The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1880-03-20 00:00:00

Uliaellancam

HOME, FOREIGN, AND COLONIAL.

Tan COMING FRAY—The Whitehall Review remarks:
"Should the Czar abdicate and the Czarewitch ascend
the throne, what is likely to happen sooner or later
after the Emperor William's death? I have a vivid
recollection of an incident immediately after the battle
of Sedan. Talking with some Prussian officers of the
events of the previous day, we were joined by one
now holding a high position in the service. Well,'
said he, we may consider this affair more or less
finished; the next thing is to go home and study
Russian.' The observation naturally led to a free
discussion. t Although the probabilities of a Russo-
German war seemed far removed at that period, and
were declared by many as being opposed to the tra-
ditional policy of Prussia, there were unmistakable
signs that the idea of measuring swords with Russia
was very popular even nine years ago. Some sanguine
persons believe that the Emperor's letter to the Czar
is a guarantee of peace; but the experienced observer
scents the corning fray from afar. That a brochure
like 'The Battle of Warsaw' should be allowed to
appear in Berlin is a sign of the times which all would
do well to regard."

AT "THE PALLIS."—On ordinary days the Crystal
Palace is warmed, as everyone knowr' by hot air. Of
Good Friday, though, it is (6)warmedby ever so many
thousands.—Judy.

You

THE LLTEST NOVELTY 1-A soap.bubble party has
been given by an American lady in Paris, anxious to
inaugurate some novel entertainment.- The guests
found a table furnished with pipes tied with gay
ribbons, soap, and warm water, and spent a consider-
able time in the childish amusement of blowing
bubbles, the evening being ended by refreshments and
music.

THE PRECOCIOUS ONE I—Never say " Why " to a
child, for if you do you are sure to cause a revelation
of some kind.—" Mr. James," said a bright little girl
to a gentleman caller. "have you got only one eye ? "
—"Why, my dear? "was the response; "what do you
mean? Do I look like a man who had only one eye?"
—"
No," answered the child; "but mother said yes-
terday she saw you throwing an eye at my sister, and
I wanted to know if you got it back, that's all."—
Sporting Times.
"LATEST BETTING."—FIo "Are you going to back
Cambridge, Bob? "—Bob: "No ! Look here, I'll tell
you what to do. Oxford to win and Cambridge for a
place."—Fun.
A WHALE AT DOVER.—Mr. Frank Buckland writes:
—At half-past tenon Friday morning lest a whale ran.
foul of the Admiralty Pier at Dover. My informant,
Major Scott, late Commissioner of Fisheries, writes
me that the whale is a female, between thirty-five and
forty feet long, a very large beast, and covered with
barnacles. She spouted, and made a noise like a steam.
whistle of large size, and a fog-horn sound. The
portion of the pier where she struck was just where
the 81-ton gun is being fixed. The blow was very
violent, and seemed to hurt her. Major Scott
says she came against the pier with such force
that she was disabled; however she went away
in the direction of the Thames, and if she
does not sink, she will probably be found in the mouth
of the Thames or in the Channel. This whale may be
one of three,kinds—either the right or whalebone
whale, poor brutes now nearly exterminated by the
ladies, who use more whalebone in their dresses than
ever. Secondly, a cetchelot or sperm whale, which
has wandered from the southern seas, and of which
there is a fine specimen in skeleton in the Royal
College of Surgeons. Or it may have been a large
finner or rorqual, a huge but useless brute which gives
our herring fishermen a great deal of trouble by rolling
up the nets when pursuing the herrings, of which they
- eat an enormous quantity. The titulars, horrover, are
not due at this time of the year; they do not appear
till the autumn.
ADVICE TO ADVIIIITISIRS.—AII American millionaire
who has made every dollar by advertising offers, on
retiring from business, this bit of advice gratis to those
he leaves struggling behind, while he departs for Iropa
to enjoy life. " The fault of the ordinary advertiser is
this, he goes in for a spurt, and while the fit is on him
he will pay money to any journal he may fall across.
By-and.by the bills come in; the advertiser finds he
has spent three times as many dollars as he meant to;
and as there is no response to his advertising, he thinks
the speciality he has been trying to introduce has
fallen flat on the public taste, or business has become
dull; and he fancies buyers are few and little likely to
pay attention to his announcements. He stops short
accordingly, and loses nearly all the benefit of his
previous expenditure. The success reaped by those
whose advertisements appear from year to year should
teach men of business first to be careful in the selection.
of the medium they choose, and next, when satisfied
on this point, to persevere, disregarding apparent
failure, and never retrenching expenditure when
business is dull.
A NATIMAL PHENOMENON. —(A Fat-O.—Girl: Isn't
it curious, Me. Jones One of oar hens has laid an
egg with a fourpennypiece in it. Can you asccunt
for it ?—Jones: Easily, my dear girl, It meat have
beak fed upon groats I—Funny Folks,
PBESENCID OE' MIND.—It is related as all 11112etra.
ti( n of Mr. Wallack, the American actor's great
presence of mind that a veer or two ago, while he was
playing in the drama of Home, and just after appearing
in the disguise of Colonel White, and being ordered
from the house by his father, who does not know him,
and even while he was engaged in repeating the lines
of his part expressing disgust at his treatment, a
number of persons in the audience shouted excitedly,
"Look behind you! Look behind you!" Mr.
Wallack turned quietly and noticed.that on the stage
mantelpiece, the candle had burned down almost to
the socket, and had ignited the paper which elm
wrapped around it. 'This was in a blaze, and a
curtain which hung above it was on the point of taking
fire. The danger was imminent, but the actor we!
equal to the occasion, Without the least show of
excitement, he drew the candlestick away
from the
curtain, and held it while the burning wax fell fast
upon -his unprotected hand, and all the thne continued
to repeat the lines of his part, thus reassurin gthe
alarmed audience. When the danger was past, to
loud applause he said simply. "Well, the govenor
has turned me out of his house, for which I ant
exceedingly sorry, but I at least have the satisfaction
of knowing that I have been instrumental in
saying the establishment from destruction by

