Showell's Dictionary of Birmingham Part 42

~Reservoir.~--See "_Ca.n.a.ls_" and "_Roach Pool_."

~Restaurants.~--Our grandfathers knew them not. They took their chop or steak at their inn or hotel, or visited the tripe houses. Indeed, Joe Allday's tripe shop in Union Street (opened about 1839-40) may be called the first "restaurant" established here, as it was the favourite resort of many Town Councillors and leading men of the town. A vegetarian restaurant was opened in Paradise Street in July, 1881, and 1883 saw the commencement of another novelty in the line, a fish restaurant in the old Warwick Pa.s.sage.--See "_Luncheon Bars_."

~Rifle Clubs.~--The Midland Rifle Club was started in 1875, the Staffordshire Rifle a.s.sociation dating from 1861. Both clubs use the range at Sandwell Park, by permission of the Earl of Dartmouth. At the International Match at Creedmore, New York, in 1881, the representatives of this neighbourhood scored high numbers, Corporal Bates (of the M.R.C.) taking the only first prize secured by visitors in the open compet.i.tions of the U.S. a.s.sociations.

~Rights of Man.~--An effigy of Tom Paine, author of "The Rights of Man,"

was paraded through the streets, Feb. 12, 1793, and ignominiously burned in the evening.

~Ringers.~--The St. Martin's Society of Change Ringers, date from 1755, and have always held high rank among the bellringers of the country.

Many old newspapers have chronicled their mighty doings with bobs and treble bobs, caters and cinques, in all their courses and changes. In Southey's "Doctor" (vol. 1, p. 303) mention is made of "eight Birmingham youths who ventured upon a peal of 15,120 bob major, but after ringing for eight hours and a half were so fatigued that the caller brought them round at the 14,224th change, perhaps the longest peal that had ever been rung." On February 28, 1881, the ringers achieved a true peal of Stedman cinques, containing 9,238 change, in 6-3/4 hours, being the longest peal ever rung in that method, and noteworthy as the composition of H. Johnson, senr., and rung in honour of his 72nd birthday. In former days the local ringers were also famed for their skill with handbells, one celebrated performer being Elijah Roberts, an extraordinary adept, who died in 1865. One of this worthy's feats was the ringing (at Liverpool, [**]ch 23, 1837) a peal comprising [**] of Kent treble bob maxi[**] hours--See "_Bells_."

~Riots.~--In times past the Brums had a bad name for rioting, and when the list is looked over many may think it not undeserved.--In July, 1715, the Old Meeting House was destroyed in a riot.--In 1737 the nail-makers from Worcestershire marched into this town and forced the ironmongers to sign a paper allowing an advance in prices.--Some bigoted brutes got up an anti-Methodist movement in 1751, which culminated in a general riot on Oct. 19, the pulpit and seats being taken out of the meeting-house and burnt.--The history of "the Birmingham Riots" of 1791 is world-known, and there is no necessity to repeat the disgraceful tale. The damage was estimated at 60,000; the sufferers recovered only 27,000,--On Oct. 24, 1793, caused by the enforced collection of the rates levied to pay damages done in riots of 1791. Two more lives lost.

--June 22, 1795. on account of scarcity of food and the high prices thereof. Soldiers called out, and they gave two unfortunates leaden food enough to kill them.--May 28, 1810, two women fell out over the price of some potatoes, others joined in and a scrimmage ensued. Constables came and men mauled them, and the result of the unruly wagging of those two women's tongues was a riot, which lasted four days. Three men were sentenced to grow potatoes at Botany Bay the rest of their lives.--March 22, 1813, the chapels in Bond Street, Belmont Row, and Ladywell Walk, with the Jews' Synagogue in Severn Street, were damaged by a riotous mob. The Jabet Riots in 1816 were primarily caused by the proprietor of _Jabet's Herald_ publishing an address showing that "a man, wife, and six children could live on 6s. a week." Some cheap food was presented to the printer in the shape of potatoes, with which his windows were smashed.--Claims for damages arising out of the Chartist riots of 1839 were made to the amount of 16,283, of which 15,027 were allowed, and rates were made on the Hundred of Hemlingford for 20,000 to cover the same and the expenses attendant thereon. It was a curious coincidence that the rioters of 1839 should have chosen July the 15th for their fiery pranks, the roughs of 1791 having on the same day of the same month, burnt Hutton's and other houses. At the Warwick a.s.sizes, Aug. 8, 1839, Jeremiah Howell, Francis Roberts, and John Jones were sentenced to be hung, Thomas Aston had sentence of death recorded against him, and 13 other hot-heads were ordered various terms of imprisonment, for taking part in the mischief.--At Snow Hill Flour Mills, June 29, 1847, arising out of the seizure of sundry short weights.--The "Murphy Riots"

commenced on Sunday, June 16, 1867, when William Murphy, the Anti-Papal lecturer, delivered his first oration. The police had to clear Carrs Lane with their cutla.s.ses, and Park Street was nearly demolished. An Irishman who threatened Morris Roberts in his public-house was shot by him on the 17th, and the act was declared to be justifiable.--There was a disgraceful row (which may well be cla.s.sed under this heading) at St.

