biglam/hmd_newspapers huggingface dataset:
The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-07-27

THE COMMERCIAL VALUE OF WIT.

The Paris Correspondent of the Pall Mall Gazette writes :
M. Jules Noriac gives some curious statistics to
show the value of wit regarded in a commercial light
—statistics which remind us of some put forward not
long ago to prove the immense amount of employment
due to the fertile genius of Alexandre Dumas, whose
ceaseless writings gave constant occupation to thou-
sands of people. M. Jules Noriac takes Nestor
Roqueplan, so famed for his bons mots, for his
wonderful attachment to paris, and his curious
collection of warming - pans, and remarks that
during his life he said thousands of good things, each
one of which represents ten lines. These mots, he
adds, are either repeated in their original or in a dis-
guised form every year by a thousand newspapers,
thus producing a sum of 2,500,000 f. to tliose who make
use of them, and if paper, cost of composition,
nt
&c., be taken into account they set in move-
-s,°Ntror
wit
of
f.
fifty years has "paid into the general company
Roqueplan
therefore results retshuolts
space that the
of
of humanity no less a sum than 250,000,000 f."
"And," continues M. Jules Noriac, "if a pension of
6,000 f. a year were accorded to his widow there would
be a general outcry. But Nestor Roqueplan had too
much wit to marry, and he died an old bachelor."
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-07-27

THE STRIKE IN THE BROMSGROVE
NAIL TRADE.

The adjourned meeting of the Bromsgrove nailmakers
to decide whether or not they should join the up
country nailers in the strike for an advance of wages,
was held in the Cattle M-irket at Bromsgrove, on Mon-
day morning There was a fair attendance. Mr. H.
Crump presided Mr. J. Hackett. of Halesowen,
attended as a deputation and it was reported to the
meeting that the " thousand" nailmakers of Flaiesowen,
Dudley, Old Hill, and surrounding districts were out
generally on strike, as well as the horse-nail and spike
makers. The Bromagrove masters had not met to con-
sider as to giving their men an advance, and under
these circumstances the committee see no alternative but
to strike, or else for the men to continuo as they are,
with the full expectation that there would be further re.
duetions unless more resistance were made. It was
proposed, seconded, and carried unanimously, that
the Bromsgrove nailers should strike at once, for the
same terms as those asked by the men in the other
districts—nanaely, the 1875 up c, nntry list, less 10 per
cent. The committee then left to hold meetings at
Catshill, Bournheath, the Lickey, and other places in
the district.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-07-27

FEATHERING THE ARROW.

We read in the Daily Telegraph the other day that,
after the signing of the Treaty of Berlin, the German
official mind was much perturbed on hearing that the
Plenipotentiaries at the Paris Congress in 1856 used
eagle grills, which were afterwards preserved as heir-
looms in their respective families. Why the German
official mind was perturbed is not stated ; but pre-
sumahly becAuse the quills used for signing the Treaty
of Berlin were drawn from that less imperial bird—the
goose.
How could the Imperial Chancellor have overlooked
the obvious conclusion that the bird to furnish the
quills for this interesting occaiion was the Turkey—
which should by this time be used to the sacrifice of
its plumage. As Lord Beaconsfield would say, this
would have required no "partition," merely a "dis-
tribution" of the bird's wing-feathers.—Punch.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-07-27

i.rHE RESTORATION OF PEACE.

A special thankseling service was held on saturday in the
Portuguese Jews' Synagogue, Bevis Marks, Landon, before
an exceedingly large congregation, to celebrate tbe restora-
tion of peace and the proclamation of religions liberty in
Bulgaria, Servia, and Roumania.
-

