two of years. The first series of "Local Notes and Queries" in our newspapers appeared in the Gazette, commencing in Feb., 1856, and was continued till Sept., 1860. There was a somewhat similar but short series running in the columns of the Journal from August, 1861, to May, 1862. The Daily Post took it up in Jan., 1863, and devoted a column per week to "Notes" up to March, 1865, resuming at intervals from 1867 to 1872. The series now (1884) appearing in the Weekly Post was commenced on the first Saturday (Jan. 6) in 1877.
Local Taxation.— See "Municipal Expenditure."
Locks.—The making of locks must have been one of the earliest of our local trades, as we read of one at Throckmorton of very quaint design, but rare workmanship, with the name thereon of "Johannes Wilkes, Birmingham," towards the end of the 17th century. In 1821 there were 186 locksmiths named in the Directory.
Lodger Franchise.—Considering the vast amount of interest taken in all matters connected with local Parliamentary representation, and the periodical battles of bile and banter carried on in the Revision Courts over the lists of voters, it is somewhat curious to note how little advantage has been taken of the clause in the last Reform Bill which gives the right of voting to lodgers. The qualification required is simply the exclusive occupation of lodgings which, if let unfurnished, are of the clear yearly value of £10; and there must be many hundreds of gentlemen in the borough residing in apartments who would come under this head Out of a total of 63,221 elector's in 1883 there were only 72 who hail claimed their right to vote. In many other boroughs the same discrepancy exists, though here and there the political wire-pullers have evidently seen how to use the lodger franchise to much better effect, as in the case of Worcester for instance, where there are 59 lodger voters out of a total of 6,362.—See "Parliamentary Elections."
London 'Prentice Street, was called Western Street or Westley's Row on the old maps, its continuation, the Coach Yard, being then Pemberton's Yard. How the name of London 'Prentice Street came to be given to the delectable thoroughfare is one of those things "no fellow can understand." At one time there was a school-room there, the boys being taught good manners upstairs, while they could learn lessons of depravity below. With the anxious desire of putting the best fare on everything that characterises the present local "fathers of the people," the London 'Prentice has been sent to the right-about, and the nasty dirty stinking thoroughfare is now called "Dalton Street."
Loveday Street, from Loveday Croft, a field given in Good Queen Bess's reign, by John Cooper, as a trysting place for the Brummagem lads and lasses when on wooing bent.
Low Rents.—A return of unassessed houses in the parish of Birmingham, taken October 19, 1790, showed 2,000 at a rental under £5, 2,000 others under £6, 3,000 under £7, 2,000, under £8, 500 under £9, and 500 under £10.
Lozells.—In the lease of a farm of 138 acres, sold by auction. June 24, 1793, it was written "Lowcells.' Possibly the name is derived from the. Saxon "lowe" (hill) and "cele" (cold or chill) making it "the cold hill."
Lunacy.—Whether it arises from political heat, religious ecstacies, intemperance, or the cares and worry of the universal hunt for wealth, it is certainly a painful fact to chronicle that in proportion to population insanity is far more prevalent now than it was fifty years ago, and Birmingham has no more share in such excess than other parts of the kingdom. Possibly, the figures show more prominently
