-Vii 'Vi^' 'i 'ii 4f'/- YALE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY BOUGHT WITH THE INCOME OF THE RICHARD S. FELLOWES FUND DESCRIPTION OF MODERN WUEREUNTO ATIE ANNEXED, 3Iade diiiino' an Excursion round the Toivn, IN THE SU3IMER OF 1818, INCLUDING SSlsrtoirlt anil Uramtttstom BY CHARLES PYE; W!IO COJIPILED A DICIIONAIIY OF ANCIENT GEOGRArHY, Kirmfngljain : PRINTED BY W. TALBOT, EXETER-ROW. London: published by J. M. Richardson, CornhiU; Sherwood and Co. Puternoster-row ; AND IN BIrtMINCI[A-\I BY JOHN LOWC, UNION-STKEET. *„¦* May be had of all Bookselk-rii. Anti-Jacobin, May, 1804, PYe's DICTIOSAIIY OF ANCIENT GEOGRAPHY. The author's avowed object is to arrange the ancient and muJei n names, in a clear and methodical manner, so as to give a ready refe rence lo each ; and in addition to this arrangement of ancient appel lations both of people and places, with the modern names, he has ^Ten a concise chronological history of the principal places ; by which tlie book also serves in many eases as a gazetteer. We find upon the whole a clear and practical arrangement of articles which are dis persed iu more voluminous works. Mr. Pye has condensed within a naiTow space the substance of Cellarius, Lempriere, Macbean, &c. In short the work will be found very useful and convenient to all persons reading the classics or studying modern geography, and to all readers of history, sacred or profane. British Critic, June, 1804. PYe's DICTIONAEY OF ANCIENT CEOGBAPIIY. This may be recommended as a very convenient, useful, and rela tively cheap publication of the kind, and may very properly be re commended for schools. The author very modestly desires that such errors and omissions as will unavoidably appear in an attempt of this nature may be pointed out to him, for the benefit of a future edition. Monthly Review, October, 1805. We prefer the old mode of having separate division* ; the one in cluding ancient and the other modern geography, to that of uniting both under the same alphabetical arrangement. "When the title of this work is considered, it is somewhat incongruous that the account of places should be inserted under the modern names, and a mere reference under that of the arfoient. These accounts appear to be in general correct, but they are in our judgment too brief to be SMlisfac- tory. As the above writer says he prefers two alphabets to one ; the editor hereby sets him at defiance to produce two books iu any lan guage (however large they are,) from whence the student or traveller can collect such information as is contained in this small volume, price 7s. . Mr. Pye also published a correct and complete representation of all the provincial copper coins, tokens of trade, and cards of address, on copper, that were circulated as such between the years 17H7 and ISO] ; when they were entirely superseded by a national copper coin age. The whole on fifty-five quarto plates, price 20s. being a neces sary appendage to every library ; there being a very copiou.s indc.x. TO One of his Majesty's Justices ofthe Peace ton THE COUNTIES OF WARWICK AND WOttCESTEtt, SIR, As you occasionally amuse yourself with topographical pursuits, deign to accept of the foU lowing pages, from Your most obedient. Humble Servant, CHARLES PYE. A D VER TISEMENT, Whoever may take the trouble of looking into the foflowing pages, -will soon perceive that in some instances the editor has been very brief in his description of the public institutions ; to which he pleads guilty, and ac counts for it by observing, that the undermentioned card^ was written and delivered by him personally, to every public institution, at the respective places where the busi ness is transacted, and when he called again, after a lapse of two months, there were several instances where all in formation was withheld.§ Having, as he thought, pro ceeded in the most genteel way, by soliciting assistance in a private manner, he feels doubly disappointed in not being able to give the public such information as might reasonably be expected in a publication of this kind. — Had his endeavous been seconded by those who are to a certain degree interested in the event, there are several points that would have been explained more at large ; but being deprived of such assistance, he ventures to appear before the tribunal of the public, and to give them the best information that he has been able to obtain. Any person who discovers errors or omissions, that will take the trouble of rectifying them, and conveying the same through the medium of the publisher, will confer an ines timable favour on Their obedient servant, CHARLES PYE. * are respectfully infoj-med, that it is in con templation to publish a Description of Modern Birmingham, and the adjacent country for some miles around it ; therefore any information they may think proper to communicate -will be strictly attended to by Their obedient servant, CHARLES PYE. § Tlie Bii-mingfaam Fire Offiee, tlie three Canals, &c. XINES Written by the late John Morfitt, Esq. Barrister. Illustrious offspring of volcanic toil ! Pride of the country ! glory of the isle ! Europe's grand toy-shop ! art's exhaustless mine ! These, and more titles, Birmingham, are thine. From jealous fears, from charter'd fetters free. Desponding genius finds a friend in thee : Thy soul, as lib'ral as the breath of spring. Cheers his faint heart, and plumes his flagging wing, 'Tis thine, with plastic hand, to mould the mass. Of ductile silver, and resplendant brass ; 'Tis thine, with sooty finger to produce Unnumber'd forms, for ornament and use. Hark ! what a sound ! — art's pond'rous fabric reels. Beneath machinery's ten thousand wheels ; LWLxl falls the stamp, the whirling lathes resound. And engines heave, while hammers clatter round : What labour forges, patient art refines. Till bright as dazz'ling day metallic beauty shines. Thy swords, elastic, arm our hero's hands ; Thy musquets 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 vases shine. And proud Japan's fam'd varnish yields to thine. Thine, too, the trinkets, that the fair adorn. But who can count the spangles of the morn ? What pencil can pourtray this splendid mart, This vast, stupendous wilderness of art ? Where fancy sports, in all her rainbow hues, And beauty's radiant forms perplex the muse. The boundless theme transcends poetic lays, — Let plain historic truth record thy praise. The Roads pointed out TO PLACES DISTANT FROM BIRMINGHAM. Miles. Folio. Alcester .. 21 186 Atherstone .. 20 178 Banbury .. 42 134 Barr-beacon . . 7 188 Barr-park ..5 122 Bath .. 87 176 Bilstone .. II 101 Blenheim .. 52 133 Bristol .. 84 176 Bromsgrove . . 13 1 76 Buxton ..61 163 Cheltenham ..51 176 Chester .. 75 101 Coalbrook Dale . . 30 101 Coleshill .. 10 180 Coventry •¦ 18 161 Derby .. 40 163 Dublin .. 218 101 Dudley, thro' Oldbury 9 130 Dudley, thro' Tipton 10 125 Dnnchnrch ..29 161 Edgbaston ..1 190 Edinburgh 298 113&163 Evesham .. 31 186 Glocester .. 52 176 Hagley .. 12 169 Halesowen . . 7 1 69 Handsworth .. 2J 106 Harborne ..3 182 Henley-inArden 14 133 Hockley House 10 133 Holyhead .. 158 101 Kidderminster .. 18 169 King's Norton .. 6 186 Knowle .. 10 134 Leamington . . 22 1338cl34 Leeds 109 113&163 Leicester .. 43 180 Lichfield ..16 163 Liverpool .. 104113&163 Miles. Folio. Loudon, thro'Coven- Iry .. 109 161 , Henley-on- Thames .. 118 133 Uxbridge 114 133 , -Warwick & Banbury .. 119 134 Malvern .. 32 176 Manchester .. 82 113&163 Matlock .. 55 163 Meiiden .. 12 161 Northampton . . 42 161 Northfield ' . . 6 176 Nottingham .. 50 163 Oxford .. 61 133 Rowley ..7 193 Rugby .. 31 161 Sedgley .. 14 110 Sheffield .. 76 163 Shenstone .. 13 103 Shrewsbury . . 45 101 Smethwick ..2 130 Solihull ..7 135 Stafford, thro'Walsall 26 113 .-Woivevhamp. 30 101 Stourbridge 12 130&;169 Stratford-upon-Avon ?2 133 Sutton Coldfield 8 163 Tamworth .. 10 163 Tipton ..8 125 -^'^alsall ..9 113 ¦Warwick, by Knowle 20 1S4 , by Hockley. House ..20 133 ¦Wednesbury . . 8 110 West-Bromwich . . 6 108 Wolverhampton ; . 14 101 -Worcester .. 26 176 Yardley ..3 192 York . .132 11384163 INDEX. Air I>ogo 4 Assay office .. 44 Assembly rooms 64 Asylum for childien 36 for deaf & dumb 33 Ball roonis . . 54 Baptist's meeting 21 Barracks . . 57 Baths . . 72 Beardsworlh's repository 68 Birmingham canal 50 fire office 67 - metal comp. 47 Births and burials Blue coat school Bodily deformity Brass • works BreweiiesBrickwork, neat Burial ground ButchersCalviiiist's meeting Canal, Birmingham , Warwick -, Worcester Carriers by water Catholic chapel Chamber of commerce Chapel, St. Bartholomew St. James's St. John's : St. Mary's 1 St. Paul's ' Charities, private 23 to 27 Church, Christ 18 1929 41 46 47 0771 13 71 20 50 61 60 95 19 44IG 18 J8 17 17, St. Martin's St. Philip's Clubs Coaches 9 11 69 76 Coaches, stage J"*^? 87 Copper . . 46 Corn mill .. 65 Court leet . . 42 of requests 43 Crescent . . 56 Crown copper company 46 Crowley's trust 23 Deaf and dumb 38 Deritend house 55 Dispensary . . 34 Dissenter's school 30 Duddeston hall 55 Factoring, origin of 48 Fairs . . 74 Fentham's trust 23 Fire ofHce . . 57 Fish shops .. 71 Free grammar school 28 Genera! hospital 02 provident society o\> Glasshouses . G8 (io'.d and silver 45 Gun trade, acconiit of G4 Hacknty coach fares 76 Hen and chicken's inn 79 failles, raw ... 68 Hospital , . 32 Hotel, hen and chicken's 79 jV^eison's ^^ — , royal — , swan Houses^ . ¦' H umapC society Fluntirigdon's meeting Jew's synagogue Ikenield street Improvements in the town 69 Inland commercial society57 Innovation of post office 74 79 60 79 73 44 22 227.^ Interesting information 51 John-a-Dean's hole 72 Lady well . , 7 Lancasterian school 31 Lench's trust 23 Liberality of the town 22 Library, new 58 , public 58 , theological '57 Magistrates r. 41 M anufactories . . 49 Markets . . 70 Metal company 47 Methodist meeting 21 Mining and copper comp. 45 Miscellaneous infor mation 74 to 82 Musical festival ' 63 National school .30 Neat brick work 71 Nelson's statue 61 ¦ tavern ^9 New library . . 58 meeting 20 Newspapers . . 70 New union mill 67 Old meeting . , 'Jo Origin of factoring 48 Panorama . . 55 Parsonage house 73 Philosophical society S7 Piddock's trust 69 Places of worship 9 to 22 Population . , 73 Post office . . 83 innovation 74 Principal manufactories 49 Prison . . 42 Private charities 23 to 27 Proof house . . 64 Protection of trade 4^^ Provident society 68 Public breweries 67 library 68 office 41 scales 69 Quaker's meeting 19 Raw hides . , 68 Remarkable circumstance74 Roman road . . 73 Rose copper coinpanv 466069 29 to 31 4 68 72 87 61 Royal hotel Scales, public Schools Situation Smithfield Square Stage coaches Statue of Lord Nelson Steam engines improved 65 47 31 79226257 (iQ44 23 23 75 23 69 816-5 66 51 6 60 35 Steel house Sunday schools Swan hotel Swedeiiburgians TheatreTheological library Town improved Trade protected Trust, Crowley's Fentham's Jackson's i — Lench's Piddock's Vase, a remarkable one Vauxhall Union mill Warwick canal ^^'aterWorcester canal ^Vorkhouse ^Vorship, places of 9 to 22 MODERN EMPIIATICALL-t TERMED THE TOY-SHOP OF EUROPE. * THIS extensive town, which, from its manufactures, is of so much importance to ttie nation, is distinguished in the commercial annals of Britain, for a spirit of enter prize and persevering industry. Its inhabitants are ever on the alert, and continually inventing some new articles for traffic, or making improvements in others, that have been introduced in foreign countries ; and by their supe rior skill, aided by machinery, are enabled to bring into the foreign market an endless variety of manufactured goods, both useful and ornamental, which they sell at a more moderate price than any other manufacturers of similar articles in tke known world. Comparisons are odious, and therefore to be avoided. That the inhabitants are become wealthy, there is indis putable evidence, but to whom they are indebted for their opulence, different opinions prevail. B The writer of tbese pages was born in the year 1749, and having been an attentive observer more than fifty years, he is convinced that the extensive trade now car ried on in this town, is principally to be attributed to the enterprising spirit of the late Matthew Boulton, Esq. who, by his active and unremitting exertions, the indefatigable perseverance of himself and his agents, together widi the liberal manner in which he patronized genius, laid the fotmdaliois. This town is situated near the centre of the kingdom, in the north west extremity of the county of Warwick, and so near the verge of it, that within the distance of one mile and a half from the centre, on the road fo Wol verhampton, a person removes himself into StatFordshire, and on the road to Alcester, about the same distance from the centre, you are in the county of Worcester. The superficial contents of tlie parish is two thousand, eight hundred, and sixty-four acres. The situation of the town is very uneven in its surface, but not in any part flat ; on which account the rains and superfluous water, remove all obstructions, and contri butes in a considerable degree to the salubrity of the air. Frcin the remarkable dry foundation of the houses, and the moderate elevation on which they are erected, the celebrated Dr. Priestley pronounced the air of this town to be equally pure as any he had analysed. The water is also allowed by medical practitioners, to be of a superior quaUty, and very conducive to the health of the inhabitants, who are scarcely ever afflicted with epidemic diseases. The foundation of the houses is, with very few excep tions, a dry mass of sandy rock, from whence there are not any noxious vapours arise, and on that account, the cellars might be inhabited with safety, but that is not customary here. In approaching the town, you ascend in every direc tion, except from Halesowen ; on which account the air has free access to every part of it, and the sun can exer cise its full powers in exhaling supei-fluous moisture. In this favoured spot, the inhabitants enjoy four of the greatest benefits that can attend human existence ; air more pure than in many other places ; water of an ex cellent quality ; the genial influence of the sun ; and a situation not in the least subject to damps. The adjacent lands are of an inferior quality, but by cultivation they are rendered tolerably productive ; those immediately surrounding the town, are almost in every direction converted int& gardens, which are in general rented from one to two guineas per year, and without a doubt are very conducive to the health of the inhabitants. , The waste lands about the to-wn being inclosed in the year 1800 were found to contain two hundred and eighty B 2 nine acres, which land now lets from thirty to fifty shir- lings per acre. The only stream of water that flews to this town is a small rivulet, denominated the river Rea, which takes its rise upon Rubery Hill, near one mile north of Broms grove Lickey, about eight miles distant, from whence there being a considerable descent, numerous reservoirs have been made, which enables the stream, within that short space, to drive ten mills, exclusive of two within the town ; and what is very remarkable, some person has erected a windmill very near its banks, where the ground is not in the least elevated. This curiosity of a windmill being erected in a valley, is very visible soon after you have passed the buildings on tlie road to Bromsgrove. Notwithstanding there is only one stream of water, the streets are so intersected by canals, that there is only one entrance into the town without coming over a bridge, and that is from Worcester. At the top of Digbeth, very near the church-yard of St. Martin's, there is a never-failing -spring of pure soft water, wherein is affixed what is called the cock pump ; which being free to all the inhabitants, it is a very com mon thing to see from twelve to twenty people, each of them with a pair of large tin buckets, waiting' for their lurn to fill them, and this in succession through the whole ilay. Fiom this very powerful spring there is a continual stream that runs through the cellars, on each side of the street, and several ofthe inhabitants have therein affixed 7 pumps, from which innumerable water carts are filled every hour of the day ; notwithstanding which, during the greatest heats and droughts, there is always a super abundance of that necessary and valuable article. Immediately above the same church-yard, and near to the principal entrance, there is another pump, constructed in such a singular manner, that I have no hesitation in saying, there never was one of the same before, nor ever will be in future. LADY WELL. This inexhaustible spring of soft water has for a series of years been encircled by a brick wall, which forms a very capacious reservoir ; from whence there are at least forty people obtain a livelihood, by conveying the water in buckets to different parts ofthe town. An attempt was made in July, 1818, to prevent the public from having access to this invaluable water; but by the commission ers of the street acts interfering, it remains open to the public. No town in existence can be more plentifully supplied with water than this is, nor in a more commodious man ner, for every respectable house either has • a pump to itself, or one pump to serve two houses ; and in every court, where there are a number of small houses, that useful appendage is not in any instance wanting, for the accommodation of the tenants. In -various parts of the town the water is soft, but it is B 3 i:ot so in general ; and to supply that defect, numerous people find their, advantage in conveying that useful ar ticle in carts, and innumerable others in carrying it with a yoke and two buckets, to thpse who are in want of it, which they sell at the rate of from ten to twelve gallons for one penny, according to the distance. Near one mile and a half from the centre of the town, there is, on the road towards Coleshill, a chalybeate spring, which some years back was in general repute, but now little attention is paid to it. , The lands in the vicinity of this town are beyond all doubt higher than any other in the kingdom ; there being three instances of springs issuing from them that take two^ different courses. One instance is upon Bromsgrove I/ickey, from whence two springs arise, one of which ¦fitji^^ into the Severn, and the other into the Trent.- - Another instance is at the Quintoii, on the road to Hales owen, from- whence there issues two springs, each of them taking the same course as those from Bromsgrove Lickey. The third is at Corley, in the vicinity of Pa«k- i^ffton, where they pursue the same courses. These springs arise in a triangular direction, Birmingham being ia the centre. To demonstrate what has been advanced respecting the salubrity of the air and purity of the water, the hotel, in Temple-row, was erected in the year 1772, upon the tontine principle. There being fifty shares, of course the same number of lives must be nominated st that time, ol wliomthere were, in the middle of October, 1818, iorty- five still living. Another instance may be adduced, equally appropriate. There aie at the present time, 1818, still hving, and in health, seventeen persons, (and there may be several more), who all of them received their education under one schoolmaster, the youngest of whom is sixty-nine years of age. And what is still more remarkable, although there were in the middle of Noveraber more than three hundred and eighty children in the asylum, there was not one sick _person in tliat numerous family. ST, MARTIN'S CHURCH Is undoubtedly of great antiquity, and to trace its foun dation is at present impossible, tradition itself not giving any clue. It was orig-inally erected with stone, but the exterior being decayed by time^ in the year 1690 the body of the church, and also the tower, were cased with bricks of an admirable quality, and mortar suitable to them,, for at this time there is scarcely any symptoms of decay. The elegant spire has been several times injured by lightning, and during its repairs the workmen have contracted the length of it considerably. It was at one time (whatever it is now) the loftiest spire in the king dom, measuring from its base to tire weathercock. The person who repaired it in 1777 made tbe observation. — There are, no doubt, several steeples more lofty, measur ing from the ground, the towers of vfhkh extend to a TO great height, whilst this at Birmingham is very low. — There are within the church two marble monuments, with recumbent figures upon them, but no inscription, and are, like the church, of such ancient date, that no person has yet presumed to say when they were executed nor for whom, (only by conjecture) ; but let the artists be who they would, the effigies do them great credit, and were highly deserving of better treatment than they have- experienced. In the church is a fine-toned organ. In the steeple are twelve musical bells, and a set of chimes, that play with great accuracy a different tune every day in the week, at the hour of tJfree, six, nine and twelve; and they are so contrived, that they shift from one tune to ano ther, by means of their own machinery. On the south side ofthe tower there is a meridian line, which was affixed there by Ferguson, the astronomer, so that when the suu shines, the hour of twelve may be ascertained to a cer tainty. Birmingham is only one parish, ' except for church fees, and in that respect, the rector of St. Philip's- presides over a small part within the town. Ttie Rev. Charles Curtis is rector of Birmingham : the Rev.' Ed mund Outram being rector of §t. Philip's, in Birmingham. The regimental colours, late belonging to the Loyal Birmingham Association, are suspended in the east win dow, over the altar. This church is computed to accom^ modate 2200 persons. 11 ST. PHILIP'S CHURCH. The scite of the church-yard, parsonage, and bliic- coat school was the gift of Mrs. Elizabeth Phillips, and her son and daughter in law, Mr. and Mrs. William Inge, the ancestors of William Phillips Inge, Esq. with out stipulating for the presentation. This superb edifice was designed in the year 1710, by Thomas Archer, Esq.* who was gentleman of the bed chamber to her majesty Queen Anne, and who, it is universally allowed by af! who have taken particular notice of this building, was possessed of superior abilities, and a refined taste as an architect. An act of parliament being obtained for the erection of it in the year 1709, the same was begun in 1711, un der a commission, granted to twenty of the neighbouring gentry, who were appointed by the bishop ofthe diocese, under his episcopal seal ; whose commission was to ex pire twelve months after the church should be erected. It was consecrated in the year 1715, but not finished till 1719, when the commissioners resigned their authority into the hands of the diocesan, in whom the presentation rests. 1 he money expended by the commissioners, two years after the consecration, did not amount to quite £5000 ; but then it must be recollected, that a very large propor tion of the materials were given, and conveyed to the spot free of expence. A considerable sum of money being left unpaid ; this circumstance was made known to * He also designed the church of St. John, in Westminster, 12 his majesty, George Ist, by the intercession of Sir Rich ard Goiigh, when he, in 1725, generously contributed six hundred pounds towards the completion of it ; and the inhabitants, to express then- gratitude for this favour, af fixed the crest of Sir Richard Gough, as a vane, on the top of it. The urns upon the parapet of the church, which con tribute in a considerable degree to its appearance, were placed there when the celebrated Baskerville was church warden, in the year 1750. Tlie organ posseses full tone and great power ; the paintings, mouldings, and gildings are superb, and do great credit to those who were employed. Under the centre of the church there is a ca pacious vault, which extends the whole length of it. The dome in some degree resembles that of St. Paul's, in London, and in the tower underneath it are ten musical bells, and a s^ of chimes that play a different tune every day in the week, at the hours of one, four, seven, and ten ; which tunes shift ef themselves by means of the machinery. On the south side of the tower there is a meridian line affixed, by means of which, if the sun shines, the hour of twelve is known to a certainty. This elegant pile of building has been examined with the greatest minuteness, by numerous architects, both within and without, and by all of them declared to be the work of a master ; it being equally convenient as it is eleo-ant. The church-yard, by which it is surrounded, corresponds with the building ; its area contains four acres of giound, wherein are numerous gravel walks, ornamented with double rows of lime trees, which during summer form 13 shady walks, and being surrounded with excellent build ings, it represents such a scene as probably cannot be surpassed in Europe. The parsonage-house is at the south east corner of the church-yard, where the present rector, the Rev. Edmund Outram, D. D. resides. This church is calculated to accommodate 2000 auditors. — At the north east corner is a spacious building, with a stone front, which is a charity school, wherein there are at this time one hundred and eight boys and fifty-four girls, receiving their education. — (See Blue Coat School.) CHRIST CHURCH. The land whereon this edifice is erected was the gift ©f William Phillips Inge, Esq. whose ancestors about a century ago generously gave the scite upon which the church of St. Philip's stands. It is situated at the upper end of New-street, and the first stone of it was intended to have been laid by his present majesty, George the 3d, in person ; but it having pleased the Almighty to afflict Mm with indisposition, that ceremony was performed by the Earl of Dartmouth, on the 22d of July, 1805, in pre sence of the bishop of the diocese, who was attended by numbers of the nobihty, clergy, gentry, the trustees ap pointed under the act of parliament, and a numerous as semblage of the inhabitants. Although his majesty's malady did not admit of his being present upon this oc casion, as it is understood he very much wished to be, he in a very condescending manner gave directions for the payment of one thousand pounds, from his private purse, towards the completion of the building. The body of the church being free to all description of persons, is 14 fitted up with benches for their accommodation ; b\it rent being paid to the clergyman for kneelings in the galleries, they are finished in a style of elegance, with mahogany, supported by light pillars of the doric order. The church was consecrated with great solemnity on the 13th of July, 1813, by the Honourable and Right Rev. James Cornwallis, bishop of Lichfield and Coventry, and an appropriate sermon preached by the Rev. Edmund Out ram, D. D. the worthy rector of St. Philip's church, who selected his text from one of the beatitudes, — " The poor have the gospel preached unto them" — The bishop, in whom the presentation rests, afterwards gave to the Rev. J. Hume Spry, whom he had appointed to the living, the sum of one hundred pounds, to purchase bibles and prayer books, for the use of the congregation, or that part of it whom he perceived to be the most regular in their attwidance. Divine service was first performed by the aforesaid clergyman, on Sunday the 18th of July, at half past ten o'clock in the morning, and in the even ing at six o'clock. The ascent to the galleries is by a double geometrical staircase, of stone, with ballustrades of iron, coated with brass, which appear light and pro duces an elegant effect ; these, with the railing at the altar, were an entire new manufacture, invented by Mr. B. Cooke, whose manufactory is carried on at Basker ville House. The altar piece, designed by Mr. Stock, of Bristol, is of mahogany, above which is a painting by Mr, Barber, representing a cross, apparently in the douds. These being completed in June, 181-9, an ele gant well-fiaished organ, built by Elliott, of London, vas erected about the same time ; and is considered to IS be one of i'.'