Showell's Dictionary of Birmingham Part 8

~Council House.~--See "_Public Buildings_."

~County Areas.~--The total areas of this and adjoining counties are:-- Warwicks.h.i.+re 566,458 acres, Worcesters.h.i.+re 472,453, Staffords.h.i.+re 732,434, and Shrops.h.i.+re 841,167.

~County Court.~--First opened in Birmingham at the Waterloo Rooms, Waterloo Street, April 28th, 1847. R. G. Welford, Esq., Q.C., acting as judge until September, 1872. He was followed by H. W. Cole, Esq., Q.C., who died in June, 1876; James Motteram, Esq., Q.C., who died Sept. 19, 1884: the present judge being W. Chambers, Esq., Q.C. The Circuit (No.

21) includes the towns and places of Aston, Atherstone, Balsall Heath, Curdworth, Castle Bromwich, Erdington, Gravelly Hill, Handsworth, Harborne, King's Heath, King's Norton, Lea Marston, Little Bromwich, Maxstoke, Minworth, Moseley, Nether Whitacre, Perry Barr, Saltley, Selly Oak, Sutton Coldfield, Tamworth, Water Orton and Wishaw.

~County Officials.~--For names and addresses of the Lord Lieutenant, Deputy Lieutenant, High Sheriff, County Magistrates, and other official gentlemen connected with the county of Warwick, see "Red Book."

~Court of Bankruptcy~ holden at Birmingham (at the County Court, in Corporation Street) comprises all the places within the district of the County Court of Warwicks.h.i.+re holden at Birmingham, Tamworth and Solihull, and all the places in the district of the County Court of Worcesters.h.i.+re holden at Redditch.

~Court Of Judicature.~--Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Walsall, and Worcester, are District Registries of the Supreme Court of Judicature.

~Court Leet.~--The origin of that peculiar kind of Local Government Board, known in the olden days as the Court Leet of the Manor of Birmingham, is lost in the misty shadows of our past history. Doubtless there were many onerous duties connected therewith, and very possibly the officials considered themselves as "men of high degree," but what those duties actually were, and what the remuneration for their due fulfilment, appears to have been matter of doubt, even so late as a hundred and a few odd years ago. The rights, powers, and privileges of the officers of this Court had evidently been questioned by some of our Radical-minded great-grandfathers, as we find it was deemed necessary to a.s.semble a jury on the 20th day of October, 1779, to "ascertain and present" the same, and from a little pamphlet at that time published, we extract the following:--

_The Office of Low Bailiff_.--"The Jury find and present that this officer is annually elected by the Jury, and that his office is in the nature of Sheriff of the Manor; that to him all the process of the Court is to be directed, and that it is his right and duty to summon all Juries to this court. And the Low Bailiff, at each fair, is ent.i.tled to one penny for each stall or standing pitched in the said fairs."

_The Office of High Bailiff_.--"The Jury find and present that this Officer is annually elected by the Jury; and that it is his duty to see that the fairs be duly proclaimed, and that due order be preserved in the fairs and markets; and if he sees any person in such fairs or markets using unlawful games, to the injury of ignorant persons and thoughtless youths, he may seize them and commit them to custody, to be taken before a proper magistrate. That it is his duty to see that all persons exposing any wares for sale in the fairs or markets, or as shopkeepers within the manor, have legal weights and measures."

The other officers of the Court Leet, whose duties are also defined in the aforesaid pamphlet, are the "Constables," the "Headborough," two "Affeirers" (who looked after the rents and dues belonging to the Lord of the Manor), two "Leather Sealers" (once important officers, when there was a Leather Market, but whose duties in and about the year named seemed to be confined to attending at the yearly dinners given by the High Bailiff), two "Ale-conners, otherwise high tasters," and two "Flesh-conners, otherwise low tasters." From their name it might be thought the duties of the last named officers were limited to the inspection of meat or flesh, but it will be seen that they were of a more comprehensive character:--

"Their duty is to see that all butchers, fishmongers, poulterers, bakers, and other sellers of victuals, do not sell or expose to sale within this Manor any unwholesome, corrupt, or contagious flesh, fish, or other victuals; and in case any such be exposed to sale, we find that the said Officers, by the ancient custom of the Manor may seize, burn, or destroy the same, or otherwise present the offenders at the next Court Leet to be holden for this Manor."

As we are now officered, inspectored and policed, and generally looked after as to our eating and drinking, &c., in the most improved modern style possible, it is not necessary to further fill s.p.a.ce by saying what the "Headborough" had to do, or how many "Constables" a.s.sisted him. The last meeting of the Court Leet, long shorn of all its honours and privileges, was held October 28, 1851.

