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122 reach nearly 3½ millions. The amounts paid in since the amalgamation (to the end of 1882) being £1,019,667. As might be expected the present Society has a large constituency, numbering 6,220 members, 693 of whom joined in 1882. The advances during the year reached £78,275, to 150 borrowers, being an average of £500 to each. The amount due from borrowers was £482,000, an average of £540 each. The amount due to investors was ££449,000, an average of £84 each. The borrowers repaid last year £104,000, and as there was £482,000 now due on mortgage accounts, the whole capital of the society would be turned over in five years, instead of thirteen and a half, the period for which the money was lent. The withdrawals had been £85,409, which was considerably under the average, as the society had paid away since the amalgamation £520,000, or £104,000 per annum. The amount of interest credited to investors was £19,779. A total of £100,000 had been credited in the last five years. The reserve fund now amounted to £34, 119, which was nearly 7½ per cent. on the whole capital employed.

The Birmingham Building Society, No. 1, was established in May, 1842, and re-established in 1853. It has now 1,580 members, subscribing for shares amounting to £634 920. The last report states that during the existence of the society over £500,000 has been advanced to members, and that the amount of "receipts and payments" have reached the sum of £1,883,444. Reserve fund is put at £5,000.

The Birmingham Building Society, No. 4, was established in June, 1846, and claims to be the oldest society in the town. The report to end of June, 1883, gave the number st shares as 801¾, of which 563¼ belong to investors, and the remainder to borrowers. The year's receipts were £10 432, and £6,420 was advanced. The balance-sheet showed the unallotted share fund to be £18,042, on deposit £3,915, due to bank £2,108, and balance in favour of society £976. The assets amounted to £25,042, of which £21,163 was on mortgages, and £3,818 on properties in possession.

St Philip's Building Society was began in January, 1850, since when (up to January, l883) £116,674 had been advanced on mortgages, and £28,921 repaid to depositing members. The society had then 326 members, holding among them 1,094¼ shares. The year's receipts were £13,136, and £7,815 had been advanced in same period. The reserve fund was £3,642; the assets £65,940, of which £54,531 was on mortgages, £7,987 deferred premiums, and £2,757 properties in hand.

Several societies have not favoured us with their reports.

Law.—There are 306 solicitors and law firms in Birmingham, 19 barristers, and a host of students and law clerks, each and every one of whom doubtless dreams of becoming Lord Chancellor. The Birmingham Law Society was formed in 1818, and there is a Society of Law Students besides, and a Law Library. At present, our Law Courts comprise the Bankruptcy and County Courts, Assize Courts (held pro tem in the Council House), the Quarter Sessions' and Petty Sessions' Courts.

League of Universal Brotherhood.—Originated by Elihu Barritt, in 1846, while sitting in the "Angel," at Pershore, on his walk through England. He came back to Joseph Sturge and here was printed his little periodical called "The Bond of Brotherhood," leading to many International Addresses, Peace Congresses, and Olive-Leaf missions, but alas! alas! how very far off still seems the "universal peace" thus sought to be brought about. Twenty thousand signatures were attached to "The Bond" in one year. Far more than that number have been slain in warfare every year since.

Lease Lane.—Apparently a