The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-06-04 00:00:00

THE SUNDAY SOCIETY.

In London, on Saturday, the sixth annual meeting
of the supporters of the Sunday Society was held in
the great hall of the Freemason's Tavern.

The retiring president, Lord Dunraven, introduced
his successor, Mr. Thomas Burt, M.P., who in the
course of his address contended that the great mass of
the people thoroughly sympathised with the objects
of the society, whose aim was not to destroy but to
improve the Sunday, to hand on to future zenerations
that sacred inheritance pure and unimpaired; to make
it not less than now a day of rest, when the weary
toiler might "Steep his brow in slumber's holy
balm ; " to make it not less than now a day of worship,
while at the same time providing greater facilities for
cultivating the mind, for broadening the sympathies,
for refining the tastes, and for developing and perfect-
ing all that was best and noblest in the life and cha-
racter of man.

Mr. Hopwood M.P., moved a resolution expressing
appreciation of the leadership of Lord Dunraven, which
so nearly led to victory in the House of Lords that the
majority against the opening of the National Museums
and Art Galleries on Sundays.was reduced to seven;
and directing that Mr. George Howard, M.P., be
requested to give notice in the House of Commons of
a similar resolution for next session.
In seconding the motion, Lord Dalhousie said he
was confident that if the society continued its opera-
tions in the same spirit as heretofore, all enemies
would be disarmed and success ultimately achieved.
The resolution was adopted.

Vistellantaits 4rttell4:gnitt.
HOME, FOREIGN, AND COLONIAL.

THOROUGHNESS.—Aunt Matilda: "And do you
study geography, Janet?" Janet: "Geography. I
should think so, indeed !" Aunt Matilda: "Where's
Glasgow?" Janet: " Glasgow ? Oh, we haven't got
as far as that. We've only got as far as Asia!"—
Punch.
NEW SOUTH WALES.—The Agent General for New
South Wales has received a telegram from his Govern-
ment stating that the Revenue of the Colony shows a
considerable increase, and that the receipts for the
present year up to the end of May exceed the corres-
ponding period of last year by £676,000. The Revenue
for 1880 was £4,912,000. The Treasurer's estimate for
the present year was £5,440,000, an increase of
£528,000. This estimate has already been exceeded by
"actual receipts" of £147,000, and it is confidently
anticipated that this year's revenue will reach, if not
exceed, £6,000,000. The Census shows a population
of 750,000, or an increase during the decade of
250,000.
KILLED BY LIGHTNING.—On Saturday afternoon,
during a sharp thunderstorm, a miner named James
M'Ghee, residing at a colliery at Newton, near
Glasgow, and two of his children were struck by the
lightning while sitting indoors. The Man was so badly
injured that he died in a few minutes. The children,
who were sitting beside him, escaped the full force of
the blow, and are expected to recover. The wife and
the other members of the family sitting in another
apartment escaped altogether unhurt, An adjoin-
ing house was also struck by lightning and considerably
damaged.
THE RAIL PRODUCTION OF THE UNITED STATES.—
From the complete returns obtained by the Secretary
of the American Iron and Steel Association, it appears
that the production of rails of all kinds in the United
States in 1880 exhibits a remarkable increase over
previous years, reaching the enormous amount of
nearly £1,250,000 net tons. Of these nearly two-thirds
were Bessemer steel rails—of which 10 per cent. more
were manufactured than in the previous year. Nearly
half the quantity of rails of all kinds were produced in
Pennsylvania, and 22 per cent. in Illinois, in which
State, famous for its lead mines, and possessing in its
southern portion abundance of iron ores, the metal
manufactures seem to be rapidly extending.—lron.
"PORT "IT IS.—A large trade in wine and spirits
is said to be carried on in all the passenger pleasure-
steamers which run on our seas. The trade in wine,
when the weather is at all rough, we can easily
assume to be great, Nearly every one would then be
asking for " Port."—Fun.

