Star. — London, England, 1829-12-21 00:00:00

ROB ROY. The following is Sir Walter Scott's character of the real Rob Roy : • " Ile himself appears to have been singularly adapted for the ; edession which he proposed to exercise. His stature was not of the tallest, hut his person was uncommonly strung and compact. The greatest peculiarities of his frame were the breadth of Ms shoulders, and the great and almost disproportioned length of his .rms so remarkable, indeed, that it was said he could, without stooping, tie the garters of his highland hose, which are placed two it,ettes below the knee. His countenance was open, manly, stern 4 periods of dangers, but frank and cheerful in his hours of festi vity. His Bair was dark red, thick, frizzy, and curled short around the face. His fa-pion of dress showed, of course, the knees and tapper part of his leg, which was described to me as resembling that of a highland bull, hirsule with red hair, and evincing muscular strength similar to that animal. To these personal qualifications must be added a masterly use of the Highland sword, in which his length of arm gave him great advantage, and a perfect and inti mate knowledge of all the recesses of the wild country in which he harboured, and the character of the various individuals, whether friendly or hostile, with whom he might come in contact. " mental qualities seem to have been Ito less adapted to the circumstances in which he was placed. Though the descendant of the bloodthirsty Ciar Mohr he inherited none of his ancestor's fe rocity. On the contrary, Rob Roy avoided every appearance of cruelty, and it is not averred that he was ever the means of unne ceseary bloodshed, or the actor in any deed which could lead the way to it. His schemes of plunder were contrived and executed with equal boldness and sagacity, and were almost universally suc cessful from the skill with which they were laid and the secrecy and rapidity with which they were executed. I.ike Rubin Hood of England be was a kind and gentle robber, and, while he took from the rich, was liberal in relieving the poor. This might in part be policy ; but the universal tradition of the country speaks it to have arisen from a better motive. All whom 1 have conversed with— and I have in my youth seen some who knew Rob Roy personally —gave him the character of a benevolent and humane man, ' in his way.' "" His ideas of morality were those of an Arab chief, being such as naturtly arose out of his wild education. Supposing Rob to have argued on the tendency of the life which he pursued, whether from choice or necessity, he would doubtless have assumed to him self the character of a brave man who, deprived of his natural rights by the partiality of laws, endeavoured to assert them by the strong band of natural power; and, he is most felicitously de scribed as reasoning thus in the high-toned poetry of my gifted friend Wordsworth : ' Say, then, that he was wise as brave, As wise in thought as bold in deed ; For in the principles of things He sought his moral creed. Said generous Rob, " What need of books? Burn all the statutes and their shelves! They stir us up against our kind, And worse against ourselves. • We have a passion, make a law, Too false to guide us or controul ; And for the law itself we fight In bitterness of soul. And puzzled, blinded, then we lose Distinctions that are plain and few ; These find I graven on my heart That tells me what to do. ' The creatures see of flood and field, And those that travel on the wind; With them no strife can last ; they live In peace, and peace of mind. ' For why? Because the good old rule Saficeth them; the simple plan That they should take who have the power, And they should keep who can. ! A lesson which is quickly learned, A signal through which all can see ; Thus nothing here provokes the strong To wanton cruelty. ' And freakishness of mind is checked, He tamed, who foolishly aspires, While to the measure of his might Each fashions his desires. • All kinds and creatures stand and fall By strength of prowess or of wit ; 'Tie Goo's appointment who must sway, And who is to submit. ' Since then,' said Robin, ' right is plain, And longest life is but a day, To have my ends, maintain my rights. I'll take the shortest way.' ' And thus among these rocks he lived, Through summer' heat and winter's snow ; The eagle he was lord above, And Rob was lord below.' " We are not, however, to suppose the character of this distin guished outlaw to be tbat of an actual hero, acting uniformly and consistently on such moral principles as the illustrious bard who, standing by his grave, has vindicated his fame. On the contrary, as is common with barbarous Chiefs, Rob Roy seems to have mixed his professions of principle with a large alloy of craft and dissimulation, of which his