The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-02-24 00:00:00

Prfir STOrPPitifrOF eI'SFPVER.

to pay. He hi neelf was conneeted with both
service.. Ile 'etl been connected with the war-
fare both of Mars and Cupid ever since he was
a boy of 15, and must say that he had had some
experience, especially in the latter. With refer-
ence to themselves, he was sure he should only
be too glad to give them the benefit of any ex-
patience he might have gained from his long
connection with the army. He knew some were
apt to imagine that because they could go
through their drills tolerably well that they
were nearly on a par for effectiveness with the
army ; but he would assure them that such was
far from being the case. Of course he felt sure
that if ever their services were required every
man of them would do hi a very best, and doubt-
less at snob a time they would be found to be a
very valuable auxiliary; but it was impossible
for them, with the opportunities they had to at-
tlin the same degree of profleiency as that of
men who made it the study of their lives. He
did not say this to discourage them, but simply
to correct an error which they were ve!-y likely
to fall into after they had succeeded in master-
ing-the details of their ordinary duties, and to
show them how necessary it was for them to try
to attain the highest possible efficiency. He
then referred to the very kind manner in which
the Duke of Cambridge had spoken of the Vol-
unteers. The past year had been one of unex-
ampled trial for them. They had had an entirely
new drill to learn, and if they had not succeeded
in doing it so well as could have been wished,
and this was more than another corps which he
mentioned had done, for they gave up at once
without attempting to do it —(great applause).
Major Smith said it was his pleasure to pro-
pose the health of the Lord-Lieutenant of the
County. He spoke of the great interest dis-
played by his lordship in everything connected
with the volunteers ; and of the pleasure it gave
him (Major Smith) to see that the son was fol-
lowing in the footsteps of the father, and was '
sure that when the time was come he would not
be found wanting.
Ensign Williams next proposed the health of
Colonel Knight and the Staff Officers. Unfor-
tunately, at the present time Colonel Knight
was not in good health, or he would have been
with them on that occasion. He then went on
to speak in eulogistic terms of Major Smith
and Major Lyttelton, the,formor of whom he des-
cribed as a very efficient officer.
Major Smith replied, and said he was very
sorry that Colonel Knight was not present, and
more sorry for the cause of it, and that was his
illness. He said that in Colonel Knight they
had a most excellent officer. Ensign Williams
had been kind enough to describe him (the
speaker) as an efficient officer. He was sorry to
say that was hardly the case, but he fhtended to
devote more of his time to his duties as an offi-
cer than heretofore, and was determined to make
himself efficient. Ho then referred to the
changes that were taking place in the manage-
ment of the corps, and to the new battalion
drill which had been introduced, and said he
supposed if they should be called upon at the
present time they would be totally ignorant of
it. He intended to have more battalion drills in
future; and announced that they :should have
their usual field day on next Easter Monday.
Their arms would be returned before them. He
must speak to them as to some little defects
which he noticed while they were being drilled
that evening in the Corn Exchange. They
must not be offended with him if he found fault.
Of course it was his duty to find fault. What
lie had to call their attention to was the fact
that some of them did not put their ball pouches
in the same places as the others. There were
also one or two defects in their forming lines of
half companies. Of course it was these little
things in drill which showed their training. One
company had been reported off as one of the
worst in the battalion, and it was simply through
a want of attention to these little things. He
then concluded by hoping they would take what
he had said in good part—(cheers).
Quarter-paymaster Sergeant Marten said it
fell to his lot to propose the next toast—" The
health of Captain Walker." Guests were always
ready to honour their host, and soldiers were
always ready to honour their Captain ; and he
was sure that no company were better treated
when they were out than their own. A little
celebrity who had :visited Stourbridge a short
time ago told them that Englishmen liked to
find out where their work lay, and then to do it
well. He was sure that remark applied to their
Captain in an eminent degree, for he not only
performed well his ordinary duties, but he tried
to find out his duties in other walks of life and
to do them thoroughly—(drunk with &Mama-
tions).
Captain Walker, in replying, said he was ex-
tremely happy for the very kind manner in which
they had responded to the'toast. Mr. Marten
had spoken of the way in which he did his duty.
He did not know whether Ito had succeeded in
doing it, but of one thing he was certain and
that was he had tried. He also spoke of the
other officers of the company who, he said, like
himself, had the interest of the corps at heart.
But it did not matter how good the officers were,
it remained with the privates to make that the
best corps of the district. He was very much
plettsed to see such a strong muster of them in
the Corn Exchange that evening. He wanted
to see them in the same numbers on All occa-
sions. and with the same alacrity that they had
shown that evening. If they would only do
that and att« tid to what was said to them, they
should he the best corps in the district of Wor-
cestershire. He hoped to be able to give more
attention to them than he bad been able to do
lately. He would give thorn fair warning that
if there were any of them who neglected to do
their fair share of the work in the ensuing sea-
son that he would eraeo their names from the
b ,oks, and be troubled with them no longer.
There were five members of the corps who had
not done their proper number of drills during
the paet season. Instead of sending dinuer
tickets to three of these, inviting them to be
present on that occasion, he had written to them
ordering them to send in their clothes. The
other two he had retained; and it was because
he felt sure they were prevented from attending
the drill by circumstances over which they had
no control. There were some recruits in the
room, and he would tell them that if they did
not like the work he hoped they would leave the
corps at one. But he did not think that any of
them meant to shirk the work. He hoped that
during the present year they would attend all
the drills they possibly eould, so that at the end
of it he would be able to return a much greater
number of extra-efficients than he had last year.
Ho considered that a man who simply did the
minimum number of drills required by Govern-
ment was not doing his duty. If they would
only stick to him he would stick to them. They
must not think they were perfect. None of them
were. If the old hands had a good deal to
learn, the ones who had joined more recently
must have more to learn—(cheers).
Colour-sergeant Chapman next proposed the
"Health of the Subaltern Officers of the
Coma." (The toast was heartily responded to.)
Ensign Walker thanked them on behalf of the
lieutenant aim himself for the very kind manner
in which they had drunk their bealths, and
briefly referred to what Major Smith had told
them with reference to the rigid inspection they
would have to undergo on future occasions.

