biglam/hmd_newspapers huggingface dataset:
The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-11-28

THE VICTORIA CROSS.

From the London (Jazette, November 20.)
The Queen has been graciously pleased to signify her
intention to confer the decoration of the Victoria Cross
on the undermentioned officer, whose claim to the
same has been submitted for Her 'Majesty's approval,
for his gallant and distinguished cohduct daring the
late Ashanteo War, as recorded against his name :
Lieutenant (now Captain) Mark Sever Bell, R.E., for
his distinguished bravery and zealous, resolute, and
seif-devoted conduct at the battle of Ordabsu, on the
4th of February, 1874, while serving under the iao
mediate orders of Colonel Sir John Chatham McLeod,
K.C.B.' of the 42nd Regiment. who commanded the Ad-
vanced Guard. Sir John McLeod was an eye witness
of his gallant and distinguished conduct on the occa-
sion, aud considers that this officer's fearless and
resolute bearing, being always in the front, urging on
and encouraging an unarmed working party of Faiitee
labourers, who were exposed not only to the fire of the
enemy but to the wild and irregular fire of the native
troops in the rear, contributed very materially to the
success of the day. By his example he made these men
do what no European party was ever required to do in
warfare—namely, to work under fire in the face of the
enemy without a covering party.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-11-28

TIIIII STOVE

come to if boys were not subjected to discipline,
he dil not know. In the case immediately be.
fore him, and in which the master of a Board
school had been summoned for unduly correct-
ing one of his pupils, the charge was dismissed
In another case, heard the same day at Hammer-
smith police-court, the magistrate, seeing the
difficulty in which schoolmasters were placed,
asked the Clerk to the School Board Committee
whether they had ever thought of employing a
public flogger. The Clerk replied that the
Board bad had the suggestion brought under its
notice, but considered that public opinion was
not yet ripe for it. In this most people will be
1 inclined to agree. A public flogger is all very
I well at Newpate, to administer the sentence of
the law upon the wretches who have kicked and
maimed defenseless victims for the sake of gain ; 1
but such a functionary would be totally out of
place in a Board school. The best judge of the
correction required lathe master, and to him the
regulation of the discipline ought to be left.
It is much to be regretted that such cases
should he dragged before the public. For the
head master of a Board school to be charged
before a police magistrate with assaulting one of
the boys placed under his care, although it may
be proved that he was technically right, tends
to create a prejudice against the school on the
p.irt of the humbler classes. Rightly or wrong-
ly there is a growing feeling against the execs-
live use of the stick, and thore will be many to
I declare that, although the punishment is held by i
the Bench not to be excessive, there must have
been some justiflcatiou for the parent appCiaing
to the judicial power. It is yet early days with
the Beard schools, aitel these institutions cannot
afford to make theineelves unpopular with the
g wait moss of those who are more immediately
concerned with and affected by their operation.
Lately, and more especially in the metropolis,
the Board has had to institute many prosecuti was
in tile exercise of its compulsory powers, and
these have not always been regarded in the most
favourable light. No doubt in the great major-
ity of cases the Board has merely done its duty,
and if a parent can afford to educate his child,
and refuses to do so, there is no alternative but
to call in the machinery of the lsw. But the
compulsory powers conferred by the Act should
be exercised with discretion, and cases of hard-
ship have shown that a proper discretion is not
at all times used. The Board has, no doubt,
difficulties, to contend with of a most salmis
ell:trader end will be supported in its work, but
it is undeniable that cases of hardship have oc-
curred through the putting in force of their
summoning powers, and s single one of these
makes more impressioi in a poor district than
mouths of useful reclaiming labour.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-11-28

SCENE AT THE ZOOLOGICAL
GARDENS.

On Saturday morning last a very serious accident
occurred at the Gardens of the Zoological Society in
• the Regent's Park, London. The elephant house con-
sists of a number of cages, opening into one Urge
paddock, and each cage is provided with double doors.
On the above morning, Andrew Thompson and Richard
Godfrey, keepers, were sweeping out the cage of the
large Indian rhinoceros, when the brute, which is
of a most malevolent disposition, rushed in from
the paddock, knocked the men down, and tried
to trample on them. Matthew Scott, assistant
keeper, who was in the building, came at once to
their aid, and hitting the rhinoceros in the eye with
his whip, drove it off. Fortunately, there is a corner
of the cage which is fenced off with iron, and into this
Scott dragged the two men. Godfrey at once fainted
and fell with his head in the cage, and the rhinoceros,
seeing him witlin its reach, rushed back and again
attacked him. Scott, with nothing but his whip,
once snore drove the animal off. Godfrey, however,
fell a second time, and the rhinoceros, returning to
the charge, tore the flesh s.ff the man's leg from the
thigh down to the knee, laying the bone bare. Once
again Scott drove the beast away, and finally suc-
ceeded in carrying the two other men out of the cage.
We need hardly state that all this was done at the risk
of his own life. The rhinoceros has no horn, which
has been worn down by rubbing against the bars; but
it is a moat mischievous and spiteful brute and weighs
close upon seven tons. Godfrey's life is despaired of.
Thompson is badly bruised, and it is feared that he
has suffered some severe internal injuries. Scott
escaped unhurt. He is a small man, by no means re-
markable for his strength, but possessed of very great
courage and presence of mind. All three of the
men have been for several years in the service of the
Society, and are well known to visitors to the Gardens.
It is a singular fact that Thompson, who was in the
Gardens before the rhinoceros came, has more than
once been heard to express his belief that the brute
would one day kill one or more of its keepers. We
may add that there is no ground for general apprehen-
sion, as the bars of the cages in the elephant house are
of wrought iron, some half a foot in diameter, and the
paddock fa fenced equally strongly.—Daily Tekgraph.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-11-28

