Page:A century of Birmingham life- or, A chronicle of local events, from 1741 to 1841 (IA centuryofbirming02lang).pdf/33



July 13, 1801.—To be Sold, a well-planted Garden, in the highest state of Cultivation, with two good Asparagus, Raspberry, and Strawberry Beds, a Brick Summer House, and other Conveniences, situate in a Walk opposite the Timber Company's Wharf.—Enquire at the Rose and Crown, Paradise-street, Birmingham.

July 13, 1801.—To be Sold, a Crop of Potatoes and Beans, now growing upon a Piece of Land, containing about two acres, situate at the upper End of Bradford Street, in Bordesley, and within three quarters of a mile of the Centre of the Town of Birmingham. Those Persons who are disposed to become Purchasers, are requested to send their Proposals in Writing, stating the Price they respectively are willing to give, the Time of Payment, and of clearing the Crops from off the Ground, &c., to Mr. Lowe, of the Ravenhurst, in Bordesley, on or before the 18th instant.

To view the Crop, apply to Mr. Lowe.

The record of public events for the present ten years will afford a painful contrast to that of the last decade. There is enough activity, enough energy, a plentiful display of public spirit; but the energy of the inhabitants is almost entirely absorbed either in trade or in arming and drilling themselves in readiness for the expected invasion of Napoleon Buonaparte. The loyalty of the town was of the most oppressive character. To hint at the want of moderation and wisdom in any of the doings of the "heaven-born minister," Pitt—to suggest the slightest shortcoming on the part of the "Father of his people," George IlI., was treason of the worst kind, and the rash Reformer was sent to Coventry, and in danger of being sent to a worse place by the respectable of his fellow townsmen. Clergy and laity alike participated in the fever of, and no toleration was allowed to dissentients. The general opinion was virulently loyal, and woe to the poor wretch who was bold enough to utter a doubt, or to whisper a suspicion that there was anything rotten in the state of England. The politics of the clergy were not a whit more fanatical than those of most of the laymen : and Dr. Croft, Dr. Madan. and the Rev. E. Burn, found, in gentlemen like Mr. Morfitt, Mr. Weston, and the once important Job Nott, men whose hatred of Dr. Priestley exceeded their own, and whose vehement vituperation and vehement declamation exceeded even that of the pulpit. For some years Birmingham