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All fire-arms fabricated in Birmingham are required to be proved here. They are fired with a double charge of powder and ball, and are not examined for twenty-four hours after firing. The good barrels are stamped, and the bad ones broken to pieces in a vice.

THE GOLD, SILVER PLATE AND JEWELLERY trade does not appear to have been carried on to any great extent till a recent period. At present a considerable portion of the jewellery disposed of in this country is produced in Birmingham. It is said that, for chains alone, at least 1000 ounces of fine gold are consumed weekly. Nearly 30,000 wedding rings annually pass through the assay office here. At least 70 ounces of gold leaf are used every week. It is estimated that more of the precious metals are used in the manufactures of Birmingham than even in the metropolis itself. Of silver more than 40,000 ounces are assayed annually. The principal houses in the jewellery trade are the following:-Goode, St. Paul's Square, of great extent, employing 500 persons, principally females, where the manufacture of gold chains, and the fitting up of gems, etc., may be seen to advantage; Balleny, St. Paul's Square; Aston and Son, Regent Place; Betts, Fairfax, and Co., Richard Street; Williams, Vyse Street; Harris, Great Hampton Street; and Pritchard and Martin, Regent Place.

ELECTRO-PLATING is an art of much importance; and it is one which holds a very prominent place among the manufactures of Birmingham. In the extensive and interesting establishment of Elkington, Mason, and Co., the different processes are carried to great perfection. Their show-room is one of the largest and most elegant in the world; and the tourist cannot fail to be delighted by a visit to it. We have no space to describe the process by which a coating of gold, silver, or other metal is deposited on the plated articles. The effect is extremely beautiful. Specimens of the different processes are exhibited in the show-room. This firm also produces admirable groups and figures in bronze. The statue of Sir Robert Peel, in New Street, was cast by them from a model by Peter Hollins, Esq. The works of Prime and Son, Northwood Street; J. and C. Ratcliffe and Co., Suffolk Street; G. R. Collis and Co., Church Street, also exhibit the perfection of the process in its numerous applications. The last mentioned works were formerly the establishment of Sir Edward

*The total quantity of silver used in Birmingham for different manufactures exceeds 150,000 ounces annually. A single manufacturer has used 34,000 ounces in a year for his own consumption.

Thomason and Co. The show-room, besides a splendid assortment of silver and plated goods, contains a copy in bronze of the famous Warwick Vase, the construction of which occupied seven years, and a statue, also in bronze, of George IV. in his coronation robes. There are other noted establishments of this kind which our space will not allow us to name.

In the manufacture of BRASS and BRONZE a large trade is done in Birmingham. In one establishment, R. W. Winfield and Son, Cambridge Street Works, 700 workmen are constantly employed. Messrs. Winfield received a council medal at the Great Exhibition for the superiority of the articles they displayed. Ironmongery of all kinds, plain and ornamental, is manufactured in these works. A manufactory of a similar kind is that of Peyton and Harlow, High Street, Bordesley. The manufactures of Hardman and Co., Great Charles Street, are extremely interesting, presenting faithful and tasteful imitations of the medieval style. Messenger and Sons, Broad Street, also successfully imitate the antique in their metal work. Their productions are celebrated all over the kingdom. We may mention that, among other equally wellknown productions, the magnificent chandeliers of St. George's Hall, Liverpool, the staircase of Northumberland House, London, and the fine fountain in the Birmingham Market Hall, were produced here.

The most important IRON MANUFACTORY is that of the well-known firm of Fox, Henderson, and Co., at some distance from the town, and near Smithwick. The tourist who can obtain an introduction to this establishment will find it well worthy of a visit. It was here that the framework of the Crystal Palace was constructed. Very large railway and other contracts are executed by this firm. Among the articles which they manufacture are iron houses, conservatories, light-houses, etc. The steam-engine manufactory of Toy and Sons, Soho (within the boundary of Staffordshire), will be viewed with especial interest, as it was here that James Watt brought the steam-engine to perfection. In company with Mr. Boulton he established here the first manufactory of steam-engines.

GLASS MANUFACTURES hold an important place among the industrial products of Birmingham. The establishment of F. and C. Osler, Broad Street, enjoys a reputation perhaps second to that of no other in the kingdom. In this establishment were manufactured the beautiful and magnificent crystal glass candelabra for the tomb of the Prophet, and for the palace of Ibraham Pasha at Cairo. The much

admired crystal fountain of the Great Exhibition was constructed in this manufactory. Other very important works, where the various branches of the manufacture are carried on, are those of Chance and Co., Spon Lane; Harris and Son, Broad Street; Bacchus and Son, Dartmouth Street; Lloyd and Summerfield, Spring Hill; Walsh, Birmingham Heath, etc. PAPIER MACHE is an interesting and beautiful manufacture. The tourist may see it in its various parts in the manufactory of Jennens and Bettridge, Constitution Hill. This establishment, which has been repeatedly visited by royal personages, is obligingly opened for the inspection of visitors.