Alban's Church, Oct. 13, 1867, in consequence of some ecclesiastical excommunicatory proceedings.--The Navigation Street riot of roughs, in which Police-officers Lines and Fletcher were stabbed, took place March 7, 1875. Lines died on the 24th, and was buried at Aston the 29th. The sum of 840 14s. was gathered to support his wife and daughter. The a.s.sizes, held in the following July, may be called "the Roughs'

Reprisals," as one was sentenced to death, four to penal servitude for life, six to fifteen years each (three of them were flogged as well), one to ten years, one to seven years, and four to five years each.--A Conservative "demonstration" held at the Lower Grounds, October 13th, 1884, was broken into and disturbed by Liberals, who held a meeting outside and then breached the walls, spoilt the fireworks, and added another to the long list of Birmingham riots.

~Ritualism.~--Though there has been many instances of local clergymen adopting practices which usually come under the name of ritualistic, we have had but one "Martyr to the Cause," in the person of the Rev. R.W.

Enraght, of the Church of the Holy Trinity, Bordesley. Among the numerous practices of which complaint was made against him were the following:--The use of lighted candles, the wearing of the alb and chasuble, the ceremonial mixing of water and wine, the making of the sign of the cross towards the congregation, the use of wafers instead of bread, standing with his back to the congregation during the prayer for consecration, not continuing to stand the whole time during the prayer, elevation of the cup and paten more than is necessary, causing the _Agnus Dei_ to be sung immediately after the consecration, standing instead of kneeling during the Confession, and kissing the Prayer Book.

Remonstrance, monition, and inhibition, not being sufficient to teach him the error of his ways, Mr. Enraght was committed for contempt Nov.

20, 1880, and taken to Warwick gaol on the 27th. He was released soon after Christmas, and another Vicar filleth his place.

~Roach Pool.~--In the years 1825-26 the proprietors of the old Birmingham Ca.n.a.l purchased about 130 acres of land, partly in Edgbaston and partly in Birmingham parishes, for the purpose of forming reservoirs or feeders for their ca.n.a.l. Part of the area included Roach Pool, through which the boundary line ran, and the pleasant path then by its side is now 15ft., or 16ft. under water. In Ragg's "Edgbaston" is an allusion to this:--

"In Rotton Park No more doth Roach Pool smile. Its humble mirror, Wherein the stars were once content to gaze On their reflected forms, is buried now Some fathoms deep. Yea, with the humble path That led beside its banks."

~Roads.~--Same of the roads leading into and out of Birmingham in the olden days were little better than deep ruts, which were more or less levelled about the middle of last century. The making of the great Holyhead coachroad also graded some of the steeper spots as well as the lowest, but the modern town improvements must be credited as the greatest factor in the levelling of the roads, none of which, however, were "macadamised," until 1818. The total length of highways "taken to"

and repairable by the Corporation at the commencement of 1884, amounted to 185-1/2 miles, there being other 12-1/2 miles undeclared. Ten years ago the figures stood at 143 and 40 respectively; but as during the last six years, owners of property have been paying at the rate of 17,820 per annum, for completion of the streets and highways so as to bring them in charge of the Corporation, the undeclared roads will soon be few and far between. To keep the roads fit for travelling on, requires about 60,000 tons of stone per year.

~Rogues, Thieves, and Vagabonds.~--According to some calculations made by the late Rev. Micaiah Hill, Sec. to the Town Mission, there were, on a given day, in 1880, 1,272 known thieves and bad characters at large in the town, of whom 177 were under sixteen years of age. There were 71 houses kept by receivers of stolen goods, 118 others known to be frequented by the criminal cla.s.ses, and 188 houses of ill-fame, in which 262 women were found on the same day.

~Rolling Mills.~--There was one at Nech.e.l.ls as early as 1690, though the exact date of the erection of nearly all these places is a matter of the greatest uncertainty. The first steam rolling mill, with the exception of the one at Soho, was put up at Bradley ironworks.

~Rotton Park.~--In the list of the tenants of Edward Birmingham, whose estate was confiscated (circ. 1536), there appears the name of John Praty, as "farmer" of the office of "keeper of the Park called Rotton (or Roten) Park," with all the profits thereof, and the "wyndefal wood and lopwood," building timber excepted.

