A Description of Modern Birmingham Part 2

This small place of wors.h.i.+p is situated in Newhall-street, directly opposite the coal wharf, and is fitted up for the accommodation of those who embrace the tenets of Swedenburg.

_Synagogue_,

FOR THE JEWS.

The Israelites having from some cause abandoned their ancient place of wors.h.i.+p, have erected another suitable for their devotion, which is finished in a neat manner, and makes a respectable appearance, in Severn-street, near the Lancasterian School.

In this town every individual wors.h.i.+ps his maker in whatever way his inclination leads him, without the least notice being taken or remarks made; if a person's conduct is exemplary, or if he does not give way to any vicious propensities, no one will interrupt or interfere with him.

_Lench's Trust._

In the time of Henry the 8th, an inhabitant, named William Lench, bequeathed some land, which is vested in sixteen trustees, for the purpose of keeping the streets within a certain district in repair, and to erect almshouses, which the trustees have complied with, there being twelve of that description erected by them at the bottom of Steelhouse-lane, for the benefit and residence of the same number of aged people. There are nine others in Dudley-street, and four in Park-street, wherein fifty-two aged females reside. The present rental is about 600 per ann.

_Fentham's Trust._

In the year 1712,--Fentham bequeathed 100 per annum to teach poor children to read, and for cloathing ten poor widows of Birmingham. The children educated by this trust, are maintained and educated in the blue coat charity school, being for distinction sake cloathed in green.

_Crowley's Trust._

In the year 1733, Mrs. Crowley left six houses in trust; the rents of which were to support ten girls, who are also in the same school.

PRIVATE CHARITIES.

_Society for cloathing dest.i.tute Women and Children._

In the year 1800, a few ladies impressed with benevolent ideas a.s.sociated together, and formed a society for the above purpose: the subscriptions were fixed at three s.h.i.+llings and five s.h.i.+llings per quarter; the former to distribute five s.h.i.+llings and the latter seven s.h.i.+llings, in articles of cloathing.

There have in general been from ninety to one hundred and ten subscribers, who have annually relieved near four hundred persons, by accommodating them with comfortable cloathing, by the aggregate sum arising from these small contributions.

It is hoped that this very slight sketch of the inst.i.tution may induce many others to unite in this most beneficial mode of relieving the poor. Subscriptions and donations for this charity are received at Mr.

Cadbury's, in Bull-street.

_The Female Benevolent Society._

This highly commendable inst.i.tution was established in the year 1802, for the purpose of relieving indigent married women when they are confined by reason of child-birth, or other infirmities. Two visitors are appointed, who examine into every person's situation that applies for a.s.sistance, and they administer such relief as the nature of the case seems to require. A subscriber of three s.h.i.+llings per quarter, may, if they think proper, recommend one object to receive five s.h.i.+llings, and a subscriber of six s.h.i.+llings, two objects, who may each of them receive five s.h.i.+llings, or one woman when she lies in may receive ten s.h.i.+llings, or one poor widow or sick person may receive nine-pence per week during the quarter. In the first nine years of this establishment, the sum of 417. 16s. was distributed among sick and indigent females, and since that time the society has been upon the increase, but no report has been printed. Subscriptions and donations for this charity will be received by Mrs. d.i.c.kenson, Summer-hill.

_The Depositing Society_

Have for their object, to improve the condition of the poor, by inciting them to diligence and habits of economy; encouraging them to deposit any sum of money weekly with a committee of ladies, who allow small premiums upon every s.h.i.+lling that is deposited with them. Their view is, to enable the poor to discharge debts, redeem pledges, purchase coals, cloathing, bedding, &c. The last printed report states, that from the 1st of January, 1815, to Midsummer, 1816, the deposits amounted to 538. 11s. 6d. and that the sum of 120. 3s. 2d.

had been paid in premiums to 189 poor persons, making in the whole the sum of 658. 14s. 8d. By this statement it appears that the poor were benefited more than 22 per cent, on their deposits, which is undoubtedly very great encouragement. Subscriptions and benefactions in aid of this society will be received by Mr. J. d.i.c.kenson, treasurer, Summer-hill. This society appears to have been established fifteen years.

_Inst.i.tution for providing Nurses for poor married Women, when lying in._ This laudable society of ladies originated in the year 1814, and since its establishment more than 700 persons have by their means been attended to, in a comfortable manner; their a.s.sistance having been extended to 129 objects of charity during the last year, and to 77 of them money has been distributed.

_Inst.i.tution for providing Clothes for new-born Infants._

The object of this society is to raise a fund, and to purchase linen, flannel, &c. which the ladies make into suitable cloathing for the intended purpose. Each subscriber of two s.h.i.+llings and six-pence annually, may recommend one object to receive a suit of cloathing, and in proportion for a larger sum.

_Lying-in Charity at the Five Ways._

This is supported entirely by voluntary contribution and liberal donations; several of its contributors, much to their honour, having in a benevolent manner a.s.sisted the charity by their industry in making different articles with their own hands. Its object is to supply poor married women with linen, during the time they are confined from child-birth, and also to furnish them with a set of linen for the infant. They are at the same time presented with two s.h.i.+llings and six-pence towards paying the midwife.

