Birmingham Daily Post from Birmingham, West Midlands, England • 5

5 THE BIRMINGHAM' POST, -THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 1880. EXTRAORDINARY MORTALITY AMONG SHEEP. Sheep-rot lias recently beon playing sad havoo among manvoftho flocks in North AVarwickshiro. and the ap have not yet been entered, but the fierceness of the flames precludes all hope of any being rescued alive, men were busily at work at tho time of the catastrophe, and were stripped to the waist hence the bodies aro lacerated in a ghastly manner by being blown against sharp pieces of coal and rook. Mr.

Sawyer, Government inspector of mines, has been down the pit several times, but no clue has yot been found pointing to tho real cause of the explosion, except that it must have originated from ignition of gas. The pit is very fiery, and every modern appliance for the safety of the miners has been adopted, inoludingtheexclusive use of the patentsafetylamp. At throe o'olock active measures wero taken to put out tho flames, andlargc quantities ot tlenris and tallen timber and. pearauce of the disease has caused great alarm to the ton, was indicted for obtaining by false nretences'the Bum farmers and others concerned. One farmer has lost the of 500, from his client, Mr.

Coath, cashier to the Patent whole of his flock, which consisted of no less than Shaft and Axletreo Company, who is awaiting his trial on 140 animals. Another gentleman, who prior to the the charge of defrauding the company of about 40,000. appearance of the disease possessed 150 sound sheep, Messrs. Dugdalo and Colmore conducted tbe prosecution, has lost a great portion of his flock, and disposed of the and Mr. Bennett defended.

The prisoner pleaded guilty remainder for 20, A third farmer has lost no less than to the charge of appropriating the money to his own use. fifty animals from tho "rot aud a fourth, who considers Mr, Bennett said My Lord, it was under ray advice, himself fortunate, in comparison with, others, has lost i after very anxious consideration, that the prisoner twenty-live, and disposed of thirty or forty others for the pleaded guilty to this charge, because I found it im-valuo 'of their skins. The disease appears to take two possible to struggle against tho facts with any chance of forms. In some cases the liver is found, on dissection, to success, and I am sure I shall have your lordship's have become as hard as a stone whilst iu other instances sanction for saying that it is a very painful thing to see a "VATE CORKBSPONDENGE. London, Wednesday Night.

HThRMiHGHAM has deserved well the coiigrotula- nf of the country is the unanimous acclaim of I Liberal and doubtless, a relative pro-CVC hnV dismay been brought to the Tones, fntho violence of their language, betray the cation they are experiencing through the 11 ro to which they have subjected them-1 Sir William Havcouvt's enumeration 1 the fallacies of her Majesty's Ministers, jinrf toMr Gladstone's recently pubhshod cata-, of their blunders, will be fittingly completed rt Bri-'ht's sketch of the struggles of the Non-, iqi-s against their inveterate foe, Lord Beacons-'P'i Yhe pressing nature of the engagements to ilfilled betweon this and the meeting of Par-nt naturally render it impossible to carry out If oroic'cted plan of a Liberal banquet in the In addition to other good reasons, stained bv Mr. Glarl- earth were removed. This enabled the explorers to rowitesoury, unci momma mo canaiaarare or jir. procoed somewhat more rapidly, and it is hoped I'owlor. But as those subjec a Avould bo dealt with by that all tho bodies may be recovered during the night, 9fcber speakers, he would thank them for the vote of con-nr earlv in tho mornhnr.

There is senrcelv a I fidence they had passed in her Mftiesfcy's Ministers. Tho it is unusually soft and (iabby. Tho appearance of tho disease is attributed to tho excessive wet weather experienced last summer. At the monthly meeting of tho Wellington (Salop) Improvement Commissioners, held yesterday, tne bamtary nspector asked for instructions as to what ho was to do relative to moat tue general maru.cn. xueie wo.eu.uuge number of rotten sheep in the country, and after they were -killod considerable quantity found its way into tho meat market Ml: Pitcllford said ha SaiV slleeP Sold ltl the Smithfield for 4s.

lid. each. Mr. Bates said sheep were brought into tlio Smithftold that never ought to have boon. Mr.

Pitchford said it was impossible to get sound siieep. TJie Chairman remantoci tut.y were going to take un tliesn eases it would be a most expensive cam paign. Ultimately the inspector was instructed to use his own discretion in seizing meat, but if thero wero any bad oases he was to do so. TEE BISHOP OF MANCHESTER. The forthcoming number of tho Bfanchnslcr Magaxinc will contain a biographical sketch of tho Bishop of Manchester.

The editor gives "the following autobiographical sketch, kindly furnished by the Bishop" Sjeat fraud you speak of, and of which this was asuboi-about dmafce part. This man Coath was cashier of tho latent Shaft and Axletreo Company. A large sum of money had be? extracted irom that account, and it is lel' ''f' Coirta out of the difficulty, this toOO. was I S111 tn prisoner. Mr.

Dugdalo ou are mistaken. The prosecutor wna a bankrupt, and it was supposed his creditors would be satis- a dead letter. In the very words I had myself used, the remission of the sentence on the Mollah is attributed to the "clemency of the Sultan;" his- guilt, and the justice of his conviction are maintained and care is taken to let it be known that, as is perfectly true, the Porto has, under such circumstances, reason to be gratified at the resumption of diplomatic relations with England, which had been interrupted through our intervention in behalf of the culprit. Sincere as this declaration is, the sarcasm, if not the irony, is there all the same. Tho Turkish papers inspired by tho Palace expressed themselves as perfectly shocked at such conduct on the part of a friend like Sir A.

H. Layard. They have now been warned but not punished to draw it mild" in future. For tho last six months they have been scurrilously attacking England and tho English Govornment and Sir A. H.

Layard has now reaped, in tho personal abuse lavished on himself, the reward for the feeble or at all events iiiolficaoioiis remonstrances lie made against such insulta, It is difficult to untlorstand how lie can remain in liis post after all this, though it is not difficult to understand that his chiefs will not object to keop there a man whose want of self-respect qualifios him to act as the "iinisdamiit-'e," who may yet be required before long for some equivocal transaction or otheif. Of the financial condition of the Turkish Govornment, no better idea could bs formed than from a fact mentioned by my correspondent at Constantinople, in a letter dated- the ldth, which has reached mo this afternoon. All tho clerks (Kiatibs) of tho War Office assembled two or threo days before, and after clamouring for a small instalment on account of their salaries, which are many months in arrear, and replying to urgent solicitations to exhibit a little more patience by declaring that they and their families were reduced to tho point of literal starvation, were eventually pacified by the distribution of a couple of niecljidiahs (about Ts.) to each, the money being taken out of the chest for the payment of the army purveyors, or, in other words, from tho rations of the soldiers, whose turn it will next be to kick up a row, and then heaven knows what may happen Another proof of zeal on the part of the Minister of Police, encouraged, no doubt, to energy by his triumph over Sir A. B. Layard and the British Government.

Excellency has seized the translation of a French history of the late war. Most of the Turkish papers oven condemn this act, and tako occasion to ask what tho staff at the War Office are about that thoy do not bring out an account of the campaigns. Generally speaking, these seizures (which are very unjust, when the works, preliminarily authorised by the Minister of Public Instruction, have been printed) are only a dodge for backsheesh, the confiscated volumes being nearly always redeemed afterwards, and the seizure operating as a good advertisement, which may be tho case in this instance. This arbitrary, and probably illegal, action jpf the police, being so recent, might surely be addod to the thousands of which ought to occupy the corps diplmwitiqw at present holding meetings at the British Embassy to deliberate on the fanswor to be made to the Porte's note on judicial reforms. Tho circumstance of the meetings beina held at our Embassy, which some might suppose connected with the lead we have professed to assume in tiie question of reforms in Turkey, is, I may mention, merely an accident arising from tho fact that, on the retirement of Count Zichy, the Austrian Ambassador, Sir A.

H. Layard has become doyen of the diplomatic body at Constantinople. In General lgnatieff's time meetings of tho "heads of missions were, for the same reason, held at the Russian Embassy. As to juidioial reforms, the Turks, as I have several times said, have an excellent cods but there is no country in tho world to which applies so forcibly Pope's maxim, Whato'er is best administered is best." THE CHARGE OF FRAUD ME. CHIDLEY.

