The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1873-06-21 00:00:00

Wbum thortali call the UUUII."
—Punch.

A CURIOUS AND VALUABLE Gam.—One of
the most curious gems which has ever come before the
attention of connoisseurs is, according to the New York
Herald, in the possession of Dr. Ridi, of Oswego
county, and is pronounced by jewellers and others to
be "among tips most t xquisite of nature's specimens."
Experts in gems have been puzzled to smign it a die
tinct name, and certainly, if the account given of it is
correct, it must be • remarkable stone. It was found
by a Huron Indian on the shores of Lake Superior,
and is • compound of four clam's of stones agglome-
rated together so as to constitnte a perfect gem of rare
beauty. The stones comprised in it are agate, cm-
nelatn, petite, and crystal; among wher extraordinary
features it poeseeses is the appearance upon each side,
as if from the band of an engraver, of s resemblance
to a miniature crown, the clearly defined fords of
bin k-and-tan dog, the head of an owl, the tracings of
the shores of little Liken, arid other remarkable pheno-
mena, rarely, if ever, touts., in etones of any kind.
A !CUTE AND QUERY. —FOrnier I Ire nnidg(
(mestEng his Rector at the Royal Academy Ex,,thittos):
"Have you noticed this besentixil Peetur', Sir, I.
NB, by Mr. Wee Prineep, o' the Evil Sperits that
Entered the Herd o' Swine, and they Rushed wiolently
down the Precipice, and Perished in the Sea! Thee
the Pictur' I d like to hey, Sir. But there's one PIM
about that 'straordinary Ewent, Sir, as has alias
Weighed on my Mind. and I've often Twilight o'
o you—"—Rertor : "0, I shall be most
happy, Mr. Drennidge, at any time to Explain—"
—Farmer Dremaidge Well, it's this 'ere, Sir." (In
a serious whisper.) "Whew Paid for they Drowned
Pigs, Sir ?!!! "—Punch.

ALL THE DIFFERENCE.—The agricultural con
respondent of the Independence Beige remarks that the
great difference bet were English agrcultui al machinery
and implements, and those produced by other coun-
tries, is that the makers of the first know how to adapt
theirs to the varying conditions of the countries for
whhili they are destined with reference to climate, soil,
hsbits, &c, while those from other countries are
adapted only for the country where they were Milatl•
factored.
•
ONE TO HIM ! Washerwoman (to Small
Boy, who has brought a very Dilapidated Shirt) Tell
yer Mother, if she sends this 'ere again, I shsli Wash it
to T wo. —Small Boy (Nun! to the occasion): Very
sorry, Mum. I'm sure, but I don't think Mother would
mind if you Waled it into a Half.a•Dozeu.—Judy.

BALLOON VOYAGE TO EUEOPE. —The Boston
Board of Aldermen, according to an Amencan paper,
has voted 5 000 dollars towards an aerial ship in which
Protection; Wise and Donaldson, well known .1-tenant.,
and two nth; re well sail on the 4th July, from Boston
for Europe. Wise believre there are at a certain
height continuous air currents from wett to west,
moving 100 miles an hour, caused by ctntrifngal force
generated by the revolution of the earth. He retolves
to teet the truth of the theory, and calculates on
reaching England within two days. Great cunfid,sce
cu the undertaking is ex crewed by the experienced
aeronstits ; the Franklin Institute in co-operating.
DISASTER IN THE Bair OF NAPLES.—A sad
accident occurred in tee lay of N0p1.14 a few days
hack. .ek party of plea:lmre had been out in is ho it,
on returning, when riear the mole of Sin Vicentio, the
craft sunk Wall elevea persons were drowned, to of
whom were young girls of from fourteen to elxteen.
The disaster is attributed to the overeraweling 1 4 the
vessel through the graping character of the boatineo.
In the case the two men in charge swam my ,y wit •
out making th, sligliteet effort to save the paVengl
ten of whom were picked up by a felucca. the two
have been arrested, and the Prefect has issued an
order that in future no boat shall carry more thas ten
poisons when the sea is calm, and eight if it is at all
rough.
BELCHER ON SUDDEN DEATII.—In a ratl
Sunday morning sermon, the Rev, Henry Wsrl
Beecher said, with reference to sudden death :
" One of the Wings for which I pray In that my life mil t,
out to my fa 1 msillood ant ribldenly, and tbas I may not
leak ont drod by I,oe. D. me ihie Is the Ides el pariaG4l.
The Roman Ga•holles hellcat. Id Trwitatory, and I alao b.
11., ye to It ber.:itie I hove sten tt—whete at,td man MI has
lee 'me a burden to evcryene, 114 that you loos the otter
way ,'ho ciyo,i VIM( of him 00,1 prof, to lima of .hat he
woe rather thin abet he in. fled calq.l that Amid go 0
arsts Etroligh such a ,u,eat.sry as thts."

