biglam/hmd_newspapers huggingface dataset:
The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-08-06

AMERICAN IMMIGRATION.

A New York telegram says :—The total immigration
for the month of July is thirty-four thousand eiiht
hundred and thirty-five, being an increase of nine
thousand compared with the same month last year, but
a decrease of nearly twenty-five thousand as compared
with the total of last month. The Commissioners
anticipate a large increase at the beginning of this
month. The Germans contribute the largest contin-
gent to the total of the month; the Irish come second.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-08-06

A NEW TEST OF INTELLIGENCE.

Dr. Delaunay, of Paris, says that, to ascertain the
qualities of a cook, it is sufficient to give her a plate to
clean, or sauce to make, and watch how she moves her
hand in either act. If she moves it from left to right, or
in the direction of the hands of a watch, you may trust
her; if the other way, she is certain to be stupid and
incapable. Similarly the intelligence of people may be
gauged by asking them to make a circle on paper with
a pencil, and noting in which direction the hand moved.
The good students in a mathematical class draw circles
from left to right. The inferiority of the softer sex
(ai well as of male dunces) is shown by their drawing
from right to left ; asylum patients and children do
the same. In a word, centrifugal movements are a
characteristic of intelligence and higher development;
centripetal are a mark of incomplete evolution. A
person, as his faculties are developed, may come to
draw circles the opposite way to what he did in youth.
Delaunay has some further extraordinary conclu-
sions as to the relative positions of races in the scale
of development from the way they wind their watches
and make their screws.—Medical Press and Circular.

"SWAN-UPPING" ON THE THAMES.
Having concluded their labours Upon the Thames,
the official Swan Uppers of the Crown and the Vintners
and Dyers Companies dined together at Windsor 011
Friday in last week. During their four days' excur-
sion up the river between London and Henley, a
large number of swans and sygnets were marked.
Between London and Ditton nineteen swans and
three cygnets were marked for the Queen, and six
swans and three cygnets for the Vintners Company.
Between Ditton and Staines, the Crown claimed
thirty-four swans and nineteen cygnets; the Vint-
ners Company thirteen swans and four cygnets;
and the Dyers Company eight swans and four cygnets.
From Staines to Bray forty-seven swans and two
cygnets were marked for the Crown; fourteen swans
and one cygnet for the Vintners, and five swans for
the Dyers; while between Cray and Henley there
were 100 Royal swans and ten cygnets, the Vintners
claiming sixteen swans and three cygnets, and the
Dyers twenty-five swans and two cygnets. The
totals were: The Crown. 200 swans fifty-five cygnets ;
the Vintners, forty-nine swans thirteen cygnets ; and
the Dyers, thirty-eight swans six cygnets—in all 361
birds.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-08-06

J. W. BENSON,

WATCHMAKER & JEWELLER

By Special WCIAYSIii
TO HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN,
And by Special Appoi4ortetsie le
H.R H THE PRINCE OF WALES, HIM, THE EMPEROR OF RUSSIA,
PRIZE MEDALS-LONDON, DUBLIN, AND PALIS.

BEN ON'S, '
WATCHES.

BENSON'

BENSON'S

CLOCKS,

GOLD AND SILVER
JEWELLERT.

For Cnurches, Turrets, or Fublie
Buildings, Dining or Drawing Room,
Library, Carliage, Church. Hall,
or Shop, Perpetual C wanders,
Wind Dials, to.
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Clocks, in Wood and Ormolu. De.
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Of every Description, auitableitfor
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Ohronographs„Chronometers Keyless
Levers, Presantation, It4pesters.,
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Of every Description, in the Richest
nod Newest Designs, at the Lowest
Prior; oompoolulo with good w,rk-
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Locket, Logi, Xorriaga. de.
sad also 11 Dalooonds asd Prociotla
Steam

BENSON'S "Workman's' /E 5 5s Silver English Laver. (Werrontal.)
BENSON'S " Everybody's " Silver Watch, £3 3s, with Crystal Glass. (WsLicantgel
BENSON'S Silver and Electro-Plate.—For Rae• and Athletie Meetings, Proseatotieise •
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BENSON'S new PA.MPB.LET of WATOIiIiS the most empreheitsive;is th• WORLD, giving
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BENSON'S new PAMPHLET of CLOCKS, the largest yet published, with destgas and Pvissie

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Watches sent Free and Safe by Post.
Watches, Cloche, Jewellery and Plate Repaired by Skilled Werlemon
PLATE, JEWELLERY, MID WATCHER EXCRAISED.

CLUBS, MERCHANTS, AND SHIPPERS, SUPPLIED

STEAM FACTORY AliD CITY SHOW 1a..0111
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-08-06

A ROYAL MARRIAGE IN ABYSSINIA.

