The Sun.
London, England, 1848-12-26 00:00:00

ANC/EXT
IN CHESTER.

SHIPWRECKS AND HARBOT—Tirs
OF REFUGE.
(From the Cornwall Royal Gazette.)
NZWQUAY.—On Sunday evening, the wind blowing a
storm from the S.W., with a very heavy ground sea on
the west, the schooner London, of St. Ives, coal laden,
from Swansea, bound for Portreath, and the schooner
Richard Carnal, with iron, from Cardiff, bound for Leith,
came inside the pier. The wind blew from S. to S.E.,
until both vessels were below Newquay Head, when it
shifted to S.W., and blew a storm, and had not Newquay
harbour afforded them proteetion, they must have been
driven to some port in Wales, at a great risk of life and
property. The London is 180 tons burden, and the
Richard Carmel about 130. On Monday, the Thomas,
of Penzance, put, in here for shelter during a terrible
ground sea, and too boisterous weather for her to go
further down on the north channel.
PAR.—The coast was visited, early on Friday morning
last, with one of the heaviest gales of wind and sea from
the S.S. W. known for many years; and soon after day-
break, when the gale was at its height, a vessel was ob-
served running up the bay apparently in imminent danger
every one expecting her to founder, as the sea at times
completely buried her. She, however, passed Pen-
tewan and Charlestown, when the master tried to gain
Fowey, but was unable to weather the Gribbenhvad.
By this it was a most anxious and fearful time. The
people belonging to the harbour soon assembled on the
breakwater, although the sea was then making a com-
plete breach over them, to signalise and render all the
assistance they were able, as this was the last and only
chance left of saving the vessel from destruction. She
accordingly bore away for the pier, and in a few minutes
was got inside the breakwater in perfect safety. The
vessel is the schooner Brilliant, Walter Williams master,
bound from Antwerp to Bristol with grain. The master
of the vessel expresses himself as follows:
"I feel indebted for the preservation of our lives and
vessel, under. Providence, to the breakwater of Par, for
had it not been for this noble little harbour of refuge, no
doubt our lives and vessel would have been sacrificed.
(Signed) " WA.LTI.A WILLIANS.
" Par, Dec. 15, 1848."
PORTIILEAVEN.—On Thursday morning last, about
eight o'clock, a vessel was seen to founder off Porth-
leaven. She proved to be the James Wearne, of St.
Ives, Captain Thomas Mathews master. She had lately
arrived at Falmouth from the Black Sea, and the wreck
has come on shoie. The master's watch has been found
in part of the wreck washed in at Mousehole. , The
crew consisted of six men and a boy. The unfortunate
vessel, which sailed for Falmouth on Wednesday night,
was bound for Limerick, with a cargo of corn.
The value of harbours of refuge on a coast by which,
in one channel or the other, .two-thirds of the trade of
England passes, has received *an illustration during the
past week, both at Par and Newquay. The vessel saved
at Par is the eighth that has been preserved from ship-
wreck by its breakwater, and that without one shil-
ling expense to the owners. Both these harbours owe
their existence to the enterprise and engineering skill
of one gentleman ; nor could skill be more severely
tasked than by the undertaking to form good harbours
in such unfavourable situations. The construction of a
breakwater on the muddy bottom of Tywardreath Bay,
which afforded no foundation, had been deemed by en-
gineers, impracticable, and a visitor who can ap-
preciate the value of the result, and these difficulties
to be overcome, will be surprised as much as .gratified
to find by what simple yet effectual means these diffi-
culties have been surmounted. Newquay is thus far
only the germ of a great undertaking. It is a
scheme on a grander scale and of bolder conception.
