Mid-England.—Meriden, near Coventry, is believed to be about the centre spot of England.
Midland Institute.—Suggestions of some such an institution, to take the place of the defunct Mechanics', had several time appeared in print, but nothing definite was done in the matter until the subject was discussed (June 4, 1852) over the dinner table of Mr. Arthur Ryland. Practical shape being given to the ideas then advanced, a town's meeting on Dec. 3, 1853, sanctioned the grant by the Council of the land necessary for the erection of a proper building, and an Act of Incorporation was obtained in the following Parliamentiry session. In December 1854, Charles Dickens gave three readings in the Town Hall, in behalf of the building fund, whereby £227 13s. 9d. was realised, the donations then amounting to £8,467. The foundation stone was laid by Prince Albert, on Nov. 22, 1855, and the contract for the first part of the building given to Messrs. Branston and Gwyther for £12,000. The lecture theatre was opened Oct. 13, 1857, when addresses were delivered by Lord Brougham, Lord Russell, and Lord Stanley, the latter delivering the prizes to the students who had attended the classes, which were first started in October, 1854, at the Philosophical Institute. In 1859, the portrait of David Cox was presented to the Institute, forming the first contribution to the Fine Art Gallery, which was built on portion of the land originally given to the Institute, the whole of the buildings being designed by Mr. E.M. Barry. The amount subscribed to the building fund was about £18,000, and the coat, including furniture and apparatus more than £16,000. Great extension has been made since then, on the Paradise Street side, and many thousands spent on the enlargement, branch classes bring also held at several of the Board Schools to relieve the pressure on the Institute. In 1864, the members of the Institute numbered 660, and the students 880, with an income of £998; in January, 1874, there were 1,591 members, 733 family ticket holders. 2,172 students, and an income of £2,580. At the end of 1833, the number of annual subscribers was 1,900, and lecture ticket-holders 838. In the Industrial Department there were 4,334 students; the Archæological Section numbered 226 members, and the musical Section 183. 108 students attended the Laws of Health classes, 220 the Ladies classes, and 36 the classes for preparation for matriculation. The benefits derived from the establishment of the Midland Institute, and the amount of useful, practical, and scientific knowledge disseminated by means of its classes among the intelligent working men of the town and the rising generation, is incalculable. These classes, many of which are open at the low fee of 1d., and some others specially for females, now include the whole of the following subjects:—English language and literature, English history, French, German, Latin, Greek, and Spanish, algebra, geometry, mensuration, trignometry, and arithmetic, music, drawing, writing, English grammar, and composition, botany, chemistry, experimental physics, practical mechanics, and metallurgy, elementary singing, physical geography, animal physiology, geology, practical plane and solid geometry, &c. The general position of the Institute with regard to finance was as follows:—Gross receipts in General Department, £3,281 5s. 6d.; expenditure in this department (including £998 1s. 6d. deficiency at the close of the year 1882), £3,088 17s. 2d.; balance in favour of the General Department, £192 8s. 4d. Gross receipts in Industrial Department, £1,747 13s.; expenditure in this department, £3,173 7s. 10d.; deficiency, £l,425 14s. 10d., met by a transfer from the funds of the General Department. The total result of the year's operations in both departments left a deficiency of £1,233 6s. 6d. The amount due to bankers on the General Fund was £863 13s. 6d; and the amount standing to the credit of the Institute on the Repairs Account is £440 12s. 2d. It is much to be regretted that there is a total debt on the Institute, amounting to £19,000, the paying of interest on which sadly retards its usefulness. Many munificent donations have been made to the funds of the Institute from time to time, one being the sum of £3,000, given by an anonymous donor in 186[**], "in memory of Arthur Ryland." In August, same year, it was announced that the late Mr. Alfred Wilkes had bequeathed the bulk of his estate, estimated at about £100,000, in trust for his two sisters during their lives, with reversion in equal shares to the General Hospital and the Midland Institute, being a deferred benefaction of £50,000 to each.
Midland Metropolis.—Birmingham was so entitled because it was the largest town, and has more inhabitants than any town in the centre of England. To use a Yankeeism, it is "the hub" of the Kingdom; here is the throbbing heart of all that is Liberal in the political life of Europe; this is the workshop of the world, the birth-spot of the steam-engine, and the home of mock jewellery. In all matters political, social, and national, it takes the lead, and if London is the Metropolis of all that is effete and aristocratic, Birmingham has the moving-power of all that is progressive, recuperative and advancing. When Macaulay's New Zealander sits sadly viewing the silent ruins of the once gigantic city on the Thames, he will have the consolation of knowing that the pulse-beats of his progenitors will still be found in the Mid-England Metropolis, once known as the town of Burningsham or Birmingham.
Mild Winters.—The winter of 1658-9 was very mild, there being neither snow or frost. In 1748 honeysuckles, in full bloom, were gathered near Worcester, in February. In the first four months of 1779 there was not a day's rain or snow, and on the 25th of March the cherry, plum, and pear trees were in full bloom. An extraordinary mild winter was that of 1782-3. A rose was plucked in an open garden, in New Street, on 30th December, 1820. In December, 1857, a wren's nest, with two eggs in it was found near Selly Oak, and ripe raspberries were gathered in the Christmas week at Astwood Bank. The winter of 1883-4 is worthy of note, for rose trees were budding in December, lambs frisking about in January, and blackbirds sitting in February.
Milk.—The reports of the Borough Analyst for several successive years, 1879 to 1882, showed that nearly one-half the samples of milk examined were adulterated, the average adulteration of each being as much as 20 per cent.; and a calculation has been made that the Brums pay £20,000 a year for the water added to their milk! Next to the bread we eat, there is no article that should be kept freer from adulteration than milk, and the formation of a Dairy Company, in April, 1882, was hailed as a boon by many. The Company started with a nominal capital of £50,000 in £5 shares, and it rigidly prosecutes any farmer who puts the milk of the "wooden cow" into their cans.
Minories.—Once known as Upper and Lower Minories, the latter name being given to what, at other times, has been called "Pemberton's Yard" or the "Coach Yard." The names give their own meaning, the roads leading to the Priory.
Mints.—See "Trades."
Missionary Work.—About a million and a quarter sterling is yearly contributed in England to Foreign, Colonial, and Home Missionary Societies, and Birmingham sends its share very fairly. The local Auxiliary, to the Church Missionary Society, in 1882, gathered £2,133 8s. 6d.; in 1883 (to June both years) it reached £2,774 17s. 8d., of which £2,336 6s 11d. was from collections in the local churches. The Auxiliary to the London Missionary Society gathered £1,050, of which £991 was collected in churches and chapels. The Baptist Missionary Society was founded in October, 1792, and branch was started here a few months afterwards, the first fruits totting up to the very respectable amount of £70. A branch of the Wesleyan Missionary Society was formed here in 1814 for the Birmingham and Shrewsbury district, and the amounts gathered in 1882 totalled £4,829 10s. 3d. To the Society for promoting Christianity among the Jews, the Birmingham Auxiliaries in 1883 sent £323. There are also Auxiliaries of the Church of England Zenana, of the South American, and of one or two other Missionary Societies. The Rev. J.B. Barradale, who died in China, early in 1879, while relieving sufferers from famine, was educated at Spring Hill College. He was sent out by the London Missionary Society, and his death was preceded by that of his wife and only child, who died a few weeks before him, all from fever caught while helping poor Chinamen.