The service commenced by the choir chantriug verses
21-'29 of Psalm cxviii. This was followed by the senior
minister, the Rev. D. Piza, reciting in Hebrew a
special prayer, composed. by the Rev. Dr. Arton..
The rev, doctor then delivered a sermon on the text.
from Isaiah lii,, 7. He spoke in terms of high praise
of the efforts made by the Plenipotentiaries at the
Berlin Congress, and especially by the British repre-
sentatives, in bringing their labours to a peace-
ful issue. War at all times was a calamity; it
could only be called righteous when undertaken by an
enslaved country to obtain liberty and freedom.
Then, indeed, it was a sacred war. The late terrible
conflict, however, could in no sense be termed
righteous; it was one undertaken simply for ambitious
purposes and greed of conquest. The preacher de-
scribed the persecutions to which the Jews were sub-
jected in Roumania, Servia, and Bulgaria, at the
hands of the followers of the Greek Church. They
were not treated as members of the human family, but
as a species of degraded humanity. The most sacred
rights of liberty, of property, and of domestic life were
denied them, and were violated ; and in spite of all these
persecutions, they' dared not publicly complain, for fear
of more violent tortures, and even massacres. As
an instance of the outrages to which Jews were ex-
posed in Roumania, the preacher said that when some
time ago, in order to escape these cruelties, some Jews
swam across the Danube to the Austrian frontier, they
were fired at by the military and drowned. 'Now
however, after a prolonged period of gloom and
misery, a more cheerful time had set in, and it was
for this happy change and for the restoration of peace
that they had that day assembled to thank Providence.
The discourse was brought to a conclusion by Aortae re-
marks on the future of Palestine, which would result
from the permanent prevalence of peace among all
nations.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-07-27

G. F. GREEN,
pIANTO/4'ORTE

?.60, Castle Street, Dudley,
ad 67, Park ''.:treet, IValBall.

a:AS t'LliA3l; IN PVBLISHING TUN FOLLOWING
TESTI M tiNIALS,

From Mr. C. Vatter. Professor of Music, from the
'restitution for the Blind, St. John's Wood, London:—
I eau confidently recommend Mr. Green as a Piano,
one Timer. no tunes by equal temperament, and ob-
eine au exact scale. (Signed) C. POTTER."
From Mr. J. F. Patterson, Organist, St. Patrick's
Church, Huddersfield :—"I have much pleasure in tes-
tifying to the abilities of Mr. Green as a Pianoforte
Tuner. He lays the bearings with exactness and perfec-
tion. (Signed) JAMES F. PATTERSOI4."
From Mre. Sandorson, Solo Pianiste, of the London
and Liverpool Concerts:—" Mr. Green is one of the few
who can Tune my Piano to the nicety I require previous
to giving my Public Recitals (Signed) E. K. SANDER
sans

From Mr. Bv.terworth, Organist, Dobcroes, ne
Manchester : Ir. Green's equal ass, Pianoforte Ino
can rarely )e mot th, (Sign, d, Oevio bUTTERWORTII
X S. d

Terms for Yettrly liming, including minor re•
pairs—
Cottages, per annum... ...
(3-rands do _.. _ .. 1 5 0
_ _ .
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-07-27

PRINTING!

HALESOWEN AND EAGLET

FLORAL AND HOBTICULTIIBLL EXHIBITION,

TO NS MILD AT
THE "LEASOWES," ELLESUWEN,
By mistake of J. B. Gibbous. Ef 1.,
ON TUESDAY, JUT tha Sot, 1178.

The Grounds te be opened at Twelve o'cl,e3l anti dole
at Sena.

ideasra. SYNYBR and GILMER'S Celebrated Vaitd
Will be la attendance.

Adatission—Lt Twelve o'sloek L. id. seen,'
At Two &cloak. le. Od. „
At Milkiest Pow. id.
Children under Twelve, Half•prioe.
F. B. GRANGE*,
" The Rollie.." rr 01-ibart
*moon.

VICTORIA. HALL AND RINE,

SIOURBEIT t; L.

The Pr,prietor beg. re.pectfally so annou.aee Qualls its*
made arrangmenta for a GRAND BYENING
CONCERT

On
THURSDAY, AUGUST hi, 1978.

Thr following ARTISTES have bean swaged:—
MISS EM MA BEASLEY,
ME
BIRMINGHAM GLEE UM",
(Messrs; Biekley, Woodhall, Milliard, sad Campion.)

