Handbook of Birmingham Prepared for the Members of the British Association, 1886

FOOTNOTES Sunday Lecture Society. —[ Thos. Rose. ]—This Society, which has now become one of the most successful of our local institutions, had a very humble origin. In 1877, a few members of the Birmingham Temperance Society (foremost amongst whom was Mr. Thos. Hewins), conceived the idea of holding Meetings on Sunday evenings “for the social, moral, and intellectual improvement of the non-church and chapel-going portion of the community.” They accordingly formed themselves into a Committee, who engaged the then newly erected Board Schools in Bristol Street, for the winter season of 1877-8, and commenced what were described as “Sunday Evening Meetings for the People.” For a short time these meetings were of a purely temperance character, but finding that they were not so thoroughly appreciated as they had expected, the Committee extended the variety of the subjects, and lectures were delivered embracing a wide range of thought, both moral and religious, literary and dramatic, scientific and historical, occasionally interspersed with musical evenings illustrative of the principal oratorios. Foremost amongst the lecturers (who numbered many of our chief local literary and scientific men), was Mr. Sam: Timmins, who from the first took an active part in the movement, the success of which was from this time assured, the lectures being attended by crowded and appreciative audiences every Sunday evening, and occasionally hundreds were unable to obtain admission. In 1880, the then Mayor (Alderman R. Chamberlain), generously offered the Committee the free use of the Town Hall, and for some months the lectures were delivered consecutively in that place to audiences numbering from 3 to 4,000 each Sunday. This gave rise to considerable opposition on the part of the various religious sects of the town against what was considered to be “a monopoly of the use of the hall by one particular sect,” and after much controversy in the public press, and debate in the Town Council, the question of the letting of the Town Hall on Sundays was left in the hands of the Mayor for the time being, on the understanding that its continuous use by any one sect should be refused. Thereupon the lectures were resumed in the Bristol Street Board School, with occasional special lectures in the Town Hall. In 1881, the movement assumed a more representative character. The then Hon. Sec. (Mr. T. Rose), assisted by some of the leading members of the Committee, took steps to organize a Sunday Lecture Society, and a Meeting was held on July 1st, 1881, under the Presidency of Mr. William Harris, J.P., when the present Society was publicly inaugurated, the objects being—“To provide for the delivery on Sundays in the Borough o f Birmingham, and to encourage the delivery elsewhere of lectures upon subjects calculated to promote the social, moral, and intellectual well-being of the community at large, as hitherto conducted by the Committee of the Sunday Evening Meetings for the People.” The constitution of the Society also provided that a minimum subscription of One Shilling per year should constitute membership, and that any pecuniary profit should be applied to the further promotion of the objects of the Society. Mr. Sam: Timmins was elected first President, and the management of its affairs was entrusted to a Committee of 30, exclusive of Officers, to be elected annually from amongst the body of members. In the first year of the Society’s existence the members numbered 80, including the names of many of the most influential public men of the town, and the subscription list amounted to £45. 14s. 6d. The number of members is now 168, and the subscription list amounts to £70; the income being further augmented by the collections taken at the various lectures (which are thus largely self-supporting). Nearly all the lectures being given voluntarily, the cost of working the Society is comparatively small, and is fully met by the income derived from subscriptions and collections. Five of the principal Board Schools are engaged every Sunday evening throughout the winter season, from October to April, and at intervals special lectures are delivered in the Town Hall. During the season from 1885 to 1886, 71 lectures were delivered at the Board Schools, with a total attendance of 23,150, or an average of 326 to each lecture, and 10 lectures were delivered at the Town Hall, with a total attendance of 33,000, or an average of 3,300 for each lecture. Ald. R. Chamberlain, M.P., is now President of the Society, as well as one of its most popular lecturers. In Councillor R. F. Martineau, the Committee possesses a most able and energetic Chairman. Mr. W. B. Smith is the Treasurer, and Mr. J. H. Forrester, No. 1, Summer Hill Terrace, worthily fills the office of Hon. Secretary. Newspapers. —[ Sam: Timmins. ]—The earliest known Birmingham Newspaper was “The Birmingham Journal,” published by Thomas Warren, in 1733. It was at first published on Thursdays, but afterwards on Mondays. Only one copy has survived, that of May 21st, 1733, No. XXVIII. The “Journal” is interesting as it shows some traces of the style of Dr. Johnson, who very probably assisted Warren in his newspaper. “Aris’s Birmingham Gazette” was first published in 1741, and its original title is used on the Saturday issue from the Daily Gazette Office to this day. It was originally published on Mondays, and some of its earlier issues bore another heading, for special County circulation. “Swinney’s Birmingham Chronicle” was published for several years, from 1796 to 1816, but no complete file has been preserved. Jabet’s “Commercial Herald” was issued from 1804 to 1813. The “Birmingham Journal” was revived in 1825, by Wm. Hodgetts, and was continued until absorbed in “The Daily Post.” The “Birmingham Advertiser” was commenced in 1833, and continued till 1845. In 1836, the “Midland Counties Herald” was