The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-02-17 00:00:00

apistellancaus Icntriligcna,

RORIE, FOREIGN, AND COLONIAL.

EXPELLED.—" The Elimination of Alcohol"
was the title of a paper lately read before the Royal
Society. If by elimination we are to understand ex-
pulsion, the Publicans have indeed cause to be out of
spirits, for the trial must be going against them, when
such an eminent body as the Royal Society gives its
attention to what looks very like a proposition for
turning that unruly spirit, Alcohol, out-of-doors.
P each.

EMIORAIITS TO THE DIAMOND FIELDS.—The
departure of the screw steamer Saxon from Southamp-
ton for the Cape, on the 10th instant, was more than
usually interesting, as there sailed in her the first
expedition of the South African Diamond Fields
Association en route for the diamond fields. The
gentlemen forming this expedition appeared delighted
at the prospects before them, and their parents and
friends present seemed less anxious at parting with
them than is usual on such occasions, seeing the careful
arrangements that had been made for them by the
company and the kind interest taken in them by Mr.
Vause, who proceeds in the same vessel to take the
personal superintendence of the parties on the fields.
It is said that the applications for the second
expedition, starting at an early date, are almady very

VALENTINE'S DAY IN THE OLDEN TIME. —A
quaint old author, in writing of the customs of merrie
England in the middle ages, informs us that on the eve
of St. Valentine an equal number of lads and lassies
assembled, when each wrote his or her name on a billet
of paper. These billets when collected were drawn, as
in a lottery, and the youth and maiden thus linked be-
came valentines, the swain wearing his billet pinned to
his coat for many days. "This pleasant sport," our
astute historian observes, "often ends in lots."
Mn. GLADSTONE AND THE FENWI AMNESTY.
—At a special meeting of the Amnesty Association
held at Dublin on Saturday night, an autograph letter
was read from Mr. Gladstone, in reply to the condem-
natory resolutions of the society on the tune of Mr.
Bruce's letter in answer to a memorial praying her
Majesty to grant a general amnesty. 'The Premier
denies that Mr. Bruce tried to throw the refusal of an
amnesty on the Queen. A document addressed to
Ministers was answered by them in their own tame.
The Ministers who advised the language in Mr. Bruce's
letter were alone responsible. The Association passed
a resolution expressing satisfaction with Mr. Glad.
stone's letter. Another resolution was adopted, asking ,
the president of the society, Mr. Butt, M.P., to
draught an address to the public, and a memorial to I
her Majesty, to be signed by the Irish people, congra-
tulating her on the recovery of the Prince of Wales,
and praying for a general amnesty. Mr. Butt has
written to the Association expressing his confident I
expectations of an amnesty.
A DIFFERENT THING ENTIRELY ! While sur-
veying the west coast of Scotland, Captain Fobinson
had received on board his ship the Grand Duke Con-
stantine. As the Duke could onlyremain a very short
t time, the captain resolved to show hini as much as
possible during his brief stay. Accordingly he steamed
to lona on the Sunday, believing that day especially
suited for pointing out to his Imperial visitor anti-
quities associated with religion. Landing on the
island, he waited on the custodian of the ancient
church with the request that he n oul,l open it. "Not
so," said the keeper' "not on Sunday." "Do you
know whom I have brought to the island ; " said the
captain. "Ile's the Emperor of a' the lIRSaiaS, I ken
by the flag," responded the keeper; but had it been
the Queen hersel', I wadna gi e up the keys rn the
Lord's day." "Would you take a glass of whisky on
the Sabbath?" inquired the captain. " That's a vhf
ferent thing entirely," said the keeper.
TilE UNITED STATES' NAVY. —The United
States' Navy is described, at the beginning of the
year 1872' as composed of 176 vessels, nominally
mounting 1,426 guns. Of these, 36 vessels, with an
aggregate of 398 guns, are on foreign stations or cruis-
ing; eight, carrying 163 guns, are used as school and
practice ships; seven; with 90 gips, are used as receiv-
ing ships; and one, of 10 guns, Is occupied as marine
barracks at Pensacola, Florida. Seventeen unar-
insured vessels are stationed at various navy-yards,
and 26 vessels, with 206 guns, are repairing. One
vessel of eight guns is in winter quarters on Lake
Erie. The remaining 82 vessels are not in use, four
of 61 guns, bring out of commission; 14, of 130 guns,
being in ordinary ; 49, of 204 guns, being laid up; 13
of 193 guns, being unfinished ; one, of 23 guns, dwillg
sunk, and one being condemned. There &..e 1, tt!:
commissioned officers and 188 warrant officers on the
active list. The commissioned officers are employed
as follows : On duty at sea, 687; on duty ashore,
484; waiting orders and unemployed, 202; on leave
of absence, 25; and on sick leave, 26. The principal
officers are one admiral, one ‘ice-admiral, 12 rear-
admirals, 25 commodores, 50 captains, 90 commanders,
and 164 lieutenant.. There are 60 chief engineers,
99 firataaeiatant engineers, and 70 second-assistant en-
ester%