.i most powerful and well-arranged instni- ments in this part of the kingdom. The present organist is Mr. Munden. The portico and spire were both of them erected by Sir. Richardson, of Handsworth ; the former at the expense of £1200 and the latter £1500, which was completed in 1816. In the year 1817, a clock was affixed in the tower, by Mr. AUport, which has four dials, aud each of them both hour and minute hands. This place of worship is computed to accom- snodate 1500 hearers. Isaac Hawkins Brown, Esq. the late worthy represen tative for Bridgnorth, who had on several occasions ren dered his powerful services to this town, being co-trustee with the Rev. Thomas G-isborne, under the will of Isaac Hawkins, Esq. they had considerable sums of money at their disposal, for benevolent purposes, and out of those funds he proposed to appropriate the sum of one thou sand pounds towards the erectioi) of a free church in Bir mingham. In consequence of this liberal suggestion, a town's meeting was convened, whereat it was unanimously resolved to petition parliament on the subject, under sanction of the bishop of the diocese, who in the most Jiandsome manner proposed to annex the prebendary of Tachbrooke, in aid of the said benefice. A liberal sub scription immediately commenced among the inhabitants, who were most powerfully assisted with large sums contributed by the nobility and gentry, resident in the vicinity. Considerably more expenses being incurred c 16 during the erection of the building than what liad been calculated upon, it was considered necessary to make a second application to pariiament, to empower the trustees to convert the arches under the church into catacombs, under the idea that they would be readily disposed of at the rate of four pounds each ; the trustees purchasing one third of them. In this calculation they have been very much disappointed, there having as yet only two corpse been interred there ; but it is presumed, that when the inhabitants are familiarised to that mode of sepulture, they will prefer them to the present custom of erecting vaults, which are attended with considerably more ex pense. The erection of this free church confers great credit on the town, as the want of such accommodation was very apparent, from the increased population ; and this is manifest by its being so well attended ; the congregation being- considerably more numerous than can be accom modated, and they express their satisfaction by decent and orderly behaviour. ST. BARTHOLOMEWS CHAPEL. The land whereon this chapel is erected was the gift of John Jennens, Esq. who possessed a considerable es tate in and near this town. It was erected in fhe year 1749, in the centre of an extensive burial ground, and is fitted up in a very neat and commodious manner. Mrs. Jennens contributed towards its erection the sum of one thousand pounds, and the remainder was raised by sub scription. The altar piece was the gift of Basil, Earl of 17 Denbigii, and the communion plate, consisting of 182 ounces, that of Mary Careles. There has since been piected a fine-toned organ. The present chaplain is the Rev. Charles Warneford. This chapel is calculated to accommodate 800 auditors. ^7^. 3IAIiY's CHAPEL. Mrs. Weaman being possessed of some land at that time on the outside of the town, made a present of the ground whereon it is built, reserving to herself the presei;.- tation. It v,ras erected in the year 1774, in an octagon form, and being very spacious, the diminutive steeple at tached to it, is not by any means proportionate. The present incumbent is the Rev. Edward Burn, A. M. — . This place of worship is computed to accommodate 2000 hearers. ST. PAUL'S CHAPEL. This elegant pile of building was erected in the year 1779, upon land the gift of Charles Colmore, Esq. re serving to himself the presentation. The ground whereon it stands being a declivity, is not altogether suitable for such a pile of building, but at that time it was the most eligible spot at his disposal. The attendants upon this place of worship raised a subscription, and in the year 1791 caused a beautiful window of stained glass to he placed over the communion table, representing the con version of St. Paul ; by that ingenious artist Francis Egin- ton ; price four hundred guineas. Although the inside is thus ornamented, the steeple remains to be erected, it being at present only delineated upon paper. The pre- C 2 18 sent incumbent is the Rev. Rann Kennedy. This chapel is calculated to accommodate 1130 persons. ST. JOHN'S CHAPEL, DERITEND Was originally founded in 1382, during the reig-ii of Richard 2d. This place of worship, which is a chapel of ease to the parish of Aston, appears to have been erected in the year 1735, and to which the tower was added in 1762, wherein eight musical bells and a clock were affixed in 1777. The perpetual curate is the Rev. John Darwall, A. M. This chapel is calculated to accommodate 700 persons. ST. JAMESs CHAPEL, ASHSTED. This structure was erected by an eminent physician, ^ John Ash, M. D. for his own residence, but before the building was completed, he went to reside in London ; and having disposed of this property to Mr. John Brooke, he converted it into a place of worship, which was conse crated in the year 1810. Minister, the Rev. Edward Burn, A. M. This place of worship is capable of con taining 1200 auditors. — N. B. The two last are in the parish of Aston. Burial Grotmd. The different cemetaries witlrin the town being crowd- " ed with the bodies of the deceased, it was considered proper to purchase three acres of land near to the chapel of- St. Bartholomew, as an additional burying ground ; for which the sum of £1600 was paid to the governors of the Free School. This ground is divided into two 19 parts, each of which is inclosed by a brick wall, sur mounted by iron palisadoes, and gates ofthe same at the entrance, which are secured by locks. It was conse-, crated on the 6th of July, 1813, by the bishop of the diocese. Births and Burials. It will undoubtedly be expected that something should be said under this head, but the difl'erent sectaries, who never come near the church upon either occasion, are so numerous, that nothing like a regular estimate can be made. Chapel in Broad-street, FOR CATHOLICS. The religious of this persuasion erected a place of worship in the year 1789, which was considerably im proved in 1800 ; it is situated in Broad-street, and fitted up in a commodious manner, with an organ. Tliey have also another chapel in Shadwell-street. Meeting in Bull-street, rOK THE SOCIETY OF FRIENDS. This pile of building, although destitute of ornaments, has a very respectable appearance, and the inside of it 'is fitted up in a very appropriate manner. There is at the back of it an extensive cemetery, and another small one in Monmouth-street. c 3 20 Old Meeting, rOn PEOTESTANT DISSENTFrS. This hubstantial aud well-constrncted pile of building, particularly the roof, was erected about the year 1703 ; the old one, which gave name to the street, having been destroyed by fire in 1791. Had this meeting been erected in a more spacious street, it might have been seen to advantage, but its beauties are here lost. The interior is fitted up to correspond with the exterior, and therein is Affixed a fine-toned organ. The officiating ministers are the Rev. R. Keil and the Rev. John Corrie. There is a spacious burial ground attached to this meeting. New Meeting, FOn PROTESTANT DISSENTEES. •This substantial edifice, being cased with istone, fronts towards Moor-street; the former erection, wliich gave name to the street, being destroyed by fire in 1791. This, Ske the eld meeting, is fitted up in a neat and convenient manner, in every respect, being furaished with an organ suitable to the size of the building. The Rev. John Kentish and the Rev. James Yates are the ministers.. Meeting in Clair's Lane, TOTS, CALVilNISTS. This is a neat and commodious pile of building, in every respect suitable for the pmpose intended. — In Livery- street the Calvinists converted a riding-school into a place of worship, which is commodiously fitted up and will hold a numerous congregation. 21 This religious society have another place of worship in Bartholomew-street, and have lately completed a fourth, upon a very extensive scale, in Steelhouse-lane, which Wtis opened for divine service on the 9th of Dec. 1818. It is fitted up with pews, capable of containing 2000 auditors, and is lighted by means of gas, in the most superb manner. A scion from this meeting has lately fitted up a warehoiise in Bristol-street, as a place of Worship. Meeting in Cherry-street, FOR METHODISTS. This building was erected in the year 1782, and open ed as a place of worship by the celebrated John Wesley, it being fitted up in a commodious manner for the pur pose. This sect has increased in a surprising manner; they having since erected one extensive meeting in Belmont- row, another jn Bradford-street, and a fourth in Oxford- street. Meeting in Cannon-street, FOR PAETICTJLAR B.^PTISTS. This extensive and well-arranged pile of building was erected in the year 1804 ; and at the back of it is- a school upon a large scale, for the youth of that persuasion. This society have become so numerous, that they pos sess a meeting upon an extensive scale in Newhall-street, and another in Bond-street. There is also a meeting for general baptists in Lombard-street, Deritend. 22 Meeting in King-street, FOR TKE lOLLO-VVEES OF LADY HUNTINGDON. This place of religious worship was originally a theatre, where some of the most celebrated performers have made their appearance ; but it has for several years been ap propriated to the performance of divine service, being fitted up in a commodious manner for that purpose. New Jerusalem Temple, FOR SWEDENEURCIANS. Tills small placp of worship is situated in Newhall- " street, directly opposite the coal wharf, and is fitted up for the accommodation of those who embrace the tenets of Swedenburg. Synagogue, FOR TBE JE-H'S. The Israelites ha-ving from some cause abandoned their ancient place of worship, have erected another suit able for their devotion, which is finished in a neat man ner, and makes a respectable appearance, in Severn- street, near the Lancasterian School. In this town every individual worships his maker in whatever way his inclination leads him, without the least notice being taken or remarks made ; if a person's conduct is exemplary, or if he does not give way to any vicious propensities, no one will interrupt or interfere with him. 23 Lench's Trust. In the time of Henry the 8th, an inhabitant, named William Lench, bequeathed some land, which is vested in sixteen trustees, for the purpose of keeping the streets within a certain district in repair, and to erect almshouses, which the trustees have complied with, there being twelve of that description erected by them at the bottom of Steel house-lane , ibr the benefit and residence of the same number of aged people. There arc nine others in Dud ley-street, and four in Paik-street, wherein fifty-two aged females reside. The present rental is about £600 per ann. Fentham's Trust. In the year 1712, — Fentham bequeathed £100 per an num to teach poor children to read, and for cloathing ten poor widows of Birmmgham. The children educated by tliis trust, are maintained and educated in the blue coat charity school, being for distinction sake cloathed in green. Crowley's Trust. In the year 1733, Mrs. Crowley left six houses in trust ; the rents of which were to support ten girls, who are also in the same school. PRIVATE CHAKITIES. Society for cloathing destitute Women and Children. In the year 1800, a few ladies impressed with benevo lent ideas associated together, and formed a society for the above purpose : the subscriptions were fixed at three shillings and five shillings per quarter; the former to dis- tribute five shillings and the latter seven shillings, in ar ticles of cloathing. There have in general been from ninety to one hundred and ten subscribers, who have annually relieved near four hundred persons, by accommodating them wilh comfort able cloathing, by the aggregate sum arising from these small contributions It is hoped that this very slight sketch ofthe institution tnay induce many others to unite in tbis most beneficial mode of relieving the poor. Subscriptions and donations for this charity are received at Mr. Cadbury's, in BuU- sti-aet. The Female Benevolent Society. This highly commendable institution was established in the year 1802, for the purpose of relie-ving indigent married women when they are confined by reason of child-birth, or other, infirmities. Two visitors are ap pointed, who examine into every person's situation that applies for assistance, and they administer such relief as the nature of the case seems to require. A subscriber of three shillings per quarter, may, if they think proper, recommend one object to receive five shillings, and a subscriber of six shillings, two objects, who may each of them receive five shillings, or one woman when she lies in may receive ten shillings, or one poor widow or sick person may receive nine-pence per week during the quar ter. In the first nine years of this est-abhshment, the sum of £417. IGs. was distributed among sick and in- 25 digent females, and since that time the society has been upon the increase, but no report has been printed. Sub- seriptions and donations for this charity will be received by Mrs. Dickenson, Summer-hill. Tlie Depositing Society Have for their object, to improve the condition ofthe poor, by inciting them to diligence and habits of econo my; encouraging them to deposit any sum of money weekly with a committee of ladies, who allow small premiums upon every shilling that is deposited with them. Their view is, to enable the poor to discharge debts, re deem pledges, purchase coals, cloathing, bedding, &c. The last printed report states, that from the 1st of Jan uary, 1815, to Midsummer, 1816, the deposits amounted to £638. lis. 6d. and that the sum of £120. 3s. 2d. had been pai;. there not being an instance upon record of any institution receiving so much benefit, or such exten sive patronage, from a similar source. A list of the do nations and benefactions are recorded in the hall, which enable the committee to extend relief to numerous indi viduals, who otherwise might perish for want of medical. assistance.. In the year, ending Midsummer 1818, there were re lieved 1167 in-patients and 2641 out-patients, including 7.66 for the cow-pock, who all of them did well. The under-mentioned physicians and. suigcons attend grar tuitously, and give their advice and assistance in the most humane manner; it being impossible to enumerate any place where greater attention and humanity are prac tised.. PHYSICIANS. DR. Ji JOHNSTONE,, DR.. MALE, DR.. BOOTH,. DR. DE LYS. SURGEONS. MR. FREER, MR. DICKENSON;, MR. WOOD, MR. VAUX. Honse Apothecary, Ms. Alfred Jukes. Matron, . , Mrs, Randall. . 34 The Dispensary. This laudable institution originated among a select so ciety, and was carried on in a private manner for some time; until they were joined by the late Matthew Boul ton, Esq. who took it under his patronage in the year ¦ 1793, when a house was taken in Temple-row, 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-row, supported by voluntary sub scriptions and donations, until the year 1808, when a commodious building having been erected for the pur pose, in Union-street, at the expense of more than two thousand pounds, the establishment, consisting of a house apothecary, another for the compounding and dispensing of the medicines, and a midwife, removed there. Those who have previously received a recommendation, are here actjommodated with medical advice and assistance, gratis, and the females in the time of need are attended at their own dwellings by the midwife, as are also sick pai- tients, who are too ill to attend personally. Since this dispensary was first established, there have been 37139 sick patients, 6223 inidwifery; and 13964 persons inocu lated in the vaccine manner, at the expense of the insti tution; of whom 2523 sick, 387 midwifery, and 434 vaccine inoculation, were attended to during the la$tyear, ending Michaelmas, 1818 ; the subscriptions amounting to £599. lis. PHYSICIANS, DR. DE lYS, DR. ECCLES. DK. LEE, 85 SURGEONS. M«. BARR, MR. RtJSSELl,, MR. VICKERS, MR. INGLliBY, MR. J. S. BLOUNT, _ MR. HODGSON. Resident Surgeon and Apolhecary, Mr. J. M. Bayniiam. Dispensing Apothecary, Mr. John Tompsdn. The Workhouse. This extensive establishment for the accommodation of the poor, is situated in Lichfield-street, and is under the management of twelve overseers ; six of whom are made choice of at Lady-day and the other six at Michael mas ; so that there are always some in office, who hav ing been initiated,- understand the rules and customs of the house. In addition to the overseers, there are one hundred and eight guardians, elected by the inhabitants who pay levies, and they continue in office for three years, during whiph time they possess all the power and authority, of overseers, except making and collecting of rates, from both of which they are exempt, nor can they be compelled to assist therein as guardians; but the serving of this office docs not excuse them from being chosen into any other. The church-wardens and overseers for the time being are guardians by virtue of their office ; and at the expi ration of the year, thoy may continue to act as such, or not, at their option. The appointment of treasurers, clerks,' governors, and other officers, with their servants, is vested in the guardians ; who are required to keep re- 86 gular accounts of their proceedings, which must be signed by the chairman at every meeting they hold-. A-11 fines, forfeitures, and other public monies are required to be paid into tlie hanils of the guardians; whose duty it is to meet every week, and also after every quarter-day. In the year 1816, trade being at a very low ebb, the appUcations for relief were so very numerous, that in order to support this establishment, between Michaelmas in that year and the same time in 1817, it was necessary to collect thirty-six levies, which produced the astonish ing sum of sixty thousand two hundred and fourteen pounds, seventeen shillings, and six-pe-nce. From Mi chaelmas, 1817, to the same tinie in 1818j therfe wais twenty-eight levies, which produced the' sum of fifty-one thousand nine hundred and forty-three pounds, nine shil- ' lings, and nine pence halfpenny. Aiyliimfor the Infant Poor belonging to the Parish of Birmingham. In the year 179? tbe overseers and guardians being convinced of the evils that arose from the system then pursued, of placing the children out at nurse, in the vici nity of the town, formed the resolution of taking certain premises situated in Summer-lane, where all the children migfet be pioperly attended to and taken caie Of. This being done, a committee of overseers and guar dians were appointed to superintend the institution : they being made choice of annually, meet every Monday for the purpose of examining the demands on the asylum. 87 dra^ving cheqives for the amount pf the bills ou Ae cetshiei: of the workhouse, and inspecting the state; of the insti-. tution. The average number of children who have.been mam- tained, cloathed, and educated, for the last twelve months.^ has been three hundred and eighty; of whom thr^^e hun dred are employed ift manufacturing of pins, straw plat, and lace. The produce of the children's labour since the institution was established, has, been progressively accumulating,, and that to such a degree, that the committee have been enabled to purchase the premises they inhabit, with about two acres of land, which with the additional buildings and improvements, are now worth nearly six thousand pounds, afld are the property of the parish. The whole of this information is very interesting, but what follows is highly desemng of attention. This ac count was written at the asylum, in the middle of No vember, 1818i when there was not in this numerous family one -sick person. . Philosophical Society. This institution is indebted for its origin to a few scien tific inhabitants, who held a meeting in the year 1800, and having disclosed their ideas to otherSj they after wards formed themselves into a society, who having engaged premises and'prooured proper apparatus, devoted a considerable portion of their time to experimental phi- S8 losophy ; occasionally deUvering Ifctures among their own members. This being carried on as a private society for several years, continually increasing in numbers, they in the year 1813 purchased commodious premises in Cannon-street, which they fitted up in a similar manner to the Royal Institution in Loudon, and it is now become a most valuable establishment. The various lectures that have been delivered by the different fellows of this society, on mechanism, chemistry, mineralogy, and metallurgy. Lave produced verj' beneficial effects, and contributed in a considerable degree to the improvement of gilding, plating, bronzing, vitrification, and metallurgic combina tions. At one of these lectures, in the year 1812, Dr. De Lys descanted upon the advantages an unfortunate class of society (the deaf and dumb) might derive, if they were put under proper management ; and to elucidate the sub ject, he introduced a girl, about eight years of age, who,, labouring under those defects, he and his friend Mr. A. Blair, had been very attentive to, — she, being in otUer respects endowed with an excellent capacity, paid great attention to what was going forwa,rd, and with prompt ness executed, or rather anticipated, the wishes of her instructors, wliich proved a very animating and affecting spectacle. This circumstance gave rise to A General Institution for the Instruction cf Deaf and Dumb Children. A few days after this girl had been brought forward, a private meeting took place, when it was determined to lestablish an institution, under the above tide. 39 On tlie 4th of December, 1812,' a general meeting was held, and a committee appointed, who, after making numerous enquiries to find a person properly qualified to superintend the concern, did at length fix upon Mr.Thomas Braidwood, who at that time conducted a private school of the same description, at Hackney ; he being initiated in the mystery by his father and grandfather. When the plan of this institution was made known to the grand jury at the summer assizes for the county of IVarwick, in the year 1813, it was universally patronized by them ; and when the magistrates, and other leading characters in-the county of Staffiard, were apprised of it, they, with the greatest liberality, gave it their support, as did the Earl of Plymouth, and other persons of high con sideration in the counties of Worcester, Salop, and Derby. Ou the 11th of January, 1814, the school was opened, with a few children, as day scholars, and a short time after, the number was increased to fifteen ; three of whom came from a distance, and were provided for, free of any expense to the institution, which was at that time held in the town. Lord Calthorpe having erected some building at Edgbaston, in a delightful situation, ou an eminence, that commands a view of Birmingham and the adjacent country for some distance, he, at the suggestion of Dr. Edward Johnstone, granted an advantageous lease of it, together with some surrounding land, for the use of this iiiiiitutiou. 40 At the anniversai-y which took place" on the 29th Au gust, 1814, his Grace the Duke of Devonshire, as [;resident pf this institution, attended in j^erson, when the committee announced, that every annual subscriber of one guinea, and every donor of ten pounds are entitled by lot to no- miuiite a child into this institution, and that the sum of four shillings per week be required with every child, for lodging, maintenance, and instruction in the asylum. — At the anniversary held on the 4th of August, 1815, the committee made a report, that the asylum was opened on the 4th of January last, and that twenty children had been admitted, to which number they recommended the subscribers to ballot for the admission of eleven othei-s, the funds being adequate to support that number, with. the four shillings per week. At the anniversary held on the I6th of August, 1816, the committee recommended a ballot for six additional boys, and proposed to reduce the weekly sum paid with each pupil from four to three shillings. In the year 1817, no circumstance took place deserving of notice, but at thf^ anniversary in 1818 the Marquis of Anglesea presided, and there were four additional pupils admitted. The whole numi>er in the asylum at the pre sent time being thirty-two, several of whom have made great proficiency in drawing. 