begun on a new plan of gratuitous circulation and is continued as a sheet of advertisements and news relating to the land and agricultural interests to this day. The “Birmingham Morning News” appeared in 1871, with George Dawson as its first editor, and was continued till 1875. “Aris’s Birmingham Gazette” was one of the first two country papers which began a series of “Local Notes and Queries” in 1856. The example has been very generally followed, and the series continued in the “Weekly Post” and the “Weekly Mercury,” and many important facts of local history have thus been discovered and preserved. The removal of the “taxes on knowledge”—the stamp duty and advertisement duty and the paper duty—soon produced local daily papers, the first being the “Daily Press,” in 1855, edited for some time by George Dawson, and followed by the “Daily Mercury.” In 1857 the “Daily Post” was started, and in 1879 the “Daily Globe” appeared. In 1869 the “Midland Illustrated News” was begun, but it surv ived only about a year and a half. Among the other newspapers were the “Birmingham Chronicle” (1823); the “Midland Chronicle” (1811); the “Philanthropist” (1835). Many other short-lived newspapers have been issued from time to time—many of which are to some extent preserved by odd copies in the Reference Library, and among them a German newspaper of which only one number appeared. Birmingham was one of the first towns which produced a Sunday newspaper—the “Sunday Echo,” and some others have been issued since. The “cheap press” secured a very large number of readers, when the first halfpenny daily evening paper, the “Daily Mail,” was established in 1869, followed for some time by a similar issue from the “Daily Gazette” office, and afterwards by the “Midland Echo.” Many monthly pamphlets—practically newspapers—were issued, such as the “Independent” (1827), and “Inspector” (1817); the “Weekly Recorder” and “Register” (1819), by George Edmonds; and many serials, sarcastic or humorous, have appeared from time to time. The scurrilous “Argus” of fifty years ago, and later the “Town Crier” (1861), “Brum,” “Graphic,” “Dart,” “Owl,” “Free Lance,” &c., with our illustrated “Phonographic Punch,” and one local monthly, “Edgbastonia,” in which many interesting biographies of local celebrities have appeared. On several occasions Sunday sermons have been published in serials such as the “Birmingham Pulpit” (1871-73). Other attempts to establish newspapers for discussion rather than mere news have been tried as in the “Liberal Review” (1880). Theatres. —[ Sam: Timmins. ]—Birmingham has been famous as a theatrical town for nearly a century, and especially as the “training ground” where many of the leading actors of the present century learned their art and won their first laurels. The stage was, however, rather a late creation in Birmingham, and no traces are found earlier than about 1730, when mere booths served the purpose of a “play-house,” and actors were only “rogues and vagabonds” according to law. “A shed in Temple Street” and a “stable in Cas tle Street,” with admission threepence each, and the small band parading the town during the day, in the absence of newspapers, to announce the performance, formed, according to Hutton, the “rise of the drama” in our town. As early as 1750 travelling circuses and theatres appeared in Coleshill Street; and in 1802 the famous Astley brought his circus to the “back of the Stork Hotel.” In 1730 a temporary building was erected in Moor Street, in 1743 another in New Street, in 1747 another in Smallbrook Street, and in 1776 a more important and permanent theatre was built in King Street—a street covered by the railway station and Stephenson Place, and the site of the theatre being now that of the front of the Exchange. This became an important theatre, and existed till late in the century in competition with the present Theatre Royal, which was founded about the same date. The few play bills which have survived, and the expenditure on the building, show that every effort was made to do justice to the drama a century ago. At this date theatres were merely tolerated, but in 1777 an application was made for a licence for the New Street Theatre to play for “four months in the year,” and this application was somewhat famous, for it was eloquently supported by Edmund Burke, who used the phrase—since so well-known and so little understood—that Birmingham was the “great Toy-shop of Europe.” The phrase, however, was not new, but was used in a book by Sir Samuel Morland a hundred years earlier to describe the shops where trinkets and small steel and iron wares were sold, and not in connection with children’s “toys.” The second reading of the Bill, to enable His Majesty the King to grant a Patent was, however, lost, but the enterprise was continued, and in 1780 the present front of the Theatre Royal was erected with a commodious theatre, well lighted by wax candles, and with “the passages warmed with stoves” as the performances were to be given in the winter as well as the summer months. It was not till 1807 that a “Patent” was secured for the Theatre which then became the Theatre Royal, and still remains under the jurisdiction of the Lord Chamberlain. In 1778 a “wooden building” was erected as an “opera house,” near the Plough and Harrow, in the Moseley Road, but this was burned down soon after. In 1792, the Theatre Royal was destroyed by fire, and again in 1820, but the front remained unharmed in these two great fires and the medallions of Shakespeare and Garrick remain as placed in 1780. In both cases the fires were believed to be incendiary and with good reason too. In 1795 the Theatre was rebuilt and re-opened by William Macready, who remained till 1810, in which year, on June 11, his future famous son, William Charles Macready, appeared as Romeo,—“a young gentleman and his first appearance on any stage.” In 1813, Macready was followed by Elliston, as lessee, and in 1819 he