Moated Houses.—The Parsonage, as well as the Manor House (as noted elsewhere), were each surrounded by its moat, and, possibly, no portion of the United Kingdom could show more family mansions, and country residences, protected in this manner, than the immediate district surrounding Birmingham. Many more or-less-preserved specimens of these old-fashioned houses, with their water guards round them, are to be met with by the rambler, as at Astwood Bank. Erdington, Inkberrow, Yardley, Wyrley, &c. Perhaps, the two best are Maxtoke Castle, near Coleshill, and the New Hall, Sutton Coldfield.
Modern Monasteries.—The foundation-stone of St. Thomas's Priory, at Erdington, for the accommodation of the Monks of the Order of St. Benedict, was laid on Aug. 5, 1879, by the Prior, the Rev. Hildebrand de Hemptinne. Alter the date, and the reader might fancy himself living in Mediæval times.
Monument.—The high tower erected near the Reservoir has long borne the name of "The Monument," though it has been said it was built more as a strange kind of pleasure-house, where the owner, a Mr. Perrott, could pass his leisure hours witnessing coursing in the day-time, or making astronomical observations at night. Hence it was often called "Perrott's Folly." It dates from 1758—See also "Statues," &c.
Moody and Sankey.—These American Evangelists, or Revivalists, visited here in Jan. 1875, their first meeting being held in the Town Hall, on the 17th, the remainder of their services (to February 7) being given in Bingley Hall. They came also in February, 1883. when the last-named place again accommodated them.
Moor Street.—Rivaling Edgbaston Street in its antiquity, its name has long given rise to debate as to origin, but the most likely solution of the puzzle is this: On the sloping land near here, in the 14th century, and perhaps earlier, there was a mill, probably the Town Mill, and by the contraction of the Latin, Molendinaria, the miller would be called John le Molendin, or John le Moul. The phonetic style of writing by sound was in great measured practised by the scriveners, and thus we find, as time went on, the street of the mill became Moul, Moule, Mowle, Molle, Moll, More, and Moor Street. A stream crossed the street near the Woolpack, over which was a wooden bridge, and farther on was another bridge of more substantial character, called "Carter's Bridge." In flood times, Cars Lane also brought from the higher lands copious streams of water, and the keeping of Moor Street tidy often gave cause to mention these spots in old records, thus:—
| £ | s. | d. | ||
| 1637-- | Paid Walter Taylor for ridding the gutters in Moor Street | 0 | 0 | 11 |
| 1665-- | Zachary Gisborne 42 loads of mudd out of Moore Street | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| 1676-- | J. Bridgens keepinge open passage and tourneing water from Cars Lane that it did not runne into More Street for a yeare | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 1688-- | Paid mending Carter's Bridge timber and worke | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| 1690-- | John, for mending Moore Street Bridg | 0 | 0 | 10 |
Moor Street, from the earliest date, was the chosen place of residence for many of the old families, the Carless, Smalbroke, Ward, Sheldon, Flavell, Stidman, and other names, continually cropping up in deeds; some of the rents paid to the Lord of the Manor, contrasting curiously with the rentals of to-day. For three properties adjoining in More Street, and which were so paid until a comparatively modern date, the rents were:—
"One pound of pepper by Goldsmythe and Lench, Two pounds of pepper by the master of the Gild, One pound of cumin seed, one bow, and six barbed bolts, or arrow heads by John Sheldon."
Moseley.—One of the popular, and soon will be populous suburbs, connected as it is so closely to us by Balsall Heath. It is one of the old Domesday-mentioned spots, but has little history other than connected with the one or two families who chose it for their residence ages ago. It is supposed the old church was erected prior to the year 1500, a tower being added to it in Henry VIII.'s reign, but the parish register dates only from the middle of last century, possibly older entries being made at King's Norton (from which Moseley was ecclesiastically divided in 1852). Moseley does not appear to have been named from, or to have given name to, any particular family, the earliest we have any note about being Greves, or Grevis, whose tombs are in King's Norton Church, one of the epitaphs being this:—
Hutton says that the old custom of "heriot" was practised here; which is not improbable, as instances have occurred in neighbourhood of Bromsgrove and other parts of the county within the past few years. This relic of feudalism, or barbarism, consists of the demanding for the lord of the manor the best movable article, live or dead, that any tenant happens to be possessed of at the time of his death.
Moseley Hall.—Hutton relates that on July 21, 1786, one Henshaw Grevis came before him in the court of Requests, as a poor debtor, who, thirty years before, he had seen "completely mounted and dressed in green velvet, with a hunter's cap and girdle, at the head of the pack." This poor fellow was the last member of a family who had held the Moseley Hall estate from the time of the Conquest. In the riots of 1791 the Hall was burnt down, being rebuilt ten years after.
Mothering Sunday, or Mid-Lent Sunday, has its peculiarities according to districts. In Birmingham the good people who like to keep up old customs sit down to veal and custard. At Draycot-le-Moors they eat pies made of figs. The practice of visiting the parents' home on this day was one of those old-time customs so popular in the days of our grandfathers and great-grandfathers (but which, with many others have fallen into disuse), and this is supposed to have given rise to the "Mothering Sunday" name. Prior to the Reformation, the Catholics kept the day as a holy day, in honour of the Mother of Jesus, it being a Protestant invention to turn the fast-day into one of feasting.
Mount Misery.—At the close of the great war, which culminated at Waterloo, it was long before the blessings of peace brought comfort to the homes of the poor. The first effects of the sheathing of the sword was a collapse in prices of all kinds, and a general stagnation of trade, of which Birmingham, made prosperous through the demand for its guns, &c., felt the full force. Bad trade was followed by bad harvests, and the commercial history of the next dozen years is but one huge chronicle of disaster, shops and mills closing fast, and poverty following faster. How to employ the hundreds of able-bodied men dependent on the rates was a continual puzzle to the Overseers, until someone, wise in his generation, hit upon the plan of paying the unfortunates to wheel sand from the bank then in front of Key Hill House up to the canal side, a distance of 1-1/2 miles, the payment being at the rate of one penny per barrow load. This fearful "labour test" was continued for a long time, and when we reckon that each man would have to wheel his barrow backwards and forwards for nearly 20 miles to earn a shilling, moving more than a ton of sand in the process we cannot wonder at the place receiving such a woeful name as Mount Misery.
