The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1885-06-27 00:00:00

ICE POISONING AND ICE MAKING.

A lecture was delivered recently in connection with
the Balloon Society, in the lecture-room of the Royal
Aquarium, London, on the recent case of supposed
wholesale ice-cream poisoning, by Mr. G. F. Jenl:ins
(manager of the General Ice Company). The Pre-
sident of the Society took the chair, and in introduc-
ing the lecturer said a great wromg and great in-
justice had been done to a large body of industrious
people by the accusation made against the Italian
ice-cream sellers, and he hoped through the aid of
this meeting that wrong would be righted. A serious
charge had been made against them by many of the
newspapers. He was convinced, by inquiries and the
analysis which he had obtained of the ice-creams,
that the charge made against these men was an
unfounded one. The result of what they should
hear from Mr. Jenkins he hoped would be fully
satisfactory.
The lecturer, having referred to the unfortunate
circumstance which occurred in Lambeth, said many
of the newspapers had rushed at conclusions, and
published articles most damaging to the trade, and in
one quartor most grievous charges had been pro-
pounded against an unoffending class. He then pro-
ceeded to describe the ingredients of ice creams,
which, he said, were milk, eggs, freezing salt, sugar,
and ice, with a flavouring and colouring, purchased
generally from a well-known firm near Holborn, who
gave a warranty of their harmless character and
freedom from all poisonous qualities. He quoted the
testimony of Mr. Antario Perella, a wholesale manu-
facturer of ice creams, in support of the statements
he (the speaker) had made. Alluding to the details
of the recent case of alleged poisoning, the lecturer
noticed that the man in question had sold ices to some
300 or 400 persons the same day from the same supply
before any complaint was made. The result of the
scare had been that the trade was next to ruined, and
some 2000 Italians who used to get an honest living
were now idle, and he hoped they would be put right
by the press and the public.
Mr. Merritt moved, "That this meeting, having
fairly tested the samples of the ordinary ices sold in
the streets of London, and, after careful considera-
tion of the statement laid before it by the lecturer, is
of opinion that the strictures passed upon the ice-
vendors are unfair and unjust." This was seconded
by Mr. Parker, supported by Mr. C. E. Parker-Rhodes.
In the discussion that ensued most of the remarks
were in favour of the Italians, the opinion being
general that either maliciously or for mischief some
deleterious substance had been thrown into the vessel
containing the ice-cream.
The Rev. Henry Little, of St. George's, Perry-hill,
said he had had to do with Italians, and he did not
entertain for one moment the wild charge that had
been made to the effect that there was an intention to
poison people. He denounced it as a mean and
cowardly accusation; and from personal knowledge
he gave the Italian a good character for industry,
civility, and sobriety. The country ought not to
forget that in its recent difficulty in the Soudan it was
the Italians who came to its aid. (Hear, hear.) He
felt much grieved to hear of the sad falling-off of the
trade, and hoped the resolution would be passed with-
out opposition.
The resolution was unanimously carried.
The rev, gentleman then moved that a copy be sent
to Mr. Biron, the magistrate at the Lambeth Police-
court, and that he be requested to give publicity to the
opinion conveyed therein.
A: vote of thanks to the lecturer and chairman
closed the proceedings.

PRESENTATION of the REVISED BIBLE
to the EMPRESS of GERMANY.

The Empress of Germany has graciously accepted
a copy of the Revised Bible from the Universities of
Oxford and Cambridge. It was presented through
the resident English chaplain, the Rev. Archibald
White, and bears the following inscription: "This
copy of the first issue of the revised English version
of the Holy Bible was presented to the Empress of
Germany by the Universities of Oxford and
Cain-
bridge. A.D. MDCCOEX.XXV."

tie gift has been acknowledged in the following
words:

"Baden-Baden, Juno 13.

Baron B. Knesebeck presents his compliments to
Mr. Henry Frowde, and has been ordered by her
Majesty the German Empress Queen of Prussia to
acknowledge the receipt of a tastefully-bound copy of
the revised English version of the Holy Bible, pre-
sented to her Majesty by the Universities of Oxford
and Cambridge. Her Majesty wishes to express her
warmest thanks for this precious gift, which the
Empress appreciates as a tokenkof mutual sympathy
with this highly important wor7, the results of which
concern the interests of Christianity beyond the limits
of Church or nation. Her Majesty hopes that Mr.
Henry Frowde will act as interpreter of her Majesty's
grateful feelings towards the donors, who may feel
assured that the Empress has been very much grati-
fied by the valuable present, and by the kind intention
which prompted the graciously accepted offer.
To Mr. Henry Frowde, Oxford University Press
Warehouse, Amen-corner, London."