biglam/hmd_newspapers huggingface dataset:
The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-12-14

THE ELECTRIC LIGHT.

At the time of the departure of the last mu i from
America, Mr. Edison had his new machine-holm for
testing the electric light nearly finished. This ea-
periment, including the cost of everything, will coat
£20,000. and the New York Sim points to this as
proof of the faith in the practicability of the inven-
tion. The same paper states that the prioe of the
shares in the Edison Company has gone up. The well-
known firm of Fabri and Chancery have bought
from the Edison Company the exclusive right to
use the new electric light in South America, and
as the contract for the lighting of Rio de Janeiro
expires shortly. it is expected that that city will
be the first in South America to be lighted by elm-
tricity. Mr. Edison says that he does not use carbon,
and that his light does notburn itself out. He patented
all the discoveries he made in his experiments both in
England and America. The total cost of his eleciris
light patent.' would amount to £3,1500. He further
states that he was getting four times as much light
with the same foree as he did when he beganhis ex-
periments. He was making two improved machines,
and he was satisfied that he could get three lights
equal to an ordinary gas-jet for each horse power with
each old generating machine, and six with the new
machines.—Monday's

In London, on Monday evening, between four and
seven o'clock, Mesarrs. Slaoolbred and Company had
their establishment in Tottenham-court-road partially
_
satisfied

illuminated with MIS electric light, and so
were they with the result that it is said to be their
Intention within a fortnight to use it in every
department of their business, both inside and out-
side. The house, which had been tolerably
well filled up to the lighting up was rapidly
crowded with the electric light came to the front.
There were sir lights in all, with four candles in eadi
lamp. One candle will burn an hour and a half the
cost being 9d., including a I.d. an hour for the engine-
thus for three hours lighting the coat for/the sin
lamps will be only 9s. The effect on the embroidered
black velvets, draperies, &c., was marvellous, and the
colours ef each were as clearly distinct as in mid-day.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-12-14

STOURBRIDGE CHORAL SOCIETY.

Li ei J. J. KING, Esq , PRESIDENT
HAND'EL'S '
" M E-S S I AH"
Will be given in the
VICTORIA ITALIA AND RINK,

,f
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-12-14

INGENIOUS EXPEDIENTS.

The Avenir Militaire, in some notes on the Russian
army, gives details which have not before been pub-
, lished of several ingenious expedients adopted by the
Russians on different occasions during the late war.
For the transport of their troops across the Lower
Danube a number of merchant vessels which had taken
refuge in the harbours of Ibraila and Galatz were at
one time utilized. In order to render these vessels
less liable to be sunk by the enemy's fire, their holds
were stowed with hundreds of well-bunged empty
casks. A projectile, therefore, striking the hull might
pierce its side, pass through four, five, or six casks,
and emerge through the other side, even below the
water-line, and the ,;essel would still float. To protect
the men on board, the sides of the vessels were raised
in the following way :—A wall of planks three or four
inches thick was built up, another similar wall was
contructed a few inches inside the first, the interval
between the two was filled with well-rammed earth,
and the outer wall finally covered with sheet iron. Loop-
holes were also provided in these walls, so that the men
behind them, themselves safe, could fire at the enemy.
The plan adopted for getting guns over ground where
they could not be dragged is also worthy of note, The
gun was firmly lashed to the centre of a long trunk of
a tree, which was then carried by thirty-two men—
namely, by sixteen in front and sixteen behind, being
suspended from their shoulders by braces of cord. The
ammunition was carried by Cossacks, who led their
horses, each animal being laden with six shells placed
in the saddle-bags. For the protection, again, of the
troops against inclement weather excavations from five
to six feet deep, and of a length corresponding to the
number of men to be accommodated, were dug. Fires
were lighted in these to dry them, and afterwards they
were covered over with planks or any available balks
of timber, upon which earth was piled. In this way,
it is stated, a company of infantry could easily pro-
vide itself with a very warm house in four ,or
_five
hours.—Pall Mall Gazdte.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-12-14

AN ECCENTRIC MILLIONNAIRE.

Our Geneva Correspondent (says The Times) writes under
date December 4;—

"According to the Journal de Geneve the city of
Geneva has only just missed having left to it a legacy
considerably richer than the heritage bequeathed to it
by the late Duke of Brunswick. Count Potocki, who
died a few days ago at his house in the Avenue Fried-
land, Paris, had an income of 2 000,000 - a year from
real estate alone, and 4,000,000 f. from life annuities
which he had purchased from various life insurance
companies. As the Count lived to be 84 years old
this speculation proved very successful so far as he
was concerned. Though he was on good terms with
his only son Nicholas, he could not bear the idea of
having an heir, and desired much to leave all his
vast property in trust for charitable purposes;
but as the French law would not allow him
to do this, he came a short time ago to Geneva,
with the intention of bequeathing his fortune to the
city, as the Duke of Brunswick had done. He found,
however, that the Code Napoleon rules also in Geneva,
and here no more than in France can a man make his
own will. Then he went to England, got himself
naturalized, and made a will, in which he cut off his
son with a shilling, and left all else that he had to be
divided among a number of philanthropic institutions.
But, as he became feebler and it was evident that his
end was approaching, his friends prevailed upon him
to alter his testamentary dispositions in favour of his
son, who had never given him cause of offence. Count
Nicholas, therefore, inherits all his father's wealth,
£BO,OOO a year, besides personal property of almost
untold value. The late Count Potocki was the husband
of the beautiful countess of that name, once a cele-
brity in the musical world, and known as the friend
and benefactor of Chopin."
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-12-14

EXTRACTS FROM 'PUNCH'S" ALMAN-
ACK FOR 1879.

