The Statesman. — London, England, 1824-01-26 00:00:00

r so • As A&CCIDENT WHICH HAPPENED TO OUR TIII9D PAGE WHEN 11T WAS GOING Tt) r osS, HAS, WE REGRET. TO STATE DE' LAVED OUR PUBLICATION THIS DAY, AND COMPELLED US TO INSERT MATTER WITH w wen WE HAVE BEEN OBLIGINGLY. FUR NISHED BY MR. CLEMENT, TUE PROPRIE TOR OF THE MORNING CHRONICLE. THE LATE FIGHT. Another communication has been received from Reynolds, oo the ;object of the late SP ORTIN Gllowing is • copy : TO THE WORLD. Gssrzats—l addressed you on last Saturday morning in The Chrenick, concerning Langan's treatment, and conscious w il y own mind of the truth of that statement, I did not an .e(pate soy reply much less did 1 expect so tidiculous, so r oe , o poor a defence, se that Spring set forth in T'he Dispate4 allot Sunday. He says the principal part of my statements are rank falsehoods; but I throw the lie back in his face, for I d e fy any man in existence to coatis/net a single assertion that 'wade in the letter alluded to. Bat why not have said in what m u I was wrong ? I could then have answered him. Unlike tie], f will answer his letter by giving good reasons why he had better not have taken up the pen, for I am confident the sore it is dragged before the public, the better for Langan. He (Spring) says, when his friends meet him, they ask why he did nut win the fight sooner ? and' he says in his defence, eat his hand broke like glass." By the bye; I would re euistuend him to be cautious how he enters the ring again with the Irishman ; for, as it appears be is made of such brittle ma tends, Langan may crack hint all to pieces, if he gets him on 'star. In consequence of his hand breaking, having go little mem to use his superior science and Langan's second, Josh. Hadson, heliaying so well to make his man win, it was impos aisle, Mr. Spring say!, to finish the contest sooner, and that he nks himself lucky la winning at all. 1 assure you, Gentle , ea, I think his luck was in getting the battle indawy ; but to the latest moment of my existence, I will hold up my hand ,gsinst so barefaced n robbery. What difference could it have node to him having more or less room ? It would 'not have (wished its fight sooner; fur running away would not beat Lan gm, and bpnug's power of punishment with the bands had left him. In fact, towards the latter end of the fight, the fortune of the day entirely rested on the best thrower; but in this, I say again, that Langan was foiled by S p ring's f rie nil s t t he lowest order ni betting inc n, who had got mode) , heavy on Spring. Of this mer ceuary, coward ly crew, we were surrounded seven deep; the men that ought to have beat out the ring, to a man had bet their money on Spring. Was it likely that they would flog men away who were ientitng a helping hand and foot to make the threes-to-one ..afe ? The compliment to Josh. Hudson, in my opinion, was badly timed ; and 1 Mill confident Josh. feels it fits him awk wardly; but, at all events, it proves that Spring is not deficient ia gisiiinde. He says, in consequence of Langan demurring to the stakes being peen up to Spring, the umpires were written ti for their decision, and rosy have giv.m it in his favour. In the first place, as his umpire was chosen by himself, and MIS was chosen by his, we might easily anticipate the anawer. fter immire bays positively that Spring won the battle—he was not in he ring for several rounds--ot course, a very inecimpe teat judge. Spring's umpire confesses in his letter that lie has so Liimiledge of the rules of fighting. but says that Langan did toot get up to time, and wilfully avoids saying that Spring did or did not. He was aware, by stating the fact that Spring did not get up, that the battle must have been a draw. Spring wow offended that the Reporter of the fight should say that he has not raised himself in the opinion of the Fancy by this Mack. The truth is sometimes unpleasant; but that he should he offended at a truth so plain, shows that he must 1%-% in pos. tusks of a larger stock of vanity than I gave him credit for. Well might the Reporter say he has not raised himself, to al lot a novice, more than a stone less, and two inches shorter, tostand successfully before him for nearly three hours, though backed by a ruffianly mob. He says, one-third of the time would have been sufficient, if the ring had not been broken, and his hand had remained soutul. There 1 differ with him ; for if Langan's hands were tied, he could not have beaten him in use hour. Spring charges me with keeping up invidious distinctions between English and Irishmen. Permit me to say, there is sot a Mill in existence who more highly respects the true-bred Englishman than myself : but there are ruffians in all coun tries. Those that ill-used Langan in the ring, did it from mercenary motives—they would bare done the same to a York shireman. But what made the umpires give such a decision mist be, from tender