The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1883-04-28 00:00:00

[We deem it right to state that wo de not at all time
identify eurselves with our Correspondent's opinions.]

Her Majesty was to have opened the Internationa
Fisheries Exhibition on the 12th May; but according
to a statement made by the Duke of Cambridge at the
Festival Dinner of the British Home for Incurables,
the health of the Sovereign, as a result of the recent
acoident, is not so satisfactory as had been hoped or
gm/Amu& His Royal Highness made an announce-
ment a high quite disposed of the anticipation that the
queen would be presen` at a ceremony of so much
interest, even if she were unable to leave her carriage,
as bad been suggested. Her Majesty, said the Duke,
would be eompelled to remain at Osborne for a con-
siderable period. Since that it has been officially
stated that the Queen's Drawing Rooms will be held
at Buckingham Palace on the 10th and 21st of May,
but the paragraph did not gay who was to hold them.
In all probability the Princess of Wales will preside
on each of those occasions.
A Drawing-room is a fatiguing ceremonial to a lady
who for forty-six years has been the central figure at
Buckingham Palace. The routine of State duties,
alter nearly half a century, no longer sit so lightly
upon the shoulders as they were once accustomed to do.
It is no uncommon experience for 250 ladies to be pre-
sented to the Sovereign at a Drawing-room, and even
the high number of 400 have been known to be there.
Pour hundred presentations would take between two
and three hours to get through, and it has not unfre-
quently happened that her Majesty has had to retire
from the Throne Room through fatigue long before
the whole of the ladies, anxious to pay their respects to
the Sovereign, had been presented, and that the
Princess of Wales has taken her place.
As to the Fisheries Exhibition rapid progress is being
made with the preparations. Specimens of fish have
arrived from all parts of the world, and from places
where even the sound of the word would seem to be
incongruous. There are not many, for instance, who
would especially associate fish with China or Japan ;
but both these populous Asiatic nations will be well
represented. American and Swedish exhibits have
arrived; and there are heavy consignments from
Canada, Tasmania, and the Straits Settlements. In
particular the Chinese have engaged with great energy
in what must have been to most of them a perfectly
novel undertaking. Only six months ago the collection
of specimens was begun in the celestial Empire; yet
China was the first nation to appear at the Exhibition.
The Chinese are in fact noted for the energetic way in
which they apply themselves to any task which they
take in hand, no matter in what part of the world
they may appear.

Another great fire in the heart of the City of London
again supplies an illustration of the truth that no one
is sure in a great city when such a direful
calamity will overtake him. Some curious and
Interesting facts on the subject of fires have lately been
laid before the Society of Arts. It appears that
the loss by fires alone in the six principal countries of
Europe, and in the United States and Canada, amounts
to no lees an average annual sum than seventy millions
sterling. In the United States the loss is equivalent
to a tax of nearly 9s per head of the population ; in
Canada it is rather over that sum; while in the United
Kingdom alone the yearly loss by fire exceeds seven
millions sterling, equal to a tax of five shillings per
head on the whole people. The greater devastation
caused by fire in the United States is occasioned by the
greater use of wood in the construction of the cities ;
for even the pavements are in many cases made of this
inflammable material.
The pictures are all in at the Royal Aoademy once
more, and those of the public who admire art, besides
many who do not appreciate it as well as they would
like to do, are awaiting with interest the first Monday
In May, when Burlington House will be thrown open
to the public en the payment of one shilling entrance
fee. For the price the Royal Academy exhibition is
perhaps the most wonderful in London. A visitor
goes to the National Gallery on a free day, and Bees
the most ornate works of the old masters, that is, of
the great painters who lived centuries ago. There it
always remains the same, or nearly so; occasionally
an addition is made, when the nation is enabled to
secure possession of an art treasure of more than ordi•
nary value. But the Royal Academy is every year
fresh and new; hundreds of pictures are for the first
time brought together—the works of our best artists,
and upon which they have been engaged for years.
The opening of the Academy Exhibition is always
preceded by the banquet on the Saturday before. 'The
President, as a matter of course, takes the chair.
By virtue of his office he invariably receives a knight-
hood, and this has become quite as much of a custom
as the conferring of the same title on the Judges and
the law officers of the Crown. The Academy is a rich
eorporation ; the feast is a splendid one, and the most
distinguished men are invited to partake of it.
