The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1869-01-23 00:00:00

ntriliuntr,
OME, FOREIGN, AND COLONIAY-

in mistakw

GEORGE FRANCIS TRAIN "AT Homr.."—George
Francis Train, under the auspices of the Fenian
Brotherhood of New York, delivered a very lengthy
address in the Cooper Institute, on the evening of the
sth inst., on the subject of his own and Ireland's
wrongs. Mr. Train rgc.gunted his sufferings and his
hattlings with the constituted authorities of Great
Britain during his late visit to Irelangl. He wegured
itis auditors he would be the President of the United
States of 1872.

How To GET RID OF Thaws. —Blackheath
has been plagued with tramps, but, with more brains
than most parishes, has managed to subdue the disease
(says the Spectator). A society has been organised for
relief, and its tickets distributed to every house. The
person asked for alms accordingly gives the beggar a
ticket instead of cash, which he takes to the society's
officer. If be is hungry, begets bread, which he must
eat there and then ; but if he wants more he is passed
on to the raicving officer, who examines the case,
mentions what the guardians have I lone, and advises
whether money should or should not be allowed. The
beggars do not like this arrangement at all. Out of
400 men who were sent to the society in the first month
only 26 were decent people, 200 took their bread and
marched on, and liodecaruped at once, finding the air .4
Blackheath not healthy. If everybody in England
steadily refused to give casual -alms, there would in a
month be no beggars, and we doubt if there would be
much more hunger. Those really in want would apply
to the union, and the rest would work.

As UNLUCKY ONE !—A curious accident
occurred recently at Varna, which is thus described by
a correspondent on the spot :
While some workmen were pulling down an old house in
the town to make ruin for a Government office now in
urse of construction, they came on one of the shells
thrown by the Russians dining the bombardment of 192.4,
which had since remained quietly imbedded in the thick-
ness of a corner wall and,' rubble and mortar. No match, of
course. remaibed, and the touchhole was full id dirt. I hie
of the workmen, an Albanian, rolled the projectile down,
and taking it between his knees, began clearing it .nut with
a chisel, when suddenly it exploded, threw down all around,
wounded several, funk killed the Albanian on the spot, cut-
ting off both his legs at the hip. The unlucky man was a
Christian of the Greek rite, and thus added one more to tt•
long list of his co-nationals who have owed their destruction
to Russian intervention in their behalf.

TRE EDUCATION OF AGRICULTURAL LABOURERS.
—The education of agriculturil labourers is a subject
a, present engaging attention in Col nwall. A Govern.
ment ic iitiry in reference to the employment 4d worn. n
and chilin en in agriculture is about to take place there.
The Earl of Motley, speaking at Callington. said that
in Yorkshil 44 74 per cent, of the school children were
under ten ; in Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire, 6.3,
per cent, ai tre cinder nine, only 4 per cent over 13;
, and, in the opimon of Mr. Fraser, the age had been

steadily diminishing. In Devon and Cornwall very
few children were employed at so early an age. The
number of children in those counties examined In the
higher standards (from four to six) was above the
average. It was 31 per cent.' while in the rest of
England it was only 24 per cent. ')Vhile not an advo-
cate fr over-education, he pleaded for a fair amount
of reading, writing, and power to use the elementary
rules ofiarithinetic. Two evilsto be contended with were
the poverty of parents and the distance of schools from
the residence of the children. The Factory Acts had
worked well, although the remedies therein applied
were inapplicable to agricultural labour. While the
half-time system Woo impossible, and while the Work-
shops Regulation Act was equally inapplicable, it was
possible that something like the Printworks Act,
which required 150 hours' attendance at school in the
year, might be of use. It was desirable to have some
legislation on the subject, such as would restrict the
employment of boys under ten.
FATAL MISADVENTURE.—At the Derby In-
firmary last Friday, a female nurse supplied one of
the p Aleuts, named John Waite, with what sbe
thought was his medicine, whereas it turned out to be
is lotion ordered to be applied to his thigh, which he
had injured by an accident. The unfortunate man
took a dose of the lotion, and several hours elapsed
before the mistake was discovered. The usual
remedies were resorted to but the poor fellow died.
The jury returned a verdict that the deceased died
from the administration of carbolic acid and oil taken

-----
WELL DONE.—Sending a donatiun the other
day, anonymously, to the Metropolitan Free Drink-
ing Fountains' Association (a deserving society),
WATERFORD LAKE 13'61:led himself, not inappropriately
—"A Well-Wisher."—Punch.