M.P.'s for Borough.—See "Parliamentary."
Mules.-These animals are not often seen about town now, but in the politically-exciting days of 1815 they apparently were not strangers in our streets, as Mr. Richard Spooner (who, like our genial Alderman Avery, was fond of "tooling" his own cattle), was in the habit of driving his own mail-drag into town, to which four mules were harnessed. With Mr. Thomas Potts, a well-to-do merchant, a "bigoted Baptist," and ultra-Radical, Mr. Spooner and Mr. T. Attwood took part in a deputation to London, giving occasion to one of the street-songs of the day:—
Another of the doggerel verses, alluding to Mr. Spooner's mules, ran—
Municipal Expenditure.—Fortunately the population of Birmingham is going ahead rapidly, and the more the children multiply the more "heads of families" we may naturally hope there will be noted down as ratepayers by the heads of the gather-the-tin office. The cost of governing our little town is not at all heavy, and when divided out at per head of the inhabitants it seems but a mere bagatelle. Mr. J. Powell Williams, who takes credit for being a financier and man of figures, said in 1884 that the totals of our municipal expenditure for the past few years were as follows:—
| In 1879 it was | £354,000 | or | 18/3 | per head |
| " 1880 " | 343,900 | " | 17/5 | " |
| " 1881 " | 361,500 | " | 18/0 | " |
| " 1882 " | 374,000 | " | 18/4 | " |
| " 1883 " | 385,000 | " | 18/7 | " |
| " 1884 " | 385,000 | " | 18/3 | " |
The bachelors who live in apartments will surely be tempted to begin housekeeping when they see how low a sum it takes to pay for all the blessings conferred upon us by a Liberal Corporation; but what the Pater of half-a-dozen olive branches may think about the matter, is altogether a different thing, especially when he finds that to the above 18/2 per head must be added 2/7-1/2 per head for the School Board, and 1s. 2d. per head for the Drainage Board, besides poor-rates, Government taxes, gas, water, and all these other little nothings that empty the purse.
Murder and Manslaughter.—It would be too black a catalogue to give all the horrible cases of this nature which the local journals have chronicled in past years, those here noted being only such as have a certain historical interest.
"Tom and Jack."—"See Executions."
Sergeant William Cartwright, of the Coldstream Guards, was killed in Townsend's Yard by a deserter, September 13, 1796.
A desperate attempt was made to murder a young woman in Bull Street in the evening of a fair day, June 9, 1797.
Philip Matsell was hanged August 22, 1806, at the bottom of Snow Hill, for attempting to murder a watchman.—See "Executions."
A Mr. Pennington, of London, was murdered at Vauxhall, Feb. 6. 1817.
Ashford, Mary, May 27, 1817, murdered at Sutton Coldfield.
F. Adams was murdered by T. Johnson, in London 'Prentice Street, Aug. 5, 1821.
Mr. R. Perry was killed in Mary Ann Street, by Michael Ford, December 6, 1825. Execution, March 7, 1826.
J. Fitter was tried and acquitted August 11, 1834, on a charge of having murdered Margaret Webb, in Lawley Street, on 7th April preceding.
Mr. W. Painter, a tax collector, was robbed and murdered in the old Parsonage grounds (near what is now the bottom of Worcester Street), February 17, 1835.
William Devey murdered Mr. Davenport in a shop in Snow Hill, April 5, 1838.
Mrs. Steapenhill shot by her husband in Heneage Street, January 7, 1842.
Mrs. Davis killed by her husband in Moor Street, March, 1848.
Mrs. Wilkes murdered her four children in Cheapside, October 23, 1847; also committing suicide.
Francis Price was executed at Warwick, August 20, 1860, for murdering Sarah Pratt, April 18.
Elizabeth Brooks was shot by Farquhar, at Small Heath, August 29, 1861. He was sentenced to imprisonment for a long term, but was liberated in April, 1866.
Thompson, Tanter Street, killed his wife, September 23, 1861; hung December 30.
Henry Carter, aged 17, who had killed his sweetheart, was hung April 11, 1863.
George Hall shot his unfaithful wife on Dartmouth Street Bridge, February 16, 1864, and was sentenced to death, but reprieved. He was released March 5, 1884.
Murder and suicide in Nursery Terrace, November 28, 1866.
Mr. Pryse was murdered by James Scott in Aston Street, April 6, 1867.
Mary Milbourn was murdered in Heneage Street, January 21, 1868.
Murder and suicide in Garrison Street, November 25, 1871.
Richard Smith was killed by his fellow-lodger, in Adam Street, January 7, 1872.
Thomas Picken, of St. Luke Street, killed his wife, January 22, 1872. He was found next morning hanging to a lamp-post, at Camp Hill Station.
Jeremiah Corkery stabbed Policeman Lines, March 7; was condemned to death July 9, and hung July 27, 1875.
Patrick O'Donoghue was kicked and killed at the Flying Horse, Little Hampton Street, August 7. 1875. Moran and Caulfield, the kickers, were sent to penal servitude for ten years.
A woman, resisting indecent assault, was thrown into the canal, October 8, 1875, and died from effects.
Emma Luke, Hope street, killed her infant and herself, October 23, 1875.
Samuel Todd, a deaf-mute, killed William Brislin, in a fit of passion, December 31, 1875.—Fifteen years' penal servitude.
Gaorge Underhill shot Alfred Price, in Stephenson place, January 12, 1876, being in drink at the time, and thinking he was going to be robbed. Price died, and Underhill was imprisoned for twelve months.
Frederick Lipscombe killed his wife because she did not get his meals ready to the time he wished, July 18, 1876.
Mary Saunders, Aston, had her throat cut by F.E. Baker, her lodger, January 16, 1877. He was hung April 17.
John Nicholson killed Mary (or Minnie) Fantham, in Navigation Street, February 23rd, 1877, committing suicide himself. He was buried as a felo de se.
Francis Mason, Litimer Street, stabbed his wife, June 25, 1867, but the jury called it manslaughter, and he was allowed to retire for five years.
William Toy, a glasscutter, was killed in the Plasterers' Arms, Lupin Street, July 20, 1878, in a drunken row.
Edward Johnson, a retired butcher, of this town, killed his wife and drowned himself at Erdington, July 27, 1878.
Sarah Alice Vernon, married woman, aged 26, was first stabbed and then flung into the canal, at Spring Hill, by her paramour, John Ralph, a hawker of fancy baskets, early in the morning of May 31, 1879. He was hung August 26.
Caroline Brooks, a young woman of 20, was fatally stabbed on the night of June 28, 1879, while walking with her sweetheart, but the man who killed her escaped.
Alfred Wagstaffe, of Nechell's Green, kicked his wile for pawning his shirt, on October 25, 1879. She died a week after, and he was sent to penal servitude for ten years.
