The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-10-10 00:00:00

t§t 3tourbri4e Obierint.

_
SATURDAY, OCTOBMR, 10, 1874.

iti cONVEYANOE OF EXPLOSIVES.

The terrible disaster which has laid one of the
fairest anburlts of Loudou iu rules is suggestive
of considerations which wi.l doubtless have their
aact alien at the Legislature meets for the
despatch of Ismaili:ea. It has suddenly °pundit
the eyes of people to the existence of a source
of danger of which they w,re profoundly ignorrnt
It has been aesorted by a competent authority.
that. but for the fortunate circumstance that this
calamity occurred where the canel lies low down
between sloping banks thiekly clad with trees,
the greater part of London must certainty have
been destroyed. For two hours the iinprietto-i
forces of devastation had been slowly making
their way upon the placid surface of the
through some of the most crowded parts of the
British capital. Mile after wile, in the dead of
night, and when, according to tradition a deep
sleep falleth upon luau, the convoy of barges
weeded its course along, the sleeping myriads
upon every hand being totally unconscious of
the awful peril whieh surrounded them. At one
point of the journey, the disastrous little fleet
passed through a tunnel under a great portion
of Islington, one of the west populous of the
northern suburbs, were scores of acres are co-
vered with streets and squares. Had the fatal
spark found its way into the gunpowder at that
point, houses and thoroughfares, and churches
would as surely have been blown into the air as
though the place had been besieged by a power.
ful enemy, and amine laid under it. At another
point of the journey the barges had been towed
along between dense rows of houses near the
Caledonian road, a thoroughfare well know to
all who have had occasion to enter or leave the
metropolis by way of the Great Northern
Terminus at King's Cross. Then they sped
away through the geuteel suburb of Camden
Town, with its detached chiles and its pretty
gardens, and were about. to pass into another
thickly-people district when the catastrophe
occurred. It can he regarded as little less than
provideutiel that the calamity should have
happened close to the glades of Regent'e Park,
and where, greet as the wreck has been, it is not
a tithe of that which must have been witnessed
at any other point.
The question naturally arises whether this
disaster could have been prevented. So far as
the coroner's itivestigation has proceeded, there
is loaning to show that either those on board the
leckleise barge itself or tholes in charge of the
others. had the slightest idea of the perilous
"store of the cargo. In the first place the
il ii, N.kei drawn by a steam-tug, from the funnel
of which sparks must inevitably escape during
its progress. Then we find this very berg,
containing live tons of powder not placed last,
so that its position might be the most remote
from the steamer's funnel and therefore the
furthest from the danger of Hying sparks, but
occupying the very centre of the convoy. lii
captain of the ill-fated Tilbury had been see,:
loading his vessel the previous evening about
eight o'clock. According to one of the witnesses,
there were bags and casks of all sorts, but no
thing transpired to suggest to lookers out that
the casks containeda deadly agent of destruction.
And if the captain of the barge knew nothing of
the dangerous nature of his cargo, it is not at
all improbable that he miaht have had a fire
lighted in his cabin,. in complete ignorance 01
the fact that within a few yards of him was gun-
powder sufficient to lay the mightiest city itt the
world in ruins. At all events, and whether there
might have been a fire in the caltin of the laibery
or tot, there was certainly °nein the cabin of the
Limelvmse, which was next behind the Tifbary,
and there is resent. to believe that there was one
on board the Dee, which immediately procce led
the barge so soddenly blown up. Here then we
have the extraordinary fact that a floating maga-
zine WAS being dragged through London, ex-
posed not only to the falling sparks from a
steam-tug, but in immediate proximity to one or
two fires, where thm people enjoying the warmth
were in the most profound ignorance of the
fearful peril lurking near. Now that this
occurrence has aionsed the notice of the poblic.
they have been told of ether inei tents, in which
the escepe of the wail, city from one co:tattoo
oryr.mtarow has. bee.a nothing out miraculous At
. tueetmg of the Met ropoii:ao Bsarit of Works,
bent on the day 01 tar exploeion, one of tie
members made the •natoundiug statement
that sometime ago, during a great fire at
the B.ontley Rico Mils, it was discovered
that close midst. the blazing pile MIS
a barge laden with thirty tons of pw,ler. 'rile
barrel,' were covered merely with tarpaulin, and
',towel pieces of blazing timber fell upon it.
Heppity souie persons near were swore of the
sarg,u, the brands were plitsked away, and the
aapitai of the empire and of the 'cord MAR saved.
tioupowder is continually being carte i through
the -mtrt...s, transported aleng o mad, a ,d beitio
tmumt, mu mie anti (leen the her witt•ont any (eh r
protection that. a arpaiiin coy t ing, end wit,
nothing whatever to diatit,,tuis. i from the In ma
innocent of compoeitions. lit re is even nothins
to prevent the driver of the powder cart from
gawking, and allowing the sparks from his pipe
to fly amongst the leirrele. It is conveyed in
spell veltieles: it is haiii:ed with culpable eare•
Witness; indeed it is no uncommon occurrouse
for the casks to break, and the powder to be spilt,.
There is, moreover, no power of ititerftwence ao
iL. part of the poliec to prevent people amakias
In the eeighltourhood of these travelling titigi
Sinn.

