdode  any  view  of  the  buk  baildinga 
from  New-«treet^  by  which  the  exterior  appearance  will  be  greatly  in- 


The  next  quotation  gives  a  full  account  of  the  progress  of 
the  most  important  imitation  for  popular  education  which 


EDUCATION  AND  LITERATURE.  509 

had,  up  to  this  time,  been  established  in  the  town.     We 

regret  to  say  that  the  proposal  to  erect  a  new  building  was 

never  carri^  out : — 

;  BiBXivoHAK  Mbchanio^  Ikstitution. 

PresidetU — Rich&rd  Spooner,  Eeq. 
Vice-President — Mr.  fidward  Corn. 
Treaeurer^Thomns  Attwood,  Esq. 

The  Committee  of  the  BirmiDgham  Mechanics'  Institution  take  the 
liberty  of  solicitinpf  assistance  in  raising  a  Fond  for  the  purpose  of  erect- 
ing a  Building  suitable  to  its  Taluable  objects.  With  this  view  they 
beg  leare  to  submit  the  following  particulars  to  public  consideration. 
'  The  Institution  was  established  in  January,  1826,  for  the  Promotion 
of  Knowled^  among  the  Woiicing  Glasses  by  means  of  Elementary 
8cho<^  a  Library,  and  Lectures  on  the  different  branches  of  Art  and 
Science. 

:  Since  that  period  to  Midsummer  last  the  donations  and  annual 
Bubeeriptiocs  hare  amounted  to  upwards  of  £900^  and  no  less  than  1,650 
persons  have  been  enrolled  members.  With  a  view  to  the  instruction 
of  the  members  in  arithmetic^  the  mathematici^  and  ornamental  and 
architectural  drawing,  yarioos  olsssns  have  been  formed,  whieh  hare 
been  numerously  attended,  with  great  adyantage  to  the  pupik.  In 
addition  to  the  chssosi  weeikly  lectaresi  including  valuable  courses  upon 
ehemistry  and  mecfauues  by  eminent  lecturers  firom  the  metropolis^ 
have  been  supplied  flmm  the  fbnda  of  the  Institution.  Many  highly 
Taluable  courses  have  ako  been  gratuitously  nven  by  seyeral  literary 
and  aoientifie  honoraiy  memben.  The  mcoeal  benefits  of  this  system 
of  ins^etton  have  been  amn^  displayed  by  the  public  examinations  of 
the  last  two  years ;  whibt  tli6  dismbatioii  of  medals  and  other  prises 
has  ezdted  a  yaluslde  spirit  ofsmnlatinn  among  the  junior  members. 
.  The  obstacles  nsoally  opposed  to  the  fiisi  mmation  and  sucesss  of 
new  establishments  have  been  surmounted  by  the  obyioos  and  admow- 
ledged  utility  of  the  Institution,  fmd  by  the  seal  of  the  members ;  and 
the  incTBSsIng  support  it  rscsms  ftmn  the  dasses  for  which  it  was 
peculiarly  denjBned,  has  insured  its  stability  and  extended  its  usefblness. 

The  Meetinfli  of  the  InstitutioQ  have  been  hitherto  held  in  the 
Sdiool  Boom  ^  a  Public  Buildii^  the  use  of  whidi  has  been  liberally 
and  pnatidtooaly  mnted.  This  room,  thoqgh  yeiy  commodious  and 
well  adapted  to  tae  obieds  for  whidi  it  was  erected,  is^  neyerthdes% 
inoonyonient^  anaqged  for  the  purposes  of  a  Miechanioi^  InstitntioiL 
Great  and  increasing  InoonyeDience  also  arisss  from  the  Libraiy  and 
Class-rooms  bdng  in  a  diffarsnt  part  of  the  town,  from  that  in  whidi 
tiie  Lsctmo-coom  is  sitnated. 

Under  these  drcomstaaces  the  Ooonnittee  haye  rosolyed  to  make 
a  strenuous  eifori  to  cbtsin  adequate  ftmds  for  the  erection  df  a 
Building  In  eyeiy  respect  suitable  to  the  objects  of  thehr  Institution : 
and  th^  confidently  antidpato  the  same  success  that  has  attended 
sfanHar  attempts  In  Maadiester,  Lhrwpool,  and  other  large  proyindal 
towns.  For  the  acoompliduient  of  thdr  ol^}eet|  the  Committee  have 
obtained  plans  of  the  oifforsnt  Boildings  and  Lecture-rooms  of  the 
Metropolis^  and  haye  selected  a  design  whidi  will  be  found  to  combine 
aimplici^  economy,  and  ntility.  TThe  prdected  Lectars  Boom  is 
calCTlated  to  aceopunodate  LQOO  persons.  lioraiT.  Keadinfi^  daai^  and 
Model  Booms  are  indnded  m  the  design,  and  wul  be  under  the  same 


510  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  UFE. 

roo£  The  estimated  cost  of  the  entiro  building  Is  £1,700,  bat  to 
indade  all  incidental  expenses,  it  is  proposed  to  raise  £2,000,  whidi 
will  be  amply  sufficient  for  every  possible  oontingen^.  Part  of  this 
.  snm,  the  Oommittee  confidently  hope,  will  be  obtained  by  donations ; 
the  remainder  it  is  intended  to  raise' in  shares  of  £5  each,  upon  which 
the  Institution  has  proposed  to  pay  a  dear  rent  of  £6  per  cent. 

The  increasing  desire  for  popular  instruction  which  has  been  already 
exdted  among  the  Working  Classes,  leaveb  no  doubt  on  the  minds  of 
the  Oommittee,  that  the  erection  of  a  public  building  expressly  devoted 
to  a  Birmingham  Medianicfl^  Instituteu  would  progressivdy  and  greatly 
increase  both  its  Subscribers  and  Funos. 

N.K — ^Persons  desirous  of  forwarding  the  above  object^  either  by 
donations  or  money,  or  subscriptions  for  shares,  will  please  communicate 
their  intentions  to  any  of  the  followiiu[  Qentlemen  :  Bidiard  Shpooner, 
£mi.  ;  Thomas  Attwood,  Esq. ;  Mr.  £dward  Com,  Ftaadise  Street ; 
Mr.  Joseph  Flarkes,  Temple  Street ;  Mr.  William  Bedfera,  Newhall 
Street;  Mr.  T.  C  Salt^  Earadise  Street;  Mr.  Thomas  HalUday, 
Kewhidi  Street ;  Mr.  iVands  dark,  Liond  Street ;  -or  the  Secretary, 
105^  New  Street 

In  this  year  was  held  the  first   of  those   delightful 

(kfnMTBOJMfnj^  in  the  room  of  the  Society  of  Artiste,  which 

still  form*  the  most  pleasmg  reunions  of  their  kind  in  the 

town.    At  first  they  were  held  monthly,  then  occasionally ; 

but  at  last  it  was  found  desirable  to  limit  them  to  one 

during  the  season,  which  is  tiie  custom  at  the  present  time, 

and  may  it  long  continue  to  be  so  I     The  following  is  the 

enihuoastio  .account^  fumidied  by  the  oonteniporary  .(chro- 

nider,  of  tiie  first  of  those  pleasant  gatherings^-^ 

Kotsmber  D,  lSd9w— Although  it  has  been  our  good  fortune  to  be 
pTMsnt  at  many  eatartaiBments  among  our  townsmen  of  a  hfghly 
aoeiabla  and  deUghtftd  ehaxmeter,  we  do  not  recoUeoi  any  that  has 
appeared  to  ha?e  ffiTsn  mors  general  satisfiMstion  and  f^easore  than  the 
fint  of  a  aeries  of  meetiaM  which  took  pbos  at  toe  rooms  of  the 
Soeie^  of  Arta  en  Weansaday  evening  kst^  Tlie  traa  spirit  of 
eonrtssy  ahowa  Vt  ^  Committee^  in  presenting  to  their  neigfabonrs 
at  iaige  an  opportunity  ef  partaking  of  an  elegant  and  intMlfWtQal 
apeeissof  amnsementL  um  been  met  witn  a  eomsponding  and  approiving 
warmth  of  freiiiw  that  will  not  fiyl  closely  to  identiQr  the  interesU 
ef  the  Boeiely  with  the  town,  and  materially  to  advance  and  extend  its 
ol^feela  The  rooms  were  nlendidlr  Ufdnted  up^  and  the  eooipany 
invited  b^gan  to  arrive  at  eight  o*dodc  Tlie  paroes  were  leeelfea  on 
their  entrance  bgr  seviwal  membeni  of  the  committee^  and  immediatelT 
advanced  into  tae  drda  The  ladlcB  fat  the  most  appeared  in  fell 
evening  drssi^  ecearionaHy,  however,  rdieved  \fj  otlien  in  fiuiey  and 


The  prsnurations  induded  a  plentifol  supply  of  tea,  oolbe^  Sce^  which 
was  provioed  in  the  laige  room,  and  partaken  ef  at  the  pteasore 
of  tliose  aassmblcd.  Thoi^  well  filled,  the  drenlar  room  was  by  no 
means  inconveniently  crowded  at  any  neriod  of  the  evening,  and 
parties  wers  enabled  to  amass  themselves  in  conversation  or  in  vSswing 
the  i^etares,  as  they  felt  at  the  moment  disposed.  The  entire  arrange- 
ments evidently   gave   universal  satisfaction  to  the  company,  and 


EDUCATION  AND  LITERATURE.  511 

gaiety  and  pleasure  beamed  on  every  ooantenance.  The  parties 
began  to  retire  abont  half-past  ten,  and  the  rooms  were  cleared  a  few 
minntes  after  eleven.  In  tlie  course  of  the  evening,  we  have  the 
pleasure  of  adding,  several  gentlemen  were  indaced  to  inscribe  their 
names  as  annual  contributors  to  the  society,  and  among  others  our 
newly-«lected  High  Baili£^  William  Chance,  Esq.,  whose  subscription 
was  liberally  accompanied  by  a  donation  of  ten  guineas.  The  next 
Conversazione  is  to  take  place  on  Wednteday  eveniiig,  and  it  will  no 
doubt  be  as  unmeroudy  and  respectably  attended.  We  understand  it 
is  in  the  contemplation  of  the  Committee  to  close  the  Exhibition,  some 
time  in  ^e  ensuinff  month,  with  a  similar  entertainment^  which,  on 
that  occasion,  will  be  strictly  confined  to  the  donon  and  subscribers 
to  the  society  and  thdr  fiuniliee. 

The  educational  record  of  ihe  year  closes  with  this 

unwelcome  announcement: — 

December  1^  1829. — We  understand  that,  by  a  recent  order  m  Chan- 
cery, the  Branch  School  in  Shntt-lane,  on  the  foundation  of  King 
Edward's  iVee  Qrammar  School  in  this  town,  is  declared  to  be  unautho- 
rised by  the  charter;  and  in  consequence  it  wHl  be  diaoontinned  at  the 
ensuinff.  Christmas.  This  achool  nas  been  for  many  yean  under  the 
care  of  the  present  master,  Mr.  Downee^  and  bjr  his  ezemphury  and 
efficient  conauct  has  been  rendered  the  means  of  great  and  extensive 
nsefulnees;  it  is  therefore  hoped  that  that  Centleman  will  be  indaced  to 
cantinne  it  on  his  own  account,  and  we  feel  persuaded  he  will  meet  wiUi 
that  paftztmage  and  support  to  whidi  his  merits  and  long  course  of  pablio 
service  so  justly  entiue  him.  We  learn  also  that  the  Govemon,  under 
the  same  order,  are  likewise  compelled  to  discontinue  the  Thawing 
School  at  Christmas..  ' 

The  great  educational  labour  of  the  year  1830  was  the 

attexnpt  to  obtain  a  new  act  for  the  Free  Qrammar  Schod. 

On  May  24,  we  haTe  this  analysis  of  the  proposed  aet: — 

It  is  entitled  ''an  Act  to  enable  the  GovemotB  of  the  posscesionsi 
rsvennes^  and  goods  of  the  IVee  Gnunmar  School  of  King  Bdwaid  the 
in  Biiminj^uHn,  in  tiie  County  of  Warwiek,  to  j^ill  down  the 


present  Master's  houses,  and  School  house^  m  New  street,  in  the  town  of 
Binniogham.  and  to  make  and  erect  mors  suitable  acooauDodaiioos  on  a 
new  site  in  the  vicinity  of  the  town,  and  to  prooore  audi  new  site^  and 
to  extend  the  objects  of  the  charity,  hj  ereconff  and  making  on  the  old 
site  in  New-etreet,  aocommodatiQiis  suitable  for  a  New  School,  for 
teaching  modem  languages,  the  arts,  and  scispces ;  and  to  make  certain 
additions  to  the  estates  of  the  said  dbarity  hj  pordiaseL  and  to  false 
money  for  thepornoses  aloramid,  by  applying  certain  fundi  now  beloQi^ 
ing  to  the  said  oiarity,  and  bv  sue  of  part  of  the  estates  bekoging 
thereto^  and  bv  mort|^ige^  snd  for  other  purposes;*  and  it  commences 
with  a  recital  of  varioos  reportSL  decrees,  mkL  eraen  of  the  Ooort  of 
Ghsnoeiy,  terminating  with  the  Master's  Qenenl  Report,  dstsd  April 
SRT,  1830.  This  BqMrt  authorises  the  Govenxns  to  mly  to  Parliament 
for  the  objects  therein  mentioned ;  and  an  Order  of  Uonrt,  dated  on  the 
r,  direcU  ''that  the  said  IVee  Grammar  School  be  estab- 


Ushed  and  conducted  according  to  the  sdieme  approved  by  the  liaster, 
and  comprised  in  the  third  sdiedule  to  the  Act* 

The  Act  proposes  to  empower  the  Governors  to  select  a  new  site  for 


512  A   CENTURY   OF   BIRMINGHAM   LIFE. 

the  School  in  the  vicinity  of  Birmingham,  and  to  erect  on  such  new  aite 
Masters*  houaes^  a  School  house,  and  other  buildings  suitable  for  the 
purpose  of  a  Free  Grammar  School ;  to  pull  down  the  present  houses  and 
school  in  New-street,  and  to  erect  in  their  stead  Masters'  houses,  a  school 
house,  and  conveniences  foraNew  School  for  teaching  modem  laiu^uagofl^ 
the  arts  and  sciences,  ^e  {governors  are  further  empowered,  if  neces- 
sary, to  purchase  the  land  and  houses  adjoining  tlie  present  site,  for  the 
purpose  of  adding  to  the  site-  of  the  proposed  New  Sdiool ;  to  raise 
money  by  mortgages,  the  amount  of  which  is  not  to  exceed  ^£50,000,  unless 
a  new  site  on  the  land  adioining  be  purchased,  in  whicii  case  so  much 
more  shall  be  raised  as  shall  be  required  for  making  such  purchases. 
Hie  Act  then  provides  that  the  IVee  Urammar  School  shall  be  regulated 
according  to  the  scheme  approved  by  the  Court  of  CShaneery,  and  that 
the  New  School  shall  be  regulated  b^  a  scheme  hereafter  to  m  approved 
by  the  Court ;  this  latter  scheme  is  to  comprise  the  nomination  and 
number  of  Masters,  amount  of  thdr  salariea,  the  partieolar  branches  of 
education  to  be  taught  by  them,  and  the  number  and  qualification  of. 
seholars  to  be  received.  A  subsequent  olanse  proposes  to  qualify,  as 
Governors,  persons  xettding  within  five  jniles  of  the  present  sdiool,  who 
shall  in  other  respects  be  qualifiedj  althou^^  sueh  persons  ^be  not  in- 
habitants  of  the  town,  jnuish,  or  manor  of  Birmingham ;"  and  another 
danse  preserves  to  the  ^bishop  of  lichfield  and  Covsntnr.fiir  the  time 
beinf^  any  powers  or  authorities^  whidi  be  may  be  entUled  befora  the 
pssBiqg  <n  the  aot 

;■:  The  bill  met  with  etrong  opposition  £rom  the  Pissenten, 
especially  the  datise  restrictuiff  the  election  of  future  Gover- 
nors to^members  of  the  EBtaUisbed  ChnieL  A  number  of 
meetinffs  were  held,  and  a  depntation  appointed  to  oppoee. 
thei  bifi.  \  .TheyrMd  'the.  following  statement  before. the 
phblic^-^   .  .     0  '  "i      '♦  V    J  :',    . 

May  SV139a— Gabb  <^  ibe  liiassoten  and  Othen^  in  Oppodtioii  to>. 
a.certain  Clause  fai  the  Birmliyham  IVas  QrMnmar  Bchooi  jBiH, 

In  the  year  1653,  Efaig  Bdward6tk  granted  Letters  Flatent  fiar  tils 
establishment  of  the  FreeOrammar  Sohool  In  Birmiqgfaaai,and  ''wOIsd 
and  ordained,  that  fiur.the  fotors  there  sbould  be  twenty  men  of  ths 
more  discreet  and  moie  tmsfey  inhabitants  of  the  town  aodparish «f 
ISnnini^iam,  or  of  the  manor  <n  BirminghaiD,  wiio  shooM  be  €lo^^ 
ofthepoaMsiionij  re?anuei^  and  goods  of  the  said  School,*  nor  does  tiis 
Charter  prescribe  any  other  Bmitatioa  of  thepemns  from  among  whom 
the  QoTsnion  are  to  bs  sueeesrirelT  eleeted. 

The  present  Qoreniora  of  the  bchool,  aofertlioleM^  havs  submittod 
to  Parhament  a  BilL  whidi  has  beenalissdy  read  a  seoood  time  in  tiie 
Hooss  of  Lord^'and  Is  to  go  before  a  Committas  of  that  Houas  on  IVi- 
daynext,  the  88th  of  May.  wUdi  oentafns  a  clams  (p^  89^  48)  dirsctiag 

*  toat  no  permn  sliall  he  Meelsd  a  GoTwaor  who  is  not  a  member  of  tiio 
Brtabliabed  Churoh  of  Ei^teDd." 

To  this  daoss  the  Dimentori  from  the  SrtaUisbed  Choroiii  and  othei% 
residiqg  within,  the  town,  parish,  and  manor  of  Blmiqgiam,  obieet 
that  it  M  not  hi  aooordancs  with  either  the  letter  or  the  spirit  of  the 
Boyal  Foundei^s  Charter,  but  In  eflbet  oontrayenes  hotii ;  tnev  foxther 
allege' that  the  proposed  restriction  does  great  injostioe  to  a  laige  and 
important  portion  of  the  inhabitants  of  Birmingham,  by  ^Itftsring  them 


EDUCATION  AND  LITERATURE.  513 

• 

ineligible  to  an  office  which,  until  within  a  recent  period,  some  of  their 
ancestors  held,  and  nnif ormlj  administered  with  strict  impartiality. 

And  aboTe  dl,  they  sabmit  that  the  enactment  compLuned  of  in  this 
Private  Bill  directly  InTsdes  a  great  Public  principle,  since  it  re- 
establishes, so  far  as  the  Corporation  of  the  Binmngfaam  Free  School  is 
concerned,  those  disabilities  from  which  Dissenters  from  tlie  Church  of 
England  have  been  relieved  by  the  Repeal  of  the  Corporation  and  Test 
'  Acts. 
V  As  the  School  was  founded  for  the  common  benefit  of  the  town, 
parish,  and  manor  of  Bixmingham,  without  exception,  it  is  submitted 
that  eUgibility  to  the  situation  of  Governors  should  continue  to  be  the 
privile^  of  all ;  the  rather,  since  the  harmony  and  jpodwill  of  the  town 
and  neighbourhood  are  duturbed  by  the  introduction  of  the  proposed 
enactment^  and  would  be  yet  more  seriously  injured  by  its  becoming  a 
law. 

'  For  these  reasons  the  Dissenters,  resident  in  Birmingham,  respectfully 
hope  that  their  case  will  be  fully  considered  bv  the  individual  members 
of  the  British  Legislature,  whose  wise  and  kind,  whose  just  and  salutary 
measures,  during  the  last  two  Searions  of  P^liament,  in  behalf  or 
Dissidents  from  tbe  Established  Church,  will  be  locally  frustrated,  if  the 
bill  should  be  paasfid  into  a  law  in  its  present  form. 
Binningfaam,  May  SO,  183a 

A  number  of  statements  were  made  both  by  the  Gover- 
nors and  the  opposition.  The  latter  were  suocessful;  and 
we  read  on  July  5,  this  brief  report  of  the  loss  of  the 
Inll: 


The  IVee  School  BiO  was.  last  week,  rejected  hj  the  House  of  Lords. 
Ita  chuses  were  rwmaiderad  m  eommittee  on  Monday  and  Tuesdaj^t  and 
Its  third  reading  was  fixed  for  Thursday.  On  the  aubjeet  beinff  intro- 
dttoad  to  the  Houee  on  the  latter  day,  a  petition  was  presented  oy  £ari 
Ursy  from  the  deputation  appointed  to  oppoae  the  Vill,  praving,  for 
reaaona  therein  assigned,  that  its  third  raadinff  might  not  take  place. 
The  Mtitioa  haviqg  been  read,  the  Eari  of  Shtftesl^Liy  moved  that  the 
bill  oe  then  read  a  third  time.  The  motion,  which  was  supported  by 
Lord  Cahhorpe,  Eari  Ferrers,  and  the  Earl  of  Harrowby.  and  oppoaed 
by  the  Earis  d  Badnor,  Grey,  Oamarvon,  and' Lord  Baere,  waa 
eventually  negatived  by  a  division  of  8S  to  1&  The  bill  taeonsequeatly 
lost 

The  following  is  the  record  of  the  borinninff  of  the  branch 
schools  in  connection   with   Kmir   Sdwara   the    Sixth's 


fonndation.    Their  establishment  forms  a  most  important 
epoch  in  the  hirtozy  of  this  charity : — 

BiBifnreBAif  Tbmm  GaAmiaa  Sgbool. 
Koivember  SS,  ISSOi— ;At  a  meetmg  of  the  Gommittae  for  eondueting 
the  opposition  to  tlis  Free  Sduwl  BOC  on  Friday,  a  nenorial,  ai^ed  by 
nnwaras  of  savisn  hundred  msrfianlfla,  waa  preaented,  calhng  the 
attention  of  the  Gommittee  to  the  appropriation  of  aoma  portion  St  the 
funda  of  the  Charitv  to  the  education  of  the  children  of  the  poorer 
ebaaea  in  loeal  distnets  of  the  town.  The  Committee  resolved  to  take 
the  aabjeet  into  eonaideration  at  ita  next  meeting,  and  in  the  meantime 
to  make  it  public 

U  LL 


514  A  CENTUBT  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFK 

• 

Early  Ib  1831  the  Birniu%hain  Law  Society  established 
their  library.     The  following  is  the  report  of  the  meeting : 

Febnuoy  7, 1831.^ At  a  numerouB  and  hifilil^reBpeetable  Meeting 
of  the  Barristen  and  AttomeyB  pnctising  in  jBiiminrfiaTn  and  the 
Neighbourhood,  held  at  D^b  Bovai  Hotel,  on  Taewiay,  ttie  fint  day  of 
February  instant^  John  Meredith,  Esq.,  Freaident  :of  the  BLrmingnain 
Law  Sodetjri  in  tne  Chair,  the  following,  among  other  reeolutionB,  were 
nnanimonafy  pawftd  : —  ^ 

That  in  the  jopinion  of  thia  Meeting  it  ia  hi^^ihr  desirable  to  eatahUah 
a  Law  Libraiy  in  Binningfaam,  for  the  benefit  of  thoee  Membem  of  the 


Prof eaaion  who  may  be  diapoaed  to  giTe  it  their  sunport 

That  the  aame  m  eatabhahed  nnder  the  name  ot  ^The 
Law  Library,"  and  that  the  reqnisite  f  onda  be  raised  by  sabacriptiona 
of  j£lO,  the  eurrent  expenaea  to  be  proYided  by  annual  Bobacriptioiia 

lliat  the  foUowing  Uentlemen  be  appointed  a  Ckmunittee^  with  power 
to  add  to  their  nmnber,  to  eonaider  the  beat  meana  of  canying  the 
fovmer  reaolutiona  into  effect,  to  n^inlate  tiie  amonnt  and  plan  of  annnal 
aabaoriptiona,  and  to  frame  rulea  for  the  gOYemment  of  the  inatitntioii': 

'  Mr.  Meredith  Mr.W.Willa 

Mr«  Gem  Mr*  Wi.  Bedf  em  •    • 

Mr.  Barker  Mr.  Barlow 

r  Mr.  ^mdall  Mr.  Boiman  a 

.  Mr.  T.  £.  Lee  Mr.  W.  &  Harding     ' 

Mr.  Ingleby  Mr.  A.  Bylaad 
*  Mr.  Keawick 

That  the  Bolea,  when  prepared,  be  submitted  to  a  General  Meeting, 
tobeeonTMisdfay.tfaaOoininhteei  Jomr  MnmnB,  Chairmaa. 

Mr.  Arthur  lEtjriaiid,  Solicitor,  Temple  Btreeti  Honorary  Beentey. 

In  leas,  than  ft  week  upwards  of  £600  were  aubflcribed 
towaxds  the  neoeasaiy  oatiky. 

The  Free  Gramoiar  School  Bill  was  again  before  Bsrlia- 
ment  this  year ;  and  it  passed  the  Honse  of  Lords  without 
alteration.  An  oppodtion  waa,  however,  otganiaed,  and  a 
meeting  was  held  on  Wednesday,  Kaxbh  tiie  »id 


The  Meeting  was  oonTened  br  the  reqniaitienlata  thamaelTei^  in  eonse- 
^VMiee  of  the  absence  of  the  High  Bailiill  The  Bar.  John  Kentish  was 
sailed  to  the  Ohafar,  and  the  principal  speskeis  In  sapport  of  the  dUeots 
of  the  Meeting  were  Mr.  Sdiolefield,  the  Bev.  John  Ootxis^  and  the  BsT» 
T.  M.MDonneIL  A  petition  to  the  House  of  Commons  was  agreed  to^ 
aadisinooorseofsigipatiire;  hot  its  length  ptedodesHsi^ipearaneethli 
week.  A  second  pe&tion  fimnded  on  a  BMsaorisl  ftom  the  "w^^JMmiw  of 
thetown,wssalsootdwedtobeprapMiedtodgnatoieaaidpraseBtsttcB^ 
A  depntation  ooosisling  of  Mcsbs.  WOla^  Tmrkm,  Bedten,  and  Bsilow. 
Soliclton,  was  nomUiated  to  take  chaigeof  the  nelitioosin  Fkriiaassnii 
and  a  Sdb-Oommlttee  was  temed  to  canvas  sir  snbsnlnlioos  in  aU 
of  the  opposition.  The  Bill  was  read  a  second  time  in  the  Hooss  of 
Ocmmons  on  Monday  laat|  March  SI ;  but  no  day,  wa  beliovs^  ia 
yet  ftzad  for  going  into  Gonunittse,  in  whidi  sU^  tba  oppcsitioa^  we 
sappose^  will  be  made. 


EDUCATION  AND  LITERATURS.    '  515 

On  April  25,  the  following  welcome  announcement  was 
published: — 

BiRicnroHAic  Frbb  Graiocab  School. 

We  feel  pleasure  in  ImIb^  enabled  to  announce  that  all  the  pointa  o^ 
difference,  relating  to  the  intended  Free  School  Act^  have  at  length 
been  arranged ;  and  that,  as  now  agreed  to,  the  Bill  will  be  introduced 
early  in  the  next  Session  of  Parliament,  and  allowed  to  pass  pro  forma 
through  all  its  stages. 

The  two  next  extracts  relate  to  the  Fine  Arts : — 

April  18, 1831. — ^Birmingham  has  long  been  denominated  ''The  Toj- 
■hop  of  Europe,*  and  when  we  reflect  upon  the  infinite  yarietj, 
^^gaace,  and  beauty  of  its  productions,  and  of  their  importance  iii  a 
commercial  point  of  Tiew,  we  are  justly  proud  of  that  distinction ;  but 
it  is  gratifying  to  p«!t»iT6  that  our  artists  are  soaring  fiir  above  the 
mere  iuTcntor  or  maker  of  to^  We  have  reason  to  boast  of  the 
efibrts  which  hare  been  made  m  the  higher  branches  of  art^'  in  the 
aohierementB  of  the  historieal  painter  and  sculptor ;  and  it  is  with 
particular  pleasure  we  call  the  attention  of  our  fellow  townsmen  to 
that  supeib  effort  of  genius  now  exhibiting  in  the  large  room  adjoining 
Wildajris  ^Bapl  Hotel— we  mean  the  Statue  of  the  yenerable  liijor 
Ourtwii^t  We  speak  of  this^  cast  in  bronse^  and  exeeuted  by  our 
high^  gifted  townnnan,  Mr.  Clarks,  not  merelr  as  presenting  a  most 
•tnkmg  resemblance  of  a  man  of  undoubted  ability  and  virtue^  but  as 
an  ins&mce  of  success  in  the  highest  department  of  the  arts,  whidi 
ouffht  to  confer  pleasure  on  every  man  who  feels  for  the  rising  repu- 
tattoa  of  our  natiTe  town. 

Our  townsman.  Mr.  Peter  Hollins,  has  just  opened  an  exhibition  d 
his  works  of  Sculpture  in  London ;  and  we  have  great  satis&ction  in 
extracting  several  highly  &vourable  notices  resecting  .it  fix>m  the 
London  papers.  We  undsntaid  that  at  the  private  view  eaeh  day  the 
rooms  were  crowded ;  and  that  on  Saturday  week  upwards  of  four  nvii-' 
dred  persons  visited  the  exhUution. 

The  recently  established  School  of  Medicine  was  very 
aaocessful,  ana,  aa  will  be  seen  from  the  two  following  quo- 
tations, had  to  enlai^  its  premises : — 

Sept  18, 1831.— We  are  authorised  to  state,  that  a  pUn  wOl  be 
shortly  brought  before  the  public  to  enlai^ge  the  School  of  Medicine^  and 
to  form  a  Museum  and  Library  connected  with  every  department  of 
medical  science,  open  at  all  times  to  the  medical  profossion  and  to  stu- 
dents of  medicine^  and  at  stated  periodi  to  the  public  It  is  also  intended 
to  vest  the  amK)intments  of  the  Lecturers  in  the  hands  of  trustees  and 
governors,  fiandsome  donations  to  effect  this  object  have  been  already 
preeented  by  Eari  Spencer,  the  Eari  of  Dartmouth,  Lord  Viscount  Hooo, 
Sir  Eardley  Wilmot,  Bart,  Sir  Astley  Ooopsr,  Bart,  IVands  Lawley: 
Esq.,  IIJ^.,  James  Tayior,  Esq^  £•  JohnstMie^  H.D.,  the  Low  Bailifl^ 
4a  &a  Ihr.  Johnstone  has  been  slsetedFkesidcnt^  and  Dr.  John  John- 
stone  Tics  President 

Oct  31. 1831.— We  are  requested  to  state  that  the  enlargement  of 
the  School  of  Medicine  %n  the  rseepiion  of  the  Public  Museum  and 
Library  is  nearly  completed,  and.that  Edward  Johnstone,  Esq.,  of  the 
Inner  Temple^  and  John  Meredith,  Esq.,  have  been  elected  Uie  legal 
advisers.    The  expensive  works  of  plates  by  Bright,  Armstrongs  Ali- 


616 


A  CEKTURT  OF  BIRHINOHAM  LIFE. 


liert^  Machel,  LobBtain,  Sandefoit^  BlAoIand,  Tiedennanii,  and  Crnt^iUer. 
haTo  been  ordered ;  and  also,  from  the  Continent,  a  seriea  of  aplendia 
preparations  in  wax,  iilostratiTe  of  anatomy  and  pathologr.  Among 
thenames  of  donors  during  the  imst  week  are  tlioee  of  theBight  Hon. 
Lord  Galthorpe,  and  John  Gougn,  Esq.,  of  Peny  HalL  A  further  list 
irill  appear  in  a  fiitare  paper.    ,  .    , 

In  this  year  was  celebrated  the 

SaNDAT  School  Jubilsb. 

Sept  19, 1831.— The  Fiftieth  Anniyersary  of  the  institution  of  Sun- 
day Schools^  and  the  birth-day  of  Mr.  Baikes,  their  reputed  founder,  was 
celebrated  on  Wedoeeday  last  in  Birmingham,  in  common  with  the  m^ 
tropolis  and  most  of  the  towns  of  the  kingdom,  by  a  general  assembling 
of  the  children  under  tuition,  their  teachers  and  those  friendly  to  this 
mode  of  instruction,  both  among  the  members  of  the  Established  Churoh 


•  When  it  is  considered  that  the  numbers  in  the  Sdiools  connected 
with  the  Establlahment  amounted  nearly  to  fomr  thoimmd;  those 
connected  with  the  Sunday  Sehod  Union  to  //v$  tkommmd;  to  the  Old 
and  New  Meeting /Swrtsm  Atffidlrsi;  and  to  the  Wesleyan  Methcdisti 
thne  C^ottfoiMf ;— mrming  a  total  of  upwards  cif-.l^irlssit  tkimatmd:  and 
that  AC  acddent  cr  disoracr  ooourtcd  at  any  of.  the'  places  cf  assemb^, 
the  matest  credit  is  justly  due  to  those  teachers  ana  friends^  by  Fhoee 
assiauity»  care  and  attention  so  gratifying  a  x«snlt^  both  to  the  children 
and  to  tbs  puhlifl^  was  afforded. . 

And  thus  we  dose  the  educational  record  of  a  decade 

which  was  very  earnest  in  making  provision  for  the  instmo-^ 

tion  and  improvement  of.  the  pe»6pleL  .<  The  town  is^  now 

reaping  the  harvest  of  the  seed  sown  in  this  active  period  of 


our 


I  • 


* 
§  4.     AMUSIMXinB. 


In  the.sprm^  of  1822,  the  lovers  of  muac  had  a  raro 

treat  in  the  visit  of  Madune  OatalanL  She  was  accompanied 

\j  Mr;  and  Mr&  Yaindes,  and  gave  two  concerts  at  the 

Theatre  RoyaL    The  prices  were.  Boxes  10s.,  Kt  7&y  fxA 

Galleiy  6&    Here  is  the  contemporaiy  record  of  tha  visit  of 

this  wondeiful  vocaUst: — 

Minam  Oatalavl 
March  4^  18SSL— This  highly  gifted  and  aooompliriied  rfoger,  aftwan 
absence  of  upwards  of  ssTen  years,  gave  last  week  two  concetts  at  cor 
Theatre.  Since  her  last  Visit  to  this  tomi,  her  vdc^  retaining  to  the 
fullest  extent  its  remarfcable  volume  and  rich  varfe^  cf  tmie^  has 
acquired  a  high  degree  of  mellowness  and  distinctnesi  of  expressicM. 
The  brilliancy  and  wonderful  rapidity  cf  hu  exeeatSoD|  and  cxprsssiTS 
of  oumner,  are  also  retained  in  their  fall  f croa    All  the  pieesa 


AMUSEMENTS.  517 

« 

■elected  for  her,  but  more  particularly  "Bode's  celebrated  Air/' 
which  she  enng  on  both  eveniDge,  were  well  calculated  to  call  her 
best  powers  into  action,  and  their  execution  was  received  with  entha- 
Biastic  delight  Several  of  her  songs  were  encored,  and  repeated, 
if  possible,  with  increased  beanty  and  effect  The  improvement  in  her 
articnlation  of  the  English  language  was  strikingly  manifested  in  her 
masterly  performance  of  the  recitative  and  air,  m  ^Comfort  ye  my 
People,^  &e.  In  the  National  Airs  of  God  Save  the  King  and  Rule 
Britannia  she  drew  forth  the  most  rapturous  apniause. 

Madame  Gatalani  was  very  ably  assisted  by  Mr.  Kelbner,  who  sang 
a  number  of  songs  each  niffht  with  a  finish,  taste,  and  feeling,  that  made 
a  forcible  impression  on  his  auditors.  Two  or  three  airs  which  he  gave 
of  a  national  character  were  peculiarly  distinguished,  and  their 
repetition  was  ctdled  for  in  a  manner  highly^  flatterinff  to  him.  Mr. 
Tainciez  led  the  band,  and  on  the  last  evening  playea  a  concerto  on 
the  yiolin,  remarkable  for  its  richness  and  delicacy  of  movement^  and 
the  audience  testified  their  delight  by  continued  plaudits.  The  effect 
of  tibe  performance  was  heightened  by  the  skilful  execution  of  M. 
CSaichitteni  on  the  Pianoforte.  The  house  was  on  both  nights  most 
xemotably  but  not  yery  numerously  attended. 
.  llie  regular  theatrical  season  opened  on  May  20,  and 
among  the  principal  performers  en^mged  were, — ^Miss  Dance, 
of  Govent  Garden  Theatre ;  Miss  L.  Kellj,  from  the  Bath 
Theatre;  Mrs.  Waylett,  Miss  Middleton,  Mrs.  Younff,  and 
Miss  Forbes,  firom  the  Liverpool  Theatre ;  Mr.  Wrendi  and 
Mr.  J.  Beeve,  from  the  English  Opera  House ;  Mr.  Russell, 
from  the  Havmarket  and  fiublin  Theatres ;  Mr.  Mude,  Mr. 
Butler,  Mr.  ]Bennett,  Mr.  Thome,  and  Mr.  Tamold,  fit>m  the 
York  Theatre. 

A  dramatic  periodical  was  thus  announced: — 

Tbbjltrioal  Lookxb  Ov. 
May  S7|  182i.— This  present  Monday,  Ubj  S7th,  at  one  o*eloek,  will 
be  published^  JfP^  ^*^  I^enny,  No.  1  of  a  Theatrical  Publication,  to  b$ 
contiH^ted  WMMy,  entitled  The  Theatrical  Looker^On. 

**  For  I  am  nothing,  if  not  eriticaL* 
Binningham  ;  printed  for  and  published  by  James  Drake,  123^  New 
Stivel^  and  may  be  had  of  all  the  other  Bookeelleri  in  Birmingham. 

This  publication  reached  twentj-five  numbers,  and  is  still 
worth  looking  into,  if  only  to  see  the  kind  of  thing  that 
provincial  dramatic  criticism  was  in  those  days.  There  was  a 
tare  opportunity  for  exercising  the  art^  for  Edmund  Eean 
appeared  this  season.  He  made  his  first  appearance  on  June 
24,  in  Bichard  the  Third.  During  his  engagement  he  played 
Sir  Qiles  Orerreach,  Lucius  Junius  Brutus,  Othello,  MacbeUi, 
and  De  Montfort^  in  Joanna  BaiUie's  play  of  that  name.  Mr. 
Kean  was  followed  by  Mr.  Younff,  who  played  Hamlet^ 
Zanga^  in  the  Bevenge,  King  John,  Brutus,  Kiog  Lear,  Pos- 
thumus  Leonatus,  in  Cymbeline,  and  Coriolanua  Munden, 
Harley,  Blanchaxtl,  and  Miss  M.  Tree  also  appeared  ti^is 


518  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRHIKQHAH  LIFE. 

season.     Those*  names  and  the  dramas  pc^ormed  are  in 

striking  contrast  with  the  entertainments  which  our  theatres 

now  generally  offer  to  attract  the  public. 

Signt-seers  were  this  3near  gratined  by  the  presence  of  so 

▼ery  attractive  a  spectacle  as 

Not.  25. 1822.— Madaioi  Tussaud's  Exhtbitiok  at  our  Theatre  has 
been  crowaed  cUul7  dnoe  its  opening,  and,  from  the  satisf action  ezpreeaed 
hj  its  TiatoiB^  there  is  evezy  reason  to  expect  this  ingenious  artist 
imL  meet  the  encouragement  ehe  eo  well  deeenres.  Mainr  of,  the  most 
reepeetable  families  of  the  town  and  neighbourhood  hare  thus  ea^Iy  been 
attracted :  and  so  agreeable  a  lounge  has  it  been  found,  that  her  list  of 
Bubscribers  exhibits  the  naiaes  of  upwards  of  two  hundred  persons. '  The 
houTB  of  exhibition  in  the  evening  derive  ad^tional  attraction  from,  tha 
attendance  of  a  well^elected  miUtaiy  band,  which  plajs  from  the  opein- 
ing'to  the  dose.  .    .  ' 

The  once  celebrated  French  Qiant  visited  ns  early  in 

1823>- 

^  Feb.  17, 1823.^We  have  pleasure  in  calling  attention  to  the  exhibi- 
tion of  Monsieur  L.  Jategesi  the  eel^xrated  IVeiidi  GUant^  in  th^ 
Boom  at  our  Theatre,    Hais7feet4iDdisshi|sh»QCamaBng«trqsMili^ 
wdl  proJMrtioned,  and  we  doubt  not  but  tlMt  his  gentlemanljr  anA  pol^ 
behaviour  wiU  ensore  him  the  approbation  of  aU  who  Tisit  bun.  , 

The  theatre  opened  for  the  season  on  Hay  11^  ;wiih  the 
School  for  Scandal ;  and  on  June  the  2nd  was  perfoxined  for. 
the  first  time  the  Bomanoe  of  Chepy  and  Fair  l^tar,  and  a 
rather  long  and  yeiy,gIowiiig  iu)oount  is  eiyea  both  Gi^:the 

1)ieoe  and  8ie  performance.  Chefiy  and  Fair  Star  was  fol- 
owed  by  Mr.  W.  C.  Hacready,  who  appeared  on  Jnly  7tli  in 
Yiimnius ;  he  also  played  dviing  this  engagement  Othello^ 
Hacneth,  Bob  Boy,  Elng  John»  thenew.  piurti  of  Julian  in 
the  tragedy  of  that  name,  Oardinal  Wdaey,  and  D^Til,  in 
Matrimony.  He  was  supported  l^  Mrs.  ^mut'  Mr.  Wl 
Farren  mpeared  on  July  21^  for  one  night  onljr>  when  he 
placed  Lord  Qglebv;  in  the  Clandestine  Maxnage.  Mr. 
£31i8ton  and  Mr.  and  Mm  C.  Eemble  performed  in  July  and 
August  On  the  4th  of  the  latter  month  the  foUowing  anr 
nounoement  was  published  >-^ 

We  are  ffiven  to  undentaad  that  the  peilanBS&ees  ol  the  celshtatad 
Golonel  Berkele j  and  the  other  Cheltenham  Amatenn^  at  o«v  Theatre^ 

wiU  ooosist  ol  two  rqptesentations,  one  of  whidi  our  Manager  gsnerooalj 
intends  devoCinff  in  aid  ol  the  fands  of  the  InatiUilion  lor  the  eduoalbA 
d  ths  Deal  and  Dumb  at  Bdgbastop. 

The  eritieism  (I)  of  these  Cheltenham  Amateurs  is  as  fil- 
lowi:— ^ 

TBBAiriB  BOTAL. 

▲vgost  SS,  ISSS^— Tht  performaaoas  of  the  Cheltenham  Anatsara 
as  was  aalniallj  eipeeted^  enatod  no  oidinaiy  dflgres  el  tmMt^  aad 


AMUSEMENTS..  dl9 

■ 

it  giTM  m  pleflsnre  to  say,  that  we  remember  no  oocaeion  on  which 
public  excitement  waa  more  thoroughly  sratifiecL  Colonel  Berkeley's 
repreaentation  of  the  Prince  of  Wa&  and  FaMlconbridge  was  strongly 
marked  with  excellence,  and  the  scholar  and  finished  gentleman  were 
ever  ooospienoiis.  His  fine  and  manly  person,  his  correct  and  impressiire 
deliTsry,  nia  perfect  self-possession,  and  the  peculiar  ease  with  which  he 
walked  aeross  the  stage,  oontribnted  to  give  the  highest  interest  to  the 
.peifbrmance ;  and  the  distinguished  nmk  he  holds  in  society  being 
considered,  it  excited  the  ^preatest  astonishment  that  he  could  so  com- 

getely  identify  himself  with  such  an  arduous  undertaking.  Captain 
urkeley's  Sir  John  F^iUUxf  may  fiurly  be  dassed  among  the  Teiy  best 
perfermances  of  the  character  we  can  csll  to  mind,  and,  without  reference 
to  its  being  an  effort  of  an  amateur,  it  cannot  be  pronounced  otherwise 
than  as  a  most  able  and  masterly  exertion.  The  rich  vein  of  humour 
■0  dianlcterlstic  of  the  joUy  Knight  was  neyer  for  an  instant  lost  Bu;ht 
oC  and  the  peculiarities  of  the  part  were  kept  up  with  undimimsbed 
«ffiBOt  to  the  end.  The  subordinate  eharaeters  of  Franeii  and  Foitu 
•were  enacted  with  proportionate  Justice  by  Migor  Dawkins  and  another 
gentleman.  King  Jokn^  which  ii^  perhaps,  one  of  the  most  trying  parts 
on  the  stage,  and  in  which  but  few  profeuumal  men  make  even  a  respect- 
able stand,  was  pourtrayed  by  Colonel  Bsriceiey  in  rwj  superior  s^le, 
and  eridently  with  an  ease  and  confidence  the  lesnlt  botn  of  g«niiw 
and  dose  study. 

In  the  firas  of  the  FoUut  of  aByu  and  8imp$on  and  Co^  Colonel 
Bei^el^  was  eminently  successfhL  Tlie  bustle,  gallantly,  and  point 
thrown  into  the  diaraeter  of  Ahnaviva  bgr  its  author,  were  all  in  high 
keeping ;  and  in  Bromley^  the  man  of  ihahion  was  admirably  delineate, 
and  the  same  strict  adherence  to  the  spirit  of  the  original  manifested, 
llaior  BawkiniT  Figaro  and  BuKMion  were  both  exoeedinglT  hB,ppy. 
and  he  infused  into  them  a  spiritaltpgether  perfectly  new.  The  united 
flzertioiis  of  these  gentlemen,  .we  need  hardly  add,  were  received  cm 
jsaeh  nl|^t  with  an  applause  whidi,  we  irusti  was  gratifying  to  them, 
and  whidii  pcooeeded  from  the  mqit  complete  feeling  of  satls&Btion  that 
probably  erer  perraded  a  theatro.  The  house  was  crowded  on  both 
•Teningn  We  are  sure  we  cany  with  us  the  sentiments  of  the  sup- 
porters of  the  diarity,  for  the  benefit  of  whldi  th^  so  promptly  assented 
to.  perform  on  the  second  n]^t,:when  we  express  the  deep  sense  of 
obligation  under  whidi  the  polone!  and  friends  have  pkoed  tne  institu- 
tion ;  and  it  must  give  these  distinguished  and  benevolent  indiTidwds 
great  Mtisfeetioii  to  know  that  the  ibnds  will  derive  much  important 
advantage  from  the  sneesse  attending  their  exertions.  We  cannot  also 
OBoit  to  advert  to  the  kindness  with  wliidi  Mrs.  Bunn  stepped  forward 
in  aid  of  the  interests  of  the  charity,  and  to  the  verv  efficient  manner 
In  whidi»  aa  usoali  die  enacted  the  parts  of  Ladjf  CbnUanee  and  ifn. 

AMPyMON* 


In  September  Mr.  Grimftldi  and  Mr.  J.  S.  Orimaldi 
deligfaiea  yotixig  and  old  with  their  comic  pantomime. 
Mifls  M.  TreeTMias  Stephens,  and  Mr.  Braham  closed  this 
eztraordinarir  season. 

Sight  seers  were  introduced  to  a  novdtjr  in  1824,  in  the 
shape  of  La  Poupfe  ParlanU,  a  French  Speaking  DolL 
The  '^  illustrioQS  Stnnger  *"  was  thus  announced : — 


520  A  CENTUBY  OF  BIBMINQHAM  LIFE. 

;  FrIVOH  NOVILTT.. 

March  1, 1824^— The  Speaking  Doll,  shown  with  so  much  edat  at 
the  late  exposition,  in  the  Palace  of  the  Louvre,  Paris,  stiii  continnes  to 
attract  the  most  brilliant  eompaiiy  to  the  Magann  of  Kendall  and  Son^ 
15,  Boll  Bing,  Birmiugham.  The  droll  idea  wUdi  first  prompted  the 
inventor  to  make  this  celebrated  Doll,  is  alone  snffident  to  attiaet 
the  notice  of  the  canons ;  bat  the  novelty  is  materiallv  heightened  bjr 
its  being  the  first  attempt  erer  made,  with  any  degne  of  success,  to  form 
Human  Organization  by  means  of  Mechanism. 

The  Proprietors,  as. heretofore^  wili  feel  the  greatest  pleasure  in 
submitting  it  to  the  inspection  of  any  lady  or  gentieman  who  may 
chose  to  honour  them  with  a  visit. 

The  theatrical  season  presented  nothing  this  year  calling 
for  special  notice.  The  controversy  wiui  the  Bev.  J.  A. 
James  was,  perhaps,  excitement  enough  to  produce  good 
houses.  The  one  event  of  the  vear  was  the  nroduction  of 
the  Battle  of  Waterloo,  for  which  one  hundrea  men  *'  who 
had  served  in  the  battle  **  were  reauired.  The  advertisement 
also  stated  that  ''none  will  be  allowed  to  engage  but  those 
who  produce  medals." 

In  May,  1825,  tibe  public  were*  entertained  by  an  Infiuit 
Phenomenon.    The  fdlowing  is  the  announcement  > — 

BOTAL  HOTBL  ASSEMBLY  BoOlO^  BlBlOirOHAX. 

On  Monday,  TuesdaT,Tliursday,  and  Fridar,  the  9th,  lOtfa,  ISth,  and 
18th  of  May,  1825— tne  oelebratcd  Infimt  Bosdus,  only  seven  yean 
and  a  quarter  old.  from  the  extreme  pressure  of  the  company,  and  fistun 
the  most  onhonndad  applaoae  with  wbidi  he  has  been  xecemd  during 
the  whole  of  his  inimitable  Peifbrmanee^  haa  induced  him' to  aeleei 
fmr  aiofii  BvmUmuf^  Ammitmmt  pn/y,  entirely  changing  the  whole  of  his 
j?erfonnaaoa  from  the  last  weak,  commencing  with  a  iieiv  mlnocfiiefiba/ 
and  in  the  place  of  the  Melo-dnona  the  Infimt  Bosdus  will  so  through 
the  mudi-admired  and  vnr  humorous  Oomedyaf  P^d» of  TrmXtu : 
or,  Tk€  JHUremt  of  iko  Jrronek  Barber:  the  whole  of  his  aonn  and 
scenes  in  Macbeth,  FijEamv  MerAant  of  Venios^  Bichaid  in,  and 
Doqgla^  whidi  will  be  antirsly  changed  as  usuali  and  conclude  with 
the  jjfaripcrf  GVoiMa 

The  Theatre  ooened  under  new  management  this  Doason 
An  address  was  aelivered  on  the  oceasioii,  of  which  a  copy 
is  preserved: — 

.OooAsiovAL  Annam^ 
spoken  Vy  Mr.  Warde,  at  the  opening  of  the  Theatre  Boyal,  Kimingfaamt 
under  his  management^  on  Monday,  the  S3rd  day  of  May,  18S5;  written 
by  Thoitaaa  H.  Bayly,  Esq.,  author  of  ^Boiii|di  Skatehaa  of  Balh»* 
''Melodies  of  Tsriooa  NatioiM,*'  ''Miuatare  lynes,*  fta,  fto. 

Whan  a  new  Landlord  takea  a  well4aiown  Inn, 
.  How  ahoold  the  KoWc^a  eaiear  begin  I 


If  an  the  boose  is  propaily  prapai^dy 
Larder  and  oeUar  atod^'d,  and  beds  wan  aii^d ; 
Senraata  engagad--all  pomishiff  reeniita, 
IVom  the  head  waiter  down  to  Sob  the  Boots— 


AMUSAIENTS.  521 

Surely  the  Hoet  himself  with  smiles  should  wait 
On  the  first  Guests  assembled  at  the  gate ; 
Present  his  bill  of  fare,  and  ho^  they'll  find 
Each  little  item  perfect  of  its  kind. 
I  am  a  Host  to-night ;  my  hope  now  rests 
On  tills,  my  Public  House,  and  these,  my  suests. 
My  constant  aim  shall  be  to  meet  your  wiuies, 
I'ye  ordered  in  a  stock  of  tempting  dishes ; 
Old  wine  made  mellow  and  improved  by  age^ 
New  fruits  just  sent  us  from  the  London  stage ; 
The  Comio  trifle  and  the  Tragic  bowl, 
*The  feast  of  reason  and  the  flow  of  soul  1 " 

Hy  decorations  too  are  quite  complete, 
Best  rooms,  and  attics  also,  clean  and  neat ;    • 
Each  creTice  freshly  painted,  washed,  and  bumish'd, 
And  all  my  snug  apartments  newly  fumish'd ; 
In  shorty  your  Host  thus  humbly  recommends 
This  House  of  Entertainment  to  his  friends. 

.  Yet  bold— of  Entertainment  did  I  sar  t 
Hath  not  the  Drama*s  sun-shina  paard  away  t 


Is  set  poor  dear  Thalia  almost  mute  t 
'  And  SMlielpoaiene  in  disrepute  t 

Because  rsoMieM  people  all  dine  late, 

And  think  no  food  dipestible  till  eight  1 
-  Doth  not  Dame  Esshion  drive  her  slaves  about^ 
■  -  ■   '    In  sn  unvaried  round,  from  ront  to  roatt 

To  see  tha  present  ball  reflect  the  pas^ 

And  every  roat  a  ditto  of  the  last  1 

To  be  to-ught^  where  nightly  they  have  been, 

While  Bhakeepeez's  Dramas  pass  unheard--4inaeen  t 

Andiaooreaaaeabadonal  Ifnttlsto^ 
TTopeleai  of  patranage^  and  shut  np  ahop  I 
Ko^  no ;  mv  effiarta  nave  already  met 
Appbnaea  here  which  I  can  new  foiget ; 
And  ahall  I  tremble,  when  anoessi  depends 
Upon  the  fiivonr  of  my  former  friends  t 
:  Forbid  It  gralitiide  1    With  tme  delu^t 
I  weloome  those  who  grace  these  wafia  to-night 
Oh  1  may  the  eomie  Mfflquet  I  pmara 
Eieaed  the  pramise  of  my  bili  of  fare ; 
May  eadi  part  nieaae  when  on  the  boazda 'tia  plaesd-- 
Koi  over  oone^  oat  aweeten'd  to  your  taste : 
And  may  yoor  preeent  Landlord  long  remain, 
Bappy  to  aee  yon  **  eat  and  come  ag^n." 

On  June  21,  Master  Burke,  a  child  only  six  yean  of  bm, 
made  his  first  appearance.  ''He  led  the  ordiestra  on^e 
Violin  in  the  cdebrated  Overture  to  Lodoiska  in  a  most 
masterly  style,  and  afterwaids  appeared  as  Terrv  O'Rourke, 
in  the  farce  of  the  Irish  Tutor,  and  performed  the  character 
with  the  skill  and  ability  of  a  veteran  of  the  stage." 


522  A  CENTUBT  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

Dnnng  the  season  Mr.-Macready,  Mr.  Sapio,  Mr.  Mathews, 
and  Miss  Foote,  appeared    In  Septeml^r  the  following 

performance  was  the  great  attraction : — 

September  26, 1826. — An  inierlade  from  the  Melo-dimma  of  Valenr 
tine  and  Onon,  called  the  Wild  Mul  and  the  Bear,  in  which  a  real 
Bear,  the  property  of .  Mr.'  Simpson,;  (proprietor  of  the  celebrated 
Kewfbundland  JOogB^  Carlo  and  Lum)  and  tanght  and  managed  hy  him, 
wiU  exhibit  his  extiaordinaxy  performance* 

The  Evening's  Entertainment  to  condude  with  the  Melo-drama  of 
The  CSaravan ;  or,  The  Driver  and  his  Dog ;  on  whidi  occasion  a 
Beserroir,  oontaininf^  5^000  eubie  ftti  of  real  water j  will  be  introdaoed. 
The  last  scene  exhibits  a  WaterfiiU  and  Lake  of  Water,  into  which  the 
Dog  Carlo  is  seen  to  plnnge^  and  saves  the  lift  of  the  duld  Jnlio  1 

This  was  followed  by 

Mr.  Davii^s' Equestrian  Gompaay  and  Beaatiibl  Stnd  of  Horses. 

This  present  llonday,' October  1^  will  be  performed  (for  the  first  time 
at  this  Theatre^)  the  grand  and  interesting  Dramatic^  Equestrian  and 
Militaxy  Spectade^  caSed  the  Invasion  of  Aossia ;  or,  the  Burning  of 
Moscow. 

In  this  maffnificsni  Drama»  (the  most  costlj  on  the  British  Sttfe) 
the  strikinff  historical  ^subjects  are  fidthfoli^  depicted,  which  &- 
tingnlshiid  fliat  momentons  epoch,  with  coneeet  inddeata  local  scenenr. 
miutaiy  oostome,  and  oniforms  of  thediflEerent  nationa  ana  aoldiety  of  all 
ann%  tndns  of  artilleiy  and  baggage  waggons^  pack  horses^  carts  of  sick 
and  wounded,  bands  of  mudfl^  edoiin^  end^iiL  and  all  the  extendv* 
mmrtenancss  of  militaiy  anaj,  illnstntloiia  of  the  modes  of  warian^ 
aptsndid  cavaliy  manoBiEvraSy  &e. 

In  Noyember,  we  learn  -^that  Mr.  Dnerow  has  taken  oar 
Theatre  for  a  abort  period,  and  intends  opening  it  .with  an 
Equestrian  Petfohnanee,  on  Monday  next/'  so  that  the 
horses  were  the  principal  attraetions  of  the  yeur. 

In  1826  .Mr.  Macready  played  at  the  Theatre  BOTal, 
pievioaa  to  his  .departure  for  America.  An  incident 
occurred  which  ahows  the  Eberality  of  the  great  player. 
It  ii  thus  recorded  >^      •       ». 

Angost  S8^  1898.— It  Is  pntfygenorpdly  known  tl^tthe  reeeiptB  of 
the  hoQse  on  Moik^  laali  tlie  ovemag  on  whidi  Mr.  Maenadj  took 
final  leave  ol  his  BurniiiKliiBi  IHeM%  prior  to  his  departoe  for 
Anerioa,  were  eariv  on  the  iiOowiag  mondng  ahsUaeted  ftom  the 
treasoi7.  It  would  appear  thai  the  ^Uaias^  no  donbt  adepts  in  their 
Tftflattfin,  and  poMsssea  of  overr  aedssHiylateiBatloDy  naa  nonooalod 
themadvet  within  the  walls  of&e  hoose^  antll  tiie  Ifane  at  which  the 
watchmen  npon  the  prenisei  gtaenllT  leaver  and  then  having  nnd^ 
atraeted  aeeeM  to  the  atage^  thmr  ibroea  open  the  door  of  the  treasoiy. 
aad  findhvg  the  kij  of  the  iron  cbest,  witbovt  fbrtiier  difllcdty  d^^ 
possswion  of  two  hundred  pooads,  pcindpallj  in  diver,  with  wUdi 
ihqr  OMaped  nnohasrvod.  The  lihsnltlj  of  M&  Maenadj  on  the 
oooadon  maAt^  lor  the  honoor  of  the  prolsMMHi  of  wiiidi  he  Is  ao 
distinffiddiea  a  memher,  to  he  udvemllj  known.  Upon  hdng  made 
aoqeauiled  with  the  serioosoonasqnenees  with  whidi  the  loss  threatened 
the  Maaafsr,  Ife  Maenad  J  not  merd J  rdlnqaished  all  difan  npon  the 


AHUSElfEKTS.  52S 

amount  roceired^bnt  even  consented  to  perform  a  eeeond  nisht  without 
remuneration.  Me  acoordingly  sustained  the  character  of  Yirginius, 
on  the  Thursday,  to  an  au<Bence  nearly  as  numerous  as  on  the  first 
•night,  and  the  Manager  was  fullj^  reimbursed.  It  is  hardljr  neoesaarjr 
to  say  that  the  warmth  with  wnidi  Mr.  Macready  was  received  on  hia 
re-appearance,  gave  full  assurance  that  his  kind  and  disinterested 
eonauct  was  di2y  appreciated.  Mr.  Macready  left  on  the  foliowinff 
day  for  Ohdtenliam  and  Bristol,  whence  he  proceeds  to  Liverpool,  and 
embarks  for  New  York  on  Friday.  Two  young  men,  strongly  suspected 
of  beinff  parties  in  the  robbery,  are  in  custody,  and  have  bcien  remanded 
for  fnruier  examination ;  but  how  &r  the  charge  can  be  brousfat  home 
to  them  is  not  yet  known.  A  reward  of  twenty  pounds  lias  been 
offered  on  conviction  of  the  depredators. 

On  Friday,  October  13,  the  Heir  at  Law  was  played. 
Lord  Duberly  by  a  Gtentleman  Amateur  of  Birmiogfaam. 
On  this  occasion  Paul  Piy  delivered  an  address  **  ridmg  on 
a  real  ass."  Is  there  any  ironical  comparison  intended 
in  this  annonncement  ? 

In  Ifay  and  June,  1827»  Mr.  Listoh  appeared  in  several 
of  his  best  characters,  and  he  was  sacceeded  by  Miss  Love, 
Mr.  Braham,  Miss  A.  Tree,  Miss  Stephens,  Mr.  Warde,  and 
MissJarman.     On  Angnst  6,  this  annoonoement  appeared: — 

Mr.  StmpeoQ  respectfully  informs  hk  IViends  and  the  Pnblie  that 
ArChvr  MatthiMniy  the  Bit  of  ih»  Ihausy,  will  make  hia  bow  onoe 
more  on  the  Stagey  bat  not  that  stage  on  which  his  hard  earned 
laorels  were  won.  No— but  on  the  Stage  of  the  Hieatre  IBicjt^ 
in  the  diaraetsr  of  '' Jodko/*  for  the  Benefit  'of  his  IViend,  Heetor 
Simpeon,  Proprietor  of  the  Dogs  OhIo  and  Lion.  Arthnr  seems 
eonndent  that  he  can  riTal  Le  Hi^arier.  GonflEe^  Fianiloe,  &0.,  and  hopes 
his  Friends  will,  as  imuJ,  rally  roimd  him  firom  one  end  of  the  ooontiy 
to  the  other. 

Arthnr  will  be  happy  to  serre  hk  Friends  with  as  many  Tiekets  as 
they  may  want^  at  his  noose,  Kiotf^s  Head,  Digbetfa,  any  time  prerioos . 
to  the  night  in  question,  whieh  is  fixed  Ibr  Monday,  the  13th  instuit. 

On  November  27  and  28  the  manager  produced  Italian : 
Operas  at  **  Theatre  piioes." 

.  Byan's  ''New  Grand  Axena^**  in  Bradford  Street,  was 
opened  this  year.  And  the  oordinaiy  amusements  seem  to 
have  displayed  their  usual  aetiyity. 

In  1828  the  Theatre  was  opened  in  January  for  the 
purpose  of  introduoiog  the  following  novelty : — 

THBaTBB  BOTAL,  BlBMXmSAlL 

January  81,  1828.~Trs  AraioiAv  Boeoiufl^  a  most  sztnordinaiy 
noTelty,  a  Mah  or  Ooloub,  whose  ■ueeemftJ  perfinrnanieeB  in  the  roond  - 
of  Moorish  and  African  Characters  in  the  Theatres  Boyal,  Manchester. 
lATerpool,  Brixton,  Bristol,  Ac*,  ha^e  ezdted  a  eonsidsrable  degree  or 
intereet  in  the  Theatrical  world,  the  novelty  of  which  has  indneed  Mr. 
Melmoth  to  engage  him  for  a  nw  nights  preyioos  to  his  appearance  at 
the  Theatre  Boya^  Gorent  Qaideni  nest  month. 


524  A  CENTURY  OF  BIBMINOHAM  LIFE. 

■ 

TUi  present  Monday,  Jannanr  21,  will  be  pevlbnned  tb«  Operalio 
Dnma  of  the  SIato  ;  Zelindsy  by  Miss  Qnddon ;  Gambia,  by  the 
Jl^xiioan  xUMcios* .    .,     •      •  i      • 

The  regular  dramatic  season  opened  on  May  26,  with  Mr' 
Macreadv.  for  six  nights,  and  a  company  which  included 
Messrs.  ISurton,  Heniy,  Wilton,  Bellamy,  Brunton,  Dobbs, 
and  Qardner ;  Miss  Huddart,  Mrs.  Ashton,  and  Miss  Foote. 
In  June  Mr.  T.  P.  Cooke  was  with  us ;  and  in  July  Madame 
Yestris  appeared  for  three  nights. ;  On  the  7th  of  July  Mr. 
*'  Eean  the  younger"  made  his  first  appearance  in  Birming- 
ham, in  the  character  of  Bomeo.  He  was  only  engaged  for 
three  nights.  On  Aumst  11,  Mr.  Macready  commenced  a 
abort  engagement  as.  Macbeth. •  .On  October  7,  Madame 
Catalani.appeared  for  one  ni^hi  On  November  3,  Mr.  laston 
performed  ^aul  Fiy  and  the  Illustrious  Stranger,,  for  the 
Denefit  of  Mr.  Brunton.  It  was  ^'poeitiYely  the  only  night 
he  can  act  here  this  season.".  Mr.  Dobbs  took  his  benefit  on 
KoTember  24,  when  he  introduced  some. new  comic  songs 
and  duets  of  his  own  composing.'  ''The  Gun  Trade,"  and  "I 
can't  find  Brummagem,"  oecame,  for  a  time,  popular  street 
baUada  .  As  a  specimen  of  his  powers,  and  in  proof 
of  the  enormous  changes  which  had  taken  place  in  the  town 
during  twenly  years,  I  quote  the  latter  song  :-— 

M  r.    I  CAN'T  FIND  BBUMMAGiSM. 


Foil  twenty  jean,  and  more,  are  past^ 

Binoe  I  lot  Bnmunagem ; 
Bat  I  set  out  for  home  at  kiiiti    .         , 

To  good  old  Snunmagem. 
But  oraiy  place  is  altered  ao^ 
ThsnTaliaxdly  a  single  plaee  I  know ; 
Aiid  it  fills  my  heart  with  grief  and  wos^ 

For  I  cant  find  Bnunmagem. 

As  I  walked  down  oar  atreoti  ' 

Aa  used  to  be  in  Brnmmageai, 
I  know'd  nobody  I  did  meet ; 

Thajf  diaqga  their  faces  in  Brommageau 
Poor  old  Bpfeeal  Streetfa  half  gonsL 
And  tiia  poor  Old  Ohardi  stands  ul  akos^ 
And  poor  old  I  stand  hen  to  groan. 
For  I  can't  find  Brammagem. 

Bat  tecnast  the  dianges  we  hata  got^ 

lb  flooa  old  BkammageoiL 
n^jSa  mada  a  market  cf  the  Jfoft;* 

To  aeD  the  pigs  in  Brommagem. 

•Thelfosl. 


JlHUSEMKKTS.  525 


But  that  has  brought  qb  meet  ill  luck, 
They've  filled  up  poor  old  Padding  Brook, 
TVhere  in  the  mud  I've  often  stuck, 
Catching/acit6amZ«*  near  Brummagem. 

But  what's  more  melancholy  still 

For  poor  old  Brummagem, 
TbeyVe  taken  away  all  JNewhall-hill ; 

Poor  old  Brummagem  1 


At  Easter  time,  ffirls  fair  and  brown, 

)Uy-polly  dowm 
And  show'd  their  legs  to  half  the  town ; 


Used  to  come  rouy-poUy  do^ 


Oh  I  the.  good  old  sights,  in  Brummagem. 

Down  Peck  Lane  I  walked  alone, 

To  find  out  Brummagem ; 
There  was  the  dvnffilf  down  and  gone  I — 

What,  no  ro^^es  in  Brummagem  f 
ThejVe  taken  it  to  the  street  culed  JVoor, 
A  sign  tiiat  rogues  they've  got  no  fewer. 
Tlie  rocues  won't  like  to  go  there,  I'm  sure^ 

Whifo  Peck  Lane's  in  firummagenL 

•  »      . 

I  remember  one  John  Orowse^' 

A  buckle-maker  in  Brummagem  : 
He  built  himself  a  cqontiy  house, .- . 

To  be  out  of  the  smoke  of  Brummagem : 
But  though  John's  country  house  stands  still, 
*  Tbe  town  itself  has  walked  uphOL 
Now  be  UTes  beside  of  ft  smoky  mil]. 

In  the  middle  of  the  stamets  of  Bnmimagem. 

Amongst  the  diaoges  that  aboond  , 

In  ^od  old  Bnumiuigem,'  '- 
ICaytnMleandfaaiJpineaB  be  found,     • 

In  good  did  Brammagein ; 
And  tb&  no  NeiHiall-hm  woVs  got, 
Nor  Pudding  Brook,  nor  any  MoiL 
May  we  always  hsve  enoogh  lo  bou  the  pot. 

In  good  old  HnmunageoL 

The  Season  of  1829  opened  on  March  the  11th,  under  the 
direction  of  Mr.  CSarke ;  Mr.  Liston,  Mr.  Vandenhofl^  and 
Miss  S.  Booth  were  the  principal  atlnetioDa.  In  April  the 
**  veteran  Dowton"  appeared,  and  the  Theatre  dosed  before 
its  usual  time.  It  opened  however  acain  for  a  abort  season 
on  the  21st  of  September,  and  amonff  ttie  performers  engaged 
for  the  commencement  were  Mr.  Harlej,  Mr.  Warde,  luss 
Jarman,  and  Miss  Lae7.  "Our  old  and  respected  fiiend 
BeUamj,  Manager  of  the  Bath  Theatre,  heads  the  rq^dar 
company  ;**  and  in  October  Mr,  Macready  performed  nine  of 
nnest  characters. 

*  BrifHshaflti^    a  nhntt  ^— »fyHi  in  WarwidciAiie. 

t  The  Dongeoa. 


526  A  CENTUBT  OF  BIRMIXQHAM  LIFE. 

It  had  now  become  the  custom  tohave  two  seasons  in  the 
year  at  the  Theatre ;  but  there  is  very  little  to  record  for  the 
year  1830.  The  neat  political  excitement  of  the  time  seems 
to  have  had  considerable  influence  on  amusements,  and  Tery 
little  attention  is  given  in.the,  Oaaette  to  matters  theatrical. 
Mr.  Macready  was,  as  usuial,  one  of  the  siars  of  the  year ;  and 
in  the  short  season,  which  opened  in  September,  we  had  Miss 
Fanny  Kemble  and  her  father,  Mr.  Charles  Eemble,  for  six 
nights.  Mr.  Biaham  also  appeared  in  October,  and  played 
for  five  nightsL  ' 

In  January,  1831,  the  theatre  was  taken  by  Mr.  Watson, 
of  the  Cheltenham,  Gloucester,  and  Warwick  Theatres,  and 
in  March  Mr.  Kean  appeared  and  played  King  Richard  the- 
Thiid,  Shylock,  Sir  Onlei  Overreach,  and  Othello.  Miss 
Smithson  and'Mr.  Bayner  appeared  in  May.  In  August  the 
**  very  <»alebrated  Mr.  Keaii  **.  was  again  en^^ged,  and  repeated 
the  same  performaDoeB  as  on  his  previous  engagements  Ifiss 
Phillips,  Mr.  Biaham  apd/Mr.  BlaTichard  were  here  during 
this  season,  and  the  onoe  frmous  Bussian  Horn  Band.* 

Ill  1830  our  townsman,  Mr.  J.  Bobbs,  bade  £gaewdl  to  the 
stage.  In  1831*  for  some  unexplained  cause,  he  failed  in 
having  a  boiefit  at  the  Theatre,  so  he  devised  a  new  enter- 
tainment^ which  mui  thus  jmnounoed  >-      . 

SbUe,  that  htSag  pnfwmUi  tMug  his  Baneftl  at  the  ThMln^  and 
r.  Baardfworth  having  in  the  most  libval  spirit  giantad  him  the 
use  ef  ths  Bapodtovj,  JM  IsBow  fltliiig  up  that  sstenaiT* and  vamark- 
able  building  snr  the  ooouloiD.  fltisintnoedtoghretotheintniorths 
iMwiiUliiinii  of  an  Dlvniinated  TsmnliiL  In  whidi  the  Aita  FMtrr 
^y^5»^  ^n^  Fisinting  shall  pnaida 

'  TIm  ICiii^  wmSe  sdMtsd  from  the  WQvks of  the  Biost  edfl^^ 
Compooos,  porf ormsd  by  a  sapacior  Band,  The  Posfeiy  will  be  fimnd 
In  the  JEkmgi^  QloM^  <nd  Chaimea  The  Plidntinn  will  oouist  of 
extonriyeBuionuQlo  Views  from  Katue;  and  alto  HistorieAl  Baljset^ 
eoi?«inffiipwaidiof  MOOlbalof  oanva%  axoeated  by  eminaat  attitts 
eogagod  mr  the  ocwiaion,  fiom  London.  The  LaadMspa^  bj  Mr.  W. 
Bonriv,  whooo  Flaintinff  haTO  oidted  so  mneb  admiraaon  in  London 
and  Manftheater.  Iho  Hiatorioal  Pkintinfi^  by  Mr.  FqA  aindant  of 
the  Battl  Acadamy.  Ibna  tha  Entertainment  (which  will  take  plaoa 
on  Monday,  Jnl/  the  llth)win  ooMial  ofa  Otnad  lUnminatioai,  Soanio 
VlowaPlramaniida^  and  a  vooal  and  Inatmmantal  Oooaart. 

J.  I).,'giBtafiil  te  past  frnmn^  and  having  an  eamasi  of  thair 
oontinoanoa  in  the  kind  and  gratmtona  aaabtanoa  of  aovwal  of  hia 
friends  to  aid  the  above  nndermking,  plodgea  himaalf  that  the  Entar- 
tainmonlL  talran  aa  a  whotoL  ahall  eqoal  anything  of  the  Uad  over 
witnaaaaa  In  this  pari  of  tha  idagdonL  •  < 

*  A  nnuttfcaUa  band  of  aboat  twaalj  paffonnan,  aaeb  blowiaf  onlj  oaa 
aola  on  a  atmifbt  tfOBipat» 


MANNERS,  CUSTOMS,  £Ta    ^  527 

The  Entertainment  came  off,  vraa  successful,  and  was 
repeatecL 

'  l)uring  this  decade  there  were  the  usual  public  and 
private  subscription  Concerts  at  the  Royal  Hotel;  the  usual 
Panoramas,  Musical  Glasses,  Exhibition  of  Wax  Works, 
Dwurfs  and  Giants,  Vauxhall  Galas  and  Fire-works;  for, 
whatever  else  may  fail,  amusements  and  attractions  for 
sight-seers  never  £ul;  and  Birmingham  has  always  been 
especially  well  catered  for  in  this  respect 


§  5.     MANNEBS,  CUSTOMS,  ETC. 


There  are  only  a  few  quotations  to  be  made  illustrative  of 
the  manners  and  customs  of  this  decade.  Thev  bear  a 
monotonous  resemblance  to  those  of  previous  penods,  and 
some  of  them  afford  examples  of  how  hard  it  is  to  kill  a 
once-established  custom.  For  instance,  ^  Cocking"  was  still 
publicly  advertised: — 

April  6,  1824r-A  Main  4)f  Oocks  will  be  fooffht  between  the 
Oeatlflniea  of  Werwiekehire  .and  Uie  GeaUeiiun  of  Derlmhiie,  Ibr 
£b  a  Battle,  aad  £S00  tiie  odd  s  to  eommeiioe  on  Mondaj,  the  ISUi  of 
April,  uid  oontiaue  the  two  Ibuowisg  dam 

Feeder*— Hinee  for  Warwickihire,  end  Bandall  for  BerbTBhire^ 


Here  is  a  strange  paragraph  to  meet  with.    Was  it  really 
true  that  the  collection  on  tnis  occasion  amounted  to  nilt — 

May  17, 1824.— The  OoUeetioiie  jraeteidaj  in  aid  of  the  Blue  Goat 

it/  Sehool,  ammmted  at  St  liUrttn'a  to  £ a  — d.;  at  8t 

p^  £--  — «.  — d.    Total  oolleeted  at  the  Chaxchee  and  Ghapeb, 

We  still  meet  with  advertisements  of  this  kind : — 

liantiMovT. 
Jvlj  19, 1886.— A  Beepeetafale  Tiadeeman,  30  yean  of  age,  with  a 
good  inoome,  lain  want  Of  a  Wife.  fihemnatnotexoeedSO,  aadif  only 
IS  would  be  preferred.  Hie  objeet  being  to  numy  one  of  pore  heart  and 
nnailpcted  mannen,  the  leea  interooorae  ahe  haa  had  with  ibe  aenion  of 
her  own  eex  the  better.  No  Lady  reaiding  in  Birmiiighain  or  itaenrirone 
need  apdNr,  the  AdTertiaer  harinff  eeen  them  all !  &  hopee  no  ladr  will 
let  her  oimdenee  prevent  appiiiaqon,aa  the  wowe  opinion  dbe  haa  clherw 
aelf  the  more  likely  ahe  ia  to  plaaae  him.  If  oneeanbefoondwhohaaa 
oontempt  of  money,  a  fortone  would  not  be  objectionable,  otherwiee  it 
would.  Lettera  addreaaed  (Poet  paid)  to  Selim,  at  the  Printei^a,  will 
meet  with  reapeetfol  and  honooialue  attention. 

Nor  has  bull-baiting  yet  been  altogether  abolished : — 


528  A  CENTUBY  OF  BIRMIKGHAM  LIFE. 

October  4, 1824.-^Two  more  oonvictioiiB  for  bull-baitingiiaye  recently 
taken  place  in  thk  neighbourhood,  under  the  ''act  to  prevent  cmel  and 
improper  treatment  of  cattle :"  the  first  waa  in  the  case  of  W.  Walker, 
of  Wednesburjr,  carter,  who  was  convicted  in  the  full  penalty  of  five 
potmds  for  baiting  a  bull  at  Wednesburv  wake,  and  in  aefault  of  pay- 
ment he  was  committed  to  Stafford  Qaol  for  one  month ;  the  other  was 
in  the  case  of  T.  Turner,  of  the  same  place,  labourer,  who  was  convicted 
in  the  mitigated  penalty  of  ten  shillrngs  and  coats,  for  being  concerned 
in  the  same  offence. 

October  13, 1828. — ^We  have  pleasure  in  stating  that,  by  the  praise- 
worthy exertion  and  activity  of  Mr.  Haines,  one  S  our  oonstables,  two 
men.  named  Henry  Thomas  and  William  Jones,  were  last  week  appre* 
henaed  in  the  act  of  bull-baiting,  near  to  Little  Hockley  Pool,  and  fined 
in  the  full  penalty  allowed  hj  our  local  act  Mr.  Haines  stated  to  the 
Magistrates  that,  receiving  infoxmation  it  was  intended  to  bait  one 
or  more  bulls  at  Handsworth  wake,  he  proceeded  to  the  above  spot 
between  seven  and  eight  o'clock  in  the  morning,  where  he  found  upwards 
of  a  tiiousand  persons  assembled,  with  a  bull  affixed  to  a  stake :  and  the 
two  prisoners  taking  a  very  lietive  part,  they  were  i^prdiended.  Mr. 
Bpooner  convicted  eiu^  of  tiiem,  under  the  Town  Improvement  Act,  in 
tiSe  penalty  of  five  pounds,  and,  in  default  of  pavment,  an  immediate 
diatresB  was  ordes^  to.be  taken  en  their  goods  and  chattels ;  and  in  the 
event  ti  their  being  defident  to  satisfy  the  order,  the  prisoners  were  to 
be  committed  to  gaol  for  six  weekk  We  have  little  doubt  the  deter- 
mined  steps  now  taking  will  have  the  effect  of  preventing^  within  our  own 
paridi,  the  revival  of  a  practice  so  bratsl,  and  which  we  regret  to  learn 
IS  npon  the  increase  in  some  parts  of  the  neighbouring  district  -  In  the 
adjoining  parish  of  Handsworth,  it  it  is  stated  that  two  or  three  bulls 
were  baited  in  lAie  course  of  Monday,  surrounded  by  immense  assem- 
Ui^^  of  .pei:soos,  in  nninterrupted  enjoyment  of  the  cruel  sport^ 

Tbisis  not  a  bad  example  of  the  advertiBemeiit  matrimo- 

]iial>-^ 

Wavted  ^for  Bhtkr  or  for  Wobsr*— thb  Youvo  Haii's  Bmt 

compavxov. 

September  89, 1828.— The  advertiser  is  a  Widower  la  good  borinesi  on 
his  own  aedoont  and  having  no  Ineumbraaee  or  embarnssmenti^  would 
be  glad  to  obtain  the  above,  if  published  earlier  than  1790^  either  at 
first  or  second-hand,  provided  it  is  in  good  Unding^  and  has  gilt  edges, 
with  the  contents  in  good  kee|Mng. 

Anv  Ladv  having  such  a  treasars  to  dispose  of  will  meet  with  a 
most  devoted,  atteotave^  secret  reader,  by  addressing  a  line  (post  paid) 
&  C  at  the  Printers.  This  is  one  of  the  best  ananged  Matrimonial 
overtores  which  has  for  some  time  been  offered. 

This  was  the  time  of  Burke  and  the  dreaded  Resnr- 

TectLOiiists.    Binninflham  did  not  eseape  either  the  fear  or 

the  crime.    The  foUowing  advertisement  testifies  to  the 

iMAer,  and  our  remembrance  of  the  horriUe  stories  which 

we  then  had  to  listen  to  Touches  for  the  former : — 

Boot  Biolkv. 

December  S9,  ISSa— Whereas,  on  Wednesdaj  nighti  or  eirlj  la 
the  Honing  of  Christmas  Day,  the  Bodjof  an  aged  Female  was  stolen 


REFORM  AGITATION  AND  THE  POLITICAL  UNION.      629 

from  a  Gnive  in  Edgbastou  Charch-yard.  A  reward  of  Tea  Pounds 
will  be  paid  for  each  luformation  as  may  lead  to  the  oonviction  of  the 
ofifeuders,  on  application  to  the  Churchwardens. 

The  following  advertisement  for  a  housekeeper  is  evi- 
dently the  production  of  an  economical  bachelor : — 

To  Respbctablb  Females. 

December  13,  1830. — Wanted  as  Hoosekeeper,  by  a  single  Gentle* 
mail,  (who  ia  not  young  and  resides  in  Birmingnam,)  a  respectable  (not 
age<l)  Female,  without  incumbrance,  who  may  have  a  small  income,  but 
not  a  coibpeteucy.  She  wHl  have  the  advantages  of  a  quiet  and 
ct»iiifortable  life,  and  the  opportunity  of  being  instructed  in  the  most 
useful  branches  of  a  liberal  education.  Application,  by  letter  only, 
(post  paid,}  with  real  name,  stating  residence  and  other  particulars,  to 
be  made  to  C.  A.  M.  £.»  at  Mr.  Abbotts  Hegister  Office,  49,  New 
Street. 

M.R — ^Any  Lady  keeping  a  servant  and  preferring  the  social  life  to 
the  solitary,  may  appl^,  i^  be  sure  not  to  be  disappointed.  The 
Btrietest  secrecy  of  coarse  will  be  kept. 


THE   Ri«:FOBM  AGITATION  AND  THE  POLITICAL   UNION. 


Birmingham  was  now  about  to  take  that  position  in 
the  Kingdom  to  which  the  wealth,  the  industiy,  the  intel- 
ligence and  the  number  of  her  inhabitants  fuUy  entitled 
her.  During  this  decade,  the  great  Political  Union  was 
organised,  and  this  great  town  became  the  centre  of  one  of 
the  most  im^rtant  and  successful  political  a^tations 
recorded  in  history.  Literally,  the  eyes  of  the  kingdom 
were  directed  to  Birmingham,  and  the  labours  of  the  leaders 
in  that  great  movement  were  marked  by  a  sense  of  their 
responsibility,  which  produced  a  wonderful  effect  upon  the 
councils  of  the  nation.  With  the  motto  of  Peace,  Law,  and 
Order  as  the  guiding  principle  of  action,  tiie  Union  inarched 
on  step  by  step,  until  it  obtained  a  victory  almost  unex- 
amplea  in  the  annab  of  the  country.  The  storv  of  this 
battle  of  peace  is  full  of  interest  to  all  thinking  men, 
and  the  local  annalist  will  be  pardoned  for  dwelling  some- 
what minutely  upon  the  details  of  a  movement^  the  triumph 
of  which  forms  an  epoch  in  the  history  of  England. 

Qeorge  Edmonds  was  one  of  the  men  who  were  impri- 
soned for  the  part  they  took  in  the  Newhall  Hill  Meeting  of 
1819,  and  upon  his  release  from  jail  he  published  the 

following  cunous  advertisement : — 

u  mc 


530  A  CENTUllY   OF  BIRMINGHAM   LIFE, 

Jul^7,'1823. — George  Edmonds  begs  to  infonn  his  Friends^  Lis 
Enem%€»y  and  the  Publie  that,  on  leaving  Warwick  Jail,  he  reoommenced 
his  profession  of  a  Schoolmaster ;  that  by  the  seal  of  his  Patrons  he 
has  succeeded  beyond  his  most  sanguine  expectations ;  that  he  has  taken 
for  a  period  of  seven  years  those  extensive  premises  opposite  Bond-street 
Chiipel ;  and  that  the  school  re-opened  on  Monday  last.  - 

The  Public  are  respectfully  reterred  by  Q.  £.  to  his  JSnemisij  as  the 
Judges  of  his  capacify  to  Htutruct  and  corr«c^  or  to  those  his  friends 
who  may  be  found  among  the  Magistrates,  Cleigy,  Ebc-Hifh  l^liiEsy 
QuardianSy  Overseers,  Lawyers.  &c.,  &c.,  who  will  no  doubt  oe  clad  to 
show  their  gratitude  to  an  old  acquaintance.  To  his  enemiei,  if  it  be 
possible  that  he  can  have  any,  G.  £.  offers  the  most  entire  absolution  for 
their  sins  against  the  best  of  fnen^  on  the  following;  most  reasonable 
terms : — That  they  henceforth  zealously  trumpet  fortn  his  merits ;  and 
on  his  part  fhow  kind!)  he  agrees  to  receive  their  children  at  his 
Academy  as  nostages  for  the  performance  of  these  conditions. — Quid 
ridesf 

Bond-street,  July  2, 1823. 

On  Jul V  14,  a  dinner  wbs  given  to  Henry  Hunt  ^7  the 
<«  Birmingham  Union  Society  of  Radical  Reformers."  There 
was  a  procession  through  the  streets,  led  by  a  band  of  musia 
The  dinner  was  given  at  the  Tennis  C!ourt,  and  the  chair,  was 
occupied  by  Mr.  Edmonds,  and  ICessra  Ragg,  Russell,  and 
Brandis  took  part  in  the  proceedings. 

In  1827«  Mr.  Tennyson  introduced  his  motion  to  transfer 
the  representation  of  East  Redford  to  Birmingham ;  and  a 
meeting  was  held  in  support  of  the  proposal : — 

y       •  -    BSPRXSKMTATIOH  OV  BlKlflirQBAM. 

