The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1871-01-21 00:00:00

Toon —torrtspottent

tike reaem it tight o amt.(' that we do not nt all times
Littgtikt diteselves with our correepondeuta opiniotta]

The awful Frano,-Prweilan war had cot long glees
rrived at a eta,:e wines, alter a long aeries of erne.
disaaters, there seemed some hope for the French
General ilian7l wee, at the head of the Army of the
Loire, and t'uough the Parisians hoped in vain that that
army might come to their relief, yet there was no doubt
that the Pruelians felt that Chanzy's arrry might do
them immense damage. And then General Bourbaki
bade fair to raise the siege of Belfort and co-operate
with Gatibaldi's firers. General Faidherbe, too,
threatened to give the Germane some trouble; while
added to this there was always the possibility of the
army of Perim, making a desperate, and perhaps a
successful sortie. But all this has been changed, and
the diaastrous defeat of the force under General Chaney
seems to cut away from the French what little hope
they had to repose ripen. The bembardment of the
forts of Paris has developed into the bombardment of
the beautiful and tu, happy city, which has been fired
in several places, while the horrors of etarvation
threaten those who are enduring the agonies of a
most persistently pursued siege. As the war pro-
gresses, public opiei, n undoubtedly becomes more
and more sympathetic with France, ard Prussia is
indignantly blamed ,or not stating definitely on what
terms she would be willing to conclude peace. But the
lust of conquest, like jealousy, grows by what it feeds
on, and Prussia seen ,s bent on the utter humiliation of
her enemy. But w. atever epimious may be held on
this head, all agree that this horrible war has now be-
come • scandal and a disgrace to eiv Mention, a
mockery of the Christianity which both nations pro-
fess, and a subject for heartfelt sorrow throughout the
world. Stronger and stronger now becomes the
opinion that the time has at last arrived when the
Neutral Powers ought to use their influence to stop this
frightful bloodshed and pillage. 7/sr Times, I believe,
speaks the prevailing opinion when it says : " If we
would not have the guilt of a protracted war, with all
its coneequent horrors, brought upon us and our cue.
censors, we most do something to prove the sincerity
of our desire to arrest it. We are the chief of the
Neutral Powers ; we are closely connected with both
belligerents, and upon us the duty of taking the first
ate ~ falls. If the duty be faithfully undertaken, we
shall not be left alore in supporting it, and we are not
without hope that it may be brought toasuccessful end."
The Standard, a pal or of very different politico, also
says, "Every motive of policy, every selfish interest,
every generous impulse, impels us to use our utmost
endeavours to bring about a conclusion of the Franco-
German war. All interest in the conference must be
suspended until this first and greater business has been
disposed of." Opinions differ widely on this latter
point, but it certainly doe, seem'a pity, and almos's an
absurdity, that we should have a conference assembling
In Louden on the Black Sea question, while the on.
doubtedly "greater business" of the FrancoTrussian
war is barred from discussion. Looking at the whole
matter from a common-sense point of view, it seems
almost impossible that the conference should avoid diu
cussing in what way terms of peace can be arranged.
The highest interests of humanity demand that so
grand an opportunity should not be allowed to pes3
away unheeded.
People who • interest in the siege of Pane—
and can th- - ar woman in this country who
does not? - a provided they can read French,
feel inter,-, ee extraordinary advertisements
in The Times, addressed to people in the besieged city.
These advertisements have now developed into some
three columns and a quarter, and almost every one is
a miniature history f a family. Some of them are
sad, very sad, but the great majority are decidedly
cheerful, and will be cheering, if only they can In
read by those for whom they are intended. Such
phrases as en tonne sauté viz, or vont ties, and ne man-
y:tent sic ricn are very common. Great dependence
seems to be placed on Mr. Washburne, the American
Minister, for his kind offices in being the medium of
com municati. in bet we en friends abroad and the besieged
Parisians, and there is no doubt that that gentlercau
does all in his power to "speed the soft intercourse ;
from soul to soul." According to one advertiser, how-
ever, there is a much racier way of doing this. He
announces that persous desirous of obtaining ne-re EXTRAORDINARY ROBBERY IN
their friends shut up in Paris, can send their inquiries LONDON.
by letter to an address named in London, and receive Lea week, a robbery, accompanied with violence,
an answer in the course of forty-eight hours. Not was perpetrated at the west end of London, under very
knowing how this is done, if it can be done, and not remarkable circumstances. Beyond the police authos
knowing that it cannot be done, I can express no Lize,dviahto,lary ecoinnevectiNtitzgertehewmasanttoefznanjleligeepoartia
opinion on the viler. outrage until Saturday, and it is exciting much interest.
