The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-07-23 00:00:00

DEATH OF A DANISH JOURNALIST.

The Times' Correspondent at Copenhagen writes :
'Danish journalism has suffeted a heavy and ouite
unexpected lo,s by the sudden death, on July 11, of
Mr. V. C. S. Topsoe, editor of the Copenhagen paper
Dagb?add, only a little over 40 years old. When still
an undergraduate at the University he wrote some
clever sketches of Danish social life, for which he
obtained a place on the paper just named, then under
the editorship of Mr. Bille, the present Danish
Envoy to the United States, and not long after
he was retained on the regular staff, submitting
himself to a very serious and thorough journalistic
training. A journey through the American continent
to San Francisco, ot which he gave a spirited descrip-
tion made him familiar with the forms of political and
social life in the New World, and not long after he had
an opportunity of studying closely the fall of the Em-
pire and the severe convulsions of the French nation,
acting during this period as the special correspondent
of his journal. .When, in 1872, Mr. Bille retired from
the editorial chair which he had filled for 20 years,
Mr. Topsde, at the early age of 32, became his sue•
cessor, and under his direction Dagidadet continu,:d to
occupy a leading place in Danish, or, in fact, in Scandi-
navian joumalism. At the same time Mr. TopsOe
found leisure and mental power to prAnce not a
few works of great literary merit, mostly novels, in
which, with a rare art and a refined tact, he managed
to combine the good old traditions of the past with the
modern clamour for 'realism.' Ihe series was opened
by a tale called 'Jason with the Golden Fleece,' to
which were later added other woi ks of still higher
merit ; some of these have been translated into foreign
languages. In politics Mr. Topsiie belonged to the
Right, and was a staunch supporter of the present
Danish Ministry in its struggles with the democratic
Opposition of the Lower House. He was universally
respected and liked, and all organs of public opinion
in Denmark unite in regretting his premature death
as the victim of a diphtheritic epidemic."

The other day, while the Misses Janet and Ethel
Clark, two sisters, from Dunster. Soniersetshire, were
bathing with their cousin, Miss Gibb, at the mouth of the
river Lossie, Morayshire, they got beyond their depth.
Peter Grant, a railway porter, immediately went to their
assistance, but twi, of the girls caught hold of him and
dragged him undAr the waieg...,XVAgg MiikJaiketa.aitli was
got out it was faand thattillie Was dead. The other eivo girls
are progressing favourably, but Grant, who so gallantly went
to the rescue, was drowned. The young ladies are nieces of
Ur. Grant, of the sank of Scotland, Lessiemouth.

Misaltantous Irdelligenct.

HOME, FOREIGN, AND COLONIAL.

AGRICULTURAL MAPS.—The seventh part of Mr.
Phillips Bevan's Statistical Atlas. just published by
Messrs Johnston, of Edinburgh and London. is
devoted to the pgriculture of the United Kingdom
(says the Daily News). By aid of the figures aq
references printed in colours on the maps, the condi-
tion of each county with regard to the cardinal points
of agricultural statistics is shown very clearly, and
the accompanying tables afford a useful key and com-
mentary. It will probably surprise most persons to
find that in England and Wales, where the grande
culture is supposed to reign almost supreme, upwards
of 346,000 out of the total of 473,638 holdings are of
50 acres each or under. The farms above 1,000 acres
appear to number 506. In Scotland, out of 80,101
holdings, 55,280 are of 50 acres or under, and 79 only
exceed 1,000. The Irish maps and tables present the
facts regarding holdings, landowners, crops, cattle,
and pasture, which have lately been so often published
in a very concise and complete form.
AN INTERESTING RELIC.—An interesting relic of
the first British campaign in Afghanistan is now in
the possession of an officer belonging to one of the
Beloochee regiments. It is an old cavalry sabre of
the fines'; temper, with the Royal Arms and monogram
" G.R." on one side, and the name "Ensign Terring-
ton " engraved on the other, and was captured in single
combat by a native officer at the battle of Candahar.
The sword had belonged to the father of the Afghan
from whom it was recently taken, and was the spoil
of one of the conflicts in the first Afghan war.
13175 H AND HEATH FIRES.—A correspondent writes,
—" Bush and Heath fires may take place this weather
by the bottoms of broken wine bottles acting as burn-
ing glasses on the sun-dried grass, scrub, or heath.
The Australians know that extensive and damaging
bush-fires have taken place in Australia in conse-
quence of broken bottles having been carelessly
thrown down among the dried scrub. So camp-fires
at Aldershot and bush-fires on our commons may have
their origin in parts of broken bottles acting the part
of burning-glasses."
A NEW GEM.—"Hiddenite" is the name given to
a new gem which has recently been discovered in
Alexander County, North Carolina, by Mr. W. E.
Hidden. It is a variety of spondumene, and resembles
the emerald, but has a more ethereal tint peculiar to
itself. The green lustre is of rare brilliancy, and is
probably due to vanadium in the stone. It is hard,
transparent, and rare, so that it has already taken
rank as one of the most precious gems, equal in price
to the diamond. This high value may, however, be
partly due to the fact that it is the first known gem of
pure American origin.
_

