biglam/hmd_newspapers huggingface dataset:
The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-05-11

TUNER

260, Castle Street, Dudley,
And 67, Park Street, Walsall.

HAS GREAT PLEASURE IN PUBLISHING THE FoLLoinzio
TESTIMONIALS,

From Mr. C. Potter, Professor of Music, from the
Institution for the Blind, St. John's Wood, London:—
" I can confidiaitly recommend Mr. Green as a Piano
forte Tuner, .He tunes by equal temperament, and ob-
tains an exact scale. (Signed) C. POTTER."

--From Mr. J. F. Patterson, Organist, St. Patrick's
Church, Huddersfield :—" I have much pleasure m tes-
tifying to the abilities of Mr. Green as a Pianoforte
Tuner. He lays the bearings with exactness and perfec-
tion. (Signed) JAMES F. PATTERSON."
From Mrs. Sanderson, Solo Pianiste, of the London
and Liverpool Concerts :—" Mr. Green is one of the few
who can Tune my Piano to the nicety I require previous
to giving my Public Recitals. (Signed) E. K. SANDER-
IiaNs

From Mr. Butterworth, Organist, Dobcross, near
Manchester:—" Mr. Green's equal as a Pianoforte runer
.an rarely be Met with. (Signed) DATID BUTTERWORTH."
g a. d.
Terms for Yearly Tuning, including minor re-
pairs—

_
Cottages, per annum
Grands do . .
Single Tanings (in Town).
a. d. 8. d.l s d a. d.
Cottages.... 3 6& 5 0 iFull Grando 6 6& 7 0
Semi-Urands 5 OSt 6 0 ;Concert Iron
_

rnetiercl .
0 bligue . .

Grands.. .. 7 6

4 6&6 6

1,1-;tholuri es iaued o the French Pitch (now waiver.
sally adopted terottgoortt En4laud, It required.
*** large stock of Chutes! and Modern .Music, at
Half-price.
PLecue obderve the Address-260, Castle Street, Dudlo
and 67, Park Street, Walsall.

J • ORNF ORD,
F. kJ

(Late R. THOMSON,)
2' A_ I I_l 0 R, •

LINEN AN U WOOLLEN DRAPER

Ggic LO THING

Maa
t,, Order, or Liu. Shortest Notice.
STYLE A 1•1) FIT GUALAN'i

LADIES' JACKETS, SHAWLS, DRESSES, ikc.

14 ana 15, 11..G1 1 EiLT, S'IOI.I.I3EILF
I\l RS

HIT NS T 0 N,

(LASKEY AND ENNSTON )
HuNITON POINT LACE MANUFACTURER,
122, HIGH-ST , STOURBBIDGE.

FRENCH WOVE CORSETS,
White and Scarlet

THE ABDOMINAL CORSET.
RIDING AND NURSING CORSETS.
INFANTS' AND CHILDRENS' STAY BANDS.

EIDERDOWN CORSETS.

„-
ROYAL GERMAN SPA, BRIGEIIoA.
BIL
:ITEUV6'6
SELTZER WAT I: It

AM:O kVDEDGED
BY EVERY CONSUMER
to be
SUPKRIOR TO. ALL OTHERS.

MEDICAL CAUTION.

TilE Special Treatment adopted and used'
with bocb great aucces4 by Dr. riniter for the
List thirty eitc, o.,hy be onta,ned at 44. t:i‘ eat
Charita SLreet, k of Testimonials,
with a:trice how to regain Health and Manly Vigour,
aua Diretuatins for b'elf .ereatment, free to any address,
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-05-11

THE FAMILIES OF THE RESERVE
MEN.

On the above subject The Times publishes the following
Letter : -

----- •
Sir,—Applications for charitable assistance have
been made by the wives of privates in the Army
Reserve who have recently been called out. It may,
therefore, be of some interest to your readers to know
the exact circumstances in which, in fulfilment of their
contra:t with the Government, these men now leave
their families.
Irrespective of what be may earn by the employ-
ment he takes up after he has joined the Reserves,
each private in the Reserve forces receives 4d. a day
" Reserve " and 2d. a day deferred pay. ,
This deferred pay is handed to him in a lump sum at
the end of the financial year—i.e., on the 31st of March
—or when he is called out. If, therefore, a private
joined the colours on the 19th of April last, he might
be able to leave his wife his deferred pay for the past
year, 10d., and he would have also at his disposal
Os. 6d., the It eserve and deferred pay for 19 days.
From the 19th of April his wife would receive from
the Government 6d. a day for herself and 2d. a day
'for each of her children. Her husband from that day
would receive is. a day and a free ration. Out of this
shillinv, he would have to pay 5(1. a day for "messing"
—i.e., for vegetables, salt, &c., and washing.
On joining he would have a free kit, and for the
first few months would not have to make any deduc-
tions for other expenses. On the remaining 7d., the
balance of his day's pay, the only charges would pro-
bably be 3d. or 4d. for beer and tobacco. He would
thus have 3d. or 4d. a day to send to his wife. _ _

This, however, is the lowest he oan earn. He would,
in all probability, have previously served five years
with the colours, and in that case it would be his own
fault if he did not possess two good-conduct badges
and 2d. a day more. In these circumstances his wife
might be in receipt of about is. a day, with 2d. extra
for each of her children.—l am, Sir, your obedient
servant, C. S. LooH, Secretary.

