Showell's Dictionary of Birmingham by Thomas T. Harman and Walter Showell

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~Reform Meetings.~--We have had a few big meetings of the kind one time
and another, and give the dates of the principal. Newhall Hill used to
be the favourite spot, and the first meeting held there was on January
22, 1817.--On July 22, 1819, there were 60,000 there, and a member was
chosen to represent the town in Parliament. (See "_Newhall Hill_.") The
meeting of October 3, 1831, had only 150,000 persons at it, but May 7,
in following year, saw 200,000 on the Hill.--The "great" Reform meetings
at Brookfields were on August 27, 1866, and April 22, 1867.--A
procession to, and demonstration at Soho Pool, Aug. 4, 1884, at which
100,000 persons are said to have been present, is the last big thing of
the kind.

~Regattas.~--Usually the A1 amusement of places blessed with sea or
river space, but introduced to us (Aug 2, 1879), on the Reservoir, by
the Y.M.C.A., whose members had to compete with some crack rowers from
Evesham, Shrewsbury, Stratford, Stourport, and Worcester.

~Registers.~--At what date a parish register was first kept here is not
known, but Mr. Hamper, the antiquarian, once found some old parts stowed
away under the pulpit staircase, and he had them bound and preserved.
There are very few perfect registers in this neighbourhood, though Aston
can boast of one dated from 1544, King's Norton 1547, Handsworth 1558,
Northfield 1560, Castle Bromwich 1659, and Moseley 1750--The
Registration Act was passed Aug. 17, 1836.

~Register Offices.~--The custom of hiring servants at "statute fairs"
and "mops" still exists in theory if not in practice, in several parts
of the adjoining counties but thanks to the low scale for advertising,
such a system is not needed now. The introduction of register offices
was a great improvement, the first opened in Birmingham being at 26, St.
John Street (then a respectable neighbourhood), in January 1777, the fee
being 6d. for registering and 3d. for an enquiry. There are a number of
respectable offices of this kind now, but it cannot be hidden that there
have been establishments so called which have been little better than
dens of thievery, the proprietors caring only to net all the half-crowns
and eighteen-pences they could extract from the poor people who were
foolish enough to go to them.

~Rejoicing, Days of.~--Great were the rejoicings in Birmingham, October
9, 1746, when the news came of the battle of Culloden. The capture of
Quebec, in 1759, was celebrated here on December 3, by a gneral
illumination; the peace-loving Quakers, however, had to rejoice over
broken windows, for the mob smashed them, one unfortunate Friend having
to provide 115 squares of glass before his lights were perfect again. We
were _loyal_ in those days, and when we heard of our gallant boys
thrashing their opponents, up went our caps, caring not on whose heads
lay "the blood-guiltiness," and so there was shouting and ringing of
bells on May 20, 1792, in honour of Admiral Rodney and his victory. The
next great day of rejoicing, however, was for the Peace of Amiens in
1802, and it was notable the more especially from the fact of Soho Works
being illuminated with gas, for the first time in the world's history
used for such a purpose. In 1809, we put up the first statue in all
England to the hero of Trafalgar, and we made the 6th of June the day to
rejoice over it, because forsooth, it happened to be the jubilee day of
George the Third. What _he_ had done for us to rejoice about would be
hard to tell; even more difficult is the query why we were so gleeful
and joyous on February 1, 1820, when his successor was proclaimed.
George IV.'s Coronation was celebrated here by the public roasting of
oxen, and an immense dinner party in front of Beardsworth's Repository.

~Religious Queerosities.~--Among all its multifarious manufactures it
would have been strange, indeed, if Birmingham had not produced
something new in religious matters, and accordingly we find that in 1840
some of our advanced townsmen had formed themselves into a "Universal
Community Society of Rational Religionists." We have not met with a copy
of their rules, though Tidd Pratt registered them as of a Friendly
Society (under cap. 4, Will. IV.), but the county magistrates, at the
November Quarter Sessions would not pass them nor seal them. Of late
years there have been introduced amongst us several other curiosities in
the way of religious bodies, like the Theists, the Polytheists, the
Positivists, the Secularists, the Latter-day Saints, and others.

~Religious Societies.~--In addition to those noted elsewhere, there have
been many societies formed here which may come under this heading, such
as the Lay Association for the Refutation of Infidelity, founded in
1839; the Protestant Association, commenced in 1847; the Christian
Evidence Society, began in 1869; the Church Defence and Reform
Association, formed in 1871, the Protestant and Church Association,
inaugurated May 23, of same year, &c.

~Repository.~--Before the building of the Town Hall, there was no place
in which a town's meeting could be held, except the Public Office in
Moor Street, besides Beardsworth's Repository. As its name implies, it
was originally built as a sale-room for horses and carriages, but some
of the most important meetings known in Birmingham history have been
held within its walls, grand banquets were often laid out there, popular
lecturers have discoursed, and popular pugilists exhibited their prowess
in the same arena, and the building has even been used as a barracks.

~Republicanism.~--In 1873 a small band of Brummagem bouncers
patriotically provided us with a real "Republican Club," and proud of
the feat announced the world-stirring fact to the "Hero of Caprera." The
simple honest-hearted General, who knew not the guile of their hearts,
was deluded into wishing them success. Ten years have passed since "Mio
Caro Cattell" secured Garibaldi's autograph, but still Victoria remains
Queen of Great Britain, Empress of Hindostan, and the best-beloved
sovereign on the earth.

~Reservoir.~--See "_Canals_" 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 Passage.--See "_Luncheon Bars_."

~Rifle Clubs.~--The Midland Rifle Club was started in 1875, the
Staffordshire Rifle Association 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
competitions of the U.S. Associations.

~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 L60,000; the sufferers recovered only
L27,000,--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 L16,283, of which L15,027 were allowed, and
rates were made on the Hundred of Hemlingford for L20,000 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 Assizes, 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 cutlasses, 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 classed 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 L840 14s. was gathered to support his wife and daughter. The
Assizes, 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 Canal purchased about 130 acres of land, partly in Edgbaston
and partly in Birmingham parishes, for the purpose of forming reservoirs
or feeders for their canal. 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 L17,820
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 classes, and 188 houses of ill-fame, in which
262 women were found on the same day.

~Rolling Mills.~--There was one at Nechells 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 Adcock, 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, passing 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 Cumberland, 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 Duchess of Kent, who on August 4, and 5, 1830, inspected some of our
principal 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 passed 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 Institute,
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.

~Saturday 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 passed 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.