The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-01-27 00:00:00

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HOME, FOREIGN, AND COLONIAL.
•
MR. BRIGHT AND THE HOME RULE QUESTION.
—The following letter has been addressed to the
o.Dontighne by Mr. John Bright, M.P. :
" Rochdale, Jan. 20, 152.
My dear O'Donogltue,- It is said that some persons
engaged in the Canvas of the county of Kerry have
spoken of Inc as an advocate of what is termed Home
Rule ' in Ireland. I hope no one has ventured to
say anything so alisard and untrue. lilt has been said by
any one of any authority in the county, I shall be glad if you
will contradict it. To have two representative legislative
assemblies or parliaments in the United Kingdom would, in
ray opinion, be RH intolerable mischief: and I think no sen-
sible man can wish for two within the limits of the present
I 'tilted Kingdom who does not wish the I sited Kingdont to
become two or more nations, entirely separated from each
other. Excuse me :or troulding you with this. It is no duly
of mine to interfere in your deadest ; but I do not wish to be
misrepresented.—l am very truly yours, JOII N BRIG HT..
DIGNITY Folt DOCTORS.—It is suggested that
a fitting honour to be conferred on meritorious Phy-
sicians and Surgeons would be that of the Order of the
Bath. Nothing could be inore suitable; but should
the Bath be the Hot-bath or the Cold ?—Poitch.
JUSTIcE-TO-IRELAND JAcKSON.—Orie of the
friends of Justice-to-Ireland Jackson tells us (Pot
Mall (Ja:ettc) how the famous gun-story really had its
origin. He says :
The Carlow mob, bent upon workiog representative
institutions in a thoroughly national manner, were de-
tennined to allow freedom of election to no one who was
not of their own way of thinking. Colonel Jackson, how-
ever, so disposed his men that any one reaching the neigh-
bourhood of the court-house the polling-plaice could enter
and record lain vote without much nmleatation. This exer-
cise of force irritated O'connell, who marched up to the
colonel anti asked in a minatory sort of way, ' What's the
meaning of this, Colonel Jackson?' To which the colonel
replied ajuietly, 'Justice to Ireland, Mr. O'Connell.' There
was no cannon, no patting of the breech, no threat to the
mob. The words wore usual simply in avower to a question,
anal their humour lies in the completeness of the answer
muter the circumstances. It is to this difference, probably,
the general was referring when he spoke of them as having
passed in private convermtion."
AUSTRALIAN PRESERVED MEAT. —As indica-
ting the remarkable development of this trade during
the past year, it is interesting to note that the total
number of cases imported into London from Australia
and New Zealand during 1871 amounted to no less than
243,344, in addition to a considerable number of
casks. The largest quantity of this meat is shipped
from Melbourne, the amount of last year's shipments
hence alone being 05,183 cases. Port Philip ranks
next to Melbourne, having shipped to London during
1871 57,289 cases. The largest supplies of the preserved
meat have been received during the past few months,
during which the trade in this article has been
developed to a wonderful extent, in consequence of its
sale having been so actively pushed by the metro-
politan and provincial grocers, cheesemongers, oilmen,
and other shopkeeners. Numerous public institutions
have also adopted the meat as an article of diet and
consumption the result being the great activity in
the trade above noted.
SERIOUS A FFAIR . —A most d etermined net
of self-latlicted torture has recently caused a consider-
able serration in as fashionable quarter of Town. A
lady, young, lovely, and accomplished, with troops of
friends, and all that makes life enjoyable at her com-
mand, was olgtected deliberately "screwing up" her
face Punch.
• ENCOUNTER WITH ASSASSINS.—The Smyrna
correspondent of the Levant Tintes, reports a brutal
outrage committed by five Montenegrins, in the house
of M. Michel Zipey, situated in a lonely spot near
Bourrobat, a Huburb of Smyrna. M. Zipcy had some
time ago discharged three Montenegro servants for 1
bad behaviour. They vowed vengeance, and executed .
it with the aid of two fellow.conntrymen by shooting
M. Zipcy's Foll, a young gentleman 20 years-of age,
who bad returned from a ball just after midnight.
The father hearing the noise jumped out of bed, and
he and his wife, daughter, and female servant had a
terrible encounter with the assassins, in which they
suffered severe but not mortal injuries. The five
ruffians were arrested next day. Another account says
that there were altogether eight in the gang.
COST OF LIVING IN PARIS.—" Within the
last three montho," says a correspcindent, "the price of
living in Paris has augmented to an extent which is
really alarming. Formerly this city was heavily taxed
as the seat of Government, the residence of Court and
Parliament, the abode ef rank and fashion, the Para-
dise of foreigners, and the other side of .Jordan' for
good Americans; and now these advantages have de-
parted, Courts have beers driven out of the country, the
Assembly hides its diminished head at Versailles,
people of wealth and rank prefer to go elsewhere, and
even shoddy finds Paris dim and joyless. Commercially
speaking, Paris has suffered more than any other part
of France; it was invested for four months and a half,
and then had to endures Commune. Still, however, it
is taxed as the most favoured spot, and, what with
taxes on real and personal estate,has to pay 26,092629 f.
to a Government which does not restore confidence."
WAGES AND LABOUR IN AUSTRALIA.—The
Melbourne Correspondent of The Times writes :
"The ignorance of many thouaands of operatives in
these colonies requires that they shall be saved from
themselves by all legitimate means. Wisest you find that
housemaids are ri ceivnig hom £2O to I.:30 a year, co-ha
from Coal to £3O, married couples from £5O to £65, besides
their board and lodging ; ploughmen front £35 to £45 a
year and their keep stonemasons and plasterers from 10a