IN SEARCH OF A SCIENTIFIC FRONTIER.—Going to
the dentist to buy a set of teeth.
How TO ANGLE IN THE DOG-DAYS.—SWiM about
the hook, and get the dog to hold the rod for you.
BETWEEN THE METALS.—SiIver : the more chaste.
Gold: the more run after.
HOMAGE OF THE HEART.
(To a wealthy Wife)
My wife weighs more than good twelve score;
She weighed scarce seven of old.
She has now grown fat—but what of that?
She is worth her weight in gold.
SORE SUBJECTS.—First Young Blood (whose parent
has lived to the preposterous age of seventy-five and
makes him an insufficient allowance). "Well, Billy,
how 's your father ?"—Second Young Blood (his is
seventy-two, and has disinherited him). "Well, if
you come to that, how 's yours ?" !
QUERY FOR POLITICAL ECONOMISTS.—The influence
of earthquakes on ground-rents I
ECONOMICAL COOKERY.—To prepare a dinner from a
pair of old boots—Fry the soles.
THE COMMISSARIAT.—Squire to new Butler. "I
have three or four clergymen coming to dine with me
to-morrow, Prodgers, and— "—Mr. Prodgers. " Igh
or Low, Sir ? "—Squire. " Well—l hardly—But
why do you ask, Prodgers ?"—Mr. Prodgers. "Well,
you see, Sir, the Igh' drinks most wine, and the
'Low' eats most Vittles, and I must perwide
accordin' ! "
"RESUDIABI" as the Onion Sauce ob3erved to the
Rabbit!
A HINT TO LADIES WHO WILL WEAR OUTSIDE
POCKETS.—Have your purses made up to look like
Pray er-beoks.
MEM. FOR YOUNG lIOUSEWIVES. -TO make both
ends meet—burn the candle at 'em.
How TO SUPPLY A C031310N DEFICIENCY.—" If you
haven't an idea "—borrow one of somebody who has.
THE BEST FRENCH EXERCISES FOR GIRLS. A
series of practical studies in cookery ctfz Prancaise.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-12-14

HORSEFLESH AS FOOD.

A writer in the Basler Naekrichten, in an exhaustive
treatment of the history of horseflesh as human food,
declares that the old pagan Germans were very fond
of it; and that it was our countryman Winifrid or St.
Bonif ace, the apostle of Germany; who first prohibited
indulgence in it. The horse was sacrificed to the god
Wodan, and to eat it was therefore to violate the
scriptural injunction of eating meat sacrificed to
Idols. The horse was also largely partaken of by
the Teutonic populations on the three great
days devoted to the solemn worship of the sun.
At the request of St. Boniface, or rather some of
his fellow labourers, the Pope issued a bann against
this anti-Christian species of food. Nevertheless, old
custom, to say nothing of inclination, was too strong
for new religious doctrine • the custom was never quite
uprooted until late in this Middle Ages. We have
an inoidental proof that the Christian Germans, and
even the monks themselves, occasionally indulged in
the uncanny enjoyment, for horseflesh is mentioned
as having been laid upon the refectory table of the
famous Benedictines of St. Gall in the tenth cen-
tury. Seven hundred years ago the act of hippophagy
and become so widely regarded as a deliberate sin
against Christian morality, that a French groom, who
confessed to have eaten horseflesh, was actually put to
death. This was in the first half of the 17th century.
An attempt was made to find an extenuating plea in
the scarcity and dearness of meat, but it was ruled
that so horrible and pagan an example demanded swift
and exemplary punishment. Denmark was the first
State to legalise horse eating, which it did in the year
1807 ; France followed in 1811; Hanover, Barony,
Austria, and 13algium bak4l,.; prnbilia in isn ; and
isrotw'ssy Sviedeh in 1859V44Me.

j.s.b.n.t

!nod
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-12-14

CYCLONE ON THE COAST OF
HINDOSTAN.

A cyclone of unprecedented violence passed over
Vizagapatam and the neighbourhood on the 6th of
November, causing the logs of two large European
ships lying in the roads there—one the English barque
Fifeshire the other the French barque Cambodge,
both loading gingelly seed for Europe (says The Times
of Monday). About six o'clock on the morning of the
6th the French vessel commenced to drag her anchors
in the gale, and shortly afterwards she came into col-
lision with the Fifeshire, carrying away the latter's bow-
sprit. She was then driven along by the wind and forced
into the breakers well on to the bar, and there after a
few tremendous bumps, she heeled over, and was borne
away in this condition by the current to the northward.
Several of the crew clung to the weather side of the
ship for the space of about an hour, when a huge wave
overwhelmed her and not a vestige of the wreck was left
visible. The Fifeshire battled with the gale for about
two hours after the French barque had disappeared,
but was eventually forced from her anchors, driven on
to the rocks, and within five minutes became a total
wreck. Strenuous efforts were made by persons on
shore to render all possible assistance, but to no pur-
pose. One gentleman, the vice-president of the muni-
cipality, offered 100 rupees for any boat that would
push off to save life, but no boat could have lived in
such a storm. At the last moment one seaman from
the Cambodge and four from the Fifeshire were saved
by the courageous efforts of the inspector of the police,
who dashed into the surf with a rope and brought the
men safely ashore. About twenty-five souls in all,
including the masters of the two vessels, have perished.
The names of the survivors are Atmos Barum, from
the Cambodge; and Henry Rickert, James Mathersen,
Thomas Edwards, and James Burridge, from the
Fifeshire.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-10-26

NEW METHOD OF KEEPING FISH
FRESH.

