# Showell's Dictionary of Birmingham/I

​ Ickcnield Street.—Britain was formerly traversed by four great roads, usually called Roman roads, though there are some grounds for believing that the Ancient Britons themselves were the pioneers in making these trackways, their conquerors only improving the roads as was their wont, and erecting military stations along the line. These roads were severally called "Watling Stræte," which ran from the coast of Kent, through London, to the Welsh coast in county Cardigan; the "Fosse," leading from Cornwall to Lincoln; "Erminge Stræte," running from St. David's to Southampton; and "HikenildeStræte," leading through the centre of England, from St. David's to Tynemouth. Part of the latter road, known as Icknield ​Street, is now our Monument Lane, and in 1865 a portion of ancient road was uncovered near Chad Valley House, which is believed to have been also part thereof. Proceeding in almost a direct line to the bottom of Hockley Hill, the Icknield Street ran across Handsworth Parish, by way of the present Hunter's Lane, but little further trace can be found now until it touches Sutton Coldfield Park, through which it passes for nearly a mile-and-a half at an almost uniform width of about 60 feet. It is left for our future local antiquarians to institute a search along the track in the Park, but as in scores of other spots Roman and British remains have been found, it seems probable than an effort of the kind suggested would meet its reward, and perhaps lead to the discovery of some valuable relics of our long-gone predecessors.
Illuminations.—When the news of Admiral Rodney's victory was received here. May 20, 1792, it was welcomed by a general illumination, as were almost all the great victories during the long war. The Peace of Amiens in 1802 was also celebrated in this way, and the event has become historical from the fact that for the first time in the world's history the inflammable gas obtained from coal (now one of the commonest necessities of our advanced civilisation) was used for the purpose of a public illumination at Soho "Works. (See "Gas") In 1813 the town went into shining ecstasies four or five times, and ditto in the following year, the chief events giving rise thereto being the entry of the Allies into Paris, and the declaration of peace, the latter being celebrated (in addition to two nights' lighting up of the principal buildings, &c.), by an extra grand show of thousands of lamps at Soho, with the accompaniment of fireworks and fire-balloons, the roasting of sheep and oxen, &c. Waterloo was the next occasion, but local chroniclers of the news of the day gave but scant note thereof. From time to time there have been illuminations for several more peaceable matters of rejoicing, but the grandest display that Birmingham has ever witnessed was that to celebrate the marriage of the Prince of Wales. March 10th, 1863, when St. Philip's Church was illuminated on a scale so colossal as to exceed anything of the kind that had previously been attempted in the illumination by gas of public buildings upon their architectural lines. Situated in the centre, and upon the most elevated ground in Birmingham, St. Philip's measures upwards of 170-ft, from the base to the summit of the cross. The design for the illumination—furnished by Mr. Peter Hollins—consisted of gas-tubing, running parallel to the principal lines of architecture from the base to the summit, pierced at distances of 3 in, or 5 in., and fitted with batswing burners. About 10,000 of these burners were used in the illumination. The service-pipes employed varied in diameter from three inches to three-quarters of an inch, and measured, in a straight line, about three-quarters of a mile, being united by more than two thousand sockets. Separate mains conducted the gas to the western elevation, the tower, the dome, the cupola, and cross; the latter standing 8ft, above the ordinary cross of the church, and being enclosed in a frame of ruby-coloured glass. These mains were connected with a ten-inch main from a heavily-weighed gasometer at the Windsor Street works of the Birmingham Gas Company, which was reserved for the sole use of the illumination. It took forty men three days to put up the scaffolding, but the whole work was finished and the scaffolding removed in a week. It was estimated that the consumption of gas during the period of illumination reached very nearly three-quarters of a million of cubic feet; and the entire expense of the illumination, including the gas-fittings, was somewhat over six hundred pounds. The illumination was seen for miles ​round in every direction. From the top of Barr Beacon, about eight miles distant, a singular effect was produced by means of a fog cloud which hung over the town, and concealed the dome and tower from view—a blood-red cross appearing to shine in the heavens and rest upon Birmingham. As the traveller approached the town on that side the opacity of the fog gradually diminished until, when about three miles away, the broad lines of light which spanned the dome appeared in sight, and, magnified by the thin vapour through which they were refracted, gave the idea of some gigantic monster clawing the heavens with his fiery paws. All the avenues to the church and the surrounding streets were crowded with masses of human heads, in the midst of which stood a glittering fairy palace. The effect was heightened by coloured fires, which, under the superintendence of Mr. C. L. Hanmer, were introduced at intervals in burning censers, wreathing their clouds of incense among the urns upon the parapet in the gallery of the tower, and shedding upon the windows of the church the rich tints of a peaceful southern sky at sunset. The several gateways were wreathed in evergreens, amongst which nestled festoons of variegated lamps. So great was the sensation produced throughout the town and surrounding districts, and such the disappointment of those who had not seen it, that the committee, at a great expanse, consented to reillumine for one night more, which was done on the 13th. The last general illumination was on the occasion of the visit of Prince and Princess of Wales. Nov. 3, 1874.
