The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-09-10 00:00:00

3toarbrOge Obserint.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 100, 1881.
_ ,„---
POLITICS IN FRANCE.

MERU is no country in Europe in which Eng-
lishmen feel so deep an interest as in France.
This is acceunted for by more than one reason.
In the first place France is our nearest neigh.
bur. Only twenty miles of sea divide us from
:he fair land which for many centuries was looked
upon as our hereditary foe. Certainly from the
time of Edward 111, to that of George 111, a
period of 500 years, peace between England and
France was the exception, and via.r was the rule.
France being so near, and the facilities of inter-
communication so abundant, a considerable
proportion of the English people brave the
horrors of the middle passage and the voyage
across the Channel in order to visit an interest-
ing country where they see so much in the man-
ners and customs of the inhabitants that is so
thoroughly new to tlfem. Many a British tourist
knows more about the vale of Normandy than of
the Midland counties of his own island and is
better acquainted with the characteristics of the
cathedral towers of Rouen than with the dis-
tinguishing features of those of Exeter or
London.
It is this sympathy of feeling with France
that causes an especial interest to be directed to
the public event which year by year help to make
up the history of that country. Eleven years
ago about this time, events were happening in
France which created an absorbing attention on
this side of the Channel. The Volunteer move-
ment in this island, which had its undoubted
origin in the fear of a French invasion, bad pre-
judiced the great mass of the population against
the Emperor Napoleon. At the time when the
Volunteers were first summoned under the
national banner, the Court itself, as the pub-
lished Diary of the Queen has shown, felt some
apprehensions respecting the designs and inten-
tions of the French Sovereign, and these were
shared by the Government of Lord Palmerston,
then in power. Therefore when in July, 1870,
France declared war against Prussia, the sym-
pathies of Englishmen generally were against
France, .which they believed to be an aggressor.
Son, however, it become apparent that our old
opponent was completely outmatched and as the
Germans went on conquering and to conquer,
it was felt, when the investment of Paris was
begun in September, 1871, that a lesson of suf-
ficient sterness had been taught, and that France
would hereafter be a less restless member of the
European family. Although France had been
our hereditary foe for centuries, the chivilary of
Englishmen revolted against the continuous
chastisement of the weak and helpless one while
prostrate on the ground.
In peace as well as in war the interest of the
English people is shown in the affairs of France
If a general election takes place there, the re•
turns are eagerly scanned here, and aithoug'n
we luny take but little notice of a Ministerial
crisis in Rome, Berlin, Vienna, or Madrid, we
are enabled to follow in close detail the particu-
lars of that which passes in Paris. That France
is governed by a Republic, while we adhere to
our limited Monarchy, tends rather to increase
than diminish the notice directed by Eegland
towards the internal concerns of France. A
comparison of the two systems of rule does no
harm on either side of the Straits of Dover.
France by her geographical position, the enter-
prise and industry of her people, the fertility of
her soil, and the genial nature of her climate,
mast always be a powerful factor in European
politics. It need not be asserted, as in the
dictum of the first Napoleon, that "When France
is satisfied Europe is tranquil," because France
is very often malcontent when Europe is enjoy-
ing perfect quietude and tranquility. But not-
withstanding temporary misfortunes and occa-
sional checks, the French are bound to remain a
great people; and cannot in Europe take up a
position like that occupied by Portugal or
Holland.

THE IRON TRADE.
WoLvEßnatnox, WednesdEt.,y.

There was a moderate attendance on 'Change
this afternoon, and the recent improvement in the
Weather caused a more cheerful feeling to prevail.
Marked bar makers have received a number of in-
quiries during the week, but they do not evince a
desire to book large lots over the present quarter.
In common bars a -considerable amount of buying is
talking place both on the part of consumers direct
from the works and by merchants to go into stock
in their warehouses. Prices are steady. For com-
mon deaoriptions £5 100. per ton is refused, and
most of the makers decline to accept less than LS
Iss, a sum nearer £6 having been obtained during
the week. Heavy plate makers are busier on
boiler and Firder sections, and there is a fair num-
ber of specifications in the market for common
sheets, both for roofing and working-up purposes.
Stamping sheet makers are well employed, and
they have abundance of work before them. Some
of them, however, complain of the unremunerative
character of the prices as compared with those
they have been accustomed to obtain in the or-
dinary tuna of good trade. Hoop makers report
having received a number of inquiries for the three
kiads—balin4, builders', and coopers'. .IWTkOZ ht
tuhe makers are buying with a considerabla .leree
of freedom from the strip manufactures. The
rlates are not in request, and prices ,:ra weak.
Alore activity is shown in the pig iron dapatamcnt,
owing to the upward movement in prices in the
Northern markets. Best S affordshire brands are
very firm at last quarter-day prices. All-mine pig
makers have no iiieloulty in realizing the prices
they have been quoting for some time past. North-
ainptan and Middlesbrough iron has advanced is
6d to 2s ed per ton, and in seine eases hematite
agents are withdrawing th,ir last quotations as
their principals refuse to book orders unless at
higher prices A bre k deatand prevails for several
claases of foreign ironst.e.e, and coalmasters are
ioing an improved trade in turnance and forge
coal. For vile preset prices remain unchanged,
though it ia rumoured that they may go up e trly
next month.

BIRMINGHAM, Thursday

There was a little more active tone at the market
this afternoon, and the opinion prevailed that
Flees of iron, al..(e finished and crude, would
shortly be further enhanced, as the result of the
brisk state of the iron trade on the Continent and
In America. Consumers of German iron wire rods
gave out contracts at 10s a ton above the price at
which they could have been übtsined at the last
quarterly meeting. New buiiness was rather
lunited in the different classes of iron, but there
was no lack of specifications, consumption continu-
ing on a steady scale. Prices were firm, bu'6
quotably unaltered on the basis of £7 and the
usual extras for marked iron, .25 159 the minimum
for CUlLituou bar., .417 15q few nommon shwnt shingles
and £5 15s for nail rods. The export demand for
sheets and hoops was tolerably well sustained, al-
though there was less briskness in regard to the
Australian and New Zaaland markets. The hest
classes of pig iron were disposed of rather freely,
but the common classes were not inconspicuous r‘-
quest. Tne coal trade was rather more buoyant,
and it was thought probable that prices would be
raised at the beginning of the next month.