Statesmanship, politics, jurisprudence, art, science,
literature, the drama, and the great national services are
all represented at this illustrious gathering—one which
could not be surpassed for intellect by any other
country. The Prime Minister of the day always re-
receives an invitation, and it was at one of these
banqueter, years ago, that the late Lord Derby, as
Eremier of England, said it wasu pity the ten hours'
system eould not be applied to the office which he
held. The working hours of the First Lord of the
Treasury are at least half as many again.
Primrose Day has come and gone, the anniversary of
Lord Beaconsfield's death being commemorated very
generally in London by the wearing of his favourite
flower. Many wore it who, without endorsing all the
acts of a statesman throng a long political career,
admired the courage, the perseverance, the industry,
and the marvellous ability which raised him from a
comparatively humble position to the high and
dignified post of Her Majesty's First Minister of
State. The career of Lord Beaconsfield was like that
of a dazzling meteor; it illumined the political sky
dining its passage, leaving the firmament darker than
before when it had disappeared. Happily in England
the strife of parties can occasionally be laid article in
paying tribute to the memory of a distinguished
statesman.
When Sir Robert Napier penetrated into Abyssinia,
marched to Magdala, and rescued the English pri-
soners whom King Theodore had so long kept in a
an tndeserved incarceration, the Queen rewarded
him by a peerage, and Parliament granted a pension
of £2,000 a year to himself and his next heir male.
Precisely the same course has now been followed in
the case of the Egyptian commanders. The criticisms
directed against the grants in the House of Commons
chiefly affected the principle of the hereditary pension,
many members contending that there was no reason
why a son should share to this extent in the honours
conferred by a grateful country up m the father. This
is, however, precisely the principle which is applied to
every retiring Speaker of the House of Commons.
The support accorded to the Temperance move-
ment by the aristocracy of this country is one of the
most remarkable features af the times. The Chan-
cellor of the Exchequer has had to note the diminution
in the excise receipts mainly through the increase of
habits of temperance amongst the working classes, and
now, at the other end of the scale, the highest circles
are throwing in their influence in favour of sobriety
and thrift. A singular illustration of this was given
on Saturday, when, at the invitation of the Duchess of
Sutherland, a numerous gathering assembled at Staf-
ford Howie to discuss this important question. Stafford
House, as the residence of the Duke of Sutherland, is
one of the palatial mansions of London ; its situation
is extremely agreeable, overlooking St. James's Park.
The Duke himself was present at the meeting, but the
chair was taken by Lord Mount-Temple, who in Lord
Palmerston's Government was her Majesty's First
Commissioner of Works. Amongst the speakers was
• the Rev. Canon • Wilberforce, who has lately beet
carrying on an energetio crusade against the drink
traffic. An interesting feature of the proceedings was
an announcement that the Duchess of Sutherland had
herself joined the Blue Ribbon Army, and were the
ribbon 'as an example to others to folio win her steps.
The laying of the foundation stone of the New
Schools, in connection with the ancient Chapel Royal
of the Savoy, which ceremony was performed on Satur-
day by the Duchess of Albany, was the occasion of an
Interesting gathering. It is not often that two Cabinet
Ministers can find time to be present on an occasion of
this kind, especially on a day when a Cabinet Council
Is being held; but this time both the Chancellor of the
Duchy of Lancaster and the Chancellor of the Exche-
quer attended, the former having under his superin-
tendence the Chapel Royal of the Savoy where this cere-
monial took place. Three days after the Duchess of
Albany's wedding on the 27th April last year, her Royal
Highness was placed in mourning by the melancholy
death of a sister, and the same sad event com-
pelled the King and Queen of the Netherlands to
return to Hol'end without joining in the entertain•
merit at Guildhall, for which the Corporation had
voted £2,000. A bereavement of this kind has pre-
vented the Duchess of Albany from taking that active
part in charitable work which she would otherwise

have done; but the Duke aisured the company on
- - Saturday that her Royal Highness would now be gla-I
to take her share in it whenever her presence was
sought and she could comply with the request.

The Durham County Franchise and Political Re-
form Aseocititfon have decided to make a general levy
of one penny per quarter towards establishing a fund
for paying, the sheriff's fees and other essential ex.
woes in connection with the Parliamentary oandida-
buw ei a labour candidate.

THE SEIZURE OF EXPLOSIVES IN
LONDON AND BIRMINGHAM.
