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rise up into trees fit for the navy. Here is the pivot on which our national grandeur rests. While we command the ocean, while our navies are ready at a moment's notice to wave their pendants in the favouring gale, and pour their broadsides whereever an enemy shows himself, we have nothing to dread from war; and peace, bringing to our ports the productions of every nation at an easy price, must, with good government and domestic tranquillity still render us independent of all other states, and point us out to them an object of unmixed admiration, though beneath less brilliant skies and less ardent suns than theirs.

"Let India boast her palms, nor envy we

The weeping amber or the spicy tree,
Since by our oaks the precious loads are borne,
And realms commanded which those trees adorn."

CRITICAL NOTICES OF NEW PUBLICATIONS.

Birmingham and its Vicinity, as a Manufacturing and Commercial District. By W. Hawkes Smith. With numerous illustrations, engraved on steel. Nos. 1, 2, and 3. Radclyffes and Co. Peck-lane, Newstreet, Birmingham; and Tilt, Fleet-street, London.

The issuing of publications of this description in numbers, is of advantage both to authors and readers-it enables the former to avail themselves of time and circumstances, to add new matter and to effect all necessary alterations, as the work proceeds, and to the latter it cherishes the expectancy of future gratification.

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This work is divided into its several portions with suitable and welladjusted classification. The district is first considered with reference to its topography and geology; then follows detailed account of Birmingham from its first origin; and afterwards a description of the various manufactures by which this town and neighbourhood are most distinguished.

Streets, churches, institutions, and public buildings, the author justly observes, are to be found in almost every town in the kingdom; and where these constitute all that is interesting, let them constitute, also, the staple of the description; but surely a place whose varied manufactures are dispersed among all "the civilized nations of the earth," may claim its peculiar history on their account especially. The inquirer who seeks for information in Birmingham and its vicinity, expects to gratify laudable curiosity by the inspection of the processes of manufacture, the wonders of machinery, and the finest specimens of the elegant works of art. He therefore may fairly desire to have recourse to such a description as may not only in general terms inform him that such things are, but may also, specifically, call his attention to the precise points most attractive.

To illustrate the state of the arts and manufactures of Birmingham, by a publication, which shall combine the popular character of what has been attempted under the title of a "Magnificent Directory," with the information to be derived from a scientific and topographical description, has been evidently the professed aim of the intelligent author; and in this attempt he has most ably succeeded.

In his observations on the mining district, the following extract on the article of coal consumed for one particular purpose-the smelting of iron ore, will excite no small degree of astonishment :

"One hundred and fifty years ago, though coal was, says Plot, 'used, not only in private families, but for most, if not all of the mechanical purposes;' though it was also prepared by charring, and called coak,' which rendered it more extensively useful, there were but fifty or sixty thousand tons raised annually in the whole district. Such a statement, compared with the present production, exhibits a difference and an increase absolutely astounding; a sumand magnitude approaching the sublime. To illustrate this, in a striking point of view, it may be well to consider the quantity of coal raised for one particular purpose, -the smelting of iron ore. A single iron furnace, in active operation, runs out, weekly, nearly fifty tons of metal. These fifty tons are produced at the cost of about seven tons of coal to each ton of iron, or three hundred and fifty tons of coal per furnace per week. Multiply this by fifty-two for the number of weeks in a year, and the product by a hundred for the number of furnaces in the district, and the result, a million and three quarter of tons of coals, gives a rough estimate--not of the quantity produced; not including that which is required to render the pig or fused iron fit for the hammer, nor the vast amount used in the preparation of manufactured articles, nor the contents of the countless loaded boats sent for the supply, domestic and manufacturing, of distant places; but only that which is consumed in the act of rendering fit for the foundry or the forge, the iron smelted in the district. A quantity equal to thirty times the entire and total produce of 1680, consumed in effecting that which was then performed by the combustion of other fuel! The mind is bewildered with the conception of a totality so vast;-of a consumption so prodigious.

