biglam/hmd_newspapers huggingface dataset:
The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-02-10

SUICIDE OF A LUNATIC.

On Monday evening an inquest was held before the
Coroner at Shrewsbury on the body of the Rev. John
Robinson Lee, who had committed suicide on the pre-
vious Saturday morning by cutting his throat.
Deceased had been ordained a clergyman of the
Church of England, and was a man of distinguished
scholastic attainments. He was educated at Shrews-
bury School, where, previous to his leaving, he held
second place, his more successful rival being Mr.
Arthur Holmes, now one of the Camt ridge Examiners.
He graduated B.A. and M.A. at Cambridge, and ob-
tained a Scholarship at Magdalen, which he held up to
the time of his untimely death. He was only 37 years
of age, but some time ago contracted habits of in-
temperance, from which no entreaties of friends could
reclaim him. At the latter end of last year he was
nent,to Shrewsbury Lunatic Asylum, from which after
three weeks he wag returned as perfectly cured. Re-
turning, however, to his old habits, and having a con-
tinual horror of beingsent there again, he continued to
get
worse. On Friday evening he was sitting in his own
rinse with his mother, and having complained of his
head, medicine to induce sleep WU administered, but
without effect, and at 3 o'clock on Saturday morning he
went to an adjoining room, and, taking up a knife
which he found there, he inflicted a terrible gash in
the side of his neck, and also plunged a large pair of
scissors into his windpipe, from which injuries he very
shortly died. The jury returned a verdict of " Tem-
porary insanity," appending to their verdict a strong
expression of opinion that due attention had not been
paid to him since last December, when determined
lunacy was apparent.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-02-10

OLD HILL.

AS/ATILT CAllll.—At, the Police Court, on Wednesday,
before Maseru F. W. CI. Barre and N. Mpgley, William
Shaw, Joseph Round, and Samuel Griffiths, were
charged with assaulting Samuel Billet* alias " Law-
yer," on the sth lest, at Old Hill. Mr. Deakin, of Old.
bury, :defended. Complainant said be lived at Elbow.
street, Old Hill, and was a miner. On the above date he
was coming out of Johnson's, the King's Head, about 1
o'clock In the morning, when the defendants set about
him. Round knocked him down, and the others kicked
him on the face. They had not quarrelled. He did not
speak to them. Crosc-examined : I have known priso-
ners about three years. There was no card playing. I
do not know Samuel Nock, but know Samuel 'Monkey."
I had seen " Monkey " before I went to the public-house.
I was sober. Round is a horsenail maker, and the other
two are colliers. Jane Willetts, cousin of complainant,
said she heard a noise in the street, and wee looking
through the bedroom window. She heard complainant
shout out, "Murder." She went down, and found him
lying against Johnson's will. He was hurt very badly,
and could not speak. She heard the defendant Round's
voice. Witnesses were called for the defence, and atter
hearing their evidence, the Bench fined defendants is
and costs each.
TRANSFEREL—The following transfers took place: The
White Lion, Old Hill, from Thomas Bird (deceased) to
Anne Bird (widow); Beerhouse, tiarratts Lane, from
Joseph Griffiths to Thomas Ashfield ; Malt Shovel hi er-
house, Rowley, from John Thomas Dickson to Job Tay-
lor ; Duke of Wellington, Tividale, from Joshua Harris
to Samuel Baskin.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-02-10

Our fonbon Qt orrespeubtut.

We deem e. lght to state that we do no° It all time*
seaW 01111SetWeb With OW Correspondent's national

The opening session will, in all probability, be one of
the most stirring and exciting we have had for years,
and that is saying a good deal, considering the spirited
party conilictand political activity that have character-
ised several recent parliamentary campaign& In proof
of this remark— I, of oourse, only week of a
probability—l will merely mention a few topies :
Afrgorra ; the appointment of 'air Robert
lerslifer ; —the. Alabama claims r the French treaty;

the Ballot ; education—Scotch, to say nothing
of Inch; the Licensing question; the demand for it re-
form of the Reform Act —but why need I pile up the
agony Te not any one of these things suggestive,

„
and are they not 118 a whole very suggestive?
I offer_ no opinion on the
_sub jects . here men.

tioned, but! dink we not be far out if we conic
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-02-10

MR. PEABODY'S GIFT.

The following is the etaterated of the Trustees, for the
year 1871-
The Trustees of the Peabody I)onistioa Fund
present to the public their annual statement of pro-
ceedings for the year ending on the 31st December,
1871. First Trust. --Under this trust, five groups of
buildings-at Spital6elds, Islington, Shaelwell, West-
minster, and Chelsea-have been erected, as fully set
forth in former reports, affording accommodation, col-
lectively, to nearly 600 families; and the Trustees also
possess a cite at Bermondsey, on which they con-
template building.
The accrued rents and investments of this trust, after
deducting its administrative expenses, amounted, at
the close of the past year, to £32,922 18s. 3.1. This sum
added to the original fun I of £150.000 makes the pro-
pertyl (cif inhitnhtenalo"7 agmou statementn tt o 1.82,922 e 1 3cl
D Afieasouenxi
as per last year's report, £178,733 10s. 7d. ; interest
and rants since received, £4,351 17s. 11d. ; less expenses
of management, £162 10s. 11., leaving £4,189 7s. Bd.
-total, £182,922 18e. 6d. Credit-Land and build
ings, £163,092 14e. 7.1. ; investments, £15,398 Bs. 9d. ;
cash at Stank of England, £4,426 13s. 10d. ; ditto
in hand, £.5 is. Id. -total, 1:182.922 188. 3d.
The second donation of Mr. Peabody, to the amount
of £200.000, became available for building purposes in
1869, and to this sum will be added, in 1873, in accord-
ance with Mr. Per.body's bequest, a further sum of
£150,000. Out of this fund were purchased the site at
Chelsea, and the Magdalen Hospital estate at Black.
friars-road, described in the report of last year.
On the last-named property, the buildings then
in course of construction, were completed in August
last. affording tenements to 300 families' for which
applications were and continue to be largely
in excess of the accommodation available. Profit-
ing by experience, the trustees have introduced into
these dwellings a new style and system of construction,
affording, at less outlay and without increased rents,
greater comforts and conveniences to the tenants, than
in the buildings previously erected. The followinfs is
the financial statement of the:second trust to the 31st
of December, 1871 : Debit. -Amount as per last re-
port, £213,918 Is. 7d. ; interest and rents since re-
ceived. £7,305 12s. 2a. •, less expenses of management,
£238. 3s. 2.i., leaving £7,067 N.-total, 420.985 10s. 7d.
Credit.-Land and buildings, £73,770 9s. 7d. ; invest-
ments, £141,191 is. 11d.; cash at Bank of hngland,
£O.OlO 15e. lid.; ditto in hand, £6 3s. 2d. -total,
£220,985 10e. 711.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-02-10