FATAL BOAT ACCIDENT.—On Sunday evening, off
New Brighton' Cheshire, John Strange, a Liverpool
boat-builder • his son, eight years of age; and a man
named William Thomas, of Little Brighton, were
about to sail in a boat from the neighbourhood of the
Perch Rock Lighthouse, at the entrance to the Mersey,
when two young men, who were unknown to the
others, asked to be allowed to join the party. Their
desire was complied with, and the boat was pushed off
with the five persons on board. When the boat got
about 200 yards off a mainsail and a foresail were
hoisted. As the vessel was being put about it cap-
sized, and the occupants were pitched out to buffet
with a strong ebb tide. All got hold of the boat,
Strange keeping hold of his little son ; but the vessel
again turded over, and the two unknown young men
were unable to regain their hold and were drowned.
The others were rescued by the pcnt of a passing pilot
boat.

AN INTERESTING GEH.—A historical ruby, whose
career can he traced for 30') years, has lately been
brought to Calcutta. It is very large, of a beautiful
colour, and is engraved with four inscriptions. The
gem first belonged to the Emperor Akbar, and from
him was transferred to the Ranas of Oodeypore, one
of whom gave it to Shah Jehan. Subsequently it was
taken by Nadir Shah, forming, like the Kohinoor,
part of the sack of Delhi, and then was captured by
the Afghans, from whom it was bought by a Kanda-
har shawl merchant, and brought back to Delhi,
where it has remained in a noble family until now.
The ruby has been perforated to allow of its being
strung in the front of a dress with other jewels, and
resembles a date in shape, being about two inches long
by an inch and a quarter broad, and rather over half
an inch thick in its thickest part.
THE LABOUR MARKET.—Latest reports from the
various centres of industry are more hopeful than for
some time past, and on a careful review it is evident
that a steady and certain revival of trade is taking
place. In the North business continues good. In
Durham and Cleveland manufactured iron has been
firm. In some cases an advance has been asked, and
fresh orders have been received for foreign and home
markets. The steam coal trade is good, but the house
coal business is rather dull. Shipbuilding is very
brisk. Marine engineering is also active. The cotton
trade in all parts of Lancashire is very busy. At
Pi eston every shed in the town is at work,
and at Blackburn and Burnley business is quite
as good. At Rotherham the steel trade is in
a good condition, though iron is not so brisk.
In Sheffield heavy orders have been received for
armour and boiler plates and for marine and en-
gineering purposes. The file trade is steadily im-
proving, and the railway spring makers are well em-
ployed. There is a good demand for cutlery, whilstthe
makers of agricultural implements have not had so
good a season for years. In some parts of Staffordshire
trade is very slack. The labour market in all parts of the
metropolis continues good. Though the home trade
generally in the West of England and South Wales keeps
rather quiet some industries, and especially those fed
by an expert trade, are very active. In the clothing
factories of Btistol and the West of England the
demand for summer goods has been far better than of
late years, and the export departments are busier than
ever' large orders having come to hand from the Cape
and Australia, and ever./ available workman is em-
ployed There is a slight improvement in the build-
ing trade, and the boot and shoe industries are
moderately active. The sugar refineries are not busy. In
South Wales the steam collieries are active, and the
iron works fairly busy, but as a rule wages are low,
and commercial men complain that the retail trades-
men are buying in extremely limited quantities.

