The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1870-07-16 00:00:00

RALESOWEN AND HADLEY FLORAL

HORTICULTURAL EXHIBITION,
TO BE HELD

,4 T •• THE LEA 80 WES," HALESOWEN,
(Well•ktowa as Sheumone's Walkb),
By pi-mission of (..ibbons, Esq.,
ON TUESDAY, JULY THE 26r0, 1870.

The tirounds to be nni net! at Twelve o'clock, and elate
at S. VOD.

MESSRS. SYNYER AND GILMER'S BAND,
With the

BAND OF THE SIXTH WORCESTERSHIRE
RIFLE VOLUNTEERS,
Will be in atttndauee.

ADMISSION—At Twelve o'clock, 2, 611 each ; et Two
o'clock, lv ;at Half.rovt Four, 60. Clialdrru ooder
Tweave, Haiti. ice.

F. B. GRANciL.R, Secittbry,
Halesowea.

ANNIVERSARY.

WEiqLEYAN CHAPEL. 87',JURBRIDGE.

IN Sunday, Jul% 24th, 1870, Two SERMONS
1,._7 will be Ptib.dijiikll in the above Place of Wor•
ablo, by Ile live. JOHN RATTEN BURY, of Leeds.

B,IV et. COMlDtbet;Ui the !„I”ri.mg at Hait•pel Ten,
and to the t.vening at Six o'clock,
A Collection will be made at each Service, in aid of
the Treat Fonds.

_
GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY.

ROYAL AGRICULTURU, SEIOW AT GAI,IRD.

ORDINARY RETURN TICKETS to OX.
FORD issued on SATURDAT, Juts' 16th. and fol.
lowing days, will be available until Momper, Jimr 250,
inclusive.

Ou MOEDAy, TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY. TECUIIiD•Y, 1111 d
FRIDAY, J1:44 10, 19, 20. 21, and 2:avl, i:,:,PECIAL
hate StoarLrufge At 7 5s rn.Haglyy 7.11.
KiaJtriniester 7 20. Hurd, bur) 7 U. And Dr, 061,1 i 7.42
cm., for ~X1r0111) ; returning from Oxford .17.10 p.m.,
each day.

On Tarmanay. Jecy 21. t. an EXCURSION TRAIN
will leave Stourtridge at 7 15 anA Ranh, 7 22. eburch•
Alt 7.28, K,ldertnin,t, r 7 77, 1110th-bury 7 47, Dr.dtwielt
8.0. aud. Fearlall Heath 8 10 d fl., for OXFORD ; re•
turning fr.,. Oxford at 6.40 p m..same day.
For LA:I pardeulars see H
J. Gni!. iN. General Ma.inger
Paddincon..llAy, 1870.

(MEAT WESTERN RAILWAY.

CHEAP HALF-1101.11) tY I XCURAJONi TO

BI P.SII Nilfl M.

.1N SATURDAYS, JULY 16th anti :101.11,
LXLITSION TI.LAINs t. :1 1-eve Wur:erti r
I shrill) 1101) at 2.30 p.m.. 0.10. Kiddermihattr
:; o..anidStouri ridge 3.18 p.m. for Bill BIINGHAM.

Itttura Train Irokva. Itirsuiagham (Saow fIU
Statioa) at 9.0 p.m: saw, day,.

r , -
For farther particulars see Muhl Hills.

J. 011181030 N, Unmoral Mamie,.
Paddington, duly, 1870.

MONEY.

£150,000

TO I.,EI•TID

IMVEMEIDIA_TELY.
mil to xl,OOO reasonably and promptly
c •JL.I LENT fr.sm n xvbree to reapeetable
p.•reona in all positiote, on their own pruinixsory Note
zeGue. trout one t five yi.nci, at rix tper C-ot. ter Amami.
non,nel facTities, with,,nt seenivies, tees, or refer.
anon.

I,,icatloll., to re,tive aLltutioo, mu,,t ante st:IO
wattle.% how long !Or, bow returnaLle— whether quarterly,
or annually, or at end of term--f all name,
addre r, occupation, avd thou (in entire' col:rider re) the
object for which a loan is required, to Mr. N. 0. Wilding,
15, North Terrace, Cromer-street, Londan, W.O curio'.
log stamped envelope for reply.

