Showell's Dictionary of Birmingham Part 15

~Hotels.~--This French-derived name for inns, from what Hutton says on the subject, would appear to have been only introduced in his day, and even then was confined to the large coaching-houses of the town, many of which have long since vanished. The first railway hotel was the Queen's, at the entrance of the old railway station, Duddeston Row, though originally built and used for officers for the company's secretaries, directors' boardroom, &c. As part of the New Street Station, a far more pretentious establishment was erected, and to this was given the t.i.tle of the "Queen's Hotel," the Duddeston Row building reverting to its original use. The Great Western Hotel was the next to be built, and the success attending these large undertakings have led to the erection of the handsome Midland Hotel, opposite New Street Station, and the still grander "Grand Hotel," in Colmore Row, opened Feb. 1, 1879. The removal of the County Court to Corporation Street, and the possible future erection of a.s.size Courts near at hand, have induced some speculators to embark in the erection of yet another extensive establishment, to be called the "Inns of Court Hotel," and in due course of time we shall doubtless have others of a similar character. At any of the above, a visitor to the town (with money in his purse) can find first-cla.s.s accommodation, and (in comparison with the London hotels of a like kind) at reasonably fair rates. After these come a second grade, more suitable for commercial gentlemen, or families whose stay is longer, such as the new Stork Hotel, the Albion, in Livery Street, Bullivant's, in Carr's Lane, the Acorn, the Temperance at the Colonnade, and the Clarendon, in Temple Street, Dingley's, in Moor Street, Knapp's, in High Street, Nock's, in Union Pa.s.sage, the Plough and Harrow, in Hagley Road, the Swan, in New Street, the White Horse, in Congreve Street (opposite Walter Showell and Sons' head offices), the Woolpack, in Moor Street, and the other Woolpack, now called St. Martin's, at the back of the church.

For much entertaining information respecting the old taverns of Birmingham, the hotels of former days, we recommend the reader to procure a copy of S.D.R.'s little book on the subject, which is full of anecdotes respecting the frequenters of the then houses, as well as many quaint notes of the past.

_The Acorn_ in Temple Street.--The favourite resort of the "men of the time" a few score years ago was at one period so little surrounded with houses that anyone standing at its door could view a landscape stretching for miles, while listening to the song birds in the neighbouring gardens. It dates from about 1750, and numbers among its successive landlords, Mr. John Roderick, the first auctioneer of that well-known name, Mr. James Clements, and Mr. Coleman, all men of mark.

The last-named host, after making many improvements in the premises and renewing the lease, disposed of the hotel to a Limited Liability Company for 15,500. It is at present one of the best-frequented commercial houses in the town.

_The Hen and Chickens_.--In _Aris's Gazette_, of December 14, 1741, there appeared an advertis.e.m.e.nt, that there was "to be let, in the High Street, Birmingham, a very good-accustomed Inn, the sign of the Hen and Chickens, with stables, &c." Inasmuch as this advertis.e.m.e.nt also said "there is a very good Bowling Green joining to it," it has been quoted by almost every writer of local history as an evidence of the popularity of those places of recreation, or as showing the open aspect of the then existing town. This establishment is believed to have been on the site of Messrs. Manton's cabinet warehouse, the adjoining Scotland Pa.s.sage leading to the stables, and possibly to "the Bowling Green." In 1798, the tenant, Mrs. Lloyd, removed to a new house in New Street, and took the Hen and Chickens' t.i.tle with her, the place becoming famous as a posting-house, and afterwards, under Mr. William Waddell, as one of the most extensive coaching establishments in the Midlands. A mere list only, of the Serene Highnesses, the Royalties, n.o.bility, and celebrated characters of all kinds, who have put up at this hotel, would fill pages, and those anxious for such old-time gossip, must refer to S.D.R.'s book, as before-mentioned. At the close of 1878, the premises were acquired by the "Birmingham Aquarium Co., Limited," who proposed to erect a handsome concert-room, aquarium, restaurant, &c. The old building has been considerably altered, and somewhat improved in appearance, but the aquarium and concert-room are, as yet, _non est_, an Arcade being built instead.

