The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-02-09 00:00:00

HOME, FOREIGN, AND COLONIAL.

" TILE CONFIDENCE TEICIK."—St-ff-rd N-rthc-te

(log.) "You hand us over your six millions—we put
it up safe for you, and let you have it again, of course
—just to show your confidence in us, don't yer-
know !! ! "—Punch (with cartoon.)

PAUPERS.—A Parliamentry paper has been issued
giving a comparative statement of the number of
paupers (except lunatic paupers in asylums, and
vagrants) in the different weeks of November, 1876
and 1877. On the last day of the fourth week of
November, 1876, the total number in receipt of relief
in England was 661,639 (144,617 indoor, and 517,022
outdoor) ; and on the corresponding day in 1877 the
number was 670,587 (155,008 indoor, 515,579 outdoor),
the difference showing an increase of 8,948, or I'4
per cent. In the Metropolis the number on the same
day in 1876 was 82,243 (37,636 indoor, 44,607 outdoor),
and in 1877 81,136 (39,403 indoor, 41,733 outdoor),

showing a decrease of 1,107, or 13 per cent.
TREATMENT OF Cows.—Farmers and all who have
charge of cows may learn a lesson from the following
anecdote (says the Canada Globe).—A market gardener
had a very fine cow that was milked week after week
by hired men. He observed that the amount of butter
he carried to market weighed about a pound more on
each alternate week. Be watched the men and tried
the cow after they had finished milking, but always
found that there was no milk left in tbe teats. He
finally asked the Scotch girl who took care of the milk
if she could account for the difference, "Why, yes,"
_

she says; "when Jim milks he says to the Ol'd
"So; my pretty muley, so !" But when Sam milks he
hits her on the hip with the edge of the pail, and says,
H'ist, you old brute ! ' "

DISINTERESTED HEROISM.—A correspondent writes
to The Times :—" Three Welsh pilots, by whose fore-
thought, skill, and arduous exertions nine men were
rescued from the mast-head of the steamer Pioneer, on
Puffin Island on the 25th ult., on being asked by one
of Lloyd's agents what they wanted or expected for
their services, immediately replied, " We have had
what we wanted—the lives of the men."
DEFINITION'S ARTFUL AID.—" What is a junction,
nurse ?" asked a seven-year old fairy the other day,
of an elderly lady, who stood by her side on a railway
platform. "A junction, my dear," answered nurse,
with the air of a very superior person indeed, "why,
it's a place where two roads separates."—Funny
Folks.

A MILD WINTER.—A mild winter implies to a cer-
tain extent excessive humidity, and that must some-
times culminate in a fog. A country fog coEsists of
water only; but a town fog consists of water, soot,
sulphur, and many more obnoxious elements that con-
stitute a mixture inimical to life of every kind, from
camellias upward and downward, so that we never see
a tuft of green moss near a smoky town, and human
life is there cut short by bronchitis and asthma.—The
Gardener's Magazine.

A BAD MIXTURE.—Boned Turkey, with Russian
sauce.—Judy.
GOLDEN LEAVES.—She was searching over the
golden leaves which the frosts of October had detached
from the stiffened twigs. Her auburn hair took on the
glint of gold as the bright sun streamed down over
chimney and roof and tree-top, and the tender lines
around her mouth deepened as she whispered, "0,
golden leaves, your life is typical of At that
moment her mother came down to the gate !sleeves
rolled up, and her big red hands hiding the view of the
back-yard. "Pawing over them leaves again, ar' ye?"
she exclaimed, as she caught sight of the sentimental
maiden. "Well, now, you trot in here, and wash out
the rest of them coloured clothes, or I'll paw you, I
will !" "Yes, mother dear; but these golden—"
"Trot, I say! Good bar-soap is the goldingest thing
in the market, and a washboard costs more money
than all the yaller leaves on the street." And the
gentle maiden trotted. —American Paper.
LAND IN THE MARKET.—The unexpired terms of
forfeited leases of nearly 30 surveyed " runs" in
Queensland were put up to auction at trisbane on
the 4th of December. The first two, in South
Kennedy district, of 41 and 54 square miles respec-
tively, with 14 years of the term still to run, were put
up at an upset price of Is. per square mile, but no
bidding could be obtained. Several, ranging from 25
to 70 square miles in extent, sold at from 10s. to 20s.
P,Ciroggeanre-mNoer. highestthTKeenne obtained,
which sold for 755.
ias
perfor
square mile, the lease comprising 25 square miles, and
having 13 years unexpired

