The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-02-22 00:00:00

EPITOME OF NEWS.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

The Melbourne InternatioLal Exhibition is to be
opened on October 1, 1850, and will close in the following
March. The Exhibition building has been begun, and is to
cost some £95,000.

On Sunday last, in celebration of the signature of
the defluitive Pettily of Peace between Russia and Turkey,
a parade of troops, followed by a thanksgiving service, was
held in the Winter Palace. Toe Te Deum was sung amidst
the firing of a salute of 101 guns from the 6S. Peter and
Paul Fort.

Official regulations having for their object the pre-
vention of the extension of the plague continue to be pub-
lished in the London Gautte.

Miss M. A. Paull, of Plymouth, has been informed
that to her has been awarded the prize of £,lOO, offered by
the United Kingdom Band of Hope Union for the best tale on
temperance specially adapted for children. Thera were
several hundred competitors.

From 12,000,000 cows in the United States it is esti-
mated that about 300,000,000 lbs. of cheese and 600,000,000
lbs. of butter are annually made.

Typhus is said to have broken out among the troops
in the barracks of the Bcole 11iattar°, Paris; 16 soldiers are
reported to have died last week.

The Adelaide papers are discussing the desirability
of introducing the electric light in the Moonta mines, but
the practicability of the scheme is considered dbubtful.

Faure, the baritone, is said to have received 5,000 fr.
for three songs sung by him at a soirée given a few evenings
back by the 11%roness de Hirsch.

Lord Rosebery is to preside at this year's festival of
the Newspaper Press Fund, to be held on May 10.
Salmon fishing on the North and South Eska
opened most inauspiciously on Monday, the rivers being in
heavy 11.,0d. No opening day has been so unsuccessful
since 1861, the total catch being about 100 fish, most of
which were got in the lower pools of North Esk.
A labouring man named Lary has died at Keynsham
Workhouse, near Bristol, showing unmistakeable symptoms
of hydrophobia. He had been bitten very slightly on the
thumb before Christmas by a small greyoound, which he
tried to separate from another dog with which it was
fighting.

A slight improvement is noticeable in the trade of
Darlington, chiefly due to the breaking up of the frost, and
the return of builders and other outdoor workmen to their
employment; but the iron trade coriiinues to be very de-
preised, without present prospect of improvement.
The death is announced of David Strath, the best
professional golfer of his time. He went to Australia in
May last to see if a voyage would restore his health, but he
died on the 15th of October, soon after he landed.

The Bishop of Manchester preached a sermon to the
Ist Manchester Rifle Volunteers at the Cathedral on Sunday
afternoon, dealing with the subject of war and patriotism.
Besides the volunteers, the ordinary congregation and the
general putilic attended in large numbers, every seat in the
Cathedral being occupied.

It is the intention of Mr. William Aronsberp.„ JP.,
a Manchester philanthropist, to establish annual prizes,
to be called the "Princess Alice Memorial Prizes," in
various charitable and educational institutions throughout
the United Kingdom. Her Majesty has been pleased to con-
vey to Mr. Aronsberg her appreciation of the kindly feeling
of sympathy which prompted him to perpetuate the memory
of the late Princess.

Prince Bismarck does not appear to be alone in his
views as to the value of a Protectionist policy. There are
Indications apparent of an intention maturing among his
followers to take the inithtive and bring in a strong Pro-
tectionist measure of their own, proposing the reimposition
of the customs duties upon iron. This bill or motion will he
Independent of the Government measure having a similar
object in view.

A novelty for the approaching season will be
"Coloured Dances," which mean datioes at which ladies
must appear in blue, pink, or whatever colour of the rainbow
the hostess elects to appoint.—Court Journal.

The severity of the industrial crisis in Germany is
shown by the fact that of 6,674 individuals arrested last sear
in Basle, chiefly for mendicancy and vagabondage (says the
Correspondent of The Mau) 4,251 were Germans, while
many more of the same nation were turned back at the
frontier. During the same time the police at Berne arrested
and turned back to their own countries no fewer than 22,218
vagrants and paperless persons, nearly all of whom were
Germans.

In consequence of the depressed state of affairs of
agriculture, Viscount Sidmouth has returned to the tenants
on his Devonshire estate 10 per cent. on the amount of their
rents.

