ber 1, 1872. The Burmese Ambassadors took a look at us August 14, 1872, and the Madagascar Ambassadors followed on January 5, 1883.—Among the brave and gallant visitors who have noted are General Elliott, who came August 29th, 1787. Lord Nelson, August 30, 1802, and there is an old Harborneite still living who says he can recollect seeing the hero come out of the hotel in Temple Row. The Duke of Wellington and Sir Robert Peel dined at Dee's Hotel, September 23, 1830. The Duke's old opponent, Marshal Soult, in July 1838, seemed particularly interested in the work going on among our gunshops. Lady Havelock, her two daughters, and General Havelock, the only surviving brother of Sir Henry, visited the town October 8, 18r)8. General Ulysses Grant, American Ex-president, was soft-soaped at the Town Hall, October 19, 1877.—Politicians include Daniel O'Connell, January 20, 1832. The Right Hon. Benjamin Disraeli, who visited the Small Arms Factory, August 18, 1869, was again here August 22, 1876, immediately after being raised to the peerage as Earl of Beaconsfield. The Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone was welcomed with a procession and a "monster meeting" at Bingley Hall, May 31, 1877. The Right Hon. R. A. Cross, Home Secretary, honoured the Conservatives by attending a banquet in the Town Hall, Nov. 20, 1876. Sir Stafford Northcote, then Chancellor of the Exchequer, came here Oct. 19, 1878, and was at Aston, Oct. 13, 1884, when the Radical roughs made themselves conspicuous. Lord Randolph Churchill was introduced to the burgesses, April 15, 1884; and has been here many times since, as well as the late Col. Burnaby, who commenced his candidature for the representation of the borough July 23, 1878.—In the long list of learned and literary visitors occur the names of John Wesley, who first came here in March, 1738, and preached on Gosta Green in 1743 Whitfield preached here in Oct., 1753. Benjamin Franklin was in Birmingham in 1758, and for long afterwards corresponded with Baskerville and Boulton. Fulton, the American engineer, (originally a painter) studied here in 1795. Washington Irving, whose sister was married to Mr. Henry Van Wart, spent a long visit here, during the course of which he wrote the series of charming tales comprised in his "Sketch Book." His "Bracebridge Hall," if not written, was conceived here, our Aston Hall being the prototype of the Hall, and the Bracebridge family of Atherstone found some of the characters. Thomas Carlyle was here in 1824; Mr. and Mrs. Beecher Stowe ("Uncle Tom's Cabin"), in May, 1853; Sir W. Crofton, Oct. 9, 1862; M. Chevalier, April 28, 1875; Mr. Ruskin, July 14, 1877; Rev. Dr. Punshon, March 19, and J. A. Froude, M.A., March 18, 1878 ; Mr. Archibald Forbes, April 29, 1878; H. M. Stanley, Nov. 6. 1878; Bret Harte, April 7, 1879; the Rev. T. de Witt Talmage, an American preacher of great note, lectured in Town Hall June 9 and July 7, 1879, on "The Bright side of Things," and on "Big Blunders;" but, taking the brightest view he could, he afterwards acknowledged that his coming here was the biggest blunder he had ever made. Oscar Wilde, March 13, 1884. Lola Montes lectured here March 2-4, 1859. Dr. Kenealy was here June 26, 1875. The Tichborne Claimant showed himself at the Town Hall, August 26, 1872, and again, "after his exile," at the Birmingham Concert Hall, Jan. 12, 1885.
Volunteers in the Olden Time.—A meeting was held October 5, 1745, for the raising of a regiment of volunteers to oppose the Scotch rebels, but history does not chronicle any daring exploits by this regiment. Playing at soldiers would seem to have been formerly a more popular (or shall we say patriotic) amusement than of late years; for it is recorded that a local corps was organised in August, 1782, but
