Page:A century of Birmingham life- or, A chronicle of local events, from 1741 to 1841 (IA centuryofbirming02lang).pdf/476



we approach the present time the changes in the appearance of the town become of a more marked character. Modern improvements partake of the nature of the modern spirit, and are carried out on an extensive scale. The principal destroyer of old land marks and old buildings has been the railway, which is in itself a not unfitting type of modern civilization-haste being one of its most peculiar and special characteristics. Birmingham, however, preserved its old aspect down to a very recent date. In the middle of the present decade, in the year 1825, James Drake published his "Picture of Birmingham." The writer is standing on the Crescent, and says "From the west end of this area we enjoy a pleasing and lively summer-view over a considerable tract of land, laid out in small gardens. This mode of applying plots of ground, in the immediate vicinity of the town, is highly beneficial to the inhabitants. There must be some of these gardens in different quarters round Birmingham, letting from 10s. 6d. to two guineas per annum. They promote healthful exercise and rational enjoyment among the families of the artizans; and, with good management, produce an ample supply of those wholesome vegetable stores, which are comparatively seldom tasted by the middling classes, when they have to be purchased." There can bc no doubt but that these "workmen's pets " added to the beauty, the health and material prosperity of the town.

On Wednesday, April 3, 1822, the Royal assent was given to an Act for enlarging the powers of two acts of the late reign, "for rebuilding Deritend Bridge, and for widening the avenues thereto, and making certain other improvements." Here is the record of some of the other improvements :—