The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1866-10-13 00:00:00

ir'

T41,1r ft oaon Corrtsfoutrat.

Aro ditght to state that wedo not at all timestleutifp
s thotieworrespondent's opinions
'ger° are two manifestoes which are just now at.
tracting considerable attention, as they deserve. The
Reform League has formally declared that, as it was
established to obtain registered manhood suffrage and
the ballot, they do not intend to entertain any moth.
fication of those principles. The other manifesto is
that of Mr. Brand, formerly Parliamentary Secretary
(or "whip," as it is commonly called) to the Liberal
Government, This gentleman, who even now cannot
speak but with considerable authority, declines to
attend the Reform banquet at Manchester, and says
that be holds it to be his duty to wait and watch the
acti4ol the present Government with respect to the
Reform question. Ile says that they may decline to
deal with this qLestion at all; they may propose an
iliusory or pernicious measure; or they may propose
a tneeaute, if not good, at least capable of being made
so. If, he continues, the Government take the last
cdurse,. the Liberals ought to suppost the second
reading, and try to make the bill better in
comtpittee ; while if they take either of the two other
conrses it will be for Parliament to pass judgment
upon them Now there is no doubt that here Mr.
Brand speaks the opinions of a large section of the
community. The opinion is gaining ground that the
present Ministry will—and indeed that they most in-
teolyee a Reform Bill. Now supposing that this bill
be practically as large and as Liberal as the late bill,
though varying in detail, with what justice can the
Liberals oppose it? But supposing, which is more
likely, that their bill be less Liberal, less extensive
titan the Into measure, there may still be round
reasons shy the Liberals should support it. Some
midi% vote fee it as the best bill they were likely to
gal; others because they might fear the agitation for
• democratic .bill ; and othere again might support it
ta,r&T Ate a mem, instalment. Meanwhile the tirm
attitude of the Reform party generally out of doors,
demanding manhood suffrage and the ballot, is rather
rejoiced over than not by the Conservatives, who
consider that this vaulting ambition will infallibly
"o'erleap itself and fall on t'other side." Altogether the
political situation is a difficult and a complicated one,
and ivs development is now eagerly watched by those
who take an interest in matters political.

While some people are noting the current of popular
political opinion others are taking more interest in
social matters, as expounded in the Social Congress.
Judging by the papers that have already been read
there, I think it must be admitted that the Associa-
tion is taking a firmer stand on practical facts, and
that they devote themselves less to mere theories, than
formerly. In looking over these papers the thought
naturally occurs how long-lived are abuses, how diffi-
cult is it to cure admitted evils. Take that one ques-
tion, for instance, of international, or rather Anglo-
American copyright. Ever since I can remember
anything. this has been a grievance with authors and
publishers on both sides uf the Atlantic ; but nothing
has )seen done in the matter. Some time ago the
Con; an Anglo-American newspaper which
in striving hard to unite the two countries in the bonds
of a closer friendship, informed us that several emi-
nent men of letters here and in America were con-
sidering a mutual scheme for obtaining copyright
widen should be fair to both nations; but the question
remains where it did. The chief difficulty rests with
Am-eica, who gains far more by the absence of any
restriction in the matter than we do; but I cannot
believe that there is any insuperable difficulty. If
fair terms could be agreed on by representatives of
both nations, and these terms were embodied in
measures to be introduced into the British and Ameri-
can Parliaments, we might reasonably expect that in
the course of time (to say the least) these measures
would be passed. In the present state of affairs abso-
lut
meremtile dishonesty Is quite legal.
A= far as can be seen at present the volunteer visit
to Belgium Will be a great success. About 900 have
signified their intention to be present, but this number
will receive a great increase—if not of volunteers, at
least of Englishmen who will take the opportunity of
visiting charming little Brussels during the fetes. I
only hope the Fates, or rather Jupiter Pluvins, will
be propitious. The liberality of the Belgian Govern-
ment in providing the means of free transport from
the English coast, is worthy of all commendation, and
we must not forget this fact when the Belgians make
the return visit, asno doubt they will do, next summer,
to Wimbledon. A curious rumour has sprung up
relative to the postponement of the,facs. It has been
officially notified that the real cause was the cholera,
but some people have tried hard to correct the fact
With the alleged designs of France upon Belgium, one
of those small states the alviorption of which has been
hinted at. But I cannot see the least ground for any
inch forebodings, and am rather amused by the
elaborate ingenuity with which the two things are
forcibly—feebly connected. Whatever may be the de-
signs of France, and whatever the fears of Belgium,
We red not concern ourselves with either, but we may
reasonably indulge the hope that these intewiational
volunteer gatherings and rifle matches will promote
good feeling between two already friendly nations.
I think we cannot well pay too much attention, or
give too much support to the steady, earnest work
svh:f h is every day being done by the Lifeboat Insti-
tution. The last number of the journal which the
society oublishes contains some noteworthy bets.
The record of services which the lifeboats, manned by
their intelligent and intrepid men, all round our
coasts, is in itself a marvellous history. The dry,
matter-of-fact details, without a word of comment or
self-praise form a splendid chapter in our current
h6t,ry. Who can be unmoved when he thinks of the
terrible hay& that the sea is ever causing? It is very
well to sing "The Sea! The Sea!" and revel in the
/imaginary memories of those who delight in it, but
sometimes we think of other lines at once more poetic
and more truthful; for instance, the touching epos-
trephd of fifra. Hernias to the sea
is thee the love of woman bath gone down
riirk now thy tides o'er manhood's noble head,
cr youth's bright lock., and beauty's flowery crown!
.t must thou hear • voice: Iteetore the dead
I anti shall reclaim her precious things from thee.

