The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-04-04 00:00:00

IHisrellantotts fltelligente.

ROME FOREIGN, AND COLONIAL.

THE COLDNESS OF DEATH. —A Parisian prac-
titioner has just got a prize from the Academy of
Medicine for the discovery of a method to distinguish
real from apparent death. In his weekly bulletin in
La France, Dr. Decaisne tells us what this discovery
is. When the temperature of the body falls to 29
degrees above zero in the centigrade scale (68 degrees
Fahrenheit) death is certain. Dr. Bochut has devised
a thermometer, which he calls a necrometer, so
graduated, that when placed under the armpit of a
person supposed to be dead it marks zero; then life
has indeed departed beyond all possibility of a mistake.

-
THE LIABILITY OF MUSEAPIDS. - The Bill pro-
moted by Mr. S. Morley to amend the Married
Woman's Property Act oontahm the following pro-
visions :
So much of the Married Women's Property Act, 1870, 118
enacts that a husband shall nut be liable for the debts of his
wile contracted before marriage Is hereby repealed, but a
husband shall not, after the passing of this Act, be liable for
the debts of his wife contracted before marriage, except by
reason .4 any marriage which shall take place after this Act
has come into operation, and then only to the extent of any
property to which be shall have become entitled in right of
his wife by virtue of such marriage, or otherwise in right of,
through, or under her. The Bill bears the names of Mr
Morley, Sir J. Lubbock, and Sir C. Mills.

THE AtiRANTER WOMEN.—Any ladies wish-
ing to emss'question the gallant soldier. f the
Ashantee Expedition may use the following in-
formation (says the C.ling Journal) : The
Ashantee women are much handsomer and more
coquettish than in other parts of Africa, some of them
being really beautiful. In many instances they have
regular Grecian features and figures of the greatest
symmetry, and their movements are even more
graceful than those of their civilised sisters, as is
but natural, considering the difference of train-
ing. Their eyes are soft and tender, and the
expression of their countenance is usually pleasant
and cheerful. Some of them darken the edges of their
eyelids with lead reduced to a fine powder—imitating
in their way the artistic appliances by which so many
European beauties preserve the gloss of their charms.
They dance, of course, and do 50 with much more
elegance than might be supposed. There is one evolu-
tion in particular which closely resembles our own
waltz --the man encircling the woman with a piece of
silk which he flirts about with his right band, support-
ing her the while round her waist, and receiving her
elbows in his palms.

A CAUTIOUS EMIGRANT—The Kansas City
(Missouri) Times makes the following statement -
"The Court of Lass' and Equity was the scene of a
rather extraordinary matrimonial transaction yester-
day. A man, evidently past his fiftieth year, called
upon the clerk of the court for assistance in marrying
a wife. Mr. Noland, who is considered an adept in
matrimonial transactions, undertook the job, which was
rather more difficult and complicated than he at first
anticipated. It WM a marriage between two persons
separated by 6,000 miles of land and water. The man
informed the clerk of the court that he wanted to get
married to a woman now living in Holland: that he
would perform such ceremonies as were necessary here,
and she would be married to her brother in Holland as
a proxy for him. Then the brother was to ship him his
wife, with her baggage, direct to Kansas City. It al>
pears that the lady has an objection to leaving her
home in Holland before she had been married in some
manner; and as the bridegroom cannot afford to leave
his business here to go after his wife, he decided to
apply to the courts for act of procuration. Mr. Noland,
as soon as he understood the case, proceeded to prepare
the necessary papers, and the old man went away de-
lighted."
REMISSION OF A SENTENCE—In the House
of Commons, on Monday evening, Sir W. Stirling
Maxwell asked the Secretary of State for the Home
Department whether it was true that the lad who was
convicted on the 11th inst., at Worship-street, of
cruelly killing a neighbour's cat, and was sentenced to
14 days' imprisonment, with hard labour, had had half
of the sentence remitted; and if so, whether he would
state the grounds upon which the remission was
granted. Mr. Cross 'Yes, Sir; it is true that the lad
who was convicted of killing a cat and sentenced to
14 days' imprisonment had half his sentence remitted.
The doubt is as to the word "cruelly." On careful in-
quiry by the police, it appears that the cat was after
the boy's pigeons. The boy went to drive it away, and
it jumped upon a wall, where the boy hit it once or
twice with an iron rod and unfortunately killed it ;
but, apparently, he did not mean to do so, and did
all he could to restore it (laughter), and beyond the
blows there was no wanton act of cruelty. The Super-
intendent of Police further reported that the Secretary
of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Am'
male said he would be happy to further the object of
the memorial praying for the remission of thesentence,
and on that I acted.

