The Sun.
London, England, 1831-12-10 00:00:00

FIRES IN THE COUNTRY.

On Saturday morning a stack of oats and a stack
of barley, the property of Mr. Fullard, farmer, of
Welton, near this city, were discovered to be on fire.
The damage is supposed to have been occasioned
by an incendiary.—Lincoln Times.

A large peas rick, the produce of nine acres, be-
longing to Mr. B. Hay►vard, of Lavington, was wil-
fully set on fire, as early as five o'clock on Monday
afternoon, and entirely consumed.—Devizes Gazette.

We deeply regret to announce that on Tuesday
se'nnight, two ricks were willfully set on fire at
Temple Coombe, the property of Mr. Brine.
Twenty pounds reward has been offered by the
Dorset and Somerset Association, for the appre-
hension of the incendiary; but, as yet, we fear no clue
has been obtained.—Sherborne Journal.

Monday night a barley-stack, belonging to Mr.
Woods, of Gayton, was fired, and but for the
prompt exertions of the inhabitants of the village,
the destruction of property would have been im-
mense. It was, however, confined to the stack in
question, which was of considerable value.—Slam-
ford News.
Another frightful conflagration occurred on Mon-
day evening, at Elstow, about a mile from this town.
The fire burst out about seven, and so illuminated the
air that the streets of Bedford were quite light,
although the night was unusually dark. The pro-
perty selected by the incendiary this time was the
farm-buildings and stacks on the farm occupied by
Mr. Manning, the property of W. 11. Whitbread,
Esq. The fire was first seen in a cart-hovel, and
it then covered but a little space ; but no water
or buckets being at hand, it rapidly spread'
over the premises, and in a short time every stack
and nearly all the out-buildings were enveloped in
flames. The engines of Bedford and Ampthill were
quickly on the spot, but from the small supply of water,
and the rapidity with which the fire had spread, they
were not able to save much of the property. By
cutting a barn in two the progress of the fire was
arrested, arid prevented from igniting the dwelling-
house and stable, which were the only buildings
saved. There is not the slightest doubt that the
premises were set on fire by some diabolical
wretched incendiary ; and, in this case, he has suc-
ceeded to the utmost of his satanic desire. The
fire began exactly in the quarter most likely to sweep
the whole farm-yard in its progress. The people
front Bedford and Ampthill worked, as well as did
also many of the villagers ; whilst, on the other
hand, many of the labourers looked on with a shock-
ing indifference. It was a bad sign of the hardened
demoralization of the agricultural poor, that young
active men could see women and children working
at the buckets without offering to lend a hand. Mr.
Whitbread and Mr. Manning are both insured in the
Royal Exchange Office ; but Mr. M., it is feared,
will be a considerable loser. It has been said that
the late fires have been caused by the use of thrash.
ing-machines, but many of the sufferers never had a
machine on their premises.—Bedford Chronicle.
The tithe barn at Wingfield was destroyed by
lire a few nights since, and the grain therein burnt.
It is to he feared this was the act of an incendiary.
—lbid.

One of the most dreadful crimes that disgrace the
age has been most providentially prevented from
being carried into execution, near Taunton, during
the present week. As a poor woman, called Mary
Durston, was walking across a field in the parish of
Trull, on Monday, her attention was directed to three
men sitting under a hedge. She approached them
without being observed, and heard one of them ex-
claim, " We'll have a - good fire to-night ?"
This induced her to place herself in a situation to
learn what was going on without being observed.
The villains, it seems, were plotting the destruction
of three ricks, the property o► Mr. Colman, a farmer
who lived near. A packet was produced, and even-
tually concealed in a bush. The woman, after some
delay, went to the house of the farmer and gave in-
formation of what she had seen. Mr. Colman took
care to have his premises well guarded that evening.
The three men were at length observed approaching
with a light at the time appointed. They, however,
escaped through the assistance of the darkness. Ott
search being made the following morning, the parcel,
as described by the woman, was found, and ►t con-
tained all the necessary requisites for carrying their
plot into execution. Besides tinder, matches, flint,
brimstone, and gunpowder, there was a most formi-
dable contrivance for firing a stack at several places

