The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1871-04-29 00:00:00

SATVIIDAT, :PHIL 29, IR7I.

MR. J. 14. IuELLEW AT THE CORN Extaxwor.
—This unrivalled elocutionist gave (under the
auspices of Mr. R. Broomhalh a series of read-
ings in the above room on Monday evening last,
before an audience composed chiefly of the
leading gentry and tradespeople of the town rind
neighbourhood, and it is needless to say that all
went away thoroughly delighted with the rich
treat which had been provided for them. Pos-
sessed of a noble and commanding presence,
with great mobility of features that lend force
and expression to every utterance, a deep, yet
clear and ringing voice whose faintest articula-
tion was distinctly heard in the farthest corner
of the hall, he did not content himself with sim-
ply reading the various pieces that were set
down in the pr,gramrne, but in reality acted, by
voice and gesture, the various parts to the lif e—
in so much so that his hearers could see before
them the living embodiment of the various cha-
racters he was describing. The opening piece
was a selection from "The Mystery of Edwin
Drood," which is ininiortalised by being the last
and unfinished work of that great master of
English fiction, Charles Dickens. The charac-
ter of the pompous self-conceited auctioneer,
Mr. Sapsee, who dresses at the Dean, and is
supremely happy when mistaken for that gen-
tleman, and who actually carries his vulgar imi-
tation so far as to intone his auction speeches,
in any other hands would have been a grossly
exaggerated caricature ; but in those of Mr.
Bellew it became a not at all improbable imper-
sonation. He thoroughly realised the author's
ideal, and the inflated and sepulchral tones in
which he bewails the loss of the late departed
Mrs. Sapsee, while at intervals sipping, with the
air of a connoisseur, what he declares to be 1821
port, with a" beautiful nosegay," provoked peals
of laughter from all parts of the house. He
was equally successful in his delivery of the
neat piece," Gemini et Virgo ;" this quaint nar-
rative affording him an ample opportunity of
displaying the great fund of dry and caustic
humour of which he is master. In Wedding
Bells," a beautiful little poem by Charlotte
(iriffiths, his powers of touching pathos and
fiery declamation were alternately brought into
play, and we hardly know which to admire most
—the inexpressibly tender manner in which he
describes the dying girl seeking her mother's
grave, or the withering and impassioned way in
which he denounces the falseheartd bridegroom.
Never was the old adage that from the sublime
to the ridiculous is but one step, more forcibly
illustrated, than when the gifted gentleman fol-
lowed the above by reading "Mr. Mantilini— '
from Nicholas Nickleby," and the unremittting
mirth and frequent applause showed how de-
lighted the audience were with his rendering of
the character. The second part opened with
that famous piece from Shakespeare's "Henry
VIII.," in which Cardinal Wolsey bids " a long
farewell to all his greatness." The calm majesty
and dignified demeanour of the great cardinal
while deploring the loss of his royal master's
favour, stood out in bold relief against the sneer-
ing and spiteful tones of his enemies, whilst the
sudden start and pained look which he assumed
when informed ~f Cranmer's preferment, vividly
brought to mind the pangs which the ambitious
churchman must have endured whilst feeling all
his former glories slipping from his grasp.
Waller's quaint poem, " )..lagdalana, or the
Spanish Duel,- proved an agreeable change to
the audience, whose feelings had been wrought
up to the highest pitch of excitement by the
former piece. A touching, yet simple narrative,
entitled " Lost and Found,' by Hamilton Aide,
was next read, and Mr. Bellew sent an electric
thrill through his hearers by the fervid and im-
passioned outburst of pathos in which he pour-
trayed the aged woniana greeting of her long
lost love. As the entertainment was opened by
a selection from the last work of Dickens, so it
was concluded by the very first piece that the
late lamented author ever read in public, viz.,
" Ihe Tuggses at Ramsgate." The Platonic love
scene between Mrs. Waters and Simon Tuggs,
followed by the discovery of the terrified youth
behind the chamber curtains, together with the
other grotesque situations in which the reading
abounded, afforded Mr. Bellew another opportu-
nity of puzzling his auditors as to which he
excels in—tragedy or comedy—for to us he ap-
pears to be unrivalled in both.
WILFUL Dantor..—At the Petty Sessions. Yesterday,
before IS. lattlewood, Esq., Isaac Bloomer, Nehemiah
Wood, and Richard Scott were charged with wilful!)
damaging a gate OD the lith ult. the property of liehry
Wright, farmer, of Wassail Grove James Omits proved
that he saw the defendants break the gate, draw the
staple, and throw it over into the field. Mr. Wright
proved that the damage VMS 6d. He merely put it as
nominal. He had been subjected to a series of michiev.
ona tricks, and wanted to put a stop to them. Adjourned
for a week for the attendance of a summonsed witness,
who did not appear.
CHIMNEY ow FIRE.—The Rev. D. Maginnis was sum-
moned by Superintendent Freeman for allowing his
chimney to be on fare on the 17th inst. Defendant said
it was purely accidental, and it was withdrawn on pay-
ment of costs, 6a 6d.—Elizabeth Taylor, High.striet,
was charged with a similar offence. Mr. Donlevy ap-
peared on behalf of defendant, and admitted the offence.
Ordered to pay the costs, (is 6d.
1)11131,R awn RIOTOUS.—EncIa Price and Sarah Hanley
were charged by Superintendent Freeman with being
chunk and riotous in Bowling Green-lane, on the 2:tod
that. Parish-constable Bird proved the offence, and said
that when he served them with summonses they said
they would not pay anything. Fined Is each and costs;
in default seven days.