~Rowley Rag.~--The fusibility of basalt having been theoretically demonstrated, Mr. Henry Adc.o.c.k, C.E., in 1851 took out letters patent for the manufacture of a number of articles from the Rowley ragstone.

Furnaces were erected at Messrs. Chance Brothers, and the experiment thoroughly carried out, a number of columns, window-sills, doorways, steps, and other architectural pieces being the result. The process, however, was too expensive, and had to be given up. A number of the articles were used in the erection of Edgbaston Vestry Hall, where the curious may inspect them if so inclined.

~Royal Visitors.~--It is believed that Richard III. was the guest of Baron de Bermingham in November, 1189, and possibly King John may have visited the Manor, as he was more than once in the immediate neighbourhood (1206-08), but with those exceptions Charles I. was the first Sovereign who honoured us with a visit. He was at Aston Hall, October 16 and 17, 1642. and on the 18th he went to Packington. He was also in the neighbourhood on Friday, July 13, 1644. Queen Henrietta Maria, his Consort, was hereabouts on July 10, 1643, pa.s.sing from Walsall to meet Prince Rupert at King's Norton. Charles II. does not appear to have been nearer than at Erdington. Prince Rupert paid his memorable visit April, 1643. In 1742, the Duke of c.u.mberland, with his forces, on their way to Scotland, encamped on Meriden Heath, near Packington Park.--October 21, 1765, Edward, Duke of York, was here, and grumbled at the inconvenient ball-room in which he danced, an event which probably led to the erection of the Royal Hotel.--The Duke of Gloucester May 4, 1805, slept at the Royal, and in the following July, King George III. was expected to lay the foundation stone of Christ Church, but was too ill to come, and the next Royal visitors were his grand-daughter (and our Most Gracious Queen) Victoria, and her mother the d.u.c.h.ess of Kent, who on August 4, and 5, 1830, inspected some of our princ.i.p.al manufactories. On a similar errand came the late Prince Consort, November 29, 1843; his next visit being made Nov. 12, 1849 to see the Exposition of Art and Manufactures at the Old Bingley Hall in Broad Street, which occasion Birmingham men proudly believe led to the great Hyde Park Exhibition of 1851. Her Majesty pa.s.sed through the town on the 30th of August, 1852, when an address was presented to her.

Prince Albert laid the foundation stone of the Midland Inst.i.tute, November 22, 1855. The Duke of Cambridge, June 1, 1857, planted a tree in Calthorpe Park, as part of the opening ceremony. In the following year, June 15, 1858, the Queen and Prince Albert inaugurated the "People's Park," at Aston, and Her Majesty said it was the finest reception she had ever met with. Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught, opened the Horticultural Exhibition at Lower Grounds, June 24, 1872. The Duke of Edinburgh was at the Musical Festival, Aug. 26, and following days, 1873. The Prince and Princess of Wales visited the town Nov. 3, 1874, and received a most enthusiastic welcome. Prince and Princess Teck were here Dec., 6, 1875; and the Prince and Princess Christian, with the Marquis of Lorne, visited the Cattle and Dog Shows, Dec., 1883. The Prince of Wales having accepted the Presidentship of the Agricultural Exhibition Society, it is believed he will again visit the town shortly.

_Royal Visitors from Abroad_.--The great workshops of Birmingham, and especially the Soho Works (in their day), have, for the last hundred years, attracted many crowned and coronetted heads from other parts of the world, though, in many respects, it is to be feared our town no longer holds the pre-eminence in manufacture it once did. The Hereditary Prince of Brunswick came here, January 2, 1766. The Empress of Russia inspected Soho in 1776. The Duc de Chartres came on a similar visit, February 22, 1785, and there were newspaper flunkies then as now, for it was gravely recorded that the Duke's horses were stabled at the Swan Inn. His Serene Highness the Statholder and the Prince of Orange called at Boulton's, August 8, 1796. The Grand Duke Nicholas, afterwards Emperor of Russia, was here, November 9, 1816. His Serene Highness Prince Nicolas Esterhazy, visited us in the month of August, 1821.

Prince Louis Napoleon, afterwards Napoleon III., was seen here occasionally while in exile. The King of Portugal went the round of the manufactories, June 26, 1854; Prince Oscar of Sweden, May 8, 1862; the Emperor of Brazil, July 28, 1871; the Sultan of Zanzibar, July 2, 1875; Archduke Randolph, Crown Prince of Austria, and Prince Esterhazy, January 31 1878; and the Duke of Braganza, Crown Prince of Portugal, in December, 1883.

