biglam/hmd_newspapers huggingface dataset:
The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1871-02-25

THE WAR.

FRANCE.

DECLARATION OF PEACE.

VERSAILLES, Thursday

The Standard Ver,aihei correspondent telegraphs n
Fruity of Peace, mubracing all but minor details, has
hein signed by 'T Mein 1111.1 Ihsinark.
France pays a a war indemnity of .4:320,000,000.
Alsace and German Lorraine, including Mete, are
ceded to Germany.
. .

',there was a furious conte,t before Metz was given up,
suit Ilijers denouncedOtrinan rapacity.

It is not yet decided whether tLe boundary hue shah
include Nai.ey.
he Germans do not enter Paris, Bismark in this, hav-
ing overruled the huveror.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1871-02-25

THE LYE.

! Mccroo.—On Monday evening last, a tea uteet•
. lug was held in the seLooliauoin of the Methodist New
Connexion Chapel. An excellent tea was provided, sad
given in aid of the society by the liberality of Mrs,.
Thomas William Hatton. After tea a publielmeeting
held in the Chapel. Mr. Samuel Evans occupied the
chair and in a short and appropriate speech, introdoced
to the meeting the aI.N. A. C. Bevingtun, who delivered
a viny elovient and interesting lecture on "Peter Cart.
wright, the renowned backwoods preacher." During i •
delivery, the rev, gentleman was repeatedly applaude. ,
and at the conclusion a hearty vote of thank. was ac-
corded him. The proceedings were iutersperbeil with
several sacred piccen by the choir, which were pi domed
in excellent style. Mr. W. Evans presided at the liar.
mouium. Votes of thanks to the ladies, the choir, the
chairman, and Mrs. Hatton were passed, and the singing
of the benediction closed the proceedings.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1871-02-25

THE GERMANS AT VERSAILLES.

An order was promulgated at Versatile. last week, signed
by General Volghts-Khetz, the commandant of the town, In
the following terms It Is expressly fornidden to remove
any provisions from Versatile.. Orders have been given to
the offi-ers commanding ports to c ritiscate at the gaol of the
town and the railway station all provisions seised there." An
official notice has also been Issued directing all house-
keepers and concierges to inform the German police autho.
Hiles of the arrival in their respec•ive houses of any stranger,
or of any person even a resident wi Versailles who shall have
been absent from the town for more than a week. The In-
formation of much arrivals must he made in writing, and must
Include the I arne, ege, or upation, and pisce from which the
for has arrived, as also the reasons for his presence In
Versailles and the probable duration of his stay there. lion-
',intervene°. of this order will Involve a line of Mt, or Ito-
pris,nment for fifteen days.

THE FRENCH PRISONERS IN GERMANY.

f,hortly oefore the date of the conclusion of the armistice
the r 4 were reported to Fe In Germany almost exactly 345,000
Frtnc:. prisoners. On if, being known to be signed, fresh
re toms were called, for horn the twelve corps districts of
Prussia and Saxony, by which It appeared that the prectae
numbers allotted them were 10,141 officer, and 293,791 men.
Up to the list of January there had escaped from =Mode

112 ofiiCelli and 363 men, and there had died only 130 officers
and 4koo men, • very moderate percentage indeed, if the
official papers we are following may be relied On. fiance the
Versailles convention was concluded, a fresh circular
hu called the attention of all officials concerned to the
necessity of making • distinction, during present political
complications," between French prisoners from Alsace or
Lorraine and others. The former are to hale special
legs,print-
as being employ. ii, It they choose, ee town worksbops,
aubJwA only te the inspection of the usual military arithorl
tie.. That emphd Melt; for tha macs ha, been restricted by
a good many conditions may be Judged from the fact that at
the time of the lout returns being made out, only 6.923, not
touch over it per cent., was in receipt of tier extra earnings
be oLtainel in this manner.

THE ORLEANISTE AND THE REPUBLIC.
The North German Gns•tte, discussing the question of a
Member of the Orleans family helm elected a member of the
French Republic says The Presidency of an o.leanist
Prince would be accompanied by two tqually great evils. On
the one hand, It would carry with It imminent danger of a
renewed overthrow of the ilstittitions of the cmutry i trout
as soon as they are es'abibbed ; and on the other hand, the
o.lcluts Princes would render inipoesible the reconciliation
between Germany and France, which ought gradually to be
brought abmt from th 3 conclusion of peace, for the
t4leanista have publicly confessed themselves to be the sworn
tumults of Germany."
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1871-02-25

ARCHBISHOP MANNING ON THE VICES

OF THE DAY.

- - - -
At the Eoman C .tholic chumhes in London, en
Sunday, a pastoral letter from Atchbiehop Manning
was read on the due obeervaec 3of Lent. The Arch-
, bishop warned those whom he tar:droned against
dwelling on the Fifa f those in ether countrie i on
whom calamities had fallen, but to look at borne. The
chief sine in England wan the "reds of life." No
nation poFs aged such self-gratulation, sad she was
dein led by insular security, tradition of ewce.a.s, and
I exceptional pro pity, into the belief that theat..'
things would la.t for ever. He next referred to the
great increue of luxury in domestitt romiety, in which
epletadeur in furniture, exquisite wine', tostly ban.
queta, semitone MUEiC, and endlets plessare wife to be
found. Elaborate self-indulgence hat invaded the
higher ranks of men. There had also crept in habi-
' tual elms, in wine, by which (~-en without drunken-
ness) the mind and body
.berame inflamed and diseased.
m This often ar from nosttken kindness r imprudent
advice. The excuse which wee covered by refines. nit
was intolerable, and altogether without excuse. The '
Archbishop also spoke of the extrava,ant faehions that
prevailed in female dress. Men bad improved since
the lant century in this respect., but the attire of
women had become mere cs ly, orstentations, and
singular, even to strangeness, and thee money wan
wasted which would clothe the naked, feed the poor,
or educate children. . . . .
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1871-02-25

ONLY ON THE THRESHOLD!

