In June 13, 1743, we read that there is
To be Lett or Sold, The House, with the Garden and Appurtenances, late in the Possession of Mr. Hollins, Stone-Culter, in Temple Street, Birmingham.
Enquire of Mr. Rann, Attorney; or of the said Mr. Mollins.
Here we have, also, two well-known Birmingham names, the descendant of one of them still living (and long may he live), and whose works of art have added, and are still adding, to the ornamentation of what a German traveller called the one-statued town.
Here is another advertisement, which appears in August of the same year:—
To be Lett and entered upon intermediately Five Smith Shops, with a Ware Chamber, in the Backside behind the White Hart Inn in Digbeth-Street, Birmingham. Also a House fronting to the same Street.
Enquire of Mr. Joseph Careless, in Park-Street.
The White Hart Inn is still in the old place; but where are the five smith shops which, in 1743, were behind that old and famous hostelry?
We frequently find the Beast market referred to in these advertisements. It was held in High Street; Carr's Lane being directly opposite to it. In 1769 the Beast Market was removed to Dale End, and the Sheep and Pig Market to New Street, where they were held until 1817, when they were removed to their present more fitting and appropriate locality in Smithfield. Here is the first advertisement we have found in which the Beast Market is mentioned; it appeared in the Gazette of August 29, 1743—
To be Lett, in Birmingham, The Mitre Inn, in the Beast Markel, completely repaired, with good Stabling, and large Cellars, and a Brewhouse, and a Chamber, over it in the Yard; a good Well, and other Convenience, fit for an Inn. To be enter'd upon immediately. Enquire of Mr. Holloway; or of Mr. Simcoe, Artorney-at-Law, in Birmingham.
But what shall we say of our next advertisement? It has quite a rural and picturesque air; and yet it relates to Temple Street. What contrast with the present aspect of the place is given in this advertisement. Imagine for a moment that in 1743[1] there was in this street "an entire garden, walled. and the walls covered with fruit trees, the garden 12 yards wide and 5o yards lung from the front of the house,
- ↑ In a letter which I have received from Mr. Toulmin Smith on this paragraph, he says, "I myself remember Temple-street in much this state. My grandfather (Edward Smith) lived in a house there, the description of which precisely correspond-, as to house and garden, with your advertisement. I well remember the 'Terrace Walk,"
