Scholefield, M.P., for the borough, is at Aston Hall.
Sturge.—The statue and most appropriate memorial of Edmund Sturge, at the Five Ways, which cost about £1,000, was undraped June 4, 1862. Messrs. Bright and Scholefield, M.P.'s, being present.
With a true sorrow that rebuked all feigning,
By lone Edgbaston's side
Stood a great city in the sky's sad reigning
Bareheaded and wet-eyed.
Silent for once the restless love of labour,
Save the low funeral tread,
Or voice of craftsman whispering to his neighbour
The good deeds of the dead.
Timmins.—An almost life-speaking marble bust of Mr. Sam. Timmins was placed in the Reference Library, April 26, 1876. It was destroyed in the fire, but has been replaced, and few could tell the present bust is not the original one.
Tyndale.—The Londoners have honoured themselves by erecting on the Thames Embankment a statue to the memory of the Reformer Tyndale, whom we have partly to thank for the English version of the Bible. To help pay for their ornament it was decided that the names of all towns subscribing £100 or more should be inscribed on the pedestal, and the Bible-lovers of Birmingham scraped together £86 15s. 3d. for the purpose, leaving the Mayor (Mr. Wm. White) to dip into his own pocket for the remaining £13 4s. 9d.
Unett.—The granite obelisk in St. Philip's churchyard, opposite Temple Street, was erected to the memory of Lieut-Colonel Unett, who fell at the storming of Sebastopol. It was uncovered June 19, 1857.
Watt.—One of the finest productions of Francis Chantrey, the sculptor, is generally acknowledged to be the monument in Handsworth Church to James Watt, which was placed therein September, 1827. The figure is said to bear a very remarkable resemblance to Mr. Watt, who is represented seated in a Grecian chair, with compasses and open book, as though tracing on the open page. On the front of the pedestal is inscribed:—
James Watt,
Born
19 January,
1736,
Died
25 August,
1819,
Patri Optime Merito.
E. M. P.
The statue in Ratcliffe Place was subscribed for in 1867, and the figure is very like the portrait of Watt. It was unveiled Oct. 2, 1868.
Whateley.—A marble bust (by Peter Hollins) of J. W. Whateley, Esq., M.D., was placed in the Board Room of the General Hospital, June 1, 1877.
Wriqht.—Mr. John Bright, June 15, 1883, uncovered the statue erected in memory of Mr. J. S. Wright, in front of the Council House. The inscription upon it is as follows:—
"John Skirrow Wright, born February 2, 1822, died April 13, I880. In memory of the simplicity, kindliness, and integrity of his life and of his unselfish, untiring, and patriotic devotion as a public man, this monument is erected by the united gifts of all classes in the town he loved and for which he laboured."
Steam Engines.—The first steam engine (then called a fire engine) used for the purpose of pumping water from coal mines was put up in 1712 by Newcomen and Calley, at a colliery near Wolverhampton, owned by Mr. Back, the ironwork, &c., being made in Birmingham, and taken hence to the pit-head. The first of Watt's engines made at Soho, was to "blow the bellows" at John Wilkinson's ironworks at Broseley, in 1776. Watt's first pumping engine was started at Bloomfield Colliery, March 8, 1776. Having overcome the rotary motion difficulties, Watt applied steam to tilt hammers and rolling mills in 1781, and to corn-grinding mills in 1782; taking out patents in 1784 for the "governor," "parallel motion," &c., including also specifications for a travelling engine,
