biglam/hmd_newspapers huggingface dataset:
The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-08-30

SUFFERINGS AT SEA.

The German (which brought home Lord Chelmsford)
has landed at Plymouth a carpenter named Jextenance
and a sailor named Le Roux, part of the crew of the
barque Jeanne d' Arc. of Nantes, which foundered at
sea from striking a sunken wreck during the night of
June 30th, in lat. 40 deg, 18 deg. E.
The vessel, which was 600 tons register, was laden
with hydraulic cement, railway iron, and a general
cargo; she was bound from Marseilles to Bourbon,
was built of iron, with a collision bulkhead, but
she struck abaft this compartment and filled and
sank, in spite of the efforts of the crew, in three
hours. Her captain, La Coate, and crew seem to
have behaved well, and finding pumping of no avail,
managed, in spite of a strong gale and high sea, to
lower two boats, which, however, were only pro-
visioned with biscuits and water. Eight of the crew
managed to get into the long boat and five in a smaller
boat. The weather was very cold, and the meo were
wet to the skin, and had great difficulty in keeping the
boats afloat by constant bailing. After two days of
this suffering the smaller baat was overwhelmed by a
sea and was smashed. The long boat was fortunately
to leeward, and managed to pick up all their five mess-
mates. This addition to their own number deepened
the boat's draught and caused her to ship a great deal
of water, so that all hands had to keep constantly
bailing. After two days more of this suffering, luckily
the wind and sea began to abate, and with much diffi-
culty and exertion a sort of sail was rigged out with the
captain's blanket, under which a little progress was
made to the northward, in the hope of falling in
with some passing ship. The allowance of food was
two biscuits and a pannikin of water per day, and
from insufficient food and wet clothing the poor fel-
lows suffered terribly, most of them becoming frost-
bitten. After thirteen days of misery, the barque
Corsica, of Glasgow, Captain Michael, bound from
Rangoon to Rotterdam, with rice, hove in sight, and
picked them up. Everything poEsihle was done by
Captain Michael and crew for the shipwrecked men,
and under their kind treatment, ten of the frost-
bitten men recovered rapidly. Three of them, how-
ever, were in so critical a condition that they were
landed at the island of Ascension on the 31st July, the
remainder being taken to Rotterdam by the Corsica.
One poor fellow had to have both feet amputated, but
Le Gance and Le Roux soon took a favourable turn
under the judicious treatment they received, and were
well enough to be received on board the German,
which called to land and embark mails on the 13th
August. Captain Coxwell made a collection amongst
the passengers, who subscribed £l6 2s. 6d, for the two
men.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-08-30

t

PRICE ONE PENNY.

PUBLIC NOTICES.

ELECTION OF COMMISSIONERS
In the place of those who go out by rotation,

STOURBRIDGE IMPROVEMENT ACT
1866,

AND THE ACTS INCORPORATED THEREWITH.

ON THURSDAY, the 4th day of SEPTEMBER, 3479.
T the undersigned, JOHN TAYLOR, of 56,
1/ High Street, in the Township of Stuurbriige, in
the County of Worcester, Clerk to the Stourbridge
Improvement Commissioners, incorporated under the
Stourbridge Improvement Act, 1866, do hereby give
PUBLIC NOTICE, as follows:

That for the purpose of Electing Commissioners for
the Three Wards into which the said Township of
Stourbridge is by the said Act divided, in the plsce of
those who go out by rotation. MEETINGS 01?"1/1/1
PERSONS ENTITLED TO VOTE at such ELECTION
will be held on THURSDAY, the FOURTH day of
SEPTEMBER, 1872, (being the First Thursday in the
said Month), at the Places following, that is to say :
A Meeting of the persons entitled to vote in the EAST
WARD of the said Township, will be held at SAINT
JOHN'S INFANT SCHOOL ROOM, FOSTER
STREET, in the said Township.
A Meeting of the persons entitled to vote in the
WEST WARD of the said Township, will be held at the
PRIMITIVE METHODPST SCHOOL ROOM, WEST
STREET, BEAUTY BARK, in the said Township.
A Meeting of the persons edtitled to vote in the
SOUTH WARD of the said Township, will be held in
the CORN EXCERNGE, in MARKET STREET, in
the said Township.

Such respective places having been duly appointed for
the said respective purposes by the Commissioners of
the said Township.
That at the said Election, Three Commissioners are to
be Elected in each of the said Wards, and the Commis-
sioners who go out by Rotation, may be re-elected.
That at the said Election, the Voting will commence
at Nine of the clock in the forenoon ox the said day of
Election, and will finally close at Four of the clock in
the afternoon of the same day (unless in case of riot or
obstruction), and will be conducted in the manner
prescribed by "The Commissioners' Clauses act, 1847."
That the Presiding Officer at any place of Voting may
close the Voting or Poll at any hour before Four of the
clock, if one hour shall elapse during which no Voting
Paper shall be tendered at such place of Voting.
Dated this 19th day of August, 1679.
JOHN TAYLOR,
Clerk to the said Commissioners
56, High Street, Stourbridge.

STOURBRIDGE IMPROVEMENT ACT
1866,
AND THE ACTS INCORPORATED THERE WITH.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-08-30

-3.listrict

BELBROUGFITON.

INQUEST.—An inquest was held on Tuesday last,
at the Wagon and Horses, Fairfield, before R,
Docker, Esq., coroner, touching the death of Mary
Liddell, who died suddenly on the previous Saturday.
After hearing the evidence, the jury found that the
deceased" Died from natural causes."
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-08-30

EXECUTION AT WARWICK.