"Every one knows the name of Anbriot, the
wiener of the grog lot. We are, however, ignorant as to
who may be the winner of the smallest lot, which has
fallen to Number 723,406 (Second Series). This lot, which
is Number 6,277 in Room C, consists of a tiny box of card-
board, containing rice powder, and is valued at 251. Truly
a windfall for the fortunate prize-holder."—Paris Corre-
spondent of the Daily Telegraph.

The commercial losses likely to be suffered by
Russia in consequence of the measures adopted by her
neighbours as precautions against the plague are occupying
the anxious attention of the jou.raals of the country. One
of them estimates, for example, that the single province of
Astrachan will lore from £1,500,000 to £1,900,000 from the
prohibition of the esport of lash alone. From this we may
form come idea of the sggregate losses of the whole empire.
The truth Is that the railways and roads so plentifully con-
structed of late have imen laid out with an eye only to
the foreign trade. Consequently the means of internal
communicatien are greatly wanting, and when the foreign
market is closed there is no possible substitute.—Pall Mall
Gazette.

The five City of Glasgow Bank directors—namely,
Stewart, Wright, Taylor, Inglis, aud Salmond—who were
sentenced to eight months' imprimnment, were removed
eaily on fuesday morning from Glasgow to Ayr prison.
There are two reasons for their removal—first, that Glasgow
is very lull; and secondly, Ayr prison is healthier.
An official communication has been received by the
authorities of the Maidstone Prison from the Home Office
stating that the sentence of death passed upon Thomas
Bartlett Mumford for the murder of his wife at Dover has
been commuted to cue of penal servitude for life.

"Among those who fell in the recent disastrous
action near Rorke's Drift was young Pope, of the 24th
Regiment. He was a capital artist, and many of his
sketches have appeared in the Illustrated and Graphic He
was quartered at Chatham before he went to the Cape, and
the door of the officers' suard•room at Chatham Prison is
covered with his paintings in oil "—Vanity Fair.

The Requblique Francaise of Sundny has a leading
article on Lord Beaconsfield's speech on Thursday, in whica
the Premier's remarks on England's foreign policy are cor-
dially endorsed. "In tine,' concludes the Republique
Francaise, "Lord Beaconsfield, without quitting the haults
of discretion and reserve from which he never departs ere
hour of speaking has struck, has let it be understood that
he regards the future without the slightest apprehension.
He has spoken with con tidence, but as one whom it does not
become to reveal prematurely his resources and his means of
action."

A few days ago a box reached London from Nice,
containing all sorts of cut flowers, as brilliant in hue and as
richly perfumed as if they had only just been plucked.
Double violets end rosebuds were conspicuous, and, like the
rest, had been grown to the open air, thus saving the ex-
pellee of artificial heat.. But the most remarkable thing was
the wonderful frealinees of the flowers, although no special
paips had been taken in tl packing The experiment,
therefore, succeeded compleoy in proving that these very
fragile goods can be conveyed from the shores of the
Mediterranean to London in as good marketable condition
as if grown in England under glass.
Ths strike of Dundee joiners may now be considered
at an end, the masters intimating that unemployed joiners
have offered their services in sufficient numbers to till the
vacancies caused by the strike.

Her Majesty, accompanied by Prince Leopold and
Princess Beatrice, arrived at Windsor Castle on Tuesday
evening from Osborne.

A paper dome has been constructed for the astro-
nomical observatory of the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
in New York. The paver used in its construction is about
one-sixth of an inch thick, after it has been moistened and
dried In a hot chamber, and has a structure as compact as
that of the hardest wood, being also considerably tougher,
and less liable to fracture. Stretched on a wooden frame-
work, the dome will revolve easily without the aid of
machinery, while it only weighs about 4,000 DA , whereas a
similar dome msnufactnred by any of the ordinary methods
would weigh from 5 to 10 tons.

While hunting with the Bicester Hounds on Monday
Mr. William Drake, son .1 Mr. Thomas Tyrwhitt Drake, late
master of the Hicester Hounds, met with a severe accident.
Ile was jumping a fence near Gaweott, when the horse
pitched forward and rolled over its rider, one of whose legs
was fractured. Medical aid was at once procured from
Buckingham, and the unfortunate gentleman, who was much
bruist d and shaken, was conveyed insensible to Bignall-
house.