—Some years before the French revolution, a compositor
at a printing-office left work—he was seized by four
men, who promised that they would do him no injury,
if he would make no resistance; they tied a bandage over
his eyes, and pushed him into a coach ; the poor man
did not dare to utter a word during the whole time Le
was on the road. When they untied the bandage, he
found himself in a large room, in which were cases filled
with types, and presses; they ordered him to print some
pamphlets. He was obliged to obey, and was kept fifteen
days at work, for which they liberally paid him, and then,
having again tied a bandage over his eyes, they placed
him in a coach, and carried him back to the spot from
whence they first took him. He never disclosed his ad-
, venture to any one, having been bound to secrecy, which
he promised to perform. When the Bastile was taken, he
was amongst the number of the assailants, and he there
recognised the secret printing-press, to which he had been
conducted with so much mystery. What a subject for
reflection !

ANECDOTE OF THE EARLY LIFE OF Miss
O'NEILL—Lady Mouuart afterwards related to me many
interesting circumstances respecting the celebrated Miss
O'NEILL, whom, as you know, I regard as the greatest
dramatic artist it has ever fallen to my lot to admire. She
said that this extraordinary young woman, who from the
very commencement of her career had given evidence of
the highest genius, remained utterly neglected at the
Dublin theatre, where she performed for some years. She
was at that time so poor, that when she returned home at
night after the greatest exertions, she found no other re-
freshment than a plate of potatoes, and a miserable bed
which she shared with three sisters. Lady M— once
visited her, and found the poor girl mending her two pair
of old stockings, which she was obliged to wash daily for
her appearance on the stage. Lady M— now procured
for her various articles of dress, and took upon herself in
some degree the care of her toilet, which had been ex-
tremely neglected. She obtained more applause after this,
though still but little. At this time one of the managers
of the London theatres accidentally came to Dublin, saw
her, and had the good taste and judgment immediately to
engage her for the metropolis. Here she at once pro-
duced the most extraordinary sensation; and from a poor
unknown young actress, rose in one moment to be the first
star in the theatrical firmament of England.— Travels of
Prince Puckler Muscau.
THE VIOLIN.—The violin, on its first ap-
pearance in the world, was treated with much contempt
by the performe! s on the grave and stately instruments

which it was destined so soon to supersede. It was ac-
cused of " screaming and scolding," and was considered
as fit only to keep in exercise the heels of dancers at fairs ;
while the higher places continued to be occupied by
players on the lute, the harp, the violin, and the theorbo,—
names of a poetical and classical sound, which the violin
has never come to be. The instrument was invented after
the age of originality in poetry was over. Poetry dislikes
all that is modern. For its allusions, its imagery, its ma-
chinery, even its language, it loves to go back to the days
when it was new and fresh—to the ages which gave birth
to those productions, which all after-ages have been able
to do no more than copy. A poetical hero must still be
armed ala Greegue. Were he Manutoitounu or WEL-
LINGTON, he must be accoutred like ACHILLES or

IlEcTox,—not with a' regimental cost, cocked hat, and
military boots, but with cuirass, helm, or shield. Or, if
a poet may venture to leave the ancient world, he cannot
get beyond the middle ages. A knight in " panoply oh
polished steel," or a cowled inhabitant of the cloister, is
still a poetical object, as well as an antique hero or• pagan
priest ; in the same manner as a gothic cathedral, or frown-
ing " donjon keep," is still poetical, as well as a temple
of Jupiter. But when we come to the present and
familiar times, poetry is lost. SCOTT, himself, after having
by the help of the mail-clad chivalry of Flodden produced
a battle unequalled since the days of liount, could make
nothing of the well-drilled regiments of infantry, cavalry,
and artillery ; and the poet himself was added to the list
of those who " fell at Waterloo !" Though the violin
surpasses the lute, as the musket surpasses the bow and
arrow, yet Cupid has not yet learn. d to wound his vo-
taries with a bullet, nor have our poets began to write
odes or stanzas to their violins. Nevertheless, though the
violin is nothing to poetry, it is every thing to music. A
dwarf in stature, it is a giant in power, and has obtained
a triumph which no other organ of musical sound, hardly
even the human voice itself, has been able to achieve.—
Metropolitan.
THE VILItY HEIGHT OF INIPUDENCE.-The
dissolute and depraved miscreant who, it was last week
stated, for the purpose of getting rid of the expellee and
trouble of a funeral, not only 'disposed of the body of his
the
rnerdee st a ‘sovfii
:av rsiponeuteetedho-afccarcyl
''speech-crying"
sight,eotiwl;ieelee
rn. ignoble
com-
paredh
es t
wife, but actually offered for sale the coffin i❑ which it had
for a few hours been inclosed, had the hardihood to ap-
pear
the outs and ins of the ease, and there
acquainteds!) e speculation n li,anyt,iitoliholiet;whs