Several other toasts were proposed and res-
ponded to, amongst which were the " Non.corn-
missioned Officers," " Privates," &e., and the
'Honorary Members and. Subscribers;' Mr. A.
Freer responding to the latter in a very neat
s! each. .

Daring the evening several excellent songs
were snug in first-class style by Sergeant Har-
ris, Sergeant Male, Corporal Egan, Private
Jones, and Private Brooks; and a vote of thanks
to Mr. Brooks for the very efficient manner in
which he had served up the viands brought a
very pleasant evening to a close.

-
considered it

-:•-..
dangerous

health

the neightonrhood.
The Clerk was ordered to write to the sur-
veyor of Oldswinford.
SMALL-RA.—Mr. Pearce, surgeon, of Brierley
Hill, reported 10 fresh cases of stuall-pox in his
district.
Mr. Hinton, Inspector of Pensnett, attended
tho Board by request, through complaints having
been Made us to existing nuisances in his dis-
trict.
Mr. Hinton said he was using every vigilance
he could to keep down nuisances. He did not
keep a tabulated report, but had removed 4 cases
of mils., oce during the past month.
The Boxrd requested Mr. Hinton to keep a
tabulated report, and to be very vigilant.
A letter WAti read from Miss Rye, stating that
she intended taking out another batch of boys
and girls, and should be glad to take charge of
any the Guard:aria may wish to send.

CHURCH, TLIRONE, & CONSTITUTION.

A lecture en the above subject was delivered by Mr.
E. Harp, eI snelon), in the Corn Exchange, an Mon-
day event: •flact. C. Roberts, of Clent, occupied the
bovnithri •
Irtag t.
rtelei the Pale
h.
elrVe.
j. jilrvsenk:
, was but a ane..; au attendance.
,err7,l"oll"hirrefeii
I The Chairman bnedy introduced the lecturer to the
audience, and in doilg en said the subject of the lectuee
was one that commended itself to all true Englishmen.
They were all apt te holed awaway by something new, or
that had the aypeaneice of being new, and as it was only
is short time since that a person bad in that hall been
vilifying and ridiculing the Church, Throne, and Constie
Ultima, the Constituaional Aesoeiation, under whose aus-
pices the lecture would be delivered, thought it but right
they should have an opportuuity of bearing the other
side of the question. They must remember that the
Church, Throne, and Constitution, were what our fore-
fathers had built up and struggled hard to maintain ; and
if they were worth the sacrifices that were made then,
surely they were worth defending now. We were not
necessarily more learned than those who had gone be-
fore us. It was said that the throne was expensive, and
not worth the •oho,y they paid for it: but he questioned
if it were poss.:ale lar each individual in the realm to
have the small EittAicLlM which he paid as his share to-
wards supporting it returned to hiss tet-morruN whether
it would be put to .any better purpose. He asked what
advantages should we gain from a Republic, that we did
not now posses,' He was sure France did not offer such
• bright example. With referenee to the Church, he said
they owed to it all their oivil and religious liberty, and
whatever Nonconformists might say to the contrary, it
was the bulwark which kept Popery Iron) overrunning
the country. They must recollect that if they begau
quarrelling amongst themselves, they were giving Popery
the chance of destroying them. He (the Chairman) had
been on the continent for some time as a teacher of
chemistry. Ile had Fees the priest dressed in purple and
fine linen, followed by about 40 yonuj women attired in
bright-coloured garments, blessing the crops. At the
time the procesziou was passing, he, out of respect for
the prejudices of the people, stood on one side with his
head uncovered, to allow it to pass. Rut that was not
sufficient. It was nut a priest, but trod who was passing,
and because he did not kneel he was cursed in the pre-
sence of those 40 females. The priest Massed the crops
himself, he did not ask God to do it, for he (the speaker)
was standing by and heard every word that was said.
After a few other remarks, he introduced the lecturer to
the audience.

