The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1884-11-15 00:00:00

GOSSIP ON DRESS.

THE Queen this week gives the following description
of the latest London fashions: Dame Fashion has
fired upon wool as the substance she just now delights
in, therefore there is a furore for cloth winter gowns
with their trimming nf feathers or far. In addition
to these we have braids, lace, beads, and embroideries,
divers and new, and all are employed in a lavish
degree on the toilettes for home and street wear.
We foel it is useless to try and convey an idea of the
industry shown, of the hours of labour bestowed on
the work which we use and accept as la mode. Our
readers must look on the infinite choice, and, so
doing, judge for themselves.

CLOTH costumes, with borders of velvet applique,
outlined with gold and buttonhole work of chenille,
are exceedingly stylish when made up with skirts of
plain, self-coloured velvet or plush. A number of
these in all the new favourite shades are conspicuously
displayed in various show-rooms. The union
of colours is very effective—brown on green, red on
brown, and suchlike, agreeing well with the russet-hued
tones of the leaves that are falling around. A design in
brown velvet on dull willow-green may be named as a
pleasing example. The border was cut out in rather
sharp curves, and worked with fine threads of chenille.
Just above was a pattern of long heart-shaped pieces
of velvet, surmounted by delicate scrollwork, all out-
lined and veined with dead gold. The tunic was
slightly draped about the hips, and fell, gracefully
folded, behind. The rot.nd skirt was.of brown velvet,
which was introduced also on the collar and cuffs of
the bodice of green cloth, trimmed with embroidery
of a narrower width. A new make of wood-brown
gros-grain, with a diamond pattern of velvet, was
used as the skirt of a walking costume with a tunic of
softest cashmere. The round skirt was notched at
the edge, as a border of diamond "points," and
below was a kilting of brown gros-grain ; the tunic was
cleverly managed, and looped at the back with great
taste; the jacket-shaped bodice was made of cash-
mere, with a waistcoat of figured gros-grain.

Wann yet not heavy rough cloths are quite the
most fashionable wear, and here we saw many new
varieties in plain colours, mixed with bright wools.
The Bison cloth—brown, with red threads—makes a
capital winter costume, the tunic draped high, and
the back breadths in folds, on the perfectly plain
short, round skirt. The bodice has along Louis XV.
waistcoat of velvet, with a tiny pattern of crimson
and pink silk, and small turned-back cuffs to corres-
pond. Should a more dressy style be required, the
skirt could be of the figured velvet cut in long tabs at
the edge, and the Bison cloth plaited below. A novel
costume was of loose " blanket " cloth, which was
worn with a skirt of blue plush. The cloth was of a
dull blue shade, and much trimmed with coloured
yak lace, while the plush was again used as collar
and cuffs on the close-fitting bodice of cloth. We
noticed this cloth in all the popular colours, the
greens and browns being especially good.
Some charming dresses of soft Bengaline with
velvet stripes, and of shot silk with small velvet
flowers are shown for afternoon wear when "at
home" or on visiting bent. The striped Bengaline is
employed for the skirt, which is either in folds or
quite plain, and cashmere is used for the tunic and
bodice; the latter has a loose waistcoat of velvet-striped
silk, and fan-shaped plaits of the same spread out from
the point of the basque ; cords and tassels of silk and
velvet loop up the well-arranged tunic; this usually
crosses the skirt to one side, and is lifted quite high
on the other. A pretty shot bronze and red silk had
velvet sprigs of a deep olive shade, over a petticoat of
plain velvet of the same rich tone. Dresses for dinner
and afternoon reception are now being made with
short trains, and these are of terry or velvet brocade,
of designs of great beauty and taste. A handsome
toilette was of black brocaded velvet; the ground, of
very narrow diagonal stripes (it would, perhaps, best
be called "ribbed"), was strewn with a pattern of
leaves, two and two, overlapping each other. One
was of satin, with veinings of velTet ; the other of
velvet, vice fers(i. The fiain of the dress and the
bodice were of this magnificent material, over a petti-
coat of plain satin, edged with eight gathered flounces,
and having a drapery pointed to one side, and bordered
with a lovely passementerie of chenille and cut beads
on net. The train fell in long sweeping folds, and was
flounced underneath to the waist. We cannot but
mention a splendid embroidery of pansies and leaves
on black satin. The stalks and the leaves were of
twisted chenille, and the velvet blossoms were in
relief; in the centre of each was a gold metal drop,
producing a brilliant eneemble.