'it would appear, however, that even now the Parisians
have not had enough of the snook heroic A melodrama ia
announced to came cut shortly at the (Lill, TheAtre, entitled
'The siege of Parts,' and It is confidently expeeed by its
authars that it will have a run of at tenet five months, or as
long as the piece lasted which is now terminalli.g. It Is a
happy citora•nsation of Providence that people should he able
to take their onistortuves thus lightly, for, certainly, they are
not suptrecial It is ILnp:risible to live in Facto now and not
foresee ill, financial ruin which has yet to overtake a large
dais if its it hat.ilants. We are only on the threshold of the
CO,villeton which must follow upon the social and c mamercial
collapie that is inevitable. The gitter awl brilli mop of the
Imperial Court, which, like a candle, attracted all the moths
of Europe to come and get their wings singed, Asa passed
away, and with it thouaatels will be involved in ruin. Tan
streets of palaces now animating empty will probably he only
partially filled, and house rent. will Mud, isle bye t least a half
Whether we have Anarchy, Monarchy, or Republ c P..ris sill
lose it. attraction to he
../Idiseurs and the cuecodettes ot
Clump., and ghe .00 01 the Bois de Boulogne has set behind
Ito stumps. It ts the breateni mistake to suppose that the
starvation of the people has ended with the siege; it Is only
really beginning now. How it will mid ills impossible to
conjecture, but with thousands of working men crying for
Mei.' or work, the popul..tion may be diminished by other
ways than by famine. I tenet I ace not taking an unduly
gloomy view of its situation, hut looking at the trials
through which they have pleased, the dist gets by which they
are still surrounded and the chaotic future before their,
" ' .

there Is something appalling In the levity and recklessness
which chyme:mie the attitude of the p vulatiou. At this
moment I am assured by medical men In large practics that
col fluent small-pos of a very virulent t 3 ps is clearly 011 the
increase, but the figures are not published, no as not to excite
alarm."—Correspondent of The Times.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1871-02-25

THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY AND ITS
WORK.

The]) Gars of the 16th of February publlshes an urgent
appeal to tee representatives of the et,notry esse.obkd at
B ddeaus to devote themselves to the real La: k for which
they face been elected

"The first duty of the Assembly," it says, " citnsists
in abstaining from those recriminatioas in which all
',active me too prone to indulge toward each hither,
and then to select men capable of &pi recieti.g and dis-
cussing the propositiuns of King William." As the
persons best qualified for this mission, the Dagits
suggests MM. 'niers and Farce, and recommends that
they should in the first instance obtain from the most
competent authorities an exact account of the military
forces of France, after which they should preened to
the Prussian Heacbgiverti rt. 'lf the enemy's
terms are possible of acceptation the d'inandssioncre
and the Ass, nibly will accetd them patriotically,
prchrring a burdensome peace to the continuance
of a war which would increase our losses without
affording us less harsh terms of peace. It is above all
things mcsesai y that the country should not be de.
ceived as to its present p isition, and be induced to
expect the same treatment as though it had gained
victories. We have, aloe! been conquered, and Pruisia
will naturally seek to take advantage of cur ds feats.
Ihe Assembly will then have to compare with the
sacrifices which a renewal of hostilities would entail
upon the country the demands of Kong William, and
must ad .pt after such comparison the course which
will be hart injuricue to France, a hatuver that coune
may be.
"The article conclui'es by urging the Assembly not
to be drawn aside front its plain duty by the
vehemence of some of its members, notably those from
Paris, who have threatened to withdraw uhould pro-
positions humiliating to the country be made. "What-
ever treatment the negotiators for peace may exit ct
from certain violent partisans, they will have the
justification of their conscience and good sense, which
will enable them calmly to face the fury of their
dversaries."
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1871-02-25

THE EXPENSE OF A CONTEST FOR A SCHOOL

BOARD.

7b the Editor of the" Obeercer."

see it wax elated by one of the speakers at the
Kingawinford meeting. that the expense of a context in
that parish would have been no less than £250. Can you
inform the public whether that statement was correct;
also whether a contest at Stourbridge. should there be
one, need be so expensive? It is difficult to conceive
why it should be; difficult also not to suspect the above.
statement of being a gross exaggeration, with • party
object. Of course the public would have nothing to do
with any voluntary expenses that might be incurred by
candidates.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1871-02-25

"'ill.

bane! ; bloaters as t,o 4.. 6d ;
- - -
Herrings. ploklrd, 2,0% tr 36t • ditto red 101. to 255. per
turt,oti. 8s 6.1 to 168 61. ; 1,111, 31. 60 to 85. each : SOles,
lOpp.r.. 3s. 60. totis per box
is. 64. to 3s. per psi?; cod it co £8 per score ; live cod, 125.
to its, each; eels, Is. to Is It per ponnd ; smoked had-
docks, 255. ti 355. per Wive: ; I. bidere, 15, 10 303. De.' dozen
native oysters, £10; commeiv, 151. to 35e, per bushel.

. .
BOPS.
Thronehont the part week considerable flrmnese prevailed.
Clot e bops ini-g aro-, ex,oriel ced a healthy Ibquiry at
extreme too...owns 0 her grades sere purolnued to a
moderate extent, and full prices were obtained. 3114 and
East Kent, 40s , to 1403. ; Weald of Knot, 40s. to 751.
Sussex, 355. to Va. ; Farnham and CountrY, The. to 112.; Ode
201. to LO s. per cat.
POTATOES

These markets I.ave ngwn 'CM well supplied with pota-
toes Ther. has been a watt of atimation in the ir gaily
and prices Lave rteed as ader:—English Shims, SOP. to
110 s.: ditto ICesente, 70.. to 9d&; Scotch reginte,rgeZto
90e. ; and Bock', Obi. to 75t pa ion.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1871-02-25

.HA.LESOW.EN.