conduct, during the civil war, is suffi cient proof. It is also said, and truly, that, although his courtesy waa one of his strongest characteristics, yet sometimes he assumed an arrogance of manner which was not easily endured by the high spirited men to whom it was addressed, and drew the daring outlaw into frequent disputes, from which he did not always come off with credit. From this it has been inferred that Rob Roy was more of a bUlly than a hero, or at least that be had, according to the com mon phrase, his fighting days. Some aged men who knew him well, have described him also as better ac a catch tuizie, or scuffle within doors, than in mortal combat. The tenor of his life may be quoted to repel this charge; while, at the same time,* must be allowed that the situation in which he was placed rendered bins prudently averse to maintaining quarrels when nothing was to be bad save blows, and when success would have raised up against him new and powerful enemies in a country where revenge was still considered as a duty rather than a crime. The power of com manding his passions on such occasions, far from being inconsistent with the part which bl'Gregor had to perform, was essentially smeary at the period when he lived to prevent his career from being cut short.' SHIPWRECK ---We announce with deep regret a me lancholy event, of which information has just arrived. We speak of the loss of the Hope, Robert Hill, master. from Poole, on the 7th Sept. when arrived off Fogo, Newfoundland. to which port site was bound, she encountered a violent gale from N.E.. in come-- queue* of which she was wrecked, and we are sorry to add every person on board perished! DESPERATE AFFRAY BETWEEN POACHERS AND Gammatarzas.—About 3 o'clock on the morning of Sunday se'n. sight, the gamekeepers in the employ of Mr. Renege, came in • contact with six poachers. armed with bludgeons and guns, in Mochas% 'wood, in the parish of Lynebam ; four of whom, after considerable resistance, were secured, and have since been com mitted to the Old Bridewell. Their names are James Wells, Joseph Webb, Wm. Dolman, and Wm. Fowler ; all of them are severely wounded. From thei r appearance when they were brought to the prison, it might have been imagined, that they had just es caped from a slaughter house; they were covered with blood. Webb's left hand is cut almost to pieces. The right band of Fowler has been run through with a cutlass; he has also been cut in several other places ; another has two severe gashes in his head ; and the fourth is wounded its various parts. Most of the keepers are also wounded. ASSESSED TAXES.—After so many years of Peace the country has naturally a right to expect—indeed, its present ne cessities seem absolutely to require—that some of those burthens which press heavily on the people should be at once moderated, or altogether removed. Of the different descriptions of taxation to which the country is subject, these is nom so grievous in their ma ture. or so objectionable le, their mode of collection, as the Maenad Taxes, Mamma as they create on the part of the people a natural desire, in many instances to make their returns as moderate ere they can, and afford th e subordinate agents of Government an opportunity of harrassing and annoying, under the pretence of rectifying any real or imaginary omission or nails-statement in such reeves. Within the last few days. innumerable notices of sem , chat.* liana been indiscriminately served on different householders, for - alleged omissions in their returns, and for an increase of duty oat their renD, although it is quite notorious that the rent. in Bath have of late considerably fallen. Much sematiou haw conseetstentiv been 'excited throughout the city at such an anespeeted and un., called for proteeding,and.from whatever quarter it May have ema stated, we cannot but think the present period .[.general gloom and distress as uOttleCiely ill chosen for carrying it into effect. A wholesale system of surcharge cannot be justified on any grounds, and the present • ill-timed visitation is only calculated to excite public kali '. and to produce general dissatisfaction. —Bats Herald. SPORTING INTELLIGENCE. HUNTING. Mr.Osbaldeston's Hounds meet to-morrow at Mlsterton; Thurs day, at Hardwicke; Saturday, at Fox Hall. The Duke of Grafton's Hounds meet on Wednesday, at the Cross Roads, Drayton ; Thursday, et Castle Thorpe. Mr. Berkeley's Hounds meet to-morrow, at Clapham Turnpike; Thursday, at Sharnbrook ; Saturday, at Clifton Spinneys. Mr. Drake's Hounds meet to-morrow, at Catesby ; Thursday, at Bicester Windmill; Saturday, at Croughton. The Cambridgeshire Hounds meet on Thursday, at Haley-ivond; Saturday, at Shearhatch-wood. The Quorn Hounds meet to-morrow, at Beeby ; Wednesday, at Six Hill ; Thursday, at Ratby ; Saturday, at