GOLD tinsel work now appears in profusion on
dresses, as well as on bonnets and hats. For night
wear its glitter is very effective, and certainly biol.
apropos; and airy tulle skirts are exceedingly smart,
with their woven designs of bright metal. A ball
gown of tulle, or a plain satin skirt, was covered with
groups of gold spangles, sewn starlike at intervals on
it; from the centre of each hung two strands of cold
cord, with a ravelled out ball at the ends. Its aspect
was rich-looking, and fresh, and the white satin
bodice, with berthe of white lace, had many gold balls
introduced. A gold-coloured bodice could likewise be
worn, or a cuirass of tinsel brocade. For young
married ladies round skirts cf shot silk, green arid
red, grey and pink, or pale blue, are covered with
flounces of Swiss silk embroidery, displayed on founda-
tions of net. catlght up here and there with jet plaques.
This beautiful silk work is much more uncommon
then the piece lace now seen everywhere, and gowns
so composed are both stylish and new, and look well
to the end. The low V-shaped bodice is
made of shot silk, and is covered with
work like the skirt, while both it and the transparent
elbow sleeves are daintily trimmed with cut beads.
Clusters of ribbons, matching the silk, are affixed to
the waist at one side, or poufs of the new "shot "
feathers are worn on the bodice and skirt. A bridal
toilette, of deep cream satin, was noticeable for the
clever arrangement of the lace that draped the skirt,
and also for the lace itself, yellow with ago, and
curiously wrought with an elaborate design in appliqué
of roses, shamrocks, and thistles, divided by open-
work lines. The front of the skirt had three long,
narrow panels with kiltings appearing between, and
the lace was caught up on the right aide by a number
of cream satin loops and a small spray of orange buds
and leaves, the only floral adornment of this very
elegant gown. The flowing square train, gathered at
the waist, was untrimmed.

VELVET is widely adopted, even more so than plush,
which latter material appears to be generally used for
the fur-trimmed redingotes or short dolman capes,
bordered with feathers, we see at the theatres, &c.,
and sometimes abroad in our streets, to the exclusion
of all other fabrics. Now velvet, per contra, is worn
day and night, and with equal success at all times.
Velvet bodices are, indeed, most fashionable for ball-
room toilettes, and these are worn with the lightest
of skirts, either tulle, beaded net, orpieee lace. Among
the velvets in new shades of all the most delicate tints
there is one called "La chartreuse" - a cool-looking
yellowish green—(those who like the liqueur know it
well) which they use with a novel effect when com-
bined with piece-lace over satin. The former, imita-
tion Brussels of excellent design, was beautifully
draped on a skirt of pale salmon-hued satin, edged
with two narrow flounces of lace. Small velvet and
satin bows were placed at intervals between the
flounces. On the right side of the skirt was a plaited
perpendicular band of the " chartreuse " velvet the
salmon satin lining showing in the turned-back folds.
At the top of the back of the skirt was a large
spreading bow, standing out from the pointed
basque of the velvet bodice. This was cut
rather low, and the berth° was of lace; the elbow
sleeves were made of velvet bands, the lower part
edged with lace frills. These looked like a series of
rings, caught together inside by elastic, displaying the
arm between each, though its make was distinctly a
"sleeve," which is oft but the name for a strap, or it
may be a string of pearl beads. In similar style was
another lace dress arranged over pale primrose satin.
The bodice and trimmings were of chartreuse velvet
and satin of the same soft shade. The effect was ex-
ceedingly good. A ball gown of clouds of black tulle
had the top skirt very full, and tied half-way down
with broad woven gold ribbon, which fell in the front
in long loops, the tulle being scattered with small
tinsel flowers, which sparkled and gleamed in the
light. The low satin bodice was trimmed with gold
lace, and gold ribbon bows on the bertha. A second
had numberless skirts of black tulle, in long folds
from the waist to the edge, which was trimmed with
small flounces of lace. The drapery crossed in the
front, and was very much puffed at the back. At the
side of the skirt was a melange of flowers and feathers,
goid metal, and " tipped " marabouts.

