ghly carried out, a number of columns, window-sills, doorways,
steps, and other architectural pieces being the result. The process,
however, was too expensive, and had to be given up. A number of the
articles were used in the erection of Edgbaston Vestry Hall, where the
curious may inspect them if so inclined.

~Royal Visitors.~--It is believed that Richard III. was the guest of
Baron de Bermingham in November, 1189, and possibly King John may have
visited the Manor, as he was more than once in the immediate
neighbourhood (1206-08), but with those exceptions Charles I. was the
first Sovereign who honoured us with a visit. He was at Aston Hall,
October 16 and 17, 1642. and on the 18th he went to Packington. He was
also in the neighbourhood on Friday, July 13, 1644. Queen Henrietta
Maria, his Consort, was hereabouts on July 10, 1643, passing from
Walsall to meet Prince Rupert at King's Norton. Charles II. does not
appear to have been nearer than at Erdington. Prince Rupert paid his
memorable visit April, 1643. In 1742, the Duke of Cumberland, with his
forces, on their way to Scotland, encamped on Meriden Heath, near
Packington Park.--October 21, 1765, Edward, Duke of York, was here, and
grumbled at the inconvenient ball-room in which he danced, an event
which probably led to the erection of the Royal Hotel.--The Duke of
Gloucester May 4, 1805, slept at the Royal, and in the following July,
King George III. was expected to lay the foundation stone of Christ
Church, but was too ill to come, and the next Royal visitors were his
grand-daughter (and our Most Gracious Queen) Victoria, and her mother
the Duchess of Kent, who on August 4, and 5, 1830, inspected some of our
principal manufactories. On a similar errand came the late Prince
Consort, November 29, 1843; his next visit being made Nov. 12, 1849 to
see the Exposition of Art and Manufactures at the Old Bingley Hall in
Broad Street, which occasion Birmingham men proudly believe led to the
great Hyde Park Exhibition of 1851. Her Majesty passed through the town
on the 30th of August, 1852, when an address was presented to her.
Prince Albert laid the foundation stone of the Midland Institute,
November 22, 1855. The Duke of Cambridge, June 1, 1857, planted a tree
in Calthorpe Park, as part of the opening ceremony. In the following
year, June 15, 1858, the Queen and Prince Albert inaugurated the
"People's Park," at Aston, and Her Majesty said it was the finest
reception she had