The execution of John Ralph, for the murder of
Sarah Vernon at Birmingham on the 31st of May
last, took place on Tuesday morning in Warwick
Gaol. At the final interview with his wife, which
took place on Monday, he professed to be prepared for
bis end, and acknowledged the justice of his sentence.
His demeanour on the scaffold was firm and becoming,
and death immediately followed the falling of the
drop. Marwood was the executioner. Reporters
were present.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-08-30

MERCHANT SHIPPING.

A return has been issued showing the number of
tonnage of the sailing and steam vessels belonging to
the United Kingdom which have been engaged in the
home and foreign trade during the past year; and
also the number of men and boys employed in these
vessels. The number of sailing vessels was 16,704,
having a tonnage of 4,076,098, and employing 120,085
men and boys. There were 3,390 steam vessels, having
a tonnage of 2,160,026, and employing 75,550 men and
b 075. In the number of sailing vessels there was a de-
crease of 3,261 as compared with the preceding year,
the decrease in tonnage being 616,655; and in the
number of men and boys engaged 25,079, In steam
vessels, on the other hand, there was a considerable in-
crease, 1,150 more steamers having been engaged, with
an increase of 1,120,057 in the tonnage, and of 26,745
in the number of men and boys employed.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-08-30

" HIGH " OR "PUTRID."

It may be, and doubtless is, difficult to define the
boundaries between the quality so much appreciated
by the epicure, who likes his game "high," and that
of putridity, which probably disgusts everybody, and
can benefit none; but some attempt should be made to
draw an arbitrary line. Cooks, to their other accom-
plishments, should add that of being able to determine
whether a bird or haunch of venison is simply "matur-
ing," or passing prematurely into the condition of
fermenting putrescence. The date of slaughter does
not supply all the information required, especially in
the case of venison. Some carcasses " turn off" in a
revolting fashion in a few days, or even hours, instead
of simply becoming tender, and still fit for food. The
lower animals are probably subject to nearly as many
diseases as affect the human frame, and it may
very well happen that out of the deer and birds shot
no inconsiderable proportion are suffering from dis-
ease. Any person who likes to take the trouble of
putting a score of braces of birds, or a dozen joints of
venison from several carcasses, to the test of smell at
close quarters, will acquire an edifying, if not alto-
gether appetising notion of the perils that beset the
gourmand, if not also the gourmet. A caution to cooks
is never untimely at this season, and it will be
especially prudent after a run of weather like that;
which we have been enduring. These functionario
probably enjoy a monopoly of the power to save us
from perils of indigestion, or worse. The purveyors
of game, who are the only other persons so situated as
to be able to protect the public, cannot be expected to

devote special attention to the discrimination between
high and putrid. The distinction is far too delicate to
be commercially important, or even interesting.—
Lancet.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-08-30

MONSTER SALMON.

Within the last few weeks several large salmon
have been taken in various rivers throughout the
country, many of which have found their way to
London. Among these the largest, which weighed
651 b„ was taken in the Tay, and was a grandly pro-
portioned fish. Among the other " monsters " which
have been forwarded from Scotland were one of
61i lb„ one of 53 lb., and one of 51 lb. The
latest reported remarkable capture is from the
Wye, where a salmon of 56 lb. is said to
have been taken the other day, During the
earlier months of the fishing this season several heavy
salmon were taken at various places, and it is gene-
rally believed by those who have opportunities of
judging that " monster " salmon have become much
more prevalent in our rivers of late years than
formerly. This is considered principally due to
the " preservation of kelts " which has lately been
adopted. It is a moot point discussed among
our salmon cultivators as to whether the preserva-
tion of kelts is advisable or not, many alleging
that they are greedy feeders, and cause much destruc-
tion among the young salmon, which they devour in
large numbers. On the other hand, it is asserted by
many naturalists that the kelts do not prey on
" molts. ' Prominent among the advocates of
"kelt preservation" ic Mr. Frank Bnekland. He has
paid special attention to this point, and from his own
observations and the inquiries he has ma.dw he cannot
find any grounds for advising the abolition of kelt
preservation,—Pall Mail Gazette.

MILTON'S BIRTHPLACE.—The old Church of All-
hallows, situated in Bread-street, London, was sold
last year, and the building taken down. On its site
are now grand warehouses and offices, extending from
Bread-street into Watling-street. On these buildings,
just at the corner of the two streets, now the hoarding
is taken down a well-sculptured head of the blind poet
is exhibited, and on a tablet beneath are the following
words :-=" Milton, born in Bread•street, 1608, baptised
in Church of Allhallows, which stood here ante 1878."
—City Prem.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-08-30

THE FRUIT CROPS.

The reports on the fruit crop (says the Chamber of
Agriculture Journal) are not very encouraging. They
tell of sad disasters to apricot trees owing to the re-
markable season which we have experienced. Branch.
dying has been unusually prevalent, and many trees
have died outright. Peaches and nectarines have
suffered greatly from blisters, and so backward are
their fruits that in many places they will never ripen
except under glass copings. Pears, though in some
cases rusty and cracking, are better this year than
apples, which are generally a thin crop, and the fruit
still keeps dropping upon the trees. The latter,
too, are in some places almost leafless. Cherries,
with the exception of Morellos, cracked and rotted on
the trees. Even as far north as Durham, the
Morello has been better on standards than on walls, a
fact worth noting, seeing that, in addition to its fruit,
the growth of the tree Itself is highly ornamental. It
is, however, a capital tree for the walls of cottages and
outbuildings. Indeed, many cottagers in some parts
of Kent manage to pay their rent with the money
which they get for their Morellos. Damsons are
everywhere reported to be good, and in some places
even heavy crops. Next these stand Victoria and the
Orleans, plums that seldom fail. Nuts are good in
many places, but walnuts are a failure. All small
fruits have been heavy crops, but flavourless; and
gooseberries have been in many places ttripped of
thtirleavea by the gooseberry caterpillar.