DRESSES of black lace, made over petticoats of
coloured satin, are still most extensively worn. All
shades of yellow, from straw to bright, orange, aro
much patronised, and have superseded the pinks and
the reds, which not long since we saw at each turn.
The skirts are ornamented with loops of satin-lined
velvet, and the bodices are of plain satin, black or
coloured, lace-trimmed or covered with lace. We
noticed a dinner dress made with a bodice and train
of lie de vin broche velvet, and a petticoat front of
plain velvet, with flounces of black Calais lace over
satin the same shade of red. The plain velvet front
was cut out in long points, and the black lace was
plaited between. The velvet was veiled by a short
scarf of black lace, which, bag fashion, fell from the
waist. The pointed bodice had a shaped - out
"stomacher "front, the opening filled to the throat
with a lace chemisette over satin. The collar was
high, standing up round the neck, and the sleeves,
which reached to the elbows, had revers of plain
velvet and short hanging ruffles of lace. It was
strikingly handsome and uncommon, and would look
equally well made in velvet of many new shades, such as
vieux vert or dull-leaden blue, and the various tones
known as mastic and fawn which are now classed as
Suede.

DEATH AT SEA.—The death is announced as having
taken place, on board the steamer Merton Hall, on
the voyage home, of Major Philip Walker, who held
the appointment of deputy - assistant - adjutarrt-
general on the staff of General Sir D. Stewart, G.C.B.
commanding the Indian army, since March, 1880
Major Walker, who was in his 43rd year, enteredthe
army as an ensign in the 3rd Foot in July, 1860, his
subsequent regimental career being paned in On
34th (Border) Regiment, . • - •

.3 O. A'

I •

l• it , 11.

.

DEATH of the POSTMASTER-GENERAL
The comparatively sadden death of the 'Right Hon.
Henry Fawcett, her Majesty's Postmaster-
General, which occurred on Thursday afternoon, sent
a painful thrill of sincere regret throughout the whole
community. It was only on the Saturday previous
that Mr. Fawcett arrivqd at his quiet residence, 18,
Brookside, Cambridge. Flo was then in his accus-
tomed health, and,indeed, in conversation with friends,
he was wont to describe himself as feeling very well.
Next to angling, riding was Mr. Fawcett's favourite
recreation,,and on the day of his arrival he had a ride
of fourteen miles on horseback, which he appeared
to enjoy, with his accustomed zest. But
it was his last outing. In the evening some
friends . joined him at dinner; and next day
the first appearances of illness developed them-
selves. Dr. Latham saw him, and recognised the
symptoms as those ankle dreaded pleurisy and pneu-
monia. Dr. Paget also saw the patient next day.
On the Tuesday he became very ill but improved
somewhat on the Wednesday. Mrs. Garrett Ander-
son, M.D., his sister-in-law, arrived from London,
and thought very gravely of his condition. On
Thursday morning Sir Andrew Clark was also sum-
moned from town, but arrived only in time to witness
the last scene, at half-past five o'clock. The imme-
diate cause of death was failure of the heart's action.
The inils.rnmation was present chiefly in the right
lung, and the gravity of the attack was recognised
from the first by his medical attendants, in view of
the crisis through which he passed not quite two
years ago.

Mr. Fawcett was a son of Mr. William Fawcett, an
alderman of Salisbury, and a magistrate for that city,
by his marriage with Mary, daughter of the late Mr.
William Cooper, of the same city. He was born in
the year 1833, and received his early education at
King's College, London, completing it at Trinity Hall,
Cambridge, where he was a successful competitor for
a scholarship. He took his bachelor's degree there in
January, 1856, obtaining the place of seventh wrangler
in what was considered a "good year." He was
elected, almost as a matter of course, to a fellowship,
and proceeded master of arts in 1859. Four years
later, namely, in 1863, though he had previously
written thoughtfully on social and political questions,
his name first became known to the world by his offer-
ing himself as a candidate in the advanced Liberal
interest for the representation of Cambridge borough,
on a casual vacancy caused by the retirement of Mr.
Andrew Steuart, but he was defeated by Mr. Francis
S. Powell. In February, 1864, be offered himself as
a candidate for Brighton, but with a like result. At
the general election, however, which followed a few
months later, his ambition was gratified, and he was
returned to Parliament along with the late Mr. James
White. He had already been nominated to the pro--
fessership of Political Economy at his old University.
His first important publications were—a" Manual of
Political Economy," "The Economic Position of the
British Labourer," and a variety of pamphlets all more
or less in the same direction. He lost his seat at
Brighton, however, at the General Election of
January, 1874, but was not destined to remain long
outside St. Stephen's, for in the following April he
was returned for the newly enfranchised borough of
Hackney, in the place of Sir Charles Reed, who had
represented it in true previous Parliament. This seat
he held down to the tin::: of his decease.