~Court Of Record.~--This was also called the "Mayor's Court," and was authorised in the Charter of Incorporation for the recovery of small debts under 20, the officers consisting of a Judge, Registrar, and two Sergeants-at-Mace. In 1852 (Oct. 26) the Town Council pet.i.tioned the Queen to transfer its powers to the County Court, which was acceded to in the following spring.

~Court of Requests.~--Const.i.tuted by Act of Parliament in 1752 this Court for "the more easy and speedy recovery of small debts within the town of Birmingham and the adjoining hamlet of Deritend" continued in operation until the present County Court system became the law of the land. Its powers were originally limited to debts not exceeding 40s. in amount (which was increased to 5 by an Act pa.s.sed in 1807), the periods of imprisonment to which defaulting debtors were liable being apportioned out at the rate of one day in durance for each s.h.i.+lling due, except in special cases, wherein an addition (not to exceed three months) might be the reward for fraudulent concealment of property from creditors. The "Court" consisted of no less than six dozen judges, or, as the Act styled them, "Commissioners," from whose decisions there was no appeal whatever. These Commissioners were at first chosen from the ratepayers in a haphazard style, no mental or property qualification whatever being required, though afterwards it was made inc.u.mbent that they should be possessed of an income from real estate to value of 50 per year, or be worth 1,000 personalty. From the writings of William Hutton, himself one of the Commissioners, and other sources, we gather that justice, or what was supposed to be equivalent thereto, was administered in a rough-and-ready fas.h.i.+on of the rudest kind, the cases being frequently disposed of at the rate of thirty to forty per hour, and when we consider that imprisonment resulted at an average of one case in ten the troubles attendant upon impecuniosity in those days may be better imagined then described. The Court House, which is now occupied by sundry tradesmen, lay a little back from High-street, nearly opposite New-street, and in itself was no mean structure, having been (it is said), erected about the year 1650, as the town house of John Jennens, or Jennings, one of the wealthy family, the claims to whose estates have been unending, as well as unprofitable, barring, of course, to the long-robed and bewigged fraternity. A narrow pa.s.sage from the right of the entrance hall leads by a dark winding staircase to the cellars, now filled with merchandise, but which formerly const.i.tuted the debtors' prison, or, as it was vulgarly called, "The Louse Hole," and doubtless from its frequently-crowded and horribly-dirty condition, with half-starved, though often debauched and dissipated, occupants, the nasty name was not inappropriately given. Shocking tales have been told of the scenes and practices here carried on, and many are still living who can recollect the miserable cry of "Remember the poor debtors,"

which resounded morning, noon, and night from the heavily-barred windows of these underground dungeons. The last batch of unfortunates here confined were liberated August 16, 1844.

~Creche.~--An inst.i.tution which has been open in Bath Row for several years, and a great blessing to many poor mothers in its neighbourhood, but it is so little known that it has not met with the support it deserves, and is therefore crippled in its usefulness for want of more subscribers. The object of the inst.i.tution is to afford, during the daytime, shelter, warmth, food, and good nursing to the infants and young children of poor mothers who are compelled to be from home at work. This is done at the small charge of 2d. per day--a sum quite inadequate to defray the expenses of the charity. The average number of children so sheltered is about 100 per week, and the number might be greatly increased if there were more funds. Gifts of coal, blankets, linen, perambulators, toys, pictures, &c., are greatly valued, and subscriptions and donations will be gladly received by the hon.

treasurer.

~Crescent,~ Cambridge Street.--When built it was thought that the inhabitants of the handsome edifices here erected would always have an extensive view over gardens and green fields, and certainly if chimney pots and slated roofs const.i.tute a country landscape the present denizens cannot complain. The ground belongs to the Grammar School, the governors of which leased it in 1789 to Mr. Charles Norton, for a term of 120 years, at a ground rent of 155 10s. per year, the lessee to build 34 houses and spend 12,000 thereon; the yearly value now is about 1,800. On the Crescent Wharf is situated the extensive stores of Messrs. Walter Showell & Sons, from whence the daily deliveries of Crosswells Ales are issued to their many Birmingham patrons. Here may be seen, stacked tier upon tier, in long cool vistas, close upon 6,000 casks of varying sizes containing these celebrated ales, beers, and stouts. This stock is kept up by daily supplies from the brewery at Langley Green, many boats being employed in the traffic.

~Cricket.~--See "_Sports_."

