The Grand Junction Railway Companion to Liverpool, Manchester, and Birmingham/Birmingham
The
Birmingham Guide.
Birmingham is a market town, and a borough by the Reform Bill, in the Hundred of Hemlingford, situated upon a hill near the river Rea, in the county of Warwick, 109 miles from London, 97¼ from Liverpool. Population in 1821, 106,722—in 1831, 146,986. It is probable, therefore, that at this time the population is now from 180 to 200,000. Its markets are on Monday, Thursday, and Saturday: for hay on Tuesday; the latter is held in Smithfield, the former in the Market Hall. Fairs, Thursday in Whitsun week. Sept. 23.
A contemporary has congratulated the inhabitants of Birmingham upon the fact that "the ground upon which it stands is ancient as the scite of any Eternal City." Presuming, therefore, that a native of the town must be better aware of the predilection of the inhabitants than a stranger, we venture to bespeak their favour by following the same line of antiquities, and in doing so assure them its ground is as ancient as the scite of the Garden of Eden;" but that we are happy in being able to assign a little more modern period for the commencement of its operations in the manufactures, with which it is now able to compete with the world. We shall proceed to give a slight sketch of the ancient history of the town, and to direct the stranger to such objects of pleasure, curiosity, and convenience, as will render his sojourn either profitable or pleasurable, according to the pursuit with which he may be occupied.
First, then, as to the name. Hutton has given us a very feasible account of its origin, which I shall adopt as I have seen no better, and as it is not of vast importance.
The original name he states was Bromwhich from Brom or Broom, a shrub, for the growth of which it appears its soil is specially favourable, and wich a descent—those words combined would then give us Bromwich, or the Broon-hill in more modern phraseology, which appears quite natural, as the original town was situated on an acclivity: the addition of ham he has also as ingeniously indeed as naturally accounted for. This word, it appears, is Saxon, and signifies a home; this, after the town had sprung into comparative importance, the lord of the soil might, and properly did assume its name, and it thus became Bromycham, or the Broom-hill home. Respecting the antiquity of the town. Mr. Hutton has, by his industrious examination of the neighbourhood, given us very good data, from which to prove the probability of its having been the armoury of our forefathers, previous to the invasion of the Romans. These people found us in a comparative state of barbarism, but still with evidence of the existence of a knowledge of manufactures. The mailed legions of Rome were, it is true, met by the naked Britons, but still were they mounted in chariots, with scythes attached to their axle-trees;—having this proof of their knowledge of smiths' work, we look for evidence of the place in which the iron was obtained and manufactured. This town was situated on one of the Roman roads (Icknield-street), and was a Roman station; this proves it was a place of importance. An examination of the neighbourhood has discovered many hundred coal pits which have been abandoned for ages; and the mountains of the refuse of melted ore prove that this manufacture is of equally ancient origin—the roads, also, bearing evidence of contemporary formation, may be traced, worn as they are to the depth of thirty, and even forty feet. Those are now filled up, but the industrious antiquarian has left us irrefragable evidence of their having existed.
To the next era, in which the town is specially prominent in history, we now turn. The inhabitants were strong republicans; and when the war between the Parliament and Charles I. commenced, they took a very decided part against the king—arresting all messengers and persons supposed to be in his favor, and occasionally attacking small parties, whom they seized and sent prisoners to Coventry. In 1643. Prince Rupert attacked the town with 1,500 men; the inhabitants, assisted by 150 musketeers and a few horse, stoutly, though unsuccessfully, opposed him, for which he pillaged and set fire to the town, and the inhabitants were glad to pay a heavy fine to put a stop to the excesses of his soldiers. This town exhibited a curious change in opinions when, on the 14th of July, 1791, a party haring met at an hotel, to commemorate the anniversary of the French Revolution, a mob there collected, and having broke the windows of the house, proceeded to the most atrocious acts of violence-they destroyed the Unitarian chapel, Doctor Priestley's dwelling-house, philosophical apparatus, and valuable manuscripts—an irreparable loss to science, as well as to the amiable individual to whom they belonged. Similar outrages continued for several days, until they were put a stop to by the arrival of the military from Oxford and Hounslow. A great number of the rioters were taken, and two suffered the extreme penalty of the law. Barracks are now erected, with every convenience for the military, which will prevent the possibility of a similar disgraceful occurrence. Upwards of £60,000 worth of property was destroyed.