VIBNNA UNIVERBAL EXHIBITION, 1873.
international hone show in connexion with this Exhihi.
ton will be held at Vienna from the 18th to the 27th
of September next. The immediate management of
the show has been intrusted to a special committee
under the presidency of hi. Excellency Count Ginnie-,
Master ~f the Hmie to His Majesty the Emperor Of
Anstria, and with the concurrence of his Excellenq
Baron de Schwarz Senborn, the Ctief Manager ~f
lit
Vienna Universal Exhi,-ition. Horws will be receivei
from the lfith till the 17th of September inclusive, and
will be arranged for exhibition according to the hree,l4
and varieties forted in the respective countries. All
horses exhibited will he entitled to compete for the
prizes, which will consist of medal., honourable men-
, tiro), and testimonials, and to agricultnral breeders of
limited means, of money prizes. A certificateof merit
will be prosier ed 'viol the awards. The jury, of whiz.i
his Excellency Count Go nuns will officiate SA
dent, will consist of accreditsd authorities of all coon
-
tries from which hones are sent to the Exhibition. On
the last day of the horse show (September 27) • puhic.
auction will he held for the sale, of any animals exhi•
bitorA may wish to dispitse of in this mamma', pw
ticulara of which will be published la due roam

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.
I. the House of Lords, June 16, the Royal assent was given
by commission, to a lind,er 01 bile, anloll6t which was the
Ocinsmidig ed Fund (L 12,000,000 Bill, the Juries and Registra-
tion Bills (Ir,land) (:oxturrns Delta (Is'e ol Mar.) Bill rtol
tile East India Loan MIL The Commissioners wore Visc,nut
fishier the L,rd Clime:4l,r, and the Duke of St. AP‘an,.
The Vagrants Law Amendment Bill and the FALB Bill
were reported, with amendments.

Lord Exeter inquired up m what groan is the annral
bounty was refused to men of the Mllitta Reserve who
enlisted in 11.63, and whose term of service till lit expire
ii al.er tile training of 15731

Lord Lansdowne, referring to some memorandums of the
War 011ie° on the subltet, replied th it the annual instal
ments of the reserve bounty, to which those men were
entitled. had not been withheld.

Lord Harding° and Lord Strathnalrn thotEht that the
memommitims of the War Onion on the mut-lint ought to
have tie,n 111 ..4-11 up in lees ambiguous term..
In eerily to Lord Helawarr, Lord Halifax stated that, con-
sidering the great voluntary extirtions male In the cruse of
education. it was not ititernttd to enforce the establishment
of School litiarda everywhere throughout the country.
Lord emnliermere announced that on the occasion of the
Shah of Persia's visit to Sol heed It was inti nited to have an
tiarect ion rather than a review of the Fleet, and that tickets
Would be given to any Peers intimating a des.re to be
resent.
The House then adjourned.

