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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Blyth Standard, 1930-02-06, Page 4LOSING ITS ROMANCE !cane of Bray's Elegy Is Nowa Town of Umber and Building Operation's, It le a good thing for English lit- erature and for ennobling, spiritual meditation that the Poet Gray lived when he did, In the middle of the eighteenth century, He would have found It difficult to write his immor- tal elegy now, Bays a writer In the London Deily lexpress from Stoke Poges. The speculative builder is closing In on Stoke Poges and the church- yard. Like n belenguering army, whole battalions of red -roofed villas, bungalows and bungalotde are en- coinpa.ssing flits rural jewel of imag- ery and eatery meditation. I came to the "country church- yard" to -day. The "rugged elms," the thousand -year-old yew tree, be- neath whose shade still "heaves the turf in many a mouldering heap" are Mill there. The "ivy-mnntled tower," denuded of its ivy, however, nowa- days, still struggles valiantly to top V the tall trees, Amoss "the lea" (pre- eerved by private generosity) in glor- ious autumn sunshine "the lowing herds" were even to -day "winding slowly." The tomb of Gray, where he Is bur- led with his mother, whose loss he used to mourn distressingly at her shrine, stands where it did. The Perm's pew and the old window in a wing of the church—the window with the figure of a 0150 00 a bicycle (date 1642) --la still shown to visl tors. The rude forefathers slept on ;beneath tumultuous waves of earth mounds. Somehow I felt, too, that had I come at night "a mopping owl," the last of the Stoke Poges tribes would "to the moan complain "0f such as 1;and'ring near her sacred bow'r, Molest her ancient solitary reign." There were worshippers wandering across the footpaths of the fields. The vicar, the Rev. Mervyn Clear, came through the lych-gate. He talked with his parishioners, now one, now another, as he came. Little girls wer. bringing flowers. It was an idyllic Sunday morning scone. True, the old churchyard has spread its borders. Neat new tomb stones and standard roses made a modern bodyguard at the approach. It seemed to me like decorating Ri- vaulx Abbey with geraniums, Two Americans with cameras stood w .tch- ing these modern embellisi meu•i. "Isn't It pretty," said one, "1 must have a snap." Then they went further and found the soul of England amid the "moul- d'ring heaps," Thus far, despite Its decorative ex- tension and the further fact that the lower branches of the famous yew have been stripped of leafage by sou- venir hunters, Stoke Poges cliurq;s- yard still breathes the spirit of the immortal Elegy and its poet. Get someone to blindfold you and lead you through the outer burial ground, and open your eyes only when you have reached the old churchyard itself. Sit beneath tine yew tree's shade in silence; let the poem and its searching thought per- meate your consciousness, and the beauty, the wonder, the story of Gray's thought will still permeate the spiritual consciousness more seaeh- Ingly than any sermon or music or azt. Generatione have come to Stoke Poges and worshipped thus. It is yet not too late to company with the spirits of the "mute inglorious Mil- ton," the dauntless "village Hamp- den," the "guiltless Cromwell," the "heart once pregnant with celestial etre." But soon! I spoke to the vicar. "half a mile along the road," he said, "they aro proposing to build 2,000 houses. Over there"—he point- ed beyond the "rugged eine" -- "is 'Timber Town.' We are doing what we can, yet with hope, to buy that patch of gro.ind there, But every- where they are closing in on us. On and see." I drove along the lanes right round Stoke Poges church. Here, there and everywhere boards pro- claiming land for building purposes placarded the hedge -rows. Away across the in cadet's in mass form- ation a garden city—a mass of burn- ing red brick and tile—lead reared its flaring bulk against Elle landscape. A vast area 01 meadowland had been pegged out in plots. Early -comers had fastened on the seclusion of Stoke Poges and built artistic home amid the greenwood, but many of them, fearful of the advancing hosts, were showing boards of sale. The speculators on every hand were enveloping the m- itred resting -place of the inglorious dead. Soon Stoke Poges and the rude forefathers will no longer be "far from the madding crowd's ignoble strife." Their ruder descendanta are seeing to that. An Old College Custom. At Queen's College, Oxford, Eng- land, an ancient New Year's custom is perpetuated. The college was founded by Robert of Eglesfleld, chaplain to Phllllpa, Queen to Ed- ward III., who became patron of the college, Robert had not much money-, but was keen on thrift, and through that Ells memory le well preserved. On New Year's Day those who dine in Hall receive from the bursar a needle threaded with silk ("aigullle et fit"—Eglesfield), and with the ad- monition: "Take this and he thrl"y." 