James Bisset

“ The iron and fuel, and every material for welding Gun Barrels being had in the neighbourhood, Birmingham, of course, must be able to produce excellent Muskets, and at a cheaper rate than any other place in the kingdom. There are, upon an average, 4200 muskets examined and set up every Month at the Ordnance Office for the use of Government, exclusive of those proved and finished by the rest of the eminent Gun-makers in Birmingham, for home consumption and for exportation. See plate E, Magnificent Directory, for those Gentlemen who sent their Names for insertion. ”

“ Me thinks I hear dame Prudence, whisp'ring, say,
'Forego thy task, forbear the votive lay;
'A work like thine requires more skill and wit,
'To wiser heads the arduous task submit.'
To what she whispers, freely would I yield,
If any one, besides, would take the field.
Full many, equal to the theme, I find,
But none, to undertake it, seems inclin'd.
Oft have I urg'd, but urg'd, alas! in vain,
None, yet, has dar'd to 'tempt th' advent'rous strain .
The task be mine—If honor, forth, it calls,
That honor on the Arts, and Artists, falls ”

“ To design Works of Fancy, and Sketches to make,
You'll allow in each day a few moments will take;
Some scores of young Artists, with hearts full of joy,
If trade’s brisk or dull, thus have constant employ! ”

“ A nominal Concatenation, alphabetically arranged, and engraved in a superb manner,will supersede the necessity of gentlemen, & c, issuing their own cards, as, by this means, their names will be more generally known, in conjunction with the most respectable inhabitants of the place; and being concentered in one grand and general focus, they will not be thrown aside like the generality of Cards, but be come an object of curiosity, and will, doubtless, be sought after with avidity, by all patronizers of the Liberal Arts. ”

“ The various beauties which from Labor spring,
The willing muse, in artlessverse, would sing:
But nobler motives lay a stronger claim,
Important duties [1] damp the Muse's flame,
Or She'd a tale unfold! ”

“ The Gods, well pleas'd, with all they saw on Earth,
Where works of genius daily had New Birth,
Breath'd forth a pray'r that soon a lasting Peace,
Might crown this Isle, and Commerce still increase;
Then to their lib'ral Host's, they back repair'd,
And with Old Vulcan friendly bumpers shar'd;
Thence re-ascended to the realms above,
And with their Rambles oft divert Old Jove,
↑ In Birmingham. ↑ In 1789, the Author had the honor, in conjunction with George Simcox, Esq. (now one of our worthy Magistrates) , and several Gentlemen in the neighbourhood of St. ”

“ Bu tmy children to teach, moral lessons impart,
Of course, as a parent, lies nearest my heart:
Some hours in a week, then, I hope you'll agree,
At least, to that purpose, devoted should be.
Arrange ev'ry order, sum up each account,
You'll, surely, allow, to some hours must amount;
And tradesmen must own, that no time should be lost
The ledger to keep, and the daybook to post;
Correspondents to answer; each invoice o'erhaul,
Be pleas'd, Candid Reader, to know—I do all!
Of time I've but little to spare for inditing,
Let candour excuse, then, all faults in my writing.
J. B . ”

“ J. B, feels every sentiment of gratitude for favors received; but solicits no patronage to his present undertaking, conscious that if it is deserving of notice, it will receive it from a discerning public;— and as he does it with no view of pecuniary advantage, but a desire of promoting the interest of individuals in particular, and the town in general,hopes he will be excused making personal application to any one, though all communications, bearing real signatures, will be strictly attended to. ”

“ It also assists in shaking the coin in bags, and works a number of coining machines with greater rapidity and exactness, by a few boys, than could be done by men, without endangering their fingers ; as the machine itself lays the blanks upon the die, perfectly concentral with it, and, when struck, displaces one piece and replaces another. ”

“ William Phillips's London Waggon, arrives at his Warehouse, at the Red Lion Inn, Digbeth, Birmingham, every Tuesday: returns Wednesday about Noon, to the George Inn, Snowhill, London.
Those Gentlemen whose Names were sent too late for Insertion, will appear either in the Grand National Directory and Universal Register, or in an Appendix to the present Work.
↑ Respectable Strangers may gain free Admission to most of the Manufacturers in Birmingham, by applying to the respective Proprietors. ”

