~Musical Services.~--The first of a series of week-night musical services for the people took place at St. Luke's Church, September 10, 1877, the instruments used being the organ, two kettle-drums, two trumpets, and two trombones. This was by no means an original idea, for the followers of Swedenborg had similar services as well in their Chapel in Paradise Street (on site of Queen's College), as in Newhall Street and Summer Lane.
~Mysteries of Past History.~--It was believed that a quantity of arms were provided here by certain gentlemen favourable to the Pretender's cause in 1745, and that on the rebels failing to reach Birmingham, the said arms were buried on the premises of a certain manufacturer, who for the good of his health fled to Portugal. The fact of the weapons being hidden came to the knowledge of the Government some sixty years after, and a search for them was intended, but though the name of the manufacturer was found in the rare books of the period, and down to 1750, the site of his premises could not be ascertained, the street addresses not being inserted, only the quarter of the town, thus: "T. S.---- Digbath quarter." The swords, &c., have remained undiscovered to the present day.--M 10, 1864, while excavations were being made in the old "Castle Yard," in High Street the skeletons of three human beings were found in a huddled position about 2-1/2 ft. from the surface.--The Old Inkleys were noted for the peculiar character (or want thereof) of its inhabitants, though why they buried their dead beneath their cellar floors must remain a mystery. On October 29, 1879, the skeleton of a full-grown man was found underneath what had once been the site of a house in Court No. 25 of the Old Inkleys, where it must have lain at least 20 years.
~Natural History~ and Microscopical Society was formed in January, 1858. The first meeting of the Midland Union of Natural History, Philosophical, and Archæological Societies and Field Clubs was held at the Midland Institute, May 27, 1878.
~Nechells.~--There is, or was, a year or two back, a very old house, "Nechells Hall," still in existence, where at one period of their history, some of the Holte family resided.
~Needless Alley~ is said to have been originally called Needles Alley from a pin and needle makers' shop there.