feelings of country or pocket. I am, Gentlemen ' with great respect, your bumble servant, Cheltenham, Jan. 19. THOS. REYNOLDS. P.S. After l had written the above, The Englishman was pit into my hands, in which I had an opportunity of reading Mr. Spring 'it second letter. The first part of it this letter has anstreced ; but he says Langan made no complaint. This 1 deny; for he told me and Josh. repeatedly that he received tiers, and that the mob were preventing his throwing Spring. He also says that Langan's kicks were phantoms of the brain ; Out 1 assure Mr. Spring there was something . more than ima gination, for a number of respectable persons in Worcester will Lear witness that Langan's louts and hack had the impression of the toe of *shoe an plain as if it bad been printed. In his erg letter of the 18th, in flee Dispatch, he says be wishes Isagan's conduct out of the ring was equal to that in it ; but, sinsolar to relate, the conduct be praises in The Dispatch, in The Englishman, which came out the same day, he says my ended was not right: but this is excusable; for it is evident, hunt the style of the two letters, that they are nut the produce tan of one hand.—T. IL. MURDER AT BRISTOL. A Bristol Correspondent gives the followiog account of Mr. firrres chsspnenraore. The date, it is to be observed, is an terior to the above : " liatsrnt,, JAN. 20.—You have beard of the mysterious dis appearance of Mr. Pierce, a solicitor of this city, Leidy one of the fi rm of Palmer and P ierce; but the particulars, an some ' taints, have neithe r b een very circumstantially nor very accu rately related, beyond tie details of the placards, offering the award for the discovery of him. I will relate some facts, pre aiming, however, that this may be another instance of the fatal effects resulting from Gambling, or from being known, by wale menus or other, to Gamblers. " Mr. Pierce was what some term a ' gay' young man. He vas a good deal in company, and in very varied company; and amongst other things be was a good deal attached to what Mr. Beard - , Mr. {f lute's brother-in-law, in his communication with Sir Rit hard !Mimic called Play ;' and it was also known, as made a sort of boast of it, that be never was without a hun dted imunds or two in his pocket to meet emergencies. Besides this, be displayed rings, costly gold chain, &c. He was a sin- Fie man, and resided with his mother and twosisters at Clifton, Trhirh is across the draw-bridge, and a short distance out of ; Bristol. His offize is in Bristol. Since Mr. P.'s alarming dss qpearaiter, his mother has been exceedingly ill ; and, 1 lament tu add, she is not expected to live. "thi Saturday fortnight Ai r.P. dined with Mr. Protheroe, ar riving at that gentleman's residence at live o'clock. At seven o'cl . oek he was summoned from the party on some business; vduch having dispatched, and haring paid 301., he returned to the company, be left such company and remained there till half-past twelve. When he was not apparently any worse for what he might have taken during the evening. . " %I here he went to then is not known ; but between two and love n'eluck in the morning he. was seen crossing the draw ^e 4911 e, as if he were on th e route to Clifton. Beyond t Period there is no trace of him. His absence, though it Shined the f am il y, was not thought of very seriously at heat, n about two years ago he set off to Taunton, and there re /a:lntl three days, without any one knowing what bad become IA bun, till he monied and personally related particulars. poweverhiii pre,ent disappearance assumed an alarming aspect I ,r,°m the circ umstance offs hat having been found nest day on a!hanks of the float or river, with the name of " Chapman, 1 7 10 , n i maker," inside of i 4 which hat, oe inquiry, turned out u-qe been Mr. Tierce's. The water in the float was drawn oi for trf days and drags used in every direction ; but instead to with any thing of Mr. Pierce the workmen curiously set with the body of an Exciseman, who had been is. ,lteig for more than two months ! There is every reason to ' l 7 ,l " , eve.that the Exciseman fell into the water in a state of in ic.Fami and was thus drowned. _ marecer, as whatPSce, it is remarked here by those who lytnt.ct under circumstances some other murders have ommitted, and who know Mr.P.'s habits in having money 1 .7 t ban, which might make him an object of assassination for f‘ PUr e ° Se of plunder, that it is not very likely the assassins caring Mr. P. unhappily to h ave b een so destroyed), would Licit the hat to show when bedy might bo liZe (LI the eastesen . bridge likely PUrreerf It, Mai !heft ,s otto be basil, in to g i a piti ogreet There are seas let Wes *MTh ach is .8 4 00 , as —loll 4o4—whisk soak at 'eare'bi heco nay ileeber 4 1 111wh arms 1.114641 Z t wo l i-r ea z ie r I en zes of any k tap' _ _ _ A %.( Ti-fg STATESMAN ""----varvitratriren."