Society for Organizing Charitable Relief and
Repressing blendicity, May 3.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-05-11

A CERTAIN CURE FOR NERVOUS DEBILITY

GRATIS, a _MEDICAL WORK, showing
sufferers how they may be cured and recover
Health and Vitality, without the aid of Quacks, with
Recipes fur purify.og the Blood and removing Skin
Affections. Free on receipt of stamp to repay postage
Address Eecitiary, Institute of Anatomy, Birmingham
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-05-11

MR. ALFRED RICHARD READING,

Who has for some years been Manager of her Business
ithich will henceforth be carried on until the firm of

"HILL AND READING."

11tv:r
-4 and READING Ina* they may be favoured
a continuance of the support, so long awarded to Mrs.
i V4ll and her late husband, 2,1 r. Joseph Hill, and venture
IN° Pr°raise that by csreful selection of goods, Moderate
,i'rria
%et eBl and prompt attention, they will be found to
I, erre the support they now respectfully snlicit.
1, Coventry Street, Stourbridge.
24th April, 1878,

REGISTERED FOR
t TRANSMISSION ABROAD. /
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-05-11

KIDDERMINSTER.

STEAM FIRE ENOINE —There was a trial of the steam
fire engine on Saturday last, at the New Wharf, in the
presence of the Mayor arid a large number of spectators.
Seam was up to 93 in seven minuLes and a half, and
tbree strong jets of water were then set playing. This
cause,t the steam indicator to go back to 80 for a short
time. Afterwards steam was got up to 120, and while
the engine was working at this pressure, with some
apparent strain, one of the delivery pipes " sprang a
leak " The capabilities of the engine were well
proved.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-05-11

RHEUMATISM.

]EtHETJMATISM, Gout, Lumbago, Pains
in the Head. Side; Back, Joints, and Lunt,s
cured by DAY%, hit EUNI II PILL,. Price I% lid,
per bx 6"1. 6.1 3L' P
:e. tALLA, all Lieinthcs
Wholesale ay all the Loudees
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-05-11

A RUSSIAN TORPEDO FACTORY
BLOWN UP.

The Cronstadt Correspondent of the Globe writes, under
date the Ist inst., as follows:—
Details have just reached here of the destruction of
the torpedo factory at Otchakoff a week ago. The
establishment was a large one, and employed several
hundred hands. The explosion took place at three
o'clock in the morning, and seems to have been
almost as dreadful as that which took place at Erith
some years ago. The torpedo workshop, the naval
laboratory, the sheds containing stacks of torpedoes
ready for use, and an immense quantity of pyroxoline
were blown up by three separate explosions, the second
occurring two minutes after the first, and the third five
minutes later. .The shocks were felt miles away, and
in Otchakoff itself a panic ensued, the inhabitants
fancying that the English fleet was bombarding the
town. The factory, laboratory, and most of the
torpedo stores were found to have entirely disappeared,
while the flames from the garrison stables lighted up
with vivid effect five rows of barracks, the windows of
which had been shattered, and, in some instances,
the roof carried away. When the fire engines came
upon the scene the flames were rapidly approaching a
magazine near the factory, in which were stored 21
barrels of gunpowder and five tons of pyroxoline. By
the courageous exertions of the garrison these dan-
gerous stores were removed before the fire reached the
building. Letters from the spectators speak in terms of
highest admiration of the heroicconduct of the soldiery,
who coolly rolled away the barrels of powder and carried
off cases of dynamite under their arms while the sparks
were falling like rain among them. The flames were
got under at six &clock. All the buildings within two
miles of the seat of the explosion suffered damage of a
more or less serious character. During the day pea-
sants came into Otchakoff with bags and torpedo cases
which had fallen at a distance of five miles from the
town, and ships at sea picked up wreckage of the
factory ten miles away from land. The cause of the
disastiir is supposed to have been " spontaneous com-
bustion." The damage done to Government and pri-
vate buildings at Otchakoff is described in the official
report as immense. Fortunately the loss of life was
not so great as it might have been, only 12 persons
being supposed to have perished.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-05-11

THE EMPLOYMENT OF THORNYCROFT

STEAM-LAUNCHES.

In a paper lately published by a French naval
officer on the part that Thornycroft steam-launches
may be expected to play in future in the attack and
defence of ports, the writer remarks that to such boats
will naturally be entrusted the task of watching all
approaches to the harbour or roadstead to be defended,
and of attacking and destroying similar hostile craft
whfch may be endeavouring to explore and reconnoitre
the different channels or which may be engaged in
searching for submarine mines or other obstructions.
Under favourable conditions of weather and sea,
also, such fast-steaming launches may be able, if
skilfully and daringly handled, to carry destruction
among the vessels composing a blockading squadron,
either by attacking the ships with spar torpedoes or
by launching against them Whitehead torpedoes at
short ranges. The mere possibility that the defender
may attempt such an enterprise will in any case
oblige the blockading fleet to keep at some distance
away from the port whenever the conditions are
favourable for making such an attack, or even compel
the different ships to keep continually moving about
with all fires alight, ready to immediately manceuvre
at full speed to avoid their small but quick and
handy possible assailants. Again, in the case of the
defensive system of submarine mines being destroyed
or rendered useless from any cause, a flotilla of
Thornycroft boats kept in reserve, hidden behind a
point of land or some other cover, would prove a very
formidable and almost irresistible enemy; especially
as in forcing a passage a squadron would only be able
to steam at a moderate speed, and much of the atten-
tion of the officers commanding would be diverted to-
wards the batteries and other defences with which they
would have to contend. On the other hand, an at-
tacking or blockading fleet would find ample employ-
ment for a large number of Thornycroft boats in per-
forming guard duty, in reconnoitring passages and
, approaches, in searching for and destroying the
enemy's submarine defences; in attacking on dark
nights vessels lying in the enemy's harbours, and in
, endeavouring to set his ships on fire by means of
barrels of petroleum.—Pall Mall Gazette.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-05-11

THE PARIS EXHIBITION DESCRIBED.