AND
MR. H. BELL'S CELEBRATED
ORCHESTRAL BAND OF 13 PERPORKUL
Conductor, - - MR H. BELL.
Accompanyist, - -

Reserved ad numbered sesta, Si.; Secor.d sew, Si.;

ADMISSION ONE SHILLING.

Tickets may be had and seats secured at Mr. Z.
Broomhall's, titationer,High Street, where a plan of the
Hall may be aeon. Written applications will be promptly
attended to, and Tickets for the but naapproprialed
Seats forwarded by poet.
Doors open at 7.80. Concert to soinsasics at 1,
Carriages may be ordered for 10.15.

The extensive alterations to the Hall and the Vittinga
are now completed, nod the New Orchestra well be used
for the first time on this occasion.

GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-07-27

SATURDAY, JULY 27,1878.

HARVINGTON.

STOCK SALE —Mr. Joseelyne held his sale on Tuesday
hat There was a large quantity of Stock viz : 379
Sheep and Lambs. 40 head of Cattle, a large quantity of
Pigs, and several Fat Calves ; fair market rates were
realized.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-07-27

TORPEDO EXPERIMENTS.

Some experiments of interest have recently been
undertaken at Portsmouth to ascertain how closely
torpedo launches can approach a man-of-war, under
cover of night, without being seen oriheard. Provided
with an electric light the vessel attacked speedily
descries its little enemy creeping up in the dark, for
the vivid rays have been known to make a launch
visible at the distance of a thousand yards, and in the
case of a .teamer the smoke reflects as perfectly as a
huge solid screen. But now-a-days there are ways
of suppressing steam and vapour, and of muffling to
a great extent the noise of the engines. The
consequence is, we are told, that a torpedo launch
could only be detected by a gun-boat, which
represented the enemy, about five minutes before it
passed under the stern of the latter. The sound of
the engines was so subdued that the launch approached
within half a mile of the enemy before it•was detect-d
by •the listening tontinels on board. So that unless
some protection or other in the shape of floating
booms or spars exists around the ship to hinder an
attack, those on board have but a few minutes to pre-
pare for defence. In August next we are promised
some still more interesting trials on the subject, but
in this case it will be the destruction of torpedoes to
which special attention is to be given. A series of
experiments with counter-mines is to be carried out
with a view of ascertaining whether a channel
planted with torpedoes can be cleared by exploding sub-
marine charges in the vicinity. The Danish Govern-
trent some years ago discovered the fact that sunken
charges of dynamite were liable to explode one another
if placed within a hundred yards' distance, or in other
words, that the vibration set up in the water by the
discharge of one torpedo was sufficient to bring about
the explosion of all other torpedoes in its neighbour-
hood. This has led to the development of a system of
naval countermining, and experiments are to be made
for ascertaining whether a vessel can advance in safety
through torpedo-strewn waters if it takes the precau-
tion of exploding .a counter-mine from time to time te
clear away obstructions. If this turns out to be
feasible, the torpedo will lose something of its for-
midable character.—Daily News.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-07-27

A CLAIMANT TO THE THRONE OF
CHIPiA.

The North China Herald says :—A curious per-
sonage, in whom some little interest is taken by
the Chinese, has arrived in Canton as a pridoner,
together with his wives, mother, servants, and suite,
numbering twenty•one persons in all. His name is
Wong Sam.yee, a Chinaman hailing from Chau-chau-
fu Kwantung. About two months back, it appears, he
took it into his head to imagine that he had a claim to
the Imperial Throne, and pretended to have the power
of healing the sick. He now asserts that he is the rightful
Emperor of China, and has several hundred adherents
in Chau-chau-fm. The authorities took no notice of
this fanatic for some time until his assumptions began
to attract attention among the natives, when they had
him and his family arrested and brought to Canton,
where he will be tried by the provincial judge. His
crime is one that will find no mercy, and he will in all
probability find his pretensions nipped in the bud by
a sentence of deAth by the lingering process. Wong
Sam-yee is described as a rather fine-looking man,
dressed in mandarin garb, and with an imposing
presence. He has few believers among the Cantonese,
and there is not the ghost of a chance of any demon-
stration being attempted in his favour.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-07-27

BICYCLISTS AND THE HIGHWAYS
BILL.