If it succeed, and the success which has attended the
past enterprises of Mr. Treffry is a pledge that his plans
have been laid with a full consideration of all the difficul-
ties to be overcome; it will be a work of more real value
to the commercial interests of the kingdom than almost
any upon which the State has lavished its resources. A
harbour of refuge, where the largest ships may find safe
anchorage in all times of tide, midway between Milford
Haven or Lunday, and the Land's End, would be a
boon whose value can scarcely be estimated, not only for
the protection it would afford to life and property, but for
the confidence it would give to shipping in putting to
sea. We trust, therefore, that his valuable life will be
spared to complete this great work, or at least, that he
may so far carry it out as to command the confidence of
the mercantile interest and public authorities; that, if
all that may be necessary to the execution of the com-
plete
plan should exceed the powers of an individval
the requisite aid may be afforded by the Governe—
A

The drainage of Chester has hitherto been of a very
superficial character, and in making the drains on
which the workmen are now employed, the remains
of former excavations, and some other works have
been discovered, of which I have thought it as well
to make rough notes, to place at your disposal, to make
such use of as you shall see fit.
The drains now making average twelve feet deep;
principally through the solid rock. Such are those
in St. John-street, Pepper-street, Cuppin-street, and
Bridge-street, in making which a previous excavation
was crossed, which takes the form of a passage running
nearly due east and west ; and which was evidently
in existence before the present streets of Chester were
designed, as it crosses all those mentioned, some
obliquely, and others at nearly right angles. This
excavation in the rock is about seven feet
wide at the top (that is, about four feet below
the surface of the present streets), becoming gra-
dually narrower to the bottom, where it is not more
than twelve or eighteen inches wide ; that is, as far
as can be judged, as I understand from Mr. Blayney,
the mason, that the present excavations have nowhere
reached the level of the ancient one ; and that at their
deepest level (about 13 feet), an iron rod was driven
into the rubbish with which the old excavation is
filled, and that it penetrated 4 feet before it reached
the solid rock. At intervals of some yards occur re-
cesses, or wider excavations of the rock, as if to admit
air ; or, possibly, to allow one person to stand aside
for another to pass. This is assuming it to have been
a subterranean passage, which I very much doubt.
It seems more likely to have been a fosse, or ditch,
belonging to the defences of the Roman camp. This
passage was first noticed in John-street; it was next
come upon in Pepper-street, about 70 yards from St.
Michael's Church, and opposite Mr. Gough's house.
About 70 yards further on, and about 12 from St.
Michael's steps, it crosses Bridge-street, nearly at
right angles, and runs under the buildings now built
on the site of Old Lamb-row. It occurs again in
Cuppin-street, opposite the new buildings next to
the King's Head stables.
Mr. Roberts, to whom Old Lamb-row belonged,
and who built the present houses, informs me that
where this portion of the excavation was exposed in
laying the foundation of the present building, it was
divided longitudinally into two passages or galleries,
one above the other, by very substantial timbers and
flooring, which was found about eight feet from the
surface.
On the 24th of November, 1848, and on the Bth of
December; in the same year, were exposed the ori-
ginal (or, at least, what are supposed to be the ori-
ginal) foundations of the old Eastgate. These
remains, which have been only partially disturbed,
still exist. They lay at about four feet from the
surface, and were first met with about eight feet
east of the present' gateway, that is, outside it.
Their extreme limit is about 60 feet to the
east of the Eastgate. They consist principally of
several courses of • regular masonry, some run-
ning parallel with, and others crossing the street
at right angles. These layers of masonry have
evidently formed- part of very ancient foundations
belonging to the Eastgate, and are probably Roman.
From the care with which they are pointed and
finished, it is also probable that, though so far beneath
the present surface, they were more than mere
foundations, and most -likely served for guard-rooms
or dungeons. The masonry did not, in any part
exposed, present any inscription or peculiarity. It
is of the common red sandstone of the vicinity, well
squared and firmly set. The timbers which unite it
are of great strength and solidity, about fourteen
inches thick.