Under the heading " Martiage in High Life" (re-
marks the Daily Telegraph), an Indian contemporary
publishes the programme of the festivities appointed
to take place towards the end of this month in cele-
bration of the nuptials of his Royal Highness the
Abyssinian Crown Prince and the eldest daughter of
King Menelik of Schoa. The wedding ceremony
y
will
be b
tperformed
Royalin bride
conducted capital
her august parents. At the frontier of her father's
his escort of fifteen hundred mail-clad warriors, the
of Abyssinia, state
kingdom she will be met by the youthful bridegr:oom.and
flower of Abyssinian chivalry, who will accompany
her to Adua. Twelve thousand notables of both
countries have been bidden to the marriage feast by
King Johannes, and will remain his majesty's guests
for anentire week, quartered in a canvas township
specially erected outside the gates of Adua for their
accommod.ation. The Abuna, or Archbishop of Gondar,
will officiate at the ecclesiastical ceremony, and a '
political amnesty will be proclaimed by Royal heralds
immediately after the blessing shall have been pro-
nounced.

It may interest fair readers to learn that the biide's
trousseau is in every respect a magnificent one, com-
prising many European articles of luxmy for the
toilette table and two Oriental pearl necklaces of
immense value. The happy pair may reasonably look
forward to a long term of wedded bliss, for their
combined ages at present do not number thirty-six
years.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-08-06

BANKRUPTCY RETURNS.

The report of the Controller in Bank-
ruptcy for the past year was published
yesterday. The returns show a considerable
decrease in the cases adminstered under the
Act, the number being over ten thousand,
with liabilities over sixteen millions. The
decrease.is chiefly in estates of the better
class. As regarding compositions, the Con-
troller observes that the handing over of
their powers by majorities of creditors to
canvassing agents leads, necessarily, to an
incalculable amount of fraud.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-08-06

STATE OF IRELAND.

A Parliamentary paper yesterday morning
shows that the number of agraian outrages
in Ireland reported to the police during
July was 259. They include twenty cases
of arson and ten of firing into dwellings.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-08-06

AN ANGLICAN BISHOP WEARING A
MITRE.

•
The consecration of the Rev. Hollingworth Tully
Kingdon, late rector of Good Eas'xr, Essex and for
ten years curate of St. Andrew, Wells-Areet, as
Coadjutor Bishop of. Frederickton, New Brunswick,
took place on July 17 in the cathedral church, which
was exquisitely decorated, one lady alone sending 1,200
roses. A procession of some 60 clergy entered the
cathedral, singing Psalm cl., with the Bishops of Nova
Scotia, Quebec, Maine, and Albany, a chaplain fol-
lowing each, the Rev. Canon Medley, the Metro-
politan's chaplain, bearing a magnificent pastoral staff
of silver, the Metropolitan himself (the Bishop of
Frederickton) wearing a white and gold mitre. The
sermon was preached by the Bishop of Albany. An
immense congregation was present, including one old
lady who had been walking a day and a half to reach
the cathedral. .
On July 19 the new Bishop consecrated a church in
Frederickton, the governor being present and a large
number of Nonconformists.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-08-06

SUICIDE IN PRISON.

Some interesting observations respecting suicide by
prisoners appear in the Appendix to the last Report
of the Commissioners of prisons. An inquiry into the
cases of suicide in local prisons during a period of five
years has led the medical inspector to the conclusions
that the tendency to commit suicide is greater during
the first week of imprisonment than at any subsequent
period; and that persons under remand or waiting for
trial are mere likely to commit suicide than those who
have received sentence. Habitual criminals are less
liable to commit suicide than persons who are in prison
for the first time. Such depression and discomfort
as may result from the infliction of punishment for
breaches of prison discipline have but little effect in
inducing attempts at serf-destruction. Persons who
are capable of violence to others are specially prone
to be violent to themselves. Fear, and especially the
fear of penal servitude, is the most influential of the,
motives to suicide. Persons sentenced to penal servi-
tude show a greater tendency to commit suicide in the
interval between receiving sentence and removal to
convict prisons than at any time afterwards.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-08-06

THE GERMAN PETROLEUM SPRINGS.

The Berlin correspenlent of the Standard says
Most encouraging accounts continue to be received
with regard to the petroleum spring just reached at
Oelheim, near Reine, in Hanover.

Herr Mohr writes that within seventy-two and a
half hours seven hundred and eighty-three barrels,
equalling one hundred and thirty tons of petroleum,
were obtained from one of his three boring, and that
he was only waiting for an adequate supply of casks to
draw from the other two.
The German Pretroleum Company's borings are
situated at a few yards' distance from those of Herr
Mohr, and have been yielding oil for some little time.
They era now pouring forth at the daily rate of fifty
barrels, or nine tons.
Pipes are being laid to conduct the oil to Peine.
where a petroleum refinery will commence Operations
immediately.

