The National Register.
London, England, 1821-10-21 00:00:00

Perpetual Mution.—A very curious piece of mechanism
was exhibited in Whitehaven during the last ten days,
which has been in motion with roily one interval, (as
we are assured and believes to he a fact), five years or
upwards. It consists of only one small hot izontal wheel,
not exceeding 3.fourtlis of an i:icli in diameter, through
the centre of winch, on the plane of the wheel, passes
a small magnetic bar, projecting about 3-fourths of an
inch beyond the circumference of the wheel on one side,
and about 3.eights of an inch on the other side. These
projections are called the North and South Pules. 'The
axis of the wheel is, of course, perpendicular. Its ope-
rative power is ma-gnetism. Its motion (probably owing
to friction inseparable from the long continued action of
the avis in its sockets) is somewhat irregular ; but on the
whole, it is a curiosity highly deserving attention. We
are sorry to add, that owing to a sudden ~luck which the
delicacy of its adjustment was but ill calculated to bear,
its motion was stopp,td the other day, and we have not
been able to learn whether it has been restored. About
two years ago it was stopped by some unknown cause;
but after a short pause recovered its motion of itself
without any additional impulse, and continued its rapid
revolutions without intermission, till it met with the
accident as above mentioned.
Dating Pootperdr.—Oir Tuesday last as M r. J. \Vaters,
of Craubrook, Kent, was returning front Ashford in a
gig, lie was met about six oclock in the everting, on the
new road between Hilo Alden and 13iildenden, by two
footpads, one of whom held the horse whilst the other
got into the carriage, and presenting a pistol at his head,
swore he would blow con his brains sinless he intuited'
ately surrendered his money. Mr. Waters immediately
gave iiiin his money, amotinting to about 40s. and the
fellow, after taking his watch and rifling his pockets of
a few other articles, set off, swearit, he might now go
about his business. The constable and borseholder
from Cranbrook, went the same evening in pursuit of
the robbers, and having met with two suspicious cha-
racters, they took them into custody? but on being ex-
amined the next morning, and there being tin proof
adduced against them, they were acquitted of the charge,
but committed to gaol as vagrants.
Alystrrious Affuer.—The district of Atholl has been
thrown into a state of alarm by reports of occurrences
said to have taken place at the farm of Bonskied, of a
description which throws the fatnous—‘, Cock-lace
ghost" completely into the shade. The inmates of the
farm-house say, that about a fortnight ago, they o-is
served a large number of atones in the neighbourhood
to be moving from place to place without the aid of any
perceptible agency. Several of these nude their way
through the windows and doors, and even the roof of
the dwelling; some entering into and demolishing the
kitchen utensils, and others contenting themselves with
effectiug a comfortable lodgmeot by the fire; while a
dith:relit class, after making the circuit of the farm-
house, are said to have resumed the original situation in
front of the door. Since that time, it seems, the fan-
tastic missiles have performed similar freaks almost every
day. They are generally in motion about nine in the
morning and five in the afternoon, and their perform.
ances have attracted multitudes to the spot. The cler-
gymen of the district have visited Bonskied, and used
their endeavours to consign the supposed wizard to the
" vasty deep," but in vain; for the flinty bodies lie has
been pleased to ultimate are reported still to continue
their perambulations. This affair, the obvious creation
of folly or perhaps of knavery, however ridiculous it
may appear, has revived all the exploded tales of the
district which had their origin in the superstition of a
darker period, and raised the terror of the inhabitants to
a degree which would hardly he believed. Sundry re-
spectable old females in the neighbourhood are already
,marked out as being at the bottom of the whole business,
through the practice of the henious crime of witchcraft.
I...trd Courtitay's property is the ...mei seat of the dis-
orders which for some time have agitated the county of
I.inierick. This extensive estate comprises 42 000 plan-
tation acres, and the agent seems to be at complete va-
riance with the numerous tenantry. The property fell
out of lease between the years 1810 and 1813, when it
was released at the enormous rate of the war prices.—
Abatements were granted at the peace, as hich have been
discontinued for the last three years ; and the original
high rents have been rigorously exacted, when possible,
by executions, writs, and all ruinous means of inoce-
dure. Here, then, is the immediate cause of those out-
rages and murders in that quarter which have recently
shocked humanity. Lord Courtenay, for reasons too
well known, resides on the continent, and his properly
is managed by trustees, several of whom have proceeded
to the district for the special purpose of investigating the
circumstances, and we trust they will see good cause for
changing a system so ruinous to both his lordship and
the tenantry. In the mean time the tenants have ad-
dressed a statement of facts to the public, which shows
that they have just grounds of complaint, although it
cannot in any degree palliate their violation of the laws
of the country.
CORONER'S INNCEST.—CIa Thumbs), evening rut Inqui.
sitiali was held at the Red Lion' Hong eet, t:lare-
inaiket, on the body of Thomas Parkinson, a most respect-
able tradesman, Cs by resided in clare-stiert, Clare-tnai ket,
who put a period to his existence, by swallow huguieuil an
omice of arsenic. It appeared from the evidence adduced
before the coroner that the deceased had been married
neaily 14 years, and was in the enjovment of every domes-
tic happiness; he had nine children, two of whom are IMO,
living. Within the last twelve months a material alteration
was observed in his conduct ; lie paid nit attenti tttt to buses
ness; he wag constantly hiring gigs and then countermanding
them ; he ft etmently used opprobrious epithets tow aids
peewits lie met. At the celebration of the hirth-day of hie
King, he in opposition to some of his neighbours, set up the
letters C. It. instead of O. R. Out Dlonday he was observed
to be extremely dejected, and ohmic one 0 cluck, took one
of his men to a shop, as the owner sever sold ur6enie w tiny
single per-om 11e purchased an Quite, to destroy oafs, as he
said; but subsequently he put the w hole into an half-pint of
ale, which he attempted to swallow, but was prevented,
though unfortunately not hi fore he so allowed nearly half of
it. Ile c %ION(' in about four hours after, in lie most excite.
eiatlig azeuy. The Juryreturned a verhtt of labauily.