RESEARCH AMONG THE PLANETS. —Thirty-
seven smallytanets have been discovered in the years
1872 and 18,3, or 18i in each year, making 1,810 per
century. From the days of Hipparchus to the present
time we may reckon 2,000 years; had astronomers
worked with the same zeal and success during these
2,000 years, the number of small planets known would
have amounted to 37,000, only three times the number
given by Arago of stars up to the 7th magnitude, and
a very small proportion of the stars of the 10th mag-
nitude.

JAMES I. ADDICTED TO PUNNING. —Fuller, the
eminent historian arid divine, haaenrolled among his
" Worthies of England" Dr. Field, Dean of Gloucester,
a learned divine, "whose memory," he says, " ilwel-
leth like afield which the Lord bath bleed." Field
was an excellent preacher, and used often to preach
before James 1., especially in his progress through
Hampshire in 1609. The first time his Majesty heard
him, he observed in the same punning ipint with
Fuller, and which was indeed char •c of the age.
"This is a field for the Lord to dwell in." His
majesty gave him a promise of a bishopric, but never
fulfilled it. When he heard of the doctor's death, his
conscience appears to have smote him. He expressed
his rteiret, and said, " I should have done more for that
loan.' Another divine, whom his majesty used to
style 'the King of preachers," was John King, who
became Bishop of London in 1611 ; and was so great a
preacher, that even after his elevation to the mitre, he
never missed delivering a sermon on Sunday when his
health permitted, _

" §iND THE BILL TO MY HUSBAND."—Realise,
my reader, the anguish of a lady compelled to stand by
another lady wearing larger diamonds than her own,
or point lace, or a longer train? What will the world
think, as under the chandelier this painful contrast
conies out? Such moments of deep humiliation cause
sleepless nights, awl the next day result in bills
that become as crushing as criminal indict-
ments to poor overworked men. 'Under the im-
pulse of such trying scenes as these, many a
matron has gone forth on Broadway with firm lips
and eyes in which glowed inexorable purpose, and
placed upon her fat arms or fingers, that might have
helped her husband forward, the gems that would be
mill-stones about his neck. There are many phases
of heroism, hut if you want your breath quite taken
away, go to Tiffany's and see some largoeouled etyma.,
who will not even count the cost or realise the dire
consequences, but like some martyr of the past who
will show to the world the object of his faith though
the heavens fall, she marches to the counter, selects
the ccatlimit, and says in tones of majesty,—" Send the
bill to my husband! --What Can She Dot By the
Rec. E. P. Roc. _ -

A SLEEPING-CAR TORE !—The following good
sleeping-car joke is going about A gentleman occu-
pied an upper berth in a certain section; and a lady the
lower. In that dim, uncertain daylight which dawns
on travellers in heavily-curtained "sleepers," the
gentleman above referred to tried to find his bonen, but
nowhere about his narrow bed oould he eee more than
one of them. Looking downward he thought. he sew
another on the berth below him ; so reaching down he
tried to lift it up. Strange to say, it lifted to a certain
bright and then fell from his hand. lie tried again
with the same result, and yet again with no better
luck, when suddenly the boot apparently became en-
dued with life and evaded his Then the situ-
ation flashed upon him and he became contrite. C.-in-
trition is a good thing, but it may Mao be • anagram,
for fancy the gentleman in the upper berth aisdogaing
to the lady in the lower for mistaking her boot on her
own foot for hie own.