From official statistics just publielad it appears
that the number of suicides iu Prussia since 1874 has gone
on itlcrbahing to an alarming extent. Whereas in that year
2,82 e of such cases occurred, the list in 1877 showed total
of 4,330, divided between 3,559 males and 771 females.

At. a regatta at Dundee on Saturday a pleasure
yacht was caught in a ::quall near Tay bridge and capsized.
All the crew were saved except Alexander Allan, a sail
-
maker, whose body has not been recovered. The deceased
has left a widow and three children
Mr. Gosclv-n on Tuesday night addressed a crowded
meeting at Ripon, when he explained that his reason for
giving up the intention of again contesting an election in
the City of London was the danger which arose through
the representation of minorities and the consequent split-
ting up of votes lie entered at length into a criticism
of the home and foreign policy of the Government, and at
the conclusion of his speech a resolution was passed accept-
ing his candidature for the representation of Upon.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-08-30

EXECUTION AT CORK.

Joseph Pistoria, alias Francisco Maschera, a Ski-
lian, was executed within the walls of Cork gaol at
eight o'clock on Monday morning for being concerned
In the mutiny and murders on board the Caswell on
the high seas in January, 1876.
Since his conviction Pistoria has shown great peni-
tence, and has listened with attention to the prayers
and the advice of the Roman Catholic clergyman who
attended him, receiving the sacraments frequently.
According to those who were present at the execution
on Monday the unhappy man met his fate with courage
and fortitude. The execution was strictly private,
no representatives of the Press being permitted
to be present until after the execution.
The culprit retired to rest at ten o'lock on Sunday
night, and slept soundly until half-past five on
Monday morning. When he rose he took breakfast,
and at seven he heard mass at the chapel and re-
ceived the sacraments. At eight o'clock the procession
moved to the yard, in which the gallows had been placed
since the Private Executions Act came into operation.
The work of pinioning was promptly performed by the
executioner. Pistoria never lost his nerve during the
operation, and with steady step walked across the
yard and ascended the scaffold. Two Roman Catholic
clergymen were in attendance, and the prisoner
answered the responses of the Lastly, which was
recited, without apparent emotion. A drop of 6ft, was
used, and death was instantaneous.
An inquest was held, and a verdict was returned in
accordance with the medical testimony.
It is said that Pistoria has left a written state-
ment with the Italian Consul.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-08-30

C4eicturbri4ge &seller.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 30th, 1879.

AFRICAN TRAVEL AND EXPLORA-

TIO N.

TiloS2 who have followed the proceedings of
the British Association, which has this week
brought its sittings to a close at Sheffield,
will not have failed to note the great interest
manifested in the exploration of the contin-
ent of Africa. It seems strange at this time
of day so little should be known of one of the
three parts of the ancient world, and the
greatest peninsula of the universe. It is a
long while ago that the story of the Flood was
recorded in the sacred writings ; yet although
Africa is said to have been first peopled by
Ham, there are to this day vast unexplored
tracts in it of which we know no more than
of the mountains of the moon. The civil-
ization of Egypt did not extend much beyond
its own. boundaries; had it shown any sign
of progress towards the dark regions of the
African continent, we should not to-day be
witnessing the savage barbarism of lands
beginning with either extremity of the
alphabet—Abyssinia and Zululand. Proud
Carthage, too, was once a bright spot upon
the African shore ;her colonies and commerce
disputed with Rome the position of mistress
of the known world; her ships were found
here, there, and everywhere on the surface
of the Mediterranean; but, as in the case of
Egypt. neither her wealth nor her power
sufficed to advance the cause of civilization
amid the benighted lands around her. Egypt
still lives upon the banks of the Nile, but
Carthage ceased to exist two thousand years
ago, and for all the civilizing effects of her
presence which can be seen on the African
--mtinent to-day, she might almost as well
_ •ve existed at all.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-08-30

W.C.

Now Ready, the TIIIRTIETEr THOUSAND, Price One
Shilling. Free by post, 12 stamps, in envelope.
WOMAN: AS A MAIDEN, WIFE, AND
MOTHER. Illustrated with ENGRAVINGS ON
WOOD, Cloth gilt. This is a Book of great Importance
to Woman.

DR. HENRY SMITH, 8 BURTON CRESCENT, LONDON

. .
W.C.
NOTICE TO COUNTRY INVALIDS.
Consultation by Letter without Fee.

DR. HENRY SMITH, (By Diploma of the
Royal University of Jena) who has devoted
rgIRTY YEARS to the Special Treatment of Diseases
of the Nervous System, resulting from Exhaustion of
Nerve Power, Local Weakness, &0., will for the benefit
of Country Invalids, on receiving a statement of case,
send his opinion, with Advice and Instructions, which,
1 followed, insure a Cure ; a Personal Interview and
expensive Consultation-fees are thus avoided.
A " Confidential" form of Correspondence to assist
the Invalids in describing their Case sent Post Free.

