Page:Showell's Dictionary of Birmingham.djvu/188

176 to the public, January 1, 1800.

Bowly, E. O.—A native, self-taught artist, whose pictures now fetch rapidly-increasing sums, though for the best part of his long life dealers and the general run of art patrons, while acknowledging the excellence of the work, would not buy them. Mr. Bowly, however, lived sufficiently long to know that the few gentlemen who honoured him in his younger years, were well recompensed for their kind recognition of his talent, though it came too late to be of service to himself. His death occurred Feb. 1, 1876, in his 70th year.

Briggs.—Major W. B. Briggs, who was struck off the world's roster Jan. 25, 1877, was one of the earliest and most ardent supporters of the Volunteer movement in Birmingham, being gazetted ensign of the 2nd Company in November, 1859. He was a hearty kindly man, and much esteemed in and out of the ranks.

Burritt, Elihu, the American "learned blacksmith," having made himself proficient in fifteen different languages. He first addressed the "Friends of Peace" in this town, Dec. 15, 1846, when on a tour through the country. He afterwards returned, and resided in England for nearly twenty-five years, being for a considerable time United States Consul at Birmingham, which he left in 1868. During his residence here he took an active share in the work of diffusing the principles of temperance and peace, both by lecturing and by his writings.

Bynner, Henry.—A native of the town; forty-five years British Consul at Trieste; returned here in 1842, and died in 1867. He learned shorthand writing of Dr. Priestley, and was the first to use it in a law court in this county.

Cadbury, Richard Tapper.—A draper and haberdasher, who started business here in 1794. One of the Board of Guardians, and afterwards Chairman (for 15 years) of the Commissioners of the Streets, until that body was done away with. Mr. Cadbury was one of the most respected and best known men of the town. He died March 13, 1860, in his 92nd year, being buried in Bull Street among his departed friends.

Capern, Edward.—Sometimes called the "poet-postman," is a Devonshire man, but resided for a considerable time at Harborne. He deserves a place among our noteworthy men, if only for his sweet lines on the old Love lane at Edgbaston, now known as Richmond Hill.

""But no vestige of the bankside lingers now or gate to show The track of the old vanished lane of love's sweet long ago.""

CareyCary [sic], Rev. Henry Francis, active of this town (born in 1772), vicar of Bromley Abbots, Staffordshire, himself a poet of no mean order, translated in blank verse Dante's "Inferno," the "Divine Commedia," &c., his works running rapidly through several editions. For some time he was assistant librarian at the British Museum, and afterwards received a pension of £200 a year. Died in 1844, and lies in "Poet's Corner," Westminster Abbey.

Chamberlain, John Henry.—Came to Birmingham in 1856, and died suddenly on the evening of Oct. 22, 1883, after delivering a lecture in the Midland Institute on "Exotic Art." An architect of most brilliant talent, it is almost impossible to record the buildings with which (in conjunction with his partner, Mr. M. Martin) he has adorned our town. Among them are the new Free Libraries, the extension of the Midland Institute, the Hospitals for Women and Children, the many Board Schools, the Church of St. David, and that at Selly Hill the Rubery Asylum, the Fire Brigade Station, the Constitution Hill Library, Monument Lane Baths, the Chamberlain Memorial, the Canopy over Dawson's Statue, several Police Stations, with shops and private houses