_The Midland_, New Street.--One of the modern style of hotels, having over a hundred good bedrooms, besides the necessary complement of public and private sitting and dining rooms, coffee, commercial, smoking and billiard rooms, &c., erected for Mr. W.J. Clements in 1874; it was sold early in 1876 to a Limited Company, whose capital was fixed at 40,000 in 10 shares.

_The Royal_, in Temple Row, was erected on the tontine principle in 1772, but was not called more than "The Hotel" for a long time afterwards the word Royal being added in 1805, after His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester slept there (May 4) on his way to Liverpool. In 1830 the d.u.c.h.ess of Kent, and Princess Victoria (our present Queen) honoured it by their presence. In June, 1804, the a.s.sembly Room (for very many years the most popular place for meetings of a social character) was enlarged, the proprietors purchasing a small piece of adjoining land for the purpose at a cost of 250, being at the rate of 26,000 per acre, a noteworthy fact as showing the then rapidly increasing value of property in the town. The portico in front of the hotel was put there in 1837, when the building had to be repaired, in consequence of the kind attentions of the Birmingham Liberals at the time of the general election then just pa.s.sed. The whole of the front and main portion of the hotel is now used for the purposes of the Eye Hospital, the a.s.sembly Rooms, &c., being still public.--Portugal House, in New Street, on the present site of the Colonnade, prior to its being taken for the Excise and Post Offices, was used for hotel purposes, and was also called "The Royal."

_The Stork_.--The Directory of 1800 is the first which contains the name of the Stork Tavern, No. 3, The Square, the host then being Mr. John Bingham, the t.i.tle of Hotel not being a.s.sumed until 1808. For a few years the one house was sufficient for the accommodation required, but as time progressed it became necessary to enlarge it, and this was accomplished by taking in the adjoining houses, until, at last, the hotel occupied one-fourth of The Square, from the corner of the Minories to the Lower Priory, in which were situated the stables, &c. It was in one of the houses so annexed to the hotel (No. 1) that Dr. Hector, the friend of Dr. Johnson, resided; and at the rear of another part of the premises in the Coach Yard, there was opened (in 1833) the "The Equitable Labour Exchange." The whole of the hotel buildings were sold by auction, Sept. 26, 1881, and quickly razed to the ground, which was required for Corporation Street; but the Stork, like the fabulous Phoenix, has risen from its ashes, and in close proximity to the old site, stands boldly forth as one of the magnificences of that-is-to-be most-magnificent thoroughfare.

_The Union_, in Cherry Street, was built in 1790, but much enlarged in 1825. It was one of the princ.i.p.al coaching houses, but will be remembered mostly as furnishing the chief saleroom in the town for the disposal of landed property. The site being required for Corporation Street, the building was "knocked down" on the 21st April, 1879.

_The Woolpack_, in Moor Street, saw many strange events, and had in its olden days undergone some few changes for there are not many sites in Birmingham that can compare with this in regard to its recorded history, but at last it is being cleared to make way for a more modern structure.

It is believed there was a tavern called the Green Tree here close upon 500 years ago, and even now there is still to be traced the course of an ancient "dyche" running through the premises which was described as the boundary dividing certain properties in 1340, and forming part of that belonging to the Guild of the Holy Cross. The house itself was the residence of William Lench, whose bequests to the town are historical, but when it was turned into a tavern is a little uncertain, as the earliest notice of it as such is dated 1709, when John Fusor was the occupier. It was the house of resort for many Birmingham worthies, especially those connected with the law, even before the erection of the Public Offices, and it is said that John Baskerville used to come here for his tankard of ale and a gossip with his neighbours. In the time of the Reform agitation it was frequented by the leaders of the Liberal party, and has always been the favourite shelter of artists visiting the town.

_The Woolpack_, in St. Martin's Lane.--Some eighty odd years ago the tavern standing at the corner of Jamaica Row and St. Martin's Lane was known as the Black Boy Inn, from the figure of a young negro then placed over the door. Being purchased in 1817 by the occupier of a neighbouring tavern called the Woolpack, the two names were united, and for a time the house was called the "Black Boy and Woolpack," the first part being gradually allowed to fall into disuse. Prior to its demolition it was _the_ noted market hostelry for cattle dealers and others, the respected landlord, Mr. John Gough, who held the premises from 1848 till his death in 1877, being himself a large wholesale dealer. When the Town Council decided to enlarge and cover in the Smithfield Market, the old house and its adjuncts were purchased by them, and a new hotel of almost palatial character has been erected in its place, the frontage extending nearly the entire length of St. Martin's Lane, and the Black Boy and the Woolpack must in future be called St. Martin's Hotel.