AVERAGE Palm OF Barris zt Cons.—The following
are the average prices of British corn for the week
ending March 13, as received from the inspectors and
officers of Excise i—Wheat, 445. 83. ; barley, 345. 103.;
oats, 225. 3d. per imperial qr. 4 Corresponding week
last year :—Wheat, 395. 7d. ; barley, ale. Id.; oats
20s. 93.

JEWISH CANDIDATES FOR PARLIAMENT.—There STA
eleven candidates of the Jewish persuasion for Parlia.
mentarj honouse before as many constituencies of the
United Kingdom. Their names and the constituencies
they appeal to are as follovrs s—Baron H. de Worms
(Conservative), Greenwich; Mr. Arthur Cohen, Q.C.
(Liberal), Southwark' Sir N. M. de Rothschild
(Liberal), Aylesbury; Mr. Sergeant Simon (Liberal),
Dewsbury ; Mr. Saul Isaac (Conservative), Notting.
ham; Sir Julius Vogel, K.C.M.G. (Conservative),
Penrhyn and Falmouth; Sir Sydney Woolf (Liberal),
Pontefract ; Sir Julian Goldsmid (Liberal), Rochester;
Mr, Sydney Stern (Liberal), Mid-Surrey; Mr. Edward
F. Davis (Liberal), East Kent; Mr. Alderman A.
Harris (Home Ruler), Kildare, Ireland. Thus the
eleven candidates belonging to the Jewish community
are made up of seven Liberals, three Conservatiltes,
and one Home Ruler.—The Times.
WHICH ACCOUNTS FOR IT I—Mistress Who were
• talking to, Jane ?—Cook : Only any eldest brother,
.imm. He's—he's in the perlioe.—Mistress : Indeed 1
What is his name ?—Cook: John Smith, mum—
Mistress: But your name is not Smith ?—Cook: No,
mum; but you see, he's—he's bin married /—Funny
Folks.
A SACRIFICE OF GAME AIM VERMIN.—The grave
of an Indian apostle, St. Acninquid, say Forest and
Stream, is on a high hill at York, Me. He was con-
verted and passed fifty years in preaching to the sixty-
six ledian tribes of the country, and died. on May 1,
1662, at the age of ninety-four. His funeral was
conducted with great pomp, and the Indians sacrificed
25 bucks, 67 does, 8 ermines, 22 buffaloes. 110 ferrets,
832 martins, 20 wolves, 82 wild cats, 482 foxes, 620
beavers, 500 fishes, 99 bears, 36 moose, 50 weasels, 400
otters, 5'.0 racoons 112 rattlesnakes 2 catamounts,
900 rautquashes, woodchuks, 1,50 S minks, and 55
porcupines.
THE WRITING INTERPRETED I—Chinese domesties
In San Francisco, when leaving a situation, have an
unpleasant habit of leaving a eharacter of their mis
tress for the benefit of their successors, Many a mis-
tress has been puzzled to guess why her "
boys"China-
leave so soon, until one day she dimmers some
odd writing inscribed behind a mirror, or under a
table in the kitchen department, and when she gets a
neutral Celestial to interpret the writing, she often
finds sufficient harsh criticisms on her housekeeping to
account for the sudden departure of her servants.
REGIMEN.—OId Lady (to Eminent Physician) :
"Tell me, Doctor, what do you consider the most im-
portant rule of all for health? "—Doctor (whose ideas
run much on the hygienic properties of soils and sir,
&o.): "My dear Madame—always live on gravel."—
Old Lady (whose thoughts take a more gastronomic
turn) : "Oh, Doctor 1 I'm sure I couldn't -digest it ! "
—Punch. _ _ _

