biglam/hmd_newspapers huggingface dataset:
The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-08-08

ROWLEY LOCAL BOARD:

_
The usual monthly meeting of the Board was held on
Monday last. Mr. A.. H. Barra in the chair. There were ,
also present Messrs Bagman°, Penn, Taylor, (Attest, Plant.
aid Hackett The:mientesj of the last meeting were reau
and confirmed.
Mr. Jones, contractor, attended the board in reference
to an alteration in the amount of his contract, by a
mistake that had occurred through a difference in the
plans. His original estimate was £369 6s 22., and now
he asked the Board for £66 16s 5d for additional ground
lie had to repair. The costs of drawing up the plane and
solicitor's lets amounted to £lO, and the contract was
altered to £416 2s 72, which was accepted.
The mortality returns for the past month were as fol-
. lows :—Sawdl-poz, 0; fever, 4: diarrhica, 2 cliokra. 0;
others, 44.1; total, 46.
The Surveyor stated that two tenders had been re-
' reined for the alteration of the bridge crossing the River
Stour, at Cradley ; one from Mr. Southwick, of Cradley,
at £llO. the other from Mr. Bastafield, of Halesowen,
for 1112.
On the motion ef Mr. Bassani), seconded by Mr. Uuest,
Mr. Sonthmek's tender was accepted.
The Surveyor applied for permission to lay down pipes
at the bottom end of Black Wagon-street to the brook
course belonging to the New British Iron Company, and
he would propose at the dame time that the pipes should
be flushed with the water that comes down Uarratts Lane.
The members of the Board complained of the bad state
of the street, and said something ought to be done PA
Once.
The Surveyor asked permission to cover over the brook
course opposite the Primitive Methodist Chapel, Ciadley
Heath. Permission was given to the officer.
With reference to the brook course at Brades, the Sur-
veyor said the Oldbury authorities wanted to alter the bed
of the brook, so that the accumulation of mad and filth
could be swept away, thereby removing a great nuisance
which was at present injurious to health. He w Aid sug-
gest that the matter be done at once
The Board decided to adopt the suggestions of their
Surveyor, and pay their share of the expenses.
A. nuhber of accounts were examined and ordered to be
paned.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-08-08

HALESOWEN.

A PALTRY CASE.—At the Pollee Court, on Tuesday,
before Messrs. E. Gem and H. Howard, Alfred Withers
was charged with assaulting John flawkeswood, on the
13tit ult. Complainant said Le was lying down, when
defendant threw a stick at him and afterwards kicked him
on the eye. Di indent said thi y had been Iplaving to•
gethor when a lad named IN aketield threw a stick at him,
and he, %hulking it was complainant, threw it back. Be
did not k.k complainant on site eye. The injury was
caused by the stiek. Tito Bench considered it a paltry
ease, and ordered each party to pay their own costs.
SICAL/NG CLOAKS—EIIen Wood, salt hawker, Sheep
Street, Birmingham, was charged with stealing two water.
proof cloaks, the property of Mary Leo, on the 22nd
at Quinton. Proaecutrix said she resided at Bradley
U-reen, Veckenitam. On the above date she paid • clot
to her sister at Quinton. When she got out of the car
she left two waterproofs inside. When she returned the
cloaks were missing. The cloaks produced were her pro.
perty and were worth 103. Mary Perrot. and Police
constable Simpson Mao gave evidence. Sentenced to
one month's hard labour. _

_ .
NEIGHBOURS' QUARRELS. Jane Hadley was charged
with assaulting Etizabeth Coley, on the •'3rd nit, and
date li.dley charged Elizabeth Coley with assaulting
her on the 24th mt. Each party was ordered tn pay
their own costs.
TREL..PAiSING IN PURSUIT OF GAZE. —.Edward Birch
was fined lha and cons, for trespassing on land ha the
occupation of James Knott Clarke, Moor Farm, North-
field, in pursuit of game.
HERTA:NG TO (Jun.—William Whiley was fined 2. 0,1
ind costs, for refusing to quit the Loyal Preegiaers, Fur-
ness. when requested.
OBsTRUCTING THE HIGHWAY. Benjamin Pugh and
James Hughes were charged with obstructing the high-
way at Coonabes. Pugh was uismissed, and Hughes was
tined Is aud costs.