Bunney Park. Lord Anson's Hounds meet on Wednesday at Dunchurch Ken nel ; Thursday, at Combe Abbey; Saturday, at Frampton-wood. Mr. Meynell's Hounds meet on Thursday, at Canon ; Saturday, at Holly Bush. The Suffolk and Norfolk Union Harriers, Wednesday, at West hall Greyhound ; Saturday, at St. James's-street. The Kernpstone Hounds, Wednesday, at Mr. Beck's, Mileham. Mr. H. Villebois's Harriers, to-morrow, at Whittington Hill: Thursday, at Bradenham-green; Saturday, at Marham Tithe Barn. Sir J. Cope's Hounds, Wednesday, at Stanford-street; Thurs day, at the Red Lion, Basildon. The Brighton Harriets, Wednesday, at the ;Race-course ; Fri day, at the Dyke. The Lewes Brookside Harriers, Wednesday, Ashcombe ; Fri day, at Telscombe Tye. Sir R. Peleston's Hounds on Thursday at Hardwick; and Sa turday Hettesfield. Mr. Boycott's Hounds on Thursday at Brinston. The Puckeridge Hounds on Wednesday at Rockelh; and Sa turday at Munden Lordship. The Royston Harriers meet to-morrow at Foulmire ; and Thursday at End Hill. Lord Yarborough's Hounds to-morrow at Gozhilltross Lanes; Thursday at Ormsby Mills; and Saturday in Rorton Wood. Sir R. Sutton's Hounds to-morrow at Gate Burton ; Wednesday at Utterby Village; Thursday -at Winceby Village and Usselby House; Saturday at Gautby Park and Usselby House: . The Earl of Harewood's Fox Hounds, Wednesday, at Peckfield Bar Saturday, at Harewood Bridge. The Worcestershire Hounds to-morrow at Cliffey ; Saturday, at Cotheridge. Mr. Dansey's Hounds to-morrow at Wormelow Tump. The Craven Hounds Wednesday, at Savenoke House; Thursday, at Denford House; Saturday, at Asbridge. Lord Petre's Hounds Thursday at Langdon Mills; Saturday, at Tilbury Mill. The Essex and Suffolk Border Hounds (Mr. Mule's,) Wednes doy, at Wivenhoe Park ; Saturday, at Catawade Bridge. Mr. Lester's Harriers, to-morrow, at Moretown. The Hambledon Hounds, Wednesday, at liotley Gate; Satur day, at Stevens Castle Down. The Fife foz hounds met at Cameron Bridge on Monday. Up wards of thirty gentlemen appeared on the field, amongst whom were several ladies on horseback. There were of the company Lord Leven, Sir Ralph Anstruther, Captain Wemyss, M.P. and Lady, General Balfour and Lady, Colonel Wemyss, Capt. Dalzell and Lady, Captain Fergusson, son of General Sir R. C. Fergusson, M.P. Captain Douglas, &c. The pack was thrown off about ten o'clock, and shortly after they found in a plantation belonging to Wemyss estate. Ileynard took to the southward, but after a heat of a mile and a half was overtaken and his brush taken from him, when about to cross the road that leads to Windygates, and within twenty paces of General Balfour's carriage, which was filled with ladies anxious to get a view of the exhilarating sport. The grounds surrounding Wemyss Castle were next tried, but unsuccessful; pro ceeding northward, two foxes were started, but no run took place. After arriving on the north side of Baibirnie estate, the dogs again found, and here a beautiful and long run commenced ; the fox took up by a plantation to the north and west of New Inn, made di rectly for the East Lomond, passed over within a short distance of the top, went right down the mountain side, most of the gentlemen following at a slashing pace. It now appeared evident, over that hilly country, that reynard was making for the West Law, and up he went at a speed that could not be equalled. There the horses were beginning to blow, and the gentlemen were few and far be tween. After a hard run up that high bill, the fox got quarter amongst the crags; the bugle now sang truce, for the night cloud bad lowered, and some difficulty was apprehended by several of the sportsmen in winding their way back from the rocky-brow of the mist-clad mountain. FEMALE PEDESTRIAN. A female pedestrian, named M'Mullen, a native of Scotland, started on Monday afternoon, at half-past three o'clock, to walk 96 miles in '24 successive hours. The ground chosen was front the corner of St. Thomas's Passage, Southgate-street, in Winchester, to the cottages below Southgate House, on the Southampton road. a distance of a quarter of a mile. She accomplished the arduous task 20 minutes within the time specified, and was rewarded by contri butions from the numerous spectators. LAW INTELLIGENCE. , i i..-- COURT OF CHANCERY, Dwtl9. 1111 A OF aiNciurri. Mr. Pitt. of the Adclpbi, appeared before the Court in person, and said that he was one of the assignees of James and Henry Jones, bankrupts, under a commission before the 14th list, and held in his hand a paper, marked as an exhibit by Mr. Impey, one of the Comraissionets of that list. Loan Coascutoa—Mr. Pitt, have you a complaint to make against any one? Mr. Pitt—Yes, my Lord, I have to apply to your Lordship to remove the Commission to another list• Loan Cusecattoz—Then, Mr. Pitt, that can only be done on petition. Mr. Pitt—My Lord, I have a petition and an affidavit. LORD Cuasestioa—Then you must have it entered, and bring it on in the usual way. Mr. Pitt—But, my Lord, I am summoned to appear before the Commiuioners at twelve o'clock to-day. and unless your Lordship bears this application, I may be sent to Newgate this morning. Lotto CHANCILLORI cannot presume that Mr. 