ut 'better to restore the living, within a hair's breadth
of a grave in the ocean, than to restore the dead; and
this noble work the Lifeboat Institution is doing daily:
„Among other associative movements which aril
beginning to renew their activity auring the amain
winter are Young Men's Mutual Improvemenl
Societies and Singing Classes. The latter I will dismiss
with the remark that they are perfectly harmless, but of
little good, so far as the accomplishment of a thorough
knowledge of singing is concerned; but they offer a
very pleasant way of spending an evening, and do
rad& towards making home happy. As to the Young
Men's , Mutual Improvement Societies and Discussion
Classes, I think they do a great deal of good. Now

and then perhaps they encourage vanity In literary or
elocutionary performances, but more often they cause
,a wing man to find his level; but independently of
this they promote thought and reading, while their
ndirect and negative influences in relation to those
Ar.i,,ne seductions which abound in London are moat
beneficial. These societies are very scantily attendell
Amin the summer months, and are frequently entirely
disbanded„ but About the present time they gather u
their farces, brace up their loins, and all that sort
thik,. I have ben looking over a list of subjeets
bearritten upon and discussed at eeveral of these
aocieties during the next three months, and na far as
. one can, judge, by this external evidence, the .subjects
.peak well for the mental calibre and the mail tone
of the members.
'ln onwef the battles in the Peninsular Campaign,
the Duke of Wellington ordered a regiment to dash
forward towards a river, on the presumption that
• there must be a bridge somewhere near, though he
could discover no signs of it, and knowing at the
same time that if there were not a bridge, his regiment
would be cut to pieces by a superior force. He saw
a village on either side of the river, and he felt certain
that people living near each other would newer have
• Tested . content without a means of communication.
~, Tie". regiment Aaehed brward and. there 'sure enough
,e.w,as a low bridge, which had, before been hicleleb.
Ally one who has noticed the misses of population en
the; two banks of the Thames must hat'e been'
eric-
lrled that'there is so little facility of commtinicatien
tri Ikt the least we ought to have two me
below Londe. Bridge, and two or three more above A.
fswery now and then another bridge here or there is
talked of, ht nothing is done, and While Paris has
her 2Q bridges, London, wish double the populatien,
Anos Anly eigllt, one of these being a toll bridge
for foot passengers only, and. three.others also being
toll bridges. There is now again a talk of another
bridge, betireen the Adelphi and Lambeth. It is to
b.: hoped that some dal' it may be something more
, than talk.•-40ur talk and our action are, howeek, in
minions disproportion.

• .b•••••ip,.. • • „
L Aventr National owing : 'Fac,two
ye and lad news respecft she
4tanYn'til.e
t sitVee loned eEmpress of Mexico but although
.tir.• enure nf this new; was unqueetionade, we still'nest-
tst.l to belli,ve the dismal report. To.day we can no loHter
ptrtuit onrseisee to keep silence. Dining the Out days it
• rw: • runught to be a mere nelsons excitement caused by
se• •••••; and cares, but the increasing frequency of the attacks
• no dooct shout t...e terrible malady, nor hope of
co." •••psnity appeared in the form of a belief that
, • a ..•ouhpirsuy to poison her, and that her life
NV 4.1 y be lat uudor the personal protection of the
i"rhis explants her journcy to Horne; and there her
em broke out In a manner so contrary to Papal
tti
i Ate the% the Holy lather We.l totoed to WA halt OM
to lia mad dolor"

niiitellantous lointelligotte,
SOME, FOREIGN, AND COLONIAL.

