The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1873-05-03 00:00:00

DRAMATIC READING IN THE UNION

HALL.

Mr. Scott gave a second reading at the Union
Hall, on Wednesday night last, the subject being
the latter portion of the programme which was
not completed on the previous Wednesday, from
reasons which have already appeared in our
columns. Mr. Scott, before commencing, said it
was not necessary for him on this occasion to
make any prefatory remarks. He would give the
reading that evening because he felt it his duty to
do so, to enable those who had attended the
former reading to hear the completion of the pro-
gramme which was then put forth if they were
inclined to do so. Ile was fully aware that he
was overtaxing his powers in attempting to read
unassisted such a poem as "Faust," and on that
account he must again crave their indulgence to
give him a patient hearing. The part which he
was about to read was that portion which formed
what was usually acted in the theatres. Mr.
Scott then commenced his reading, which opened
with a description of the first meeting of Faust
and Marguerite. This, which was the narrative
portion of the poem proved to be decidedly more
interesting than that read on the former occasion.
What was read on The first evening dealt more
with the spirit-lore and demonology with which
all German poetry abounds, and which an English
audience is very little apt to be interested in,
while that on last Wednesday evening was a
subject which appealed to every human breast.
And certainly the intellect must have been dull
indeed that could not have felt interested in and
sympathised with the glowing language and
beautiful rhythmical verse in which the greatest
uf German poets describes the loves of Faust and
Marguerite. Its influence was evident upon Mr.
Scott, whose reading of this portion of the poem
was a marked improvement on his reading of the
first part. In fact there was a manly tenderness
in the way in which he gave Faust's sorrow at the
sight of Marguerite in prison, and a melting
pathos in his rendering of the description of
Marguerite's alternating love and despair, which,
showed that he had a thorough conception of the
poet's ideal, and which would doubtless have
been rewarded with much applause but that the
audience did not wish to interrupt the reader.
All through, we may say, the reading was given
with a correctness of manner and a perfectness of
intonation seldom met with, and those who
attended this second reading were well rewarded
for any discomfort they may have experienced
from any dryness there may have been about the
first.

There was a very respectable audience, and Mr.
Scott was frequently applauded during the even-
ing.

Tux SISTERS ANDERSON. - These talented
young ladies gave their entertainment "Wonder-
land.' in the Corn Exchange, on Saturday even-
ing last. We are sorry to say that there was a
very poor attendance. The entertainment was
of the same character as that given by their
father (Professor Anderson) in this town on pre-
vious occasions, and we can only say that the
tricks were done with all that ability and skill
which made the renowned" Wizard of the North"
foremost amongst conjurors. In addition to the
usual entertainment, Miss Anderson introduced
several new tricks, and claimed for herself a
speciality as to the second sight, and some other
portions of the performance. The whole of the
tricks were done with marvellous celerity, and the
applause was loud and frequent during the whole
ot the entertainment.
_

PENB.—The name of Messrs. Macniven and
Cameron manufacturers of the Pickwick, Owl,
and Waverley Pens, have become household words.
Ever ready to cater to a discerning public, they
have recently introduced the Arrow and Phaeton
pens, which to writers must prove a perfect
treasure.

