The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1885-03-14 00:00:00

u Kanbn Carrtsponbrut.

(We diem it right to state that we do not at all times
Identify ou,selvel with our Correspondent's opinious.]

The serious intelligence that a Russian army
is encamped on Afghan territory burst upon
London like a thunderclap, and revived the
memories of those stories of Muscovite advance
in Central Asia which for long years have inter-
mittently reached this country. It is not long
since Russia annexed Merv, and the gradual
approach of her outposts towards India has long
given anxiety to British statesmen. Russian
diplomacy seldom fails to take advantage of the
embarrassments of another Power to secure its
own ends. For instance, when France was
prostrate at the feet of Germany in 1870,
Russia seized the occasion to set aside the Black
Sea clauses of the Treaty of 1856. Now when
England is engaged in carrying on a difficult
campaign in the deserts of Africa, Russia moves
forward her outposts to Afghanistan, in defiance
of all pledges and engagements. Public opinion
will be unanimous in supporting the Govern-
ment in its demand for the withdrawal of these
troops. It is intolerable that a barbarian
Power, without a Parliament and with no repre-
sentative institutions of any description, should
bestride two continents like a Colossus, clutch-
ing at Constantinople on the one side and at
Calcutta on the other.

This new excitement has totally eclipsed the
little news which has lately come from the
Soudan; but the interest of the operations prac-
tically ceased with the death of Gordon, whose
relief was the primary object of the expedition.
Active work in the desert has now to be post-
poned until the autumn, for already the tem-
perature at Korti is 104 in the shade, where
there is any. Of course, as the sun daily rises
higher in the heavens, the equatorial heat will
increase; so that if the Guards have been sent
out to do nothing in a tropical climate, they had
much better have remained at home. There
seems to be a strong and increasing feeling
against the continuance of this campaign in the
Soudan. It finds expression in the House of
Commons, in the press, and on the platform.
Estimates of the cost up to this time vary from
fifteen to twenty millions sterling; and many a
British taxpayer asks, to what purpose. Should
any serious difficulty arise with Russia, it is
obvious that anything further now contemplated
in the Soudan would have to be postponed
indefinitely.

, The Sc1;001 Board for London has taken a
course which will be approved by the long-
suffering ratepayers of the metropolis. Like the
power of the Crown a century ago, they feel that
the education rate has increased, is increasing,
and ought to be diminished. Threepence in the
pound was the sum mentioned when the bill
was before Parliament fifteen years ago, and to
that no reasonable objection could have been
made. But when that comes to be trebled, and
with falling incomes in many cases there is at
the same time an augmentation of the national
burthens, it was felt that it was time to raise a
protest against the growing expenditure of the
Board. The increased rate asked for has, there-
fore, not been granted, and £60,000 has been
knocked off the estimates. The triennial elec-
tions take place next November, and the case of
the candidates who advocate economy will be a
strong one.

The- announcement that the Queen's physician
had advised her Majesty not to undergo the
fatigues of the first Drawing-room of the season
was a disappointment to those who had looked
forward to the restoration of the Sovereign's
health as a reason for her presiding on an occasion
of so much interest in fashionable circles. This
feeling, however, disappeared when a day or two
afterwards an official communiqué appeared
in the papers, stating that the Queen would
take the second Drawing-room in the following
week. Meanwhile the Princess of Wales is as
perfect a representative of the reigning monarch
as can be found amongst the ladies of the Royal
House. Her Royal Highness has now been
amongst us twenty-two years, having been
married to the Heir-Apparent on the 10th
March, 1863, and has made friends wherever
she has gone. Her bright and beaming face is
irresistible, and so the people of Ireland will
find.

Last week's Punch had a comic sketch by
Harry Furniss Caricaturing Mr. Gladstone as he
one evening scampered through the empty House
of Commons towards the division lobby, where
he arrived just in time to give his vote in favour
of the first application of the closure. Of course
it was overdrawn; but as to the fact there is no
doubt. The aged Premier skipped along the
floor as though he had been a boy. His phy-
sical exercise evidently tends to keep him in
good health. His long walks and his deft
wielding of the axe are carried out with a pur-
pose, and that is to maintain the healthy con-
dition of body which has enabled him to go
through so many years of work for the State and
in Parliament.

