biglam/hmd_newspapers huggingface dataset:
The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-01-22

SUNDAY CLOSING IN WALES.

A Sunday Closing Bill, limited to Wales, has been
reintroduced by Mr. Roberts. The preamble states
that the provisions in force against the sale of fer-
mented and distilled liqu)rs during certain hours on
Sundays have been attended with great public benefits,
and that it is expedient, and that the people of Wales
are desirous that in their principality these provisions
should be extended to the other hours of the day. It
is then proposed to enact that "in the principality of
Wales, all premises in which ihtomicating liquors are
sold, or exposed for sale by retail, shall be closed
during the whole of Sunday." To premises so closed
the Licensing Acts of 1872-4 are to apply. The date
fixed for the commencement of the operation of the
measure is, as to each county or place, the day next
appointed for the general annual licensing meeting.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-01-22

CRADLEY

SEDDEAEATH IN THE STREET.-011 ThurAlay.
a man named Joseph Moore residin7 at Cr.:dley
Reath, was leadin4 a horse along t'le Rig!J Street
there, when he suddenly fell down dead. Disease
of the heart is supp,Jsed to be the cause of death.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-01-22

FALLING FROM A TRAIN.

On Saturday, at the Chelmsford Assizes,
_before Mr.
Justice Hawkins and a Special Jury, the case of Calver
v. Great Eastern Railway Company was tried. This
was an action by a carver and gilder, of Colchester,
to recover damages for injuries , sustained.—On
the 24th of June the Plaintiff was a passenger by
the 8.30 p.m. train from Wivenhoe to Colchester.
On arriving at Hythe he was anxious to chttnge
his carriage and opened the door with the intention
to do so, under the impression that he would step on
to the platform. Instead of doing so, however, he
fell &considerable distance, and fractured his leg. He
subsequently found that the foremost part of the
train had been driven beyond the platform. He had
been laid up for several months, and his medical
expenses -az-nonrated to £25. He had, also during his
illness to employ an assistant, and his business fell off
considerably.
For the defendants it was contended that the plat-
form was of sufficient length to meet the requirements
of the ordinary traffic at Hythe Station; but evert
supposing they were bound to have a platform long
enough for all excursion trains, they were not liable
in this case, as the train was not at a standstill when
the plaintiff fell, and also that there was daylight
sufficient for him to see where he was going.
The jury found for the defendants, at the same
time expressing a wish that the Company would assist
the plaintiff by contributing to the expenses he was
out of pocket.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-01-22

ROWLEY REGIS.

FAILURE OF A TIMBRE MRRCHANT AT RoWLEY
Rgois.—On Thursday, a petition for liquidation
as filed in the Dudley Connty Court on behalf of
j,„„„ Thomas Jlirs a, tirnber mercii:/it„ of the
Braacs, Rowley Regis. The lialiilihre
mated at £475. Messrs. Griffin aud Griffin (Ilirm'ng-
ham) are the debtor's solicitors, and Mr. James
Whitehouse (Dudley) has been appoiuted roc h-er
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-01-22

THE DIVISION ON THE ADDRESS TO
THE QUEEN.

The debate on Mr. Pawrnell's amendment to the
Address closed at five minutes to one on Saturday
morning, and the House, which had been far from
full while Mr. O'Donnell was speaking, at once be-
came crowded in all parts except the benches on the
right below the gangway. The few vacant places were
' occasioned by hon. members retiring from the House
to avoid taking part in the division. Among the leaders
of the Ministerial and Opposition sides who voted
against Mr. Parnell's amendment were Lord Hart-
ington, Sir S. Northcote, Mr. Bright, Mr. Chamber-
lain, Sir W. Harcourt, Mr. Forster, Dr. Play fair,
Mr. Munciella, and Sir M. Hicks-Beach. The Irish
members who voted in the majority were Dr. Kinnear,
Mr. Whitworth, Sir John Ennis, Sir R. Wallace
Mr. Gibson, Mr. Plunket, Colonel Taylor, Mr. Tot-
tenham, Viscount Crichton, Sir T. M'Clure, Mr.
Lewis, and Mr. Mullholland. Most of the Liberal
Ulster members left the House without voting. The
minority was made up of 48 Home Rulers, one Irish
Liberal (Dr. Lyons), and eight English Liberals—
Messrs. Cowen, Arnold, Jacob Bright, Collings, Burt,
Bradlaugh, Labouchere, and Thompson.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-01-22

THE IRISH ESTATES OF THE LONDON

COMPANIES.

The Irish, Times says :—" It is believed that the
Government and the London companies owning estates
in Ireland have arrived at an understanding on the
principles upon which a sale of those properties might
now take Place. Communications have passed be-
tween the parties, and the companies have shown no
unconquerable unwillingness to be bought out at a fair
and full price. The Irish Society possesses clo.se upon
10,000 acres; the Ironmongers about 11,000; the
Skinners, 34,000; the Drapers, 27,000; the Fish-
mongers, 12,000; the Grocers. 7,200; and the Mercers,
13,000 acres. As the new bill will be nothing if not
large and generous, the probability of some dealing of
the kind with these absentee Corporations may be assumed."

Arrangements have been completed with the British
Electric Light Company for the experimental lighting of
certain important parts of the General Post Office, London.
The first series of the experiments will lie conducted in the
telegraph instrument galleries.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-01-22

FATAL DYNA Nil E EXPLOSION.

A dpoinite exples'oa has occurred in Berehaven
mines, causing the death of two men. Two other
met] h th ir arms blown off.

FAILURE OF A DUDLEY PORK bITTCHER.

