Brighouse & Rastrick Gazette. — 1892-09-17 (Brighouse, West Yorkshire, England)

WHAT THE FRENCH DO WITH OLD WARSHIPS.  The French, says the Pall 211aY1 Ga:ette, have a very practical way of dealing with their old warvessels. It is not our way, and it is not what we should expect from a nation who are at once bellicose, picturesque, and romantic. We respect our old three-deckers, and they look ornamental enough where we use them as furniture for our harbours. The French treat their frigates very much the way we treat our captains: they make them leave the service when they reach a given age. The age, in the case of war-ships, varies of course according to the material of the vessel. If it is wooden-built the average life is 16 to 18 years; if it is an iron ship it is from 25 to 28. The ages reached, the Admiralty coroners come and sit en the case, and when the verdict is given the sentence is promptly carried out. They don't do much tinkering with their vessels, and find it poor policy to throw good money after bad. If the ship is not battle-worthy, the best thing is to sell her or break her up at once; she won't improve by keeping. In this way two war. vessels that had their own days of adventure and glory have just been sold at Cherbourg. One of them was in Admiral Coutbet's fleet, and figured in the Chinese war. It bombarded Fou-Tcheotte and scattered the Chinese on the banks of the Pain. They are both to be broken up for firewood. It is expensive firewood; for one of these cruisers cost 1,500,000 francs, and was sold for less than 30,000. In old times, minor Powers, such as the small Republics of South America, used to buy these disused ships, but the smaller Powers found they were dear bargains, so that now their fate is generally firewood.  --THE CURE OF CONSUMPTION It is impossible to read the records of cases—especially those of w(.11-l:nown members of the medical, legal, and other vrof, ssions—which are quoted in Dr. Alabone's work entitled "The Cure of Consumption," without being convinced that his treatment of consumption, bronchitis, and asthma has been attended with extraordin:try and marvellous success. From all classes comes the same verdict: "I wait given up as incurable, but am now well," the high position of many who testify to the results of the treatment disarming all ideas of prejudice. Amongst many testimonies of the profession, Dr. Fair* bairn writes: I have had no less than six/ cases of cure during the last twelve months. All suffering from consumption, bronchitis, or asthma should obtain '• The Cure for Consumption" by Edwin W. Alabone, M. D. Phil. , U. S.A. ; F. R.M.S.• late M.R.C.S. Eng., of Lyntou House, HighbUrr Quadrant, N., and published by Kemp and Co. It those sufferers whose condition appears hovels*/ such a work will seem like a revelation, and indeed! the Cheerfulness engendered by its very perusal W Suirwient to recommend it.  Thomas Whear was suffocated by the fumes from a dynamite charge while blasting at East Fool Mine, near Camborne, on Saturday morning. A comrade also became unconscious, but was rescue& A shocking case or wile murder took place the other night at Ballyduff. John Coffey and his wife lived on a small farm at the place tamed, and a quarrel arose between them. During the altercation Coffey struck his wife a blow on the head. from which i she died within an hour. Coffey has been arrested on a charge of murder. A serious cycling accident occurred in the Wee, moreland mountains on Saturday. A cyclist, a stranger to the district, was found insensible by the roadside on Stanimoro, Falls with a broken machine beside him. He apparently attempted to ride down a steep hill, and, losing control of his machine, was dashed against a stone wall, sustaining serious injury. Them have been received at Kew Gardens a number of bright red seeds from Mexico, which are found to contain an exceedingly dangerous alkaloid. The Indians in the neighbourhood of San Antonio use the seeds as an intoxicant, half a seed producing exhilaration followed by sleep lasting two or three days, and sometimes death  ensues. An extraordinary suicide is reported from fled hug, South Wales. An elderly man named David Rees, who was em'ployed at the Nantween Colliery, and who had been in a desponding state for some days, climbed over the gate under the landing of No. 1 pit and threw himself down the shaft, falling a depth of nearly I,Booft. His body was terribly mutilated. The dead and mutilated body of a young mat. ried woman, the wife of an ironstone miner named Mildred, living at Colber Bar, near Staithes, was on Sunday morning found at the bottom:of a cliff nearly 3001 t. high at Staithes. It is believe, that the deceased, who is only 22 years of age, nutted suicide by throwing herself over the cliff on to the rocks beneath. At Swansea, on Saturday, Ann Roberts, described as a widow, was charged with having in her pee session 60 counterfeit coins with intent to utter them.—Detective-inspector Gill deposed that the prisoner told him the coins were given to her by e friend as a start in life. The prisoner had £l9 odd in gold in her possession and a large quantity of luggage, which by railway labels showed that she had at Yarmouth and other places.—Accused was remanded.