HAM. BIRMING and Thursday at the Public Office in Moore Street, which is a neat stonefronted building, erected in the year 1806, at an expense of £9000, and which has recently been considerably enlarged. The ground floor is appropriated to the Commissioners of the Street Acts, and on the upper floor the magistrates transact the business of the town. Behind this building there are apartments for the prison-keeper and his attendants; also the prison, which is as pacious building, with a commodious well |paved yard, divided into two parts by a lofty wall, which separates the male and female prisoners. There is also a prison in High-street, Bordesley. In the latter end of October a Court Leet is held for the lord of the manor, the officers of which are to attend to the adjustment of weights and measures, the quality of ale, &c.; and the meat conners are to take care that nothing unwholesome shall be sold by the butchers, nor offered for sale in their shops. Deritend being a hamlet of Birmingham, its inhabitants attend the Court Leet, when the constable and officers appointed for them are sworn in the name of the lord of the manor. Deritend. The Court of Requests, consisting of 72 commissioners, is held by a quorum of three of them, every Friday, in a court nearly opposite to Newstreet, and about the centre of High-street. Debts not exceeding £5 are cognizable, and may be recovered in this court. The late Mr. Baskerville, resided at a place called Easy-hill, at that time quite distant from the town; the house being in an extensive padBaskerville. dock. At this place he erected a mill for the making of paper, in which article he excelled all his contemporaries, as he also did in the formation of his types. His works are still in high reputation for paper and print; but his delightful residence is converted into a manufactory, and the paddock long since covered with houses, or laid out in wharfs, on the banks of the canal. Of these accommodations for water carriage, Birmingham possesses a considerable share. In 1769, a canal was completed, from this town to the collieries, at the expense of £70,000., and when the Grand Junction Canal was formed, joining with this, the shares advanced to a most enormous amount, as it formed a regular communication with London, Manchester, Liverpool, and Bristol. But the spirit of enterprise has not rested on the fluid conductors for merchandise and manufactured articles; an iron rail-road, on terra firma, is now in progress of constuction from London to Birmingham, which, when completed, will render the communication between the metropolis and "The Toy Shop of Europe," as easy and rapid as London with Brentford, or Birmingham with Warwick; and instead of being two or three days on the road, the gentlemen manufacturers of Birmingham may, when this rail-road is finished, leave their orders and directions at their factories in the morning, and shake hands with their customers in London the same day, perhaps in time to take a dinner, and, if necessary, be able to sleep at home the same evening. There are two routes by canals to London, one by the Warwick, the other by the Worcester canal, between which there exists a kind of competition. Soho manufactory. One of the most interesting establishments about Birmingham yet remains to be noticed, and that is the Soho Manufactory. The spot upon which it is erected was, in the year 1764, a barren heath. The late Mr. Bolton, in the first instance, expended more than £9000. in the erection of buildings, exclusive of machinery, and in seeking for men of ingenuity, from all parts of Europe, whom he patronized with the greatest liberality; thus supported, they soon produced an imitation of the or-molu,| which found a ready sale, and this business being established, it became| necessary to make application for an Assay Office to be established in Birmingham, which was accordingly done in the year 1773. Mr. Watt having obtained a patent for the improvement of steamengines, came and settled at Soho in 1769, where he erected an engine upon his own principle, which answering the intended purpose, he in HAM. 1775, obtained from Parliament a prolongation of his term for twenty-five BIRMINGyears. A partnership being now formed between Mr. Bolton and Mr. Watt, an extensive manufactory of those engines was established at Soho. In 1788, a mint was erected at Soho, to be worked by the steam engine; from the rolling of the copper into sheets, afterwards passing it through polished steel rollers, and then cutting out the blanks, all which was performed with the greatest ease and regularity by children, instead of employing able men. The coining machines