41 General Institution for tlie Relief ef Persohs labowing under bodily Deformity. This institution, which is supported by voluntary con tributions, was estabUshed in New-street on the 24th of June, 1817, under patronage ofthe Earl of Dartmouth, and during the first year of its establishment, 235 patients were relieved, under the care of Mr. John Felton. Magistrates. Tlie county magistrates who act for this town, some of vvhom attend at the public office, in Moor-street, every Monday and Thursday, are the Rev. Dr. Spencer, of Aston; William Villers, Esq. of Moseley ; George Simcox and Theodore Price, Esqrs. of Harborne ; Wm. Withering, Esq. of the Larches • William Bedford, Esq.' of Birch's Green ; William Hamper, Esq. Deritend House; Edmund Outram, D.D. St. Philip's Parsonage ; and Isaac Spooner, Esq. of Witton. The Public Office Is a neat stone-fronted building, erected in the year 1806, at the expen'se of £9000., in MOor-street; the ground floor of which is appropriated to the use of the commissioners of the street acts, and on the upper floor, the magistrates transact the public business of the town, for which purpose some of them attend every Monday- and Thursday. At other times, when it is requisite to' convene a public meeting of the inhabitants, it is made Use of for that purpose. Behind this building there are apaitments for the prison-keeper and his attendants, also e2 42 The Prison, Which is a spacious building, with a commodions well-paved yard, for the accommodation of those unfor tunates who are therein confined ; it being divided into two parts by a lofty brick wall, for the purpose of sepa-. rating the male from the female prisoners, who have each of them their separate apartments during the day, and at night tiicy are secured in distinct cells. The Prison, in Bordesley. This bsing a licensed pubhc house, numerous objec tions may be made to it; but under the superintendance of that humane magistrate, Wilham Hamper, Esq. every aecommodation and convenience that the place will admit of is appropriated to the benefit of tliose who are there confined, consistent with their security. Court Leet. In the latter end of October, a court leet is held for the lord of the manor,- when the low baiUff summonses a jury, and the annual officers are appointed by them : the low bailifiT, in whom all the power is vested ; the high bailifi', whose duty it is to see that justice is done between l)«yer and seller, by rectifying the weights and dry mea sures ; two constables ; one headborough, who, if he •thinks proper to be vigilant, can act as constable ; but if either of them are in town, he is not compelled to act; two high tasters, who should examine into the quality of the ale and its measures ; two low tasters, or meat con- ners, wi.ose duly it is to examine all meat brought to market, and if any thatis unwholesome is exposed to sale, 43 they are to destroy it ; two affclrers, who ratify the rent and amercements between the lord and his tenants ; and two nominal officers, under the title of leather sealers, who have no business to attend to, except a good dinner tw^ice a year. Deritend being a hamlet of Birmingham, its inhabitants attend this court leet, where a constable being elected for them, he and the officers for the town are all sworn, in tbe name of the loixl of the manor. The constables of Birmingham are empowered to act in Deritend, but the constable of Deritend cannot act in Birmingham. Court of Requests. In the year 1808, the commissioners of this court, who- are seventy-two in number, were empowered by act of parliament to decide any pecuniary differences between parties, not exceeding the sum of. five pounds. Th^ commissioners, three of whom are a quorum, meet every Friday morning, at the office, in a court, about the centre of High-street, and nearly opposite to New-street. Tjvo clerks are constituted by the act to attend the court, wha being always of the law, give their judicial assistance ; they are chosen altemately by the lord of the manor and, the commissioners, being continued for life. At the ex^ piration of two years^ ten of the commissioners are bal loted out, and ten other of the inhabitants are made choice of, as their successors. From the decision of this court tiiere is no appeal, and there are frequently two hundred cjauses decided in one day ; there are two sets of com-, mlssioners sitting, at the same time, for the dispatch of £3 44 business, who in general give so much satisfaction to both parties, that it is very unusual to hear any remarks made upon their decision. Humane Society. In the year 1790, a society was formed, under the above title, to assist in the recovery of persons apparently drowned, which is now transferred. to the hospital. Society for the Protection of Trade against fraudulent Bankrupts, Swindlers, Sj-c. This society was formed in the year 1804, to prevent any flagrant attempts to impose on the honest and un wary, by fraudulent bankrupts and swindlers, and to detect cheats of every description ; also to prevent the friends and suspected accomplices of such persons from being appointed assignees or trustees, to the detriment of the creditors at large. Chamber of Commerce. In July, 1813, a public meeting was convened, for the purpose of establishhig a bond of union among the mer cantile interests in this town, under the above title ; but at present it does not appear to have made much pro gress. The Assay Office Is situated in Little Cannon-street, where all plate ma nufactured in this town and its vicinity must be sent, for the purpose of ascertaining the qualitj' of the silver and being stamped with the proper marks, denoting that it is- standard, and has paid the proper duties.. 45 Gold and Silver. The quantity of these precious metals consumed in this town and neighbourhood every week is incalculable, and if it could be ascertained would appear incredible; there being in wrought plate about two thousand ounces ; but the quantity of silver used in plating of different articles, it is not possible to discover, nor can the quantity of gold used in different manufactories be made known, but it is computed by those who have the best means of obtaining information on the subject, that there are more than one hundred ounces of gold purchased by the gilders every week, which is spread over the articles in such a supei ficial manner, that not a single ounce of it ever returns to the crucible again. From the same source of information, it is computed that there are more than one thousand ounces of silver used every week, which never reverts back again in its pristme state as silver. Coppe): There being a great consumption of this article in the different manufactories, a society was formed in the year 1790, under the title of The Birmingham Mining and Copper Company, Who, having establislicd connexions at Redruth, in Cornwall, and Swansea, in Wales, the copper is brought to this town, and disposed of among the manufacturers, to the mutual advantage of both parties. In the year 1793, there being a great demand for this ar ticle, on account of a national copper coinage, an association ¦was entered into, who stiled themselves The Rose Copper Company, Who established smelting works at Swansea, in Wales, and principally vend the article iu this town. Trade continuing to increase, a third estaUishment took place, in 1803, under the name of The Crown Copper Company, Who erected smelting houses, and render the article^ m a proper state for sale, at Neath, in Wales. Envious of other peojjle's prosperity, a fourth company obtruded itself upon the public, called the Union, who, having overstocked the market, disposed of their concera to the other companies, and dissolved itself. Under this head, the editor considers it no more than an act of justice, to observe, that the manufacture of cop per bolts, for fastening the timbers of ships together, was> invented by Mr. John Westwood, an inhabitant of this town. Brass. This article, so necessary to the manufacturers in this- town, was for a great length of time procured from the wealthy people of Bristol, which caused a manufactoryi of brass to be established here, about the year 1740, but that being upon a small scale, the principal supply came from the place before-mentioned, until the year 1781,. 47 when a number of manufacturers associated together, and established a manufactory of brass, upon an extensive scale, in this town, under the denomination of The Birmingham Metal Company, For the purpose of supplying themselves and their neighbours with that article, at a regular rate ; the Bristol people being accustomed to raise or fall the price at dis cretion. This gave rise to another companj', who erected extensive works, and estabhshed a manufactory of brass, at Smethwick. Trade increasing, a third company was formed, who erected works, and commenced manufacturing of brass, at Spon-lane, Westbromwich ; so that the town is now amply supplied with that article ; for the companies at a distance have their agents, who dispose of large quan tities. Steel House. In the beginning of the last century, a furnace was erected on the outside of the town, for the conversion of iron into steel, and houses being erected in its vicinity, they were denominated Steelhouse-lane. That the wool len manufactory is of great importance lo this kingdom must be admitted, but if the demand for fine steel goods should ever revive again, and be equally brisk as it was thirty years back, there is not in my mind a doubt, but the iron and steel trade would produce more profit to the nation than that of woollen, if it does not at the present time. Wool is produced from the surface of tlie earthy 48 and iron is by dint of labour -collected from its bowels ; consider the numerous hands employed in the mines and the furnaces to bring it into a rough state, either for cast ing or the forge, and when it is in a proper state for either, the endless variety of articles it is manufactured into ; the whole export of which, being all produced by labour, is every shilling of it profit to the nation. Gold can only be -wrought in any quantities to a certain detenninate value, but who can fix the price at which articles made of steel maybe sold. Should it please the Almighty to continue the blessings of a general peace, the people on the con tinent will poon recover themselves^ and whenever that is -the case, and money circulates freely among them, they will then turn their thoughts to superfluities, and as no other article will bear so high a polish and appear so brilliant as those which are manufactured of steel, there is the greatest probability of that trade being revived.^ An attempt to enumerate the different articles now made in iron and steel, would be in vain ; yet none of the more valuable are at this time in request. Previous to the year 1 760, there were very few tra- yellers, (if any,) went from Birmingham wilh intent to sell the manufactures ; the custom at that time, and for many years afterwards, was, for the ironmongers in different parts of the kingdom to bring their money and orders with them, and to wait until the goods were brought in, and see them packed before they left the town. The ironmongers in large towns then supplied their neighbours in smaller places with the difl'erent articles, and numbers pf people used to attend different markets, where they kept a .*itock of goads. 49 This mode of conducting business being both trouble some and expensive, the ironmongers, instead of coming twice a year as some of them did, deputed some person to receive goods on their account, allowing a commissimi for so doing. This opened the eyes of those who received the goods, and induced them to collect patterns and travel on their own account ; which being found advantageous, it has been practised ever since. Twenty years back the trades carried on in this town were, with few exceptions, light articles, that depended upon fancy, but since that time, there have been nume rous works established for manufacturiBg useful and sub stantial articles, both for the foreign market and home consumption ; and the orders are so extensive that several; people keep carts, for the purpose of delivering their own manufacture to the merchant. Principal Manufactories. Within this town are manufactured every metallic ar ticle, both for use and ornament, that can be necessary in a house : tlie variety of japan goods, both useful and ornamental, is prodigious; the brass founders produce an infinite variety of articles ; and the platers also; the ma nufacturers of buttons, guns, swords, locks of every kind, jewellery and toys, employ the greatest part of the por; pulation. To these may be added a gieat variety of articles, exclusively for the foreign trade. Lately a ma-r nufactory of watches has been estabhshed, upou a very extensi-s^e scale, in gold, silver, metal, and covered cases. 60 Birmingham Canals. In tlie year 1767 an act of parliament was obtained t9 out a canal from this town to the collieries, which was completed in 1769, at the expence of £70000, being 500 shares at £140. each, which in 1782 was sold for £370. in 1792, £1170 was the price of them, and when the first meeting was held respecting the grand junction canal, in the church, at Stony Stratford, one was there sold for £ 1 375. Since that time , the proprietors have been authorised by parliament to divide each share into two parts, which is in fact doubling the number of shares, in order that they may be rendered more saleable, and for one of- these divided shares, £900 was offered and refused in the summer of 1818. There is now a re gular communication by water between this town, Lon don, Liverpool, Manchester, and Bristol; to the three former places, goods are delivered on the fourth day, upon a certainty ; there being relays of horses stationed eveiy fifteen iniles. The Worcester Canal Was opened for the passage of boats, by forming a junction with the Birmingham canal, on the 21st of July, 1815, by means of which goods may be conveyed from the upper part of this town, to London, one whole day sooner than they can by steering immediately into the Warwick canal. At King's-Norton, this canal is con veyed under ground, by means of a tunnel, two miles in length, which is in width 16 feet and in height 18 feet, yet it is so admirably constructed, that any person by look ing in at one end, may perceive day-light at the other 61 extremity. The pound of water extends on a level for the spa.ce of fourteen miles, when it descends into the river Severn by means of fifty-eight locks. The Warwick Canal Was opened for the passage of boats, by forming a junction -with the Birmingham canal, ia tire year 1800. A communication being opened between the Bi -ming- ham and Worcester canals, in the year 181.5, there are HOW two different routes by which goods may be conveyed from this town to London, by water ; one of them is, by an immediate junction of the Birmingham canal with the Warwick, wliich is accomplished by means of nineteen locks ; the other is, by passing into the Worcester canal,- ©n the same level ; from thence into the Stratford canal, which is also on the same level, and from thence into the Warwick canal. Boats from the wharfs withjn the town ; Bird's, White- house's, Robinson's, and Crowley's, are capable of deU vering goods in London one whole day sooner by the latter route than they can do by the other, and the mer chants and ironmongers in the metropolis are hereby in formed of that circumstance. The boat-o-wners by pro ceeding on this route, are necessitated to advance a small sum of immediate money, for tonnage, more than they do on the other route ; to counterbalance that, the boats are exempt from the wear and tear of passing through tv/elve locks, and an extra day's expense; therefore, when both circumstances are taken into consideration, the expenses F 52 Cannot vary much either way, and to the London mer chant one day is, at times, of the utmost importance.- - On that account, there is no doubt that those who are apprised of this circumstance, will order their goods lo be conveyed by way of the Stratford canal. The trade of this to-wn has within the last fifteen j'ears increased in an astonishing manner ; for in the year 1803, six weekly boats were sufficient to convey all the merchandize to and from this town to Manchester and Liverpool, but at the present time, there are at least twenty boats weekly employed in that trade. At the same period, the competition was so great be tween the carriers to London, that they procured a num ber of boats, but it was with difficulty they could find lading for five or six in a week ; whereas, at the present time, there are at least eighteen boats per week, constant ly employed at the different wharfs in that traffic. Tlie Theatre. This superb pile of building was erected in 1774, and an additional portico in 1780, thewhole together forming one of the most elegant theatres in Europe. There are in the front of it, over the attic window's, two busts, in bas relief, of exquisite workmanship ; one representing Shakespear, and the other Garrick. In the mouth of August, 1792, the interior of this building was in a malicious manner set on fire, which Consumed all the scenery, dresses, &c. and although -53 lihpral rewar.ls were olTtred for the discovery of the in cendiaries, no proof could be established, though sus picions were very strong. Thus circumstanced, the proprietors purchased several adjoining- houses, and in the space of four years re-erocted the theatre, upon an enlarged scale, so that it will contain more than 2000 people. In the centre building, towards the front, is an (elegant assembly room, which is fitted up in a sumptuous L-.i\ 1'^, aud the two wings are occupied as a tavern, which, from tilt great author ofthe drama, is called the Shakes- pear. In the year 1807, it was made a royal theatre, and on that account the proprietors are entitled to let it for such performances as other royal theatres are, -without being under controul of the magistrates. As a theatre, it opens in June and closes in September. This substantial and well-constructed pile of building, being on a line with the street, it cannot be seen to any advantage, except you ascend the roof of St. Philip's church. This theatre is now Ughted by means of gas, in a most brilliant manner. Musical Festival. Once in three years, during the month of October, the vocal and instrumental performers of the first class are assembled here in greater numbers than any other part of the kingdom can boast. They are collected together at a prodigious expense, for the purpose of performing f2 oratorios, three successive mornings, iu the church of St. Philip. In the evening of each day, select concerts are performed in the theatre ; and when those performances are closed, the company who are assembled, whilst they are under the same roof, are ushered into an elegant and well-furnished ball room, where they amuse themselves for the remainder of the evening; refreshments being pro vided upon the spot. These performances are conducted in such a superior style, that great numbers ofthe nobi lity and gentry who reside at a considerable distance, are induced to attend. The profits arising from these musical entertainments being appropriated to the benefit ofthe General Hospital, many of them contribute in a very liberal manner by do nations to that institution. The last perfoimances took place in October, 1817, when the committee of managers, after they had defrayed all incidental expences, paid to the treasurers of the general hospital the sum of £4296. 10s. lOd. the total receipts being £8476. O's. 9d. The next festival is intended to be celebrated in Octo ber, 1820. There being two rooms of large dimensions, that are each of them fitted up in a style of elegance, as ball rooms, one at the hotel in Temple-row, and the other adjoining the theatre in New-street, there are durino- winter, subscription concerts and assemblies held at each of them. 65 Independant of these, private concerts are occasionally held at each of them ; those at the hotel being of some years' establishment, the room, although eighty feet in length and thirty-three in breadth, is so completely occu pied, that any person who is desirous of becoming a member must probably wait two or three years before they can obtain admission. Pariorama, A pile of building was erected in New-street, for the purpose of exhibiting paintings of this description, which has lately been converted into an auction room. Deritend House. This stone-fronted mansion was erected in 1786, as a tavern, under the name of the Apollo, and in consequence of its bowling green, was for several years much fre quented. It was afterwards divided into two private houses ; but in 1816 being purchased by Wm. Hamper, Esq. that gentieman greatly improved the premises and again converted it into one dwelling, which he makes liis residence, and which, from its extensive gardens and plea sant situation, is much admired. Duddeston or Vauxhall, So called after that place of fashionable resort near London, is little more than a mile from the centre ofthe town. This was the ancient residence of the Holt family, and within memory contained some good paintings, as F3 56 the gardens did a number of lead statues, large as fife, and some smaller ones ; but depredations being committed by stealing some of them, the others were removed. These delightful gardens, which contain a very spa cious bowling green, an orchestra, a great number of commodious gravel walks, on the borders of which are numerous lofty trees, of various kinds, together with par terres, where flowers of different sorts were accustomed to be seen, were, till of late years, resorted to by none but the genteeler sort of people, and from their retired situation, are every way capable of being made one of the most rural retreats for public amusement of any in. the kingdom. Times are now completely changed, it being turned into an alehouse, where persons of all descriptions may be accommodated vnth that or any other liquor, on which account the upper classes of the inhabitants have en tirely absented themselves. By adopting this method, the editor is of opinion, that the present occupier is accumulating more money than any of his predecessors. — There are, during summer, fire works occasionally exhibited, and sometimes concerts of vocal and instrumental music. The Crescent. Several years have now elapsed since a plot of ground',, 1182 feet in length, foi-ming a terrace seventeen feet above the wharfs, was laid out for the purpose of erecting 57 some superior buildings in that form, and the wings were soon after constructed according to the plan ; but as yet very little progress has been made in the central build- The Barracks. ' In the year 1793, government took a lease of five acres of land, near Ashsted chapel, at the rate of one penny per square yard, whereon they expended the sum of tliirteen thousand pounds, in the erection of barracks to accommodate one hundred and sixty-two men, with their horses. Birmingham Fire Office. In the month of March, 1805, the monied interest iit this town opened an institution under the above title ; there being three hundred subscribers, at £1000. each. Their office is in Union-street, which for chasteness of design is equal to any other building in the town. The Inland Commercial Society. The merchants, and others, who were accustomed to send goods to, or receive them from Liverpool, having experienced, not only great delays, but the packages being pilfered, to their great prejudice, established this concern, in order to counteract such proceedings in future. : , Theological Library. The first rector of St. Phihp's church, the Rev. 'Wm. Higgs, having bequeathed this library for the use of the 58 clergy in Birmingham, and its vicinity, and the sum of two hundred pounds to make further purchases, a hand some library was erected by the Rev. Spencer Madan, in the year 1792 for its reception, adjoining to the par sonage house, he being at that time rector. Public Library. An institution under this title was established in the year 1779, and is now held in an elegant pile of building, erected on the tontine principle, by the subscribers, situ ated in Union-street. In front of the building is the fol lowing inscription : AD MERCATUEAM BONAEDM AHTIUM PBOFECTTIS, ET TIBI ET OM.NIEUS DITESCES. 'Whicli is thus englished,— BESORTING TO THE M.ART OF THE SCIENCES, YOU -WILL GR^W HIGH, BOTH FOR YOURSELF AND OTHERS. This library contains about sixteen thousand volumes, and there are about five hundred and sixty subscribers. New Library. Some disagreement arising among the subscribers to the public library, gave rise to this institution, which was established in the year 1796, in a commodious room for the purpose, situated at the lower part of Cannon-street, where there are about three thousand volumes. From the committee of this library I have received every assist ance, and from the librarian every information it waS^n his power to give. 69 General Provident Society. This society originated in the year 1800, for the benefit of the working class ; it consists of upwards of four hun dred members, who are aided by about fifty-five honorary members, who contribute annually to the fund, which consists of three thousand four hundred pounds, funded property. A member when sick receives eight shillings per week, and when past the age of sixty-five, he receives four shillings per week during his life. The dependant subscribers contribute no more than four-pence per week, although, in addition to the foregoing, they receive me dical assistance gratis. Clubs. Under this denomination, the workmen assemble at the public-houses they usually resort to, and by contri buting a small sum weekly, they raise a fund, from whence, if any member is afilicted with illness, he receives a certain sum for his support, according to the rules of the society to which he belongs ; every separate club having rules and orders peculiar to themselves. Piddock's Trust. In the year 1728, WilUam Piddock devised his farm, containing about nine acres of land, at Winson Green, in trust, for the purpose of educating and putting out ap prentice, poor boys belonging to the parish of Birmingham, or other discretional charities. It is vested in the con stables, church-wardens, and overseers for the time being. This estate now produces about I cannot learn what. 60 The baneful effects produced by spirituous liquor.