The National Register.
London, England, 1818-01-12 00:00:00

.NATIONAL RFAITSTER.

some of the Litter are totally lust in this bay and along the
leeward coast.
" The vessels which suffered are, the schooner Ann and
Eliza, of this port, on shore, hut since got off, with loss of
masts arid some other trilling damage; Schooner Relief, of
Bermuda, with a cargo of Itois r corn, rice, tobacco, dec. also
on shore, partly damaged, vessel much injured, and not in a
state to be removed ; schooner Alicia, on shore; and sloop
Relief, got off with little damage ; and schooner Good Intent,
of Deinerra, likely to prove a total loos. Besides these, the
schooner Fox, and a small vessel, called the Triumph, were
thrown on shore at Calliaqua : and the sloops Messenger and
Blenheim at Bequia ; but the three former are uow off, aad
have suffered little injury.
" Of the vessels that rode out the gale, the ship Westnsore.
land lost her rudder, and two or three droghing vessels cut'
away their masts, to cense them to ride more easily. A young
man, named Donald M‘Doriald, in the employ of James
Grant, Esq. was unfortunately lost by the upsetting of a boat,
in which he was going off to the assistance of the sloop Re-
trieve ; and one or two negroes, who accompanied him, were
saved with great difficulty.
" As evening approached the gale gradually subsided, the
wind becoming more southerly.
" The accounts from all parts of the conntry represent the
damage sustained to have been considerable, particularly
among the plaintain walks, great part of w hich arc destroyed
both to windward and leeward. and the canes in many places
are much lodged, though we still apprehend upon the whole
that the mischief which has befallen this island will prove
little, when compared with what has been suffered in those to
the northward, from which we fear the most distressing as-
counts. Vessels that were at sea during the gale, and since
come in, represent the tempest to have been most severe to
windward of the island, as also throughout the Grenadines in
this Government ; but from Grenada we learn that its effects
were but partially experienced there, and that no injury of
any conserinence was sustained."
The following are from the Barbadoes papers :
" BARBADIDES, Ocr.2B.—His Excellency Lord Cumber-
mere gave orders for dispatching the Duke of York to St.
Lucie, with such articles as could be procured for the imme-
diate relief of the sufferers.

" BAR BADOES, OCT. 20.—0 n Monday night, between 10
and 11 o'clock, a violent gale commenced from the west,
which agitated the sea to an alarming degree, by which the
following vessels were cast on shore between Martindale's
watering place and the pier head :—Sloops Earl Sandwioh,
Forrester, Thomas Spencer, and Economy ; schooners, Mat-
thew King, Eliza, Lady Nelson, Fly, Hazard, Greyhound ;
brig, Adelphia ; and back Crown Prince. We understand
however, that several of these vessels will be gotten off and
repaired.
" GRENADA OCT. N.—On the 21st inst. we were visited
by one of the most tremendous storms ever witnessed by the
oldest inhabitants of this colony, Many of the houses in
town have been much damaged, and niuch property has been
destroyed. The effects of this dreadful storm ►ave been
felt in a calamitous degree all over the island. In the negro
houses and gardens Ins:orient cane pieces have disappeared,
works and bridges destroyed, and cattle and stock of every
description swept away many persons having lust nearly their
ill."
Lord Combermere and melte arrived at St. John's Anti-
gua, on the 16th of November, in flee Antelope, Admiral
Harvey. A slight shock of an earthquake had been felt
in St. John's about ten o'clock in the night of the 14th of No-
vember.

