The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1871-09-30 00:00:00

listellancous I!4ticlligentt,

HOME, FOREIGN, AND COLLIIIAL.

FRUIT IN SEAse:sr.—Pears just now are very
apt to he elveloy. It is really Out the fault of the
Newrpapers.- F,nirh. . _ _

SING .REFORM.- -A public clufercrice on
the subject of liquor traffic legialation was; held in 'Bir-
mingham on Monday, the Mayor l,reolihjii. The fid.
lowing resolution was passed unanimously :
That In view of the lamentable amount of intemperance
which prevails among all sections of the British nal It .n, this
conference mjiiices in the litany indications shown through-
out the daintily end In Parliament of a determination to
apply some retnedies calculated to tinnini9il the power and
Influence of the liquor traffic hut the Conference at the
MUM time etretleiten its ..... bt peoliontei eonViellon that no
means will he satisfactory, or incit the ncecislties of the
community, male. it 1•10i1111111, %link •Ciei. lin.Viojons ,buses
etelithinttlm t,eoPie. ity a nnljorny 4 tile-t hii,ie, to Vet o the
Sale of int,tetting linltoet in nice on: ish ne dimteli t suhere
the inhaldtants desire to be free (rein the primary cause of
smut moat patiperisni fluid Crime'

Tit DEsTMATIoN OF THE CaNVICTED COM-
is rro.—"The individuals condemned by the enlists-
martial of Versailles, Lyon,and Marseilles," can the
Patric, '3lOl whose appeals were re.iecteib have been
cent to the bane of Tbnlon, where they will be run-
fuel until their departure for the places where they
are to undes_io their sentence. An auxiliary steam
transport has been prepared to re,ieive them, and will
putt at the commencemeat of (Molter. Instruc-
tions are o& I to have been already cent out to the
Governor of 1,1,0 v U.ledonia, in iwiler f, anive two
months before the first vessel from Toulon. A peni-
tentiary will be organised in a healthy situation near
Nomnea for the men, and the women will be sent
to the Island des Pains, at a short distance from the
Coast."

---
A TOUGH MIME STORY.—There is a loan out
in Oregon who has a mule. A short time ago Ike was
driving the animal across the prairie, when it suddenly
stopped. The man left his waggon and attempted to
induce that mule to move on, but without success. Ile
beat it, he coaxed it, he threatened it, and lie cursed
it. but it refused to budge. He tied tire crackers to
its tail and exploded them, but the mule turned its
head in a languid sort of a way, examined the fire-
works, and calmly winked at the man. Then the man
thought perhaps the mule had forgotten something and
wanted to go back, so he tried to turn 111111 around ; but
the mule expressed a firm determination not to go
tonic. The man became desperate, and thought he
would build a lire under the mule ; lout as fast as he
, would kindle it, the mule, standing tirm npon three
legs, re!whed over with its other leg and kicked the
flames out. Then he tore his hair and swore- - the man
did- but he rushed to the waggon s.nd got twelve
pounds of gunpowder, and he clug a bole under that
mule and built a mine. Then he covered up the charge
and laid a slow match, and stood off a little piece
while he lit it. There was a rumble, a roar, then a
terrific explosion ; and, amid the cloud of dust and up-
heaved rockx, the mule was observed to fling its hind
leg's in the air, and to support itself upon its fore feet
in that position until the blast was over, when it
quickly assumed its old attitude, and a genial smile
1 Nasses,w. lgozr.htsw,feaa,!:itrc.costr.aisnit, iarce ejavedonitawTiacsite, Lly,,ilt!
born. It was of no use ! coming the
manywent loan,