In the Rouse of Commons, Ile Inside Palmer gave notice
of hie ial.niloo to bring in a bill to disqualify clerks in holy
criers fr so acti, g as magistraT, while they hold beoetioes,
and also t• n• amensUng the qualiti Wien of counts magi.tretes.
The Ministers representing the Military and Nava Depart-
melts were chrely gm oioned as to the accommodation to
he altos ded to memners of the House of Commons at the
Windier mad Portsmouth Reviews. klr. Cardwell said that the
stausger hol sent to the Speaker 600 tickets for the stands,
and 54 ti:kets for the carritage enclosure for the Windsor
Bestow. Mr. Goschen stated that, though the Government
were very averse to followirg the precedent of the Sulian's
Review, on account of the expense, and had originally not
Intended to make any epsetal provision for the it .uees of
Parliament, yet, seeing the general anxiety, the Admiralty
bad decided to set aside one or two steamers at their dis-
posal for the accommodation of the Lords and Commons.
Mr. Bouverie gave notice of his &Menthol to move as au
amendment to Mr. Losses motion for the aporoval ol the
Zanzibar Mail Contract that a Select Committee be appointed
to is quire into the circumstances under which the contract
was made. Soon after giving this notice Yr. liduverie asked
Mr. Oladstone whether he was aware that the Sanding Order
had not flees complied with in reaps cite this Contract, which
requires that along mitts a cope of the Contrac there shall
he 'laid on the table of the House the Treasury Minute
atalit st the grounds on which the Treasury liar approved the
contract. Mr. Gladstone replied that his attention had been
swilled to the omission—which was purely formal—to accom-
pally the c mtract with a copy of the Treasury Sneed°, sod
he was witting to be guided by the decision of the Speaker
as to the proper course to be t ,ken. The Speaker being ap-
pealed to, said the Standing Order was clear and Cecided,
and the Treasury Minute rot having been laid on the
table, In his opinion the Contract could but be
entertained in its present shape. The proper course
would te to discharge the Order of the Day for approving the
Contract. Mr. Huns asked how it came to pass that the
Miunte was not mcduced, and whether the Treasury had
passed a Minute? Mr. Gladstone replied that the omission
was entirely casual but no answer was given to the second
question. Ultimately the Order of the Day for contlertiog
the adjourned Debate was discharged, but, though Thursday
WAS mentioned, no positive arrangement was made for
resuming the subject.
The Douse then went Into Com:ante on the Rating (Lia-
bility and Value) Dill, sod resumed the point in Clause 3
Which was left undecided on Friday—the mode of rating
growing timber. This gave rise to a discumion—exhauetive,
minute, and occasionally very contused—which lasted for
several hours. First of all, the Clause was amended as auto
Include lend not used for growing saleable under* o To
this Mr. Read propose I to add a proviso that the gross
value of such land shall be taken to he the rent at which
such land might, in its natural and unimproved state, he
reasonably expected Ii let one year with another for Agri-
ctiltural purposes Various amendments were proposed in
It, and so little progress was made, that Mr. stansfeld was
reproached by snore than cue member for having tefused to
refer the bill to a Select Committee, and at half past eight
Sir iii Reach moved to report progress, though he did not
persevere

Some difficulty was caused by Mr. Percy Windham, who
moved an amendment, going away before it was disposed of;
and as no amendment can be wittnirawn except by the
member who has moved it, it was necessary formally
to negative it in his abseils, : and Incidentally thta
deferred certain amendments contemplated by Mr.
Stansfeld In a previous part of the proviso until
the report. Ultinately Mr. Stansfeld carried by t 8
to Ti an addition to the proviso which gives the
Assessment Committee the alternative of reckoning the
anneal value at the rent for which the land would let
tor the growth of the underwood growing thereon. Mr.
Read', provlin as thus amended was agreed to and the
Committee then proceeded to cot alder the next mint in the
Clause--I he rating of sportila rights. This matter occupied
till past midnight. A proviso moved by Lord George Caven-
dish, that the rights to be taxed shall be let or reserved to
others than the occupiers of the soil, and that the land shall
be assessed at a lower value for agricultural purposes than It
would ha, been if au ch rights had not been reserved, was nega-
tived by 250 to 127. The bill, as Introduced, prop 'ln s that the
sporling rights shall be taxed when severed front the occu.
ration or ownershlp of the snit, and Mr. Stansfeld now monad
to omit " ownership." This. as resisted, but in the end the
amendment was carried by 274 to 88. The el mmittee then
adjourned until the following day.
_

The Law Agents (Scotland) Bill wan considered, and several
other lolls having been forwarded a Cage, the 1.1, taw ed-
it:named at a quarter to two o'clock.

In the House 01 Lords, June 17, Hsrl Delawarr laid on the
table a bill to prevent the employment of children in
exercises or performances dangerous to life or health. The
bill was read a tint time.
Tile Archblbhop of York briefly moved the second reeding
of the Adrulseir n to Benefices nod Churchwarienships, etc.,

--it.. a brief discussion as to some et the clauses, the bill
Wts rtlad a second time.

The Metropolitan Tramways Provisional Orders Bill was
read a second time, as were also several other bills to con-
firm provisional or !era of the Local G ivernment oimrd,
The Municipal c, rporations Evidence Bill was reacts third
Yam and passed.
Lord Airtle called attention to the system of Patronage
the Church ot Scotland, and in dolt g so gave an hi.torical
aocouht of the positlun to which tlie matter stood at various
times, from an early period, for the purpose of showing
that the system ot Patronage had bug engaged the at-
tentic n of tire people of Scotland. Us sal I Vat,
considering all the circuit/slices, it was not surprising the
Seoteh people should have rei,irtied with great re.
pagnance tho system of Patronage, which altim,tely led
So the great disruption in the Church of Scotland. lie
did not propose to put forward a scheme of ht• own on the
subject, for ne thought that any measure i.iealing with the
matter should be brought forward by the responsible Govern-
ment, and he believed that the Church of Scotland would
be etrengtbened If the people were allowed a considerable
voice in the appointment of their religious mtotsters. He
cancluded by moving f' That whereas the presentation of
Ministers to churches in Scotland hy patrons under the ei•
Ming law an I practice has neon the cause of much division
among the people and in the Church of Scotland. it is en.
pedient that the Gown:merit should take the whole subject
tutu consideration with the view of logislattng as to the ap.
liaciZrurdnt and settlement of ministers in the Church of

