biglam/hmd_newspapers huggingface dataset:
The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1876-01-22

WINTER AMUSEMENTS IN PARIS.

A French Correspondent of The Times, writing from Paris
last Saturday, says :

This afternoon the approach to the Bois de Boulogne
was thronged with carriages and pedestrians, yet
nothing can be gloomier, the avenue being covered
with snow and rime, shivering evergreens and bare
trees. The water put on the roads being frozen, cold gray
dust reigns supreme on a road so gay and fine when
the summer sun lights up the grass plots, flower beds,
and trees covered with foliage. To-day, however, the
crowd did not dream of sunshine. Nothing, indeed,
would have disappointed them so much as to see the
sun appear, as its rays threaten to melt the ice on whioh
.they were bent on skating or seeing others skate. Some
went towards the lake of the aristocratic skating club,
others to the extremity of the large lake, which is
covered with a thick ice, and is given up to the pnblic
gratuitously. Between the two resorts there is the
same difference as between a fashionable ball and a
subscription ball. On the one hand the public are
less numerous, more stylish, more graceful, and
generally more expert. You can admire there the
exotic beauty whom you meet in the evening at
the most recherch4 balls of the Grand Monde,
capping her skating success by her dancing suc,,
cess, and I had Pointed out to me a young American
lady who has been christened the Comet, because
whether she glides on the ice of the small reserved
lake or on the floors of saloons, she is Followed by a
tail, as it were, of ecstatic skaters or waltzers. The
fashionable skaters of both sexes on the club lake are
in general the more deserving of the curiosity they
excite, and their graceful movements provoke plaudits
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1876-01-22

AMERICAN HUMOUR.

An Indiana statesman is indignant at the Govern-
ment "for taking the tax oft of planers which we don't use,
and keeping it on whiskey which we do."

A young lady in Boston speaks of "eyes as bright as
buttons on an angers underclothing."

The temperance laws are said to be so rigidly enforced
in Ohio new-a-days, that it is dangerous for any one to be
"intoxicated with success," or "staggered by the result."
A sympathetic Tennessee reporter writes an account
of the shooting of a man, and says The bullet penetrated
his stomach, whence it was recovered by the ule of an emetic,
so that the lead was not lost:'

"A man who works for his living should marry a
woman taller than himself," said a gentleman to a Woman's
Rights secretary at a recent raeeting. He was asked to ex-
plain, and did so, to the annoyance of the seriously-minded
spinster, by saying that "The labourer is worthy of his
higher."
A young lady of Logan County, Xentneky, has
advertised for sealed proposals for her hand and heart. It is
not stated whether she will take the lowest tender.

A New Hampshire man, when asked to give his
consent to the marriage of his daughter, turned with a beam-
ing face to the applicant, and alswered frankly, " Yes ; and
don't you know some likel,y young man whb win take the
other

Before hanging a man in Louisiana, they let the
Interviewing reporters have a run on him for two or three
weeks, and then he is not only willteg, but anxious to be
hung.

A:coloured clergyman in Philadelphia recently gave
notice as follows from the pulpit :—" There will be four days'
meetin' every evonin' this week except Wednesday after-
noon."

A broken-hearted New York widow, who recently
los,t her husband, dyed her lapdog black, while waiting for
the winter styles in mourning dress to be announced.
A Massachusetts paper says :—" Mr. Johnson has
given five hundred dollars, with his sister-in-law, to the
American Board." What will the board do with the sister-
in-law
- • - - - -

An Algerian idea is that the angel of death seizes a
dying man by the hair of his head and carries him up to
Paradise. Baldheaded Algerians, of course, have Do chance,
except they apply for - hair-wash.
"Piety," remarked an Arkansas preacher to his con-
gregation the other day, "does not consist in noise. The
Lord can see yen give to the needy just as easily as lie can
hear you pray the roof off.

- - An American paper Bap :—" A Norwegian lad/
has arrived in Milwaukee, with some twenty of her children.
She says there are so many accidents, she didn't think it safe
to bring thou all in one boat, as, in case of a wreck, she
would not have any heart to commence life in a new country.
She expects the rest af them shortly."

SCENE IN COURT :—Jucige :—" Have you anything
to offer to the Court before sentence is passed on you r
Prisoner: "No, judge, I had ten dollars, but my lawyers
toot that,"
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1876-01-22

by the recent default of the Turkish and Peruvian
Governments.

It is nearly two years ago that, in the depth of
winter there was a general election in this Kingdom,
and now we are reading of the preparations in France
for a similar event. When the new Assembly meets,
it will be interesting to note whether it will continue
to sit at Versailles, twelve miles from the capital, or
take up its quarters in Paris itself. 'When the late
Assembly was elected, it first met at Bordeaux, and
its opening business was to come to terms with the
Germans, who were then inveeing the metropolis.
Peace having been secured, the Parisians expected the
National Parliament to sit there as usual, but the hails
of the Logislature had so often been oveirun by revo-
lutionary crowds, that the representatives of the
people decided to deliberate in the historic palace of
the French Kings, so that an insurrectionary multitude
should have a march of at least a dozn miles before it
reached them. It is possible that if Paris is on its good
behaviour, the new Assembly will return there. The
people of London would not care to have the British
Parliament sitting at Windsor, although, of course,
there is no occasion for it to do so, as in the most
stormy times it is not the custom of a rough and
violent mob to attempt to overawe the Legislative
Assembly of the nation.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1876-01-22