Messrs. G. F. Cobb, C. R. Hutchings, and N.
Salaman, representing the whole of the bicycling clubs
and trade throughout the kingdom, had an interview
on Tuek.day with Mr. Sclater-Booth at Whitehall, to
ask that the Highways Bill should be so framed as not
to make its operation towards bicycle riders oppressive
and to get the bicycle declared a carriage within tke
scope of the new Act.
The deputation stated that five years ago the
bicycling industry was represented by the Coventry
Machinist's Company alone, making five bicycles a
week; now there were 14 makers in Coventry, and
some 120 scattered throughout different towns. The
present weekly wages paid to makers of bicycles in
Coventry ranged from £1,500 to £2,000. The amount
of capital invested in pl-..nt and machinery might be
estimated at about a million sterling, and the value of
bicycle‘ throughout the country at between £600,000
and £BOO,OOO. In London there were upwards of
10,000 hisltcles and in the country 50,000. Bicyclists
were willing to conform to any reasonable law,
such a 4 the use of lights, whistles, &c., but according
to some magisterial decisions the bicycle was declared
to have no more right on the road than a bullock.
Mr. Sclater Booth, in reply, said that it was his in-
tention before he made bylaws to seek assistance and
advice from the heads of the bicycle trade and those
engaged in it as a sport. The deputation might rest
assured that before any steps were taken they would
be consulted in the matter, and that such a bylaw
should be made as would be satisfactory to both the
public and bicyclists generally. He could not in this
Highways Bill declare a bicycle a carriage, but if it
became necessary a separate measure for that purpose
might be framed and brought in.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-07-27

WHEAT CROPS IN AMERICA.

A Washington telegram of Monday's date states
that the crop report of the Department of Agrioulture
shows that on the Ist of July nearly 50,0a0,000 acres
of corn were under cultivation, being a slight decline
from last year's figures. The winter wheat crop
gathered is said to be very large in the Middle States,
and in the Ohio Valley is unexampled in luxuriance.
In the South the conditions of growth were unfavour-
able. The high condition of spring wheat reported in
June is maintained in the east, north-west, and Cali-
fornia. Since July 1 very serious damage has been
done from various causes to the spring wheat in
Minnesota, Northern lowa, and Wisconsin.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-07-27

EXPLOSION IN A GUNBOAT.

During the passage of the fleet from Plyrc outh to
Portland on Saturday evening, a serious accident
occurred on board the gunboat Bustard. Whilst
the gunboats were crossing the West Bay about
seven p.m., the turret ships having preceded them,
a boiler of the Bustard suddenly exploded. In
the engine room at the time were Mr. Shirens,
engineer, and a stoker named Thomas Pearce,
both belonging to Portsmouth. They were severely
scalded, and additional medical aid being rendered
from the gunboats Tweed and Tay, which were close
at hand, the injured men were promptly attended to.
after which they were transferred to the Tay, which
steamed at once for Portland, where the men were
landed and taken to the naval hospital. The Bustard
was taken in tow lay the Tweed. and arrived at
Portland at a later hour. The injuries to the stoker
were found on examination to be very severe. He
lingered in great agony until Sunday morning, and
died at 10.30.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-07-27

MEDICAL CAUTION.

THE Special Treatment adopted and used
A. with such great success by Dr. Hunter for the
last thirty years, can only ho obtained at 44. Great
Charles Street, Birmingham. Book of Testimonials,
with advice how to regain Health and Manly Vigour,
antl_Divestions for Self Treatment, free to any address

THE GREAT ENGLISH REMEDY
FOR GOUT AND RHEUMATISM.

