biglam/hmd_newspapers huggingface dataset:
The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1880-10-16

[From Punch.]
THE CRISIS IN THE EAST.

[From our own Special Correspondent, at present floating
somewhere about 4the Adriatic on a beer-barrei. This he
calls "demonstrating," and says he's keeping up the dignity
of Europe ; but we doubt it. However, his information can
always be relied on as scrupulously correct.]
I have the very best reasons to believe that the fol-
lowing telegrams and despatches, or something uncom-
monly like them, have recently passed between the
Powers. For obvious reasons I suppress names ; and
I need hardly say that I give this information under
all possible reserue.
The Sultan to United Europe.—Why this Demonstra-
tion? Do I deserve it? Take the nasty thing away,
and I'll do everything you want, or rather everything
that appears to me to be right, which of course is the
same thing. Can you possibly doubt my promises, or
my good intentions? . .

GlsiZe—t-o—P- ;ince B-sm-rck. —This is monstrous!
What are we to do now? •
Prince B-sm-rck to Mr. Gl-dst-ne. Haven't the
slightest idea. What do ;jou propose?
Mr. Gl-dst-ne to Prince B-sm-rck. —Obviously three
courses open to us. Blockade Bosphorous, bombard
Constantinople, or—cave in. Former much the best.
What do you say?
Prince B-sm-rck to Mr. Gl. dst-ne. —Last much the
best. No end of torpedoes in Bosphorous. Let's nave
another Conference! What do you say to Balloon
Demonstration above Constantinople? Good practice
for discovering North Pole.

Mr. Gl-dst-ne to Prince B-smr-ck.—Can you be
serious? "How ill grey hairs," &c. Let's consult
Austria.
Baron H-yin-e to Prince B-sin-rck.—Quite agree with
you. Conference evidently the only thing left.
Nothing like talk when you don't want to act. When
in doubt, play a Conference. Let's consult Prance.
Al. B. de St. 11-11-re to Baron H-yin-e.—Oh, don't
ask me. Have it your own way. I'm not going to
to put my finger in the pie. What's the good of con-
sulting France poor, downtrodden, mutilated
France? Besides we're busy watching Germany.
Ask Russia.

Prince G-rtch-k-If to Prince 13-ein-rek.—Re*ly, for
anything. What would you like? Black Sea Fleet
to anchor off Pera ? Revolt in Roumelia ? Massacre
of Mussulmen in Macedonia? Combined attack by
Roumania and Servia ? Anything to oblige.
Prince B-sin-rck. to Mr. Gl-dst-ne.—Hm ! What do
you think of Russian alacrity? Muspicious, eh ?
Mr. Gl-dst-ne to Prince B-sm-rck.--Not a bit. The
cheerful confidence inspired by a good conscience—
that's ah. "Let us imitate Russia's good deeds !”
as I obsel•ved at Blackheath. Blockade the right
thing.
At this point, I'm sorry to say, my beer-barrel floated
away from the wires—Pd been tapping them, you un-
derstand, but don't mention this on any account—so
must stop now. Hope to " gather up the thread of my
communication very very soon again..
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1880-10-16

STATUE OF JOAN OF ARC.

The statue to the ictlemory of Joan of Arc at Com-
piegne, during the defence of which town the Maid of
Orleans was taken prisoner, was unveiled on Sunday,
in the midst of an enthusiastic multitude. The plea-
sa,nt little town of Compiegne, fully aware of the
popularity of its heroine, had made a supreme effort
to welcome the numerous visitors and strangers who
came to visit the fête, and thoroughly succeeded in
providing for their enjoyment. The whole place was
gaily decorated by day and illuminated by night, and
Saturday evening was spent in public rejoicingis of
every kind, culminating in a grand torchlight pro-
cession through the principal streets of the town.

The statue itself is an excellent work of Monsieur
Etienne Leroux, six feet and a half in height, repre-
senting the Maid of Orleans on foot marching to the
attack. In one hand she holds the oriflamme of
France, and with the other points to the English
positions. On the pedestal are inscribed in old
French the words spoken by Jeanne d'Arc on hearing
that Compiegne was besieged by the Duke of Bur-
gundy, " Je iray voir mes bons amys de Compienge,"
with the dates 1430 and 1880.
The Government was represented at the ceremony
by Monsieur Sadi Carnot, the Minister of Public
Works, who, with the Prefect of the department,
was met at the station by a procession, which accom-
panied the Minister and the chief notabilities to
the Sous Prefecture, where lunch was served. Accord-
ing to the custom usually observed on such occa-
sions, the pompiers from the surrounding neighbour-
hood had assembled in large numbers, preceded by
their bands, while the historical associations Of
the day were ably kept up by troops of archers.
M. Sadi Carnot arrived on the Place de l'Hotel de
Ville at the time appointed for the inauguration, and
punctually at two o'clock the " Marseillaise " was
struck up by the fifty assembled bands of music and
the tricolour flag fell from the figure of her wire: had
sacrificed her lire in defence of the Royal standard of
France.

When the statue was unveiled at Compiegne, M.
Sadi Carnot, said the Government was deeply imbued
with the determination of entire France. It was
unanimously desirous of maintaining peace, and was
firmly resolved on pursuing that wise and prudent
polioy which had enabled the nation to repair its
disasters.