STOURBRIDGE WATER WORKS COMPANY

(LIMITED).

XTOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that the
ORDINARY GENERAL MEETING of the
ibareholders of the Stourbridee Water Works Company
I Limited), will be held at the Company's Office, No. 1,
n2HINICII•STREET, DI the Township of Stourbridge, in the
'minty of Worcester, on MONDAY, the 28th day of
&quietism( NIT, at Four o'clock in the Mtecnoon, to
receive the Directors' Report, and to adopt the same or
,therwise, to declare a dividend, and for the purpose of
transacting the general business of the Company.

By order,

GEO. HOLLOWAY, Seen Am.

Company's Offieee, Stourbridge,
February Mb, 1872.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-02-10

el AM ES BAYLISS,
GENERAL, FURNISHINO, BUILDERS' AND AORICULURAL

. IRONNIONCI-El=2,,
BAGLEY sIKRET, lIALA'SOIVEN.

OPEN AND CLOSE FIRE KITCHEN RANGES, OVEN GRATES,AND REGISTER
STOVES. ROMAN AND PORTLAND CEMENTS.
PUMPS. PUMPS_ PUMPS.
I ill A RUBBER WASHERS, ROPE YARN, COTTON WASTE, MACHINE OILS.
PIT. PELT_FIT
FELT FOR ROOFING, only Id. per square Foot. Best Warranted FILES & RASPS.
SKATES- SK.A_TES. SATES.
THE NEW PATENT ACME SKATE.
TWIHO'S CHAMPION HORSE-CUTTING MACHINE, Price IBs 64, complete with tornserew

VTOIR.,CEJ SFII E R BIiJVT =R./Y.

mEssits. J. & w. STALLARD

BEG to inform the Public generally that they hare, in connection with their Brewery
Opened Stores at •Oldswinford,

For the convenience of their Customers at Stourbridge and surrounding towns, shore their

MIDIDI SZ'P.,OI\TO- AND TD_A_T__,E

ALES, STOUT, AND POIZTEE,

May be obtained on the same Terms as at the Brewery, from

MR,. JOSMPI-I BA_IT_M-Y",

SOLE AGENT FOR THE DISTRICT.

ORDERS RESPECTEULLY SOLICITED.

VISITORS TO BIRMINC3-1-I_A_M

SUFFIELD'S
DINING ROOMS& LUNCHEON BAR,

T_TI\TIOI\T
( ILkifl Three Minutes' walk rf thelleaddiam ;_qati,lis
G- E 1

BRYANT & MAY'S
NEW METAL POCKET BOXES FOR WAX VESTAS AND VESUVIANS,

'MTH P.A.TENT SPRIIC3- COVERS.

-
1.
4,, '4
•
-,
..• s
v•••,
•-'OHN ars;c,C.•
iIItYANT ac 14Airp
PATENT.
LONDON.
0,
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-02-10

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

The fourth session of the present Parliament was
opened on Tuesday by Ro`j'al Commission, the Commis-
sioners being the lord Chancellor, the Marquis of
Ripon, Viscount Halifax, the Earl of Beashorough, and
Viscount Sydney.
The proceedings in the House of Lords were of a
very quiet character. Just before the clock struck
two. the Hishops of I lereford and Chichester entered
the House, and were soon followed by three lay peers.
Precisely at the hour, the Lord Chant, nor entered the
House, and was joined by the other Commissioners,
'Om took their seats at the front f the Throne.

It was not until one o'clock that the floor of the
House of Commons assumed an active appearance;
and at a quarter to two the Speaker was announced,
aial the right hon. gentlenian, attended by the ('hap.
lain (the Rev. H. White) and the Sergeant-at-Arms,
took a seat at the Clerk's table. Prayers were then
read, and a few minutes before two the Speaker took
the chair.
The Royal Commissioners having taken their seats,
Black Rod" was sent to command the presence of
the Commons. Having been admitted within
the doors, Black Rod, who wore his official costume
and the blue riband of the Bath, advanced to
the table and formally requested the attendance
of the Speaker sad members of the House at the bar
of the House of Lords to hear the Royal Commission
read. The Speaker, and a large number of the mem-
bers present, forthwith proceeded to the Upper House.

The COMIII/9151011 having been read, the Lord Chan•
eellor read
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-02-10

HA.LESONWEN.

NEGLECT OF WORE.—At the Petty Sessions, on Thee-
day last, before Messrs. E. Moore, E. Gem, and Major
Smith, Sampson Harris was charged with neglecting to
work up a quantity of iron, the property of Messrs.
Hickton ard Homer, of Halesowen. Mr. Wright proved
that defendant had out the iron in November last, and
had neglected to work it in. After hearing the evidence,
the Bench ordered the defendant to work up the non in
14 days; in default committed for one month.
ASSAULTING A WOMAN.—llialte WOTIOII was Charged b 3
Mary Ann Andrews with assaulting her on the Ist inst.
Complainant said that the defendant's son was in the
hahit of throwing stenes at her. She caught him in Vie
act and culled him for it, whan the defendant followed
her to her house, burst open the door, and beat her.
The defendant pleaded guilty, and was tined lls 64 and
costs. . .