-
MRS. NOsGOOD AND HER HUSBAND. —The
lady wished to go to church in Use gig, since there were
some strangers staying at the Manor House with the
Galtona and she was desirous of giving ostensible
proofs of her proper station in society by an appear.
mice hi" her own carriagei" as she styled the pon-
derosa and rather antediluvian vehicle in quesdon.
But the farmer waxed exceeding wroth at this sugges-
tion, and was inflexible in a stern refusal. "I'm not
going to give Jack the trouble of putting th' old mare;
maybe he s got his sweetheart to meet." " What
is that to up? People of that sort can always
wait tat it snits the convenience of their betters.' ,
" there's your religion, Mary? • Nor his man ser-
vant—that's Jack you knew--nor his maid servant.
"nor his ox, nor his ass,—that means th' old mars I -
exi,ot —nor anything that is his.' That's what the
Bible says ; so if you can't walk, we'll stay at home."
Saying which, he gave such evident signs of relaps-
ing into the badger condition, by lingering the yard
of clay, and tapping the beer jug significantly, that
his wife thought it better to consent at once to a walk
acmes the fields, where, at all events, they were-
not likely to meet any one of consequence.
Geuynuur.
HOTELS IN THE FAR WEST !—A lady travelling
in the far West writes home as follows :—" The hotels
of these sections are built of logs, and are generally
fifteen feet in sine. They 'have but one room, which
answers for all—drawing-foom, dressing-room, and
kitchen. It having been the first time that I ever had
the extreme felicity of registering my name on the book
of one of the metropolitan acconunodations, I was our-
I prised by the arrangements. I observed a few men
changing their clothes- or more properly performiu
their toilet --and I addressed the landlord with —ls
this the only apartment this house has!' 'Yea, ma'am.
Isn't dat enough . But haven't you got any other
for ladies ? " No." What a horrible arrangement !
But how do the ladies do" Dey draw a chalk mark
around their bed, and while dey take off their clothes
and tinge, no genleman is Mowed to look ober de white
mark ! " . _ . .

Th,mes

A AIONSTER VINE.—A vine, situated about
three miles and a half from Santa Barbara, California
has a trunk 4ft 4in. in circumference. It begins tibranch
out at about six or eight feet from the ground, and
is then supported on framework, which it covers as a
roof. The whole vine thus supported now covers
over an acre of ground. Several of the limbs are as
much as 10 inches in circwnference at a distance of 25
or 30 feet from the trunk. The annual yield of grapes
from this mammouth vine in from 10,000 to 12,000
pounds. The clusters average, when ripe, from 2 to
2A pounds each. This vine, which is about 40 years
old, is on rather high ground, and it is stated that the
soil about it has never been mannred at all. This vine,
curiously enough, as in the case of Messrs. Lane's
vinery at Berkhampstead, has a small stream of water,
running near it, which probably assists its growth.—
Garden.

"LADIES' RIGHTS."—A lady made the follow-
ing reply to a politician who recently called at her
house to get her husband to go to the poll and vote
"No, sir, he can't go. Re's washing now, and he's
going to iron to.morrow ; and if he wasn't doing any.
thing, he couldn't go. I own this house; and if any
one votes, it'll be Mrs. Jones."

HIS REGULAR BUSINESS audaci,,us trick

was lately played by a "sneak thief' at a London
Club (says the Court Journal). He entered the hall
without attracting the notice of the porter, and pro-
ceeded to empty the pocketo of the greatcoats he found
ranged in a corridor. While selecting a few of the
best, lie was interrupted by a member, who in
act, nia:aoent asked him what he was doing. "Oh,
this is my regular busineso," he said. "1 am em-
ployed to clean the gentlemen's coats in several elubs.
I take all the grease oat of their collars." "In-
deed," said the gentleman, interested, thinking he
had got hold of one he could turn to account.
" How long do you take ?" "Why, I will be bock
with these in an hour." "If so, you may as well take
mine," said the master, adding his coat to the heap,
and escorting the "sneak thief" past the porter.
" What great conveniences you have in London I" re-
marked this country gentleman to a group of his
friends. "I have just given my coat to a man I found
in the corridor, who cleatol coats for the Club." "
whom do you may ?" cried two or three. "The men I
found carrying the coats out. Wait —I have his card."
But the knowing ones did not wait; they hurried out
to find the pockets of some greatcoats empty, and other
coats altogether gone.