'    June  'S5y  1827. — ^The  pahUc  meeting  on  FridaTy  oonTened  by  the  High 
*''^  to  take  into  ooosideratioii  the  dlU  introduced  into  the  House  of 


Common^  to  enable  this  toiwn  to  rstum  Bepwsentativee  to  Fuiiament^ 
was  so  numerously  attended,  that  numbers  were  unable  to  obtain  ad- 
miision  to  the  Public  Office,  and  an  adjonnunent  to  some  laiger  place 
became  neoesmy.  As  soon,  therefore,  as  the  chair  had  been  tidcen,  an 
adjoarnment  was  moved  and  eanied.'  Connderable  difficulty  at  first 
fmaeoted  itoelf,]]i  oonaeqiieiioe  of  its  bemff  vndentood  that  the  Beposi« 
tory  bdooffing  to  Mr.  Beardsworth  oould  not,  on  account  of  tiie  indis- 
position of  some  part  of  his  family,  be  obtained;  the  meeting  was 
however  at  length  relieved  bv  aa  intimatioii  that  it  might  be  had  for  the 
purpose,  and  those  ■snembled  forthwith  adjourned  there.  Upon  reach- 
ing the  Eepositoij,  the  High  BailiiraDd  principal  speaken  took  their 
stmons  in  trout  of  one  of  the  gaUeriea,  and  the  prooseainos  immediately 
commenoed.  The  first  resolution  wm  moved  oy  Mr.  ^miothy  Smith, 
who  ooQgratnlated  the  meeting  on  the  prospect  which  had  unexpectedly 
been  opened  to  it  He  conlq  not  but  rejoice  at  the  mode  wnidi  the 
leffislaftare  appeared  disposed  to  adopt  for  extending  the  elective  franchise 
to  Uirfge  oQOUMraal  towns;  it  was  moat  accordant  with  constitutional 
principlesi  and  ha  trosted  the  meeting  would  be  unanimous  in  petitioning 
that  so  valuable  a  privilege  might  be  granted  them ;  it  was  a  boon  of 
cuUted  to  confer  most  important  benrats  on  the  town,  and  he  hoped  it 
wmild  not  only  be  received  with  thankfulness,  Init  also  as  a  sacred  trust 
to  lie  exercised  with  the  soundest  discivtiou,  and  for  the  best  interests 


\ 


REFORM  AGITATION   AND  THE  POLITICAL   UNION.      531 

of  the  oountiy  at  lai^  The  resolution  was  briefly  seconded  hy  Mr. 
Scholefield,  and  earned  amidst  loud  cheers.  In  proposing  the  second 
and  third  resolutions,  Mr.  T.  Attwood  said,  that  aa  Parliament  had  held 
out  the  hand  of  favour  to  us,  he  hoped  the  town  would  be  content  to 
receive  the  boon  which  it  appeared  willing  to  five,  and  not  lose  the 
privilege  itself  by  contending  for  minor  points.  If  the  dective  franchise 
were  conferred  upon  the  town,  he  tnistea  that,  under  the  sanction  of  the 
legislature,  a  system  of  election  would  be  organised  which  would  do  credit 
to  the  place,  and  afford  an  example  to  other  populous  towns  ;  for  if  the 
distribution  of  the  privilege  acted  well  in  thui  first  lam  town  likely  to 
receive  it,  it  would  establish  a  great  principle  with  Parliament,  and 
induce  it  to  follow  up  the  course  it  had  oegan,  by  calling  in  other  towns 
to  the  exercise  of  the  same  constitutional  privilege.  He  should  be  glad 
if  the  whole  population  were  permitted  to  vote,  and,  if  they  could, 
be  enabled,  to  record  their  votes  in  one  day.  llie  fourth  resolution, 
expressing  the  reliance  of  the  meeting  on  the  wisdom  of  the  legislature 
to  make  such  regulations  as  would  prevent  expense  and  tumult  at  the 
elections,  was  proposed  -by  Mr.  NichoUs,  who  said  that  he  felt  no 
apprehension  ot  tumult,  n)r,  notwithstanding  his  short  residence  in 
Birmingham,  he  had  alread^  met  with  too  much  sood  sense  and  solid 
principfe  to  make  him  anticipate  disorder  on  such  an  occasion.  The 
petition,  as  usual  an  echo  of  the  resolutions,  was  introduced  and  read 
to  the  meeting  by  Bichard  Spooner,  Esq.,  who  afterwards  moved  a  vote 
of  thanks  to  our  worthy  County  Members,  and  in  doing  so,  he  pnancd 
a  high  and  just  eulogium  on  the  zeal  and  ability  with  which  thev  had 
ever  acted  m  support  of  the  beet  interests  of  the  town.  The  toanks 
of  the  meeting  were  also  voted  to  Mr.  Tennvaon,  for  having  selected 
Birmingham  an  the  most  proper  place  on  which  to  confer  the  advantage 
of  representation.  In  movinff  and  seconding  the  remaining  resolutions, 
sevenl  other  gentlemen  addressed  the  miwting.  Thanks  were  then 
voted  to  the  chairman,  and  the  assembly  broke  up.  The  meeting 
having  properly  confined  itself  to-  a  waim  and  unanimous  expression 
of  its  willingness  to  accept  whatever  elective  privilege  the  Legislature 
may  see  fit  to  confer  upon  the  town,  the  question  now  remains  for  the 
future  consideration  of  Parliament.  The  Petitions,  wluch  we  under- 
stand in  the  course  of  Saturday  received  nearly  four  thousand  signatures, 
have  been  forwarded  to  town  for  presentation. 

The  motion  was  lost ;  but  it  waa  renewed  again  in  1828 ; 

and  on  July  11,  the  OazetU  published  a  verbatim  copy  of  the 

Birmingham  Election  Bill,  with  the  following  comments : — 

The  Committee  appointed  at  the  town's  meeting,  in  Jane  last,  to 
ooofer  witli  Mr.  TcDiiyson,  the  Honourable  Member  who  so  kindly 
volauteered  his  aerrices  on  behalf  of  the  town,  deserve  our  ooniial 
tliauks  for  taking  this  early  opportuntty  of  laying  the  bill  before 
the  iuhabitauts.  It  will  be  observed,  that  th«  £leetive  Franchise 
is  pro|xMed  to  be  given  to  all  householaers  rending  within  the  Manor 
of  Biruiiogham,  (ooroprisinff  the  mrish  of  Birmiogham  and  the  Hamlet 
of  Deritend  Proper,  the  bonnaaries  of  which  are  well  known  and 
de6ued,)  who  shail  have  been  duly  assessed  in  their  own  names  to  the 
poor  rates  and  other  local  charges,  and  who  shall  have  regularly  pni*! 
the  same,  and  resided  within  the  manor  three  years  prior  to  ilic  writ  of 
election ;  this  rale  does  not^  however,  and  cannot  apply  to  the  first 
election,  respecting  which  there  is  a  spedal  provision.    To  the  elective 


/ 


532  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

franchise  thus  oonferred,  little  if  any  objection  can  be  uTgdd ;  for  while 
evory  oooatitutional  privilege  is  preserved,  and  the  means  by  which 
ench  resident  householder  may  be  entitled  to  the  privilege  are  within 
his  power,  the  inconvenience  of  too  great  a  number  of  voters  is  pre* 
vented  by  the  necessity  of  three  yeajrs*  residence,  and  the  due  and 
regular  payment  of  all  parochial  rates  and  charges.  By  far  the  most 
important  view,  however,  that  can  be  taken  of  the  measurcL  is  the 
p-  ^  relief  which  the  town  will  experience  in  the  reduction  of  the  poor 
^  rates.      Hundreds,  who   are  now  obtaining   parish   relief^  will,  by 

strenuous  exertions,  obtain  and  preserve  the  valuable  privilege  of  the 
elective  finnchise,  and  will  thus  contribute  to  increase  that  fimd  which 
they  are  now  diminishiDg.  This  will  act  in  a  double  ratio,  by  decreasinfl^ 
the  number  of  paupers  and  increasing  the  number  of  payers,  and 
consequently  materially  reduce  the  amount  to  be  paid  by  eveiy  indi- 
▼idual  householder  in  the  town. 

From  the  returns  about  to  be  made  to  the  House  of  Oommons,  We 
understand  that  no  more  than  three  or  four  thousand  persons  will,  at 
the  utmost^  be  entitled  to  the  right  of  voting,  and  that  the  election, 
from  the  sre^t  facilities  which  are  to  be  given  to  voters  at  different 
boothi^  wifi  not  last  longer  than  two  dam  The  knowledge  of  tiiis 
fiurt  will  give  great  satiafaction  to  many  of  the  inhabitants^  who  would 
naturally  drei^  a  prolouffed  and  tnmiutaons  election,  and  mcliiie  them 
to  give  their  support  to  the  measure. 

An  invitation  'was  given  in  April/ 1828,  to  Mr.  Charles 
Tennyson,  to  attend  a  puUic  dinner,  bat  he  was  unable  to 
accept  it 

On  April  8,  1829,  a  town's  meeting  was  held,  on  the 
'  dktressed  fttate  of  the  oountiy* 

Towv's  MBBniro.^Dt8rRBBBBD  Statb  07  THB  Commr. 

May  11, 1889.— A  Town's  Meeting  was  held  on  Friday  last,  ponoant 
to  adnrUsement^  at  the  Pnblie-offioe^  Birmingham,  and  bjr  adjonni- 
nient  at  Beardsworth's  Bepoaitoiy,  for  the  purpose  of  eoosidflring  the 
pmprietj  of  petitioning  Parliament  on  the  praent  diatnMsad  state  of 
the  coon  try*  ^ 

The  Hiffh  Bailiff,  on  Uking  the  dudr,  saTd,  he  hoped  that  good 
temper  aad  orderly  behaviour  would,  diaracterise  the  proeeedings  ol 
the  day ;  and  aa  it  was  posrible  that  a  diverritv  of  opinion  might  exisL 
he  tnwted  that  every  one  who  ehoae  to  address  the  meotiiig  woold 
meet  with  that  fidr  and  oandid  hearing  whidi  tfwmj  individiial,  as 
an  inhabitant  of  the  town,  had  a  rif^t  to  expect 

Thomas  Attwood,  Esq.,  first  aadreased  the  meetings  observing: — 
'^  It  is  not  often  that  I  have  obtmded  mvielf  on  your  attentioii,  and  I 
should  not  have  done  so  now  but  for  the  overwhdming  sense  of  duty 
which  I  fed  to  do  all  in  my  power  to  relieve  the  present  disfnas  sad 
to  ward  off  that  far  greater  distress  which  I  modi  lear  is  mmiuung. 
I  have  paid  great  attention  to  the  causes  of  this  diatrew  nr  the  last 
twentyyears.  I  have  paid  a  fitr  greater  attention  to  it  than  to  any  other 
public  saljeeti  eonaidering  that  it  was  a  question  of  Uie  highest 
importanoa  in  eomparison  with  whidi  Bsriiamentaiy  Beform  itself  Is 
interior.  Although  a  radical  reformer,!  want  to  see  prosperity  in  the 
eountrr,  in  order  that  we  may  have  good  ground  under  our  mt|  and 
r  then  1  will  go  hand  in  hand  with  my  townsmen,  if  they  please,  in 
\     endeavouring  to  obtain  a  radical  reform." 


k 


REFORM  AGITATION  AND  Tfi?  POLITICAL  UNION.      533 

This  meeting  onmnated  with  Mr.  Attwood,  and  a  full 
report  of  his  speech,  "revised  and  corrected  by  himself/' 
was  published.  On  the  1 4th  of  December,  1829/' when,"  says 
Mr.  James  Jaffray,  "hundreds  of  the  inhabitants  were 
shivering  by  their  cold  firesidps,  Mr.  Attwood,  with  Mr. 
Scholefield  and  fourteen  other  gentlemen,  met  at  the  Royal 
Hotel  They  were  called  together  by  a  circular,  'signed 
by  six  tradesmen.'  This  little  meeting  then  founded  '  The 
Political  Union  for  the  Protection  of  Public  Righta'  They 
adjourned  till  the  Monday  following,.when  they  met  at  the 
Globe  (now  the  Clarendon,)  Temple  Street  Mr.  Attwood 
again  presided;  and  he,  in  conjunction  with  Mr.  Charles 
Jones  and  Mr.  T.  C.  Salt,  submitted  the  rules  of  the  Union. 
They  were  adopted  and  signed  by  twenty-^ight  persons; 
and  it  was  resolved  that  they  should  be  submitted  for  the 
approbation  of  the  peopla*** 

The  newly  organised  Union  at  once  commenced  to  act 
upon  public  opinion.  A  requisition  was  drawn  up,  signed 
by  over  200  of  the  inhabitants,  and  presented  io  Mr. 
William  Chance,  the  High  Bailiff  of  the  year.  The  follow- 
ing is  a  copy  of  this  requisition,  to  which  the  Oazette  makes 
this  reference : — 

'  Jantiarj  18,  1830. — ^A  requiaition  appesri  in  oar  paper  oi  Mm  day, 
calling  npoQ  the  High  Bailiff  to  convone  a  maeting  of  the  inhabitants 
of  tlio  town  Ibr  the  pnrpoae  of  fonoing  *a  Genml  Politioal  Unioa 
between  the  lower  and  middle  elawiM  of  tha  paopIV'  for  the  promotion 
of  ^an  effeetoal  Reform  in  Farliamant,  and  the  redreas  of  pablio 
wrongs  and  griavanoea."  The  Hij^  Bailiff  liaa  declined  oompljing 
with  the  TMoeat,  oonnidaring  it  to  be  no  part  of  hia  doty  to  eall  a 
meeting  of  toe  inhabitanta  for  aneh  a  pnrpoae ;  and  in  liia  opinion  we 
are  aatiafied  he  oarriea  with  him  the  great  majority  of  tlie  reapaetable 
and  refl6etin£[  purt  of  liii  fellow  townamen.  In  conaeqnenee  of  thia 
rdoaal,  the  original  prqjecton  of  the  plan  have  aaeociateif  othan  of  the 
reqoiaitioniaii  with  them,  and  have  themaelTaa  eonyaned  tha  meeting 
for  Monday  nezt^  at  Mr.  Baardaworth*a  Bepoaitorj.  We  nndaratand 
that  the  ptopoaed  '^ Unioa'*  ia  iniendad  to  be  gOTerued  by  a  **  politioal 
eoandl,''  and  that  tha  madiinery  and  maaoa  of  aapnort  are  to  be 
aaaimiUted  to  the  Ute  CSatholio  Aaaooiatioo.  Thai  iU  chief  objeetia  the 
extenaion  of  the  well-known  viewa  and  o|^iniona  of  tlie  gentleman  whoae 
name  appaan  at  the  head  of  the  reqoiaitioo  Uiere  can  be  no  doabt. 

Birmingbamy  Janoaiy  6, 189a 
To  TBI  BEiofl  BaiuvF  or  tbb  Towv  or  BiSMivoHAii. 

BhTy  We^  the  onderaigiied,  being  of  opinion  that  tha  Qeaend  Diatreai 
which  now  afflicta  the  eoantty,  and  wbieh  baa  been  ao  aaverelj  felt  at 
mtmd  perioda  daring  the  laat  fifteen  yearai  ia  entirely  to  be  aneribed 
to  the  groaa  miamanagement  of  pablic  afGun^  and  that  aadi  miamanage- 

*  Hinta  for  a  Histoiy  of  Birmingham.    Bjr  James  Jaflrajr.    1857. 


534  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMIXQHAM  LIFE. 

ment  caD  odIj  be  effieotnally  and  permnnently  remedied  by  an  effectoal 
reform  in  the  Commoua  House  of  Parliament;  and  being  alao  of 
opinion  that,  for  tlie  legal  aooompliahment  of  this  great  object,  and  for 
the  farther  redrewi  of  public  wrongs  and  grievances,  it  is  expedient  to 
form  a  General  Political  Union,  between  tne  lower  and  middle  classes 
of  the  people,  do  requeet  that  yon  will  call  a  Meeting  of  the 
Merchants,  Manafactarera,  lYadesmen',  Mechanics,  Artisans,  and  other 
Inhabitants  of  the  town  of  Birmingham,  for  the  purpose  of  taking 
these  important  subjects  into  consideratioa,  and  of  adopting  such 
farther  measares  as,  under  the  prejeut  circamstauces  of  the  country, 
may  be  deemed  expedient : 

Thomas  Attwood  Thomas  Shorthoose     ' 

Joshua  Scholefield  Samuel  Badger,  jun. 

G.  F.  Mnuts  Thomas  Chambers 

John  Betts  Thomas  Haghes. 

The  reply  of  the.  High  Bailitf  and  the  notice  of  the  pro- 
moters oi  the  Union  calling  the  meeting  were  published 
under  each  other^  on  January  18 : — 

To  the  OenUemen  wAa  Siffnsd  the  R^quuUioH  to  tke  Bigh  BaStif, 

JtMOBXj  18, 18aa — I  regret  that  I  should  feel  it  necessary  to  refosa 
the  request  of  any  of  my  respectable  townsmen,  but  one  of  the  objects 
oontemplated  by  the  requisttionista  being  the  formation  of  a  Genend 
Political  Union,  I  cannot  yiew  it  as  any  part  of  my  duty  to  call 
a  Meeting  of  the  Inhabitants  of  the  town  for  a  purpose  of  this 
kind. 

...         ft  .   WiLUAM  Chavcs^  High  BailiC 

*  Biimingfasmy  Jairasiy  14, 183a<^Ths  Hl^h  Bsiliir  hsTiog  fslosed  to 
esU  a  Meeting  frarsosnt  to  ibs  sfaore  BeaulsitioQ,  w%  the  udsnigMd, 
do  tiereby  rsqusst  a  Meeting  of  the  Merenants^  MaDa&etorst%  TMIss* 
men,  Mebhanica  Artisans,  sad  other  Inhabitsats  of  the  town  of 
Birmiuffham,  to  oe  held  st  Mr.  Bssrdsworth's  BeposiCory,  on  Monday, 
the  S6&  instant  at  ten  sTclook  in  the  forenoon  precisely,  for  the 
purpose  contempiatsd  In  the  abore  Bequidtion : 

Thomas  Attwood  Oharlss  Orslton 

Joshua  Sdiolefield  John  fietts 

Q.  F.  Munts  .  Edward  Hobson 
Wlllism  Shorthoose  John  Lawrsnes 

John  Slatsr  Oharies  Jones 

William  Martin  Boijamin  Hadl^. 

The  meeting  was  held;  and  on  the  25th  of  JannaiT, 

1830,  aome  15,000  peisons   assembled   in  Beardswortas 

Bepositoiy.    Mr.  G.  T.  Hunts  was  in  the  Chair,  and  Mr. 

Attwood  explained  the  pnrpoees  and  olgects  for  which 

the  Union  had  been  fonned.     The  following  is  a  aommaiy 

of  them  >— ' 

1st  To  obtain  by  ererr  Jvst  sad  l^gsl  mesas  sodi  a  Befoim  in  the 
Onnmons  House  of  Fiuhament  as  mair  ensure  a  real  and  eflhetosl  Be* 
prasentation  of  the  Lower  and  Middle  Cksses  of  the  People  in  the 
Uoose. 


REFORM  AGITATION  AND  THE   POLITICAL   UXIOX.      535 

2nd.  To  enquire,  consult,  conBider,  and  detennme  respecting  the 
rights  and  liberties  of  the  industrious  classes,  and  respecting  the  legal 
means  of  securing  those  which  remain,  and  recovering  those  which  are 
lost. 

3rd.  To  j>repare  petitions,  addresses  and  remonstrances  to  the  Grown 
and  the  Le^slative  JBodies,  respecting  the  preservation  and  restoration 
of  Public  Kiffhts,  and  respectmg  the  repeal  of  bad  laws  and  of  enact- 
ment of  ffood  laws. 

4th.  To  prevent  and  redress  as  far  as  practicable  all  Local  Public 
Wrongs  ana  Oppressions,  and  iJl  Local  Encroachments  upon  the  rights, 
interests  and  privileges  of  the  communitv. 

5th.  To  obtain  the  repeal  of  the  Malt  and  the  Beer  Taxes ;  and  in 
{general  to  obtain  an  alteration  in  the  system  of  taxation,  so  as  to  cause 
it  to  press  less  severelj  upon  the  industrious  classes  of  the  community, 
and  more  equally  upon  the  wealthy  classes. 

6th.  To  obtain  the  reduction  of  each  separate  Tax  and  expense  of  the 
Government  In  the  same  degree  as  the  legislative  increase  m  the  value   J 
of  money  has  increased  ^eir  respective  values,  and  has  reduced  and  is 
reducinfthe  general  prices  of  labour  throughout  the  oountrv. 

7th.  To  promote  peace,  union  and  concord  among  all  classes  of  his 
Majesty's  subjects ;  and  to  guide  and  direct  the  public  mind  into  uniform, 
peaceful  and  legitimate  operations^  instead  ox  leaving  it  to  waste  its 
strength  in  loose,  desultoxy^  nngolded,  unassiBted,  and  uncontrolled 
efforts. 

8th.  To  collect  and  oi^ganise  the  peaceful  expression  of  the  Public 
Opinion,  so  as  to  bring  it  to  act  upon  the  legislative  functions  in  a  just, 
legaL  and  effectual  way. 

9uL  To  influence,  l^  evwy  l^gal  means,  the  elections  of  members  ol 
Parliament^  so  as  to  promote  the  retnm  of  upright  and  capable  Bspre- 
•entatives  of  the  People. 

iOth.  To  adopt  nch  measures  as  may  be  legal  and  neoeanry  for  the 
purpose  of  obtaining  an  effectual  Parliamentary  investigation  into 
the  sitaation  ol  the  country,  and  into  the  cause  of  its  embarrassment 
and  difficulties;  witii  a  view  of  relieving  the  Kational  Distress, 
of  rendering  justice  to  the  injured  aa  iar  as  practicable,  and  to  brinff  to 
trial  any  iftmbers  of  eitiier  House  of  Parliunent  who  may  be  found  to 
have  atied  from  criminal  or  oormpt  motives. 

The  duties  of  members  were : — 

Ist  To  be  good,  fidthfiil,  and  1<^  sabjects  of  the  King. 

2nd.  To  obey  the  Laws  of  the  Land  ;  and  where  they  cease  to  protect 
the  Bights.  Liberties^  and  Interests  of  the  Community,  to  endeavour  to 
get  than  aumged  l^  just,  I^gal,  and  peaceful  means  only. 

3rd.  To  present  themselves  at  all  general  meetings  of  the  Political 
Union  as  fiur  as  they  eonvenienUv  can ;  to  conduct  themselves  peaceably 
and  legally  at  aodi  meetingi^  and  to  depart  to  their  respective  nomes  as 
MMm  as  Uie  <ihairman  shall  leave  the  chair. 

4th.  To  ebooaa  only  jnst^  npriffht  and  able  men  as  Members  ol  the 
Politieal  Oooneil,  and  to  dismiss  t&em,  and  to  elect  others  in  their  stead, 
whenever  they  shall  cease  to  watch  over  and  defend  the  Bjgl^ts,  Liber- 
ties, and  Interests  of  tiie  Lower  and  Middle  Classes  of  the  People. 

6th.  To  obey  strictly  all  the  just  and  legal  directions  of  the  Political 
Cooncil  so  soon  as  they  shall  be  made  public,  and  so  fiir  as  they  can 
legally  and  oonvenientiy  be  obeyed. 


536  A  CENTURT  OF  BIBMIKGHAH  LIFE. 

6th.  To  bear  iir  mind  that  the  strength  of  oar  society  consists  in  the 
Peace,  Order,  Unit:^,  and  JjepWtj  of  onr  proceedings ;  and  to  consider 
all  persons  as  enemies  who  shall  in  any  way  invite  or  promote  yiolenee, 
discord,  or  division,  or  any  ill^;al  or  donbtfol  measures. 

7th.  Never  to  foiget  that  b^  the  exercise  of  the  above  qualities  we 
shall  prodace  the  peaceful  display  of  an  immense  oigantsed  moral  power, 
wliich  cannot  be  despised  or  disregarded ;  but  that  if  we  do  not  keep 
clear  of  the  innomerable  and  intricate  laws  which  surround  us,  the 
lawyer  and  the  soldier  will  probably  break  in  upon  us  and  render  all  our 
exertions  vain. 

The  following  are  the  names  of  the  thirty-(dx  gentlemen 

who  first  signed  the  Declaration  of  the  Union  : — 

Thomas  Attwood  Matthew  Dixon  James  Claridge 

Joshua  Seholefield  Joseph  Boddington  T.  W.  Evans 

O.  F.  Munts  Henry  Knight  William  Beach 

Edward  Hobson  John  Tyer  T.  K  Oram 

John  Lawrence  William  Paie  John  Allday 

Charles  Jones  Joeeph  Hadley  Samuel  Allen,  sen. 

John  Slater  Joeeph  BusseU  Bobert  Oottrill 

.  Beigamin  Hadley  Urban  Lnckcock  William  Btrken 

■'  Thomas  Todd  Thomas  Shorthouse  D.  &  Smith 

'  Feliz  Lodkoobk  Qeom  Edmonds  John  Wlnfield 

JohnBetto  JosiA  Eames  T.  C.  Salt 

C9iarles  QraftoQ  CW.  Firehild  Thomas  Ptoson%  jun. 

The  following  is  the  official  report  of  the  meeting : — 

BiRMivoBAM  Towh's  Mismro. 

Flebmaiy  1, 1890.— At  a  most  numerous  and  respectable  Meeting  of 
the  Merdiants,  Manufiustnren,  Tradesmen,  Mechanics^  Artisans,  and 
other  Inhabitants  of  the  town  of  Birmin^iam,  held  at  Mr.  Beards- 
worth's  Kepositoiy,  on  Monday 'morning,  the  SUMh  of  January,  1890, 
ihe  fdUowiagBesolutioDS  were  entered  into.  Q^orgt  Frederick  Munts, 
Esq.,  in  the  Chair. 

Resolved  unanimously^ — 

L— niat  the  ruinous  depression  of  the  trade  of  the  town  of  Bir- 
mingham has  been  progresrively  incrsssing  for  the  last  four  years,  and 
has  now  arrived  at  an  extent  never  before  equalled ;  and  when  we  look 
around  ua  and  see  that  all  the  great  prodnotivs  interests  of  the  nation 
are  sufrermgy  and  have  been  soSerinff  equally  with  ourselves^  we  are 
eonviaoed  that  the  liopes  of  ameUoratoi,  whidi  have  been  so  loog  and 
so  finequentlv  held  ou^  are  altogether  fidladous  and  delusive. 

Beeofved  by  a  majority  of  at  least  one  thousand  and  one,— 

i,— That  in  the  opinion  of  this  Meetings  the  general  distress  wliieh 
now  siHicts  the  eonntiy,  and  whidi  has  been  so  severely  ftlt  at  dilforeni 
periods  during  the  last  fifteen  yssrs,  is  enUrely  to  be  ascribed  to  the 
j^rosB  mismanagement  of  public  affidrs ;  and  tliat  such  mismaaamneDt 
ean  only  be  effectually  and  permanently  remedied  bv  an  efiectaal 
Beform  in  the  Oommons  House  of  Plwlianient ;  and  this  mseting  is 
also  of  opinion  that  for  the  legal  aeeompUshment  of  this  great  omeet, 
and  for  the  ftirCher  redress  of  public  wroofli  and  griewicss^  ft  is 
expedient  to  form  a  general  Political  Union  botween  the  lower  and 
middle  classes  of  the  people  of  this  town. 

The  pUn  of  a  Political  Union  between  the  lower  and  middle  dssses 
of  the  people  in  this  town,  for  the  protection  d  paWfO  rights^  with  a 


R£F0E1(  AGITATION  AND  THE  POUTICAL  UNION.      537 

Political  Council  attached  to  it,  having  heen  read  to  this  Meeting,  and 
the  same  having  been  duly  considered— 

Besolveif,  with  one  dissentient  only, — 

3. — ^That  it  be  approved,  adopted,  ratified,  and  confirmed  as  the  act 
of  the  town  of  Birmingham. 

Besolved  unanimonslv, — 

4. — That  the  thirty-six  Gentlemen  who  have  brought  forward  the 
plan,  and  whose  names  are  afiixed  to  it,  be  appointed  the  Political 
Conucil  for  the  year  ending  the  first  Monday  in  Jnly,  1830,  and  tliat 
after  that  day,  the  Council  shall  be  elected  by  the  members  of  the 
Union,  agreeably  to  the  rules  and  regulations. 

6. — ^That  Mr.  William  Shorthouse  and  Mr.  William  Martin  be 
appointed  Auditors  of  the  Political  Union. 

6  — ^That  Mr.  Richard  Botton  be  appointed  Treasurer. 

7. — ^That  this  Meeting  pledges  itself  collectively  and  individually, 
to  support  the  objects  of  the  Political  Union,  by  every  just,  legal,  and 
peaceful  means. 

8. — ^Tbat  we  recommend  to  all  our  fellow  townsmen  to  subscribe  to 
the  funds  of  the  Political  Union,  so  fiw  as  they  can  oonvenientlv  afford, 
and  to  obey  all  the  just  and  le^  direetious  of  the  Council,  so  far 
as  they  can  be  lesally  and  oonvemently  obeyed. 

9. — ^That  thisMeetingcannot  separate  without  declaring  its  opinion 
that  the  conduct  of  the  Mich  Bailiff  in  rejecting  the  reauiaition  of  so 
respectable  a  body  of  his  feUow  townsmen,  was  highly  unbeooming  and 
censurable,  inasmuch,  as  he  ooght  to  have  oonsidered  that  it  was 
his  duty  to  comply  with  the  wishes  of  two  hundred  individuals^  equally 
capable  of  exercising  a  4onnd  Judgment  as  himselt    . 

10.— That  the  Petition  now  read  to  this  Meeting  be  adopted,  as  the 
petition  of  the  inhabitants  of  Birmingham^  snlgect  to  such  altmtiona. 
as  the  Political  Council  may  direct 

11.— That  the  eordial  thanks  of  this  Meeting  be  given  to  Mr. 
Beardsworth,  to  his  generoos  and  pnblio-spirited  conduct  in  allowing 
them  the  use  of  his  warm  and  eomfdirtable  Beposltory. 

G.  F*  MuiniL  Chairman. 

Mr.  Mnntz  having  left  the  Chair,  and  Mr.  Attwooa  having  been 
called  to  it— Besolved  by  acclamation,— That  the  thanks  of  this 
Meetiuff  be  ffiven  to  the  Chairman,  for  the  able  and  impartial  manner 
in  whi<»  be  nas  condactad  the  bnnness  of  the  day. 

Thoxas  Attwood. 

Another  great  and  enthusiastic  Meeting  was  held  on  the 
17ihof  May:—  . 

May  8A  1830.— Porsuant  to  orders  issued  by  ''the  CkmneQ,"  the 
members  of  the  Political  Union  asMmbled  in  8t  Philip's  Church^wd  at 
an  early  boor  on  Monday  morning  last,  an^  decorated  with  medals  and 
preceded  by  a  band  of  music,  thejr  walked  m  procession  to  Mr.  Beards- 
worth's  Bffpository,  headed  bv  Mr.  AUwood,  Mr.  Scholefield,  and  Mr. 
Munts.  As  ereiy  effort  baa  been  made  to  effect  the  greatest  possible 
display,  an  immfmse  number  of  persons  collected  in  the  streets  throoflfa 
which  the  procession  passed,  and  on  its  arrival  every  comer  of  Blr. 
Beardswortn's  siMcious  premises  was  qpeedily  occupied,  numbers  unable 
to  obtain  admission  remaining  on  the  outside.  The  chair  was  tiken  by 
Mr.  Munts,  and  the  passing  ol  the  report  and  resolutions,  aooomuauied 
by  speeches  from  the  pronunent  members  of  the  oonndl,  was  followed 


538  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

by  the  presentation  and  investment  of  Mr.  Attwood  with  k  gold  inedaL 
The  proceedings  terminated  about  four  o'clock,  and  the  crowd  quietly 
separated.  It  is  computed  that  at  one  time  considerably  above  twenty 
thousand  persons  were  oongregaAed  in,  and  around,  Mr.  B^u:dsworth% 
building. 

At  this  meeting  the  medal  to  be  worn  by  the  members  of 
the  Union  was  approved.     It  was  resolved : — 

^That  the  following  medal  be  adopted  as  the  badge  of  the  Union 
attached  to  a  ribbon,  on  which  is  enwoven  the  red  cnws  of  St.  George, 
quartered  by  that  of  St  Andrew,  commonly  called  the  Union  Jack ;  a 
standard  that  has  nobly  sunported  the  national  honour  in  foreign  dimes, 
and  which,  we  trust,  will  oe  efficacious  in  the  great  moral  contest  for 
recovering  the  national  liberty  at  home. 

^Obvme  of  the  medal — the  British  lion  rousing  himself  from 
■lumber;  legend  above,  'The  safety  of  the  King  and  of  the  People'; 
legend  below,  'Tbe  Constitution,  nothing  less,  nothing  more.'    Beverse 


of  the  medal— the  Boyal  crown  of  Epgland,  irradiated ;  immediately 

a  seroU,  the  wtntis  'Unity,  lAhertj^  Prosperity^; 
legend^above,_'Ood  save  the  Kinff ';  legend  below,  'Binniiigfaam  Poll- 


beneath  the  crown,  on 


tical  Union,  25th  January,  1830.' 

In  July  Sir  Prancis  Burdett  visited  the  town  and  was 
entertained  at  a  public  dinner : — 

August  S;  1890^— Sir  Frucis  Burdett  presided  at  a  meet^g  of  the 
<«Binmnflfaam  Politiad  Union,''  held  at  Mr.  Beardsworth's  Bepoeitory, 
on  Monaay  last^  and  afterwards  partook  of  a  dinner  provided  at  the 
Boyal  Hotel,  Mr.  Attwood  in  the  chair.  The  meeting  was  attended  by 
animmmsenomber  of  penouB^  buttlieprooeedtnga  with  the  exceptiop, 
of  the  presentatjon  of  some  plate  to  Mr,  lfeardswoita,posieMedaa1itae 
of  novels  as  of  InteieBt 

This  was  the  vear  of  the  ^tliree  glorious  days  of  July/  at 

Paris,  wUchprodaoed  a  aaooessfol  reTolution  in  that.conntiy, 

and  once  more,  and  for  ever,  banished  tkd  Bourbons  from  a 

land  whidi  they  had  so  f eaifully  misruled.     The  events  of 

that  exciting  period  were  watched  with  feyerish  interest  by 

the  pwple  01  this  country,  and  by  none  with   deeper 

sympathy  than  by  the  inhabitants  of  fiinningham.    A 

town's  meeting  was  held  on  the  subject^  of  ..whidi  we  have 

this  report: — 

Toim'a  Mbrdto. 

August  1(L  leaOi— >T1ia  pnblie  meeting,  eonwaed  iniiiQaBt  to  rsmii* 
sition  b7  ilM  Hisfa  Bailili^  *%r  the  porpose  of  «an»^^ 

inbabitaatB  on  the  recent  events  in  tVaaee,'' was  held  at  the  Bojral  Hotel, 
en  Wednesday.  For  some  time  after  the  hoar  fixed  apoa  lor  the  diair 
to  be  takn,  very  few  persons  had  aasembled,  for  when  the  pioooediiup 
commeooed,  the  rsqaiaitionisti^  and  those  who  Joinsd  tbsm  in  tGs 
orchestra,  were  little  short  in  point  of  nwnben  ef  Ihoae  in  ^  body  ef 
the  room.  The  nnmbers,  however,  grsdnalljr  inereased.  mrtil  the  room 
became  about  one-third  iUled.  The  rsqoisitiOQ  haviw  been  read  bv  the 
High  Bailifi;  the  first  resoiation  was  moved  l^  the  fiev.  Jeha  tibme 


REFOKBf  AGITATION  AND  THK  POLITICAL  UNION.     539 

and  seconded  bj  Richard  Spooner,  Esq.  Mr.  Edmonds  then  rose,  and 
moved  the  adjoomment  of  the  meeting,  on  account  of  the  short  notice 
given  of  its  assembling,  and  of  the  few  persons  attendiog,  which  was 
seconded  by  Mr.  R  ££dley,  and  had  the  motion  been  immediately  put, 
it  wonld  no  donbt  have  been  carried.  Mr.  Spooner  and  Mr.  Gorrie 
strongly  resisted  the  amendment,  and  other  gentlemen  explained  the 
drcumatances  imder  which  they  had  thoufht  it  advisable  to  nold  an  im- 
mediate meeting.  Mr.  Thomas  Attwood,  who  entered  the  room  after 
the  first  resolution  had  been  proposed,  beffged  that  the  whole  of  the 
intended  resolutions  might  be  read ;  he  t£en  commented  upon  them, 
and  sugffested  that,  instead  of  adjourning,  a  committee  should  be 
appointed  to  revise  and  atren^^en  the  resolutions.  This  recommendation 
dia  not,  however,  meet  tibe  views  of  the  mover  of  the  amendment,  who 
persisted  in  his  motion^  and  a  long  and  contentious  discussion  arose,  in 
the  course  of  which  the  Bev.  Jomi  Ck>me  made  a  wann  and  animated 
appeal  to  those  presen^  representing  in  forcible  lanffuage  the  disadvan- 
tageous position  in  which  the  town  would  be  placed  were  the  meeting 
to  adjourn  without  coming  to  any  decision.  Hie  appeal  of  the  Bev. 
Gentleman  made  evident  impression  on  the  meeting,  and  dianged  tlie 
aspect  of  affidrs.  On  the  chairman  proceeding  to  put  the  amendment  to 
the  meeting,  Mr.  Edmonds  again  rose.  The  Bigh  Bailiff  observed  that 
he  had  already  replied,  and  i«f used  again  to  bear  him.  A  warm  alter- 
cation then  took  place,  the  majority  evidently  showing  their  disposition 
to  support  the  diainnan.  The  contention  was  at  length  put  an  end  to 
by  Mr.  Scholefield  movinj^  that  a  committee,  consisting  of  the  Bev.  J. 
Gorrie,  Mr.  R  Spoouer.  Mr.  K  T.  Moore,  Mr.  Parkes,  Mr.  Attwood, 
and  Mc.  JMmopds^  should  retire,  and  endeavour  to  make  such  alteration 
as  ahould  meet  the  wishes  of  all  parties.  The  motion  was  then  put  nxd 
earned  almost  nnanimonsly,  and  the  meeting  was  adjourned  for  an  hour. 
On  the  H^^  JBtaJdS  again  resuming  the  chair,  the  Bev.  J.  Gcnrie 
stated  thai  the  reapInfioDS  iR^lueh  would  then  be  submitted,  had  htea 
unanimously  approvad  try  the  committee  appointed  bv  the  meeting,  and 
he  trusted  tnqr  would  pass  unanimonaly ;  he  concluded  by  moving  the 
first  resolution,  which  was  seconded  by  Mr.  Spooner.  On  its  bdng  again 
read  from  the  diair,  a  new  source  of  diswensiflii  arose  in  an  endeavour  to 
introduce  a  danse  relating  to  Pailiamentaxy  reform  by  Mr.  Buasell  and 
Mr.  0.  JonesL  The  attempt  was  warmly  resisted  by  the  originators  of 
the  meeting  who  contended  that  the  resolutions  ought  not  to  undeigo 
alteration  lUfter  having  been  agreed  to  by  the  committee.  The  opposing 
party  notwithstanding  persistod,  and  it  was  at  length  agreed  that  the 
amendment  should  be  put  to  the  meeting  in  the  form  of  an  additional 
resolution.  The  second  and  tUrd  resclntions  were  then  moved  and 
carried ;  sod  Mr.  Munts  was  heard  insnpport  of  thenezt  in  succession. 
Precedence  was  however  claimed  for  the  new  resolution,  whidi  had  in 
the  meantime  been  prepared  by  Mr.  Attwood,  and  beiog  yielded  it  was 
haiided  to  the  ehairnian.  Strenuous  eiibrts  were  then  made  to  oppose  its 
introdnoticn  by  those  who  advocated  the  original  resolutions^  out  the 
mover  and  seconder  being  joined  by  Mr.  Spooner  and  Mr.  Attwood, 
thev  iNnevaOed,  and  the  rnolution  was  put  and  carried  by  a  very  laige 
majonty.  A  committee  was  then  appointed  to  carry  the  resolutions  into 
effeict,  and  to  superintend  and  remit  the  subscriptions  to  France. 

The  foUowing  records  a  carious  little  episode  in  the  histoiy 
of  this  agitation : — 


540  A  C£NTaiiY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  UF£. 

October  4,  ISSO.— The  Address  to  the  King  cot  up  by  tl»  "Political 
Council,"  in  this  town,  has  been  presented  to  his  Majesty.  A  corre- 
spondence between  Mr.  Attwood,  Sir  Herbert  Taylor,  and  Sir  Robert 
Peel,  on  the  subject  of  its  presentation  has  beenpablisbed ;  from  which 
it  i^pears  that  Mr.  Attwood.  as  Chairman  of  the  meeting  at  which  it 
was  Toted,  addressed  Sir  Herbert  Taylor,  ezpreasing  a  desire  that  it 
might  be  pxesented  to  his  Majestnr  personally  by  a  deputation^  ''as  the 
inlubitants  of  fiinningham  consider  the  address  as  very  important,"  and 
they  thought  it  ''their  duty  to  take  especial  care  that  it  was  safely  de- 
livered into  his  Majesty's  own  hands."  To  this  communication  Sir 
Herbert  replied,  that  his  Majesty  could  not  personally  receive  Uie 
Address  by  deputation ;  and  Mr.  Attwood  was  referred  to  the  usual 
diannel,  the  Omoe  of  the  Home  Secretary.  Mr.  Attwood,  Mr.  Schole- 
field,  and  Mr.  Oiarles  Jones,  aooordinghr  waited  vtptm  Sir  Robert  Peel, 
at  Brayton,  on  Saturday  se'mught^  and  the  Hon.  Baronet  promised  to 
present  it  at  the  earliest  opportunity.  On  Thursday  last,  Sir  Robert 
replied  as  follows  to  Mr.  Attwood  .-^"Whitehall,  Sept  29.— Sir,— I  b^ 
leave  to  acquaint  yon,  that  I  have  lajd  before  the  Kuupthe  Address  which 
jaa  niaoed  in  mr  hands  fer-that  purpose,  entitled,  'The  Address  of  the 
inhaibitantB  of  toe  town  of  Biimmdiam  in  town's  meeting  assembled.' 

"(Sicned).  R  Pebl." 

The  French  Revolution  was  also  celebrated  by  a  dinner: — 

October  18, 183a— The  "^ Political  anion"  Dinner  to  celebrate  the 
IVenoh  Reyolution,  took  place  at  Mr.  Beaidsworth's  Repository,  Bir- 
mingham, on  Monday.  Tables  were  oonstmoted  orer  the  entire  area  and 
along  the  galleries  around  this  eztoidye  establishment;  and  it  k  stated 
that  QpWMds  of  three  thousand  six  hundred  persons  nartookof  the  fiu« 
proyided  for  them.  .  The  dinner  was  cold,  and  the  aUowance  of  ale  was 
restricted  to  a  pint  at^  and  a  quart  after  dinner,  to  eadi  individiiaL  A 
band  cf  mosie  was  In  attendanosLand  lltfSi  bearing  on  onesidethtflVendi 
Tri-coloor,  and  on  the  other  the  TInlon  Jack,  denoted  the  stationa  of  the 
Btewarda.  Hie  company  were  admitted  by  ticket  shortly  before  one. 
^Tbe  CouncQ"  and  stewards  haylnff  preykmaly  taken  their  posta.  Mr. 
Attwood  presided,  as  Pkemdent  of  the  ^XJnion,'  supported  by  Mr. 
Hunts,  and  Messn.  Edmonds  and  Hadley,  membm  of  the  ^Coimcilf* 
sod  liy  them  the  speeches  on  the  oecasion  were  made^  and  the  toasts 
preyioosly  ananscd  and  relating  ddefly  to  the  ayowed  object  of  the 
nestlDg^  were  giyen.  Mr.  Attwood's  health  was  proposed  by  Mr. 
Beardsworth,  rad,  of  coarse^  reodyed  with  loud  acelamatton.  After 
rstnming  thiuiik%  Mr.  Attwood  gays  the  last  toast,  which  he  pre&ced 
1^  strongly  viging  all  present  to  retire  to  their  respeetiye  homes.  The 
assemMy  nnmediately  afterwards  bqgan  onietly  to  separate 

In  October,  the  Union  petitionea  the  King  to  dismiss  his 
Minisby.  In  a  few  weekB  after  the  Duke  of  Wellington 
and  Sir  Robert  Peel  resigned,  and  the  Orey  administration 
was  formed.  A  Meeting  of  the  Union  was  heldat  Beards- 
worth's  Repository,  on  December  1 3,  in  support  of  the  new 
Oabinet  A  petition  was  adopted  whidi  ^claimed  tiie 
following  as  the  'birthright  of  eveiy  Ejiglishman:'" — 

Istr- The  right  of  haying  all  plaeemen  dismissed  firam  the  H'Hise  of 


Comnionsy  agreeaUj  to  the  Great  OomnTDTtoHAL  Act  of  Settlement, 
which  placed  the  present  illustrioos  Eamiljr  on  the  Throne. 


REFORM  AGITATION  AND  THE  POLITICAL  UNION.     541 

2nd. — The  right  of  having  triennial  or  more  frequent  Parliaments^  as 
reco/rnised  and  secm^ed^by  the  Great  CoDBtitational  Act — the  6lh  of 
William  and  Mary,  cap. '2. 

3rd. — The  right  of  Bitting  and  voting  in  the  Commons  House  of 
Parliament,  when  lawfully  CMsen,  withcHu  the  qualification  oj  property^ 
whicli  wafl  fixed  unconstitutionally  by  the  Act  of  9th  of  Queen  Anne. 

4th. — ^The  riffht  of  having  all  the  Knights,  Citizens,  and  BurgesBSS 
of  the  House  of  Commons  paid  the  rea*m\aJtle  wagee  of  €Utendance^  by 
a  rate  u|x>n  the  constituents,  in  order  to  enable  the  common  people  to 
have  the  benefit  of  the  services  of  persons  living  under  tlie  same 
circumstances,  and  having  the  same  kuowledge,  and  the  same  vants  and 
interents  as  themselves. 

5th. — ^^The  right  of  having  the  large  towns  and  populous  districts  of 
the  country  represented  in  the  House  of .  Commons,  in  place  of  those 
decayed  boroughs  which  return  members  to  Parliament^  although  now 
coutaiuinff  but  few  inhabitants. 

6th. — ^The  right  of  everr  man  to  have  a  vote  in  the  election  of 
Members  of  tlie  House  of  GommouL  who  is  in  any  way  called  upon  to 
oimtribute  to  either  National  or  Local  taxation,  direct  or  indirect, 
by  which  your  petitioners  undentand  that  either  all  the  taxes  ought  to 
be  taken  off  from  those  articles  necessaiy  for  the  snbustenoe  of  worldng 
men,  or  that  all  working  men  who  are  compelled  to  pay  such  taxes, 
should  have  a  vote  in  the  election  of  members  to  your  Honoarable 
Houiie. 

7th. — The  right  to  have  elections  for  Members  of  the  House  of 
Commons  free  and  unbiaseedf  and  with  this  view  to  have  such  arrange- 
ments made  in  the  conducting  of  elections  as  may  effiectually  prevent 
all  force,  fear,  or  intimidation,  and  all  bribery  or  undue  influence  <^any 
kind,  from  acting  upon  the  minds  of  the  electon. 

The  poiitical  excitement  continued  to  increase,  and  the 
year  1 83 1  ofiened  with  a  visit  from  **  Orator  Hunt : " — 

January  10, 1831. — On  Monday  last  the  radicsl  Member  for  Preston 
was  met  on  the  Wolverhampton  fiood,  and  esoofted  into  this  town  by  a 
motley  procession  under  the  superintendenoe  of  Messrs.  Bnssell  and 
Edmonds,  and  other  less  distinguished  members  of  the  **  Union."  On 
reaching  the  edge  of  the  town,  Mr.  Hunt  was  formally  introduced  to 
the  crowd  by  ^.  Edmonds,  and  he  forthwith  proceeded  to  assure  tbem 
of  the  wonderful  deeds  he  had  resolved  to  accomplish  on  taking  his  seat. 
Having  harangued  them  until  nearly  dusk,  the  prooeasion  took  its  way 
into  the  town,  towards  the  Globe  Tavern.  Although  every  effort  had 
been  made  to  give  edat  to  the  scene,  and  the  band  and  banners  of  the 
Union  had  be^  engaged  for  the  occasion,  all  well  niffh  amounted  to  a 
:^lure.  The  atmosphere  of  the  streets  through  mich  the  oort^ 
passed  proved  unfavourable  to  a  due  reception  of  the  idol  of  the  dav ; 
and  although  the  leaders  exerted  themselves  to  the  utmost,  and  the 
▼outlis  by  whom  the  banners  were  borne  strained  their  throats  to  the 
.  highest  pitch,  the  cheers  were  verjr  faintly  responded  to,  and  the  whole 
was  flat  and  spiritless.  On  reachmg  the  Globe,  Mr.  Hunt^  contrary  to 
general  expectation,  retired  without  even  thankinff  the  populace  for 
tlieir  attendance.  On  the  following  day,  it  is  stated,  lie  haa  a  long  con- 
ference with  the  Chairman,  and  in  the  evening  was  present  and  rnade  a 
long  speech  at  a  meeting  of  the  **  Political  Council"  On  Wednesday  tiie 
**Hon.  Member"  paitook  of  a  dinner  provided  at  a  public  house  in 


542  A  CENTUUY   OF  lURMINGHAM  LIFE. 

Warstone  Lane,  at  ^vhich  Mr.  Weston  presided  and  Mr,  Salt  acted  as 
Yioe-President ;  and  on  Friday,  aooompanied  by  his  friends,  Edmonds 
and  Mitchell,  he  proceeded  towards  Coventiy,  where  his  arriyal  was 
said  to  be  anxious^  looked  for. 

This  was  followed  by  the  celebration  of  the  anniversaiy  of 

the  Political  Union : — 

January  31, 1831.— The  annivenaiy  of  the  formation  of  the  Political 
Union,  we  understand,  was  celebrated  on  Tuesday,  by  dinners  at  Tarioua 
taverns  and  public  houses.  At  the  Qlobe  about  sixty  memb^ns  dined, 
Mr.  Thomas  Attwood  mending,  and  Mr.  Munta  and  Mr.  B.  Hadley 
officiating  as  the  Yice-Chairmen.  In  the  course  of  his  remarks  from 
the  chair,  Mr.  Attwood  is  stated  to  have  said,  that  the  dnion  ^  had  now 
registered  in  their  books  about  nine  thousand  members,  paying  from 
four  shilling  to  two  guineas  per  annum ;  and  that  considering^  Uie 
influence  wmch  these  9,000  men  exercised  over  the  whole  population  of 
the  town,  containing  160,000  muIl  and  thai  nearly  equal  influence 
which  they  exercisM  over  the  inhabitants  of  the  populous  manu- 
facturing towns  and  districts  around  them,  containing  also  from  2  to 
300,000  mhabitants  more,  the  importance  of  the  Union,  considered  in 
this  l^t^  as  influencing  a  dense  population  of  400,000  souls,  was  far  too 
great  to  be  disrmrded.  The  Union,  he  added,  had  condensed  the 
moral  power  of  t£ui  ff^f^  population,  and  gathered  it^  as  it  were,  into 
an  ^ectrical  mass,  which  was  powerful  to  e^ery  good  puipose  and 
utteriy  impotent  to  ervvy  bad  one.  Suppose^  for  instance^  tneir  good 
King  should  meet  difficulties  in  bis  patn  from  tlie  pertinacitT  of  the 
oligarchy ;  suppose  they  should  refuse  to  obey  the  laws,  ana  diould 
miJLe  fi^t  upon  the  occasion ;  why,  the  venr  moment  the  Kinff  com- 
manded them,  they  would  produos  a  national  guard  that  would  oe  like 
a  w^  of  fire  around  his  throne— (dicers).  It  was  not  too  much  to  say, 
that  if  the  King  required  it,  they  eould  prodnoe  him,  in  this  district,  at 
his  orders,  withm  a  month,  two  armies,  each  ol  them  as  numerous  and 
as  btare  as  that  which  conquered  at  Waterloo.* 

In  February  a  petition  from  those  of  the  inhabitants  who 
did  not  generally  oo-operate  with  the  Union  vaB  adopted, 
signed,  and  presented  to  Parliament  on  the  subject  of  the 
representation  of  the  countiy : — 

February  7, 1831. — ^A  petition,  praying  for  some  amendment  in  the 
state  of  the  Bepresentation  of  the  country,  is  now  ii^  course  ol  signature 
in  this  town.  It  is  entitled  the  Petition  of  the  Magistrates,  Uleigy, 
High  and  Low  Bailifl^  Bankers,  Merdianta,  Manufacturers,  sjid  other 
inhabitante^  and  it  has  already  reeeiTed  a  number  of  most  respectable 
signatures.  The  petiUoiien  expisss  "the  deep  interest  therfeel  in  the 
important  subject  of  an  amended  lepiesentation  of  the  psople  in  Pkilia- 
ment,  and  of  their  eonTiction  that  this  great  messars  will  eflMnally 
promote^the  wdUEare  and  stability  of  the  British  JSoipinL  provided  it  be 
accompanied  by  such  rmilations  as  shall  secure  to  the  character,  inteUi* 
gence,  and  propefty  of  the  countiy,  their  influence  in  the  British  Laeis- 
Ltuie.*'  And  they  add,  that  setnated  by  these  sentiments,  ''th^ 
respedtfully,  bat  earnestly  entreat  that  effect  may  be  giren  to  thsir  wishes 
in  midk  manner  as  is  consistent  with  an  inTiolable  preserration  of  that 
lelatiTe  influence  of  the  three  estates  of  the  realm  which  fonns  the  fanris 
of  the  British  Constitution."    It  is  intended  that  the  Petitions  shall  be 


REFORM   AGITATION  AND  THE  POLITICAL   UNION.      543 

deposited  for  the  next  few  days  at  the  several  Banks  of  the  town,  the 
News  Room,  Newspaper  Offices,  &c.,  and  they  will  no  doubt  immediately 
receive  a  veiy  considerable  number  of  names. 

Another  attempt  was  made  this  session  to  give  Birming- 
ham a  representative  by  disfranchising  another  borough: — 

i^ebroanr  21,  1831. — Tn  the  House  of  Commons,  on  Friday,  the 
Marquis  of  Oiandos  introduced  a  bill  to  Disfranchise  the  Borough  of 
Evesham,  and  to  transfer  the  ruht  of  election  to  this  town,  which  was 
read  a  first  time.  The  noble  ^£irquis  followed  up  this  proceeding  by 
moving  that  the  second  reading  he  fixed  for  Monday  next,  the  28th 
iust,  the  day  preceding  the  development  of  the  government  plan  of 
reform,  and  that  witnesses  in  support  of  the  bill  be  summoned  tor  that 
day.  This  proposition  gave  rise  to  an  animated  discussion,  and  the 
motion  was  strenuously  resisted  by  several  members,  as  an  attempt  to 
interfere  with  and  embarrass  the  general  question  ;  and  eveotually  it 
was  determined  that  the  second  reading  should  be  deferred  until 
Mondav,  the  7th  of  next  month.  In  the  mean  time  the  bill  is  to  be 
priuteci,  and  copies  are  to  be  served  upon  the  Betuming  Officer  of 
Evesham,  and  upon  the  High  Bailiff  of  Armingham. 

Another  Town's  MeetiDg  was  held  on  March  11,  for  ''the 
purpose  of  expressing  satisfaction  at  the  ministerial  measures 
of  reform; "  at  which  resolutions  were  passed  and  a  petition 
adopted. 

Tne  second  reading  of  the  Befonn  Bill  was  carried  in 
March,  by  a  majority  of  22 ;  the  news  reached  Birmingham 
just  at  the  time  a  meeting  of  the  Qrammar  School  Befonners 
was  being  held;  and  the  following  characteristic  scene  took 
place: — 

March  28,  1831. — Prior  to  the  terminatioQ  of  the  proceeding^  the 
news  of  the  Reform  fiili  having  passed  its  seeond  reading  was  oonvejred 
to  the  meetinff,  and  was  reoeivM  with  long  and  continnea  dieering.  So 
eznberanl  indeed  was  the  feelmg  of  thoee  who  remained,  that  at  the 
dose,  Mr.  T.  W.  ftill,  of  JSdgbaston,  was  called  to  the  Gbair.and  it  was 
resolved,  that  the  event  should  be  celebrated  by  agsneiml  iUominatioii, 
on  the  next  evening.  Placards  to  this  effect  sDeediljr  made  their 
appearance  on  the  walls,  and  some  of  the  inhabitants  eonunenced 
making  preparations  earl  j  on  the  following  morning.  Othen^  howerer. 
objecting  to  the  proceedings^  the  public  authorities  were  applied  to,  ana 
in  the  course  or  the  afternoon  a  notice  was  issued  bj  the  Constables^ 
under  the  sanction  of  the  magistrates,  which  affording  assurance  fi 
protection  to  those  who  declined  compliance  with  the  rreolTe  of  the 
meeting,  the  lighting  up  was  in  consequence  but  partial  Crowds 
of  pemons  thronged  the  principal  streets  for  serenu  honn,  but  the 
most  peaceful  conduct  was  obscarred,  and  toon  after  eleTen  o'clock  the 
lighte  bad  all  disappeared.  In  the  course  of  Weduesdaj  a  request^ 
sigued  bj  a  number  of  the  subscribers  to  the  News  Room,  was  made  to 
the  Wardens  of  St  Martin  and  SU  Philip's  to  allow  the  bells  to  be  run& 
on  the  occasion,  but  those  gentlemen  declined  to  interfere,  and  the  belli 
of  -both  churches  renuuued  silent 


544  A  CENTUKY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

It  was  n6w  proposed  to  recognise  the  great  services 
rendered  by  Mr.  George  Edmonds  to  the  cause  of  Reform: — 

April  25, 1831. — At  a  Meeting  of  the  Friends  of  Mr.  Qeoi^  Edmonds, 
held  at  the  Qlohe  TaTem,  Temple-street,  Mr.  John  Betts  in  the  Chair ; 

It  was  resolved  unjinimoafl^,  on  the  motion  of  the  Bev.  T.  M. 
McDonnell, — That  Mr.  Qeoi^e  Edmonds,  by  his  superior  talents,  by  the 
tried  inte^ty,  the  intrepid  spirit,  and  the  perseyering  indns^  with 
which  he  has  for  a  long  aeries  of  ^rears  devoted  himself  to  the  great  canse 
of  pnblic  libeirty,  and  more  especially  to  the  rights,  priyileges,  and  wel- 
fare of  lus  fellow  towpsmen,  has  established  a  jost  daim  to  their  appro- 
bation and  esteem. 

The  undersigned  therefore  invite  the  inhabitants  of  Birmingham 
generally  to  co-operate  with  them  in  an  endeavoor  to  manifest  these 
sentiments,  by  presenting  Mr.  Qeorge  Edmonds  with  some  memorial  of 
their  esteem. 

Joshua  Scholefield,  Esq.    William  Jennings  Samuel  Hayoocik 

Thomas  Attwood,  Esq.      Benjamin  Hadley  John  Giles 

Qeon»  Attwood,  Esq.       Joseph  Davies  William  Weston 

Abv.  T.  M.  MO^omieil       T;  C.  Salt  Thomas  Shorthoose 

Samndl  Morris  John  Bourn  Bobert  Percy 

8.A.Qoddard  Samuel  Bunnell  JosiahEsmes 

John  Betts  JohnPieroe  William  Paro 

ItoMolved  that  Thomas  Attwood,  Esq ,  be  appointed  IVsasorei)  and 
that  all  Subscriptions  of  £1  or  upwards  oe  paid  into  the  baDkiDg-house 
of  Messrs.  Spooiieri  Attwoods^  and  Go. 

In  a  future  advartisemettt  persons  will  be  appointed  to  reoetve  the 
smaller  subscriptioiia.-    ' 

Birminghra.  April  S3»  183L 

On  Uie  defeat  of  the  Reform  Bill  by  tlie  passmg  of  Qeneral 
Qascoyne's  motion,  the  ministers  tendered  their  resignation, 
which  the  Kuub^  declined  to  aceepi  Parliament  was  pro- 
rogued on  A^rif  22,  and  dissolved  on  the  folbwing  day.  In 
nearly  all  the  laige  towns  Reform  candidates  were  returned. 
Birmingham  had  no  member,  but  her  influence  oveT  public 
opinion  in  the  country  was  very  fi?reat  The  following  quo- 
tation will  show  the  state  of  feeling  in  the  town  at  this 
tima  In  reading  the  passage,  it  must  be  borne  in  mind  that 
the  OazetU  was  an  opposition  paper : — 

May  9,  I831.«-I>nrlng  the  whole  of  Monday  and  Monday  night  last^ 
this  tuwn  wan  kept  In  a  greater  state  of  excitement  than  we  recollect  to 
have  observed  fiir  some  years  past  The  Political  Ooandl''  Ittd  eon- 
▼ened  a  meeting  of  the  union  and  otbers  who  mi|^t  dioose  to  attend, 
a|  Beardswiirth^  Repoaitoiy,  for  tlie  purpose,  it  was  stated,  of  addressing 
his  Majesty,  tliauUng  him  for  dissolving  parliament ;  and  to  render 
due  hon«»ur  to  the  day.  a  body  of  oflldons  persons^  ssMmblsd  on  the  pre- 
ceding Thursilay,  wisely  resolved  that  it  was  expedient  a  genend  illumi- 
nation should  taae  place  on  the  oocssion,  and  that  thebelbof  the  parish 
dburches  should  ring  in  celebration  of  the  event  Accordingly,  m  the 
course  of  the  morning,  a  person  of  the  name  of  Winfisld,  who  said  he 
was  deputed  from  the  meeting  reforred  to^  waited  on  the  Hector,  the 


REFORM  AGITATION   AND  THE  POLITICAL  UNION.      545 

Rev.  ThomM  Moaeley,  at  St  Martin's  Church,  and  made  a  request  that 
the  bells  should  be  rung.  The  Bector  declined  acceding  to  the  applica- 
tion, and  the  individual  left  the  church,  taking  care,  it  would  appear,  to 
.inform  the  bystanders  that  Mr.  Moseley  had  refused  the  required  per- 
mission. The  consequence  was  that  a  crowd  waited  Mr.  Mos^ley's  re- 
turn, and  as  soon  as  he  made  his  appearance  he  was  assailed  with  every 
possible  opprobrious  epithet,  and  eventually  followed  through  the  streets, 
to  his  own  residence,  nearly  a  mile  distant^  by  a  mob  of  the  lowest 
description,  who  continued  to  insult  him  by  every  indecency  of  knguage, 
and  to  assail  him  with  mud  and  filth  during  the  whole  of  the  way.  Hap- 
pily the  Bev.  Gentleman  sustained  but  little  personal  injury,  although 
ne  was  several  times  struck  with  stones.  Two  respectable  persons,  who 
joined  Mr.  Moseley  with  a  view  to  protect  him  from  more  serious  attack, 
shared  in  the  abuse  and  filth  directed  against  him.  This  brutal  and  dis- 
ffraceful  conduct  excited  general  indignation,  and  a  meeting  has  since 
been  held,  to  express  the  sense  of  the  respectable  part  of  the  mhabitants 
at  the  outrage  cmered  him.  The  activej)erpetrators,  we  believe,  are  at 
present  unknown,  though  we  trust  the  efiforts  making  for  their  discovery 
will  prov^  successful,  and  that  Uiey  may  be  brought  to  punishment 

Soon  after  two  in  the  afternoon,  preceded  by  a  huge  assembly  of 
idlers,  men,  women,  and  children,  accompanied  by  bands  of  music,  and 
bearing  flags  and  banners,  the  members  of  the  '*  Union"  paraded  through 
the  streets  to  the  place  of  meeting,  beaded  br  Mr.  Thomas  Attwo<M, 
and  his  brethren  oi  the  ''Council.''  While  the  proceedings  were  going 
IbrwanL  a  portion  of  the  crowd,  which  accompanied  tM  procession, 
retnmea  to  St  Martin's  Church,  and  a  ladder  being  procured,  the  belfry 
was  fordbly  entered  br  some  of  the  rinfon  and  others,  and  the  first 
peal  was  bailed  with  loud  shouts  of  triumph  from  those  assembled, 
infennation  was  immediately  conveyed  to  the  Magistrates,  who  were 
sitting  at  the  Public  Office ;  but  after  some  consideration  they  declined 
to  interfere,  and  the  ringers  were  allowed  to  proceed  unmolested.  In 
the  mean  time  preparations  were  made  to  effect  a  similar  entrance  to  the 
belfry  of  St  Philip  s  Church,  which  was  at  length  accomplished  without 
obstruction,  and  the  bells  of  both  churches  aft^wairds  continued  to  ring 
until  late  at  night  Proceedings,  we  underatand,  will  certainly  be  taken 
•gainst  the  parties  who  thus  illeffally  forced  an  entrance  into  the  chnrchea 
in  defiance  of  the  Becton  and  Wardens. 

In  the  oourse  of  the  mording  a  numerous  requuition  was  signed  by 
some  of  the  most  respectable  inhabitants^  stating  their  spprehension  of 
disturbance,' and  calling  upon  the  Magistrates  to  provide  sncb  a  constabu- 
lary fbroe,  and  to  take  such  other  measures  as  were  necessary  for  the  pro- 
tection of  those  who  should  decline  to  illuminate,  and  fur  the  preser- 
Tation  of  the  public  peace.  A  notice  was  speedily  issued  by  the 
Constable  with  a  view  of  giving  confidence  to  those  who  might  refuse 
to  light  up.  What  further  steps  were  taken  we  know  not,  but  whatever 
they  mignt  have  been,  they  appeared  insufficient  for  the  purpose,  as 
many  persona  who  were  greatly  indisposed  to  illuminate,  felt  themselves 
comnelled  to  exhibit  lights;,  in  order  to  ensure  protection  to  their 
winuowa  and  property.  In  consequence,  with  comparatively  few  excep- 
tions most  of  the  houses  in  the  centre  of  the  town  put  up  lights ;  but  the 
sorry  display  they  made  exhibited,  as  strikingly  as  auvthiug  possibly 
could  do,  the  motive  under  which  they  acted.  Although,  thereu>re,  the 
illumination  was  of  an  exceedingly  i^ior  description,  the  streeU  at  an 
early  hour  in  the  evening  were  mu  :U  crowdea,  but  soon  after  nine 

"  .NX 


546  A  CENTURY   OF  BIRMINGHAM   LIFE. 

oVIock  the  rain  fell  in  torrenU  and  continued  antil  most  of  the  lights 
had  been  eztingnished.  About  midnight  the  public  houses  became 
emptied,  and  a  number  of  persons  began  to  congregate  in  various  parts 
of  the  town ;  fortunately,  however,  they  were  induced  to  separate  with- 
out doing  any  mischief  of  consequence. 

The  new  Parliament  assembled  on  June  the  14th,  and 
on  the  24th  the  Reform  Bill  was  again  introduced.  On 
July  7,  the  second  reading  was  carried  by  367  against 
231.  On  July  4,  another  meeting^  of  the  Union  was  held, 
and  a  petition  in  favour  of  Uie  Reform  Bill  was  adopted. 
This  was  presented  to  the  House  of  Commons  on  August  the 
2nd,  when  the  following  scene  took  place : — 

Mr.  0*Gonnell  proceeded  to  read  a  petition  from  the  ^Coundl*'  of 
the  Birmingham  Political  Union^  setting  forth  ''that  the  petitioners 
had  obseorved  with  disgust  and  mdignation  the  factious  and  puerile 
opposition  made  to  a  majoritv  of  that  Honourable  House,  and  to  the 
demands  of  an  oppressed  and  insulted  people;' and  with  feelings  of 
a  nearly  similar  diaiaeter,  they  oontiastea  the  rajndity  with  which 
measures  of  penalty  and  of  spoliation  bad  been  enacted  by  former 
Parliaments^  with  the  extraordinary  tardiness  at  prssent  displayed  in 
completing  a  wholesome  and  healing  measure  of  wisdom,  justice,  and 
conciliation.'*  The  petitioners  thernore  felt  it  thmr  duty  to  ui^  upon 
the  house  ''the  absolute  necessity  of  no  longer  permitting  the  bill  of 
reform  to  be  retarded  in  its  progress,  and  the  sufferings  of  an  oppressed 
and  patient  people  prolonged,  by  obstinate  and  fietious  opposition 
made  bv  a  small  and  interest^  minority.*'  Sir  C  Forbes  said,  ^a  petiUon 
so  worded  was  not  presentable  to  the  House."  The  speaker  Interposed, 
observing  that  the  learned  member  (Mr.  O'Cbnnell}  he  presumed,  did 
not  intend  himself  to  present  a  petition  ''so  grossly  disraspectful,  and 
80  directly  tending  to  violate  the  privileges  of  Plarliamenii*' 

[Here  the  proModings  were  interrupted  by  the  arrival  of  the  Black 
Rod  to  summon  the  House  to  the  Lords.] 

On  the  Speaker's  return,  Mr.  (yConnell  said  he  introduced  the 

rition  in  order  that  he  might  obtain  the  opinion  of  the  Chair  upon 
The  Speaker  replied  t£it  he  was  dearly  of  opinion  it  was  one 
which  the  House  could  not  receive^  becanse  it  re&rred  direetiv  to 
proceedings  in  that  House,  and  also  to  the  manner  in  which  tnoee 
wooeedings  were  conducted,  which  ou^t  to  be  left  perfectly  free  to  the 
House  itself,  without  any  restraint  being  placed  upon  it  from  without 
Mr.  COonnell  then  withdrew  the  petition.  Sir  iL  Vyvyan  wished  to 
address  the  House  in  a  few  words  referring  to  it,  but  the  Speaker 
decided,  the  petition  having  been  withdrawn,  that  there  was  no  question 
before  the  House^  the  Hon.  Bart  therefore  desisted,  Kod  the  oonveru^ 
iion  ceased. 

The  Reform  Bill  passed  the  Commons  on  Aajrost  19,  by  a 
majority  of  109;  the  numbers  being  845  for,  and  236 
iigainst  The  rejoicings  in  Birmingham  were  of  the  most 
enthusiastic  kind.  Addresses  were  voted  to  Earl  Grey, 
Lords  Althorpe  and  RusselL  The  latter  Reformer  made  the 
following  remarkable  and  memorable  replj* :    **  I  beg  to 


REFORM  AGITATION   AND  THE  POLITICAL   UNION.      547 

acknowledge,  with  heart-felt  gratitude,  the  undeserved 
honour  done  me  by  150,000  of  my  countrymen.  Our 
prospects  are  now  obscured  for  a  moment,  and  I  trust 
only  for  a  moment.  It  is  imposaible  thai  the  whisper  of 
faction  shovJd  prevail  against  the  voice  of  the  nation.** 

The  second  reading  of  the  Bill  in  the  House  of  Lords  was 
fixed  for  the  3rd  of  October;  and  on  the  same  day  a 
monster  gathering  assembled  at  Newhall  Hill  "to  demon- 
strate to  the  House  of  Lords  that  the  public  enthusiasm  in 
&vour  of  the  Reform  Bill  has  not  abated."  There  was  a 
grand  procession,  all  work  was  suspended,  and  the  most 
extraorainary  excitement  prevailed.  Old  Unionists  who 
remember  these  proceedings  may  well  speak  of  "our 
degenerate  days  " — ^at  least  so  fitr  as  political  organisation  is 
concerned.  The  following  account  of  this  great  meeting 
is  by  a  contemporary  writer: — 

"Just  before  the  division  in  the  Lords,  a  great  public 
meeting  was  held  at  Birmingham,  consisting,  it  was  said, 
of  150,000  persons.  This  meeting  passed  resolutions, 
thanking  Lords  Althorpe  and  John  Russell  for  their  conduct 
in  the  Commons  during  the  passage  of  the  bill  through  that 
House ;  and  before  the  meeting  separated  a  resolution,  by 
which  a  determination  not  to  pay  taxes  if  the  bill  was 
rejected  to  the  Lords,  was  submitted  to  the  multitude 
assembled.  This  revolutionary  proceeding  (for  such  it  was) 
received  at  once  the  imanimous  and  vehement  assent  of  the 
meeting.  Mr.  Attwood  communicated  the  vote  of  thanks  to 
the  two  noble  Lords^  the  closing  resolution  being  made 
known  to  all  the  world  through  the  newspapers.  The 
Chancellor  of  the  £xcbe(}uer  and  Lord  John  Russell, 
nothing  daunted,  replied  in  set  phrase  of  gratitude  and 
compliment  to  the  meeting,  in  letters  to  Mr.  Attwood,  who 
was  celebrated  as  the  great  leader  of  the  Birmingham 
Political  Union;  and  the  expressions  of  Lord  John  Russell's 
letter  attracted  universal  attention  and  remark." 

The  infatuated  Lords,  however,  rejected  the  bilL  After  a 
debate  of  five  nights  the  second  reieuling  was  lost  by  199 
votes  against  158.  The  popular  indignation  was  terrible, 
and  the  most  fearful  consequences  were  anticipated;  and  but 
for  the  stronff  power  of  the  Political  Uikion,  fearful  conse- 
quences womd  have  inevitably  followed.  As  it  was,  there 
were  riots  at  Bristol,  Nottingham  Castle  was  destroyed,  and 
other  scenes  of  violence  occurred  The  Birmingham  Union 
threatened  to  march  up  to  London.     In  the  town  the  feeling 


548  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

was  a  mingled  one  of  sorrow  and  of  anger.  The  contem- 
porary chronicle  gives  us  this  picture  of  one  of  the  incidents 
of  the  time : — 

October  17, 1831. — It  affords  ns  sincere  gratification  to  state,  that 
however  much  the  hopes  and  expectations  of  Uie  working  classes  among 
oar  townsmen  may  have  been  disappointed,  bj  the  rejection  of  the 
Keform  Bill  bj  the  Lords,  the  intelligence,  as  we  confidenUj  anticipated 
last  week,  has  not  been  productive  of  any  acts  of  violence  or  breadi  of 
the  peace  requiring  particular  notice.   A  slight  ebullition  of  feeling  was 
occasioned  in  the  coarse  of  Monday,  by  an  endeavour,  on  the  part  of 
the  officiating  clergy  of  St.  Philip*s,  to  remove  from  the  caix>la  of  that 
ehorch  two  olack  flags,  which  nad  been  officioudv  and  improperly 
placed  there  early  that  morning  by  direction,  or  with  the  sanction  oif 
Mr.  Weston,  one  of  the  churchwardens  of  8L  Martin's  parish.    Their 
removal  was  resisted  by  a  number  of  persons,  in  spite  of  the  remon* 
•trances  of  the  Bev.  Qentlemen  and  some  of  the  police ;  and  having 
been  taken  down  for  a  short  time  they  were  re-hoisted  amidst  the  cheers 
of  the  crowd.    Mr.  Weston  afterwanls  yielded  to  the  better  counsel  of 
some  individuals  attracted  to  the  spot,  and  the  flags  being  removed  at 
dusk,  all  discord  on  that  account  ceased.    In  the  coone  of  the  same 
evening  a  namber  of  mischievous  bovs  and  loose  charaoters  assembled 
and  pmded  aeverml  of  the  streets  oc  {he  town  in  a  body,  and  in  their 
progress  broke  a  nnmber  of  windows,  principally  in  St.  Mary's  Square, 
and  its  vicinity.    The  heavy  rain,  however,  whidi  fell  as  the  night 
advanced,  rapidly  thinned  their  ranks,  and  the  wh<fle  soon  diBpened. 
With  these  exceptions  the  town  has  continued  as  quiet  as  asuaL  and 
we  have  no  doubt  will  remain  sa    The  Political  Ck>andl''  have 
prudently  rsfhuned  horn  convening  a  meeting  of  the  populace  on  the 
subject,  and  instead  have  adopted  a  petition  to  the  House  of  Oommcns, 
which  baa  been  forwarded  to  Mr.  O'Connell  for  presentation. 

It  has  been  stated^  that  after  the  altercation  above  nbmd  to,  at  fit 
FhilipPfl  ehorch,  the  Bev.  GL  Eckersall  was  abased  and  grossly  insulted 
by  the  crowd ;  we  are,  however,  requested  by  that  gentleman  to  say, 
that  the  feeling  displayed  towaras  him  on  the  occasion  has  been  greatly 
overcharged. 

In  October  there  was  another 

Towv's  Micmre. 

October  24^  183L — ^At  a  higlily  respectable  and  nomeroos  meeting  of 
the  Inhabitant  Hboseholders  of  Birmingham  and  its  neighboarfaood,  held 
at  Dee^s  Boyal  HoteI,and,  by  adjournment, at  Mr.  Beanuworth's  Bepcsi- 
tory.oo  Tharsday,  the  SOth  dajr  of  October,  for  the  purpose  of  taking  into 
coniuderation  the  propriety  of  addressing  his  Majesty,  to  esnress  their 
deep  regret  and  bitter  disappomtment  at  the  Bejeetion  of  the  Beform 
Bill  iu  tne  Upper  House  of  Parliament — ^to  declare  their  unabated  con- 
fldeoce  in  his  Mtjesty's  enlightened  patriotism,  and  in  the  aeal,  wisdom, 
and  firmness  of  his  confidential  Advisers — and  to  express  thehr  earnest 
hope  that  all  Constitutional  Measures  will  be  employed  Ibr  the  apeedy 
accomplishment  of  an  object  so  essential  to  the  peace  and  welfitfe  of  the 
cosntiy. 

Mr.  James  Jafiray*  gives  the  following  details  of  this 
important  meeting: — 

*  flints  for  a  Histoir  of  Birmingham.    By  James  JsifiraT. 


REFORM  AGITATION   AND   THE  POLITICAL  UNION.      549 

Nearly  all  the  leading  men  of  the  town,  of  Liberal  opinions,  took  part 
in  the  proceedings.  Strong  langoage  was  used  by  men  not  accustomed 
to  it.  Mr.  Joseph  Parkes  said :  '*If  the  Lords  do  not  soon  pass  the  bill, 
it  cannot  be  concealed — nay,  it  is  probable — that  either  a  peaceful  revo- 
lution will  come  through  the  Government  in  some  such  measure,  or  a 
violent  one  will  come  through  the  people.  It  is  impossible  to  defeat  the 
rights  and  power  of  the  people.  If  a  violent  anti-reform  Ministry  sub- 
vert Lord  Grey's  Govern  men t—iif  the  liberty  of  the  press  is  attacked, 
as  in  that  event  it  will  be — ^if  the  blood  of  the  people  is  shed — God 
forbid  that  I  should  be  the  last  to  oppose  and  contend  with  such 
tyranny." 

Mr.  William  Bedfem  followed  in  a  similar  strain : — '^I  do  not 
hesitate  to  say  that  if  the  question  were  put — which  will  you  have,  a 
reform  accompanied  by  revolution,  or  no  reform  at  all  ? — I  should  not 
hesitate  to  say,  give  me  the  first,  I  will  not  have  the  last  alternative." 

They  passed  resolutions  demanding  "the  bill,  the  whole  bill,  and 
nothing  but  the  bill ;"  and  addressed  his  Majesty  and  Earl  Grey,  (the  Pre- 
mier,) calling  upon  them,  in  the  one  instance,  to  exercise  his  prerogative 
of  ctieating  new  Peers,  and  in  tlie  other,  to  take  means  to  get  the  bill 
carried  into  law.  They  abo  condemned  the  conduct  of  the  Bishops, 
whidi  ''had  greatly  deprived  them  of  the  national  respect,  and  would 
ultimately  deprive  them  of  their  le^slative  functions."  Further,  they 
issued  the  following  address  to  the  Kingdom  : — 

**  Friendif  Countrymen,  and  Brothert  /—Our  gracious  King,  firm  and 
inflexible  in  defence  of  his  People,  has  again  come  forward  in  the 
moment  of  their  extreme  need.  Begardless  of  the  clamours  of  an  in- 
lariated  faction  howling  around  the  steps  of  his  Throne,  he  has  agun,  in 
penon,  nobly  put  forth  his  roval  ]>rerogative  in  our  defisnoe,  and  sent 
the  House  of  Lords  back  into  the  midst  of  the  People  to  receive  a  lesson 
of  the  duties  which  they  owe  to  their  country,  and  of  the  extreme 
dangers  which  most  arise  if  they  should  rashly  persist  in  placing  them- 
selves  In  opposition  to  the  irresistible  will  of  the  Nation  I 

"/Wencb  and  FeUow  Countrymen  ! — Our  road  is  clear.  Our  mind 
is  made  up.  Wx  will  stand  bt  Lord  Grkt.  Tliat  illustrious  States- 
man has  declared  that  the  Bill  or  Rbforic  shall  heiwmA  Law,  in  all  its 
essential  principles  and  provisions.  The  whole  history  of  his  life  forbids 
us  to  mistrust  nis  word.  The  strength  of  a  Unitea  Nation,  which  he 
wields,  forbids  us  to  distrust  his  power.  Therefore  ice  will  stand  by 
Lord  Orey.  And  if  by  any  possibility  he  should  be  driven  from  power, 
we  will  carry  him  Imck  upon  the  shoulders  of  the  People  f - 

'^ Friends  and  FeUow  Countrymen! — ^The  King,  the  Ministers,  the 
House  of  Commons,  aud  the  People,  are  all  united.  All  these  have 
given  proof  that  thev  are  true  to  the  cause  of  Ijiberty,  and  they  are 
determined  to  carry  the  Bill  of  Beform  into  a  Law.  This  Holt  Lkaoux 
is  invincible.  Nothing  can  shake  its  power  if  no  discord  or  disunion 
arises  within  itself.  It  is  for  vou,  tlierefore,  to  shun  diecord  as  the  only 
rock  on  which  your  hopes  can  oe  wrecked.  Discord  among  yourselves 
would  give  to  your  enemies  the  only  possible  chance  of  obtaining  a 
trijimph  over  you.  Let  no  disunion  arise  among  you ;  and  nothing 
can  prevent  the  downfall  of  tltat  atrocious  Oligarchy  which  has  so  long 
tnunpled  upon  the  LiberU*  and  Happiness  of  the  €>3untry. 

"  Friends  and  Fe-low  Countrymen  ! — At  the  same  time  that  we  show 
confidence  in  the  Kins  aud  in  his  Ministers,  and  a  fixed  determination 
to  preserve  the  law,  let  us  show  no  weakness — ^no  timidity — no  hike- 


550  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

warmneas — in  the  cause  of  Liberty.  Let  all  be  united  as  one  man 
in  the  enthusiaatic  and  detennihed  support  of  this  great,  this  holy  cause.  ^ 
Let  Political  Uvions  be  formed  instantly  in  every  Town^  in  every 
District,  and  in  eveipr  Village  -where  they  do  not  already  exist  Let  the 
nation  stand  forth  m  its  strength,  and  in  peaceful  and  commanding 
majesty  express  its  will  ;  and  that  will  U  certain  to  become  the  Law  of 
the  Land, 

**  Friends  and  FeUow  Countrymen  /-r-'Be  patient.  Be  peaceful  Be 
firm.  Be  united.  Be  determined.  Place  your  confidence  in  the  King 
and  in  hu  Mimsters.  Until  theee  shaJl  deceive  you^  there  can  be  no  fear 
for  the  libertiee  of  England. 

**  Friende  and  FtUow  Countrymen  I — ^Listen  to  us.  The  ^word  must 
not  be  drawn  in  England.  The  terrible  knell  of  the  tocstv  must  not 
sound.  The  tears  of  the  Widow  and  Orphan  must  not  mark  our  course. 
These  are  the  last  dread  alternatives  of  an  oppressed  natioo.  The  in- 
fiuence  of  the  Oligarchy,  aided  by  a  corrupt  and  degenerate  bbvoh  of 
Bishops,  has  obtamed  a  momentary  triumph  in  the  House  of  Lords. 
By  the  power  of  the  King  and  of  the  Law  we  will  humble  the  Oligarchy 
in  the  dust  Our  gallant  neighbours  the  French  effected  a  GTorioos 
Bevolution  by  lifting  the  Babrioadbb,  cemented  by  Ihe  best  blood  cl  the 
nation.  Ws  will  have  ho  BAMtiOADBS.  Without  blood^ without  an- 
aitdiy — without  viohitiQn  of  the  Law,  we  will  aooompJish  the  moat 
OLORioini  aBfORXATiov  reooided  in  the  History  of  the  Worid. 

^OOD  BLUB  TBV  KlHO! 

^By  order  of  the  Council^ 

^  Thomas  Attwood,  Ghaiiman, 
"  BsNiAMUi  Hadlbt,  Seeiefeary.* 

It  was  proposed  by  the  Political  Union^  to  meet  the  exi- 
gences of  the  time,  to  form  affiliated  unions  throughout  the 
countiy.  This  was  declared  to  be  illegal,  and  on  November 
the  21st  a  proclamation  to  that  effect  was  published,  and 
the  design  was  accordingly  abandoned ;  but  tne  scheme  was 
carried  out  quite  as  effectively  without  the  name  of  affiliated 
societies  as  with  it  As  the  busy  year  of  1831  dosed,  the 
oiganisation  of  the  various  unions  was  progresang,  and  the 
people  were  preparing  themselves  to  win  the  glorious  vic- 
tory of  1832. 


A^PEARA^X'E  OF  THE  TOWN.  551 


CHAPTER  v.— 1831-1841. 


§  1.      APPEARANCE  OF  THE  TOWN. 


The  great  changes  in  the  appearance  of  the  town  during 
this  deoule  were  caused  both  by  destruction  and  construc- 
tion. Houses  were  taken  down,  streets  widened,  and  our  two 
noblest  public  buildings,  the  Town  HallandtheFreeOrammar 
School,  were  erected.  We  do  not  meet  with  advertisements 
of  houses  to  let  similar  to  those  of  the  preceding  decade& 
The  garden-like  character  of  the  town  was  rapidly  changing. 
Land  was  increasing  in  value  to  such  an  extent  that  houses 
were  more  remunerative  than  gardens — and  it  is  the  nature 
of  monev  to  ignore  the  beautiful,  and  look  only  to  returns ; 
and  so  the  work  of  *'  progress*  goes  on,  and  old  Birmingham 
becomes  metamorphosed  into  modem  Birmingham. 