CAUTION To MO Owlial —Joseph Lee was CbSTNed
by Alice Dewey aith allowtog a ferocious dog to be at
isrge. Defendaot was 1111.110 a, ordered to destroy the
dog, and to pay the doctor's bill, 10s 61 and casts.
bTIALING. Josepn Green Weil sect need to
Ore munto's itoprofoninent, for steahog a pigeon the pro.
petty of David Hodgetts.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-08-08

CONVOCATION.

Mr. Bolt asked the First Lord of the Treasury whether the
Letters of Business issued to Convocation, authoritiug that
body to consider and report on the fourth report of the
Ritual Commission, were to be understood to authorise
them to make suggestions as to changes in the rubrics not
recommended by the commissioners.
• • •

Mr. Disraeli : The Letters of Business issued to Convoca-
tion, my hon. friend will observe, are legal documentB, and
they have been laid upon the table, and it would be an act
of presumption on my part to offer any interpretation cf any
legal document. The Lettere of Business have been adopted
by the late Government, and I conclude that their language
to appropriate and clear.

ASHANTEE PRIZE MONEY.

Replying to Sir James Edmonstone, Mr. hardy mid it had
been decided to give thirty days pay to the forces engaged in
the late war on the Gold Coast in lieu of prize money.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-08-08

THE NEW LAW ON BETTING.

The Act 37 Viet., cap. 15, to amend the 16th and
17th of the Queen for the suppression of betting houses,
came into force on the 30th ult. The Acts may be
construed as one, or cited separately, and the provisions
are now extended to Scotland. The penalties set forth
in the Act of 1853 (the 16 and 17 Vict., cap. 119(, by
the 7th section, are to be imposed on persons adver-
tising as to betting. It is now enacted that "where
any letter, circular, telegram, placard, hand-bill, card,
or advertisement, is sent, exhibited, or published (I),
whereby it is made to appear that any person, either
in the United Kingdom or elsewhere, will on applica-
tion give information or advice for the purpose of, or
with respect to, any such bet or wager, or any such
event or contingency as is mentioned in the principal
Act, or will make on behalf of any other person any
such bet or wager as is mentioned in the principal
Act; or (2) with intent to induce any person to apply
to any house, office, room, or place or to any person with
the view of obtaining information or advice for the
purpose of any such bet or wager, or with respect to
any such event or contingency as is mentioned in the
principal Act; or (3) inviting any person to make
or take any share in, or in connexion with, any
such bet or wager, and every such person sending,
exhibiting, or publishing, or causing the same to be
sent, exhibited, or published, shall be subjected to the
penalties provided in the 7th section of the principal
Act with respect to offences under that section." The
penalties are fines not exceeding £3O, or imprisonment
for non-payment not exceeding two months. The
other portion of the new statute relates to its opera-
tion in Scotland. There are four sections, with sub-
sections, in the new Act, and 20 in the recited one,
which took effect on the Ist of December, 1853. The
law is now amended on betting-houses, and as to
advertising on betting.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-08-08

CUTTINGS FROM AMERICAN PAPERS.

A Virginia sheriff asked a murderer if he wanted to
make a speech on the gallows, and the man replied "Guess
not ; it looks like rain, and I don't want to get wet ; go on."
The footprints of a Chicago lady'on the parade, near
Michigan city, got a crowd of men out to hunt for a stray
elephant.
• •

Chignons are really of service to the wearers in
Virginia. it was only the other day that an eagle pounced
down upon a young lady there, and fixed his talons on her
head. All the noble bird got was hair. .

A New York baker advertises biscuits so exquisite
that persons sigh as their flavour dies away upon their
breath." _ _

Mexican editors don't care about extended circula-
tion. The fewer subscribers they have the fewer times they
are shot at.