A petilion for liquidation we nn Thu-s.tay
filed in Dudley County Cow t, ou behalf of Edard r.
Nnifon,l:arn and bacon factor and pork butcher,
Wulve.ht Lupton Street, Dudley, LiabiliTi,s, £2,625.
Messrs. Crowther and Prior, Woherhampton, arc
the debtor's solicitors, and Mr. John Beat is
appointed receive'.

Over 3,000 men are idle on the Tyne side, owin,l4
t.) the storm.

7, The Court of Appeal did not sit on Thumiay
telegram h lag been remind from Lord Justice
Brett, 14 iting he wa3 too ill to a. tend.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-03-26

RABBITS IN AUSTRALIA.

A "Rabbit Suppression Act" was framed and
passed kr Australia on Dec. 28, 1880. But how to
"suppress " the rabbit is the question. We learn
(says Land and Water) that the Minister of Lands for
Victoria has under his consideration three proposals
submitted for the extermination of rabbits, which
have become such a dangerously destructive pest in
Australia. The first emanated from a chemist in
Austria, who stated that he had discovered an
effectual means of eradicating the vermin in a some-
what extraordinary manner. The farming districts
in that Empire were devastated, as was men-
tioned, by a plague of white mice, and a
premium was offered for the best means of killing
them. The chemist considered the subject, and con-
cocted a pill which he thought would, if spread over
the ground, be eaten by the mice, but, instead, it was
devoured by the rabbits, which died in considerable
numbers. He heard through the continental press
that in Australia the rabbits had become very
troublesome, and he wrote to the Government sug-
gesting that his poison should be used, and that he
should be paid a handsome reward for his discovery.
The Minister, upon the receipt of the communication,
replied, stating that he would be happy to entertain
the proposal, and desiring that he should be furnished
with additional information with reference to it.
He has since been communicated with by several
gentlemen, including one of Warrnambool, who states
that he has succeeded in compounding a pill which
will also affect a clearance among the rabbits. He
proposes that he should be given possession of certain
runs in one of ‘the infested districts for six months,
during which time he may be allowed to use his
invention at his own expense, on condition
that if he exterminates the rodents he should be given
a lease of the lands for a term of years, and be paid a
reward by the State. The composition of the pill is
only known to one person other than himself, and as
it is very simple and may be easily reproduced by any
one the moment it is seen in use, he asks in fairness
that he should be permitted an opportunity of demon-
strating its value by the results which are obtained,
and that if they are as satisfactory as he is fully con-
fident they will be, he stipulates that the Government
should recognise his claim to a fair reward, in propor-
tion to the very great value which the antidote will
prove to the country.
The Minister has intimated that he cannot possibly
entertain the first proposition; bnt he has offered to
select a place upon which the poison could be tried in
his presence, and if he finds that the effects are as
they are predicted, he will then advise the Cabinet as
to the reward which shall be given.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-03-26

POTATO.

Fair supplies of potatoes on sale. There was a dull trade,
at the annexed rates :—Scotch regents, 90s. to 100 s.; cham-
pions, 70s. to SOS.; Victorias, 90s. to 110 s. ; Essex regents.
80s.; Essex champions, 80s. per ton; Belgian kidneys, 4L;
German reds, 4s. to Os. per bag.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-03-26

_
POOR RATES AND PAUPERISM.

A Parliamentary return relating to poor rates and
pauperism was issued on Monday, for the year ended
on Lady-day, 1880. The fillm raised by poor rates
was £13,033,655; and to this the Treasury subven-
tions and payments for Government property, make
up a total of £14,001,512. Of this sum £5,415,973, or
more than one-third of, the whole poor rate
now levied, is expended for "other purposes"
than the relief of the poor. The actual cost
of relief of the poor amounted to £8,015,010.
The law charges amounted to £27,787, and there
was spent in purposes partly connected and
partly unconnected with relief £633,332. The in-
crease per head on the population over 1879 amounted
to 11d. A table shows the poor-rate expenditure for
purposes unconnected with relief ; and the disisurse-
ments are for or towards the country, borough, and
police rates; payments to Highway Boards; con-
tributions to the rural sanitary authority, and the
School Boards; registration fees to clergymen and
registrars, outlay for register offices, books and forms,
vaccination fees ard expenses ; and expenses of Parlia-
mentary or Municipal Registration, jmy lists, and
school committees.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-03-26

AFGHAN WAR MEDALS.

A General Order in regard to war medals for services in
Afghanistan has been issued by his Royal Highness the
Field-Marshal Commanding-in-Chief. The order says :

"The Queen has been graciously pleased to confer
a separate war medal in commemoration of the ser-
vices of the officers, non-commissioned offi.cers, and
soldiers, European and native, who have been em-
ployed on field service during the campaigns of 1878-
79 and 1879-80 in Afghanistan, with -clasps to the
troops who were engaged in each of the following
actions :-1, The capture of Ali Masjid, November
21, 1878 ; 2, the forcing of the Yeiwar Kotal, Decem-
ber 2, 1878; 3, the action of Charasiab, October 6,
1879 : 4, the operations at and around Cabul, Decem-
ber 10 to 23, 1879 ; 5, the battle of Ahmed Khel,
April 19, 1880; (6, the battle of Candahar, Septem-
ber 1, 1880.)

"Her Majesty has also been pleased to signify her
intention of bestowing a bronze decoration on the
troops who accompanied Major-General Sir F. S.
Roberts, G.C.8., C.1.E., V.C., on his march from
Cabul to Candahar, in August, 1880.
"The grant of the clasps will be confined to the
troops who took an actual part and were actually pre-
sent in each of the actions designated, that for Cabul
being confined to those who were engaged in the opera-
tions at and near that place from the 10th to the 23rd
of December, 1879, including the column under the
command of Brigadier-General C. J. S. Gough, C. 8.,
V.C., which joined Sir Frederick Roberts on the 24th
of December, 1879.