An Irishman, named John Gateley, was shot on Saturday, December 5, 1880, in a beerhouse at Solihull, by a country man who got away; the murdered man had been connected with the Irish Land League.
Mrs. Ellen Jackson, a widow, 34 years of age, through poverty and despondency, poisoned herself and two children, aged seven and nine, on Sunday, November 27, 1881. One child recovered.
Frederick Serman, at the Four Dwellings, near Saltley, Nov. 22, 1883, shot Angelina Yanwood, and poisoned himself, because the woman would not live longer with him "to be clemmed."
James Lloyd, Jan. 6, 1884, stabbed his wife Martha, because she had not met him the previous afternoon. She died four days after, and he was sentenced to death, but reprieved.
Mrs. Palmer and Mrs. Stewart were shot by Henry Kimberley at the White Hart, Paradise Street, Dec. 28, 1884. Mrs. Palmer died, and Kimberley was hung at Winson Green, March 17, 1885.
James Davis, policeman, while on his beat at Alvechurch, was murdered Feb. 28, 1885, by Moses Shrimpton, a Birmingham poacher and thief.
Elizabeth Bunting, a girl of 16, was murdered at Handsworth, April 20, 1885, by her uncle, Thomas Boulton.
Museums.—No place in England ought to have a better collection of coins and medals, but there is no Numismatic Museum in Birmingham. Few towns can show such a list of patentees and inventors, but we have no Patent Museum wherein to preserve the outcome of their ideas. Though the town's very name cannot be traced through the mists of dim antiquity, the most ancient thing we can show is the Old Crown public-house. Romans and Normans, Britons and Saxons, have all trod the same ground as ourselves, but we preserve no relics of them. Though we have supplied the whole earth with firearms, it was left to Mr. Marshall, of Leeds, to gather together a Gun Museum. Fortunately the Guardians of the Proof House were liberal and, buying the collection for £1,550, made many valuable additions to it, and after exhibiting it for a time at 5, Newhall Street, presented it to the town in August, 1876. There is a curious miscellany of articles on exhibition at Aston Hall, which some may call a "Museum," and a few cases of birds, sundry stuffed animals, &c., but we must wait until the Art Gallery now in course of erection, is finished before the Midland Metropolis can boast of owning a real Museum. At various times, some rich examples of industrial art have been exhibited in the temporary Art Gallery adjoining the Midland Institute, and now, in one of the rooms of the Free Library, there are sufficient to form the nucleus of a good Museum. We may, therefore, hope that, in time, we shall have a collection that we may be proud of. Mr. Joseph Chamberlain (April 26, 1875) gave £1,000 to purchase objects of industrial art, and it has been expended in the purchase of a collection of gems and precious stones, than which nothing could be more suitable in this centre of the jewellery trade. Possibly, on the opening of the new Art Gallery, we shall hear of other "thousands" as forthcoming.
Musical Associations.—There were, of course, the choirs attached to the churches previous, but the earliest Musical Society is believed to be that established by James Kempson, in 1762, at Cooke's, in the Cherry Orchard, and the founding of which led to the Musical Festivals. The members met for practice, and evidently enjoyed their pipes and glasses, their nightly song being:—
This society was appropriately known as the Musical and Amicable Society from which sprung the Choral Society in 1776, though the present Festival Choral Society only claims to be in its thirty eighth year. The Birmingham Musical Society dates from 1840; the Amateur Harmonic Association from January, 1856; the Edgbaston Musical Union from 1874; and the Philharmonic Union from 1870. The Church Schools Choral Union, the Sunday Schools Union Festival Choir, and the Birmingham Musical Association, with one or two others, are the progeny of later years; the last on the list of musical institutions being the Clef Club (in Exchange Buildings), established March 21st, 1832, for the promotion of musical culture by "providing a central resort for the study and practice of vocal and instrumental music, with the social advantages of a club."
Musical Festivals.—The credit of suggesting the first Musical Festival in aid of the funds of the General Hospital, has been assigned to Mr. Kempson a local musician, who, with his friends, formed a Glee and Catch Club at Cooke's, in the Cherry Orchard. The minutes-book of the Hospital under date of May 3, 1768, records that a resolution was passed that "a musical entertainment" should be arranged, and it was held accordingly on the 7th, 8th, and 9th of September in that year, part of the performances taking place at St. Philip's Church, and part at the Theatre, then in King Street, the Festival being wound up with a ball "at Mrs. Sawyer's, in the Square." Church, Theatre, and Ball was the order of the day for many succeeding Festivals, the Town Hall, which may be said to have been built almost purposely for these performances, not being ready until 1834. The Theatre was only utilised for one evening each Festival after until 1843, when three concerts were held therein, but since that date the Town Hall has been found sufficient. The Festival Balls were long a great attraction (no less than 1,700 attending in 1834), but, possibly from a too free admixture of the general public, the aristocratic patronage thereof gradually declined until 1858, when only 300 tickets having been taken, the Ball night was struck out of the future programmes. The first Festival performances were by purely local artistes, and on several occasions afterwards they formed the bulk of the performers, but as the fame of our Festivals increased so did the inflow of the foreign element, until at one period not more than half-a-dozen local names could be found in any programme. This has been altered to a considerable extent of late years, so much so that at the last Festival nearly the whole of the chorus of voices was composed of members of our local Musical Societies, and a fair sprinkling of the instrumentalists also. A big book would be required for a full history of the Birmingham Triennial Festivals, descriptive of their rise and progress, the hundreds of musical novelties introduced, the many scores of talented artistes who have taken parts, the lords and ladies who have attended, and the thousand odd notes appertaining to them all. In the following notes are briefly chronicled the "first appearances," &c., with the results and other items for reference.
1768, Sept. 7 to 9. The oratorios of "Il Penseroso;" and "Alexander's Feast" were performed at the Theatre in King Street; Handel's "Te Deum" and "Jubilate" with the "Messiah," at St. Philip's Church. The principal singers were Mrs. Pinto, first soprano, and Mr. Charles Norris, tenor; the orchestra numbered about 70, the conductor being Mr. Capel Bond of Coventry, with Mr. Pinto as leader of the band. The tickets of admission were 5s. each, the receipts (with donations) amounting to about £800, and the profits to £299.
1778, Sept. 2 to 4. The performances this time (and for fifteen festivals after), were at St. Philip's Church, and at the newly-built theatre in New Street, the oratorios, &c., including "Judas Maccabæus," the "Messiah," Handel's "Te Deum," "Jubilate," "Acis and Galatea," &c. Principal performers: Miss Mahon, Miss Salmon, Mr. C. Norris, and Cervetto, a celebrated violoncellist, the leader of the band being Mr. William Cramer, a popular violinist. The choir had the assistance of "the celebrated women chorus singers from Lancashire." The receipts were again about £800, and the profits £340, which sum was divided between the Hospital and the building fund for St. Paul's.
