Smallpox.—From the opening of the Smallpox Hospital in May, 1882, to July 10, 1884, the duration of the late epidemic, there were 1,591 cases admitted. Among the 1,384 patients who had been vaccinated there occurred 59 deaths; among the 207 unvaccinated, 90 deaths. No re-vaccinated person died.
Snow Hill.—There is a difference of 60ft. between the top level next Bull Street and the Bottom of Snow Hill.
Soho.—Prior to 1756 the country on the Handsworth side of Birmingham was little better than barren heath, the home of conies and a few beggarly squatters, until Mr. Edward Ruston leased from the Lord of the Manor the whole of the piece of common that lay between Nineveh and Hockley on the left of the West Bromwich Road. He deepened the channel of Hockley brook, and built a small mill by its side, which being purchased from him in 1764 by Matthew Boulton (who soon acquired the freehold also) formed the site of the once world-renowned Soho Works. In 1774, according to "Swinney's Birmingham Directory," these works consisted of four squares of buildings, with workshops, &c., for more than a thousand workmen. Many more than that number, however, were afterwards employed on the grounds, and for long years Soho House, as Boulton's residence was called, was the resort of lords and ladies, princes and philosophers, savants and students, to a far greater extent than many of the European courts. Of this home of the steam engine, and the birthplace of inventions too numerous to count, there is now no vestige left, the foundry being removed to Smethwick in 1848, the celebrated mint, with the warehouses and shopping, being cleared out early in 1850, and the walls razed to the ground in 1853.
Soho Hill.—The top is 177ft. higher than at Hockley Bridge, the foot of the hill.
Soho Pool was formed by the make of an embankment (1756-60) impounding the waters of Hockley brook, and for some years after the demolition of the Soho Works it was a favourite place for boating, &c. The pool was drained in 1866, and, having been filled up, its site will ere long be covered with streets of houses.
Solihull.—This very pleasant village, but a few miles distant, could boast of a Free School for its children at a very early date, for we read of the buildings being repaired in 1573. In 1882 the School was rebuilt, at a cost of about £5,700, and its endowments, some of which were given in the reign of Richard II., are yearly becoming of greater value as building progresses. The present population is nearly 6,000, the rateable value of property being £45,202, from an area of 12,000 acres. The parishes in the Union comprise Baddesley, Balsall, Barston, Bushwood, Elmdon, Knowle, Lapworth, Nuthurst, Packwood, Solihull, Tanworth, and Yardley, including an area of 46,302 acres, a population of 21,000, with a rateable value amounting to £157,000.
Spanish Armada.—The nobility and gently of this and adjoining counties, at the time of the threatened invasion by the Spaniards, contributed sums of money sufficient to hire and equip no less than 43 ships of war. Among the names we note the following local subscribers of £25 each:—William Kinge and William Collmer (Colmore), of Burmingham; Richard Middlemore, Edgbaston; Mrs. Margarett Knowlys, Nuneton; Gabriell Powltney, Knowle; Richard Corbett, Meryden, &c.
Speaking- Stile Walk.—In a footpath leading from Holloway Head to Edgbaston Church, there was a stile at a spot from which an exceedingly clear echo could be raised, and the footpath being partly thrown into a lane the latter became "Speaking Stile Lane." The short street or road at present existing preserves the name,