THE DEATH OF LORD HASTINGS.
The following particulars respecting the death of Lord
Hastings are Oxen by a correspondent of the Madras
Mail :

Viscount Ebrington and Lord Hastings, who cam
out to travel and shoot in India, made a shooting trip
in the Malabar district some fourteen days ago, in com-
pany with the chief civil officers of the district, whose
guests they were, and it would seem that Lord Hastings
there contracted the Seeds of jungle fever, which first
showed themselves when shooting in the Tanjore Dis-
trict, but he did not feel so ill as to abandon his plans
for visiting Madras and Calcutta. He however rested
at Tanjore in accordance with the advice of the Nega-
patam Zillah surgeon—being carefully tended ell
route by his friend and companion in travel, Yip
count Ebrington, as well as by the Assistant-Collector,
Mr. Forbes. At Tanjore he felt so much better that
he wished to continue his journey ; but his friend
pressed for and obtained medical advice for him, and it
was soon seen that the continuation of his journey was
out of the question, as the symptoms of a bad type of
jungle fever rapidly developed. Dr. Wilson, of
Trichinopoly, was telegraphed for to consult with Dr.
O'Hara, of Tanjore, and was brought in by special
tvaln. Drs. Wilson and O'Hara were with their patient
all night, but nothing could rouse the poor lad from
his coma, till he expired at 2.35 p.m. on the 22nd of
December. He had throughout his illness the attention
of his friend, Viscount Ebrington, as well as of Mr.
Thomas And Mr. Forbes. the collector and the
assistant-collector, and the like was offered by the judge,
Dr. Burnell, and three other gentlemen, of whom two
were missionaries. The chaplain, too, was present, but
unintermitting coma prevented any kind offices of his. It
was expected by the collector, whose guests the two
noblemen had formerly been, and who had given them
shooting, that they would run through Tanjore with-
out stopping; but as soon as it was known that they
had halted, and were at the public bungalow' invita-
tions were freely s9nt, and pressed in person by both
the collector and the judge, but the patient wished to
wait for the cool of the evening before moving over,
and before that came it was impossible to move him.
Melancholy though the termination is, there is no
doubt that the unfortunate young nobleman was as
well cared for in the Travellers' Bungalow as he could
have been anywhere. The deceased seems to have had
no suffering, being throughout insensible.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1876-01-22

DIED.

ROWCLIFFE.—On the 19th inst at the Cheques Inn,
High Street Stou, bridge; aged, 62 years, K..ziali, the
beloved wife of Henry Roweliff,!.--Nluch regretted.

-7777,
THROAT IRRITATION.—The thr,at and windpipe are
especially liable to inflammation causing soreness an d
dryness, tickling and irritation, inducing coughs and af-
fecting the voice. For these symptoms use Glycerine in
the form of jujubes. Glycerine in these agreeable con-
fections, being in proximity to the glands at the moment
they are excited by the act of sucking becomes actively
healing, 6d. and Is. packets (by post 8 or 15 stamps.),
abelled " James Epps & Co , Honupopatbic Chemist, 48
Treadneedle Street, and 170, Picc4dllly, London."
The—GLENFIELD STARCH, has been more imi-
tat,nl than ail the other starches in the world No
higher complimeLt cowd be paid to it, as ail those imita-
tors are satisfied that it is th- finest starch use.
Trade,men have d.mbtless less profit on its wile, but still
it is kept by all respeclable grocers and oilmen, who pra-
fer supplying their customers with the best article for
their own pecuniary profit. Ihe public should insist
upon having the Glentiejd Starch.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1876-01-22

-

Tri sfrotrtmitmor OPSEPVF3I'.

drawup such documents, as they would see that
justice was done between the parties. In this case
the defendants had been dazzled by a £4. advance
which had been promised to them, and had been
induced to bind themselves to an agreement to
what was little better than a species of slavery.
The contract„ however, was not so unfair that
they would be justified in treating it as null and
void, and, therefore, they mu3t order defendants
to return to their work, and pay costs.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1876-01-22

A VICTIM OF A PANIC.

Mr. Frank Buckland writes in Land and Watir:—

"A few days since I was informed by letter that a
wild animal was ranging the country at and about
Hurstbourne-park and Whitchurch, Hampshire. My
correspondent urged me to get Mr. Jamrach, the
animal dealer, to send down his men to catch this
mysterious wanderer. Eventually, I hear, quite a
panic arose in the neighbourhood, and every sort of
story was circulated of the ravages and dangers
the country was exposed to. The people began
to think that, besides their sheep and pigs, their
children were in danger. Some people said it was
a gigantic black fox, others that it was a Canadian
wolf. Then expeditions were organized to attack him,
and the master of the hounds (Colonel Nichols) was
invited to hunt him with his pack, but he wisely de-
clined. Ultimately this mysterious wild beast VMS
chased for some miles by people on horseback, and shot
at Wonston. Tney then carried the animal to Win-
chester, and exhibited him at ekl. a head in the market-
place, as testimony of the prowess of the hero who had
shot it. On Saturday morning I received a letter from
my frisnd, Captain Allen Young, of the Arctic ship
Pandora. He tells me that the black wolf, or, the
gigantic fox, is simply his poor tame favourite Esql.i
maux dog, which he brought over in the Pandora from
the Waigat Settlement, North Greenland. He was a
'king dog,' and leader of a sledge team, and a most valu-
able and harmless animal. With five others of his breed
he would do a journey of from 50 ta 60 miles over the
ice on the Greenland coasts with a loaded sledge, and
without a rest, and would then, during the night, pro-
tect his master from the freezing blasts of the wind by
surrounding him in his sleep, and ever ready to raise
the alarm of a passing bear or the coming storm. Up
to that time--a mouth ago—when he was either stolen
or had wandered from the ship Pandora, he was the
pet of the ship, and would always greet his master or
any member of the crew with his paw whenever they
approached him. There can be no mistake that Cap.
Allen Young's pet Esquimaux dog has met with a sad
fate, as the captain has got back his skin."
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1876-01-22

RAILWAY LIABILITY FOR lINPUNC-a
TUALITY.