The following extract is from an interesting article in the
Daily News :
No exhibition was ever designed on a grander scale.
and none have more completely realised the concep-
tions of the artists who planned them. When we re-
flect that it is only two years and one month ago since
the Exhibition was decreed, and that now a very city
of palaces and gardens rises on the Champ de Mars
and on the heights of the Trocadero, which were then
bleak wildernesses, one must acknowledge that the
creative resources of man are infinite. The towering
masses of architecture, the profusion of art work, paint-
ing, sculpture, decoration, the fountains and flowers,
1 and the accumulated stores of industrial trea-
sures, all produce an effect which is at first full of
dazzle, and then humbling. One thinks of what men
might do to make this earth of ours fair and pleasant,
if they would labour in peace for a hundred years with-
out cutting one anothele throats. All the marvels of
this Exhibition have been collected for less than a tithe
of whet it co3ts to prosecute the cheapest war. With
the sum which the French paid for their last tussle with
Germany they might have erected as permanencies in
their land.' hundreds of those beautiful and useful
buitclings of which we see here the models. There are
plans of schools, bospitale, asylums, bridges, and it
put me out of patience with Inman folly to think that
many of thee necebeary works, for which busy
districts are clamouring, cannot be executed
\
because the state moneys are requiredfor the purchase
of big guns and fortresses. The cannons are the
dearest things in this collection of wonders. There
are one or two ugly 80-tons, like mammoth champagne
bottles of steel, which cost more than A whole row of
model cottages, and which will doubtless prove more
expensive still before their career is ended. If Exhi-
bitions serve any purpose beyond sight-seeing it ought
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-05-11

TELEGRAPH STAMPS.

"J. A. C." writes to The Times:—
Sir,—The Post Office is causing a good deal of
public inconvenience by indulging in such erratic
changes as have recently been adopted.
-The creation of special telegraph stamps and for-
bidding the use for that purpose of postage stamps is
particularly inconvenient, and has thrown out of
circulation the well-appreciated "shilling stamp'
which was available for either telegraph or post, or
in remitting small sums. We now have to pros ide
three kinds of telegraph stamps, in addition to
" postage."
The reduction of the registration fee and keeping
the commission upon money-orders at its present
absurdly high rate are grave errors of judgment. Re-
mittances of coin are now reaching me in registered
letters, as the cheaper mode of conveyance. This may
grow to dangerous dimensions, and was scarcely fore-
seen, one would suppose.
A very large experience teaches me that postage
stamps ought to be allowed for telegrams, and that a
universal fee of 2d. for each money-order, irrespective
of amount, would make that branch a success.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-05-11

PRESERVATION OF ANIMAL
SUBSTANCES.

In London • on Monday evening, Dr. B. W. Richardson,
F.R.S., delivered one of the course of Canter lectures before
the Society of Arts on "Some researches on putrefaction and
their results in relation to the preservation of animal sub-
stances."

The lecturer said it was necessary for the perfect
preservation of animal substances to retain the
colour, odour, reaction, water, consistency, and mi-
croscopical appearance, and, if the substance be for
food, the continuance of natural colour and odour
after removal from preservative in comparison with
a fresh specimen. It was important that animal
substances should contain taste and flavour after cook-
ing. To obtain this result, it was necessary to avoid
odour of putrefaction, odour of other taints, odour of
preservative, fixation of preservative, escape of water,
gaseous infiltration, fatty change in muscular sub-
stance, gelatinous changes, and fermentation and
alkaline reaction. The question was often asked,
how it was that the living substances were preserved
while the dead animal substances passed into a state
of putrefaction. It was incorrect to say that the
living animal substances did not undergo change;
but they did do so in a way that was not
presentable to the human vision. 'The cause of the
speedy putrefaction of dead substances was owing to
the jelly substances of the laxly decaying. The water
in the dead body soon became in a state of putrefaction,
dan at once decay rapidly set in. The jelly sub-
stances were chiefly found in the nervous and mus-
cular membranes, and portions of the liver which were
loosely held together. If the organs were pressed
immediately after death and the water removed,
they would be more easily preserved. With
respect to gases and vapour m, they might be used. at
the present time for preserving food, but the action
of heat was so powerful in them that in warm cli-
mates the bottles often burst. He believed that the
day was not far distant when all preserved. foods
would be prepared by gases; but there were still dis-
coveries to be made by which many of the most.valu-
able gases would be rendered not dangerous to life as
at present. One of the most valuable gases that we
had was the coal gas, which played an important part
as a preservative. Still it was not a pure antiseptic,
though he hoped yet to be able to make it so.

The Enisian Government dispatches monthly from
orie.ssq tlve and a-half million roublts to pay the troops it
steuno.—Whitettall
. .
:tall-Fr 1:441 ttsi bttnlei 14,4 h
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-05-11

OUR NAVAL FORCES IN THE INDIA

AND CHINA SEAS.