~Sabbath Breaking.~--In 1776 the churchwardens threatened to punish everyone caught playing at ball on the Sabbath. In 1779 they frequently stopped waggons travelling on that day, and fined the owners for so doing. In December, 1781, thirty-eight publicans were fined for allowing "tippling" on Sundays.

~Sailor's Return.~--There are several public-houses in the town with the sign of "The Sailor's Return," but few of the landlords can tell the history of the first so-named, which is in Watery Lane, at the bottom of Lawley Street. It is near a hundred years ago since "Old Dr. Spencer"

was Vicar of Aston Church, and, though he was fond of hunting, and could be "a jolly good fellow" occasionally, few parsons have gone to the grave more lamented, for he was a man without cant,--a Christian who never thought himself better than his neighbours, be they rich or poor.

His only son was mortally wounded in one of Nelson's battles, but he lived just long enough to give his watch and a few trifles for his father to the sailor who waited on him. 'Twas some time before the "old salt" got to land, and he had been in another brush with the French, and had left a leg behind him. When he delivered his message to the Dr., the latter asked what he could do for him. "Why, sir," said the sailor, "I should like to keep a public-house;" and he did, the Dr. christening it "The Sailor's Return."

~Saltley.~--So far as our ancient histories can tell us, there was a mansion here long previous to the Conquest, and the diligent antiquarian may still find an old Saltley Hall, though it looks wretchedly neglected and desolate. Saltley is one of the busiest of our suburbs, there being very extensive Railway Carriage and Wagon Works here, besides other factories and the Corporation Gas-works, the population being about 7,000.

~Sandwell Hall and Park.~--Seat of the Earl of Dartmouth, who frequently permits the Park to be used for public purposes. Of late, however, it has acquired a far greater interest through the discovery of coal underneath its surface. The extension of the coal seams in this direction was long a debateable question, and the originators of the Sandwell Park Colliery Company were deemed by many to be very foolish people to risk their money in such a venture, but after a four years'

suspense their most sanguine expectations were more than realised, and their shares, which at one period were hardly saleable, ranked amongst the best investments of the country. By their agreement with the owner, the Company have the right of mining under an area of 185 acres, at a royalty of 6d. per ton, with the option of taking a further area of 1,515 acres at a like royalty. The first sod was cut April 12, 1870, the thick coal being struck May 28, 1874, at a depth of 418 yards, the shaft, which is 10ft. diameter, being carried down to a total depth of 440 yards--a quarter of a mile; the second shaft, which was commenced June 24, 1874, is 15ft. in diameter. The following are the "winnings"; brooch coal, 2ft. 6in. thick, at a depth of 380 yards; best coal, 20ft.

6in. thick, at 418 yard; heathen coal 4ft. thick, at 427 yards; white ironstone, of excellent quality, at 434 yards, and good fire-clay, 6ft.

thick, under that, besides thin seams of gubbin ironstone, and new mine coal.

~Sat.u.r.day Half-holiday.~--The introduction of this boon to workingmen took place in 1851, Mr. John Frearson, of Gas-street, claiming the honour of first giving it to his employees.--See "_Excursions_".

~Scandalous Schoolmasters.~--The Rev. Mr. Wills, of Brumingham, with several county esquires and gentlemen, were appointed Commissioners under an Act pa.s.sed towards the close of "The Long Parliament," to summon and examine any "publique preachers, inefficient ministers, and scandalous schoolmasters who shall be proved guilty of drunkenness, common haunting of taverns or alehouses, dealing with lewd women, frequent quarrelling or fighting, frequent playing at cards or dice, profaning the Sabbath Day, or do incourage or countenance by word or practice any Whitsun ales, wakes, Morris-dances, Maypoles, stage plays, &c.," and to remove the same where needed. A _little_ quarrelling or fighting, or playing at cards, was apparently no offence.

~School Board.~--The first election took place Nov. 28, 1870, there being the following twenty-eight candidates, the first fifteen named being the chosen elected by the number of votes attached to their names, viz., Canon O'Sullivan, 35,120; S.S. Lloyd, 30,799; Dr. Burges, 21,925; Dr. Wilkinson, 19,829; John Gough, 17,481; Rev. F.S. Dale, 17,365; G.

Dawson. 17,103; G. Dixon, M.P., 16,897; W. Dale, 16,387; C. Vince, 15,943; J.S. Hopkins, 15,696; W.L. Sargant, 15,683; J. Chamberlain, 15,090; J.S. Wright, 15,007; A.J. Elkington, 14,925; G. Baker, J.A.

Cooper, Jesse Collings, Rev. H.W. Crosskey, Dr. Sebastian Evans, Rev.

H.W. Holland, ---- Kirkwood, G.B. Lloyd, Dr. Merson, W. Middlemore, W.