years "pauperism, notwithstanding high wages, had
only diminished in a very small degree. That was 3
sad ntate of things, and proved that the present drink-
ing system bad been a failure. This was after genera-
tions of leginlation and hundreds of Acts of Parliament,
souse of whichhad done a certain amount of good only.
One of the best of the restrictive measures was the Act
of Mr. Bruce, passed by the late Government. That Act
a its in operation did great good, improved order, and
reduced crime in towns where it was fairly carried out.
The Permissive Bill was considered an extreme
measure, but it was to meet an extreme evil. What
they proposed to allow to be done had been done in
very many places throughout the country and else-
where with the very best effect. Many good men were
opposed to them. This he regretted, but if there was
ever one question more important than another now,
it was that of a national attempt to promote national
sobriety.
Mr. Sullivan, M.P., also addressed the meeting, and
said the principle of prohibition already existed on
statutes of the country, and the only difference between
its application and that proposed by Sir W. Lawson,
was that live squires on the Bench could apply the
first, whereas in his bill Sir W. Lawson wished to
leave it to thile. A tuutuhuous vote in favour of
the bill was plel
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-11-28

ICINVER.

SCHOOL BOARD.—A meeting of this Board was held on
Tuesday ; the Rev. John Hodgson iii the chair—Mr.
Tbonias Smith, the architect appointed to prepare the
plans for the new boys' school, waa in attendance, and
submitted to the Board a rough sketch made by him of
a school aud achooltuaster's house, which the Beard
after a lung discussion approved of , and upon the motion
of Mr. Bolton, amoaded by Kr. Jordan, it was resolvtd
that Mr. Smith de prepare th• amemary plans and ele-
liatiOna, to be submitted to the Education Departuo nt.—
The chaaman hang atated that drouplaiuta had been
made of children running shoot the streets during .0 inti
Lours, it waa resolved that the minimum snubber of at-
tendiumes at school required for each child should be 18
in every fortnight—The returns for the month of Octo-
ber were laid before the Board, and showed that in the
Board schools 26 children bad been admitted, and 12 had
left ; number remaining 310. or an increase of 1.1. The
average attendance was 232'5, corresponding month 232-1.

- - -•—
Holloway's Ointment and Pills.—ltheumatismi Neu-
ralgia.—lt is sometimes difficult to determine which of
these diseases is afflicting the sufferer, but such uncer-
tainty will be ism:item' if Holloway's remedies be used.
They alleviate and cure all muscular and nervous pains,
In hereditary rheumatism, after bathing the affected
part with warm salt water, Holloways Ointment should
be well rubbed upon the spot that it may penetrate and
exert its soothing and regulating properties on the deep.
er vessels and nerves which being unduly exited, cause
both pain and swelling. H:dloway's treatment has the
merit of removing the disease without debilitating the
constitution which *as the iaevitable result of the bleeds
ins mercury, and colchicum practice formerly ndupted
in these complaints.
VALIIABLE DIACOVERY TOR TUX HAIR. —lf your hairis
turning grey or white, or falling off, use "The Mexican
Hair Renewer," for it will positively testme in every
Case Grey or White hair to its original colour, t $ tat.
applications, without leaving the disagreeable siarii
most " itkatorers." It makes the hair cloomiugly
beautiful, as well as promoting the growth of toe bid, ut.
bald spots, where the glands are not decayed. Cettshc.te
from Dr. Versaiann on every bottle, with full particulars.
Ask your Chemist for" Tug MEXICAN HAIR ERNEWER,
prepared by Itxxstr C. UaLcp, 493, Oxford-street,
London, and sold by Chemists anti Perfumer. every'
Where,

Prihted snit Puhlished uy t.,, Yrupriethr, SlIdt.UN
FILL, st hi., dices, In, nigh-street, Stouia rndge, la
the County 01 ureester :to which piss.o lettasi
°tint. °ohm mucattous must be srl.lressed.
Saturday, Noumber 26, 1874.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-11-28

TEE RAINFALL.

The following letter has been sent to The Time* for publi-
cation :

Sir,—As I believe there has never existed a time
when the provision of water more urgently deserved
the attention of the State than the present, I am
desirous of removing the impression produced by some
published statements to the effett that the rainfall of
the last month (October, generally the wettest month
of the year) was universally in excess of the average,
and would, therefore, restore the deficiency resulting
from the drought of last summer and the previous
winter.

It is, no doubt, the fact that throughout the western
nide of the country, and in certain other parts—the
metropolis, for instance—an excess of rainfall beyond
the average did occur, not only in October, but in
September too, and as the fall of rain in those months
prepares the earth by saturation for the descent .4 the
winter rains to replenish the springs, the districts I
speak of are to be congratulated on the advantage
they have gained. But this condition has been by no
means generaL On the contrary, in many parts of
the eastern side of the island, to the north of the home
counties, and in the midland districts, the average
has not been reached by at least one-third, and the
present dry atate of the land in those parts augurs a
scarcity next sum,. er, which can only be prevented
by excessive rainfall within the next three months.
I will ask you to let this statement appear in your
columns, as I still hope that the Government will in-
stitute an inquiry into the steps to be taken to sezure
a plentiful supply of pure water throughout the king-
dom by overcoming the irregularities due to special
seasons and the physical conditions of different
locali-
ties. In the absence of such explanation as I have
' here given, I have thought it possible that the inquiry
might be deferred, under the belief that Nature would
herself speedily strike a balance which might render
premature any action en the part of the Government.
—I am, Sir, your faithful servant,
J. BAILEY DENTON.
22, Whltehall-place.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-11-28

HA.LESOWEN.

