The Press.
London, England, 1856-03-22 00:00:00

THE PRESS.

hardened papa, went home to his bed-room, a small
room about nine feet square, got into his bed, and
never got out of it till the day of his death. At the
time of his death his window, it is said, had not
been opened for thirty-eight years. During the
whole period of this self-imposed confinement he
never had any serious illness, the only case of indis-
position those connected with him can remember
being a slight loss of appetite for two or three days,
caused apparently by indigestion. Physically he is
reported to have done credit to his food ; for, though
arrived at the long age of seventy-nine, his flesh
was firm, fair, and unwrinkled, save with fat, and the
estimate of his weight was 2401 b., or thereabouts.
As a matter of course, the curious came far and
wide to see this eccentric being, but whenever a
stranger was ushered into his den Sharp imme-
diately buried himself in the bedclothes. About a
week before his death his appetite began to fail, his
limbs became partially benumbed, so that he could
not take his food in his accustomed manner. From
this attack he seemed to rally, and not until the
evening before his death were any apprehensions
entertained that the attack would prove ultimately
fatal.

THE OXFORD FARMERS' CLUB have agreed to give
10/. for the best essay "On the most complete
method of growing a good crop of turnips, swedes,
marigold, and other roots, on all descriptions of
soils, with detailed expenses, and with a view to
leave the land clean at the separation of those crops
from the ground."

THE LATE DR. WARNEFORD, whose munificent do-
nations to the various charities of Birmingham will
be remembered, bestowed at the same time no less
than 23,6501. upon the Queen's College, in addition
to nearly 6,0001. more for the hospital and chapel
attached. The Rev. Dr. Vaughan Thomas, 8.D.,
has written, for private circulation only, a very inte-
resting memoir of his deceased friend.
THE FAMOUS KING OF THE GIPSIES, Samuel
Cooper, died suddenly the other day from disease of
the heart. He was sixty-two years of age.
A PERFECT FOSSIL SPECIMEN OF THE ICHTHYO-
- imbedded at full length in blue lias, was
found at Bristol this week. It is upwards of seven
feet in length and two in width.
THE DUKE OF RUTLAND, a few days since, was
presented at Belvoir Castle with the portrait painted
by his permission, and at the desire of the duke's
tenantry, by Mr. Grant. The ceremony of presenta-
tion took place in the library, in the presence of
several members of the duke's family.
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE, OXFOR.D, caught fire on
Wednesday, and for a short time was in some
danger. The fire broke out in the master's room,
from the overheating of the kitchen flues. The
damage done is considerable.
AN EX.PLOSION OF COAL GAS generated in the hold
of a vessel, took place last week on board a
French collier lying off Bristol. The captain had
lighted a match in his cabin, when in a moment a
tremendous explosion ensued, the deck was blown
up, the bulkheads shattered, and all the crew were
more or less severely injured. No life was lost, but
the captain was most severely injured.
A CONVICT ON BOARD THE WOOLWICH HULKS
died last Saturday somewhat suddenly. An inquest
was held, and it was discovered that the man the
whole of the previous night had been in great pain
from strangulated hernia, and begged for a doctor.
The officials neglected to send for the surgeon, and
the man died. The jury have recommended to Sir
George Grey that an inquiry be ordered by the Go-
vernment into the circumstances of such gross ne-
glect on the part of the officers of the hulk.
DESTRUCTIVE FIRES have occurred this week in a
woollen factory at Troubridge and in a windmill and
farm buildings at Dover. In no instance were the
buildings saved. The woollen factory was burnt to
the ground, and loss to the amount of 10,0001. in-
curred; while the farm buildings and the windmill at
Folkestone were completely destroyed. The German
Legion at Shbrncliffe did such good service that one
farmer presented them with thirty of his own pigs,
—ready roasted.