^, which has made such dreadful havoc among the populace in many other manufacturing tovnis, is, to the credit of the working people, very little encouraged. To the credit of the inhabitants, the spirit of gambling is almost unknown here ; there being more of it practised in many small towns than there is in this extensive one. The magistrates invariably suppress those pubhc houses where it is encouraged. Wilday's Royal Hotel, Temple-row. As a proof how salubrious the air is in this neighbour hood, this capacious and substantial pile of building was erected in the year 1772, upon the tontine principle; di vided into fifty shares, at £100 per share, and there are at this time, October, 1818, forty-five of the parties, whose lives were nominated, now alive. It has an elegant entrance through a capacious saloon, at the extremity of which there is a noble ffight of stairs, leading to an elegant and spacious assembly room, in length, Jncluding the orchestra, wherein there is a hand some and fine-toned organ, eighty feet, and in breadth thirty-three feet. It is fitted up in a tasteful and decora tive manner, with three rich cut-glass chandeUers, five lustres, and six large mirrors. This hotel is considered one of the first in point of com fort and accommodation, and not being subject to the annoyance of stage coaches, makes it a very desirable 61 .esideuce for families who think proper to reside any time iu the town, to inspect the different manufactories and showrooms. This hotel has been honoured with the presence of Prince William of Gloucester, Lord Nelson, the Duke of Wel lington, tbe-Grand Duchess of Oldenburgh (now Queen of Wirtemberg, and sister of Alexander, Emperor of ' Russia), the King of France, the Grand Dukes Nicholas and Michael, &c. Ac. This house is also considered one of the first iu the kingdom for the accommodation of posting-, where an extensive supply of horses and car riages are always in readiness. Statue to the Memory of Lord Nelson. Nearly at the top of the market-place, and fronting St. Martin's church, a statue of this never-to-be-forgotten hero was exposed to public view, on the 25th of October, 1809 ; the day on which was celebrated the jubilee of our august sovereign George 3d. It was executed in bronze, by Westmacott, a statuary of the first eminence, at the expense of £2500, which was raised by voluntaiy subscription, to immortalize the memory of that much- lamented admiral. The attitude of the figure is expres sive of that dignity and serenity with -which the original was characterised, and the resemblance is upon the whole admitted to be more than usually con-ect. The circular pedestal whereon it is erected, is ornamented with figures in alto relievo, in a bold and masteriy style, the limbs being so disposed, that except real violence is used, they are not liable to be injured. The relative proportion of 62 the whole is admirable, and the general effect it produces gives the utmost satisfaction. As an artist, every praise is due to Mr. Westmacott, for the admirable skill he has displayed, and also for his unassuming conduct i» pre sence ofthe committee, who had been appointed to su perintend its execution. On the scaffolding being removed, and the statue ex hibited to public inspection, the following illustration of it was distributed by Mr. Westmacott ; — " In this work, intended to perpetuate the greatest ex ample of naval genius, simplicity has been the chief ob ject in the arrangement. The hero is represented in a reposed and dignified attitude, his left arm reclining upon an anchor : he appears in the costume of his native coun try, invested with the insignia of those honours by which his sovereign and distant princes distinguished him. To the right of the statue, the grand symbol of the naval profession is introduced. Victory, the constant attendant upon her favourite hero, embellishes the prow. To the left is disposed a sail, *--hich being placed behind the statue, gives breadth to that view of the composition. Above the ship is a fac simile of the Flag Staff Truck of I'Orient, which was fished up by Sir Samuel Hood, the day following the battie of the Nile, and presented by him to Lord Nelson ; the same being deposited at Mit- ford, as a trophy of that ever-memorable action. This group is surmounted upon a pedestal of statuary marble ; a circular form having been selected, as best adapted to the situation. To personify that aftectionate regard es which caused the present patriotic -tribute to be raised, the town of Birmingham is represented in a dejected at titude, miirally crowned, mourning her loss; she being accompanied by groups of genii, or children, in allusion to the rising generation, who offer consolation to her, by producing the trident and the rudder. In front of the pedestal is the following inscription i — THIS STATUE IN HONOUR OF ADMIRAL LORD NELSON, ¦WAS ERECTED BY THE INHABITANTS OF BIRMINGHAM A. D. MDCCCIX, The whole is inclosed by iron palisadoes, in the form of boarding pikes, connected by a twisted cable. At each of the four corners is fixed a cannon, erect, from which issues a lamp post, representing a cluster of pikes, sup porting a ship lantern." The late Mr. Joseph Farror, of this town, at his de cease, bequeathed six-pence per week, to be paid for ever, out of rents arising from a house in Bradford-street, for keeping the basement and statue of Lord Nelson clean and free from dirt, which is received by the wardens of St, Martin's church. • 64 Proof House. Although government have at all times a large store of fire arms in the tower of London, yet, after the revolution had taken place in France, and England was threatened' with an invasion, the numerous volunteers who offered their services at thai time, to repel the enemy, required such a profusion to be distributed among them, that it became necessary to purchase large quantities from any part of the continent where they could be procured ; and the volunteers of this town were supplied with muskets from Pnissia. The words ' liberty' arid ' equality', used by the French military, produced such an effect on the continent, that England was necessitated to manufacture arms for its own defence. Thus situated, application was made to the gun-makers in this town, but the number of hands at that time employed in the trade was so limited, that they could only supply small quantities ; but when war was. renewed, after the peace of Amiens, great en couragement being given by government, the manufac turers of arms in this town were, in the year 1804, enabled to supply five thousand stand of arms monthly. At that time, so many workmen had obtained a know ledge of the trade, that in the year 1809 the government were supplied with twenty thousand stand of arms monthly, and in 1810, the number was increased from twenty-eio^lit to thirty thousand monthly ; and that number was regu." larly supplied until the peace of Paris. In order to expedite the business, a proof house was estabhshed by government, in Lancaster-street, under an inspector from the board of ordnance. 65 An act of pariiament wa« obtaiijed in the year 1813, for the erection of a proof house in this town, where all barrels of guns, pistols, blunderbusses, &c. must be proved and marked, under a severe penalty ; and since that time, the manufacturing of fowling pieces has increased to a considerable degree. It is situated on the banks of the canal, in Banbury- street, and is conducted under the direction of three wardens, who are annually made choice of from the body of guardians and trustees, they being nominated in the act of parliament.* In addition to them., the Lords Lieu tenants for the counties of Warwick, Worc.ster, and Siafford, the members servisvg in parljameiit for the sai4 counties, for the time being, respectively, and the magis trates acting within seven miles of the town of Birming ham, are appointed as guardians. The corn mill at the bottom of Snov^hill was erectecj about the year 1781: the brick work of this extensive building, which is excellent in its kind, was executed by Mr. Edward Jones, according to contract ; which was. * John Heeley, 'Warclen. Jolm Adams, Warden and Treasurer. ¦William AUport, 1 Bartholomew Redfern, } '^•""'"" "^ Accounts. William Ryan, Warden. Robert Wheeler John Oughtoa John Jx)nes Richard Sutherland John Smith JohnMahson Joseph Turtou John Clive Stephen WaUis G2 65 for bricks, mortar, and labour, one guinea per thousand. This miU, and also that adjoining, were erected by the late Mr. James Pickard, and were the first steam engines that worked by a rotatory motion, he being the person who first applied the crank to those machines, and for which invention he obtained a patent, but I do not know that he ever erected any others ; for Messrs. Boulton and Watt, in order to evade the patent, substituted the sun and planet wheels, which they continued to use until the patent expired. At the latter mill, where metal was rolled and otiier business carried on, a pump was fixed, and a boy em ployed to work it, for the purpose of keeping the ma chinery cool ; but after some time, the youth being in clined to play, fixed a pole from the engine to tiie lever of the pump, which gave rise to the practise that was afterwards followed, of making the engine supply itself with water for that purpose. The boy for his ingenuity was afterwards employed withinside the mill. Union Mill. There being a great scarcity of corn in the year 1795, the wealthy inhabitants raised a subscription, and having purchased a large quantity of foreigni corn, at Liveipool, it was soon conveyed here, but it very unfortunately hap pened that at the time, neither wind nor water mills could be worked, to grind it. I'rom this circumstance, Mr. WilUam Bell, a man who possessed a fertile genius, suggested the idea of erecting a steam mill, and set on foot a subscription for that purpose, there being about 67 seven thousand subscribers, at one pound each. It was for several years v*ry doubtful whether this mill could be supported or not ; but having surmounted those diffi culties, it has for several years been a very profitable concern ; shares being at the present time eagerly sought after, at three pounds ten shillings per share. This mill turning out so beneficial, and the boundaries of the town being extended to a considerable degree, the same Mr. Bell projected another, which he called 77(6 New Union Mill, Upon a more extensive scale than the former, which was in time carried into effect ; but like other things in an infant state, it has difficulties to encomiter. The com mittee having expended as much money in superfluous buildings, as woidd have supported the mill in credit. Steam engines are erected in every direction round the town, they being found to accelerate business, and abridge manual labour. Public Breweries. Of these tiiere are three ; one of them, situated in Warstone-lane, belongs to Forrest and Sons ; another in Deritend, is the property of Richards and Goddington ; and the third is near Broad-Street, conducted by a pub Uc company. 88 Glass Houses. The manufacture of flint glass, and the various methods of ornamenting it, gives employment to a great number of peoj,l,3 in this town ; it having within the last twenty years increased to a very considerable degree; there being at this time, in the town and its immediate vicinity, six glass houses in full work. Beardswortlis Repository for Horses and Carriages, Is upon an extensive scale, about sixty yards from the S. W. comer of Smithfield, where there are always a variety of both on sale, and a public auction takes place- every Thursday in the forenoon. Smithfield Is situated about sixty yards to the S. of St. Martin's church. Neat cattle, sheep, and pigs being exposed to sale, upon the identical spot where the ancient barons of Birmingham were accustomed to hold their midnight revels, and to feast their dependants. The hospitable' mansion having been demolished long since, the moat' was filled up, and the ground prepared in a veiy commo dious manner for the intended purpose, against Michael mas Day, 1817, at which time the fair .was proclaimed, and it has since been used as a market. Inspection of Raw Hides. Parliament having passed an act to preyent frauds' from being practised in raw hides, a very convenient situation was fixed upon for their examination, in Park- street, where two persons are annually appointed to in spect them. 69 Public Scales. A short distance from the statue of Lord Nelson, one of the beadles is stationed every market day, with the public scales and weights, where any person may weigh whatever articles of provision they have purchased, free of expense, which is a very laudable institution, and has proved of the greatest utility. Improvements. Within the last twenty years, the interior of the town has experienced very considerable improvements ; nu merous houses adjacent to the church yard of St. Martin. have been entirely removed, and the space they occupied is tiirowa open to enlarge the market place. The entrance into several- streets have been made con siderably wider, and by that means rendered more com modious ; some of the streets have been re-paved, and the water conveyed by culverts, instead of annoying the • pedestrian as it used to do. Some parts of the town are already lighted by ga's, and preparations are making for tiie general use of it; but in those streets where it has been introduced, a great part of the brilliant light it pro duces is obscured for want of clean lamps. Those who- have the care of them, either do not know how, or will, not be at the trouble of making a strong lie of ash balli^ ;,if and hot water, which with a little labour and attentio'ii ^-^ will remove the greasy particles that adhere to them. — It having been customary to fix the lamps adjacent to the houses, the same method is still pursued ; but if light cylindrical lamp posts of cast iron were fixed between 70 the curb stone and the water course, every part of the street would be benefited by the alteration. The lamps should be made with a hole in the bottom, similar to those used in halls, and fit into a socket at the top of the lamp post. This fashionable mode of producing artificial light, gives employment to great numbers of people in this town, not only for the use of public streets, but also ele gant branches for the interior of houses. Newspapers. There are four published in this town : Aris's Gazette, by Mr. Thomas Knott, jun. on Monday morning; ,Swinney's Birmingham Chronicle, by Mr. James Ferrall, on Wednesday evening ; the Birmingham Commercial Herald, by Messrs. Richard J abet and Co. on Saturday evening ; also, the Argus, on the same evening. The Markets. Although there is not any shelter for the country people, yet in the most stormy weather this town is abun dantly supplied with provisions of all kinds, every Mon day, Thursday, and Saturday. Tbis being the grand mart, the fertile vale of Evesham pours forth its fruit and vegetables in great profusion ; and as auxiliaries, the vicinity of Tamworth and also of lichfield send hither great quantities ; in short, whatever provisions of a good quality ate brought here, the market is never over stocked. 71 The butchers in this town are dispersed over every part of it, where they live and enjoy those comforts with .their families that it is not possible to do when they are congregated together in shambles ; and in this extensive town, no person is necessitated to lose much time, or walk far from home, to provide for his family. Considering the distance from hence to the sea coast, the inhabitants are well supplied with fish of variouss kinds, and at a moderate price. Opposite the quaker's meeting in Bull-street, there is, in front of the house occupied by Mr. Standley, a most admirable piece of brick-work, (the lock-maker's arms, under a most beautiful arch), such as is very seldom seen, and does infinite credit to whoever executed it ; but some simpleton has defaced the arms to a considerable degree, by colouring them to represent stone. This was about as necessary as paint is for the faces of women : — to make them look worse afterwards. This exquisite performance appears to have been done about one hun dred and fifty years ; the house having been invariably in the possession of a person eminent as a lock-maker during the above period. In Moor-street, there is another specimen of the same kind, about one hundred yards above the public oflSce, which was executed iu the year 1671, being arms, a chevron between three goats' heads, and a goat's head for a crest. Such specimens of brick work as these are very seldom seen. 72 Square. There is near the centre of the town, what is called the Square ; the buildings which surround it were uniform ; but one eighth part was some years back fronted with stone, and converted into a tavern, which is denominated the Stork. This house of entertainment, from its private situation and being near the centre of the town, is much resorted to by travellers ; there being capacious stabling behind, and in front there are some shrubs, inclosed by iron pallisadoes. For those who are at leisure, there is an excellent billiard table. Jokn-a-Deans Hole. At tbe bottom of Digbeth, about forty yards from De ritend Bridge, there is on th© left a water course that receives a small drain from Digbeth, and also from the a^acent lands ; which stream separates the parishes of Aston and Birmingham, and is known by the name of John-a-Dean's hole, from a person of that name who is said to have lost his life tbere. Baths, near Lady Well, Are always ready for the accommodation of hot or cold bathing, and also for immersion or amusement, to gether with sudorific apartments. The swimming bath is in length thirty-six yards, and in breadth eighteen yards, containing more than 2000 hogsheads of spring water, and gradually slopes from the depth of one to five feet ; h^ing situated in the centre of a garden, wherein are twenty-four apartments to undress and dress in ; the whole being surrounded by a wall, ten feet high, and 73 fine lofty trees. There are also very decont baths in Newtown-row, near Lancaster-street. Houses. By an accurate survey, taken in the year 1816, it ap- .jy^^^-s; pears that there were then 9496 front houses, and 8214 '"''''" ^i back houses, within the connected streets of Eirminghami which, reckoning five and a half to a house, makes the population 97,405. There appears to be about 400 houses erected annually, which will make the number at fhe present time 18510, and the population 101,805. The old Roman road, denominated Ikenieid-street,- that extends from Southampton to Tyiiemouth, enters this parish near the observatory in Lady wood-lane, crosses the road to Dudley at the Sand Pits, and proceeding along Warstone-lane, leaves the parish in Hockley- brook; but is distinctly to be seari at the distance of five miles, both in Sutton park and on the Coldfield, in perfect repair, as when the Romans left it. The Parsonage House Of St. Martin, situated near Smallbrook-street, is in all probability one of the most ancient entire buildings in this part of the country; it being a low, haii-timbcred erection, surrounded by a moat; in front of which is, what was the tythe barn, ' being near sixty yards in length, now made use of as warehouses. 74 By late regulations in the post ofiice, an innovation has crept in that is highly reprehensible, and ought not to be continued. Before mail coaches were established, Coleshill was a place of considerably more note then, as a post town, than Birmingham, it being very common for people in the north to direct their letters for Birmingham, to turn at Coleshill. This being the case, if the directors of the post office think proper to change the route for their own convenience, that is no reason why the public should be charged with the expense. Dudley and Coles hill being both of them the same distance from Birming ham, what reason can be assigned why a letter to Dud ley should be four-pence and to Coleshill six-pence 1 The country for a few miles round the town is in every direction studded with houses, belonging to the opulent inhabitants of Birmingham, or of those who have retired from the busy scenes of Ufe. Whoever walks much about this town, -will perceive one very remarkable circumstance : at the top of a street you ascend into the houses by a fiight of steps, and in the lower part of the same street, you descend into some of the houses; this is exemplified iu Edmund-street, and particularly in Newhall-street and Lionel- street. There are two fairs in the year, one of them is held on Thursday in the Whitsun week, and the other on the last Thursday in September : the horses being exposed for sale in Bristol-street ; the neat cattie, sheep, and pigs in Smithfield. 7-3 Tlie cstabli:- siderable degree, which ' form an agreeable separation from his own residence, and forms a much admired scene of picturesque beauty. A person wandering through these secluded walks, or- on the banks of the various lakes and water falls, which adorn them, may here enjoy the sweets of solitude and retirement, with equal composfie, as if he was far dis tant from the busy scenes that are close at hand. What is here enumerated are all of them manufactured or carried on at the Soho, at the present time : — steam engines of every description,, and for all purposes, where great power is requisite ; coining of medals, or medal lions, of any size required ; silver and plated articles, of every description, such as tea urns, vases, tureens, dishes, candelabras,. and every necessary article to decorate the 10© table or the drawing room ; metals of every description are here rolled, to any length or breadth required; patent copying machines ; fine polished steel fire irons ; steel buttons^ ornaments for stove grates; fenders, or any other article in steel, where taste and elegance are ne cessary. Handsworth, inStaffordshire, distant two milesand a half. Leaving Soho, you come to the elegant village of Handsworth, where, tbe common lands of tbe parish being inclosed by act'of parliament, in 1793, ihey have probably been as productive, if not more so, than others of a similar nature in any other part of the kingdom ; for there are now at least one hundred and fifty respectable houses erected upon the ground, which, before it was in closed, lay entirely waste ; and plots of the same land have been sold from two hundred pounds to a thousand pounds per acre.. About one quarter of a mile distant from Soho, is the residence of Miss Boulton, whose house is secluded from public view, by a lofty brick wall ; and half a mile farther, going down a lane, by the sign of the Queen's head, a landscape of considerable interest exhibits itself; including Soho, Birmingham, and the intermediate coun try, to the monument. In the grounds, on the right, opposite the three mile stone, is a grand picturesque view of the whole country, including Barr-beacon, Aston church, fi id the lofty trees in the park. About half a mile farther, you arrive at the verge of Sandwell park, a seat belonging to the Earl of Dartmouth, and opposite,. 107 on tile left, is a grand panoramic view of the country, in cluding the ruins of Dudley castle. The church is an ancient gothic stone building, dedi cated to St. Mary, with a square lower, of grey-stone; the body is of an irregular form, the workmanship being rude and" tasteless. It appears to be much neglected, and out of repair, both inside and out ; and neither in respect to size or decorations, does it bear any analogy to the number of the population, or the wealth of the pa^ rishioners. Indeed, if the structure of the church should be a criterion to judge of the opulence of the inhabitants, a stranger would certainly conclude, that they were most of them tenants at rack rent, aud greatly burdened with poor. The only objects deserving of notice, are two monuments ; one in the inside, and the other on the out. The one erected to commemorate the late Matthew Boul ton, Esq. is the work of the celebrated Flaxman, and adds another wreath of laurel to the brow of that classical artist. It is of white and blue marble, and is surmounted by a bust, which is the best representation extant of that enterprising and deserving man, lo whose memory 'J.t is sacred. The other is an humble tomb-stone, remarkable as being one of the last works, cut by his own hand, with his name al the top of it, of that celebrated typographer, Baskerville, but this, being neglected by the relations of the deceased, has been mutilated, although the inscription is still perfect, but so much overgrown with moss and weeds, that it requires more discrimination than falls to the lot of many passing travellers to discover the situation of this neg'.ectod gem. To those who are curious, it will 108 be found close to the wall, immediately under the chancel window. This precious relic of that eminent man is de serving of being removed, at the expense of the parish, and preserved with the greatest care, withinside the church. Mr. Baskerville was originally a stone-cutter, and afterwards kept a school, in Birmingham.* There is only one more of his cutting known to be in existence, and that has lately been removed and placed withinside the church, at Edgbaston; to which place please to refer. West-Bromwich, in Staffordshire, distant ^ve miles. The church is an old tower structure of stone, dedicat ed to St. Clement ; the body having been of late years rebuilt, has two side aisles, handsomely pewed, and gal leries all round. The officiating clergyman is the Rev. Charles Townsend. The waste lands in this parish being inclosed by act of parliament in the year 1804, has produced a very bene ficial eft'ect ; for, by the side of the main road, which scarcely produced a blade of grass, there are now nu merous houses erected, and the lands about them are * Since writing the above, the Rev. T. L. Freer, who is rector, and the wealthy parishiooers have entered into a liberal sabscription, find being aided by government with the sum of five hundred pounds, they have undertalten to rebuild the body of tbe ohurch, according to an elegant plan, designed by W. Hollins, statuary and architect, of Bir- niiugham, without ipalsing any rate on the inhabitants. 109 Very productive. The new inclosed lands now let from three pounds to five pounds per acre, and a great part ©f it is in tillage. In this extensive parish, the new inclosed land has been sold from one hundred to eight hundred and forty pounds per acre ; and the neighbourhood is now become so populous, that it is in contemplation to erect a new church, there being inthe beginning of October last more than three thousand pounds subscribed for that purpose. The following works of considerable magnitude are already estabhshed, and now in full work : — Birmingham brass company, in Spon-lane. James Taylor, cast steel manufactory. Archibald Kenrick and Co. iron-founders. Samuel and John Dawes, iron and steel-masters. Izons and Whitehurst, foundry for kitchen furniture. Elwell and Horlons, iron-founders. Thomas Price, iron-master. Bagnall and Son, iron-masters. WilUam Bullock and Co. iron-founders, and manufac turers of kitchen furniture, improved coffee mills, &c. Charles Bache, manufacturer of bar and sheet iron, old forge. William Chapman, grinder and poUsher, Biirstelholme mill. Samuel Elwell, iron-master. Friar-park forge. Tickell, iron-master. 