The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1875-11-06 00:00:00

ctonrbribge dberbtr.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1875

Tll F.

Thy augurs tell us that from several signs and
lo,a;;_nostications, from the gight of birds and the
analogies of former years, the approaching win-
ter witl be one of unusual severity. That may
not be pleasant reading to those who have not
forgotten the bitter experience; of last ye-ar;
hut it will he remembered that bath the winters
at 1870 and 1871 were extremely `cold ones, and
there is consequently nothing improbable in our
having two in succession again. Fogs and frosts
come after flood by a sequence almost as invari-
able as cause and effect. The October through
which we have just passed was one of the worst
on record ; and the dawn of November found the
lowlands everywhere soaked with the moisture
of the slowly-retiring inundations. The rain, it
may be as well to point out, has not come from
the soft and genial south-west ; for as a rule, in
our climate, it does proceed from that quarter,
and when it is cold we think that fact a guaran-
tee against much rain. But torrents have blown
towards us this summer and autumn from the
bleak east and the bitter north-west; indeed,
very little warm rain has fallen. And this is
one main foundation for the prediction of the
meteorologists. As the daylight decreases, and
the already small modicum of sunlight grows'
less, those rains from the north and east will be-
come congealed masses of ice, and. borne along
upon the unkindly blast, will fall in showers of
hail, snow, or sleet upon the land. It will be
impossible for us to act like the Hyperboreans,
and try to get behind the north wind. The
north, supplemented by the efforts of the east
wind, will prove to demonstration that it is not
to be checkmated in that way. It will prove a
searcher to many, and will find out the wr:ak
joints in the armour of a host of apparently
strong constitutions.
It is remarkable with what equanimity this
prophecy of a terrible winter is regarded. We
do not see the monrnars going about the streets,
and wringing their hands in anticipation of
forthcoming misery. There is not the slightest
sign of the existence of a feeling of depression.
Those who have great-coats and wraps comfort
themselves in the possession of such useful
articles; those who have not will button up the
only ones they really have, and make the best
of it. The well-to-do householder will wive an
order for a stock of coals before the black
diamonds are quoted at winter prices, and the
youngsters will rejoice in the prospect of skat-
ing. Their verdict on the situation will be
"Awfully jolly I" Yet, to say nothing of the
privations \Ali h are caused to the poor by an
exceptionally hard winter, there is no doubt that
the rate of mortility goes up as the thermome-
ter goes down; and that every long spell of
winter weather not only decimates the ranks of
the poverty stricken, but leaves coughs and seeds
of many diseases in millions of prosperous
homes. let in Russia, the coldest country in
Europe, the season brings few of the evils which
frost entails in these islands. In spite of the
arctic cold, people enjoy themselves in an ex-
hilarating atmesphere by day, and in well-
warmed rooms at night. The simple truth is
that the people there are prepared for it. Ar-
rangements are made with a view to it, and in
consequence little or no inconvenience results.
In this country we are not prepared for a long
winter. All our commercial, social, personal,
and domestic habits are formed on the assump-
tion that there will be open weather. When
frost and snow actually visit us, we generally
deem it " too severe to last," and if it happens
to continue for a week or two, we are rendered
perfectly helpless. Workmen are frozen out,
traffic is interrupted, our raiment becomes in-
sufficient, our Louses are unable to stand the
frostyisiege, water pipes are burst, gas meters
refuse) to work, and we ourselves are frost-bitten
on one side, and scorched on the other as we
sit round the fire. There are, of course, com-
pensations in eel' ain cases —sleighing and skat-
ing for the respf ctable classes, and the joy of
battling with tie cold for all the healthy.
Nevertheli SS a oft south-westerly breeze, which
breaks up the frost, and loosens the streams and '
rivers from the icy bonds that held them fast as
though in a vice, is always welcome as a do
liverer who sets the wheels of society again in
motion. _ _

