biglam/hmd_newspapers huggingface dataset:
The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-06-01

THE SEA SERPENT.

The Sea Serpeut has been seen again; this time by the
crew and passengers of the chip Burnam on her voyage to
Coromandel, and when in Hauraki Gulf. The captain was
interviewed by a reporter from the Timaru Herald, and
Captain Somerville gave the following statement, which he
is willing to testify to on oath :

"I was engaged at dinner in my cabin, when the
mate called out to me to come and look at what he
thought was a whale. The vessel was then passing
Brown Island. On going on deck I saw a large
monster, which I thought was a common spouting
black fish, but on looking closely I found this was not
the case. It had a head resembling that of an im-
mense eel, with a pair of flanges which looked very much
like the ears. The neck and part of the body were out of
water, and reached about thirty feet in the air.
The colour of the whole body was jet black. The
body appeared to be ten feet in diameter, and I
believe the monster had lost itself awl got into
water too shallow to allow it to swim. It remained
in this position for about a minute, the steamer being
about a mile from the spot. Suddenly the neck and
head came down on the water with a loud crash, and
spray was thrown for a long distance round. I imme-
diately ran back to my cabin for my glass. On exa-
mining the monster more closely, I was convinced
that it was neither a black fish nor a thresher. I am

too well acquainted with sea fish not to know the dif-
ference. It was like one of the sea serpents which
have been so often described in newspapers. If, when
beating the water with the upper portion Of its body,
it had struck the stem of the vessel, the blow would
certainly have shattered it to pieces. The vessel pro-
ceeded in the direction of the supposed serpent, but it
dived and disappeared in the direction of the Sands.
pit."
The correspondent adds to the above that from
inquiries he has made, there is no doubt the facts as
recorded are genuine. They are testified to by num-
bers of well-known gentlemen of undoubted probity,
passengers by the steamer.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-06-01

MRS. HUNS TON,

(LASNEY /AND HUNSTON),
HONITON POINT LACE MANUFACTURER,
122, HIGH•ST., STOURBRID GE.

LADIES AND CHILDREN'S UNDERCLOTHING

AND
BABY LINEN WAREHOUSE.

MERINO AND FLANNEL VEST,
SCARLET AND WHITE
FLANNEL PETTICOATS
MERINO, SIMI, & BALBRIGGAN HOSIERY.

AGENT For.
PULLAR AND SONS'

DYERS TO THE QUEEN.
PER T H.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-06-01

THE GREAT MILL EXPLOSION IN
AMERICA.

Particulars of the terrific explosion in the Washburn
flour mill, Minneapolis, through which six large mills
were destroyed, have been received. The explosion
occurred about seven o'clock in the evening on the 2nd
of May, and shook the city like an earthquake. The
Washburn mill was the largest in the states, and was
completely destroyed. Several other mills were in
close proximity, to which the flames extended, and in a
very short time five of the buildings were enveloped in
flames, all of them being burnt to the ground before
the fire could be extinguished. It was rumAured that
between seventy and eightypeople had perished by the
catastrophe, but this was fortunately untrue, though
the number of killed was lamentably great, eighteen per-
sons having lost their lives. The disaster took place at a
time when the night and day hands were changing,
otherwise the number of killed would have been very
great. The other mills destroyed were the Galaxy,
the Hennepin or Diamond, Humbolt, Petitt Robinson's
mill, and the Zenith. Up to the latest despatches
only nine of the bodies had been recovered, all, with
one exception, being dreadfully charred, and without
any semblance of humanity. The Washburn mill
was only erected in 1870, at a cost of 200,000 dole.
There were several other buildings destroyed by the
fire, while the explosion was so great that the windows
of the premises for some distance round were blown
out. The number of persons thrown out of employ-
ment is very great, but new mills are to be immediately
built.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-06-01

THE DRESSES AT THE STATE BALL.

Truth says :—" I asked a lady at the State ball to send me
the particulars of some of the dresses worn which struck her
fancy, for the benefit of my lady readers. Here is what she
writes :

"'The Princess of Wales wore a beautiful dress of
pale blue satin, nearly covered in different shades of
geraniums, which formed an entire tablier ; several
veils of tulle fell over it, and seemed fastened to a
small quilted satin train by bunches of geraniums. The
corsage was richly studded with rare gems and flowers.
The diadem which her Royal Highness wore was re-
splendent, and several rows of pearls fell over the
shoulders, and a row of matchless diamonds encircled
her throat. The Duchess of Teck wore a" most
unique toilette in satin, of the colour called vert
mousse, intermixed with magnificent br, cade of pale
cream, and bouquets of roses and leaves in the tints of
vert mousse; the jupe and corsage were draped in
scarves of finest Brussels lace drawn up with large
tiger-lilies. The Duchess of Manchester was beauti-
fully dressed in a Princesse robe of white satin, drawn
up over a jupe of tulle with branches of white magno.
Has and green leaves, and profusions of diamonds on
the corsage. The Duchess of Sutherland looked beau.
tiful ; she wore a dress entirely composed of black
tulle, with large Arum lilies, relieved by magnificent
jewels. '"
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-06-01

LYE.

BAZAAR AT THE LYE.—A bazaar WaS held on Monday
and Tuesday, in the Lye Temperance Hall, in aid of a
fund for building a new museum room at Waste Bank.
['he cost of the site and new building is estimated at
£630, of which about one-half has been promised, and
the bazaar was to help to supply the remain ler. Mr,
Alfred Freer opened the bazaar, and in the cousse of his
.emarks expressed a hope that a workmen's free hall
might be started at the Lye, similar to the one at
Stourbridge. A large number of ornamental and useful
articles were on sale at the bazaar.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-06-01

DEATH OF THE SCOTTISH GIANT.

