The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1870-04-16 00:00:00

EPITOME OF NEWS,

BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

Her Majesty the Queen has conferred the honour of
knighthood on Mr. Francis Ronald..
Roupell, the ex.M.P., is now an assistant to the
surgec n in the Portland Prison Infirmary.
A street crowd in London was recently "greatly
amused" when the carriage. of •wedding-party were blocked
In a narrow street by two loads of cradles and baby waggons.
The 'New York papers express a hope that the vic-
torious camiiiiiige mew will visit the United States and race
against the Harvard Crew.
The Irish emigration season has now fairly set in,
and large number. of emigrant. are leaving Queenstown for
the United States by every steamer.
Miss M-rgan, au English lady, has proceeded to
the degree of Ml) in the University of Zurich. tier thesis
was read before an audience of over four hundred people,
and was received with loud applause.
"Wanted, by a gentleman, a housekeeper, with a
view to matrimony, sh,ut 25; enclose carte—Address Ran-
dolph, Post Orice, Sheffield."—Advertisement in Manchester
Examiner.

......
A staff assistant sturgeon on board her Msjestv's
skip Royal Adelaide has been sentenced by a court-martial
at Devouport to be dismissal from his ship and to lose two
years' seniority for drunkenness while on duty.
A 'French bishop, in a sermon, recently ministered a
phillippic to crinoline wearers. '• Let women beware," said
he, " while putting on their profuse and expansive attire,
how narrow are the gibes of Paradise."
The connty of Cambridge has dismissed all its pro-
fessional inspectors, and placed the whole inspection of
cattle in the county in the hands of the police. Rear, Admiral
Decree, the chief constable of the county, has been ap-
pointed chief cattle inspector.
Accounts have been received at Des Moines, lowa,
that twelve men were frozen to death in the north-western
portion of the State during the severe snowstorm of the 15th
inst. Sin others were missing, who wore supposed to have
also perished.
. . '