ESSAYS BY WORKMEN.—The Working Men's
('lob and Institute Union have determined to invite
the members if their affiliated institutions to record
their ideas on sundry important questions which
deeply affect the welfare of the people at large. They
believe that much good may be effected by inducing
intelligent workmen to write papers on subjects which
lie within the swipe of their own personal experience,
and by making other classes acquainted with their
opinions and suggestions. Prizes have accordingly
lit-en offered for the best essay on the following subject,
and others will shortly be anntmeced :—" The causes
of the alleged absence of thrif taw' waving habits atieing
a considerable portion of the industrious C1:4441, of this
country as compared with the same class's in °the
countnes, anal the remedies for this istate of thugs."
The Union will be very glad to receive aid and sug-
gestions in carrying out this useful work.
RAILWAY LABOUR. Mr. Bass, M.P., has
replied to the letter which was recently published
from Mr. Price, respecting the work on the Mitlland
Railway. He quotes from the letter of a signalman,
who denies Mr. Price's statement, and says
"I myself have only had five weekdays and one Sunday off
duty ha Is7l, and In la7o liii not know what it was to have
a week day c Sunday off duty. I know many others who
have not had so many days off this year as myself, and nt
this moment we do 11.4 know when the day nifty conic for any
Me of us to have another day 4ill, for so short-hanffast does
Mr. Earp work the line that were I to fall ill torinurrow he
has not a elm he could BOW lam my place, without he sent one
of his assiffants who van formerly a relief signalman.''
He also, quotes the letter ad a guard, who says he has
to work 90 hours a week before lie gets any allowance
for overtime.
A /coved. RacE.—A correspondent thus des.
scribes a " potato race," in New Hampshire, a fiashion•
able sport there —a very curious trial of speed and
strength it is. Three lines of potatoes were laid. Each
line is of .50, each a yard from each other. Of course,
each line is 411 yards long. At the end of each line is a
basket, by which, at the start, a contestant stands. In
this case there are three competitors. At the word
"Co," each one begins where he chooses on his line to
pick up potatoes that lie may bring them to the basket.
He must pick up but one tan each trip Mal turn to hring
it back ha the basket. Mathematical readers will see
that this involves 7,350 feet of running, with such de-
ductions as may he made for an outstretched arm when
one comes to his basket, awl with the serious tundra'
of two tenet fiat: every potato, or 100 turns in all. Three
spirited contestants entered, and one of them, named
"Thrasher," performed the feat in a little more than
nine minutes. The other two were close behind him.
ESCAPE OF Two PRISoNERS FROM PORTLAND.
- On Monday morffing the warders of Portland Prison
found that two prisoners had escaped. The black flag
was hoisted, a signal-gun fired, and the soldiers and
coast-wiardm warned. Soldiers were posted at the
bridge comiecting Portlatil with the main land. Some
quarrymen, however, met two men dreseetl like gentle-
men coming from the prison, anal in passing heard one
sav, " It's no use going any further, we are sure to be
Wien." They were stopp-al anal proved tat be the
missing men. It was found they had broken into a
cleric's house arid stolen the two suits they wore and
ale out Et.i in money.
THE DIAMoNfI FIELDS—If the South African
diamond nate 4. add prove less marvellous than Shiba, l's
fanieus valley there seems to be now no doubt that
they will far exceed in productiveness any other known
region in which these precious gems are found. At
one spot a diamond of 120 carats has been unearthed.
The famous Pitt diamofial weighs but 1:7, the equally
famous Kolei-SWor 102 carats, though these weights,
it must he retie:mitered, are after cutting. I 'orrespom
dents report seeing every ihate diamonds weighing from
20 to GO carats. and 211,05)0 sliamond seekers are stated
to he assealeal in one district, where a steam engine
anal sifting machine are ilea in operation.
AN AM' KWARD QuESTION.—Never wound any
one's feelings unnecessarily. Respect all leanest pre•
judices. liar aliample, if, at supper, you have a lady
under your charge whose prineiples 3,111 know to be
decidedly teetotal, zbstain front asking her whether
she will take Nome tipsy cake. each.

PEAT/I FROM CIILOROFORII.—An inquest has
been held, in Lomb., on the body of Edmond Kitch-
Mg, aged thirteen yeam. The issir boy, having been
found sleeping in the open air, near the Royal Ex-
change, about a month ago, was sent to the Boys'
Home. Soon after he WAS discovered to lie suffering
from stone in the bladder, and consequently removed
to the London Ifospitab where be V, IX placed under
tre.ilowin. While this was going on, he expressed a
&dr; to undergo an rperation on one of his eyes,
which was troubled with an affection causing hint to
splint ; and on Wednesday afternoon he was accord-
ingly placed limier chloriform, and the eye attended
to. As deceived was emerging from the influence of
the drug. he made efforts to vomit, but, taking a deep
inspiration at the moment, was choked, and died in-
stantly. The verdict returned by the jury was "Acci-
dental death."

THE HUI:IIES BM:WO:Ter.—It will ho re-
membered that in recording the death of Sir
Edward Hughes, of East Bergh°lt, the papers
mentioned the fact that, acconling to most of
the hooks of Peerages, the title had become
extinct. It now appears that the Rev. Robert
Hughes, second son of the Bev. Sir Robert Hughes,
third baronet, left at his sheath in 1520 two sons the
elder of whom Ilied without issue in Is H. while the
younger, Frederick, emigrated to Australia. He has
not been heard of be his friends for more than four
years; and at the slate of the latest ails ices received by
them from the colony he was completely broken ilowut
in health. He had been man ied for upwards of 20
years, but hail no issue. If be is still living he has now
succeeded to his cousin's baronetcy ; but, in the event
of his being deceased, the title will have passed to his
uncle, the Rev. Thomas eollingwood Hughes, Vicar
of South Tawton, Devonshire, third son of the above-
mentioned Rev. Sir Robert Hughes, the third holder
of the title.