Radford, ---- Raffles, and Archdeacon Sandford. 29,183 voters, out of 52,340, recorded their votes. A considerable amount of party feeling was shown in the contest, the candidates being divided (with one or two exceptions) into two distinct cla.s.ses, the Liberals who wanted the Bible read in the schools without explanation or comment, and the Churchmen who went in for Scriptural teaching. The latter party obtained the majority by electing the whole of the eight they put in nomination, the Liberals, who thought they could run the whole fifteen, find that by grasping at too much they had lost all the power they had fondly hoped to acquire. The first meeting of the Board was held Dec. 15, Mr. Sargant being elected chairman and Mr. S.S. Lloyd vice-chairman. During the three years' reign of this Board the religious question was a continual bone of contention, the payment of school fees for the teaching of the Bible in denominational schools being denounced in the strongest of terms in and out of the Board-room by the "Irreconcileables," as the Nonconforming minority were termed. The practical results of the Board's proceedings may be summed up thus: The Education Department decided that school accommodation was required for 15,000 children; the School Board borrowed 40,000, received 20,500 from the rates, built five schools (in Lingard-street, Jenkins-street, Farm-street, Garrison-lane, and Steward-street), which would hold about 6,000 children, boys, girls, and infants, and engaged fifteen teachers, 52 pupil teachers, and two a.s.sistants. They also allowed the sum of 1s. per week for every child detained in a certified industrial school, committed by the borough magistrates, enforced in some measure the compulsory clauses of the Education Act, entered into negotiations for the building of four other schools, quarrelled with the Town Council, and dissolved without thanking their chairman.--The second election of the School Board took place Nov. 17, 1873, when eighteen persons were nominated, as follow (the three last being the unsuccessful candidates):--G. Dixon, M.P., 39,447 votes; J. Chamberlain, 38,901; Miss Sturge, 37,260; C. Vince, 36,505; J.S. Wright, 36,417; R.W. Dale, 34,986; G. Dawson, 34,301; Jesse Collings, 33,877; Canon O'Sullivan, 32,087; S.S. Lloyd, 29,783; Dr.

Burges, 24,582; A.J. Elkington, 24,213; W.L. Sargant, 24,207; Rev. F.S.

Dale, 23,864; Dr. Wilkinson, 23,157; G. Heaton, 23,140; W.H. Greening, 22,881; and W. Warlow, 19,193. This election was fought with all the rancour of a political contest, Tory and Liberal being pitted against one another in the name of religion, the Book of Books being dragged through the mire of party warfare in the most outrageous manner, discreditable to both sides, and especially so to those teachers of the Gospel, who delighted in the almost blasphemous alliterations of "Bible and beer," "gin and Jesus," &c., so freely bandied about. The Liberal party this time gained the ascendancy, their first "liberal" action being to take away the allowance granted to the Industrial Schools, and reversing as much as possible the policy of their predecessors. It would be waste of s.p.a.ce to comment upon the doings of the Board during the past ten years otherwise than to summarise them. The Liberal party have maintained their ascendancy, and they have provided the town with a set of schools that cannot be equalled by any town in the kingdom, either for number, magnificence of architecture, educational appliance, high-cla.s.s teachers, or (which is the most important) means for the advancement of the scholars, to whom every inducement is held out for self-improvement, except in the matter of religion, which, as nearly as possible, is altogether banished from the curriculum. At the end of 1833, the thirty completed schools provided accommodation for 31,861 children, 10,101 boys, 9,053 girls, and 12,707 infants, but the number of names on the books reached nearly 40,000. Other schools are being built, and still more are intended; and, as the town increases, so must this necessary expenditure, though, at first sight, the tax on the ratepayers is somewhat appalling. In 1878 the "precept" was for 46,500; in 1879, 44,000; in 1880, 39,000; in 1881, 42,000; in 1882, 48,000; in 1883, 54,000; in 1884, 55,000. The receipts and expenditure for the half-year ended 25th March, 1884, gives the following items:--Balance in hand 29th September, 1883 10,522 1s. 7-1/2d.; rates (instalment of precept), 27,250; maintenance--grants from Committee of Council on Education, 9,866 18s. 4d.; school fees, 4,806 3s. 8d.; books, &c., sold, 223 18s. 6d.; rent of Board schools, 655 9s.; needlework sold, 215 12s. 2d.; grant from Science and Art Department, 306 Os. 3d.; total, 16,074 1s. 11d.; scholarships, 114 13s.; sundries, 44 Os. 3d.; total income, 54,004 16s. 9-1/2d. The following was the expenditure: Repayment of loans, &c., 11,016 13s, 6d.; maintenance, 30,040 16s. 1d.