Improvement Schemes.—See "Town Improvements."
Income Tax.—This impost was first levied in 1798, when those who had four children were allowed an abatement of 10 per cent.; eight children, 15 per cent.; ten or more 20 per cent. At the close of the Peninsular campaign this tax was done away with, it being looked upon, even in those heavily betaxed times, as about the most oppressive duty ever imposed by an arbitrary Government on loyal and willing citizens. When the tax was revived, in 1842, there was a considerable outcry, though if fairly levied it would seem to be about the most just and equitable mode of raising revenue that can be devised, notwithstanding its somewhat inquisitorial accompaniments. The Act was only for three years but it was triennially renewed until 1851, since when it has become "a yearly tenant," though at varying rates, the tax being as high as 1s. 4d, in the pound in 1855, and only 2d, in 1874. A Parliamentary return issued in 1866 gave the assessment of Birmingham to the Income Tax at £1,394,161; in 1874 it was estimated at £1,792,700. The present assessment is considerably over the two millions, but the peculiar reticence generally connected with all Governmental offices prevents us giving the exact figures.
Indian Famine.—The total amount subscribed here towards the fund for the relief of sufferers by famine in India in 1877 was £7,922 13s. 2d. India-rubber, in 1770, was sold at 3s, per cubic half-inch, and was only used to remove pencil marks from paper. Its present uses are manifold, and varied in the extreme, from the toy balloon of the infant to railway buffers and unsinkable lifeboats.
Infirmaries.— See "Hospitals," &c.
Inge.—The family name of one of the large property owners of this town, after whom Inge Street is so called. The last representative of the family lived to the ripe old age of 81, dying in August, 1881. Though very little known in the town from whence a large portion of his income was drawn, the Rev. George Inge, rector of Thorpe (Staffordshire), was in his way a man of mark, a mighty Nimrod, who ​followed the hounds from the early age of five, when he was carried on a pony in front of a groom, until a few weeks prior to his death, having hunted with the Atherstone pack during the management of sixteen successive masters thereof.
Insane Asylums.—See "Lunacy."
Insurance.— In 1782 a duty of 1s. 6d, per cent, was levied on all fire insurances, which was raised to 2s, in 1797, to 2s. 6d, in 1804, and to 3s, in 1815, remaining at that until 1865, when it was lowered to 1s. 6d., being removed altogether in 1869. Farming stock was exempted in 1833, and workmen's tools in 1860.
Insurance Companies.—Their name is legion, their agents are a multitude, and a list of their officers would fill a book. You can insure your own life, or your wife's, or your children's or anybody else's, in whose existence you may have a beneficial interest, and there are a hundred others ready to receive the premiums. If you are journeying, the Railway Passengers' Accident Co, will be glad to guarantee your family a solatium in case you and your train come to grief, and though it is not more than one in half-a-million that meets with an accident on the line, the penny for a ticket, when at the booking office, will be well expended. Do you employ clerks, there are several Guarantee Societies who will secure you against loss by defalcation. Shop-keepers and others will do well to insure their glass against breakage, and all and everyone should pay into a "General Accident" Association, for broken limbs, like broken glass, cannot be foreseen or prevented. It is not likely that any of us will be "drawn" for a militiaman in these piping times of peace, but that the system of insurance was applied here in the last century against the chances of being drawn in the ballot, is evidenced by the following carefully-preserved and curious receipt:—
"Received of Matthew Boulton, tagmaker. Snow Hill, three shillings and sixpence, for which sum I solemnly engage, if he should be chosen by lot to serve in the militia for this parish, at the first meeting for that purpose, to procure a substitute that shall be approved of. "Henry Brookes. Sergt. "Birmingham. Jan. 11, 1702."