A cannon shot was dug up about ten feet from the
surface near these remains. Also, a mass of dark
matter, supposed to be part of an unignited mine of
gunpoWder. Subsequent examination shows no indi-
cation of its ever having possessed the qualities of
gunpowder, and I believe it only to be a mass of
black mud, composed of decayed vegetable substances.
East of these remains, between the present Bank
and Frodsham-street, two pavements were found:
one at the depth of three feet, the other at the depth
of nine feet from the present surface. They were
quite perfect, and had never been disturbed ; they
were exactly similar in character to the common
cobble stone paving of the present street, to which
they run exactly parallel, and of which indeed they
evidently formed the former level, at two different
periods. From the depths at which these pavements
were found, it appears that a descent, either
natural or artificial, formerly existed on issuing
from the Eastgate ; most likely artificial, as
the surrounding locality presents an unvaried
flat, if we except a slight inclination towards the
river to the southward. It appears singular
that in forming the new streets, the pave-
ments were in neither case disturbed. Either the
paving Stones were of less value than at present, or
possibly in the struggles of civil war, during which
we have evidence that the suburbs of Chester (and
particularly those in the immediate vicinity of the
gates) were laid waste this point was so covered
with rubbish as to render the task of removing if
more difficult than the pavement web
In - Ztl a yard belonging to Mr.
rarkinsen, plumber, on the east side of Northgate-
street, between the Abbey-square and the Abbey-
green, was found an old Roman vase, of which I en-
close you a drawing... The vase is of clay, not of the
usual red, but of a slate colour. At about eight feet
from the present surface, the labourer employed on
this drain came to the solid rock ; he there found a
circular excavation, about eighteen inches dia-
meter' and twelve inches deep, filled with soil, into
which a stroke of his spade encountered this vase,
which was shattered by the blow. The fragments
were nearly all recovered, and carefully reunited by
Mr. Parkinson, in whose possession the vase re-
mains. There were alsofouna two portions of annular
brass money, much corroded, and some small frag-
ments of another jar, not Corresponding either in form'
or colour with the one restored:

In Watergate-street, in forming a drain, were found
portions of two Roman tiles (of which also I send you
sketches), each bearing the fragment of an inscription.
One is as follows :—" VVX. ...... .;" the other
" LEGXXV " Each is the commencement
of an inscription, of which the remainder is lost,
and they are both as sharp and clearly defined
as the day they were cast.—Correspondent of the
Chester Courant.

THE LATE STORM.
OBAN, FRIDAY, DEC. 15.—As this morning broke
with fair weather, wind at S.S.E., though the sky
was murky, and seemed port ?ntous of the coming
storm, part of the shipping in our harbour were in-
duced to proceed on their voyages—viz., the Janet
and tow laden, and
Jessie smack, Dewar,l
bound Condie,foDr D. K
Glasgow;err, master,an d the wt)
vmeassaetelar,gotlikewise
f for G wool laden. Those
where they arrived
before the gale got to its height, as it had increased
arEasdale, as la sgo
w
to a perfect hurricane before two o'clock P.M., such
as has seldom fell to our lot to witness. Towards
four P.M. the wind veered to the S.S.W., where it
continued with unabated fury till ten p.m. Great
fears were entertained for the vessels above named,
and for the ship W. C. Binley, Whittesley, comman-
der, from New York, and bound for Glasgow, out
20 days, with a cargo of cotton, flour, and lard.
This ship was seen in our offing on the morning of
the 14th ; and a pilot having gone on board, the ship
was brought to anchor between the island of Graick
and the Lismore land. To prevent the ship drag-
ging her anchor, her masts had to be cut away. Mr.
James Cunstie, Lloyd's agent, is at the scene of dis-
aster, who will render every assistance for saving
both ship and cargo.
We have just learned that, to ride the gale in
safety, Captain Kerr had to cut away the masts of
the Janet Condie, at Easdale, where she now lies dis-
masted ; and we regret having to record the total
loss of the Jessie, Dewar, master; and Torrhand,
Dymrod, at Easdale. The Agnes, of Arbroath, is
ashore at the Horse Shoe, damaged—extent unknown.
