Dental Hospital.—­See “Hospitals.”

Deodands.—­Prior to the passing of 9 and 10 Vict., 1846, Coroner’s Juries had the power of imposing a “deodand” or penalty on any article or animal which had been instrumental in causing the death of a human being, the said animal or article being forfeited if the owner did not pay.

Deritend.—­In some antique records the name has been spelt “Duratehend.”  For this and other reasons it has been thought to have had its origin rather from the ancient British, as “dur” is still the Welsh word for water, and its situation on the Rea (a Gaelic word signifying a running stream) seems to give a little foundation therefor.  Mr. Tonlmin Smith, in whose family the “Old Crown House” has descended from the time it was built, and who, therefore, is no mean authority, was of opinion that the name was formerly “Der-yat-end,” or “Deer-Gate-End,” from the belief that in ancient days there was here an ancient deer forest.  Leland said he entered the town by “Dirtey,” so perhaps after all Deritend only means “the dirty end.”  Like the name of the town itself, as well as several other parts of it, we can only guess at the origin.

Deritend Bridge.—­Old records show that some centuries back there was a bridge here of some sort, and occasionally we find notes of payments made for repairs to the roads leading to the gates of the bridge, or to the watchmen who had charge thereof, who appear to have been in the habit of locking the gates at night, a procedure which we fear our “Dirtyent” neighbours of to-day would be inclined to resent.  The Act for building the present bridge was obtained in 1784; the work was commenced in 1789, but not completed till 1814.

Dickens, Charles, made his first appearance amongst us at a Polytechnic Conversazione held February 28, 1844, his last visit being to distribute prizes to students of the Midland Institute, January 6, 1870.  In December, 1854, he gave the proceeds of three “Readings,” amounting to L227, to the funds of the Institute, in which he always took great interest.—­See also “Theatrical Notes,” &c.

Digbeth, or Dyke Path, or Ducks’ Bath, another puzzle to the antiquarians.  It was evidently a watery place, and the pathway lay low, as may be seen at “Ye Olde Leather Bottel.”

Dining Halls.—­Our grandfathers were content to take their bread and cheese by the cosy fireside of a public-house kitchen; this was followed by sundry publicans reserving a better room, in which a joint was served up for their “topping customers.”  One who got into trouble and lost his license, conceived the idea of opposing his successor, and started dining-rooms, sending out for beer as it was required, but not to his old shop.  This innovation took, and when the railways began bringing in their streams of strangers, these dining-rooms paid well (as several of the old ones do still).  The next step was the opening