The local manufacture of Insurance Societies has not been on a large scale, almost the only ones being the "Birmingham Workman's Mutual," the "British Workman," and the "Wesleyan and General." The late Act of Parliament, by which in certain cases, employers are pecuniarily liable for accidents to their work people, has brought into existence several new Associations, prominent among which is the comprehensive "Employers' Liability and Workpeople's Provident and Accident Insurance Society. Limited," whose offices are at 33. Newhall Street.
Interesting Odds and Ends.
A fair was held here on Good Friday, 1793.
A fight of lion with dogs took place at Warwick. September 4, 1824.
The Orsini bombs used in Paris. January 15, 1858, were made here.
In 1771 meetings of the inhabitants were called by the tolling of a bell.
A large assembly of Radicals visited Christ Church. November 21, 1819, but not for prayer.
A "flying railway" (the Centrifugal) was exhibited at the Circus in Bradford Street. October 31, 1842.
The doors of Moor Street prison were thrown open. September 3, 1842, there not being then one person in confinement.
March 2, 1877, a bull got loose in New Street Station, and ran through the tunnel to Banbury Street, where he leaped over the parapet and was made into beef.
William Godfrey, who died in Ruston-street. October 27, 1863, was a native of this town, who, enlisting at eighteen, was sent out to China, ​where he accumulated a fortune of more than £1,000,000. So said the Birmingham Journal. November 7, 1863.
The De Berminghams had no blankets before the fourteenth century, when they were brought from Bristol. None but the very rich wore stockings prior to the year 1589, and many of them had their legs covered with bands of cloth.
A petition was presented to the Prince of Wales (June 26, 1791) asking his patronage and support for the starving buckle-makers of Birmingham. He ordered his suite to wear buckles on their shoes, but the laces soon whipped them out of market.
One Friday evening in July, 1750, a woman who had laid informations against 150 persons she had caught retailing spirituous liquors without licenses, was seized by a mob, who doused, ducked and daubed her, and then shoved her in the Dungeon.
At a parish meeting. May 17, 1726, it was decided to put up an organ in St. Martin's at a cost of £300 "and upwards." At a general meeting of the inhabitants. April 3, 1727, it was ordered that a bell be cast for St. Philip's, "to be done with all expedition."
In 1789 it was proposed that the inmates of the workhouse should be employed at making worsted and thread. Our fathers often tried their inventive faculties in the way of finding work for the inmates. A few years later it was proposed (August 26) to lighten the rates by erecting a steam mill for grinding corn.
On the retirement of Mr. William Lucy, in 1850, from the Mayoralty, the usual vote of thanks was passed, but with one dissentient. Mr. Henry Hawkes was chosen coroner July 6, 1875, by forty votes to one. The great improvement scheme was adopted by the Town Council (November 10, 1875), with but one dissentient.
A certificate, dated March 23, 1683, and signed by the minister and churchwardens, was granted to Elizabeth, daughter of John and Ann Dickens, "in order to obtain his majesty's touch for the Evil." The "royal touch" was administered to 200 persons from this neighbourhood. March 17, 1714; Samuel Johnson (the Dr.) being one of those whose ailments, it was believed, could be thus easily removed. Professor Holloway did not live in those days.
Sir Thomas Holte (the first baronet) is traditionally reported to have slain his cook. He brought an action for libel against one William Ascrick, for saying "that he did strike his cook with a cleaver, so that one moiety of the head fell on one shoulder, and the other on the other shoulder." The defendant was ordered to pay £30 damages, but appealed, and successfully; the worthy lawyers of that day deciding that though Sir Thomas might have clove the cook's head, the defendant did not say he had killed the man, and hence had not libelled the baronet.
Interpreters.—In commercial circles it sometimes happens that the foreign corresponding clerk may be out of the way when an important business letter arrives, and we, therefore, give the addresses of a few gentlemen linguists, viz.:—Mr. H. R. Forrest, 46, Peel Buildings, Lower Temple Street; Mr. L. Hewson, 30, Paradise Street; Mr. F. Julien, 189, Monument Road; Mr. Wm. Krisch, 3, Newhall Street; Mr. L. Notelle, 42, George Road, Edgbaston; and Mr. A. Vincent, 49, Islington Row.
Invasion.—They said the French were coming in February, 1758, so the patriotic Brums put their hands into their pockets and contributed to a fund "to repel invasion."
