The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1883-01-06 00:00:00

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HOWIE, FOREIGN, AND COLONIA:::;

MR. GLADSTONE'S BIETHDAY.—Dec. 29th being Mr.
Gladstone's 73rd birthday he received a large number
of congratulatory letters and telegrams from all parts
of Great Britain, the Continent of Europe, America,
and the colonies. The Prince and Princess of Wales
telegraphed :—" We desire to offer you our sincerest
congratulations on the anniversary of your birthday,
and hope you may long be spared to serve both the
Queen Lnd our beloved country."

A HUNDRED AND FIFTY HOUSES Bunmop DOWN.—
By a fire which broke out at the village of Empire,
near Panama, no fewer than one hundred and fifty
houses have been consumed, while the village itself
was almost destroyed by the conflagration. Empire is
on the line of the Panama railroad, and the houses are
built almost entirely of bamboo, with thatched roofs.
It is said that a single spark was the cause of the
disaster, the material of the houses being very dry in
consequence of the hot weather. several stores were
also included in the list, and in these the Chinese
merchants of the place were said to be the chief
sufferers. It is estimated that the loss would be at
least £25,000. The native inhabitants were also great
losers by the fire.

AN INTERxsTiNo INCIDENT. —The other evening a
rather interesting incident occurred at the Bermondsey
Town Hall, where Mr. Michael Davitt had addressed
a large meeting, when the members of the Press had
left the hall, and the well-known Land Leaguer
was formally acknowledging a vote of thanks.
Some person sent a five-pound note to Mr. Davitt,
without any letter, card, or token by which the
donor could be recognised. Mr. Davitt immediately
said he had just received a five-pound note (hold-
ing up the note in his hand) from some person
in the meeting. He was very much obliged to the
lady or gentleman who had sent it, but when he
commenced to advocate freedom and liberty for Ire-.
land, he made a resolution that he should not accept
anything for his efforts or services. He, however,
accepted this five-pound note on the condition that he
might send it to a rev, gentleman in the west of Ire-
land to purchase and distribute, by its aid, food for
the starving peasantry in that famine-stricken dia.
trict ; and he felt assured that whoever had sent the
money up to the Platform would not object to this
disposition of it, because, as far as it would go, would
be productive of good. Loud cheering followed Mr.
Davitt's declaration, and the donor of the money
offered no objections to the proposition which had
been made.

NEW YEAR'S CHANGES IN THE LAW.—Monday,
Jan. 1, will be a memorable day in legal annals (says
the Solicitors' Journal). There will then come into
operation the Order made under the Solicitors' Re-
muneration Act, rendering obsolete, as regards a large
class of transactions, the preparation and delivery by
solicitors of long ,bills of conveyancing costs; the
Married Women's Property Act, which revolutionizes
the law on that subject; the Settled Land Act, which
gives to every limited owner in possession full power
to deal with the settled land in any way in which a
prudent absolute owner would be likely to deal with
it; the Conveyancing Act, 1882, which effects changes
as to searches for judgments, powers of attorney, and
other matters; the Municipal Corporations Act,
which is a consolidation, with amendments, of about
40 prior statutes; and the Corn Returns Act, which is
a consolidation, with amendments, of 5 and 6 Viet.,
c. 14, and 27 and 28 Viet., c. 87, the principal amend.
merit being the increase of the number of towns in
which "corn inspectors" are to be appointed, This
last Act has the singular flaw in it that there is no
provision for fixing the towns which are to be imme-
diately subject to the Act before the actual com-
mencement of it on theist of January.
AN INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION IN INDIA.—An
International Exhibition will be held in Calcutta next
December. There will be nine principal sections :-
1, fine arts; 2, apparatus and application of the liberal
arts; 3, furniture and objects used in dwellings ; 4,
clothing, including fabrics; 5, products of mining
industry, forestry, &c. ; 6, apparatus and processes in
the common arts; 7, food; 8, artisans' workmanship;
and 9, children's work. An attempt will also be made
to hold an exhibition of live stock, agricultural and
horticultural products, and of a loan collection of
paintings, sculpture, and works of art generally. The
usual gold, silver, and bronze medals will be awarded
by special juries of expert& The exhibition will be
opened on December 4, 1883, and will close on
February 29 1881.
" PenDu."—Visitor. "Oh, ho Here you are I
Found you out! What a snug little den ! "—Recluse
(chuckling). "Yes, here I am, with my pictures and
my books ; and here I can sit and read all day long,
and nobody a bit the wiser ! "—Punch.
CHILDREN'S COSTUMES.—"M. de 8,," writing in
Land and Water, under the heading "Paris Fashions,"
says :—I do not often allude to children's dresses, but
here is a costume lam sure you will think pretty. It
is also warm and comfortable. Make a princess dress
of black velvet, to reach a little below the knees. This
you will edge round with a very wide and full ruching
of black velvet, lined with black and white striped
satin and plush. The neck will be cut square, and
there will be no Fleevea to it. Underneath, however,
is a high body, and long sleevcs of the black and white
striped satin and plush, with a very full white tulle
ruching round the throat. The velvet straps of the
body will form a high roll on the shoulder, and the
lower part of sleeves will have velvet bracelets reach-
ing to the elbows. The dress is fastened at the back.
If you wish you may add a sash round the hips, but
the dress looks quite pretty enough as it is. White
stockings and black velvet shoes. Short hair in flat
curb all over the head.