---P" Of the new Galleries projected fur the enlargement of the British Unseats', the follow*- is a description from a slight sketch by . oie of the officers of that Institution. The ground plot behind the Visseurn is to be built upon to form u magnificent range of °Aerie., leaving an open quadrank le. On the east side, 'upon the ground floor, the centre will form an apartment 3io feet in length, intended to receive the library presented t, the nation by our mu nificent Sovereign. On the left of this will be the apart ment for manuscripts; and on the right, another for the , collections of the late Sir Joseph Banks, Bart. The whole ranee of this floor is 700 feet. 1 . Over the. King's Library will be built the Reps!'Picture Gallery, which will Fontein the superb collection recently purchased of the Kxecators of the late Air. Anieretein ; to which will be added, the valuable specimens of the old masters, collected by Sir George Beaumont, Batt.. which this distinguished amateur pa'nter has nobly presented to this national gallery. On the opposite or West side, ',idly built upon as the Statue Gallery, a continuation will be msde, as we learn, to the length of seven hundred feet, for an extension of the collection of waive. marbles. The North angle", to the same vast extent. will be occupied on the ground finer for collections of Natural History. When these three sides are completed. the present building sill be pulled down, and the site re-occupied by a nalgnificent building,to complete the square, in which will be deposited that extensive public library which occupies so large a portion of the old crurture• The lofty wall, with the gate, will be taken down, and the first quadrangle will be exposed, as it is intended to sootily the place of the wall by an elegant iron railing. From a gate at each end sill he a semicircular drive up to the central entrance of the main bnilding, accesillie only t.l private carriages, which will be admitted through an arch beneath a grand Sight of steps, to the inner qutd rmgle. On the si•fe of this drive will he a colonnade fur tot passenger* up bt the grand entrance. InE"' "'" " 44o ! "..' , ta111114,5f EPIPHANY SESSIONS, JAN. 13. • TRIAL OP A SURGEON AND A MEDICAL STUDENT • . FOR MALMO A DEAD BODY. JOHN WRATH E RLEY, aged 21, and THOKTHOMPSON, aged 23, the Resurrection-men lately apprehended at Sunder. land, were indicted upon a charge of opening the grave in which the !Pitly of Elizabeth Hedh y; deceased, was interred, in Sunderland Church-yard, and of unlawfully and indecently carrying away the body. Thompson pleaded guilty ; but Wea therley put himself upon his trial. Mr. Losil stated the case to the Jury; and the case proved in evidence was, that the prisoners being strangers in Sunderland, took lodgings there, and made a point of attending all the funerals that took place, and were in the habit of loitering about the church-yard. O the 21st of December last, the body of the deeeased Elizabeth Hedley was interred in the church-yard. Her father was about purchasing a burial place in the church-yard, but the purchase not having been completed when his daughter was buried, she was Interred in another part of the church-yard, with the intention, when the purchase was completed, of re • moving the body to another grave. On the 25th of December, in consequence of the purchase having been then completed, the grave was opened for the purpose of removing the corpse, but on coming to the coffin the body was discovered to have been already taken away. Suspicion having fallen on the prisoners, Thompson was apprehended in the church-yard, while leaving a funeral which he bad been at tending. He was conveyed to the lock-up-house ; but he re fused at first to give any account of himself, or to state where he lodged. Eventually, however, he agreed to conduct them to his - lodgings, provided he was protected from the violence of the mob, which the knowledge of the circumstance of his baying been apprehended on such a charge naturally collected. The police officers were proceeding towards the lodgings with him, followed by the molt, who loudly reviled and threatened him, when they happened to meet Wentherley. lie, per ceiving their approach. attempted to escape, but he was int tweiliately pursued and taken, and with los companion, con ducted to their lodgings. There, in an inner room, a box (which it was proved Weatherley had ordered to be made, but which Thompson took from the joiner's) was found, contain ing the body of the deceased, packed up and and ready for sending away, addressed to a person in Edinburgh. There were also found a number of human wet'', and an instrument used in tooth-drawing. After the prisoner Weatherley had been in custody, he said that Thompson was a foul for bring ing the officers to his lodgings so soon, as if he had more time be would have thrown the body over the banks, and so destroyed the principal testimony against them. These were the leading