at the bottom of
Lawley Street. It is near a hundred years ago since "Old Dr. Spencer"
was Vicar of Aston Church, and, though he was fond of hunting, and could
be "a jolly good fellow" occasionally, few parsons have gone to the
grave more lamented, for he was a man without cant,--a Christian who
never thought himself better than his neighbours, be they rich or poor.
His only son was mortally wounded in one of Nelson's battles, but he
lived just long enough to give his watch and a few trifles for his
father to the sailor who waited on him. 'Twas some time before the "old
salt" got to land, and he had been in another brush with the French, and
had left a leg behind him. When he delivered his message to the Dr., the
latter asked what he could do for him. "Why, sir," said the sailor, "I
should like to keep a public-house;" and he did, the Dr. christening it
"The Sailor's Return."

~Saltley.~--So far as our ancient histories can tell us, there was a
mansion here long previous to the Conquest, and the diligent antiquarian
may still find an old Saltley Hall, though it looks wretchedly neglected
and desolate. Saltley is one of the busiest of our suburbs, there being
very extensive Railway Carriage and Wagon Works here, besides other
factories and the Corporation Gas-works, the population being about
7,000.

~Sandwell Hall and Park.~--Seat of the Earl of Dartmouth, who frequently
permits the Park to be used for public purposes. Of late, however, it
has acquired a far greater interest through the discovery of coal
underneath its surface. The extension of the coal seams in this
direction was long a debateable question, and the originators of the
Sandwell Park Colliery Company were deemed by many to be very foolish
people to risk their money in such a venture, but after a four years'
suspense their most sanguine expectations were more than realised, and
their shares, which at one period were hardly saleable, ranked amongst
the best investments of the country. By their agreement with the owner,
the Company have the right of mining under an area of 185 acres, at a
royalty of 6d. per ton, with the option of taking a further area of
1,515 acres at a like royalty. The first sod was cut April 12, 1870, the
thick coal being struck May 28, 1874, at a depth of 418 yards, the
shaft, which is 10ft. diameter, being carried down to a total depth of
440 yards--a quarter of a mile; the second shaft, which was commenced
June 24, 1874, is 15ft. i