AGRICULTURAL PROS2ECTS.—The Magnet says :
"The weather has again been very unsettled and un-
usually mild for the Boson. The continuous rains
have resulted in heavy Mods. Wheat sowing, both
hore and on the Continent, has proceeded with diffi-
culty, even on light soils, and on some of the heavy
lands the seed has not yet been got in; much of what
bee.) done will probably have to be resown. The
seed time has certainly not been auspicious. The
mild, moist weather has stimulated vegetation, and
the supply of green food has increased."
NOVELTIES OF FASHION.—The Court Journal says:
Grey squirrel for muffs, with lining of bows of satin,
matching exactly in colour, and the silky waved wool
of the white Maltese or Chinese dug, are novelties.
The latter is used for trimming for cream-brocaded
plush evening wraps, or as muffs and boas for dressy
occasions. It is also worn by young children, when it
is ornamented with white satin bows.
Mn. GLADSTONE ON THE TRAINING OF THE YOUNG.
—Mrs. Gladstone has contributed a preface to tne
new edition of "Early Influences," just published by
Messrs. Rivingtons, in which, alter bestowing warm
praises on that well-known little mann4 she offers
some observations on the training of the young. Mrs.
Gladstone observes that it is " the step by step
training—the learning a child's disposition by means
of hourly watchfulness—which is too often neglected ;"
and he directs attention to "the way in which
children are often over-noticed and over-petted, and
considered in every conceivable way; and again, the
dangers attending the very advantages of charming by
interesting books." All this, she adds, "unless regu•
lated and checked by proper borne influence, may
become an actual snare. So much the more is it
necessary that, from very early childhood, the mother
should guide and shape the child's mind and heart."
A PLEASANT CUSTOM.—The Court Journal re-
marks :—lt is a pretty practice which thellishmongers
—and some other London companies also, we believe
—have at their court dinners. The ladies being
absent from the feast, each guest on his departure
is offered the acceptance of a handsome casket of
choice sweets to take home to his wife and family.
The outside box serves for a workbox, and is for years
a pleasant memento of the occasion.
MONSTER STEAM WHISILES.—PeopIe, who in this
country, complain of the noise made by railway
whistles and factory " hooters " may congratulate
themselves that they have not to list,n to the enor-
mous whistles now manufactured in the United States.
A firm in Bridgeport, Connecticut, has recently com-
pleted one for a Canadian saw mill, the bell of which
is 20in. in diameter, a quarter of an inch thick, and
27 in. long, and is placed five inches from the cup
which delivers the steam. The valve is of the ordinary
spring pattern, and is 4 in. in diameter. The weight of
whistle and valve is 4001 b., and the cost of the monster
is 500 dols. The mill, for the protection of which it
has been made, has been several times burnt down,
and the object, therefore, of the whistle is to arouse
the surrounding country in case of a recurrence of the
catastrophe, and also to carry signals to the wood.
choppers in the neighbouring forests. There is another
big whistle at New Brunswick, in New Jersey State,
with a deep bass hum which serves as the clock regu-
lator for farmers and others within a radius of 30 miles
of the town. There is also a whistle at Sandy Hook,
15in. in diameter, while many of the ocean and Sound
steamers have whistles from Bin. to 10in., which can be
heard from 10 to 20 miles.

FUTILITY or Q. E. D.—Mamma (who has been
vainly struggling to help Tommy with his Euclid) :
"What rubbish it is, to be surd! All this bother is
to prove that A. BC is equal to C B ! As if any-
body in their senses would ever say it wasn't 1—
Punch.

THE PRODUCTION OF CORAL.—The Naplea coral
harvest has been vs.y pliful this year, although the
quality is not very high, and over a millioo and a
quarter pounds have been fished up, the Italian corre-
spondent of the American Register tells us, worth
about £200,000 in the rough state. There is a goodly
quantity of the pale pink coral which is so highly
valued by some countries, such as England, Germany,
Russia, and the United States, but while fair beauties
prefer this more delicate tint, pink coral is despised
by their brunette sisters in Spain. India, and Chins,
who favour the deep red hue. This fishery is of im-
mense importance to Naples, and this year 600 vessels
and 5,766 men have been employed from February to
September dredging off the coasts of Sardinia,
Corsica, and Sicily, off the mainland of Southern
Italy, and on the Barbary coast.

