Chapter XII: Part 12

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:--

"To our Musical Club here's long life and prosperity;
May it flourish with us, and so on to posterity,
May concord and harmony always abound,
And division here only in music be found.
May the catch and the glass go about and about,
And another succeed to the bottle that's out."

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 news_papers_, 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.

_German_.--A newspaper printed in the German language made its appearance here Aug. 7, 1866, but did not live long.

_Graphic_.--A penny illustrated commenced Feb. 21, 1883, but its growth was not sufficiently _hardy_ to keep it alive more than two _summers_.

_Gridiron_.--"A grill for saints and sinners," according to No. 1 (June 14, 1879), and if bitter biting personalities can be called fun, the publication was certainty an amusing one, so long as it lasted.

_Hardware Lion_.--Rather a curious name for the monthly advertising sheet first published Dec., 1880, but it did not long survive.

_Illustrated Midland News_.--The publication of this paper, Sept. 4, 1869, was a spirited attempt by Mr. Joseph Hatton to rival the _Illustrated London News_; but the fates were against him, and the last number was that of March 11, 1871.

_Inspector_.--A political sheet, which only appeared a few times in 1815.

_Iris_.--A few numbers of a literary magazine thus named were issued in 1830.

_Jabet's Herald_.--A weekly paper, published 1808, but not of long existence.

_Journal_.--A paper with this name was published in 1733, but there are no files extant to show how long it catered for the public. A copy of its 18th number, Monday, May 21, 1733, a small 4to of 4 pages, with the 1/2d. red stamp, is in the possession of the proprietors of the _Daily Post_, The _Journal_ of later days first appeared June 4 1825, and continued to be published as a Saturday weekly until 1873, when it was incorporated with the _Daily Post_.

_Liberal Review_.--First number March 20, 1880, and a few numbers ended it.

_Looker-On_.--A quizzical critical sheet of theatrical items of the year 1823.

_Literary Phoenix_.--A miscellany of literary litter swept together by Mr. Henry Hawkes in 1820, but soon dropped.

_Lion_.--Another of the modern "satirical" shortlived sheets, started Jan. 4, 1877.

_Mercury.--The Birmingham Mercury and Warwickshire and Staffordshire Advertiser_ was the title of newspaper of which the first copy was dated November 24, 1820. The title of _Mercury_ was revived in 1848. on the 10th December of which year Mr. Wm. B. Smith brought out his paper of that name. It commenced with _éclat_, but soon lost its good name, and ultimately, after a lingering existence (as a daily at last), it died out August 24, 1857.

_Middle School Mirror_.--A monthly, edited, written, and published by the boys of the Middle School of King Edward the Sixth, shone forth in December, 1880.

_Midland Antiquary_.--First numbtr for Oct., 1882. A well-edited chronicle of matters interesting to our "Old Mortality" boys.

_Midland Counties Herald_.--First published July 26, 1836, by Messrs. Wright and Dain. Its circulation, though almost gratuitous is extensive and from its high character as a medium for certain classes of advertisements it occasionally has appeared in the novel shape of a newspaper without any news, the advertisers taking up all the space.

_Midland Echo_--Halfpenny evening paper, commenced Feb. 26, 1883, as an extra-superfine Liberal organ. Ceased to appear as a local paper early in 1885.

_Midland Metropolitan Magazine_. This heavily-named monthly lasted just one year, from Dec., 1852.

_Midland Naturalist_.--Commenced Jan. 1, 1878.

_Morning News_.--Daily paper, in politics a Nonconformist Liberal; first published Jan. 2, 1871, under the editorship of George Dawson until the expiration of 1873. On Aug. 16, 1875, it was issued as a morning and evening paper at 1/2d.; but the copy for May 27, 1876, contained its own death notice.

_Mouse Trap_.--The title of a little paper of playful badinage, issued for a month or two in the autumn of 1824.

_Naturalists' Gazette_.--In Sept. 1882, the Birmingham naturalists began a gazette of their own.

_Old and New Birmingham_ was published in monthly parts, the first being issued June 1, 1878.

_Owl_.--A weekly pennyworth of self-announced "wit and wisdom" first issued Jan. 30, 1879.

_Penny Magazine_.--This popular periodical, the fore-runner of all the cheap literature of the day, may be said to have had a Birmingham origin, as it was first suggested to Charles Knight by Mr. M.D. Hill in 1832.