MAGISTEII;AL.—At the Police C3urt, on Tussday, be-
fore E. Moore sad F. L. Smith, Eggs., Jane laylor was
brought up on ritual,' chidged with stealieg a pair id
boot I'.C. Beavan proved apprebendiug prisoner, but
as no OWLICr for tbe bits was found and prisoner list
been irked up three weeks, she was hailed out to appear
when called opori.—Hemy flab, landlord of the Star
and Garter, won charged with ha: bouring Parka.
Acting-sergeant Kennedy proved the case, and d. fend•
ant was ordered to pay the costs. Mr. Hayes defended.
—Joseph Parkes was cbarged with assaulting James
Smart, on the 13th inst. Mr. Hayes defended, and the
case was dismissed.—James Roper, of Netherton, was
fined 20.1 and costs, for furious driving. The case was
proved by P.C. Knowles, EmmalWilletts, and Mr. Bissell
—George Miliward was fined 40s and costs, for trespas-
sing on laud belonging to Joseph Bate, in pursuit of
game.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1871-02-25

MR. CHARLES MATHEWS'S FAREWELL

TO AUSTRALIA.
Mrs. Mathews took her benent at the Theatre Royal,
Melhourre, on the 23rd ot Decent... In the course ot a
.horonghly charaoterlstle address wh'ch convulsed the
ambercu with laughter, says the Melbourne Argue, Mr.
Matthews made the to;low g v..ledletory remarks

The time for our leaving the colonies has arrived,
and I n uet sum up the re-nit of our long stay in them.
flat reeult has been unalloyed satisfoction. Perfect
plea uro, combined wi.h plenty of profit. I can safely
say tnat I have never anywhere paqtad a come agree.-
able time either at home or abroad, befera cr behind
tha curtain, or sojourned in more enjoyable place's,
graced by nit re friendly and polite people of every
grad-. I soy emphatically, of evety gr,de ; for cer-
tainly one of the moat etriking features in the colonies
generally is the unaffected civility atd kindness
manifested everywhers by the intelligent we eking
classes. Jean truly assert that I have rever met with
anything Ike it elsewhere. Dan% thiek I am
II ettering, ladies and gentlemen. Remamb-r, I have
now nothing to gain by it. I have no benefit to
take—that is over; and as it is most unlikely that
I shall ever have the privilege of teeing you
here again, I need not butter you u, to insure myself
a good reception on my next visit. No, lam simply
speaking the truth. We came a long way to s oe, as
we supposed, a foreign country; instead of which we
found ourselves at emits at home, and as if among old
friends; and sincerely do I regret that the time Las
come to bid them good-bye. We were induced to
believe that we should find nothing here we required,
and brought with us a ship.l cad of boxes, which we
might just as well have left at home, for I know
nothing that can be got in London that cannot be got
in Melheurne—excep., perhaps, a good November fag.
A moderatetsized portmanteau, and an early visit to
Alston and Brown, would have amply miuisteted to
all our wants. As to our encores, we have nothing
but the mmt rAtt ful thanks to Lifer, for it has been
rptite equal tee our hopes everywhere ' • and thaugh we
t had a little ff about the prices at etarting, you yielded
to me with a good grace on our first engagement, and
I have yielded to you on our second, aid I Wink we
are all well satistied--at any rate we are."
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1871-02-25

A RED REPUBLICAN PROORA3IME.

M. Follx Pyat writes In Le Venguer :—" If I were the
sovereign people I would &et of all mainiss all the monarchic
ceuerals. I would confide the sword of France to Garihal,ll.
I would order all my representtlives to vote the exile of the
several prince., and, If exile did not re, fNa, their death. I
would seize as national property that of all regular or secular
trotors, who, notwithatanding the Republic, are plotting for
a King. I would charge my representatives to nonatltute a
revolutionary Government. not at Bordeaux, an arht, erotic,
open, eccentric city, cornered at the further end of France,
on the seaboard, without porible influence over any other
part of the soil, without mean, of defence or succour, not
peopled by &rhesus, but having a wandering, Indifferent c, smos
p Amin population of footmen, r allots, and f, resigners. I would
order my repreaentat ices to decree the levy en 'muse ; not
to c ',mop "an Inch of our soil, flora stone of our fortret sea "
I would prepare myself for the sacrifice, knowing that the
road to honour is that of safety : that Moscow saved RtliSIA :
flaragessa, Spain ; and Fri,bla, Mexico, Wherefore, I wood
order war to the sod, and the surest means of terminating
the struggle. I would order the transfer of t`o Assemoly to
Lyons, only I learn that Lyons Is no longer the second city
of the 12 svolution, thanks to Gambetta the Revolutionist.
I would transport the It:volution into Cevennes, and order
the Impeachment of the whole Government without ex-
cept'on—the Govenors of Paris and those of Tours. PllVO-
rates and generale—Favre as well as Gambetta." What he
would further do, login Fyat doge not icy; but even thus far
the beginnhsg is gromising.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1871-02-25

A FRENCH VIEW OF RENEWED WAR.