COLLIF.IIT EXPLOSIONS IN 1882.—During the year
just closed there were reported 28 mining explosions,
15,0 f which were fatal, the number of deaths reaching

241, exactly the average for the Past 32 ie-ars. Of 3r
warnings issued 19 were justified by subsequent events,
12 were followed within three days by the loss of 139
lives in 15 explosions, and 66 lives were lost on the fifth
and sixth days after the issue of warnings. In each
case these warnings denoted a continuance of dangerous
changes.
"AND STILL GROWING."—" I say, Susan, these
eggs are very small." " Yes, Sir, they are, Sir; but
you can't expect them to be very large yet, Sir. They
was only laid this morning, Sir "—Fun.

SUICIDES IN NEW Yon.—The New York Tribune
has published some statistics about suicides in that
city during the last twelve years. In that time 1,687
persons took their own lives ; 1,326 were men and 361
were women. Poison was the mode of death chosen
by 540 persons, while 272 perferred hanging. The
number of Germans who destroyed themselves was 701,
and of Irishmen only 241.
A MESSAGE FROM THE SEA.—The following is a
copy of a paper found in a bottle picked up on the
beach of Cofete, Island of Lanzarote, on the 10th of
December, 1882, and just received at Teneriffe
"Her Majesty's ship Egypt, with 7th Dragoon Guards
for Egypt, off the coast of Spain Wednesday night.
Beautiful weather. 9th August, 1882."

THE SUNDAY CLOSING OF PUBLICHOUSES.—Th
President of the Wesleyan Methodist Conference, the
Rev. Charles Garrett, has consented to preside over
an aggregate meeting to be held at Exeter-hall on
'February 21 in favour of the English Sunday Closing
Bill. As it is expected that strenuous efforts will be
made, if the Bill reaches the Committee stage, to
exempt London from its operations, with other large
towns, the Council of the Association for the Suppres-
sion of the Traffic in Intoxicating Drinks on Sunday
intend by this meeting to elicit the desire of the
public in favour of the Bill being applied to London
and the suburbs.

THE SPARROW IN AMERlCA.—Sparrows are about to
have a bad time in America, as the rabbits have had
in Australia. They are voted a nuisance. Flocks of
sparrows follow picnic parties for crumbs, and then
return to their town quarters, quarrelling and fight-
ing in a most discreditable way. Another complaint
at New York is that the sparrows are driving all the
native birds out of the city.
FINANCIAL REFORDL—Begine at home with every
financier not a fool.—Punch,
AVERAGE PRICES OF BRITISH CORN.—The following
are the average prices of British corn for last week, as
received from the inspectors and officers of Excise :
Wheat, 41s. lid.; barley, 325. Bd.; oats, 20s. 5d.;
per imperial qr. Corresponding week last year :
Wheat, 445. 3d.; barley. 31s. 6d.; oats, 20s. 4d.
THE CASTLE OF HAPSBURG.—WhiIe the house of
Hapsburg is commemorating the sixth century of its
sovereign rule, it is interesting to remember that a
portion of the ancient stronghold in Switzerland, the
castle to which the family gave their name, still exists
(says Land). The castle of Hapsburg is in the canton
of Berne, and is splendidly situated on the right bank
of the Aar. All that now remains of this historic
building is a formidable tower of great antiquity, com-
manding a view which stands almost alone for extent
and lovelinese. Many of the ancient fiefs and domains
of the house of Austria lie spread out below the tower
of Hapsburg. The castle was built in the 11th century
by Count Verner, Bishop of Strasburg. After a time
the Count-Bishop presented the stronghold to his
brother, Radbad, whose son, named Verner, like his
uncle, was the first of his house to take the name of
Count of Hapsburg. His descendants all bore that
title, until the elevation of Rudolph to the throne of
the Holy Roman Empire. The castle was afterwards
given in fief to various nobles, from whom it passed to
the canton of Berne, by which it is still owned.
SEASONABLE ADVICE.—If you are weather-bound,
either at a country house or wayside inn, Judy, whether
bound or not, is the periodical you should invariably
ask for.—Judy.
THE PRINCE OF WALES IN THE HUNTING FIELD.—
A grand meet of the West Norfolk foxhounds took
place on Saturday at Narboro. The Prince of Wales,
who had been staying at Marham with Mr. Villebois,
drove to the meet with his host. The Princess of
Wales, with the young princes, Albert Victor and
George, travelled by train to Narboro Station, at-
tended by Sir Dighton Probyn, A large company
was present. Rain was falling, but a start was made,
all the Royal party hunting. Eight large plantations
were drawn blank, but after two hours two foxes were
found near Narboro Hall. A. run at a rattling pace
ensued, the Princess, who looked id excellent sphits,
keeping well up with the hounds in spite of the cn.
tinned downpour. The kill took place at Gayton, in
Lord Romney's hen-house, after a run of seven miles,
the Prince and his two sons being in the first flight.
The Royal party afterwards returned to Sandring-
ham.