A CONCERT WITH A VENGEANCE.-Mr Gilmore,
the famous band-testier of Boston, is deep in the pre-
paration of a monster vocal and instrumental conceit
that shall eclipse all the former efforts of the world in
a musical way. It is to take place on Boston-common.
in June next, and will consist of an orchestra of One
thousand instruments, the choruses to be given by ten
thousand selected vocalists from all parts of the
country. The choruses are to be supported by the
bas.s, f artillery, discharged by electricity. Mr.
Gilmore has already secured 1,500 subscribers at 100
dollars each, and is busy in securing members of the
orchestra and chorus. _ _

- _
EXPLOSI ON OF TORPEDOES. —An explosion of
two torpedoes occurred in the lower bay of New York
on Sunday, the 3rd inst., by which four persons were
killed and .dher, were wounded. One of the torpedoes
was placed under the wreck of the steamer Scotland,
about twenty-eight feet below the surface of the water,
and the boats containing Captain Churchill, the
electrician, and other persons connected with the Sub-
marine Company moved off about MO feet, only half
the distance usually allowed. The torpedo was then
exploded by the galvanic battery, operated by Captain
Churchill, and the force of it lifted the boats six feet
out of the water. Another torpedo in one of the boats
was exploded by the concussion, and the boat in which
it lay was torn completely to atoms. Captain
Churchill and two men were blown to pieces, and
another one had his brains knocked out.

POUSTED ARCHITECTURE. —The Cathedral of
Spires.—Panch.
AN APPEAL DISNISSED.—In the full Court of
Divorce, in the case of "Bewicke r. Bewicke," which
has been frequently before the court, Mr. Bewieke ap-
pealed against an order of the Judge Ordinary allotting
permanent alimony at the rate of £2BO per annum.
Mr. Bewicke asserted that his income had been taken
on hearsay evidence, and in the course of his observa-
tions on the duties of c.airts of law in general intimated
that it was his intention to bring an action against the
learned ,lodge Ordinary for 'malicious malversation
of justice." The Judge Ordinary having explained the
cireumstances under which the alimony was allotted
on a joint income of £1,405, Mr. Justice Lush held that
there was no foundation for the appeal, and Mr.
Justice Brett concurring, observed that "the indecent
offensive, and incoherent declamation of the appellant
could only he excused upon the assumption that he
was not master of his words and action." The appeal
was dismissed with costs.

VERY INDuencioue.—Follow the little shoe-
black home, who has been brightening your hoots in
these dirty streets, aml you will finl that his work is
not yet done for you will see him busily polishing off
hissupper.
_ . .

