Part 45

~Recorders.~--The first Recorder appointed for the borough was Mr. Matthew Davenport Hill, whose name is so intimately connected with the history of Reformatory and Industrial Schools. Mr. Arthur Robarts Adams, Q.C., who succeeded Mr. M.D. Hill on his resignation in January, 1866, was a native of the county, and had acted as Deputy-Recorder for some years. He died in an apoplectic fit, while out shooting (Dec. 19, 1877), in Bagley Wood, near Oxford, in his 65th year. The present Recorder is Mr. John Stratford Dugdale, of Blythe Hall, Coleshill.

~Recreation Grounds.~--Early in 1854 Joseph Sturge set apart a field in Wheeley's Lane as a public playground for children, and this must rank as the first recreation ground. The last is the disused burial ground of St. Mary's Church, which, after an expenditure of about £1,500 was thrown open to the public as "St. Mary's Garden," October 16, 1882.--see "_Parks_."

~Red Book.~--Quite a local institution is the yearly publication known as "The Birmingham Red Book," which was first issued in 1865.

~Reformatories.~--See "_Industrial Schools_."

~Reform Leagues.~--The first local affair of this kind that we have note of (though likely enough there had been "reform clubs" before that date) seems to have originated at a meeting of some dozen or so gentlemen at the Royal Hotel, Dec 14, 1829. On the 25th of Jan., 1830, a public meeting to organise a kind of local political body was held at Beardsworth's Repository, and it is chronicled that about 15,000 persons were present. The result was the formation of the celebrated Birmingham Political Union, though the full name was "The General Political Union between the Lower and Middle Classes of the People." The Union's "Petition of Rights" was issued Dec. 13, and the "Declaration of Council" Dec. 20, 1830. This is not the place to enter upon a history of the doings of the Political Union, which was dissolved by mutual consent of the leaders May 10, 1834, but there can be no doubt that it did have considerable influence on the political changes of the period. In 1848 an attempt was made to resuscitate the Old Union, though the promoters of the new organisation called it the "Political Council," and in 1865 another League or Union was started, which has a world-wide fame as "The Caucus." Indeed, it may be safely said the town has never, during the past sixty years or so, been without some such body, the last appointed being the "Reform League," started Sept. 2, 1880, by the Rev. Arthur O'Neill and his friends, to agitate for a change in the Constitution of the House of Lords.

~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 £60,000; the sufferers recovered only £27,000,--On Oct. 24, 1793, caused by the enforced collection of the rates levied to pay damages done in riots of 1791. Two more lives lost. --June 22, 1795. on account of scarcity of food and the high prices thereof. Soldiers called out, and they gave two unfortunates leaden food enough to kill them.--May 28, 1810, two women fell out over the price of some potatoes, others joined in and a scrimmage ensued. Constables came and men mauled them, and the result of the unruly wagging of those two women's tongues was a riot, which lasted four days. Three men were sentenced to grow potatoes at Botany Bay the rest of their lives.--March 22, 1813, the chapels in Bond Street, Belmont Row, and Ladywell Walk, with the Jews' Synagogue in Severn Street, were damaged by a riotous mob. The Jabet Riots in 1816 were primarily caused by the proprietor of _Jabet's Herald_ publishing an address showing that "a man, wife, and six children could live on 6s. a week." Some cheap food was presented to the printer in the shape of potatoes, with which his windows were smashed.--Claims for damages arising out of the Chartist riots of 1839 were made to the amount of £16,283, of which £15,027 were allowed, and rates were made on the Hundred of Hemlingford for £20,000 to cover the same and the expenses attendant thereon. It was a curious coincidence that the rioters of 1839 should have chosen July the 15th for their fiery pranks, the roughs of 1791 having on the same day of the same month, burnt Hutton's and other houses. At the Warwick 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 £840 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 £17,820 per annum, for completion of the streets and highways so as to bring them in charge of the Corporation, the undeclared roads will soon be few and far between. To keep the roads fit for travelling on, requires about 60,000 tons of stone per year.

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