The fs of a man of a philosophical turn of mind
is not often very ev,ntful, being largely devoted to his
study and his books. But, in spite of his blindness.
caused by an accident when out shooting so far back
as September, 1858, he lived much among his books
and read and wrote constantly, his devoted wife being
his interpreter and often his scribe. In Parliament,
as is well known, he took an active and zealous share
in advocating the ballot in its earlier stages ; the ex-
tension of the franchise to properly-qualified women ;
the extension of the advantages of something like a
university education under the name of secondary edu-
cation to the middle and lower classes, with a view to
their ultimate enfranchisement, which he saw was
even then looming in the distance; the establish-
ment of " undenominational academical education"
in Ireland; the reform of many points in our legal
administration, and of our financial system in India,
and generally the abolition of all sinecures and special
privileges. Both in Parliament and out of it, at
Cambridge and elsewhere, in the columns of the
Times and in the pages of more than one magazine,
Mr. Fawcett lecture,-1 the world on such subjects as
"Local Taxation," "Corporate Property in Land,"
"The Prevention and Settlement of Strikes," "The
necessity of giving to the labourer some interest in the
land which he tills," "Paupers and pauperism," and
such other social problems.
At the last General Election, when the large Liberal
majority brought Mr. Gladstone back into Downing-
street, Mr. Fawcett was not forgotten in the distribu-
tion of offices; and to him was entrusted, in spite of
his blindness, the management of the General Post-
office. In this capacity he certainly showed great
ability and administrative powers of a high order;
and his brief tenure of the office of Postmaster-General
has been already marked by numerous improvements
in our money order system, and by the introduction
of the Parcel Post, which, as yet, is perhaps still on
its trial, or at all events waits for such further modi-
fications and extensions as experience may suggest.
A promise of sixpenny teiegrams was also extended.
by Mr. Fawcett, and arrangements for this improve-
ment are now in progress. 01 becoming Postmaster-
General Mr. Fawcoa, in conforming with established
precedent, was sworn a member of her Majesty's
Privy Council. Mr. Fawcett was elected as Lord
Rector of Glasgow University in 1883.
In 1867 Mr. Fawcett married the lady to whom we
have already referred as his amanuensis as well as his
wife. This lady, wbo has gained considerable fame
and reputation as a lecturer, is Millicent, daughter of
Mr. Nathaniel Garrett, of Aldborough, Suffolk. She
is the author of a small book entitled "Political
Economy for Beginners," first published in 1870, and
which reached a second edition in 1871 In the same
year she also published, jointly with her husband, a
volume of "Essays and Lectures" on political and
economical subjects. In 1870 she first came before
the world as a lecturer, discoursing at Brighton upon
the Electoral Disabilities of Women; and she has
frequently appeared as the advocate of this and other
cognate causes at public meetings and associations
and congresses. Mrs. Fawcett survives as a widow;
and the father of Mr. Fawcett still lives on at Salis-
bury, a "nonagenarian and something more," to
lament the loss of his brilliant and talented son.

The news of the death of the Postmaster-General
reached the House of Commons shortly after Mr.
Gladstone finished his speech on the re-introduction
of the Franchise Bill, and was received with consider-
able surprise and regret. The illness of the right
hon. gentleman was so recent that many members of
Parliament were unaware of it. Mr. Fawcett's
popularity in the House was enhanced not only by his
amiable personal character, but also by reason of his
spirited administration of the Post Office, and by the
success with which his public career had advanced
notwithstanding his severe physical affliction. He
was in his 52nd year.