MHE excruciating pain is quickly relieved and cared
in a few days by this celebrated Medicine.
These Pills require no restraint of diet during their
nee, and are certain to prevent the disease attacking any
vital part.—Sold by all Chemists, at is lid and 2s 9d
per box.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-07-27

TO PARTIES ABOUT TO BUILD.

(woo CAN BE ADVANCED a 8 the work
proeeeds.—Apulv T. J. MAKS. Builder, &c.,
Park Street, Stouroridge.

ROOIII.4.—W.INTTD One or Two Rooms,
Ceutraty sictured in Etwurbritige, for an Insti,u
tion.—Viduss, giving fuil' Bourns "
" Obserw!r " Office, St .a-bridge.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-07-27

DIFFERENCE OF OPINION AMONGST
DOCTORS.

The difference of opinion among doctors as to the
treatment of the various afflictions to which we are
liable is truly remarkable. The other day we were
told on high medical authority that in cases of sun-
stroke hot fomentations should be used to the head of
the sufferer, and that ice and all cold applications are
a mistake. On the other hand, the sanitary committee
of the Board of Health of New Y.,rk, in a report they
have lately issued upon sunstroke, strongly urge the
use of ice and cold water bandages on the head. "If,"
says the report, "a feeling of fatigue, dizziness, head-
ache, or exhaustion occurs, lie down in a shady and
cool place. Apply cold cloths to and pour cold water
over the head and neck." Pending the arrival of a
physician, "Give the person cool drinks of water, or
cold black tea or cold coffee if able to swallow. If the
skin is hot and dry, sponge with or pour cold water
over the body and limbs, and apply to the head pounded
ice wrapped in a towel or other cloth, if there is no
ice at hand, keep a cold cloth on the head, and pour
cold water on it as well as on the body." As sunstroke
is now NO common an affection, doctors, if they cannot
agree as to the proper treatment, should devote their
energies to prevention rather than to cure. There can-
not be a doubt that sunstroke might in most cases, if
not in all, be avoiaed by a few simple and reasonable
precautions.—Pall Mall Gazette.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-07-27

131: itLE It HILL.

INQUEST.—An inquest wai held at the Turk's Hpaa
Inn on Monday last, before Mr. W. H. Phillips, coroner,
t.uching the death of Walter Smith aged nine years and
(,leven months. From the eviuence adduced it appears
that deceased was drowned in the Stourbridge Canal on
the 18th iust, and a verdict of " Aeoideutal death" was
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-07-27

COUSINLY CRITICISM.

The Rev. J. E. Gladstone, vicar of St. Matthew's,
Wolverhampton, cousin of the ex-Premier, addressed
a Conservative meeting in that town last Friday even-
ing, and said some of the Gladstone family had been
pleased to forsake the Conservative flag and fight
under a different banner; but he had ever adhered to
the principles he adopted when a young man. Their
Liberal friends—Liberal in name, whatever they
were in nature—and especially his great namesake
and relative, had been pzeaching throughout the
country that the Turks were all abomination,
misrule, and everything that was bad, ignoring
the tact that if the Turks were bad, the Rus-
sians were equally as bad, if not worse. The great
difference between Lord Beaconsfield and Mr. Glad-
stone was that the latter had not the character of
patience which the other possessed. He was afraid
the Gladstone family constitution was an irritable
one. Speaking as a Gladstone, he was quite conscious
that it was their family failing to be irritable and not
to sit patiently and bide their time. It was in the
providence of God that the Prime Minister had stood
firm, but the Liberals cotild not give him credit for
anything. They had been all the time preaching that
he was a war minister, who wished to go to war, and,
now he had secured an honourable peace, they with-
held the credit due to him.--Monday's Times.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-07-27

CRADLEY HEATH.