"We might continue the calculation by assuming a similar quantity as the total, employed to the other various purposes, but no certain data could be adduced to verify the statement. Enough has been said to shew the extraordinary changes that have taken place in this neighbourhood, within a comparatively short space of time; to exhibit the prodigious natural wealth of the district; and to evince that some consideration as to the mode in which these treasures are deposited in the recesses of the earth, may fairly be expected to be attended with much interest."

The following account of a descent into a coal-mine, and the method of working it, will not fail, also, to prove interesting :

"The traveller, in a mineral country, will scarcely consider that he has seen all that claims his attention, unless he descend into the subterranean depths where the work is carried on. There is something novel and interesting in the act of exploring the secrets of the mine. It resembles a rapid visit to another world, or an unknown country. The trip, however, is quickly performed, - without difficulty or danger; and the information required well defrays the cost of time so bestowed. "While the trifling pre-arrangements are making for a descent, the visitor takes a rapid glance at the apparatus on the surface. Of this, the principal object is a steam-engine, of greater or less power, in proportion as the pit is more or less troubled with water, -in some cases, the contest with this enemy entirely employs a very powerful engine, so that the coals are drawn up by means of another smaller engine placed near the principal one. The water is raised by the alternate action of two pistons, which thus throw out the intrusive fluid in a continued stream. Elevated above the mouth of the working shaft is placed a simple triangular tackling, from which, at the height of twenty to twenty-five feet, hangs a small iron wheel, over which passes the end of a long flat rope or chain, about four inches broad, which is coiled round an axis or band, moved by the engine. At the end of this chain is suspended the platform or carriage, on which the visitor and his guide place themselves, and which reposes upon the sliding head or cover of the shaft. This carriage is first raised a little in order to withdraw the wooden covering; and the shaft or pit then lies open in all its black profundity. The carriage immediately commences its descent-rapidly and silently. Casting an upward look on the failing light, the stranger's attention is arrested, to perceive that all the weight of himself, his guide, and the carriage, is insufficient to keep the rope in a complete state of tension, but that it undulates in considerable waves through its whole length. He also perceives that the shaft is filled with a thick haze or mist, which is, in fact, the accumulation of foul air, and all sorts of impurities, which are driven out of the mine by a rising current of pure air, and which thus ascend by the shaft. Darker and darker each moment becomes the shaft, and the upper orifice is now an inconsiderable circle of brightness, and still the machine descends;-down-down.

"Landing at length, after his easy transit, the visitor finds it difficult to discern the objects about him, even with the assistance of the candle which is placed in his hand-in the double blackness occasioned by the absence of light, and by the sable hue of the ribs and walls of coal by which he is surrounded.

"Arrived at the part where active work is going on, several candles, stuck by means of lumps of clay against the sides, shed a feeble light; and by each of these, a workman is seen pursuing his laborious occupation. It is the universal custom for the colliers, when engaged at work, to have the upper half of their bodies unclothed; thus leaving their limbs completely at liberty, and lessening the inconvenience which would be felt if fragments of coal were continually falling within their dress. Their arduous employment prevents their suffering from cold; and indeed, the temperature, at these depths, is always rather high, and receives but little variation from the changes which affect the state of the upper air.

"Noting the operation of getting out the lowest coal, it will be a matter of astonishment to perceive into how small space the human figure can be packed, while the pick or pike is constantly applied. An excavation below the stratum, perhaps eight or nine yards square, being driven the cavity not more than two feet to two feet six inches high; the colliers next proceed to the still more difficult task of cutting upwards, in the sides of the impending mass, forming a channel of eight or ten inches wide, and four or five feet high, leaving here and there a small point called a spern, still attached to the main wall.

"The smallest coal and slack are all along carried away by boys employed for the purpose, and removed, if the work be a new one, or if there be a demand for it; but if the mine be partially cleared, and no demand exists for the small coal, it is !aid in heaps, on the nearest cleared space.