The  following  is  a  description  of  Mr.  Barr/s  design  for 

the  Town  Hall,  which  was  ^ddbited  at  the  Royal  Academy 

in  1882.    The  writer  says : — 

.It  is  not  of  a  description  to  strike  at  first  view,  except  as  beinff  an 
admirably  executed  drawing,  it  seeming  to  consbt  of  little  inore  tnan 
an  hexast  jle  portico  of  a  very  plain  dianeter ;  when  we  oome^  however, 
to 'examine  it^  we  discover  it  to  be  replete  with  beantiea,  ana  to  affora 
evidence  of  study,  of  original  thongfati  and  more  than  ordioaiy  feeling. 
The  order  is  a  Doric,  or  rather  what  is  nsoally  denominated  Toncany 
the  columns  hayins  bases  and  nnfluted  thafta,  and  the  frieae  being  without 
triglyphs ;  still  ^Riscan  would  Tory  iU  designate  the  i^eneral  character, 
wmch  is  treated  more  in  the  spirit  of  the  Qredan  Doric  than  any  other 
style.  The  columns  are  nused  on  a  basement  or  stylobate,  pierced  only 
by  three  doors  of  narrow  proportions,  and  with  eiiceedingly  deep  plain 
linieis  and  architraTcs.  These  doors  oorreepond  with  the  oeutrs  and 
two  extreme  intercolumns  of  the  portico  above ;  so  that  the  distance  of 
solid  unbroken  wall  between  them  ia  very  conriderable^  and  conveyi  the 
idea  of  ver^  great  strength.  Still  this  arrangement  would  have  been 
attended  with  a  disagreeable  a{^)earance  of  weiJcness,  as  the  lateral  doors 
would  have  been  too  near  the  angles,  had  not  the  architect  most  felici- 
toiuily  overcome  this  inconvenience  by  extending  the  basement  at  each 
end  beyond  the  portico  itself,  by  the  addition  oi  a  very  bold  pedestal 
carried  up  as  higli  as  the  bases  of  the  columns.     Another  circumstance 


552  A  C£NTURV  OF  BIKMINGHAM  LIFE. 

that  oontribotea  materiallj  to  euhanoe  the  rich  picloreflque  effect  of  the 
whole,  yet  which  is  apt  to  escape  notice  in  a  drawiog,  is  that  he  has 
introduoMl  eolomns  within  the  portico  hehind  those  in  front^  therehj 
producing  not  only  a  fine  decree  of  ehiof'otcurOf  bat  great  perspective 
variety  aod  force.  The  buiiding  is  iusnlated,  and  the  colnmDs  are  con- 
tinaea  aloog  the  sides ;  jet  from  want  of  a  plan,  and  owing  to  the  point 
from  whidk  the  edifice  is  viewed,  we  cannot  say  whether  there  is  a 
regular  interoolnmn  between  the  column  and  the  wall.  We  should 
apprehend  that  their  bases  are  close  to  the  wall,  even  if  no  part  of  the 
shafts  is  engaged  in  it^  otherwise,  as  the  bnildiug  is  onlj  hezastyle  in 
front,  the*  interior  space  would  be  too  confined,  Except  formed  into  a 
single  lar^  apartment.  Barely  have  we  seen  a  design  possessing  so 
much  drigmality,  with  apparently  no  pretension  to  novelty ;  or  so  true 
to  the  spirit  ofdaasical  arahitecture,  without  at  all  reminding  us  of  any 
individual  modeL 

The  next  remarkable  public  building  added  to  the  town 
was  the  noble  school  of  King  Edward  Vl — still  one  of  the 
most  beautiful  ornaments  of  Birmingham.  On  February  18, 
1833,  the  following  paragraph  was  published : — 

The  Oovemors  of  the  Free  Qrammar  School  have  awarded  thor 
first  nreminm  of  £100  for  the  best  design  for  the  New  School  Buildings 
and  Hasten^  Houses  to  Mr.  Charles  Barry,  of  Londou ;  the  seoond 
premium  of  £70  to  Ifr.  Hayward,  of  Bath ;  and  the  third  of  £40  to 
Mr.  Qodwioy  of  London.  These  three  designs,  we  understand,  were 
selected  fix>m  among  upwards  of  sixty  others,  the  great  majoritv  of 
which  were  also  Qotbia  That  sent  in  by  Mr.  Barry,  and  from  whidi 
the  new  edifioe  will  doubtless  be  ereoted.  Is  a  ruh  and  beantiihl  apeei- 
men  of  the  Florid  style ;  it  is  exceedingly  anpropnate,  and  is  well 
adapted  for  the  purposes  fbr  which  it  Is  intendea,  and  while  it  serves  to 
mark  the  era  in  which  the  sdiool  was  founded,  will  prove  highly 
ornamental  to  the  towji.  Mr.  Barry  is  an  Ardiiteet  or  wdUknown 
skill  and  experience,  and  has  been  employed  in  the  erection  of  sevend 
Churches,  under  tlie  Parliamantary  Commissionen^  hb  latest  being  the 
New  Churdi  at  Brighton.  The  Bioyal  Institution  at  Manchester,  and 
the  Travellen^  Club  Housil  in  Ml  Mall,  were  also  built  from  his 
de^gns^  and  under  hb  superintendence. 

The  year  lH34e  was  distinguished  by  the  proposal  of  the 

^Ronian  Catholics  of  the  town  to  erect  a  Cathedral,  which 

'^  would  outvie  any  place  of  worship  in  the  town.**    We 

quote  the  first  reference  to  this  work : — 

JsnuarjT  27, 1P34. — ^It  wfll  be  seen  bv  a  noUce  in  thb  page,  that  the 
practicaUlity  of  ereetiuff  a  Roman  Catbolie  Cathedral  in  thb  town  is 
under  consideration.  f>r,  Walsh,  Yiear  Apostolie  of  the  Midland 
dbtrieti  presided  at  a  meeting  held  in  6t  Petei's  Chanel,  yesterday 
week,  and  various  resolutions  to  that  end  were  entered  iota  Among 
those  who  took  part  in  the  jprooeedinA  wers  the  Her.  Messrs. 
M'Donnell  and  Peach,  Messrs.  uardman,  Tidmanh,  Fklmer,  Hopldns, 
Brien,  Qreen,  Boultbee,  Bridge,  Chambers,  and  Hansom— the  latter  of 
whom  stated  that  he  was  sure  they  might  set  up  a  building 


would  outvie  any  place  of  worship  In  the  town.     The  Ri^t  Ber. 
Chairman  expressed  hb  intention  of  giving  X200  to  the  fund,  and  a 


APPEARANCE  OF   THE  TOWJf.  553 

monthly  coniributton  of  one  ponnd  towards  payment  of  the  interest  of 
money  to  be  borrowed.  Mr.  M'Donnell  said  he  should  put  down  his 
name  for  ^£20,  and  for  half  a  sovereign  per  month  until  the  building 
is  completed.  Other  persons  present  also  promised  pecuniary  assistance 
towaros  the  object. 

Early  in  1835  the  Securities  for  the  erecting  of  the  Town 
Hall  published  the  following  report : — 

BiRHiVQHAif  Town  Hall. 

January  26, 1835.— We,  the  undersigned  Securities  for  erecting  this 
magnificent  building,  beg  to  lay  before  the  public  the  following  state- 
ment of  monies  lost  by  us,  in  consequence  of  our  connexion  with  the 
Birmingham  Town  Hall,  and  to  incite  the  respectable  inhabitants  of  the 
town  and  borough  to  institute  an  inquiry  into  the  fair  value  of  the 
building,  with  a  view  of  determining  whether  something  ought  not  to 
be  done  for  our  relief 

We  feel  convinced  that  the  inhabitants  of  the  borough  do  not  desire 
to  poMess  the  building  at  a  less  cost  than,  under  all  circumstances  con* 
■idered,  was  absolutely  necessary  for  its  erection,  nor  would  they  wish 
to  leave  ns^  the  Securities,  exposed  to  those  ruinous  consequences  which 
must  ensue,  unless  we  are  protected  by  the  generous  interference  of  the 
town. 
Money  advanced  by  Mr.  Welch,  sen.,  at  the  commencement 

of  the  work,  to  enable  the  Architects  and  Builders  to 

proceed £1,310  0  0 

Money  ditto  by  Mr.  Tench GOO  0  0 

Money  advaneed  by  Mr.  Weldi,  sen 1,900  0  0 

Money  ditto  by  Mr.  Lloyd  •  .  1,300  0  0 
Money  ditto  by  Mr.  Welch,  sen.,  in  September,  1834  .  1,000  0  0 
Money  ditto  by  Mr.  Lloyd 1,000  0  0 

£6,410  0  0 
W.  P.  Llotd, 
JoHv  Wklch, 
Edward  Tench, 
Jan.,  1835.  Securities  for  erecting  the  Birmingham  Town  Hall. 

On  Febiiiaty  16  we  learn  that  "  the  new  Market  Hall  was 
thrown  open  to  the  public  on  Thursday  last,  [February 
12, 1835,]  and  during  tiie  whole  of  the  day  it  was  crowded 
with  persons,  a  considerable  portion  of  whom  were  no 
doubt  attracted  by  curiosity.  On  Saturday  it  was  acain 
visited  by  great  numbers,  and  in  the  evening  was  lighted 
up  with  gas  for  the  accommodation  of  buyers  and  sellers.** 

The  foUowing  statement  shows  how  rapidly  the  town  was 
now  chanring  from  the  hardware  village  to  the  industrial 
Capital  of  the  Midlands : — 

Not.  2, 1835. — Improvement  in  the  Value  of  Properttf  in  Birmingham, 
— In  1606  the  old  Parsonaffe-houae  and  Garden,  situate  at  the  bottom  of 
Worceeter-iitreet,  waa  sold  by  auction,  under  the  authoritj  of  Parlia- 
ment, the  buildingB  having  become  from  age  unfit,  and  the  site  being 
unsuitable  for  the  residence  of   the  Rector  of    SU  Martin's.     The 


554  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 


I' 


roperfy  was  purehaaed-on  speculatioii  at  £5,550,  a  sum  then  oonaidered 
»y  all  a  boldprietj  and  many  Tentured  the  opinion  that  the  purchaser 
would  never  see  his  money  again.  The  result,  however,  proves  other- 
wise ;  it  is  considered  that  by  the  sale  of  matenals,  and  bv  temporary 
and  permanent  lettinffs,  3  per  cent  interest  at  least  has  Been  realised 
during  the  outlay,  and  the  re-sale  on  Monday  last,  in  31  lots,  produced 
£9,\69. 

Oct  30, 1837.— In  ''Godwin's  State  of  Architecture  in  the  Provinoee," 
the  Free  Grammar  School  of  this  town  is  thus  alluded  to : — In  Birming- 
ham the  building  of  Uie  greatest  importance,  at  this  time  in  progress,  is 
Edward  the  Sixth's  Free  School,  designed  by  Mr.  Barry.  This  is  now 
nearly  completed,  and  affords  a  fur  evidence  of  the  skill  with  which  that 
gentleman  will  cany  out  his  beautiful  designs  for  the  Houses  of  Pariia- 
menty  if  permitted  to  act  acoordinff  to  his  own  judgment  The  style  in 
which  it  IS  built  is  of  the  latest  period  of  pure  Gothic  in  England,  namely, 
that  which  prevailed  immediately  before  the  importation  of  forms  from 
Italy,  which  took  place  about  the  commencement  of  the  sixteenth  cen- 
tury, and  led  to  tlie  mixed  style  known  as  the  Elizabethan.  My  ffeneral 
impression  is  that  it  is  not  merely  an  ornament  to  Binyiingham  out  to 
England. 

From  a  resolation  of  the  Market  Committee,  and  the  com- 
ments of  the  editor  we  learn  the  state  of  the  Fish  Market  at 
the  end  of  1840.  This  resolution  waB  read  at  a  meeting  of 
the  Town  Council  by  Mr.  J.  Cadbury : — 

**  That  being  fully  convinced  of  the  utility,  eoonomy,  and  great 
peeoniai^  advantage  that  would  arise  from  rendering  the  fish 
Market  in  Dale  Eud  as  commodious  and  cleanly  as  possible^  and 
also  the  importance  of  affording  the  greatest  £Mility  and  convenience 
to  the  purdiasara  of  fish ;  the  question  of  the  proprietv  of  paving 
the  grouod  be  submitted  to  a  creneral  meeting  of  the  Oommls- 
sioners."  With  respect  to  the  fish  market,  every  person  acquainted 
with  it  most  know  that  its  present  arrangement  was  most  unsightly, 
and  extremely  inoonveDient  to  the  public  The  plan  proposed  by  the 
Market  Committee  was  that  the  whole  of  the  space  of  ground  at  present 
occupied  should  be  flagged.  This  would  entail  a  considerable  expense, 
bat  it  would'  render  the  market  very  complete.  The  space  it  was 
proposed  to  flag  would  be  devoted  to  the  erection  of  stalls,  and  a 
commodkms  footpath  would  be  left  exdumvely  for  psssengen  and  persoos 
freaoentinff  the  shops.  The  present  footpath  was  only  ten  feet  six  inches 
wiacp  but  Dy  the  adoption  of  the  proposed  plan,  there  would  be  an 
uniform  arrangement  of  stalls  the  whole  length,  and  leaving  an 
unobstructed  footpath  of  the  width  of  twelve  feet 

The  reader  has  now  before  him  a  complete  record  of  the 
changes  which  have  been  made  in  the  appearance  of  the 
town  during  one  hundred  years ;  and  from  this  history  he 
can  construct  for  himself  an  authentic  picture  of  Old  Bir- 
mingham. 


PUBLIC   LIFK  AND   EVENTS.  555 


§  2.      PUBLIC  LIFE  AND   EVENTS. 


The  public  life  of  the  town  was,  for  the  first  year  or  two 

of  this  decade,  ahnost  entirely  absorbed  in  the  agitation  for 

the  Reform  Bill ;  the  history  of  which  will  be  related  in 

another  chapter.     Politics  entered  into  almost  every  public 

question  at  this  time,  and  the  Reformers  made  their  presence 

and  power  felt  at  almost    every  public    meeting.      For 

example  take  this  report  of  a  parish  meeting : — 

March  26,  1832.— Parsnant  to  notice,  the  Overseers  of  the  parish 
attended  at  the  Pablic  Office,  on  Tuesday  last,  for  the  purpose  of  faying 
before  the  inhabitants  the  accounts  of  the  High  Bailiff  and  Constables 
for  the  last  year.  In  consequence  of  the  invitation  of  the  ^  Political 
Council,''  an  unusual  number  of  persons  attended  to  resist  the  passing  d 
the  High  Bidliflrs  portion  of  the  accounts ;  and  if  the  object  of  that  body 
wereu  through  its  deputies,  to  prevent  the  transacting  of  any  part  of  the 
public  business,  its  oidding  was  most  effectually  accomplished.  Mr. 
knight,  one  of  the  Overseers,  having  declined  fiUmg  the  chair,  the  Low 
Bailor  was  voted  to  it,  and  as  soon  as  that  gentleman  had  taken 
possession,  cries  of  adjournment  were  raised,  to  the  interruption  of  all 
proeeedinn.  After  much  confusion,  altercation,  and  clamour,  it  waa 
ascertained  that  the  accommodation  required  could  not  be  obtained  at 
Mr.  Beurdsw<nrth*8,  and  an  adjonmment  to  St.  Martinis  Church,  was 
put  and  carried.  On  reaching  the  gates,  however,  it  was  found  that 
admittance  was  refused  bv  the  Churbhwardena  Mr.  Weston  and  the- 
multitude,  headed  by  Messrs.  Edmonds^  Jones,  8a1t»  and  Hadlejr, 
remained  in  the  open  space  in  front  of  the  church.  A  car  was  speedily 
procured,  from  which  Messrs.  Edmonds  and  Jones  spoke,  and 
eventually  they  resolved  to  return  to  the  Public  Office.  On  arriving 
there  it  was  ascertained  that  the  Low  Bailiff,  the  Overseers,  and  most 
of  the  respectable  part  of  the  meeting,  declining  to  follow  the  members 
of  the  Coundl  in  their  migratory  excursions,  had  withdrawn.  •  Mr. 
Hadley,  by  whom  the  plaearas  uiging  resistance  to  the  passing  ci  the 
High  Bailiff's  accounts  were  siguM,  was  then  very  appropriate^  oUled 
to  preside ;  and  after  some  further  discussion  it  was  once  more  resolved 
to  adjourn  to  the  Old  Square.  Here  Mr.  Hadley  resumed  the  chair, 
elevated  on  the  box  of  a  hadcnev  coach,  and  a  motion  was  put  and 
carried  by  his  supporter  and  frieno,  Edmonds,  that  the  meeting  should 
adjourn  sine  die^  which  being  declared  carried,  the  crowd  forthwith 
dispersed^  and  the  affiiir  was  Nought  to  a  dose. 

Tempeninoe  Societies  were  now  oiganising  their  crusade 

against  the  giant  evil  of  this  country.     The  following  is  a 

brief  reference  to  one  of  the  famous  pioneers  in  this  social 

reform : — 

June  18, 1832.— Mr.  Cruikshank,  the  accredited  agent  of  the  British 
and  Foreign  Temperance  Society,  whose  exertions  on  behalf  of  those 


556  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFK 

institotioiiB  has  brought  him  from  Scotland  to  Ed  gland,  is  a  man  of  venr 
extraordinary  naturaJ  gifts.  He  was  originally  a  sailor,  and  afterwards 
settled  in  Dundee,  where  he  drove  a  cart^  from  which  circumstance  arose 
the  custom  of  calling  him,  when  he  first  commeDced  his  present  employ- 
ment, ''the  Dundee  Carter."  It  is  said  that  his  appeals  are  perfectly 
irresistable.  and  that  his  speeches  are  a  torrent  of  excellence  unaided  by 
art.  At  all  events  our  townsmen  will  have  an  opportunity  of  judging  for 
themselves,  as  Mr.  Oruikshank  hss  engaged  to  attend  four  meetings,  to 
be  held  in  this  town  during  the  present  week. 

The  next  extract  proves  that  the  old  spirit  of  humanity 
was  also  active  in  the  town : — 

August  6,  1832. — ^A  public  meeting  was  held  on  Thursday  evening 
last,  at  Carr's-lane  Meeting-house,  for  the  purpose  of  taking  into  con- 
sideration the  measures  most  likely  to  promote  the  entire  and  immediate 
abolition  of  Negro  Slavery  in  the  West  Indian  Colonies. 

This  was  the  year  of  that  terrible  visitation,  the  cholera, 

which  carried  off  its  victims  with  a  virulence  and  rapidity 

exceeding  the  mortality  of  the  most  &tal  plagues  recorded 

in  history.    Happily  this  town  was  scarcely,  if  at  all,  visited 

by  the  disease.      It  raged  in  the  immediate  neighbourhood, 

and  such  places  as  Bilston,  Tipton,  and  West  Bromwich 

suffered  fearfully.    On  August  13, 1832,  the  inhabitants  were 

startled  by  the  following  announcement : — 

ChOLKRA  IV  BlUllirGHAM. 

We  remt  to  state  that  since  oar  last  publication  several  cases  of 
decided  Spasmodic  Cholera  have  occarrca  in  this  town.  The  first 
victim  to^tiiis  dreadful  disease  wm  Joshua  Allaop,  M.D. 

A  Vestiy  meeting  was  held  in  St  Martin's  Church  on 
August  7,  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  a  church  rate.  It 
was  proposed  to  grant  one  of  sixpence  in  the  pound,  but  the 
motion  was  resisted  Mr.  Salt,  one  of  the  Churchwardens, 
then  asked  for  one  of  fourpence,  but  this  was  also  refused ; 
and  the  noisy  and  prolonged  meeting  did  not  break  up  till 
six  q'dock.    On  September  24;  we  again  read  : — 

At  the  adjonmed  Yestiy  Meeting  lield  at  St  Martin's  Church,  on 
Taaaday  last^  the  Report  of  the  Auditanff  Committee,  presented  bj  Mr. 
Edmonds,  reoommendinff  the  grsnting  of  a  foar-penny  rate  for  the  ex- 
penses of  the  Ghnrch  ana  Chapel  Waraens  of  the  present  year,  was  met 
py  another  motion  of  adjoomment  for.  another  fortnight,  which^  after 
much  dii^ffaoefiil  uproar  and  confusion,  was  carried  bv  a  lam  majority. 
The  cfaurai  was  fiUed,  as  usual,  to  excess,  the  great  bulk  of  those  present 
being  evidently  not  rate-payeni,  and  the  Chnrohwardens  (Messrs.  Wes- 
ton and  Salt)  were  received  on  their  appearance  with  loud  expressions 
of  disaoprobation.  Mr.  Edmonds  supported  the  proposed  rate,  and  was 
opposea  by  some  of  his  former  ooadiutors  in  matters  of  the  kind,  am<mg 
whom  were  Messrs,  Pare,  MlXnmeU,  Hadlev  and  others,  and  the  motion 
fur  adjournment  was  carried  in  spite  of  the  efforts  of  himself  and  his 
colleague,  Mr.  Salt  The  affair  continues  therefore  just  where  the  meeting 
found  it  No  rate  is  granted,  and  it  remains  to  be  seen  whether  the 
Churdiwardens  will  put  in  force  their  threat  of  applying  fora  mandamtu^ 


PUBLIC  LIFE  AND  EVENTS.  657 

or  wait  until  they  are  again  defeated  at  another  meeting.  The  Rector 
had  again  the  unthankful  office  of  presidinff,  and  with  all  his  patience 
and  endurance,  it  was  with  difficulty  he  could  refrain  from  leaving  the 
chair  and  bringing  tlie  meeting  to  an  abrupt  termination. 

The  presence  of  the  Cholera  produced,  at  least,  the  out- 
ward signs  of  religion.  On  October  1,  the  following  notice 
was  published : — 

Tuesday  last,  spontaneously  set  apart  in  this  town  as  a  day  of  humili- 
ation, prayer,  and  thanksgiving,  was  observed  with  highly  becoming 
solemmty.  All  kind  of  business  was  su^)ended,  and  the  various  places 
of  public  worship,  whether  of  the  establishment  or  among  dissenters, 
were  crowded  with  attentive  and,  in  some  instances,  overaowing  con- 
gregations, both  morning  and  evening.  The  merciful  exemption  of  this 
town  fmn  the  ravages  of  the  disease  still  happily  continues,  the  only 
case  reported  since  our  last  being  that  of  a  chila  four  years  of  age ;  and 
in  this  case,  as  well  as  the  one  reported  last  week,  we  understand,  exhibit 
symptoms  of  ultimate  recovery. 

Steam  carriages  for  travelling  on  the  ordinary  turnpike 

road  absorbed  the  minds  of  'many  Birmingham  Medianics 

at  this  time ;  and  several  experiments  were  made  which 

excited  a  great  deal  of  interest.    Here  is  the  record  of  one : — 

December  10, 1832. — ^The  Steam  Carriage,  oonstnicted  by  our  towns- 
men Messrs.  Heaton,  made  a  short  journey  on  the  Hales  Owen  lUwA, 
on  Friday  last,  in  order  to  tiy  the  power  of  a  new  boiler  in  generating 
steam,  and  which,  we  understand,  performed  its  office  most  admirably. 
The  lade  of  steam,  which  is  an  eVil  hitherto  common  to  all  locomotive 
steam  carriages  when  put  to  considerable  speed  for  some  distance,  appears 
now  to  be  obviated,  and  the  performance  of  a  long  jonmey  in  reasonable 
time  by  these  carriages  cannot  remain  much  longer  an  mioertainty. 
The  carriage  started  m>m  the  manufactory  in  Shad  well-street -and  pro- 
ceeded np  Ureat  Charles-etreet  hill  at  the  rate  of  ten  miles  an  hour.  Its 
average*  rate  of  travelling,  however,  seems  to  be  about  eight  miles  an 
hour,  and  this  it  performs  with  great  safety  and  certainty  along  all 
roads.  About  thirty  of  Messrs.  bSH's  pupils  contrived  to  set  upon  the 
carriage,  and  rode  about  two  miles,  returning  with  it^  evidently  much 
gratified  with  the  novelty  of  tlie  conveyance. 

The  year  closed  with  a  brief  account  of  the  ^introduction 
of  a  new  trade"  : — 

De&  31, 1832. — A  Correspondent  observes  that  he  is  glad  to  see  a  new 
trade  springing  up  in  this  town,  viz.,  the  sweeping  the  crossings  of  the 
streets ;  but  he  fears  that  unless  the  public  bestow  now  and  then  a  few  . 
halfpence  and  pence,  as  in  London,  it  will  be  a  short-lived  trade.  He 
asked  a  poor  man  who  was  sweeping  a  crossing,  and  which  he  did  very 
neatly,  whether  it  answered,  and  be  replied — ^  No,  sir,  not  yet ;  people 
think  I  am  paid  by  the  parish,  but  that  Is  not  the  case,  I  have  nothing 
bat  what  persons  please  to  give  me  for  a  dean  road.'* 

Early  in  1833  Birmingham  did  something  to  repair  the 
injustice  of  1791.  Repenting  of  her  bigoted  treatment  of 
Dr.  Priestley,  it  was  resolved  to  make  some  amends,  and  this 
was  done  in  the  usual  English  fasliion,  by  having  a  dinner : — 


558  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE, 

April  1, 183a— The  centenary  of  the  birth  of  Dr.  Priestley  was  cele- 
brated in  this  town  on  Tharaday  last,  by  a  public  dinner  at  Dee's  Boyal 
Hotel,  under  the  presidency  of  the  Bev.  John  Corrie,  and  of  which  nearly 
two  hundred  gentlemen  partook.  Among  the  company  were  a  numbtt* 
of  Unitarian  Ministers,  several  of  whom  came  considerable  distances  to 
be  present  on  the  occasion.  The  excellent  dinner  provided  by  Mr.  Dee 
having  been  disposed  of,  and  ^'The  King"  and  other  toasts  in  honour  of 
the  Bo^al  Family  given,  the  Chairman,  in  proposing  ''The  Memory  cf 
Dr.  Priestley,"  passed  a  high  and  able  eulogium  on  Uie  character  of  the 
illustrious  man  whose  birth-day  they  had  met  to  celebrate,  and  adverted 
to  some  of  the  more  prominent  of  his  claims  upon  their  admiration. 
Mr.  Joseph  Parkes  expressed,  in  acknowledgment^  the  grateful  sense 
entertained  by  the  surviving  relatives  and  friends  of  Dr.  Priestley  of 
the  honour  conferred  upon  his  character  by  the  meeting ;  and  lamented 
that  Mr.  Priestley,  from  infirmity,  was  prevented  from  attending  and 
returning  thanks  in  person  on  an  occasion  so  gratifying  and  honoumble 
to  the  memory  of  his  respected  fiither..  The  healui  of  the  Bev.  John 
Kentish,  and  of  the  Chairman,  was  then  drunk  and  suitably  acknow- 
ledfled.  The  next  toast  g[iven  waa  ''Joseph  Priestley,  ^Baq^  ha|ipiness 
and  prosperity  to  his  fiimily,  and  to  all  the  descendants  ofDr.  Pncatley 
in  England  and  North'  America ;"  which  was  replied  to  by  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Bowen.  of  Cradley ,  his  son-in-law.  On  "  the  cause  of  truth  and  of  ctvO 
and  reiiffious  libexty "  being  given,  the  eompany  was  addressed  by  the 
Bev.  J.  Grundv,  of  Manchester.  The  "  Memory  of  Dr.  Parr,"  and  the 
"  Memory  d  the  Bev.  Bobert  HalL^  were  afterwards  civen — the  latter 
"  for  his  manly  and  eloquent  vindication  of  Dr.  Priestley's  name,"  and 
the  former  as  '*  the  fearless  advocate  of  his  public  and  private  character." 
inie  Bev.  Mr.  Bernr,  of  Manchester^having  replied  to  the  last  mentioned 
toast^  the  health  of  the  Bev.  Hu^  Mutton  was  given  and  acknowledged. 
The  Chainnan  next  proposed  "  The  honoured  memory  of  the  Bev.  Wil- 
liam BDawkes,  Dr.  raestley's  ffreatly  esteemed  predecessor ;  of  the  Bev. 
Sam.  Blyth,  his  aifectioDate  culea^e ;  of  the  Bev.  Dr.  Toulmin ;  and  of 
the  Bev.  Baddiffe  Sdiolefield,  the  bompanion  of  his  eariy  studies  and  of 
a  very  interesting  tenn  of  his  after  years."    This  toast  was  acknow- 


ledged by  the  Bev.  William  Hawkea,  Mr.  Qeoise  Blyth,  the  Bev. 
Bobert  Kell,  and  Mr.  Hawkes  Smith.  The  health  of  the  Bev.  a  BaduL 
and  of  the  Bev.  J.  Martinean,  of  Liverpool,  .was  next  giveoy  and  renUea 
to  by  those  gentlemen.  The  Bev.  J.  J.  Tayler,  of  Mandieater,  and  Mr. 
Henry  Smitn  afterwards  addressed  the  company ;  and  the  meeting  did 
not  break  up  untfl  a  late  hour. 

On  the  29th  of  March  a  meeting  of  Merchants  and  Manu- 
facturers waa  held  on  the  important  subject  of  the  Patent 
Laws.  Mr.  B.  Cook  was  in  the  chair^  and  the  following 
resolutions  were  passed : — 

1.  That  conttdering  every  new  idea,  whereof  the  manifestation  or 
development  may  become  useful  to  society,  to  belong  exclusively  to  him 
who  conceives  it,  and  that  it'  is  highly  advantageous  to  the  useful  arts 
and  manufactures  to  encourage  industij  by  securing  the  piopertv  of  • 
inventions  to  their  authors  at  a  moderate  expense ;  this  neeting  n  of 
opinion  that  such  security  may  be  afforded  at  a  considerable  less  cost  thui 
what  is  now  payable  as  fees  and  stamps  on  the  granting  of  Letters  Patent 
8.  That  the  Bill  introduced  into  the  House  of  Oommons  by  Mr. 
Godson,  ^  to  explain  and  amend  the  Laws  respecting  Letters  Patent  for 


PUBLIC   LIFE   AND   EVENTS.  559 

Inveniioiis,"  is  defective  iD  most  of  its  proyisions,  and  if  passed  into  a 
law,  would  fiul  to  secore  to  inventors  that  protection  and  facility  which 
it  is  the  object  of  the  Patent  Laws  to  do. 

3.  That  the  amendment  now  proposed  to  Mr.  Godson's  Bill  be 
approved  and  printed,  and  tliat  Mr.  Newton,  of  London,  be  requested 
to  wait  npon  Mr.  Godson  therewith,  and  eudeavonr  to  prevail  upon 
him  to  adopt  the  same. 

4.  That,  in  the  event  of  Mr.  Godson  refusing  to  adopt  those  amend- 
ments, or  such  of  them  as  appear  to  be  of  the  meet  importance,  a 
Petition  be  presented  to  the  House  of  Commons  embracing  the  spirit  of 
the  alterations  now  suggested. 

5.  That  the  following  gentlemen  be  appointed  a  Committee  to 
superintend  the  progress  of  the  Bill  through  Parliament,  and  to  adopt 
such  measures  tnerein  as  they  shall  think  expedient;  and  that  such 
Committee  have  power  to  add  to  their  number : — 

Mr.  K  Cook  Mr.  Goddard 

Dr.  Church  Mr.  C  H.  Capper 

Mr.  Van  Wart  Mr.  W.  Richards 

Mr.  Edward  Lucas  Mr.  F.  Muntz 

Mr.  Home  Mr.  R  Rotton. 

6^  That  a  Subacription  be  immediately  entered  into  to  defray  the 
necessary  expenses. 

7.  That  the  best  thanks  of  the  meeting  b^  presented  to  Mr.  Newton^ 
of  the  Office  of  Patents,  London,  for  the  interest  be  has  taken  in  the 
snbjecti  and  for  the  able  manner  in  which  he  has  explained  the  same  to 
the  Meeting. 

&  That  Messrs.  Tpdall  and  Rawlins  be  appointed  Secretaries,  to 
whom  all  oommunioations  are  requested  to  be  addressed. 

On  April  16  an  Anti-Slavery  Meeting  was  held  in  Dee's 
Aflsembfy  Boom.  Mr.  John  Simeox,  the  High  Bailiff,  was 
in  the  chair.  The  meeting  was  called  in  support  of  the 
«<  immediate  and  complete  abolition  of  that  iniquitous 
trade.  An  opposition,  headed  by  Mr.  O.  F.  Muntz,  and 
othei:  members  of  the  Political  Union,  was  oiganised,  and, 
on  the  morning  of  the  meeting  a  placard  was  posted  about 
the  town,  cafiing  upon  all  who  were  opposed  to  the 
''  spoliation  of  property  "  to  attend  the  meetis^.  The  result 
was  a  scene  of  great  disorder  and  confusion.  The  attendance 
was  much  in  excess  of  the  accommodation,  and  loud  cries  for 
an  adjournment  greeted  the  speakera  The  proceedings  were 
for  some  time  interrupted,  and  "  many  of  tne  ladies  hastily 
retired  in  considerable  ahurm.  Mr.  Chance  and  others  of  tiie 
requisitionists  interfered,  and  ^roressed  their  determination 
not  to  adjourn."  The  Bey.  W.  Marsh  moved,  and  Mr. 
Cadbury  seconded,  the  resolution.  A  working-man,  named 
Ethriugibon,  moved  as  an  amendment^  "  that  Slaveiy  at  home 
should  be  first  aboHBhed.**  This  was  seconded,  and  only 
added  to  the  confusion  of  the  meeting.  Mr.  Q.  F.  Muntz 
spoke  next,  and  moved  another  amendment  to  the  effect. 


660  A  CENTUEY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

'*  that  anxioas  as  we  are  for  the  early  but  gradual  abolition 
of  Negro  Slavery,  we  cannot  admit  that,  in  the  peculiar 
crisis  of  the  country,  it  is  a  subject  which  calls  for  the 
attention  of  His  Majesty^s  Government,  in  preference  to  the 
measures  necessary  to  be  carried  into  effect  for  promoting 
the  commercial  and  manufacturing  interests  of  the  country ; 
nor  can  we  sanction  any  proposition  for  the  abolition  of 
Negro  Slavery,  unaccompanied  by  an  offer  of  granting  to  the 
owners  of  West  India  Estates  such  compensation  as  Parlia- 
ment may  think  proper."  Mr.  T.  E.  Lee  likewise  supported 
the  daim  of  the  slave  owners  to  compensation,  and  seconded 
the  amendment  of  Mr.  Muntz. 

A  number  of  persons,  induding  Mr.  George  Edmonds, 
also  spoke,  and  tne  confusion  became  worse  confounded. 
We  quote  the  conclusion  of  this  extraordinary  meeting : — 

The  Bev.  P.  Duncan,  who  had  been  resident  eleven  yean  in  the 
West  Indiet,  followed,  and  detailed,  in  a  toncblng  and  moet  impns- 
nve  manner,  fiMla  proving  that  the  slaves  were  in  a  fit  state  fi>r 
reosiving  fineedom.  and  that  if  the  aet  of  hnmanity  and  jostioe  were 
miicli  longer  withlield,  it  wonld  be  beyond  the  means  of  Government  to 
oonfiur  as  a  boon  what  they  wonld  have  themselves  asserted  and  claimed 
as  a  right  In  the  course  of  his  speech,  Mr.  Duncan  made  direct 
Tsfersnoe  to  statements  advanced  by  Mr.  Munts  and  Mr.  Lee,  some  of 
whidi  from  personal  knowledm  he  was  able  distinctly  to  rsfote. 

At  the  onioliisionof  Mr.  Doncan's  addrssi,  a  penon  of  the  name  of 
GloglaBy  said  to  be  an  itinerant  Political  Union  Lecturer,  claimed  to  be 
beara.  Objection  being  made  on  the  ground  that  he  was  a  stranger  to 
the  town,  he  stated  himself  to  be  an  inhabitant^  and  on  that  plea 
he  was  allowed  by  the  OhiUrman  to  proceed.  He  then  entered  into 
statements  with  tne  evident  view  of  oiminishing  the  effect  of  the  very 
powerful  address  of  Mr.  Duncan,  and  closed  oy  proposing  a  third 
amendment— "That  the  meeting  ahoold  be  a^JKMimed  for  a  fiorUiight^"— 
to  enable  the  BIA  Bailiff  to  convene  a  meeting  in  the  mean  time, 
relative  to  the  public  distress.  He  Insisted,  with  great  vehemence,  that 
his  amendment  should  be  at  once  put  from  the  chair,  and  on  Mr. 
M'Donnell  attempting  to  obtain  a  hearing  In  reply,  he  was  assailed  witii 
the  most  determined  opposition  from  the  dense  mass  of  persons  at  the 
lower  end  of  the  room.  To  such  a  height  did  the  interruption  rise^ 
that  the  few  ladies  who  still  remained  precipitately  left  the  room. 
During  the  occasional  but  partial  intermlmloiM^  llr.  ITDonnell  perM- 
verad,  out  was  at  length  completely  damoursd  down.  Eventually  the 
High  Ballifl^  finding  all  efforts  to  restore  tranqullU^  unavailing^  roee 
and  said,  "i  have  sat  patiently  fix*  upwards  of  six  boun^  during  the 
greater  part  of  which  time  ecenes  of  d&order  have  constantly  occurred ; 
and  is  I  sse  no  possible  diance  of  any  gentleman  obtaining  an  Impartial 
hearings  I  therabra^  while  I  am  obliged  to  adLoowledge  it  to  be  a 
disgrace  to  the  town  of  Birmingham,  declare  Uiis  meetmg  dissolved." 
Mr.  Muntx  afterwards  expresiod  his  satisfaction  at  the  determination 
of  the  Chairman,  as  he  had  intended  to  have  moved  an  adjournment 


PtTBUC  LIFE  AND  EVENTS.  561 

ThvB  termmated  one  of  the  most  disgraceful  interferences  with  the 
irights  of  the  inhabitants  that  it  has  been  our  duty  to  record  since  the 
establishment  of  the  Political  Union.  The  proceedings  assumed  a  most 
ftingiiUr  form,  inasmudi  as  parties  usually  taking  a  lead  were  found 
ranged  on  either  side,  Mr,  Ecunonds  and  the  Bev.  Mr.  McDonnell  advo- 
cating the  views  of  the  requisitionists,  while  Mr.  Munte  appeared  disposed 
to  encourage  the  retained  advocate  of  West  India  Planters  in  his 
defence  of  Slavery,  until  Mr,  Co^lan  tmadvisedly  presented  an  exten- 
uatinff  alignment  for  the  wkipf  which  coming  fortn  too  broadly  to  bo 
mistaken,  for  a  while  interfered  with  the  fluent  progress  of  the  speaker. 
It  is  obvioos  from  the  result  of  the  proceedmgs  that  the  popular 
elements  of  the  Union  have  become  nnmanaf[eable  even  to  the  leaders 
themselves,  and  it  is  to  be  feared  that  pubbc  meetmgs  in  f«tare  will 
become  open  to  the  harangues  of  any  travelling  agitator  who  may  be 
disposed  to  address  them. 

After  the  dissolution  of  the  meeting  the  Beauintionists  withdrew 
into  an  adjoining  room,  and  the  following  vote  of  tnanks  to  the  chairman 
was  unaiumoualy  passed : — ^^Thttt  our  best  and  grateful  thanks  be 
presented  to  the  High  Bailiff  for  the  impartial,  patient^  and  deciBive 
conduct  he  maintains  in  the  chain  under  cirenmstances  unprecedented 
as  th^  were  disorderly."  On  the  xollowinff  day  another  meeting  of  the 
BequintioniBtB  and  others  took  place  at  tne  IPubUc  OiBce,  and  after 
much  dissension^  duiinff  which  various  plans  were  suggested  as  to  the 
course  that  should,  uncter  the  circumstaaces,  be  pursuea,  it  was  deter- 
mined that  the  petition  to  Parliament,  intended  to  be  proposed  to  the 
tmUic  meeting,  should  be  prepared  for  general  signature,  which  is  now 
m  progiyBS.  At  this  meeting  a  claim  was  made  by  "Mr.  Dee,  of  the 
Boval  Uotol,  for  damages  sustained  bj  the  breaking  of  fonns,  chairs, 
and  glass,  in  the  room,  on  the  preoodmg  day,  to  the  amount  of  about 
twenty  poiii|ili ;  and  we  have  reason  to  believe  that  further  proceedings 
will  be  taken  bv  the  Begniaitiopists  to  mark  their  sense  of  tne  uncalled 
for  and  unjustinable  interference  with  their  privilege  as  inhabitants  of 
the  town,  meeting  for  the  purpose  of  exercimng  their  right  of  petitioning. 

The  requisiiionists  published  the  foUowing  advertifiement: 

Aboutioh  ov  Odlovul  Blavxbt. 

April  £2,  1833.— At  a  Meeting  of  Qentlemen.  who  signed  the 
leqoisitkin  to  the  Hieh  Bailiff  on  the  subject  of  the  Abolition  of 
Slavery,  and  of  others  friendly  to  that  object  held  at  the  Pabiie  Office, 
April  17.  1833;  Thomas  Lowe,  Esq.,  in  the  Chair.  This  Meeting 
beinff  fhllv  of  the  opinion  that  ttie  fming  of  a  very  lai^ge  minority  of 
the  inhamtants  of  tne  town  is  in  fiivour  of  the  immediate  Abolition  of 
Negro  Slavery  in  the  British  Colonies,  but  that  tiie  proceedings  of 
Testerdav  have  proved  the  unpnietickbili^  of  p^iving  expression  to  that 
feeling  through  the  mediom  of  a  pablic  meetmff,  without  a  repetition 
of  the  same  systematic  and  diigraoefal  interruption, — 

JisKlvedwutnimaudy-'TbaX  Petitions  to  both  Houses  of  Parliament 
for  the  immediate  Abolitkm  of  Slavery,  to  be  entitled  the  Petition  of 
the  nnderngned  Magistrates,  Clergy,  Ministers,  Banken,  Merdbanta. 
Manufiwtnrers,  and  other  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  and  Neighbourhooa 
of  Birmingham,  be  forthwith  prepared  and  dreulated  for  aiffnature. 

Tbomas  Lows.  Chidrman. 

In  the  be^nning  of  May  the  Factory  Commissioners 
visited  Birmingham  in  pursuit  of  their  inquiry  respecting 

U  00 


562  A  CENTUBY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

the  labour  of  Children.  They  were  Mr.  John  Spencer,  Mr. 
Leonard  Hardy,  and  Mr.  S.  Woolriche,  Inspector  Qeneral  of 
Military  Hospitals.  The  Oazette  gives  the  following  report 
of  their  visit,  a  report  which  we  anticipate  is  not  a  little 
covlev/r  de  rose : — 

Darm«f  their  stay  they  visited  several  Brass  foundries,  Batton,  Lamp, 
Brace,  Web,  Pin.  and  other  manufactories,  when  they  saw  tiie  mastera, 
work  people,  and  children,  and  examined  alL  In  no  one  instance,  we 
are  ha^py  to  state,  did  there  appear  to  be  anj  forced  labour  of  children, 
nor  any  ffreat  number  collected  together,  as  m  cotton  and  silk  factories. 
No  oomjSaint  of  oppression  of  anv  Kind  was  made  to  the  CommisdonerB, 
nor  any  m>reasion  on  the  part  ox  anv  of  the  children  of  dislike  to  their 
labour.'  Tne  hours  of  duly  labour  thejr  found  to  be  ten  generally ;  and 
altoffether  the  result  of  the  investigation  was  satisfactory  to  the  Oom- 
missionerB,  and  creditable  to  the  piu*ties  who  were  the  subject  of  their 
enouiiy.  The  impression  made  upon  the  minds  of  the  Board  was,  we 
unaerstood.  that  the  working  classes  of  the  town  displayed  much  intel- 
ligence, and  appeared  to  be  m  a  prosperous  state. 

This  yeax  we  lost  a  good  and  useful  man : — 

On  Thursday,  at  his  residenoe  in  the  Aston  road,  in  the  75th  year  of 
his  a^  Mr.  James  Armitage,  of  this  town.  Betirsd  and  unobtrusive 
in  his  habits,  his  talents  and  acquirements  were  but  partially  known 
beyond  the  domestic  circle,  within  which  they  were  jurtlv  ajipreciated, 
and  his  exemplary  worth  as  a  husband,  as  a  father,  and  fnend  most 
affectionately  regarded.  ■  Aa  a  tradesman,  he  was  distingwished  by  great 
industry  ana  punctuality,  and  his  particular  brandi  of  business,  tlukt  of 
a  Chemist,  led  him  to  apply  himaelf  to  sajentific  objeetiy  in  which  he 
diq>lajred  attainments  oi  no  common  order.  It  was,  however,  in  his 
favourite  pursuit  of  Botany  that  he  became  known  as  an  enthusiastic 
studMLti  -  His  attachment  to  that  department  of  Science,  and  his  desire 
for  its  extension,  induced  him  to  enfpige  with  great  ardour  in  the  forma- 
tion and  establishment  of  the  Botaniciu  and  Horticultural  Society  oi  this 
town  ;  and  his  extensiye  correspondence  with  sereral  of  the  most  emi- 
nent .botanists  of  the  day,  obtained  for  the  Sooefy  considerable  advan- 
tagea .  For  neariy  twenfy-seyen  years  Mr.  Araitage  acted  as  Treasurer 
to  the  BirminAfaam  Library,  and  in  the  dischane  of  the  duties  of  the 
office  he  was  doeely  identified  with  every  plan  aevised  for  the  welfare 
of  that  institution. 

The  next  extract  is  the  report  of  the  first  flower  show  of 

the 

BoTAVicAi.  AVD  HoBnouLTURAX.  Socisrr. 

June  S4, 183a— The  first  public  show  of  this  Society  was  bald  on 
Wednesday  and  Thursday  last,  at  the  rooms  of  the  Society  of  Aits ;  and, 
aa  we  anticipated,  was  iMx>nounced  by  competent  judges  to  be  one  of  the 
finest  collections  of  rare  and  choice  plants  ever  brought  together  in  this 
coontiy.  The  exhibition  took  place  in  the  large  dreultf  room,  which 
is  admirably  adiq)ted  for  the  purpose,  and  arowid  and  in  the  centre  of 
whidi  the  plants  and  other  productions  were  arranged  on  stages  to 
the  greatest  advantage,  leaving  considerable  unoccupied  space  for  the 
reception  of  company.  Ample,  however,  aa  this  nace  waa,  it  was  so 
densely  filled  in  a  short  time  after  the  doors  were  thrown  open,  that  it 


PUBLIC  LIFE  AND  EVENTS.  563 

was  vriih.  difficullnr  parties  could  move  round.  This  continued  to  be  the 
case  nearly  the  whole  of  the  time  the  exhibition  remained  open  on  the 
first  day,  and  the  visitors  were  almost  as  numerous  for  several  hours  on 
the  second  day.  Among  those  who  were  present  a  huge  prdportion  was 
composed  of  members  of  the  Society  and  their  families,  comprising 
most  of  the  respectable  residents  of  the  town  and  its  vicinity.  Many 
visitors  from  a  distance  were  also  present^  and  it  was  gratifying  to  leam 
that  the  exhibition  and  the  arranfl^ents  were  (>roductive  of  the  highest 

eeasure  and  satisfaction  to  alL  The  contributions  from  members  and 
lends  of  the  society,  including  fruits  and  vegetables,  and  collections  of 
cut  flowers,  were  considerably  above  four  hundred  in  number,  manv  of 
the  plants  being  of  considerable  size  and  growth,  and  all  in  the  highest 
state  of  cultivation. 

The  first  annual  meeting  of  the  Temperance  Society  was 

held  this  year,  and  the  following  brief  paragraph  is  all  the 

report  given  of  this  not  unimportant  meeting : — 

July  ly  1833. — On  Wednesday  tiie  first  annual  meeting  of  the  Bir- 
mingham Auxiliary  Temperance  Society  took  place,  at  the  Friends^ 
Meeting  House,  in  Bull- street  The  attendance  was  numerous  and 
respectable,  consistinff  chiefly  of  ladies.  .On  tbe  motion  of  the  Bev.  J. 
A«  James^  Mr.  Dani^  Tiedaani  took  the  diair ;  and  having  briefly  allu- 
ded to  the  object  of  the  meeting,  the  Secretary  read  the  lEsport^  a  copy 
of  which  appears  in  our  fourth  pige.  The  Rev.  William  Marsh  moved 
its  adoption,  and  was  seconded  by  the  Bev.  Hu^  Stowell,  who  entered 
into  an  examination  of  the  various  objections  to  tiia  aode^  to  all  of 
which  be  replied  in  an  efiective  and  convincing  apeedu  The  *Bev.  J.  A« 
James  and  the  Bev.  Mr.  Tye  afterwards  addroasod  the  meeting,  which 
then  separated. 

The  following  report  will  be  interesting  to  members  of 

Trades'  Unions : — 

November  18, 1833— On  Monday  last  George  Stiles,  George  Hol- 
land, John  Frewing,  Thomas  Jo^oe,  and  John  Totts,  membera  of  the 
Tradeii^  Union,  were  brouffht  up  tor  an  examination  at  the  Fnblio  Oflioe^ 
charged  with  preventing  William  Plimly,  a  carpenter,  in  the  employ  ol 
Mr.  Bamett^  builder,  from  following  his  osnal  oceapation.  The  cliarga 
against  the  prisoners  was  oondacted  by  Mr.  J.  Eyre  Lee,  and  the  evi- 
dence of  Plimley  went  to  shew  that  they  had  on  several  occasions  met 
and  abused  him  when  going  to  work,  threatening  him  with  violence  in 
case  he  persisted  in  not  joining  the  association.  The  prisoners  having 
acknowledged  their  error,  the  Magistratea  consented  that  they  should  be 
disdiatged  on  entering  into  their  own  recognisances  of  jC60  each,  to 
keep  the  peace,  and  puiicularly  towaids  Mr.  Bamett  and  Plimley,  for 
twelve  months,  and  also  on  their  making  a  suitable  apology  to  the 
former.  Isaac  Spooner,  Esq.,  one  of  the  sitting  MagistrateSy  in  the 
course  of  the  proceedings^  took  an  opportunity  of  referring  in  strong 
terms  to  the  mischievous  effects  arising  from  Ul^;al  combinauons  of  men 
against  their  employers,  and  of  intimating  that,  should  any  other  dmilar 
ease  be  brought  before  him,  in  which  acts  of  intimidation  acainst  orderly 
and  well  disposed  workmen  were  clearly  proved,  the  uw  would  m 
enforced  to  its  full  extent     The  prisoners,  he  observed,  were  all  stran" 

era  to  the  town,  and  he  trusted,  therefore,  that  Birmingham  workmen 

ad  not  yet  lent  themselves  to  the  same  illegal  practi< 


i: 


564f  A  GENTUKT  OF  BIRMINOHAM  LIFE. 

The  working  men  were  beginning  to  take  a  greater  interest 

in  public  questions,  and  as  uie  result  of  this  were  providing 

themselves  with  places  of  meeting.      Here  is  the  record  of 

their  first  effort  in  this  direction : — 

Dec.  2, 1833. — ^A  building  is  in  canrae  of  erection  in  Broad-street,  in 
this  town,  which  is  intended  to  be  called  ''The  Operative  Boilden^ 
QoildhalL**  The  first  stone  was  laid  on  Thursday  last^  and  tiie  mem- 
bers of  the  **  United  Trades'  Society "  assembled  in  considerable  number 
on  the  occasion,  and  proceeded  to  the  site  with  banners,  musics  &e.  "Mr. 
Hansom,  one  of  the  architects  of  the  Town  HalL  it  appears,  was  invited 
to  officiate,  and  after  addressing  those  present,  ne  proceeded  to  lay  the 
corner  stone.  The  rsin  fell  in  torrents  during  the  whole  ceremony,  and 
the  procession  returned  immediately  afterwards  to  the  place  at  which 
it  had  assembled.. 

The  year  1834  was  very  uneventful  Even  politics  had 
lost  their  excitement,  and  for  a  time  were  neglected.  It  was 
not  until  December  that  renewed  activity  was  given  to 
public  ai&irs  by  the  formation  of  a  Constitutional  Associa- 
tion, of  which  an  account  will  be  given  under  its  proper 
heading.  Our  fi^rst  eztractB  for  1834  record  the  deaths  of 
two  men  whose  names  the  inhabitants  ought  not  willingly 
to  let  die . — 

April  28, 1834.— Died,  on  Satmday  last,  at  his  house  in  N«w-stnet» 
in  the  78th  rear  of  his  age^  the  Bev.  John  Oooke,  for  more  than  fortr 
years  one  of  the  Masters  m  King  Edward's  Gimmmar  Sdiool  in  Hub 
town^for  thirty-six  Tears  the  £ad  Master ;  and  for  more  than  Mj 
years  one  of  the  Minlstert  of  the  Ertablished  Ghureh,  either  as  Curate 
of  8t.  Martin's  or  Minister  of  8t  Bartholomew'a  In  |dl  these  oiBdal 
stations^  as  well  as  in  private  li&,  be  was  beloved  and  respeeted  fbr  the 
parity  of  his  mind,  the  MntleneM  of  his  manner^  and  vie  ezamplazy 
disobaiKe  of  his  vsrions  dntiei.  Withoat  mixing  in  petty  polities,  he 
was  firm  in  patriotie  prindpies ;  without  biffotrr  be  deroted  himself  to 
the  real  hopoor  of  the  CSirntian  Ohnrbh.  and  without  pedantry,  to  the 
tme  cause  of  IsMninff.  In  the  eonrse  or  last  year  he  was  presented  to 
the  Beetoiy  of  Northleld.  near  this  town,  and  naring  dosed  a  lonff  and 
useibl  lifiiL  haf  been  ^gathered  to  bis  lathen,*  ripe  in  peaoefid  holmemi 
and  the  kind  afTections  of  this  large  population. 

On  July  21  we  have  this  notice : — 

Died,  on  Thursday  last,  at  his  residencfL  the  Laurels,  near  tliis  town^ 
Timothy  Smith,  Eeq.,  in  the  70tfa  year  of  his  age. 

In  the  same  paper  the  foUowing  brief  eulogium  appeared : 

Onr  Obitoary  of  the  present  week  reoords  the  death  of  a  Uc^y- 
esteemed  and  reepeeted  townsman,  Timothy  Smith,  Eeq.,  whose  sadden 
remoTal  from  the  Tarioos  stations  of  pabfio  nsefiilnese^  whidi  he  bad 
for  many  years  ably  oconpied,  will  be  aerersly  Hdt  by  all  who  acted 
with  him.  We  learn  that  it  is  the  intention  of  the  Commlsrionem  of 
the  Street  Act,  the  Members  of  the  Ooort  Leet,  and  of  Leneh's  IVosti 
bodies  with  which  the  deceased  had  been  actiTely  connected  for  neariy 
lialf  a  century,  publicly  to  testify  their  respect  lor  his  memory,  by 


PUBLIC  LIFE  AND  EVENTS.  665 

joining  the  faneral  procession  on  -  Wednesday  morning  next^  and  we 
doubt  not,  but  that  many  other  individuals,  unconnected  with  thoee 
institutions,  will  experience  a  mournful  satisfaction  ini  rendering  the 
same  respecfcM  tribute  to  his  character.  It  is  arranged  to  meet  at 
the  Town  Hall  at  half-past  Ten  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  funeraL 

Here  is  the  record  of  another  strike : — 

September  22,  1834. — On  Monday  morning  last,  the  workmen 
engaged  upon  the  Town  Hall  struck  and  left  their  work,  because  some 
of  the  men  employed  upon  the  building  by  the  Street  Commissioners, 
were  not  fMmber$  of  the  *^  Traded  Unions*  Suitable  remonstrance  was 
used  to  convince  the  refractory  body  of  the  folly^  of  their  proceeding  as 
it  regarded  themselves,  and  of  its  onkindness  as  it  regarded  their  feUow 
workmen.  For  a  while  this  produced  no  effect ;  but  at  length,  finding 
that  their  object  could  not  be  attained,  they  returned  on  the  following 
morning  to  their  work.  We  are  informed  that  the  Commissioners 
were  prepared,  had  the  men  farouffht  about  their  own  discharge,  to 
liave  completed  eveiy  portion  of  Uke  work  needful  for  the  FestivaL 
to  have  piled  up  the  maMcs  of  atone  and  other  materials,  and  deferred 
the  completion  of  the  exterior  until  another  year.  Happily,  however, 
for  the  workmen  and  their  fiunilies^  their  better  feeling  and  sense  of 
Justice  prevailed,  and  tbey  returned  to  their  occupations. 

Here  is  another  reference  to  the  project  of  travelling  on 

turnpike  roads  by  steam : — . 

Dr.  Chubob^s  Stxak  Cabriaos. 

October  6, 1834— This  earrisffs  made  a  successful  trip  on  Saturday, 
on  the  London  Road,  as  &r  ss  Stone  Bridge.  Mr.  Harrison,  whahad 
the  charge  of  it^  after  making  two  or  thne  esnys  in  the  immediate 
vicinity  of  tiie  works,  todk  it  ont  through  the  Small  Heath  Gate  in 
good  stvle.  pasring  along  the  Coventry  Boad  at  a  rapid  rate.  It 
ascended  the  bills  with  perfect  ease  at  the  rate  of  full  ten  miles  per 
hour — in  fi^t  they  appeared  to  offer  no  impediment ;  and  Mr.  Harrison 
is  of  opinion  that  no  hills  to  be  liD»and  on  the  tnmmke  roads  would 
oppose  any  considerable  resistanee  to  its  progress.  On  its  return  an 
accident  happened  to  one  of  its  gauge  ooeks  which  rendered  it  necessary 
to  blow  off  tne  steam  and  take  out  the  fire,  further  than  whidi  it  was 
not  of  the  least  importance.  This  trial  is  stated  to  be  decisive  of 
the  capabilities  of  tne  carriage  in  the  following  important  respects^ 
vis:  as  to  taking  sufficient  fuel  and  water  for  any  requisite  distance 
(neither  haviiuf  been  supplied  betwecpoi  Birmingham  and  Stone  Bridge), 
as  to  the  keepmg  up  of  a  continual  supply  of  steam  ;  and  above  all,  as 
to  its  power  of  asoendinff  hills  with  mcuity ;  and  there  is  not  a  doubt 
in  the  minds  of  those  who  superintended  and  assisted  in  the  trial  that 
it  will  take  heavr  loads  at  great  speed  upon  anv  ordinary  turnpike 
roads.  Not  the  slightest  inconvenience  was  experienced  firom  steam  or 
smok^  and  many  bmes  were  pa«ed  on  the  road  without  occasioning 
any  aisnn. 

Another  attempt  was  made  this  year  to  levy  a  church 
rate  in  the  parish  of  Birmingham.  A  meeting  was  held  in 
the  Town  Hall,  on  December  15th,  ''at  whidi  the  Church 
and  Chapel  Wardens  applied  for  a  rate  of  four-pence  in  the 
pound,  to  effect  some  urgent  repairs,  and  to  meet  the  current 


566  A  CENTURT  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE, 

expenses  for  the  year  of.  ihe  different  churches  and  chapek 
of  the  town."  The  Bev.  Thomas  Moselev,  the  Hector  of  St 
Martin's,  was  in  the  chair.  The  show  of  hands  was  declared 
to  be  against  the  rate,  a  decision  which  was  received  with 
the  ntmost  enthusiasm.  Mr.  Spooner  demanded  a  poll  and 
scrutiny.  The  poll  was  taken,  and  the  negative  was  given 
in  a  much  more  decisive  manner.  The  number  of  voters 
against  the  rate  was  6,689,  while  only  1,723  voted  for  it  A 
decision  which  virtuallv  settled  the  question  of  church  rates 
in  Birmingham  parish  for  ever. 

On  January  19, 1835,  a  Diocesan  Church  Building  Society 
was  formed  for  the  increase  of  church  accommodation.  The 
amount  of  donations  ^ven  up  to  Feb.  9,  was  £2,779  I4s8.  2d., 
and  general  subscriptions  £161  48.  Od. 

The  Turkish 'Ambassador  and  suite  visited  Birmingham 
on  Februaiy  18,  aiid  spent  the  following  day  in  ffoing  the 
round  of  the  principal  manufiadx)riea  We  are  tola  th^  the 
Ambassador  was  especially  interested  in  Mr.  Charles  Jones's 
^newly-invented  patent  mn." 

On  July  14  the  foundation  stone  of  the  Chapel  to  be 
erected  in  the  Qeneral  Cemetery  at^ey  Hill,  was  laid  bv 


Mr.  Paul  Moon  James,  Mr.  Thomas  Tyndall,  and  the 

and  Low  BailifBi,  assisted  by  the  Bev.  John  Angell  James. 

On  July  27*  we  read . — 

Loid  Bimigliam  anivied  at  AstoD  Hall,  on  Wedneidaj,frcmi  U 
His  Lordahip  inspeeted  the  sttabluhmant  at  Boho,  and  afterward! 
dined  with  James  Watt^  Esq.,  who  aaembled  a  paitj  to  meet  his 

Tiornaliiix 

The  following  report  rec&rds  an  aspiration  which  was 

never  realised : — 

BniasoHAM  Zoolooioai;  QABDBia— Paoaraoroa 

Aag,  10, 183&— The  Pkomoten  of  thia  onderUkinff  have  the  aatie- 
iSMtioii  to  aanoonee  to  the  Pablio^  that  upwards  of  100  Shane  have  been 
anbeeribed  lor,  and  thej  oonfidentlj  hope  that  the  adTantages  to  be 
derived  from  the  existence  of  ao  amnaing  and  instroetiTe  a  means  of 
reereation|  will  indnoe  aoeh  a  nnmber  of  gentlemen  to  allow  tbeir  names 
to  be  added  to  the  liet  as  shall  enabM  them  qMediljto  commence 
operationa 

The  aite  aoggested  fur  the  mirpose  is  a  laiye  tiaet  of  land  aitoated  in 
Bradford  Street,  alreadj  encloaed  hy  loft/  waUi^  with  the  whole  of 
the  beaotifol  and  eztenaiTe  Qardeni^  now  oocvpied  by  Mr.  Horton, 
Solicitor,  in  which  is  a  large  abeet  of  water,  auroonded  bj  treea  and 
ahrabi^  which  will  be  given  np  for  the  pnrposa 

Birmingham  celebrated  the  Teroentenaiy  of  the  Beforma- 

tion  in  the  manner  recorded  in  the  next  two  extracts : — 

September  S8,  1835.— At  a  General  Meeting  of  the  Clergy  of  this 
town,  held  on  Wedneedaj  last,  the  following  reeolationa  on  the  subject 


PUBLIC   LIFE   AND   EVENTS.        ^  5G7 

of  srJemoising  the  Tliird  Centenary  of  the  Beformation  were  unani- 
nioualy  adopted : — 

let  That  as  there  is  manifested  throughout  the  kingdom  an  intention 
of  solemnising  the  4th  of  October  next  (&lling  on  the  Sabbath)  as  the 
day  in  the  year  1535,  when  the  first  entire  English  version  ana  publi- 
cation of  the  Bible  were  accomplished,  by  Miles  Coverdale,  Bishop  of 
Exeter,  it  is  their  duty  to  observe  that  day  as  a  day  of  Thanksgiving  to 
Almighty  God  for  the  blessings  of  the  Reformation,  and  of  prayer  for 
the  contmuanoe  of  them. 

2nd.  That  in  case  no  prescribed  form  be  issued  by  authority  for  the 
purpose,  the  Cleray  feel  it  to  be  their  duty  to  call  upon  their  respective 
congregations  and  parishioners  to  observe  it  privately,  and  that  they 
should  make  the  olessinss  of  the  Beformea  Religion  a  prominent 
feature  of  their  Sermons  in  the  ministration  of  the  day,  determined, 
however,  to  keep  the  question  entirely  dear  of  every  political  bias : 
and  lastly, — 

That  suitable  hymns  be  selected  and  printed  for  the  occasion,  and  a 
cheap  medal  be  struck  to  commemorate  tne  celebration,  to  be  presented 
to  the  Sunday  School  Children  and  Teachers.  In  accordance  with  the 
latter  part  of  this  recommendation,  medal^  we  understand,  have  been 
struck,  and  hymns  prepared  to  assist  in  a  devout  and  grateful  celebra- 
tion of  the  day.  There  appears  now  to  be  no  doubt  but  that  the  event 
will  be  generallv  celebrated  throughout  the  country,  and  in  many  places 
collections  will  be  made  for  the  relief  of  the  distressed  Irish  Clergy. 

October  12,  1835. — ^The  third  Centenary  of  the  Reformation,  on 
Sunday,  the  4th  inst,  was  generally  observed  in  this  town.  Sermons 
appropriate  to  the  day  were  delivered  in  the  various  Churches  and 
Chapds  of  the  Establishment,  and  in  several  of  the  Dissentinff  Meeting 
Houses.  Congregations  so  lam  and  attentive  have  seldom  been 
aimultaneously  assembled,  and  Uie  occasion  was  rendered  memorable 
to  the  Children  of  the  Sunday  Schools  by  the  distribution  of  medals 
strudk  in  commemoration  of  the  event 

On  July  8,  1836,  we  have  the  following  record  of  a  work 

of  charity : — 

We  understand  that  two  tAautand  four  hundrtd  and  twenty  jtoor 
persons  were  relieved  at  the  Town  Hall  on  the  19th  ult,  from  the  net 
proceeds  of  the  late  Musical  Performances  for  the  benefit  of  Aged  and 
Distressed  Housekeepers. 

On  April  11,  we  read  that  ''the  first  interment  in  the  new 
public  Cemetery  of  this  town  took  place  on  Monday  last 
The  Rev.  J.  A.  James  officiated." 

The  pious  and  noble-hearted  Bishop  Byder  died  this  year, 

and  measures  were  at  once  taken  to  ffive  expression  to  the 

universal  feelings  of  veneration  which  were  entertained  for 

the  venerable  IVelate.    We  quote  the  report  of  the  meeting 

held  for  that  purpose  : — 

Tbb  Latb  Bishop  Rtdsb. 

April  18, 1836. — On  Thursday  last  a  meeting  of  tbe  clergy  and  laitj 

was  held  in  St.  Philip's  Vestry,  in  this  town,  for  the  purpose  of  eon* 

sidering  the  best  mode  of  expressing  the  unirersal  feeling  or  Teneration 

and  regard  for  the  memory  of  our  late  revered  Diocesan.    The  Earl  of 


508  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

Dartmouth  preeided|  and  among  thoee  present  were  the  Arc^defcons 
of  Coventry,  Stafford,  and  Salop ;  Jamen  Taylor,  Bichard  Spooner,  J. 
F.  Ledaam,  and  P.  M.  James,  Em. ;  the  Bevs.  J.  Hargreaves,  T. 
Moeeley,  J.  Qarbett,  B.  Kennedy,  J.  G.  Breay,  J.  Allpor^  S.  Crane, 
K  Palmer,  T.  Munna.  C.  Craren,  S.  Qedge,  and  £.  Hall ;  Meesra 
Simcox,  Whateley,  Beaford,  Tindal,  &c^  &&  CommnnieationB,  r^;ret- 
ting  nnavoidable  abeeuce,  but  expreaaing  hearty  oonenrrenoe  in  the 
object  of  the  meeting,  were  read  from  the  Archdeacon  of  Derby,  Ber. 
A.  Clire,  Dr.  Johnstone,  and  other  laymen.  Much  friendly  diseossion 
took  place  as  to  the  most  efiSsotire  manner  of  marking  the  deep  sense 
entertained  of  the  heavy  loss  sustained  by  the  dioeese,_and  of  the 
grateful  affection  due  to  the  memory. of  so  excellent  a  IMate.  The 
resolutions  UDanimously  adopted  include,  as  &r  as  nracticable,  the 
different  views  taken  by  persons  alike  anxious  to  ieemj  their  feelings 
in  the  warmest  and  most  suitable  form.  Thev  embrace  three  objects — 
Firstf  to  concur  with  a  mevious  meeting  held  at  the  late  Sessions  at 
Stafford,  at  which  Lord  Hatherton  presloed,  in  the  erection  of  a  monu- 
mental statue  in  Lichfield  Cathedral,  by  one  of  the  first  sculptors  of  the 
age.  Secondly f  to  remove^  if  agreeable  to  his  Lcwdship's  fiunily,  his 
mortal  remains  from  Hastmgs  to  the  CathedraL  In  referenoe  to  this 
pointy  it  was  remarked  that  the  statement  of  his  sepulture  there  being 
at  his  own  request  was  erroneous ;  as,  in  fact,  it  is  known  that  his 
Lordship  when  living  had  given  a  general  opinion  that  a  departed 
Bishop  would  most  fitly  slumber  ''among  his  own  ^ple.**  TMnUy^ 
that  any  surplus  which  might  remain  frtxu  the  subscriptions  should  be 
added  to  any  sums  that  may  be  raised  lor  the  irndfio  pnipose  of 
erecting  a  church  at  or  near  Ckiata  Green  in  this  Town— tnus  endear 
vourinff  to  accord  with  the  final  wish  expressed  by  the  Bishop,  at  the 
dose  of  his  last  public  speech  in  this  Place,  at  the  annual  meeting 
of  the  Diocesan  Churdi  Bnildinff  Society,  in  December  last^  bui£ 
Church  to  be  denomhiated  ''Biuiop  Bydei's  Chnrdu*  The  noble 
chairman  remarked  with  much  feelmg,  that  if  the  deceased  Prelate 
oonld  express  his  own  wishes,  as  to  any  permanent  memento  of  himself 
it  would  certainly  be  of  this  kind.  Am  an  Asylum  for  the  Blind  was 
thought  to  be  a  more  appromriate  way  of  commemorating  so  excellent  a 
person  as  \niberf oroe,  so  a  Churdi  bearing  the  name  of  Bishop  Byder, 
would  be  a  suitable  m^oorial  of  an  individual  who,  among  nis  other 
good  works^had  been  the  means  of  raidng  manv  houses  of  God  through 
the  land.  And  as  probably  tUs  county  would  ere  long  be  annexed 
to  the  See  of  Worcester,  the  Monument  at  Lidifidd  and  the  Chuxdi 
at  Birminffham  would  perpetuate  his  name  in  eadi  part  of  his  former 
diocese.  Several  contributions  having  been  entered  into^  the  meeting 
separated. 

It  has  been  intimated  to  us  that  a  number  of  individuals  of  this 
town  and  neighbourhood,  ec^ually  desirous  with  those  who  attended  the 
above  meeting,  of  contributing  towards  the  erection  of  a  Monument  to 
the  memory  of  the  late  lamented  Prelate  in  Lichfidd  Cathedral,  are 
still  exceedingly  anxious  that  the  proposal  to  erect  a  Chureii  in  tiiia 
place,  to  be  called  **  Bishop  Byder^s  Churdi.''  should  not  be  considered 
a  secondary  object  merely ;  and  they  thereiore  strongly  recommend  to 
the  originators  of  the  meetings  that  in  this  district,  at  all  events,  tiie 
subscriptions  for  the  two  obieets  diould  be  carried  forward  together, 
and  that  persons  be  allowed  to  subscribe  specific  amounts  for  dther 
purpose. 


PUBLIC  LIFE  AND  EVENTS.  569 

We  are  informed  that  Mr.  Hollins,  the  Sculptor,  is  on  his  return  from 
Borne,  where  he  has  been  studying  for  the  pnrpose  of  executing  a  Bast 
of  the  late  Bishop ;  and  that  in  all  probability  he  will,  for  the 
accommodation  of  his  Lordship's  friends,  publish  the  Casts  by 
subscription. 

Miss  Abraham  contributed  tbe  sum  of  £1,500  towards  this 
object ;  £1,000  for  an  endowment,  £200  as  a  fund  for  repairs, 
and  £300  towards  the  erection  of  the  proposed  church,  '*  in 
retum.for  the  patronage  which  she  proposes  shall  be  invested 
in  trustees.''  She  also  gave  £100  to  the  fund  for  the  intended 
monument  of  his  Lordship  in  Lichfield  Cathedral 

On  August  the  10th  a  service  of  plate  was  presented  to 
Dr.  Birt  Davies,  ''as  a  lasting  memorial  of  the  sense  gene- 
rally entertained  of  his  professional  skill;  of  his  i^ve 
benevolence  and  charitable  exertions  in  the  capacity  of  Phy- 
sician to  the  Birmingham  Dispensary  and  late  Birmingham 
Fever  Hospital ;  and  of  his  kind  sympathies  and  zealous 
attention,  during  a  period  of  thirteen  years,  towards 
numerous  poor  patients  who  have  sought  and  received 
gratuitous  aid:  and  likewise  as  a  testimony  of  regret  at 
the  disappointment  of  his  just  claims  to  the  office  of 
Physician  to  the  General  Hospital" 

On  August  the  17th  the  first  stone  of  St.  Geoive's  C!hapel, 
Edgbaston,  was  laid  by  the  Bev.  Charles  Pixell,  incumbent. 
And  on  October  24  we  have  the  announcement  of  Joseph 
Stuige's  visit  to  the  West  Indies : — 


It  IS  known  to  many  of  our  readers  that  Mr.  Joseph  Storn  of 

town,  has  ibr  some  time  paat  contemplated  a  visit  to  the  West  1 

Coloniesi  with  the  benevuent  view  of  making  penonal  inquiries  as  to 
the  state  of  the  Negro  popnlationy  in  the  hope  or  obtain!^  nirther  ame- 
lioration of  their  condition ;  and  thal^  accompanied  hj  Dr.  Ilojd,  also 
of  this  town,  Mr.  Scoble,  and  Mr.  Tliomas  Harrey,  he  has  wimn  the 
last  few  dsvs  left  'Enffland  for  this  porpose.  Mr.  Storge  and  his  com- 
panions saued  Ihmi  Falmouth  on  lionoay  last^  in  the  JSh^lark  packet 
PrerionsiT  to  his  leavinffhome,  a  complunentarr  address,  dgned  by  a 
considerable  number  of  hia  leUow*townsmen  of  all  partiee^  was  presented 
to  him. 

On  November  29  the  town  was  visited  by  a  violent  hur- 
ricane, which  committed  considerable  damafpe  to  property, 
but  fortunately  was  unattended  with  loss  of  me. 

The  year  1837  opens  with  the  record  of  a  death  of  a  veiy 
able  and  useful  gentleman : — 

Jannarr  2,  1837. — It  is  our  painfol  duij  to  annonncs  the  death  of 
Dr.  John  Johnstone,  on  Wednesday  last— an  erent  calcolated  to  excite 
among  onr  readers  feelings  of  deep  and  melancholy  interest  He  haid 
practued  as  a  Physician  in  this  town  upwards  of  forty  yeara  and 
among  the  membm  of  his  proftssion  his  name  mnst  be  pkoed  in  the 


670  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

first  rank.     With  deep  professional  beaming  he  possessed  an  aenteness 
of  intellect,  an  insight  into  character,  a  decision  of  mind,  and  a  kindness 
of  manner,  eminently  valnahle  in  eyery  relation  of  life^  bnt  more 
pecoliarly  important  in  that  of  a  Physician. 

•  ......•• 

The  confidential  friend  and  biographer  of  Dr.  Parr  was  himself  a' 
scholar  of  no  ordinary  acquirement,  and  his  biographical  memoirs  of 
that   celebrated   man   display  sound  judgment^  refined   taste,  and 
dassioal  learning. 

On  January  28th  the  BwTiwagJuim  Jou/mal  gave  a 
summary  of  a  communication  i-eceived  from  Mr.  Joseph 
StuTge,  referring  to  the  island  of  Antigua.  That  gentleman, 
it  is  added,  is  now  at  Jamaica,  and  is  expected  to  remain 
there  until  April : — 

"  As  we  shall  not  be  able  to  send  our  documents  home  in  a  suitable 
state  by  this  packet^  our  friends  will  be  glad  to  know  what  has  been  the 

Sneral  result  of  our  enquiries  duriog  a  reddence  of  nearly  a  month, 
)m  personal  inyestigation  in  different  parts  of  the  inland,  and  from 
information  deriyed  from  members  of J^wjjA^slature,  mi^istrates,  legal 
and  medical  practitioners,  ministers  of  um  Church  of  England,  and  of 
the  Methodist  and  Mqq^yian  pemiasionsL  schoolmasters,  merchanti^ 
planters^  attorneys^  oi^taeeiv,  managers,  and  the  negroes  themselyes. 

**  We  think  we  may  nfely  say,  that  the  great  experiment  of  confer- 
rinff  at  once  immediate  freedom  on  36,000  slayes,  has,  after  two  yean^ 
trial,  sueceeded  beyond  the  expeetatioos  of  those  in  the  colony  who 
were  most  fitydurable  to  the  measnra  The  onireisal  testimony  both 
of  the  employer  and  negro  is,  that  the  state  of  thiogs  is  immeasu- 
rably improyed.  It  is  true  that  all  the  aanffuine  hopes  of  those  are  not 
fully  realiwd  who  did  not  take  It  sufRdenUy  into  account  that^  in  the 
immediate  change  from  slayety  to  frsedoBn,  the  new  state  of  things 
would  long  haye  to  contend  with  the  pr^ndices  of  the  planter  on  the 
one  hand  and  of  the  labourer  on  the  othei;  against  the  introduction  4^ 
those  changes  which  are  needful  to  oisars  Its  complete  soocesa 

''The  remaining  eyils  (which  do  not  exist  where  the  prindples  of 
freedom  haye  been  more  fully  anderstood,  and  haye  been  more  com- 
pletely acted  upon  for  a  long  period)  mlgh^  we  belieye,  be  remedied  by 
a  temperate,  finn  and  judidous  exerase  of  authority  of  the  Ooyemment 
at  homa  One  of  the  most  presiiag  eyils  fa  the  want  of  proper  proyidon 
for  the  aged  and  infirm,  cspsdally  those  who  haye  become  so  since  the 
1st  of  August^  1S34»  for  whom  therefa  no  \tal  proyidim.  We  hope  to 
speak  more  particularly  upon  the  prindpal  points  embraced  in  our 
enquiry  when  we  haye  leisure  to  do  saii 

^  IS  Month.  14. 1836.* 

The  next  aavertiflement  relates  to  a  subject  always 
popular  in  this  town.  Since  the  time  of  its  appearance. 
Freehold  Land  and  Buildixiff  Societies  have,  under  the  able 
oreanising  power  of  Mr.  James  Taylor,  jun.,  become  not 
omy  one  of  the  most  important  of  our  sooal  and  economic 
reforms,  but  have  given  a  political  importance  and  influence 
to  their  members  which  has  done  much  to  give  an  improved 
tone  to  modem  politica    Birmingham  is,  we  rejoice  to  say. 


PUBUC  LIFE  AND  EVENTS.  671 

the  birth-place  of  this,  as  of  so  many  other  undertakings  for 

the  benefit  and  elevation  of  the  working  classes : — 

Park  BtiiLDiKa  Socibtt. 
JanuATy  30, 1837. — At  a  Meeting  of  Gentlemen,  held  at  the  Cla- 
rendon Hotel,  on  Tuesday,  the  17  th  of  January, 
It  was  resolved, — 
*^  That  a  Society  be  now  formed,  under  the  above  title,  for  the  pur- 
poee  of  providing  each  member  wiUi  a  House  and  premises  on  certain 
lands  then  mentioned." 

The  next  meeting  of  the  Society  will  take  place  at  the  Clarendon 
Hotel,  on  Tuesday,  the  14th  of  February  instan^  at  seven  o'clock  in  the 
evening,  to  enrol  members. 

Any  information  may  be  obtained  in  the  mean  time  on  application 
to  Mr.  James  Ashwin,  Share-broker,  Cherry-street ;  or  Mr.  Hurlestone, 
Clarendon  Hotel,  Temple-street. 

By  order  of  the  Committee, 

T.  8.  Haxds,  Secretary. 

The  subject  of  Churph  Bates  was  once  more  brought  pro- 
minently before  the  public  mind : — 

Towh's  Mbketno. 
Feb.  20, 1837.— The  Meeting  convened  by  the  High  Bailiff  on  Wed« 
oesday  last^  to  consider  the  propriety  of  addressing  the  Legislature  on 
the  question  of  Church  Bates,  has  r«ralted  in  two  Petitions  on  the  sub- 
ject— the  one  hailinff  ^  with  satis&ction  the  prospect  of  a  legislative 
'  measure  by  which  flie  odious  impost  of  Church-rates  will  be  extin- 
guished:  and  earnestly  protesting  aoainst  any  commutation  of  or  sub- 
stitute Kir  that  tax,  or  any  thing  raort  of  an  entire  abolition" — ^the 
other  ^unploring  protection  on  behalf  of  the  Established  Church,  now 
threatened  with  spoliation  of  her  rights  and  property ;  deploring  that 
the  attempt  should  receive  the  coontenanoe  of  His  Mijesty^s  Ministers, 
in  the  fiboe  of  their  most  solemn  oblications,  openly  avowed  bv  some  of 
tiiem,  that  it  is  the  bounden  duty  oi  the  Legislature  toprovide  for  the 
expenses  of  public  worship,  and  entreating  that  the  Church  may  be 
shielded  from  the  threatened  agressions  upon  her  rights,  her  influence, 
and  her  means  of  usefulness."  Both  Petitions  are  now  in  oourse  of  sig- 
nature ;  and  in  addition,  an  Address  is  to  be  presented  to  the  King, 
reiterating  the  prayer  of  the  latter.  The  first  mentioned  petition  is  to 
be  presented  to  the  Lords  by  Lord  Brougham,  and  to  the  Commons  by 
the  Members  for  the  borou^pi,  whose  names  appeared  at  the  head  of  the 
requidtionists :  and  the  other  by  the  Earl  of  Bradford,  and  by  the 
Members  for  this  division  of  the  conntv.  The  Address  to  His  Muesty 
will  be  presented  by  the  Earls  of  Bradford  and  Dartmouth,  and  Lord 
Cilthorpe. 

A  bill  for  the  abolition  of  Church  rates  was  brought  in  by 
the  Ministry,  and  on  April  23  the  concretion  of  the  Old 
Meeting  House  held  a  meetii^,  with  sSi.  J.  T.  Lawrence  in 
the  chair,  and  adopted  a  petition  to  the  two  Houses  of  Par- 
liament in  its  support 

On  May  22  this  paragraph  was  published : — 

Mr.  Joseph  Sturge  arrived  safelv  at  home,  via  New  York,  on  Wed- 
nesday last^  in  good  health.    He  left  his  friends.  Dr.  Lloya  and  Mr. 


672  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

iBbrvey,  in  Jamaica,  quite  well,  on  thB  7tfa  nit.  It  is  stated  Uiat  Mr. 
Stni^e's  fiiends,  and  the  friends  of  emandpation,  contemplate  inviting 
him  to  a  public  break&st  on  as  early  a  day  as  can  be  arranged. 

A  subscription  was  'opened  in  this  month  towards  the 
relief  of  the  fBLimshing  inhabitants  of  the  north-western 
coasts  and  islands  of  Scotland. 

The  Princess  Victoria's  eighteenth  birthday  on  the  24th 
was  kept  in  Birmingham  as  a  general  holiday.  The  shops 
were  closed,  the  church  bells  were  rung,  and  public  dinners 
were  given.  An  address  of  congratulation  was  adopted  at 
a  town's  meeting  and  presented  by  Mr.  Scholefield ;  another 
address  from  the  Loyal  and  Constitutional  Association  was 
presented  by  the  Earl  of  Bradford. 

We  have  now  to  record  another  instance  of  the  artisans 

taking  an  active  part  in  public  affiubrs : — 

Jnne  5, 1837. — On  Tnesday  a  deputation  of  the  artisaDs  of  the  town 
met  a  nnmber  of  the  merchants  ana  manuf actorera  at  the  Public  Office^ 
for  the  purpose  of  conferring  with  the  latter  as  to  the  best  mode  <» 
obtaining  relief  under  the  existing  commercial  circumstances  of  the 
country.  Among  others  the  meeting  was  attended  by  Mr.  Van  Warty 
Mr.  Goddard,  ana  Mr.  Harrold,  connected  with  the  Americsn  trade,  in 
addition  to  Mr.  Meredith,  who  prssided,  Messrs.  Salt,  Hadley,  &c.,  &c. 
Mr.  Brown,  the  chairman  of  the  workmen's  committee,  addressed  ^e 
meeting  at  some  length,  and  with  considerable  ability.  His  obserrations 
were  Ustened  to  with  attention.  The  merchants  present  admitted  the 
mat  privatioDS  of  the  workmen,  but  confessed  themselTes  unable  to 
aerise  any  permanent  mode  of  relieL  After  a  lonff  conversatioii,  it  was 
ultimatdy  agreed  that  a  committee  should  be  rormed,  consisting  of 
merchants  and  others,  to  take  into  consideration  the  important  object 
of  the  meeting,  and,  if  possible,  to  cany  it  into  efled  llie  nrerainng 
ajpuaon  was,  that  the  existing  distress  was  not  attributable  to  any 
measures  of  Government,  but  to  causes  unforeseen,  and  over  which 
they  could  have  no  controL!  A  committee  being  appointed  for  the 
purpose  already  stated,  Uie  meetinff  broke  up,  in  the  nope  that  some 

ein  cf  immediate  and  effectiye  relief  would  be  devised.  The  Committee 
ve  subsequently  met,  and  aigreed  to  the  following  declaration : — 

^We,  the  undersigned  bankers,  merchants,  manufacturers,  and 
traders,  and  other  inhabitants,  having  been  called  upon,  in  a  memorial 
addressed  to  us  by  upwards  of  thirteen  thousand  of  our  f  dlow-townsmen, 
the  workmen  of  Bumingliam,  to  take  into  consideration  the  present 
state  of  trade  of  the  town  and  neu^bourhood,  deem  it  our  mty^  in 
oonfirmation  of  the  fads  alleged  in  the  said  menumal,  to  declare — 

^  Thai  for  some  months  past  the  customazy  operations  of  trade  have 
been  attended  with  the  severest  losses;  and  the  result  has  been  a 
fienend  want  of  confidence  and  suspension  of  business,  whidi  has 
deprived  the  labouriziff  daase^  of  employment,  and  caused  among  them 
a  state  cf  distress  rapidly  approaching  to  starvatknL 

^  That,  in  such  a  state  of  thin^  evenr  principle  of  humanity  and  of 
prudence  equally  requires  the  umted  and  eneigetic  efSorts  of  all  clssscs 
of  the  commumty,  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  prompt  and  adequate 
rehn* 


PUBLIC  riFE  AND  EVENTS.  673 

On  May  22  the  following  obituary  appeared  : — 

On  Saturday  last,  the  Kev.  Edward  BTim,  Minister  of  St.  Mary's  in 
this  town,  in  the  77Ui  year  of  his  age,  and  the  52nd  of  his  Minis&y  at 
that  Chapel. 

On  June  6  a  public  break&st  was  given  to  Mr.  Joseph 
Sturge,  in  the  Town  Hall,  "  for  the  purpose  of  congratulating 
him  on  his  safe  return  from  the  West  indies,  and  to  express 
the  high  sense  of  his  unwearied  and  philanthropic  exertions 
in  the  cause  of  negro  emancipation.'  Over  nve  hundred 
persons  assembled  to  do  Honour  to  this  good  and  noble- 
nearted  man« 

On  the  same  day  a  meeting  was  held  at  the  Public  Office, 
Mr.  Bichard  Spooner  in  the  chair,  ''for  thepurpose  of  con- 
sidering what  measures  can  be  adopted  sufficient  to  relieve 
the  present  appalling  state  of  commercial  distresa" 

"  It  tpoi  Reiohedf — ^That  in  the  opinion  of  this  meeting  the  nmnber 
of  unemployed  workmen  and  the  consequent  distress  that  now  prevails^ 
calls  for  the  adoption  of  prompt  and  efficient  measnres." 

