The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-02-23 00:00:00

XOME, FOREIGN, AND COLONIAL.

AVERAGE PRIORS Os' BRITISH CORN.—The following
are the average prices of British corn for the week
ending February 16, as received from the inspectors
and officers of Excise :—Wheat, 50s. lid.; barley,
445. 2d.; oats, 245. 10d. per imperial qr. Correspond-
ing week last year :—Wheat, 515.; barley, 40s. 3d.;
oats, 245. 9d.

A TREASURE.—Lady (calling on intimate friend,
who is unmarried, and only has one servant). Is
your mistress at home, Sarah?—Sarah. No, Mum.—
Lady. Then will you kindly say that I called to see
if she would come and spend this evening with us?
—Sarah. Oh no, Mum! A' sure she can't, 'cause it's
my turn out.— Judy.
DISEASE IN RUSSlA.—Correspondence addressed to
the (lobos from various parts of Russia give dreadful
details of the spread of disease, especially among the
Turkish prisoners. At Revel, out of 374 Turkish
soldiers, 105 are dying from typhus and small-pox.
At Vratka detachment of 400 arrived the week
before last, of which more than a half were suffering
from some malady or other. Seventy of the prisoners
had fallen out of the ranks and died on the road—this
in the very heart of Russia. At Novgorod typhus has
spread from the prisoners, who brought it from Kars,
and is causing great mortality among the inhabitants.
At Kisheniff every train passing through on the way
to Russia leaves at the station several corpses of men
who have died during the journey. Round about
Alexandropol and other neighbouring towns in
Armenia, the epidemic of typhus has caused greater
mortality than the plague in Persia. In one village
alone 120 children have died during the last six
weeks.

THE MARRIAGE REGISTER.-It appears from a re-
tarn just issued, that the percentage of persons in all
the districts of England who signed the marriage
register in 1875 with marks was 17.2 for men, and
23.2 for women. The percentage in the previous year
was 17.9 and 24.2, and in the year 1873, 18.8 and 25.4
respectively. The percentage signing with marks in
districts not containing parliamentary boroughs in
1875 was 19.5 for men, and 20.7 for women. In 1875
the percentages for London (all districts) were—men
87, women 12.8; South-Eastern Counties-13.9 and
and 10.8 respectively, South South Midland Counties-20.5
and 17.9; Eastern Counties-23.4 and 18.2; South.
Western Counties-17.7 and 179; West Midland
Counties-23.5 and 27.7; North Midland Clountie&-
17.2 and 20.9; North-Western Counties-18.2 and
329; Yorkshire-17.0 and 28.3; Northern Counties
17.3 and 56.3; and Monmouthshire and Wales-24.4
and 34.7.

THE DEFENCES or THE BOSPHORUS.—The Bos-
phorus is a natural channel about 17 miles in length
and at its narrowest part about 600 yards across. Its,
general breadth varies from 700 to 1,000 yards, but
opposite the Seraglio Gate at Constantinople it attains
a breadth of 1,646 yards. The strait is divided into
seven reaches, the promontories on one side having
corresponding indentations on the other. The naviga-
tion is somewhat difficult, as the current takes a dif-
ferent direction in each of the seven reaches. Both
shores are studded with forts and batteries, especially
where the channel becomes narrow. Some of these,
as Fort Karibtche mount as many as 60 guns. The
principle defences of the Bosphorus are the Kayaks, at
about two-thirds of the distance from Constantinople
to the Black Sea. Here the channel is very narrow,
and is defended on the Asiatic side by 107, and on the
European side by 61 guns, most of which are sheltered
by stone forts.

A Low VIEW (SCENE—WAPPING. )—Profane Publi-
can (reading Times of Feb. 11.) "Spiritual wants of
English Seamen " ? Umph 1 "Ruin," I should say
—mostly.—Punch.
Russia. INTENTIONS. —A correspondent writes to
the Globe :—" Some of your readers may not realise
the monstrous designs of Russia. The following pro-
gramme seems not unlikely of fulfilment. Austria
will be cajoled, England will be defied, a private
treaty with the Sultan will hand over the Turkish
fleet, and allow torpedoes to be laid down in the
Bosphorus. With the Black Sea open for communi-
cations, the army of the Dobrudscha can be trans-
ferred to Constantinople, and what is a more signifi-
cant fact, the army of Asia can be brought to reinforce
the army of Europe. Odessa and the Crimea can
supply the commissariat, and torpedo boats can play
an important part in barring the Bosphorus. England
would have to fight against fearful odds, especially if
the Turks joined the Russians. Therefore it is abso-
lutely necessary that the passage in•to the Black Sea
should be kept clear and open. Nay, prudence says
let a portion of the fleet at once enter the Black Sea,
for then only could we effectually stop transports.
The Russians are clearly determined to succeed in
their nefarious schemes. Be it ours to baffle them,
and to guard against what is worse than loss of
prestige, loss of honour."
" PENN Y-WISE. " " Teacher" writes to The Times:
—Sir,—Will you permit me through your columns to
ask the University of Oxford how they spell " penny "?
If with two " n's," why do 1 find ' peny " in their
Prayer-books? (See Gospel for Septuagesima.) If
with one "n," why do I find " penny " in their Bibles?
(See St. Matt. xx., 2.) I believe it is only Oxford
Prayer-books that are thus eccentric. Yet, how can I
punish Master Thomas Hodge for introducing peny "
into his dictation? He says he "seed it so in the
Prayer-book on Sunday."
(W)HoL(L)Y RUSSIA. —Turkey.—Punch.