'Uses for Volcano Ashes. Ashes and pumice spouted by iso - SCO Peak in California have been us- ed successfully in making paints, inks, and dyes after being soaked with natural chstnicais, As a result, an Industry based on this discovery eluting up, and quantities or pow - ler, which terms the material of the three products, are being sent to Hen Francisco to he made into paint used n+-imarfly for automobiles. PAGE 4 --THE I3LYTH STANDARD— FelArvi 6, 19'0 BACTERIA. Pr. N. MacL. iinrris Gives interesting Lecture on Subject, Most bacteria are harmless, accord- hig to Dr, Norman Mani,. Harris, of the Dominion Department or Pen- slune and National Health, epeaking to over eight hundred children at 111e National Museum of Canada recently. Dr. Harris said that ninny kinds of ba.ctera are decidedly beneficial and without, some of them we could not live. Without their help we could have neither bread nor butter, aid without certain kinds to enrich the eon wheat and potatoes could not grow. Dead horses, cows and cat* are ultimately caused to disappear at. ter such agencies as mammals, birds and beetles have done their work of getting rid of certain parts of these rentable. The sewage of our cities and farms is eventually disposed of by Intel erfn. Bacteria, sometimes called germs or microbes, are everywhere in mil- lions, in milk and water, and even in the sir we breathe and the soli we cultivate. They are on all sorts of objects such as fruit and other foods. The uncanny glow of light sometimes seen in the sea Is caueed by certain germs. Plague germs are carried by a flea from a rat to human beings. Some people carry typhoid germs. Dr, Har- ris showed the children pictures of the minute microbes that cause ty- phoid, lockjaw, diphtheria, tubercu- losis, etc, Some bacteria have the form of snakes, others that of a base ball and a sausage, If a sausage were magni- fied as musts as the sausage-shaped bacteria that ane showed upon the screen he Bald the sausage would ap- pear to he Ove miles long. Of some kinds of germs 4,000 placed side by side would measure cnly ,one inch, and there aro kinds that would take 25,000 and even 50,000 placed end to end to make an Inch row. Alter his lecture Dr. Harries show- ed a motion picture of a boy and girl named George and Helen on a visit to a bacteriological laboratory, where they saw germs from water and from George's dirty lingers planted In gel- atine, and how they grew in num- bers. In two days these tiny germs had multiplied to millions—and their mass had become so large as to be plainly visible to the naked eye. It is hoped that soon the lectures of the National Museum of Canada may be converted into motion plc- ture film and loaned wherever de- sired throughout Canada, thus carry- ing the mesbage that is now available in Ottawa to the people of all the cities and towns of Canada and where ever a motion picture projection mar chine is available. TRAFALGAR. Newspaper of Nov. 7, 1803, Records Noteworthy Incidents. The "Times" of November 7, 1805, contains the official report of Ad- miral Collingwood, to the Admiralty of the Battle of Trafalgar, and of the death of his revered commander and ,griond, Lord Nelson. Also is given a list of casualties among the officers and of captures, also the ilst of cap- tures of the enemies' vessel, includ- ing nineteen battleships of the line. In the same issue are recorded some noteworthy Incidents of that memorable victory. One was as fol- lows: "When Lord Nelson was shot, and was yet In the arms of the men who were supporting him, his eye caught the tiller rope, which was un- usually slack. He exclaimed with much emphasis: 'Tighten that rope there,' an eminent proof that his pro- i!essfosal ardor