An enterprising reporter in Arksansas, who was
lately sentenced to the state prison for horse-stealing,
applied to his employers to be continued on the journal as
penitentiary correspondent."
- - • • • •

A barrister of Louisville says that one day last week
the thermometer in his sanetiuu " stood at 1004." His
thermometer was no doubt a whisky bottle.
Colorado is out of girls, and a.siie for fresh invoice
(assorted) from England

A Connecticut editor announces that he has bought
a 500 dol. dog, and can now meet the most irascible caller
with a smile of calm content

LIoTEN TO THIS "heart of flame, nerves
of steel, quivering breath, surging from iron nostrils,
plapitating throat of fast-flying wheels that urge forward, in
smooth rhythm, the vessel of matchless symmetry, whose
graceful prow raises on high the sparkling water to fall with
the murmur of a whispering fountain, while from the taper-
ing hull, the river, with agitated crest, divides to mark the
chosen pathway. This creation, instinct with life, glorious
in action, harmonious with melody, the haunt of happiness
Joined with sweet content, welcome as flowers in May, is
the vivacious, bewitching Miss Mary Blugs of the Lower
Ohio."
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-08-08

JESSE COOPER.

TO the Overseers of the Poor of the Pariah of
Hagley. in the County of Worcester, Mild to the
Superintemient of Police of the Division of Steurbridge,
ie the said county, end to all whom it may Co corn.
I, WILLIAM MAYBDRY, now residing at Blakedown
in the Parish yf Henley, iu the county of iocester,
Beereeller, do hereby give i•t fete.) that it is any intention
to apply at the (Tenors! tent' Lici•n,ing Me, ting to be
holden at the Puede (Mice. 13c,urbr,dge. so the Division
aforesaid. in the said county. On the 28th day of A ugu st
next ensuing, for a LICENSE to Sell by Retail, WIN tS
and SPlttl I'S, to be consumed either on or off thy Pre-
mises, at a House situate at Biskeilown, in the parish of
Hseey aforesaid, is the cytit.ty of Wyrcester atreesnd.
aim being within the said Division.
The Owner of the House in ryspect of which the
License is required, is myself.
Olsen under my hand, this flat day of July, 1874.
WILLIAM MAYBURY.

IVO the Overseers of the Poor of the Township
_L of Stotubrufge, in the Couoty of Wo, e• et-r. and to
the Superintendent of Police of the Div:seo, of 'tow-
bridge, in the said County, mud to au whom it may con-
cern.

1. SARAH METHERINGHAM, now residing at No.
72 High street. in the township 1 Stourbridge, in the
COOS y Of iV ore,, or. I,f, KLlnent-n•nus t. eper, .10
hereby give Notice. Ord i 0 toy let. Ot.t, tO Ai ply at the
General t nutlet Licensing Meeting to be holden at ole
Pnblic Office, Stourbridge, in the division aforesaid, in the
said county. on the 28th day of August neat ensuing. f .r
• CERTIFICATE. to Sell by Het il. BEER, WIN ES,
and SWEETS, ti be eonstnned either on or off the Pre-
nuse•, at a Shop stitt4te at No. 72. Higiostn et, in the
to dinbiiip of Siourbridge. in the county ot Worees.er, and
bt•ing within the maid liiVl.loll
Toe Owner of the Shop in reliect •I which 'he Certi•
11 ode is required is John Cooke, of Norton, in ttie county
of Worcester.

Gwen uuder my hard, 06 17th day of Jay. 1874
8. METHERINGHAM.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-08-08

NEW ACT ON MARRIED WOMEN'S
PROPERTY.

An important Act of Parliament has been printed,
having been passed on Thursday, to amend the law
with respect to the property of married women. The
preamble of the statute states that it is not just that
the property which a woman has at the time of her
marriage should pass to her husband, and that he
should not be liable for her debts contracted before
marriage, and, further, the law as to the recovery
of such debts requires to be amended. This declara-
tb di is worked out in the several sections. The
Act has immediate operation in the United King-
dom with the exception of Scotland. So much of the
Married Women's Property Act of 1470 is now re-
pealed, that declares that a husband shall.not be liable
for the debts of his wife contracted before marriage, FM
far as to marriages after the passing of this Act, and
a husband and wife married after this Act may be
jointly sued for any such debt. The extent of the
liability of a husband is defined by the new law. The
husband in such action or in an action for tort com-
mitted by his wife before marriage or for contract, to
be liable only to the extent of the assets specified, or
confessing his liability to some extent, that he is not
' liable beyond what he confesses, and if no such plea
is pleaded, the husband to be deemed to have con-
fessed his liability so far as assets are concerned. lilt
is not found ,that the husband is liable in respect of
assets, heists have judgment for his costs of defence,
whatever the result of the action may be against the
wife. When a husband and wife are sued, the judg-
ment to be a joint one to the extent of the liability of
the husband, and for the residue to be separate against
the wife. Under six heads assets, in respect to which
a husband is liable, are specified, consisting of the
value of a personal estate in possession of the wife,
vested in the husband, "chosen in action," "the
value of chattels real," rents, property transferred, or
property made over to delay or defeat creditors.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-08-08

THE SESSION AND ITS WORK.

