Page:A century of Birmingham life- or, A chronicle of local events, from 1741 to 1841 (IA centuryofbirming01lang).pdf/251



Local writers frequently allude to the wonderful and rapid growth of the town at this period; and doubtless to those who were living witnesses of the new streets made and the new houses built, it must have been remarkable. This growth filled some of the observers with hope and some with fear, according as the conservative or the progressive temperament prevailed. To us, however, who see what the town now is, and who endeavour, from the old views, directories, and advertisements, to picture to ourselves "Old Brum," its growth seems extraordinarily slow. Year after year we have it making some inroad into the country-absorbing some small space of field or garden land, breaking up some orchard, widening this narrow street, or taking down this obstruction-to us tracing this work step by step, and watching the process, as it were, by which it was done, the growth of Birmingham for the first half of the hundred years with which we are concerned appears to be that of a strong, sturdy, but not remarkably nimble creature. It will be seen that the main characteristics of our first decade are still with us in the fourth. The advertisements which we have selected are similar to those previously quoted; and of the greater part of Birmingham it might still be truly said that it was rus in urbe. In August 1772 this advertisement appeared:—

To be Let immediately or at Michaelmas next, a general House, No. 24, very pleasantly situated in Colmore-Row, opposite the New Church Yard, Birmingham, consisting of two large Parlours, four large Chambers, two Garrets with Closets in every Room, two large under Kitchens and Pantry, two large Cellars, an entire Back Yard and Garden. For further Particulars enquire of the Printers hereof.

In September of the same year such a house as this was to be found in Moor Street:—

To be Let and entered upon at Michaelmas next, a large commodious Dwelling House, No. 20, in Moor-Street, Birmingham, with two Malt-Houses, an entire Yard, Garden, Stable. &c., late in the Occupation of John Freeth, deceased. For Particulars enquire of S. Baker, near the Old Cross.