The National Register.
London, England, 1821-02-26 00:00:00

MELANCHOLY EVENT.

During the last two or three days, the papery -
have been giving various and contradictory accounts
of an occurrence sufficiently disastrous. It was an-
nounced ut first as connected with circumstances of
peculiar and atrocious guilt, involving the seduction
and pregnancy of two sisters, nobly related, by an
individual (of noble family also) who, upon detec-
tion, immediately blew his brains out. Next it was
said, that only one of the sisters had fallen a victim
to his arts, and that the seducer had poisoned him-
self, We now, therefore, lay before our readers the
following letter from the English Consul at Genoa,
where the sudden death of Mr. U. Harvey Aston,
for that is ►lee gentleman's name, took place. It will
be seen that neither pistol nor poison was employed,
but that he died of apoplexy. With respect to the
young lady, it is true that, having been required to
desist from his visits, Mr. Aston prevailed upon her
to elope with him, but the fugitives were overtaken
by the lady's mother, accompanied by her youngest
daughter, a few hours after they left Genoa. The
young lady instantly returned with her mother, and
there is not the slightest suspicion, we are assured,
of any previous misconduct, the noble family being
convinced of her innocence. The to/towing is the
letter which has been received by a relative of the
unfOrtunate gentleman :
•• British Consulate, Genoa, Feb. 8, 18...4.1.
„ Mr. Aston Caine to reside in this city in August last; and
on Sunday, the 28th of January, he prevailed upon &young lady,
in whose tamily he had been an inmate since his arrival here, to
elope with him. The mother pursued and overtook them at
Alexandria, and prevailed on them to return with her to Genoa,
where they arrived on Monday night at ten o'clock. Ile being
extremely ill, every medical assistsuice was called in, but I am
sorry to say, without effect, as he expired at twelve o'clock on
Tuesday night. The deceased having declared it was his wish
that his body should be sent to England, it has been embalmed. .
sealed up in lead, and is depo ited in the house of the Protestant
burial ground at Carignan', waiting orders to Messrs. Gibbs and
Co. his bankers, in what manner he is to be conveyed home.
•• Front the certificates of the physicians and surgeons that
attended him, and superintended the opening nis body (which
arc al my ixis,ession), it appears that he died of apoplexy. I
thought it pryer, from various reports that were in circu:ation.
to desire the physician who attends my family to be present
with the other medical men, and to report his opinion to me. in •
which he concurs.— My Vice Consul has placed my seal of office
upon Mr. Aston's effects.
• 1 have the honout to be, your very obedient humble servant. •
•• J. STIRLING."

A' few nights ago, .15 Mr. Wreltall, of the cletk of
the peace office in Preston, and Mr. Chaffers, bridge.
master, were rettiritin,t front 'Farb:ton, in a gist. they
were attacked by Ilse highwaymen, opposite the mile-
shme near Penworthamlaidge. Oue, of them called
with imprecations to cop—atial three of the ;ring armed
with pistols approached the gig. Mr.Chalferi, who
held Use wins was preparing to strike a blow with his
whip, but Mr. Bireliall united hint to push on, switich.
he accur..iagly did, and they thus ese tp:tl.., One Of the
villains, however, fired a pistol after them. which for•
timaiesy missed its aim. A constable and others went
in watch of them, but they were not able to meet with
them. Ott the saute evening as Mr. T Sutcliffe was
proceeding to Brother-bridge. tie was overtaken by four
men a short distance f the tairiap:ke on WalTon-
brow. On. coining up with Into, one of theta took
him familiarly by tile arm, and they walked together fur
souse distance in boy way, when Sotcliffe began to
Question them as to their object. supposing them to be
plachers ; tie had scarcely spoken on this ssioject, when
one of them seized him by the throat, threw hull uu his
hack, and the gang immediately proceeded to rifle his
pockets. They got front him his handkerchief some
tea, and his poei.ebboolt„ as it contained 51/111'• weans-
r *Julians which would he of no use to them. With th••
they eomplied, and strock off into the fields, by a paqs
which tracts to 11.41.,t1,1-house. B.ing a little its livor.
Satcliffe tollowed them a short distance, but they stunt
showed him the datiger of ssi..ll a course, fisiiia a-
pistol its the air, and threatening to shish 111111 if lie did
hot rehires into the road. Several persons ha% e'lieeit a; -
preitended out .uspicson, but the real s &am' hare not
yet been idcu.l oh.
Glltiv'e Puce 0X MATCH —Tie sweepstak-s match
of hi) gui.teas elicit between Capt. Hull and M..ssrti.
Thornton and Guest, as good shot* as England can
look l.h ice mite Friday morning is, ilashot-heath,
b.rds each frosts a trip, tweit :pone yuds from
the gun. It was even ta.• hirer, but
Alr."lltortimit fur choice. It was iiecoleil as follows
Mr. Guest kill d eleven bird* successively, till. tweitth
died time var.!s hoot the bohitd try, and the fileentli
was itt'ssel altogether. Mr. iliuriv'en fuliow• ii, and
second bird, %%11101 wit. lilt herd, carried the shin
May.atiti the uinils bird tun aWa% also,a:uii he kt I,tl
tilt• u hers, 'soaking a tie wait Mr. Guest.—Cap a n Huh

tt, all.l Ilr %V.sS IlaCkyll ell eVL•II Its wills dim ttitig
. .

killed ilia first aveu bird lie WJS loackra at two o, n•

ilut he missed the eitth II and also the

rbrrnth s.,tl thir•teititt„ and ihe pr ze W4S I>etwven he
w,) tirm !owls. NI r. nutrition was the favourite, awl
lie k Ihd his firs, fist• tan's. Mr. lir int havired killed

ills *owl lord woo ibe match.

PONY 1tA1.1E.1411 ponies, or rather galloways„werf
matched 011 11•t1111cotiay to gallop It) nt:les a,:ahist each
on the Hunlinxilun 21141 Catsbridge read, for 100
4414114•J5. The ital!oways I.elooged to Ur. Hope, o
itovtoon, and Nlr. K.•apc4%.—Tney were rode 11 60,5,
and n W. 4% .1 1a,..a.t.. race over a piece of ground of eight
1.10411. 111 IWO AL each end upon the gallop.
Each aid the lirat ti Itt tulles under 2s, minutes, aotlthe

•
vie sixteen miles were completed w 57 milintes fie Nll.
Keipels, woiett was 50 yards :ahead. Mr. liviilads'
pony (lid WitiIIII u CiOrl distance of 17 miles in the h ur,
and wo:1 easy mare belonging to Capt. Flinn, was
matched for 50 guineas to trot ripr miles in half au
twin over the sane ground, which she did with use.

;3"r---~

1