Asssucr Car:qt.—Before B. Littlewood and R. L.
Freer, Esqrs., Patrick Maley was charged by Dennis
Harrington with assaulting him on the lit December,
1868. This case, it will be remembered, was adjourned
fur the attendance of a witness. Richard Webb was
culled, and said the defendant did not touch complainant,
but merely held the fork to prevent him running it into
another man. Case disinisssd.

CHARGE OF ASSAULT.— Maria Forrest and Martha
BALr were charged by Mary Ann Hall with itedaultng
her on the uuth instant. Mr. Burbury defended. Com•
plainaut said that her daoghter went out of the house,
and found the two defenatiuts listening under the win-
dow. She accused them of it, when both the defendants
struck her—Baxer with a Irk, and Forrest with a etuue.
Three witnesses were called for the defence, who swore
that complainant spat into Mis. Forrest's face, and after
struck her, when Mrs. Forrest struck again ; and that
Baker did not strike. The Bench, after consulting a
short time, said the evidence was very conflicting, and
dismissed the case.

CRARCIE OF PSKIIITTINii DRUNKENNESS. -- William
Brooke, landlord of the Seven Stars, Lye, was summoned
by Superintendent Freeman for permitting drunkenness
IR his house, on the 20th inst. Police-constable Res said
that he heard a great noise about one o'clock at the Seven
Stars. Went into the house, and found several men and
three women. Most of the men were drunk. Called
the attention of the landlord to having a disorderly house.
Brooks said he bad a right to keep his house open as
long as he thought proper. Visited the house again at
two o'clock. There were still ales there drunk. Police.
constable Caley oorroborsted. Pined 205 and costs, 1:1
10s.

IMPORTANT To SlioPlßEPEßS.—Williscu Penn, of the
Lye, was summoned by Superintendent Freeman, for
that he being licensed to sell beer and cider, did, on the
21st that, keep his shop open to sell grocery goods, after
the hour of eleven o'clock. Mr. King (the Clerk) said
that under the Wine and Beerhouse Act, 1870,33 and 34
Vic., ch. 29, sec. 8, when any person is required by law
to close any house or place for the sale or consumption
in any manner of any excisable, distilled, or fermented
liquor during any days or times, subject in case of de.
fault to the like penalties, close such house or place dur-
ing the same days or times, for the sale or consumption
of al, or oth,r to:loom and of all Attic's° wßALsoever,
notwithstanding any act, law, license. or certificate rind, r
authority whereof he might otherwise keep open such
house or place for the sale or consumption of any such
other liquor or article. Police-constable Rea proved that
he visited the defendant's house at half-past eleven at
night. The house was open for the sale of grocery
goods. Had cautioned defendant before. Mr. Little.
wood remarked that defendant had committed an offence
and rendered himself liable to a penalty of 108; but as
this was the first ease that had come under their notice,
they should order him to pay the costs. But if he cams
again they should fine him the full penalty.

BREACH Or TUE PEACE.—JaMPS Collins and Elijah
Hart were charged by Superintendent Freeman with
committing a breach of the peace by fighting, on tho
morning of the 25th. Police-constables Poole and Wel
ton proved the ca.. kinied 5s each and costs; in default
14 days.

OB6TRUCTING THE FooTeant —John Newton, George
Flipki-oi, and William Lavender were charged with ob-
structing the free passage of the public footpaths on the
25th lust, at the Lye. Mr. King (the Clerk) said the
summons was homed under 7 and 8 Geo. IT., 0.24, s.
16, which enacts that if any person shall injure, damage,
encumber, ride upon, drive upon, or otherwise use any
public footpath or causeway by the side or adjacent to
any turnpike road, to the prejudice, annoyance, intern'p.
lion, or personal danger or any person travelling there.
on. Police-constable Laley proved the offence. Mr.
Breeman said he had received great complaints, and was
obliged to put two extra officers on. The Bench said
they had rendered themaelves liable to a fine, but as this
was the first offence nuder the new Act, they should dis.
chap them with a caution.