SUNSHINE IN AUSTIIII.I44 A Correspondent in
Victoria writes t—l asked our minister's wife (she
comes from Greenock) how she liked the climate.
"Too much sunshine," she replied; "I hate this per-
petual sunshine." This is just my own case. We
have had 130 degrees for the last two days. I would
give .0 for a day in the teeth of a westerly squall. I
liked the sunghine at first, but now I am wearied of
the everlasting blue and glare. Get me 4 little fresh
air! "

TETE ATINTHRE AS BEFORE. —D o ctor. —" Well,
Mr. Giles, is the missus taking the medicine I sent
yesterday ? " Farmer Giles.—` Takun' it? She've
took it! Sent me for some mooar ! Cos why? I
mixtees it in rum shrub ! Tell 'ee wot ! Yew doctors
maake a dale mooar if ye allus mixed 'un noice
and tasty bike ! "—Fun.
THE BORROWED HAT. —An amusing incident
occurred in the Howe of Commons the other night.
Mr. Gladstone, on rising, was received with loud
shouts of "Order !" It was necessary, according to
the rules of the House, to raise the question whilst
seated with his hat on. This was suggested to him,
a proposal which he declined, because he was not in
the habit of bringing his hat with him into the House.
The clamour continuing, the Solicitor-General, who
was sitting near to the right hon. gentleman, took off
his hat and placed it on the head of the Premier.
This procedure was hailed with loud laughter and
prolonged cheering from all parts of the House, which
Was renewed and continued when it was discovered
that the hat was several sizes top small, and that it
was only by great deiteritY that the Premier was
able to balance it over his brows. This he succeeded
in doing whilst he raised his point of order.

THE CONSUMPTION OF MUSHROOMS IN PARIS.—
"Men will ddwithout gold, without silver, without a
toga, without the purple cloak, but they won't do
without mushrooms ' (says the Court cl-qurnal). The
Roman poet who wrote these lines exaggerated some-
what, but even in our day the mushroom holds its
place on our tables. In Russia, Poland, and Western
Pruesia the mushroom is one of the principal edibles,
and the Parisians consume more than 2,000 fr. worth
of champignons per day. The mushroom is grown ex-
tensively in the environs of Paris, and rich and poor
patronise the plant which the great Bertillon called
une viande vt3getale."
THE CZAR or RUSSIA. —The Pall hfcill Gq:e4e
says :—The following extlact a letter from a
Russian corresPq4dent who,_ ought to be stated,
symp4thises warmly with the Slavophile Ministers
who now surround the Czar, may not t;.: without in-
terest :—" The Emperor is the best man we could
desire, and suchz good Russian. For the present we
are afraid of every kind of Parliament. No possible
representative institution would be as useful ag the
autocratic power. Until this 411F4phie fever is over,
we dread every change in the representative sense.
' Unity of power 'is the watchword to-day in Russia.
We want PO party fights, but only one great powerful
united national party with the Emperor as our only
representative. We Russians hate half-measures.
The absolute union between the monarch and the
people is of vital importance, and by that means we
shall develop reforms the seed of which is to be found
in our history, our traditions, and our character."
THE COURT AT BALMORAL.—Her Maje:4ty the 'Queen
gave a ball on Fridaj nght In ;Fee'li to the servants,
tenarr;.s, and on the. Balmoral and Abergeldie
estates in honour of her birthday. The Queen, the
Princess Beatrice, the Princesses Victoria and Eliza-
beth of Hesse, and Prince Leopold were
,present.---On
Saturday morning the Queen and Royal
ramilk walked
out; in the attprnoup her Majesty; accompanied. by
the PrilicBs Vitoria of Hesse, drove, and Prinrn'ss
Beatrice and princess Elizabeth rode out. The
weather was delightful. The Very Rev. Principal
Caird arrived at the Castle on Saturday, and had the
honour of being included in the Royal dinner party.
On Sunday forenoon Principal Caird preached in the
Castle in presence of the Queen and Cowl. he at&
sequently preached in Crathia paTish chiliab, but none
of the Royal family attended, men wafi a large
RIP:Oer stisrigere present,