A few days since, as Mr. W. Wright of Sheffield, accom-
panied by his wife and a young child, was returning home in
a gig, the horse took fright, and ran with such violence against
Malin Bridge, about two miles from Sheffield, that they were
all thrown out, when Mrs. W. who was far advanced in prelt•
tansy, received so much injury, that she died shortly after.
The child escaped unhurt.
FIRE AT K WOLF: CAST I. Z.—Early on the morning, of Christmas
day a fire was discovered by the housekeeper, in the state bed.room,
called the Venetian Chamber, an apartment highly decorated with
the florid Gothic style of architecture. The flames were then nsging
along the wainscot on the eastern wali • site, with great presence of
mind, flew to the chamber in which slept the Earl of Ddawarrc,
instead of Earl Whitworth's; the cause of her selecting Lord
Delawarre was in consequence of her master's being then con-
fined on a bed of sickness. Lord 1). immediately arose, sunnnoned
the domestic establishment, and cooly dinezted them to take steps
methodically, to counteract the threatened devastation. By this ju-
dicious arrangement that venerable and magnificent pile was saved
from almost inevitable destruction. A plentiful supply of water
quickly reduced the flames, which did not extend beyond the above
'mamml% (;ready to he regretted is a loss of a part of the very
fine Gubetin tapestry; also several pictures, particularly tli exqw-
site pot trait of Lady filmic, daughter of the fourth Earl of blorset.—
The hangings of the superb state-bed, and other avieles, were saved.
The damage to the nom does not exceed So 01. to hat a providential
eircuinstsnee it ;vas that the family were then resident there! llad not
that been the ease, this building, the work of ages, together with all
the pictures, statues, vases, and tither inestimable antiques, melt lutve
filler a sacritiee to the devouring element. We add, with great
pleasure, that the alarm produced no ill edit:ton 1.1441 Whitworth ;
on the contrary, the shock seemed to have re-animated him, fur he
has lawn getting daily better ever since. The amiable Duchess of
Dorset conducted herself with thegreatestintrepidity. Great praise
is Due to Lord Delawares : also to every savardim,the household.-.
Evening Asper.
Mri.sriettorx Accronter.--aln friday morning a most me.
hincholy accident occurred at Stamford, at the newly-erected mag-
nificent hotel there, during the time Sir Hobert heron was lodging
m the house, accompanied by several of his friends on their canvass.
The party bad dined at the hotel on Thursday, and sat late, so th .t
som, of the servants of die inn were not able to retire to rest till
about half-past two o'clock on Friday mowing. At that time Sarah
Holden niece of Mrs. Priest, landlady,) seventeen years old, and
a char-woman, named Mary llibbins, 30 years (Wage, took up stairs
a pan of colds front the kitchen grate, and put them into the fire-
place of their chamber, for the purpose of warming their feet before •
they got into bell. Unfortunately the flue of the chimney had been
stopped up, and consequently the vapour front the burning coal, cir
culated through the chamber. The unfortunate women, exhausted
by a long day's labour, sat down by the See they ad provided, and
were soon (as it was: supposed) 'Julianne by drowsiness. They slept
to wake no more ! for when at eight of bock, Mrs. Priest went up
to the chamber to call them, they were dead, 4,lfrocated by the ex-
halation front the coals. The young woman sat in the chair near
the fire-place, her head reclining on her breast the elder sufferer
lay on the ground : both it is supposal by the medical gentleman
who was immediately called in. had been dead tin several hours.
The distress occasioned in the inn by this accident can be but leintly
described. Both the lifeless persons hail been on the previous night
in perfect health and activity, and the younger was perhaps as tine a
won= as ever was seen. The other was the wife of Mr. Prises
head man on Ins Kelton faun. and las left a husband with three
infants. Otani respect to so tie lancholy a visi.ation, the canvassing
in Stamford WA.) suspended, am. Sir R. I and his ftientis quit
tut the town. The Coroters inquest, held in the come of thesday,
returned a Terdict.-Dittl accidently by :ufrocation.

JAN Lt.

IMPROVEMENTS IN COVENT-GARDEN
THEATRE.
(Pmom ma JOURNAL SCIRNCr. &C.)
" The lighting, warming, and ventilation of this theantre
having attracted considerable attention, we have much
pleasure in being able to furnish our readers with a short ac-
count of the methods by which such important desiderata
have been so perfectly attained.
" During the last season a number of experiments were in-
stituted by Mr. Harris with a view of introducing gas iIIUUR.
nation ; but on account of the heat and smell which it pro-
duced, the plan was postponed until the summer recess ad-
mitted of more extended trials, which, as we need not say,
have been perfectly successful.
" The great central chandelier, containing eighty batswing
burners, is suspended under a funnel which terminates upon
the exterior of the building, so that the smell of the burned gas
or any that might escape unburned is effectually carried away.
The intense heat also occasions a considerable current of air,
which rushing upwards, tends materially to the ventilation of
the house; but besides this, ventilators are placed in many
parts of the building, which communicating with the great
tube of the chandelier, are continually drawing foul air front
the audience part of the house. So that the gas light charade.
her not merely illuminates, but is also a powerful agent in the
ventilation of the theatre.

