The Sun.
London, England, 1828-09-22 00:00:00

DIABOLICAL ATTEMPT TO POISON.

One of the most diabolical attempts at the destruction
of human life, recorded in the modnu history of the
North of Scotland, was made yesterday se'nnight, at a
farm in East Grange, situated about two miles from Forces,
and ten miles from Elgin. A servant maid in' the em-
ploy of Mr. Fergusson having conceived an at
one or more of the shearers on his farm, attempted t, de-
stroy the lives of the whole, eleven in number, by poison.
The particular species of poison with which this inhuman
creature endeavoured to accomplish her horrible purpose,
has not been precisely ascertained, in consequence. of the
time it had been on the stomach of her intended victims,
prior to the arrival of the doctor. She had mixed it up in
a kind of diet very general at farm-houses in this country,
known by the name of sowens; and, as is customary in
the autumnal season, sent out the sowens to the shearers
in the field. The sosvens. not possessing that smooth-
ness on the top which is usual, and having at the same
time a watery and otherwise singular appearance, the
reapers in the first instance determined on not taking them,
hut sending them back. On second thoughts, however,
it occurred to them that by so doing they would probably
offend their mistress, and therefore they resolved on making
their dinner of them. They accordingly did "so; but a
few minutes only had elapsed after the conclusion of their
meal, when every individual began violently to' vomit.
They were then•all taken to the house; and in the course
of the afternoon and evening the symptoms considerably
abated. During the night they all slept some length of
time, and in the morning thought themselves so far reco.:.
vered as to be able to take the field. They accordingly did
so, and for some time continued at their work ; but towards
the afternoon they all relapsed, and were taken so seriously
ill, that it was scarcely imagined any of them would reco-
ver. But a doctor having been sent for, he on his arrival
administered some medicines to them, which 'speedily
afforded them partial relief; and we are happy to learn
that they are now all perfectly recovered. The physician,
we are informed, expressed his conviction that the circum-
stance of their vomiting in the first instance, was the only
thing that saved their lives. The unfeeling monster
immediately after made the best of her way from her
master's house; but having left some of her clothes in a
house in the neighbourhood, she returned afterwards fur
them, in a disguised state; but having been discovered by
some farm servants and others about the place, they took
her, and by way of inflicting a summary punishment on
her, dragged her backwards and fotwards in a horse pond,
until she was so besmeared with mud, as to render her
former partial disguise as complete as it was possible to
make it.—so much so, that as an Irishman would express
it, she would scarcely have known it to have been herself.
—Elgims Courier.

The Duke of SUSSEX is expected to visit
Raby Castle, the seat of the Marquis of CLEVELAND, in
October.—Macclesfield Courier.
On Friday the Earl of DERBY completed his
76th year. His Lordship entertained a large party of his
friends at Knowsley, in honour of the slay.—Macclesfield
Courier.

ALARMING INTELLIGENCE.—It is stated
that in England alone there are eight thousand attornies.—
Leamington Spa Courier.
Lord LORTON is nominated the President of
the Sligo Brunswick Club.—Dublin Morning Register.

WOODCOCKS.—So early as the 2d instant a
fine flavoured woodcock and five blackeocks were shot by
EVAN BAILLIE, EN. junior, of Docbfour. It is rarely,
that the woodcock is seen in this quarter so early in the
season.—lnverness Courier.

A man in Abernethy, while shearing, was
stung by what is called a dae nettle ; his finger in conse-
quence itdiamed, and it spread up his arm and side, -and he
died in seven days.— Glasgow chronicle.

Upwards of 200 white mice were recently,
found in a wheat rick at North Newton, near Pesherton;
all of them Lad dark instead of red eyes, the usual colour of
animals of this description.—lllueelesjield Courier.
The stupendous work of removing a 11101111 r
tain into a valley, in the Godly Lane Road, near Halifax,
is proceeding successfally, and will, when completed, sur-
pass any improvement of the kind ever attempted in this
co u n ty. —Leeds Mercury.