Dui9wsEn —At Credley Heath, on Tuesday, Mr. E
Hooper held an inquiry into the death of a boy named
James Bun", who was drtyrn,-(1 chile bathing, with
other lade, on :-aturday last, in Craciley Pool. The
jury returned a verdict of ‘. Accidentally drowned," it
biitg al, ,N.,0 that dee:Anted, who tr.uld not swim, got
i
into the mud n
.the middle of the pool, and was
drowned before assioance could arrive. He was eight
ye a's old, and the son of a butty collier, of Cradley
Heath.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-07-27

THE CAPTIVE BALLOON AT THE
TUILERIES.

The large captive balloon placed in the courtyard
of the Tuileries, between the ruins of the palace and
the portico of the Carrousel, has been inflated, and
has taken 80,000 cubic feet of hydrogen. The balloon
is 120 ft, high, and is fixed at a distance of 180 feet
from the ground. The sides of the balloon are com-
posed of a material quite impermeable, and capable of
holding the gas for several months. First there is a
layer of muslin, then one of indiarubber, next on that
one of linen, with one of vulcanised indiarubber, and
another of muslin varnished and painted white, upon
the outside, The quantity of material used was
about 4,000 yards, each square yard weighing 21b.,
and costing about us. 6d. As a large number of
people are to be taken up in this balloon at the same
time, the most minute precautions have been taken
against the possibility of accident; and M. Giffard,
the engineer, who has superintended its prepaxa-
tion, has had the cat made of a circular form, with the
cable in the centre. This car is twenty feet in
diameter; and the corridor in which passengers are
to take their places has a double floor, and contains
sixteen compartments for the storage of all articles
which are required for a prolonged ascent. Not more
than fifty passengers will be taken at once, and they
will be carried up to an elevation of 2,000 feet, the
balloon being attached to a cable weighing three tons,
and capable of bearing a tension of twenty-five tons,
or more than double the extreme pressure which will
be put upon it, at its weakest point. This cable has
been placed in a deep trench which has been dug in
the courtyard of the Tuileries, and will be rolled
round an immense windlass worked by two engines of
thirty-horse power. Each passenger will pay 20f.

On Monday the Place du Carrousel was crowded
with spectators watching the trials of the new captive
balloon. The coil of rope is 450 mares ia length, and
the journey up and down was performed in about a
quarter of an hour. During the trials thirty went up
at a time, but a great many more could have found
accommodation in the box.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-07-27

LUCKY NUMBERS.

In an article in the Pall Mall Gazette, on "Lucky
Numbers," the writer remarks :—Some curious in-
stances of the "devilry" connected with certain num-
bers have been selected by a French journalist from
the " Histoire de la Loterie " in the "Entr'actes " of
the younger Dumas. Here is one :—" A poor working
man, farrier to a regiment of cuirassiers, took it into
his head to make a note of four regulation numbers
branded, according to custom, on the quarters of the
remounts ; h e chose a number, accordingly, in the Frank-
fort lottery, and nearly went mad with joy on
winning 150,000 florins. The first thing he did
was to buy as many pairs of trousers as there
are days in the year, sothat he was known all through
the cavalry as 'the man with the 365 pairs of
breeches.'" Here is another: "A woman dreamed
of ten numbers, wrote them down on some little bits
of paper, stuck these tickets on sticks and placed
them atop of some beans planted at equal intervals in
a strip of her little garden. I'll take,' said she,
'the numbers of the first five that sprout, and put
them in the lottery.' In due time five came out.
She copied the numbers, and gave her son
.tea
francs, all the money she had in the world, saying,
Run and take me this sequence of five at the
office round the corner.' 'All right mother.'
The son spent the money, came back, and
assured her that he had done as he was told.
The numbers won. It is impossible te describe
the grief which overwhelmed the poor woman when
she learned the truth. She went mad, and, a few years
afterwards, her son blew out his brains. And here is
one more: "A young sergeant of artillery took Num-
bers 9, 18, and 31. He won. There is nothinz extra-
ordinal), in that; but here is the remarkable part of
the story: Condemned to death by the revolutionary
tribunal, he owed his life to Thermidor 9; he shared
the perils of General Bonaparte on Brumaire 18; he
was created a Marshal of the Empire, and received,
together with a duke's coronet, the name of one of
his victories, on the 31st of a certain month." . . .
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-07-27