NEWSPAPER STATISTICS.—From the Newspaper Press
Directory for 1878 we extract the following =the pre-
sent position of the newspaper press :—" There are
now published in the United Kingdom 1,744 news-
papers, distributed as follows :—England (London,
336; provinces, 1,016), 1,352 ; Wales, 59; Scotland,
173; Ireland, 141 ; Isles, 19. Of these there are 112
daily papers published in England, 3 in Wales, 21 in
Scotland, 19 in Ireland, and 3in the British Isles. On
reference to the edition of this directory for the year
1858 we find the following interesting facts—viz., that
in that year that there were published in the United
Kingdom 868 journal 4, of these 37 were issued daily—
viz., 29 in England, 5 in Scotland, and 13 in Ireland;
but in 1878, there are now established and circulated
1,744 papers, of which no less than 158 are issued daily,
showing that the Press of the country has more than
doubled during the last twenty years. The increase of
daily papers has been still more remarkable ; the daily
issues standing at 158 against 37 in 1858. The maga-
zines now in course of publication, including the
quarterly reviews, number 839; of which 264 are of a
decidedly religious character, representing the Church
of England, Wesleyans, Methodists, Baptists, Inde-
pendents, Roman Catholics, and other Christian com-
munities."

THE COST OF SMOKING.—The annual report of the
Inland Revenue Board shows that the quantity of
tobacco cleared for consumption in the United King-
dom, in the year 1876, was equal to lib 7/oz. per head
of population. In 1841 the quantity was under 14oz. ;
in 1851. it was a quarter of an ounce over 11b. ; in 1861
it was 11b. 3/oz. ; and in 1871 it was 11b. 5/oz.
A VOCATION.—Aunt. "Shall I give you a new
doll, Maggie? "—Maggie. "No, thanks, aunty! I
should never love another doll like this ; for see, it has
only got one eye, one leg, and one arm, and nobody
would care for it if I didn't. Preper dolls can take
care of themselves, you know ! "—Punch.
"LITTLE CHUMP."—A correspondent from Mans-
field, Ohio, tells this anecdote. In the Sherman
family there were eleven children, who were dependent
upon the meagre income of their father's legal prac-
tice. A young man named Ewing, who had worked
his way through College, and had come from the salt
works, where some money had been earned, settled in
Mansfield to practice law. His ability was recognized
by Mr. Sherman, who assisted him materially, and
when upon the bench turned over much employment
to Ewing. Upon the death of the father, the young
lawyer had become Hon. Thomas Ewing, and, in
return for kindness received, wished to make some
substantial return. He resolved to take one of the
boys and give him a thorough education. At a stated
time he visited the family, when the five lads were
brought before him. Uncertain as to choice, he turned
to the eldest sister, saying, "Which one had I better
take?" She replied, "There's Chump,' the
smartest." The suggestion was received, and the
boy " Chump " has become the General of the United
States Army.
PUBLIC HOUSE STATISTICS.—The reports of the
Inspectors of the Constabulary of the counties and
boroughs of England and Wales (exclusive of Mid-
dlesex and the Metropolitan district) give the follow-
ing results for the year ending at Michaelmas, 1877
The number of publichouses is stated as 62,535, or 60
more than in the preceding year; beer and cider
houses, 41,622, or 932 more than in the preceding
year; refreshment houses with wine licences, 2,670, or
90 more than in the preceding year. The number of
persons proceeded against for drunkenness, or as drunk
and disorderly, was 166,005, being 6,406 fewer than in
the preceding year; and the number of those who were
convicted was 152,744, or 6,886 fewer than in the pre-
ceding year. All three districts—northern, midland,
and southern—show an increase in the total number
of houses licensed for the sale of intoxicating liquors.
The southern and midland districts show an increase
ii the convictions for thunkenness, but this is more
than counterbalanced by a decrease in the northern
division. But the northern still had nearly 105,000 of
the 152,000 convictions. The population in 1871 was
nearly 5/- millions in the southern districts; more
than 5i millions in the midland district, and 7,866,000
in the northern district.

