The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1875-10-30 00:00:00

SATURDAY, OCT. 30, 1875.

children who have dined, 973 ; number of children who AN AMUSING EPITAPH.—Another amusing
have paid one penny each, 823: number who have not epitaph has been sent for publication. It surpasses
paid, 150-973. Actual cost of dinners, £4 13s. Bd.; most in the success with which it manages the exalta-
serving, 12s. 6d. • total, £5 6s. 2d. Cost of 973 dinners tion of the survivor. After saying "This stone was
at one penny each, £4 is. id. ; serving, 12s. 61. ; total, erected by his bereaved widow to the memory of So-
-24 133. 7d. Therefore the lose hithe(to is .C 1 121. 7d. and-so," it concludes with these four lines:—
Against this sum I place : In love he lived, in peace he died,
(1.) For six weeks one girl from fee National School His wife was always by his side:
each week, has been taught cooking in my kitchen. He left this world without a tear.,,
(2.) Five girls (including the girl who is cook for the 'Cept for the wife beheld so dear."
week and the girl who cooked the previous week) gave HARMLESS AMUSEMENT. —Subscribing to the
been employed each week in laying the tables, serving, Herzegovinian Insurrection with Turkish Bonds.—
washing up, clearing away, and sweeping—these five punch.
girls receiving as pay their dinner. THE CRIMINAL LAW IN SIAM.—In the corn-
(3.) Nine hundred and seventy-three children have mercial reports of Her Majesty's Consular officers in
received for the thirty days such a dinner as they prob. Siam just issued a Parliamentary document, it is
ably would not have had at home, and certainly never stated that the criminal laws are severe, but that the
bring to school. The improvement, physically and
effect of them is that property, except in places where
,ntally, of good food and habitsrof order, neatness, -"the countrY is subject to raids is secure. Thefts of
and comfort, cannot be put down in figures, but it elephants and cattle are punishable by death, as are
must not be overlooked when so much is being de- all cases of robbery from members of the Ruling
mauded of our scholars in the present day. Family. The Judges have few rules to guide them in
(4.) The cost which I have stated is at retail prices._ the settlement of ' civil ciiies, the decision' in which
-3t wholesale and -thus materially generally means thk.ir own opinion, from which an
'0 appeal lies to the Chief. "They have a curious way
' of deciding the truth between two parties_ in the
absence of witnesses-; their -plan is to ascertain which
of them can stay longest under water. The Laos are
extremely superstitious, and many persons annbally
suffer banishment to the unhealthy parts of Chieng-
mai on charges of witchcraft and sorcery."
" SOMETHING GANE WRANG!"—It is told of a
certain minister that, having become much addictea
to drink, his presbytery had to interfere and get
him to sign the pledge. The result was that the
antigen reaction proved too much for him, 1 and
he became so ill that the doctor had to be sent for.
The doctor said he must just begin and take his
toddy again. This the minister said he could not
do, as he had taken the pledge. The doctor replied
that he might got a bottle or two quietly, and that
nobody but himself, the minister, and the housekeeper
would know it. "Man," said the minister, my
housekeeper is worse than all the presbytery put toe
gether, so that would not do." However, it was
arranged that the doctor was to bring in tbt, whiskey
'and sugar, and that the minister waa in make up the
toddy in the bedroom with the hot water that he get
for shaving purposes in the Inorning. The result was
the minister got speedily well, and one day, on going
out, the doctor said to the minister's housekeeper,
" Weel, Margeret, your maister is quite himsel' again.'
" Theres nae doubt about that, sir," she replied, 'he's
quite wed l in body; but there is something gane wrang
wi' his upper story." "What's wrong there, Mar-
garet ?” asked the doctor, " Weel, sir, I dinna ken,
but he asks for ehavin' water six or seven times i' the
day,"
TO F E IRST CHINESE IRONCLAD. —The Cor-
respondent of The Times, at Shanghai writes :—".The
first Chinese ironclad has been just completed; I
cannot say launched, because she stopped halfway
down the ways, and refines.% to be persuaded further.
I suppose, however, that the hitch is only temporary.
She is a small vessel of only 195 tons measurement,
104 f t. length on load line, and 201 t 4in. extreme breadth.
Her armour is 2Rin. thick amidships, tapering to l
at the extremities, and having gin. of teak backing.
She is armed with a Qin. Krupp gun, and has
a ram bow. Her offensive power has been
much diminished by the Chinese insisting on
having the gun fixed. Nothing could persuade them
that if the gun were brought over to fire from either
side the vessel would not inevitably heel over and
capsize • so the gun had to be placed permanently in
the middle of the bow,. and only one porthole exists
for firing forward. Of course it will be understood
that she was designed by an English architect and
built:under English supervision. The Chinese can do
nothing for themselves yet, with all their appliances.
The workmen are intelligent and apt enough, but the
knowledge necessary for designing is completely want-
I am almost inclined to doubt whether they are
capable of ever acquiring,-or rather applying it, Very
certainly— what is more to the purpose now—they are
thoroughly incompetent to handle or fight an ironclad
effectively. In the event of a war, all these ships, on
which China is wasting money that would be far
better laid out on railways, would be captured in a
iortnight."