AGAINST At the Assizes at Northampton, yesterday, before Mr. 1 Justice Steuben Sirlnnv Chidlev. solicitor. Wolvorhampv member of any honourable profession in such a position as tho prisoner now is, and I trust you will allow me to offer a few romm-i in nrtnunation of the punishment. A gigantic fraud had been perpetrated by tho prosecutor, for wmcn ue is about to take nis trial ac mo oimiorusuira Assizes, to the extent of some 40,000., and its pernicious example seems to have spread UKO a crusnras i my client ill its deadly ombraoo.

ft was at that hour that I the arch tempter came Upon the scene, and so deftly did hia wort, pourmff into my unfortunate client's ear some such counsel as this, the opportunity whilst you may get somethiiii; out of the raolce. What matters a few paltry hundreds amongst those glittering thousands?" and no yielded to the temptation. His Lordshin WW. ms t.W nature of the fraud. Mr.

Bennett He is charged with possessing himself of 500., and appropriating it to his own use. His Lordship Tho prosecutor says that the prisoner asked him to get 500., and he would get the bankruptcy annulled, and that money the prisoner appropriated to his own use. Mr. Dugdale The last count is tho ono to which the prisoner pleaded guilty. His Lordship The iSOD.

was given to him. and instead of annlvinsr it for the nm-nn allr-end. ho nun it in his own packet. AYhat I want in understand is. what was the vmif.ev wonlil be nniiiillna Mr.

Bennett: It was this great fraud by Coath that might have induced the lesser man to fall into this crime. I am aware, lord, that punishment must follow upon an oU'eneo of this sort, but I beseech your lordship to recollect how heavily it weighs upon a man whose profession is gone, whoso home is destroyed, whose hopes are well-nigh extinguished, and for whom thero remains nothing but the dreary prospects of a blighted life. His Lordship Sidney Cliidley, you stand convicted by your own confession of having committed an offence against an Act relating to the duties of solicitors to their clients. It is a very painful thing to have to pass sentenco upon a person who belongs to one's, own profession, and for the credit of that profession I think I may say there is no class of men who have greater trusts in their hands than English solicitors, and, as a rulo, no cluss of men more faithfully discharge the duties devolving upon them. I think it is absolutely necessary for that roason that that standard of honour should bo upheld in that profession to which, I am sorry to say, both you and I belong.

I mean to uphold it. I have to sit hero and pass sentence upon poor ignorant fellows for stealing small sums of money and here are you, a solicitor, a member of an honourable profession, who have stolen 500,, which was entrusted to your honour on tho strength of your profession. It is true that by your plea of guilty you will be struck off the rolls and admitted to practice no longer. It is quite true that is a serious punishment, but that is not sufficient punishment; for the crime you have committed, and I think should be flinching from my duty if I were to pass upon you a less sentence than the ono which I am about to pass that you bo kept in penal servitude for tho space of five years. THE CLENT HILLS REGULATION SCHEME.

The enquiry as to the above matter was resumed at tha Lyttetton Arms, Hagloy, on Tuesday night, by Mr. G. Pemberton Leach, Assistant iinclosure Commissioner. There was a numerous attendance, but the meeting was for the most part differently constituted to what it was on Monday. A virtual agreement was come to the first day as to the course to bo adopted, and the Commissioner, for information of those not present on Monday, explained the naturo of the application, and the arrangement come to regarding the regulation of tha hill and the composition of the Board of Conservators.

Ha said tho lord of the manor and the commoners bad. agreed that by the provisional order, if the Enclosure Commissioners thought lit to issue it, and it was confirmed hy Parliament, free and unrestricted enjoyment of the common should be given to tho inhabitants of the neighbourhood, aud to their children for ever. That right would be legally secured, anil could never be taken away. The enjoyment of tho, common had liithertoo been mora or less precarious, and it could not have been supported in a court of law. Li this case the lord of the manor and commoners were willing to give a legal right in future, and it would be enjoyed in perpetuity.

After the enquiry on Monday he went over the common, and bo had visited it again to-day, and made enquiries from the people of Clent as to tiie matters which formed tho ground of tho application, and as to the disorderly conduct of certain people who visited tho hill, and of persons attracted by the crowds' who went thoro on holidays. He might say he bad fully satisfied himself that the statements made by tho applicants as to tho necessity of putting the common under some regulation was not exaggerated in the smallest degree, and that it would be a benefit to tho neighbourhood if some sort of control was put over the people who went thero. No restriction was intended, or desired, to be placed on innocent enjoyment, but it was desired to put such restrictions in force that tha common would.be a placo whero respectable people could go and enjoy themselves without auuoyance. Is'o doubt, whore largo crowds assembled, it was difficult to prevent some sort of annoyance occasionally arising, but a good deal might he done by a little restriction, and tho mere knowledge that restriction existed was sometimes sufficient to prevent; any outbreak or diaorder. He caw bfi should reort in favour of reerulation.

'and ho had no doubt the Enclosure Commissioners would recommend it to the consideration ot Parliament. Lie should be glad to hear any remarks or suggestions as to eariying out tho regulation, and if there were' still any objections to the regulation of the hill ho should be glad to hoar them. Mr. Tompkins (Hadley) said, with regard to the behaviour of the people coming from a distance, he thought some of tho people at Clent had been the greatest nuisance themselves, (Laughter.) Tho Commissioner said he did not specify-any particular class o'f people as having caused annoyance, hut he learnt from what had occurred in the past that there was a wish tho hill should be under some control. There was one point he left for consideration from Monday, That was an enquiry as to the cottages.

The Enclosuro Commissioners wero always anxious that ample provision should be made for cottage gardens. In any case of a provisional order relatirg to a common, they desired a certain portion should be given up for the purpose if there was not sufficient garden accommodation either attached to the cottages or in other ways available. Now, a very strong feeling was manifested on Monday against enclosing any of the common, and having been round the village that day, he found that there appeared to be a fair aiiowonce of garden ground, as a rule, to most of the cottages. Out of 1S4 cottages thoro were only 21 whioh had no gardens at all, or gardens under 10 perches. All tho others had gardens over 10 perches, and a pood many considerably more.

The Commissioner explained what other land might bo made available for cottage gardens in the parish, and said on the whole he thought it would not be necessary to set out any allotments for gardens in the present case, it would be difficult to find any land on the common that was suitableand if an allotment was set out, it would be so that it might be exchanged for some more suitable land in the village and, under all the circumstances, it did not appear necessary to recommend any allotment for gardens, especially as the provisional order proposed was merely for the regulation of the common. Mr. B. Wooldrirlge said he was glad to see the' form the. business took on Monday, and that the opposition, whioh he believed aroso entirely from misapprehension, died away.

Ho thought the approach to the hill might be improved (hear, hear) and if money was required, he suggested that there woro waste parts of the common near-tho bogs which might be disposed of. He wished to ask if the conservators would bo able hereafter to deal.with this land if they thought it desirable. iUr Philips (Clent)' said there was an objection to any land being sold. Mr. Wooldridge said in his opinion the promoters of tha scheme, instead of having, as they had iiad for a certain time, severe condemnation, were ratUor entitled to the thanks of the public.

It. had been explained that the common might have been enclosed at -any timo, but this scheme would secure it for ever to tho publio. Something had been said about a branch railway to Clent, connected with the present main line, and that it should bo taken to a point In Field Houso Lane, as near to tho hill as the ground admitted of. He believed Mr, Araphlett had expressed himself in favour of such a line being made, and was willing to give up land for making it if it was agreed upon. Should tha matter be carried out instead of having to walk two miles from Hagley Station to tho hill, visitors would be put down at tho nearest point to the hills that the railway could he made to.

(Applause.) Mr. Holbcrton remarked with regard to Mr. Wool-dridgo's suggestion as to powers to sell certain land, that it was agreed on Monday that no land should bo sold. In reply to Mr. .1.

Boucher, tho Commissioner said tha conservators would have power to make a better approach to the hill aud plant trees along it, i the approach itself was part of tho common. Mr. Boucher 1 think the approach might bo greatly improved. Mr. Holborton asked when was the last day for urban authorities giving thoir formal consent to tho arrangement mado on Monday.

Tho Commissioner I can hardly say, but the sooner tho better. Any timo within a week would do, but it is desirable that the adherence of the dilferent Boards should come in as soon as possible, for the form of the provisional order will a little depend on the number which come in. The Kev. F. Keach (Blackheath) said Mr.

K. Green and himself had been sent thero to oppose the scheme; but after what had taken place the previous day they were glad to concur in the arrangements come to. Mr. H. Hughes (Stourbridge) said he wished the matter had been commenced in a dilferent manner but he was glad it had been so satisfactorily arranged, and ho expressed tho thanks- of himself and-oihers to Lord Lytteltpn and Mr.

Amphlett, who had so liberally agreed to tUe common being legally secured to the use of the public tor ever. (Applause. A vote of thanks, was passed tothe Assistant-Commissioner, and the proceedings terminated. Coffees of the choicest! growths can be 'obtained at Barrow's Coffee Warehouse, 93, Bull Street, Birmingham. Good Coffee, Is.