Inventors and Inventions.—Birmingham, for a hundred years, led the van in inventions of all kinds, and ​though to many persons patent specifications may be the driest of all dry reading, there is an infinitude of interesting matter to be found in those documents. Much of the trade history of the town is closely connected with the inventions of the patentees of last century, including such men as Lewis Paul, who first introduced spinning by rollers, and a machine for the carding of wool and cotton; Baskerville, the japaner; Wyatt, partner with Paul; Boulton, of Soho, and his coadjutors, Watt, Murdoch, Small, Keir, Alston, and others. Nothing has been too ponderous and naught too trivial for the exercise of the inventive faculties of our skilled workmen. All the world knows that hundreds of patents have been taken out for improvements, and discoveries in connection with steam machinery, but few would credit that quite an equal number relate to such trifling articles as buckles and buttons, pins and pens, hooks and eyes, &c.; and fortunes have been made even more readily by the manufacture of the small items than the larger ones. The history of Birmingham inventors has yet to be written; a few notes of some of their doings will be found under "Patents" and "Trades."
Iron.—In 1354 it was forbidden to export iron from England. In 1567 it was brought here from Sweden and Russia. A patent for melting iron with pit coal was granted in 1620 to Dud Dudley, who also patented the tinning of iron in 1661. The total make of iron in England in 1740 was but 17,000 tons, from 59 furnaces, only two of which were in Staffordshire, turning out about 1,000 tons per year. In 17S8 there were nine blast furnaces in the same county; in 1796, fourteen; in 1806, forty-two; in 1827, ninety-five, with an output of 216,000 tons, the kingdom's make being 690,000 tons from 284 furnaces. This quantity in 1842 was turned out of the 130 Staffordshire furnaces alone, though the hot-air blast was not used prior to 1835. Some figures have lately been published showing that the present product of iron in the world is close upon 19½ million tons per year, and as iron and its working-up has a little to do with the prosperity of Birmingham, we preserve them. Statistics for the more important countries are obtainable as late as 1881. For the others it is assumed that the yield has not fallen off since the latest figures reported. Under "other countries," in the table below, are included Canada, Switzerland, and Mexico, each producing about 7,500 tons a year, and Norway, with 4,000 tons a year:—
| | Year. | Gross Tons. |
| Great Britain | 1881 | 8,377,364 |
| United States | 1881 | 4,144,254 |
| Germany | 1881 | 2,863,400 |
| France | 1881 | 1,866,438 |
| Belgium | 1881 | 622,288 |
| Austro-Hungary | 1880 | 448,685 |
| Sweden | 1880 | 399,628 |
| Luxembourg | 1881 | 289,212 |
| Russia | 1881 | 231,341 |
| Italy | 1876 | 76,000 |
| Spain | 1873 | 73,000 |
| Turkey | — | 40,000 |
| Japan | 1877 | 10,000 |
| Ail other countries | — | 46,000 |
| Total | | 19,487,610 |
The first four countries produce 88.4 per cent. of the world's iron supply; the first two, 64.3 per cent.; the first, 43 per cent. The chief consumer is the United States, 29 per cent.; next Great Britain, 23.4 per cent.; these two using more than half of all. Cast iron wares do not appear to have been made here in any quantity before 1755; malleable iron castings being introduced about 1811. The first iron canal boat made its appearance here July 24, 1787. Iron pots were first tinned in 1779 by Jonathan Taylor's patented process, but we have no date when vessels of iron were first enamelled, though a French method of coating them with glass was introduced in 1850 by Messrs. T. G. Griffiths and Co. In 1809. Mr. Benjamin Cook, a well-known local inventor, proposed to use iron for building purposes, more particularly in ​ the shape of joists, rafters, and beams, so as to make fire-proof rooms, wails, and flooring, as well as iron staircases. This suggestion was a long time before it was adopted, for in many things Cook was far in advance of his age. Corrugated iron for roofing, &c, came into use in 1832, but it was not till the period of the Australian gold fever—1852-4—that there was any great call for iron houses. The first iron church (made at Smethwick) as well as iron barracks for the mounted police, were sent out there, the price at Melbourne for iron houses being from £70 each.—See "Trades."
Iron Bedsteads are said to have been invented by Dr. Church. Metallic bedsteads of many different kinds have been made since then, from the simple iron stretcher to the elaborately guilded couches made for princes and potentates, but the latest novelty in this line is a bedstead of solid silver, lately ordered for one of the Indian Rajahs.
Iron Rods.—Among the immense number of semi-religious tracts published during the Civil War, one appeared (in 1642) entitled "An Iron Rod for the Naylours and Tradesmen near Birmingham," by a self-styled prophet, who exhorted his neighbours to amend their lives and give better prices "twopence in the shilling at the least to poor workmen." We fancy the poor nailers of the present time would also be glad of an extra twopence.