Facts l,ketlrge w,•II make the population
of Laudon, or nici .ii.y cinutuunity under the
can, au tti. tt uneasy. Here he a City, the
Very heout and centre of civilization, the ',ride
and glory of our pcop:e, the admiration and the
envy of foreign nations Its enormona we ilth.
its immense extent, the increasing r ipiiiity of
It. growth, end the vest nowhere of its inhabit.
at,, ore 1/11,1 'A 11:11.1, ,1.•.11 the pens of grrphic
writers aefifili 0 ti, It le a place which
hes taken rtitsiiiiri. s ja..ioed tiers
have not it en tl,. so who declare
khat an inhabited town existed en a portion of
he site eleven hundred yr ars before on he birth
of Const. It has w,ln, sol the rise and fall of
81,111119thei alt •1 it surpitAses the extent of
Nineveh and Babylon of sacred story. In it are
stored di, wn.it jr. eidale relies of autigaity ; it.
eoctaii.s all' that ,a beautifnl in art 3,114 c,nitly in
material. Yet thi re is no (petition that all this
wealth, all the,,. aweti4: rang.: of
hota, r• ti = f," baibliags,
tit i • • the Jacks,
s.c.f milhite

' P

ev,rn. el, 1. .

airuuta..,ll ut our I.gimuLotsw. uot. be ciirikos‘iy

-
It struck me that his knowledge of the subject
was rather crude and not too well digested.
French.—The examiner in French gave no writ-
ten reply, but merely classified the papers accord-
ing to merit."
In at ithmetic, in the first class, Willisan L. James
VMS said to be "very good," and the two second
Frank J. Short and Jame,' Hinds, "very fair.
The Chairman then proceeded to distribute the
prizes to the following successful candidates, Arith-
metic ; let elass,Wm. L. James, I ; Frank J. Short
and James Hinds, Leg. 2; send class, Charles H.
Scott, Wm. Hinds, and Miss Martha Williams.—
Algebra: Frank J. Short and Charles H. Scott.
Latin : Miss Maginnis. French: George S. Hung-
boy ' • second class, Miss Helen Blake and C.
lleckford.
It was also stated that the Certificates from the
Society of Arts whieh were awarded to F. J. Short
W. L. James. J. Hinds, and C. H. Scott would
have been presented to them there that evening
bat that was impossible as they had not yet ar-
rived.

