The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1883-10-27 00:00:00

Eke ,stoartnibge eirseriter.

;SATURDAY, 00 rOBER 27th, 1883.

EARTHQUAK3S AND EXPLOSIONS.

an interesting address which he delivered
recently before a scientific society, in his native
town, Mr. Leonard Countney, M.P., remarked
that the various conflicting forces of Nature
produced en equilibrium which maintained the
outward features of the globe, not evithstanding
the marvellous powerE which every now and then
we have evidehce were at work at no great dis-
tance beneath us. Broadly speaking, and not
reckoning time by the millions of years in which
geologists are accustomed to deal, this is true.
The mountain tops hava preserved their isola
time for thousands of years undisturbed, rivers
wander through the same valle)a which they fer-
tilized when the Norman had not set foot in this
country, and the waves of the Atlantic break
upon nearly the same outline of coasts as in the
days King Arthur is suppased to have dwelt in
the &roughold of Tiutagel. Here a river has been
diver.e.l, and there perchance the sea rolls over
what was once a peaceful h imlet ; but in its
main feature the world to day wears the sa,..eo
appearance that it has for centuries past. But
of late, unhappily, there have been too many evi-
dences of the mighty forcee ever warring beneath
the surface. Raging fires and inland seas may
generate stelm enough to reduce the globe to
fragmen's and the terrible disaster in the
Java Isles has shown that as it were in the twink-
ling of en eye al may be changed. Iscai
and A/A..o'h the terrible effects of earthquake
have been seen. In fact it is evident, that the
earth is experiencing an unusual display of un-
rest. A few months ago there were unmistake-
able shocks in England and within the last few
days various places on the continent of Europe
have heen shaken by subterranean phenomena.
From Siueria, San Fran-;isco, Spain, and Port-
ugal, and other widely distant places similar re-
ports have come. In this diffusion of energy
ther may be reason for hoping that the danger
and des: rue'.ion have been much less than if the
eruption had been concentrated at one or two
points. The subterranean disasters at home
' during the past few days have been of our own
seeking aad Nature is not to blame. Man him-
self must be held responsible if he penetrates
into the bowels of the earth without the knowledge
of how to overcome the dangers which he will en-
counter. But that the dangers must be encountered
is one of the sad necessities of the present con-
ditioas of life and there is some hope that in
time the laws of nature maybe sufficiently under-
stood as to prevent to a very large extent the
terrible less of human life wnich annually takes
place in our collieries, Seme interesting infer-
[nation has been published as to the connection
between the barometrical pressure and the danger
of collier/ explosions, and for some time "colliery
warnings," based on the results of. observations
in this direction have been issued in various dis-
tricts when the atmospheric conditions have
been deemed likely to produce a disaster. Scient-
ific research it might be thought could be more
usefully employed, or at all events with more
immediately practical results, on snob a subject
as this than in discovering the various minerals
which are to be found in &distant star. The loss
of life by the earthquakesto which reference ha 9
been made appals the most unsympathetic, but
"a dread full colliery explosion" is such a frequ-
ent heading in the newspapers that it has little
effect upon the feeling of many people. And yet
if all the victims in a year to the commerce and
comfort of English men and women were offered
up at once, eyes would be opened and hearts
would bleed at the dreadful sacrifice of life. A
great deal may be done by official inspection, by
elucidating the secret laws of nature, and by
teaching the collier to exercise sufficient care.
Much wore could be done by spreading a know-
ledge of elementary science among the classes
which will grow up to follow the dangerous
caldog. They would then learn to be observant
of all the changes around them, and being fore-
warned would be tore-armed to meet the deadly
and now unsuspected foe.

THE IRON TRADE.
WoLvEntiAmpToN, Wednesday.

There is very little change in the state of the
iron trade since last week though in some quarters
it is rep ,rted to be in a more favourable condition,
Unmarked bars are in fair request at from £6 7s.
6d. to .£6 16.., the latter figure being paid to
secure early delivery. Tinplates are still wanted
by shipping houses, and a fair trade is being done
in girder plates and other' sect:opal iron for home
account. Sheets are sought for at a steady rate,
and owing to some of the makers' books being full
of orders, an improved figure is asked by these firms
The large orders for pig iron which have been given
out during the past fortnight prevent much businesb
beiug done in this department. Ironstone is in fair
request; and puddling ore is being sold in mo ierate
qu .n 1 Wes. Best coal for smelting and domestic
purposes is in more demand, though prices do not
ice greater strength.

BIRMINGHAM, Thursday.

