The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1870-07-09 00:00:00

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Political affairs have lost some of their interest, even
for those rho usually pay 0-eat attention to them,
owing to the weatisome length of the debates on the
two great measures of the ti,ssior, and the strongest
feeling that tie public generally have, in relation to
parliamentary proceedings is, perhaps, the hope that
these two measures will ere long be passed. But if they
are, they will certainly be very different to what they
were when they were introduced. To carry both these
bills is a herculean task, tut at present the Government
seems equal to it.

The Esrl of Clarendon has been followed to the grave
by the regrets of the whole country. Men of all par-
ties revected him, and the whole nation admired his
high-3001ed honour and hi l devotion to the interests of
his country. In can scarcely be said in relation to the
departed,

"As When some weltgraced actor quits the scene,
The eyes of all are idly bent on him
Who enters float;"
for some curiosity is expressed as to the changes
which his death will cause in the ministry. Lord
Clarendon is certainly a great loss to the Govern-
ment, but his successor (Lord Granville) like him,
commends the reAreet of all parties. Among the
more notable ptreous who expressed their con.
didence with the late noble lord's family was the
Emp.iror Napoleon, and his lelsjesty has now taken a
erep which all must approve of, for he is the main-
spring in such matters. The Paris Figaro is to be
prosecuted for stating that the Earl lent 100,000 francs
to the Emperor when Brined Bonaparte, and "that the
interest ~1 the loan consisted in the cisaclusion of the
Anglo-Prench treaty." This is probably enough what
it is called, an "apocryphal anecdote ;" but in any case,
it is not fair to make such statements relative to one who
lens more.

Gratifying reports relative to the health of both Mr.
Bright and Mr. Childers are given. The canoe of ill-
ness in both oases was apparently much the same—
over-work and the excitement and fatigue occasioned
by being at the head of great public departments.
Few men have worked harder than Mr. Bright till
illness laid him aside. Ilia labours during the free-
trade campaign alone were almost the labours of an
ordinary lifetime, and years after these labours had
ceased their effects continued in more senses than one—
beneficial for the people, but injurious for himself. May
he be long spored to us yet.
Both the Revenue returns and the Board of Trade
returns le hit to the rime agreeable conclusion —that
the country is progressing in prosper:ty. I confess that
Ido not thorimAly understand either. They seem
tolerably plain at the first glance, but when you come
to take into consideration the collection of taxes in ad-
vance, the reduction of it sugar deities, and the com-
plications of the Board of Trade tables, the conclusion
at whs you arrive—without you have a good deal
alo"-e /loos than I have— muet be rather misty. But
still in such matters it is consoling to be able to fall
back on ell,h authorities as The Times and the financial
journal', and these " bigwigs" take a favourable view of
our position. That is a comfort amid the miseries of
life.

The Prince and Princess of Wales ii ioxve all praise
for their assiduous devotion to any good cauee which
they are asked to patroniee, so far as time and (-ppm-
tunity will allow. During the present season the
Prince (we must not overlook the delicate health
of the Princess) has assisted at numerous
charitable anniversaries, inaug iral ceremonies, &c.
A recent, though not the la,t kindly office of the
kind was presiding at the opening of some hand.
some schools in the east of London, for the children
of seamen of "the port." And really splendid buildings
hey are, costing no less than 1:5,500. It is to be re-
gretted that a debt of more than /22,000 remains to be
~aid. We owe so much to our seamen that the British
public will eurely come forward to pay this off; but
then it may also be said that British seamen owe so
much to the benevolent people that have already
eubecribed, that Jack, whether afloat or ashore, might
reasonably be expected to do something for those who
do so much for his children. If any "Jack" shuld