Med

SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 1874.


sae last instance of originality in • marrage an-
nouncement is the following : • • No cards, no cakes, no tura"
Mr. Anderson (Glasgow) has brought in a bill to
amend the betting law
The Prince Imperial is passionately fond of reer,,,,e,
and allows nothing to interfere with his fencing lessons.
The Old Testament Company have brought their
2.2nd session to a close. The company revised at their last
sitting, forthe first time, from Joshua I to the end of Judge,,
Private letters from New York Five glowing accounts
of the marriage of bliss trace Field, daughter of Mr.
Cyrus Field, to Mr. Lindley, of that city. Fifteen hundred
guests offered their congratulations to the bride and bride-
groom, and the bridal presents are said to have been of
the aggregate value of £lOO,OOO, or half a million of dol.
'Si'
Grand preparations are already making at Porte-
mouth for a naval review in honour of the Czar.
The day seems feat approaching 'viten angling In the
smes between London-bridge and NVeleminster Ina; be in-
ted in with success, as only the otter day nine dace were
night with a net at Waterloo Bridge. On neveral eceseions
tely shoals of the little fish have been seen swimming about

The Priucese Marie Czartoriska took the veil at
Posen on the lath of March, in the order at Carmelite nuns
The ceremony was performed by Monsignor Janissensid, co-
adjutor .of Arehldelnop Ledischowski.
A movement has been set on foot in the City of
London for raising contributions in MOIWY, apparel, and
hospital stores, for the relief of the sirk and wounded in the
Spanish civil war. An influential committee has been formed
for this purpose.
Railway collisions are impomsibie at Costa Rica, the
railroad system of that Republic being possessed at but one
locomotive !
- - -

The timber of Strangers who visit Australia fnim!
England is now quite remarkable. It seldom happens that •
nail Mils to bring tourists on pleasure bent, to one or other
of the oolonies. The increasing intereourve will go on. and
the best results will accrue to the colonies and the mother
country.
Fifty-eight Mahordmeclatts, charged with participa-
tion in the recent riots in Bombay. have each been sentenced
to lire years' imprisonment
A Ilallot Bill is one of the meiumres to be intro-
duced to the Canadian Parliament during the Session just
opened.
It is stated that, in response to a petition. Marshal
MacMahon has reduced the term of imprisonme..t of the Into
Prince (Mika'n seconds in the late duel to three months, mid
that of Prince Sontro'n to sin months. But the punishment
of Priuce Smits° himself remains unaltered.
Virginian bondholders have found a pracions recog-
nition in the Governor's Message to the State Legislature.
Ile recommends that they be paid 4 per cent of their over-
due interest, and hare the remainder equitably arranged for.
Three working miners have been returned IL, Mem-
bers of the new school board at Wombwell. near Barnsley,
defeating a colliery manager and several leading tradesmen.
The Corporation if London has determined to invite
her Majesty the queen to the banquet sublet, will be given to
the Czar during his sojourn in London.
It is said that Mr. W. If. Smith, 111. P.. the Finan-
ettl,Secretary of the Treasury, in causing 'nit; iries to be made
with a view of ascertaining whether the trading community
would be willing that a small tax on their business should
take the place of the Income-tax.
The Prince of Wales, I,ord High Steward of the
• Borough of Plymouth, luss consented to open the New Guild
hall and Law Gourta at Plymouth on some day in Juue or
July to lie shortly appointed by himself.
The author of a new book on Bunnell states the
! almost incredible fact that he has frequently seen babes at
their mother's breast alternating the reception of nourish-
merit therefrom with pulls and puffs at their cheroots.
The Norwegian ship Hiram arrive(' in the Tay on
Sunday. She is from Pernambuco with timber. When off
the NVeatem Island of Scotland a few days ago she was
struck by a tremendous sea, which swept the captain and
one of the crew overboard. Neither were seen again. One
seaman was severely injured by being jammed among spars
and died from the effects of the injuries he received. The
vessel is also damaged.
It is announced that Her Majesty graciously intends
to confer upon Sir Garnet Wolseley a Baronetcy and a pension.
Sir Garnet will also he promoted to the rank of Major-
General, and will receive the Grand Cross of the Order of St.
Michael and St George. From a feeling id delicacy Sir
Ganiet haa declined the Grand Groin of the Bath, but will be
advanced to the dignity of K.O B.
- •

