biglam/hmd_newspapers huggingface dataset:
The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-02-01

DUDLEY.

SBRIOVO CASKS OF Ass.exur.—On Wednesday, at
the Police Court, before Alderman George Bagott
and Mr. George Bateman, Benjamin Luke, labourer,
of Birmingham Street, was charged with assaulting
his wife, Eliza. It was stated that defendant
knocked his wife down, and kicked her on the
mouth, on the ribs,, and on the chest. The Bench
sentenced him to two months' imprisonment with
hard labour.—Henry Hill (26), boiler maker, of
High Street, Netherton, was charged with beating
Annie Lloyd, of Brandy' Row. The assault was
witnessed by Inspector Wigley, who said defendant
had been living with the girl. Sentenced to two
months' hard labour.

ALLEGED ROBBERY MIRING THE MUNICIPAL
ELICTION.—James Viroodhall, alias "Teapot," of
5, Price Street, Kate's Hill, limestone miner, was
charged with stealing a coat, belonging to John
Onions, landlord of the California Inn. On Friday
the prisoner went to the house of prosecutor, and
as it was at the time of the St. John's Ward election
there wae eomidemble confusion. Whilst the
excitement was going oni the prisoner walked off
with the coat. He afterwards pledged it at Mr.
Hollins's, Wolverhampton Street. In answer to
prisoner's plea of an alibi, it was stated that one
witness picked him out of eight men, and another
out of thirty men waiting for work.-... The Bench
committed him for trial.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-02-01

REGISTERED FOR
TRANSMISSION ABROAD.

,v j .... . 4;41 16-0 '•••• 4.

EPPS'S COCOA.—GRATEPITL AND COMPORTING,—"By
thorough knowledge of the natural laws which govern
the operations of digestion and nutrition, and by care-
ful application of the fine properties of well-selected
cocoa. Mr. Epps has provided our breakfast tables with
a delicately flavoured beverage which may save us many
heavy doctors' bills. It is by the judicious use of such
articles of diet that a constitution may be gradually built
up until streng enough to resist every tendency to disease.
Hundreds of subtle maladies are floating around us
ready to attack wherever there is a weak point. We may
escape many a fatal shaft by keeping ourselves well for-
tified with pure blood and a properly nourished frame
..- Civil Service Gazette.—Sold only in Packets labelled
..."JAILBEI EPPS & Co., Homceopathis Chemists, London
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-02-01

WOMEN AND POLITICS.

At the weekly meeting of the Tower Hamlets
Radical Association, at the Assembly Hall, Beau-
mont-street, Mile-end, London, Miss Helen Taylor
delivered a lecture upon the opening of the electoral
franchise to women. She said that thousands of
women considered they had fulfilled all the duties of
life by working inside their own homes; and thousands
of men consider so also; but their duty was to teach
women that they had something to do outside.
The reason men thought more about political tqatters
than women was because the latter were not taught to
think about them. With regard to all questions
concerning young girls and children, the women
were far better able to form a judgment than men.
They ought to strive to give strength to the weak,
and not to make the strong stronger, and the powerful
insolent. Men in Parliament might perhaps be
representatives of women, but by their constitution
they could mit possibly fairly represent the children,
who were to be considered. Women were also the
best to consider sanitary questions, the overcrowding
of buildings, want of constant water supply, and
kindred subjects of which men had not sufficient cogni-
sance. Also with regard to the administration of the
poor law women were a great authority. In many
things women's intelligence and sympathies helped the
men in subjects to which they did not care to turn
their minds. Women Had some tuerits and some
faculties that men had not, which if brought into
proper play in politics would improve us and make us
both happier and better.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-02-01

HAS JUST RECRIVED A LARGE

CONSIGNMENT OF

MEER SCHAUM

BRIAR-ROOT PIPES,

PLAIN IND FANCY

CIGAR AND CIGABETTI HOLDSRB,

And Every Deseription of

TOBACCONIST'S GOODS.

ALSO A FINE STOCK OF'

FOREIGN di. BRITISH CIGARS

OF THE BEST BRANDS.

TOBACCOS OF Brikir DEINRIPTINT

-

'I

•
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-02-01

DIAMONDS IN CHINA.

M. Fauvel, who has lately been investigating the
mineral wealth of the district of Shantung, gives some
interesting particulars concerning the existence of
small diamonds and the method of collecting them
adopted by the natives. The stones are mostly very
minute, varying in size from a millet seed to a
pin's head, though occasionally larger ones are met
with. One recently as large as a pea was brought
to Cheefoo and sold to a mandarin there. The
mode adopted for collecting the diamonds is very
curious. Men with thick straw shoes on walk about
in the sands of the valleys and streams of the dia-
mond mountains of Chinkangling, some 15 miles
south.east of Vichow-foo. The diamonds, which are
ragged and pointed, penetrate the straw and remain
there. The shoes are then collected in great numbers
and Irnt, the diamonds being eearched for in the
ashes. As in the case with amethysts and rock crystal
in the Lao Shan, the priests in the temples in the
Chinkaugling are the principal dealers in these small
diamonds. From them they are bought by glaziers at
the large fairs held every year at Chuchovr, Laichow-
foo, and Ilwang•hsien. They are not to be found in
shops, and are packed in quills.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-02-01

THE AFGHAN WAIL

The following telegram has been received at the London
office of the New York Herald (says 21u3 2'im(33 of Tries-
-441)
" TASFIKEND, Jan. 26.

"After 14 days' disquieting silence General Kauf-
mann has received news from Afghanistan up to the
10th, from the military surgeon sent by him at
the request of the Ameor, who was suffering
from an attack of laryngitis. The Ameer
stated that he would leave for Tas.hkend on the 20th.
In a conversation of three hours' duration which he
held with the surgeon and General Rasgonoff he
declared that he was more than ever convinced that
Afghanistan was the key to India for Russia.