1784, Sept. 22 to 24. President: Lord Dudley and Ward. Following after the celebrated Handel Commemoration the programme was filled almost solely with selections from Handel's works, the only novelty being the oratorio of "Goliath," composed by Mr. Atterbury, which according to one modern musical critic, has never been heard of since. Master Bartleman, who afterwards became the leading bass singer of the day, was the novelty among the performers. Receipts, £1,325; profits, £703.
1787, Aug. 22 to 24. President, the Earl of Aylesford. In addition to the miscellaneous (mostly Handelian) pieces, the oratories performed were "Israel in Egypt" and the "Messiah," the latter being so remarkably successful that an extra performance of it was given on the Saturday following. Among the perfumers were Mrs. Billington (first soprano), Mr. Samuel Harrison (one of the finest tenor singers ever heard in England), and Mr. John Sale (a rich-toned bass), and the "women chorus." Receipts about £2,000; profits, £964.
1790, Aug. 25 to 27. President, Lord Dudley and Ward. The "Messiah," with miscellaneous selections, the principal performers being Madame Mara, Mr. Reinhold, and Mr. Charles Knyvett, with Jean Mara (violoncellist) and John Christian Fischer (oboeist) The prices of admission were raised at this Festival to 10s. 6d. and 7s.; Theatre boxes 7s. 6d., pit 5s., gallery 3s. 6d. Receipts £1,965 15s.; profits £958 14s.
1796, Aug. 31 to Sept. 2, President, the Earl of Aylesford. The performances were like those of 1790, of a general character, besides the "Messiah;" while the two principal sopranos were the Misses Fletcher, daughters of a local musician. The trombone was introduced at this Festival for the first time. Receipts £2,043 18s.; profits £897.
1792, September 18 to 20. President, the Earl of Warwick. The "Messiah," with vocal and instrumental selections of the usual character. Miss Poole and Master Elliott among the vocalists, with Mr. Holmes (bassoonist) and Signor Mariotti (trombone player), were chief of the newly-introduced performers. Receipts, £2,550; profits, £1,470.
1802, September 22 to 24. President, the Earl of Dartmonth. For the first time in this town Haydn's "Creation" was performed, in addition to the "Messiah," &c. Among the vocalists were Madame Dussek, Mrs. Mountain, John Braham (the Braham of undying fame), and Mr. William Knyvett; Mr. Francois Cramer, leader of the band (and at every festival until 1843), had with him Andrew Ashe (flautist), Aufossi (double bass), &c., with over 100 in the orchestra. Receipts, £3,820 17s. O-1/4d.; profits, £2,380.
1805, Oct. 2 to 4. President, the Earl of Aylesford. The "Messiah" was given for the first time here with Mozart's accompaniments; part of the "Creation" &c. Mr. Thomas Vaughan was among the singers (and he took part in every Festival until 1840), and Signor Domenico Dragonetti (double bass) and the Brothers Petrules (horn players) with the instruments. Receipts, £4,222; profits, £2,202.
1808, Oct. 5 to 7. President, the Right Hon. Lord Guernsey. Nearly 200 performers, including Master Buggins (a Birmingham boy alto) Mr. J.J. Goss (counter tenor), Signor Joseph Naldi (buffo), and Dr. Crotch, the conductor, organist and pianist. The last-named was a good player when only 3-1/2 years old. Receipts, £5,511 12s.; profits, £3,257.
1811, Oct. 2 to 4. President, Lord Bradford. Madame Catilni, Mrs. Bianchi, and Mr. T.L. Bellamy first appeared here, as well as Mr. Samuel Wesley (John Wesley's nephew), as conductor and organist. Prices again raised, morning tickets being 20s. and 10s., with 10s. 6d. pit and 6s. gallery at Theatre. Receipts, £6,680; profits, £3,629.
1814, Oct. 5 to 7. President, the Earl of Plymouth. Miss Stephens (afterwards Countess of Essex), Miss Travis, Vincent Novello (the publisher of after years), and Griesbach (oboeist), were among the "first appearances." Receipts, £7,171 12s.; profits, £3,629.
1817, Oct. 1 to 3. President, the Hon. Sir Charles Greville, K.C.B. Mrs. Salmon, Madame Camporese, Mr. Hobbs (tenor), Monsieur Drouet (flautist), Mr. T. Harper (trumpet), and Mr. Probin (horn), took part in the performances. Receipts, £8,476; profits, £4,296 10s.
1820, Oct. 3 to 6. President, the Hon. Heneage Legge. The principal performers included Madame Vestris, Signora Corn, Miss Symends (a native of this town, and who continued to sing here occasionally for twenty years), Signor Begrez (tenor), Signor Ambrogetti (buffo bass), Mr. R.N.C. Bocusa (harpist), Mr. Sha gool (violinist), Mr. Stanier (flautist), and Mr. Munde (viola player). The last two gentlemen were connected with this town until very late years. The chief novelty was the English version of Haydn's "Seasons," written by the Rev. John Webb, a local clergyman. Receipts, £9,483; profits, £5,001 11s.
1823, Oct. 7 to 10. President, Sir Francis Lawley, Bart. Among the fresh faces were those of Miss Heaton (afterwards Mrs. T.C. Salt), Signor Placci (baritone), Mr. Thome (bass), Mr. Nicholson (flute), and Signor Puzzi (horn). The Rev. John Webb wrote for this occasion, "The Triumph of Gideon," an English adaptation of Winter's "Timotos." Receipts, £11,115 10s.; profits, £5,806 12s.
1826, Oct. 4 to 7. President, Earl Howe. The programmes this year were more varied than at any previous festival, the performances, in addition to the "Messiah," including the oratorio "Joseph," by Mehul, selections from Graun's "Der Tod Jesu," Handel's "Judas Maccabeus," Haydn's "Seasons," &c. A number of the performers appeared here for their first time, including Madame Caradori, Miss Paton, Miss Bacon, Henry Phillips (the veteran and popular singer of later days, but who was then only in his 25th year), Signor Curioni (said to have borne a wonderful resemblance to Shakespeare in his figurehead and features), Signor de Begius, Mr. John Baptiste Cramer, C.G. Kiesewetter (who died the following year), Charles Augustus de Beriot (who married Madame Malibran-Garcia), and quite a host of local instrumentalists who were long chief among our Birmingham musicians. Receipts £10,104; profits £4,592.