THE FUNERAL
On Monday morning the funeral of Mr. Fawcett
took place in the little churchyard of Trumpington,
near Cambridge, when there was a vast gathering of
the friends of the deceased, not only from the Hall,
with which he had so long and honourably been asso-
ciated, but from all classes, and from all parts of the
kingdom. Collegians, politicians, and social friends
all met together in one common mourninm.
Early in the day the town of Cambridge showed
plainly the respect in which the deceased was held.
The peal of bells always given on the birthday of the
Princs of Wales was rung at six o'clock in the morn-
ing, and was of the shortest possible dura-
tion. Up to noon most of the shops in the
principal thoroughfares kept their shutters closed,
while at the various public buildings all the flags were
half-mast. At the morning service in Trinity Hall,
of which the late Professor was for so many
years a fellow, the Rev. Henry Latham, the Vice-
Master, introduced the Collect and Lesson of the
Burial Service. Immediately afterwards, the whole
of the members of the college, attired in fall acade-
mical costume, assembled for the purpose of proceed-
ing in a body to the funeral, headed by the Master,
Sir Henry Maine, The Vice-Chancellor of the uni-
versity, Dr. Ferrers, with most of the principals of
colleges and professors, went direct to the church,
a Council of the Senate, convened for the morning,
being at once adjourned until later in the day. The
Mayor of Cambridge (Mr. Redfarn), who has been
re-elected, wished to attend, together with the other
members et the Corporation; but the wording of the
law compelled them to assemble at twelve o'clock, by
which hour the procession was approaching the ceme-
tery. A special train from London arrived at Cambridge
at a quarter after eleven, brincring, amongst others, Sir
W. Vernon Harcourt, Mr. 'Childers, Sir Charles
Dilke, Mr. J. A. and Miss Mundella, the Earl of
Camperdown, the Earl of Dalhousie, Mr. 'Mims, M.P.,
Mr. Shaw Lefevre, M.P., Mr. Leonard Courtney, M.P.,
and Mrs. Courtney, Mr. John Morley, M.P., Mr. A.
Morley, M.P., Mr. Craig-Sellar, M.P., Mr. Phinket,
M.P., Mr. Campbell, M.P., Mr. Stuart Rendel, M.P.,
Mr. Cotes, M.P., Sir W. Lawson, M.P., Mr. Roth
bone, ALP., Mr. W. Fowler, ALP., Mr. Pass-
more Edwards, M.P. Mr. Howard, M.P.,
3fr. Stevenson, M.P. 'Mr. F. W. Buxton, M.P.,
Mr. Osborne Morgan, M.P., Mr. S. Buxton, M.P., Mr.
Barron, M.P., Mr. Illingworth, M.P., Mr. C. Parker,
M.P., Mr. Thomasson, M.P.' Mr. J. K. Cross, M.P.,
Sir Thos. Brissey, M.P., Mr. EL Gladstone, M.P., Mr.
Hopwood, M.P., the Hon. H. Lawrence, Mr. Shield,
M.P., Mr. A. Cohen, M.P., Mr. J. R. Hollond, M.P.,
Mr. Vernon Lushington, Mr. M. Lightwood, Mr. E. R.
Squarey (Agent General for the Cage of Good Hope),
Mr. Eustace Smith, M.P., Mr. E. J. Campbell (of the
Royal Normal College for the Blind), Sir T. F. Bux-
ton, Mr. G. J. Holyoake, Mr. Mark Judge, Mr.
Samuelson, M.P., and Mr. T. A. Dickson, M.P. The
Pcohsi
et
fOsffieccreetawas pr
ry r; emre.seAn.teTdurbnyorM,
FrinSan.
eAia.
lßsleaccrkevrtaoroyd,
;
Mr. Patey, Third Secretary; Mr. H. Joyce and Mr.
Rea, Assistant Secretaries; and Major Sturgeon,
together with the chiefs of every department, and
delegates from each branch. Professor Jack was
present as representing the University of Glasgow, of
which Mr. Fawcett was Lord Rector at the time of
his death.
Long before the time named (half-past eleven) for
the funeral procession to leave Brookside, the whole
roadway for nearly the mile and a-half from the