" TamorrOw General Kauftnann gives a grand
dinner in honour of the Ambassador of Bokhara,
who has come to receive instructions concerning the
arrival of the Ameer."

The Evening Standard of Taesday publishes the following
from their Special Correspondent with General Roberts's
Column _ _

AIeToOND, Sunday.

"Yesterday General Roberts held a Durbar, which was at-
tended by all the headmen of the villages in the valley.
General Roberts informed them that be had called
them together to speak to them upon the occasion
of the withdrawal for the present of the British force
from the Kbost. He pointed out to them that the success
of the British arms everywhere was thorough and com-
plete We had reached the Shaturgardan Pass, we occupied
Jellalabad and Candahar, and Bilat-L•Ghllzal would be
3bortly in our hands. Successful resistance to our progress
had now become hopeless ; and it was impossible that either
Shere All or Yakoob Khan could reign in Cabal unless he
accepted the British terms.
"The General then warned the chiefs that it was idle to
entertain the slightest hope of Russian assistance. Russia
was impoverished in men and money, and any trust in her
was utterly vain. He told them that he had called the lead-
ing pe9ple of Khost together to beg them to lay aside their
Internal feuds, and to support Sultan Jan, who was, in the
absence of the British, to be regarded as their repreaentative
in Khost. The arrangements for the government of the Valley
Were of a temporary character. British troops would be always
near, and would return instantly to quell any tisturhances,
should, as he hoped would not be the care, any such occur-
rences take .place from the action of the Mongols.
"Having finally warned them that the consequence of
breach of good conduct ow their part would be serious, he
dbmissed them with a gilt of sheep."
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-02-01

HOW A LUXURY IS PRODUCED.

Lovers of pate de foie gras will probably be pleased
to learn that there is little chance of a failure in the
supply of the cherished delicacy. Geese-cramming,
with a view to the ultimate manufacture of pate
de foie gras is on the increase, and it is said that
there are 250 people engaged in the business at Stras-
bourg, in which city this strange branch of industry
has thrived for more than a century. Every-
one knows that the process of inducing an un-
natural enlargement of the bird's liver is one
that entails considerable suffering upon the goose.
The average amount of food required to bring
each bird to the proper point of perfection, or
rather of disease, is estimated at 301bs. The chief
point in view is the development of the liver at the
expense of the rest of the economy, and to this end
antimony is added to the solid food, and fine gravel
and vegetable charcoal to the water. The value of a
goose is increased four-fold and six-fold by this method,
for while the flt-sh of the bird is worth but about 7d. a
pound at the best of times, the same weight of the liver
will sell for as much as 56. or even 10s. The manufacture
of the famous Straslsourg pate de foie gras lies at pre-
sent in the hands of twenty-three persons, whose joint
yearly income from this source is returned as £75,001),
besides which Cie flesh and fat of the geese which
yield the required amount of liver realises a further
sum of £2o,ooo.—City Press.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-02-01

POISONED WELLS IN AFRICA.

A Correspondent (says the Daily News) sends us the fol.
lowing extract from tne Life and Labours of Dr. Moffat, the
African missionary, which is interesng as showing the
existence of the Practice of poisoning wells by the natives
for the purpose of the destruction of animals, a practice by
which, in all probability, Dr. rattison and his party have
fallen victims :

"We had reached the river early in the afternoon
after a dreadfully scorching ride across a plain. Three
of my companions, who were in advance, rode forward
to a Bushman village, on an ascent some hundred yards
frnrn 1:1-141 rirrnw b0nr.......a :Amy lore would 6-0,
towards a little pool on a dry branch, from which the
flood or torrent had receded to the larger course. Ds.
mounting, I pushed through a narrow opening in the
bushes, and lying down, took a hearty draught. Im-
mediately, on raising myself, I felt an unusual taste
in my mouth, and looking attentively at the water and
the temporary fence around, it flashed across tny
mind that the water was poisoned for the purpose of
killing game. I came out, and meeting one of our
number, who had been a little in the rear, just enter-
ing, told him my suspicion. At that moment a Bush-
man from the village came running breathless, and ap-
parently terrified, took me bythe hand, as if to prevent
my going to the water, talking with great excitement,
though neither I nor my companions could understand
him; but when I made signs that I had drank, he was
speechless for a minute or two, and then ran off to the
village. I followed, and on again dismounting, as I
was beginning to think for the last time, the poor
Bushmen and women looked on me with eyes which
bespoke heartfelt compassion. My companion ex-
pected me to fall down every moment, but none spoke.
Observing the downcast looks of the poor Bushmen I
smiled, and this seemed to operate on them like an
electric shock, for all began to babble and sing—the
women striking their elbows against their naked sides
expressive of their joy. However, I began to feel a
violent turmoil within, and a fulness of the system
as if the arteries would burst, while the pulsation
was exceedingly quick, being accompanied by a
slight giddiness in the head. We made the natives
understand that I wanted the fruit of the solanum,
which grows in these quarters nearly the size
and shape of an egg, and which acts as an emetic. They
ran in all directions, but sought in vain. By this time
I was covered with profuse perspiration, and drank
largely of pure water. The strange and painful sensa-
tion which I had experienced gradually wore away,
though it was not entirely removed for some days."
" The materials used by the Bushmen for the purpose
of poisoning water are principally bulbs, called by the
colonists gift bol' (poison bulb), the Amarillis toxi-
coria, which possesees a strong alkali, some species of
the Euphorbia, and other vegetable substances."—
Front "Missionary Labours and Scenes jet Southern
Africa," p. 42, edit. 1846.
•
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-02-01

PRICES OF FARMS AND FARM
PRODUCE IN ILLINOIS.