Id. per pound; choico Coffee, Is. 6U and flaei rich raountata-flavQureCi Coffee Is. 84 per ppuaa. 33 SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH TEWKESBURY.

AT Tewkesbcby, Wednesday. At a public meeting; held in the Music Hall, Tewkesbury, this evening, under the presidency of Mr. W. Allard, for the purpose of inaugurating a Conservative Association, Sir Michael Hicks-Beach, in responding to a resolution expressing its unabated confidence in her Majesty's Ministers, said tho primary object of tho meoting was to celebrate tho inauguration oi tho Conservative Association Government had had many difficult questions Government had had many difficult questions to deal with at home and abroad, but with whatever success they had proceeded- thoy had always had a sincere desire to do their duty. In endeavouring to perform this duty they had had to meet tho most persistent attaoks, which had been thoroughly and efficiently replied to by his own colleagues.

It had so happened that on Tuesday night, at Birmingham, Sir W. Harcourt had referred to the speech of Lord Q. Hamilton, and had compared Din reply to Mr. Gludstoao to a combat, betweon David and Goliath. But it.

was strange that one whose antecedents had some connection with tho Church should have forgotten that tho stone of the stripling had laid the giant low and it should be remembered that what had happened before might happen again. He did not desire to anticipate what was about to take place in Parliament, where Ministers bo ready to justify their policy both at homo and abroad. It was said on ono hand that the coming session would not be fruitful of legislation but he might say that tho Government intended that the coming session should bo a real working session. They had matured various measures, which they believed Parliament would be able to deal with, and he repudiated the idea that the Houso of Commons was not capable of doing this. He desired to bring boforo the consideration of the meoting, not tha past, but tho future, whioh would follow tlio next general election, Is'o doubt his friend, Mr.

Fowler, would bo glad to know when that election would bo, but without being able to answer that question, he might say that the real issue at the next election would be had they confidence in tbe principles which had hitherto actuated tho Conservative Government? 1 They had only just been witnesses of a sort of Christmas pantomime played at Birmingham. It was necessary to the plot of a Christmas entertainment of that sort that there should be a coy young lady, who had to visit one who had been described as a bogey," but whom she found not so bad or so formidable as he hail been painted, the result being that the two entered into en engagement to be married. Then came in tho heavy father, who gave his consent, and finally the curtain foil on a state of things supposed to mean continual happiness, but jio mention was made of the after differences that so often followed tlio matrimonial contract. It was some such sort of alliance that was foreshadowed by what Iincl just happened at Birmingham, whero the Whigs and tho Radicals had for a time agreed to a union, the result of which might havo a very different ending to that which was intended. At Birmingham thoy had found the representative of the Whig official school fraternising witli the most violent Radicals of the present day, and they also found that somehow or other the Radical was considered by no moans to be so dangerous a fellow as ho had been previously thought to havo buen, that personage consenting to lay aside for a time the extreme views and'objections which he had hitherto entertained, and to work with the official Liberal for the one groat object of the Liberal party that object ueinsihe destruction of the CouservativeGovernmcnt.

He ventured to assert that this game was not quito so safe for the country at the present time as it might have been under a very different state of circumstances. had seen or, at least, those of them who wore old enough to remember former Liberal Governmonts might havo seen a Whig Government kept in power by the Eadical vote, and yet carefully avoiding the carrying out of Kadic.al opinions, (Hear, hear.) But in these days they had to deal with a very different stato of things. It was not moroly the sentiment of the Liberal party for there was the Kadical party that was to bo consulted but the Liberal party must bo practically guided by men like the leaders of the Kadioal party, and by men like the leaders of tho Home Hule party, who professed opinions dangerous to our Constitution, and fatal, if carried out, to tho F.mpire. (Cheers.) That was what he hoped and trusted this country would consider when the question was put to it as to who w3 to L'uide its future destinies. (Hear, hear.) Tho country would not have offered to it a choice between a Government guided by Lord Hartington and Lord Granville and the existing Government, whioh had for the last six years done its best to conduct the.

all'airs of this great country. (Cheers.) They would have to consider tho programme of the Whig reformers, which had been lately put forward by persons of considerable authority namely, the reform of county government, That was a matter in which tho Conservatives were as anxious to act as the Liberals could be. (Hear, hear.) Thoy had endeavoured to put before tho public their views as to the mode in which those reforms might be carried out but more engrossing circumstances had hitherto prevented Parliament from dealing with it. Ho would venture to claim that they had by no means shown themselves opposed to any practicable or useful reform of this question. (Cheers,) Again there was tho question of the extension of the household suffrage to counties that wa3 a point which might bo ono of the features of the new Whig Government pi-orrraiiiine.

Ho hoped that it was a question which would bo duly appreciated but if it were carried a borough like Tewkesbury would ceitainly bo doomed to extinction, (Hear, hear.) Then, again, there was the question of the reform of tho Land Laws. They all knew and ho was afraid that some of thern felt very acutely that the present was a time when everyone connected with tho land wits by no means iu a prosnertftis condition. (Hear, hear.) Landlords, tenants, i.nd labourers were all alike suffering, except that lie feared the tenants were suffering most of all. (Hoar, hear.) The Liberal party might be anxious to re orm the Land Laws in the sense ot malting tlio transler of hind easier and cheaper but lie was not sure that such a oliango tlio law would fieneiit tno tenant, as he was always wanting to change his landlord hear, hear," and laughter)1 but individually it would be a boon to those who at present owned tho laud, or it would increase its value considerably if they could sell it more easily and cheaper than they could now. (Hear, hear.) There were immense difficulties of a practical character which made it dangerous to deal with those laws.

He did not, believo it could be carried out without falling unfairly on tho tenantry, and in a way which those who had expressed their williiisnons to deal with it had scarcely considered. But however that might be as rogarded romovine any fetters that existed in the powers of the actual owners to deal with the land, so far as anything of Wio sort was attempted, it deserved serious consideration. He assured them that the existing Government was as anxious and ns ready to act as thoir opponents could be. He had exhausted in these throe points the programme which had been put forward, as he had said, by such authority as that of the Whigs, should the country entrust them with power; but that was not the progiamme which the new'Whig or Liberal Government would have to carry out, hear," and cheers.) Thoy had fully endeavoured to tho best of their power to continue tho foreign policy of this country on the basis of all previous Governments, except tlio last. They had endeavoured to provido for the security and unity of our great Colonial Empire, Could they for a moment believe that these two great and paramount objects would bo carried out by those who were at present in opposition, and who, he hoped, would long remain iu tho same position lie confessed that Lord Hartington, so far as his own opinions went, would be anxious to maintain tlio continuity of our foreign policy, but thoy must look to men who wero more powerful than Lou! Hartington to men who, after having in defeat resigned their positions, had substituted themselves in the hope of success in order to be the leadei'3 of the Liberal party.

They must look to the opinions of Mr. Gladstone, Chamberlain, and 5Ir. Bright, and ask themselves whether these were the views they wished to prevail in the future government of this country. For the Government he ventured to say that thoy looked back, not without pride, upon tho present history of England. They remembered the achievements of their fathers.

(Hear, hear.) They remembered the way in which they had won their, liberty. (Hear, hear.) Thoy remembered tho way in which gradually thoy extended their empire, glad at all events to spread their humanity throughout the world. (Cheers). In remembering their achievments they wero not content to rest upon the laurels that had been gained they felt that to stand still would be to go back. Liberals talked by the hour together of tho progress of humanity.

Thero was one country, and one alone, which tho Liberals were anxious should not progress that was their own. (Loud cheers.) Germany might extend her empire, France might plant her colonios throughout the globe, tbe future might be with the United States of America; but English interests, English power, and English responsibilities wero to be confined witliin the narrow limits of this little island. (Cheers.) That was not the creed which tho Conservatives entertained that was not tho creed whioh he believed will bo appreciated and adopted by the groat heart of tbe people of this country. (Cheers.) In remembering with prido the achievements of their fathers, let thorn remember what had been handed down to us let them endeavour to maintain and hand down to our posterity the Empire and tho liberty they had gained. Shame to us and shame to our country, if wo wilfully surrendered its wonderful privileges.

(Cheers.) Wo should not allow England to sink below its proper place among the nations of th6 world. That was the great question which the country would have to solve at the next election. they aud others would consider the matter as thus presented, not dwelling upon this or that particular point, but looking, as a whole, to the interests of the country, judging, as a whole, of the policy which this Govornment had pursued if they would treat the matter upon this broad aud general ground, ho was convinced that when the time oame thoy would, by their votes at tho poll, repeat and confirm the expression of confidence in her Majesty's Ministers, for which he had to thank them on that occasion. (Loud cheers,) SounubL Board of Guakdians, The fortnightly nieeting of this Board was held at tho Workhouse, Solihull, vosterday morning Mr. C.