'mini, or any other Commissioner will do any thing wrong. They must do it before I can hear any complaint against them. You oast petition in the regular way. The complainant then withdrew. COURT OF KING'S BENCH, Dec. 19. THL ROO V. MURRAY._ This was an indictment against the defendant, the well-known publisher In Albemarle , instituted by Louis Lecesne, and another, for the publication of a libel In a book designated " Annals of Jamaica," by the Reverend George Wilson Bridges, a Member of the University of Garold, a Master of Arts of two Univenides, and Rector of the parish of St. Ann's, Jamaica. The ATTORNEY- GEIZIAL (with whom were Messrs. BILOUGHAK and Guanav,) stated that the defendant was a highly respect able gentleman, exceedingly well known as a publisher, in Aibe -1 niarle-street. It was not bis intention to say the slightest thing against that gentleman personally; his character stood high in the world, and it was not for him to attack him ; but he was neverthe less responsible for works published by him at a period when the 'authors were residing abroad. According to the laws of this country, a publisher was answerable if he did not produce the author, so that he might be made amenable for his own works. The prosecutors in this ease complained of • libel put forth by the defendant in a work published by Wm, in the• most insidious form. a book entitled " The Annals of Jamaica." The prosecutors were named Facbaffery and Lemon. They were the sons of French persons, who lived in the isl•ad of Saint Domingo. It was supposed that these parties had takes part in an insurrection, and they were accordingly taken up, by order of the Magistrates, under s peculiar law of the Wand, which gave power to the Governor to transport aliens beyond the sear, if it was deemed that they were dangerous or suspicious person*. The pers. secutor's Meads applied for a habeas corpus, and the aMdavks which wen thee made were in favour of their being British sub jects, and the Judge released them. Some other information being subsesunnly furnished to the Government, the pima cutors were again suddenly arrested, were sent to St. Domingo,: were stripped of their property—sad it was only by the itu manfty. of an individual that they were brought to this coun try. A petition was presented by them to the House of Com mons. Every body would remember, that on the discussion of the merits of that petition, the reddensr found, amongst many others, an able advocate in Dr. Leskington. and no doubt remained of their being British subjects, and that the Court had dine rightly in dismissing them, they being privileged as suet subjects. So sen sible was the Government of the injury does to the prosecutes, by their having been arrested, that it Intended to do them justice by giving them a compensation. While these proostedinp were going on, and whilst the Government were taking into consideration the compeasstiou they should be paid, the libel complained of was' published by the defendant in a work entitled " Annals of Ja maica,' which appeared to have been written by a clergyman of the Established Church. In that book an attack was made oa a near relative of Ms (the Attorney-General); be had no hesitation, however, le saying. that suck .a charge was false, for never had Ms worst enemy dared to charge him (the Chief Judos of Jamaica) with corrupdon. the Arronaire-Gattenot then read the libel, the most material pan of which was in these terms : 14 A cos of unparalleled atro city drew the public to a subject at variance with that which had lately engaged it, and whose investigation bra been the fertile sub ject of bitter calumny, promoted by one distant and prejudiced in• dividual, who has blindly espoused the cause of murder and rebel lion against the great body of colonial eye-witnesses, who were themselves the objects of destruction. I will not repeat, because I do not firmly believe, that the Chief Justice of Jamaica was influenced by those corrupt motives which have been attributed to him, to release, in the exercise of his anklet power, two French prisoners, who had been confined for an attempt to revolutionise the island, and who were impatient to sheath their daggers In the breasts of its white inhabitants • yet when a Judge descends to the narrow and peevish character of a factious disputant, he is easily provoked to supply the defect of argument, or even the integrity of reputation, by the