It is just about twelve months ago, for the precise
date was the Bth of August, that the political world
was astonished at the anouncement of a series of
Ministerial ehaaues which mounted to a virtual re-
c.,ustrucl iou of Mr. Gladstone's Government.
Many w °adore l why such a time had been chosen
for alterations of such an organic and sweeping
character. Parliament had been prorogued three
days before, and many argued that what had been
good enough for the azasion might very well do for
the recess. Thee.' as however, one change which
was regaratul as wry significant of athorough revo-
lati.m of our system of duaitee, and that Was Mr.
4.4;:t at i:t• s a umj so 1 il.sitouble office of Prime
Minister and Chat o.alor of the Exchequer. By
general consent Unstops wse to be the laid of the
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-08-08

[k'rom Punch.]
PUBLIC WORSHIP REGULATION.

Amendments proposed by Mr. Punch, M. 1'
That no Clergyman whose face is worth looking at
turn his back on his congregation. .

If any Clergyman is in doubt as to whether his face
is worth looking at, he may compare his personal ap•
pearance with that of the Ordinary.
That no Rector, Vicar, Incumbent, or Curate, in-
troduce any innovation into the service without the
requisite faculty—common-sense.
That after twenty minutes' preaching the proper
position for the Minister be deemed to be out of the
pulpit.
That celibacy be enforced on those of the Clergy
whose incomes do not exceed £2OO per annum.
That no clergyman who has not passed in honours
be allowed to use the expression "Philosophy falsely
so-called " in his sermon._ .

That the Offertory shall be always accompanied by
the Collect for the day.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-08-08

ICINVER.

Scam. BOARD.—A meeting of the Kinver School Hoard
was held on rum:day ; the Hey. J. Hodgson in the chair.—
k letter was read from the Educatien Department
stating that they offered no objection to the proposal to
build anew school for boys, mid they desired to have the
opinion of her Majesty's inspector with respect to the
suitability of site before formaLy assenting. The Clerk
was directed to acknowledge the receipt of the letter, and
to request the Department to ibitruat the inspector to
view the site ai early as phssible.—The Chairman read
the mots; report of her M .jesty's inspector, showing
r hat the grunt due to the Board to respect to the recent
exam nation was 4135.—The nionthl return. of school
attendance showed an increase of 23 over the previous
month.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-08-08

BOY-STEALING IN PHILADELPHIA.

The American Correspondent of The Tilees writes—

" Philadelphia during the past three weeks has been
greatly excited about a crime which, until this case oc-
curred, was not known in this section of country. On
the afternoon of the let of July two boys, aged seven
and four years respectively, were stolen from their home
in the northern portion of the city by two men, who
drove off with them in a light waggon. After driving
an hour or two the men left the elder boy in the street
several miles from home, and disappeared with the
younger. This child of four years, named Charles
Brewster Ross, has not mince been found, but two or
three days after the abduction his captors began writ-
ing letters to his afflicted parents, indicating that they
had stolen him for ransom, and threatening to kill
the boy if the money was not forthcoming. The father,
when he first placed the case in the hands of the police,
offered a reward of 300 dols, for his return. The letters
from the thieves, whieh were sent by post, demanded
20,000 dole, ransom, a sum which the father was at
first unable to raise. For about ten days the corres-
pondence between the thieves and the father went on,
he advertising his replies in the Publ,e Ledger. The de-
tective police set industriously to work to ferret out the
criminals, but they have not been able to accomplish
much. The father, it is believed, despairing of the
police operations, resulting in success, has managed to
borrow the money demanded, and is now willing to
pay it for his child, his more recent advertisements in-
dicating this intention. But here a strong public
sentiment has intervened, the case having attained wide
publicity. The people are determined that the crime of
child stealing for ransom shall not be introduced here
through success in this instance, and the authorities,
while relaxing no effort to detect the criminals, are at
the same time on the alert to prevent any compound-
ing of the felony. The active intei est taken in the case
is shown by a meeting of leading Philadelphians, who
raised a fund of 20,000 doLs., which they have given
the Mayor to offer as a public reward for the recovery
of the child and the apprehension of the criminals.
1 The Mayor of the city has accordingly offered this re-
ward by a proclamation which has been telegraphed
all over the country. The painful interest which this
subject excites can be imagined. The stolen boy is
• aged four years, has long flaxen curly hair, hazel eyes,
clear skin, round, full face, and no marks excepting
those made by vaccination on the arm."