facts of the case to connect Weather - ley with the offence charged against him. The prisoner being called upon, read a written defence. He commenced by noticing how strenuously the Counsel for the prosecution had endeavoured to influence the feelingsof thejury against him. The Counsel, he remarked, had left nu stone uu turned by which he might strengthen his cliental ease. But he thought the Learned Gentteatimes speech would he considered by the Jury more sounding than substantial; and that the evi dence produced on the part of the prosecution, iastead of proving him guilty of the offence with white' he mood charged, would be found to operate strongly in his favour, and would no doubt convince the Jury of his innocence. The plieouer /mid he would confine his remarks to three circumstances, which it appeared were the only things that caused the suspi cion of his being concerned in the conunittine of that offence of which Thompson had pleaded guilty. The first fact was— his going with Thompson to take the lodgings, and his lodging in the same room with him. This, the Learned Coutistl had contended (coupled with the other circumstances which he should shortly notice), operated strongly in favour of the pre sumption that he was guilty. The prieoner stated he was a surgeon of seven years standing; that out he was travelling (ruin Edinburgh to Sunderland, where he inteuded to com mence practising as at surgeon, he met - f hompson. Ile did not at first recollect him ; bait after some conversation, found that he had been his fellow- stualeat at the University of Felitihro', and that they had dissected in the same room—that he dis closed to Thompson his intention of going to Sunderland, avid Thompson, having been recommended the sea air fur the benefit of his health, agreed to accompany him—that on their arrival at Sunderland, they took the room as had been stated by one of the witnesses, and they accordingly lived together. But he would ask the Jury, if, because be lodged in the same room with Thompson, he was therethee privy to all 'Thonipson'e transactions ? And if, because Thomp son has been guilty of on offence, he must necessarily be guilty also ? Such a conclusion would he absurd in the extreme. For if two men lodged in tile same house, a blacksmith and a joiner, for instance, dial it follow that the blacksmith must become it joiner, or he joiner a blacksmith ? The smote did Ike contended, applied to the present case; and he therefore thought this circumstance ought to have no weielit with the Jury is pronouncieg hint guilty. The next circum stance was the finding of the teeth and the tooth drawer. These he acknowledged were his own, and were found in the room which he had taken. He had proved front the cross-examina tion of one of the witnesses, that they were all single teeth; and the instrument found was used only for drawing double teeth. This made it sufficiently evideet, that he did not keep it for the purpose of extracting the teeth front dead betles, as has i been nsinuated by the C sel : for no surgeon ever used that instrument fur drawing single teeth, there being en instru ment used solely for that purpose. And if there were any sue peons present, lie was certain, if they would come forward, they would confirm went he said. The teeth, he ague' acknow ledged, were his property—that he was a dentist, and had bought them—and there was no law to prohibit him from buy ing teeth. As to the finding of the body is the adjoining room, be contended that this also was no proof of iiis guilt, as it had been proved lie had not taken that room ; and as the key was always hung behind the door when they went out, so d. was very easy Gm Thompson to hare conveyed toe body there is his absence, and which lie had by his plea of guilty acknow ledged. The 'wet eirentisetance to which he wetalu draw the attention of the Jury was, hia having ordered the box in which the child was packed. s uernpson ' he said, had requested him to order the box for him, as tie had some hardware to send to his friends in Edinburgh. 'foot lie hat done so, and lie could not see how that could enaule the Jury to find him guilty, for he considered it as only a friendly turn, and if they hellish ed friendship from the world what would become of society ? It had also been proved hat this wits the only time he had or dered any box. It had also been proved that he did not call for the box, but that 'llismipson called for it, and actually took it away. From this, he -.aid, it evidently appeared that it was a scheme by which Thompson might he able to avoid detection in case he was suspected, and that tee offence might be attri- Felted to him. Such trawl, he remarked, were the ualy circum- I stances under which tnc Counsel for the peosecutiou called fee their verdict, and upon which lie ead placed so much reliance. There was another eiretrastanze which he would briefly notice, i not because be considered it as in the least tending to cel -1 urinate hint, but merely to chew the ehitte the Learned Comma had been put to, to make out a Calf against him, and that was his being seen in the church - yard. They baj brought forward tie sexton, to prove that he saw Lim there, and that he asked sever.al questions respecting the manner of burying the dead in this ceuntry. Toe, be said, was no uncommon thing for strangers to do—they generally enter the church-yards, read the epitaphs, arid what not. 