Galignani states that since the process of mporting
fresh meat by means of refrigerators, the same system
has been attempted at Marseilles and Rouen to pre-
serve the denizens of the seas and rivers, and send
them to market in a state lit for human food. Con-
siderable success has attended that enterprise, but pro-
bably, to make it commercially profitable, it must be
conducted on a large scale. Professor Eckert, of
Munich, has invented a method of effecting the
object in a very simple and economical manner,
which can be applied to any quantity, large or
small, of the finny tribe, so that they will retain
their original freshness for several days. The pro-
ceeding consists in impregnating the fish, by means
of hydraulic pressure, with a weak solution of
salicylic acid. That substance is an antiseptic of late
discovery, originally extracted from the bark of the
willow, but since found in larger proportions in the
Meadow Queen. The goods so treated are then packed
in boxes and barrels' and covered with gelatine, which
prevents them Irma drying. When they have reached
their destination a short soaking in water is said to
restore them to theil pristine freshness. Preserved in
that way fish will retain all its original flavour and
firmness for ten days or a fortnight. Consequently, it
can be forwarded, even by goods train, to distant
places, and experiments attempted by some dealers at
Hamburg are said to have succeeded perfectly. The
inventor has already managed to prepare 4,000 kilos.
eo
xf
pfiesrhi
epnecr de
d ny , d
ea
anlidn
gn no
withdifficulty
thproduce will,
of
htehree f
Bo
sr
he
nbge.
boats by degrees as they arrive, and as the merchan-
dise can be sent equally well by slow train as by ex-
press a material saving will be effected.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-10-26

THE BISHOP OF BATH AND WELLS
ON INTEMPERANCE.

On Tuesday the Bishop of Bath and Wells presided
over an important conference at Frome, to consider
the present evils arising from intemperance, and the
available means for dealing with them. The Bishop
said that if no one drank more intoxicating liquors
than he did there would be no great call to work in
the temperance cause; but he did not regard the
state of the abstainers as higher than that of the
strictly moderate drinker. He recognised, however,
the earnest and successful labours of the total ab-
stainers, and urged particularly upon the upper and
middle classes the importance of setting the example
of moderation, temperance, and self•control ; to use
their power of moulding the habits of society by
ceasing to place temptation to drink in the way of
servants and workmen; to aid all institutions seeking
to foster temperate habits, particularly working men's
clubs and coffee-houses, and to study the existing laws
of the license•sy stem with the view of doing all pos-
rible to secure alterations and improvements in them.
He also expressed the opinion that the time was not
distant when, in the wisdom of the Legislature, the
licensing laws will be so changed, that instead of set-
ting traps to catch the unwary, they will give proper
opportunities for healthy natural enjoyment.
Several phases of temperance work were discussed,
including the Church of England Temperance Society,
the non•necessity of alcohol in health and disease,
woman's work in the temperance field, and legislation
on the liquor traffic. No resolutions were passed, but
there was a strong sentiment evinced in favour of
closing public-houses on Sundays.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-10-26

A PREDICTED STORM.

The following cable message has been received at
the London office of the New York Herald from New
York :
"A storm will probably arrive at the British, affect-
ing the French coasts, about the 26th, attended by
rains and gales from the south-east to the north-west.
A cyclonic storm is moving from the West Indies into
the North Atlantic. There will be heavy weather
north of 35 deg. during the week."
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-10-26

A CHAMPION BILLIARD-PLAYER.

Cyrille Dion, who died at Montreal on the 2nd inst.,
beeame a professional billiard-player in 1865, when he
won the Championship of Canada at a tournament
that lasted a week in Montreal. Soon after this suc-
cess he defeated the champions of several Eastern and
Western States. He came to live in New York
about eight years ago. His first great success here
was in winning the championship of the United States
at a tournament held in the Hippotheatron, in Four-
teenth-street. He won the diamond cue, the symbol
of championship of the United States in the four-ball
game, and retained it for a year and a half, beating
all aspirants for its possession, thus gaining the owner-
ship of the trophy. Ha won the championship of
America from Maurice Daly, but forfeited it to
Gamier, and a few months ago he defeated all other
players in a pool tournament. He did not keep the
pool championship long. The Swedish player, Wag-
strom, challenged and beat him. Cyrille Dion was a
player of great nerve and judgment, and his skill drew
to him as much honour and profit as are attainable by
followers of his profession.—New York Times.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-10-26