M. Alphonse Karr, the distil:lent:lied litterdteter, has
written the following letter to the Lyon. Newspaper :
" Paulng through Lyons r lease to give me a little space. We
have had enough of tine words. France bar no longer the
means of Deleon- g to them, nor the time to attend to them.
have lust .pent a week In the districts occupied by the
Prussians. 1 aaw Bourbaki's army enter Switzerland. I
have seen, and I know. I have many truths to tell they
shall be told within a few days. but at present I desire to
mention two of them. I req'u et that the Assembly at Bor.
deaux summon, If it be only for the sake of Information,
isnile one who hal seen our prisoners, cur wounded, our
sick, and our dying. They have, I think, a right to be re-
presented. I ask that a resist, be placed upon the table
of the President of the Asse bly, and that each Deputy
who shall talk of voting for a continuance of the war in
the first place enter his name upon that register. That
book shall be the register of matriculation tor a regiment
de marehe of the advanced guard which shall have the
honour of marching Mit towards the enemy."
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1871-02-25

CRADLEY HEATH.

Mos. Manor's Titsvr--On Tuesday evening, for the
seventh toe about thitty•four of the aged and poor of
USE. locality ore entertain. d by Mrs. tht.hup. A good
tea was given them, alter whice they enjoyed the pipe
and told talcs, hinging e carrot now sod then as a silt of
change. A tree covered with to.eful articles was pro-
vided, and the prizes nth r bring bvlloted for, wire dis-
tributed by Mrs. T. M. Dunn. Before eeperatiug, the
Bev. 'l'. M. Dunn delivered sit lohlret.s to fluent, after
which they departed, pleased and highly gratified with
their evening's treat.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1871-02-25

A TOO CONFIDING WIDOW.

A:, the Thames Police-court, in London, a respect-
able middiesagted widow appeared before the sitting
magistrate, and said ales had advertised in a daily
London newspaper for a situation as housekeeper, anti
mentioned that, the most respectable references c I
be given. The adv, rtheinent was answered by a
g, 1em..2 who apnointedanneeting at the Bishopierate-
street Railway Station. Her appearance and de-
portment seemed to make a great impression on
the gentleman, and he expreiverl his admiration
in warm terms, and said his ebjeut in answering
the adverlisemt nt and seeking a housekeept r wOe
with a view to an early marriage. Sire expressed her
surprise at this and said that she could not marry any
ens upon a short acquaintanc-, and must know
more about him and bin protpects before she could
think if such a thing SR to engage herself to him.
lie spoke very largely of his property, and said he re-
quired the companionship of a lady whom he cmald
el by the endearing name of wife, and not that of
housekeeper. Ifs visited her at her own home, which
was that also of her mother, and planned out come
arrangements for their marriage. He borrowed a
sovereign of her and afterwards f s'<ed for the loan of
£5 which she felt disposed to lend him but her mother
prevented her doing Co.
The Magistrate: Your mother acted very wisely.
There is no doubt the fellow is an impaster.
The applicant wanted to know if she could not give
the gentleman into custody.
__. . . _

The Mapatrate : What io-r ?—The Applicant : For
obtaining a.sovereigt!.af me unler false pretenceß..

The Meg:strata : 101 l were foi hsh enough to lend
im a sovereign, and I doubt whether ycu will ever get
a farthing of the money. Have lou heard anythini
further about thia fellow.

The Applicant: Ye, air; I met him last night by
app iintment, at the Moorgate-street Railway Station.
My abater followed or, and after we parted she Lb
lowed him, lie was joined by a female about my own
sc., and they went on until they reached Oxford-
street West, where my sister lost eight of them.
Tee Magistrate : Gentlemen who waut respectable
housekeeperodon't make appointments to meet them at
railway stations. I cannot vadat you in this matter at
all, and I hot. it will be a caution to you for the re.t
of your life. Your only remedy is in the county court,
if you can Sod this person who wants a respectable
housekeeper with a view to 1112 early marriage.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1871-02-25

THE EARL OF DERBY ON OUR
NATIONAL DEFENCES.

In proposing the toast of the "Army and Navy," at
the festival of the Hospital for Sick Children on Satur.
day evening, Lord Derby raid he had to ask them to
pay a tribute of respect to the two great defensive
services of this country, together with what he would
call the auxiliary branches of the military service,
namely, the militia and volunteers. These services
could not complain, during the last few months, that
they had not attracted a fair share of notice. They
might complain that they had been subjected to a
great deal of criticism, some of it unreasonable and
foolish, but that was to be expected in a free country,
and he thought it was in public something as in private
life. One would even rather be unjustly almsed
It an not noticed at all. It was certain now, how.
ever, that we were not going to stars,: our services.
We might spend our money wisely or unwisely, for
money would not do everything ; brains to use it were
much needed to render the services efficient. He had
not been inclined, during the last few months, to think
that our national danger was no great as some people
considered, but he did think perkdical panics were not
only ridiculous, but dangerous; indeed, a great deal of
money would not be badly spent if it had the effect of
ending such panics once for all. He hoped that when
we bad put the services into a proper state of efficiency,
we should not be so proud of them as to want to put
them to a trial without absolute necessity. If that
necessity arose, he had no doubt that on land or on
sea, with new weapons as with the old ones, our men
would do their duty as they Math always done in times
past.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1871-02-25

FEMALE FRENCH REFUGEES.

In a lecture delivered on Monday evexing, ice
Lonclim, at which Lord Lyttelton took tile chair,
Mims laithfull observed that she had not ouly to thank
those I resent for their hearty support, tut she tad
reason to remember absent triemds, and among theae
she was proud to include Mr. Tennyson. Mr. Rmkiv,
and Mr. Carlyle. She could Cot refv.in from reading
Mr. Cart)le's letter, to prove that the strew.: tn.
timainsm for Germany which beat in that great heart
of his, by no means excluded a tender sympathy fel'
the sufferings enta led by the unprecedented 611 C ;efts of
German arms :
Dove Iladarn,—l regret that I cannot get to hesr your
let' use, which would have been interesting and pleasant to
me; but I send a little ear of corn to phi with the charitable
harvest you are reaping, which I trust will lee abundant far
the sate of those poor Frenchwomen whom with all fly heart
I pity, as too eo —With many khcd wishes, tremolo, always
yours sincerely, T. CAB LI LE.