~Hothouses.~--Those at Frogmore, comprising a range of nearly 1,000 feet of metallic forcing houses, were erected in 1842-3, by Mr. Thomas Clark, of this town, his manager, Mr. John Jones, being described by the celebrated Mr. London, as "the best hot-house builder in Britain."

~House and Window Tax.~--See "_Taxes_."

~Howard Street Inst.i.tute.~--Founded in 1869. The first annual meeting, for the distribution of prizes, was held in December, 1872. The many sources for acquiring knowledge now provided at such inst.i.tutions as the Midland Inst.i.tute, the Mason College, &c., have no doubt tended much to the end, but, considering the amount of good derived by the pupils from the many cla.s.ses held in the Howard Street rooms, it is a pity the Inst.i.tute should be allowed to drop.

~Humbug.~--The Prince of Humbugs, Phineas Barnum, at the Town Hall, February 28, 1859, gave _his_ views of what const.i.tuted "Humbug." As if the Brums didn't know.

~Humiliation Days.~--February 25, 1807, was kept here as a day of fasting and humiliation, as was also September 25, 1832.

~Hundred.~--Birmingham is in the Hundred of Hemlingford.

~Hungary.~--The first meeting in this town to express sympathy with the Hungarians in their struggle with Austria, was held in the Corn Exchange, May 23, 1849, and several speakers were in favour of sending armed help, but no volunteers came forward.

~Hunter's Lane~ and Nursery Terrace take their names from the fact that Mr. Hunter's nursery grounds and gardens were here situated. The "Lane"

was the old road to Wolverhampton, but has a much older history than that, as it is believed to have been part of the Icknield Street.

~Hurricanes.~--The late Mr. Thos. Plant, in describing the great storm, which visited England, on the night of Sunday, 6th January, 1839, and lasted all next day, said it was the most tremendous hurricane that had occurred here for fifty years. A large quant.i.ty of lead was stripped off the roof of the Town Hall, the driving force of the gale being so strong, that the lead was carried a distance of more than sixty yards before it fell into a warehouse, 'at the back of an ironmonger's shop in Ann Street.--See "_Storms and Tempests_."

~Hurst Street,~ from Hurst Hill, once a wooded mount (the same being the derivation of Ravenhurst Street), was originally but a pa.s.sage way, leading under an arch at the side of the White Swan in Smallbrook Street (now Day's establishment). Up the pa.s.sage was a knacker's yard, a shop for the dyeing of felt hats, and a few cottages.

~Icknield Street.~--Britain was formerly traversed by four great roads, usually called Roman roads, though there are some grounds for believing that the Ancient Britons themselves were the pioneers in making these trackways, their conquerors only improving the roads as was their wont, and erecting military stations along the line. These roads were severally called "Watling Straete," which ran from the coast of Kent, through London, to the Welsh coast in county Cardigan; the "Fosse,"

leading from Cornwall to Lincoln; "Erminge Straete," running from St.

David's to Southampton; and "Hikenilde Straete," leading through the centre of England, from St. David's to Tynemouth. Part of the latter road, known as Icknield Street, is now our Monument Lane, and in 1865 a portion of ancient road was uncovered near Chad Valley House, which is believed to have been also part thereof. Proceeding in almost a direct line to the bottom of Hockley Hill, the Icknield Street ran across Handsworth Parish, by way of the present Hunter's Lane, but little further trace can be found now until it touches Sutton Coldfield Park, through which it pa.s.ses for nearly a mile-and-a-half at an almost uniform width of about 60 feet. It is left for our future local antiquarians to inst.i.tute a search along the track in the Park, but as in scores of other spots Roman and British remains have been found, it seems probable than an effort of the kind suggested would meet its reward, and perhaps lead to the discovery of some valuable relics of our long-gone predecessors.