Three German tourists lost their lires last week by
the overturning of a boat on Lake Const9.nce, Switzerland.
A monster sapphire gas been discovered in the Rat-
name district of Ceylon. According to the Colonies it is
valued at £14,000, and will probably be sent to London.

The NATIONAL ARTILLERY MEETING.
Artillery Volunteers have this year gone to Shoe-
buryness in considerably increased numbers for the
annual competition and course of instruction. Eighty-
one detachments were in camp when practice began
on Monday.
To such as were fortunate enough to gain admis-
sion, the great feature of attraction was the reposi-
tory contest. This consists this year in the follow-
ing shift :—A 64-pounder R.M.L. gun, on garrison
standing carriage, on Alderson's platform, is dis-
mounted by parbuckling over the side of the carriage
and platform. The men have then to construct a tem-
porary sleigh, and take the gun through a passage
18ft. long by 7ft. wide, and then mount it by skids
and rollers. In this contest the military also
appeared to take considerable interest, many of
the officers in garrison as well as Colonel Hastings,
Commandant of the School of Gunnery, being pre-
sent during a great part of the time. This competition
appears to be popular with the men, no fewer than
twenty detachments being entered. The first detach-
ment to commence operations was No. 1 detachment Ist
Sussex, the time occupied by them being exactly
25 min. 40 sec. They were followed by No. 1 detach-
ment of the Ist Essex, whose action throughout the
contest showed not only celerity but discipline, their
time being 18 min. 9 sec. The second detachment of
the Ist Sussex then took the gun in hand, and finished
in the remarkably good time of 17 min. 35 sec. ; this
again was eclipsed by the second detachment let
Essex, their time being only 15 min. 40 sec. The con-
test was not closed on Monday.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-08-06


PRINTING! 'PRINTING 1 I PRINTING! I

S. FIELD,

GENER A.L PRINTiI,

92, EIIGII.STERZT, STOUXISIDOB

PRINTING DEPARTMENT.

STATIOWZRY.

Aletioneers' Catalogues, Bersious,Concert, and
• other Posters.
Handbills, Childers, Cards, Progrussies,Bill
Heada.
Club Articles, Address Cards, Post Cards,
And ALL KINDS of PRINTING, in Black or
Coloured Inks

Envelopes, Note Paps, and ALL KINDS of

:GENERALE ADVERTISING A CENT,

PLAIN Sat FANCY STA.TIONERY.
Largo Stook of PLAYING CARDS, SW
Deeps and Patterns.
SILL PAPER, PENS, INK, ass.
POCKET BOOKS, CIIILDREN'S BOOIS
Toy Books, Spelling and Resitting Books,
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-08-06

M. ROUHER'S RETIREMENT.

The Times in a leader noticing M. Rouher's retirement
from public life, remarks
M. Rouher's name has been so rarely before the
world for some years that it sounds a little surprising
to learn that he has published a letter intimating his
intention to retire from public life. Many might have
supposed that he had taken this resolution long ago.
It was understood after the death of the Prince Imperial
that we should not hear much of M. Rouher as a
politician. When the Empire fell he came to the
front in France for a time during the struggles
respecting the founding of the Republic. He laboured
to keep his crumbling party together with consider-
able skill. He did his best for the Bonapartist
cause in its evil as well as in its prosperous days.
He re-appeared in the Chamber, and sought, with
indifferent success, to re-assert his old influence ;
he was faithful to his friends and indefatigable
in electioneering • he ventured to defend the Em-
pire in a bitterly hostile Assembly and against
its most powerful orator. When the Prince Im-
perial died, and when the growing divisions in his
party convinced him as a man of good sense that all
was lest for it, he virtually retired into private life.
He has now taken the final resolution to abandon his
public career at an age when statesmen do .not think
of repose; but perhaps not too soon it must be ad-
mitted, looking to the condition of the cause with
which his name must ever be associated, and the change
which has come over France since he held sway. The
letter which we printed yesterday is, no doubt, the
last act of his political life. It is more ; it is the
silence of the voice which has been the loudest and
most eloquent against the powers which now reign in
France. A great and memorable career has thus been
brought to a close. .
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-08-06

ST. THOMAS' CHURCH, STOURBRIDGE

-A-ATANTRD VOLUNTARY MEMBERS for
V V the Cllollt of the above Church :

ALTOS, TENORS, BASSES,
Apply to the Rev. Hugh Sherrard, Vicarage, Stour-
bridge.

C sth August, 1881,
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-08-06

PUBLIC GARDENS FOR VILLAGES.

" A Lincolnshire Rector" writes to the Standard :
"Sir,—The growing lovis for trees, flowers, and
gardens is one of the most hopeful features of the
times. In many of our country villages there is hardly
a cottage which has not its window full of pretty,
well-trained plants, and in such villages the manners
of the peasantry are charming in their simple grace and
courteousness.

