The Restoration Of Handsworth Parish Church.

B 3 nted lately only a few of its original features—the east window of the chancel , the south wall , the south aisle arches and windows , and the west windows of tho north and south aisles , being the only original portions remaining in situ . The ceiling was of plaster , in imitation of a vaulted roof , supported by slender stone columns , Avhile the Wyrley chapel is supported by a cast-iron column at

its south-west angle . The windows of tho west end , tho new transept , and the transept itself , were of Modern Gothic . Apart , however , from architectural or archaeological characteristics , the church is tho source of considerable interest from having been the place where many local worthies and several celebrated men have been buried . In this church were buried James

Watt and Matthew Boulton . Murdoch also found his last restingplace there , and there many other notabilities of their time , including the Wyrloys and the Whateleys were " gathered to thoir fathers . " A chapel was built to receive a statue of Watt , which was executed by Chantrey ; and , amongst many others , are monuments to the Wyrleys , Boultons , Murdochs and Whateleys . Notably there was

a fine bust of Matthew Boulton , by Flaxman . In the restoration of the church the portions of the old structure intended to bo pulled down are thoso Avhich Avere erected in the beginning of this century ; the Watt chapel will not bo touched , and the east elevation of the chancel and Wyrley Chapel will not be interfered Avith . The old windows in the sonth aisle will be restored and the wall taken doAvn

and rebuilt , it being considerably out of the perpendicular . The church will bo extended 23 ft . westward , and the nave will be 23 ft . 3 in . wide by 89 ft . Gin . long ; chancel 25 ft . long . Thero will be two north aisles 81 ft ., with the Wyrley chapel in addition . A south aisle 65 ft . long , at the east end of which it is proposed to put an opening into the tower . The old tower arch will be restored , so that the present

vestry can be available for seats . It is proposed to place the Stamford monument , now in the south aisle , between tho choir seats of the chancel and the Wyrley chapel . Tho Wyrley chapel monuments will have a moulded canopy over them . Tho new portions of the church ; inside and out , will bo faced with Codsall stone . Tho arcades to the nave and north aisles will havo six arches each , and

the sonth aisle arcado four arches . The roof will be of red deal and boarded ; the principals arched , and springing from carved corbels , and there will be no plastering of any kind . It is proposed to cover the whole area of the church with a bed of concrete , on which will bo laid wood blocks instead of boarding , the passages being laid with tiles . A portion of the north transept will bo converted into choir and clergyman ' s vestries and organ chamber . Tho church , Avhen

finished , will accommodate 1 , 000 persons , in open seats , without galleries . Several stained glass windows havo been promised . Messrs . Wilson and Son , of Soho Hill , aro tho builders , Mr . J . A . Chatwin is tho architect , and Mr . J . Jones is the clerk of the Avorks The cost of the work has been estimated at between £ 7 , 000 and £ 8 , 000 , and before the proceedings yesterday £ 4 , 300 had been promised towards that amount .

The ceremony of laying the foundation stone took place at about half-past two o ' clock . Previously tho members of tho Provincial Grand Lodge of Staffordshire and Freemasons representing other Lodges assembled at the temporary church , where tho E . W . Brother the Earl of Shrewsbury , Provincial Grand Master , opened a Lodge . Amongst the Masons present were Bros . F . James D . P . G . M ., G . S .

Tudor P . D . P . G . M ., C . Trigg P . G . S . W ., Eev . C . Lee P . G . Chaplain , J . Bodenham P . G . Treasurer , W . CartAvright 460 P . M . and P . G . Secretary , W . Jones P . G . Superintendent of Works , S . Hill P . M . P . G . Director of Ceremonies , J . P . Hall P . G . A . D . of C , J . H . Henry P . G . S ., G . J . Payton P . G . Steward , E . T . Horley ( Athol and St . James Lodge ) , W . Freestone , J . Deeley I . G ., J . L . Gibbons P . M . and

S . W . P . P . G . S ., W . H . Ward , J . Barber , J . W . Payton , E . E . Kimpton , J . Lucas P . M . and P . G . S ., W . J . Whittall P . M . and P . P . G . E ., M . Wright ( Warwick ) , A . Jacob , C . F . Graham W . M ., G . Baker , J . Bragg P . G . S . W . ( Warwickshire ) , T . J . M . Humphries W . M ., T . Nichols Tyler , J . Simpson , H . Whittles P . M . D . C ., J . Waterson P . M . D ., E . Mainwaring S . D ., W . Inigo Jones , J . T . Collins , F . Deny P . M . and

