The Sun.
London, England, 1824-10-23 00:00:00

A SMUGGLER SHOT.

(EATRACT OF A PRIVATE LETTER.)
PORTSMOUTH, OCT. 21.—As Stocks, one of
the Preventive Guard from Southsea Castle, was
on the look-out, near the Royal Clarence Pro-
menade Rooms, just after 12 o'clock, he dis-
covered a party of men, whom he challenged.
To one of them he called by rimer and said,
" Tollervey, I did not expect to see you here
at this time of night." The person to whom he
spoke replied " No, nor will you see me again
for six months to come, since you are here. We
expected some gin to night." The party then
displayed a light to give notice to their com-
panions afloat, and in an instant dispersed.
Stocks, well understanding the signal, ran along
the beach to alarm the Castle, but when between
that and the land-mark he stumbled over some tubs
which seemed just to have been landed. In a mo-
ment the party he had left came down from the
Common. Stocks instantly drew his cutlass,
and fired one of his pistols into the air, to
alarm the guard. The smugglers now pressed
forward, swearing in the most horrid manner that
they would " tear his damn'd melt out," and at
every rush seized some of the tubs, and placed
them in the rear. Stocks became alarmed for
the whole capture, and repeatedly warned them
that he must fire at them—but this they disre-
garded. To intimidate them, and bring the guard
to his assistance, Stocks fired two more pistols.
The soldiers then came down. The smugglers
hearing their approach made a desperate resist-
ance. They rushed on Stocks, swearing most
violently that they would do for him. When
they were in the act of closing with him, he shot
among them, and one smuggler instantly fell.—
The soldiers now arrived, and succeeding in cap-
turing another of the party, but they were in-
stantly bustled by the smugglers, and the man
was rescued. It is to be observed, that the
soldiers had no ammunition, and were only a
corporal's guard. The smugglers retreated, leav-
ing 35 tubs behind them, which were taken pos-
session of by Myrtle, one of a party from the Ter-
ret revenue cutter, who had just rowed up in a
galley, attracted by the repeated firing. The
wounded man's name is Harris. He is a brick-
layer in the employ of Mr. King, builder; the
ball passed through his forehead and came out
behind. He is not yet dead (seven o'clock), but
not the slightest hopes are entertained of his
being alive in the morning. The unfortunate
man was immediately conveyed to the Castle,
and a messenger dispatched to Southsea Town
for Mr. Bachelor, the surgeon. The misguided
man received the wound just after two o'clock,
but ilstaecvleferlyorrewasaesn inato settpeir)redsaentclembt ymteldi
andtll‘lC.lrre.
ical
skill will avail but little. The patient has never
sirolteno,ranttl ilesegeumasrdtostaayll insensible.
says he
hee ensitle r s
he
hra
that cor-
poral
he
arrived just in time to save Stocks' life, as
the smugglers were threatening to destroy
him, and were closing upon him with their
bludgeons. To this they were instigated by their
foremost man, who was heard to exclaim,
" Damn your cowardly eyes, do you mean
to allow one man to capture my tubs
A t this moment Stocks fired the fatal shot. A
naval gentleman who resides near the spot heard
the firing of the pistols at distinct periods. Stocks
bears the character of a peaceably disposed man
in his public situation, and at this moment holds
himself in readiness to answer any thing that
may be laid to his charge. The Coroner has
been made acquainted with the business, and
the last moments of the unfortunate Harris are
believed to be at hand. A party of Custom
Officers upon the look-out inland met with the
retreating smugglers, and upon going up to chal-
lenge them one of them made a chop at the
Officer,fatal., width,
The Oi
tut takene
ers,helvt(cyte,rso
,vsuueledeehvdaede
proved
in taking him with two tubs which were near
him, His name is Burnett ; he is a gardener,
lately in the employ of Mr. Parish; he is now
on board the Ferret.

LA FAYETTc.—lluriug the American revolu-
tionary war, a General Officer in the service of
the United States advanced with a score of men
under the English batteries to reconnoitre their
position. llis aide-de-camp, struck by a ball,
fell at his side. The officers and orderly dra-
guonodiefsr fled
the
filvof precipitatelytie cannon,; t le G
i aepnperroaalc,
hteltrutghlei
wounded man to see whether he had any signs of
life remaining, or whether any help could be af-
forded him. Finding the wound bad been mortal,
he turned his eyes away with emotion, and slowly
rejoined the group which had got out of the reach
of the pieces.. This instance of courage and hu-
manity took place at the battle of Monmouth.—
General Clinton, who commanded the English
troops, knew that the Marquis de la Fayette ge-
nerally rode a white horse; it was upon a white
horse that the General Officer who retired so
slowly was mounted ; Clinton desired the gunners
not to fire. This noble forbearance probably
saved M. de la Fayette's life, for it was he him-
self. At that time be was but 22 years of age.—
(Hist. Recollections of the Reign qt* Louis X PI)
Cu E FO It BLISTUR ED FEET.--Copt. COCHRAN,
in his Travels in Russia, says :—On the last
day's march I fell in with one of Napoleon's
soldiers. Ire protested 46 by his faith and
re-
spectfor Napoleon ;" and if I may judge from
what I heard I
must suppose the expression
spoke
the sentiments of a large portion of the
Bourbon subjects. Ile. was, however, a lively
and even serviceable companion, for upon com-
plaining of my feet becoming blistered, he com-
municated to me as a secret, a mode of cure which
I have never found to fail. It is simply to rub
the feet, at going to bed, with spirits mixed with
tallow dropped from a lighted candle, into the
palm of the hand. On the following morning no
blisters will exist ; the spirit seems to possess the
healing power, the tallow serving only to keep
the skin soft and pliant. The soles of the feet,
the uncles, and insteps, should be rubbed well ;
and even where no blisters exist the application
may be usefully
made as a preventive. Salt and
water is, a good substitute, and while on this
head, I would recommend foot travellers never
to wear right and left shoes ; it is bad economy,
and indeed serves to cramp the feet.