THE GROWTH OF CHILDREN.—Growth varies in
different children. Some increase in stature so
rapidly that their clothes are outgrown long before
they are worn threadbare, while others grow very
slowly. A table prepared by a French savant gives
the following data :—During the first year after birth
the growth in stature is about seven and one-half
inches; from two to three it is four or five inches;
from three to four, an inch and an half; from four to
six, about two and a quarter inches annually; from
seven to eight, two and a half inches; from eight
to twelve, two inches annually ; from twelve to
thirteen, one and eight-tenths ; from thirteen to four-
teen, two and a quarter inches; from fifteen to
sixteen, two inches; from sixteen to seventeen, nearly
two inches; and after this, though growth con-
tinues until twenty-one and sometimes for years
after, its rate rapidly diminishes. If mothers would
measure their children regularly on their birthdays
and preserve the record, they would thus accumulate
valuat)le data for statisticians. Progressive increase
of stature is a sign of good health, as increase in strides
shows weakness of constitution or imperfect health.
SUDDEN DEATHS AT FOOTBALL MATCHES.—During
the progress of an Association match between Olympic
(Turton) and Edgworth Clubs, near Bolton, on Satur-
day, Christopher Duckworth, who was acting as
umpire for the Olympic, was observed to fall down
suddenly. Drs. Horrocks and Cosgrave were speedily
in attendance, and pronounced life extinct, death
being attributed to heart disease, accelerated by
excitement.—During a football match at Dulwich, on
Saturday, between two clubs, a shocking incident
a:cuffed. It appears that in the middle of the game
Mr. Sydney F. Welsh, the captain of the Old Blues,
whilst running after the ball, was seen to stumble and
fall senseless to the ground. A medical student of St.
Bartholomew's Hospital, who was playing for the
Roslyn. ark Club, went to his assistance, and recom-
mended a qualified medical gentleman to be sent for,
which was done, but notwithstanding Dr. Ray's
prompt attendance life was pronounced extinct. The
deceased was only twenty-three years of age. Medical
opinion is that the deceased's death was produced from
heart diem,.

THE ARMY RESERVE.—A general order has been I
issued by the War-office authorities to the effect that I
all married men of the let Claas Army Reserve who
have comented to extend their services to two years,
or to complete their twelve years service with the
colours of their regiment, are to be immediately
brought on the married roll. It is expected this will
induce a large member of men to remain in the army
rather than pass into the rezerve again.
KILLED ON THE RAILWAT.—Mr. William Carter,
coroner for East Surrey, has held an inquiry at Streat-
ham-common relative to the death of Charles Domney
Webb, aged 45, a single man. It appeared from the
evidence of Edwin Dann, a signalman in the employ
of the Brighton Railway, stationed at Streatham
North junction box, that he knew the deceased as the
watchman at the waterworks now in the course of con-
struction at Streatham-common. On Wednesday night,
in last week, witness was on duty in his box about nine
o'clock, when he saw the deceased crossing the lines,
an cantioned him as to his being a trespasser, as he
often had done before. About 9 qulrter nrket eleven
the same night a light engine passed up the line, and
shortly afterwards witness heard groans as of a man in
agony. He looked out of his window and saw a man
lying on his back in the six-foot way a few feet from
the box. Witness proceeded to the spot with a lamp,
and found the deceased with his legs cut off and his
clothes torn and disarranged. The deceased, who
never moved or spoke, expired five minutes aft6r. The
jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."
_ . .

. -
THE DISTRESS IN IRELAI7 D. —The Special Cor-
respondent of the Daily News in Ireland, who is de-
scribing the distress in Donegal, quotes evidence to
show that the prejudice against emigration is rapidly
dying out. The spread of education and the know-
ledge of other countries which the Press circulates in
remote districts are producing a revolution in the
minds of the peasantry on the subject, and they begin
to see that their condition at home must be very
sensibly improved before it would outweigh the ad-
vantages which emigration holds out to them. The
difficulty of providing relief works that would be re-
munerative is very considerable and even the very un-
remunerative local industries by which the younger
members of a family were kept in employment are no
longer flourishing.