Tux Emilia' IN JAPAN.—The following is an
extract from a private letter from Kagosima, in Japan,
dated the 31st of July last :
Prince Satsuma invited Captain King to pay him a visit in
a ship of war, and 11,M S. Prince. Royal left Nagasaki on
the 25th end arrived here on the 37th. K agositua is not an open
Port. and the r,in,,es Royal Is the first British ship of war
that has entered lion • friendly errand. Three years ago
a British squadron came here and knocked down the prince's
fortifications about his ears Prince Satsuma ranks nest to
the Tycoon, and has more retainers than the latter. On the
38th he paid a short visit to Sir H. Parkes and Admiral King
on board the Pri now S,.vnt, and again on the 30th, when
he witnessed some English gun practice Ile has sent on
board moat extensive presents of poultry, pigs, and fruit.
When any of the men and officers of the !'nnnn..o R,,yrit go
ashore they are obliged to be protected by a strong guard of
the Prince's troops from the troublesome curiosity of thoueand •
Of the populace who follow the English officio' and sailors
about the streets. The prince is exceedingly hospitable and
considerate. lie hss bad wine placed in all the temples so
that the Eaglish on visiting them may refresh themselves.
The Princess Solna leaves here on the :Ind August for
Yokohama.
A PARISIAN INCIDENT.—A grocer returning
from St. Cloud the other evening, was stopped on
the Pont de Grenelle by a man with a long beard, who
pointing a pistol at him, proposed the usual thing
under the Circumstances, " Money or your life I"
The grocer fell upon his knees, and protested that he
had spent everything at dinner. "That in not right
for a good father of a family," said the robber. "It
is true tipon my honour." "Your honour be
banged !"—Swear by your grandfather that you will
come here to•morrow, catch five roach and put them
in a plate together with 300 lonia, and I will spare you
your life." The grocer agreed; if it had been a
million he would have sworn by his grandfather. As
soon as he was released he went to the guard, who
soon caught the robber, who turned out to be on
closer examination a beautiful girl, who, it is said,
was rather crack-brained, she having been crossed in
love, and is constantly committing all aorta of eccen-
tricities.
MATRIMONIAL ,—ln 3 Scotch paper there recently
appeared two advertisements exactly as follows a—
, Wife wanted In good poeitioni—physical Imperfection
br age immaterial—by • gentlemanly man, aged thirty, in
inviwege v.""tarntiv2l
statemony.—a gentleman. 111 years of sae, and of inde-
pendent means, wishes, with the view of possible mar-
riage, to cultivate the acquaintance of a lady of refined
mentality, innate, good breeding, and of correct principles,
who is fond of music, especially sacred, and rightly ineilnet
to all that is fair and beautiful. Phrenological report• of
character exchanged. ultimately, perhaps, photographs.
One is at a loss to decide whether we should more ad-
mire the courageous determination of "gentlemanly"
No. 1, who thinks "physical imperfection or age im-
material," provided only "a good position" be held by
the future partner of his joys, or the elaborate though
slightly obscure matrimonial theory of No. 2, who
stipulates for "refined mentality," and a right inclina-
tion to all that is fair and beautiful. No. 2, however,
cannily refers to marriage as only a possible and not
an absolute intention on ins part.
THE ROMAN SEASON.—The forthcoming Ro-
man sewn is sure to turn out an unusually full and
lively one (remarks the leading journal). In the tint
place, everybody is going. A whole batch of British
statesmen out of work are already on the wing to kill
I unwelcome leisure. Lords Russell and Clarendon,
Messrs. Gladstone, Cardwell, and Milner Gibson, have
rendezvoused in the purlieus of the Corso and
Babuincpstreet, One Empress is no the spot already;
another is casting about how to compass the journey.
There is a chance of a couple of Spanish Queens,
mother and daughter; and as to the mob of dethroned
Monarchs, the very Scala Begins will be hardly
spacious enough to admit them to kiss the Pope's toe.
TnErr OF Are Arroorterrt.—:Many an anecdote
has been recorded of the pilfering habits of certain
lovers of old books, to which a pendant has been con-
tributed in recent years by autograph collectors. A
flagrant instance of legerdemain in the autographic line
may be seen in the Liter des Voyageurs of the Hotel du
, Dome, at Randa, in the Val St.-Nicolas. In June,
180, Lord Francis Douglas wrote his name on the first
leaf of that book while on his way "from Vie}, to Zer-
matt." The name has been cut out by some keen au-
tograph collector, and an unsightly gap new remains
as a memorial of the hapless young nobleman, and of
a disgraceful theft. A t has been inscribed at each
end of the gap, and on the opposite page some travel.
ler has written :
The name of lord Francis Douglas, who was killed on the
Matterhorn, has been stolen from the opposite page by some
autograph bunter. .ranger' I pray you pity the bad taste
and the weak conscience, and wish better manners to the
no doubt amiable thief.
To this some other traveller has appended a note—
Tuft hunter, who will frame It, and put it over his mantel-
piece.
Whoever the culprit may have been, we trust he
was not an Englishman. With that signature the book
at Ilanda had a touching interest, which it has now
lost, and which would have given it a permanent
value among the archives of the village. On the other
hand, will the stealer ever dare to exhibit his priz, ?
Will it not, by its form and appearance, always testify
against him?
RATTIER ILLOGICAL! —Another journalist duel
occurred on Friday last in Paris. Two gentlemen
named Rossignol and Maxime, who write in some of
the scores of publications belonging to the petite pi case,
had a paper war which culminated in a challenge.
Their seconds send to the papers an account of the
meeting, in which they say that, "seeing from the
manner in which they crossed their swords that they
intended to act vigorously," they at once interposed,
and expressing the opinion that the articles in ninlestion
contained nothing affecting the honour of either party
insisted that the affair should have no "further conse•
quences." These seconds were not very logical. They
alleged an excellent reason why they should not have
brought their men upon the ground, but, the theory of
duelling being admitted, one cannot understand why
the manifest disposition of the combatants to use their
swords "vigorously" should be a reason for taking
them out ot their hands.
THE ORIGIN OF A NAKE.—The next edition
of "The Origin of Proper Names" may be further
illustrated by a circumstance which was stated at the
last Middlesex Sessions during the trial of a prisoner.
A man named Bishop had been also known under the
alias of °Donohue, not assumed on his part, as is
usual in such cases, but acquired in the following
manner :—When in 18:15 he was arrested and taken to
Marlborough-street, he refused to give either name or
address, and at Newgate the prisoner was tried with-
out any name at all. The deputy-governor of Newgate
wrote on the top of the indictment, "I don't know
who," which was transmuted into O'Donohue, and he
served the whole of his sentence under that name, and
under it he was discharged.
ENLIGHTENING A JUDGE.—An unwonted in.
terference with the decorum and dignity of the High
Court occurred the other day (remarks the Delhi
Gazette). A case had just been decided, and Mr.
Roberts, the presiding judge, was engaged in some
other business, when he was startled by seeing a
lighted torch held over his head by some ono in the
court. On inquiry he found it was the losing party in
the suit just decided, who said great injustice had
been done to him, and he was now holding a torch to
enlighten the court and enable them to administer
justice. Mr. Roberts directed he should be fined
fifty rupees for contempt of court. The man pro-
ceeded to state his opinion still further, when he was
fined 100 rupees. He was taken into custody, and
released on the fine being paid.
COSTLY RELICS.—The Paris " Presse," in re-
marking on the very large sums sometimes given at
public sales for articles which have belonged to eels-
bratedpersons, publishes a list of prices paid in former
times in similar cases, and from which we extract the
following, without, however, guaranteeing their
authenticity :
The Ivory arm-chair presented by the city of Lenheck to
Gustavous Vasa, was laid in 1825 for 120,000 f. to M.
Senate', a Chamberlain of the King of Sweden the prayer-
book of Charles I. of England, carried by him to the scaffold,
fetched at London 2,6001 the coat worn by Charles XII.
at the battle of Puttows and preserved by Colonel Rosen,
who had followed him to Bender, was sold at Edinburgh
In 1826 for 561,0001; the Abbe de Tersan paid an immense
sum for a pair of ball shoes which had belonged to Louis
XIV.; and In 1816 Lord Schwarterbury (a Shaftesbury) gave
16,595 L lons tooth of Newton, which Is now set Ina ring, and
still remains In the family.
ENDING HAPPILY !—A romantic marriage has
just been celebrated at the church of Cligancourt, in
France. About five yearn ago two young persons re-
siding at Larouchefoucauld were engaged to each
other. Paul, the suitor, however, left on a tour, but
promised to write very often to his Clotilde. At first
letters came often, then rarely, then not at all.
Clotilde was in great grief, and came to Paris to try
and forget her troubles. Laid week, while proceeding
along the Rue des Porten Blanches, she saw her lover
ATM in arm with a lady. Clotilde fell down in the
street Insensible; and when conveyed home she her-
metically closed her room and lighted some charcoal,
intending to commit suicide. Ahaost immediately
there was a knock at the door. It was Paul who
knocked. Clotilde was still able to open the door.
An explanation ensued, and Paul having satisfied his
affianced that the lady whom he was escorting was but
a friend of the family, arrangements were made for
the marriage, which has just been celebrated,
WIIAT SHALL THE KING OF PRUSSIA BE
CALLEDI7•A correspondent writing from Berlin to the
Avenir Nationai, states that a great meeting has been
held in that city, in the office of the Stern Zeituny, to I
decide what title of distinction should be awarded to
the King of Prussia on the occasion of his recent vic-
tories. The surname of "Great" was proposed but I
rejected, because already applied to Frederick IL
"Magnanimous" was suggested, but objected to be-
cause it did not sufficiently designate William I. A
member then requested a vote upon the words " In-
domptable," " Formidable," " Invulnerable," or
"Unswerving." Another proposed the expression
"King Cavalier." This title received at first a good
number of votes but was abandoned on the observe,.
tion of a member that it had already been used by two
Kings of France—Francis I. of the House of Valois,
*find Charles X. of the race of Bourbon. The desire
appears to have been to get a surname having the
merit of novelty. On a division, " Indomptable ' and
" Unswerving ' obtained an equal number of votes.
A final ballot has now become necessary, but the writer
does not say when it will take place.
REPUBLICAN BLACK BIRDEL—The "Sport" has
the following The last of the republican
blackbirds of Mondays (Calvados) has just been shot
bydigi advocate of Bayeux. Those birds, long cele.
bitted throughout the arrondissement, were certainly
better known than the persons who have killed them.
The remarkable facility with which blackbirds learn
and retain airs of music is matter of notoriety. In 1840,
an ingenious patriot attempted to turn that instinct
to account to republicanise the whole wooded grounds
of the neighbourhood. He brought up by hand two
',Tod? our olthonethbeirdthe snt
ar question,
eiiwtaughtnd w hthem h for
thoughtthr e e
ptharteir advanced themfaovre
tbedeuieratitallnint'ffitocietnhtleyotadhevrisa, te u theiro i
liberty. The rest of the winged tribegt k
the music of Rognet Piste for°°
a fancy
to
, and many years
nothing but the ' Marseillaise" was to be heard. M
11404 IMEIO4 rtliNO, °bused her tune, anti the