Mr. William Campbell, the Scottish giant, died on
Sunday at his own house, the "Duke of Wellington,"
Newcastle-on-Tyne, at the age of 26. Campbell had
been exhibiting at the Egyptian Hall, and returned to
Newcastle' intending to stay only a few days. He
stood 6 feet 3 inches, weighed 52 stone, measured 96
inches round the shoulders, 76 round the breast, 47
round the thigh, wd 35 round the calf of the leg. He
was only ill ten dlys.
The funeral of Campbell took place on Tuesday
afternoon. The following particulars respecting it are
given :
•

The death of this extraordinary man has excited great
curiosity throughout the district, and the nigh-bridge, where
he lived, has been crowded with spectators since Sunday
last. The coffin, w hich was seven feet long, three feet
six inches wide, and two feet ten inches in depth,
made of elm, lined with lead, was taken to the
"Duke of Wellington " Inn at half-past eight o'clock
on Monday nigt.t, and, after considerable difficulty and
labour it was hoisted to the third storey of the house, where
the doors lay, by means of a pulley and tackle. The window
had been taken bodily away, and a portion of the adjacent
masonry was removed to enable the coffin to be brought into
the room. During this operation a large crowd had as-
sembled, and did not disperse till a late hour. Between four
and five o'clock on Tuesday morning the thoroughfare
began again to be alive with people to see the coffin
lowered. No hearse in the town being large enough
to hold the body of the deceased, a trolley was
engaged, and shortly after twelve on Tuesday, after
arduous labour, the coffin, which together with the body
weighed about a ton, was deposited on the waggon, which
was covered with black cloth drapery, the coffin itself
being overlaid with a pall. The procession started shortly
after half-past two o'clock, and consisted of the coffin with
five mourning coaches behind, preceded by the Buffalo band
playing the "Dead March in Saul," and 100 members of
the Buffalo Society, of which the deceased was a pro-
minent member. The windows and roofs of the houses
along the route were crowded by spectators, and the
aftarnoon being fine and clear, many ascended to the
top of Grey's Monument to obtain a view of the cortege as it
passed. In the cemetery upwards of 2,000 persons had as-
sembled, an equal number being on the road outside. The
coffin took an hour to lower into the grave, which was done
by shear legs; and the burial service was read by the Vicar
of Newcastle. The ceremony having been concluded, the
large concourse of people gradually dispersed.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-06-01

-tiocat aftb giotnct getvs.

COMMISSIONERS' MEETING.

The usual monthly meeting of this body was
held in the Board Room, bn Monday; Mr. Evers
in the chair. There were also present Messrs.
Hughes, Kelley, Ick, Hicklin, Allsop, Billingham,
and Stringer.
The minutes of the last meeting were read and
confir 11l ed. •
FINANCE COMMITTEES' REPORT.
The Clerk read the Finance Cominittees' report
which showed the following balances,: Highway
Account due front Treasurer to this date,
~t 24 8s 21; Improvement Account balance due
from Treasurer £286 6s Ott; Urban Sanitary 'Au-
thority Account balance due to Treasurer £209
14s 9d.

Your committee have examined a number of
accounts and recommend that the following ac-
counts be paid :—Etighway Account, £lO5 16s 4d;
Improvement Account, X 237 is 9d; Urban
Sanitary Account, £3l 5s Od. ,
Mr. Hughes proposed, and Jr.A Stringer seconded
that the report read be received. Carried.

REPORT OP THE GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE.
FIRE ESCAPE AND RhEL FOR HOSE.—Your Com-
mittee recommend that in addition to the three
ladders so constructed as to form one ladder
already ordered, that one similar tO the one in use
at the Birmingham Post Office, which is in three
parts, be procured.
MEDICAL OFFiCER OF HEALTH'S REPORT.—
Number of deaths registered from April 20th
to May 20th is 12, viz., 6 males and 6 females.
l'he death-rate is 15-3 per 1,000. The number of
births registered in the smile period is 22, viz., 10
males and 3 females. The birth-rate is 28-1
per 1,000. Only one death is reported from
ecarlatina and none from any other iymotic
disease.

The Medical Officer's Journal was laid before
your committee. Premises in Queen Street ana
the Gig Miii have been visited and iusauctions
given for the -reluovai of nuisances found there
and the iusi,rm,tiont, have been ca.i'ried out.

TOWN OFFICER'S REPORT.—The number of
nuisances remaining from last month, 24;
reported during the month, 55; total, 79 ; re-
moved, old, 20; new, 28; total, 66; remaining,
13. - Night Soil, 101 privies, 87 ashpits and the
cesspools belonging to 172 houses have been
emptied and cleansed and the contents removed.
Number of loads, 187. The registered slaughter-
houses and lodging-houses have been reported to
be in good sanitary conditicn. Three cases of
oveterowding are reported and have been removed.
l'he accounts for extra cleansing of streets,
formerly Turnpike Roads. for the month was
is 6d. Your committee recommend that the sum
be paid.
Proposed by Mr. Hughes, seconded by Mr.
Kelley, that the rtiport be adopted. Carried.
REPORT OF THE IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE.

A letter has been read trona Alessrs. Woodhouse
aud Air. Yeomans requiring the footway in
Church Street to be continued opposite the re-
spective houoes. The letter have been referred to
a sub-committee to consider and report.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-06-01

KIDDERMINSTER.