A CYCLONE. - According to a Lloyd's telegram
from Reunion, via Aden, under date Feb. 2, a cyclone
passed over that place on Jan. 14, in which houses
and plantations suffered considerably. The Canadienne,
loading from Galle' and having on board 4,500 bags
rice, was lost with 12 of her crew ; the remaining
seven hands, including the captain, were saved. Other
vessels sustained injuries. Among them was the
Apolline Emilie, which had 1,000 bags of sugar
damaged, in addition to minor injuries to the vessel.

•
PLEASURES OF AN AMERICAN EDlTOR.—Editing a
paper is a very pleasant business (says an American
paper.) If it contains too much political matter,
people won't have it. If it contains two little they
won't have it. If the type i large, it don't contain
enough reading matter. If the type is small they
can't read it. If we publish telegraph re-
ports' folks say they are nothing but lies. If we
omit them, they say we have no enterprise, or suppress
them for political effect. If we have in a few jokes,
folks say we are nothing but a rattle-head. If we
omit jokes, they say we are an old fossil. If we pub-
lish original matter, they blame us for not giving selec-
tions. If we publish selections, folks say we are lazy
for not writing more and giving them what they have
not read in some other paper.. If we give a public man
complimentary notices, we are censured for being partial.
If we do not, all hands say we are an uncouth bear.
If we insert an article which pleases the ladies, men
become jealous. If we do not cater to their wishes, the
paper is not fit to have in their house. If we attend
church, they say it is only for effect. If we do not,
they denounce us as deceitful and terribly wicked.
If we speak well of any act of the President, folks
say we dare not do otherwise. • If we censure, they
call us a traitor. If we remain in the office and at-
tend to business, folks say we are too proud to mingle
with our fellows. If we go out, they say we never at-
tend to business. If we do not pay all bills promptly
folks say we are not to be trusted. If we do pay
prompt, they say we stole the money,

PICTURES AND LUNATIC ABYLUME3.—Any of our
readers who have any stray prints, &c., to spare car
not do better than send them to an asylum for the ir
sane (remarks the Graphic). In a letter of acknovr-
ledgment which we have received for a parcel sent to
the Asylum, Larbert, the writer, remarks :—" 1
sure you there can be no greater charity than that
which has for its object the lightening of the lot of
the insane, for there is no bitterer pain than that
which many of them are doomed to bear. The 'wad'
man gay' is a comparatively rare object in asyluraa;
dulness, depression, and brooding misery is by far th°
most prevalent condition, therefore anything that
.0
please the eye, bring a cheerful thought to the mind,
or raise even for a moment the dark cloud of melall.
choly is thrice welcome in an asylum. The picture°
you have sent—bright, cheering, and stirring as thq
are—could not be surpassed as admirable means ot
exciting interest and riveting too wandering attatV

tion."
MELANCHOLY REFLECTION.—The sluggard is bidden
to go to the ant; but, alas! how often he goes to bi°
uncle.— Fun.
HORSES AND SHIPS.—Ever since Prince Bismarclee
melancholy and memorable metaphor of the French
being left to "cook in their own gravy," the forrnidabl°
German Chancellor has been credited with an insoluble
continuity of political jokes, more or less ben trovat4
The last one is to the effect that, when the Prince Wag
told that the English fleet had been ordered to Pe°
the Dardanelles to counteract the possible effect of the
entry of a portion of the Russian army into Constarr
tinople, his Highness replied that "he was unable t 43.
perceive what fish could do against horses." Th'
may be ; but it is, nevertheless, undeniable that on one
well unown historical occasion horses were enabled to
act very effectually against ships. It is a fact thsll
during General Moreau's campaign in Holland, in the
wars of the First Revolution a squadron of Dal
line-of-battle-ships was captured by two regiments 0,
French Huzsars, The Dutchmen, it may be explainea.
were fast frozen in the ice; so that the victory s°l3 a
kind of " Rinking " one of the " outside edge " order"'
Illustrated London News.