Birmingham was created a borough by the Reform Bill, and now sends two members to parliament. The constituency is about 6,532, and is composed of householders of £10 and upwards. The Borough comprises the parishes of Birmingham, Egbaston, and the townships of Bordesley, Duddeston, and Nichels and Deritend: the returning officers are the two bailiffs of Birmingham. The local government of this town is in the hands of officers chosen annually; these consist of two bailiffs, two constables, headborough, constable of the hamlet of Deritend, two ale conners, two flesh conners. It has no stipendary, but fourteen of the unpaid magistracy; the former is very much wanted, as, except on the usual days of sitting, there is frequently great difficulty in finding a magistrate, when required. If we except Liverpool, perhaps no place has within the last few years improved its trading and commercial relations to such an extent as this town. As a manufacturing place it is unrivalled; but to enumerate its various productions would be impossible in this sketch, suffice it to say, that every thing which can be produced from iron, brass, copper, silver, and the various combinations of which these metals are susceptible, may be here obtained. In the time of the war, the government contract alone was usually 30,000 muskets per month; the manufacture of swords and army accoutrements still employs a large number of hands. We shall now direct the attention to three establishments, an inspection of which will give the reader an idea of the state of the arts in this important manufacturing town.
Messrs. Collis and Co.'s Establishment must be visited by every one who intends to have an idea of the state of the manufactures in Birmingham. It is situated in Church-street, adjoining St. Phillip's church-yard. The proprietors, with the greatest liberality, have appointed servants to attend visitors through the workshops and warehouse-rooms. In the former the stranger will see the various processes which are necessary to bring the crude metal to the forms of singular beauty and elegance with which the ware-rooms abound. This establishment has produced works of more than ordinary proportions and importance, among which may be noticed the celebrated Warwick Vase, which is 21 feet in circumference, and the copper bronze statue of George IV. If the reader will refer to the notices at the end of this work, he will, however, have a better idea of the productions of this magnificent establishment.
Messrs. Maplebeck and Low's Show Rooms now claim our attention, and without any intention of detracting from other establishments, we may with truth assert, that a finer exhibition of cutlery and steel articles could not be produced, in this or any other town; and the almost endless variety of patterns, in which the visitor will see this apparently untractable metal formed, will give him a high idea of the state of this department of trade in Birmingham.
Messrs. Jennens and Bettridge's Establishment exhibits another department in the arts, for which Birmingham is now celebrious. A Birmingham man and a Birmingham blacksmith were once almost synonymous terms; now the most delicate efforts of art are exhibited as the produce of this universal manufactory. In the above establishment may be seen every variety of article in which the papier mache is capable of being produced: elegant tea-traps, ladies' work-boxes, and cabinets are exhibited in endless variety and beauty.
We must refer to the notices at the end of the work, as our limits forbid further description. In these will also be found very much useful information respecting the place; and if the reader has half an hour to spare, it could not be more profitably employed than in perusing them.
THE POST OFFICE
is situated in Bennet-street; it is a neat erection, and has lately been considerably enlarged.
The following statement shews the time of arrival and departure of the various Mails.
Mem—5h. 8m. means 8 minutes past 5, and so on in every other instance.
Arrivals.
Despatches.
The Letter-Box closes at 7 A.M. for the despatch of the Mails to Holyhead, Yarmouth, Worcester, Leamington, and Stourport; at 7 P.M. for the despatch of the London and Bristol Mails, and half an hour previous to the departure of any of the other Mails.
Deliveries.
The delivery at the Office Window commences at about a quarter after 8 A.M. with the Letters brought by the Bristol, London, and Banbury Mails. Letters brought by the other Mails are ready for delivery in 30 minutes after their arrival, until 7 P.M., at which period the Delivery Window is closed. At half past & P.M. it opens again for the delivery of Letters arriving by the Stourport, third Railway, and Holyhead Mails, and it continues open until 10 PM.