(including 23,300, salaries of teachers); scholarships, 126 13s. 3d.; compulsion and management, 3,857 3s. 4d.; sundries, 28 4s.; amount transferred from capital account, 30 1s. 10d.; balance in hand, 8,905 4s. 9-1/2d.; total, 54,004 16s. 9-1/2d.

A Central Seventh Standard Technical School has been originated through the offer of Sir. George Dixon to give the use of premises in Bridge Street, rent free for five years, he making all structural alterations necessary to fit the same for the special teaching of boys from the Board Schools, who have pa.s.sed the sixth standard, and whose parents are willing to keep their sons from the workshops a little longer than usual. The course of the two years' further instruction proposed, includes (besides the ordinary code subjects, the three R's) mathematic, theoretical, and practical mechanics, freehand, geometry, and model drawing, machine construction and drawing, chemistry and electricity, and the use of the ordinary workshop tools, workshops being fitted with benches, lathes, &c., for the lads' use. The fee is 3d. per week, and if the experiment succeeds, the School Board at the end of the five years will, no doubt, take it up on a more extended scale.

_Aston School Board_.--The first election took place July 29, 1875, and, as in Birmingham, it was fought on the usual political basis, the Liberals gaining the day. The Board has nine Schools, with an average attendance of 11,500 children, out of nearly 15,000 on the registers; 187 teachers, and a debt of 110,000

_King's Norton Board_.--The first election took place March 19, 1876.

Eight Schools have been built since that date.

~Schools and Colleges.~--What with thirty board schools, about sixty church and chapel schools, and nearly 300 private enterprise schools, Birmingham cannot be said to be short of educational establishments, even for the 100,000 children we have amongst us. At the end of 1881 there were 93,776 children in the borough between the ages of three and thirteen. Next to the Free Grammar School, the oldest public school in the town must be the Lancasterian School, which was opened September 11, 1809, and was rebuilt in 1851. The National School in Pinford Street was opened in 1813, the Governors of the Free Grammar School having the privilege of sending sixty children in lieu of rent for the site. The Madras school was formerly at the bottom of King Street. The first Infant Schools we read of were opened in 1825. The first stone of the Industrial School in Gem Street was laid April 13, 1849. Ragged Schools were opened in Vale Street, September 11, and in connection with Bishop Ryder's, September 17, 1862, and in Staniforth Street, January 11, 1868.

The schools in the Upper Priory were erected in 1860; those in Camden Drive in 1869. The Unitarian Schools, Newhall Hill, were opened in 1833; the New Meeting Street Schools in 1844. Winfield's in one sense must be called a public school, though connected with a factory and built (at a cost of over 2,000) for the education of the young people there employed. The respected owner of the Cambridge Street Works, like many other Conservatives, was one of the most liberal-minded men, and hundreds owe not only their education, but their present position in life to the care bestowed upon them at this school.--A Roman Catholic School was opened in Bartholomew Street, October 1, 1872; in Brougham Street, December 27, 1872; and new Schools in Shadwell Street, (costing about 4,500), June 25, 1883--The Palmer Street Congregational Schools, which cost 2,500, were opened February 12, 1877. The old Wesleyan chapel, in Martin Street, was fitted up for schools in 1865. The same body opened schools at Summer Hill, in 1874; in Icknield Street West, January 1, 1875; and laid the first stone of another school in Sterling Road, September 22, 1884.--the Hebrew National Schools, Hurst Street, were opened May 21, 1844.

The Birmingham and Edgbaston Proprietary School, Hagley Road, was the property of a company const.i.tuted by deed of settlement, dated February 28, 1839. The cost of the land chosen to build upon and the handsome edifice erected was 10,500, the school being opened in 1841. In 1874 there was originated a Birmingham Higher Education Society, and in 1876 a scheme was adopted for a High School for Girls in conjunction with the Proprietary School, a company being formed, with a nominal capital of 20,000, for the purchase of the property; but the days of the School's prosperity seem to have pa.s.sed away, and in August,1881, it was bought over by the Governors of the Free Grammar School.

_Blue Coat School_ (facing St. Phillip's Churchyard) founded in 1721, and was erected in 1724, provision having been made in the Act for building St. Philip's Church for securing the necessary land required for the school for a term of 1,000 years at 10s. per year. The first cost of the building was about 3,000, but many alterations and extensions have since been made thereto, the quaint little statues in the front being put up in 1770; they are the work of Mr. Edward Grubb, and are said to have been portraits of two of the children then actually in the school. The first bequest recorded is that of Mrs. Elizabeth White, who in 1722 left nearly 30 acres of land worth about 250 per year for the support of the school. In 1726 Benjamin Salusbury left 30s.

