148 
SOCIOLOGY 
number of voters on the register as compared with other large towns) {j); 
—most especially from the conspicuously-characteristic earnestness 
with which work of all kind is undertaken in Birmingham ;—and from 
a number of analogous factors all of which have their influence, I 
cannot help—after eliminating to the best of my ability all necessary 
bias—arriving at a conclusion that, while possessing greater differen¬ 
tiation in its inhabitants as regards trades and occupations than those 
of many other towns, Birmingham also presents unusual advantages 
for the physical, intellectual, and moral development of its citizens. 
Its development is of a type peculiar to a large industrial organization, 
and is in marked contrast to that kind of development which would 
obtain under a military, or ecclesiastical, or agricultural organisation. 
In other words, the progress of the town is quite in accordance with 
the laws of evolution. It illustrates in a large sense the adaptation of 
the organism to the environment. Many Sociological generalizations 
made here may, I think, therefore be regarded as typical and unique. 
And as many of the factors that I have enumerated act and re-act, it 
follows that Birmingham has most important influence in the work— 
both immediate and remote—to which it puts its hand. 
It would take up too much of your time for me to mention many 
illustrations. I just allude to one or two that occur to me. From an 
educational point of view Birmingham, by its Education League, 
was, for the suggestion from which originated this movement, in 
advance in obtaining the establishment of Board Schools; from a 
political point of viev/ the action of Birmingham on the passing of the 
Reform Bill of 1832 was most important, and must not be overlooked ; 
nor its action subsequently in political matters. The example of 
beneficence in Birmingham as regards the Hospital Sunday Collec¬ 
tions has spread to other large towns, and even to the Metropolis. 
The action of its Corporation as to the issue of a funded stock, and in 
many other forms of its work, has been adopted as a model by other 
Corporations. In any movement having for its object the advance¬ 
ment of the civil and religious freedom of the people, Birmingham has 
usually been in advance. 
Since the foregoing was written, my friend Mr. Greatheed has 
called my attention to a recent most interesting lecture by Professor 
Lapworth, F.G.S., of the Mason College, entitled “ The Geology of the 
Midlands.” After pointing out the advantages resulting from the 
insular position of England, and the “perfect mine of wealth” con¬ 
tained in her rocks, he further showed the contrast between the 
(j.) Mr. Hughes submitted a table sliowing the average number of Parlia¬ 
mentary and Municipal Electors in four large towns for the three years ended 
1883, as under: Parliamentary Electors—Birmingham, 63,093; Leeds, 50,179; 
Liverpool, 62,898 ; Manchester, 54,861;—mean, 57,908. Municipal Electors—Bir¬ 
mingham, 74,.392 : Leeds, 58,422; Liverpool, 70,675; Manchester, 58,899 mean, 
05,597. Percentage of Parliamentary Electors to population—Birmingham. 15‘83 ; 
Leeds, 16’23; Liverpool, 11’40; Manchester, 13‘93;—mean, 14‘35. Percentages of 
Municipal Electors to population—Birmingham, 18-49 ; Leeds, 18-90 ; Liverpool, 
12 79; Manchester, 14-96;—mean, 16-29. 