THE FRENCH NATIONAL LOTTERY,

The Evening Standard remarks :—" The emission of
tickets for the monstre French national lottery will
shortly be closed; then will come the drawing for the
prizes which it is contemplated will occupy not less
than 'from three to five weeks, during which time
something like four million ticket holders will be on
the qui vive to know how Dame Fortune has treated
them. Those into whose hands chance may throw
a prize will, in rare instances, it may safely
be foretold, gain an article suited to them;
and the certitude that the right thing in the hetero-
geneous maange of prizes will not fall to the right
man has suggested to some far-seeing persons
the advisability of the formation of an agency or
committee, through whose intermedium exchanges
might be made. By this means the blind man who
finds himself the possessor of a cargo of spectacles,
the village peasant who may obtain the right to have
his countenance handed down to posterity by the
sculptor Francis, the dressmaker to whom is awarded
a steam ploughing machine, or the agriculturist whose
number brings him a sewing machine, and all the
other winners who will get exactly what they have no
use for would be enabled to exchange their prize for
something really serviceable. To facilitate matters,
and obviate all possibility of any unfair advantage
being taken of those *ho might be ignorant of the
real value of their winnings, it is proposed that the
money worth of each article should be affixed to it.
Should the proposition be carried out, this latter pre-
caution would be prudent."

HE STILL LIVES !—Artemus Ward says :—" A
Chinese play often lasts two months. Commencing
at the hero's birth, it is cheerfully conducted from
week to week, till he is either killed or married. The
.night I was there, a Chinese comic vocalist sung a
Chinese comic song. It took him six weeks to finish
it, but as my time was limited I went away at the ex-
piration of 215 verses. There were 11,001 verses to
this song. The chorus being Tural-lural-lural-ri-fol-
day 1' which was repeated twice at the end of each
verse, making the appalling number of 22,000 tural-
lural-ri-fol-days '--and the man fitill tiro."
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-10-26

THE EUOALYPTUS.

Tbe Standard has published several letters on the
Eucalyptus, amongst others the following, from Mr.
Thomas Partridge, Stroud
Sir —1 was very glad to see by your article on the
Eucalyptus that some attention is likely to be paid to the
cultivation of this useful tree, and, if possible, to acclima-
tise it. For the encouragement of those who may like to
make the attempt, I may state that some seeds given to me
in 1874 were planted by a friend, who has more oppor-
tunities of raising them than myself. He did so success-
fully, and four of the trees are now in existence—three
situated out of doors on the eastern side of the summer
house; they measure about fifteen feet high; one other is
now in the arboretum of a gentleman in the neighbourhood,
and is about the same size. What will be the effect of a
severe season upon them time alone will show, but even for
the short time they have lived they have been an ornament
and a curiosity. Possibly, the two winters passed out of
doors have hardened them off, so that they will live on.

Consul-General Playfair has forwarded to the
Foreign Office an account of the results of his experi-
ments in raising and planting the Eucalyptus in
Algeria, and the communication is published in the
last series (part iv.) of Consular Reports. He states
that the locality chosen for these trees should be one
possessing a climate similar to that of the Mediterra-
nean basin. Extremes of cold or heat are both fatal
to success. The Eucalyptus will stand a slight amount
of frost if not of long continuance, and a considerable
amount of drought, if wellrooted ; but it is as hope-
lessi to attempt to grow t within the tropics as it
would be in the North of Scotland. The Eucalyptus
will succeed best in places where there are only
two marked seasons—the cool and rainy one, lasting
',-om October to April, and the hot and dry one from
Slay to September. The Consul gives in detail direc-
tions for raising and planting the trees. Se oisserves

that all the experience hitherto gained in Algeria
points to only two species as sufficiently hardy to be
grown on a great scale—the Eucalyptus Globulus, or
blue gum, and the Evcalyptus Resinifera, or red gum.
The former, he says, is the better in every respect, but
it does not stand the drought as well as the latter, and
it has the unpleasant habit of dying suddanly, appa-
rently without any perceptible cause, when it has
attained a considerable size. He recommends it in all
cases where the ground is deep and fresh, or where
irrigation is possible; in dryer soils, where there is no
great depth of earth, and where irrigation is imprac-
ticable, the other should be selected.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-10-26

LIALESOWEN.

DRUNK AND DISORDERLY.—At the:Police Court, on
Tuesday, before Mr. E. B. Phillfps, the followiag per.
sous were summoned for being drunk and disorderly, on
the 29th nit, in Beach Lane :—Stephen Dame, Jorge-
man fined is and costs; John Hackett, labourer, residing
at Rowley, fined 2s 6d and costs; Thomas Morris,
rivet maker, Rowley, fined lOs and costs; John Siviter,
laborer, residing at Rowley, fined 5a and costs; James
Powell, labourer, fined 2s 6d and costs; Joseph Lane
Sued 26 Gd and coats. All the cases were preyed by
Pollee-constablo Titylor.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-10-26

CUTTINGS FROM AMERICAN PAPERS.

A Presbyterian minister at San Francisco recently
had to marry a couple—the one a Scotchman, the other a
Tahitian woman—the former of whom had to say, "I,
George, take thee, Tetuanuiereialterniatea Salmon Brander,
to be," &c. Scotchmen are naturally brave, but even among
them few would be found daring enough to marry a woman
with a name like that.

The latest Americanism is " nnptiated." It is
synonymous with "married."