The iron market was largely attended to-day ad
transactions were tolerably numerous for all clas.ses
of iron. Pig iron was in better requfst than for
son.e time past and many of the makers have
orders in hand to carry theta over the gre tter part
of the ensuing quarter. These contracts have been
m stly placed at the minimum rates, but there is a
str flger tendency in prices and in the case of long
&livery orders makers demanded special terms.
The inquiries for finished iron ran mainly on Eheets
gas strip, and common bars; but in some cases manu-
facturers were disinclinA to accept orders tor the
next quarter's supply, pending the arbitratior's
decision in the coal trade. An increase in the cost
of fuel would materially add to the cost of proluc-
lion of iron which at the present rates does not
leave an adequate margin for profit, and manufac •
turers find it necessary to protect themselves in their
contracts against such a contingency. Marked
iron is quoted at £7 10s. to .Z 8 2s. 6d., and demand
to-day was fairly steady.

Are you troubled with Indigestion. Headache, nein t
urn. Constipation, Distress after Eating, Poor Memory
Low Spirits, Pain in the Back, Great Weakness, Bad
Beath, or any other sympton of that horrid nightmara
hires', Dyspepsia ? If so, there is no medicine equal
to the well-known JENEYNS' Pru.s. They purify,
strengthen and invigorate. They create a healthy appe-
lie. They overcome effects of dissipation and late
hours. They strengthen the system. They prevent
miasasinatic and intermittent fevers. They purify the
breath and accidity of the stomach. They Cure Dis•
oepais and Constipation. They care Diarrhoea. They
cure Liver Complaint and Nervous Headache. A good
effect is felt once upon making the first trial No
•hange of diet s nteassary. Follow our directions and
son will soon feel well. strong, and hearty. All
Original aed True HENRY JENKYNS' PILS are sold by
a I Chemists in boxes at Is. lid. awl 2s. 9d. each Mr
S. kluh. Stourraidge, is our ageat
A CARD.—To ALL WHO ARE SUFFE.II734 FRO3I THE
errors and indit.cretions of }owl), nervols weakness
early decay, 1o:A of tnanhood, &c., I will send a rece'pt
that will cure yuu, Fit&E OF CllA.ltti E. lii great
teased, was discovered by a missionary in South
America, Send a sett addressel envelope to the Rev.
JOeFen T. INMAN, Station D., New _York. City, U-8 A

'1 H
g DELIGHTFUL FLAVOUR CR CROFT'S ARECA-NUT
TOOTH PASTK.—By using this delicious Aro natic Denti.
fri.,e, the enamel 0 the teeth becomes white, sound, and
poiished like ivory. It is exceedingly fragrant, an,l
speciaily useful for removing incrustations of tartaraon
neglect ed teeth. Bold by all Chemists. Pots. Is and

Holloway's Ointment and Pilll.--Ding rms Chest
Complinuts.—The enumeration of tae4e diseases is
oca, ceiy necessary, as, unfortunately, the inhabitants of
these isirals know them to their co t„ Coughs, colds,
inflaenza, broil hitis, asthma,
.pleurisy, inn tinn.s.'ion of
the langs. and even consumption in its early atag,es. ite
bsst treste by rifib lig Holt ,way' a Oiuttneut tiphe
ch.st and bel,wee, ti,o shnulders. It penetrat• s
• checks the c iid thiverings, reiieves th- ovcr-
gorged lungs gra :u.oly relieves the oppression I .on the
chest, and restores the obir.ructed resipration, hitherto
so fearinhy distressing ard so highly dangerous, jo
treating this c.ass of oissia.4c4, Holloway's PLIs shoed
always be taken wide using his Jintment.;; they purify
the iduoil, promot,. perspiratios, and allay dangerous
irritations.

TLIRoAT IRRITATION AND COUGll.—Soreoess and dry.
tickling and irribition. naucing coi;gli a; d affect-
ing tile voice. For these symptoms it4e I..pn'A G 1 cer tie
Jujubes. In contict with the glands at the moment
they are excited by the act of sucking, the Glycerine in
the e agreeable confections beconva ac:ively healing.
Sold only in b ,xes, 70., tine la I id„ label e "J.tui:s
Err,i & Co., Hornceopathic Cbein!sts, London" A letter
reerive4 : "Cieutlem.:u,—lt may, perhaps, inteie4 you
to kflow that, after al xtend,-(1 trial, I have found your
Giyceri, e Jujunes of coasiderab e benelitoNi h ur with
nut mcdiLat t-tatment) in allnost all forma of throat
don :se 'they soften a .r 1 el,ar the voice--Youra faith.
Crono.,N ilunuts, 6eaior Physician to the
Manicipal Uhroat aud Ear lutirinary." In Stonrbridge
Spps's Medicines are sold by Morris, 13, High Street