Mr.  Harris  navinff  informed  the  meeting  that  a  depptation  of  the 
workmen  of  Birmingham  had  waited  upon  hiin,  expressing  their  wish 
that  all  dnsncs  in  the  town  should  co-opeiate  with  them  in  their  endea- 
TOUTS  to  obtain  relief ; 

Eetolvedf — ^That  Mr.  Hanis  be  requested  to  enxress  to  the  members 
of  that  deputaticm  the  deep  sympathy  entertained  by  this  meeting  for 
the  working-classes,  and  to  assure  tnem  of  its  readiness  to  co-operate 
with  them  m  any  constitutional  measure  to  obtain  roliet 

The  following  is  an  act  worthy  recording : — 

June  li,  1837. — Hie  late  Miss  Sheldon,  of  Sheldon,  near  this  town, 
has  beoueathed  the  following  munificent  Icttadee : — To  the  Birmingham 
General  Hospital^Dispensaiy,  Blue  Goat  School,  and  Sode^  for  Pkx>- 
moting  C9iristian  jSInowledge,  j^lOOO  eadi ;  and,  in  addition,  the  interest 
of  £1000  to  be  applied  to  the  relief  of  ten  poor  women  who  attend 
regular  worship  at  St.  Philip's  Church. 

The  commercial  disixess  continued,  and  in  the  meetings 
held  in  consequence  we  first  meet  with  our  lately-deceased 
townsman,  Mr.  Joseph  Corbett  He  was  then  a  working- 
man,  in  the  employ  of  Messrs.  Hammond,  Turner  and  Son, 
button  makers,  and  for  fifty  years  he  worked  for  this  firm. 
The  nature  of  the  distress,  and  the  measures  which  were 
proposed  to  meet  it  will  be  seen  in  the  following  report  of 
a  meeting : — 

June  19,  1837. — ^At  a  Meeting  of  the  Committee  of  Masters  and 
Workmen,  appointed  on  the  20th  of  May,  to  enquire  into  the  causes  of 
the  present  Commercial  Distress,  and  held  at  the  Public  Office,  on 
Thursday,  the  15th  of  June,  1837  ; 

James  James,  Esq.,  Low  Bailiff,  in  the  diair ; 
the  following  resolutions  were  unanimously  agreed  to  :^ 


574  A  CENTURT  OF  BIRMIKOHAM  LIFE. 

Moved  hj  Bichaid  Spooner,  Esq.,  aeooDded  by  Mr.  William  G&mer ; 

Ist  That  the  alternatioiifl  of  great  apparent  proeperi^  and  sadden 
deep  distress  which  have  invariably  attended  the  expansion^  and  con- 
traction of  the  currency,  cannot  but  suggest  to  evenr  thinking  mind, 
that  to  our  present  monetaiy  system  is  mainly  to  be  attributed  the 
present  general  and  alarming  distress. 

Moved  by  Richard  Spooner,  Esq.,  seconded  by  Mr.  Joseph  Corbett ; 

2nd.  That  to  compel  the  industrious  classes  to  apply  to  the  parish 
funds  (who  are  thrown  out  of  emplovment  by  circumstances  over  which 
thev  can  exercise  no  control)  is  cruel  and  unjust^  and  in  the  end  would 
be  found  greatly  to  aggravate  the  evils  we  now  endure,  by  compelling 
many  who,  at  this  moment^  contribute  to  parochial  rates  to  become 
themselves  receivers,  instead  of  payers^  of  those  rates. 

Moved  by  BidiMd  Spooner,  ffsq.,  seconded  by  Q.  F.  Munts,  Esq. ; 

3rd.  That  this  Meeting  is  unwilling  to  propose  a  remedy  for  the  e^ 
the  existence  and  causes  of  which  it  has  unanimously  declared ;  but  it 
does  not  hesitate  to  say  that  a  remedy  may  and  ought  immediately  to 
be  applied,  and  that  it  is  the  imperative  duty  of  the  Legislature,  without 
delay,  to  take  measures  for  the  immediate  and  effectual  relief  of  the 
present  increasing  and  alarming  distresi^  before  it  assumes  a  shape 
which  will  make  all  remedies  impossible. 

Moved  t^  Mr.  Edmonds^  and  seconded  by  Mr.  Brown ; 

4th.  That  the  Low  BaiUff  be  requested  to  communicate  the  abore 
Besolutions  to  his  Majestjr's  Ministen^  and  report  to  a  Meeting  of  a 
Committee  to  be  summoned  by  the  Low  Bailiff  the  answer  he  may 
receive. 

Jamis  JAM,wa,  Chairman. 

James  Jamei^  Esq.,  having  left  the  Chair,  and  the  same  being  taken 
by  Richard  Spooner,  Esq. ; 

Moved  by  Mr.  Edmonds^  seconded  by  Mr.  P.  M  TweUs ; 

That  the  cordial  Thanks  of  this  Meeting  be  given  to  the  Low  Buliff 
for  his  able  and  impartial  oonduet  in  the  ^air.  fi.  Spoosbb. 

Our  old  friend,  Job  Nott^  the  Button  Bumiaher,  again 
addreesed  the  opcoratiyeB  on  the  cauaee  and  remedies  of  tiie 
distress,  but  with  little  effect. 

On  June  20,  William  lY;  died ;  and,  on  the  26th,  Queen 
Victoria  was  proclaimed  in  this  town.  There  was  a  pro- 
cession and  puolic  dinner ;  'and  the  enthusiasm  of  the  people 
on  the  occasion  was  eam^  and  sincere.  It  is  gratifymg  to 
know  that  from  that  day  to  the  present  time  the  noUe  lady, 
who,  at  so  young  an  age,  had  to  occupy  one  of  the  grandest 
thrones  in  the  world,,  and  to  dischaif^e  the  highest  duties 
which  can  ever  £Edl  to  the  lot  of  a  human  beinff,  has  grown 
in  the  love,  the  esteem,  and  admiration  of  all  ber  subjects. 
For  *'  children  of  our  children  "  may  truly  say — 

^She  wrought  her  people  lasting  good ; 
Her  oonrt  was  pore ;  ber  lifo  serene ; 
God  gave  her  pesoe^  her  land  reposed ; 
A  thousand  daims  to  reverence  dosed, 
Li  ber  as  Mother,  WHt,  and  Qaeen.* 


PUBUC  LIFE  AND  EVENTS.  576 

On  Tuesday,  July  4,  was  witnessed  the  exciting  and 
important  ceremony  of 

Openiho  of  tqb  Grakd  JuNcnov  Railway,  Betwsbn 

BiRMINOHAM  AND  MANCHESTER. 

JqIj  10, 1837. — ^At  an  earbr  hour  on  Taesdajr  morniDg,  the  town  of 
Binningham  was  in  a  state  of  great  commotion  and  excitement,  owing 
to  the  public  opening  of  the  Grand  Junction  Railway.  Soon  after  five 
o'clock  the  streets  leading  in  the  direction  of  Vauxhall,  where  the 
Company's  temporary  station  is  situated,  were  crowded  with  persons  of 
all  ranks  anxious  to  be  witnesses  of  the  first  public  travelling  on  this 
most  important  Une  of  railway  communication. 

On  tne  Saturday  and  Monday  preceding,  six  engines  and  a  great 
number  of  carriages  bad  arrived  preparatory  to  the  commencement  of 
general  business ;  and  on  the  latter  day  another  experimental  trip  was 
made  by  tlie  Directors,  bringing  two  carriages  and  thirtv-six  passenffers, 
the  whole  distance  fit>m  Liverpool  to  Birmingham  (97^  miles)  in  three 
hours  and  seventeen  minutes.  These  peiformances  incressed  the 
curloei^  of  the  public,  and  .coupled  with  the  novelty  of  the  sight  in 
the  midland  counties^  drew  thousands  of  spectators  to  the  neighbour- 
hood of  the  railway  station.  The  Company^s  intended  station-house 
and  warehouses,  adjoining  the  London  and  Birminffham  station  in  the 
centre  of  the  town,  are  not  yet  built,  the  neighbourhood  of  Vauxhall  is 
therefore  occupied  as  a  mere  temporary  station.  By  six  o^doek  in  the 
morning,  the  bridge  which  crosses  the  railway  at  its  entrance  into 
the  station  yard,  and  indeed,  eyery  eminence  that  commanded  the  least 
yiew  of  the  line,  was  covered  with  persons  awaiting  the  starting  of  the 
carriages.  The  embankments  of  the  several  excavations,  and  even 
the  valleyB  throuffh  which  the  railway  alternately  ''winds  its  wa^,*' 
between  Bimiin^^am  and  Wolyerfaampton.  were  likewise  covered  with 
admiring  spectators;  indeed  in  the  neighoourhood  of  Besoot  Bridge^ 
James's  Bndge,  and  Willenhall,  adjacent  to  the  iron  and  coal  distri<^ 
the  crowd  was,  if  possible,  still  more  dense  than  in  the  suburbs  of 
Birmingham. 

At  seven  o'eloek  precisely,  the  bell  rang^  and  the  opening  train^ 
drawn  by  the  Wild/fre  engine^  commenced  moving.  The  tnun  con- 
sisted of  eight  carrii^ges,  alTof  the  first^daas,  and  bMring  the  following 
names : — ^I^e  Oreykaund^  the  SwaUow,  the  Liverpool  ana  Birmingham 
JiaH,  the  Celerity^  the  UmpitB^  the  StaUmnan^  and  the  Birmingham  and 
MwK^ehetter  Mau9,  The  train  started  slowly,  but,  upon  emerging  finom 
the  yard,  speedily  burst  off  at  a  rapid  race.  To  those  who  lor  t£»  first 
time  witnessed  such  a  soene^  it  was  peeoliariy  exdting^  and  the 
immense  multitude,  as  far  as  the  ^e  could  reara,  gave  exprssdon  to 
their  admiration  by  loud  and  long-continned  huxzas,  and  the  waving 
of  hats  and  handkerehiefr.  Having  in  some  degree  escaped  the 
multitude^  power  was  laid  on,  and  from  Perry  Barr  to  Newton-road, 
the  speed  could  not  be  less  ttian  from  thirty  to  thirty-five  miles  the 
hour.  The  carriages  are  of  the  most  d^gant  description.  Those  of 
the  flrstdass  were  divided  into  three  oompartments,  each  compartment 
accommodating  dx  passengers.  In  the  mails^  one  compartment  is 
convertible  into  a  bed-carriage.  The  whde  of  this  dass  are  most 
superbly  fitted  up,  and  equal,  if  not  superior,  to  the  great  majority 
of  private  carriaaes. 

At  half-past  eight  oVlodc,  a  train  of  the  second  class  set  out  amidst 


576  A  CENTUQT  OF  BIBMINGHAM  LIFE. 

simQar  demoaatrations  of  admiration  to  tboee  called  forth  by  the  firet^ 
after  the  departare  of  which  the  chief  object  of  attraction  waa  the 
arrival  of  the  first  train  from  LiverpooL" 

The  foundation  stone  of  Bishop  Ryder's  Church  was  laid 

on  the  23rd  of  August,  by  the  Right  Reverend  Robert 

James  Oarr,  D.D.,  Lord  Bishop  of  Worcester.    The  following 

paragraph  will  be  read  with  interest: — 

August  27, 1837. — On  Wednesday  last,  during  the  aasembling  of  the 
deigr  and  gentry  who  took  part  in  the  procession  at  the  laying  of  the 
fouSuition  stone  of  Bishop  Byder's  Ohnrch,  in  this  town,  a  very  bean- 
tif al  medallion  of  the  size  of  life  of  the  late  Bishop,  the  work  of  our 
townsman.  Mr.  Peter  HoUins,  was  exhibited  at  the  Bine  Coat  SchooL 
Many  of  the  Bishopt's  friends  who  were  present,  indnding  the  ^JS9,  John 
Kempthome,  Chaplain  to  his  Lordship  when  he  presided  over  the  See 
of  Gloaoester,  pronoonoed  the  likeness,  considenng  the  drcomstanoe 
under  which  it  was  produced  (being  ahogetber  a  pMthamons  work),  a 
most  eztraoidinaiy  resemblance.  It  is  a  profile  m  low  relief,  ana  is 
intended  to  form  piart  of  the  monument  to  be  placed  in  the  parish  chnrch 
of  Lutterworth,  where -this  pions  and  worthy  sacoessor  of  WiekUfi  was 
for  many  years  the  affectionate  and  beloved  minister. 

The  Bub-oommittee  appointed  to  consider  and  report  on 
the  causes  of  the  general  aepression  of  trade,  presented  thdr 
report  on  August  24.    It  stated  'Hhat  the  alternations  of 

EMit  apparent  prosperity  and  sudden  deep  distress,  which 
ve  invariably  attended  the  expansion  or  contraction  of  the 
currencnr,  prove,  beyond  doubts  that  to  our  monetary  system 
is  mainly  to  be  attributed  the  present  general  and  alarming 
distress.  The  only  posdble  source  of  relief  was,  in  the 
opinion  of  the  sub-conmdttoe,  ''Such  a  revision  of  our 
present  law  as  shall  lead  to  the  adoption  of  a  monetary 
system  adequate  to  the  wants  of  this  great  and  commercial 
oountty.** 

The  British  Association  for  the  Advancement  of  Sdenoe 
wa^  invited  to  hold  its  meeting  for  1838  in  this  town ;  but 
Newcastle  carried  the  day  ^on  account  of  ito  having  invited 
the  Association  to  hold  an  annual  meeting  there  m>m  the 
first  year  of  its  formation."  Birminghiun  had  to  wait 
another  year  for  this  honour. 

On  O^ber  9,  we  read : — 

TheBer*  John  Gaaebow  Banett»  MJL,  late  of  Christ  Ghordiy  Oxford, 
and  BOW  of  Hall,  has  been  presented  to  the  meombency  of  Bt,  Mary's 
Ghapely  in  this  town,  in  the  room  of  the  late  Edward  Boiil 

Here  are  two  deaths  which  ought  to  find  a  place  in  this' 
work : — 

Kov.  6, 1837. — On  Wednesday  last^  after  an  illneas  of  fourteen  days, 
at  hie  brotlier's  house  in  Kewton-street|  Mr.  James  Dobbsy 
aged  ML 


PUBLIC  UFE  AND  EVENTS.  577 

Nov.  20, 1837. — On  the  12th  ult,  at  his  son's  residence,  in  this  town, 
Mr.  Thomas  Blakemore,  aged  105,  father  to  Mrs.  Marrian,  of  the  Sea 
Bane,  Buck-street.  He  formerly  kept  the  old  Bird-in-Hcmd,  in  Dale- 
end,  where  he  took  in  this  newspaoer  in  the  days  of  Mr.  Aris,  the 
oiij^nal  proprietor,  whose  death  stanos  recorded  76  years  ago. 

The  early  part  of  the  year  1838  "was  consumed  in  relieving 
tihe  terrible  distress  which  prevailed  in  the  town.  Soup, 
bread,  potatoes,  coals,  and  clothing  were  supplied  with  that 
liberality  which  is  one  of  the  most  gratifying  traits  of  the 
people  of  BirminghauL  Sub-Committees  were  appointed 
to  enquire,  to  report,  and  to  act  The  cases  of  extreme 
poverty  which  were  published  were  of  the  most  heart- 
rending kind.  The  penny  subscription  which  had  been 
raised  m  recognition  of  the  services  of  Colonel  Wallace  at 
the  election,  but  which  he  could  not  accept,  was,  at  his 
request,  applied  to  this  fund ;  and  the  gallant  Colonel  sent 
a  subscription  of  £5,  that  he  liiight  also  **  have  the  satis&o- 
tion  of  contributing  hia  pen/niea  to  the  poor  of  Birmingham.** 
At  the  meeting  of  the  Relief  Committee  held  on  March  the 
12th,  it  was  reported  that  '*  190,000  quarts  of  soup,  and 
30,000  loaves  of  bread,  had  heen.  distributed,  at  an  expense 
of  £1,120,  among  no  fewer  than  380,000  inhabitanta"  The 
Mendicity  Society  was  actively  employed  in  cooperating 
with 'the  Belief  Committee  in  alleviating  the  prevaolinff 
distresa  In  twelve  weeks  upwards  of  1,400  were  provided 
with  lodffings,  and  ifdth  2,800  meals,  by  this  society  alone. 
On  March  12  a  District  Provident  &>ciety  was  formed. 
"  This,"  sa^  our  chronider,  ^  was  one  good  jmictical  fruit  of 
the  attention  which  has  be^  so  homanelv  and  considerately 
drawn  to  the  condition  of  our  pocnrer  fellow  townsmen,  ana 
we  earnestly  hope  that  the  plan  will  be  perseveringly 
pursued  by  collectors  and  contributors." 
.  Queen  v  ictoria  was  crowned  on  Thursday,  June  28,  and 
the  following  is  a  report  of  the  manner  in  which  Bir- 
mingham celebrated  that  memorable  event: — 

July  Sj  1838.— Thursday,  bong  the  dkj  ci  the  Ooraiiatioii,  was 
obaenred  m  this  town  in  a  manner  suitable  to  the  ooeaaioiL    Tlie 


Churdiaf  of  the  EBtabUahmeiLt  were  opened  for  the  perfonnanoe  of 
diTiae  worahip^  and  appropiiate  aermoni  were  preacbed ;  the  ehildren 
of  the  Tariooa  Sunday  and  othcg*  achoola  connected  with  the  aereial 
conmgationa  were  afterwarda  regaled  with  jgood  Knriiah  faie,  and  in 
their  "respectiTe  aohoola  joined  tMr  Toioea  m  the  ifiitkmal  Antiiem. 
The  diilaren  connected  with  the  adiook  of  the  Wealcr^  Methodisia 
i^nnmating  of  sbout  f oQT  thooaand,  aooompaniod  by  their  Miiuateri  ana 
Teachen,  walked  in  prooeaaion  to  an  open  apace  on  HoUoway  Headj 
and  after  being  addreaaed  by  their  Mmiaten^  to  the  deUght  of  all 
sarronnderi  they  song  a  hymn  and  ^  God  SaTe  the  Queen,*  in  a  very 


578  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

^flfocttya  manner.  The  children  of  Oan'e  Lane,  Ebeneeer,  and  other 
DtaaentingOongre^ionfl^  were  aasembled,  addreeaed,  and  regaled ;  and 
the  childrai  of  the  Old  and  (few  Meeting  Gonffregations  were  addressed, 
and  afterwards  proceeded  to  a  field  at  Highgate,  where  thej  had 
refreshments. 

'  At  one  o'clock  the  doors  of  the  Maiket  Hall  were  thrown  open,  and 
an  interesting  si^^t  presented  itself  of  tables  most  jndicionaljr  amn^fod^ 
and  abundantly  provided  for  dining  four  thousand  of  the  mdnstnons 
danes,  of  both  sexes,  who  were  admitted  bj  the  tickets  of  sabscribers 
to  the  fond  raised  for  the  pnrpose.  The  fare  consisted  of  roast  beef  and 
nlom  padding  and  a  -quart  <»  ale  to  each  guest  The  Hall  was  most 
oeautiiully  decorated,  and  too  much  commendation  cannot  be  bestowed 
on  the  seal  and  judApinent  manifested  in  the  arranjKements  made  by  the 
gentlemen  of  tne  Committee.  The  offices  of  .btewaids  were  most 
effectually  sustained  by  respectable  inhabitants  df  the  town,  in  the 
proportion  of  one  to  fift^  ffuests.  A  Band  of  Muaidana  played  before 
and  in  the  intenrals  of  the  f estire  scene.  At  each  end  of  the  Hall 
a  booth  was  erected,  in  which  the  Chairman  and  Vice-Chairman  were 
stationed ;  that  in  the  direction  of  Worcester  Street  being  occupied  by 
the  High  Baili£  supported  by  J.  T.  Lawmnce  and  W.  Chance,  Esqrs. 
Mr.  Geach,  and  Mr.  Phillips  the  Chainnan  of  the  Committee  of 
Man^emoit,  and  aeTeral  ladies  were  accommodated  in  this  booth. 
AboTe  the  Bi^  Bailiff  a  galleir  was  erected  for  the  reception  of  ladiei^ 
which  was  soon  filled,  as  were  the  Tarioua  passages  between  the  taUei^ 
by  spectaton  of  the  cheering  scene. 
'    At  three  o^dock.  a  public  prooesdon  moned  from  the  Town  HaU. 

In  the  evening  there  was  an  Illumination,  not  general,  but  Terr  good, 
and  lOfih  as  fvn  life  to  the  town  until  a  late  hour.  We  r^pst  that  we 
tannot  furnish  a  description  of  the  Tarious  devices  which  were  so 
eraditable  to  the  taste  and  public  spirit  of  an  jpartiea. 

A  Ball,  according  to  announcement^  was  held  at  the  Town  ^T^^^^ 
whidi  was  but  thinly  attended  -■ 

.  Dinnen  took  pbuoe  at  aevend  of  the  Hotels^  at  Yanzhall,  and  at 
mny  Pablio  Houses  in  the  town  and  neu^bouriiood 

Tlie  memlMra  and  friends  of  the  Loyal  and  Coostitnticiial  Associa- 
tion dined  together  at  the  FloQgh  and  Hamw,  Edgbaaton,  in  number 
abotttasTenty;  Mr.BdwiidAnnfiehlinthadiaur.  ^ThaQaeen/"'The 
Queen  Dowajger,  and  <he  other  Membenof  >the  Boval  TunSljf  ^Our 
Glorioaa  Comstitatioii,  in  Ohurdi  and  State,*  and  otner  patriotac  toasts 
were  introduced  l^  ^propriate  speeehea  aad  drank  with  enthusiasm, 
and  the  most  rational  hilarity  prarailed  A  Band  of  Muaidana 
occupied  the  green  and  pl^fod  aeveial  national  pieosa.  In  the  eveninff 
there  waa  a  dispUr  of  Fire-works  on  the  bowlmg-creen,  to  whi^ 
a  laige  company  of  ladiea  and  ^entleoMn  wers  admittaii  by  tidceti^  kdA 
the  eveninff  concluded  by  dancing, 

The  BeOs  of  the  Churches  rang  BMny  peals  throqgfaoiit  the  day«  the 
viiole  proceedings  were  most  hamwoions  and  eihUanting,  and  sadi  as 
will  be  loQff  reflated  njpon  with  pleasure.  Several  thouaands  of  adults 
entertamea  with  a  substantial  meal  by  the  liberality  of  their  more 


opnlent  neighbonra  and  the  whole  passiQg  off  without  any  aeriooa 

editable  to  " 


irregularity,  was  certainly  hidily  creditable  to  the  diaracter  of  the 
town.  Beyond  comparison,  however,  the  most  gratif vtng  of  all  the 
scenes  were  those  in  which,  within  the  limits  of  the  iMtoagh,  nearly 
fifteen  thousand  Children  connected  with  the  Sdioob  were  eni^jiea 


^    PUBLIC  LIFE  AND   EVENTS.  579 

to  paitake  of  the  jojs  of  the  day,  and  to  unite  their  Yoices  in 
imploring  blessings  on  a  reign  in  which  their  happiness  is  so  especially 
inyolred. 

In  July  a  Temperance  Conference  was  held  in  Bir- 
mingham:— 

The  Town  Hall  has  been  occupied  on  the  evenings  of  the  past  week» 
with  a  Conference  of  the  British  Association  for  the  promotion  of 
Temperance.  A  Meeting  of  Delegates^  consisting  of  upwards  of  fortj, 
from  London,  Ireland,  Scotland,  the  North  of  England,  and  other 
parts,  was  held  on  Tuesday,  Bobert  Guest  White,  Esq.,  of  Dublin, 
in  the  chair.  The  reports  from  the  different  scenes  of  operation 
presented  a  considerable  increase  in  the  members  of  the  Society.  The 
accounts  haying  been  passed,  the  following  resolution  was  moved 
and  carried: — 

"That  it  is  inexpedient  for  the  British  Association  to  enjoin  any 
particular  form  of  pledge  upon  its  brandies,  further  than  one,  including 
the  general  obligation  of  total  abstinence  from  all  intoxicating  dxinksi 
and  the  discountenancing  the  caoses  and  practioe  of  intemperance." 

The  next  two  extracts  record  the  visits  of  distinguished 
**  personages :" — 

JuljT  23, 1838. — On  Thursday  this  town  was  honoured  by  a  visit 
from  his  Boyal  Highnes^the  Duke  of  Cambridge,  who  arrived  at  Dee's 
Hotel  on  the  evening  of  that  day,  and  on  irida^  Mr.  CoIUb,  being 
apprised  of  the  presence  of  the  DuJcei  proffered  a  view  of  his  establish- 
ment^ after  an  inspection  of  whidi  his  Boyal  Highness  proceeded  to  the 
Town  Hall,  where  the  powers  of  the  organ  were  displayed  far  Mr. 
HoUins.  The  Boyal  Duke  returned  to  Dee's  Hotel,  ana  proceeaed  on 
his  route  to  London.. 

MaBSHAii  80X71^8  Visit. 

July  30, 1838.— At  three  o^dock  the  Marshal  and  party,  consisting 
of  the  Marqruis  of  Dalmatia.  the  Marquis  de  Moraay,  the  Due  de 
Vicensa,  the  Due  de  Bassano,  the  Oomte  de  Piaslin,  M.  de  JVanoquevillSi 
and  the  Marshall's  aides-de-camp,  Colonel  Napier,  Admiral  Napier, 
and  Charles  Manlv,  Esa.,  arrivea  at  Dee's  Hotel,  where  a  guard  of 
honour  ci  the  14tn  Lignt  Dm^joons  was  stationed,  and  offered  him 
a  salute.  Hie  visitors  were  received  try  the  High  and  Low  Baflifb^  F. 
Lloyd,  Esq.,  and  Mr.  O.  R  Collis,-;-viflitin^  first  the  splendid  establish- 
ment of  the  latter  gentleman,  thence  to  Messra  Serjeant's  Gun  and 
Sword  Manu&ustory,  which  ajypeared  to  afford  extreme  interest  to 
the  whole  psrty,  and,  as  a  kindred  subject  to  them,  led  to  many 
enquiries,  llie  Papier  Mach6  Manufactory  of  Messrs.  Jennens  ana 
Bettridge ;  the  Britannia  Nail  Works  of  Mr.  T.  M;  Jones ;  the  Phxxf- 
house;  and  the  extensive  Button  Manufactory  of  Messrs.  Hammond, 
Turner,  and  S(ms,  were  snbsequentlv  visited,  and  each  of  the  processes 
led  to  various  expressions  of  astonishment  and  of  high  gmtiflcation. 

His  Excellency  was  then  conducted  to  the  Town  Hally  Fkidf  had. 
been  previously  and  for  some  hours  filled  to  an  overflow  by  anxious  bn^ 
orderly  inmates,  who  waited  with  extreme  interest  the  aifival  of  the 
veteran  visitor,  but  very  judiciously  Mr.  HoUins  entertained  the 
assemblaffe  with  an  occasional  performance  on  the  organ.  On  the^ 
arrival  of  the  Marshal  in  the  l\>wn  Hall  he  was  warmly  greeted  by 
those  assembled.    Mr.  Hollins  performed  some  pieces  on  the  oigan,  and 


580  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

after  spending  some  time  in'this  scene,  the  Mamhal  returned  to  De^s 
Bojal  Hotely  where  dinner  had  been  provided  in  the  laxge  room. 

A  very  important  event  is  recorded  in  the  two  following 
extracts: — 

Angost  27, 1838.— On  Monday  last  the  whole  line  of  BaOzbad  from 
this  town  to  London  was  traversed  by  a  train  of  four  carriages,  occnpied 
by  Directors  and  Shareholders.  The  par(^  left  the  Station,  after  par- 
taking of  break&st^  at  half-past  six  o'dock  m  the  morning^  and  anriTed' 
in  London  at  about  a  quarter  past  one.  An  hour  and  a  half  was  ooea- 
pied  in  inspecting  the  tonnel  at  Kilsby  and  other  interesting  parts  of  the 
great  worl^  so  that  the  distance  may  be  said  to  have  been  travelled  in 
Bttle  more  than  ftve  hours. 

Sept  17, 183a— This  morning  the  entbe  line  of  Baflroad  between 
this  and  London  will  be  opened  to  the  publia  Birmingham  will  thus  be 
brought  within  six  if  not  five  hours  of  the  capital ;  it  remains  only  for 
Aose  in  this  town,  with  whom  is  the  power,  to  prepare  such  fiicilitiee  of 
communication  with  the  heart  of  the  town  as  are  requisite,  and  vast 
benefits  cannot  &il  to  result  to  all  classes  of  the  inhabitants. 

The  last  month  of  the  year  witnessed  the  consecration  of 

two  churches : — 

Dee.  8,  Idsa— The  elegant  Chapel,  [St  Qeoigey  ]  recently  erected  at 
Edgbaston  by  Lord  Galthorpe,  with  a  Tiew  to  the  supplyingof  the 
adcutional  accommodation  so  mudi  reauired  for  the  purposes  m  pnUio 
worship  br  the  inhabitants  of  that  panu,  was  consecrated  by  the  JEKjjrikt 
BsF.  the  Lord  Bishop  of  Worcester  on  Wednesday  moniinff  last  .  The 
site  of  this  ti^y  beantiM  edifice  was  the  oift  of  the  NoUe  Lord,  and 
the  stmctuvs  itself  was  erected  by  his  Loidshipai  the  expense  of  iieaiiy 
j68,00a  with  the  exception  of  £600  bequeathed  by  the  late  Mr.  Wfaeeley. 
Lord  Galthorpe,  in  additian,  has  veiy  handsomely  endowed  the  building 
Itfid  provided  the  oommunlon  plate^  senrice  boon^  &&,  &e;  For  the  vse 
of  the  poorer  inhabitants  two  hundred  fifee  sittings  areiessived;  and  the 
remainder  are  to  be  rented,  aooording^to  their  varioos  dtuatiooSy  lit  SQB.y 
16s.,  and  I9tu  per  annum. 

The  patronaffe  of  the  Chapel,  we  understand,  is  vested  in  the  noble 
donon  liord  OJthorp^  the  Yen.  Arehdeaeon  Bpooner,  and  Mr.  Thomp- 
son of  London ;  ana  the  Bev.  Isaao  Bpooner,  son  of  Bidiard  Spooner, 
Esq.,  has  been  appointed  the  first  incumbent 

OomdBATiov  ov  BuBor  Brnnfa  Chuicb. 

Dee.i4^  1838.^0n  Tueeday  last  the  Interesting  ceremony  of  pnUidv 
dedici^g  this  edifice  to  the  senrioe  of  Almi|dity  God  was  performed 
in  the  presence  of  a  Uxgp  and  most  lespedaUe  eongr^gation,  hj  the 
Lord  rashop  of  Boehester. 

r  On  January  16  died,  at  Paris,  in  hia  64tli  year,  Charles 

Lloyd,  the  poet,  the  fiiend  of  Cderidm  and  Wordsworth. 

He  was  the  ddest  son  of  Charles  lAoja,  the  hanker,  of  this 

town.*    His  poems^  though  breathing  a  tender  grace,  and 

possessing  a  heart  "*  blood-tinctared,  m  a  vemed  humanity/* 

are  now  rarely  rrad. 

Religious  discussions  were  now  much  in  ftshion.    The 

late  Robert  Owen  and  his  friends  were  busily  engaged  in 


PUBLIC  LIFE  AND  EVENTS.  581 

disseminating  the  tenets  of  Socialism,  and  Birmingham  did 

not  escape  the  visitatioiL     On  Monday,  January  14,  1839,  a 

discussion  between  the  promulgator  of  the  decline  of  man's 

irresponsibility  and  Mr.  Brindley  took  place  at  the  Society 

of  Arts.    Dr.  Bell  Fletcher  was  in  the  chair.    The  opponent 

of  Socialism  was  also  an  antagonist  to  phrenology.    After  a 

series  of  lectures  delivered  bv  him  on  this  su^ect  in  the 

month  of  January,  the  followmg  resolution  was  passed  :— 

^That  this  meeting  regards  Mr.  Combe's  ^Constitation  of  Man 
which  iir.  Brindley  has  satisfactoriljr  proved  denies  man's  moral  respon- 
sibility, the  effica<7  of  Christ's  atonement,  and  the  spiritoal  influences 
in  the  work  of  regeneration,  as  a  highly  dangeroos  work,  and  increas- 
ingly dangeroos  in  ezaet  proportion  with  the  talents  of  the  anthor." 

An  Anti-Com-Law  Meeting  was  held  in  the  Town  Hall, 
on  Monday,  Januanr  28,  to  consider  the  propriety  of  peti- 
tioning Parliament  mr  the  repeal  of  the  C!om  Laws.  It  was 
rather  a  curious  assembly.  The  Hall  was  crowded,  the  vast 
majority  present  bdng  Chartists.  Messra  P.  H.  Muntz,  B. 
Hadley,  and  T.  C.  Sal^  who  were  opposed  to  the  conveners 
of  the  meeting,  on  the  ground  of  the  utter  uselessness  of 
petitioniiijy;  Parliament  as  then  constituted,  were  received 
with  contmued  cheerat,  while  Messrs.  G.  Edmonds,  T.  Weston, 
the  Bev.  T.  M.  M'Bonnell,  and  the  members  of  the  Town 
Council  who  were  in  fiivour  of  the  petition  were  greeted 
with  ^the  most  discordant  yells,  and  marks  of  the  greatest 
disapprobation.''  An  amendment  was  carried  by  an  enor- 
mous majority.  -  The  lost  petition  was  afterwards  submitted 
to  the  town  for  the  si^iature  of  those  who  were  in  its  &vour. 
A  petition  firom  the  Mayor  and  Council  on  the  same  subject 
was  presented  to  the  House  of  Lords  by  Lord  Brougham 
on  Friday,  February  the  8th. 

**  Cor  Shakspere  Qub"  will  read  the  following  paragraph 

with  interest : — 

AprQ  SO.  1839.— The  Shakmariaa  Club  established  in  this  town 
eelebrated  toe  amiiTensir  of  tba  birth-day  of  Shakspsars  on  Tossday 
last^atthe  Boes^  in  Edgbaston-street ;  and  althoogta  it  was  the  first 
mestingof  the  society,  «#  company  was  nnmeronsuidrsspactabls^  and 
it  will,  no  doubt,  era  long  be  seoond  to  no  dob  of  a  similar  dssoription. 

The  new  Lidependeut  Chapel  in  Wheder-street  was 
opened  on  the  Ist  of  Hay ;  and  on  the  same  day  was  laid 
the  first  atone  of  the  new  Unitarian  CSiapel  and  Sunday 
Schools  on  New-Hall  HilL 

The  Birmingham  Town  Mission  held  its  first  General 
Meeting  on  June  11 ;  and  even  this  charitable  society  was 
disturbed  by  the  Chartista    The  meeting  was  in  the  Town 


582  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM   LIFE. 

Hally  asd  amidst  much  clisturbance  the  report  waa  read. 
The  following  extract  giving  the  conclusion  of  the  meeting 
is  curioualy  mustrative  of  the  year  which  waa  distinguished 
by  the  Gbartbt  riota  ,  Fussell  was  one  of  the  leaders  in  the 
Bull  Bang  meetings  :— 

Faaaell,  who  was  in  the  ride  ^Uery,  then  ohtained  a  hearing,  and 
said  be  trmted  the^  would  not  interfere  with  the  boaineaa  onlj  ao  fiir 
as  it  inter£Bred  with  them.  If  anjthinff  waa  introduced  into  the 
prooeediDCs  which  would  injure  the  people's  cause  he  waa  there  and 
would  defind  it  The  only  true  religion  was  the  religion  of  good-will 
and  diristias  order.  If  the  middle-cksses  opposed  them,  he  said,  as  he 
had  always  mud,  they  would  be  fully  jnstifiea  in  repelling  that  body  by 
force— '(<Mieera). 

The  Bar.  T.  East  then  presented  himself  to  the  meeting,  but  waa 
reoeiTed  with  much  disapprobation!  and  although  he  periOTered  in 
luiefly  addressing  the  audience,  he  was  compelled  to  resume  his  seat 
amidst  the  greatest  uproar  and  confusion.  The  succeeding  resolutions, 
which  will  be  founa  in  another  column,  were  formally  moved  and 
adopted,  and  a  vote  of  thanks  haWng  been  passed  to  the  chairman. 
tiM  meatiBg  was  dissolved.  The  subscriptions  at  the  door  amounted 
lo  iieai^  ^Ol^  The  respeetive  speakers^  in  retiring  from  the  pbaform, 
were  loodly  hissed  by  the  intruders,  who  afterwards  held  a  meetings 
and  sepaimted  about  half-past  nine  o^dock. 

Hie  next  two  extracts  record  the  death  and  merits  of  a 
man  to  whoae  labours  the  reader  has  been  greatly  in- 
debted:— 

'  July  Ug  1839. — On  Tuesday  last,  at  his  residence,  Ckmp-hill,  near 
thia  towBy  aged  49,  Mr.  Tficmas  Knott,  a  Proprietor,  and  mr  twenty- 
Hts  yean  tlM  Editor  of  thia  Karqpaper;  and  one  of  the  Govariion  of 
^ing  Edwanfa  Sdiogl,  of  whi»  important  Institntioii  he  was  B^uliff 
for  U6  praseni  year. 

It  is  oar  painfbl  duty  to  announce  the  decease  of  Mr.  Thomas  Knott, 
a  Pkoprielor,  and  Csr  twenty-five  years  the  Conductor  of  this  News- 
paper*  Upriahi  and  diaintereetad  in  motive,  modest  and  vnoUrusive 
in  temper  ana  demeanour,  he  waa  a  most  affeetiooata  relative  and  a 
warm  aad  ataady  firiand;  and  the  extent  of  his  benevolanee  in  the 
amelioimtSon  of  bnman  sorrow,  and  the  relief  of  human  wretchedneee, 
will  only  be  fully  known  in  that  day  when  there  ia  nothing  oeeret  that 
aball  aoi  ba  revealed.  In  the  walka  of  common  life  it  woald  be  difficult 
to  point  oat  aa  individual  whose  career  had  been  matked  with  gnater 
osMiilnaBB  and  beneficence^  or  whose  diaraeter  had  eecoxed  aiore  nni- 
iraiaal  aalam.  In  most  of  the  publio  instttotions  of  the  town  be  had 
long  boHM  a  wy  affident  part,  and  of  aome  of  them  he  might  almost 


be  conaidaiad  the  originator.  At  the  General  Hospital  ftw  persons 
attended  ao  closelT  for  many  veara.  To  the  intereetsof  King  Edwaid's 
School  ha  do votaa  his  seal,  jn4gment|  and  diligent  attention.  At  the 
Deaf  aod  Domb  Asylum  he  waa  finom  the  first  a  valoablamember  of  its 
eommittoa.  The  Botanical  Oardena  owe  their  eTJetsnce'  to  the  aseo- 
dated  labooia  of  himself  and  hia  lamented  firiend  the  late  Dr.  DarwalL 
Of  that  important  institution,  the  Lichfield  and  C6ventry  Diocesan 
SodetTy  Iba  saceess  may  in  a  great  degree  be  imputed  to  his  exertions^ 
ia  eoi\|aaetioD  with  thoee  of  his  attaebed  friend  the  present  Rector  of 


PUBLIC  LIFE  AND  EVENTS.  583 

St.  Geoi^'s ;  and  though  he  liyed  only  to  tsee  its  infancy,  he  united 
with  his  aceoatomed  liberality  in  the  formation  of  the  Society  for  erect- 
ing Ten  New  Churches  in  this  town.  The  Public  Librarjr,  the  Society 
of  Arts,  in  brie(  almost  eyerjr  institution  in  the  place,  which  has  for  its 
object  the  interests  of  religion  and  public  benefit,  experienced  the 
advantage  of  his  judicious  counsel  and  effectiTe  support.  WhencTer 
the  vicissitudes  of  trade  and  the  dispensations  of  EVovidence  brought 
distress  upon  the  poorer  classes,  he  was  not  only  with  the  foremost  to 
relieve,  but  he  generally  took  the  least  ostentatious  and  most  laborious 
office.  Among  those  whose  occupations  are  of  a  professional  kind,  few 
individuals  have  ever  devoted  so  much  of  their  time,  their  enemTi  and 
their  resources  to  the  benefit  of  thoee  amonff  whom  he  was  placed.  As 
Editor  of  Aria's  Gazette,  his  steadv  and  undeviating  support  of  consti- 
tntional  principles  was  united  with  the  utmost  fairness  and  impartiality 
towards  those  who  differed  from  him,  and  from  its  pages  were  excluded 
every  approach  to  anything  that  could  wound  private  feelinff  or  injure 
private  character;  for  the  finn  and  unshaken  int^prity  o?  hia  own 
mind,  the  result  of  sincere  christian  prindples,  was  combined  with  the 
kindliest  feeling  of  good  nature  and  rorbsarance  to  all  men.  Bm  health 
had  for  some  considerable  time  past  declined ;  but  on  the  Saturday 
evening  previous  to  his  dissolution  he  was  attacked  with  paralysis, 
which  terminated  his  existence  on  Tuesday  last,  at  the  age  of  40.  flii 
loss  will  be  most  keenlv  felt  by  a  large  number  of  all  ranks  and  classes 
in  this  town,  and  to  whom  in  the  hour  of  adverse  fortune  or  bereave- 
ment he  promptly  acted  as  the  unobtrusive  adviser  and  anxious  friend. 
Truly  may  indeed  those  who  knew  him  best  assert  that,  as  '^to  visit  the 
finthmess  and  widows  in  their  afflietion  and  keep  himself  unspotted 
from  the  world*'  was  praetically  faja  warmest  wish,  so^  as  near  .ai 
human  being  may,  that  na  attained  to  it 

The  end  of  July  was  marked  by  a  Bucoession  of  rainy 
days  which  produced  very  desiructiye  floods.  On  the  Slst^ 
the  Ilea  oyemowed  its  banks,  and  the  whole  of  the  meadows 
were  inundated,  and  a  greater  part  of  the  hind  under  water. 
The  streets  in  the  vicinity  of  Deritend,  and  particuhirly 
Clieapdde,  Hoseley  Street^  and  Bea  Street  were  coverM 
with  water,  and  were  impassable  for  several  hours.  A 
large  number  of  cattle  were  drowned,  and  the  loss  in 
property  was  very  great. 

The  effort  to  build  ten  new  churches  in  the  town  only 

Srtially  succeeded.  The  first  fruits  of  this  attempt  at 
lurch  Extension  was  S&  Matthew's,  in  Oreat  Lister  Street^ 
and  the  foundation  stone  was  kid  by  the  Bishop  of  Nova 
Scotia,  on  October  the  12th.  On  the  25th  and  28th  of  the 
same  month  was  held  the  celebration  of  the  Centenary  of 
W^eyan  Methodism.  ''On  the  former  of  those  oays 
which,  in  conformity  with  the  recommendation  of  the  late 
conference,  was  devoted  to  religious  services,  public  meet- 
ings for  prayer  were  held  in  all  the  chapels,  and  the 
attendance  upon  those  occasions  was  very  numerous,  the 


584  A  OENTUBY  OF  BIBMINaHAM  LIFE. 

proceedinffs  being  conducted  with  great  solemnity  and 
devotion. 

In  this  year,  notwithstanding  the  great  opposition  of 
the  majority  of  the  people,  the  Government  rolioe  were 
introduced  uto  Birmin^hanL  A  meeting  was  held  on  the 
subject  in  the  Town  Hall,  on  November '25,  Mr.  P.  H. 
Muntz,  the  Majot,  in  the  chair.  A  resolution  condemning 
the  proposal  was  passed,  and  a  committee  appointed  to 
prepare  an  address  to  the  Queen  and  a  petition  to  Parlia- 
ment against  the  bill 

The  Queen  was  married  to  Prince  Albert  on  February  10, 

1840 ;  and  we  read  on  that  day : — 

Febroaiy  10, 1840. — ^The  only  paUiQ  oelebFation  appointed  to  talce 
piaoe  in  this  town  of  the  aoffiut  <»remoiiial  which  will  render  this  day 
memorable  in  the  annals  of  Qreat  Kitftin,  will  be  the  entertainment 
of  the  poor  inmates  of  the  WorkhouaiL  and  a  holidaj  at  Kmg  Edward's 
School  Whether  in  conaeqnenoe  of  tne  diange  to  an  earlier  day  than 
WHS  antidpatody  or  from  whatever  canae,  there  has  been  no  aaaemblase 
of  the  inhabitants  to  concert  measores  for  pnbUc  obser?anoe  of  it.  Oa 
enquiry  of  the  anthoritiea  we  find  thai  no  steps  have  been  takenfand 
that  no  requisition  has  been  addresnd  to  them  on  the  sabject.  •  Each 
loyal  sabject^  therefore,  on  his  own  sphere  will  cordially  exercise  the. 
hope  which  must  be  felt  in  the  breast  of  every  tm^  Englishman  that 
the  great  Dufpoaer  ol  aU  things  may  OTer-mle  the 'important  event  of 
this  day  to  the  happinesB  of  our  Sovmign  and  her  people. 

The  wayin  which  the  day  was  observed  is  thus  reported: — 

Febmaxy  17,  1840. — On  Monday,  in  the  absence  ci  any  oiganieed 
plan,  there  was  a  strong  desire  maiiifeated  br  the  inhabitants  of  this 
town  to  celebrate  the  marriage  of  Her  Majesty  and  Prince  Alberts 
The  Linen-Drapere,  in  cooseqoence  of  a  previous  anangement,  and 
other  tradesmen,  detennined  to  dose  their  establishmente,  an  example 
that  was  very  extemdvely  followed,  and  in  a  abort  time  the  streets 
became  filled  with  a  population  evidently  seeking  some  means  of 
uniting  in  an  appropriate  expreseion  of  joy.  The  managers  of  the  Post 
Office,  the  Ezose  Office,  the  Govemofs  of  King  Edward's  Grammar 
School,  and  others  commenced  preparations  for  an  ninmination,  bat 
time  did  not  permit  thie  mode  of  eijiif swing  loyalty  to  become  generaL 
thoo|(^  some  spirited  manof aetorers,  among  whom  uoold  be  mentioned 
Meaara  Jennena  and  fiettiidge,  nresented  a  iplendid  display.  The  poor 
of  the  Workhouse  and  the  children  of  the  Aiylnm  were  liberally 
regaled,  and  eveiything  paned  off  with  the  ntmost  order  and  deoonim. 

This  month  was  marked  by  a  Bank  Failure : — 

February  M,  1840. — Some  sensation  was  produced  in  the  town  on 
Thursday,  m  consequence  of  enirent  reports,  confirmed  by  a  positivis 
annouicement  at  the  window  of  the  Boioii^  &uik  [in  BoO  Gmet|  in  this 
town,  that  the  DurtetorB  f onnd  themselves  under  the  aueessity  of  sus 
pendmg their paymenta  Ameetinffof theCreditoisof  theOoni^iianywaa 
held  on  the  following  day,  at  Dee^a  Boyal  Hotel,  when  a  Committee  €on« 
sistingof  twoproprietore  and  a  creditor  of  the  concern,  tpffether  with  the 
of  the  company  and  a  respectable  accountant  of  the  town,  was 


PUBLIC  LIFE  AKD  EVENTS.  585 

appointed  to  investigate  the  state  of  afiaira,  and  to  prepare  a  balanoe- 
sneet.  The  immediate  occasion  of  the  stoppage  of  the  Bank  -was  the 
sospension  of  one  of  the  Directors,  who  had  created  liabilities  to 
the  fun  extent  of  the  capital  employed ;  but  it  should  be  known  that 
though  this  was  the  case  the  business  of  the  Bank  was  Yexy  limited ; 
and  as  the  Bank  did  not  issue  their  own  notes,  the  inoonyenience  to  the 
public  will  be  inconsiderable. 

The  Jewelleiy  trade  was  very  bad  this  year,  and  once 

more  royalty  was  requested  to  set  the  fashion  for  the  good 

of  trade : — 

February  24, 1840. — ^At  the  Lev^e  onWednesday  last,  a  petition  was 
presented  to  the  Queen  by  Mr.  Dugdale  and  Mr.  Scholefield,  from  the 
JewellerB  of  this  town,  which  was  most  graciously  received.  For  some 
months  past  this  branch  of  trade  has  been  in  a  veiy  depressed  state^ 
whidi  is  tiie  more  to  be  regretted,  as  it  is  less  dependent  upon  foreifiu 
demand  than  on  fashion  at  home.  Should  the  Queen  condescendin^y 
listen  to  the  praver  of  the  memorial,  the  effect  will  be  to  improve  an 
important  branch  of  trade,  and  benent  a  great  number  of  nersons.  It 
is  light  to  add,  thai  Mr.  Scholefield  and  the  County  memDers,  Sir  £• 
Wil^ot  and  Mr.  Dugdale^  rendered  most  active  and  valuable  assistance 
in  promoting  the  object  oi  the  memorialists. 

A  meeting  was  held  on  March  30,  at  which  a  provisional 
committee  was  appointed  to  take  immediate  steps  for  forming 
a  society  for  the  protection  of  Young  Females.  On  the 
81st  of  the  same  month  was  laid  the  foundation  stone  of 
St.  Hark'sy  the  second  of  the  ten  churches  ''intended  to  be 
erected  in  this  town.**  The  land  was  presented  by  the 
Governors  of  King  Edward's  School 

The  button  makers  of  the  town  again  appealed  to  royalty 

to  wear  buttons : — 

April  13, 1840. — A  depatatioii  o£  Bntton-niaken  from  this  town  was 
intreduced  to  Prince  Albert^  at  Buckingham  Ealaoe,  on  iVidaj  lasti 
bj  Joshua  Sdiolefield,  Esq.,  M.P.,  for  the  purpose  of  pnMwnting  a 
oongratulatoiy  address  on  the  occasion  of  the  Boyal  Nuptials,  and  of 
requesting  the  Prince  to  patronise  soma  of  the  specimens  forwarded  to 
him,  in  order  to  ameliorate  the  present  depressed  state  of  the  trade. 
The  deputation  was  graciously  recdyed,  and  His  Boyal  Highness  was 
pleased  to  return  the  subjoined  reply : — **  I  leoeiTe  your  congratnlations 
with  sincere  pleasure,  and  I  b4[  yon  to  believe  that  I  am  deeply 
interested  in  all  dasses  of  Her  Mi^esty's  subject^*' 

On  June  the  Srd  the  young  lunatic,  Oxford,  fired  at  the 
Queen.  Birmingham  thus  expressed  its  loyglty  and  its 
thaidcs  for  the  escape  of  Her  Majesty : — 

June  2S,  1840.-^— One  uniTersal  feeling  of  indignatiaii  and  hoiror 
appears  to  pervade  all  classes  of  Her  MaJMty's  subjects  throug^UNit  the 
kingdom,  at  the  recent  attemnt  on  the  life  of  Her  Majesly  and  her 
illustrious  Oonsort  Meetinffs  nave  already  taken  place  or  are  convened 
in  almost  eTerr  town  and  ▼illage  throughout  the  empire,  to  congratulate 
the  Queen  and  Prince  Albert  on  their  happy  escape  firom  the  band  of 


686  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 


the  aattssin.  In  this  County,  WorcestefBhire,  Staffordshire,  and  the 
adjoining  Counties,  oongratulatoxy  addresses  have  been  adopted  during 
the  past  week,  for  presentation  to  Her  Majesty,  and  in  numerous 
pkces  similar  expressions  of  <  loyaltj  are  already  in  oourae  of  active 
preparation. 

,   Address  of  CoxroRATuit^nov  to  Her  Majestt. 

June  22,  1840. — In  compliance  with  a  requisition  presented  to  P.  H. 
Muntz,  Esq.,  the  Mayor,  a  public  meeting  of  the  inhabitants  of  Bir- 
mingham was  oonvened  in  the  Town  Hall  on  Friday,  for  the  purpose  of 
testuying  the  heartfelt  gratification 'of  all  daases  of  the  community 
at  tiie  providential  preservation  of  Her  Majesty  and  her  illustrious 
Consort  from  the  recent  atrocious  and  treasonable  attack  upon  her 
sacred  person.  The  Mayor  took  the  chair  shortly  after  eleven  o'docL 
In  the  organ  gallery  were  assembled  many  respectable  inhabitants  of 
the  town^  although  the  meeting  "wm  but  very  thinly  attended,  and  the 
floor  of  tne  Hall  as  well  as  the  nde  galleries  were  by  no  means  filled. 

June  22,  1840. — On  Mondav  mozninf  a  yeiy  full  meeting  of  the 
Clergy  of  this  Borough  was  held  in  St  Martin's  Church.  Tne  Bnral 
Dean,  the  Bev.  John  Qarbett,  took  the  chair,  and  commenced  the 
prooeedings  hj  explaining  that  he  had  cousidered  it  his  duty  to  fix  Uie 
earliest  possiole  day  aftor  receiving  a  requisition  from  the  Clergy,  to 
take  into  consideration  the.proprie^  of  presenting  an  addre»  to  the 
Queen  on  her  merciful  deliverance  from  ihe  hand  of  an  iswiiBiin  one  of 
her  own  subjects,  whose  twice  uplifted  arm  was  directed  to  her  destmo- 
tion,  averted  only  by  the  merciful  providence  of  Almighty  Qod. 

This  year  was  distinguished  by  the  beginning  of  another 
noble  work  of  charily— our  second  grMt  Hospital  The 
interest  taken  by  the  people  in  this  work  is  proved  by  the 
following  paragraph  :«^ 

June  22,  lS4a^-T1ittrsday  last  being  the  day  appointed  Ibr  laying 
the  fint  stone  of  the  Queen's  ^ospital,  in  this  town,  by  Eaii  Howe,  the 
Lord  Chamberlain  to  the  Queen  Dowager,  not  less  than  twenty 
thousand  persons  wero  assembled  to  witne«  the  interesting  eersmooy. 
Notwithstanding,  however,  this  immense  eonooune  of  spectators  no 
aoddent  occurred  during  the  whole  of  the  proceedings ;  but  one  feeling 
of  generous  and  landable  humaai^  appeared  to  pertade  every  elasa. 
A  pttblie  breakCnt  in  eonneetion  with  the  procsedingi  of  the  dav,  took 
place  at  the  Town  Hall,  at  twelve  o^doek,  and  was  attended  by 
npwaids  of  four  hundred  and  fifty  gnestiL 

The  history  of  this  noble  undertaking  does  not  fiJl  within 
the  period  embraced  by  this  work. 


§  S.     XDUGATIOK  AKD  LITERjLTlTBE. 


The  year  1832  begins  with  the  report  that  the  newly- 
erected  Schools  of  Deritend  and  Bordesley,  connected  with 
the  Established  C!harch»  were  opened  for  the  reception  of 
Scholais  on  the  first  of  January.    A  dinner  was  given  to 


EDUOATIDN  AND  LITERATURB.  .587 

the  children  on  the  4th,  in  commemoration  of  the  event. 
On  January  9  we  find  the  following  paragraph : — 
Frxnch  Giboulatiko  Librabt,  6,  St.  Paul's  Square,  Bibvikoham. 

Measieani  O.  V.  Martin  and  H.  ^nger  beg  to  acquaint  the  Inhabi- 
tantii  of  Birmingham  and  the  neighbouring  towns,  that  thej  have 
opened  a  Idbrary  for  the  circulation  of  the  most  modern  and  popular 
^Dch  Works. 

^SF  Terms  and  Catalogues  to  be  had  at  their  Besidenoe. 

Mons.  C  y.  Martin  will  resume  his  Lessons  in  the  French  and 
Italian  on  the  25th  inst. 

Our  next  extract  relates  to  a  gentleman  who  has  laboured 

earnestly  and  well  in  the  cause  of  education.    His  later 

career  has,  it  is  true,  been  marked  by  a  few  eccentricities ; 

but  these  should  never  make  us  forget  the  debt  of  gratitude 

which  we  owe  to.  one  who,  years  ago,  laboured  so  earnestly 

and  arduously  for  the  good  of  the  town  : — 

Febroarj  1^  1832. — It  gives  us  pleasure  to  state,  that  Mr.  Outteridge's 
first  Lecture  gn  Anatomy,  as  connected  with  the  Fine  Arts,  delivered 
at  the  Booms  of  the  Society,  in  New  Street,  on  Wednesday  Isat,  was 
▼ery  numerousljr  attended.  The  second  Lecture  is  announced  for 
Wednesday  evening  nezt^ 

Lodffe's  famous  Galleiy  of  Historical  Portraits  was  in  the 
town  tnis  year.  The  following  is  the  contemporaiy  record 
of  the  exhibition : — 

June  18»  1832.— The  Exhibition  of  Lodge's  Gallery  of  Historical 
Portraits  is  now  open  for  gratuitous  inspection,  at  the  Large  Boom  of 
the  Society  of  Arts,  in  this  town.  The  object  in  opening  tbts  Exhibi- 
tion is  to  display  at  one  view  the  whole  series  of  Illustrations  proposed 
to  be  executed  in  Lod^$  MonMff  Library  of  PcrtraiU  and  Jiemoin; 
and  it  is^  perhaps,  the  most  splendid  asseroblaffe  of  Portraitii  of  the 
illnstrioos  and  eminent  personages  of  Britisn  history  whidi  has 
•▼er  been  seen  in  tliis  country.  In  the  eollection  will  be  recognised 
▼ery  beautiful  and  fikithful  copies  from  well-known  pictures  belonging 
to  Uk9  eollections  of  seTeral  of  the  neighbouring  nobility,  the  originals 
of  which  liaTO  been  exhibited  within  the  last  few  years  at  the  Society's 
Booms ;  and  among  them  are  Henrj  VIIL  by  Holbein ;  Sir  Eenelm 
Digbv,  the  Marquis  of  Granby,  by  Sv  Joikua  Reynoldt ;  Charles  L,  by 
Vanayi$;  Elisabeth,  Queen  of  Bohemia;  Queen  Henrietta  Maria; 
William  L;  Lord  Paget,  &e.  Many  Tcsry  exqolsttely-finuibed  Drawings 
exhibited  are  bighly  creditable  to  the  taste  and  taletits  of  our  towna- 
man,  Derby.  The  second  monthlir  part  of  the  work,  just  published, 
oontaininff  portraits  of  the  Earl  of  Strafford,  the  Countess  of  Sunder- 
land,  and  Ourdinal  Wolsey,  forms  an  excellent  specimen  of  the 
publication,  whether  with  reference  to  its  pretensions  as  a  work  of  art. 
or  as  a  Taluable  and  condensed  medium  oi  hlstoiieal  imd  biograi^cal 
informatioD. 

On  Febmaiy  8, 1836,  was  published  the  following  para- 
graph >- 

A  nnmeroQS  meeting  of  the  Articled  Law  Clerks  of  thb  town  was 
held  at  the  Public  Officei  on  iVidsy  evening  last^  far  the  highly  com- 


588  A  CENTURY  OF  BIBmNQHAM  LIFE. 

m«ndable  purpote  of  fonning  themaelTes  into  a  Society  for  mutual 
legal  improTemflnt 

The  nextrextract  refers  to  the  Royal  School  of  Medicine : — 
June  SO,  1836. — On  Saturday  last  Mr.  Sands  Cox  had  the  honour  of 
a  long  mterview  with  the  Under  Secretary  of  State  for  the  Home 
Department  in  reference  to  the  plans  and  arrangements  of  the  Boyal 
School  of  Medidne  in  this  town.  Ihe  Boyid  Ck>llege  of  Physidana  of 
London  are  about  to  make  important  changes*  It  is  intended  no  longer 
to  require  an  Oxford  and  Gambridge  Mucation.  A  curricolum  of 
study  for  their  licence  will  be  shortly  issued ;  and  ProTincial  Sdioola 
will  be  enabled  to  qualify  students  for  an  examination  to  practice  from 
that  body.  An  impression  of  the  Anatomical  and  Surgiod  Prize 
Msdal,  executed  by  Mr.  WeUs  Ingram,  has  been  presentMl  by  Earl 
Howe  to  His  Majesty,  and  was  most  graciously  receiTcd. 

•    The  following  is  an  interesting  quotation  : — 

June  SO,  1836^ — It  is  |>ropo8ed  by  the  gentlemen  constituting  the 
Committee  for  the  formation  of  the  '^IdGdland  Natural  History  and 
Arehnological  Society,''  to  purchase  the  Museum  of  Mr.  Weaver,  who 
is  to  be  appointed  Curator,  with  an  annual  stipend— to  institute  courses 
of  Lectures — to  form  a  libraiy  of  valuable  works  on  every  department 
of  Natural  History— topromote  the  establishment  of  Societies  for  the 
coltimtion  of  Natural  History  in  the  snnounding  towns— and  to  open 
Communications  with  similar  Institutions  already  formed.  To  carnr 
all  these  obiects  into  full  eSectiand  to  enrich  the  existing  Museum  with 
specimens  in  Zoology,  Botany,  and  more  narticnlarly  with  a  perfect 
series  of  the  Mineralogies]  productions  of  the  mining  district^  whidi  it 
does  not  at  present  contain,  a  sum  of  at  least  one  thousand  guineas 
and  an  annual  income  of  at  least  one  half  that  sum,  it  is  oJcnlated,  will 
bo  required.  The  former  it  Is  proposed  to  raise  l^  the  sale  of  two 
hondred  shares  of  five  guineas  eaofa,  and  an  annual  subeeription  of  one 
guinea ;  and  the  remaining  portion  of  the  income  by  the  sale  of  tioketa 
to  snbscriben^  on  the  plan  at  present  puxaued  by  Mr.  Weavery  and  by 
the  admission  of  non-subscriben.  Fran  the  latter  sooroe  it  u  antici- 
pated that  not  less  than  one  hundred  guineas  per  annum  will  aooma  to 


the  fimds  of  the  Societv.  It  is  intended  for  the  shareholderB  to  ei^oy 
privileges  not  possessea  l^the  non-aubooribera.  We  lu>pe  and  trust 
that  Krmfnriiam,  the  centre  of  a  wealthy  and  popnioos  distrieL 
liarly  rich  in  natural  nroduetioiis,  more  espedall v  in  the  minml 
_  Imn.  will  not  Incur  thi  indelible  diigraee  of  allowing  Weaver'a 
beantifu  Musemn,  collected  at  an  incalculable  sacrifice  of  time  and 
labour,  to  be  transferred  to  o1}ier  hands,  and  enrich  the  coUectlan 
of  soma  nei^bouring  society.* 

On  Thursday,  Joljr  28,  1836,  was  jpabliahed  the  first 
number  of  the  "  Birmingham  Herald,  Midland,  Ck>mmenaal, 
Literaiy,  and  Qeneral  Advertiser."  The  proprietors  and 
pnbUshers  were  T.  B.  Wright  and  Chris.  Dain. 

On  September  6  was  annornoed : — 

Ka  1  of  the  Birmingham- Botanic  Qardeui  or  Midland  Floral  Maga- 
ains^  containing  accurate  DeUneatioDS,  with  Botanical  and  popular 

*  Mr.  Weavei^s  Collection  now  fonns  part  of  the  Museom  at  the  Queen's 
OoUegs^  Paiadise  Stteet. 


EDUCATiai^  AKB  LTTERATUBE.  589 

DescriptiQnB  of  Plants  coltWated  in  the  StOYe^  the  Green-honae,  or  the 
open  Garden,  and  remarkable  either  for  their  beantj,  their  rari^,  or 
the  singolari^  of  their  stractnre.  Gondacted  hv  G.  B.  Knowles,  Esq.. 
M.RG.S.,  F.uS.,  &c  (Gorresponding  Member  of  the  Medico-Botanioaf 
Society,  and  Proiessor  of  Botany  in  the  Boyal  School  of  Medicine),  and 
Frederic  Westoott,  Esq.,  Honorary  Secretaries  of  the  Birmingham 
Botanical  and  Horticoltmiil  Society. 

The  following  relates  to  an  important  reform  in  the 
curriculum  of  Eang  Edward's  School : — 

Free  Graiocab  School. 

October  10, 1836. — ^It  will  be  known  to  many  of  our  readers  that  the 
attention  of  the  GoTemors  of  King  Edward's  School  in  this  town  has 
been  called  to  the  great  importance,  if  possible,  of  anticipating  by  some 
years  the  advantages  contemplated  in  the  plan  of  a  school  for  teaching 
the  modem  languages  and  the  arts  and  sciences,  concurrently  with  the 
dassicai  education  now  so  efficiently  conducted  by  the  present  Masters. 
It  is  evident  from  the  subjomed  minute  of  the  Governors  that  a  plan 
haionff  this  object  in  view  had  been  dnwn  up  by  the  highly-talented 
individual  v^o  now,  happily  iot  the  town,  presides  over  the  instruction 
of  this  school  These  views  are  so  aocordant  with  the  wants  of  the 
rising  generation  of  Birmingham,  that  it  will  not  create  surprise  that 
persons  of  various  parties  lukve  been  led  to  unite  in  ezpressme  them- 
selves anxious  for  such  an  object.  Two  of  our  townsmen.  Sir.  W. 
Chance  and  Mr.  J.  M.  Elnott^  having  formed  similar  views  of  the  educa- 
tion required  at  the  Free  SdiooL  feeling  themselves  deeply  interested, 
and  that  their  sentiments  must  oe  in  accordance  with  those  of  their 
fellow  townsmen,  spontaneously  took  up  the  subject  on  Monday  last, 
and  as  the  best  means  of  attaining  the  end,  draw  up  the  feUowinc^ 
Memorial  to  the  Govemon^  whiofa«  unitedly  with  Mr.  Charles  Shaw 
and  Mr.  Clement  Ingleby,  who  on  oeing  applied  to  promptly  rendered 
their  aid,  they  submitted  to  such  of  their  townsmen  as  the  limited  time 
before  the  meeting  of  Governors,  whidi  they  found  was  to  take  place 
on  the  following  Wednesday,  permitted  them  to  acoompliBh : — 

^The  undersigned,  deeply  imjfKreased  with  the  importance  of  the 
educatibn  at  present  afforaed  at  the  Free  Grammar  School,  in  Bir- 
mingham, bei^ff  connected  with  the  cultivation  of  Modem  Languages  and 
of  the  Alts  and  Sciences,  and  considering  that  so  desirable  an  o^ect  will 
be  best  attained  by  uniting,  in  an  additional  building,  upon  the  same 
site  and  under  the  same  superintendence  with  the  ClsSsical  School,  the 
projected  English  School,  for  whidi  provision  is  made  under  the 
recent  Act»  wey  are  induced  to  uige  this  diange  of  plan  upon  the 
Govemora 

^The  undersigned  are  jpennaded,  that  such  modification  of  the 
arrangements  would  be  hiMj  boi^cial  to  the  inhabitants  of  the 
town.  It  would  not  only  onng  the  'Bing^**^  School  into  operation 
earlier  by  some  years,  but  the  combination  would  meet  the  peculiar 
wants  of  Birminfffaam  as  a  manufacturing  and  commercial  town^  while 
the  great  end  of  we  Founder,  in  providing  the  means  for  promoting  the 
higher  departments  of  learning  would  also  be  attained  in  a  manner 
suited  to  tne  changed  circumstances  of  society." 

It  is  right  to  mention,  that  these  gentlunen  called  first  upon  Thomas 
Pemberton,  Esq.,  the  High  BailifiL  who  at  once  entered  wannly  into 
the  subject,  and  kindly  gave  his  aia  and  influence  to  ihe  furthenmce  of 


590  A  CSNTURT  OF  BIUMINGHAM  LIFE. 

• 

an  object  80  important  to  his  neighbonn  of  all  daasea.  Nnmeroofl  aigna- 
torea  were  in  a  few  honra  affixed,  compriauig  some  of  the  moat  reapecUble 
and  influential  naroea  of  the  town  of  yi^oua  portiea,  indadinf  the  two 
Membera  for  the  Borough.  The  memoiial»bemg  handed  to  tne  Bailiff 
of  the  School,  Mr.  John  Walker,  a  ehort  time  before  the  monthly 
meetinff  of  the  Goyemora  (at  whidi  time  it  waa  nnderBtood  the  anbject 
would,  Dj  previoua  arrangement,  come  under  bonaidention)  waa  moat 
courteoualj  received,  and  soon  after  the  termination  of  the  meeting  the 
following  minute  waa  handed  by  the  Secretary  to  the  gentlemen  who 
presented  the  memorial : — 

**  1836,'  October  6.  At  a  Meeting  of  the  OoTemon  of  the  Free 
Grammar  School  of  King  Edward  the  Sixth,  in  Birmingham,  in  the 
Gonnhrof  Warwick, 

**  The  Bailiff  reported  that  he  and  the  Secretary  had  this  mominff 
been  waited  upon  by  Mr.  Chance  and  Mr.  John  Knotty  who  preaentea 
the  memorial  now  read."  • 

The  considenition  of  Dr.  James's  Letter  having  been  reaumed,  it  waa 
unanimously  resolyed — ''That  inatrucdon  in  the  Modem  LanguageiL 
Arte,  and  Sdencea  in  the  daasieal  Sdiool,  in  addition  to  the  present 
ayatem  of  education  pursued  there^  doea  appear  to  thia  meeting  to  offer 
many  and  great  advantaffea. 

^  it  ia  ordered,  that  the  above  resolution  be  referred  to  a 
to  bonaider  and  report  upon  the  meana  of  canying  the  above 
into  full  effect,  ana  that  three  be  a  quorum. 

"  It  ia  ordered,  that  co|ues  of  the  above  resolutions  be  'transmitted  by 
the  Secretary  to  Mr.  Chance  and  Mr.  Knott* 

We  congratulate  our  readers  upon  the  resl  harmony  whidi  these 
documents  prove  to  exist  between  tne  sentiments  of  the  town  and  those 
of  the  goveniors,  and  on  tiie  readineas  with  whidi  the  wanta  and  die 
wiahea  of  the  mhalntanta  have  been  met,  evidendnff>  aa  it  doe^  iha 
favourable  views  entertained  of  the  object  in  that  body.  It  dionld  h^ 
borne  in  nund  that  had  not'  thia  change  in  the  course  of  thimn  taken 
plao^  the  contemplated  improvementa  of  education  with  the  funds  ci 
the  foundation  OMild  not  possiU Vy  on  the  moat  aangnine  caloolatjon, 
have  come  into  operation  untQ  the  year  1848,  or  the  sacoeeding  year, 
while  upon  the  proposed  plan,  the.  end  may  be  effected  in  about  twdva 
months  80  tbatL  in  point  of  fact^  one  generation  eailier  d  the  youth  of 
the  town  wiU,  tf  the  plan  be  perfected,  partake  of  the  benefita  of  the 
Knglish  and  roreifln  oepartment  of  the  adiooL  A  veiy  lam  sum  wiU 
be  aaved  in  the  buuding,  independjsntly  of  the  eoonamy  in  tSunding,  as 
far  aa  possihle,  the  present  and  extended  objeeta  of  the  adiool,  and  a 
mudi  Jaiger  anumnt  of  rental  will  be  at  the  dinoaal  d  the  Goveraora 
for  adding  to  the  advantagea  of  the  prindpal  aenool,  and  for  spreading 
acfaoola  in  different  parte  of  the  town  to  meet  the  wanta  of  the  ni|udl  v 
increaaiog  population.  With  reference  to  thia  point  tt  afforda  ua  mnai 
pleaaure  to  atate,  that  the  Govemom  are  about  to  commence  an  demen- 
taiy  adiod  in  Aston  Street,  which  isill  be  followed  by  others  in  different 
parte  of  the  town.  It  is  peixhapadeBirable  also  to  explain  to  audi  of  our 
readers  as  may  not  be  aoqnainted  with  the  subject  that  the  pix>|»oaed 
addition  to  the  arrangementa  for  the  Grammar  Sdiool  will  comprise 
all  the  dementa  of  a  aound  oommereial  and  philosophical  eduomon, 
together  with  instruction  in  the  foreign  languagea. 

We  have  now  the  xecoxd  of  a  very  useful  scaentifio 
inyeniioii : — 


zducjltkxs  asd  uteratube.  691 

December  5. 1836. — ^It  may  be  intetestiii^  to  know  that  during  the  late 
gale  which  visited  this  town,  the  force  and  direction  of  the  wind  was 
so  aocnratelj  noted  bv  a  self-registering  Anemometer,  the  invention  of 
Mr.  FoUett  Osier,  which  that  gentleman  has  lately  presented  fto  the 
Philosophical  Institution  of  the  town.  By  this  instrument  a  constant 
reflistry  is  kept  not  only  of  the  direction,  but  also  of  the  force  and 
velocity  of  the  wind.  A  self-reffistering  rain  gauge  attached  to  the 
instrument,  notes  the  quantity  <3  the  rain,  and  liKewise  the  precise 
moment  when  it  falls.  On  the  morning  of  Monday,  the  28th  ult.,  at  a 
quarter-past  eleven,  the  wind  blew  for  .about  three  minutes  from  the 
north-west^  with  a  force  equal  to  16^  lbs.  on  the  square  foot ;  and  on 
the  following  day.  at  noon,  for  nearly  half-aa-hour  from  the  north-west, 
with  a  force  equal  to  121b&  on  the  square  foot  In  the  published  tables 
of  the  forces  M  the  wind,  a  Bressure  of  ITlbs.  on  the  square  foot,  or  a 
velocity  of  axtj  miles  per  nour,  is  characterised  as  a  most  violent 
hurricane. 

In  the  beginning  of  1837  the  Oazette  was  published  in 
an  ^  ezteodra  and  improved  form,*'  and  the  editor  availed 
himself  of  that  opportunity  to  give  the  following  very 
interesting  Hibtobt  of  the  Gazette. 

To  OUE  BKaDXRS. 

January  9,  1837.— Hie  Biimingfaam  Qaaette  havin^g  at  the  com- 
mencement of  the  new  year  assumed  an  extended  and  improved  form, 
it  may  be  useful  for  oar  own  guidance,  as  well  as  interesting  to  our 
readers,  to  present  them  with  some  reminisoenoes  of  a  publication  whidi 
has  80  Jong  enjoyed  the  libersl  natronaffe  of  the  public. 

The  first  number  was  pubushed  oj  the  onginsl  proprietor,  Mr. 
Thomas  Aris,  on  the  16th  of  November,  in  the  year  1741,  under  the 
title  of  ^  The  Birmingham  Gaaett^  or  the  Qeneial  Gonespondent^"  at 
the  price  of  three-hau-peDoe^  and  oearing  a  mvemment  stamp  of  one 
half-penny.  By  the  following  addresi  inMrted  therein,  it  appears  that 
the  publication  was  anticipated  by  another  newqiaper,  whicn  dream* 
stance  was  referred  to  by  Mr.  Aris,  in  the  following  terms : — 

^  That  the  jpablio  may  not  look  on  me  as  an  opposer  to  Mr.  Walker, 
as,  bv  the  inmnaation  in  his  paper  be  would  have  me  sapposed,  I  will 
beg  leave  to  state  the  case. 

^Jn  the  month  of  May  Isst^I  came  to  Birmingham  in  order  to  settle 
there  as  a  Printer  and  Bookseller,  and,  with  the  advice  of  my  friends,  took 
the  boose  I  now  live  in.  bat  it  being  then  inhabited,  I  coald  not  con- 
▼enientlj  enter  till  Miciiaitlmss  last,  so  went  again  to  London ;  during 
which  tmie  Mr.  Walker,  having  got  infonuation  of  mv  intention,  came 
here  and  printed  a  Newsp^wr  oetore  I  kft  London ;  therefore,  I  appeal 
to  the  pablie,  to  whom  he  has  made  his  addrsM  in  sll  the  papers  he  has 
yet  pa Uished,  to  detennine  who  is  the  opposer.  And  those  gentlemen 
who  are  pleased  to  enooangv  me,  may  be  assored  thai  no  pains  shall  be 
naied  to  make  the  paper  agreeable,  haviqg  aetUed  the  best  ooneqion- 
aint  I  possibly  coald  in  London  for  that  poiposa.  T.  Arm.'' 

Both  papers  vptpmst  to  have  been  cvried  on  in  opposition,  until  July, 
1743,  when  by  the  sabjoiiied  address  it  will  be  seen  that  a  compromise 
took  phwe  between  the  parties ;  and  the  Oaastte  first  appearea  under 
the  oistinetive  title  of  ''Aris's  Birmingham  Oaastte,"— the  price,  in 
aoooffdance  with  the  annooneement  to  that  aflbct^  being  laised  to 


692  A  GENTUBT  OF  BIBMINGHAM  LIFE. 

^^To  the  Bsaders  of  iki$  Paper. 

"  Qentlemen, — ^I  am  veiy  seDflible  that  to  raise  the  prioe  of  any  com- 
modity 18  always  both  tmpopular  and  hazazdous ;  and  even  was  it  not 
BO,  the  obli^tion  you  have  laid  me  mider,  by  your  ceneroua  encourage- 
ment of  thifl  paper,  would  be  snffident  to  deter  me  nom  an^r  attempt  to 
adyanoe  the  pnce  of  it,  waa  it  in  my  power,  oonsiatent  with  my  own 
preservation,  to  act  otherwise. 

^  But  when  I  assure  jaa  it  is  not  so,  and  that  I  have  already  lost  a 
considerable  sum  by  sellmg  it  at  three  half-pence,  I  flatter  myself  that 
no  gentleman  woula  ti^e  it  amiss  if  I  can't  continue  it  at  a  pnce  whidiy 
instead  of  sening,  can  only  injure  me. 

^  That  a  great  deal  of  money  may  be  sonk  in  a  yeiy  little  time  by  a 
publication  ot  this  nature  cannot  seem  strange  to  any  one  who  considers 
that  out  of  every  paper  one  half -penny  coes  to  ihe  stamp  office,  and 
another  to  the  nerson  who  sells  it ;  that  the  paper  it  is  printed  on  costs 
a  farthing ;  ana  that  consequently  no  more  tnan  a  farthing  remains 
to  defray  the  chams  of  composing,  prmting,  London  newi^Mipen^  and 
meeting,  as  far  as  Iwentiy,  the  PosL  which  Ittrt  artiote  is  very  e^^ 
not  to  mentidn  the  expeaaoe  of  our  London  correq>ondence.  The  troth 
is,  I  had  no  design  originally  of  attempting  the  printing  a  Newspaper 
for  three  half-pence ;  but  another  paper  being  puUishea  at  that  pnce 
'  by  Mr.  Walker,  obliged  me  to  sulmut  to  the  same.tenns,  thoujg^  now 
we  are  both  sufficiently  convinced  that  we  were  in  the  wranA^  and 
think  it  hifih  time  to  drop  the  opposition,  and  unite  both  papers  m  one. 
Therefore,  for  the  future,  there  will  be  out  this  paper  printed,  whidi 
will  be  in  conjunction ;  and  as  the  above  is  a  trae  state  of  the  case,  I 
hope  that  those  gentlemen  who  have  hitherto  honoured  me  with  their 
favours,  for  whi£  I  take  this  opportnnity  of  retominff  my  thanks,  wiU 
Hoi.think  the  advance  of  one  half-penny  unrea8onab&.  Bat  in  oider 
to  make  some  amsnds  for  the  additions  half-penny,  I  shaB,  for  the 
futor^  enlaige  the  pages  in  such  a  manner  as  to  contain  a  mater 
quantity  of  news  than  at  present ;  and  the  public  may  depend  uat  no 
pains  or  ezpenoe  shall  be  spared  to  render  this  pKpeac  as  nsehil  and 
entertaining  as  possible.* 

T)ie  Gaaette  continaed  in  the  hands  of  Mr.  Azis^until  his  death  in  - 
1761,  from  which  year  it  was  in  the  possession  of  yarioos  members  of 
his  famOy  until  1789,  when  it  became  the  sole  property  of  Mr.  Tliomas ' 
Pearson,  17  ^om  it  was  oondncted  until  hii  decease  in  1801. 

The  next  addresi^  iddeh  we  are  induced  to  lay  befixrs  oar  readef% : 
appeared  on  the  Snd  of  Januazr,  1804^  when  the  wpjiti^i  of  ttte 
paper  ceased  to  be  the  prupertyof  the  frinily  of  the  oripnal  proprietor, 
naying  been  sold  to  Messrs.  Knott  and  lioyd,  by  this  E»wators  of 
Mr.  PearMn.  At  this  time  the  paper  was  pablished  at  sixpence,  and 
the  stamp  it  bora  was  that  of  tlme-penee  nalQwimy.  The  address  Is 
as  fi>Uows  :— 

«  Bjiott  and  Lloyd  having  now  beoome  proprietdrs  of  this  Gasett^  ' 
respeetftdlr  sdlieit  a  eontinaaaoe  of  that  yeiy  liberal  patronage  wim 
whidi  it  has  so  iong  been  honoured,  assoring  the  imblio  that  In  tts 
fbtore  management,  eivery  exertion  shall  be  called  forlli  to  render 
it  fiiUT  worthy  of  tosir  eentinaad  approbation  and  support. 

^llie  Editor,  on  his  parti  possessing  the  expeiknoe  of  nearly  Mven 
Tean^  attention  to  the  bosinesi^  daring  the  two  last  of  whieh  he  has 
been  sole  oondactor,  prasomes  to  hope  he  ma]r  not  be  foond  inoompetent 
to  his  sitaation,  JSrmly  oUaeAsd  to  the  eamtituHcn  of  the  eomUrj^f  emd 


EDUCATION  AND  LITERATURE.  593 

wperior  to  every  eannderaiion  of  forty y  it  skall  be  hie  study  to  eondtict 
thu  Oaeette  upon  those  principles  ofloyaUy,  incUpendenee^  and  integrity ^ 
for  which  its  tote  worthy  Proprietor  renderedit  eminently  eonspicuous. 

**  In  solidtixig  a  contmuanoe  of  the  fayoura  of  AdrertisiDg  FriendBy 
Elnott  and  Lloyd  have  to  point  out  the  superior  advantara  of  the 
▼ery  nomerona,  extensive,  and  established  circulation  this  Qasette  so 
fortunately  possesses — a  drcnlation  uneoualled  in  the  Midland  Counties 
— and  to  nromise  every  attention  to  tne  interest  of  the  parties,  by  a 
regular  ana  accurate  insertion,  and  b^  as  full  a  display  ot  the  Adver- 
tisements  as  the  limits  of  the  paper  wil]  admit" 

On  the  decease  of  the  late  Conductor  in  1814,  the  management 
devolved  upon  the  present  Editor,  whose  earnest  desire  has  been 
studiously  to  adhere  to  tiie  same  principles  of  ''loyalty,  independence, 
and  integrity*'  tiiat  had  governed  his  predecessors.  From  the  com- 
mencement, it  had  been  contrary  to  the  plan  of  the  paper  to  attempt  to 
bias  its  readers  by  any  leadinff  article ;  it  was  preferred  rather  to  give 
with  fiumess,  infonnation  on  both  sides  of  disputed  questions.  In  the 
contentions  which  formeriy  divided  Whig  and  Tory,  the  Editor  has 
known  no  diiTerence,  each  party  rigfatfuUy  claiming  the  advocacy  of 
constitutional  principles ;  and  it  was  onlywhen  a  foww  arose  in  this 
town  (we  refer  of  course  to  the  Political  union),  wnich,  from  its  mode 
of  action,  threatened  to  overturn  all  social  order  among  us,  and  to 
interfere  in  an  unconstitutional  manner  with  the  settled  institutions  of 
the  country,  that  we  at  all  swerved  horn  the  course  so  long  pursued. 
We  then  felt  it  imperatively  our  duty  to  oppose  ourselves  to  so  danger- 
ous and  disoiganising  a  compact^  and  by  perseveringly  eomddng  the 
daring  misropresentafions  of  its  promoters,  we  endeavoured  to  prevent 
tiie  kingdom  at  larfle bdngmislea or  intimidated  b^ their  fnflammatoty 
effnsbns  and  boastinn.  We  reflect  with  satisfaction  on  the  stand  we 
made  against  this  body,  liilly  convinced  that  in  so  doing  we  perfermed 
a  becoming  duty  to  our  eonntry,  and  carried  with  us  the  approbation  of 
the  moderate  and  reflecting  of  all  parties. 

During  the  last  thirtv  years  tne  Gasette  has  been  several  times 
extended  in  siae ;  and  it  is  a  curious  fitct  that  the  present  dieet  is  three 
times  as  laige  as  it  was  in  1804  and  above  four  times  that  of  the  original 
publication  in  1741.  Our  motive  for  the  present  enlargement,  as  we 
stated  last  week^  has  arisen  from  a  desire  to  extend  our  means  of  com* 
municatinff  fineum  and  domestic  news,  as  well  as  local  infonnation  and 
eommerdiu  inteuigence ;  while  at  the  same  time  we  shall  prevent  the 
possibility  of  disappointment  to  our  advertising  friends,  to  whom  we  are 
nappy  in  this  opportunity  of  making  our  sincere  aduowledgments  for 
their  long  continued  preference. 

We  have  now  some  further  information  on  the  proceedings 
of  the  Oovemors  of  tiie 

Fkxx  GRAmuLE  School. 

Feb.  27,  1837.— We  stated  a  lew  weeks  since  that  the  Oovemors  of 
King  Edward's  Sdiool  had  very  nearly  completed  a  plan  for  the  en- 
laigement  of  the  system  of  Education  pursued  at  the  schooJ,  and  that 
the  plan  was  at  tliat  time  under  the  consideration  of  the  Loxd  Bishop 
of  Ltdifield,  one  of  the  official  Visitors,  as  required  bv  the  Charter.  We 
have  now  the  pleasure  of  adding  that  his  Lordship,  alter  a  minute 
examination  of  the  scheme  submitted  to  him,  has  expressed  his  entire 
concurrence  in  the  views  of  the  Governors,  with  a  proviso  that  they 
shall  be  carried  into  efiect  without  infringement  upon  the  paramount 
n  Q^ 


594  A  CENTURY  OF  BIBMIKGHAM  LIFE. 

objtet  of  Classical  Education  ;  and  it  ^11  be  obsenred  that  notice  of  an 
application  to  the  Coart  of  Chancery,  in  furtherance  of  the  intentions 
or  the  Gk>Yemors,  appears  in  this  pafle. 

Under  the  proposed  new  Scheme  Masters  are  to  be  enpged  to  teach 
the  French,  German,  Spanish,  Italian,  and  such  other  livrnff  Languages 
and  modern  Literature  as  it  may  be  thought  beneficial  ntxm  time  to 
time  to  introduce. 

Masters  will  be  engaged  to  teach  Mathematics  and  the  higher 
branches  of  Arithmetic. 

Schools  are  to  be  established  in  whidi  will  be  taught  English  Lite- 
rature, Grammar,  the  elements  of  Composition,  Sacred  and  Profime 
History,  and  Writing  and  Arithmetic. 

Drawing  and  Ar&tectural  Design  will  also  be  taught  by  well  qua- 
lified Teachers. 

Provision  will  be  made  for  the  introduction  of  I^ectures  on  Chemis- 
try, Mineralcf^,  Mechanics^  Natural  and  Experimental  Philosophy,  &c, 
with  appropriate  apparatus. 

It  is  intended  to  extend  the-  term  of  continuance  in  the  Scbool  to  a 
more  advanced  age,  in  favour  of  young  men  who  may  desire  to  take 
degrees  at  the  London  University. 

it  will  not  be  necessary  that  thoee  boys  who  attend  the  Ehglish 
Schools  should  study  the  Qasslcs. 