In London, on Thursday (19th), at Bow-street
Police.coort, THOMAS GALLAGHER, alias Fletcher,
HENRY WILSON, HENRY I )ALTON, JOHN CURTIN,
WILLIAM ANSBURGH, BARNARD GALLAGHER (arrested
In Glasgow), and ALFRED WHITEHEAD, brought up
from Birmingham, were charged before Sir James
Irgham with being concerned together in the possea.
don of a quantity of explosives with intent to commit
a felony.

Mr. Poland and Mr. Wright prosecuted on behalf
of the Treasury ; Mr. Guiry appeared for Dr.
Gallagher • Mr. Doveton Smyth defended Wilson,
Bernard Gallagher;
and William Ansburgh
On the bench were a number of gentlemen, including
Lord Richard Grosvenor, M.P., Mr. De Rutzen,
Lieutenant-oolonel Paley, Colonel Fraser (Commis-
sioner of Police), and Mr. Saunders (police magis-
trate).
The prisoners were carefully guarded by a number
of police constables on their arrival at the Court,
and a strong cordon of the reserve men of the G
Division was formed from the cells to the dock.
It was noticed that Norman (who was in the dock with
the other prisoners last week) was conspicuous by his
absence on the present occasion, and it was understood
that he would be called as a witness against the other
prisoners.—We take the following account of the pro-
ceedings from The Times of Friday :
Mr. Poland, in his opening statement, observed that in-
formation of a most material character had from day to
day been received, and 9 had now been decided by the
Law Moors of the Grown to charge the prisoners,
under the 3rd section of 11 'Mt., cap. 12, with treason-
felony, under which every person offending would be
liable upon eonvicalon to transportation for life, or for a
term of not less than sues years. In order to give the
learned magistrate tarisdieesion some overt act or deed must
be shown to have been committed within his jurisdiction.
It was net proposed to repeat the fasts, as tkiey were in
substance already known. bat in ref erenee to this matter
it might be stated that a large nitro-glycerine manufactory
was established at Birmingham, and that when the mann-
feature of that explosive had been effected there was a
determination to use it in London for the purpose of de-
stroying Her Majesty's public buildings. The explosive
was brought to London secretly, and evidence of a. clear
and precise nature would be adduced with a view of show-
ing that a treasonable conspiracy existed. On the present
occasion a man named Norman, who was a prisoner on the
last occasion, would be brought forward, and would give
clear and definite evidence with reference to this trea-
sonable conspiracy. Without going into the details of
the evidence it was proposed to adduce, it would be
shown beyond a doubt that a treasonable conspiracy was
hatched in America, and that the prisoners now before the
Court each came to this country to play his part in the matter.
They were not all known to each other, but they were em-
ployed by the managers or heads of the conspiracy, and were
no doubt willing agents. The learned counsel submitted that
each prisoner was responsible for his share in the conspiracy
If he joined in it. It had been thought advisable to include
Whitehead in the charge of treason-felony. The overt acts
would be the acting together in London and bringing nitro-
glycerine to London for the purpose of beinsr used. It
would be shown that Whitehead was in Birmingham on
the sth or sth of February, and bought the material with
which to make the explosives. Themes Gallagher, one of
the chief cons(Wrators, left America about the 11th of March,
accompanied by his brother and a young man who from a
description was inferred to be Ansbargh. Thomas Gallagher
arrived at Charing-cross Hotel on the morning of the 27th
of March, and within an hour of his arrival telegraphed to
Whitehead in these words :—" I will see you soon. Feeney
all right." The learned counsel then briefly referred to the
arrival of the other prisoners in London as already described
in evidence, given on a former occasion. With regard to
Dalton, further evidence would be adduced against him, and
It would be left to the learned magistrate to decide whether
these persona were implicated in the eonapiracy with which
they were now charged.
William L Norman, otherwise William Joseph Lynah,
was then called, and said his brae name was Lynch. He
was a coach-builder by trade, and was born in New York.
