biglam/hmd_newspapers huggingface dataset:
The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-03-02

OUR POOR TRUANTS.

Under the above heading the Daily Telegraph publishes
the fellowing letter :

Sir - —A considerable section of the public will have
read with much satisfaction the announcement in your
columns of Friday that the proposal to introduce
truant schools under the provisions of the Industrial
Schools Act had failed to obtain the sanction of the
magistrates of the metropolis. A truant school—
whether desirable or not—did not form any part of
the intention of the framers of the Industrial Schools
Act or the Education Act; and I feel sure that the
country, whenever it entrusts very considerable
powers to public bodies, regards with pro-
portionate jealousy and vigilance every tendency to
enlarge those powers through the medium of existing
Acts framed under different conditions and for dif-
ferent objects. This decision of the magistrates gives
the ratepayers at least an opportunity carefully to
consider a proposal which involves principles of no in-
considerable importance, creating as it does not only a
new offence, but a new little penal settlement among
us, and trenching on principles sinzularly dear to the
English—liberty of the subject and liberty of speech.
True, it would affect only the Queen's little subjects,
but even these have their rights.
If the system is ever introduced among us it will
now be done with the full cognisance of Parliament.
The children will not bo consigned to a school of which
both the
a object
Those
who advocate the in-
od s of management are
obscure
troduction of this plan on the ground that it has suc-
ceeded elsewhere will be called upon to prove it is
nd indefinite.a n d th e
suited to us ; for it is not very sound reasoning
to assume precipitately that a plan which
answers in one country suits the habits and
idiosyncrasies of another. As a ratepayer in
many parts of London and the country, I should
individually strongly object to being rated for
the maintenance of a truant school. As a woman I
naturally feel a great horror of the silent system, and
as a woman I am naturally also very patient—except
on occasions—and it has often seemed, to me that we
hardly allow sufficient time for parents and children
to become accustomed to compulsory education.
Education in this form is yet new to the country, and
it must be adapted to, not forced upon, the present
generation.
In conclusion, I must apologise for asking space for
words I have endeavoured to make as brief as possible;
but except in the public journals I do not know how
to make objections known to proposals which are not
submitted to one, either as a ratepayer, school manager,
holder of property, guardian of the poor, or in any
other capacity, and yet which may introduce amongst
us before we know where we are, new principles, new
legal punishments, and new national developments of
character,—l am, Sir, yours faithfully,
BURDETT-COMM
February, 23.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-03-02

MEDICAL CAUTION.

THE Special Treatment adopted and used
with such great success by Dr. Hunter for the
last thirty years, can only be obtained at 44, Grelt
Charles Street, Birmingham. Book of Testimonies,
with advice how to regain Health and Manly Viglu
and Directions for Self f reatment, free to any addres

MIOR THE BLOOD IS THE LIFE."---,
see Deuteronomy, chap. xii., verse 23.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-03-02

No. 704

SALES BY AUCTION.

i REGISTERED FOR I
(TRANSMISSION ABROAD. I

TO LET.

GOUT AND RHEMIATISM.—Tho ex-
cruciating pain of Gout or Rheumatism quickly
removed and cured iu a few days by that celebrated
Medicine, BLAIR'S GOUT and RHEUMATIC PILLS.'

-----
They require no restraint of dietor confinementlduring
their use, and are certain to prevent the disease attack-
ng any.vital.paFt.

'field by all-Chemists at Is. lid. an 2s. 9th per box.

:GEORO-E T_TENRY BAKER,
COAL, COKE, AND BRICK MERCHANT,
BEGS to return his sincere thanks to the
inhabitants ef Cradley for their kind support, and
to inform them and the inhabitants of Stourbridge
he has REMOVED to ALMA VILLA, KIDDERMIN-
STER STREET, STOURBRIDG-E, where he hopes to
be entrusted with a share of their patronage and sup-
port, which he trusts he will gain by striet personal
attention and punctuality to business.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-03-02

OLD HILL.

DRUNK AND DISORDERLY.—At the Police Court, on
Wednesday, before Mr. W. Bassano, Joseph Attwood,
butcher, was charged with being drunk and disorderly,
on the 21st ult.—Police•constabie Wickstead proved the
case.—Defendant admitted that he had been drinking.
He had been to Birmingham and bought some beasts
and had a glass of beer. He made a complaint against
Wickstead of having four glasses of brandy-and-water at
hi $ house.—Wickstead was ie•called and said he had
one glass only.—Fined 6s and•costs.

