Rowley Rag.—­The fusibility of basalt having been theoretically demonstrated, Mr. Henry Adcock, C.E., in 1851 took out letters patent for the manufacture of a number of articles from the Rowley ragstone.  Furnaces were erected at Messrs. Chance Brothers, and the experiment thoroughly carried out, a number of columns, window-sills, doorways, steps, and other architectural pieces being the result.  The process, however, was too expensive, and had to be given up.  A number of the articles were used in the erection of Edgbaston Vestry Hall, where the curious may inspect them if so inclined.

Royal Visitors.—­It is believed that Richard III. was the guest of Baron de Bermingham in November, 1189, and possibly King John may have visited the Manor, as he was more than once in the immediate neighbourhood (1206-08), but with those exceptions Charles I. was the first Sovereign who honoured us with a visit.  He was at Aston Hall, October 16 and 17, 1642. and on the 18th he went to Packington.  He was also in the neighbourhood on Friday, July 13, 1644.  Queen Henrietta Maria, his Consort, was hereabouts on July 10, 1643, passing from Walsall to meet Prince Rupert at King’s Norton.  Charles II. does not appear to have been nearer than at Erdington.  Prince Rupert paid his memorable visit April, 1643.  In 1742, the Duke of Cumberland, with his forces, on their way to Scotland, encamped on Meriden Heath, near Packington Park.—­October 21, 1765, Edward, Duke of York, was here, and grumbled at the inconvenient ball-room in which he danced, an event which probably led to the erection of the Royal Hotel.—­The Duke of Gloucester May 4, 1805, slept at the Royal, and in the following July, King George III. was expected to lay the foundation stone of Christ Church, but was too ill to come, and the next Royal visitors were his grand-daughter (and our Most Gracious Queen) Victoria, and her mother the Duchess of Kent, who on August 4, and 5, 1830, inspected some of our principal manufactories.  On a similar errand came the late Prince Consort, November 29, 1843; his next visit being made Nov. 12, 1849 to see the Exposition of Art and Manufactures at the Old Bingley Hall in Broad Street, which occasion Birmingham men proudly believe led to the great Hyde Park Exhibition of 1851.  Her Majesty passed through the town on the 30th of August, 1852, when an address was presented to her.  Prince Albert laid the foundation stone of the Midland Institute, November 22, 1855.  The Duke of Cambridge, June 1, 1857, planted a tree in Calthorpe Park, as part of the opening ceremony.  In the following year, June 15, 1858, the Queen and Prince Albert inaugurated the “People’s Park,” at Aston, and Her Majesty said it was the finest reception she had ever met with.  Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught, opened the Horticultural Exhibition at Lower Grounds, June 24, 1872.  The Duke of Edinburgh was at the Musical Festival, Aug. 26, and following days, 1873.  The Prince and Princess of Wales visited the town Nov. 3, 1874, and received a most enthusiastic welcome.  Prince and Princess Teck were here Dec., 6, 1875; and the Prince and Princess Christian, with the Marquis of Lorne, visited the Cattle and Dog Shows, Dec., 1883.  The Prince of Wales having accepted the Presidentship of the Agricultural Exhibition Society, it is believed he will again visit the town shortly.