The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1868-11-07 00:00:00

LORD NAPIER'S GOLD SWORD.

On Friday a large number of ladies and gentlemen
visited the Chamberlain's-office, at the Guildhall, Lon-
don, in order to view the magnificent sword to be pre-
sented to Lord Napier of Magdala. The sword is of solid
18-carat gold, in finely executed repousse work. The
scabbard is ornamented with groups of war trophies in
relief, f European and Abyssinian weapons, entwined
with renaissance scrolls on the palm and laurel, '
together with ribbons on which are inscribed the
names of all the principal military statrins through
which the Abyssinian army marched. In the centre of
the scabbard, on either side, are two medallions in
finely-painted enamel, the one containing the arms of
the City of London, the other the monogram and
coronet of Lord Napier of Magdala. On the obverse
of the hilt are the arms, crest, and motto of his lord-
ship in illuminated enamel, with the words " Zoula"
and "Magdala," the reverse side bearing the date of
his lordship's encampnient at Zoula (January 2i, and
that of the siege of Ma4dala (April 1:3), the year NIA
lwing enamelled in monogram. The handle is in carved
iviiry, surmounted with a finely-chased lion's head in
gold, and the blade is beautifully engraved in
Damascene work, with groups of arms, laurels, &c.,
bearing the following inscription :—" Presented by the
Corporation of London, with the freedom of the City,
to Lieutenant-General Lord Napier of Magdala and
Caryligton, G.C.8., G.C.5.1., Commander-in-Chief of
the Army of Bombay, in admiration of the fortitude,
skill, science, energy, and promptitude displayed by
him in bringing the Abyssinian war to so successful
and brilliant a close." This magnificent sword is an
exceedingly exquisite and thoroughly artistic specimen
of goldsmith's work, and Messrs. Howell, James, and
Co. are to be congratulated upon having so successfully
carried out the work entrusted to them.

A sad accident took place on Monday night near
St. Helens. The Nut Grove Colliery, near that town. has
been on fire some days, but there was no appearance of
danger until Monday. A number of men then went down
the pit for the purpose of sending up all those engaged in
the workings, and of learning the precise state of affairs.
Three of these men seem to have been overpowered by the
vitiated atmosphere and suffocated.
On Sunday evening Father Ignatius told his con-
gregation at St. Edmund's, Lombard-street, London, that
, the offertory on an average was .E 5 a week. That was not
, sufficient for him, and utile-s they gave more he should
' leave that ohm-oh and preach elsewhere. In one church
where he used to preach they always gave £2O, and It was
not a rich congregation. The result of this statement was
an offertory of MIS 135. ed.

The BISHOP of LONDON on the LATE
ARCHBISHOP of CANTERBURY.
On Sunday morning the Bishop f London preached at the
parish church of Broadatairs, toting for hit test the oth
verse of the 7th chapter of Revelation. It being All Saint's
day, the diacourse of the bishop had reference chiefly to the
happy gate of the saintly hog above, and the holy qualifica-
tions of the saints on earth In alluding to the death of the
late Archbishop he said

We are met together this day on a very solemn
occasion; we are commemorating the saint's glory,
and this diocese is mourning the departure of one who

lived here amongst ne for the last Rix years a truly
blameless Christian life. How is it that a man in an
exalted station, with all the temptations of abundant
wealth, with many pressing cares of secular business,
is able to live that consi-tent Christian life, of which
the head of this diocese and province just departed was
a notable example! Certainly by having the root of
Christian life in the heart ; by living in his inward
man a life of faith and prayers ; and then, amidst all
tumults and temptations of outward life, God keeps
him Rafe, and a pattern of saintly virtues. It has
been my privilege, during the last twelve years, to
live in very intimate relations with the last two Arch-
bishops of Canterbury —two men holding the very
highest position, next to royalty itself, in this realm;
and I can truly say that it seemed to me ever to be a
blessing to this church and nation that two men, thrust
to such pre-eminent posts, were not less exalted in
their worldly rank than they were in their consistent
Christian character. A good thing indeed for the
church of Christ if it is presided over by those who are
first in all Christian graces. Huth the one and the
other will be long remembered by those who were
privileged to have intercourse with them. He added
that the influence which each exercised in their day
and generation by a quiet enduring Christian life
would long be felt by all who were privileged to be
brought into their intimate society, and he appealed to
his congregation to all endeavour in their respective
walks to live that consistent life of Christian principle,
that when they were called they might be able to give
good account of themselves, and join the great com-
pany of saints in heaven.