The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1859-01-25 00:00:00

erntral Naos.

THII Cosvicr WILIIIILM.—The sentenoo of death
passed on this most guilty man has been commuted
into penal servitude for life—a commutation which
seems to have struck him with dismay and Iffrehon-
sion.

MR. SPURGEON'S PROPOSIED TRIP TO AMERICA.—
The alleged acceptance by Mr. Spurgeon of the offer of
2'0,000 in payment of his engagement with the
Transatlantic churches is contradicted by the City Press,
on the authority of Mr. Spurgeon himself, "who de-
clined the offer." Mr. Spurgeon purposes to set sail for
America shortly, but not on the terms above referred
to.
TIII MRTROPOLITAN BOARD or Wonge.—The St.
Pancras Vestry on Thursday passed a strung resolution
condemning the lion to be moved by Mr. Boulton at
the Metropolitan Board of Works on the following day,
to prevent deputations being admitted to address the
Board, and calling upon their representatives strenously
to oppoee such an attempt to stifle public opinion.

GAINFULNESS OF BEING JUST TO TOUR PRINTER.—
An American editor writes :—There is a mail up in our
country who pays for his paper in advance, He has
never had a sick day in his life, never had soy corns or
the toothache, his potatoes never rot, the weasels never
eat his wheat, the frost never kills his corn or beans, his
babies never cry in the night, his wife never scolds, and
always wears moderate sited hoops. Reader, if you
would witness like results on your own part, go and do
likewise—pay the printer.
A CASE or CoNscigNeg.—The following garrison
order has been the source of much bitterness:—" All
guards to turn out to the Archbishop of Malta, and all
sentries to carry arms and premint arms when the host
passes." Captain Sheffield, of tbe 21st R.14.M.E, bay-
ing refused to obey the above, has been order d under
arrest, and will in all probability be tried by °Dort-
martial. It is a case of conscience with Captain Sheffield,
who, it is reported, is ready to submit to any punish-
ment rather than do homage to the Host. This pre-
senting and carrying arms to the Host has long been a
cause of complaint with the Protestant soldiers at Malts,
particularly the Presbyterians, when Highland roe.
menta have been stationed here. Home years ago
General Aitchison, now Governor of Dover Castle,
while commanding a conipany of artillery at Malta,
was dismissed the service for refusing to salute the
Host.

THE RFRIGNATION OF THE PROTROCTORA AT CAM•
BRIDOE.--The late Pro-proctors have laid before the
members of the Senate their remains hr resigning office,
in the form of a pamphlet of 20 pages, containing the
correspondence between themselves and the Vice-Chan-
oellor. The disagreement which led to their resignation
arose out of the ease of an under-graduate brought
before the Vice-Cluumellor's Court by Mr. Jameson for
having been found in • house of ill-fiune. and dismissed
" with a simple admonition." The nature of the cor-
respondence will appear from the passage with which
Mr. Williams clown; it As I can imagine nothing
more injurious to the character of the University, as
well as to the cause of morality, than that such sins as
are here in question should be vi-tually condoned, and
the censure—for such, indeed, it is—turned on the proc.
Ices, I believe I shall most effectively protest against
this dominiuit theory of vice by following the example
of my late colleague and resigning an appointment the
duties of which it is now evident I cannot discharge to
, your satisfaction and my own."
THE Arrniux FRONTIER OF INDIA.—The following
is an extract from a letter, dated Camp, near Attock,
November 9, 11558.—" Since I last wrote to you we
have been louring about on the Peshawur frontier.
Really the change there within the last few years is
marvellous ; and, strange to say, the ratio of progress
has been quaker than ever since the crisis of 1857. It
is said, and there is sober truth in it, that many of the
border marauders have been enlisted awl sent to fight
our battles in Ilinilostan. Four years ago there were
nightly depredations in the Peshawur couituninents.
Robbers descending from the Khyber Pass used to carry
off officers' horses, and would plunder their servants;
sentries would be posted all round the cantonments ;
even • wall by way of fortification was talked off.
This, too, at a time of profound peace with unbroken
prestige. Now there are few or no night sentries round
the cantonments ; the idea of a wall would be laughed
at ; there are fewer robberies in the cantonments than
there are in Oxfonl•street, and yet all this improvement
goes on despite the troubles of 18.57, and despite a
struggle for existence between the Government snd
rebels over half the Bengal Presidency. So with the
interior of the district ; we marched with • nice
rich camp (tempting booty for thieves) all over the
Peshawur Valley, and yet never had a single theft. I
saw men ploughing, sowing, and reaping, and driving
herds of cattle (favourite spoil for marauders) in perfect
security, in places where a short time ago men drove
the plough armed to the teeth, and tended their herds
with armed sentinels all round."