Much damage was also sustained by the shipping at
our quay, from the insufficient state of the mooring
rings and palls, which gave way in more than one in-
stance. We regret that the North Pier at Oban,
where there is so much traffic, has not more atten-
tion paid to its sufficiency in all respects to ensure
the safety of shipping frequenting it. The quay is
not at all commensurate with the interests of this
rising seaport.

AiEasaale three vessels went ashore, and became
wrecks, with the loss of three = lives. Some of the
seamen saved themselves by jumping on board the.
Janet —North British Mail.

SALOON CARRIA6Ea ON Tilt LONDON AND BRIGHTON
RAILWAY.—A new description of firet-class eerriage
has been constructed for, and is now running on, the
London and Brighton line. Instead of having three
compartments, as in the ordinary first-class carriage, it
has only two, and these, at the option of the passengers,
family, or pleasure party, may, by an ingenious mecha-
nical contrivance, be thrown into one elegant saloon.
They are also fitted up at the end and sides with sofas
for general use and the convenience of invalids, and may
be conver -1 into bed-carriages, if required.
SOUTH DEVoN.—The directors, in compliance with
the requisition of the shareholders, have just announced
that a special general meeting shall be forthwith held at
Exeter, to determine on the atmospheric question, when
they intend to present a report explanatory of their
views and proceedings on the subject.
RAILWAY FOST-OFFTCE.—Passengers arriving et the
Rugby station are not generally aware that a letter-box
has been fixed in the window of the ticket-collector's
room, under the colonnade on the "up " side. Letters
posted here up to nine o'clock in the evening will be for-
warded the same night to the metropolis and all parts of
the country without any extra charge.
RAILWAY READING Room.—Many of our readers
will be glad to learn that a reading room has been
opened at the Rugby station, adjoining the Midland
sheds, on the " upside," to which passengers may obtain
access by the payment of one penny, and thus have an op-
tunity of reading the London daily and weekly papers,
the country journals, and a variety of periodicals—a
much pleasanter recreation than walking up and down
the long, cold, and cheerless platform, at this inclement
season, for t'io-e persons who are obliged to wait two or
three hours before they can proceed on their journey, as
is the case since the alteration in the time of running the
trains along the several lines that join at this station.
EASTERN UNION (now 514 miles, being amalgamated
with the Ipswich and Bury Railway).—Traffic for the
week ending December 16, 1848, 1,1221. 19s. 10d.; ditto
for the week ending December 19, 1847, 1,110/. Os. ICd.
FRENCH AND BELGIAN LINES.—The receipts on the
line from Antwerp to Ghent amounted, for the last
month, to 22,188 f. The goods traffic on the State line
has increased so much, that the coke furnaces of the
company are insufficient to furnish the supply of fuel.
The line from Paris to Sceaux, unable to withstand the
commercial crisis, has been sequestered, and will be
worked by the State. The Tours and Nantes line has
been opened between Tours and Saumur, and the second
section, from Saumur to Angers, is to be com-
pleted by the spring.
AMIENS AND BoULOGNE (open from Amiens to Bou-
logne).—Traffic from December 10 to December 17,
1848 :—Passengers, 23,641 f. 50c.; merchandise, :6,610f.
70e. Total, 1,2101. Receipts since March 15, 1848,
53,0311. Total, 54,2411.
LONDON AND NORTH-WESTERN MUTUAL AssUR-
ANCE FUND.—The circumstance of some few cases of
defalcation having lately occurred amongst the officers
of this company, has led the directors to determine on
establishing a mutual assurance fund for their officers,
superintendents, clerks, and other servants, who hold
situations of trust; and whereby it is proposed that each
shall contribute out of-his salary 2d. in the pound to
constitute a guarantee fund. If at any time the fund in
hand shall be found insufficient to meet any defaults,
then each officer is to increase his contribution to the
extent, in all, of fourpence in the pound, until the defi-
ciency is supplied ; the contribution thereafter to be
reduced to a penny. It is also to be provided that no
contributor shall have any individual property in this
mutual assurance fund, but that it shall belong to the
company, and be applicable only to its specific purpose.