'the Learned Counsel asked the sexton if did nut inquire the depth of the grave, but th e sexton appearing to have awe sense than the Counsel, - replied, " that ne had no ocessiOn to ask, for he had eyes and could see the depth." Has said this was in itself of as, little use to either party, that he would nut take ap the time of the Court by further comment, and concluded by requestiug the Jury to place no credit on such evidence—evidence altoge ther cercontssential, and which ought never to he retied upon but in cases of murder ; that if they entertained any doubt, he demanded the Woe& of taat doubt, and that he fully expected the Joey would return their verdict of not guilty, or otherwise not proeen.-- lite Jury retired, and after a quarter of an hour's deliberetioa, returned a verdict of Guilty. Weatherlcy then-read an address in mitigation of punish ment, watch displayed considerable ability. He contended for the ueceseity of the offence of which they had been convicted, as being of the greatest importance in the study of practic al anatomy; suit declared that his fellow-prisoner and he were not actuated by any sordid motive, but solely from a desire to affurd facilities to the student, sad thereby render an import ant service to the community. The Cooirr sentenced them to be severally imprisoned to hard labour in the House of Correction for 3 calendar months. The Comet on the 7th of January was in the right shoulder of Hercules, taking a direction towards the tail of the Dragon. It moves With astonishing velocity, as it has since passed mid way between the back of Hercules and the Northern Crown, dimwit the right i n of Hercules and is now continuing its coarse between the right knee of Hercules and the right hand of 11044.cmsd at the present time does not set. if the brit fleecy pf sere Comet continue, we may expect a more favour able sppeetnnity of seeing it a bout the 30th of this month, when the Moos will be absent, and should the atmosphere be clear; it will then be distinctly visible between the Pule and the extre mity of the tail of the Ursa Major, at any hour of the nigh. THE TREAD-MILL. The system of discipline on the tread-wheel, in the Surrey Houses of Correction, haring, in consequence of the violent attacks made upon it from various quarters, excited great at tention, and no detailed statement of facts haviug as yet ap peared to controvert the charges made against that system, we have obtained the following correct copy of the Report of the Guilford Visiting Magis trates : The Report of the Visiting Magistrates of the House of Correc tion at Guilford, to the Court of General Quarter Sessions, held at Newington, on Tuesday, January )3, 1824, Sets forth the uniform state of cleanliness of the prison ; the high state of cultivation of the garden for the use of the prisoners; the good conduct of the. Governor and ()dicers in enforcing the regulations fur the discipline and management of the establishmeut; the orderly couduct of the prisoners at chapel—approves the conduct of the temporary matron, and recommends the Court to appoint her permanently; states that they hire examined the bills for bread, meat, coals, and incidental charges incurred in the quarter, together with the Governor's and Secretary's kills, for salaries, and approved and certified the same, and add as follows :—lt cannot hare escaped the attention of the Members of the Court, that inces sant efforts have been made, and are stall making, to prejudice the public mind against the modern system of punishing cri minals by labour on the tread-wheel ; that, in addition to and in support of the general clninour excited against the applica tion of that system of punishnsent to females, a strong and pathetic appeal has been made lately to the sympathies of the British public, against the practice of subjecting women with infanta at their breasts to this discipline ; and two cases of alleged cruelty hare been held up to public execration, in which the conduct of the Magistrates of the Bench at Guil ford, and of the Visiting Magistrates of this House, has been reprobated, and the higher authorities called upon to inter pose and liberate the sufferers from torture, and distniss the committing Magistrates from the future exercise of their func tions; and a strong call has been made upon the surgeon at tached to this establishment, to give, through the medium of the public press, explanatory particulars