STEALING PIGEONS.—Joseph Ballard was charged with
feloniously stealing four pigeons, value is, and one ferret
value 50, on the lit lust, the property of Thomas Cook.
Richard Cook proved that the pigeons and ferret were
safe on the Thursday morning, the ferret in the pen, and
the pigeons in the gig-house. The pigeons belonged to
his brother, and the ferret was his property. Joseph
Knight, of Dayhouse Bank, said he knew the prisoner,
SIId saw him near Cook's farm. William Wight, of Bir-
wingham-street, said that on the dud February he bought
a ferret of the prisoner, and gave him is 6‘l for it. He
asked prisoner if he had stolen it. He said that he bad
come to sell it for another man. Henry Withers, of Bir-
mingham-street, Halesowen, said he knew the prisoner,
and on the 2nd inst bought the four pigeons produced.
(Jaye 2s for the four, prisoner said the pigeons were his
own property. They were common pigeons. Prisoner
pleaded guilty. Police-constable Knowles gave the pri-
soner a very bad character. Sentenced to three months'
hard labour. . -

LARCZNY Case.—Elizabeth JOIICO, Of Oldbury, was
charged with feloniously stealing one counterpane, value
3s 60, the property of Henry Jones. Anne Jones, wife
of prosecutor, said that she lived at Oldbury. On the
ist she missed the counterpane produced. Police•con-
stable Parkes said from information received, he met the
prisoner in the evening Prisoner had got the property
wrapped under her arm. Prisoner pleaded guilty. Corn.
mitted for one month's imprisonment.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-02-10

THE TICHBORNE FAMILY.

A Newspaper Correspondent writes

It may not be generally known that the Tiehborne
family wag represented on the High Court of Justice
which condemned Charles I. to the block. Mr. Robert
Tichborne, a member of a younger branch of the family,
in his early life carried gn business as a linendmper in
the City of London. At the commencement of the
disturbances he attached himself to the Parlia-
mentary party, to whose interests he became
entirely devoted. He launehed out deeply into
the extravagances of the popular party, of whom
he became a leader. When the Civil War broke out
he entered the Parliamentary army, and passing
through various ranks to that of colonel. he was ap-
pointed Lieutenant of the Tower under General Fair-
fax. In this position his power was very considerable;
he commanded the City at his will, and swayed them
at his pleasure. His consequence and power were so
great that he was appointed one of the King's judges,
and after presenting a petition from the Common
Council of London for the trial, he omitted no
opportunity of showing his deep interest in its pro-
gress and result. He was only absent from the
court during its eatire sitting for two days, and he
rle a appended
'Parsing:a the signature
Commonwealthtthe
wallle faotrta7neeedutig
civic and national dignity. In 1650 he was one of
the sheriffs of London ; and in 1656 he was elected
Lord Mayor of the City, under the appellation
IA Sir Robert Tichborne, Skinner. He was held
in such high favour and esteem by the Protector,
that he was appointed one of the Committee of
State in 1655, knighted and made one of
Cromwell's 'lords." After his death Tichborne
attached himself to the interests of his son Richard;
but had nevertheless sufficient influence to obtain
swats on the Council of State and on the Committee
of Safety. At the Restoration he became a prisoner in
the Tower. He wan charged with treason and with
having maliciously taken part in the trial Qf Charles 1.,
and signed his death warrant. He wail 'tried at the
Old Bailey in 1660; he pleaded that he acted in obedi-
ence to the Parliament and in ignorance and without
malice, no doubt in fulfilment of an agreement made
between ins friends and the Government. No evidence
was offered against him by the prosecution, and his life
was spared, but he lingered out the remainder of his
life in captivity, and he died a prisoner in the Tower,
of which he was once the Commander.
canine

PuovEsslAL Pamosorsr.—A curious
coincidence may,
_uoesibly, escape the reader's notice.
At the recent Dog-show held in Dublin there were
exactly 365 dogs exhibited, a dog for each day of the
year—illustrating the philosophical proverb, "Every
dcg has his dsy."—Pusch.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-02-10

THE LAST SEVEN CAPITAL
SENTENCES.

Br. William rallact, secretary of the Howard assoeiatten,
writes to the papers:—
The last seven capital sentences in England and their
results (all within about a month) afford a most con-
clusive proof that the law of murder should be so
amended without delay as to be at least capable of being
(generally carried out. At present it is not so, nor has
it been so for many years,. and the obstacles have in-
creased till they have fairly brought about a dead-
lock. In the finitof the recent cases, the Derby murder,
the judge interposed and advised a commutation, which
was granted. In the second and third cases, at Leicester,
the prosecutor, all the jury, who had returned a verdict of
guilty, and several members of Parliament, interposea,
with success, to prevent the executionlof the law. In the
fourth instance, at Coventry, the Lord-Lieutenant of
the county, several M.P.'s and magistrates, and a
number of other persons interposed, and again with
success. In the fifth case, at Cheltenham, a number
of clergy, "Friends," and others, interposed, but
failed. This was the only one of the seven murderers
upon whom the sentence was carried out. In the sixth
and seventh instances (the Rev. Mr. Watson and Miss
Edmunds), nearly the whole nation may be said to have
aucessfully obstructed the carrying out of the law.
Yet even the recommendations of the judges in both
instances, and of the medical men in the latter,
although acted upon, are admitted to be in opposition to
the law as it stands defined. In America statutes' are
'sometimes passed, or retained, with an understanding
that their operation shall only be nominal. But
such things are greatly to be deprecated here. All
genuine respect for the laws and Constitution of Eng-
land, and all due consideration for the successive Home
Secretaries, now demand a prompt alteration of the
statutes affecting murder. Public security also de-
mands it. And many law-abiding subjects of the
Queen are entitled to it, for, as an esteemed correspon-
dent lately remarked to me in reference to two of the
above cases, 'What a paradox it is that the bent citi-
zens should so often be called upon to prevent the exe-
cution of the laws -.A their country!"
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-02-10

A SAD SUICIDE.

