Showell's Dictionary of Birmingham Part 44

_Archery_ at one period of history was so little of a sporting nature that laws were pa.s.sed for the erection of shooting-b.u.t.ts, the provision of bows and arrows, and the enforcement of constant practice by all young men and apprentices. The monk's mixture of brimstone, charcoal, and salt-petre, however, in course of time left the old English clothyard shaft with its grey goose feather and the accompanying six-foot bow of yew to be playthings only, or but fit to use in shooting squirrels or other small deer. The "Woodmen of Arden" is the oldest society (in this county) of toxopholites as the modern drawers of the long bow are called, which society was "revived" in 1785, the Earl of Aylesford giving a silver bugle horn and his lady a silver arrow as first and second prizes. The members of a local society may in summer months be sometimes seen pacing their measured rounds on an allotted portion of the Edgbaston Botanical Gardens.

_Athletics_--The Birmingham Athletic Club opened the Gymnasium in King Alfred's Place, in Aug 1866, and hold their annual display and a.s.sault-at-arms in the Town Hall in the month of March. Certain hours are allotted to the ladies' cla.s.ses, and special terms are made for young men and schoolboys.

_Bowling Greens_ and Quoit Grounds were once favourite places of amus.e.m.e.nt, many even of the town taverns having them attached. There was one at the Salutation, bottom of Snow Hill, in 1778, and at an earlier date at the Hen and Chickens, in High Street. In 1825 a bowling green was laid out at the corner of Highfield Road and Harborne Road, for "a very select party" of Edgbastonians. There was also one at the Plough and Harrow, and several may stil be found in the neighbourhood.

_Chess_, aristocratic game as it is, is far from being unknown here, a Chess Club having been established half-a-century back, which has nearly a hundred members. Its present headquarters are at the Restaurant, 1, Lower Temple Street.

_c.o.c.k-fighting_.--Early numbers of _Aris's Gazette_ frequently contained notices of "mains" fought at Duddeston Hall.

_Cricket_.--There was a Cricket Club in existence here in 1745, and it has been chronicled that a match was being played on the same day on which the battle of Culloden was fought. Of modern clubs, whose name is Legion, the oldest is the Birmingham C.C., started in 1819, the members including the young _elite_ of the town, who had their field opposite the Monument at Ladywood. The Birchfield C.C. was organised in 1840.

Among the noteworthy matches of late years are those of the All England Eleven against a local twenty-two, at the Lower Grounds, June 5, 1871, the visitors winning; the Australian Eleven _v_. Pickwick and District Twenty-two, at Bournbrook, June 24 to 26, 1878, the game not being finished, the first innings showing 105 runs for the Eleven, against 123; the Australians _v_. Eleven of England, at Lower Grounds, May 26, 1884, when the Colonials put together 76 against 82 in the first innings, the second innings of 33 against England's 26 being won with five players left to bat.

_Croquet_ was introduced in 1867; the first code of laws being published in October, 1869.

_Cycling_, though quite the rage at the present time, is by no mems a modern amus.e.m.e.nt, as running a race with "dandy-horses" was considered good sport in the days of the fourth Royal George. These vehicles consisted of two wheels united tandem fashion, the bar being fitted with saddle-shaped seat as in the first bicycles, but the motive power was applied through the contact of the riders' feet with the ground.--The "track" at the Lower Grounds measures 501 yards.

_Football_ is a game as old as the hills, and there are hundreds of clubs in the town and district, the best meadow for the purpose (at the Lower Grounds) being about 125 yards long by 75 yards broad. The Aston Villa is the chief club.

_Hare and Hounds_.--Every suburb and district has its club of Harriers or Hare and Hounds, an annual cross-country amateur championship contest being started in 1879. At the last (Feb. 9, 1884) the Birchfield Harriers scored their fourth victory against the Moseley Harriers twice.

_Hunting_.--Time was when the sight of scarlet coats and hounds was no novelty in Birmingham, but those who would now join in the old English sport of hunting must go farther afield, the nearest kennels being at Atherstone. The announcements of the meets in this and adjoining counties appear regularly in the _Midland Counties' Herald_.

