The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1871-02-11 00:00:00

TJ STOURBRIDGE OBSERVER.

ashamed of it. It is a thorn that I have in the

. -
side when my mind is running on tyrants. Paul
had his, and this is mine. Then what was it?

Was it Patriotism ? Yes, I believe it was some-
thing that goes by that name. The rev, gentle-
man said that after hearing the volunteer's re-
mark, he felt that we had added to our means of
defence. and that we could say to the Germans
that they might have conquered France, suffer-
ing from the dry rot of luipecislisin, but they
could not conquer true British hearts of oak.
" Go, therefore go home in peace. Go, get
your fill of saveloys, and German sausages. You
will want something to recruit your inner man
after this Gallic victory. Go to ; go to your
pork and your black puddings. Away!a you big
bullies, you have had human blood enough now
to last another century !" I hope and believe
that this was not an unchristian feeling. For
are we not, he continued, commanded in the
Bible to love our country, our wives, our women,
our old men, and our young children? And
surely it is not unchristian to say that, it is right
to try every effort and to seize upon every instru-
ment we can lay hold of to keep off this Imperial
war-wolf, whose taste for blood might lead him
to gloat over and revel in the blood of those
precious ones. At the same time I feel bound
to recant what I said here at the beginning of
this terrible war. I was led to think then that
it was wrong to say "that the only way to be at
peace is to be ready for war." I think so no
longer. It is hard to be obliged to think so, but
the bloody history of the past six months forces
me to believe that the maxim is a sound one.
The truth is, when I thought otherwise I did
not think the world was half so wicked as it has
proved to be. When you have a wicked Minis-
ter of State, a sort of incarnation of Mephisto-
pheles, ruling a puppet king--I beg his Ma-
jesty's pardon—a puppet Emperor, a weak, fool-
ish, ambitious, cruel old man, it is impossible to
say where war will break out next. It is the
duty, therefore. for Christian nations to be ready
for it. We were taught to love our neighbours,
but how could we after the history of the last six
months? The whole world is influenced by the
rule of profit and loss. Cupidity is the inaiu
spring, the lever by which it is moved, and hu-
man passions are the fulcrum on which it rests;
and your Bismarcks and your Von Moltkes are
the sons of Mephistopheles, who work it. And
until these be one and all leavened with Christi-
anity, we shall never have inward or clutward
peace, at home or abroad, among individuals or
among nations. Take our own case, and mea-
sure it by this principle. England is a very rich
nation; the richest and the greatest, maybe,
that the world has ever yet seen. Germany is a
very poor nation —a dollar goes a great way there.
She has princes, it is true, in abundance. If
you have ever travelled the country you may sec
them on any roadside, as plentiful as blackber-
ries on a summer's day. hut they are Poor; and

- . . •
they have now a real ceisus ball against us, Our •
beloved Sovereign has decreed that henceforth
they are no longer to marry our daughters—the
daughters of England. This is a terrible blow
to them ; for England has been their feeding
ground, especially in the matter of royal mar-
riages, their own special preserve for nearly two
centuries. This is a measure that has carried
distress home to every German cupboard. They
are, too, a very avaricious nation. This has
been seen abundantly throughout the whole war.
Even their officers betray a singular mental
aberration with regard to the rights of property.
They are the best Latin scholars in the world,
yet under circumstances they have no idea of
the weaning of moon and Num. Silver spoons
and silver forks and French clocks, and women's
things they have learnt to look upon as special
gifts of Providence, intended solely for them,
and they have been carted away to Germany by
the ton. Nor is this much to be wondered at;
silver—pure silver—is a very scarce metal
throughout the whole country; they have only
a base alloy there, which they call " German
silver," so that when they meet with the real ar-
ticle they cannot possibly keep their hands off it.
Officers, as well as wen, are afflicted with a kind
of national kleptomania. One of their great
philosophers promulgated to the world two years
ago that Chtistianity had failed in its mission ;
and so this is an instance of it; they hove wiped
the eighth commandment clean out of their sta-
tute book. Now, if you put all this together,
you cannot deny that this country holds out a
wonderful temptation for them to come over.
Where can they whet their cupidity more than
in England? Where shall they ever have a
field for German looting like London? And
London is not defended. The only way to give
iMgland a place in Europe is to utakeher power
felt; to believe, as his Majesty the Emperor
of all the Germans" does believe, that Provi-
dence is on the side of the big battalions ; to be
steadfast in this belief, so long as the world is a
wicked world; to be sure that, wheu wild beasts
are prowling about, you look to your bolts aid
your bars. Nay, further, that if they continue
to prowl and threaten, to shoot them down.
that is the les,un I learn from the capitulation
' of Paris. That is the doetrine I believe in, and
therefore I preach it. I believe it to be good,
sound, Christian doctrine° so long as this world
is steeped in wickedness, and men will not live
at peace with each other.—Front the Bristol Daily
!tome and -.We've, Feb. 2.