"Has not the day arrived when exery village should
have its little public garden? I believe nothing
would better carry on the harmonizing influences of
church and school. If some generous landlord would
give an acre or two, I have no doubt that in most
cases subscriptions and voluntary labour would be
readily forthcoming for the maintenance of the
garden."
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-08-06

The Stvndard reviews the condition of the crops in Eng-
land and Scotland in an article which concludes as fol-
lows :

It will be obvious to our readers that, whatever may
be the case in Ireland, English and Scotch farmers
have not a great return to expect as the result of
this year's expenditure and labour. If prices should
not be too low, wheat and barley are likely to be re-
munerative crops ; but light crops of hay, oats, beans,
and roots make up a heavy set-off. For stock-farmers,
prospects are not at all encouraging, as-winter feed can
scarcely fail to be short. They, however, have had the
best of it lately, and it is the farmers of arable land
who most need a turn of good fortune. For them we
are rejoiced to see that there is a much better outlook
than they have had during the last three years,
although we could have desired a more prolific all-
round harvest. The great desideratum now is a fine
harvest month, so that the corn may be safely stored
in good condition. It used to be said that "a wet
harvest never hurt a farmer," and this was prob-
ably true in the old days when English wheat
formed the *ilk of our supply and when the English
crop ruled market prices. But it is certainly
not true now, when dry wheat of fine quality
is poured in from all quarters of the globe, and the
American surplus has more effect on prices than our
home grown crop. good quality and dry condition
are essential to a fair price and ready sale. The
damp and coarse wheat of last season has been a drug
in the market. This year we hope that the British
farmer will be sought by the miller and the malster
for wheat and barley grown .inder the favourable in-
fluences of an " old-fashionedisurnmer," and harvested
under cloudless skies.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-08-06

FATAL QUARREL BETWEEN FATHER

AND SON

On Thursday night a gentleman named
Whitehead, aged 53, had a fight with his son
at a public house in Lentham, near Siting-
bourne. They afterwards drove away in a
cart, when the elder of the two fell out, and
died very soon from an injury to the spine.
It is reported that the son cannot be found.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-08-06

SUBSTITUTES FOR FLOGGING:

Rules for summary punishment under tee
Army Discipline Act in lieu of flogging havr
been issued. They provide that an offende
moy be sentenced for a period, not exceed-
ing three months, to be kept simply in irons
or kept Ph irons so as to secure him in a fixed
position for a certain time each day.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-08-06

TIIE DEATH OF A
_COLLIERY MANAGER

AT PENSNETT.

On Satuaaay afternoon Mr. W. H. Phillips
district coroner) held an inquest at the Lion Hotel,
Pensnett, on the body of William Bulger (63)
colliery manager, of that place, who was found
dead in bed on ThurAday morning—Henry William
Bulger deceased's son, and a medical stulent re,id-
ing at Birmingham, svited that on the previous
Monday he came to Pensnett to visit his father and
his mother. The deceased then seemed well in
health, and witness could not recollect his eve
having had any medical treatment. Witness war
with him on Tuesday and W dnesday, and on the
latter day saw him have his supper, which consistA
of toasted bread and a little brandy- He then com-
plained or having had a fall that day from a
manger in his stable as he was reaching a rat trap
out of the loft. He pointed to his chest as the seat
of pain. The following (Thursday) morning
about half-past eight o'clock. 'Witness's mother
called him and upon going to his father's room he
found him lying dead in bed. Witness had never
' known him have a fit or any sudden illness. The
Coroner said there was nothing to indicate whether
the deceased died from natural causes or whether
his death might have been caused or accelerated by
any injury he received. Under those circumstances
he thought the enquiry should be adjourned to allow
a post mortem examination of the body to be made.
—The inquest was . then adjourned trail Monday
morning for that purpose.—Upon its being resumed
Mr. James Ceadley, surgeon, stated as the result or
his examination that he found no external injury on
the body. There was congestion of several of the
internal organs, and the heart was diseased. Death
r was due to this latter affection. The jury returned
11 a verdict that the decexaid died from disease of the
heart.'
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-08-06

OLD HILL.