DR. HENRY SMITH, 8, BURTON CREBCEDIT
LONDON, W.C.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-08-30

THE PRICE OF WILD BEASTS.

The market price of wild beasts is given by the Live
Stock Journal, which states that an Austrian firm of
dealers in wild animals has published a sort of whole-
sale price list, in which it is announced that lions and
tigers can be had upon the average for £80; spotted
panthers for £3O, and leopards for £2O, while a black
panther is worth £l5O, and a spotted tiger as much as
2300.

Jaguars are quoted at from £3O to £5O, the
American tiger•cat at from 50s, to £lO, and the
h3mna at from £l2 to £3O. An ichneumon is worth,
upon the average, £25, and a wolf from £5 to £lO.
The price of bears is as under --The common bear
£8; the brown bear, £10; the black and Syrian bear,
£l2; the Japanese or Himalayan bear £l5; and the
white bear, £25.
The price of a rhinoceros varies from £lOO to £l,OOO,
and African elephants cost £6O, while the Indian
variety runs from £l5O to £3OO.
The price of a pair of kangaroos varies from £lO to
£6O, and the price of monkeys also varies very much,
from a pound for small monkeys of the ordinary kind,
to £lOO for the chimpanzee or the ourang-outang.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-08-30

PRINCE ALBERT VICTOR.

The following letter, addressed to the Army and Navy
Gazette by Rear-Admiral 11.11.11. the Duke of Edinburgh,
will be read by all with the utmost satisfaction, removing,
as it does, all grounds for rumours that have prevailed as to
the health of Prince Albert Victor. Dating from the Royal
yacht Osborne, at Devonport, the Duke writes :

" Sir,—l have seen in most of the daily and weekly
papers of last week an account of the annual dinner
of the Royal Naval Club at Portsmouth. This
account includes a report of what the Prince of Wales
is supposed to have said in returning thanks for his
health, and contains a remark that the health of
his eldest son was not strong enough for the
service. As chairman of the dinner, I feel it my
duty to ask you to let me state, through the
medium of your journal, that my brother
never made any such statement, and that, on the con•
tram my nephew edoys excellent health, and it is
hoped will derive much benefit from his intended
cruise with his brother in the Bacchante. I am in.
duced to make this communication to you, as I have
heard the report much talked of. The error has most
likely occurred owing to the dinner being a .strictly
private one of the members of the club, to which, of
course, no official reporter was admitted. —Believe me,
your obedient servant, ALFRED, Rear• Admiral."
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-08-30

BOAT ACCIDENT ON THE THAMES.

A distressing boat accident, by which two persons,
father and son, lost their lives, occurred on the Thames
at Bovensy Weir, between Windsor and Maidenhead,
on Monday morning. A Mr, Peach, a corn merchant
of Holloway, left Windsor in the morning in a fishing
punt, and had attached a line to a barge which was
being towed up stream by a steam-tug called the
Indian Chief. They had proceeded in this way from
Windsor to Boveney Lock, which they passed. As
the punt emerged from the lock out into the
main stream, the sudden strain upon the line
occasioned by the rapid flow of the river, which
was in a flooded condition, caused it to snap.
The punt was carried with great velocity into the
weir stream, when both of the occupants, to prevent
their being carried over the weir, jumped out of the
boat and attempted to make for the shore, This they
were unable to do, and the father seeing the perilous
position they were both in endeavoured to save his
son; but this he could not do, and they both. sank.
The lock-keeper saw one of them go over the weir;
but the other was not seen after his first disappearance.
They were carried away so rapidly that there was no
time to make any effort to save them, even if the
dangerous condition of the river had not rendered it
impossible. The boat was recovered, and the contents
led to the identification of the deceased.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-08-30

A MONSTER SUGAR MILL.

One of the largest sugar mills in the world is soon
to be erected in St. Charles Parish, Louisiana. The
total weight of this mill, including engine, will be
300,000 pounds. The latter will be of 300 horse power.
The rollers are to be seven feet long and forty inches
in diameter, weighing each 18,000 pounds, or all
54,000 pounds. The shafts are of wrought iron,
eighteen and a half inches in diameter and twenty
inches long. The housings, made of the best
gun metal, are each fourteen feet long, with
eighteen-inch face, and will weigh 54,000 pounds.
The mill will be double-geared, that is, run with
two sets of pinions and spur wheels of enormous
size and weight. The shafts of all these wheels, with
that of the fly wheel, will be of the best wrought iron,
while the journal bearings of the roller shafts in the
housings will be manufactured of the purest Babbitt
metal. It is estimated that with the machinery there
will be a gain of more than thirty per cent. on the
work of the ordinary mills. A number of single or
three-roller mills and a few five-roller mills have been
erected in the State recently.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-08-30

A CANADIAN WILDERNESS.

A party of Canadian officers, including the Hon.
D. A. McDonald, Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario,
have arrived in St. Paul, on their return trip from a
i rather adventurous tour of inspection n the country
north of Lake Superior. Some time ago certain
territory lying between the British provinces of
Ontario and Manitoba, and called the District
of Keewatin, was ceded by the latter to the former,
as the result of arbitration. It was with i? view
of making a personal inspection of this district and
examining its typography and resources that the party
was organised with a semi-official character attached.
The party left Toronto on the 17th of July, the
journey being pursued by way oi Calling wood.
They proceeded to Prince Arthur's Landing by
steamer, and from that point to Winnipeg by
canoes, with 30 Indians as guides and canoemen, the
capital of Manitoba being reached on Monday last.
This portion of the journey, a distance of about 500
miles, was accomplished in two weeks by what is
known as the Dawson route, at the rate of about
35 miles a day, their progress being frequently inter-
xupted by numerous and weary portages, some thirty
in number, and frequently three miles or more in
length. The country traversed was of the wildest
description, and, excepting Indians, entirely devoid
of human population, for the probable reason that it
is incapable of supporting civilised settlers. The
country is supposed to possess vast mineral resources,
but no important discoveries have yet been made,
though there are rich undeveloped silver mines in
American territory a little to the west.