The Ontario Globe gives the following account of the
prices of farms and farm produce in Champaign County,
Illinois, a district well served with railroads, and near to
Chicago (says the Nark Lane Express):—

Good farms sell for cash for 25 dollars per acre, and
those with soil and situation nearly equally good, but
with less improvements, for 5 dollars and 10 dollars an
acre less. Fair steers are not wanted at over 3c. a pound
live weight, and very gopd ones will bring scarcely more
than 4c. Thin steers, scrubby ones, and cows in the
same condition, range all the way from Ic. a pound to
2c. and 2c.; but good, fresh cows in fair flesh and
milk, will bring from 25 dollars to 35 dollars; according
to quality. The best hogs are scarcely worth more
than 2ic., and they must be exceptionally good to com-
mand 'lie. Sheep are worth all the *ay from 1 dollar
to 3 dollars each, according to breed and condition. A
really good horse or mule will scarcely find a sale at
100 dollars, and fairly good and sound ones may be had
from half to three-quarters of that sum. Corn (maize)
fetches from 20c. to 32c. for 70 pounds in the ear;
wheat, 65c. to 75c.; oats, 13c. to 15c.; rye, 33c. to
35c. ; buckwheat, 10c. more, and as to barley, there is
none offered in this market. . . . There is scarcely a
town in Central Illinois the entire real estate of which
might not bt bought for 33 per cent. of its estimated
value in 1872."
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-02-01

BitlEitLEY HILL.

DanNantrzass.—At the Police-court, on Monday
before Messrs. H. Hall and L. Freer. Isaiah
Humphries was charged with being drunk and
disorderly on the 21st nit. at Brockmoor Lane,
Brockmoor. Police-constable Lafford proved the
case and defendant was fined 2s 6d and costs in
default 7 days. —William Hayes, carter, of the
Gig Mill, Stourbridge, was charged with being
drunk and disorderly on the 25th tilt, at Amblecote.
Police-constable Evans proved the, case and said
defendant was drunk and disorderly and refused to
give his name, Defendant WAS fined Ls 6d and
costs; in default 7 days.
COAL STEALBRB —Robert Abbott, Freeman
Cooper, and Henry James were charged with steal-
a quantity of coal the property of the Earl of
Dudley on the 18th ult. John Southall, labourer,
in the employ of the Earl of Dudley, said he saw
the three prisoners at the Racecourse Pits, Round
Oak, on the above date they went into the "wk,on
hole' and took the coal away. The Bench said it
was a disgraceful thing for parents to send their
children coal stealing. Cooper and James were
Ordered to receive twelve strokes with the birch rod
and Abbott was fined 2s 641.,and coals; or 7 day e
hard labour.--Emily Jones wag oharged with steal.
ing coal:from the Racecourse-Pit. Additional-con-
stable Taylor proved the -case. The n3other of
prisoner said she sent her daughter td.fetch- a bit
of coal as they, had no_money, and her husband
had not done any work ler fe month. Fined 2s 6d
and costs; in default • 7 days.---. Harriet Adams,
Elizabeth Bird, Rhoda Young, Susannah Cart-
wright, Sarah Jane Green and David Taylor were
charged with stealing a quantity of coal the pi*.
perty of Messrs. Harrison and Pearson on the 15th
ult. Henry Harrison proved the case, and defend-
alit• win argued to pa cos* 7s oath.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-02-01

THE MARRIAGE OF THE DUKE OF

CONNAUGHT.

At Windsor Castle arrangements are now being
made for the wedding of the Duke of Connaught and
Princess Louisa 'Margaret, of Prutsia, whi6h it h
understood will take place with becoming magnificence
on Thursday, the 13th of March, at St. Ge, rge's
Chapel, in the presence of the Queen and members of
the Royal family.
About three weeks previous to the date fixed for the
marriage, Her Majesty, Princess Beatrice, and the
Court will take up their residence at Windsor Castle,
when the final preparations for the ceremony will be
completed, the details being something similar
to those observed at the marriage •of Princess
Louise and the Marquis -of Lorne, though pos-
sibly on a somewhat gvanaer scale. The members
of the Queen's family and Royal guests will
assemble it is understood, at Windsor Castle on
the wedding day, several of the principal State apart-
meets of the palace having been got in readiness, or
being in course of preparation for the forthcoming
festivities. At the west•end of St. Ueorge's Chapel,
before the altar of which the marriage will- take
place, the grand approach to the sacred building will
be prttected by a handsome awning, beneath which
her Majesty and the members of the Royal family will
alight from their carriages and pass up into the nave.
A covered way will likewise be erected at the
southern entrance, opposite the Castle-green, for the
us dof the officials of the Court and guests. Within
St. George's itself, the Bray and Rutland Chapels on
the north and south sides of the building, opposite
each end of the organ loft, will be prepared and fitted
as reception rooms. Platforms will be erected in the
nave for the accommodation of privileged spectators,
and the stalls of the Knights of the Garter and seats
in the choir will be reserved ferJhe more distinguished
I guests is upon the celebration of fc,rmer Royal mar-
, .

Two 4u.ndred 14000,1b4Yd et ThsotuiloYis atiC1121011t•
TOY9ItC4 e 4 ocam•
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-02-01

THE ENGINEERING TRADES.