“ It is allowed to be one of the greatest curiosities of the kind in Great Britain , and redounds highly to the honour of that eminent engineer Cartwright. This tunnel is so extensive in the centre, where Barges pass and repass, that the Royal Arch Masons of Birmingham held a regular Chapter there in August 1795. ”

“ Fine Severn salmon from the West, and all kind of fish from E, N. & S. coasts, &c. ↑ Birmingham is famed for fine ale. ↑ For Navigation Office and Coal Wharf, see letter y. in the Plan of Birmingham. It is a very neat building, and weighing machines are under each gateway. ↑ The same Canal by which we export our goods by way of Liverpool, Hull, &c. serves to supply us with coal from the pits in Staffordshire, pig Iron, &c. The boats are long and narrow, and carry from 25 to 50 tons: they are drawn by a single horse, and go at the rate of about two miles an hour. ”

“ L. Brass Founders, with View of the Brass house, and Miscellaneous Cards. M. Toy-makers; View of Birmingham from the Navigation Office. N. Miscellaneous Professions, &c. View of St. Paul's Chapel. O. Japanners; and, in lower Compartment; View of Park Glass House. P. Miscellaneous Professions, &c. Q. Miscellaneous Professions, &c.Do.⁠Do. View of Birmingham, from the Warwick Canal. R. Button Makers, with a Stamp, Presses and Lathe. S. Miscellaneous Professions, &c. ”

“ Woos thousands to Vauxhall, to pass their hours.
Next Ashted [28] view—the Chapel's plainly seen,
The Barracks for the troops, lie just between.
Bartholomew's [29] you'll see about due east,
Small Heath extends beyond, two miles at least.
Where curling eddies of black smoke ascends,
Steam-Engines [30] wond'rous force and pow'r portends,
A Watt and Boulton's Fame they sure must raise,
Far, far beyond, my Muse's feeble praise;
Tho' on a theme so grand she'd wish to shew,
Respect to Talents and to Genius due. ”

“ Brandish and Olonrenshaw, Factors, No. 2, Hall-street G
Bratt, William, Button Maker, St.Paul's-square R
Bristow, Edward, Woollen and Linen Draper, Scotch and Manchester Warehouse, New-street C
British Fire Office, and Westminster Life Insurance, London, Gottwaltz, Agent, Post-Office, New-street N. 1.
Brotherhood, Samuel, Doctor, Navigation-street I
Brown, Thomas, Clock and Watch Maker, Bull Ring, New invented Spring Clocks, Jewellery, &c. I
Brunner, Paul, Wood and Bone Brush Maker, Digbeth I
Buggins, Biddulph, and Buggins, Silver Pencil and Toy Makers, in general, St. ”

“ Sic transit gloria Mundi! ↑ For Toy Makers see plate M, Magnificent Directory. ↑ Children were often sent out when five years of age to various shops, and it was a melancholy circumstance to reflect, that the means for their education were thus neglected; but by the salutary establishment of the Sunday Schools, some thousands now have an opportunity of learning Both to read and write; while every attention is paid to their morals. ↑ For a list of eminent Sword Cutlers, &c. see plate K, in Magnificent Directory. ”

“ View, New Church and Blue-School. I. Miscellaneous Professions, &c.Do.⁠Do. in Shields, with emblematic Crests. J. Artists, and in lower Compartment, Mr. Clay's Patent Cart, &c. K. Sword Manufacturers, &c. ”

“ Ditto, Manufacturer of new-invented Coffin Furniture, Bordering for Rooms, Picture Frames, &c. do. Q
Donald, William, (only Wholesale) Nottingham and Leicester Warehouse, High-street D
Dunderdale and Mabson,Gun Makers and Factors E G
Dunn, E. and S. George Inn, Digbeth F
Dunn, William, Cheese and Corn Factor, Coach Proprietor, &c. Digbeth L
E.
Eaton, Richard, Confectioner, &c. New-street P
Eden, Robert, Silver Plater, in general, Ashted Q
Eginton, Francis, Historical Painter &c. on Stained Glass, Handsworth J
Eginton, John, Factor, Toy Maker, &c. do. G H
Ditto, Button-maker, &c. ”

“ Cairns and Frears, merchants. ↑ Very extensive Works, belonging to the Smethwick Brass Company, about three miles from Birmingham.—Messrs. Boulton and Watt, have erected there a complete Iron Foundry, in which the power of their steam engines is applied to the boring of cylinders, pumps,,& c. to drilling, turning, or blowing smelting furnaces, and whatever tends to abridge human labour. ”