"The clasp for Candahar, which will be worn with
the war medal, will be confined to the troops who
were engaged in the action fought under Sir Frederick
Robert's command against Sidzir Mahomed Ayoob
Khan on the Ist of September, 1880."
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-03-26

SPORTING RENTS IN FRANCE.

Another striking proof of the growing prosperity of
France is afforded by the result of a public sale held
the other day (says the Globe). This was on the occa-
sion of an adjudication made by auction of some
shooting over the "national demesne." The place
was Villets Cotterets, and the extent of land to be let
was about 32,000 acres, which was divided into 24
lots. The sale took place under the provisions of the
law which orders all the dominial forests to be thus
adjudicated once in every ten years. Now, on the
last occasion, 1872, the estate in question was ad-
judicated for rents amounting to 50,000 fr., which
would make the letting price about one franc and a
half per acre. At the present auction four of the
lots, comprising together 'about 8,500 acres, were
bought in, as the offers did sot come up to the re-
served price. But the remaining 23,500 acres let for
no less a sum than 91,000 fr., or 80 per cent. more than
the whole land had let for ten years ago. This would
make the letting value of each acre considerably over
three shillings of our money, and if only the rights of
shooting are included, perhaps rather more ,• for of
the whole forest a large slice was set apart for the
chasse courre, or hunting and coursing. As for the
four lots which were not adjudicated, they are too be
offered again on the 26th of March, so that English-
men have a chance, if they like, of taking a shooting
in what were ( nce the Royal forests of France, and
steting the opportunities for sport afforded by the
present peculiar Game Laws of that country. What-
ever might be their opinion, it is evident that shooting
is not declining in public favour in France, or men
would not be found to give 3fr. 80c. for rights that
were estimated in 1872 at much less than half that
value.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-03-26

THE LATE 131 V. THOS. WILLIAMS.

a MectiLp of Fiitnds and Parishiontra
cf the late BIS. Trios. WILLIAM, held in Ft
John's Sel col roctn, on March 21st, 1881 it was
dce:dt d to ercct a memorial stone at his grave in the
tourbridge Cemetery, and also to place a tablet to his
m(..mory in ;1. John's Church

Uhe-tcllowing gentlemen were anointed a Committee
for the jur ose of obtsibiug contributiois, and cart-) ig
out this object :

Rai'. C. S. Wt:ICD8WOB111, I Bay W. J. J Wricu,
Ray. L. B. PENLZY, 1 ALIMED Irnran, ESQ.,
Ma Gsc. KLosz.
I Churchwardens.
LIR. ERNIUT E. WHITE,
B. A BBOOZB, 1 SQ., Hou. Treasurer.

As it is willed to make ttis mark of rtspct si
r 6.1 rral 1.6 fEiL:t:, 11 e Ctimmittet will to pleased to
et:6 ive Spy sul.seriptions Low tver

All eouttibutieLs should to sett to the uedursigLed
on or before Wedro-seey n it Welch alth.

ET E. WHITE,
s. Hon Secretary,
71, High Street,
Stourbridge.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-03-26

Are you troubled with Indigestion. Headache, Heart
burn. Censtipation, Distress after Bitting. Poor Memory
Low Spirits, Pain in the Bea, Crest Wo.Ainess, Bad
Breath, or say other syrupton of that horrid nightmare
disease, Dvapepaia ? If so, thore is no nieti ionic, equal
to the well-ka!wn Jarritirsre' PILLS. They purify,
strengthen and invigorate. They create a healthy appe-
tite. They overc"nie effects of dissipation and late
hours. They strengthen the system. They preveni
ssissasulatie and intermittent fevers. 'rhey purify the
ilatand accidity of the stoulach. They cure Dys•
rrepaai. and Constipation. 'I hey cure Diarrhoea. They
sure Liver Compisint and Nervous Headache. A gent.
hoist is felt at once upon making the first trial.
pberge of diet is ncee,sary. Foi:oke cur dirt et,oas .to
ycu lt
will soon feel we.U,!,u, 30 3E,,nty
Criginat etql 'J rue JP.NRYNrS' are )1d by
all Chemists in boxes at la lid. Kau 2.. 9d. each. hir.
S. Hughes is our agent at Stourtaidge.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-03-26

THE LYING IN STATE.

Writing from St. Petersburg on Monaay, the correspondent
of The Times says :
- - - - -

Enormous crowds are visiting the lying in state of
the late Emperor's remains in the Fortress Church.
The catafalque bearing the coffin stands in the centre
of
~a raised platform in the form of a cross with seven
steps on all sat's. The platform is covered with crimson

cloth, and the floor of the church with black cloth. A
baldachin is supported above the platform by four
columns, to which are attached the four ends of the
cloth of gold) lined with ermine, that hangs suspended
over the bier. The huge crown-shaped top of the
baldachin is surmounted with white ostrich feathers.
On the gold cloth of the canopy the Imperial arms
draped in black crape are seen at intervals. Across
the foot of the coffin is the gold mantle, edged with
ermine. Four general aides-de•camp stand at each
corner close to the coffin and several other officers and
members of the military schools stand motionless
around. One Grenadier of the Palace is posted at the
foot of the catafalque, which is towards the altar.
At the head the priests, with lighted tapers, con-
tinually read the Scriptures. Clustered in semi-
circles round the head and foot of the coffin are the
Imperial regalia and orders and decorations on gold
cushions, resting on small stools, also covered with
gold cloth. The lid of the coffin, covered with beauti-
ful flowers and bearing the sword and helmet, rests on
a raised structure on one side of the church. It has the
simple inscription on a gold plate of the birth, accession,
and death of the most illustrious Alexander 11. On
the two sides of the church are the beautiful white
marble tombs of the deceased Sovereigns, the more re-
cent ones decked with fresh flowers. The tomb of the late
Empress, especially, is covered with fragrant bouquets
and strewed violets, the latter having been brought from
the tomb of her first son at Nice. The walls of
the church are draped in black and silver. Con-
tinual streams of people press in within stated hours
to take a last look at the remains of their late
Monarch. Mounting the platform on one side
between officers, they each reverently bend over
and kiss the hands folded on the breast and make
the sign of the Cross. Many cannot restrain their
emotion and leave the church in tears.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-03-26

GERMAN EXPLORATION IN AFRICA.

