The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1870-10-15 00:00:00

TB! FOOD SUPPLY OF PARIS.

"I saw a letter yesterday, dated about wreak ago, from
an Englishman in Paris, who says that fresh meat already
began to get scarce. Considering its enormous daily con-
sumption it always seemed doubtful whether Path could
assemble within its lines of defence enough cattle and sheep
to feed it for many weeks. It ix now about three weeks
since exit an eutranee became impossible, at least for
docks and droves. We have heard that a great deal of meat has
been salted, probably on account of the dilticulty of feeding
such Immense numbers of animals. lam assured that the
stock of sheep in Faris when the Prussians came round it
was 100,000, which, at the rate of 4,000 a day would give •
supply of mutton for 50 days. Besides till, there are said to
have been 70,000 or bO,OOO calle, of which a certain number
were also to be daily killed. A vast deal of food for these
animals had been collected in Faris from the sue.
rounding country, but, as it would be necessary to econo-
mize much of this for the horses of the artillery, cavalry,
and other Indispensable servlees, salting Is said to have beau
had riroune tOOO a 114 e scale. Fresh vegetables, accord-
ing to the last accounts, were hardly any more to be found.
It is presumable there are good stores of lemon juice and
preserved vegetables. I have been told this morning that
in Normandy and Western France generally the stock of
provisions has been transported in immense quantities to
the sea coast for the purpose of shipment to England."—
Correspondent of The Toter, at Tours.

THE ARRIVAL OF THE BALLOON POST!

" As I was writing this last line I heard a great stir and
buzz in the Rue Royale, the iligh•etreet of Tours, which
penetrated even to the Innermost recesses of this Grand
Pheasant Hotel. All Touts has rushed out of door., for there
I. a balloon in sight, at no very great height, and nearly over
the town. Route:less it brings letters from Paris. It fre-
quently taros round in the air. exhibiting alternately its
yellow side, golden in the bright 6 unshlue, and then
Its gloomy dark-green portion,—day and night by turns
Wits the glees I can discern that It has no car, nor is
anything visible dependent from it. It is probably one
of these balloons which carry a small packet of letter., about
:lib weight, as its sole burden. The missives thus nett nsted
to the hazards of the gale are limited In weight to three or
four grammes. This balloon terforronthe moat tantalizing
evolution., obeying every breath of wind. Without a pilot,
it seem. alternately to rile and fall ; in • few second.' time
It looks diminished to half it. size by the greater distance to
which it is home; then, again, is suddenly comes nearer,
swelling as it advances. It nem. fully 101 l sled and may play
this tantalizing game for hours. So I have come hdloorsto
doe my letter, leaving the Street full of people, waiting to
.e the pott come in."—Timee Correspondent.

THE SACK OF ST. DIZIEB.

The Journal de Rouen gives the following account of the
sacking of St. Dmier She Prussians made a requisition
for 500,0001 , and took an hostages to Bar-le Doc five of the
town councillors. Tho following day a delay of two hours
was granted for the payment of the inney, the alternativ
being the threatened destruction of the principal houses in
the tow. The money not being forthcoming, the pillage of
the town commenced, and was continued loran hour and a
half, when a tender of 1.1),000f. was made and refused
Eventually this sum, subscribed by the chief persons in the
towo, was accepted; an organized pillage then recommenced,
and was kept up from noon until sin in the evenhig, during
which time the troops laid their hands upon all valuaoles
within their reach. A shoemaker was condemned and shot
for firing upon the Prussian soldiers. The Mayor, who had
gone to Ilsr.le-Due to plead for Ids pardon, or respite, re-
turned unsuccessful"

A HAPPY THOUGHT!

The benevolence of the people of Ilayence has found a
new outlet Boxes have been placed in different parts of
the town into which passers by are invited to drop cigars
for the wounded. The experiment has been most successful.
In a short time several thousands of cigars were collected ;
and in some of the boxes money was also found. In one
there was a twenty-franc piece wrapped up In a piece of
paper, on which was written. En Milder franc ifs, charme
de carte Id tle, pour lee Llama." It need scarcely be said
that nothing of this sort would be complete on the Conti-
nent without the usual story about an Englishman accord-
ingly, we are told that In • second hex a ten-gulden piece
was accompanied by • little document, barely readable, in
which some trite-born Briton expreued his gratification at
such • good idea."