The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1884-03-01 00:00:00

r: Mr. John Hullah, who died last week at his
residence in Grosvenor Mansions, Pimlico, suggests
by the mention of his name a resurrection of a
controversy now more than forty years old. Mr.
Hullah introduced in 1841 a new method of
teaching singing, which being made the subject of a
great deal of criticism, was described by those
who did not like it as "Hullabaloo." But
Mr. Hullah persevered, and with such success in his
efforts to make music a customary part of school
instruction, that this was recognised by the Education
Act of 1870. Under its provisions Mr. Hullah was
appointed Inspector of Elementary Schools, a position
which he filled to a period not long anterior to the
time of his lamented death. Mr. Hullah was 72
years of age when he died, and his loss is regretted
by a wide circle of friends and acquaintances, as that
of an amiable and accomplished man, as modest
and unobtrusive as he was able in his pro-
fession, and whose originality of intellect will leave
its results for many a year to come.

Since Parliament assembled there has been a rush
of bye-elections, the result of which thus far to
leave parties exactly where they were. No doubt the
most interesting contest of the whole is that at
Brighton, where Mr. Marriott, who was returned at
the general election as a Liberal, now appeals to his
old constituents as a Conservative. This experience
is not a frequent one. The present generation does
not remember Sir Francis Burdett, for many years
Radical member for Westminster, who in his
maturer years became a Tory, and as such suc-
cessfully appealed to the electors of his con-
stituency. That was in May, 1837; but at
the general election two months later the
hon. baronet described in the House of Commons by
Daniel O'Connell as "an old renegade," migrated to
North Wilts, which he represented as a Conservative
during the remainder of his political career. Another
instance of a changing faith was in the case of Mr.
Milner Gibson, returned for Ipswich at the general
election of 1837 as a Conservative, but two years later
he appealed to his constituents as a Radical, being
however unsuccessful. The right hon. gentleman
afterwards represented Manchester and Ashton-under-
Lone in the advanced Liberal interest.

• Prior to the great University Boat Race, which is
to be rowed on the Thames on the sth April, an
event of considerable importance in the aquatic
world, will be brought to an issue on the 10th of
March. This is the great sculling match between
Wallace Ross, the Canadian, and George Bubear, of
Barnes, the former conceding the Thames man 10
seconds start. There is no doubt that Bubear has
improved wonderfully of late; friends and foes both
admit that fact. In August last he beat John
Largan, who was then regarded as the only sculler in
England, fit to compete with him. But he was not
destined to rest on his laurels, for William Elliott,
who hails from the coaly Tyne, and was once Cham-
pion of England, returned from America, and of
coarse became anxious to measure blades with the
southerner. A match was made between them for £4OO,
and the race was rowed from Putney to Mortlake a few
weeks ago. The result of that contest is of course now
known all over the world, and it suffices here to say
that Bubear paddled in an easy winner by about
six lengths. Thus Bubear has fought his way
up from comparative obscurity to the position
of a first-class sculler. The race that is coming
off next month will be very interesting—firstly,
because the contestants have not met before, and,
secondly, there will be an international feeling about
it. Ross has a very hard task before him in giving
such aa opponent ten seconds start, and if all goes
well Bubear should win. It is very likely if he does
that there will be a level race, the result of which
would be watched very eagerly. Bubear is considered
by some to be the coming man, the one who is to
bring back to our shores the reputation of English
professional rowing. Whether he is to be matched
with Hanlan, the wonderful scalier, who has defeated
all our own, and Australia's best men as well, remains
to be seen, but there is no doubt that if this ever
comes to pass, he will do his best to sustain the repu-
tation of the Thames.

Another new theatre is to be opened in Leicester-
square on Easter Monday, to be named the Empire'
following swiftly the addition to the Metropolitan
Temples of Thespis in the Prince's, in Coventry-street,
opened on the 18th January. The Alhambra, also in
Leicester-square, was re-opened in December, after
the destructive fire of twelve months previously.
The existing theatres such as the Adelphi, the
Lyceum, and the Savoy are nightly crammed. London
may complain of the dulness of trade as much as it
pleases, but this is certainly not perceptible at the atten-
dance commanded by the ever-increasing number of its
places of dramatic entertainment.

PILL-MANERS are arr^ng the most e spert
boxers,