Page:A century of Birmingham life- or, A chronicle of local events, from 1741 to 1841 (IA centuryofbirming02lang).pdf/366

330 June 6, 1814.—The account of the signature of the long expected Treaty of Peace arrived on Friday. The first intimation reached us at the early hour of two in the morning, by express, from Mr. Willan, the coach proprietor, to Mr. Johnson, at the Nelson Hotel, by way of Oxford, in the short space of ten hours and a half. This laudable effort to furnish the town with the earliest tidings of the auspicious event was followed by a similar communication from Mr. Waterhouse to Mr. Hart, at the Swan Hotel, which arrived about four o'clock : at five the Ancient Briton Coach came in, drawn by six horses, bringing the same joyful intelligence. It may readily be imagined that news so important would not be slow in circulating : the populace rapidly collected, and with an anxious desire for its promulgation, took every means of awakening their neighbours, by drawing one of the coaches through the principal streets, and by knocking and ringing at the doors, &c. At an early hour, thousands of our fellow townsmen proceeded to meet the mail. which was expected to exhibit the characteristic decorations with which important political intelligence has of late been accompanied. Persons of both sexes, and of all classes, flocked to those parts of the town through which the mail usually passes. Upon its arrival soon after twelve o'clock. we calculated that not less than one half the population of Birmingham was collected. Never have we witnessed a more crowded, and at the same time, a more joyous scene. The mail coach, drawn by eight horses, profusely covered with flags, ribbands, laurel, &c., followed by the Balloon Coach and six, with similar decorations. passed in procession to the Swan Hotel, followed by the torrent of the populace. Every countenance testified the exultation this happy scene was so well calculated to excite; the windows were also filled with our fair townswomen, who welcomed the arrival with waving of handkerchiefs, &c. The mail was preceded about half an hour by the Union Coach, which was drawn to the Castle Inn by the people, amid the acclamations of all assembled. Several oxen and sheep will be roasted in different parts of the town to-day. Mr. Joseph Taylor, of Newhall Street, intends giving to his workmen and their wives an ox and six barrels of ale on the happy occasion.

These rejoicings were followed by an address of congratulation to the Prince Regent.

The watchman, Twyford, for shooting at whom Matsell was hanged on Snow Hill, in 1809. died this year; and we have the following further particulars respecting him:—

Nov. 28, 1814.-DIED On Tuesday, Mr. Robert Twyford, one of the Night Constables of this town. Our readers will recollect that Twyford was the watchman who was shot by Matsell some years since. The poor man became afflicted with strangulated hernia, and underwent the operation for that disease with the greatest firmness. Every circumstance induced the surgeons to expect a speedy recovery, except the agitation which a dreadful cough excited, and which in ten days carried him off. His widow, a poor woman of most respectable character, is left desolate; and in appealing to the public in her favour, we are certain we shall not plead in vain, particularly when the circumstances of her husband's conduct are recollected, and that the disease of the lungs which destroyed him was caught while in the faithful discharge of his duty. What adds to the poor woman's misfortune is, that a club which Twyford belonged to, refused to pay the usual sum on such occasions, no account of the man having died after an operation for strangulated hernia, although