was succeeded by Alfred Bunn. During all this period all the great actresses, and actors, and singers, and celebrities of the time appeared on the Theatre Royal stage, and a very complete series of Play Bills has fortunately been preserved. The present lessee, Mr. M. H. Simpson, and his father have had the Theatre Royal for fifty years, and recently additions and alterations have been made, not only in the Theatre proper, but in the accessory rooms for actors and scenery which have never been surpassed for extent and convenience. The Theatre Royal was, practically, the only theatre for many years, but in 1853 a dramatic licence was granted by the magistrates for a building on the Bingley Hall site: in 1856 the “Music Hall” in Broad Street was built, but in 1862 it was converted into a theatre, and opened as the Royal Operetta House, by Mr. W. H. Swanborough. In 1866 it was bought by Mr. James Rodgers, and in 1876 was practically rebuilt, and additions and alterations are now in progress under Mr. Rodgers and his Son. In 1879 a license was granted to the Holte Theatre, in the Aston Lower Grounds; and the Grand Theatre, Corporation Street, built and managed by Mr. Andrew Melville, was opened November 14, 1883. In 1785 an Amphitheatre existed in Livery Street and was converted into a Chapel: in King Street the Theatre was also converted into a Chapel, and afterwards back again to a Public Hall; and in 1827 the Circus of James Ryan, permanently built some years later, was converted into the Circus Chapel. In short, the great progress of Birmingham in the second half of the last century was felt in every way: the Musical Festival was founded, and the drama grew rapidly as the town extended and the taste of the public improved. THE COVENTRY INDUSTRIES. BY W. G. FRETTON, F.S.A. An exhaustive account of the ribbon and watch manufactures of Coventry, with technical descriptions of the various processes involved in the treatment of the raw material, in its progress of manufacture from its primitive condition to its finished state, having already appeared in the comprehensive series of articles in the midland industries, published on the occasion of the former visit of the Association in 1865, it only remains to note the changes and additions which have been made since that period in the Industries of Coventry. Ribbon Trade. —Several causes have combined to produce a very serious decline in the manufacture of silk fabrics, the chief of them being the French commercial treaty, to which may be added change of fashion, and increased competition and more rapid production by the further development of machinery. From 1860 to 1878 the ribbon trade in Coventry and its neighbourhood, had decreased by at least one half, and the decline has been going on since that period, with exceptional experiences of spasmodic improvement, ever since. Efforts have been made in various ways to direct the textile skill of the artisans into other channels wherein their weaving abilities might be turned to their advantage, and the area of textile manufactures increased. In one of these departments may be specially noticed the manufacture of bookmarks , and other illuminated ribbons. This trade was chiefly introduced by Mr. Thomas Stevens, and has been most successfully developed by himself and other manufacturers, until their extent, beauty of design, variety of application, &c., have been marvellous. Portraits, valentines, presents suitable to the seasons, birthdays, views of noted buildings, poetical sentences, mottoes, labels, and other decorative and descriptive ornaments have been produced, which, half a century ago, it would have been deemed impossible to produce from a loom. But this has involved the construction of complicated and e xpensive machinery, and has raised the art of loom-making considerably. Such a trade is, after all, but limited, it is the production of a luxury, a merchandise “which none but the rich can buy.” Trimming Trade. —Another department of textile industry which has sprung up, somewhat analogous to the Ribbon manufacture, is the Trimming trade, for which special looms have been adopted—cambric frilling, mainly introduced by Messrs. Cash; bead work, and other ornamental fabrics have also been introduced. Cotton Spinning and Weaving. —Soon after the decline of the ribbon trade the attention of the Coventry manufacturers was drawn to the experiment of introducing the cotton spinning and weaving. A large factory with suitable annexes for carrying on a large trade was erected on the north side of the city by a company formed in 1860, the Rev. S. H. Widdrington, then vicar of St. Michael’s, taking a great interest in the project. Its operations have been attended by varied success; the distance from the centres of the cotton trade forming an obstacle to its full development, the spinning department has received most attention. Elastic Web. —In 1859 Messrs. Dalton and Barton introduced the manufacture of elastic webs, but afterwards disposed of this department of their business to Mr. Pridmore, by whom it is still carried on at Foleshill. In 1862 a company was formed for carrying on the same kind of trade, chiefly through the instrumentality of the vicar of St. Michael’s, and known as the Coventry Elastic Weaving Company, and for nearly twenty years it conducted a large business, having branches at Red Lane, Foleshill, and in White Friars’ Lane, Coventry. Owing to a brisk competition in other weaving centres, and consequent over-production, the company dissolved a few years ago, a portion of the plant and trade being retained by Mr. J. C. Odell, one of the members of the company, and still successfully carried on. There are several firms in the city conducting similar business. The Bradford Stuff Manufacture was introduced into Coventry in 1864, and established in a large disused factory, originally erected as a cotton mill, in Hill Street, afterwards occupied as a ribbon manufactory. The