Great dissatisfaction is said 'to exist amongst all the
officers of the company at the proposed impost, and a
meeting is to be held to memoralise the directors on the
subject.
The South-Western Company has served notices on
the landed proprietors on the Basingstoke and Salisbury
Railroad of their intention of going before Parliament
for an extension of time to complete the works, the
stoppage of which has caused much dissatisfaction in this
neighbourhood, and we believe a petition wfll be pre-
sented to Parliament from this town to compel the com-
pany to finish the works lerthwith, as much inconve-
nience and expense are experienced from the loss of a
direct conveyance between Basingstoke and Salisbury.
—Hampshire Independent.
MONSTER TRAINS ON TEE SOUTH-WESTERN, NORTH-
WESTERN, AND GREAT WESTERN RAILWAYS.—On Sa-
turday last the up-trains on all the above named lines
were immensely laden with luggage as well as passen-
gers. By the North-Western alone, on Friday, there
was conveyed 16,000 parcels, baskets, &c., filled chiefly
with poultry, game, and other eatables, as presents for
Christmas. On Saturday more than 20,000 similar
packages were brought to London by the South-Western;
every train was filled (having double the number of car-
riages), and these so heavily laden, that many did not ar-
rive till nearly two hours after their regular time. The
third-class train of this line, due in London at lb. 40m. on
Saturday, did not arrive until 3 o'clock, although driven
by two engines, the carriages attached having nearly
1,200 passengers. The first and second class trains
were quite as much behind time; the one due in London
at 4 rem. did not arrive till nearly six, having 42 car-
riages. The one due at 9b. 10m. r.m., was also more
than an hour behind time, having nearly 800 passengers
and 3,000 parcels. The mail train yesterday morning
did not arrive till nearly six o'clock, being due at 4h.
30m.; it consisted of 30 carriages quite full. On the
Great Western they were equally busy; thousands after
thousands of parcels and passengers arriving and de-
parting by every train through Friday and Saturday.
The trains down were immensely laden with barrels of
oysters, fish, and other presents, besides crowds going to
different parts of the country to visit their friends. We
P.,eipta were greater during the
last three days than in ',v.vu any
past year.
RAILWAY SIGNALS.—A very important discovery has
just been made by Mr. W. D. Wells, and John Broad-
field, surveyor, of Kidderminster, of a new and success-
ful mode of communication, to be attached to every
description of railway carriage, so that in case any one
of them breaks away from the rest, on the line, it im-
mediately communicates the same to the engine-driver,
by blowing the steam-whistle on the engine, and also the
same can be done by the guard at any moment ; in prin-
ciple it is self-acting, and entirely removed from the
control of the passengers, simple, efficacious, and cheap
in its application and construction, can be attached
together with great facility and saving of time; and, in
case of breakage can immediately ba restored to its
proper action again by the guard, in one moment, and
at the cost of a few pence.
LEASE OF THE EAST LINCOLNSHIRE TO THE GREAT
NORTHERN.—The necessary instruments, after consider-
able delay, are now being prepared for the transfer of
the line, about fifty miles in length, and which runs from
the Great Grimsby and Boston to the Great Northern,
which will commence paying on it the six per cent. divi-
dend from the Ist November last—Hull Advertiser.
RAILWAY LAW FOR THE CONVEYANCE OF POLICE.—
A correspondence has lately taken place between the
railway companies and the Secretary of State, who, to-
gether with the Railway Commissioners, are of opinion
(the decision of the law officers of the Crown having first
been obtained) that the provisions of the Act 5 and 6
Vic., relating to the conveyance of the military force by
cheap trains, also applies to duties of the police body, in
such a way as to entitle them to be conveyed at the rate,
like soldiers, of id. per mile, by any train that starts, in
order that they may execute their warrants.