DIVIDENDS from 10 to 30 PER CENT.
For Particulars see Mackenzie k Co.'. Circular forittne.
RAILWAY SAND MlNES.—Cipitalists who
seek safe and profitable investments free (rem
risk, sbouid net only upon the soundest infolinatiou.
Ire tom ket prices for the day are for the most part
govereed hy toe mato arms: azptly and demand and the
rerat,ons of specula:ma without reference to the hour;
At. sucitts it Inn ptoperi. keawaye depend upon the
traffic, tayrnaitnie, anti tapital accounts, the probabois
ties of alliance or competitton with neighhouriou com-
panies, the creation of new the cute of the
money market as affecting the renewal of debentures,
mid ottict considerations founded on dam to which those
amy can lave fic,:vss who give epciiial attention to the
subject. Mines afford a wider range far prolit than any
other public securities. The be:: are free from cebt,
nave large reserves, and pay dividends hi-monthly or
quarterll, varying from £lO, £l5. to Lim purest.
annum. Instances In quently occur at oung Mines ris•
lug in value 400 to 500 per cent. Mew,. Mackenzie and
Co. trevote special attention to italiways and Mines,
3fiord i•t, ry information to csprhilists, sod r Feet rer•
_lwooc 'a 01.05 the that 1,..,tiA1e tett., ',thusly
.eare tS. •iii nee ili rairemte a Unit: in
life ring advt., to the Umeittialteit it. tie cuing Zulu. for
investment. Dealers at close market prices in Tele-
grapla, Railways, Insurance, linoks, Carals, Motels,
Mines thonie arid abroaa). StenmsLiya. ka.. togettior
aith every other desetrption of Stocks, Pought or sold
;or Cash or fortnightly nettivincrit.

IMPOIVIANT INI.1;1:11A11014:. with regard to two
Concerns, whereby a large premium way be r,allsed 11
are forwarded on applicant. to Itssra. 11AClZIE
ad CO., SIIAILE BROKIM, 3 Winehetter Buildings, Oid
:fa oad-street, London, /LC.

CHARLES STEVENS,
PLEASURE BOAT BUILDER,

:11:1:11' BPIAME, Ii'oLCESTEn.

VLEASUBE & RACING BOATS, PUNTS,
le ,0.01- 8. eat tLe Siteitest Netic*.
A 'erre 4.11,1!Wil Selec.to PLEASURE ItARGE
'AK to I.:.Vittb or P.CMC lirtie. .ry 11.1:::Lec0lt the

.h1L001s: STE 111,kt rsetersuce," will Ittli
fon) 81.01.:11PORT to IVOItCI..hTh.k, on Synowtn,
lust Mb sad JULY 10th, starting Iron Stourport at
10.16 a.a. Iktsta Ticket, ls.