firm is known as the “Leigh” Mills Company (Limited), the present Lord-Lieutenant of the County having shown much interest in the promotion of this and other new industries in Coventry. Excellent woollen and worsted goods are made here, silk and cotton being also used in some of the varieties manufactured. Coach Lace and Broad Stuffs for railway and other carriages, trimmings for furniture, &c., are largely manufactured by Messrs. Dalton and Barton, Messrs. Perkins and Son, and others. Silk Dyeing is still carried on to a considerable extent by several firms, and the city maintains its old character for the permanence and brilliancy exhibited in this class of work, which is one of the ancient staples of the city. It will be seen that while Coventry still maintains its textile productions in the weaving industry, its works are not confined to ribbons, and the manufacturers and artisans generally deserve the highest commendation for the spirit and the aptitude they have displayed in adapting themselves to the altered circumstances of the textile industry of the city, and the opening up of new branches of the weaving industry has emancipated the city from dependence on the ribbon trade alone. Many firms are still engaged in the manufacture of ribbons, sashes, ladies’ scarfs, &c., and during the last year or two, gauzes having been in demand have been largely made. Watch Manufacturing. —Coventry is one of the principal places in England for this branch of manufacturing industry, and at the head of the numerous firms engaged therein, Messrs. J. Rotherham and Sons hold the first and oldest position. A trade of such extent, and exhibiting so many stages of progress in its production, necessarily possesses many features of interest, and may be divided into the following, with mino r divisions springing from them:—watch manufacturers, case makers, engravers, springers, engine-turners, and polishers; cap makers, dial makers, escapement, balance, pallet, roller, and lever makers; movement, motion, index, hand, and glass makers; fuzee cutters, gilders, examiners, and finishers; jewellers, keyless motion and movement makers, and motioners. The trade has been subject to many changes and fluctuations, and is at present in a depressed state, owing largely to foreign competition, and the production of cheap watches by means of machinery. Efforts have been made by more than one of the Coventry firms to meet the latter source of competition by the introduction of machinery in the construction of various parts of the watch, and in the subdivision of labour, more especially in the class known as “going barrels” with various measures of success; but for the better class of watch, the old system bids fair to maintain its position. A project for the establishment of technical schools for special instruction in the various processes in connection with the Coventry staple trades in general, and that of Horology in particular, is still under consideration, and may lead to satisfactory results. There are about 150 manufacturers of watches in Coventry. The Cycle Manufacture was introduced into this city about 20 years ago in conjunction with the making of sewing machines. The latter branch of trade has given place almost entirely to the former, and the reputation which the various firms engaged in the trade have succeeded in obtaining, have placed Coventry in the first rank in this new and peculiar manufacture. The Coventry Machinists’ Company (Cheylesmore) were the first to introduce this trade into this country, and it is still one of the largest of the producers. Among the rest may be mentioned the Rudge, Premier, Singer and Co., Fleet, Centaur, Meteor, Excelsior, Wellington, Victoria, and others, all of which have some speciality claiming some peculiar excellence. Artistic Work in Metal was introduced into Coventry chiefly by the exertions and artistic taste of Mr. Skidmore over 30 years ago, and has been followed out by himself, and by various Companies in the same direction ever since. Work from the different firms established in Coventry of great excellence, may be found in many of the principal towns in the British Islands, and on the Continent, notably in Lichfield and Hereford Cathedrals, Prince Consort Memorial, Burlington House, &c. Ironfounding and agricultural implement manufacturing has also attained a high position of excellence under the firm of Matterson, Huxley, and Watson of this city. FOOTNOTES [1] The information in this section, up to the close of 1884, is taken from the very accurate and interesting “History of the Corporation of Birmingham,” by J. Thackray Bunce. Two vols., 1878 and 1885. [2] In 1795 it had risen to £1,200; in 1818 to £3,000; in 1861 to £11,000; in 1880 to £21,983; and it is reckoned that at the end of the century the revenue of the School will be £50,000. [3] This barn and croft were taken away in 1738 from both chief master and usher, and their salaries raised in lieu to £88. 15s. 0d. and £60. [4] In all these provisions boys from the manor had the preference. [5] An alternative plan, apparently not adopted, was to have two exhibitions of £5 each, at Catherine Hall, Cambridge; and two fellowships of £30 a year each at the same college. [6] The first exhibitioners were William Milner and Bartholomew Baldwin, in 1677. Up to 1817, eighty-two exhibitioners had been elected. In 1723, however, a chancery commission declared it a manifest breach of trust on the Governors’ part that no exhibition had been granted for twenty years; while on January 18, 1734, the chief master, having no scholars under his care , William Spilsbury, jun., a scholar in the usher’s school, was elected exhibitioner at Oxford, no other boy being qualified or likely to be qualified for some years. [7] See the illustrations in Hutton’s Birmingham. [8] The first appointed were in 1752, as follows: William Latham, in Dudley Street; Thomas Wilson, near the Old Cross; Mary Ankers, wife of Noel