The Sun.
London, England, 1825-12-24 00:00:00

PEDESTRIANISM.

Mr. R. Pearson, the celebrated runner, started yesterday,
morning, at Seven o'clock, to_perform a match to the gates at
the end of the Long Walk,. Windsor, made on Monday last.
The distance is full twenty-three miles by way of Egham, Old
Windsor, over which ground the pedestrian travelled, and his
engagement was to perform it in two hours and a half, having
Egham-hill to encounter, and time was the favourite. The
traveller reached within half a mile of Hounslow (nine miles
and a half) iti-the first .hour, and he did something more than
neneteen miles over the best ground in the second hour, and
refreshed at Egliam. He appeared much fatigued, but he went
on firmly and won the match with two minutes to spare. Mr.
Radclyffe, of turf celebrity, as umpire, accompanied the pedes-
trian on horseback, and the horse had enough 'of it.

CHRISTMAS EVE.—" Oxen were then presumed
to kneel in their stalls and moan. The sexes, used, about
that time. to change dresses, and go about in this disguise
feasting ; a custom supposed to have been derived from the
Sigillaria, festival days added to the Saturnalia, or Quin-
quatria. On the night of this eve, candles of an uncommon
sixe, called Christmas candles, were lit up, and a log of wood,
called a Yule-log, or Christmas block, was laid upon the tire,
to illuminate the house, and, as it were, turn night into
day. One author finds it in the Cyclops of Euripides ; but it
was probably Druidical, being only a counter-part of the Mid-
summer fires made within doors on account of the cold weather.
Furmetv, common on this eve for breakfast and supper, is ab-
surdly derived by Bryant from Noah's ark. At Hamburgh the
servants had carp for supper. In the Isle of Man they had a
holiday towards evening, sat up all night, and went to church
at twelve, heard prayers, then hunted the wren, killed her, and
next carrying her on a bier to the church, buried her with dirges
and whimsical solemnity. There were also other local singu-
larities.—" In Germany, on Christmas Eve," (Mr. Aubrey
gravely observes) " many rinfall things in some places are
dun by young maids or men, e. g. a rnayd washeth her feet in
a brazen bason, and afterwards throwes out the water, and
placeth it in any place, and hearkens to it, by this she will know
what manner of man the future husband will bee ; when she
heareth scribbling, she taketh it, that he will be a scholar or
scrivener; if she heares sewing, a taylor or shoemaker, &c.---
Yea, as some say, maids will keep a piece of meat at the first
and three following Advent Sundays, and at 12 o'clock at night
before Christmas, doe lay the table-cloth, and sett up the said
ea-teat, without laying on it any knyfe,—then say, Here 1 sit
and would fain eat, if my sweetheart would come and bring me
a knyfe ;' whereupon a ghost in the shape of a man presenteth
her with a knife, and such a one her future husband will bee."
—(Aubrey MS. A.D. MN.)
Another Christmas custom in Germany, recorded by Mr.
Aubrey, is as follows :—" The night before Christmas, they
take a trencher, and put upon it a little heap of salt, as big as
a walnut, more or lesse, for such and such a one, and for them-
selves two, and 'set it in a safe place : in the morning when
they find the heap or heaps entire, all will live the following
yeare; but if any or more are meltid down a little, they take
it that the same man or woman will dye for which it was de-
signed."—( The Mirror.)

A deputation of Gentlemen concerned in the
silk trade, consisting of some of the principal
riband manufacturers of Coventry and silk-
throwsters from various parts of England, had an
interview with some of the Ministers at the house
of. Lord LIVERPOOL, on Thursday last, on the
subject of the law respecting foreign importa-
tions, which will come into operation in July
next. Besides Lord LtvEtiPooc, there were
present the CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER,
Mr. tIUSKISSON, Mr. GRANT, and Mr. El ERRI ES.

After the seven years' war, the Dutch having
committed several most outrageous frauds upon
the English, Lord CHATHAM was advised to seize
on the property of the Dutch merchants in the
English Funds. No, said the distinguished
Statesman, if the devil himself had money lodged
in the English Funds, it should rest there secure.
NEGLECT OF SERVANTS.--The servant at a
house in Thomas-street, llorselydown, having neglected to
secure the window, after opening the shutters of the lower
apartment, the house was entered by some active person, who
succeeded in carrying off a table clozk, value 20 guineas.

NORTH AND SOUTH AMERICAN

SUBSCRIPTION ROOM, DEC 24.

By the Emrrald, arrived at Liverpool, we have received
Charleston Papers this morning to the 25th ult.