V;oaaNcy.—Alfred Hill, a youth, was charged with
vagra:...cy by sleeping in an outhouse, on the morning
of the 27th ult.—Police-constable Sty:es proved the case,
which was admitted by the defendant, who said he had
no home.—Defendant was discharged on promising to
go to work.
STEALING Ducits.—Joseph Everson and Benjamin
Baker were charged with stealing, on the 24th nit, two
live ducks, the property of David Sevreil.—lsaac Hill, a
boy, said he lived at Besides Village. On Sunday after-
noon he was going for a walk ap Uipsey's Lane end he
saw the two prisoners on the other side of the canal and
a man named Merrick. He saw three ducks on the
vater and he heard the report of a gun and saw John
Merrick run away carrying a gun with him. The two
prisoners came to the water and Baker took a branch
from a tree and put it int,) the canal and drew out two
ducks which had been killed hy one shot. 'Baker pu%
the two ducks under his jacket and he went to Evt:soa
who was on the bridge. Both the prisoners asked him
not to say anything about what he had seen. They
then went away and he gave information to Mr. Jones
about what he had seen and Mr. Jones said the ducks
belonged to Mr. Sewell —Nathaniel Hadley (10), said
he slw Merrick tire the gun and shoot two of the ducks
and corroborated the last witness.—William Webb (11),
also corroborated.—Davii Sewell proved that the ducks
were his pronerty and said that the last three witnesses
told him what they bad seen, He went with them to
the place and they pointed out where the ducks were
shot. The drake produced was his property but he
would not isw,ar to it and he had not seen the two ducks
since they were stolen.—Police-constable Hicklin proved
apprehending the prisoners.—Both prisoners were com-
mitted to take their trials at the next Stafford Sessions,
bail refused.

FOUND DROWNED.—On Wednesday morning about
half-past six o'clock a man named Joseph Pritchard,
aged 52, a carpenter, was found drowned by the Gipsey
aidge, Tividale. It appears that he left home on Tues-
day morning ta go to work at Langley and he had not
been seen since by his wife. It is supposed that on
going under the bridge he must have caught his head
against the side of the bridge and have fallen
into the water a; there was a mark on the side of the
face. A.n inquest will be held on the body,
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-03-02

OXFORDSHIRE & WORCESTERSHIRE

AUDIT DISTRICT.

To John Taylor, Eq., Clerk of the Stourbridye Local
Board and Urban kSanitary Authority.

IHEREBY 'OIVE YOU NOTICE, that I
have appointed the Audit of the Accounts of the
,aid Board, and of the Officers thereof, for the year
which coded the 25th day of March, lbiti, to be held
On TUESDAY, the 19th day of MAucm NEXT, at Half-past
10 o'clock in the Forenoon, at the .IloaLo Room, of the
said LOCAL BOARD, at the CORN EXCHANGE',
STOUBBRIDGE, when and where you are hereby required
to attend with all Rocks, Vouchers, and other docu-
ments in your custody, or power relating to such
accounts.
Dated this 27th day of February, 1878.
(Signed),
WI GLUM KNOTT.
District Auditor.
'I he Accounts to be au lited gra deposited at the
Office of the Clerk, 56, 1110 St.e3t, Stombrt ige.

I said

OXFORDSIIIRE AND WAItWieIiSHIRE

Autur DISTRICT.

To John Taylor, Esquire, Cleric of the Stovrbridge
Local Board, ana Urban Sanitary Authority.
THEREBY GIVE YOU NOTICE, that I
have appointed the Audit of the Accounts of the
said Board, and of the Officers thereof for the year
which ended the 25th day of March, 1877, to be held
on THURSDAY, the 21st day of MARCH NEXT, at Half-
past len o'clJek in the Forenoon, at the BOARD Room
oi the said LCCAL BOARD, at the CORN LXCIIINGE,
Btourbridge, when and where you are hereby required
to attend with all Books, 'Vouchers and oth2r docu-
weuts in your custody or tower rolating to such Accunute
Dated this 27th day of.Febraary, 1878,
(Signed),

WILLIAM KNOTT,

District Au iitor
The Accounts to be Auditea are depoiited at !I
Office of the Clerk, 106, High Street, Stoarbridge.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-03-02

A NEW WAY OF PULLING OUT A
TOOTH!

The bravest among us often quail at the prospect of
a visit to the dentist, and endure a very martyrdom
from toothache rather than submit to the extraction
of the offending tooth (says the Evening Standard).
But when one's courage is screwed to the extracting
point, it is evidently to the patient's advantage that
the operation should be performed by a skilful hand,
rather than by the unpractised one of the sufferer. A
Frenchman residing in the environs of Paris held a
contrary opinion, and it is still doubtful whether his
error may not cost him his life, owing to the unusual
manner in which he played the role of dentist.
He lad long been suffering from toothache, but
obstinately refused to have recourse to a den-
tist. and at length, finding the pain unendurable,
took the following uncommon method of extrac-
tion. To the tooth he attached firmly a long string,
to the string a heavy stone; thus armed he proceeded
to the topmost storey of the house he occupied, opened
the window, and hurled the stone into the air. The
weight of the stone and the length of the string pro-
duced so violent a shock, that not only was the tooth
pulled out, but with it a portion of the man's jaw, his
neck being so painfully twisted that he fainted. Hours
ensued ere cons iousness returned. When he ultim-
ately recovered hi a senses it was only to find himself
deprived of the faculty of speech ; in short, his con-
dition was such that it was found necessary to remove
him to a hospital, where he now lies in a most pre-
carious state. Should he quit the hospital a living
man, it is to be hoped he will also be a wiser one.

