biglam/hmd_newspapers huggingface dataset:
The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1870-11-12

A PAINFUL CASE.

, In the Court of Queen's Bench, in London, the
cause of " Nightingale v. Mercer" has been heap), and
it was (as observed by Mr. Denman) a painful and
unusual case. It was the action by Sir Charles
Nightingale, the father of the wife of the defendant,
to recover from tile defendant a considerable sum for
the support of his daughter, the defendant's wife, on
the ground that she had horn obliged to leave the de-
fendant.
It appeared that the parties were married in
1857 and that dissensions had arisen between the
husband and wife prior to 1861—partly arising from or
leading to a refusal by her to accompany him to
India. Up to 1861 she received funds from him, but
about that time the quarrels culminated in a re-
fusal by the wife to go to India with her hus-
band, and a consequent separation between them.
The lady returned to her father's house, and it was
for her aupp set for several years that her father
now sued. The case wax tried in 1 mdon before the
Lord Chief Justice, when the wife was examined and
gave evidence of ill.usa2e and threatening on the part
of her husband, compelling her to leave him; whereas
the case on his side wan that she wilfully left him
rather than go to India, and that the fault was in her.
In summing up the case to the jury the Lord Chief
Justice told them that the wife was hoc od to live with
her husband unless lawful cause excused her separa-
tion, and that a dislike to go to India would not afford
such en excuse; but that it was for them to judge
whether that was the real cause or the case set up by
her as to ill-usage, and he further told them that even
if she was wrong in originally leaving her husband, yet
if at any time bhe offered to return to him, and he re-
fused, or prevented her return, then his obligation to
support her would be revived. On the whole case, the
jury found for the plaintiff for L'7lo.
_ _ _

_
Mr. Denman, C., on the part of the defendant,
moved foes new trial on the insufficiency of the evidtiice,
and also on affidavit) by Colonel Mercer ne4ativing the
the statements made against him.
The Lord Cuief Justice said that Colonel Mercer had
thus had an opportunity of denying the matters impu-
ted to him, ant the cout t would grant a stile nisi for a
new trial, lint they earnestly hoped that the master
would be amicably adjusted by private arrangement,
01) as to avoid another unpleasant exposure of such
private affairs.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1870-11-12

EVACUATION OF ORLEANS.

Touts, Thundny Evoning.

Reports have been current during the day
from various quarters that an important engage.
went took place yesterday east and west of Or.
leans. It is asserted that the Prussians have
consequently evacuated Orleans, and that fight-
ing is going on to-day. No official fiIIUOUUCO•
went, however, on this subject has yet been
wade.

CLOSING OF THE ELBE.

CUXHAVEN, WWllollthly.

It is stated on reliable authority, that the
French fleet, consisting of 80 vessels, has gone
to the North Sea. The navigation on the Elbe
has therefore ceased, and all lights and buoys
have been removed. Tim pilots are no longer
permitted to leave the port.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1870-11-12

LETFER FROM THE DUKE OF
GRADIONT.

The S outu I? I,te de Thum publishes a letter from the Duc
de Gramma, foriai.rly &finagler of Foreign Affair., dated
London, November t! rectifying some .tatemetda which had
been made in hi. correspondence from four., relating to his
communications oath Lard Lyoni before the war. In his
letter the Duke say' :

" It is false that the English Ambassador proposed
to me to put into precise form the renunciation of the
Prince of Hohenzollern, asking for time to send a
meseage to L ,rd Granville and to receive afterwards an
answer Irons Germany to Lsndon, and promising that
the English Government would obtain all desirable
satisfaction. It is naturally just as falm that
I responded to this offer of resistance from the
British Ambassador by a formal refusaL It is
equally false that Lord Lyons took the trouble
to communicate to me all the reports from the \Eii.
tary Attaché at Berlin, asking me at the :same time
whether the forces of France could compare with those
of Prussia. I could on this subject enter into details
which belong to history, which will be collected some
day, and which personally I should be greatly interested
in making known; but I believe I am acting patrioti-
cally in reserving them for the future. What
astonishes use is that, Lord Lyons being at Tours at
this moment, your correspondent, who can so easily
learn the truth, and who surely must know it, should
have preferred to send you inaccurate information.
This is neither bon I et nor clever, for you cannot believe
how much writings of this kind injure us in foreign
countries, especially at this time, when we are so much
interested in not te ruing aside the sympathies which
commence openly to rally to our cause. lam sure
that I am not mistaken when I tell you that to-day
uprightness and good faith are not only a duty but
wisdom. Should you share my opinion, I authorize
you to publish my letter.
" ReceiVe, "Doc DE GRAMONT."
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1870-11-12