Mr. Buskin not only expressed an interest in the object
of the lecture, but he added,

" I most heartily xi mpathlse wtth vou in your purpose of
defining womana wort and sphere. It Xllrelreshlirg as the
dews and as delleed as the moon's, but It Is not the rain's nor
the sun's."

Mis 3 FaCthfull agreed in this view, bot remarked,
that the dark places r I the earth need be pure libt of
the toom, and the barren mount nide looks for the
refreshing dew as eagerly ras the iwney, and our duty in
not to cramp an I imprimn Violf own shortsighted
selfish ends what was intended for the widest and
largett servims— service doubtless, differing in kind, I ut
equal), indb.pensable. The gut ject of her lecture
include the edrimrtionll claims of women, female
franchise, and the add subjects of interest at the
present moment.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1871-02-25

MURDER AND SUICIDE.

Christopher Leedham, a brick manufacturer at
Stallingborongh, five miles west of Grimsby, is a man
in humble circumatmces, aged about sixty.five. Some
twenty years ago he became a widower with five
children. and afterwards married a young woman, who
was his junior by many years, and who has now fallen
a victim to his eldest eon, George Leeclham, aged
forty-five. This eon, win la working as a labourer in a
mill at Hull, a few mouths ago met with an accident
which caused an internal injury of the nature of a
rupture. This injury, from which he had not re-
covered, led to a depression of spirits, and produced
great irritability of temperament and partial aberration
of mind, and he had become more ungovernable the
last few days.
On Saturday, about half.past twelve, Mrs. Leedharn
was preparing for dinner, there being also in the room
her husband (who had just entered and was reading a
newspaper), the unhappy son George, and another son,
Elijah, aced seven years. 'rho mother was atont
serving up a rice pudding, when George, who stood by
the tarts at her side, began to eat the pudding out of
the dieh with a butcher's knife. His step mother
requested him not to do so, and begged of him to sit
down and have Fome of the pudding on a plate.
Simply ejaculating, "1 client t" he struck a back ward
blow with the knife, which entered the lower part of
the right side of the unfortunate woman's neck j tut above
the breast bone. The blade entered to a depth
of three inches and penetrated the jugular vein.
He withdrew the knife, threw it down, and rushed
cut of the Louse towards the brick-pond, and
jumps d info the water. He was quickly fol-
lowed by a brotherbn.law, aged 17, and a labourer
name I Jackson, who succeeded in dragging him out.
rhe youth then left them, and hurried home to ascer-
tain the fate of his mother, who had staggered into the
neat cottage, fallen down, and died immediately.
Meanwhile a struggle ensued between the murderer
(who was determined on self-destruction) and Jackson,
in which I.eedham proved the stronger, and as Jackson
clung to him to prevent him carrying out his intention
he was dragged into the pond, and to preserve himself
was compelled to release his hold, and the murderer
succeeded in drowning himself.
The deceased woman had ever behaved in the most
kind and feeling manner towards her invalid stepson,
and had the previous day takea home for him from
Grimsby market brandy, wine, and confectionery.
An inquest has been held, when the eidence
clearly proved that the murderer had been for tome
time in a deranged state, and a fit subject for reatraint
in a lunatic asy hum, and the jury returned a la rdict
that the crimes had he en committed by George Leed-
ham when in state of insanity.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1871-02-25

THEIR LCINED PLAINS WILL DELUGE FRANCE WITII

TfIE I)E9IItE REVENGE.

As I have issid before, I fear much the floodgates of bitter-
ness opened by the Armistice, which has let out t il9 Parisians
to expatiate over their ruined plans, will deluge France with
hate and the desire fur revenge. It is of no to use tell a roan,
who gropes about in the cinders of his home for a fragment
to identify it by, that his grandfather burnt a schloes is
Prussia by order of Napoleon in the beginning of the century.
W. has been brought home to the doors of the people of
Franca, has sat at their tables, revelled in their hall; slept In
their beds, and they do not liken stall. They say it Is a brutal,
havient, barbarous wretch, • flre-ralser and a robber. Much
good may the less, n do them and us! But It will not, I fear,
be fruitful In good teaching after all.
A VERT YOUNG " lIUSSARD DE L'IMPERATRICE!"

I declare I felt Inclined to smash the windows—particu-
tarty la there were no soffentrde about—whoa I was
strolling along the Boulevards the other day, and saw shops
for children—rousts d'sufaus—tlllud with little soldiers, tiny
drums and trumpets, chassepots and swot s, pictures of Im-
possible cavalry arid fantas.ins. It was as much al I could
do to keep my hands nff an innocent warrior, seven years old,
who was toddling along the Champs Else, dressed by a
ridiculous mother as u " ilu.sard tie l'lmperutrlce," with
sword and sabretsche, and all the rest of it. I worda almost
U soon have seen him attired as a young Methodist parson
or an embryo undertaker. But they will go on so, arid on
both sides, too. I have been told that susceptibilities were
Mart because an illustrious lady, of whom both peoples msy
well be proud, dressed her children In knickerbockers, or
Highland costume, mat did not lace them up In military
tunics, strapped overalls, and casquettes, such as young
German princely r.hildren are put Into when evolved Irons
their swaddling clothes.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1871-02-25

THE DOWRY AND ITS EINGLE
OPPON EN T.