SUPERIOR TRAVELLING.--lie sen of Mr,

MATTHEW MILTON, the Windsor coach proprietor, left
London at two o'clock on Wednesday afternoon, with the
result of Tuesday's St. Leger, and arrived at the Royal
Lodge_ with his intelligence at five minutes after three,
having performed his rapid journey, a distance of 23 miles,
In an hour and five minutes. His Majesty expressed his
gratification at the performance. Mr. MILTON rode a
beautiful blood horse.— Windsor Express.

The Ordinary and Dock-yard at this port are
at present in a very effective state. Stores are held in
readiness for the immediate equipment of nine sail of the
line, should such a force be deemed necessary by Govern-
ment to be called into commission. An officer has been
here this week from Woolwich, and on Monday made a
general survey of the state and condition of the gun car-

iages on board the different .hips.—Devonport Tilegraph.

An alarming account of fever at Gibraltar
having appeared in the London Papers, we have much plea-
sure in being able to state that we have seen a letter from
a gentleman at Gibraltar, dated the 4th instant, per the
Duke of York steamer, in which the writer says—" I in-
tended transmitting this per a merchant vessel, but as a
general alarm has prevailed in the garrison, from some
cases of yellow fever having appeared within the last few
days, and as this conveyance is a quick one, I send my
letter by it, in case the report might reach England before
you would receive the letter, if sent in any other way. I
believe, and the medical men gave it as their opinion, that
there is no cause to apprehend that the fever will spread ;
and that it is nothing more than what is in the garrison,
(perhaps not yellow fever at all) every year at this season.
All I can say is, I never enjoyed better health."— Glasgow
Chronicle.

THE LATE MR. WILLIAM' GIFFORD.—
We believe it is not generally known that Mr. Guroan,
fur many years; not only resided with the late Lord GROS.
VENOR, but that he regularly accompanied his Lordship to
Newmarket races, and was himself a considerable sporting
man on the turf. One of Mr. GIFFORD'S most confiden-
_

tial friends in those days was the respectable Mr. WEA-.
THERBY, of Oxenden-street, the publisher of the Sporting
Calendar. At his house Grrewin frequently dined, in
the company of the leading jockeys, from whom he gained
considerable information, to the advantage of his Noble
patron, and for his own benefit. On one particular race,
however, GIFFORD was most sanguine, and risked upon
the event of it all that he possessed, and rather more than
all. This race GIFFORD lost, and in order to make up
his differences on the day of reckoning, he was obliged to
borrow fifty pounds from a friend, upon the credit of an
edition of the " Davie(' and MaTiad," then on the point of
being published in one volume. Subsequently GIFFORD
was very fortunate on the turf, and a portion of the great
wealth which he died possessed was derived from this source.
TREMENDOUS GA;4E AT SEA WITH LOSS
OF LlFE.—On'Friday last, the coast along the counties of
Elgin and Banff was visited with a tremendous gale from
the north-east direction, which has been productive of con-
siderable damage to property, together with loss of life.—
A fine new schooner, " The Traveller of Sunderland,"
commanded by Mr. Beowx, broke loose front her moor-
ings at Hopeman, a small creek about six miles northward
of this place. She was driven ashore a little to the west-
ward of Ilopeman, among a few small rocks, on one of
which she was thrown, being
the time, without having received withouts spy sensible
or
injury.—.ba!l ballast a t
at
btihoenfigiilutgahtirg e aro t
Ridoet
teShe still remains securely in the same situation ; and it is
expected
Another shneswioitillate,
boat,th at e
geaaitiale ashore
afetoffi
on the same day between Speymouth and Portgordon.b She
,had foundered at sea, and the whole of the crew, con-
sisting of six men, had been unfortunately drowned.—
Three of them had wives, and a family of six children
each. Another boat was also upset about half a mile
off Portgordon, and two of the crew, consisting of
four individuals, unhappily met with a watery grave._
The others clung to the buoys and nets which were in
the heat. One of the two who escaped with their lives was
a little
boy; and
I it is worthy of being recorded as an in-
stance of his wonderful presence of mind in such a perilous
situation, that perceiving the buoys, in consequence of the
nets, were making no mogress towards the shore, he deli-
berately took out a penknife lie had in his packet, and cut
the nets from the buoys, by which means he was drifted
ashore, after being tossed about for two hours. Both were
quite exhausted, and one insensible, when they reached the
shore; but we are happy to be able to add, they have
since recovered. It is reported, and we fear will unhap-
pily prove true, that a boat belonging to some place in the
neighbourhood of Inverness foundered tie same day
off Wick ; and that nine individuals, being the whole en
board, were unfortunately drowned. Upwards of a dozen
boats, lying in their mooring at the port of Buckie, were,
on the e inio day, dashed to pieces,...Elpin