It  will  devolve  upon  the  Head  Master  to  give  instruction  in  the 
higher  branches  of  English  Literature^  in  additbn  to  that  which  he  now 
givesin  the  learned  Languages.-  - 

He  will  also  have  the  general  direction  and  tunecintendenoe  of  the 
combined  system  of  instruction  which  it  is  proposea  to  adopt  in  the  new 
achooL 

We  eongr&talate  ovr  fenow-townsmen  on  the  libend  and  comprehen- 
sive views  of  the  Governors  in  propodng  the  introduction  into  the 
School  of  so  enlarged  and  complete  aBystem  of  inatraetion  which,  while 
it  meets  the  wishes  and  wants  of  this  moat  important  manufactnringand 
commercial  district^  will  not  interfere  with  the  system  of  GUasieal  Edu- 
cation prescribed  by  the  Boyal  Founder.  Hie  announcement  cannei 
fail  to  be  hiffhly  ^rati^ng,  more  especially ao  to  thitt  numeroos  and  in- 
fluential body  of  inhabitants  by  whom  a  memorial  waa  some  time  since 
addressed  to  the  Governors,  anid  wfaoee  desbe  haa  been  even  surpassed 
by  the  scheme  we  have  now  the  satis&ction  of  making  genially  publie. 

The  following  exirada  record  the  progress  of  the  measure 
for  improving  tlda  noble  foundation :- 

April  10, 1837. — In  consequence  of  the  tranaftrof'this  Ardideacooxy 
from  the  diocese  of  Lichfield  to  that  of  Worcester,  the  enlarged  edieme 
of  education  intended  to  be  pursued  bv  the  Governors  of  Kinc  EdwanTa 
School  in  thia  town  haa  been  submitted  to  the  Lord  llshop  of  Woroestsr 
iar  his  advice ;  and  we  are  happy  to  learn  that  the  nlan  has  reecAved 
his  IiOrdship*s  full  concurrence.  Under  the  propoeed  new  eystem  the 
school-rooms  at  present  erected  in  New  Street  will  aooommodate 
upwards  of  five  hundred  boys,  and  there  ia  ample  space  upon  the  same 
aite  to  erect  an  additional  school-room  should  it  be  herearter  required. 
An  elementary  school  for  boyn  and  girls^  on  the  same  foundation.  Is  Ja 
progress  in  the  new  street  l^uiing  out  or  Aaton  Street,  in  the  midst  of 
a  dense  population ;  and  a  second  Is  about  to  be  commenced  in  Oottage 
Lane,  near  to  the  Sand  Pita. 


EDUCATION  AND  LITERATURE.  595 

We  have  satisfaction  in  laying  before  our  readers^  the,  following 
report  of  prooeediDge  in  the  Court  of  Chancery  on  FridajT  last,  oou- 
tiected  with  King  ^wanTs  School  in  tliis  town : — 

^  Court  of  Chauoery.  Before  the  Lord  Chancellor,  in  the  matter  of 
the  Birmingham  Free  Grammar  School 

''Mr.  Jacob  and  Mr.  Bichards  on  the  part  of  the  Governors  of  this 
School  moved,  upon  a  petition  which  had  been  presented  to  the  Court, 
for  a  reference  to  the  Master  to  ascertain  whether  it  would  be  for 
the  benefit  of  the  Charity  to  apply  to  Parliament  for  powers  to  intro- 
duce into  the  idrammar  School  a  more  enlarged  system  of  Education, 
by  appointing  Masters  to  teach,  in  addition  to  the  Classics,  Modem 
lianiruages,  the  Arts  and  Sciences,  &a,  in  the  present  School  Buildings 
in  New  Street^  instead  of  founding  a  separate  School  for  that  purpose, 
as  required  by  the  Act  of  Parliament  under  which  the  Charity  is  now 
regulated. 

'*  Mr.  Baoon  appeared  for  the  Bishop  of  the  Diocese,  and  Mr.  Stevens 
for  the  Masters  of  the  SdiooL 

''The  Lord  Chancellor  directed  the  reference  as  prayed." 

July  17, 1837.— The  Free  Grammar  School  Bill  having  passed  both 
HoQses  of  Parliament  reottved  the  Boyal  Assent  on  Friday  last 

On  August  the  2nd  Dr.  Wameford's  generous  donation 

to  the  School  of  Medicine  and  Surgeiy  was  announced : — 

The  Bev.  Dr.  Wanieford  has  munificently  presented  to  the  School  of 
Medicina  and  Sni^^ry  in  this  town  the  magnitioent  donation  of  1,0602., 
the  interest  or  dividends  upon  which  are  to  be  awarded  annually  for 
the  best  Essay,  by  a  OMdieal  or  surgical  Pupil  of  the  Institution,  ^  On  the 
Attribates  of  God,  as  revealed  in  the  Holy  Scriptures^  and  manifested 
in  the  atmoture  of  man,  from  demonstrations  of  surgical  and  medical 
acieaoe ;  and  on  religion  being  the  best  foundation  of  medical  and  sur- 
gical piActioB,  and  a&rding  the  best  prospects  of  professional  success.* 

The  following  report  of  the  annual  meetinfi^  of  the 
Mechanics'  Institution  shows  the  progress  of  popumr  educa- 
tion, and  also,  how  politics  just  now  were  introduced  into 
all  questions : — 

January  15,  1838.— The  Annual  Meeting  of  tlie  Meehanici^  Insti- 
tution took  place  aft  the  Town  Hall,  on  Thursday  eveniogy  Mr.  James 
James  in  the  Chair.  A  veiy.  enoonrs^g  statement  was  made  of  the 
progress  of  the  members^  partieulariy  m  Uioee  departments  whidi  have 
reference  to  the  business  of  life  and  the  useful  arts.  8om^  models  and 
drawings  were  exhibited,  which  were  highly  creditable  to  the  producers. 
It  appears  that  £SO0  has  been  raised  towards  the  intended  building  for 
the  Qse  of  the  institution.  The  meeting  was  addressed  by  the  Chairman, 
by  Dr.  Booth,  I)r.  Fklmer,  Mr.  Abel  Peyton,  the  Low  Bailifi;  and 
other  gentlemen.  Towards  the  close  of  the  even  ins  aitempto  were 
made  to  give  a  politioai  and  partv  direction  to  some  m  the  proceedings 
by  Msasra.  MDonnell,  Salt,  and  Edmonds,  but  they  were  prompthr 
snpprsssed  by  the  vigilance  and  firmness  of  the  Chairman,  and  by  the 
ready  repliee  of  Dr.  Booth.  The  whole  eventually  passed  off  as  such 
important  meetings  should  do,  with  a  very  favourable  impressiou  ou  the 
minds  of  tliose  present  as  to  the  benefits  derivable  from  tliis  useful 
institution.  We  shall  be  happy  to  find  that  it  meete  with  increased 
encouragement. 


696 


A  CENTUBY  OF  BIBMIMOHAM  LIFE. 


Our  next  is  an  interesting  announcement : — 

Febmaiy  6,  1838.— We  rinoerely  oongratnlttte  the  public  thai 
WeaTei's  Talnable  Mueum  of  Natonl  History  will  be  presenred 
entire  to  the  town  and  nrnghboorhood.  Through  the  exertiona  of  Mr. 
Bends  Oox,  amngements  asto  been  made  to  eonneet  the  whole  with 
that  belon j[inff  to  the  Boyal  Sdiool  of  Medicine  and  Snrgery,  and  the 
two  oombined  cannot  but  form  one  of  the  most  interesting  and 
unequalled  collections  in  the  ptorinoee. 

A  veiy  useful  Society  commenced  its  labours  this  year. 
The  following  is  the  first  reference  to  the 

BiBxnroHAic  Eduoatioval  SrAnsnoAL  Soonrr. 
Febmary  86, 1838.— On  Taeaday  last  a  highly  respectable  meeting 
of  this  Sooletj  was  held  at  ths  Public  Office^  the  High  Bailiff  in  the 
chair.  At  the  commencement  of  the  proceedmgs^  Mr.  Bjland,  one  of 
the  Secretaries  to  the  Society,  stated  that  as  yet  the  Omimittee  had 
been  unable  to  prepare  a  written  report^  but  he  had  receiTed  instmo* 
tions  to  intimate  to  the  meeting  that  by  means  of  local  affents,  and  the 
SMJstance  of  Mr.  Wood,  they  £ui  succeeded  in  Tisiting  uie  Schools  in 
the  greater  part  of.  the  town :  that  gentleman  was  present,  and  would 
state  the  condnsions  he  had  arrived  at.  Mr.  Wood  then  rose^  and 
detailed  to  the  meeting  the  result  of  the  rery  laborious  and  carefiil 
examination  he  had  made  into  the  system  of  instruction  pursued  in 
the  charity  and  other  Sdiools  in  this  town — the  number  of  the  adiodb 
and  scholars— the  character  of  the  education  imparted — and  the  monl 
influence  it  might  or  misbt  not  posesM  upon  the  minda  of  the  childioL 
He  besan  by  obeenring  tbat  in  prosecuting  this  yeiy  important  enouiry, 
he  had  been  anxious  to  arrire  at  correct  information  and  Intimate 
eondutions,  so  that  he  should  avoid  being  the  .medium  of  cooveying 
fiJse  or  erroneous  improselops.  He  had  not  been  able  to  draw  up  a 
written  report  of  the  particulars  he  had  obtained ;  but  he  had  that 
moniing  sketdied  out  a  rough  draft  of  the  number  of  sehools  fas  had 
▼isitsd.  and  the  number  of  sdioliuis  th^  contained.  Mr.  Wood  then 
read  toe  following  General  Summary  of  Schools  Tisitsd,  Eebmair 
SO,  1838  :— 

SCHOOLS. 


165 
103 


S94 

4 

14 


318 
S4 


DescHption. 


Dame  Schools 

OiMnmon  Day  Sdiools  «•.•••««.••*•••••. 

Superior  ScImmIs......  ....••••. ...m 

Supported  by  Atfsnts  ——••< 

Innnt  Sdiools    ••. 

Public  and  Charity  Schools...... 


•—• 


*—— 


Total  Day  Schools. 
Evsning  Schools  ••. 


Total  Day  and  Einening  Sdiools 


.••••• 


BOTS. 


1,074 

1,368 

364 

2,806 

S66 

367 


4^489 
873 


4,708 


aixLs. 


4,083 
148 


4^165 


TOTAL. 


8,868 

8,860 


6,945 

480 

1,007 


8,458 
416 


6^867 


In  addition  to  the  aboTs^  particulars  of  upwards  of  forty  Sunday 
Schools  had  been  obtained,  with  an  equal  number  of  Sdiolais  In 
attendance. 


EDUCATION  AND  LITERATURE.  597 


The  next  three  extracts  relate  to  Eling  Edward's  School, 
and  are  all  important  fiEu^ts  in  the  history  of  that  foun- 
dation : — 

May  28,  1838. — ^At  a  speoal  meeting  of  the  €k>yemor8  of  Eang 
Edwurd's  School  ia  tluB  town,  held  on  Monday  last^  the  Bev.  Jamee 
Frince  Lee,  M.A.,  one  of  the  AwiBtant  Masters  of  Bngby  School,  and 
formerly  Fellow  of  Trinity  College,  Cambridfle^  and  Onven  Scholar  in 
that  UniTerBity,  was  elected  to  the  Head  Mastership,  in  the  room  of 
the  y^frj  Ber.  the  Dean  of  Jersey.  On  the  same  day,  John  Abbott, 
M.A.,  I«llow  of  Pembroke  GoUeffe,  Gambridge,  was  appointed  Mathe- 
matical Master  on  the  same  fonn£ition. 

June  25, 1838. — ^King  Edward's  School  closed  for  the  Midsommer 
Tacation  on  the  14th  instant^  and  on  the  following  Wednesday  Dr.  Jeune 
left  town  to  take  upon  him  his  new  and  elevated  duties  as  Dean  of 
Jersey.  On  the  momine  preceding  lus  departore  the  Very  Bey.  Gentle- 
man met  a  ntunerons  body  of  his  late  pupils  in  the  sdiool-room,  for  the 
purpose  of  reoeiTinff  at  their  hands  a  piece  of  plate^  as  a  memorial  of 
grateful  respect  and  attachment.  The  testimonial,,  whidi  consisted  of 
an  dmnt  ilrw  tureen,  haying  been  placed  on  the  front  of  the  Doctor's 
desk,  he  was  warmly  greeted  on  his  entrance  by  the  boys,  one  of  whom, 
Master  Badie,  proceeded  to  read  a  farewell  admss. 

August  .20,  183&— The  Qoyemors  of  Kin^  Edward's  School  haye 
resolyed  upon  electing  Masters  to  teach  English  Literature  as  soon  as 
the  dose  of  the  long  yacation  in  the  Uniyersities  will  render  an  adyer- 
tisement  ayailing  for  proper  candidates.  We  understand  they  haye  also 
decided  upon  efocting  Aendi  and  other  masters  to  carry  out  the 
scheme  apptoyed  of  by  the  Gourt  of  Ghaaceiy,  for  the  enlarged 
system  ocMuoation  about  to  be  adopted.  They  haye  recently  ele^ed 
Mr.  Edward  Ozenbould  and  M3ss  Annie  Gorbett  to  be  Master  and 
Mistress  of  the  new  Elementaxy  Sdiools  at  the  Parade. 

On  November  80,  Mr.  James  Montgomery,  the  poet^ 
delivered  the  first  of  a  course  of  Lectures  on  the  TCngligli 
Poets,  in  the  Theatre  of  the  Fhilosoi^cal  Society. 

On  January  28,  1839,  a  meeting  .was  held  "  to  consider 
the  important  object  of  extending  and  improving  national 
education,  in  accordance  and  connection  with  the  ^taibUshed 
ChurcL" 

The  meeting  was  attended  by  many  of  the  Gleigy  and  by  a  number 
of  inflnentia]  laymen,  Archdeacon  Spooner  prending.  Among  the 
gentlemen  present  was  T.  D.  A^land,  Em.,  a  member  of  the  Gouh 
mittes  of  Inquiry,  appointed  by  the  National  Society,  who  entered  into 
a  lull  and  dear  exposition  of  the  Tiews  of  that  Institution,  and  of  ths 
means  by  which  it  was  hoped  to  cany  those  yiews  into  general  opera- 
tion. CTeyJons  to  the  eloeeof  the  proceedings  a  Proyisional  Gommittee 
was  fenned,  to  fbrther  the  important  okgeot  under  consideration. 

The  next  extract  repots  the  progress  of  the  Mechanics' 
Institute: — 

Mardi  11,  1£^.— The  Mechanics'  Institution  has  at  last  accom- 
plished that  which  the  want  of  funds  has  so  long  delayed,  namely,  the 
adaptation  of  a  building  to  its  use.  The  Gommittee  could  not  haye 
done  better,  either  as  regards  the  situationi  (Newhall  Street^)  or  the 


598  A  CEKTUBT  OF  BIKMIKQHAM  LIFE. 

building  itaelf  which  is  admirably  airanged.  All  the  Tarioos  depart* 
menta  are  now  conoentrated,  and  the  means  are  afforded  for  carryiBg 
them  on  in  a  epirited  manner.  The  news  and  readinj^  Boom  fills  up 
what  hare  long  been  a  desidercUum  in  the  Institution.  The  room 
itself  is,  with  one  ezoeption,  the  best  in  town,  and  the  selection  of 
papers  and  periodicals  is  well  made.  The  Class  Booms  are  numerous^ 
well  ventilated  and  fitted  up,  and  tlie  Museum  will  prove  a  considerable 
attraction.  The  Librai^  is  extensive  and  will  be  open  every  evening. 
If  the  Committee  ooutmue  to  act  with  the  same  vigour  which  now 
characterises  their  proceedings,  continued  success  cannot  fiul  to  attend 
their  efforts. 

On  April  10,  the  Elementary  School  for  Boys  in  Meriden 

Street,  one  of  the  Branches  of  the  Free  Grammar  School, 

was  opened      The  friends  of  education  were  now  busily 

engaged  in  preparing  to  receive  the  British  Association. 

On  April  15,  this  paragraph  was  published : — . 

It  will  be  observed  that  the  arrangements  for  the  due  reception  in 
this  town  of  the  Assodation  for  the  advancement  of  Sdenoe  have  been 
commenced  in  good  earnest,  and  we  doubt  not  will  be  earned  into 
complete  and  succesdul  operation.  An  extensive  Local  Oouncily 
indudinff  a  litfge  .body  of  professional  and  sdentific  individoali  In  the 
surrouncung  districti  have  been  nominated,  and  a.numennis  meeting 
took  place  at  the  Philosophical  Institution,  on  Wednesday  last^  far  the 
purpose  of  eleetinff  sub-eommittees  and  determining  upon  some  of  the~ 
neeesnarj  rMnilations.  The  Earl  of  Dartmouth,  one  of  the  Vloe- 
Presidents  of  the  AsMdation  and  Chairman  of  the  Local  Oouneil, 
presided  over  a  highly-respectable  assemblage  of  gentlemen  of  all 
parties  and  prafessiooi^  and  among  whom  wore  severu  memben^of  tlie 
Association  from  a  distance. 

The  meeting  of  the  Assodation  in  Birmingham  was  the 
commencement  of  those  National  and  Universal  Industrial 
Exhibitions  which  have  since  made  so  much  noise  in  the 
world.  The  first  of  the  kind  ever  held  was  on  this  occasion, 
and  it  has  been  the  parent  of  many  children  who  have 
surpassed  their  prorautor  in  nobleness  and  grandeur.  The 
immense  variety  <n  Birmingham  manufactures  suggested 
the  idea  and  made  it  of  comparativelv  easjy  acoompli£nentw 
It  was  therefore  arrai^ed  to  show  tne  visitors  to  the  town 
at  the  meeting  of  the  British  Assodation  what  the  skill  and 
ingenuity  of  the  Birmingham  artisans  and  mechanics  could 
produce.    The  main  objc^  of  the  exhibition  were : — 

1st.  To  pressttti  in  one  view,  the  various  stages  through  which  the 
principal  articles  maanfiietared  in  this  distri^  have  to  paa%  oom- 
meucing  with  the  raw  material. 

2nd,  To  make  known  the  value  of  anj  recent  improvemeBta  in  the 
arts  and  mannfaetores. 

3rd.  To  collect  together  anjr  corioas  snedmen  ooearring  in  practice, 
whether  in  mechanics  or  diemistirj,  whicn  may  lead  to  the  somstlon  of 
farther  improvements  in  the  application  of  science  to  pvaeticaTpiirposea. 


EDUCATION  AND  LITERATURE.  599 

In  Bome  one  of  tli^se  objects  we  presume  Uiat  most  manufacturers 
must  feel  an  indiWdual  interest^  and  will  therefore  contribute  as  far  as 
thej  can  to  the  success  of  the  exhibition. 

On  August  26  we  read : — 

MSBTINQ  OF  THE  BRITISH  ASSOCIATION. 

This  town  for  the  last  few  days  has  presented  a  scene  of  increasiog 
animation,  particalarlj  in  the  neighbourhood  of  King  Edward's  Free 
Grammar  School — ^the  principal  room  of  that  edifice  being  reseryed  as 
the  place  of  reception  for  members  on  their  arrival,  and  for  purposes 
connected  with  the  comfort  of  the  visitors.  The  noble  room  kmdlv 
assigned  by  the  Governors  for  the  purpose  of  exhibiting  models  and 
specunens  of  machinery  and  manufactures  is  crowded.  The  Committee 
in  the  seTeral  departments  display  the  utmost  activity,  and  everything 
indicates  a  succwful  and  extremely  interesting  meeting  of  the  Asso- 
<dation. 

And  again  on  September  2 : — 

British  Associatiom  for  thb  Advakcekent  of  Sciekce. 

The  business  of  this  Association  commenced  in  Birmingham  on 
Saturday  last,  by  a  meeting  of  the  General  Committee  in  the  Library 
of  King  Edward's  School,  and  was  resumed  thb  morning  at  Eleven 
o'clock.  The  Presidents  A  the  various  Sections  opened  their  meetings 
at  the  different  Section  Booms  soon  after  that  hour,  and  the  papers 
which  were  read,  and  of  which  a  condensed  account  is  added,  were 
many  of  them  extremely  interesting.  The  meetings  were  not,  however, 
80  numerously  attended  to  day  as  was  expected,  but  the  numbers 
increased  on  each  succeeding  morning ;  and  it  was  estimated  that  on 
Wednesday  upwards  of  eight  hundred  members  of  the  Association  bad 
arrived  in  town,  exclusively  of  the  numerous  strangers  from  the 
neigfaboiiring  counties,  who  were  attracted  to  witness  the  proceedings. 

The  exhibition  was  so  successful  that  it  was  resolved  to 
continue  it  after  the  departure  of  the  Association  "We 
are  happy,"  saiys  the  Cfazette,  **ix)  find  that  preparations 
have  been  made  for  transferring  the  beautiful  collection  of 
Modek  of  Machinery  and  Specimens  of  Manufacture,  exhi- 
bited during  the  last  week  in  King  Edward's  School,  to  the 
Shakespeare  Rooms,  in  order  that  the  public  may  be 
enabled  to  inspect  them  at  a  trifling  expense." 

The  success  of  the  meeting  of  the  Association  exceeded 
the  general  expectations.  The  number  of  members  who 
attended  it  exceeded  1,400.  The  receipts  previously  to  the 
meeting  were  £425,  and  during  the  meeting  £1,032. 
Seventy-three  .  new  life  members  were  admittra  in  the 
course  of  the  proceeding& 

The  exhibition  was  removed  to  the  Shakespeare  Rooms ; 
and  several  of  the  pupils  of  the  Mechanics'  Institute  were 
selected  to  explain  the  collection  to  visitors.  It  had 
only  been  opened  a  few  days  when  an  event  occurred  whicli 


600  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

caused  the  deepest  sorrow  to  all.     On  September  the  7th, 

while  conversing  with  the  money-taker  at  tne  Exhibition  of 

Works  of  Industry  and  Art,  then  open  at  the  Shakespeare 

Booms,  New  Street,  Mr.  Daniel  "Wright  was  seized  with 

apoplexy,  and  died  on  the  spot    His  name  and  memory 

will  be  revered  by  all  who  knew  him.     His  useful  life  had 

been  spent  in  teaching,  for  which  he  was  peculiarly  well 

qualified.     Of  a  gentle  and  loving  disposition,  he  won  the 

affection  of  all  his  pupils.    He  was  at  one  time  the  master 

at  the  Protestant  I>is8enting  School,  then  in  Park  Street ; 

and  Charles  Beece  Pemberton  was  one  of  his  pupils.    When 

the  latter  heard  of  his  old  teacher's  sudden  death,  he  said, 

*'  I  owe  more  to  Daniel  Wright  than  I  do  to  any  other  man 

except  my  &ther."    There  are  many  still  living  who  can 

say  the  same.    "  At  the  time  of  his  aeath,"  writes  Mr.  O.  J. 

Holyoake,  also  one  of  his  pupils,  ''he  was  conductor  of  the 

Educational  dassee  of  the  jBirminpham  Mechanics'  Instituta 

In  him  each  of  his  pupils  lost  a  father  and  a  firiend    They 

marked,  in  some  measure,  their  sense  of  his  loss  by  the 

erection  of  a  Tablet  over  his  last  resting  place,  in  the  Old 

Meeting  House  Yard.    If  ever  teacher  was  mourned  by 

those  he  instructed,  it  was  Daniel  Wright    The  good  he 

did  was  neat ;  but  it  was  private,  silent,  and  ungananded : 

80  it  lived,  and  so  it  died.'"'    The  following  is  a  copy  of  tl^ 

inscription  on  the  Tablet :  — 

In  memonr  of  Daniel  Wright^  who  died  September  7thy  1839,  aged 
61  Tean.  liunj  jwn  condootor  of  tbe  denee  in  the  Medianics*  Insti* 
tnte  in  this  town,  the  Pa|Hlt  and  FMends  of  whom  hare  ereeted  tfab 
tablet  to  evince  their  high  esteem  fixr  hit  memory. 

The  writer  of  this  record  was  also  a  pupil  of  Mr.  Wright^ 
and  here  bears  his  gratefiil  testimony  to  the  noble  qualities 
of  his  teacher.  Some  years  after  the  death  of  Mr.  Wright 
the  following  tribute  was  written,  and  he  may,  perhi^  be 
pardoned  for  inserting  here  the  following 

IN  MEMORIAMi 

L 

Another  unknown  great  one  ^ne ; 

Gone  from  this  world  of  toil  and  care : 

Struck  suddenly  and  unaware^ 
Hie  noble  tasks  oomplete  and  done ; 
Hb  battles  fought  and  Tictories  won. 

O.  master  spirit^  rich  and  rare^ 

We  shall  not  meet  thy  equal  anywhere  I 

*  A  Sketch  of  the  Life  and  a  few  of  the  Bcautiei  of  Pemberton.  By  G. 
Jacob  Holyoake.    p.  11. 


ICDUCATION  AND  LITERATUBE.  601 

II. 
O  Master,  Teacher,  father,  Friend  ! 

Our  grief  forbids  our  words  of  praise, 

The  glowing  tribate  Love  would  raise. 
Thy  blameless  life  has  reached  its  end ; 
Our  tears  with  our  thanka^vings  blend, 

As  we  recal  thy  noble  ways, 

Thy  earnest  labours  and  thy  fidthful  days. 

in. 
O,  ne^er  shall  we  behold  again 

The  sweet  smile  playing  on  thy  fi^e^ 

lit  up  with  love  and  manly  fnc^ 
Am  thou  the  poet's  glorious  strain. 
Or  £uelid*s  problems  didst  explain 

To  anxious  students  in  that  place, 

Whose  joys  no  after  trouble  can  ef&use. 

IV. 

Bat  better  still  it  was  to  see 

Thy  eyes  with  loving-kindness  bright. 

More  brightly  beam,  as  Beamed  i&  light 
Of  truth  in  minds  so  dear  to  thee 
As  all  thy  pupils  were.    Ah  me ! 

No  more  shall  we  receive  delight 

From  thy  dear  voice  defending  truth  and  right 

V. 

For  ha  prepared  no  sterile  feast ; 

Nor  tae  dry  bones  of  knowledbje  gave ; 

But  aerved  a  banquet  rich  ana  brave ; 
And  learning  in  bright  robes  he  drest ; 
And  save  to  all  his  richest^  best 

And  deftly  mingling  gay  and  grave, 

He  taught  with  earnest  eare^'  and  manners  suave. 


VI. 

Not  fiMts  alone^  but  what  gives  life 
To  facts^  he  taught    His  gradpus  mind 
The  teadier  with  the  friend  combined. 

With  wisdom's  richest  maTims  rife, 

He  sought  to  fit  us  for  the  strife. 
The  cares  we  in  the  worid  ahould  find, 
With  purpose  strong,  and  msnliness  refined. 

VIL 

Aye  ardent  for  the  right  and  true. 
And  loving  fireedom  more  than  gold : 
Sweet  as  a  child,  as  mar^  bolc^ 

He  did  the  work  ne  had  to  do^ 

In  singieness  of  heart ;  of  few  * 
Can,  mid  such  labours  manifold, 
The  record  of  a  life  so  pure  be  told. 

VIIL 

His  life  was  lovely,  and  his  death 
Was  lovely  as  his  life ;  he  feU 
While  at  his  daily  task ;  his  kneU 


602  A  CENTURT  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

WaA  rang  by  loying  hearts,  whoee  £uth 
Ib  stroDff  In  all  he  did  bequeath ; 

Who  for  his  wisdom  lored  him  well. 

And  for  the  lore  that  in  his  heart  aid  dwell 

ix. 
O,  good  gray  head  to  oa  so  dear! 

O,  smiBng  hoe  so  sweet  and  bright  I 

O,  sentle  heart  so  tme  and  right ! 
We  bless  thy  memory  and  revere 
Thy  life  ana  name :  from  year  to  year 

They  grow  more  precioos  in  our  sight, 

A  joy  in  woe,  ana  in  the  darkness^  light. 

The  rage  for  exhibitions  had  now  set  in,  and  the  commit- 
tee of  the  Mechanics'  Institute,  unhappily,  resolved  to  hold 
on&  On  September  9  the  following  item  of  news  was  pub- 
lished : — 


The  Committee  of  the  Meehanici^  Institntion  are  now  engaged  in 
making  preparations  for  an  extensive  exhibition  of  olgects  illostratlTe 
of  the  nne  arts^  experimental  philosophy,  mannfiictores,  Ac,  &e^  and  the 
encouragement  they  have  alnady  received  by  the  varied  contribntions 
forwarded  to  them,  show  that  the  inhabitants  of  this  town  and  neigh- 
booriiood  are  foUy  senttble  of  the  advantage  to  be  derived  from  sodi  an 
undertaking. 

On  December  23  we  read : — 

The  extensive  exhibition  at  the  Mechanics'  Institution  in  this  place 
was  opened  to  the  public  oa  Tuesday  last ;  it  has  already  been  visited 
bv  a  very  numerous  and  respectable  company,  to  whom  it  afforded  the 
highest  gratification. 

Encouraged  by  the  success  of  this  Exhibition,  the  com- 
mittee expended  its  profits,  and  a  huge  sum  of  money 
besides^  in  preparing  another  for  1840.  It  was  not  success- 
ful, and  one  of  the  best  institutions  for  popular  education 
ever  established  in  this  town  was  destroyed.  It  was  not 
able  to  survive  this  terrible  burden,  and  in  the  year  following 
the  Exhibition,  the  Birmingham  Mechanics'  Ixistitute,  whi<£ 
had  been  doing  an  incalculable  amount  of  good  since  the  year 
1826,  had  to  succumb  to  debt  In  1 843  the  Polytechnic  Instir 
tution  was  founded,  which  in  its  time  was  unsuccessful 
The  place  of  both  these  institutions  is  now  admirably  filled 
by  the  Birmingham  and  Midland  Institute,  the  foundation 
stone  of  which  was  appropriately  laid  by  the  late  Prince 
Consort^  on  the  22nd  of  November,  1855. 


AMUSEMENTS.  603 


§  4.      AMUSEMENTS. 


Tbe  celebrated  Paganini  visited  us  in  February^  1832, 
and  "  caused  a  great  influx  of  strangers  to  the  town.  At 
Dee's  Royal  Hotel,  we  understand,  the  orders  received  for 
beds  and  sitting  rooms  were  far  more  than  double  the 
number  the  house  would  accommodate,  and  that  the  exten- 
sive stabling  and  coach-houses  attached  were  not  equal  to 
the  reception  of  the  numerous  equipages  which  in  con- 
sequence arrived  there."  The  prices  cnarged  at  the  theati*e 
to  listen  to  this  wonderful  one-string  performer,  were.  Boxes 
7s. ;  Pit  5s. ;  Gallery  3s. ;  and  it  was  scarcely  possible  to 
obtain  admission  even  then. 

The  theatrical  season,  like  every  thing  else,  suffered  from 

the  all-absorbing  political  excitement;  and  the  notices  of 

performances  were  few  and  far  between.    On  September  24 

we  read: — 

It  will  be  obfleired  by  the  theatrical  annonncement  of  the  preaent 
week,  that  the  attractire  play  of  the  Hunchback  la  to  be  perfonned 
this  evenine,  and  that  the  well-known  author,  Mr.  Enovles,  will 
appear  in  hia  character  of  Master  Walter.  Tbe  talents  of  Miss  Ellen 
Tne  are  also  put  in  requisition  to  give  the  fullest  effect  to  the  per- 
fonnance.  On  Wednesday  we  notice  the  appearance  of  our  old  and 
esteemed  friend  Bellamj^  Manager  of  the  Bath  Theatre,  who  pavs  us 
another  visit  after  an  absence  of  two  years ;  and  on  Monday  of  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Wood,  the  oelebtated  vocalists. 

On  January  31, 1833^  concert  was  given  at  the  Theatre 
in  aid  of  the  Lying-in-Mospital,  realising  over  £230.  The 
r^^lar  theatrical  season  opened  on  May  26,  with  Mr. 
Macready  in  Viiginiua  The  company  was  also  a  good 
one,  but  it  is  recorded  that  '^the  nouse  was  indifferently 
attended."  During  the  season  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wood  appeared 
in  the  opera  of  the  Barber  of  Seville ;  Mr.  Sheridan  Knowles 
and  Miss  Ellen  Tree  were  engaged  for  a  few  nights,  and 

ylayed  in  the  Wife  and  other  of  Mr.  Euaowles's  dramas.  On 
uly  23  the  celebrated  Paganini  commenced  a  three  nights' 
engagement.  In  September  Miss  Inveraiity  and  Master 
Mangeon,  "the  celebrated  American  Toung  Boscius"  ap- 
peared. On  the  21st  of  October  Paganini  gave  a  farewell 
performance  "previous  to  his  final  departure  for  the 
Continent"  He  was  assisted  by  Mr.  and  Miss  Watson 
and  Miss  WeUs.    In  November  Miss  Kelly  invited  the 


604  A  CENTUB7  OF  BIBtflNGHAM  LIFE. 

attendance  of  the  admirers  of  the  drama  to  her  attractive 
entertainment^  entitled  *' Dramatic  Recollections/'  at  Dee's 
Royal  Hotel.  In  December  Mr.  Mathews  was  ''At  Home" 
at  the  Theatre^  and  presented  to  his  Mends  ''The  fourth 
volume  of  his  Comic  AnnuaL" 

In  1834  Miss  Macfarren,  "a  new  candidate  for  public 
favour/'  made  a  verv  successful  dihaJt,  at  our  private  con- 
certs, on  April  16.  She  sung,  it  is  said,  "  with  great  sweet- 
ness and  expression.** 

The^fTheatre  opened  under  new  management,  and  Messrs. 
Fit^bbon  and  wightman  became  the  lessees.  A  change 
was  also  made  in  the  prices  of  admission.  The  boxes  were 
divided  into  Upper  and  Lower,  the  former  being  chaiged 
Ss.  instead  of  4s.,  and  the  Pit  was  reduced  fix>m  2&  6d.  to  2s. 
The  season  opened  on  July  7.  The  house  was  new^  deco- 
rated, and  greatly  improved  in  appearance.  Mr.  Q  Kean 
appeared  during  the  week,  "  represenUng  the  line  of  charao- 
tera  which  obtamed  for  his  father  unrivalled  celebrity  as  an 
actor."  Mr.  Balls  and  Miss  Ellen  Tree  appeared  in  the 
School  for  Scandal  A  great  theatrical  disappointment  sig- 
nalised the  season,  the  record  of  which  we  quote : — 

TbSATEB  BoTAI^  MoHDAT  and  WSDimDATy  AUOUBT  11  AHD  18. 

Aogast  4^  1834 — ^MademoiMlle  Taglioni  haying  engagementi  with 
Montieor  Lapoite,  of  the  Kiiiflft  OperAy  predndesthepowtbfli^ofhar 
appearanoe  in  Birmingham  berare  that  tima 

f^  In  oonaeqnenoe  of  the  enonnoiu  and  tnmandens  engagement 
of  ''One  Handled  Poands''  per  nighty  wfaidi  has  been  entered  into 
with  ''the  two  fint  Danoan  in  Europe,''  the  Managen  at  the  inatanoa 
and  advice  of  the  &thionable  pobhc^  and  to  meet  the  wiahea  of  idl 
rartaes,  have  made  a  alight  variation  in  the  prices  of  the  Theatre 
for  thoie  two  nigfata 

The  Prices  of  Admiwinn  will  therefore  be  as  foUowa :— Lower 
Boxeoy  4a. ;  Upper  Bozee^  4e. — both  equal;  Pit^  (aa'fonneriy)  St.  OdL ; 
GaUei7f  la.  6d. 

Thsatrs  Botax» 

Angost  lit  1834.— The  Managera  hare  finally  eondnded  an  engage- 
ment St  130  Pounds  per  Night,  with  Mademoieelle  Taglioni,  Madame 
Ginbeleiy  and  Monaienr  Bilvain. 

Madame  Tatflioni  did  not  come  1 — 

Great  diaappwitment  was  ezperieneed  on  Monday  evening  lasti  by 
the  non-appearance  of  T^^lioni,  at  the  Theatre,  in  aooordanee  with  her 
engigement.  Severe  indiaposition  appean  to  have  been  the  eanee  in 
eonfirmaUon  cmT  which  » letter  from  tne  lady  heiaelf ,  and  a  oertiiioate 
Cram  her  medical  attendaata  were  printed  and  cironlated. 

In  October.Mr.  C.  Kean  was  amin  engaged, and  appeared 

in  a  round  of  characters.    Lord  Byron's  Tragedy  of  Saxda- 

napalos  was  produced  during  this  engagement^  and  proved 

a  great  success. 


AMUSEMENTS.  605 

In  this  year  was  commenced  the  first  of  those  Christmas 
Festivals,  m  tiie  Town  Hall,  which  have  become  annual  On 
December  26,  two  performances  of  Sacred  Music,  including 
the  Messiah,  were  given.  At  the  morning  performance  the 
charges  were.  Galleries,  8s. ;  Floor,  6s. ;  K>r  the  evening, 
6&  and  3s.  6d.  "The  profits  arising  out  of  the  above 
Performances  are  to  be  paid  over  to  3ie  Town  Hall  Com- 
mittee, to  be  appropriated  towards  the  re-payment  to  Mr. 
Uoyd  of  his  outlay  of  a  thousand  Pounds,  as  one  of  the 
Sureties  for  the  erection  of  the  Hall,  and  to  liquidate,  at  the 
discretion  of  that  Committee,  such  Tradesmen's  accounts 
as  remain  unpaid,  from  circumstances  over  which  the 
Commissioners  have  no  control" 

Early  in  1835  Mr.  West's  Equestrian  Troupe  appeared  at 

the  Theatre.    We  have  the  following  notice  of  one  of  the 

performances : — 

Febnuuy  lA,  1835. — ^The  splendid  Dmnatio  Speetade  of  Maxeppa 
attneted  niuneroiu  and  respectable  andiencea  to  the  Theatre  dariDg 
the  past  week,  and  tlM  flattering  reception  it  has  met  with  on  each 
saocessive  niflfat  most  be  highly  mtiffing  to  the  Manager,  to  whom 
mndi  credit  is  doe  for  the  admirable  manner  in  which  the  entire  piece 
is  got  np.  Mr.  West's  fine  Eauestrian  ThK>p  are  seen  to  great  advan- 
ta^  in  the  Toomament^  in  which  there  is  introdnced  a  combination  of 
gorgeoos  seeneiy  and  dresses,  investing  the  pageant  with  a  vivid  and 
dazzling  appearance,  and  rendering  the  scenic  diplay  pecnliarly  effective. 
It  will  be  seen  that  Maseppa,  tooether  with  the  novel  entertainment  of 
"  Baphael's  Bream,"  is  annoanced  iot  repetition  this  evening. 

The  r^rular  season  opened  in  April,  and  amongst  the 
Artistes  engaged  to  appear  we  find  the.  following  fiunoos 
names: — Madame  Vestris,  Mrs.  Anderson,  (Madame  V.'s 
sister,)  Mr.  Hooper,  (firom  Madame  Yestris's  Dcysl  Olympic 
Theatre);  Mr.  T.  P.  Cooke,  Theatres  Bo^al,  I>rury  Lane 
anil  Covent  Garden ;  Mr.  Wade,  ditto  ditto ;  Mr.  Charles 
Kemble,  Mr.  Charles  Kean,  Mr.  Macreadj,  Miss  Sherriff; 
Messrs.  Browne,  King,  and  Gibson,  principal  Pantomime 
Company,  fix>m  the  Adelphi  Theatre;  and  the  celebrated 
Indian  Juggler,  Ramo  Samee.  Mrs.  Stirling  was  then  a 
member  or  the  stock  compuiy,  and  was  an  especial 
favourite.  She  is  describea  in  1835  as  ^an  actress  of 
highly  popular  talenta"  How  much  these  talents  were 
appredatea  we  may  leam  from  the  fistct  that  on  her 
benefit^  which  took  place  on  Friday,  December  4,  the 
receipts  exceeded  £240. 

The  not  very  successful  managerial  career  of  Mr.  Fits- 
gibbon  came  to  an  end  in  1835,  and  in  1836  the  Theatre 
passed  into  the  hands  of  Mr.  Armistead.    The  season  opened 


606  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

on    April    4,    with    the    *'  highly  popular    drama,  called 

Yictorme."    Mrs.  Stirling  in  the  part  of  the  heroine.    On 

the  18th  we  read  : — 

..  The  Theatre,  nnce  ite  re-openioff  nnder  the  spirited  and  jadidom 
maDagement  of  Mr.  Arnilttean,  has  been  patronised  by  foil  and  respec- 
table andienoea.  It  will  be  seen  that  a  splendid  Oriental  Spectacle  la 
to  be  prodaoed  this  eyening.  with  new  dresses,  scenic  representations^ 
&C.  The  piece  is  entitled  Sadak  and  Ealasrade  ;  or,  Tlie  Waters  of 
Oblivion ;  and  it  drew  crowded  audiences  at  Liverpool  for  two  kundred 
nighu. 

On  the  25th  The  Wandering  Minstrel  was  played  for  the 
first  time  in  Birmingham.  Jem  Bags  by  }£r.  Wright. 
In  May  The  Jewess  was  produced  It  was  **  admirably  got 
up,  the  dresses  and  scenery''  being  **  of  the  most  gorgeous 
description."-  On  October  81  the  fdlowing  interesting  para- 
graph was  pubUshM : — 

It  will  be  obserred  that  Mr.  Femberton,  the  well  known  Leetorer 
Qpon  ShaksMiarey  baa  kindlT  consented  to  perfinm 
beth  at  oar  Theatre  on  Friday  evening  nezt^  in  aid  of  the  Building  iuid 
of  tiie  Meehanici^  Inakitatlim ;  and  uat  to  ffive  the  best  effect  to  the 
celebrated  chomsea,  a  portion  of  the  CSionJ  &de^  have  been  enga^psd. 
Mr.  Dobbi,  it  will  also  be  obaerved,  announces  a  variety  of  entertain- 
ments for  his  benefit  on  Wednesday. 

In  December  we  had  an  Interlude  of  a  local  character, 
never  acted  here  and  ^  called  The  Brummagem  Volunteers ; 
or,  Birmingham  in  1796*  Coster  Pearmain  ^  regular  £onJb- 
man^  was  bom  at  West  Bromwicb,  loves  evei^  ^^%  ^^ 
his  Wife»  and  determines  to  be  a  soldier)  Mr.  Wnght ;  Tum- 
mas  Appletree  (his  friend*  a  native  of  Brummagem,  and  a 
resident  in  the  Rope-walk,  one  to  whom  a  shilling  is  a 
stranger,  and  a  decided  enemy  to  flatteiy)  Mr.  Webb."  It 
was  produced  on  the  ISth. 

In  January,  1887,  GKgnor  BertoUotto's  celebrated  exhibi- 
tion  of  In^uistrious  Fleas  attracted  laige  audiences.  In 
Februaiy  Mr.  Edward  Fanner.  *  a  tlieatri^  amateur,"  made 
his  first  appearance  at  the  theatre.  In  June  the  once  fiunous 
Tenor,  Mr.  Templeton,aocompanied  by  Miss  Sherrifl^appeared 
in  a  series  of  operaa  On  July  13th  Mr.  Yates,  Mrs.  Yates, 
Mrs.  Honey,  Mm  Fitzwilliam,  Mr.  O.  B.  Smith,  Mr.  Buck- 
stone  and  Mr.  John  Beeve,  commenced  a  three  nights* 
engagement  Tfaepiices  were  raised  for  this  occasion;  and 
every  plavgoer  reading  the  names  of  this  extmordinary  com- 
pany will  ''wish  he  had  been  there  to  see."  The  ''London 
Company"  were  followed  by  Mr.  Yandenhoff  and  Mrs.  Slo- 
msJL  In  Au^st  Madame  Yestris  and  Mr.  Charles  Mathews 
once  more  paid  us  a  visit,  during  which  was  played,  for  the 


AMUSEMENTS.  607 

first  time,  that  matchless  comedian's  petite  comedy  ''He 
would  be  an  Actor." '  Notwithstanding  the  talent  engaged, 
the  management  of  Mr.  Armistead  was  not  successful  and 
came  to  a  disastrous  end,  as  told  in  the  following  para- 
graph : — 

Aagiut  28,  1837. — In  conseqaence  of  non-fulfilment  of  the  terms 
of  the  lease,  and  of  non-pimnent  of  tbe  rent  by  the  manager,  the 
Trostees  of  the  Tlieatre,  on  the  part  of  the  Proprietors,  took  possession 
of  th^  premises  last  week.  This  act  was  resisted  on  behalf  of  Mr. 
Armistead,  and  fire  persons  were  taken  into  custody  while  attempting 
to  regain  pooeasion  during  the  night  of  Sunday.  The  parties  were 
charged  with  forcibly  entering  the  theatre,  and  the  circumstances  were 
investigated  at  the  Public  Office  on  the  following  morning.  The 
sitting  magistrate,  Mr.  Lloyd,  decided  that  the  proprietors  had  obtained 
leg^  possession ;  and  on  the  understanding  that  the  manager  would 
consent  to  give  up  all  further  claim,  the  defendants,  upon  entering  into 
their  own  recognizances,  were  ordered  to  be  discharged.  At  the  dose 
of  the  proceedings,  application  was  made  to  Mr.  Bancer,  the  Solidtor  to 
the  Proprietors,  for  the  use  of  the  Theatre  for  a  performance  in 
aid  of  '^the  distressed  workmen,"  on  the  cTening  of  Friday.  The 
request  was  subsequently  granted,  and  the  performance  took  place. 
The  house  was  pretty  well  filled ;  and  a  correspondent  writes  us, 
that  by  way  of  acknowledgment  ''three  groans  were  given  for  the 
tories.*^ 

The  Theatre  was  opened  for  a  short  season  on  the  Satur- 
day following  the  Musical  Festival,  under  the  management 
of  Mr.  Clarke,  and  before  it  closed  such  players  as  Madame 
Vestrisy  Charles  Mathews,  Mr.  Phillips,  Mr.  Charles  Eean, 
and  Mrs.  Teman  appeared. 

In  February,  1838,  Mr.  Ryan  announced  that  he  had 
made  arnumements  for  the  erection  of  a  permanent  Amphi- 
theatre, in  Bradford  Street  It  was  erected  and  used  for 
several  years  as  a  circus;  it  is  how  converted  into  the 
Circus  UhapeL  On  March  4th  a  once-famous  amateur, 
Mr.  Joseph  Smith,  appeared  at  the  Theatre  Royal,  in 
William  Tell,  for  the  benefit  of  the  suffering  poor.  He  was 
assisted  by  Mr.  J.  C.  Onions,  an  amateur  dancer,  and  by  Mr. 
Edward  Farmer.  Colonel  Wallace  granted  the  use  of  the 
band  of  the  Fifth  Dragoon  Ouaras.  The  public  were 
informed  that  great  care  would  be  taken  to  have  the 
Theatre  well  aired. 

On  April  16  the  Theatre  opened  for  the  season,  under  tlie 
direction  of  Mr.  Munroe,  witn  Mr.  M.  H.  Simpson  as  Stage 
Manager.  The  company  included  some  names  which  have 
since  become  po  Birmmgham  playgoers  as  ''familiar  as 
household  words : "  they  M'ere  Mr.  and  Mi-a  H.  Webb,  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  W.  Rignold^aiid  Miss'  Le  Biitt.    The  season  opened 


608  A  CENTURY  OF  BIBMINOHAM  LIFE. 

with,  for  the  first  time  in  Birmingham,  The  Pickwickians, 
and  the  immortal  Sam  Weller  was  taken  by  Mr.  EL  Hall 

On  April  23  the  prices  of  admission  were  lowered  to  the 
present  charges,— Ss.,  2&,  Is.,  and  6d  During  the  season, 
we  had,  in  May,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gratton  (late  Miss  Ryan), 
Mr.  Montague,  and  Mr.  Wright.  In  Jime  we  had  that 
extraordinary  Dwarf,  the  Gnome  Fly;  or,  ''the  Man— the 
Baboon— the  Fly"— Hervio  a  Nana  In  July  Mr.  W. 
Farren,  "after  an  absence  of  fifteen  years,"  performed  a 
round  of  his  best  parts ;  and  on  the  9th  of  the  same  month 
The  Lady  of  Lyons  was  played  here  for  the  first  time;  a 
Mr.  Balls  personating  that  very  questionable  hero  Claude. 
In  September,  "  the  Man — ^the  j3aboon — ^the  Fly  "  was  with 
us  again,  and  was  the  cause  of  a  most  disgraceful  theatrical 
riot,  which  will  be  best  narrated  by  the  contemporary  chro- 
nicler : — 

October  8,  1638.— A  dugraoefal  riot  took  plaoe  at  the  Theatre  in 
this  town,  on  Mondaj  night  laet.  It  appeen  that  a  diepate  had  arisen 
between  the  Manager  and  Signor  Henrio  Nano,  with  reference  to 
a  pecuniarj  demand  of  the  latter  in  a  aettlement  which  took  place  on 
Saturday.  HerTlo  Nano  at  the  time  when  hie  presence  was  required 
for  his  part  on  the  stage,  was  seated  in  one  of  the  boxes  of  the  Theatre, 
and  on  being  applied  to,  in  an  audible  Tolce  refused  to  take  his  part 
unless  a  setUement  was  made  to  his  satisfaction.  The  Stage  Manager 
ezi>lained  that  there  was  no  claim  existing  on  the  part  oi  the  eom- 
plainanty  as  a  foil  settlement  had  been  made  witli  Mr.  Tates,  of  the 
Adelphi,  to  whose  company  the  Signor  was  attached.  An  attempt  was 
made  to  remore  Nano  forcibly  mm  the  box,  and  in  the  scuffle  the 
latter  passed  oyer  into  the  pit  and  on  to  the  stage,  and  in  the  course  of 
the  Btruggle  was  aided  by  some  of  the  audienca  From  the  stage  lie 
proceeded  again  to  the  boxes.  After  another  attempt  on  the  part  of 
the  Manager  to  proceed  with  a  diflGuent  piece,  Signor  Nano  addre«ed 
the  audience,  and  being  so  adyised,  proceeded  to  the  green-room,  eoon 
after  which  a  scuffle  was  heard  on  the  etage,  and  Nano,  haTing  raitfeJ 
the  curtain,  was  seen  struggling  with  sevend  persona  A  rush  waa 
made  by  eome  of  the  audience  from  the  pit  and  boxes,  but  to  no  avail, 
as  the  aubject  of  empathy  did  not  re-appear.  Hereupon  the  occupante 
of  the  gallery,  having  given  notice  of  tneir  intention  to  thoee  assembled 
in  the  pit  to  dear  away,  began  to  tear  up  the  bendies  o(  the  gallery, 
and  to  throw  them  into  the  pit,  breaking  the  chandeliers  and  whatever 
eame  in  the  way  of  the  misstiea  the  havoc  and  confusion  continuing 
until  the  lights  were  extinguished. 

At  the  rublic  Office,  on  Thursday  and  Friday  last,  the  above 
xtotous  proceedings  were  the  subject  of  lonff  investic^Uion.  On  the 
Ihnit-mentioned  day,  Mr.  Simpeon,  the  Stage  Manager,  chaiged  Hervio 
Nano  with  an  assault^  which  after  a  lengthened  hearing  waa  dlsnussed. 
The  defendant  was  then  charged  with  disturbing  the  audience^  and 
instigating  others  to  outrage  and  violence ;  and  depositions  having  been 
taken,  a  warrant  for  his  apprehension  was  granted,  and  being  subse- 
quentiy  bailed,  he  appeared  to  answer  the  chaige  on  the  latter  day. 


AMUSEMENTS.  609 

After  a  long  examination  of  witnessee  for  the  proeeoution  and  defence, 
it  was  agreed  tha^  the  defendant  shonld  enter  into  sareties  to  appear  at 
the  Sessions,  to  answer  any  charffe  that  may  be  made  against  him,  and 
having  done  so  to  the  extent  of  £50,  Mr.  Simpson  was  bonnd  over  to 
prosecute.  Mr.  Edmonds  defended  the  accused,  and  Messrs.  Suckling 
and  Qreatwood  appeared  for  the  prosecutor. 

On  October  11  and  12  Mr.  Braham  appeared  and  delighted 
crowded  audiences  with  his  matchless  singing.  He  was 
followed  by  Mr.  Templeton,  who  appeared  on  the  1 5th,  as 
Elvino  in  "  La  Sonnambula.'*  Mr.  Butler,  the  "  celebrated 
Tragedian,"  came  next.  During  the  season  a  lady  amateur 
appeared  several  times,  sustaining  such  parts  as  Juliet  and 
Elvira;  but  we  have  no  record  of  her  success  or  fidlure. 
On  November  9  Mr.  Thompson  took  his  benefit,  on  which 
occasion  ''he  introduced  the  statue  of  Nelson,  a  copy  from 
the  one  in  the  Bull-ring,  but  in  white,  to  resemble  marble ; 
it  was  a  beautiful  /oc-^imife,  and  drew  forth  continued 
applause  from  all  parts  of  the  house." 

The  manager,  Mr.  Munro,  made  his  first  appearance  on 
December  7,  for  the  benefit  of  his  sta^e  manager,  Mr.  Simp- 
son. He  performed  Falstaff,  in  King  Henry  the  Fourth,  and 
Miss  Allison  played  Lady  Percy. 

The  year  1839  opened  with  theatre  and  amphitheatre. 

At  Ryan's  Circus,  in  Bradford  Street^  the  Battle  of 
Waterloo  was  performed  with  great  pomp  and  splendour. 
At  the  Theatre  Mr.  Templeton  and  Miss  Atkinson  appeared 
on  January  7,  in  the  opera  of  Cinderella.  In  the  notice  of 
the  performance  of  the  after  piece,  the  Turnpike  (late,  we 
read  that  "  Charles  Bland  sang  and  acted  with  great  spirit," 
that  Mr.  Simpson  as  Crack  was  good,  and  that  "  H  Webb, 
who  is  now  the  established  favourite  in  low  comedy,  also 
deserves  great  praisa"  In  the  same  month  Mr.  BuciCBtone 
appeared.  On  February  11  Mr.  Braham  began  a  week's 
engagement ;  and  on  the  18th  Mrs.  Honey  appeared  in  Gio- 
vanm  in  London.    On  March  4  we  read : — 

To-morrow  (Tuesdaj),  for  the  first  time  in  this  Theatre,  an  entire 
new  Drama,  written  and  arranged  from  the  celebrated  work  of  "  Boa," 
and  nrepared  for  dramatic  representation  by  Edward  Stirling,  Esq., 
entitled  Nicholas  NicUeby. 

On  Wednesday  a  Borletta,  to  oonclade  with  Gostavas,  or  the  Masked 
Ball,  in  the  last  Scene  of  whidi  will  be  given  a  Grand  Masquerade. 
Parties  taking  lower  Box  tickets  are  entitled  to  admission  at  the  Stage 
or  Lobbf  doors.  Masks,  Dresses  or  Dominoes  to  be  had,  on  application 
to  Mr.  Simpson,  or  Mr.  Wadds,  at  the  Box  Office. 

On  FHday,  OliTsr  Twist. 

In  March  Mr.  Ducrow  and  his  famous  stud  of  horses 

U  RB 


CIO  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMIXGHAAI  LIFE. 

attracted  good  audiences.     On  April  29  Mrs.  W.  Rignold 

Jlayed  the  character  of  Vii^ginius ;  and  in  the  first  week  in 
une  Mr.  Cowle  made  his  first  appearance  at  this  theatre  in 
Hamlet ;  Mr.  Conway  playing  Laertes,  and  Miss  M.  A.  Crisp 
Ophelia.  Mr.  Wright  was  idsojperforming  this  month,  as 
Simmons,  in  the  Spitalfields  Weaver.  On  the  17th  Van 
Amburgh,  his  lions,  tigers  and  leopards  made  their  first  ap- 
pearance, and  for  six  nights  their  united  talents  drew 
crowded  houses.  On  July  2  Mr.  C.  Mathews  and  Madame 
Yestris  appeared  as  Charles  Surfisuse  and  Lady  Teazle  in  the 
School  for  Scandal  On  the  23rd  Taglioni  appeared  for  one 
night  only,  when  the  prices  were  raised  to  6&,  4s.,'  2&  and 
la  The  £unous  dancer  was  followed  by  the  most  famous 
troupe  of  vaulters  ever  seen  in  Birmingham,  the  Bedouin 
Arabs.  *'  The  Stage  represents  The  CFreat  Desert  of  Sahara ! 
with  Tableaux  Yivans  of  the  Evolutions,  Dances,  and  Exer- 
cises peculiar  to  the  Bedevi,  or  Sons  of  the  Desert,  which 
will  be  given  in  the  representation  of  an  Arabian  Festival, 
by  the  Native  Bedouins.  The  Free  List  entirely  suspended 
— ^the  Press  excepted." 

After  the  departure  of  these  wonderful  p^ormera^  Mrs. 
Honey  was  with  us  again  for  five  nights ;  and  on  September 
9  the  .theatre  closed  for  the  season,  when  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Eeeley  performed  for  the  benefit  of  the  Lessee,  Mr.  Munro. 

Vauxnall  Gardens  were  now  in  their  splendour.  Galas 
were  frequently  riven;  and  singers  of  first-class  reputation 
were  en^^tged  On  September  23  Mr.  D'Emst  gave  one  of 
his  fiunous  galas,  and  m  addition  to  the  variegated  lamps 
and  the  ^  magnificent  display  of  fireworks,"  there  appeared 
**  Mra  F.  Matiiews,  of  the  Theatres  B;oyal  Covent  Uardea 
and  Haymarket ;  Mr.  Paul  Bedford,  the  great  Bass  Singer, 
from  the  Theatre  Bojral,  Druiy  Lane,  and  Vauxhall,  London; 
and  Mr.  Buckingham,  the  celebrated  Comic  Singer  of  the 
Royal  VauxhalL'^ 

The  Theatre  opened  for  the  Autumn  season  with  the 
''  grand  Romantic  Operatic  Spectacle  of  Blue  Beard,"*  and 
arrangements  were  entered  into  with  ^  Mr.  Atkins^  of  the 
Zoological  Gardens,  Liverpool,  for  ihe  vntrodudian  of  kis 
BtupendovJB  eUipluifU  f '  In  October  Mra  Honey  appeared 
for  five  nights  in  ''Blue  Jackets;"  on  November  4  Mr. 
Buckstone  commenced  a  similar  engagement^  and  on  the  8th 
his  new  comedy  of  "  Single  Life"  was  played  here  for  the 
first  time.  On  the  11th  Mr  Charles  Sloman,  tiie  ''celebrated 
English  Iraprovisatore,"  made  his  first  appearance.    Mrs. 


MANNERS,  CUSTOMS,  ETC  611 

Stirling  was  this  season  a  member  of  the  company,  and  Mr. 
Alfred  Mellon  the  leader  of  the  band. 

During  the  theatrical  season  of  1840  we  had  a  very  good 
company,  and  the  following  stars  appeared  at  different 

?eriods :  Mr.  Templeton,  Mr.  Stansbnry,  Miss  Romer,  Mr. 
ower,  Mr.  Braham,  Ducrow's  stud  of  horses,  Mrs  Honey, 
Mr.  Buckstone,  MnsL  Keeley,  Mr.  Yates,  Paul  Bedford,  Mr. 
H.  Hall  (the  five  last  named  nlayin^  in  Jack  Sheppard),  Mr. 
Wright,  Miss  K  Tree,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wood,  and  Van  Amburgh, 
his  uons  and  tigers.  The  other  amusements  were  of  the 
usual  kind,  Concerts,  VauxhaU  calas,  Professor  Anderson, 
Bamardo  Eagle,  Waxworks,  and  balls. 

On  Saturday,  December  26,  the  Theatre  opened  for  the 
Winter  season,  under  the  joint  management  of  Messrs.  Munro 
and  Simpson,  and  the  first  Christmas  Pantomime  was  pro- 
duced. It  was  called,  ''  Harle(]^uin  and  the  Elnight  of  the 
Silver  Shield ;  or  the  Goblin  Mill.  The  Scenery  painted  by 
Mr.  Scott;  the  Machinery  and  Changes  by  Mr.  Watson; 
the  Tricks  and  Properties  by  Mr.  Wyatt ;  the  Dresses  by 
Mr.  QrindeU ;  the  Pantomime  written  and  produced  by  Mr. 
De  Hayes,  under  the  immediate  direction  of  Mr.  Simpson.** 


§  5.     MANNXBS,  CUSTOMS,  ETC. 


We  have  scarcely  anything  to  record  under  this  head  for 

the  present  decade ;  but  that  little  is  of  a  gratifying  kind. 

The  brutal  sports  of  cocking  and  bull-baitii^  are  no  longer 

advertised ;  ooth  were  made  illegal  by  the  passing  of  tlie  act 

for  the  Prevention  of  Cruelty  to  Animals.     The  former  was 

and  still  is  carried  on  in  secret  by  men  whose  gambling  greed 

has  destroyed  thtsir  humanity.    Cricket  is  rapidly  becoming 

a  national  game,  and  on  June  16, 1834,  we  find  the  foUowinsr 

report  of  a  meeting  to  encourage  that  and  other  healthfiu 

sports : — 

On  Tuesday,  a  meeting  of  OeaUemen  friendly  to  the  project  of 
providing  gitmnd  **  for  the  enooarapement  of  cricket^  racket,  and  other 
gunea,*  waa  held  at  the  PuUio  Omoe,  pamant  to  a  notice  in  this 
paper  last  week.  The  High  Bailiff  waa  called  to  the  chair,  and  in  the 
courae  of  hit  remarka  r^gietted  that  no  place  was  establiuied  in  this 
town  for  the  encoonttement  of  manly  exercises,  and  expressed  his 
hope  that  the  plan  which  was  about  to  be  submitted  to  supply  that 
deficiency  would  be  liberally  supported.    Mr.  H.  M.  Oriffiths  then 


612  A  CENTURY  OF  BIBMINGHAM  LIFE. 

stated  that  a  piece  of  land,  about  six  acres,  centrally  situated  in  tbe 
neighbourhood '  of  HollowaV  Head,  was  fixed  upon  as  eligible  for 
the  putpoee,  at  a  rental  of  jtl50  for  the  first  ten  years.  The  proprietor 
estimated  the  value  of  the  land  at  £300  per  annum,  but  being  anxious 
to  aid  the  Committee  in  their  efibrts,  he  had  consented  to  take  half  that 
amount  for  the  period  named,  at  the  expiration  of  which  it  would 
be  optional  whether  the  lease  were  renewed  or  not  The  annual 
expense  incurred  in  the  maintenance  of  the  establishment  (Mr.  Griffiths 
added),  would  amount  to  £150  more,  and  that  the  general  outlay, 
contemplated  in  its  fonnation,  would  not  exceed  j£l,200.  The  meeting 
was  also  addressed  by  other  gentlemen,  and  it  was  unanimously 
resolved  that  a  general  canvas  of  the  town  should  forthwith  be  com- 
menced. 

The  following  is  the  last  reference  which  we  find  to 

BULL-BAITUrO. 

To  tU  Editor  of  AMs  Gazette. 

October  12,  1836. — Sir,  It  must  be  gratifying  to  eveiy  friend  of 
humanity,  that  during  the  last  Session  of  Parliament  a  bill,  the 
povisions  of  which,  if  strictly  enforced,  will  have  the  efiect  of  aboliah- 
inff  the  horrid  and  aemoralising  practice  of  BuU-baitinff,  was  introduced 
a^  received  the  Boyal  assent  It  therefore  behoves  ue  Ministers  and 
CSiardiwazdens  of  those  parishes  where  the  cruel  system  has  been 
pursued,  to  avail  themselvee  of  the  nower  now  placed  in  their  hands, 
and  naloualy  to  cany  into  effect  the  numane  intentidns  of  the  framers 
and  supporters  of  the  bUl,  while  eveiy  sincere  friend  to  humanity  will 
cheerfully  lend  his  assistance.  As  an  individual  deeplv  interested 
in  promoting  the  happiness  of  the  brute  creation.  I  shall  devote  my 
time  and  lalMur  in  this  good  cause,  and  exert  m  vself  to  render  the  bill 
effectual  to  the  end  designed.  For  want  of  such  exertion,  Bull-baitinff 
was  carried  on  to  a  honiole  extent  during  the  last  wake  at  Brierlev  Hil^ 
and  thousands  of  people  from  distant  parishes  congregated  toffetner  to 
enjov  this  feast  of  blood.  Three  bulls  were  then  butM  on  the  Saturday 
evenug  previous  to  the  wake  Sabbath,  and  for  four  successive  days  they 
were  torn  and  lacerated  for  their  amusement  in  a  manner  too  shocking 
to  relate.  Trusting  that  the  diabolical  sport  will  be  speedily  abolishec^ 
I  remain,  Sir,  your  obliged  servant^  A.  Smitb. 

Briar^y  Ufll,  Oetobor  8»  1836. 


PA8SINO  OF  THE  BEFOBM  BILL,  AND  POLITIGB  AFTER. 

We  have  now  reached  the  great  year  in  Birmingham 
history.  Old  Birmingham  men  who  took  part  in  the  R^orm 
victoiy,  look  back  U>  it  with  not  unnatural  pride,  and 
encourage  their  degenerate  and  apathetic  aons  Iby  teUing 
them  to  read  of  1832  and  the  Political  Union.  The  year 
opened  with  the  new  Reform  Bill  being  isent  into  Com- 
mittee. On  January  20,  Daniel  O'Connell,  accompanied 
by  his  son,  Mr.  Maurice  0*Connell,  visited  the  town,  and 
addreoBcd  tiie  people    On  the  19th  of  March  the  bill  was 


PASSING  OF  THE  REFORM  BILL,   ETC.  613 

read  a  third  time  in  the  House  of  Commons.  It  was  sent 
to  the  House  of  Lords  on  the  26th.  On  April  9  the  second 
reading  came  on,  and  was  carried  on  the  14th  of  the  same 
month.  Still  the  bill  was  not  considered  safe.  The  Political 
Union  was  more  active  than  ever.  The  Council  met  on 
April  27th,  and  the  following  business  was  transacted : — 

fiiRMiiroHAM  Political   Qniok. 

April  30,  1832. — At  a  Special  Meeting  of  the  Council  of  the 
Binningham  Political  Union,  held  at  the  Rooms  of  the  Union,  in  Great 
Charles  Street,  this  27th  day  of  April,  1832 ;  Thomas  Attwood,  Esq., 
in  the  Chair ; — This  Council  considering  that  the  enemies  of  Reform, 
and  of  the  peace  and  order  of  Society,  have  held  out  the  most  unf  oundea 
representation  respecting  a  reaction,  an  indifference,  and  an  apathy  in 
the  pubUc  mind,  in  the  great  cause  of  Parliamentary  Reform,  and 
considering  that  a  grand  eznibition  of  public  feeling  and  determination 
is  thereby  renders  absolutely  necessary,  in  order  to  contradict  and 
refute  sudi  false  and  unfounded  representations,  and  in  order  to  assist 
in  enabling  our  most  excellent  Kinff  and  his  patriotic  Ministers  to 
accomplish  their  great  designs  for  the  happiness  of  the  people,  and 
to  carry  the  great  measure  of  Reform  into  a  law,  uniqjnred  and 
unimpaired  in  ^  its  great  parts  and  provisions,  it  toas  retolved  unani' 
fiunmy: — 

Ist  That  a  General  Meeting  of  Uie  Inhabitants  of  Binningham  and 
its  neighbourhood  be  held  in  the  open  space  at  the  foot  of  Newhall 
Hill,  on  Monday,  the  7th  day  of  May  next  at  eleven  o^dock  in  the 
forenoon.    The  Chair  to  be  taken  at  twelve  o'clock  predsely. 

2nd.  Tliat  this  Council  having  heretofore  declared  that  they  will 
^'  eecue  to  labour  in  the  greoU  work  of  exciting  the  public  mind  to  politioal 
objecte  when  the  Bill  of  Reform  ehaU  have  become  law,  and  when  the 
proeperitjf  of  the  lower  and  midcUe  daeeee  of  the  people  ehaU  have  been 
reeiored^  do  now  think  it  their  duty  to  recommend  to  their  fellow 
eountiymen  to  declare  most  positively,  thai  if  the  Bill  of  Reform  should 
be  rejected  or  in  any  way  injured  or  impaired  in  its  great  parts  and 
provisions,  they  will  never  cease  to  use  every  possible  legal  exertion  in 
their  power  to  obtain  a  more  complete  and  effectual  reiioTation  of  the 
rights  of  the  people  than  the  Bill  of  Reform  is  calculated  to  give. 

3rd.  That  this  Council,  feeling  deeply  grateful  to  the  inliabitants  of  the 
town  and  neighbourhood  of  Birminghiun  for  their  uniform  peaoef ol, 
1^^,  and  loyu  conduct  upon  so  man^  occasions,  do  earnestly  um  and 
enjoin  all  persons  attending  the  meetmg,  as  they  value  the  gnat  ooiects 
which  they  meet  to  promote,  strictly  to  respect  the  law,  smoe  notnin^ 
can  tend  so  much  to  endanger  the  cause  of  the  Reform  andjUi^  hi^pi- 
ness  of  the  people  as  any  disorderly  conduct  or  illegal  act  upon  tnis 
occasion  of  unprecedented  importance. 

4th.  That  tne  Coundl  do  walk  in  procession  from  the  Rooms,  at  the 
Union,  in  Great  Charles  Street^  to  Newhall  Hill,  at  eleven  o'clock 
in  the  morning  of  the  intended  meeting,  and  that  the  members  and 
friends  of  the  Union  be  invited  to  ioin  in  the  procession. 

By  order  of  the  Council, 

Thomas  Attwood,  Chairman. 
Bekjamik  Hadlst,  Secretary. 

Then  followed  the  meeting  of  May  7th  : — 


614  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAIC  LIFE. 

BiBXiKOHAU  Reform  xxrivo. 

May  14,  1832.— The  Meeting  oonvened  by  the  Conndl  of  the 
PolitioJ  Union  of  fiirminghiun,  held  on  Monday  last^  for  the  porpooe  of 
niging  the  House  of  Lorcb  to  pan  the  Bef orm  Bill,  was  attends  by  a 
▼ast  oonooniBe  of  peraons  from  most  of  the  sarroiinding  towns  and 
Tillaffe%  namerons  bodies  ai  whom  marched  in  saooession  into  town 
ontne  morning  of  the  meeting,  with  flags,  banners,  music,  &G.  This 
great  accession  of  numbers  to  that  portion  of  the  resident  population 
usually  obeying  the  caU  of  the  Council,  contributed  to  swell  the 
aasemolage  on  the  occasion  to  such  an  extent,  very  considerably 
■arpassing  any  former  meeting.  The  actual  number  of  persons  present 
has  been  variously  and  widely  computed,  some  statements  estimating  it 
from  sixty  to  seventy  thousand,  and  others  carrying  it  as  high  as  one  and 
two  hundred,  and  even  as  far  as  two  hundred  and  fifty  thousand, 
induding  women,  and  diildren.  The  place  of  meeting  was,  as 
before,  at  the  foot  of  Newhall  Hill,  where  the  nocMary  preparations 
had  been  previously  made.  On  the  anrival  of  the  different  ''Unions* 
from  the  country  tney proceeded  to  the  ground,  whither  the  main  body, 
after  parading  some  ox  the  principal  streets,  arrived  in  procession,  witii 
the  promoters  <tf  the  meeting  at  tneir  head,  about  twelve  o'clock.  On 
Mr.  Attwood  and  those  of  the  Council  and  others  who  accompanied 
him  miJrin^  their  appeanmce  on  the  hustingB,  they  were  greetea  with 
loud  dieenng. 

There  were  nearly  200,000  persons  present  All  the 
neighbouring  towns  had  sent  their  branch  of  the  Union 
to  swell  the  great  assembly.  The  number  assigned  to 
Birmingham  was  50,000.  The  banners  and  bands  of  music 
formed  not  the  least  remarkable  or  attractive  feature  of  this 
extraordinaTy  awakinfi^  of  the  peopla  It  was  a  grand  and 
sublime  sight,  which  tiiose  who  witnessed  will  never  forget. 
Hr.  Attwood  was  in  the  chair,  and  before  the  business  com- 
menced  these  200,000  voices  sun£^  the  spirit-stiring  h^mn,  by 
the  Rev.  Hugh  Hutton,  ^  The  &thering  of  the  Umons  **: — 

CALL  I 

Over  moontain,  over  plain, 

Edioinff  wide  from  sea  to  sia, 
Peals,  ana  shall  not  peal  in  vain, 

The  trumpet  eaU  of  liberty  I 
Britain's  guazdiaa  spirit  criea— 
firiUms  awake!  awake  I  arise  I 

Sleep  no  more  the  sleep  of  shame ; 

Base  and  break  oppression's  ebain ! 
Lolled  hy  freedom's  empty  name, 

WoTM  than  ilavsi  no  more  rsmaia. 
Freedom's  rights,  not  freedom's  name, 
Thrt  to  know,  and  dare  to  claim. 

Shall  honest  labour  toil  in  vain 

While  plonder  fattens  on  the  land  t 
SiUl  abalf  a  tyrant  fretion's  reign 

People  and  Kinff  at  once  command  t 
No !  it  may  not,  snail  not  be^ 
For  we  must,  we  will  be  free. 


PASSING  OF  THE  REFORM   BILL,  ETC.  615 

Sleep  ye  still,  while  one  bj  one 
Each  sacred,  dear  bought  right  is  lost^ 

Bights  which  your  fiekthers'  broadswords  won, 
Kights  which  your  fiekthera^  life-blood  cost? 

No  !  it  may  no^  shall  not  be, 

For  we  must,  we  will  be  free. 

See  rises  from  the  bed  of  &me 

Each  chief  of  glorious  Runymede, 
With  Hampden  !  history's  noblest  name, 

They  call  us  to  our  country's  need  ; 
They  call,  and  can  we  heedless  be  t 
No  !  for  we  must^  we  will  be  free. 

But  not  to  war  and  blood  they  call, 

The7  bid  us  lift  nor  sword  or  gun ; 
Peaceful,  but  firm,  join  one  and  Sl^ 

To  daim  your  righto,  and  they  are  won. 
The  British  Lion's  roice  alone 
Shall  gain  for  Britain  all  her  own. 

ANSWER 

Lo  !  we  answer ;  see  !  we  come  ! 

Quick  at  freedom's  holy  caU. 
We  oome,  we  oome  !  we  oome^  we  oome ! 

To  do  the  glorious  work  of  alL 
And  hark  !  we  raise,  from  sea  to  sea. 
Our  sacred  watchword,  Liberty  ! 

Qod  is  our  guide ;  from  field,  fiwn  wave. 

The  plough,  the  anvi],  and  the  loom, 
We  oome^  our  country's  rights  to  saTe^ 

And  apeak  a  tyrant  faotum's  doom. 
And  bars:  1  we  raise,  firom  sea  to  tea, 
Our  nored  watdiword,  Liberty  1 

God  is  our  guide !  no  sword  we  draw ; 

We  kindle  not  waz^s  fiital  fires. 
By  union,  justice,  reason,  law. 

We  daim  the  birthright  of  our  sires  ! 
And  thus  we  ruse,  from  sea  to  sea. 
Our  sacred  watchword,  liberty ! 

The  gpeeches  were  of  the  most  vehement  character,  bat 
with  all  the  vehemence  there  was  manifested  a  solemn  con- 
viction of  the  serious  responsibility  which  was  incurred,  and 
an  equally  solemn  determination  to  meet  that  responsibility 
whatever  it  might  be.  Every  one  spoke  as  the  spokesmen 
of  men 

"  who  knew  their  rights^ 
And  knowing  dared  maintidn,'' 

should  speak;    and  its  potency  was  felt  throughout  the 

nation.      In  the  petition  to  the  House  of  Lords  this  p^ 

meeting  prayed  them  not  to  injure  or  mutilate  the  oiU ; 

and  anxiously  and  earnestly  implored  the  Lords  "  not  to 


616  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

drive  to  despair  a  high-minded,  a  generous,  and  fearless 
peopla"  Then  followed  one  of  the  most  solenm  spectacles 
ever  seen  in  the  world.  .Mr.  Thomas  Qutton  Salt,  acting  as 
it  were  on  a  sudden  inspiration,  took  off  his  hat,  and  tlie 
Vast  multitude  following  his  example,  he  bade  them  repeat 
after  him  the  Union  vow.  Thus  from  the  200,000  assembled 
arose  in  unison,  like  the  solemn  voice  of  the  sea,  their  voices 
repeating  these  words :  *'  In  unbroken  faith,  through  every 
peril  and  privation,  we  devote  ourselves  and  our  children 
to  our  coimtry's  cause." 

Harriet  Miu^ineau  gives  the  following  graphic  account  of 
the  state  of  the  nation  at  this  time : 

^  Durinff  thiB  week  orders  were  ient  down  to  the  barracks  at  Bir- 
minffham  that  the  Soots  Greys  should  be  daily  and  nifhtly  booted  and 
saddled,,  with  ball  cartridge  ready  for  use  at  a  momeDt^  notice. 

**  The  Political  Unions  met  early  and  continnally.  The  National 
Union  declared  itself  in  permanent  session  :  1,600  new  members — all 
men  of  snbstance— entered  it  in  one  day.  Its  watchword  was,  '  Peace, 
Order,  Obedience  to  the  Law.'  It  passed  a  resolutiony  '  That  whoeyer 
adyises  a  dissolution  of  parliament  U  a  pnblic  enemy.* 

^  The  great  Birmingham  Union  jiow  200,000  strong,  was  to  encamp 
on  Hampstead  Heath,  or  perhaps  renenden  Heath,  in  order  to  incor- 
porate with  it  bodies  eominff  from  the  sonth.  On  the  morements  of  this 
Birmingham  Union,  which  bad  so  lately  nttered  its  sablime  vow  under 
the  open  sky,  all  eyies  were  now  turned :  and  there  Is  reason  to  belieye 
that  what  passed  at  Birmingham  immediately  determined  the  issue  of 
this  mighty  contention.  ....••  Of  all  the  Ibrees  in  the  king- 
dom, the  soldiery  at  Birmingham  fixed  the  most  attentloo,  beoauae  Bir- 
mingham was  the  foremost  place  in  public  observmtlon ;  beoause  the 
Du&  must  be  able  to  rely  on  the  soldienr  statkmed  there  at  sudi  a  timcL 
if  on  any ;  and  because  of  the  reports  afloat  that  the  Soots  Greys  would 
refuse  to  act  against  the  people,  if  called  upon. 

<«The  officers  of  the  Birmingham  Union  knew  that  certain  of  the  Scots 
Greys  were  on  the  Union. books.  Letter*  were  found  in  the  streets  of 
the  town,  whidi  declared  in  temperate  language  that  the  Greys  would 
do  their  duty  if  called  on  to  repress  riot,  or  any  cind  of  outrage,  but  that 
they  would  not  act  if  called  on  to  put  down  a  peaceable  meeting,  or  to 
hinder  the  ecmyeyance  to  London  of  any  petition,  by  any  number  of 
peaceaUe  peraons." 

On  May  7  Qovemment  were  defeated  on  a  motion  to 
postpone  the  disfranchising  clanses  until  the  amount  of 
enfirandiisement  should  be  detennined,  by  151  to  116.  On 
the  9th  Earl  Gre^  resigned ;  and  then  followed  another 
Birmingham  meeting : — 

Sboovd  Rbtorv  MxEniro  at  Nxwhaxx  Hill. 

May  14,  1832.— InteUigence  of  the  Bengnation  of  Earl  Gr^  and 
his  CoUeagues,  and  their  consequent  abandonment  of  the  fieform  Bill, 
became  known  in  Birmingham  early  on  Thursday  mominff.  This 
unlocked  for  event  following  so  closely  upon  ihb  meeting  held  on 


PASSING  OF  THE  REFORM  BILL,  ETC.  617 

Monday,  gave  riae  to  great  and  very  general  excitement,  and  an 
inunediate  meeting  of  the  Council  of  the  Political  Union  took  place  to 
consider  the  steps  they  should  in  consequence  take.  At  this  meeting  it 
was  communicated  by  Mr.  Parkes,  that  a  declaration  had  that  mormng 
been  spontaueoasly  signed  by  a  great  number  of  the  subscribers  to  tho 
Public  News  Room,  who  had  hitherto  refrained  from  joining  the  Union, 
but  who  considered  it  to  be  their  duty  at  the  present  "awful  crisis 
to  come  forward  and  join  that  body  for  the  purpose  of  promoting  the 
further  union,  order,  and  determination  of  all  classes  in  support  of  the 
common  cause  of  Parliamentary  Reform,"  and  that  additional  names 
were  beine  added  to  the  list.  This  intimation  was  of  course  received 
with  satinaction,  and  a  resolution  of  thanks  was  voted  to  those  gentle- 
men, "  for  their  public  spirit  and  patriotism."  It  was  then  resolved  to 
invite  the  members  and  friends  of  the  Union  to  wear  on  their  breasts 
the  ribbon  of  the  Union  Jack,  "  until  the  Bill  of  Reform  has  become 
law,"*  and  till  thev  are  enabled  to  supply  themselves  with  this  badge, 
with  a  piece  of  blue  ribbon ;  and  afterwards  to  convene  a  meeting 
at  Newhall  Hill,  at  three  o'clock  the  same  afternoon,  of  which  notice 
was  given  by  placards  Accordingly,  aa  the  hour  approached  at  which 
the  meeting  was  fixed  to  take  place,  a  large  concourse  of  the  populace 
assembled  in  Qreat  Charles  Street,  for  the  purpose  of  walking  in 
procession  to  the  ground,  and  their  numbers  were  greatly  augmented  by 
those  who  fell  in  with  the  band  as  it  paraded  the  streets  or  the  town. 
The  entire  body  then  moved  forwara  to  the  place  of  meeting,  which 
had  been  previooslv  occupied  by  a  dense  mass  of  people,  and  it  was 
with  difficulty  the  Council  made  their  way  to  the  hustings.  Having  at 
length  arrived  there^  Mr.  Attwood  was  called  to  the  chair,  and  proceeded 
to  addreas  the  meetuur  to  the  following  effect : — 

**  From  the  magnmoent  si^t  before  me,  it  seems  that  we  have  no 
want  of  pnblic  spirit  in  Birmingham  at  this  trying  hour  of  our 
conntiVs  need.  I  am  happy  to  inform  you  that  everything  is  goinir  on 
aa  it  should.  What  some  might  expect  would  intimidate  the  people  of 
England,  had  served  but  to  nerve  their  hearts  and  strengthen  their 
arms.  The  people  had  suffered  a  temporary  defeat;  but  he  would  give 
them  a  proof  tnat  the  victory  of  tneir  enemies  would-  be  of  short 
doration.  The^  all  knew  that  there  were  many  hundreds  of  upri^^ht, 
wealthy,  and  high-minded  men  in  Birmingham,  who  had  from  various 
causes^  held  bi^  from  joining  the  Political  Union,  de  was  most 
happy  to  tell  them  however,  that  in  this  great  crisis  they  were  rapidly 
jommg  the  ranks,  and  the  Council  had  already  received  the  names  and 
subscnptions  of  Jive  AtrndreaL  After  receiving  this  gratifying  intelli- 
ffenc6y  the  Councii  proceeded  to  pass  certain  resolutions,  ana  amonff 
them  was  one  by  reason  of  which  that  meeting  was  called.  They  had 
also  determined  to  wear  the  badge  which  they  saw  on  his  breast  the 
Union  Jack,  and  to  recommend  the  friends  of  reform  throughout  the 
Kingdom  to  wear  the  same,  until  the  reform  they  sought  was  obtained. 

Mr.  Edmonds  then  read  the  resolution  passed  b^  the  Council  and 
having  ureed  upon  the  assembly  the  observance  of  *'  IwU,  peaceable, 
firm,  and  (Mtermmed  condnct,''  he  proceeded  to  move  the  Petition  to  the 
House  of  Ck>mmon8,  the  adoption  of  which  was  seconded  b^  Mr. 
Scholefield,  who  announced  that  at  the  close  of  the  prooeedmgs  a 
deputation,  of  which  he  had  the  honour  of  forming  a  part,  would  leave 
Birminghain,  for  London,  to  communicate  the  opinions  of  the  vast 
multitude  he  then  addressed  to  the  Members  of  the  Legislature,  adding. 


618  A  CENTUKY  OF  BIRmNGHAM  LIFE. 

that  if  the  Toiy  Oligarchy,  who  had -recently  most  anfortanately 
obtained  a  triumph,  should  continue,  as  they  always  were,  insolent^  they 
would  find  the  Keformers  of  England  firm  and  determined  in  their 
purpose. 

The  Historian  of  the  Thirty  Years'  Peace  tlius  describes 

the  scenes   which   followed  the  resignation  of  the  Whig 

Ministxy : — 

^  The  excitement  in  the  proyinces  was,  if  possible,  eren  more  threat- 
ening than  in  London.  Birmingham  was  at  that  time  looked  upon  as 
the  head-quarters  of  reform  ;  and  the  movements  of  its  Political  Union, 

g resided  over  by  Mr.  Thomas  Attwood,  were  deemed  of  great  importance 
oth  by  the  friends  and  the  opponents  of  Beform.  The  news  that  the 
Beform  Bill  was  in  jhct  defeated,  and  that  Lord  Grey  had  resigned, 
instantly  excited  not  only  the  more  ardent  reformers  of  the  town,  who 
had  hitherto  constituted  the  Union,  but  stirred  up  the  whole  population, 
timid  and  fearless,  eager  and  apathetic  alike ;  and  they  in  Tarious  ways 
made  manifest  their  anger  and  their  determination.  Placards  wer« 
exhibited  in  the  windows^  some  of  which  were  in  these  words : — 

Notice. 
No  Taxes  paid  here 
UntU 
The  Beform  Bill  is  passed. 
Othem  stated,  'no  taxes  paid  here  in  money,  and  no  goods  bought  dis- 
trained for  taxes.*  And,  as  was  the  case  in  London,  immense  numbers 
of  persons  to  whom  political  agitation  was  disagreeable,  and  who  there* 
Ibre  had  hitherto  abstained  from  taking  part  in  it^  now  joined  the  Poll* 
tical  Union.  Catholic  priests  and  fpaye  quakers  ostentatiously  enrolled 
th«r  names  in  the  boon  of  the  Union,  stating  that  they  did  so  in  order 
to  preserve  the  peaee,  for  snarly  and  oonrasion.  they  asserted,  were 
certain  unless  the  Beform  Bill  was  instantly  carried.  Deputations  from 
the  surrounding  towns  came  hurriedly  to  Birmingham,  as  a  centre,  in 
<uder  to  concert  measures  in  this  dangerous  crisis  1  A  meeting  was  held, 
a  petition  waa  proposed  and  adopted,  and  a  deputation  immediately 
selected  to  carry  the  petition  express  to  London.  The  petition,  amoncr 
other  angry  and  riolent  expressions^  contained  this  Tory  plain  ana 
threatening  announcement,  which,  when  it  was  md  to  the  excited  crowd, 
whose  petition  it  purported  to  be,  was  leceiTed,  says  the  newspaper  of 
the  day,  with  a  tremendous  burst  of  cheering  which  lasted  acTeral 
minutes.  'That  your  petitioners  find  it  declared  in  the  bill  of  riffhts, 
that  the  people  of  England  may  have  aims  for  their  ddTence,  suitable  to 
their  condition,  and  as  allowed  by  law ;  and  your  petitioners  apprdiend 
that  this  great  right  will  be  put  in  force  generally,  and  that  toe  whole 
of  the  people  of  England  will  think  it  necessaiy  to  haye  arms  for  their 
defSmce^  in  order  that  they  may  be  pcepared  for  any  dreumstaaces  that 
maTanse.' 