THE TELEPHONE.—A new use has been found for
the telephone. Since it was introduced into several
mines for the purpose of communication between the men
at work below the surface and the officers of the com-
panies above ground, it has occurred to somebody con-
nected with one of the mines that it could be used to
advantage in indicating the ventilation of the mines
themselves. The circulation of air in the mines is
shown by the anemometer which is situated below.
The miners have fallen into the way of being careless
as to the ventilation. But now it has been found
possible, by attaching the telephone to the anemo-
meter below, to indicate the flow of air in the mine
in the office of the company above. It is proposed
shortly to try experiments to see whether the telephone
can be made available in divers' operations. It is
believed that the instrument may be attached to the
armour of divers, and be made a perfect means of com-
munication between them and their assistants.
THE SAME THING IN OTHER WORDS.—The best
terms for Turkey—the worst for her Christian sub-
jects.—Punch.
IRON AND STEEL PLATES.—Some important ex-
periments (says the Sheffield Telegraph of Tuesday)
have just been made as to the solidity of a compound
iron and steel plate made by Messrs. John Brown and
Co., Sheffield, and although the trials have not been
completed the results hitherto attained will go far to
settle the question of the best armour for the future.
The plate, which measured 8 feet by 6 feet 6 inches by
9 inches, was tested by the War Department at Shoe-
buryness with excellent results. It was fired at under
the ordinary conditions of test with a full charge of
301bs. of powder. The first shot, near the top edge,
and the two subsequent ones, lower down, produced
an average indentation of six inches. There was a
slight crack made by the first shot, and was probably
caused by its proximity to the edge of the plate. There
was absolutely no sign of separation between the iron
and the steel, which were equal in thickness.
" SQUlGGLllMS."—Sehoolmistress (just beginning a
nice, improving lesson upon minerals to the juniors).
"Now, what are the principal things we get out of the
earth ?" Youthful Angler, mtat 4 (confidently).
"Worms ! "—Judy.
FRENCH ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF ENGLISH GALLAN-
TRY. Considerable public interest was excited
a few months since by the loss, near the Red Sea, of
the French steamship Meikong. Wrecked on a
dangerous coast among piratical natives, the pas-
sengers and crew (numbering 250), when almost at a
crisis of despair, were rescued by the Glenartney, one
of Messrs. Gow's " Glen " Line of China steamers.
The humanity and judgment shown by Captain Gul-
land, the commander of the rescuing vessel, were
afterwards cordially acknowledged at a complimentary
dqeilner in the saloon of his ship, then lying in the
West India Docks. The French company owning the
Meikong presented on that occasion an address and a
gold chronometer watch to Captain Gulland, together
with 4 testimonial to Mr. Gasson, the chief mate.
After another voyage out and home, the Glenartney
again sailed for China on Friday in last week. Pre-
vious to her departure the Minister of French Marine
(through our Marine Board) supplemented the former
expressions of thanks by presenting a handsome gold
medal to Captain Gulland, "for saving the crew and
passengers of the Meikoeg, 1877."
"KNOWLEDGE IS POWER."—AII the old soldiers on
furlough in Russian Poland have been called in.
"That's better," said one, "than being called out?"
And he gave such a wink as none but an old soldier is
capable of. Perhaps Russia is putting an extra value
on old soldiers now she sees the tremendous power
they wield in England. Experientia docet.—Fun.
THE LATE ARCHBISHOP OF PARIS.--In the oration
recently delivered at the Surgical Society of Paris by
M. St. Germain in honour of late Dr. Dumarquay
we find an interesting anecdote. i'umarquay's active
benevolence during the siege of Paris had given him
great influence over the working classes, by whom he
was consulted on politics as *ell as on surgical
matters. On one occasion some of the Communists
then in power mentioned before Dr. Dumarquay
decision which they had just come to—viz. that the
Archbishop of Paris should be arrested and detained
as a hostage in retaliation of the arrests made at
Versailles and elsewhere. Dr. Dumarquay at once
sought and obtained a blank "safe-conduct," which he
brought to the archbishop, entreating his grace to leave
Paris without a moment's delay. Archbishop Darboy
retired for reflection, but returned in a few minutes,
and with resigned composure answered—" My excel-
lent friend, I thank you for your devoted act, but God
has ordained 'that I should exhibit an example of
courage and sacrifice to my clergy and to my flock,"
We know the end.—Medical Examiner.
HARD LABOUR.—Parish Lady: "We cannot give
help unless we know more about you. Where do you
live? "—Girl: "At home, mem. '—P. L. : "'What's
your father? "—Girl: "A working man, mem."—
P. L.: "Where does he work? "—Girl: "He don't
do no work, mem ; please, he's on strike ! "—Fun.
THE LONDON MASONS' STRIKE.—The strike roll of
the London stonemasons has not since Christmas
varied by more than 20 or 30 in its numbers, ranging
from some 620 to 650. On SAurday about 630 men
received the strike pay of 18s. per man, with the regu-
lar is. extra for the wives and for each child under 13,
There are still 1,400 masons working in London at the
10d. an hour, and these have leNied themselves volun-
tarily an extra 4d. daily, which will make a total of
6s. per man weekly, local levy amounting to about
£4OO weekly. This extra amount will not, however,
begin to come into the hands of the committee till this
current week; but nevertheless they have a very
satisfactory balance in hand after meeting all the
weeks' expenses. A number of Scotish masons,
amounting to 0 arrived in town the other morning,
and it was announced that 30 more would follow on
the ensuing morning, but this 30 was reduced to a
solitary operative. The strike committee sent away
last week 73 masons, either back to Scotland or to
some parts of England.—Monday's Daily News.
A SCALY JOKE.—" Piscator" says: It is not fair to
judge the weight of a fish by—its own scales.—Judy.
A NEW ART.—Really very few folks know any-
thing about a very beautiful art, for it is quite worthy
of the name, which has been considerably developed
during the last few years—of the art of making
pictures in water-mark. I have just seen some ex-
quisitely beautiful specimens. On a large sheet of
white paper, about a yard square, there appeared to
be nothing visible, but on holding it up to the light
it showed a pair of splendid portraits of the Emperor
and Empress of Austria. These pictures had quite
the effect and seemingly in colour, of photographs.
Appropos of this kind of thing, the Americans are
very fond of having their legal documents engrossed
on expensive paper with curious water-marks. Still,
all work of this kind is done in London, and even the
sharp Yankees, if they try their best, cannot produce
anything equal to what we Britishers are able to.
Pictorial Wortd,