The Bombay Gazette says :—Some authentic details
regarding the strength of her Majesty's vessels of war
stationed in Indian waters will just now be interest.
ing to most readers. We find that Admiral Corbett
has at his disposal eleven vessels carrying
96 guns, while on the China station England has
twenty-two war vessels carrying 121 guns, besides
the Penelope, an ironclad carrying eleven guns,
just ordered thither. There is, of course, some
uncertainty about the available Russian naval force
in these waters, but it cannot be estimated as
exceeding thirteen fighting vessels, carrying 94 guns.
The British Pacific squadron consists of eight vessels,
carrying 78 guns, also to be reinforced by the ironclad
Triumph, carrying 14 guns. The Russian squadron
which left the Baltic for America last year consisted
of seven vessels. Even if these reinforcements could
join the Russian ships in Eastern waters, it appears
that altogether the British naval forces in the India
and China seas are quite strong enough to meet any-
thing that an enemy can bring against them. For
better precaution, howevr, it would be well to send
out an ironclad to strengthen the East Indian
squadron.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-05-11

CHESS.

Cass MATCII.—The return match between Stout.
bridge and Lye Clubs was played at Stourbridge on
Fri(' ty. \lay 3rd, and again resulted in a victory for the
Lye. Drawn games counted as half to each player.
The following is the score :
SToURTIRIDGE.
Mr. J. Doughty ...... li Mr. J. Hill • 0
Mr. MeCar,hy
Mr. S. Sheppard
Mr. S. White
Mr. H. Fre,r .. 04 Mr. T. -Brooks .. 2

LYE.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-05-11

PUNCH'S PRICE CURRENT.

Steel sharpening, and Iron—Northern and South
Eastern qualities—lively.
Gold asked after. Russians in the market.
Gunpowder quiet, but expected to go off.
Lead (last bulletin) likely to be wanted.
Fish and other Torpedoes quiet, but brisk business
anticipated.
Iron armour-plates (British) looked after.
Steam Coals short, and would be taken in any quan-
tity.
G-erman Steel doubtful.
Russian Yarns not much in demand; but Russian
Rope taken very freely in Roumelia.—Punch.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-05-11

RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION IN ELE-
MENTARY SCHOOLS.

The importanceof religious education in elementary I
schools formed the subject of a speech by Earl
Fortescue at Barnstaple on Saturday, and on Monday
the Yen. Archdeacon Sanders, in his visitation charge
to the clergy of the archdeaconry of Exeter, said
he believed the voice of the country generally
had decided in favour of religious qducation in ele-
mentary schools, and that their opponents had, at
least for the present, acquiesced in the system. But
there were difficulties in the way. He had strong
reason to believe—in the words of one of the diocesan
inspectors—that a crisis was at hand in many parishes;
and he would earnestly call on those who were convinced,
as he was that the voluntary school was the best for
supplying definite religious instruction not to transfer
their schools until every measure to avert such a step
had been tried and had failed. It was with especial
reference to this matter that the Diocesan Conference
I was called into existence. He was sorry to say that
the interest at first excited in the minds of Churchmen
had flagged—as was, indeed, anticipated—and they
had now fairly before them the question whether or
not they would permit the means of promoting and
maintaining religious instruction in schools, to be
crippled by lack of pecuniary support. There were
now no funds in hand to pay the current quarterly
salaries of the inspectors. The amount required for
all purposes was £1,200 a year, and he advocated
the formation in every deanery of a board of educa-
tion, which should have special charge of this subject.
The Archdeacon appealed to the clergy to look well
after the religious instruction of pupil teachers in
schools in which they are interested.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-05-11

J ,ISGROVE.

`7,. • monthly meeting of the Board
wit, .Ini the 4:h just, all the members being present.
A 1:::er from the Education Department was read
approving of the Board rentkg and carrying on the
infant school at Sidemoor, given up by the trustees of
the National Schools. Letters from the Rev. J. Good-
win, the Lickey, and the Rev. J. Kield, Latshill, were
read, asking the Board to remit the charge to parents
for the child's school book during the present depression
in trod". and it was decided to consider this question,
the provision of more school accommodation at Wild
-
moor, and some other matters, at a special meeting to
be held A precept upon the overseers, for a sum not
exceeding £4OO to meet the Board's expenditure to the
29th September next, was signed, as was also the agree-
ment for renting the Sidemoor school.—Mr. Leadbetter
introduced the motion of which he had given notice,
that the Board take into consideration the provision
of fu:ther school accommodation in the town, but it
was not seconded, as the -majority of the Board eon•
sidered it premature.
BoAtto es' GUARDIINI3. —At a meeting of the Board held
on Tuesday, a precept from the clerk of the pease for
the county for £538 2s 6d for county, police, and lunatic
asylum rates for the quarter was received, the amount
being £195 16s Sd less than in the corresponding quarter
. . . .

of last year.—lt was decided to carry- out the -recom-
mendation of Mr. E. Coxeil. relieving officer, that when
the beef tea is ordered for the out-door poor living in
th:; neighbourhood of the Workhouse it shall be made
and supplied to them from the house, as when beef
is given the patient sometimes does noi• get it, or itiis
not properly made, through ignorance on the part of
those who should make it,
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-05-11

DUDLAY AND WALSALL.

MIS have been TUNED by G.F. GREEN
5 00 0
?rofessional Tuner, 260. CASTLE-STREET, DUDLEY, a&
67, PARK STREET, WALSALL. Pianofortes Re
silked, Re-strung, the Hammers Re-covered with Pater
Felt, as used by the most eminent firms.