were worked with rapidity and exactness by boys from twelve to fourteen years of age; the machine depositing the blanks upon the dies, and when struck it displaced those that had received the impression, and deposited other blanks in their places. To facilitate the manufacturing of steam engines, Messrs. Bolton and Watt erected an iron-foundery at Smethwick, on the banks of the Birmingham canal, where most of the laborious work is done by the engine; those machines are here manufactured from one horse to two hundred horse-power, and the coining of medals, medallions, &c. of any size is still carried on. Silver and plated articles of every description are made, such as tea-urns, vases, tureens, dishes, candelabras, and every necessary article to decorate the table and the drawing-room. Metals of every description are here rolled to any length or breadth required; copying machines, fine polished steel fire-irons, steel buttons, ornaments for stove-grates, fenders, and any other articles in steel, where taste and elegance are necessary. It has been computed by those who have the best means of information, that there are more than 100 ounces of gold purchased by the gilders every week in this town, which is spread over the manufactured articles in such a superficial manner, that not a single ounce of it ever returns to the crucible again. From the same source of information, it is computed that there are more than 1000 ounces of silver used every week, which never reverts back again in its pristine state as silver. The consumption of copper, brass, &c., is so great, that companies have been formed to supply those necessary articles of manufacture. The importance of Birmingham to the whole nation was conspicuously manifest, when, during the revolutionary zeal of the French, England had to contend with a potent enemy; and when threatened with invasion by the then ruler of France, the volunteers of England, after exhausting the depôts of government, were anxiously calling for arms to defend their country. At this time the manufacturers of guns, swords, pistols, pikes, &c., in Birmingham, were only few; but in a short time, they supplied from five to six thousand stand of arms weekly. The proof-house is situated on the banks of the canal, in Banbury-street, and is conducted under the direction of three wardens, who are annually chosen from the body of guardians and trustees, they being originally nominated in the Act of Parliament. In addition to them, the Lords Lieutenants for the counties of Warwick, Worcester, and Stafford, the members serving in Parliament for these counties, pro tempore, and the magistrates acting within seven miles of the town of Birmingham, are appointed as guardians. Soho manufactory. Proot house. London. An act of Parliament has lately been obtained for constructing the railroad from London to this great town, which we have just before alluded to. It is now some months since the first three contracts for its construction have been taken, and the work is proceeding on different parts Rail-road to of the first twenty miles near London, which they comprehend. The men have been for some time engaged in the vicinity of the metropolis, but the greatest advances have been made near Watford. The five or six miles on either side of that town are confessedly the most interesting on the whole line. Within that compass, there will be a tunnel of nearly a mile long, a curved tunnel, a stupendous embankment across the valley of the Colne, and about forty bridges and short tunnels. As much as half a mile of excavation and embankment has been already executed, on which temporary BIRMING- Rail-road. rails are laid down, over which two or three waggons of earth are conveyed with care by a single horse. About three miles beyond this, is nearly a quarter of a mile of the san e description of railway, and the first bridge completed on the line. T is bridge conveys the line over a cross-road, and the excellence of its design and execution are heightened by the contrast afforded by a neighbouring bridge over the Grand Junction Canal, for the turnpike road. The appearance of this bridge is such as to justify sanguine expectations for the conduct of such part of the line as is under the immediate direction of the same skilful engineer. The great tunnel will be between these two portions of the line, and three of the shafts are already sunk. The working shafts are eight feet in diameter, and the waggons will be filled with earth in the tunnel, swung up the shaft by a high pressure steam engine, then placed on the rails, and conveyed to the embankment. The work already excites much interest, and in the course of a few months will prove a strong attraction to all who are inclined to watch the progress of so vast an undertaking. It will pass through Watford, Tring, Leighton, Buzzard, and Blisworth, which is about five miles from Northampton, Rugby, Coventry, and enter Birmingham at Nova Scotia Gardens. Markets, Monday, Thursday, and Saturday.