Dr. Oscar Lenz, who has been on a mission into
Western Africa, read a paper on the result of his
travels to the Spanish -Geographical Society, on his
way home through Madrid. _ _

Dr. Lenz stated that he entered Africa by the north
of Morocco, and gradually making his way through
the south-eastern part of that kingdom, crossed the
Atlas Mountains, beyond which, he says, are vast
plains, where the db,is of granitic rocks are resolved
by the action of the wind into moving hillocks, which,
in his opinion, will render the construction of a railway
across the Sahara difficult, if not impossible. In this
region the changes of temperature are very sudden,
the days being insufferably hot and the nights in-
tensely cold. The vegetation is very stunted, and the
nomad tribes very hostile to white men. Dr. Lenz
had several i,rrow escapes until he reached Tim-
buctoo, which he describes as a very fine city, with
several mosques, and walls the circuit of which cannot
be made in less than an hour, at the southern end of
the Sahara. He says that the slave trade is carried
on upon a very large scale, immense numbers of
negroes being brought there from the Soudan and
then taken to different places in Western Africa.
After leaving Timbuctoo he traversed the countries of
the Massinas, of Eambarra, and Segou, reaching St.
Louis (Senegal) after a journey which had lasted
thirteen months. The most important result of his
journey is the proof he has obtained that the scheme
for converting the Sahara into an inland seais an im-
practicable one, for all the plain which he traversed is
at least 500 feet above the level of the Atlantic.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-03-26

THE SHOOTING MATCH IN LONDON.

Saturday evening brought to a termination the
novel exhibition of shooting powers between Dr.
Carver and Mr. Scott at the Royal Aquarium, West-
minsttr. It will be remembered that these marksmen
agreed to shoot at 20,000 glass balls for a stake stated
to amount to £6OO. The contest had lasted from Wed-
nesday, the men firing at 1,000 balls apiece each
evening. Throughout the form shown has been of a
brilliant description, and the unusual nature of the
event caused the Aquarium Annexe to be densely
crowded during the competition. At the close of
Friday's shooting the scoring had been so even that
the men actually tied, each having broken 8,789 balls out
of a possible 9,000. There was again a large attendance
on Saturday, when the time came for the final struggle,
and opinions were much divided as to the probable
winner. As has been the case from the commence-
ment, Scott led off, and he succeeded in dispersing
his hundred without a single miss. Carver was equally
successful on taking his station behind the traps. No
advantage was gained by either man through the second
100, both smashing the full number, Right through the
first 600 on either side, which completed the shooting
at single rises, neither marksmen make a mistake,
ball after ball falling in fragments without a pause.
This wonderful exhibition of skill brought forth re-
peated and deserved applause. On double rises being
adopted it seemed as though the same remarkable
accuracy would prevail. Scott broke his seventh hun-
dred with the like sure aim as hitherto, but his oppo-
nent, after disposing of 49, failed, and thus made a
miss, breaking 99. Scott also let one pass in his next
hundred, and, as his rival completed his safely, they
were once more level. Nothing went wrong with
either man throughout the ninth hundred, at the close
of which the score read-9,089 all. This state of affairs
caused the last struggle to be looked forward to with
intense interest, which was not decreased when it was
found that there were but 100 more balls available.
The decided shots were thus limited to half the num-
ber, or 50 apiece. The question of supremacy was
soon decided, as Scott failed three times, missing at
his Bth, 13th, and 28th shots, while his opponent only
let one go by, and thus secured the victory by two
points.
The fastest time of the evening was made by Dr.
Carver, who broke his eighth hundred in sm. 88sec.,
and his ninth in srn. 36sec.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-03-26

DEATH FROM HYDROPHOBIA.

A fearful death occurred at Penworthara, near
Preston, on Tuesday, from hydrophobia. A game-
keeper, a fine stalwart man, named Peter Green, in the
employ of Mr. Lawrence Rawsthorne, was last Whit-
suntide bitten at Tyldesley by a stray dog. He sucked
the wound, which was on his right thumb, and had i
cauterised. On Sunday he felt peculiar pains in his
hand, and, having on several occasions been in charge
of persons suffering from hydrophobia, he suspected
the symptoms and sent for Dr. Bell, of Preston. This
gentleman found hydrophobia rapidly developing.
The man rapidly got worse, and on Tuesday was so
violent that he had to be bound to the bed by ropes
and held •by several persons. All medical skill was
unavailing, and he died in the afternoon.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-03-26

THE HOME OF LONGFELLOW.

