Duke of Braganza, Crown Prince of Portugal, in December, 1883.
Sabbath Breaking.—In 1776 the churchwardens threatened to punish everyone caught playing at ball on the Sabbath. In 1779 they frequently stopped waggons travelling on that day, and fined the owners for so doing. In December, 1781, thirty-eight publicans were lined for allowing "tippling" on Sundays.
Sailor's Return.—There are several public-houses in the town with the sign of "The Sailor's Return," but few of the landlords can tell the history of the first so-named, which is Watery Lane, at the bottom of Lawley Street. It is near a hundred j-ears ago since "Old Dr. Spencer" was Vicar of Aston Church, and, though he was fond of hunting, and could be "a jolly good fellow" occasionally, few parsons have gone to the grave more lamented, for he was a man without cant,—a Christian who never thought himself better than his neighbours, be they rich or poor. His only son was mortally wounded in one of Nelson's battles, but he lived just long enough to give his watch and a few trifles for his father to the sailor who waited on him. 'Twas some time before the "old salt" got to land, and he had been in another brush with the French, and had left a leg behind him. When he delivered his message to the Dr., the latter asked what he could do for him. "Why, sir," said the sailor," I should like to keep a public-house;" and he did, the Dr. christening it "The Sailor's Return."
Saltley.—So far as our ancient histories can tell us, there was a mansion here long previous to the Conquest, and the diligent antiquarian may still find an old Saltley Hall, though it looks wretchedly neglected and desolate. Saltley is one of the busiest of our suburbs, there being very extensive Railway Carriage and Wagon Works here, besides other factories and the Corporation Gas-works, the population being about 7,000.
Sandwell Hall and Park—Seat of the Earl of Dartmouth, who frequently permits the Park to be used for public purposes. Of late, however, it has acquired a far greater interest through the discovery of coal underneath its surface. The extension of the coal seams in this direction was long a debateable question, and the originators of the Sandwell Park Colliery Company were deemed by many to be very foolish people to risk their money in such a venture, but after a four years' suspense their most sanguine expectations were more than realised, and their shares, which at one period were hardly saleable, ranked amongst the best investments of the country. By their agreement with the owner, the Company have the right of mining under an area of 185 aces, at a royalty of 6d. per ton, with the option of taking a further area of 1,515 acres at a like royalty. The first sod was cut April 12, 1870, the thick coal being struck May 28, 1874, at a depth of 418 yards, the shaft, which is 10ft. diameter, being carried down to a total depth of 440 yards—a quarter of a mile; the second shaft, which was commenced June 24, 1374, is 15ft. in diameter. The following are the "winnings"; brooch coal, 2ft. 6in. thick, at a depth of 380 yards; best coal, 20ft. 6in. thick, at 418 yards; heathen coal 4ft. thick, at 427 yards; white ironstone, of excellent quality, at 434 yards, and good fire-clay, 6ft. thick, under that, besides thin seams of gubbin ironstone, and new mine coal.
Saturday Half-holiday.—The introduction of this boon to workingmen took place in 1851, Mr. John Frearson, of Gas-street, claiming the honour of first giving it to his employees. — See "Excursions."
Scandalous Schoolmasters.—The Rev. Mr. Wills, of Brumingham, with several county esquires and
