The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-10-04 00:00:00

THE STOURBRIDGE OBSER

SIGNAL AND ESCAPE BALLOONS.

M. llenry Coxwell, Tottenham, has sent lite following
letter to the papers for publioation :

Sir,—For war purpoftes no military equipment will
be complete without provisling for these special
requirements. They may be said to comprise the
two great lesions taught by the Franao-German war
and the surprises in South Africa, as also the more
recent massacre at the Cabal residency.

In Paris, our clever neighbours had the sense and
ingenuity to make use of balloons in a desperate emer-
gency ; and I beg to suggest that when our own war
balloons are told off for foreign service airostatio
signals and escape balloons should not be overlooked.

Signals of a simple semaphore character, such as
those I devised in the year 1854, would do to begin
with.

Balloon signals cannot be very well superseded by the
heliograph, because the former are designed for a par-
ticular kind of use, and are not dependent on the
sun's rays or artificial light.
Secondly, it muAt be obvious that one of the most
appropriate uses to which balloons can be turned
would be to effect an escape from beleaguered towns
when all other means of exit are barred.

Precious, indeed, would be the appliance in the
hour of need which could thus get away with valuable
lives and document&
I contend that in eve:), forbrese and city where the
lives of national representatives are imperilled, there
should be provided escape balloon., one on the gas,
the other on the hoteair principle, so that one or the
other might be made available during the day or night,
according to the facilities afforded for inflation and
departure.
It would be well to make such arrangements in our
colonies and empire, and thus utilise the regions of
space for obiects so important.

Sinemza.—A correspondent from Dresden writes
to the Augsburger Zei‘ung that the number of suicides
has greatly increased in Saxony. The statistics for
1878 show that there were 1,126 oases of suicide corn.
mitted of which 215 were women. In 749 cases death
was caused by hanging, in 217 by drowning, in 88 by
shooting. The causes which led to commit the crime
were—in 284 owes, melancholy; in 105, weariness of
life; in 94, drunkenness and distemper; in 90, mental
disturbances; in 89, poverty; in 65, physical suffering;
in 39, unhappy lave affairs. The ages of those oom.
mitting 'suicide varied generally between 90 and 14,
while eight individuals had not attained their 14th
year, and four were between 80 and 90 years of age.
The number of suicides in England, or in London at
any rate, during the last few weeks has also been
three times as great as it was last year at the same
time. It is supposed that the bad weather, the lack
of sunshine, frequent rain, the recent storms and
inundations, have had a bad influence on the minds
of the inhabitants.—British Medical Jourmul.

"VoxD MONEY ORDERS."—The amount of void
money orders in the year ended the 31st of March last
VMS £5,997 11s. 7d.
ELIETION ORA.RGES.—It appears from a return
Fist issued that in the counties of England and
Wales the returning officers charges at the last
general election were highest in the county of Middle-
sex, being £2,373 11d., and lowest in Bedford
(where there was no contest) being £25 19s, 4d. In
eighteen other counties the charges exee•ded 21,000.
The highest charges in the cities and boroughs of Eng-
land and Wales was that for Lambeth, which
amounted to £1,980 is. 7d.; and the lowest that for
Harwich, which was only es. 61 In only one Scotch
county were the charges more than £l,ooo—namely,
those for Perth, which amounted to £1,056 14.1. id.
Glasgow heads the burghs with £2,482 14e. Td., Edin-
burgh owning next with 21,02115. 6d. In Ireland the
counties for which the charges were the highest were
Galway £1,200, and Down £1,000; and in the boroughs
Dublin heads the list with £1,306. From three Irish
counties and two boroughs there was no return.
A. FATAL AOCrLDENT. —OR Saturday morning Mrs.
Hair, wife of Mr. Hair, a chemist, of Newcastle-on-
Tyne, met with a fatal accident at the Central Rail-
way Station of that town. James Taylor, the Tyne-
side rower, and his wife were leaving by the 10.5 train
for London, and were accompanied be the railway
station by same Mown, including Mr. and Mrs. Hair,
Mr. Taylor and his fanlily got into a carriage at the
end of the train, and just before it moved off Mrs.
Hair walked to the other end of the platform to say
" Good-bye " as the train paned. By the time the
carriage in which the Taylors were seated had reached
the spot where Mrs. Hair stood the train was going at
SAMS speed. In the excitement ef the moment Mrs.
Taylor put her hand out of the window to wish Mrs.
Hair a final farewell. The act a laying hold ef Mrs.
Hair's hand had the effect of whirlng her round, and
in a moment she fell between the moving train and the
platform. Several of the wheels passed over her head,
and she was instantly killed.—An inquest was held on
Monday, when the jury returned a verdict of acci-
dental death, adding that there was no blame attach-
able to anyone.
DISCOVERY 01 ANCIENT COIIII.—A lad who had
only 'Maly quitted school made an extensive discovery
of Roman coins near Nassenfuss, in Styria, on Sept.
1L Close by the highroad, about a foot-and-half from
the surface of the ground, he found nearly 5,000 coins,
almost all ...per, the greater portion in an earthen-
ware pot, an. the rest lying upon and around it. The
pot was quite soft, but, after a short exposure to the
air, it became quite hard, Owing to the oxidation and
the infiltration of clay, most of the coins were welded
together in a shapeless mass, and great paine and care
were needed to separate them with as little injury
as possible. They belong to the reigns of Severna,
Gallianue, Ciandian, Anrelianus, and Probns. The
largest portion belong to these two. There are none of
Diocletian, so that probably they were hidden shortly,
before his reign. A remarkable circumstance con-
nected with this discovery is the fact that on several
former occasions coins were found, either isolated or
in small numbers, a few feet from the site of the
present discovery, and always after rainy weather.
Probably the coins were washed out of their resting-
place and gradually brought to the surface. Still no
one seems to have thought of exploring the place.
New, however, the steward of the proprietor of the
estate has forbidden any further excavations; it is to
be hoped he will himself undertake the task of having
the site well searched.