Mr. E. Harper (the lecturer) said it was a great satis-
faction to him to have the opportunity of addressing a
few words to them that evening. Although he was a
stranger te moat of those present, he was not a stranger
to the principles they held. His subject was the Church,
Throne, and Constitution. If the Church was over-
thrown' as some people seemed to desire, that fell sys-
tem of darkness and superstition which once grevalled in
England would again hold away. It wee • subject of such
vast importance, and that lied so many themes depending
on it, that he hardly knew where to begin. And with re.
ference to our glorious constitution, we had more liberty
under it than any other nation on the habitable globe.
If any one thought there was anything wrong in it they
were at perfect liberty to call a public meeting to give
expression to their grievances. The right was granted
to them by the throne and constitution of the country,
and it was to rob them of this right that club, and other
societies had been formed. This British constitution was
not a thing which had fallen down from heaven on our
shores; but on the contrary was an institution which Our
ancestors had fought, bled, and died for, and as such with !
not to ba cast lightly aside. The Chairman had referred
to the Nonconformist movement for overthrowing the
Church, and ;some of those who were trying to accom.
plish this pointed to the great republic of the United
States where there was no Established Church. But is
answer to these he read an extract from a paper proving
that by means of election jobbery and bribery large
grants of both land and money were being made yearly
to the itomith Church in America. He then went on to
slim that from the eerlieet times there had always been
o love of liberty in this country far exceeding auythiug
of the kind on the continent. William the Conqueror.
when asked by the then reigning Roman Pontiff why he
did not acknowledge fealty to him, gave se his rethon
that he had searched all the records connected with the
crown, and in no staple instance could he find a case
where au English monarch had over done such a thing,
and therefore he would not. In later years the Crown
and the Parliament of England protested against the
Pope claiming any jurisdiction over this country. It was
not, however, until the dawn of the glorious reformation
that superstition passed sway. John Wycliffe was the
pioneer of that grand revolution which Luther and
other., happUy for this eountey, afterwards brought to
finch • glorious issue. John Wycliffe lived to see the
good that the knowledge of God worked in the hearts of
the people. At the thee when Emu:limn was in the g,
cendant in this oountry many persons were consumed by
the flames in Smithfield simply because they would not
recognise the form ef mass. He would, however, puss
from this part of the subject rapidly. At the time of
the Reformation the Church waa deprived of its resour-
ces. That was a very good thing at that time became
there had been errors and corruptions in it. This con-
tinued to the reign of Edward VI., when a marvellous
change had come over the face of the nation. It was in
the reign of Edward VI., that the first English prayer.
book was given to the people to help them t•I worship.
So there was the presence on the altar in this fast prayer
book at the dawn of the Reformation; but so material a
change came over the people that in a short time there
was riot the name even of a sacrificial altar. Me must.
however, path from tuis pert of the subject. He next re-
ferred to the reign of Queen Edzabeth. Much heti is, en
said for and against hr; but one fact could not be um
truverted, and that wth that she governed the countre
wisely and well, and that the protected the Protestant
religion. It was • matter of history how the Spaniel]
Armada hating set oat with the Pfeee'e bleeming ccl