~Crime.~--A few local writers like to acknowledge that Birmingham is any worse than other large towns in the matter of crime and criminals, and the old adage respecting the bird that fouls its own nest has been more than once applied to the individuals who have ventured to demur from the boast that ours is _par excellence_, a highly moral, fair-dealing, sober, and superlatively honest community. Notwithstanding the character given it of old, and the everlasting sneer that is connected with the term "Brummagem," the fast still remains that our cases of drunkenness are far less than in Liverpool, our petty larcenies fewer than in Leeds, our highway robberies about half compared with Manchester, malicious damage a long way under Sheffield, and robberies from the person not more than a third of those reported in Glasgow; while as to smas.h.i.+ng and coining, though it has been flung at us from the time of William of Orange to the present day; that all the bad money ever made _must_ be manufactured here, the truth is that five-sixths of the villainous crew who deal in that commodity obtain their supplies from London, and _not_ from our little "hardware village." But alas! there _is_ a dark side to the picture, indeed, for, according to the Registrar-General's return of June, 1879 (and the proportionate ratio, we are sorry to say, still remains the same), Birmingham holds the unenviable position of being the town where most deaths from violence occur, the annual rate per 1,000 being 1.08 in Birmingham, 0.99 in Liverpool, 0.38in Sheffield, 0.37 in Portsmouth, the average for the kingdom being even less than that--"the proportional fatality from violence being almost invariably more than twice as large in Birmingham as in Sheffield."

~Cross.~--In the Bull Ring, when Hutton first came here, a poor wayfarer seeking employ, there was a square building standing on arches called "The Cross," or "Market Cross," the lower part giving a small shelter to the few countrywomen who brought their b.u.t.ter and eggs to market, while the chamber above provided accommodation for meetings of a public character. When the Corn Cheaping, the Shambles, and all the other heterogeneous collection of tumbledown shanties and domiciles which in the course of centuries had been allowed to gather round St. Martin's were cleared away, the Market Cross was demolished, and its exact site is hardly ascertainable. At Dale End there was a somewhat similar erection known as the "Welsh Cross," taking its peculiar name, says Hutton, from the locality then called "Welsh End," on account of the number of Welsh people living on that side of the town; though why the "Taffies" were honoured with a distinct little market house of their own is not made clear. This building was taken down in 1803, the 3-dial clock, weatherc.o.c.k, &c., being advertised for sale, October 12, 1802.

~Crown.~--The old Crown Inn, Deritend, is one of the very few specimens we have of the style of architecture adopted in the days of old, when timber was largely used in place of our modern bricks. Leland mentions the Crown Inn as existing in 1538, and a much longer history than that is claimed for it. In 1817 there was another Old Crown Inn in New Street, on the spot where Hyam's now stands, access to the Cherry Orchard being had through its yard, the right of way thus obtained being the origin of the present Union Pa.s.sage.

~Crystal Palaces.~--It was proposed in August, 1853, that the Corporation should join with the Midland Railway Co. and the Corporation of Sutton in the erection of a "Sydenham Palace" in Sutton Park: Birmingham to lease 250 acres for 999 years, at 1s. per acre, find from 20,000 to 30,000 for the building and divide profits, the Midland Railway Co. being willing to make branch from Bromford and run cheap trains. The scheme was highly approved, but the Suttonites killed the goose that was to lay them such golden eggs by refusing to lease the land for more than ninety-nine years and wanting 20s. per acre rent. In July, 1877, a "Sutton Park Crystal Palace Co. (Lim.)" was registered, with a capital of 25,000 in 5 shares, for buying Mr. Cole's Promenade Gardens, erecting Hotel, Aquarium, Skating Rink, Concert Hall, Winter Gardens, &c., and the shares were readily taken up. Additional grounds were purchased, and though the original plans have not yet been all carried out, a very pleasant resort is to be found there. Day's, in Smallbrook Street, is also called a "Crystal Palace," on account of the style of decoration, and the immense mirror the proprietor purchased from the Hyde Park Exhibition of 1851.

~Curzon Hall~, built originally for the purposes of the Dog Shows, was opened in 1865. It is the property of a company, and cost about 7,500.

The building is well suited and has been often used for exhibitions, panoramas, circus entertainments, &c., the hall being 103 ft. long by 91 ft. wide; the stage is of the fullest width, with a depth of 45 ft.

There is room for 3,000 seats.

~Danielites.~--A tribe who eschew fish, flesh, and fowl, and drink no alcohol; neither do they snuff, smoke, or chew tobacco. At a fruit banquet, held on August, 1877, it was decided to organise a "Garden of Danielites" in Birmingham.

~Dates.~--The most complete work giving the dates of all the leading events in the world's history is "Haydn's Book of Dates," the latest edition bringing them down to 1882. For local events, the only "Local Book of Dates" published is that of 1874, but "Showell's Dictionary of Birmingham" (by the same author), will be found to contain more reliable data than any book hitherto issued. For information of a general character, respecting the immediate neighbourhood and adjoining counties, our readers cannot do better than refer to the files of Birmingham newspapers, preserved in the Reference Library, or write to the present editors of the said papers, gentlemen noted for their urbanity, and readiness to tell anybody anything.