A LUCKY SJIOT I—Some time ago two gentle-
men were out shooting on one of the Nairnshire moors.
On reaching a certain point they had the satisfaction
of observing a roebuck stamling quite at ease, but at a
considerable distance. One of the party raised the gun
and took deliberate aim. It was, however, found that
it was useless to fire, owing to the distance the animal
was away, and the gentleman lowered his gun, but
while in the act of doing so the gun went off. They
were equally astonished and delighted on finding that
the shot, accidentally fired as it was, killed the roe on

the spot: •
LAY HELY TO THE CHURCH.—The Bishop of
London has addressed a letter to the Association of
Lay Helpers in his diocese. His Lordship, while see-
ing many evidences of the value of this organisation,
points out that classes in the metropolis are locally as
well as socially divided, and that efforts to aid the
ignorant, the poor, and the thriftless "are most want-
ing where they are most wanted." The right rev.
prelate makes an earnest appeal to those who live in
districts where no great want exists, on behalf of those
poor and populous neighbourhoods where the need is
the greater, and where there are few or none to
I help.
LENTEN FARE. —Last Sunday notice was given
in all the Roman Catholic churches and chapels of the
raeuopolis, from Archbishop Manning, of the
dis-
Peusations as to food for the "faithful" during the
coming season of Lent. The dispensations run as

iollots',e :-
1. Flesh meat is allowed at the single meal of those who ,
are bound to hot, and at the discretion of those who are not
so bound, on all days except Wednesdays and Fridays,
Ember Saturday, and the four last days in Holy Week. On
Sundays even those who are bound to fast may eat flesh
meat at their discretion.
2 Eggs are allowed at the single meal of those who are
bound to fast, and at the discretion of those who are not so
bound, on all days except Ash Wednesday and the last three
days of Holy Week.
3. Cheese, under the same restrictions, Is allowed on all
days except Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
4. The use of dripping and lard is permitted at dinner and
"collation" on all days except Good Friday.
"5. On those days, Sundays included, whereon flesh meat
is allowed, fish is not permitted at the same meal. At the
end of these "dispensations" the faithful were reminde,sl that
" the time for fulfilling the precept of Easter Communion is
from Ash Wednesday to Low Sunday, both days included."

GOLDFIELDS OF BRITISH NORTH AMERICA.—
The Winnipeg Correspondent of the Toronto Globe re-
ports the existence of much excitement about the
rumours of gold digging of great value at Peace
river. The correspondent writes.:—" A party already
there is making from 1,000 viols. to 2,000 dols..a day,
digging from lift. to 25ft. deep. Old Californians
on the spot think the country north of the Gas-
per-house, and between the ranges, will prove richer
than even California. The distance of the mine from
Edmonton is about 600 miles to the north-west, and
miners at Edmonton intend to leave along with the
Hudson Bay Company January Express by way of
Stone Lake and Dulverin, on dog sleds. Another
party is expected to start from here in early spring
before the ice breaks up on the lakes and rivers. It
is said the mining population of the Central and
Pacific States are on the move to the long looked-for
discovery."
CONSCIENCE IN MAN.—The Manx Legislature
has passed an Education Bill including a Conscience
Clause. It is gratifying to think that the lower orders
of Man can afford to keep a conscience.—Punch.
ALLEGED PLOT TO ASSASSINATE THE EX-
ENPEttOR.—The London Correspondent of the Scots-
man writes :
There has been close watching of the Emperor Napoleon
lately : and It now seems that this has been the result of a
letter sent to Earl Granville by an ex. Communist, professin 4
to give an account of a plot to assassinate the ex-Emperor.
The Information conveyed was very sircmustantial and
direct : still it was not wholly credited, but it is always
safest to be on the safe side, and the conseimencc of the
prudence of the Home and Foreign Offices has been, that the
Emperor, without his own knowledge, has been for SM.)
days carefully guarded by a squad of unobtrusive hut very
watchful men. That the original information conveyed to
Earl Granville was fallacious, is probably well known by this
time, but I believe that the surveillance of the person Of the
Emperor is still continued.
_