The Observer remarks :—" The judgment delivered
by Mr. Justice Brett in the case of 'Le Blanche 71. the
London and North-Western Railway' will be grate-
fully reoeived by every sufferer from nnpunatuarity on
the part of railways. This sattsfaction, however, must
be somirwhat diminished by the mggestion made,
apparently on some grounds, Luat the companies can
evade all liability with respect to delay or unpune-
tnality by more stringent notices than those hitherto
employed. It remains to be seen whether this be
strictly true; but if the evil anticipation prove correct
it may he justly contended that Parliament will have
some justification for endeavouring to give permanence
to the principles of the judgment. It is true that
the second seetion of the Railway and Canal Traffic
Act already compels companies to grant "reasonable
facilities" for passenger traffic; but something more
would seem to be wanted. Oae of the clauses of the
Railway end Canal Traffic Act declares that a com-
pany cannot entirely proteet itself by notices from
responsibility for losses or injuries to goods or cattle
due to the neglect or default of its servants, unless the
conditions appear to Court 'just and reasonable.'
This clause, which has done no harm to companies, has
operated favourably for the public, and 'we fail to see
any reason why a clause aimilar in spirit should not be
framed with respect to passenger traffic. Indeed,
many reasons may be suggested why passenger traffic
ought to be so protected. Railways are not so much
our masters in regard to conveyence of goods as of
passengers. The former can be sent by slower routes
if rates are onerous; the latter have no choice, and
would seem all the more to require legislation pro-
tection.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1876-01-22

TEAS Al' \\ HOLP.SALE RATES.

S. d.
Rich full Flawur'd Kaisow Congou 1 0 per lb
Very finest Moiling Congou.. .. 2 0-
Finest Assam Congou (wry choice) .. .. 2 4
Delivered Carriage Paid to all parts of England,
• On 7-cc ipt of P. 0. 0 , by the
C IN: Pl 2 RE T A cOIIIIANY,
73, T. MAILY .AXI:, LONDON; E•C

Samples forwarded free, crn application.

411111IM

PUBLIC NOTICES.

ss. REWARD.

TT.4OST, on Wednesday Evening last, in 1.71.!
• 'Street, a Young FOX-TERRIER B 1 ICH ;
swers to the name of " Gipsey." Anyone taking her to
Mrs. Newnam, Albert Terrace, Union-streets I.ball
receive the above Reward. Anyone detaining her K:ter
this notice will be prosecuted.

RRIERLEY HILL AND STOURE . 61.;

BUILDING SOCIETY.

ADJOURNED ANNUAL MEETING AND REMOVAL

OF OFFICES.
The twenty-fourth ANNUAL MEETING of
the Irerribus cf this Society, for the 10N
of OFFICERS and PASSING ACCOUNTS, will he
held in the Committee Room, of the TOWN 1iA14.,
BRIEBLEY HILL, 013 WEDNESDAY EVENING, FEB ettrr
2nd, 1876, et half-past Sevtn o'ciock, and iiii,ney'74l
Subscription Meetings will in future be held ie the tame
room of the Town Hail.
Members are rtquested to send in their pass bu.,ks,to
be audited.

January, 1876.

J. M. GETHING,
Sze '

EVANGELIZATION SOCIETY,

21 Surrey Strut, Strand, Landau, W. U.

ADDRESSES.
win be delivered by

•

WILLQTT RICE;

AT THE

.MISSION 1:00.31, CHAWNHILL,

MONDAY' .TO MONDAY INCLUSIYAt

JANUAhY 10th, to 25th. 1876. •

Sundays at 3 and 6.30.

Week Evenings 7.gd
4

ADMISSION FREE.

No COLLECTION:

- GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY.

• PANTOMIMES AT BIRMINGHAM.
ON MONDAY, JANUARY 24th, a Cheap EXCUR-
SION TRAIN for BIRMINGHAM, will leave
Worcester (Shrub Hill) at 1.55, Droitwich 2.5. Kidder-
minster 2 30, Hagley 2 45, and Stourbridge 2.55 p.m.T
and return from Snow Hill Station at 11 20 p.m. the same
day.
For Fares and full particulars see Special Bills.
J. GRIERSON, General Manager.
Paddington Terminus.

GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY.

THE Directors of this Company are prepared
1. receive Tenders for the construction of the Stony-
bridge Branch Railway, being a length of, about one
mile.

Plans, Sections, Speccification, and Quantities may be,
seen and Forms of Tender obtained, at the Engineer's
Office at this Station, on and after Tuesday the let
proximo.
Tenders, addressed to the undersigned, and marked
outside "Tender for Stourbridge Branch," will be re-
ceived on or before Tuesday, the 15th proximo.
The Directors do not bind themselves to accept the
lowest or any Tender.
FRED. G. SAUNDERS,

Paddington Station, London,
10th January, 1876

PICTURES FRAMED

From the Cheapest and Best Mouldhj..
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1876-01-22

-;7

LADIES' NEURALGIA.