telegraphed
t which th'
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-08-08

GUNPOWDER EXPLOSION.

A serious accident happened on Monday morning
about half•past eight o'clock at the Gunpowder
Mills, Chilworth, near Guildford. It appears that
one the workmen engaged in the mill was
using a hammer, made in accordance with recent
Government regulations, to lessen the risk of accident,
in order to put some powder, which had become clogged
on the runners of the mill, when he observed that a
spark was emitted. This was instantly followed by a
loud explosion from the mill in which he was working
and from two others contiguous. It appears that an
apparatus has been provided which, when an explosion
occurs (the mills being slightly built and detached),
works so as to flood the mills with water, and thus to
wet the powder which may be within. In this case
the apparatus had not time evidently to act upon the
two mills beside that in which the explosion first oc-
curred. The man in question, whose name is George
Goodchild, was dreadfully burnt and his leg broken.
Working near him was a man named Henry Smith.
who was also shockingly burnt. In the desperation
of the moment he sprang into the Tillingbourne, a
stream which flows past the mills. The injured men
were at once taken to the county hospital, where their
injuries were carefully attended to.

An inquiry was opened at the Royal Surrey County
Roepital, before Dr. Stedman, the borough coroner,
touching the death of George thiedchild, who died
from the effects of the explosion. A number of
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-08-08

pktorOGßAPlri.
ARCHEIt CLARKE,

STOURIL H2Oi.

Five Skililinp p.r et z: r ee , tyro p

'the Portrnit and Prieting Pnom hove to-en niter,
and improved luring tue 41otrir. 0.1 PORt Rod ca.
let Yr:maned and scout Mine (free of c ,t) toir.h quicker
•liSlll ~reVi.iuµjy

THE NEW REMBRANDT PICTURE.
THE NEW CAMEO VIGNETTE.

THE NEW ENAMELED PORTRAIT'

IitISED IN RELIEF.

These varioui t.ty!eg, which are quite new, are now
taken, and op.:inn:us ean be sees at

AR HER CLAltlik"..,

71. Hiah—treet,

titonrbridge.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-08-08

WORKS AND PUBLIC BUILDINGS.

The Commissioners of Works and Public Buildings Bill
was read a third time and passed.

MISCELLANEOUS.
The Irish Reproductive Loan Fund Bill, the Cotnmissloners
of Public Works and Buildings Bill, and the East India
Councils Bill were read a third time and passed. The Lords'
Amendments to the Conveyancing and Land Transfer (Scot-
land) Bill and the Public Health (Ireland, Bill were agreed to,
and the House agreed not to insist on its amendments to the
Calonial Clergy Bill. The Coroners (Ireland) Bill, the Ulster
Tenant Right Bill, and the Borough Franchise (Ireland) Bill
were withdrawn In moving the discharge of the last Order,
Mr. Butt took the opportunity of urging on the Government
to consider the expediency of assimilating the English and
Irish franchises, which he showed by the returns would
about double the Irish constituency. Mr. Vence, however,
thought it would be dangerous to reduce the Irish franchise,
while Mr. Macartney, though not afraid of an extension,
was not disposed to go as far as Mr. Butt. Mr. Henry spoke
in favour of a reduction of the franchise.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-08-08

witneeese _
that the explosion
called the incorporating mills,
are worked. The mill was n
of the explosion, and the su
occasioned by •4 the mil]
s metal

