The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1869-01-02 00:00:00

of the National Rifle Association at Wimbledon; and
the further munificence of Mr. Peabody towards the
poor of London, his total bounty now amounting to
235.),000.

with skirmishes and battles more or less serious, but
which are no common in South America, that they
attract but little notice ; the advent of the fint Chinese
einietsssy to England ; a revolution in Japan, though
ultimately not of a very formidable character, owing
to the opening of ports to fineigners ; workmen's
strikes and rioting in Belgium ; the assassination of
Mr, D'Arcy At'llet., in Canada, by a Fenian ; the
assassination if Prim:, ielrael of Servia, fir which
fourteen persons were condo:toed 1111 t: iI : the
scourge of yellow fever in Callao and I i , by si kb
15,000 persons perished; a great tire in Pennsylvania.
during which 200. dwellings and stores were destroyed;
an insurrection of Matinee in New Zealand, giving our
forces there much trouble; the massacre of several
Christians in Cochin-China; and the destruction of
the city of Alamos, Lower California, by a water-
spout, upwards of seventy persons being drowned.

Looking abroad, we recall the impression that
the uneasy attitude of Prussia and France ts wards
each other during the year, and their evident reliance
on the strength of their armaments, has given some
concern to Europe; but, happily, the year closes with
the great Continental nations peaceful, and with the
people, at all events, incre.ingly desirous to avoid
war.

Our relations with America have, on the whole,
been very friendly, the only embitterment being the
still outstanding claims of the United States Govern-
ment for the depredations caused by cruisers in the Con-
federate service, alleged to have been built or equipped
in English waters. Negotiations have been carried on
throughout the year, and at the London Guildhall
banquet Mr. Reverdy Johnson, the new American
Minister, made a most gratifying announcement—
that the differences which had co long existed between I
the two countries might be considered at an end.
While still congratulating ourselves, however, on this
fact, news reached us, about a month afterwards, that
:he protocol to which Lord Stanley and Mr. Johnson
had agreed as a basis of settlement had lwen returned
to England by the American G,,vernment. But the
President, in his Message, alluding to this old grievance,
sp.,ke of pending negotiations in Fitch terms as to lead
us to hope that the dispute may soon be amicably
settled.

The Obituary of the year is a long one, and among
those who have fallen by the shaft of the King of
Terrors, who "heeds not the beautiful, nor fears the
brave," are many men of eminence. The ranks of
statssmen and men of note by their position or wealth
have been thinned by the loss of Lord Ventry,
the Earl of Roseberry, Lord Carrington, the
Earl of Cardigan, Sir Charles Salisbury, Sir B. L,
einness, Lord Dunfermline, the Earl of Shannon,
the Marquis of Downshire, the night Hon. S. R.
Lushington, Field Marshal Sir Edward Blakeney,
Sir James Brooke, K.C.8., Rajah of Sarawak, and
subsequently his sueces.or, Capt. Johnson Brooke ;
Lord Brougham ; Lord Cran worth, formerly Lord Chan-
cellor; Sir Edmund Head, Governor General of Canada;
Sir John Scott Lillie, Lieut Coh of the Grenadiers;
Sir W. Shee, and Lord Wensleydale, Judges of the
Court of queen's Bench ; General Sir George
P. Wyrner, Colonel of the 107th Regiment ;
General Sir F. Cockbut Colonel of tha
95th Regiment ; the Earl of Normanton; Lord
Howard de Walden, British Minister in Belgium;
I Lord Ashburton ; the young Marquis of Hastings;
the Dowager Duchess of Sutherland ; Major General
Sir R. W. Honner, K.C.B. ; Lord Somerville, k:lled
in the hunting-field ; Mr. James Disraeli, brother of the
ca-Premier; Lord Belhaven ;and Sir Herbert Eiwartles,
ROB., of Indian fame. Among those whom we
have lost from the Church are the Yen. H. Tatham,
Archdeacon of Bedford ; the Bishop of Peterborough ;
Dr. Nlilman, Dean of St. Paul's, London ; the Most
Rev. Dr. Whately, Archbishopof Dublin ; Dr. Longley,
Archbishop of Canterbury; the Rev. A. Peytm, rector
of the richest living in England (gB,OOO a year), and the
Rev. E. Hawkins, Canon of Westeninister. The
principalmen of science, artiste, authors, actors, &c.,who
hays died during the past year, are Mr. Charles Kean,
the tragedian ; Miss Adah Isaacs Alenken ; Sir David
Brewster, principal of Editibutgh University; Mr.
George Cattermole, artist ; Mr. Edward Jesse,
' naturalist; Mr. Samuel Lover, novelist and Is, :t ;
the Eight Hon. W. I'. Bosse, President of the Royal
Society and inventor of the Rose° telescope ; Sir J.
South, F. R.S., one of the founders of the Royal Astro-
nomical Society ; Mr. S. Housman, painter and
.Iraughteman ; Dr. Waagen, art mitic ; Dr. H.
Brown, surgeon to the Queen and the late Prince
Consort; Mr. Harrison, operatic singer and manager;
Dr. Herapath, the celebrated clismist ; Mr. Samuel
Lucas, author and journalist ; and Mr. J. B. Manson,
editor of the E lie/At:vie Daly Pe view. Among the
foreign names of note to he halm! in the year's
obituary are Marshal Narvaez, Duke of Valencia;
Marshal O'Donnell, Duke if Tetuan ; Mr. Thaddeus
Stevens, American statesman ; Count Louis de
Cantbacres, Leeitimist statesman ; Herr Hilde-
brandt, landscape painter; the Duke of Aragon,
commander-irechief of the Neapolitan cavalry ;
Count Walewski, senator and diplomatist ; Baron
James de , Rothschild, fifth son of Meyer Anselm,
founder of the house ; 7sl. Berryer, Legitimist lawyer
and statesman ; Rossini, the prolific composer ; the
King of Siam; and Sir Richard Mayne, K.C.8., First
Commissioner of Metropolitan Police.