An inquest has been held in London, at the
Arnie Tavern, City•road, touching the death of An-
thony Scott, aged 37 years, &labourer, employed at a
sugar manufactory, who destroyed his life after being
detected in stealing • small quantity of sugar.
Sophia Scott, in giving evidence, said that the
deceased was her husband. On Saturday night, at seven
o'clock, he burst open the front door and ran upstairs
and threw himself upon a bed upon which witness was
lying ill. He said, I have tam poison. litre are
two letters for you." Dr. Pottle was then called in,
and the deceased expired from the effects of poisoning
by cyanide of pots/ohm ,• a bottle which had con-
tained the poison was found lying upon the floor. The
first letter was addressed to his master :
" Sir,—When I took that piece of sugar I had no more
thought of committing a theft than a child unborn. Had
you forgiven me and allowed me to return to my duty I
should have groved myself a worthy and valuable servant.
All hope In this world Is gone. I trust that out of your
, meendfleent resources you will do something for my wife
and two children. I cannot bear the stigma of thief, so end
my life. Trusting you will accede to nip dying request, and
do something for my family, I subscribe myself your late
servant, ANTHONY SCOTT.' .

King'

The second letter, to his wife, wan as follows :
"Sophls,—l have lost my best friend, and lost my situation
through taking a piece of sugar value about 2d. I was dis-
charged with ignominy. I cannot bear the name of thief, CO
end my life. Hoping you will find friends, and so he better with
them and without me, I leave my dear children to their un-
foreseen friendly care, and remain your unfortunate husband,
ANIToN S."
- • - - -

The jury returned • verdict of "Suicide while in •
state of temporary insanity."
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-02-10

POOR FELLOW!

The experiences of a pork-butcher's shop-boy named
Broche, who has just been trierl by a court-martial at
Versailles, are well worth a passing record. On the
outbreak of the Communal insurrection, he was taken
much against his will—from the sale of sausages to
serve in a Federal battalion of National Guards at
Neuilly. Here he incurred the ill-will of his comrades
by his refusing to accept the rank of a captain. He
was accordingly tried and sentenced to be shot. The
men entrusted with his execution decided—by way
of a change, perhaps —to hang the unfortunate
Broche instead of shooting him, and he was accord-
ingly launched into space from a first-floor win-
dow. He contrived, however, to cling to the wall,
and so to aroid total strangulation, until cut down by
some men of another battalion who took pity on him
and disapproved of the uumilitary mode of execution
adopted. Broche, however, only remained two days
with his new friends. At the end of that time he
attempted to escape, but was so closely pursued that he
tjumps.!into the Seine, and swam to the bank occupied
y the Versailles troops, who hospitably received him
with a hailstorm of balls, one of which struck him in
the leg. Being taken before a court-martial of officers
of the regular army, his protestations of innocence
were disbelieved, and he was condemned for the second
time tube shot. The executioners of M. Thiers, hov-
erer, lid not do their work any better than those of
the Commune, for though duly shot and left for
dead, Broche escaped with two flesh wounds and a
broken arm. He was hidden and nursed by an in-
habitant of Puteaux, where he had been shot, and
when the Commune fell, was again arrested and taken
to Versailles, where he appears to have passed the last
eight months in prison. Being tried a few days ago
for the third time, the unlucky and yet lucky pork-
butcher was at once acquitted.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-02-10

CRADLEY REAM

BEERHOUSE OFFENCE.—At the Old Hill Police Court,
on Wednesday. before Messrs. F. W. G. Barra and N.
tlingley, John Poole, landlord of the Vine Inn beerhouse,
an charged with selling drink during prohibited hours,
n the 2fitl, ult. Police-constable Craddock proved see•
.ug two lads come out of defendant's house with some
le on the night in question, a few minutes to twelve.
Ile went inside, and found two men in the back kitchen.
I hey had a quart jug and a glees before them. The
glass was half.full of ale. This was the firstcase against
.I.,fendant, who was ordered to pay costs.
To Cases MASUPACTUBERS.—HoIt V. Coley.—At the
Dudley County Court, on Wednusday lest, Messrs. Holt,
merchants, sued Mr. Coley, a chain manufacturer, of
Cradley, for £3O damages for breach of contract to deli.
ver • number of chains, of good quality, to the plaintiff's
order at Sunderland. Mr. Underhill (instructed by
Messrs. Homfray and Holberton), was for the plaintiff.
and Mr. Stokes was for the defendant. The plaintiffs
gave the defendant an order on the 19th of October last
for two tons cf chain. Nothing' was said in the order
shout the quality, but the price inserted showed that the
order meant common chains. The goods were sent, but
in a month they came batik, having broken in several
places. In croas.examination by Mr. Stokes, the plain-
tiff admitted that the order was for common chain, and
that the goods had been subjected to a test for best
chains. Mr. Stokes contended that under the circum-
stances there was no breach of contract. His Honour
non-suited the plaintiffs.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-02-10

DEMONSTRATION IN TRAFALGAR.
SQUARE, LONDON.
(From The Tinws.)

On Monday night the Trafalgar-square dernonetra-
tions were resumed, and the special attractions for this
occasion were the lime-light and Mr. George Odger,
there being, of course, the usual additions of bands and
banners. The meeting was called to demonstrate in
the cause of "Freedom of Speech," and in point of
numbers it was all that could be desired, but in point
of "demonstrating " anything.more than mere howling
it was a total failure. Portions of one or two speeches
were heard by those very close to the speakers and by
those only, but the chief part WWI in dumb show, and
the oratory was nearly all displayed before a swaying,
shrieking crowd, who paid little attention to the
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-02-10

CRADLEY.