. THE EFFECTS OF THE "ALABAMA" QUESTION.
—The Daily Niles of ISlonday remarks -
Amongst much that is uncertain connected with the
latiania Claims, one thing has been made very clear within
the last few days. The Washington Treaty and the Geneva
Arbitration may be lost or saved ; but we have had to put
up since this day week with a depreciation of marketable
securities exceeding in amount any sum that has ever been
mentioned as due to the United States for the direct losses
caused by the Alabama and her consorts. A comparison of
the prices of our open railway stocks at the close of last
week with those of the week before, will show the serious
extent to which this clans of investment has suffered. The
fall of 7 per cent, in North Eastern Console affects a capital of
£1.7,000,000, and stands for a depreciation to the extent of
£1,190,000, a larger sum than suffices to pay the splendid divi-
dend of 10 per cent. just announced for the half-year.
The fall in Midland ordinary shares is also 7 percent., and
affects a capital of £13,000,000. North Western has fallen!
per cent., just alter a surprising dividend which would have
justified * rise of 4or 5 per cent, had been announced. The
depreciation in Great Western ordinary stock is 54 ; in
Great Northern, oh; in Caledonian, 70: in south Western,
; in Sheffield. 3; in Metropolitan, 8 in Great Northern A,
81, and soon. Twenty millions would not cover the extent
of di preciatieu in British railway sleeks alone and to this
is to he added the fall in foreign securities, which are held
to an enormous amount in this country. We shall be always
liable to convulsions of this kind until the questions pending
between us and the United States are settled. We do not
find much consolation its the fact that, on the other hand,
all those who have a direct interest in the state of our money
market and the confidence of our capitalists most suffer
pecuniarily until settlement has been arrived at.
A BRAVE LADY.—A trial arising out of a
rather dramatic incident has just taken place before
the Court of Assiziw at Mom. A lady souse years back
prosecuted two individuals for robbery, when they
were condemned to six years' imprisonment. At the
expiration of their punishment they met the lady,
who did not recognise them until she overheard one of
them say, "Yes, it is her She was alarmed •, and,
having to ride a distance of seven or eight miles home,
she borrowed a revolver. Shortly after she had started,
two individuals rushed forward from the roadside
and endeavoured to stop her horse, when she fired a
shot at each, briuging both to the ground. 'l'he deto-
nations alarmed the horse, which bolted, and over-
turned the carriage into a ditch. The lady, however,
got out and walked to the nearest village, and gave
infonnation to the mayor, who immediately went to
the spot with several inhabitants a feund both the
men lying dead in tne road. The
nd
lady has just been
tried for homicide, aul has been acquitted.
A JEWISH CHAPLAIN IN THE AMERICAN °ON.
GRESS.—It is stated by the Jewish Chror.iele that the
distinguished Hebraist, Dr. de Solis, of the Mac Gill
University, Montreal, was recently invited to act as
chaplain to the House of Representatives at Wash-
ing,ton. In the course of his prayer, which was said in
Jewiah fashion, with head covered, he referred grace-
fullysto the maintenance of kindly relations between
Great Britain and the United States. Her Majesty's
Minister, Mr. Thornton, wrote from the Legation to
Dr. de Sobs, expreesing his thanks and pleasure at that
allusion, of which the British Minister highly approved.
He said he was glad that Dr. de Sails had a favourable
opportunity of alluding to the subject of these rela-
tions, and that he availed himself of it so delicately.
Same of the New York journals have commented on
this interesting incident in a spirit of broad religious
toleration, and with warm respect for the Jewish pro-
fessor. Dr..de Solis le a eon of the late Rev. I). A. de
Bola, of London, who was also an able Hebraist.
MR. GLADSTONE AND RELIGIOUS EQUALITY.
—ln reply to a memorial addressed to the l'remier
from a conference of North-East Lancashire Noncon-
formists recently held at Accrington the following