fore more able to give a " full and particular" detail of
the circumstance, it is said he sold two for their one, and,
at all hazards, " put money in kis purse." Altogether the
transaction, he says, turned out beyond his most sanguine
expectations ; and so soon as his receipts are exhausted he
intends to sell himself for the " interests of science" to the
identical dissector who had the goodness to purchase the
mortal remains of his dearly-beloved spouse.— Glasgow
Cogritr,

Yesterday, at ten o'clock, Mr. BAKER, the
Coroner, and the Jury which had been empanelled
on Tuesday evening, re-assembled at the Golden
Boot, in Milton-street, further to prosecute their in-
quiry relative to the death.of Margaret Duffy, who
wa4 alleged to have been " Burked."
Mr.. John Leeson, a surgeon in Chiswell-street,
was called in on Saturday to see the deceased at the
station-house. On going there he saw the body
lying on the floor. On examining it, he found the
extremities quite cold, but some warmth remained
in the body. There was no lividity or swelling of
the face! no contusion or swelling of the tongue ;
or any other appearance but those indicating that
she died of suffocation or strangulation, The de-
ceased was a fine healthy child. There was a mark
on the neck, as also discolouration of the'skin, which
led him to believe that some violence had been ap-
plied to that part. The teeth were also clinched ;
and from these circumstances he imagined that the
child had met its death by foul means, probably by
suffocation, by stopping the mouth, and placing it
thumb and finger behind the neck. There was a
bruise on the right arm, apparently by the pressure
of the thumb, done while alive. His opinion was, that
the child had not died cif apoplexy or by any thingof
a poisonous nature given to it.
Mr. W. Brooks, surgeon, of St. Luke's, on
Tuesday morning, in conjunction with Mr. Rance,
opened the body of the deceased. On open ng the
head, he found the vessels of the brain exceedingly
turgid, quite sufficient to occasion death. Believed
the deceased's death was not the result of natural
causes, and his opinion was that it had been pro-
duced by violence. In his opinion the child had
died from suffocation by closing the mouth.
CoutaNEß—ln what time would strangulation be
produced by placing the hand on the mouth and
nose ? Witness—That 1 won't take upon me to
say—probably in four or five ►ninutes.
Mr. Rance, a surgeon i❑ the City-road, deposed
to having examined the body of the deceased ex-
ternally and internally, and expressed it as his opi-
nion that death had been produced by violence.
Mr. Whittle, a third surgeon, agreed in opinion
with the two former witnesses. He perceived two
marks on the neck, which corresponded with the
large vessels which return the blood from the head
to the heart, a strong pressure on which would pro-
duce death.

CORONER—In what time would that take place ?
Witness—ln four or five minutes appoplexy would
be produced, which would occasion death inde-
pendent of suffocation, which might be produced by
pressure on the mouth.
William Dalton, a boy residing at No. 5, Harts-
horn-court, deposed to his passing by the end of
Payne's-buildings, where Hartshorn-court is situ-
ated, on Saturday evening last, at a quarter to seven
o'clock. He at that time saw Bridget Calkin, who
is in custody, standing there with a child in her
arms, which appeared to be about five or six years of
age ; she held the child on her left arm ; i's feet
were covered with an apron, and the child had one
of the arms round the prisoner's neck, while it was
eating something out of the other hand.
CORONER—Have
you seen the body of the &-
ceased ? Witness—Yes, Sir; but from the state
in which I saw it, I cannot say it is the same, but it
is very much like it.
Juror—Do you know the prisoner Calkin