A Cincinnatti liquor dealer applied to a customer
for a letter of recommendation of a certain brand of whiskey
he had recently sold him. The customer wrote, "I have
tried all sorts of insect poison, and find none equal to your
old cabinet whiskey.
-

A bar-keeper in Virgini9. city, Nevnaa poets up the
following " regulations " by his bar: " Drink plain drinks;
buy them at this bar ; eat a light lunch ; pay coin for what
you get; drink light but often; ask all your friends to drink;
don't beg toothpicks; don't try to spar the bar-keeper: keep
six shooters uncocked ; don't steal the daily papers; be
virtuous and you will be happy."

It is reported that a home-sick San Franciscan, who
is visiting his friends in Massachusetts, finds occasional
relief by having sand squirted in his face and down his back
with a bellows, somewhat as the wind does it In San Fran-
cisco. _ _

While there are about ten thousand men, says an
American paper, who think they know all about the per-
petual motion principle, it is sate to say that there is not a
solitary soul in this universe who can explain why a railroad
engineer blows his whistle as he shoots by a passenger train.
People who have popped up from their seats and clutched
their scalps on these occasions are somewhat interested in
an explanation.
She was a graduate of an Eastern seminary for
young ladies, and two months after marrying a young
farmer she suggested that he purchase a lot of cashmere
goats, in order that they might raise their own cashmere
shawls and cashmere dresses.
Some recently-discovered inscriptions on burned
bricks bring to light the astounding revelation that King
Ahasuerus hanged Haman because he invented the accordeon
and put the price down to 1 dol. 75c. so that every young
man might have one.

Josh Billings gives the following advice to young
men "Don't be discouraged if your mustach don't grow;
It sometimes happens wher a mustach duz the best, nothing
else does so well."

--
" Every man should provide liberally for his
family," said the American philosopher. "Ever since my
marriage I have kept my wife provided with a sewing
machine, surmounted by a mirror. "What's the mirror
for ?'' inquired a listener. "Well," said the oracle, "I tell
her that when she gets so lazy that she can't rim the
machine, she can sit still and see herself starve to death."
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-10-26

SALES BY AUCTION

AR. GEORGE JOHNSON, 30, Colmore Row, Bir-
V.l_ minghaw, is prepared to make immediate CASH
)VANCES upon every description of Security.

_ROYAL GERMAN SPA, BRIGHTON.
DR. STRUVE'S
SELTZER WATER

ACKNOWDEDGED
BY EVERY CONSUMER
to be
SUPERIOR TO ALL OTHERS.

SALES BY AUCTIM.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-10-26

FUENISHED APARTMENTS. Sitting
Room and Bed Room. Terms moderate..—Apply
at the "Observer" office, High Stroot,fitottandge.,.;-;

we' btv4.-,e

.•
01.4tutddiegiosi AGaill JUSLIJ Xlq I -11,94.1•15i0u1n
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-10-26

-
TILIZING THE FALLS OF NIAGARA.

Among other plans in prospect with reference to
Niagara Falls is a scheme for utilizing the immense
water power of the Falls for the purpose of trans-
mitting compressed air to Buffalo. A company has,
according to the New York Bulletin, been formed with
this object in view, and operations have already begun.
'The principal part of the machinery will be planted
near the water's edge below the Falls, in the vicinity
of the Bridal Veil. The remainder will be on the
banks immediately above. The practical working of
the machinery will be as follows :
After the water in the reservoir on the top of the
bank is high enough to reach the bend of the siphon
it will, escape down a pipe to the air cylinders below.
The pressure thus obtained very soon closes auto-
matic valves. There being no escape for the water,
which continues to pour into the cylinder, the air which
it Contains is compressed by the volume of water
above, until it has as much expansive power when re-
leased as steam. The capacity of the reservoir and of
the cylinders will be exhausted by the time the desired
compression has been obtained below. While the
reservoir is again filling with water, that in the
cylinder is escaping, so that when the bend in the
syphon is reached, the contents of the cylinder are
exhausted, and it is ready for another charge. The
operation is repeated at regular 'intervals in each
cylinder, and there being several of them a eontianons

charge of highly compressed air is secured. With this
the projectors propose to supply Buffalo with an
almost unlimited supply of compressed air by means
of pipes, and at a merely nominal cost.—Pall Mall
Gazette.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-10-26

COST OF LIVING IN PARIS.

According to statistics published in the Economists
Francais there needed no Exhibition to raise the cost
of living in Paris. By comparing the prices of 1872
with those of 1877 one finds that the cost of game sad
poultry increased during that period by 33 per cent.
The yearly consumption per head of the population
diminished from 10951 kilos to 10355 kilrs. Butcher's
meat and pork show an increase of between 4 and 6 per
cent. during the game period ; the yearly consumption,
nevertheless, increased by about 2 kilos for each in-
habitant. Fish cost about sc. the kilo more in 1877
than in 1872. Here again the consumption fell from
135 kilos to 13 kilos. Oysters showed a perceptible
diminution in price, but no corresponding increase in
consumption. The same kind of butter cost 2f.90 c.
tne kilo in 1872, and 3 f. 16 c. in 1877—being an increase
of 9 per ceat. In the former year the consumption
per head was 78 kilos; in the latter 7'5 kilos.
Cheeses rose in proportion, all excepting mont-dor6
and livarot. An Englishman who has once tasted the
latter will scarcely marvel that it should not have risen
in price. An Englishman who has twice partaken of
it would be a gastronomical curiosity. The price of
common fruit rose from 12c. the kilo to 41c. : of vege-
tables, from 34c. to 41c. ; of potatoes, from 7c. to 9c.
Even watercress rose from 12f. 19e. the basket to 13f.
sc. What prices will be in 1882 one shudders to con-
template. Meanwhile humanitarians—provided they
have not themselves to live in Paris on limited incomes
—may derive satisfaction from the fact that every
Parisian—man, woman, and child—consumes some
twenty pounds of poultry or game on an average in the
year. That average is, of course, largely made up of
rabbits, of which Parisians are extremely fond, and
which even the French equivalent of a "plain cook"
knows how to render sufficiently palatable.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-10-26

THE UNITED KINGDOM ALLIANCE.