their horses. Mete was suffering terribly from
fever when the lecturer visited it. The capitu-
lation having recently taken place, the town had
had time to settle down, and the population
seemed just awakening. Some of the larg•
squares were filled with railway carriages, and
others with common huts, where there were
thousands of wounded and sick. At every cor-
ner French soldiers, scarcely able to drag one
leg after the other, were begging from door to
door, and many of them had a half demented
look about them. Mr. McMichael anticipated
that many of them would end their days in a
madhouse, an opinion in which he was not alone.
The details given by the lecturer were listened
to with the greatest attention by the audience,
and the interest in his narrative was increased
by the photographs and relics front the battle
fields which he exhibited, which included a
cliassepot and a needle-gnu.
The meeting cordially endorsed the Chair-
man's proposal of thanking Mr. McMichael at
the close of his address ; and Mr. McMichael
bristly acknowledged the compliment, and adver-
ted to the necessity there was for sending oat
further help for the destitute French.
During the evening a number of ladies and
gentlemen sang' The Sigh of the Exile,' in an
adjoining room, which had a very pleasing
effect.
We understand that the whole of the proceeds,
amounting to £3 3s 9d, have been handed over
to Mr. McMichael, towards his fund for the relief
of the French Peasantry.

HANBURY HILL BIBLE CLASS. - This class
held their fourth Annual Tea Meeting in the

School-room adjoining the Baptist Chapel, on
Monday evening. After tea Mr. W. Platt occu-
pied the chair.—The Rcv. I). Jones delivered
an address, which was followed by one by the
chairman ; after which the treasurer and secre-
tary read their respective reports. A committee
was then formed to look up the absentees. All
. . . .

the officers were re-elected—An interesting and

amusing programme was gone through in an
admirable manner by the members, and a very
pleasant and enjoyable evening was spent.
ACCIDENT.—On Saturday night a woman
named Davis, wife of William Davis, residing at
Oldswinford, was crossing the street when she
was knocked down by a horse, and her forehead
was cut badly. She was taken to Mr. Baker's,
chemist, and after some time had elapsed she
was able to walk home with assistance.

NARROW ESCAPE.—OR Sunday an accident
took place in Church-street, happily unattended
with injury to anyone. The large wall which
was against Miss Moorhouse's garden, fell with
a tremendous crash. Luckily no one was pas-
sing at the time, although several had gone up a
few minutes previous. .

SHOCKING 'ACCIDENT.—AN INFANT DROWNED.
—On Wednesday afternoon, about two o'clock, a
shocking accident occurred in Hill-street. near
Worcester-street, in which a child named Amy
Harris, aged one year and eleven months, daugh-
ter of Mr. James Harris, was found dead in a
tub of water. It appeared that the child was
missed out of the house for more than ten min-
utes, when it was thought she had gone into her
grandmother's house. Shortly afterwards, how-
ever, a sister went there, and found she had not
' been near the house ; afterwards the same sister
went into the brewhouse to wash her hands,
when she saw the deceased in a tub of dirty
water, with her head downwards and her legs
hanging over the side of the tub. She immedi-
ately raised an alarm, and another sister hurried
to her. They both then took the child out, and
sent for Mr. Bayley, surgeon, who was instantly
in attendance, and rendered every assistance to
restore life, but his efforts were unavailing.—
The body awaits a coroner's inquest.
FATAL ACCIDENT TO • Goons GUARD. On
Thursday, William Coleman, aged about 25
years, and of this town, met with his death by
an accident at Hamption Station, on the Severn
Valley Railway, between Bewdley and Bridgnorth
stations. He leaves a widow and three children
to mourn his loss.
PROPOSED SCHOOL BOARD. A preliminary
meeting to take into consideration the desirabi-
lity of having a School Board for this town, has
been held. The result is that a requisition b-is
been signed and forwarded to the Clerk, Mr.
Holloway, who in compliance with that requisi-
tion, has called a public meeting to be held in the
Corn Exchange, on the 20th must, as will be seen
on reference to our advertisement columns.
FlRE.—About two o'clock on Saturday morn-
ing, Police-constable Poole, while on duty in
Queen Street, saw a light in Mr. Nicholcs pre.
misos,Ville Street. He gave an alarm and
the Plicenix and Alliance engines were soon on

the spot, but there was a delay in obtaining a
good supply of water, it ht. ing the practice of
late for the Waterworks Ccstipany to turn oft the
water iu the night. ' The tire was soon g,d,
under. The building damaged was a two-storiial
one, and the floor aud roof were both burst
through. The loss is covered by insurance.
SiSlitOUS ACCIDENT.—A serious accident occu-red
Mrs. Wniteley. wife of the hey. J. Whiteley. Rl-or of
Pedmore Church, sn Thursday. It appears that she a,
driving It posy and 11Zet011, aid n in tie road nt
leadieg to Birmingham. from some 4,11
P.lleel of the plueton cmialit the 1 heel of a Colt thro...*
is. Whiteley out of the pt est,: COO meat tro;cl-,
i•. caking iii. arm ill two 11001 C, NVti eathotlit conato,i.
• the head. r. hOot. surgeon. was at an.o4. es lei
.•ii I the to.fortunate haly is doing well es con b• en
tad.
St ne,