Lerd Rosebery tupported the motion, stating that the ex.
httnc at tte of thin.t c enstltuted a serious grievance, and
that the Gavernment would never hove o bettor opportunity
of dealhig with the subject than at preaent.
L rl Dalhousie advised the Giver plant to leave things as
they are for at toe present moment the question excites no
popular feeling in S ecitland There would be danger, In
I*l.larh non the subject of Patronage, of raising a cry for
Disestaodshment

Lord tinnily said there was not the sllshtest doubt thst
the maj rify of the people In Scotland desired the abolition
of Patronage.
Lord Stair and Lord Ettrlek spoke in favour of the motion.
The Duke of Richmond said that thouzh theoretlaily ha
thought popular e:ection was not the hest mode of apooint•
Pig a minister for a parish, ye,looklog at the question prac-
tically as regards ii.oiland, he was afraid he dust romo to •
different conclusion. The Genera. Assembly of the Church
of Scotland had in an unmistakable manner pronounced •
decided opinion that patronage should no longer be upheld,
and in many instances patronage hod ceased to eslat.

The Duke of Argyll maintained that Patronage in Soothed,
which rested on a different footing from English Patronage,
had been the sole cause of dissent in that country, for in a
number of cases the feelings of congregations had been
entirely overh roe. He had felt it his duty to declare that,
since the General Ammoly had come to the conclusion
that Patronage ought to be ab disnel, he individually
would give up his Patronage an soon as a satisfac-
tory settlement of the question could ha arrived it;
and, with regard to the action of the Gdvernms nt. he did
not think it was their duty to undertake any meisure on
the subject until they could see their way pretty clearly to
proper solution. He believed that the influence of public
opinion had already done a great deal In remedt tug the evil
complained of, and he trusted that the House would not
now ha shed to pronounce an opinion on an abstract row.

Lord Mille then withdrew his motion, mil their lordships
adjourned.
The House of Commons met at two ',V.A.
The Committee on the Rating 13111 w. retested at Clause
3. and the mode of rating minea was discussed at consider-
able length. Although vsrious amendments were proposed
by Hr. Pease, Mr. Nt uutz, and other., the clause was ulti-
mately agreed to without alteration in this respeat ; hat Mr.
Stanrent promised to adopt a suggestion made by Sir J. St,
Aubyu as Ito the assessment of tin and copper ndnes under
Mow.

Oa Clanse 4, which repeals the exemptions at present
enfoyed by Edentate and Literary societies and Sunday and
Begged Schools, Mr. Reed proposed to continue the exemp.
Mod of Sots's,. awl Banned 8. hoole Mr. Stant/ell at once
consented on basil! of the G worriment, but Mr. Liwther.
Kr. Percy Windham. and others objected to this depaqure
from the principle of the 11111, and pushed their opposition
to a Sirision. The result was that Mr. Reed carried his
amendment by 29t, 27. Before the clause was agreed to,
the Committee a journed until fituraday.
The Law Agents (Scotland) Bill was read a third time and
parted.

At the Evening flitting, after the usual attempt at •
"count out,"
Mr. G.iiiiney called the attention of the House to the un-
satisfactory working of the Weights and Measures Acts,
dwtlling alefly on the ille,ollVell once arising from the am-
ploymeot of police superintendents and pollco constables as
thspectors Cf weights and measures Me Moved a Resolution
condemning this practice, but did not press it to a iltvision,
as

Mr. A. Peel, who spoke on behalf of the Government,
Loured him Gist the subject was under their c,nalderatiou,
and thet they hoped to leg slate rues to cep y out man., of
She prac•tai suggestions made by the Committee ivnieh had
sat on this subjec-.
Mr. Mentz, Mr. Itembro, and Mr. Scout-geld doubted whe-
ther any charge were re.pilred, while Mr. A. Johnston bore
testimony to the fact that the vett-Slug of the Acts gav3 site
to much complaint.

