The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1886-10-16 00:00:00

AMERICAN COMPETITION IN THE

HARDWARE TRADE,

Despite the failure of the United States to outstrip
us in cutlery, there is (says the Sheffield corre-
spondent of Martineau and Smith's Hardware Trade
Journal) no mistaking the vigour with which they
have carried everything before them in hardware as
well as in some kinds of edge-tools, such as
adzes, &c. A Sheffield manufacturer, who has re-
cently returned from a tour through danada and the
States, tells me that it is America and not Germany
our people have to fear in the trade of the future.
The readiness of the American to adopt all con-
ceivable methods of superseding hand-labour by
ingenious adaptations of machinery has been the
chief factor in their success. A Sheffield artisan, who
has spent some years in America, writes to me, saying
he fully endorses all the manufacturer says, and he
mentions a curious instance of Transatlantic enter-
prise. Some six years ago he received a letter from a
prominent silver plate and Britannia ware manufac-
turer in Sheffield, stating that the Americans were
selling over them in Australia; and, as one large firm
were getting out a new and fine catalogue, they pressed
my correspondent to get them one. He did so, and
from it a large stock of goods were made and for-
warded to the Australian market. The goods, how-
ever, would not sell, the merchants stating "the style
had gone out, and something newer was wanted." The
secret was afterwards discovered. In America, the
first time a pattern is made a large stock is produced,
and sold before drawings or photographs are sent out.
Thus all the large towns and best shops are supplied;
then photographs are sent out, and they do not get in
the catalogue until the second year; so that by the
time the Sheffield manufacturer has his goods in the
market the American wares have been sold for four
seasons. It follows that the Sheffield merchant was
not likely to sell much.

axes,

A DARNING
A PRIEST BLESSING REGIMENTAL FATALLY STABBED WITH
NEEDLE.
COLOURS.
An extraordinary case is engaging the attention of
On September 7 last the new colours were pre- the Carlisle police. On Friday morning Mrs. Dand.
sented at Devonport to the Ist Battalion Royal Irish
of Portland-place, in that city, had her attention at-
Fusiliers by Lady Albertha Edgcumbe, daughter of
tracted by groans proceeding from flys hedroorn of her
the Earl of Mount-Edgcumbe, Lord Steward of her
lodger, Mr. Emmerson Martindale. He was 70 years
Majesty's Household, in the presence of a large and
of age, and evidently possessed of ain pie means. He
distinguished company. Some surprise was caused by
had been lodging with Mrs. Dand about three weeks,
the fact that for the first time since the Reformation
having come there from the neighbourhood of
the colours were blessed by a Roman Catholic chap-
Durham, where he resides. During the week he had
lain, the Rev. J. O'Flaherty. This circumstance was
been consulting a solicitor, who had made him a will
brought to the knowledge of the Secretary of State
altering a previous settlement of his affairs in conse-
for War by the Rev. Dr. Badenoch, secretary of the
quence of a family disagreement. On Thursday nii:-....;
Protestant Educational Institute, who has received
he went to bed as usual; but Mrs. Dand, on hearii,a
the following reply:
War Office, October 7, 1886. moaning in his room, ran upstairs, and found in 1
suffering great pain. A doctor was called in without
Sir,—ln acknowledging the receipt of your letter of
the Bth ult., lam directed by the Secretary of State delay, who found Martindale still brealliine, but on
pulling down the bed-clothes observed a darning-
for War to acquaint you that inquiries have been
.needle over tbree inches long, bticking in his left
made into the circumstances of the presentation of
breast, piercing his heart to the depth of a couple
the colours at Devonport to the Royal Irish Fusiliers,
of inches. He pulled the needle out, and the patient
and from the report received it appears that the
diedalmost immediately.
part taken in this ceremony by the Roman Catholic
priest arose from a misconception of orders on which
it is not necessary now to enter, as the Secretary of
State is about to examine into the whole question of
the presentation of colours raised by this occurrence.
I am to add, however, that the expression of Mr.
Smith's disapprobation with the ceremony as it
actually took place has been conveyed to all con-
cerned.-1 have the honour to be, Sir, your obedient
servant (signed), R. Tuomrsort.

THE ARMY OF OCCUPATION IN
EGYPT.
It has been decided at the War Office to withdraw
the Cameron Highlanders and the 2nd Battalion Dur-
ham Light Infantry from the British garrison in
Egypt, the former going to increase the forces at
Malta, and the latter beirtg transferred to the Bengal
command. As it is not intended to send out to
Egypt_any troops in place ,of those withdrawn, the
establishinent of British infantry there will be reduced
to six hattalions—flie IQt Cheshire, 2nd Essex, Ist
Itoyal Fusiliers, 1, '.-• hire Light Infantry, the
Ist Welsh, and let Yorkshire (Princess •of Wales's)
Regiment. The 20th Hussars are the only cavalry
regiment left in Sir Frederick Stephenson' army.

To act with common sense, according to the mo-
ment, is the best wisdom I know, and the best phil-
osopby to do one's duties, take the world as it comes,
submit respectfully to one's lot, bless the goodness
which has given us much happiness with it, whatever
it is, s Ad despise affectation.