_Philanthropist_.--First published (as _The Reformer_) April 16, 1835, by Benjamin Hudson, 18, Bull Street; weekly, four pages, price 7d., but in the following September lowered to 4-1/2d., the stamp duty of 4d. being at that time reduced to 1d. In politics it was Liberal, and a staunch supporter of the Dissenters, who only supported it for about two years.

_Radical Times_.--Came into existence Sept. 30, 1876, but being too rabidly Radical, even for "the 600," whose leading-strings it shirked, it did not thrive for long.

_Register or Entertaining Museum_.--With the prefix of the town's name, this monthly periodical lived one year from May 10, 1764. This was one of the earliest London-printed country papers, the only local portion being the outside pages, so that it suited for a number of places.

_Reporter and Review_.--Principally devoted to the doings on the local stage, and published for a brief period during June, &c., 1823.

_Saturday Evening Post_.--A weekly "make-up" from the _Daily Post_ (with a few distinctive features) and came into being with that paper; price 1-1/2d. Originally issued at noon on Saturday, but latterly it has appeared simultaneous with the _Daily_, and is known as the _Weekly Post_, its price lately having been reduced to 1d.

_Saturday Night_.--First published, Sept. 30, 1882.

_Saturday's Register_.--Another of George Edmunds' political papers, which appeared for a few months in 1820.

_Spectator_.--A literary and dramatic monthly, of which seven parts were published in 1824.

_Sunday Echo_.--First number came out May 21, 1882.

_Sunday Express_.--Started August, 1884, and died August, 1885.

_Sunday Telegram_.--Started May, 1883.

_Sunrise_.--Rose Nov. 18, 1882, at the price of one-halfpenny, and lasted a few weeks only.

_Tattler_.--April 1817 saw the first appearance of this tittle-tattle-tale-telling monthly tease to all lovers of theatrical order, and August saw the last.

_Theatrical Argus_.--Of May and following months of 1830. A two-penny-worth of hotch-potch, principally scandal.

_Theatrical John Bull_.--Published in May, 1824, lasting for the season only.

_Theatrical Note Book_.--Rival to above in June, 1824, and going off the stage same time.

_Town Crier_.--This respectable specimen of a local comic appeared first in September, 1861, and it deserves a long life, if only for keeping clear of scandal and scurrility.

_Warwick and Staffordshire Journal_.--Though printed here, the town was not thought capable of filling its columns; a little experience showed the two counties to be as bad, and subscribers were tempted to buy by the issue of an Illustrated Bible and Prayer Book sent out in parts with the paper. The first No. was that of Aug. 20, 1737, and it continued till the end of Revelations, a large number of copperplate engravings being given with the Bible, though the price of the paper was but 2d.

_Weekly Mercury_.--Commenced November, 1884.

_Weekly News_.--A weak attempt at a weekly paper, lasted from May to September, 1882.

~Newsrooms.~--The first to open a newsroom were Messrs. Thomson and Wrightson, booksellers, who on Aug. 22, 1807, admitted the public to its tables. In 1825 a handsome newsroom was erected in Bennett's Hill, the site of which was sold in 1858 for the County Court, previous to its removal to Waterloo Street.

~New Street~ once called "Beast Market." was in Hutton's time approached from High Street through an archway, the rooms over being in his occupation. In 1817 there were several walled-in gardens on the Bennett's Hill side of the street, and it is on record that one house at least was let at the low rent of 5s. 6d. per week. The old "Grapes" public-house was pulled down just after the Queen's visit, being the last of the houses removed on account of the railway station. Though it has long been the principal business street of the town, New street was at one time devoted to the ignoble purposes of a beast market, and where the fair ladies of to-day lightly tread the flags when on shopping bent, the swine did wait the butcher's knife. New Street is 561 yards in length; between Temple Street and Bennett's Hill it is 46-1/2 feet wide, and near Worcester Street 65 ft. 4 in. wide.

~Nonconformists.~--The so-called Act of Uniformity of 1602 deprived nearly 2,000 of the clergy of their livings, and a few of them came to Birmingham as a place of refuge, ministering among the Dissenters, who then had no buildings for regular worship. There were many documents in the lost Staunton Collection relating to some of these clergymen, who, however, did not find altogether comfortable quarters even here, one George Long, M.D., who had fled from his persecutors in Staffordshire, finding no peace in Birmingham, removed to Ireland; others, though they came here by stealth to minister, had to reside in country parts. A Central Nonconformist Committee was formed here March 3, 1870.