Mr. Longfellow's home at Cambridge, Massa-
chusetts, has been the poet's head-quai tors for forty.
five years. It is an old-fashioned square house, more
than a century old, some half-mile from Harvard
College, with a broad verandah looking on the garden,
while its front windows overlook the quiet Charles
River. Bought by the American Government at the
beginning of the Revolution the house became Wash-
ington's 'head-quarter's after the battle of Bunker's
Hill, and Mr. Longfellow's present study, the New
York Christian Union tells us, was Washington's
private room. Mr. Longfellow first lodged here as a
youthful professor at Harvard, and on the owner
dying bought the house, which has been kept sacred
from all modernising. His study is a bright cheerful
room. The table is piled with papers and
pamphlets, a high desk in one corner suggests a prac-
tice of standing to write, and hints of the secrets of
the poet's erect form at his advanced age, An orange
tree and a stuffed stork occupy the windows; crayon
portraits of Emerson, Hawthorne, Sumner, and Mr.
Longfellow's daughters hang on the walls. On the
table are Coleridge's inkstand, the iron pen made from
one of Bonivard's fetters, and a host of other
roewientoes. In a corner stands the carved chair
made from "the spreading chestnut tree" of the
Village Blacksmith, and presented by the Cambridge
school children; and in one of the book-cases which
crowd the walls, and even fill up a window, are the
author's own works in the original manuscript,

A GOLDEN WEDDING. —The Rev. J. C. Clutterbuck,
vicar of Long Wittenham, near Abingdon, and Mrs.
Clutterbuck, celebrated their golden wedding on
Monday. The whole of the parishioners were enter-
tained at dinner, after which the Venerable pair were
presented with an antique silver salver and an illumi-
nated address. Mr. Clutterbuck, who is also rural
dean of Abingdon,' has held his present vicariate
upwards of half a century,
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-03-26

RECRUITING STATISTICS.

The annual report of the Inspector-General of Re-
cruiting was issued on Tuesday. From this it appears
that in 1880 the total number of recruits who joined
the regular army was 25,662, against 25,927 last year,
and 28,325 in 1878. 16,727 of these recruits, or 65 per
cent., were raised in infantry sub-districts. Militia-
men who enlisted into the regular army during 1880
numbered 7,949. The medical reports show that the
average physical qualities of the recruits have gradually
improved. The proportion of soldiers under 20 years
of age has fallen from 90 per 1,000 in 1871, to 100 per
1,000 in 1880, and the proportion under 35 in. chest
measurement has risen from 291 per 1,000 in 1874 to
159 per 1,000 in 1880; but it is pointed out that we
are purchasing this improved physique at the expense
of rejecting a higher percentage of recruits offering.
The number of deserters during the year was 181,169,
while the net loss by desertion was 3,284.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-03-26

TELE IRON TRADE.

WOISERHAIarrow, Wednesday.
The market to-day was qut:A, and the buisoesf
on was on a very 8111111 i tiettic. he tone wie
v.ry much disturbed by the various rutuour-
liowitt ;.,;;;.ttii, 1!s to the htaility of wore thai:
one large iron-making firm. Sellers hesitate to
.io much tusineris, as they are afraid of making
vad bargains, which, in many cases, this quarter
Live been too uumereus already. There were
t,oine fair enquiries for unmarked bare, but the
prices offered were so low that only a small pro-
portich of the wotk was taken. ihe value of
this iron now is considerably below what it Waii
two months ago. Boiler and girder plates are
wanted in ratlitr large quantilita, and some hoop
makers ere doing a better trade. Common sheets
or gaivahis,ug and worklag up go off well
ay iron. Pigs can on.y be got rid of in odd
lots, and at prices that must leave no profit to
Ate makers. Iligh class metal keeps firm, at
rates, brit con2mon cinder is irregular quoted
fri:rn 1576 6d. to 408. Ironstone froth other
listricts sills slowly. The cott. :rade is steady,
lilt it is thought priees will have to Come down
before sales will increase.

rhe Gmbriiige Iron Company, of S3aropBhire
;ative issued a circular calling their creoitors to-
g.;:ther in Biruiiik;ham to-morrow (Thursday).
To-day Messrs. D. Rose and Sous ironmasteis,
Moxcly, filed their petition in NS'atitiii County
:Jurt with £40,000.

BIRMINGITAM, Thursday.

Market. Lucre.. actirr. Tl•cir'lict! for ElVail
rI6ILOT, lut saleF. Nvc,t; t,i ianited qusutilies. Ob-
:igatii.o for exteLded period refused, as ulakers
o not care to do risky business, Small bare;
:lnops, and tees were in fair emend. Stamping
ats more balaable. Tin-plates went off better,
nt prices were -very weak. Pig trade null.
Foundry metal
in demand; common cin-
- ,intz outside trtauds iu beacr inquiry thgn :
best eigs. C-,bi trade dull.

---
The C:-,rne of tuned Cobden and Pitt,
Vor their duti.soft niacin them unfit,
If ti.sy'd iivoci in these days,
Allecek's Corn hhishls they'd praise,
the L 4001, btlY, nouse i
U. e quit.
, ek': P;a4tep.., ve 1,0 equ4 'a a sure a
reit, v.. rus. They itiwit igvis satisfactio4
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-03-26

THE TRANSVAAL.

PEACE WITH THE BOERS.

In the House of Lords, on Tuesday evening, the
Earl of Kimberley read to the House a short summary
of the arrangements with respect to the terms of
peace :

"In the first plaoe, Suzerainty of the Queen ac-
knowledged.

"2. Complete self-government promised to the
Boers.

"3. Control of foreign relations reserved.
4. Resident at future capital.
"5. Royal Commission—Sir H. Robinson, Sir E.
Wood, Chief-Justice de Villiers.
"6. Commission to consider protection to native
interests and arrangements as to frontier affairs.
"7. Question to be considered by the Commission,
whether any and what portions of territory eastwards,
within, certain limits, shall be severed from the Trans-
vaal.

"8. Boers withdraw from the 14Tek, and disperse to
heir homes.

"9. British garrisons remain until final settlement.

"10. The Boers having engaged as above, Sir E.
Wood promises not to advance nor to send warlike
stores into the Transvaal."

Her Majesty's Government have intimated to Sir
E. Wood their approval of the arrangement, said the
noble Earl.

Viscount Cranbrook asked: Are the troops to
advance into the Transvaal or not to advance at
all? _ _ .