CHINESE SCICIDES.—Five instances of the
suicidal propmsity of the Chinese are furnished in a
single copy of a China paper. A young man quar-
relled with his elder brother, and forthwith he took
enough crude opium to kill an English bullock. —A
mandarin's wife and the wife of an expectant mandarin
swallowed their gold hair ornaments to destroy them-
selves out of jealousy at the introduction of supple-
mentary wives.—ln another and cashier case, the
daughter of a district magistrate drank poison avow-
edly in onler to accompany her father's glint to the
world I.f spirits, and there ininbter to his necessities.
"Our father in the nether worh I will be solitary and lone-
some, and lam about to follow him thither, to wait on
him and bear him company ; "Si saying she drank off
the fatal cup in the presence of her sisters. This act
is spoken of in the official despatches as a "supreme
act of filial piety, an act eminently calculated to afford
an illustrious example and exercise a happy influence
upon the present generation."

, PET ASSASSINS IN AMERICA. There is
scarcely a town in Louisianna, Mississippi, Arkansas,
or Texas without its pet desperado (says the
Orleans P ire pee e.) It is the same throughout the
, whole south. The border States, Virginia, Kentucky,
, and Missouri, are just as bad. The far west is far
worse, and the states of the north-west have their own
record also. These young fellows (they are generally
young, for whisky claims its own and 'kills them It
before middle age) are usually respectable in parentage
and kin. Sometimes they bear professional diplomas.
lint in any case they have a throng of admirers and
followers, men who will talk volubly, if not eloquently,
of their prowess and achievements, and who stand
ready at any time to urge them on to acts of bloody
scoundrelism. They are not altogether responsible for
their villany ; the foolish people who tolerate them so-
cially are, in part, the accessories of their diabolism.
The writers vele excuse anti extenuate their wickedlinsia
are also sharers in their crimes. They are known to be
nninlerers, and yet within a range of thirty miles
around his home each may count a hundred compani, ens
who the not scruple at being seen on any occiiiiin in
his company. AN hen he at last dies by violence (seldlinn
at the hands of the law), there are mean apologists
ready to speak of some quality which would be a merit
in any other character. After he is dead, a victim to
his own villainy, it is narrated that he was a &siderite
character, the author of a citizen 1101114:W1, : hot Ids
red and brutal biography is gilled with praise fin. his :
daring, and touched off with eh smolt apologies for his
It is told bow valiently he fought as a sol-
dier (a doubtful tale for no I tail man can be a good
soldier in any Caine),, and the standing and merits of
his parents, his ancestry and his kindred are dwelt
upon, even though it may be well known that a worthy
father is ashamed id the villainous, murdering, base,
and bloody young drunkagal that bears his name.
CALIFORNIAN lIUMoUR ! About the most
ludicrous incidknt that we remember occurred] the other
day in an ordinary solemn village in the cow counties,
A worthy matron, who had been absent Jooking after a
vagroin cow, returned home, anti pushiingeganist the
door fennel it obstructed by some heavy enlist:thee,
which, upon examination, proved to be her husband.
lie had been slaughterelliy sonic' roving joker, who
had wrought upon him with a pick-handle. To one qf
his ears was Issued a scrap of greasy paper, upon
which ,v,:re Feeruahled the fidlidwicg sentiments in
jeiceil tr.wks :--" The immlosedi lushly is that uv old
thinker Step litely, stranger, far vere lice the mortil
part nv wat you inns be stun due, 'liters arrest fist the
weery ! If banker hetidenta win t agin me fer
Corner I wnddenta hed to siton him. (Sr Men lathe
kingum of hercun ! You (Inn% want •to moov this
bodily summuns to hold 3 winquest. Orl flesh
arc grrue !" The ridiculous pat eel' tie, story is that.
the lady did not Wait to sumnica the coroner, but took
charge of the remains herself, and in dragging them
toward the bed she exploded into her face a shotgun,
which bad been cunningly contrived to discharge by a d
string connected with the tinily. Thus was she minishcil '
for an infraction of the law. The next day the parti-
eulars were told us by the facetious coroner himself,
whose jury had just rendered a verdict of accidental
drowning, in both Canan. We do not know n hen we
have enjoyed a heartier laugh at genuine California
btnnOnie —.san FraliCi4Co Noes Letter.