per year for the preaching of a sermon at St. Martin's and St. Philip's, and a further 40s. per year as a subscription; as did also Thomas Duns...o...b.. in 1729. In 1795 the Lord of the Manor presented the school with a slice of Birmingham Heath, above five acres in extent, which is now let on a long lease at 96 10s. per year. In 1806 other land was devised, and from time to time considerable sums have been invested in like manner and in consols, so that a fair income is derived from these sources, in addition to the voluntary and annual subscriptions, but judging from the past and the admirable way in which the funds have been administered it may be truly said that if the income were doubled or trebled so would be the benefits in like proportion. At first opening 22 boys and 10 girls were admitted, and 10 others of each s.e.x were taught and clothed; the latter system, however, had many inconveniences, and was soon discontinued. At present the average number is 150 boys and 100 girls on the original foundation, 20 being paid for out of Fentham's Trust.

_Bourne College_ is situated at Quinton, and is an inst.i.tution for the education of the sons of friends belonging to the Primitive Methodist denomination. The memorial stones were laid June 6, 1881, and the College was opened October 24, 1882, with accommodation for 70 boys.

_Church Schools_.--St. Alban's Schools were commenced in 1865. Bishop Ryder's Schools were opened in December 1860, and for girls in March 1866. Christ Church Schools were built in 1837 at a cost of nearly 4,000 St. George's Schools were built in 1842; St. John's (Sparkhill) in 1884; St. Mary's, Bath Street, in 1824, the present schools dating from January, 1847. St. Martin's Church Schools were opened Nov. 1, 1846, but were transferred to the School Board, July 9, 1879; St.

Matthew's, Lupin Street, October 20, 1841; St. Paul's, December 18, 1845; the Legge Lane Schools being erected in 1869. St. Anne's School, Deritend, was opened May 31, 1870; St. Mary's, Aston Brook, April 16, 1872.

_King Edward the VIth's Schools_.--For 300 years known as the Free Grammar School, having been founded in 1551, the fifth year of the reign of Edward VI., and endowed with part of the property taken by his reforming father Henry VIII., in 1536, from the religious foundation known as the "Guild of the Holy Cross." At the time the charter was granted (Jan. 2, 1552) these lands were valued at about 20 per annum, and so little was it imagined that Birmingham would ever be more than the small hamlet it then was, that a funny tale has come down to the effect that the good people of King's Norton, when offered their choice of similar lands or a sum equal thereto, wisely as they thought chose the "bird in hand" and asked for the 20 per year for their school, leaving the Brums to make what they could out of the bare fields once belonging to the brotherhood of the Holy Cross. Like the majority of so-called charity schools, this foundation was for many generations so managed that the funds went into almost any channel except the purpose for which it was designed--the free education of the poor--and even now it would be an interesting question to find out how many boys are receiving the advantages thereof whose parents are well able to pay for their learning elsewhere. The property of the charity is widely scattered over the town, here a piece and there a piece, but it is rapidly increasing in value from the falling in of leases the rentals, which in 1827 were about 3,000 per annum, being in 1840 8,400, in 1860 12,600, and now 25,000; by the expiration of this century it will be at least 50,000. The earliest existing statutes are dated October 20, 1676, one of the most comical being that the a.s.sistant masters were not to marry. The head master's salary in 1676 was fixed at 68 15s., with a house and land; in 1738 he was allowed 20 in lieu of the house, in 1788 the salary was increased to 150; in 1726 to 200; in 1816 to 400; and now it is about 1,200. The second master at first received 34 6s. 8d.; in 1874 he received 300. The first school was the old Guildhall of the Holy Cross, which was pulled down at the commencement of the 18th century, a new school being erected in 1707, and removed in 1833, to make way for the present edifice, which was erected in 1840, from the designs of Mr. Barry, at a cost of 67,000. The school has a frontage of 174 feet, with a depth of 125 feet, being 60 feet high. The "schoolroom"

proper is 120 feet, by 30 feet and 45 feet high. In the last century the governors "set up" branch schools in Shut Lane, Dudley Street, Freeman Street, London 'Prentice Street, and other localities; and in 1838 elementary schools were erected in Gem Street, Edward Street, and Meriden Street, as preparatory adjuncts to the New Street School.

Extensive changes have lately been made in the government and management of the Grammar School, which can no longer be called a "Free School."