Single Tunings (in Town).

s. s. d. s d s. d
Cattages.... 3 6& 5 0 Full Granda 6 6St 7
Seini-Grinds 5 0& 6 0 Concert Iron _ _

Grands.. .. 7 6

Tr.cuord
4 6St 5 6
fJj Caned o the French Pitch (now univer-
saily 2pl,xt t mghout Englando. I required.
..* •,.tock of Classical awl Modern Music, a
Half-price.
Please observe the .4ddress-260, Castle Street, Dadleg
anri 67, Park Street. Walsall.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-07-27

oiv youbn aorrtspnltent.
(We dlem '.i-, right to state that we do not t:u iia times
tdentify ourceivea with our Correspondent's opiro7ollo4

Another debate in the souse of Commons on the
policy of the, Government in respect to the Eastern
Question wAll bring the session very nearly to its close.
Already ft has lasted longer than any within modern
times. When we were at war with Russia in 1855,
Parliament assembled on the 23rd of January; this
. . . ye.r., when fear s of w.ar were widespread, the Legisla:.
tare mot on tlielrfrt,itiiOikiiii'ive&.eaii;.so that
the session has how run more than its ordinary time,
which is six months. For the first few weeks the
-scenes in the lobby were of a highly exciting character,
more especially when the Vote of Credit for Six Mil-
lions was before the House. Often enough was the
lobby filled with an expectant crowd, when a member
would rush out with the news that the British Fleet
Id been ordered to force the entrance to the Darda-
tulles, and that this meant war. Then the word
•" War! "would pass from one to another, and it was
• curious to notice with what mingled feelings it would
be uttered. Some looked forward to it as a means of
having more banners for the decoration of our cathedrals
and our churches; to the deeds of another Wellington

and Nelson; to the distribution of honours and rewards;
and to the erection of statues and marble monuments to
he memories of those who should distinguish themselves
ia the service of their country. Others looked upon it
as a combination and concentration of all the horrors,
atrocH,s, crim-s, and sufferings of which human
natule on this glo'ie is capable. They contrasted
it with the efforts constantly being made by a
Christian nation to illuminate the whole earth by the
dissemination of the Bible, and with the professions of
those who on every Sabbath day assemble in the
temples for the worship of eat, Prince of Peace.
Happily the apprehensions which then prevailed
gradually passed away. For the time there is to be
no war, and now there are no excited crowds in the
lobby of the House of Commons. The public business
will speedily be wound up, and my lords and gentle-
men will
.be disnaNsed to their respective counties,
where, as they will be told in the Speech from the
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-07-27

A PREDICTED STORM.

The following cable message has been received at the
London office of the New York Herald from New York :

" Storm centre, preceded by shallow depression, will
probably reach the British, affecting the French
coasts about the 27th, attended by strong south-east to
north-west gales; rains, possibly lightning, followed
by a fall of temperature, storm track will probably
range between lat. 40 and 50 to long, 30, thence north-
eastward over the British islands."
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-07-27

DEMOBILISATION OF THE RESERVES.

The instructions for disbandment of the several
classes of the reserve corps have been issued by the
War Office. The men will be settled with up to the
31st inst. As soon as their discharge documents have
been prepared, the men will be sent direct to their
homes from the corps in which they are serving.
Soldiers whose homes are in Ireland or in the Channel
Islands will be dealt with in the same manner as the
first cla,s army reserve serving with corps in
Great Britain. As to the militia reserves, the
commanding officer is directed to furnish general
officers commanding districts with returns show-
ing the number of men requiring conveyance to
the headquarters of each militia regiment. The gene-
ral officer commanding in Ireland and general officers
commanding districts will at once carry out all move-
ments within the limits of their respective commands,
and forward to the quartermaster-general, for in-
structions, the returns of men requiring conveyance
beyond those limits. Each detachment will be
handed over to the adjutant at the headquarters of
the militia regiment. Militia reserve men will be
entitled to pay at army rates up to the 31st
instant. Each man will receive railway or passage
warrants for conveyance to his home, for himself
and his family, if accompanying him, and five days
subsistence money at is. a day. The issue of sepa-
ration allowances to the families of reserve men, re-
transferred under these instructions, will cease after
the 31st instant. As a special exception, staff officers
of pensioners will issue army reserve pay in advance
from the date of cessation of army pay to Sept. 30
next, 1.113011 the men reporting themselves on return
from army service; after which, in accordance with
the regulations, the reserve pay will be issued quarterly
in arrear. Men of the army or militia reserve who
may be in hospital will cease to receive pay after the
31st instant, but will be treated in hospital without
stoppage until fit to return to their homes.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-07-27