[From Punch.]
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-03-02

TURKISH FUGITIVES. •

The International Committee of Aid to the Fugitives
from the Provinces at Constantinople makes the following
comninnication:—

"There are in Constantinople more than 100,000
women and children daily saved from starvation by
the distribution among them of half a loaf of bread a
head per diem. The different ass -)ciations and charit-
able persons who occupy themselves with these unfor-
tunate creatures daily supply 20,000 of them with
food. Among the others the Government has hither-
to been able to distribute half a loaf per diem ; but the
Government coffers are now empty and the bakers
will not furnish it with bread on credit, so that it has
become impossible to continue the aistribution of
rations. Thus we have the prospect of seeing nearly
80,C00 persons dying of hunger in the streets and the
greatest disorder may ensue."
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-03-02

EVERYBODY'S FRIEND, BUT NOBODY'S

POLICEMAN.
Old Lady ( fortissimo). Hi! Bobby 1 1 Hi !I !
Constable Bismarck (stolidly). Well, what's the matter

now?
Old Lady. Oh, Constable, there's going to be a row.
Constable Bismarck Where, my good woman?
Old Lady (wildly). Gracious me ! all around !
To keep the peace they all ought to be bound.
Constable Bismarck. Wait till they break it.
Old Lady. Why, then they've been and done it.
Him in the fur cap —Alick--Sir, begun it.
Constable Bismarck. Well, that fight's finished.
Old Lady. Is it? Why the mob is
Jest waiting to cut in. Oh, best of Bobbies!
Do stop 'em—take 'em up—run 'em all in!

Constable Bismarck. Can't do it, my good soul, till the

begin.
Old Lady. But that last row?
Constable Bismarck 'Twas in another street.
I couldn't interfere ;—'twas off my beat.
Bless you, I am not on duty everywhere.
This little lot is my especial care.
Old Lady. That artful Alick's always cracking cribs;
He's such a downy one at fakes and fibs.
Constable Bismarck. Is he? He looks a decent sort of card.
'Tother's a reglar Turk I
Old Lady. It's precious hard
No one won't take that poor dear's part?
Constable Bismarck. No fear
Been known to the Police this many a year.
ALICK has let him have it rather hot,
And serve him right—a regular bad lot.
Old Lady. But ALICK'S game is gathering a mob,
That in the general rumpus he may rob.
Constable Bismarck. Then let the Constable who spots his
game
Collar him promptly. I should do the same
If I should catch him at it in my street
But, for the present, Mum, he's off »ty beat

Woe- es on complatently. Exit Old Lady, lamenting.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-03-02

T CORN-FORD,
ty • A__J • v

(Late R. THOMSON,)
A_ I I_, 0 P., T
LINEN AND WOOLLEN DRAPER
GENTLEMEN'S CLOTHING

Made to Order, on the Shortest Notice.
STYLE AND
_FI_T GUA_RA.NTEED.

• LA.DIES' JACKETS, SHAWLS, DRESSES, &a.

11 awl 15, HA.GLEY.. STAILT, STOUBBBIDGE

(ANE Box of CLARKE'S B 41 Pills in
kf warranted to cure all discharges from the Urinar
..)rgans, in either sex, acquired or constitutional, Grave
and Pains in the Rack.—old in boxes, 4s 6d each, by
all Chemists and Patent Medicine Vendors; or sent to
any address for GO Stamps by the Maker, F. J. CLAniee
Consulting Chemist, High-street, Lincolu.—Wholesal
Agents, tenoLAY & Son, London, and all the Wholesal
Houses.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-03-02

CRADLEY HEATH, HALES() WEN, AND DISTRICT CHRONICLE.

SALES BY AUCTION.

MONEY ready for immediate investment in large or
small sums not under £5O, on any description of
real or personal security no less than one year, at a low
rate, viz., 4 per cent. on personal, and 3 per cent on free-
hold or leasehold security. Interest in all cases payable
half-yearly, and not in advance. Distance no object.
All applications will be treated with strictest secrecy and
despatch. Money obtainable on the shortest notice. No
ccmmission.—Apply with full particulars as to nature
security, amount required, and for what period, to VVIL-
LrAns SEYMOER, Esq., Financier, 9, Great Russell-street,
London, W.C.

SATURDAY, MARCH 2, 1878.

PRICE ONE PENNY.

PUBLIC NOTICES.

GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY.

WORCESTER SPRING RACES.