ASBACLT CASE —At the Public Office, on Tuesday,
before Messrs. F. L. Smith, E. Gem, and H. Howard,
Selina Hingley was charged with assaulting Mary O'Neil
on the 16th inst. Complainant said that on the above
date defendant pushed her against the wall, and struck
her. The defence was that complainant called her bad
names, aud denied striking complainant Fined 24 Gd
and costs.

CHARGE OP TFIRICITIMING.—EIizabeth Jones, wan
charged with using threatening language to James
Withers, of Spring Hill, on the 20th lost, with intent
to incite him to commit • breach of the peace. Mr.
Pret.cott appeared for complainant, and Mr. Smith de-
f ended. Complainant sald that the defendant called hia,
bad names, a thief. Two witnesses gave corroborative
evidence al to the defendant's violence, and she WAa
ordered to find one surety in £5 to keep the peace for
six months.

SERIOUS ASSAULT CASE.—William Price and John
James were charged with assaulting Edward Inston, on
the 12th. William Price was further charged with as.
swilling George Inston on the same date. Mr. Holber.
ton appeared to prosecute. Mr. Shakespeare defended.
Complainant, a youth, said that about four o'clock, on
the above date he was taking some cows to the field.
Price was in the field and upon seeing complainst, be
aimed a blow at his head, nut be did not hit him as
he stooped down. Price then kicked him, and after-
wards picked him up and threw him over a hedge. He
had to fall seven feet into a gutter. When he got up.
Price i-truck him again and knocked him down. While
he was down Jalllei came up and gave him a running
kick on the head, and he became insensible, and was
afterwards picked upend taken into a house. On cross.
examination, witness said that his father gave up the
field in October, and that Price had never told him not
to pat the cows in the field in question, which adjoins
the one his father occupied. Witness nor his brother
did not strike Price. He fell down in striking at him.
Gil not kick Price, nor never quarrelled with edher of
the defendants, but Price had threatened to kill him
several times. George Instone, junr. said that the first
thing he saw was Price throwing his brother over the
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-11-28

EPITOME OF NEWS.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

The sum of L'2,400 has been presented to the Pope by
number of Engliell

It is btated that the Duke of Connat,ght will leave
England eto ly in January on a tour in the 1101) Land.

The largest amount in the last ten years collected by
stamps or other% las in the Court of clunnery was in 1871,
when it reached to £100,878, as appears nom an official return
just printed.

- -
M. Quehec, an old French sailor, has just died at
Paris, at the ego of 02 Ile was made prisoner at the battle
of Trafalgar a ith Admiral Villeneuve acted as his servant
during his captivity, and was the brat to discover the
Admiral dead.

Sir Leopold M'Clintock, the superintendent of
Portsmout* Vockyard, has received instrueti ins to select
two vessels from amongst those in the steam reserve at that
port, to form part of the Arctic exploration fleet.
The expediency of adopting the Public Libraries
Act for the parish of Isliegton (London) wss discussed at a
meeting of the ratepayers held the other night or the Agri-
cultural Ilan. The meeting was a very noisy one, and several
of the speakers were refused a bearing. Eventually the
meeting rejected the proposed adoption of the Act by 1,435
to 338.

-- --
Great depreaeinn exists in the North of England iron
trade, it being computed that six or seven thousand men
are out of work in ctmnection with the finished iron trades
between the Tees and the Tyne. Extreme distress prevails,
and on Tuesday night a meeting, called on requisition by
the Mayor of Darlington, Mr, H. F. Pease, was held to or-
ganise means to provide relief to a number of men out of
work in that town, some at wham have been unemployed
for several months.

Sir William Jardine, Bart., the distinguished
naturalist, died in the Isk of Wight hat Saturday, aged IL
He was for many years Joint editor of the Edinburgh
Philoaophieni Journal—The Timex. ha noticing his death,
says of him .—" Early in life Sir cc Ilium evuleed a decided
taate for scientific pursuits, especially for natural hist”ry in
all ifs varied branches, and this taste was maintained to the
close of an active and energetic life. He well agd botanist
and geologist, but his chief strength lay cabin knowledge of
animal., and especially of birds. Ile was a keen Cl) Ttsman,
and much of his information was acquired in the Sold mud
by the river side—for the sportsman was always subsidiary to
the naturalist. He was equally ready in the study. He could
bring down a bird, write a most accurate description of It,
draw it. and engrave the drawing, and then stuff to skin in
the most workmanlike manner. His museum at .lardme_heff
forms one of the finest and most valuable private collections
In Britain. He wan an indefatigatle as an author ot an
observer, and the list of his own works and those which ho
edited shows the We of untiring energy he led."
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-11-28

GROWTH OF A TOWN.