MALT AND BARLEY.—A return issued on Tuesday
gives the number of bushels of malt charged with
duty for the year ended September, 1880, in the
United Kingdom as 49,897,517; upon which the
amount of duty charged came to £6,766,587 19s. 74d.
In the same period there was imported 3,277,481
quarters of barley.
COOLING DRINKS.—During the prevalence of an
almost tropical season it will be a welcome boon to
many to know how to make cheap cooling drinks ; and
the Temperance Record referring to the subject says:
—"As a drink for mankind let us specially mention
pure cool water. A few slices of lemon in water
make a most healthful and refreshing beverage. The
lemon should be squeezed till most of its juice is
mixed with the water, and then two or three slices of
the peel should be added. The acidity and the slight
bitterness render the water thirst-quenching. A
good-sized lemon or two will flavour half a gallon of
water. Sugar may be added in small quantities if
desired, but the less the better; or boiling water
poured on a sliced lemon, sugar added, strained,
and drunk cold, is much approved. Tea, coffee,
or cocoa are all liked in harvest work, cocoa being the
most nutritious. Tea of good quality, and made good,
to which cold may be added, is a handy and favourite
beverage. Travellers and sportsmen allow this to be a
refreshing drink. Barley water, with a slight flavour
of lemon, is nice in health and in sickness; and butter
milk, when it can be obtained. For heavy labour,
either agricultural or mechanical, nothing is so sustain-
ing as oatmeal drink, in the proportion of 11b. of meal
boiled in three gallons of water, to which is added a little
brown sugar. This may be used either warm or cold,
but should be 'well shaken before taken,' as the oat-
meal subsides to the bottom. Those who are engaged
in work far from home will find oatmeal, stirred into
cold water and drunk off Scotch fashion, a good
support."
BRITISH TROOPS IN NATAL AND THE TRANSVAAL.
—A statement of the number of troops of each arm,
now statidred in Natal and ths Transvaal, has been
presented to both Houses of Parliament. This gives
a total of 11,677 of all ranks, made up as follows :
Four regiments Cavalry, 1,793; three batteries Royal
Artillery, 567; two companies Royal Engineers, 342;
nine battalions and five companies Infantry of the
Line (including Mounted Infantry), 8,232 ; two corn-
Panies Commissariat and Transport Corps, 302 ;
Ordnance Store Corps, 119; Army Hospital Corps,
322.

PATENT OTFICE BECEIPTS.—A return relating to the
Patent Office, shows that in 1880-1 the rece-pts on
the initial stages for obtaining patents amounted to
£102,819; third year fees amounted to £50,300;
seventh year fees to £26,100; other fees to £3,544 ;
for designs, £4,982 were received, and for trade marks,
3,784 making a total of £101,520.
A THANK OFFERING FOR THE TREATY OF BERLIN.
—On the conclasion of the Berlin Treaty the Rev, F.
J. Smith, a clergymen of the diocese of Bath and
Wells, offered as a thank-offering £3,000 towards
building and endowing a church near Taunton, pro-
vided £2,000 could be raised otherwise. The condi-
tion has now been fulfilled, and the church conse-
crated by the bishop of the diocese.
THE TELEGRAPH etERKS.—Two meetings of tele-
graph clerks were held in London on Saturday. The
representatives of the staff present pledged themselves
to support a permanent committee, in case one should
be formed, but came to the conclusion that, under
present circuinstances, it was advisable to suspend the
agitation. A large conferexce of postal telegraph
clerks has also been held at Liverpool, and was at-
tended by representatives from all parts of the king-
, dom. Resolutions were passed to the effect that the
scheme of the Postmaster-General was totally in-
adequate; that steps should be taken to obtain a,
Parliamentary Commission to inquire into their dis-
satisfaction ; and that a permanent organizwion should
be formed to protect the interests of telegraph clerks.
A MIDGET MOTOR.—A little curiosity in engineer-
ing has been constructed in America by an ingenious
clockmaker, Mr. D. A. Buck. This is in all proba-
biiity the smallest steam-engine in the world, for it
is almost microscopic in its dimensions. The whole
, machine weighs only about a gramme or 15 grains,
and is entirely covered, by an ordinary thimble. The
stroke of the piston is a little over two millimetres,
or 1-12 in., and its diameter is something less than a
millimetre and a half. Nevertheless it is built up
of 110 distinct pieces fastened together by 52 screws ;
and three drops of water suffice to till the boiler, and
set the toy mechanism in motion.—Engineering
CELTIC REMAINS IN AUSTRIA.—The Vienna Corre-
spondent of the Standard says that a discovery of
great interest to antiquarians and students of the
early history of the human race has just been made
at Hallef, near Salsburg. A tumulous has there
been opened, containing a large quantity of human
bones and other relics, including bronze rings of
various sizes and workmanship, knives, corals, amber,
and numerous other trinkets. The most important
object among the remains is. a skull of massive build
'aiisturinsual shape, and with the teeth in an excellent
state of preservation. The mound where the dis-
covery was made is believed to have been the burial
place of members of an ancient Celtic race,

