The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1871-03-18 00:00:00

EPITOME OF NEWS,

BRITISH AND FOREIGN,
European Russia porsesses 19,266,667 horsee—that
Is, 2uo horses for every 1,0)0 men.
Her Majesty has offered apartments in Hampton
Court Pelace to Mrs. 'super Cites.

Lord Redesdale has contributed the munificent sum
of OUJ to the Sustentatlon Fund of the blrestabllahed
Church of Ireland.

An English speculator has sent over some handsome
dogs to Paris—fancying the race extinct, perhaps.
. _

-
Eight coloured lawyers have just been admitted to
the Waahington bar.
It is proposed to start in Scotland an " Anti-faggot
Association."
Mr. Archibald Forbes, the war correspondent of the
Daily News, tato have the honour of the "mon creel" con-
ferred on him.

The Sckteman says some politicians confliently ex-
pect Mr Disraeli will make a speech in support of Mr. .l cob
13right's bill for extending the cuff rage Co women.

It is asserted that in the course of the summer a
temperary camp of instruction for SOO men will be formed
somewhere in the south of England.

Mr. Henry Benecke, of Chicago, left a note for
coroner, explaining that his suicide was an act of consider-
ateness for his wife, who was "In great want of another
husband."

Three boys, belonging to the More training ship at
Dundee, were drowned on Monday by the capsizing of a
boat at the mouth of the Tay.
The Indian government has directed that all articles
Intended for the International I.lhiNtion Ahab be exempted
from export duty.

A Rea captain, invited to meet the committee of a
somety for the evangelisstion of Africa, when asked "Do
the subjects of the King of Dahomey keep -.day?" re-
plied, Yes, and everything else they can lay their hands
0n.,,

The number of boys in the royal navy on the let of
Ayril last Is stated, in a parliamentary return ]ust issued, to
have been 4,540 first class and 2,313 second class The bond
fide seamen numbered 18,051, and the coastguard fleet men
3,787.
Mr. James Rankin, of Bryngwyn-park, lierford-
shire On. flared to build at his own expense a free library
wad scientific museum for the city of Hereford, on condition
that the former be maintained by a borough rate.

Two men, convicted at Ennio of canoeing the death of
a boy of tender years, by harping him with a red-hot poker,
on pretence of making a Freemason of him, have been sen-
tenced by the Lord Chief Baron to nine months' imprisonment
"

The following announcement lately appeared in a
New York paper :—.• Edwin Eden, painter, is requested to
communicate with his brother, when he will hear something
to his advantage—hts wile is dead."

A. woodman recently felled a tree in Owen Comity,
Indiana, and in an opening of 65 feet from the base was
found the skeleton of a hear much decayed. The appearance
of the skeleton and its surroundings Indicated that It must
have been there for nearly a century.

It is expected that the lock-out in the iron trade in
Lanarkshire will be brought to a conclusion in a few days
by the men resuming work on the masters' terms. The
dispute has now lasteel eight weeks, and has been the cause
of a large amount of misery and destitution. iii. estimated
thatriuring the struggle the men have lost in wages up wards
of L 60,000.

•
During a recent trial the counsel, among other queer.
Wog about the hilly state of the road, asked a carter, When
you get up the hill, what do you do ?" "Why, go down
again, to be sure 1" replied the rutin, who appeared much
astonished at the want of information manifested by his
questioner.
Mazzini has left Englanrl. Hie faith in a republic
Is as strong sia ever It was, but he confesses with sorrow
that htt teilow.countrymen are not so well prepared for it
as he thought they were. Ile has set forth his view, and
aspirations in what may be called a farewell to England,
published in the new number of the Fortnightly Reoio,
Mr. R. W. Birt, who hae been a most conetant ob.
server of Lunar phenomena since 1864, has c mimuilleated to
the Philosophical Magazine • taper "(Jo some recent
investigati.,ne relative to Lunar Ankeny," In which be ap-
pears to prove that all Is not quiescent on the surface of our
satellite . . . . . . .

We (Dail y News) are glad to be able to state, on the
authority of a letter from Mr. Bright himself, to a personal
and political friend, that the right. hon gentleman's health is
at present better than it has been at any time since the com-
mencement of his illness. Mr. Bright will presently vial
Scotland to enjoy the sport of salmon-fishing.
When the Ballot Bill comes before the House of
Commons for a second reading Mr Stephen Cave will move
'that no system of voting C. be considered satisfactory
which does not afford means for allowing proof of the vote
of any elector lathe event of the election being challenged
on petition.'

A remarkable right of way case has been decided at
the Exeter assizes. The plaintiff was a brother of the
Attorney-General, and the defendant the Rev. Mr. Parlby,
of Horrabridge, near Plymouth. The cam lasted nearly
three days, and will Involve costs to the amount of about a
thousand pounds; yet, according to the counsel for the
defendant, the right of way could have been purchased for
fourpence a year.