relative to the cases alluded to. Your Committee have nut felt themselves amen able to calls made upon them through such channels—and having disapproved of former communications made by Mr. Jackson to the editor of a public print, have felt it their duty peremptorily to restrict hint in this and all future cases, from making any reply to calls of this nature, except (rout the Secretary of State, the Houses of Parliament, or this Court, unless by, the special authority of the visiting ma sistratcs for She time being. They nevertheless have *felt it their duty to inform themselves of the facts of the case al luded to ; and, for the guidance of their own future conduct in this respect, to examine Mr. Jackson, not only as to these particular cases, but to require his opinion as to the effects likely to result from the infliction of labour on the wheel upon women similarly circumstanced ; and, lest the minds of any members of the Court should bare been influenced by the high-coloured inflammatory misrepresentations thus exhibited to the public, or that the Court should think it right to correct the false impressions the statements made in these 'prints are calculated (and as it appears have for their ob ject) to make upon the public mind, to the prejudice of this most efficient system of corrective punishment, they have pre pared and are ready to exhibit, if it shall lie the pleasure of the Court to call for it, a Supplementary Report on the two cases, together with the opinion of the surgeon especially as to them, and generally as to the application of work on the wheel to women stickling infants. On their own behalf, how ever, they feel it due to themselves, and do not hesitate to de clare, that the result of their inquiry has perfectly satisfied their own minds, that what has been done in the commitment and punishment of these women has not only been in strict conformity to the direcions of the statute, but has violated no feeling of humanity, by which they are sensible it is their duty, as it is their incl ination, to regulate their conduct in the execution of that statate ; and so fully are they satisfied in this point, that, until an alteration sh a ll be u i made n the law to restrict them from so doing, they will continue to execute its provisions In all cases where (as they think of the present cases) nothing in the actual state of health or strength of the offenders would warrant the exercise of their discretion in mitigation of the severity they enjoin. (Signed) GEO. WALTON ONSLOW, 1 Visiting H. DRUMMOND, I Magistrates. On Tuesday last, a bittern. in perfect feather, was shot by a grinder of the name of ttroadht ad, between %litubliouses and Tetley. When erect, it measures. fro n the crown of the h-ad to the claw+, two fret right inches ; 1 le item which is neon tifully reff•-d, of a pale )ellow. forms one halt of its stature; the legs are of a light green hue; the colour of the busty is a mottled brown ; the cap of the heed approaches to Mick.-- Toe beak is long and pointed, and the eye yelinw mid promi nent. The toil is xtubhed. It is now in the ['obsession of Mr. Spooner, in Pinstone lane. —(Skeffeld Iris.) lingponT °Utter IT4RT, rig Courr.—At seven n'clu4k last eren•ne the comet iess observed in the tell of the eonstelLtion Itraco. 2ti dritre-s 15 min. from, and under the North Pole of the 11-avens; it is therefore heroine a circumpolar object of amniralun. as it does not set. Its nuclear is much better defined through ago HI achromatic telescope than heretofore; and it appears rotod to the naked eye, and as large as a star of the first magni tude. 'I lie train, or tail. was about six degrees. long, and the coma surrounding the nucleus close and tkick, as far wetly described. Its right ascension list night was 217 deg. 26 min. and its declination 63 deg. 43 'nit. Not th• It has advanced through the heavens 424 deg. since the 10:1) instant, that is at the astonishing rate of 3 deg. 2 min. b see. every 24 hours, or 7 minutes and 35 seconds of a de gree per hour; so that by observing its position for a few hours, its motion is perceptible. This is, certainly, a very great velocity. wben it is properly considered in its own orbit. The speed of this comet outstrips all that have been observed here for many years past, not except ing the brilliant one in the autumn of 1811. Its present distance from the sun is one hundred and ten degrees, yet it becomes more conspicuous and better defined in its head; and as it is now within the circle of perpetual , apparation, at least in this latitude, it may, therefore, be seen soon after sunset, and throughout the night- It is now between Ursa Minor and the last star in th• tail of Ursa Major, and about sixteen degrees westward o f that star : . As the brilliancy of the .comet increases, on a its position is so moil) altered, we may expect tnor favourable opportunities of seeing' It. At the end of the `month it