We (Wednesday's Times) are informed that the fol-
lowing notice, which has been agreed to at a largely-
attended meeting of employers in the engineering
trades, will be posted at most of the chief engineering
works in London this morning
"In consequence of the reductions of wages in en gi
neering trades which have taken place in other co in
peting centres of industry, notice is hereby given that
the following reductions in rates will be made at these
works from and after Friday,. February 7. Say, on
weekly ratings, from 245. to 28s. per week, is. 63. re-
duction; from 295. to 32a., 25.; from 335. to 365.,
2s. 6d. ; from 375. to 42a., 3s. Any reductions that
have been made in anticipation of this notice will be
taken into consideration in the adjustment of the new
rating. Piece-work contracts at present in progress
will be completed at present rates.—London, January

Reductions of wages of from 7i to 10 per cent. have
been quite recently made in the engineering trades at
Manchester, Bolton, Bury, Rochdale, Ne wton•le-
Willows, Ashton, Hyde, Stalybridge, Salford, Oldham,
Dukinfield, Huddersfield, Leeds, Sheffield, Rochester,
Bristol, Bath, &c., and notices are at the present time
either posted or under discussion at Liverpool, Hull,
Stockton, Middlesbrough, and the northeast coast.
The reduction in London amounts to about 7 per
cent.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-02-01

CHINESE SUPERSTITION.-

The life of a Chinaman is a constant warfare against
Inalign influences, and perhaps he thus learns by
experience the best means of dealing with evil spirits.
A reporter of the San Francisco Chronicle has lately
made a study of the precautions in this respect, taken
by the Chinese residents of that city. He has dis-
covered that the two colours red and yellow are in
themselves the most efficacious guards against de-
moniacal spite. Marking the punctuation of a book
With red ink will keep evil spirits from th% reader;
and as a protection for children against demons
It is a good plan to stitch red cloth in their
Pockets, and braid their undeveloped pigtails with red
silk. Nothing tends more to confuse fiends than
mixing the ashes of burned yellow paper with tea or
hot coffee before drinking these infusions. Ancient
coins or the small end of an old iron ploughshare
Placed under beds will often scare away spirits. Iron
nails extracted from old coffins are also hot amiss for
this purpose if carried in the pocket, or they may be
beaten into a ring and worn on the finger until the
age of sixteen years, after which age persons are or
ought to have become less liable to the evil practices
of hobgoblins. Thus far the defensive policy pre-
vails; but there are also provisions whereby an
offensive warfare may be carried on. When a man
lies sick in bed, if he will but lay about him
lustily with a hempen whip, and soundly belabour the
bed and bedstead, the evil spirits will be glad to make
a speedy exit. A picture of a flying tiger makes them
extremely uncomfortable. They also dislike a lion
grasping a sword; but two lions coming down a bill
With a BIM and moon between them is much better.
A cat, made of lime and burned clay, looking at borne
apparently distant object, has a dispiriting effect on
goblins,, but a plaister lion causes them to tear,
their shadowy hair. Old fish-nets cut into strips and
worn about the waist are good also; fiends attacking
the wearer become entangled in them and suffer
disorganization in getting out again. The shell of a
gourd may with advantage be suspended at Use bed of
children who have not had the small pox, because the
god of measles, who is a Chinese divinity; will empty
the small-pox into the shells, if placed convenient to
his hand. Still better is it to place an ugly mask on
a child's face as a preventive of small-pox, as the
fiends consider it useless to waste small-pox upon a
homely person. -A mirror serves admirably to keep
the' devil devil away; for, seeing his own ugliness, he
invariably runs off in a fright and hides in a deep
cavern untila-he recovers from the shock.—Pall Afail

Gaiette.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-02-01

LONDON

AND

NORTH WESTERN RAILWAY

To all parts of the Midland and Manufacturing Dictricts
of England, and to LONDON, DUBLIN, BELFAST,
EDINBURGH, GLASGOW, and all the principal
Towns in the Kingdom, and on the Continent.

Mr. Ford, Printer, 131, High Street; London and
North Western Offices, The Wharf, Mr. Payton, Agent.

Carts call at the Offices frequently during the day to

convey Parcels to the STATION.

The public are requested to order their Parcels
"PER LONDON & NORTH WESTERN RAILWAY.'

Chief Traffic Manager's Office
GEOLGE FINDLAY
Euston, November, 1878.

TO LET, with Immediate Possession, the
HOUSE and PREMISES, now occupied by W.
UItEEN, Painter. &c, tram Street, Stourbridge,

MO BE LET, A LARGE STABLE, with gccd
1. Room over.—A.pply, Observer Office, Stcur-
bridge.

rro GLASS CUTTERS.—An Experienced
1. China Polisher Wanted ; good character inilispen•
'dbl., regular work and good wages.—Apply John Ruse
and Co., Coalport, Shropshire.

TO LET, IN THE CENTRE of STOURBRIDGE
Good Stabling, Coachhouse and Cart Shed,
with Lock-up Yard.—Apply, W. Green, Plumber,
&c., Union Street, Stourbridge.

TRADESMENS ADDRESSES.

S. 'FIELD
TO

92, HIGH STREET,
STOURBRIDGE,
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-02-01

WOMAN'S RIGHTS QUESTION IN
AMERICA.