COLLIERY FATALITY.—OR Monday, a boy named
Richard Weaver, Employed at the Cradley Fields Col-
liery, as horse-driver, was so much injured as to cause
his death. He was down the pit, and had stopped his
h ,rse, when suddenly the horse started, and the tab
seueczed the boy with so much force against the sides
so to severely injure his inside. He was conveyed to the
surface, but only lived abmt two hours.—On Wednesday
another boy named Joseph Lander had his shrill fractured
at the same colliery by a fall of coal, and•lite is despaired
of.

laguarr.— An inquest WAS held on the body of Richard
Weaver, on Tharrday last, and it was adj 'Tuned for the
attei.daneo of the Inspector.
Iwurnar.—An inquest was held on Thursday, at Mr.
Simeon Fink's, The Old Two Gates, bet, ire It. Docker,
Esq., Coroner. toncliing the death of a bye imed Alfred
Melts, aged six weeks, who died on the tint Septem-
h, lot. After hearing the evidence, the jary returned
a verdict .1" Died from natural eatuara."
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-02-10

STOURBRIDGE CONSTITUTIONAL

ASSOCIATION.

rHE COMMITTEE have great pleasure in
1 announcing that
EDWARD HARPER, ESQ.,
OF LONDON,
WILL DELIVER A LECTURE

" CHURCH, THRONE, AND CONSTITUTION,"
ON MONDAY VINING, FMB. 19. 1871,
IN THE COEN EXCHANGE,
V. ROBERTS, ESQ., IN TliE CHAIR.

Doors open at 7.30. Lecture to commence at Eight
'clock.

Tickets: Front Seats, tid ; Back, 3d may be had of
limier'. S. Field, Observer Office; D. Skidmore, book-
.. Her ; J. Hughes, High-street ; at the door; or of any
..ember of the Committee.

Just Published, price 6d.,

'[IRE PRINCE'S ILLNESS: Its LESSONS.
1.. A LECTURE on the PREVENTION of DO-
EASK. By BALTHAZAR W. PORTER, M.D.,
Physician to the Oesseral itoepitsi, Birmingham.
London: J. and A. Cuonctuu.. Bizmingbain : Con.
NISH BSI/Tagil.

TESTIMONIAL TO MR. S. SIMMS.
THE Friends of Mr. S. SIMMS, of Stour-
1. bridge, propose to present kaiTIIIONIAL to
him ise • token of their regard and olospethy.

The following Gentlemen hare commuted to act sa •
Committee, to rMee Funds for that purpose :
liev. 11. Sberisrd Hey. J. Riebarde
Ites. I). hlagisinini li. L. Campbell, MI).
H. 0. his meanie, Keg. Captain Vi slicer
Benjamin W libelee:, Lag 1 W. G. Goddard, Keg.
Mr. E. btringer j Mr. I:. Broondoill
James Mathews, Esq. ,
T. I). Thomas, Esij., Hon. Treasurer.
Mr. H. King, Hon. 6eeretary.

SuLneriptioha may he raid to any id the a hove Gen-
tlemen, or to the Stuurblidge and Kaddenoimter Book,
ot Stombridge or Kidderminster.

FOUND
on the Ist Fannin', between Stour-
)aide and Kaldermiabler, a White Bitch.—Apply
Obsern r Office, Stoarbridge.

w. EDWARDS,

CHRONOMETER, WATCH, & CLOCK

MANUFACTURER,

I MPORTER OF FRENCH CLOCKS, SWISS WATCHES,

arc.,
(iOLDSMITH, JEWELLER, AND SILVER.

SMITH,
44, NEW-STREET, BIRMINGHAM.

ESTABLISHED UPWARDS OF A CENTURY.

The most extensive asxortmcnt of Nirst•akes
..VATCHES, CLOCKS, JEWELLERY, ,tc., Am, oil
Loudon.

FRENCH CLOCKS of the newest dedgos in great
viriely.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-02-10

STOURBRIDGE CHURCH OF ENGLAND

ASSOCIATION.

r rH E ANNUAL TEA PARTY will take place
_l_ in the CORN EXCITANuE, MoNDAY, FEBRUARY
PALI. After Too a MISCELLANEOUS ENTERTAIN-
it ENT will be given, in which Mr. JAMES MATHEWS
.00l other friends, have kindly promised to take part.
Tea at Sin o'clock. Chair to be taken at Seven.
Admission, la ; after Seven o'clock, 6d.
See Programme.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-02-10

SPUTTERINGS FROM "JUDY'S" PEN,

THE Sing Jzoncr•stion—Vaccination.
CAN that be said to it a generous"" wine which givi one
headache'?
MAXIM for ROx-keepem—Fee ing is believing.
TUE Doctor's Sign—Mali-cine.
WE have all beard of King Christmas, but which is the
.hieen of Christmas 1-11 aie-quin, of course.
THE Republicans are deal against monarchs, yet nearly all
the pleasure they get they derive from three kings, viz.
drinking, and td-king.
Win is an oyster like a horse I—Because he can't climb a
tree.
known

Queen

OBVInCE —Tight rope delimit are always fond of • glass.
A CASE or fCBM t STRENGTII.—A mere boy has been
known to have a box on his ear
No nonee is good news, as VA man said when he was re-
prieved.
MUCH etdiu about Nothing—some of our farewell din-

ners.
FOR Men of Mettle-4n iron sill, a silvery voice, Plenty
of brass, and a little tin, are sue to meet with golden

•
opinions.
Is there any connmition between t coflee-nnil and a tear
fighf 7
A n DRAWING " Room —The apartment of a dentist.
I a man loses his breath. he shouldn't run for It; he will
catch it quicker by standing still.
WHY is a grain of sand In the eye like a achoolmeatefa
sane 7—Because it hurts the pupil.
A YIRESIDE Ornameat.—A pretty wife.
A -HIGH note —One for a thousand ponads•
- TRAYS an unkind reflection, as the old maid sad to her

OF what French statasman does a kettle singing remind
you I—Of Teoralr, of course. —Judy.