THE OsWESTRY BRANCH.--Thin branch of the Shrews-
bury and Chester Railway will, it is anticipated, be
opened for public accommodation in the course of next
week. On Thursday last a ballasting engine passed
along the line, and in a day or two the Government In-
spector will survey the' whole and report thereon.—
Hereford Times.
SOUTH WALES.—On Wednesday last the first loco-
motive engine, named " The Dove," and a tender reached
Tidenham for the South Wales Railway cuttings neae
the Mead's House. The engine was hauled from Glou-
cester on a carriage bet purposely, and drawn by 18
fine grey horses. Four superior black horses hauled
the tender. The novelty of the loads, and the beauty
of the teams, drew the attention of a number of people.
—Hereford Times.
The Mold Railway, a line in the mineral districts of
North Wales, is now nearly completed.
RAILWAY COMPENSATION.—An inquiry was held on
Thursday last before the Sheriff of Surrey, Mr. Sergeant
Wallinger, assessor, to award compensation to the firm of
Brown, Gordon, and Dunn, residing in Gravel-lane,
Southwark, for their leasehold and other interest at-
tached to the premises which were required for the pur-
poses of the London and South-Western Railway Com-
pany's extension to London-bridge. The claimants had
obtained a writ of mandamus to compel the inquiry.
The Attorney-General, Mr. W. D. Hill, and Mr.
Merewether, appeared on behalf of the compan on the
instructions of Messrs. Birchem, Dalrymple, and Drake,
the solicitors to the company. Mr. Watson, Q.C.,
Mr. Pullen and Mr. Duncombe, for the claimants, on
the instruction of Mr. Patterson, as regarded Mr. Brown
and Mr. Gordon; Mr. Dunn appearing by his solicitor,
Mr. Smith, of the firm of Whiteside and Smith, and
repudiating the claim altogether. The claimants de-
manded in the whole 14,7421. 6s. 10d., which was par-
ticularised in the following manner, viz., for lease of
premises, 5,2021. 18s. 3d., an additional amount alleged
to be secured by the terms of the partnership, &c.
2,7121. 55.; an amount to be expended upon new pre-
mises, ',wee ; loss of interest on that amount, 7501.;
removal of stock, 4001.; and 2,0001. for loss of profits
On the business, and a sum of 2,6761. 13s. 7d. for Mr.
Samuel Brown's private interest in the rental of the
residence, and for the removal of some patented inven-
tions. The parties, it appeared, had a lease, of which
six years were unexpired, at 2501. per annum. The
claim was, we understood, reduced in court to half the ori-
ginal amount.. Several witnesses were called, and the
jury returned the following verdit:—" To the firm, for
damages, removal, refixing the plant, and adaptation to
other premises, 7501.; for the lease, 300/.;'for Mr. Brown's
private interest for gas, engine, &c., 1001.; and for house
fixtures, &c., 344/. Is., making a total of 1,3944 IS.
DUNDEE AND PERTH.—With reference to our remarks
last week regarding the stoppage of the works of this
line across the town, we now understand that it is in con-
sequence of the exorbitant demands of the tenants occu-
pying the property purchased for the formation of the
line; and that, by not proceeding with the work till their
occupancy expires, which will be at Whitsunday first,
the company will effect a saving more than equivalent to
any profit they would derive from having the line opened
at an earlier period.—Perth Advertiser.
DUNDALK AND ENNISKILLEN.—The works between
Dundalk and Castleblanoy are completed, and trial
trips are now made over them preparatory to the public
opening.