with

1
majotity of the STOngsters who had not modified —their •
repertory fell before the shot of the rural guards. One
alone escaped the pursuit of the authorities, and claim-
Mg a right of asylum it took refuge in the gardons of
Mondays-, where the good monks of ten listen to its smg
with a smile. The unfortunate bird citlength one day
ventured beyond its limits and paid for its temerity
with its life. Time had singularly changed the colour
of its black and lustrous plumage. Physically, as well
as morally it had become a merle llanc.'
THE AnYSSINIAN CAPTIVES.—We (" Morning
Herald '') are glad to be able to annOtince that the go-
vernment have resolved on snaking a new effort to
rescue the unfortunate Englishmen who are still held •
in captivity by King Theodore in Abyssinia. In a fee!
days Mr. 'Fled will leave for the court of that sove-
reign, the bearer of a conciliatory and dignified letter
from the Queen. urging the release of our country-
men. Colonel Merewether will follow Mr. Flat], with
suitable presents for the :Abyssinian monarch, as far
an Massowah. where he will await the result of Mr.
Flad's mission before he proceeds further. We sin. ,
cerely trust this new effort will be successful, but it is
obvious that our countrymen are completely at the
mercy of King Theodore. Anything like a display of
force in the inaccessible region of Abyssinia is out of
the question. It would fail to tffect the release of the
prisoners, and would almost inevitably involve us in a
costly and resnitless war. There is every reason to
believe that Mr. Plod is tho most likely person the
government could nave solsctsd to succeed in the
mission they have entrusted ti him; and we hope
many weeks will not elapse bef, re he sends us back
some good tidings of our unfortunate countrymen.
----

A TRAGIC AFFAIR.—A correspondent of "The
Times of India," tells the following remarkable story
of military insubordination in one of the companies of
the northern division of the army of INLlLlifte :
A havildar of the Ilth Madras native Infantry had tern
placed under arrest for some offence, reported by the snbadar
of the regiment, and which was brought before the nut!, of
the commander by the adjutant. The story to thus Cole
tinned "After his punishment toe I ;wilder, it seems,
harboured a deadly revenge against the annular and
adjutant for reporting him : consequently, when the regi-
ment was at ball practice one morning he loaded his musket
unobserved, and, coming round from the supernumerary
rank, discharged hi, piece Into the heed of the unlucty
anbadar. lie Immedlalely reloaded with the intention of
shooting the adjutant ; but observing MLA Milner riding at
him, and apprehending seizure, and eventually death try
banging, he shut himself on the spot. Singular torelate, Oct
one of the men on parade stirred to reruns the adjutant or
subadar, or to capture the miscreant, although Oar
muskets were all loaded, and they might liality have slit
him."

-- -
THE HYDE-PARK RIOT4.—An "on dit" is current
at the clubs and elsewhere, I know not on what
authority, (says a writer in the Illustrated Tinto) is
highly to the credit of the Chancellor of the Exchequer,
and shows that the persons and liberties of the public
are safer in the hands of the representative of genius,
wit, and learning than in those of the men who
specially claim to speak on behalf of "our old nobility."
The story in question is to the efiect that during the
disturbances in Hyde-park the Cabinet debated the
question of firing on the people, and was all but
unanimous in ordering it to be done, when Disraeli
said that he should decline to tread in the footsteps
Sithnouth and Castlereagh, and that no such order
should be given by a Govenunent of which he was a
member. The indecision in the conduct of the if ilitary
department during the disturbances in Hyde-park is
explained by the vacillation of the Cabinet, and it is
gratifying to know--if the report to which I have
referred be true— that we were spared the horrors of 3
coup-d'etat by the resolution of Mr.