to 110. a day, and cabinetmakers from £3 to £4 a week,
other skilled labourers being paid at much the same rates,
you will see that say really industrious alto aolar matt
must improve his condition." The correspondent continues .
" Our paternal Government during the last Session got a
vote of £lO,OOO for t`te purpose of employing the 'unem-
ployed ' in tilling up holes and quarrica, the., on (Town
lands. The wages paid were is. Rd. a day. The first fruits
of this wise proceeditig were edify Mg. The Al Mister attend-
ing to the expenditure, finding that the fund was being
abused by large numbers of crawlers and skulkers, went to
the scene of operation, and directed that a number of the
useless ones should be dismissed For this unpaternal pro-
ceeding he was of course 'hooted off the ground,' and de-
served it--but not for the dismissal."
No MISNOMER.—A correspondent of The
Times, whose note is headed "Civil Service Graminar,"
writes a rem ,nstrance because he has seen a Govern-
ment Cart going about inscribed "Her Majesty's Sta-
tionary Office." He is evidently under a misconcep-
tion as to what office is meant, for what man who
reflects on the progress of the new Law Courts, the
new National Gallery, the new Natural History
Museum, the Wellington Monument, &se., can doubt
for a moment that "Her Majesty's Stationary Office
is the Office of Works and Public Buildings?—Punch?
DRIVING TO NEXT DOOR ! An amusing
anecdote, just now in circulation, adds its testimony
to the justness of that aphorism which asserts that
truth is stranger than fiction. Leech drew a most
amusing sketch for Punch years ago. People laughed
at the absurdity, and the absurdity was based on im-
probability. An exquisite, got up in costume at that
time faultless, stands on the pavement in colloquy with
a cabman. " Does yer horse bite!" su No sir."
" Does he kick?" "No, sir." "Is he tired?" "No,
sir." " Aw, then dwive next door." People thought
it very humorous, but never suspected that it might
be true. Here is the anecdote now current :
last week a lady came up to town from the country. it
was her first visit to the metropolis, and her friends had
supplied her with a list of sights to be seen anal of places to
be visited. In the afternoon she found herself in one of the
most attractive picture galleries that are now open, and
having walked through the rooms and satiated her taste for
the tine arts, she remembered that she had not as yet seen
the Burlington Arcade. Site remembered also a caution she
had received that it was pleasanter not to visit it too late
In the day. She consulted her watch, saw how late it was,
and got the porter to have a cab called for her. She gave the
direction to the cabman, "The Burlington Arcade," and
found herself at the gate in about forty seconds !
THE MEETING OF PARLIANIENT.—The Prime
Minister has addressed tke following circular to his
supporters in the House of Commons :
"11. Carlton-house-terrace, Jan. 22, 150.
Sir,—l take the liberty of informing you that Parliament
will meet on Tuesday, the Oth of February, when an Address
willbe moved in the House of Commonsin answer to the Speech
from the Throne ; and 1 have received an intimarn in from
the Speaker that, immediately after the business connected
with the Address, he ill retire from the Chair which Inc has
occupied so long anff with so much bottom, The House
will then be invited to proceed to the election of &successor.
I west it may meet your convenience to attend on both these
oecasions.—l have the honour to be, Sir, your very faithful
servant, "W. E. GLADSTONE."
EXTRAORDINARY SUICIDE OF • LAI
London, on Saturday morning, a respAsatablelooking
female was found lying in the Finchleytroati, not far
from the Swiss Cottage railway station. On Sergeant
Macarthy and Police-constable Fagan looking closely
at her, and speaking to her, they found that she was
in an insensible condition. With great prudence the
' sergeant at once stuntnoned Dr. Evans. of College-
terrace, who immediately attended, and orderctl her
removal to the "North Star" public-house, close by.
There it was found that she had three lauclaroun bottles
in ber possession, one of which was empty, Dr. Evans
tried all means to restore the patient to sensibility,
, but his efforts were unavailing. The name of the de-
ceased lady was Bischoff, and she rended with he:
niother in the neighbourhood of Weetlionrne.grove,
and was of weak intellect. She is said to have
escaped from her mother while out for an airing
on riday of winch immediate notice was given to
the pollee. This, indeed, led to her being iro soon
identified. It is also stated that the unfortunate lady
ileac teal herself to charitable worka, and that hex great
anxiety wait 1.4) do as much totesi as lay within her
power. She was about thirty years of age.
UPROARIOUS PERMISSIVE BILL MEETING.—
' A meeting was held at Exeter on Tuesday in sup-
, port of the Permissive Bill. About 1,800 persons
, were present Bishop Temple presided ; and, amid
the utmost confusion, declared it was time that
some such measure as the Permissive Bill should be-
come law. His lordship was greeted with the most
; offensive epithets, and the mob charged the platform. :
' Severe fighting took place. One person had his ribs '
broken, and several others were wounded. The aid of
the police was called in, and five anti Permissive
Bill partisans were retnoved. The Bishop said it was
' plain that all the friends of temperance tehould Tally
round each other and forget their differenecs. It was
clear the battle in Parliament would ben a bard one,
and that, do what they would, the promoters of tem-
perance would not be able to do too much. Mr. 0. 0,
Trevelyan, SL P., and Sir Wilfrid Lawson, ME,
attempted to speak, but were rendered slmeot
inaudible by the mob singing, hootir.4, and yelling.
Resolutions in favour of the Permissive Bill were
carried in dumb show. On the Bia hop declaring one
carried, a bai of flour was flung at his lordship, cover-
ing him and bir Wilfrid Lawson. The meeting bloke
up in great confusion, the police at last clearing the