Madeley presiding-. Tho the receipt of the precepts for a county rate of 15o'. b's. in the pound an asylum rate of 52. IBs.

id. in' the pound.for Warwickshire also for a polico rate of 255. (is. Hid. in tho pound a county rate of 25.

10s. id. in the' pound; and an asylum rate of 25. 10s. 6d Jd.

in the pound, for Worcestershire. During the week ending January 20 out-rclief had been granted to '237 persons, at a cost of 18. 9s. as against 253 persons, costing 19. Ss.

UM. in the corresponding week of last year. There was no business of publio interest in connection with tho Sanitary ot puuuo AllthOl'ltV. J5NULISH CHURCH UNION. Vll mummy evening last, a meeting iu connection with the St.

Alban's Parochial Association, Birmingham, was hold in St. Alban's Schools, Leopold Mreot. Tho chair was occupied by Mr. F. H.

Mole (Vioo-i'residont Birmingham Branch of the Union), and thero was a attendance of members and friends. Lieutenant-oolonel Bagnall delivered an address on some current Clniroh topics, and touched upon the Ornaments' Bubric, tho judgments ofp the Privy Council, Lord Court, and tho Miles Platting bill of costs. The rt (, cUu-or was fiequontly applau close a vote ot thanks was accorded him. Sovoval new membera were enrolled, TEAS. The finest selections ot the new season's, tull of quality, richness, and strength very useful, good tea, 2s.

(id John Sumner, 1)8, Hish Street, Birmingham, TERRIBLE CALAMITY IN UOETH STAFFORDSHIRE. NEARLY SEVENTY LIVES LOST. MtOiff OUR OWET REPORTER, The Fair Lady Pit, of the Crewe Coal and Iron Company's Colliery, at Leyoett, North Staffordshire, where eight lives were lost by an explosion on the 12th September last, was yesterday again the scene of a oatastrophe, but one' of a far more horrible character. The full extent of tho calamity is not yet known, but there is too much reason to fear that the fatality will embrace something like seventy men and boys, who were yesterday morning hurried into eternity by one of those frightful outbursts of gas which contribute so freely to the colliery mortality of the country, About half-past eight yesterday moi-nilis. soon after the day shift bad commenced an explosion oocitrired, a loud report, hoard for a.

con- Bidorablo distance, announcing to the' outside world that another addition to tho long roll ot pit accidents had happened. Help was immediately sent for, and before very long the managers of several neighbouring collieries, including Mr. Cadnian, of Silverdale Mr. Lawton, of tho adjoining mine Mr. Downing, of Chesterton; the under-looker of the Fair Lady pit, Mr.

Hotelier, and others, wore on the spot, together with an army of colliers ready to help. At the same timo the wivos and children and other relatives of the men in the mine were to bo seen wending their way to the pit bnnk, some eagerly discussing the probable meaning of the ominous sound they had heard, and others too anxious to speak, even to express their fours for the Into of some near and ones, who were perhaps so many lifeless corpses, A man named Davis, at work on tho pit bank, was seriously hurt, and the windows of tho engine-house and other buildings -were blown out. No time was lost in forming exploring parties, aud the mine was descended, when it was found that a great deal of damage bad been done to the pit. At some distance from tho bottom of the shaft tho guide rods were broken, and there was considerable delay in obtaining, entrance to the workings. An entry was effected about noon, when four men wore found and brought tip alive.

They were William Burgess, butty who was charged at Newcastle, on Monday, with offences under the Mines Regulation Act, arising out of tho previous explosion at this mino Joseph Highlield, George P.owley, and James Brookshnw. All were badly injured except Erookshaw, who was but slightly hart. They wero able to walk to tho lamp house, where they wero attended by several medical men, who had hurried to the place, and who included Messrs. Uoodall, Palmer, and Gunning, after which thoy were sent home. Levi Knapper was the next brought up-, and his wounds were dressed, but lie died on the way home.

At intervals Thomas Hulse, John Salisbury, Joseph Allen, Edward Perry, Thomas Mayer, Henry Darlington, and Jesse Salmon were brounht up, all very seriously injured, Salmon, indeed, being in a dying condition. Great difficulty was experienced in getting at tho bodies for there was no hope now of finding any more alive in the mine--owing to the damage which had been done to the workings and roads, and the number of fires which were raging all over the pit. A number of lifeless victims of tho catastrophe wero found and taken to tho bottom of the shaft, but the roads wero so encumbered with the debris of wagons and dislodged coal that in some places it -was necessary to pass tho bodies from hand to hand to get thern to the shaft. Tho explosion took place in the seven-feet Banbury seam where the accident of September occurred but whether on tho same sido of the pit or on the south side is not known, The explorers put out seven or eight fires on the north side, and a fire raged on the south side, which could not be reached until later in the day. Afterdamp was also met with in largo quantities, and many of tho explorers were much affected by it.

This, of course, delayed the work of the explorers, but no effort was spared to overcome all difficulties the way of reaching the bodies. The men engaged in the search tried to get to the south side, bub were driven back by after-damp. The exploration was carried on under great difficulties on account of tho fires, the obstructions caused by the displacement of coal, and the after-damp everywhere met with. At length it wns decided to suspend the senroh for bodies, and to confine attention to the putting out of tho fires which had broken out nearly everywhere, and which in fact prevented tho continuation of the exploration, except under difficulties every moment becoming more insurmountable. Several bodies, in addition to those already referred to, wero brought to the bottom of the pit ready to be taken to the bank, but for some hoin-s nothing could bo done in recovering bodies.

A melancholy incident must bo recorded. Mr, H. B. Grcenor, the manner of the colliery, and his son George, the underloolcer, had gone down the pit a few minntes before tho accident, and they were found dead in the workings. Another man, Ambrose Small-wood, whose dead body was recovered, was identified but none of tho other corpses were recognised.

All were charred and burnt out of knowledge, and presented a most horrible 3poctaclo as they were placed in rows in a stable near the pit. Up to four o'olock, ten bodies had been brought to the surface, and twelve men had been recovered alive but one, as already mentioned, died shortly afterwards, and another was not expected to live long. Of tho other survivors not more than one or two are expeotod to recover. With regard to the total fatality, there is very little doubt that it will reach the amount mentioned just now. It is fjelieved that 75 men went down tho pit, and only twelve wore recovered alive, leaving sixty-three to bo accounted for.

There can be no doubt of the fate of these, and some of the survivors are certain to succumb to their injuries. It is impossible to speculate safely on the cause of tho explosion, which must be left for further enquiry; It is enough for tho present to record, though in a very fragmentary manner, tho effects of one of the most lamentable colliery accidents which has ocourred in North Staffordshire, and which, coming at so short an interval after tho explosion in September, marks the Fair feady pit as one of the most fatal coal mines in tho district. LATER ACCOUNT. Our correspondent telegraphs that according to later accounts, seyenty-two descended to work, and four returned shortly afterwards, reducing tho number in the pit at the time of tho explosion to sixty-eight. The exertions to reach tho remaining bodies and extinguish the fires wont on unremittingly throughout the day, and by six o'clock the ventilation had been nearly restored, and five additional bodies had been brought up.

An hour later and most of the fires had been got out on the north side, and the work of tho explorers was going on as rapidly as possible, attention being directed at the earliest moment to tho removal of the obstructions in tho roads, which were very considerable. Twenty-one. more bodies were discovered in different parts of tho workings, but owing to the difficulty of removing them to the bottom of the shaft, and the more pressing duty of restoring the pit to a proper condition, they had to be left for a time. It was expected that by a late hour matters would bo in train for their conveyance to the surface. The yet undiscovered bodies were lying in a different part of the pit, and it was not known when this was written whether they had been roaohod.

All tho corpses recovered during the day were charred to cinders utterly unrecognisable, and without a particle of clothing, which had been wholly consumed. A more terrible sight than they presented when laid out in a neighbouring stablo cannot be conceived. During the day Mr. Wynne, Government inspootor, and Mr. Sawyer, assistant inspector, visited the colliery, and the latter assisted in the exploration.

Much praise is due to the great bodies of helpers who, sometimes at tho risk of life, prossod thoir services on the managers and rendered very great aid in the work. The nit bank was crowded up to a late hour by persons waiting patiently lor tbe arrival of the remains of friends or relatives, but all behaved with great propriety. ANOTHER ACCOUNT. rRES) ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM. Newcastle-under-Lyme, Wednesday, A fearful colliery explosion occurred this morning in the Fair Lady pit of the Loycett Coal and Iron Company, between Jfewcastle-under-Lyme und Crewe.