A RUST OF BRAINE.—SOIde grave questions
vvill arise in the care of J. C. Braine, who nay been
arrested by the United States' authorities in the
Eastern district of New York (remarks the New York
Times). He WAR the leader of the party who, in 1863,
under the guise of being pusengere, seized the •
Chesapeake at sea, ran her for 'Nova Scotia, and
escaped on the approach of &United States' gunboat.
The authorities of New York restored the vessel to
her owners, but refused extradition of the freebooters
on the ground that the charge was one of piracy triable
in any country. It was Hot pretended that Ilraine
held a comrnianion from the Confederate States, though
he was said to be enlisted in -their service. One
l'arker, an officer of a Confederate vessel, was provided
with a letter of mark, and was alleged to have been on
board the Chesapeake • but it appears this was not
till after the seizure of the Chesapeake by Braine, and
her arrival in British waters. Whatever the authority,
we believe that the shooting of the engineer was
murder.
THE ROMANCE OF ADVERTISINO.—A collection
of the odd sensational advertisements which have ap-
peared in the agony column of The Times during the
last half-a-dozen years with a faint attempt to unravel
their mysteries, would form a curious volume for rail-
way reading. Here are the latest oddities, which
would easily work up, under skilful treatment, into a
little romance; everything is as cli ar as daylight :
" ceou —Thousand thanks for letter. Awfully pleased
and delighted to get it. Don't like the idea of the trip to L.
on Tuesday at all. Hope it won't be as un_ T. al the list
time, when you were unkind. Wish you to stop quiet where
you are, aid rest from your labours. le the surveillance very
strict? is PO. under old mans thumb and dangerous? I'm
not sure of being there od 26:b. I think ' Trees might be
managed it would be a great cemfort. Don't give up to
cue of going to L. be firm and write. Yowl till death.—
MAGPIE."
"A. E. J.—Write and ray where I can address a letter to
you at once. Send it like the last.—Wasfish."
" White Rose.—Before I answer I must know who my
correspondent is, as perhaps a Joke is being ployed upon nie.
Write again. Seal your letter, and mark it ' Private.' You
may trust in me."
RED TAPE IN FRANCE. —1 he precipitation with
which the "dear departed" are buried in France was
rather awkwardly exemplified the other day. A work-
man being taken to the cemetery for dead absolutely
broke open his coffin and proceeded to rate the man
who drove him. He resumed work in a day or two,
but he had considerable difficulty in getting his inter-
ment reseed from the books of the commune. It would
be a fine argument for a burgomaster— "But my good
man, you are dead." "How can Ibe dead if I am
here?" "That is all very well, but your death has
been certified to, and there is no form to erase such an
entry, and I cannot scratch it out in my books. Be off,
you are dead—in tho eyes of the law." "But, !vireo-
master, allow me " "I will allow you nothing,
sir, but fine you for contempt of the eivic power if you
argue the point any longer. The F:be/c, when giving
the simile facts without any embellishment, says that
it would be glad to hear the fact contradicted. We,
on the contrary, are glad at the poor man's escape from
premature interment.
GIVING IRIsTE FARMISP,S GOOD ADVICE .—At
the dinner of the Iverk Farming Society, held at
Piltown, on Wednesday, the Earl of liesaborough pre-
sided, and delivered a long epeech, in which he gave
the tenant farmers some good advice. Ile noticed a
curious fact—namely, that the cattle of the mountain
districts always excelled the cattle of the lowland dis-
tricts. He recornmended that tillage should be kept
up by the farmers, on account of the employment it
gives the people. The difficulties caused by the climate
might be met by care, energy, aud forethought. He
was anxious that improvement should take place in
the social position of the farmers. Ile wanted to see
their houses better furnished and better kept. Ile
wanted to see the men more respectable in appearance,
their wives and daughters very clean and nicely
dressed. He admired the farmer's wife more when she
wore a nice cloak over her head than with a tawdry
bonnet and a silk gown. He wished farmers spent
more on themselves and their homes, instead of putting
up large fortunes for their daughters. He was glad
that his tenants held their farms on such terms as to
be able to do this, and he was proud that they had
such confidence in him that they were not afraid to let
him know that.
SOLDIERS' GARDENS AT ALDERSIIOT.—The autho-
rities at Aldershot are doing everything in their power
to encourage the practice of gardening in the camp
(remarks the United Service Gazette.) Prizes are given
every season for the best gardens to non-commissioned
officers and men, and now it is announced that officers
and others who may wish to enclose the gardens
round their huts may have materials for that purpose
by applying to the Deputy Assistant.Quarterreasters.i
(Unarm'. Doubtless the coming summer will see the
" oasis" cultivated to a considerable extent, for the ,
various plantations which the engineers have been for
some time planting around the camp and on other I
parts of the maineuvring grounds will then add their
beauties to that of the various gardens.
MAKING THEM GOOD !—'l tries all I can to
make 'em good, sir," said a pious agricultural labourer
speaking of his children to the village parson—" I
beats 'em till I can't see to beat 'en! no longer; and
when they won't kneel down to pray I knocks 'em
down." same plan of enforcing religious obser-
vances upon the I.oun_g seems to be coming into vogue
acmes the Atlantic. Not long ago W 1! heard of a Medina
clergyman who beat his step-son, a child of three, to
death, because it contumaciously refused to lisp the I
Lord's prayer.; and now we learn that a woman living
St Kingston, in Canada, has beaten her child of five to
death, with a cow-hide, because it had gone Li bed
without putting up its little petition for mercy.
Neither of the savages, so far as we can learn, has
been hanged yet.
LABELLING DOCTORS' 80T11.112,—A "Travelled
Parson" writes
In some parts of Germany every bottle containing poison
Ia labelled with a death's head and cross-bone., as black as
printer's ink can paint them Every parcel of poisonous
medicine sent to a patient has a similar label over the
address. Posy help me to urge upon our chymbits and
druggists the adoption of this very simple method, which is
plainly within the comprehension of the dullest boy that
ever handled a pestle and mortar. • 1
SERIFS OF CASUALTIES.—A singular series of
casualties have occurred in the North Sea in the fogs
of last week. A steamer belonging to the Tyne ran
down and sank a brig off Flamborough head on Mon-
day.—On Wednesday the, book Selina reached the
Tyne in tow of the Alma tug, 'having been ffis-
muted at sea on Sunday night through a cc'
Rion with the screw steamer it. Petersburg, of
from Leith for Cronstadt. 'rho collision occurre,
about twohundred miles to the eastward of the
Northumberland coast, and the steamer towed the
brig in towarele the land and gave her over to • Shields
tug to bring into port.—The brig Countess of Zelland
has arrived in Seaham harbour with the crews of two
vessels on board.—The Rapid, of Sunderland, had
been in collision with the Helene, of Gauersick ; both
vessels foundered, but before ther sank the Coo ntess of
Zctland came up and rescued all the hands but one
man, belonging to the Rapid, who loot his life in the
"Ali/dm—The screw steamer Hemet/ ran into and
sank the brig Defionre, of Sunderland, while off the
Swim The brig sank twenty minutes after Ole was
struck. Her crew were picked up toy the Hume and
brought into Sunderland.
A RREST OF BRIGANDS.—The inset recent feat
of the Papal gendarmes against the brigands was
effected ten days ago, with the nuisance of some
Guardiani di Campagna, or armed peasants, in the
neighbourhood of Froeinone (says a Paris letter).
Seven brigands were arrested coming from the moun-
tains of Trisniti towards Rome, as they have been ac-
cnstomed to do of late years on the approach of winter.
They were unarmed, and well dressed although travel.
ling on foot. Tlv.ir chief WAR the famed Antonio Bosco,
one of the most active organisers and chiefs of brigand-
age. There were found in his pooseseion three or four
passports, a certificate ol legitimacy, some other ins.
portent papers, and the principal part a the boots