Witness—Ye'; about three months ago she lived
next door to where I do, which is exactly opposite
the privy where the deceased was found dead.
Juror—Do you know how she gets her living ?
Witness—No, Sir.
Juror—What dress had she on at the time ?
Witness—A light gown with lljwers on it. The
child had no bonnet on at the time.
Eliza Renny, on Satuidvy evening, about five
o'clock, saw the prisoner Calkin dragging the de-
ceased by her door towards the privy. The child
was crying at the time, and had neither shoes nor
stockings On.
Martin Bailey saw the prisoner Calkin, at about

eight o'clock on Saturday evening, near the privy,
where the body of the deceased was found. She ap-
peared to have come out of it, and walked out of
the court in a hurried manner. She (Calkin) was
in the habit of keeping bad company. Some of titc
persons she associated with he (witness) behaved
to be body-snatchers.
Catherine L'impeer saw Catkin with a child, in
Payne's-buildings, about seven o'clock on Satur-
day evening, The child had neither shoes nor
stocking on. She heard the prisoner say to the
child, " What ails you ?"
Eliza Bryan, an assistant at St. Bartholomew's
Hospital, was called to contradict a statement made
by the prisoner, that she was in her company from
five to seven o'clock on Saturday evening. The
witness denied having seen her at all on that day.
Another witness deposed to the prisoner hayiNi
lived for some time opposite to the privy in
which the child was found. In reply to a question
from a Juror, she said that the prisoner CAlkin was
about nineteen years of age, and that her father kept
a school in the neighbourhood of Islington.
A police constable said, that on taking the pri-
soner Calkin into custody, she, in answer to his
questions, said, that when she gave the deceased a
penny, she left her, and did not see her afterwards.
She had mentioned several places where she said
she had been on Saturday evening; but all which,
on inquiry, he found to be false.
Ellen Jennings, a child, was playing, on Saturday
' evening, with the deceased, when Calkin came and
took the deceased with her.
The whole of the testimony of the witnesses
having been gone through, it was thought advisable
to have the prisoner Calkin present, to ask her if
she had any witnesses which she might wish to have
examined, or any explanation to offer.
The Coroner accordingly despatched an officer to
Clerkenwell prison for her, and the Jury adjourned
for an hour, to await her arrival.

The officer, in about an hour, returned, and stated
that the prisoner declined appearing, saying, that she
had no witnesses; nor did she wish to add any
thing to the statement which she made at Worship.
street Police-office.

The CORONER summed up the evidence ; and the
Jury, after deliberating for nearly an hour, returned
i verdict of " Wilful Murder against Bridget Cal-
kin ;" and the Coroner at once made out his warrant
fur her commitment to Newgate on the charge.

The largest square in the world is that called
Maidan Shah, in Ispahan, which is three times as large us
Lincoln's Ina-fields. Though called a square, like Mon.
tagu and Bryanston squares, it is in fact an oblong.

IMP

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF LORDS, Disc 9.

The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat on the WooWO,
at Trn Minutes pact Five o'clock.

INCENDIARY FIRES.

Lord TEYNHAM, after alluding to the fire+ which
had taken place in different parts of the country, and
strongly urging the necessity of interference on the part of
Government, gave notice that after the Christmas recess
he should move for leave to bring in a Bill for the pur-
pose of preventing incendiary fires. The Noble Lord felt
confident the best results would be derived from the in-
troduction of such a measure. _ .

....
The Earl of WICKLOW seeing his Noble Friend iu
his place (the Marquis of Westmeath), who last year intro-
duced a Bill to regulate the Irish bakers, a measure which
be at the time considered of great benefit to Ireland,
wished to know whether it was that Noble Lord's inten-
tion to introduce that Bill again during the present Pession ?
The Marquis Of WESTMEATH observed, that in con-
sequence of some practical objections the measure had been
let drop last session, but he begged to inform the Noble
Earl that he had left the matter in the bands of the Secre-
tary for Ireland, who had given the most anxious atten-
tion to the subject, and he (the Noble Marquis) had no
doubt the moat proper course would be pursued.