A LiaaßLE IN BELGIUM.
our London Correspondent.)
Apollo's bow is not always bent, I believe, lint the
old classic axienu dues not seem to apply no well as a
more familiar one which tells us of the effect which all
work and no play has upon Jack, who is a representa-
tive personage. At this time of the year, however, we
don't count axioms and adages to palliate the crime of
taking a holiday ; and I venture to think that a few
merle notes of a ramble in Belgium may be of some
interest
Afflicted with the mai de mer whenever there is the
slightest excuse for it, I feel the full force of " sea pas-
sage 90 minutes only," and go from one shore to the
other where they approach the nearest. There is a
good deal to eye no doubt at Cable; it is more French
than Boulogne but then it is not so " nice, "as ladies
would say. The mmicipality of Celais might make it
a charming trim if they would. "jilts would be vi ry
pleasant," said the late Sir G. C. Lewis, " if it were
not few its amusements ;" hut then he waa aseholac and
a studious and sedate man. Ifis remarks* at soy taste
will scarcely apply to towns. Calais would be all the
better for some approach to amusement and entertain-
ment. You can't always he walking on the pier ; you can
see the 110e1 de Ville and the Cathedral in an hour or
two, and then Calais is used up. So you had better be
off. In fect, Calais is only a alace to arrive at Bud
start from. Your humble servant, in company with a
genial and congenial fr hurl, does the latter, and wear-
rice at Lille. I rather like Lille se a town ; it is lively,
busy, fall of signs if trade and industry, and is a very
fair specimen of a thrivine commercial Fier eh town.
But the for ore— or two--" long in populous city pent"
it scarcely afferele you the repese and relaxation you
want. So, after a thing walk about the city, winding
sip with a visit to re me very pleasant gardens where
there was EOMe capital singing ; saner earning our
night's repose, I awes, by the labour of pleasure ;
after a comfortable dentimr at the Ileael tics Voya-
geurs, we take the rail to Ath in Belgium. My fried
and I differ about tide Fame Ath (whieh looks rather
an awkward word, but which it easy enough when you
know how to Bay it). He think, it dull and ueinterest-
ing ; I don't. It I. bright and clean, and looks happy
and proeperout. Thi re is not very much to see, it is
true ; the Tour do Burberil, perhaps, is the print:lila
sight for people wholes., antiqaities for it is more than
seven centuries old ; but the town itself is pleasant and
agreeable, and if you can't feel pleasure in rambling
about and noticing the features of the place, and the
mannera and customs of the people el the period, it
must be your fault, Lot theirs. I cou'd put up with a
couple of months here, std could live very cheaply.
What say you to a nice, bright, c'ean bedroom fir a
franc and adialf per right for two nights! And then,
doubtless, there would b 3 "an allowance made on
taking a quantity" of bed!
But if I could put up with a couple of mouths at
Ath, how much more agree& la to pass that time et
Brussels! I could even bear a sentence of being
intend in this charming, lively, animated bustling and
yet vedette and sober ci'y. Everybody has heerd it
spoken of 89 us petit Paris, and verily it is so; but
everything appears to ho on 3 smaller Bade acid toned
down. The glens and glitfer, the flashy gaiety, the
dash and chic of Ririe are wanting he their full Circe,
but there is much to retuinel eon of them. As my fm lend
expresses it," There-iris is Pads with the chili cif." At
all etents Brute ela is a moot delightful city; busy
without same of those concomitants if business which
make other cities so disagreeable; lively and cheerful
witheut being diaipated, as far as superficial observi rs
causes; with a full complemeat of working people,
but yet free from tin as signs of equeler which
unhappily you See nowhere else se strongly marked
as in the United Kaard en. Bat I have no
hitsntion of deectieine Brussels; that has been
often d me befote ; but I would strongly re-
commend any who haven ot seen it, and whonaly be coa-
ceenplating a few weeks' holiday, to pay dear, charming
Brussehs a visit. Yen can teket the oppertnnity to see
.antwerp, with its strange mixture of langeages and
nationalities, its fained cathedral, and its world-re-
nowned p eintinga Bruges, which carries you back
into the Middle Ages; Ghent, lively, prosperous, and
ousiness-liks and a number of other places of in-
terest, which have historical associations intim itely
connected with England's chequered career. A sum-
mer rumble in Belgium ia more refreshiee, and invigorat-
ing than one in Franc and certainly is not eoenervat-
ing as Path in the summer time; and you will find
travelline, eels, eke. cheap: r in the former ceuntry
than in the latter. Belgium scenery is by no means
remarkable for Le beauty, but then go where you will
you are hkely to see memorials of bye-gone age,.
Here you may find a Town Hall which d ites from
centuries back, cod you wen ler stout it and ponder
on the changes thst the lapse of time has proluccd ;
and theft in or other town you are showa buildings
that date three or four centuries farther back still.
Belgium d,arvns to be studied; she is worth more
than a mere euperficiel vieit her history is rich in
stirring retie ides, and a house, or a town hall, or a
church which one wiil 13.18,1 by carelessly, not knowing
the histeictl associations which cling to it will to
another primed with information, be full of deep in-
tereet.
A pleasant railway trip of leas than au hoer takes
you from Brussels to Leuvain, which is a town you