colli-

occurred

•
obtained by thtband, consisting of about 35,000 f r. in
Napoleons, a d(ten watch* abd two,boxes of brooehes,
earrings, gold chaths, and ptlii•r jewellery. After the
arrest of tkOs bawl it was discovered that two other
brigands had escaped by gilttpg sooner to the Frosinone
station, and starting for Ituni by the early train, It is
conjectured that these were thef erocions chiefs, Cedrone
and Menicuccio, who were arrested at Rome the day
after. The conduct of the Government in this affair ia
very curious. The prisoners were not subjected to any
interrogation immediately; but the maresehal of gen-
darmes, Bedosti, was sent tb confabulate with the com-
mandant Bosco, apparently on behalf of the reaction,
to org,auise the line of tactics to he followed. Seeing
the reserve of the official joarnain in alluding to this
canto, e;' the suspicion seems to be well founded
i that it s not it,tonded to free society from these
milieus, but rather to restore them simply to the
Bourbonic eantorra, which is already in movement to

ra).-
siYe
eplenfttqa
the
-beenZ
er

save them.
A nitwit VAGIABOttIYB VIEWS.—A CUTIOUS
scene is recorded of "ie Perin' vagabond,-wise, on being
brought up before the President of the Criminal
Court, seated hinvilf with something like dignity, not
looking an object of commiseration, being a man of
fine stature with a handsome beard and flowing locks.
"You are brought up for being a vagabond," said the
President. "So you please to term my social position,
but it is not very polite to say so. I have different
ideas about the matter." "You have no residence."
"My residence is on ler heaven: I have lodged there
for twenty-eight years." The President continued,
"What are your means of existence ?" "Not any."
"low do you live ?" "On chance, and often on the
air." "You have no rela; ices ?" continued the Presi-
dent. "I am wholly unknown. I do not know or
wish to know any one." "You have no business ?"
'rho man replied proudly, "If I had wished to live a
life of deception like men in towns do, I could have
had a business and fortune. I preferred to reinain
honest." The President gave him at once a mouth'a
imprisonment and five years' surveillance. !lather
hard hues, we think. The man rose with dignity, and
with irony remarked, "After my month perhaps you
will give me the croix."
WTLIT BRCOMES I,F THE Ploo.—This question
has often been asked, but we have never yet met with
a satisfactory answer to it. Few persons are aware
of the enormous consumption of the useful little in.
strument. The annual report of the 'United Staten'
Secretary of the Treasury, ten years ago, contained
'Home areereaferg-arearakmaate Arlie;xc to be manufac-
tures, furnished by the Hon. Philip Allen, then
senator from Rhode Island, in which, among other
things, he stated that the number of pins made per
annum in the United States was 2,607,360,000. Now
the old question comes up for solution. What becomes
of the pins? The population of the country was then
26,000,000. Does each individual—man, Wolnall, and
child—consume 100 pins a year for that would be the
average supply. But it is well known that it is only
one sex who use pins at all. Does each American
example of the feminine gender consume 200 pins a
year. From babyhood to maturity, and from that to
the grave, the passion for pins, it is admitted, is a part
of woman's nature; but we submit that this fact
affords no satisfastory explanation of the disappear-
ance of 2,607,360,000 of pins per annum. The ques-
tipn,_ therefore, still remains—What becomes of the

pins?
SETTING A GOOD EXAMPLE.-Mr. George Orr
Wilson, of Belfaist. come time ago purchased an estate
in the county of Kildare, formerly the property of the
ill.fated Lord Edward Fitzgerald (whose melancholy
fate the readers of history e ill remember), whose
t. cant.' or their families all still remain in the land, and
to eachnf whom the new landlord has given a lease.
Re has also undertaken the mar agement of the pro-
perty himself, r:mitting the usual agents' fees, five per
cent. The tenants have presented an address to Mr.
NVilson expressing their gratitude. Upon the rdatione
thus established the Northern 11Thig makes the follow-