PATENTS IN AsinticA.--The report of the Commis-
sioner of Patents gives as the resulte for the fiscal year
ended June SO, 1879—applications for patents, 19,300;
for designs, 697; re-issues, 639; registration of trade-
marks, 1,465: of labels, 631. The number of caveats
filed was 2,674 • of patents granted, inclu-iing re-issues
and designs, 12,471; of trade-marks registered, 1,144;
of labels, 403; while 828 patents were withheld for
non-payment of final fee. The total receipts of the
office amounted to 703,146,79 dole, ; while the expendi-
ture was 548,651.47. dole.
CHESS wall LIVING MEN.—At a recent visit of
the King of Camboja to the French Governor of Saigon
chess was played with living pieces. A. space twenty
yards clear was marked out on the Boulevard Norodon,
surrounded by a railing and divided by bamboo sticks
Into squares. Ori these squares stood young men in
distinctive costume, and when two passers-by or groups
wished for a game they told an old Brohz3 what move
they desired, whereupon the live chessman shifted his
position accordingly, or, if captured, retired from the
fight. The King of Camboja is said to have eighty-
three children.

THE MANUFACTURE OF DYNAHITE.—The industrial
production of nitro-glycerine, the base of dynamite,
has been attended with no little danger' as many
terrible accidents bear witness. Among the prize 3
recently awarded by the French Academy of
Sciences is one of 2,500 f, to M.M. Boutmy and
Foucher, who, by introducing new modes of producing
nitro-glycerine in large quantity, and by various
precautions, have rendered the manufacture of
dynamite much safer, so that in their works at
Vonges, no life has been lost during the last six years,
and the generel health has been excellent.
SHORT MEASURE. A native Indian newspaper
declares that the Bemsalees have "adopted European
trout ere almost in their entirety." Does this mean
that each intelligent native wears three-parts of a
pair, cutting off the remainder? and if so, upon what
principle is the curtailment effected? How often do
the wearers change these garments? for it is evident
they never wear them long,—Funny Folks.
AUSTRALIAN GOLD. The Melbourne Argus esti•
mates the yield of gold in the colony of Victoria in the
year 1879 at a little over 715,0000 z,, being nearly
39,0000 z, less than in 1878, and being also lees than half
the quantity o')tained in 1868. The Argus adds :
"It is well ito yen that the yields of gold during the
latter half of 1879 were much superior to those of the
first half, and if mining should continue as healthy
during 1880 as it has recently been, it is probable
that the yield for it will exceed that of the year just
closed." The amount of gold coin issued from the
Melbourne Mint in 1879 was 703,7090 z., the value of
winch was A 2,740,000.
BEETLEFUL FOR ENTER !—Artificial beetles are now
worn on ladies' bonnets and dresses. They would be
an especially suitable trimming for ladies with "beetle
brows."—Funny Folks.
THE MURDER OF LIEUTENANT LUMSDEN.—The
Calcutta correspondent of The Times writes :—From
the Kuram come some further particulars of the
murder of Lieutenant Lumsden, He had gone to his
tent about eleven at night. Next morning at seven
his servant, entazing, found him lying across the foot
of the bed, quite dead, with 17 dagger wounds, chiefly
on the right side of the chest, five of them mortal. A
number of things belonging to him were missing, in-
cluding a bag containing 1,000 rupees in notes, his
sword, pistol, boots, and clothes. The murder was
evidently the work of a robber, who had managed to
elude the sentries. From the position in which the
body was found it is supposed that a struggle occurred
in the tent. Apparently no sound was heard in the
adjoining tents. Neat morning a man carrying a
heavy bundle asked a boy to watch it while he crossed
the river to get help. As soon as he was out of sight
the boy gave the alarm. The bundle was brought into
the camp and found to contain everything missing from
Lumsden's tent. No trace of the murderer has yet
been obtained.
A ROMAN CUSTOM AT MID-LENT.—The Court
Journal says that one of the Roman customs of mid.
Lent is to make ladders of white paper which are
slyly pinned to coats or dresses unknown to their
wearers, and when these are seen the unforttmate
victims of this mid• Lent frolic are followed by cries of
"Fire I Fire!" and they may deem themselves
fortunate if a sympathising bystander informs them
tgmanThpiesopwliet,tyis custom,
of,,the joke, and thus spares them the buckets of water
°tie now principally confined
prepared t o eyfxaotsifhntighounei
gharnetdha
really
worthy
to street boys and girls, who are at liberty to enjoy
themselves as long as they like at this pretty game, so
long as they keep the fun to themselves.
THE RELIGION or NATIJItiI.—In Spring:—Buddhim.
—Punch.
A CHANGE OF POLITICS.—The Liverpool Courier
states that Mr. Thomas Weld-Blundell, of lace
Blundell.hall, one of the largest landowners in Lanca-
shire, has caused it to be intimated to his tenantry
that he has pledged himself to support the two Con-
servative candidates in South-West Lancashire, Mr.
R. A. Cross and Colonel Blackburne. The Courier
says this procedure has exceptional significance. The
Weld-Blundelle, of Lulworth and Ice, who are an
ancient Catholic family, dated back to pre.
Reformation times, have hitherto always been Whigs
or Liberals, and in the last contested election in South-
West Lancashire, in 1863, not only was their whole
influence bestowed on that party, but Mr. Gladstone
made lace Bltindell-hall his residence during that
exciting campaign. Now Mr. Weld-Blundell has
separated himself from the party he formerly sup.,
ported, and, as he is the head of an old English
Catholic hours, the change is deemed of much import-
ance,