INVISIBLE CHAIRS.—A valuable innovation in the
event of fire or panic is announced for a new theatre
shortly to be built in New York. The and torium
will be seated with "invisible chairs," so constructed
that on the occupants touching a spring the frame-
work will collapse, and become part of the floor.
Thus every one will be able to move unimpeded to
the doors, and the egress of the audience will be rapid
and simple. There is one danger, however, a paper
has pointed out. Suppose a practical joker touched
the spring of his neighbour's seat at some exciting
moment

EVICTIONS IN IRELAND.—From a return issued from
the Irish Constabulary ()faze, and published as a Par-
liamentary paper, it appears that there were 1,065
families and 5,262 persons evicted in Ireland during
the quarter ended June 30th, 1881. Of these fifty
families and 256 persons were readmitted as tenants,
and 542 families and 2,894 persons readmitted as care-
takers, leaving a net total of 473 families and 2,112
persons absolutely evicted. The retarns are made by
provinces and counties, and show that evictions were
most numerous in Ulster and least in Leinster.
MILITARY SAVINGS BANKS.—An account
depositors
pub-
lished of the amount due by the public to
in military savings banks on the 31st March, 1879, vs,
and of the receipts, interest, and disbursements during
the year ending 31st March, 1880, gives a total of
£273,450 Bs. 4d.; an account of the sums paid over ,
by the Secretary of State for War to the Commis-
sioners for the Reduction of the National Debt, for
investment in bank annuities on account of the fund
for military savings banks; and of the dividends re-
ported to the Secretary of State for War by the said
Commissioners to have been received thereon, and in-
vested in further aid of the fund for military savings
banks gives the total amount of 2,327,539 11s. 9d.
RAILWAY RATES AND CHARGES. Mr. Tennant
general manager of the North-Eastern Railway, was
examined before the Select Committee on railway
rates and charges on Monday. He admitted that the
rates charged for the conveyance of home cattle and
grain were higher than those charged for foreign.
The witness gave some interesting statistics as to the
increase in the grain imports into Hull. The quantity
thus imported had increased from 964,000 qrs. in
1866 to 2,489,000 qrs. in 1880, or an increase of 150
per cent. The manufacture of pig iron in the north-
eastern district had doubled in the last twelve years.

NATIONAL SWIMMING SCHOOLS URGLIL—In noticing
the great number of persons who have recently lost
their lives, the Daily Telegraph remarks :—The -
drowning season is, indeed, setting in this year with
more than its accustomed severity. It is incompre. ,
hensible that the English people, addicted as they are '
to boating, sailing, fishing, bathing, and water-sports
of all kinds, should fail to recognise the importance of ".
natation as an element of national education. All -
children should be taught to swim, as well as to read,
write, and cipher, whether they will or not; and, in
view of the settled indifference exhibited towards
that necessary accomplishment by the lower classes
of her Majesty's subjects, it is highly desirable
that theiLegislature should force them to teach
their children swimming, even if prejudice or in- -
dolence prompt them to persist in sustaining
their own qualification for a watery grave. By a Y,
very slight extension of the powers at present
vested in School Boards the annual loss of many
valuable lives would be averted; and public money
could not be better spent than in the establishment of
National Swimming Schools attendance at which
should be obligatory upon all British girls and boys, •
say between the ages of seven and fourteen, until they 44,
should attain a certain degree of proficiency in the
science of of natation.