SIIAKESPEAIIuII READING ~—The Rev. Canon Boyle
gave a reading of the -" Merengue, of Venice " at the
Committee Roc& of Le Tow, Hall On Monday cyan
mg. There was a large number of ladies and gentlemen
present, and at the cloie a vote of thanks was accorded
to Mr. Boyle, who announced that he would read
" Hamlet " ou Monday evening next.
'I lIE FREE LIBRARY AND NEws Room —The-altera•
tions in tire news room and chess ritom are now nearly
completed, and tin latter will be opened as the " Free
Library "next week. Both r3oms have been coloured
and painted, and now present a light and pleasant
appearance. A large nomberlof new bloke have been
added to the library, and this, coupled with the extra
comfort provided for. visitors, will doubtless 'argely
increase its •popularity. Both rooms are thoroughly
ventilatesi and adequately furnished, and there is not the
slightest doubt the improvements effected will meet with
general approbation.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-02-09

I/A 4-t,
,t,i-:-:',C- Litit*EZ_,.4.t-N.,..-....

WORLD FAMED

rT 1 IfIWIXTURE

Trade Mark,—" Blood Mixture."

CREAT BLOOD PURIFIER & RESTORER
it.JN,r Up Lion , tilOtehed,
Ulcerated Sore Legs, Old Sores, Glandular
Swellings, Cancerous Ulcers, Spots, Pimples,
Pustules, Boils, Carbuncles, Ringworms, Scald
Heads, Sore Eyes, Erysipelas, Itch, Scarfs,
Discolorations of the Skin, Humours and
Diseases of the Skin of whatever name or
nature, are literally carried out of the system
in a short time by the use of this world-famed
Medicine.
THOUSANDS OF TESTIMONIALS FROM ALL PARTS.
IMPORTANT ADVICE TO ALL.—Cleanse
the vitiated blood whenever you find its im-
purities bursting through the skin in pimples,
eruptions, or sores ; cleanse it when you find
it obstructed and sluggish in the veins ; cleanse
t when it is foul, and your feelings will tell
you when. Keep the blood pure, and the
health of the system will follow.
As this mixture is pleasant to the taste, and
warranted free from anything injurious to the
most delicate constitution of either sex, the
Proprietors solicits sufferers to give it a trial
to test its value.
CLARKE'S WORLD -FAMED BLOOD
MIXTURE is Sold in Bottles 2s 6d each, and in
Cases, containing six times the quantity, us each—
sufficient to effect a permanent cure in the great
majority of long-standing cases, by all Chemists and
Patent Medicine Vendors thrvughout the United King.
dom and the world, or sent to any address on receipt
of 30 or 132 stamps, by the Proprietor,
F. J. CLARKE,CanmisT, Apothecaries' Hall,Lincoln.
Agent for Stourbridge : Mr. J. H. Bland, High-street.
Wholesale: All Patent Medicine Houses.
LONDON DEPOT: 150 OXFORD STREET

WANTED, to PURCHASE a FREEHOLD
RESIDENCE in or near Stourbridge, with
ot less than four bedroorns.—lddress with full par-
iculars, Brown and Donnelly. Auctioneers and Estate
Agents, 4, flagley Street, Stoarbridge.

WANTED, A GOOD Geller al SERVANT
—Apply 23, Worcester-st., Stou.rbritige.

_
TO BE LET WITH IMMEDIATN 2OSSESSIO-.

THE LAWNS, HAGLEY ROAD,
STOURBRIDGE.
DETACIPD Family RESIDENCE,
with Excellent Gardens, Lawns, Stabling, Imo
Co4ciiiiouse, within 5 minutes walk of the Soturbridge
Railway Station,
For rent and particulars, apply to Yr. H. _KING
Land Agent, Stourbridge.

ly TUERE ARE ANT LADIES who have not yet used the
,GLENSIELD STARCH, they are respectfully solicited te
give it a taiali and carefully follow out the directions
printed .in every package, and if this is done, they win
say, like the Queen's Laundresp, it is the finest Stara
thev
,ever used. When you ask for GLENPIELD STAROI3,
geLit, as inferior kinds are often aubdtituten
Pallie or ext.ra profit. beware tueretvre or fiyur•

T;1OR SALE, a quantity of ASPARAGUS,
SEAKALE, DOCBLE and SINGLE WALL-
FLOWERS, CARNATIONS, GOLDEN FEATHER,
BROWNTON STOCKS, HOLLYOCKS, DAISIES,
PANSIES, ARIBIS, GREEN and VARIEGATED
ANTERHICUMS, PEN STEMONS, iHUBARB
ROOTS, and others; cheap—Samuel Cot, Seedsman
and Florist, Bagley Road, Stourbridge. Estimates for
Ang-our Gardens, 6za., on application.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-02-09

EPIDEMICS IN RUSSIA.

The Russian papers state that an appeal has been
made to the Government from Alexandropol for a
grant of money to cleanse the town. Owing to the
passage of 70,000 sick and wounded through the town
since the war begun, and the neglect of the local
authorities to disinfect the place, the streets and the
houses are filled with disease, and all who can leave
the town are preparing to do so. The death rate is
55 per mille, and nearly every house that
has not been converted into an hospital for the army
contains inhabitants striken with typhus. At
Tiflis the operations of one branch of the Red Cross
Society are entirely suspended—all the doctors being
dead. In the Caucasus it fully believed that a.
plague will break out in the spring. The Turk-
ish prisoners from Armenia are all more or less
infected with disease, and wherever they go epidemics
follow in their train. At Penza small-pox and measles
are so rife that all the public schools and institutions
have been closed by order of the Government. The
official report states every house to contain an invalid.
Near St. Petersburg the black small-pox—a specie. of
the Persian plague—has broken out among the T urkish
prisoners interned at Gatchina, and is causing great
alarm at the capital. A telegram to the Gobs states
that 10,000 sick and wounded are awaiting removal at
Sistova. So many of these are suffering from typhus
that it is proposed to have "typhus trains" to carry
soldiers infected with that disease only.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-02-09

PUBLIC NOTICES.

GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY.

BIRMINGHAM PANTOMIMES.

ON SATURDAY, February l 6
EXCURSION TRAIN for BIRMiT': '4 AM Wiii
leave Worcester (Shrub Hill), at 1.25 p arn%l
Heath 1.30; Droitwich 1.40; Hartlebut.
minster 20 ; and Stourbridge 2.25 p.m. ; r,.
11.20 p.m. the same day.
For fares and full particulars see sp,cial bills.
Paddington Eerminus.
J. Grierson. General

',us at
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-02-09

BOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF IT.

Should the British Plenipotentiary, at the forth
coming Congress, find himself embarrassed to get
through Six Millions of Money without impressing
his colleagues with a due sense of the majesty, power,
determination, and resources of the mighty Empire he
represents, let him—

Walk about in a court suit, with real diamond but-
tons, preceded by a couple of brass bands;
Scatter handfuls of gold from his bedroom-window,
from time to time, as he is dressing in the morning;
Give a public dinner every day, and never let the
invitations be under a hundred;
Button-hole all the foreign notabilities he meets in
turn, and say, "Look here, old fellow, between you
and me, you haven't got half a million in notes in
your waistcoat pocket, and I have ; "

Never sit down to dinner without an elaborate dis-
play of fireworks, the chief set-piece of which should
represent the British Cabinet shaking a well-filled
purse in the eyes of Europe.
At the deliberation of the Congress frequently pull
out his portemonnaie and interrupt the proceedings
by some remarks as "You can do a deal with Six
Millions, eh ?" "United Europe had better look out
for herself when we come to a figure like that."
"You should see what the D. T. says about it."
" We don't want to fight, but—&c," And others of a
kindred character;
Call on all the mbassadors unofficially with offers
to lend them a trifle—say a couple of thou—at a
moderate rate. _

And, lastly, if by the let of April he find that he
has anything left, let him invest it in the Turkish
Bonds, and come home with the pleasing satisfaction
that his Six Millions have been judiciously expended
in maintaining the dignity of a mighty Empire.—
Punch.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-02-09

SPEECH OF THE GERMAN EMPEROR.

In the passage relating to foreign affairs, in the
speech from the throne at the opening of the German
Parliament on Tuesday, the Emperor expresses the
hope that a speedy peace will enable the principles of
the Constantinople conference to be applied and
durably established. The comparatively lesser par-
ticipation of Germany in Eastern affairs allows the
empire to display a disinterested co-operation in the
arrangements that may be made by the Powers con-
cerning the future guarantees against the recurrence
of troubles in the East, and for the amelioration of
the condition of the Christian populations. In the
meantime the Emperor's policy attained its object,
inasmuch as it ha i essentially contributed to the pre-
servation of peace between the European Powers, and
the relations of Germany with all Powers remained not
only peaceful, but altogether friendly.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-02-09

FATAL PANIC AT A CIRCUS.

The Correspondent of The Times, writing from Boulogne
on Monday, gives the following account of a dreadful acci-
dent that had oceurred at Calais :

"Calais is in a state of gloomy excitement owing
to an accident last night, accompanied by heavy loss of
life, and caused, there is much reason to fear, from
practical joking carried to a foolish extent. An Italian
circus from Milan, belonging to Messrs. Praitni and
Pierantoni, constructed of wood and capable of
accommodating between 3,000 and 4,000 persons, was
erected on the Grande Place, where the biannual fair
is being held. Last night it was crowded. 'Upwards of
1,500 persons were refused admittance. Reserve seats
face the entrance; the first-class seats are in the front
rows, the second-class are in the back and in the
gallery. During the whole of the performance a num-
ber of young workmen in the gallery kept making a
noise. Towards the end of the performance, during
the representation of the pantomime, "Le Medecin
de Campagne," this band of young men rose from
their seats, causing those near to follow their
example. At this moment an unknown person
shouted "Au feu I" causing an immediate
stampede down the inclined plane on either
side of the circus serving for the entrance and exit of
the second-class. The persons who first reached the
bottom of the staircase, instead of making for the door
by which they had entered, attempted to open an
extra door reserved for cases of emergency. This door
opening inwards instead of outwards, a block im-
mediately ensued, people jumping down from the
gallery upon those jostling below. Monvoisin
Commissaire de Police, with M. Durette, Command-
ant, and other officers, used their utmost endea•
yours to calm the audience. Many kept their seats,
but others in a panic burst open the outer enclosure
and jumped into the street. Others again, occupying
second places, broke down the partition dividing them
from the first and pushed into the front rows then
into the arena, and so out through the stables said the
stage door. Four firemen always on duty at the
stables, ene of them a bugler, hearing the first
alarm of fire, and seeing the people rushing out,
shouted out "Fire." The watchman at the adjoin-
ing belfry immediately rang the note of warn-
ing, alarming the town and garrison. The infantry
and artillery were soon on the spot. Though not
needed to extinguish fire, they did useful service in
conveying the wounded to the HOtel de Ville. From
a pile of bodies around the doors were taken nine
corpses—two men, four boys, one woman, and two
girls. A quarter of an hour later another boy died.
This morning two boys were% found mot tally, three
severely, and fourteen slightly wounded. Among the
victims are a father and a little girl, the father
struggling to save the child ; both were ultimately
bruised to death. The doctors of the town, including
Dr. Hughes, an Englishman, and the military surgeons
were up all night.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-02-09

DR. RICHARDSON ON TEMPERANCE.