ON TUESDAY and WEDNESDAY, 'March sth and
6th a Cheap Excursion Train for WU.CEsTj.R
will leave BIRMINGHAM (Snow Hill) at 16 .25, Stne'h-
wick Junction 10.35, Oldbury IC-40, Cra 10-50,
WOLVERHAMP FON (Low Level) 10-10, Bil,ton iO-17,
Daisy Bank 10-20, Princes End 10-23, Tipton 10-28,
Dudley 10-3 a, Round Oak 10-43, Brettell Lane 10-50,
Stourbridge 11-5, and Kidderminster 11-25 am,, return.
ing from Worcester (Foregate Street) at 6-40 p.m each
day.
For farther particulars see special bills.

Paddington Terminus. J. G;ierson, General Manager.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-03-02

THE CHEAPNESS OF SALMON.

Within the last few days the fishmongers' stalls
have been supplied with a large quantity of prime
salmon, which, in many instances, has sole as low as
is. 2d. per pound. It may be hoped that this fore-
bells a plentiful year (remarks the Pall Mall Gazette).
Hitherto during the first months of the season salmon
seldom fell below 2s. and 2s. fid. per pound, this occur-
ring, too, only on rare occasions, and it was not until
towards the fag-end of the year, when the demand
for the fish had fallen off, that it could be pur-
chased at a price sufficiently low to consti-
tute it "cheap food." On turning to returns of
salmon received at Billingsgate for the two weeks
ended on the 16th of this month, and comparing them
with the returns furnished for the corresponding
period of last year, we find that, whereas the number
of boxes received in 1877 amounted to only 377, the
number received this year reach as many as 828. In
this return are included the Dutch fish, which during
the winter season were extremely plentiful, and even
now, when fresl4i4un salmon are getting scarce in the
Rhine, are coming in in large quantities, and at a
reasonable price. The season so far appears to have
opened most auspiciously in many districts. The
water was favourable for capture, and fish were enter-
ing the rivers in large numbers.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-03-02

THE EFFECT OF PROHIBITING THE

SALE OF LIQUOR.

Some statistics hove lately been published in the
United States by ex-Governor Dingley, of I:laine,
which, he asserts, show correctly the effect of the
prohibition of the sale of intoxicating liquors (except
by agencies) in that State. In the year 1830 thirteen
distilleries made 1,000,000 gallons of liquor; now
there is not a distillery or brewery in Maine. In 1832
there were sold by 2,000 taverns, hotels, and saloons,
10,000,00 dols. worth of liquors, or 20 dols. worth to
each inhabitant of the State. In 18r7 the aggregate
sales of 100 town ageuci, s wan 10j,000 dole., or 15
cents to each inhabitant. Including clandestine
sales, the highest total for the year is set down at
400%000 dole., or 2 dobe. for cash inhabitant. In

1855 the deaths from delirium trtmens were 200; now
they are not over fifty annually. Crime and
pauperism have also, according to ex-Governor
Dingley, been greatly reduced in the State; but the
exact statistics in support of this statement are not
given.—Pall Mall Gazette.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-03-02

THE KRUPP IRONWORKS.

The Economist cites from the report for the year
177 of the ironworks of IZ.`"PP, .4 VQ.0.3, *bs
following ngures :—Notwithstanding the reduction of
the number of workpeople, Krupp still employs 8,500
men in his cast-steel works. The works contain 298
boilers and steam-engines, with 11,000 horse power:
77 steam hammers, from 2to 1,000 cwt. each. In 24 •
hours the works can produce what would be required
for 12 English miles of railway, in wheels, rails, axles,
springs, and 1,500 shells besides. In one month 300
cannons can be made in these works. Since 1847,
15,000 cannons have been cast in Krupp's Works,
36,000 cwt. of coke and coal are used every day.
21,000 gas jets are lit every day. The conveyance
within the works is carried on by a railway net, ex-
tending over 60 kilometres, with 24 engines and 700
cars. Forty-four telegraph stations are within the
works, besides a well-regulated body of firemen and 8
steam fire-engines. Near Meppen Krupp is having a
shooting place prepared for him, which extends over
18 kilometres. In Krupp's mines for iron and coals,
5,300 men besides are at work. He has mines in the
North of Spain which produce 4,000,000 cwt. of iron
metal yearly; they are transported in five steamers
belonging to Krupp. The workpeople, with their
wives, number 16,209 persons, who live in 3,277 apart-
ments belonging to the firm.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-03-02

SEED.

LONDON, Monday, February 5 . —There was a limited
quantity of English Cloverseed offering, which was disposed
of at prices ranging from 645. to 84s. per cwt. The best
samples of French were in good request, at rather over the
urrencies of last week. Americans are asked for, but as
yet n 1 supply comes forward. Trefoil was sold rather
slowl: at last week's prices for the best qualities of old.
Canaryseed was slowly disposed of at former low prices.
Dutch Hempseed realised previous values. Foreign Tares
met a good sale at the extreme prices of last week. White
and brown Mustardseeds were in short supply; line iquali-
ties of brown were rather more asked for, and held at higher
prices. Italian Ityegrass was saleable at ISs. H. to Ds. 6d.
per cwt. Low qualities of old Grass-seeds are offered at
reduced rates.