I mei

-r toThu:

Oink ,
decrease the cost.
(5.) A portion of the loss will be corrected by not
havim ?udding_s twice
_a week.. Time _have been ex-
experience shows.that they are not ap-
preciated. For the future we shall keep to stews and
soups, which the children say they like and prefer.
(6.) It is fair to state that each child brings a piece
of bread, and shows the bread before grace is said.
I hope, at some future time, to give you the result
of our scheme, With the 'advantage of the past expe-
rience.
I have not stated that the school dinner is cooked in
my kitchen, and I find, of course, firing. Critics will
notice this, but if, in the end, I can make an approxi-
mate balance-sheet, I shall be contented, remembering
how much good is done which figures cannot meet. I
may add that I cannot send forth any more copies of,
Mr. Buckmaster's lecture; I think I have done my
duty in sending out by' post some 900 copies, in
stamped envelopes forwarded, the expense of printing
having been borne by myself.—Yours faithfully,
A, D. PRINGLE.
Blakeney, Newnham, Oct. 19.

nr;
I

THE DONKEY 'AND THE ' LIONESS. -- An
American contemporary records the death
.of a donkey
which deserves to be held in everlasting remembrance
for having removed from its race the stigma which has
so 10n..' attached to it in connection with the dead lion.
One day a boy was leading this donkey past the cage
of an African lioness in the Cincinnati Zoological
Gardens, and stopped to look at the fierce beast.
Roused to fury, probably by the degradation of thus
affording a spectacle to a donkey, the lioness burst the
bars of her cage, and rushed upon the humble "moke."
But to her intense amazement the donkey stood his.
ground, shook off his assailant, and gave her a kick in
the mouth which sent her reeling; then' taking the
initiative, he rushed at her, seized her by the neck
with his teeth, and literally shook her. Finally, the
lioness slunk off, and left her asinine foe master of the
field.