Mr. Taylor, in a house of 350 members, "woe left
alone in his glory"— a not vely enviable position. It
is well that he moved an amendment to show what the
feelings of the United Kingdom were oa the subj rct.
It is a touter of regret that the private fortune of the
Duke of Areyll was made an obj ct of remark by one
member, when dohndiag the dowry, not on the prin-
ciple of justice and honesty, but on the plea that the
Duke was • poor man, who was forced to send two of
his sons to business—one in New York and one here—
(we are quoting from the Liverpool ANion) both the
young gentlemen preferring herd work and industrious
pursuits to the betting ring, the turf, and the gambling
table; for which the y and their father should be
commended. We recollect re ading in the Saturday
Magaz;ne, a good many years aoo, 'lord Teigi.-
mouth's Tour through the Highlands and Llande
of Scotland," when a large portion of the ducal
estates were sold by the uncle if the present pier.
Lord Teignmouth described the extent of the whole
property as enormous, comprising a greater area than
any other in the kingdom, queertioning whether the
sale of such territories would be beneficial to the
tenants; but, as they were bought chiefly fey the de•
sceuclante of the ancient owners, who lost them in the
wars of 1715 and 1745, we think there was no public
lore. The remaining estates are very large—from the
distant and "Wild Tiree " to Campbeltown, ii. se•
Leath, lov.rary, L wn, and other dietricts of the
country, out of which half-a-dozen German principali-
ties might be formed. Steam has done much to im-
prove the metals of the lairds in Argyllshire, eve
firth and bay being daily visited by numbers of boats
from Glasgow and Greenock, an well as °therm in
connection with railways; and the coneequenc • is that,
on the shores ef the Clyde, Lochs Long. Gull, the
Garloch, towns, villages, and watering places have
rapidly epruug up, and lands unfit for agricultural
purposes, that would not let at ss. an acre, are
feued at £6. £54, £l2, or even more, to the merchant
princes and manufacturers of Lanark and llenfrew.
shire, owl, with the exception of the Luce estates, no
othene have been so much benefitted as the Duke's; PO
that there can be no substantial reason for Mr. Dixon's
plea at Birmingham. In area the properly may stand
second or third now in Scotland—it being the largest
when the uncle of the present Duke came into poring.
felon. Lord Dufferin, in his "High Latitudes," gives
a humorous description of the family, only exceeded
by his pe et-prandial statements and Latin orations of
the (hires of the hoot and guests ha Iceland after a
couple el day's jollification. Now that the dowry bee
passed, we can only offer our congratulations to the
young c nupie, wishing them every success and happi-
nees, with a numerous progeny, and the danghtere as
fair A. 9 the lovely ancestresses of Macf2allum More—the
English beauty, Mire Bellonden, and the Irish toast of
It iscommon, the lovely Gunning.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1871-02-25

I,READFFL TO THINK OF!

"We will make war no terrible," said a Staff Meer to a
friend of mine, that ally nation which hears or sees what
We have done here will think tw.c: before It Invite, us to
play the game" Then they are an cipriclous. Why lance
château sacke I and another almost respected? I passed by
the château of Remiregard yesterday. The Duchess's big
black dog was stalking about among • group of Prussian
soldiers; a row of arnbula cos was drawn up before the
portico; acme few panes of gla.• were broken , a shutter
damaged here and there; straw, broken Iwittles, and heaps
of litter were not wanting baton the whole the place was
not ill treated, and, only for • shell or two from the French
side, was in tolerable order, if not qui e fit far the reception
of Mrs Howard in her palmy days. The splendid trees are
Lot cut down. There were men at work ploughing In the
fields. The gardener and his wife at the lodge were clearing
up and repeating damages.
A RUIN, INDEED !

Ent Busenval, what • ruin that is ! It Is nimium Mane
Cr. rnonm —too near to Veit rlen to be good for it. There is
tot a square of ten yards of wall In the building Heelf
through which you could not put your head, and ii. many
places your body. Prince Murat, if he were to come bock,
would find no difficulty In entering Into the parallelograms
of rubbish which were once suites of fine apartments, Ihere
were • few wre7ched old men and women grubbing among
the dust-heaps for unknown valuer. Malumison was, I he•
Love, emptied of mob of Its content. of national Interest
erore the investment, and the place has not been much
Inquired. Villeneuve-lEtang and Its beautiful park are not
so fortunate,
THE PEOPLE MOST To RE PITIED.
The people most to be pitied are the smaller proprietors.
M. Seydoux may be glad to know his fine chateau Si Bougival
Is In fair condition and preservation, but many of his less
wealthy neighbours will be hard set for a resting-place in
their own houses. There are not many of the thousands of
signors who flock every week Into Paris with any desire to
visit the suburbs or with any knowledge of them. Perhaps
wren the wart, over curious strangers will resort to Part',
not to see it, but to shit the blighted Zone. They should
make haste. It is wonderful to see how the people are com-
ing back in some placm, and what quantities of work they
have done in cleaning and mending. I doubt If they are
wise. Would it not Ic well to leave some " ruins i"
Cord 1 and Meudon will last a long time, but if these 'poor
stupid foolish people," as our excellent friend, the Huainan '
General, calls them, take away all Interest from their villages
by making them neat and whole again, they will lose much
profit. Let us have Thebes and Persepolis, plum, "within
lit hoots of London."
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1871-02-25

BATrBDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1871.

jump on the guards van, but missing his hold, was turned
round, dashed against the kerbing of the new platforni ,
and then fell between the platform and the rails. Two
hone-boxes, which were attached to the train, pass, d
over his leg and arm, mutilating him in a fearful manner.
lie cleat once picked up, and a surgeon immedia,ely
sent for. Stokes requested to be convoyed to the Bir-
mingham Hospital, and was accompanied there by Mr.
Phillips and Mr. Grover. The poor fellow became insen-
sible before they- arrived at Birmingham, and never rib
lied, no he died the same day. It appears that he was in
the habit of jumping on the trains while they were in
motion, and had been frequently remonstrated with by
Mr. Phillips and others, who had often remarked that he
would do it once too often.
An inquest was held on the body, at the Grand Turk,
Ludgate Hill, on Tuesday evening, before Dr. Bid Davies,
Borough Coroner.
. _
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1871-02-25