P . P . J . G . W ., J . Eowley S . W ., Eev . J . Downes P . M . and P . P . C . C ., J . Machin P . M . and P . P . S . G . W ., A . A . Sylvester P . M . and P . P . G . Superintendent of Works ( Worcestershire ) , G . K . Patten J . W ., Mathews P . M . and P . P . G . J . W ., J . Walker P . P . G . J . D ., H . Murray P . D . G . M ., J . Baker , J . H . Parkes J . W ., C . T . Speight P . M . and P . G . T . ( Surrey ) , J . Seddon W . M ., S . Fenn P . M ., H . Smith P . M ., Joseph Fenn P . M ., J . Vanghan S . W . ( Lancashire ) , E . L . Campbell

P . M ., J . Vanghan P . P . G . D . C ., Joseph Eowlands P . M ., J . Jacobs P . M . and P . P . G . E ., T . Bragg P . M . and P . P . G . S . W . ( of Warwickshire ) , W . G . Parkes S . W ., J . E . Welch W . M ., F . Swinbnrn D . C , W . H . Poole Tyler , and H . Baggaley Tyler , J . S . Barber , F . W . Payton , J . Peper & c . After the Lodge meeting a [ procession Avas formed , and proceeded from the temporary church to the place Avhere tho foundation stone was laid .

Among those Avho were present at the ceremony , in addition to the members of the Craft , were the Earl of Dartmouth , the Eevs . C . B . Snepp , F . A . Macdona , G . B . Stones , J . H . Curling , E . G . Grenside , W . H . Poulton ; Captain Bullock , Messrs . J . Barrows jun .. A . E . Everitt , W . Williams , E . J . Hayes , W . E . Hughes , T . Aston , J . Williams , W . M . Ellis . T . H . Smith , F . Price , J . A . Chatwin , J . Wilson ,

J . Joi . es , W . T . Taylor , G . W . Baldwin , E . Mayo , W . S . Allen , H . Field , T . T . Lawden , and a large number of ladies . Upon arriving at the stone tho P . G . Chaplain , the Eev . C . Lee , offered up prayer , and after the usual Masonic ceremonies the Earl of Shrewsbury laid the stone . The mallet used on the occasion was lent by the Lodge of Antiquity , and was the same mallet with which Charles II . "levelled tho foundation stone of St . Paul ' s Cathedral , A . D . 1675 . "

After the ceremony a number of ladies handed purses to the Earl of Shrewsbury , containing money , amounting to £ dG 8 7 s 7 Jd . A collection was also made , and the snm of £ G 7 7 s 7 jd was realised . After this , E . W . Bro . the Earl of Shrewsbury briefly addressed the meeting . He said he was deeply sorry that he had not the assistance of the Eector , who had been called away b y a domestic affliction . It was a pleasure for him to be there to take part iu that good work

The Restoration Of Handsworth Parish Church.

himself with his brother Masons . It was not for him to speak upon politics on that occasion ; but he might say , without fear of offence , that he was glad that they had settled in the Legislature , or were about to settle , the great principle , that the people should nob be educated without religion . Though he did not wish to say anything offensive , he would say that Birmingham did not rule the roost ia

this particular . They had in both Houses of Parliament arrived at a solution of a very difficult question , allowing those who had different opinions to exercise them as far as possible . They were anxious that most of the population should havo proper education , and he believed tho party to which he belonged hail done their duty by the country , and were prepared to wait for the result of their

conduct . He thanked the ladies for the worthy assistance they had given the Church , and concluded by referring to the advantages of Freemasonry as conducive to works of charity . A luncheon was afterwards partaken of , in a spacious marquee ia tho rectory grounds . Tho Earl of Shrewsbury presided , and most of those who attended the ceremony were also present . The usual loyal

toasts Avere honoured , and the chairman next proposed " His Eoyal Highness the Prince of Wales M . W . G . M ., the Eight Hon . the Earl of Carnarvon M . W . Pro G . M ., tho Eight Hon . the Earl of Skelmersdale M . W . D . G . M ., and the Grand Lodge of England . " Bros . Murray and J . T . Collins responded . Eev . Bro . Nicholson proposed , " The Eight Hon . the Earl of Shrewsbury P . G . M . of Staffordshire , " to which the

chairman responded . Bro . Murray then gave " The P . G . L . of Staffordshire , " to which Bro . F . James replied . Bro . Lawden gave " The Eight Hon . the Earl of Dartmouth and the Subscribers to the Eestoration Fund . " Tho Earl of Dartmouth , in responding , said that forty , six years ago he was taken to church for the first time in his life into the church they were about to restore , and for that reason he had

made a point of being there . He knew that he was speaking to a mixed company , but he might say to the subscribers that , whether thoy were Liberals or Conservatives , they were all one in wishing Avell to the grand old Church of England . He believed the Church of England deserved toleration , and deserved to be let alone to do her own work in her own way . ( Applause . ) What they had to do was

to shoAV that they were consistent Churchmen , and that they were not merely political Churchmen , but Churchmen from conviction , and Avere prepared to stand by her , in every way , and afc every time , with their hands , their hearts , and their pockets . ( Applause . ) He then proposed "The Health of the Eestoration Committee , " and expressed a wish that they would be successful in their work . Mr .

