Several years have now elapsed since a plot of ground, 1182 feet in length, forming a terrace seventeen feet above the wharfs, was laid out for the purpose of erecting some superior buildings in that form, and the wings were soon after constructed according to the plan; but as yet very little progress has been made in the central buildings. _The Barracks._ In the year 1793, government took a lease of five acres of land, near Ashsted chapel, at the rate of one penny per square yard, whereon they expended the sum of thirteen thousand pounds, in the erection of barracks to accommodate one hundred and sixty-two men, with their horses. _Birmingham Fire Office._ In the month of March, 1805, the monied interest in this town opened an institution under the above title; there being three hundred subscribers, at £1000. each. Their office is in Union-street, which for chasteness of design is equal to any other building in the town. _The Inland Commercial Society._ The merchants, and others, who were accustomed to send goods to, or receive them from Liverpool, having experienced, not only great delays, but the packages being pilfered, to their great prejudice, established this concern, in order to counteract such proceedings in future. _Theological Library._ The first rector of St. Philip's church, the Rev. Wm. Higgs, having bequeathed this library for the use of the clergy in Birmingham, and its vicinity, and the sum of two hundred pounds to make further purchases, a handsome library was erected by the Rev. Spencer Madan, in the year 1792 for its reception, adjoining to the parsonage house, he being at that time rector. _Public Library._ An institution under this title was established in the year 1779, and is now held in an elegant pile of building, erected on the tontine principle, by the subscribers, situated in Union-street. In front of the building is the following inscription: AD MERCATURAM BONARUM ARTIUM PROFECTUS, ET TIBI ET OMNIBUS DITESCES. Which is thus englished,-- RESORTING TO THE MART THE SCIENCES, YOU WILL GROW RICH, BOTH FOR YOURSELF AND OTHERS. This library contains about sixteen thousand volumes, and there are about five hundred and sixty subscribers. _New Library._ Some disagreement arising among the subscribers to the public library, gave rise to this institution, which was established in the year 1796, in a commodious room for the purpose, situated at the lower part of Cannon-street, where there are about three thousand volumes.--From the committee of this library I have received every assistance, and from the librarian every information it was in his power to give. _General Provident Society._