At the close of the year 1867 King Theodore, the
despot ,4 Abyssinia, still hell in chains a number of
English and foreign missionaries and officials, and an
expedition under Sir Robert Napier had left Bombay
for the scene of captivity, all milder means having
failed. Our expeditionary force had immense diffi-
culties to contend against, owing to the character of
the country, its inhabitants, and its climate, but the
purely military difficulty was nothing, and on the 13th
of April the fortress of Magdala fell. King Theodore
was either shot in the attack, or died by his own hand,
aial the captives were released. At the commence-
ment of June the greater part of the force left Abys-
sinia. The thanks of Parliament were heartily given ,
to Sir Robert and his troops in July, and in the aatne
month the freedom of Loudon was given to the
General, who had been created Lord Napier of
Magdala. Never, p,-rhap, was there a more just war
more nobly fought than that which gave him his title.
Alamayou, the little son of Theodore, is now in this
vaintry as the protige of her Majesty, who is having
him educated.

The intelligence from France has been, throughout
the year, chiefly of an ordinary character till towards
its close. Some progress has been made towards that
popular liberty which the Emperor and Ms Govern-
ment do not consider it wise to permit in its entirety,
and especially in the matter of public meetings and in
respect to the Pro's has there been some relaxation of
previous restrictions. At the same time it should be
mentioned, that the Emperor and the Empress,
although the former has had ill-health occasionally to
contend against, have led a most active life, mid have
personally aided several important works of improve-
ment for the benefit of the people. The attitude of
France towards other countries has been pacific and
in aceorilance with the words ot the Emperor (through
the Finance Minister), on the occasion of producing
the Budget, "France neither threatens nor f(ars any
one. She wishes for peace, and her Government
resolutely desires it. Everything leads to the hope
that peace will not be disturbed." Later in the year,
in August, the Emperor spoke in similar pacific
strains. Addressing the people of Troyes, he remarked,
" Nothing at this moment threatens the peace of
Europe." At one time, however, there was something
that threatened the peace of l'aris, if not of France.
• here was some excitement in the capital on the anni-
versary of the death of M. Baudin, a man of extreme
opinions and considerable influence (over the working
classes, 11114 there was to be a grand demonstration at
the cemetery of Pere la Chaise. The Government,
however, took ample precautions—went rather too far,
perhaps—and no seri ius result occurred. 'rite French
Government is still on bad terms with many organs of
the Press, and prosecutions or threats of prosecution
ale frequent; but on the whole, France may be con-
gratulated on her tranquillity and prosperity.