LIVERPOOL, DEC. 22.—Wind variable from W. to N. by
E., clear weather.—Arrived the Lydia, Proctor. from Jamaica,
sailed 22d October—the Elizabeth, Eiker, was the only vessel
loading for Liverpool ; Rolla, Finlayson. from New Orleans,
sailed from the Rahn 30th October; Clifton, Buslihy, Sir
Francis Burton, White, Indian, Matthias, and Kingston,
from Quebec; Bolton, Huntley, from , Bucktush • Royal Ed-
ward, Spencer. from Miramichi. Off' at sunset one brig, one
snow. Private signals, Murray Gladstone (for the Finchett,
from Pernatt), and Thomas Booth and Co. The Julius Cesar,
French, for Philadelphia, remains,
PORTSMOUTH, DEC. 23.—1 t was a calm the early part of
the day, but the wind has come out at S.W. and every ap,
rearance of a gale before morning.—Arrived the ship Suffolk.,
Endicott, from A utwerp, for Canton ; Vrouw Anagena,. Huis.
man, from Antwerp, for Bristol ; brig Alert, Cuthbert, from
St. Peteraburgh with hemp and deals, out six weeks for South-
ampton ' • on the 34th November when off Bonholm she ran
foul of the brig Leipsig, and carried away her bowsprit, and
met with other damage.

[FROM LLOYD'S.]
DEAL, DEC. 23.--Wind S.W.--Arrived the Thames,
Rogers, from Quebec. There has been a thick fog in the
Downs until about noon, when, on its clearing away, a ship and
three brigs were discovered on the Goodwin Sands, the former
not far from the Bunt Head. The boats are gone off, and as
the weather is very fine and the water smooth, we have no doubt
of their being got into safety;-3 p. m., their names are the •
Fleetwood, Buck, of London, from Newcastle for Jamaica;
Humility, Dobson; Amity, Alderson; and the John, Dove, all
of Sunderland.
PORTSMOUTH, DEC. 23.—Wind S.W.—Arrived the Suf.
folk, Aldercott, from Antwerp for India ' • Friends, Harding,
from Bristol; and the Alert, Dartberg, from Petersburgh.—
Sailed his Majesty's ship Tees, for Chatham.
FALMOUTH, DEC. 22.—Variable light airs.—Arrived the
Francis Freeling packet, from Rio Janeiro and Lisbon, from
former in 54 days, and the latter in 9 days, with dispatches,
which went off immediately by express; Spitfire, 13arbaro,
from Vigo in 4 days; Sandwich packet., from Lisbon, sailed
the 11th ult.,—spoke the same day the Numa transport, all
well ; on the 19th, in lat. 45. long. 9., fell in with and took the
crew out of the smack Hurrell, of Salcome, from Lisbon, with
fish. The schooner Mayflower arrived at Lishon the 6th inn.,
having taken out the crew of the Jane, from Liverpool for
X:wfoundland, in lat. 46. long. 41. Put back the Persever.
ance, Thomas, for Tampico.

The Ghtsgow, from Cork, to Penzance; Louisa from ditto to
Falmouth - -Union, from ditto, to Southampton ; Jane, of Wa-
terford ; Ceres, of Cork; Repute, of Tralee ; Expedition, of
Dungarvon ; and Diligent, Portuguese schooner, were drivels
on shore at Cove of Cork during a gale on Monday night AO_
Tuesday morning.
The Thomas Palle, Ellis, from Quebec to Liverpool, was
driven on shore near the Salstees on Tuesday morning, but ex.
pected to be got off.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.

UNION HALL—U.AsT NIGHT.)

MISLETOE.—In consequence of the numerous complaints
from Gentlemen residing in the neighbourhood of Brixton, of
destruction of every green shrub ut their premises, Brewer,
the constable, received ord lr. ALLEN to apprehend
all persons found cutt' t g away the produce of the
gardens for the d ion o the shops in the metropolis. Two
men, J. ate& , and R. Booth, were brought up, having a
reaping ook and hatchet, with a quantity of holly, misletoe,
&c., which they said they got from Norwood and Croydon.—
The prisoner, Booth, stated that he was a shopkeeper in Clerken-
well, and it was poverty that caused him to take it. Johnson, in
brdad Scotch accent, said he should feel obliged by being sent to
BCxton, as his misery was at its height. He had two children
lately dead, one now dying, and by his going to gaol the
parish would be forced to admit the remainder of his family
into the workhouse.

A woman named Elizabeth Griggs, her lion John Griggs,
and servant Robert Barton, were stopped by Orossmith in the
New Kent-road, all loaded with brass and other metals. The
were convicted in penalties under the Bum-boat Act, which
they paid and were discharged. •
John Lyons was charged with stealing two pair of stockings
from the shop of Mrs. Hoskins, a poor .woman, in Kent-street.
The prisoner entered with some handkerchiefs in his hand for
sale, and succeeded in carrying off the stockings, he was pur.
sued and brought back. The handkerchiefs were then owned
by.a neighbour.—Committed.
Richard Phipps was stopped by Clark, the officer. having
with him a large quantity of wet linen, the prop:ity of a
poor washerwoman, in South Lambeth. Having other attack/1
upon him for which he could not account, he was COMllli;t24
1 tor re-examination.