LICENSE Taessmt3.--At the Police Court, on
Wednesday, before W. Bassano and J. 11. Pearson,
Esqs., and Dr. Wanfer. The following transfers
were grantcd : —The Swan Inn, Tividale, flea'
llachard. Price to Richard Rowley; and Brick-
layers' Arm, Tividale, front Thomas Price, the
ow .( r or V.:O r uois r, to S rah Male.
liE UI DolV HEATII (Ls RA E.—Fcrty prsom
we e ALfI.uUC o the ttowley Regis • ocal Board
for non-payment of a rut@ wade for lighting

purposes in the Cradley Heath district.—Mr. A.
Wright (clerk to the Local Board) who appeared
in support of the summonses, intimated that about
25 of the persons summoned had paid the rate
without going into Court. He further stated, witli
regard to the other defendants, that they had had
an opportunity of appearing against the rate at
Quarter Sessions, but did not avail themselves of it
and the Board, who had been waiting to hear the
result of certain appeals which were made, now
asked that the Bench would make orders upon the
defendants for immediate payment.—The Bench
after hearing the evidence of Mr. Taylor, the
collector. made the oraers as requested. In the
case of Henry Hampton shoe manufacturer,
Cradley Heath, Mr. Haden Hampton,
(instructed by
Mr. Midland, Wolverhampton appeared to defend
The amount claimed was 19s. id., for the rate made
in Jan. last. —Mr. Taylor. the collector, proved that
the rate was made, and that he caused defendant to
be served with a demand note, and subsequently
twice called personally upon him. He howev r,
declined to pay.—ln cross examination by Mr.
Corser the witness admitted that the first demand
note was served upon the defendant in January by
a personnamed Bennett, who was not an authorised
collector under the Board. The first time witness
left a demand note himself was in June, although
he called upon defendant in May.—Mr. Corser
endeavoured to show that theltate was not duly
assessed, and further that it was not properly
demanded.—The magistrates held that they could
not go into the validity of the rate, as the defend-
ant had had the opportunity of appealing against
it at the Quarter Sessions. They :]so considered
that the demand was good, and made an order for
the immediate payment of the full amount.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-08-06

MONEY. MONEY. MONEY.

IMPORTANT TO BORROWERS.

ONEY ADVANCED AT ONE DAY'S
.4.1_1L NOTICE. from £lO to £l.OOO to Householders,
Tradesmen, Farmers, anti others on their own security
rithout Loan Office routine. and in strict confidence,
oy MR. H. HENRY, at his Private Office 48, UNION
PASSAGE, BIRMINGHAM. NB.—Genuine applica-
ti,ns immediately attended to. Distance no object. The
Loans can be repaid weekly, fortnightly, or monthly,
arranged to suit COLIT•111011C. of Borrowers

By a Medical man of thirty years practice, free
to all for 2 stamps:

A TREATISE ON NERVOUS DEBILITY
little work is a valuable Medical Friend
1 It gives a graphic description of the Cause mad
nre of NERVOUS DEBILIIY, Indigestion, Palpita-
tion, Loss of Brain Power, Memory, ctc. All persona
.s hi), from various causes, ire depressed in spirits.
shaken in nerves, or weakened in frame, ahonld send
for and read this work.

CASH ADVANCED £lO to £SOU ON EAST TICRIIS.
rino Respectable Heuseholders,Farmers, Cowkeepsrs
'tradesmen, and others, Without Sureties, er
delays. Apply personally or ley letter. to B. Goudmsn,
so, rrineess lload, Birsaint,hana, (Private Resid.use),
Union Loan Office, 19. Stone Street, (late 3, Prier;
btreet,) Dudley, aid 6, Exville tiltrestAtouzioridge.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-08-06

THE LOVE OF PIGEON-FLYING IN
BELGIUM.

The Daily Telegraph in a leadff noticing the inherent
love of gambling which prevails in the human race, re-

marks :--

In the report recently made by Mr. H. M. Jenkins to
the Royal Commission on Agriculture, he states that
pigeon-flying is the chief amusement of the Belgian
and Dutch labourers and small farmers. "It pre-
vails," he says, "to an incredible extent, and has
become a real passion, as well as the chief
means of gambling." Every village has two or more
pigeon clubs, the members of which are either
Liberal or Catholic, and every pigeon is enrolled
in the ranks of one or other of the great politi-
cal parties. The labourers are said to enter
into this sport with such zest that they even
starve themselves so as to be able to buy more
pigeons, and to gamble upon their perform-
ances. Mr. Jenkins was informed in Belgium
that " the week before Whitsuntide in 1880
three special trains, containing only pigeons and their
attendants, left Li6ge for Paris, each train consisting
of from thirty to thirty-five carriages." Prizes are
competed for at all these races, and entry fees are
charged. The shorter the distance to be traversed,
the greater the number of the birds entered, and
sometimes a special train is sent even as far as
Madrid.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-08-06

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TRADESMENS' ADDRESSES.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-08-06

GEN ERAL NEWS.

THREATE..,L;Li MR. FORSTER.

At the Central Criminal Court, yesterday,
Patrick Talford Heckle, aged 18, who was
on Thursday convicted of sending a letter to
the Right Hon. Mr. Forster, M.P., threaten-
ing to murder him, was on Thursday sen-
tenced by Mr. Justice Lindley to 15 months
imprisonment, with hard labour.

SINGULAR CHARGE OF MANSLAUGH-
TER.

