The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-10-25 00:00:00

Nistellan eonscj itt,elligenct,
HOME, FOREIGN, AND COLONIAL

day

PORTRAIT OF LORD BEACONSFIELD.—A remarkable
portrait of the Earl of Beaconsfield, from ',Wings
recently granted to the artist, Ilan just been com-
pleted by Mr. Weigall (says The Times). The
moment chosen is that of the speech in the House of
Lords on the subject of the Treaty of Berlin. The
Premier stands upright with folded arms in front of
the red-covered benches, and has just come to his
peroration. The picture has been painted for the
Marquis of Exeter, and is to be added to the collection
of Burleigh, but is likely to be first engraved. Mr.
Nyeigall is, we believe, now at work upon a companion
picture of Lord Salisbury, which is also intended for
Burleigh._ _

SHEir-DoG THIALS.—Sheep-dog trial, under the
patronage of Sir W. W. Wynn, Bart.. MP., were
held last Saturday near Llangollen. In the Local
Stakes Mr. James Ewart's (Eglwyseg) "Toss" took
the first prize of .£7, penning its sheep in twelve and a
half minutes. The second prize of £3 was won by Mr.
Rutherford's (Maes Maelor) "Don," the dog doing its
work in ten minutes, and the third prize was won by
"Wait,' another of Mr. Rutherford's dogs, which sue.
ceeded in penning its sheep in fourteen minutes. In
the Cambrian Stakes (open to the world) the first prize
of £l2 was won by "Bob,' the property of Mr. Rice,
Dolelfe, Rhagader ; the second prize of £5 by "Don,"
the property of Mr. Rntherford ; and the third prize
was won by "Randy," the property of Mr. Roberts,
Pentrevoelao.

FRENCH ALMANACKS.—AImanacks in France are
compiled in different forms for the various provinces
in order to snit the tastes of divers country people
(says the Graphic.) Nearly all the calendars are made
in Paris by one particular firm, who fill up the days
first by consulting the Roman Catholic Guide, indica-
ting the great religious festivals, these varying accord-
ing to the different dioceses. The remaining days are
dedic•kted to the saints most in honour in the particular
district for which the almanack is destined, some
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_ .
saints being only known in Paris, and others revered
in the provinces but ignored at the capital.
AMERICAN DECORATIONS FOR THE DINNER TABLE.—
We are often at a loss for a simple and inexpensive
table decoration in the winter time (says Land and
Water). The following clever notion from an American
paper is worthy the attention of our London readers:
—Sew coarse flannel round a goblet with the stem
broken off, place it in a saucer of water, wet the
flannel and sprinkle over it as much flax-seed as will
adhere to it. The flannel will absorb the water from
the saucer, which should often be replenished. In
about two weeks the flannel will be concealed in a
beautiful verdure which will vie with any table orna-
ment.
....

SURVIVORS OF THE PEERAGE OF THE REIGN OF
WILLIAM IV.—The following is a complate list of
living peers who held seats in the House of Lords
previous to her Majesty's accesoion to the throne, with
the years in which they became entitled to sit :—Earl
of Wilton, 1820; Earl of Chichester, 1826; Duke of
Buccleugh, 1827; Earl of Stradbroke, 1827; Earl of
Redesdale (as Lord Redesdale), 1830; Earl Sydney (as
Lord Sydney). 1831; Lord Jardner, 1831 ; Duke of
Abercorn, 1832; Lord De Tabley, 1832; Viscount
Falkland (as Lord Hunsdon), 1882; Earl of Sandwich,
1832; Viscount Torrington, 1833; Earl of Lovelace
(as Lord King), 1833; Duke of Devonshire (as Earl
of Burlington), 1834; Lord Crewe, 1835; and Viscount
Portman (as Lord Portman), 1837.
MEAL Houma IN PARIS.—A Paris correspondent of
the Bibliotheque Universelle (says The Times) writing
hpropos of the new arangement by which theatres
may extend their performances till half•past twelve,
and of the present dining hour in Paris, half-past
seven, suggests that it would be a curious subject, of
inquiry why in France meal•times become an hour
later every twenty or thirty years. The world diner
has etymologically the some sense as dOeuner, to break
ieune, or fast. It was originally the first meal of the
day. From seven a.ns., it got on to ten a.m. Under
Louis XII. this was a common popular rhyme :