_Jumping_.--At the Lower Grounds in July, 1881, Mr. P. Davine, of Belfast, jumped 6ft. 3in. the highest previous record having been 6ft.

2-1/2in., the performance of Mr. M.J. Brookes, (Oxford U.A.C.) at Lillie Bridge, March, 1874.

_Lacrosse_, a popular Canadian game, was introduced here June 23, 1883, by a team of Canadian Amateurs and Iroquois Indians, who exhibited their prowess at the Lower Grounds.

_Lawn Tennis_, at first known as Lawn Racquet, was the invention of the late Major Gem, who played the first game in 1865 with his friend Mr.

Perera. of Great Charles Street.

_Pedestrianism_.--Among the earlist noted achievements of local peds. is that of George Guest, who having wagered to walk 1,000 miles in 28 days finished his task Feb. 1, 1758, with five hours to spare, doing six miles in the last hour he footed it.--Mr. E.P. Weston, the walker _par excellence_, was at Bingley Hall in April, 1876, and at the Lower Grounds in Jan., 1884, when on his walk of 5,000 miles in 100 days.--A six days "go-as-you please" match came off at Bingley Hall in Sept., 1882, and a ridiculous exhibition of a similar nature occurred in the following year, when women were induced to walk for the sport of gaping idiots.

_Pigeon-flying_ has been for several generations the favourite amus.e.m.e.nt of numbers of our workers, and the flyers have a club of their own, which dates from August, 1875.

_Pigeon-shooting_ is a cruel sport, not much favoured in this locality, and now that a cheap clay pigeon has been invented for use in this game, instead of the live birds, it is to be hoped that the disgraceful practice will be confined to the Hurlingham boys.

_Prize-fighting_ was long the popular sport of high and low life blackguards, and Birmingham added many a redoubtable name to the long list of famous prize-fighters, whose deeds are recorded in "Fistiana"

and other chronicles of the ring. Among the most conspicuous of these men of might, were Harry Preston, Davy Davis, Phil Sampson, Topper Brown, Johnny and Harry Broome, Ben Caunt, Sam Simmonds, Bob Brettle, Ta.s.s Parker, Joe Nolan, Peter Morris, Hammer Lane, and his brothers, with a host of other upholders of fisticuffs, the record of whose battles will _not_ be handed down to posterity in the pages of _Showell's Dictionary of Birmingham_, though, as a matter of history, it may be noted that the earliest account we have of a local prize-fight is of that which took place in Oct. 1782, for 100 guineas a side, between Jemmy Sargent, a professional, and Isaac Perrins, one of the Soho workmen. Jemmy knuckled under after being knocked down thirteen times, in as many rounds, by the knock-kneed hammerman fiom Soho, whose mates, it is said, won 1,500 in bets through his prowess. Attempts have lately been made to revive the old sport, but the sooner the would-be adepts learn that their occupation is gone the better it will be for them, and all men.

_Racing and Steeplechasing_ was not, unknown to the Brums of the 18th century, as the _Gentleman's Magazine_ makes note of the races at Birmingham, May 27 to 29, 1740, but where the old racecourse was situated it is impossible to tell. Indeed it is doubtful whether any special course has ever long been in existence, as at various dates we read of races being held at Aston, Bordesley, Deritend, Walmer Lane, and other places. The Four Oaks Park, adjoining Sutton Park, formerly the property of a private gentleman, was bought by a company in June, 1879, for the purpose of laying out a racecourse in this neighbourhood, of a similar nature to that of Ascot, and other great racing centres. In addition to the Hall, the buildings comprise a grand stand (the memorial stone of which was laid June 2, 1880), and a club stand, each 70ft. by 66ft., with two galleries of seats refreshment, private, and other rooms. Also a second stand for the general public, 62ft. by 31ft. and a press and jockey stand, 53ft. by 31ft. The "paddock" occupies nearly three acres, while an area of 115ft. by 72ft. is devoted to "the Ring."