:
In a very short time we shall have Parliament The following are the particulars
On Th,,rsdaysitting, and the public mind will thereupon feel a sense Inas alighteda u
ffrooumr clfolcaltnstne haebaatletrr
stops
of relief. Whatever may be the confidence of a large of Messrs. London and nyder, jewellers and goldsmiths, In
proportion of the natian in the Ministry of the day, we ;B°,,,,Z:et:rat',Vengw.a:kria..toidtagkelibtl'Clt,t,;"%tdliyama ';'„,nds
know very well that there are also many of us who Into the possession of some property, and was about to
have no confidence in the Government, and in any case 1 "N"£5000 In jewellery. Its carefully examined the
rhecknlaamcees :if/idle, thief ria,rrrticells,aannfd
rthua,n,.ltefffig ttremsht7,b,gisvoinnt
It will be well to have the responsible advisers of the
Crown in their places in Parliament so that they can to his house, No. 4. Upper Berkeley.street, Portmen-square,
wan:tux:ay: o'clockte
la,ythaitheev:inalmut,Ln
hosrLedr
seen,
with they
be questioned as to their foreign policy. The session,
it is said, will be inaugurated by her Majesty in per. • others he had not seen, and of the value together of be.
£5,000 and 56,000, wore carefully packed to a bag,
son, and the public will be delighted to welcome the and intrusted to au asitstaht to he taken to the address
Queen as the leading personage in a State ceremony in tate&
which she has only once appeared since the death of the Arriving there at the appointed time, the door, to his sur-
Prince Consort—and that, by the way, was immes rvrw7,..saosteendeilimnottobZalksirjralbaltibnygiTatTgsre.l.lrtmut.
diately preceding the marriage of the Princess II ,lena. was absent for the moment upon an errand. The shopman
The session this year is likely to be a busy one, though WAR conducted to the drawing room, where he found a wen-
lor his visit. She
the performances of last session, compared with its tereeidr.y-',Tr"4r:,,Tane°,,tran'tgepiree.pwarg the shopm:in on
promise, warns us not to place too much reliance on the the opp,site side, who then produced the necklaces and
of
promises for the ensuing parliamentary campaign. ine't!t hiee leaving had en askedthe rte's t ivcfi ue taritrc
The promises—some people may reckon some of them at his feet on the floor. The lady examined them minutely,
as threats --are at all events very numerous. One anmt appeared to adshmeireli,atller=l.lcrh.britgt leathZeriTiinrret?,
great subject will certainly occupy the attention of look at them before she decided, and she left the room
Parliament—our national defences, and we must be appssently for that /impose. Returning In a few minutes
prepared to put our hands in our pockets for money ta7Chilayndplacgeorga up°ort`heasndtrdalef,thpearil'y"smaiun;atsehde,
for more soldiers, sailors:, and militia, and for the as lie believes, with chloroform, over his mouth, hold.
expenditure of hard cash for war maUricl, to say la
sad the
tehnetsl...eTrlie
In the
stillobnadgebei
ow y
Aognrtehaet
nothing of a probable increase of the capitation armada Immediately ensued, and the shoptuan was at length
grant to the volunteers. And among the many other gee. 410e.trefy ovtelrpifowererom tdf; IT tar
ftlpfessly exhitultediclT
subjects which will probably occupy the attention mouth and 11% nostrils, I nei usi womanaenedso
of Parliament will be the following: arli a. his arms by the elbows behind—so, at least, the story ieces—
guilsta,l:lid hlasnl,efg Lot together etre;
placed
knees aunpdonankles. a tittle!
mentary and municipal elections and vote by
ballot ; trades unions ; mining regidations ; our ream, the man telling him sea they did so that if he dared to
old friend, the deceased wife's sister; University stir or speak lie would murder him
left hlssiowf,iemilnd
(h 0
00rboarbg I
nbetialbact.uhtetLos'scifilcigk o'clock, andllheo
oteh
en
tests ; the licensing system ; the truck system; law he
reform ; merchant shipping ; county boards ; and remained there 1, 005 exactly known ; but, from what after.