see tiffs he might take the hint. Not to be too hard
upon him, it may be added that he often shows with
what a little wisdom he disburses his money.
What shall be given to the Sultan Morhammod of
Borneo ? A sword worth 700 guineas, it seems. Who
gives it to him, and why, I know not; but neither the
donor nor the Sultan can be held responsible for my
ignorance. There is probably some good reason for the
presentation. It is certainly a very valuable affair in
one respect. Fancy a scabbard of gold, richly chased,
enamelled, and jewelled with carbuncles and emeralds ;
magine a hilt of gold and jewels, and the most costly
workmanship lavished on the whole affair; and then
ask yourself "what will he do with it?' The Sultan
cannot want this sword for ordinary use, perhaps it
will only be used on peculiarly honoured enemies. One
uannot talk seriously on such a subject, arid as we are
not asked to subscribe towards this 700. guinea sword,
we can but hope that it will amuse him and not hurt
anybody else.
The other day an account of a new sensation in
gymnastics was given. The Fraulein Laura, who was
performing at Dundee "hod just ascended the high
wire, to give her performance on that elevated situa-
tion, when the heavy supports at one end gave way."
The woman ran to the end of the rope, and—
was not dashed to death; but there was a piercing
shriek, a rush to the spot, and immense excite-
ment, and soon afterwards she was led on the stage
"not much hurt" and on her behalf it was announced
that she would perform on the following day. Closely
following on this sensational account a report of the
performances of some "Indian brothers" at Cremorne
is given. "In mid air, on the high vibrating rope,"
these men go through antics that at any moinent may
result in their falling, bruised and bleeding, at the
feet of the spectators ; the horrid sensation of danger
being heightened by the rope being "slack and vibra-
ting considerably." It is sad to think that the de-
praved taste of sight-seers is fostered by such painful
exhibitions as these. The people who thus risk their
lives are perhaps less to be blamed than those who pro-
vide such exhibitiona and those who patronise them.
Ere long we shall probably have some aafut "acci-
dent," and then the 'Come Secretary will call the at-
tention of the raa;istracy to the sot ject. Most of us
have our opinions on the mat-er, and icy own is that
no license should in future be granted except on con-
dition that no such dangerous performances ehall take
j lace.

That superstition is rut extinct is every now and
then shown in unpleasant fashion. A woman is under
remand here for obtaining clothes, &c., from servant-
girls under the pretence of ruling the planets in con-
junction with some man who calls himself the " planet
master;" and DOW tread of. case where a farm labourer
rushed upon a young woman, se' zs/1 her by the throat, and
was getting out his knife, to "draw Mary's blood,'
when he was stopped in his mad course. The young wo.
man had "overlooked" him or "bewitched",him ! "She
overlooks I ; it do run in the family; her mother do do it."
This exquisite grammar just shows that the want of
education is likely enough to be the cause of his super-
stition. As to silly servant-girls, here and elsewhere,
there is little doubt that many and many a came of
robbery under the pretence of fortune-telling occurs
which is never brought to light.
One would think that even Fenians, who are not
supposed to be peculiarly susceptible ti the influence
of reason, must be placated with regard to the alleged
eevere treatment of Fenian convicts in prison, now
that evid/ lice has been given with regard to the illness
and death of one of their number in Portland prison.
If William lloupell, ex-Ml'. for Lambeth, into be be-
lieved, this Fenian convict had far better treatment
than falls to the lot of many a poor man outside a
prison. The convict " had oranges, jellies, eggs,
wine, brandy, and other kinds of nourishment. Ile
asked to he allowed to have lean chops, boiled chicken,
1 nled mutt, n, and sherry wine, and his relocate were
granted." Surely this must do something to prevent
Fenians declaiming against the alleged harsh treat-
ment of prisoners of their persuasion. And Roupell,
poor fellow! Whatever he may have done or been, one
C tnnot help pitying him. I hope he finds consolation
and comfort while administering medicines to, and
tending the sick and reading the Bible to them ; and I
in certain'y not singular ii hoping a'so that the time
n,ay moon ...nn. when the authorities may consider that
he could fairly be allowed a ticket-of-leave.

A verdict of manslaughter in one of the babrfarming
tees, and a yen-lit that two of the other babies died from
insufficiency of food—a distinction certainly, but not
much difference—will of course lead to legal proceedings.
The public mind is now fairly aroused on this subject,
but it is not easy to determine what should be done for
the future. The system of adopting infants cannot
le stopped—and indeed it is not perhaps advisable
that it should be wholly stopped; but in any case
these baby-farms, if they are permitted, should be
placed under supervision, so that neglect or worse may
be brought home to those who are guilty of it.
The London season is beginning to be on the wane,
and rank and fashion will ere long quit town for
country, for the sea-side, and the continent. But mean-
while balls and parties continue. It is rather a strange
rangement that the London season should he in the
run_ Iner time, when the coun.ry mmt be so much more
enjoyable. The crowded parties of the aristocracy can
scarcely be very agreeable in het wrath, r, but then
Fashion is inexorable. Garden parties must be much
pleasanter affairs if—if one could only rely on the
weather. There are indications that this kind of a/
fresco entertainment la likely to become fashionable.