The cost of these various buildings and their necessary adjuncts is estimated at about 12,000, the structures themselves, which are built of red brick with stone facings, accommodating 3,000 persons. The course is about a mile and a half in circ.u.mference, and the "straight" about five furlongs in length. The Park includes an area of 130 acres, and the first race was run March 1, 1881.--No steeplechases have been run on the old Wolverhampton course since 1855, and no flat races since Aug. 1877.

_Running Records_.--Mr. W.G. George, of the Moseley Harriers, won a two mile handicap at Stamford Bridge, April 24, 1884, in 9 min. 17 2-5 secs.

On May 17, same year, he ran four miles, in 19 min. 39 4-5 secs. On July 28 following, he covered, in the hour, 11 miles, 932 yds., 9 in., being 37 yds. 2 ft. 3 in. less than the hitherto unsurpa.s.sed hour record of the celebrated Deerfoot in 1862. Another of George's feats took place May 1, 1882, when he ran ten miles in 52 min. 56-1/2 secs.

_Skating Rinks_ were opened at the Lower Grounds May 1, 1875; at Bingley Hall, Oct. 2, 1875; at Moseley, Dec. 6, 1876; and at Handsworth, Oct. 8, 1877; and, for a time, the amus.e.m.e.nt was exceedingly popular, more than one fortune accruing from the manufacture of patent and other roller skates. One of the most noteworthy feats on the slippery rinks was the skating of 200 miles in 24 hours by a Mr. F. Betteridge at Bingley Hall, Aug. 20, 1878.

_Swimming_.--The Birmingham Leander Club commenced their aquatic brotherhood in June, 1877, and the members do themselves honour by gratuitously attending the public baths in the summer months to teach the art of swimming to School Board youngsters. [See "_Baths_,"] The celebrated swimmer, Captain Webb, who was drowned at Niagara, July 24, 1883, visited this town several times, and the Athletic Club presented him with a gold medal and purse December 4, 1875.

~Statues, Busts, and Memorials.~--For many years it was sneeringly said that Birmingham could afford but one statue, that of Nelson, in the Bull Ring, but, as the following list will show, the reproach can no longer be flung at us. Rather, perhaps, it may soon be said we are likely to be over-burdened with these public ornaments, though to strangers who know not the peculiarities of our fellow-townsmen it may appear curious that certain local worthies of the past have not been honoured in marble or bronze.

_Attwood_.--The figure of Thomas Attwood, in Stephenson Place, New Street, is the work of Mr. John Thomas, who did much of the carving at the Grammar School. The cost was about 900, and the statue was unveiled June 6, 1859.

_Blue Coat Children_.--The stone figures of a Blue Coat boy and girl over the entrance to the School in St. Phillip's Churchyard, were sculptured by Mr. Edward Grubb, in 1770, and Hutton thought they were executed "with a degree of excellence that a Roman statuary would not blush to own." In 1881 the appearance of the figures was _improved_ by their being painted in correct colours.

_Bright_.--At the time of the Bright Celebration in 1883, the Birmingham Liberal a.s.sociation commissioned Mr. A. Bruce Joy to execute for them a marble statue of Mr. Bright, which the a.s.sociation intend placing in the new Art Gallery. The statue itself is expected to be finished in 1885, but Mr. Bright has expressed his satisfaction with the model, which represents him standing erect in an att.i.tude of dignified tranquility, easy and natural with his left hand in the breast of his coat, while the other hangs down by his side, emblematic of the Christian charity so characteristic of our distinguished representative.

_Boulton_.--There is a fine bust of Matthew Bolton in Handsworth, and as the owner of the great Soho Works certainly did much to advance the manufactures of this town, foreigners have often expressed surprise that no statue has been erected to _his_ memory.

_Buddha_.--The bronze statue of Buddha, now in Aston Hall, is supposed to be 2,500 years old, and was found buried among the ruins of a temple at Soottan, on the Ganges, Dec 6, 1862. It was presented to this town in 1864 by Mr. Samuel Thornton.