Seventy -five men went down the day shaft this morning into tho Banbury seam, and about half-past eight a very loud report was hoard, necessarily causing the gravest possible apprehensions as to the safety of the men employed in tbe workings. As soon as practicable a desoent was made, when the worst fears were unhappily found to be realised. A few men wore found alive, but even these wero bo fearfully burnt and injured that small hopes of their ultirmito recovery ia entertained. A gang of men arrived from the North Staffordshire Coal and Iron Company's Works, Iioaded by the manager, and l' 1... 1- 1 rendoreu mosc vaiuauie ti uj uu uuscemi- ing the sliatt.

As mis dooibs were liiougm, to DanK iney woro received vit-h heartrending cries from tho women and others by whom tho pit wiis surrounded. Some of the corpses were found burnt almost to a cinder, whilst others nuponrod to have cacapod tho flamos and beon killed by the eoncuasion of the explosion. Of the first 25 bodies that wore nine irave signs of animation, but ono suc- cumbed'whil it being lifted into a cart. The total number of deaths up to this evening wns nearly seventy. The pit is tho same ns that in which six men were killed a few months ago, the scam itself being identical with tho ouo in which all the groat Staffordshire explosions have occurred.

The lato manager was summoned on Monday for irregu larities at this pic ino scenes at cne pit aro ot a liar-rowing description. The bodies are being recovered as rapidly as possible. Hanlev, Wednesday. Burin" tho afternoon the work of oxploration has been nrocoediuK rapidly, and several bodies nave Oeen recovered. Up to the present eleven, out oi Mviauywi Known to have been in tho pit, aro alivo but it is anticipated that more of these will dio during the night, their injuries bninn- of a friahtfal character.

Jimongiit mo Kiuea are Mr. fireener. who has been manager ot tne pit lor fow weekc, and bis son, who is learning the busi tion in an out-house. Fire-has been raging in the nit with great violence since the disaster, and has hindered the explorers very considerably. A few of the workings house in tho villace in which there has not been a victim, and, to make matters worse, nearly all the men loave widows and largo families.

The pit has been doing hut little work for "somo time, but sinco the revival in trade many more men had been and hence tho effects of the disaster have been so terrible. One of the deceased, named Burgess, an overlooker, was summoned on Monday, with the late manager of the pit, for having neglected to provida adequate ventilation, and tho sum- monsBS were adjourned. fivo o'olock, tlio bodies mm still being recovered, and tha fire is being subdued. Another victim has succumbed, and another is unconscious. Later, two other men haye died, making the total just seventy, and it is probable two inoro will succumb.

Many thousands of persons are crowding round the nit, notwithstanding the extreme cold and many of the friend of the colliers living nt a distance aro just arriving on tha Fears are entertained of a second explosion. Another correspondent gives the following additional details Tho Fnir Lady Pit is a new recovery, drivings having been mado for a second connection with the upcast shaft, where a new ventilating fan and telegraphs recently have been erected. Tho pit is 430. yards deep, and the workings in which the explosion ocourred are several hundreds from the shaft, in tho 7ft. Banbury seam, a very fiery coal.

In this seam only safety lamps were allowod, these being of such a character that they could not be opened without the light being extinguished. When the first exploring party descended the shaft it was found that tho timbers forming tho landing placa at tho bottom had been blown into the shaft, and that guide wires and signalling apparatus was broken. It was therefore necessary to cut a way into the inset through the obstructions, a work of some difficulty, and causing considerable delay in searching the aoam. Tho cause of tho aocidont or the precise spot in which it occurred have not been ascertained. The force of the explosion must hnvo been exceedingly great, as the workings on both the north and south sides of the pit aro much damaged, air.

Sawyer, assistant inspector, and managers of several neighbouring collieries, have assisted in tho oxploration of the mine. Newcastle, Wednesday night. The special representative of the Press Association has just returned from the scene of tho Leyoett colliery and has found that up to the time of his leaving twenty-seven bodies had been recoverod. Ten of the unfortunate victims expired on being brought to the surface, and but three remain to bo able to teli the tale of the disaster. It now transpires that but sixty-eight were in' the pit when the explosion occurred, among them being a man named Burgess, who, together with Eome other members of his family, was summoned on Monday last for a breach of tbe Mines Eegulation Act in regard to the working of this pit, aud whose case was adjourned.

The case against Burgess was that he had failed in carrying out his duty in tho pit, and had thus caused an explosion in October last, resulting in tho death of eight people. The scene at tha pit to-night is simply heart-rending. The wives and relatives of the mon who are known to be below, are waiting round the pit mouth, and the greatest interest is felt in the progress of the work of the searching party, Tho officials aro rendering every assistance, ana it is expected by the morning theexploringparty will have recovered most of the bodies. The inquest is to opened to-morrow, THE SODTH STAFFORDSHIRE MINING ACCIDENT FUND. Tho committee of this fund mot nt Wolverhampton, yesterday, at the Offices of tho Mines Drainage Commissioners.

Mr. W. North presided, in the absence of tho chairman of the fund, and there were also present Messrs. Gilpin and Price, masters, ani Messrs. Barnes and Gordon, representatives of tlio men.

The report of the Secretary (Mr. D. Jones) showed that tho capital account of the fund amounted to 20. 4s. and the dividend fund availoblo for distribution to 10.

10s. Id. Applications for relief were made for 7 widows and 21 children. The ap plications of 5 widows and la children were entertained, the others not being entitled to the benefit of tho fund Amongst tlio cases relieved were the 3 widows and orobans of the men killed at tho late accident at Polsall, To them was granted 2. for each widow, and (is.

for each child. To all the othor applicants was granted for each widow, and 10s. for each child. Tlio distino. tion was made in tho Shortheatn cases because tncy had already been aided by subscriptions collected in churches, at concerts, So.

Mr. Barnes pointed out that there was a residue ot irorn tho 'Pelsall inundation Fund, and it had been rumoured that it was proposod to devote a portion of the money to tho erection of a cottage hospital. At meetings of the men that ho had attended in the district there was no sympathy with suggestion the. men thought tlio money should be handed over to tho South Staffordshire Mmine Acciilont Fund, The Secretary said ho had re ceived' a letter from the chairman of the Bolsiill Inunda tion' Fund, which stilted that it wfis probnblo that wu en all the claims upon the fund had beon discharged a residue would be handed to this fund, but that this would still be a work of probably two or three years, Mr. Gilpin proposed "That, in consequence of tho age up to which children were to attend school having been in creased to if years, tho question should bo entertained at Uie next meeting wnctuer me age ot cmiureu ontiwou relief from the fund should not also be extended from IB to 14 years." This suggestion was agreed to.

There was no other business of public interest. THE TAT BRIDGE DISASTER. Tho search for bodies instituted by the Town Council of Dundee commenced on Tuesday, anil wasasunsuceosstulas that conducted by the North British Kailway Company. The Council was of opinion that all that might have been tlono was not done, and accordingly represented that grappling operations by means of small hoats should be recommenced. To this proposal tho North British Company readily assented.

Thirty-six boats, manned by mussel dredgers, wero engngedon Tuesday, on the east and west sides of tho bridge. Kach person employed is to receive Bs, (id. a day, and a crew finding a body will have tho additional reward of 2. Tho North British Company are to defray all expenses, and have also agreed to pay whatever outlay may bo incurred by the employment of two or threo divers to examine the carriages aud sunken girders, and remove any of tho bodies lying among tho wreck. It is understood these operations will not be carried on beyond the present week, should no success attend them, and the general impression is that thoy must result in failure.

The blasting of tho girders has been stopped by order of the Board of Trade. The trials of last Saturday were purelyexperimental, but tho Board of Trade hnvo given 'orders that they must not be repeated till all that can be done to ascertain tho precise position of the girders is done. Practical men are of opinion that unless dynamite is freely used very many months must elapse before the girders are raised. On Tuesday Mr. Valentino, the photographer employed by tiie Board of Trade, was engaged taking photographs of the girders under water.

At a meeting of the Diindeo United Presbyterian Church Presbytery, on Tuesday, the following resolution was passed That, having regard -to the recent terrible oalamity whioh has befallen the town and neighbourhood, whereby not only much valuable pruperty, but many precious lives havo suddenly beon lost, this Presbytery resolves to place on record its deep sympathy with the families, and its hearty commendation of those who have been left unprovided for to the liberality of the Church and its prayer that, in tho mind of the whole community, there may be imprinted mere deeply the conviction of the uncertainty of life and the- need of preparedness for the eternal world," Birmingham Sunday Schodi, Union. We have been requested to draw attention to the lecture advertised for to-morrow evening, in Steelhouse Lane Chapel, by tho Kev. Arthur Mursell, on "Thomas Guthrie and Ragged Schools." The lecturer, tbe subject, and the usefulness of the Sunday School Union, should secure a large audience. STouniiniDOE School Board EiKOTioJf. Tuesday was the last day for tho withdrawal of candidates who havo been nominated.