Formerly the governors were self-elected, but by the new scheme, which was approved by the Queen in Council, March 26, 1878, the number is limited to twenty-one, eight of them being appointed by the Town Council, one by the school teachers, one each by the Universities of Oxford, Cambridge, and London, and the remaining nine to be chosen by the Governors themselves. The first meeting of the new Board of Governors was held May 15, 1878. The New Street School is divided into a High School for boys, a High School for girls, and a Middle School, the other schools being respectively called Grammar Schools. The fees now payable at the Five Ways School (formerly the Proprietary School), and at the new schools at Camp Hill and Albert Road, Aston are 2s. 6d. on admission, and 3 annually; to the High Schools the entrance fee is 10s., and the tuition fees 9 per annum; to the Middle Schools, 5s., and 3 per annum. The number of children in all the schools is about 2,000, and the fees amount to about 4,000 per annum. There are a number of foundation scholarships, which ent.i.tle the successful compet.i.tors from the Grammar Schools to free tuition at the High Schools, and ten exhibitions arising out of the Milward's, and Joanna Leuch's Trusts, for the Universities, besides yearly cla.s.s prizes of considerable value.

_Mason's Scientific College_.--The foundation of this College, situated in Edmund Street, opposite the Free Library, was laid on the 23rd February, 1875, by Sir Josiah Mason, the founder, who in that manner celebrated his 80th birthday; and it was opened October 1, 1880. The College, which is estimated to have cost 100,000, was built entirely by the founder who also endowed it with an income of about 3,700 per annum, with the intention of providing instruction in mathematics, abstract and applied; physics, mathematical and experimental; chemistry, theoretical, practical, and applied; the natural sciences, geology, metallurgy and mineralogy; botany, zoology and physiology; English, French and German, to which have since been added Greek, Latin, English literature, civil and mechanical engineering; the chemistry, geology, theory and practice of coal mining, &c. The entire management is in the hands of eleven trustees, five of whom are appointed by the Town Council, and there is no restriction on their powers, save that they must be laymen and Protestants. The students may be male or female of any creed, or of any birthplace, though preference is given to candidates from Mason's Orphanage, and to persons born in Birmingham or Kdderminster, other things being equal. The site contains a little over an acre of land, extending through from Edmund Street, with a frontage of 149 feet, to Great Charles Street, with a frontage of 127 feet. About one half of the area is covered by the present buildings, which were erected from the designs of Mr. J.A. Cossins, who chose the 13th century style, with elaborations of a French character, its stone balconies, lofty gables, oriel and dormer windows, picturesque turrets, and numberless architectural enrichments, forming a contour quite unique in the Birmingham district, though much of its beauty is lost through the narrowness of the thoroughfare. The College is built in two blocks communicating by corridors, and contains several lecture and other large rooms, laboratories, cla.s.s-rooms, &c., so arranged that the attendants on one department in no way interfere with others, there being about 100 apartments altogether, in addition to library, reading-rooms, private rooms, &c. The report for the year ending Founder's Day, February 23, 1884, showed the number of students in the day cla.s.ses during the session to have been 366--viz., 229 male and 137 female students; while in the evening cla.s.ses there were 118 male and 54 female students, 20 students attending some day as well as evening cla.s.ses. The number of individual students registered during the session 1882-3, as attending day or evening cla.s.ses, was 518, as against 462 in 1881-82, and 181 in 1880-81. The accounts showed an expenditure for the year of 8,095 12s.

2d., of which 4,258 7s. 9d. was in respect of the teaching staff. The expenditure exceeded the income by 764 0s. 8d., princ.i.p.ally on account of additional buildings, repairs, &c. The trustees have lately made provision for nine scholarships, including two entrance scholarships of 30 each; one of 30, for students of one year's standing; two of 30 each, for two years' students; two of 20 each for honour students in the examinations of the University of London; and two technical scholarships of 30 each, one in the chemical and the other in the engineering department. The two last are known as the Tangye, Scholarships, having been given by Messrs. R. and G. Tangye, and funds are being raised for several others.

_Queen's College_.--Originally established in 1828 as the School of Medicine; being patronised afterwards by William IV., it being known as The Royal School of Medicine and Surgery, under which name it existed until incorporated by Royal Charter in 1843, when it was rechristened as The Queen's College. The first building erected for the use of the Royal School was located in Snow Hill, the ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the present handsome Gothic edifice in Paradise Street being performed August 18, 1843, the chapel being consecrated in the following year. At first there was but a medical department, but, at the incorporation, a theological department was added, and for many years, princ.i.p.ally through the exertions of Dr. Warneford and Mr. W. Sands c.o.x, it was one of the most thriving and popular Colleges in the kingdom, the courses of study qualifying for degrees at the University of London, and for diplomas of the Society of Apothecaries, and the Royal College of Surgeons; while theological students, with the College certificate, could go up for their B.A. degree, with only a twelve months' residence at the University. A department in connection with the Arts, Manufacture, and Commerce was opened in May, 1853, and a High School of Trade and Commerce, for giving an education specially adapted for youths intended for mercantile pursuits, was commenced in the autumn of 1877.