~Illuminations.~--When the news of Admiral Rodney's victory was received here, May 20, 1792, it was welcomed by a general illumination, as were almost all the great victories during the long war. The Peace of Amiens in 1802 was also celebrated in this way, and the event has become historical from the fact that for the first time in the world's history the inflammable gas obtained from coal (now one of the commonest necessities of our advanced civilisation) was used for the purpose of a public illumination at Soho Works. (See "_Gas_.") In 1813 the town went into shining ecstacies four or five times, and ditto in the following year, the chief events giving rise thereto being the entry of the Allies into Paris, and the declaration of peace, the latter being celebrated (in addition to two nights' lighting up of the princ.i.p.al buildings, &c.), by an extra grand show of thousands of lamps at Soho, with the accompaniment of fireworks and fire-balloons, the roasting of sheep and oxen, &c. Waterloo was the next occasion, but local chroniclers of the news of the day gave but scant note thereof. From time to time there have been illuminations for several more peaceable matters of rejoicing, but the grandest display that Birmingham has ever witnessed was that to celebrate the marriage of the Prince of Wales, March 10th, 1863, when St. Philip's Church was illuminated on a scale so colossal as to exceed anything of the kind that had previously been attempted in the illumination by gas of public buildings upon their architectural lines.

Situated in the centre, and upon the most elevated ground in Birmingham, St. Philip's measures upwards of 170-ft. from the base to the summit of the cross. The design for the illumination--furnished by Mr. Peter Hollins--consisted of gas-tubing, running parallel to the princ.i.p.al lines of architecture from the base to the summit, pierced at distances of 3 in. or 5 in., and fitted with batswing burners. About 10,000 of these burners were used in the illumination. The service-pipes employed varied in diameter from three inches to three-quarters of an inch, and measured, in a straight line, about three-quarters of a mile, being united by more than two thousand sockets. Separate mains conducted the gas to the western elevation, the tower, the dome, the cupola, and cross; the latter standing 8 ft. above the ordinary cross of the church, and being inclosed in a frame of ruby-coloured gla.s.s. These mains were connected with a ten-inch main from a heavily-weighed gasometer at the Windsor Street works of the Birmingham Gas Company, which was reserved for the sole use of the illumination. It took forty men three days to put up the scaffolding, but the whole work was finished and the scaffolding removed in a week. It was estimated that the consumption of gas during the period of illumination reached very nearly three-quarters of a million of cubic feet; and the entire expense of the illumination, including the gas-fittings, was somewhat over six hundred pounds. The illumination was seen for miles round in every direction. From the top of Barr Beacon, about eight miles distant, a singular effect was produced by means of a fog cloud which hung over the town, and concealed the dome and tower from view--a blood-red cross appearing to shine in the heavens and rest upon Birmingham. As the traveller approached the town on that side the opacity of the fog gradually diminished until, when about three miles away, the broad lines of light which spanned the dome appeared in sight, and, magnified by the thin vapour through which they were refracted, gave the idea of some gigantic monster clawing the heavens with his fiery paws. All the avenues to the church and the surrounding streets were crowded with ma.s.ses of human heads, in the midst of which stood a glittering fairy palace. The effect was heightened by coloured fires, which, under the superintendence of Mr.

C.L. Hanmer, were introduced at intervals in burning censers, wreathing their clouds of incense among the urns upon the parapet in the gallery of the tower, and shedding upon the windows of the church the rich tints of a peaceful southern sky at sunset. The several gateways were wreathed in evergreens, amongst which nestled festoons of variegated lamps. So great was the sensation produced throughout the town and surrounding districts, and such the disappointment of those who had not seen it, that the committee, at a great expense, consented to reillumine for one night more, which was done on the 13th. The last general illumination was on the occasion of the visit of Prince and Princess of Wales, Nov.

3, 1874.

~Improvement Schemes.~--See "_Town Improvements_."

~Income Tax.~--This impost was first levied in 1798, when those who had four children were allowed an abatement of 10 per cent.; eight children, 15 per cent.; ten or more 20 per cent. At the close of the Peninsular campaign this tax was done away with, it being looked upon, even in those heavily betaxed times, as about the most oppressive duty ever imposed by an arbitrary Government on loyal and willing citizens. When the tax was revived, in 1842, there was a considerable outcry, though if fairly levied it would seem to be about the most just and equitable mode of raising revenue that can be devised, notwithstanding its somewhat inquisitorial accompaniments. The Act was only for three years but it was triennially renewed until 1851, since when it has become "a yearly tenant," though at varying rates, the tax being as high as 1s. 4d. in the pound in 1855, and only 2d. in 1874. A Parliamentary return issued in 1866 gave the a.s.sessment of Birmingham to the Income Tax at 1,394,161; in 1874 it was estimated at 1,792,700. The present a.s.sessment is considerably over the two millions, but the peculiar reticence generally connected with all Governmental offices prevents us giving the exact figures.