Oa the subject of hats and bonnets and their connection
with neuralgia a correspondent writes to the Liverpool
Weekly Albion:—
" Belonging to the amiable division of mankind
I desire to protest agairst our giving way so
servilely to the tyrant fashion, and thus inflicting
on ourselves so much unnecessary pain. Why
should we be bound to wear our headgear, stuck on
the back of our heads, exposing our temples and fore-
heads to the biting winds of wintor ? Why not wear,
as ladies often do in Gemany during winter, comfort-
able hoods or clouds twisted round our heads—more
especially these winter evenings? They would,be very
warm, and could be easily removed on,entering church
or any other building, and would also have the advan-
tage of being much more becoming. Hats and bonnets
might be reserved for the more genial time of summer.
I am sure daily governesses, and all who go to and fro
in search of daily bread, would find that the carrying
out of the above suggestion would be a great comfort
to them in cold weather."

A physician of a London hospital says that there is
no recognised reason why of late years neuralgia of the
face and scalp should have increased so much in the
female sex, as compared with our own. There is no
doubt that it is one of the most common of female
maladies—one of the most painful and difficult of treat-
ment. It is also a cause of much mental depression, and
leads more often to habits of intemperance than any
other. This growing prevalence of neuralgia may to
some extent be referred to the effects of cold upon the
terminal branches of the nerves distributed to the
skin; and the reason why men are less subject to it
than women may to a great extent, I think, be ex.
plained by the much greater protection afforded by the
mode in which the former cover their heads when they
are in the open air. It may be observed that the
surface of the head which is actually covered in man is
at least three times that which fashion allows to a
woman; indeed, the points of contact between the
hat or bonnet and the head in the latter are so irregular
as practically to destroy any protection which might
otherwise be afforded. If we cannot do much for
neuralgia with our prescriptions, we ought to oppose
fashion when we find it prejudicial to health and pro-
ductive of suffering.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1876-01-22

HALES OWEN.

NEGLECT OF WORK.---At the Police Court, r,on
Tuesday, before Messrs. E. Gem, H. Howard, and
E. Phillips, James Jones was summoned by Henry
Budge, for non-payment of 8s 4d, money due for
iron. Defendant had 23 bundles of iron from com-
plainant to work into nails, and he had neglected to
do so. Ordered to work it up in three months, and
pay costs.—Parthenia Parkes and Henry Basterfield
were summoned by Messrs. Homes and Hickton, for
similar offences, and were ordered to work up the
iron and pay costs.
DRUNKENNESS.—Thomas Knowles was charged
with being drunk and disorderly at Halesowen, on
the Ist inst. Police-constable Drew proved the case,
and defendant who said he did not recollect anything
about it, was fined 5s and costs; in default 14 days.
GAME TRESPASS.—Thomas Guest was charged
with trespassing on land in the occupation of Wil-
liam Darby, in pursuit of game, on the Bth instant,
Edward Crump, gamekeeper, in the employ of Major
Smith, said on the above date he saw defendant on
land in the occupation of Mr, Darby. Defendant
had a gun in his hand, and there was no footpath in
the field where he was. There was game on the
land. Defendant said he was not in pursuit of game.
He was after some fieldfares. Fined 5s and costs;
in default 14 days.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1876-01-22

A GIRLS' SCHOOL IN. JAPAN.

The Japanese have already far surpassed all other
Oriental peoples in the readiness with which they
have adopted European customs and institutions.
One reform they are at present attempting, which
it may be hoped will lead to the most important
results ; we allude to the improved education
of girls. This has long formed a subject of
' thought and discussion among their public men, but
hitherto very little has been done to give effect to
the various schemes suggested. At last, however, a
beginning has been made, and if we may trust re-
ports which reach us from Joipan, a is likely to
prove highly successful. The Empress has opened a
school for girls at Yedo, and the greatest interest
has been manifested in the undertaking. The super-
intendent of the school, in a congratulatory, address,
going back in the manner of a German philosopher
to the ultimate foundations of things, pointed out
that "the enlightenment of a country depends upon
the excellence of its Government, and the excel-
lence of its Government depends upon the perfect
nature of the regulations of families." He thus
by, a few obvious ; links reached the concln-
. • .
sion that everything depends upon women, and
that they have been far too much neglected. He
declared it was "a source of rejoicing to myriads"
that the school had been established, and expressed
the "earnest desire that those who might
in after time complete their education there might
become virtuous women, and so assist their husbands;
virtuous mothers, and so instruct their children. Her
Majesty made a little speech, and inspected the various
class rooms with much interest. By Encouraging other
enterprises of a like kind, she will do more solid good
to her country than by patronising any number of
feeble imitations of fashions wholly foreign to the
Japanese spirit and traditions.—Globe.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1876-01-22

DUDLEY WOOD.

SUDDEN DEATH.—On Sunday morning last,
Benjamin Coley (24), eldest son of Samuel Coley,
chain manufacturer, died suddenly. It appears
that deceased had occasion to go down the yard
about eight o'clock. On returning, and when near
the door-step, he fell down in a state of insensibi-
lity. Medical assistance was at oace procured, but
deceased died the same night, it is conjectured
from heart disease.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1876-01-22

REMARKS ON "GENTILITY."