plenitude of the authority with which his gown bas clothed him. ' The article then described the prosecu tors as uttering palpable falsehoods, as artful foreigners, as wretches still cherished, criminals, conspirators, &e. ate. The evidence which was called proved the publication of the book, and that FAchoffery and Lecesne's cue bad been referred to Mr. Maule, of the Treasury, and that it was now a mere matter of account as to the amount of compensation they were to get. Mr. Cotaatoos addressed the Jury for the defendant, and con tended that Mr. Murray entertained not the slightest malice towards the prosecutors, and that he never saw or heard of them until he saw them desc ribed in the book. Mr. Murray was a very caten ate publisher; it could not be supposed that be should minutely examine every work that came into his hands. The work was pre. sewed to him by a gentleman of character and reputation, and be therefore could not have suspected it contained a libel. Lord Tentaaneu.—This was an indictment against the de fendant, for publishing what was called a false *ad scandalous libel against the prosecutors, in a book entitled a Annals of Jamaica," by the Rev. George Wilson Bridges. The first question was, whether this was a libel? and the second, whether the defendant was the publisher? Some observations bad been made as to the impropriety of giving, in the opening statement, a narrative of the transactions to which the libel referred ; but from the book itself they might collect the facts to which it related ; for it there appeared that these persons, on a suspicion of attempting to create an insurrection in the island of Jamaica, had been liberated by the Judges and again taken by the Governor, and deported to St. Domingo as aliens: that they bad come to London and petitioned the House of Commons for redress, and that their petition bad been attended to. It appeared that at the time when the libel was written, there was a great deal of animosity between those who advocated the cause of the slaves 'and those who differed with them !Au opinion ; and in this libel these men were called French miscreants • that they had gone to London pregnant with mischief ; that they were criminals, wretches, and convicted felons. Anything could hardly be conceived more outrageous than the language employed ; but then it was said that the defendant ought not to be convicted, unless there was a design in the publisher to injure the prosecutors. But what means had the Court and jury to judge of the intentions of the par ties except from their acts? It must be considered that a per son meant to do what be really did, otherwise the greatest criminals might almost always escape with impunity. Then It was said that the defendant should examine minutely every work which he published; but if be had looked at the preface, he might have seen that the work was carried down to the present time, and that a portion of it must relate to the time when these disputes ran high, and this should have put him on his guard. It was stated also, that the defendant was • very respectable and an extensive publisher ; but what distinction could they make between him who published only two or three works is the year and him who pub lished thirty or forty? It was the duty of all to take care that they did not publish that which must injure the reputation of others. If they did publish these libels, they must be responsible, otherwise the persons injured could have no remedy. No person could be safe, if publishers could send out such libels as this to the world with impunity. The jury immediately found the defendant guilty. SUS LOYDON AND wI.TMINSTIR OSOIESTANT CLOS. OURS v. POWNALL. Mr. CAMPAILL statedthTt this was an action which arose out of the agitating question of Catholic Emancipation. The plaintiff was a stationer and printer, and brought this action against the defen dant, who had officiated as Chairman at a meeting held at the Crown and Anchor Tavern, in February last, to take into consideration the propriety of petitioning the lionses of Parliament against granting Catholic Emancipation. It would be recollected that an advertisement bad appeared in the public journals, signed by John Halcombe, calling a meeting for this purpose; stating that the ad vice of the Sovereign, in his speech, delivered at the opening of Parliament, was such as threatened destruction to the country, and calling on all those who were good Protestants to attend. The de fendant, Mr. Pownall, saw this, and wrote a letter to ibis effect : " Slll.