The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-09-03 00:00:00

THE CANADIAN CENSUS.

The return of this year's census of the Dominion of
Canada has just been issued, and the result shows that
the increase in the population in the decade has been,
equal to 1805 per cent., the inhabitants in 1871 num-
bering 3,686,596, while in 1881 the record is 4,352,080.
It will be remembered that during the past year
reports have been circulated that a large exodus
was taking place from Canada to the States, but
this is certainly disproved by the detailed figures
which have come to hand, for all the older provinces
(Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, and
Prince Edward Island), show an addition ranging from
1244 to 1805 per cent.' while a very great increase is
apparent in British Columbia, and in the newly
opened up province of Manitoba and the north-west
territories the population there having nearly trebled,
although the country was but little known only five or
six years ago. The growth of the City of Winnipeg
has been very remarkable; its inhabitants in 1871
numbering 200, while now it counts a population of
11,000. Now that these districts are being developed
by railway enterprise, and emigration of all kinds is
setting in, it will be a matter for surprise if the popula-
tion of Canada, and particularly of the prairie pro-
vinces, does not show an even more satisfactory advance
in 1891 than in 1881.

A CRACK SIIOT.—Man in Tent: "Well, Brown,
what have you made ?"—Brown "Why, I got a con-
founded ‘mag ' with my last shot, and spoilt the look
of the thing altogether."- Man in Tent: " What !
all the rest bull's-eyes ? '—Brown : " No ; all the rest
were miesee

THE ELECTRIC EXHIBITION AT PARIS.

The following is an extract from the letter of the Paris
Correspondent of the Standard

The electrical power of the Exhibition of Elec-
tricity has at length been demonstrated beyond dLpute,
and the 27th of August, 1881, will henceforth be a
memorable date in the history of Electricity and in
the annals of Paris. On Saturday the long-expected
lighting took place, and the magnificent nave of the
Palais de l'lndustrie was radiant with the beams of
over two hundred lamps of grand intensity and
power.
The electricians have given a first and very fine
instalment of their promises, and would not have
had their praise in full were there not yet more
light promised by them to be' thrown upon the
scene. The Brush Light Company made a mar-
vellous show, and, with fifty-six of their fine lamps
with opal-glasses supplied the whole of the large
area beneath the eastern gallery with a flood of
agreeably subdued light, displaying well the
various exhibits and the noble extent and capacity of
the fine machinery and plant with so much energy,
care, and expense they have provided for the occa-
sion. In close contrast the four little Belgian lights
a-top of their tall poles glowed like spheres of molten
steel, and in the body of the nave the three firms of
Siemens' hold sway in the German, French, and Eng-
lish courts with their fine steady lights and very
elegant pendant lamps.
The low row of engines, both gas and steam, worked
swiftly and smoothly, and the only noise—save the
rustle of ten thousand people and the ringing of
electric bells and gongs—was the low musical hum of
the rapidly running dynamo-electric machines. High
around the galleries the pendant lamps on the bays
gave forth seemingly tender rays; whilst here and
there below naked lights shone out like brilliant stars,
giving sparkle to a scene that was lovely and singu-
larly exciting. The eye sought the various lights
without injury—without, indeed, any disagreeable
sensation. The sight seemed to be quickly accustomed
to the glare ; for the painful contrasts of single lights
against their surrounding darkness did not exist, as
the eyes had only to deal with a picture of surpassing
brightness.
The galleries were as interesting as the nave save
for that one thing—the great collective display. Each
room, however, has its quiet and pleasant attractions.
The theatre, lit by the Werderman lights, was charm-
ing ; the shrouded jaspar lights, in absolutely black
lanterns, in another salon threw their rays upwards
on a large white hood which diffused them in the room
like perfect daylight; scores of little Swan lights
burnt brilliantly in the Congress Hall, and in the
refreshment room, where was a bouquet of delightful
prettiness.

The general electrical collections were viewed by
the visitors with keen appreciation, and the French
Post-office pavilion was crowded to excess. The light-
house was a flashing one, and as its lantern rotated,
its divided rays passed along the walls in squares of
bright light, distinctly seen above the general
luminosity.

In place of motive power also electricity on Satur-
day commenced to take its part in the display, and
water was pumped, wood cut, sewing machines were
driven, and various other work done, with a quietness
and efficiency that make its capacities in this di-
rection clear. Amongst other things a very useful
application was shown in Mr. Andrews's electric
hoist combined with a differential pulley. By the
pull of a cord in one direction of the current the
hoist is made to lift; by pulling it in the other di-
rection the load descends. When the cord is let go the
hoist arrests itself.

Another very interesting event marks Saturday's
proceedings. The Siemen's tramcar commenced to
work. Several runs were taken along the line from
the Exhibition to the Place de la Concorde. It ran
the distance, about four hundred metres, in about a
minute, followed by a crowd of men and boys, who
were soon out of breath, and found the rate of eight to
fifteen miles an hour a little too stiff a pace.