The twenty-fifth annual meeting of the 'United
Kingdom Alliance for the Suppression of the Liquor
Traffic was commenced at Blanchester on Tuesday
morning. The report presented by the executive com-
mittee refers to the various measures respecting the
liquor traffic which occupied the attention of Parlia-
ment during last session, and it gives a description of
the contest in the House of Commons terminating
in the passing of the Irish Sunday Closing Bin
which was successfully brought into operation
on the 13th instant. The numerous bye elec-
tions which have taken place during the year are
analysed, and it is shown that the candidates most
favourable to temperance legislation have usually been
elected. Leading politicians, the medical profession,
and the religious world are stated to be giving increased
attention to the subject of intemperance, and Mr. Glad-
stone, Mr. Bright, the Duke of Westminster, Sir
William Gull, and Dr. Richardson are specially
mentioned. The operations of the alliance have been
actively carried on throughout England, Ireland, and
Scotland, and in the latter country alone over 900
meetings have been held. In conclusion the report
states
"Sooner or later the Alliance must and will succeed.
The liquor traffic, already f oredoomed, will surely
pass away from the decencies of civilised life and from
the sanctities of all Christian oommunities. The
appeal of the Alliance must be ultimately responded
to, because it is made to the common sense and con-
science of the people, and emphatically to all good
citizens. It seeks to remove a terrible social curse
that cannot be endured for ever, and to accomplish a
boon that every patriot must long for and labour to
promote. To despair in such a cause, and refuse to
aid so good and just a work, is to sin against the
highest, holiest, and noblest instincts of humanity;
to mock the claims of eternal justice and goodness."
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-10-26

TO JO 'TICKS,

BUILDER, CARPENTER AND COFFIN
MAKER,
DEALER IN CEMENTS, PLASTER, COW-HAIR
LATHS, NAILS, AND ALL KINDS OF
BUILDING MATERIALS.

PAINTING, PIPER HANGING, WHITEWASHING
COLOURING, AND GLAZING DONE ON
THE SHORTEST NOTICE.

ADDRESS--
PARK STREET, STOI7RBRIDGE.

G. F. GREEN,
PIANOFORTE

TUNER

260, Castle Street, Dudley,
And 67, Park Street, IValsall.
ITAS GREAT PLEASURE IN PUBLISHING THE FOLLOWING
TESTIMONIALS.
prom Mr. C. Potter, Professor of Music, from the
nstitution for the Blind, St. John's Wood, London:_
'I can confideatly recommend Mr. Green as a Piano,
orte Tuner. He tunes by equal temperament, and ob-
sins an exact scale. (Signed) C. POTTER."
From Mr. J. F. Patterson, Organist, St. Patrick's
Church, Huddersfield :—"I have much pleasure in tes-
tifying to the abilities of Mr. Green as a Pianoforte
Tuner. He lays the bearings with exactness and peace.
tion. (Signed) Dams F. PArrEnsoN.,,
From Mrs. Sanderson, Solo Pianiste, of the London
and Liverpool Concerts:—" f4r. 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.
SON.

From Mr. Butterworth, Organist, Doboross, ne
Manchester:—" Mr. Green's equal as &Pianoforte Tun
Can rarely be met with. (Signed) DAVID BUTTBRWORTH

s. d
Terms for Yearly Tuning, including minor re-
pairs—
Cottages, per annum....
Grands do • • 1 5 0
Single Tunings (in Town).
s. d. s. d. s d s.
Cottages.... 3 6& 5 0 Full Grande 6 6&7
Semi-L./rands 6 0& 6 0 Concert Iron
Triehord _ Glands.. .. 7 6

Obligue.. ~ 4 6& 5 6
Pianofori.es Tuned o the French Pitch (now univer
sally adopted throughout England,is required.
*** A large stock of Classical and Modern Music, a.
Half-price.
Please observe the Address-260,CastleStreet,Dudle,
and 67, Park street, Walsall.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-10-26

II I N K a

TICKETS AND COUPON 130 ONS

FOR SKATING, TO BR HAD AT

MR. S. FIELD'S,
"OBSERVER" OFFICIO,
STOTIBBRIDO.E.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-10-26

A SUNKEN TREASURE.

The Chiliam Times reports the fitting ont of an ex-
pedition to search for six millions of silver dollars
which were lost many years ago upon the coast of
Venezuela with the Spanish ship San Pedro de
Alc,antara. Captain Folingsby, of New York,
the organizer of the expedition, has made an
arrangement with the Government of Venezuela by
which the exclusive right of searching for this treasure
in the neighbonrhood of the site of the wreck is re-
served to him for six years. The Government is to
receive five per cent, of whatever treasure is found.
A schooner of 100 tons, named Peter Mitchell, has
been purchased for the expedition, and is being
rapidly fitted out at New York.

