The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-08-03 00:00:00

Rlistellancous ),ntelligente,

HOME, FOREIGN, AND COLONIAL

ODD TASTE.—If, as is commonly supposed, to
eat coal is e 3 mpthroatic of a morbid condition .4 con-
sumption, we are in a bad way, for just now that
article is in everybody's mouth—Peat/i.
A QUESTION OF SCHOLARSHIP.—The Master
of the Rolls gave judgment last Saturday on a petition
raising a question as to the election of scholars at Guild-
ford Free Grammar School. At the last examination
there were two candidates. Both were sons of resident
inhabitants, and had been taught three years at the
school. The one who passed the best examination was
a private pupil of the head master. The majority of
the trustees, however, determined to elect the free-
man's son, although inferior in point of attainments,
whereupon the father of Archibald Day, the other
candidate, presented this petition in his son's name,
praying that it might he declared that he was entitled
to the scholarship. The Master of the Bolls con-
sidered that the candidates were not of equal merit,
and gave the scholarship to Day, all costs to come out
of the estate.
SUNDAY RAILWAY TRAFFIC IN GUERNSEY.—
When a bill for the construction of a local railway was
introduced before the Guernsey Court on Saturday, a
petition was presented to insert a clause in the Act to
prevent the trains running on Sundays. The memorial
was signed principally by members of the Dissenting
community, who form is numerous body in the Channel
Islands. A debate, lasting for nearly four hours, took
place, and it was eventually decided thst trains should
I run on Sundays. The opponents of Sunday traffic,
I however, trust that when the question comes on before
I the States, a majority wiN be found prepared to insert
I a clause prohibiting trains running on Sunday. This
little incident has crested quite a stir in Guernsey, and
most of the local newspapers are against Sunday traffic.
STEALING FROM POSTERITY. —We read of
nmst determined and resolute thie I in Al iddlsfielil,
Donn. He removed the corner-s,tooe of a church and
athle a few coins which hail been dep..,ited there for
the eyes of far distant g..neratiotts, thus aeerimplishing
the entirely novel feat of stealing from posterity. An
indignant religions newspaper empires this to "tie
I theft of acorns Irons a blind hog," which strikes as as
a fresh and satisfactory simile.—New Fork Tribune.

SCENE FROM A LONDON POLICE COURT.—At
the Worship-street Police court, John Hinchcliffe. F. 5,
a labourer, was charged with wisaulting biz wim.
The prosecutrix, who looked older than the prisoner,
said that on the mevious night her husband came home
the worse h,r drink, and grumbled, and then shuck her
on the head with a pint beer can, and cut her head
open. He threw the things about the floor, and at last
she had to give him into custody.

Prisoner She cut me on the nose with it, your worablp_
true ca I stand here. I swear on my none—The Wife ; Ah,
your worahip, he's a very Oliughty man, and stops out at
nidht I've been merrled to him two and "threlty" y ear,
but I don't wish to puntah bin, (laughter )—Priaoner : I've
had en .ugh of you. Tell me thia Lock here, now; how
is it you ran get drunk every day and I not have a west at
home 3—Thy Wife , What's the good iii your telling, lies tht re,
Jett You know you've brought me home about as. in three
week,, and I Ve hit I Dotting to ea'.—Prisoner: But you had
beer 1,..5t niche The Wife : and Ig, ,t you some. I only bad
pen'north of beer and a piga ear all day. (Loud tatight.r.)
—Plainer : And you got we ienue praa padding.—The Wife
Veg, awl you threw it en the floor and made a aLde of it.
(It mars of laughter from the body of the court. when the
magiatrate aald that it it were repeated the court wculd ha
cleared.)
- - - -

The Police-constable proved +Acing the prisoner into
itietedy into Marc, where he f,taic Lim entombing the
things, and in a drtakeu condition. The proseentrix
was bleelini at the time. The magristrei thouabt
that the had committed a cowardly assault,
and it was one of thee hushand.beating cases- which
required to be pat down. He sentenced the prisoner
to two noonthe' bard labottr, and then to find bail to
keep the peace,