will be in or near the `last Mgr in Ole tail of Mato, spd about 21 degree 4 from Polaris, t - : • • PUGILISM. • . Monkey Hurst on Thursday presented one of those acenec of mOrtifieation and disgust which have of late years tended to bring into disrepute the prizd-ring, and to strengthen those strong prejudices which are known to exist against all public exhibitions of the manly art of boxing. To many, the only argument which can be nrged, with success, in favour of thesecontests, is the fact of their tending to promote the study of self defence, and to excite an admiration of that fair ana kattwal mode of deciding personal differences, which is sv peculiar to our nation, and at the same time so opposite to? , lOW treacherous practices of some of our Continental neiglsbotits. When, however, the prize-ring is made the source of the grOss• est swindling, and men are pitted against each other, not with the view of deciding who is the best man, hut for the purpose of wilfully losing or winning a battle according to the dicta don of their backers, such arguments become nugatory, and the practice must be reprobated even by these who might otherwise have proved its strongest advocates. 'the attraction to Itloulsey on Thursday was afight between Stock man and Cavanagh, two little men under the weight. of 10 stone, who had fought twice before, Cavanagh having won the first battle, and Stockman the second. We know not under what circumstances the first contest was decided, but we • were present at the second, and can vouch for Cavanagh liar. big been fairly beaten, after a long contested and scientific fight, in which Stockman decidedly proved himself to be the strongest and the best man. In making up the third fight of Thursday, it was clear that there was a sinister object in view, into the knowledge of which the knowing ones only were ad mitted. Judging from the past, the odds were of course in fa vour of Stockman, and he was freely backed at 5 and 6 to 4. Of these odds there were anxious takers, and the books of the minor members of the fancy were tolerably well filled. As the day of meeting approached, however, some suspicions were exited towards the conduct of persons who were considered good judges, and alto were discovered to be taking the odds in pounds ; while as a colour to their supposed opinions in fermi:. of Stockman, they were betting the other way in shillings and half crowns. Still, however, nothing decisive was said, and at an early ho ii r Thursday there was a numerous assemblage of amateurs and others at Hampton. Spring, the champion , Randall, and others celebrated in the annals of pugilism, were present; and at one o'clock all prepared for their voyage to the Hurst, to which they were conveyed in boats, pouts, and barges, in due course. Spriug, who had by this time heard that Stockman was not to win, felt indignant at such infamous treachery, and with be coining spirit, went to him and remonstrated against so base an intention. lie told him he knew he could win it; and de clared his resolution to watch the tightiag, and if he found any thing wrong to take care that he should never enter the prize ring again. He added, that he would find fair play carry hint througii the world, while the advice of such persons as at that moment surrounded him would prove his ruin. Stockman cavalierly replied, that " he would do what he knew," and did nut seem desirous of any further advice. - THE FLUHT AND THE CROSS. At twenty minutes after one, the men entered the ring, and,. on stripping, the advantage was manifestly in favour of Stock man, both as to condition and weight. Jack Randall (we blush to have found him engaged under such circumstances) and Josh Hudson seconded Cavanagh; and Crouch, whom report has probably misnamed resurrection man," and a suit of con to the ring, waited on Stockman. At half-past one pre cisely, the battle commenced. Round 1. Some neat :units (for the science of both men is good). Stockman cautious. Cavanagh, anxious to get to work, made a body blow, but was :net with a flush hit in his mouth, which loosened 1113 grinders, and drew the cork front his smelling bottle. Stockman uuw closed, and threw him a complete summerset. 2. Sparring for some seconds. Cavanagh anxious to go in, but could find no opening. Mutual stops. Stockman received a slight tap on the cheek ; the distance was not well measured. Stockman got away from some well intentioned compliments, &, on Cavanagh again coming in, closed & threw him instantly. .1. Stockman received oat the ribs, but gave counter-bits out Ctvauagli's eye, which became puffed in consequence. Stock man again got away with the agility of a dancing master, and' in a close threw Cavanagh a terrific fall. 4. Stockman received a chopper on his chin ; a merry rally followed, stop for stop. Sparring for moue time, Stockman evidently waiting the attack, and careful of his own person. In a close Cavanagh thrown. 