A Century of Birmingham Life ; or, a Chronicle of
Local Events from 1741 to 1841. Compiled and edited by John Alfred Langford. Vol. I. (Simpkin and Marshall.)—There is some curious matter in this book, and its compilation must have given Mr. Langford groat trouble. He has apparently copied out all the paragraphs of any local significance which appeared in successive numbers of the Birmingham papers from the middle of last century. A photographic fac-simile of the first number of the Birmingham Gazette, published on November 16, 1741, gives us some idea of the state of the quarry from which these rocks were hewed. We do not suppose many readers will be found to digest all these scattered paragraphs, bearing on the life of the period, the man- ners and customs, the amusements and literary pursuits. and the appearance of the town of Birmingham. But Mr. Langford's industry deserves some reward, and we hope he will find it in the approbation of his fellow-townsmen as well as in the quotations of future writers.
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