Considerable interest having been awakened in the
town and district of Barrow.im Furness by the late
visit of the members of the Iron and Steel Institute, a
few statistics relating to its rapid rise and progress may
not prove uninteresting.
The following facts and figures, which were sub-
mitted by the Mayor of Barrow, Mr. J. T. Smith,
at the recent annual meeting of the Towa Council, for-
cibly illustrate ale unexampled progress of the town
during the last few years. They exhibit a comparative
view of the town of Barrow in 1871, when the last
census was taken, and at the present time. In the year
just mentioned the population of the borough was 18,200,
while according to a census which has just been taken
and verified by the Corporation, the present popula-
tion is within a trifle of 41,000. This shows an in-
crease of 127 per cent., the population having been
more than doubled within three years. The Mayor
stated that the number of deaths during the year had
been 940, which, on a population of 41,000. repre,anted
a death-rate of 22 92 per thousand. In 1871 the num-
ber of gas consumers was 1,302, the revenue for that
year being £18,218 ; while in 1874 there were 2.174
consumers, bring an increase of 772, or 59 per cent.,
the revenue for 1674 being £38,181, an increase of
£19,968, or 109 i per cent. In 1871 there were 3,670
water amsumers, as against 6,546 in 1874, being an in-
crease of 2,876, or 78 per cent. In 1871 there were 2 719
inhabited houses, and now there were 5,600, making
an increase of 2,881, or 10595 per cent., and beyond
this there were now 920 houses in course of erection in
the borough. The ratable value of the town in 1871
was £03,891 155., and now it was £123,117 10s., making
ar. increase of £59,222 lie., or 9268 per cent. The
Town-hall and market receipts in 1871 were
£520 12s. 3d., and in 1874 £1,161. 16s. 5d., Ewing an in-
crease of £941 4s. 2d., or 180 96 per cent. The Mayor
further observed that the existihg gas and water works
had been found unequal to the demands made upon
them, and that the market would soon be in the same
position.
The facts and figures adduced by the Mayor present
an extraordinary, and, at the same time, a very en-
couraging aspect. Carefully studied iley will be
found to support the assumption that Barrow has un-
dergone a wonderfully rapid development, and is now
established on a basis that affords satisfactory assur-

ance not only of it; becoming an important manufac-
turing centre, but, owing to its extensive dock accom•
modation, the 1111111elleic development of the timber
trade, and the betablislunent of a new line of steam
communication with the continent of America, of
its taking rank among the leading seaports of the
country.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-11-28

TALLOW.

LONDON, 'Monday, Nov. 23.—P Y.C. Is inactive at 400. 6d.
per cwt on the spot. Town Tallow commands 41s. per cwt.
net cash, and Rough Fat 2s per 8155.
s. d. s. d.
Town Tallow, per cwt. .43 6 Rough Stuff, per cwt. .15
Rough Fat, per Sins. .. 2 0 Greaves 18.
Melted Stuff, per cwt. .30 6 Good Dregs „ 6 0
Yellow Russian, new.......... 400. 3d. per cwt.
Dltto Ditto old ..... Oos Od. „
Australian Mutton Tallow .... 435. 60. „
Ditto Beef Ditto .... Us. dd. „
RAY.

warriernApeL, Saturday -Nov. 21.—With a largo supply ot
hay and straw on sale, trade at this inarket has been !steady,
at lower quotations : Prime clover, 100 s, to 120 s. ; Interior,
155, to 95a, ; Prime meadow hay, lks. to I.loa ; Inferior, Va.
to 765. and straw, SU to 40s. per load.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-11-28

OLD HILL.

IMPORTANT To TIM SHOTZL TRADr —At the Police
Court, onWednesday before Messrs. F. W. G. Barns and
N. Hingley, James Fox, Benjamen Webb, Stephen Wood
and Wm. Webb, shovel makers, were summoned by
Charles Edwards, on behalf of Messrs. Smith, Edwards
and Co. Spade and shovel manufacturers, Old Hill, for
neglecting their work, on the 18th inst. Mn. Stokes de-
fended. Charles Edwards said he was a member of the
firm of Smith. Edwards and Co. Defendants were em-
ptoyed by them as shovel makers and the terms were to
give or take 14 days notne. On the 13th lust. he re•
calved a government order. On the day in question de-
fendants came to the works and walked about and then
left. They did not come back to work. Witness claimed
£2. as compensation from each defendant. Government
contract was to be completed in 14 days. The contract
could not be finished in consequence of defendants leav-
ing their work. Mr. Barra: The contract has not been
completed and I do not know whether I have lost it or not.
Mr. Stokeo submitted to the Bench that no damige had
I been sustained as yet, because Government hail not ter-
I ruinated the order. The defendants were to be paid the
trade list. Complainant said he agreed tipsy defendank
at the rate of 6d per dozen for boring and reviling. In
cross examination witness said:the line referring; ti idle 6d
per dozen had bettu added to their list during the last
month. The alteration was made when he recetandi the
Government order. Ili answer to Mr. Hingley : Cotu-
• plainant said the men had made similar shovels before
but Sot with rivited eyes In answer to Mr. Hayes, the
magistrates clerk, complainant said he pat the writing on
, the paper that morning. Mr. Hayes: That deatroyo the
i agreement. Complainant previOlialy stated that he put it
on when he received the order from Government. It
was • moat important case both to mailers and seen and
he would suggest that the case should be adjourned for
the complainant to procure legal as:vise. Mr. Stokes said
r be was Willing to have the ease adjourned if complainant
woold pay him his fee. Complainant refused to pay Mr.
Stokes's fee. Mr Hingley said they hail heard enough
of complainant and he had made a Mesa of it. Mr. Stokes
then objected to the adjournment and demanded justice
'on behalf of the working men whom he represented
' After hearing at viral witnesses, the Bench retired for a
short time, and ou returning, Mr Barrs said they ton-
sidered the man ware in the wrong, and they *hook Li-
e, t • fine of IL damage. 11174 eoota.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-11-28

RELIGIOUS FRAGMENTS.