In London on Tuesday evening the first of a series of lec-
tures on the temperance question, which had been arranged
by the National Temperance League, was delivered at
Devonshire House, Bishopsgate. by Dr. B. W. Richardson.
The chair was occupied by Mr. W. Fowler, late member for
Cambridge.

The lecturer took for the special subject of the even-
ing, "The Practice of Abstinence from Alcoholic
Drinks, with Special Reference to the Difficulties of
Learning to Abstain." He gave tha preference to
total abstainers over the most moderate drinkers.
Turning to his immediate subject, he saw no difficulty-
in giving up drink; on the contrary, his experi-
ence taught him that when once the use of
alcohol had been resolutely given up, the
abstainer found
.his abstention to be unat-
tended with the slightest inconvenience. In the
course of an eloquent description of the horrors of
drink, he said th9.t no hand except that of the
late George Cruikshank had been able adequately
to depict them. Dealing with the medical aspects
of the question, he gave it as his opinion that if
all doctors were to give up prescribing alcohol
at once it would not have so great an influence in
making people sober as many persons imagined,
because the act would appear to be the result of
a sudden caprice rather than of a thorough belief
in the soundness of the treatment. Medical men
had now, however, the support of public opinion in
favour of abstinence, and they were consequently
exerting themselves much more than was commonly
supposed in teaching people to do without intoxicants.
He believed that the majority of doctors now only
administered alcohol as they would any other drug,
and he never prescribed it himself except in its pure
form, and solely as a medicine, or more frequently as
a useful solvent for other medicines. He deprecated
public conferences of medical men on the alcoholic
question, as they were sure to be full of learned dis-
quisition which the public could not understand, and
of differences of opinion among the doctors, hence the
old saying, " Who shall decide when doctors dis-
agree ?"

-After some further observation the lecturer repeated
his conviction that the difficulties of total abstinence
were mainly imaginary, and that when they were real
they were easily overcome. He believed that before
long the whole of the medical profession would ac-
knowledge that the total abstainers were right.
After a few words from the chairman, who stated
that there were a thousand parishes in England in
which the liquor traffic had no existence, the proceed-
ings terminated with a vote of thanks to Dr. Richard-
son.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-02-09

THE STOURBRIDGE OBSERVEE.

V
no license.—Defendant pleaded guilty and s,cl she
had been locked up for a week she was discharged
on promising to leave the town at once, which she
did.

CHARGB or FRAUD.—James Henry Bennett
was charged for that he did on January sth and
divers other days since, receive the sums of 16s
6d and fraudulently appropriated the same to his
own use, the property of James Henry Stone.—
Prosecutor, who is a manager for a book firm,
said that he employed the prisoner to get orders
for books and paid him commission upon the
printod order by filling it up by the persons who
had ordered them. Prisoner had brought him
several orders, being filled up by persons. From
enquiries:made there were no such persons and he
had paid the prisoner 16s 6d, commsssion.—The
prisoner asked for a remand and said he should
prove the orders were bona fide.—Remanded for a
week.

REPORTED RUSSIAN ENTRY

INTO CONST A NTINOPLE.

ALARMING RUMOURS,

SURRENDER OF THE DEFENCES OF
CONSTANTINOPLE.
CONSTANTINOPLE, FEB. 7 (3 p.m.)
[Via Elarech.]

In accordance with the conditions of the arruis•
tice the Turkish forces have evacuated the lines of
the fortifications of Constantinople. The Russiau
troops are now in the lines.
The Constantinople correspondent *f the
Stantiard telegraphs that, according to the terms
of the armistice, the Turks are to evacuate the lines
of Constantinople, which are to form a neutral
zone. The Russian limit is to be Buyuk-Tchek-
madje, and the Turkish limit Kutschuk-Tchek-
medjc.

ST. PETERSBURG, FiEBENTARY 7.

The statement of the Russians having entered
Constantinople, as announced by some London

_ .
newspapers, is a pure invention.

CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES BY GREECE.

The Press Association says a telegram has been
received in London announcing the cessation of
hostilities in the Greek provinces of Turkey by
the signing of an armistice between Greece and
Turkey, upon the understanding that the claims of
Greece and all causes of dissention bets een the
two nations shall be referred to the projected
Conference for settlement, and that in the mean-
time the Greek army shall continue in the insurgent
provinces of Thessaly and Epirus, Turkey, on her
part, undertaking not to attack the insurgents in
Crete. It is also stated that the Turkish fleet
received orders not to proceed to the Pirmus, but
to remain in readiness outside the Dardanelles.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-02-09

olibtit &nrhrbgr libltrutr
cliv
CRADLEY HEATIL HALESOWEN, AND DISTRICT CHRONICLE.

i REGISTERED FOR 1
i TRANSMISSION ABROAD. i
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-02-09

WHAT WILL HE DO WITH IT P

Great excitement in military circles.
Mr. Punch has reasons to believe that in anticipa-
tion of the grant of £6,000,000 for putting the Empire
in a thorough state of defence—
A contract has been accepted for giving a new coat
of paint to the two Sentry-boxes mounted over the
War Office kitchen area.
An additional yard of gold lace will immediately be
added to the uniforms of the Beefeaters.
The music-stands, used by the bands of the Guards
in the Court-yard of St. James's Palace, will be
thoroughly repaired.
The Mortars used for firing off salutes in St. James's
Park will be rifled, and a store of blank ammunition
will be f.,rmed at the Horse Guards, _ _ _

Three new chargers will be added to all the Line
Cavalry Regiments.
Colonels of Militia will be furnished with revolvers.
The kit of a recruit in future will include a clay
pipe and a tobacco-pouch. These additions are in-
tended to stimolate recruiting in the mining districts.
A new uniform Button will be introduced in the
Highland regiments.
The Royal Welsh Fusiliers will be presented with
another Goat.