_Deritend and Bordesley Society for a.s.sisting the sick_ _Poor with clean Linen._

This charity was inst.i.tuted in the year 1806, and is conducted by a committee, consisting of six visitors, a treasurer, and a store-keeper. Any person wanting relief must procure a note, and deliver it to one of the visitors, who having seen the sick person, gives an order for such linen as appears necessary, and this they retain so long as the visitor thinks they have occasion for it; and when requisite, the house is cleaned, and money given for their support.

If the stock of linen will admit of it, women are accommodated for the s.p.a.ce of one month, whilst they are lying-in. Since this society was first inst.i.tuted, more than nine hundred poor persons have derived benefit from it, within the limited district of Deritend and Bordesley.

_Sick Society, Cannon-street_.

This society has been established for a series of years, for the weekly visiting, relieving, and instructing the sick poor, of every denomination; about three hundred of whom are visited and relieved by this society annually.

A society was established about seven years back, and is still continued, for lending blankets to poor people during the winter season.

At St. Mary's chapel there is a benevolent society, for relieving the indigent sick; and the congregation have likewise established a school of industry, for females, which is supported by voluntary subscription.

The editor is given to understand, that every religious society in the town has a charitable inst.i.tution belonging to it, that are each of them confined to their own congregation. There is an Auxiliary Bible Society and also a branch of the Missionary Society.

_The Free Grammar School_

Was founded by King Edward 6th, in the fifth year of his reign, and endowed with lands, which, by the increased value of such property, now produce more than two thousand pounds per annum. The present building was erected in the year 1707, and is well adapted for the intended purpose.

This seminary has the privilege of sending ten exhibitioners to the universities of Oxford and Cambridge, who are each of them allowed thirty-five pounds per annum, for the s.p.a.ce of seven years.

The management of these revenues is vested in twenty governors, who annually, from their own body, select a bailiff; and when any governor dies, they are empowered to elect another to supply his place. In the centre of the building there is a small tower, with a whole-length figure of the founder. This school is regulated by a chief master, who receives a liberal salary, a second master, and two ushers, who are a.s.sisted by a person to teach writing and another to instruct the pupils in drawing. The present head master is the Rev. John Cooke.

There is also a librarian. In the large room there is an elegant marble bust of the founder, by Scheemaker, which is much admired for its sculpture.

The governors of this school support one extensive preparatory school in Shut-lane, and there are four others for boys, to each of which there are two sets of pupils: one of them attends by day and the other in the evening. There are also two others for girls.

_The Blue Coat School_

Is situated in St. Philip's church-yard: it was erected in the year 1724, but considerably enlarged in 1794, at the expense of 2800.

It possesses an annual income of 700, and therein are educated, maintained, and cloathed 108 boys and 54 girls, in the arts of reading, writing, arithmetic, sewing, knitting, &c. In front of this building there are two statues, a boy and a girl, in the habit of the school; they were executed by a statuary of this town, named Grubb, and do him infinite credit, for they would not disgrace a Roman artist. Adjoining to the school there is a s.p.a.cious area, for the amus.e.m.e.nt and recreation of the boys, and a separate one for the girls. The inhabitants subscribe liberally towards its support, and every six months, sermons are preached at all the places of wors.h.i.+p upon the establishment, and afterwards there is always a collection, to which many people contribute in a very liberal manner. To this inst.i.tution some considerable legacies have been bequeathed; and in the year 1795, the lord of the manor granted a lease for 999 years, of four acres of land upon Birmingham Heath, at one s.h.i.+lling per annum, for its benefit.--Persons desirous of viewing the interior of the premises may be accommodated upon making application to the master, Mr. Jones.

It appears by the printed accounts of this school, published in the year 1817, that some young men, who received their education there, have formed an a.s.sociation, under the t.i.tle of _'True Blues,'_ each of whom contributes a weekly sum towards the parent inst.i.tution, and that the trustees have received at different times from this a.s.sociation the sum of one hundred and fifteen pounds and three-pence.

_The Protestant Dissenters' Charity School_

Is situated in Park street, commodious premises having been purchased for that purpose. In this school females only are admitted, to the number of thirty-six, who are maintained, cloathed, and educated, by voluntary subscription, and collections made after sermons, which are preached annually at the old and new meeting houses.

_The National School_

Is situated in Pinfold-street, where a substantial pile of building was erected in the year 1813, capable of containing on the ground floor, five hundred boys, and on the upper story, four hundred girls.

This seminary is only intended for the instruction of those children who are brought up according to the established religion, and is conducted upon the Madras system, originally invented by Dr. Bell.

This building is inclosed by a lofty brick wall, within which there is vacant ground for the recreation of boys and girls separately. This inst.i.tution is under the management of Mr. Martin for the boys, and Mrs. Chawner for the girls. Since the inst.i.tution of this school, 1906 boys and about 1000 girls have received instruction.

_The Royal Lancasterian Free School_