The Prime Minister was unable to be in his place in
tho House of Lords on Monday night, owing to an attack of
it.fluenza wnich has kept him to the house for the last two
days The attack, however, is entirely unattended by gouty
or other complications, and gives rise to no anxiety on the
part of his medical attendants.—Turoday's Standard.
Nothing can exceed the popularity of the German
Emperor. His Sf ajesty can hardly enter any theatre without
the audience rising to their feet to hurrah and chant the
national hymn; and such is the ceaselets stream of gifts kept
pouring into the palace by his affectionate subjects that the
aged monarch has at last been compelled to remind the
public of a half forgotten Order in Council, forbidding the
presentation of books, music. objects of art and.industry,&c.,
without leave being previously asked for and obtained.

By thirty•nine against twenty-seven votes, the
American Senate has passed the hill restricting the 'mud-
gratton of Chinese into the Urdted States.

Mirror advertisements in railway carriages are cer-
tainly an improvement on the common system which
placards them with all sorts of announcements. The adver-
tisements are posted on the roof of the carriage, where they
do not offend the eye, and are reflected in mirrors which
occupy the position of the ordinary placards. Smart young
men take advantage of the looking glass to arrange their
moustaches, and ladies steal a sly glance too as they enter or
leave the carriage. The next thing is to adopt the same
system at the railway stations, the names of which are
at present hidden among the mass of posters. Stick these
on the roof and a double advantage will be gained; the
placards will disappear from the walla and the mirrors will
ornament them; in fact a threefold one, if we take into
account the possibility of seeing ourselves as otheresee us.—
Court Journal.

The annual collections in the mills and workshops
of Manchester and Salford in aid of the local medical charities
were made on Saturday, and notwithstanding the depres-
sion of trade there appears to be reason for hoping that the
amount realised will not be much below that contributed
last year.

The Earl of Feversham has arranged to allow his
extensive and valuable collection of paintings and statuary
(rescued from the fire at his mansion at Duncombe Park) to
be exhibited at the York Fine Art and Industrial Exhibition,
which is to open on May 1. One gallery will be devoted to
the Duncombe Park collection. The permanent picture
galleries in connection with the exhibtion are rapidly ap-
proaching completion, and have coat upwards of £12,000.
A bicyclist states that by using the hind wheel ot
his machine as a motor for the marneto-electric machine,
and having the carbons, with necessary adjustment, fixed on
the front of his bicycle, he obtains a light equal to 120
candle power. The cost of the apparatus is about £5, and
the only drawback to this invention is that directly the rider
stops he is left iu total darkness.

In consequence of several cases of spotted typhus
havit g occurresi at Berlin, the chief of the police has ordered
an inspection of the so-called Pennen or common lodging-
houses, in which it is believed the disease is to a great ex-
tent spread. This measure extends to all houses where a
night's lodging is afforded on payment of a stAall sum to
homeless people.
"A fashion which has spread rapidly in France is
that of paying calls and taking afternoon tea in bonnet and
gloves, without any cloak or jacket. Parisian ladies cannot
any longer endure the temporary sacrifice of outline which an
outdoor garment entails. The visitor therefore drops her
wrist) in the hall or anteroom; so that un cachernire, which
was thirty years ago the one joy in life of a Parisienne, Is
likely to become so again."—The World.
Reports of the growing winter wheat crop, in the
United States are still unfavourable. In Illinois, wEere the
snow has been not less that-, twelve inches deep, with a crust
on top, it is feared that the crop has been smothered, as it was
under similar circumstances in 1575.—1 u all probability the
price for wheat has touched its lowest point, and we may
see a considerable rise before harvest. As just remarked,
the reports of the growing crops in America are verfound-
favourable, and in India they nave n seriously
iu r y Injured
by yadromugr. htita.
eld'hejapiriomsapteecdtsinforhais speech crop
atarleston the
here areHoon the whole
o rethe
esrion ci
se
ah es
mwaaus
born, which
other day that they
atshesyayhioagd naevgeor
o bed
ene
a dl.w
acreage both here and in America.—Mark Lane 4zprees.

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