ing remarks
In giving leases to his tenants, Mr. Wilson has given them
security for the enjoyment of the outlay and the improve-
ments they may niche; be has, moreover, given them poli-
tical and personal hoispendef.ce. Every tenant on the
drush Estate knows that what he sows he shall reap, and
w hat he puts into the laud he shall take out of it, and has
the strongest impulse to be industrious, and to do all he
possibly can to Improve his landlord's property for their
mutual benefit. We may be satisfied that there will he no
coercion of votes on the Kilrush estate no threat of eject-
ment, if a tenant obeys the dictates of his conscience, will to
made by any bailiff, or "man from the office," there. Well
would It be for this country and for its people If the same
could be said generally.
FORMDDING THE BANNS.—On Sunday morn-
ing„ whilst the incumbent of St. Jude's Church,
Eldon-street, Sheffield, was calling over the names of
persOns intending to be married, he was interrupted
by a respectably.dreesed inan—a etrauger to the con-
gregation—who, in a clear and firm tone, said, "I
forbid the banns between -- and —." The congre-
gation and minister (the ltev. G. Sandford) were
startled, and eurprise Was on the countenance of every
One, as each individual turned towards the objector.
After a pause, embarrass:lug to every one, the minister
intimated to the objector that he an the church-
wardens would see him in the vestry at the conclusion
of the service.
SAGACITY or !loos !--Three dogs belonging to
M. de S. and M. P.. of Bordeaux' went hunting on
their own account, but one of M. de S.'s dogs failed
to return, and the other two only turned up late at
sight covered with sweat, blood, aud meuld, and
evidently quite worn out with fatigue. They both
made off early next morning, and returned again at
night in the same state as before. This continued for
several days, when at last the third clog made his
appearance in the most emaciated con.lition between
his two liberators. It appears that the emaciated
animal, in pursuit of a rabbit, had gone full pelt into
• hole, from which he had been unable to extricate
himself. His friends had to dig him cot, and were
several days about it.
A Raw or CORUNNA.—A few days ago, Mr.
William Mensing died at C") grave, Notts. He was
formerly a soldier in the 15th Hussar", and went
thron4h the Peninsular war. At the famous battle of
Corunna, in 1809, he was one of Sir John Moore's
orderlies. Ile was by the side of the lamented hero
when he breathed his last, and was one of the sorrow-
ing few who "slowly and sadly laid him down from
the field of his fame fresh and gory." Probably he
was the last of that gallant little hand. Mr. Mewling
was 81 years of age, and was highly respected in the
Parish.
RECLAMATION op L aND FROM THE SEA ,—TIIO
Norfolk Estuary Company have just completed another
embankment of s min aria a halt in length at Wolferty,
adjoining the lands of his Royal 11 ighneee the Prince
of Wales and the Hon. Mrs. Mary Greville Howard,
which was commenced in March lent, reel aimin g another
300 acres of land m " the Wash." This now makes a
total of about 500 of the 32,000 acres to be recovered
from the sea, for which the necessary funds were
raised by the authority of an amended act of parlia-
ment in 1819. However insignificant this may appear
compared with the total amount of acreage to be
recovered, still the embankments now completed are
of the utmost importance, as the greater difficulty is
always in the commencement of works of this nature;
find we are informed it is the intention of the directors
to follow this up with others of a similar nature in rapid
succession. Some of the land enclosed is already
drained and cultivated, and is far better soil than
originally anticipated, a great part consisting of a
rich allevial clay, with sand, the two working well
together. The present work referred to has been
carried out by Meats. Row and Smith, the con-
tractors.
A STRANGE Tnisr.—A short time since a colt
belonging to the Rev. John Harrison, of Sutton, was
discovered to have lost a large portion of a long and
very handsome tail. It was at once suspected that It
had been cut off by some one for the sake of the hair.
Inquiries were made, but no traces could be found of
the thief. About two days afterwards more hair ap-
peared to have been cut off, so that evidently the thief
had again visited the yard. There seemed so much
malice in this last act, for an inch or two of hair could
have been of no use to any person, and that Police.
constable &Imes was sent for, in the hope of his being
able to discover the guilty party. Selmes accordingly
vi.ited the yard, examined the colt's tail, inspected the
premises, and questioned the tvorkmen about the farm,
but failed to elieit any information an to the perpe-
trator of the malicious act. After epending about
half-an-hour in a a fruitless inquiry, &Imes, happening
to look once more across the yard, discovered the object
of his search in the person of a companion colt, which
was kept in the same yard, and which was then very
quietly gnawing away at the remaining stump of the
tail of his unfortunate brother.
THE FIRST ELECTRIC TELF.GRAPIL—The fol-
lowing is from Saturday's London Tintes c—Sir,—l
have just been reading "Arthur Young's Travels in
France," second edition, published in 1791, 72 years
since, by W. Richardson, Royal Exchange, London;
and at page 79, Vol. I. I find an entry in Young's
diary, dated October 16, 1787, which goes, I think, a
great way towards establishing the fact that a French
mechanic, one M. Lomond, had then, A.D. 17/47, 79
years ago, in actual operation in Paris an electric tele-
graph. Here is the passage to which I allude :
Oct 10, 1767.—1 n the evening to Mons. Lomond, a very
Ingenions and inventive mechanic, who has made an improve-
ment of the jenny for spinning cotton. In electricity harm
made a remarkable discovery. You write two or three words
on a paper he takes It with him into a room and turns Is
milchlne enclosed hi a cylin Meal case, at the top of which
Is an electrometer. a small fine pith ball ; a wire connects
with a shntiar cylinder and electrometer In a distant apart-
mont, and his wile, by remarking the correspondent motions
of the ball, writes down the words they indicate ; from
which it appears that he has formed an alphabet of motions.
As the length of the wire makes no difference in the effect,
a correspondence might be carried on at any dlotanee—
within and without a besetged town, for instance. Whatever
the use may lie, the invention Is beautiful
Is it not possible that the poor French ratchanio may,
have perished in the evolution, and his mighty
invention with him 1.-Your 'obedient servant,
BERNARD BIIRKE, Ulster. BUblill Castle, Oct. 4.
As OBJECTIONABLE Wosp.--The Emperor of
the French has no subjects—excepting, perhaps, a few
of his personal friends high in office. Frenchmen are
all citizens. Most of his Majesty's Ministers have,
from the titue of his accession. steadilydeclined to ash.
eeribe themselves otherwise than as his "most obedient
servante," and men:ice:able scenes have taken place
in the Chamber of Deputies whenever, either by de-
sign or by accident, the "Emperor's subjects" have
been mentioned. At the present time the whole non-
official press in agitated by a sentence in Thursday's
Moo iteur wherein the French are designated " Sujets
de l'Emperetm" The Avenir National is especially
irate, and begs to remark that "subjects" do not exist
in France, which is inhabited by citizens, and that the
country is ineulted by the epithet, which it hopes the
Moniteur will withdraw. There is a good dsal in a
word, and perhaps the Moniker may Withlhaw it, es-
pecially as the unfortunate phrase did . not appear in
the official part of the paper.
DEATH AND BRINK.—The following is horn a
paper read at the Social Science Ctuvress : —According
to tables carefully drawn up by Mr. Neon from
copious data, the rate of mortality amongst persons of
intemperate habits is shown to be "frightfully high,"
and unequalled by the results of any other series of
observations made on any class of the population of
this country. At the term of life from 21 to 30 the
mortality is upwards of five times that of the general
community, and the effects of the different kinds of
drink are taw ailowa—The rate of mortality mow%