A few days ago, when drawing attention to the
fact that for many years past the supply of commer-
cial clerks has been far in excess of the demand, we
(Morning Advertiser) remarked that even in the Aus-
tralian colonies—usually 'regarded as the best field for
emigration—their chances of employment are no better
than in the mother country, and that the same may
be said of Canada and the United States. We further
observed that it would be far better for the parents of
that class of youths who generally aspire to seats in a
counting-house to apprentice their children to some
respectable trade where skill and intelligence were
needed, than to encourage them to adopt clerkship as
their calling. We cannot too strongly reiterate this
advice ; and, however much "gentility" may deplore
such an "alarming sacrifice," consideration will show
that it is far the wisest course to take. We know
many young men, clerks, well brought up, who, ad-
vancing in years, see no prospect before them of ever
achieving an independent position. Year after year
they are seated at the desk, earning nothing like the
wages of a daily labourer in the Australian colonies,
compelled to keep up a respectable appearance, and
bitterly regretting that they have not adopted a more
lucrative, even if a less genteel, mode of life. In Eng-
land it is a great point to be " genteel." We strongly
advise those parents who think of bringing up their
sons to the desk, to consider beforehand the superior
advantages they are offered by a training to mechanical
work. If they cannot so far swallow their pride as to
permit their sons to follow such a career in their own
country, they can let them go to the colonies, where,
from the moment the mechanic sets foot on the shores
of this portion of Greater Britain, his future, if he be
but steady and industrious, is assured.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1876-01-22

THE AGRICULTURAL HOLDINGS ACT.

On the 4th of February next the Statute passed last
Session to settle the long-vexed question of compeinia-
tion for unexhausted improvements will come into
operation, and all landowners, therefore,
.who have
not yet thought much about this measure will do well
to consider it without delay, while time still remains
for taking such steps as may be advisable. The Act
does not apply to Scotland or Ireland at all; it does
not apply to any holdings which are neither agricul-
tural nor pastoral; and it has no concern with plots of
ground less than two acres in extent. Tenancies for
fixed terms, under written agreements, and already
existing, stand io just the same position as if the
Statute had never passed; but every new lease made
after the 4th of next February will be subject to the
provisions of the Agricultural Holdings Act, unless the
landlord and tenant make a specialcontract in writing,
which will, of course, usually be embodied as a clause
in the lease, to the effect that the Act is not to apply.
There are, however, in England a great many farms
which are held from year to year, or at will. In such
cases if the proprietors, or, for that matter, the
tenants, desire to be on the same footing is formerly,
without allowing the recent Statute to change their
relations, then one of the parties must give notice in
writing to the other before the 14th of next April that
he wishes the existing tenancy to remain unaffected by
this Act. But to make clear beyond question that the
principle of freedom of contract is to be everywhere
respected, there is a clause, the 46th, which expressly
declares that nothing in the Act shall prevent land-
lords and tenants from making whatever agreements
they think fit, or shall interfere with such agreements.
No landowner, therefore, who dbjects to the measure
and desires to keep out of its provisions need be
touched by it at all if he only instructs his lawyers to
draw his lease carefully.—Land and Water.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1876-01-22

"A NEW WAY TO PAY OLD DEBTS."

A person whose death was recently announced in the
German papers seems to have thought that in dealing
with the practical problems of existence .a bold policy
is usually the most effective. About a year after
King William mounted the throne, this gentleman
suddenry presented himseif at the palace and de-
manded an audience of the King. "Impossible,
was the reply of the official to whom he applied. The
King, he was told, was not so easily approached as he
seemed to imagine. The visitor, however, persisted;
and at last he was asked to state the business on which
he had come. Respecting this, however, he assumed
an air of solemn gravity—only to his Majesty's
ears could the secret be revealed. After a time the
adjutant who personally waits on the King was sum-
moned, and he appointed a day on which the stranger
should call again. The engagement wa.s kept to the
minute, and after a little delay he was conducted to
the royal apartment. The King, meeting his visitor
with his usual unaffected politeness, asked him why
he had desired an audience. "I have a request to
make," he answered, "that your Majesty should either
lend me fifty thalers, to be paid back by monthly in-
stalments, or appoint me to one of your Majesty's regi-
ments. Otherwise I cannot pay my debts." King
William ba a good-humoured monarch, but we regret
to say that on the present occasion he failed to see
the point of the joke. "And this is your secret?"
he asked, "for this you have insisted on personally
seeing me? The honourable character of the service
forbids that you should be made a soldier to be de-
liverScl from your creditors; and I can hardly place
my privy purse at the disposal of every one who runs
into debt, much less sacrifice my time to every im-
pudent fellow." The door was immediately opened
by the adjutant, and ihe mysterious-looking person
walked off, a sadder and wiser man. Thu King, how-
ever, did not forget the incident, for years afterwards,
when passing through the Brandenburgh. Gate, he
saw his old friend among the crowd, and, turning to
the adjutant, he inquired with a smile, "Do you know
f he has paid his debts yet ? "—Globe.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1876-01-22

ME SKULL OF MOZART.