Theist Royal Scots will be furnished with a set of
Bagpipes, on the condition that the Piper never plays
on them within three miles of the two-mile radius.

The spike of the new Regulation Helmets will be
lengthened one-eighth of an inch.
The Household Cavalry will receive steel gauntlets,
to be worn with their cuirasses, so useful in a Tuodern
charge.
Flower-beds will be laid out round some of the non-
commissioned officers' huts at Aldershot.
A small retaining fee will be paid to the Penny
Steamboat Company, so that the fleet of that associa-
tion may be available in case of need for transporting
troops from Gravesend to Gallipoli.
Captains of the Royal Navy will be furnished (free
of charge) with plumes to be worn in their cocked hats
on the Queen'( Birthday.
A new Flag will be supplied to Greenwich Hospital.
The Coastguard Stations on the East of England
will be whitewashed.
A new steam-launch, for the use of the Lords of the
Admiralty, will be moored at Maidenhead.
The Militia will be supplied with gloves, and the
Volunteers with comforters.
The remainder of the Vote, not expended as above,
or in any other way that may be deemed best by the
Government, will be returned into the Exchequer by
the Ist of April,—Punch.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-02-09

WAGES IN THE BUILDING TRADE.

In London, on Monday evening, at the meeting of
the Royal Institute of British Architects, Mr. T.
Brassey, M.P., read a paper on "The Rise of Wages
in the Building Trades of London." The current
wages of building operatives in London from 1836 was
ss. per day of 10 hours, or :30s. per week. In 1847, after
a short struggle, an hour and a half was allowed on
Saturday, work then ending at 4 p.m. In 1861 the
masters introduced the hour system, paying 7d. per
hour, and the men left work at 1 p.m. on Saturdays. By
the year 1873 this had been raised to 9d. per hour, the
working hours being fixed at 9 per day, or 52L5 per
week. In 1876 the masons sent in a demand for 10d.
per hour, and this being refused, struck on the 30th
June, 1877, the strike being still unsettled. Thus,
during the past thirty years there has been an advance
of wages from 30s. per week to 398. 40., and a reduc-
tion in time from 60 hours to 52i, making, when
added together, an increase of wages amounting to 41
per cent. Labourers' wages have also advanced from
18s. for 60 hours to 255. 2cf. for 52i hours, being an in-
crease of 64 per cent.
Mr. Brassey, with regard to foreign labour, said
that foreigners would never, he thought, be allowed
to gain a permanent footing in this country. He con-
sidered the great fault of the operatives to be their
objection to piece-work, which was the only system
equitable, alike to the employer and the workman;
but he was by no means in favour of the operatives
being satisfied unless they could live in reasonable
comfort.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-02-09

ARCHEOLOGY IN JAPAN.

Japan has an active archeological society, bearing the
title of Kobutzu-Kai (Society of Old Things). Its
members, numbering 200, ale scattered throughout
the land, but meet once a month in Yeddo. They
consist chiefly of wealthy Japanese gentlemen, learned
men, and priests; the latter especially have been the
means of bringing before public attention a vast num-
ber of ancient objects which have been hidden in the
treasures of the temples or preserved in private
families. H. von Siebold, Attachd of the Austrian
Embassy at Yeddo and a member of the society,
has lately published a brochure, which will serve as
a guide for the systematic archwological study of
the land; Von Siebold has lately made a most
interesting discovery of a prehistoric mount at
Omuri, near Yeddo, containing over 5,000 different
articles in stone, bronze, &c. In a recent communica-
tion to the Berlin Anthropologische Gesellschaft, he
describes the. origin of the terra-cotta images found in
old Japanese burial grounds. It appears that up to -
the year 2 B.C. it was the custom to surround the grave
of a dead emperor or empress with a number of their
attendants, buried alive up to their necks, their heads
forming a ghastly ring about the burial spot. At the
date referred to the custom was abolished, and the liv-
ing offerings were replaced by the clay figures, which
have hitherto attracted so much attention.—Nature.

_;;„

`7`;',

FATAL ICE ACCIDENT.-AN EXCITING
SCENE.

On Sunday afternoon four young men were drowned
while sliding on a sheet of ice near Rutherglen bridge,
Glasgow. From sixty to a hundred men and boys
from Glasgow had congregated in the course of the
day, and were amusing themselves by sliding on the
seemingly secure sheet of ice covering the pond.
Suddenly, and while fully a dozen men were on the
centre of the pond, the ice broke up and six were pre-
cipitated into the water, the others saving themselves
by rushing off at the first threat of danger. An old
man leapt into the water, and being a good swimmer
succeeded, with the aid of a rope thrown to him,
in saving two of the lads. He repeated the
attempt, but was in danger of perishing himself,
when a young man named Robert Park in turn leapt
in to rescue him. He kept up the old man, who
seized the rope and was rescued, but Park sank beneath
the ice and was drowned. Meanwhile, a large mastiff
dog had leapt in to rescue a boy named Alexander
Lorimer, whom it had accompanied. The dog was
seized by several of the drowning lads and had to come
out without saving its master, bringing with it, how-
ever, a boy who had managed to hang on by it. A
lad named Cook, an acquaintance of one of the
drowning lads, jumped in, but had to be dragged out
in a sezni-conscious state. The four bodies were after-
wards dragged out by means of grappling irons.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-02-09

WILD ANIMALS AND SNAKES IN
INDIA.

