The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1884-03-08 00:00:00

SATURDAY. MARCH 8.13, 1884.

HIDDEN DANGERS.

FREEDOM from panic in the midst of circum-
afances calculated to produce fear ahlong masses
of men is one of the most distinguishing char-
acteristics of a great nation, and within the past
few days England has exhibited this freedom at
a moment when even panic would have been ex-
cusable. It is not, however, with the especial
ilea of dwel log upon the doings of the dyne-
mitards that we would call attention to dangers,
hidden, indeed, but which are always lurking
around us. Enough has been said in thscription
and in condemnation of the dastardly attempts
at destruction which have lately been witnessed
, and with an expression of thankfulness that the
' results were reduced to a minimum this particu-
lar mutter may he dismissed ; but any subject
which agitates the popular mind is almost cer-
tain to piesent more aspects than arc apparent
in the that eager rash for news concerning it.
And what in this mater strikes those who at-
tempt to look under the surface of things is the
easa wi h which fanatical or mad desperadoes
can pervert the inventions of modern science to
the most despicable of uses. It is fortunate for
alciety that the wickedness of the heart which
protnpts_ such deeds is not equalled by the
strength of brain of those who pan them, and
the consequence is that most of them are con-
spicuous only for their failure. But encouraging
as this view may be, it should not be altogether
put out of memory, that we cannot always reckon
upon the abs,nce of skill which has lately been
seen, and that some day disaster may conic upon
many innocent people, when most unconscious
of harm owing to machination which cannot be
foretold. It is ouly, however, in such a particular
as this, it is in many other respects that we have
tl contemplate the presence of hidden dangers
which at any moment may effect an infinitu.te of
berm. Those who are possessed of good mem-
ories will not have to cudgel their brains to any
great extent to be reminded of many circum-
stances which will bear out this statement. To
say nothing of casualties at sea, which may al-
most be placed among those things which in the
aggregate are foreseen, or even ot railway acci-
dents, which, regrettable as they necessarily are,
form also a department of disaster which has to
be rezkoned upon—how many cases occur an-
nually in which it is impossible to guard? Such
cases will come to every recollection; there is
scarcely a household which could not tell some
tale concerning them ; and it is with a sigh that
their practical unavoidableness is recognised.
And yet, when we come seriously to think of
'hen all, the sigh changes to an expression of
relief at the reflection of how wondedully smaq
is the total of such casualties compared with the
enormous mass of human life. We in England,
for instance, dwell in the midst of a highly com-
plex civilisation, which apparently entails much
additional danger upon us. In the days before
wood fires gave place to those of coal, colliery
disasters with their hecatombs of victims were
unknown; there could he no appalling railway
accidents previous to the mechanical application
of steam, no shipwrecks with hundreds of vic-
tims before the age of huge passenger vessels.
But, as against these, our improved sanitary
sys'em and our added medical skill count for
much; diseases, which in times past killed their
!hoar;ands where all the just-named casualties
now kill their tens, have disappeared from among
niver to return, and the average of human
life has lengthened, the average of human
strengih has increased. There is, therefore, very
emphetically, two aides to this question, and al-
hough when any more thin usually appalling
c itastrophe occurs, we may be tempted to think
our days are evil, it is as well to remember the
litany dangers our modern times have escaped.