ACCOMMODATING, VERY !—A German stonemason.
wishing to adapt his business to the taste of the Cre-
-41
mationists, as well as that of his present customers,
publishes a special list of marble urns, &a., for the use
of the former, and heads it with the line : "To those
who contemplate Furnace-in g."—Funny Folks.
THE WRONG HAT I—An Englishman went into a
church in Rome the other day, and as a service was
going on he sat quietly down, placing his hat on the
ground beside him. After waiting a little while, ana
as there seemed no immediate prospect of the cert..
da 7,
mony coining to an end, he thought he would go,
reached for his hat, but was stopped by an unsten arni.
which grasped him from behind. Thinking that pro-
bably. some custodian of the church wished him to .
remain till the conclusion of the service, he agai,rl
waited. Presently he thought again of going' again
reached for his bat, and again the unseen arm firmlY
prevented him. Convinced that the service was really
an important one which his leaving would disturb, the !
Englishman again waited for about a quarter of all
hour. At the expiration of that time he determinedl
to depart, in spite of etiquette. So he again reached i
for his hat. Again the hat grasped him, but as ha
determinedly resisted its retaining efforts,
, a voice
behind him exclaimed in English, "I beg your pardon,
but that is my hat you are taking." And this Was
the fact. Our hero had been detained all this tital .
because each time that he wished to go he bad reached *
in mistake for the hat of another stranger, placed In ,
close proximity to his own.—Examiner.
WEATHER OR NOT.—Mr. Tremmles : "1 assill.,l
you, Mrs. Jones, I would never go out at all if I now,
help it in this dreadful climate—one day cold, the
WIle"
hot. hat miserably wretched weather we have!
Mrs. J. : "We do indeed, Mr. Treminlcs ; but trY
and bear up, it's better than none, you know.r—Fun•
A DOMESTIC STEAM ENGINE. —An ingenious A-103,8:
rican has constructed a small steam-engine which be -
proposes to utilize in performing the greater
)crrtloll
P 9
-
of the hard work in the kitchen. It is said to oPe g .
fectly safe—a statement that assumes an amount or-
carefulness not alway s found in those unused to the
management of steam. The engine is of the
lating type and is attached to a tank holding two, _
gallons of water, the boiler having a capacity 0' .
about a pint, and being heated by a gas jet or
convenient source of heat. The engine, tank, an
boiler are said to occupy a space of ten inches square' ,
by eighteen inches high, and to weigh only 3511).—1
presume without the water, for two gallons of tli,,.
weigh about 201 b. The inventor dispenses N'lLut
gauges, having discovered a method of making nr
engine purely automatic, so that no skill whatever Is
required to operate it, and he suggests that his steal!
" slavey " may be employed to turn the coffee-ma 2,' '
the mangle, to chop suet, to revolve the roasting-iacl"
and be generally used as a domestic assistant.
"THAT IT SHOULD COME TO 'THIS ! ' "—Scene."'
A Club Smoking-room. Time.—Any o'clock aft'er
Midnight.—Brown (rabid Turcophile) : Don't 9°ll
b'lieve it, sir, the Russians are afraid—afraid of IA
sir! They know the roar of the English lion, 8,9,
they know what Britannia is when she's put on,
meta/ ./—Jones (rabid Russophile) : Pooh, sir' 13;80131;
England put on her metal, indeed! Why, it 'ø 0 ;
sham metal, sir; the Russians know that it's nothine'
after all, but—" Best Britannta."—Judy.
AMERICAN BEEF.—During last week six steal:all
arrived at Liverpool from the United States OA,
Canada, bringing collectively, 4,962 quarters of freZ
beef, 1,090 carcases of mutton, 494 dead pigs and '—
packages of fresh butter, the latter being the 'first c 013;
signment of fresh butter that has arrived for Ina%
weeks past. There also came to hand 355 live sheer
from Canada.
A BOY FARMER'S WORK.—It may be interesting te)
your readers to hear what a boy farmer did last
Little Freddie Hill, 13 years old last October, is tilde
son of Mr. Frederick Hill, a blacksmith, who'loclatee.
last April on a school section six miles northvi
of McPherson County. This boy farmer, for sue A
he is, attends the farm while his father
the smithing for the surrounding country. Fredcha '
last spring, broke 100 acres of prairie, stirred 11;',
acres of it in the Fall, and harrowed it 3 titue,io
then put it in wheat with a drill. Besides tiea
he drilled 15 acres for a neighbour. He 131011g"b
' e
and put in 20 acres of corn on old ground, vii.,_-1eh „res
ploughed twice, and assisted in harvesting 00 erata
of wheat and thrashing the same. When I
saw
last week he was engaged ploughing or stirringa 6 e inci,
of spring broken sod for corn and oats next seas° a
Freddie used a John Deere 16-inch sulky plough °lle
three horses for breaking, and a sulky corn cultivat.eoi,
The harrowing was all done on foot. The prePatat, '
of the wheat ground seemed to have been exes'tliecl ,
dri
re ,
and I have never seen wheat more perfectly
even on old ground. As a result I did not see a
• fo
promising field of wheat in the county, or in,
..Ajj
the railroads in my travels
anywhere alone. . .1-
add that I like the country, climate, and peopofle e
Kansas very much ; am going there to make a h°111; ‘
and shall not forget to advise you, from time to If:
how a book-keeper prospers tilling the soil.--4"' '