- - -
A Parliamentary pacer containing answers to ques-
tions addressed by the War ( office to ofhcers commanding
Militia Regiments was puollahed on Saturday. To the ques-
tion whether recruits could be drilled for three or ale
months when enrolled, 78 officer. In the kingdom return the
answer " Yes," and 63 the answer "No A number return
the answer " Dmhtful." From Scotland the majority of the
officer, answer " o.`

Lientenant•Colonel Yonand, in one of hie reports
to the Board of Trade this year on a collision near the Wigan
station of the Lancuhire and Yorkshire Railway, observes
that it tranavired during the inquiry that the signal-men in
one of the Cabins are on duty once every other week, at the
time when they exchange night for day work, for 23 hours
at a apell.—[The Times heads this statement "Criminal
Economy.")
- - - - -

John Gregory lying under sentence of death in the
Downpatrick Gaol for the murder of a land bailiff, named
Gallagher, In July irmt, has made a conlession of Ms crime to
the Rev. Mr. Richle, an Episcopalian clerg7mau. The un-
fortunate man assignn no cause for the murder. Be is
thoroughly penitent, but seems to have no fear of the terrible
fate that swain him A movement in favour of the commuta-
tion of the sentence is on foot . .

Large pieces of a wrecked vessel or vessels,
apparently of considerable dimensions, have been washed in
at different parts of the Cornish coast daring the last few
days. On one great piece of timber is the word " Levering
ton," and on another " WolfvUle" There is also a thick
card, preserved as much as possible, containing the follow-
ing Steamship Le rerington, Captain W. Clark, broke mate
shim, fat. 48, long. 7 W.; strong S.T. Ban"

With the. apProa,chin. g clo-se of the financial year,
more than ordinary interest is attached to the weekly re-
turns leaned from the Treasury. The Chancellor tithe Ex-
chequer. In his budget speech, estimated the receipt. at
£67,034,000. Up to Saturday Met, when the financial year
had three week longer to ran, £04,134 ,104 had been received
The Customs receipts are within £400,000 of the eetintate.
the Blobs within £600,000, and Stature are within £160,000.
The expenditure has been £62,099,014, or more than a million
sterling under the theme; The balance lathe Bank of Sag.
land on Saturday tarn wee £6,014,20g