Tae SVFPONISD MURDER AT DUDEFE.—The adjourned
inquest on the body of Mary Ann Tow:whelp', wife of
Thomas Townsbend was resumed Tuesday afternoon at
the Blue Pig Inn, Dudley, before Mr. Robinson, district '
conmer. After some evidence in corroboration of the
particulars already published, Mr. Fisher, the surgeon.
stated the result of his examination of the body, and
gave his opinion that death was caused by suffocation
from external preen:lL Townshend, the husband, was
present, and the coroner told him that if he desired to
make any stidenieut he was at liberty to do so, giving
I at the same time the usual caution. Towtothend
said, that on the day before his wife's death she had coin-
plained of the dampness in the room. He had procured
the stove and lighted it in the room, but afterwards
allowed it to go out. He accounted for not opening the
door when his son called first to his being stupified. lie
said lie had not injured his wife, and that they had
always lived happily t4.1.11..r. The whole of the evi-
dence was then read over, and the coroner having
suimuel up, the jury, after about 20 minutes' delibera-
tion, returned the following verdict, " That the death
of the deceased was attributable to suffocation produced
by external pressure, but how or in what manner that
external pressure was produced, no sufficient evidence
has been offered." The coroner said lie entirely con-
curred in the verdict. Townsliend was then liberated,
being told by the coroner that his previous good charac-
ter had thrown suspicion off his shoulders.
A CHANCIL FOR BARNUNI.—A passenger from Hum-
bolt, says the Trinity Joiernal, relates that when Capt.
Messec recently destroyed an Indian rantheria, one of
his men—Hank Smith—entered • deserted hut, but
caine out • great deal faster than lie went in, with each
particular hair on end, and declaring that there was a
ghost within ! The jests of the others induced the man
to go back, but again he returned, more precipitateiy,
awl swore that there was a moving skeleton in the lodge.
Afterwards an opening was made in the hut, and a
living skeleton was discovered crouching under a basket
—an animated anatomy of skin and bones, five feet six
inches high, which weighed but 16 pounds ! The thing
is declare' to he a complete embodiment of death,
without a particle of flesh discoverable either on the
limbs ot face, and that it was small enough at the waist
of it to be spanned by a man's hand, yet capable of walk-
ing and intelligent action. The prisoners employ the
skeleton man in mixing bread, in which his lung bony
claws exhibit considerable dexterity. So far as the cre-
dulity of our infonnant goes—and we have no reason to
question his veracity the foregoing is no hoax ; lie
declares that lie has seen the living skeleton, which will
shortly be sent to the settlements as the greatest physi-
ological phenomenon of the ase. His captors believe
that the attenuated creature is the cot:sequence of tome
unknown disease (a peculiar atrophy) which has slowly
wasted the flesh without expelling life from its ghastly
tabernacle. If that be the sort of enemy which Messee
has to fight, we implore him to raise the siege and come
home ; for even a "Texas Ranger" cannot be expected
to encounter " Beath and Hell."—Sum Francisco
Herald.

A Don STONY.— A lady of some property, residing
in the Rue des Vignes, at Vaugirard, was 110118.... ed of •
huge mastiff, which, being very savage, hail to be kept
constantly chained up, but which she prised becaww it
liad belonged to her late husband. One morning,
according to custom, she took the minim] its food, but
he seemed more indocile than usual, and she gave him
a beating. Watching an opportunity, he suddenly
rashest on her, threw her down, dragged off the greater
part of her clothes, and bit her dreadfully in the breast,
arm, and one of her fact, tearing away frag-
ments of the flesh. The lady's cries attracted SOUIC of
the neighbours to the spot, and tney rescued her.
Although suffering dreadfully, and faint from loss of
blood, she requested them to strangle the animal. They
accordingly pained a curd round the dog's neck, and re-
moving his collar prepared to effect the operation: but
lie tugged io violently at the cord that lie broke it, and
rushed towards the room into which the lady had been
conveyed. The door was closed on him, and lie tried
to force it open, lint failed. On this, barking furiously,
lie rushed towanls the people who remained in the
courtyard, but they were able to escape by the door and
to close it. The community of police who had been
sent for (a Frenchman mends for the commissary of police
if he cute his little linger), now arrived, accompanied by
some gendarmes, and ht. made them kill the animal.
Medical insistence having been obtained for the unfor-
tunate lady, it was found that she was in a fearful state,
but hopes are entertained that she may recover. The
dog was, after death, eiainiuel by a veterinary surgeon,
and he declared that he was neither mimail nor labouring
under any maleily. lie further declared that in his
belief the animal must have had a sort of instinctive
hatred of his mistress, and must have been driven to
, fury by her beating him.
BUIVILARY AND DREAMT!. AFINATILT AT LFAMING•
TON.—On Sunday evening, during divine service, the
house of Mr. 'l'. Baker, landscape painter, rhurch-street.
Leamington, was broken into. The thief, or theives,
after scaling the garden wall, effected OM entrance into
the house by wrenching off the fastening of • back
parlour window. Mr. Baker end lin servant were from
home, but the former returned a few minutes before 8
o'clock, and heard a noise, as of persons upstaint lie
immediately called out, " Who's here ?' and proceeded
from the lobby to the back door, which he opened. On
returning to the lobby, lie found lamed( face to face, in
the dark, with a man. whom lie collared, and • scuffle
then ensued. The fellow escaped from Mr. Baker's
In esti, but was seised by that gentleman • second tnne,
when the burglar, after threatening violence if lie were
not released, struck Mr. Baker • severe blow with • life
preserver on the head, (nun the effects of which he was
dunned and fell. Ile must have remained insensible for
several minutes, when he give an alarm to a neighbour.
by whom Mr. Baker was found bleeding profusely from
three wounds, two of which must have been inflicted
while he was falling
_insensible from the first attack.
Medical aid was called in, and it was entertained that
Mr. Baker's upper lip was dreadfully cut, and that there
were two wound,' above the right rye and on that side
of the head. While Mr. Baker was lying in a helpless
condition in the lobby, the thieves (for Mr. Baker
iniaginesthere were two) escaped over the prden wall
taking with them a purse containing sonic old copper
and silver aline, and • silver watch, which was hung up
in Mr. Biker's studio. The bedding in two sleeping-
rooms had been such disturbed, and several 'ilk hand-
kerchiefs taken from a chest of drawers, as if Placed for
removal. Mr. Baker also found • hat, without any
lining, in the lobby, and a email dark lantern was dis-
covered in an area near the back door, where it had no
doubt, fallen during the scuffle alluded to; • handker-
chief in which the lantern had been wrapped was also
found in the garden, saturated with oil. Mr. Baker is
not now in danger, but lie has been the object of a very
daring and cruel attack, from which he is likely for some
time to retn•in • sufferer.