DESTRUCTION OF INSECTS. A very easy and
efficacious means of destroying aphides, tree lice, and
other vermin, is to stew in water the leaves and stems
of thetomato, and to well syringe with the liquor the
infested plants. The destruction is immediate, and
the odour which clings to the syringed plants is of a
character most distasteful to insects, so that a plant
once freed from them will remain a long time un-
attacked.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-08-30

ATMOSPHERIC PHENOMENON.

The Geneva Correspondent of The Times writes, under
date August 22 :

"On the evening of August 5. six persons who were
standing in the gallery of a chalet in the Jura, above
St. Cergues, witnessed an atmospheric phenomenon
equally rare and curious. The aspect of the sky was
dark and stormy. The air was thick with clouds, out
of which darted ati ntervals bright flashes of lightning
At length one of these clouds, seeming to break loose
from the mountains between Nyon and the Dole, ad-
vanced in the direction of a storm which had, mean-
while, broken out over Morges. The sun was hidden
and the country covered with thick darkness. At this
moment the pine forest round St. Cergues was sud-
denly illuminated and shone with a light bearing a
striking resemblance to the phosphorescence of the
sea as seen in the tropics. The light disappeared with
every clap of thunder, but only to re•appear with in-
creased intensity until the subsidence ot the tempest.
M. Raoul Pictet, the eminent chemist, who was one of
witnesses of the phenomenon, thus explains it in the
last number of the Archives des Sciences Physiques et
Naturelles

"Before the appearance of this fire of St. Elmo,
which covered the whole of the forest, it had rained
several minutes during the first part of the storm. The
rain had converted the trees into conductors of elec-
tricity. Then, when the cloud, strongly charged with
the electric fluid, passed over this multitude of points,
the discharges were sufficiently vivid to give rise to
the luminous appearance. The effect was produced by
the action of the electricity of the atmosphere on the
electricity of the earth, an effect which, on the occa-
sion in question, was considerably increased by the
height of the locality, the proximity of a storm-cloud,
and the action of the rain, which turned all the trees
of the forest into conductors."
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-08-30

" EAGLE SHOOTING" COMPETITION.

The Berlin Correspondent of The Times writes :
" The officers of the Ist Foot Guards, stationed at
Potsdam, are accustomed to wind up the regimental
rifle practice each year by a competition among kkhem-
selves called the 'eagle-shooting,' which came off in
the usual gala way on Saturday last. The Emperor,
who is in remarkably vigorous health and spirits,
appeared on the ground, accompanied by the
Crown Prince, with several other Generals and
members of his family, and fired the first shot,
this being the first time His Majesty has handled
the rifle since the murderous attempt on him last
year. He was sure to miss, jestingly observed His
Majesty; but, though the superior should always
form a pattern to a subordinate, they did not need in
this particular instance to imitate him. There are
many crack shots among the officers of the Ist
Prussian Foot Guards. The practice throughout was
capital, and the competition keen, but it was reserved
to the steady hand and the keen eye of the Crown
Prince to bring down the last black and vulturous bird
which forms the emblem of his House, and, amid the
heartiest cheers from his brother officers, he was pr?.
claimed Rifle King for the year. The. victory of his
as
gctiohne
wHasighlanteesslyisaffialilotthede mwiotrhe creditable to
somewhat
painful
unlervaffee
to
abandon
anthdeofnooth, in
South Germany."
iswihnitechndheagd tcoourinpoefiledmilitnary, ILsipsecßsitidon
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-08-30

IN THE MATTER OF

THE ELECTION OF COMMISSIONERS,
In tne place of those who go out by rotation,
ON THURSDAY, the 4th day of SEPTEMBER, 1879'
Being the first Thursday in September.

Ithe undersigned, JOHN TAYLOR, Clerk to the
litourbridge Improvement Commissioners, incor-
porated under the Btonrbridge Improvement Act, 1866,
do hereby GIVE PUBLIC NOTICE as follows :

That for the purpose of the Election of Commissioners'
the Township of Stourbridge is divided into Three Wards
namely, the East Ward, the West Ward, and the South
Ward.

That on the 4th day of September, 1879, being the
first Thursday in the said month, three of the Commis-
sioners who have been elected for each of the said three
Wards, will go out of office by rotation, and they may be
re-elected.

That for the purpose of Electing Three Commissioners
for each of the said three Wards, in the place of those
who go out of office by rotation as aforesaid. a Meeting
of the persons entitled to Vote in each of the said three
Wards will be held on the said. THURSDAY, the 4th
day of September, 1879.
That HENRY auGaßs, of Lure Lane, Upper
Swinford, as the Chairman of the Stourbridge Improve-
ment Commissioners, is the RETURNING. OFFICER
at the said Election.
That the said HENRY HUGHES, as such Chairman
as aforesaid, has appointed JOHN ICK, of Stourbridge.
one of the said Commissioners, to be the PRESIDING
OFFICER at the said Election for the EAST W AEI) ;
and HENRY HICKLIN, of High Street, S.:on:bridge,
in the said Township, ()net)! the said Commi,si,oers, to
be the PRESIDING OFFICER at the said Election for
the WEST WARD.