1829, Oct. 6 to 9. President, the Earl of Bradford. This was the Jubilee Year of the General Hospital, and conspicuous in the programme was the "Jubilee Anthem" in commemoration of the fiftieth year of its establishment, the words being adapted to the music composed by Cherubini for Charles X.s coronation. This was also the last year in which the Festival performances took place in St. Philip's Church or (except several single nights of operatic selections) at the Theatre. Besides the "Jubilee Anthem," there were novelties in the shape of Zingarelli's "Cantata Sacra" (described in a musical publication as a "tame, insipid, heap of commonplace trash"), and the introduction of "operatic selections" at the evening concerts. Amongst the performers who made their debut in Birmingham were Madame Malibran-Garcia, Mdlle. Blasis, Miss Fanny Ayton, Signor Costa, Signor Guibelei, Mrs. Anderson (who gave pianoforte lessons to Princess Victoria), and Mr. Charles Lucas (violoncello). Receipts, £9,771; profits, £3,806 17s.
1834, Oct. 7 to 10. President, the Earl of Aylesford. This being the first Festival held in the Town Hall it may be noted that the prices of admission were for the morning performances, 21/-for reserved and 10/6 unreserved seats; in the evening, 15/- and 8/-; at the Theatre, boxes and pit, 15/-, gallery, 7/-; ball on Friday, 10/6. There were 14 principal vocalists, 33 in the semi-chorus, 187 in the full chorus, 147 instrumental performers, 2 conductors, 2 organists, and 1 pianist. Besides the "Messiah," there was the new oratorio, "David," by Nerkomm (the first that was originally composed for our Festivals), selections from the same author's "Mount Sinai," from Spohr's "Last Judgment," from Handel's "Israel in Egypt," and an arrangement of Hummel's "Motet," &c. This was the first introduction to the Festivals of Miss Clara Novello (afterwards Countess Gigliucci), Madame Stockhausen and her husband (harpist), Ignaz Moscheles, Mr. William Machin (a townsman), Miss Aston and Miss Bate (both Birmingham ladies), Mr. George Hollins (the first appointed Town Hall organist), and others. Receipts, £13,527; profits, £4,035.
1837, Sept. 19 to 22. President, Lord Willoughby de Broke. Mendelssohn's new oratorio, "St. Paul" (oft mistakenly supposed to have been specially written for the occasion), was the most important production, but Neukomm's "Ascension," Hæser's "Triumph of Faith," and several other new compositions were performed on this occasion. In addition to Mendelssohn's first appearance here as conductor, there were other new faces, among them being Madame Giula Grisi, Madame Emma Albertazzi, Mrs. Albert Shaw, Signor Antonio Tamburini, Mr. Alfred Mellon (in his 17th year, but even then leader of the band at the Theatre), Signor Regondi (concertina player), &c. Receipts, £11,900, but, as besides more than usually heavy expenses, £1,200 was paid for building the recess in which the organ was placed, the profits were only £2,776.
1840, Sept. 22 to 25. President, Lord Leigh. The oratorio, "Israel in Egypt," by Handel, selections from his "Jephtha," and "Joshua," and Mendelssohn's "Hymn of Praise," were the great features of this Festival, at which appeared for the first time Madame Dorus-Gras, Miss M.B. Hawes, Signor Louis Lablache, with Mr. T. Cooke, and Mr. H.G. Blagrove (two clever violinists). Receipts, £11,613; profits, £4,503.
1843, Sept. 19 to 22. President, Earl Craven. The performances at the Town Hall included Handel's oratorio, "Deborah," Dr. Crotch's "Palestine," and Rossini's "Stabat Mater," the introduction of the latter causing a considerable flutter among some of the local clergy, one of whom described it as the most idolatrous and anti-Christian composition that could be met with. The Theatre this year was used for three evening concerts, &c. Among the new vocalists were Miss Rainforth, Signor Mario, Signer Fornasari, and Mr. Manvers. The organists were Dr. Samuel Sebastian Wesley and our Mr. James Stimpson, who had succeeded Mr. George Hollins as Town Hall organist in the previous year. Receipts, £8,822; profits, £2,916.
1846, Aug. 25 to 28. President, Lord Wrottesley. This is known as "The Elijah Festival," from the production of Mendelssohn's chef d'oeuvre the "Elijah" oratorio. The performers were mostly those who had been here before, save Miss Bassano, the Misses Williams, Mr. Lockey, and Herr Joseph Staudigl. Receipts, £11,638; profits, £5,508.
1849, Sept. 4 to 7. President, Lord Guernsey. This Festival is especially noteworthy as being the first conducted by Sir Michael Costa, also for the number of "principals" who had not previously taken part in the Festivals, for the extreme length of the evening programmes, each lasting till after midnight; and, lastly, from the fact, that out of a body of 130 instrumentalists, only eight or nine Birmingham musicians could be found to please the maestro's taste. The oratorios of the "Messiah," "Elijah," and "Israel in Egypt," were the principal pieces, with Mendelssohn's "First Walpurgis Night," and Prince Albert's "L'Invocazione dell' Armonia;" the remainder being of the most varied character. The first appearances included Madame Sontag, Madame Castellan, Miss Catherine Hayes, Mdlle. Alboni, Miss Stevens (afterwards Mrs. Hale), Mdlle. Jetty de Treffz, Sims Reeves, Herr Pischek (baritone basso), Signor Bottesini (double bass), M. Sigismund Thalberg (pianist), M. Prospere Sainton (violinist), &c. Receipts £10,334; profits, £2,448.
1852, Sept. 7 to 10. President, Lord Leigh. Handel's oratorio, "Samson," and Mendelssohn's unfinished "Christus," were the chief new works; and the principal stangers were Madame Viardot-Garda, Miss Dolby, Signor Tamberlik, Herr Formes, Signor Belletti, Mr. Weiss, Signor Piatti (violoncello), Signer Bottisini (double bass), and Herr Kuhe (pianoforte) Receipts £11,925; profits £4,704.
1855, Aug. 28 to 31. President, Lord Willoughby de Broke, The programme included Costa's "Eli" (composed for the occasion), Beethoven's "Mount of Olives," Glover's "Tam O'Shanter," Macfarren's cantata "Lenora," and Mozart's "Requiem;" the fresh artistes being Madame Rudersdorf, Signor Gardoni, and Herr Reichardt. Receipts £12,745; profits, £3,108, in addition to £1,000 spent on decorating, &c., the Hall and organ.
1858, Aug. 31 to Sept. 3. President, the Earl of Dartmouth. The novelties included Mendelssohn's Hymn "Praise Jehovah," Beethoven's "Mass in C." Leslie's Cantata "Judith," Mendelssohn's Cantata "To the Sons of Art," Costa's serenata "The Dream," &c. First appearances were made by Mdlle. Victorie Balfe, Signor Ronconi, Mr. Montem Smith, about a dozen instrumentalists belonging to the Festival Choral Society, and nearly seventy members of the Amateur Harmonic Association, Mr. W.C. Stockley filling the post of general chorus-master. This was the last year of the "Festival Balls." Receipts, £11,141; profits, £2,731.