-- --
MONUMENT TO ADELAIDE CAIROLI.—A tele-
gram from Milan to the Daily News, says :
"At Gropelio a statue has been erected by a national sub-
scription to Adelaide Cairoli, the mother of four sons who
died for Italy. The statue is placed in the courtyard of the
Infant school established by her, and was uncoverel todiay.
There was a large number of persons present, incl tog
members of every party, among them being many menrmrs
of Parliament. The Working Men's Societies were well
represented, and there was a strong muster of aaribaldians.
Party distinctions were for the time quite loot sight of. The
sole survivor of the Cidroli family thanked the assembly for
the honour conferred upon his name. Altogether the cere-
mony was very imposing and impressive."
A PERILOUS VOYAGE.—The Melbourne Argus
says the attempt of Mr. Leggatt and his son to sail to
Sydney in Mr. F. Stephen's cork lifeboat has proved
a failure. Very heavy weather was met with, and
after proceeding as far as l'ort Albert, the adventurous
voyagers, worn out with exposure and fatigue, had to
give up their design. The boat was found to be very
safe and buoyant in the roughest sea, hut she sailed
very slowly, and was constantly filled with water.
THE PRINCESS ROYAL AS AN ARTIST—Public
Opinion says that her Imperial Highness the Crown
Princess of Germany (Princess Royal of England) still
continues the practice of the art of painting, in which
she showed such marked talent before she left this
country years ago. In fact she is a most enthusiastic
follower of art, and has a studio arranged in the New
Palace, Potsdam, where she and the Crown Prince
reside. Her Imperial Highness has produced several
very good portraits of members of her own family.
These are not only good portraits, but are most credit-
able works of art.
A PREMIUM ON Fnoos.—Before entering
upon physiological experiments, the btu :ent in America
must think seriously over the item for live frogs.
These little friends of the physiologist and microsco-
pist, which disport themselves in such numbers in
every ditch and pond in the country, would appear to
, be rare game amongst our friends on the other side of
the Atlantic. In the last number of our excellent con-
temporary the Clinic, the following announcement ap-
pears in leader type : "Three dollars and a half per
dozen will be given for twelve dozen frogs, delivered
alive at the Physiological Laboratory, Cincinatti."
Imagination shows us the mouth-waterings of 100
yokels, who read that it' is possible anywhere on the
face of the globe to get £9 for a gross of ;frogs, which
any one of them could catch in a few hours. Perhaps
American frogs have inherited the acumen of their
genus humanum, and, faithful to the precept that "a
still tongue maketh a wise head," leave croaking to
those more anxious to make their whereabouts known.
In any case, catchable frogs are at a premium in
America, and if indirectly we shall have been the
means of opening up a new source of commerce with
our cousins in a "trade of frogs," we hope those who
reap the pecuniary advantages which will doubtleFs
ensue therefrom will kindly hand over to us some share
of the profits of the undertaking.—llledical Press and
Circular.
A VETERAN. —Mr. John Earl Robertson
writes to the Pall Afall Gazette from Invercarse
Dundeefg—
"ln your issue of October 21 I find a paragraph referring
to the seventieth anniversary of the battle oi Trs.falgar, and
also calling attention to a few of the survivors who contri-
buted to the victory of that glorious action, none of whom,
however, were on board the Victory. Permit me to say that
under my roof lives my father-in law, Mr. James Chapman,
who was pressed into the service while going up the Thanies
in ISO 3. Jo'rom the receiving ship he was drafted on board
the Victory, and served in her during the whole time she
was in commission. lie afterwards served on board the
Ocean and Milford, and latterly was brought to England in
the Prince Frederick, and discharged his Majesty's service on
the 16th of September, 1814, with the reward of two medals
and two clasps for his eleven years' service. He is now
ninety-two years of age, is enjoying good health, and in pos-
session of all his faculties."
A PRACTICAL ANSWER. —A reverend gentle-
man was addressing a Sunday School concert, and
was trying to enforce the doctrine that the hearts of
the little ones were sinful, and needed to be given to
God. Taking out his watch, and holding it up, he
said, "Now here is my watch: suppose it don't keep
good time: now goes too fast, and now too slow; what
shall I do with it ? " "Sell it 1" shouted ont a flaxen.
headed youngster.
THE "RAIN-WATER Docron."—lt is relai ecl
that soon after the advent of hornalopathy in the New
England States an unknown German physician made
his appearance in Hartford, Connecticut, and taught
and practised the system of Hahnemann. His name
was not divulged, and his strange and reticent manners
surrounded him with mystery. He obtained the
sobriquet of " Rain-water Doctor," because he always
gave his medicine in rain-water. This eccentric phy-
sician took no fees from his patients, but gave his ad-1
vice gratis, on condition that they would buy one of his;
tracts, which contained his views on the praetice:'of:
medicine. After a few years he disappeared as mys-
teriously as he 4iatne.
SKEWER MAK,ER. ---,ln Mr. GreenAvdod's
"Wilda of London," We read that in a room about 12
feet long by 8 feet wide and about the height of a tall.
man, lived a family whose means of livelihood was the
collection of' Scrips of papet Out of the gutters and
dustholes. For these they received is. per owt. tor
• iiliel,p6oresti Boit, I and is; 6d: per 'Cwt. for -th'e- pietty
clean bits. In another hovel were, a man, his wife,
and sick son. The father was cutting up billets
with a sharp knife while the mother waa sharpening
the blunt sticks.' 'The' price obtained for the cat's-
meat skewers was sixpence a thousand, and out of
that they had to buy materials—wood, billets, and
• string. The wood per thousand cost twopence, and if
they both worked from morning till night they could cut
and point three thousand skewers, and so earn a shilling,
out of which one halfpenny went for string. Yet
these poor people pay high rents, and they cannot
help doing so, because the things they do can only be
done in a big city. This skewer-maker paid 2s, a week
for his room, and when Mr. Greenwood suggested that
for that sum he might get a three-roomed cottage in
the comb-3c he very pertinently replied, "Ah, but
they don't use many skewers in them parts,' In one
. of 'the houses fifty-six persons find shelter, and the
rent of the dilapidated, dark, and miserable structure
amounts to 265. a week. As might be expected, these
alleys reek with a pestilential atmosphere; water is
. scarce and little used. Up one alley a man pays no
rent for his room on account of his giving the place a
wash down every morning; in the next alley the land-
lord will not pay for the job, so no man can undertake
, it, but an old woman does it, and the neighbours give
her their cinders for her trouble.

PRUDENCE. Very Small Mite. “Are.loti,
fond of Sugar-Plunas ? "
Lady. f. mi dear,
you I "—Very Small Mite. " Then,
for me, please ?"—Punch.
4._ inavOrWit
NEW COUNIY COURT LAW. —Mos. t efr
alterations in the mode of recovering debts 1i°,.000
ceeding £5O will be made by the Act of last %leo
(38 and 39 Vic CO),called
~ cap.
will "
the Acts relating to County Courts," which
he ten;
will you keep w-
into operation on Tuesday (November 2). Tate 00
dency of the new law is towards the sav '
ing a
.04•
trouble to suitors. Thus, a summons personallY Loth,
on a debtor will require him to state whether or
vz' P;440
disputes the debt, and this must be answered
sixteen days. In default of this the creditor oar'
judgment. Orders for payment forthwith hare%
made unless the Court, in its discretion, Ete
time. If the debtor gives notice of a defehce veer
have six days' notice of trial. There , will ba nroof
sity for the creditor to attend the Court to giv'd air
of his debt when the debtor has no intention
puting it.
°
THE SINKING FUND.—The Nav, ES6III
—Punch. k f
Tim t "BLACK ASSIZE,"—ThT OW:1,0 Ji
marble table at the outer entrance to the
Peace at Oxford (Mr. Davenport) has jump
of that city, to commemorate a sad e
curred 300 years ago. The incription
as follows :
Con.Kty

couiltY •

tsblet