As no history is extant, to inform me of this famous nursery of the arts, perfection in mine must not be expected. Though I have endeavoured to pursue the road to truth; yet, having no light to guide, or hand to direct me, it is no wonder if I mistake it: but we do not _condemn_, so much as _pity_ the man for losing his way, who first travels an unbeaten road. Birmingham, for want of the recording hand, may be said to live but one generation; the transactions of the last age, die in this; memory is the sole historian, which being defective, I embalm the present generation, for the inspection of the future. It is unnecessary to attempt a general character, for if the attentive reader is himself of Birmingham, he is equally apprized of that character; and, if a stranger, he will find a variety of touches scattered through the piece, which, taken in a collective view, form a picture of that generous people, who _merit his_ esteem, and _possess mine_. THE CONTENTS. _Some Account of the Derivation of the Name of Birmingham_, ..................................... page 1 _Situation_, ..................................... 3 _Soil_, .......................................... 6 _Water_, ......................................... 7 _Baths_, ......................................... 8 _Air_, ........................................... *8 _Longevity_, ..................................... 9 _Ancient State of Birmingham_, ................... 13 _Battle of Camp-hill_, ........................... *41 _Modern State of Birmingham_, .................... 40 _Streets, and their Names_, ...................... 53 _Trade_, ......................................... 57 _Button_, ...................................... 75 _Buckle_, ...................................... 76 _Guns_, ........................................ 78 _Leather_, ..................................... 79 _Steel_, ....................................... 80 _Nails_, ....................................... *83 _Bellows_, ..................................... *85 _Thread_, ...................................... *89 _Printing, by John Baskerville_, ............... *90 _Brass foundry_, ............................... *94 _Hackney Coaches_, ............................. 81 _Bank_, .......................................... 83 _Government_, .................................... ibid _Constables_, .................................. 92 _Bailiffs_, .................................... 94 _Court of Requests_, ............................. *99 _Lamp Act_, ...................................... 99 _Religion and Politics_, ......................... 105 _Places of Worship_, ............................. 111 _St. John's Chapel, Deritend_, ................. 112 _St. Bartholomew's_, ........................... 113 _St. Mary's_, ..................................