IMPORT OF EGGS AND WINS 'mom rgsgCg.—A
curious statistical return has lately been made of the
supply of eggs to England from France, by which it
appears that the annual value of this export to this
country exceeds that of wine. Even before the online'
disease the difference of value in favour of egpamounted
to 157,072 f. yearly. In 1815 there were imported into
England from France 1,3110,915 kilogrammes of eggs; in
11.1.56. 9,005,758 kilogrammes ; and as each kilogramme
is calculated to be equal to 18 eggs, it follows that
France furnishes England with nearly 200,000,000 of
eggs annually.
THE KING OF AVA.—Mr. Flower, the anatomical
articulator to the Royal College of Surgeons, has just
executed an elaborate model of the human skeleton of
the natural size in sycamore wood fur the above
enlightened potentate, who, being desirous of obtaining
a knowledge of the h an frame without losing caste by
handling the original tones, requested the late East
India Company to aid hiui in his difficulty. On the
recommendation of Mr. Owen, of the British Museum,
Mr. Flower WAD consulted, and at an expense of about
1:115 this artist produced a most faithful representation
of the human skeleton in wood, and exhibited the same
a few days since at the College of Surgeons, when it
elicited the highest commendation from the Court of
East ll i ll ens.

LAX Vs.—Soroe idea of the enormous
Co ove of the American lakes may be gathered from
the following notice of Lieutenant Maury's lecture in
the Detroit Adrertiter :—" In his lecture in Detroit on
Thursday evening Lieutenant Maury stated upon the
authority of Colonel Graham to the department at
Washington, that the shipping and commerce of Lake
Michigan amount to $218,000,000. He also states
that the value of the shipping and commerce passing
over the St. Clair Flats averages daily for 210 days of
each year $1,128,223. At this estimate 112 vessels,
valued with their cargoes at $lO.OOO each, must pass
over the Flats daily. He states the value of the lake
commerce to be $200,000,000 to each lake, except Lake
Erie, which is estimated at $300,000,000. Another
statement made by the lieutenant was, that if the
supply of the lakes were cutoff, and evaporation stopped,
it would require an outlet as large as the Mississippi
river 112 years to exhaust the water of the lakes."
A Toccimen INCIDCKT. —On Tuesday last the
mother of Whitworth, who was executed on the pre-
vious Saturday, arrived at York and asked at the
castle gate whether there was a man to be hanged the
following Saturday. On being told that one Whitworth
was executed on the previous Saturday she nearly
fainted. On recovering she informed the turnkey that
she was Whitworth's mother, and had come from near
Worksop for the express purpose of seeing, for the butt
time, her unfortunate son. The poor woman was at
once taken to Mr. Noble, the governor, whom 'be in-
formed that she had started from home totally ignorant
of the day when the fate of her son would be decided ;
her husband and son-in-law, it seems, having kept from
her, as far as possible, any information on the dis-
tressing subject. She had spent nearly all she had on
her journey, and Mr. Noble found her lodgings for the
night and gave her something to assist her house; ha
also informed her of the happy change which had come
, over her sun ere his execution, and of his prayers on his
! parents' and mends' behalf—a statement which she
heard with great satisfaction and consolation. On
Wednesday she called on the Wesleyan tuinister, Mr.
! Parkes, who paid SO much attention to the condemned
criminal, and expressed her deepest gratitude for his
kindness. Mr. Parkes also rendered the pour woman
some pecuniary assistance, and she left York the same
day.
FRENCH PASSPORT& —A paragraph having appeared
' in the newspapers to the effect that the Mintitear bad
published a Ministerial notification of the entire aboli-
tion of visas for passports in France, ths Fren3b Consul
General in England, in order to prevent the erroneous
idea which such an announcement is likely to convey,
deems it a duty in the interest of the public to point
out the true bearing of the statement in question. Time
said statement contains a recapitulation of the past and
present legislation on the subject of the service of pass-
ports which now stands as follows :—Facilities,
or exemption* have beets granted by the
Imperial Government. I. To the inhabitante of the
respective ports on the seaboard both in France and
England knosn to the local authorities. '2. To certain
classes of travellers as mentioned in the special instrue-
tions of the 22nd of October, 20th of November, and
10111 of I)ecember last, 3. AU other travellers. whether
French or foreigners, must have their passports wised in
time usual way, with this additional facility, that a visa
is net now required at each journey, as had been regu •
lated in January, 1 'B4B ; but it exempts the traveller for
tlie space of a year from the date thereof. Thus a
British subject, who would procure on the 20th of
January, 1859, a passport from the Foreign-office,
would have to get the consular endorsement on it as
usual, but should he have to return to or throurh
France several times during the year, he need not
present it again for the visa until after the 21st of
January, 1800.
- - -- •