_Chamberlain, J_.--The memorial at the rear of the Town Hall bears the following inscription:--

"This memorial is created in grat.i.tude for public service given to this town by Joseph Chamberlain, who was elected town councillor in November, 1869, Mayor in 1873, and resigned that office in June, 1876, on being returned as one of the representatives of the borough of Birmingham in Parliament, and during whose mayoralty many great works were notably advanced, and mainly by whose ability and devotion the gas and water undertakings were acquired for the town, to the great and lasting benefit of the inhabitants."

The memorial was desisigned by Mr. J.H. Chamberlain, of the firm of Martin and Chamberlain, and was presented to the town October 26, 1880, during the mayoralty of Mr. Richard Chamberlain. The medallion of the right hon. gentleman is the work of Mr. Thomas Woolner, R.A.

_Chamberlain, J.H._--The sum of 2,744 13s. 6d. raised by subscription for the founding of a memorial of the late Mr. John Henry Chamberlain, was given to the Midland Inst.i.tute, with which the lamented gentleman was so intimately connected.

_Dawson_.--A public meeting was held Jan. 3, 1877, to decide on a memorial of George Dawson, and the sum of 2,287 13s. 9d. was subscribed for a statue to be erected at the rear of the Town Hall, but it was esteemed so poor a portrait that after a little while it was removed, in favour of the present statue. A very pleasing bust, which is a very striking likeness and really characteristic portrait was unveiled at the Church of the Saviour, Aug. 8, 1882. It bears the following inscription:--

IN LOVING MEMORY OF

GEORGE DAWSON, M.A.

Coming to this town in the year 1844, he gathered round him a band of followers, who found in his teaching a fervent religious spirit, and a fearless trust in G.o.d as our Heavenly Father, in union with an earnest search after truth. To perpetuate such union they built this Church, which he opened August 8. 1847, and in which he ministered until his death. Not in this Church only, but throughout the land did he everywhere teach to nations: that they are exalted by righteousness alone--to men: "To do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with G.o.d."

He was born February 24. 1821, and died November 10, 1876.

"I HAVE FOUGHT THE GOOD FIGHT."

Mr. T.J. Williamson, who executed this bust was entrusted with the order for the new statue.

_George IV_.--The first bronze statue ever cast in Birmingham was that of George IV., the work of Sir Edward Thomason, in 1823. Sir Edward employed the best of talent and spared no pains to turn out a splendid work of art, but he never found a customer for it. The statue is 6ft.

high, weighing 2-1/2 tons, and costing over 1,500, but was sold in November, 1880, to a gentleman in the neighborhood for 150, little more than the value of the metal. _Goldsmith_.--The statue of Goldsmith, in the hall of the Reference Library, is a plaster cast of the bronze statue manufactured by Messrs. Elkington for the City of Dublin.

_Hill_.--The sum of 1,500 was raised by public subscription, for the purpose of erecting a statue of Sir Rowland Hill. The work was executed in marble by Mr. P. Hollins, and pending the erection of the new Post Office buildings, the charge of the statue was accepted by the Exchange Buildings Committee, September 12, 1870 and remained in the Birmingham Exchange until the year 1874, when it was removed to the position in which it at present stands, in the corner of the princ.i.p.al room of the Post Office, Paradise Street.

_Hill, M.D._--A very fine bust of Matthew Davenport Hill, the first Recorder for the borough, is placed in the Art Gallery at the Reference Library.

_James_.--A bust of the Rev. Angell James may be seen at Aston Hall.

_King Edward VI._--When the old Grammar School was taken down the statue of the King, which had stood in its niche in the front of the old building for generations, was broken to pieces on account of so many gentlemen (including governors) wanting it; as all could not have it, it was destroyed!

_Mason_.--The erection of a statue in his honour as proposed in 1870 not meeting with the approval of Sir Josiah Mason (then Mr.), the Town Council paid Mr. E.G. Papworth, the chosen sculptor, a solatium or honorarium of 150 guineas. The worthy knight not being now alive to veto the project, a figure of him has been placed opposite the College in Edmund Street.