MEERSCHAUM PIPES,

CIGAR

HOLDARS,
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-05-11

LYE.

LYE AND W OLLESCOTE CONSERVATIVE ASSOCIATION.—
A general meeting of this association was held on Wed-
nesday evening last, at Mr. W. Rhodes's Railway Inn.
Theie was a large attendance. Mr. H. Allport was
appointed chairman, and Mr. G. H. Collier vice-chair-
man. Among those present were Messrs. W. Perry, G.
H. Rhodes. W. Rhodes, E. Robins, G. Robins, J. Aston,
G. Edwards, S. Hambrey, T. Eveson, W. Bayliss, R.
Taylor, J. Cartwright, J. Brooks, R. Rhodos, J. Smith,
J. Hancox, E. Walters, A. Baker, Joseph Chance,
James Chance, W. Eveson, S. Rutter, John Wooldridge,
jun., A. Rhodes, John Taylor, W. H. Brooks (hon.
secretary), itc., &c:—Discussions took place on various
political topics, and several new members were enrolled
during the evening.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-05-11

A NEW TORPEDO BOAT AND

EXPLOSIVE.

A new torpedo boat, designed to work under water,
has just been brought under the notice of the Admi-
ralty, and a model 41 t. Bin. long has been made. The
boat was originally designed by the late Lord Milton,
who was well known at Wentworth Woodhouse for
his skill as a mechanic, assisted by Mr. Turner, of the
same place, and recently improved by Mr. Councillor
White, of Thorpe, near Rotheram.
The new torpedo boat is intended to work under
water by means of compressed air, and in every
respect resembles a Imp fish. In the fore-part or
head there are two large eyes, from which radiate a
strong electric light that will exhibit the keel of an
enemy's vessel for a considerable distance, while a
powerful ram is placed just above, capable of pene-
trating an armour-clad. In what may be termed the
nostril, there is a revolving-gun worked by hydraulic
power and fired by electricity with a new explosive,
one pound of which, in a recent test, displaced 137
tons of iron stone in situ. The tail plays an important
part, for it is not only the propeller, but being per-
forated on either side serves to expel either water or
foul air. There are no masts, the deck being level,
while inside the boat is divided into compartments,
charged with compressed air. The boat la sunk to the
depth required by taking water in at the bottom, and
she then could remain under water, Mr. White states,
from three to nine hours, while in attacking a vessel
the speed would be about 18 knots an hour.
The gun, which was the invention of Lord Milton,
differs from all others. It is rotatory, but has four
chambers, placed like the spokes of a wheel, so that
while one shot is being fired, a second is being
charged, a third spunged, and a fourth cleaned, so
that the shots can be fired in rapid succession.
Such is a brief outline of the latest invention con-
nected with torpedoes, the inventors of which state
that they can prove that it can accomplish all that has
been said it was capable of doing.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-05-11

AMERICAN HUMOUR.

A "half-starved gentleman" writes to a New York
morning paper, complaining that women are crowding men
out of all places of employment, and asking that the male
sex generally "be allowed a chance."
A Cincinnati bard tried the experiment of writing
sonnets for one paper and criticising them in another. It
worked well until it was found out.
A young Indianian " proposed " to six young ladies
just for fun, and was considerably annoyed at being accepted
by all of them.
A farmer, residing near Utica, while beingrun away
with by a pair of frightened horses, shouted "I leave nay
wife 10,000 &Mars ; no time to make a will I" He is still
alive, but badly bruised.
A Western lowa editor recently announced that a
certain patron of his was "thieving as usual." He declares
he wrote "thriving."
A thoughtful old lady, recently deceased, has left
10,000 dollars to a deaf and dumb asylum in Massachusetts,
to be expended in telephones for the amusement of the
inmates.
The phonograph is to be utilized by adding that
machine to other clocks in the house, so as to accompany its
striking with appropriate remarks as to dinner, &c.
The Detroit Free Press offers to lend Europe the
American Congress if it can't get up one of its own. <
The Chicago Times announces that "pocket-books
are worn shorter this season," to suit the very short condi-
tion of the indebted.
There are beautiful warm soda springs in Colorado,
and people who go bathing in them at once exclaim, "Oh,
but this is sodalicious."
"During his ministry he made 600 hearts beat as
300," is the way a Maine paper neatly puts it concerning a
local pastor.
In an obituary on a strolling cow, a Kansas paper
says "There is not a farm wagon in the country that she
has not stolen something out of ' • not a gate in town she has
not opened: and the stones that have been thrown at her
would make five miles of turnpike."
Josh Billings, in his latest "philosophy and fact,"
says a drowning man will catch at a straw. If he catch it it
will do him no good.
A proposition to light the streets of an Indiana
city was opposed by the common council, on the ground that
thieves would be enabled to see when they were watched,
and consequently it would be impossible to catch them.
A Chicago newspaper claims to have on its staff a
lady of extraordinary abilities. The editor says lie "never
knew of any one who could write with equal ease upon so
singular a range of topics, with information so exact in
detail." Whereupon an envious contemporary asks the
editor why he never.published any of her articles.

BETWEEN THE LOT.
:By .a Perplexed would-be Patriot, after reading the conflict-
mg extra-Parliamentary utterances during the Easter
Recess.)