Tho names of Mr. Roskell, solicitor, and Mr. Preoce, innkeeper, wero withdrawn, and this still loaves fifteen candidates in the field, and who will now go to the poll. Tho election is on Tuesday next, and tbe poll will be open from noon till seven in tbe evening. Fatal Railway AcurDENT.

Yesterday Mr. W. Poole, the coroner for North Warwickshire, held an in-cniest at the Queen's Arms Inn, Victoria Haad. Aston, respecting the death of John Moore Hand (27), commercial traveller, who resided at 335, Victoria lioad. The deceased, who travelled for Mr, Spiccr Hand, tobaccouist, Cherry Street, Birmingham, on the night of tho (ith of December was returning from a journey from the North of England.

He travelled by the Scotch express, which reached Stafford railway station about eleyen o'clock. Tho night was very foggy, and fogmeu were engaged to place signals on various parts of tho line, and to act as messengers to tha signalmen. Before tho express proceeded on its way to London, the deceased gob out of the carriage aud entered a special train which was going to Birmingham. Immediately after leaving the Trent Valley Junction whioh is about 400 yards from Stafford the train came into collision with a shunting engine, which was standing on tho up line. The deceased was rendered partially unconscious, and was con-veyed'to the North-Wostorn Hotel, at Stafford.

Hero he remained for the night, and on the following day proceeded to his home, "Dr. Gates attended the deceased, who gradually became worse, and died on tho 12th instant from concussion of the brain and spine. The driver of the Birmingham train said that before he came to tho junction the distant signal indicated all right, and tho fogman oa-lled to him that be might go on. The fograan, Thomas Parsons, when examined, stated that he received his instructions to call the Birmingham train on from tho signalman. The jury returned a verdict Thud death was caused by a collision on tho London and North-Western Linu at Stafford," but that there was no evidence to prove that anyone was criminally responsible.

VALUABLE DISCOVERY JFGR THE Vour ttMr jis turning grey or white, or falling off, use "Tho Mexican Hair Itonewflr, tor m.i ijumuivuij resioiii iu every ease giey white hair to its original colour, without leaving the disagreeable nil nt ninot Tt ilfftc fl, l.a.V rrlv hnn.nH, 1 fnl. ni wrII as nromotmu tlio tnr-nwth nf the Imir on bald snots, where tlio glands are not decayed, Ask your chemist for "Tho Mexican Hair Itenowor, price 3s. CO. per bottle, prepared by Henry O. Gallup, 493, Oxford Street, London, and sec that yon eotit.

10 Invalids will find Sumner's Homceopathic Chocolate an exc excellent bevorago ia all derangements of siouiacn and liver. m. HMi Street. Birminihnm. 85S Brown's Furniture Polish (leaves no finger marks) is now sola by over coo Ationte Ciroccra.

qiiemiats, In P.U-misl.a.a and suburbs. Bottles Is. cncli. Proprietor, Kiclmru in-own, Oho.ii st. Spline inn.

I'uct-m-s ana wnomsiuo uc-aiers au Midler's Alpha Patent Gas-ma lung Machines, in sizes from 8 to 000 Lights, kept usually in stock, at prices from 12 guineas upwards, Owing to the season advancing, intending purchasers are requested to give their orders immediately, so as to prevent disappointment. Works, Mary Ann Street Show I Eoom, Prince's Comer, Corporation Street, New Street, 138 1 tim recent uui 7 i. itrflf fi n'Miiiiiuii, tiuimuiiirnj fotie brief period participation in any public ministration. His able colleague, however, is, the voice of Birmingham, preparing tho 1 lio mind for those "explanations" which will be 5 Glided of Ministers when Parliament reassembles. movement is on foot hero which, if realised, rot fail ks service namely, to hold nferenco of the Liberal district clubs of tho "tropolis.

with a view to concerted action on certain i v'tiio Iris'1 Parliamentary party in Dublin, that they 10 J11SI1 J. ouu.iuuu.j -j f. narinit the foreign policy of the Govern- the Commons until tho Lorl Vincm rllcnnsfirl nf fim itifovrnfifl Irish CU.UCIUly i-fuv" 41 the umnnor in which tho Irish Chief Secretary all through delayed, if not frustrated, medial action as regards the prevailing Irish tress alKl tn0 acquiescence in this course QiSW Ln(I HQ "TitlT. bv Forty to oiler every posaiuie wsuuuwun iu Ministers, It is stated tnat tiie recent interview Buko of Marlborough and Lord kntn-ccn the nil Jni4il-flll V17 fm-mAV TV. rrin Bcaconsneiu.

wus the Government might bo set motion in'do that of itself which neither Local Boards nor of many of the Irish landlords could Lomplish in time to meet pressing and I hear from a well-informed Lii'co' that the Lord-Lieutenant made repre- Koarco tnfmnci tn the Premier which left it to bo clearly understood that his tenure of office depended on the decision arrived at. To this is attributed the last move made by Ministers to advance money at long dates and at low interest. Mv Lowther, however, prevailed, and the landlords with few exceptions, have incurred the debt which Government asked them in order to avert tho impending famine. Much anxiety was felt in political circles last to know if tho Speaker would announce in tho London Gazette his intention to issue his writ for the election of a representative in the room of the late Mr. Torr, at Liverpool.

Action so precipitate would have been in bad taste and, besides tho example set by Sheffield so recently, will induo much caution and preparation before testing the opinion of Liverpool on the policy homo or foreign of tho Government. The misleading to its being deemed not worth while to contest the seat with a Liberal candidate so close to tho general election has been traced home to their source, which I need scarcely say was in the Tory centres. Some leading Liberals have today taken their departure from tho metropolis for Liverpool, and a new and important feature in the organisation of co-operation not dictation will becxercised by men of energy and intelligence. The London Home Kulers will, "I am informed, bo represented, and I am assured will warn" their sympathisers in Liverpool as to Tory tactics already prepared for thorn here. A sale at Kensington is generally an object of attraction, inasmuch as there is a certain amount of gossip attached to it which one searches in vain for at any of tho other three points of London.

West End is the depository of antique furniture, old paintings, and blue china, and many other things best left unmentioned. Hence its attractiveness? At times, however, there are occurrences there which cannot pas3 without special wonder, and notable amongst these is an auction to take place on Wednesday, the 28th at Cedar Villa," Wright's Lane, Kensington once (ho residence of where merry men" and beauty and wit" revelled in all their fulness. Auctioneers do not mention in their catalogue to Tfhom Cedar Villa now belongs, whoso effects they aio about to bring under tho hammer, or at whose instance their services have been called in. Nor was it necessary that they should do so, inasmuch f.3 the bijou residence of the "Bight Kev. Slonsisrior-Capel is known far and wide.

Public curiosity is always busy, and, perhaps, too much p-atified in some respects time and tattle leave little to bo added when once thoy got a start. Every stick and stonointlie villa is tobesolrl, and therefore not much of tho world's wealth will bo left to tho Jlonsignor. The "private chapel" is to bo sold, to the very stained glass in the windows there is also enumerated "an unique and very curious reliquarv, being a perfect modol of the stable of liethlehem, with the interior of tho church over same, very curiously finished, with mothor-o'-pearls, inlaid woods, with figured models." This is regarded by connoisseurs as a very remarkable specimen, and the sale generally is the West End event of the week. ivernment has taken alarm at the prospect of the telephone superseding the telegraph, as it has already begun to do in the case of private wires, from which the Post Office derives over 50,000. a year, and an injunction has been applied for against the two companies in the field.

10 restrain them from using wires for the telephonic process, on tho ground that tho wires are to all intents and purposes telegraphic ones, the monopoly of which belongs to the State by Act of Parliament. This can scarcely bo considered to disclose the full legal nature of the claim set up. It is very doubtful whether the employment for a totally new invention of a material in itself of common use and not the subject of an exclusive right, used in somo other apparatus for the samo object, would bo aa infringement of the latter. If so, a great nnm-ber of the inventions, frequently original and very useful, would be frustrated. 1 am inclined, there-lore, to think that the law officers of the Crown intend to take their stand really upon tho statutory monopoly of the means of correspondence, the acquisition of the sole right of transmission of telegrams having been a complement of the monopSly of the transport of letters.