110 Isaac Horton, boiler-maker. Edward Fisher and Co. iron-masters. John U. Rastrick, manufacturer of steam engines. Before you arrive al tiie six mile stone, the road di vides, and you proceed on the right hand for another mile, when, on a sudden, the eye is highly gratified wilh a view of Wednesbury, Which is erected on a declivity; and on the summit, the church, with its lofty spire, makes a very unusual and respectable appearance. This church is a beautiful gothic edifice ; the body and lower of which is coated with Par ker's cement, but the chancel remains as before. Tra dition says, that on this spot there was, in former times, a Saxon castle. Withinside the church there are nume rous ancient monuments,and an inscription, signifying that William Hopkins, yeoman, Richard Hawkes, and Robert Carter, caused the chimes of this church to be made and set up, at their equal and proper cost and charges, A. D. 1635. The clock, which is represented to be a remarkable good one, -has a pendulum upon an unusual construction, the rod being fourteen yards in length, and the ball of it weighs 100 pounds. Here are. eight musical bells, the two trebles being fijced in 1558 ; the sixth has an inscription, " William Comberford, lord of this manor, gave this bell, 1623." — " On the seventh is, Sancta Bartholomew, ora pro nobis." And on the tenor is inscribed, " I will sound and resound to thee, O Lord, to call thy people to hear thy word." Ill The church yard is of considerable extent, and being in such an elevated situation, those who profess to de lineate panoramas may here find ample scope to display their abilities ; for there is not only a view of the following churches, but the towns and villages wherein they are situated, are several of them under the eye of the spec tator from this lofty eminence, viz. Walsall, Willenhall, Darlaston, IVolverhampton two churches, Bilstone, Sedgley, Dudley, two churches and the ruins ofthe castie, West-bromwich, Tipton, Wednesfield, Brierly-hill, and Rushall; in addition lo the above, by ascending the roof of the church, you command Birmingham and Aston, together with numerous engines that are at work in its vicinity ; the whole when combined form such a rich and variegated scene as probably cannot be equalled in any other situation. In the vicinity of Wednesbury there are numerous mines of coal, wherein great numbers of people are em ployed, whilst others pursue the different branches of gun-making ; springs, steps, and other articles used by coach-makers, are also manufactuied here, together with wood screws, hinges, and of late, apparatus for the gas lights. In the year 1742, when the metiiodists were spreading their doctrines through the kingdom, some disturbances took place here on that account ; and soon after, Mr. Wesley, the preacher, was waited upon by Sir John Gonson, one of the Middlesex justices, who notified to him that he and Ris brethren had received orders from 112 above to do justice to him and his friends, whenever they should make application ; his majesty being determined, that no man in his dominions should be persecuted for conscience sake. Posterity will scarcely credit, that in Britain, and at so late a period as 1742, justice was not to be obtained but by an order from court ; and that such order was issued, reflects infinite credit on the sovereign, George 2d, who commanded it. This mandate was not by any means premature ; for it became absolutely ne cessary, to quell the increasing tumults. In Staffordshire, the populace rose upon their employers, from whom they demanded money, and if that was not complied with, they threatened to serve them as they had done the me thodists. A quaker, when riding through Wednesbury, was attacked by them, pulled from off his horse, and dragged to a coal pit, where it was attended with difficulty to prevent tlieir throwing him in. This gentieman, not being so mucli attached to his principles as to refuse the protection of the law, prosecuted them at the assizes, which caused those tumults to subside in Staffordshire. Darlaston. This place, being only one mile distant, I went there ; but neither on the road or in the village coifld I' perceive any thing deserving of attention ; the inhabitants being employed in the same pursuits as at Wednesbury, 113 Walsall, in Staffordshire, distant nine iniles, on the direct road fo Stafford. You proceed down Snowhill, and having passed the buildings, you perceive on the right hand Hunter's nur sery grounds, from whence there is a good prospect of the town of Birmingham, in a clear day. On the left, Hockley abbey, and the plantations of Mr. Boulton, present a rich scene in front, with a glass-house in the back ground. At the bottom of the hill you cross a small stream of water, which separates Warwickshire from the county of Stafford. In ascending the opposite hill, on the right hand is Prospect-house, where the late Mr. Eginton carried on his manufactory of stained glass. Soon after the road divides, when, turning to the right hand, it leads you by a row of respectable houses, and when through the toll gate, you leave what was once Handsworth common, and immediately on the left is a handsome house, with a ¦beautiful avenue of lime trees ; once the seat of the ancient family of Sacheverel, but now the property of Joseph Grice, Esq. A little farther on the right is a simple though tasteful lodge, leading to Heathfield, the elegant mansion ofthe celebrated James Watt, Esq. who is well known to all scientific men, for the great improvements he has made in steam engines, and various other useful works. A few years back, the adjacent ground was a wild and dreary waste, but it now exhibits all the beauty and lux uriance that art assisted by taste can give it. Woods and groves appear to have started up at command, and it may now vie with any seat in the neighbourhood, for l2 114 rural elegance and picturesque beauty. Descending the hill, the parish church of Handsworth presents itself lo view, and a short distance before you arrive at it, is the parsonage-house, where the Rev. Lane Freer resides. — It is a very excellent house, and possesses more conve niences and luxuries than are usually to be met with in the habitations of the clergy. About a mi'e farther on the right is the elegant residence of N. G. Clarke, Esq. one of the king's counsel; a gentleman highly- distin guished for acuteness and perspicuity in his profession, and thorough hospitality in his house. Still farther on the left, as you descend a sleep hill, there is a fine view, at a considerable distance, of the domains of Hamstead hall. It is a very elegant and modern-built mansion, the old one having been taken down some years since, which was for many generations the seat ofthe ancient and res pectable family of the Wyrleys, who possessed the manor and very large property in this parish. On the demise of the late John Wyrley, Esq. the whole of this estate was left by will to George Birch, Esq. at whose decease it devolved upon his only son, the present Wyrley Birch, Esq. Il is difficult to conceive a more beautiful resi dence than this, as it contains all that hill and dale, wood and water, aided by extensive views, can do, to make a place delightful and desirable : these seem here to have been combined in the most beautiful manner ; for the river Tame meanders through this enchanting and exten sive domain ; on whose banks are numerous groves of trees, and from a solid rtjck there arises a lime tree, of unusual magnitude, whose branches spreading in an ho rizontal direction became so heavy, and injured the trunk 115 to such a degree, that in order to preserve the body, it not only became necessary to lop off the principal branches, but to bind it together with iron in different ways, by hooping of it, and passing a bar of iron through it, in the same manner as buildings are frequently done, to preserve them. At the height of three feet, it girths twenty-three feet and rises to the height of sgventy feet. The rock upon which this tree grows, is of such a nature, that there is a grotto of considerable size cut in il, wherein the roots from this tree spread ihemselves in dif ferent directions. This inestimable estate, although for so many generations the patrimonial possesions of the family, has been lately transferred by the proprietor to the Earl of Dartmouth, and is now in the possession of William Wallis, Esq. In the valley is a corn mill, worked by the riyer Tame, over which there is a substantial bridge. Near the sum mit of the opposite hill, the road passes close by the re sidence of Mr. Wren, who is well known in Staffordshire, as an agricultuiist. Near half a mile farther on the left is an ancient while house, which has been occupied as a school for a number of years. From the green opposite, if you face about, there is an extensive view over the country ; two of the Birmingham churches and the mo nument being conspicuous objects. A very short dis tance farther is a gravel pit, opposite lo which is a rich and luxuriant view for a considerable distance. At the fingerpost, two miles before you arrive at Walsall, there, is a beautiful landscape, and when you approach near. the town, hy looking the contrary way, there is a rich La lie and variegated -view over the country. A little before you enter the town, there are two respectable houses, one on each side of the road ; that on the left is the re sidence of Mr. Richard Jesson, an attorney, and at the other, which is built of stone, Mr. John Adams, a mer chant, resides. Tliis road to Stafford is nearer by five miles than going through Wolverhampton, and the accommodations are in every respect equal : independant of that circumstance, whoever b'avels this road is not incommoded by the nu merous coUeries and engines that are adjacent to the other. Walsall. This town, being considered a borough, by prescrip tion for a number of years, was incorporated by letters patent, bearing date 22d February, in the 13th year of King Charles 2d ; the government thereof is vested in a mayor, with the assistance of twenty-four capital bur gesses, who are authorised to sue and are liable to be sued, by virtue of a common seal. William Webb was appointed the first mayor, whose successor is to be elected and sworn into oflSce on the feast of St. Michael. The mayor and his brethren are authorised to fix upon a recorder and town clerk, who are empowered to hold a court of record, whenever it is requisite, to determine any actions or pleas, for sums of money exceeding fortv shillings, and not more than twenty pounds. There are also two Serjeants at mace, who are under their directions ; the late mayor, aud one other capital burgess, being ia. 117 the commission of the peace for the borough and- foreign, they have authority to take cognizance of all crimes com mitted within their jurisdiction, except conspiracy, mur der, felony, or any thing touching the loss of life. They are also empowered to have a common prison, where all offenders may be detained, until discharged by due course of law. By this charter, the mayor, recorder, and twenty-four capital burgesses are exempt from serving upon anyjuries at Stafford. The seal of this corporation is three fleur de lis and three lions quarterly, with two lions as supporters ; over the arras is a crown without an arch, and over the rim of the crown there are five fleur de lis. It is nearly the size of a crown piece, with a latin inscription, in very an cient characters. It is deposited with Joseph Stubbs, who is town clerk, and steward of the manor lo Lord Bradford. The arms of the town appear to be a bear with a ragged staff. The guildhall is situated in the High-street, one wing of which is the Dragon inn, and the other is a large room where tbe corporation assemble to transact business, and is called the mayor's parlour, under which is the prison for the town. The ancient wooden staves belonging to the corporation are still deposited in the hail, and are curious reUcs of antiquity, being ornamented with head* of various animals, rudely carved. 118 The sheriff of the county, by his deputy, holds a court in this town, at the Castle inn, every third Monday, for the recovery of debts, under forty shillings ; but the ex penses are excessive to both debtor and creditor, and if the latter loses his cause, his expenses alone will amount to six or seven pounds. lis the year 1452, Thomas Mosely, of Moxhull, in Warwickshire, being then lord of Bascote, in that county, gave it in trust to William Lyle and Thomas Magot, for the use of the town of Walsall. In 1539, the inhabi tants were summoned by the bellman lo repair to the church, where a dole was distributed, amounting to the sum of seven pounds, ten shilUngs, and nine-pence. Some time after, an attempt was made to discontinue this dole, which caused the populace to assemble, who forced the same to be continued ; at which time it was distributed to about fourteen thousand people, nine thousand of whom were supposed to reside in Walsall. The church is a vicarage, dedicated to St. Matthew, or All Saints : it is an ancient pile of building, singular in its appearance, being in the form of a cross, the tran sept of which is composed by large side chapels, whose roofs lie east and west, parallel to the body of the church. The tower, which is situated at the south-west angle ofthe west front, is strong, plain, and far from inelegant, being built with coarse lime stone, on which a new spire was erected since 1775, when a set of eight musical bells were fixed there, by Mr. Rudhall, of Glocester ; tiie- weight of the tenor being more than twenty-three hun dred, and the key note E flat. 119 The following inscriptions are round the bells : — 1. " When us you ring, we'll sweetly sing." 2. " Fear God, honour the king.'" 3. " Prosperity to the parish." 4. ditto ditto. " 5. " The Rev. John Darwall, vicar." 6. " Thomas Rudhall, Glocester, founder." 7. " Thomas Hector, Edward Licet, Thomas Overton, Deykiu Hemming, church-wardens. C " I to the church the living call, t " And lo the grave do se-nmon all.'' The font of this church is alabaster, of an octagon form, with shields, richly sculptured. On each side of the chanci "are eleven stalls, very entire, the seats of whic'-vbeing lifted up, exhibit a series of grotesque figures, curiously carved, in bas relief; no. two of which resemble each other. Over the communion table is a large painting, representing the last supper, — The vicarage, where the Rev. Philip Pratt resides, is in a delightful situation, being on an eminence, and encom passed with lofty and majestic trees. There are three fairs in the year, viz. February 24th, Tuesday in the whitsun week, and the Tuesday before St. Michael ; at which time the races take place, and have been for a number of years both numerously and genteely attended ; as a proof of it, the inhabitants in the year 1809 expended the sum of thirteen hundred 120 pounds in the erection of a grand stand ; in the lower apartments of which is a billiard table, where they resort for recreation. The fair at whitsuntide is not held by charter, but being market day, at that holiday time is considered a fair by prescription. There is in this town a charily school for twenty-four boys and sixteen girls, who are all cloathed in blue : they are instructed and cloathed gratis, but neither lodged nor boarded. The expenses attending this school are defrayed by subscrip tions, donations, and sermons preached on the wake Sunday, which is the Sunday befnjp St. Michael. The school-room is near the -Seo'rge hotel. There is also a free grammar sckiol, near the church, founded by Queen Mary, in the firsp.year of her reign, which she endowed with certain lands that are. vested in trustees. The High- street is spacious, and therein are some respectable shops, and a conduit lo^, the use of the inhabitants. — Park-street is also a wide oil^,"but there are numerous low houses in it. The town has a singular appearance ; its situation be ing upon a bold eminence, from whose summit arises a fine old gotliic church, -with a lofty spire, the streets and houses descending in every direction. In the vicinity are numerous lime stone quarries, some of which are open from the surface, and from others it is drawn up through a shaft, similar to coal mines. Mr. Siddons, the husband of the celebrated actress, was born in Rushall-street, in this town, whilst his father kept a public-house, known by the sign (jf .the London 121 apprentice, whose death was occasioned by sparring or wrestling with a person named Denslon. The present Mr. Siddons was originally a barber, but having an in clination for the stage, he joined the itinerant company of Mr. Kemble, and married one of his daughters, who af terwards proved the heroine of the stage. Another well- known character was also a native of this town, viz. Thomas Haskey, the celebrated ventriloquist, who was by trade a bridle bit maker ; but whilst au apprentice he left his master, and entered into the army, where he lost a leg and obtained a pension. When young, he did not know the abilities he possessed, but hearing O'Burn, he endeavoured to imitate him ; and when Mr. Stanton's company of performers were at Walsall, he repeatedly from the gallery entertained the audience by sham dia logues, in two voices, between himself and Tommy. He wks an ignorant man, but possessing this uuusual faculty, he was frequently sent for by Lord Dudley, to entertain the company al Himley, upon which occasions, he al ways hired a post chaise to convey him there. He after wards went to London, and performed at Sadler's Wells in the year 1796, and when his benefit came on, he cleared £200. About one mile from the town, on the road to Wol verhampton, is a strong chalybeate water, called Alum well. About one mile and a half from Walsall, near to Bentley hall, at a place called Pouck hill, as some work men were opening a quarry, they discovered numerous 122 basaltic columns, some of which are from four to five feet in diameter, of various lengths, some singularly waved, others straight; some of the joints short and others extend to the length of five or six feet : they he nearly in an hjrizontal position, and resemble at a dis tance large trees piled one upon another. The chief articles manufactured in this town and its vicinity are bridle bills, stirrups, spurs and other articles either used or sold by the saddlers. Barr Park, distant five miles, on the road to Walsall. The hospitable mansion of Sir Joseph Scott, Bart, is surrounded by a park of considerable extent, wherein there is the greatest variety of undulating hills and dales, wood and water, together wilh such extensive views, as can only be found in this part of the kingdom. To this park there are three entrances, and at every avenue the worthy proprietor has erected an elegant lodge, from whence there are capacious carriage roads lo the mansion. One of these lodges is about five miles on the road lo Walsall, to which you approach by taking the right hand road, opposite a house 'of entertainment, the Scott's arms, and tiien taking the second turning to the left conducts you to the lodge. On entermg the park, a circular coach drive leads to the holly wood, through which you pro ceed by a serpentine road near half a mile, when a beau tiful sheet of water presents itself to view, along whose banks you pass near a mile before you arrive at the man- 123 The situation of the building is low in front of the wa ter, but being screened by rising ground and lofty trees, it must be very warm in the winter. On the left of the house, a walk leads you to the flower garden, which is laid out ^vit!l i;veat taste, containing flowers and small shrubs of the choicest and rarest kinds, together with a fountain in the centre. From hence there are delightful views, and among others over the adjacent country, Bir mingham is distinctly seen. At the distance of about two miles farther, towards Walsall, tiiere is another lodge, which is the entrance from Walsall, and leads you by a spacious serpentine road through the Martian wood, which is composed of various shrubs and ever greens, and conducts you lo a most elegant chapel, with a beautiful and well-proportioned spire, underneath which you euter into one of the most sumptuous places of wor ship ill tiie universe. There are in the whole eleven lofty windows, and seven of them are ornamented in the most elegant manner with stained glass, by Eginton : they are all full length figures, large as hfe, with their proper attri butes. The first represents Fortitude, the second Tem perance, the third Justice, in the fourth, which is over the communion table, is the apotheosis of a child, after the Rev. Mr. Peters, the fifth represents Hope, the sixth Charity, and the seventh Prudence. The pews and every other part correspond, there being a sumptuous organ, with a gallery in front of it, which extends on each side, before two windows. In a spacJoOs cemetary there are some tombs, much more elegant than are usually met with ; there is also a yew tree of large dimensions, which is grown much higher than trees of that species do in gene- 124 ral, and also some venerable elms, together wilh the vil lage school. Close adjoining is another lodge, and the road from it conducts you over an elegant bridge, on the right of which is a cascade. There is also another lodge, at a place called the Quieslet, about six miles on the road lo Barr-beacon, where a spacious road conducts you for a considerable distance, by a plantation of oaks, and so through the park, wherein there are fixed numerous seats, \vhich com mand delightful and comprehensive prospects, and among others may be seen the extensive sheet of water in the vale, backed by a grand screen of venerable oaks and verdant hills ; at same time, from amidst the nearer trees and shrubs, the house appears lo emerge, and adds con siderably to the scene. From the various knolls wilh which this park abounds, there are several that command a view of Birmingham, and also of the woods in Sand- well park. There is also a view of the ruins of Dudley castie, and from another eminence the churches of ^Volverhamp- ton and Wednesbury are seen, with the elegant spire of J3arr chapel in front. From the lodge at the approach from Walsall there is an extensive view over the country, bounded in the horizon, lo the left by Dudley castle, the Rowley liills, &c. and to the right by the Wreliin and other mountains in Sfirtoshire. 126 To Dudley, in Worcestershire, through West-bromwich, ten miles on the road to Stourbridge. You proceed down Snowhill, pass by the Soho, fhvough Handsworth and West-bromwich, and along the Wolverhampton road, near six miles, when the road di vides, and you take to the left, having the ruins of Dud ley castle full in view. After crossing the Birmingham canal, you come to Tipton, eight miles. In this parish the following works are carried on in an extensive manner : — Blair and Stevenson, soap and lead. Harrison, Oliver, and Co. Horsley iron-works. Walker and Co. Gospel-oak iron-works. Dixon, Turton, and Co. have three furnaces. Round, Caddick, and Co. Old church forge. Messrs. Parkers, iron-masters. Zephaniah Parkes aud Co. iron-masters. Messrs. Willets, iron-masters. Birmingham Co. iron-masters. Bagnall and Co. iron-masters. Moat colliery. Horsley ditto. New Church ditto. Tibbington ditto. Glebe Land ditto. Ockerhill ditto. Puppy Green ditto- 0 Dudley Port ditto. Birmingham Co. ditto. Brookhouse ditto. 120 The church is dedicated to St. Lawrence, of which the Rev. James Bevan is perpetual curate. From hence you pass by the Dudley brewery, and having ascended the hill, arrive at Dudley, ten miles. In this town there are two parish churches, one of which is dedicated to St. Thomas, and is now rebuilding in a magnificent manner, to which a lofty spire is attached ; it being in height 170 feet, and therein are ten musical bells : of this church the Rev. Luke Booker, L. L. D. is vicar. The other is dedicated to St. Edmund, wherein a free gallery has been erected by subscription ; over which the Rev. Proctor Robinson presides. The different sects of presbyterians, baptists, quakers, methodists, nnd independants, have each of them their respective places of worship. There is a free school, founded by King Edward 6th, two national schools, on the plan of Dr. Bell, and one Lancasterian ditto. The inhabitants who have a taste for reading, have established a library, wherein there are more than three thousand volumes. There are here five glass houses, two of which belong to Messrs. T. and G. Hawkes, where the most superb articles are manufacturdS ; another to Mr. John Rough- ton ; a fourth to Price, Cook, Wood, and Co. ; and the fifth is at Holly-hall, belonging to Zephaniah Parkes and Co. 127 There are also the following iron -works established:^ — • Zephaniah Parkes and Co. Messrs. Attwoods, three furnaces, Glazebrook anil Whitehouse. Salisbury, Hawkes, and Co. Banks. Wainwright, Jones, and Co. At the priory, there is a powerful steam engine, be longing lo Mr. Benson ; and on the road to Birmingham is a brewery, belonging to a public company. In the environs are niunerous mines of coal, ironstone, and lime; which land, where the mines have not been worked, sells in general for about one thousand pounds per acre. Nails and heavy iron- work employ a great part of the popid ation. The ancient castie, of which there still remains the keep and the gateway, is said to have been erected about the year 700, by a person named Dodo, from whom the name of the town is derived. Underneath the hill, whereon the castle was situated, there are stupendous caverns, from whence the lime stone has been conveyed away, \; hich are truly august, being of considerable e\- tent, and proportionably high ; the roof being supported by rude pillars of vast dimensions, which have been left by the miners for. that purpose. There is one tunnel that perforates the hill entirely, being in length near twa miles : it is in height thirteen feet, in width nine feet, and ill one part sixty-foi}r feet below the surface. M. 3- 128 These enormous subterranean vvorks, with the method of procuring the stone, are highly deserving the atten tion of strangers, who have there an opportunity of seeing this useful article forced from its natural situation by means of gunpowder; raised from the bowels of the earth, and conveyed through the country by means of inland navigation, to serve the purpose of the agTlculturist, and also the architect. In these rocks there are numerous marine productions, and among others, one which the miners denominate a locust, for which they have been known to refuse its weight in gold ; it being understood that there is only one other place in the kingdom where they are to be found. The mines of coal in this vicinity are from ten to twelve yards in thickness, which circum stance it is said does not take place in any other part of the kingdom. A stranger approaching Dudley after it is dark, will be astonished to see the numerous fires in dif ferent directions, which proceed from the furnaces, forges, and collieries ; the latter converting their small coal into coke.^ The noble proprietor of these extensive mines and the ruins above them has for several successive years planted innumerable trees of different kinds around the castle hill, and during last summer (1818) he caused avenues t& be cut through them, which form the most romantic, pic turesque, and diversified shady walks, extending over numerous hills and dales, that can be imagined ; the views that occasionally present themselves when least expected, are enchanting, and when you arrive at the summit, there is a most extensive prosjiect over the coun- 129 ties of Worcester, Stafford, Derby, Leicester, Warwick, Salop, Hereford, and part of Wales : it is not only ex tensive, but full of variety, comprising hills and dales, woods and villages, populous towns, and busy seats of manufacture ; a scene that may be justiy termed, of va rious view, warm and alive with human habitations. — From this eminence eighteen churches are discernable ; viz. those of Dudley, Birmingham, West-bromwich, Walsall, Rushall, Wednesbury, Dariaston, Tipton, Bils ton, Wednesfield, Wolverhampton, Sedgley, Briery-hill, Oldswinford, and Pedmore ; also the fine obelisk and castie al Hagley ; the elegant seat of Lord Westcote ; Envil, the admired seat of Lord Stamford; and part of the woods at Himley, tbe spacious and beautiful seat of the humane, generous, and noble proprietor of these ruins. The stupendous mountains of Malvern (though near forty miles distant), bounding the horizon towards the south, are grand and noble features in the scene ; as are also those of Clent, Abberley, the Cleys, and the W^rekinj " Mountains, on whose barren breast " The lab' ring clouds do often rest." 1^0 To Dudley, in Worcestershire, through Oldbury, distant nine miles. Having passed the Sand-pits and Spring-hill, you cross the Birmingham canal and enter upon what was Birming^' ham headi, which being inclosed in the year 1800, was found to contain 289 acres, which land now lets from thirty lo fifty shillings per acre On the right hand is^a boat-builder's yard, and on the left a glass-house, belonging to Messrs. Biddle; and Lloyd. Proceeding towards the windmill, you perceive at a short distance on the right hand another glass-house,, belonging to Blessrs. Shakespear and Fletcher. Ascend ing the hill, there is on the right an extensive view over. the adjacent country, including Earr-beacon, Mr. Boul- ton''s plantations, and Winson-green, a neat house, in the- possession of Mrs. Steward. On the left is Summerfield- house, late the residence of John Iddins, Esq. but now of James Woolley, Esq. and beyond it, a neat white house, occupied by Mr. Hammond. Over an apparentiy wooded country, you have a windmill in full view, and when at the foal of the hill, on the right is Smethwick grove, the residence of "John Lewis Moilliet, Esq. You now enter Smethwick, wliich is in Staffordshire,. and ascending the hill, a neat brick house makes its ap pearance on the right hand, where John Reynolds, Esq. resides, who, by succeeding to what was considered by Mr. Lane, his predecessor, to be a worn out trade, accu mulated a considerable fortune, and has retired from bu siness to enjoy it near twenty years. At the summit o£' 131 the hill on the left is Shireland hall, which is now con verted into a seminary for young ladies, under the super intendance of Miss Marmont. There are in Smethwick some works of considerable magnitude, viz. Messrs. Boulton and Watt's manufac tory for steam engines ; an extensive soap work, belong ing lo Messrs. Adkins and Nock; a manufactory of brass, under the denomination of the Smethwick brass company ; and also one of British crown glass, belon^ng to Thomas Shatt and Co. There is a house called the Beakes, where Wm. Wynne Smith, Esq. resides. The place of worship is a chapel of ease lo the parish of Harborne, and is a neat modern brick tower building, of a single pace, lofty and coved, about sixty feet by twenty-four, and well paved, with a gallery at the west end. The present incumbent is the Rev. Edward Dales, who resides in the neat parsonage-house on the south. side of the chapel yard Leaving Smethwick, you proceed towards Oldbury, upon which road the trustees are making great improve ments, by widening the road and turning the course of a brook, over which they are building a bridge, which when finished will be a great accommodation. This vil lage is situated in the county of Salop, and is a chapel of ease to Hales-owen. A new court-house was erected here in the year 1816, where the court of requests is held once a fortnight. The protestant dissenters have . here a neat place of worship, as have also the methodists. 