A HINT TO L. AND E. RAILWAY.—The Real
"Nine Hours' Movement "—to Brighten and hack for
Half-a-Crown. —Panel,. •
A Bit: Curc.—An immense gun has anived
in Tophanch (says a Constantinople paper) from
America, which, if the makers d.? not os emit,' its
qualities, rivals the famous 'I% oolwiel, gin, in emlur•
ance. It is a 35 t n 11.,odman cast-iron gun, cooled by
a peculiar process A. '!' pn.gress of railing, and, it
is said, that it will stand 1000 rounds. It is mounted
on a carriage of a novel construction, which enables it
to be easily manipulated by one man, by the aid of
steam machinery. Great difficulty was, of course, ex-
perienced in landing the monster. A still larger one
however, is coming from America, but as yet no.
steamer has been found capable of carrying it.
ON LONGEVITY.—(From "The World of Wit
and Humour.")--" I have always noticed," remarked
Mrs. Paitington, dropping her voice to the key that
Penile adopt when they are disposed to be philosophi-
cal or moral. "I have always noticed that every
year added to a man's life has a tendency to make him
older, just as a man who goes a jfiurney finds, as
he jogs on, that every milestone brings him nearer
to where he is going', and farther from where he
started. I haven't got the exorbitance of feeling
that I had once, and I don't believe I shall ever hay
it again if I live to the age of Methusaleh, which,
Heaven knows, I don't want to. And, speaking of
long life, I haven't any desire to live any longer than
the breath remains in my body, if it isn't more than
eighty years. I wouldn't wish to be a centurion and
the idea of surviN ffig one's factories always gives me a
disagreeable sensoriousness. But whatever is to be
will be, and there is no knowing how a thing will take
place till it turns out.