Recrimination is vexation,
oeu-p.a...i. Jur:it au 1.0,1 ;
Cross and John B. quite puzzle me,
And Jingo drives me mad !—Punch.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-05-11

Our yonbon Corrtsponkut.

winters have ceased to exist, and so it would appear
from our latest experiences. The mean temperature
was, with few exceptions, unusually high between the
let and 14th January, whereas from the 25th January
to the 12th Febrnary-there was an average deficiency.
A warm period set in on the 13th February, and lasted
until the 13th March. After nine days of a variable
atmosphere, unseasonably severe weather set in on the
23rd March, and lasted until the end of that month.
The measured rainfall of the first three months of this
year was but three inches, or two inches below the
average amount in the corresponding period of sixty-
three years. The deficiency was an inch in January,
and half an inch in February and in March. Since
1815 there have been but four instances of so small a
rainfall during the first quarter of the year. Long-
fellow has told us that—
"All is of God! If he but wave his hand,
The mists collect, the rain falls thick and loud,
Till, with a smile of light on sea and land,
Lo! lie looks back from the departing cloud."
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-05-11

No. 714

BALES BY AUCTION.

I

gtorey

gRE. SARAH HILL, Grocer and Provision
Dealer, No, 1, Coventry Street, Stourbridge,
IT to inform her Customers and the Inhabitants of
tOW n and neighbourhood that she has taken into
Partnership
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-05-11

SPORTING NOTES.

(B!, our own Turf (Jorrespondent.)

CHESTER CUP.

The last great Spring Handicap—the Chester Cup will
be run for next Wednesday, but the glories of the
Chester Meeting has departed since the days of Flash
in the Pan and Dalby. Time was then, the chief event
closed with 200 entries, but now three figures are never
reached. Again books were opened on this event in
January, 100 to 1 being laid " run or not," but now it is
questionable if you can get more than sto 1 on the
Add before even the accepteneel. •
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-05-11

BLACKHEATH.

BLACKTUTH LIBERAL ASSOCTATION.—A. meeting, con
vened under the auspices of this association, was held
on Tuesday evening last, in, the New Connexion
School Room, Cradley Heath. The chair was occupied
b 7 Mr. R. Green, and there were also Present on the
platform the Rev. J. Ferguson, Alderman Hill, Messrs.
B. Hadley, J. Dallow, W. Share, Phillips, and Cave.
The following resolutions were unanimously adopted :
"That this meeting views with indignation and sorrow
the policy of the British Government in relation to the
Eastern Question.' and protests agiinst such a policy
as being dangeroui to the peace of Europe, and the
best interests of the British Empire." " That this
meeting pledgee itself to use all legitimate 3320%111
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-05-11

SOUTH SEA RISKS.

The Melbourne Argue states that the New Guinea mis-
sionary lugger blayri was attacked by natives off Btacey
Island on the 29th of December. Captain Midfield gives the
following account
"While anchored at Stacey Island, where the Rev.
J. Chalmers and wife and four native teachers are
stationed, on the afternoon of Saturday, the 29th of
December, sent three of my black crew to cut wood,
myself and another native only remaining on board.
One Stacey Island native came off to barter. I told
the cook to give him the wood, and he lay down in the
cabin. After a few minutes a spear was thrown in
the cabin and struck me on the left side. Another
went into my right thigh. On turning round for my
gun I received another spear in the left shoulder and
another through the hand. I fired several shots and
tried to get on deck. There I found six or eight
natives, and received a wound in the foot, severing all
the tendons of the toes. We wounded several and
killed one. They then left, and I saw 200 or 300
natives on the shore. Mr. Chalmers came off, and in-
formed me that the natives were launching war canoes,
and insisted upon my leaving. I pressed him to come
with his wife and the teachers, but he refused to
desert his post. Mr. Goldie's party returned upon
hearing this, and grave fears are entertained for the
safety of Mr. Chalmers and party." Captain Dudfield
is maimed for life.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-05-11

TITE STOTIRMITDGE OBSERVER.

ittouwAY OFFswE.—Caroline Farmer, of the
Hoftth. WAS eharq:Pd with allowing cattle to stray
o.a. the :04,1,% k i
Davis proved the ease and said defendant had
been cautioned before.—Defendant was fined lOs
and costs.

ASSAULT CASE.—Joeeph Maden was charged
with assaulting Michael Hangman, on the 2nd
inst.—Mr. Wall defended.—There was a cross-
summons for wilfully damaging a door.—The
wilful damage case was dismissed as the Bench
lad no jurisdiction. For the assault defendant
was fined is ad costs.

DRUNK AND DISORDERLY.—SOShIIa
was charged with being drunk and disorderly, on
the sth inst.—Police-constable Payne proved that
he saw the defendant drunk and disorderly at
Belbroughton making a great noise.—Fined 5s
and costs.

DRUNK AND REFUSING TO QUlT,—Joseph White
was charged with being drunk and refusing to
quit the Old Star Inn, Coventry Street, on
6th inst, when requested.—John Cox said the de-
fendant came into his house and he had not been
in long befdre he wanted to stake money to fight.
He became very disorderly and he had to put him
out of the house.—Fined 5s and costs; in default
L 4 days.
THE HIGHWAY RATE QUESTION. Mr. G. W
Prescott was summoned for non-payment of Li 9s
10d alleged to be due to the Stourbriclge Commis-
sioners for Highway Rate.—Mr. J. B. Shepherd, of
the firm of Messrs. Harwards, Shepherd and Mills
appeared on behalf of the Commissioners and Mr.
Prescott conducted his own case. After hearing
long discussion on both sides, during which Mr.
Prescott put • in the opinions of three eminent
counaq, the Bench said as there is considerable
croubt about the reading of the clauses 52 and 72
of the acts read, we must decline to interfere
with the case, and must dismiss the summons. It
was afterwards understood that the case should
be adjourned for 14 days pro forma, for the pur-
pose of bringing the case before the Commissioners.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-05-11

ROWLEY.