" The fresh air with which the honse is supplied, is admit-
ted at any desired temperature,an effect attained by air pipes
and stoves placed at all the entrances, and under the different
corriclores of the pit and boxes, while the influx of cold air
from the stage, which is often so annoying to the spectators
upon the drawing up of the curtain, is prevented by similar
means ; but here in consequence of the danger which might
accrue from stover, on account of the inflammable nature of
the machinery, the air is chiefly heated by steam, which is sup-
plied from an engine boiler securely placed in a vault near
the stage entrance.
_

" The gas, which is supplied by the Westminster Company,
is conducted into the theatre by two three-inch mains of
cast iron, securely cased and defended from accident, and
there arc on the stage, proper register cocks, by which the
intensity of the light may be regulated in every part of the
building.
_ _ _

" In ease of any failure in the supply of gas, very ingenious
means have been devised, by which the house may in a few
minutes be lighted with candles in the usual way. We under-
stand that Mr. Riddel, M. de Chabannes, and Mr. Symmoss,
are the persons whom Mr. Harris has employed in the ex♦
Wiwi of these improvements.

On Sunday the 4th inst. between tight and nine o'clock at
night a hackney coach, after setting down a family in Gower-
street, Bedford square, was returning empty akmg Gower,
place, where there are some new buildings ; hen the coach-
man and horses were precipitated into one of the cel-
lars. The coach was shattered to pieces, one of the horses
killed upon the spot, and the coachman awl the other horse
escaped with many bruises.

Last week Louisa Robinson, who lived servant at the Star
Hotel, in Shire-lane, Fleet-street, after the family were in
bed, broke open several drawers and boxes, and stole 1911.
notes, 40 Sovereigns, 2 gold and 1 silvt r watches, a gold chain.
and several articles of jewellery, plate, &c. he amount of
2001. with which she decamped, and has hot been heard Of.
ATTEMPT AT SUICIDE.—On Thursday week, about eight
o'clock, the inhabitants of the Tower were alarmed by dread-
ful groans proceeding from the Tower ditch, and it wus ascer-
tained that a woman was there. By the prompt assistance,
however, of the soldiers, and or a poor sweep residing in
Shire-lane, Temple.bar, she was got out and taken to a pub-
lie-horse in the Tower, where the usual means recommended.
by the Humane Society were resorted to with success, tinder
the direction of Dr. Minter, of the Tower. The aeconnt she
gave of herself was, that her name was Herbert. and that she
had foolishly throw a herself from the ramparts into the ditch,
with an intent to decroy herself. It is supposed she is at
times insane.

CatTION TO SERVANTS.-011 Saturday the 4th inst.
• about eight o'clock in morning. a manwho had formerly been
in the service of a respectable math and bell-hanger, called
at a hothe in the neigiutionrhood of Trinity.-quare, where he
haul been occasionally employed, and was admitted by the
servant, supposed that as the kick of the parlonyloor required
repair he tied been sent to du the job ; when lie connived
during her absence, to steal a great coat, a hat, and two silver
spoons, with which he escaped. His name is known, and
measures have beet. taken for his discovery and appi.eben.
anon.

DREADFL L EFFECTS OF GUNPOWDER.—The following
circumstance k made pnblie as a caution to tho,e perFous
who are in the ii bit of selliog gunpowder to children, the
practice of which justly deserves reprobation, setting aside
the illegality el it, as a considerable penalty is thereby in-
cur) ed. Oil Tuesday afternoon last u UM of Mr. Richard
Hunt of Romsey, about eight years of are, with some other
children, purchased sonic gunpowper at the shop of Mr. W.
Webb, and some of the family furnishing them with fire, they
(children like) retired to the back part of the premises to
aratue tbeinselves; when the above-mentioned child kneeled
dual. to blow the powilet, and it unfortunately exploded is
his
.face. He now lies a shocking spectacle to 4:Amid, being
.11eadfally scorched from his chin to his eyelnfoas and fore.
head ; hopes are however indulged that he will nut entirely
lose his eye sight, which is sonic consolation to his distressed
parents.