On Sunday morning Dr. Stanley preached at West-
minster Abbey for the first, time since his return from
Paris. The sermon, which was based on the words,
"Gather up the fragments, that nothing may be lost,"
was an eloquent and practical exhortation to endea-
vour, to extract some good for ourselves and others
out of everything in this life. If they had any
scruples about, the authorship of particular books in the
sacred writings, let them gather up those fragments
of doctrine before the supreme divinity of which all
alike bowed down—the beauties of the Sermon of the
Mount, the Lord's Prayer, the description of cha-
rity in the 13th chapter of St. Paul to the Corinthians,
the penitence of the Met Psalm, and the wisdom of
Ecclesiastes. He who occupied himself with putting
into practice these truths would find enough, and
! more than enough to do. Let them gather also out of
the sacred books of other religions of other nations if
they would that which hail stood the wear and tear of
time, and which had nourished the faith in all that
had been best in the heathen and Mussulman nations.
It might be that oftentimes a verse from the Koran,
or a saying by some heathen philosopher, scholar,
or poet, would, from its novelty, strike the heart
on which, from their familiarity, the words of
the Bible would fall flat. Ile would have them
gather out of literature science, and art whatsoever
had a tendency to elevate the human soul ; for these
were all amongst the means of God's grace. A philoso-
pher of our day had said that in his best and healthiest
moods the arguments for a Divine, eternal cause out-
weighed all that could be said against it. And this
was true of all men. In their purest, gentlest, and
most elevated moods they rose above themselves ;
he would therefore have them gather up the best
experiences and convictions of their minds as men
garnered their resources in a beleagured city against
th 3 coming siege.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-11-28

THE VALUE OF CARRIER PIGEONS IN
BESIEGED CITIES.

The Daily News remarks ;—"One lesson taught
by the war between France and Germany was
the value of well-trained carrier pigeons in all beseiged
cities, and both countries are now taking steps to
procure a good supply. The Germans have estab-
lished pigeon stations at Hamburg, Metz, Berlir,
Cologne, and the fortresses of Magdeburg, Wesel,
Minden, and the Government have stimulated the
creation of pigeon-flying clubs, one of which, ironically
called 'The Concordia,' has recently flown a number
of birds from Paris to Cologne- so that they might
know their way in case of an emergency. Several
of those pigeons flew the distance in seven hours,
thus attaining a very high rate of speed, but it
must be added that the Germans have purchased the
best carriers procurable in Belgi.um. At a sale in
Brussels the other day sixty pigeons realized four
thousand francs, or two-and-a-half guineas each, the
whole of them being bought for Germany. In France,
upon the other hand, M. Geoffroy St. Hilaire, the
Director of the Jardin d' Acclimation, has induced the
Minister of War to sanction the establishment of
' military dovecote,'. which is to contain some 450
pigeons, provided by two of the most succeseful breeders
in Belgium. A sum of money has been placed at M. St.
Hilaire's disposal, and with the progeny of these birds he
will soon be in a position to people the dovecotes which
are to be placed in all the chief fortresses of France. The
pigeons will also be trained to fly distances of three or
four hundred miles, and each pigeon will be made to
travel in different directions ; for as a postal messenger
in time of war he must be able to fly to any point of
the compass. Experience shows, however, that the
carrier can easily be trained to do this, for M. Perre
de Roo, the great Belgian breeder, relates an instance
in which he brought eight pigeons from Antwerp, and
let them loose at Greenwich. After wavering in their
flight for a few minutes they went off in the direction
of London, and M. de Roo never expected to see them
again ; but he received a telegram from Antwerp a
few hours later to say that they had all returned to
their dovecote, and these were pigeons that had never
crossed the sea before."
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-11-28

CANADIAN VIEWS ON ENGLISH
RAILWAY TRAVELLING.

The Toronto Globe remarks:—' It is probable that
the latest development of Midland enterprise about to
be inaumrated is only the precursor of a system very
nearly reseinbling our own. Democracy is making
head in England even in the matter of railway cars.
No one objects, of course, to anybody who desires the
luxury of a "Pullman' paying for it if he pleases;
and it may be well to give those to whom the very smallest
saving is an object an opportunity of making it. But
for the ordinary run of passengers why have any
distinctions at all? In Canada the journeys are
often long and wearisome enough, but who com-
plains because the merchant, the farmer, the
mechanic, or the labourer all elbow each other as
they get in or out, and sit in the most friendly
contiguity while the train is in motion. Small an-
noyances do happen, it is true, at times, but not by
any means so often as in the close stuffed coupe' of an
English carriage where escape from a disagreeable
companion is often impossible. It is not necessary
that the American style of construction should be
precisely followed. The hurry of ingress or egress on
the English lines would perhaps make additional out-
lets essential. But those who have travelled much by
crowded trains in Great Britain without being dis-
posed to bribe railway servants to secure them exclu-
sive privileges, know that in matters both of euruf.et
and decency, especially on long journeys, there is
ample room for improvement."

CANDID CRITICISM INVlTED.—Richardson, the
painter, used to speak of an open, honest country
gentleman who one day asked Wm to come to his
house, adding. " I wish very much to see you, for I
have just purchased a picture by itobens. It is a rare
good one. Brown saw it, and says it is a copy. A
copy! If any man living dares to say it is a copy, I
will break every bone in his skin! Pray call on me
and give me your opinion.'
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-11-28

1, and without

ime with
and returned ca

Id tint motalt, for I
kge fr 4 t

oCdur,:t j
. And fur. GLENY
aOf diree ye as. an) iturte or /ba-
be tak, r back. at at,
ued.ll,l,etii.f.;

eater aivautagee thantb LOl,lOll or bir
ie.—Apply 0. 1. tilikk ki..,forte
hiabie Warehouse,26o,Castleetreet,
Dudley.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-11-28

ARTIFICIAL BUTTER.