WATERFORD AND LIMERICK.— There was a meeting
at the Court-house, Clonmel, on Wednesday last, for
the purpose of reducing the Railway Inquisition, to be
held at Cahir for land by the Waterford and Limerick
Railway. Mr: John Prendergast, solicitor, is retained
by the claimants. There are three cases for trial.—
Cork &porton

THE FOLKESTONE GHOST.—For about a fortnigl':;
a story has been in circulation that a "ghost" was to be
seen on the " Bayle," nightly playing his pranks upon
those unlucky beings that came within his reach. As is
usual in such cases, the most ridiculous reports were
greedily devoured by the lovers of the wonderful and
strange; children were fear,ul of stirring out of doors
after dark; women were seen in groups discussing the
various tales of ghosts and goblins which they had heard
spoken of. A pieman was stated to have been robbed of
his dainties—veal, mutton, and beef pies "vanishing at
the sight of the spectre," the pieman leaving his basket
in haste to escape from his clutches. Then, again, we
hear of a long, lanky being dressed in white, nine feet
high, appearing to a lad carrying same stout to a custo-
mer, who, frightened to death, dropped his basket and
ran avvay. The stars ne thn pi hp,t hannmo at la 36
general topic, and all sorts of schemes were talked of to
catch his ghostship, if he was made of flesh and blood,
and drag him through the Bayle pond. The other eve-
ning a little child was running down the steps, when a
man, extraordinarily dressed, ran after him. The child
ran home to his father, crying " Father, the ghost I the
ghost I on the steps 1" The man hastened to the spot
and succeeded in capturing the " real ghost," in woman's
attire, having wrapped round him two or three blankets,
and two boards lashed one behind and one before. It
proved to be a poor old man named Spicer, upwards of
70 years of age, who lived in a wretched shed near the
steps, a recipient of 2s. 6d. per week from the parish; he
was taken by the man before the mayor in his "ghostly
attire," a pitiable object. His worship taking into con-
sideration his great age, ordered him to be deprived of
his weekly allowarce, and to be taken to the Elham
Union. The "ghos, ' was then escorted by the police to
his cottage amidst the yelling and hooting of a large
mob, and was shortly afterwards taken to his destina-
tion. Thus ends the story of the "Folkestone ghost,'
which has turned out as harmless as the "Fiery Ser-
pent," the ones being a man, the other a peacock,--
Dover Chronicle.
A FARMER Roasen.—Mr. Noyes of Highworth,
attended Earring market, where he meta gentleman
most anxious to purchase some of his excellent cattle
if he sold them at a fair price. Mr. Noyes was so
flattered that he sent his son home before him in his
gig to get out the beasts so that the gentleman might
see them, for which purpose he would ride to his farm
in the gentleman's gig. Mr. Noyes appointed to meet
his customer at the Salutation, where he found him
dealing with a butcher for sheep, which he ultimately
purchased, offering in payment his cheque for 40/., but
the butcher, not having the balance to pay back, the
utmost regret was evinced by the gentleman, who would
not on any account have lost his bargain, and offered
10s. to any one who would cash the cheque, which had
but a few days to run. Caught by the tempting offer, and
anxious to oblige his.new friend, Mr. Noyes cashed the
the cheque. The sequel need not be told. By some strata-
gem the gentleman and the pseudo butcher made out of
town together, leaving an old horse, not worth 405., for
Mr. Noyes, who soon learned that he had been regularly
done, and that both the gentleman and the butcher were
a pair of sharpers.
PLAN YOU INCREASING THE HEAT FROM A COM-
MON FIRE, AND IMPROVING VENTILATION,—..A. Corres-
pondent of the Builder says, " the plan I propose is a re-
ciprocating or self-acting arrangement, by which a spiral
current of air is formed, commencing externally by
means of a small grating, or air brick, let into the front
wall, and carried through a pipe (for which a chase may
be cut behind the skirting), to the side of the stove pass-
ing near the fire. The air within becoming immediately
heated, is forced by the greater gravity of the cold air
from without, through the continuation of the pipe at
the opposite side of the fire, and from thence, by a sheet-
iron tube under the floor, behind the skirting, or other-
wise to the opposite extremity of the apartment. It there
emerges in a heated state, warms the whole room in its
passage across to the fire again, and having supplied
entirely the place of the cold air usually let in through
doors and apertures, it passes through the flue, and gives
place to the fresh and continued (warm) supply which it
draws after it, mingles again with the external atmo-
sphere, and completes the spiral and reciprocating
current.