-Fairs, Whit-Monday, Sept. 24.-Bankers (see p. 198).-Inns, Royal Hotel, Albion, Hen and Chickens, Swan, Nelson Hotel, Castle, Union, White Hart, and others, all very respectable houses.-Mails (see page 199). * BISHOP'S AUCKLAND is a market town and a borough by prescriptive right. It enjoys a beautiful and commanding sits on an eminence, which the river Wear bounds to the north, and the Gaunless to the southeast, the latter of which runs into the former at no great distance above the town. It is situated on a piece of ground about 140 feet higher than the level of the plain; each side of its declivity is laid out in hanging gardens, and the remaining part of it is built upon. The Bishops of Durham are lords of the manor; and their seat, a beautiful palace, is here. Bishop Beck was the first who made choice of it for a residence, and the consequence which the town at present enjoys may perhaps be ascribed to that circumstance. The Bishop's Palace, or Castle, stands at the north angle of the town, and together with the courts and offices covers about five acres. "It stondeth," says Leland, "on a little hill betwixt two rivers. There was a very auncient manor-place longing to the Bishop of Duresme at Akeland: Antonius de Beke began first to encastellate it; he made the great haulle: ther be divers pillars of black marble, speckled with white, and the exceeding faire gret chambre, with other three. He made also an exceeding goodly chapelle ther, of ston well squarid, and a college with Dene and Prepends yn it, and a quadrant on the south-west side of the castelle for ministers of the College. Skirlaw, Bishop of Duresme, made the goodly gate-house at entering into the castelle of Akeland. There is a faire park by the castelle, having fallow deer, wild bulls, and kine." Nearly the whole of the buildings, here mentioned by Leland, have been destroyed chiefly by Sir Arthur Haselrigge, on whom this place was bestowed by Parliament, in the Civil Wars. Attracted by the beauty of the situation, he determined to make it his principal residence, and erected Elegant chapel. Monument a magnificent house with the materials. On the Restoration, the former BISHOP'S Bishop (Cosin) was recalled to his diocese. "He had a palace," observes AUCKLAND. Pennant," ready for his reception; but by an excess of piety declined making use of it, from the consideration that the stone of the ancient chapel had been sacrilegiously applied towards the building of this late habitation of fanaticism. He therefore pulled it down, and, restoring the materials to their ancient use, built the present elegant chapel;" beneath the floor of which lies the pious re-founder. The other parts of the castle were erected at different times, and consequently the whole pile bears an irregular form. The entrance from the town is through a new Gothic gateway and screen, extending 310 feet, designed by Mr. James Wyatt, and thence to a Gothic porch and vestibule, 84 feet in length and 40 in breadth, which conducts to the chapel on the right. The roof of the chapel is supported by rows of clustered pillars. A few years ago, it was decorated with a new altar-piece, and a picture of the resurrection, by Sir Joshua Reynolds. The picture is said to be the original design which was made by Sir Joshua for the new painted window at the east end of Salisbury Cathedral. The chapel contains also a handsome monument, by Nollekens, to the memory of Bishop Trevor, who is represented sitting, with a book. On the left, the vestibule leads into the hall, a very ele- to Bishop gant apartment, and to the staircase of the ante-room and great drawing-Trevor. room, which is sixty feet long, and thirty broad: its internal finishing, with part of the ante-room, staircase, and vestibule, was executed from designs by Mr. Wyatt. In the dining parlour, 54 feet by 24, are fine full length paintings of Jacob, and the twelve Patriarchs, by Spagnoletto. Here are also the four heads of the Evangelists, by Lanfranc; a painting of the four fathers of the Latin church, by Blocemart; and another of the Cornaro family, by Titian; containing representations of three full-grown persons arrayed in flowing mantles, and of six children, all kneeling, and adoring the cross. In the breakfast-room is a good portrait of Tycho Brahé. The park and lands connected with the