And now we close our retrospect of the year. It
dies with the burden of many a dark deed on its soul,
hut who shall say whether the good that has charac-
terised it—the unwritten love and kindliness that we
can never set off against the folly, and sin, and crime,
that are so carefully chronicled— al/Cl3 not outweigh the
evil? At least, this is no time for gloomy thoughts,
but rather a season for the indulgence of bright hopes
for the future ; 0111 so, in the WOI Is of England's
favourite poet, we hope that me are entering on "a
happy new year," and that the joy-bells which ring in
the year 180 may
Ring out old shapes of foul dis
Ring sit the untrowing lust 1 gold ;
Ring nut the thousand wars of old,
•
Ring in the thousand years of peace.

The Islands of the Archipelago have been politically
in an unsettled stat- for some time past. In May we
received intelligence of an insurrection in Crete, and
at intervals disquieting news arrived relative to serious
fl fferences between Turkey and Greece, owieg to the
latter power pursuing an antagonistic eourse towards
the Sultan's authority in Crete. Towards the close of
the year there was reason to believe that Greece was
actively suoporting an expedition against Turkey.
What may be the upshot of these threatening relations
remains to be seen, but it is satisfactory to learn thatthe Governments of England, France, and illMbt, !
knowing that an" Eastern queeti. in' is very danger. ma A SCENE IN LIMERICK.
to the peace of Europe, pointed out to Greece the A strange *mete oreureed in I,rmeriek on Saturday
serisms conseiptences that would ensue from a rupture afternoon.' The Board of guns huts recently quarrelled
betwe..n her aml 'Turkey. It is to be regretted that with a surgeon, awl dismissed him. He brought an
the hint was not taken, and thus more I,cisi '
ve t,‘...trie",%,,t'',‘,i';,'t ay tl!lici'l"klf"Nitt- II '
:iii:lis cc.'::s"tis',n"at'n":„ldntintgit'Yo
inemmt,-8 avoided ; but Turkey haying aadresseit an some hundreds more. A question WA,' arisss whether
ultimatum to Greece. the great Powers immediately this sum sherd,' le, lernel from titer .tepayers. Several
assumed what we may call a forcibly pacific attitude; of them strongly object to put teeir hands into their
and the year closed with a confident hope that, either preoclectati,t,t‘,
,ply
it
-, gi,rn
i.endinie,,,,A,
through a conference, or by the separate good offices toqt.'elcich'he c'allt..d 11"publie meeting for Mayor, in
last
of the great Powers, pacifie counsels will prevail. to ratitsider the +lnject. The Com-Heave, however, was
' taken ts.ssession ..f hv the pepalace and others who sup.
The news front Spain hits, on the whole, perhaps, 'motel the action of .the guardiaus, and the whole cha-
been looked for with more interest than that f rein any racterof the meeting was transformed. Th.. namesof the
other Continentfl natien. At the commencement 4,f requisitiamiste were re .d out by a rev. gentleman amid
the year Queen Isabella appeared to be stated firmly tullear,iiseivtieo citl.,tnm ,
eats 1-,y, t.ll
i rtra.;.l%i'dncien. tOT,lreas
tetr,xtp,t,,zrs
su
tin her thr.me, anti to have the pport of the most bist it watt' ..mece'sPsielelle, resisted by a nliagistrate, who'
powerful party in the country, if not the love of her pepmaunced it unconstitutional. The promoter+ of the
subjects. In replying ti. the address foal her paella- meeting were at length obliged to beat a retreat, and
ment in January, she saki, "My fidelity to theConstb speeches were made anti resoletiens were passed
tutien will be as lasting as icy Catholicity." • Her dweilt;7.....cnlislgfotrhesn, as Oria.n,getrnzntrderc.ot,ir,ifm;indreing Ile,
Government, however, became increasingly unpopular hat'l I .I..en referee'! 'i
'tort;
'in6the 'dispute with the Mercy
as the year advanced, one great cause being the In fact, the position was completely shifted, and the
heavier bunions of taxation which were laid n;-in the tone of the meeting WAS changed from cosure to
people. In March the country was in a very disturbed compliment.
state, and there were heel ri to in several places, The ft llowing incident in connection wlth the
but the government met all thin sort of thing only meeting is related:—
by increasing their military and police arrangements.
hThe Rev. Mr. Shanahan, before moving a resoluttan, asked
The death of Marshal Narvaez, and other facts, turi.,,ittrn.terdtsitli:loeziretote‘et 7,ttli,rli,ei:iiaayi% jlitch:larn..r
idle
led to a change of vitinistry in April, but there man stated that the reason for making the request was that
was no change for the better in the Govern- 11..;11,t'ted,it"o"ottetiactsh;lactlii:Pitit"i't11,13'.'a 'ltirelilYtesElarill
!sent of tlie country. The mutterings of a Catholic Mayors since the reformed corporation having been
coining revolution began to make themselves heard TAlov,Tl.9,,,ri!,e,rrytit,',l.l"ter 'lt. plate fir (111,,... Lion;i: put on
yh yhteh:
at the commeneement of July. A few days afterwards enigeite'd by the I,..rd.Licatenan't. This annoineement
the Spanish Minister in London telegrmdied to Madrid ere I.eil fresh excitenie..t in the meeting. its a:lied the
that General Prim, who had been staying there, had ,Inaty.t,ritwo,a: iht:eiltatibel,,mette'rxiai,enilavti,reetttlitir,e
ieLtuyl4
disappeared, and that it was thought that his move- (the Mayor elect) stated that his father hail WO7ll the chain,
ments were ominous. Popular discontent continued l't9Veit.c.e.utril'
b Itin litisired,ssie'73l„.„"ilit'ert'O'rie'hie'"ltabTiraltinnen ha's7
increasingly to manifest itself in several districts, and . had twee lwefore. The chain was limn shown to alderman
insurrectionary bands were formed to auth an extent . Tingley, who had worn it, and lie declared that the change
I had been made.
that the Government became alarmed, and at length 1
the military and the people were in open conflict. A i
Ministerial crisis ensued, and the Queen, having invited
General Pezuela to form a Cabinet, was met by the
demand to dismiss Marfori, her favourite intendant,
which she declined to accede to. The Queen and her
immediate friends and admirers became more Pahl more
unpopular, and at length, in September, the fleet
declared against the Sovereign and her few supporters;
the arsenal rose against the Government, and some
exiled generale returned to brave the fury of the
etorrn which they saw would probably be of little
danger to themselves. Marshal de Is Form, formerly
President of the Senate, placed himself at the head of
the ineurreerionary party, which declared itself against
the reigning dynasty. 'l'he insurrection then became
is Revolution, for it became a success. l'he Queen, after
a reign of thirtydive yearn (nominally succeeding to
the throne on the 29th of September, ISA and quitting
it on the 29th of September, 186 e) escaped to France,
with Marfori, her intendant, and a few friends and
servants ; a Central junta was established at Madrid ;
Generals Prim, Serrano, and tithere, united to preserve
order and carry out the Revolution; a Provisional
Government was formed ; and the last Bourbon sove-
reign fell a just sacrifice to her own tyranny. An era
of political, commercial, and general reform then set
in ; and, although the spirit of faction, of course, soon
began to work, Spain may be heartily coneratulated
that, by the wisdom of her new and partly self-con-
stituted rulers, and through the forbearance and love
of order manifested by her people, she has now entered
on a care. r which promieles to give to her that liberty
and progress which has been PO long denied her.

