The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle. — 1869-03-20 (Stourbridge, West Midlands, England)

EPITOML OF NEWS,  BRITISH AND FOREIGN. The Budget, it is said, will erotist . a small increase of the income-tax, rendered necessary by the heavy cost of the Abyssinian war. On the occasion of the burial of Fuad Pasha, the harem of the late mintier distributed 50,000 piastres amongst the poor. The Pall Mall Gazette states that Mr. Miall's success at Bradford was owing in some measure to the ladies, who held meetings in his favour and subscribed £340. A letter from Batoa, in the province of Constantia, states that the country is again menaced with a plague of locusts, as immense heaps of the eggs of [ll4 insert have been discovered underneath the soil A reward of 500 f. for every 100 kilogrammes has been offered by the authorities, and the natives arrive daily wbh mules heavily laden. The eggs are then carefully crushed and mixed with quicklime. A suspension of the manufacture of the Palliaer chilled shot has been ordered in consequence of a report mode from Shoeburyness of the breaking of several of them In the bore of the gun when tired. The Worcester Society for providing cheap literature for the blind will shortly issue in the Roman type, the Book of Proverbs at the low price of Is. 6,1. A terrible explosion tuok place on Tuesday night at the chemical work, of M. Pelletier, at the Place de la Sorbonne, in Paris. Seven persons were killed. A Sergeant employed in the Ordnance Office Dublin, has committed suicide by stabbing himself. The Empress Eugenie intends to pass the coming bathing season at Eughiendes-Bains, which is situated on the Lake of Si. Graben, about half an hour from Paris Another death in the hunting, field is reported. Mr. G. J. More, formerly sub sheriff of the county of Limerick, Cad just cleared a low fence near Ballingarry, when he fell from his saddle dead,—it is supposed from disease of the heart. At the Bishop of Down's Diocesan meeting on Toes day, the bishop spoke of preparing like prurient men for the coming day, and having an honourable conference with Mr. Gladstone. Upon this the whole assembly of clergymen and laymen rose to their feet, shouted " No! " and hissed. The mention of the word "negotiations' at a later stage of the proceedings produced similar demonstrations. A girl nine years of age, nameil Elizabeth Sydney, has been burnt to death under the following circumstaaces The deceased was a scholar in the Green-coat school, where It seems tlb-re is a rule for the children to take turns in making the fires ant cleaning up the school. It was tire deceased's turn, and it would appear that In lighting one of the tires on Monday morning she had placed in front of lint shawl in order to ereate a draught. This WU drawn up the chimney arid the flames caught deceased's pinafore and in it moment she was all ablaze. The Cornish Mackerel fishery during the past week showed as important falling off in supply, many of the boats owing to the boisterous wear her, not venturing out. Neverthele,s, a few tuns of splendid fish were forwarded to London. During the pad week 40 wrecks have been reported, making for the present year a total of 591. A. new Pairiaian journal, entitled Journal des Femmes, has appeared. It proposes to instruct the fair sex in politics, science, and arc, and to raise generally their social condition. In the House of Commons, the other evening, Mr. Gregory pressnted a petition from Boners*, in India, praying for the repeal of all laws that prevented the pi seeable practice of astrology The notice was received with much laughter by the House. A domestic servant has been convicted at Greenwich of having obtained a situation by means of a forged char.ter She was sentenced to pay a line of £OO and the costs, wbh the alternative of three mouths' imprisonment with hard labour. At Birmingham a butcher has been charged with exposing the carcase of a iliseoved pig for sale in the market at Birmingham. It appatred that Elie nicat was discoioured Alid decomposed, and that the pig hail died of disease. Ile was sentenced Loa mouth's imprisonment without the option of paying a tine.  The Reform League is .c.lissolved. This. resolution  was come to at a meeting of the general council and metropolitan delegates, on the ground that the objects of the original programme having been substantially accomplished, im 'further agitation con lie usefully carried on. The League • has been in existence nearly four years, having been established in May, Mk. Manager Smythe, of the American Theatre, at Pittsburg, was severely wounded one night recently by being shot hi the thigh by the cantain of a fire company, who had been ejected from the theatre by Mr. Smythe'. order. Robinson, the assailant, Immediately fled. "All accounts agree in representing the present state of Greece as unsatisfactory in every respect, except as in giving hopes that the worst is past. Greece has a baokrupt exchequer, a discredited policy, a languishing agriculture, and provinces infested by the most barbarous brigands in Europe. The Rellene hes the mortification of finding that his country is regarded by foreigners as one of the worst governed and most politically immoral in the world, and of feeling that the opinion is not unjustified."—From a leader In The