An old woman, named Davis, residing at Cardiff,
fell Into • well at her WM., and was drowned.
Miss Maria Clemm, the sent and mother-in-law of
Edgar A. Poe died in Baltimore, on the leth ult., at the ad-
vanced age of al.
A lady in court the other day gave as a proof of her
respectability, that she had been 19 years • wile, and was
the mother of nine children !
Mrs. Susan Rusk, of Allegheny county, Virginia,
died • few days ago, at the ego of 117, leaving an Orphan
daughter only 98 years old !
The New York fund for the relief of the French
ufferers reached just upon 100.000 dote. Boston also con-
tributed 80,000 dols., and California sent 10,0 0 dole., and
several other cities have also sent large contributions.
The Illustrated News states that the will of Herr
Baron Nathaniel de Rothschild, who died ba Paris last year,
was proved in London, on the 117th nit, under £1,800,000 per-
penalty In Ragland.
The South London Proof says that, should Mr. C.
11. Spurgeon be spared, be will In August next preach his
thousandth sermon. Ile win then make • special effort;
raise £l.OOO for new schools.
A clairvoyant doctor of Hartford proclaims Ids
superiority over all other soothsayers, astrologers and
prophets, by advertising that be "torten. the past and
present," as well as the future.
The first personally conducted excursion tv, l'arla
since the declaration of peace, left the Brighton Station,
London-bridge, at 6.15 p in. on Tuesday, and was conducted
by Mr. J. M. Cook.
A boy, aged six year., has died at Bolton from
hydrophobia. The child was bitten by a mad dog which
roamed about Bolton on the 14th February, and this Is the
mound cue of death from a bite from the same dog.
We (Dad Ntuss)understand that the Queen has been
pleased to confer upon tir. Mount, who has been lately
acting as her disle.ty'. Consul at Paris, the honour of the
Companionship of the Bath.
The secret correspondence of the Empire, which has
alresdy been published l Frey -h at Brawls, has neen
translated into English, and is about to be published In
London,
An outcry is being made against the wholesale
destruction of the eggs of the plover. The war against the
plover is held by some to be one great cause of the dint:nit,
of raising a turnip crop, and of the great increase of bisects
and dugs.
Mr. Thomas Tomblin, of Billesd n, well known in
sporting circle,,, Captain " Tomblin, committed suicide on
Tuesday, by discharging both barrels of a double-barrelled
gun close to his right ear, in one of bla barns. Death was
Instantaneous, the balls coming out on the opposite side of
his head.
Fatal cages of small•pos in London, which in the
two previous weeks had been 227 and 113, further declined
laet week to 191. The general mortality of the metropolis,
notwithstanding this epidemic, was 41 below the average oi
the last ten yearn.
A strange incident was witnessed in Hyde Park the
other afternoon, wheu Hie park was crowded. A idahome.
tan, coolly unrolling his praying mat on the greensward,
knelt down. and, With his lace turned towards Meets,
gravely perfermed • long act of devotion. A considerable
crowd aasenibled to contemplate the Mussulman, who ap-
peared wholly unconscious of the curiosity he excited.
Lead week the aggregate mortality in London and
19 other large towns of the United Kingdom was at the rate
of 27 deaths annually to every 1,000 of the estimated popu-
lation In the metropolis 2201. births and 1,601 deaths were
registered, the former having been 110, and the latter 41,
below the average.
The Brazil mail has brought intelligence of the loss
of the well.known Liverpool clipper Great PeorM. When
built, and for many year. after, she was reported to be the
largest vessel afloat, and for many years formed one of the
celebrated "Black Ball" line. It appears she became leaky
off Cape Horn, and was abandoned on the leth July, three
hundred miles south of Bahia, the master and crew being
picked upend landed at Bahia by a barque.
The annual meeting of the Royal National Lifeboat
institution was held on Tuesday, the lime of Northumber-
land In the chair. The report stated that during the past
year 613 lives had been saved by the lifeboats of the Imola-
Ben. The receipts in the twelve months had amounted to
£25,711, of which sum 514.23) mut been contributed as special
gate, to defray the cost of ten lifeboats.
At the Staffordshire Assizes damages to the extent
of .42450 were allowed to Mr Taylor, commercial traveller,
by the London and North-Western Rahway Company, for
Injuries sustained in the raUway accident at Harrow.—
Another action in counection with the same catastrophe
was tried at Manchester on Monday, when the widow of the
late Mr. George Henry Smith, civil engineer, obtained £3,20
from this company for the loss of her husband.
As Mr. Charles Crotty, a justice of the peace, was
proceeding home Ob Saturday from Castlebar, where he had
been attending as grand juror at the assize., he was flredat
senile near hi, residence, ten miles from l'astlehar, and, His
fear-d mortally wounded. The servant who accompanied
him we,, also shot in the head, and is since reported dead The
asstosin was concealed In a small grove. Your men are
arrested on suspicion. Mr. Crotty and servant were fired at
last year near Westport, but esceped. 'The only cause
assigned le that Mr. Crotty had a litigation with smile tenanta
for trespass,
The Court of l'rolodo was opened on Saturday with
the case of Ilitchin v. itordley, in which application waa
made to revoke letters of administration granted so long
ago as the year 1633 to the defendant., as next of kin to
Miss Mary Adams, who died in that year intestate, possessed
of property amounting to about £lOl,OOO The right to the
grant is disputed by the plaintiff on the ground that the
party through whom defendant, claimed as next to kin was
Illegitimate. The cue therefore resolves itself into • quo-
tton of pedigree.
At a meeting of the klansion•holaie French Relief
Fund held In London, on Tuesday, the Lord Mayor reported
that the subscriptions received amounted to £122,160. Mr.
George Moore expressed a strong opinion that • great deal
more money was still required to relieve the pressing wants
of the provinces, as very little had been done outside Perla.
Other speakers held that the Committee should shortly close
Its operations. An additional sum of £lO,OOO was placed at
the disposal of the Parts Committee.
In reply to a deputation from the National School
Teachers' I bib., Mr Forster on Monday dealt with several
objections which had been made to the new Education lode,
The right lion gentleman, int er (dim, held out no preopect
of grants being made under Article 17 for teaching sewing to
girls. Ile coeld give no hope of a change In the age of
inspectors and assistant-inspectors, to allow of the appoint-
ment of old masters to such posts, nor of the transference of
an appeal in disputes between managers and masters from
the inspectors to the Education Department
The Postal Committee of the Society of Arts,
numbering 180 members of Parliament cud • large number
of manufacturers and others interested in postal reform, has
recently held several meetings. In the opinion of the com-
mittee, it is desirable that evet7 complication In the Nat
0111 Regulatiees should be removed by all letter., whether
closet or open, being charged at an uniform rate, commenc-
ing at one halipeuny ; that all imwspapers should be carried
at one halfpenny each, and that all other matter. should bo
treated under the denomination of parcels, and be carried at
the rate of 2oz. for one halfpenny.
A meeting was held in London, on Monday night, in
support of the bill for legalizing marriage with the sister of a
deceated wife. Mr. W. APArthur M.P., occupied the chair,
anti was supported by Mr. T. Chambers, M. P, and several
members of the Lambeth vestry and dissenting ministers of
the borough The following resolutions were carried
That the existing law prohibiting marriage with a deceased
wile's sister being practically Inoperative, the rich being able
to satisfy their consciences by marrying abroad, while the
poor feel themselves justified In setting it at defiance, this
meeting Is of opinion that the public welfare demand. Its
immediate repeal." "That this meeting re) Aces to learn
that the general ,minion In Scotland in relation to the bill
coincide, with that held In other portions of the Culled
Kingdom." A petition to the House Of Lords in favour of
the bill was adopted.