Ax AIiTI•CHOLEIU. GRIMALDI ix JAZAL—The Tokio
Times says: The citizens of the capital are not behind
the Government in adopting prompt sanitary pre-
cautions. Ten prominent members of the community
have formed a society to aid in preventing the spread
of cholera, had have collected several thousand yen,
by subscription, to be expended for this purpose.
For many days they have been busy in distributing
disinfecting materials about the city, in addition to
which they have taken the praiseworthy step,of isoming,
freeing dispensing and publicly posting circulars con-
taining admonitions as to the danger of the epidemic,
suggestions for its avoidance, and rules for its treat-
ment. The paper is admirably well written, and is in
the easiest vernacular style, so that it may be under-
stood by the lowest classes. In order to arrest popular
attention, it is headed by an illustration representing
a man with a bottle of disinfectant fluid, striking down
the malignant spirits of disease, which are depicted in
conventional diabolic guise. This method of diffusing
information will do good service in quarters where
Government notifications might almost pass un-
noticed.

MOBB StrITABLB.—The weakness of the present
Ameer of Afghanistan, and his evident inability to
control his troops, have suggested to the authorities the
idea of changing his style and title from Yakoob Khan
to Yakoob Khan't.—Judy.

ORNAMENTS WITH MOTION PRODUCED ELECTICALLY.
—Some curious trinkets, to which certain motions can
be given at will by means of electricity, have recently
been devised by M. Tranv6. Two of these (described
in La Na4ure) are soarfpins ; one has a death's head,
gold or eaamel, with diamond eyes and an articulated
jaw. the other has a rabbit seated upright on a box
with a little bell before it, to be struck with two rods
held in the animal's forepaws. An invisible wire con-
nects these objects with a small hermetically-closed
battery, the ebonite case of which is about the size of a
cigarette. It is kept in the waistcoat-pocket, and acts
only when turned horizontally or inverted. When a
person looks at the pin the owner, slipping a finger
into his pocket, moves the battery, whereupon the
death's head rolls its eyes and grinds its teeth, or the
little rabbit beats the hell with its rods through
electro-magnetic action. A third kind of ornament
is a small bird set with diamonds, to be fixed in a
lady's hair, and the wings of which can be set in motion
electrically.
WHY NOT 2—A movement kas been set on foot by
some worthy enthusiasts to supply our troops still re-
maining in South Africa with treat& Not a word is
to be said agaisst this ProPcsai, for anything which
tends to instruct or to improve the soldier deseeves
support. But as there seems to be plenty of room in
Zululand, why not carry the notion a little further!
Tracts of land, now, are things the colonists all under.
stand.—Judy.
WOMEN'S RIG'/s.—Women's rights are well esta-
blished in the Candahar district, judging from the
customs of the Wasiris, a tribe in the neighbourhood
of the Pishin Valley, and against whom the British
will probably undertake a campaign next cold season.
The fair sex are not only exempt from all kinds of
labour, but it is their duty to make offers of marriage.
Thus the Wasiri lady sends a hairpin to the chosen
one, requesting that with it he will pin a handkerchief
to his cap. If her affection ie returned, the request is
fulfilled, and as the gentleman fastens the love token
he publishes the lady's Dame, and is obliged to marry
her forthwith.