castle contain 800 acres. The ground near the mansion has been laid out in slopes and terraces, so as to command a great variety of prospects. The nearer landscapes are composed of wild and irregular woodlands, bold cliffs and eminences, mingled in a picturesque manner; the more distant views are composed of rich cultivated grounds, animated by the windings of the Wear. The river Gaunless flows at the bottom of the lawn, and is crossed at some distance by a stone bridge, at the building of which, in the year 1757, a Roman urn of greyish clay was discovered, filled with ashes, Roman reearth, human bones, &c. It appears from an inquisition post mortem, of the 14th year of Bishop Skirlaw, that Dionesia Polland died seized of certain land, held here in socage by the tenure of presenting a falchion to the bishop on his first coming hither after attaining that dignity. The ceremony is still continued, and accompanied with the following address :My Lord, I, in behalf of myself, as well as some other possessors of the Polland's lands, do humbly present your lordship with this falchion at your first coming here, wherewith, as the tradition goeth, he slew of old a venemous serpent, which did much harm to man and beast, and by performing this service we hold our lands." Market, Thursday.-Fairs, Ascension Day, for horned cattle; following day for sheep and horses; Corpus Christi, and following day, ditto; Thursday before October 10, ditto.- Mail arrives 7 morning; departs 4 afternoon. * BISHOP'S CANNING. The church, at this place, dedicated to St. Mary, is an ancient structure in the English style of architecture, supposed to be erected at about the same period with Salisbury Cathedral, Park and grounds. mains. Ancient custom. 41 Bishopstone ..ti Gloucester pa Hants pa Glamorgan. pa Hereford Dulverton. .12 Chumleigh..8 Bristol .... .5 Sodbury ...12 New Pass...7 175 1116 152 205 123 1883 69 1026 213 476 .5 Hay. .13 143 278 pa Sussex Seaford .2 Lewes .9 Brighton...11 to Warwick Stratford .2 Henley ..7 Warwick ...9 & pa 18 Bishop Stortford † mt Hertford.... | Hertford....17 Harlow..... .7 Dunmow 9 30 3958 BISHOP'S CANNING. Wm. Bayly, mathematician. which it very much resembles. At this place was born William Bayly, an ingenious mathematician and astronomer, who was the son of a farmer. In early life he was employed as a schoolmaster; and his acquirements coming to the knowledge of Dr. Maskelyne, the late astronomer royal, he engaged him as his astronomical assistant. In 1769, he was sent by the Royal Society to the North Cape, to observe the transit of Venus, his account of which was published in the philosophical transactions. In 1772, he went out as astronomer with Captain Cook in his second voyage; and he again accompanied him in the expedition which terminated the life of that celebrated circumnavigator. For his services on these occasions, in having determined the longitudes and latitudes of the several Cap. Cook places discovered by Captain Cook, by surveys and astronomical observations, he was in 1775 appointed master of the Royal Academy at Portsmouth. This situation he held, with great credit to himself, till 1807, when he retired with a handsome pension. He died in 1810.-Gent. Mag. Sailed with * BISHOP'S CASTLE is an ancient corporation which did send two members to Parliament, but is now disfranchised. The castle was formerly the residence of the Bishops of Hereford; from whence the place has derived its name, but of such structure no fragment remains. The town is irregularly built on a declivity near the river Clun, and possesses a neat market house; the streets are also kept peculiarly clean. The fairs and markets of Bishop's Castle are greatly frequented by the Welch, and the town is considerably benefited by its great intercourse with Wales. An elegant octagonal bowling green is formed upon the site of the old castle, as an appendage to the Castle-inn, where the accommodations are of the best kind. The town-house is a neat structure, upon which are cut the Herbert arms; a sensible tourist considers this a mark of vassalage. The church is a stately pile standing below the town; the detached situation of which has been accounted for by the tradition that the town was once of considerable extent, but having been destroyed by fire, it never afterwards regained its population. Market, Friday.-Fairs, Feb. 6, March 20, May 8, July 6, Sept. 9, and Nov. 13, for sheep, horned cattle, and horses.-Inn, Castle." ↑ BISHOP STORTFORD is situated on the river Stort, a circumstance from which, and that of the manor having belonged to the Bishops of London, from the Saxon times, it derives its title. The town is built in |