The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-02-07 00:00:00

ATTEMPTED MURDER BY A CONVICT.

_ A determined attempt to murder one of the warders of the:
convict prison in Portsmouth was made on Monday, by a
prisoner named Johnson. The following are the particulars,
So tar as can be learned convicts had been to service,
as usual, at the church within the walls of the:prison, and as
they were coming out of the. sacred edifice, and filling in to
their respeCtive gangs, Johnson suddenly- stabbed ha- the neck
on the right side a warder of the name of James Aston. Two
convicts immediately sprung upon Johnson, and secured him,
and ho was taken away. Aston was conveyed to. the infirmary
of the prison, apparently wiih no hopes of his surviving for a
minute. The instrument with which the deed was committed
was a small clasp penknife. It is most extraordinary how
Johnson became possessed of it, as he had only just, in
common with the other prisoners, been searched, when nothing
was found upon him. He had always been regarded as a
dangerous prisoner, and'therade 'extra precautions were taken
with regard to him. It appears that some years since he had
been a convict on board the Stirling Castle convict hulk, and
that Aston was at that time a warder on beard. Johnson was
sent to Gibraltar in due course, tnd there stabbed a warder,
for which he was sent back to this country (undee sentence of
transportation for life) to, recommenee a probationary course
here. It is presumed that he had on board the Stirling Castle
formed some grudge against Aston. Oo his being taken to his
cell, he said to one,of the warders, "All. I hope is, that I have
killed the -; but if I have not done it, tell him. I hope he
won't forget the Stirling Castle.." It is reported that Johnson
and another convict had determined, one or the other, to
murder Aston. Small hopes are entertained as to the recovery
Aston, .He is about 34 years of age, and a married man with
two children.

TIM DOUBLE MURDER. AT WALWOBTIL.—The body o'
Mrs. Bacon, mother of the alleged murderer of two children
in Walworth, was exhumed at Great CJstertoi, near Staf-
ford, yesterday morning, io the presence of Dr. Taylor of
London. Imtnediately after the' body was exhumed, Mr
Henry Hough, coroner, proceeded to open the ingne4, when
several witnesses, including the surge.= who was present
at the death of the moiler, verb examined. Professor
Taylor proceeded to London 'for the purpoSe of making the
nece-s!ry anely of the storn lob and contents.
ALExANDER THE GREAT IN CHINA.-.-After Alexander
had made war against Parr or Pomp, and slain him, he
made war 'against the Emperor of China. That, monarch
did not consider himself equal to the conflict, and went in
disguise to the Grecian camp. Ho was discovered and
brought to Alexander, who asked him how he could act
in such a manner. The Emperor replied—. I was anxious
to see you and your army; I could have had no fear on
my own account, as I knew I was not an object of dread
to Alexander; besides if he were to 'slay me, my subjects
would instantly raise another king to the throne. But of
this I haie no fear, as I am satisfied Alexander can never
be displeased with an action that shoWs- a
,solicitude
to obtain his friendship." The Conqueror was completely
overcome by this truly Chinese flattery, and con-
cluded a treaty by which China was spared on condition
of paying tribute. The emperor returned to his capital to
make preparationi tOr the entertainment of his great ally;
.and the third day he returned. with an. army, the dust of
.whieh announced its great numbers,. which made Alexan-
der prepare his!force for battle. When both. lines were
opposite, the Emperor of China, *with his ministers and
nobles alighted, and went towards the Grecian Prince,
who asked him why he had broken faith. , "I wished,'
said the Emperor, " to show the number ofmy army, that
you might be satisfied,
I made peace. from other motives
than an inability to make war. It was from consulting
the stars that I have been led to submit. The heavens
aid you, and I war not- with them." Alexander was so
gratified that he released the Emperor from paying the
tribute, as he was too wise, too pious, and too great a
prince ; he was perfectly satisfied to have his friendship.
Montgomery Martyn's China.