Ankers, in Freeman Street; another Widow Austin, in London Prentice Street. [9] For some reason not very clear, the branch school in Shutt Lane, as also a drawing school established by the Governors, were in 1829 declared by a decree in Chancery to be unauthorised by the charter, and were then discontinued. [10] This was the original intention. But one of these two large apartments was taken by the Governors, and the room designed for the library was given to the commercial school in its place. The latter is now the assembly room of the Girls High School. [11] It should be added that Mr. Green’s report also declares that “it is universally admitted that the present Board has discharged its duties with all care and conscientiousness.” [12] The present bailiff. [13] See the development of 1883. [14] The imposition of fees has ever been a sore point. The first report of the new Town Council Governors was issued on January 7th, 1879, and stated that they had endeavoured to reduce these fees; and in 1880 they expressed their regret at their imposition. [15] In 1800, there were 120 boys: in 1850, 250 boys; in 1860, 456 boys in Grammar School, and 1080 children in the Elementary Schools: there are now 343 boys and 195 girls in the High School: 849 boys and 644 girls in the Grammar Schools. Grand total, 1493. [16] The number of Masters in the Grammar School was, in 1878, 26; in the Elementary Schools there were 20 teachers and 21 monitors. [17] Existing rights reserved; in 1878 the Head Master had 17, and the second Master, 5 boarders. [18] These amounts have been greatly exceeded. The annual expenditure on exhibitions is, Boys’ High School, £690; Girls, £200; Boys’ Grammar School, £270; Girls, £360. There is only one James Exhibition. [19] Opened September, 1883. [20] Five sums of £1,000 each for Scholarships, Prize Essays, Chaplaincy, Divinity Lectureship, and Medical Tutorship. [21] e.g. , Law, which was shortly added. [22] The arts department being henceforward regarded as preparatory to the other two. [23] In that year the present Warden, the Rev. W. H. Poulton, came into office, and the number immediately increased to 22. [24] The purchase value of the property was £110,000, yielding an annual rent of £3,700. £60,000 was spent upon the building and furnishing. The total amount of the benefaction will, in the end, approach £200,000. As early as 1882, however, we find that the Council “view with regret the narrow margin that is likely to exist unless the present endowment is supplemented by other gifts,”—[Report, p. 11.]—and this anxiety is again forcibly expressed in 1885. It was relieved in that year, however, by an “Additional Endowment Fund,” the subscriptions to which reached £4,855. [25] In 1882, it was ordered that wives and children of Professors, Lecturers, and Secretaries, who died during their term of office, be admitted to all classes without payment. [26] Two exhibitions of £15 each, increased next year to four, awarded by the Governors of King Edward’s Schools, and a Science Scholarship of £20 a year, created by the Trustees of Piddock’s Charity, are also tenable at the College. [27] Various other societies have been formed within the college, e.g. , Physical, Chemical, Botanical, Poesy, and French Debating Societies. [28] The Libraries and Fine Art Gallery were shortly undertaken by the town, and have never formed part of the work of the Institute. [29] Paid Teachers were substituted in 1860. [30] The Perry Barr and Harborne Institutes had been opened previously. [31] M. Achille Albitès. [32] Now covered by the Schools of the Society of Friends, and where Wyatt and Paul’s first spinning of cotton by rollers was tried. [33] The principal object of this part is to shew the development of the parochial system, and readers will therefore kindly notice— 1.—All architectural details are omitted, and will be found under the head, “Architecture,” where there is anything special to notice. 2.—Particulars as to patronage, annual value of livings, number of sittings, are, in order to economise space and prevent repetition, relegated to a table at the end of this section, in which table all the churches in the Borough are arranged alphabetically, irrespective of whether they are in the parish of Birmingham, Edgbaston, or that part of Aston parish which is within the Borough. [34] For the records of these sales see a valuable paper by Mr. J. R. Holliday on St. Martin’s Church, in the Transactions for 1873 of the Archæological Section of the Birmingham and Midland Institute. [35] See the excellent monograph, “Old St. Martin’s,” by J. T. Bunce, 1875. [36] A copy and translation of this interesting document will be found in Toulmin Smith’s Memorials of Old Birmingham, 1864. [37] The materials for the historical facts are to be found in the “Sketch of the History of Protestant Non-Conformity in Birmingham,” by the Rev. J. R. Wreford, formerly minister of the New Meeting House, Birmingham, 1832, and “Protestant Non-Conformity in Birmingham,” by the Rev. J. A. James, Birmingham, 1849. [38] See the interesting volume, “Memorials of the Old Meeting House and Burial Ground.” by Catherine Hutton Beale. Printed for subscribers by White and Pike, Birmingham. [39] In the order of time there was an intermediate meeting house in Livery Street, originally a circus, and used by the congregations of the Old and New Meetings, whilst those meeting houses were being rebuilt after the riots of 1791. It was afterwards occupied by a part of the Carr’s Lane congregation, on Mr. Brewer’s resignation of the pastorate there in 1802, and, it becoming too small, it was resolved to build Ebenezer Chapel. The chapel in Livery Street was pulled down in 1853, and the printing establishment of M. Billing, Sons, and Co., is built on the site. [40] An excellent paper on the Old Church may be found in the third vol. of the Transactions of the Archæological Section of the Birmingham and Midland Institute. [41] The