Mr. BRIGHT and his CONSTITUENTS.

Mr. Bright, while expressing his full appreciation
of the great honour which the Liberals of Birming-
ham proposed to pay him on the twenty-first anni-
versary of his political connection with the town,
writes to say that he is boo much disturbed by recent
and still pressing sorrow to enable him to join in any
public ceremony in which he was expected to take a
prominent part. In accordance with his wish the
celebration will not therefore take place during the
coming recess.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-07-27

HALESOWEN.

DROWNING.—On Monday afternoon an inquest was
held at the George Inn, Halesowen, before Mr. R.
Docker, coroner, upon the body of Daniel Finney (2P.
nailer, residing at Short Cross, who met with his death
whilst bathing in a marl pit, on Saturday afternoon last.
It appears that the deceased went with some companions
to a 4,marl
.pit in a field belonging to Messrs. King
Brotbers.:brick manufacturers. Deceased had not been in
the water long when he was seized with the cramp, and
immediately sank. His companions endeavoured to
rescue him, but as the water was very deep they were
unable to do so It was stated at the inquest thl
deceased c)ul3 not swim.—& verdict of "Accidentally
drowned" was returned,
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-07-27

KNIGHTS OF THE GARTER.

The following is a complete list of the Knights of the
Garter :—Duke of Abercorn, Emperor of Austria, Earl
of Beaconsfield, Duke of Beaufort, Leopold 11., King of
the Belgians, Emperor of Brazil, Duke of Brunswick,
Duke of Buccleuch, Duke of Cambridge, Duke of
Cleveland, Duke of Connaught, Earl Cowley, Earl
Cowper, Duke of Cumberland, King of Denmark,
Duke of Devonshire, Duke of Edinburgh, Earl Fitz
William, Emperor of Germany, Crown Prince of
Germany. Earl Granville, King of Greece, Earl Grey,
Earl of Harrowby, Grand Duke of Hesse, Prince
Christian of Holstein, King of Italy. Earl of Leicester,
his Royal Highness Prince Leopold, Duke of Marl-
borough, Reigning Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-
Strelitz, the Shah of Persia, King of Portugal, Prince
William of Prussia, Duke of Richmond and Gordon,
Marquis of Ripon, Emperor of Russia, Duke of
Rutland, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, Duke of
Saxe-Meiningen, Earl of Shaftesbury, Duke of
Somerset, Earl Spencer, Viscount Stratford de Red-
cliffe, Duke of Sutherland, his Royal Highness the
Prince of Wales, Duke of Wellington, and Duke of
Westminster.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-07-27

MR. BRIGHT ON PEACE.

In a letter to the Rev. J. C. Gill, Lee, Kent, dated the 19th
Inst., after referring to the efforts made, " especially by Mr.
Gladstone." for the maintenance of peace, Mr. Bright says:—
"The war Government is now seeking credit for
having kept the peace. Let us be thankful that war
has been avoided; each war avoided is in some degree
a guarantee for future peace. Unhappily, our people
understand little of foreign affairs, and, having never
known war in their own country, they are easily ex-
oited by an unscrupulous Minister and a party press.
I take some comfort in believing that Christian senti-
ment in favour of peace has been more active during
the past year than at any former period."