Mr. Maginnis stated that in nearly every case
the students were permitted to name the books
they should like. In nearly every instance they
were able to do that, but in some where the books
named would cost as much as XI. or .e 5 each they
were unable to comply with their request. With
reference to the classes, he had great pleasure iu
being able to announce that the Rev. If, Sherrard
had kindly consented to continue his Latin class in
the event of five or six persons Buying they would
t ike lessons. Surely in a town of nine or ten thou-
sand persons, he should think there were fiveor six
persons who wished to learn Latin, for utilitarian 11
purposes. Candidates for admission to the traiu-
ing schools would be examined in Latin, so that it
was very important that the boys and girls should
study Latin who had any idea of going up to the
training colleges. Hee honed that Mr. Sherrard
would be engaged in teaching a large number of
students during the ensuing session. He had also
great pleasure in announcing that Mr. Goddard
would continue his class in mathematics during the
ensuing session. Those who had attended that
class would recollect how he t)ok them home to his
own house to coach theta for the coming exounina-
tion. H. Be Vit would continue the French class
I He (the speaker) had also great pleasure in stat-
ing that Mr. F. T. Bland would continue hischem-
I istry class, notwithstanding his discouragement.
He had decided to place himself at the disposal of
the committee during the ensuing winter, and
would teach as many persons as can be found who
would be willing to learn. There were few more
important subjects than chemistry, and he hoped
that there would be a good number attend that
class during tho winter. There were two forlorn
hopes. Ttvo persons had placed themeelvs at the
disposal of the committee, one of whom hadoffered
to teach English literature and the other political
economy, but neither of them had had a single
student. This was the more surprising, as in the
rire oi Engeels literature, Mr. sheppard, when
Ile first s arced teaching had a full class, and he
add make it quite as interesting now, if a suffi-
cient nnmbr would join. According to the phrase
" There is nothing like leather," there was nothing
half so important as political economy. Both or
the students he had had during the first session
had distinguished themselves at the exam-
ination taking first-class honours. 'baling last
wiuter no one came up. 11 any students came up
this year he would be willing to render such ser-
vices as he could, Ile had been asked if mathe-
matics, in a district where they were of so much
importance as hers had not ought to be taught M-
ime of the classes. He bad no doubt that if a suit
ticient number of persons were willing to be taugh
there would boa class focused. To make his state-
ment complete he would inform them that mere-
bersany of neighbouring institute would be admit-
ted to those classes upon paying five shillings for
each clues. They were now prepared to receive
the names of those who wished to join.
Mr. Shepherd said it appeared that in order to
carry out those classes with success, it was neces-
sary that a special committee should be appointed
to arrange and orgazize them. Therefore, he
shoull move that a class committee for the ensu-
ing year, consisting of the following gentlemen,
should be formed :—The Rev. H. Sherrard, Mr.
William Newman, Mr. Enoch Brazier, and Mr.
James Barrett. Secretaries: Messrs G. Perry and
C. Evers; treasurer, Rev. D. blaginuis.
This was seconded by Mr. J. Pagett, and carried
unanimously.
Mr. Talbot, secretary to the South Staffordshire
and East Worcestershire Association for the pro-
motion of Education amongst adults, said the
classes in connection with the institutes of this
town were the only really successful classes the
Association could point to amongst those which
were started in obedience to a suggestion from
their own committee some three years ago. The
classes which had been started at Walsall had failed.
At Wednesbury after haying been carried on for
one year, they had also ceased to exist. There was,
however, to be an attempt made to form souse
classes at Dudley, which he hoped would be sue-
ce4eful. It was 15 years since he first attended a
meeting at this town to explain the objects of the
South Staffordshire Association, which had only
.t then been formed. It offered inducements to
ceeesin classes of people so that they might have
an interest in improving their education. The
time, however, seemed to have come when those
institutions would have to give place to something
• h might be better. It was therefore satisfac-
biry I, Sind t lest one of them ecsibl maintain its
▪ ii subjects of cusupet it ien. Ile found that
at Willenhall they were going to turn their insti-
tot • into a free library. 'How long that and shni-
ler inAitutes would hold their ground it was ins-
poeeil de to say. But as long as institutes of that
kind remained as they were it was of the greatest
iniportauce that classes should be connected with
them. It had been found in some places sufficient
to have a reading room and a library, and the work
of E location in other respects had not been made
any progress with. There were fragments which
could not be celled is whole or a part of a whole.
The great thing seemed to be to bring those frag-
ments into co-operation. He next refered to the
work that was being done at Birmingham and other
places by similar institutions, and said he cordially
ageeed with the plan which hail been adopted here 1
lof etc urging for the classes, as if the education
gained in them was not woith paying something
for it was n it worth having. The fees at grammar
schools and other educational establishments were
being raised, and they would find that education
would in the future cost more than it had done in
the past, as the importance of it was more thorough-
ly realised. He refered to the Society of Arts
technological excursions. Mr. Peller, of London,
had undertaken to act as examiner in glass, and
he thought it would be it capital thing if that
neighbourhood; where glass was Bo extensively
manufactured, a clase could be established where
young people could fit themselves for an examina-
tion in the technology of glass—(applause).
The Chairman said he was sure they had all
heard with pleasure the remarks of Mr. Talbot;
especially those with reference to he manufacture
of glass, and he hoped there would be a good num-
ber to compete in those examinations.
. . _

