The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1870-10-29 00:00:00

CORRESPONDENCE.

We wish it to be distinctly senderatood that by inserting
letters in this solumn, we do not thereby identifyou r,dres
with th opinions f our Correspondents.

lb the Editor of the Observer."

Sin,—Allow in. as a man unfavoured by the gods, and
who has seen some of the "ups sod downs "Ist life to
make a few remarks in answer to the concluding part of
an " Old Inhabitant's" letter, which appeared in your
last week's prayer. In the first place I would congratu-
late him upon the excellent state of his mental faculties.
These seem to be in some particulars as perfect as be
could desire. He remembers well the very first acts of
one of our youngest Commissioners, and points out
minutely what he did et his first sitting at the Board.
If he can, an" Old Inhabitant" draws so readily from
his well-stored mind the acts and doings of all oar pub.
lie men, I almost envy him the vigour of his declining
years, and you, Mr. Editor, must be congratulated that
you have such a correspondent to whom you can apply
for such minute information in your various times of
need. It is said some men develope their powers at •
very advanced age, and the late Lord Palmerston is in-
staneed in support of this assertion. It was said that
he was a very great dunce at school, and that his tutor
declared that he could make nothing of him. Perhaps
your correspondent an "Old Inhabitant " is • man so
constituted, having passed through certain stages of his
existence with powers undeveloped, and now when he is
capable of transacting public business, recounting and
treasuring up what is oommendable in his fellow.towns-
men. Old age forbids him leaving his shell lest his grey
hairs should bring contempt for a life of inactivity. But
a second reading of the latter part of the "Old Inhabit.
ant's" letter shews me that this picture I have drawn of
him does not exactly correspond with the original, for I
can trace here and there marks that the shadow of dim-
new, that natural obscurity, is paw so pawing over me of his
menial powers. He tells us that when the present body
of Commissioners " were first elected them was ene gen-
Unman chosen" . . . . that he has now sat on
the Board since its formation," dm. In these remarks
he betrays his gradually failing powers, for you know.
. Mr. Editor, that the gentleman to whom he refer. hen
not sat on the Board since it. formation; nor was he
amongst the first 27 chosen as representatives under the
new Act. lam sure your" Old correspondent will for.
give me correcting him. Another remark permit me to
make in reference to the subject of my old friend's weak-
ness, and then lam done. He seems from the conclud-
ing remarks of his letter to have entered second child-
hood, and betrays • weakness very natural to the second
stage of human existence—to envy this one gesaleman
for his early attempts to bring about " • great improve-
ment " in the town, and intimate, that he wonder, the
inhabitants of the district did mot present him with "a
teetthoonial for his pains." Now, Mr. Editor, am Ito
suppose that the "Old Inhabitant" has been living in
the atmosphere, and amongst whom testimonials are the
order of the day, and where thee are presented for the
sake of presentation' If so he may naturally expect
and wish that every effort put forth for the good of the
town should be marked by • public recognition.
If this be the view the "Old Inhabitant" takes I
should say very praiseworthy, old gentleman ! Endea-
vour in your declining years to carry out the programme
and let me, as a reader of the Observer, find the name of
the "Old Inhabitant" pat down in yoar next issue for
ES towards • fund for this purpose, and he will in • suc-
ceeding issue find mine in company for the same object,
but not to the same amount: . .

Trusting I shall become better acquainted with yoar
"Old Inhabitant," for I have the greatest reepeet for old
age, and am always ready to give such a helping hand.
Your. truly,
SENEX.

Printed and Published by the Sole Proprietor, tilllEoll
It his Maces, 11, Highdtreet,loarbellso, la
the County of Worcester : to whale plots al laws ma
other oommuluestions lona be addressed.
deitarday. Cetober 29,