THE JEWS AND CHRISTIANITY.—The Jewish
Society which has been formed at Birmingham to resist
attempts at proselytizing their nation to Christianity
has begun its operations. A sermon which Jews bad
been specially invited to hear was preached at lit.
Asaph's Church on Sunday afternoon, and shmtly
before the service began seventy or eif hty Jews marched
into the Church, according to their custom in their
own synagogues, with their hats on, which they re-
tained during the service. The Birmingham. Pod says
they listened to the sermon with great attention, and
at its close the preacher was challenged by the Presi-
dent of the new society to a public discussion. It is
understood that the challenge was accepted.
FRIGHTFUL DEATH OF Two CHILDREN.-10
Newcastle on Sunday afternoon a frightful accident,
resulting in the instantaneous death of two little child-
ren, occurred at Mr. Bowman's timber yard, wlihining
the river at Low Elswick, Newcastle. Elizabeth
Muckle, aged six years, and Thomas Henry Charlton,
aged four years, were playing Ma timber yard, when a
couple of tons of timber toppled over burying the two
children. Several gentlemen set to work to remove the
timber, audio a marvellously short space of time thewood
is as cleared away, and disclosed a most horrible sight.
Both children were lying on their backs with their legs
bent and jammed tightly between two great bulks of
timber, the spot where they lay being covered with
blood. The girl was first extricated. Her face, ex-
cept a scratch here and there, was untouched, but the
back of herhead appeared to be smashed completely in,
while her ribs seemed to be all broken. The little boy
was RO tightly wedged in that it took several strong
men to work levers before the dead body could be got
out, and when this was accomplished the features were
so frightfully ghastly that it was a relief when some
one threw a handkerchief over the face and concealed
the sickening sight from view. It is supposed that
the children had been playing on the top of the timber
when the stack fell over and buried them beneath it.

BONUS DISTRIBUTIONS.—The Pitianrier men-
tiong.several payments of bonuses to the officers and
clerks in private and joint-stock banking institutions
of London. In some instances these establishments
have had so remarkable a career of prosperity that the
yearly gratuities of 10 per cent, on their salaries have
come to be regarded by the officers as part and parcel
of their income. The staff of the London and West-
minster Bank, for example, has received a gratuity of
10 per cent. each Christmas for at least 19 years.
That of the National Provincial Bank of England has
received a similar amount each year, with only one or
two exceptions, during an equally long pens!, and on
one occasion no less than 15 per cent, gratuity was
distributed. This Christmas has been i specially
fortunate one for the various officers of the private
banks. Some of the bonuses given this year in these
directions have been on a scale of exceptional liberality.
Among the clerks who have thus benefited this year
have been those of Messrs. Glyn, Mills, and Co.,
Messrs, Smith, Payne, and Co., Messrs. Drummond,
Messrs. Herries, Farquhar, and Co., Messrs Barclay,
Bevan. and Co. B , Messrs. arnett, Hoare, and Co.,
and Messrs. Ransoms.

MORE ELCoATIoN-FO;HT.—Protrit shudders
to see the Metric question raised again. Are we not
in the thick of an Educational War already? Will
our ciintemixwaries abstain from putting new reasons
for quarrel into the heads of fanatics. We shall cer-
tainly have the Decimal business taken up by Deno-
minationalists and by Secularists. Ten fingers point
out that the natural law is one of decimals. Also,
there are ten commandments for the theologian. On
the other hand, there are twelve signs of the Zodiac:
this for nature; and twelve Apostles : this for
theology. 0, please let the matter alone, and let the
little buys and girls be taught anyhow, so that they
are taught at alL—Pundo.

THE MEASURE OF GRIEF.—Some time ago
the wife of an Aberdeen farmer died, leaving a young
and numerous family. The minister of the parish
naturally called to administer some words of comfort
to him in his bereavement. "This has been a
sad blow to you, my friend "- he said—" a sudden and
sore visitation !" "It has been all that," WM the re-
ply, "I have had nothing like it since the death of
the old horse !"

AMERICAN SEAR P PRACTICE. —The United
States' Case asks for compensation for the indirect losses
due to the transfer of the commercial marine to neutral
flags, and for general prolongation of the war! We
(Spalator) affirm that this is, if not sharp practice,
wholly unworthy of a great country like the United
States, and explicable only by some oral communica-
tion of which we have heard nothing, and which
we can hardly believe to have taken flare. Still
our own Government ought to inform us ex-
plicity whether any such explanation can be offered.
If it can, we fear our negotiators have been taken in,
and do not deserve the credit they had, as we
believed, fairly won. If it cannot, we fear the United
States are guilty of a policy which can hardly be
called honourable. and is certainly quite unworthy. We
have no wish to decide hastily on the matter. But we
do think we ought to have a very speedy and official
explanation from our own Government of the apparent
incongruity between the Treaty and the Case. If the
United States, in order to win popularity at the
elections, should have been guilty of straining to the
utmost the letter, and violating the spirit, of their
Treaty, we should hope that Congress would call to
account instead of supporting so discreditable a pro-
ceeding. But we confess ourselves hardly able to be-
lieve it, and yet, if that has not been the case, our own
Government has been guilty of the blunder of paint-
ing its own diplomatic achievement in colours
very different from those which the result warrants,
and of addinfi another to the list of its grave recent
blunders. '1 hat, too, we can hardly believe ; but any
third explanation of the matter we are quite unable to
suggest.