At B:rmirgliam on Frida Robert Turbc.r-
vilte, labourer, wa.i committed for trial upou
00040.04 0%44 44.dositivi 800 Lag

the wife ota:cabriver. During a quarrel
prisoner threw a stone at another man and
it struck deceased on the temple. Prisoner
was sent to gaol for one month for the assault.
While he was in prison the woman became
worse, and died from internal fracture of the
skull.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-08-06

PROMOTIONS IN THE ARMY.

In a memorandum relative to recruiting which has
been iesued to the post-offices throughout the kingdom
for distribution, it is stated amongst other advantages
of the army that the following commissions are given
exclusively to deserving soldiers ;-225 regimental
quarter-masters at 9s. to 15s. per day; 50 riding.
masters at the same rates of pay; 40 commisariat and
transport staff quarter-masters, and 25 Ordnance Store
Department quarter-masters, at 9s. 6d. to 13s. 2d. per
day.
In addition to these, a limited number of non-
commissioned officers, who are able to pass qualifying
examinations, are annually selected for commissions as
lieutenants.
There are also 590 appointments to the rank of war-
rant officers, viz., 50 master gunners in the Royal
Artillery, 75 conductors of supplies, 50 conductors of
stores, 15 superintending staff clerks, and 400 regi-
mental and garrison sergeant-majors.
The pay of the warrant ranks varies from ss. to 6s.
per day.
The number of non-commissioned officers in the
army is quoted at 28,000.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-08-06

DEATH FROM HYDROPHOBIA.

A distressing case of death from hydrophobia was
investigated by the deputy borough coroner of
Brighton, the deceased being Edward George Berry,
aged 15 years, belonging to East Grinstead. The
deceased was admitted to the Sussex County Hospital
some days ago, having been severely bitten by a colley
dog. Symptoms of hydrophobia manifested them-
selves, and he eventually succumbed, after under-
going much suffering. It was reported that the same
dog had bitten a navvy employed on the new railway
line at East Grinstead, and who had since died in
London from hydrophobia; and further, that a third
person was lying in a critical state, owing to injuries
indicted by the same brute.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-08-06

THE STORM IN SHETLAND.

News has now been reoeived from all the Shetland
Islands except Foula. The total loss by the recent
disastrous storm is 58 men. The revenue cutter Eagle
has visited Fair Isle, and ascertained that the boats
there had not been out in the gale. It is also believed
that the Fouls boats were not out, as they have only
been three times at deep sea fishing this season, owing
to the heavy sea. The island of Foula lies out in the
Atlantic, west of Scotland Islands, and is often in-
accessible for months. The relief hind now (Monday)
amounts to nearly £l,OOO.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-08-06

AN OAK COFFIN.

The Tageblatt of Berlin gives a curious account of
an oak tree, which is the chief object of attraction to
visitors in the village of Noebdenitz, in Saxony. It is
said to be 500 years old, and its aged and infirm
branches are propped up all around by beams. But
the antiquity of this tree would be nothing very re-
markable in itself were it not that the trunk has been
used for many years past as a burial vault. Its lower
part, which measures 1.4 ells in circumference, is hollow,
and the aperture to this great cave is closed by a lattice
work made of iron bars. Through this sort of window
the unsuspecting stranger who is first led up to
take a peep perceives with amazement the skeleton of
a man seated in the middle of the hollow. It is the
skeleton of the Lord Of Wintersheim, who died about
a century ago, and whose choice of this singular mode
of sepulture is very minutely described by the inevi-
table "guide "who shows the place. He had married
the heiress of Wintersheim, and being himself a man
of no landed property was often reproached by his
amicable spouse with discreditable noverty. Through-
out his life he endured as best he might the quips and
sneers of her who was in more senses than one his better
half. But he resolved, at any rate, to have a tardy
r,vengt: one day when the sharp tongue of the Lady '
of Wintersheim could no longer wound him. He pur-
chased from the parochial authorities of Noebdenitz
the already venerable eak, and gave directions that
his bones should be placed in its hollow trunk. Here,
therefore, he has reposed ever since, sitting in state
upon 'Rid and within walls which he could once call
his own—a lasting protest against the charge of having
owned no land. It is to be hoped that the lady whose
hard words drove her lord and master to so ingenious
a device, survived him, to see the effect which her
taunts had produced.—Globe.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-08-06

A NEW SYSTEM OP REMOVING ROCKS.