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

DONCASTER MEETING.

DONCASTER, FRIDAY NIGHT.

The sport to-day was very good, and proved the supe-
riority of Mr. Petre's stud, at the same time that it proved
Bessy Bedlam to be a first rater. _ Colonel King has of-
fered to run her against the Colonel at the York Spring
Meeting next year, in case she_ is not sold, (we believe
that a treaty is on foot for transferring her to the Royal
stud), and there is good reason, to expect that Mr. Petre
will accept the challenge. Several private sales of racers
have been made in the course of the week. Lord Fitz-
william had sold Mulatto to Mr. Lumley for 700 guineas
it is said, but Lord Milton's eldest son having expressed a
desire that lie should be retained for him as a hunter, his
noble grandfather re-purchased the horse, and Mulatto is
now appropriated to the Hon. Master Wentworth. Lord
Cleveland has purchased of Mr. Bailey, his two-yr-old
colt, Tamboff, by Blacklock—Alfana, who ran second to
Lord Sligo's Cant, for the Champagne Stakes—the price
is stated to exceed 2,000 guineas. Sir W. Milner has sold
his ch. c. Malek, by Blacklock, to General Sharpe for 600
guineas ; Mr. Houldsworth's Scarborough is sold to Mr.
Quarton for 250 guineas, and Popsy has been purchased.
by Mr. Biggs.
The following are particulars of the running :
Three-yr-oid Filly Stakes of 20 sovs. each, with 20 goys.
added by the Corporation ; Sst. 41b. each.—St. Leger
Course. (8 subscribers.)
Col. King's Bessy Bedlam, by lilho da Puta
Mr. Gascoigne's bay, by Tramp—Cora, by Waxy 2
Lord Milton's Mariqueto, by .Cervantes—Marianne
Mr. Petre's Emmelina, by Blacklock—Agatha 4
The following paid :
Mr. Watts' Memphis, sister to Memnon, by Whisker
Lord Scarborough's bay, by Reveller—Byram's dam
Mr. F. Lumley's grey, by Macduff—Merlha's dam
Mr. Armitage's The Nun, by Blacklock
Even betting on Bessy aget the field.
The whale order in which Bessy was brought to the
post by her new trainer, Mr. Perrins, of Melton (the suc-
cessful trainer of Laurel), and the admirable style in which
she was jockied by Nicholson, are worthy of the highest
commendation. Emmelina took the lead at a brisk pace,
Cora next her, and the other two in their wake ; at the
top of the hill Cora took up the running. Emmelina at
the same time dying away, and Lord. Milton's filly making
a push for the front. Sharp work followed between the
two ; but Cora beat Mariqueta off at the rails. Bessy
then got into play, went up to Cora, ran pretty close with
her to the distance, out of mere civility, and then, with
the most perfect ease, went a-head, and without the least
difficulty won in a common canter—rode by Nicholson;
Cora, by Johnson ; Mariqueta, by Lye ;' and Emmeline,
by Templeman.

Sweepstakes (third year) of 25 soya, each, for four-yr-olds,
7st. 91b. five, Bat. 51b. six and aged, Bat. 10Ib. Four-
yr-old fillies allowed 41b.—Four miles. (11 subs.)
Mr. Petre's Granby, by Cannon Ball, 4 yrs • 1
Duke of Leeds's LunAla, by Whisker, 4 yrs
Lord Milton's Aledoro, by Cervantes, 4 yrs
Lord Cleveland's Nonplus, by Catton, 4 yrs. ..... 4
The following paid :
Lord Scarborough's Lady Georgiana, 5 yrs
Sir W. M. Milner's Alalek, .by Blacklock, 4 yrs
Mr. Houldsworth's Ta'ma, by Filho, 4 yrs
Air. Russell, Mr. Payne, Mr. Holyoake, and Mr. T 4
Whitaker, were subscribers, but did not name.