blere of trumpets, avowing 'hot they ,uul.t out Ce
name of Eng.and ft.,rn among the nation:, I,f the eanis,
were ignobly defeated. . jamee 11. was the first and onie
Catholic monarch who had beee allowed to ascend the
throne of England bin ?if the reign of Mary, and the ex-
ception was made in his favour because he bed t ikee •
solemn oath to protect the Protestant reli,;i ; but it
was only a short time afterwards that in deti.ince of hie
oath he thrust several Protestant Bitifope In the tower ;
send only reletsed teem when puithe indignation grew go
strong that he dare not keep them there any longer.
And when they were brought to trial they were at once
dismissed by the twelve honest and fearless men who
acted as the jury on that occasion. He thee referred to
the coming of Witham Prince of Orange to this country,
and his subsequent total defeat at the battle of the Boyne
in Ireland, But it was from the accession to the throne
of England of Sophia Electreas of Hanover, Mint we date
our present constitution. She was allowed to ascend the
throne on the special condition that see would, under any
circumstances protect the Protestant faith and the civil
and religious liberties of the English people; and the
Parlutmeut, on its side, took a solemn oath that so ling
as the did this they, on their part, would protect her with
their lives if necessary. It was frequently said by Mr.
George Potter and other demagogues that there was no. thing to prevent our Queen or any future Sovereign of
England from becoming a Roman Catholic; but here wag
a thatinet contract between the monarch and people,
which proved the contrary was the case, and which was
in as much force now as when it was first:entered into.
He then passed on to the subject of the House of Lords,
which many persons seemed to think desirable to have
abolished, one of the arguments which they used in f iv.
our of this being that twitches got .on very well without
any inch 'institution. To this he replied that such an
argument as this only exposed the iguoranee of those who
made it; for there was vested in the President alone a
greater power than that held by the whole House of
Lords. He could by his Own single vote veto or reject
any bill of whiele he did not approve that had been
palmed by • majority of the House of Representatives:
and unless the bill which he rejected was again passed
by a majority of at least twu-thirds of the entire House
the bill would not become Jew. If the Levis possessvl
such a power an this he (the speaker) was certain that the
dis.establishment of the Irish Church would not have
been accomplished. lie then quoted several extracts
from different papers to thew that the cost of maintain-
iug the Royal Family was bole, a drop in the ocean
compared with the immense sums of which the American
nation is robbed yearly by bribery and jobbery. He also
alluded to the contemptible exhibitions made by the Re-
publicans of London, in their demonstrations at Hyde
Park and the Palace Yard; and said that notwithstand-
ing their idiotic and bombastic threats Her Majesty wool.'
in a few days proceed in state amid the acclamations of
her loyal subjects to the noblest edifice for the worship
of God which England possesses •, and would there offer
so
1 awgo ulh rd
n koeupttb
by
sof
anat hgee, najnaearwaeslaohf.opldipdeeaanytih
ta;on las
up prayers and thanksgiving to the Almighty for merci-
thfullatytenheadtcahy
day of rejoicing throughout the length and breadth of
the land. He concluded
hearers to keep the love of God and his religion in their
hearts.
We are lorry to say that our space will not permit no
to give more than the above brief outline of what was a
very interesting and exhaustive lecture, and one which
deserved • mach better audience than it obtained.
Mr. R. L. Freer proposed a vote of thanks to the lee.
terse, which was unanimously carried, and the proceed-
, i•ip. ',retested.