about

The Scotsman understands that the letber to Mr.
Gladstone, urging that the Government should take up, dur-
ing the present sesaion, the question of the ballot, has been
signed by Epwards of two hundred member, of the House of
Commons.
It appears that cattle diseases have greatly de
creased in intensity in Norfolk. The official returns made
up to Monday chow that last week there were only seven
cases of plehro pneumonia, and twenty two caeca of foot-
audonouth disease throughout the county.
The corporation of Beverley have determined to
oppose the fall for the dieranchiament of the borough, and
the Parliamentary Committee of the Corporation have been
authorized to take the necessary steps for the purpose.
A man named Cockell, described as a dryealter,
cosnmitted suicide on Friday lest, In Regent's Park, London,
Icy taking e dose of poison. It was steted at the inquest that
deceased had recently anti Peed from pecuniary difficulties,
and a verdict of suicide while labouring under temporary
Insanity was returned.
" The Chancellor of the Exchequer refrained till the
last moment on Monday evening from telling his bearers
that he proposed to absorb the greater part of his surplua,
exceeding lour millions in reducing the Income Tax by a
penny in the pound, ad in taking off half the Sugar Duties."
—The Times.
A conference of the papermakers of Lancashire,
Cheshire, and other counties, was held in Manchester, last
week, at which it was resolved to raise the prier of all kind.
of paper 10 per cent This step, they say, is rendered neces-
sary by the increase which has taken place in the coat of
raw material.
Prince Christian presided, on Saturday evening, at
the dinner on behalf of the Royal Society of Musicians of
Great Britain, at the freemasons' Tavern, London. It
was stated that during last mason over £3,000 were expended
In carrying out the objects of the *misty, which has funded
property to the amount of £lO,OOO.
About a thousand colliers in the Rhondda Valley
have struck work. By this step eight pits are temporarily
stopped, and the result will prove very disastrons to the
locality in which the strike has occurred. The cans* of the
variation of work Is the ref uaal of the masters to grant the
required advance of 10 per cent before the lit of May.
The assignees of Benjamin Higgs, late clerk in the
service of the Great Central Gas Company, and who it will
be remembered absconded from London some month, ago,
have aucceded in realising upwards of £2,000, and there are
hopes that the creditors will ultimately be paid in full. The
Gaa Company, however, claim to prove against the estate
for £71,000, the amount of Iliggs's defalcations, and this has
not yet been dispoeed of.
Sir Henry Rawlinson was one of the witnesses
examined on Monday before the Diplomatic Service Coin.
mittee. He entered into detail with regard to the necessity
of making presents to, and otherwise obtaining Influent,*
over depotic rulers in the East, which he remarked was
not understood in Downing street. In Sir Henry's opinion
the service in Persia should be under the control of the
Indian Ofilaa.
The Gatacia says that the difference between the ex-
Queen of Spain and her husband has been settled, according
to the Emperor's suggestion, without recourse to the legal
tribunals. Don Frauds d'Assisee demanded that the com-
mon fortune should be divided; but his demand was not
granted by the arbitrators, and he has only obtained • pen-
sion of 200,00 e francs, which is the amountattled upon him
under the marriage contract. Che children's portion is to be
placed beyond reach of every kind of "accident." The share
of the Prince of the Asturias appears to amount to 4,000.000
trance The separation de cope et de biew having been thus
decreed, Don Francis has already taken bachelor's apart
mente in the Rue des Ecorla d'Artois.
A paper wtitten by Maior Itlontgomerie, R. E., was
read at the Geographical Society in London, on Monday
evening. The easy stated that a Pundit who had been
trained to explore the table lands of Thibit had discovered
there prolific gold noun, and vast plebes of soda and salt.
Sir Roderick Murchison, in expressing his praise of the
paper, said enough had been smiths it to cause the darting
of two or three public companies within the week. Mr.
Gladstone, he added, had lately remarked that the labours
of the Geographical Society would shortly come to an end, as
there were no more worlds to conquer. Major Moutgoruerie's
evidence proved the reverse of that, for it showed that In
Central Asia alone there were vat and valuetile regions,
which for many years yet to come could only be explored by
Pundits.
Don Enrique de Bourbon when on his way to the
duel which proved fatal to himAtuned to one of the atten-
thotts and related the following story —There was an old
e Oman to whom he had beeti in the habit of giving alms.
Die day, when he was passing out of church, this person met
him, and falling on her knees begged him to hear her.
Touched by the emotion she exhibited, he invited her to
speak, bever aoUbliba that she had tome request to make.
She at once rose, and with the air of Ms inspired prophetesa,
said Monseigueur, never fight a tool! If you do, you will
instantly be killed." "till this day," added the Prince. "I
had quite forgotten the prediction of the sorceress. I know
not what now brings it to my mind." It is tote hoped the
old woman derives some satidaction tram the fact that
her prophecy has been so exactly totalled.
A eerious colliery accident, which has resulted in
the death of seven teen, occurred on Saturday, near Edin-
burgh. The scene of the disaster is ill the vicinity of Bah-
gate, the centre of a large colliery and oU distillery district;
and the cause of the lamentable occurrence Is attributed to
the wood-work of the shaft of the pit having caught fire at a
time when fifty-six men were at work. By the exertions of
those on the surface forty-nine men were with difficulty
drawn up through the flames. Owing to the smoke, how-
ever, it was impossible to tell when the cage containing the
rescued teen had arrived at the surface, and in one instance
one of the colliers was brought up twice In what is described
as • red.hot cage. After the are had been extinguished, the
remaining 110V011 men were found deed at the lottom.ol the

The Bishop of Monty and; ROSS hoa declined the
offer of tranahttion to the bishopric of Edinburgh.
In the notice of a review the following suggestion in
made by a contemporary:—' the volume contains els articles
and would have been improved, we think, ff hall-s-donen of
them had been struck out."

Earl Spencer, if we may credit the Dalin Mai',
will resign the Lord-Lieutenancy of Ireland after Esater ; and
it is not improbable Mr. Chichester Fortescue will succeed,
with an English peerage.
A number of London compositors are now out on
strike, In consequence of three large firms having ignored the
payment by the scale mutually agreed upon in 1060 by a
joint committee of masters and workmen.
The New York Herald authorised its agent in London
to expend no less. sum than £3OO in special correspondence
and special ocean telegrams when sending an account of the
Oxford and Cambridge boat race to America on Wednesday
last.

The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery-office
calculates that le the year ending the 31st of March, Ib7o, the
consumption of pens in the public offices supplied 'I hint
amounted to 15,030 gross of cheat pens and 553,797 quill pent.
Their cost amounted to £3,039.