ANGLO-GREEK Fitta.—Among the earthworks
of the deferaling force oussEtaldeshill, constructed
imder the able au rintendenee of Colonel Laffan,
a special reporter of the autumn manomeres parti-
cularises " the right and left Oyster shell Redoubts."
This statement is calculated to possess some of our
foreign friends with the idea that inste.id of
the bombe which the armies of military nations are
accustomed to use in warfare, the British Amillerv,
with a simplicity truly native, employs oyater-shell; ;
au that the only bombardment which invaders would
have to encounter in England would be an ustrefeism.--
Punch.
THE LAST WORD. —A medical man writes—
" I have often noticed that the last words of the .lying
are, This is death.' Notably, a dear las other of mine,
who lore his mortal illness with brave cheerfulnesa,
and at last died suddenly, looked up to those around
his bed, am! sail, 'I must be dying, I think,' and died.
1 believe the feeling of death is most peculiar and un-
mistakeable. What that feeling is everyone knows,
but, unhappily, tier late to telL if, however' it were
speeially noticed, it would be found, as a nil,',, that the
last words of the dying were-6 This is death.'"
MortsTnna AND TIIEIR CONCREGATIONS.—
Preaching at an ordination in Exeter on Sunday, the
bishop ot that diovese dwelt on the mutual duty of
ministers and people to pray for each other, lie
said :
•• A very old rule of the English Chureh provided that minis-
ter and people should meet daily for horning and evening
prayer. The rule required 'MMUS 11111difleatitma to adapt it to
the spiritual needs and wants of the present time. re obey it
In the latter might in many cases be a hindrance to its great
purpose rather than a help, and such rules must be taken as
sunsmanate to the great object of MI Christian den-lion.
But whatever might be their judgment comanning the letter
of the rule, its spirit was assuredly binding upon every man
who took upon himself the ministry of the gospel in the Es-
tablished Church, and upon all c.ongregations who c,onsidercd
themotelves in the rank. of that Church. tleariy when it was
made people believed in the value vi this constant reciprocal
prayer."
ltAnwAY A M ALOAMATION. —lt has been hastily
stemmed (remarks the Solurlan Reriew,) that the
North-Western amalgamation, which requires the sane-
ti on of Parliament, is already complete. There is
ranthing to prevent two Railway Psmrds from putting
, their earnings in a joint purse, or from arranging with
one another the times of trains and the rates and fares
i nnf traffic; but such an agreement haB ion legal validity,
and experience shows that, lf it is not confirmed by
Parliament, it is sooner or later dissolved. The share-
ladders of either company have at any time a right to
object to the discharge of obligations which circum-
stances may render onerous. Until the amalgamation
is sanctioned by Parliament, its continuance depends on
the maintenance of the existing ratio between the res-
pective earnings of the osinpaninn, and on many other
contingencies ; and in the meantime it is the interest
and the duty of both the Boards to develsase to the
utmost their own proper traffic, because their earnings
will necemarily form the basis of a final adjustment,
and also because it is prudent to provide for a possible
, separation.
As ISLAND FOR SALE. —There its now a
, chance for any one with money and enterprise enough
to buy an Maud. It is said that Henn, Ithe of the
smaller of the Channel Wands group, is for Pale.
This tiny island ix about a mile long by three-quarters
broad. It is fertile— at least in parts-AIM a fine shell
beach, and is tolerably well stocked with game. Being
only half-an-hour's sail from Guernsey, it is suffieiently
accessible. The government, social condition, singular
customs, and picturesque scenery of these Norman
dependencies of the crown are little known to the
majority of Englishmen, but are well worth a better
acquaintance.
EFFICIENCY OF THE CAVALEY.—A correspon-
dent, writing about the campaign, says :
I have not seen notice taken it a point connected with
tire military manouvrea which are going on, hut which
several peraorni nil., have been witnesses to the proceedings
have mentioned to , that the cavalry have proved
au agreeable disappointment. It was freely aaid that in this
fon, failure was to be expected in all its duties ti berms,
WI the contrary, I alb assured that both officers and troopers
lave come out exceedingly well, and that outmost ditty, in
which it was iumvined the defects would be nm 4 apparent,
has been adequately fulfilled, and more. I hear also tkat
foreign officers, and the Prussian general in particular, care-
fully watch the proceedings of the cavaliy, and hitherts have
spoken well if it.
THE ACCURACY OF NEWSPAPERS.—AII CX-
I change very truthfully remarks that come /ample have
an idea that it is the business of newspapers to lie, and
are no wise as only to believe a nem spat ner report when
they think it would be easier for the paper to tell the
' truth than it is to tell a lie, and they think it an evi-
dence of wit to reject all evidence for auteority that
conies from newspapers. A few minutes' thought
would ennvince any perion of common judgment that
such a course is a great mistake. 'lle editor gathers
Ills news from a theusand sources, fears acquaintances
and strangers, from letters and papers. Ile sifts, culls,
hunts, condenser, arid endeaviors tm get the straight
fact of every story he inublislies, for it goes to the
publicaver his name, and he kronen that Mini great mea
sure he will be held responsible for it. rhe private
irelividual hears a piece of gossip carelessly, and repeats
it with equal careleneness, and ifs-ailed up nn for details,
nine cases out of ten, cannot furnish enough of them to
make an intelligent item for a paper. It is to the
advantage of the newspaper to furnish facts, but where
there is so mud' lire there must be some smoke. How
many Well can slow a reel' d for correctness, aecuracy,
and truthfulness that will compare with the average
newspaper? The wonder, instead of being that the
newspaper idmirld c.nntain occasional inaccuracies and
rids-statements, is that they contain so few of thou,
considering the sourees from winch the editor derives
lii-. inform:diem

