The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1873-02-15 00:00:00

NUMENTATION TO DR. DESSKL.

On Monday Dr. Hemel was., at the German Conan.
late-General, presented with the testimonial raised to
compensate him, sii far as such means can avail, for
the unfortunate error to which he became a wit tint.
The funds collected amounted in all to nearly
£1,'200, and the earrust and simple proceedings if the
forenoon culminated in Dr. Hisses touching request
that a share of the money, along with a handsome
silver cup, which formed part of the testimonial,
should be sent to his sorely afflicted father in Germany.

The Dully Telegraph of Tueeclay, remarking upon
the eubject, says :

" Dr. Hassel In a few days will leave oar shortie far the
scene of hia arduous labours iii the Far West, fully eon-
s inced of the heartfelt sympathy of the English station. The
Government Deaf, departing front its usual precedent, rein,
buries him for all the expenses to which his detention and
defence have actually put him. But, apart fr...ni this, the
amount which had been raised by private subscriptions, and to
which the public through the Daily Telegraph have contri
buted no inconaiderable part, will, when its collection is
completed, touch the very solid and satisfactory total of
£1,20-); and a sum very little short of this—together
with a handsome silver cup—was yesterday presented
to Dr. Hassel, oq behalf of the aubscribers, by his
fellow-couutryman Dr. Kappel. In a short but ns at
admirable speech, Dr. Dowd stated his wish that
£2OO of the money, together with the silver cup,
should be sent to his old father in Germany, aml
that the remainder should be settled upuu Ms wife,
Mrs. Hemel, for her sole and separate ugi and benefit.
We need hardly point out how singularly graceful and fella-
tons was this altogether unanticipated request, and how aptly
it meets and responds to the feelings by which the gift
was originally prompted. Our English prccedure does
not allow as to offer Dr. Hemel a formal declaration
of his innocence. But In place of any such State In.
etrument, the letter from Mr. Gladstone ordering the pay.
ment of expellee incurred in his defence, the tired
of trust In favonr of Mrs Hemel, and the g blot
with some short inscription, will serve as heirhoms in Dr.
Hewers family, and will he treasured far beyond their
intrinsic worth. It Ls said to hear that the news nf the ter-
rible suvicion under which his son lay, inflicted upon the
aged father, who is a clergyman at Krenznach, a serious
shock We cannot, however, undo what has been done.
But we have at least the satisfaction of knowing that the old
man will. ins few days, receive tangible proof not only of hie
innocence, but also of the warm ay m pathy wlnici his case
hes excited, stn.! of the great desire that exists to expreaa our
regret.that a charge so utifousided should ever have been
preferred. lir. Menet will hardly, perhaps, be inclbied to
declare, with Mr. Skipworth, that his first day in prison was
"the happiest and proudest of his life " But he will yet be
able, we trust, Irma a rjpe old age to look back upon yester-
day as su occasion means hich he bore himself soil, and of
which no man need be ashamed.