letter has been received :
"Sir,—l am directed by Sir. Gladstone to acknowledge the
receipt of your letter of the list ult., enclosing a memoilal
from the North-East Lancashire Nonconformist Association,
praying for a repeal of Clause 45. of the Education Act of
1870, and for the withdraw al of all State grants from schools
under denominational management. Mr. Gladstone desires
me to add that he recognises the rules you laid down as Isis
—viz., (1) that vested interests should not stand in the way
of reform (2 that there should be no concurrent endow-
meat; and (3: that them should hens religious inequality.—
I am, itc., AL';! l:NON WEST. Mr. It. S. Ashton."
THE MILITARY IN PARlS.—According to the
Gaulois, attacks upon soldiers are becoming more fre-
quent at l'aris and several persons have been arrested
during the last few days for uttering threats and
insults. In order to prevent quarrels during the Car-
nival, eoldiers have been prohibited from frequenting
ball-muss, On Saturday two soldiers of a cavalry
regiment stationed at Roquencourt were thrown into
the Seine and drowned. Another man belonging to
an infantry regiment was dreadfully beaten at Bou-
logne and was left insensible in a by-street of that
village. Neal. Suresne an artilleryman wan stripped
and tie.l up to a tree, when he was subjected to cruel
violence. Even in Paris itself," adds the Goulois,
"our soldiers, when isolated, are exposed to the in
sults of the Parisian rabble. Yesterday, in the Rue
de In Douane, an infantry soldier was fellovved by
four persons who 'slued offt a torrent of abuse upon
him, but he escaped from his persecutors by retunung
to his barracks in the Chateau d'Eau."
THE PREACHING DRESS. —The Hon. William
Ashley, chairman of the late conference of the clergy
and laity on this subject, has sent to the Archbishop
of Canterbury and York a memorial setting forth
the reasons for declining to adopt the surplice, as the
pulpit dress, as lately recommended by the Bishops
of London and Winchester. The memorial, whicbir
very Cahn and conciliatory in tone, dwells upon tho
inexpediency f the general adoption of the surplice
in the pulpit as a departure from long-artablishel
usage, contrary' to the recommendation of the Ritual
Commission, objected to by the laity, and likely to
give grave offence to many congregations, and disturb
the peace of the Church. It is pointed out, among
many objections to the proposed change, that it will
raise up au additional banier between the Reformed
Church of England and the Protestant Dissepiter,..
The memorial concludes with a declaration Of the
cothitant readiness of its authors to obey the ascer-
tained law of the Church.
SUCCESSION BUTY.—Tho produce of the Suc-
cession Duty continues, of course, to increase, but the
amount is still far below what was expected of it. The
Inland Revenue Board report the product of the pre.
bate, legacy, and suceession duties in the financial year
1870-71 to have exceeded 1:4,800,000 - probate duty,
£1,856,2.50 net; legacy duty, £2,152,451; succession
duty, £803,220. When the succession duty was
adopted in 1853, the officers of the department made
themselves -reeponsible for an estimate of £2,000,000
sterling as its probable annual product, but this was
denounced as grossly inadequate by those who opposed
the bill, and they estimated it at £4,000,000. It has
never yet produced £1,000,000. In the financial year
1360-61 it produced £*6s,l96—viz. £509,765 in Eng-
land, 4:44,017 in Scotland, and £57,4111 in Ireland; us
the year 1870-71 it produced £803,220, as already
stated. This aneeint is constituted as follows :-1 per
cent. ~11 lute n• v hands by lineal
- ~• :t I , £7,014,085
passrui, . • , .o, their descendants ;
5 per cent, on i:1,210,0'.., to uucles or aunts, or their
de-,eudants ; 6 per cent. en L'112,781 to brothers or
sisters of the grandfather or grandmother, or their
descendants; £2,425,317 to mole distant relatives or
strangers in blood. The net product of the probate
duty in the year 1070-71 was £1,591,051 in England,
£166,214 in Scotland, £98,982 in Ireland; awl of the
legacy and succession duties, £2,491,071 in England,
r 299,947 in Scotland, £158,130 in Ireland.