THE ENGLISH PRINCES IN AIISTRALIA.—A Renter's •tetalv''
telegram from Adelaide, dated June 14, says:--"
Princes Albert Victor and George of Wales met 11""ift
with a very cordial reception on landing at Glenelg on
the night of the 12th inst. Although the reception -4g.
was of a private character large crowds assembled on 1414.
the pier and at the railway station, and loudly cheered kir.
their Royal Highnesses. The Princes yesterday
visited the principal points of interest in the city, and 4.A. •tfi
to-day went to the Wallaroo copper mines." lot Its Tit

‘l,
EGGS EXPORTED FROM ORKNEY.—The Orkney Is.
lands appears to be good egg-producing district, as g
from trustworthy statistics it has been ascertained .4.
that (luring the last twelve months more than
11,000,000 have been sent by steamers and sailing
vessels to southern markets. From the various ports
in the county 7,023 boxes of eggs were exported.
These boxes contained from 120 to 180 dozen each,
and taking the average at 140 dozen, this give 5.983,220
dozen, or 11,798,640 eggs; a fair estimate of this
enormous number is got by an average of Bd. per
dozen, which is rather under than over the real
value here. This gives a total value of 02,774,
more than half the free rentil of the county, and
equal to 20s. per head of the entire population.
THE GENTLE HlNT.—Small, Boy (to Visitor) :
"Here's your hat and umbrella, and you'd better go
now, or Mamma will be as cross as she was last time
you called, and you stopped such a time." (General
j oy). —Judy.
AVERAGE PRICES OF BRITISH CORN.—The follow-
ing are the average prices of Blitish corp for the week
ending July 16, as received from the inspectors and
officers of Excise : Wheat, 468. 2d. ; barley, 265. 11d. ;
oats, 245. Gd. per imperial qr. Corresponding week
last year :—Wheat, 435. id. ; barley, 275. 9d. ; oats,
26a. 4d.

FUNERALS IN AMERlCA.—Transatlantic funerals are
conducted with much more pomp than in the Old
World, and the fashion of "caskets," as the Americans
politely term coffins, varies as much as the style of
feminine toilette. Still, it seems rather odd to read
in a dressmaking advertisement in one of the American
paper, that "in addition to dressmaking in all its *
branches, Mrs. will also conduct the business of Ng
laying out the dead, and will at all times be pre-
pared to make at the very shortest notice shrouds,
robes, habits, and burial dresses of every descrip-
tion, from the plainest to the most elaborate in cash-
mere, Swiss, silk, satin, &c. An establishment where
handsome burial dresses can be obtained at short
notice has long been a want in this city."
THE CAT IN A CUPBOARD.—" The Nava_ Disctllnó
Bill will not be pressed this year," but in the mean-
while, says Mr. Trevelyan, answering Sir J. Hay,
"the Admiralty has sent round a circular to the
commanding ottcers, directing that corporal punish-
ment should not form part of the sentences of courts-
martial. Though, then, the Cat, in the Royal Navy,
cannot be made away with before next Session, it will,
however, remain till then shut up in a state of sus-
pended animation. Next session it will be let out of
the bag.—Punch.
DEAN STANLEY'S MOTHER.—The following is from
the obituary notice, of Dean Stanley, in 7he Times :
Mrs. Stanley, lived to see her son successively Canon
of Canterbury and of Christ Church, and already
ranking among the formost men of his time. She
died in 1862, when her son was absent in attendance on
the Prince of Wales, on a journey, through Egypt
and Palestine. Of her as of his father, the Dean
himself has drawn a picture which no other we
biographer need attempt to rival :—" Catherine *wok 1
Stanley was 13 years younger than her husband. 140 i *
and was married at the early age of 18. Throughout
his course she was his constant stay and support, and
in his influeme and labours she took an unfailing
interest and pride. She survived him for 12 years,
during which the happiness and energy of her exist-
ence were concentrated on the son and two daughters
who were still left to her. She was one of those
women of whom Wordsworth's well-known lines,
lines with a slight variation, were singularly true—
"Nobly plann'd
"'To warn, to counsel, to command.'