The Woman's Rights question in America we= to
be getting awkwardly complicated with that of poly-
gamy. On the 13th instant a -committee of the
Woolen Suffrage Convention, including two ladies
from Utah, had an interviiw with the President at
Washington, and presented a memorial urging that the
women of the country -had been ignored in his annual
Message. They also called Mr. Hayes's attention to
the recent decision of the Supreme Court in relation to
polygamous marriagee and to the effect ot enforcing the
Act of 1862, which, they maintained would make
thousands of women outrai3ts and their children
illegitimate. The Presideut requested that statements
on the subject miulit be made out in writing and sub-
mitted to him. He wanted all the information with
regard to the matter that he could procure. The
ladies promised to do this, and Mr. Hayes then asked
them how he could serve them. They replied, "By
vetoing any Bill to enforce the Act of 1861" "You
say I have ignored the women of the country in my
annual Message," said Mr. Hayes. "In my next
Message I will act according to the dictates of my
conscience and the best light I have." The ladies
then retired, and here the matter rests for the present.
—Pall Mall Gazette.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-02-01

TONEY TO LEND, WITHOUT SURE-
„VI TIES, BY THE IMPERIAL ADVANCED
BANK.—DISTAIWE NO OBJECT.—AII respectable
Householders, whether they are private Gentlemen or
Ladies, Shopkeepers, Farmers, Car Poprietors, Cow
Keepers,•Tradesmen, or Clerks, that they can be ac-
commodated by this Bank with Sums of Money from
£lO to £lOOO, repayable by easy instalments, extending
over one year and upwards, to enable them to increase
their stocks and afford them every kind of temporary
accommodation, Without friends as sureties and without
any unnecessary delay Applicants would do well before
applying to any office to consider its respectability. This
office was established in 1873, and since that time its
business in advances has been rapidly increasing, and it
now makes more advances than any other single private
advance office in the provinces. Every information
willingly afforded. Apply, either personally, or if by
letter state amount required, to
LEWIS SIMMONS, Proprietor,
27. South John-street, Liverpool
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-02-01

SMITH'S CHARITY.

In the High Court of Justice the Attorney. General
applied to the Master of the Rolls on Saturday for
the sanction of the court to a scheme which proposed
to extend the benefit of a fund known as Smith's
Charity. The fund was established in 1627 for the
ransom and succour of captives in the hands of Turkish
pirates. It is now represented by land in Kensington,
worth nearly £lO,OOO a year, and the whole, so fat as
there are Smiths of the kindred of the original Henry
Smith, is to be applied for their Ilenefit.
The Master of the Rolls said that the scheme must
be varied before it received his sanction. The principal
reason urged for extending the benefits of the charity
was, he said, that the hopes of many persons who
looked forward to derive incomes therefrom might be
disappointed, and then might not, perhaps, be able to
carry out engagements to marry which they had
entered into on the faith of their expectations. Such
marriages, however, in his opinion, ought not to be
encouraged, and it would be most improper that
money which had been left for the benefit of the poor
should be given to the rich, and this he took to be
the effect of the present proposals. The present
scheme did not touch vested interests, and this was
quite right. As to the expectant recipients, there
must be a line drawn somewhere; and though they
would no doubt feel disappointed, they had not, in his
opinion, the same right to indulgence as those persons
now receiving the benefits of the charity. •
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-02-01

OLD HILL MINERS AND THE HOURS

QIIESTION.
A crowded meting of the miners of the Old Hill die
triet was held on Wednesday night, at the Duke William
Inn, to reedy. and consider a report of the miners'
Council, held at Dudley on Wednesday afternoon, con-
cerning the difficulty which has arisen between the New
British Iron Company and their miners.—The chair was
occupied by a Miner, who urged the men to show their
determination not to be brought back to the old hours
system, which was worse 'then slavery. (Hear, hear.)
They had good support promised them, and he warned
them that if they submittecito this increase, of one hour
it would be followed by other' encroachments upon their
nrivileges.—Mr. W. Bresknell (mitiers' agent for Old
Hill district) addressed the:nesting at some length,
arguing that the miners wen justified in taleng the
course they had at the present time with respect to the
attempt upon th. pert of the,NeW British Iron Company
to increase the working hours of their man. There wee
great necessity for the min to be alive to their own in.
tenets, and to louk after their privileges when they were
being attacked in the monnetthey had within the lest
few weeks. He spoke of the many evils under which
miners laboured, and urged upon the men to combine in
reisting the inroads upon their privileges. (Hear, here.)
He found the men had the sympathy of the mining
population of the surroundingdistriets, and the miners
as • body were willing to contribute towards the support
of the men who were thrown out of employment in
conseqeence of the dispute. The men in other districts
feeling that they were fighting the battle for them, were
willing not only to pay the ed, levy, but if necessary
would contribute Is per week per man to keep the luta
out until the employers called them in main on the
eight hours system. A westing of the miners' Council
had been held that afternoon at Dudley, and was attended
by representatives from the surrounding districts. The
action taken by the New British Iron Company, with
reference to their miners, came up for discussion, and
the opinion of the tonneil was that the men should be
supported, ant that means should be adopted by the
committee in furtherance of that object.. He concluded
by rewinding the men that the miners in the other
district* were looking to them, because upon their action
in the present crisis rested the issue of the hours
question. (Hear, hear.)—At the close of the meeting it
was unanimously resolved not to steeept an increase of
working hours or stint; and that those mei who were at
work in the districts pledged themselves to support the
men on strike to their utmost.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-02-01

LORD DERBY AND RECIPROCITY.

The Earl of Derby, replying to a letter from Mr. James
Grething, of Birmingham, on this question, writes :

"January 16, 1879, Knowsley, Prescot.
" Sir,—l have your letter of yesterday on the sub
ject of what is called Reciprocity. I have neither
leisure nor inclination to enter into a discussion of
that question, and must confine myself to a repetition
of the opinion expressed by me at Rochdale, that how-
ever unsatisfactory the present state of affairs may be,
no improvement is to be expected from a return, even
though partial and professedly temporary, to a pro-
tective system.—.l femain, your obedient servant,
" DERBY."
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-02-01

KIDDERMINSTER CHAMBER OF
COMMERCE.