Ring in the valiant "nen and f ee,
'the lay!, r heart, the kindl'er hand
Ring out the darktn si of the land,
Ring tit the Uhri,t that is to I.

Among the minor evmta in the year's foreign and I
colonial history, we will but jot down the bringing home
of the remains of the unfortunate Emperor Maximilian,
and the sail mental mato, ly of his . MOW ; the erup-
tion of Mount V eAIIV illf. at the beginning of the year,
, and its ocasional subsequent outlay ate, to the
destruction of life and property ; and an outburst, not \,
very serious, of Mount Etna ; the marriage of Prince
Humbert, eldest son of Victor Emmanuel, and the
Princess Margaret of Italy ; the protracted attempts
and the ultimate failure to convict President Johnson
of treason under the law of impeachment ; the prosecu-
tion, or, as some would say, the persecution of ex-
Govern, a' Eyre for his alleged excesses in Jamaica,
which have limilarly failed ; serious inundations in
various parts Id Switzerland ; the election of General
Grsnt as President of the United States; a battle
between Russia and Bokhara, the former being
victorious, and the Emir of Bokhara being killed ; the
opening of the railway through Mount Cenis (June 9) ;
a great fire at Bremen, destroying an immense amount
, of property ; the uncovering if the Luther Imam-min
; at Worms, the King of Prussia being present, and a
; telegram fr..m Queen Victoria being read at the
1 ceremony ; the disturbed state of Paraguay and Brazil,