The Duke of BUCCLEUCH moved for certain re-
turns rel itive to the number of law appointments that had
taken place in the Court of Exchequer in Scotland.—
Ordered.—The House then adjourned to Monday.

HOUSE OF COMMONS, DRC. 9.

The STIA KEA took his seat at Four o'clock.

Mr. CRAMPTON moved for certain returns of rates of
the parish of St. James's, Westioiester, in order to show
what parishioners were entitled to vote for the acceptance
by that parish of the benefits of the Se'ect Vestry Bill.
Mr. LEADER presented a petition from a barony in
the county of Cork, praying for an alteration in the Grand
Jury system of Ireland. In adverting to the evils produced
by that system, be stated that in consequence of unredressed
local grievances in that country the people felt themselves
obliged to unite, in order to effect by force what could not be
effected by entreaty. He hoped that something would be
done to secure to Ireland a revision of the Gtand Jury
sy.tein, which, from costing the country twenty years ao
300,000/. a year, now actually cost 800,0001. a year.
The system was pregnant with very gross impositions,
which were practised by mea over whom the public
had no control'', and whose oppression caused most
of the insurrectionary movements that were taking place
in Ireland. The tithe and Grand Jury system en
croached so much on the means of the country as to pre-
vent the possibility of effecting any public improvement
The petition was backed by one that had been signed by
the Protestants north of Ireland, and was, therefore, enti-
tled to great respect.
The petition, after a few observations from Sir Jots N
BILVDGES, was ordered to be printed.
Lord MORPETH presented a petition from the retailers
of beer, in Leeds, praying that they might be allowed to
keep open their houses the same hours as the licensed
victuallers; also a petition from Martyn Stapylton,
Esq., late one of the candidates for Yorkshire, who stated
that he intended to be a candidate at the next election,
and praye I that in the Reform Bill a clause be introduced,
making it imperative on every Member, before he took his
seat, to swear that he had not directly or indirectly, by
himself or his friends, been guilty of bribery; also a peti-
tion front the land-owners and (Abets in Northallerton,
praying that the county of York might not be included in
the General Registry Bill ; and also a petition from an in-
dividual residing in Nelson-square, Surrey, relative to the
same Bill.

Alderman WOOD gave notice, that on Thursday he
would bring in a Bill to regulate steam vessels in
the port of London. The worthy Alderman then moved
for a retur❑ of the number of acres of land in Great Britain
employed in the cultivation of hops ; and also certain re-
turns of the amount of duty on hops.
Mr. JOHN WOOD presented a petition from the owners
of new beer shops in Birmingham, praying that the hours
by which they were regulated might be assimilated with
those that regulated the other retailers of beer.

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL presented a petition
from the retailers of beer in Nottingham to the same effect.
Mr. WEYLAND said, as three petitions had
been presented on the subject of the New Beer
Bill, he should certainly wish to ask if it was
the intention of Government to introduce the same Bill as
th it which was introduced last session.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said he was unable to
answer the question.
Mr. LABOUCIIERE presented a petition from a person
named Shillibeer, for the abolition of the duty on soap.
The petitioner stated, that as the country was threatened
with a disorder, for which one of the remedies was clean-
liness, the repeal of the duty on soap would be very de-
sirable. It was a tax that pressed very severely on the
poorer classes, and it would be highly beneficial to repeal
that arid several similar duties which interfered so directly
s‘ith the health and comfort of the poor.

Mr. AIABERLY moved for certain returns relative to
the importation and manufacture of flax.
Mr. S. RICE brought in a Bill to provide for the pay-
znent of out-standing lottery tickets, which was read a
first time, and ordered to be read a second time on Mon-
day next.

Mr. GEORGE DAWSON wished to put a question
to his Majesty's Ministers. Last session a Committee lad
been appointed to inquire into the amount of the draw-
back on spirits distilled in Scotland and Ireland, and the
report stated that great frauds had existed in the manner in
which the drawback had been allowed, and it was understood
the Chancellor of the Exchequer would either do away with
.he drawbacks, or so modify them as to prevent fraud. The
instillers in Scotland and Ireland, • who were highly in-
terested in the question, were now in a state of great M,
pence, and almost at a standstill, not knowing what Go-
vernment intended doing, the consequence of which was,
that illicit distil:ation was springing up. It was necessary,
the! cfote, that the trade should know what were the in-
tentions of Government upon this subject.