A Vienna paper states that Mozart's skull is in the
possession of Professor Hyrtl, who has preserved it,
upon a jsilver embroidered satin cushion beneath a
glass globe. He has kept it as he would keep a sacred
relic, and lentil recently, in order to avoid crowds of
curious visitors, he had never shown this—his rarest
treasure—to one. The last resting-place of Mozart
has never yet been definitely determined, and it is
doubtful if it ever can be determined. It sounds
rather strange to say that Mozart's last resting.
place is unknown and yet his skull is in
some one's poseseion. Professor Hyrtl, according
to his own story, came into possession of this most
highly interesting relic in the following way :—He in-
herited the skull from his brother, and the latter had
obtained it from a gravedigger at St. Marx's Cemetery.
In the year 1830 Hyrtl's parents died in Vienna and
were buried at St. Marx's Cemeteiy. Their son, a
brother of the Professor, an engraver by trade, had
always loved his parents very tenderly, and was ac•
customed to visit their graves frequently, and usually
at an hour when the cemetery was deserted. This
circumstance was noticed by the gravedigger of the
cemetery, and occasioned him considerable surprise.
He ingratiated himself into the good graces of the
pious young man, and they became warm friends. The
friendship lasted many years, until finally the grave-
digger one day became very sick, and his young friend
Hyrtl, the engraver, came to see him. Thq gravedigger,
feeling that the end of his life was fast approaching,
related the following story :—He was once present,
when a boy—many, many years ago—at a lIISRB sung at
St. Stephen's Cathedral which was composed by a cer-
tain man, Mozart. The music affected him so much
that tears came in his eyes, and the name of Mozart
wasinscribed indelibly in his niemory. Again many
years passed by, when one day a very modest funeral
took place at St. Marx's Cemetery. The name of the
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1876-01-22

C LA R

WHY ARE THE YOUNG NERVOUS
AND THE MIDDLI4:-AGED DEBILITATED ?
—This is now explained in a Medical Work, and a safe
mode of treatment for the restoration of health and
vigour fully stated Avoid Galvanic appliances and
Quackery. A single copy post free on receipt of stamped
envelope. Address—".B, cretary, Institute of Anutotroy,
Birmingham." The Author, A. Itirnox, M Uo.m
L.S.A., will send advice., flee of charge, to all applicant's
who send details of their cases, and may be consulted
daily at id, Great Charles•atreet, Birmingham.

Messrs. Wallace. Bailey and Wilkins, Bermondsey
London.—"lurther and final reports, most valuable
faature—quite original—made a tlial of other offices for
commercial information, but our experience teaches us
that. for thoroughly sound information and speedy
replies to inquiries, your office unquestionably stands
first."—Members three years.

Messrs. Richmond ct. Chandler, Agricultural Imple-
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Messrs. Passavant Sz Son, Merchants, Leeds.—" For
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. Messrs. Buckley St Sons, Manufacturers, 3,4, and 5.
Greek street, Leeds, and 79, Basingliall-street, London.
" Superior to any other office."
_ .

Messrs. Lister and Co., Manningham Mills, Bradford,
Yorkshire.—" Reliable, which we attribute to your
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souoces of information in each case."

TRADE MARK REGISTRATION.—FIia & CO., 56, Cheap-
side, London.—Every Trade Mark must be Registered
anew under the recent Act. Fo existing Registrations et
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America, Germany, France, and all Continental Conn-
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A Pure Tobacco
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•
ri LEN:FIELD. GLENE,T.E,L
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si

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Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1876-01-22

FOR SALE BY

ALL RESPONSIELE

JEWELLERS AND WATCHMAKERS
IN TTIE

KINGDOM.

CHRISTMAS CARDS, id.
CHRISTMAS CARDS, 2d.
CHRISTMAS C-A
IiDS, 3d.
NEW YEAR'S CARDS, 3d.
NEW YEAR'S CARDS, 2d.
NEW YEAR'S CARDS, id.

A LBL MS ! ALBUMS ! ! ALBUMS!!!

To hold 50, 100, or 200 Cartes.

ALBUMS FOR CARTES, IVIGNETTES, AND
CABINETS, FROM 12,s 6d.
ALBUMS ILLUMINATED.
ALBUMS FOR SCRAPS.
ALBUMS FOR CHRISTMAS CARDS.
ALBUMS FOR NEWSPAPER CUTTINGS.
ALBUMS FOR PRESENTS, k ROM Is.'

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CHURCH DECORATIONS
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DRAPER. AND CLOTHIER

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Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1876-01-22

TWELFTH NIGHT IN ROME.

Twelfth Night in Rome (a correspondent writes) is
one of those popular festivals which still hold their
ground, unchanged and ur diminished in frolic and
absurdity, in spite of the obliterating effects of modern
improvement upon so many old usages. It is the
night when the Befana a mysterious witch-like
woman, so old nobody can tell her years—comes
to reward good children. As the hour for her annual
return approaches, stockings are hung up and other
preparations made to receive her. Anticipa-
tion keeps many young eyes wide awake long
after the customary time of closing, and 'when
sleep does come it is profound enough to permit of
the Befana entering the bedrooms and depositing
,her
rewards unseen. In the meantime, fathers, grand-
fathers, brothers, bachelor uncles' old friends of " the
family," all—this comprehensive little word is not an
exaggeration—the male portion of mankind, sally
forth, each to return in the guise of a Befana loaded
with presents, and while collecting them play them-
selves the part of children. Imagine the great
Piazza Navonna, an area of no lees than 11,000
square metres, tilled for the most part with men from
the cantadino to the prince, old and young without dis-
tinction, devoting themselves with an almost frantic
delight to the enjoyment of blowing penny trumpets
and whistles, NThirling watchmen's rattles, beat-
ing little drums and tambourines, making the most
absurd noises, and generally behaving—these Roman
men who have rightly the credit of being serious—in
the wildest manner, giving themselves up heart and
soul to the most childish folly, and reaping a fulness of
gratification from it which no costly pleasures could
give them, and that so thoroughly that the madness of
the moment becomes infectious to the degree that the
staid English fathers of families gets drawn into the
whirl of excitement, becoming even madder than the
rest.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1876-01-22

BROMSGROVE.