-•I did not see your advertisement until to-day ; I shall be desirous to join in your endeavours to keep fur my children what little property I have." It then went on to request to know the hour of meeting, and expressing his intention to attend. Mr. Pownall did attend that meeting, and the result of It our readers must well remember— the partial defeat of their plans by Mr. Hunt. It however ap peared that the parties had mired into another room, and bad come to a series of resolutions. Amongst them was one to give a copy of them to every person who signed the petitions. These amounted to 116,000. The plaintiff had supplied stationery to the amount of £219 18a . 10d. This action was brought to recover it. The defence set up was. that Mr. Holcombe only was the re sponsible person. The Jury, however, entertained a different opi nion, and found a verdict for the plaintiff. COURT OF COMMON PLEAS, Dsc. 19. rArnva AND °TARA/ T. SLATTRIL. - . . The plaintiffs are eminent bankers at Parts, the defendant is a bookseller at Oxford. The action was brought to recover the amount of a bill of exchange fir 3151. 16s. drawn by the defendant on a person of the name of Tebbe.. It was passed to the plaintiffs by a Mr. Magtath, at Paris, and was in the hands of Sir William Curtis and Co. when it tell due on the fist of June last. Not having been honoured by the acceptor, the bill was taken up by Mr. Rothschild, for the honour of Messrs. Lafitte, and by him transmitted to Paris It arrived in Paris on Friday, the 216th • Saturday was consumed in seeking for Mr. Magrath ; and on Tuesday the bill was sent back to London, that being the day on which it was customary to calcu late the ex changes. On Friday, the 3d of July, the bill arrived in London, and on Saturday notice of its dishonour was sent to the de fendant at Oxford. It was contended upon these facts, that in con sequence of the delay which had taken place before the plain tiffs had caused the defendant to receive notice of the dls honour of the bill, he was discharged from his liability as drawer, the holder of a bill of exchange being bound in such a case to use all due diligence in apprising the drawer of its dishonour by the acceptor. For the plaintiffs, however, It was insisted that I bankers were always allowed one day to consult their principal, and that on the present occasion only one post day bad been omit ted before the bill was sent of to London. But it was further contended on their behalf, that in this case there was no necessity for notice at all, because it appeared from the testimony of a wit ness named O'Meara, that before the bill bad become dee, rebbs, the acceptor, stated to the defendant that lie bad never received any value Ns it, but had been induced by a stock-jobber of the name of Rose, who had elect run away, to accept it, and another bill, amounting together to 7001. whereby, he bad been ruined, for be should not be able to take either of , them up. The Loan Curer Seance having heard the observations of counsel on the points of law, declined to nonsuit the plaintiffs, ob serving, that the point most in their favour was Tebbe s saying he bad received no eonsidration for the bill, and would not be able to take it up. His Lordship, therefore, directed the Jury to and a verdict for the plainti ff s ; at the same time giving the defendant leave to move to set it aside and enter a nonsuit. A verdict was accordingly entered for the plaintiffs, subject to the opinion of the Court above on the points reserved. WINTER ASSIZES. ROME CIRCUI'ITONE, Due. 18. (Before Mr. Baran GARROW.) John Wickham, aged 19 years, and James Beyeohls. aged 19 years, were capitally indicted for stealing from the Tally-110 coach travel. I ling from London to hfaidatone, a pair of light infantry wings, or epaulets, value 45 15s. the property of Lieutenant Campbell, 46th Regiment of Foot. The charge being satisfactorily proved, the Jury found both pri• slicers Guilty. Mr. Agar, the Governor of the High Gaul, Maidstone, pro duced the return calendar of the Spring Assizes fur 1827, by which it appeared that Reynolds had been convicted and sentenced to a year's imprisonment, for stealing a silver salt-cellar. Mr. Baron Gaaaew sentenced Wickham to seven years want, portatioe, and Reynolds for life. This being the last me in the Calendar, the Court proceeded t• pass sentence on the following prisoners, who were ordered to be transported for life, viz.