--- .
The Earl of Kimberley: The words I read were
"Sir E. Wood promises not to advance nor to send
warlike stores into the Transvaal."

Viscount Cranbrook : That means that Sir E. Wood
is not to advance from his present position?
The Earl of Kimberley Yes; not to advance from
his present position.

In aleader, commenting upon the above event, The Times
remarks :

"The announcement made in both Houses of Parli

ment, that the Boers have substantially accepted the
conditions proposed by the Government will be received
by the country at large with a distinct sense of relief.
The terms offered by the Government will be sub-
jected, no doubt, to close scrutiny and criticism; but
the country will assume, at least, until the contrary
is shown, that they are not inconsistent with its
honour and dignity, and its satisfaction will be great
that it has been found possible to extricate it from a
position generally acknowledged to be a false one. It
is clear, on the one hand, that public opinion would not
have sanctioned any action on the part of the Govern-
ment which might have been represented as suing for
peace in consequence of the reverses sustained by our
arms. If, however, reasonable terms have been proposed
by the Government and accepted by the Boers, there is
obviously nothing to be gained by further attempts to
re-establish a supremacy which there is no desire to
maintain. It is now generally agreed that the annexa-
tion of the Transvaal was a mistake at the outset,
committed, no doubt, with the best intentions, but
attended with the most untoward results. That
mistake is now to be repaired in a manner determined,
not by the success of the Boers, but by a reasonable
consideration of the justice and necessity of the
case." . • . .
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-03-26

THE JEWS AND THE LATE CZAR.

The Rev. Dr. Hermann Adler, in his sermon on
Sunday at the Bayswater Synagogue, stated that his
brethren, in common with the rest of civilized man-
kind, were penetrated with a feeling of horror and
indignation at the infamous crime perpetrated in St.
Petersburg. He mentioned that the Russian and
Polish Jews of London would hold a religious service
in the course of the week, at which a Hesped—a
funeral discourse—on the late Czar would be preached
and expression given to the sympathy felt for the
Russian Imperial family in the deep affliction that
had befallen them.

The leaders of Russian society in Paris have decided
upon observing three months' deep mourning, during
which they will see no company. The ladies are to
wear coarse black stuff dresses with very long square
traits, and long thick veils. •

The Moscow Town Council have voted 100,000
roubles towards erecting a memorial to the late
Emperor in the Moscow Kremlin, and the mayor of
the town heads the private subscription list for the
same purpose with a donation of 12,000 roubles.

The students of the St. Petersburg University have
opened a subscription for the purpose of purchasing a
silver wreath to place on the tomb of the late Em-
peror, and at the Moscow University a subscription is
being made with the same object.

The Vienna Correspondent of the Daily News says—
" St. Petersburg advices received here state that the
vigilance of the police has been redoubled within the
last few days, owing, it is said, to Alexander 111.
having found on his pillow a sealed letter from the
Nihilists warning him to give Russia a Constitution
within six weeks, or otherwise his death would be
certain."

THE WOOD FOR A FIELD-MARSHAL'S BATON.—Sir
Evelyn.—Funny Folks.

FELINE INSTINCT.—In the year 1783 a merchant who
resided at Messina had twe favourite cats, and their
manner previous to an earthquake saved his life.
Before the shock occurred, these animals were
anxiously endeavouring to work their way through the
floor ; their master observing their fruitless labours
opened the door for them. At a second and third
floor they repeated their efforts ; and, on being set
completely at liberty, they ran straight through the
street and out of the gate of the town. The merchant,
whose curiosity was excited by this strange conduct,
followed the animals out of the town into the fields,
where he saw them again scratching and burrowing in
the earth. Scon after there was a violent shock of an
earthquake, and many of the houses in the city fell
down, of which the merchant's was one; so that he
was indebted for his life to the singular forebodings of
these domestic animals.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-03-26

THE NATIONAL GALLERY.

The annual report of the directors of the National
Gallery for the past year has been issued as a Parlia-
mentary paper. It states that the total number of
pictures in the Gallery is about 1,020, exclusive of
water-colour drawings. The number of visitors during
the year on the public days was 1,036,125, showing an
average attendance of 4,957, or 322 more than in the
previous year. The total number of students attending
the Gallery on days set apart for copying pictures as
22,622, the oil-colour copies of pictures being the most
numerous.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-03-26

PUBLIC-HOUSES and PARLIAMENTARY

ELECTIONS.

Mr. Carbutt has introduced a Bill for closing public-
houses during the hours of polling at Parliamentary
elections. He proposes to extend the Acts that are
now in force prohibiting the sale of intoxicating
liquors during certain times to the polling hours in
each parish and municipal borough where there is a
polling place for a county election and in each Par-
liamentary borough for which an election is pro-
ceeding.
The measure is not intended to apply to the sale of
intoxicating liquors to lodgers, or in packet boats, or
in canteens ; nor does it preclude the sale of intoxi-
cating liquors at railway stations on the arrival or
depaiture of trains, or the sale and consumption of
food and non-intoxicating liquors on premises where
intoxicating liquors are usually sold.
The City of London and a certain metropolitan area
are exclmied from the operation of the measure.

THE GERMAN EMPEROR AND THE
ASSASSINATION OF THE CZAR.
It is reported that the German Emperor burst into
a violent fit of sobbing on hearing of the dreadful end
of his nephew, and it was some time before he re-
covered sufficiently to hear the end of the telegram
read out to him. To make him sleep during the night
the physicians had recourse to medicine, after which he
rested a few hours; but during the latter half of the
night he was again awake reflecting on the tragedy of the
Czar's end. His first proposal having been to start for St.
Petersburg at once, the Crown Prince offered to go in
his stead. In the meantime the Crown Princess, who
did not wish her husband to tarry longer than neces-
sary in so dangerous an atmosphere as that of St.
Petersburg, ascertained that the day of the funeral
and of the coronation were still distant, and that the
Russian Court were by no means anxious to have a
number of Royal guests waiting unnecessarily in the
capital. Thus the Crown Prince's departure was put
off from day to day till it has now been settled that
he should remain at Berlin for his father's birthday on
the 22nd.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-03-26

A STRANGE COINCIDENCE.

