The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1884-03-29 00:00:00

PROPOSED MONUMENT TO ADMIRAL
COLIGNY.

A numerous company assembled on Tuesday after-
noon at the College dining-hall, Westminster, for the
purpose of hearing addresses in aid of the fund for
the erection of a monument to Coligny. Amongst
those present were the Duke and Duchess of West-
minster, the Dean of Westminster, the Dean of
Chester, Hon. A. F. Kinnaird, the Marquis de Jau-
court, Mr. R. H. Giraud, and Mr. Jacob Vincent:

In opening the proceedings, the Dean of West-
minster said they were not gathered together in the
interests of any sect or party, but to do honour to one
who, if they might not say with Voltaire was the
greatest of Frenchmen, was one of the most illustrious
sons of France. Under the shadow of that great
abbey they could not help looking back upon the
times that were past and the men that were gone. In
the present case they had brought before them one
whose courage, whose nobleness, whose steadfastness
of character, were shown only to full advantage under
adverse circumstances. Admiral Coligny was also a
good representative of that vast army of French
Huguenots whose final exodus from France enriched
the lifeblood of the English nation. Coligny's
memory was eminently worthy of honour, for he
united freedom of conscience toward man with entire
devotion to God.

The Marquis de Jaucourt then briefly addressed the
meeting, and said that the terrible catastrophe that
put an end to the career of this eminent statesman,
brave soldier, and faithful Huguenot appeared to
have so darkened the air that the truth had been
hidden and justice had not been done. Now, however'
reaction had occurred, and the views held by Coligny'
at the peril of his life, received ample toleration. The
proposal had been exceedingly well received in
France, the Government having voted a sum of £l3OO
towards the raemorial, while the Paris authorities had
granted an admirable site in the Rue de Rivoli,
opposite the Louvre, and within a few paces of the
Spot where Coligny fell. The monument would repre-
sent Coligny supported by the allegorical figures
Patriotism and Religion. £l2BO was wanted to com-
plete the work, towards which be felt sure the Eng-
lish nation would liberally contribute.
M. Eugene Bersier next addressed the meeting, and,
having sketched at some length the career of Admiral
Coligny, he thanked those English friends who had
already sympathised with the movement, and especi-
ally the Dean of Westminster for presiding on that
occasion.

No HURRY FOR A DAY OR Two.—A Wet Night in a
London Suburb. Time, One a.m.—Cabman (re-
freshed): "I shay, guv'nersh, w'ish the best way baek
to London ?" City Wag (who has dined) : "Well, I
Can hardly tell you; but I shall be going that way
myself to-morrow morning, and, if you care to wait,
I'll show you." Cabman (refreshed) : "Thank yer,
guv'nersh." ( Stabers.)—Fun.

TUE GREELY RELIEF EXPEDITION.

The Arctic ship Alert, presented by the English
Admiralty to the United States Government for the
relief of the Greely Expedition, was formally put
into commission on Monday at the yard of Messrs.
Green, of Blackwall. The United States Minister
hoisted the American colours at the peak. About
fifty gentlemen assembled on board in response to the
invitation of the United States Minister, among whom
were Lord. Northbrook, Admiral Lord Alcester,
Admiral Sir Cooper Key, Admiral Brandreth, Comp-
troller of the Navy, Admiral Sir George Nares,
Admiral Sir Leopold M'Clintock, Admiral Gore
Jones, Sze., &c.

After lunch his Excellency proposed "The Health
of tile Queen," which was responded to by Lord
Northbrook, who in the course of his speech men-
tioned how great an interest the Queen had taken in
the expedition, and her pleasure in authorising the
offer of the ship to the United States Government.
Sir Cooper Key then proposed "Success to the
Expedition," coupled with the health of Lieutenant-
Commander Goodrich, who commands the ship on
her passage to New York.
The Alert, which will leave for New York very
shortly, may be fairly classed as one of the strongest
vessels afloat, and is thus admirably suited for the
arduous task on which she has been and will be again
employed. She is a double skin wooden vesiel of
1270 tons displacement and 381-horse power, and was
built in 1856 for surveying service. In 1875 she
was thoroughly rebuilt at Portsmouth, and specially
strengthened for Arctic service under the direction of
Admiral Sir Leopold M'Clintock,for the expedition com-
manded by Sir George Nares, who had personal com-
mand of the ship. After her return in 1878 she was
again commissioned for surveying service, •and was
paid off in the autumn of 1882 at Sheerness. The ex-
pedition she is now about to relieve was sent out under
the auspices of the United States Meteorological Ser-
vice in 1881, and though several attempts have been
made to reach them nothing has been heard of them
up to the present time. It is, therefore, with the
hope of arriving on the scene as quickly as possible
that all the work on board the Alert has been per-
formed with great expedition. She has had new rigging
and new spars, and a new rudder fitted for shipping
and unshipping, which was necessary for Arctic work.
She has been strongly protected at the bow with iron
plates going entirely round the stem and Bft. aft,
and new greenheart planks have been put in where the
worst chafing had occurred on her previous expedi-
tion. In all other respects such changes have been
made as to bring her as early as possible to her
previous condition as fitted in 1875. All the
work has been performed under the personal
supervision of Captain Chadwick and Captain
Goodrich. Throughout the British Admiralty have
rendered all the assistance they possibly could; while
such old Arctic campaigners as Sir Leopold
M`Clintock, Sir George wares, Sir Allen Young, and
Mr. Leigh Smith have placed their experience at the
disposal of the new expedition.