There are two general deliveries by Letter Carriers throughout the town, the first commencing at a quarter after 8 A.M., and the second at a quarter after 5 P.M., except on Sundays, when there is no afternoon delivery. Any delay in the arrival of a Mail occasions a corresponding delay in the delivery. We shall now take a hasty sketch of the Town, its Public Buildings, Offices, and Institutions. Those devoted to the relief of human sorrow and suffering, are very considerable, not only in the extent of their means but in their number. The fine arts are highly cultivated in this town, the importance of a school of design, and the cultivation of a correct taste, being well appreciated-indeed being essential to the prosecution of the extensive and elegant manufactures for which it is so deservedly celebrated.
Churches, Chapels, &c. &c.
Birmingham has 12 Churches, all of which are within the Archdeaconry of Coventry and diocese of Lichfield and Coventry, and the following places of worship for various denominations of Dissenters: Independents, 3; Baptists, 4; Methodists, 3; Scotch Church, 1; Society of Friends, 1; Catholics, 1; Unitarians, 2; Jews, 1. St. Martin's, the original parish church, is charged in K.B. £19 13s. 6½d. It has a fine spire; the other portion of it has a mean appearance. St. Phillip's is the handsomest ecclesiastical erection in the town, and being situated in an area of four acres, it can be seen to advantage. Several of the others are imposing edifices, in which the Grecian style principally obtains, but we have not here room to notice them separately.
Public Buildings and Institutions.
The Town Hall ranks the first under this head, and is a fine erection of the Corinthian order; it is open to the inspection of the public, and is one of the Lions of Birmingham. It has one room which is estimated to contain about 9000 persons, in which is perhaps one of the finest organs in the kingdom. In this room the Musical Festival is held (the profits of which are given to the Dispensary.)
The Grammar School is a splendid Gothic edifice, erected from the designs of Mr. Barry, who is about to erect the new Houses of Parliament. It is situated in New-street, and is one of the most splendid erections in the town of Birmingham. It was founded in the time of Edward the Fifth; and though the original income was not large, its present revenue is estimated at from 5 to £6,000 per year. The edifice erected in 1707 has been lately removed, and the ground is now occupied by the present School.
The Market Hall is a handsome building, tastefully arranged; its principal entrance is in High-street. It is well supplied, and has every convenience for the transaction of business.
The General Hospital and the General Dispensary are also handsome erections, as also are several others in the following list of public Offices, Institutions, and Charities.
The Public Office and Prison is situated in Moor-street. It contains the Police and other Public Offices.
The Assay Office is in Little Cannon-street. Its name designates its purpose.
The Gun Barrel Proof House is situated in Banbury-street, on the banks of the Canal. This is a great convenience to the manufactories in Birmingham, and produces a very large revenue.
The Cavalry Barracks were erected soon after the riots in 1791 ; they are situated near Vauxhall; the approach is from Great Brook-street.
The Charities of Birmingham are too numerous to mention. Among the most prominent, however, are the following:—
The General Hospital, the Dispensary, the Magdalen Institution, the Workhouse, Linch's Trust, Fentham's Trust, the Asylum, Deaf and Dumb School, &c., &c.
Literary and Scientific Institutions.
Birmingham has a Philosophical Society, situated in Cannon-street; a Royal Medical School, in Paradise-street; a Horticultural Society, in the Gardens of which are extensive conservatories and hot-houses, situated in the parish of Edgbaston.
A Society of Arts, situated in New-street, and one of the handsomest architectural specimens which the town affords. It has a splendid portico of the Corinthian order. This institution has been of great advantage to the town.
A Mechanics' Institution—but, strange to say, in this town of mechanics, it has not a building specially devoted to its objects. The classes meet in the School Buildings, Old Meeting-street, in which is the Library and News-room, and the Lectures are delivered at the Theatre of the Philosophical Institution, Cannon-street.
Two Libraries, viz.:—the Old Library, situated in Union-street, which contains from 17 to 18,000 volumes, and has about 600 subscribers. The New Library, in Temple-road, West, which has perhaps a fourth of the above number of volumes, and 350 subscribers. Its Library, has, however, been judiciously selected, and is rapidly increasing.
A News And Commercial Room, situated on Bennett's Hill. It is well supplied with newspapers and publications relating to commerce.
The Blue Coat School is situated in St. Phillip's Churchyard. It is supported by subscriptions and endowments. In it are 110 boys and 50 girls, clothed and educated.
Birmingham has also to boast of a National School; Protestant Dissenters' School; a Lancasterian School; two Infant Schools, and many Sunday Schools.