That the said HENRY HUGHES, as such Chairman
as aforesaid, is the PRESIDING OFFICER at the said
Election for the SOUTH WARD, that being the Ward
for which he was Elected a Commissioner.
JOHN TAYLOR,
Clerk to the said Commissioners.
Dated this 28th day of August. 1879.

GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY.

TEMPERANCE FETE AT CRYSTAL PALACE.

ON TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2nd, an
Excursion Train for LONDON (Kensington),
and the CRYSTAL PALACE will leave Dudley at 4 35;
Round Oak, 4.43; Brettell Lane, 4.8; stourbr2dge,
5.0; Kidderminster, 5 15; Droitwich, 5 40 ; and Wor-
cester (Shrub Hill), 6.0 a.m., returning same day.
Passengers can obtain tickets to London, to return
September sth.
See Special Bills.

J. GRIERSON, General Manager.

VICTORIA HA r,L, S TOURBRID GE,

FOR THREE NIGHTS ONLY,

THURSDAY, 1 RIDAY, AND SATURDAY,
SEPTEMBER 4th, sth, and 6th,
THE WORLD RENOWNED TRAGEDIENNE,
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-08-30

During the same period sixty-seven persons have
been charged with drunkenness. Fifty-seven paid
fines, six went to gaol in default of payment, one
was committed to prison without the option of a
fine, and three were dismissed. Leaving sixty-four
convictions, being an increase of thirty-two ag
compared with the year 1878, which he attributed
to the strike of the nailmakers, when the number
in the previous year was thirty-two.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-08-30

THE BLACK EXODUS FROM KANSAS.

The Secretary of the Emigrant Aid Society of the Dlatric
of Columbia has received a letter from Governor St. John,
Fresideut of the Freedman's Relief Association, of Kansas,
who says :
" The tide of emigration continues to flow north-
ward in an almost unbroken stream, and, unless
checked by the quarantine regulations established
along the Mississippi, there in no telling just when it
will stop. We find it very difficult, with the means
at our command, to relieve the necessities of the re-
fugees, but are doing the best we can, and have thus
far prevented any actual suffering. It seems to me
that the people of the North do not comprr bend the
magnitude of this movement; otherwise they would
certainly take a greater interest in the matter. So
far, our association has extenied aid to about 4,000
destitute coloured people. We have obtained
employment for thew, and placed them in such
a situation that they are now self-sustaining:
but it has cost a great deal of money. We
have received some aid front abroad ; in fact, from
certain sections of the country quite liberal dona-
tions have come. The city of Cleveland, Ohio, has
given 1 600 dole., but the great city of New York, so
far as I know, has not give?' that many cents. What
is needed is money. Our finds are nearly exhausted,
and whether we shall receive further contributions
nothing but the future car determine. Of one thing,
however, you may rest assured; young Kansas will
not falter in her duty towsrds this people, and I only
the entire country would wake up to the magni-
tude of•the movement. Our association has expended
so far, for the relief of destitute refugees, a little over
6,000 dole."

THE SUNSHINE. —The Astronomer Royal reports
that the duration of registered bright sunshine last
week was 175 hours, the sun being above the horizon
during the 998 hours; the recorded duration of sun-
shine wad, therefore, e4tal to 18 per cent. of its pos-
sible duration.

IRRIGA.TION IN ARIZOICA.—There is a large extent of
very arid and desert country lying to the sou.h of
Arizona, which is surposed to have been an ancient
sea-bed. This di.trict, which is only about forty
miles from the bead of the Gulf of California and is
considerably below tie level of the sea, it is proposed
to flood sith the water from the Pacific by means of
a canal. A lake, twenty miles long, which already
exists, will shorten tte canal by one-half, and the work
is expected to be completed in six months, at a cost of
2200,000.
How TO CATCO CARP.—An easy way of taking
carp is to put a Ilene of bread on an ordinary leadlees
line, letting the Fame float on the surface of the water.
The carp, especially the large ones, rise to the surface
and take the broad. They are in fact less suspicious`
of it when floating on the stream than when under
water.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-08-30

DESTRUCTIVE HURRICANES.

A violent hurricane has swept through the valley of
Bez (Dreme) and destroyed all the wheat and potato
crops and a large number of vines. The loss, which
Is shared by 300 persons, amounts to 300,000 fr., and is
not covered bylinsurance. M. Laurent, a farmer in
the valley, was carried away by the Bain, which was
greatly swollen, and drowned.
A letter from Moncton, New Brunswick, dated
August 7, says :—" A fearful hurricane passed up the
Bucloshe River last night, carrying away a large
bridge, destroying 80 buildings, and doing much other
damage. The tower of the Catholic chapel was also
carried away. The convent was saved. Three people
were killed, and many were badly injured."
From Boutouche it is added :—" Information has
been received that the destruction of property by the
storm has been much more extensive t ean at first sup-
posed. Very few houses have escaped damage. Be-
sides that done to the spire and roof of the Roman
Catholic chapel, the outbuildings, store, house, and
barns of the Rev. M. Michaud are a mass of ruins. Miss
Julia Michaud, niece of the priest, was severely injured.
The convent was some what racked, but is still standing.
Several cords of bark, awaiting shipment, with
several rafts of deals, were driven to sea. Irving's
warehouse was utterly destroyed. A large school
building, with furniture and library, are a total
loss. Timbers a ton in weight were raised and
carried several hundred feet by the violence of the
tempest. The old moulding-shop and other build-
ings at the ship-yard were swept away. Fences are
levelled in all directions, and the ruins of farm-
houses and barns defy description. In many
cases they are strewn for miles along the highway.
Crops and valuable forests lands are completely de-
stroyed. Deaths are continually reported. In one in-
stance a mother was crushed to death, while her child
in her arms was uninjured. Several children in the
Doltard Settlement are missing. They were picking
berries, audit is supposed they were killed. Visitors are
arriving from all parts, and aubscrintiona to the etarv-
ing country people are freely made."