TALLOW.
s. d. s.d.
Town Tallow, per cwt. 41 3 Rough Stuff, per cwt. 15 6
Rough Fat, per Sibs. 1 9 Greaves „ 12 0
Melted Stuff, per cwt. 30 6 Good Dregs „ 6 0
Yellow Russian, new ..!. 395. 6d. per cwt.
Australian Mutton Tallow, .. 41s. 6d. „
Ditto Beef Ditto, .. 395. 9d. „
H A.Y.
Winn:CHAPEL, Saturday, Feb. 23.-The moderate supply
that was on sale met with a brisk trade at firm prices.
Prime Clover, 100 s. to 1308.; Inferior, 858. to 955. ; Prime
Meadow Hay, 90s. to loss.; Inferior, 70s. to 855.; and Straw
445. to 51s. per load.
POTATOES.
The demand for potatoes has been rather quiet., and prices
are not quite so firm. The arrivals are moderate. Kent
regents, 1755. to 2005.: Essex ditto, 150 s. to ISOs. • rocks,
100 s. to 1355.; dukes, 400 s. to 210 s. : and V ietorias,l66s. to
1988, per ton. FlSff.
to Ss. • Corntrion ditto, 6s. to
"to. ela2e.;
Native oysters, 18a. Cd. to 21s. ; Dutoli (Litt°, 'is. 6d. to
cOAs
.t e; Did ditto, ss. 6d.
to
ogs.
Us.; Spanish
.;
pearl American
ditto,
ditto, ditto,
si. 8.86td.0.
Se.
soe
596dsd. .;. t;p.o beikiso.ge.Stcl.r.
a;
idtritetodt,ode, ist.st
oiso.a
t: tiBo-82.1.
pkeeipri pherundarittoed, 713,a. 611
onto,
fresh herrings,
" S• • ; mused ditto, 48.
is. 2d. to Is. 4d. ; crimped ditto. Is.lOd. to 2s. Sd. ;. pickled
ditto, 6d. to Sd.; kipper ditto, 10d. is. 2d. per lb.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-03-02

TURKS AND TURKS.

Under the above heading The Tinzds publishes the
following letter :
Sir,—lt is incumbent on every Englishman in these critical
times to give the benefit of his experience in matters con-
nected with Turkish affairs if, by so doing, he can throw any
light on the subject. And Ido not hesitate to say that pri-
vate individuals like myself long resident in this country,
who know the languages and have intimate relations with
the body of the people, are at times better able to give a
correct opinion than those who are surrounded by the
atmosphere of official reserve.

I have many opportunities of testing the feelings of the
Turks, and I have endeavoured to make the best use of
them. They are now divided by unmistakeable demarca-
tion into two distinct classes—the official world, that is the
mongrel race which form the Government element and
the non-official world, consisting of the pure Turks, who
form the Governed, inclusive of the army up to the rank of
sergeant.

The official world, with self-preservation in view, have
thrown themselves body and soul into the hands of Russia,
and will obey her behests against England or any other
Power, knowing that Russia alone will, for her own purposes,
protect them from the openly expressed resentment of their
people.
The non-official Turks, on the other hand, are savagely
joyful at the prospect of a war against Russia by England,
for they hope thereby to satisfy the two master-passions of
their souls—via, hatred of Russia and hatred of their rulers.

It is essential to bear this bitter antagonism between the
official and non-official worlds in view, for it is clear to me
—and there is is not a non-official Turk who does not tell
me the same—that if England makes war with Russia, an
alliance, offensive and defensive, between Turkey and
Russia will mean nothing more than an affiance between
the present Turkish rulers and Russia, whereas the body of
the Turkish people will welcome England as their deliverer
and will fight for her as faithfully as they would have
fought for their Sultans in days gone by. lam firmly con-
vinced that if England were to give the signal there would
be a rising of the people and the army in her favour, as
against Russia, such as would astonish Europe. They say
the Turks are demoralised. The official world is so cer-
tainly iq every sense, for wherever they turn an abyss Is
before them, but the people are as eager to fight as ever,
provided hey can find leaders in whom they can have
fidence—leaders who will save them from their present
rulers, leaders who they hope will continue to lead them,
even after peace is made.
Believe me, Sir, this is the feeling of the pure Turk, who
has as much common sense and as little fanaticism as any
European race, and is, above all, governed by an intense
anxiety to be honestly ruled over.—Yours, ckc.,
Constantinople, Feb. 18. A MERCHANT.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-03-02

will give their varied performcmce on the rink, on
Tuesday, March 12th. It is the intention of Mr.
Haingc, to give a series of entertainments and
concerts weekly, end nothing is wanting on the
part of the proprietor to make the rink the resort
of all lovers of so beautiful and healthy an exer-
cise as roller skating.

