Page:Showell's Dictionary of Birmingham.djvu/283

Rh secured Garibaldi's autograph, but still Victoria remains Queen of Great Britain. Empress of Hindostan, and the best-beloved sovereign on the earth.

Reservoir.—See "Canals" and "Ranch Pool."

Restaurants.—Our grandfathers knew them not. They took their chop or steak at their inn or hotel, or visited the tripe houses. Indeed, Joe Allday's tripe shop in Union Street (opened about 1839-40) may be called the first "restaurant" established here, as it was the favourite resort of many Town Councillors and leading men of the town. A vegetarian restaurant was opened in Paradise Street in July, 1881, and 1883 saw the commencement of another novelty in the line, a fish restaurant in the old Warwick Passage.—See "Luncheon Bars."

Rifle Clubs.—The Midland Rifle Club was started in 1875, the Staffordshire Rifle Association dating from 1861. Both clubs use the range at Sandwell Park, by permission of the Earl of Dartmouth. At the International Match at Creedmore, New York, in 1881, the representatives of this neighbourhood scored high numbers. Corporal Bates (of the M.R.C.) taking the only first prize secured by visitors in the open competitions of the U.S. Associations.

Rights of Man.—An effigy of Tom Paine, author of "The Rights of Man," was paraded through the streets, Feb. 12, 1793, and ignominiously burned in the evening.

Ringers.—The St. Martin's Society of Change Ringers, date from 1755, and have always held high rank among the bellringers of the country. Many old newspapers have chronicled their mighty doings with bobs and treble bobs, caters and cinques, in all their courses and changes. In Southey's "Doctor" (vol. 1, p. 303) mention is made of "eight Birmingham youths who ventured upon a peal of 15,120 bob major, but after ringing for eight hours and a half were so fatigued that the caller brought them round at the 14,224th change, perhaps the longest peal that had ever been rung." On February 28, 1881, the ringers achieved a true peal of Stedman cinques, containing 9,238 change, in 6¾ hours, being the longest peal ever rung in that method, and noteworthy as the composition of H. Johnson, senr., and rung in honour of his 72nd birthday. In former days the local ringers were also famed for their skill with handbells, one celebrated performer being Elijah Roberts, an extraordinary adept, who died in 1865. One of this worthy's feats was the ringing (at Liverpool. March 23, 1837) a peal comprising 19,440 changes of Kent treble bob maximus, taking 13¾ hours.—See "Bells."

Riots.—In times past the Brums had a bad name for rioting, and when the list is looked over many may think it not undeserved.—In July, 1715, the Old Meeting House was destroyed in a riot.—In 1737 the naiimakers from Worcestershire marched into this town and forced the ironmongers to sign a paper allowing an advance in prices.—Some bigoted brutes got up an anti-Methodist movement in 1751, which culminated in a general riot on Oct. 19, the pulpit and seats being taken out of the meetinghouse and burnt.—The history of "the Birmingham Riots" of 1791 is world-known, and there is no necessity to repeat the disgraceful tale. The damage was estimated at £60,000; the sufferers recovered only £27,000.—On Oct. 24, 1793, caused by the enforced collection of the rates levied to pay damages done in riots of 1791. Two more lives lost.—June 22, 1795, on account of scarcity of food and the high prices thereof. Soldiers called out, and they gave two unfortunates leaden food enough to kill them.—May 28, 1810, two women fell out over the price of some potatoes, others joined in and a scrimmage ensued. Constables came and men mauled them, and the result of the unruly