THE HALOONS FROM FARM

The balloon Ferdinaud Floc.a. which brought the last
news from PStilt, had a rather disturbed and perilous voyage.
It was manned by M. Lemercier de Janvelle, a functionary
of the Telegraph Adruinistrati in, and M. Vioal (hatter known
as SI Loyaset), au aeronaut. Paining cver Montretout and
Versailles thiy were received with a sharp musketry lire
from the Prussian lines—three balls struck the car. As they
passed over chartists they inc me the object of Bevcral
smart platoon volleys, whi,h, however, wore harmless.
About two o'clock they attempted to descend in the vicinity
of the Sub-Prefecture of Stglt, but could not ricceed. Thetr
dm:ant was effected at 37 minutes past three o'clock at
Nort, nine leagues from N'antee. They were very neirly
carried away by • strong north cast wind on to the open
ocean. MM. Lemercier w.d Vidal, who were received in •
most friencly manner by the authoritim a: Noel mid Nantes,
have just seined at Tours with the Government despatches.
The pige,m which they brought with them hare returned
agall to Pule with the new, of the successful descent of the
Pe,dinand

DOWN WITH EVERYBODY !

" M. Rochefort make. a very Curious figure In the recent
Slot niy proceed lugs In Perla up to a certain point, and then
sadden', disailpears. When tre Hotel de Ville was Wearied
on the necourable bleed .y, anti the Commune 1•1111 proclaimed
by a thrusand toim a, loud cties wore raised for Rochefort,
who was fetched (tc Ituothor part of the bonding, and
thrust forward amidst the most discordant erlea rl,s soon
Ire could get on the table, where he had to be heNI up by
fils friends, be began to any that the Government was deli-
berating, when he wee Interrupted with loud cries of 'No
dellueratinus ho elections ! No Commune ! Down
with Roohefort rush was made at the table
on which he net steering, and bp was neer falling. The
cries were resumed—' You are amember of the Goveeument:
begrne !' Rochefort sold, 'I am • child of the people, like
you!" You you urn a Count." I, like you, am an enfant
de Paris." You are an Ando. No Rothefort !' M. Roche-
fort the•• mentioned the neutral Powers and the armistice
of M. Thief., and the words seemed to madden the people,
and they cited 'Down wl:4 Tblelw! Arrest him ! ImPrisen
hipti hang him!' Rochefort then reared, and, two days
afteffrerartgllhdrew from 1301.fettiment."—Ptuis C4Tre.
opond44l.

THREE THEORIES AS VO Tin HOMBARDMEHT
OP PARIS.

" There are ver:ons theories respecting the result of open-
ing tre as drat Park but before I say a word as to these
theories let mo observe that there are some—and those not
the least wise—who say that if they had had their way there
would not have been a sfege'gun tacught up before Perla In
other words, that they would hive Wooed tr.a capital by
famine. It is vary obvious. Indeed, that no forts or gurdican
keep famlne out, for It grows Inside. Ito, If there were no
power on the part ci the bollard to fight convoys In, and 11
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1870-11-12

HALESOWEN.

SWUM{ ACCIDENT.—Au accident of a serious nature
occurred on Monday last, to Mr. Ueorge Lea, landlord of
the Cock Inn. It appears that Mr. i.e. was aitting in
room at the Shenatone Inn, when from some cause or
other he :dipped off his seat, and fell on the floor. His
leg wee under his body, and his thign was broken. The
unfortunate man was at once conveyed home, and Mr.
111‘.111Y111, surgeon, was sent for, and at once net the leg,
and the sufferer iv doing as well as can be expected.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1870-11-12

A GERMAN EXPLANATION.