principal chemicals manufactured on a large scale are:—Sulphuric, Sulphurous, Hydrochloric, Nitric, Crude Carbolic, Hydrocyanic, and Hydrofluoric Acids; Washing Soda, Bicarbonate of Soda, Rochelle Salt, Glauber’s Salt, Carbonate of Potash, Bicarbonate of Potash, Chlorate of Potash, Cyanide of Potassium, Iodide of Potassium, Oxalate of Potash, Bleaching Powder, Ammonia, Sulphate of Ammonia, Sal Ammoniac, Carbonate of Ammonia, Precipitated Chalk, Bisulphite of Lime, Citrate of Magnesia, Fluid Magnesia, Nitrates of Barium and Strontium, Sulphate of Copper, Phosphorus, Milk of Sulphur, Tin Crystals, Benzol, Toluene, Xylene, Phenol, Naphthalene, Crude Anthracene, and other Tar Products, Fruit Essences. [42] Mungo consists of tailors’ scraps of cloth torn up into shreds, and rendered suitable for working up afresh. Shoddy is a similar material, but made from old garments instead of new material. [43] A heavy knife used for cutting down sugar cane. [44] Among goldbeaters Gypsum goes by the name of talc [45] I am indebted to my colleague Mr. A. H. Hiorns for these particulars. [46] Sometimes “the process is simply performed by rubbing two pieces of bone quite flat on a smooth stone, and then cutting in one of the pieces the shape required, leaving a hole through to the edge by which to pour in the metal.”—Mr. C. B. Bragg. [47] For these particulars I am indebted to my colleague, Mr. A. H. Irons. [48] “Birmingham and Midland Hardware District,” edited by Samuel Timmins, London, Hardwicke, 1866. [49] The screw hand-press so generally used in Birmingham trades was the first great means of cheapening the making of steel pens, which had previously been made by hand, in Sheffield and London. Mr. Mitchell, Mr. Joseph Gillott, and Sir Josiah Mason, were the first to make steel pens by press work.—Ed. [50] This mechanism was first used by James Watt, for copying medallions and busts, and his machines are still preserved at Heathfield Hall, Handsworth.—Ed. [51] For the Enfield-Martini of 0·4″ bore, the thickness is 0·130 inch, and the disc cut out is 1·205 in diameter. [52] I am indebted to Mr. J. W. Davis for these particulars. [53] In these cases the value of the gold is trifling as compared with the labour expended, hence there is every confidence in the value of the metal. [54] The statistics given have been supplied by Messrs. Crawley, Parsons and Co. [55] I have been surprised to note Birmingham made pearl buttons put on cards headed Nouveauté, Paris . I understand that many of these buttons are sent to the United States.—C. J. W. [56] Sir William Thomson has proposed intervals corresponding to the dots and dashes of the Morse alphabet in order to distinguish lighthouses. C. J. W. [57] It is interesting to know that Mr. Edward White Benson, father of the present Archbishop of Canterbury, was associated with Mr. Askin in the early experiments on extraction of nickel. [58] Mr. Henry Bore, who has been connected with the Perryan Pen Works for nearly thirty years, has in the press a work dealing principally with the origin of pen making. Mr. Bore’s investigation points to Mr. John Mitchell as the first to introduce the making of pens by means of tools principally if not entirely his invention, but there is little doubt that the use of steel pens by the writing public is due in the first instance to the energy of Mr. James Perry, who was assisted in this work by the late Sir Josiah Mason. [59] An amalgam of gold is spread on the work to be gilt. The article is then put in an oven and heated till the mercury escapes, leaving the gold behind. Military buttons and ornaments are gilt in this manner.—C. J. W. [60] Ramsay. Quart. Journal Geol. Society, 1855, p. 191, &c. [61] Jukes, South Staffordshire Coalfield, 2nd Edition, p. 15. [62] For a Note by the writer on the distribution of this species in Britain, see Midland Naturalist , Vol. 1, 1878, p. 323. [63] Those who are interested in the Embryology of these lowly creatures will find a paper upon the subject by Professor E. Ray Lankester, in the “Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society.” Part I. 1875. [64] A paper by Professor E. Ray Lankester on the Invaginate planula, or Diploblastic phase of Paludina vivipara , may be found in the “Quarterly Journal of Microscopical Science.” New Series. No. 58. April, 1875. [65] For a paper by the writer on this habit in the Mollusca, see “Conchological Journal,” Vol. I., p. 401, et seq. 1874-8. [66] See the “Quarterly Journal of Microscopical Science,” New Series, No. 56, October, 1875, for the Embryology of L. stagnalis , by Professor E. Ray Lankester. [67] For detailed description see “On a group of minerals from Lilleshall, Salop, by C. J. Woodward.” “Quarterly Journal Geological Society,” August, 1883, p. 466. [68] For particulars relating to this mine, I am indebted to Mr. W. Yelland. [69] Professor Maskelyne in Report of the British Association Committee on Luminous Meteors, 1876, p. 166, quoted in a paper by Townshend. Mr. Hall on “Contributions towards a History of British Meteorites,” in the “Mineralogical Magazine,” 1879. INDEX. Almshouses, xvi. , xvii. , xix. Architecture, 118 Art Gallery, xiii. Art Gallery Purchase Fund, xviii. Art, School of, xviii. Artists (Local), 132 Cox, David, 128 Jones, E. Burne, 131 Mason, Geo., 130 Aston Hall, 126 Baskerville, John, 9 Baths and Parks, xi. Botany — Algæ, 335 Flowering Plants, Ferns, etc. of Warwickshire, 316 Worcestershire, 320 Staffordshire, 327 Fungi, 339 Hepaticæ, 333 Ick, Wm., 313 Introductory remarks, 311 Lichens, 333 Mosses of Warwickshire, 331 Worcestershire, 332 Staffordshire, 333 Perry, W. G., 313 Purton, Tho., 312 Students’ Garden, 315 Withering, Wm., 312 Botanical Gardens, 357 Boulton, M., 10 Chamberlain, J. H., 52 , 57 , 125 Charitable Institutions — Blind Institution, 93 Children’s Hospital, 88 Deaf and Dumb, 92 Dental Hospital, 89 Dispensary, 85 Ear and Throat Hospital, 89 Eye Hospital, 86 General Hospital, 81 Homœopathic