The Vienna Correspondent of the Standard says :

The experiments which Major Lauer, of the Austrian
Engineers, has just carried out at Krems' on the
Danube, in order to show the value of the new
method he has invented for blasting rocks under
water, have attracted general attention, as they
were attended with complete success. The chief
feature of Lauer's system is to employ a hollow
cylinder, like a gaspipe, and to place the dyna-
mite cartridge, not as hitherto in a hole bored
into the rock to be blasted, but in the cylinder
in question. The cartridge only touches the
surface of the rock which it is desired to shatter.
The explosion of the dynamite is effected by means
of electricity. The effect is prodigious, no matter
whether the water be deep or shallow, or the
current rapid or slow. The rock is shattered into
fragments so small that the stream is able to wash
them away without help, whereas in the case of gun-
powder the rock is only split up into blocks more or
less large and troublesome to remove. The Lauer
system is calculated to effect a saving of fully forty per
cent, as compared with the old system. It costs to
remove one cubic metre of rock by the methods
hitherto in vogue about thirty-five shillings. By the
Lauer method the outlay for the same thing will not
be more than twenty-one shillings.
The special seitntific and technical men and jury of
experts who witnessed the experiments were so well
satisfied that a sum of ten thousand florins was sub-
scribed to enable Major Lauer to carry out some
further trials on a gigantic scale. This it is ex-
pected he will shortly do at the Iron Gates of the
Danube.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-08-06

SHOCKING WIFE MURDER NEAR
BRISTOL.

Msecond murder within the week has
been perpetrated at Bristol. A labouring
man' named Cleary, beat his wife so terribly
on Thursday night that she died from her
injuries yesterday morning. The injuries
included a fracture of the skull, and she was
allowed to remain on the floor in an insensi-
ble condition, and unattended, from Tuesday
night until Wednesday afternoon. Both
husband and wife had been drinking on
Tuesday night.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-08-06

ME. BRADLAUGH AT THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.

In consequence of Mr. Bradlaugh's announcement of his
determination again to present himself on Wednesday at
the House of Commons to claim to sit as member for North-
ampton, a crowd began to assemble as early as ten o'clock in
Palace yard, Westminster Hall, and along the pavement out-
side the railings which surround the yard. After eleven
o'clock the numbers increased rapidly. Shortly afterwards
the constables on duty, who had been reinforced to some
extent, cleared Palace-yard of all persons who declined to
enter Westminster Hall, and only those who were known to
the officials or who had business to perform were allowed to
enter unless willing to take up their position in the Hall.

The arrangements for preserving order were very complete.
Inspector Denning, in addition to the usual number of men
under his control at Westminster, had, after a consultation
with Sir E. Henderson, decided that he should require the
assistance of two hundred extra men to inset emergencies.
One hundred of these were at his disposal in and about
Palace-yard, while the other hundred remained at .King-
street police-station, where, if necessity required, they could
be immediately communicated with oy the wire which runs
from the House to that police-station.
As the hour approached for Mr. Bradlangh's expected
arrival a cordon of police was drawn up round the House of
Commons, and all the entrances were watched and strictly,
barred. The gates MY Palace-yard were guarded by con-
stables standing shoulder to shoulder, but so great was
the pressure of the mob upon the carriage gates that
at one time they threatened to overpower the police
and force their way into the yard. The officers,
however, with considerable difficulty succeeding in forcing
the crowd back and making room for members' carriages to
enter, their "success being loudly hooted by the crowd,
amongst whom were some two thousand persons, friends of
Mr. Bradlaugh, who .had travelled by special train from
Northampton. It was exactly a quarter to twelve when Mr.
Bradlhugh, accompanied by Dr. Edward Aveling, entered
Palace-yard. Some distance before reaching the gates on
foot he was recognised by the crowd, and the cheering which
greeted him was long and continuous. Mr. Bradlaugh
had no difficulty in making his way through the crowd,
although many persons endeavoured to pres forward to
shake hands with him. Directly he reached the gates they
were opened to him, the officers in charge recognising him.
Mr. Bradlaugh and Dr. Aveling, followed by a few friends,
crossed the yard to the entrance of Westminster Hall, and
the police succeeded, after some difficulty, in consequence of
he pressure of the crowd, in reclosing the gates.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-08-06

AN EXTRAORDINARY ESCAPE.

On Thursday night, at the Miles Plating
station, three men had a marvellous escape.
As a man named Wolstan Aulme was run-
ning across the line in front of an approach-
ing train he stumbled and fell. Almost irt-
stantaneously the stationmaster and a railway
inspector leaped on to the line, and en-
deavoured to lift him. Both also fell. The
engine driver had, however, fortunately wit-
nessed the occurence, and by the application
of an automatic brake stopped the engine
two or three feet from the prostrate men.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-08-06

STORM WARNINGS BY CABLE.