still survived the bril- liancy of the flame of life." Another incident: "A man was so completely cut to two by a double - headed shot that the whole of his body, with the exception of his lege up to its knees, was blown some yards into the water; but, strange to tell, his lege were left standing on the deck with ill the firmness and animation of life." Relic of Roman Pay's. The old Fosse Way, which is to be completely re -opened in Its Warwick- shire section, is the early English name for the Roman road that ran from Lincoln to Exeter, writes Look- er -On to the London Daily Chronicle. Practically the whole of the original. Roman line is still In use, although In parts It has dwindled to a lane. From Lincoln its course may be trac- ed through Newark and Leicester to High Cross, where it le intersected by another famous Roman road, Wat- ling street, at a point known as the "centre of England." Then it pro. ceeds through Cirencester and Bath to the half-forgotten Roman encamp- ment of Ilchester, though the road itself is here In fine condition. After Ilchester, the Fosse Way crosses the hills near Chard into Devonshire and then enters Exeter. Blyth Council Meeting •The regular monthly meeting of Blyth Council met on Feb. 3, with all members present. Minutes of last regular meeting read and adopted on motion of Council- lors 13e11 and White. A delegation consisting of C. E Toll, S. Sibthorpe, and Roy Toll,waited on Coun- cil asking for assistance In helping to pur- chase some new instrumente and to pro- vide tuition for new members Council promised some help.. Jno. Ferguson. Jar. salary... $ 70 00 Wm Thuell do do •, 40 00 Firemen's salaries, 11 at $12 each 132 00 F Metcalf, auditor 15 00 W J Pelts do 15 00 Donations to Band . 20 00 A iJaggitt. work catch basin. .. 5 00 On motion of Councillors White and lleffron accounts as presented were order- ed paid and orders given for same. W. J Pette presented Auditors report to Council. Moved by Councillor White seconded by Councillor dell that Auditors Report be accepted and That same be prin ted in Blyth Standard one insertion, Carried. As a request cooling from L Scrimgeour. reassessing the village, it was, moved by Councillor Bell seconded by Councillor IIeffron that motion of Jan. 13. fixing assessor's salary at $75 be rescinded, and that he be granted a salary of $100 00 for the work for 1030 and that assessment By-law No. 3 be amended so as to con- form to the above motion.—Carried. Moved by Coun. Wallace, seconded by Coun. lieffron, that collector's roll be ex- tended up to March 10, 1930.—Carried, Moved by Coun. While, seconded by Coun. Heffron, that we do now adjourn. —Carried. The Climbing Perch. A very lucky fish le the climbing perch of India. This remarkohle fellow can live out of water for quite a time; and not only that—he can travel about on land, tool ITB has no lege, hut manages eomehnw to wriggle along on Ills peculiar -shaped gills, which gills are kept continually wet during his "dry" travelling. This does not limit the accomplish- ments of tills fish, for he can even climb trees. He is blessed beyond all the other Rah, because, when the fre- quent droughts come along, all he has to do is to leave hie rapidly van- ishing water home and go forth in search of another. Increased World Trade. According to the National Foreign Trade Council of New York, Canada the United States and Japan are in the vanguard of increased world trade, while the twel(e nations 1 f Western Europe remato slightly b - hind their 1913 level, though advauc- ing steadily. The total trade of (1 nations reached $32,914,000,000 in 1925, while the 192) aggregate le estimated to be about $3,500,000,000 ahead of that Seure. JAS. D. MOODY, Clerk The Late Hattie Dexter Death came with startling suddenness to Miss Hattie Dexter on Tuesday even- ing, She had been confined to her bed for over a week suffering from stomach trou- ble which produced violent vomiting which weakened her Heart and she finally collapsed. The late Miss Dexter was born in Hullett Township thirty-three years ago. When a child she moved with her parents, the late Edgar and Emma Dexter to East Wawanosh, just north of Blyth. Ilere the family lived until the death of the father. after which they mov ed to Blyth about sixteen years ago. The late deceased from early girlhood had been in poor health, much of the time confined to her bed, Since the death of her mother in Dec-. ember 1923, she has resided considerable of the time with her brother, Mr. Harold Dexter, at whose home her death took place. She was a membtr of Queen St. United Church and a faithful attendant at its services when health would permit. She leaves to mourn her loss two brothers Messrs. Harold and Herbert Dexter, both residents of Blyth. 