Hospital, 90 Lying-in Charity, 87 Orthopædic Hospital, 86 Queen’s Hospital, 83 Sanatorium, 90 Skin and Lock Hospital, 91 Women’s Hospital, 91 Clubs, xx. Contributors, v. Corporation, History of, ix. Corporation Land, xiv. Cotton Spinning, 9 Coventry Industries — Artistic Work in Metal, 370 Bradford Stuff Manufacture, 368 Coach Lace, etc., 368 Cotton Spinning and Weaving, 367 Cycle Manufacture, 369 Elastic Web, 367 Ribbon Trade, 366 Silk Dyeing, 368 Trimming Trade, 369 Watch Manufacturing, 368 Dawson, Geo., 112 , 133 Debating Societies, 74 , 79 Deritend Chapel, 5 Dickens, Ch., 78 Directories, 9 Drainage Board, 14 Dudley Trust, xviii. Ecclesiastical — Aston, Parish of, 94 , 102 Baptists, 107 , 116 Birmingham, Parish of, 94 Burial Grounds, 117 Cemeteries, 117 Chapels, 106 Churches, 94 Congregationalists, 109 , 113 , 116 Dissenters—see Nonconformists, 105 Edgbaston, Parish of, 94 , 101 Friends, Society of, 110 , 116 Jewish Synagogue, 112 Methodists, 111 , 113 , 116 Nonconformist Churches and Chapels, 105 Parishes of the Borough, 94 Presbyterians, 112 Quakers (see Friends), 110 , 116 Roman Catholics, 113 , 116 Swedenborgians, 113 Unitarians, 106 , 116 Wesleyans, 110 , 116 Elementary Education, 58 Religious Education and Voluntary Schools, 60 Technical School, 59 Free Libraries, xviii. Gas and Water Companies, xiii. Geology & Physiography — Abberley, 218 Anticlinal, 217 Archæan Rocks, 222 Arden, Forest of, 216 Arenig Rocks, 240 Atherstone, 225 , 256 Aymestry Limestone, 230 Axes of Elevation, 214 , 217 Bala Rocks, 240 Bangham Pit, 236 Barnt Green, 213 , 226 Barr Beacon, 214 , 240 Barr, Great, 214 , 227 , 240 Barr Limestone, 228 Bibliography of Birmingham Geology, 263 , 265 Birmingham Plateau, 215 Black Country, 213 , 216 , 232 Boulder Clay, 248 , 253 Boulder Clay, lower, 249 Boulder Clay, upper, 249 , 252 Brazil Wood, 256 Breccia, Volcanic, 235 Bridgnorth, 238 Bromsgrove, 242 Brooch Coal, 231 Budleigh Salterton, 237 Bunter, 237 , 250 Caldecote, Volcanic Rocks of, 223 , 225 California, 241 , 249 Cambrian Rocks, 218 , 221 , 224-227 Cannock Chase, 213 , 232 , 239 Caradoc Rocks, 240 Carboniferous Rocks, 218 , 221 , 230-234 Carboniferous Limestone, 230 , 234 , 241 Charnwood Forest, 217 , 221 Charnwood Forest, Rocks of, 223 , 256 Chilvers Coton, 226 Clent Hills, 214 , 236 , 253 Coalfield, Forest of Wyre, 218 , 230 , 234 Coalbrookdale, 218 , 230 , 234 Coalfield, South Staffordshire, 218 , 227 , 230 Coal Measures, 218 , 230 , 234 Coal, 260 Coalfield, Coalbrookdale, 234 Coalfield, Warwickshire, 234 Copt Heath, 248 Croft, 224 Crystalline Rocks, 221 Devonian Rocks, 241 Drainage of Mines, 262 Dost Hill, 226 Droitwich, 243 Dudley, 214 , 216 , 218 , 227 , 230 , 234 Dudley, Limestone of, 229 , 261 Edge Hill, 245 Edgbaston, 215 Enderby, 224 Enville, 235 Erratic Blocks, 249 , 251 Fenny Compton, 245 Fire Clay, 260 Fossils, Cambrian, 224 , 227 Carboniferous, 233 , 241 Devonian, 241 Lias, 245 Ordovician, 240 Post Tertiary, 252 Rhætic, 247 Silurian, 228 , 240 Trias, 241 Fundamental Rocks, 221 , 224 Geology, 216 , 265 Geological Formation, Table of, 220 , 221 Glacial Deposits, 248 , 253 Glacial Sands, 249 Gypsum, 242 Hailstone Quarry, 259 Halesowen, Sandstone, 230 , 232 Hamstead, 232 , 262 Harborne, 215 Harbury, 245 , 248 Hartshill, Rocks of, 225 Hawkesbury, 234 Heathen Coal, 230 Hockley, 241 Hollybush Sandstone, Fossils of, 224 Hollybush Sandstone, 221 , 224 , 227 Igneous Rocks, 221 , 225 , 233 , 236 , 250 , 253 , 254-260 Insect Beds, 246 Ironstones, 231 , 260 Jurassic Rocks, 220 , 244-248 Ketley, 252 Keuper, 237 Keuper Sandstone, 243 Keuper Marls, 219 , 237 , 240 King’s Heath, 242 Kinlet, 260 Kinver Edge, 239 Laurentian Rocks, 222 Lea Rock, 222 , 258 Lias, 244-247 Lias, Lower, 246 Lias, Upper, 245 Lias, White, 245 , 247 Lichfield, 240 Lickey, Quartzite of, 226 Lickey Hills, 213 , 218 , 226 , 228 , 236 Lilleshall, 252 Lima Beds, 245 Limestone, Dudley, 261 Lingula Flags, 224 Lingula Flags, Fossils of, 224 Llandovery Rocks, 226 , 228 , 240 Ludlow Rocks, 228 Malvern Hills, 217 , 254 Malvern Hills, Rocks of, 221 , 224 , 254 Marlstone, 245 Marston Jabet, 257 Mason College, Museum of, 229 , 253 Mayhill Sandstone, 227 , 240 Mesozoic Rocks, 220 Metamorphism, 256 Midland Plain, 213 , 219 Millstone Grit, 230 , 234 Mining Statistics, 260-263 Moseley, 215 Mottled Sandstone, Lower, 237 ” ” , Upper, 237 , 241 New Mine Coal, 231 Nuneaton, 216 , 218 , 256 Nuneaton, Rocks of, 223 , 225 Old Red Sandstone, 218 , 221 Ordovician Rocks, 220 , 240 Palæozoic Rocks, 216 , 236 Pebble Beds, 237 , 239 , 244 Pentamerus Rocks, 228 Permian Rocks, 220 , 235 Permian Sandstone, 235 Permian Breccia, 235 Petrography, 254 Physiography, 213 , 216 , 238 Pig Iron, 261 Post Glacial Deposits, 253 Post Tertiary Deposits, 248 , 253 Park Hill, 234 , 259 Primary Rocks, 216-236 Quartzite, Hartshill, 225 ” Lickey, 226 , 227 Rea, River, 215 Rhætic Rocks, 247 Rhyolites, 222 , 258 Rock Formations, Local, 220 Rowley Regis, 214 , 233 , 250 , 259 Rowington, 243 Rubery, 226 , 228 Sapcote, 224 Saltley, 215 Sandwell Park, 232 Secondary Rocks, 220 Sedgley, 214 , 216 , 227 , 229 Shinton Shales, 222 , 227 ” ” Fossils of, 227 Shustoke, 253 Silurian Rocks, 218 , 227 , 230 Smallheath Park, 242 Sorrel, Mount, 223 , 255 Spirorbis Limestone, 230 Square Work, Mining, 262 Steel, 261 Stourbridge, 239 Stockingford Shales, 225 Sutton Park, 215 , 239 Swinnerton Park, 260 Tame River, 213 , 215 Tamworth, 226 , 234 Thick Coal, 231-234 , 262 Titterstone Clee Hill, 259 Tremadoc Rocks, 224 Trentham, 241 Trias, 217 , 219 , 237-244 Triassic Rocks, how formed, 243 Tattle Hill, 226 Walsall, 228 , 230 , 234 , 259 Warwick, 242 Waterstones, 237 , 241 Water Supply, 244 Wellington, 217 , 252 , 258 Wenlock Limestone, 229 Weoley Castle, 249 Wilmcote, 246 Wolverhampton, 251 Woolhope Limestone, 228 Wooton Wawen, 248 Wrekin, 218 , 222 , 227 , 258 ” Rocks of, 222 , 227 Wren’s Nest, 214 , 216 , 227 Grammar School — Bill of 1830-31, 30 Branch Schools, 29 , 31 Corruption in Management of, 29 