Tahnnuru6adlaym.eeting of the
Mr. Ivens (the hon. see.) read the report for the past
ChMamr. ber Borint°npresided
Commence
held
e al
dt theo n
year. This document referred to tbe legislation of the
past year affecting the Chamber, such as the Bills Of"
Sale Act, the Factories and Workshops Act, and the
Weights and Measures Act. It spoke of the autumnal
meeting of the Associated Chamt,ers at Sheffield, and
c ,naluded with a reference to the railway goods and
Post Office accommodation at Kidderminster, and to
the improvement in both which were effected.
Kra Brinton then said at that, their first anneal
meeting, he had much pleasure in asking tbem to re-
ceive and adopt the report which ha(' been just read to
them. It spoke for itself, and was divi?e d into two
main questions—commercial legislation on the one side,
and local matters which inconvenienced them every
day, or in their trade and railway accommodation, and
which would always, he thought, form to the members
of that Chamber matter of primary and important in-
terest. In reference to the bills to be. brought before
Parliament Viere was one only to which he would call
attention. That was bankruptcy reform. A great deal
of time had been spent by the committee in considering
the bills upon that subject thought before Parliament
during the last session. So deeply and generally had
the interest in bankruptcy reform been felt that during
the last few days a document had been signed by 46 of
the most important and inflnential firms of this great
Empire, urgently drawing the attention of the Govern-
ment to the necessity for dealing practically with that
measure when Parliament re-assembled, and proposing
remedies which he for one would hesitate to admit, but
sufficient to draw up a good bill. That showed thct tbe
extraordinary care and pains which they as a committee
had taken with the subject had not been uncalled for.
It was very necessary that some more simple way should.
be found for dealing with the estates of small debtors
than the present costly one, which swallowed up the
whole thing and deprived creditors of their just rights
He referred to the deficiency of railway goods and Poe
Office accommodation in Kidderminster, and said that
although an additional warehouse was being built at the
station, other alterations would have to be made before
the accommodation would be adequate for the traffic of
the locality. Whit reaped to the PCIli Office, whose

, •
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-02-01

TACTICS IN NAVAL WARFARE.

In London, on Friday in last week, a paper PM
read at the Royal United Service Institution by Vice-
Ad miral G. C. Randolph, C. B. , on" The Rglative Import-
ance of Broadside and End•on Fire from Ships of War,
tactically considered." The Admiral demonstrated
the advantage of end-on fire by means of suppositious
naval engagements, believing that this mode of fire
could be sustained much longer than by broadside.
He further said that the true mode of attack of iron-
clad rams must be the ram; and he submitted that
naval actions would not in future be decided by the
broadside, but by skill in manceuvre. A discussion
followed, Sir Cooper Key said be preferred broad-
side guns. Captain Colomb and Admiral Phillimore
also took part in the discussion, the latter stating
that he should be sorry to abandon bow and stern
guns.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-02-01

SUCCESS OF BRITISH MOVEMENTS.

OFFICIAL DESPATCH.
(From Viceroy, 29th January, 1879)
"Stewart reports his cavalry -entered
Kelat-i-Gilzai 21st inst. Fort surrendered
without a shot.

"Roberts has received letter from Wali
Mohammed, who will meet him at Hazirpir
tomorrow, accompanied by several influential
chiefs who express themselves well-wishers
of the British Government.

"General Maude has occupied Bazar Valley
with combined force from Jumrood, Au
Musjid, and Dakka. No resistance made. A.
few shots fired at night, and at baggage
escorts, ezc."

CALCUTTA, Thursday.
A telegram from Bazar, dated yesterday,
announces that all the combined military
movements have been successful. The whole
British force assembled in the Basar Valley
on Monday last, the inhabitants taking to
flight after having set fire to everything
they could. The pickets are frequently fired
at.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-02-01

AN UNPLEASANT PREDICAMENT.

The present winter is an unusually severe one in
France as well as elsewhere. A natural consequence
of the excessive cold is to embolden the wolves which
infest certain districts in the provinces, and to induce
them to prowl about in dangerous proximity to villages
or hamlets. in search Of food. In the department cf
the Haute Marne they appear to have become
singularly audacious, spreading by their unwel-
come appearance terror and alarm among the peasant
popuhtion. According to the local journals, the
village of Lariviere is nightly invaded by these
nocturnal robbers, whose depredations so seriously
Interfere with the peaceful repose of its inhabitants,
that some peasant youth determined a short time
since to open a campaign against the enemy. Th6y
took counsel together •as to the measures to be put
into force, and decided to prepare a trap for the
foe. A party of young men, provided with the
necessary implements, repaired to the route corn
-
moray taken by the wolves, and dug about half
way between the villages of Larivibre and
Aigrement, a pit three metres deep. This was
hidden by planks so placed that at the slightest
pressure they yielded, thus precipitating the wolf
into the pit. The trap was baited with some raw
meat, and the young men returned home before
nightfall. One of them, however, anxious to apprise
himself of the result of the plan, retraced his steps later
in the evening armed with a loaded gun, and approached
cautiously the trap. All was 'Alen,. hyt€ boforo
retiring toe placed one foot on the treacherous planks
to test the efficacy of their arrangement; the plank
yielded beneath his foot; unhappily, however at the
same moment the slippery ground betrayed his other
foot, he made a faux pas, and reluctantly performed
jusqu' are bout the rite which was intended for the
wolf. The pit being larger at its base than on the
surface exit was impossible. The discomfited and
justly- alarmed peasant saw himself then a prisoner until
the following morning. will the uninviting prospect
before him of receiving at any instant a famished
beast upon his head. HaPoily his very natural fears
were not realised. Whether it be, as he asserts, due to
the fact that he uttered during the live-long night cries
and howls of such an unearthly and terrifying
description that the wolves took alarm; or whether
the latter eyed the planks and the bait with mis-
givings, it fortunately chanced that on the arrival of
his comrades the next morning his night's adventure
had bad no more tragic consequences than an un-
pleasant sojourn in an undesirable bed-chamber.—
Evening Standard.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-02-01

AMERICAN WHITTLING. SCHOOLS.