In notieing the above the Evening Standard remarks:
—There is always a certain fascination attaching to
a search for hidden treasure. If it can only be found,
it lies rewly to hand, and the finder becomes rich with ,
out the trouble of earning his money. Edgar Poe's
story of the "Gold Beetle," and Alexandre Dumas'
"Monte Cristo," go very little beyond the possibilities.
The illustration of Captain Kidd's tmeaseree is familiar
to every reader ;and from time to time jars and chests
of coins are'unearthed, as if to show that there is some-
thing of the squirrel still left in man. But of all
the concealers of treasures the sea is the Wealthiest.
The man who would reclaim the Goodwin
Sands would make more than one fortune ;
and now that diving is no more of a mystery
than ballooning, we may expect to witness ex-
ploits for the recovery of sunken treasure which
would have been madness a generation ago. It will
be within the recollection of most of our readers that
almost all the gold carried by the Royal Charter was
quickly recovered from the wreck off Orme's Head.
The Red Sea, and Bishop's Rock on the Scilly Isles,
have witnessed the recovery, not only of treasures, but
of mail bags. It is, therefore, not strange that an
expedition should have been fitted up from New York
to search for six millions of silver dollars, lost in a
single ship many years ago on the ooast of
Venezuela. There appears to be very little doubt
as to where the ship was lost, and the point of
most importance will be how far the treasure was
scattered. To search under water for a silver dollar
in a bushel of sand would hardly pay expenses, even
if the dollar were discovered. On the other hand, a
find of a tub full of dollars might make a fortune.
Having the example of the harbour of Vigo before•us,
we are inclined to think that it is better to make money
on land than to look for treasure at the bottom of the
I sea; but, at the same time, it does seem a little hard
that a few fathoms of water only should separate us
for ever from untold wealth. Man ean hardly call
I himself lord of creation in the face of such an anomaly.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-10-26

THE LIQUOR TRAFFIC IN THE •

UNITED STATES.

Mrs. Emma Molloy, of Indiana, who was welcomed on
Saturday evening, by resolution proposed by Mr. Sullivan,
M.P., to a temperance conference at the People's Cato, St.
Paul's Churchyard, London, delivered an address on "the
Liquor Traffic and the Laws Relating to it in the United
States:—

After a few introductory words upon the tem-
perance cause generally, Mrs. Molloy proceeded in a
somewhat humorous and eloquent manner to recount
the efforts of the American women in their war against
the "grog shops," dealing in detail with numerous
arguments for and against their continuance.
One of the former was, she said, that it would be
unwise "to kill the hen which was laying golden
eggs," but this was answered by the fact that "the
hen was always hatching troublesome chickens which
would not come home to roost." One of the most.
cogent arguments against the sale of intoxicating
criminals
sw
whastLe
could hi vastnie m
traced t
number idiots, t
ioits:
andpa he upters, and
vast
amount of money, brain, and sinew lost by a nation
through its instrumentality. In support of these
views she quoted statistics extending over some years,
arguing from them that unless decisive steps were
speedily taken the nation must necessarily decay, as
by ruining the working classes the commonwealth was
being ruined beyond repair. To meet the growing
evil in America the American women had at last been
aroused They were forming complete organisations
throughout the country, and would not be content
until they were able to record a thorough victory over
the brewing interest in the shape of prohibitory laws.
It was said that the abolition of the traffic would
throw a vast number of persons out of employment; but
it would be far better that those persons, instead of
living by contributing to drunkenness, should be occupied
in some useful industry, for instance, "they might be
sent to the West to open up the brown breast of her
prairie and make it laugh with rich harvest, although
it might be easier to tickle the throats of men and
make them laugh than to tickle the surface of the
earth." Amoaget other methods suggested by her for

dealing with the question was that all criminals whose
crimes were traceable to drink should be supported by
the publicans, and that they should also be compelled
to maintain asylums in their district for idiots and
inebriates. In conclusion, she called upon the women
of England who prided themselves upon their happy
homes to combine, as their American sisters had already
done, to prevent the canker which existed in the very
heart of them from spreading.
At the close of the proceedings a vote of thanks was
accorded to Mrs. Molloy and the Chairman.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-10-26

DUDLEY AND WALSALL.

DIANOFORTES and HARMONIUMS may
be had on the NEW SYSTEM of HIRING, for Two or
Three Years; after which, and without any further pay-
ment, to become the property of the hirer. Alllnstra-
ments had on this system, or otherwise, will be
Exchanged any time within six months for any other, if
no tapproved of, and returned carriage free. And fur-
her, fine' a trial of three years, any Pianoforte or Han
in,:nie.m would be taken back, at its original cost, and
th emoney returned, deducting the usual charge for
e;v thus offering greater advantages than the London
o :Birmingham Houses.—Apply FREDERICK GREEN
asic Warehouse, 260, Castle-street, Dudley, and 611
srk-street, Walsall.-
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-10-26

KIDDERMINSTER.