~Dawson,~ George, _See "Parsons, Preachers, and Priests_," and "_Statues_."

~Deaf and Dumb Asylum.~--_See "Philanthropic Inst.i.tutions_."

~Debating Societies.~--From time immemorial the Brums have had their little Parliaments, mostly in public-house parlours and clubrooms, and certain Sunday nights gathering at "Bob Edmonds" and other well-known houses have acquired quite an historical interest; but the regularly-const.i.tuted "Spouting Clubs" of the present day cannot claim a very long existence, the Birmingham Debating Society having held their first palaver on the 3rd of Dec., 1846. In 1855 they joined the Edgbastonians. The latest of the kind started in 1884, is known as the Birmingham Parliamentary Debating Society, and has its premier, parties, and political fights, in proper Parliamentary style.

~Deer Stealers.~--There was a taste for venison in more cla.s.ses than one in 1765, for it was found necessary to offer rewards for the detection of those persons who stole the deer from Aston Park.

~Dental Hospital.~--_See "Hospitals_."

~Deodands.~--Prior to the pa.s.sing of 9 and 10 Vict., 1846, Coroner's Juries had the power of imposing a "deodand" or penalty on any article or animal which had been instrumental in causing the death of a human being, the said animal or article being forfeited if the owner did not pay.

~Deritend.~--In some antique records the name has been spelt "Duratehend." For this and other reasons it has been thought to have had its origin rather from the ancient British, as "dur" is still the Welsh word for water, and its situation on the Rea (a Gaelic word signifying a running stream) seems to give a little foundation therefor. Mr. Tonlmin Smith, in whose family the "Old Crown House" has descended from the time it was built, and who, therefore, is no mean authority, was of opinion that the name was formerly "Der-yat-end," or "Deer-Gate-End," from the belief that in ancient days there was here an ancient deer forest.

Leland said he entered the town by "Dirtey," so perhaps after all Deritend only means "the dirty end." Like the name of the town itself, as well as several other parts of it, we can only guess at the origin.

~Deritend Bridge.~--Old records show that some centuries back there was a bridge here of some sort, and occasionally we find notes of payments made for repairs to the roads leading to the gates of the bridge, or to the watchmen who had charge thereof, who appear to have been in the habit of locking the gates at night, a procedure which we fear our "Dirtyent" neighbours of to-day would be inclined to resent. The Act for building the present bridge was obtained in 1784; the work was commenced in 1789, but not completed till 1814.

~d.i.c.kens,~ Charles, made his first appearance amongst us at a Polytechnic Conversazione held February 28, 1844, his last visit being to distribute prizes to students of the Midland Inst.i.tute, January 6, 1870. In December, 1854, he gave the proceeds of three "Readings,"

amounting to 227, to the funds of the Inst.i.tute, in which he always took great interest.--_See also "Theatrical Notes," &c._

~Digbeth,~ or d.y.k.e Path, or Ducks' Bath, another puzzle to the antiquarians. It was evidently a watery place, and the pathway lay low, as may be seen at "Ye Olde Leather Bottel."

~Dining Halls.~--Our grandfathers were content to take their bread and cheese by the cosy fireside of a public-house kitchen; this was followed by sundry publicans reserving a better room, in which a joint was served up for their "topping customers." One who got into trouble and lost his license, conceived the idea of opposing his successor, and started dining-rooms, sending out for beer as it was required, but _not_ to his old shop. This innovation took, and when the railways began bringing in their streams of strangers, these dining-rooms paid well (as several of the old ones do still). The next step was the opening of a large room in Slaney Street (June 8, 1863), and another in Cambridge Street, with the imposing t.i.tle of "Dining Halls," wherein all who were hungry could be fed at wholesale prices--provided they had the necessary cash. Our people, however, are not sufficiently gregarious to relish this kind of feeding in flocks, barrackroom fas.h.i.+on, and though the provisions were good and cheap, the herding together of all sorts spoilt the speculation, and Dining Halls closed when "Restaurants" opened.--See "_Luncheon Bars_."

~Diocese.~--Birmingham is in the diocese of Worcester, and in the Archdeaconry of Coventry.