"The cavity completed, it is obvious that a solid mass of coal, eight or nine yards square, and four or five feet thick, hangs, supported only by the occasional points or sperns before mentioned. Retiring then to a safe distance, the miners, with light poles, fifteen feet long, shod with hooks and points of steel, and termed 'prickers,' by degrees work away a portion of the support, till a slight warning crack is heard. Every one then gets out of danger, and shortly after, the vast mass thunders down. The quantity of coal which descends at a single fall, varies according to circumstances, from one hundred to three hundred tons. This is then broken into removable pieces, and piled on the small low four-wheeled carriages, or skips, before alluded to, which run on the railways. The pile on the skip is carried to the height of four or five feet, by means of three or four broad iron hoops thrown over it, as necessity requires, to keep the coals in their places; and is further secured by two strong chains. When arrived under the shaft, the hook of the descending rope is attached to these chains, and the entire load, including the carriage, is drawn up.

"The lower fall of coals being thus cleared away, the miners prepare to bring down the next stage above, by cutting upwards in a narrow channel as before, as far as they can reach, leaving the requisite holds or sperns, in a similar manner. In this work they are partially assisted by the heaps of slack, when these are left behind; but when they can no longer reach to make their strokes, temporary scaffoldings are affixed into the perpendicular sides of the mine, by means of short and stout wedges of wood, called byets, which are driven into holes bored for the purpose; these byets carry planks, on whose frail and precarious footing the workmen stand, to pursue their dangerous task of detaching the enormous impending mass, which a few superfluous or injudicious strokes may bring down in resistless ruin on their heads. Such accidents, however, are of rare occurrence; practice enables the workmen to judge very accurately how far they may proceed to sap the support of the upper strata; and the weight is seldom known to fall without some notice. When the proper degree of cutting has been effected, the pricker is used, as in the former case, to bring down the loosened mass.

"In clearing out the coal, care is taken to leave at such distances as are thought necessary, strong pillars to support the superincumbent strata; so that when a mine of ten yard coal has been some time worked, it presents the appearance of an extensive and regular range of cavities, technically termed stalls, supported by massy columns of thirty feet in height.

*"Spern (German), a spur, buttress, &c.

"The arrangement of these pillars, the size of the stalls, and the measurement of the work, comparing its progress with the area on the surface, under which the mine is to extend, is the office of the ground bailiff, who superintends every operation, and keeps order among the often mischievous spirits who form the population of a mine."

In glancing over this useful and intelligent work, we find that Birmingham, commencing its existence in the profound depths of antiquity, and drawing its raw material from its own vicinity, was the seat of manufactures, while yet manufactures were few and simple, and before commerce had dispersed them in other directions. Inconsiderable in point of size and population, for many generations this town was very little known, but being principally peopled by a race of artificers in iron, its inhabitants slowly and decisively acquired fame and skill; and when circumstances favoured the introduction of new manufactures, they were prepared to take advantage of every change, and to exercise their ingenuity in the fabrication of articles of ornament which had hitherto been unknown in the country. About the time of the restoration of Charles II., whose long residence on the continent gave new tastes and new habits to his Court, the first great step towards improvement took place; and when, in consequence, the fashions and the ornaments of foreign countries began to claim admiration, and to excite the emulation of imitators. Then dawned a new era in Birmingham-the era of enterprise and improvement. This change was likewise accelerated by political circumstances, which brought a large influx of individuals from cities and boroughs of chartered importance, bringing with them capital and industry, who settled in this then inconsiderable town. Since that time Birmingham has continually and rapidly advanced; and towards the middle of the last century, its original vulcanian pursuits having ceased to form its prominent characteristics, and the ornamental manufactures so extended and varied themselves, that in his day, Edmund Burke termed the place, not inaptly, "the toy-shop of Europe." There was such a want of classical and elegant taste, however, at this period, in most of their fancy and ornamental manufactures, that the name of "Birmingham" became a jest and a bye-word, and was fastened on any article of ornament which was distinguished by misplaced or incongruous decoration. Time and competition have, however, induced an acquaintance with better principles of art; and at the present time its inhabitants are competent to the design, as well as the execution of all articles that require the exercise of taste, skill, and science, in the course of their conception and completion. The change in the manufacturing pursuits, which began to take place at the close of the last century, had an intellectual and improving tendency. Steam-engines and their attendant mechanical inventions could not fail to enlarge and improve the minds of those engaged in putting outting them into action. Such a mass of scientific power could not be accumulated, without rendering science itself familiar to many minds. The extended trade of the town, and the consequently increasing habits of locomotion, tended also to increase liberality of sentiment-the principal inhabitants became imbued with chastened and enlarged views on political as well as other subjects, and the more ardent spirits on both sides were thus held in salutary check.