-
FORESTERS CONCERT.—The last concert of the
season in connection with Court Foley, Ancient
Order of Foresters, will be held at the Vine Hotel,
on Monday evening next, when we have no doubt
the talent that will ttend will be successful in
drawing a large house.
STOCK SAL.—The usual fortnightly sale of fat
and store stock by Mr. 11. King took place at his
saleyard On ruesday last. There was a largo
attendance of buyers and a very good supply of
best mutton, and pork. The highest pen of
sheep 'embus]. 79s per head. A semarkably fine
bullock was purchased by Mr. J. Lane, of Bir-
mingham, for ..€33 103. The next highest price
for a bullock was £32 lis. A cow-in-calf made
£2O 12s 6d. Pigs, which were in large numbers,
fetched very good prices. The stock sold made
upwards of £1,500.
THE • DRAMA.—On Monday night last Mr
Charles Mathews gave an entertainment in the
Corn Exchange to a large and respectable audience
on which occasion he was assisted by Miss Sarah
Thorne's company of Worcester. In "My Awful
Dad" Mr. 'Mathews was loudly cheered and
appeared to play the part remarkably well. The
whole passed off well.
CHURCH OF ENGLAND ASSOCIATION SOIREE.—
The annual soiree in connection with the above
association took place on Tuesday evening. The
trays as usual wer given by ladies in the town
and district. Upwards of 230 sat down to tea.
After which the chair was occupied by Mr. A.
Freer, president of the association, who at some
length referred to the object and advantage of the
association to the members. Referring to more
general matters the President said that Stour-
bridge appeared to have been retrograding instead
of advancing of late. Trie now railway was
closing one of the principal entrances to the town,
and the only one was by which people from the
Lye couln have acces,s to the town was so narrow
that if a sober person and a tipsy person tried to
pass there must be a collision. They had also
reached that pass in the town and that there was
no omnibus to the railway station and no lighting
of the lamps in the suburbs since the turnpikes
had been taken away. A state of things very
isconvenient and injurious to the interests of the
town. (Hear, hear.) The musical arrangements
then took place. The programme was a fairly
selected one and was given by some local aniateuv.
We do not intend to say much of the musical
abilities of those who voluntarily gave their ser-
vices, beyond that it was not up to its usual
prestige. The Chairman and Captain Wolrige
gave some good readings, which were highly
appreciated. The report which we gave a few
weeks ago was read and showed a good balance in
hand. - •
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-03-02

PUBLIC NOTICE.

_ARTHUR T. BROOES, begs to state he
was surprised to see a paragraph inserted by Mr:
J. Brides, in the Observer of the 9th inst., with refer-
ence to the AIt.LIZE bIABLLS, ctc., as his present ad-
vertisement was inserted at Mr. J. B's, dictation and with
his entire approval.
_ -

A. I'. B,iChilst thanking the public for their support
can assure them that by his Yearly Agreement with Mr.
J. 13. he has sufficient aczomou. dation fur his present
Businegs, and can extend it if necessary.

Mitre Hotel,

15th February, 1878.

MITRE HOTEL, STuIIABRIDGS.
FEBRUARY 6TH, 1878.
TV" R. JOSHUA BRIDGEb begs to state he
lu_ has not let the MllRlt YARD or SI'ABLEI3
to Air. Broke or anyone else. Mr. Brooks rents 4
culll/11,1.011 ul UIU
yard and Stables being cleared by 12 o'clock at 710011
for the accommodotion of Mr. Bridges'
every- Friday
Market Customers who he will always be glad to see.
N.B.—Ordinary every Friday, 1.30 prompt.

SKATING RINK,

STOURBRIDGE

OPEN DAILY.

MORNING : 11 a.m., till 1 p.m.
AFTERNOON: 2-30, p.m., till 5 p.m.
EVENING: 7 „ „10 „

THE STOURBRIDGE BRASS BAND
Will be in attendance Every Evening, and on
Saturday Afternoons.

ADMISSION, SIXPENCE.
PLIMPTON'S SKATES, SIXPENCE.

Select clay, Wednesday, when the charge for
Adraispion is One Shilling.

SEASON TICKETS, admitting at all times, when
the Rink is open for Skating, are now ready, and
may be had on application at the Newspaper Offices,
of Mr. Broomhall, Stationer, High Street; or of
the Manager, at the Rink.

Skating Rink

TICKETS.

YEARLY, HALF-YEARLY,
QUARTERLY, OR MONTHLY
TICKETS,

to be had at the

"Observer" Offices,
90 & 92, HIGII STREET,

STOURBRIDGE.

pOSTING E STABLISHM ENT,

MITRE HOTEL, HIGII STREET

STOURBRIDGE.