5. Cavanagh hit Stockman slightly, and Randall . patted his hack. Stockman laughed, and in it twinkling paid another unwelcome visit to Cavatiligh's nutcrackers, and the claret flowed freely. In a relay and close Cavanagh aria thrown. 6. Science bn both sides, and good cusps. Cavanagh received on his other eye, and in a close thrown. He was now weak, and his legs tottered front the violence of his falls. 7. Cavanagh put in some slight WOWS on Stockman's ribs. In the close he was ;mikes down by Stockman, who ASS clearly the stronger man. 9. A rally and a close. Stockman fibbed Cavanagh. DAL down; Cavanagh uppermost. 10. Cavanagh because inure cautions, and neither seemed dis posed to commence. Stockman scratched his head ; and had not at this time received a blow worth recording. They both looked round to their seconds. Cavanagh did nut seem to ex pect such treatment, and Stockman apparently expected to re ceive some intelligible hint. Matted Stops—a close. Stock man again pulled Cavanagh on top of hint. 11. It was now ten to one on Stockman. Sparring for a few minutes, and a . pause ; both men seemed puzzled how to act. Stockman again felt something uneasy in his head, and scratched it once more. lu a clone, Stockman went down [Well done, Cavanagh]. 12. Both made piny ; but Stockman was not long before he gave Ca. anagh another smasher on the mouth, which pro duced a fresh supply of claret. 13. A long . r• sparring ; bout—doubts and difficulties and sundry " lunging, lingering looks looks behind," but nothing intelligible was said or done. At length they went to work ; Cavanagh put in a alight facer, but received a counter hit on the eye, *ad to a close was thrown. 14. Another loa n . , pause—and cries for candles and lanterns, as the fight was to last all night. A clause, Cavanagh hit in the face, and both down ; Stockman tinier. is. Mutual stops, a close, and Stockman set down and pull ed Cavanagh over him. Itl. Stockman put in some facers. and closed. Cavanagh. down, much distressed. 17 and last,. Au active bustling round ; ditrinF which some thing was whispered to Stoektnati. In a close Cavanagh fibbed slightly, and Stockman went down, Cavanagh over him. It was at this crisis a guinea to a shilling on Stockman, but in his opinion the prop tt time had arrived, and when his friend Crotch went to;" snatch his body" from the ground, he was tJ all appearance senseless. Here there was ageneral laugh, but stockman was not to be laughed into time ; he could net be got to the scratch, and Cavanagh, " nothing loth," was de clared the conqueror. Confusion followed for some time, and the word cross was bandied about from mouth to mouth, with great freedom, while gene of the cognoscenti were forced to confess that the thing wail very badly done. Every honour able man was indignant, and most of those on the ground very properly declared that they would not pay their bets—indeed, under all views of the ease, we think such a determination completely justified, notwithstanding the supposed infallibility of the rule, that the bets " must go with the battle-money"— that is to say, that whichever way the umpires decided, the bets must be paid. We are quite satisfied that no honest um pire could conscientiously say that this battle WAS fairly de cided. This was the opinion of Spring, and all who like hint formed an unbiassed judgment. SOUTH AtRICA. We laid before our readers, some time ago, an ac. count of a dreadful calamity which had befallen our poor Colonists in South Africa. We have since received an account of it from another quarter, which we also give. We trust the benevolence of oar countrymen will be extended to the unfortunate suffered! The reference* are of the most satisfactory nature : " Cava Towr4, Nov. 3, 18210441ince I setae you with the • printed Reports, a new and dreadful calandir leas overwhelmed. the poor Settlers. A sweeping deluge of incessant rain has drowned many of their cattle, carried off their gardens and corn fields to a great extent, witabed down their houses, and in a great measure ruined till the labours and improvements which the severe calamities of the three preceding years had allowed the most industrious to accomplish. Some lives too have been lost. But the fall accounts of the damage have not yet been received here, though we know it to have been im mense, and extending over the eastern districts front the Sneawberg to the coast. The villages of Grahlun'sToten, Viten hage, and Gruff Reynet aretnueh damaged; and the Mission ary Institutions of Bethelsdoop and Theopoliaare said to be al most totally destroyed. We mesa to collect& full and *Pilule tic account of the effects of this fatal disaster, mid print it el a Supplement to the Report. It can hardlffail, vs Vault, W're commend the claims. of the unfortunate .Emigrants ret more urgently and effectually to the prompt end liberal altsbnuee of their'costatrymes." It ..: I ' i ; ,