The French are a nation of cooks, and the pressure
of the siege of Paris naturally called forth all the
latent capabilities of the Pari,ian chefs and cacaos in
that direction (says /mot). Of the feats thus performed
that of which, perhaps, most has been heard outside
was the manufacture of an artificial butter, which
was loudly proclaimed to be not merely as good,
but a great deal better—more palatable and more
wholesome than the produce of the cow. A Paris
correspondent in a quite recent communication
describes a patent butter of this sort which is
being effered for sale in the French capital, and which,
or something of the same description, maybe'', is con-
sumed to some extent in the British one, under the
qualifying euphemisna of Brittany, tDevonehire, or
Cork. The correspondent referred to invested a franc
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-11-28

THE STOURBRIDGE OBSERVER

and a quarter in the purchase of a pound of "butter
which is warranted not butter," and he certifies that
in colour and appearance it is precisely like butter, and
better in taste than the average of what is sold in shops
as the genuine article. So far, indeed, is it from being
badly flavoured that, he says, nobody not told would
suspect it not to be hotter when spread on a slice
of read; while, SS it does not become rancid and will
keep sweet for a twelvemonth, it is so far superior to
the farm-yard commodity. It is allowed to pass
freely into Paris, the same municipal impost being
claimed upon it as is levied on real butter. Our police
magistrates; however, are not so liberal as the French
authorities, for they have sternly interdicted the sale of
any kind of manufactured butter.

but he never looked at them, nor deigned to turn his
,to tight or left from a straight line. Here the
rime had a dancing girl all to himseff, a few English
ladies aud gentlemen assisting him is the task of look-
ing on. It was the former scene .4 the Nautch re-
peated to a select company. The English ladies
would not cease laughing, even in the presence of a
Prince ; the English lads, fresh as from either Eton or
Harrow, still talked aloud and made remarks; but
the Prince wan impassive. At his left, on another
seat, sat by far the most remarkable looking
person in the room, if not in the Assembly—
a short, dried up, and to all appearance rather old
man, with a feather in his cap and a silver badge
below it, and under all an eye like that .4 the hawk.
Without seeming to look in that direction, he never
took his eyes from the Prince; and there was at his
girdle a knife —the terrible Ghoorka " Kookerie "
which told a tale. He wore a closely-buttoned blue
coat, almost like a French uniform. He is the Aide-
de-camp of the Prince of Nepaul, and I should say
that his knife would be as ready, and perhaps has
been as ready, as his eye is clear. When his master
moved the Aide-de-camp was not a foot behind him
In the " buggy " in which they went away they sat
ride by side, talking, probably, of the events of the
night.
In another generation the Krishna family, unless it
can again produce a man like its "founder," will in all
probability die out as a family of distinction in the
land. The wealth has been diminished by division and
subdivision till the family's position has become one of
merely ordinary kind among the families of Bengal.
and another subdivision would go far to re-
move the ancient landmark, which one would vastly
prefer to see remain. . . .

eyes ).
Prince

Another
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-11-28

NEW WORK BY DR.

SMITH.

Now Ready, 96 pages, Free by Post for Two Stamps,
GGUIDE TO CURE OF DEBILITY, OR
Health Lost abd Regained. By HENRY SMITH.
H. D., of the Royal Univesity of Jena, Author of" The
Warning Voice,' tte. "GUIDE TO CURE OF DE.
BILIT X" gives Rules for the Cure of Nelsons Exhaus-
tion. Indigestion, Rheumatism, Dimmnesa of Sight,
Weakness. Low Sprits. Nervous Debility, Painful
Dreams, Mental and Physical Depression, Indecision,
Impaired Memory, Loss if I..nergy, Pains in the Back,
Timmidity, Dizziness, Love of Solitude, Groundless
Fears, Ac. Addressed to Sufferers from Debility, and
other Diseases resulting from Exhaustion of Nerve-
power, the effect of Indiscretion. Gives PRESCRIP-
TIONS and INSTRUCTIONS by which Thousands
have been reamed to health and vigour. Illustrated
with Testimonials from grateful patients who have been
cured by Dr. Smith after all other means had failed.
"Dr. Smith has published some excellent advice and
instruction for the Lure of Nervous Debility."—"Naval
and Military Gazette," April 6, 1873.
NOTICE.—A copy of "GUIDE 10 CURE OF DE.
BILLITY" will be sent post free to any address, FREE
so CLIALGE, on receipt of stamped directed envelope.
Dr. H. SMITH, 8, Burton Crescent, London, W.. 0
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-11-28

1{..A1

CRADLEY HEATH, HALESOWEN, & DISTPITCT

J REOISTERED FOR I
) TRANSMISSION ABROAD.)

TRADESMEN'S ADDRESSES.

FUNERAL CARRIAGES OF EVERY DESCRIPTION.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1874.

Si WINO MACHINLS! SEININtir AlAtAliNt,6!

SEWING MACHINES! SEWING MACHINE!