Mr. S. RICE stated that lie could wish the question
bad been delayed until his Noble Friend, the Chancellor
of the Exchequer, was present. But in his absence he
could state that the subj-ct was under the consideration
of his Majesty's Ministers, who would be prepared in a
short time to submit some measure upon it.
On Ole motion of Mr. CAMPBELL, the Order of the Day
for the first reading of the Limitation of Actions, and other
Bills, was read. The Honourable and Learned Gentle-
man stated, that the Bills were word for word the same
as were introduced last session, and he hoped the House
would, for the present, postpone any discussion upon
them. On the motion of the Hon. and Learned Gentle-
man, the Limitation of Actions Bill, the Fines and Re-
coveries' Bill, the Courtesy of England Bill, the Dower
Bill, and the Inheritance Bill, were severally read a first
^ second ecoral time, and ordered to be committed on Wed-
pssilay next.
AP. SPENCE, in reference to the Fines and Rev°.
Eill, and of the grievances which existed under
ho present :latent, stated that only a few days ago a suit
had been decided, the object of which was to get rid of
certain proceedings that had taken place ever since 1724.
The estate had been since sold and mortgaged, and the
flaw in the deed was not discovered until lately, and now
that estate which had been thought to be well conveyed in
1724, had been recovered. The only surprise was that
,flazlti a Bill as the present bad not been adopted before.
Hosr. Mrature, begged to ask the Noble Lord op-
ini4ite whether the negotiations with France respecting the
reaty of i 226 had been brought to an issue.
Lord ALT HORP stated that the negotiations were still
uoiog on, and would, he hoped, be soon brought to a con-
clusion.

Alderman VENABLES wished to put a question to
the Vice-President of the Board of Trade, respecting the
extensive seizure of silks from Messrs. Leaf, Son, and
Cores, that had been made ; before the termination of the
last session it had been promised that the parties impli-
cated should be prosecuted, and he wished to ask whether
that prosecution had lien eTieluded?
The ATTORNEY-G. ENERAL was of opinion he could
best answer that question. There had been ;$ prosecution
against the house in que,tion for a large amount in pe-
nalties, but they had been compromised by the payment of
20,0001., which was the largest sum ever recovered in a
similar way. The amount of the penalties obtained
would, lie hoped, operate as an example tothin, and also
deter others from the commission of similar offences,
and lie apprehended that it wag full a 4 large an amount a
would have been recovered by the verdict of a Jury.
Alderman VENABLES wished to put another ques.
tion, which he was requested by the silk trade to
do, for there was a great feeling of anxiety mani-
fested by the trade on this subject. They appre-
hereled that it was most injurious to the trade to com-
promise
penalties in secret; knowing that a part of the
distress iii the silk trade emanated from this System of
smuggling, they wished to know what induced the officers
of the Crown- to comproivise with the guilty parties. The
Vice-Presideot of the Board of Trade had given a pledge
last session that no compromise should take place.
Mr. HUNT stated that he recollected the Vice-Presi-
dent of the Board of Trade pledged himself th it no coin-
pioinite should take place. lie had been informed

by persons in the trade, who were ready to prove
the fact, that there were three times the quantity of
silks smuggled into this country than to that which paid
duty.

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL was of opinio■ that
the Vice-President of the Board of Trade only meant to
pledge himself that the case should come into Court,
therefore there hail bee❑ no violation of the pledge. The
whole amount of penalties sought to be recovered amounted
to about 25,0001., and therefore, on the part of the public,
there was no ground of complaint.
Sir ROBERT PEEL stated that the case had created
great excitement, and he thought the papers ought to be
laid before the House.---(Hear, hear.) It was not suffi-
cient that the party should be barely punished by being
tined, but they should suffer the disgrace of being publicly
exposed.—(Hear, hear.)
Lord ALTHORP agreed with the last remark of the
Right Hon. B ironet that every publicity ought to be given
to the circumstances of this case, because it was the ob-
ject of Government to punish the parties in every way
they could.