Thomas Thalric Harman

“ In 1874 the building was enlarged, so as to accommodate 300 girls, 150 boys, and 60 infants, the original part being reserved for the girls and infants and a new wing built for the boys. The two are connected by the loft dining hall, 200ft. long, with tables and seats for 500 children. Every part of the establishment is on a liberal scale and fitted with the best appliances; each child has its separate bed, and the playgrounds are most extensive.—The Princess Alice Orphanage, of which the foundation-stone was laid Sept. ”

“ There are besides, three 32ft. stops, one wood, one metal, and one trombone. There are four bellows attached to the organ, and they are of great size, one being for the 32ft. pipes alone. The Town Hall organ had its first public trial August 29, 1834, when the Birmingham Choral Society went through a selection of choruses, as a kind of advance note of the then coming Festival.
Orphanages.—The first local establishment of the nature of an orphanage was the so called Orphan Asylum in Summer Line, built in 1797 for the rearing of poor children from the Workhouse. ”

“ Baskerville-street is now Easy-row. Bath-road is Bristol-street. Beast Market was that part of High-street contiguous to New-street; also called English Market. Bewdley-street, afterwards Ann-street, now Colmore-row. Birch Hole-street has been improved to Birchall street. Black Boy Yard is now Jamaica-row. Brick Kiln lane is the Horse Fair. Broad-street—Dale End was so called in the 15th century. Buckle-row. Between Silver-steeet and Thomas-street. Button Alley—Bishop-street, Masshouse-lane. Butts lane—Tanter-street; The Butts being Stafford-street. Catherine-street—Whittal-street. ”

“ The rule of the pump was "last come last served" and frequently a long string of men, women, and children might be seen waiting their turn. Many of us can recollect the old Digbeth men, with their shoulder-yoke and two buckets, plodding along to find customers for their "Warta;" and certain elderly ladies are still in existence who would fear the shortening of their lives were their tea-kettles filled with aught but the pure Digbeth water, though it does not come from the pump at St. ”