[ii

K—. copyright—

GEORGE THOMASON,
15, BULL BIN G, KIDDER.3IIN6TEB, I Teliat,kii,ts slot 1 r eh:. are .....,,one . that tlsi .
BEGS to inform the Inhabitants of Stour- eregitsg,ruetogrettsitemsessi;rast:illee'n't`:eSes's ‘Lc.j.., t'l, t rads that :tttloi %I.
bridge and the surrounding diatrict that he intends 10 05 Irgy infringing the same. will Le at once. 1,;,..“ dtd
visiting the above district every Wednesday, and will ag"l"4'
Solicit rs t (.5a.,,,..
B. .) J. & 11. LIVETT,
, Albion ChandTr6. Brit4,l,
sculuslymthAncsHe
Iwshto
sm.ayTfhate•ouHroliwithe, wwi thhe
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aw i
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Queen, Singer, Grover and Baker, and all the leading
makes. HAND MACHINES of every make. .
LESSONS given FREE to all Parchaaers, and every
Machine warranted, or exchanged if not approved of.
Terms : El down, aud I2s per monib. Five Fez' cent.
off for prompt Cash.
All kinds of Machines Cleanest and Repaired. Cld '
Machines taken in Exchange

CURE FOR ALL

PRICE ONE PENNY.

PUBLIC NOTICES.

WANTED a Steady, 3IA .AN, is
WAtioNER, to at., II - ; 1 U 0 Warm
Work.—pl;y to Ge.l_, .linA:taill Street.
Ralesowen.

inger. I3r

OR EAT WES l'E RN RAILWAY.

BIRMINGHAM CATTLE, P)I'i.TRY, DOG
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-11-28

THE OYSTER FAMINE;

Two theories prevail—one, that the cause of the
failure is" over-dredging," the other is that to the
" failure of a fall of spat" for several successive years
the scarcity is due. The latter is, without doubt, the
true explanation, yet the former has some truth in it.
In the case of beds in the deep sea, experience
has shown that smacks may and do come where
a depcsit of oysters is found, and speedily rake
off most, if not all, if the adult oysters that
have hitherto escaped discovery. In the case of
native beds the valuable property of long-
established companies or of individuals—such as those
in the Roach and Crouch, Essex, the over-dredging
theory collapses, for on these beds there are always
plenty of breeders left. These the oyster-farmer values
as much as the sheep-fanner values his ewes. What
do the supporters of the overdredging theory say when
they read statements from such good authorities as the
Whitstable dredgers and other most competent judges,
that the heaviest fall of spat in modern years oc-
curred when the stock of breeders was at its msnirnom !
The fact is that evidenoe against " overdredging " Is
not acceptable to the supporters of that theory, and
they cannot deny that the failure of a fall of spat has
much to do with the scarcity. In our coluianslong ago it
was proved by our correspondents—oyster merchants
and other well-known authorities—that the "heat and
' tranquillity" theory is doubtless the correct doctrine.
This doctrine means, in short, that if the water is
warm and tranquil when the little oysters are born they
will live; if on the contrary the water is cold and the
weather boisterous they will die. This is an undeniable
fact, and recent events have undeniably proved it to bit
ea.—Land and Wake.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-11-28

THE FUNERAL OF MR. TOM HOOD.

From the Dagy Sews )

The pages of Fun do not readily lend themseß es to
pathos ; yet in last week's number there is a little poem
which is saddening reading for to-day. It is entitled
"A Hateh-me(a)nt," and relates how a French house-
maid, bidden to muffle the door knocker, the constant
rapping of which irritated the nerves of her sick
master, accomplished her task with the aid of " white
satin ribbon and a white kid glove." This was the
last contribution if Mr. Hood to the periodical with
which his name has been closely associated for eight
years, and the two opening lines describe in sad and
sober earnestness the circumstances under which the
pen was taken up to weave the final flit into facile
rhyme,
I lay upon the narrow strand disporting
The region of the known from the unknown.
Two days after these verses were published Mr. Hood,
sickening for more than twelve months of a disease
which, vague enough at first, had latterly made its
real and fatal character unmistakably plain, made an
end of his painful dalliance on "the narrow strand,"
and was dead. On Tuesday he was buried, not at
Kensal-green, where his father lies, but at Nunhead
Cemetery, where a year ago last February his first
wife was laid to rest. The ceremony was of a private
character, but a large number of men to whom Mr.
Hood was something more than a name were Resembled
to pay the last testimony of affection and esteem,
and when the ci fin was carried into the chapel
where the first portion of the Burial Service was to
be read, there was scarce standing room left for late
comers. The chapel service over, eight bearers lifted
the coffin on their shoulders' and a procession was
formed for the brief journey to the grave. The morn-
ing was cold and foggy, but by noon the 141111 had
struggled through tlihe mist, and was shining warmly
down on the bright flowers that covered the lid of the
coffin leaving bare only the space where the inscription
simply told that " Tom Hood departed this life on the
20th November, 1874, aged 39." Mr. Hood was
passionately fond if flowers, and this was not for-
gotten by the friends who stood around his grave, and
when the clerk had said his final "Amen,' and the
officiating clergyman had turned amide to unrobe,
loving hands flung down on the coffin handfuls of
chrysanthemums, roses, and camellias.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-11-28

THE NEW ARCTIC EXPEDITION.