1861, Aug. 27 to 30. President, the Earl of Shrewsbury and Talbot. The new introductions comprised Mdlle. Titiens, Mdlle. Adelina Patti, Mdlle. Lemmens-Sherrington, Miss Palmer, Signor Giuglini, Mr. Santley, and Miss Arabella Goddard. Beethoven's "Mass in D," and Hummel's Motett "Alma Virgo" were part of the programme, which included not only the "Messiah" and "Elijah," but also "Samson" and "The Creation," &c. Receipts, £11,453; profits, £3,043.
1864, Sept. 6 to 9. President, the Earl of Lichfield. Costa's "Naaman," Sullivan's "Kenilworth," Guglieml's "Offertorium," and Mozart's "Twelfth Mass" were produced. Mr. W.H. Cummings made his first appearance. Receipts, £13,777; profits, £5,256.
1867, Aug. 27 to 29. President, Earl Beauchamp. The novelties were Bennett's "Woman of Samaria," Gounod's "Messe Solonnelle," Benedict's "Legend of St. Cecilia," and Barnett's "Ancient Mariner." The new singers were Mdlle. Christine Nilsson and Madume Patey-Whylock. Receipts, £14,397; profits, £5,541.
1870, Aug. 30 to Sept. 2. President, the Earl of Bradford. The new works were Barnett's "Paradise and the Peri," Benedict's "St. Peter," and Hiller's "Nala and Damayanti," Mdlle. Ilma de Murska, Mdlle. Drasdil, Miss Edith Wynne (Eos Cymru), Signor Foli, and Mr. Vernon Rigby making their début as Festival singers. Receipts, £14,635; profits, £6,195.
1873, Aug. 25 to 28. President, the Earl of Shrewsbury and Talbot. The most important of the novelties were Sullivan's "Light of the World," and Schira's "Lord of Burleigh," but the greatest attraction of all was the patronising presence of royalty in the person of the Duke of Edinburgh. Receipts, £16,097; profits, £6,391.
1876, Aug. 29 to Sept. 1. President, the Marquis of Hertford. Herr Wagner's "Holy Supper," Mr. Macfarren's "Resurrection," Mr. F.H. Cowen's "Corsair," and Herr Gade's "Zion" and "Crusaders" were the pieces now first introduced, the artistes being all old friends, with the exception of Mr. E. Lloyd. Receipts, £15,160; profits. £5,823.
1879, Aug. 26 to 20. President, Lord Norton. The fresh compositions consisted of Herr Max Bruch's "Lay of the Bell," Rossini's "Moses in Egypt," Saint-Saëns' "The Lyre and Harp," and Dr. C.S. Heap's "Overture in F." First appearances included Madame Gerster, Miss Anna Williams, Mr. Joseph Maas, and Herr Henschel, Receipts, £11,729; profits, £4,500.
1882, Aug. 29 to Sep. 1. President, Lord Windsor. On this occasion Madame Roze-Mapleson, Miss Eleanor Farnel, Mr. Horrex, Mr. Campion, and Mr. Woodhall, first came before a Festival audience. The list of new works comprised Gounod's "Redemption," Gaul's "Holy City," Gade's "Psyche," Benedict's "Graziella," Mr. C.H. Parry's "Symphony in G Major." Brahm's "Triumphed," with a new song and a new march by Gounod. Receipts, £15,011; profits, £4,704.
1885. Aug.25 to 28.—President: Lord Brooke. The principal performers were Madame Albani, Mrs. Hutchinson, Miss Anna Williams, Madame Patey, Madame Trebelli; Messrs. Edward Lloyd, Joseph Maas, Santley, Signor Foli. Herr Richter was the conductor. Works performed were:—Oratorio, "Elijah"; new Cantata, "Sleeping Beauty"; new Oratorio, "Mors et Vita"; new cantata, "Yule Tide"; Oratorio, "Messiah"; new Cantata, "The Spectre's Bride"; new Oratorio, "The Three Holy Children."
Music Halls.—Mr. Henry Holder is often said to have been the first who opened a public room of this kind, but there had been one some years before at the George and Dragon, corner of Weaman Street, Steelhouse Lane, which was both popular and respectably conducted.—See "Concert Halls."
Musical Instruments.—Our grandfathers and grandmothers were content with their harps and harpsichords, their big and little fiddles, with trumpets and drums, horns, oboes, bassoons, and pipes. Clarionets were not introduced into the Festival bands until 1778; the double-bass kettle-drums came in 1784; trombones in 1790; flutes, with six or more keys, were not known until 1802; serpents appeared in 1820; flageolets in 1823; the ophicleide was brought in 1829, and the monster specimens in 1834, which year also saw the introduction of the piccolo; the bombardon not coming until 1843. Pianofortes were first known in England in 1767, but when first played in Birmingham is uncertain; the first time the instrument is named in a Festival programme was 1808, but the loan of a grand by Mr. Tomkinson, a London maker, in 1817, was an event thought deserving of a special vote of thanks.
Musical Notabilities of the highest calibre have been frequent visitors here, at the Festivals and at the Theatres, though the native-born sons of song who have attained high rank in the profession number but few. Under "Musical Festivals" appear the names of all the leading artistes who have taken part in those world-known performances, the dates of their first appearances being only given, and in like manner in the notice of our "Theatres" and "Theatrical Celebrities" will be chronicled the advents of many celebrated "stars" who have trod our local boards. Considering the position he long held in the musical world, the introduction of Sir Michael Costa to Birmingham has sufficient interest to be here noted. Signor Costa had been sent by his friend Zingarelli to conduct his "Cantata Sacra" at the Festival of 1829. The managers, however, thought so very little of the young gentleman's appearance (he was but nineteen) that they absolutely refused him permission to do so, only allowing his expenses on condition that he went among the singers. It was of no use his telling them that he was a conductor and not a singer, and he had nervously to take the part assigned him. On returning to London, he quickly "made his mark," and fell into his right place of honour and credit.
Musical Services.—The first of a series of week-night musical services for the people took place at St. Luke's Church, September 10, 1877, the instruments used being the organ, two kettle-drums, two trumpets, and two trombones. This was by no means an original idea, for the followers of Swedenborg had similar services as well in their Chapel in Paradise Street (on site of Queen's College), as in Newhall Street and Summer Lane.
Mysteries of Past History.—It was believed that a quantity of arms were provided here by certain gentlemen favourable to the Pretender's cause in 1745, and that on the rebels failing to reach Birmingham, the said arms were buried on the premises of a certain manufacturer, who for the good of his health fled to Portugal. The fact of the weapons being hidden came to the knowledge of the Government some sixty years after, and a search for them was intended, but though the name of the manufacturer was found in the rare books of the period, and down to 1750, the site of his premises could not be ascertained, the street addresses not being inserted, only the quarter of the town, thus: "T. S.—— Digbath quarter." The swords, &c., have remained undiscovered to the present day.—M 10, 1864, while excavations were being made in the old "Castle Yard," in High Street the skeletons of three human beings were found in a huddled position about 2-1/2 ft. from the surface.—The Old Inkleys were noted for the peculiar character (or want thereof) of its inhabitants, though why they buried their dead beneath their cellar floors must remain a mystery. On October 29, 1879, the skeleton of a full-grown man was found underneath what had once been the site of a house in Court No. 25 of the Old Inkleys, where it must have lain at least 20 years.
