l.

During the battle of Waterloo, the Duke of Wellington saw a little
fellow in plain clothes riding about on a cob, and, beckoning him up,
told him he was in danger. The litlle man, however, said he had come to
see a fight, and meant to stop it out. Shortly after, the Duke wanting a
messenger, employed the rider of the cob to take a message across the
field, directing a certain regiment to charge the enemy. This was done,
and the Duke took his messenger's card and saw no more of him at that
time; but afterwards, finding that the little man was the traveller to a
Birmingham button maker, he appointed him to a situation in the Mint, at
L800 a year.

In 1766, it was necessary to have 25 constables ready to protect the
farmers coming to market with their corn, the times were so hard with
the poor. In the following year large quantities of rice were purchased
by subscription, and one gentleman, it is said, himself gave away
half-a-ton per day for ten days.

In 1853, a premium of L30 was offered for the best design of an
illuminated clock, to be erected on the open space in front of Christ
Church.

A Queen Anne's farthing of rare type was turned up in the Bull Ring, in
July, 1879.

The body of William Woodward was found (March 21, 1878) in the branches
of a tree in Little Green Lane, he having climbed up there previous to
death.

The giving of free breakfasts on a Sunday morning to the poor children
of the streets, was commenced July 4, 1875, at Park Street Ragged
Schools. A system of supplying school-children with penny dinners is the
latest philanthropic movement.

The hottest day recorded in our local history was June 23, 1868.

The Orsini bombs used in Paris, January 15, 1858, were made in this
town.

A hundred years back, meetings of the inhabitants were called by the
tolling of one of St. Martin's bells.

The declaration of war, or cessation thereof, used to be proclaimed in
the market by the High Bailiff.

The 7th Earl of Stirling officiated in this town as a Nonconformist
minister, simply styling himself the Rev. John Alexander; he died Dec.
29, 1765, and was buried in the Old Meeting grave-yards. His sister, who
became Countess in her own right, was married to a local manufacturer,
William Humphrys.

~Sessions.~--The first of the Borough Quarter Sessions was held July 5,
1839, M.D. Bill, Esq., Recorder. On the 25th of November following the
magistrates began to sit daily at Petty Sessions.

~Secu