A rd-OSTLT SQUEEZE. —ln the Bradford County
Court, a young woman named Carey, weaver, brought
an action against a young man named Coverty,
labourer, for £5, as datna,gee sustained by reason of the
detentlant haying broken her finger, which prevented
her from following her employment for eight weeks.
On August 14 the plaintiff went into the house where
defendant lodged in Bradford, and there the defendant
seized her by the hand, and squeezed her with snob
great severity that when she recovered be, hand, after
a severe struggle and great screaming, 4 ire of her fingers
was broken. The consequence was that she had been
disabled for eight weeks, and unable to earn her usual
means of subsistence. In defence, it was alleged,
though the plaintiff repudiated the " soft impeach-
ment," that the plaintiff aud the defendant were court-
ing,. and that the broken Unger was the result of acci-
! dent in a too ardent squeeze .1 the hand. The Judge
gave a verdict for the plaintiff for 4:5 and costs.
WHAT CAN YOU Sax f—Name any celebrated
English humorist you please to an American, and he
will tell you. by way of reply, that in his country they
have a Whittier.- -Punch
AN OMINOUS SIGN !—A curious ffiet comes to
us from the Tuileries on the famous Monaeur change.
Before the fresh combination was carried on the
Emperor 11981 to receive three copies of the official
organ splendidly printed on vellum, this being the
gracious act of the printer to his Majesty. Now the
new Journal Offiriel sends also three copies to the
Emper fr, only they are like anybody else's, on com-
mon paper. It appears that the first day it came in
that vulgar shape Napoleon tne Third twisted his
moustache -this being, as you know, the greatest
sign of astonishment in the ruler of France.
A SoofTioN.—The following advertisement in
cypher appeared in The Times the other day i—
coNE-11pu 2 oputt—tpssz zpv xfst tp jmni—ipqt rvjut
opx—mpolt 500 po kiivsof.--wfsz nvdi cfuufs—wfsz
ljoe mpofma"
lin. !.4.l.biwing is the solution ;
liaeh of the letters should be taken to represent the one
iininedintely preceding it, and the following is the result
iiNE—lit 2 notes—sorry you were so ill—hope quite well
now—long way on journey—very much better—very kind
thoughts—feel lonely."—Colut Journal.
A THOUGHT IN THE GRILL Rom—Smithfield
was once notorious for its stake' but now, with the
tfreat meat market there, it will become famous for its
etealcs.—Punch.
THE GOLD-DIGGINGS IN SUTHERLAND—The
gold-diggings, in the Strath of Kildonan and the Seis-
gill Burn are attracting large numbers of treasure-
seekers. No nuggets of any mat size have been got,
but a number of people have succeeded in getting quan-
tities estimated in some instances as high as to pay
them from Ss. to 30s, for their day's work. The gold
is got in small particles in the alluvial soil washed
down from the mountains by the river; and in conse-
quence of the swollen state of the streams at present
this is the most unfavourable system for prosecuting
the search. The people engaged are new to the opera-
tion of washing, and a tin dish and a trowel or spade
are all the tools required.

ESPONSIB MITT OF RAILWAY COMPANIES
A question as to the responsibility of railway com-
panies as carriers has just been decided at the Civil
Tribunal of Paris. M. Say, sugar refiner, had sent in
February last a sum of 12,150 f. in bank-notes by the
Northern line to M. Martine of Ham (Somme), in
payment of certain merchandise. The bag which had
contained the money was duly delivered, but on its
being opened the contents was found to have disap-
peared. A suit now being brought to rec,ver the
above-mentioned sum from the company, the defen-
dants pleaded Art. 105 of the Commercial Code, which
says :—"The reception of the object transported and
the paynymt of the costs of conveyance precludes all
action against the carrier." The Tribunal, however,
decided that the clause in question was not applicable
in the present instance, as the seam of the bag had
been opened on the way, and had been sewed up again
so skilfully that M. Martine could not possibly have
seen (nail its outward appearance that it had been
tampered with. A verdict against the railway corn-
was consequently given.

NOT AT ALL PHARISAICAL—A French gentleman,
writing on French theatres, informs WI that as soon as
a Parisian young lady is married, she demands to be
taken to a playhouse, where it is supposed that she is
more likely to see and hear "that she should not" than
in any other edifice of the kind. We are sorry to hear
such an account of the mothers of Young France. On
the whole' we are glad that no such marriage right
exists in England, and that if there did, we have no
theatre for its exercise. Flippant, stupid, sensational,
our theatrical presentations may be, but they are
nearly harmless, and would be quite so if managers
were aware how very inexpensive, thanks to free trade
and improved machinery, feminine garments at d. The
misplaced economy which deprives the ballet of cloth-
ing may be creditable to the honesty of managers, but
is otherwise objectionable. But we have no Peals-
Royal for the demoralsation of brides.—Punch.
THE NEWHAVEN ENOCH ARDEN CASE.—The
Newhaven "Enoch .Arden" case' so called, was
terminated before the Superior Court in that city on
Thursday, says .n AnD.riean paper. The facts are
these :
John A. Wilcox went to the war, leaving af young and
pretty wife at home. Years pa,.sed, and hearing nothing
from him she believe I him demi, and, hating vainly sought
to learn that he still lived and mourned for him in widow's
apparel for two years, she married a respectable mechanic
named Benjamin Hotchkiss. She lived happily teth lire
1 second love until a few months ago, when the first husband
appeared, and brought a suit against his wife for bigamy
and against her second husband fm. adultery. As E 10,41 as
these suits were brought, which was the first intimation the
woman had of her first husband's existence. she separated
herself from her second husband to await the result of the
trial, and, like a good woman, conducted herself blamelessly
throughout. she also presented a petition for a divorce
from Wilcox. The court on Thursday acquitted both
honourably of the charges of bDarny and adultery, granted
the petition for a divorce, changed the name of the petitioner
to that of Mary 1.. Martin, her maiden name. and gave Mary
the custody of a child by her first husband. The conclu-
sion of the story will be the legal marriage of Miss Mary L
Martin to Mr. Benjamin Hotchkiss.
HORRIBLE WIFE MURDER IN MICHIGAN.—A
diabolical murder was comniitte 1 in the town of
Monterey, about seven miles from Allo,ma, Mich., on
Christmas evening. The victim was a German woman
named Isenberg, and the murderer was her husband.
It appears that she had been a severe sufferer for some
time past from a cancer, which had at length eaten
I away her left break and exposed some ut the vital
organs. In order to alleviate her terrible sufferings
her phynhian had given her morphine powders, which
ahe had been in the habit of taking. Upon the night
in question, being in great pain, she called for some
nurphine, and her husband- procured a powder and
gaveit to her mother to mix. This she attempted todo in
water, but it acted no differenlly from what previous
powilern hau done that she declared that it was not
morphine. l'he wife nlso thought it was not her
usual powders, but the husband insisted and expressed
an much impatience at being kept waiting that alto

