room, museums, lectures, classes for instruction in industrial science, a gallery of fine arts, etc. There is also, in connection with this institute, a Free Library and a Shakspere Commemoration Library-the latter to be kept distinct from the former, and to consist exclusively of Shaksperean literature.

The GOVERNMENT SCHOOL OF DESIGN also occupies a part of the Midland Institute range of buildings. This is a very important institution, having for its object the fostering of that taste in workmen and designers which is necessary for the blending of the beautiful with the useful in manufactures. It was opened in 1843, under the auspices of Government, and at first received a public grant of £600 annually. This grant was subsequently withdrawn ; but it is satisfactory to know that, notwithstanding, the institution continues to prosper. It is now regarded as the largest and most important of the kind in the kingdom. The number of pupils is upwards of 500.

CHARITIES.

The GENERAL HOSPITAL, Summer Lane, erected in 1779, and enlarged in 1791 and 1857, is a noble institution, established for the relief of the suffering poor of the town and neighbourhood. The number of patients admitted annually is nearly 3000; while the number visited in their own dwellings is about 14,000. The triennial musical festivals in aid of this admirable institution are well known. They are held in the Town Hall, last three days, and usually bring a profit of from four to five thousand pounds.

The QUEEN'S HOSPITAL, a large and elegant building in Bath Row, is another institution of the same kind, receiving 2000 in-patients annually, nearly 7000 outpatients being visited in the same time.

Among other institutions for the relief of the suffering poor, are the Children's Hospital, in Steelhouse Lane, established in 1862; the Homeopathic Hospital, in the Old Square; the Dispensary, in Union Street; the Eye Hospital, Temple Row; the General Institution for the Blind, Edgbaston; the Institution for the Deaf and Dumb, also at Edgbaston; the Magdalen Asylum, etc.

The REFORMATORY INSTITUTION, a very important and deserving charity, is at Saltley, on a site freely given for the purpose by Mr. Adderley, M.P. The object of this charity is sufficiently indicated by its name. There is accommodation for 75 boys, who are trained to industrial occupations. There are agencies in Canada, Natal, and Tasmania, for assisting boys who wish to emigrate when their period of detention is over. A similar institution for the reformation of girls exists at Smethwick. The Discharged Prisoners' Aid Society is an admirable charity. Its object is to enable discharged prisoners to return to the paths of honesty and virtue, by procuring lodgings and employment for them, and otherwise rendering them such assistance as they may need. The Industrial School, Penn Street, takes charge of vagrant and neglected children.

PARKS, ETC.

Few towns had more need of spaces of free open ground to serve as the lungs of labour, and few are better supplied than Birmingham. On its northern border is ASTON PARK, which was acquired a few years ago. Portions of it have been disposed of for building purposes, but there is enough of these fine grounds left to make free access to them a boon to the people of Birmingham. The ADDERLEY PARK, at

Saltley, was the gift of the Right Hon. C. B. Adderley, M.P., in 1856. CALTHORPE PARK, in the Pershore Road, the gift of Lord Calthorpe, was opened in 1857.

The CEMETERIES may be conveniently noticed here. They are well kept, and are favourite resorts of the inhabitants. The Witton Cemetery, about 3 miles from the centre of the town, is of great extent. It is the property of the Corporation, who have expended on it about £75,000. The Church of England Cemetery, on the north-western border of the town, between Vyse Street and Ikineld Street, was consecrated in 1848. It is laid out with much taste, and has a handsome church in the Perpendicular style, dedicated to St. Michael, and used for worship. The General Cemetery is in the immediate vicinity of that just noticed, and is, like it, planned very tastefully. It contains a chapel for the conducting of the burial service. Some of the monuments are worthy of notice.

MANUFACTORIES.

The manufactories of Birmingham are so numerous and extensive that it would require an entire handbook to do them justice. They date from a very early period; for we find Leland, who wrote in the reign of Henry VIII., saying: “There be many smithes in the towne, that use to make knives and all manner of cutting tooles, and many lorimers that make bittes, and a great many naylours; so that a great part of the town is maintained by smithes, who have their iron and sea coal out of Staffordshire." Hutton is even of opinion that "the Britons were supplied with their implements of war and husbandry from the black artists of the Birmingham forge long before the landing of Cæsar ;' ;" but this, though not improbable, is necessarily only a

matter of conjecture. Swords were manufactured in great numbers in the reign of Charles I. We have already stated that the manufacture of gilded ornaments originated at the Restoration, and that of guns in the reign of William III. From that period the productions of Birmingham increased in number and extent; and at the present moment its manufactures, whether for variety, or value, or quantity, are unequalled in the world. The excellence of the manufactures of Birmingham was sufficiently shown at the local Exposition of 1849, and again at the Great Exhibitions of 1851 and 1862. It was the Birmingham Exposition of 1849 which suggested to Prince Albert the idea of an exhibition of the products of the industry of all nations. The Crystal Palace, in which the latter exhibition was held, and many of its most prominent ornaments and articles of usefulness and elegance, were the production of Birmingham.

BUTTON-MAKING is one of the earliest manufactures; at least it is that which in earlier times contributed most to the prosperity of the town. Immense fortunes have been made in the button trade-one eminent manufacturer having acknowledged that by a single improvement he realised £40,000. Buttons are made of brass, copper, steel, pewter, cloth, glass, pearl, horn, shell, bone, wood, and porcelain. The gilt button has gone out of use for gentlemen's dress, but is still extensively used for military and other uniforms. Formerly it employed thousands of persons; and it is stated that John Taylor, who was the first to embark largely in its manufacture, acquired a fortune of £200,000. This trade is still carried on at the manufactories of Hammond, Turner, and Co., Snow Hill, and Smith and Wright, both of which houses produce other varieties of buttons of great beauty. Allen and Moore, Great

Hampton Row, manufacture metal buttons of beautiful designs in great quantities. Their medals, too, are finely executed. The extensive manufactory of Elliot and Sons, Regent Street, sends forth millions of the Florentine or cloth button annually. There also are produced linen buttons, military and sporting buttons, etc. Among other establishments, the following deserve to be noticed :-William Kirby, Whitby Place, Summer Lane (hooks, eyes, and buttons); Banks and Hammond, Summer Row (pearl and bone buttons); and Mr. Brisband, Howard Street (pearl and bone buttons).

SWORD AND GUN MAKING is an important branch of the trade of Birmingham. Swords were made here from a very early period-as early as the time of the Britons, Hutton thinks. It has been already mentioned that Birmingham supplied Cromwell's soldiers with 15,000 swords. This manufacture is, we believe, carried on in its greatest excellence and extent in the manufactory of Charles Reeves and Co., Toledo Works, Charlotte Street. Other important manufactories of this kind are those of Harvey, Albert Works, Glover Street; Male, Broad Street; and Sargent, Edmund Street.

Guns and pistols are made in great quantities; and there are numerous establishments engaged in their manufacture. Every description of guns and pistols seems to be made at the establishment of J. Townsend, Sand Street. Other extensive producers of firearms are Cooper and Co., Woodcock Street; Bentley and Playfair, Summer Lane; Swinburn and Son, Russell Street; and Hollis and Sheath, St. Mary's Square. The sporting guns of Westley, Richards, and Co., High Street, are universally known and appreciated. It is stated that Birmingham produces 3000 Minie rifles weekly.