- Tug FoRTHOOMING MUNICIPAL ELECTIONSe•-•The to!-
lowing are the nominations :—North Ward: Conserve-
tivees —Messrs. H. Cooke, C. Crowther, and C. R.
Jefferies. Liberals—Mears. R. 'Broome, W. Roden, W.
C. Withal, and M. Corbel. Smith Ward: Conserva-
tives—Messrs. J. J. Harvey, J. Findon, and J. Welch.
Liberals—Messrs. W, H. Green, G. Holdsworth, and A.
Potter.
BOARD or GUARDIANS.—Mr. J. Riteley presided at the
meeting of the Board, held on Tuesday last. The
amount expended in out-door relief daring the past
fortnight has been £lOB Is 21d. The Chairman stated
hat the fire escape at the Workhouse had been tested
recently, and it was found to be in thorough working
order.
FATAL ACCIDENT.—WiIIiam Peplee, a wagoner, in the
employ of Mr. Dann, Chaddesley Corbett, died at the
Infirmary on Tuesday last from injuries he had received
on the previous evening, when a runaway horse knocked
hip down and the wheels qf the wagon the animal was
drawing passed MI him.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-10-26

GLENFIELD
STARCH.
Has for many Years been Exclusively

used in the Royal Laundry.
"The best Starch
ever used." The Queen's Laundress.
" Cleanly in use, economi- (
c.l, and gives a perfect stiff- I " Milliner and
ness and gloss difficult tol Dressmaker."
cell."
Particularly ad- }"Enalish woman' s
apted for clear starch- Domestic Magazine,'
ing muslin.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-10-26

PUBLIC NOTICES.

VIC'fORIA HALL AND Rim

STOURBRTDGE.

THE KEMBLE DRAMATIC CLUB
Will give Three Performances

ON MONDAY, TUESDAY, SI WZMIIIIDAY, O. 28. 21 k 30.
Under the distingaiihed patronage of the

RIGHT HON. THE EARL & COUNTESS of DUALS!.
THE RIGHT HON. LORD LYTTNLTON,
Henry Allsopp, Esq., M.P., Major Walker,
H. W. Foley, Esq.. J.P.. Captain Webb,
Col. Barrows, J.P. Captain Foster,
H. 0. Firmstone, Esq., J.P. Captain Granbrook,
W. 0. Foster, Esq., W. W. Boullon, Esq.,
G. K. Harrison, Esq., J.P„ W. J. Turney, Esq.

In aid ol the

lufferen

from the hits

ABERCARNE CO.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-10-26

POTATO E 3.

There was a moderate supply, but disease was very pre-
valent. Trude for the better descriptions was steady at the
following prices :—Kent regents, 90s. to 1008.; Essex ditto,
70s. to 1108. ; rocks, 60s to 70s. ; champion, 655. to
flukes, 110 s. to 1300.; victories, 955. to 1205.; and Scotch
regents, SOs. to 100 s.
TALLOW.

s. d. I B. d.
Town Tallow, per cwt. 38 3 1 Rough Stuff, per cwt.. 14 0
Rough Fat, per Sibs .. 1 7 Greaves 16 0
Melted Stuff, per cwt 27 6 Good Dregs , 6
Yellow Russian, new
Ditto Ditto old 36s. 9d. „
Australian Mutton Tallow
Ditto Beef Ditto
SEED.

LONDON, Monday, October 21.—There were a few samples
of English Cloverseed offering, but the prices demanded are
bigher than the buyers will give, and few saleswere effected.
There will be some fine qualities of home-grown brought
forward. In French and American few transactions took
place. Trefoil was steady, in value and demand. New
white Muetardseed sold slowly ; samples not in good con-
dition could be bought at less money. The parcels of Brown
offering are held too high for the views of the buyers.
Canarybeed was dull and rather lower. Hempseed sold on
former terms, with a steady demand. New winter Tares
continued very dull, although offered at low prices. Good
English qualities of Rapeseed were quite as dear. Gr•sa-
seeds sold slowly at our quotations.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-10-26

)LLIER

EXPLOSION.

On MONDAY and TUESDAY, Mona 2801 41)211 !Mk
Dion Boncioettlt'a celebrated Irish drama oi
"THE COLLEEN B AWN."

On Wednesday, October 80th, the well-known drupe,
"LADY AUDLEY'S SECRET.'
To be followed by the Farce of "TURN HIM OUT." ft
which QfC66lOll Mr. T. B. MAPP will sustain the
character of " Nobbs."

Special Engagement of Mines ELIZA VAUGHAN
SUSIIs, DAVIS, and LOUIE MAUNDER.
of the London Theatres.

Grand Orchestral Band. Conductor :—lf.r. U. SlOllll/.

Reserved Seats, 2s 6J; Second Seats, is; Back Beats
and Promenade, 6d.
Plan of the Room may be seen and Tickets obtained
at Messrs. Mark and Moody's, Booksellers, High Street,
Stourbridge.
Doors open at 7, to commons.° at 7-30.
Carriages may be ordered for 10-30.

VICTORIA IpLL AND RINK

STOURBRIDGE.

k Revised Buie of Pricer for
SEASON TICKATS, AND COUPON BOONA,
For the present season is mow in operation.

Particulars at the Rink and Newupspet Onus.

These Tickets give admission at all ordinary times alli
to all entertainments when Skating is psraibtod.
H. J. HAINON.
Proprietor.

VICTORIA HALL AND RINK.

STOUBBBIDGE.
Thursday and Friday. November 7th and Bth, 1878.

Reserved Seats. 2s. ; Second Seats. is. ; Back, ed
Tickets and Plan at Mr. R. Broonhall'o.
Commence at 8 o'clock.