THE HEIR, TO THE TußoxE.--The ;inlay
Affirm remarks that "England in modern times fights
no battles; cinch even in more warlike times, tradition
prevented the heir to the Crown from holding high
military command. With a praiseworthy desire for
take the ostensible
towito, or
tie.a,:la:en3n:ll.Ql.,cfl,csr,yt, the Prince is now at
the head of a cavalry brigade, and he may perhaps
art cf war. If he were entrusted:wittlyite,hb"teLiwimili.:titelo:lafirtheceeof the .
I motive for a certain kind of exertion, and there is no
maim why he should not ale° receive an introduction
to publW business. If the Prime I ...11S1qt had survived,
he would have strenuously disapproved of a life of emu.
pulsoiy idleness for Ids sons. If the Prince of Wales
survives the Queen, he will, in spite of the t hlgers, be
called upon to take pelt in great public affairs ; and it
is not his fault that he has not already began an ap-
prenticeship which would perhaps have superseded the
necessity of pigemeshooting. It is perhaps searcel
desirable that a King i.f England should Is, a hew) oYr
a man of genius ; but there is abundant room fir the
exercise in the tl,roite f tact, of pnolenrr at,,
dev,,tp,i, to the public ilitoreot The y"ou" ant 'liit,k
prince who has lately become King cd Spain is at pc,
which an English king inherits. Much lehs effort
deservedly attended the queen in the earlier part of
her reign."
THE HOUSE THAT SULLIVAN BUILT !—A story,
worth reporting, is current, concerning the ethnologi-
cal excursionists who visited the Islaud of Aran after
the meeting of the British Association in Dublin.
Amongst the objects of interest in the once holy Island,
, pointed out for cubuiration to the assembled 0110015,
se as a rude specimen of these domical buildings of bee-
line form, variously called oratories or elochauns.
These are stoneroofel structures of narrow hit ipor•
than., with low entrances, and containing, one or more small chatuLers. Into that selected for inspection few
ilily of the visitors imuld at the same time gain admis-
sir.ny and whilst 11r. Wilde, who on this °evasion acted
the cicerone, was descanting on the architectural
peculiarities and profound antiquity of a structure
once, perhaps, the residence of Firbolg or Damian
Kings, one of the excluded excursionists, whilst wait-
ing his turn to enter, sought such tuysteriow; informs.
that about the mysterious pile as he could gleam from
the crowd of wondering natives congregatecl around.
" Pray, friend," said he, addressing an Aranite, "is
that a very ancient building? I suppose a thousand
years old at least r " 0 no, y.,r honour," was the
reply, " I think it is no more than four or live years
ago since Tim Sullivan built it."
1 RELIGIOUS LIBERTY IN RUSSIA. —A Swila
member if the deputation which lately waited on the
Emperor of Russia to ask him to accord religious liberty
to his Protestant subjects, writes a letter in the Swim
note, in which he expresses the 'pinion that more
was done by the interview to effect the object sought
than has been supposed. It is admitted that the
matter is entirely in the hands of the Czar, and the
writer thinks that his Nlajesty will not be content to
lie under the reproach which would now fall on him
alone, of suffering his empire to remain, in respect of
toleration, behind all other civilised countries.
IMPORTANT MOVEMENT oF RAILWAY DIED:-
TORS.--The Lim:pool Albion tap: :
A rumour has been industriously circulated within the
last few days, in the truth of which it is said there Is every
reason to believe, that several of the great railway cmii-
panieibpave resolved upon the adoption of a step with re-
ference to the advertisements displayed at their various
stations, and also as regards the &lie of 1.•ooke and news-
papers, which, if COl ried out, will have the effect of seri-
ously interfering with the lucrative business which has been
canted outer no many years past at the different railway
stations throughout the country by the member for West-
ruhiater, a,,d one or tw o other great contractors, who have
hitlndu had a monopoly of the advertisement and book-
stall business, and by which it is understood that princely
fortunes have been realized. The ;Armour in question is to
the effect that more than one of the great companies whose
interest are closely Mentided with Liverpool have decided
Shea taking their station advertising and tiewsped.er and
bookselling into their own hands, In order that the enormous
I pndlta which hitherto have found their may into the pocketa
of the contractors may be applied in aid of increased divi.
denda to the shareholders. The companies in question ars
mid further to have arrived at the mud mion that by taking
the management of the advertising department into their
d.WII l,arots, sail employing competent superintendents of
the department at ecitaiii great centres along their lint%
. they will lie enabled to utilise the several stations for adver-
tising purpoaes tea much greater extent than the coarse-
' tors do at present.
A BAD WIND, &C. !—The semi-official Danish
paper Berlipopke Tide ode publish.; an article on Prince
Napoleon's late pamphlet, in which it protests against
the Prince's conclus. that Denmark was ready and
willing to enter into an alliance with France at the
beginning of the hut war, lithe Emperor Napoleon,
coula mint have failed t,, toll the Prii,,ce that at that
adnota
ttitii.lassiate"it'fhetri. .ar titimei
e waxu.s thes.tnaolulest
Inuretjiric f
the noise time,sisluraof
banly
for the French arms, and if the representations
of England and Russia had not prevented the French
Covernment from seining an ultimatum, backed by a
fleet and a considerable lanolin, force, to Copenhagen,
" Denmark might have asquice7l a different attitude
hilt Ai it was she confined herself hi, protecting her
neutrality. 'l' he Tidoide concludes by cuigratulating
tenniark on the result of the war. "Keen those of
the I tones who sympathized with France," it observes,
" must now say, What was lad for her was well for us,'
NERVOta.—Mrs. Malaprop was induced to
go to a Music Hull the idler evening. She never
numbs to net fort in one again- The extortions some