_-
finally took it. In about five minutes she was taken
with a spasm, followed by almost total paralysis, in
which condition she remained for three-quarters of an
hour, when death put an end to her buffegings. She
was perfectly conscious all the time, and indicated by
signs her belief that it was poison. On inquiry it was
ascertained that Isenberg had bought strichnine at a
drug store on the 22nd, declaring that it was for the
purpose of killing wolves. He is a farmer, reported
to be worth 10,000 or 15,000 dole. He has fled, but the
, officers are on his track. _ .

-----
SINGULAR RENTING CASE. - The following
curious case arising out of a bet has been heard at the

Rochester Countj Court
The defendant, Harrison, was stakeholder between Brooks,
the town-crier of Chatham, and a man named Staples, the
stakes being ta a-side, and the bet being that Staples could
not show Brooks 400 pheasants at one time. Arrangements
were made that the betting parties should attend on a tined
day on Lord Darnley's preserves. Its order to carry out the
wager. But Bi,.ks had ascertained that arrangements were
made with the keepers of the preserves that the pheasants
should not be fed for no lon a time that 400 would be col-

leeted together. linmks, who is all out soldier, and never
belonged to the "Marines," was not to be done in this way,
but proceeded to the appoiffied place of meeting, armed with
his crier's bell, which he rung vlgourously. Staples, seeing
that he was being outwitted, said to the gamekeeper, •• this
man is disturbing your master's pheasants ; you must turn
him out of the grounds;" and Brooks was accordingly
turned away.
--•- -

Brooks then claimed the money from the stakeholder,
and followed up the claim by the present proceedings.
His honour non-suited the plaintiff on technical
grounds, but a case for appeal was taken.
PARLIAMENTARY TllonailT. )ne of the Wind-
sor election witnesses described somebody as the very
man that was wanted as an aiN,nt, " because he looked
exactly like a fool, but wasn't one." Curious, that
many electors should employ precisely the opposite rule
when selecting the very man wanted as an
.