ARTHUR T. BRooKs,

(Son of the lute Mr. B. Brooks, of tke Yka7)ct Rotel),

Begs respectfully to inform the Nobility, Gentry, and
Inhabitants of Stourbridge and Neighbourhood, that he
has taken the

YARD AND STABLES AT THE ABOVE HOTEL;

And hopes, that by strict attention to all Orders that
he may be favoured with, to receive a fair share of
public patronage.

N.B.—Orders may be left at the Cab °Mee, in the
Yard; or at the Bar of the Hotel.

MRS.

HUNSTON,

(LAPXEY SAND 111:1118TnN),
lIONITON POINT LICE, MANUFACTURER,
122, HIGH-ST., STOUIWRIDGE.

13.1.D1E3 AND CHILDREN'S UNDERCLOTHING
AND
BABY LI/42N WAREHOUSE.

MERINO AND FLANNILL VEST,
SCARLET AND WHITE
FLANNEL PETTICOATS,
RALBRIGUAN HOSIERY.

MERINO, SILK,

-
PU L A ANDI SONS
,DrEitS -TO TIIE QUEEN.-
_'-PERTH.

:
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-03-02

AMERICAN HUMOUR.

The Buttress, U.S., local Darwin has discovered the
missing link. Money is the missing link, between man and
his tailor.
A Chicago paragrapher says: "A man coolly got
up a cat show, and then let all the cats return safely home;
and at night, too."

A rural editor says that the good are never success-
ful in catching fish. He has proved it by personal ex-
perience.
Vermont ciimes to the front with a horse having
seven legs and five horns. The local Darwin says a horse
fitted up as elaborately as this ought to be killed and
stuffed, and nailed up somewhere for a hat-rack.

If the blind lead the blind, they will probably be
run over by a horse car, or words to that effect, which ex-
cessively unpleasant catastrophe can be at once obviated by
purchasing a pair of eye-glasses at Muller's, the celebrated
optician, in Montgomery-street.
The latest about fast time is that on a certain
American railroad a young man put his head out of the car
window to...kiss someone in the tamale line good-bye, when
the train Went ahead so rapidly that he kissed an old African
lady at the next station.

Josh Billings' last moralizing induces him to state
that there's lots of men in this world that are like a rooster;
take the cockade and spurs off frofNthem, and you couldn't
hardly tell them from a hen.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-03-02

THE VOLUNTEERS AND THE WAR.

A large and influential meeting of past and present
artillery volunteers was held in Bristol on Saturday
afternoon, to consider how best to secure a propor-
tion of the volunteer force at all times ready for
immediate service. The mayor presided. As the
result of a long and interesting discussion, it was
arranged that the captains of batteries should apply
to the men under their command, asking those who
may be willing to undertake foreign service anywhere
at short notice to sign a document to that effect. The
speakers expressed their belief that 25 per cent. of
past and present volunteers would offer their services
in case of emergency, and one officer declared that the
government might reckon on between two and three
thousand volunteers from Bristol offering to do
garrison duty, not at home which they are bound to
do, but abroad. A similar step is expected to be taken
by the rifle and engineer volunteers.

The Morning Advertiser says :—" At a time when
news of serious import for England is being daily I
flashed along the telegraphic wires, the eyes of Eng-
lishmen naturally turn to the force which owes its
existence to an impulse of patriotism. In the event of
the exigencies of our foreign policy necessitating the
despatch of any considerable portion of the regular
army to the seat of war, it is not at all unlikely
that the volunteer force will be called out. It is
interesting to note that, in view of this con-
tingency, a movement has been set on foot in at
least one of the leading volunteer regiments of the
metropolis—the 20th Middlesex—which will afford
a satisfactory test of the extent to which the regiment
can be made available for practical purposes.
Each member of the regiment will have an
opportunity afforded him of signing a declaration
that he will be willing to serve in the force at home if
the volunteers are called out. Nor is this all. An op-
portunity will be afforded to each member of the regi-
ment of signing a declaration that he will be willing to
volunteer for service abroad in casehis services shall he
needed. The views of the signatories can only, of
cours.e, be approximately ascertained. But these two
lists will nevertheless be of great value, and there
seems to be no reason why other volunteer regiments
should not fol Low the example of the 20th Middlesex.
A great mass of important statistical information
would in that event te colleoted,
_to be utilised if
I ueeessary by the authorities at the War Oftlee,".
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-03-02

A WEATHER WARNING.

The following cable message has been received at
the London office of the New York Herald from New
York :
"Storm centre will probably arrive British coasts
fromrt.hwesoustthwledsst,
haebtalvuyt,ratah:
antlidtria:lnz tempera,ture.
Strong north-east to
n
;VA weatta tho D 4 cell Ataluito, during gam°
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-03-02

ASCENT ,OF MOUNT TONGARIRO.