^  A  petition  which  more  plahoily  stated  the  intention  of  its  fiamers 
to  bsTs  recourse  to  arms,  was  proliably  nerer  presented  to  the  House  of 
OommoDa 

"The  delegates  from  Burmingfaam,  who  brought  this  petition  express 
to  London,  were  next  day  present  at  Tarious  public  meetings  held  in  the 
metropolis.  Their  presence  exdted  still  more  the  enthusiasm  of  the 
peopl^  who  now  seemed  to  vie  with  each  other  in  Uie  employment  of 
fierce  and  threatening  language,  and  in  proposing  means  by  whidi  the 


PASSING  OF  THE  BEFORM  BILL,  ETC.  619 

House  of  Lords  might  be  coerced  into  a  sense  of  the  danm  which 
dearly  impended  over  the  Tory  order  to  which  they  belonged?  * 

A  Declaration  to  the  following  effect  was  signed  in  a  few 
hours  by  five  hundred  persons,  among*  the  most  respectable 
of  the  inhabitants : — 

'*  We,  the  undersigned,  inhabitants  of  the  town  and  neigh- 
bourhood of  Birmingham,  who  have  hitherto  refrained  from 
joining  the  Birmingham  Political  Union,  deem  it  our  duty  to 
our  country,  at  this  awful  crisis,  to  come  forward  and  join 
that  body,  for  the  purpose  of  promoting  the  further  union, 
order,  and  determination  of  all  classes  in  support  of  the 
common  cause  of  Parliamentary  Reform.** 

On  May  21,  we  have  this  account  of  the  state  of  public 
feeling  in  Birmingham : — 

Bbiobx  Mbctino,  &0, 

The  population  of  the  town  of  Birminffham,  dnring  Monday  last^ 
oontinaed  in  a  hiffhiy  .excited  and  feveriMi  state,  arismg  oot  of  the 
events  <^  the  preoeaing  week.  Every  kind  of  employment  appsued  to 
be  altogether  suspended,  the  ativete  were  orowded  from  morning  until 
night ;  and  the  greatest  avidity  to  obtain  frssh  intelligence  was  erery* 
where  exhibited..  The  Council  of  the  Union  met  in  ue  forenoon,  and 
it  becoming  known  that  they  were  preparing  a  Dedaration  for  publica- 
tion against  Uie  proposed  M  inistfy,  the  vicinity  of  the  place  of  meeting 
bqpame  an  object  of  attraetiony  and  crowds  of  persons  remained  con- 
stantly on  the  spot  In  the  course  of  the  day  great  accession  was  made 
to  the  numbers  of  the  Union,  and  the  streets  were  paraded  by  many  of 
the  newly  enrolled  members^  with  musics  banners^  oc  :  no  attempt  at 
disorder  howerer  took  plsoe.  The  agitaUon  of  the  preceding  day 
subsided  considerably  during  the  Tuesday,  no  additional  news  of  import 
arriving  to  keep  up  the  excitement.  The  Declaration  issued  by  the 
Gbuncifof  the  union  appeared  upon  the  walls,  and  was  esgerly  read  bv 
the  populace.  This  document,  after  reciting  the  grounds  on  which  it 
rested  iu  alarm  at  the  report  cl  the  Duke  of  Wellmgton's  aj^intment 
to  the  Ministry,  obaerres : — 

^  For  these  and  various  other  reasons,  we  hereby  solemnly  dedare  our 
fixed  determination  to  use  all  the  means  whidi  the  constitution  and  the 
law  have  placed  at  our  disposal,  to  induce  his  Majesty  to  reject  from  his 
councils  that  £MStion,  at  tne  head  of  which  is  the  Duke  of  Wellington, 
who  have,  by  theur  arbitrsij  prindples,  excited  the  distrust  and  a&or- 
rence  of  the  whole  population  of  the  United  Kingdom,  and  we  declare 
our  firm  conviction,  that  the  public  excitement  and  agitation  can  never 
be  allayed  until  the  great  bill  of  Beform  diall  be  csnried  into  law  by 
that  Administration  hj  whose  wisdom  and  virtue  it  was  first  introduced. 
These  are  our  fixed  and  unalterable  sentiments ;  and  we  hereby  appeal 
to  our  f ellow-oonntiTmen  throughout  England,  Scotland,  and  Irdand, 
and  we  confidently  adl  upon  them  to  unite  with  us,and  to  sign  this  our 
solemn  Dsdaration  in  support  of  the  liberty  and  happiness  of  our 
country." 


*  ffiitoiy  of  the  Thirty  TesnT  Pesce.  By  Harriet  Martineau.  v.  t.  pp.  198-6. 


620  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMIKOHAM  LIFE. 

On  the  following  morning,  however,  (Wedneeday)  the  state  of  affiiirs- 
underwent  a  most  unlooked  for  and  sudden  change.  Intelligence  of  the 
inability  of  the  Duke  of  Wellington  to  form  an  Admintatration,  and  of 
the  unexpected  return  of  the  £arl  Grey  and  his  colleagnes  to  power,  was 
conveyed  to  town,  at  an  early  hour  in  the  morDing,  by  two  of  the 
deputation  (Messrs.  Farkes  and  Green),  appointed  from  the  Newhali- 
hill  meetings  on  the  preceding  Thursday.  The  bells  of  the  different 
ohurches  smedily  announced  the  arrival  of  important  news ;  and  it  was 
determined  in  celebration  of  the  event  to  escort  Mr.  Attwood  in  triumph 
into  the  town.  Preparations  were  immediatelv  made,  and  publicity 
beinff  given  to  the  intention,  the  streets  and  roads  leading  to  the  place  oi 
meeting,  were  speedily  thronged  to  excess.  On  the  arrival  of  Mr.  Att- 
wood and  the  friends  who  accompanied  him,  in  carriages. provided  for 
the  occasion,  the  immense  multitude  moved  forward  in  procession, 
entering  the  town  by  Small  brook-street,  and  advancing  through  High- 
street^  New-street^  and  Newhall-street^  to  Kewhall-hill,  where  nustings 
had  been  in  the  mean  time  erected,  for  the  purpose  of  holding  a  congra- 
tulatory meeting.  In  the  progress  through  the  town  the  bands  accom- 
panving  the  procession  played  a  number  of  triumphant  airs,  and  the 
exultation  of  the  populace  seemed  complete. 

On  reaching  the  place  of  meeting,  Mr.  Attwood  was  called  to  the 
chair,  amidst  the  enthusiastic  cheers  of  the  crowd ;  and  at  his  reonest 
an  extempore  prayer  was  offered  up  by  the  Kev.  H.  Hutton,  the  Uni- 
tarian Aunister.  Mr.  Attwood  then  came  forward,  and  congratulated 
the  assembly  upon  the  fflorious  victory  they  had  achieved,  reminding 
them  that,  as  be  had  predicted.  Earl  Grey  ^  had  been  carried  back — as 
he  should  be  carried  back — on  the  shoulders  of  the  people  into  his 
Majesty's  Councils ;"  adding;  "that  by  patience,  fortitude,  and  a  strict 
regaid  to  the  law,  thev  had  gathered  up  strength  tliat  had  proved  omni- 
potent ; "  and  eonduded  by  earnestly  entrsaUng  them  ^  to  obeerve  the 
same  eonrsffs,  and  to  continue  to  exhibit  the  same  patience  and  fidelity 
to  the  law."  The  meeting  was  afterwards  addressed  to  the  same  effect 
by  Mr.  Seholefteld,  Mr.  Munti^  Mr.  Joseph  Pkrkcs,  Messrs.  Edmonds^ 
Badlejr,  Jones,  Salt^  Lewis,  &e.,  &a,  in  moving  and  seconding  the  various 
resolations,  eopies  of  which,  together  with  a  Memorial  to  Eari  Grey, 
appear  in  another  colomn.  A  deputation  was  then  appointed  to  wait 
on  the  noble  Eari,  eonsisting  of  Messrs.  Attwood,  Scbolefield,  Farkes, 
Lewi^  and  Hadley,  who  left  Birmingham  for  that  purpose  in  the  course 
of  the  same  evenuig.  On  their  entrance  into  Ooventiy  the  deputation 
was  met  by  the  populace  and  drawn  into  the  town ;  where  having 
briefly  addressed  the  assembled  crowd,  they  were  eeoorted  on  their  way 
to  the  limits  of  the  eity. 

;    The  Freedom  of  the  CSty  of  London  was  presented  to  Mr. 
Attwood : — 

COUBT  OF  COMKOV    CoUMOIL— PRlBlirTATIOV  OF  TBI  FeBSDOX 

OF  TBB  Cirr  to  Ma.  Tttoius  Attwood. 

On  Wednesday,  a  special  court  was  convened  for  the  purpose  of 
receiviDg  sn  address  and  denutatum.  headed  by  Mr.  Thomas  Attwood, 
Gbainnan  of  the  Political  Union,  of  fiirmin^^am.  The  Lord  Mavor 
having  taken  bis  seat,  the  deputation  consisting  of  Mr.  Attwood,  Mr. 
Scbolefield,  Mr.  Joseph  Farkes,  Mr.  Muntz,  Mr.  B.  Hadley.  Mr.  w.  O. 
Lewis,  and  Mr.  W.  Boultbee,  accompanied  by  Messra  Salt,  Jones, 
Rdmmids,  Dr.  Wade,  and  others,  mppmnd  at  the  bar,  wearing  the 


PASSING  OF  THE  BEFORH  BILL,  ETC.  621 

badge  of  the  Union.  Mr.  Charles  Pearson  then  addressed  the  Court  at 
great  length,  and  concluded  with  moving  "  that  the  Freedom  of  the 
City  in  a  box  made  of  the  heart  of  British  Oak,  be  presented  to  Thomas 
Attwood,  Esq.,  (Chairman  of  the  Birmingham  Political  Union,)  in 
testimony  of  the  high  estimation  in  which  the  Citizens  of  London  hold 
his  distinguished  services  in  the  cause  of  Parliamentary  Reform,  and 
also  of  the  ability  displayed  by  him  in  uniting  the  mtelligent  and 
industrious  artisans,  and  the  inhabitants  generally  of  the  Midland 
Districts,  in  their  firm  but  peaceable  pursuits  of  that  great  national 
object."  i^fter  some  discussion  and  shght  opposition,  the  deputation 
was  admitted  within  the  bar,  and  the  Address  was  read  oy  Mr. 
Attwood. 

On  concludinff,  Mr.  Attwood  received  the  congratulations  of  his 
friends,  and  the  Court  broke  up. 

In  the  evening  the  Lord  Mavor  gave  a  dinner  to  the  deputation  at 
the  Mansion  House,  at  which  about  one  hundred  gentlemen  sat  down 
to  dinner,  among  whom  were.  Lord  Ebrington ;  Sir  F.  Burdett,  Bart ; 
Mr.  Byng,  MP. ;  Mr.  Hume,  MJ?. ;  Mr.  Alderman  Wood,  M.P. ;  Mr.  T. 
Danoombe,  M.P.;  Colonel  Torrens ;  Mr.  Campbell ;  Mr.  M  Hill;  Mr. 
Potter,  (from  Manchester),  &c.,  &c. 

Earl  Grey  returned  to  power,  and  the  nation  was  saved 

from  a  revolution,  the  fearful  consequences  of  which  no  one 

dare  imagine.    ''Mr.  Joseph  Parkes,   says  Mr.  James  JaflBray, 

''  travelled  by  post  express  down  to  Birmingham  with  the 

news,  distributing  printed  slips  to  the  effect  that  Lord  Qrey 

was  again  in  power — scattering  them  by  the  road  side  and 

amongst  the  population  of  every  town  and  village  on  the 

way.    At  six  o  clock,  on  the  morning  of  Wednesday,  the 

16th,  he  reached  Birmingham."    The  ioy  at  this  intel^gence 

baflles  description.    We  must  quote  the  report  of  the  return 

of  the  deputation  frotn  London : — 

June  4,  1832. — ^Particolars  of  the  public  reception  given  to  Mr. 
Attwood  and  the  London  depatation  on  their  retnm  home,  having 
already  been  foUj  laid  before  the  pablic^  it  becomes  nnneoenaiy  to 
enter  much  into  detail  on  the  rabject  It  was  annonnced  that  the 
deputation  would  arrive  at  the  entrance  to  the  town  at  six  o'clock  in 
the  eveninff,  and  that  they  were  there  to  be  met  by  the  members  of  the 
Union,  and  by  such  of  the  inhabitants  as  chose  to  join  them  in  the 
procession,  attended  with  bands  of  music,  flags,  banners,  ftc  Long 
previous  to  that  hour,  however,  preparations  were  made  by  many  of  the 
inhabitants  in  those  streets  through  which  the  procession  was  expected 
to  pass,  to  give  a  favourable  reception  to  the  deputation,  and  banners 
ana^  other  emblems,  bearing  various  inscriptions  and  devices,  were 
exhibited  from  their  windows.  In  advance  of  and  followinff  the 
procession,  an  immense  body  of  the  populace  went  out  towanu  the 
place  of  meeting ;  and  for  hours  before  the  deputation  appeared,  the 
streets  and  roads  leading  thereto,  were  densely  hued  with  spectators  in 
every  kind  of  vehicle,  on  horseback,  and  on  foot  On  being  joined  by 
Mr.  Attwood  and  his  friends,  the  procession  slowly  made  its  way 
towards  the  town,  amidst  the  continual  dieers  of  the  immei.se 
mblage,  the  ringing  of  belli^  &c    Mr.  Attwood  was  seated  on  the 


622  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINQUAM  LIFE. 

fiDut  of  an  open  carriaffOy  in  which  were  the  other  members  of  the 
deputation ;  ne  wae  of  oonrse  the  great  object  of  attraction,  and 
the  whole  of  the  way  was  occupied  in  acknowledging  the  welcome  of 
tlie  spectators.  Such  was  the  slow  progress  of  the  procession,  that  that 
portion  of  it  in  which  Mr.  Attwood  moved,  did  not  reacji  New  Street 
until  almost,  if  not  qnite  nine  o'clock,  and  consequently  nearly  dark. 
It  was  ther^ore  determined  that  he  should  proceed  no  farther ;  and 
having  ascended  the  balcony  of  the  Hen  and  Chickens  Hotel,  ha 
addressed  the  crowd,  thanking  them  for  the  kind  attention  they  had 
shown  him,  and  regretting  that  from  the  lateness  of  the  hour  it  was  not 
prudent  to  carry  into  complete  effect  all  the  arrangements  of  the 
Committee.  The  head  of  the  procession  had  in  the  mean  time  moved 
towards  the  Five  Ways,  and  great  disappointment  was  felt  by  many 
who  were  thus  deprived  of  a  view  of  the  procession,  after  long  and 
anxiously  waiting  its  arrival.  Mr.  Attwood,  in  conclusion,  advised  the 
population  to  retire  quietly  to  their  homes,  and  after  repeated  dieers^ 
the^  began  to  disperse.  A  heavy  &\l  of  rain  came  on  at  the  moment^ 
which  greatly  accelerated  this  movement,  and  continuing  for  some  time^ 
it  prevented  any  partial  re-assembling  of  the  crowd  afterwards.  Kot* 
withstanding  the  immense  mass  of  people  assembled  on  the  occasion, 
we  have  not  heard  of  any  accident  ox  consequence. 

The  Reform  Bill  pasaed  the  Lords  on  the  4th  of  June ; 
and  on  the  7th  received  the  Boyal  assent;  and  thus  tri- 
umphantly closed  one  of  the  most  splendid  moral  spectacles 
which  the  world  has  ever  seen.  *' Yeiy  few  thoughtful  men 
of  the  nation,"  says  Mr.  Elihu  Bumtt^  "can  now  doubt 
that  the  storm  would  have  burst  upon  the  countiv  with  all 
the  devastation  of  civil  war,  if  Thomas  Attwooa  had  not 
drawn  the  lightning  out  of  the  impendin^^  tempest^  by  the 
rod  of  moral  force.  From  the  centnod  hiU.of  tne  town  he 
lifted  up  his  revolutionary  standard,  with  this  new  device  : 
'  Peace;  Law,  and  ObderI  '  This  white  flajg,  and  not  the 
bloody  banner  of  brute  force  and  brute  passion,  which  had 
been  raised  in  other  times,  at  home  ana  abroad,  to  ri^t 
political  wrongs,  was  the  drapeau  of  the  Political  XTmon, 
which  he  formed  and  headed  in  the  Metropolis  of  the  Black 
Country."  *  And  from  that  time  to  this  we  have  gone  on 
in  the  same  course,  winning  all  our  reforms  under  the 
^banner  of  **  Peace,  Law,  and  Order.**  • 

The  enthusiasm  of  the  people  on  the  receipt  of  the  news 
that  the  Reform  Bill  had  really  passed  and  was  the  law  of 
the  land,  is  indescribable.  Strong  and  stalwart  men  actually 
wept  with  joy ;  and  grave  men  threw  up  their  hats  in  the 
air  and  shouted  like  school  children  who  nave  an  unean>ected 
holiday.    Such  a  day  was  never  seen  in  Birmingham  before ; 

*  Walks  in  the  Black  Conntiy  and  its  Green  Border  Land.  Bj  Elihu 
Bvrritt,  H.  A.    pp.  17, 18. 


PASSING   OF  THE  REFORM  BILL,   ETC.  623 

and  in  the  writer's  opinion,  who  had  the  pleasure  of  sharing 
in  its  delirium  of  happiness,  will  never  be  seen  again.  What 
are  the  meetings,  the  triumphs,  the  enthusiasm  of  these 
degenerate  days  compared  with  the  glories  of  1832 ! 

After  the  passing  of  the  Bill,  there  was  a  slight  misunder- 
standing between  Mr.  Joshua  Scholefield  and  Mr.  George 
Edmondis;  and  a  not  very  pleasant  correspondence.  For 
some  time  the  latter  gentleman  insisted  upon  offering 
himself  as  a  candidate  for  the  votes  of  the  newly-createa 
burgesses ;  but  he  ultimately  withdrew  from  a  contest 
which  would  have  divided  the  Liberal  interest. 

On  August  20  the  "  United  Trades"  of  the  town  celebrated 
the  passing  of  the  Reform  Bill  by  a  public  dinner : — 

August  87, 1832.~We  stated  in  our  last  that  the  **  United  Trades" 
of  this  town  had  deteimined  to  celebrate  the  passing  of  the  Befoim 
Acts  b^  a  procession,  dinners,  &c,  on  Monday  last  In  consequence, 
about  nine  o'clock  on  that  morning,  various  bodies  commenced  assem- 
bling on  a  piece  of  vacant  ground  m  Broad-street,  the  members  of  the 
different  trades  taking  their  station  in  the  rear  of  those  who  had  pre- 
viously arrived.  The  procession  began  to  move  at  eleven^  each  trade 
being  headed  by  a  band,  and  many  of  the  members  beanng  banners 
with  emblematical  devices  and  inscriptions.  It  thence  advanced  in 
succession  through  the  principal  streets  of  the  town,  amidst  a  laige 
concourse  of  speSators,  attracted  by  the  novelty  and  gaiety  of  the  scene. 
The  number  of  persons  forming  the  procesBion  was  Terv  numerous,  and 
their^  conduct,  during  its  progress,  very  orderly  and  peaoefuL  On 
arrivmg  in  New-street,  Mr.  Attwood  shewed  himself  from  one  of  the 
windows  in  the  bank,  and  harangued  them  at  some  length.  The  various 
trades  soon  after  separated,  some  of  them  retiring  to  pabUc-houses  where 
dinner  was  prepared  for  them ;  andothers  adjourning  to  different  manu- 
factories at  wnich  entertainments  were  provided  oy  their  different 
employers.  At  Newhall-hill  preparations  had  been  made  for  dining  five 
hundnd  persons,  and  the  ^  female  reformers  "  were  invited  to  a  ball  in 
the  eveung.  Soon  after  dinner  Mr.  Attwood,  and  others  of  the 
Political  Ooundl,  appeared  on  the  platform,  and  addressed  those  present 
As  the  eveninff  approached  the  persons  on  the  ground  began  to  oiqperBe, 
and  at  nine,  o'clock  the  whole  had  retired. 

The  nomination  of  our  first  members  took  place  at  the 
Public  Office,  Moor  Street,  on  Wedn^day,  I^^mber  12, 
1832.  Mr.  Attwood  was  proposed  by  Mr.  T.  W.  Hill, 
and  seconded  by  Mr.  Betts:  Mr.  O.  £".  Muntz,  and  Mr. 
Thomas  Clark,  respectively  moving  and  seconding  Mr. 
Scholefield,  who  were  returned  without  opposition.  The 
following  is  the  report  of  their  ''chairing": — 

December  84, 1832.— On  Monday,  Messrs.  Attwood  and  Scholefiekl, 
the  Memben  for  this  borough,  were  conTeyed  in  procession  throupfa  the 
principal  streets  of  the  town,  attended  by  a  lam  concoone  of  th«r 
friends  and  supporteis^  in  carriages,  on  horsebau,  and  on  foot^  with 


624  A  CENTUBY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

bands  of  music,  bannerB,  favoara,  ftc,'&c  The  two  members  were 
elevated  on  an  open  car,  lined  with  blue  and  crimson  silk,  decorated 
with  laurel  and  rosettes  of  ribbon,  and  drawn  bpr  six  mj  horses ;  and 
from  this  elevation  thej  acknowledged  theffreetmgs  of  their  friends  as 
they  passed  along.  On  returning  to  the  aen  and  Chickens  Hotel  thej 
addressed  their  Sllowers,  who  then  quietly  sepazated. 

It  was  resolved  that  the  Political  Union  should  not  be 
dissolved.  At  a  meeting  of  the  Council,  held  on  January 
1, 1 833,  a  resolution  was  passed  to  keep  ^'firmly  united"  On 
Januaiy  26,  Mr.  O'Connell  was  entertained  at  a  dinner.  On 
February  25,  a  meeting  of  the  Union  was  held  at  Beards- 
worth's  Bepository,  at  which  the  "  atrocious  conduct  of  the 
ministry"  was  condemned  with  reference  to  the  measures 
contemplated  for  Ireland,  and  for  "their  neglect  in  regard  to 
the  distressed  condition  of  the  working  classea"  This  refers 
to  the  Irish  Coercion  Bill,  which  excited  the  indignation  of 
the  people  of  this  town ;  and  on  May  20th  anouier  great 
meetmg  was  held  on  Newhall  Hill.  It  is  said  that  more 
than  200,000  persons  were  present 

The  members  of  the  Council,  amonff  whom  were  Mr.  Thomas 
Attwood,  Mr.  Muntz,  and  the  Bar.  T.  M.  M'DonneU,  Dr.  Wade,  Mr. 
OOonuell,  and  others  proceeded  to  the  ground  in  an  open  carriage, 
preceded  by  Mr.  Edmonds,  on  horseback,  as  conductor  and  a  band  of 
music ;  and  followed  bj  members  of  the  IJnion  with  flags  and  banners. 
On  arriving  there  tbej  were  joined  hy  nwnerous  bodies  of  persons  from 
Dudley,  Halesowen,  and  West  Bromwiohy  and  from  Warwidc,  Leaming- 
ton, &e. 

The  following  is  the  bill  of  indictment  against  the  minis- 
ters passed  at  this  meeting : — 

That  hii  Majest:|r's  Ministen— 

First — Bj  violaang  the  coostitation  and  destrojing  the  liberties  of 
Ireland; 

Secondlj.— By  refnsmg  to  allow  the  Hgfat  of  Voting  by  Ballot^ 
necessary  to  the  protection  of  the  electors  in  the  ezenase  of  ueir  Just 
and  l^gal  f rsnchise ; 

Thirdly. — Bjr  their  denial  of  ijenersl  distress  amonsst  the  industrious 
clsases,  and  their  refusal  of  enquuy  into  the  means  ofits     "  * 


Fourthly.— By  persevering  in  unlust  and  crael  com  laws,  and  by 
tiieir  refusal  to  make  any  perceptible  reduction  in  the  present  over- 
whelmin({  load  of  taxation,  by  their  perpetuating  the  house  and  window 
taac,  notwithstanding  the  relief  so  impeiatiTel^  <Mmanded  by  the  present 
depressed  state  of  trade,  and  more  especially  m  perseverinji;  in  tnflmtifig 
on  the  countiy  the  whole  of  the  uniust  and  oppressivis  malt-tax, 
althoud^  its  partial  abolition  had  been  oeeided  on  oy  a  deliberate  Tote 
of  the  Mouse  of  Commons,  both  of  which  partial  and  odious  taxes  are 
merely  necessary  to  furnish  them  with  the  means  of  m^intainii>g 
trranny  in  Ireland  and  misery  in  England — have  betrayed  the  coofl- 
dence  of  the  people,  and  turned  their  sanguine  hopes  into  despair. 


PASSING  OF  THE  B£FOBM  BILL,  ETC.  625 

On  July  1  we  read  :-r 

Earl  Fitzwilliam  having  declined  presenting  to  his  Majesty  the 
Petition  from  the  NewhaU-hill  Meeting,  praying  him  to  dismiss  his 
Ministers,  and  his  Lordship  having  returned  it  to  the  chairman,  Mr. 
Muntz,  accompanied  with  a  letter  of  twelve  pages,  explaining  his 
reasons  for  refusing,  it  has  been  determined  to  try  Lord  Melbourne. 
The  Petition  to  the  Commons,  from  the  same  meeting,  against  all 
restrictions  on  the  importation  of  animal  and  vegetable  food,  was  pre- 
sented, on  Monday  last,  hj  Mr.  Attwood ;  as  a£o  was  one  from  the 
Cooncil  of  the  Union  agamst  the  conduct  of  the  police  at  the  late 
Coldbttth  Fielda  Meeting. 

On  September  15,  1834,  a  "Great  Public  Dinner"  was 
given  to  the  Borough  Members,  Mr.  T.  Attwood  and  Mr.  J. 
Scholefield,  at  Beards  worth's  Repositor}^  At  this  dinner  Mr. 
Attwood  intimated  that  he  had  "serious  thoughts  of  resign- 
ing." On  Friday,  November  28,  a  meeting  was  held  in  the 
Town  Hall,  at  which  the  principal  speakers  were  Mr.  Henry 
Smithy  Mr.  S.  Beale,  Mr.  James  James,  Mr.  Q.  F.  Muntz,  Mr. 
George  Edmonds^  and  the  Rev.  T.  M  M'Donnell,  at  which 
determined  hostility  to  any  administration  formed  under  the 
auispices  of  the  Duke  of  Wellington  was  expressed,  and 
resolutions  embodying  that  opinion  were  passed. 

The  Conservatives  of  the  town  had  now  resolved  to  form 

^  an  association  for  the  defence  of  their  principles,  and  for  the 

*  purpose  of  obtaining  a  share  in  the  representation  of  the 

DorougL    A  meeting  was  held  on  December  17,  of  which 

we  have  the  following  report  in  the  Oazette  of  the  22nd : — 

On  Vedneedav  a  numerous  meeting  of  Gentlemen  of  (Tonsarvatiye 
principles  was  held  at  Dee's  Royal  Hotel,  Theodore  Price,  Esq.,  in  the 
chair,  when  the  following  Declaration  was  nnanimously  adopidd,  and 
ngned  by  all  praaent : — 

**  We,  the  nnderriffned,  Ma^^igtrates^  Clei^gu,  Banker^  MerchantSi 
Mannfactorers,  and  ouer  Inhabitants  of  Binnmgham  and  its  immediate 
vicinity,  feel  it  our  duty  at  the  present  time,  when  efforts  are  being  made 
to  effect  a  separation  of  Church  and  State,  thus  publidv  to  dedm  our 
firm  detenninatton  sealously  to  snroort  the  Protestant  C&nreh  EstabUsh- 
ment  in  its  connection  witn  the  State^  and  to  maintain  in  its  integrity 
the  British  Constitution,  beinjo^  ready  at  the  same  time  to  promote  STery 
safe  and  temperate  measure  for  the  correction  of  real  evus,  and  proved 

The  state  of  the  representation  of  the  town  was  nert  taken  into  con- 
rideration ;  and  after  some  discussion,  it  was  unanimously  resolved  to 
invite  Bichard  Spooner,  Esq.,  to  become  a  candidate  for  the  borough  in 
opposition  to  the  present  memben.  Mr.  Spooner  being  then  in  Birming- 
ham, a  deputation,  consisting  of  the  Ghainnan,  James  Tavlor,  Esq.,  and 
Measm.  unett  and  Alston,  was  nominated  to  wait  upon  that  GenUeman 
and  receive  his  answer.  In  the  mean  time  a  subscription  was  opened  to 
defray  the  necessary  expenses  of  the  contest,  and  upwards  of  5002.  was 
immediately  raised,  an  amount  which  has  since  been  considerably  aug- 
II  ss 


626  A  CENTURY  OF  filBMINGHAM  LIFE. 

mented.  The  reply  of  Mr.  Spooner  was  in  the  affinnative,  and  the 
requisitioniste  forthwith  pledged  themselves  to  use  every  exertion  to 
secare  hie  return.  This  pledge  they  have  already  in  part  redeemed,  by 
forming  themselves  into  a  Committee  and  instituting  a  general  canvas 
among  the  electors.  In  this  labour  they  were  promptlv  assisted  by  a 
committee  formed  in  the  hamlets  of  Deritend  and  liordeeley,  and  the 
result  up  to  Saturday  night  waa  considered  to  be  highly  satisfactory.  The 
announcement  of  Mr.  Spooner  as  a  candidate,  of  course,  roused  the  friends 
of  Messrs.  Attwood  and  Scholefield  into  "activity,  and  they  also  have 
since  been  engaged  in  busily  canvassing  the  electors. 

The  Society  was  called  the  "Birmingham  Loyal  and  Con- 
stitutional Association."  The  Earl  of  Bartmouth  was  Presi- 
dent, and  the  Vice-Presidents  were  the  Earl  of  Bradford, 
Lord  Calthoi*pe,  the  Hon.  Frederick  Calthorpe,  Mr.  W.  P. 
Dogdale,  M.P.,  and  Mr.  Qough.  Mr.  R  Spooner  was  Chair- 
man, Mr.  James  Beswick,  Depifty-Chairman ;  and  the  Hon. 
Secretaries  were  Mr.  Qeorge  Wbately  and  Mr.  J.  B.  Hebbert 
Each  member  of  the  Association  signed  the  following  Decla- 
ration of  principle : — 

"  We,  whose  names  are  hereunto  subscribed^  declare  our 
fixed  determination  to  maintain  the  tried  and  antient  prin- 
ciples on  which  the  constitution  of  our  country  is  established, 
and  as  members  of  this  Association  we  hold .  ourselves 
pledged  to  resist  aU  measures  by  which  the  connection  be- 
tween the  Church  and  State  may  be  severed  or  relaxed — 
the  dignity  of  the  monarchy  impaired,  or  its  existence  en- 
dangered— ^the  efficienqr  of  the  House  of  Lords  as  an  integral 
branch  of  the  Legislature  diminished,  or  the  deliberative 
powers  of  the  Commons'  House  of  Parliament,  fettered  or 
controlled;  as  we  are  convinced  that  the  independence 
of  the  established  authorities  is  essential  to  the  existence  of 
social  order,  the  security  of  property,  and  the  interests  of 
religioa" 

At  the  Qeneral  Election  which  took  place  early  in  1835, 
there  was  an  opposition  and  a  contest  The  three  candidates 
were  Thomas  Attwood,  Joshua  Scholefield,  Liberals ;  and 
Richard  Spooner,  Conservative.  The  nomination  took  place 
in  the  Town  Hall,  on  January  8,  at  which  an  accident 
oecuired  whilst  Mr.  Spooner  was  addressing  the  meeting : — 

Janoarj  12, 1830. — ^Tbs  (rreatssi  cnnsleroMtion  wsm  exciterl  in  oonse- 

fnencs  of  a  most  slamiiDg  emsh  from  the  east  end  of  the  south  gallery. 
D  an  Instant  persons  were  seen  to  be  precipitste«1  from  the  front  of  the 
galleiT  to  the  floor  of  the  Imll,  and,  at  the  time,  the  general  impression 
was  that  the  gallery  had  given  way.  it  appears,  liO«ever,  that  owing 
to  the  namberof  |ietw>os  who  strMcl  opou  the  uppermost  bendi,  it  gave 
way,  and  the  natural  eonseqnenoe  was  that  the  oocnpiera  of  the  bendi 
Wira  instantly  thrown  Ibrward  upon  those  in  the  fix»it  of  them,  and  the 


PASSING  OF  THE  REFORM  BILL,  ETC.  627 

effect  extending  to  the  seats  in  front  of  them,  the  weight  became 
too  })owerful  for  the  front  of  the  gallery  to  withstand.  The  panelling 
accordingly  gave  way,  and  fleveral  persons  previously  occupying  seats  in 
the  front  were  either  precipitated  or  voluntarily  jumped  by  way  of 
safety  into  the  body  of  tlie  hall  and  side  galleries.  Nothing  conld 
exceed  the  niomeutary  alarm  which  the  circumstance  created  ;  and  the 
confusion  was  so  great  that  it  whs  thought  better,  although  Mr.  Spoouer 
had  not  concluded,  that  the  Returning  Officers  should  dose  the  business 
by  calling  for  a  show  of  hands,  which  was  declared  to  be  in  &voar  of 
Mr.  Attwood  and  Mr.  Scholefield.  A  poll  was  then  demanded  on 
behalf  of  Mr. .  8|)ooner,  which  was  fixed  to  commence  on  the  Friday 
morning.    The  meeting  immediately  separated. 

Tbe  result  of  the  poll  was  declared  on  the  12th,  and  was 
as  follows:  Mr.  Attwood,  1,718;  Mr.  Scholefield,  1,660;  Mr. 
Spooner,  915. 

On  April  14,  a  Reformers'  Registration  Society  was  formed 
with  the  object  of  watching  "over  the  registration  of 
voters  for  the  borough,  and  for  this  district  of  the  northern 
division  of  the  county,  with  a  view  to  the  promotion  of 
reform  principles."  The  following  gentlemen  agreed  to  act 
provisionally  as  officers  of  the  Society  : — 

Mr.  Heniy  Smith,  Chairman. 
,  Mr.  Q.  F.  Muntz,  Deputy  Chairman. 
Mr.  Samuel  Beale,  Treasurer. 
Mr.  William  Pare,  Secretary. 

Mr.  B.  Redfem,     ^ 

£:  ?:  I  J^ea.        Honor«y  Secretaries. 
Mr.  W.  Room,       ) 

During  this  year  a  meeting  was  held  in  the  Town  Hall, 
on  Friday,  September  4,  for  the  purpose  of  re-organising  the 
"  Political  Union."  Mr.  B.  HadJey  was  in  the  Chair ;  and 
all  the  old  reform  leaders,  Messrs.  Edmonds,  Giles,  Salt^ 
Pare,  P.  H.  Muntz,  the  Rev.  T.  M.  M'Donnell,  and  tbe  Rev. 
Hugh  Hutton  took  part  in  the  proceedings  The  Hall,  says 
the  Oazette,  was,  "  densely  filled,  and  among  those  present, 
we  understand,  were  delegates  from  Wolverhampton,  Dudley, 
Wednesbury,  be,  &c.  Indeed  so  fearfully  were  the  galleries 
crowded,  that  serious  apprehensions  were  at  times  enter* 
tained  lest  the  front  should  give  way  under  the  weight 
forced  upon  them  by  the  pressure  of  those  behind." 

The  following  resolutions  were  passed : — 

1.  That  this  Meeting  has  viewed,  with  the  greatest  rcsret  sod 
diiaatisiaction,  the  eonneDt  giveo  by  the  Ministry  and  the  House  of 
Cbmmoiis  to  the  destraotire  smendments  introdaosd  into  the  Moniotpsl 


628  A  CENTURY  OF  BIBHINaHAM  LIFE. 

Befonn  Bill  by  the  Lords ;  and  considering  all  attempts  to  conciliate  the 
House  of  Peer»— short  of  the  abuidonment  of  the  principles  of  Reform 
— ^to  be  Tain  and  ho^les^  this  meeting  cannot  believe  that  the  yielding 
in  this  instance  of  principles  admitted  to  be  lust  and  necessary,  can  have 
any  other  effect  than  that  of  weakening  the  public  confidence  in  the 
Mmistry  and  the  House  of  Commons. 

2.  That  tibe  determined  opposition  of  the  House  of  Peers  to  the 
Municipal  Corporation  Beform  Bill,  coupled  wiUi  the  hast^  and  con- 
temptuous manner  in  which  that  House  nas  rejected  the  Irish  Church 
Billy  and  other  liberal  measures  during  the  session,  has  served  to  recall 
to  the  recollection  of  this  meeting  the  hostility  which  has  almost 
uniformly  been  shewn  by  their  lordships  to  all  measures  haying  for 
their  object  the  peace,  welf/jre^  and  happiness  of  the  people ;  bm  to 
conyinoe  us  of  the  utter  futility  of  expedtm^  those  searching  reforms  of 
abuses,  and  those  amdiorations  of  our  institutions^  which  justice  and 
the  increased  knowledge  of  the  people  demand,  whilst  the  House  of 
Lords  shall  remain  in  its  present  irresponsible  state,  composed,  as  it  is^ 
on  the  one  hand,  of  men  who,  for  the  most  part^  are  totally  unfitted,  by 
their  want  of  experience^  political  knowledge,  and  wisdom,  to  legiiEdata 
for  this  great  oountiy,  and  whose  education  and  habits  tend  to  create 
in  them  separate  interests  from  those  of  the  people  flenerally, — and,  on 
the  other  hand,  of  men  who  haye  been  raised  to  the  Peerafi»  to  suit  the 
mere  party  purposes  of  the  Minister  of  the  day !  That,  for  these  and 
other  reasons^  it  appears  to  this  meeting  absolutely  necessary  that  the 
constitution  of  the  House  of  Lords  should  be  so  altmd  and  amended  as 
in  some  way  to  be  made  responsible  to  the  people  for  the  exercise  of  ita 
functions,  and  to  brinff  it  into  harmony  witn  tne  altered  circumstances 
4>{  the  othsr  branch  ofthe  Legislature. 

Si,  'That,  in  the  opinion  of  this  meeting,  it  is  expedient  to  re-oiganise 
ihe  Political  Union,  and  bring  it  into  immediate  and  yigorous  exerdas^ 
for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  a  foil  and  efficient  measure  for  the  reform 
of  the  Mumdpal  Corporations  of  England  and  Ireland* 

4.  That  the  Gentlemen  at  present  forming  the  Council  of  the  Umon 
be,  and  are  hereby,  re-eleeted  for  the  ensuing  year. 

5,  That  the  Council  be  requested  to  urse  upon  the  attention  of  the 
House  of  Commons  the  necessity  ^  in  ratoie^  exeroisinff  its  oonstl- 
tutional  right  of  withholding  the  supplies  until  it  has  ootained  Ml 
■ecurity  for  the  redress  of  grieyanoes ;  also,  to  take  into  immediate 
and  serious  consideration  the  best  mode  of  effecting  such  a  Beform  of 
the  House  of  Lords  as  shall  bring'  it  into  harmony  with  the  altered 
dreumstances  of  the  other  branch  of  the  Legislature ;  and  ftirther  to 
take  sudi  steps  as  may  be  neoessaiy  to  preyent  any  oompramiae  of  the 
•cause  of  the  people. 

On  Wednesday,  the  18th  of  November,  a  meeting  ^  of  the 
friends  of  the  Protestant  Beligion  and  tiie  Omstitution  in 
Church  and  State,"  was  held  in  the  Town  HalL  It,  is 
described  as  being  "  an  assembly  unprecedented  for  numbers 
and  respectability."  The  following  is  the  contemponiy 
account  of  this  meeting : — 

Noyember  S3,  1836.— Unable  to  deyote,  within  the  usual  limits  of 
our  publicati<m,  anything  like  sufficient  space  to  giye  eyen  an  ontliiM  of 
the  yeiy  able  and  deeply  mteresting  statements  made  by  the  Bey.  M< 


PASSING  OF  THE  REFOR&I  BILL,  ETC.  629 

M'Ghee  and  (ySiilliTimy  at  the  meeting,  held  at  the  Town  Hall,  on 
Wednesday  last^  we  have  this  week  made  an  addition  of  two  pages  to 
our  impression,  and  are  thereby  enabled  to  lay  before  our  readers  an 
ample  report  of  the  proceedings.  The  attendance,  as  had  been  fully 
anticipated,  was  not  only  most  respectable,  but  eyery  part  of  the  hall 
was  filled  to  excess  long  before  the  ousiness  of  the  meetmg  commenced. 
The  side  gidleries  were  reseryed  for  ladies  exclusiyely,  and  they  were 
early  occupied ;  the  front  gallery  was  also  quickly  tenanted  with 
numerous  parties,  male  and  female ;  and  the  floor  of  the  hall  was 
densely  filled,  principally  by  gentlemen.  The  platform  and  organ 
gaUeiy  were  likewise  crowded  by  those  who  took  an  actiye  part  in  the 
proceedings ;  and,  as  the  admission  was  by  ticket,  it  was  clearly  ascer- 
tained that  little  short  of  four  thousand  persons  were  present  Among 
them,  as  will  be  seen  by  the  list  incorporated  in  the  report,  were  nearly 
the  whole  of  the  clergy  of  the  town  and  surrounding  neighbourhood, 
in  addition  to  a  considerable  number  of  the  gentry,  with  their  families, 
from  a  distance.  *       ' 

Bichard  Spooner,  Esq.,  haying  been  called  to  the  chair,  on  the  motion 
of  W.  P.  Inge,  Esq.,  seconded  by  John  Simcox,  Esq.,  the  meeting  was 
opened  with  prayer  b^  the  Bey.  Wm.  Marsh.  The  chairman  then 
commenced  the  proceedings  with  a  few  prefatory  remarks  in  explanation 
of  the  object  of  the  meeting,  and  concluded  by  calling  upon  Mr.  M'Ghee 
to  make  nis  statement. 

The  rey.  gentleman  immediately  commenced  and  occupied  the  un- 
wearied attention  of  his  auditors  mil  three  hours.  He  was  succeeded 
by  Mr.  CySuUiyan  in  an  address  little  short  of  two  hours  and  a  half  in 
its  deliyery.  The  ludd  and  striking  statements,  which  it  is  unnecessary 
for  us  farther  to  describe,  f oUowmI  as  they  were  b^  the  most  stirring 
and  eloquent  appeals,  were  listened  to  throughout  with  intttiae  interest 
interrupted  only  by  frequent  and  inyoluntary  bursts  of  applause  ana 
«>f>robatioii,  betokening  the  conyiction  they  carried  to  toe  minds  of 
their  proteetant  hearers.  Two  of  the  Cleigy,  and  a  few  members  of  the 
Boman  Catholic  Church  were  present,  with  the  ayowed  object  of 
furnishing  themselyes  with  materials  for  their  intended  meetinff  in  reply, 
on  MoncUiy  next*  At  the  close  of  Mr.  O'Sulliyan's  speecSi,  Jamea 
Taylor,  Esq.,  moyed,  and  the  Bey.  William  Marsh  seconded,  a  Tofee 
of  thanks  to  the  rey.  gentlemen ;  and  the  proceedings  dosed  with  a 
yote  of  thanks  to  the  chairman,  mored  by  Lord  Yisoount  Lorton,  and 
seconded  by  the  Bey.  John  Qarbett  The  company  immediately  after- 
wards separated 

In  December  was  hold  the  first  anniversary  meeting  of 
the  Loyal  and  Constitutional  Association : — 

BlRXIKOHAX  LOTAL  AND  CoKSTITUTIOVAL  ASSOCIATIOH. 

December  21^  1835.— The  first  anniyersary  meeting  of  the  members 
of  this  Association  was  held  at  Dee's  Boyal  HoteL  on  Thursday  last 
The  chair  was  taken  by  the  President  the  Earl  of  Dartmouth,  and  the 
meeting  was  attended  by  many  of  the  der;^  of  the  town  and  neighbour- 
hood, who  took  th^t  opportunity  of  shewing  their  approbation  of  the 
prtndples  of  the  association.  As,  howeyer,  it  was  expected  that  the 
proceedings  would  be  chiefly  confined  to  matters  of  detail,  and  as  they 
80  shortly  preceded  the  time  fixed  upon  for  the  dinner,  the  attendance 
was  not  so  numerous  as  it  otherwise  would  haye  been.  Seyeral  lesolu- 
tious,  approying  and  adopting  the  Beport  of  the  Committee  (a  copy  of 


630  JL  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

• 

which  appears  in  the  fourth  page),  passing  the  accounts,  re-eleeting  the 
offioerfl,  &C.,  having  been  voted,  an  Address  to  the  Kiug  was  proposed 
by  Richard  8po<juer.  EMq.,  and  its  a<Ioption  seconded  by  the  Bev.  W. 
B.  Bedford.  The  £arl  of  Dartniouth,  m  natting  the  quention  to  the 
meeting,  expresaied  his  full  coucarreuce  in  the  seutimeiitM  of  the  addnsMS, 
which  was  then  nnanimonsly  tt^reed  to.  In  niovinsr,  that  it  be  presented 
to  his  Majesty  by  the  noble  President,  with  the  Earls  of  Aylesford  and 
Bradford,  the  Bev.  John  Qarliett  spoke  at  considerable  length,  and  the 
motion  wss  seconded  by  Qeorge  Barker,  Esq.  The  meeting  then  sepa- 
rated. 

At  this  meeting  we  first  read  that  a  ''new  and  most  effec- 
tive mode  of  cheering  the  toasts  was  adopted,  called  the  Con- 
servative or  Kentish  fire,  which  was  quickly  caught  by  the 
company,  and  all  appeared  to  join  in  it  with  great  glea  It 
had  a  singular  and  pleasing  effect  from  the  gidleries,  and  we 
are  told  was  heard  at  a  considerable  distance  from  the  halL" 

Political  agitation  was  renewed  in  1836,  and  the  first  war 
note  was  thus  soimded : — 

PoLinOAL  UWTOK. 

Janoaiy  18, 1836 — At  a  Meeting  of  Qentlemen,  Inhabitants  of  the 
Town  of  Birmingham,  held  at  Dee*s  Boyal  Hotel,  on  the  13th  of  Januaiy, 
1836,  James  Taylor,  Ekq,,  in  the  Chair ; 
It  was  resolved, — 

That  the  following  Protrst  be  sabmitted  to  the  Inhabitants  of  the 
Town  for  adoption,  And  that  it  lie  for  Signature  at  the  Bnynl  Hotel,  the 
Public  Office^  the  Offices  of  Aris't  OoMOte  and  the  Advertiser:^ 

Birmingham,  Janaaiy  13»  1836. 

An  Adtrertisement'and  Placard  havins  been  issued  by  certain  per- 
sons callinff  themselves  ''The  Conncil  of  the  Binuiugliam  Political 
Union,**  and  pretending  to  act  under  an  authority  sntmsted  to  them  by 
the  Inhabitants  of  Birmingham  on  the  4th  of  September  last ;  and  Uiese 
perKms  having  taken  opon  themselves  to  con vene  a  General  Me'*tlng  of 
the  Inhabitants  for  the  purpose  of  passing  an  Address  to  the  Kiug  and 
a  Petition  to  the  House  of  Commons  ; — 

We,  the  undersigned.  Magistrates,  Cleigy,  Gentry,  Banker^*  Mer- 
chants, Manufacturers,  Tradesmen,  and  other  InhabitanU  of  Birming- 
ham, publicly  PROTEST  against  tlie  pi'ooeediugs  of  this  self-coustitutM 
Body.  Wb  dkmy  that  either  on  the  4th  of  September  List,  or  on  any 
other  ooeasioD,  **  the  inhabitants  of  Birmingham  intrusted**  these  perMons 
with  any  power,  authority,  or  riglit  to  represent  tliem  in  any  way  what- 
ever. Wb  DXVT  that  they  do  in  fact  repreeeot  either  tlie  property,  the 
respectability,  or  ths  opinions  of  this  town  ;  and  ws  take  tkU  step  with 
a  view  to  disahoss  the  public  mind  as  to  the  nature  and  pretensions  of 
the  proposed  Meeting,  and  that  the  ch^uucter  of  tliis  Town  may  be  no 
lonser  compromised  and  ita  oommenial  interests  injured  by  the  pro- 
eeedings  of  the  Political  Union. 

In  a  sborfc  time  over  two  thoufiand  Dames  were  attached 
to  this  protest 

On  January  the  18th  the  Reformers  held  a  meeting  in  the 
Town  Hall,  which  was  intended  as  ''a  demonstration  which 


PASSING  OF  THE  REFORM  BILL,  ETC.  631 

sboald  overawe  the  House  of  Lords  and  perhaps  the  Throne 
itself."  An  address  to  the  King  was  adopted,  and  a  petition 
to  the  House  of  Commons,  urging  "an  organic  change  in  the 
constitution  of  the  House  of  Lords/'  and  ''a  more  efficient 
measure  of  Corporation  Reform,"  The  address  was  to  be 
presented  by  the  Marquis  of  Westminster,  and  the  petition 
by  the  members  for  the  borough.  A  great  Reform  banquet 
was  held  in  the  same  place  on  January  28,  at  which  between 
800  and  900  sab  down  to  dinner.  It  was  evidently  a  most 
successful  gathering,  as  is  evident  even  from  the  cool  and 
careful  report  published  in  the  Gazette. 

Beform  Diknbb. 

Feb.  1,  1836. — This  dinner,  for  which  the  roost  extensive  prepara- 
tions had  been  made  daring  the  past  month,  took  place  at  the  Town 
Hall,  Birmingham,  on  Thumday  last  Every  exertion  was  nsed  to 
master  in  the  greates^t  strength  ;  and  aocordiugly  Mr.  OSOonuell,  whose 
presence  it  was  otmsidered  would  attract  a  nnmerous  onnipany,  together 
with  Mr.  Harort  and  several  others  distinguished  for  their  public  advo- 
cacy of  the  principles  of  reform  were  iiivite<l.  The  new  Municipal 
Omcera  of  the  neighbouring  corporate  towns  were  likewise  iiiviteii,  and 
several  of  them  it  will  be  seen  attende<l.  Sir  Geo.  Chetwyud,  Sir  Wil- 
liam Moleeworth,  and  Sir  Charles  WolHcley,  Barts.,  were  also  among 
the  distinguished  visitors.  The  attendance  in  point  of  niim  ber  was  about 
the  ftuue  as  dined  at  the  late  anniveraary  of  the  Loyal  and  Coustitn- 
tioDal  Assoeiation.  At  two  o*«tock  the  lai^ge  lodlery  was  thrown  open 
and  was  speedily  filled  with  females,  many  of  whom  remained  during 
a  great  portion  of  the  evening.  The  chair  was  announced  to  be  taken 
at  foar o'clock,  but  in  consequence  of  tiie  non-arrival  of  Mr.  O'Counell, 
considerable  deUy  arose,  and  the  Chairman  did  not  take  his  seat  until 
nearly  ^vt.  At  tliis  time  the  whole  of  the  tables,  which  were  similarly 
disposed  as  at  the  dinner  to  which  we  have  already  alluded,  were  filled. 
The  interior  of  the  Hall  was  hung  round  with  the  HkK*  and  banners 
belonging  to  the  Union.  Mr.  Muutz  ofiiciated  as  Chairman,  and  Mr. 
Benjamin  Hadley  as  Yice-Chairman.  On  either  side  of  the  president 
aat  Measrs.  Attwood  and  Scholefield,  the  Members  for  tlie  borough. 


Among  the  toasts  proposed  were  the  following : — 

^  Tke  Pwfl€—ixnd  majf  they  never  forget  to  vindicate  their  rights  and 
fn^  their  diuieiJ' 

**  The  Eeformere  of  the  United  Kingdom — and  may  they  never  forget 
that  'iciitbfi  if  strength,*  " 

"  The  health  of  the  Members  fw  the  borough.'' 

**Jfr.  Hume  and  the  liberal  and  patriotic  Members  of  the  House  of 
Commons^  and  the  other  distinguished  Visitors  uho  have  honoured  %u 
with  theirpreeenee.** 

^  The  Boroagh  of  Birmingham,  and  may  it  speedily  realise  the  benefit 
of  a  libera]  and  enlightened  Corporation  electcKl  by  the  people." 

On  the  Monday  following,  that  is  February  the  Ist, 
nearly  one  thoasand  non-electors  also  dined  in  the  Town 
HalL 


632  A  CENTURT  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

A  public  meeting  was  Held  in  the  same  place  on  Monday, 
June  13,  under  the  presidency  of  the  Low  Bailiff  (Mr.  Tyn- 
dall),  the  High  Bailiff  (Mr.  James)  having  declined  to  call  it 
The  purpose  of  the  meeting  was  "to  take  into  consideration 
the  present  position  of  the  bill  for  the  reform  of  the  Irish 
Corporations."  A  petition  was  adopted,  and  despatched  on 
the  following  Thursday  to  Mr.  Attwood  for  presentation  to 
the  House  of  Commons.  In  the  three  days  no  fewer  than 
13,400  signatures  were  obtained. 

The  next  two  extracts  show  what  the  Conservatives  were 
doing  at  this  time : — 

LoTAL  AVD  CONSTirunOHAL  ASSOCIATION. 

Bept  IS,  1836.— The  members  of  the  Ijoysl.  and  Coustitatioiial 
AaBooation  are  informed  that  the  Society's  Koom,  Na  S5,  Union- 
street,  is  this  day  opened  to  them  as  a  General  Ck)n8ervatiYe  Reading 
Boom,  and  will  oontinae  open  every  day,  exoept  Sunday,  from  nine 
o^dock  in  the  moming  till  eisht  o'clock  in  the  evening. 

Consenratives,  of  every  uau  in  Society  will  also  be  allowed  the  free 
nae  of  the  Boom,  npon  proper  recommendation  to  the  Committee^ 
sabfect  to  sach  reguutiona  as  may  be  deemed  necesBary,  and  will  be 
forthwith  promnkated. 

Beading  Boom,  85,  Union-street  JoBir  B.  Hjobbbt,  Secretary. 

LOTAL  AKD  CoHSTlTUriOWAL  ASSOCIATION. 

Oct  3, 1836. — At  a  Special  General  Meeting  of  the  Members  of  this 
Association,  held  at  Dettrs  Boyal  Hotel,  on  Fnday  the  30th  of  Septem- 
ber, 1836 ; 
The  President^  the  Bight  Hon.  the  Earl  of  Dartmonth,  in  the  Chair ; 

Moved  by  me  Earl  of  Bradford,  and  seconded  by  the  Bev,  Josiah 
AllpoTtyBikd  reeolved : — 

Ist  lliat  thii  meetinff,  firmly  and  nnaltembly  persaaded  that  Chiis- 
tianity  is  tihe  only  tnieoond  of  political  Society ;  and  convinced  from 
all  experience  that  Ui'e  Church  <^  Eiudand  embodies  the  living  principle 
of  the  Beliffion  of  the  Bible,  and  is  Uie  sole  unfailing  gnanmtee  of  just 
and  rationiu  freedom  in  matters  of  conscienccL  and  m  secolar  affiurs — 
have  seen  with  the  ntmoet  apprehension  and  aread  a  system  of  hostile 
aggjeauon  on  this  th^  only  enduring  safeguard  of  national  peace,  pros- 
perity, and  happiness,  by  persons  openly  professing  the  principles  of 
Poper^  on  the  one  hand,  and  of  Bepublicanism  on  the  other ;  aided  by 
the  Mmisterial  party,  who.  for  the  avowed  purpose  of  retaining  power 
in  their  own  lumds,  have  deserted  their  former  constitutional  prmciples, 
and  counteracted  their  own  political  profesnons ;  and  do  therefore 
declare  their  utter  detestation  of  such  conduct ;  and  avow  their  constant 
and  unchanging  resolution  to  maintain  the  efficiency  and  usefulness  of 
the  Protestant  Cburdi  now  established  in  these  Kingdoms ;  to  preserve 
the  connexion  which  subsists  between  the  Church  and  the  State,  by 
which  the  best  security  is  offered  that  the  Government  will  be  conducted 
according  to  the  equity  of  Christian  principles ;  and  to  oppose,  by  every 
lawful  and  constitutimial  means,  the  invasion  of  the  ciTil  and  religions 
liberties  of  their  fellow-countrymen,  by  persons  who  seek  to  compass 
their  destructive  purposes  either  by  a  direct  assault  upon  the  integrity 
of  the  Constitution,  m  an  attempt  to  overthrow  the  House  of  Lords ; 


PASSING  OF  THE  EEFORM  BILI^  ETC.  633 

• 

or  by  daring  and  atrodotus  endeaTonra  to  destroy  the  present  established 
E^testant  Church  of  England  and  Ireland. 

Moved  by  Hichard  Spooner,  Es(f.,  and  seconded  by  Mr.  R  W.  Gem  : — 
2nd.  That  this  Meeting,  regarding  the  general  aspect  of  public  affitirs 
at  the  close  of  the  last  Session  of  Parliament^  see  great  cause  of  satis- 
&ction  in  the  manifold  proofs  that  exist  of  a  strong  and  decided  change 
in  the  public  mind  in  favour  of  the  tried  and  ancient  institutions  of  this 
country,  as  evidenced,  more  particularly,  in  the  recent  instances  of  popu- 
lous aDQ  important  constituencies  senain^  as  their  representatives  to 
Parliament  nersonfr  distingmsbed  for  theur  attachment  to  the  limited 
Monarchy  of  Great  Britain,  and  their  devoted  zeal  in  support  of  the 
principles  of  the  Protestant  Beligion  and  its  connexion  with  the  State; 
and  this  meeting,  beinff  also  of  opinion  that  these  happy  results  have 
been  greatly  promoted  and  expedited  by  the  establuinment  of  Associ- 
ations for  Loyal  and  Constitutional  purposes,  and  are  attributable  in  a 
more  especial  manner  to  the  diffusion  of  souna  constitutional  knowledge 
through  the  medium  of  the  Public  Press ;  hereby  express  their  entire 
approbation  of  the  establishment  of  News  and  Eeading-roonuL  for  the 
gratuitous  use  of  Conservatives  of  all  ranks ;  and  desire  emphatically 
to  impress  on  the  mii^ds  of  their  friends  the  paramount  necessity  for 
more  strenuous  and  unwearied  exertional  and  more  liberal  support  than 
has^  they  regret  to  say,  been  hitherto  accorded  to  those  Associations, 
throuffh  means  of  which  the  present  political  struggle  in  fitvour  of  the 
Britisn  Constitution  can  alone  be  maintained. 

In  May,  1837,  the  Beform  Association  was  formed,  and  on 
June  19,  another  great  meeting  was  held  on  Newhall  Hill, 
Mr.  Thomas  Attwood  presidmg,  to  inaugutate  the  new 
society.  About  fifty  thousand  persons  were  present.  The 
King  was  ill  at  the  time,  and  the  vast  assembly,  at  the 
request  of  the  Chairman,  raised  their  hats  while  a  solemn 
prayer  for  his  speedy  restoration  to  health  was  offered  up. 
Besolutions  were  passed  in  favour  of  **  household  suffiage, 
the  ballot,  triennial  Parliaments,  pavment  of  members,  and 
no  property  quaUfication*"  The  King  died  on  June  20, 
and  of  course  a  General  Election  speraily  followed.  The 
Beform  Association  selected  the  old  and  long-tried 
members  Messrs.  Attwood  and  Scholefield,  and  the  Loyal 
and  Constitutional  Association  the  Hon.  A  Q.  Stapleton; 
and  Birmingham  witnessed  another  contested  election.  The 
nomination  took  place  in  the  Town  Hall,  on  Monday,  July  24. 
Mr.  Attwood  was  proposed  l^  Mr.  B.  Hadley  and  seconded 
by  Mr.  Geoige  Edmonds ;  Mr.  W.  Phipson  and  Mr.  0.  F. 
Muntz  were  the  movers  and  seconders  of  Mr.  Scholefield ; 
Mr.  James  Taylor  and  Mr.  William  Chance  nominated  Mr. 
Sfcapleton.  The  show  of  hands  was  almost  unanimous  for 
the  Liberal  candidates,  and  a  poll  was  demanded.  It  took 
place  on  Tuesday  the  25th,  and  the  numbers  were,  Mr.  Att- 
wood, 2,165 ;  Mi.  Scholefield,  2,139 ;  Mr.  Stapleton,  1,049. 


634  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

The  excitemeni  in  the  town  was  veiy  ^eat,  and  for  some 
time  a  serious  riot  was  anticipated  The  Royal  Hotel, 
where  Mr.  Stapleton's  Central  Committee  met,  was  attacked, 
and  the  windows  smashed  The  Riot  Act  was  read,  and  a 
troop  of  the  5th  Dragoons,  under  Colonel  Wallace,  brought 
from  West  Bromwich,  and  drawn  up  in  front  of  the  Hotel. 
The  people  groaned  and  went  home.  The  disturbance  was, 
however,  renewed  on  the  following  morning,  the  Riot  Act 
again  read,  and,  to  crown  all,  a  troop  of  the  Worcestershire 
Yeomanry  were  brought  to  the  town,  and  their  presence 
produced  the  utmost  indignation.  Colonel  Wallace,  anxious 
to  prevent  a  collision,  requested  the  Yeomamy  to  leave  the 
town.  The  unfortunate  troop  was  followed  by  thousands 
upon  thousands  of  the  people,  aind  was  assailed  with  the 
most  tremendous  outburst  of  groans  and  yells,  and  a  large 
number  of  stones  were  thrown  at  them.  Happily  the  men 
kept  their  tempers,  and  nothing  more  serious  than  a  few 
broken  heads  was  the  result  of  an  outbreak  which,  at  one 
time,  seemed  likely  to  lead  to  much  bloodshed  Colonel 
Wallace  behaved  with  exemplary  patience  and  decision,  and 
to  his  conduct  it  was  mainly  due  tnat  the  peace  of  the  town 
was  preserved.  The  people  afterwards  sought  to  express 
their  recognition  of  his  ffreat  services  by  a  presentation ; 
but  the  r^rolations  of  t£e  service  did  not  allow  him  to 
accept  it 

Several  persons  were  arrested  and  committed  on  the 
charge  of  noting.  They  were  azraiffned  at  the  Warwick 
AsBiiges  in  August,  but,  ''having  tbrough'  their  counsel 
expressed  their  contrition  for  their  misconduct,  and  promised 
to  abstain  in  future  fit>m  taking  part  in  any  such  pro- 
ceedings, the  learned  counsel  for  the  prosecution  forbore  to 
offer  evidence  against  them,  observing  that  'the  object  of  the 
prosecutors  was  not  the  punishment  of  the  prisoners,  but 
the  preservation  of  the  public  peace.  The  accused  then 
pleaded  *  guilty '  and  were  ordered  to  enter  into  tiieir  own 
recognizances  to  appear  to  receive  judgment,  if  called  upon, 
and,  in  the  meantime,  to  keep  the  peace :  towards  all  her 
Majesty's  subjects.'' 

In  December  the  Council  of  the  Political  Union  published 
an  address  to  the  ^'Reformers  of  Great  Britain  and  Ireland,** 
in  which  they  declare  that : — 

"Agreeable  to  the  etrictest  principles  of  iiutice,  we  demand  Univer* 
•al  Sulfrajge  as  a  rightful  inheritance  whicai  the  owners  majr  oonaenty 
from  motives  of  ex^dieacy  and  for  a  time,  to  waive,  but  whidi  no  one 


THE  CHARTIST  RIOTS.  ^  635 

elae  has  the  smallest  title  to  modify  or  restrict,  much  less  to  deny.  We 
demand  an  absolute  protection  for  the  voter  in  the  conscientious  dis- 
chai*ge  of  his  duty  ;  and  we  confidently  believe  that  the  Ballot  alone 
offers  such  a  protection.  We  demand  a  recurrence  to  the  old  and  wise 
rale  by  which  Hie  duration  of  Parliament  was  limited  to  three  years. 
Fellow  Reformers  I  will  you  assist  us  in  making  good  these  demands  1 
Without  your  general  and  hearty  co-operation  our  utmost  zeal  will  avail 
but  little ;  with  it  the  victory  is  won,  even  before  the  battle  is  loined. 
Are  there  any  who  will  dare  to  stand  against  our  united  voices  ?* 

And  thus  was  sounded  the  war-note  for  the  agitation  of 
1838,  which  led  to  the  Chartist  Riots  of  1839. 


THE   CHARTIST  RIOTS. 


The  Chartist  agitation  was  now  making  rapid  progress  in 
the  country.  The  motto  of  the  Political  Union,  "Peace, 
Law,  and  Order/'  was  despised  by  the  more  violent  and 
foolish  leaders  of  this  new  political  crusada  The  banner 
which  had  led  to  such  glorious  results  in  1832  was  igno- 
miniously  trampled  in  the  dust,  and  ''  arms,  arms,  arms ! " 
was  now  the  cry  of  the  infeU^uated  and  deluded  people.  The 
Union  did  its  best  to  stop  the  spread  of  this  evil,  but  with- 
out 8ucce8&  A  meeting  was  ndd  in  the  Town  Hall,  on 
January  15, 1838,  at  which  it  was  resolved  that  deputations 
should  be  sent  to  other  lara;e  towns  in  the  Kingdom,  in 
order  to  establish  Branch  iJnions.  Resolutions  were  also 
passed  in  favour  of  Triennial  Parliaments,  Universal  Suffirwe, 
and  Vote  by  Ballot.  It  was  however  clear  that  the  influ- 
ence of  the  Union  was  waning,  for  although  the  meetiiur 
was  held  on  a  Monday  night,  the  Hall  was  not  crowded,  ana 
a  very  huge  part  of  the  audience  left  durinc;  the  pro- 
ceedings. The  people  were  driven  to  desperation  by  diBtress, 
and  the  wise  and  prudent  advice  of  the  old  leaders  sounded 
cold  to  them,  and  they  elected  to  follow  those  dangerous 
counsels  which  led  in  the  end  to  violence  and  ignominious 
defeat  **  In  November,"  writes  Mr.  James  Jaflray,  '^Feargus 
O'Connor,  then  in  the  jsenith  of  his  popidarity  as  a  political 
agitator,  introduced  the  doctrine  that  the  people  were 
justified  in  obtaining  their  righta  by  physical  forca  The 
leaders  of  tiie  Birmingham  confederation — Messrs.  Salt, 
Muntz,  Edmonds,  and  others — denounced  the  scheme  and 
condemned  the  doctrine.  *  No,  by  the  great  Qod,'  empha- 
tically exclaimed  George  Edmonds,  Hue  honest  men  of 


636  A  OENTURT  OF  BIRMINGHAH  LIFE. 

Birmingham  *  will  never  stand  it.'  Unfortunately  the 
"  honest  men  of  Birmingham"  did  "stand  it/'  and  the  results 
were  the  disastrous  riots  of  1839. 

Meetings  of  a  character  differing  from  the  &mous  gather- 
^   ing  on  Newhall  Hill  were  now  being  held  in  various  parts 
Vi  of  the  town.    The  favourite  place  of  meeting  was  HoUoway 
X  ^^  Heady  and  on  August  1^>  a  "great  demonstration''  took 
St)"  i^lace  there,  attended  by*  100,000  persona    A  petition  in 
V^Jli^vou^  of  tiie  "six  points"  of  the  Charter  was  adopted ; 
^  and  the  strength  of  Chartism  in  Birmingham  is  proved  by 
the  fietct,  that  no  fewer  than  94,643  signatures  were  appended 
to  it  in  this  town.    They  adopted  the  Union  Ciy  of  the 
"  BUI,  ihe  whole  bill,  and  nothing  but  the  bill ; "  and  would 
hear  of  nothing  but  "  the  Charter,  the  whole  Charter,  and 
nothing  but  uie  Charter."     They  were  throughout  the 
county  the  greatest  and  most  hurtful  opponents  the  Anti- 
Com-Law  League  had  to  contend  with,  for  they  ought  to 
have  been  open  friends  and  supporters  of  that  great  work^ 
instead  of  assisting  the  Protectionists  hy  their  "excess 
of  zeaL"    In  Birmingham  a  meeting  to  petition  for  the  total 
repeal  of  the  Com  Laws  was  interrupted  and  its  object 
defeated  by  them.    In  March,  1889,  the  National  Conven- 
tion met  in  London,  and  at  a  meeting  of  the  Council  of  the 
Political  Union,  held  on  Januaiy  Si,  at  which,  says  the 
chronicler: — 


yL&mn,  Donglu,  Salt»  and  Cdllins  took  Imre,  prior  to  tbeir  departara 
to  join  the  **  OonTeation  *  in  London.  Mmmin,  linntft^  Hadley,  and 
others  alio  took  the  opportonitj  of  eongratolating  Um  Oonndl  on  the 
Tiotory  thej  had  attamed  at  the  meeting  on  the  preceding  day.  Mr. 
Edmonds  rabaeqnently  addreaeed  thoee  aaeembled  m  a  reproadhf  al  and 
indignant  manner^  in  oonaeqaenee  of  the  treatment  whidi  he  had 
exprnenced  at  the  same  meeting. 


The  Birmingham  Delegates  to  the  Convention  were 
Messrs.  R  K  Doudas,  Salt,  and  Hadlejr.  These  gentlemen, 
however,  protested  against  the  physical  force  doctrines 
which  were  then  prevalent  in  the  councils  of  that  body,  and 
they  finally  withdrew.  This  wise  conduct  was  fiercely 
denounced  at  the  time  by  the  ChartiBts.  At  a  meeting 
held  at  Holloway  Head,  on  Mondav,  April  the  Ist^  an 
explanatory  address,  severely  reflectmg  on  their  conduct 
was  read,  and  an  ^  observaii<uial  committee''  was  appointed. 
Another  meeting  was  held  at  the  same  place,  on  We<mesday, 
the  3rd,  of  whidi  we  have  this  report : — 

The  chief  speakeia  were  Mr.  Feaigos  OX?onnor,  Dr.  John  Taylor, 
and  Mr.  Borne j,  delegates  ftom  the  ConrentioDy  and  Memra  Donaldson 


THE  CHARTIST  RIOTS.  637 

and  Brown ;  and  it  is  almost  unneoeesary  to  add  that  their  speeches 
were  neither  of  the  most  moderate  or  peaceable  character.  None  of 
the  late  Birmingham  Delates,  nor  any  of  the  Political  Coimcil,  it  is 
understood,  were  there.  The  conduct  of  the  Journal  and  the  retired 
Delegates  was  the  theme  of  general  and  violent  reproach ;  and  Mr. 
Collins  in  Tain  attempted  to  defend  ''the  known  ana  tried  friends  of 
the  people."  Having  passed  the  following  resolutions,  among  others, 
the  crowd  quietly  sepuated  about  four  o'clock : — 

''That  this  meetmg  is  perfectly  satisfied  with  the  conduct  and 
political  proceedings  of  the  G^eneral  Convention,  and  solemnly  pledges 
itself  to  support  that  body  under  all  circumstance^  relying  with 
implicit  confidence  on  their  integrity,  prudence,  judgment^  and 
patriotism. 

"  That  this  meeting  deeply  regrets  the  loss  of  time  and  the  great 
injury  which  the  people's  cause  has  sustained  by  the  conduct  of  some  of 
the  Birmingham  Delegates,  particularly  in  neglecting  the  duties  assigned 
to  them  ;  and  that  they,  the  members  of  the  Political  Union,  and  the 
working  classes  of  Birmingham  in  public  meeting  assembled,  do  hereby 
censure  Messrs.  Douglas,  Salt,  and  Hadley,  in  consequence  of  their 
premature  and  ill-advised  secession  from  the  body,  without  consulting 
the  wishes  and  feelings  of  their  constituents." 

The  agitation  continued  to  increase.  The  meetings  in  the 
Bull  Ring  were  more  numerously  attended,  many  of  the 
people  were  armed,  and  the  lanmiage  of  the  speakers  was 
more  violent  than  ever.  Early  in  May  we  have  the  follow- 
ing vivid  picture  of  the 

Statb  ov  thb  Towk. 

Since  the  establishment  of  the  "National  Convention'*  in  London, 
a  practice  has  been  permitted  in  this  town  which  has  at  length  arrived 
at  such  a  height  that  the  authorities  have  been  called  upon  by  the  in- 
habitants to  suppress  what  has  become  an  increasing  nuisance.  We 
refer  to  the  meetings  which  have  taken  place  almost  every  evening  in 
the  Bidl-ring,  and  which  were  orisinally  formed  for  the  avowed  omect 
of  informing  the  public  of  the  daily  proceedings  of  the  body  referred  to. 
These  meetings  were  at  first  chiefly  addressea  by  a  man  named  Brfnon^ 
wbo^  to  the  utmost  of  his  power,  endeavoured  to  keep  up  a  strong  ex- 
citement on  the  subject  of  tiie  ^  Convention  and  the  People's  Charter," 
by  language  of  a  highly  inflammatory  and  dan^rous  tendency,  It 
appears,  however,  ms  feeble  efforts  at  mischief  had  no  further 
prejudicial  effect  than  what  arose  ^m  the  collection  of  a  great 
number  of  persons,  some  portion  of  whom  seemed  to  listen  with 
interest  to  nts  hanngues.  During. the  last  few  weeks,  however, 
these  assemblages  have,  in  addition,  taken  place  between  the  houn 
of  one  and  two  in  the  day,  and  being  more  numerously  attended, 
other  oraton  of  the  same  stamp  appeared,  and  it  has  been  no 
fault  of  theirs  that  their  bearers  were  not  excited  to  acts  of  tumult 
and  disorder.  The  good  sense  of  Uie  great  bulk  of  those  led  by 
curiosity  to  the  spot  prevented  any  consequences  of  the  kind ;  still,  how- 
ever, the  great  mconvenience  and  loss  of  business  on  the  part  of  the 
shopkeepers  in  the  immediate  vicinity  were  such  that,  expressions  of 
diBsatis&ction  becoming  general,  the  Magistrates  for  the  borough  were 
induced  on  Wednesday  last  to  issue,  in  the  name  of  their  Clerks,  the 
following  caution. 

^  Whereas  it  has  been  represented  to  her  Majesty's  Justices  of  the 


638  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

Peace,  acting  for  the  Boron^H  of  BirmiDgbam,  that  divers  meetingB  hava 
lately  been  held  in  the  Bull-ring,  at  which  so  mauy  pensons  have 
assembled,  that  the  public  thoroughfare  has  been  impeded,  and  at  whidi 
language  of  a  highly  iuflammatory  and  seditious  chaiactef  has  been  used, 
whereby  not  only  the  residents  in  the  iromediale  vicinity  of  the  place  of 
meeting  have  undergone  great  alarm  and  have  suffered  much  injury  in 
their  business,  but  the  peace  and  order  of  the  town  have  been  much 
endangered ;  and  whereas  it  is  most  desirable  that  such  meetings, 
whether  in  the  Bull-ring  or  elsewhere  in  the  borough,  should  be  dis- 
continued, her  Majesty's  said  Justices  of  the  Peace  do  hereby  eamestlv 
caution  all  persons  against  attending  the  same  hereafter ;  as  by  such 
attendance  tney  will  incur  a  heavy  and  serious  responsibility.** 

Notwithstanding  however  this  intimation,  a  more  numerous  assem- 
blage than  on  any  preceding  day  took  place  between  the  hours  of  one 
and  two  on  the  following  iStemoon  (Thursday),  by  which  the  usual 
business  of  the  market  was  greatly  impeded,  and  indeed,  until  the 
separation  of  the  crowd,  was  almost  suspended.  On  this  occasion  the 
meeting,  we  understand,  was  attended  by  CoUirUy  one  of  the  del^;ates, 
and,  after  several  violent  addresses,  was  adjourned  until  the  evening, 
when  the  Bull-ring  was  again  crowded,  similar  speeches  were  made,  and 
the  cheering  and  hooting  were  more  turbulent  than  ever.  In  the  course 
of  the  day  a  placard  was  issued  calling  upon  all  the  Chelsea  and  other 
pensioners,  resident  within  the  borough,  to  attend  at  the  Barracks,  in 
order  that  their  services  might  be  made  valuable  in  case  of  need,  and  it 
was  understood  that  the  whole  of  them  promptly  answered  the  call 
which  was  made  npon  them. 

The  magistrates  issued  the  following  prodamatioxi : — 

**  Victoria  R 

^  Whereas  evil-dii^)06ed  persons  have  of  late  held  meetings, 

during  the  evening,  m  the  Bull-ring,  and  then  and  there,  by 

seditious  haranmes,  have  endeavoured  to  excite  the  people 

to  violence  .and  illegal  proceedings;   and  whereas   such 

seditious  speeches  have,  on  several  occasions,  caused  a  laige 

concourse  of  people,  to  the  great  alarm  of  her  Majesty's 

subjects,  —  we,  the  undersigned  Magistitites,  deem  it  our 

duty  to  command  all  persons  to  refram  from  attending  such 

meetings,  as  being  contrary  to  law,  and  dangerous*  to  the 

tranquulity  of  the  borough ;  and  we  further  declare  it  to  be 

our  determination  to  prosecute  all  those  who,  after  this  notice, 

shall  hold  such  meetings,  or  who,  by  inflammatoiy  speeches, 

shall  attempt  to  excite  the  people  to  any  disturbance  or 

breach  of  the  peace. 

William  Scholefield,  Mayor, 

W.  C.  Alston  P.  H.  Muntz 

a  Beale  C.  C.  Scholefield 

T.  Bolton  C.  Shaw 

W.  Chance  Joseph  Webster 

J.  B.  Davies  Joseph  Walker 

J.  T.  Lawrence. 

PabUc  Offices,  May  10, 1839." 


THE  CHARTIST  RIOTS.  639 

On  the  13th,  the  Convention  held  their  meetings  in  Birming- 
ham, and  thus  fuel  was  added  to  the  fire ;  and  on  June  29, 

we  read : — 

The  Bull  Ring  Political  Meetings  oontinne,  notwithstandiiig  the 
reoeut  oouvictions  to  suppress  them. 

On  Thursday  night,  (savs  our  contemporary  of  Saturday)  ^the 
Mayor  addressed  a  few  words  to  the  people  assembled,  to  induce  them 
to  disperse,  and  in  the  course  of  his  address  offered  his  influence  to 

5rocure  the  Town  Hall  for  one  night  in  the  week  for  popular  meetings, 
'ho  only  result  of  this  good-natured  attempt  was  the  formation  of  a 
procession  up  New  Street,  along  Colmore  Bow,  and  down  Bull  Street, 
and  back  to  the  Bull  Bing,  by  which  time  it  being  the  hour  of  ordinary 
breaking  up,  a  breaking  up  took  place."  On  Saturday  evening  a 
similar  assemblage  was  held,  but  no  procession  took  place. 

The  state  of  things  was  now  become  intolerable  ;  and  the 
authorities  determined  to  put  a  stop  to  the  Bull  Bing 
Meetings.  On  the  4th  of  July  a  body  of  London  police 
was  brought  to  the  town  by  the  Railway.  They  were 
ordered  to  break  up  the  meeting,  and  arrest  the  speakers. 
They  marched  to  their  work  with  good  wiU  and  fought 
manfully  against  ^eat  odds.  In  a  little  time  they  had 
it  pretty  well  their  own  way ;  but  the  people  recovered 
from  their  first  fright,  armed  themselves  with  stones,  broke 
the  shutters  of  the  shops,  and  thus  obtained  bludgeons  with 
which  they  now  attacked  the  police;  and  but  for  the 
timely  arrival  of  a  troop  of  the  4th  Boyal  Irish,  and  a 
company  of  the  Bifle  Brigade,  they  would  have  suffered 
severely.  As  it  was  some  of  them  were  beaten  very  badly, 
and  one  or  two  of  them  were  stabbed  and  severely  wound^ 
Such  wasthe  state  of  the  town  on  Thursday  night,  July  4.  On 
the  following  morning  the  excitement  was  intense.  The 
Dragoons  were  called  out  and  the  riot  act  was  read.  A 
meeting  of  Chartists  at  Hollowav  Head  was  dispersed  by 
the  soldiers,  who  mercifully  struck  the  people  with  the  flat 
of  their  swords.  The  troops  paraded  the  Bull  Ring  and 
High  Street  daring  the  dav.  Dr.  Taylor,  a  noisy  and 
inflammatory  speaker,  and  a  leader  in  the  Convention,  was 
arrested,  and  that  injudicious  body  immediately  published 
the  following  resolutions,  which  bad  been  drawn  up  by  W. 
Lovett  and  John  Collins  : — 

^  Ist  That  this  Convention  is  of  opinion  that  a  wantont, 
flagrant,  and  unjust  outrage  has  been  made  upon  the  people 
of  Birmingham  by  a  blood-thirsty  and  unconstitutional 
force  from  Xondon,  acting  under  the  authority  of  men  who, 
when  out  of  office,  sanctioned  and  took  part  in  the  meetings 
of  the  people,  and  now  when  they  share  in  the  public 


640  A  OENTUBT  OF  BIEKINGIIAM  LIFE. 

Slundftr,  seek  to  keep  the  people  in  social  and  political 
egradation. 

"  2nd.  That  the  people  of  Birmingham  are  the  best  judges 
of  their  own  right  to  meet  in  the  Bull  Ring  or  elsewhere, 
have  their  own  feelings  to  consult  respecting  the  outrage 
given,  and  are  the  best  judges  of  their  own  power  and 
resources  to  obtain  justice. 

''3rd.  That  the  summary  and  despotic  arrest  of  Dr. 
Taylor,  our  respected  colleague,  affords  another  convincing* 
proof  of  the  absence  of  all  justice  in  England,  and  clearly 
shows  that  there  is  no  security  for  life,  lil^rty,  or  property, 
till  the  people  have  some  control  over  the  laws  they  are 
called  on  to  obey.  "  By  order, 

"W.  LovETT,  Secretary. 
"  Friday,  July  5, 1839." 

Lovett  and  Collins  were  at  once  arrested,  and  committed 
for  trial,  on  the  charge  of  inciting  to  riot. 

For  the  nex£  nine  days  the  excitement  continued ;  and  it 
is  dear  from  the  events  of  the  15th,  that  some  kind  of 
organisation  was  made  during  the  interval  On  that  day 
the  case  of  Lovett  and  Colhns  was  brought  before  the 
Magistrates,  at  the  Public  Office,  Moor  Street  There  was  a 
great  crowd  of  people  in  the  Bull  Ring,  but  their  conduct 
gave  no  indication  of  the  terrible  scenes  which  were  to 
make  the  night  memorable  in  the  history  of  Birmingham. 
About  ei^ht  o'dock,  however,  some  five  himdred  persons^ 
armed  with  pieces  of  iron,  bludgeons  of  wood,  and  some 
with  the- long  ^  Ohartist  Dagffer,'^  marched  up  Bdgbeth,  and 

Sroceeded  straight  to  the  JPrison*  in  Moor  Street^  and 
emoliahed  the  windows.  The  police  were  assembled  in  the 
prison  yard,  but  could  not  act,  as  no  magistrate  was  present 
The  unopposed  mob  then  returned  to  the  Bull  Ring,  and 
began  their  night's  work  of  destruction  and  violence.  The 
first  shops  atUicked  were  those  of  Messrs.  Bourne,  Grocers, 
and  Mr.  Leggett^  Feather  Dealer  and  Upholsterer.  The 
beds  and  ticking  taken  from  the  latter  shop  were  set  on  fire 
and  thrown  into  the  shops  of  Messrs.  Bourne  and  Liggett 
The  other  shops  attacked  were  those  of  Mrs.  Martin, 
Jeweller,  Mr.  Banks,  Drnogist,  Mr.  Savage,  Cheese  Dealer, 
Mr.  Dakin,  Grocer,  Mr.  ]^^ton,  SilversmiUi,  Mr.  Gooden, 
Nelson  Hotel,  Mr.  Brinton,  Pork  Butcher,  Mr.  Allen,  Biscuit 
Baker,  Mr.  Heath,  Cheese  Dealer,  and  Mr.  Scudamore, 
Druggist  The  rioters  also  attacked  the  shop  of  Mr. 
Arnold,  Pork  Butcher,  but  his  men,  armed  witn  deavers 


THE  CHARTIST  RIOTS.  641 

and  other  weapons  defended  it,  and  the  infuriated  mob 
rushed  to  more  easy  prey.  The  scene  was  terrible.  Sev^:^ 
shops  were  now  on  fire;  heaps  of  combustible  articles 
were  being  flung  in  the  street;  and  thieves  were  busy 
carrying  away  their  spoil  At  last  the  soldiers  arrived ; 
troops  of  Dragoons  and  the  Rifle  Brigade  were  ordered  to 
clear  the  streets,  which  was  speedily  done.  A  large  number 
of  persons  were  arrested.  When  Tuesday  morning  came, 
Birmingham  appeared  like  a  town  in  a  state  of  siege. 
Soldiers,  police,  and  special  constables  were  parading  the 
streets;  tne  shells  of  the  burnt  houses  looked  as  if  the 
place  had  been  attacked  by  an  enemy.  Fears  were  enter- 
tained of  further  outbreaka  A  meeting  of  Chartists  was 
held  at  Holloway  Head,  which  a  company  of  riflemen 
immediately  dispersed.  A  troop  of  dragoons  proceeded  to 
the  same  place  and  several  prisoners  were  taken,  and  peace 
was  once  more  restored. 

At  the  Assizes  held  in  Warwick,  in  Au^st,  the  long  list 
of  prisoners  committed  by  the  Birmingham  magistrates 
were  tried;  many  of  them  were  liberated  on  their  own 
recomizances ;  the  others  were  found  guilty,  and  received 
the  following  sentences :  five  to  eighteen  months'  imprison- 
ment, one  to  twelve,  one  to  nine,  tmree  to  six,  and  one  to  one 
mondi's  imprisonment;  all  with  hard  labour.  Three  men, 
Howell,  Roberts,  and  Jones,  for  the  attack  on  liessni. 
Bourne's,  and  a  boy  named  Aston,  were  condemned  to  death. 
As  r^ards  the  first  three,  the  judge  said  that  he  could  not 
"honestly  recommend  them  to  Her  Majesty's  merciful 
consideration."  The  Birmingham  Town  Council,  however, 
took  up  the  matter,  and  petitioned  for  a  remission  of  the 
capital  sentence.  Other  petitions  were  also  sent  to  the 
Home  Office.  They  were  successful,  as  will  be  seen  from 
the  following  paragraph : — 

Aoffost  10, 1839. — In  addition  to  the  measorM  adopted  br  the  Town 
OowMnl  to  obtain  a  remianon  of  the  capital  puniahment  againat  HcwMt 
BoberUj  and  Jones,  meetings  have  been  hela  and  petitions  nomeronaly 
signed  m  most  of  the  Waraa  of  the  Borough  in  fitvonr  of  the  oondem- 
ned  men.  It  has  likewise  been  stated  that  affidayits  have  beoi  made 
which  affirm  alibi  on  the  part  of  HowM  and  Roberts,  on  the  night  of 
the  riots,  and  the  evidence  on  Uie  subject  will  of  coarse  be  folly  investt- 

Eted  before  a  proper  tribnnaL  The  petition,  which  was  transmitted  to 
»rd  John  Russell  last  week,  was  nnmeronslj  signed  bj  many  of  the 
inhabitants  of  the  town,  and  also  by  those  whose  property  was  clestroyed 
during  the  riots.  By  Uie  subjoined  letter  from  liora  John  Russell  to 
Messrs.  James  and  Henry  Bourne,  who  it  will  be  recollected  were  the 
first  and  most  considerable  sufferers  bj  fire,  it  will  be  perceived  that  the 

u  TT 


G42  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFR 

aentence  on  thfr  prisoners  has  been  commnted.  It  is  certunly  highly 
honourable  to  Messrs.  Bourne  that  thej  should  have  headed  the  petition, 
aud  it  must  be  gmiifyintt  to  them  that  they  have  been  the  medium 
through  which  a  merciful  intimation  is  made  from  the  Home  Office. 