Tbe Eclipse balloon made an ascent at the Crystll
Palace on Mondv, and narrowly escaped disaster. The
ascent was made at three o'clock, and in an hour and
a quarter it travelled about fifty miles, to some distance—
eight or ten miles—beyond Southend in the direction of
Itochford. An attempt was made to descend about two
miles beyond Rochford, and when the machine had come
near the ground the valve slipped, causing the partially-
fillet' balloon to roll and bump very much; but at length it
came into contact with a tree, which tore the silk and so
caused the balloon to collapse. The car contained two tra-
vellers, who were driven by a lady to Santhend, the balloon
being conveyed thither Ina cart.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-08-30

TRIAL OF A LIFE-SAVING APPARATUS.

On Saturday morning a trial of a cleverly-con-
structed life-belt, invented by Mr. C. O. Weeks,
Board of Trade surveyor at Southampton, was made
in the Southampton Docks in the presence of a large
number of gentlemen connected with the shipping
interests. The belt consists of small airtight copper
vessels, which are so influenced by a concealed brass
spring as to cause it to encircle the body, and by an
ingenious and simple contrivance it becomes attached
firmly, yet comfortably, to the person. There are no
straps or tapes required, and its application is in-
stantaneous. It possesses a buoyancy cf 401 b., and its
design allows of its stowage in a great variety of ways
and places on board any vessel, so that it can be
always accessible. The handiness, comfort, buoyancy,
moderate cost, and general efficiency of the belt gave
great satisfaction to all present.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-08-30

DUDLEY AND WALSALL.

DIANOFORTES and TTARMONIIMIS may I
.j be had on the NEW SYSTEM of HIRING, for Two or
Throe Years; after which, and without any further pay•
ment, to ireeorae this property of th• hirer. Alllnstru-
stouts had on this system, or otherwise, will be
Extkanged any tine within six inonthe for any other, if
no tapproved of, and returned earrings free. And bar-
ite:, after a trial of three years, any Pianoforte or Bar-
nacni..na would be taken back. at its original cost, and
tb einoney returned, deducting the usual charge for
to ; thus offering greater advantages than the London
o Houees.—AppIyFREDZAICK GREEN
atic Warehouse. 260, Castle-street, Dudley, and 671
E Ark-street. Walsall.'
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-08-30

THE POTATO CROP.

ELECTRICITY AS A MOTIVE POWER,

On Saturday evening the British Association had
arranged for a lecture to working men at the Albert
Hall, on " Electricity as a Motive Power," by Pro-
fessor W. E. Ayrton, formerly of Japan. The hall
was filled in every part by an audience consisting
chiefly of operatives. Professor Ayrton, in his lecture,
showed that electricity was a motive power, just as
steam and water are, and predicted that at some
future time it would take the place of both of these
"old friends." The lecture was illuminated by a
large number of experiments, some of them being
very startling and brilliant. The platform re-
sembled a laboratory, having been specially pre-
pared for the lecture. Wires of various lengths and
thickness hung from the roof, and crossed and re-
crossed each other in apparently a chaotic manner, and
the platform and tables were covered with electric
machines and other scientific appliances, to make the
lecture plainer and popular. A large number of dia-
grams had been specially prepared and hung so as to
nearly hide the organ from view. To show that elec-
tricity could be used as a motive power though gene-
rated at a distance, a number of wires attached to
machines on the platform were connected with Messrs.
Walker and Hall's works in Howard-street, and the
electric current was conveyed from the works to the
hall. By this means a sewing machine was made to
work. A small locomotive engine, which the lecturer
called the "engine of the future," was made to per.
form a circular journey. A lathe was turned at which
a workman did some turning. A circular saw was set
in motion, and a quantity of wood sawn into thin
strips. Spoons were plated, water was boiled, and
the screw of a ship turned. A Sheffield grinder sat at
an emery wheel and polished a knife, the wheel being
driven by an electric current. Many other experi-
ments were shown, including the electric light, and
the conclusion the lecturer came to wasthat electricity
would some day become the great motive power of
the world, and would very soon supersede gas for
illuminating purposes.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-08-30

GENERAL GRANT IN CHINA AND
JAPAN.

The San Francisco Alta of August 3rd gives extracts from
a private letter of General Grant, written under date of
Tokoi, Japan, July 16
We have now been in Japan nearly a month, the
guests of the nation, and have received the most un-
bounded hospitalities. Our first stop in the country
was at Nagasaki, where we remained nearly a
week. It was a continuous ovation while we re-
mained. From Nagasaki we came up through
the inland sea to Yokohama, anchoring at night,
so as to lose no part of the scenery. It is grand
beyond description, and strongly in contrast with what
we had left in China. In Japan the country is moun-
tainous and green and fresh to the very summit of the
highest hills. In China—so far as the foreigner
usually sees it—it is a flat, desert-looking dust or mud
plain—depending upon whether it is the dry or rainy
season—without anything to relieve the eye. The
scenery up through the inland sea is very grand, and
we got as good a view of it as is possible from the deck
of a steamer, but we did not land anywhere. The
cholera had broken out a few days before our arrival
all along the borders of the sea, and was carrying off
the people by hundreds. . . . The Chinese Govern-
ment are very anxious to keep all their people at
home, and, if not interfered with, they will stop
emigration."
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-08-30

EXECUTION IN LONDON.