A Ni.W MIRACLE.—The Pres.* relates the following:
—" At Inc. in the Haute,' Pyrenees, • young girl of
14. limited Francine Baque, attracted considerable
public attention towards the end of December last, by
announcing that the Holy Virgin and Jesus Christ had
appeared to her, as also certain members of her family
who had died in their infancy. Crowds of visitor;
arrived at Trie (rout all part,' of the district. ad the emu-
missionary of police, suspecting an imposture, also pro-
ceeded to the residence of Francine Bailee, in order to
witness the aprarition of • departed sister of the latter,
which was announced for the evening of the 29th ult.
On entering the house he found from 15 to 20 people
assembled in a room, with feverish impatience depicted
on their features. Francine was reclining on a bed, and
was dressed completely in •white. Her features were
contracted, and her eyes were deed on a crucifix which
was nailed to the wall. At the end of • quarter of an
hour, she roe, and blew out the lights. Five minutes
later, die ordered the estiellOS to be relighted, and then
announced that her sister Marceline had appeared to
her, and had presented liar with a picture of the Virgin,
which she forthwith exhibited to the lemons present.
Time latter withdrew crying, 'A miracle !'" The com•
miasionary of police remained incredulous, in spite of
the tangible proof funmialied by the favoured maiden.
After a severe cross exam 33 ill ation, he, moreover, ascer-
tained that the picture had been purchased at a grooer's
shop for the autn of 10 centimes. The Prefer thus
, sarcastically concludes its notice of the transaction:—
Is it not and that the progress of incredulity should
have checked in its birth a miracle which had started
with such capital chances? But for the indiscreet zeal
of that unbelieving commissary, the miracle would hays
answered. and 20,000,000 gold medals might have been
struck off and sold with ease. Truly the fate of curs-
des hangs on a slender thread."
A GHOST Sronr.—A respectable tradesman and his
wife, who reside at Reading, and carry on an exteilive
business, about three weeks or a month ago were awoke
from their peaceful repose by a most singular noise,
of which they took no particular notice at the time.
However, a few nights afterwards they were again
disturbed in a similar way, and they were naturally
seized with alarm, which was considerably increased by
the noise returning twice ere the light of morning had
entered their apartment. They were willing to attri-
bute this disturbance to some natural MUM, but after
an absence of one night the same sound retuned
shortly after inidnight, and it was beard distinctly three
times in the course of an hour—on each occasion
Appearing to arise from between the parties as they lay
in beil, and is comparable to nothing but • death gasp.
which continues a few seconds, and nothing is heard
until the lapse of a quarter of an hour, when • deep
groaning sound runs through the room. Another
silence follows, but after an interval of perhaps half an
hour, it is broken by a loud, shrill shriek, which startles
those who had by this time become frightened to •
fearful extent. A minister was mot for, and he slept
in the house two night..; the second night the noise
was heard, but time cause was Still a secret. In order
that they might be perfectly satisfied that this strange
sound was not cowed by rats, or any animal of that ,
kind, the floor of the room was taken up, and the
chimneys were examined, with a view of secertaining if
any member of the feathered tribe had secreted itself in
them. Various measures were adopted to discover the
means of this mystery, but all proved of no avail, and
it Was determined that on the night of !Sunday
week Mrs. should sleep at the house of a friend
residing at a village a short distance from Reading.
She accordingly retired to rest in an apartment occupied
by two of her friends, but, most extraordinary Sc relate,
she. and the two persons who bore her company, were
alarmed by the same strange noise mu the dead of the
night. la is painful to be obliged to record the fact
that Mr. was compelled to take to his bed, and is
now constantly attended by Dr. C—, who has pro-
nounced Isis condition to be such that it would he
daugeroue that he should be visited by any of his
friends.
AN INDIAN TIGER HCNT.—A tiger hunt which has
just taken place in the vicinity of Broach deserves
special mention oil account of the good conduct and
courage shown by the police employed. Captain
Graham, Superintendent of Police at Broach, had
pitched his tent on the 15th on the Surat side of the
river near liansote. He received information about the
middle of the day that a large tiger had taken up his
position in a village near, and hail just killed a woman,
and severely mauled a man whom he found working in
the field. Graham at once sent off a sower to ask the
men in Broach to come out, saying that he would wait
till five o'clock, and then, if no one mine, he would
attack him himself. The bower found some difficulty
in crossing the river, and did not get into Broach till
near three ; and as the place was fourteen iiiiies on the
other side of the river, and horses and guns not ready,
the Broach men thought it useless to go that night, and
resolved to start next mourning. Graham waited till 5,
and then set out with a niuque and six Sepoys of the
armed police, and some peons. A. they were going
towards the place through a cotton field, suddenly the
tiger sprung up from the cotton and charged Graham,
who, galloped off, and the tiger, failing in his charge,
retreated. Graham ordered his men to load, and tale.
mug his rifle gave chase to the tiger. When lie got
within 50 yards he pulled up and made a beautiful shut
from the saddle, Ilia grey Arab standing ISO steadily as a
rock. The bell parsed through the tiger's neck and
brought him down. Graham waited till his men came
up and advanced on him. Then he gave him another
shot, on which the tiger sprang up apparently unhurt,
and roaring furiously charged right down on the Sepals
who received him with a volley, which did not stop hie,.
He rushed on • coolie police &joy, who with the
utmost coolness and courage received him with the
bayonet, indicting a severe wound on the head. But
, the tiger bore down the Sepoy's defence, and seised the
I end of the musket in his jaws. So immense was the
, strength of his jaws, that the musket and bayonet were
; bent to • right angle, and the marks of his teeth are
mvisibly grove,' out in the iron of the barrel. Seizing on
time Sepoy he clawed him fearfully. Graham could not
get his second gun for a minute ; seeing which the
• peons, MUSSUIMIDS, drew their swords, and most gal-
-1 lantly attacked the tiger, they gashed him so with their
• swords that he left the man, when Graham, who had
, got his second gun, put • ball through his heart. They
• took the tiger and wounded Sepoy and set off at once to
• Broach, where they arrived about four on the morning
r of the 10th. The &pay was lent into the hospital, and
, the doctor thought be would recover, as no large vessel
• appeared to be injured, though be was frightfully
lace-
rated, Ile asked fur four hairs from the tiger's
• whiskers, which he said were a charm to cure hint if
• tied round his wrist. However, on the night of the
10th he began to sink rapidly, and on the 17th, to the
, great regret of all he died. He warn • most pliant
fellow. We never heard before of a tiger being shot
from the saddle.

