who first came here in March, 1738, and preached on Gosta Green in 1743.  Whitfield preached here in Oct., 1753.  Benjamin Franklin was in Birmingham in 1758, and for long afterwards corresponded with Baskerville and Boulton.  Fulton, the American engineer, (originally a painter) studied here in 1795.  Washington Irving, whose sister was married to Mr. Henry Van Wart, spent a long visit here, during the course of which he wrote the series of charming tales comprised in his “Sketch Book.”  His “Bracebridge Hall,” if not written, was conceived here, our Aston Hall being the prototype of the Hall, and the Bracebridge family of Atherstone found some of the characters.  Thomas Carlyle was here in 1824; Mr. and Mrs. Beecher Stowe ("Uncle Tom’s Cabin"), in May, 1853; Sir W. Crofton, Oct. 9, 1862; M. Chevalier, April 28, 1875; Mr. Ruskin, July 14, 1877; Rev. Dr. Punshon, March 19, and J.A.  Froude, M.A., March 18, 1878; Mr. Archibald Forbes, April 29, 1878; H.M.  Stanley, Nov. 6, 1878; Bret Harte, April 7, 1879; the Rev. T. de Wilt Talmage, an American preacher of great note, lectured in Town Hall June 9 and July 7, 1879, on “The Bright side of Things,” and on “Big Blunders;” but, taking the brightest view he could, he afterwards acknowledged that his coming here was the biggest blunder he had ever made.  Oscar Wilde, March 13, 1884.  Lola Montes lectured here March 2-4, 1859.  Dr. Kenealy was here June 26, 1875.  The Tichborne Claimant showed himself at the Town Hall, August 26, 1872, and again, “after his exile,” at the Birmingham Concert Hall, Jan. 12, 1885.

Volunteers in the Olden Time.—­A meeting was held October 5, 1745, for the raising of a regiment of volunteers to oppose the Scotch rebels, but history does not chronicle any daring exploits by this regiment.  Playing at soldiers would seem to have been formerly a more popular (or shall we say patriotic) amusement than of late years; for it is recorded that a local corps was organised in August, 1782, but we suppose it was disbanded soon after, as in 1797, when the threatening times of revolution alarmed our peaceful sires, there were formed in Birmingham two companies, one of horse and one of foot, each 500 strong, under the commands of Capt.  Pearson and Lord Brooke.  They were called the Birmingham Loyal Association of Volunteers, and held their first parade in Coleshill Street, August 15, 1797.  On the 4th of June following a grand review was held on Birmingham Heath (then unenclosed) to the delight of the local belles, who knew not which the most to admire, the scarlet horse or the blue foot.  Over 100,000 spectators were said to have been present, and, strangest thing of all, the Volunteers were armed with muskets brought from Prussia.  The corps had the honour of escorting Lord Nelson when, with Lady Hamilton, he visited the town in 1802.  At a review on August 2, 1804, the regiment were presented with its colours, and for years the “Loyals” were the most popular men of the period.  Our neighbours do not seem to have been more backward than the locals, though why it was necessary that the services of the Handsworth Volunteer Cavalry should be required to charge and put to flight the rioters in Snow Hill (May 29, 1810) is not very clear.—­See also “Train Bands.”