The practical result of a decision in favour of the Crown would bo, no doubt, tho purchase of ihe patents but the point raises various considerations of importance in connection with State monopolies. After tho waterworks, which tiio Wovernmont is thinking of taking over in London, there will probably be a movement for tho purchase of the gasworks, and the perfection of tho electric light would then imperil a amount of State property. On the other hand, it may be conceived that the Government, as guardians of national funds so invested, would be found loss obstructive to improvements involving a loss than a variety of corporate bodies comprising vast numbers of shareholders. The authoritative contradiction of the story of the tattooing of the prince-middies founded, it turns out, on the merely ephemeral adornment of their noses is not only satisfactory to all tho persons to whom it caused much concern, but may fo hoped 'will have some effect in discrediting the "society journals" with tho patrons on 'hom they impose by retailing tittle-tattle of such a kind. In tho same' number of one of the papers which positively vouched for tho truth of tho story, 1 observed the name of a young Buko coupled with that of a fashionable young belie, a relation of his, as nndorstood to bo a suitor for her hand, the matter -being discussed qnito speculatively, just as it might be by ladies over a cup of tea.

Whether there were any grounds or not for the con jectures as to this match in high lifo," tho indelicacy of stating them in print is obvious and Uiuoi'tunatoly, it is far from being the worst specimen of indelicacy which might bo quoted from Papers of tho kind. That those who support such Papers are equally to blame does not absolve men pretend to social and literary position from Jlio opprobrium of pandering to alow taste, which always existed, but has never yet been so and openly catered for by professed Journalists. Nothing could have more completely confirmed J'o view I took of the "satisfaction" given by Porte to Wr A. H. Laynrd than the note rela- tc' i's representatives abroad, and the publication a summarv of it before ovon it could hava ched the Ucxtinataires a breach of diplomatic Oti, which has of lato years becoma so cora- aoi that the former usage may now be considered i "Bishop Court, ucceinner ib.rj.

air, In reply to StaP ordshiro, descended from an old Herefordshire family, who in tho seventeenth century wero settled, almost iu tiie proportions of a clan (as I discovered by looking over tho register books, in tho parish of Llanwarne in that county. My parents moved, in the year 1821, to Heavitroe, noar iixeter, partly for the education of their boys and partly to bo near somo old Indian friends of my father's. My first school was at Mount Radford, near Exeter, where I remained till I was 11, The Bev, 11. Koper was my master, and an excellent one lie was. In 1832 I was sent to Bridgnorth school, then under Dr.

Bowley and in 1H34, my mother, wishing to give me every advantage possible, placed mo at Shrewsbury, where I spent two years under Drs. Butler and Kennedy. In 1H36 I went to Oxford, having gained an open scholar-shin at Lincoln College, where 1 enjoyed tho advantage of "the tuition of the Kev, Kichard Michel), late Principal of Hertford College. In 1810 I was (elected a Fellow of Oriel College. I lost ono brother, an English officer of much promise, favourably mentioned by Sir John Kaye in his history of the Sepoy Mutiny, in that disastrous outbreak of 1S57.

He was then in command of the Bengal Sappers and Pioneers, aiulwasoneof the first officers who tell at cerut, on the Kith of May. My only surviving brother out of five is Major-General Alexander who is nowat the head of the Department of Public Works in India, and who has in various capacities, particularly in the erection of lighthouses on the coast of the Bay of Bengal, rendered good service to tho country. Your biographer can make what use of these simple facts he pleases. My admirable mother still survives, in the SSth year of her ago. Yours faithfully, J.

Manchester." ASTON SCHOOL BOARD AND THE KATJiPAYEKS. A public meeting, convened by the Aston Manor Ratepayers' Union, was held iu the Alma Street Board Schools on Tuesday evening, to consider the published reply of the Aston School Board to tho liatepaycr3' Union memorial. There was a crowded attendance, and among thoso present were the Kev. J. Shilito, Dr.

Harvey, J. H. Stone, J. Sale, G. Iiigall, F.

Y. Poulton (members of the School Board, liev. J. Taylor, F. Panic, If.

Dean, J. Millward, J. W. Mahoney, T. Taylor, C.

Baldwin, J. Buttress, J. Hutloy, Bromwicb, T. ti. Pratt.

At the commencemeut of the proceedings, Mr. Panic moved, and Mr. MAHONEf seconded, a proposal that Mr. Millward (a vice-president of tho Union) should preside. This proposal was rejected, and tho Kov.

J. Taylor was appointed to the chair. Mr. Collins (schoolmaster at St. Mary's Schools, Aston Brook) moved, "That, in the opinion of this meeting, the published reply of tlio Aston School Board to the ratepayers' memorial is misleading in the stated number of children for whom the Board has to provide school accommodation.

That the reply, moreover, shows that tiie Board's expenditure for school provision has been in excess of the average School Board expenditure for a similar purpose, and 7. 2s. -Id. per school place in excess of tho aver-ae cost of similar accommodation in voluntary schools, thus practically yielding to the charge of extravagance which the ratepayers have made against it." (Loud shouts of No, The speaker avowed himself the author of the memorial which had been replied to and condemned by the School Board. He admitted that the union had made a mistake in urging the Buard to raise tho school foes without making somo qualification, but on the other hand, ha thought the Board had failed to make out a strong caso for the erection of more schools.

He combated various points in the School Boar. I reply with regard to the comparative cost of Board schools in" Aston and othor districts, and said that tho Uatepaycrs' Uuiou, notwithstanding its faults, which he admitted, had so far achieved a certain amount of success. (Laughter, and "No, Mr. Dean' brielly the resolution. Mr, Hughios moved as an amendment, That the conduct of thoso acting ns the Aston Manor Katepayers' Union is not approved by this meeting, and it is hereby resolved to appoint a deputation of four ratepayers to wait upon the Aston School Board in reference to tho misrepresentations mado to tbem by members of tho so-called Katepayers' Union on the L'fith of November last, and to convey the ratepayers' firm conlidonco in tho Aston School Board." (Applause.) The speaker expressed his confidence in the SchoolBoard, and declared his conviction that the Board had performed its arduous duties in the most elii-cient mid economical manner, and be believed that these views wero shared by a vast majority of tho ratepayers.

The Katepayers' Union wero a self-elcnted body, with whom the inhabitants had no sympathy. With regard to the sevenpeimy rate, ho reminded tho meeting that, notwithstanding tho largo proportion of children to provide school accommodation for in Aston as compared with Birmingham and elsewhere, the present rate in Aston was stili less than in the borough and many other places similarly situated. The Chairman of tho Union Mr. W. Graham), at the commencement of the School Board work, had predicted that the Board would immediately require a sixpenny rate.

It was not, therefore, to be wondered at that, atter four years' work, the rate should exceed by a penny the amount whioh Mr. Graham's unusual foresight had predicted, (Applause.) Mr. Baldwin seconded the amendment, and said it was time the respoctable ratepayers took the matter into thoir own hands. Some of the unfounded statements which had been mado on beliHlf of tho opponents of the School Board were of such an extraordinary character that if the ratepayers did not look after the honour of their public men, a timo would come when their best friends might refuse to accept the p. sitions which they had hitherto filled with great advantage to the inhabitants of tlio district.

(Applause.) Dr. Hakvev, Mr. 1NU all, and others having addressed the meeting, the amendment was carried almost unanimously. A further resolution, appointing tho liev. J.

Taylor and Messrs. Baldwin, Hughes, and Tlios. Taylor a deputation to wait upon tlio School Board, was unanimously adopted. Appointments in Bankruptcy, This Day. Before Mr.

Registrar Johu Cole. He Hugo Westman Motion, from 2 till 3 o'clock. Re James Jackson Motion, at 3 o'clock. -Before Mr. Registrar Edwin Parry, Me lieury Parsons Motion, at 2 o'clock.

The Death rno.ir an Electbit. Shock. Yesterday afternoon an inquest was held by Mv. W. S.

Poole, tlio coroner for North Warwickshire, touching the death of Aug'Jstino Biedermami (ij.i), musician, who lodged at 108. Vtcura'o Boad, who met with his death under the circumstance "reported in yesterday's Post. Evidence of identification having been given, tho inquest was adjourned until Tuesday next. This Kiuuermissster WorkiiouSK Mystery. Somo men named Fisher have visited Kidderminster with reference to the above matter.

They belong to Broms-grove, and think the deceased man may possibly be their brother, who deserted his family some months ago. It seema very doubtful whether they are right in their supposition, for part of their description docs not seem to apply to the deceased. The matter is, however, being enquired into. The Tutiiuky Post Office- Robbery, In an article commenting upon this case, which appeared in our Tuesday's issue, we observed that according to the statement of the superintendent who took him into custody, prisoner frankly confessed he had taken the adding tho words attributed to the acccused. Mr.