1-iterirm

_ --
pe orunni tenth. tot into quite in.--
- i he r.- -Pom.h.
'DIE I'itUsSIANS IN FRANCE. —The following ,of the rf ' threwll j ''l . .t.l "11'
THE PEOGREsS (IF IRF.LAND.—The steady
notice Las lately been posted in DU. in :
" Considering that yesterday, by a cowardly act, two tier- r
Mall surgeons, while riding, were severely wounded by progress of the :Midland Great 'Western Railway of
evoked bullets, nod referring to the law of august, ism, re- : Ireland during the last ftve or six years furnishes one
Whig to the state of siege, I order, in the interest use ottlie if the most remarkable chapters in the history of
Irish railways. At the half-yearly meeting int Thun-
man:aide hWaldtaids-1, that arms of all kinds shall be de-
posite.l at the I.refectuie at 1100. all .ruesday, september io, . ,
; oay, the chairman, :Mr. Iheljh Cusaek, stated that
at the latest : 0, seareli win be made in the houses Im-
mediately after thelespiration of that time ,3, it any arms . there had been an increase during the half-year on
sledt be discovered, the owners will be tout meim u e a concil : every description of traffic ; that the increase in the
of war, and severely punished hyluiprlsonment inn German receipts on the Midland line proper was upwards'et
fortress. The house In which arms are found, the owner of 1110,000 ; and that the June dividends for the last fonr
which toilet discovered, will have soldiers quartered in it." vs-an, were 21, 3. 31.„ awl 4 per cent. respeetheely.
AN OWNER WANTED FOR 50,(K10 FRANCs.— boring the last halt-year in the jr.sols traffic the ton-
ne, lOdipt 'plane( Bage says : nage had increased something like from 133,1100 tots es.
There are seine people, es-en in this money-making and 117,800 tons. in cattle they hail carried a viny large
money-wenthipping age, who do not seem to trouble them- excess of pigs, an excess in sheep, there being a very
seDha overmuch about the root of all eviL The mass, is, . small diminutions-about 400 --in horned cattle, In
1&&&&,&s".. "f "1"h j the passeen,er traffic their inereaBe was under each of
that since the let of December, IS7O, the
j the heads first, second, thud, and harvestmers.
gation No. 42 251 of the loan of 7,200,000 fiance. of the
one contributed to the immense. In the parthis
town of liege:has been in vain expected to thine forward
an.l claim a premium of 50.000 francs accruing to that obli- J E.,,r3"
gatimi la the drawing of the alst of August, 1t,70. There 1 traffic the increase has been very large indeed. Strange
are, then, still in the worid people for ahem gold is a ellialerk
il
nearly
ais..ltyy,
,ai !tit 0i1,,,a,111.h e.si
at:raked('
upaitricielwt6rallit
it
had hte,wen. and who do not disturb themselves for a trifle like 50,060
francs!
: vents ago, the tinstamped has not diminished at all.
A ROYAL MUFF.—The following anecdote , bat, on the contrary, they hail had an increase in the
was told with great glee at a dinner, by William IV, parcel traffic of somewhere about £5,000 a yuar fee
then Duke of Clarence :—" I was nding in the Park the first two yeane
the other day, on the road between Teddington and
Hampton-wick, when I was overtaken by a butcher's LETTERS PATENT.—The Howe of Commons'
foil on horseback, with a tray of meat under his arm. Select Committee anointed to enquire into the law
' Nice pony that of yours, old entleman,' said he, and practice and the effect of granting letters latent
' Pretty fair,' was my reply. 'Mine's a good 'tin too,' re- for inventions left their work unfinished. They in.
ortol to the tiouse the evidence they have taken, and
joined he, 'and I'll trot you to Hampton-wick for a pot 1
of beer.' I declined the match; and the butcher's boy, this has now been published. The Committee, in a
SA he stuck his single spur into his horse's side, A very brief report, recommend their reappointment
clahned, with a look of contempt, ' I thought you next Session to continue the inquiry. Mr. Thliwya
' "—[This anecdote is told of I
were only a muff imposed to add —"So: far as the inquiry has pro-
-1
Geor-ge 111., who accepted the challenge, beat ceetied, the Committee are convinced, from the eel-
the butcher boy, awl gave him a guinea be- deuce already given, that a general teen!, of dissatis-
side. Muff was not a word in use at the time faction exists with the administration of Art of
William IV. was Duke of Clarence. Still it is a good 1652, especially with regard to the conflicting applica-
stoff, but better not modernized.] thins for patents, respecting which, during the six