THE 'LAND QUESTION" IN
CALIFORNIA.
..

------ -----
California has its "land question' as well as Eng-
land. Land monopoly is asserted to be very injurious
to the interests of that country. It is stated that nearly
3,000,000 of acres in the San Joaquim valley are owned
by two men, and that the traveller may ride forty-five
miles in a line along this immense estate, and may follow
a fence around a single pasture for sixty-five miles.
Another man is said to own 850,000 acres. This aggrega-
tion of millions of acres in a few hands, it is contended,
has been carried to such an extent as to seriously im-
pede the purchase of small quantities by actual settlers,
and if persevered in for many more years will make it
as difficult there for a working man to acquire a home-
stead as in the thickly peopled countries of Europe.
Immense tracts of land held by speculators are, it is
alleged, year by year kept out of the market until the
rise in price is sufficient to appeal to the cupidity of
the owners. These tracts should now be covered by
an industrious population, and be producing heavy
crops of grain.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-02-10

INCOME-TAX.

The Inland Revenue Commissioners, in a supple-
ment to their last report, give an account, which was
not ready when the report was issued. showing eche-
dule by schedule the amount charged with income and
property tax in the financial year 1869-70 :
Under Schedule A, in respect of the property in
lands and tenements, £131,703,60'J—viz., £109.172.564
in England, £12,726,063 in Scotland, and £12,804,975
in Ireland ; compared with the preceding year, the
total shows an increase of £1,225 570, England and
Scotland showing an increase, but Ireland a small
, decrease.

Under &heat& 11, in respect of the occupation of
lands and tenements, the amount charged with the
tax was £47,301,083—viz., 4230,190,170 in England,
.21,095,918 in Scotland, £3,034,995 in Ireland ; the
total is £146,791 less than in the preceding year, Ire-
land alone showing &small increase.
Under Schedule C, in respect of annuities and
dividends payable out of public revenue, £35,700,480
—viz., £31,562,932 in England, and £1,137,643 in Ire-
land; the total is £910,360 more than in the preceding
year, both countries showing an increase.
Under Schedule D, in respect of profits from trades,
professions, Bic., the amount charged was £166,352,052
—viz., £43,984,599 in England, £15.470,910 in Scot-
land, and 26,996.543 in Ireland ; the total is £4,757,934
more than in the preceding year, the increase being
A 4,262.656 in England, £470,244 in Scotland, and
' £25,034 in Ireland.
Under Schedule E, in respect of the stipends or pen-
sions of public offices payable out of the public re-
venue, the total charged was £24,171,654—viz.,
£21,514,245 in England, £1,266,232 in Scotland, and
£1,391,177 in Ireland ; the total is £2,000,796 more
than in the preceding year, all three countless, uhow-
ing,an increase.
Ihe total amount charged to the tax, therefore, in
the financial year 1869.70, was £399,229,871 viz.,
£339,314.410 in England, £33,549,123 in Scotland, and
£25,365,338 in Ireland; the increase over the preceding
year is £8,807,869—vie., £8,026,050 in 'England,
£733,692 in Scelland, and £48,127 in Ireland. The in-
crease under Sehedule A in England and Scotland WM
chiefly in assessments on houses ; the decrease in Ire-
land was on lands, sad there was a decrease &In in
Scotland on lands. Schedule 14 shows a very deviled
recovery from the depression of the three }mewling
years.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-02-10

PRESENTATION CLOCKS.

GOLD LEVER WATCHES, thoroughly rated and
..djuated, adapted for any climate, always in ktock.
LADIES SWISS WATCHES, in strong gold moos,
from ES 7s 6d.

A Written Guarantee given with every Watch.

12,15, sad 18.carst hall marked GOLD CHAINS.

A Large Aabortment of BRACELETS, BROOCHES,
EAR-RI.NOS, BIROS, &C., &a., set with Diiinioad sod
thee Bare
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-02-10

BOARD OF GUARDIANS.

The weekly meeting of this Board was held
yesterday; Mr. Granger in the chair. There
were also present :—Messrs. Brooks, Rhodes,
Billingham, Baker, Fiddian, Griffin, Guest, and
Paskins. The minutes of the last meeting were
read and confirmed. Admitted into the house
during the week, 8; discharged, 21; dead, 2;
remaining, 409. Corresponding week last year,
473. Out-door relief Kin,°swinford district,
£27 12s 343 ; Stourbridge district, £2l 19s
93; Halesowep district, £2l Is 2d; total £7O
13s 213, against £9O 7s 9hl last year.

The LoC•al Government 13oard-eanctioned the
appointment of Messrs. Beckley, Barratt, and
Ciuspinan as vaccination officers.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-02-10

MEETING AT STOURBRIDGE.

GENTLEMEN intending to SUBSCRIBE
to LOCAL FUND of ABOVE MELTING, ate
repectfulh requested toot ot.ee forward their Elebaerip•
tions to either of the Stourbridge Books, the Treasurer
(Captain Walker). or the undersigned, to order that the
prize•sheet may he prepared without tut tiler delay.
FRANK BLAKEWAY,
Sem
JOHN TAYLOR,
Feb. 9th, 1872.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-02-10

BEEBROUGHTON.

MASTER AND SERVANT'S CASE —At the Petty Sessions,
at Stenrbridge, yesterday, George Poe, tailor, was charged
by John Buctcham, with assaulting him on the dint ult.
r. Perry defended. Brom the evidence of complainant
it appeared that he had worked some time for defendant.
Did not engage as a coat maker. He was making a livery
coat. It required a "tab," Some dispute arose about
it. when defendant struck him several times. Die Ben h
considered the assault proved, and Sued defendant de an I
costs.

lrltned end Published by the non er SINEW,
FIELD. at his stearbridee,
be County Went...Ter: to which place etl letten en+
,ther cannsnoulere2nrnr rno. be sddrenee.
Saturday, Febroeky It,, tan
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-02-10

THE GAME LAWS.

