THE SEBASTOPOL GUNS.
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.