TOWN Cinex.--For sip, years put the clock at St.
Thomss'a Church has not -,rked, and it is thought by
Beyond tradesmen 4,1.• II nave a clock to strike
the tow, iested that Tuesday
nett, bei-,1,5
,eural thanksgiving
, Ole ft•el a Prin., of Wales,
7h-re suoille the close of each
- '

serve..., and to • ,A:ards the Firth,ae
of a cloak. alrewly, , I mutt one or two gen-
Vernon, h•tve prom's, I , .f 5 each.
anon, rccmXm.. - ,i!ton and peeretan
Di', , has been exhibit
ing .0 ti. ri Exchange during tl.l week to large audi-
ences. Kit. Hamilton loves some very interesting inci-
dents of the late war, which are listened to with great
delight, and at intervals, Yr. Francis, who presides at the

pianoforte. szseutes some brilliant music, which Winter-
'pinned with Nigger melodies by the celebrated Joe
Daniels and '• Number Nip." Those who have not paid
a visit to the Core Exchange should not miss the oppor-
tunity.
WORCESTERSHIRE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.—The usual
committee did not meet yesterday. but we are informed
that the total SOW collected up to the present time am
-
minted to the sum of £629 15e.
Hot r-YEARLY GAS MEETING.— Yesterday, the half'
yearly meeting of the Directors of the Stourbridge Gas
Works was held at the office for the purpose of receiving
the le port of the Directors of the receipt. and disburse-
ments, and a statement of the genersl affairs of the corn.
patsy, and to declare a dividend. Mr. R. Thurstaus occu-
pied the chair. Th,, meeting was strictly private. We
were informed that the usual routine of business was
transaoted, and that Mr. W. H. Westwood was re-elected
• director; but as to the declaration of a dividend, this
information was refused. .
Cunlue OW ST/CAMINO MONET.—At the Public °Mee,
on Monday, before J. Iluieroft, Esq.. Thomas liennet:,
butcher, was brought up on remand charged with stealing
£2O in gold and silver from Mrs. Bowler, of Beauty Bank,
his another. Prosecutor said :I am wife of Joaelll
Bowler, and reside at Beauty Bank, not with my husband.
On Thursday last I had a parse in my pocket containing
£2O in gold and silver. Prisoner is my son.and has been
living in my house. Ido not wish tit prosecute him, but
to withdraw from the case; and if prisoner will consent
I will pay his passage out to America. It is hard for a
mother to prosecute her own son.—The Ouch: You
must answer the questions put to you by Mr. King.—
Witness: I don't wish to press the ease.—The Bench : I
suppose you have put tine law in motion ?—Superintend-
sot Freeman: Yes. I was called out of bed, and the
witness has given us a great deal of tronble.—Yn'itness
said she was very ill, and her son went for • woman for
her assistance. She missed the money in the night. Did
not say to Mrs. l'erry that my son had stolen it.—C-oss-
examined : I did net see you take any money. Can
swear I had the money in my pocket in the afternoon. I
had the parse with me when I went to bed. The servant
girl did leave in the afternoon, without giving me notice.
I might bane told Superintendent Freeman in my hurry
I was robbed by my son. I was put about.—Pheebe Perry
said that the prisoner came to her and asked her to go to
. his mother, as she was ill. I went an d found her on the
floor, ill, Asked her what was the matter, and she said
she had been robbed—" He's robbed me." Cross exam.
teed: You did say ti— the money; let's get her into
bed. She's drunk.—Benjamin Bennett, butcher, Wel.
lesion, said the prisonopis his brother, and from what his
mother had said to him he went in search of his brother
Found him at Dudley, and brought him to the Police
Station.—Prisoner was commi.ted to take his trial at
Worcester Sessions.—Prisoner was further charged with
stealing a coat and pair of leggings, the propertp of Wil-
liam Brown, of Dudley, on the 29th October. Prosecu-
tor said the prisoner came to his house on the shove date
and asked about • relative. It was late at night. Be
gave the prisoner • night's lodging and lid. He got up
early the next morning, cad took away his coat and leg-
giugs.—Fraueis Rainsford, tailor, said that at the begno-
ulna of November a man earned Price brought a coat for
him to repair. The description was the same as that
given by the last witness. A few days after he received
the coat prisoner came to him and said he wanted the I
coat he had sold to Price, RR lie sold it when lie was on
the spree. The coat was not repaired, and the prisoner
hail it back. Police-sergeant Joni a said be charged the '
prisoner with stealing a coat on the 29th October, the
property of IV. Brown.' Prisoner said nothing. and was
committed to take his trial at the Adjourned Worcester
Sessions.
_ _ .

-----
STEALING GLAM.—At the Petty Sessions, yesterday,
before Major Fletcher and Mr. C. P. Noel, John Mafien
was charged with stealing two tumbler glance, on the
22n4 jest, the property of Thomas Morgan, of AuSnani.
The prisoner was remanded to Brierley Hill, on Monday.
NEOLECT Or Brettell, vice maker,
was summoned by Emmanuel Summerfield, for neglect-
iug his work on the 16th inst. Defendant was ordered to
go back to his work, and give 14 days pollee.
A PALTAY Cum.—Henry Hayes, of the Lye, was
charged with assaulting Maria Sulfeock at the Lye, on
the 16th inst. After hearing the evidence, which wee of
a very trifling character. The Bench dismissed the
case.

WILFUL Desisus.—,lbn Pearson was charged with
wilfully damaging a door and window belonging to Amelia
Perks, on the 17th inst, and doing damage to the amount
of ls. The ca,e was proved, and defendant tint d 04, is
damage, and co,ts, 1 ls 6d.