WEIKLY REVIKW Or THE CORN TEAL'S —Another
week of very seasonable weather has enabled farmers
to complete a large amount of work, and seldom has
the laud been in so satisfactory a condition for sowing
as it has been of late. The farmers' prospects have,
therefore, improved, and hopes are very naturally
entertained that the present agricultural season willyield
much more sitiefactery results than its predecessors.
At the present time farmers are delivering very
moderate, if not scanty, supplies of produce at market,
not because they are engaged ia spring work
and require their hands to complete the work of
spring sewing, but because the balance of last par's
crop remaining uncousumed is very limited. /*Tot'
withstanding this, and the somewhat distant period of
harvest, the trade for cereal produce is wanting in
animation, but holders remain firm and, in some in-
stances, choicer qualities of wheat have realised
rather more money. The dry weather has improved
the coadiiion of the samples, and honee-erowa produce
is intrinsically worth a better
price, but although the
statistical peition of the trade is ouch as to justify
firmness, millers remain as a rule content to purchase
for the supply of their actual requirements, and not
to accumulate any stock.—Belrs Weekly Messenger.
a
Meaneees.—Master George ( -very naughty boy, to
Caroline, Fomprenny-vous
New French Nurse). "Non Monsieur Georges."_
l'Ooglay ? "—Caroline. ,1-• ' pas
Caroline. " Pas on Mot,
Master George. Quiet aorninz,, Mbt ?onsteur Georges.—
Alors apporty-moi meg Bottes, ai
Master George.
vous play, you old Beast I"—Punch.
DiviV DISEASE.—The Calcutta cones-
A SUPPOSED es via tef.4:—Some excitement has
10 Calcutta during the last two months
. a
pondent of The
been caused
by the appearance of supposed new disease,
Tim
'th large mortality. Medical men differ as
attended vn
The prevailing opinion seems to be
ttleoalist n:
ical with the disease known in Madras
Ceylon a 3 'Beriberi." Its main features are
nd
tahus specified by the municipal health officer :
swelling of the limbs, fever, occasionally bowel
iPT:net.
complaints, in many cases burning and pain in the
affected limbs, shortness of breathing, great
emaciation in fatal cases. Death by this disease
is generally sudden. The disease seems to lieve
first appeared in the suburbs of Calcutta in the
rains of 1877, but it has not attracted much at-
tention until this year. Dr. MacLeod, health officer,
to whose report to the municipality I owe these par-
ticulars, is unable to pronounce a positive opinion as
to its causes, or whether it is iafectious. The most
remarkable circumstances in its history are its gradual
spread from the southern parts of the town to werds
the north, its prou winced localisation, and its se;eure
of whole families. It has hitherto affected only natives,
Euradane, and Armenians, not a single European Case
having been reported' and this, too, although the dis-
ease prevails chiefly in the European quarter of the
town. It is said to be now dying out, but may prob.
ably break out again in the ray oesmon,”