Loom. BOARD —The annual meeting of this Boar&
was held on Monday.—On the motion of -Mr. Connop,
Mr. W. Bassano was unanimously re-eleeted ehairman
of the Board for the ensuing year.—eln taking the chair, ,
Mr. Bassein thanked the members for the honour con-
ferred upon him.,—The Medical Officer (Mr. Her) re-
ported that during the past month the rate of mortality
had been larger than that of any previous month since
his appointment as their medical officer. The total
number of deaths for the past five weeks was 105, and
for the pa,t four weeks 82. The death-rate was 394
per 1,000 of the population.' Twenty-six deaths had
occurred from bronchitis and pneumonia, 14 from
measles, 9 from scarlatina, and:B from whooping cough.
The severity of the weather had done much to increase
the death-rate, and accounted to a great extent for the.
unusually high rate of mortality from measles. He
sailed the attention of the Board to the 9 deaths from
malignant scarlatina, and said there was every reason to
fear that scarlatina was on the increase. He thought
that the increased attendance of children at public
schcols attended in a great measure towards the rapid
spread of infectious diseases, by. bringing recently
recovered cases into close proximity with healthy chil-
dren. He recommended that the School Board should
issue a speeial order to the several teachers employed
in their schools.—Mr. Beasley (assistant medical officer
f.,r the upper division of the parish) also reported a
heavy death-rate, and that the epidemic of whooping
cough was rapidly iecreasing, and had already proved
fatal in six cases. Scarlatina was also making its ap-
pearance.—The Surveyor stated that he had received a
notice from the Birmingham Canal Company of their
intention to raise the oPowke Lane canal bridge two-feet
higher. He (the surveyor) remarked that it was now
-almost unapproachable, and it was almost impossible to
take a 'envied aart over it. He suggested that the
Board should take steps for the protection of the road.
—The Clerk pointed out that it was a very important
matter, as by, raising that bridge to the height con-
templated it:would make the ascent frightful, especially
for heavily loadea carts. He also reminded the Board
that it would cause a considerable outlay to raise the
gradient up to the bridge. The company had powers
under their Act to raise the bridge to a certain
gradient; and what the Board would have to do would
be tO. see that they (the company) did not exceed
that. The clerk was directed to take such steps as were
necessary to prevent the canal company from injuring
the public road.

HAGLEY.
STOCK SALE--On Monday last the supply of stock
although of first-rate quality was hot sn large ac on the
pr-vions vonday. The attendance was good and full
.I;et ra' ,s,:re realized throughout. The annual
teg show will be held on Monday, the 13th, at which a
4rge airy to guaticipated.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-05-11

THE WRECK OF THE EURYDICE:

PORTSMOUTH, May 5.
It S six weeks to-day since the Eurydice sank, and,
so far from the wreck being nearer the surface, it has
become embedded still deeper in sand and clay.
Three hundred tons was the strain estimated
at the last attempt to raise the vessel, but
experience has been gained by the failure, and
the authorities are providing a lifting power of
1,000 tons for the next attempt. Toggles are to be
inserted in each porthole, and hawsers attached
to them as well as passed under the ship. The lifting
power thus obtained will be tremendous, and, unless
som'e parts of the vessel are carried away by the
enormous strain, the wreck is almost certain to be
lifted. Larger steel hawsers are to be used, and in
consequence of the increased amount of lift, additional
lighters are being prepared. It is proposed to take
out the fore and mizen masts before lifting the ship.

Although the extent of the requirements of the re-
lief cannot even now be fully known, it has been
proved that 43 widows and 50 children have been
rendered destitute, and appeals for help have come
from 57 mothers, six sisters, and five other relatives.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-05-11

OLD ESTABLISHED

S. FIELD,
92, HIGH STREET, STOURBRIDGE.

MRS. HUNS TON,

JAMEY lAND HUSTON),
HONITON POINT LACE MANUFACTURER,
122, HIGH-ST., STOURBRIL'GrE.

LADIES AND CHILDREN'S UNDERCLOTHING

AND
BABY LINEN WAREHOUBE.

MERINO AND FLANNEL VEST,
SCARLE V AND WHITE
• FLANNEL PETTICOATS.
MERINO, SILK, & BALBRIGGAN HOSIERY.

AGENT FOR
PULLAR AND SONS
DYERS TO THE QUEEN.
PLETII.

TRADESMENS' ADDRESSES.

of trestmetit tlecclsar,y tjeileat A permanent care.