FALL OF FONTIILLL: AlitirEir.-r—An evening pa.
per of yesterday contained the following.aceount of the fall of
that tine architectural structure, FonthillAbbey:—" The tower
fell in at three on Wednesday afternoon, •slestroying the Hall,
the whole of the Octagon, and grew part of the Galleries,
North and South, together with the first crimson-room, having
quietly descended into the fountain Court, leaving the grand
entrance standing with the organ in eau quo, and t`•te statue
of the late Alderman Beckfuttl in its niche, as if it re,
mained to point to the ruins of his son's ambition.—Only
one accident has occurred, although the servants were engaged
in taking out some of the windows. and had fortunately just
escaped in time to avoid being buried in the ruins. Mr.
Farquhar had taken the precaution to move to the east wing,
together with Mrs. Mortimer and her children. The latter hz:d
been in the daily habit of playing in the galleries. Tne only
surprise was on beholding the slightness of the foundation walis,
that it had so long stood the violent gales to which it has been
exposed. _ _

We understand that Mr. THELWALL, thA late
Editor of the old Monthly Magazine, is about to
commence a new periodical Miscellany, upon .a
very improved and
.comprehensive scale, in .shish
he means to include a Panoramic View of the
state and progress of Science and Literature its
all parts of the civilized and civilizing world, and
in which it is professed that the Literature and
Science of Italy,and the moral, social, and intel-
lectual state of India, and -the other Nations of
the East, are to be prominent features. The
Work will assume the twofold character of Ma-
gazine and Iteview._

DREADFUL ACCIDENT TO COLONEL ET ANS.--.
Yesterday afternoon, between the hours of three
and four o'clock, the above Gentleman met with
an accident w bids had nearly deprived him of -
existence, It appears that he was returning to
town in a barouch, accompanied by a friend, froat
Woolwich; on their reaching Charlton, one of the
Green wich and Woolwich stage coachos attempted
to pass them, where the road was being repaired,
the consequence was that the off wheel of the
stage come in violent contact with the body of
the barouche, the horses of which (tine spirited
aiwual.) took fright at the shock, and galloped
off with furious speed ; the Colonel kept the
rein, for some time, but at length the vehicle
ran foul of a small post on the roadside, with
such prodigious force, that it was overturned,
land the Colonel and his ftiend were precipi-
tated to the ground. The former gentleman
pitched an his head, which rendered him totally
senseless. Mr. VAUGH AN, his companion, how.
ever, was more fortunate : he escaped, with the
exception of a few bruises ; he was, therefore,
enabled to render the Colonel every assistance ;
at first it was imagined that life was destroyed,
but on his being taken into Charlton-house, the
residence of Sir THostAs WILSON., and a zurgeou
sent for, he partially recovered. His head hits
received a severe fracture, and his right shoulder
was dislocated. He now remains at the above
gentleman's, were every attention was paid him.
The barouche was stopped soon after the &Gaga
occurred.

Til E LONDON JOURNALS.

DAILY

Extracts frem the Morning Papers,Dec. 24,1825.

TIMES.]
The money-market yesterday presented an
aspect with which we are familiarized. It seems
to: be slowly, and with occasional checks, wind-
ing round to its usual state. But country fail-
ures occur, and mercantile difficulties start up,
which still agitate the surface, and cause fits of
apprehension that danger may in parts lurk un-
detneath. To relieve the embarrassments of
xneiChants, the Batik gave notice yesterday that
it would be open on Monday, ready to supply
diiCounts on good bills, no doubt. The per-
pleXities of the country may not find so prompt
a remedy. Provincial bankers, it is said, are
threatening to refuse hereafter all pecuniary ac-
commodation to the tenants of those landlords,
and the landlords themselves, who now give notice
that they will accept nothing but cash and Bank
of England notes for rent. This were a consum-
mation devoutly to be wished for indeed by the
public. We sincerely hope the offence will be
given, and the threat executed. The fewer the
relations are between the agricultural and the
paper interests in the country, the better for the
people of England. But then, how will the pro-
-vinCial.bankers get their notes into circulation, if
they will supply the tenants with none on the se-
curity of their crops, and the.landlords with none
upon mortgages, or for supposed improvements ?
These points concern them, and not us.

Mr. O'Connell, at a late meeting of the Catho-
lic Association, declared that on a deliberate view.
of the act for putting down the old Catholic As-
sociation, he found the measure to be "effectual"
foi: its purpose. It is not many weeks since,
according
.to the newspapers, he dared the
Government to meddle with . the Catholics un-
der that same act, and hoped that he might
have an opportunity of trying the question "
" sonallr with them. The gentleman, there-
fore, admits in the present case that when he
spoke before he only talked• nonsense! ,But the
Catholic liader has the taste to avow; a few
minutes after delivering- the' former sentence, that
" pe•present:calaMities of the people of England
" are a consolation to him ! !" What would this
brutal-minded fellow have, said of any English-
man,. Who, something less than four years ago,
when half a million, of Irish wretches were starv-
ing, had openly derived consolatio❑ from their
rnlieliy., and endeavoured to 'dissuade the people
of England from subscribing 400,0001: for the re-
liE4 of it ? We have been aware for many months,
that the talking champion of the Catholics was
altogether destitute of sound discrimination and
• practical judgment but he seems resolved on
. comple•ting his own portraic.by the exhibition of
.:.a selfish and• ungrateful heart.—(lbid.)