let their companions fall over the graves.—­On St. John’s Days, when the ancient feast or “wake” of Deritend Chapel was kept, it, was the custom to carry bulrushes to the church, and old inhabitants decorated their fireplaces with them.—­In the prosperous days of the Holte family, when Aston Hall was the abode of fine old English gentlemen, instead of being the lumber-room of those Birmingham rogues the baronets abominated, Christmas Eve was celebrated with all the hospitalities usual in baronial halls, but the opening of the evening’s performances was of so whimsical a character that it attracted attention even a hundred years ago, when queer and quaint customs were anything but strange.  An old chronicler thus describes it:—­“On this day, as soon as supper is over, a table is set in the hall; on it is set a brown loaf, with twenty silver threepences stuck on the top of it, a tankard of ale, with pipes and tobacco; and the two oldest servants have chairs behind it, to sit in as judges, if they please.  The steward brings the servants, both men and women, by one at a time, covered with a winnow-sheet, and lays their right hand on the loaf, exposing no other part of the body.  The oldest of the two judges guesses at the person, by naming a name; then the younger judge, and, lastly, the oldest again.  If they hit upon the right name, the steward leads the person back again; but if they do not he takes off the winnow-sheet, and the person receives a threepence, makes low obeisance to the judges, but speaks not a word.  When the second servant was brought the younger judge guessed first and third; and this they did alternately till all the money was given away.  Whatever servant had not slept in the house the previous night forfeited his right to the money.  No account is given of the origin of this strange custom, but it has been practised ever since the family lived there.  When the money is gone the servants have full liberty to drink, dance, sing, and go to bed when they please.”

Railways: London and North Western.—­The first proposal for converting Birmingham with the outer world by means of a railway seems to have originated in 1824, as we read of the share-book for a Birmingham and London line being opened here on December 14 of that year.  There was a great rush for shares, 2,500 being taken up in two hours, and a L7 premium offered for more, but as the scheme was soon abandoned it is probable the scrip was quickly at a discount.  Early in 1830 two separate companies were formed for a line to the Metropolis, but they amalgamated on September 11, and surveys were taken in the following year.  Broad Street being chosen as the site for a station.  The Bill was introduced into the House of Commons February 20, 1832, but the Lords rejected it in June.  Another Bill, with variations in the plans, was brought in in the session of 1833, and it passed on May 6, the work being commenced at the London end in July, and at Birmingham in June of the