Nail Making.—See "Trades."
Natural History and Microscopical Society was formed in January, 1858. The first meeting of the Midland Union of Natural History, Philosophical, and Archæological Societies and Field Clubs was held at the Midland Institute, May 27, 1878.
Nechells.—There is, or was, a year or two back, a very old house, "Nechells Hall," still in existence, where at one period of their history, some of the Holte family resided.
Needless Alley is said to have been originally called Needles Alley from a pin and needle makers' shop there.
Nelson.—Boulton struck a line medal in commemoration of the Battle of Trafalgar, and by permission of the Government gave one to every person who took part in the action; flag-officers and commanders receiving copies in gold, lieutenants, &c., in silver, and the men, bronze. Being struck for this purpose only, and not for sale, the medal is very scarce.—See "Statues."
New Hall.—One of the residences of the Colmore family, demolished in 1787, the advertisement announcing the sale of its materials appearing July 2 that year. It is generally believed that the house stood in exact line with Newhall Street, and at its juncture with Great Charles Street; the houses with the steps to them showing that the site between, whereon the Hall stood, was lowered after its clearance.
Newhall Hill.—Famous for ever in our history for the gatherings which have at times taken place thereon, the most important of which are those of 1819, July 12, to elect a "representative" who should demand admittance to, and a seat in, the House of Commons, whether the Commons would let him or no. For taking part in this meeting, George Edmonds, Major Cartwright, and some others, were put on their trial. A "true bill" was found on August 9th, but the indictment being removed to King's Bench, the trial did not take place till August 7, 1820, the sentence of 12 months' imprisonment being passed May 28, 1821.—In 1832, May 14, nearly 200,000 persons present, Mr. Thomas Attwood presiding. This is the meeting described as "one of the most solemn spectacles ever seen in the world." when the whole mighty assemblage took the vow of the Political Union, to "devote themselves and their children to their country's cause."—In 1833, May 20, at which the Government was censured for passing a Coercian Bill for Ireland, for keeping on the window and house taxes, for not abolishing the Coin Laws, and for not allowing vote by ballot.
Newhall Lane was the original name for that part of Colmore Row situate between Newhall Street and Livery Street.
New John Street, for a long time, was considered the longest street in the borough, being 1 mile and 200 yards long.
New Market Street.—Some ground was set out here, years ago, for a market; hence the name.
Newspapers and Magazines.—In 1719 there were many small "sheets of news" published in London, but the imposition of a halfpenny stamp finished the career of the majority. In 1797 a 3-1/2 d. stamp, and in 1815 a 4d. stamp was required. In 1836 it was reduced to 1d., and in 1855, after a long agitation, the newspaper duty was abolished altogether. About 1830 the trick of printing a calico sheet of news was tried, the letter of the law being that duty must be paid on newspapers, but the Somerset House people soon stopped it. In Oct., 1834, among many others, James Guest, Thomas Watts, and William Plastans, news-vendors of this town, were committed to Warwick Gaol fur the offence of selling unstamped papers. In 1840, the total circulation of all the local papers did not reach 14,000 copies per week, a great contrast to the present day, when one office alone sends out more than 150,000 in the like time. During the Chartist agitation there were frequently as many as 5,000 to 6,000 copies of Feargus O'Connor's Northern Star sold here, and many hundreds a week of the Weekly Dispatch, a great favourite with "the people" then. Cacoethes scribendi, or the scribbling itch, is a complaint many local people have suffered from, but to give a list of all the magazines, newspapers, journals, and periodicals that have been published here is impossible. Many like garden flowers have bloomed, fruited, and lived their little day, others have proved sturdy plants and stood their ground for years, but the majority only just budded into life before the cold frosts of public neglect struck at their roots and withered them up, not a leaf being left to tell even the date of their death. Notes of a few are here given:—
Advertiser.—First number appeared Oct. 10, 1833.
Argus.—Started as a monthly Aug. 1, 1828.—See "Allday" under "Noteworthy Men."
Aris's Gazette.—The oldest of our present local papers was first published Nov. 10, 1741. Like all other papers of that period, it was but a dwarf in comparison with the present broad-sheet, and the whole of the local news given in its first number was comprised in five lines, announcing the celebration of Admiral Vernon's birthday. Its Founder, Thos. Aris, died July 4, 1761. Since that date it had seen but few changes in its proprietorship until 1872, when it was taken by a Limited Liability Company, its politics remaining staunchly Conservative. On May 12th, 1862, it was issued as a daily, the Saturday's publication still bearing the old familiar name.
Athlete.—First issued as the "Midland Athlete," January, 1879.
Bazaar.—A quarto serial of 1823-25.
Birmingham Magazine.—A literary and scientific publication edited by Rev. Hugh Hutton. First appeared in Nov. 1827, running only nine numbers.
Brum.—A so-called satirical, but slightly scurrilous, sheet issued in 1869, for a brief period.
Central Literary Magazine.—First No. in Jan. 1873.
Chronicle.—First published in 1765 by Myles Swinney. who continued to edit the paper until his death in 1812. It was sold March 15, 1819, as well as the type foundry which had been carried on by Mr. Swinney, a business then noteworthy, as there was but one other of the kind in England out of London.
Daily Globe.—A Conservative 1/2d. evening paper, commencing Nov. 17, 1879, and dying Oct. 30, 1880.
Daily Mail.—Evening 1/2d. paper; an offshoot from the Daily Post, and now printed on adjoining premises. First published Sept. 7, 1870.
Daily Post.—First published Dec. 4, 1857, by the proprietors of the Journal. From the first it "took" well, and it is the leading daily paper of the Midland Counties.
Daily Press.—The first daily paper issued in Birmingham appeared on May 7, 1855. Like many other "new inventions," however, it did not succeed in making a firm footing and succumbed in November, 1858.
Dart.—A well-conducted comic weekly paper. Commenced Oct. 28, 1876.
Edgbaston Advertiser.—Published monthly by Mr. Thos. Britton, Ladywood. As its name implies, this publication is more of the character of an advertising sheet than a newspaper, but it often contains choice literary pieces which make it a favourite.
Edgbastonia.—A monthly, full of quaint and curious notes, local biographies, &c., issued by Mr. Eliezer Edwards, the well-known "S.D.R." First sent out May, 1881.
Edmonds' Weekly Recorder.—First published by George Edmonds, June 18, 1819. It was alive in 1823, but date of last issue is uncertain.