In October last year he was working at Merritt's, the coach-
builder of Brooklyn. He had a shopmate named Daniel
O'Connor. At that time he was not a member of any
secret society. Daniel O'Connor spoke to him on the sub-
ject of joining a secret society. He did not at that time
inform him what the society was, but did so after—on the
evening that he took him to the hall. He took him to the
Odd Fellow-hall, New York That was on the and. He took
him there from Brooklyn. When he (witness) was lathe ante-
room—At this point the witness appeared oNercome for some
time, and stood leaning his head upon his hand, but shortly
afterwards oontinued-70'Connor told him that the object of
the soeiety was the freedom of Ireland by force alone. He
said he was a member of the society, but did not tell him the
name. The meeting was not in session when witness entered
the ante-room. A meeting was held at the hall every week,
and there was one this particular night. Witness agreed to
join the society. Before joining nothing was said about
payment. O'Connor told him he mast pay three dollars
initiation and entrance fee and ten cents. a week as dues.
They then went back to the hall, which was in front,
where witness saw about 30 men, all strangers. When he
went in with O'Connor he was taken to the presiding
officer, whose name was Thomas Burns, and took an
oath on a Testament to stand by Ireland, to stand
by the watchword, obey his superior officers, and pre-
serve the funds of the brotherhood. He repeated the
words after the presiding officer. It was a Fenian Brother-
hood, supposed to be working for the freedom of Ireland.
After this there was a meeting as usual. Ile paid I dols. that
evening to one supposed to be the treasurer. Re did not
know his name. They went by numbers. The number of
the treasurer was 82. The meeting was chiefly for the
Initiation of members and collection of dues. After he
was initiated he was told the name of the society. It was
called the Fenian Brotherhood. He belonged to &branch
of the society called the Emerald Club. His name was
taken down, and his address. Re attended meetings
about twice a month. There were weekly meetings in the
same hall. The pass-word was "Providence," which
always had to be given before admission. The pass-words
-were changed every three months. He paid ten cents a
week. If a member were in arrears we would not get the
pass-word. He understood that Thomas Burns was a
porter in a large house of ousiness. His number waa 10.
He did not know any other names. They were always ad-
dressed by their numbers. There was a vice-president,
a secretary, and a recorder secretary and the
recorder secretary's number was 13. He did not know
the name of any other except Burns. He did not know
O'Donovan Rona formally. He knew his liquor shop in
New York, and had beard his name mentioned there.
O'Donovan Rossalwas present at one of these meetings. He
was entitled the "Old Man." (Laughter.) Besides the
Emerald Club there were other clubs. There was the Boni-
field Club which met in 32nd-street; the "Owen Rowe,"
the "Thomas Davis," which met at the Military-hall,
Bowery; and the " Mistiest Devitt" club—he did not know
where they net. Then there was the "Emmett Club," in
Bth-avenue near 20th-street ; the " Esperanza," and the
"Tom Moore." He never attended the meetings of any
of the clubs except the one of which he was a member,
though he could have attended them. He did not know
any of the members of them. The members were known
by numbers. The district members were unknown to
them. He was not informed at the meetings of the club
what the duties of the district members were, but he had
to take orders from them. If a member had to be sent
away, an order was read by the 'president. He knew two
members of the club who were named "Sullivan." He
joined the club about the 15th or 18th of August last. He
attended his regular employment at Brooklyn, where he
lived, every day. About the 17th of March last be received
a letter from -the presiding officer, after a meeting at the
"Emerald Club." It was addressed to Dr. Thomas
Gallagher, Manhattan Avenue, Green Point, Brooklyn.
That letter was given to him by Barns. He told him to
give it to the doctor. The next evening he went to the
address mentioned. Dr. Thomas Gallagher's name was up.
He asked if the doctor was in. The doctor opened the door
himself. (the witness here identified the prisoner). He
said, " Yes ; come inside." Witness went into the parlour,
and haeded him the letter, which he opened and read.
He asked him his name, and he told him " Lynch " Dr.
Gallagher said he was wanted to go to London, and
that he would "know what for when he got there."
Witness said he would rather be excueed, as he had a
mother and sister to maintain. The doctor said "he
' would be back in two months, and his mother would be
seen to while he was away." He said, "Quit work to-
morrow, and come round and see me the day after, at nine
In the morning "—that was Friday, Be also told him not to
tell anybody else he was going away. Witness did not make
any reply. That was on Wednesday evening. Ile went to
work the next day—Thursday, the Bth of March—and
quitted work that evening without giving any notice.