• On Sunday the Ith inst. atCaptain Cockscdge's near Bury,
a couple of woodcocks were shot by George Bettye, Esq. of
Hougliam, at one thsch.ll at. of a single barrel.

KIDNAPPERS.—A few days ago Dank! and Sarah Suliven, the
children of a poor man residing in Red Lion-alley, Cow-cross, the
girl about nine and the boy about seven years of age, were enticed
away by a woman, who vas seen purchasing apples for them in
Smithfield, and who took ti em down Barbican. The pocr children's
parents have made every inquiry in vain for them; and although
A reward has been diem" by the parish, they have not yet been
heard of.

1 he body of Mr. D. the gentleman who has been some ume mist
ing from the Isle of Thamet, has at length been found in the Thames,
at Putney, at which place a Cotoner's inquest was held on Wed-
:lmlay last. The Jury, after a most attentive and laborious
investigation. were commetely satisfied that Mr. D. was drou ned ac-
cidentally. It appears that the bridge is on the Pumey side very
badly lighted, and there is a regular descent hunt the street to the
Aver, so that s person unavquainted with the place could :t.ttieely fail
of ,stepping into the watt r, ii.stcud.of going upon the Midge. The
strungaght relleetyl from the Fulham side only makes the place the
mote dangerous. as it dazzles without illuminating the opposite
shore. The jury gave nouce to the high comtable, that unkna some
means were taken to picrent a recurrence of such aceidems-,
ITICAEUrCS would be resorted to agr.inst the bridge tympany,

r

I

.4

JAN. 111.

AMERICAN SEA SERPENT.

[FROM THE JOURNAL OF SCIENCES AND 71IE ARTS.]
'• In the !tiontli of August ISt 7, it was curt (idly reported
on various authorities, Ihal au ;111:1111:11 of very singular appear-
ance had been recently and repeatedly seen in the harbour of
Gloucester, Cape Aun, about thirty miles distant from Ilushll.
It was said to reseinUte a serpent in its general form and
:notions, to be 4t iiiintAsse sise. and to Mute with wontlerfoi
rapidity ; to itlieV.ll' on the surface of the water oaly in calm
and bright and to seem jointed, or like a number of
buoys or ca•ks fotiowiiie each °tit •r iu Al line.
" In l'UllSetillellee Of these reports, at a meeting of the Lin-
mean .I‘iviety of New Litgland, holden at Boston on the ISrli
day of August, the lion. John D.4t Is, Jacob Bigelow, M.l).
and Francis C. Geay, Esq. were a,i,onineil a COO kkkk titer to
collect evidence with regard to the existence and appearance
olany such animal, and 'lave since published a very copious
report, from which the existence of the animal is placed be-
yond doubt. We are sorry only to have room fur the hillow-
ing extrart front the evidence, which hawever will give our
readers, some notion of li:s aspect and
request a detailed account of my observations
relative to the serpent. I saw him 011 the 14th ultimo, and
when nearest, I judged him 10 be about two hundred Width)),
yards front inc. At that distance I judged Iwn tin the largest
part) about the size of a half barrel, gradually tapering to-
wards the two extremes. Twice I saw him with a glass,
only for a spurt time, and at other times, with the naked eye,
for nearly half an hour. His colour appeared nearly black--
bis motion was vertical. When he moved Ull the surface of
the water, the track in his rear was visiole, far at least half a
nide.

" His velocity, when moving on the surface of the water, I
judged was at the rate of* mile in about four minutes When
immersed in the water, his speed was greater, moving, I
should say, at the rate of a mile in two or at most three mi-
nutes. Wiles moving under water, you, could often (rare him
by the motion of the water, on the surface, and from this co,
cumstance, I concinde he did nut swim deep. He apparently
went as straight through the water, as you could draw a line.
When he changed his conrse, it dimmislsed his velocity but
little—the two extremes that were visible appeared rapidly
moving in opposite directions, and when they came parallel,
they appeared not more than a yard apart. With a glass, 1
could not take in, at one view, the two extremes of the
that were risible. I have looked at a vessel at about the
same distance, and could distinctly see forty five feet. If he
.should be takes, I have no doubt that his length will
be found one hundred feet long. IVhen I saw him I
was standing on an eminence, on the seashore, elevated about
thirty fee: above the surface of the water, and the sea was
smooth.