were examined, and briefly it appeared
occurred in one of what are
as mills, inwhich the green charges
Jill was not in motion at the tune
. nd the supposition is that it was
,T one of the mill men using • phosphor-
bronze tool, made of a metal which has been recently
introduced and apt roved by the Government as safer
than the copper pad formerly in use. Mr. Sharp, the
owner of the powder mills, stated that he had com-
municated with the Government inspector, and inti-
mated his desire Piet the inquiry might be adjourned,
so that the jury could have the inspector's official re-
port before it This was aocordingly done. The deceased
is 42 years of age, and leaves a wife and six children. The
house surgeon of the hoepitsd stated that the other
injured man, Henry Smith, was in a precarious con-
dition. The coroner, who is a medical man, left the
court with the foreman to see Smith in his ward, and
subsequently informed the jury that he was not in a
state to give evidence, as his mind was wandering. It
was explained by the coroner that at present he had
no power to order a Government inapection, but that
it is intended, by the Gunpowder Act, to be brought
in next Session, that a Government inquiry should be
held whenever an accident occurs. -
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-08-08

'ARLIAMEN'

MILITARY DEPOT CENTRES.

In the Rouge OF COMMONS, Mr. I.:mirky asked the Seers
tar for War if he would state where military depot centres
Iced been established, and it it were intended to carry out
in its entirety the localisation scheme of Viscount Cardwell.
Mr. Hardy said the localisation scheme was being carried-
out in thirty places out of seventy, and proceedings were
still going on.
HUSH NATIONAL MONUMENTS.

Mr. M. Henry asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether
it was the Intention of the Board of Works in Ireland to
carry on the repairs of the national monuments for which
funds had been vested in them under the 25th and 26th sec-
tion of the Irish Church Act, without obtaining the assistance
of an inspector specially skilled In the ancient architecture
of Ireland?
Sir M. 11. Beach said the Board of Works in Ireland con-
sidered their part confined to the preservation of these
monuments rather than their restoration. If at any time an
inspector's services were required they would be furnished.

AFFAIRS IN SPAIN.

sir G. Bowyer asked the Under-Secretary for Eoreign
Affairs whether the attention of the Government had been
directed to certain mains in the Continental newspapers re-
garding or encouraging foreign intervention in Spain,
whether the Government had received any information on
the subject of intervention, and whether the Government was
prepared to use its influence in favour of the principle of
non-intervention.
Mr, Bourke : ller Majesty's Government have received
various reports and statements on the subject referred to,
but the Goventment have no reason to suppose that armed
intervention in the present disturbances in Spain is contem-
plated by any European Power. No such intervention is
contemplated by her Majesty's present Government, nor
would they give encouragement to it on the part of any other
European Power.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-08-08

IVIB

RIDGE OBSERVER.

The whole tendency of recent improvements as
regards facilities of communication points to the con-
centration of distribution in fewer hands. But aa
regards the Co-operative Stores the shopkeepers can
very well hold their own if, instead of shrieking half
articulate denunciations of the wickedness of the
system, they set themselves to inquire what it is that
has made it popular. The Stores are not crowded
with customers without a reason. People go there
because they c-an get pure goods at a moderiste price.
Tradesmen who give equally pure goods and charge
only so much more than the Silures as will pay for the
greater conveniences afforded to the purchaser and
give them a reasonable profit, will not often find that
the Stores are preferred.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-08-08

PASSENGERS CONVEYED by RAILWAYS

IN 1873.

It appears from the railway returns for 1873 recently
printed that the total number of passengers conveyed
by rail during that year, exclusive of season and
periodical tickets in the United Kingdom, was
455,320,188. Of those 401,465,086 were English and
Welsh travellers, 37,512,796 Scotch, and 16,342,306
Irish. In England and Wales there were 32,474,219
first-class passengers, 62,866,671 second-class, and
306,124,106 persons travelled thiribclass, including
those who performed their journeys by parliamentary
trains. In Scotland the first-class passengers numbered
3,952,419, the second class, 3,499,983, and the third-
class (including parliamentary), 30,060,394. In Ireland
the first-class passengers were 1,884,116 in number;
the second-class, 3,960,684; and the third-class (in-
cluding parliamentary), 10,497,506. The holders of
season and periodical tickets, not included in the above
numbers, were, in England and Wales, 257,470; in
Scotland, 37,707; and in Ireland, 19,402; making in
all, 314,597 ticket holders. The total number of
miles travelled by trains in 1873 was 197,354,749, in.
eluding 3,105,057 miles travelled by mixed trains.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-08-08

THE REGISTRAR• GENERAL'S

QUARTERLY RETURNS.