He west to Dr. Gallsgher about half-past nine the next morn-
ing, and Le gave him 10 dole. impaper money, and told him
to purchase a ticket tor Liverpool in the name of
liorman. Witness purchased a steerage ticket for Liver-
pool per steamship Spain, and after faking the ticket
he met the presiding officer, Burns, who said, "The 'OH Man'
will see yourself righted tor." Witness went in the evening
to Dr. Gallagher, and showed him the ticket, which bore
the name of Noerean. Dr. Gallagher gave him 100 dols. in
paper money, and told him to go from Liverpool to London
and, on arriving inquire for the American ischange, and
leave a letter there for him with witness's address in it.
Besides money Dr. Gallagher gave him a small spring
to take with him. It was in a box about fin, long,
and about three or four high. That was on Friday after-
noon, March 9. Witness went on board the Spain at six the
next morning. He did not sleep at home on the Friday
night, but at an hotel. He took no luggage with him. He
did not tell his mother or sister that he was going to leave
for London. He arrived In Liverpool on Tnesoay, the
20th He opened the box on the voyage and looked at it;
and threw it overboard. It seemed to be a spring with ti
piece of lead pressed at the end of IL He threw it over-
board the first day because he thought it was sus-
picious. He stopped at Liverpool till two o'clock on Thurs-
day, the 22nd. He stayed at the Manchester Hotel in
the name of Norman. When he came up to London he
made iegniries at the Euston Station of a policeman who
directed him to Edwards's hoteL He went to Bowles's
American Exchange. He called there nearly every day. On
Tuesday, 27th, or Wednesday, 28th, he saw Dr. Gallagher,
who asked him out. They walked down Whitehall past the
place where the explosion was. Witness said, "That is
where the explosion was." He said, "It is a bad job for
us" Witness reeked him, "Is that what we are going to
do?" Be said, "Yea, built will not be child's play," They
passed over Westminster-bridge half-way and looked at the
House of Commons. Dr. Gallagher said, "That will make
a great crash when it comes down."
Dr. Gallagher: You are an infamous liar.
Witness, continuing, said they pasted ever and returned
the same way on the right-hand side of the way going
towards Charing-cross. On passing Scotland-yard Dr.
Gallagher said, " That is Scotland-yard, headquarters of
the detectives of . London. That will come down too."
(Gallagher here smiled in contempt.) They passed to
Charing-croes. Dr. Gallagher said he was stopping at
Charing-cross Hotel, and asked whether witness re-
equired any money, and gave him between six and seven
pounds in gold. He said, "Don't let yourself run short,
the old man will provide for us," referring to ROBBIL
Witnea3 gave him his card with Edwards's Hotel. It was a
printed card. lie then parted with him. The next
time witness saw him was about the Monday or Tuesday
following. He called at Edwards's Hotel. 'they went
as far as Eui.ton Station together, and went into the
station. He did not say where he was going, but he said
he was going out of town. Witne93 left him at the
station. That was between nine and ten in the morning.
Witness saw him again on the Monday following, April 2.
He called at the hutel. They went out together, He
said, "I want you to go to Birmingham, .to 128, Ledsam-
street, and inquire for Albert Whitehead. Tell him I
sent you for the material." He said witness was to go to
Birmingham that morning, and gave him a £6 note and
said, Buy a respectable trunk and put the stuff in it."
Witness had never heard Albert Whitehead's name before.
He went to Birmingham that mornine about twelve. Before
he went he saw the landlord of the hotel, and informed him
tint he was going, and arranged with him to keep his room
for him. He said he did not know whether he should be
back that night, but would send him a telegram. Ile
arranged with the " boots" to meet Wm at the station
that night. On arriving at Birmingham he want to 123,
Ledsarmatreet. Albert Whitehead was at the door. He
was almost positive.
The prisoner Whitehead: You didn't see Albert. •
Witness, continuing, said he was not sure it was Albert.
He went into the shop and saw a boy. (The boy was
called up and identified by witness.) He identified
Whitehead. He said to him, "Dr. Gallaeher has sent me
for the material." Whitehead told him he roust have
rubber hags to put it in, and told him to go to Harris, in
the Bull-ring, and said, "it you cannot get them there
you'll not get them in Birmingham." Witness went to
Harris, a large manufacturing ell, mist, in the Bull-ring, and
inquired whether they sold indiarubber hags and the clerk
told him they did not. He said they had rubber bottles. He
geve him the same kind of book of prices as that =duce&
le marked the book at the part "bottles of guttsirpercha,"