Even and 5t04 on Nonplus-4 to 1 agst Granby-4 to
aget Medoro.

The result of this race proves what a palpable difference
the length of the course will make in a race. On Tues-
day Nonplus, at two miles, beat Granby cleverly ; now,
at four miles, Granby beats Nonplus without giving him
a chance. The race was a complete trial of strength and
speed. At the word " Go," off_ went the favourite Non-
plus, at the strongest pace we ever witnessed in a four-
mile race. He was followed by Granby and the other two
in line ; in this order they went all round, the pace im-
proving rather than falling off. At the beginning of the
rails Granby and the mare came out together, Nonplus
being now done up, and Medoro with little appearance of.
winning ; the two leading horses made a good race half
within the distance, when Granby shot a-head, and won
easy by two lengths, to the astonishment and discomfiture
of the numerous backers of Nonplus, who, we should say,
ought to be kept for two-mile races. The winner was
rode with excellent judgment by Templeman, Lunaria by
George Nelson, Medoro by Lye, and Nonplus by Conolly,
who showed some very pretty riding.
Three-yr-old Stakes of 30 sous, each, 10 sovs. ft. colts,
Bst. 61b. fillies, Sat. 31b. The winner of the Great St.

Leger to carry 71b extra. One wile. (16 subs.)
Mr. Petre's Delphine, by Whisker,—py,Lady 1
Lord Scarborough's Cambri.lge; by Catton—Sir David 2
Mr. Fletcher's br. c. by Blacklack--Arabella
Mr. Wormald's Picturesque, by Doctor Syntax 4
The following, paid :
Lord_ Fitzwilliam's Ballad. Singer, by Tramp
_ _

Mr. Watt's Coulon, by Whisker—luiss Cr;nfield
Mr. Petro'® Emmelina, by Blacklock—Agatha
Mr. Riddell's Rector, by. Doctor Syntax—Ardrossan
Mr. Dowbiggin's Navarin, by.Whisker—Shuttle
Mr. Houldsworth's Terror, by Magistrate—Tote
Sir M. W. Ridley's Duncan Gray, by Grey Walton

Mr. Petre's Stapleton, by Magistrate—Juliana
Mr. Broadhead's gr. c. by Viscount
Mr. Uppleby's ch. f. byTramp—Harriet

Me. INTOlvell's b. c. by Walton -
Mr. Clifton's Poor Fellow, by Blacklack
6 to 4 agst Arabella-6 to 4 agst Cambridge.

At starting Cambridge was in front, Arabella second,
Picturesque third, and Delphine last. Without any change
of interest they ran to the distance, where Picturesque
was beat off; Delphine then went up to the other two,
and in an instant the three' were neck and neck, and so
they ran in the most beautiful style to the last stride or
two, when Scott, by a vigorous push, brought Delphine
home first by a neck, Arabella being barely a neck behind
Cambridge. (;. Nelson rede Cambridge, Shepherd Ara-
bella, and Wheatley Picturesque.

One Hundred Pound Plate, for three and four-yr-olds ;
three, 7st. Mb. and four, Bst. 7!b. Maiden colts allowed

21b. and maiden fillies 31b. Two-mile heats.
Mr. Weatherill's Jenny Mills, by Whisker, 3 yrs 1 1
Mr. Johnson's Jupiter, 4, yrs (received 57g5.) 2 2
The following paid :
Lord Milton's Mariqueta, by Cervantes, 3 yrs
Sir W. M. Milner's Malek, by Blacklock, 4 yrs
Mr. Crompton's ch. c. by Whisker, 3 yrs