Punch.
ATTEMPTED MURDER. —On Saturday last,
Edward Morris, gunner, 15th brigasle Royal Artillery,
a very bad character, was brought to Netley Hospital
to be placed under observation previous to his final
discharge with ignominy. He was placed in a ward
where lunatics are temporarily detained, but which
was then unoccupied, and appears not to have exhibited
any of the ordinary symptoms of insanity. However,
on Sunday night last one of the orderlies in charge was
standing at the door-step, with the door partly open
while another was taking his turn of rest, when
Morris, who had concealed a razor by some means,
stole noiselessly to the door, seized the orderly by the
neck, cut his threat in a frightful manner, pushed him
outside, and closed the diet,', exclaiming, "I have done
for you!" The other orderly, having awoke, had to
defend himself until assistance arrived, being unable
to open the door from the inside. Morris was then
secured, and has since been handed over to the evil
power. The orderly, Thomas Coppings, a man highly
esteemed by all who kn, w him, is in the hospital, and
it is hoped, under the skilful and prompt attention of
Staff-surgeon Mackinnon, he will recover.
Sifocfl NG ATTEMPT AT WIFE MURDER.—
Early on Monday morning a weaver named England,
residing at Dean Bridge, near Hohnfirth, attempted to
murder his wife. He got out of bed, struck a light,
and asked his wife to give him a purse containing
money or he would murder her. She replied she had
none. He then seized a scythe-blade which was near
at band, and struck her upon the head, inflicting a
frightful gash. The poor woman, in trying to save
herself, WWI also cut on the arm and hand. Two
children, in bed with the mother at the time, shouted
out for help, and one of the neighbours came to her
assistance. A doctor was called in, and dressed the
wounds, but the loss of blood was no great she is con-
sidered in a dangerous state. England was taken into
custody, and charged at Holmfirth, before the sitting
magistrates. His wife being in a dangerous condition,
it was necessary to take her deposition, and the
prisoner was remanded. Hie stated that England has
latterly been in a very strange state of mind, in
consequence of having lost a sum of money a short
time ago.
Tim GENUINE ARTICLE.—Mr. Sanford, United
States' Minister at the Court of Brussels, gave, three
days back, a grand dinner to 24 guests at the legation,
in the Avenue de la Toison d'Or. This banquet was
remarkable from the fact that the service was entirely
composed of American productions, and comprised
oysters, meats, game. poultry, fruit, vegetables, cheese,
&e., all of which had been sent expressly from New
York; even the French wine' drank had performed a
voyage across the Atlantic and back, and had returned
accompanied by American champagne.
PR.,BATES AND W I LLS.—The num ner of wills de-
posited in the year 1867 amounted to 26,559 from Eng-
land, 2,538 from Scotland, anti 186 from Ireland. The
number in 1868 amounted to 24,548 England; 2.327
Scotland; no return front Ireland. The grants of
adtninistration amounted in number in 1867 to 9,312
England ; none from Scotland; 222 from Ireland. In
1868 they amounted to 9,505 in England; no return
from Scotland and Ireland. The above statement
shews that the decrease in 1868 in the number of w.lls
deposited was 2,011. The a Iministrations shew an
increase in 1868 of 19:3 over the 1811' returns.
A RIVAL TO THE THAMES TUNNEL.— The tun-
nel under the Chicago River, known as the Washing-
ton-street 'runnel, connecting the south and west
divisions of the city by a solid and permanent roadway,
has ju-t, been completed, and was opened to the public
on New Year's Day. The contract price was 328.500
dollars. The length of the work is about 1.605 lest
of the retaining walls of the open approach on the
west side about 320 feet, and 275 feet on the east side.
The length of the main archway, or covered way, is
932 feet. There are three archways leading through
the tunnel ; one is for hoot pxssengers, and two for
teams anti horses.
LAMENTABLE SUICIDE THROUGH WANT.—A
most distressing case of suicide has been limier the
notice of the Liverpool coroner, when an inquest was
held on the body of a boiler maker named Corlett, who
residg I in Beaufort-strgt in that town. He had a
wife and family dependent upon him, and as he had
been out of work for nearly two months they were in
very destitute circumstances, indeed were in want of
the common necessaries tif life. The poor fellow enter-
tained so strong a feeling of independence that though
they were without a particle of food in the house he
resolutely refused to apply to the parish authorities for
help. The state to which he and those belonging to
hint were reduced depressed his spirits, and, during the
absence of his wife from the house, he committed
suicide by hanging hiniself. A verdict of temporary
insanity wan returned.
RAILWAY INTELLIOENCE.—The approved Methocl
of Cotinnunication between Passenger and Guard—A
Shilling. —Punch.
TREASURE TROVE AT HAMPSTEAD.--The other
day, while engaged in digging the foundations of the
new Home for Sailors' Orphans between Church-row
and High-street, Hampstead, a working man came
upon a leaden coin, about 2 feet below the surface, in
a bed of loam and clay. It is about an inch and a half
in diameter, and on inspection it turns out to be a
" "of Pope Innocent IV., one of the well•known
family of Fiesco, who sat in the chair of St. Peter from
A.D. 1243 to 1254. The " bull" bears on the reverse
the figures of St. Peter and St. Paul, and is in a
tolerable state of preservation; and we understand
that it is likely to be secured for the British Museum.
DUELLISTS PUNISHED. MM. Jecker, the
Mexican banker, and Odysse Barot, a writer on the
Liberte, have been condemned by the Correctional Tri-
bunal of Brussels to a month's imprisonment and 260 f.
fine each, for having fought a duel some time ago at
Boitsfort, near Brussels. The seconds were acquitted
The significance of • the judgment his in the fact that
this is the first attempt wade to put a stop to the
system of Frenchmen choosing the territory of King
Leopold as the theatre for settling their "affairs of
honour."

