Showell's Dictionary of Birmingham eBook

Thomas Harman
This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 737 pages of information about Showell's Dictionary of Birmingham.

Showell's Dictionary of Birmingham eBook

Thomas Harman
This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 737 pages of information about Showell's Dictionary of Birmingham.
were made to the amount of L16,283, of which L15,027 were allowed, and rates were made on the Hundred of Hemlingford for L20,000 to cover the same and the expenses attendant thereon.  It was a curious coincidence that the rioters of 1839 should have chosen July the 15th for their fiery pranks, the roughs of 1791 having on the same day of the same month, burnt Hutton’s and other houses.  At the Warwick Assizes, Aug. 8, 1839, Jeremiah Howell, Francis Roberts, and John Jones were sentenced to be hung, Thomas Aston had sentence of death recorded against him, and 13 other hot-heads were ordered various terms of imprisonment, for taking part in the mischief.—­At Snow Hill Flour Mills, June 29, 1847, arising out of the seizure of sundry short weights.—­The “Murphy Riots” commenced on Sunday, June 16, 1867, when William Murphy, the Anti-Papal lecturer, delivered his first oration.  The police had to clear Carrs Lane with their cutlasses, and Park Street was nearly demolished.  An Irishman who threatened Morris Roberts in his public-house was shot by him on the 17th, and the act was declared to be justifiable.—­There was a disgraceful row (which may well be classed under this heading) at St. Alban’s Church, Oct. 13, 1867, in consequence of some ecclesiastical excommunicatory proceedings.—­The Navigation Street riot of roughs, in which Police-officers Lines and Fletcher were stabbed, took place March 7, 1875.  Lines died on the 24th, and was buried at Aston the 29th.  The sum of L840 14s. was gathered to support his wife and daughter.  The Assizes, held in the following July, may be called “the Roughs’ Reprisals,” as one was sentenced to death, four to penal servitude for life, six to fifteen years each (three of them were flogged as well), one to ten years, one to seven years, and four to five years each.—­A Conservative “demonstration” held at the Lower Grounds, October 13th, 1884, was broken into and disturbed by Liberals, who held a meeting outside and then breached the walls, spoilt the fireworks, and added another to the long list of Birmingham riots.

Ritualism.—­Though there has been many instances of local clergymen adopting practices which usually come under the name of ritualistic, we have had but one “Martyr to the Cause,” in the person of the Rev. R.W.  Enraght, of the Church of the Holy Trinity, Bordesley.  Among the numerous practices of which complaint was made against him were the following:—­The use of lighted candles, the wearing of the alb and chasuble, the ceremonial mixing of water and wine, the making of the sign of the cross towards the congregation, the use of wafers instead of bread, standing with his back to the congregation during the prayer for consecration, not continuing to stand the whole time during the prayer, elevation of the cup and paten more than is necessary, causing the Agnus Dei to be sung immediately after the consecration, standing instead of kneeling during the Confession, and kissing the Prayer Book.  Remonstrance, monition, and inhibition, not being sufficient to teach him the error of his ways, Mr. Enraght was committed for contempt Nov. 20, 1880, and taken to Warwick gaol on the 27th.  He was released soon after Christmas, and another Vicar filleth his place.

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Showell's Dictionary of Birmingham from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.