Hollow-ware.—­The invention of tinning iron pots and other hollow-ware was patented in 1779 by Jonathan Taylor, the process being first carried out by Messrs. Izon and Whitehurst at their foundry in Duke Street.  The enamelling of hollow-ware was Mr. Hickling’s patent (1799), but his method was not very satisfactory, the present mode of enamelling dating from another patent taken out in 1839.  Messrs. Griffiths and Browett, Bradford Street, have the lion’s share of the local trade, which is carried on to a much greater extent at Wolverhampton than here.

Hydraulic Machinery is the specialite almost solely of Messrs. Tangye Bros., who established their Cornwall Works in 1855.

Jewellery.—­A deputation from Birmingham waited upon Prince Albert, May 28, 1845, at Buckingham Palace, for the purpose of appealing to Her Majesty, through His Royal Highness, to take into gracious consideration the then depressed condition of the operative jewellers of Birmingham, and entreating the Queen and Prince to set the example of wearing British jewellery on such occasions and to such an extent as might meet the royal approval.  The deputation took with them as presents for the Queen, an armlet, a brooch, a pair of ear-rings, and a buckle for the waist; for the Prince Consort a watch-chain, seal, and key, the value of the whole being over 400 guineas.  The armlet (described by good judges as the most splendid thing ever produced in the town) brooch, ear-rings, chain and key were made by Mr. Thomas Aston, Regent’s Place; the buckle and seal (designed from the Warwick vase) by Mr. Baleny, St. Paul’s Square.  It was stated by the deputation that 5,000 families were dependent on the jewellery trades in Birmingham.  The “custom of trade” in connection with jewellers and the public was formerly of the most arbitrary character, so much so indeed that at the Great Exhibition of 1851, the Birmingham jewellers did not exhibit, except through the London houses they were in the habit of supplying, and the specimens shewn by these middlemen were of a very unsatisfactory character as regards design.  It is almost impossible to describe them without appearing to exaggerate.  Construction in relation to use went for nothing.  A group of Louis Quatorze scrolls put together to form something like a brooch with a pin at the back to fasten it to the dress, which it rather disfigured than adorned; heavy chain-like bracelet, pins, studs, &c., of the most hideous conceits imaginable, characterised the jewellery designs of Birmingham until about 1854-55, when a little more intelligence and enterprise was introduced, and our manufacturers learned that work well designed sold even better than the old-styled ugliness.  A great advance has taken place during the past thirty years, and Birmingham jewellers now stand foremost in all matters of taste and design, the workmen of to-day ranking as artists indeed, even the commonest gilt jewellery turned out by them now