Page:Showell's Dictionary of Birmingham.djvu/102

90 sold at 12s. per foot and in 1849 at 6s., ordinary sheet-glass being then 1s. 2d. per foot. There was a duty on plate-glass prior to April 5, 1845, of 2s. 10½d. per foot. The "patent plate" was the invention of Mr. James Chance, and Chance Brothers (of whose works a notice will be found in another part of this book) are the only manufacturers in this country of glass for lighthouse purposes—See also "Trades," &c.

.—In olden days when our factors started on their tours for orders, it was customary to send a circular in advance announcing that "God willing" they would call upon their customers on certain specified dates. In the language of the counting-house the printed circulars were called "Godwillings."

Goldschmidt.—Notes of the various visits of Madame Goldshmidt, better known by her maiden name of Jenny Lind, will be found under the heading of "Musical Celebrities."

Good Templars.—The Independent Order of Good Templars, in this town, introduced themselves in 1868, and they now claim to have 90,000 adult members in the "Grand Lodge of England."

Gordon.—Lord George Gordon, whose intemperate actions caused the London Anti-Papist Riots of 1780, was arrested in this town December 7, 1787, but not for anything connected with those disgraceful proceedings. Ho had been found guilty of a libel, and was arrested on a judge's warrant, and taken from here to London, for contempt of the Court of King's Bench in not appearing when called upon to do so. It has been more than once averred that Lord George was circumcised here, before being admitted to the Jewish commity, whose rites and ceremonies, dress and manners, he strictly observed and followed; but he first became a Jew while residing in Holland, some time before he took lodgings in such a classic locality as our old Dudley-street, where he lay hidden for nearly four months, a long beard and flowing gaberdine helping to conceal his identity.

Gough.—Gough Road, Gough Street, and a number of other thorough-fares have been named after the family, from whom the present Lord Calthorpe, inherits his property.—See "Edgbaston Hall."

Grammar School.—See "Schools."

Great Brooke Street takes its name from Mr. Brookes, an attorney of the olden time.

Great Eastern Steamship.—The engines for working the screw propeller, 4 cylinders and 8,500 horse-power (nominal 1,700) were sent out from the Soho Foundry.

Green's Village.—Part of the old rookeries in the neighbourhood of the Inkleys.

Grub Street.—The upper part of Old Meeting Street was so called until late years.

Guardians.—See "Poor Law."

Guildhall.—The operative builders commenced to put up an edifice in 1833 which they intended to call "The Guildhall," but it was only half finished when the ground was cleared for the railway. Some of the local antiquaries strongly advocated the adoption of the name "Guildhall" for the block of municipal buildings and Council House, if only in remembrance of the ancient building on whose site, in New Street, the Grammar School now stands.

Guild of the Holy Cross.—Founded in the year 1392 by the "Bailiffs and Commonalty" of the town of Birmingham (answering to our aldermen and councillors), and licensed by the Crown, for which the town paid £50, the purpose being to "make and found a gild and perpetual fraternity of brethren and sustern (sisters), in honour of the Holy Cross," and "to undertake all works of charity, &c., according