A UNION MEDICAL OFFICER UPON THE USE OF STIMU-
LANTS—At a recent meeting of the Bremsgrove Board of
Guardians there was laid before the Board a copy of a
letter from the master of the Wrexham Union to Mr.
Darby, an ex officio Guardian, detailing the results of dis-
continuing, for two years and a half, the use of alcoholic
stimulants for the sick were much better without the use
mooafft tt eht
the
em
letteruo more
o ufsohrtohtuhrde
themselves,
Guardsdeelcaet
si anannoadf t
dthhioreue
egmtheetdd
ittchha ilas
of such stimulants than they had formerly been with them.
tOwcf ti: matter
ei
era
ss
be sent to each medical offick r, as well as to each Guar
dian. At the last meeting of the Board the foilowing
reply from Mr. L. R. Raymond, the medical officer for
the Belbroughton district to the clerk of the Board (being
the only one received), was laid before the Board :
broughton, January 14, 1876. Dear sir, I have read the
letter of the Wrexham master forwarded to me by you
lam almost convinced by it, but not quite. As the Guar-
dians know, I seldon or never order alcohol for my poor
Ritienta ; and yet there may be cases that require stimu-
la its, which must be left to the discretion of the medical
officer. There are many case-, which could do without
stimulants, but which when taken do no harm. It is
aim p.y truism to state what iminence harm is done in
this country by alcohalcc drinks, so I should certainly 193
in favour of giving a modification of the Wrexham plan
a trial. I might say, in moat cases stimulants are not
required.-1 remain yours truly, Lewis R. Raymond."
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1876-01-22

WATCH and CHRONOMETER CONTESTS.

By way of celebrating its centerfbial the Society of
Arts
.of Geneva is about to hold an international com-
petition in a branch of manufacture with which the
name of the town is inseparably associated all over the
civilised world (remarks the Globe). It invites makers
of all nations to exhibit at the Genevan Observatory
specimens of various kinds of fine watches and pocket
chronometers, the general superintendence of the com-
petition being entrusted to the able director of the
observatory, Professor Plantamour. To experts, at
least, the collection will, of course, prove a very in-
teresting one, and it will be with some little curiosity
that England's achievements in a contest of this kind
will be awaited. • One branch of the manufacture of
chronometers, in which we might reasonably expect
to take a very high standing, is- unfortunately, not to
be represented in the competition, We refer' to the
instruments used at sea, the manufacture of which Go-
vernment has long encouraged by annual competitions,
prizes being presented in the form of a premium on
the priceof the chronometers that most satisfactorily
sustain certain very severe tests to which they are sub-
jected. The leading chronometer makers in England
are invited to send one or two instruments, which
are at one time exposed to a temperature of ninety
degrees of heat, or even more, and then to cold of almost
Arctic severity, the view of course being to test the
power of preserving a' regularity of action throughout
the varying temperatures of a Jong voyage. Those
that are found to act most efficiently are purchased
at a high price, which is of course a consideiation of,
far leas importance than, the name )44)-be•adtlliired by
repeated successes in such contests. -Theftlrials take
place at Greenwich Observatory, and no doubt have
been mainly instrumental in securing for English
chronometers a reputation twhich might confidently be
expected to be fully sustained in such an exhibition
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1876-01-22

illblrliiit
~„,,. • . .
• ''
' ,

GOSTLING':S PIG POWDERS.

Useful in almost every ailment of SOWS and PIGS of all ages. They act as a preventive of Milk Fever
G growing Pigs, greatly facilitate the fattening of Pigs, and are
In in Foot and Mouth Disease, c., &C. Sold in Packets of 5 for ls, oo 15 for 2s. 6d, of all
soregie etipersocmion promote the health an 4 well doing of
&C.,
Druggblilb
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1876-01-22

A BIG LANDSLIP.

At the Academy of Sciences in Paris, recently,
there was a discussion on the causes of a catastrophe
which took place in the end of November at the Isle
of 116 union. Possibly to some of the members present
the description, or rather descriptions, of the disaster
were more interesting than the arguments which fol-
lowed. M. Velain, a young geologist of some repute,
opened the debate by draw* a vivid picture of the
scene in the island. According to him, the side, of a
lofty mountain gave way suddenly on the 29th of
November, and rushed headlong down into the val-
ley, filling up deep ravines, and carrying above 200
aerea of groued, with a layer of rubbish from 100 to
200 feet high. The origin, however, of all this dis-
turbance was very simple, and it had, in fact, been '
foreseen by the speaker, as he asserted, a year before
it occurred. The motive agent was not any volcanic
'force but simply the water which had been gm-
dually undermining undermining the overhanging mountain, and
had honeycombed it with internal channels in every
direction. Such an explanation was not at all to the
taste of the majority of speakers at the Academy,
who were ready enough to come forward and lay the
blame upon the volcanic agencies. To demolish M.
Wain's argunrent a letter was read from a local man
of science, capping the narrative of the former with a
still more sensation account, which quite threw it into
tehe shade. According to this tale, a mass of earth six
kilometres in length and two kilometres in width was
hoisted from its position by a subterranean force and
dropped in the valley, where it overwhelmed 65 out of
68 inhabitants, leaving no trace whatever of them
except a single bruised and mutilated leg. The three
survivors, all belonging to the same family, were
transported safe and sound, together with their houses
and gardens, to a distance of over a mile. It may be
doubted which is the more marvelleuz occurrence, this
or the removal of a whole forest, which leaped bodily
over a river called the Yellow Flowers, and found it-
self when the commotion subsided planted and grow-
ing happily on the other aide at the bottom of s. ravine.
Certainly, if the latter account is the true version,
water would have been an agent far too sluggish to
achieve such miracles, and even the subterranean tires
must have been stirred to a very unwonted &Sire for
praotical joking.—Globe.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1876-01-22

KIDDERMINSTER.

