Zoological Association.—­Early in 1873 a provisional committee of gentlemen undertook the formation of a local society similar to that of the Regent’s Park, of London, proposing to raise a fund of L7,000 towards such an establishment, partly by donations and partly in shape of entrance fees to Fellowship (fixed at L5).  It was believed that with a fair number of annual 40s. subscriptions and gate money from the public that such a society might be made successful; several handsome donations were promised, and a lot of “fellows” put their names down as good for the fivers, but when, a little time after, Edmunds’ (alias Wombwell’s) agents were trying to find here a purchaser for their well-known travelling collections, the piecrust proverb was again proved to be correct.

Zoological Gardens.—­Morris Roberts, the ex-prizefighter, opened a menagerie in the grounds of the Sherbourne Hotel, and called it The Zoological Gardens, May 4, 1873.  The animals were sold in April, 1876, the place not being sufficiently attractive.

Obituary.

The following short list of local people of interest may not be an unacceptable addition to the many whose names appear in various parts of the preceding work:—­

AITKEN, W.C., the working man’s friend, died March 24, 1875, aged 58.

ALBITES, ACHILLE, a respected teacher of French, died June 8, 1872, aged 63.

ARIS, THOMAS, founder of the Gazette, died July 4, 1761.

AYLESFORD, LORD, died Jan. 13, 1885, at Big Springs, Texas, aged 35.

BANKS, MORRIS, chemist and druggist, died June 21, 1880, aged 75.

BANKS, William, long connected with the local Press, died March 1, 1870, aged 50.

BATES, WILLIAM, a literary connoisseur of much talent, died September 24, 1884.

BOULTON, ANN, only daughter of Matthew Boulton, died October 13, 1829.

BROWN, Rev. PHILIP, for 32 years Vicar of St. James’s, Edgbaston, died September 15, 1884.

BIRD, ALFRED, well-known as a manufacturing chemist, died December 15, 1878, aged 67.

BARRETT, Rev. I.C., for 43 years Rector of St. Mary’s, died February 26, 1881.

BRACEBRIDGE, CHARLES HOLTE, a descendant of the Holtes of Aston, died July 12, 1872, aged 73.  He left several pictures, &c., to the town.

BRAILSFORD, Rev. Mr., Head-master Grammar School, died November 20, 1775.

BRAY, SOLOMON, formerly Town Clerk, died January 9, 1859.

BREAY, Rev. JOHN GEORGE, seven years Minister of Christ Church, died December 5, 1839, in his 44th year.

BREEDON, LUKE, over fifty years a minister of the Society of Friends, died in 1740, aged 81.

BRIGGS, Major, W.B.R.V., died January 24, 1877, aged 45.

BURN, Rev. EDWARD, 52 years Minister at St. Mary’s, died May 20, 1837, aged 77.

CADBURY, B.H., died January 23, 1880, in his 82nd year.