-
...inters is 407 per LIMO yearly; spirit drinkers;
496; mixed beer and spirit, 61•94. "Truly," het
"it there be anything in the usages of society
'd to destroy life the most powerful ID ceiL
einordinate use of strong drink. It has often
. that in any place the more numerous this
.ies for drinking the greater the amount of
drunkenness, and, we may now surely add, the larger
will be the rate of mortality. In Liverpool, the
excessive mortality is by many observers attributed
largely to drunkenness' and the mortality sub-com-
mittee of the Board of Health recommends that some
control over the sale of intoxicating liquors should be
given to the guthorities. Dr. Morgan hai lately
pointed out anothee source, not only of rresent disease
and illihealth, but also a cause of fututt deterioration

- - •
of race."
REMINISCENCES OF THE RATE MARQUIS DE
BOISSY.—The father of the Marquis de-Boissy was
very rich and very eccentric. In the Senate he spoke
but seldom, unlika his eon, but what he said was
caustic and to the purpose. liii last appearance in
the Chamber of Peers was once after 1830 to vote for
the acquittal of the Ministers of Charles X., who were
impeached for issuing the celebrated ordinances which
led to the revolution. The Marquis had a mania for
bringing water into his estate. He consulted the most
eminent engineers, who, at an enormous expense,
succeeded in creating a pond or basin, in which the
water was twelve feet deep. He was delighted beyond
measure at being told one day that a man had been
nearly drowned in his basin. The writer of this
anecdote expresses his belief that if any one had
brought news to the Marquis that a man had been
really drowned he would have bestowed half his
fortune on the bearer of the glad tidings. His horses
were sorry Rosinantes. Ile had five or six carriages,
and a judgment may be formed it his equipage from
an opinion he often expressed that no one ought to
pay more than 300 f. (or IV.) for a horse. He would
not, like Richard the Third, give "a kingdom for a
horse." In the morning the Marquis usually walked
round his grounds, and beggars assembled to greet
him. "Go and work," said he to them one day,
"surely that would hr better than to importune and
annoy me." The beggars did not stir. Turning to
his old valet, who accompanied him in his walks, with
a bag of money, he said, "Pierre, if the poor wretches
won't go away, give them each a louis (20f.), but,
, above all, let them go and work."

THE AUGEAN STABLE —INSIDE AS
WELL AS OUT.
(Respectfully Dedicated to LORD SnArrnatray arid
the Social Science Association.)
In an age of bounce, and a land of brag,
Veneered with gratulation,
From pens that flourish, and tongues that wag.
In our noble selves' laudation.
When ought makes peg for boast or beg,
At some public dinuertable.
From the last successful swindle
To the great Atlantic cable,
Good work they do who usher us through
John Ball's Aegean stable.
It rears with pride a fair outside
With nothing but white-Wash seen,
And neat-raked litter the dirt to hide,
Edge-plaited, trim and clean :
John faxes his guests to look at it,
And himself looks at it, too,
As the model ef all a stable should be—
Which it might ho, if shows were true,
If there wasn't au aside as well al an
Awl if things be judged on rn
Each side the gate, as porters wait,
A peeper, gaunt and cowed
And to balance Wm, in portly state,
A Bumble large and loud-
All I over-head, in letters of lead,
Bat shining in the sun,
With Gilt as of best gilt gingerbread,
John's fevourlte mottoes run,
"Look after the pence, and leave the pounds,"
And "Take eare of -V umber One !"
There John Ball stands, with folded hands,
And calm contented mien;
Admires the white-wash, and the strands
Of straw, that look so clean
Points to the gilt that gilds Ills lead,
levites attention due
To the /the murals therein real,
Si safe, if not so new
shakes hts head, and howl, Instead,
When asked to done Ue, tarsdagL.
But Manchester provides a band
Of Guides, is John's despite:
With Shafteehury—a Lord of land !
Ws reading must he right.
They'll show the filth, forbid to pass
Beyond those *nits-washed walls
Turn up to sight the festering mass
'that 'neath this litter crawls:
So stop your nose, and 'ware your clothes,
And through the Aegean stall, !
Slime overhead, filth under-foot.
Dark mildew, dirt three-piled:
Foul things in foulness that tied toot,
Denting and defiled : •
Fester of wealth 111-got, ill-used,
Fester of want, ill-borne:
Weakness o'ertasked and youth abused,
Sot of its glace. shorn:
Infancy poisoned in its bud.
Age ere Its time outworn.
The eewsge that should feed the land,
Mode poison for the town:
The stream, but sewers tir the strand,
To drink its ordure down,
The hernia den, Where human souls
In beasts' lairs bestial grow
The bright blue face of heaven with rolls
Of furnace reek hung low;
And baud in hand that oleter band
Vice, Prnnkenneee, and Woe
In front, at back, on either hand,
The !WV SO Stable spreads .
Whereer we step, on filth wo stand:
Father, ps upon else heals.
An awful place! where heart of grace
Scarce resting place can Bud;
Of God's own ground so scant the trace,
God's light so for behind
All forms of 111 that Body kill,
Gwarf Heart, and dwindle Mind!
But not for this, take we amiss
Their work who grasp our hand,
Arid force us thrones a scene like this,
Nor outside let is stain,
Among the crowd, whose :eans lo
with cold
Fell usitea cheer po rlandeonurlanwtheir ear,
Whom Ramble CatiroSt awe,
As through the Augean stall' drear
Sick Ling they stir the straw--Pen,'!;,