THE FRENCH PRESS—The following circular
has been addressed by the French Minister of War to
the Generals commanding military divisions
.

" The Press of Paris ant the Departments frequently pub-
lish or propagate, in respect of matters relating to politics
or administration, false intelligence which it is importent
should be contradicted, even when the error is not the aggra-
vation of bad faith, or of danger to the public peace, which
would justify their being dealt with by the Courts of Law.
The Minister of the Interior has resolved, after consultation
with his colleagues, that ' rectifications shall in such cases
be prepared and sent to the newspapers from the Barents
de to Presse connected with his Department. Their insertion
will not be compulsory, but the refusal to rectify in that
form an erroneous assertion would be a clear evidence of
bad faith, sufficient to justify proceelings which would
probably result in condemnation. That modest proceeding
is certainly preferable to polemics, which are useless even
when they present no other inconvenience, and my intention
is to co-operate in as efficacious a manner es possible in
carrying out the regulations which I have explained to you
as far as relates to the army, or the adminstration of tho
War Department. I have, therefore, the honour to request
that in future you bring to my knowledge any journals
published within the limits of your statements
which it may Inc requisite to contradict. taking care when
furnishing one with a cony of the journal to forward precise
indorniation relative to—the object of the required con.
t,adiction,—The Illuider of War, ThitlssY."

MATRIMONIAL CHANCES.—(Froin the Man-
chester Examiner)
"A housekeeper, tall, wishes to correspond with a bache
ler, or is [dower from i, tall, with view to nintrimony.—
Address, Dec. 19,1871.—' M 106, at the printers','.
is requested to retnrn' photo., to present ad-
dress —Address, ttc."—" A young gentleman, with means,
desires to correspond with a lady, with a view to m.tarimony.
As this is bona fide, only those enclosing carte, with refer-
ences and full particulars, hotieed.—Address, tte."—" Two
gentlemen, of good social and business positions, desire the
acquaintance of two atnlable, domesticated young ladies,
possessed of some means, with a view to matrimony. Fall
particniars, names, and cartes (which will be returned).—
Addrers, Atc."—" A widow (military officer), good family,
little money, young, dark, considered handsome, warm-
hearted, would like to correspond with a gentleman of soda
position with a view to matrimony.—Address. die."

"Mr POOR 'Possum i"—A correspondent,
writing from lireeisitnina, says :--
'1 went out the other day too station where a Chlnernati
was shephcrding, to count a flock f sheep. and uw, gone(
into the hut was greatly stwprised at seeing a !urge snake,
about 9 feet in length coiled around the ler; of the talde.
struck at it with my whip a hen niy surmise was greatly in.
creased by seeing that it was Listened by a lathed dog-Oath
from its neck, as I thought. Rut, beinz determined to kill
it, I proceeded in search of a more trice:Ave weapon. I met
Jonn Chinaman by the hut, coming in from his sheep. t
said to him, What are you doing with suck a pot as yea have got there E Ito di,l not make any answer until he
reached the door, whet, he cried out, 'Oh, my poor 'pcs•
sum r It t hen appeared that he had left a little pet 'possum
tied up by a small chain, and that the snake
the poor pet 'possum, and an got caught by the chain
himself."
SHOCKING MURDER AND SUICIDE—On Mon-
day night a shocking care of wife murder was die-
covered in St. Luke street, Tiirmingham. For Rorne
years pant a man named Thomas Picken Las resided
with his wife, Sarah, aged sixty, allri a grown-up SOD,
in that street. The husband Wtrs formerly a well-to-
do farmer in Shropshire, but had dissipated his pro -
perty, and been reduced to the condition of a labourer.
He had constantly quarrelled with his wife, and
threatened "in do for her" and himself. On Monday
evening his son returnod home at half-past nine, and
met his father at the door, who toll him he was going to
get stage ale. The son went into the house and found his
mother lying in the kitchen, dead. Search was made
for the father, but unsuccessfully until about 9 o'clock
on Tuesday morning, when information was received
at the Alcester street Police-station that he had been
found by a railway official hung on a lamp-post on the
Midland Ilitilway, near the station at Montpelier.place,
?dad quite dead. The tnan had hung himself with a
leathern strap which he usually wore round his waist.
In his hat the following communication wee found,
written with ink on a dirty piece of paper :--"My
name's Thomas Picken, please right to my brother
John Picken, Coppice-green, nere Shefnall, Shropshire.
lamin a club there." Some railings were near, on
which he must hare mounted in order to accomplish
his purpose,