TO THE NERVOUS AND DEBILITATED
Read the New Work entitled
HOW TO ENSURE HEALTH.

dust published for two:_stanips.l
BY Da. BAJINNS, M.D., (U.S.)
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IItIPoPTANT TO COUNTRY PATIENTS.
I;=ARNES may be consulted personally
jj or by letter in ail private and confidential cases
aria fr ne L.-neut. of Nervous Sufferers who cannotvisit
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Address, Dr. BABNES, awB,,Loasdale Square, Bans-
bury, , Loudou, N.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-05-11

A PARIS SUNDAY

The Correspondent of The Times writes :—" To-day
the weather was delightful. The Bois de Boulogne
was literally crowded with promenaders and carriages,
while all the aveuues leading to the Trocadero aud
Champ de Mars were thronged. It is estimated that
100,000 persons have visited the Exhibition.
.In
the avenue alongside the facade of the foreign
sections it was scarcely possible to move, and
all the chairs and tables in the restaurants of
the Exhibition had been taken by storm. This
is the first day on which the real character of
the Exhibition was to be seen—bright, crowded, gay,
and glistening in the sun. The immense throng moving
through its passages in no way resembled that of pre-
ceding days. The morning trains had brought a large
number of persons from the Provinces, and these
mingling with the Paris trading and industrial classes
formed an excellent specimen of what may be called
the French population. That naive ignorance of
geography characteristic of a French crowd Was
displayed in all its unconscious fulness. I heard
a beautiful lady in a magnificent dress, covered
with iewels and lace, ask a gentleman of lofty
bearing who accompanied her if to get to Norway
it was necessary to travel by- sea. But besides
this proverbial rakevete there is in the observations
of a Sunday Pari,ian crowd a gaiety and enthusiasm,
a flow of fun, which produces on von something like
the effect of champagne. For an tnglisk visitor there
is nothing more ourprising than the spectacle of one of
these Paris Sundays. This people, always BO ready to
ba joyous, multiplies this special faculty on Sun-
days, wail thinks it is observing-this dav of rest well by
being seven timu mgro gay and thott3htless than
usual."

[lt is announced from Paris that 80,000 persona
visited the Exhibition on Sunday.]

Hospital Sattrday, which was established in
Sheffield last year, ha 3 not been so great a success this
season, owing to the many recent calls on public benevo-
lence, as well as to the pi ()longed depression of trade. Up
to Saturday evening the amount received was close on £B5O,
which is nearly Lit}o short of the sum obtained by the same
time last year.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-05-11

THE ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS.

The Zoological Society, Regent's Peer, London, have
just made an important addition to their aviaries in the
shape of two birds of paradise, which were sent from
Paris. On his return from a collecting tour in the
Eastern Archipelago last winter, Mr. Leon Laglaize
brought with him from Ternante four fine living speci-
mens of these splendid birds, which had been obtained
from their native wilds in New Guinea some time pre-
viously. During the winter these birds have been kept in
a closed aviary in the Jardin des Plantes at Paris, the
atmosphere of the French capital at that season having
been naturally supposed to be more suitable to these
delicate creatures than that of London. An arrange-
ment, however, was made by the Zoological Society
with their owner that, should he succeed in wintering
them in Paris, two of them should be traneferreci to
the Regent's-park so soon as the weather should permit.
The paradise birds thus acquired are both cocks in full
, plumage, and it is, therefore, necessary to keep them
in separate compartments. They have been placed in
the western aviary immediately to the right of the
principal entrance. They belong to the spee-ies called
usturalists the lesser bird of paradise (Patudisra
-1112441417 a). The only living birds of paradise which
have previously been only
to this country were two
of the serve species which were purchased for the
Society at Singapore by the celebrated naturalist Mr.
A. R. Wallace, and brought home by him when he
returned from his Eastern travels in 1802.

I have the Ftron cer t reasong for believing that the
despatch of an Englih fleet to the Baltic has been decided
CU, and the ahips selected and coramissioned.—The World.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-05-11

THE COST OF THE WAR,

It is all very well for people who are trying to
bolster up Russian prospects to talk of Attila or Alaric
having no Three per cents., and waging successful
wars without paying their soldiers anything at all;
but one moment's reflection must show that the two
cases are very different. The leader of the Huns or the
Goths wanted no Chancellor of the Exchequer to
squeeze money out of merchants and traders to pay his
legions. He only pointed to the cities of the old
world and showed his warriors their recompense there.
In this simple and natural manner they found their
own pay and their own rations; and the hero of the
" Nibelung,en Lied' made this very Thrace and Mace-
donia the Russians now occupy pay, and liberally, too,
for the privilege of being conquered. The sack and
plunder of seventy cities, says the old chronicler, that
were erased and extirpated, paid Attila's soldiers well
for their trouble; but the modern habit of war, though
sometimes strained, looks not favourably, on such in-
demnities taken on the spur of the moment, and the
Czar's troops cannot be answered so easily as those of
his great forerunner in Thrace if their empty stomachs
rebel or their empty pockets cry to be filled. So
the report, if true, that it has been found necessary by
the controllers of finance at St. Petersburg to diminish
not only the quantity of the Russian soldier's pay, but
also to alter to his disadvantage the mode of its pay-
ment, is a very serious one indeed. Hitherto he has
received his regular pay in time of peace with this dif-
ference—that instead of being paid all in coin it has
been paid half in paper. But now it appears it is
thought necessary at St. Petersburg to put the
screw even on the soldier, who has already had so
much to suffer and endure. He is to receive only
two-thirds of his peace pay henceforward, and that
to be paid entirely in paper—a sign that the sinews of
war are failing fast. It is taken for granted, of course,
that the Russian soldier will submit, and cheerfully
too, to any decree, however hard, of his "little
father," but such action on the part of the executive
shows that the cost of the war is beginning to tell. It
would be strange indeed if it were not. The cost of
the armies in Roumania, Bulgaria and Roumelia
alone amounts, according to the St. Petersburg Gazette,
to £280,000 sterling per day, and the expenses in Asia
must be in like propoortion. The Russo-Turkish war
itself, which lasted just 322 days, cost 800,000,000
roubles, thereby increasing the National Debt by
nearly one-half.--Globe.