WEATHER WARNING.—The following cable taes°6
haR 1 een received at the London office ut the Areto.lr_ti

Herald from New York :—" A disturbance is probanf
for the British coasts during the 20th, 21st, and 22009
with strong winds or gales from the south-west t°
north-west and rising temperature."
A JUDICIAL DECISION.—At some bush races ill
Northern Queensland, a capital fellow was, by cosi;
mon consent, appointed to the responsible position
judge. He mixed his liquors pretty freely,
towards the afternoon he was the enemy of no malt
The last race of the day was a match between a blao‘
horse and a grey, they changed positions several One!
in the run in, and the finish looked like a dead het;
There was a general rush for the decision of tn:
judge, who stood calmly steadying himself bY
friendly post. "Well," cried the excited croW4
"Which was it? Was it the black? Was it
grey?" "You're all wrong," said the judge, in
most judicial manner. " 'Twas neither one n°
t'other; the winner was a blessed piebald ! "
PREPARING FOR WINTER CAMPAlGN.—Parchasii3g
war(m) material.—Fun.
A BIG FISH.—A pike, 3ft. 3in. long, weighing f:
trifle over 221 b., and in splendid condition, was ea
last week in the Witham, at Bardney, near
It took a live bait, a roach of half-a-pound welt
and was landed just opposite Gresham's hostel, alc
known rendezvous of Sheffield anglers. The fish %v
caught at 3 p.m., and taken to Lincoln. At 943;
it was laid upon a table in the tap-room of the 11° A.
and Groom, and was then supposed to be dead.
large party of fishermen had assembled to see it, al.,
as the landlord was showing its fine points it suddeloit
I)0
revived, and in its final struggle for existence sw,e,,,
the glasses off the table, and finally threw itself
the floor.
fr Cat
AN INCOMPLETE CAT SHOW.—The New Yor...
Show appears to be a sort of asylum for purse prou
aristocratic cats, or those which exhibit some excerel)si
tional intelligence or hump or something.
old corsairs of the dark nights, whose voices mlitin
tunefully mingled with the clash of boot jacks, jA
dippers, and No. 4 shot, are not there. Neither,
there present the nervous old rounder who has esnaP;
from the midnight raltie with knotty protuberan_,F t
on his head, and a tail resembling a hair-mounted ic1.,P15
of stovepipe. The show is very incomplete. —Dr"'
Journal.
le le
A PUZZLE.—When there are so many mad Peclia?
England, why do we still persist in importing ineu"--
Fun.
T, • g
THE FOOD SUPPLY FROM A3IERICA.—,,urin 0
week seven steamers arrived at Liverpool ir0991
America bringing 5,760 quarters of beef and
carcases of sheep, the quantities in each case
much above the average of recent weeks. There webs
also landed 300 pigs in the carcase, as well as 499 for
of fresh butter. The importation of live stock hae,i,o
some time past been of a limited character, nr
weather usually experienced at this time of the YeTe
being adverse to its conveyance. Last week, howevon
a steamer reached Liverpool from Canada, haVing
board 46 fat cattle, 352 sheep, and 331 pigs.
INFLUENCE OF THE ATMOSPHERE ON CLEOPATSO
NEEDLE.—At the present moment, when sile °f tto
needles of Cleopatra, dug out of the sands of EgYZ:ah
be placed in a prominent position in the BrITA*Tt
capital, has at last safely arrived in the Tharaesdi
may not be inappropriate to ask ourselves what
be the probable fate of this historical monolith...A.
case in point is furnished by the Luxor
erected, in 1836, in the Place de la Concord, in r're
The thirty-six years' presence in Paris has been in°o
injurious to it than as many centuries exposure
Egypt. If once the polish is broken water adheres o°3o
easily to the rougher surface, and destruction proce
more rapidly. The unhewn block of granite nigt,
which the equestrian statue of Peter the Great Ate to
Petersburg rests has been greatly injured, expostir
rce
the severe northern climate and the rough surf aClog
bably contributing mostly to its decay. The hree,oe.
up of the block may be looked forward to in fir
Now Cleopatra's Needle will be exposed to pore
jurious influences than the Luxor obelisk. The nlifawill
of England, the smoke and atmosphere of London,srot
not require so much time as the purer air Li" de
where still much wood is burned in stoves. 111:00.1
structive forces are of a mechanical and che to
nature. The explosive force of the freezing wat,ert;rosil
solving effect of water, of carbonic acid, the 5u111,031
acid from coal, are sufficient to destroy ultimate `J
stone.—Builder.