THE GREATEST BORE IN CREATION. —The months of provisional protection, no information can
be obtained. The Committee desire also to draw
Mont Cenis Tunnel—Poor/4
attention th the various memorials alludes' to in the
A " LAUGHABLE " HOUsE I—No assembly in ,
nswers to i uestions 1;73 to 681 relative to the • tLe world has a keener sense of the ludienius than the
'anent of aishlitional persons dr; cit;nruisilliPersi',lniti-i
House of Commons. It is always on the watch hir accordance with the first section id the Patent Law
the comic side of events, and the Frenchman was list Amendment Act, 187 d, awl to other matters. In
far wrong who, after listening to bursts of laughter making this report the Committee do wd desire in any
. way to prejudice the question lif the general policy sif
elicited by jokes us Inch he could only dimly under-
stand, said. no he Caine away, "itis a vt•ry 1.1-Ole the continuance or of a patent lass-, or to express an
House." Sometimes it laughs with members ; oftener, opinion as to any alterations or amendments to it
perhaps, at them. A g which may be requiresL" This motion, however, was
good argument takes its chane es ;
j withiltawn ; awl on the motion of Mr. Ilinde Fulmer
. a good joke is always certain to be appromiated. Even
, awl by a vete of five against four, the ll'ommittes:
a'' Joe Miller," when nothing else offers, is acceptable.
stated, as past of their report, " Without prejudging
any question referred to them, that in the mean time
• "Why, sir, it remitols me of the old story.. ' " What ,
, are you doing, Dick?" Helping Tom, isir.And :
what are you doing, Tom Nothing sir.
: it is highly desirable that the poser!. and provisions of
. ?" ' "
once every session we bear this venerable j About
est, yet it
'
the Patent Law Amendment Act, WO should be
_,
always raises a smile, and sonnetimes a laugh. The fully carried into effect
risibibility of the Ibmse is excited not only by witti- :
cisms and sarcasms, but by situations id comic distress, : THE STURDY GATEKEEPER.— TIIO following
quaint scene recently camurimd to a fashionable party
who were going to Balinoral I 'astle. At the old lsridge
ll:smilton-place Gardens sinestien, plumping down of Dee, parties before being allowed to cross and view
sP.ln.'erlielsartlireeMlr.byN' Iteivr'.leNgValtiealnli;rin;gitiro AV elleaof saiilins ,sto flrti re :
examines his hat to see the extent of damage, and this la:irate n.arl through the liallochbuie Forest, must pro-
upon his hat and spoiling it. A member instinctively the tlarrawalt Fall-,, which are near the Balmoral
is (inch for another roar,
of rueful concerm or claps it on his head with all its usually strictly attentis e and scrupulously certain that
especially if he puts on a 10. di duce a pass from the authorities, and the gatekeeper is
" deists" and injusies plainly visible. There are no fugitis-e card is thrust into lier band instead of the
proper document, and scrutinizes her visitors in a
slum, and business-like fashion generally. On the
scri
se v.tiTtai
°I n
which.tia e- 11noin, Isidr.,,e cs,i
enjoy
ytiLalif
tjhrtyes,setfre tniltlinalftle,y-
scluadboy4. And the foe of the house of Cianmons, if oimasion mentioned above, however, the n.,ide 'arty to
Übe not the salt which prest•rves its intellttet from stag- lialinoral, no doubt sufficiently aware of their own im-
portant position rendering the usual paesport ticket
iii,rstitii:enTi,,tail;;istoni
II irie..tut
aatnri-tehni,lg,rae)Lfise: .to tuak e Par-
toile unnecessary, unhesitatingly drove to the gate.
THE UMPIRES AT ALDERSIIIiT. —Mrs. Muhl_ it was securely locked ; the gatekeeper proniptly ap•
peare.l, and refused to open gin demand, without the
prop was eery desirous of witnessing the Hampshire
usual pass. One of the noblemen, cotter more amused mantouvres. She Int.l heard that there were Skeleton
than visibly annoyed at the Welilell 5 rertillaCity,
11,4j..1tts at A h is-sit, awl, talking alout them, said
she should also like to See. the Vampire S'aff.-- Pawl,, alighted and proceeded to the gate, and asked her
j again to open and let them through. " Na, Ha, I
The WAOLS AGITATION AMONG THE STAFFORD- manna tine that era," she curtly replied, "till I ken
slum: T.M,NaerIiKERS.- -,On Nlontlay morning a meeting better ahoot,
ye. Fat due I ken wha ye may be, or far
of all classes of ironworkers, millmen, forgemon, siting_ , feet" At this bright sally, the party in the carriage
ler:, rollers, and pulltllers, Waa held at I ;that Bridge, to , Ittin.t out in ninny peals ;if lau,,oliter ; but seeing rii•
consider a scheme hir permanent wages instead of the , deadly that the stern keeper did not rettop.ise them,