Irish awl Scotch education. Here is enough and more Itswi 111:oc,aum. e
recovering. Gradually tnte r a liac 0
nprobably.cfoue he short
of
than enough for an ordinary session, and no one can by slow degrees to release himself, and taking up a
reasonably expect that we shall have laws masted en I,:foiksin onvioorienrtl ytosiarai windowaalar. Tzle tch,ei.
id Tn., ngiirdo.ohme
all those subjects, but we may conlideutly lotle for all had displayed on the table had Icy that ttin'il disappeared,
of them being in some way or other discussed. Mean- but those he had left In Ms bag on the floor, and which were
while I doubt if a scasion was ever looked forward to
almost twice the value of the rest, remained, as good luck
would have it—the thieves probably overlooking them in
with more interest and anxiety than that on the event their haste to escape.
which we now find ourselves. Making his way downstairs to the street door, the shop.
man gave an alarm, which brought a policeman. and they
It is sad to read that two of our coroners held went over the whole house together, but only to find It coin-
"several inquests on persons whose deaths had rAotelle:nemrtmeltt'atnhoe trees
.eitth.erasth o woman
then about! o'clock
been accelerated by exposure to the cold and in the evening. While the policeman and he were so en.
privations," these inquests being all held in one day, aLmitttey. hwezld.a kwnhoc. ks ;if tdtst frontwas a. I Lorr4auneen tile ghtotesree
and in " the East End," the headquarters of misery and who appeared greatly surpried to find it in the:
and destitution. Cii,happily, there was nothing par- hands of strangers. She explained, in effect, that, at about
ticularly novel in these cases; it was the same old tale tza.
reel ooenklyt that :gal
rheevri led wseinettati,teerer.v= ;,e
thadletter
repeated, but they furnish additional evidence to the addressed to a lady at tutse.hill; that she went there ac-
desirability of equalizing the poor•rates in the Metros ,clorVsstiontflithanod.4cenLrjtroagi
eltisg!rar
iinnytarythiegsee. she lead
tfindna the ad
polio—and if in London, why not throughout the / brought bark the letter which she now shoved 0, the shop-
country? In connection with this subject, it is dia. isiaunnerids tilat:rgatbrs.rrell,hli'eir'fineraTteeen,f rra'vtihis i
t._el gem;
heartening to see that the importers of Australian at,,iy planned the robbery, hail sent her on foot to tnat dis-
mutton have such terribly work in endeavour- tent suburb upon .1051's errand In order to get her out of
lag to nquer the prejudices of the poor. Admitting n
thealwriy co
eisly enough, earlier ta the same afternoon, the same
that it is not quite as good as "honest English man c..lied at the shop of Messrs. Emanuel, jewellers,
mutton" (though I am not aware that Australian t‘riecLAarseeeernedthseerem,ta. ditruseonntiltonehcfkmlaca,
the same
mutton is dishonest), still it is good and wholesome; 4, Upper Berkeley-street, for Inspection. ho this case, how-
but the prejadice against it is nevertheless so strong ever, the precaution WAS taken to send with the jewels, not
b two assistants one of a hone was a man of great
that some f the "People's Dining Rooms" which en, but
hts nd physique. 'The door was opened to them by
have been opened here, to supply this Australian Mr. Tyrrell himself, but they were n,at admitted, he explain-
mutton, are, I fear, doing very badly. I have often tog that the
to the
house,
atnh
theynie7td. pirne7l"el
been surprimed that the governors of our prisons do not that, on seeing two assistants with the diamonds, and one
take advantage of this prejudice, and have Australian of them of such formliable appearance, he suddenly
mutton supplied to the prisoners. It would be quite altered L'ainuithi:thlelea'ttle'vielmsanirlomß)ttl'ari
good enough for them, and when the fact became cirournstance,
generally known, it would be another inducement to Subsequent inquiries have elicited the fact coat the house
penile to try and keep out of prison. But there is lno.q.u:sastietna6tun lopapyenroliteir,ek egt ,d
the
ma,frinyirrs heed;
a consideration on the other aide. If the poor outside and that at his request the landlord engaged helms female
the prison walls knew that this meat was supplied to seefrrvaaniAtVh iLsilfme_ehrfliowwmafttie,rswraorodiZiyseauimo,tfhtre.gleiwileesres
those inside, the former, perhaps, would never eat it at hoist committed.