132 Oose to the village are several coal mines, and a blast furnace, belonging to Mr. Parker.* About a mile distant, on the left of the road is the Brades, where Messrs. William Hunt and Sons have established a considerable manufacture of iron and steel, which they form into scythes, hay knives, trowels, and every kind of hoe now in use. This road from Birmingham to Dudley is at least one mile nearer than going through West-bromwich, and in my opinion will be sufliciently commodious for the traffic there is between the two towns. The distance is only nine miles, and in travelling that short space of ground you are in four different counties ; Birmingham being in Warwickshire ; Smethwick, in Staffordshire ; Old bury, in Shropshire ; and Dudley in the county of Wor cester. N. B. Since writing the above, the bridge is complet ed, and the whole line of road improved to a consider able degree. * From this place you have an excellent view of Rowley hills, tha ruins of Dudley castle, and the line woods in Sandwell park.. 133 To Hockley-house, ten miles, on the road to Stratford- upon-Avon and also to Warwick. You proceed through Deritend, up Camp-hill, and when near the summit, there is on the right hand an an cient brick building, called the Ravenhurst, the residence of Mr. John Lowe, attorney, who i.i equally respectable in his profession, as the house is in appearance. A short distance beyoiul on the left is Fair-hill, where Samuel Lloyd, Esq. resides, and on the opposite side of the road is the Larches, the abode of Wm. Withering, Esq. — ¦ This house, when it belonged lo Mr. Darbyshire, was known by the name of Foul Lake, but when Dr. I'riest- ley resided there, he gave it the name of Fair-liiil ; afterr vv'ards, being purchased by Dr. Witheriii-;, lie altered the name of it to the Larches. Having passed thioiigli the turnpike, ou the left is Sparkbrook-house, John Rot- ton, Esq. resident. At the distance of one mile and a half the road to Waiivick branelies oft' to the left, and pnlhe summit ofthe hill is Spaik-liill-house, inhabited by Miss 3Iorris. Opposite the three mile stone is a very neat pile of building, called Green-bank-house, where Benjamin Cooke, Esq. has taken up his abode. A little beyond, al a place called the Coal-bank, there is a free school, which is endowed wilh about forty pounds per annum. At a short distance on the left is Marston chapel, which is usually called Hall-green chapel : it was erected and endowed by Job Marston, Esq. of Hall-green hall, with about ninety acres of land, and other donations. 134 At the distance of five miles, you pass through a vil lage called Shirley Street; and at the distance of another five miles, you arrive at Hockley-house ; a place of en tertainment, where travellers of every denomination are accommodated in a genteel manner, and on reasonable terms. About one mile from hence, on the road lo Stratford, is Umberslade, or Omberslade, where the Archer family were used to reside, but it is now unte-» nanted. Fix)m Hockley-house to Warwick, ten miles. At the distance of one quarter of a mile, there is on the right a view of Lapworth church, and on the left is Pack- wood-house, which is al present unoccupied. At Row- ington, the Warwick canal is carried at an immense expense over a deep valley, and also through a tunnel of considerable length ; on the left is the village church, to which you ascend by steps cut in tiie solid rock, and near to it is the handsome residence of Samuel Aston, Esq. from hence you proceed through Hatton to Warwick. To Warwick, twenty miles — Leamington, twenty-two miles. You proceed through Deritend and Bordesley, con tinuing upon the Stratford road for one mile and a half, when you turn to the left ; and at the distance of two miles there is a view over a well-wooded country, with the spire of Yardley church on the left. At Acock's- green there is a prospect nearly similar ; and in a field, opposite the five mile stone, there is . an extensive pic turesque landscape, with a sheet of water in front, which 135 covers about thirty acres ;* in the midst of which is a small island, with some trees upon it, that adds considerably to the scene. Solihull, distant seven miles. This beautiful, neat, and clean village had at one time a market, but that has been discontinued for a long time. There are still three fairs annually ; one on the 29lh of April, another on the lllhof September, and the third on the 12th of October. There are here several genteel and commodious houses ; the vicinity being very respectable. Tlie church is au ancient gothic pile of building, wilh an elegant spire. The Rev. Charles Curtis is rector. Leaving the -village, on the right you pass by Malvem- hall, the residence of H. G. Lewis, Esq. and afterwards arrive at Balsall Temple, which in former days belonged to the knights templars, and at their dissolution the knights hospitallers became possessed of it, in whom it remained till the general dissolution of the abbies. It was afterwards converted into an hospital, for the recep tion of indigent women, either unmarried or widows, to be selected from Balsall and Long Itchington, in War wickshire, Trenlham, in Staffordshire, or Lillenhall, in Shropshire. This institution is now in great prosperity, the annual income amounthig to near £1600 ; the num ber of its alms-women is at present thirty. The buildings are extensive and substantial, forming a complete square, * This shiet of water is the reservoir of the -Warwick canal. N 1S6 and healthfully situated on the verge of a spacious and fertile green. The trustees are the bishop of Lichfield and Coventry, together with the .Earls of Warwick aad Aylesford, assisted by other respectable gentiemen in the county, who have placed the whole institution under the immediate 'charge of a master, with a salary of £150. per annum, who is at this time the Rev. J. Short. To those who admire antiquity, Balsall church will be a pleasing object, as it now remains nearly in the same stale as it was when first erected, about seven hundred years back. Its dimensions are one hundred and two feet long, thirty-eight broad, and fiftyr-seven high. At the east and west ends are lofty windows, extending from the roof nearly to the ground, and on each side are throe noble windows. The heads of all the windows are or namented with beautiful traceiy, and no two of them resemble each other. There are no divisions withinside, and what distinguishes fhe chancel from the body of the church is an ascent of three steps. The walls are very substantial, and so clustered ^Yitll ivy, that it forces its way through any small fissures into the interior. Over the west door there is a low turret, and below the cor nice is a row of ten heads, in a good slate of preseivation, which are considered to be of excellent workmanship. Near the church is the ancient hall of the templars, formerly a splendid apartment, but now it is converted into a barn, which is represented lo have -been one hun dred and forty feet in length. 137 A littie farther is Springfield, the elegant and delight ful mansion of Joseph Boultbee, Esq. and at a short dis tance is Knowle, which is a small old town, on elevated ground, in the midst of fertile fields. This church is of coiisideixibic size, and exhibits marks of antiquity in its remains of stained glass and grotesque carved work. ' Not far from hence is Baddesley-Clinton-hall, tiie seat of Edward Ferrers, Esq. and (ibout one mile beyond is a small inn, known by tbe name of Tom o'Bedlam, near to which is a venerable oak tree, supposed to be two hundred years old, measuring in girth twenty yards, from which one branch extends across a road thirty feet wide. You next come to Wroxhall abbey, the residence of Christopher Wren, Esq. a descendant from the noted Sir Christopher Wren, who erected St. Paul's cathedral, in London. The church of Wroxhall is an ancient structure, forming one side of a square, the buildings of the abbey forming the other three sides. The windows, which are ornamented with stained glass, are remarkably fine : the two figures of Moses and Aaron are admired, not only for the drapery, but also for the splendid co lours. About one mile before you arrive at Hatton, there is to the left a pleasant view over a well-wooded country, in the midst of which the ivied towers and magnificent battlements of Kenil worth castle present themselves to view. Hatton is a small village over which the celebrated and learned Dr. Parr presides. At Hatlon-hill, near the two mile stone, there is an extensive and diversified N 2 138 prospect over the fertile tract that surrounds Warwick ; in every part highly cultivated, and ado; ned with woods, encircled by gently-rising hills ; and in the back ground are seen Shuckburgh-hill on one side and Edge-hill on the other. Warivick. This arc'ent town is seated on a rock, to which you ascend in eveiy direction, there beicg four avenues ; one from Birmingham, another from Stratford, a third from Coventry, and a fourth from Banbury. The eminence. on which the town is erected is itself encircled by hills at the distance of from two to three miles, which bound the prospect in every direction, except to the N. E. where you may see into Northamptonshire, and to the S. W. where the eye ranges over an extensive country, backed by the hills in Glocestershire and Worcestershire. The surrounding country is very fruitful, being cultivated with great care, and the enclosures separated by beautiful hedges, which are richly adorned with trees in a flourish ing condition, and also by the river Avon, which mean ders here in a considerable stream, and near Warwick is augmented by the junction of the Leam. The town being seated on a dry eminence, is exposed to the genial influence of tiie sun, which ratifies the air, and renders the atmosphere so salubrious and warm, that in its vici nity the seasons are frequentiy earlier by a fortnight than they are at the distance of twenty or thirty miles. The four principal streets cross each other at right angles, and lead to the cardinal points. 139 Great improvements have of late been made inti^em, by the introduction of erlverts, repaying the carriage roads, and laying the footpaths with flags. Lamps are lighted during the winter months, at the expense of the corporation, who have in a commendable manner widen ed the narrow parts of some streets, and removed nume rous obstructions ; which gives an air of liveliness to this once sleepy town, and the inhabitants, being roused from their lethargy, are now become active and industrious. — The canal from Birmingham comes to this town, from whence it is continued to Napton, where il unites with the Oxford, aud by means of it, with the grand junction canal. The town is governed by a mayor, twelve aldermen, and twelve principal burgesses, with a town clerk and a recorder, who are empowered to make laws for the regulation of tbe borough, and upon all oflfenders to im pose reasonable fines and penalties. Here are two ma nufactories of cotton, one of lace, and one of worsted, all of them upon an extensive scale, which contribute con siderably to tiie cheerful activity and increasing popu lation. There are here held twelve fairs annually; the market, which is well supplied, is on a Saturday ; the quarter sessions for the county, and also the assizes. — The horse races liake place in September, and a second meeting of the sarne kind is held in November. This borough sends two members to parUament, who are elected by those who" pay scot and lot ; the number of electors being about five hundred. M 3 14a Here ave two churches; one dedicated to St. Mary and the other to St. Nicholas : there are also places of worship for presbyterians, quakers, independants, bap tists, and Wesleyans. In the vicinity, the following places are deserving of attention: — Guy's cliff, the niins of Kenilworth castie, Stoneleigh abbey, Charlcott-house, and Combe abbey. Passing over the new bridge, on the road to Leaming ton, there is a grand picturesque -view of Warwick ; there being in the fore ground the rich meadows, with the Avon meandering through them, the church of St. Nicholas, and the trees behind, which form a dark shade. Near to it is the castellated entrance into the castle, aud the elegant tower of St. Peter's chapel. On the right is the priory, with its beautiful woods. The town is percep tible in the centre, with the lower of St, Mary's, whicli rises above the variegated and extensive groves of the castle. On the left is the principal object, the castle, which raises its lofty embattled towers over the shady groves with which it is surrounded. Tlie elegant bridge, whose span is 105 feet, is a prominent feature in the landscape. On the road leading to Tachbrook, about one mile from the town, the eye is gratified with a rich and luxu riant landscape, wherein appears the church of St.Nicho- las, the priory, the hospital of St. John, the tower of St, Mary's church, and, to crown the whole, the castie. 141 The walks and rides in the vicinity of this town present innumerable objects desemng of attention, and whoever takes delight in rural scenery, may here be amply grati fied. In addition to these works, there is a considerable manufactory of hats, and an iron-foundry ; to which may be added a corn mill, wherein are five pair of stones, and three of them constantiy in motion, by which means they are enabled to grind and dress three hundred bushels of flour every day. The County Hall. This is an elegant pile of building, with a stone front, emamented with pillars of the Corinthian order, to which the ascent is by a ffight of steps, through folding doors, into a noble room of just proportions, beang ninety-four feet in length and thirty-six in breadth. At each end are semicircular recesses, surmounted by cupolas, and fitted up with convenient galleries, where the two courts of jus tice are held ; the criminal court being on the right, and that for civil causes on the left ; between which there is accommodation for the servants and attendants upon the court. Above there is an apartment where the petit ju ries occasionally retire, and adjoining it is the room where the grand jury assemble. The quarter sessions for the county are also held in this hall, and in it all county meet ings are convened. During the races there is a tempo rary boarded floor laid down, and the hall is converted into a ball-room, the two recesses being fitted up for card parties ; the pillars with which it is ornamented are en- 142 circled with wreaths of lamps, and what was before the solemn court of justice, is now converted into a brilliant and sportive scene, where gaiety and fashion take place of their predecessors. The Court House. Tliis spacious and elegant pile of building is appropri ated to the use of the body corporate, there being two rooms on the ground floor ; that on the right is where the mayor and aldermen hold their assemblies, and the other is filled up as a court, where the sessions are held for the borough. On the second floor, there is a commodious, well-proportioned apartment, sixty feet by twenty-seven, which is fitted up in an elegant manner with superb cut- glass chandeliers of large dimensions, at one end of which is an orchestra and also a card room adjoinmg. In this room annual entertainments are given by the mayor, and public meetings for the borough are convened. In it public lectures upon any particular subject are occasion ally delivered, and it is also sometimes used as a ball room. The Market House. This substantial building does credit to the town; it being very convenient for those who bring the produce of their farms to market. The upper apartments are made use of as store-rooms for the arms and accoutrements of the military within the county. From its summit there is a fine view of the tpwn, and also a prospect of the sur- roundmg country. .143 The Stone Bridge. This elegant structure, which is erected across the river Avon, consists of one arch, measuring 105 feet in the span, at the expense of four thousand pounds : one thousand was contributed by the corporation, and the remainder was defrayed by the Earl of Warwick. The Iron Bridge. The rock whereon this town is erected being cut away, to make a road into it twenty-four feet wide, Charies Mills, Esq. one of the members for the borough, caused an iron bridge to be_^ erected at his expense, across this road, and thereby formed a junction between the market place and the Saltsford. The Theatre. The town not being very extensive, this building was erected to correspond with the population : it is no ways remarkable in its external appearance, but it is fitted up in a neat and convenient manner within, and is always opened during the races. College School. This ancient pile of building is of considerable size, and in it the native children of the parish, who think pro per to take advantage of the institution, are educatedfree of expense ; but as the course of instruction is prescribed to the learned languages only, its utility as a free school for general education is very contracted. The salary of the master, who must be a clergyman of the established religion, is seventy-five pounds, and he having but little 144 employment, has an assistant, who receives annually thirty pounds, exclusive of other emoluments. To this school two estates were left in trust, to provide two ex hibitions of seventy pounds each, for two young men, natives of the town, towards defraying the expense of their education, al Oxford, for the space of seven years. There is also a public library, wherein is a consider able collection of well-chosen books, chiefly of modern literature ; but the building that contains it is not deserv ing of notice. The charitable donations and benefactions that have been left to this town are very numerous, and amount to a large sum of money. Here are six different alms-houses, one school wherein thirty-nine boys are taught reading, writing, and arith metic, and thirty-six girls are instructed in reading, writ ing, sewing, and knitting. There is also a school of industry, and four Sunday schools. A lying-in charity is also estabhshed here, for the rehef of poor married wo men, residing within the borough, who each of them are accommodated with a set of child-bed linen for one month, one pound of candles, one pound of soap, and during the winter months, with two hundred weight of coals. They are also provided with a suflScient quantity of caudle, together with proper attendants, and all neces sary medical advice. In addition to the before-mentioned there are two poor-houses. 14S There is also a very ancient building, denominated Leicester's hospital, for the reception of twelve indigent men, who are termed brethren, together wilh a master, who must be a clergyman of the established church, and in preference to all others, if he offers himself, the vicar of St. Mary's. Il is endowed with land, \vhich at the time was valued at £200 per annum, but now amounts to near £2000, exclusive ofthe vicarage- of Hanipton-in- Arden, which is in the gift of the brethren, who usually bestow it upon the master. It had long een ascertained that the clear annual rental of the estate far exceeded all that could be required for the support of the number of brethren in the hospital, aud that the salaiy of the mas ter was fixed at fifty pounds per annum. In the year 1813, this important business was brought before parliament, when it appeared, that each of the brethren received, clear of all deductions, about £130 per year each, which sum the act leaves them in the possession of ; but it provides, as vacancies occur, either by death or otherwise, on the admission of every new member, his annual income shall not exceed £80, and that the surplus £50 shall one half of il go to the increase ofthe master's salary, until it amounts to £400 per an num, and the remainder is to form a fund for the support of ten additional members. The qualification for admis sion being now fixed at £50 per annum : no candidate is to be possessed of an income exceeding that. Adjoining to the hospital is a chapel, which is neatiy fitted up for the use of the brethren, the master, and his family, who daily assemble there for morning and evening prayer, ex-c 148 cept on those days when service is performed at St. Mary's, where their attendance is then required. St. Mary's Church. This stately building taken altogether makes a very respectable appearance, particularly the tower, wherein are eight bells and a set of chimes ; what is very remark able, the principal entrance into the church is under the tower; therefore it admits of a grand view down the middle aisle, which being terminated by the east window, is seen to great advantage. There is in this church an excellent organ, and numerous monuments, but none of them any ways remarkable. From the south transept of this church, you descend by a flight of steps to St. Mary's chapel, and enter therein by folding doors, which, when opened, the eye is astonished upon viewing the in terior of this beautiful and magnificent structure, which is considered to be as fine a specimen of gothic architecture as any in the kingdom, it being in the pointed style of the middle order. This chapel, having been twenty-one years in building, was finished in the year 1464, and in cluding the monument erected to commemorate the Earl of Warwick, cost £2481, an amazing sum al that period. In the chapel there are five sumptuous monuments. St. Nicholas's Church. This incongruous pile of building is of modern date, be ing opened for divine service on the 17th September, 1760. 147 County Gaol. Tliis extensive, substantial, and commodious pile of building is of solid stone, and in all respects so completek tiiat every purpose it was intended to answer is fully ac complished. The area of this prison contains near an acre of ground, which is suiTounded by a wall twenty-three feet high, and of proportionate strength. County Bridewell. This building is of stone, and contains numerous apart ments, in every one of which there is a glazed -window and an iron door, the sleeping rooms being furnished with iron bedsteads and chaff beds, with two rugs to each. A donation is made to every prisoner, on being released, according to the distance he is from home and behaviour during confinement. One or two shirts or shifts, a pair of shoes, or a jacket, are presented to, those who have been in prison six months. The Castle. The necessary limits to which this work is confined, will not admit of describing that maguificent aud sump tuous pile of building ; therefore those who are desirous of seeing a description of it, are referred to the local historian. The Priory. Tliis ancient edifice is in the immediate vicinity of Warwick : it was originally a complete square, three sides of which still remain, the fourth having been removed. — • The western side appears to have been part of the ancient o 148 chapel, there still remaining part of the baptismal font, -which is of stone, richly ornamented, and is highly de serving the attention of an antiquarian. It is situated on a pleasing eminence, embosomed in the ancient and majestic groves, surrounded by delightful gardens and an extensive park, and presents such a beau tiful sylvan scene as is rarely lo be met with. The un dulated surface of the ground, intermingled with numerous sheets of water, are richly adorned with trees of various kinds, of vigorous growth and the most beautiful forms, among which the elm and the chesnut are particularly conspicuous. Through this park there are several foot paths open to the pubhc, and are the most rural and de lightful walks imaginable. Guy's Clift. Leland, the antiquarian, who wrote in the time of Henry 8th, speaking of this delightful and romantic place, says, " It is the abode of pleasure; and a place delightful to the muses : there are natural cavities in the rocks, small but shady groves, clear and chrystal streams, flowery meadows, mossy caves, a gentle murmuring river running among the rocks, and to crown all, sohtude and quiet, friendly in so high a degree to the muses.'' The approach to this romantic place is from the Co ventry road, by the side of shady plantations, until you arrive at a lofty stone arch, through which you enter the court yard, the whole of which is hewn out of the solid rock, and underneath there are subterraneous passages 149 and cellars, -\vherein the atmospheric air produces -so littie effect, that during the heats of summer or the Colds in winter the thermometer only varies one degree. In this court there are numerous stables excavated out of the solid rock, as are some of the lower apartments of the house, which is an elegant modern mansion, and near to it is the ancient chapel, with its erabattied towers and gothic windows, as it was originally built in the reign of Henry 6th, and is still in good repair. Those who ad- mn-e the productions of early genius will here be highly gratified, there being great nuihbers of original paintings, and some copies, executed by the only son of the wortiiy proprietor of Guy's clift, whose premature death at ti;<; age of twenty-two, caused inexpressible grief to all who were honoured with his acquaintance. Exclusive of these, there are others by artists of the greatest celebrity. The ancient pleasure grounds exhibit a great variety of pleasing objects, and also numerous curiosities ; among others, a mill that was in being before the Norman con-. quest, it being mentioned in doomsday booh. There is also Guy's well, where this renowned champion was ac customed to slake his thirst, which is described by Leland as follows, it still remaining in the same state as it was then — " The silver wells in the meadows were enclosed with pure white sleek stones, like marble, and a pretty; house, erected like a cage, one end only open, to keep comers from the rain." The apartments under tlie cha pel, where the chantry priests were used to reside, still remain entire, without having undergone any alteration. Near to this spot is Guy's cave, O 2 150 " Where with his hands he hew'd a house. Out of a craggy rock of stone. And lived, like a palmer, poor. Within that house alone." This bears the appearance of being a natural cave, for the upper part does not exhibit any marks where the tool has been made use of, but the lower part does ; and here, tradition says, this mighty warrior was interred, and also his wife, fair Phillis. Over this cave is fair Phillis's walk, who, it is related, was accustomed lo resort here, whilst her husband, though not known to her as such, was performing his devotions in the cave below. From these dehghtful and romantic walks there are numerous opportunities for an expert draughtsman to exercise his abilities. Leamington Priors. The distance between Warwick and Leamington is only two miles, and there are two distinct roads, both of them excellent ; and whether a person rides or walks, if the mind is susceptible of pleasing ideas, neither time nor fatigue will be thought of. The roads about Leaming ton are in excellent order, and present numerous delight ful and picturesque views, which are fully described by Mr. Field, and also by IMr. Moncrief in his Guide to Leamington, wherein he has introduced some appropriate, entertaining, and amusing poetry. Whoever resorts to these saline springs in search