In London, lait Friday night, Sir J. Fayrer, K.C.5.1.,M.D.,
read a paper, at the Society of Arts, Adelp'ni, upon the sub-
ject of "The Destruction of Life by Wild Animals in India."

The yearly loss of human life and cattle, he said,
was startling, and suggested the question whether some
more effective measures than any now in operation
might not lessen the evils. The subject had long been
under consideration by the Indian Government and
the object of legislative interference; but with no very
satisfactory results, as notwithstanding the measures
taken' the destruction of life still went on at what had
'been described as really an "appalling rate." The
animals causing the destruction of 20,805 human beings
and 46,805 head of cattle in 1875, were elephants,
tigers, leopards, bears, wolves, hyenas, jackals,
alligators, buffaloes, and boars—snakes sharing in
the destruction of human life to the extent of 17,070 per-
sons. He spoke of the rewards given for the destruction
of the animals; but it was obvious, he urged, that
more effectual measures than those already taken were
necessary to mitigate if not to prevent this evil. What
is wanted is a system to be laid down on general prin-
ciples for the entire country, and worked out in detail
according to the needs or peculiarities of each district.
There should, in short, be a department, or a branch of
a department, with a responsible chief and subordinate
agents, for whom certain rules should be laid down, to
be carried out steadily and without hindrance through-
out the country, leaving much as to detail to the dis-
cretion of local authorities. The money rewards
already offered for wild animals would probably suf-
fice, but those for venomous snakes should be in-
creased ; and if the people were encouraged to
work for them and were aided by persons acting
under properly selected superiors, the result would
soon be a diminution of the wild animals and snakes.
Until some organized establishment is formed, to be
worked steadily throughout the whole country—not
dependent on the will nor subject to the caprice of in-
dividuals, but under local officers subject to one head
—no real or continuously progressive amelioration of
the evil can be anticipated.
In the course of the discussion which followed the
reading of the paper, the Rajah Rampal Sing drew at-
tention to the absence of rewards for the destruction
of jackals, and advocated the giving of rewards for
killing these animals. With regard to the indisposi-
tion of Hindoos to kill snakes, he said that not only
was there the religious prejudice against this, but
they had the belief that the snake-bite could be
charmed away.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-02-09

ANOTHER INDUSTRY FOR INDIA.

Not very many years ago, the idea of any large pro-
portion of our tea supplies ever coming from India was
ridiculed as chimerical. As for the chinchena planta-
tions, they were generally regarded by Anglo-Indians
as experiments foredoomed to failure. In spite of
these pessimist predi ;tons, England is now receiving
about 25,000,000 pounds of tea annually from her great
dependency, while chinchona cultivation is recognised
as-a
perfect success. Looking at these antecedents, it
would rash to say that the Examiner may not prove
right when prophesying equally good results. from
the growth of tobacco in India. As regards soil and
climate, little seems needed to make the industry
succeed in carefully selected districts. Already, some
finely flavoured sorts are grown in Madras and
Burmah from Virginia seed. The " Lunka "is a very
fair cheroot, so far as the mere material goes, and the
same may be asserted of some special brands from
Trichinopoly. Of course, a great deal depends upon
the care bestowed upon the growth and manufacture.
As a general rule, the object of the cultivators
seems to be to produce a large quantity at a low
price, irrespective of quality. But here and there a
wiser system prevails, and cheroots are turned out
which would sell readily in England at a fair price
but for the roughness of their manufacture. The
chances generally are that at least half of every bundle
of " Lunkas," or " Trichies," will have to be thrown
away, owing to the impossibility of making them
"draw." Instead of rolling the leaf tenderly and care-
fully after the manner of the Manilla manipulator, the
Burmese and Hindostan workpeople squeeze the mate-
rial into some sort of shape by main force. The conse-
que.nce is, of course, the formation of lumps inside,
which prevents the free passage of smoke. Our contempo-
rary acknowledges the existence of this evil, but believes
it might be surmounted by the importation of skilled
hands from America and the Manillas, to act as
teachers and superintendents. Perhaps: his might
effect a partial cure in time, but we doubt whether
much will be done towards inducing the world to
consume Indian tobacco until the industry be taken in
hand by British enterprise. As it seems to present
a very promising opening for the employment of
some of our superfluous capital, we expect to witness
a considerable improvement in the methods of cultiva-
tioi;t and of manufacture before many years elapse.—
Globe.

-
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-02-09

ROWLEY.

LOCAL BOARD,—Mr. W. Reagan° presided at the
monthly meeting, held on Monday afternoon.:A deputa-
tion of ratepayers waited upon the Board to lay before
them the advisability of purchasing the Cradley Heath
Gas Works from the company who are the present
owners.—Dr. Ker, who was the principal spokesman of
the deputation, pointed out to the Board that at a rats•
payer's, meeting held at Cradley Heath a resolution
had been passed that it was desirable in the interests of
the ratepayers the gas works should be purchased, and
in pursuance at that a deputation was appointed to urge
upon the Board the advisability of affecting the pnr-
chase as soon as possible, He gave some statistics ob-
tained from the company's own officials in support of
argument that the investment would be a paying one,
and also mentioned that the reduction of the loss from
condensation of gas which would be affected by having
street lamps would go a good way towards paying the
expense of the gas for the lamps. The present loss of
gas:froin the cause referred to was 29 per cent.—an
excessive quantity. Dr. Ker also pointed out that the
purchase money—say £2o,ooo—could be bo-zowed from
Coe Government M St per apt. icterest, repayable I n
hirty years or so; and that if no agreement as to the
price of the works could be come to between the corn-
pa iy and the Board the statute provided for a valuation°
and the fixing of a fair price. in that way.—The Chair-
man said he was entirely with the deputation as to the
advisability of the purchase if the Board were justified i
in making it. But n borrowing money for the purehase
they would be charged a large sum upon the rates for a
future period, and the question was whether trade
provosts would Nab thee ia aissinin Oil So par.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-02-09

AMERICAN CUTTINGS.