First Statutes, 27 Foundation; Revenue, 26 Head Masters, 37 Honours Gained by Pupils, 36 New Scheme for, 33 Number of Scholars, 34 Present Building, 31 Reform Association, 33 Scholarships; Second Building, 28 Gifts to the Town, xvi. Guinea Gardens, 358 Hollins, Geo., 143 Hospital Saturday, xx. ” Sunday Collection, xx. Jaffray Suburban Hospital, xix. Leland’s Visit, 1538, 5 Lench’s Trust, xvi. Libraries — Byron, Cervantes, & Milton Collections, 73 Early, 65 Free, 69 ” Rate Unlimited, xiii. Shakespeare Memorial, 73 Suburban, 74 Sunday Opening, 74 Lunar Society, 75 Magazines, 78 , 79 Manufacturing Industries — Ammunition, 199 Arc Lighting, 184 Assay Office, 177 Assayed Wares (Table), 178 Automatic Machinery, 173 ” Shaping, 173 ” Turning, 173 Bedsteads, 178 Bit, or Doctor, 175 Brassfoundry, 180 Block Paper, 179 Boiler Plate, 179 Britannia Metal, 202 Bullion Trade, 181 Buttons (Pearl), 181 Canal Traffic, 151 Cast Iron Ware, 181 Cementation, 171 Champlevé process, 204 Chilled Castings, 170 Classification of, 152 Clocks, 183 Cloisonné, 203 Cobalt, 201 Coinage, 182 Colouring, 176 Copper, Prices of, 180 Dealers and Merchants, 156 Dependent Manufactures, 155 Dipping, 176 Doctor, or Bit, 175 Drawing Through, 174 Electric Lighting, 183 ” ” Town Hall, 184 Enfield-Martini Rifle, 174 , 196 Fire Clay, Stourbridge, 206 Fish Hooks, 200 Gas Holders, 180 German Silver, 201 Glass, Crown, 202 ” Flint, 186 ” Plate, 202 ” Sheet, 202 Gold Cutting, 176 Goods Traffic, 151 Hydraulic Machinery, 187 Hinges, 187 Hollow Ware, 181 Implements and Tools, 155 Jewellery, 187 Artistic Progress, 189 Bullion used, 188 Charges, 188 Chemistry, 189 Distribution, 190 Labour and Wages, 188 Mechanical Conditions, 189 Precious Stones, 190 Prices, 190 Lacquering, 176 Lapping, 176 Lighthouse Apparatus, 191 Locks, 193 Magic Lantern Slide Painting, 193 Martini-Henry Rifle, 196 Matchets, 206 Measuring Rules, 193 Mercury Gilding, 206 Military Arms, 194 Mint, Birmingham, 183 Monkey, or Spirit, 175 Nails (cut), 199 Needles, 200 Nickel, 201 Papier Mâché, 202 Parasols, 210 Pewter, 202 Pins, 200 Plate Duty (Table), 178 Plated Wares, 203 Press Tool Work, 172 Processes, 156 Refrigeration, 204 Rifles, 194 Rolling, 171 Rolling Cross, 171 Rope Making, 204 Salt, 206 Sand Blast, 176 Scratch Brushing, 176 Shaping, 173 Soldering, 175 Spinning, 174 Spirit, or Monkey, 175 Stamping, 172 Steel Pen Trade, 205 Swords, 206 Tin Plate Ware, 206 ” (Waste), 208 Tools, 208 Tube Drawing, 171 Tubes, Taper, 172 Umbrellas, 210 Watch Manufacture, 210 Welding (Gas), 180 Wire Drawing, 171 ” Mattresses, 179 ” (Steel), 212 ” Working, 211 Materials used — Acids, 158 Alloys, 170 Bessemer Process, 169 Button Lac, 168 Carnubia Wax (Brazil), 168 Carozo Nuts, 168 Casting, 170 Chemicals, 152 , 159 Chili Bars, 170 Copper, 170 Cow Hair, 168 Cryolite, 167 Dye Stuffs, 164 Gums, 161 Gum Animi, 168 ” Kourie, 168 Istle, 168 Kittool, 168 Lard Oil, 168 Lead, 170 Leather and Fabrics, 162 Lemon Peel, 168 Metals, 157 Metals and Alloys, 169 Mica, 160 , 168 Nitrate of Soda, 167 Oils, 161 Ores, 156 , 169 Piassava, 168 Pigments, 160 Stones, 160 Talc, 165 Varnishes, 162 Woods, 163 Mason, Sir Josiah, 45 Mason Science College — Connection with Queen’s College Academic Board, 51 Cost and Endowment, xviii. Liberty to vary Course of Instruction, 48 Library, 52 Non-theological and Non-political Character of, 48 Objects, Foundation Deed, Trustees, 46 Town Council represented on; Opening of, 50 Magazines, 78 , 79 Mechanics Institute, 77 Metallurgical Classes, 57 Meteorological Observatory, 57 Midland Institute — Canon Kingsley’s Address: Formation of Classes in Laws of Health, 55 Formation of Teachers’ Board, 58 Government of, 53 New Buildings of, 55 Objects and Origin, 52 Removal of School of Art; Expansion of Metallurgical Classes, 57 Union of Teachers and Students, 56 Voluntary Classes, 54 Municipal School of Art, xviii. , 61 Murdock, W., 133 , 141 Music, 141 Musical Festivals, 82 , 142 Newspapers, 79 , 361 Newman, Cardinal, 113 , 133 News Rooms, 68 , 69 Old Houses, 6 , 118 Orphanages, xvii. , xix. Osler, A. F., 76 Pamphlets, 78 Painting, 127 Parks & Recreation Grounds, xii. Philosophical Institutions, 76 Picture Exhibitions, 76 , 133 Portraits, 133 Post Office Growth, xv. Priestley, Dr., 66 , 107 , 140 Prince Rupert’s Raid, 7 Printers and Booksellers, 8 Queen’s College — Abolition of Religious Qualification, 42 Charity Commissioners’ Scheme for, in 1867, 41 Collegiate System, 40 Connection with Mason College, 44 Decay of, 41 Foundation of, 37 Original character of, 39 Scholarships: Present condition of, 44 Strict Church of England character of, 38 Various Departments and Chairs, 42 , 43 Sanatorium, 90 School of Art Building, xviii. Foundation and Progress, 61-63 School Board Scholarships, 60 School of Medicine, 77 Sculpture, 135 Society of Arts and Exhibitions, 76 Soho Circle, 11 Soho Works, 10 Statues, 139 Sunday Lectures, 358 Technical School, 59 Theatres, 362 Town Council & Committees, 21 Town Hall, 119 Watt, James, 141 Women’s Hospital, 92 Wyatt, John, 9 Zoology — Birds, 275 Accipitres, 275 Alectorides, 280 Anseres, 283 Columbæ, 279 Fulicariæ, 280 Gallinæ, 279 Gaviæ, 281 Herodiones, 282 Limicolæ, 280 Odontoglossæ, 283 Passeres, 276 Picariæ, 279 Pterocletes, 279 Pygopodes, 282 Steganopodes, 282 Tubinares, 282 Fishes, 285 Abdominal Malacopterygii, 286 Acanthopterygii, 286 Apodal Malacopterygii, 288 Chondropterygii, 289 Subbrachial Malacopterygii, 288 Insects, 293 Introduction, 266 Coleoptera, 294 Lepidoptera, 301 Mammals, 269 Carnivora, 270 Cheiroptera, 269 Insectivora, 270 Pachydermata, 273 Rodentia, 271 Ruminantia, 272 Microscopic Fauna, 305 Annelida, etc., 309 Arachnida, 305 Crustacea, 306 Entomostraca, 306 Hydrozoa, 309 Infusoria, 309 Insecta, 305 Polyzoa, 307 Rhizopoda, 310 Rotifera, 307 Spongida, 309 Mollusca, 289 Conchifera, 290 Gasteropoda, 291 Reptiles, 273 Anoura, 274 Ophidia, 274 Sauria, 273 Saurophidia, 273 Urodela, 274

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