Horses.—­To find out the number of these useful animals at present in Birmingham, is an impossible task; but, in 1873, the last year before its repeal, the amount paid for “horse duty” in the Borough was L3,294 7s. 6d., being at the rate of 10s. 6d. on 6,275 animals.

Hospital Saturday.—­The fact of the contributions on Hospital Sundays coming almost solely from the middle and more wealthy classes, led to the suggestion that if the workers of the town could be organised they would not be found wanting any more than their “betters.”  The idea was quickly taken up, committees formed, and cheered by the munificent offer of L500 from Mr. P.H.  Muntz towards the expenses, the first collection was made on March 15th 1873, the result being a gross receipt of L4,705 11s. 3d.  Of this amount L490 8s. 10d. was collected from their customers by the licensed victuallers and beerhouse keepers; the gross totals of each year to the present time being—­

1873   . .    L4,705   11   3
1874   . .    4,123   15   2
1875   . .    3,803   11   8
1876   . .    3,664   13   8
1877   . .    3,200   17   0
1878   . .    3,134    5   0
1879   . .    3,421   10   2
1880   . .    3,760    9   0
1881   . .    3,968   18   7
1882   . .    4,888   18   9
1883   . .    5,489    9   0
1884   . .    6,062   16   6

After deducting for expenses, the yearly amounts are divided, pro rata, according to their expenditures among the several hospitals and similar charities, the proportions in 1883 being:—­General Hospital.  L1,843 4s. 1d.; Queen’s Hospital, L931 8s. 3d.; General Dispensary, L561 1s. 7d.; Children’s Hospital, L498 0s. 4d.; Eye Hospital, L345 0s. 4d.; Birmingham and Midland Counties’ Sanatorium, L211 0s. 4d., Women’s Hospital, L193 1s. 9d.; Homoepathic Hospital, L195 5s. 3d.; Orthopaedic Hospital, L138 13s. 6d.; Lying-in Charity, L67 6s. 5d.; Skin and Lock Hospital, L44 14s. 8d.; Ear and Throat Infirmary, L26 12s. 8d.; Dental Hospital, L9 5s. 3d.; and Birmingham Nursing District Society, L34 17s. 7d.  The total sum thus distributed in the twelve years is L48,574 18s. 9d.

Hospital Sunday.—­There is nothing new under the sun!  Birmingham has the honour of being credited as the birth-place of “Hospital Sundays,” but old newspapers tell us that as far back as 1751, when Bath was in its pride and glory, one Sunday in each year was set aside in that city for the collection, at every place of worship, of funds for Bath Hospital; and a correspondent writing to Aris’s Gazette recommended the adoption of a similar plan in this town.  The first suggestion for the present local yearly Sunday collection for the hospitals appeared in an article, written by Mr. Thos.  Barber Wright, in the Midland Counties Herald in October, 1859.  A collection of this kind took place on Sunday, the 27th, of that month, and the first public meeting, when arrangements were made for its annual continuance, was held in the Town