From the quarterly return of the Registrar-General
it appears that in the three months ending 30th June
the births of 288,476 children and 167,744 deaths
were registered. The number of persons married
during the quarter ending 31st March was 115,346.
The birth-rate was 35.7, and the death-rate 20.8,
while the marriage-rate was 14.4 per thousand. As
regards England the registrar considers the return
satisfactory -"Marriages were numerous; the births
increased at such a rate as is required to meet the
demands of industry and of colonial enterprise. Tha
mortality is declining, but at a slower pace than
would be witnesse.l if there were more intelligence,
and less hesitation, in sanitary work"
During the second quarter of 1874 92,716 emigrants
sailed from the various ports of the United Kingdom.
Of these, 77,296 were persons of British origin, in-
cluding 38,387 English, 8,509 Scotch, and 30,400 Irish.
Compared with the numbers in the second quarter of
1873, the total of British emigrants showed a decline
of more than 25 per cent., the number being consider-
ably lower than in the corresponding quarter of any
year since 1868. Further, statistics show that emigra-
tion has declined in all parts of the United Kingdom.
While the number of persons going to other places has
considerably fallen off, the emigrants to the Australian
Colonies rose to 18,061, compared with numbers
ranging between 3,058 and 6,376 in the June quarter
of the eight years, 1866-1873.
The return further shows that potatoes, meat, and
coals were cheaper, but that wheat was much dearer
than in the corresponding quarter of 1873. Pauperism
continues to decline. The average number of paupers
relieved on the last day of each week during the
quarter was 748,584, of which 133,846 received in-door
and 614,738 out-door relief— a number considerably
lower than that in the corresponding quarter of any
year as far back as 1857. In the second quarter of
1870, the number of out-door paupers was 826,396,
since which the quarterly numbers have steadily
declined to the present time.
The rainfall for the past quarter was 4•2 inches at
Greenwich, which was an inch and a half below the
average for the corresponding perioa in 59 years. In
the six months ending May the rainfall was only 449
inches, and was 6'40 below the average. This remark-
ably small rainfall in these six months is without pre-
cedent, the nearest approach to it being in 1847
when the amount measured in the same period was
71 inches.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-08-08

avail mistrengthened by the hand of the lay. It is
fervently to be hoped that the Society for Prtvention
of Cruelty to Animala will be able to induce the
Government to permit it to extend its career of useful-
ness to this neglected people, and, by inducing them
to be merciful to their beasts, to be merciful to their
fellow-men.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-08-08

AN OLD-WORLD CITIZEN ON OLD WAYS
AND NEW ONES.
(From Punch.)

the Keystone loose in Temple Bar !
The Monument a-going !
What is there that 's worth living for,
As that ain't overthrowing?
They tell me that the sinking's caused
By Law-courts excavations-
-1 thought the City and the Law
Stood on the same foundations !
Well, now-a-days folks win go down
To what 's called •• fundamentals :
B ul know rb.t all things stand upon.
From men's faith to than. rental&

But I say, take care how you dig,
Lest in your spade-works smother,
While one foundation you prepare,
You meddle with another.

Lest digging to old basements down,
And rooting up old curbing,
You loose the keystone of some arch
You ne'er thought of disturbing.
The old Bar might be troublesome,
It might impede the traltic :
It mightn't he the gate to make
A figure in the Graphic .
But 'twee a symbol of the rights
Of Home-Rule In the City,
And I can't help but feel the lose
Of what marks that, a pity.
I like to think o' Kings and Queens
Bound, crowns and all, to wait,
Until Lord Mayor and Aldermen
Chose to rye that there gate.
I like to think there once was heads
Of rebels stuck up there .
If only 'cause it shows the times
Are better than they were.

I like to think Cann's books was kept
In that room o'er the centre,
How but through cash and well-kept books
Should men the City enter ?
In short, though, if 'twas now to build,
I don't any I should choose it,
I was fond of old Temple Bar,
And shall be grieved to lose it.
lithe old keystone should drop out,
Can't they put in a new one?
But as for pulling down the Bar—
The idea quite goes through one