The day fixed for the Oxford and Cambridge
Boat Race is a week earlier than last year, owing
to Easter falling sooner. Practice commenced as
far back as the latter part of January, and, as
usual, both crews went into strict training on
Ash Wednesday. There has been no alteration
in the formation of either crew, lately, and the
men as present constituted, will, barring accidents,
do battle for their University on the 28th.
The popularity of the race may, perhaps, be
slightly on the wane; but things certainly im-
proved last year, when Cambridge won their
first victory since 1879. The interest would
naturally decline in the contest if one side
always won, and never gave their opponents a
chance. The Oxonians last year were over-
trained, and this lost them the race, whereas the
Cantabs were in the pink of condition, and jus-
tified the odds laid on them by winning by
about three lengths. The presidents this year
must look after their men well, and see that they
do not train off. They will now soon be located
at Putney to conclude their practice on the tide-
way, and then their merits can be better judged.
Up to the present time, no speculation has been
recorded on the event. The Light Blues are
very fortunate in having the same stroke as last
year. Stroke is always a very important post,
and a better man than Mr. Pitman could not
have been selected for this onerous duty. There
are also two or three men in the boat that con-
stituted last year's eight. The Dark Blue stroke
is Mr. Girdlestone, and this will be the first race
in which he has taken part, but he is well
backed up by the men behind him. The crews
this year are both above the average weight. If
all goes on well the contest is certain to be a
close one, and should fine weather favour the
day there will not be much falling off in the at-
tendance, either on the banks of the river or on
the steamers.

One of Mr. Wilson Barrett's greatest under-
takings has been the production of "Junius, or
the Household Gods,' at the Princess's Theatre,
of which he is the manager. "Hamlet," after
having been played for over 100 nights, was with-
drawn for the late Lord Lytton'' classic play.
It was received very well on the first night by a
large and fashionable audience, which showed
their approval of it in their unbounded applause.
It is certainly worth going to see if only for the
scenery, which is splendid, the palace of the Tar-
quins in the last act being magnificent. Mr.
Wilson Barrett takes the part of Junius. At the
Adelphi it will be noticed that "In the Ranks"
is still as popular as ever, but its gigantic run
will soon be brought to a close' as a new drama,
prepared by Mr. G. R. Sims, will be produced at
Easter. The Lyceum has discarded Shakspeare for
Sheridan Knowles. "Romeo and Juliet" has been
substituted by the "Hunchback," with Miss Mary
Anderson as Julia. The "School for Scandal"
seems more to the taste of West-end playgoers,
than "Princess George," Mrs. Langtry still con-
tinuing the part of
.Lady Teazle, in Sheridan's
comedy.. After a successful to round the
world, Miss Jennie Lee has. at length returned,
and gives her pathetic rendering of "Jo " at the
Strand. The public do not seem to tire of the
"Private Secretary" at the Globe, or of "Saints
and Sinners." at the Vaudeville; while at
Covent Garden the International Cirque still
holds sway. We have only one Shakspearean
play at present on the boards, and that is "As
You Like - It," at the St. James's. At the
National Theatre, Drury-lane, Mr. Augustus
Harris's pantomime "Whittington," still draws
crowded houses. There is no cause for wonder at
its having held the boards so long, as it is one of
the most mag,nificent pantomimes ever pro-
duced at this or any other theatre.

Men of note—the bank cashiers. A hole-souled
fellow—the miner. A half-soled fellow—the cobbler.
Meat for tramps—Cold shoulder. Spring-time--a
watch movement.
Rich aunt: "William, you only come to see me
when you want some money." William: "Aunty, I
couldn't very well come any oftener."
Counsel: "You say the prisoner assaulted you
with a coal-shovel. Now,,please state whether it was
on the 4th or sth instant: Witness: "No, sah; it
Was on de head."
A Connecticut man is dead from his bones having
turned to chalk. People cannot be too careful in
regulating the amount of milk they drink in this
world. •