The Sun.
London, England, 1835-08-17 00:00:00

man's beautiful seat, Wood Hall, or
Little Sampford, between Dunmow and S'tf.
Essex, has been completely destroyed by are
accidental fire. The servant having occasion to re-fasten the
rope of the house-bell, incautiously took a lighted candle into
the false roof, the reed thatch instantly caught fire, and in two
hours the whole building was consumed. Most of the furni- ,
ture was saved, and the house was insured for 3,0001., a sum
so much below its value that Mr. Hinxman's loss is estimated
at at least 10,000/. The house was built only a few years
ago, though upon a much smaller scale, after the model of
the favourite cottage of his late Majesty George IV., in
Windsor Great Park. It is understood that Mr. Ilinxman
will rebuild his seat exactly after the chaste and elegant
design used so short a time since in the building now so un-
fortunately destroyed.
THE THAMES TUNNEL.—The works at the
Tunnel are proceeding in a most satisfactory manner. Great
anxiety and doubts were entertained on the practicability of re-
opening the shield, which has been blocked up since 1828.
The difficulties, it was apprehended, would be increased by
the removal of the old shield to prepare the ground in its
vicinity for the reception of the new one. The apprehen-
sion was also increased by the knowledge of the fact, that a
considerable portion of the ground formed in the bed of the
river by throwing over the spot were the last eruption took
place, clay, &c., to stop up the cavity, had been removed
in order to clear the channel of the river. The old shield,
however, has been already partially removed, and the works
in its immediate vicinity were found to be in the most
sound state. The iron work, however, owing to the length of
time it has remained blocked up, is unfit for use. The infiltra-
tioSs Caused by the removal of nearly the whole of the shield is
extren:elY small, and caused solely by the under-springs which
feed the :cella in the district to a great distance. The ground
above the shi's4cl has been removed to the extent of two or
three feet, and is as been cut away to prepare for the reception
of the new shield, be contract for which has been taken by
Messrs. Rennie and Co., who have already delivered parts of
it required immediately for the new ceiling. Favourable as
appearances are at present,' she engineer, Mr. Brunel, has
adopted measures to prevent asislents for the future, and in
s:'
order to show the confidenCe of the :nen engaged in the works
before they were suspended, it may mentioned that the
best of the workmen, who were exposectO the greatest dan-
ger, have been solicitous to join in the accon:2li_shment of the
Tunnel. With the experience the engineer has obtained,
a competent opinion is entertained that the work will be ac-
complished at no great distance of time. Many persons of
distinction, including several foreigners, have recently visited
the works.
BRITISH ASSOCIATION.—We have an incident
highly honourable to the Association, as well as to an illus-
trious poet, so long the boast of Ireland. When INpmas
Moore's name was mentioned as a candidate, the Provost, the
President of the British Association, rose at once and pro-
posed the poet without the usual formalities or fees. The
nomination was seconded by 100 voices, and carried by accla-
mation.—Dublin Post.
A curious wager was lately decided in France.
Two men differed as to who could remain longest in the water.
Both threw theinselves into a running stream ; and as the
weather was hot, they found their positions at first rather agree-
able than otherwise. After staying six hours, however, one
became a little fidgetty ; which the other seeing,. very coolly
(of course) pulled a night-cap from his pocket, for they had
not undressed, awl declared that he would not leave the water
till the following morning. His opponent at once gave in.
It is said that a pretty woman upon her death-bed
regrets the loss of her beauty more than her life. General
Blin, who was dangerously wounded in the hand whilst riding
by the side of the King of the French on the 28th of July,
now declares that his life is scarcely worth preserving, as he
has lost two of his fingers by amputation, a loss irreparable,
since the hand formed le charm de ea vie.
On Saturday an inquest was held on the body of
Mr. Miles, livery stable-keeper, of Leather'-lane, who, whilst
taking a cup of coffee at his residence, apvarently in good
health, fell backwards and expired.—" Died by the visitation
of God."
,
STATE OF TRADE.—The Leeds trade seems to be
improving, the quantity of goods sold at the cloth-halls having
been much larger last week than they have been for some time
past; there is, however, no advance in prices. At Hudders-
field all hands both in the woollen and fancy trades are well
employed. At Bradford there is no material alteration in the
state of the piece market. The wool trade at this market has
been rather dull during the • week, and still continues so. At
Halifax wool has been dull of sale, but in yarns more business
has been done ; but manufacturers purchase very cautiously, -
and affirm their inability to obtain a remunerating profit. On
Monday last the weekly flannel market at Rochdale was very
brisk. There was a greater show of goods of all sorts than
there has been for several months past, particularly fine goods,
which obtained an advance in price. The wool market also
was brisk, and more business was done than last week, but at
former prices. At Heywood the cotton-spinning, &c., is re-
ported to be unusually active.—Leeds Mercury.