Birmingham is in every sense of the word a "manufacturing town," the birth-place and chosen spot of the most effective machinery, and with such pretensions and advantages as no other place in the British empire can equal-in wealth and magnitude, in population and importance it is inferior in rank only to the metropolis. It must not be inferred from this observation, however, that the hammer and the anvil have chased away the impressions and the love of literature. In no large commercial town is the desire of lettered distinction more ardently cherished, or brought into play with more distinguished success. There are Libraries, and Philosophical and Literary Societies of the best description-a School of Medicine, an annual Exhibition of Paintings, and other intellectual establishments and there are few places in England wherein are congregated so many men of lofty genius and firstrate talent. Writers of the most distinguished eminence reside in Birmingham, and the whole range of arts and sciences are cultivated with an assiduity and perfection most honourable to its talented residents. Under the head "Manufactures" is an excellent description of the steam-engine, with an account of the various improvements made in them by Newcomen, Watt, and others, into which we regret want of space will not allow us to enter. That the introduction of this powerful engine has been productive of the most beneficial effects, the following brief extract will demonstrate :

"The various manufactures of this town are carried on, in numerous instances, by persons of small capital, who, yet, may require a mechanical moving force; and their necessities have produced a trade, in the article of Steam Power. The person who erects a large steam engine for a considerable work, finds it his interest to make its power much greater than his own concern actually demands. He is thus enabled to secure to himself a profitable return, by the sale of his superfluous power, to persons who may occupy part of his building, or to whose machinery it may be communicated, by means of long shafts or spindles, extending to the adjoining premises. The manufactory in any line which happens to be situated in a spot contiguous to a large engine, is thus, at an easy rate, supplied with the quantity of power required. Nay, the mere working man, who has saved a trifling sum, is enabled, by renting a share of room and power, in some extensive rolling mill or other considerable establishment, to pursue on a small scale, an occupation, which would otherwise be out of his reach. The proprietor himself, also, has at his command a magazine of power sufficient to meet the emergency, should an extension of his own concern render the force he has hitherto employed insufficient for his purposes."

The historical portion of this work, as well as that part relating to manufactures and machinery, teems with interesting and valuable information, on which, had it been practicable, we would have gladly commented. We hope to refer again to this publication, however, as it farther advances, for it is well worthy of a more enlarged notice.

Before we dismiss this concise analysis of a most useful and entertaining work, it is, in strict justice, absolutely that we draw bsolutely necessary attention to its execution. The author (Mr. Hawkes Smith) must have used most indefatigable industry in his researches for materials for his work, which appears to us to be very complete, and is, most assuredly, very ably penned. We must also direct due notice to the typographical part of the numbers, not only for its general correctness, but for its extreme neatness. In a most especial manner, however, are we bound to speak most favourably of the numerous illustrations engraved on steel, with which it abounds, all of which, for their style and subject, are as excellent specimens of the graver's burine as can be well imagined. Part of these, it must be noted, are address plates of manufacturing and commercial establishments. These form a distinct feature in the work. They present cleverly combined groupings of ornamental articles, or characteristic street-views and interiors;-and although not connected with the literary portion of the work, are deserving of notice as good specimens of tasteful design and execution, and an indication of spirit and enterprize in those who take such means, -attended with unavoidable expenditure, of advertising their residence and occupation.

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