of amusement, if he has money and time at command, cannot fail, during the sea son, between May and November, of being highly gra- 151, tified, except the mind is entirely depraved. To every visitant, the guide of Mr. Moncrief will not only be use ful but entertaining. The poetical episties of Miss Fid get are not only descriptive but very humorous, and the poetry of Mr. Pensile is very appropriate. Before Leamington rose into esteem, there was a face tious man resided there, named Benjamin Satchwell, by trade a shoemaker, who, when any differences arose among the villagers, he was in general the mediator ; they not being at that time cursed with either a wrangling lawyer or an hypocritical melhodist. He was also the village poet, and frequently exercised his talents in praise of the waters, and likewise of any respectable person who came with intent to derive benefit from them. He is said to have kept annals in verse of its rise and progress, and also cases of cures performed by the virtues ofthe saUne spring, and that he let them out lo the visitors for their amusement, on certain terms. Admitting this to be true, is it not very singular that Mr. Bisset, nor his pre decessor, Mr. Pratt, should neither of them introduce' these jeu des esprits, for the entertainment of their read- ' ers, or why did not Mr. Moncrief collect them together ; they certainly would have increased the sale of his work? As they are overlooked by the local historians, il is not' likely that a casual visitor should stumble upon them. This Ullage having for a series of years been celebrated ' for a spring of saline water, it has for some time become ^ fashionable to resort there. The first baths were erected in the year 1786, now called the Centre well, by Mr. o 3 152 Thomas Abbotts, a native of the place ; the beneficial f ffeclsof the water having been noticed and recommended by Dr. Kerr, of Northampton, and Dr. Allen. At this time there were two baths, one of them hot and the other cold, which for several years afforded sufficient accom modation for all invalids who resorted there, and were in general lodged at the adjacent cottages, there being no more than two small inns, the Bowling Green and the sign of the Dog. Dr. Edward Johnstone, of Birmingham, having recom mended the use of these waters to several of his patients, the number of visitants increased annually, so that in 1790, Matthew Wise, Esq. caused another well to be opened, now called the Road well, where he erected a range of baths, more spacious than the others, to which was annexed considerably more conveniences, wilh some pretensions to elegance ; but as yet no additional apart ments were provided for the accommodation of stran gers, except a few more of the cottagers fitting up addi tional rooms, it being no more than a rural and retired village. In the year 1794, Dr. Lambe, a physician of emi nence, who resided at Warwick, published in the fifth volume of the Memoirs of the Manchester Philosophical Society, an accurate analysis of the Leamington water, by which it appears to possess the same genial influence on the human frame as the water of Cheltenham, which was then rising into celebrity. There was one very ma terial difference between the waters of Leamington and 153 those of Cheltenham, there being at the former place an abundant supply ofthe mineral water, not only for drink ing but for hot and cold bathing ; whilst, on the contrary,. the saline spring at Cheltenham scarcely produced a sufficient quantity for drinking. The influx of visitors to Leamington now increased -with such rapidity, that every cottager exerted himself lo fit up lodgings, and every house to which lodgers resorted improved their appear ance ; in short, new wells were opened, new houses erected, and not only new streets foi-med in the old town, as it was now called, but a plan was drawn for the erec tion of a new town, which has within a few years in creased in a most astonishing manner. The Dukes of Bedford and Gordon, attended by thefr Duchesses, having visited and remained at Leamington for some time, it induced the Earl of Aylesford, who i& lord of the manor, and of course, proprietor of the spring, to visit Leamington, where, having made the necessary enquiries, he gave orders that the spring should be pro perly inclosed, at his expense, securing to the poor the benefit of the waters, and had he lived, it was his inten tion to have erected baths for their accommodation. The visitants increasing in number, Mr. Wise has augmented the number of his baths, there being one cold bath, four hot for the use of gentlemen, seven for ladies, and one for children, all fitted up with Dutch tiles, or Derbyshire marble, and furnished for the convenience of invalids, wilh hand rails : to each of the baths is attached a dres sing room, with a fire-place in it. Adjoining these' baths there is a small but elegant pump-room ;. the water being raised by a horse engine. 154 In 1810, a fourth well was opened, which is Called the Bridge well, and is situated near the bridge, close to the river : it belongs lo Mr. Robbins, who has erected one large cold bath, three hot baths, and one for children. — These, with the exception of the last, are accompanied by convenient dressing-rooms ; the water being raised by ahorse engine. The South well, tbe property of the Rev. Mr. Read, was opened in the same year, (1810), where there are one cold bath, formed with Dutch tiles, three hot baths, one of them being marble, and one for children: these baths are veiy neat, but they have not the convenience of dressing-rooms. During the same year, (1810), a sixth well was opened on the north side of the river, where a magnificent' suite of baths and a spacious pump-room are erected, at the ex pense of twenty-five thousand pounds ; there are twenty in number, hot, cold, tepid, vapour, aud shower; one of them being a chair bath, which is an admirable contri vance to immerge the invalid, on the chair where he was undressed, into the bath, in a secure and easy manner. — These baths are spacious, and admirably constructed with Dutch tiles, and most of them have the accommo dation of dressing-rooms. The water is raised by a steam engine of two horse power; and to the great cre dit of the proprietors, they have devoted one hot and two cold baths to the use of the poor. This extensive build ing exhibits a noble front, the central part being one hun dred and six feet in length and thirty in height, to which. 165 there are two wings, each of them extending thirty-feet and in height twenty. A spacious colonade, formed by double pillars of the Doric order, encompass it on three sides, all of native stone, makes this building rank among the first and most magnificent structures hi the kingdom. It w^as designed and executed by Mr. C. S. Smith, architect of London. The baths for the use of tiie ladies are nearest to the river, and those at the other end are for gentlemen, the entrance to them being from tiie two wings. The entrance to the pump-room, which is extensive, lofty, and of exact proportions, is through folding doors at each extremity of the central building.— The ornaments of the ceiling, the cornices, and in fact, tiie whole interior embellishments, are chaste and simply elegant. On one side the light is introduced through seven windows, and on the opposite side by one window of large dimensions, composed of stained glass. Un derneath this, window there are two elegant chimney pieces, formed of Kilkenny marble. At the western ex tremity of the room, on an ornamental pedestal of Derby shire marble, there is the pump, if it may be so called, it having a bason in the centre, which is enclosed by a neat mahogaiiy ballustiade. The visitors receive the water in glasses from beautiful damsels, and to whom it is usual to give a gratuity. The terms for drinking the water at these baths is 3s. 6d. per week, exclusive of tiie gialuily. At the other wells it is 2s. 6d. per week, and the gratuity. The terms for bathing appear to be in general, 3s. for a warm bath, 2s. for that of a child, and Is. 6d. for a. cold bath, with a gratuity to the attendaut.. 1.53 In the year 1816, a seventh well made its appearance in Clemens-street, which bears the pompous title of the imperial sulphuric medical font, and ladies' marble baths. There are here four baths, wilh a dressing-room to each, and also an elegant pump-room. Lest seven wells and fifty baths should not be sufficient to accommodate the -visitors at Leamington, preparations are making for the eighth well, near Ranelagh gardens, where the baths are intended lo be more splendid than any of the former, and also the pump-room, under the title of the Spa. From the hour of seven to nine in the morning is the accustomed time to promenade and drink the water, though numbers defer it till after breakfast, and bathe in the evening before they retire to rest. When the warm baths are not in use, they are inva riably kept and shewn empty, being filled in presence of the visitor, or during the time he is preparing to use them ; the process of filling not requiring more than three minutes. The cold baths are in general emptied and of Course filled every day, or more frequently if required ; but of late they are not much resorted lo, the warm or tepid bath being preferred. The prevailing opinion among medical men is, th".i the latter is by far the more efficacious in most disorders, and more conducive to health than the former ; because, where a person con tinues immersed in saline water for some time, it enters into the pores of the skin, and by tiiat means is more 157 likely to be of benefit in cutaneous or other disorders foi? which il is usually recommended. Tlie houses in Union-parade, Upper Union-street, Cross-street, and others, being erected, some public- spirited gentlemen, in order to attract the attention of the public, in the year 1813 resolved lo erect an assembly- room that might vie with, if not excel those of Bath and Cheltenham. This, at the expense of ten thousand pounds, was car ried into execution by a pupil of the celebrated Wyatt. The spacious front of this beautiful edifice is constructed with native stone, wherein no superfluous ornaments are admitted. In the central part there are a range of seven windows, supported by light pilasters of the Ionic order, surmounted by a plain entablature. Two handsome wings project from the main building, and judiciously relieve it ; they contain those apartments that ar^ usual and necessary appendages to a large assembly room. — There are two entrances into this building; one on the eastern side, from Union-parade, through a small porch, supported by four Ionic columns ; the other, the principal entrance, is from Upper Cross-street, through a pair of large folding doors m the right wing, into the hall. The hall is spacious aud well-proportioned, the refectory being opposite to the entrance. To the right is a billiard-room, coDtaining a massive mahogany table, made by Ferny- hough, of London, said to be worth one hundred guineas, and to the left a flight of stairs conducts you to another biUiard-room, which, although it is not quite sp spaciousj, isa is equally commodious as the other. On the same side you enter the ball-room through a pair of folding doors : this magnificent room measures in length eighty-two feel, in width thirty-six, and in height twenty-six. From the ceiling, which is beautifully ornamented with stucco,' three superb chandeliers of cut glass are suspended, which with those in the other apartments are said to have cost one thousand guineas. The range of windows afore mentioned are furnished with curtains of crimson moreen, edged wilh black fringe. On the opposite side of the room there are two fire-places, the chimney pieces being formed of Kilkenny marble, highly polished, over which are two ornamental mirrors of large dimensions. At tiie upper end is the orchestra, lo the left of which is a door leading into the card room, which is a spacious and elegant apartment, and beyond it is a reading-room, well provided wilh the London and provincial newspapers, to which are added some of the most esteemed periodical publications. On ball nights, this robm is appropriated for tea. From the month of June till M ovember balls are held every Thursday night, at eight o'clock, and card assemblies occasionally throughout the season. The whole concern is under the direction of a committee, the master of the ceremonies being C. Stevenson, Esq. Mr. George Stanley, mason, of Warwick, laid the first brick of the first house erected at new Leamington,- 8th October, 1808. This first house was built by Mr. Frost, of Warwick, and stands at the corner of Upper Cross-street, opposite the assembly rooms; in honour of ^m tiiere is now a .street bears his name, (Frost-street.) 159 The Theatre. Tliis neat building, upon a diminutive scale, was erect ed hi 1814, immediately in front of the Bath hotel, the exterior appears lo be coated with Parker's cement, and the interior is ornamented with views of Leamington. Wanvick, Guy's Clift, &c. and fitted up with some taste. The P^st Office. This necessary and convenient place for all descrip tions of people to resort to, is situated about two hundred yards east of the church, where there are gardens, kept in neat order, for the accommodation of those who wait with impatience for their letters ; or they may promenade from the office to Gordon house. Ranelagh Gardens^.. -ire reg-ularly improved every season, and with their va rious amusements, are desemng of attention. Tlie Church h an ancient pile of building, dedicated to All Saints, which, from the great influx of visitors, being found too small for their accommodation, an entire new wing was -coustructed in 1816, and it still requires lo be farther extended, or a new one erected. A moderate subscrip tion from the wealthy visitors w-«uld do much towards it. The officiating minister, the Rev. E. Trotman, is only en- .gaged to do single duty on a Sunday, but to accommo date the visitors, he performs a second entire service, and to remunerate him for his attention, subscription books ai'e opened. 160 During the season of 1818, another hotel was begun, upon which twenty thousand pounds being appropriated to the completion of it, is a sum sufficient to render it equal to any other house of entertainment in the kingdom. An elegant suite of rooms have recentiy been opened, entitled the Apollo, where assemblies were held every fortnight, during winter. Boarding houses are continually opening every week, and in every quarter of the town there are good houses in a state of forwardness, against the present season. A Hintfrotn the Editor. From the rapid manner in which the buildings encrease at Leamington, it is evident that there is a superabun dance of money, and as soft water is a scarce article within the town, could' not a portion of that superfluous jaoney be advantageously employed in conveying that useful and necessary article to the respective houses, by means of a steam engine, there being a powerful spring at no ^eat distance ? 161 To Meriden, twelve miles, on the road to Coventry. You proceed through Deritend and Bordesley, when you take the left hand road, and having crossed the War wick canal, the ruins of Bordesley house are in full view; they having continued in that state ever since the year 1791, when the house was demohshed by an infuriated mob. The land by which it is surrounded has been par celled out, and advertised to be let for building. On the left is a farm-house, denominated the Garrison, from whence there is an extensive view over the town of Bir mingham ; and on this eminence it is supposed that Ohver Cromwell planted his artillery to overawe the town ; but the majority of the inhabitants being favour able to his cause, there was no necessity to make use of it ; and what gives weight to this supposition is, that this spot being about one mile and a half from Aston hall, it is very probable that from thence the artillery played upon that mansion, as a ball penetrated into the interior of it. At the distance of three miles and a half, there is a road on the left, which leads to the village of Yardley. Having passed the four mile stone, you ascend a gently rising hill, and when at the summit a delightful and ex tensive view presents itself; there being a windmill in the front, and on the left the tower of Sheldon church is seen, and also the steeple of Coleshill church, Elmdon Hall, The seat of A. Spooner Lillingston, Esq. is an elegant mo dern pile of building, on the right of the road, at the dis tance of six miles. It is situate in an extensive lawn, P 2 l&Z interspersed with shrubberies, from whence there are \ii- riegated and extensive prospects, the churches of Bir mingham, Solihull, and Yardley being distinctly seen, backed by Barr-beacon, the Rowley hills, &c. and withoutside of the lawn the spire of Coleshill church is a pleasing object. The church, which is a neat stone building, was erected by Abraham Spooner, Esq. the entrance is under the tower, which admits of exhibiting to great advantage, an eleg-ant window comjMised entirely of stained glass. In the centre is a representation of the last supper, delicately executed in a circle, about nine inches in diameter, date 1532. There are also three ovals, representing Faith, Hope, and Charity, executed in a masterly manner, apparently about the same period. There is also a neat organ, of a size suitable to the place. At a short distance farther, there is on the right a church upon an eminence, with a delicate spire, at a place called Church Bickenhill ; and a short distance beyond is an extensive and variegated prospect, with Coleshill ¦ ishurcb on the left. Having crossed the river Cole at Slonebridge, at the distance of half a mile on the left is Packington hall, the seat ofthe Earl of Aylesford, which is a substantial modern stone building, situated in a park, wherein are some of the most noble oak trees that are to be found in the kingdom. There are also numerous sh^ls of water, and the church, which was erected by the late Earl, after a plan of Bonomi's, which is an immense arch, both interior and exterior, after the manner of tho ' Italians, and is nearly in the centre of the park. The organ 163 was made by order of Handel, and presented by him to the late Earl ; it being esteemed a very fine toned one. — The altar-piece represents angels paying adoration to the Saviour, and is painted in a masterly style by Rigaud. The archery ground made use of by the woodmen of Ardeu is bounded by a plantation on the left of the road, about one mile before you arrive at Meriden. The mem bers of this society hold several meetings each summer, when they shoot for various prizes. On the ground there is an elegant building erected,, where the members dine, or take refreshment, and at other times it serves as a o-eneral deposit for their bows and arrows. This is almost the only society of woodmen now in the kingdom. At Meriden there is a commodious inn, adjacent to which are delightftil gardens, and the accommodation for tra vellers are excellent. To Sutton, distant eight miles, on the road to Lichfield^ You leave Birmingham, through Aston-street and the adjacent buildings in the parish of Aston, which extend for a considerable distance along ; the road. Having passed the buildings, you soon after cross a small stream of water, that has performed its office of turning a corn mill, which you perceive on your left hand. This mill was within memory a forge, for the making of bar iron. — There is another mill upon the same stream, a short dis tance above, known by the name of Aston fiimace, which was a blast furnace for the purpose of making pig 'iron to supply the forge below, and must have been made use of as such for a prodigious number of years, the slag P3 164 i»r refuse from it forming an immense heap only a few years back, which has been conveyed away to nrake and repair the roads, and in some instances to erect buildings.* This mill has been considerably enlarged, and a steam engine erected contiguous to it, and is now used as a paper mill. From an adjacent hill there is a good view over the town of Birmingham. A lofty brick wall now presents itself to view, by which the park belonging to Aston hall is surrounded : it being by computation three miles in circumference ; within which there is a great abundance of valuable limr ber, iawd it is also well stocked with deer. When the wall recedes-from the. high road, keep by the side of it, which leads you to the parish church, and also to the mansion honse or hall,, which is a brick building, erected by Sir Thomas Holt, about the year 1636, at tbe sam« time that he enclosed the park. He also erected alms houses, for five- men and five women, which he endowed with -eighty-eight pounds per annum, out of the manor of Erdington. The hall has of late years been in the pos^ session of H^neage Legge, Esq. but is ^t present unoc^ cupied, and the whole estate-is upon sa}e.§, * See Hockley ahhej, on the road to.-Wolvejhamgton. § Since writing the above, the mansion of Aston, together with the park, has been purchased by Messrs. Gresnway and -Whitehead, of ¦Warwick, who have converted the house into two tenements, disposed «f the deer, turned the park into enclosures, and.&llea the, timber... 165 The church which is dedicated to St. Peter and Paul, is a stone building, with a lofty spire, and contains several monuments of the -Holt family; it is al^o ornamented with two windows of stained glass, by Ecrinton. In the church-yard there is a remarkable urave stone, which is fixed east and west.* I'lie present incumbent is the Rev. Benjamin Spencer, L. L. D. Sir Lister Holt, the late proprietor of this estate, not Laving any c.hildren, and being at variance with his only brother, (who. succeeded to the title), he entailed the -* It is a tliick stone, about two foot in height, on "whicb is the ¦ following inscription : — EAST SIDE. HERE LIETII TIIE EDDY OP nEBECKAH PEMBOETON -Wir OF ISAAC PEMBORTON BVRI 27 OF rirrrM 1660 HEBE LIETH THE BODY OF ISAAC PEM- BERXON UT, DEPARTED DECEM 4: 1697 AGED 76 ¦WEST SIDE. THO I AM HERE LAID tow IN GRAVE THINK ON THE COVNSEI. WICH ¦ 1 GAVE THO TRO ^VBLES 'MAY TO Y DECEND : A GRAC lOVS BEESSING IN THE END THE FIRST STONE SET VP IN THIS YARD TIIO OTHERS SINCE MORliFINLY CARVE-D WAS IN BEMEM- BERANCE OF SHE AN OBJECT OF MORTALITY ice estate upon four different families, none of whom had^ or are likely to have any children, although they have been in possession of it for the space of near forty years. Returning into the main road, you perceive on the left a double row of lofty elms, that extend about half a mile; and al the termination of the vista, Aston hall and the lofty spire of the church produce a grand effect. On the right there is a sheet of water that turns a mill for the use of the Birmingham manufacturers. You soon after cross Salford bridge, to the right of which is an aqueduct that conveys the Birmingham canal over the river Tame. The village of Erdington does not contain any object deserv ing of attention, but a little beyond on the right is Pipe hall, an ancient seat of the Bagot family, now occupied by the Rev. Egerton Bagot. In the vicinity there are several neat houses, which are chiefly inhabited by wealthy people, who have retired from Birmingham. A short distance from hence Mary Ashford was found drowned on the 27th May, 1817. About the fifth mile stone, the eye is gratified on the left with an extensive view over the country, which con tinually varies for a considerable distance, until a most beautiful and picturesque! landscape presents itself; a vfhite house belonging to a mill and an extensive sheet of water being in front, Barr-beacon in the back ground,, and the woods in Sutton park ou the right« i«: Sutton Coldfield. This remarkably neat and clean town is situated about midway between the town of Birmingham and the city of Lichfield; lying south from the latter place, its name is sup posed lo be derived fiom South Town, and by corruption, Sutton. There is a very considerable portion of land near this town, M here travellers say the air is equally sharp and cold as it is upon the highlands of Scotiand, and from (his circumstance the latter part of its name originates. Independant of tiiis tract of land, there is another conti guous to it, which is denominated the park, wherein a part of the Roman road, called Icknield Street, still remains perfect ; there is also a spring called Reunion well, whose water is remarkably cold and produces a very copious stream, to which numerous people who are af flicted with cutaneous disorders resort, and derive con siderable benefit from drinking and bathing therein. It cures the most virulent itch in the human species, and also the mange in dogs, if sufficient care is taken to wash them well iu the stream, but a slight washing will not produce the desired effect. The church is an ancient stone building, dedicated to the Holy Trinity, and the present rector is the Rev. John Riland, who is also patron of the living. Within the church there is an organ, and some monuments de serving of attention ; there are also three vaults, two of'vhich having been opened, the coflins and their contents v/ere mouldered into dust, although they had been deposited there v.ithin the memory of man. 1S8 This town was incorporated by the eighth Henry, at the solicitation of Vcsey, bislK>p of Exeter, who was his chancellor, and a native of this place. It is denominated a corporate body, by the name of the warden and society of the king's town of Sutton Coldfield, and consists of twenty-four members besides the warden, with a grant to them of the whole manor and lordship of the parish, together with a tract of waste ground, called the park, containing about 3500 acres, wherein is great abundance t)f valuable timber, on condition of paying into the exche quer a fee farm rent of fifty-eight pounds per annum. The said Bishop Vesey erected fifty-one stone houses in the parish and also a free grammar school, which he liberally endowed with land, and ordained by the statutes, that the master should be a layman, which is strictly ad hered to. He also procured for the inhabitants a market, and the extraordinary privilege that every person who prected a house in Sutton, should be entitied to sixty acres of land in the park. Here are two fairs annually, for horses, neat cattle, and sheep ; the one on Trinity Monday and the other on the 8th of November ; when, for every horse that is sold,- a toll must be paid of four-pence, and a reputable voucher produced by the person who sells it; the marks and age of the animal being registered. By the same charter, the inhabitants of Sutton are exempt from toll in all fairs and markets. The deputy steward or town clerk holds ft court of record every three weeks, for the trial of civil actions, and holds to bail for forty shillings and upwards. 