rwards corresponded with Baskerville and Boulton.
Fulton, the American engineer, (originally a painter) studied here in
1795. Washington Irving, whose sister was married to Mr. Henry Van Wart,
spent a long visit here, during the course of which he wrote the series
of charming tales comprised in his "Sketch Book." His "Bracebridge
Hall," if not written, was conceived here, our Aston Hall being the
prototype of the Hall, and the Bracebridge family of Atherstone found
some of the characters. Thomas Carlyle was here in 1824; Mr. and Mrs.
Beecher Stowe ("Uncle Tom's Cabin"), in May, 1853; Sir W. Crofton, Oct.
9, 1862; M. Chevalier, April 28, 1875; Mr. Ruskin, July 14, 1877; Rev.
Dr. Punshon, March 19, and J.A. Froude, M.A., March 18, 1878; Mr.
Archibald Forbes, April 29, 1878; H.M. Stanley, Nov. 6, 1878; Bret
Harte, April 7, 1879; the Rev. T. de Wilt Talmage, an American preacher
of great note, lectured in Town Hall June 9 and July 7, 1879, on "The
Bright side of Things," and on "Big Blunders;" but, taking the brightest
view he could, he afterwards acknowledged that his coming here was the
biggest blunder he had ever made. Oscar Wilde, March 13, 1884. Lola
Montes lectured here March 2-4, 1859. Dr. Kenealy was here June 26,
1875. The Tichborne Claimant showed himself at the Town Hall, August 26,
1872, and again, "after his exile," at the Birmingham Concert Hall, Jan.
12, 1885.

~Volunteers in the Olden Time.~--A meeting was held October 5, 1745, for
the raising of a regiment of volunteers to oppose the Scotch rebels, but
history does not chronicle any daring exploits by this regiment. Playing
at soldiers would seem to have been formerly a more popular (or shall we
say patriotic) amusement than of late years; for it is recorded that a
local corps was organised in August, 1782, but we suppose it was
disbanded soon after, as in 1797, when the threatening times of
revolution alarmed our peaceful sires, there were formed in Birmingham
two companies, one of horse and one of foot, each 500 strong, under the
commands of Capt. Pearson and Lord Brooke. They were called the
Birmingham Loyal Association of Volunteers, and held their first parade
in Coleshill Street, August 15, 1797. On the 4th of June following a
grand review was held on Birmingham Heath (then unenclosed) to the
delight of the local belles, who knew not which the most to admire, the
scarlet horse or the blue foot. Over 100,000 spectators were said to
have been present, a