Inspectors, whose reports
have hitherto produced so little effect, it is not extraordinary that after
long hours of toil, the inhabitants fly to the bright saloons of gin shops,
and the snug tap-rooms of beer shops.

We have dwelt thus at length upon the moral, and educational, and sanitary
shortcomings of a town which can, no doubt, draw comparisons, very much to
its own advantage, with other manufacturing district towns, because
Birmingham is in a position to set an example, to lead the way in an all-
important reform without consulting the opinions of the Ministers or the
Parliament of the day. Birmingham may, if it pleases, go far toward
affording every working man the means of drinking and washing in an ample
supply of clean water, of living in a well-drained cottage, and of sending
his children to school for two hours every day, without waiting for the
decision of Parliament upon all the crotchets of the Chartists, or plans of
the Financial Reform Association.

Pity it is that none of the well-applauded Brummagem patriots have pluck
enough to battle a little unpopularity in so honest a cause. But clap-trap
costs less trouble than work, and gets more cheers.

It is the misfortune of Birmingham to be sacrificed to the disagreements of
two rival factions, one calling itself Conservative, and the other Radical,
both filling the pockets and doing the work of lawyers at the expense of the
ratepayers.

Nothing can be done until the municipal Corporation obtains the powers now
vested in several sets of virtually irresponsible Commissioners. When these
wars of the Pots and Kettles are ended, the ratepayers will be able to turn
their undivided attention to local reforms without having their minds
distracted by those little legal squabbles, under cover of which business is
neglected, and pockets are picked. It is to be hoped that the session of
1851 will settle this point.

The whole kingdom is interested in the good government and prosperity of its
greatest inland town. {113}

WARWICK, LEAMINGTON, KENILWORTH, STRATFORD ON AVON.

Before leaving Birmingham, it will be convenient to say something about
Warwick, Leamington, Kenilworth, and Stratford on Avon, of which the one is
the assize town, another the watering place, and the third and fourth the
antiquarian or rather romantic lions of the county in which Birmingham stands
first, for wealth, population, manufacturing, and political importance.
Warwick, i