The Sun.
London, England, 1824-01-27 00:00:00

GREENOCK, JAN. 20.

Mit. WATT'S As ITERSA ItY.—Yesterday
birth of our distinguished townsman was commemorated by a
most respectable meeting. About 60 gentlemen, we think, sat
down to dinner. We have already mentioned, that the former
meeting, on this interesting occasion, was a most harmonious
and agreeable one. This was not less so. The toasts given
were numerous, yet exceedingly appropriate, and many of
them prefaced by observations, indicative of great good taste
and right feeling, which, in turn, elicited much valuable re-
mark, connected with the trade- of Greened( and its rising.
manufactures. A most cordial interest •in behalf of the
prosperity of the town was reciprocally manifested through-
out, which, we trust, will not be suffered to subside, but
be carried into active operation in whatever plans may be ete-
vised for the general welfare. Intimately associated as it was
with the main object of the meeting, the. proposed School of
Arts in this town (for which the late Mr. Watt most liberally
and judiciously paved the way by the donation of one hundred
guineas towards the formation of a Mechanic's Library) be-
came the subject of much conversation in the course of the
evening, and most hearty desire was evinced to promote it,
by those whose exertions would be most influential and effective.
The meeting was honoured and gratified by the attendance
of our native novelist, Mr. Galt, who added to its intel-
lectual pleasures by several appropriate toasts and the
pertinent remarks with which they were accompanied. In fie,
its whole scope and tendency was excellent, and particularly
important, as regarded the spirit displayed for advancing our
common prosperity, not by isolated and irregular efforts, bu'.:
by " a long pull, a strong pull, and a pull altogether."

Tit: WISE MEN OF 'rue EAST.--.A Friar be-
longing to the order of Saint Francis, gave out
a discourse for the benek of his confraternity. It
should be remarked, that it is the constant usage
of painters to describe one of the Magi who were led
tollethlehem,by the star in the east,to present their
offerings, at a sable Ethiopian. Of this conception
Friar Emanuel took a pleasant ad vantage. Having
expatiated at some length on the eternal rewards
attendant on pious donations, as well as on the
peculiar claims of his order on the bounty of
his hearers, he proceeded to speak of the wise
men of the East, and of their offerings.—
The first," said he, " my worthy and bene-
volent auditors, brought gold; the second, frank-
incense and myrrh ; and the third What did
he bring ? It is with concern I tell you that
he come empty-handed, on which account God
touted him black. You will agree with me that
this was a terrible punishment, but not a greater
one than was merited by so heinous a neglect.'
This being said, each pressed earnestly forward
with his donation, insomuch that, on their break-
ing-up, to the great joy of the Friar, who con-
gratulated them on the event, not a single black
face was to be seen in the admirinecrowd.
Should Mr.ll4Adant's system of road making
be found to succeed in Waterloo-place, it is sup-'.
posed that it will be adopted throughout the
whole line of the new street, 'as well as in the
other principal thoroughfares of the metropolis.
The late Mr. MARRYATT, M.P., report says,
has left his widow 4,000/. per annum; 31,0001.
to each of seven sons, and 12,0001. to each of thre-e
daughters.

ltoeseax.—CAUTlON.—There is a fellow going
about, rather genteelly dressed, 18 or 19 years
of age, who makes it his business to ask any-
little boys he sees to go on soma errand for
him which requires speed, and for which he
promises them a suitable reward. To exe-
cute it in haste, be persuades them to
leave some part of their supetfluous clothes be-
hind in his hands, with which he disappears,
leaving the little fellows to explain, as they
bust can, the loss to their parents ; or he
wraps a farthing up in a piece of paper, and
sends them to get change for a sovereign, keep-
ing some article of their drew as a pledge. Seve-
ral instances of this occurred on Sanday ; and
two brothers were both served in this way, pro-
bably by the same person, but not at the same
time and place. Parents should caution their
unsuspecting children against this trick.
On Saturday a man, who had been committed
for stealing wheat at Warminster, effected his
escape while on his way to Fisherton gaol. The
two constables were rather economical, and
having hired a horse between them, they agreed
to ,4 ride and tie." When arrived at Burden's
Ball, the prisoner refused to walk, and, com-
plaining of being tired, it was agreed that he
should mount the horse and ride the three re-
maining miles. lie had no sooner mounted the
horse than he set off at full gallop, and has never
since been heard of.

On Saturday night a quarrel took place between
2 lads at the foot of Ifolborn-hill. They fought
two or three rounds, but owing to the darkness
of the night it was not observed that one of them
was armed with a penknife, and at every blow he
either stabbed or cut his antagonist, till, at length,
covered with blood, he was taken into the grocer's
shop at the corner of kield-lane, and the young
assassin made his escape. None of the wounds,
we learn, are dangerous.

Bow..STREBT.--(T/113 DAY.)----A !Mkt-ley_
coachman, named Maiun, was charged with
having taken from Sir RICHARD BIRNIE, the
Chief Magistrate, the sum of 75,., whereas his
fare only came to 4s. 6d. Sir R. stated, that
on Thursday last, himself and Mr. MlNsuuLt.
had to open three houses, and accordingly took
the coach at Charles-street, drove to Short's
Gardens. Drury-lane, then to Serle-street, Lin-
coln's-inn, and eventually to the Home Depart-
ment. Sir Richard also added that he told the
defendant at the tune his fare was only 4s. 6d.
He declined having the ground measured, and
was fined 10s., which, with the costs, he paid.