The  Society  of  Friends  of  this  town  forwarded  a  memorial  to  the 
Queen  on  behalf  of  the  above  convicts. 

In  consequence  of  these  proceedings  the  condemned  men 
were  transported  for  life ;  and  no  one  suffered  capital  punish- 
ment for  the  Birmingham  riots  of  1839. 

The  Town  Councu  appointed  a  committee  to  investigate 

the  cause  of  the  riots.      A  large  number  of  witnesses  were 

examined,  but  their  evidence  was  not  given  upon  oath ;  and 

was  chiefly  confined  to — 

'^  1.  The  diaracter  of  the  Bull  Bing  meetings  prior  to  the  4th  of  July, 
and  the  measures  taken  to  prevent  them.  2.  The  character  of  the 
meeting  on  the  4th  of  July.  3.  The  state  of  the  town  in  the  interval 
between  the  4th  and  the  15th  of  July.  4.  The  circumstances  of  the  riot 
on  the  15th,  more  especially  how  fiir  it  was  premeditated — ^faow  many 
and  what  kind  of  persons  they  were  who  took  part  in  it — ^what  was  the 
conduct  of  the  police,  military^  &a  ftc.,  and  what  measures  had  been 
taken  to  prevent  the  aistnrbanoe.* 

Serious  complaints  were  made  as  to  the  conduct  of  the 
magistrates,  and  a  memorial  was  forwarded  to  the  govern- 
ment, and  Mr.  Dundas  was  sent  down  to  Birmingham  to 
enquire  into  the  subject  He  commenced  his  laTOurs  on 
September  1 9.  The  case  of  the  memorialists  was  conduoted 
by  Mr.  N.  O.  Olarke,  Mr.  Hebbert  acting  as  solicitor ;  that 
of  the  magistrates  by  Messrs.  Qem,  Byland  and  Barlow. 

The  cost  of  the  riots  to  the  Hundred  of  Hemlingford  was 
nearly  £20,000.  The  amount  claimed  was  £16,283,  of  which 
sum  £15,027  was  paid;  and  two  lates  of  £11,000  and  £9,000 
were  granted  to  settle  this  heavy  bill  of  damages. 

The  members  of  the  Constitutional  Association  thus  ac- 
knowledged the  services  of  their  inde&tigable  secretary  by  a 
dinner  and  a  presentation : — 

On  Friday.  September  6,  Mr,  J.  B.  Hebbert  was  entertained  at  dinner 
bj  a  party  or  friends  at  the  Union  Inn,  Mr.  B.  P.  Westall  presiding. 
After  the  removal  of  the  doth  and  the  usual  eoostitational  toasts,  Mr. 
Hebbert  was  presented  by  the  Chairman  with  a  purse  containing  one 
hundred  and  fifty  sorereigns,  toother  with  a  handsome  ailyer  Mirer, 
tastefully  manufiustored  by  Mr.  Heele^,  being  elegantly  nff>tM>¥yH  ana 
efaased  and  bearing  the  following  inscription : — 

**  Presented,  wiUi  a  purse  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  pounds,  to  John 
Benbow  Hebbert,  Esq.,  by  one  hundred  and  thirty  cf  his  Conseryatire 
friends^  in  testimony  of  their  personal  esteem, -and  also  of  their  admi- 
ration of  his  enei^getic  and  devoted  exertions  in  defence  of  those 
institutions  in  Churdi  and  State  which  form  the  charaeteristios  and 
glory  of  the  British  monarchy." 


THE   CHABTIST  RIOTS.  G43 

At  the  end  of  1 839  Mr.  Thomas  Attwood  resigned  his 
seat,  and  accepted  the  Chiltem  Hundreds.  The  Liberals 
were  divided  on  this  occasion ;  some  of  that  party  desiring 
that  Mr.  Joseph  Sturge  should  be  selected  as  their 
candidate,  but  the  majority  were  in  fitvour  of  Mr.  G.  F. 
Muntz.  Both  gentlemen  were  nominated,  but  Mi*.  Sturge 
declined  to  proceed  to  the  polL  The  Conservati  ves  nominated 
Sir  Charles  WetherelL  The  polling  took  place  on  January 
24,  1840,  and  on  the  following  morning  the  official  decla- 
ration was  made  as  follows — ^for  Mr.  Muntz  1,454 ;  for  Sir 
Charles  Wetherell  915,  leaving  a  majority  for  Mr.  Muntz 
of  539. 

The  two  following  extracts  relate  to  Messrs.  Lovett  and 

Collins: — 

May  11, 1840. — ^In  oonaeqaenoe  of  applicaiions  made  to  Government 
for  the  remiuion  of  the  remainder  of  the  imprisonment  which  Lovett 
and  CoUim  were  sentenced  to  undergo  in  our  County  gaol,  the  Marquis 
of  Normanby  has  addressed  a  letter  to  the  Yisitinff  Magisti'ates  to  the 
effect  that  his  Lordship  would  recommend  to  her  Mijesty  their  imme- 
diate diseharffe  on  entering  into  their  own  recognizances  of  60L  eadi 
for  their  gooa  hehaviour  during  the  next  twelve  months.  The  prisoners 
have  however  refused  to  comply  with  this  proposal ;  and  as  no  farther 
offer  will  of  course  proceed  from  the  Secretary  of  8tat€L  they  must  con- 
tinue in  confinement  until  the  26th  of  July,  on  which  aay  their  term  of 
imprisonment  expires. 

July  27,  IWk—Lovett  and  OoUins  were  disohax|[ed  from  our  County 
gaol  at  an  easly  hour  on  Saturday  morning,  having  undeigone  twelve 
monthi^  impnsonment.  The  former,  we  understand,  aftenrards  took 
his  departure  for  London.  Collins,  it  is  stated^  will  be  met  to-dajr  by 
some  of  his  friends  on  his  returning  to  Birmingham.  We  observe  in  a 
London  print  apprdiension  exprewed  of  diuuiet  to  the  town,  but  we 
have  not  the  least  ftar  on  this  head ;  oar  oonfidenoe  is  founded  both  on 
the  improved  temper  and  returning  good  sense  of  the  operative  clsssesi 
and  on  the  knowledge  that  eveir  proper  precaution  that  vigilance  can 
suggcist  will  be  taken  by  the  authorities. 

There  was  some  little  political  agitation  during  the  year ; 
and  the  following  report  introduces  us  to  the  anti-ralmerston 
Agitation,  once  so  ruthlessly  carried  on  by  Mr.  David 
Urquhart : — 

August  10^  1840. — On  Wednesday  the  walls  of  this  town,  more  es- 
pedally  in  the  neighbourhood  appointed  for  the  place  of  meeting^  were 
placarded  with  the  following  announcement : — 

''Now  or  never,  men  of  iBirmingfaam,  your  duty  to  youselves^  your 
children,  and  above  all  to  your  itgnrsd  and  unsettled  country,  at 
this  most  important  time  of  its  need,  odls  upon  you  to  attend  a  meeting 
this  evening,  at  seven  o'clock,  on  tiie  ground  of  the  Ftop]e*s  Hall,  in 
Shadwell-fttreet,  when  some  most  important  buriness  will  be  brought 
before  you,  concerning  deeply  the  welfiure  of  yourselves  and  of  your 
country." 


644f  A  CEMTUBT  OF  BIRHINQHAM  LIFE. 

Mr.  Ernes  hating  been  called  to  tbe  chair,  Mn  Charles  Attwood,  of 
Newcastle-on-l^e,  addressed  those  sssembled  at  considerable  lenffth, 
reflecting  on  the  Foreign  jKAicy  of  her  Majesty's  Government^  and  on 
Lord  Pumerston  for  fostering  the  agcressiTS  claims  of  Bnssia ;  whilst 
at  the  same  time  his  policy  was  likely  to  brin^  ns  into  collision  with 
Fiance — ^tims  giving  fiussia  and  France  opportnmty  of  malring  aggressive 
movements  on  onr  eastern  possessions.  Mr.  Attwood*  oondnded  hy 
proposing  a  resolution  to  the  following  effect : —  < 

**  Besoived — ^Xhatthis  conntiy  is  in  danger,  and  intentionally  betrayed 
to  a  foreign  power ;  and  -that  the  people  of  Birmingham,  to  avert  the 
danger  and  denounce  the  crime,  do  meet  on  Mondav  next^ 

A  person  of  the  name  of  Bmpeon  subseouently  addressed  the  meeting, 
objectmff  to  Uie  agitation  of  the  subject  aavanoed  by  Mr.  Attwood,  and 
the  res^ution  having  been  put,  the  meeting  quietly  separated.  The 
proceedings  appeared  to  excite  but  little  interest,  and  the  attendance  was 
very  inconsiderable.  On  Thursday  evening  another  assemblage  took 
place  on  the  same  spot,  and  a  f eelmg  was  manifested  unfavourable  to 
the  objects  of  the  visitors.  Mr.  Urquhart  is  said  to  have  been  present 
on  the  occasion,  but  did  not  speak.  A  meeting  however  has  been  poo- 
posed  at  Holloway-head  this  day,  a  placard  with  reference  to  it,  bearing 
uie  si^mature  of  ^Charles  Attwood,*  appears  on  the  walls  of  ike  town. 
And  aletter  from  that  gentleman,  explanatory  of  his  views,  will  be  found 
In  our  advertising  columns. 

The  following  is  the  report  of  Mr.  Dondas  on  the  conduct 
of  .the  Magistcates  at  the  Chartist  riots : — 

Tbb  Biotb  ih  Bibmutgham. 

October  86,  1840.— The  subjoined  is  a  copy  of  the  Report  addressed 
to  the  Maiquis  of  Nonnanbj  l^  Mr.  Dundas^  ths  Gommissioner 
appointed  by  the  Home  Office  to  institute  an  eoquiiy  inta  tbe  oondaot 
of  the  Borough  Magistrates  on  the  occasion  of  the  ontrsges  whidi  were 
committed  in  the  town  of  Birmingham,  on  the  night  of  the  16th  of 
July;  1839  ^r- 

''My  Lord,  I  have  the  honour  to  report  to  your  Lordship  that, 
in  pursuance  oi  a  letter  fnm  Mr.  Eox  Manle,  of  the  13th  of  September 
last,  informing  me  that  a  Memorial  had  been  Ibrwarded  from  Bir- 
tningham  to  Her  M^eaty's  Principal  Seerstair  of  State  lor  the  Home 
Department,  wherein  it  was  alleged  that,  on  the  evening  of  the  leth  of 
Jmjf  from  nalf-pest  el^t  to  a  quarter  before  tea  o'clock,  the  Mayor 
and  MaffistrateB  failed  m  their  du^,  by  leaving  the  propertv  and  Uvas 
of  its  cituena  unprotected  to  the  violence  of  an  orgsnised  mob,  althou|(fa 
Ihll  and  authenticated  information  had  been  eariy  given  to  the  Mayor 
and  Magistrates  of  the  borough  of  the  intentions  and  plana  of  the 
rioters ;  and  the  Qovemment  uA  resolved  to  institute  an  enquiry  on 
.the  spot  into  the  allegations  made  against  the  Magistrates ;  and  that 
your  LordsUp  had  communicated  to  the  Mayor  and  the  complaininff 
■parties  that  I  would  cany  on  the  investij^ition,  and  that  tney  had 
•expressed  themselves  ready  to  enter  on  the  case;  and  alio  further 
infcnning  me  that  my  dut^  would  be  to  enquire  into  the  matter  above 
alleged,  aiid.aiier  terminating  the  en<|uii7,  to  transmit  to  your  Lordship 
•the  whole  oi  the  evidence,  toother  with  m  v  opinion  whether  the  Ma^ror 
4md  Magiitrates  did  or  aid  not  neglect  their  duty  upon  the  ooesaion 
referred  to  in  the  memoriaL  On  the  leth  of  September  I  gave  notioe 
to  the  li^yor  and  Mr.  Hebbert  on  behalf  of  tne  memonalisti,  that 


THE  CHARTIST  BIOTS.  64-5 

m 

on  the  morning  but  one  following,  or  as  soon  after  as  the  convenience 
of  parties  would  permit,  I  shoald  be  ready  to  begin  the  enqniry 
at  BirminghanL  Accordingly,  on  the  19th,  20th,  and  Slst  of 
September,  I  held  and  concluded  an  open  enquiry  in  a  room  of  the 
Public  Office  there,  the  case  of  the  memorialists  being  conducted  by 
Mr.  Clarke,  a  barrister;  and  that  of  the  Mayor  and  Magistrates 
by  Messrs.  Qem,  Byland,  and  Barlow,  their  Clerks.  Many  witnesses 
(not  upon  oath)  were  examined  on  both  sides  viva  voce ;  but  with 
consent  of  both  parties  I  admitted  as  evidence  Captain  Mooraom's 
written  statement,  the  witness  being  prevented  by  a  domestic  affliction 
from  personally  attending  the  enquirjr,  which  I  closed  when  the  parties 
had  no  more  evidence  to  offer  upon  either  side. 

^'I  have  now  the  honour  to  transmit  to  your  Lordship  the  short-hand 
writers'  notes  of  the  evidence^  together  with  my  opinion  on  the  points 
submitted  to  me. 

''It  appeared  on  the  enquiry,  that  for  several  weeks  before  the 
day  in  question,  that  is  to  say,  before  Monday,  the  15th  of  July  last, 
Chartist  meetings,  at  times  consistiuff  of  many  hundred  persons,  were 
frequently  held  in  Birmiuffham  and  the  immediate  neighbourhood. 
These  meetings,  although  calculated  to  alarm  the  peaceable  inhabitants 
of  the  place,  for  the  most  part  past  off  quietly;  but  some  of  them,  and 
especially  a  meetins  held  on  the  4th  of  July,  it  was  necessary  to 
put  down  by  the  muitary  in  aid  of  the  civil  power.  To  preserve  the 
peace  thus  disturbed,  the  Birmingham  police  were  altogether  inadeauate, 
a  few  constables  and  street-keepers  being  the  whole  force  of  the 
borough ;  but  between  the  10th  of  Mav  and  the  day  in  question 
upwanls  of  two  thousand  special  constables  were  sworn  in,  ward  and 
section  leaden  appointed,  and  instructions  furnished  them  from  the 
Public  Office,  for  oi^^;amsing  and  effectively  employing  the  men  in  time 
of  need.  For  additional  security,  two  detachments  of  the  Metropolitan 
Police  were  sent  from  London  on  the  4th  and  6th  of  Joljt  and  though 
forty  had  returned  in  a  few  davs  after,  the  rest  (about  fifty)  remained 
at  Birmingham,  and  on  the  day  in  question  were  stationed  at  the 
Public  Office,  under  Mr.  May,  an  active  superintendent  of  the  force. 

''The  usual  routine  of  the  Public  Office  was  for  some  of  the 
Magistrates  to  give  daily  attendance  there,  from  about  eleven  in 
the  forenoon  to  three  or  four  in  the  afternoon,  for  the  despatch  of 
business;  but  it  appeared  that  for  some  tim^  before  the  day  in  question, 
not.  only  were  they  there  in  the  day  time,  but  that  some  of  them  stayed 
to  a  late  hour  at  night 

"  The  Officer  in  command  at  the  barracks  (three  quarters  of  a  mile 
off)  used  to  call  twice  a  day  at  the  office  to  communicate  with  the  Mayor 
on  the  state  of  the  peace  of  the  town,  nor  should  it  be  omitted  that  an 
excellent  onderttanding  was  kept  up  betw^n  the  civil  and  military 
authorities,  and  that  on  every  occasion  when  the  soldiers  had  been  called 
upon  to  act  in  aid  of  the  civil  power,  the  assistance  required  was  both 
promptiy  and  efficiently  given. 

"  Some  of  the  Magistrates  resided  in  th<)  town ;  Dr.  Booth's  house, 
for  instance,  was  about  six  minutes'  walk  from  the  Public  Office ;  the 
Mayor  and  some  others  lived  in  the  suburbs ;  while  the  houses  of  a  few 
were  still  further  off  Oeorge  Eedfern,  the  prison-keeper,  lived  at  the 
Public  Offbe^  a  well-known,  confidential  and  intelligent  man  of  busi- 
ness. 

"  Sudi  was  the  general  state  of  things  at  Birmingham,  when  in  the 


C4G  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

forenoon  of  the  day  in  question  a  bellman  was  heard  in  several  of  the 
streets  cryins  a  chartist  meeting  to  be  held  that  day,  at  Holloway-head, 
at  one,  or  as  it  was  differently  reporte4i  at  half-past  twelve  and  half-past 
six  o'clock,  HoUoway-head  and  the  Ball-ring,  about  a  mile  from  each 
other,  were  the  usual  places  of  holding  such  meetings. 

"  It  appeared  also  that  at  eleven  o'clock  in  the  forenoon  the  following 
letter  was  sent  to  Captain  Moorsom,  a  special  constable  of  the  borough, 
who  had  acted  as  the  medium  of  communication  between  the  ward* 
leaders  and  the  magistrates,  viz. : — 

'Public  Office,  Monday,  Julv  15, 1839,  eleven  A.V. 

*  Dear  Sir, — The  Magistrates  here  assembled  are  desirous,  with  your 
permission,  to  avail  themselves  of  the  advantages  of  your  aid  and  means 
in  watching  and  ascertaining  the  character  and  proceedings  of  the 
meeting,  should  one  take  place,  at  Holloway-hesd.  Some  Msgistrates 
will  be  in  attendance  at  this  office,  and  quite  prepared  to  act  aooordinjg 
to  circumstances  and  to  tiie  nature  of  the  information  you  may  transmit 
to  them.  This  is  a  precautionary  measure  which  the  Magistrates  feel 
it  incumbent  upon  them  to  adopt,  although  they  venture  to  anticipate 
a  peaceful  issue.  They  would  not  have  felt  themselves  warranted  in 
taking  this  liberty,  but  from  the  encouragement  they  have  derived  from 
your  uniformly  courteous,  able,  and  kind  co-operation  wiUi  them  during 
the  existing  troubles. 

*  I  remain,  dear  Sir,  yours  fidthfuUy. 

'  Obptain  Moorsom,  B.N.'  '  '  J.  K.  Bootb. 

^On  receiving;  the  letter  at  noon,  CS&ptain  Moorsoln  arranged  with  the 
Edgbaston  wara-leader  that  nroper  men  should  be  appointed  to  convey 
information  to  the  Public  Office  as  to  the  character  of  the  meeting, 
while  he  himself  watched  its  prooeedioffs ;  but  nothing  occurred  to  cause 
any  aCpprehension.  By  two  o'clock  about  three  hnndnMi  perBons  had 
assembled  at  Holloway-head ;  in  an  hour  or  so  afterwards  the  numben 
had  diminished,  and  seemed  to  Captain  Moorsom  to  be  quite  insignificant. 
About  this  time  Colonel  Chatterton,  of  the  Dragoons,  called  as  usual  at 
the  Public  Office,  and  was  told  by  the  Mayor  that  there  was  no  oocasiovi 
to  keep  the  soldiers  at  the  barracks  in  readiness,  since,  from  all  he  heatd, 
the  town  was  quiet  Hence  it  appears  that  the  Major  set  no  value  on 
the  information  of  Mr.  Cobam,  who  had  told  him  m  an  earlier  part  of 
the  day,  that  from  what  had  been  said  in  his  hearing  the  day  beiore  at 
a  meeting  at  Holloway-head,  disturbance  was  to  be  expected  at  night. 

"At  five  o'clock  the  Mayor  left  the  Public  Office  to  go  home  to  his 
own  house,  about  a  mile  and  a  half  off,  the  other  Magistrates  having 
left  before  nim ;  and  before  going  away  he  cave  express  directions  to 
Oeoiige  Bedf  em,  the  prison-keeper,  that  if  Magistrates  were  wanted  he 
was  to  send  or  go  for  him  or  Dr.  Booth. 

^  It  further  appeared,  that  later  in  the  evening,  about  seven  o'doek, 
agreat  number  oc  persons  (|m>bab]y  about  one  thousand),  assembled  at 
HoUoway-headj  and  these,  instead  of  dispersinff  when  they  1^  the 
ground,  proceeded  in  a  bodv  towards  the  Warwick-road  to  meet,  aa  waa 
supposeo,  two  chartists  who  had  been  bailed  out  of  prison  uat  day, 
and  were  expected  to  return  to  Birmingham  that  night  From  some 
cause  or  other,  never  satisfactorily  accounted  for,  a  moo  of  men  and  boys 
came  back  from  the  Warwick-road,  and  snddenlv  arrived  b^  hnndreds 
in  the  Bull-ring,  about  half-past  eiffht  o'clock ;  thero  they  violently  set 
firo  to  several  valuable  premises,  burned  and  destroyed  a  great  deal  of 
furniture  and  other  property,  broke  many  of  the  windows  S  the  Public 


THE  CHARTIST  KIOTS.  6i7 

Office,  a  little  way  off ;  and  having  done  the  work  of  destniction  unin- 
temiptedlj  for  not  less  than  an  hour,  at  last  they  gave  way  and  retired, 
either  seeing  the  police  had  turned  out  against  them,  or  expecting  the 
speedy  arrival  of  the  military. 

"  It  here  is  to  be  observed  that  Captain  Moorsom  had  been  watching 
the  proceedings  of  the  people  at  HoUoway-head  in  the  evening  till  he  saw 
them  go  away  ;  then  thinking  the^  might  have  adjourned  to  the  Bull- 
ring, while  in  fac^  they  had  passed  it  on  their  left,  he  went  to  the  Bull- 
ring, and  finding  nothing  that  to  his  mind  indicated  disturbance,  about 
eight  o'clock  he  proceeoted  to  the  Public  Office  to  report  what  he  had 
witnessed,  and  ascertain  from  the  Magistrates  what  were  their  arrange- 
ments for  the  night ;  but  though  he  asked  for  a  Magistrate  he  did  not 
go  or  send  for  one,  and  having  told  the  Superintendent  of  Police  whom 
e  saw  there,  that  everything  was  quiet,  he  returned  home  about  a 
quarter  before  nine,  after  expressing  his  opinion  to  the  Edgbaston  ward- 
leader  that  there  was  no  fear  of  disturoance.  Geor^  Bedfem,  the 
prison-keeper,  stayed  at  the  Public  Office  till  some  tmie  after  eight, 
when  a  constable  came  in  and  asked  for  the  Magistrates,  adding  tnat 
the  town  was  in  an  excited  state.  On  hearing  this  he  lost  not  a  moment, 
but  set  off  to  Dr.  Booth's,  and  thenoe  to  the  Mayor'a  He  found  both 
of  them  at  home ;  and  the  Mayor  having  joined  Dr,  Booth  at  his  house, 
the^  proceeded  to  the  barracks  aa  quick  as  they  oould,  called  out  the 
mihtary,  and  accompanied  them  on  norseback  to  the  BuU-ring.  Whilst 
George  Bedfem  was  thus  away  for  forty- two  minutes,  and  after  he 
returned  to  the  Public  Office,  the  Superintendent  of  Police  was  repeat- 
edly called  upon  to  act  against  the  rioters,  but  he  steadily  refused  in 
oonaequenoe  of  ciders  tluit,  without  the  military,  or  a  Magistrate's 
sanction,  the  police  were  not  to  go  out^  nor,  in  hct,  did  the  police  borin 
to  act  at  all  till  Mr.  Walker  (a  Magistrate)  came  to  the  Public  OfSce, 
and  with  him  they  went  against  the  mob  soon  after  half -past  nine.  It  was 
the  opinion  of  some,  that  had  the  police  gone  out  and  acted  earlier,  the 
mob  miffht  have  been  dispersed,  or  at  least  that  the  property  thus  de* 
stroyed  i>y  the  rioters  might  have  been  defended;  out  it  appeared  a 
very  doubtful  question. 

**  Upon  such  a  state  of  facts,  though  the  evidence  wiU  supply  a  great 
deal  more  in  relation  to  the  iasue^  theMayor  and  Magistrates  are  charged 
with  neglect  of  duty. 

**  Now  the  case  must  be  looked  at  aa  it  present^  itself  to  the  Mayor 
and  Magistrates  at  the  time,  and  not  as  it  they  could  have  foreseen  the 
extent  of  calamity  their  want  of  preparation,  their  absence  from  the 
Public  Office,  or  any  other  circumstances  may  be  thought  to  have 
occasioned. 

**  Believing  then  that  they  acted  with  perfect  good  faith  throughout^ 
and  oonsidenng  besides  that  they  took  reasonable  measures  to  watch  the 
proceedinffs  of  the  Chartists  at  HoUoway-head,  that  they  relied  on  infor- 
mation which  led  them  to  apprehend  no  disturbance  or  outbreak,  that 
on  leaving  the  Public  Office,  m  the  afternoon  at  ^ve  o'clock,  Uie  Mayor 
cave  directions  to  Georae  Redfem,  the  Prison-keeper,  to  send  or  to  go 
for  him  or  Dr.  Booth  if  jlaffistrates  should  be  wanted,  and  taking  into 
account  that  the  Mayor  and  l)r.  Booth  were  each  of  Uiem  at  home  when 
George  Redfem  came  for  them,  I  am  of  opinion  that,  under  all  the  cir- 
cumstances, the  Mayor  and  Magistrates  were  not  guilty  of  n^ecting 
their  duty  on  the  occasion  referrSl  to  in  the  memoriu. 

**  The  general  orders  to  the  police,  which  prevented  them  from  acting 


C4d  A  CENTURT  OF  BIBHINGHAM  LIFE. 

when  first  they  were  called  upon  to  do  so,  I  think  oTight  not  to  hare 
been  given,  but  it  is  reasonaole  to  believe  that  the  Mayor  and  Magis- 
trates laid  on  the  restraint  purely  out  of  consideration  to  .the  men 
themselves.  "I  have,  &c,  •* David  Dtodau." 

This  official  report  closes  the  political  history  of  the  town 
to  the  end  of  1840. 


THB  CHAETER  OF  INCORPORATION. 

About  the  year  1716  a  petition,  signed  by  eighty-four  of 
the  inhabitants,  was  addressed  to  Qeorge  the  First,  nrayipg 
that  Birmingham  might  be  made  a  corporation.  The  His- 
torian, Hutton,  saw  a  copy  of  this  petition,  and,  according  to 
him,  it  set  forth, ''  that  Birmingham  is,  of  late  years,  become 
very  populous,  fix>m  its  great  increase  of  trade ;  is  much 
superior  to  any  town  in  the  county,  and  but  little  inferior 
to  any  inland  town  in  the  kingdom ;  and  it  Ib  TOvemed  only 
by  a  constable,  and  enjoys  no  more  privileges  tnan  a  village; 
and  there  is  no  Justice  of  the  peace  in  the  town,  nor  any 
in  the  neighbourhood,  who  dare  act  with  vigour;  and  the 
countrv  alx>unds  with  rioters,  who,  knowing  the  place  to  be 
void  of  magistrates,  assemble  in  it,  pull  down  the  meeting- 
houses, defy  the  king,  openly  avow  the  Pretender,  threaten 
the  inhabitants,  and  oblige  them  to  keep  watch  in  their  own 
houses;  and  the  trade  decays,  and  will  stagnate,  if  not 
relieved.  To  remedy  these  evils,  they  beseech  his  majesty 
to  incorporate  the  town,  and  grant  such  privii^es  as  will 
enable  them  to  support  their  trade,  the  kill's  interest^  and 
destroy  the  villainous  attempts  of  the  Jacobites.  In  consi- 
deration of  the  requested  charter  they  make  usual  offisring 
of  lives  and  foirtuMeA,*' 

Hutton  is  rather  indignant  with  these  petitioners,  and 
says  that  pride  must  have  dictated  the  humble  petition.  In 
his  usual  antithetical  st^le  he  thus  dismisses  the  subject 
^  A  petition  and  the  petitioner,  like  Janus  with  his  two  faces^ 
look  different  ways ;  it  is  often  treated  as  if  it  said  one 
thinff,  and  meant  another ;  or  as  if  it  said  any  thing  but 
truth.  Its  use  in  some  places  is  to  lie  an  {he  table.  Our 
humble  petition,  by  some  means,  met  with  the  fiite  it  de- 
served 

"  We  may  remark,  a  town  without  a  charter  is  a  town 
without  a  shackle.    If  there  was  then  a  necessiiy  to  create 


THS  CHARTER  OF  INCORPORATION.  649 

a  corporation,  because  tbe  town  was  laige,  there  is  none 
now,  though  larger;  the  place  was  governed  a  thousand 
years  ago/  when  only  a  twentieth  of  its  present  magnitude ; 
it  may  also  be  governed  as  well  a  thousand  years  .hence,  if 
it  shoidd  swell  to  ten  times  its  size. 

"  The  pride  of  our  ancestors  was  hurt  by  a  petty  con- 
stable ;  the  interest  of  us,  their  successors,  would  be  hurt  by 
a  mayor;  a  more  simple  government  cannot  be  instituted,  or 
one  more  efficacious ;  that  of  some  places  is  designed  for 
parade,  ours  for  use ;  and  both  answer  their  end.  A  town 
governed  by  a  multitude  of  masters  is  the  most  likely  to  be 
m-govemed." 

As  Birmingham  increased  in  population  and  wealth,  it 
was. not  to  be  expected  that  the  government  of  the  town 
could  be  left  in  the  hands  of  a  High  and  Low  Bailiff,  and  a 
Head  Borough  with  two  Constables^  in  the  appointment  of 
whom  the  inhabitants  had  no  voice.  Such  a  state  of  things 
might  do  for  the  Ante-Beform  Bill  times,  but  not  after  repre- 
sentatives had  been  obtained  to  sit  in  the  Imperial  Parlia- 
ment The  Court  Leet  of  the  Lord  of  the  Manor  was  an 
irresponsible  body ;  and  the  Commissioners  of  the  Street 
Act  were  not  easily  controlled.  The  governing  powers  of 
the  town  were  too  much  distributed.  We  had  Commis- 
sioners for  Birmingham  parish,  for  Deritend  and  Bordesley, 
for  Duddeston  and  Nechells :  and  Edgbaston  was  governed 
differently  from  them  all  Of  course  such  a  chaotic  state  of 
things  could  not  continue  long  after  the  people  began  to  take 
part  in  political  affairs,  and  to  look  after  the  government 
of  the  town  as  well  as  the  government  of  the  nation. 

The  first  intimation  of  the  proposed  incorporation  is  in 
the  following  paragraph  : — 

December  16,  183a— Captain  Gipps,  RR,  and  Mr.  Aldridge,  two  of 
the  Oommiauoneni  appointed  by  GoTemment  to  make  enqairiee  m  to 
the  soitable  divition  of  towns  into  distriots,  and  other  matten  con- 
nected with  the  granting  of  Charters  of  Incorporation  to  the  new 
Boronghs,  were  last  week  in  the  town,  parsninf;  the  objects  of  their 
appointment.  The  persons  to  whom  they  applied,  vis.,  the  High  and 
Low  Bailiiis,  seTcral  members  of  the  bodies  of  Overseers,  Gnsrdians. 
and  Town  Commissioners,  and  Mr.  Kempson,  the  Sorveyor,  answered 
their  enquiries  with  great  readiness,  and  fhrniihed  them  with  the 
required  local  information.  The  OommisBioners  expressed  themselTcs 
gratified  with  the  attention  whidi  was  paid  them,  and  we  understand 
that  it  is  likely,  as  one  result  of  their  Tisit^  that  the  Borou|^h  will 
be  divided  for  the  purposes  of  the  proposed  Ad^  into  twelve  Districts^ 
nine  for  Birmingham,  and  three  for  the  adjoining  parishes.  One 
Alderman  to  be  c£osen  for  each  district  The  other  subjects  of  enquiry 
related  to  the  Police^  to  the  appointment  of  a  Stipendiary  lisgistzate 


650  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINQHAM  LIFE. 

or  Recorder,  the  faoldiDg  of  a  Quarter  Session  in  Birmingham,  and: 
the  consequent  erection  of  a  Qaol.  To  what  ooDcIuaion  they  came  upon 
these  heads  we  are,  of  course,  uninformed,  as  well  as  of  the  means  der 
▼ised  for  defraying  the  expenses  attendant  upon  the  contemplated 
changes.  The  Commissioners  wei-e  to  leave  the  town  for  Sheffield  on 
Saturday  eyening. 

The  question  appears  to  have  slept  for  some  time,  but  it 
T«^  quietly  progressing.  On  June  15,  1835,  we  have  the 
following  reference  to  it : — 

The  Municipal  Corporation  Beform  Bill  has  heen  printed,  together 
with  Schedules  of  the  towns  to  which  its  provisions  are  inteuded  to 
apply,  and  enumerating  the  number  of  Town  Councillors  proposed  to  be 
assigned  to  each.  Copies  of  the  latter  document  will  be  found  in  the 
preMding  page.  The  last  clause  but  one  of  the  bill,  as  will  be  seen  by 
the  following  extract,  authorises  the  Crown  to  extend  the  powers 
of  the  Act  to  towns  not  at  present  incorporated,  on  petition  of  the 
inhabitants  of  such  towns  : — 

^  And  Whereas,  sundry  towns  of  England  and  Wales  are  not  towns 
oorporate,  and  it  is  expedient  that  several  of  them  should  be  incor- 
porated ;  be  it  enacted^  that  if  the  Inhabitants  of  any  town  in  England 
and  Wales  should  petition  Hb  Majesty  to  ^nt  to  them  a  Charter  of 
Incorporation,  it  shall  be  lawful  for  His  Majesty,  by  any  suoh  Charter, 
to  extend  to  the  Inhabitants  of  any  such  town  adi  or  any  of  the  powera 
and  providons  in  this  Act  contained." 

The  Bill  was  thrown  out  in  the  Lords,  and  an  indignation 
meeting  was  held  in  Biimingham,  of  which  the  following  is 
a  report: —        '  , 

August  H  1835.— At  a  Public  Meeting  of  the  InhabitanU  of  the 
Borough  of  Birmingham,  held  at  the  Town  Hall,  on  Tuesday,  August 
18, 1835,  PiMil  Moon  James,  Esq^  High  Bailiff,  in  the  Chair  ; 

The  following  Besolutions  were  unanimously  passed  : — 

On  the  motion  of  Thomas  Tyndall,  Esq.,  Low  Bailiff,  seconded  by 
the  Bev.  T.  Mi  M'Donnell,  and  supported  by  Thomas  Attwood,  Esq^ 
MP.,  and  Mr.  Boultbee ; 

1.  That  this  Meeting  has  witneaed,  with-ffrief  and  indignation,  the 
disappointment  of  the  hopes  of  tlie  people  of  England,  in  the  arbitrary 
intenerenoe  of  a  powerful  majority  in  the  House  of  Lords,  with  the 
measure  of  Corporate  Reform,  which  especially  interests  the  people, 
and  for  the  introduction  of  whidi  we  cannot  but  be  grateful  to  a  liberal 
and  patriotic  Minister.  That,  therefore^  we  deem  it  an  imperative 
duty,  at  this  junetnre  of  public  affsin^  to  present  to  Lord  Melbourne 
an  assuanes  of  our  confidence  and  support 

On  the  motion  of  Mr.  William  Beale,  seconded  by  Mr.  Edmonds ; 

S.  Tliat  the  earnest  thanks  of  the  meeting  be  presented  to  that 
glorious  and  patriotic  minoritr  in  the  House  of  Lords,  who  have  nobly 
Tindieated  those  principles  whidi  thcr  haye  professed,  and  now  stand 
as  inflexibly  by  the  cause  of  the  people  as  they  did  in  the  memorable 
passing  of  the  Beform  Bill. 

On  the  moUon  of  Mr.  W.  \^lls,  seconded  b^  Mr.  W.  Phipson : 

3.  That  a  memorial  be  adopted,  and  that  it  be  presented  to  Lord 
Heiboiirae  by  the  Members  for  the  Borough. 


THE  CHARTER  OF  INCORPORATION.  651 

Again  the  subject  remained  in  abeyance.  On  October 
30,  1837,  a  meeting  was  held  in  the  Town  Hall,  at  which  a 
petition  was  adopted  praying  the  Queen  in  Ck>uncil  to  grant 
a  Charter  of  Incorporation  for  the  Borough  of  Birmingham. 
The  invitation  calling  this  meeting  was  headed  by  the 
names  of  the  two  members,  Messrs.  Attwood  and  Scholefield, 
followed  by  upwards  of  sixty  of  the  leading  Reformers  of 
the  time.  The  Conservatives  opposed  the  proposal,  and 
their  views  are  stated  in  the  following  paragraph : — 

December  25, 1837. — We  make  the  followiiig  extract  from  an  order 
in  Council  which  appeared  in  the  London  Qazette  of  Friday  last : — 

<<  And  whereas  tne  inhabitant  householders  of  the  Borou|rh  of  Bir- 
mingham have  presented  a  petition  to  Her  Maiestj  in  Council,  praying 
a  Charter  of  Incorporation  for  the  said  borough  :  Her  Majesty  having 
taken  the  said  petition  into  consideration,  is  pleased  to  order,  and  it  is 
hereby  ordered,  that  the  said  petition  be  taken  into  consideration  by  a 
Committee  of  Uie  Lords  of  Her  Majesty's  Most  Honourable  Privy  Coun- 
cil, on  Wednesday,  the  3l8t  day  of  January  nezt^  at  twelve  of  the  dock 
at  noon." 

This  is  an  important  crisis  in  the  affairs  of  Birmingham,  and  demands 
the  serious  consideration  of  all  who  are  concerned.  It  is  evident  that 
the  petition  for  a  Corporation  originated  with  a  section  only  of  the  in- 
habitants of  the  town,  politicaUy  speaking ;  and  it  remains  to  be  proved 
by  how  large  a  proportion  of  the  nouseholders  being  rated  the  petition 
has  been  signed*  £f  it  be  found  that  the  provisii^ns  of  the  act  have  been 
fulfilled  as  to  the  number  of  inhabitant  householders,  the  Privy  Council 
will  in  all  probability  favour  the  project ;  but  still  the  fact  of  a  dear 
month's  notice  of  the  bearing  bemg  necessary,  makes  it  evident  that 
every  proper  consideration  wm  be  given  to  such  reasons  as  may  be  ad- 
vanoea  on  the  part  of  the  other  inhabitants,  either  for  the  rejection  of 
the  measure  altogether,  or  for  a  modification  of  it  as  respects  the  parti- 
dpation  of  the:  several  parties  in  which  the  town  is  politically  divided, 
or  as  to  the  measure  of  qualification  upon  which  the  franchise  shall 
succeed. 

The  opposition  held  a  meeting  in  January,  1838,  the  report 

of  which  we  quote  :— 

January  8,  1838. — A  meeting  of  ffentlemen,  convened  by  private 
circular,  was  held  at  Dee's  BoyalHoteT,  on  Wednesday,  for  the  purpose 
of  considering  what  steps  should  be  taken  in  consequence  of  the  official 
announcement  ;of  the  Ftivy  Council  in  the  London  Gkizette,  on  the  sub- 
ject of  a  Charter  for  the  Incorporation  of  Birmingham.  J.  F.  TAilgftm 
Esq.,  liaving  been  unanimously  called  upon  to  preside,  the  feeling  of 
those  present  was  soon  found  to  be  altoffether  against  the  projected 
measure ;  and  after  a  conversation  as  to  the  best  mode  of  proceeding, 
it  was  determined,  as  will  be  seen  by  the  published  resolutions^  to 
assemble  a  meeting  at  the  Town  Hall,  on  Friday  nezt^  of  those  inhabi- 
tant householders  who  are  adverse  to  the  plan  of  incorporation.  There 
appeared  to  be  a  very  prevalent  opinion  in  the  meeting  that  the  trading 
interests  of  the  town  would  be  most  seriously  injuiid  by  the  annujd 
excitement  incident  to  a  Coiporation,  and  that  the  most  important 
objects  included  in  municipal  government  would  be  as  effectually  and 


652  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

more  economically  attained,  by  haying  one  or  more  Stipendiaiy  Mji^is- 
trates  appointed  for  the  borougn,  who  would  sit  eyery  day  at  the  Pamic- 
office,  and  it  was  suggested  that  an  efficient  police  should  be  formed  and 
put  under  their  management ;  that  a  House  of  Correction  of  adeouate 
dimensions  should  be  erected  within  the  borough  at  the  expense  ot  the 
county,  and  that  sessions  for  the  trial  of  prisoners  should  be  held  in 
Birmingham  eyeiy  monfh  or  six  weeks.  It  was  contended  that  all  these 
ends,  if  deemed  desirable  bj  the  inhabitants,  could  be  well  attained  con- 
sistentlj  with  the  simple  municipal  regulations  under  whidithe  town  of 
Birmingham  had  risen  to  its  present  opulence  and  importance.  When 
we  announced  to  the  pubUo  a  fortnight  ago  that  an  official  notice  had 
appeared  in  the  London  Gazette,  we  said  that  an  important  crisis  had 
arriyed  in  the  history  of  the  town  of  Birmingham :  we  used  that 
language  adyisedly— an  opportunity  is  now  affords  to  those  inhabitants 
who  object  to  the  measure,  to  manifest  their  sentiments  upon  the  subject 
in  accordance  with  the  proyision  of  the  Act  of  Parliament  under  which 
the  inooiporation  is  sought. 

At  tbis  meeting  it  was  ''moved  by  James  Taylor,  Esq., 
seconded  by  J.  W.  Unett,  Esq.,  and  resolved  unanimously : — 

''1.  That  this  meeting  are  of  opinion  that  a  Charter  of 
Incorporation  would  be  nighly  detrimental  to  the  interests 
and  prosperity  of  the  borough  of  Birmingham.*' 

A  petition  was  adopted  both  b^  the  supporters  and  oppo- 
nents of  the  Charter.  Mr.  William  Scnolefield  was  the 
High  Bailiff  this  year,  and  he  took  a  leading  part  in  the 
support  of  the  Charter.    On  July  19,  we  have  this  report : — 

On  Tuesday  last  the  adjourned  question  of  the  Incorporation  of  this 
borough  came  before  Her  Majestjrs  Priy^  Cbuneil.  The  petitionera 
and  the  counter-petitioners  each  put  in  additional  memorials  numerously 
signed,  the  former  considerably  exceeding  the  opposers  in  point  of  nnm- 
bm.  A  deputation  from  the  promoters  of  a  Corporation  waa  admitted 
to  an  audience  with  the  Marquis  of  Lansdown,  the  President  of  the 
Council,  on  the  preyious  day ;  and  the  deputation  appointed  bjr  the 
opposing  committee,  on  their  arriyal  in  town,  sought  a  similar  priyile^ 
which  was  promptly  granted.  The  ffentlemen  forming  this  deputation 
endeavourea  to  impress  upon  the  £ard-Presideiit  the  yiews  of  those 
they  represented ;  explained  the  facts  they  deemed  it  important  to  place 
before  nis  lordship  regarding  the  signatures  of  the  petitions  for -.and 
against  incorporation ;  and  gaye  reasons  to  his  lordship  for  their  appear- 
ance in  opposition  to  the  prayer  of  others  of  their  feUow-townsmen. 
The  deputation  experiencea  a  courteous  and  candid  hearing.  On  their 
retiring  the  representatiyes  of  the  Fro-cozxwration  petitioners,  headed  by 
Messrs.  Attwood  and  Sdiol^eld,  the  members  for  the  borough,  and 
accompanied  by  the  High  Bailiff  were  again  admitted,  and  replied  to 
the  objections  urged  by  the  preceding  deputation. 

The  committee  appointed  to  oppose  uie  incorporation  of  the  town, 
under  the  guidance  of  their  soliciton^  Messrs.  barker  and  Son,  had 
affixed  the  amount  of  assessment  to  eadi  of  the  names  attached  to  the 
counter  petitions ;  and  had  applied  the  same  test  to  the  names  signed  to 
the  origmal  petition  for  incorporation.  By  this  means  the  number  of 
the  rate-paiyers  who  had  siened  was  ascertained,  and  of  course  the  num- 
ber of  those  who  had  affixed  their  signatures  not  being  rate-payers ;  and 


THE  CHAKTEB  OF  INCORPOBATION.  653 

the  result  was  handed  in  to  the  Council  in  the  form  of  a  summaiy. 
This  statement  was  met^  on  the  part  of  the  promoters  of  a  Corporation, 
on  Tuesday  last  by  a  petition  from  the  High  Bailiff,  in  which  he 
impugned  the  accuracy  of  the  statement  made  by  the  opponents  as  to 
the  comparative  number  and  amount  of  rate-payers  who  nad  signed  the 
first  petitions ;  and  in  opposition  to  it  affirmed  the  correctness  of  the 
method  adopted  by  the  pro-corporation  committee,  which  was  effected  by 
comparing  the  first  hundred  names  of  each  of  the  opposing  netitions, 
and  the  first  ^y^  of  every  hundred  up  to  two  thousand,  and  by  this 
mode  calculating  the  total  amount  of  assessment  of  the  petitioners  for 
incorporation  at  about  j£l  20,000.  The  same  gentleman  in  another 
petition  denied  several  of  the  aUeffations  of  the  opponents  of  incorpo- 
ration relative  to  the  ffuardian  ana  other  matters.  Affidavits  from  the 
opposing  parties,  verifying  their  several  statements,  were  ako  given  in 
to  the  CounciL 

On  the  retirement  of  the  deputation  of  the  counter-petitioners,  they 
were  requested  to  attend  the  odl  of  their  Lordships,  and  were  diown 
into  the  room  of  the  Clerk  of  the  Council ;  and,  as  a  matter  of  course, 
were  allowed  to  peruse  the  petitions  of  the  High  fiailifil  Finding  that 
their  statements  and  the  results  of  their  analysiB  were  there  called 
in  question,  and  that  the  denial  of  their  statement  was  sustained  upon 
what  they  deemed  a  very  iinsatisfactory  process  of  calculation,  they 
determined  to  put  the  case  to  the  issue  of  their  correctness,  and  a  petition 
to  Uie  Coundl  was  promptly  drawn,  signed,  and  sent  in  to  their  Lord- 
ships, praying  that  some  impartial  person  mi^t  be  appointed  by  the 
Council  to  ascertain  the  truth  of  tne  oonflictmg  statements  that  had 
been  made.  To  this  the  parties  in  a  short  time  received  an  answer  that 
two  impartial  persons  shoidd  be  sent  down  to  Birmingham  for  that 
purpose.  The  further  consideration  of  the  question  was  then  deferred 
untQ  tiie  6th  of  next  month.    Here  for  the  present  the  matter  rests. 

DiscoBsions,  howeyer,  were  soon  rendered  useless.     On 

April  80,  we  read : — 

We  have  been  £avoured  by  Joshua  Scholefield,  Esq.,  one  of  the  Mem- 
ben  for  this  borough,  with  ttie  following  information : — "  The  Lords  of 
the  Privy  Council,  at  their  sitting  on  liiday  last,  finally  agreed  to  the 
grant  of  Incorporation  to  Birmingham.  The  Ward  Divisions  are  com- 
pleted, and  it  is  supposed  that  the  Charter  will  pass  through  the  office 
in  about  four  weeks. 

The  Charter  was  publicly  read  in  the  Town  Hall  on  Mon- 
day, November  6 ;  and  the  following  is  a  summary  of  its 
oontents: — 

The  Charter  is  addressed  bv  the  Privy  Council  to  Mr.  William 
Scholefield,  the  late  High  Bailift  whose  duly  it  is  to  earry  it  into  effeet 
by  making  out  the  first  burgess  list,  and  by  acting  as  Betuming  Officer 
at  the  first  election  of  Town  Councillors.  Ae  district  to  be  incorporated 
indndes  the  town  and  manor  of  Birmingham,  ti^ether  with  those  parts 
of  the  borough  which  are  comprised  in  the  parish  of  Edebaston,  the  nam- 
lets  of  Deritend  and  Bordesley  and  Duddeston  and  Nechells ;  and  the 
intended  Corporation  is  to  consist  of  a  Mayor,  Hxteen  Aldermen,  and 
forty-eigiu  Councillors.  The  borough  is  to  be  divided  into  Miirlsm  Wards^ 
to  be  respectively  known  as  Lady  wood  ward.  All  Saints  ward,  Hampton 
ward,  St  George's  ward,  St.  Mary's  ward,  St  Fknl*s  ward.  Market 


654  A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE. 

« 

Hall  ward^  St  Peter^s  ward,  8t.  MartHi'B  ward,  St  Tbomai^s  ward, 
Edgbaston  ward,  Deritend  and  Bordeslej  ward,  and  Daddeaton  cwm 
Nechells  ward,  all  of  which  it  is  stated  are  to  return  three  Councillors 
each,  except  St  Peter^s  ward,  Deritend  and  Bordeelev  ward,  and  Dud- 
deston  and  Nechells  ward,  which  are  to  return  each  six  Goundllors. 
The  intended  boundaries  of  these  wards  are  minutely  described  in  the 
copy  of  the  Charter. 

The  Charter  further  directs  that  the  alphabetical  list  (to  be  called 
the  Burgess  list)  of  the  inhabitant  householders  of  the  borough  who  shall 
possess  the  Qualification  reouired  by  the  act,  shall  be  made  out  by  Mr. 
S^olefield,  by  the  10th  of  November  instant  (Saturday  next),  which 
list  shall  be  fixed  in  some  public  or  conspicuous  situation  within  the 
borough  during  eight  days  before  the  20th  of  the  same  month,  for  the 
purpose  of  enablin^^  any  qualified  inhabitant  householder,  whose  name 
shall  have  been  omitted,  to  give  notice  of  such  omission  on  or  before  the 
said  SOth  of  November ;  and  also  to  enable  any  qualified  inhabitant 
householder  whose  name  shall  have  appeared  in  the  liat,  to  object  to 
any  other  person  whose  name  Is  inscorted,  as  not  entitled  to  have  it 
retained.  Ifists  of  these  two  parties  are  to  be  made  out  and  exhibited, 
as  before,  within  eight  days  or  the  6th  of  December  ensninff.  Horatio 
Waddington,  Esq.,  Mrrister-ftt-law,  is  appointed  to  revise  toese  respeo- 
tive  lists  on  the  11th  of  December  following. 

The  first  election  of  ACajror,  Aldermen,  and  Coundllara  is  to  take 
place  as  follows : — The  election  of  Councillors  on  the  26th  of  December 
next^  and  of  Aldermen  and  Mayor  on  the  day  succeeding,  the  27th. 
The  Aldermen  are  to  be  assigned  to  their  respective  wards  on  the  same 
day.  When  formed,  the  Charter  further  emiMwers  the  Corporation  to 
hold  a  Court  of  Beoord  on  the  third  day  ^Wednesday)  <tf  eveiy  week, 
for  the  trial  of  assumpsit,  covenant,  and  aebt ;  actions  for  trespass  or 
trover,  for  taking  goods  and  chattels;  and  actions  of  qeetmaat  between 
landlord  and  tenant^  where  the  amount  to  be  recovered  or  the  damages 
■ought  to  be  obtained  shall  not  exceed  £20.  Certain  provisions  are 
appended  to  this  power,  one  of  which  directs  that  if  a  Beoorder  shall  be 
hereafter  appointed  for  the  borough,  no  issue  either  in  law  or  fiic(  shall 
be  tried  in  tae  absence  of  the  Beoorder. 

The  elections  tookjplace  on  the  day  appointed.  The  first 
meeting  of  the  new  Town  Council  was  neld  in  the  Commit- 
tee Room  of  the  Town  Hall,  at  which  the  sixteen  Aldermen 
were  elected.  Mr^  William  Scholefield  was  unanimously 
dected  the  first  MayOT;  Mr.  William  Bedfem  and  Mr. 
Solomon  Bray  were  proposed  for  the  office  of  Town  Clerk, 
but  the  former  gentleman  was  appointed  by  a  lam  majority. 
Mr.  R  E.  Dou^s  was  unanimously  elected  t6  the  office  of 
Registrar  of  the  Mayor's  Courts  and  the  first  tn^Afcing  of  the 
Birmingham  Town  Council  was  brought  to  a  dosa 

To  Mr.  P.  H.  Muntz  and  the  Town  Council  the  inhabitants 
are  indebted  for  the  preservation  of  the  n^dks  through  St 
Philip's  Church  Yard.  The  Street  Act  Commissioners  had 
rassed  resolutions  to  dose  them ;  and  at  a  meeting  of  the 
Council  in  the  first  week  of  January,  1839,  Mr.  Alderman 


THE  CHARTEB  OF  INCORPORATION.  655 

Moniz  said   ''that  the  walks  were  in  his  opinion  very 

beautiful,"  and  he  moved  the  following  resolution : — 

*^  That  it  is  the  opinion  of  the  Town  Couucil  that  the  walks  of  St. 
Philip's  Church  Tara  are  an  ornament  to  the  Borough,  and  should  be 
kept  m  proper  condition,  and  that  they  give  this  their  decided  opinion, 
that  it  would  be  injurious  to  the  town  if  they  were  closed  up.'' 

In  March,  the  Town  Clerk,  at  the  request  of  the  Mayor, 

read  an  opinion  as  to  the  legality  of  the  Commissioners' 

resolutions,  which  thus  concludes  : — 

^On  the  whole  I  am  of  opinion  that  it  is  not  competent  for  the 
Street  Commissioners  to  carry  into  effect  their  proposea  arrangement 
respecting  St.  Philip's  Church  Yard,  and  that  if  they  should  do  so  they 
will  exceed  their  authority — will  misappropriate  the  funds  entrusted  to 
their  care— and  will  furnish  good  grounds  for  an  appud  against  the 
rate." 

Alderman  Muntx  then  moved — ^That  in  the  opinion  of  this  Council 
the  proposed  arrangement  of  the  Street  Commissioners  with  respect 
to  St.  I'hilip's  Church  Yard  is  illegal— involves  a  misapplication  of 
the  public  moneys  and  would  permit  a  good  ground  of  appeal  against 
the  rate ;  nor,  in  the  judgment  of  this  Council,  is  the  illegality  of  this 
transaction  at  all  redeem^  by  its  utility,  or  bv  its  consonaucy  with  the 
public  wishes ;  that  this  Council,  therefore,  still  hopes  that  the  Commis- 
sioners will  see  fit  to  abandon  a  measure  which  cannot  be  persevered  in 
without  producing  a  strong  resistance  on  the  part  of  the  town."  Alder- 
man Hutton  seconded  the  proposition,  which  was  unanimously  adopted. 

The  Council  also  petitioned  that  Borough  Sessions  might 
be  granted  to  this  town.  Lord  John  Russell  replied,  on 
Apnl  13,  that  he  would  ''immediately  recommend  the 
grant  of  a  separate  Court  of  Quarter  Sessions  for  the 
Borough  of  Birmingham."  At  a  meeting  of  the  Council, 
held  on  May  7,  the  Mayor  announced  that  their  petition 
for  a  separate  Court  of  Quarter  Sessions  had  been  granted. 
Mr.  M.  D.  Hill,  Q.C.,  was  recommended  for  the  office  of 
Recorder,  and  at  the  next  meeting  of  the  Council,  May  15, 
a  letter  was  read  from  that  gentleman  "announcing  that 
her  Majesty  had  appointed  him  "  to  that  office.  Mr.  George 
Edmonds  was  unanimously  elected  Clerk  of  the  Peace. 
Dr.  Birt  Davies  was  also  elected  Coroner.  The  first 
Borouffh  Sessions  was  held  on  July  8, 1839. 

On  toe  retirement  of  Mr.  Attwood,  from  the  representation 

of  the  Borouffh,  an  attempt  was  made  to  introduce  party 

politics  into  Uie  Town  Council,  but  it  was  frustrated  by  the 

good  sense  of  the  majority. 

February  17^  1840. — A  special  meeting  of  the  Town  Council  was 
convened  on  Fnday  last  for  the  purpose  of  considering,  "at  the  instance 
of  seTeral  members  of  the  Council,  the  propriety  of  calling  a  public 
meeting  of  the  inhabitants  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining,  on  the  occasion 
of  Bir.  Attwood's  retirement^  an  expression  of  the  high  sense  enter- 


656  A  CENTURY  OF  BIBMINOHAM  LIFE. 

tained  by  his  fellow  townsmen  and  othft^  at  once  of  his  eminent 
priTate  virtaes,  and  of  his  patriotic  devotion  to  the  cause  of  hia 
ooantry."  Soon  letter  eleven  ovdock  the  Mayor  took  the  chair,  bat  as 
there  were  only  fifteen  members  of  the  corporation  in  attendiince  no 
business  oonld  be  transacted,  and  the  meeting  immediately  dissolved. 

On  the  7th  of  April  Mr.  W.  Redfem  resigned  the  office 
of  Town  Clerk ;  and,  at  the  Meeting  held  on  May  5,  Mr. 
Solomon  Bray  was  unanimously  elected  in  his  place. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  Members  of  the  Council 

elected  as  Mayors  since  the  Charter  of  Incorporation  was 

granted: — 

1S38— William  Scholefield    ^  1853-James  Baldwin 

1839— Philip  Henry  Muntz  1854-^ohn  Palmer 

1840— Philip  Henry  Montz  1855— Thomas  R  T.  Hodgson 

1841— Samuel  Beale  *^  1856— John  Batdiff 

1842--James  James  1857— John  Batdiff 

1843— Thomas  Weston*^  1858— Sir  John  Batcli£^  Knt. 

1844— Thomas  Phillips  ^  1859— Thomas  Lloyd 

1845— Henry  Smith   ^  1860— Arthur  RyUnd 

1846— Robert  Martinean  ^  1861— Henry  Manton 

1847— Charles  Geach  1862— Charles  Storge 

1848— Samnel  Thornton  ^  186&— William  HolJiday 

1849— William  Lney  1864— Henry  ^^Hggin 

1850— William  Lacy.  1865— Edwin  Yates 

1851— Henry  Smith  •  1866--George  Dixon    . 

1858— Heniy  Hawkes  1867— Thomas  Avery 


CHABLE8  BEECX  PEICBSBTOK. 

To  the  members  of  the  old  Birmingham  Mechanical 
Institute  the  name  of  Charles  Beece  Pemberton  will  act 
Uke  a  spell,  and  recall  some  of  the  pleasantest  remembrances 
of  their  lives.  The  year  1839  is  preserved  in  their  memo- 
ries as  one  of  the  golden  years  of  their  existenca  They 
will  recall  how  a  noble-looking  but  attenuated  figure 
appeared  before  them  in  the  Lecture  Room  of  the  Institute, 
with  an  eye  still  bright  with  its  old  fire,  but  a  weakened 
voice,  and  tones  recalling  the  once  rich  melody  which  it 
possessed,  and  told  them  of  scenes  and  incidents  in  foreign 
dimea  Generous  hearts  had  enabled  the  dyin^  genius  to 
visit  ECTpt  in  a  vain  search  for  health,  and  on  his  return  he 
narrat^,  as  onl^  he  could  narrate,  the  splendours  of  tiiat  old 
and  worn-out  civilization.  To  young  students  who  hung  on 
every  word  he  spoke  he  pictured  the  wonders  of  Cairo,  the 
mighty  ruins  <k  Theb^  the  marvels  of  the  Nile,  the 


CHARLES  BEECE  PEMBERTON.  657 

Pyramids  and  the  Temples  of  Egypt.  There  was  a  solemnity 
in  the  scene  rarely  witnessed  at  lectures,  for  all  who  listened 
felt  that  they  were  listening  to  the  dying  words  of  one  who, 
in  Shylock  and  Macbeth,  had,  but  so  short  a  time  before, 
thrilled  them  with  the  power  of  a  great  actor,  illustrating 
the  author  whom  he  so  conscientiously  studied,  so  tho- 
roughly appreciated,  and  so  passionately  loved.  No  one 
who  ever  heard  Pemberton  as  lecturer  or  actor  can  ever 
forget  his  fervid  eloquence  and  extraordinary  powers. 

Pemberton  was  bom  at  Pontypool,  South  Wales,  on 
January  23,  1790,  and  in  the  raster  of  his  birth  he  is 
called  Thomas  Reece  Pemberton.  When  he  was  quite  a 
child  the  family  removed  to  Birmingham,  and  in  1799  he  was 
Kent  to  the  Protestant  Dissenting  Charity  School,  in  Park 
Street,  which  at  that  time  was  under  the  able  mastership  of 
Mr.  Daniel  Wright,  a  teacher  to  whom  many  Birmingham 
men  owe  a  debt  of  gratitude  which  they  can  never  hope  to 
repay.  Only  a  month  before  his  death  Pemberton  said 
to  Mr.  Q.  J.  Holyoake,  "  I  owe  more  to  Daniel  Wright  than 
I  do  to  any  other  man  on  earth,  except  my  father.  He 
taught  me  that  those  things  Were  wrong  I  even  then 
dishked,  and  everybody  else  would  laugh  at  me  for."  He 
was  removed  fix>m  school  in  his  fifteenth  year,  when  he  was 
apprenticed  to  his  unde,  Mr.  Pemberton^  a  Brassfounder,  at 
the  comer  of  Livery  Street,  in  Oreat  Oiarles  Street  His 
spirit  was  of  too  fiery  a  nature  to  be  satisfied  with  the 
counting-house.  In  ''Pel  Verjuioe,**  which  mav  be  accepted 
as  his  Autobiography  and  which  was  contributed  to  the 
Monthly  Repository  in  the  years  1833-34,  when  their 
author  was  nearly  fifty,  he  writes  with  the  strong  sense,  of 
the  repugnance  with  which  he  looked  upon  hiis  calling  This 
feeling  was  strengthened  by  a  visit  which  he  paid  to  the 
Theatre,  in  1806,  when  the  town  was  being  electrified  by 
the  performances  of  Toung  Bosciua  The  effect  of  this  visit 
on  the  ardent  and  enthusiastic  mind  of  the  boy  will  be  best 
understood  by  his  own  account  of  the  incident  After 
describing  the  house  as  he  surveyed  it  fix>m  bis  seat  in 
the  gallery,  and  having  listened  to  the  overturCi  he  thus 
proceeds :— - 

^Tben,  oh  then,  on  mv  enclia&ted  eyes  grew  forth  a  magnifiooDt 
palace,  intermiDable  in  oolonnades,  and  sacred  with  receeaee,  stratchinff 
tar,  far,  far  into  distance :  thence  the  mellow  effulgence  of  an  ethereiu 
■plendonr  subdued,  drew  the  ima^nnation  on  to  an  ereriastingneeB  of 
melodious  and  floweiy  eljsium.  Paint,  canvaaa,  and  brushes,  gloiy  to 
ye !  In  quick  retrogression  the  eye  stepped  on  the  goigery  of  the 
u  uu 


658  A  C£NTURT  Ot  BIBMINOHAM  LIFE. 

• 

marUe'  oolixmns^  and  over  their  aculptured  and  trophied  decorations, 
then  took  their  impatient  rest  on  the  qMUse  between  tke  Btream  of  light 
on  the  verdant  floor,  and  the  nearest  range  of  pillars.  From  opposite 
nortals  two  beings  stepped  lightly  and  graoef  oUy  forward  until  they  met. 
Not  yet ;  for  the  instant  a  sanoalled  foot  from  one  was  visible  at  the 
veige  of  the  miyBtio  recess,  the  mountain  sbobk  with  th^  thnnder  which 
at  once,  in  one  passionate  and  headlong  peal,  rattled  and  echoed,  and 
rolled,  from  its  sommit^  sides,  and  middle  depths  boiesth  me.  It  was 
the  collision  of  fonr  thousand  palms^  many  of  them  as  homy  as  a  horse's 
hoof,  the  beating  of  so  man^  feet  with  simultaneous,  oonstantaneous 
strokes,  and  the  volleying  of  two  thousand  voices  in '^ Bravo!  bravo! 
bravo ! '  all  in  «xact  unison  of  burst  What  a  moment  was  that  for  the 
voungjuid  beautiful  stripUng,  a  juvenile  deity  descended,  who  stood,  and 
bent  a  graceful  Acceptance  of  the  homage.  Again  and  asain  the 
tiiunder  rose  and  rolled,  and  agiun  thel)oy-j;od  bowed.  Yet  t£ere  was 
another  being,  aa  elder,  still  a  youth,  standing  near  him;  retired  back  a 
step  or  two  j  lie  stood  erect  and  beautiful ;  he  bowed  not;  he  felt  th^ 
homafle  was  not  to  him;  he  was  deaf  and  absent  to  it  aO ;  he  was  still 
Mr,  £ng,in  soite  of  his  sandals,  tunic,  and  peplum.  The  uproar  melted 
into  air;;  the  last  rumble  of  the  thunder  sank  down,  down,  down  from 
a  niurnmr  to  a^  sigh ;  then  to  unheard,  suppressed  bteath^  deep,  deep 
intense  stillne^ ;  and  I  heard  the  vdce  of  that  rm  drestorei  if  creature 
he  could  be,  muaicallv  svUable  forth  the  words,  'Oh;  Pyiades,  whalfs 
life  without  a  friend  r  In  that  vast  assemblage  of  men,  women^-  and 
youths,  of  differ^t  degrees,  temperament^  ana  character;  the  ron^ 
and  the  courtly,  the  rude  and  the  refined,  the  semi-savage  and  the  delicate, 
the  educated  and  Hie  iUiteratB,  the  turbulent  and  &e  meditative,  the 
timid  and  iht  tipsy  4  not  a  whiiper^  not  a  breathed  sound  cniled  on  ihb 
atmosphere  to  distarb  the  adonng  aikiice ;  there  wm  n^tianqniUfty  as 
pcarfeet  as  in  the  stars — ^it  was  like  ^e  quiet  of  a  moon-ray  sleepily  on, 
and  bome  about  by.  a  vivified  statue.  Oh,  how  t  was  enthnlleii^  en- 
chanted, spell  wrou«it|  by  what  I  saw  and  heard.  With  utter  uncon- 
•ei0uane«  of  mysetfl  arose  and  bent  forward^  witiioatstrotdied  anxis^  as 
if  to  fly  whith«r  I  was  irrenstibly  and  dreamin^y  drawiL  when  a  jeik 
at  my  coat  tail,  and  a  voice  in  anger's  shrillness,  crying^ '  Cawn't  ye  at 
deawnt  /re  rucking  my  ^wnd/ drew  me  haoc  Oh,  what  a  horiixig 
down  from  the  heaven  of  imagination  was  that !  'Qt  ihatflewse  soniA 
woots !  tnm  um  hout,  throw  um  hover  P  seresmed  and  beOowed  frosn^ 
every  side,  and  a  thousand  heads,  and  as  many  pair  d  exasperated  eyes' 
were  direct  towards  me.   'Oh,  that  this  too,  too  solid  fltah  would  melt, 


thaw,  and  resolve  itself  into  adew'  (I  had  read  Hamlet),  was  mjr  prayer. 
I  was  steeped,  saturated,  narboiled  in  a  caulditm  of  shame.     I  was  for 
some  moments  in  a  state  ot  utter  annihilation ;  Vat  l^estonn  died  away, 
peace  retained,  and  with  it  my  flyedness  of  eve  and  devouring  of 
ear......T1iere  were  guards,  and  battle  udsb,  and  ahieldi^  andspean^ 

,a  won!" 


and  a  throne .1  would  have  sacaifioed  my  dinner  every  day 

for  the  next  month  even  to  have  touched  one  ol  those  blessca 
battle-axes,  or  to  have  clutched  the  shaft  of  one  of  those  honoured 
speaml  Ikit  the  men  that  bore  them  I  Oh  I  to  their  ^^orioas  state 
ambition  could  not  dream  of  aspiring.  Then  the  ladies^  the  aogela^ 
In  ZMetfei,  for  such  to  me  they  were,  to  be  gaaad  on  only  at  a 
distanoe,  unapproachable,  and  immaculate.  How  beantiful,  how  vecy 
beautiful  they  were,  indeed  they  were,  whether  yon  call  them  women 
or  goddesses!  how  much  more  than  lovely!    Mortality'a  touch, or 


CHARLES  REECE  PEMBERTON.  659 

the  voice  or  breath  of  earthlinees  would  have  blasphemed  them.  Yet 
the  playbill  informed  me  that  Hermione,  the  Juno,  the  tornado  queen, 
Hermione,  was  'ydeped  by  mortals  '  Mrs.  Johnstone/  and  the  tearful, 
sad,  and  fond,  and  graciously  tender  Andromache,  was  grossly  callea 
*  Miss  Norton,'  and  both  were  real  women.  But  I  woidd  not,  I  could 
not  believe  it.  Ah  me !  if  I  had  carried  a  hundred  hearts  under  my 
waistcoat  they  would  all  have  jumped  out  and  yielded  themselves  cap- 
tives, willing,  joyous  captives.  But  bless  you,  reader,  I  have  been  m 
the  same  predicament  a  himdred  times  since ;  black,  brown,  fair,  and 
coppery,  all  have  held  me  in  their  thraUs,  and  as  I  tnought  with  each, 

past  escape.     It  is  all  over  now,  and  I  am  as  free  as  a  weathercock 

There  was  one  sympathetic  and  simple  creature  sitting  next  to  me  (not 
the  one  whose  *  geawnd  I  had  rucked '}  motionless  and  mute  as  myself, 
but  she  found  breath  to  whisper  to  me  'Are  they  alive  V  alluding  to  the 
lieings  on  the  stage.  *  Oh  yes,'  was  all  my  reply,  glad  to  give  the  infor- 
mation, and  not  a  jot  surprised  at  the  question.  But  between  the  acts 
I  was  really  af;Qnised ;  what  with  the  ugly  change  and  the  impatience 
for  the  elevation  of  tiie  cruel  act  drop-scene,  I  could  scarcely  endure 
myself.  There  was  whistUnf  ,  and  diouting,  and  hallooing  to  acquaint- 
ances, and  cork-drawing,  all  in  a  moment  from  the  descent  of  the  act- 
drop;  ay,  ere  it  had  dosed  in  entirely,  the  villainy  b^ean What  a 

bliss  is  ignorance.  I  am  quite  certain  I  could  not  now  be  bribed  to  sit 
through  the  play  of  *  Orestes ;  or  the  Distressed  Mother,'  as  it  was  acted 
on  that  evemnff ;  everytiiing  was  faultless,  beautiful,  divine  then ;  be- 
cause I  had  thought  no  more  about  the  matter,  I  had  examined  no 
farther  into  the  qualities  of  acting  than  the  rest  of  the  public— those 
who  are  in  the  habit  of  deciding  the  fate  of  a  histrionist  In  shorty  I 
had  not  learned  to  fmd  faolt.  The  jstar^  the  wondrous  magnet  of  uie 
evening,  the  being  who  drew  the  entkunoitie  multitude  to  gaze  on  him, 
was  he  who  figured  as  Orestes ;  but  it  was  Andromache  that  stood  pre- 
eminent with  me,  sweet,  tender,  and  soul-dissolving,  in  my  sight  Folks 
said  Hennione  was  the  finest ;  she  may  have  been ;  but  I  have  ever  had 
an  instinctive  aversion  to  a  virago,  whether  in  brocade  and  koe  and 
diamonds,  silk  or  gingham,  or  in  linsey-wolosey — but  the  most  horrible 
of  these  nonors  is  a  genUd  *  virago.'  Where  was  Astyanax,  for  whom 
Andromache  feared  and  grieved  ?  What  a  blessed  cmld  was  that  for 
which  she  moaned  and  wept !  And  I  heard  l^irrrhus  tell  her,  ten  times 
at  least,  with  boisterous,  bullying  condescension,  that  he  loved  her ;  and 

I  disliked  Mr.  Banymore,  and  this,  too,  without  loving  Miss  Norton 

I  was  throughout  so  earnest  in  my  attention,  so  fixed  in  my  case,  and 
took  impressions  of  all  I  saw  and  ueard  so  acutely  and  deeply,  Siat  I  aai 
sure  I  could  have  marshalled  every  step  of  foot,  position  of  body,  motion 
of  arm.  •  I  could  have,  coursed  over  every  tone  of  voice  which  I  heard 
that  night  for  years  afterwards.  I  felt  everythinj^,  that  is,  I  understood 
everything,  except  that  which. was  most  uproariously  applauded,  that 
whidi  was  dapped  and  *  bravoed'  by  the  audience  most  vehemently — 
tke  mad  scene.  Toung  and  ignorant  as  I  was,  I  fdt  sorry  it  was 
done." 

Poor  Pemberton  and  his  kind-hearted,  but  outwardly 
cold,  uncle  did  not  eet  on  well  together.  They  disagreed  on 
almost  everything,  lor  they  were  utterly  unlike  each  other. 
''At  the  age  of  seventeen,"  says  Mr.  Fowler,  the  editor  of  the 
Life  and  literary  Remains  of  Pemberton,  ''  he  ran  away, 


660  A  CENTURY  OF  BIBMINQHAM  LIFE. 

with  a  companion,  from  his  uncle's  house,  and  went  to 
LiverpooL  He  was  there  kidnapped  by  a  press-gang,  and 
sent  to  sea.'  His  name  was  entered  on  the  ship's  books 
'Charles  Eeece/  For  aeveral  years  he  served  in  ships  of 
war,  was  occasionally  engaged  in  skirmishes  and  battles,, 
and  passed  through  many  strange  adventures  consequent 
upon  his  seafaring  lifa" 

After  this  our  knowledge  of  the  life  of  Pemberton  is  very 
meagre.  He  went  to  the  West  Indies  and,  true  to  the* 
dreams  of  his  youth,  became  an  actor  and  manager  of  thea^ 
tres.  He  tliere  married  an  actress  of  ''great  beauty  and 
dramatic  talent,"  said  to  be  Fanny  Pritchard.  It  was  not  a 
happy  marriage ;  the  young  lady  was  not  true  to  her  vows, 
and  the  disappointed  husband  left  wife,  and  child,  and  the 
prospect  of  c^iain  wealth,  and  became  again  a  wanderer  on 
the  face  of  the  earth. 

The  yeax  of  his  return  to  England  is  not  known ;  but  in 
1828  he  was  performing  at  the  Hereford  Theatre,  where 
he  had  the  good  fortune  to  attract  the  attention  of 'that 
good  man,  judicious  critic,  and  able  dramatist,  Mr.  Seijeant^ 
afterwards  Mr.  Justice,  Talfourd.  He  saw  him  play  during 
the  assize  week  Hotspur,  Sir  Peter  Teazle,  Sbvlock,  and 
Virginius ;  of  this  round  of  characters  Mr.  Talfouid  most 
adimred  Shylock,  and  firom  our  own  youthful  impressions  of 
this  part  we  should  sav  that,  not  even  excepting  Edmund 
Eean  s,  it  was  one  of  tne  fin^  impersonations  ever  seen  on 
the  stace.  It  was  indeed  the  "Jew  which  Shakspere  drew." 
Mr.  Tafiburd  wrote  a  menial  criticism  of  this  performance  for 
the  "  New  Monthly  Magazine,"  of  which  he  was  then  editor. 
The  result  of  this  friendly  act  was  that  Ifr.  Pemberton  ap- 
peared at  Covent  Garden  Theatre,  Londoxi,  in  March,  1829, 
m  Virginius  and  Shylock.  Critics  were  divided  in  opinion 
on  the  new  Tragedian,  but  all  admitted  he  possessed  some  of 
the  first  requisites  of  a  great  actor.  He  -next  appeared  in 
Birmingham  with  jprreat  succesa  Here,  in  realiiy  his  native 
town,  he  was  enthusiastically  received.  Li  1833,  acting 
upon  the  advice  of  W.  J.  Fox,  the  editor  of  the  MonAly 
Kepositorv,  he  commenced  writing  for  that  magazine  isbsJb 
remarkable  series  of  papers  in  which,  under  uie  title  of 
"  The  Autobiography  of  Pel  Verjuice,"  he  tells  almost  all  we 
know  of  his  own  life.    For  some  years  now  Pemberton  em- 


Joyed  himself  in  lecturing  on  Social  Beading,  Poetrv,  and 
Shakspere.  "  It  was,"  writes  Mr.  Fowler,  "  to  members  of 
Mechanics'  Institutes,  however,  that  he  took  the  greatest 


CSAELES  REECE  PEMBEBTON.  661 

pleasure  in  speakiiig.  He  had  at  heart  the  improvement  of 
the  people ;  and,  after  the  means  of  a  bare  subsistence,  he 
cared  little  for  pecuniary  advantage,  so  that  he  could  have 
the  opportunity  of  doing  good.  The  funds  of  many  Mecha- 
nics' Institutions  were  materially  augmented  by  the  attrac- 
tion of  his  lectures ;  and  wherever  the  poverty  of  a  Society 
stood  in  the  way  of  his  engagement,  he  was  usuallv  (perhaps 
invariably)  willing  to  accommodate  his  terms  to  the  circum- 
stances of  the  case.'  At  Birmingham  he  was  very  popular, 
and  attracted  as  crowded  audiences  as  ever  assembled  in 
that  town."  Of  the  truth  of  this  all  who  knew  him  will 
cheerfully  testify ;  and  proof  is  given  in  the  fSeict  that  in  1836 
he  performed  Macbeth  and  Shylock  in  the  Birmingham 
Theatre  Royal  for  the  benefit  of  the  Mechanics'  Institute. 

His  healui  was,  unfortunately,  giving  way,  and  he  was 
compell^  to  tiy  a  milder  climate.  He  now  visited  Qibral- 
tar,  Malta,  and  other  places  in  the  Mediterranean,  and 
returned  to  England  in  the  summer  of  1838.  He  lectured 
at  Sheffield  in  August  of  that  year,  and  a  correspondent  of 
the  ''Sheffield  Inaependent"  furnishes  us  with  a  graphic 
picture  of  the  man  and  the  lecture.    The  writer  says : — 

^  When  he  stepped  upon  the  platform  there  was  a  tremendons  ontbnrrt 
of  dieering.  whicn  speedily 'knnk  into  a  more  enbdaed  manifestation  of 
weloome.  what  a  change  had  come  npon  him  I  He  was  bnt  the  ahado w 
of  himself;  his  manly  bearing  and  his  free  action  were  gone,  and  in  their 
place  were  come  the  atooping  gait  and  the  feeble  walk.  Bat  oh  !  what 
a  tjde  of  aofferinff  was  told  when  he  opened  hit  mouth  and  ipoke.  Hie 
Toice^  which  had  been  aweet  aa  the  late  and  load  as  the  trampet,  had 
become  wtek,  cncked|  and  discordant !  And  there  was  the  dreadful 
cooffh  that  appeared,  to  be  everiastingly  tearinff  at  his  heartetrinn ! 
Well,  bat  he  did  apleak ;  and,  wondmol  to  behold,  as  he  gradauly 
^adTaoced  he  got  the  mastery  of  his  infirmities.  The  sabject  of  the 
•renin^a  lectare  was  Brataa,  in  Jaliaa  CSnear.  He  broaght  oat,  one 
by  oncL  the  beanties  of  the  character,  and  when  he  made  it  appear,  as  it 
really  Is,  a  fflorions  specimen  of  the  beet  qaalities  of  haman  nature,  he 
held  it  up  tor  admiration  and  instraction.  Pemberton  was  no  longer 
the  man  ne  had  been  some  abort  time  before, — ^he  had  left  all  his  own 
weaknesMS  and  entered  fally  into  the  loyelineas  and  truth  of  Brutos. 
The  illostrated  passages  were  given  with  the  delioBicy  and  power  of 
fiirmer  times.  It  was  life  in  death ;  and  showed  how  the  vigorous  soul 
can  Impart  energy  to  the  wasted  body.'' 


His  friends  privately  raised  a  sum  of  money  which  once 
more  enabled  tne  wanaerer  to  travel  This  time  he  visited 
Egypt^  but  his  health  was  not  improved.  He  now  literally 
came  home  to  die.  After  remaining  a  few  days  in  London, 
he  came  to  live  at  his  brother's,  Mr.  W.  0.  Pemberton,  then 
residing  in  Ludgate  HilL    His  niece,  whom  every  member 


862  A  CENTUBT  OF  BIBMINQHAM   LIFK 

of  the  Mechanics'  Institute  will  remember  with  pride  and 
pleasure,  was  his  constant  companion  and  nurse,  and  lovingly 
and  &ithfuUy  she  discharged  her  tender  duties.  Mr.  G.  J. 
Holyoake  and  a  few  other  friends  daily  visited  him,  and 
invariably  found  him  genial,  cheerful,  and  happy.  He  died 
on  the  3rd  of  March,  1840—**  a  bright  sunny  spring  day — 
with  a  fall  knowledge  that  his  time  was  come,  for  he 
occasionally  said  to  his  niece, '  this  is  death ' ;  he  died  like  a 
child  going  to  sleep,  serenely  and  happily.  He  was  borne  to 
his  grave  by  a  few  membeoB  of  the  Birmingham  Mechanics' 
Institution,  and  he  lies  buried  in  the  Key  Hill  Cemeteiy." 

A  Committee  was  formed  for  the  purpose  of  erecting  a 
monument  to  his  memory,  of  which  Mr.  Q.  J.  Holyoake  was 
appointed  Secretary.  No  one  was  allowed  to  contribute  to 
this  fund  ^  who  had  not  either  paid  to  hear  him  lecture,  or 
bouffht  his  pamphlets  or  other  publications,  or  subscribed  to 
his  Illness  Fund."  The  result  of  this  action  was,  that  thie 
Committee  were  enabled  to  place  over  his  remains  the  slab 
which  now  marks  their  last  resting  place,  and  on  which  is 
the  following  inscription  from  the  pen  of  Mr.  W.  J.  Fox : — 


BBT  THB  MORTAL  RKICAnrB  07 

GHABLiBS  BEEOE  PEMBBBTON, 

WHO  DDBD  MAMOB  3bD,  1840,  AOBD  60. 

BQiiffeiitle  aad  fervid  tainxe, 

flu  acQte  giuoeptibility, 

And  his  aspiratiaiui  to  the  beaatiral  and  tme^ 

Were  developed  and  ezeraeed 

Thnmgh  a  life  of  vidasitade, 

And  often  of  privation  and  diaappointment^ 

Aa  a  nublic  Lectarer 

He  haa  left  a  laatinff  memorial 

>  In  the  minda  of  uie  many 

"Whom  he  guided  to  a  peioepition 

Of  the  genina  of  Shakapere 

In  ita  dlTenifiM  and  hannoninnff  powen. 

At  opui  eawiott  and  hypooray 

He  nipiiied  with  %  f  ocoe  proportioiDed 

To  that  wherewith  nis  etang 

To  jnatiea  and  freedom,  kindneaa  and  ainoerityi 

Ever  prompt  for  genenma  toil, 

He  won  for  hunaelf  Irom  the  wmd 

Only  tiie  poet^a  dowry, 

^The  hate  ii  hate,  the  acorn  of  monif 

The  love  of  love!!* 

^ThelifeaadliteaiyBeaudnflofChaiietBeeoePembeitoik    BjJcHm 
Fowkr.  p.  xidi. 


CHABLES  REECE  PEMBERTON.  663 

At  South  Place,  Finsbury,  Mr.  W.  J.  Fox  delivered  one  of 
his  eloquent  addresses  on  the  occasion  of  his  friend's  death. 
At  this  service  were  repeated  the  lines  written  by  Ebenezer 
Elliott,  and  appropriately  called 

POOR  CHARLES. 

Shimn'd  by  the  rich,  the  vain,  the  dull, 

Truth's  all-fomving  son. 
The  gentlest  of  tne  beautiful, 

His  painful  course  hath  run ; 
Content  to  live ;  to  die  resigned ; 
In  meeknesB  proud  of  wishes  kind, 

And  duties  nobly  done. 

A  ffod-like  diild  hath  left  the  earth ; 

In  heaven  a  child  is  bom : 
Cold  world,  thou  could's  not  know  his  worth, 

And  well  he  earned  thy  sooni ; 
For  he  believed  thai  all  may  be 
What  martyxB  are^  in  qxite  of  thee— 

Nor  wear  thy  crown  of  thorn. 

Smiling  he  wreathed  it  round  his  brain 

And  dared  what  martyrs  dare ; 
For  Ood|  who  wastes  nor  joy  nor  pain. 

Had  ^aimedhissoal  to  bear;*^ 
But  vain  his  hope  to  find  below 
That  peace  which  heaven  alone  can  know : 

He  died^-4o  seek  it  tiiere. 

Pemberton  also  wrote  three  Plays, ''  The  Podesta^''  ''  The 
Banner,"  and  ^'  The  Two  Oatherines,"  which  although  not 
adapted  for  the  stage,  abound,  in  splendid  passages,  which 
will  delight  the  reader.  We  ouote  one  specimen  of  his 
blank  verse;  it  is  from  tiie  tnird  scene  of  the  first  act 
of  "ThePodesta:*' 

Ye  smile  me  welcomei  quiet  walls— 
Flowers,  bow  your  beauteous  hiBsds  in  ffratnlation, 
And,  fragrant  shxubsy  waft  ^'  yonr  rich  perfome 
To  bid  me  yxj^  :  and,  langhmg  verdure,  Bft 
Your  die<pieiing  gems  to  welcome  me  again  >^ 
Young  guileless  ehildran  spMtinff  roond  my  home ! 
Ye  trees^  upon  whose  dnstering  Diaaches  (uoce 
Ten  thousand  harps  to  thdr  own  knelody. 
In  whispering  chorus  join'd.  is  it  for  me 
Ye  hold  this  merriment  and  music  soft  f 
Peaoe-beatbg  to  the  heart-compoaing  thoughts^ 
Ye  send,  ye  graoefol  waving  fields,  to  those 
"Who  love  to  mark  your  undulating  hosts 
Harmonious  moving.    And,  thou,  old  stream, 
Flow  on,  flow  on :  and  while  thy  margins  drmk 


From  thy  free  f contains^  five  them  strength  to  bear 
The  peasant's  toil,  and  yiMd  that  tofl  abnndance. 


664  A  CENTUBY  OF  BIBHINGHAH  LIFE. 

Ah,  anfely  bear  each  bu^  that  tasks  thy  ware 

For  smooth  support  and  there  »  Naiad  sits 

Securely  in  her  golaen  chariot  flidiDg. 

Ye  solemn  moontains,  solemn,  but  not  stem  : 

Not  stem  ;  sablimely  calm  are  ye,  and  q;>eafc 

BcoieTolence  in  yenerable  age«     « 

Old  white-hair'd  men,  gone  to  eteroi^, 

Who  still  look  back  with  lore  npon  their  brorwv 

For  all  the  generations  jMSt  aodTall 

The  generations  yet  to  rise, 

So  look  you  down  on  me  I  ' 

Of  his  lyrical  powers  the  following,  from  his  ''Songs  of  the 

Months^''  is  a  good  example : — 

APBU^TEABS  AND  SMILEa 

^er  cheek  is  pale,  her  eyes  are  wet^ 
Her  Toioe  in  mnnnuings 
Grieves  lowly  to  the  mora,  that  yet 

No  sunshine  brings. 
Why  linger  ye,  O,  landing  honza  t 
yncoil,  ye  buds ;  nnf old,  ye  flowers ! 

