Castle.—­Birmingham Castle is named in an ancient document as being situated a “bowshot southwestward of the church,” but the exact site thereof has never been traced.  It is supposed to have been erected about the year 1140, and to have been demolished by order of King Stephen, in 1176.

Castle Street takes its name from the hostlery once so famous among our coach officers.

Catacombs.—­There is a large number of massively-built stone vaults underneath Christ Church, each divided into tiers of catacombs, or receptacles for the dead.  It is in one of these that the remains of Baskerville at last found a resting place.—­The catacombs at the General Cemetery are many, being cut out of the sandstone rock known as Key Hill, and a large number have been and can be excavated underneath the church in the Warstone Lane Cemetery.

Cathedral.—­See “Places of Warship—­Catholic.”

Cat Shows.—­The first Cat Show held here was opened November 29th, 1873, and was a very successful speculation; but the exhibitions of the two following years did not pay and since then the grimalkins have been left at home.

Cattle Show.—­As first started (in 1849, when it was held near Kent Street), and at Bingley Hall in the following year, this was an annual show of cattle, sheep, and pigs only, but after years has made it a gathering place for specimens, of nearly everything required on a farm, and the “Show” has become an “Exhibition,” under which heading full notice will be found.

Cemeteries.—­The burial grounds attached to the Churches were formerly the only places of interment save for suicides and murderers—­the former of whom were buried at some cross-road, with a stake driven through the body, while the latter were frequently hung in chains and got no burial at all.  In 1807 the first addendum to our churchyards was made by the purchase of 13,192 square yards of land in Park Street, which cost L1,600.  Having been laid out and enclosed with substantial railed walls at a further outlay of L764, the ground was duly consecrated July 16, 1813, and for some years was the chief receptacle for decaying humanity of all classes, many thousands of whom were there deposited.  By degrees the ground came to be looked upon as only fit for the poorest of the poor, until, after being divided by the railway, this “God’s Acre” was cared fir by none, and was well called the “black spot” of the town.  Since the passing of the Closed Burial Grounds Bill (March 18, 1878) the Corporations have taken possession, and at considerable expense have re-walled the enclosure and laid it out as a place of health resort for the children of the neighbourhood.  The burial grounds of St. Bartholomew’s, St. Martin’s, St. Mary’s, and St. George’s have also been carefully and tastefully improved in appearance, and we can now venture to look at most of our churchyards without shame.