There are many other manufactures which cannot be particularly referred to. Of Steel Pens, 1,000,000,000 are produced annually. The names of Gillott, Mitchell, and other manufacturers, are well known. Wire Drawing is an important trade; one establishment, that of Horsfall, Hay Mills and Oxford Street, being said to produce weekly eight tons of musical wire alone.

THE ROYAL MINT, Heaton and Sons, Bath Street, cannot fail to interest those who obtain the privilege of inspecting it. Copper coin is made here in immense quantities-82,000 pieces being struck every day.*

VICINITY OF BIRMINGHAM.

The suburbs of Birmingham afford a sufficient evidence of the prosperity of the town. Numerous handsome villas, with their pleasant gardens, evince the taste and wealth of those who have retired from the bustle and noise of this great seat of industry. Edgbaston appears to be the aristocratic quarter. The number of villas here is yearly increasing at a considerable rate.

HANDSWORTH, though geographically in Staffordshire, is so near Birmingham as to deserve being mentioned. Its old church is beautifully situated. Besides some ancient monuments, which ought to have been better cared for, it contains a fine statue of James Watt (who is buried here),

Should the tourist wish fuller information regarding Birmingham, he will find "Cornish's Guide" a very correct and useful manual. The author of this work is indebted to it for some of the facts in the above account.

executed by Chantrey, and a bust of his partner Boulton, by Flaxman.

ASTON HALL is about two miles from Birmingham, towards the north-east. It is a noble building, in the Elizabethan style, and is situated on a gentle eminence, at the end of a fine avenue of elms and Spanish chestnuts It was begun in 1618, by Sir Thomas Holte, but not finished till 1635. In 1642, Charles I. was entertained here for two days; and the room in which he slept is still called "King Charles's Bed Room." For his attachment to the royal cause, Sir Thomas was attacked by a party of the townspeople of Birmingham, assisted by some regular troops. After a brief defence the Hall was surrendered. In this affair a cannon ball shattered part of the staircase. The effect of the stroke may be seen to this day. Sir Thomas was heavily fined for his loyalty. The Holte family becoming extinct, Aston Hall and Park passed through several hands. They are now the property of a company of bankers at Warwick, who have disposed of considerable portions of the park for building purposes. Occasionally the grounds are used for fêtes champetres in aid of charitable objects. The Hall has for a long period remained unoccupied. Admittance may occasionally be obtained to some of the rooms. The Great Hall, at the entrance, has a richly decorated plaster ceiling, with a broad cornice containing the figures of various animals. The lower portions of the walls are wainscotted, and are painted with landscapes and figures of Roman emperors. The back of the grate bears the royal arms, with the initials C. R. Over the chimney-piece are inscribed the following lines :—

"If service be thy meane to thrive,

Thov mvst therein remaine,

Both silent, faithfvl, jvst, and trve,
Content to take some paine.

"If love of vertve may allvre,

Or hope of worldly gaine,
If feare of God may thee procvre,
To serve doe not disdaine."

The Great Staircase is enriched with grotesque carvings. There may be seen the shattered standard and panelling in the condition to which it was reduced by the cannonading previously referred to. The Great Drawing-Room is a fine and interesting apartment. Its ornamental stone frieze, with military figures of various ages and nations; its decorated ceiling, and its splendid chimney-piece, are all well worthy

of attention. The Long Gallery, said to be one of the finest in England, is 136 feet long, 18 wide, and 16 high. The walls are panelled with oak, and the ceiling is richly ornamented. The marble chimney-piece, the finest in the house, exhibits curious but graceful sculpture. This gallery formerly contained a series of family portraits; but these are now all dispersed. King Charles's Bed-Room possesses some interest from its association with the haughty and unfortunate monarch. Aston Hall contains 103 apartments. The pleasure grounds do not call for any special notice.

Aston Church is near the Hall. It is a graceful structure, having a tall and well-proportioned spire. The style is Gothic, of different periods. It is supposed that a church was built here in the thirteenth century; but there can be no doubt that the oldest parts of the present edifice are of a considerably later date. The tower and spire are of the reign of Henry VI. The church contains some interesting monuments of the Holte family, and of other distinguished personages. There are two monumental windows in stained glass.

SUTTON COLDFIELD (population, 4574) is on the north-west border of the county, and about eight miles from Birmingham. This is a market-town of considerable antiquity. It had fallen into great decay in the time of Henry VII., when John Vesey, or Harman, Bishop of Exeter, a native of this place, by his numerous benefactions restored it to its original importance, and laid the foundation of its subsequent prosperity. He enlarged and ornamented the church, erected a town hall and market house, and founded and endowed a free school. The church is a handsome Gothic building, consisting of nave, chancel, and two side aisles. Sutton Park, containing about 3500 acres, was bestowed on the town by Bishop Vesey for the benefit of the poorer inhabitants.

Sutton Coldfield is of interest to the antiquarian from having in its immediate neighbourhood the Roman road termed Ikenild Street. This road is in many places very distinctly marked. There are also in this neighbourhood the remains of an extensive encampment, ascribed by some to the Romans, and by others to the early Britons. The works have occupied a square of four acres.

COLESHILL, a quiet market town about nine miles from Birmingham, is worthy of a visit. It possesses a fine church with interesting monuments, and lies conveniently in the way

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