—Charles Lepidge and Thomas Smith, fey • burglary at. Mr. Bartktes, watchmaker, Maidstone; Thm Rose, for uttering • forged .15 note • T. James Kempen, ad Charles Kidney, foe sheep-stealing ; G eorge Byford, for the tow glary in Woolwich Biunicbe ; Wm. Adler, for korse-stealinn ; IF+ ward Draper and James Spicer, for a highway robery ; Thome' Smith, for hoesebreaking ; and Wm. frelladd, for burglary. • A fire which broke out on Friday morning, in Wood.: street, Cheapside, did considerable damage. Two large houses, occupied by Mr. Ferguson, who is in the cotton trade, and Mr. Miller, who is in the muslin trade, were completely burnt down ; and so rapidly did the llaaal . eatend in all directions, that only s few bales of the vain - able stocks in each house were saved. POLICE INTELLIGENCE. MANSION-HOUSE. A tailor appeared in the Justice-room, to know in what way the LORD Maros would give redress against a swindler, who had fraudulently obtained a suit of clothes. Mr. Mohler : He can give you no redress ; you have trusted a swindler with a suit of clothes, and you must now take the conse quence. One half of the tradesmen in London have reason to complain of you tailors, for affording the means of fraud. Yoer promptitude to give credit for clothes fosters a disposition to extra vagance in other things beyond the means of payment. Your reg. dines, to supply all persons gives to swindlers the exterior by means of which, they cheat honest tradesmen. By your high prices you make the honest pay the bad debts of spendthrifts and swindlers, who do not pay. Sir, you muse not expect the LORD AUTOS to assist you, by criminal process in recovering payment for your geode, and must do u other trade smen do. Send the bunt bailiff after your debtor. The Tailor; I do not want payment. Mr. House : Indeed! You are really a very good-natured fellow to give your goods away. I think I shall allow you to serve me on those terms. The Tailor : I want justice. Alr. Houma : Well, you have it, in hearing the consequences of giving without due caution the means by which many other tradesmen fray be injured. The tailor made no further responses, and left the office. GUILDHALI. Saturday John Sebastian Felger, a German, was charged with endeavouring to impose upon the Society for Relieving Foreigners in Distress. The prisoner represented himself to the Society as a subject of the Emperor of Austria, and produced a passport with the forged signature of Prince Esterhazy's Secretary, and a forged letter from the ume gentleman recommending the bearer to the attention of the Board. He had received 31. from the Society about a year ago, to cam him to his own country. Among the papers in his pockets were passes, obtained in different names, from the Austrian Consul, the Hanoverian Consul, and the Ministers from Prussia and Wirtemberg. He was committed for a month, u a rogue and vagabond. BOW-STREET. Saturday a middle-aged female, named Sarah Betts, was, brought before Mr. Haim, charged with having rubbed her master, Dr. Robertson, of Long-acre, of plate to the value of £3. It appeared that the prisoner had only lived in Dr. Robert son's service for a week, and that she was hired in the capacity of cook. On Thursday last she wrote to a labouring man, named George William Beavington, whom she knew by having lived for some months in the same bouts with him, request ing that he would call upon her on Saturday morning, as she had something to give him which she wished him to keep , for her. She fixed the time for his coming at seven o clock on Friday morning, and she added, that be was to tap at the kitchen-window, which he would find open. Suspecting something, Beavington communicated with Mr. Tho mas, the superintendaut of police, who directed him to keep his appointment, and he accordingly went to Dr. Robertson's house at the hour specified, when the prisoner handed him a parcel through the kitchen-window. She begged that be would keep it carefully for her for a few days, and gave him a shilling, with a promise of more when she saw him again. They then parted. and he handed the oarcel over to Ur. Thomas. who found that it contained five table-spoons, two soup-ladles, half-a-dozen tea spoons, and some few other articles of plate. Mr. Thomas of course ac quainted Dr. Robertson with the circumstance, and took the pri. soner into custody. Mr. Thomas said, that the prisoner, although latterly obliged to Ml a menial occupation, was well connected, and had been in af fluent circumstances. Her son, by her deceased husband, was s ward of Chancery, and bad an allowance of £lO a-week. The prisoner confessed her guilt, but pleaded in extenuation that she was induced to commit the act in consequence of having a sum of money to pay for the support of a child. Mr. Hain said, nothing could extenuate a servant robbing her muter, and therefore fully committee her for trial. MARY-LA-BONNE. Rickard Wyau, a porter belonging to the Old Wbite Horse Cal. lar Coach-office, Piccadilly, was fined by Mr. Rawuroson 20s. and costs, for overchuging twopence in the delivery of a parcel, at the police station, Mary-la-bonne-lane. H ATTON-G A R DEN . Ames Chandkr and Elizabeth HaWaggon were brought up, the former charged on suspicion of breaking into the house of Mr. G. Walton, grocer and oilman, Tottenham-court-road, and the female, who is servant to the prosecutor, with aiding and assisting. It appeared (row the evidence that the prosecutor's house had, during