Sad  April  singL 

The  paleness  fleets,  the  tears  are  dry,  -    - 
Her  yoioe  with  gladness  xinfls  | 
The  suishine  over  earth  ana  s^ 

Its  brightness  flings. 
Come  revel  through  my  laughing  hours. 
Ye  warbling  birds,  Telrnds  and  flowers  1 

Glad  ApmsiiigaL 

We  have  already  qnoted  a  spedmen  of  bis  prose ;  bat 
must  add  the  following  description  of  )Ioeeley  Common : — 

''But  the  common !— I  saw  it  three  years  ago^  and,  God  be  praised,  it 
wasnotciTilised.  Thereianothiugint&wfaofaranpof  KngJishsoenerT, 
no  beau^  nor  ornament,  neither  natural  nor  arti&ial  glory,  amoQff  all 
its  delicious  and  enchanting  variety,  that  jg;lads  my  eyes  and  heart  so 
fdly  and  so  instantaneously  as  A  common  ocgorte  bush  and  fem.  Sheep 
were  on  this  conmion,  descendants  in  the  tenth  ^penecation,  perhaps^  of 
my  old  friendsL  bobbing  their  noses  into^  and  mbUing  the  short  soft 
grass  soft  and  alipj[)ery  is  that  graaa.  on  a  sunny  day,  as  mv  lad^s  vel- 
vet pelisse,  or  the  tip  oc  her  «ar.  Thara  too^  stood  yeti  toe  cunde  of 
agea  firs,  a  vegetatea  druidical  temple  of  nra.  They  were  none  of  your 
prim^  straiffht^  smirking  looking  thpigs,  that  yon  see  *  stuck  in  a  moden 
shru bbeiy/  like  a  string  of  boarding-sdiool  misses,  ranjged  at  questiiQa 
and  answer ;  but  stout,  nearty.  Jolly  old  fellows,  sturdy  in  the  diest  and 
waurti  and  sudk  muscular  and  sbiewy  arms  thrown  ou^  as  if  they  would 
knock  the  wi|id  down.  You  may  see  something  like  them  at  Guy's 
Olifi^  in  theavenue,  which  they  form ;  but,  oh,  th^  are  babies  compamL 
to  those  on  my  common,  w  ell,  so  they  stoocL  solemnly  waving  their 
dark  nrments  in  the  breeee,  or  motionless  in  their  silent  and  de^  wor- 
ship Qt  nature.  Magnificence  dreaming  Nothing  there  was  touched 
by  the  hand  of  dviUsation,  thank  God.  zes,  one  change  had  been  made^ 
and  I  fdt  thatthemilkof  human  kindness  was  not  all  soured  within  ma 


CHABLES  BEBCE  PEICBEBTON.  665 

This  was  a  fanciful  and  beautiful  improvement.  An  extensive  old 
ffravel-pit  had  been  spread  with  productive  earth  and  mould,  witJiout 
diminiahinff  its  depth  perceptibly,  or  changing  its  outlines  in  the  least 
—all  the  abruptness,  hillocks,  undulations,  hollows  and  projections  were 
carefully  preserved,  then  turfed  and  plyted  with  shrubs,  roots,  and  moss, 
which,  when  I  saw  them,  were  flourishing  with  sevente^  years  of  glory, 
maldnff  one  of  the  most  perfect  specin^ens  of  romantic  solitude  i  ever 
enjoyed.  Who  did  it  ?  Take  nine-tenths  of  the  saints  out  of  the  calen- 
dar to  make  room  for  him." . 

Such  was  Charles  Beece  P^mbertoD,  his  life,  and  works. 
His  is  a  name  which  Birmingham,  at  leasts  ought  not  willingly 
to  let  die.    In  the  words  of  his  fBivourite  author — 

*'  His  life  was  gentle ;  and  the  elements 

So  mix'd  in  him,  that  Kature  mi^t  stand  up 

And  say  to  all  the  world,  Tkit  wot  a  Manr^ 


Vi)  -J 


vjl;^ 


.,\v? 


APPENDIX. 


THE    BIRMINGHAM    LIBRARY. 

Since  the  pablioation  oJf  the  first  Tolaroe  I  faave  received  from 
Mr.  John  F.  Lee  lome  additional  information  on  the  early  hilBtorjr  of 
the  Library.  Mr.  Lee  eaya:  ^My  £iither,  Mr.  John  Ijee,  was  one  of 
the  first  sobscriben,  and  had  the  care  and  niauagement  of  the  books  at 
the  house  of  my  granilfiithery  in  8nowhiU«  where  the  books  were 
ezdianged  every  morning  between  the  hours  of  Nine  and  Ten.  As  the 
books  increased  in  number  a  Bookcase  was  made,  fitted  up  with  sliding 
shelves,  on  whidi  they  were  kept  until  1782,  when  they  were  removed 
to  a  room  in  the  Swan  Yard.    This  bookcase  is  now  iu  my  posnossi<m. 

**  1  enclose  a  list  of  the  subscribers  in  1 789,  which,  I  suppose,  is  made 
out  in  the  order  they  became  members,  and  you  will  see  that  many  of 
these  are  diaienters.  Hntton  says  the  Society  'received  from  the 
benevolent  hand  of  Dr.  Priestley,  in  1782,  that  stability  and  method, 
without  which  no  institution  can  prosper ; '  but  you  see^  by  the  list  of 
the  Committee  in  1789,  that  the  Society  did  not  long  enjoy  the  benefit 
of  his  counsels  and  advice,  as  his  name  does  not  appear  m  the  Com* 
mittee,  nor  does  that  of  any  Dissenter,  except  Mr.  Deannan.  As  the 
Dissenters  were  thus  excluded,  my  fiither  refused  to  act  as  T^^easnrsr, 
whidi  he  had  done  from  the  commencement" 

In  1789  there  were  849  subscribers,  and  the  following  is  the  list  of 
the  Committee  for  that  year : — 

Bev.  Charles  Curtis,  President 

Mr.  John  Lee,  Treasurer. 

WOliam  Home,  librarian. 
Fkmneb  Fterott^  M.D.  Captain  Cooke 

Mr.  John  IVser,  jun.  Mr.  Joseph  Qibbs 

Bev.  J.  Clntton  Mr.  J.  P.  Dearman 

Bev.  C.  Curtis  William  QUby,  MJ>. 

Mr.  Joseph  Babone  Mr.  John  Blount 

Mr.  Gea  Holl  Baricer  Mr.  Sampson  Lloyd 

Mr.  Thos.  Cooper  Mr.  Charies  Stewart 

Mr.  Oea  Kennedy  Mr.  James  Woolley 

Bev.  Joseph  Berington  Mr.  Samuel  Gaibett 

Bev.  Thos.  Price  Mr.  J<^ 


LEWIS    PAUL    AND    JCHN    WYATT. 
OOTTOK   SPINNING   IN  BIRMINGHAM. 

Lewis  Pud  was  the  «m  of  a  IVeneh  refugee  who  carried  on  busiL 
as  a  drqggist  in  St  Paul's  Churchyard.    tSj  this  calling  he  aoquiied 
eensideiable  pi^opertyi  and  at  his  death  he  left  Ids  son  under  the  guar- 


APPENDIX.  667 

■  • 

dianahip  of  Lord  Shaftesbury  and  his  brother,  the  Honourable  M.  A. 
Cooper.  We  have  no  information  as  to  his  bringing  np,  bat  gather 
from  his  papers  that  Lewis  led  a  gay  life  as  a  yoang  man,  fell  into  bad 
company,  and,  to  pay  his  debts,  mortgaged  the  valaable  property  in  the 
parish  of  St.  Bride's,  which  his  father  had  left  him.  He  was  evidently 
on -the  high  road  to  ruin,  unless  he  reformed  his  habits,  and  that 
speedily,  ^e  had  the  courage  to  break  off  his  connection  with  his 
former  associates,  though  b^  that  time  his  purse  was  nearlv  empty ; 
and  he  proceeded  to  apply  himself  to  business  connected  with  mvention. 

In  a  letter  addreesea  by  him  to  the  Earl  of  Shaftesbury,  son  of  his 
guardian,  many  years  later,  Paul  said:  ''As  it  too  often  happens 
with  younff  sparks,  I  made  but  an  ill  use  of  my  position  and  patronage. 
However,  before  the  calamities  I  had  laid  the  foundation  of  had  reached 
me,  I  had  exerted  myself  to  the  repair  of  my  affiurs  with  such  ardour 
and  success,  that,  notwithstanding  the  various  impediments  necessarily 
in  the  way  of  a  person  who  had  snent  his  time  in  every  way  so  remote 
from  the  arts  of  trade,  I  nevertheless  completed  a  machine  of  great 
vaiue  in  the  most  extensive  manu&cture  in  the  kingdom."  The 
machine  to  which  he  thus  referred  was  that  for  spinning  dv  rollers,  on 
the  principle  subaequently  adopted  and  completed  by  Sir  Bichard 
Arkwright. 

It  appears  that  the  first  invention  of  Paul  was  a  machine  for  the 
pinldng  of  crapes,  tammies,  &e.,  which  brought  him  considerable  profit, 
tie  empl<^ed  a  number  of  women  to  work  we  machine,  amongst  whom 
we  fina  Mrs.  Demoulins,  a  protc«[6e  of  Dr.  Johnson,  frequently  referred 
to  in  Boswell's  Ltfe.  It  is  probable  that  Paul's  connection  with  the 
French  roannfaetuTBrs  of  Spitalfields  served  to  direct  his  attention  to 
the  invention  of  new  methods  of  fiusilitating  production,  with  the 
object  of  turning  them  to  account  in  the  raising  of  his  depressed 
fortunes. 

Shortly  after,  we  find  him  in  communication  with  John  Wyatt^  of 
Weeford,  near  Lichfield,  afterwards  of  Birmingham,  well  known  in  his 
district  as  a  14^y  ingenious  and  expert  workman.  It  appears  from 
the  papers  of  Wyatt^  which  we  have  carefully  examined,  tnat  he  had 
invented  a  file-cutting  machine,  which  he  agreed  to  dispose  o(  ''when 
perfected,"  to  one  Bichard  Heeley,  of  Birmingham,  a  ffunmaker,  for 
certain  considerations.  But  Heeley  having  become  involved  in  difEiculties 
the  agreement  came  to  an  f  ud,  and  Wyatt  KK>ked  out  for  another  customer 
for  his  invention.  Such  be  found  in  Lejris  Paul ;  and  in  September, 
1732,  an  agreement  was  entered  into  between  them,  in  wlu<m  Paul  is 
described  as  "of  the'  parish  of  St.  Andrew's,  Holbom,  gentleman," 
and  Wyatt  as  "  of  the  parish  of  Weeford,  county  of  Stafford,  carpenter." 
By  this  agreement  Pkul  bound  himself  to  the  same  terms  as  Heeley  luul 


done^  tboiffh  tl^  machine  was  declared  to  be  "not  yet  perfected  and 
completed.''  Paul,  however,  being  unable  to  pay  the  stipulated  instal* 
ments,  reconvejred  the  invention  to  Wyatt  in  the  IbUowing  year,  by  a 
deed  in  which  it  is  described  as  "  a  certain  tool  or  instrument  intended 
to  be  used  in  and  for  the  cutting  of  files." 

We  next  find  P^ul  residing  at  Birmingham,  and  Wyatt  emplo:^ ed 
under  his  directions  in  bringing  out  a  new  invention  for  spmning 
fibrous  materials  by  machinery.  It  is  said  that  Wyatt  had  before  that 
time  made  a  model  of  such  a  machine  while  residing  at  Sutton  Cold- 
field,  by  means  of  which  he  was  enabled  to  spin  thread  successfuUv ; 
and  probably  P^  was  only  acting  on  the  suggestion  first  thrown  out  by 


668  APPENDIX. 

Wjatt^  in  proceeding  to  join  him  <for  the  parpose  of  brioffing  the 
niachine  to  perfection.  Both  were  equally  snort  of  money,  bat  Paul 
had  greater  facilitiee  for  raising  means  amongst  his  London  friends,  at 
the  same  time  that  he  carried  on  his  business  of  pinking  crape  and 
tammies.  Both  were  men  of  hot  temper,  and  being  hampered  for  want 
of  money  and  straggling  with  difficalUes,  they  often  quarrelled  violently, 
and  usually  endecTby  agreeing  and  womng  togeUier  again..  The 
invention  seenis  to  have  ocoupiM  the  minds  of  both  for  more  than  four 
years,  during  which  time  they  occasionally  proceeded  to  London,  Piaul 
to  try  and  raise  money  amongst  his  frienos,  and  Wyatt  to  visit  the 
manu&cturers'  shops  in  Spitalnelds  and  obtain  practical  hints  from  the 
manufacturers  for  the  purposes  of  the  machine. 

Paul  returned  to  Birmingham,  leaving  Wyatt  in  Loudon  to  proceed 
with  the  ''work;"  the  former  sending  remittances  in  payment  of 
Wyatf  s  asreed  salarv,  according  as  the  money  could  be  raised.  In  one 
of  PauPs  totters,  encloeing  a  remittance  for  salary  and  ''Work  done," 
he  says — ^"As  to  particulars,  I  dare  say  when  you  see  Perriere's  work 
jTOull  remember  tne  whole  design  I  have  laid  down."  In  a  letter  written 
two  days  later,  Paul  says — ^  When  I  wrote  you  last,  being  in  a  good 
deal  of  haste,  I  apprehend  that  I  onutted  some  directions  neceesaiy. 
A  principal  was,  that  you  should  take  a  lodging  either  where  you  are 
not  known,  or  where  you  can  have  the  highest  confidence  to  remove  the 
tool  to,  and  to  prepare  that  work,  for  I  would  not  have  it  itoen  by  any- 
body besides  yourself  for  any  reasons."  Towards  the  end  of  the  year  • 
1737,  Pktul  was  still  strug^linff  with  difficulties  as  to  money,  putting  off 
Wyatt  with  excuses,  assuring  nim  that  if  it  were  possible  to  borrow  h^ 
should  be  supplied  forthwith,  and  that  he  himself  was  extremely  anxious 
to  be  in  town,  but  could  not  stir  for  want  of  the  **primun  mMU."  In 
his  next  letter,  all  that  he  oould  send  Wyatt  was  two  guineas,  whiehba 
had  railed  "with  much  difficulty  ;**  but  he  hoped  to  nave  mare  aoon, 
when  he  would  immediately  set  out  for  London. 

In  the  beginning  of  1738,  Paul  wrote  to  Wyatt  in  great  joy,  having 
been  at  leugui  enabled  to  obtain  a  sum  of  money  from  Mr.  warren,  a 
Birmingham  bookseller:  but  it  having lieen  advanced  on  the  exprsaa 
condition  that  it  was  to  be  invested  in  Paul's  orape  bnaness^  over  whidi 
Mr.  Warren  was  to  have  control,  excepting  the  sum  of  £70,  whidi  Puil 
mm  to  be  at  liberty  to  employ  for  his  own  purposes.  On  the  struigth 
of  this  advance  he  proceeded  to  ask  Wyatt  if  he  would  engage  to  work 
for  him  at  a  salary  for  six  months,  with  a  view  to  the  pmeeting  of 


ih»  machine.  Wjratt  answered  that  he  could  give  four  oaya  a  week, 
at  6s.  a  day,  to  the  forwarding  of  Paul's  work,  talung  a  payment  of  17a. 
weeklv  on  account^  and  leaving  the  rest  to  accumulate  until  Paul 
was  able  to  pay  hun.  This  was  a  most  generous  offer  on  the  part  of 
Wyatt^  who  was  labouring  with  self-denying  ceal  to  pcorfeet  the  mven- 
tioi^  occasionally  pawning  his  dothes  to  maintain  himself  and  wifo 
vntil  remittances  arrived  fit>m  Birmingham,  the  suit  wludi  he  wore 
being  so  ragged  that  he  dedared  he  was  adbamed  to  be  seen  abroad  ii 
it 

In  the  meantime  Paul  was  impatient  for  the  completion  ct  the 
model,  which  was  delayed  in  eonseqnence  of  the  secrecy  which  mm 
observed  with  respect  to  it^  the  whole  of  the  work  having  to  be  don* 
by  Wyatt  himself!  At  lengtli  the  model  wasTeady,  and  Paul  proceeded^ 
to  London  to  take  out  a  patent  for  the  invention  of  spinning  wool  and 
cotton  by  means  of  roUera  His  petition  was  enrolled  m  Jannaiy,  1738, 


APPENDIX.  669 

and  the  patent  was  iBsned  in  the  month  of  Jnly  following.  The  pro- 
oess  detailed  in  the  epedfication  is  deaiiy  akin  to  that  afterwards 
reviyed  by  Arkwrigh^  and  by  him  tamed  to  such  profitable  aooount. 
Ihe  diyer  **  is  pnt  between  a  pair  of  rollers,"  .  .  .  and  ''  being  tamed 
round  by  their  motion,  draws  in  the  raw  mass  of  wool  or  cotton  to  be 
spun,  in  proportion  to  the  velocity  of  such  rollers ;  **  and  "  a  succession 
of  oUier  rollers,  moving  proportionately  faster  than  ^e  rest,  draw  the 
rope,  thread,  or  sliver  into  any  degree  of  fineness  that  may  be  required ;" 
in  addition  to  which,  ^the  boboyn,  spole,  or  quill,  upon  which  the 
thread  is  spun,  is  so  contrived  as  to  draw  faster  than  the  first  rollers 

S've,  and  in  such  proportion  as  the  sliver  is  proposed  to  be  diminished." 
be  whole  principle  of  spinning  by  rollers  is  clearly  embodied  in  this 
description ;  and  that  it  was  the  invention  of  Lewis  Paul  is  dear  from 
a  memorandam  in  the  handwriting  of  John  Wyatt,  found  amongst  his 
papers,  to  the  following  effect : — 

"Thoughts  oriainMlif  Mr,  PauTs, — 1.  The  joining  of  the  rolls. 
5L  Their  passing  through  cylinders.  3.  The  calcmation  of  the  wheels, 
by  which  means  the  bobbin  draws  faster  than  those  cylinders ;  thia^  I 
presume,  was  picked  up  somewhere  before  I  knew  him." 

The  rest  ox  the  details  of  the  invention  were  daimed  by  Wyatt — 
^the  horizontal  and  tracer,  the  conic  whorves,*  the  proportional  size  of 
the  spindle  and  bobbin,  and  sundry  other  mechanical  details  of  the 
madime. 

-  But  though  Paul  secured  a  patent  for  his  invention,  and  sold  sundrjjr 
licenses  to  manufiusturers  to  spin  wool  and  cotton  after  his  process,  ft 
does  not  appear  that  it  proved  very  sucoessfiiL  James  Johnson,  a 
manufacturer  in  Spitalfields,  bought  a  license  to  use  160  spindles. 
Wairen,  the  Birmingham  bookseller,  took  a  license  for  60  spindles,  in 
consideration  of  the  money  owing  to  him'  by  Paul ;  being  induced  to' 
do  so  bv  the  favourable  report  of  Dr.  James^  of  fever-powder  celebrity. 
Edward  Gave  also,  the  printer  of  the  GentUmatCi  Maganne^^  was  tempted 
to  embark  in  the  speculation.  He  bought  from  Paul  a  license  for  260 
spindles,  and  in  1740  he  started  a  spinning-mill  on  Turahill  Brook,  a 
little  to  the  north  of  Ileet  Bridge,  at  the  m^  of  Fidd  Lane,  Holbora. 
John  Wyatt  was  so  sansuine  as  to  the  success  of  the  invention,  that  he 
too,  like  Warren,  agreed  to  take  a  srant  of  300  s|ttndles  in  disdiarge  of 
the  debt  of  £820,  whidi  Paul  by  this  thne  owed  to  him.    * 

'  But  all  the  attempts  made  to  spin  by  Paul's  machine  pxt>ved  com- 
paratively unsuccesstul  as  reffarded  profitable  results.  Jonnson's  mill 
in  Spitidfields  was  acddentiuly  burnt  down,  and  be  did  not  care  to 
repeat  the  experiment.'  Gave  could  not  work  his  spindles  to  a  profit^ 
though  the  mill  was  superintended  bv  Paul  himself,  and  it  was  shortly 
given  up.  Wyatt  was  not  more  fortunate.  He  first  started  fifty 
spindles  in  a  large  warehouse  near  the  Well  in  the  Upper  Prioiy, 
Birmingham.  The  movement  was  given  to  the  machinenr  by  two  or 
more  asses  working  round  an  axis,  and  required  some  ten  nrli  to  attend 
to  the  work.  After  a  short  trialj  Wyatt  found  himself  In  diflieoltiea 
and  in  debt^  and  a  few  months  later  we  find  him  a  prisoner  in  the  Fleet 
His  assignees  sold  the  spindles  to  a  Mr.  8amud  Tbuefaet  (a  IVendi 
refuffee),  of  Northampton,  whither  they  were  removed  from  Birmingham : 
and  Wjvtt,  having  taken  the  benefit  of  the  Insolvent  Debtors^  Act,  and 
obtaineid  his  dischaxge,  went  down  to  Northampton  to  superintend  in 
person  the  erection  and  working  of  the  spinning  factory. 

It  is  not  necessary  to  deseriM  the  Northampton  adventure.    Suffice 


670  APPENDIX. 

it  to  say,  that  after  workins^  for  more  than  t6n  vears,  the  fiictoiy  was 
giren  up  aa  a  failare,  Paul  uleging  that  the  chief  cause  lay  in  the  mis- 
management of  the  owners.  Tonchet  "was  glad  io  get  ont  of  the 
oonoem  at  a  loss ;  on  which  Edward  Gave,  doubtless  pmuaded  b^  Panl, 
entered  npon  a  lease  of  the  factory  ;  but  at  his  death,  shortly  aner,  hii 
brother  Joseph;  to  whoni  the  property  deroHed,  became  so  dishelurtened^ 
that  he  too  resolved  io  abandon  the .  enterprise.  Padl,  still  firmly 
believing  in  the  soundness  of  his  projeet,  next  took  a  lease  of  the 
Northampton  mill  for  twenty-one  years ;  bat,  beinff  unable  to  pay  the 
rent,  Gave  put  in  a  distress  for  the  moneys  due  to  nim.  On  ibis  And 
other  occasions,  we  find  Dr.  Johnson  negotiating  between  Paul  and  the 
Ofives,  and  endj^vouring  to  bring  them  to  terma  ..The  machinery  of 
the  mill  at  Northampton  wsjb  eventually  sold  tor  the  price  of  the 
materials ;  and  the  experiment,  promising  though  it  seemed,  and 
embodying,  as  it  did,  the  principle  of  an  invention  which  has  since 
enriched  Aousands,  ended,  tor,  the  thne;  in  disaster  to  all  concerned. 

Paid  continued  to  add  to  his  inventions.  He  invented  a  carding^ 
machine  in  1748,  which  he  patented ;  and,  ten  years  later,  he  took  out 
a  second  patent  for  a  Apinning-machine,  substantially  the  same  as  the 
first,  embodying  many  improvements  in  detail,  thoiigh  not  in  principle. 
.He  did  not,  however,  long  survive  the  grant  of  thu  patent^  but  oied 
shortly  after,  in  April,  1759,  at  Brook  Qreen,  Ken'nngton. 
..  The  invention  at.  which  PaulJiad  laboured  with  such  unfoo-iunata 
results,  was  at  length  perfected  and  introduced  into  succeisful  practice 
by  Aikwright  in  1768,  his  patent  for  spinning  by  rollers  having  been 
taken  out  in  the  following  year.  In  course  of  time'  the  invention  waa 
generally  adopted,  and  the  cotton  manufiusture  became  one  of , the  great 
staple  trades  of  tne  North  of  England.  The  Invention  ci  tHe  steam* 
ennne  by  Watt  cave  another  tfnat  impulse  to  this  brandi  of  industry ; 
and  the  further  mvention  of  tne  power-loom  gave  almost  the  deaUi- 
blow  to  handloom-weaving.* 

FBIENDLT  SOCIETIES. 

The  Birmingham  people  were  alwm  much  ^ven  to  Friendly  Socie- 
ties. From  the  ^Incorporating  deed  "of  one  <n  these  aociotiesywhidi  is 
engrossed  .on  parchment  in  a  dear  bold  le«nl  hand,  and  duly  stamped 
and  sealed,  I  make  the  following  analjds  S  Its  rules  and  orders  : — 
.  Bnles  and  Orders  to  be  observed  by  the  Members  of  a  Friendly 
Society  who  have  agreed  to  meet  at  the  House  of  Mr.  Thomas  Taylor, 
known  by  the  Sign  of  The  Old  Crown,  Philip  StreeL  in  the  Town  of 
Birmingham,  bc£ui  85th  December,  .1815.  The  Preamble  states 
^Whereas  it  hath  been  an  Andent  and  laudable  Custom  withia  this 
Kingdom  for  divers  Artists  to  meet  together  and  tern  themselves  into 
Friendly  Sodeties  to  promote  true  fritindship  and  Qiristiaa  Cbari^,— 
It  is  Aobbed  by  us  who  have  entered  our. Names. into  the  Sooetj. 
Book  to  subscribe  the  following  Articles.*?  There  are  thirty-two  artides. 
Each  member  waa  to  be  deeted  by  a  nuyority,  and  had  to  subsoibe  to 
the  artadcsL  The  candidates  had  to  attend  one  iii|||ht  before  election  to 
obtain  the  approbation  of  the  members.  The  meetiqgs  were  lbrtni|^tiy, 
on  a  Monday,  **  iMtween  the  hours  of  nine  and  seven.*    If  any  oontro- 

*  The  Hngnenots,  thdr  Settlements,  Chnxches,  and  Industries  in  England 
and  Ireland.    By  Samnd  Smiles. 


APPENDIX.  671 

reisy  arose  it  "was  to  be  settled  by  a  majority  of  the  Society.  The  Clab 
room  was  to  be  kept  Id  decent  order ;  an  hour-glasB  was  to  be  provided, 
and  daring  the  winter  half-year  a  fire.  An  almanack  was  always  to  be 
kept  in  the  room,  or  the  landlord  forfeited  sixpence  for  the  neglect. 
The  subscription  was  one  shilling  per  fortnight,  and  three-penoe  extra 
was  paid  ''to  be  drank  by  the  members  present  the  same  night"  Two 
stewards  were  elected  every  three  months^  who  had  to  attend  by  eight 
o*dock  each  dab  night,  or  else  forfeit  sixpence,  unless  prevented  by  ''sick- 
ness, lameness,  or  on  a  journey."  The  stewards  had  to  look  over  the 
book,  see  that  the  money  was  right,  and  all  forfeits  regalarly  set  down, 
or  themselves  forfeit  a  shillinjl^  for  such  neglect  In  time  of  sickness  the 
member  received  ei^ht  shilling  per  week.  To  the  article  relating  to 
the  relief  of  the  uck  is  added  tins  N.B. :  "No  gilder,  ix>achman  or  guard, 
or  watdiman  shall  be  admitted."  The  regulations  as  to  the  receipt  of 
relief  are  very  strict,  and  provide  against  almost  eveiy  possible  decep- 
tion ;  and  the  caoses  of  exclusion  are  numerous.  The  "salanr''  of  the 
surgeon  was  to  be  paid  by  the  members,  and  not  out  of  the  subscription 
money.  To  pay  the  sui]geon  the  ma^ificent  sum  of  a  halfpenny  a  week, 
or  a  penny  each  club  night,  was  paid  by  oadi  member.  The  payment 
on  the  death  of  a  membtt*  was  £6  ;  and  on  that  of  a  member^s  wife  £3. 
Bales  10, 11, 12,  and  13,  are  worth  quoting — 

^Tbat  no  member  shall  pick  a  quarrel  with,  or  strike,  or  abuse  any 
other  member  belonging  to  this  Society,  neither  in  the  Oinb  Boom  nor 
anywhere  else,  at  anytime;  if  he  does  he  shall  forfeit  five  shillings  on 
fiill  proof  thereof;  and  if  any  member  of  this  Society  sees  another 
fighting  in  any  place  at  any  time,  he  shall  inast  on  his  ffiviug  over,  or 
on  proof  theteot  he  shall  forfeit  one  shillinff,  and  if  he  tnat  is  fighting 
will  not  give  over  on  the  other^s  demand  he  shall  forfeit  one  willing 
and  sizpenoe;  and  if  anything  of  this  happens,  if  neither  of  the 
members  make  it  known,  and  there  is  full  proof  of  one  seeing  another 
fightii)^  th^  shall  forfeit  two  shillings  each.  (If  the  member  belonging 
to  tysDodety  was  ihvt  assaulted  it  uiaU  not  rignifya&ythiug}^  Alsou 
any  member  offer  to  lay  wager^  or  gamble,  or  swear,  during  dub 
Hours,  he  shall  forfeit  two-pence. 

"That  the  Stewards  for  the  time  being  shall,  if  any  dispute  arise 
during  Club  Hours,  haye  power  to  command  dlenoe  tnroughout  the 
whole  room,  and  if  the  members  then  present  do  not  obey  tide  third 
notioe.  they  ahaU  forfeit  two-pence  each. 

"That  if  any  member  comes  ditauised  in  Liquor,  so  as  to  make  any 
disturbance  in  the  Club  Boom^  he  shall  forfeit  four-pence. 

"That  if  any  member  pubhdy  or  privately  promotes  tJie  breaking  up 
of  this  Society,  he  shall  be  exduded :  and  the  Sodety  shall  not  be  dia- 
■dyed  so  long  aa  any  three  members  shall  continue,  nor  be  removed  from 
the  above  house  wnere  it  is  kept,  without  the  consent  of  a  majoritv  of 
theiiiemberB;  that  no  person  be  admitted  above  forty  years  of  age.' 

WILLIAIi  MUBDOGK. 

This  able  merhanift  and  inyentor  of  gas  died  on  the  15th  of  Noyem- 
ber,  1839,  in  his  85th  year.  On  the  25th  of  the  same  month,  the  following 
brief,  but  interestinff  "  narrative  of  his  life,"  from  the  pen  of  a  corre- 
spondent, was  publisoed  in  the  OazetU: — 

"  So  remarkable  a  man,  whose  talents  and  inyentions  have  contributed 
to  the  advantage  of  Sodety,  and  whose  ingenuity  was  so  wcJl  known. 


672  APPENDIX. 

ahovld  not  be  allowed  to  go  out  of  the  world  without  some  special  notice. 
He  was  bom  in  1754,  at  Bellow  MiU,  near  Old  Cumnock,  m  Ayrshirey 
where  bis  father,  an  inj;enious  man,  carried  on  the  business  of  millwright 
and  miller.  From  eaiTjr  youth  he  evinced  stronff  inclination  for  all  sorts 
of  mechanical  cohtriyances,  and  as  he  grew  up  became  not  only  an  ex- 
pert workman  in  wood  and  metals,  but  acquired  a  knowledge  of  such 
works  of  engineering  as  he  had  opportunity  of  observing,  such  as  water- 
mills  and  their  vanous  applications,  steam  engines,  Tni^'Tig  operations, 
brid^  building,  &c.  To  a  strong  and  muscular  fnune  he  united  great 
activity  and  dexterity,  and  much  eneigy  and  capacity  of  exertion. 

''In  1777,  he  came  to  England  ami  offered  his  services  to  Messrs. 
Boulton  and  Watt,  who  had  then  just  commenced  making  their  steam 
engines  at  Soho.  They  soon  discovered  and  appreciated  his  talents,  as 
well  as  the  integrity  of  his  character.  After  a  short  residence  at  ScJio, 
they  appointed-  him  to  superintend  the  erection  and  undertake^  the 
general chaige  of  their  en^es  in  Cornwall,  where  he  remained,  giving 
greatsatisfaction  to  the  mining  interest  until  the  year  1798.  He  then 
returned  to  take  up  lus  permanent  resioence  near  Soho.  and  superinten- 
ded the  erection  of  the  niaclynery  at  Soho  Foundry,  ana  occasionally  the 
erection  of  steam  engines  at  a  distance. 

**  Now  that  locomotive  steam  engines  applied  to  carriages  have  become 
so  eztennvely  used,  it  is  proper  to  recora  that  the  first  so  applied  waa 
made  by  Mr.  Murdock,  upon  !the  principle  described  in  the  4tn  Aitide 
of  Mr.  Watfs  specification  of  l769,  (smce  adopted  in  all  engines  for 
that  purpose),  and  this  was  seen,  in  1784.  bv  persons  still  living,  drivix^ 
a  waggon  xxmnd  a  room  at  his  house  at  Bedruth,  where  he  then  resided. 
Mr.  Watt^  in  his  notes  on  Dr.  Robinson's  Treatise  oh  the  Steam  Engine. 
.  bean  testmiony  to  some  valuable  improvements  by  Mr.  Murdock,  and 
others  are  recorded  in  a  patent  he  took  out  in  1799. 

."  M^.  Murdock  Is  still  better  known  to  the  public^  and  most 
deservedljT  so,  by  his  invention  of  applying  the  lig^t  of  gas  from  coal 
and  other  inflammable  substances  to  economical  pnrpoeea.  After  various 
experiments,  oommencing  as  early  as  the  vear  1792^  bv  whidi  he 
proved  the  economy  and  convenienoe  of  lignt  so  obtameo,  compared 
with  that  from  oils  or  animal  sabstaaces,  he  perfected  his  appaimtos  and 
made  a  public  exhibition  (tf  it  by  lt^tf«g  up  the  front  of  Mr.  Boolton's 
mannfaototy,  at  Soho,  on  the  occasion  of  the  peaQe  of  Amiens,  in  1802. 
He  subsequently  lighted  up  some  cotton  mills,  at  Manchester,  beginning 
with  that  of  Messrs.  Phihps  and  Lee,  and  published  a  paper  deseribbg 
the  advantages  in  the  Philosophical  Transactions  for  1808,  for  wtdea. 
the  Boyal  Smety  presented  him  with  their  large  Bumf ord  (Sold  MedaL 
Oar  limits  do  not  allow  us  to  enter  upon  various  improvements  in  the 
prooesies  of  other  arts  to  which  his  ingenious  mind  was  directed. 

''In  his  latter  vears  his  faculties,' ooth  corporal  and  mental,  expe- 
rienced a  gradual  decay,  and  he  lived  in  almost  absolute  retirement. 

^  His  remains  were  accompanied  by  several  old  and  attadied  friends, 
and  bv  the  workmen  of  tiie  engine  establishments  of  Soho  and  Soho 
Founouy.  to  their  last  abode  in  Handsworth  Church,  and  are  there 
deposited  near  those  of  Mr.  Boulton  and  Mr.  Watt  A  bust  by 
Chantrey  will  serve  to  peipetoate  the  remembrance  of  his  manly  and 
intelligent  ftatores.** 


INDEX. 


Allkn,  Edward,  the  Case  of,  268. 

Allin*8,  J.,  Poetic  AdjerUaementB, 
189,  270. 

Amslia,  Princeis,  Death  of  the,  248. 

Ahpritbbatbb,  the,  262. 

Akcbob  Tea  Gardena,  9. 

An  Elegant  Mani«ion,  197. 

Axis'b  Bimiisgham  Gaxette,  Hietoiy 
of,  591. 

ABMiTAaB,  James,  Death  of,  562 

ABT,  Work  o^  118. 

ABTIZ4H8,  Plrst  Pablie  Meetings  of, 
824,  829 ;  and  the  Commercial 
Distress,  572. 

Abts,  Birmiogham  Academy  of,  865 
Society  of,  410  ;*  First  Announce 
ment,  411 ;  the  Promoters,  411 
First   Meeting,  412 ;    Donations 
418 ;  Society  of,  496 ;  First  Exhi 
bition,  504;  New  Building,  508 
First  OoaTersadone^  510. 

Abhtbd,  8,  4. 

Abhtbd  Chapel,  17,  71. 

ASHWUI,  SobscriptioQ  for  his  Family, 
19. 

Abton  Park,  Bobbery  at,  141. 

Asylum,  the,  80. 

Attack  on  the  King,  60. 

Attwood,  Thomas^  820. 


H^Twr»im  and  Five^^inea  Notes^  82. 

Bahk  Failnre,  467, 584. 

Babbacks,  First  Stone  o^  laid,  28. 

Babkibtillb,  J.,Disinterment  o^  858 

Babxxbyillb  Place,  Canal,  844. 

Baptibt  Chapel,  New,  289. 

Bxdfobd'b,  rani,  First  Appeanmce 
in  Birmingham,  898. 

Bkll,  Dr.,  862. 

BBiTBFxr  Concert,  182. 

BjorxvoLiHT  Socioty,  48. 

BiLUvaTOV,  lirs.,  255. 

BiBKBBCK'B,  Dr.,  Laotnrss,  246. 

BlBMiBOHAX,  Effects  of  the  Blots,  1 ; 

PUm  of,  4  ;  Building  in,  6 ;  Heath 

Inelosnre,    10;     Population   and 

Houses^  12;  BanaokB,  21;  and 

n 


Warwick  Canal,  28  ;  Biot  Bill,  88  ; 
Penny-post  for,  85 ;  Little  Biot,  86 ; 
Malicious  Beport  of,  40  ;  Charity, 
41,  46;  Benevolent  Society,  48; 
Yoluoteers,  50  ;  the  Distress  in, 
54 ;  Workhouse,  58 ;  Public  Office, 
80 ;  Asylum,  80 ;  Anacreontic 
Society,  88 ;  General  Provident 
Society,  98 ;  Bill  for  the  Improve- 
ment of;  102;  Botanic  Garden, 
112 ;  the  Peace  of  Amiens,  118  ; 
Bisset's  Poem  on,  119  ;  Theatre 
Burnt,  125 ;  Dispensary,  148  ; 
Nelson's  Vuit  to,  206;  Asylum, 
214;  Union  Firs  Office,  217; 
Prinoe  William  of  Gloucenter,  Visit 
to,  218 ;  Proposed  Visit  of  the  King, 
219 ;  Population  of  in  1801—11, 
244 ;  Library,  246 ;  Morfitt's  Poem 
on,  288;  Volunteers,  289;  First 
SUtue  in,  801 ;  a  Free  Town,  811 ; 
Gardens,  814;-  ImproTsments  in, 
818;  Streets  Bill,  828;  First  Boyal 
Mail,  328;  Artisans,  824;  Proof 
House,  880 ;  Poor  Bate  Bill,  845 ; 
Fair,  847 ;  Academy  of  Arte,  865 ; 
Philosophical  Society,  869 ;  Komeo 
Coates  in,  888 ;  Deaf  and  Dumb  • 
Institution,  404 ;  Society  of  Arte, 
410;  PoUtical  History  o^  418; 
Drake's  Pictors  of,  440 ;  Jmprore- '' 
menis  in,  442,  445 ;  Houses  In, . 
448 ;  Savings*  Bank,  446 ;  Work- 
house, 447  ;  Mr.  Bobinson's  Vint 
to,  456 ;  Bye  Hospital,  457 ;  Jour- 
nal,  464  ;  Friendly  Institution,  474 ; 
Botanical  Sodety,  480 ;  Banking. 
Company,  481 ;  Duke  of  WeUing- 
ton's  Visit  to,  488 ;  Spectator,  498 ; 
Mechanics*  Institotion,  500 ;  Inde- 
pendent, 504  ;  Magarine,  505  ; 
School  of  Medicine,  506;  Cban-. 
trey's  Visit  to,  505 ;  Spurshehn*s 
Visit  to,  507 ;  Map  of,  507;  Free 
Grammar  School,  511 ;  Law  So- 
dety,  514 ;  Town  Hall,  551 ;  Mar- 
ket  Hall,  558;  Value  of  Property 


674 


INDEX. 


in,  55Z ;  Tuitk  Market^  554 ;  Cholerm 
in,  f^56 ;  Zoological  Gardeni,  566 ; 
Journal,  570 ;  and  Manohoater  Baal- 
way,  575 ;  and  the  British  AModa- 
tion,  576 ;  ICanhal  Soult's  Yiait  to, 
579 ;  Town  Minion,  581 ;  Herald, 
588;  Botanic  Garden,  588;  SVee 
Onunmar  School,  589 ;  Gaiette, 
Hiatory  of,  591 ;  EdacaUonal  8ta- 
tiatioal  Sooiety,  596 ;  Britieh  Amo- 
oiatlon  in,  598  ;  Loyal  and  Oonsti- 
tational  Aseooiation,  626;  Charter 
of  Incorporation,  648, 

BmiiDATB,  Royal,  85,  48,  250w 

Bnan's  Birmingham,  119. 

Bhkxm'B  Illastrationi  to  Blair'a  OraTO, 
246. 

Buck,  Fiancia,  Death  of,  218. 

Bum  Goat  School,  66 f  114,  508. 

Boot  and  Shoe  Blaken,  280. 

BoBDnLBT  Tavem,  7*    . 

Bosasioal  Garden,  112,  480,  489, 
494, 562. 

Bbitxbh  Anoeiation,  the,  576,  598* 

Bbooobam,  Mr.,  Thanka  to,  826, 885. 

BuoKLB  Mannfaotory,  14,  16. 

BoUrBAinvo,  185, 188, 140,  S71»  527, 
612. 

BuLLOOK,  Mr.,  11& 

Bunov  Maken,  the,  16. 

Bunom  at  Ceort,  42.  >   '"^'^ 

BoTfOV  IVade,  62,  6^,  90:  White 
Metal,  286,  585. 

Bum,  Master,  521. 

BuBV,  Bar.  E.,  and  Dr.  Frieetley,  18. 

CAMDBir  Hill  Villa,  812. 

CAXPAVALoaujrs,  125. 

Casal  Aooident,  441. 

Camal  Tunnel,  Wotceiter  and  Bfa> 
mingham,  75. 

Oapital  PmiiBhnmt,MeetSi^on,  484. 

OABLift,  Mr.,  895. 

Cabb*8  Lane,  New  Meetini^  Hooie, 
858. 

OABTWBiaBV,  Major,  Statue  c(  516« 

Catalaki,  Madame^  265,  516. 

Catbouo  Aaiodation,  460,  464. 

Catbolio  Emancipation,  478. 

Cauu  COAbre,  188 ;  Impoetor,  188 ; 
hia  Anect,  189 ;  hie  identification, 
190;  hie  Committal,  191;  «'The 
Doke  of  Grmond,"  191 ;  Duke  or 
BO  Doke,  198;  tried  at  Warwick, 
198;  tried  at  tiie  Old  Bailey,  194; 
Hanged,  195. 

CflABirr  School,  New,  864. 


CHABfXBV  Biotc,  the,  685 ;  Meeting 
at  HoUoway  Head,  686 ;  the  Na- 
tional Conyention,  686 ;  Bnll-Bmg 
Meetings,  687 ;  State  of  the  Town, 
687 ;  Proclamation,  688 ;  the  Lon- 
don Police,  689;  Beeolntiona  of 
the  CbnTcntion,  689;  the  Biota, 
640;  Town  Conncil  Committee, 
642;  Praeentation  to  Mr.  J.  B. 
Hebbert,  642;  Election,  648; 
LoTett  and  Collins,  648;  Mr. 
Dnndas's  Beport,  644. 

CsBAP  Cook  Shops,  78. 

Chbltihhak  Amatenrs,  the,  518. 

Cbouba,  the,  495,  666. 

Chbist  Church,  208 ;  Founding  of, 
221;  Consecration  of,  857;  Dis- 
pute about,  858. 

CsDBCB  Extension,  851. 

Chuboh  Bates,  491,  571. 

Cbdbob'^  Dr.,  Steam  Caniage^  565. 

Clat,  Henry,  84. 

CUKBDIO  BojE,  849. 

GUMKB  and  watchci^  Tax  on,  77. 

OooK-noBnBa,  186,  271, 404,  527. 

OocKVOUBDBBS,  the  Master,  459. 

OoUiABD,  John,  118. 

OoLLnra  and  hia  Entertainment,  124. 

OOMBiBAnoB  Lawib  207,  408,  568. 

OomnntnrATt  Sooiety,  828,  354,  860, 
470, 484. 

CoWB,  BcT.  J.,  Death  o(  564. 

OonsB  and  Bhmb  Tndes,  SO. 

OorrsB,  High  Price  o^  18,  87,  88 ; 
Trade,  111,  210;  Duty  on,  464. 

OoBBBR,  Joseph,  578. 

OoBV  Market,  282;  Laws,  888, 469, 
581. 

CoRABB  of  Content,  the,  8.       * 

CizoKBr,  611. 

Cbihibal  Code,  Meeting  for  Beform 
in,  857. 

CaofT,  Dr.  G.,  on  the  Baptism  of 
Dissenters' (%ildrMi  in  the  Churdi, 
S26;  Death 0^250. 

Datibs,  Dr.  Birt,  584, 569. 

Dbab  and  Dumb  Institution,  404; 

Mr.  pe  Lys*s  Lecture,  405;  First 

Meeting,  405;  the  Committee, 406; 

Address,  406;  Opening  of  the,  408; 

Benefit  at  the  iWtie,  408 ;  Bar. 

a l^^nnedy's  Addrsss,  409;  Last 

Report,  410. 
Dbbitbbd,  Houses  in,  5 ;  Bridge,  67, 

77, 78,  81, 881, 440. 
Dbbitbbd  Turnpike^  Bemoral  of,  477. 


INDEX. 


075 


DiaBiTH,  Howes  in,  5.  . 
DiacusaiON,  Beligtoiu,  472,  489. 
DupnrSABT,  Binningbuii,  148;  An- 
nual   Meetingr,  144;    Laying  tlie 

Stone,  144 ;  the  New  Bnilding,  145 ; 

Self-eupportiDg,  476. 
DiBTBEas  in  Birmingham,  54;  Letter 

from  the  Dnke  of  Portland,  55; 

Distrets  Loan,  469;   Commeroial, 

578,  576. 
DOBBS,  Mr.  and  Mn.,  881;   Song, 

<*  I  ean't  find  Bmmmagem,"  524 ; 

New  Entertainment,  526 ;  Death 

of  Mr.,  576. 
DoMuno  Serraata,  850. 
Dbakb*8  Pietnre  of  Birmingham,  440. 
DuDDBsroB  Town,  446. 
Duodaub'8,  Sir  Waiiam,  Life,  Diary, 

&e.,50S. 
BuJiOAV,  Admiral,  IHctory  of,  78,  81. 
Doioa  Dwarf,  the,  895. 

Eablt  deaing,  466. 

Eablt  MaQ  to  London,  244. 

Sabth^daxb,  68,  885. 

East  India  Company,  Protett  agaioat 

the  Monopoly  of  the,  820. 
EoMOimfl,  George,  820. 
EDuaanovAL  Statiatio  Society,  IKr- 

mlngham,  596. 
Eanreov's  Painted  Window  at  Gnat 

Bazr  Ohml,  122 ;  aft  Court,  872. 
ELunov,  jEL  W.,  and  the  Theatre 

Boyal,  876;  bis  AddraMa,  879,896. 
Emflotiobt  for  Children,  67. 
BriBm  and  Son,  878. 
Etb  Hoapital,  457. 

Faciobt  Aoi,  884, 887, 840, 562. 

Faib,  Poetponement  of  the,  245. 

IFma,  Hoqdta),  462, 475,  476. 

Enx  InauMioe  Company,  the  PIrrt, 
216. 

FriH,  SnpplT  of,  19 ;  Maiket,  554. 

Flavdbbs,  warm  Clothing  for  the 
Army  in,  89. 

Flood^  Deatnwtife^  588. 

FoBBBTALLiva,  IngToaring,  and  Be- 
grattng,  101. 

FoBOOOBi^  Bank  of  England,  851. ' 

Fbbboou)  Land  Sodetaei^  570. 

FBBBfH,  the  Poet»  272 ;  hia  Poetry, 
278;  Birmingham  Ale  Taatera,  274; 
Weaton'n  Linea  to,  275 ;  Birming- 
ham Volnoteera,  275;  Invitation 
to  Yanzball  Gardena,  276;  Bir- 
minghaw  BocUea,  276 ;  John  Bdc- 
II. 


atein'a  Piotore,  277;  Birmingham 
TranqniUity,  1776,  278;  hia  Death, 
279;  Portraits,  280. 

Gab  Light  Company,  840,  352. 

GBznotAL  Hospital.  288. 

Gbobob  in.,  AnniTeraary  of  hia 
AooeaaioD,  288 ;  of  the  50th  Year 
of  hia  Beign,  242;  Death  of,  854*. 

GoBOOV,  Lord  George,  88. 

Gbimaldi,  898. 

GUABDiAB  Aet,  New,  480. 

GuiLLOTiBB,  La,  124. 

GuTXBBiDOB'8,  Mr.,  Locturea,  587. 

Habbobvb  PennY  Clnb,  110. 
Hablbquiv  Manner,  or  the  Fairy 

Cak,180. 
Hats  and  GloTea,  28;    Qata,  Dnty 

on,  287. 
Hbath-mill  Lane,  198,  816. 
Hbeau>,  Biimingham,  The,  588. 
HoifUVB,  WiUiam,  and  the  Bnll-riog 

Pompb  202. 
HOLLIVB,  Tbomaf ,  Drawing  of  High 

Street,  206. 
HouiVB,  Peter,  Boat  of  B.  Grainger, 

499;  Bihihition  of  Sonlptnre,  515. 
HoBRTAli  CoHectJona,  92. 
HoDBBBOU)  Bread,  92. 
HouBBKiBPBB  Wanted,  528. 
HooBB  of  Beoovwy,  884. 
Hunoir,  W.,  and  hia  Riot  daima, 

19;hi8Llfo,878. 
HowB'B,  Loid,  Viotofy,  48. 

IvoBBDiABT  Fina,  26. 
iNcoaroBATiON,  the  Charter  of,  648. 
Ibdbfbbdbkt,  the  Birmingham,  504 
Imdvbtbt,  Sohoob  d,  868. 
Ibfabt  Sehoola,  500,  502. 
Ibblavd^  Diatraaa  in,  452, 492. 
Ibov,  Pkopoeed  J^  on,  79,  224. 

Jabbt,  Mr.  B.,  889, 878. 
Jaoqubb,  the  Freneh  Giant,  518. 
Jbwbllbbt  Tirade,  the,  585. 
Jbwb*  Synagogoe,  Layiw  tlie  Fonn- 

dation  Stone  of  the,  237. 
JoHBBfovB,  Dr.  John,  Death  of,  569. 
JovBB,  Riehaid,  885. 
JouBBAL,  the  Bifsulnghaai,  570. 

Kbav,  Edmnad,  882. 
KBMBLBtJolia,  188. 

Kbnbidt,  Eer.  Bann,  on  the  Corona, 
tioa  of  Qeoige  lY.,  859;  on  the 

▼▼2 


676 


INDEX. 


Death  of  th«  Prinoen  Obarlotie, 
.  878 ;   on  tho  Cliaracter  of  G«orge 

Oaoning,  505. 
Kiira,  Attampt  on  the  life  of  the, 

98 ;  Birthday  of  the,  101. 
Knro  Kdward  Sixth's  Free  Grammar 

School,  511',  552,  554,  589,  598, 

597. 
KirOTT,  Jonathan,  Death  of,  881.. 
KvoxT,  Thomai,  Death  of,  582. 

Lambert,  Daniel,  268. 
liAiOMTATiovs  of  Jamei,  408. 
Lavoastjui,  Joiephi  on  Bdncatlon, 

246. 
ItAHCAsmuv  Fvee  School,  862. 
La  Ponpee  Pariante^  519. 
Lawlst,  Sir  Boberi,  Death  of,  81. 
Law  Sooietj,  Birmingham,  514. 
Lnmo,  Battle  o(  880. 
LuiCH*8  Thist»  46L         .     . 
Llotd,  Obarie^  Death  oe»  474, 580. 
Llots,  Sampann,  Death  ii,  S80. 
Lodgi'b  Hietorioal  Portniti,  587. 

TiO¥IIAHD  HOQM^  801. 

LowoBLLS,  riioaeDe]  the^  4. 
LuoKOOOK,  Jamee,  878. 
LTivo-nr  Haepital,  829. 
LtBi  Dr.  De^  Death  fli;  498.     . 

MAOAUUTy  Mki,  Me. 

IfAOUASTy  W.  C«  hie  Flrtl  Appear* 

aaee,  266 ;  hie  FaiMr^,  522. 
Maxx^  thallni  Boyal,  828. 
HABKXt  Hall,  N«w,558. 
Kabkr,  New  Beaet,  817. 
Haaovxo  Feitl^  245. 
HATBmonAL  Adfartiaementi^  402; 

527. 
MiTiiTJ^  Philips  Xnoatioa  «(  227. 
If  ARBnov,  Arthw,  528. 
Uaxwxll's  Daflger%  Dr.*  ^ 
M'CUADT,  Mr.*  181. 874. 
Mbax,  High  Prioe  o(  87. 
KMHAVioa'   Inetltatioa,  500,  501» 

506,  508, 528, 595»  587, 601. 
Medical  Pneanaftlo  InelitotioBy  45. 
IfjDiDun^  Sohool  U,  506,  515,  M8» 

595. 
Moat,  the,  199. 

MiUTU,  Warm  Clothae  lor  the^  42. 
MiiroE  Theatre,  894. 
MovTOOMBBT,  Jamee,  597. 
MooRi,  Mr.  Joeeph,  821. 
MoBTiVT,  J.,   and   hie  Aeoomt  of 

Biraiinghaiii,279;  HarreetHoma, 

281;  Oaideni,282;  Lodges*,  288;    i 


Morale  of  the  People,  284;  Politics, 
285;  IVades,  286;  The  Britiah 
Tocsin.  286 ;  Poem  on  Birmingham, 
287 :  his  Death,  288. 

MuDiB,  Mies,  260.   * 

MusTz,  G.  P.,  820. 

MOTorr  in  Birmiogham,  49. 

KsLBON,  Lord,'yi8it  o^  206;  Statne 
to,  301;  Birmingham  Statnelese, 
801;  Neleon's  Ymorr,  802;  m> 
Death,  808;  General  Monming, 
808;  Kayal  PflUr,  304;  the  Funeral, 
805 ;  Suggcetions  for  a  Memorial, 
805;  the  Statue,  808;  Farror's 
Bequeiit,  809;  Mr.  Linee's  Drawing, 
810. 

Niw  Button,  855. 

NBW8PAFXB8,  Now  Tuc  upon,  75. 

KxwB  Boom,  247, 496. 

Ksw  Street,  ImproTements  in,  441. 

New  Trade,  a,  557. 

Kile,  Battle  of  tha^  82,  • 

Nor,  Job^  and  hie  IkracU,  117. 

Odd  Sntertahunent,  184. . 

Old  Meeting  Home  School,  855. 

O'Nxiih  Miss,  889. 

On  Pound  Kotae,  74. 

Obdebe  in  Oonndl  and  their  Bflbots, 

820;  Berooatloa  of,  825. 
OsmoFJiaio^  Hoepital,  845. 
OflUEE'B,  F.,  AiMmomater,  591. 
Owbv'b,  Owan,  Deeent  Buial  Sodetr, 

47, 

Paive,  Tom,  bomt  In  Efllgj,  29. 
Pandean  Ooocert,  256. 
Pantomime,  %MiJdng,  885. 
PABieH  Meeting,  655^  556. 
PAMKBa*e,  Jeaeph,  Hlitorjr  of  the 

Conri  of  OhaaoeiT,  505. 
Panis,  Treatj  of;  381 
Pabk  Street,  Land  and  Gardena,  8. 
Patsnt  Lawe,  the,  658. 
Patbiotic  Fund,  23^ 
Pbabson,  nomaB  Aiii^  Death  oC 

116. 

PBOBtTBIAHISM,  404. 

Pbmebbton,  Oheilei  Beaea,  656. 
Pbevt-vobt  for  Birmhighaai,  85. 
PaUioeoniicAL    Soeiotj,    Biiming- 


PiTT,  Waiiam,  Death  of,  224. 
POUOE  Bill,  29. 

Political  Hietonr,  418;  Hampden 
Glabs^4l4;     flnt  NewhaU  HUl 


INDEX. 


677 


Meeting,  414;  the  Prince  Begent 
fired  at,  416;  Proposed  AddreM, 
416;  Oaaette  Gommentt,  417;  De- 
elar»tioD,  419;  KeMlutions,  420; 
Meeting  at  Newball  Hill,  421; 
Prodamation  against  Seditiona 
Aasemblies,  424;  the  Leaders  In- 
dicted, 425 ;  Soene  at  the  Theatre, 
42d;  James  Lnokoock's  Letter, 
425;  another  Meeting  at  Newhall 
HiU,  427;  Addresses,  428;  Ckinstt- 
intioDal  8ooiet]r>  429;  Apprehen- 
sion of  Geoige  Ragg,  429;  the 
''Badtcal8''atOhnroh,ldO;  Ragg^s 
HandhiU,  430 ;  Government  Prose- 
eaiions,430 ;  Action  against  George 
Bdmonds,  432;  the  Grand  Joiy's 
Besolntion,  433;  Trial  for  Cbn- 
spiraej,  434 ;  Seditioas  Libel  Prose- 
cution, 436;  Loyal  Meeting,  437 ; 
the  Birmingham  ProseoutionSy  438; 
Geoige  Edmonds's  AdTsrtisement, 
630;  OhiiMrtoHeni7Himt,630; 
Beprssentation  of  Birmingham, 
630;  Birmingham  Election  BUI, 
631;  Distressed  8Ute  of  the 
OonntiT,  632;  the  Political  Union, 
633;  Oljeoli  of  the  anion,  634; 
Duties  of  Members,  636;  Town's 
Meeting,  636;  the  Union  Medal, 
638 :  fir  Fhmcis  Bnrdett,  638; 
thoFnnoli  Berolntlon,  1830,  638 ; 
an  Episode^  639;  tiie  Giej  Ad- 
ministeallon,  640 ;  AnniTersair  of 
the  Politioal  Union,  642;  Non- 
Union  Beformers,  642;  Second 
Beadmg  of  the  Beform  Bill,  643 ; 
George  Edmonds's  Serricss,  644; 
Bejtction  of  the  Bill,  644 ;  Scene 
in  the  House  of  Commons,  646; 
Great  MeeUng  at  Birmingham, 
647 :  the  BUI  Be jeoted  b j  the 
Lonb,  647;  T6im*s  Meeting, 648; 
the  Union  and  the  Beform  Bill, 
613;  Meeting  at  Kewhali  HUl, 
614;  «<the  Gathering  of  the 
Unlona,"  61 4 ;  State  of  the  Coontry, 
616;  Besignation  of  Earl  Grey, 
616:  «NoTasesPteid  Hen^"6i8; 
Deflfanlion,  619 ;  Contmned  Agi- 
tation, 619 ;  Presentation  of  the 
n«sdom  of  the  City  to  Thomas 
AtliMMMl,  620;  Eail  Grey  Betmrned 
to  Cilice,  621 ;  The  Bin  Passed, 
622;  Celebration  Dinner,  623 ;  The 
Election,  623 ;  Indictment  against 
the  Minktry,  624 ;  Pnbfic  Dhiner, 


626;  Loyal  and  Gonttitutional 
Association,  626;  General  Election, 
626;  Reformers*  Begistration  So- 
ciety, 627  ;  Reorgaoising  the  Poli- 
tical Union,  627;  Protestant  Meet- 
ing, 628;  Constitutional  Anni- 
versary, 629 ;  Political  Union,630; 
Beform  Dinner,  631 ;  ConserratiTe 
Beading  Room,  632;  Constitutional 
Association  Meeting,  632 ;  Reform 
Association,  633 ;  General  Election 
633 ;  Election  Riot,  634. 

Pooa  Children,  Education  of,  361, 
363. 

Poon,  Condition  of  the,  216. 

PooB,  the  Criminal  and  Destitute,  23. 

Population  Returns,  492. 

Post  Cfflce,  333. 

PaATCHKT,  Richard,  200;  Death  of, 
467. 

PaiBSTLBT,  Dr.,  Death  ot,  211; 
Centenary  of,  557. 

pRiNCBss  Charlotte  of  Walse,  Mar- 
riage of;  339;  Death  of,  317. 

PaiNTBRS  in  London,  Distrened,  469. 

PaiTATB  Theatrically  266. 

Pnoor  House,  Laying  the  Foundation 
Stone  of,  330. 

Pboud,  Rct.  J.,  his  Address,  30. 

Paof  iDBNT  Society,  98,  473,  478. 

PoBUO  Houses,  85. 

PuBUO  Cffice,  80,  86;  and  Prison, 
Kew,  222,  228, 280. 

PoDOivo  Brook,  Accident  in,  6; 
Garden  by,  814. 

fvMf,  the  Bullring,  202. 

QoBBtr    Gbroline,   her   IVial,   366; 

•■   Death  of,  360. 

Qobbn's  Hospital,  the,  686. 

Bailwat,  Birmingham  and  Man- 
chester, Opening  of  the,  575,  580. 

Ratid  Housee,  341. 

Ratoto  of  Small  Tenements,  842. 

RBPoaiCATtOM  Society,  New,  476, 
480. 

RBroBiiAnov,TAcentenary  of,  566. 

RnDBBaorcoHURB,  the,  528. 

Rioturo,  Reaeons  for  not,  58. 

Riots  of  1791,  21 ;  Assessment  for, 
22 ;  and  the  Engines  ol  St  Mar- 
tin's, 27;  Bill,  88;  Levy,  44; 
Scarcity,  51 ;  PoUto,  240 ;  Rioto 
again,  822, 839 ;  Deaths  from  Inju- 
ries at,  497;  Anonymous  Letter, 
497;     The    Amphitheatre,    498; 


678 


INDEX. 


Anaodoteii  br  Mr.  M.  D.  Hill,  498 ; 
The  Bill  of  Costa,  499 ;  Cooolusion, 
499 ;  at  the  Theatre,  608. ' 

BiOT,  the  Little,  86;  Bread,  97,  103. 

RoBCBTS,  John,  Death  of,  22. 

Kobinson's,  Mr.,  Viait  to  Birmiiig- 
ham,  456. 

BoMav  Catholio  Cathedral,  552. 

BoM^N  Catholics  and  the  Army  and 
Navj,  229. 

BoKBO  Coatee  ia  Birmingham,  888. 

Bosoioa,  the  Yonog,  257;  Weetim's 
Lines  on,  258  ;  his  Father's  Letter, 
259;  Mr.  Bisset  on,  259;  the 
Infant,  520;  the  African,  523. 

Btav,  Mr.,  886. 

Rtdeb,  Bishop,  567. 

Rtdeb*s,  Bishop,  Church,  576 ;  Cun- 
seoration  ol,  580. 

SADZiBR't  Balloon  Ascent,  451. 

Bali,  T.  C,  320. 

Sabd  PiU,  Gardens  in,  812. 

Savuios*  Bank,  885, 446,  471. 

aurTBM,  213. 

BOABOITT,  and  ihe  Attempts  to  meei 

it»  108. 
SoBotBTiBU),  Death  •f  the  Rev.  B , 

2ia 
80BOOi«,     Lancasterian,    248»    252; 

KTeninf ,  872. 
SoBooi  of  iBdnttry,  Female,  115. 
SbBTABT  OlBUBK,  403. 
SfiAKaPBaK  Clah»  581. 
Shob  Trade,  Dispute  Sb  the^  21. 
SiDDOVB,  M|B.«  263. 

BfBUB  BMiohes,  375. 

Fl4Tbbt«  AboliUon  d,  453, 550, 561. 

Small  Arms,  Mannfacture  of,  826, 

336. 
SiriTHrfBLD,  New,  313. 
Smith,  Timoth/,  the  Death  Qt,  M4. 
Svow  Hill,  Saracen's  Head  in,  315, 
HociErir  for  the  Belief  «£  Poor  Aged 

Women,  462. 
8oBO,the  World  U,  145;  Mr.  8miles*s 

Deeeripdon    of,    146;    Swlanejr*s 

Diraetorj,  147 ;  Holiday  at,  148 ; 

the  l^ew  Foundry,  150;  Biaset'a 

Surrey,  151;  lUnmination  at,  151 ; 

Men  of  Genhis  at,  152 ;  VkitoffB 

to,  153;  Copper  Coinage  at,  154  ; 

Death  of  Franois  biaton,  155; 

Death  of  Matthew  Boulton.  155 ; 

Mr.Boultoa*s  Fnoeral,  156;  Death 

of  James  Watt,  156 ;    Death  of 

Waiiam  Mnrdook,  157. 


Soult'b,  Marshall,  Visit,  579. 
8oup  Shops,  98 ;  Collection  for,  96. 
SpBab  in  an  Elephant's  Tooth,  137. 
Spkctatob,  Burmingham,  498. 
Sfiobal  Street,  Garden  in,  9. 
Spoombb.  Richard,  320. 
Spbiko  Gardens,  Accident  at,  7. 
8P0RZHK1M,  Visit  of,  507. 
!:>T.  David's  Society,  458, 463. 
Stkam  Canal  Boat,  470. 
St  B  4 II  Carriage,  557. 
St.  George's  Chapel,  Edgbaston,  569, 

580. 
St.  George's  Church,  355 ;  Comme- 
moration  of,    450;    Church    and 

Pansh,  451. 
St.  Mark's  Chapel,  585. 
St.  Martin's  Burial  Ground,  485. 
St.  Martin's  Chureh,  199, 205. 
St.  Matthew's  Club,  583. 
St.  Peter's  Church,  465, 473;  Bum- 

ing  of,  490. 
St.ThofflaB'sChuroh,ConseeratioB  of, 

483. 
Stukob,  Joseph,  and  the    Musleal 

Fe«tiTsl,  482, 571,  573. 
Sunday  School  Jubilee,  516. 
Sunday  School,  the  Methodist,  247. 

317,818. 
SuBOAY  Trading,  20,  72,  74,  84. 
SWBDBBBOBAIAV  Chapel,  Attempt  to 

Bum  the,  30;    Chapd,  Paradise 

Streeti  239. 

Tatlob,  James,  jun.»  Eieehold  Dmd 
Societies^  570. 

Tbmfbbabob  BooietieB,  493^  665^  563, 
579. 

Tbupbat,  Drsadftd,  a,  213. 

Thbatbb,  Destioyed  1^  Firs^  125; 
Rebuilt^  128;  Redeoonted,  S6S; 
made  a  Patent  House,  964 ;  Dee- 
iroyed  by  Fire  again,  889;  Uie 
New,  400. 

Thbatbb,  Ptirate,  123. 

Thbatmical  Address,  530. 

TuBATBiGAL  Looker-OD,  517. 

Thbatbical  Publioaiions,  498, 499. 

Tbobfb,  Ueutenaot,  237. 

To  Armsl  to  Armi^  eaoe  BMMe I  289; 
the  Peace  of  AmisQa,28NI;  Thaaka. 
giving,  290 ;  War  Dedaied  egaia, 
290;  the  Thieateiied  Invaelon, 
291 ;  Volnntaiy  SuhsoriptleBa,  291 ; 
the  Volunteer  Corpe,  292;  Loeal 
Officers, 293;  AddrsMtothe  Ladiss, 
291 :  First  Field  Day,  996;  Adnoe 


INDEX. 


679 


of  the  Dooton,  297  ;  Heroio  Act, 
298;  Anonymous  Letters,  299; 
Flannel  Dresses,  299  ;  Stote  of  the 
Corps,  300 ;  Conseoration  and  Pre- 
seutatiun  of  Colonm,  300;  Edg- 
baston  and  Aston,  301. 

TowEB  Street.  3  J  6. 

Town  HaU,  the,  486,  487,  551,  553 ; 
Strike  at,  565. 

Town,  Improvements  in  the,  201. 

Tradb  Trouble,  a,  348,  465. 

Tbafaloar,  Battle  of,  222. 

Trance,  a,  137. 

TuASONand  Sedition,  163;  Addrento 
the  King,  163;  Association  against 
Bepnblicans  and  Levdlfrs,  164 ; 
Asaooiation  of  Loyal  True  Bluesy 
166;  Chnroh  and  King  Oab,  167  ; 
Birmingham  Association,  168;  Ad- 
dress to  the  Hundred,  168;  another 
Meeting,  170;  the  Protestant  Dis- 
senters, 171 ;  the  Innkeepers,  172; 
Twenty  Guineas  Reward,  173; 
Messrs.  Binns  and  Jones,  174  ;  an 
Explanation,  175 ;  History  of  the 
Year,  176 ;  Protest  a«unst  Minis- 
ters^  177;  Trsasonable  and  Sedi- 
tious Paper,  177. 

TwTVOBOy  Bobert,  Attempt  to 
Murder,  326;  Death  of,  33'/. 

Union  Mills,  the,  157;  Mr.  BeU*B 
Letters,  158;  Flour  and  Bread, 
160;  Advantages  of  the  Mill, 
163. 


Vacobton's  Hole,  316. 


Victoria,  Princess,  Visit  to  Birming- 
ham, 486;  Birthday  of,  573;  Ac 
cession  to  the  Throne,  674;  Coro« 
nation  of,  577 ;  Marriage  <^,  584  ; 
Shot  at  by  Oxford,  585. 

YoLUNTBERAssociationR,  178 ;  County 
Meeting,  178 ;  Offer  to  raise  Regi- 
ments, 179 ;  liOyal  Birmingham 
Associated  Cavalry,  180;  Light 
Horse  Volunteers,  181  ;  Voluntary 
Contribution,  183;  Presentation  of 
Colours,  183. 

VOLONTKBKS,  50. 

Walker's  Lectures,  350. 

Wallis,  Mrs.,  131. 

Warnb»ord*s,  Dr,,  l>onation,  595. 

Warwick,  Execution  at,  143. 

Warwickshirk,  Graphio  Illustra- 
tions of,  496. 

Wash  WOOD  Heath,  Execution  at*  368. 

Water  Mill  in  Park  Street^  304. 

Water  Works  Company,  331,  333, 
343. 

Wax  Work,  Madame  Tossaud's, 
881,  5ia 

Weaver's  Museum,  588. 

Weixi  notch's,  Duke  of.  Victories  in 
Spdn,  33^  839;  Visit  to  Bii^ 
mlngham,  488. 

William  IV.,  Death  of,  574. 

Wilson's,  Fearful  Aeddmt  at»  455. 

WiTUERiKo,  Dr.,  36. 

Women's  Market,  11. 

Woodman,  Opera  of  the,  13a 

Workhouse,  Birmingham,  447. 

WoRONBorr,  Comte  de,  183. 

Weight,  Daniel,  Death  of,  600. 


THE  END. 


R.  ei  OSMIVB,  PRIXTSR,  EIW  BTtlBT,  ■nunxeBAM. 


In  two  large  Octavo  Vdumea^  Price  £2  S<. 

"A  CENTURY  OF  BIRMINGHAM  LIFE," 

JOHN  ALFEED  LANGFORD. 

Loadon:  BtMFta,  m* »—*"■,  and  Oo.    BiminghMi :  B.  a  Oeionn,  Ktw  Stnet. 


FROM   NOTICES   OF  VOL.   ONE. 


Satwday  Review, 

*^r.  LtDgf ord  hM  eTideotiy  diichaigttd,  with  painitaking  oaro  and  naearoli, 
tha  laboriooa  iMk  he  ha*  impoaad  on  hinuelf  ai  a  labour  of  love.  •  .  .In 
oondnaon,  we  moat  thank  Mr.  Laoffford  for  the  paloa  he  hat  beatowed  on  an 
nnamfa&tiopa  bat  not  nnprofitable  field  of  labour.  We  ahall  look  witk  interaat 
lor  the  appearanoe  of  hia  next  ▼olnme.*' 

WettaUneier  Review, 

**  Mr.  Langford  hat  ahown  that  BinninKhani,  with  a  name  that  haa  an 
aatiqnitj  of  eight  hnndred  yean  or  more,  baa  been  honovrablT  dlatiogniahed 
in  the  Tariooa  aapeeta  of  thonght  and  action,  from  the  yeara  17*li  when  it  waa 
a  little  hardware  Tillage,  down  to  the  pieaent  tima^  when  it  baa  beooma  In 
reaUly  the  *  Midland  Capital  of  the  reafan.*  r 

Bniiek  Qucarterfy  Rniem^ 

"  Mr.  Langford  haa  compiled  a  ^naj  iatereating  and  cnriona  book.    •    •    . 
Mr.  Langford  haa  done  hit  worl[  welf ;  and  newspaper  editora  in  other  great 
towna  would  render  grsat  aerrioe  if  thej  would  produce  aimilar  Tdunaa." 

(UmUmporory  Review, 

"Mr.  Langlbrd  haa  had  the  hapfnr  idea  of  eztraottng  a looal  Uitoiy  from 
the  file  of  an  old-eatabliahed  proTinciaf  paper.  Not  the  laa^t  merit  ef  hk  book 
»will  be  that  of  aetiing  an  example,  wluch  ia  anre  to  be  followed  firom  time  to 
time  whereTer  aimilar  filea  may  have  been  pweifcd,  whether  of  one  newa- 
paper  or  of  ancceaaiTe  onea— the  latter  caae  being  the  more  likely  one,  aince 
ftw  Jonmala  can  boaat  of  the  longeri^  of  Arit^e  Birmimghmm  OeiitU^ 

IBueffxOed  London  Newe, 

f  If  rapid  growth,  importaat  poaitaon,  and  contribnliona  towaida  nolvaraal 
proaperity  and  pr<»grate  entitle  a  town  to  apedal  commemctwtion*  Birmingham 
SB  certainly  entitled  to  aneh  an  hononr  aa  the  compiler  of  thia  Yolvmc  conlan 
npon  her.  The  Tolnme  is  the  first,  it  may  be  preaomed,  of  two ;  for  the 
chronicle  of  local  evente  ia  to  embrace  a  period  extending  from  1741  to  1841, 
and  thia  Tolnme  atopa  at  1791,  leaving  exactly  another  hall-cantoffy  for  another 
▼olome.  The  labour  expended  by  the  compiler  moat  have  been  immcnaa;  Ua 
rsaeareb  and  iodnstiy  have  apparently  been  Incaasant^  and  hia  plan  of  compila- 
tion ia  commendable.  The  rssnlt  is  a  wo(k  whioh,  whatever  aervice  It  may 
reader  the  antiquary,  will  be  found  by  the  general  reader  wonderfully  inatmc- 
tive  and  entertaioing.** 


2  NOTIGES  OF  THE  PRESS. 

The  Rdiquary, 

"  What  a  pitj  that  everf  town  and  every  diBtriot  has  not  a  Mr.  John  Alfred  ■  I 

Lanffford  reeidinff  in  Itt   »8iidi  is  oar  feeling  from  a  glance  at  the  toit  .| 

exotuent  work  ^ore  na.  >>  Blrmingham^is  indeed  fortnn&te  to  hlbve  00  talented^  ' 


V*  -'■     ' 


-I     I 


{»r 


a  wealth  J  town  ghoxild  not  be  eluw  most  liberally,  to  pay.    *  '.         .    We 
•trongly ieooinmend.^.^l*ngfiirdrj  if ork^ totbe ttiA^V eyeiy  class."        .,; 

*. '  '  "  •  -*.,'.  -     .       •  , 

'<Mr.  Langford,  whio  is  already  known  as  a  writer  in  prose' and  Terse,  has 
made  in  the  volmne  before  jos  an'  inBostrions  and  amnsing  eompilation  of 
Birmingham 'vob«olofl;y,(  and  •reii'Iiondoncltslnay^nd'iM'tsrlio  intersst 
them  in  the  reooxd  of  toe  steps  by  which  what  was  once  only  a  (litUtiliard  ware 
Tillage'  has  beooiika  a  great  seat  of'Sndostiy,  and  one  of  the  most  important 
towns  in  the  kingdom.  •  .-•'•'•.•V  TIse.lMok  ,is  deserving  a  place 'on  the 
shelTes  dcToied  Co  county  histories,  Jborongh  2ie<»xdsJ>SAdj.lopQffianhipal 
desoripfiona..  ..^  ,  .^  ,^  .^,  ..^  ^^  ,^  .^   5,  ^,.  .,^,_  ,•.  .  ^t^  {^*»5^^$:4 #dJ 

^^«<Mr.Ungfotd's'indQ8tiyddierVM^aomeVwaia;iii^'b^  v' ^y^ 

it  fai  the  approbation  of /his  fallow  townime&,'^<HeeU«sVllil^j(iiiKti9^      ^  ti^ 

"  To  the  lover  of  antiquarian  literatnie  |tnd  to  the  student /ipiiNKWuu  pcpgrsw 

M Hr,  Langford  has  given  HSy'hosrever.  tnore  Ihimik 
progress.    He  has  abownjMFhat  It'srsa  ;«lie  bteneiit 
Hie  of «tfae  olden 
in,  what  kind  of 
delighted,  what  i 

Is  aomewhai  ipnppy.'^  3ir«  lAngfoiti  has;  wistfy  aw^Wo^fbifil^ 
make  his  book  rather  a  eompOatioa  than^A  long  jrrittsn  teoord  of 
and  Its  people.    The  lesnlt  is.  that  %ra  )>ave  the  doings  pf  Ihojaat  oaqtuiyiold 
vsby  the  pmla  of  tkalalt^eataijr.^laiaihos wi  aMdiibMU%et  a^ 
troer  Mght  Into  iHiat  was  done  thaa^^idd  'pVtMiiim^h^^pbtmb.'}^^^ 
ootdlallytedoBUiiwidtholiook.^*  *'.»^^^      -''»-'   V.'    5^^^  V^,'   '  f* 

'In  the  Volome  before  us  Mr,  Xangford^teDf  .t^  ^tqiy M, Urmiogfaia^ 
Ufe»froml74ltol7tfi»oiidthisbedossinawaythatlioqiiiriaycfeditablato        '    .1 
his  jQdgmeDt,tsste,andlndiiili7.<^SSo)9tealsii||olieticiiioiikler,«^  ; 

us  a  naas  of  faets  Tsty  ably  amoffed. ,  The  tooqee^iitfO^iMoe^  volooee 

period  in  vlikh  the  mano&obires  of.  JMntf ngham  " 


win  deal  with  the  period  in  which  the  mano&otiiTes  of  JBtriBnghwi  ^^eamfc      -    • 
Ikmoos  to  every  marts  bnt  that  teooidwiU  hoi  be  more  Oodoos^iid  ton^^  .   • 
than  that  of  the  prseebt  Tolome.'^   *   '        '/  ,:'         '  .  .   "ii^  ***;     -^^  * 

«'Mr.Langfordlsti  boUttaa,«ad'aellag^p<ta~teiyMasibSs1^^  '   \ 

prodneedabookwbldilsqtiHeoriglaaVtan&enttsrabesMeof  ttM^lna^  '    | 

instead  of  doing,  aa  a  great  many  eotiipileri  Of  rach  a  woricwoold  -  • 

lo-wfiting  in  oar  modern  and  foflued  laiyoi^  the  onrlooscidiiottoes  given  Oi  i 
In  the  adwrtisements  and  parampba  fiosa  Arvt$  €tamUiif  which  fonna  Ao 
staple  cf  the  book— Mr.  Langfiora  liaa  been  oostonted  to  transeriba  Iheas 


NOTICES  OF  THE  PRESS. 


(■ 


1% 


'* 


I 


Utendly,  Mid  jost  string  them  togeUier  vith  the  neoejMjy  oomiAeiit ;  so  that  in 
the  first  Yolome,  which  oontains  five  chapters,  each  cf  which  oocnpiea  a  decade, 
we  have  *  the  T«ry  age  and  body,  the  form  and  pre88ure,^of  Birmingham  Life 
from  »17ii  to  .1790,  ^brought  before  ns  ma  most  remarl»We*and  instractive 
manner.  The  book  deeervee  to  be  weU  known  far  beyond  the  important  seat 
of  manni&wtoring  enterprise  to  which  it  relates,  the  rise  of  which  enteipnse, 
among  other  things,  it  cnrionsly  illostrates."  .  . 

^Prei».afid  SU'JcBmeiB  Chronide.. , 


'Mr 


»  Ji 


A    ■:. 


«  The  work  is  interesting,  and  it  woifld  be  well  if  the  lore  of  other  plaOM 
could  be  registered  witk  equal  aeal  and  industry.*  - .      , 


'•S 


,1 


'^*»  This  Volume  emlmices  a' moiety  tof  the 'period  over' which  Mr.  lAugford'a 
i^eearches  :jiave  extended,  and  :We  hope  that  the  rsmaining  half  wiU  be  eoon 
forthcoming."  The 'Important "part  which  Birmingham  has  borne  i-in  our 
national  and  sodal  progress— her  share  hi  the  great  inventions  which  have  so 
changed  the  habits  .and  condition  ftfiodety-r«»d- the' loii^  list  of  names 

minent  in  Wen^eVand:art  bonnected  withthe  town  during  «>•  ©^^n^ 
defcribed— render  the  book  peenliariy  acceptable  to  all,  whether  inhabitanta 
of  .^rminghamor othet^rise.^    ;  •  *'      - *-^  .  •  :    r  >&;, x  -^i^x  - 

<'To  the  <nii«^>itM»tff  i^f  •TOiTn^pg'**"'  and  the  ninghbourhood,  and  the 
thousands  of  visiton  who  mote  in  and  out  of  the  'midlaad  metropolis,  we 
strongly  recommend  this  work  as  baing  brimftd  of  hiteiest.  In^eedjt^iiwst 
form  the  basiB  of  any  Aitoie  Ustorr  of  the  great  town.  We  heartily  wi^tiiat 
every'plaoe  of  'note  jpotsMsad  m'iittiraniolsr  ao  industrious  and  accomplished  as 
.Hr.-Lnisford.*!. :'  v  -  >i"A  •*  '•    '4  -   .    -.  -'       •  ;■  * 

«His  difficult  task  hat'  Svidoiitly  been  a  labour  cf  love  to  Um;  and  to 
^a  practised  and  aeholariy  writer,  animated  tor  tUs  apiriL  aU  things  are  poariUe. 

With  Are  patience  andin^istrT  ho  baa  waded  throus^  the  unique  and  complete 
file  of  our  oonteiDpomy,  the  .SfrBMMftoBi  ^aaittt^ 

of  a  hundred  yean— an  anthoriiy  without  oooaolting  which,  aa  Mr.  Laagfoid 
truly  obaerves^  no  histosy  of  Bjnniwgham  coqld  bo  written,  and  has  transcribed 
evenr  ^ust,  liearing  on  Ua  anljeot»  bo  met  witii  In  Us  laboriona  asaieli. 
Bedidea  thU  he  baa  spared  ndtbsr  tloo  nor  labour  in  oonauUing  otiier  aouroea 
of  infbnnatioa  not  geoeially  aviOaUe,  but  whiflh  were  frsek  plaoed  at  hia 
diqMaal ;  and  hia  prMSftM  Bteraiy  ddn  and  wide  and  yaried  Imowladge  1^^^ 

been-empknred  with  oooeaaa  in  pladng  bsfcfo  the  world,  in  the  1^ 
light  poariUo,  the  nnmefooa  istan^  fiMto  he  haa  thua  diligentiy  ooUoeted 
together.    The  book,  if  only  fiir  the  Instroottve  light  it  throws  on  the  roannsn 
andoosfeomaof  ourfixofiiithanb  ^tM<rv<>**pl*<ooiaov«iylihtaiy  wortlgr«f  the 
Bamo  r  Mid  wo  oosdiaUt  oomoiM^it  to  the  BOtioa  of  oor  leaden.** 

•  «Ko  better  or  truer  reflex  of  Birmbgham  in  the  last  osntiuyoodld  won  be. 
preaonted,  tho  editor  having  punoed  Ua  taak  with  tact  and  oare." 

^Theaeandhundradaof  moreorlsss  importaBt  ovanti  aio  fiiOy  ffloabntad 
firom  the  oontemporary  aoooonta  wiildi  Mr.  Langfiofd  has  oontribotad  and 
collected  with  ao  much  induatvy  and  care.  No  amount  of  detail,  •xoept  a  lUl 
dsecilption  of  all  tho  numerous  quotatieaa  in  this  vdnmo,  oould  gm  any 
adequate  idea  of  its  varied  and  peeuliar  iatersst,  ton  it  eontalna  aemethfaig 
under  oveiy  headbg  which  wili  be  waleone  to  all  tastes^  and  read  with  plsaaoro 
by  an  who  leel  any  iatereat  In  tocih  rsntfurkahlo  akotshea  of  the  lift  of 
our  town. 


NOTICES  OF  THE  PKBB3. 


XiiRimd  -CowifiM  3tn^ , 

litA  'iaxtni  to  tLo '^te  of  onr  Te 

.i>».-.^u>w»,  jxu.^.>jiiigford'  baa 'eitncted^.fnmi 'it  -~^'~.~wuniui>, 

.|«ngnpl^i^d  repoHA^u/wi^i'tbe'ki^fnrleatia'UaHtbd  fiom  other  fboioM, 


.V^Ting.lxreii, granted  'iccMs  to  tlio'%te  of  onr  TenenUa  oontsniponiy, 
_AiV*^ffi<^itlef^'lix.^lAng{qrd'  baa 'eitncted^.fnmi 'it  nA' BdTttliwmgnta,' 


. ntellijfTblo  Ide»  i  ,    . .., , , 

hdag.  'I  -  His  la«k  hta  eridentlj  iaTolTod  '■mnah^abdiO',  liot  Alone  in ;  Qt» 
eollMtion  of  the  nutuiala,  bnt  in  .Uuir.  wrangenwnt  and  dnddatMS.  Hie 
t;nJ(^.u>li|faf)ti^,Midiiitei«stiD£.*',  ...  .,.,.. 

:.    '•.       .  .  Birmingham"J>aily  OaailU^  :: .  .^i.'i-.-..      i,,  , 

"Mr.  IiMigfoid,  with  deroDt  l*b6riott»nen  ilnd  loring  d 

;,to'Ded  ponkaenttaadjfthrQag''  '^'■-  ' — •'-"- --' ' 

'iitiiUlult:TClilniB,'«fiir])ial — 

•odlnorertrDrtworuiyaniktariAla  for  tha  butorr 
iime«f >  whi^  It  Uasti^ithu  all  tbs  otherooniribi 

tq^qUu^.q  HtbH.bronsht  t4  bear  japon  hia  iwlf-LmpoeMl  luk the  rod;  tiL 

o^eflongTened  Jo>lit<ni7  laboon,  ^e  Uiidl;  liufght  of  a  poet,  the  genial 
anlfaodum  »f  «n  antiqnuri.aiid.^Uie  aSactloo  for  lui  mbjsct  whloh  beoomra 

■.•tnwtiliMUDf  Kntdnghani.'''  -''■■;    ■   '•       ,,    i.   ',r,- 


terials  for  the  butorr,  of  Birmingluun  during  the 
D  alltbs  other  ooniribu  dona  of  onr  looal  nitkiry  put 
t4  bear  jDpcmihu'ldf-LmpoeedUikttie'lcadTtddllof 


i-«i  ai*H]yiiK.^  1 


34  9  2 


fe6 


■/i'7 1'  7 


?^