house to the churohyara was eineti op cnousanua or
spectators. Every blind in the houses was drawn,
and the utmost order prevailed amongst the vast
multitude. Punctually to the time named the coffin
was borne from the house and placed on the bier,
where it was literally hidden from sight by the mass
of flowers placed upon,it. Amongst these were offer-
ings from all branches of the Post-offices in London,
Manchester, Plymouth, Glasgow, Cambridge, Maccles-
field, Newcastle-on-Tyne, Blackburn, Perth, and other
places, the London School of MeJicine for Women, the
Natives of India,MissFlorenceNightingale,the students
of Girton and Newnham, the Hackney Liberal Associa-
tion. Lady Harcourt, Lady Dillon, Mr. and Mrs.
Mundella, &c. The coffin, which was of unpolished
oak, was not visible for this flowery pall, neither
zould there be seen the unostentatious brass plate
bearing the simple inscription, "Henry Fawcett,
August 26, 1833.-:-Nov. 6, 1884 ;" but a name-plate
of flowers had been provided by some thoughtful
sender of one of the floral tributes and " H. F." stood
out boldly in letters of white and violet. Conspicuous
among these bright ornaments was one which took
the shape of the Irish harp, the gift of the Dublin
Sorting Office. When the funeral procession started,
many wreaths were still arriving; some still unpacked
were being carried by Post-office servants to the
churchyard. An open carriage, also filled with
wreaths, which it was impossible to place upon
the car, followed, and then, in the four single-horse
mourning coaches provided for the mourners of the
family were Mr. W. Fawcett. Mr. T. Fawcett, Mr.
and Mrs. Newson Garrett, Mr. and Mrs. Anderson
and Miss Wilkinson, Mr. George Garrett, Mr. Gibb,
Mr. Wheaton, Mr. and Mrs. Salmon, and the private
secretary of the deceased, Mr. Dryhurst. On either
side of the coffin walked some of the employes of the
Cambridge Post-office and the servants of Trinity
Hall. Mrs. Fawcett, together with her daughter and
Miss Agnes Garrett, left the house earlier, and drove
direct to Trumpington Church. The rear of the
procession was brought up by deputations from the
Hackney Liberal Association, Hackney Vestry, Cam-
bridge Liberal Association, the various depart-
ments of the General Post - office, and a
great number of Collegians, ranging in rank and
dignity from masters and professors to under-
graduates. In carriages were Dr. Paget, Professor
McKenny Hughes, Mr. j. Death (ex-Mayor), Pro-
fessor Latham, &e., but the greater part of the pro-
cession walked. Amongst the chief officers of the,
University who were assembled when the funeral,
party arrived were the Vice-Chancellor (Dr. Ferrers)
the Masters of Peterhouse, Clare, Pembroke, Queen's
St. Catherine's, Christ's, Magdalen, Trinity, Emman-
uel, and Sidney Sussex, while the Professors included
Dr. Westcott, Professors Seeley, Sidgwick, Adams,
Skeet, Foster, Stokes, awn Canons Swainson and
Lumley. Lady Harberton, Mrs. Ashton Mike, Mrs.
Pennington, Mrs. Charles McLaren, Miss Muller, and
Miss Becker, accompanied by Mr. W. Woodall, M.P.,
attended as representatives of the Women's Suffrage
movement.

The church was reached about a qua-ter after
twelve o'clock. The sorrowful service,simple and brief,
was conducted by the Vicar (the Rev. E. B. Birks),and
the Rev. J. C. Egerton, of Burwash a personal friend
of the deceased. The church portion of the service
finished, the mourners followed the bearers of the re-
mains into a thronged churchyard, and passing out-
wards one noticed as a feature of the day's ceremony
the presence of Superintendent Denning and two of
his House of Commons police staff who have often
rendered Mr. Fawcett the assistance which his
physical misfortune rendered necessary, and
who evidently had a melancholy satisfaction in taking
part in the right hon. gentleman's obsequies. Before
the coffin was lowered into the grave fresh wreaths
were added to its weight of flowers, the Home Secre-
tary and the Earl of Dalhousie, as already mentioned,
2ontributing on behalf of their wives magnificent
examples of this kind of floral tribute. The remains
were gently lowered into a moss-and-flowered-covered
bed, and the solemn sentences read in the presence
of a hushed assemblage. Than., after a lingering look
into the grave, the mourners pasned sorrowfully
through the crowd, which immediately afterwards
began to melt away.
At Salisbury most of the shops were either wholly
or partly closed. There exists a strong feeling in the
city that some steps should be at once taken to per-
petuate the memory of Mr. Fawcett. At a meeting
of the Town Council on Monday, a letter was read from
a citizen who suggested that. the Mayor should take
steps towards opening a fund for its object the erec-
tion of a memorial to Mr. Fawcett in the city of his
birth. The writer suggested that it might suitably
take the form of an asylum for the blind, a home for
decayed Post Office officials, or a convalescent retreat
for Indian servants. The suggestion was approved,
and the council will take some active steps towards
carrying it out. Both at this meeting and at a meet-
jug of the magistrates, a vote of condolence with the
relatives was carried.

Sir Arthur Otway was unavoidably prevented
from paying a last tribute of respect to his friend,
Mr. Fawcett, as he had desired to do at his funeraL