~Nonjurors.~--Among the name of the Roman Catholics, or "Non-jurors," who refused to take the oath of allegiance to George I., appeared that of John Stych, of Birmingham, whose forfeited estate was, in 1715, valued at £12.

~Northfield.~--Four and a-half miles from Birmingham. There was a Church here at the time of the Norman survey, and some traces of its Saxon origin, students of architecture said, could once be found in the ancient doorway on the north side of the building. Some forty years ago the psalmody of the congregation and choir received assistance from the mellifluous strains ground out of a barrel organ, which instrument is still preserved as a curiosity by a gentleman of the neighbourhood. They had an indelible way at one time of recording local proceedings in matters connected with the Church here. The inscriptions on the six bells cast in 1730 being:--

Treble.--We are now six, though once but five,
2nd.--Though against our casting some did strive,
3rd.--But when a day for meeting they did fix,
4th.--There appeared but nine against twenty-six.
5th.--Samuel Palmer and Thomas Silk Churchwardens.
Tenor.--Thomas Kettle and William Jervoise did contrive
To make us six that were but five.

~Notable Offences.~--In olden days very heavy punishments were dealt out for what we now think but secondary offences, three men being sentenced to death at the Assizes, held March 31, 1742, one Anstey for burglary, Townsend for sheep-stealing, and Wilmot for highway robbery. The laws also took cognisance of what to us are strange crimes, a woman in 1790 being imprisoned here for selling almanacks without the Government stamp on them; sundry tradesmen also being heavily fined for dealing in covered buttons. The following are a few other notable olfences that have been chronicled for reference:--

_Bigamy_.--The Rev. Thomas Morris Hughes was, Nov. 15, 1883, sentenced to seven years' penal servitude for this offence. He had been previously punished for making a false registration of the birth of a child, the mother of which was his own stepdaughter.

_Burglary_.--On Christmas eve, 1800, five men broke into the counting-house at Soho, stealing therefrom 150 guineas and a lot of silver, but Matthew Boulton captured four of them, who were transported.--The National School at Handsworth, was broken into and robbed for the fifth time Sept. 5, 1827.--A warehouse in Bradford Street was robbed Jan. 9, 1856, of an iron safe, weighing nearly 4cwt., and containing £140 in cash.--A burglary was committed in the Ball Ring, July 5, 1862, for which seven persons were convicted.

_Coining_.--Booth, the noted coiner and forger, was captured at Perry Barr, March 28, 1812, his house being surrounded by constables and soldiers. In addition to a number of forged notes and £600 in counterfeit silver, the captors found 200 guineas in gold and nearly £3,000 in good notes, but they did not save Booth Irom being hanged. Booth had many hidingplaces for his peculiar productions, parcels of spurious coins having several times been found in hedgerow banks and elsewhere; the latest find (in April, 1884) consisted of engraved copper-plates for Bank of England £1 and £2 notes.--There have been hundreds of coiners punished since his day. The latest trick is getting really good dies for sovereigns, for which Ingram Belborough, an old man of three score and six, got seven years' penal servitude, Nov, 15 1883.

_Deserters_.--On 24 July, 1742, a soldier deserted from his regiment in this town. Followed, and resisting, he was shot at Tettenhall Wood.--A sergeant of the Coldstream Guards was shot here while trying to capture a deserter, September 13, 1796.