NEW PUBLICATIONS.-- That delightful work,
Leigh Hunt's " Indicator," we observe, is announced to ap-
pear this week in a new and cheaper edition, embellished with
a portrait of its accomplished author. As a companion for
the sea-side, or the country walk, we know not a more agree-
able book. Another work of very lively character, " The
Comic Sketch-book," by the witty and facetious author of
Paul Pry," is enjoying that extensive popularity which it so
richly deserves, being full of clever sayings and humorous de-
scription. The following new Works are also in very general
request Sir Jonah Barringtons " Memoirs of Ireland and
the Irish." At A period when the affairs of the sister king.
dem are occupying so much of the public attention, our Le-
gislators could nowhere else find such a mine of valuable in-
formacion by which to comprehend the true condition of the
country. 2. Chateaubriand's celebrated " Travels to Jerusa-
lem ;" which, from their containing a more minute description
of the memorable localities of the Holy City than has been
given by any modern traveller, have become a necessary com-
panion to the Scriptures. 3. A new and very cheap edition
of Mr. Bulwer's admired novel, " The Disowned." 4. Gar.
rick's " Private Correspondence," comprising 2,0'00 Letters
from the most remarkable personages of his time, and now
published at less than half the price of the first edition.
The Torquay Regatta took place on Wednesday,
the sth, and met with even more than the usual encourage-
ment in an attendance of yachts of the respective classes, rud
pleasure boats far exceeding in number every preceding an-
niversary. A gold cup, two eaves cups, one the gift of her
Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent, and money prizes were
contested in admirable style.
Owing to the heat of the weather, at some of the
late cheese fairs, that article, by exposure to the sun, has dimi-
nished in weight to an incredible degree. In short, the up-
per cheeses of each pile arc said to have been toasted whole.
CHERTSEY, AUG. 14.—FATAL ACCIDENT.—
It is ibis week our painful duty to record an occurrence, the
most melancholy it has been our task to lay before the public
for some time past. Yesterday evening, as Henry Willats,
Esq., banker, of ecis town, was returning at a late hour from
London in a four-wheelnd chaise by himself, the horse, which
was a very high-spirited animal, grew suddenly restive, and
at length becoming quite unmanageable, took fright and set
off at full speed along the road, until it ran foul of a carriage
coming in an opposite direction—we believe about a mile on
this side of Hounslow. • The chaise was immediately over-
turned, an the unfortunate gentleman thrown out with such
violence as to fracture the base of his skull. He was taken
back to Hounslow without delay, and was then sufficiently
sensible to give his name and place of abode, but on reaching
Chertsey (which be set off fur about twelve at night, accom-
panied by a medical man) he declined rapidly, and expired
ten minutes after his arrival. Early this morning, as soon as
the melancholy event was known, all the tradesmen simulta-
neously closed their shops, as a slight mark of the respect in
which they held the late lamented individual, and indeed a
general feeling of regret and despondency at present pervades
the whole town. The liberal portion of our. inhabitants have
lost itt Mr. Willats a firm and determined friend, and it avill be
long before his place is supplied—if ever.— Windsor Express.
DETERMINED ATTEMPT AT SUICIDE BY A
YOUNG FEMALE, AND INTREPID CONDUCT OF A SAILOR.--
On Tuesday night, about half-past ten o'clock, a young wo-
man, named Louisa Williams, made n most determined at-
tempt to put a period to her existence los jumping over the
bridge into the Reg-ent's Canal, close to the chain factory of
Messrs. Brunton, in the Commercial-road East. It appears,
that the unfortunate young woman, who is not wore than 22
years of age, and who possesses considerable attraeSions, had
been, as she alleges, seduced about two years ago, by a
wealthy tradesman, in the parish of St. Ann, Limehouse.
After the accomplishment of his object, her seducer took a
house for Miss Williams, and furnished it in very good style,
kept iesr in very comfortable circumstances, with a servaut and
other necessaries for her use, until a few months since, when
thinking a second establishment rather expensive, he decided
on breaking it up, and discontinued his visits and protection
towards Miss Williams. This circumstance had made such an
impression upon her mind That she had resolved, it appears, to
destroy herself, and with this end in view, had swallowed a dose
of opium. This, however, not having the desired effect, she
determined upon drowning herself. Daring the whole of Tues.
day she appeared to be in a most desponding state, and at
10 o'clock she left her house alone, with the intention, as it
afterwards appeared, of carrying her purpose into effect. Her
servant, perceiving the state of her mind, and suspecting she
meant something rash, followed her at some distance unper-
ceived, and on seeing her mount the balustrade of the Re-
gent's Canal-bridge, she rushed forward with the intention of
getting hold of her, but before she could do so, Miss Williams
had got beyond her reach, and dropped into the water. The
screams of the servant attracted the attention of a young
sailor, who was accidentally passing at the time, and he, with.
out scarcely waiting to know the case, except being told by
the servant that her mistress gas drowning, jumped over the
bridge, and had to fall at least 40 feet before lie reached the
water. He fortunately succeeded in bringing Miss Williams
on shore, and she was conveyed: to the Volunteer public-house,
where by restoratives she recovered, but as soon as she could
articulate, she declared that it was'useless to save her, as she
was determined ..to. give Mr. Bakei''(the- Coroner) a jab.
Her friends, who had been sent for, endeavoured to dissuade
her from her rash intention, and yestertity:she was removed tO
the residence of her mother, a most respectable woman.