Yesterday the celebrated Midland Spine-splitters met the Ribcracking Rovers at the prepared Ambulance Grounds recently opened in conjunction with the local County Hospital.  A large staff of medical men, supplied with all the necessary surgical appliances, were in attendance.  Play commenced effectively, the Rovers keeping the ball well before them, with only a few broken arms, a dislocated thigh, and a fractured jaw or two.  Later, however, affairs moved more briskly, one of the Spine-splitter forwards getting the ball well down to goal; but, being met with “opposition,” he was carried senseless from the field.  A lively scrimmage followed, amid a general cracking of ribs and snapping of spines.  The field now being covered with wounded, the Police interfered, and the play terminated in a draw.

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PIECE WITH HONOUR AT THE AVENUE.—­The successful and pretty little play just produced at Mr. GEORGE ALEXANDER’s theatre may be described as more “Shadow” than “Sunlight.”

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A SAFE COURSE.—­A German physician, Dr. KOCH, hopes to benefit humanity by his new cure for Consumption.  At present he is reticent on the subject, and he won’t speak till he is KOCH sure.

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