certainly ought to me. It has a history of a thousand
years, ant there are rules of a castle which has had a
thousand years pass over it, and the Ileiel de Ville,
which ie more than fe or centuries old, is about ae
splendid a monument of Giahic architecture and of the
skill of sculptors and artists as you will find anywhere
in Belgium, and that is saying a good deal. Here, as
in moot other Belgian towns, you will find splendid
paintings by Rubeure Rubena mast have worked
very quickly and hive been very industrious to have
produced all the works that are attributed to
him; and perhaps they will not all beer inquiry; but
when we ramble in a foreign country for recreation we
don't want to iequire too curionoly into the
authenticity of what is pointed out to us. Pour
moi, I may flitter myself I know a little sheet
paintings, but it may be that it's a precious little, and
certainly I am not A Waegen, or a Verson, or a
Beide, or a Mrs. Jameson for critical acumen. But lean
follow the advice wheat Goldsmith gave to the crities of
his time; Icon " eafely say that the plot ire would doubt-
less have been better had the artist taken more pains,',
and I can " praise the works of Peter Perugino,"—
or Rubens, as the case may he ; and when I am gazing
at a grand p dating, "par Reeens," I don't want to
be vexed with the thought that he can't have painted
011 thee ate attributed to him; and ifs worrying friend
at my vile suggests this much, I prefer to think that
Rebore; was sat generis, that his style was his own
aid that none but himself could be his parallel. The
principal products of Louvain, says this same worrying
friend, 8009, to be learning and beer; and certainly
breweries abaund, so that there is some foundation
tor the o 1 I remark. The University of Louvain was
founded more than six centuries ago, by a Duke of Bra-
bant. It pleyed an intrude:it part in the learned con-
troversii s if the Middle Ages, and in the sixteenth
century it had acquired such fatce as a sehied of
theology that it had 6,000 atudects and about 40
colleges. Do not have Louvain without visiting the
church of St. Pierre. Founded more than eight cen-
turies ago, and twice burned down the present church
dates back only to 1430 (which is not much for Belgium).
Its architecture, its painting, its iron-work (by the cele-
brated Qiiintin Meteyo) and paintings of the some
versatile genius, and PI carvEd wood-work, are specially
remarkable. But le.uvain on the whole is not a lively
place ; it is noteworthy for its history and Lot for its
present importance; and SO what Pay you I—to
go to ledge?
The contrast between Leuvain ttnd Lidee is most
striking. The latter is a esry busy, thriving, populous
town-110,e00, I believe, in this year of Grace,—and
no high does its manufacturing reputath in stand that
it has been called the Birmingham of the Law
Comte ha. Every one knows its f erne in the manufac-
ture office-arms, and it is said that for years peat it
has produced a million a. year. What can have
become of them? It is decidedly a fiats city,
with a well-to-do, prosperous air about it, while
its river, its boulevards, and its gardens, give it a
cheerful aspect. Ledge is indubitably the busiest-
looking town in Belgium thengh it is not is large as
Chant; L'6ge, however, has tea many factories, and is
too noisy for a halielay trip, and so ISO will E 0 to Spa.
And here again is another great charge. The
busineee of Spa lathe basinces of pleasure, of macera-
tion, of hiltless, of illness, f lounging, of gaining.
There are new at lrait two 'tors to each inhabitant,
and nearly all the inhabitants get their living, somehow
or other, all the year round, e et of Om visitors during
a few menthe. It is a lovely /Awe, with charming
walks, dere:lona gaelei s, aid attractive— seine of
them too attractive—places of roost. Spa suggests
batlike and drinling tLe waters, and it suggests
also rouge tt stir and rot& tie. Bathe, L you will,
my friend ; drink the waters, if you will; lot rouge et
avennt ! roulette, down, down ! Who ion n
read about their gaming-tablee? I will not bore you,
therefore, gentle and courte OM reader, with my im-
pressions, reminiscences, or moral homilies. Suffice it
to say that Spa on the whele is a charming holiday
resort, and you neieht do a worm thing than visit it,
always provided you have sufficient self-control to
keep oaths right side of Le doors f the gaming
rooms. The Leaden, Chathem, and Dover ad vartiee
London to Spa and back for 41a. 9d. by Ostend, or
ente 61. by Cats/n, at through rates; but I prefer
travelling bit by bit as fancy dictates, and not on a
preearranged plan; so that one may go where one likes,
or two like. Oi creirse, a speerinee knowledge of
French is of great advantage, but it is by no means
necessary. The Belgians shame us in this respect,

and it is not the only thing in which a canniff English
traveller will own the inferiority of his countrymen.
" We can't expect to be superior to the Belgians in
every thing," sass my friend. Just so; and perhaps
they don't pretend to be superior to us in everything.
We learn by travel; we ive and take; we rub off
prejudMes and acquire "corrigenda," for "by others'
faults wise men correct their own." And although
the Belgians are our near neigLbourg, and we see and
know much of t ach other, there are few, if any, a my
readers who may not have been there who would not
derive mental so well as bodily benefit from "a ramble
in Belgium' My friend and I had the pleasures of
hope when we vet out, and we have the pleasurec of
memory now that we have returned to "the great
city."

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