The celebrated burning mountain of New Zealand ,
Tongariro, has at last been explored by an English-
man, Mr. P. F. Connelly, a sculptor, having recently
succeeded in ascending to the summit. Tee volcano
is regarded as tapu, or sacred, by the Maoris, who have
hitherto resisted all attempts to explore the mountain
on the part of the colonists. The volcano is situated
nearly in the centre of North Island, and, though only
6,500 it. high, is more inaccessible than either Mount
Edgecumbe or Ruapehu, both of which exceed 10,000 ft.
in height. Though he did not meet with any personal
resistance, Mr. Connelly found every obstacle placed in
the way.of his progress by certain of the natives, who
took possession of his horses, guns, saddles, and nearly
all his outfit, including his sketches. He, however,
overcame all resistance, and by the help of some chiefs
more friendly than the rest, succeeded in thoroughly
exploring the crater, took a number of sketches and
photographs of the locartv, and :etermined the posi-
tions of the most important peaks.. On his return he
found a more friendly spirit existing among the
natives of all classes, who so far overcame their pre-
judices as to call him, by the zaxae o,f the mountain.—
"Good n:toriii', Tongariro,' was the greeting he nut
with everywhere.—The Wolues and India,

During the last outward passage of the Cunard
steamer China the first and second officers, Edwin Ealson
And Owen Racks, were waahed overboard.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-03-02


The CZAR DID NOT VISIT PATRICROFT!

Vanity Fair gives the following :
"I have just been reminded of a very old story
apropos of the attempt to assassinate General Treboff.

"When the Emperor Nicholas was in England, in
1844, industry in Russia could hardly be said to exist,
and the Czar was extremely anxious to introduce
machinery of all sorts into his arsenals, so as so be-
come independent of foreign.-makers. With this ob-
ject he visited a number of laue establishments in the
Midland Counties and the 1\ orth ; and one Sunday
morning Mr. James Nasmyth, the inventor of the
steam hammer, and proprietor of large works at Patri-
croft, was much surprised at the appearance in his
garden of an officer in a carriage and a gorgeous uni-
form, whose chasseur, still more gorgeous than his
master, was sent up to disturb the old gentleman/s
Sabbath reht by loudly announcing, "Prince K-."
The Prince himself walked in, smoking a cigarette,
and informed Mr. Nasymth in good English that the
Czar intended to honour the Patricroft works with a
visit on that afternoon.

" Indeed ! ' replied their owner. I regret that his
Majesty will not see much, as it is Sunday.'
"'But it would be easy,' rejoined the aide-de-camp,
coolly helping himself to a bon-bon which his chasseur
handed him out of a handsome box, to start the works
for a few hours. Mr. Nasmyth might be sure of his
Majesty's favour.
"Sir,' replied Mr. Nasmyth, the favour of my God
is more important to me than that of your master.
And if I were inclined to break the Sabbath for him,
my men would not.'
"'Would you not start the works for Queen Victoria
on Sunday ? ' asked the astonished aide-de-camp.
"'Her Gracious Majesty,' replied the old Briton,
would never suggest such a thing.'
"The Czar did not visit Patricroft."
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-03-02

REMOVAL OF A WRECK BY A
_ TORPEDO.

About two years since a vessel laden with cement
was wrecked in the Rhine at Cologne, near St. Cuni-
bert. Now, when cement is exposed to the action of
water—even when in bags—the whole mass rapidly
solidifies, so that virtually a dangerous mass of stone
lay in the fair-way of the navigation. The only way
to deal with such an obstructive was to remove it.by
blasting, which the authorities resolved to do. The
work of removal was intrusted to Herr Engels, the
managing partner of the firm of Messrs. Krebs,
Brothers, and Co., whose lithofracteur and dynamite
manufactory is situated at Kalk, near Cologne. The
difficulty was to remove the wreclz without projecting
portions of the ship or its stony cargo into the air,
and so to endanger life and property in the vicinity.
Theremoval was, however, successfully effected towards
the close of last year by Herr Engels and his staff in
the presence of several Prussian officers of Engineers
and others interested in such operations. The torpedo
consisted of a charge of 4001 b. of lithafracteur, the cor-
rect lodgment of which was effected without the aid
of any apparatus or divers, in spite of the strong and
rapid current of the Rhine. The huge torpedo was placed
in the centre of the vessel's length and was well covered
with bags of sand, which served the puz pose of keeping
the charge in place and also assisted in preventing por-
tions of the wreck from being projected into the air.
The torpedo was connected by wire with an electric
battery on shore, and at a given signal the charge was
exploded. A dull, heavy report instantly followed,
accompanied by the upheaval of a vast mass of water
to a great height in the air. The river was immediately
strewn with fragments of the wreck and dead fish,
which were collected by such of the spectators as were
in boats. Upon subsequent examination it was found
that not only had the wreck been shattered into frag-
ments, which were carried down the Rhine by the
rapid current, bait a deep crater had been formed in
the bed of the river.