Mr. Golden's Robin Hood, by illackloek, 4 yrs
Mr. 'Wilson's Murphy, by }Tiro da Puta, 3 yrs
Mr. Houldsworth's Vanish, by Phantom, 3 yrs
Mr. T. 0. Powlett's Popsy, by Blacklock, 3 yrs

Mr. W. Scott's Nimrod, bY Phantom, 3 yrs
Mr. Petre's Delphine, by Whisker, 3 yrs
Mr. Bradshaw's Splinter Bar, by Blacklock, 3 yrs
Mr. Bower's Lady Vane, by Reveller, 3 yrs
Mr. Hopkiva's Eliza, by Fillip da Puts, 3 yrs

Mr. Fletcher's hr. c. by Bldcklock—Arabella, 3 yrs
Mr. Darnell's Gameboy, by Octavian, 3 yrs
_ _

Mr. Gaseoigne's bl. c. by Whisker—Trulla, 3 yrs
Col. Cradoek's Fox, by Whisker, 3 yrs

5 to 4 on the whiner.

In the first heat Jupiter led to the distance at a spanking
pace; the filly there collared him, P.nd ahead-and-head
race, nearly to the end,- was decided in favour of Jenny by
a neck, which neck, we believe, might have been followed
by the body, if necessary. In the second heat Jenny Mills
had it all her own way, and won easy ; rode by Lye, Jupi-
ter by Johnson.
Thus closed a meeting of unparalleled interest, not only
to Yorkshire, of which it is deservedly the pride arid boast,
but to all England—a meeting, at once animating and de-
lighting a vast concourse of both sexes and of ull classes.
The Leger day was a complete holyday, and never was
witnessed such a spectacle as it presented. The procession
of equipages from the Mansion-house and new betting-
rooms was ceaselet-s, and so.dense as to supply a constant
stream to both sides of the grand pavilion that received
this assemblage of fashion. Moderate persons estimate
that twice the number of spectators were on the stand,
and about the ground, as collected on the last St. Leger
day, which itself,boasted of a splendid attendance : others
could certainly find a limit to their estimates, but all agree
that a More glorious exhibition never on any occasion ap-
peared at Doncaster or any other races. The day was
throughout one of dazzling brightness and kindling warmth,
which made the whole multitude sparkle with glee. We
should mention, however, that some haters of human plea-
sure—some would-be saints—had placed conspicuously on
the road to the race course, and in the midst of this happy
assemblage, placards, with the following grave announce-
ment :—" The end of all these things is death !" The
attention of the stewards, Lord Morpeth and the Hon. J.
S. Wortley, was unremitting, and their excellent arrange-
ments tended in no slight degree to the general gratifica-
tion ; nor should we omit to mention the venerable Judge,
Mr. Lockwood, who for the 53d year executed the difficult
duties assigned him, with an ease, accuracy, and tact,
which were satisfactory to all, and in the highest degree
honourable to himself.

The whole proceedings went off with extraordinary
eclat, and proved, indeed, a triumph for Doncaster. A
great number of the exalted visiters to Via races came with

the special purpose of attending the Yorkshire Festival,
and many others with the intention of attending Lord

Wilton's races at• Heaton-park, near Manchester, which
take place on Thursday and Friday next, and which, in the
number and value of the stakes, high rank of the visiters,
and the celebrity of the horses, are decidedly the first
vate races in the kingdom. Heaton-park will be the scene
of true old " English hospitality ; and we anticipate, from
the number of horses already sent there, that sport of the
first quality will reward those who promote and visit
them. One of the prizes will be a gold cup, value 100
guineas, called the Matilda Cup, given by the Bon. E.
Petre, in commemoration of the victory obtained by his
mare last year.
It must be mentioned, in justice to the Corporation, that
they. kept the course effectually clear of all low gamblers,
although this achievement cost a serious•affray on Monday
between the police (which, under Mr. Tymbs, of Don-
caster, assisted by Bishop and Lavender, was in the highest
extent effective) and these public plunderers.

The stewards for next year are the Eat's of Chester
field and Wilton.

FASHIONABLE INTELLIGENCE.