“ But yet no Act to regulate their fare;
Of course the Coachmen charge whate'er they please,
Tho' few are found extorting extra fees;
You'll find them steady fellows, and quite willing,
To drive you several streets' length for a shilling ”

“ James, William, Auctioneer and Appraiser, &c. 22, Moor-street Q
Jefcoate, Joseph, Manufacturer of gilt, plated, Glass and Enamel Buttons, Coat, Breast and Link, so, Great Charles-street R
Jefferys, Thomas, Shagreen and Morrocco Instrument and Jewel Case-maker, Snow-hill N
Johnson, Owen, Glass and Glass-toy Manufacturer, and Dealer in Cornelians, &c. Islington (illegible text)
Jones and Barker, Brass Founders, Coffin-plate and Picture-frame Manufacturers, No. 10, Lichfield-street L
Jones, Smart, and Co. ”

“ The following facts shew the wonderful powers of their engines; one bushel of coals applied to one of them, will raise 30,000,000 of pounds weight of water one foot high, 3,000,000 ten feet high, or the like proportion to any given height. For a particular account of these stupendous works, see notes to Dr. Darwin's celebrated Botanic Garden.—About two miles on this side Smethwick, are the Glass Works of Mr. John Hawker, for a view of which, see plate O in Magnificent Directory. ↑ Mr. Pickering's academy, near Birmingham Heath. ”

“ For a list of Manufacturers, see plate O. ↑ From Watt and Company's Patent Copying Machine. ↑ The Coining Mill has been much improved since it was first erected, in 1788; it is adapted to work eight machines, and each is capable of striking from seventy to eighty-four pieces per minute, the size of a guinea; which is equal to between 30,000 and 40,000 per hour and at the same blow, which strikes the face and reverse, the edge of the piece is also struck either plain or with an inscription. ”

“ New street C
Wyer, Samuel Das Inn, Spiceal-street F
Wyn, Wm and Co. Buckle and Steel Toy-makers, Caroline-street N
Y.
Yates and Co. Brass-founders, and Coffin-furniture Manufacturers, Platers, Factors, Looking-glass and Picture Frame-makers, Deritend G L S
Yates, Thos. Buckle Stock-sinker and Core-mould Maker, Coleshill-st. Q
Not delivered in Time
Reece, John, Dealer in Tea and Spice, Groceries, &c. No. 6, High-street, Successor to Miss Mansells D
There are daily Conveyances from Birmingham to all parts of the Kingdom, though the following are the only communications sent. ”

“ He said, he was much pleased with everything but the Pavement, for the stones were all so Smooth there was no foot-hold. ↑ The annual Fairs are held the Thursday in Whitsuntide week and the two following days; the second on Michaelmas day, unless it falls on a Sunday, in which case it is held on the Monday and two following days. The latter is a very great Onion Fair; and in 1778, the toll was paid for 84 Waggon loads. ↑ Our Markets every week are well supplied: fruit of all kinds, and excellent vegetables, are brought from the adjacent counties. ”

“ Taylor, John, Surgeon, Colmore-row H
Thomason, Edward, Button and Toy-maker in general-Patent Gun and Pistol Cocks, Patent Carriage-steps, &c. Church-street. M R&X
Thompson and Co. Gilt Chain, Steel Key, and Silver Toy-makers and Factors, 36, Price-street G M
Timmins, Samuel, Factor, Church-street G
Tindall and Dutton, Gun-makers, &c. Snowhill E
Todd, E. Book-binder, &c. New-Meeting-street, No. 15 L
Tongue, William, Toy-maker, &c. Weaman-street M
Toy, Samuel, Steel-button, Steel and gilt Toy Manufacturer, New-hall-street M R
Turner, John, Sword-cutler, Button-maker, &c. ”

“ C, I, Q. ↑ A very ingenious and curious process for slitting Iron Bars Into Rods for Nailors, &c. ↑ New invented Pump, &c. and a Canal Lock which raises up one vessel and lowers another without loss of water. ↑ Machines upon a new construction for weighing barges, boats and waggons, &c. and Patent Machines for Mashing Malt without manual labour. ↑ For a sketch of a rolling or Hatting mill, see Mr. Whitmore's card in Magnificent Directory, Plate V. ↑ For Anvil, Vice, Hammer and Scale Beam Makers, &c. see plate I. ↑ A massy Machine, male by Mr. ”