perhaps accounts for their occasionally discussing the advisability of letting some of their poor people out on hire to certain would-be taskmasters as desired such a class of employees.  In the months of January, February, and March, 1783, much discussion took place as to building a new Workhouse, but nothing definite was done in the matter until 1790, when it was proposed to obtain an Act for the erection of a Poorhouse at Birmingham Heath, a scheme which Hutton said was as airy as the spot chosen for the building.  Most likely the expense, which was reckoned at L15,000, frightened the ratepayers, for the project was abandoned, and for fifty years little more was heard on the subject.  What they would have said to the L150,000 spent on the present building can be better imagined than described.  The foundation-stone of the latter was laid Sept. 7, 1850, and the first inmates were received March 29, 1852, in which year the Lichfield Street establishment was finally closed, though it was not taken down for several years after.  The new Workhouse is one of the largest in the country, the area within its walls being nearly twenty acres, and it was built to accommodate 3,000 persons, but several additions in the shape of new wards, enlarged schools, and extended provision for the sick, epileptic and insane, have since been made.  The whole establishment is supplied with water from an artesian well, and is such a distance from other buildings as to ensure the most healthy conditions.  The chapel, which has several stained windows, is capable of seating 800 persons and in it, on May 9, 1883, the Bishop of Worcester administered the rite of confirmation to 31 of the inmates, a novelty in the history of Birmingham Workhouse, at all events.  Full provision is made for Catholics and Nonconformists desiring to attend the services of their respective bodies.  In connection with the Workhouse may be noted the Cottage Homes and Schools at Marston Green (commenced in October, 1878) for the rearing and teaching of a portion of the poor children left in the care of the Guardians.  These buildings consist of 3 schools, 14 cottage homes, workshops, infirmary, headmaster’s residence, &c., each of the homes being for thirty children, in addition to an artisan and his wife, who act as heads of the family.  About twenty acres of land are at present thus occupied, the cost being at the rate of L140 per acre, while on the buildings upwards of L20,000 has been spent.

Public houses.—­The early Closing Act came into operation here, November 11, 1864; and the eleven o’clock closing hour in 1872; the rule from 1864 having been to close at one and open at four a.m.  Prior to that date the tipplers could be indulged from the earliest hour on Monday till the latest on Saturday night.  Mr. Joseph Chamberlain and his friends thought so highly of the Gothenburg scheme that they persuaded the Town Council into passing a resolution (Jan. 2, 1877) that the Corporation ought to be allowed to buy up all the trade in Birmingham.  There were forty-six who voted for the motion against ten; but, when the Right Hon. J.C.’s monopolising motion was introduced to the House of Commons (March 13, 1877), it was negatived by fifty-two votes.