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74 8,515, and it would be an interesting question how this extra ratio arises, though as cue half of the superabundant petticoats are to be found in Edgbaston it may possibly only be taken as a mark of local prosperity, and that more female servants are employed than formerly.—See "Population Tables".

Fenianism.—It was deemed necessary in Jan., 1881, to place guards of soldiers at the Tower and Small Arms Factory, but the Fenians did not trouble us; though later on a very pretty manufactory of dynamite was discovered in Ledsam Street.—See "Notable Offences."

Ferrars.—The De Ferrars were at one time Lords of the Manor. Edmund de Ferrars dying in 1438. The ancient public-house sign of "The Three Horseshoes" was taken from their coat of arms.

Festivals.—Notes of the past Triennial Musical Festivals for which Birmingham is so famous, the performances, and the many great artistes who have taken part therein, will be found further on.

Fetes were held in Aston Park July 27, and September 15, 1856, for the benefit of the Queen's and General Hospitals, realising therefor £2,330. The first to "Save Aston Hall" took place August 17, 1857, when a profit of £570 was made. There have been many since then, but more of the private speculation class. Sangers' so-called fete at Camp Hill, June 27, 1874, being the first of their outdoor hippodrome performances.

Fires.—When Prince Rupert's soldiers set fire to the town, in 1643, no less than 155 houses were burned.—Early in 1751 about £500 worth of wool was burned at Alcock's, in Edgbaston Street.—May 24, 1759, the stage waggon to Worcester was set on fire by the bursting of a bottle of aqua-fortis, and the contents of the waggon, valued at £5,000, were destroyed.—In November, 1772, Mr. Crowne's hop and cheese warehouse, top of Carr's Lane, was lessened £400 in value.—The Theatre Royal was burned August 24, 1791, and again January 6, 1820.—Jerusalem Temple, Newhall Hill, was burned March 10, 1793.—St. Peter's Church suffered January 24, 1831.—There was a great blaze at Bolton's timber yard, Broad Street, May 27, 1841.—At the Manor House, Balsall Heath, in 1848.—Among Onion's bellows, in March, 1853.—At the General Hospital, December 24, 1853.—At the Spread Eagle Concert Hall, May 5, 1855.—At a builder's in Alcester Street, October 4, 1858.—At Aston Brook Flour mill, Jane 1, 1862, with £10,000 damage.—At Lowden & Beeton's, High Street, January 3, 1863; the firm were prosecuted as incendiaries.—At Gamieson's Tavern, Hill Street, December 25, 1863; six lives lost.—On the stage at Holder's, July 3, 1865; two ballet dancers died from fright and injuries.—At Baskerville Sawmills, September 7, 1867.— In Sutton Park, August 4, 1868.—In a menagerie in Carr's Lane, January 25, 1870.—At Dowler's Plume Works, March 16.—In Denmark Street, May 23; two children burned.—At Worcester Wharf, June 2, 1870; two men burnt.—At Warwick Castle, Dec. 3, 1871.—At Smith's hay and strawyard, Crescent, through lightning, July 25, 1872.—In Sherbourne Street. June 25, 1874, and same day in Friston Street; two men burned.—At the hatter's shop in Temple Street, Nov. 25, 1875—At Tipper's Mystery Works, May 16, and at Holford Mill, Perry Barr. August 3, 1876.—At Icke and Co.'s, Lawley Street, May 17, 1877; £2,500 damage.—At Adam's colour warehouse, Suffolk Street, October 13, 1877; £10,000 damage.—In Bloomsbury Street, September 29, 1877; an old man burned.—In Lichfield Road, November 26, 1877; two horses, a cow, and 25 pigs roasted.—January 25, 1878, was a hot day, there being four fires in 15 hours.—At Havne's flour mill, Icknield Port Road, Feb. 2, 1878, with