The illustration, entitled "Birmingham Men of the Last Century," is a reduced copy of Eckstein's painting of the once famous "twelve" who used to meet at "Poet Freeth's," and are memorable examples of the Birmingham men of the 18th century. A MS. memorandum is attached to the back of the painting, which affords the following information:-"This Picture is the common property of the Twelve following Gentlemen, represented on the reverse, to be disposed of at all times as a majority of them shall think proper, and to be the sole property of the survivor. James Sketchly, John Freeth, John Mills, James Murray, Joseph Blunt, Richard Webster, Joseph Fearon, Jeremia Vaux, Samuel Toy, John Collard, James Bisset, John Wilkes. The Picture painted by John Eckstein, 1792."
The men whose fares have thus been preserved for us were all Liberals in politics, and their number caused them to be designated by their political opponents "The Twelve Apostles."
In our explanation of the picture we commence at the left hand, taking them in regular order as they are arranged round the table:-
1,-MR. JAMES MURRAY, a Linen and woollen draper. Mr. Murray resided in Moor Street, was a Member of the Antiquarian Society of Scotland, and was most generally known by the name or title of "Cheap John." He emigrated to America, to which place his two Sons and two Daughters soon afterwards followed him.
2.-MR. JOHN WILKES, a Cheese Factor, corner of Carr's Laue and High Street, and subsequently held a commission as Captain in the Militia.
3. -MR. JOHN FREETH,—A separate chapter of this book is devoted to "Poet Freeth" and his works.
4. -MR. RICHARD WEBSTER, Brass Founder, Moor Street, left no issue.
5. -MR. JEREMIA VAUX, Surgeon, Moor Street, Medical Officer to the Associated Militia of the period, held a very high position in the town as a professional main, being both clever and experienced. He was a most inveterate snuff taker.
6. -MR. JOHN COLLARD was a Hatter and Tailor in High Street, and is described as being "very fond of discussion." He retired from business, and lived in a "pretty sylvan cottage near the Bell and Cuckoo, on the Sutton Road." Here he wrote his works, the "Essentials of Logic," the "Praxis of Logic," and "other elaborate treatises," A Mezzotint portrait of Mr. Collard was published in 1808 from a picture by Lonsdale. His books obtained considerable reputation at the time, and are not quite forgotten.
7. -MR. JOHN MILLS, Edgbaston Street, Patent Lamp Manufacturer, who business, was subsequently carried on by Mr. Blakeway.
8. MN. SAMUEL. TOY, Newhall Street, Steel Toy Manufacturer, was a man possessing very buoyant spirits, and a inexhaustible fund of wit, humour, and satire. In after life he was reduced in circumstances, and became Landlord of the Mitre Inn, where he died after a very brief illness, although to a gentleman still living, he boasted a short time before his death of not remembering having ever been under the bands of a Medical Man.
9.-MR. JAMES BISSET.-Some information about this member of the "Twelve" will he found at page 120 of this volume, and a more detailed record of his life and works will be given in the Appendix.
10.-MR. JOSEPH FEARON, Tin Merchant, Digbeth, was constable of the town for many years, and considered the leading speaker of the Jacobin Club, being a must fluent and clever orator. Eckstein has represented Mr. Fearon in the act of addressing his Confréres. He was known by the sobriquet of Lord North, from his advocacy of that Stateman's principles and conduct in connection with the American war. His constant theme, whenever possible to introduce the subject, was his favourite idea of appealing to appointed Committees of Arbitration in lieu of the expensive and uncertain process of Law Suits, an opinion which was very determinedly maintained by the late Silk Buckingham, Esq. Mr. Fearon left one Son.
11-MR. JAMES SKETCHLY, Moor Street, Auctioneer, Appraiser, and Valuer. He was, by several years, the Senior Member of the Club.