A JACIAB AT LIEGN.'""A jaguar, escaped from con-
finement is roaming at' large either in Wmdsor Forest
or district Cosy The Times' of Monday). The besot,
It seems, is the property of Sir Beaumont Dixie, who
resides at the Fishery, near Surly-hall, and has, it is
understood, been made a sort of pet by Lady Dixie.
It is said that the jaguar, which was kept chained in
the grounds near the house, would soaroely permit any
one but her ladyship to careful it, and that it was in the
habit of rushing at strangers. Notwithstanding the
precautions taken properly to secure it the beast
recently contrived to break itx chain and escape from
the Fishery, making, 11 11 believed, for Windsor Great
Park, in the recesses of which it is supposed to have
made its lair. Men have been sent in search without
avail, the jaguar, so far as is known, being still at
liberty.
THB PYRKNERII &num—This dog, which has come
Into notice is a native of one of the largest villages of
the Pyrenees. A gentleman describing one of these
dogs just imported, says the dog has the head of a
setter of good type of the largest setter use and would
have weighed probably ninety pounds; in colour, a
very dark cream, or approaching a light brown or
oafs-au-jail hue. His coat was semorwkat curly; not
so much as a retriever, but a decided curl—not a wave.
His feather on legs was beautiful, in its silkiness and
length, as was also the "flag " on its tall, which latter
point was long and full, its bone, tapering to a small
point, like a well-bred pointer's; eyes large, dark in
colour and lustrous. Taken altngethel, a very fine
specimen of a dog, not a whit of mongrel look about
him. They are used exclusively for duck hunting,
laying on a duck SA a setter on A point, and even when
the birds are shot, retrieving it as well as any strain
of water-dog in the world.

A SINB QUA Now —Patient. "Da you mean to say
my complaint is a dangerous one "—Doctor. "A very
dangerous one, ray dear friend. Still, people have
been known to reoover from it; so you must not give
up all hope. But recollect one thing: your ()nig
chance is to keep in a cheerful frame of mind, and
avoid anything like depression of spirits "—Punch.

DRATH Or A POLISH PATRIWL—The Feder VOYCI
announces the death at Grosswardein, in his eighty.
seventh year. of Martin Daschkevicz, a former Polish
revolutionary leader. He was a native ef Courland
where his family were among the richest and most
Influential landowners. After the suppression of the
Jesuits, many of the estates of the Order in that part
of Poland were granted to the Daschkevics, Martin's
mother was a Russian, Princess Koreakoff ; his sister
was married to a Russian Prince; and he himself was
brought up at the Court of St. Petersburg. But when
Napoleon I. declared war against Prussia and took the
Poles under his protection, the youth, then nineteen
years old, fled from home and joined the Polish volun-
teers. After the catastrophe of 1812, young Daschkevicz
joined the French, and formed part of the corps that
was sent to Spain in 1813. He made the whole journey
from Moscow to Madrid on horseback. He returned
to Poland in 1830, and fought through the whole of
that bloody campaign. After the suppression of that
movement he retired to Hungary, where he lived on
terms of intimacy with Deltic, Szechenyi, and other
constitutional leaders. During the revolutionary
struggle of 1848-9 he did not bear arms; but he gave
useful advice on many occasions to Dembinsky and
other generals. After the capitulation of Vilagos he
quitted Hungary, and travelled a great deal. During
his travels he was brought into personal contact with
Napoleon 111,, Victor Emmanuel, Garibaldi, Mazzini,
and even Pius IX. Upon the first news of the Polish
insurrection of 1863, Daschkevicz hastened to help his
countrymen. When that movement was also put down
he returned to Hungary, and settled at Groeawardein,
where he was universally beloYed and edema.—
Obituary of Th. Ttntle.

LABOUR Disrunz IN FRANZ& —Some interesting
information has been given as to the result of the
Conseils des Prud'hommes in the settlement of trade
quarrels. Previous to the war, the number of cases
that came before them were very large—viz.' 43,807
In 1860, and 46,001 in 1868. Frem the time of the war

they decreased, being 29,913 in 1873, but since then
the numbers have gradually increased to 31,244 in
1874, 33,907 in 1875, 34,774 in 1876, and 35,046 in 1877.
Of this last number, 25,834 cases were heard before
the Counoils in private, and a reconciliation was
effected in 18,415 (71 per cent, ) ; 7,419 could not be
conciliated, and were remitted for hearing at the
General Council; and 9,0/76 differences were settled
outside the court. As to the causes of dispute,
21,368, or 61 per cent., were relative to wages, 4,733,
or 14 per cent., to dismissal, and 1,795, or 6 per cent.,
to apprenticeship cases.