PARISH RATING Or WATER, GAR, AND TELEGRAPH
CoNTAN Hui —The board of governors awl directors of the
united parishes of Et. Andrew, Holborn, and St. (*eerie
the Martyr have increased the aasesinnent on the piles of
the New River Coutpany laid in the perish front MO to
0,000. and are instituting Inge i ries preparatory to waking
a similar increase in the asiesanient of the pile,. of the
gag company laid in the parish. They have also re•
solved to assess the wires of the Electric Telegraph
Company laid along Holborn —froin flolhorn•bers to
Fen wick-cou rt —at the awn of £lOO, the wires nut having
hitherto been assessed.

FORTIFICATIoN OF Mt MUMBLFS.—It has been
decided by the war authorities to erect a battery and
other necessary buildings on the lighthouse island at the
Mumbles, in Swansea Bay. It is understood that this
battery is to be a powerful one. armed with heavy guns,
iisid destined to protect the numerous shipping which
ruts into the roadstead for shelter, or on any change of
wind, and which have amounted to as many an NV sail.
Colonel Vicars surveyed this site as far back as 1854.
It seems that during the last war with the French the
Mumbles was used by the Admiralty ass rendezvous for
the merchantmen of the whole Bristol Channel, whence
the convoys were escorted to various parts by the men-
of-war.

DRRADFUL ACCIDINT.—An accident of • most fright-
ful character has occurred to the Rev. John Watson, of
the Theological Seminary, Well-street, Hackney. It
appears that the roe. gentleman had been down to
Lewisham, and was about rutuniing home at half-past 9
o'clock on Thursday night, when, near London-bridge,
be was struck in the mouth by the ironwork of a pole of
an omnibus, which entirely carried away his nose and
the palate of his mouth, knocking lijui down at the
same time. He was picked up by some gentlemen and
conveyed to William's-ward. St. Thomas's Hospital,
when Messrs. Gervis and Grethen', house surgeons,
rendered every assistance that medical skill could
suggest, but from the severe nature of the injury not
the slightest hopes are entertained of his recovery.
THE AMERICAN SINATE OPLEZD RE A ROMAN CATIIO.
LIC ranorr.—Father Boyle, a Roman catholic priest'
opened the session of the United State Semite with prayer
on the 23rd December last, arrayed in full canonicals.
This novel proceeding arose from the Senate having
decided not to elect • chaplain. The Speaker, under
authority, selectdanumber of the clergy from all denomi-
nations in Washington city, to discharge by turns the
duty of chaplain, and Father Boyle was one of them.
He was attended by a number of priests in surplice and
cassock, it being the arst time since the foundation of the
Republic that the entire vestment of the Roguish clew
had been wen in either House of Congress. The
incident was the subject of leech couunent.