inne;iettl portion of programme was then
reopened by Miss Ileatheote singing" I will dream
of thee no more." The Misses Millward and
Harris and Messrs Pagett and Perks sang the
quartett "Oh, Nanny, wilt thou gang wi me."
This was followed by two songs from two ladies.—
Miss Robinson and Miss Harris.—the former of
sang " Rum?, Sweet Home,' and the latter " She
auxs a wreath of Roses,' the duet, "The Emigrants

A lecture was delivered at the Union Hall on
Sunday evening last, by Mr. Edward Turney, of Not-
tingham, subject, "The future of the earth and Man
upon it, as taught by the Hebrew Prophets, Jesus,
and the Apostles."
The lecturer opened his discourse by stating that
some four or five years ago he stood upon a platform
in this town endeavouring to arouse an interest in the
scriptures, and the object of his discourse that night
was the same. He referred mostly to that part of
the scriptures relating to the prophets. Most men
were anxious to know something of the future. The
prophets had given most accurate information concern-
ing the great future. His object that evening would
be to direct their attention to what the prophets said
with regard to the future of the world, and to what
man would come to upon it. No doubt he would have
to conic into conflict with the opinions of some of
those present, but his standard was the scriptures,
and if in expounding them he wounded their suscep-
tibilities he could not helpthat; they must blame the
scriptures, and not him. He would first refer them
to David; but they were not to suppose that all that
was spoken by David was inspired. David was a poet
and a historian, but he did at times speak under the
influence of the Holy Spirit. The 72nd Psalm was
penned under the influence of what all men under-
stood as inspiration. (The lecturer here read the
psalm commencing with " Give the King thy judg.
ments, 0 God, and thy righteousness unto the Kings
son,&c.") That was beautiful language, and whilst
it was thoroughly poetical it had the advantage of
what a great deal of poetical language aid not pos-
sess, that was truth and not imagination. Here they
had a spirited sketch of the Lord's future kingdom,
and of the saints encircling around his throne with
glory, and of posterity sharing in his peace. LA
them consider the last verse, "And blessed be his
glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be
filled with his glory." And the whole earth shall be
"tilled with his glory." Jehovah, by his prophets,
had said it should be so. " Nevertheless, as I live,
in spite of all the obstacles that you shall set up, the
whole of the earth ehall be filled with my glory."
fisat was a most explicit statement coming from the
throne of the most high, and who amongst us dared
gainsay it. Then, in connection with the same sub-
ject was the glorious future of the people. They
were net to suppose that mankind were to be thrown
into a sort of religious exstacy. The time would come
when the glory of the Lord should cover the earth as
the waters of the deep. When that had come about
they should not see different communities worshipping
God in different ways, and teaching different theories :
from one another. As the prophet said, all the na-
tions of the earth shall worship the Lord with one
consent. But before that took place there would
have to be a great change. Isaiah spoke of one
„miug forth in infinite majesty. That was the Lord
Jesus Christ, and he represented Lim as lifting the
veil which covered all nations. What were they to
draw from that. The conclusion that reason brought
them to was that the earth before the time for the
coming of the Lord would be shrouded in darkness.
That might not be complimentary to the world as a
Christian world, but it was true. Yet the prophet
turns with a heart full of hope to the time when the
sun of righteousness will come down like the ram
which waters the earth. Who could fail to desire that
time? No man if he was right-minded. Some could
see nothing in the future but smoke and destruction.
in this doctrine the end of the world is spoken of as
being accomplished by fire and destruction, and they
therefore doubt the stability of the moth. Some
divines thought the deluge was a full of hot water.
Even science had been called in to show that the earth
contained the elements of its own destruction, and
that ellen the time came it would be rent, and the
rocks would be hurled from their places, and we
should have a grand pyrotechnic display with all the