_Dynamite making_.--One of the most serious offences committed in Birmingham was discovered when Alfred Whitehead was arrested April 5, 1883, on the charge of manufacturing nitroglycerine, or dynamite, at 128, Ledsam Street. Whitehead was one of the Irish-American or American-Irish party of the Land Leaguers or Home Rulers, who entertain the idea that by committing horrible outrages in England. they will succeed in making Ireland "free from the galling yoke of Saxon tyranny" and every Irishman independent of everybody and everything everywhere. Well supplied with funds from New York, Whitehead quietly arranged his little manufactory, buying glycerine from one firm and nitric and sulphuric acids from others, certain members of the conspiracy coming from London to take away the stuff when it was completely mixed. The deliveries of the peculiar ingredients attracted the attention of Mr. Gilbert Pritchard, whose chemical knowledge led him to guess what they were required for; he informed his friend, Sergeant Price, of his suspicions; Price and his superior officers made nightly visits to Ledsam Street, getting into the premises, and taking samples for examination; and on the morning named Whitehead's game was over, though not before he had been watched in sending off two lots of the dangerously explosive stuff to London. There was, however, no less than 200lbs weight found still on the premises. The men who carried it to London were quickly caught with the dynamite in their possession, and with Whitehead were brought to trial and each of them sentenced to penal servitude for life. The distribution of rewards in connection with the "dynamite outrages," so far as Birmingham people were concerned, was somewhat on a similar scale to that described by the old sailor, when he said "prize-money" was distributed through a ladder, all passing through going to the officers, while any sticking to the wood was divided among the men. Mr. Farndale, the Chief of Police, was granted an addition to his salary of £100 per year; Inspector Black was promoted to the rank of Superintendent, adding £50 a year to his salary, and was presented with £100 from Government; Sergeant Price, became Inspector, with a rise of £41 12s. a year, and received a bonus of £200; Inspector Rees' salary was raised to two guineas a week, with a gift, of £50: while Mr. Pritchard, to whom belonged the conspicuous service of having given the information which led the police to act, was rewarded (!) with £50, having lost his situation through his services to the public.

_Embezzlements_.--In 1871, W. Harrison, the Secretary of the Birmingham Gas Company, skedaddled, his books showing defalcations to the amount of £18,000. When the company was dissolved, £100 was left in a bank for Mr. Secretary's prosecution, should he return to this country.--July 12, 1877, the secretary of the Moseley Skating Rink Company was awarded twelve months, and the secretary of the Butcher's Hide and Skin Company six months, for similar offences, but for small amounts.

_Forgeries_.--In the year 1800, seven men were hung at Warwick for forgery, and with them one for sheep-stealing. The manufacture of forged bank-notes was formerly quite a business here, and many cases are on record of the detection and punishment of the offenders.--June 28, 1879. the Joint Stock Bank were losers of £2,130 through cashing three forged cheques bearing the signature of W.C.B. Cave, the clever artist getting ten years--Nov. 15, 1883. John Alfred Burgan, manager of the Union Bank, for forging and uttering a certain order, and falsifying his books, the amounts embezzled reaching £9,000, was sentenced to fifteen years' penal servitude.--On the previous day Benjamin Robert Danks was similarly punished for forgeries on his employer, Mr. Jesse Herbert, barrister, who had been exceedingly kind to him--Zwingli Sargent, solicitor, was sentenced to five years' penal servitude, April 28, 1885, for forgery and misappropriating money belonging to clients.

_Fortunetelling_ is still far from being an uncommon offence, but "Methratton," the "Great Seer of England," _alias_ John Harewell, who, on March 28, 1883, was sentenced to nine months hard labour, must rank as being at the top of the peculiar profession. Though a "Great Seer" he could not foresee his own fate.

_Highwaymen_.--The "gentlemen of the road" took their tolls in a very free manner in the earlier coaching days, notwithstanding that the punishment dealt out was frequently that of death or, in mild cases, transportation for life. The Birmingham stage coach was stopped and robbed near Banbury, May 18, 1743, by two highwaymen, who, however, were captured same day, and were afterwards hung.--Mr. Wheeley, of Edgbaston, was stopped in a lane near his own house, and robhed of 20 guineas by a footpad, May 30, 1785.--An attempt to rob and murder Mr. Evans was made near Aston Park, July 25, 1789.--Henry Wolseley, Esq. (third son of Sir W. Wolseley, Bart.), was robbed by high-waymen near Erdington, Nov. 5, 1793.--Some highwaymen robbed a Mr. Benton of £90 near Aston Brook, April 6, 1797.--The coach from Sheffield was stopped by footpads near Aston Park, March 1, 1798, and the passengers robbed.--The "Balloon" coach was robbed of £8,000, Dec. 11, 1822, and the Warwick mail was robbed of no less than £20,000 in bank notes, Nov. 28. 1827.

_Horrible_.--The bodies of eleven children were found buried at back of 68, Long Acre, Nechells, where lived Ann Pinson, a midwife, who _said_ they were all still-born, July, 1878.

_Long Firms_.--A term applied to rogues, who, by pretending to be in business, procure goods by wholesale, and dispose of them fraudulently. W.H. Stephenson, of this town, a great patron of these gentry, was sentenced to seven years' penal servitude, Nov. 22, 1877, for the part he had taken in one of these swindling transactions, according to account by far from being the first of the kind he had had a hand in.