The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle. — 1869-07-10 (Stourbridge, West Midlands, England)

SOLDIER—An inquest was held at Weymouth barracks, on Saturday, en the body of Jacob Damon, a private iu the 514 Regiment, who committed suicide by bb wing out his brains. Damon, who was about twentpene years of age, had been in  the regiment about three years, and since April last he had been constantly getting into trouble for carelessness and for absence without leave. This appears to have preyed upon his mind, and he had often been heard to say that he would either do for himself or some one else. On Friday night he brought his kit to a comrade, and gave it to him, saying he should have no further use for it, mid to another comrade he bade farewelL lie must afterwards have taken his rifle, unnoticed, with him to a closet, bolted the door on the inside, and, placing the muzzle to his ear, shot himself through the head. As soon as the report was heard the door was broken open, when he was found dead. The jury found that the deceased destroyed himself in a fit of temporary insanity, brought on by excitement of severe drill. Got) BLESS THE DUKE OF ARGYLL !—Among the telegrams published in the papers on Thursday, we find one from the North, to the effect that " The Laird was scratched at 10.15" on that morning, and consequently did not come to the post. To which member of the Soottish nobility does this interesting _ _ .  fact refer ?—Judy. DEAN STANLEY ON FEMALE EDucATlox.—Dean Stanley distributed the prizes to the pupils of the City of London Lathes' College on Tuesday afternoon. On the conclusion of the distribution, the [Dean, addressing himself to the recipients, said it gave him pleasure to see that institution in connection with the West-end College of which he was ex officio president. Education had taken a great hold on the country. The education of a young lady ought to be one which would enable her to take her part in all those branches of literature and social duties with 118 much confidence and certainty as a man would. He had a great objection to the system of " examining " as practised in France and elsewhere ; he trusted it would not be wide-spread in England. To ensure success in education, two conditions were essential; that but one thing at a time was learned, and that well, and that 'cram ming" was avoided. CHESHIRE STATUE TO THE MARQUIS OF WESTmINsTER. —The ceremony of inaugurating a statue erected in Grosvenor Park, Chester, in honour of the Marquis of Westminster, took place last week. The statue has been erected by the tenants, friends, and neighbours of the present Marquis, 1,600 of whom subscribed .i.!4,000 for the purpose. The statue has been executed by Mr. Thornycroft, at a cost of £3,500, the sculptor having been engaged in the work upwards of two and a half years. The figure represents his lordship in the costurue of a knight of the garter. It is in white hard marble, 121 t. high, upon a pedestal of polished Devomshire granite, 12ft. llin. high. The statue stands on a prominent part of the Grosvenor Park, which was some time ago given to the city by the Marquis of Westminster. A civic procession was formed at the principal entrance to the park, which marched to the statue, where it was met by the chairman and a number of the members of the memorial committee. The statue having been unveiled, the chairman of the committee begged the Mayor to accept the statue for the city, and thanked the people of the county and city, who by their subscriptions had enabled the committee to pay for the statue, with £3OO or more to spare. The Mayor of Chester accepted the gift of that ancient and loyal city. He received with profound gratitude that grand, and, more than all, that telling likeness of Lord Westminster, who now lived amongst them. The inaugural ceremony then terminated. In the evening a public dinner was held in celebration of the event.