--What will people in these islands say when
they are told that one of the most cherished of
our institutions—the open fire—is the front and
origin of the evils inseparable from an ordinary
dwelling-house during a hard winter. Running
from every room we have a shaft capable of
emptying it of all its air in a few minutes. We
put in the lower part of that shaft a large open
tire, which sends a fierce draught up the chimney.
As we warm ourselves by its radiant heat, cur-
rents of air from all parts of the houses are rush-
ing to feed the ascending stream. It pours in
at every crevice, under the :doors, through the
cracks round the imperfectly fitting sash, up
through the boards ; and and all these draughts
are cold. If in spite of all these we pile on the
, coals until the roorn is warm, there is a chill in
the passages,
and on the stairs ; and although
the atmosphere may be one of srunmer in the
room, we meet winter when we go to open the
door. Then, when the south wester blows, the
warm moist air condenses on the wall and runs
down in streamel so that the last state of the
frost is worse than the first. Yet in snite of all
these manifest and admitted disadvantages, it
is doubtful whether we are prepared to adopt
the Canadian and Russian plan of having a
great stove in the centre ofa room. We should
have warmth indeed, but little or no fire could
be seen. After all there is something in the
sight of a blazing fire on a cold day which ap •
peals not only to sentiment, but to our ideas of
physical comfort. And as the winter does not
kst all ihe year round, we suspect tha the time
is far distant when the British housc bolder will
recons'ruct his dwelling, tear out his grates,
plant stoves in the middle of his drawing room,
merely for the purpose of excluding draughts of
cold air during the few days of an ordinary Eng-
lish winter. The fireside may be a defective
institution, but with all its faults we love it slill

Gccd valuefor money is desired by all, with articles
that cannot be judged of by appearance, careful pur-
chasers rely n the high standing of those with whom
they deal. For I.'o years, Herniman's Pure Teas in
packets have given general satisfaction, being exceedingy
strong, of uniform good qvality, and truly cheap Agents:
Stearbrid go—Clarke, 151, High. street; Baker, 124. High "
street; Ile wit, Market Place; Morris, 136, High•street
Brierley Hill—Rawl/T/-0 chemist ; Kiddermineti r' Bul
Ring; Hale sowen, Adam, chemist; Lye, Jones, chemist
Viordsley, Turner, chemist; Kingswinford, Pearson
Prettel Lane, Collings, chewist ; Birmingham, Barka
The—GLENFI:..II.D STARCFI, has been m)re imi-
tated than all the other starches in the world. No
higher compluneLt couid be paid to it, 213 ail those imita-
tors are satisfied that it is the finest starch in use.
Tradesmen have d ,übtless less profit on its sale, but still
it is kept by all respectable grocers and oilmen, who pre-
fer supplying their eusi.oniers with the best article f )1.
their own pecuniary pre fit. The public should insist
upon having the Glentield Starch.

A BALD HEAD may not inaptly le compared to a house
without a thatching. It is exposed to the cold, and is alto-
gether unsightly in aspect. Resort may be had to a wig,
a scalp, or an a•semblage of foreign hairs interniingled
with the scanty material of original Lrowth stil vouch-
safed to the bare ctvet; or but the effect is poor and the
disguise too apparent. Let those whose mirror assures
them of the appcu,ch of baldness or the stealthy march
of grey hairs ',Esau the enemy in time. Let them
emp:oy the infallible restorative known ss Mrs. S. A.
ALLEN'S WORLD's HAIR RESTORER, and laugh to scorn
the impotency of years and their attemo to rob and
disfigure humanity. To be obtained of all (lieu ists and
Perfumers throughout the world. Price Gs. I w.f.: :41
iIC. south:moon-row. Loudon.
114 & 116, Southampton Row, London.

THAT COMPLEXTON has always been held to be the mos
lovely in which the rose and the lily contend for mastere
or in which their beauty is blended. Great sacrifices are
made to produce aniteppearance corresponding with tha
combil:alion, but they never succeed. Art cannot appro-
ach Nature The only arrangement that can be made to
rer.ffer men woman independent of all expedients is to
freely w-c HAGAN'S MAGNOLIA BALM. It preserves the
skin from premature wrinkles and furrows—renders it
smooth Lnd suprle, and restores the hue which may have
faded through illness, exposure to a noxious. atmosphere
the heat of summer or the frosts of winter. To be ob-
tained of all Chemists and Perfumers throughout the
world. Fries 39. 6(1. European Depot: 114 and 116
Southampton-row, London.
MORE CURBS OY ASTI:PIA AND COUGHS BY DR. LOOOK'S
PULZ,V!INIC WAYMT:S.—FI,In Mr. C. Collins, Chemist,
Brettell
ii nr
St"rbriclAe. ites : Several have taken
or raitlaria,
"gh.•-• OA% iu ever, C:tAb tilt y have
had the iq;tl(ed effect. i,. my opinion ttio surpvs snr
thing lb it heti been offered to the public." Tt ey in-
stantly relit,- asthma, consumption, coughs, cold:, gout,
rheaularism, and al! nervous pains. 'they taste plea-
santly. 804c1 by all Druzsista at 14 lid 2s 9d ker
beat