"A young French lady who has been by secident
vaccinated from the lymph taken from • Zniave, hae ever
since, to the distress of her family, given herself up to
smoking, fencing, absinthe, dancing d la muitaire—which is
very expressive in action of feet and loge—Court Journw

Mr. Disrtaelia new novel Lothair will be publiahed
on the Yod of May. The event hoe excited eonalderalle
interest. It le reported that • prepoaal wee made to the
to hor of £lO,OOO, and another offer of £4,000 for its uae in •
periodic•L

The Limerick Farmers' Club have passerl a vote of
confidence in their chairman, Mr.later, of whom Mr 0.
II Moore, M P., recently spoke so dierespectfully. Mr.
Bolster, in expressing lus thanks, called Mr. Moore a —pup,.
but this expression he afterwards said he was willing to with-
draw.

One of Prince Pierre Bonaparte's witneeses teas a
butcher named Le Chantre Ms evidence was quite at
varience with his previous depositions. The presic out de-
manded, " flow do you explain these ‘iivergencles i"
Is PreslOnt" returned the respectable Le Cliantre, lam
here to swear, and not to give explanatlone to these gentle-
tnen !"

The announcement (says Herepete) ie made that the
Dowleis works are about to change hands, Sir Ivor Guest,
Bat., M.P , having determined to lid himself of the groat
responsibility of carrying on such a vset establishment.
Dowmis, according to general belief, are the largeit 'lron
works in the world, and the purchase money Is reported to be
million.

Active steps are being taken by the Roman Catholic
clergy and laity of the metropolis to convene an aggregate
meeting in the week after Easter, In Bt. Jamee's Ball, to
protest against the inspection of conventual and monastic
Institutions.
At the Sheffield Town Hall, on Saturday, two men
were charged with having assaulted a non-unionist collier.
named Samuel Thorpe, who resides at Westwood. Evidence
was given proving that prosecutor had been most brutally
111-used, kicked, etc., the affair arising out of the Thorncli
dispute. The Bench dealded to commit the prisoners for
trial at the next Luise*, hall being allowed.
"Mr. Odger is nowaye cast down. He is prepared
to contest the Met large borough seat that falls vacant, and
keep cant the seat tilt he gets into the House somehow A
fabulously wealthy colonist has not long ago come home,
hawing ' realised.' He has taken an immense fancy to
' George,' and has determined that he shall be In Peril!,
ment "—Court JournaL

A fund is being raised on behalf of the widow and
children of the late Mr. Dixon, the well.known writer on
agricultural and sporting subject,. Mr. Dixon leaves behind
him • family of eight children, for whom, owing to his long-
continued Mum, no adequate provision has been made. The
Duke of De vonahire, president of the Royal Agricultural
Society, bead, the list of subscribers with a donation of
twenty-five guineas.
Major Palliser writes that the amount spent by
him in hard cash for experiments since the date of the
Introduction of his chilled projectile has been FS 250 and he
has received • return from Government of i 7,600. It will
thus he seen that be has been a considerable loser by the
introduction of his guns.

The Archbishop of York, preached on Sunday night
lett, a sermon under the dome of St Paul's to an overwhelm,
log congregation. II e selected for his text " Art thou a
then?" (St. John, swill. ch., 37th v.`„ and gave an alks expo-
sition of the principles of the Christian faith.
At a meeting of the Cambridgeahire Chamber of
Agriculture on Saturday a diacomion took place on local
taxation, when it was resolved that a petition be preßent 4
to Parliament praying that the injustice under which the
landed interests in this country labour, in being taxed for
Imperial as well as local purposes, in raped of their
property, may be remedied.

- - - -
Father Ignatius endeavours to rival the monks of
old in their importunity upon their flocks. Acoording to the
South London Courier, he told his congregation the other
Sunday evening, in the course of his sermon, that 'tatter
clearing expenses there was only aixteen thillings left. Latin
with rings up o the first joint of their fingers gave three-
penny pieces. If he knew who put the threepetniy pieces in
the bags he should go round and return them."
An agitation has for some time past been going on
In the columns of many of the Paris and French provincial
journals against the stamp duty imposed upon newspapers,
which is objected to as vidueles• n • source of revenue,
while being in many cases 33 per cent of the selling price, It
seriously impedes the circulation of the papen which are sub-
ject to the impost.
One night last week a fatal accident happened to an
old woman In her 102nd year, named Sarah Mason, residing
In Birmingham. She was in the act of getting into bed, when
her night-dress caught Sr.. lier cries brought assistance,
and the fire was extinguished, and deceased waa conveyed to
the General Einpital. It was found that deceased was
severely burnt on the legs and thighs. The usual remedies
were applied, notwithstanding whicili deceased gradually
sank, and died early next morning.