PRESENTS FOR • GIRL Of THE PERIOD.—A
bottle of olives, and a box of cigars.--Punch.
AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS.— The Agricultural
Gazette, in an article upon the agricultural statistics for
the year just issued by the Board of Trade, says it is
much to be hoped that the gradually dying jealousy
on the part of the farmers if some districts, which
leads them to refuse all information to Government
officials, tand thus to some extent to spoil or make im-
perfect the information readily given by others, will
soon altogether cease. We believe It wilL It will
soon appear that the information asked for can have
;no personal or immediate irrerest whatever. Every
item is lost in the mass to which it is contributed. And
no ons need suppose that any one is going to be a bit
the wiser regarding his personal affairs because he is
public-spirited enough to answer such questions re-
garding them as may result in some trustworthy in-
formation to the country at large, as to what the home
supplies of food are likely to be.
A SAD TRAGEDY—On Friday afternoon a
man named Robert Robinson, master of the ship
Dolphin, of Whitehaven, went into a publichouse in
that town and ordered some drink, laying «n the coun-
ter a half-crown he had just before received for a
Guernsey jacket he had pledged in a pawnshop. His
wife followed him into the inn, and asked him for the
money. He refused to give it to her, and she snatched
at it. In the scuffle which enatied it appears to have
fallen down on the floor, where it was subsequently
found. Robinson, believing that his wife had got it,
asked her to return it to him. She replied that she
had it not, and lie thereupon struck her a heavy blow
with his clenched fist behind the ear. The woman fed
down, and expired almost immediately. Rubinson
was shortly afterwards taken into custody at the
publiehouse, which he had not left when the police
arrived.
A MYSTERY CLEIRED ITo !—Last week a state-
ment appeared in the papers from Mr. W. Strange,
if the London Commission Exchange. ooni omairig
the disappearance of the secretary to the Exchange.
It was stated that this rutleman bad starteol
for Bath and Bristol on Tuesday week, to re-
turn on the next day, but that nothing had h. en
heard of him for more than a week, that he had
not reached either Bath or Bristol, anol that his
disappearance was altogether unaccountable, and gave
rise to serious inquietude as to his fate. F, mu in-
quiries made it has been ascertained that this alarming
statement was ludicrously uncalled for. NI r. Roche
had been to Bath and Bristol, where', had transacted
his business, and returned to his house in Hamm, r-
smith. Being fatigued, he rested prior to reporting
himself at the Exchange, and Mr. Strange, being un-
aware of this act, became the prey to dark noi,givia
which, when communicated to the newspspw 5, as-
tonished no one more than the gentleman supposed to
be missing,
GOOD NEWS FROM THE TAGUS. - Spain has
found a Sovereign at last, one all wl o wish well to
that country must earnestly desire may have a long
rule, for we are informed that " Tranquillity reigns
throughout the Peninsula."—Punch.
DEATH FROM THE BITE OF A FLY.-- A Paris
correspindent Rays The sudden death of the young
Countess de--, niece of M. Ferdinand de Lessepa,
has excited much sympathy in the great world. The
countess went out as usual to drive in the Bois, on
Tuesday, and a fly bit her nose. Before returning
home inflammation had set in. Nelaton was summoned ;
he di cioled that amputation of the nose was necessary.
The opration took place; gangrene set in, the poison
having already spread through the whole system, and
within twelve hours the young countess expired.