Hotels and Coach Offices.
The principal Hotels are the following:—Albion, High-street, Coach, Family, and Commercial; Castle, High-st., Coach, Family, and Commercial; George, Digbeth, Commercial; Hen and Chickens, New-street, Coach, Family, and Commercial; King's Head, Worcester-street, Commercial; Lamp Tavern, Bull-street[1]; Nelson, High-street, Coach, Family, and Commercial; Pump, Commercial; Royal, Temple-row, Family Hotel; New Royal, New-street, Family Hotel; Saracen's Head, Bull-street, Coach, Family, and Commercial; St. George's Tavern, High-street, Coach, Family, and Commercial; Swan, High-street and New-street, Family and Commercial; Stork, Old-square, Family and Commercial; Union, Union-street, Commercial; Vauxhall Hotel; White Hart, Digbeth, Commercial; Wool Pack, Moor-street, Commercial.
The Grand Junction Railway Office
is at present at Vauxhall. For Regulations, Time of Starting, &c. see page 11.
The London and Birmingham Railway Office,
for the present, is in Waterloo-street.
| coach, 2 horses. | do. 1 horse. | |
|---|---|---|
| Not exceeding half a mile | 1s. 0d. | 1s. 0d. |
| Not„ exceeding„ a mile | 1s. 6d. | 1s. 0d. |
| Not„ exceeding„ a mile and a half | 2s. 0d. | 1s. 6d. |
| Not„ exceeding„ two miles | 2s. 6d. | 2s. 0d. |
| Not„ exceeding„ three miles | 3s. 6d. | 3s. 0d. |
| Not„ exceeding„ four miles | 5s. 0d. | 4s. 0d. |
Returning with the same fare, half the above. The Coach-man at liberty to charge by time or distance: 20 minutes, 6d.; 40 minutes, 1s.; and from between 12 at night and 6 in the morning, double fares.
Canal and Waggon Carriage is so seldom wanted by stranger, that it is here omitted.
| Birmingham Bankers. | Correspondents in London. |
|---|---|
| Attwoods, Spooner, & Co., New-st. | Spooner, Atwood, & Co. |
| Birmingham Banking Company. | Jones, Lloyd, & Co. |
| BirminghamDitto Borough Bank | Prescot & Co, |
| BirminghamDitto Branch Lichfield, &c. | Sir R. Glyn & Co. |
| BirminghamDitto Branch Bank of England. | Bank of England. |
| BirminghamDitto Midland. | Williams, Deacon, & Co. |
| BirminghamDitto Town and District, | Barclay, Bevan, & Co. |
| Moilliett & Son, Cherry-street. | Sir J. W. Lubbock & Co. |
| National Provincial Savings Bank. | Hanbury, Taylor, & Lloyds. |
| Taylors & Lloyd's, Dale-end. | Hanbury & Co. |
Baths.
Many of the Hotels have Baths attached to them, but the only Public Baths are situated near Small- broke-street, out of which there is a passage to the Establishment, which is perhaps as complete as any in the kingdom. We have not space to describe it, but recommend
The Ladywell Baths to the inspection of the public.
Amusements.
The public amusements in this town are not on a very extensive scale, nor indeed are they much patronised. The Theatre is a handsome erection, situated in New-street, opposite the Post-office. Vauxhal Gardens are at Vauxhall, near the Birmingham and Liverpool Railway Station, and are open in the summer months. Subscription Balls and Concerts are occasionally held at the Royal Hotel; there are usually several concerts in the season, and of a very high character. The Balls also are very select.
Newspapers.
The circulation attached to each paper is taken from the Stamp Office returns, from the 1st of January to the 30th of June, 1837.
We shall now close our remarks on this extensive and most remarkable manufacturing town by directing our readers' attention to the following objects which are deserving of notice, but for a description of which we have not space in this edition.
Nelson's Monument, situated in High-street.
The Old Roman Road (Icknield-street), now Monument-lane. At Sutton Coldfield Heath, a place about seven miles distant, this road may be distinctly traced for three miles; it is well worthy of a visit.
Perrott's Folly, Monument-lane.
The Parthenon, in New-street, and the group of buildings lately erected on Bennett's Hill.
- ↑ We mention it for the singular fact, that a substantial dinner is set out for 1s. per head. Short Stages start from this Tavern.