FATAL WAGER.--On Saturday evening Mr
Baker held an inquest at the Black Lion, New Mon-
tague-street, Spitalfields, on the body of Cornelius De-
lany, aged 36, a plasterer, who came by his death under
the following circumstances :—George Croft, a plasterer,
residing at 4, Montague-street, Spitalfields, deposed to
having known the deceased, who, up to Sunday evening
last, was iu perfect health. About seven o'clock on that
evening, witness was in company with the deceased in
the tap-room of the Black Lion, when a conversation
about " hearty " drinking having arisen the deceased
wagered with some of his companions that he would
drink twelve pints of porter within an hour, allow-
ing himself five minutes to each pint, or forfeit ten
shillings' worth of drink. The bet was accepted, and
the deceased having drank ten pints within the specified
time, was in the act of drinking the eleventh, when be
suddenly tell to the ground, and was immediately con-
veyed to his lodgings in a state of insensibility, where
he was allowed to remain on the floor wholly unattended
till the following morning, when, not having rallied, a
surgeon was called in, but the usual remedies were of no
avail, and he died the next morning. The Coroner
having animadverted in severe terms upon the gross
impropriety of such wagers, the jury returned a verdict
of " Died from excessive drinking."
INCREASED VALUE OF GROUND IN THE METRO-
POLIS.—There are many estates in the metropolis which,
fifty years back, were worth 31. an acre, as cow, pasture,
and dairy ground, now realising from 1,000/. to 2,0001.
per acre per annum I Many within thirty years, which
were brick-field roughs, now return half that rental
and in another generation these same estates on which
the:property of thousands has been outlaid, will, in some
instances, yield to the colossal proprietors from 100,000/.
to 500,0001. per annum.— The Builder.
"Ma," said a young lady to her mother, the other 1
day, " whet is em:grating?' Mother--.. Emigrating,
dear, is a young lady r,-,oing to Australia." Daughter— '
" What is colonizing, ma?" Mother—" Colonizing, dear,
is marrying there and having a family." Daughter—
" MatL should liks to go to Australia"

343 i
ess

DIED.
On the 20th inst., in Portman-street, Portman-square,
Charles S. Nevett, Esq., aged 84.
On the 3d inst,., at Gibraltar, Fanny, the wife of Major
Thomas Bugden, R.E. and eldest daughter of the late
Lieutenant-Colonel Maule.
On the 19th inst., at Romsey, Charlotte Christiana, the
wife of the Rev. J. D. Money, and third daughter of the
Hon. and Rev. Gerard Noel.
On the 21st inst., Martha Jane, the wife of C. Castleman,
Esq., of St. Ives-house, Hants.
On the 21st inst., at Cheltenham, Richard Dart, Esq., of
London, aged 44.
tin the 22d inst., at Woburn-place, Russell-square, aged 63
Dr. Pritchard, formerly of Bristol, Commissioner in Lunacy.
On the 21st inst., at Torquay, Frances Jane, wile of W.
Armstrong, Esq., late Captain of the 10th Hussars, aged 36.
At Finchlev, Middlesex, aged 72, Th.mas J. Sandilands,
Esq., formerly of Twyning, and late of Tewkesbury, Gloces-
tershire.

London: Printed and Published by MIIRDO YOUNG, of
No. 112, Strand, Printer, at The Sun Office, No. 112,
Strand, in the Precinct of the Savoy, in the comity ef
Middlesex, Tueeday, December 26,1848.