The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-02-21 00:00:00

THE COUNTY PALATINE OF DURHAM

The Timea, on Monday, published the following letter:—
Sir,—At thin remarkable crisis of our national his-
tory, when England, in the full tide of her prosperity, I
seems bent on ostracizing the man who mainly con-
tributed to it, it ia worthy of note how the whole
Comity Palatine of Durham has united to stem the
torrent of Toryism which apparently, for • while, Is
flooding the land. It is significant, because the twelve
representatives of the Palatinate have been returned to
support Mr. Gladstme and represent in this maritime
county all those varied interests—manufacturing,
mining, shipping, as well as agricultural—which mane
the sinews of thie country. Not is the Church behind.
The Cathedral City contributes her two members to
the Liberal unity of the county.
The representatives themselves are all men of mark,
some self made, but not one • territorial magnate.
The day will come when the "round di non" from
the County Palatine of Durham, pledged to support
Mr. Glisletone, will be remembered as a protest of
acute northern intelligence against the spite of the esti,
1 when the bonds of Church and Beer are dissolved.—
Your obedient servant,
AUGUSTUS OUSSZX MILLOIL
Bandoglaut-park, Bawd Walk

DEATH OF A PENINSULAR VETERAN

Lieutenant-Colonel Walter O'Hers, Knigbt of the
Tower and Sword, who died at Toronto on the 13th ult.,
was one of the few survivleg officers who won his
honours in the Peninsular War. Born in 1787, he
was eduated at Trinity College, Dablin, and afterwards
etu lied for the bar. About 1806, however, he accepted
an eneigncy in the 9let Reement, and subsequently
obtained a company in tho 47,h. He was selected to
serve with the rang of major in the Portuguese army,
and attached to the 6th Cscedores—a regiment which
he afterward' commanded for several years. Ms
Pe,ineular career included all the great stabile which
make that campaign the most glorious in our annals.
He was twice severely wounded, and once taken
prisoner. For hie services he received the Order of the
Tower and Sword, two other foreign orders, and the
Peninsular medal, with eight clasps. At the does of
the war he continued to serve with the Portuguese
army, and remained in the Peninsular until the break-
ing ut of the civil war between the supporters of
Don Miguel and Don Pedro, when he was treacherously
arrested and imprisoned to prevent his influencing his
regiment to remain true to their colours. The day
after his arrest the regiment, then commanded by the
major, declared for the vopular cause. Released on
the demand of the British Minister, Lieutenant
Colonel O'Hara was placed on half-pay of the Porta-
ges. army and returned to England, when be was ap-
pointed brigade major at Limerick. He shortly after-
wards sold his comodasion, and emigrated to Canada.
where he purchased an estate in the neighbourhood of
Toronto, on which he reeided until about three years
before his death. Reserved tore short time as deputy
adjutant-general of the Canadian militia, but other-
wise held no public office in the colony. He will be
deeply regretted by • large circle of friends, 113 whom
hews. endeared by his genial and kindly disposition,
his many social and scholastic gifts, and hie generous
hospitality. Those who knew him beet are aware how
his modesty prevented him alludiog to the many note
worthy events of his long and honourable life, and will
therefore comprehend the difficulty of giving even a
laid outline of his career.