NARROW &to tile. OF AN EXPIiI,SS TRAIN
morning the express trait), who t•• ••• -
Statim tit 6 15, a terrdiv e.s.i..tic 0f1,101.,
appsars that the 1; till Wl..g Ong at the ordindry rail
on arriving at Churchitl Station, sititiething was or
the line, which e.iiserl the malacca; tot ona side to
thrown off the rail. Wilisinson, the Ottani, at once ilit
in the break, mid the train was brought to *stead on
viaduct. Oil looking fot the Call 40 If 11,61,,11t it
was found that a bag of engine waste was iset-o.“ the Ittir
cat in two, and ttdit a quo: ity of tne materi it had 'til
between the wheels. The passengers were much alarm •tl.
and the train was delayed for nearly twenty minutes.
OFFENCE AOAINFT TUE Tows ACT. At the Petty
Sessions held yesterday. before Major Fletcher and .1.
Holeroft, Esq , Thomas Lashford, butcher, was charged
by Superintendent Freeman wind having his chimney oil
fire, on the 7th inst. The case was withdrawn on pay.
ment of costs.
ASSAULTING v Wive —Alfred Parker was charged by
Phillis Parker, his wife, with assaulting her on the sth
Inst. The case was withdrawn on paving costs.
WILFUL DAMAGE.— Richard Wooldridge, nailmaker. of
the Lye, was charged with wilfully breaking, on the 7th.
two pint cups, the prdperty of John Cooper. Be WAS
further charged with being drunk and refusing to quit
the Bell Inn, at the Lye, when requested. Complainant
said that defendant MOO into his house about 12 o'clock
at night, drunk. He asked if there was any ale about,
picked up • cop, threw the ale away and broke the cam,
and then another. Ordered to pay the costs in each
case, Lis 6d.
HIGHWAY OFFENCE.—James Hall was charged by Sll-
perintendent Freeman With allowing two donkeys to stray
on the highway leading from Wollaston to Ohlswinfiaril.
Police-constable Smith proved the case, which was with-
drawn on payment of costs.
CAUTION TO CARTERS.—WiIIiam Wall, a carter, was
charged with being M such a position as to have no eon-
trol over his two horses and cart, on the Ist Mat, in the
parish of Churchill. Police-constable Bailey proved the
offence. Ordered to pay costs, 10s 6d.
ASSAULTING .A Wousr.—George Tomkina was charged
with assaulting Mary Ann Stanier, on the -Itli. Com-
plainant said she was having some words with her lioo,
who refused to go to bed. Defendant came into the
house, made use of bad language, and struck her on the
head with a shoe. A man named John Burrell, who is
the father of a child which she has had since
the death of her husband, came to pay the money for its
support, when defendant turned round and knocked him
down. She got between them, and defendant struck her
on the nose and knocked her down.—Defendant was fur-
ther charged with assaulting John Burrell at the sonic
time and place. Both cases were proved—Defendant
was fined 5s and coats for assaulting Stanier, and for as-
saulting Burrell 21 tid and costs—.2l 16s fid.

OLD HILL.
HAWKING WITHOUT A LICENSE—At the Petty Sessions
held cc Wednesday last, before E. Moore and F. W. G.
Esiirr., Anthony McDermot was charged by Super-
intendent Mills with hawking without a LiCel36o. The
defendant said he had applied for one to Superintendent
Burton, and he refused to give him one. Sergeant Pow.
nor said it had been refused because the defendant bad
been convicted of felony. The Clerk remarked that the
certificate was only 61, and he rhonlil have had one
Fined 61 and eorts.—Margaret Searle was charged with
a similar offence ; but as she had since taken out • cer.
tifioate, the charge was withdrawn on payment of costs.
NEGLECT OF WORE.—Ueorge Shepherd was charged
by William Mills, coalinaster, of Rowley, with neglecting
his work on the 4th and 6th Mats. Joreph Hill, manager
to the complainant, said that he engaged the defendant
to drive the bank horse. He had worked for more than
three months. His wages were is 61 per day, and h.,
agreed to give or take 11 days' notice. Defendant left
bits work on the 4th inst, and again on the 6th inst, The
complainant was called, and said he did not discharge
the defendant, and tell him to go home. Defendant said
that aoinplainant told him to go home, because be could
not heave the skip over, and that the banksinau heard
him. The Bench adjourned the case for seven days for
the banksman to attend.