KINVER.

eIIAOE OE iiAPE.—At the ltrieiky Hill Police Conrt;
on Monday, before It. St. John Matthew/ex and L. Freer ,
Est's.,W,lliou Poa ell w. charged with committing a
rape upon 11:innah Hubble g(ltn. Prow the evidence of
Mr. Hulyoak, surgeon, it appearathe girl wax injured,
but the capital offence was not; committed. Prisoner wee
committed to take hie trial at the Adjourned Stafford
8 elisions.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1871-02-25

BETWEEN THE LINES,

The Special Correspondent cf The Times, wrlt'ng
from Ilueil, Feb. 18, thus pi,tures the miseries
sequent upon the war
The moderation of her choice, and the tendencies to
Perce evinced by Franca In the elect% na to the 11,aeniLir,
deserve consideration. If the Prussians say, "We will
ask the very uttermost farthing, because some ativonced
war organs object to terms at all," they will strengthen
the hands of the war party, and make peace attainable
only by 4 xhanetion. Thy do not want war, viral) ? Bsme
do. Some there are who say, "France hae not hod
half enough. We en; ht logo on till not a man is left who
doer not ask for peace." There are Generals whs want more
fighting, soldiers who desire more honour, promotion,
plunder, and the pleasures of free living and campaigning.
But Count Blamer, k has rot at any time evinced weakness
of will or want of clew. perception, Tie Emperor King is
sore to do all he can to secure for Germany the legitimate
results of her extraordinary and most billilant successes in
the field under his guidance, by wise concessions in the
Councilshe directs. The Prince Impertel surety would not
either accept an unsatisfactory peace or desire an unnecessary
war.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1871-02-25

FORTY-FOUR HOUSES AND PREMISES,

At MOOR-LANE, BRIERLEI HILL.
1110 be SOLD by AUCTION, by Messrs.
A. OATES, PERBENS, and WOOLIRIDOE, at
taw BILL 11011 L, BRUIRLIT HILL, on IIoNDAY, the tith
day of MARCH. 1871, at Six o'clock in the hvening, sub-
jest to conditions then to be read—Forty-four HOUSSS
and Premises, situate at Moor-lane, Brierley Hill, in the
following or such other lots as shall be decided upon at
the time of sale, via. :

Lot I.—Tmc 'COCK lux PUBLIC•HOUSE, together
with the Brewhouse, Yard, Stable, and Appurtenances,
occupied by William Morton; also the HOUSE adjoin-
ing, with Front Shop, together with the Pigsty°, Privy,
and Appurtenances, occupied by W. C. Cadman.
Lot 2.—Two TENEMENTS nearly adjoining to
Lot I, with the Privy thereto, occupied by Thomas
Seldom and Mary Pardoe.
Lot 3.—Sixteen HOUSES, situate on the East side
of and adjoining the Railway, together with the Yard,
Brewhense, and Appurtenances, in the occupation of
James Price, John Carter, the Widow Plant, aud others.

• , ...
Lot 4. fwenty-four 001:SES, situate on the IVest
bide of and adjoining the Hallway, tlgether wttis the
Bards, Brewhouses, and Appurtenances thereto, in the
occupation of John Pool, the Widow Holt, and others.
Voir further yarticulars apply to Messrs. Harward,
Shepherd, and Hayward, Solicitors, or to Messrs. Oates,
Perreus, and NVooldrulge, Land Agents, Stourbridgc.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1871-02-25

Xocal atib District 'tidos.

SCHOOL BOARD MEETING IN THE

CORN EXCHANGE.

On Monday morning, at eleven o'clock, a meet-
ing of the ratepayers of the township was ;held
in the Corn Exchange, for the purpose of con-
sidering the advisability of passing a resolution
that it is expedient that a School Board should
he formed for the parish. there Was not a large
attendance. Amongst those present were Cap-
tain Walker, the Revs. H. Sherrard, T. Williams,
.1. Richards, D. Jones, T. Parker, D. Maginnis,
and J. Rogers; Messrs.,]. C. A. Scott, S. Smith,
O. Thorne, R. Ileckford, G. Perry, G. Prescott,
J. Allsop, son., li. Billinglorm, J. Taylor, E.
Stringer, R. Broomhall, W. Healy, C. Evers, T.
li. Hughes, W. Platt, H. Newnan', J.
Slintlock, W. Wassell, H. Hicklin, G. Perkins,
J. Woolley, P. Chance, E. Murton, J. Blurton,
J. Emery, .J. Powell, A. Clarke, R. Cook, J.
Brearley, .1. Franklin, &c.
It was proposed by Mr. Billingluitu, and sec-
onded ,by the Rev. H. Sherrard, that Captain
Walker take the chair.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1871-02-25

I aro, Sir, yowl., kc.,
A RATEPAYER.
EThe total cost of an election in Stourbridge, cannot
posnibly exceed £loo.—Eu. S. Q.

To the Editor of the .. Observer."

