These two large volumes, chronicles the of everyday life in Birmingham during a period of huge social and industrial changes. This book is just what is professes to be, a compilation.The compiler has decided that it would be more interesting to 'let our forefathers speak for themselves, than to tell their story in other words'. So in almost all cases, the text has been quoted as it originally was in the advertisements, paragraphs and reports unaltered.
There are so many topics covered it is impossible to list them all, but as a sampling here is a few: appearance of the Town; St Philip's Church; public life and events; King's birthday; the rebellion of 1745; meeting the weavers; corn market; post office; education and literary life; poems on Birmingham; wax works; the Birmingham Book Club; bread riots; coronation of George III; Cock-fighting; Atrimonial advertisements; Aston Park; the militia; garden robberies; Miss Poynton; theatre; the General Hospital; change in names; the American War; St Mary's Chapel; volunteer movement; carnation shop; public-house games; wife selling; a husband stolen; the Birmingham Library; Town Survey 1785-86; sale of Baskerville's house; brassmaker's petition; lines proposing a new tax; General Elliot; Woolly v. Garbett; the copper trade; weights and measures; covered buttons; the little devil; a living fairy; bull-baiting; effects of wigs; sham fights ... and so it goes on, and that's only looking at the first volume.
Grouped into years for easy reference ... this really is fascinating reading. I would recommend it to all who have connections to Birmingham.
