The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-09-28 00:00:00

TRIAL OF MILITARY PONTOONS.

CHATHAM, MONDAY AFTERNOON.
His Grace the Duke of Wellington and suite arrived lure
early this morning, for the purpose or deciding on the
merits of three different sets of pontoons, the inventiops
of Sir James Collarton, Colonel Paisley, and Major Blan-
chard.

His Grace was attended by Lord Fitzroy Somerset, and
several General Officers, with the Admiral, Sir Robert
Moorsom, anti his Captain. The morning was elou.tr,
anti threatened for rain; but as the day advanced, it cleated
off, and was very fine, which induced all the beauty anti
fashion of the neighbourhood to embark in boats, for the
purpose of seeing the Duke, and viewing the different evo-
lutions, which were performed with such dexterity, Is to
call forth the admiration of his Grace anti the Committee
of General Officers. It is not yet known which invention
is considered the best. Colonel Paisley's are made of cop-
per, and are very heavy, as well as expensive, and require
about twenty men to carry each ; also difficult to launch in
a muddy river. Sir James Collarton's are built of weed,
which has one great advantage, that the army may cut the
timber, and make them on the spot, without much troutl:.
Major Blanehard's are made of tin, anti arc so light, that
four men may carry one with great ease; they can be kept
in repair for a trifling expense, and will carry a much
greater weight than either of the others. _

Great praise is due to Colonel Paisley, for the high state
of perfection he has brought the Sappers to, in managing
these boats; they pulled them up the river, with only six
oars to each, against a very strong side, beating the Mini-
ral's barge with the greatest case. I regret to say, one of
the soldiers, by some accident, missed his hold, tell ever-
board, and was drowned; although there were many bm!s
around him, yi t none were fortunate enough to get up in
time to save the poor fellow. This is the second or third
accident of the same kind, which has happened in trainir
the men in the management of the pontoons. It seems a
pity, in a river like the Medway, where the tide runs CO
strong, that the soldiers who are employed on these rafts
are not furnished with some sort of life-preserver as a safe-
guard, in the event of being knocked overboard. The Duke
left Rochester about four o'clock, on his return to London;
and it was generally remarked that his Grace was looking
thin. We fear his standing so many hours on a wet tassel
may prove iejurious to him.

NIELANCSIOLY ACCIDENT...Lag Saturday evening.
Mr. John Beard, eldest son of T. Beard, Erg. of Rot**
dean, was riding at a very moderate pace, on the readies&
ing to Kemptown, Brighton, his horse fell, and three
him with great violence: he pitched on his head, 'Tithe°
his hat, which had fallen off; his skull was so dreadfully
fractured, that he died about two hours afterwards, though
medical skill was promptly called to his assistance. It $
only five weeks ago, this day, that we announced in our
paper the marriage of the unfortunate deeesst d untlercli4
to a very amiable young lady, now, alas! a widow.—
SuNrex Advertiser.

ECONOMY IN COAI.S.—Take the ashes and mall cies.
tiers which fall from the tire, and wet them till 00'1"
like the mortar used by bricklayers ; that done, rut them
en the back port of the fire, when those who hate not
made the experiment will be surprised to tind that, ill co.r
junction with coal, they make an excellent fire, that Intl
answer any common purpose.—Housekeepers Iffootifie•
We ate requested to state that the New Monthly .41,P,
guzine for October, to be published on Saturday neat, snit
contain, besides a more than ordinary variety of other Mal'
eating papers:-1. An Authentic Narrative of the ble
events in Greece, by M. Pecchio, who has just retsinal
from a visit to tbat country.-2. The Commencement el
a Seriis of Original Letters, written by the late celebrate,
Edmund Burke.; and 3. " What's hallow'd greed?
Stanzas, by 'fhomu Campbell, Esq. This Magattine,
which, from the novelty and completeness of its plan (elk
number containing snore matter than an ordinary DM"
volume) and the value of its original papers, coat:lN:tad
by the most eminent writers of the day, has now obtained
so unprecedented a share of public esteem, is supplied hY
every bookseller, stationer, and newsventler thrtnWhnut the
kingdom, and may also be exported to friends abroad, by
application to the General Post Office, or to any local Pot'
master. I'rinted for Henry Colburn, 8, New Burhostoo:
street (removed from ('onduit-street), London; Ftall am!
Bradfutc, Edinburgh; and John Cumming, Dublin.