~Directories.~--The oldest Birmingham Directory known was printed in 1770, but there had been one advertised a few years earlier, and every now and then, after this date one or other of our few printers ventured to issue what they called a directory, but the procuring a complete list of all and every occupation carried on in Birmingham appears to have been a feat beyond their powers, even sixty years back. As far as they did go, however, the old directories are not uninteresting, as they give us glimpses of trade mutations and changes compared with the present time that appear strange now even to our oldest inhabitants. Place for instance the directory of 1824 by the side of White's directory for 1874 (one of the most valuable and carefully compiled works of the kind yet issued). In the former we find the names of 4,980 tradesmen, the different businesses under which they are allotted numbering only 141; in 1874 the trades and professions named tot up to 745, under which appears no less than 33,462 names. In 1824, if we are to believe the directory, there were no factors here, no fancy repositories, no gardeners or florists, no pearl b.u.t.ton makers, no furniture brokers or p.a.w.nbrokers (!), no newsagents, and, strange to say, no printer.

Photographers and electro-platers were unknown, though fifty years after showed 68 of the one, and 77 of the latter. On the other hand, in 1824, there were 78 auger, awlblade and gimlet makers, against 19 in 1874; 14 bellows makers, against 5; 36 buckle and 810 b.u.t.ton makers, against 10 and 265; 52 edge tool makers and 176 locksmiths, against 18 of each in 1874; hinge-makers were reduced from 53 to 23; gilt toy makers, from 265 to 15. (Considering the immense quant.i.ty of gilt trifles now sent out yearly, we can only account for these figures by supposing the producers to have been entered under various other headings). Among the trades that have vanished altogether, are steelyard makers, of whom there were 19 in 1824; saw-makers, of whom there were 26; tool-makers, of whom there were 79, and similorers, whatever they might have been. Makers of the time-honoured snuffers numbered 46 in 1824, and there were even half-a-dozen manufacturers left at work in 1874. The introduction of gas-lighting only found employ, in the first-named year, for three gasfitters; in 1874, there were close upon 100. Pewterers and manufacturers of articles in Britannia metal numbered 75 in 1824, against 19 in 1874, wire-drawers in the same period coming down from 237 to 56. The Directories of the past ten years have degenerated into mere bulky tomes, cataloguing names certainly, but published almost solely for the benefit (?) of those tradesmen who can be coaxed into advertising in their pages. To such an extent has this been carried, that it is well for all advertisers to be careful when giving their orders, that they are dealing with an established and respectable firm, more than one bogus Directory having come under the notice of the writer during the past year or two. The issue of a real Post Office Directory for 1882, for which the names, trades, and addresses were to be gathered by the letter-carriers, and no body of men could be more suitable for the work, or be better trusted, was hailed by local tradesmen as a decided step in advance (though little fault could be found with the editions periodically issued by Kelly), but unfortunately the proposed plan was not successfully carried out, and in future years the volume will be princ.i.p.ally valued as a curiosity, the wonderfully strange mistakes being made therein of placing the honoured name of Sir Josiah Mason under the head of "Next-of-Kin Enquiry Agents," and that, too, just previous to the exposure of the numerous frauds carried out by one of the so-called agents and its curiousness is considerably enhanced by the fact that a like error had been perpetrated in a recent edition of Kelly's Directory.

~Discharged Prisoners' Aid Society~ in 1882 gave a.s.sistance to 642 persons, at an average cost of 9s. 9-1/2d. each--315 19s. 4d. 161 16s.

5d. of this amount came from the convicts' gratuities, while the cost of aiding and helping them took 192 2s.

~Dispensary.~--Established in 1794; the first stone of the building in Union Street was laid December 23, 1806, and it was opened for the reception of patients early in 1808, the cost being about 3,000. It has been one of the most valuable inst.i.tutions of the town, thousands receiving medical a.s.sistance every year, and is supported by voluntary subscriptions. A branch Dispensary was opened in Monument Road, Feb. 27, 1884. Provident Dispensaries, to which members pay a small monthly sum for medicine and attendance, were organised in 1878, the first branch being opened at Hockley in October of that year. In the first fifteen months 3,765 individuals, paid subscriptions, and about 577 was paid for drugs and doctors fees. There are also branches at Camp Hill and Small Heath.

~Dissenters.~--In 1836 there were 45 places of wors.h.i.+p belonging to various denominations of Dissenters here; there are now about 145.--_See "Places of Wors.h.i.+p_."

~Distances~ from Birmingham to neighbouring places, county towns, trade centres, watering places, &c. Being taken from the shortest railway routes, this list may be used as a guide to the third-cla.s.s fares-- Reckoned at 1d. per mile:--

Miles.

