A Church Rate is proposed by the Churchwardens of St. Thomas's
Church, of Sixpence in the Pound, to be granted, in the Vestry,
on Thursday, the 8th instant, at Ten o'clock. Will the People
of Dudley submit to this? Ratepayers, attend the meeting, and
show your opposition to the obnoxious Tax, by voting for a
Penny Rate.
A preliminary meeting will be held at the "Swan Inn," on
Wednesday Evening at Eight o'clock. All Persons in favour of
Religious Liberty are requested to attend.
_Committee Room, Swan Hotel, Dudley, April 5th, 1852._
Died April 28th, 1849, Miss Mary Parsons, of Wolverhampton Street. On
the death of this very elderly lady, £8000 reverted to the Unitarian
Schools and Charities in this town. Aged 96 years.
Died May 14th, 1849, Mr. Abiathar Bunch, Auctioneer and Valuer. He
unhappily dropped down dead in a fit in the Market. Mr. Bunch was
decidedly a very eccentric man of the true Dudley type, but very genial
and hearty withal. Aged 57 years.
Died August 2nd, 1849, Mr. Benjamin Wood, Tobacconist, Market Place.
August 28th, 1849. The Town Commissioners bought the last lot of
building remaining on the Market Place (formerly occupied by Mr. Robert
Houghton, Draper) for £1,860.
Sept. 15th, 1849. On the grand occasion of the British Association
visiting the Silurian Caves and the Castle this day, the Caverns were
beautifully illuminated at the expense of Lord Ward, and a splendid
luncheon was given at the National School Room to commemorate the
event. Many thousands of people attended the illuminations in the
Caverns, for it was such an unique and unparalleled sight as cannot be
repeated, for some of these spacious limestone caverns have since that
time "fallen in," and the canal is not used.
Sept. 29th, 1849. The "Dudley News Room," held in New Street, was
finally closed this day, its numerous members having joined the new
Mechanics' Institute. The balance of fund in hand was presented to the
Dudley Dispensary Fund. C. F. G. CLARK, Secretary.
Sept. 25th, 1849. The awful scourge of Cholera still raged in our
midst, and we had fifty-four well authenticated deaths by Cholera, and
all conceivable human efforts were adopted to assuage its attacks.
Died Sept. 25th, 1849, Mrs. Allender, of the Woolpack Inn, Castle
Street, of a clear case of Asiatic Cholera. Aged 54 years.
Sept. 26th, 1849. This day was appointed by the Bishop of Worcester
(Dr. Pepys) as a day of fasting and prayer to Almighty God to assuage
the raging of the Cholera in this afflicted district. It was held
with great solemnity by all denominations of people, for we all felt
most acutely that we were in the same boat in this perilous voyage of
life, daily hanging in the balance, and dreading, but little knowing,
whose turn it would be next to be suddenly called away. Some curious
remedies and preventatives of Cholera were adopted. Some people kept
close quarters in their comfortable houses, and watched the destroying
angel pass by, others thought it best to be out and abroad. Vegetables
and fish were eschewed by all genteel people, although it was clearly
shown that the poor who ate such forbidden things died no sooner
for the use of such edibles. Pills, Plasters, and Mixtures (having
reputed infallible cures) were taken wholesale, and brandy and salt
found its many votaries, for the brandy was swallowed whilst the salt
was employed as a poultice to the stomach. The use of Cayenne Pepper
(largely) was considered an infallible preventative of Cholera Morbus.
Alas, all failed, and the Cholera raged until it burnt itself out, and
had claimed all its victims. God grant that we may never have such a
dreadful and alarming visitation again.
Nov. 15th, 1849. The Queen in Council ordered a general Thanksgiving
Day for the abatement of Asiatic Cholera in England, for happily it had
nearly been stamped out. This day was held with great earnestness and
thankfulness throughout the land.
During the strain of fear and sorrow which this sad visitation had
forced upon the nation, and the local enquiries which were held in
various important towns on the principles and practices which ought
to govern Local Authorities in managing their own districts, a great
divergence of public opinion was elicited, which ultimately ended
in Parliament appointing a searching Commission to examine these
undissolved problems of scientific men.
The sanitary state and condition of a nation is a very broad platform
to stand upon, and a good plea has been urged on the ground of private
rights and privileges, but it is now unmistakeably admitted that the
"Grand All People" must enter into a man's calculations when he builds
a house, or feeds his pig, and that he cannot be allowed to create a
nuisance which can be proved detrimental to his neighbour's health, or
a shame to morals or decency. Since those memorable, harrowing times
many most salutary Sanitary Acts have been passed, which will I hope
for ever place beyond the pale of probability a revisitation of the
fatal Asiatic Cholera.