. -
To ais there followed a debate on Moutch i clesheatical
ratronage •:rudar to that which occurred in the Home of
Lords a few hours before. It was commenced by Si, Robert
Anstrutior, wi o traced the history of the que,tion. main.
tainhes that the Ktlll,lll of Preehyterianisn had always ben
that the people should elect their own ministers. The pre-
sentation of mildst,ms to churches in ficotland by patrons
nnder tbe ...sigma law and pratitiA had been the cause of
Mon d'vi t orgtLe peopls and hi the Cinch; aril he
rnovtd tIA Itlc expect:tilt that the Goveromaut should take
the whi.. a cjcv Into its consideration with a view k,

Mr. M Loren opposed the Resolution as vague and no-
an.l suggesting nit plan for attaining the object.
Dalrymple supported the motto. Mr.
Mr.
Cranfurd, thintung the time not rips for entertaining the
iinbject, moved the ° Previous (bunion."
Sir G. if *floor, Mr. Orr goring, and Mr. Macho spoke in
Meow of the abolition of Patronage.
Mr. OM istone regortle4 this as a preliminary discnssion
which at the present moment could not be brought to any
practical conclusion. Only the surface of the question had
been touched, and it was inexpedient for the House to hind
Itself VP forehatid by on abstract rt solution. Be suggested
that SW R. A nstrnt her e" —lthdra.w its motion, aid tbst
there should boa Portia, _ to. ',it 3. ur into the
subject.
- -

Mr. Gordon anti Sr E. Colebrooke made sonto observa-
tions, and the Slotion and the Antenclunitt were both with.
drawn.

Mr. D. Dalrymple wilineoving the Element Reeding of his
llshftof Dravkards Bill, when the House was eanntel out it
1511 mluutes putt 0110 O.OlOCk.

In the House of Common., June 10, Mr. Fawcett moved
MN second reading of the Parliamentary Elections (Expellees)
pecl, the Ojeda of w Ir eh he raid were simple. It propo
h, drat plies to relieve can.lidatee froni the expep Ate of
tfous, and to tr inefer t ,tltt /tit-ditties the liabilities to dc-
&AY nen] ; and, secondly, it provided security against vex&

Mous or unnecessarycandidattire. Me urged that this question
shook! be settled before the House warred upon the amount
arsigtanCe chicle should be grant, d from the imperil Ex-
chequer towards local burdens. He dented that he was seek
iug to ctrelewlv or wantonly throw any additional charge
upwi locil taxation, for this bill would only cause ft ra e-
payer to have once in three yoars to make an iniignificant
payment. Every modern change tended to render seats in
this House more and more expensive, while the many
great fortunes which were now made led to a great com-
petition for them. What would bathe result if none hut
rich men at in this House? it would he that a man must
become rich before he became a statesman. hut he pointed
to the Treasury ACneh in proof of his conteniim, that the
ore sleet statesmen were those who hail had apolitical train-
' big In early We.
Mr, N. Rode son moved the rejection of the bill, which
he thonght woul,l acid to increasing weight of local
ton tier,

Mr. Flyer ace mded the amendment, and criticised the
pr v.smn t,f the Mit at gnat lo gth. denial Mg that there
would be no chock on the expenses it would &fray.

Mr. Melly and Mr. Trevelyan aupported the bill, and Mr.
Yorke and Mr. Corrance opposed It
Mr Marriton advocated the ad ,ption of the measure.
. _

Mr. Neville Grenvllleobjected to the MI.
Mr. H. James argued that the bill comprehended a much
broader questi, n than that which was contained In the
a.sertton that it would add to the burdens of local taxation.

Mr. B:ourfield opposed the bill, and Mr. M Laren gave his
support to it.

Mr. Bruce reminded the House of the promise which had
Peru made by the Government not o bring forward any
measure that would add to the present Incidence of local
taxation while the general question was under consideration,
and pointed to the ardent disinclination on the part of the
Home to accept this measure. At the same time he on-
sidered that the r rinciple of the hill was founded in justice,
and that the ar.-uments In its favour were cverahelming,
but be thought it was not judicious te pre.s the bill at the
',resent moment, when In all probability there would be an
overwhelming majority against It.
- -

The !louse then divided, and the nunibers were—For the
second reading, 91 ; against. 205 majority, 114.
air. Fordyce moved the second reading of the Labourers
Cottages (Scotland) Bill.

Sir J. li.phinstone moved that It be read a second time this
day six months.
The bill wax •' talked out."
The other orders wcre then disposed of, and the House
adjourned.