On the evening of the day when the Czar was
assassinated, one of those strange coincidences for
which even the "doctrine of changes" can scarcely
account satisfactorily to the average human intellect,
occurred in the Stadt Theatre of Berlin (says the Daily
Tele(traph). A new comedy was being performed for
the first time, in a certain " situation " of which part
of the leading character's " business " was to take a
golden snuff-box out of his pocket, and, while opening
it preparatory to helping himself to a pinch, to speak
the words, "This box was presented to me by the
Emperor of Russia." As Mr. Mejot the actor cast for
the part in question, was pronouncing the above sen-
tence, a gentleman, obviously much agitated, forced
his way into the centre of the stalls and, turning
round so as to face the body of the house, exclaimed,
"The news has just arrived that the Emperor of
Russia has been murdered ! " A scene of considerable
confusion ensued; many persons left the house hur-
riedly with the object of obtaining authentic confirma-
tioi, of tne emble tidiags, and the performance was
interrupted for several minutes, until public excite-
ment had somewhat calmed down.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-03-26

THE MARKETS.

METROPOLITAN CATTLE MARKET.-MONDAY.
The cattle trade was dull and weak. Fresh supplies were
limited, but were sufficient. The show of English-beasts
was moderate, the receipts from the Eastern counties being
larger than usual. There was a fair slid* from Scotland, but
from Ireland arrivals were light. A dull inquiry prevailed,,
and prices favoured buyers. The best Scots and crosses sold
at ss. to 59. 2d. per 81b. From Norfolk and Suffolk wireceived
about 2000,, from the Midlands and home counties about 500,
from Scotland 347, and from Ireland 300 head. On the foreign
side of the market there was a good show of Danish, with
a few Spanish beasts, which sold heavily at irre-
gular prices. The sheep pens were only spar 1 filled
,
Transactions were restricted, and quotations . Alite • „.
best Downs and half-breds in the wool made eiKTOZI.
ditto clipped, Cs. to 6s. 2d. per 81b. A fewitinbs were .4'. .
offered at 83. to Os. per 81b. Calves and pigs sold at about
late rates. At Deptford there were 1,100 beasts and 7,000 ,
sheep. Inferior beast, 4s. to 4s. 6d. second quality, 4s. 6d.
to 4s. 81. prime large ditto, 4s. 10d. to 55.; prime Sects,
ss. to ss. 3d. ; inferior sheep, ss. to 6s. 6d. • second quality,
5s 6d. to Cs.; prime coarse woolled, 6s 64. to 6s Sd. ; prime
Southdowns, 6s. 10d. to 75.; large coarse calves, be. 6d. to •
6s. ; prime small ditto, 6s. to 6s. 6d.; large pork, 45. 6d. to
ss. ; small porkers, 58. to ss. 6d. ; lambs, Bs. to 9s. Der 8 lb.,
sinking the offal.

MARK-LANE.--MONDAY.

The receipts of English wheat at Mark-lane to-day were
small, and the condition improved by the fine weather. The
best qualities of white realised is. over last Monday's rates,
but secondary sorts met a slow sale, and were no dearer.
Foreign supported Friday's improvement, and shows an
advance of ad. to is., the largest advance being on fine East
Indian. Coast cargoes are still hardening in ,value.
American red Winter, No. 2, sold at 4Ss. ad, for the :United
Kingdom ; country flower from 295. to 348., or is. dearer;
but foreign unchanged, with but little doing. Beans are is.
lower, except Egyptian, which uphold late values Peas
met a quiet demand, at previous rates. American mixed
maize sells readily at 268. 9d., ex ship, being 6d. lower than
on Monday last

METROPOLITAN MET MARKET-MONDAY.

A large supply of meat was on offer. There was a very
slow trade, at previous prices :-luferior beef, 2s. 84. to
38. 6d. •, middling ditto, 38. 6d. to 45.; prime large ditto, 4s.
to 4s. Bd. ; prime small ditto, 4s. 44. to 4s. Bd. ; veal, ss. to
ss. Bd. ; inferior mutton, 3s. 61 to 4s ; midiling ditto, 4s. 4d.
to 58.; prime ditto, ss. 2d. to 68. ; large pork, Bs. Bd. to 4s. ;
small pork, 48. 24. to 4s 84. ; lamb, Bs. to Pa. 44. per 81b, by
the =ease.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-03-26

PETROLEUM IN VENEZUELA.

A very remarkable deposit of petroleum is described
by the American Consular Agent at :Maracaibo as
existing between the Rio Tara and Zulia. Near the
former, there rises a sand-bank about 35 yards in ex-
tent and some ten yards in height. On its surface is
visible a collection of cylindrical holes, apparently
artificially made and of different diameters, through
which streams of petroleum, mixed with boiling water,
gush out with great violence, accompanied with a
noise as though two or three steamers were blowing off
steam. The column of vapour that ascends from it
would doubtless be seen from a long distance were it
not shrouded by the thick forest, to which the petro-
leum beds that evidently lie underneath give a per-
petual greenness and freshness of foliage.
Dr. I`Gregor states that from one of these holes,
notwithstanding the difficulties of the position, he
filled in 42 seconds a vessel containing 15 bottles, or as
fast as four gallons per minute, or 240 gallons per
hour, or 5,760 gallons during the 24 hours.
A curious phenomenon has been occasionally seen
in Venezuela ever since the conquest, consisting of a
frequent lightning without any explosion, which is
observable from the bar at the entrance of the Lake
of Maracaibo' close to the island of Bajoseco, and
which Colonel Codazzi, in his geography, attributes
to the vapour ascending from the Cienega de Agua
Caliente.. This appearance, called by mariners, "}l
farol de Maracaibo' " is more probably due to the in-
flammable gas that permeates the whole district to
such an extent that it is known by the natives as El
Inferno.
There is no doubt that the supply of petroleum is
very abundant not only here but in the neighbouring
Republic of Columbia, where, between Escuque and
Bettijoque, the lalourers gather it up in handker-
chiefs, which, when saturated, are squeezed out into
barrels.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-03-26

