_To the Editor of the_ DUDLEY TIMES AND EXPRESS.
SIR,--Your many readers will recollect that (at Midsummer,
1857) Dudley was the scene of much rejoicing and loyal
demonstration, on the event of the Sebastopol Guns being drawn
into the Castle Court Yard, amid the din of drums and flourish
of trumpets.
On that joyous occasion, loud and lofty promises were made, and
official dignity was pledged to make some _decent arrangement_
for fixing those famous trophies on a suitable basis; but alas,
Mr. Editor, the promises of public men are often short lived;
for _fifteen eventful months_ have passed over our heads, and
the famous Sebastopol guns are still all alone in their dirt
and ignominious glory, silent evidences of broken pledges and
lukewarm loyalty, giving us another proof of the truth of
the oft repeated remark, "that Dudley is always behind her
neighbours in everything _but a feed_."
It cannot fail to be grievous to the mind of a Dudley man to
visit either Lichfield, Bridgnorth, or Kidderminster, and
see there Sebastopol guns properly fixed on some prominent
locality: and yet know and feel that the Dudley guns were
doomed to sink into the limestone caverns beneath them, unless
some friendly hand speedily removes them from their present
unsightly position.
The worthy Mayors of Dudley, sir, have each in their time
of office done _something_ to immortalise their mayorality
in the annals of historic lore; and here we have a charming
opportunity for our present high functionary to add his name
to the list of past dignitaries, by inaugurating these Russian
trophies in a manner suited to the condition and importance
of the town. It is said that £50 will mount them in a proper
manner, and surely the dignity of that important office will
not have been obtained at too high a bidding, if its possession
were acknowledged by such a public act of grace and liberality.
Their present position cannot but be admitted by all parties
to be very different from that entertained for them by Lord
Panmure at their presentation, for they now stand as objects of
shame and disgrace to the town and inhabitants, but unless the
proper officials of the town are willing to look to such public
matters (pertaining as they do to their tenure of office),
pray, sir, who can be expected to take the initiative?
Trusting that these few remarks may awaken the public attention
to this subject,
I am, yours respectfully,
"SCRUTATOR."
_Dudley, October 5th, 1858._
Died, October 10th, 1858, Miss Badley, eldest daughter of John Badley,
Esq., Surgeon of this town, a truly benevolent and kind hearted lady,
aged 46 years.
Died, October 15th, 1858, Mr. Hartill Dudley, Nail Master, Dudley, aged
79 years.
October 29th, 1858, at the Court Leet annual meeting, held this day,
Mr. Elliott Hollier, Chemist and Druggist, was elected Mayor, and Mr.
Theophilus Tinsley, Nail Master, the High Bailiff. This election was
the subject of much comment in the town; inasmuch as the office of
Mayor, had been annually conferred upon gentlemen, vegetating amongst
the upper phases of our local society. Besides this, the old Tory
exclusiveness had been assailed by the Liberals on this occasion, and
a townsman had been elected to the important office, who had got the
brains and ability to conduct our public business in the manner which
was creditable to the town. The election of poor Mr. Tinsley proved to
be a very unfortunate one in the long run.
November 8th, 1858. Died, Mrs. Alice Bogle, Bookseller, Wolverhampton
Street, widow. Mrs. Bogle was universally respected for her gentleness
and suavity; she had the distinguished honour of once being elected
Churchwarden for the parish. Aged 53 years.