DEAR Sen,—A. private meeting was held • short time
ago by some of the ministers of this town, to consider
the desirability of establishing a School Board for the
parish of Stourbridge. One of the resolutions passed at
that meeting was, that it was thought desirable that a
Board should be established, and another li:solution
pledged its members to use their influence to return gen-
tlemen without a contest. The latter, a very dosinible
thing to do if it can be accomplished consistently. lam
sure I need not remind your readers that these resolu-
tions bind noon. but themselves. But, it may be asked,
do these clerical friends of ours intend. With the aid of
their respective congregations, to enforce upon the rate-
payers of this town the men they choose to asltctt hay
in/slid:molly no. We will cot have men thrust upon in
this way. but we will exercise the power which the Let
c infers upon every ratepayer, and select our own men to
spend our money, and make provision for the education
of those who are not in a position to make provision for
themselves. It is gerierally admitted that a School
Board should be twined for Stourbridge to enfore the
attendance of some 140 ehitaren, who at present run the
streets, and believing to the abwalute necessity f buoti
a step. allow me to make it few sugg.stions for tile con•
sideration of my feliow-ratepayeis ; and first 1 would
propose that no minister of the gospel should be accep-
ted to sit on the School Board, and for two reasons. 1.
That these gentlemen represent the extremes of sectarian
differences, well skilled in their own peculiar religious
dogmas and therefore ill. fitted to deal with religious
questions. 2 If these gentlemen are, what 1 believe
many of them are, true pinturs awl not hirelings, then I
am convinced they have as much as ever they can do
without nuking themselves up with the secular instruc•
tion of the rising generation. The Brierley Bill rate-
payers have set us an example in this respect worthy of
imitation. It was there decided that no minister should
sit upon the School Board, and the sincerity of this pro•
postil was proved eta meeting held last week, when four
lay churchmen and five nonconformists were nominated
to serve the intereste of the ratepayers. What we want
in Stourbridge 50 soon as the Government has deter.
mined that a Board shall be formed, is a selection of •
number of liberahruinded business man, with no party
hiss, and with no personal interests to serve who will meet
and calmly deliberate upon the best and most economical
means of giving to those for whose special benefit th•
Act was passed, a sound and strictly unsectarian educa-
tion.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1871-02-25

ROMAN CATHOLIC CEREMONY AT
BRUSSELS.

The war in France, and the trt,ublen in Italy which
have resulted in the abolition of the Temporal Power
of the Pope, have recently been made the occasion of
a magnificent and imposing " function " in Belgium,
in the shape of a grand pilgrisuage to the Blessed
Sacrament of the Miracle at Brussels. The pilgrime,
who arrived from all parts of Belgium, but chit Hy
from the neighbouring towns of Ghent, Tourney, and
from Hainault, sang litanies as they marched along the
streets in solemn procession. with Hags and music, to
the Church of St. Gudule. Here a solemn Pontifical
high mass was sung 1 y the Papal Nuncio, assisted by a
um:wrong body of the clergy and prelates, includirg
one of the Oriental Biahope who had taken part in
the Vatican Council. Among the congregation were
the leading members of the Confraternity of St. Joseph,
the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, the Assoeation of
the "St. Peter's Pence" Fund, many members of
Parliament, and some of the Belgian Ministry. At tie
end of the Gospel Mgr. Deschamps, the Archbrehop of
Malines and Primate of Belg sun, preached a most
touching and approtriate discouw, in which he pointr d
out how all the ruiaaries which now all ct European
society proceed from the fact that nations peraist in
turning a deaf ear to the voice of the Pope, who was
the great pacificator of Europe, who had endeavoured
to promote peace between the rulers of France and
Germany, and for whom the Almighty is now preparirg
a triumph already marked by the great movement
which aieitate the nations of Europe, and causes them
to pa a through war and bloodshed to refine the true
light in the forgotten paths of civilisation and Chris-
tianity.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1871-02-25

OLD HILL.

COAL STEAL/N6.—At the Police Court, on Wednesday,
before F• W. G. Burrs and N. Hingley, Eerie., Sophia
Williams, lihoda Williams, Sarah Ann West, Elizala th
Powell, and Sarah Priest wire charged with steal:llg
coal on the 20th that, the property of Walter Bassani-1.
From the evidence it appears that prosecutor has lost
large quantities at coal daring the past few seethe, and
on the above dale 'Tibor era were caught in the act of
stealing. Fined 2s thl each and costs.

ANT:111:E CASE—Clara Guiding was charged with
stealing coal on the 17th lust, the property of Joseph
PcBll3ol, 11: Wilk's Fold. Mr. Homer nefended. After
hearing the nvidence the Ranch lined defendant 21is and
cost+, in default one nu nth.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1871-02-25

THE NEW GOVERNMENT OF FRANCE

The folbwing memorandum has been imued from
the Foreign Office, dated February IS :
Lord Lyons reports from Bordeaux, under date of the
17th February, that 'the Assembly has voted all but wan:-
timely that, considering the necessity of providing at onto
for the Conduct of the negabitions and the affairs of the (0-
vernmeat, while awaiting the &elites/ of France u;iosi the
instlt ulion to be definitively adopted, 11. niers is appointed
chief of the Executive power of the French Republic, which
he will exercise under the control of the Assembly and with
assistance of Ministers whom be will choose, and over whom
he will preside.'
"Lord Lyons further state' that he has announced
verbally toll Mier the recognition of his Government by
Great 'tritons."
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1871-02-25

FAREWELL SPEECH OF GARIBALDI.
Garibaldi, at the moment 01 I.•aving Marseilles on board
the Egypttenne, delivered the following speech :

"Have confider cs ; it i 4 eatectally now that you
should redouble your efforts. Whatever may be your
present roisfortones, France will still be France, and
will again become a great nation—the leader of
peopled. Let us hope that the majority will under-
stand that the Republican form of Government is
alone suited to the country, and is the only one that
can elevate it morally and materially. In any c sre,
you who are Republicans, prepaTe for the struggle ;
know and love one another, and make ready to take
the revenge which is your due. We sha'l meet og du."