On Friday, at the High Court of Justiciary, Edin.
burgh, —the Lord Justice-Clerk, Lord Cowan, and
Lord Neaves on the bench—a case was heard in which
Archibald Wilson petitioned the Court to overturn •
conviction against him, under which he was on the
12th of December last sentenced to 24 hours' impri-
sonment by the Sheriff -Substitute at liamiltan, on •
complaint taken under the Summary Procedure Act
that he (Wilson) was guilty of theft, "in so far as on
the said 12th of December last he did, on the
turnpike-road, between Hamilton and Bothwell,
steal a dead pheasant, or a pheasant totally disabled
by a shot, the property or in the legal possession of
his Grace the Duke of Hamilton." Mr. 'Watson, for
the complainer, said be had taken the bird from off a
high road, where he had as much right to be as the Duke
of Hamilton. The Solicitor-General and Mr. Balfour
were heard for the respondent. The Lord Justice-
Clerk, in giving judgment, said lie was of opinion that
the complaint in the indictment was imperfect, and
that the suspension ought to be sustained. He also
considered that the laws regarding the appropriation
and pursuit of game in this country were sufficiently
stringent, and it was extremely undesirable that
prosecutions founded upon the appropriation of game
should be brought acmes the boundary line between
these laws and the ordinary category of complaints
under the Summary Procedure Act. Lord Cowan and
I Lord Neaves concurred, and a decision was accordingly
given in favour of the petitioner.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-02-10

TALBOT v. CORNISH.

The above cause has been tried in the Court of
Queen's Bench. It was a somewhat novel case, being
an action by a lodging-house-keeper, at Dover, against
the Principal of New Inn-hall, Oxford, for wilfully
bringing his wife into the plaintiff's house when he
knew that ehe was suffering from small-pox, there
being also a count for culpable negligence, to which '
the defendant had demurred as showing no breach of
duty on his part.
It appeared that the defendant's wife had engaged
zooms in the plaintiff's house early in August last
year, and Dr. Cornish, with his wife and three daugh-
ters, began to occupy the rooms in the middle of the
day on Tuesday, the Bth of August. On the following
day small-pox appeared in Mrs. Coniish, the other
lodgers immediately left the house, and Dr. Cornish
removed with his youngest daughter, who had
I been recently vaccinated, leaving his other
1 two daughters to nurse their mother. On
the Thursday Mrs. Cornish was removed to
the private smallpox hospital of Dr. Astley,
who had been attending her, where she ultimately re-
covered. Evidence was given that the plaintiff did not
obtain is certificate under the Sanitary Act, so as to be
able to let her house, until the following October, and
that up to the present time she had been unable to let
her apartments. The defendant had offered the
plaintiff a week's rent, and paid Into court a MILO of
L'2o under an alleged agreement with Miss Cornish.
The plaintiff endeavoured to fix the defendant with
the knowledge that his wife was affected with the
disease when became into the house. The defendant
and Mrs. and Miss Cornish were called, and streum
ously denied any knowledge or suspicion of the fact,
and in this they were confirmed by Dr. Astley, the
physician who had attended Mrs. Cornish. The latter
bad been slightly unwell for a day or two before going
to the lodgings, but had attributed her indisposition
to a chronic malady from which she suffered.
Before the conclusion of the defendant's came, the jury
intimated their unanimous opinion that he WAR not to
blame, and, the learned Judge expressing his entire
concurrence in that view, a verdict was returned for
the defendant.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-02-10

AN EVENTFUL LIFE.

Auguste Blanqui, who is about to be tried by a
court-martial at Versailles. and upin whose safety the
leaders of the Commune met so high a value that they
offered to exchange the Archbishop of Paris for him,
was not always as popular with the ultra-Republican
party as he appears to have been of late. In 1839,
131anqui was mixed up, along with BarbZiff, Martin-
Bernard, and others, in an abortive attempt to over-
throw Louis Philippe's Government. For his share in
this conspiracy Blanqui was tried and condemned
to death, • sentence which was commuted into
one of imprisonment for life. Hardly, however,
had Blanqui been set free by the revolution of 1848 than
M. Taschereau, the present Director of the Nations:
Library, published a report addressed to the Minister
of the Interior, and fined with the most detailed re-
velations concerning Blanqui's fellow-conspirators.
The publication of this document caused great excite-
ment at the time, and, although blanqui strenuously
denied being its author, he was always considered to
have been FO by Barbiis and most of the Republican
leaders, all of whom affirmed that blanqui alone
was capable of revealing the secrets it contained.
to Persecution under the Empire, however, seems
have in great measure restored Illanqui's popularity
with the " Reds," for not only was be
made one of the leaders of the Commune during
the siege, but he would have been ac-
cepted in exchange for the Archbishop of Paris himself
if M. Thiers could have been persuaded to negotiate.
Blanqui is now to be tried for his participation in the
uprisings of the 14th of August and the 31st of No-
vember, and the mere enumeration of the various insur-
rectionary movements in which he has taken a more or
less active part will amply suffice to fill a long indict-
ment against him.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-02-10

W boltaale Store' in Om Yard of tha Castle Hotel, Castle

I each quality.
asay distance.

SELF-CURE FOR INVALIDS.
(MIDICINIC SCPERIBIDED).
NATURE'S CURATIVE.
(ELECTEICIIY AND MAGNETISM).
HEALTH AND MANHOOD RESTORE)

(WITHOUT MEDICINE).
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-02-10

WEDDING RINGS.

ARTICLES, ia Morocco Calms, ia Great
Variety, suitable for Wedding sad Christmas Preeents.

,:LBCTRO-PLATED TEA & COFFEE SEILVICES,
WAITS, BISCUIT BOXES,

ELECTEO SPOONS, FORKS, &e.; owe Maks
t wait), Guaranteed.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-02-10

LOSSES.