taii looking on. There was something to him hor-
rible in that view. Let them reason. As he had said
before, thesswere invited to reason with the scriptures.
God invited them to reason upon Isis words. How
should that ever be established and remain, and it
was said it should remain, if ever it was burnt down
a el the ashes were allowed to float about hi the ins.
in,nsity of epace ? How could the welds of the wise
man be true if that were true. "One generation
cometh and passeth away, but the earth remaineth
for ever." He preferred to believe those statements
about the indestructibility of the earth. He had no
doubt about the stability of mother earth; be thought
she was well able to carry them through. But the
purposes of the Deity have been visible. They could
ne‘er be removed for there was a great glory still to
be revealed. Some said that the world would be pre.
served from fire, but be destroyed by water. It was
said that one of the epistles propounded that theory.
It was in the 2nd epistle of Peter, the 3rd chapter
and sth verse from which they drew this conclusion:
4. Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed
vedls water, perished." That looked, on the face of
it, something like making out a ease, but it did not
do to remain satisfied with a superficial view of mat-
ter, ; they should look closely into it. Were the
watsrs AO overflowed that all that was in the world I
perished. That was true in no sense whatever. For
beim e the waters began to overflow the earth, all the
old mountains of the world which were there then
had not perished. If the material world was des.
tros ed, than those solid mountains must have
rishvd, and Noah would not Lave found his boat
resting on the high mountain Auras-at. The trees,
too, were not destroyed, for one of the birds came
buck with a leaf in its mouth. In his opinion it was
plain that the destroying of the material world was
what Peter referred to; it was to the destroying
of the sinful people upon it. Peter also spoke of a
similar destroying by fire. If they would look into
w hat the apostle Peter said they would find that he
was speaking of political matters that occurred in his
day. He was speaking of Jerusalem, which was des-
troyed by tire, as related by Josephus. It was quite
sufficient to know that the world of the ungodly in
Peter's day was destroyed by fire: And this was ac-
complished PO effectually that not a stone was left.
Adrian tried to rebuild the temple, but historians say
that tire shot out and enveloped the workers. But
whether that was true or not, no one had been able to
restore prosperity to that laud, because she is given
over to desolation until her master shall return, and
then she will be restored to light and life. The laud
of which he spoke was about eentral, and would be
the future star of the earth. It merely wanted the
recognition of their King, which would soon corns,
and then the tidings would fly from east to west.
: Were not those stipulations guarantees for the stabi-
lity of the earth? There were many of our popular
ministers who did not now propound the theory of
destroying the earth. At the sermon on the mount,
which was universally admired, the language was in
a directly opposite direction. It said that the meek
should inherit the land. What would be the use of
the meek inheriting the land, if it was to be des-
troyed. A certain wag once said the Duke of Bac-
clench must be the meekest man in Scotland, because
he possessed more land than any one else in that
country. Some people looked at another passage,
" Blessed are the poor in spirit, for their's is the
kingdom of heaven," and straightway said that ROB
a direct contradiction. A man was not admired of
God because he was rich. Riches and poverty were
not thought of by God. He liked the poor. The
poor its spirit are to have the kingdom of heaven, be-
cause it is written as in heaven, and not in the earth.
He preferred to treat the language of the Great
Teacher differently, and to compare it with other parts
of the Scripture to get at its real meaning. And then
Jeans Christ had uttered nothing contrary to the glo-
rime future of the earth, if what he said was viewed
in that light. What Christ preached the apostles
preached. They would amplify details. They would
talk to the Gentiles as well as to Jews. The apostles .
were apparently speaking of the time when this earth •
should be glorious. They all knew that men failed