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162 The special and more immediate gift of the present Earl to the town is the most costly and superb fountain yet erected in England. As a work of art it ranks among the best specimens of the latest school of design and execution. Most of our English readers have doubtless seen engravings of this beautiful structure in the "Art Journal" or "Illustrated London News," and I believe it is generally regarded by connoisseurs as the finest piece of sculpture of the kind that has been presented to any city or town in England. It was consecrated to its public use and ownership with great ceremony on the 17th of October, 1867, the young Countess of Dudley performing the inaugural rite and act with the sweetest grace of good-will. All who were present and saw her put the first draught from the fountain to her lips, and heard the words they uttered in bestowing the gift to the people and their posterity, must have congratulated the Earl in their hearts that he had found in her such a living fountain of domestic happiness, and must have wished him to drink of it to a purer and better life.

The Earl has done other generous things for the town which redound to his credit, and speak well also for the confidence he reposes in the masses of the people. In 1866 there was a local Exhibition of Arts and Industry in Dudley for the benefit of an object of great interest to the people. The