Absolutely pure iron is said to have been prepared
by a Russian chemist by means of the galvanic battery Dur-
ing the process a large quantity of hydrogen xis disengaged
from the ordinary iron ured. The pure iron is a silver white
metal, very malleable and ductile, and so soft as to be readily
cut with a pair of scisaors. It oxidises rapidly, and water is
decomposed by it with the rapid absorption of oxygen.
By order of the Lord Great Chamberlain the Holmes
of Parliament will be open free to the public on Easter
Monday and Easter Tuesday' from ten till four.
_ . . . .

,
"The deep and rolling Zuyder Zee" to be drained
at the cost, it is aald, of £20.000.

The report of the catching of a salmon in a Tammanian
stream is correct The successful angler, a man named
Crowley. has received a reward of £3O !rola the Tasmanian
Governnient

Her Majesty has given itu3tructions for another white
Cashmere goat from the flock in Windsor I:rent Park to be
presented to the colonel and officers of the Welsh Fusiliers

A New York lady seeks employment as an " orna
mental guest." She will assist at dinner or evening parties
and by her grace, wit. and beauty, contribute to the enter
tainnient of the company. She will do everything in the
highoit style of art ; but e ill expect a handsome componen-
t/011 for Lei unique seri
" "

Two prisoners were lately acquittol of a theft. The
circuit judge told thew not to come there a :al% or they
might but be so fortunate. One of the prisoners said, No,
my Lord ; we should net have come now it we had not been
brought."

"We understand that his Grace the Archbishop of
Wildminster has sibmined his intention of joining a p ilgri n age
to S. Edmund of Canterbury, at Pontigny, which in arranged
to take place in the smond half of August. The President ‘1
S. Edmund's College and a connnittee, whose names will
shortly be published, will organise it. l'ontigny, in the twell-
diocese of Sens, its doubly intereating to all English Catholic,t
as being the home of S. Thomas of Canterbury during two
years of his exile, RS well ns the resting place of S. Edmund
for yearn It is easily accessible front Pala"— West-
minster Gazette.

A return
_.has just been printt* by order of the

Muse of Lords of Proceedings 'under the -Augmentation of
Benefices Act, 1843. From the operation of the statute to
the 18th of Starch inst. 97 advowsons in the first schedule
had been sold, and 13 under the 23rd section. The total ptu,
chase money of advowsons sold was £210,459 ; the amount
paid Into the Bank of England, £205,009 ; and the amount
received by rent charge. or for which land, ate , was accepted,
£2,450. An account is given of if 44,090 received from sales
under ,he 23rd and 24th sections, and its appropriation as to
grant for augmentations and grants for parsonage houses.
The latest development of newspaper enterprise
across the Atlantic is found in more or less modified pro-
phecies in regard to weather. Prominent above the leading
paragraphs in the Seto rork Herald of the 11th lout, we find
the following intimation From our reports this morning
the probabilities are that the weather to-day will be cold.
cloudy, and windy."

A Bill introduced by Lord Chohnsford into the 'Lao.
of Lords, and lately printed, is to amend the laws relating to
attorneys and solicitors in England and Wales. It refers to
the Act 23 and 24 Victoria, cap. 127, as to Ow restriction of
employment, and it is proposed that the restriction should
not be enforced in cases in which consent and sanction an
now mentioned should be obtained. It is proposed that
where applications is intended to he made by any third per-
son to strike the name of an attorney or a solicitor off the
roll, notice be given to the Registrar of Attorneys and Solici-
tors There are several sections in the Art carrying out
the preamble, and ehouviutg the way in which they are to be
enforced.