Leather Hall.—­As early as the Norman Conquest this town was famed for its tanneries, and there was a considerable market, for leather for centuries after.  Two of the Court Leet officers were “Leather Sealers,” and part of the proclamation made by the Crier of the Court when it held its meetings was in those words, “All whyte tawers that sell not good chaffer as they ought to do reasonably, and bye the skynnes in any other place than in towne or market, ye shall do us to weet,” meaning that anyone knowing of such offences on the part of the “whyte tawers” or tanners should give information at the Court then assembled.  New Street originally was entered from High Street, under an arched gateway, and here was the Leather Hall (which was still in existence in Hutton’s time), where the “Sealers” performed their functions.  It was taken down when New Street was opened out, and though we have an extensive hide and skin market now, we can hardly be said to possess a market for leather other than the boot and shoe shops, the saddlers, &c.

Lench’s Trust.—­See “Philanthropic Institutions.”

Liberal Association.—­On Feb. 17, 1865, a meeting was held in the committee room of the Town Hall for the purpose of forming an organisation which should “unite all the Liberals of the town, and provide them with a regular and efficient method of exercising a legitimate influence in favour of their political principles.”  The outcome of this meeting was the birth of the now famous Liberal “Caucus,” and though the names of ten gentlemen were appended to the advertisement calling the meeting, the honour of the paternity of the Liberal bantling is generally given to Mr. William Harris.  The governing body of the association was fixed at two dozen, inclusive of the president, vice, and secretary; all persons subscribing a shilling or more per annum being eligible to become members.  The “General Committee,” for some time known as the “Four Hundred,” was enlarged in 1876 to Six Hundred, and in June, 1880, to Eight Hundred, the Executive Committee, at the same time, being considerably increased.  The recent alteration in the franchise, and the division of the borough and outskirts into seven electoral districts, has led to a reorganisation of the Association, or Associations, for each of the seven divisions now works by itself, though guided by a central Council.—­A “Women’s Liberal Association” was founded in October, 1873, and a “Junior Liberal Association” in October, 1878.

Libraries.—­The first public or semi-public library founded in Birmingham, was the Theological.  In 1733 the Rev. William Higgs, first Rector of St. Philip’s, left his collection of 550 volumes, and a sum of money, to found a library for the use of clergymen and students.  The books, many of which are rare, are kept in a building erected in 1792, adjacent to the Rectory, and are accessible to all for whom the library was designed.—­A Circulating