'I he funeral will take place on Thursday from Queen St, United Church, wittt ser- vice c alducted by the pastor, Rev E Anderson, at one o':lock p. m., followed by interment in Kinburn Cemetery. The pallbearers are—Messrs, John Fer- guson Arthur Barr, Deloss Taman, Wm. Thuell Edwin Cartwri;ht and E Mills Mrs Alex. Bryans, of Belgrave, was a visitor in town during the week, Mr. Percy Metcalf and Miss McBride, of Waterdown, were guests of theformer'8 sister, Mrs. 11. C J l:r iston, over the week end. We all regret that Mr, L J. Williams is confined to his home through illness. May his recovery be speedy is the wish of citizens generally. Friends will be pleased to learn that Mrs. Frank ifollyman, after some weeks of illness, is now well on the way to recov erv. We trust that the improvement shown in the past week will continuo Mr. and Mrs. Ed. Mason and family moved to Goderichon Tuesday where they' will spend some months prior to their re- turn to Manitou, Man., where Mr. Mason will resume his duties as manager of the Bank of Commerce, The regular weekly meeting of the Y P. S. met in St. Andrew's United church basement on Monday evening, with the president, Dr. Ross, presiding. Mier op- ening the meeting with devotional exercis es. a paper prepared by Rev. E. L Ander son on"Our Best Friend ' was read by Gladys Fawcett, showing how Jesus val- ued the friendship of his disciples. 'I'hc topic, "Friendship" was not given over to addresses, hut several members read short poems on 'Friends and Friendships" To have friends we must show ourselves friendly. One's life is only worth the liv- ing to the extent that it can be meam.ured in terms of happiness and help one is able to bestow upon the lives of others. We alt need something for which to work, some- thing that will bring peace and happiness into the evening of life. 'Phe poems were read by Misses Mary Slewat. Hazel Rich aids, Jean Pate, Gladys Fawcett and Mrs (1)r.) Toll. They were generously favor - with duets by Mesdames McItlroy and Floody, and Anderson and Gibson, mom panted on the piano by Mrs. W. Lyon. 'I he next meeting will be in the forrn of a Valentine Social. in the basement of St. Andrew's Church. All are cordially invir ed to attend all the meetings of the young people, A Mother's is Never Dom— SIMPLE REL/ABLE DURABLE /NEX/'E#S/vE GUARANTEED 25OUpwards illi Standard, f. Rooks, Stationery .@ School Supplies BLTTIi, - ONT. Londosbora. Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Lyon were at Dun- gannon on Tuesday in attendance at the funeral of Mrs. Lyon's aunt, Miss J. Mc. Math. Mrs. W. Lyon, Sr., received the sad news of the death at Canoe. B. C., of her father, the late R. J. Kirk, who, before going to B. C. lived near Dungannon. Boni May 4, 1818, he was well advanced In his eighty-second year. In June 1877 qe marri:d Miss Sara McMath, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Wm. McMath, of Dungannon. The children of this fam- ily are—Mrs. Wm, Lyon, Londesboro; Miss Retsina Kirk, Toronto, and Mr. Wm H. Kirk, Canoe, B. C. In 1S85 Mrs' Kirk died and in 1880 he married Mita Enrnta Anderson, of Brussels, who sur. vives him. A son and daughter of this family died some time ago, while the re- maining two children, Mrs. H. Mathews and Mrs. D. McLaren, Canoe, B, C. He also leaves twelve grandchildren and one great grand son. Mr. A. M. Kirk near Seafotth, and Mr. S Kirk, Toronto, are brothers, A sister, Mrs. S J. Winters lives at Camrose, Mta, Mr Kirk left Ontario and went West twenty -live years ago, and up until last summer was able to attend to his fruit and garden. In the spring he suffered from flu, later having a stroke of paralysis from which he suffered much during the past five months. He was a fine Christian gentleman end a faithful member of the United Church at Canoe. Hon. 1'. C. Larkin, Canadian ifigh Commissioner to London. died an Mon- day. aged 73 years, The Blyth Citizens Band intend hold- ing a carnival on Builing's Rink, on Fri- day evening, Feb, 14 Keep the date in mind. Isobell Cuming sang a beautiful solo very sweetly at the evening service 0 01d St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church last Sabbath evening. Mr. Wm. Morritt will hold an auction sale of farm -stock and implements at his farm just east of Blyth, on Tuesday, Feb. 18th. Watch for fuller particulars in these columns next issue, Mr and Mrs, Richard Shaddick, 101.1 con. Hallett have the sympathy of the entire community in the death of their son Louis, aged 17, who passed away in Clin- ton hospital on Tuesday. North Huron County L.