James Dilley, aged 41, who was convicted with
Mary Rainbow, aged 29, of the murder of their illegi-
timate female child at Hornsey, was executed on
Monday morning, at eight o'clock, within the walls of
the gaol of Newgate. The female prisoner on Satur-
day afternoon was reprieved by the Home Secretary.
The prisoners appear to have conducted themselves
very well while they have been in Newgate. and paid
the greatest attention to the Rev. Mr. Jones, the
chaplain. The man has never attempted to deny his
guilt, and he admitted that his sentence was a just one,
but he appeared very anxious that the life of Mary
Rainbow should be spared. They did not see each
other after they left the dock together, but on Sunday
Dilley was informed that the life of the woman would
be spared, and he appeared gratified.
The culprit went to bed about ten o'clock on Sunday
night, and it is rather an extraordinary fact that it
was the first night since his conviction that he enjoyed
undisturbed repose. When he was aroused about
Fix o'clock he partook of breakfast. The Rev. Mr.
Jones was with him from seven, and the prisoner
prayed with him earnestly. Mr. Sheriff Burt and
Under• Sheriff Baxter arrived at the prison a few
minutes befoare eight o'clock, and they at once pro-
ceeded to the cell of the prisoner' where the cere-
mony of pinioning was performed by Marwood, the
executioner. The prisoner did not say anything,
except to thank the governor and ordinary and the
officials of the prison for the kindness he had received
from them. He appeared very dejected, and walked
with difficulty to the scaffold. The prison bell began
tolling shortly before eight o'clock. The prisoner
placed himself under the rope, which was speedily
adjusted, and when the drop fell the rope was of such
a length that he was completely hidden from view.
There were a few persons assembled outside the prison
at the moment the black flag was hoisted.
In accordance with the ,new rules of the Home
Office, no representatives of the Press were admitted
to witness the execution. _ _

__. .
An inquest was held- on the body, at which Mr.
Sidney R. Smith, the Governor of Newgate, said, in
answer to a question put by the coroner, that the body
viewed by the jiiry was that of the man James Dilley.
Mr. J. R. Uribson, the surgeon at Newgate, said the
causes of death in this case were strangulation and
suffocation. The jury returned a verdict in accord-
ance with the evidence and the proceedings termi-
nated.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-08-30

DROUGHT IN ASIA.

The correspondent of the Times at Bushire telegraphs
under date, Aug. 24 :

"The comparative drought which favoured our
operations in Afghanistan last winter seems to have
prevailed over Asia generally, the effect upon the
usual spring harvests both in South Persia and in the
Pashaliks of Bagdad and Bussorah being now
severely felt. The price of grain and other toed in
the south of Persia are exceedingly high, and in Meso-
potamia wheat is selling at thrice its usual figure.
The waters of the Tigris and Euphrates have fallen
so low that the ordinary channels of irrigation are
useless, and the Tuiks, with rude ingenuity throw-
ing a dam across the Tigris about 200 miles above
Bussorah, have tried to force the water artificially
into the irrigation channels. This has, of course,
seriously interfered with the navigation of the river
between Bagdad and Bussorah, and the steamers
which ply between those places are obliged to break
the journey and tranship their cargoes and passengers
on arrival at the dam. Grain, which during the
last few years was largely exported from Bussorah
to India, is now taking a reverse course, and should
a second dry winter follow Persia will be threatened
with a repetition of the disastrous famine of 1872.
The heat in Bagdad, Bussorah, and in the Persian
Gulf generally was durinz last month unusually great,
some hundred persons having succumbed to it at Bus-
sorah, including the newly-arrived Turkish Commo-
dore and several Europeans on board merchant vessels.
Her Majesty's ship Beacon lost its surgeon at Bahrein
on account of the heat, and the crew are suffering so
severely from exhaustion that it was deemed advisable
to order the ship to the cooler climate of Muscat. The
weather has now moderated, and August has hitherto
been unusually cool."
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-08-30

THE FUTURE OF THE LAND
QUESTION.

Mayfair remarks The Earl of Beaconsfield took
a great deal of trouble at the Lord Mayor's banquet
to discuss the agricultural question of this country.
He no doubt conclusively proved to himself and his
friends that small holdings by farmers were a mistake,
and that large landed proprietors possessing thousands
a acres is the only state likely to be permanently pro-
fitable for England. I wonder whether his lord-
ship thought for a moment of the immense tracts
of land which lie waste in even this small country
of ours; land which, if not preserved but cul-
tivated, would produce much of that produce
the want of which is so complained of? It is
not necessary to go far from the metropolis to see
this waste land. But it is necessary to look at the
subject from a far-sighted point of view. 'Enough
for the day is the evil thereof,' may be a good motto
in some cases, but true statesmanship should provide
for the future. If things go on as they do now, the
day is not far distant when the whole of England will
be possessed by about a dozen large proprietors. As
leases fall in they are not renewed, and the freeholds
reverting to the original holders reduce the property
of the tenants, who, instead of living rent-free, have
to pay heavily. This in time will have its effect, and
that progress which has enabled England to maintain
her position will stop."