Churches destroyed :—Ba—Ptiet—, 5; Congmational, 2 , Epis-
copal, 4 ; Jewish, 3 ; Methodist, 7 ; Lutheran (or &and!.
nsviasi), 2; Presbyterian, 2 church. and 4 nitssion stations;
Roman Catholic, 7 churches and 5 convents and asylums;
Swedenborgian, 1; Unitarian, 1 total churches, &c.. 43
public school houses, 8; hotels, 32; theatres, museums, &c.,
5; newspapers, magazines. An., burnt out, 128; books de-
stroyed in shops and libraries, 2,500,000. Area of lire, three
and one-third square miles, or 2,124 acres, including streeta
oontainimg 17,450 buillings, and the homes of 98,500 people.
dols.

Loss in landings
Produee

Otheriu.thee s property
Personal effects

Property burnt up ..
Estimated depreciation tu real eatate
Interruption In busineas

grand total ..

53,000-,000
6,262.500
13,255,000
65,445,000
59,710,000
378,00

102,000,000
88,000.000
10,000,000

Respectfully yours,

NATHAN gIIRPPARD, Profeseor in the
tiuiversity of Chicago.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-02-10

THE QUEEN'S ENGLISH.

We (The Times) cull a few from the flowers of speech
which bloom so abundantly in Her Majesty's Message :

"Directions have been given to provide the necessary
accommodation for members of the two Houses of Par-
liament. Several measures of adm ietratireirnprosement
for Ireland will be laid beford you. In pat-arts/ay a Bill
haring for its main object the establishment of secret
voting, together with a measure relating to corrupt prac-
tices at Parliamentary elections, will be immediately
presented to you. A bill will be presented to you for
the purpose of facilitating the trial of offences of this
class in Australasia, and endeavours will be made to in-
crease, in other forms, the means of counteraction.
Various communications have passed between my
Government and the Government of France on the
subject of the Commercial Treaty eoncluded in
1860. From a divergence in the views respectively
entertained in relation to the value of Protective
Laws, this correspondence has not brought about any
agreement to modify that important Convention. On
both sides, however, there hati been uniformly deetaredors
earnest desire that nothing shall occur to impair the
cordiality which has long prevailed between the two
nations. The Commission at Washington has been
appointed, and is in session. The provisions of the
Treaty which require Me consent of the Partiamen4 of
Canada await its asseiebliny. Turs.ing to domestic
affairs, I have to apprise you that, with very few
exceptions, Ireland has been free from serious crime.
Gentlemen of the House of Common,,—Th. principal
Estimates for the coming year have been prepared.
The state of the Revenue affords favourable indications
of the demand for employment and the general condition
of the people.: indications, which are corroborated by
a decline of pauperism not insonsiderable. My Lords
and Gentlemen,--You will, I am confident, again apply
your we assiduity to that work of legislation
which, from the increasing exigencies of modern society,
still seems to grow upon your hands."
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-02-10

THE WORKING CLASSES AND THE

" ALABAMA " CLAIMS.

---
A meeting of the general council of the Workmen's
Peace Association was held at their rooms, Bucking-
ham-street, Strand, London,„ on Saturday evening
Mr. G. Proctor in the chair—when a long discussion
took place in reference to the present state of the
public mind on the question of the Afatrona Claims;
and on its termination, the following resolution was
unanimously adopted, on the proposition of Messrs.
Soutter and Britten ;
'That this council regrets the persistent efforts now being
made to damage the cause of international arbitration, by
exaggerating the demands likely to rise out of the settlement
of the Alabama claims ; such efforts being calculated to lead
to mutual distrust between two nations who should ever
stand side by side as friends of peace and humanity ; and
this counil expresses the hope that such efforts will he power-
less in disturbing the amicable relations at present existing
between England and America."
The following reshlution was also unanimously

adp4tedhat, '—a-a reports have been circulated to the effect
that the agent* of thp association have discovered a strong
feeling in the country In favour of standing armies, this
council denies most emphatically that any such reports have
been made by their agents, or that they have any know-
ledge that such feelings exist; but that, on the contrary,
there is no question on which such great unanimity prevails
as that of a reduction with a view to the ultimate entire
abolition of fighting forces, and the establishment of a per-
manent velem of international arbitration."
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-02-17

KILLED ON THE RAILWAY.

An inquest has bees held at the "Railway Hotel," Hen-
don, on the body of dr. Thompson, aged 51 years, lately
residing at St. Alban's
Mr. William Thompson, of Kimbolton, identified
the remains as those af his father, who was for many
years an inspector of the permanent way of the ;Slid-
land Railway.
George Kendell, foreman of platelayera, said that
about a quarter to nine on Friday morning
last he was with &ceased, who was inspect-
ing the line between Hendon and Millhill, and
walking towards Bedford. The morning was very foggy.
The 9.7 train came along the up line. He (witness)
turned to the right and vent off the line; deceased
turned to the left and passed over the down line clear
of the rails. Almost at the same moment the 8.45
Northern express passed, and the engine struck some-
thing heavy, like iron. After the tails of both
trains had passed, he walked across the line to look
for deceased; but owing to the fog and steam he
c. said not see him, awl thought he had gone down
the slope, but on turning ioutd saw a leg lying in
tile four-foot way, it basing bet II torn from the body,
which was discrAered 60 yards further down the line.
lbe believed that the deceased, not knowing that the
down train was so close, turned back on to the line to
join him, and owing to the noise of the up train and
the steam and the fog deceased could neither see nor
hear the approach of the down express. He believed
. the up-train whistled, but being close did not hear it,
. though his men clid 300 yards away. You could hear
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-02-17

~CAP.D.3

__F_ _A_ E3pool.irmß,
pRACTICAL TAILOR

JUSTICE HOUSE,
57, II OLLu II" EA D,

(lentlessen attended at their Residences.