The art of " whittling " as practised by the thorough-
bred Yankee has often been the subject of ridicule
in this country. It was President "Abe" Lincoln,
we believe, who was currently supposed to be unable
to go successfully through A public reception, or take
part, with effect, in any lengthened eonversation,
unless he was- provided with a sharp knife and a good
hard bit of stick which he could deftly transform into
chips of uniform shape and size. The destructive
tendency thus exhibited is common among all boys,
though the particular habit in which it finds its outlet
known as whittling is peculiar to the rising genera-
tion of America, where it is universally practised.
The "destructive" propensities of Master Jacky, how-
ever, are often merely the early buddings of " con-
structive " faculties, and the apparently senseless trick
of " whittlbug " may be cultivated into a valuable art.
So, at least, some of the educational authorities in
America have thought, and, acting on the idea, it has
been decided that the best thing to do is to direct into
proper grooves the innate desire of the schoolboy to
cut something, instead of repressing the practice, and
so encouraging the surreptitious carving of the school.
desks and door-posts. A "Whittling School" has
accordingly been opened in Boston, where a room
specially fitted up for the purpuse is set apart for the
use of the amateur carvers and embryo carpenters and
mechanics. A bench is provided for each boy, who is
supplied with a few tools, according to his individual
skill. The report of the first year's operations says
that 32 boys were admitted during the first twelve
months, of whom twelve seem to have had some slight
knowledge of the use of the saw and knife, while not one
knew how to handle a chisel properly. The founders•
of this venture suggest that "it would be easy to
establish, in connection with all our grammar schools
for boys, an annexe for elementary instruction in the
use of the half-dozen universal tools, i.e., the hammer,'.
plane, saw, chisel, file, and square." Three or four 4
hours a week of proper instruction would be sufficient
to guide and foster the inborn inclination to handi.
craft which so many boys at school possess, but are
debarred from exercising; the workshop should be(
left open during recreation hours, and those lads who).
had any mechanical taste would .soon find their way
there, instead of being discouraged, as they too often
are, and forced to take to uncongenial occupations, or
to drifting into vicious habits.—wobe.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-02-01

SATURDAY, FEB,. 1, 1879.

countries. America had set themselves to work most
successfully in that direction, and if we followed their
lead and adopted the reciprocity of which he had
spoken he prophesied a bright future for the industries
of the ctuntry.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-02-01

A COURAGEOUS MAIL GUARD.

The Indipendent of Constantine, in Algeria, con-
tains an account of an extraordinary act of courage
and presence of mind by a mail guard, A passenger
writes that he was in the coupe of the diligemze which
runs frofd Algiers to Setif, and the vehicle had just
gassed' the bridge over the Oued-el•Xir, when the
horses stopped suddenly and attempted to swerve
round, but were kept in with difficulty by the native
postillion. A large lion was seen quietly walking
along the ridge on the right side of the road, at a dia-
tance -of less than fifty feet. The situation was a
critical one, for on the other side was a deep ravine,
down which the diligence would have been precipi.
tated had the horses started off. The guard, Joseph
Borje, was inside the vehicle,, and seeing the cause of
the alarm, he opened the door and descended, encli
going to the heads of the hor'ses, seized the brides tv4cl
patted the animals on the neck to tranquilise theor
The lion in the meantime contented itself with giving
a sidelong glance at the carriage, and then entered. tap
biIAUWOOd 11114 wMlot 4-4,
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-08-30

STATE OF TRADE AND LABOUR IN

PARIS.

There is a decided revival of business throughout
Paris in most branches of industry. Building is brisk
and painters have as much as they can do, a good deal
of work having fallen behindhand on account of the
unfavonrable weather during the summer. The rail-
way shops are full of artisans and employ over 7,400,
all of whom are working from six a.m. to seven p.m.;
the greater part also doing half a day's work on Sun-
day. The gas companies employ 2,840 men, who
work twelve hours a day. The engineering and
iron trades are still rather slack, though there is
a considerable demand for iron for building pur-
poses and also for foundry iron. The brass trade,
which has been for some time in a dull state, is
beginning to look up again. Art bronze manufacturers
have but little to do, but jewellers are rather busier.
Cabinet-making is always rather dull at this time of
the year. Printers, both in the book and lithographic
trades, are not quite so well employed as they have
been; and there is somewhat of slackness in the tan-
ning and currying trades. On the other hand, coach-
builders and refiners are exceptionally busy. Textiles
are always quiet at this season, and there is not much
doing in the hosiery and silkmercery trades. The
failures in the latter half of July numbered 66, or 18
less than happened in the corresponding period of
1878.

SUMMER AND AUTUMN.
"Summer," cried, in a splendid
Brogue, Murphy, "we'd none;
And before it has ended
Here's Autumn begun!"
"Tis high time I should go,"
Said the Swift to the Swallow;
Which bird answered, "1 trow
When you flit I shall follow."—Punch.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-08-30

MARY WARNER

FRIDAY sth, SEPT4MBER.