No 864

SALES BY AUCTION

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Riairtutasts from any disease should make haste and
r°4
6 41 _4_l!Ce Basatairra's PILLS, They do good invariably
41 ant oftm cure at once. It is now conceded by
all Nadi
ea. VOOD that BRADDRETIIIII PILLS are the best
ele,....alming Medicine, taking hold of what is needed 0 be
',l"l„4"td from the bnwels and b:ood when we are tick
An mak safe rewoval usually cures. BolA b y all
men.iste. See '• H. liIR4WIMMTICI OD stamp

, '
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-03-26

NEW IRONCLADS FOR THE NAVIES
OF EUROPE.

At the present moment England has eight ironclads
either on the stocks or launched and being completed
for sea—namely, the Inflexible, 11,406 tons • the Ajax
and Agamemnon, each of 8,492 tons •, the Ciossus and
Majestic, each of 9,150 tons; the Conqueror and Col-
lingtcood, each of 6,200 tons; and the Polyphemus, an
armoured ram of 2,640 tons; while two armoured
cruisers, each of over 7,000 tons, are to be shortly
begun.
France has twelve ironclads either launched and
being completed for sea or on the stocks—namely, the
Amiral Duperrd, of 10,486 tons; the Amiral Baudin
and Formidabile, each of 11,441 tons; the Turenne,
Duguesclin, Vauban, and Bayard, ironclads of the
second class, each of 5,880 tons; the adman, Bequin,
Indomptable, and Terrible, armoured coast-defence
vessels of the first class, the first-named of 7.239 tons,
the other three of 7,184 tons each ; the Furieux—also
an armoured coast-defence vessel of the first class, but
of 5,695 tons only ; while four ironclads of the first
class—the Roche, Marceau, Magenta, and Neptune, are
to be immediately begun.
_ _

Italy has three ironclads building or completing for
sea—namely, the Dandolo' of 10,570 tons, and the
Italia and Lepanto, each of 13.700 tons; while another
armoured ship of about 12,000 tons is to be taken in
hand this year.
. Russia has only one armoured cruiser in course of
construction at the present moment; while Austria is
not building any ironclad, but is completing the
Tegetthotr, of 7,390 tons.
Of the smaller maritime Powers, Denmark is
building an armoured torpedo-ship, the Tordenskjold ;
while Holland, Norway, and Sweden have no iron-
cladg on the stocks.—St. James's Gazette.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-03-26

PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE LATE CZAR.

The Correspondent of the Daily Telegraph, writing on
Monday, says :

At Datziaro's, the great art publishers, on the
Newsky Prospect, there may be seen, and there are
selling by thousands, photographic pictures of the late
Czar as he lies in death. The portrait, taken, it must
be presumed, immediately after the embalmment, is
necessarily ghastly, but it is not actually repulsive. The
features are seen in profile, and it is the left side of the
face which is exposed. The sparse hair is carefully
brushed away from the temples, the grisled moustache
and whiskers are carefully trimmed and kempt ; but
the eyes are a mere stinken wreck, and there seems
to have been a dire wound on the cheek,
the marks of which had been partially concealed
by art. The head reposes on a pillow of white
satin; the body is clothed in the green uniform tunic
of the Preobrajensky Guard Regiment, with
massive epaulettes of gold bullion. The right hand,
partly bentz rests peacefully on the breast, close to
the medallion of some image sacred to the Russo-
Greek communion; but with this heai and torso ends,
they say, all that remains of the mortal coil of
Alexander 11. There was nothing more of unshattered
form for the craftsmen of the old Egyptian mystery to
work their gloomy skill upon. From the trunk down-
wards the destruction caused by the explosion has
been thorough.

DEPARTURE OF THE PRINCE AND PRINCESS OF WALES.

On Monday evening the Prince and Princess of
Wales left London for St. Petersburg, in order to at-
tend the funeral of the late Czar. On appearing on
the platform of Victoria Station their Royal High-
nesses were enthusiastically cheered by the large crowd
of spectators permitted to assemble outside the bar-
riers. The Prince and Princes graciously acknow-
ledged the greetings. A few minutes having been
occupied in leave-taking of the Royal and other dis-
tinguished persons present, the special train started at
8.30, amidst prolonged cheering, large numbers having
followed to the end of the platform waving adieux.—
(An interesting incident in connection with their de-
parture took place immediately before the train was
set in motion. A favourite dog, Joss, accompanied
her Royal Highness to the station, and was with
much difficulty confined to the waiting - room
till her departure. After frequent plunges the fine
animal slipped his collar, and dashed out upon the
platform just as the train was in motion. The
Princess remained at the carriap window waving
adieux to friends, and acknowledging the hearty fare-
well cheers of the dense crowd of spectators, but her
Royal Highness evidently did not perceive the efforts
of the dog to overtake the train. The devoted animal
was last observed following the carriage down the
line, still in pursuit, till it was ultimately lost to view
in the outer darkness.)