The Danbury News says :—" Dulcon, Ga., has a
blacksmithess." It must look vary strange to see her blow
the bellowsess and shoe a horsess or muless.—Of course she
wants a young man to see her home on a dark evening,
and we, the Danbury News Editor, aspire to that post,
we weigh eight stone, and are five three in our high-heeled
hoots.

A Ne w York belle of twenty-four has had 147 offers
of marriage, and carries about with hertaAist of the hapless
swains. The list being nearly full, a supplement will be
issued.

A Western man has invented something that beats
the telephone. He proposes to put in a line of women, fifty
steps apart, and commit the news to the first as a secret.

- -
When a Virginia gentleman asks another to drink,
he blandly says, "Shall we give the public debt a lift?" and
they lift.
A. New York bride lately wore a point-lace vest with
Louis XIII , cuffs, point-lace gloves, and point-lace covering
for her shoes; and, says the authority, she put the point of
her parasol in our, the reporter's, eye.

A Yankee paper Alludes to a dog which, after how-
ing an hour in front of the editor's house, had to adjourn
for repairs.
- - - - - -

A -girl who formerly lived in St. Louis, writes from
Colorado to an old friend :—" This is the handsomest 200
acres I ever put my foot down on." Her father ought to get
100 acres more and have a lawn around her foot.

A member had been married just three weeks when
he visited his club for the last time. One of his eyes had
suffered a partial eclipse, there was an unnatural thinness
noticeable in his whiskers and hair, and his voice seemed to
have lost the jovial tones which belonged to his bachelor
days, as, calling the members about him, he said "It is one
of the rules of this club that no member can resign without
giving a good verbal reason therefore. I resign at the
earnest solicitation of my wife. Need I say more, gentle-
men?

A NEW FABLE.—An honest farmer once led his two turkeys
into his granary and told them to eat, drink, and be merry.
One of these turkeys was wise, and one foolish. The foolish
bird at once indulged excessively in the pleasures of the
granary, unsuspicious of the future; but the wiser fowl, in
order that he might not be fattened and slaughtered, fasted
continually, mortified his flesh, and devoted himself to
gloomy reflections upon the brevity of life. When Thanks-
giving approached, the farmer killed both turkeys, and by
placing a stone in the interior of the prudent turkey made
him weigh more than his plumper brother. Moral, be happy
while you may.—Boston Paper.

HARKING BACK !—A lawyer, who was sometimes
forgetful, having been engaged to plead the cause of
an offender, began by saying :—" I know the prisoner
at the bar, and he bears the character of being a most
consummate and impudent scoundrel." Here some-
body whispered to him that the prisoner was his client,
when he immediately continued, "But what great
and good man ever lived who was not calumniated by
many of his contemporaries?"

iwilaneons
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-02-09

RUSSIAN LOSSES IN THE BATTLE AT BATOUH.

The Constantinople correspondent of the Manchester
Guardian, telegraphing via Syra, says :—" A great victory
was gained on the 30th January at Batoum. The Russians
made a desperate attempt to carry the lines of Bubo°
Hinssir, after they had heard of the withdrawal of ten bat-
talions to Constantinople in Hobart Pasha's squadron. They
were, however, defeated with great slaughter. Over 2,000
were killed and 300 taken prisoners. The latter have been
placed on board the ironclads. The Turkish loss was slight.
The Fethi Bulend and the Avni Illah, ironclad corvettes,
contributed greatly to this success. Lying off the flank of
the attacking force, they swept the plains between the rival
intrenchments."
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-02-09

THE INDIAN PRESS ON THE WAR,

The Times Correspondent at Calcutta states that the
vernacular press shows keen interest in England's present
political position. One paper says :
"What Russia will do next will doubtless be to
humilitate England. As with individuals so with
nations—in the time of danger reason always fails
them. English politicians are no exception. Eng-
land will lose her prest4e in Asia if she now refuses to
fight for Turkey. England has no efficient army.
Like her, Carthage possessed immense wealth, but
that could not save the great commercial city of
ancient days from complete downfall.
Another paper writes :—" The fall of Turkey will
seriously endanger the balance of power in the world.
What may befall Asia fifty years after the event
would be really fearful to contemplate. The very
thought would send a thrill of terror through the
heart."
Another repeats the saying attributed to Prince
Bismarck—" England is a sick old woman."
Another states that "British soldiers grow fat in
peace. Englishmen are now only well versed in the
art of earning money, and will not be able to resist
the progress of Russian arms in India."
Another states that there will be no great difficulty
in driving out the usurper—" that is, the English
if all men jointly make a bold effort. The natives
should gird up their loins and devise measures for im-
proving the prosperity of the country.
Of course (the correspondent says) a great deal of
the writing is merely harmless braggadocio, but part
of it indicates real convictions, and it is well that the
English public should see specimens and so be able to
draw their own conclusions regarding native opinion
and sentiment, even though it should be but factitious
and partial.