'another batch of forty-three South London tradec
men were fined last week for having short weighte and
measures in their ponesalon. The list comprised twelve
chandlers ; beer retailers and publicans, and general dealer s,
six of each ; four balers, three each of greengrocers and
cooked meat teflon,; two each of cheesemongers, gr..cen,
and butchers; and one each of whitening manufacturers,
nshmongers, and provision dealer. The total amount of the
fines was £.58 12s. 6d.

The Church Review nnderetande that in the event of
any fresh ecclesiastical prosecution being Instituted against
any member of the High Church party, several laymen have
resolved that the flagrant breaches of too Rubrics committed
by certain of the bishops shall no longer be allowed to pane
unnoticed. Ills felt that there is no reason why the same
measure of justice which is meted to the poor incumbent
ahould not be dealt out to the wealthy prelate.

- -
An important conference on the Education Bill took
place In London, on Saturday, between • number of member.
of Parliament, members of the league, and representatives of
various associationa of schoolmaaters. It was ..understcod"
by Mr. Dixon that the Government were likely to yield to the
wiallea of the league so far all to fix religious teaching either
at the commencement or close of school hears. The pt. Herat
opinion of the schoolmaaters, however, was that the relic ous
difficulty" was no difficulty" at all off the platform and never
appeared within the school walls.

It appears that Mr. Justice Blackburn, who passer;
senten. upon Robert Hardiment on his cnirictini for
bribery at the last Norwich (Eighth Ward) biunicipsl Elec-
tion, has declined to make u order placing him in the first
class of misdemeanants. The prisoner has consequently
been relegated to the prison dress, and is treated as an ordi-
nary misdemeanant. As he is a man who has been accus-
tomed to the comforts of life, having been a tradearnsn in a
fair way of business, flardiment has been much mortified by
his new position; and his friends propose to obtain, U pos.
Nible, a mitigation of his sentence.

Admiral James Thorne. nearly ninety years of age,
and one of the oldest admirals on the retired list, is bedore
the Bankruptcy Court, in London. it appears that he I. in
receipt of £456 per annum half-pay, and the care stood over
at a previous meeting in the absence of the bankrupt, and
with the view to a portion of his income being appropriated
for the benefit of his creditors. It wan stated that the
Admiralty had sanctioned the payment of £l5O for the first
year, and £lOO per year afterwards to the official assignee for
the benefit of the creditor., and the further hearing was
adjourned sine die.

A solicitor made an application to a London magis-
trate for a summons against two penons connected with the
society formed to secure the proper observation of the Lord's
by, It was alleged that the itemised themselves acted SA
-common informers," and thereby broke the Act which the
society undertook to preserve 'rem infringement The
magistrate declined to sanction the summons ; but said that
the applicant, if he was in earnest in the matter, might
obtain one through the action of the queen's Bench.

The inquiry into the lose of the Normandy terminated
on Wader. In giving judgment, the court found the Nor-
mandy solely to blame for the disastrous collision The
ground on which this decision no come to was, that con-
trary to the regulation for preventing collialons at sea, the
Normandy was not slowed after entering the log The
court laid no stress on the allegation that the Mary did not
show a mesthead light. it being equally the duty of the other
steamer, whether the Missy were a steamer or a sailing ship
to keep out of her way. Captain /Armonk's certificate was
therefore returned to him. The mart were of opinion that
more liver might have been saved but for the irresolute CAl-
duct of the second mate. No valid reason had been given
for his returning to his own ship after he had been ordered
to pnaceed to the Normandy.

On Saturday afternoon, Mr. Morley, M.P., pre.
sided overt conference of Liberal members of Parliament
and a body of school teacher. belonging to the Nonconfor-
mist. Church of England, and Wesleyan schools in the
metropolis, at which the "religious difficulty" in the educa-
tion question waa fully discussed. On two points the teachers
were nearly, if not quite, unanimous, elk —that the
preeent system of Bible teaching in the metropolitan scnools
had not prevented parents from minding their children to he
taught, and that a time table for religious instruction ought
not to be adopted A general belief was expressed that it
would be practicable to work a conscience clause in school
hours, so that any child might be put to other lemons whilst
the religions teaching was to progress, If the parents so
detirecL