and one side of the thoroughfare forms part of the shop of Messrs. Marris and Norton.—­The North-Western Arcade, which was opened April 5, 1884, is like a continuation of the first-named, being also built over the G.W.R. tunnel, and runs from Temple Row to Corporation Street.  The architect is Mr. W. Jenkins, and the undertakers Messrs. Wilkinson and Riddell, who occupy the principal frontage.  Several of the twenty-six shops into which the Arcade is divided have connection with places of business in Bull Street.—­The Imperial Arcade, in Dale End, next to St. Peter’s Church, is also a private speculation (that of Mr. Thos.  Hall), and was opened at Christmas, 1883.  It contains, in addition to the frontage, thirty-two shops, with the same number of offices above, while the basement forms a large room suitable for meetings, auctions, &c., it being 135ft. long, 55ft. wide and nearly 15ft. high.  Two of the principal features of the Arcade are a magnificent stained window, looking towards St. Peters, and a curious clock, said to be the second of its kind in England, life-size figures of Guy, Earl of Warwick, and his Countess, with their attendants, striking the hours and quarters on a set of musical bells, the largest of which weighs about 5cwt.—­Snow Hill Arcade, opposite the railway station, and leading to Slaney Street, is an improvement due to Mr. C. Ede, who has adopted the designs of Mr. J.S.  Davis.—­The Hen and Chickens Arcade has been designed by Mr. J.A.  Cossins, for a company who purpose to build it, and, at the same time, enlarge the well-known New Street hotel of the same name.  The portico and vestibule of the hotel will form the entrance in New Street to the Arcade, which will contain two-dozen good-sized shops, a large basement room for restaurant, &c.; the out in Worcester Street being nearly facing the Market Hall.

Area of Borough.—­Birmingham covers an area of 8,400 acres, with an estimated population of 400,680 (end of 1881), thus giving an average of 47.7 persons to an acre.  As a means of comparison, similar figures are given for a few other large towns:—­

Area in    Population  Persons
Acres     in 1881    to acres
Bradford   ...  7,200     203,544     28.2
Bristol    ...  4,452     217,185     48.3
Leeds      ... 21,572     326,158     15.1
Leicester  ...  3,200     134,350     42.0
Liverpool  ...  5,210     549,834    105.6
Manchester ...  4,293     364,445     84.9
Nottingham ...  9,960     177,964     77.9
Newcastle  ...  5,372     151,822     28.3
Salford    ...  5,170     194,077     37.5
Sheffield  ... 19,651     312,943     15.9
Wolverhmptn     3,396      76,850     22.6

Arms of the Borough.—­The Town Council, on the 6th day of August, 1867, did resolve and declare that the Arms of the Borough should be blazoned as follows:  “1st and 4th azure, a bend lozengy or; 2nd and 3rd, parti per pale or and gules.”—­(See cover).