A COURAGEOUS Exursg-Dutricit.—During the pro-
gress of the Great Northern express train between Crof-
ton and Featherstone, on a branch of the Lancashire and
Yorkshire Railway, on Saturday week, the flange of one
of the wheels of the engine broke, and shortly after-
wards a tarp portion of the tire of the wheel was east
off. The train was proceeding at the rate of 50 miles
an hour over • steep embankment, and the accident
threw the carriages off the line, bat by the courage and
coolness of the driver the train was pulled up just in
time to prevent its falling down the incline. The par
sengers finding that something was wrong gut out of
the marriages, and on perceiving the danger they had
escaped testified their admiration of the driver's skill
and firmness by making • subscription for him on the
spot. The line was ploughed up and the chairs broken
for nearly a mile, and the train was delayed for about
two hours.

A Rale OF THE SABINE& —From time immemorial,
Old Handsel Monday has been the winter holiday in
Dunfermline and its neighbourhood. Of late years,
however, an attempt has been mule by a few parties—
not natives of the town—to substitute New Year's Day,
and this year the manager of the largest factory in the
town, employing NM or GOO young women, rendered
himself particularly unpopular by arrarging the factory
holiday for New Year's Day and making a working-ilay
of Handsel Monday, on which balls, concerts, and soiree*
for the million are held. The oonsegnonce has been that
an attempt was made nn Monday 'mourning, by shout •
hundred young liner,. forcibly to abduct their sweethearts
from the factory—the factory-mini being the battle-beld
—the manager and tenters pulling one way, the lads
the other—the lames, nothing both, rather inclining to be
forcibly abducted. The reault was that, after some hard
blows, the manager lost his hut and temper, and had his
coat considerably damaged, when he retired within his
castle with a goodly remnant of the female workers,
whom, after coming to a better frame of mind, be
liberated at an early part of the day.
THZ BlaHor BURTON MuRDIR.—The nine prisoners
concerned in this came were brought up for final exami-
nation before the East Riding magistrates. at Beverley,
on Thursday. An attempt was made to prove an alibi
on the part of Playforth and M'Grath ; Johnson baid lie
was innocent of the murder; the other prisoners offered
no defence. The Bench having held a consultation,
the Chairman said :—Playforth, M'Orath, Franklin,
Johnson, Markham, liLirshall, and Steven, you are
severally committed to take your trial at the next York
Assizes for the wilful munler of John Washington Jct.
and also for maiming and wounding Robinson and
Geddes. Addressing Roleion, and Thotimpoin, the
Chairman said that, after considering the whole matter
they were of °ninon that the evidence wan not sufficient to
prove that they were guilty as accessories, and lie there-
I fore ordered them to he discharged, cautioning them as
to their future conduct, and observing that they had had
a very narrow escape. Robson and Thompson thanked
the Chairman and then left the court. Mr. PettingeU
stated that he had substantial bail to offer for Playforth
and M'Gratli, but the Chairman referred him to the
Judges.
THE CIVIL Sravici..— War-office... Mr. Walter

Whitmore Jones, a clerk of the third class lathe
Iccountant-G l's Branch. has resigned his appoint-
ment. We believe that Mr. A. A. Geary, of the
Clothing Branch, will be appointed private secretary to
Major-General Peel, in place of Mr. J. H. Orde,
re.igned. There are vacancies in this office for junior
clerks; commencing salary £lOO per annum. Audit-
°Sec.—Mr. Peter Cunningham, F. 8.1., a senior
examiner of the first class, is about to retire from the
service. There is a vacancy for • junior clerk in this
office; commencing salary, LW per annum. Law
Department.—Sir Walter Buchanan Riddell, Recorder
of Maidstone and Tenterden, has been appointed County
Court judge of North Staffordshire, Circuit No. 26,
in the room of Mr. Robert Griffith Temple, deceased.
Foreign Department.—The consulship at Calais has
become vacant by the promotion of Mr. Bonham
Inland Revenue Department Stamps and Taxes
Branch.—The distributorship of stamps for the district
of Derby is now vacant. The value of this appointment
is nearly £l,OOO per annum. Mr. Samuel Lucas has
been appointed distributor of stamps for the district of
Leicester. East Indies—Mr. James Nasiuyth, deputy
commissioner of the second class, has been appointed •
deputy commissioner of the first class Captain S.
' Graham deputy commissioner of the third doss, has
been appointed deputy commissioner of the second
class. Captain W. M Neile, assistant commissioner of
k the first class, has been appointed deputy commissioner
1 of the third class.

