The National Register.
London, England, 1811-01-27 00:00:00

A young man, in the neighbourhood of Wakefield, lately un-
dertook, for a wager, to hop 60 yards in 20 hops, and performed
his task in 17, with apparent ease.
A meeting of the inhabitants of Lewes was held on Thurs6y
last, when Petitions to the two Houses of Parliament, prayiug
them not to lay any unnecessary restrictions on the Regent,
were proposed by Mr. Blackman, and agreed to.
The brig Elizabeth, a Plymouth trader, lying near the pier
at Ramsgate, took fire on Monday evening, and was burnt to
the water's edge. The cargo was valued at 151,0001. The ves-
sels alongside her fortunately escaped.
Early in the morning of Monday se'nnight, the Hon. Mr.
Vernon's gamekeeper, accompanied by two assistants, surprised
a gang of poachers in one of the woods of Stainbro' Park, York-
shire, shooting pheasants. The villains immediately fired upon
them, and wounded tke three —the gamekeeper in his hand, the
landlord of the iun at Stainbro' dangerously in the back, and
the third man in the arm (so that it has been found necessary to
amputate it) and then escaped.
Co war-MAKI-Lat.—Saturday sen'night, a Court-martial was
held on board the Salvador del Mundo flag-ship in Hamoaze,on
Thomas Smith, a Royal Marine, for attempting to desert in a
boat to the enemy, with two other marines (who turned King's
evidence), from the Venerable, 74 guns, kir H. Popham, Kiit.
when, atter a long trial, he was found guilty, and sentenced to
be hanged at the lore-yard-arm, of such ship as the Lords Coma
niissioners of the Admiralty shall appoint.
A number of farmers and others, were last week summoned
before the Magistrates at Stafford, for making a deduction from
the wages of their servants, enrolled in the Local Militia, on
account of their having been absent from service during the pe-
riod of training and exercise. The Magistrates observed, that
the Legislature had provided for the point in dispute, and re-
ferred to the 15th clause of the 46th Geo. 111. c. 3. N% hich or-
dains that no ballot, enrolment, and service under the .Act,
shall make void, or in any manner affect, any indenture of ap-
prenticeship or contract of service. The defendants, upon the
Act being read, agreed to pay the servants their full wages.
The new aqueduct iron bridge of the Grand Junction Canal,
over the Ouse, near Stoney-Stratford, Bucks, was opened
far the passage of boats on Tuesday. The whole length of the
ron-work is 101 feet; it is wide enough for two boats to pass
ach other, and has attached to ita towing-path of iron.
On Thursday morning, about one o'clock, the Parsonage; ad-
joining Maireafield Church-yard, Sussex, where the Curate, the
ilea. Mr. Bingham, resided, was burnt down. Last year, Mr.
Bingbain!s-stables were destroyed in like manner, and, as sup-
posed, because he had endeavoured to check the disorderly con-
duct of some of his parishioners. If Mr. Bingham had nut been
awake, in consequence of indisposition, he and his wile and nine
children would undoubtedly have been burnt in their beds.
Having heard a noise, he got up, went down stairs, and s:sw
man going front the house ' • he attempted to open the door,
which he found obstructed by part cf the furniture raised
against it: he then went round to an outward door, which he
had bolted within just before he went to bed, and found
.it
broken open, and some furze-faggots burning, which had been
broughainto the.room, and the furniture placed round them.
The lire was so rapid, the house being chiefly of w..od, that it
was with difficulty, any lives were preserved ; two of the ch!.-
dren were obliged to be thrown out of the window, awl two
were nearly suffocated before they could haaxtricated ; but no
wearing appareli furniture, or other property could be 4avcd.
At the General Sessions of the Peal for the town and port of
Sandwich, holden on. Friday last, two saldiera, quartered .at
Ramsgate, were found guilty of purchasing .bate coin, and ten-
tenced to twe/ix viwnihi imprisonment. The prisoners were sus-
pected of being concerned int.his net:axj.ouo traffic, and a. pinion
was in consequence employed by Mr.• Solicitor to the
Mint, who assumed the character of a Birttshigha n iyaVrller,
which, it appeared in evidence,. is :known to signify a seller of
base coin ; tnis stratagem 10.41.11 e desired effect, the prisoners
having dealt with him, conaikaing the' neighbourhood where
they resided to be well adapted far the purpose of their depre-
dations; but, to use the technical terms of villainy, they were not
44
down to the queer," and were convicted as abuye. •
At the Berkshire Quarter Sessions, on 'Tuesday last, Mr.
William Kent, wbo uati been convicted by W. H. Price, Laq. •
Justice of the Peace for that county, it .the penalty of .V.Ol. for
teaching and praying, appealed against such conviction,and had '
his trial by Jury. It appeared that the defendant and Ltveral
otbet persons, on Sunday evening, Octobcr 21, met at a house
- : a .•

'lvo or three other
persons knees, and
sung h; only against
preachers now olei Act are
exempt, on . yet the ..irman (•Lurd Radnor)
after stating this-was a new and difficult ease, expressed it as 'his
opinion, that extempore prayer inc►uded teaching, and the Jury
according found the defendant Galy. The procecclinrs, we
learn, will be removed by certiorari uto his Majesty's Court of
King's Bench.

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TIIE NATIONAL REGPs TR
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R. ,______
,
frwor-.....1,41.2.11 ft.oft.i—'''."''---most!i=imurm
The Bill then msecl, and the Chancellor of, the
_EgAequer of the defendanee, at. Child.rey, when he and two or tL
was ordered to bring it up to the Lords. persons engaged in extempore prayer upon their kn
Adjoiscuod to Monday. . , \ . ;
~ :
, , ?
i , sung flint's; and though the Act gives the.&eralty !in]
•
. pivachcrs and teachers, (who now by the , olerat:on
- • ...I
PROVINCIALS. . - .., i. , exempt, on taking the oaths) yet the L'hairman (turd