Aberdare........... 111 Aberdeen........... 437-1/2 Abergavenny ..... 79 Abergele .......... 109 Aberystwith ..... 123-1/2 Ac.o.c.k's Green ..... 4-1/4 Albrighton ........ 20 Alcester ........ 24 Aldershot.......... 111-1/2 Alnwick ......... 52-1/2 Alrewas ......... 26 Alton Towers ...... 52-1/2 Alvechurch......... 13-1/2 Arbroath........... 310 Ashbourne.......... 56-1/4 Ashby-de-la-Zouch . 41-1/2 Ashton-under-Lyne.. 84-1/2 Aylesbury ....... 84 Bala............... 94 Banbury ........... 42 Bangor............. 135 Barmouth ........ 116 Barnsley ......... 95-1/2 Barnstaple ........ 181 Barnt Green ...... 12 Barrow-in-Furness 160 Basingstoke........ 108-1/2 Bath............... 98-1/2 Battersea ......... 115-1/2 Bedford ........ 82 Beeston Castle..... 64-1/2 Belper ............ 50 Berkswell.......... 13 Berwick ......... 281 Bescot Junction ... 7-1/2 Bettws-y-Coed...... 134 Bewdley ........... 22-1/2 Bilston ........... 9-1/2 Birkenhead ........ 90 Blackburn ......... 113 Blackpool ......... 124 Bletchley ......... 65-1/2 Blisworth ......... 49-1/2 Bloxwich .......... 10-1/2 Bolton ............ 95-1/4 Borth ............. 113 Bournemouth ....... 173 Bradford .......... 120-1/2 Brecon ............ 95 Bredon ............ 40-1/2 Brettle Lane ...... 12 Bridgnorth ........ 20 Bridgewater ....... 127 Brierley Hill ..... 11-1/2 Brighton .......... 166 Bristol ........... 94 Bromsgrove ........ 16 Bromyard .......... 41 Buckingham ........ 70-1/2 Builth Road ....... 88 Burslem ........... 49 Burton-on-Trent ... 32 Bury St. Edmunds .. 133 Bushbury Jun'tion . 13 Buxton ............ 79 Cambridge ......... 111-1/2 Cannock ........... 15-1/2 Canterbury ........ 175-1/2 Cardiff ........... 109 Carlisle .......... 196 Carmarthen ........ 187-1/2 Carnarvon ......... 143-1/2 Castle Bromwich ... 5-3/4 Castle Douglas .... 248-1/2 Chapel-en-le-Frith 89 Cheadle ........... 77 Cheddar ........... 115-1/2 Chelsea ........... 110 Cheltenham ........ 49-1/2 Chepstow .......... 84 Chester ........... 75 Chesterfield ...... 65-1/2 Chippenham ........ 117 Chipping Norton ... 60 Chirk ............. 62-1/2 Church Stretton ... 54 Cinderford ........ 83-1/2 Cirencester ....... 84-1/2 Clapham Junction .. 113 Clay Cross ........ 62 Cleobury Mortimer . 29 Clifton Bridge .... 97 Coalbrookdale ..... 30 Codsall ........... 16-1/2 Coleford .......... 80 Coles.h.i.+ll ......... 11-1/2 Colwich ........... 25-1/2 Colwyn Bay ........ 115 Congleton ......... 58 Conway ............ 120-1/2 Coventry .......... 18-1/2 Cradley ........... 9 Craven Arms ....... 61-1/2 Crewe Junction .... 54 Croydon ........... 123 Crystal Palace .... 120 Darlaston ......... 9-1/2 Darlington ........ 175-1/2 Deepfields ........ 9-1/2 Denbigh ........... 97 Derby ............. 42-1/2 Devizes ........... 143-1/2 Didcot ............ 76 Dolgelly .......... 106 Doncaster ......... 96-1/2 Dorchester ........ 184 Dorking ........... 133 Droitwich ......... 23 Dublin ............ 232 Dudley ............ 8 Dumfries .......... 229 Dundee ............ 347 Dunstable ......... 79 Durham ............ 198 Edinburgh ......... 297-1/2 Elgin ............. 450 Ely ............... 127 Erdington ......... 4-1/2 Etruria ........... 47 Evercreech Junct'n 121 Evesham ........... 34 Exeter ............ 170 Falmouth .......... 286-1/2 Farrington ........ 87 Fearnall Heath .... 25 Fenny Compton ..... 34-1/2 Fenny Stratford ... 67 Festiniog ......... 145 Filey ............. 178 Fleetwood ......... 126 Flint ............. 87-1/2 Folkestone ........ 202 Forfar ............ 304 Forge Mills ....... 9 Four Ashes ........ 19 Frome ............. 138 Furness Abbey ..... 158-1/2 Garstang .......... 115 Glasgow ........... 286 Glas...o...b..ry ....... 140 Gloucester ........ 56-1/2 Gosport ........... 150 Gravelly Hill ..... 3 Great Barr ........ 4-1/2 Great Bridge ...... 