ONINOUS.—The latest addition to the price-list of
the principal Co-operative Stores is—Tombstones.
Whether this item is to be regarded as another
symptom of the enterprise of the Association or a
further sign of the dulness of the times is no matter;
it is equally a bad look-out for the retail trade4ma3,
who is not now to be free from co-operative rivalry
even in his tomb,—Judy.
CARRIAGEB AND MALE SERVINTS.—III the year
ended the 31st of March, the Excise duty on carriages
amounted to £555,749 23., and on male servants to
£146,061 164.
A TERRIBLE SOZNE.—The Paris Correspondent of
the Daily Tdegrapli writes :—" One of the pictures of
the late French Salon represented the fable of the
woman who was turned into a oat. She is depicted
crawling on all fours, a woman in figure, but a oat in
nature), with kindling eye and stealthy movement
towards a mouse in the corner of the room. In the
Rue de Montreull, yesterday, the inhabitants were
witneasee of a scene in which a woman assumed for a
short space of time the attributes of a cat. But the
case was different and far more terrrible than the one
related in the fable. It was the most appalling of all
human maladies that took possession of this poor
woman, Last August she was bitten by a mad cat,
and, although the wound was considered quite healed,
suddenly yesterdey afternoon she was seized with
hydrophobia. She uttered a terrible scream like that
of a cat, and threw herself with frightful grimaces as
II to bite a neighbour, who hastened to get away. The
mad female pursued her, but fell in the middle of the
street in paroxysms of agony, tearing out her hair.
The crowd looked on petrified with fear and horror.
Finally some policemen threw blankets over her, and
succeeded in carrying her to the neareit hospital, but
she was dead before arriving there."
BISHOP ELLIOOTT ON THE LTV:MGT.—The Bishop of
Bristol, speaking after a church consecration in that
city deprecated the present restlessness in the Church
of England, and said if the Church could have
but two year's rest it would be the strongest, most
powerful, and united Church the world had ever
known. He hoped this restlessness would wear itself
out, for it was now seeking to touch some of those
things which every Churchman and Churchwoman
wished to remain untouched. He trusted in God that
they were not going to have their old prayer book
pulled about. Although here and there some slight
alterations might be made that would bring matters a
little more closely to our nineteenth century usage,
what were these trifling changes compared with the
tremendous risks of altering that venerated book that
had proved a bond of union to the Church since 1662,
AYERIGI PRIORS OF BRITISH CORN.—The following
are the average prices of British corn for the week
ending Sept, 27, as received from the inspectors and
officers of Excise :—Wheat 40s, 5d,; barley, 41s. ltd.;
oats, 235. 11d, per imperial qr. Corresponding week
last year :—Wheat, 41s sd. ; barley, 41s. id. ; oats,
225. 10d.

0111 or TOWL—Postman'm Friend. Got a heavy
load, Joian.—Postman. Load? I should think so.
Blow this wet weather, I say, folks can't get out, so
sit indoors and does nothing but write all this 'ere
stuff to one another.—Judy.

PROPOORD EMIGRATION OF MINIRS.—The move-
ment in favour of emigration which was inaugurated
at the recent Conference of Miners of the United
Kingdom, held at Manchester, will be further discussed
at a conference at Leeds on Tuesday the 14th of
October, and following days, at which Mr. Alexander
Macdonald, M.P., will preside. Reports will be re-
ceived as to how the districts have accepted the emi-
gration suggestions, after which the President will
deliver an address. The conference will then proceed
to the consideration of the rules, and will subsequently
ppoint officers for the working of the association.

RAISING SIIIKX2I VICEISELS. —ln the Pltiteen Lake,
which is not far from Berlin, the depth of which is
very considerable, reaching in some parts to twenty-
eight metres, an interesting attempt has been made to
raise sunken vessels. The method, which is the in-
vention of Herr Eidner, a Vienna civil engineer,
oonsiats in applying carbonic acid in the following
manner :—ln an empty balloon a bottle half filled
with sulphuric acid, surrounded with Bullrich's salt,
is fixed; the bottle is destroyed by turning a screw,
and the two substances mix and produce carbonic acid,
which fills the balloon. It is obvious that when this
apparatus is brought into operation in the hull of a
sunken ship, the effect must be, if a sufficient number
of balloons are filled, to raise the vessel. In the experi-
ments on the Piatzen Lake, a small vessel or boat
weighing several hundred weight, was first rink. A
diver then went down with the necessary apparatus,
which he set in operation in the interior of the ship.
Hardly had he done so before the vessel began to rise
to the surface, where it was maintained by the balloon,
In a second experiment five heavy sacks filled with
sand were thrown overboard in a part of the lake
which was sixteen metree deep. The diver descended,
fastened all the sacks together, and fixing the balloon
apparatus to them, set it going, with the effect that
the whole of the sacks were brought up to the surface.