The path of cyclones in the southern hemisphere is
known to be always from north-east to south-west, or
east-north-east to west-south-west. In view of this
fact, Commandant Bridet, formerly harbour-master
of St. Denis, in Reunion, has sought the aid of the
French Government towards connecting that island
with Mauritius by telegraph cable, so that cyclones
may be announced from the latter eighteen or twenty-
four hours in advance. Mauritius is about 100 miles
east-north-east from Reunion, and the distance
being so short, the uncertainty which attaches to
such announcements in the case of storms cross-
ing the Atlantic from America would here be elimi-
nated. As illustrating the advantages ot his project,
M. Bridet states that on January 21, at six p.m., it was
known at Port Louis Observatory, in Mauritius, that
a cyclone, the centre of which passed 50 to 60 miles
north of the port, would reach Reunion next day
about noon, and that Saint Denis would be right in
the path of that centre. At Saint Denis they were
anxiously inquiring whether the cyclone would pass
north or south, and at what distance; it was thought
the cyclone would probably pass on the north; the
ships accordingly remained near the shore, and there
they encountered the storm in all its fury. Had Saint
Denis received warning from Port Louie the ships
might have escaped to the north. A further reason
urged by M. Bridet. is that Mauritius, the only
English colony not connected with England by cable,
will probably before long cease to be an exception in
this respect, and should the proposed cable between
the islands be laid, France would then have a means
of prompt communication with her colony.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-08-06

AN ARGUMENT FOR VACCINATION.

The books of the Deptford Small-pox Hospital,
which institution takes patients from the whole of the
parishes of the metropolis, contain remarkable evi-
dence of the efficiency of vaccination in presenting
small-pox from resulting fatally. During the six
montis ended June 30 last, 546 cases were admitted to
the hospital. The vaccinated patients numbered 326,
the unvacoinated 264, and those in which it was not
known whether the patients had • been vaecinated or
not 46. The deaths among the vaccinated cases num-
bered only six, or a per centage of 2-5; whilst of the
unvaccinated patients 127 died, making an average of
mortality of 48 in the 100. Of the 46 doubtful cases
nine of the patients died.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-08-06

A RHINOCEROS DUEL.

Duelling is 'a standing evil in Germany, where
"affairs of honour" take place more frequently and,
as a rule, lead to far graver results than in France
(says the Daily Telegraph). Seldom, however, has so
strange and savagc on encounter between two redoubt-
able adversaries, ea,.h grimly bent on the other's
destruction, been fought out in the Fatherland as
that which recently came off within the precincts of
the Berlin Zoological Gardens, to the amazement
and terror of its numerous spectators, The two
huge rhinoceroses quartered in the elephant house
had been amusing themselves for several minutes
with some unusually rough play on the turf of
the enclosure surrounding three sides of that magnifi-
cent building, when suddenly they quarrelled, ex-
changed snorting defiances, and, lowering their
formidable horned snouts, rushed upon one another
with such 'fury that the larger of the two rent his
opponent's tough hide open as though it had been a
silkenjerkin, himself rolling over on his back from the
mere force of the concussion. Both combatants
struggled to their feet and renewed the fight with
undiminished vigour. For some time all the efforts
of the keepers to separate them were in vain ;
but at length the more powerful rhinoceros,
seemingly conscious that he had the best of
the hitting, turned scornfully away trom his bleeding
foe, and dashed at the iron door of the elephant
house, which he suceeedel in dislodging from its
sliding-grooves with one mighty thrust of his frontal
horn.. Having achieved this amazing feat, he trotted,
grunting sulkily, into his stable. The other pachy-
derm ,was so severely injured that he could not rise
from the ground without assistance. According to Dr.
Bodinus' last bulletin, however, the wounded warrior
is doing as well as an reasonably be expected.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-08-06

SENTENCED TO DEATH.

George Darling was sentenced to death at
the Central Criminal gonrt, yesterday, for
the murder of Fanny Mussom by fracturing
her skull with an iron bar at Woolwich on
the 20th ultimo.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-08-06

the prisoners were not connected with other attempts
of the same kind of which we had heard lately. For
the purpose of sentence he would assume they were
not. M'Grath was then sentenced to penal servitude
for life; M'Kevitt to penal servitude for 15 years.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-08-06

THE REVISED VERSION.

• The Bishop of Durham, after the consecration of a new
church at Jarrow, where, he said, the Venerable Bede
translated one of the Gospels, thus referred to the Revised
Version :

"We witness here a phenomenon altogether without
parallel in the history of literature. The demand for
it far outstrips any experience of the publishers, and i
far surpasses the most sanguine expectations. It s
sold at every rail way stall and canvassed in every
newspaper, and yet it is not a novel nor a sensational
story, nor a book of travel and adventure, but an old,
trite, well-worn book on which some time and
patience have been bestowed to make it speak more
clearly to English readers. What the ultimate view
of this revision may be we know not; this is in God's i
hands ; but f nothing else should come of it, was it
not worth all the time and all the labour thus to
stimulate, as it has stimulated, the reading of God's
word,. thus to arouse the attention of the careless and
indifferent, thus to gather crowds around. this_ Book.
of Books, as more than three centuries ago they were

gathered at the first appearance of the English Bible
around the reader from the first copy chained to a
desk in our great churches.