E . Wright responded . The remaining toasts were " The P . G . M . 's of Warwickshire and Worcestershire , and the Brethren of the Provinces , " responded to by Bro . Smith ; " The Bishops and the Clergy , " proposed by Mr . W . M . Ellis , aud responded to by the Eev . Mr . Macdona ; "The Visitors , " proposed by Mr . E . J . Hayes ; "The Ladies , " and "The Architect and Builders . "—Birmingham Daily Gazette .

NEW WORK OF TRAVEL AND DISCOVERY . —Dr . Eobert Brown , the popular author of " The Eaces of Mankind , " fco ., has for some time past been engaged upon a new and comprehensive work , which will be published by Messrs . Cassell , Fetter and Galpin , in sevenpenuy monthly parts , under the title of THE COUNTRIES OF THE WORLD , and will embrace graphic sketches of travel over land and sea , according to the latest discoveries .

HOLLOWAT ' Pitts . —The chiefest wonder of modern times .--This incomparable medicine increases the appetite , strengthens the stomach , cleanses thejlivor , corrects biliousness , prevents flatulency , purifies the system , invigorates the nerves , and re-instates sound health . The enormous demand for these Pills throughout the globe astonishes everybody , and a single trial convinces the most sceptical that no medicine equals HoIIoway ' s Pills in its ability to remove all complaints incidental to the human race . They are a blessing to tho afflicted , and a boon to all that labour under internal or external disease . Tho purification of the blood , removal of all restraint from the secretive organs , and gentle aperitive action are the prolific sources of the extensive curative range ol HoIIoway ' s Pills .

The Theatres, &C.

THE THEATRES , & c .

COVENT GARDEN " . —PROMENADE CONCERTS , at 8 . 0 . ADELPHI . —At 7 . 30 , THAT BLESSED BABY . At 7 . 45 , ARRAH-NAPOGUE . At 10 . 30 , ORSON . STRAND . —At 7 . 30 , THE DRESS COAT . At 8 . 0 , LIVING AT EASE . At 9 . 30 , THE FIELD OF THE CLOTH OF GOLD . GAIETY .-At 8 . 0 , No . 1 ROUND THE CORNER . At 8 . 30 , ALL FOR HER VAUDEVILLE . —At 7 . 30 , A WHIRLIGIG . At 8 . 0 , OUR BOYS , and a

FEARFUL FOG . CBITERION . —At 8 . 0 , MARY'S SECRET , and THE GREAT DIVORCE CASE . ALHAMBBA . —LE VOYAGE DANS LA LUNE , & c . ALEXANDRA PALACE .-This day . FIRE PROOF DRESS ,

ILLUMINATIONS , & c . On Monday , NORTH LONDON TEMPERANCE FETE . On Wednesday , POLICE FETE , FIREWORKS , Ac . Open daily , PROMENADE CONCERTS , BROEKMANN'S CIRCUS , SKATING RINK , & c . CBYSTAL PALACE . —On Thursday , Fireworks , Races , & o . Open daily , AQUARIUM , SKATING RINK , CIRCUS , & c .

ROYAL AQUARIUM SUMMER AND WINTER GABDEN . Open daily . CONCERT , SKATING RINK , & c . EGYPTIAN ( LARGE ) HALL .-MASKELYNE AND COOKE , daily at 3 . 0 and 8 . 0 . ROYAL POLYTECHNIC . — BURNING AND COMBUSTION , and CROOKE'S DISCOVERIES and APPARATUS , HEINKE'S DIVING APPARATUS and SUBMARINE LAMP . TYPE WRITER . HOGG ' S

PATENT VENTILATION . BATEMAN'S COLLECTION OF MODEL STEAM ENGINES . BIDDER'S MAGNETIC LAMP . TISLEY'S COMPOUND PENDULUM , & e ., & c . ALICE IN AVONDERLAND . A WALK THROUGH THE TOWER . WONDERS OF THE MICROSCOPE . Mr . TAYLOR'S WONDERFUL BOY . CLAIRVOYANCE AND PLATE DANCING . SOLOS ON THE VIOLIN . Admission to the Avhole , Is j Schools , and Children under 10 , half-price .