CRESS MATCH.—A chess match:was played at
Stourbridge, on Thursday, May lot, between live
members of the Walsall Chess Club. and five mem-
bers of the Stourbridge Chess Club. Three
games were to bev layed at each board if time per-
mitted, and, as will be seen by the annexed score,
all the games were fiuisheut. Some of the games
were very closely contented, but the Stourbridge
players won by a considerable majority. Stour-
bridge :—Mr. J. Doughty, 2; Mr, M. W. Paler, 1;
Mr A. Freer, ; Mr. J. W. Frauklin, 2; Mr. S.
Moore, 3; total 11, Walsall a—Mr. J. Fletcher, 1;
Mr. W. Nicklid, 2; Mr. It. Highway, 0; Mr. H.
Eagles, 1; Mr. li, Worrall, 0; total, 4.
Srocz SALL—Mr. H. King held his usual sale
in this town on Monday last, and at which there
was a capital show of mutton and beef. The entries
comprised 600 sheep, 50 head of cattle, and the
usual quantity of pigs. The prizes given by the
auctioneer for togs were obtained by Mr. Round,
Sugar Loaf Farm, for black faced, by Mr. Whit-
taker, of Churchill, for grey faced, and by Mr.
W. It. Brooks for the white faced. There was a
large attendance of buyers and the competition
very brisk. Total of sale nearly -£3,000.
IMPROVED BERTHS.—An excellent invention has
just been patented by Mr. R. H. Allen, of London,
whereby the berths for married couples in emi-
grant ships or steamers can, without calling for
additional space, be so constructed as to secure
that privacy which hitherto it has been impossible
to attain. The invention, like many others of
equal or even greater value, is of simple and
practicable application, and will doubtless prove
an inestimable boon to the numerous married
emigrants who are unable to afford the luxury of
a private cabin. Particulars and diagrams are to
be had of Mr. G. Percival, le, New Quay.—" Daily
Courier," April 10th, 1873.
CHAROE OF PERMITTING DRUNKENNESS.—At
the Petty Sessions, yesterday, before Major
Fletcher and Messrs. W. C. Firmstone and J. C.
Cochrane, John Skelding, landlord of the Old
King's Head Inn, High-street, was charged by
Superintendent Freeman with permitting drunken-
ness in his house and premises, on the 29th ult.
Mr. Perry defended. P.B Jones said that about
five o'clock there was a great crowd outside the
defendants house, he went in and there saw a
number of men drunk, and several of the men's
faces were cut to pieces from fighting. Defendant
was not present, but saw a woman in charge of
the house who asked him to turn them out.—
Daniel Bird said he saw a man come out of the
house bleeding, he was led out by another man
drunk. %Vent into the house and saw five or six
men fighting. P.O Woodhall gave corroborative
evidence. Mr. Perry, for the defence, said it
must be shown that defendant was responsible
and had permitted drunkenness, he should show
that a Mrs. Moody was in charge of the house as
defendant's wife was ill, that the men came into
the house and began to fight, and that Mrs.
Moody did all she could by sending for the police
to put them out.—Sarah Moody proved that sh
was in charge of the house as the defendant'''
wife was ill. She was in the bar when she heards
a noise in the kiteken, went in and saw five or six
men fighting. They were not drunk and had not
been served with any ale. AS soon as they began
to fight she at once sent for the police who turned
them out. Bird came up at the time the row was
and she asked him to turn them out, but he said
he was not an officer.—Caroline Woodley, v
was then serving, said the men had no ale in the
house, and she was the only one serving ale.—
Major Fletcher remarked that it was a very
proper case to be brought before them and in-
vestigated, but it was not clearly proved that de-
fendant hast permitted drunkenness, and they
should dismiss the case; but must caution the de-
fendant against having drunken men in his house,
if a ease of that kind should be proved it would
be a very serious matter for him.
ILL :IBA ND AND W IF/C.—Willi= Wood, of the
Lye, was charged by Emma, his wife, with using
threatening language to her and assaulting her,
on the 29th ult. Mr. Perry appeared for com-
plainant, and Mr. Lowe, of Dudley, for defendant.
Before the case was gone into, Mr. Lowe said that
he had offered complainant is per week as a main-
tenance, and he thought by being seperate for a
time they may get together again. Mr. Perry
remarked that the case was a serious one, as
complainant had received a cut from a knife.
Complainant said that on the above date, defen-
dant came home late, she complained to him of
keeping such late hours when the defendant

picked up a knife, threw it at her which cut through
her clothes, and entered her back. Defendant had
often struck her. Mr. Lowe, said on behalf of de-
fendant, he should suggest that defendant enter
sureties to keep the peace and pay the costs, in
the hope that defendant would hereafter make
some suitable allowance for his wife. Mr. Perry
said, on behalf of his client, that he was willing
without the case going on further, that defendant
should be bound over and pay costs. Defendant
was then bound over in ..£2O, and ordered to find
two sureties in £lO, to keep the peace for twelve
months and pay COAL
COAL STEALING.—Sarah Pritchard, of the Lye,
was charged with stealing a quantity of coal on the
26th ult, the property of Messrs Joseph King and
Co. P.S. Rea proved the offence, but the case
was withdrawn on payment of costs, tis 6d.
Disoanzavr.—Joseph Hatton, of Peduaore, was
charged with being drunk, on the 26th ult. P.O
Briggs proved the case. Defendant did not ap-
pear was fined 5s and costs.
BREACH OF THE PEACE.—SHISUCI Southall and
James Brettell, of the Lye, were ordered to pay
costs, 59 6d each, for committing a breach of the
peace at Hay Green, on the 26sh nit.
ASSAULT CASE.—Elizabeth Smith and Aaron
Smith, of the Lye, were charged with assaulting
David Newey, on the 14th ult. Complainant said
he was going home when the defendants came up
to him, and without any provocation struck him.
several times, injuring his eye. Fined Ws each,
land costs.

MARRIAGE FESTIVITIES AT CLENT.
On Tuesday morning last, this usually quiet
village was all astir on account of the marriage of
Miss Elisabeth Mary, only daughter of B. Little-
wood, Esq., J.P., of Clent House, to Mr. Wil-
liam Durant Thatcher. At an early hour, five
triumphal arches were erected, bearing suitable
mottoes, one of them by J. Amphlett, Esq., and
the other by the villagers, under the superinten-
dence of Mr. Boughton. The wedding party were
eenveyed to Clent Church in carriages, with grey
horses and postilions, and the ceremony was per-
formed by the Rev. G. Halls; after whieh upwards
of 40 ladies and gentlemen sat down to a dejeuner,
every delicacy of the season being provided. The
healths of the happy couple were heartily toasted.
By the kindness of the Durant family, the inhabit-
ants of the village sat down to an, excellent dinner
in the Infant School-room, and in the evening the
wives and roulades were regaled with tea, cake,
8:e. The tradesmen of Clent and a number of
others were entertained at Clent House, and the
whole appeared to heartily enjoy themselves.
During the day the bells sent out their merry
notes, and all appeared to be harmony.