.-ft

There was a quiet wisdom, and a rare unselfishness, a or -fig
calm discrimination, a firm decision, which made her
judgment and her influence felt through the whole
circle in which she lived. To the outside world she
was comparatively unknown. It might well have been,
therefore, that such a character should have passed
away like a fragrance that nothing can recall. But it
so happens that, especially in her earlier life, she left,
in journals or in letters, remarks which have been
thought worth preserving, not only as the genuine re-
flection of herself, but also as products of a culture,
as in a simple country life the first years of this cen-
tury could finish.polrtcewl
aa
no fu
nhdeerr
thaant d
iSnygd. e
tS
is
i nh
sthaiids,:pHorecreslaiisn'adelicacy of intelligence that the main
interest of these extracts consists ; and they will not
be deemed less instructive because, like her husband's
activity, her own spiritual insight beionged to that
larger sphere of religion which is above and beyond
the passing controversies of the day."
.ri •
A KiriD FAIRT.—The young Queen of Spain is highly s
popular in Madrid, the American Register tells us, and
is most active on behalf of art, literature, and charity.
She has put aside much of the painful Spanish
etiquette, and constantly visits the institutions of the
capital, thus earning the title of the "kind fairy."
She is an accomplished artist, and on recently going
into an art school, where she noticed one of the pupils'
work was faulty, sat down by her side and herself
made the necessary. corrections.
DEATH FROM SUNSTROKE.—Mr. George Collier,
deputy-corner for the Eastern Division of Middlesex,
has held an inquiry at Bromley-by-Bow, concerning
the death of Thomas Frederick Parker, aged 30, an
engine cleaner. Deceased, who was in the employ-
ment of the North London Railway Company, com-
plained very much on the 15th instant of the intense
heat, and about nine o'clock in the morniug was found
in his room quite unconscious. Dr. Harvey was sum-
moned, but the efforts of that gentleman failed to
produce any favourable effect, and deceased died soon
afterwards from effusion on the brain arising from
sunstroke. A verdict was returned accordingly.—
According to the return of the various metropolitan
hospitals, a large number of persons were visited on
Monday Monday with sunstroke.
RUSSIAN NATIONAL DEBT.—According to the most
sretcaetnetpoeffibctiaatl stthaetebmegeinntsn
ntgheofcolnBdbiotiwon oasasf thfoelßlot:ssi:a—n
tThl e
Stateeo ns o iadnaitoeudn
tdeedb tt
oe nte4rsecl,
217 q, 0 0 h Gt
orgceattii
eßro owk
tohf
2,81, 1
41,50.350080,320D0,1,70h
paper ul,deen,rolu2bo,le6s6,o,lonoOakisig
iilyearltorognebthleesr,
a
£302,078,000. The floating debt was £68,470,000 and
288.270,000 paper roubles, making altogether
£97,300,000. If to these sums we add £90,900,000 for
uncovered paper money, we find that .the total amount
of the Russian State Debt is £490,086,000.
THE LONDON FISH AND FOOD SUPPLY.—The in
quiry instituted by the Corpoartion into the fish
and food supply of the metropolis was resumed
at the Guildhall cn Monday. Mr. Birt, general
manager of the Great Eastern Railway Company,
was examined, and stated that his company conveyed
large quantities of fi,-11 to the London Market. They
experienced great ddficulty in getting the fish to Bil-
lingsgate. During the three months ending June 30
last the company's vehicles had been detained from one
hour to six hours and more. There could not be delays
in cart Age without adding considerably to the cost of
the article. London had grown so large, and was still
growing to such an extent, that it would be much
better to have two or three fish markets rather than
one central market. So impressed were the directors
of the Great astern Company with the importance of
something deing done that, is constructing large
works on the site of the old passenger station at
Bishopsgate, they were prepared to allot an area of
two and a quarter acres for the accomodation of rail-
way-borne fish. When Smithfield market was built
the railway rates for meat were reduced at once, and
the same result would doubtless follow from improved
accomodation for the fish trade.

f