1G9 Sessions, court leet, and other customary courts are held, and the charter expressly says, that they shall have and exercise as much privilege and power as the city of Coventry ; but this they do not practise, for they commit felons lo the county gaol. Every inhabitant is a landed man, which is drawn by ballot every four years ; and nai county officer can enter this franchise, to arrest, &c. without especial license. The town of Sutton is seated on such an eminence, that although there are fourteen large pools of water within the parish, and some of them very extensive, there is not the smallest stream runs into it ; the town being supplied with water by springs within it. The air is very salubrious, the water in general soft, the situation delight fully pleasant, the neighbourhood genteel, and accom modations in general very excellent. In the vicinity is Four-oaks hall, the seat of Sir E. C. Ilartopp ; Moor hall, the residence of — Hacket, Esq. and Aslifurlong- house, which is at present unoccupied. To Halesowen, seven miles, on the road to Hagley, Stourbridge, and Kidderminster. You proceed up Broad-street and Islington, through the five ways toll-gate ; when the road inclining to the tight, there is a double range of respectable houses, deno minated Hagley-row, which have been erected by the opulent inhabitants of Birmingham ; where they not only snjoy fresh air, but the parochial taxes of Edgbaston do not bear any proportion with those of Birmingham. On ie right hand is an observatory, a lofty brick building. 170 seven stories high, which bears the name of the Monu ment: it was erected by John Perrot, Esq. about the year 17-58, from whence there is an extensive view over tlie adjacent country in eveiy direction. The house ad joining is the residence of John Guest, Esq. Having passed the one mile stone, the admirer of nature will proceed with solemn pace and slow, every step he lakes varyii.g the scene ; one object being lost to view, which is succeeded by another equally beautiful. Ou the left theae is an extensive and picturesque prospect, which continues without interruption for a considerable distance ; and when the scene closes on that side, turn your eyes to the right, where there is a landscape equally fine ; which, over the inclosuics, takes in Smethwick, wilh Shireland hall in the front. A very short distance farther on the left there is an extensive and variegated landscape, with a house called the Ravenhurst iu full view ; the prospect being bounded by Bromsgrove Lic key and Erankley Beeches. At the three mile stone is the Lightwoods, a neat brick house, the property and residence of Miss Grundy, from whence there are some enchanting prospects. In these woods there are small shrubs grow in great abundance, which produce black fruit, known by the name of bilberries, of which during some years the poor people make a plentiful harvest. — Ascenduig the hill there is a delightful view over the en closures, commanding the villages of Harborne aud King's JN'orton; the two parish churches being conspi cuous objects. From the Beech-lane there is a fine view, having the Ijilla of Clent aiud Cofton in the dis tance. 171 At a place called the Quinton, near the five mile stone, there is a grand prospect, and from this eminence there arise two springs, one of which flows into the Severn and the other into the Trent. On the left is Belle Vue, the residence of James Male, Esq. from whence, as its name imports, there is a grand panoramic view of the country, that fills the mind with the most sublime ideas, such as cannot be described either by pen or pencil. In des cending the hill opposite some cottages, there is a road leading to The Leasowes, Wherein the inimitable Shenstone took so much delight, and decorated in such a manner, that in his days they were spoken of and resorted to by all people of refined taste, who came within a day's ride ; and not an indivi dual ever left them without expressions of astonishment at what they had seen and heard from the worthy pro prietor, who warbled forth his verses in such a melodious manner, aud on such subjects, that delighted eveiy ear, as his diversified shady walks did every eye. His remains were interred in the church-yard of Hales owen, lo \^ hose memory, some years afterwards, a small stone pillar, wilh an urn on the top of it, was fixed near the vestry door, within the church, but has since been removed within the chancel, to make room for a magni ficent marble meitament, to the memory of Major Hal- liday, executed by Banks, for which he received about one thousand pounds ; there being on each side of it a figure, large as life; one representing Patience and the o-liier Fortitude. Q 172 On the pillar to the memory of Shenstone is the follOTV- ing inscription : — Whoe'er thou art, -with rev'rence tread These sacred mansions ofthe dead. Not that the monumental bust, Or sumptuous tomb, here guards the dust Of rich, or great, (let wealth, rank, birth. Sleep undistinguished in the earth.) This simple urn records a name. That shines with more exalted fame. Reader ! if genius, taste refin'd, A ria^ive elegance of mind ; If virtue, science, manly sense; If wit that ne-ver gave off'ence ; The clearest head, the tend'rest heart, In thy esteem e'er claim'd a part ; Ah ! smite thy breast, and drop a tear ; For know, thy Shenstone's dust lies here. R. G. and J. HODGETS. A. O. P. The Leasowes are now in the possession of Matthias Attwood, Esq. and these delightful walks, although their beauties have been curtailed to a considerable degree, by conveying the Netherton canal across the valley, close by them, are still highly deserving the attention of all persons who take delight in rural scenery ; and for the accommodation of those who are inclined to meditate and contemplate, numerous seats are affixed, in different di- 17S reeiions. Such scenes as these walks afford are very seldom lo be met with in any part of England ; therefore those who are in pursuit of amusement, will not regret it they devote one day lo view them ; and as they consist of hill and dale, it will of course cause some fatigue, which may with ease be alleviated, there being close at hand a neat and comfortable house of entertainment, kept by Betty Taylor. The source of the river Stour is iu these grounds. When near the bottom of the hill, the road divides; tliat on the right leads to Stourbridge, and the other to Halesowen, in Shropshire. Tliis place has been considered as a borough, by pre scription, from time immemorialj and is supposed to have been represented in parliament at a very early period ; but what ancient writings they were in possession of, being (as I am informed), conveyed to London and never returned, they have now none lo exhibit. A court leet is held annually, when two officers are appointed, under the appellation of high and low bailiff; but I cannot un derstand that they enjoy any emolument, or are in pos session of any jurisdiction. In the reign of King John, he founded a monastery here, and the church is supposed to have been erected about the same period ; it being an ancient building, dedicated to St. John ; with a lofty spire. The present incunibent is the Rev. — Robinson. N ear a mile distant there are still some remains of the monastery, and to the professed antiquary there is pro bably sometiiing deserving of his attention. In digging Q2 174 two holes to fix a gate, a short time since, there was- found a considerable quantity of stained glass, in small fragments, some few of which are preserved, as are also some square tiles or quarries, about five inches broad and one thick, with curious devices upon them. It is now denominated the manor farm, and is the properly of Lord Lyttleton, Dr. Nash, in his appendix to the history of Worcestershire, gives the following extract from the papers of Bishop tyttleton. Halesowen Abbey. This ancient structure was situated about half a mile south of the town, on what is now called the manor farm, near the road leading to Northfield. King John, inthe 16th year of his reign, granted a charter to Peter de Ru- pibus, bishop of Winton, by which he gave the manor and advowson of the church of Hales, with its chapels, to jbund a religious house in this place. In consequence of this grant, a convent of Prsemonstratensians was esta blished A. D. 1218, dedicated to the Virgin Mary and St. John the evangelist, and furnished with monks from the abbey of Welbeck, in Nottinghamshire. This reli gious order were canons, who lived according to the rule of St.Austin, and afterwards reformed by St. Norbet, at Praemonstre, in Picardy. They were called vi bite canons, from their habit ; which consisted of a white cossack, with a rolchet over it, a long white cloak, and a white cap. They continued under the jurisdiction of the abbot of Prsemonstre, who received contributions from them, till the year 1512, when they were exempted by Pope Juhus 2d. Tbe churches and a large proportion of the 175 tythes of Walsall, "^Vednesbu'ry, Rushall, Clent, and Rowley, were granted to this convent, by successive monarchs, which was also richly endowed by opulent individuals. The abbot and convent held ten large farms ia their own hands. In the reign of Henry 0th, the clear income amounted to £.380. 13s. 2d. a large sum, considering the value of money in those days. In 1489, when the whole number of religious amounted only to seventeen, there were every week consumed in bread 20 bushels of wheat and rye. And in the course ofthe year, 1110 quarters of barley, 60 oxen, 40 sheep, 30 swine, and 24 calves ; a proof that great hospitality and charity pievailed here at that time. The monastery consisted of an abbot, prior, sub-prior, sacrist, chanter, cellarer, and custos infirmorum : the monks never ex ceeded twenty in number. At the visitations of their superiors, punishments if requisite were inflicted for immoralities. The house and church appear to have been stately edifices ; the chancel, if not the whole of the choir, being paved with flat tiles, painted in a curious manner, some of them being now occasionally found ; and the few ruins still extant cover an extensive plot of ground, exhibiting fine specimens of Saxon and Gothic arcliitecture. Several persons of note have been buried inthe church, particularly John, Lord Botetourt, baron of Weoleigh castie, near the high altar; under a tomb of alabaster ; Sir Hugh Burnell, also baron of Weoleigh ; Sir William Lj ttleton, of Fraukley, and others, about the year 1507. Q 3 17S This monastery was dissolved A.D. 1558, by Henry Sth.: The common sigillum, or chapter seal, was iu the reign of Henry 4th, a representation ofthe blessed Virgin, in a sitting posture, with the infant Christ on her left knee, and in her right hand a sceptre. The arms of this abbey were, azure a chevron argent, between three fleur de lis, ' The situation of Halesowen is in a deep valley, and the surrounding country presents the most majestic ap pearance ; being diversified with hills and dales in such amanne;, I'lat at every step you take new beauties arise, and the scene varies so much, that the eye is unceasingly delighted, without dwelling upon any particular object.- This district cannot, properly speakuig, be described, either with pen or pencil : the innumerable varieties of' similar objects that present themselves to view, must be seen before any person can form the least idea of them. To Bromsgrove, in Wm-cestershire, distant thirteen miles, on the road to Worcester, Glocester, and Bristol. You proceed up Smallbrook-street, when a spaciour- road opens to the left, and being clear of the buildings, the spire of King's Norton church, which is six miles distant, forms a pleasing object.. On the left you have a picturesque view of the coun try, v.hich continues without any intermission nearly the space of three miles. There is in this valley, what isi very unusual to be seen in such a situation, a windmill ; and as you proceed, there are in the same valley several Water mills,- that are made use of by the Birmingham!- 1-77 manufacturers. This view is skirted' by buildings erected on the road to Alcester, and when near the two mile .Stone, you perceive among the trees, Moseley hall, which is a modern stone building ; the residence jof ]\[rs. Tay lor. Exactiy opposite, on the right hand, is the parish church of Edgbaston, and also the hail, which is sur rounded by a park, wherein are some lofty trees, and an extensive sheet of water. This mansion house, or hall, is now occupied by Edward Johnson, M. D. a person of considerable eminence in his profession^ A short distance beyond the three mile stone the road crosses the Worcester canal ; from which bridge, if you look towards Birmingham, there is a rich and variegated landscape, consisting of hill, dale, wood, and water. At the four mile stone there is a most extensive view on each side of the road, and also in front; the spire of King's Norton church, Frankley Beeches, and the Clent hills,. being prominent features.. Having passed the five mile stone^ there is on the right a beautiful view over the . enclosures, backed by the beeches, at Frankley. Before you airive at the six mile stone is Northfield, from whence there is on the left a. beautiful landscape ; the elegant spire of King's Norton church bei.ig distinctly seen. From hence lo Broms grove is seven miles, in great part over the Lickey, where the eye is gratified with numerous extensive views, from. one of the highest spots of land in the kingdom. This is ascertained by two springs that issue from it, one of which flows into the Severn and the other iato the Trent, 17» To Coleshill, distant ten miles, on the road to Atherstone. You leave Birmingham through Coleshill-street, and having passed by Ashted-row, you perceive the lofty trees in Vauxhall gardens, which must be left on the right hand, and a few hundred yards afterwards, keeping the right hand road, you pass by, on the right, Duddeston, an elegant pile of building, the residence of Samuel Gal- ton, Esq. but it is scarcely discernable, on account of the shrubberies by which it is surrounded. You now pass through the village of Saltley, and at the extremity, on the left, is Bennett's hill, where Mr. Wilham Htitton, the venerable historian of Birmingham resided, and ended his days. This residence, so denominated by the pro prietor, was originally a very small house, with the en trance in the centre, and a small room on each side, ta which has been added two wings, or rather rooms, being only one story in height : there is a wall by the road side, five feet high, the top of which is on a level with the top of the parlour windows ; the entrance to it having been altered from the front to the side. The eccentricity of the owner appears, by terming that a hill, which on in spection will be found in a low situation, on the side of a" hill. This is noticed, because his peculiar manner of writing, his quaint expressions, and the tales he relates of himself, have caused a considerable sale for his produc tions, and numerous people-, when they are taking an ex cursion, will travel some distance to view the residence of their favourite author. A short' distance beyond, on the summit of the hiH» commands an extensive view of Birmingham, the vene- 179 rable trees in Aston park, tiie spire of that ciiurch, and Barr-beacon. As you pass along the road, this delight ful prospect varies every step you take for a considerable distance. These lands, formerly known by the name of Washwood heath, being inclosed in the year 1803, now let from forty to fifty shillings per acre. At the four mile stone, there is on the right a cheerful prospect over the country, with the lofty spire of Yard- ley church in full view. About half a mile farther, on entering a small common, the eye is dehghted with an extensive and variegated view; the spire of Coleshill church behig very discernable. Castle Bromwich, distant five miles and a half. Here is an ancient venerable mansion, where that era- ; iiient statesman. Sir Orlando Bridgeman, used to reside. His successor having been honoured with the title of Earl of Bradford, the eldest son of the present Earl, Lord Newport, has fixed his residence here. In the viUage is a neat place of worship, erected by Sir Orlando Bridgeman, who endoy.cd il with the tythes of the parish, it being a chapel of ease lo the parish of Aston. About half a centuiy back, when there was consider able traffic betvpeen London and Chester, the road passed through this village, and suppoarted two respectable inns, but the mode of conveyance being changed, one of the inns is converted into a farm-house, and the other has very littie custom ; for the road from Birmingham to Co ventry also passed through here ; but it is totally deprived 180 of that also, and is now little more than the road lo Coles hill. On the road you pass by Coleshill park, an ancient seat of Lord Digby ; within whicli there are numerous hawthorn trees of unusual magnitude : one of them pro duces five stems, each equal in size to a moderate man's body. Time, that devours every thing, has here made great havoc among them, and also destroyed some oaks of large dimensions. Coleshill. Yew trees being of slow growth, and the wood of close texture, are little subject to decay ; yet there is in this charch-yard, the remains of a yew tree, still alive, three parts at least of which is mouldered away, and only a small part of the trunk remains. The architecture of the church is the decorated gothic or English style : it is erected on a considerable eminence, from whence there is an extensive and variegatfed view over the adjacent country. The interior of the church, which is dedicated to St. Peter, is spacious, and contains some monuments that are well executed ; among others, there are two recumbent effigies of cross-legged knights, supposed to be of the ancient Clinton family, and those to commemorate the Digby's are numerous. It has a beautiful lower, from whence there arises an elegant spire, which being injured by lightning, it was of course taken down, and the present erection is not so lofty by fifteen feet as the forjuer. 181 Coleshill has a weekly market on Wednesday, an King's Norton, there is on the right a most noble, plctm--- esque, and variegated view over an; extensive country, diversified- with, wood, hill, and dale.; the Worcesteri- canal being in the valley. When you arrive at the finger post, the eye is dehghted with a grand view over the country ; the village and church being in front.. i King's Nortorti The land for a considerable distance round this villafe being the property of the crown, as King's-heath; King's— wood, &c. denote, King Edward 6th founded a- free grammar school on the north east side of the church-yard, and: endowed it with the sum of fifteen pounds per an- mim, (the inhabitants at that time preferring, money tO; land),.for a master and usher ; which still remain? the same to. the present day. In the time of King Williari^,, 3d, when the land-tax was first established, the inhabi tants, to express their loyally, gave an account of their . estates,.at the full value, and on that account they have, ever.sipce been rated in the same manner; this dJstrictj paying four shillings in the pound, at the sametimje that, Birmingham did not pay four-pence. This being the cage,_; R3 18» the stipend allowed for the master and usher was of course reduced in that proportion. The Worcester canal pass ing through this parish, and the latid being considerably elevated, it enters a tunnel sixteen feet wide and eighteen feet high, which ccmtinues for the distance of two miles, and is so accurately formed, that it is said any person laay look in at one end and perceive the light at the other «nd;, and ia this parish the Worcester and Stratford «aQalsform a junction. The church is a richly ornamented gothic building, ¦>*ith a lofty spire, although only a chapel of ease ta Bromsgrove. The officiating clergyman is. the Rev, -^ Edwardsf. To Barr-beacon and Aldridge, on the road (o Stafford. Proceeding down Walmer-lane, otherwise Lancaster- sfreet, you pass by a small portion of Aston park wall, keeping it on your right hand, and some time after cross- the river Tame over Perry-bridge^ when there is a road to the left which conducts you to Perry hall, an old moated mansion, within a small park ; the property and ^e^dence of John Gough; Esq. who is an eccentric cha racter. In the winter he courses with bis tenants, who are all of them subservient to him ; and during summer, having some deer, he disposes of the venison. If any 'of the neighbouring gentry send him an order for a haunch or a neck, he waits until further orders arrive ; and when the principal part is engaged, he then kills a buck, and icxecutes his- orders ; the inferior parts serving for self and family, although hi» ajmual iucome must be at least 1&9 ten thousand pounds. He is said to be in possession of some valuable paintings,, but there are very fe.w people indeed who can obtain a sight of them.. At the distance of five miles, when the roads intersect each Other, proceeding on the right hand, at the distance^ of three quarters ef a mile is the catiielic college, at Os- cott. About one mile farther is a place called tiie Quieslet, where the left hand road conducts, you to an elegant lodge, the entrance into Barr-park, which is des cribed on the road to WalsaJl,, that being a turnpike coad. You soon after arrive at a clump of trees, on thesummit of a hill, which is Barr-beacon, from whence there is perhaps a prospect equally extensive and beautiful as any in the kingdom. From hence there is a view over great part of the following counties, viz. Warwick,. Leicester,, Derby, Stafford, Chester, Salop, Worcester, Notting ham, Northampton, Oxford, Glocester, Hereford, Mon mouth, Brecknock, Radnor, and Montgomery ; whilst the scene to the south west commands a view of Bir mingham, and its most populous vicinity of .jnines, ma nufactories, &c. This beacon, being the property of Sir Joseph -Scott, when h& is at home, a very large flag is hoisted, and upon any public occasion several pieces of cannon are fired, which produce a grand effiBct. The adjacent ground, for a very considerable extent, lay waste, until an act of parliament was obtained in 17,98 for its inolosure. This land now lets from. five shiUings , to twenty shillings per acre,. 190 Aldridge, in Staffordshire, nine miles. The principal road from Birmingham to Stafford lay tiirough this village, until of late years the turnpike road' through Walsall and Cannock having been considerably improved, this road to- the county town is yearly if not quite abandoned ; yet it leads to Hednesford (usually pronounced Hedgeford), where numerous horses-, are annually trainedfor the turf, upon Cannock heatii- To Edgbaston,. in Warwickshire, distant one mile. Having passed up Broad-street and Islington, when- you are through the turnpike, the left hand side of Lady- wood-lane, the whole of Hagley-row, the road to Har— bornoj Calthorpe's road, and the right hand side of Is— hngton-row, are all of them in this parish. Indeed the- lands hereabouts are almost exclusively the property of Lord Calthorpe, whose- ancestors purchased this estate, early in the last century for £25,000, and he will not; permit any manufactories to be established upon his land;; which tends in a great degree to make the neighbourhood; respectable and genteel.. The first'houses in Callhorpe's-road were erected in the year 18 1 -5;- the establishment for the deaf aud. dumb; being erected about two 'years before. This asylum is- under the superintendance of Mr. Braidwood, and is des cribed among the public institutions in Birmingham. — (See page Si).): There were, in former times, within this parish,, three parks, Edgbaston-park, Mitchley-park, and Rotten-park, 191 but the two latter have many years since been throws into inclosures. The park of Edgbaston remains entire, and the mansion within it is now the residence of Edward Johnson, M.D. who is very eminent in his profession, — The church ia an ancient gothic lower, the body having of late years been very much modernized, and fitted up withi-nside in a very neat and commodious manner. The officiating clergyman is the Rev. Charles Pixell. There have been within the last three years a great number of genteel houses erected by the opulent inhabitants of Bir mingham, who not only enjoy fresh air, but the parochial taxes of this parish do not bear any proportion with those of Bu-mingham. At this toll-gate, which bea,rs the name of Five-ways, there are now, by the opening of Calthorpe's road, six separate and distinct roads. About half a mile from the toll-gate, there is on the right of the Hagley road, an observatory, a very conspicuous pile of building, seven stories high, which is usually called the Monument ; it was erected by John Perrot, Esq. about the year 1758, ' from whence there are extensive views over the adjacent country, in every direction. The adjoining hfause is the residence of John Guest, Esq. There was in this church-yard a grave-stone, cut by the hands of that celebrated typographer, Baskerville, (who was originally a stone-cutter, and afterwards kept a school in Birmingham), which is now removed and placed withinside the church. The stone being of • a flaky na ture, the inscription is not quite perfect, but whoever takes delight in looking at well-formed letters, may here be highly gratified : it was erected to the memory of Edw. 192 Richards, an idiot, who died 21st September, 1728, with the following inscription : — If innocents are the favourites of Heaven, And God but little asks where Htlle's given. My great Creator has for me in store Eternal joys; what wise man can have more? There is another head-stone, cut by him, with his name upon it, in the church of Handsworth, and are the only two known to be in existence. Yardley, in Worcestershire, distant three miles. • The road to this village lies up Deritend and Bordes ley, then crossing the Warwick canal, you leave tbe ruins of Bordesley-house, arid when through the turnpike, there being three roads you proceed along the Centre, in which there are good accommodations for the pedestrian, but the carriage road dOes not appear to have experienced any improvement since it was first formed ; for before you reach the village, the road is for a considerable dis tance from twenty to forty-feet below the surface of the ground, on each side of it. The church, which is dedicated to St. Giles, is an ancient pile of building. The tower and elegant spire above it appear afethis time as firm and substantial as at their first erection; although they are so ancient that there are not any records to say when they were built: the body of the church is not so perfect. In the chancel there are several monuments to commemorate tlie Greswolds, au 19^ ancient family, formerly resident in this parish. The patronage rests witii Edmund Mesey Wigley, Esq. The present vicar is the Rev. Joseph Fell. Adjoining the church-yard is an half-limbered building of large dimen sions, which is a free school, liberally endowed, the sa lary ofthe master being £100 per annum. The land in this parish being very suitable for making of tiles, innumerable quantities are there manufactured, for the supply of Birmingham. To Rowley Regis, in Staffordshire, distant seven miles. You proceed towards Kidderminster, until you arrive at the toll-gale, two miles and a half distant, when the right hand road leads to this village ; where, in all pro bability, tbtere are more Jew's harps manufactured than tiiere are in all Europe besidce The admirer of nature, (for no art has ever been prac tised here,) may be gratified with various extensive and luxuriant views. There is not any thing either in the church or in the village deserving of notice ; but there is, not far distant, a rude, rugged, and misshapen mass of stone, which is situated on the summit of a hill, and projects itself several yards higher than the ground ad joining : it is by the inhabitants denominated Rowiey hail-stone ; and when at a considerable distance from it, on the foot road from Dudley, it has the appearance of Aome cqnsiderable ruins. 194 From this spot the views are more extensive than Cah easily be imagined, over a beautiful and romantic coun try, Birmingham being very visible. "W. Xaibot, Printer, lebielet-ravt filnoiDghaJD; 00750 3411 f ' '•'.W' '".fc.'W'V^"