Admibbion : Reserved Chairs, 4s. ; Front Seats, 2b 6 t
Floor, ; Back Seat*. and Promenade 6d.

sll WHY SUFFER WITH CORNS? The best known
remedy for Corns is the Porous Plaster Co.'s Corn
Plasters, none geoutee unless " Thos. Allcock 8; Co.
Porous Plaster "is on the stamp. Sold by all kAtnaists
at is. lid, per box, principal Agency 67, Urreat Charlotte
Street, Liverpool.

TAPE WORMS and STOMACH WORMS—
WATSON'S Warrant( d Specific has effected
hundreds of 'Armament cures of these distressing dis-
orders, v.'teie every other remedy has failed. It does
not - continuing ; a single bottle being sufficient
• .e. Its action is nei d, but thorough, and the most
ir. _ciicate need not fear taking it. Price 2). 9d. or safe by
post for 26 stamps. Watson's Specific Powders for
"I'LIIZEADWORMS are au effectual remedy for the
tormentors. )o, 1, (Adults). No 2. (Children's) Price
is. lid, or by post fur 15 stamps. Circulars pest free.
Address :—Watson A.P.S., bhiplvy, Yorks, or any
Chemist will get it for you.
EPILIPTIO FITS CR FALLING Sickness—A.
certain method of cure has been discovered for this
distressing complaint by a physician who is desirous
that all sufferers may benefit from this provident:al dis-
covery ; it is never known to fail, and wOl cure the most
hopeless case after all other means have been trie:l.,
Full particulars will be sent by post to any person free
of charge.—Address ,—W. WILLIAMS, 10, Oxford Terrace
Hyde Park, London.
".
Tioi Arrncriorts Aivn Flokrtsawsais.,-,-,-„Arlzlwssoss
rrfeirilliabgefagrormeeiarbrli)t.a,tiiiornpriosfeathaet the .rflhS ja.t,
‘•
relief afforded by the use of browns nitt
t
is countryn a_
Troches." These fatuous ".lore!'cc " uow
chemists In this c'eid
by most respectable
People troubled with a " haeKing
la lid per box. Fe
ht cold," or bronchial affections,
not try them too eau-
wough,' a oon es similar troub: es, if allowed to
inso;ions Pulmonary and Astlimati
t the words " Biown 's • 45
progress,aereo
tion g r.
Troches" are on the Government Stamp arr)aud
each box .—Manufactured 14.47.:, I. BROWN It SONS,
ete t
Boston that•a atom 493 04414;dittutik
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-08-30

THE MARKETS

MARK LAN E.-MONDAY.

The grain trade at Mark-iane was quiet and without
feature. The attendance was moderate. English wheat was
again very scarce, but there was an abundance of foreign.
English wheat met a slow sale, but was firm in value, in con.
sequence of the unsettled weather. For foreign wheat there
was not much inquiry, and prices were about the same.
Barley was in short supply. The trade was firm, and most
sorts were rather dearer. Malt found buyers at full prices.
Oats met with a moderate amount of attention, and prices
rated against the buyer. For maize the demand was steady
at a slight improvement. Beans and peas were scarce, and
fully as dear. The flour market was quiet, but steady.

MErROPOLITAN CATTLE MARKET.-MONDAY.

The cattle trade was dull in tone. Supplies were not
large, but were ample for requirements. Business through-
out was restricted, and although quotations were not
actually altered, the tone continued weak. From our own
grazing districts, the receipts of beasts were limited, and
there was the same general unevenness of quality and condi-
tion. The demand was inactive, and difficulty was ex-
perienced in realising late prices. The best Soots and crosses
sold at Os. 6d. to bs. Bd. per Sib. From the Midland and
home counties we received about 1,800 • from other parts of
England about 250; from Scotland 13% and from Ireland
about 300 head. On the foreign side of the market
these was a moderate supply of beasts from Spain,
Denmark, and Sweden, but no Canadian. Trade was
quiet and rather weak. With reference ,to sheep the
pens were only moderately well filled. The trade was dull,
at about previous prices. The best
.Downs and half-breds
changed hands at 68. Sd. to Os. 10d. peLOlb. Lambs are
steady, at 75. to 7s. Bd. per 81b. Calves and pigs were quiet
and unaltered At Deptford, there were about 3.000 beasts
and 1,000 sheep ;-Inferior beasts, 4s. to 4s. 6d., second
quality, 4s. 6d. to Os.; prime large oxen, bs. 4d. to Os. 6d.;
prime Scots, Os. 6d. to 58. Bd. ; inferior sheep, ss. to Os. 6d. ;
second quality, E's. 6d. to 6.; prime coarse wooled, Os. gd.
to Os. Si.; prime Southdowns, Os. Bd. to 6s. Dd. ; large
coarse calves 58. to ss. 6d. ; prime small ditto, bs. 6d. to Os.
lad.; large hogs, 3s. Sd to 4s. ; small porkers, 4s. to 4s. 6d.;
lambs, 7s. to 7s. Si- per Sib. sinking the off aL

METROPOLITAN MEA.T MARKET.-MONDAY.
There was a moderate supply of meat, the demand for
which was slow at the following prices :-Inferior beef,
2s. 4d. to 3.; middling ditto, 33. 4d. to 3s. 10d. ; prime large
ditto, 4s. 2d. to 4s. Bd. ; prime Scotch ditto, 41. 6d. to 55.;
veal, 4s. Bd. to 55.; inferior mutton, 2s. Bd. to 3s. 4d.
middling ditto, 38. 3d. to 4s. 4d.; prime ditto be. 4d, to 65.:
large pork. 3s. 8d to 45.; small ditto, 4s. 4CI. to 4s. Bd.;
lamb, bs. Bd. to 6. per 81b. by the carcase.

GENTLEMEN'S WASHING WANTED
by en experienced L 1., di.— Apply, J.
Observer Office. Stourbrulge.