Woolrich. 'The statement in question, wo are informed, is incorrect, Mr. Woolrich mado no such admission, and the words quoted by the police officer, whieh we reproduce, are susceptible of, and were meant to convey, a different and entirely innocent meaning. Mr. Woolrich Baid, "I'll tell you tho truth.

I was going to be married to Mrs. Oldershaw in the morning, and I had borrowod the money for tho purpose of getting married, but thoro is no one who knows that we were going to be married. 'The. money I havo been trying to borrow from a money-lender at Burton was to pay back tho money stolen from the post-office." Mr, Clement Mears, of Burton-on-Trent, defendant's solicitor, explained that by this statement his client meant that Mrs, Oldershaw (tho post-mistross) would uavo to reruua tne money, and tlio prisoner uo-sired to assist her." M'-, Mears has since written to the effect that not only did his client not admit having appropriated tho money, but he was certain of being acquitted had the case gone to trial, and adds It is I equally untrue that ho has said that he took tho money for tho purpose of defraying the expenses of the marriage ceremony and the only statement he has made which could possibly be so distorted was (the true ono) that ho next day paid out of moneys' he accounted- for the possession of, towards payment of the license for tho marriage whioh was to havo taken place on the second day aftor the alleged robbery. The statement that pri- soner suggested that some other person committed the robbery, without being absolutely untrue, contains a distinct supprcsmveri," In evidence of the view which tho Post Office authorities take of tho matter, we are informed that the Burton postmaster has recommended Mr, Wool-rich for the Tutbury postmnstership.

We havo much pleasure in giving publicity to those facts, which must olfectually remove any imputation upon Mr. Woolrich which our comments might otherwise appear to convey. artisans' dwellings. The Improved Lodging House in Kea Street, Digbeth, built expressly for tho purpose, is now open. Superior accommodation, andmodernto charges.

Workmen and others will' do well to (rive it a trial, A Night Porter. 33U your ronuest, I just dot down a -few particulars myself: Born in the parish of Prcstbury, near Cheltenham, August, 1S18, my father having settled there on his marriage. I was his eldest son. My father, James Krascr, was a Forfarshire man, the youngest ron of a large family, a cadet branch of the Frasers of Darris. He wont out very young to India, and pursued a successful career there.

My mother was the' daughter of Willim, solicitor, of Bilston, EXTRAORDINARY CASE OF WIFE MAINTENANCE. A LADY AND A COMIC VOCALIST. At the Manchester Police Court, yesterday, the stipendiary magistrate, Mr. HeacUam, hart before him an extraordinary case, winch arose out of an application by Mr. Mandesley, cue of the relieving officers of tho Chorlton Union, for an order upon Mr.

Itichard Pennington, cotton siiinnor, Hindley, to contribute towards the maintenance o'f his wife, Elizabeth Pennington, who had become charge-Ale to the Union. Mr. Addison, barrister-afc-law, appeared for tho defendant. Mr. Isaac Mamlesley, the relieving officer, said tins was rather a peculiar case, tho nature of which he asked to be allowed to state.

Tho parties wero married in Liverpool, where thoy formerly resided, in ISul, aud lived together for many yoars, duriiiK which time there were horn -sixteen children, of whom ten are living at the present time. At tho end of some yenrs differences arose between tho parties, and they agreed mutually to a- separation, and Mr. Pennington -allowed his wife an annuity of 300. At tho ond of about two years after this agreement had been come to, he discovered somothinB in his wife's conduct which induced him to take action in tho Divorce Court, and his application wns hoard in April, 1878, when in her absence a decree nisi was pronounced. Mr.

Addison objected to the proceedings in the Divorce Court bonis introduced into this case, as they had notliius; to do with it. He admitted that Mrs. Pennington wits the defendant's wife, and that she was chargeable to the Xnion. It was quite enough to admit that. He might, ho said, however state that tho decree nisi was never made absolute and the only thing ho had to dp was to answer the claim of tho Guardians, which was 25s.

a week. Mrs. Pennington, a respectable-looking woman, was then railed. She stated in evidence that she wns married to Mr. Pennington at St.

John's Church, Liverpool, and they lived together until five years ago, when they separated, and her husband allowed her 300. a year. During the last twelve mouths she had not received any money from him. She had had sixteen children, ten of whom were living hut her husband had got possession of them. She was now livm? in Upper Jackson Street, Hulme, Manchester, and wns maintaining herself.

All her savings were gone, and she was not able to do any work. Mr. Addison During tho Inst twelve months have you been living with a man named Clayton Witness 1 am not bound to answer that question, Tho Magistrate Oh, yes, yon are. Mr. Addison Have you been living with bun as your Witness (after a long silence) I have been living with him but I am not living with him now.

I loft him before the trial took phico. Mr. Hoadlam When was this trial in the Divorce Court? Mr Addison There was a decree ntn on the Jfth February, ISIS; but no further proceedings were taken either bv the wife or Mr. Pennington. The Queen Proctor, however, intervened, and the suit was finally dismissed in November, 18(V.

His answer to this order was that up to twelvo months ago the defendant allowed tho woman i'JiOO. a voar, but en finding that she wassfiuiinclor-ing the money, -and keeping men.nndlivinginnstateofnot and debauchery, the allowance was stopped. Since tne proceedings inthoDivoicoCourtthe allowance was simply spent by keeping a man named Clayton, a comic singer, who was commonly known as Alt Duval, some of whose friends advised her to make this application to tho which was simply to annoy Mr. Pennington. He (Mr.

Addison) should prove by tho most irresistible evidence that up to this time she had been living with Clayton. Mr. Pennington would only have been too glad to continue tho allowance if sue luitl not Drouguc suuinu uuuuish iiiv.ii himself and a vcsneotablo family. Under these cir o.ir (i vnanpemn in 1JLT1 1 V. UI1UC1 VIL- cumstances, ho contended that Mr.

Pe fennington was not liablo to maintain her. Mr. Hoadlam remarked that ho Hart some aouoc upon that point. This was a ease ui which proceedings wero ponding in tho Divorce Jourt. Mr.

Addison cited the caso of tho Quoon r. Flintan, which it was held by tho judges that if tho wife had committed adultery, tho husband was not bound to maintain her. Ho also argued that thoy had nothing to do with the proceedings in the Divorce Court. Mr. Hoadlam AVoll, you had bettor go on and prove your case.

Mrs. Clayton, called by Mr. Addison, said she lived at No. 1, Fairfield Street, Oxford lioad, Manchester. She had a son called Albert Clayton, who was formerly in business, but now aaim at concerts.

In the summer of 1S7S he left Manchester. Shortly afterwards he wrote to her, stating that lie had got married to a rich lady, and on receipt of that letter she went over to Accviagton, whore she found him and Mrs. Peuninpiton living in lodgings, as man and wife, under tho namo of Mr. and Mrs. Clayton.

In her presence witness told her son that she had heard that ho was living with another man's wife, and that ho had not been married to her, but he denied this, and told her that they were married in the Isle of Man, He at the same time told her that she must not say anything about their marriage, as there was a large sum of mouey coming to his wile which she would not get if it was known she was married. Shortly afterwards they stopped together nt her house in Mauohoster. In consequence of Mrs. Pennington's intemperate habits, witness could not keep thorn in the house any longer, and she gave them notice to quit. Thoy afterwards wont to livo in Dorset Street, Hiilmc.

Sarah Cos, widow, residing in Dorset Place, proved that Mrs. Pennington and Alfred Clayton resided in Dorset Street, under the name of Mr. and Mrs. Clayton. Mr.

Hoadlam said he could quite understand that where a woman was proved to have committed adultery, the magistrate should hot mnke an order but in this eiiao it might be said that proceedings in the Divorce Court wero still pending. Ho should adjourn the case for further consideration, and if ho w.is satisfied that tho law, an stated by Mr, Addison, applied, to this case, he would dismiss the summons. Tun Funbiial or Mn. HouwroN. We are asked to stnto that the train loaves New Strcot Station at 10.10, not 11.50, as atated yesterday.

lilRMINGIIAM AND MIDLAND HOSPITAL FOR tlio monthly meeting of this hospital, tho following rionatimis wero nnuounced From the Hospital Sunday Collections, 5 I-. IlLUil LUUOlll and Keep, the Mayor's Belief Fund, S. Is. ti- .1 .1 ri I T. PS.

Mr. W. Llovd, 8. Ss. i 2s.

Mr. J. Taylor, 1. Is. A Grateful Patient (per Pr.

Savage), 1. A Grateful Patient (per 1. New Subscriptions: Mr. H. B.

Barnett and Mr. Boocock, 1, Is, each. 627 i I i I.