At the meeting of the Royal Geographical Society
on Monday night, Sir Henry RawHusain, having read
Mr. Disriteli's letter announcing the intention of
Government to send out a Polar expedition, said —I
am unable to inform the meeting of the exact measures
which have been taken in pursuance of this letter, but
you will have seen by the accounts in the daily papers,
which I have every reason to believe are accurate,
that Sir L. McClintock has visited Dundee, Aberdeen,
and Peterhead, with the view of examining -the
whaling ships accustomed to Arctic voyages in order
to select two or more vessels for the purposes of this
expedition. Sir Leopold McClintock has returned, and
has now gone back to Portsmouth, and will no
doubt make his report in due time to the Govern-
ment. I am happy to congratulate the society on the
successful termination of the efforts of this society and
of other societies in the metropolis to bring about the
new Polar expedition in which the Royal Geographical
Society has always taken, and will continue to take,
the greatest interest. It is well that the public should
know that the Royal Geographical Society has
nothing whatever to do with the subsidiary arrange-
ments of the expedition. Its origination is entirely
in the hands of the Admiralty, to whom all applica-
tions for employment must be addressed. According
to all reasonable calculations, if everything goes on
well, the expedition may be expected to leave England
in the course of next spring, probably in May.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-11-28

DIIDLEY.

THE RESULT OP Ben EXiMPLE —At the Police Cour'.
on Wednesday, TbOalaP, Pritchard (15), collier, was
sentenced to fourteen days' imprisonment with hard
labour, for stealing 21, belonging to Mrs Yarewoo?,
with whom he had been lodging. Mrs. Pritchard stood
by her son crying and sobbing in a violent manner, but
stopped when reminded by the police that Moe had only
just conic oat of pa:ol for robbery.
lexttaux BMlGLAli.s.—Hannali Wilson (V), married,
and Elizabeth Round (141, nailer, both of ItirminAhain
Street, were charged with barglariously entering the shop
of Mr. Henley. grocer and provisim dealer, and atenling
therefrom a Lumber of oranges, apples, and peen; The
proaecuter had no shutters to his shop, and the prisoners
broke one of the squares of glass during the night and
stole the fruit. Both 'shaded guilty, and the Bench
reduced the charge to larceny. Vs ilson was sentenced
to three months imprisonment, and Bound to one month.
—harsh Round (86), nrirried, Wad then charged with
feloniously receiving the fruit. It was however, impoa-
, ssioh, to show that the woman had any guidy knowledge,
and sire Wad discharged.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-11-28

LOYALTY OF CATHOLICS.

The annual banquet of the Benevolent Society for
the Relief of the Aged and Infirm Poor (which is under
the patronage of St. Gregory, and is the oldest Roman
Catholic charity in the Metropolis), was held on Mon-
day eveninc at the Albion Tavern, Aldersgate-street,
London. Monsignor Cape! presided, and there were
also present nearly 150 gentlemen, both cleric and lay.
Among the laity were several well.known Protestant
city merchants.
As usual in Catholic assemblies, the first toast
was that of the Pope; the next was that of the
Queen and Royal Family. In proposing this, Monsig-
nor Capel took occasion to uphold the loyalty of his
co-religionists. After bearing testimony to the charity
which animated Her Majesty and the rest of the
Royal Family, and to the promptness with which
such charity was exercised whenever necessary, the
Right Rev. Chairman said that Catholics gave another
proof of their loyalty by caring for the aged
and infirm poor; in caring for them Catholics showed
that they cared for the Empire under which they lived.
Catholics could raise their voice and proclaim loudly
that they obeyed every law established by God, and
fer such law of God dispensed by His instrument
(either by the State or by any other authority) there
was always the greatest love and respect shown by
Catholics—ay, even their lives were spent in obedience
hit. Facts proved this. In every department of civil
life inthis great Empire,Catholics were placed whofrom
their childhood bore witness to the one grand fact—that
they were ready to lay down their lives to uphold the
sacredness of the authority which held them together.
It was an insult to ask Catholics to define their
loyalty. There was not a gentleman present but would
resent any impeachment of the purity of his mother,
his sister, or his wife, and in like wanner it was an act
of imprudence to question their loyalty. They had
well proved their allegiance, and that, too, to a Govern-
ment not Catholic. Catholic soldiers died on the fields
of the Crimea—brave Irish and English soldiers shed
their blood to uphold the glory of England. It was
sought to create a division lately in account of certain
I events which had happened. There was not a man
I but would still proclaim his loyalty. He would say,
"Insult me to my face— say of me what you will and
I spurn me; and yet the blood that runs in my veins
shall be shed to uphold this State—this authority
which Goa has placed over me." Even in accepting the
I Vatican decrees Catholic loyalty was undisturbed—
nay it was more strengthened. So, as he (Monsignor
(apel) has asked them in the name of the Benevolent
Society to drink the health of the Holy Father, he
I would now ask them, in the name of their inviolate
allegiance, to drink the health of the Queen and the
rest of the Royal Family. (Loud and enthusiastic
cheers.)
During the proceedings a subscription was made, and
the sum of i.:G6O was realized, to which amount not
only Catholics but many Protestants subscribed.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-11-28

SIR WILFRID LAWSON AND THE
PERMISSIVE BILL.

At a great meeting, held at Chester on Monday
night, in favour of the Permissive Bill, Sir Wilfrid
Lawson, Ml'., who was enthusiastically received,
after setting forth the nature and principles of till
Permissive Bill, said twenty years ago the Edinburgh
Review, the organ of the Liberal party, said that the
drink traffic was a public nuisance, physically,morally,
and economically, and the experience of twenty years
confirmed the truth of that statement. Daring that
time greater efforts had been made to improve the
condition of the people than in any previous
twenty years, and what was the result? Our police re-
turns showed that drunkenness and its accompanying
misery was now as great, if not greater, than ever, and
last year alone thirty thousand drunkards more were
taken up than in the year before, awl in those twenty