all. So that it is a difficult question, you see. Stich, In substance, are the circumstances connected with
this extraordinary affair, as they have been ascertained
lloneaty is the beat policy, we are told in coppbook.., after much care and 111 yuiry. For the tine the thieves have
and no doubt it is true enough ; but there is one men eescaped,xpe,fe batidt
officerst-ismalu"rthe's Irliatrhoepohiiintfidns oft.iiirces,of.tnlyeinveorsyt
who nittat just now find it rather hard to believe it. A nflirt will to made to capture them. The man Tyrrell Is
labourer at Sherriff Hutton, found • pockethock tis; sad .
rtteadaoshe,iig about 33 years of age, sodas having dark
a plexian, aith dark whiskers and moustache.
which was £l.OO. He restored it to the owner, and
received a reward of threepence ! We can easily
imagine this man disputing whether honesty is the
beat policy, but then he can, perhaps, console himself
with another little bit of copy-book morality, that virtite
In its own reward--with threepence added!
Mr. Garden Clarke is preparing for the Gentleman's
Magazine a series of papers on "the comic writers of
England." I should think he will not trench much on
the domain of ;icing men—l say men, for it is a curious
fact that really comic writing has nearly always been
confined to the masculine gender —f, r positively comic
writing seems almost to have died out. Some cf the
comic publications of the day are dreary productions,
and contain very little genuine comic writing. And
look at our manic-ball songs, is there anything really
comic in them. There is of course a difference between
humour and comicality, between the humorist and
thecomic writer; but clawing the two authors an d th in ea
together, who have we now living to equal De roe,
Fielding, Swift, Thackeray, Jerrold, Albert Smith,
obert Brongh, Angus Reach, Gilbert A'Beekett arDi
Others that could be named? In truth, this is a serious
age, and though wit, humour, and fun in literature
always have a field ii we can but find writers poseestied
of them, it must be confessed that modern attempts to
be funny are very often Ingabrioua failures. We see this

VIOLENT GALES AND LOSS OF LIFE.
Dming Sunday and Monday heavy gales prevailed
on various parts of the coast, and many shipping
casualtits are reported, accompanied, unhappily, in
several instances by loss of life. The boet4 of the
National lifeboat luttitution were the means of saving
the crews of dietresaedveseels innumerous instances;—
The Italian schooner, ['Mee, was at anchor under Speeton
edits, Filty, on Sunday morning, when she parted her caMes
in the gale, and Wr at ou Filey Bilge gooks. in three minutes
the vessel had capsized, and nut tt the crew of thirteen, only
one man was saved; the catastrophe being so sudden, that
there was nochance of using the fine lifeb oat the National Insti-
tution has on this station to rescue the poor shipwrecked men.
At Del eight poor boatmen lost their lives almost within
I earshot of their own homes. Shortly after Mx o'clock in
the midst of a heavy gale from 5.0 iv. and in a driving
rain, a " dare " was observed on the Goodwin Sands
time:tics that a vessel was In distress, and immediate pre-
parations were made for launching two Moors (the England's
(Story and the Refurrn to her assistance. The former went
on her voyage inn safety, but most imfortunately the latter
failed to clear the " haul of rope" in getting <if and drifted
to leeward—the force of the gale anti strong flood tide
driving her violently against the Pier, which le about 200
yards north of the stage from where the lo_us: was
launched. The force of the collision carried away the
foremast, and a heavy sea sent the boat against toe cross
bars of the piles, and ebe immediately began to fill Know-
, big their perilous position, the crew commenced taking off
their heavy sea-clothing, anti ropes were at on. thi @sc n from
the Pier, but the boat sank before any help could reach them.
Most of the crew clung to the spars and sails, and floated
ae-ay with the tide. The screams of the poor fellows as they
were or, by one swallowed u, by the Wares were most heart-
nut:mg. Notwithstanding the terrific seas galley punt was
pu cif From the shore to save them, but being
insuthetniitiy
monned. woe linable to do as. Further north, however, a
ho,t was lau,ched by two boatmen, Edward Ranger and
Stanton, who succeeded in rescuing three of the crew. The
bodies of two more were washed ashore near Sandown
Castle.
A telegram from Plymouth, dated Monday, Says aseletance
has bein. forwarded I rom'Ply mouth to the barque Eleutheria,
which was disabled by the c Allston off that port on Sunday
morning, She failed during Sunday night in bringing her to
a sate anchorage, and went ashore to the eastward of the
Yealm Point, at the entrance of the harbour, where she is
likely to become a total wreck. Twelve of her hands and a
Plymouth pilot on board have been saved, but lion of the crew
were drowned.