-0. L. held their annual meeting in Wingham on Tuesday. The members from Blyth atten- ding were:—Jos. E. Taman, N, Johnston, John Nesoit, John Ferguson. Chas. Stew art, Harvey Honking, Art. Barr. Thos, Granby. Clarence Johnston, Jos Itamilton Chas. Riehl, It was not finally deciled where they will celebrate the 12th of July as there is no celebration in Nsrth Huron. but received invitations to celebrate at Bayfield Kincardine and Southampton. During 1929 an increasing interest was shown by experimenters in the work of the Optario Agricultural and Experiment- al Union. According to the secretary's report a total of 2,559 farmers received material for co-operative experiments. A steady increase in this regard has been re corded, the last five years showing an in crease of 39 per cent, in the number of ex- perimenters over the previous five years. Last year material was distributed for a total of 47 distinct co-operative expert menu, i,lcluding variety tests eh!) field crops, dates and rates of seeding, meth - oda of seeding, mixtures of grain for grain production and for forage production, thinning plants at different distances a- part in the rows, and fertilizer experi- ments The Union has been a most po- tent furter in the improvement of field crops in the prov :ice fur the past 50 yea s by supplying fatness with the very beat seed of selected varieties and encouraging the disttibution of this material to the farmers. FOR SERVICE Registered Yorkshire boar, also a num- ber of sucking pigs, Apply AIf, Hatjgi i t. lot 13, con, 9, Morris, but it can be lightened con- siderably by the installation o£ an Empire Duro Water Supply SyPtem in the home. A kitchen sink, laundry tubs, both with Emco faucets—and best of all a modern bathroom completely furnished withFixtures and Fittings of guaranteed Emco constniction. Such a bathroom is a joy and will give lasting satisfaction. An Empire Duro Water Sys- tem will serve all these improve- ments with a constant pressure water supply. Models for deep or shallow well operation, suitable for farm, suburban or country homes with a capacity of 250 gallons or more per hour. See your local dealer and he. will be glad to show you the system most stilted to your needs. For sale by MUNRO BROS. Blyth, Ont. !Pressure Water Systems and Bathroom Fittinj 2,, r pi $IlNlllllllillllllllllllllllll lisIll laNSls itllleslals «1111111111i ININ N til Ig ilIIIIIIIIgI Dill ifl1111111181111018110010 0lill9bt 1!l gll limllu lllHlllllllllilimmnlm "" � 4.5 Tub with the NE is an advanced method of operating the detector tube by which greater current can be applied to it, and stronger speech and musk handled with- out choking or distortion. It is -- An Exclusive Feature of the New 1930 FREE Home Demonstration—Convenient Terms ELECTRIC RADIO That's why music and speech sweep gloriously through this radio and come from its improved Super -Dynamic Speaker,undimmcd and undistorted ... complete, satisfying, true! See, hear and learn for yourself what the new "J{unless" Majestic Models will do. Before you decide on any other radio, let us give you 0 demon- stration of the Majestic. Custom Sawing Done AS USUAL AT WALTON SAW MILL THIS SPRING For Information Phone Walten Hotel An attractive Offer For Our Headers. The'Slandard costs 02.00 per year, The Family Herald & Weekly Star costs $l 00 year. Any home may have these two publications every week in the year at a special bargain rate of 32.75. The Standard will su;nply you with all the local news of your community The Family Herald & Weekly Star will supply you with the best weekly newspaper, the hest agricultural paper and the best Fam- ily magazine on the continent. Subscribe or renew now to The Standard,