Simmons in Prairie Farmer.
"MY DUTY TOWARDS MY NEIGHBOUR.",
following lecture on "My Duty towards raY of
bour," delivered by Russia to England at the tiruere,
the Crimean war, reads somewhat drolly at the P
sent moment :
" We could understand that as a consequence of
forethought one Government should give advice to ancl„nie
in a benevolent spirit—that such advice might even
the character of exhortation • but we believe that to Ow De
furthest limit allowable. Less than ever can it o°.„eng
allowed in Europe to forget that Sovereigns are eaual Px•but
themselves ; and that it is not the extent of teriitorYt;wee
the sacred character of the rights of each, which vegto op'
the relations that exist between them. To endeavour 20 tio
tam n from the King of Naples concessions as regarubi
internal
_government of his States by threats 01. a,l 1116
menacing demonstration, is a violent usurpation 'deo
authority, an attempt to govern in his stead: it is 11
declaration of the right of the strong over the weak." of/
Has not the time arrived when we might 'retuiTh the
exalted specimen of morality to the Czar, svib,lo
comment, " Mutato nomine de te fabula narra'
—Pall Mall Gazette.
THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN LOCUST. An A.—,-retists
scientific engineer has discovered that deadl'°ollaer
furnish a new oil, which will be christened ouci'scid•
and a very large percentage of pure forreic 4ber
Though this acid exists in the ant and 'Borne vote
insects, it is with difficulty obtained in larg?Aqupoll,
tities ; whereas, by the action of sulphuric 5C605 00
the locust juices, it passes off with great readin
in remarkable quantity and gravity. The 'llea
uses of this acid, as a therapeutic, &c., are c313,15i0ea
great and valuable extension where it can be "
so readily and in such quantity.