7 Grimsby ........... 136-1/2 Guildford ......... 120 Hagley ............ 13-1/2 Halesowen ......... 9 Halifax ........... 122-1/2 Hanley ............ 47-1/2 Harborne .......... 4 Harlech ........... 126 Harrowgate ........ 133 Harrow ............ 101 Hartlebury ........ 22 Hartlepool ........ 186 Hastings .......... 192-1/2 Hatton ............ 17-1/4 Haverfordwest ..... 218-1/2 Heath Town ........ 12 Hednesford ........ 17-1/2 Henley-on-Thames .. 103 Hereford .......... 57 Hertford .......... 108 Higham Ferrers .... 69-1/2 High Wycombe ...... 95 Hitchin ........... 92 Holyhead .......... 159-1/4 Holywell .......... 91-1/2 Huddersfield ...... 105-1/2 Hull .............. 134 Ilfracombe ........ 195 Inverness ......... 490 Ipswich ........... 167 Ironbridge ........ 30 James Bridge ...... 9 Jedburgh .......... 263 Keighley .......... 116-1/2 Kendal ............ 148 Kenilworth ........ 21 Kidderminster ..... 18-1/2 Kilmarnock ........ 278-1/2 Kings Heath ....... 5 Kings Norton ...... 6 Kingstown ......... 226 Kingswood ......... 13 Knowle ............ 10-1/2 Lancaster ......... 127-1/2 Langley Green ..... 5-1/4 Leamington ........ 21 Ledbury ........... 43 Leeds ............. 115 Leicester ......... 39-1/2 Leominster ........ 80 Lichfield ......... 18 Lincoln ........... 91-1/2 Liverpool ......... 97-1/2 Llanberis ......... 143 Llandudno ......... 123 Llanelly .......... 167-1/2 Llangollen ........ 72-1/2 Llanrwst .......... 131 Llanymynech ...... 69 London ............ 113 Longton ........... 48 Loughborough ...... 50 Lowestoft ......... 201 Ludlow ............ 69-1/2 Lydney ............ 79 Lye Waste ......... 10-1/2 Lynn .............. 135 Macclesfield ...... 66 Machynllyth ....... 101 Maidenhead ........ 105-1/2 Maidstone ........ 175-1/2 Malvern (Great) ... 36-1/2 Manchester ........ 85 Margate ........... 187 Market Bosworth ... 27-1/2 Market Drayton .... 48 Market Harboro'.... 46 Marlborough ....... 133-1/2 Marston Green ..... 6-1/2 Maryport .......... 224 Matlock Bath ...... 59 Menai Bridge ...... 136 Merthyr ........... 111-1/2 Middlesbro' ....... 176 Milford Haven ..... 228 Milverton ......... 21 Mold .............. 87 Monmouth .......... 96-1/2 Montrose .......... 401 Moreton-in-Marsh .. 46 Moseley ........... 3-3/4 Much Wenlock ...... 33 Nantwich .......... 56 Neath ............. 105-1/2 Netherton ......... 8 Newark ............ 71-1/2 Newcastle-on-Tyne . 215 Nwcstle-udr-Lyme .. 47-1/2 Newmarket ......... 126 Newport (Salop) ... 39 Newport (Mon.) .... 101 Newton Road ....... 5 Newton Stewart .... 278 Northallerton ..... 160 Northampton ....... 49 Northfield ........ 8-3/4 North s.h.i.+elds ..... 216-1/2 Norwich ........... 181 Nottingham ........ 58 Nuneaton .......... 20 Oakengates ........ 28-1/2 Oldbury ........... 5-1/2 Oldham ............ 85 Olton ............. 5 Oswestry .......... 62-1/2 Oxford ............ 66 Paisley ........... 286 Pelsall ........... 11 Pembroke Dock ..... 175 Penkridge ......... 22-3/4 Penmaenmawr ....... 125 Penrith ........... 178 Penzance .......... 302 Perry Barr ........ 4 Persh.o.r.e .......... 43-1/2 Perth ............. 344 Peterborough ...... 96-1/2 Plymouth .......... 222-1/2 Pontypool ......... 90 Port Dinorwic ..... 139 Portishead ........ 105-1/2 Portmadoc ........ 134 Portsmouth ........ 162-1/2 Prestatyn ......... 101 Princes End ....... 9-1/2 Prollheli ......... 138 Queen's Ferry ..... 82 Ramsgate .......... 192-1/2 Reading ........... 93 Redcar ............ 189 Redditch .......... 17 Reigate ........... 138-1/2 Rhyl .............. 105 Rickmansworth .... 98 Rochdale .......... 104-1/2 Ross .............. 70 Rotherham ......... 88 Round Oak ......... 10-1/2 Rowsley ........... 63-1/2 Ruabon ............ 67-1/2 Rugby ............. 80-1/2 Rugeley ........... 21-1/2 Runcorn ........... 75 Ruthin ............ 