MELANCHOLY ACCIDENT.—On Monday week a very
melancholy occurrence took place off the coast of Peven-
sey (a small town on the Brighton and South-Coast Mid-
way, a dozen miles from Hastings), in consequence of the
upsetting of a boat, which resulted in the death of four
men from drowing. From particulars gleaned it appears
that the coastguard boat, containing five men—Mania
Perrin, chief boatman ; William Hutchings. commission
boatman; and William Cook, William Brickell, and
Michael Russell, boatmen—had been off to the coast-
guard tender Active, and on their return the boat was
swamped. The chief officer in command of the station,
Lieutenant Mansell, baring witnessed the fearful acci-
dent, observed that one man (Russell) was floating, sup-
ported by an oar, and although the weather was extremely
cold, and the sea very rough from a south-west pie,
which has been blowing on this coast for some days, he
courageously stripped and entered the water. By his
gallant exertions lie succeeded in rescuing this man with
very great difficulty, both being completely exhausted,
as may well be imagined, on coming on shore. The
other four men, as before stated, net a watery grave.
One of the bodies has since been washed ashore. Perrin,
the chief boatman, has left • large family; Cook has
also five children under 14 years of age, the youngest
being only eight weeks old ' • Briekell had only entered
the service at the end of October. The sad event has
created a very melancholy interest.
ADULTEKATIoN or FOOD AND SALK or

A meeting of the citizens of Manchester was held at the
Townhall on Tuesday to take these questions into con.
sideration. The meeting bad been convened in conse-
quence of a requisition to Mr. Ivie Mackie. the Mayor.
and his Worship presided. The Rev. Canon Richson
nioved, and Mr. Thomas Turner seconded, the following
resolution :—" That inasmuch as the indiscriminate sale
of poisons has frequently led to serious and fatal results,
it is the opinion of this meeting (doe regard being had
to the case of individuals already established in trade) ,
that no person should be permitted to sell drugs or dis.
pense medicines without a certificated competency froin
some duly constituted public authority ; and that in all
cases the sale of poisons ought to be regulated by Act of
Parliament." Mr. Thomas Bagley, M.P.. moved the
second resolution, and it was aeconsled by Professor Cal-
vert That, the adulteration of food having been
proved to exist to a very large extent, and the conse-
quences resulting therefrom being most injurious to the
public, both in sanitary and oommercial points; of view,
and great benefits having heretofore resulted from in-
section of certain articles of food, it is the opinion of
this meeting that the corporate and other local authori-
ties ought to pONICIA the power of inspecting all food
offered for sale, and that the vendors of food injuriously
R. Wood moved that petitions to Parliament be founded
adulterated should be subjected to a penalty." Mr. IN .
on these resolutions, and the motion was agreed to.
Ms. BRIGHT'S REPROOF of certain of the members
of the Arietoeracy. *lemmal at the Brav(ford Ahem!'
Oa Mowing, the 17th ioet.—ln those speeches which I
bays lately delivered I have abstained from assailing any
single individual. I hare been met by several inenthers
of the aristocracy in a manner I scarcely expected. One
Scotch lord told a great audience that I MILS afflicted by a
visitatioo of Providence, and that I was suffering from
disease of the brain. (Shame.) His friends can tell
whether that is • complaint with which lie is ever likely
to be abated, (Laughter.) Another nobleman says
that I am • destroyer of property and a traitor to my
class. I stop not to answer language like this. (Cheers.)
There are some great men and there are many good men
in the ranks of the English aristocracy. There are
among the iii souse who would be nobles though coronets
and privilege were things unknown, but even their
virtues cannot long sustain their order winst the peril-
ous defence to which it is now exposed. (Cheers.) I
therefore warn them to call back the champions who in
every display of their powers exhibit hereditary
nobihty allied with intellectual poverty, and members
of the Peerage wanting in the manners and likeness of
gentlemen. (Owen and laughter.) I cannot consent
to arrest the progress of this great debate to take part in
personal conflicts. I brush aside the miserable detrac-
tors whose nature it is to bark and bray at the protec-
tors of every great and good cause. (Cheers.) I
address a great nation upon a great question. lam in
earnest, and I speak because I believe. I have no elo-
quence but that which oonsists in a hearty love of truths
and the facts and argumenta I use enter the understand
ing and reach the hearts of my countrymen. (Cheers.)
-
lau powerless as an individual; in 000ntrPse° are
the nation and omnipotent, and to thew awl i° You ,
commit the issue and fat. at this great t nossiir,,,* (n°
rommtetentleman resumed his seat amid maw
great Pew
cheering.)

WAGES IN TIM MANUFACTOIIINN DIRTILICTIL—n•
factory operatives in the mantdactormitittese of imp
eashire, Yorkshire, Derbyshire, and ire have for
„oine time past contemplated • general inovemort for
securing an incream of wages, considering that tti;
proopenty of the cotton trade woald amply sew, thea
in such • mine. The spinners and self-actor mieders
have taken the initiative, and the united bcdy
smiting the four counties above named have made
draught of • memorial to the employers setting forth
the views of the workers on the subject. The agitation
assumes entirely the character of a request to the elm
ployers, ad in many instances the amount of the .4.
e,,rree a wages desired is not even named. The
inasteni will be appealed to individually, and there is
little doubt that in most instances the request will be
conceded. In any case a "strike," or measures of the
kind, will not be restored to.