AWKWARD.
(Of Stamboul.)

fr, r o
England. "Turkey, ahoy ! " Turkey. "SThee"
You can't land here?" alla
England. "We've come to protect British
property ! " pte
Russia. . "Not the least necessary; I'm here t°
tect everybody's I " joSt
Turkey. "Fact is, this gentleman and I hh
s°-
sworn eternal friendship ! ' —Puge

MR. SPURGEON AND HIS CON'
GREGATION.
At the morning service on Sunday in the MetroPo to
Tabernacle, the Rev. Mr. Gauge, of Bristol, officiatieg.
followisg letter was read : b 13'
MENToNE,
Beloved Friends,—Complete rest has restored xilLiev.
a very marvellous manner. I can scarcelY ileofloB
that I am the same person. Surely your
eecir
prayers have had an answer most marked and °Pod
The name of the Lord be praised. If anythilt.t4 it
conduce more than all else to restore my FiPrbv- 016
would be good news from the Tabernacle, an" „"tele"
thoughtfulness of Mr. Murrell I have had tvr„hy jot
grams which have made my heart overflow wirrirges"
The words, 'Enthusiastic meetings;
prayer meeting ever held in Tabernacle, set
glow of gratitude to God. I had been for a yr-de• el
this delicious sunshine, but the good news rnec,bol
things brighter. The officers of the Sabbath oi
have also informed me of the grand gatheilight•
children last Sabbath, and this is another ue,o-oti'
God be praised that His hand is at work sal tiaiej
I rest now. Your prosperity is my ni
joy. •tlep
awry in the Lord's work is my agony vv: oa)
goes well with the Master's cause it 11o:it
with me. Beloved, as ye have thus z'
begun, be diligent to continue, and press on"evo- y
Fetch in the poor lost ones outside. Our tviref,rd).
gelists are most efficient instruments in the l'iree*
hands; they are our own college men, theY are, fof
hearted and full of fire—back them up. Fr,eo"coel
them, and fetch in the people. Compel there 00"
in. Leave no stone unturned, for under theneigts"
mossy stone may lie the richest treasure. °ur f thell
bours close around the Tabernacle have mauY ee,
never entered our doors; persuade them to eeTrei f,e;
may the Lord save them! I pray that a revi;ale i„e"
all London may set in. Oh, for a mighty wr;gon,';
this great blessing I We shall see it if we c 313 vais"
ingly desire it, believingly pray for it, and lahOrsiyr
work for it. The Lord be with you ginri°Ls'
Your loving pastor, C. H. Srulta-
,v
DEAN STANLEY ON THE "PO —5
ROME." of
stag° el•
In London, on Tuesday night, the Dean of We cht2fle
addressed a crowded congregation at the Ifni°
Compton-terrace, Islington, on "The Popes of loretelie
was, however, so indisposed during the evening tha,cial,"
to pause in the delivery of his lecture, and the
Portion of it was read by the Rev. Dr. Allen. elthe
The Dean said he did not desire to speak aid so r.eji
the late or future Pope, because the former ha.„o fit
cently passed away, and as to the latter there Fetal
great uncertainty. Treating the Pope as en ereoo
office, he said there were points connected t„ IsonT,
which were of interest to every Christianc-rocon.
Catholic, or Protestant, Churchman or
formist. The Pope could be considered, firs tiquitio;
representative of many customs of Christian ant Fon
secondly, as the representative of the Aneil 13isbeil0;
Empire; thirdly, as an Italian Prince au" join
fourthly, as the Ppe, or chief oracle of th,e •estin
Church; and fifthly, as the head of the eceleei
Profession of Western Europe.
The
the characterof an Italian prince andhlsPhill:f°ll:alcrge.
centuries, and was such a prince and bishenPf
Bishop of Durham or the Mitred Abbot slava,
minster had been. But whereas these alrewainer
prince-bishops had disappeared, the pope large ifo
Since 1870 he had lost the dominion over a
ever,
tion of his territory, He was still hew_ was,'„,,.
Sovereign Prince over the Vatican, such sod etaotrie
Prince of Monaco, and had his guards ahvore,
sadors. Referring to the election of the
Dean said that in the early days that elect centuriej.
the hands of the populace, and in the foult ,
was conducted with such violence as to cause 1,°:`,,0d bll
Since the 12th century it had been conduelf_igia!„l
College of the Cardinals. The title of PoPe
was not confined exclusively to the Bishasitercvns
but belonged to all the teachers. It WAg
applied to all bishops, and in the seventh ere:nal/10
di opped from the other Western bisholT;din O ot
only with the Bishops of Rome. The ciarge Ply 11
Pope to infallibility was coLceded by e sin4)&llY
Ct,ristendom. He, however, became Porta I In
the election of the College of Cardinals, "tbetn. „els
need not be a clergyman to be elected
eblYeetedtredervel
fact, on two occasions laymen had been
and those who imagined that the Pope 'oed uP
office by virtue of episcopal succession lab°t
a great mistake.