•' If I aaw his head, I could not distinguish it from his body,
though there were seafaring men near me, who said that they
could distiuctly see his head. I believe they spoke truth; but
not having been much accustomed to look through a glass, I
was not so for.imate. _

`• I never saw more than seven or eight distinct portions of
tire above the water. at any one time, and he appeared rough;
though I supposed this appearance was produced by his mo-
tion. When he disappeared he apparently souk directly
down like a rock.

" Capt. Beach has been in Boston, for a week past, and I
tins informed that h.- is still there. Au engraving front his
drawing of the serpent Iris becri, or is now, making in Hos-
tun ; but I have not Leen able to ascertain how far his draw-
ing is thought a CUIII:Lt representation.
" ikespectfully, Sir,
your most obedient,
" LONSON NASH."
4' flownevable .Loha Davis." . _

" I, William B. Pearson of Gloucester, in the County of
'Masts, merchant, depose and say That I have,several times,
seen estrange Marine animal, that I believe to be a serpent, of
great size. I have had a good view of him only once, and
this was on the 18th of August, A. D. 1817. I was ill a sail
boat, and when off IVehber's cove (so called) in the harbour
of said Gloucester, 1 saw something coming out of the cove ;
we hove to. not doubting but that it was the same creature
that hail been seen several times iu the harbour, and hail ex-
cited lunch interest among the inhabitants of Gluncester.
James P. Collins was the only person with me. The serpent
passed out under the sters of our beat, towards Ten hound
bloat( ; then lie stood in towards us again, and crossed our
bow. W e immediately exclaimed,' here is the snake?' From
what I saw of him, I should say that lie was nothing short of
weeenty feet in length. 1 distinctly saw 111111Clit's on his back,
and once lie raised his head out of the ater. Thz top.) of his
head appeared flat, and was tai,e(l seven or eight inches
above the surface of the water. He passed by the how of the
boat, at %bout thirty yards distance. His colour was a dark
brown. 1 saw him at this time about two minutes. His IMO..
tiou was vertical. Hie velocity at this time was not great,
though at lillll.l. I have seen 100 move with great velocity, 1
should sav at the rate of a mile in three miuntes, mid perhaps
faster. His size I judged to be about the size of a half bar-
rel. I saw 11r. Gatiney tire at him, at about the distance of
thirty yards. I thought lie hit hiw, and afterwards he ap-
peared mare shy. He turned very short, and appeared as
limber atii! active as the eel, when compared to his size. The
form of the curve when he turned in the water, resembled a
staple; his head seemed to approach towards his body, for
some feet ; then his head and tail appeared moving rapidly,
in opposite directions, and when his bead and tail were on
parallel lines, they appeared not more than two or three yards
apart.
" Ac what time in the day was this ?-11etween the hours of
live and six, in the afternoon.
" How many dustinet portions of it were out of water at
one time ?--Ten or twelve distinct portions.
"Can you describe his eyes and month ?--I thought and
believe, that I saw his eye at one time, and it was dai k and
sharp.
" How did its tail terminate had not a very distinct
view of his tail ; I saw no bunches towards, wl.at L thought
the end Of his tail, and I believe there were mine.
" WILLIAM 13. PEARSON."

A few days since, as a man at the Abercrombie Inn, At un-
del, was making.sonie detonating crack( rs lot sale, he in-
cautiously let fall some ut the 'instate (fulminating salri•ra,
about the quantity 01. lilt ,litC of a pea, wilco another mall ac-
cidently stepping on it, it exploded, and tore oaf three of his
toes, and *lns ea ed his shoe to fragments.
A few days since, as the daughter of J. Wellston'', u.
Littleniure, neat Oxford, about six yea's of age was standing
by the tire, in the house ut neighbour, a cinder flew trona
the gate on her clothes, which immediately took tire,
.by which she wirs so dfcadfolly burnt that her WC is dc-
*mixed of.