Friday night, or early on Saturday morning, been entered from the back premises in Chapel-street ; some of the brick had been removed from the area, and a rail taken away sufficient to admit a boy. The thieves had by this means entered the kitchen, and proceeded up-stairs to the parlor, where they picked the lock of a cupboard, and itesie five silver table-spoons and a coat. The female discovered the robbery when she was about to set out the breakfast-table ; the grounds of suspicion,however, were not strong enough to warrant the detention of the prisoners. TOWN HALL. A pour miserable wtetch, named Elise Palmer, In the last stage of disease and want, was brought before Mr. Alderman J. J. SMITH. Dutton stated, that he found her on Friday night laying in a state of insensibility in Tower -street, Westminster-road. He aroused her with difficulty, and believed, had be not, she would shortly have been frozen ; he took her to the Surrey watch-house, placed her before the fire, and gave her food, which she devoured with avidity ; when she came to herself, she declared that she had applied to the officers of St. George's parish some days before,who refused to receive her, and for three nights she had slept in the open air, without food having passed her lips. Temporary relief was afforded her. THAMES-POLICE. Thomas Jones was charged with the commission of a daring burglary. It appeared from the evidence of Mr. Paine, a gen tleman residing in Shakspeare's-walk, Shadwell, that early yester day morning, he was alarmed by a noise in his house ; he imme diately arose and perceived the prisoner in the rear of his premises, with a bundle under his arm. The prisoner was afterwards seen to go into the privy, where Mr. Paine followed him, on which the thief placed himself in a lighting attitude, but the proseeutor making a blow at him with a poker which he had taken for defence or at tack, the risoner offered no further resistance, and was secured. Mr. Paine s house had been broken open, and money and plate re moved ready to carry away. Setcra articles of wearing a;:parel were found in the prisoner's possession, which Mr. Paine identified as his property. The prisoner was fully committed. HEBD(/ NI A I)A RY: To MT.—The shortest day—St. Thomas. This Apostle preached the Gospel in Parthia, and his relics were kept at Edessa, in Mosopotamia, where there was, in the 4th age, a famous church of his name. St. Thomas's incredulity respecting the resurrec tion put beyond all doubt that the very same body in which our Loan suffered was raised again to life. On this day the Romans ' celebrated a feast in honour of Angerons, the Goddess of Silence, who was supposed to drive away diseases and pains. Sun rises 8 min. after B—sets 8 min. before 4. 1 . 0-310111 WW—The winter quarter begins at 10 min. part 1 morn. Mars 06.'19 min. past 4 morn. Ismail stormed by Suwarroff, 1792. .Tbis was the Compitalia of the Ancient Romans—feasts In horiour of the Dares, and were made in cross streets and highways. WIDIISSDAT—Venus sets 54 min. past 7 afternoon. The minium is now in request, along with other evergreens, to decorate churches and private houses. The singularity of the growth and form of the misletoe brought it into repute among the Druids. for the purposes of mystical superstition, and its use has thence been continued. On this day Jefaoiakim burned the roll written by Jeremiah. 1 1 MUSSlLY—Mercury sets 44 min. past 3 afternoon. Fame— Holiday at the Bank. CUSISTMAS DAY. A grand day at the Roman Catholic Chapels, three masses bring said. There is nothing more conformable to the mystery of the day, say the Catholics, than to clothe some poor child or person, in honour of him who became punt to enrich us. The granting of indul gences is again renewed on this day. SATUSDAT—HoIiday at the Bank. St. Stephen. He was the first martyr for the faith, suffering in the same year with Nam In the year 415 his body was found, and innumerable miracles were wrought by his relics. Day increased 2 minutes. Venus attains her greatest elongation. New Moon 35 satin. past 5 morning. BIRTH.. On the 9th Inst. in Fitswillam-•quote, Dublin, the Viscountess Bangor. of • son. MARRIED. Thursday, at Prestwich. William Ewart, Ey. MP. to Mary Anise, (Meg daughter of the late George Augustus Lee, Esq. •to Ritigkton, near NI aothester. DIED. • On the 10th inst. at Ildinborgb, the Hoc. Sophia Napier, daugh ter of the late Lord Napier. On the 14 inst. at her honer at Clapham, Surrey, in her. Ind year,. Mrs. Medley, relict of George Medley. Bag. of New Bur iingionlatint. awl Boated Bark, Sussex, M.P. for - But Grinstead. H! ',Argil at LONDON-BIL4DGE TO 010411.0 W. 9f30 0 4 15 cum" attar 11 Attanaps 40 *puma attar 11 • lanion Printed and Published by JOllll hinrss, at the Boa- Orval, No.l, Piskett-plane,TellO pie Bar.