Tile BISHOP or LoNDoN AND THE SuNDAT LEAGUE.
--On Thursday afternoon • deputation from the Execs-
Live Cininuittoe of the National Sunday League, *moist,
ing f Mr. Louden, chairman, Messrs. Duthie, Henney
Morrell, and Heap, waited upon the Bishop of London,
at Londomhouse, for the purpose of soliciting his Liel.
ship's co-operation in obtaining the opening of the
British Museum, National Gallery, and dinilar
tutions on Sunday afternoon, as • means of promoting
the mond and social improvement of the people an
diminishing Sunday labour. His Lordship received the
deputation in the most courteous wanner, and Me.
Louden read an address explaining the views of the
committee. The address stated that, with regard to
tinhsetrueatiroxlisin,,teteddeaibyre ofthethenaletaiogr
inwastnickeito open ?ear
public instruction and improvement—vie, tie British
Museum, the National Gallery. the South Kensington
Museum, and Marlborough.lionse. That, next to the
church, the public institutions offered the most beneficial
means of elevating the people. It showed that a mot
many working men and women were engaged at their
trades in their own rooms and elsewhere en Sundays,
in order to make holydays on other days, and that
this labour might be prevented by giving the working
population instruction and recreative opportunity, such
as the national institutions afforded. The address con-
cluded by earnestly soliciting the co-operation of his
Lordship in their efforts. His Lordship refrained from
expressing an opinion in favour of the desirability of
opening those institutions on Sundays. At the sem*
tune, he might say on behalf of the clergy, they did not
wish to force their views upon others, and would rather
rely upon conscience than upon law. Ile was of opinion
that morality should be bawd on religion, and not reli-
gion on morality. The deputation handed their address
and papers to his Lordship and withdrew.

. .
EnoMail TaaVILLIAna AMOCO Bit/Cantilt.—A letter
from Rome of the 15th contains an account of another
daring eat of brigandage. It says :—" The extension of
railways in the dominion of His Holiness will present to
travellers the advantage of approaching the Eternal City
without being subject to the onslaughts of brigands .0
much as is, unfortunately the cage just now, when bad
roads, tedious hills, and solitary wastes invite outlaws
Inlay violent hands upon straggling rettierino vehicles
or ponderous family carriages. A specimen of this dis-
agreeable kind of excitement was experienced on Wed-
nesday last by Mr. and Mrs. Robertson, who were tra-
velling to Roane with poet-horsee, and had arrived at
their last day's journey, at the town of Viterbo, on the
preceding evening. The postillion who drove them
out of that town was probably in league with the robbers
for he was observed to pull up his horses at &lonely epet
of the forest which covers the mouutaie of Viterbo, and
immediately afterwards gee men rushed out of the
brushwood, arineet with guns and the usual complement
of small weapons, and wearing black veils over their
faces. These worthies lost no time in opening therms,
nage door, and were proceeding to drag out the tra-
vellers, oolnuiencing with the gentlemen, but Mrs.
Robertson, who has a perfect command of the Italian
language, reproached them in such powerful Wrnis If
their audacity in venturing to lay violent hands upon •
lady, that they finally desisted from their project of
dragging her out also, and by that imam she was able
to preserve her jewel-box, upon which she sat while the
brigands turned up theaushions, examined the pockets,
and searched the interior of the carriage. Mrs. Robert-
son with admirable presence of mind, lied received her
husband's purse from him while he was being pulled
out of the carriage, and had taken out the chief part
of gold it contained, so that when it MU handed over to
the brigands with its silver and small change it was
not worth much more than a couple of napoleons. The
rubbers having made sere of Mr. Robertson's man-ser-
vant and maid—the latter being infinitely more
alarmed than her :aistress—prooeedwl to undo the
luggage on the imperial, but their scrutiny of that in-
dispensable appendage to a travelling carriage was inter-
rupted by the unwelcome intelligence, communicated to
them by Mrs. Robertson, to the effect that they had
better be quick in their operations as • party of gen-
dannes were at &short distance behind, and would soon
appear in sight. This was perfectly true, as the tra-
veller, had passed the gendarmes a little time before,
escorting a cartful of prisoners towards Rome. The
news of their vicinity rendered the brigands nervous ;
they detached one of their number to • neighbouring
eminence, to keep a look out on the approaching enemy,
end soon after abandoned their plunder on the high
road to seek the safer shade of the forest, leaving the
well.aatialled travellers to continue their journey to.
Rome, where they arrived the same evening without
further inconvenience, the attack having taken place
about it o'clock in the morning. A report of the occur-
rence having been made to the British representative on
the following day, Mr. Odo Russell proceeded to the
Vatican to relate the affair to Cardinal Antoselli. His
eminence expressed his regret at the reappearance of
brigandage so near the capital, and gave immediate
orders for patrols of dragoons and gendarmes to be sent
in search of the offenders."