116 Ryde .............. 160 St. Alban's ....... 101 St. Asaph ......... 111 St. Helens ........ 85-1/2 St. Leonard's ..... 190-1/2 Salford Priors .... 28 Salisbury ......... 157-1/2 Saltburn .......... 191 Sandbach .......... 58-1/2 Scarboro' ......... 173 Selly Oak ......... 2-1/2 Sharpness ......... 75 Sheffield ......... 79 Shepton Mallett ... 152 s.h.i.+fnal ........... 25 Shrewsbury ........ 42 Shustoke .......... 12 Smethwick ......... 3-1/2 Solihull .......... 6-1/2 Southampton ....... 139 Southport ......... 107-1/2 South s.h.i.+elds ..... 209 Spon Lane ......... 4-1/2 Stafford .......... 29 Stamford .......... 72 Stechford ......... 3-1/2 Stirchley Street .. 3-1/2 Stirling .......... 336 Stockport ......... 79 Stoke ............. 45-1/2 Stokes Bay ........ 150 Stourbridge ....... 13-1/2 Stourport ......... 22 Stranraer ......... 301 Stratford-on-Avon . 26 Stroud ............ 70 Sunderland ........ 208 Sutton Coldfield .. 7 Swansea ........... 156-1/2 Swan Village ...... 5-1/2 Swindon ........... 100 Tamworth .......... 18 Taunton ........... 138-1/2 Teignmouth ........ 184 Tenbury ........... 38 Tewkesbury ........ 44-1/2 Thirsk ............ 151 Thrapstone ........ 75-1/2 Tipton ............ 8 Torquay .......... 195-1/2 Towcester ......... 54 Trefnant .......... 113 Trentham .......... 43 Trowbridge ........ 128 Truro ............. 275-1/2 Tunbridge Wells ... 165 Tunstall .......... 47 Tutbury ........... 37 Ulverstone ........ 152 Uppingham ......... 61-1/2 Upton-on-Severn ... 49 Uttoxeter ......... 45-1/4 Uxbridge .......... 118 Wakefield ........ 101-1/2 Wallingford ....... 84-1/4 Walsall ........... 8 Warminster ........ 120 Warrington ........ 78 Warwick ........... 21-1/2 Water Orton ....... 7-1/2 Wednesbury ....... 8 Wednesfield ....... 12 Weedon ............ 42 Welshpool ......... 61 Wellington ........ 32 Wells ............. 123 Wem ............... 52 West Bromwich ..... 4 Weston-supr-Mare .. 114 Weymouth .......... 191 Whitacre Junction . 10-1/2 Whitby ............ 187 Whitchurch ........ 51 Whitehaven ........ 193 Wigan ............. 91 Willenhall ........ 11 Willesden Junction 107 Wilnecote ......... 16-1/2 Wincanton ......... 130 Winchester ........ 127 Windermere ........ 156 Windsor ........... 113 Winson Green ...... 2-1/2 Wirksworth ........ 56 Witton ............ 3-1/2 Woburn Sands ...... 70 Wokingham ......... 100 Wolverhampton ..... 12 Wolverton ......... 60 Worcester ......... 27-1/2 Worthington ....... 50 Wrexham ........... 72 Wylde Green....... 6 Yarmouth .......... 201 Yeovil ............ 152 York .............. 130-1/2

~Dogs.~--A 5s. duty on dogs came into force April 5, 1867; raised to 7s.

6d. in June, 1878; This was not the first tax of the kind, for a local note of the time says that in 1796 "the fields and waters near the town were covered with the dead carcases of dogs destroyed by their owners to avoid payment of the tax." The amount paid per year at present for "dog licenses" in Birmingham is about 1,800. The using of dogs as beasts of burden (common enough now abroad) was put a stop to in London at the end of Oct. 1840, though it was not until 1854 that the prohibition became general. Prior to the pa.s.sing of the Act in that year, dogs were utilised as draught animals to a very great extent in this neighbourhood by the rag-and-bone gatherers, pedlars, and little merchants, as many as 180 of the poor brutes once being counted in five hours as pa.s.sing a certain spot on the Westbromwich Road. There have been one or two "homes" for stray dogs opened, but it is best in case of a loss of this kind to give early information at the nearest police station, as the art of dog stealing has latterly been much cultivated in this town, and it should be considered a duty to one's neighbour to aid in putting a stop thereto.