ICE ACCIDENT."-A number of persons were upon the
ice at Broadwaters Pool, on Sunday afternoon last, when
a crack was heard, and a youth named Bishop, and
another person, were seen struggling in the water. The
bystanders rendered assistance as soon as possible, and
the immersed ones were got out, but it is stated that they
were in an unconscious state before this was done, and
their lives were in considerable peril.
SCHOOL BOARD.—A meeting of this Board was held on
Wednesday last; the Rev. G. D. Boyle in the chair.—
Mr. Boyle stated that a meeting was held in the schools
on the 11th mat, to re-open the science classes. There
was a fair attendance, and he hoped there was a prospect
of these classes being increased.—Mr. Parry read a re-
port from the Statistical Committee, embodying the in-
formation required by the Department pursuant to
Circular No. 101. This showed that, according to the
estimate of Her Majesty's inspector, school accommoda-
tion was required in Kidderminster, in 1871, for 3,892
children, and that it existed for 3,031. This left 858
places to be provided, 600 of which were found in the
Coventry-street Board School. There were still 258
places needed, and the committee took the opportunity
of representing to the Board that the time had arrived
when it would be necessary to meet this deficiency. The
committee were making enquiries on the subject, and
hoped to report to the next meeting of the Board.—The
report was received and adopted, and the Clerk was
directed to forward Form 101 to the Education Depart-
ment.—A. second report was presented from the Statistical
Committee, suggesting an alteration in the form of re-
ports presented by the visiting officer. The report was
received, and the adoption stood over till the next meet-
ing.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1876-01-22

DTI DLEY.

ALLEGED ROBBERIES.—At the Police Court, on Mon-
day, Daniel Skidmore, labourer, Gads Lane, was charged
with stealing a watch and chain, together with a gold
locket, the property of Michael Carroll. After the rob-
bery. prisoner sold the articles to a man named Brannan,
who, for reasons of his own, afterwards communicated
w.th Police-sergeant Davis. Skidmore was committed
for trial.—There was a further charge of stealing wear-
ing apparel, belonging to Mrs. Carter, of the Bull Ring,
Birkizingham, but as the witnesses were absent the case
was adjourned.
A DRUNKEN PUBLICAN.—At the same Court, Joseph
'Tubb, licensed victualler, Woodside, was charged with
being drunk whilst in charge of a horse and cart, in the
Market Place.—After Polic,-sergeant Bulge had proved
the case, defendant was fined 5s and costs.
RoBBERY AT A BREWERY.—Johalulford (16), a Miner.
was charged with stealing a clock, some gas-piping, and
five thermometers, the property of Mr. W. Smith, of the
Netherton Brewery.—The prisoner was found in the
brewery, and be had committed a vast amount of wilful
damage in his efforts to effect the robbery. For instance,
he had torn off several brackets, and caused dangerous
escapes of gas; he had also torn up books, and destroyed
stamps, &c.—Prisoner, who had been convicted, was sent
for trial.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1876-01-22

THE MURDER OF MR. BIRCH.

A private letter Just received in Liverpool (says the
Daily News) gives the following details, which have hitherto
not appeared, of the murder of Mr. Birch, the Queen's Com-
missioner at Perak, by the Malay natives :

"You have of course heard before this of the murder
of Mr. Birch, but you are probably nob aware of the
circumstances of fiendish atrocity which attended the
outrage. Mr. Birch went up to Perak in order to
post some official proclamations. While having his
bath he sent his native interpreter to post them up.
The man fastened two up, but the people at once tore
them down again, whereupon he returned to Mr. Birch
to ask what he should do. The latter told him to put
them up as fast as they were torn down, and this the
interpreter did, until he had posted no less than seven,
when he lost his temper struck one of the natives with
a cane. He was immediately killed, and the natives
then ran in a body to Mr. Birch's bathroom, which
was built on two floating logs. His orderly, who was
at the entrance, presented his gun, but seeing he could
not atop them, he cried out to Mr. Birch to save
himself, and jumped into the river. Mr. Bit eh dived
down between the two beams, and on coming up
feet foremost on the other side, the fore parts of both
his feat were cut off by the instep. He dived again
and tried to swim to his boat, but he was struck
again, and both heels were cut off with a sword,
stroke from one of the natives. He was then
captured, taken on shore, and speared through the
neck to the ground, after which he was stabbed
about a dozen times in various parts of the body.
Even after this horrible torture he lived some
hours. Next day Captain Innis and two other officers,
and a small body of men of the 10th Regiment, went
up to try and recover the body of I!,fr. Birch, together
with his documents, &c. In attacking a stockade Cap-
tain Innis was killed and the two other officers, with
eight men, wounded. The party had then to retire,
and wait for reinforcements."