~Indian Famine.~--The total amount subscribed here towards the fund for the relief of sufferers by famine in India in 1877 was 7,922 13s. 2d.

~India-rubber,~ in 1770, was sold at 3s. per cubic half-inch, and was only used to remove pencil marks from paper. Its present uses are manifold, and varied in the extreme, from the toy balloon of the infant to railway buffers and unsinkable lifeboats.

~Infirmaries.~--See "_Hospitals_," &c.

~Inge.~--The family name of one of the large property owners of this town, after whom Inge Street is so called. The last representative of the family lived to the ripe old age of 81, dying in August, 1881.

Though very little known in the town from whence a large portion of his income was drawn, the Rev. George Inge, rector of Thorpe (Staffordshire), was in his way a man of mark, a mighty Nimrod, who followed the hounds from the early age of five, when he was carried on a pony in front of a groom, until a few weeks prior to his death, having hunted with the Atherstone pack duriug the management of sixteen successive masters thereof.

~Insane Asylums.~--See "_Lunacy_."

~Insurance.~--In 1782 a duty of 1s. 6d. per cent, was levied on all fire insurances, which was raised to 2s. in 1797, to 2s. 6d. in 1804. and to 3s. in 1815, remaining at that until 1865, when it was lowered to 1s.

6d., being removed altogether in 1869. Farming stock was exempted in 1833, and workmen's tools in 1860.

~Insurance Companies.~--Their name is legion, their agents are a mult.i.tude, and a list of their officers would fill a book. You can insure your own life, or your wife's, or your children's or anybody else's, in whose existence you may have a beneficial interest, and there are a hundred officers ready to receive the premiums. If you are journeying, the Railway Pa.s.sengers' Accident Co. will be glad to guarantee your family a solatium in case you and your train come to grief, and though it is not more than one in half-a-million that meets with an accident on the line, the penny for a ticket, when at the booking office, will be well expended. Do you employ clerks, there are several Guarantee Societies who will secure you against loss by defalcation. Shopkeepers and others will do well to insure their gla.s.s against breakage, and all and everyone should pay into a "General Accident" a.s.sociation, for broken limbs, like broken gla.s.s, cannot be foreseen or prevented. It is not likely that any of [**] will be "drawn"

for a militiaman in these piping times of peace, but that the system of insurance was applied here in the last century against the chances of being drawn in the ballot, is evidenced by the following carefully-preserved and curious receipt:--

"Received of Matthew Boulton, tagmaker, Snow Hill, three shillings and sixpence, for which sum I solemnly engage, if he should be chosen by lot to serve in the militia for this parish, at the first meeting for that purpose, to procure a subst.i.tute that shall be approved of.

"HENRY BROOKES, Sergt.

"Birmingham, Jan. 11, 1762."

The local manufacture of Insurance Societies has not been on a large scale, almost the only ones being the "Birmingham Workman's Mutual," the "British Workman," and the "Wesleyan and General." The late Act of Parliament, by which in certain cases, employers are pecuniarily liable for accidents to their workpeople, has brought into existence several new a.s.sociations, prominent among which is the comprehensive "Employers'

Liability and Workpeople's Provident and Accident Insurance Society, Limited," whose offices are at 33, Newhall Street.

~Interesting Odds and Ends.~

A fair was held here on Good Friday, 1793.

A fight of lion with dogs took place at Warwick, September 4, 1824.

The Orsim bombs used in Paris, January 15, 1858, were made here.

In 1771 meetings of the inhabitants, were called by the tolling of a bell.

A large a.s.sembly of Radicals visited Christ Church, November 21, 1819, but _not_ for prayer.

A "flying railway" (the Centrifugal) was exhibited at the Circus in Bradford Street, October 31, 1842.

The doors of Moor Street prison were thrown open, September 3, 1842, there, not being then one person in confinement.