fltwtuating Sc de IltaV adopted. There Was a large I and meant what she stated, one of the fair ladies rose
Meeting. Aftur considerable discussion, in which the :up and said, " Mrs. ---, we are the party fnan -—.
scarceness of Illuidlers wars commented on, the follow- : 4 lam the gate." The faithful servant was nearly over-
ing resolution was agreed to with but aletut twenty : powered with amazement and terror at what she con-
dissentients : ---
I sidered, doubtless, her own audacious behaviour, awl
" That this meeting. taking into consideration the evils j adsieg both heroism hand v s above lice head, exclaimed
Cl u the trade
arising iron strikes Mei the continual stri ftaft arising th 1 er.dd an the , path ti ally " Efi ! Gude p .Migh resenm us a'. tna I
eowes going . in iron , dote er conside' i - '
dbaussion 1,-line that a stammea seale if sen„ „,„jid be jhiss• kenued ye better ineleesl" The obnoxious barrier
preferaltle to the different changes noble front time to time ; swung open immediately, and the noble visitors pru-
inch a drawlers' would give greater stability to trade and j ceeded igi their journey, apparently having much w','
grater satisfaction to the general public :it is therefore the joyed the trusty gatekeeper's dilemusa.
opinion .if this meeting that the employers should lAt re-
quested tolls the Klee of puddling at ns. 6d per ton, and- Stith 'KING ACCIDENT IN I Nitta. —The Calcutta
other hr.eiclies in propor n tio.-
j Eon/bib/Win of the llith ult. says : -
It WKS then agreed that the resolution should be sent 1 "The children of the Laserenee Military asylem, having as
to Mr. Hunt. the Chairman of the Trade, asking 111111 usual a hall holiday on Wedlit.sday, were taken out for a
to stunintin a meeting of masters to meet the men, in ramble in charge of two sergeants. %%h.-sumo' the bounds
order that the subject might be laid leefore tile pre- of the institution the tidbit, is we-oil believe likelliSKlet, and
all..wed to gut ad haitiOa Whit 11, they clotsc,jus hag as they
liminstry meeting, when prices for another quarter
. returned by a certain h..ur in theen•ni 21g. 1 Mo. hos made
were to be fixed.
' their eay 110.11 T the Vai.V. :del tie ii. I li.j.,t Of :et:Meth. Me
HE ACREAGE r NDi at WHEAT.—WO do ncd parchtly ley bepind a o;eiditiin t:drvut, li ;.1.,i mi. riodoM
positively conclude that as a rule the extent of land ! w.;lh len Innen it. Mad fore,. Ce account of the previous
under wheat in any year is goN erued by the mice • nights heavi rain. The this-,, Isds, soot, 1., su, i the other
during the previtnis year, but the comi lam-loonbetween j two aisost I.: -...ars each,
jur,t,
jtsioiL., sin to
,crj:,,,,,s tly toe%
the agrkultural rctun.s fool the corn returns brings Out i Itt frajd',l;.4.,. tkger,l'ihj, ncaM.l. til;',' ..ent's!e' of Ibis a ro,ilt whi,h look. TerY much like it (In this theory tream the middle boy It trt the hand of the ot•lest, and
of this area &Prowling upon previous price, we Om thl the two youngest in au Instant ws re Saki a cri Weir :cgs
expect that a considerable enlargement of the Met, ith and carried along hg the inipetus of the stiesie let, el-
SOW. will occur in the present autumn, because the nately for the poor lass, not Mt yarda 4111Wii the stream tht ,• ,
inqterigl average Ilrke far the hatVC.t to ear just doled grshadt.Vtlyia, ct about Jo le4.iini,ftli a,tillit.i.sier.
n
has bee up to the Loi-athil figure of li is. bl.tarqu arter. then; over si'liTi'ygraY me' le 'and dowa namy a crevasse, Mose
It is not very indicative of progress in husband I
ry tout the bodice, now evidently extinct of iise, sould flail rest.
the total area in I :rent Britain
,gluier all kinds ot crop, The third boy. the eldest, after Oen, let ip. itt the stream,
bare, fallow, and grass, nut including heath or mouth 116'1 out to & r'"4 'hid' ''" h“1.1"113.""ie I"' '"d gr""alli
tam land, increases ' very slowly. In 1867 it was retraced his step. in safety. It
uwirbite lint,tiotit,l,ite,7liisil an.
29.831,07 s acres, in Ism it was 124 616 acres more ;in Ce"darthir.atn:i tbilueZttl'j"."l:',..,rahatluwed all. ..lt.::t"..isy
ISG9 were added 383,584 acres, and in 1870 there was the bodies were found, mangied ill a fearful way ;the chief
an increase of 68,340 acres more • but the total in- bowie. were In the face and head. It is a pity that Ills
crease in three years was only 576,1501 acres, or barely children were allowed out on such a day, when roaring tags
2 per cent. —Chamber of Agriculture Journal. rents and falling landslips were the order of the day.