in the following month.  So perfect was the clearance, that not even any of the foundations have been turned up during the alterations lately effected in Smithfield Market.  In 1746, the “manorial rights” were purchased by Thomas Archer, of Umberslade, from whose descendants they were acquired by the Commissioners, in 1812, under an Act of Parliament obtained for the purpose, the price given for the Manor House, meat, and ground, being L5,672, in addition to L12,500, for “market tolls,” &c.

Manufactures.—­For a few notes respecting the manufactures carried on in Birmingham, see “Trades.”

Maps of Birmingham.—­Westley’s “Plan of Birmingham, surveyed in the year 1731,” is the earliest published map yet met with; Bradford’s in 1750, is the next.  Hanson’s of 1778, was reduced for Hutton’s work, in 1781.  For the third edition, 1792, Pye’s map was used, and it was added to in 1795. 1800 saw Bissett’s “Magnificent Directory” published, with a map; and in 1815 Kempson’s survey was taken, and, as well as Pye’s, was several times issued with slight alterations, as required.  In 1825, Pigott Smith’s valuable map, with names of landowners (and a miniature copy of Westley’s in upper left-hand corner), was issued, and for many years it was the most reliable authority that could be referred to. 1834 was prolific in maps; Arrowsmith’s, Wrightson and Webb’s, Guest’s, and Hunt’s, appearing, the best of them being the first-named.  The Useful Knowledge Society’s map, with views of public buildings, was issued in 1844, and again in 1849.  In 1848, Fowler and Son published a finely-engraved map, 68-1/4in. by 50-1/2in., of the parish of Aston, with the Duddeston-cum-Nechells, Deritend, and Bordesley wards, and the hamlets of Erdington, Castle Bromwich, Little Bromwich, Saltley, and Washwood Heath, Water Orton, and Witton.  The Board of Health map was issued in 1849; Guest’s reissued in 1850; Blood’s “ten-mile map” in 1853; and the Post-office Directory map in 1854.  In the next year, the Town Council street map (by Pigott Smith) was published, followed by Moody’s in 1858, Cornish’s and Granger’s in 1860, and also a corrected and enlarged edition of the Post-office Directory map.  A variety, though mostly of the nature of street maps, have appeared since then, the latest, most useful, and correct (being brought down to the latest date) being that issued to their friends, mounted for use, by Messrs. Walter Showell and Sons, at whose head offices in Great Charles Street copies can be obtained.—­In 1882 the Corporation reproduced and issued a series of ancient and hitherto private maps of the town and neighbourhood, which are of great value to the historian and everyone interested in the land on which Birmingham and its suburbs are built.  The first of these maps in point of date is that of the Manor of Edgbaston 1718, followed by that of the Manor of Aston 1758, Little Bromwich Manor 1759, Bordesley Manor 1760, Saltley Manor 1760, Duddeston and Nechells Manors 1778, and of Birmingham parish 1779.  The last-named was the work of a local surveyor, John Snape, and it is said that he used a camera obscura of his own construction to enable him to make his work so perfect that it served as correct guide to the map makers for fifty years after.