U . "ides Farm's eatement, that the king of Prussia, on
entering France, had declared that he wee making war on
Napoleon, and not on Um French people, has often been
disputed by German arriteto, and Professor von Sybil GI a
mote to hie very able letter to The Times, also questions lie
aCcuriwy, The King's proclamation to the French people
was published in the Loudon papen on the Itch of August.
It begins :a Inliows :—"Tie EreperOr Napoleon having
made by lend and tee an attack cu the German nation,
which deaired, sod lilt deeirer, to live in peace with,the
French peonle, I hare mutinied the command of the German
armies to repel this aggreentoo, and I have been led by mili-
tary eircumetancea to cross the frontier of France. I am
swaging war against soldier., not against French attire..."
and so on. Zvldently the Intention of this pasuaga Is to
draw a distinction between Napoleon and the French 10-oiila,
are, to lead them to andersiand, an St Jules Fevre did, Vitt
Xing Sb fillom waa making war on Napoleon .d hie millers,
who hwi "malta,, attack an thn i:erman nation," but not
the Frehch people, with whom to,„ German u
: ation " de-
sire. o live in peace."

TALL TALKING'

The g prematlon was Issued by M Delpech, the
Prefect the n00ch,.....0.Rh0ne. who has Ilinen Men super
wed by M. Frenchmen were aLW
Werth) of that name tile 4,14,4 .ClpittliatiOn' was unknown
ID their language. Since inn ac.co M.et of gOd.O' h.
poured upon tlor natal his poiamone itneth, that phrase,
familiar to the cowardly mrpporters of the S'apiro, haa be-
come common In de, pitches Metz Is the completion caf
Sedan. the roblor of Mexico attains the infamy of the man
of the Eiya Where are the wretches who dare to call
thernselvea Jionapartista ? Where are the tralts.no rho
dream of Anterellun ,ft new era WY opening tor
France. gunneries lent:reed greet victories, and
brightened the darkened horizon, Wit the man of Sedan was
on the watch. Infamous hirelings awaited the moment of
%reason to strike a deway blow at the growing enthusiasm
of the people. hazard, seized the hour. The wretch fore.
new that hope was returning to France, and so he cowardly
and treacherously dealt it a blow which la hat by all Frenchmen
tot. almost overpowering. nut cowards aml traitors never
hoC much tenacity a nation has In reserve. The ilevoiution
will be found Invincible. and will overcome many obstacles.
The French nation, [loaned, haa sounded the abyss before
her, and will find within herself the strength regulate to
avoid It. Citizens, the nation finds within its bosom two
dames—coward. and brave mwa Who would belong to the
gra? I dears to be ranked In the seeond, I thereon teh
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1870-11-12

THOMAS lIOMER,

AUCTIONEER AND GENERAL VALUER,
FIVE NITATe. CIASIAT Huta,
Respectfully solicits the patronage end support of
~utor,,,es I rirude, sod the Public generally
Charges strictly Moderam.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1870-11-12

MARRYING, AND GIVING IN
MARRIAGE."

Marrviug and giving in marriage (remarks the
Daily Wm), are such characteristic oocupatiens of
society that they probably went on within the walls of
starving Metz, and we know they are going on within
the walls of beleaguered Paris. There is, however,
' a certain definite relation between the ntunher of
marriages and the prosperity of the people. Even
Englishmen and women, as a rule, on 13: marry when
1 they have something to marry on, and .in hard times
they put off their weddings till they are better off.
During the long depression of commerce the marriages
declined, and it is one proof of reviving trade that
during the spring of this year the number of marriages
I rose as nearly as possible to the usual average. During
the quarter ending 30th June there were nearly ten
thousand more panting married than in the.firet months
of therm-. The number of weddings in April, May, and
June wee 43,491 —an average of a little more than five
hundreds day. Five hummed marriages &day, though
they are pattered over the whole surfaoeof Eughinf% give
us a toleTahly large aggregate of social happiness and
comfort. Five hundred new households set up every
day give us a vivid sense of the increase of the nation.
Of course we ehould have to set over against these
several hendreds of households dissolved every day by
misfortune, death, emigration, and all the influencee
which disintegrate society. But there would still re.
main a large margin, quite large enough to answer the
question put every day in every growing city and
town in the kingdom—Where do the people come from
to fill all the new houses! It is these five hundred
marriage, a day, forming five hundred new households,
which ore at once the means and the sign of our na-
tional progress.