The Sun.
London, England, 1845-12-16 00:00:00

LIMERICK.

The Limerick Chronicle of Saturday contains the fol-
Dwing:7_

" On Wednesday evening last, at an early hour, a gang
of five men armed, and partly in disguise, entered the
cottage of John Higgins, steward to Henry Spaight,
Esq., of Corbally, near Quin, county Clare, where, in
his absence by threats they obtained an old musket and
sword, his servant boy having contrived to secrete a
serviceable gun. They withdrew after beating the ser-
vant, and the same party, it is supposed, soon after
attacked the house of John Hanneen, who was compelled
to surrender a case of good pistols. Higgins and Hanneen
lost no time in swearing informations of the Whiteboy
outrage before Mr. H. Spaight, who with constable
Meredith went in pursuit of the marauders, and ap-
prehended Patrick Brassil and Michael Cody, whom
Hanneen identified as being of the party, and they
have been committed to Ennis gaol
" Thursday evening last, about seven o'clock, a party
of five armed persons, three dressed in women's clothes,
rushed into the house of Denis Keogh, on the lands of
Ballycellen, the property of D. J. Wilson, Esq., Belvoir.
When they entered, Keogh ran into a room, and they
put out a candle which was burning, and ordered the
the dogs not Ceasing; oriAirfiefeilAggfrActiaMikiM
dogs between two men who were sitting by the fire, and
both of whom miraculously escaped being killed. Im-
mediately after this, the person who appeared to be the
leader, asked the man of his party how he dared to fire
without orders. They called for a gun, which Keogh's
son said was in a room, when two of them ran in to seize
it. Before going away they said they understood there
were people there surveying and dividing land, but they
warned them from taking any man's land, or any man's
house, and that if they did they should mark the
consequence; and as for Wilson, let him pull on for a
while, but it shall be a short while.' The leader attempted
to disguise his voice and talk with au English accent.
They afterwards called at the house of a man named
:Many, and ordered him not to quit it on any account.
" In consequence of the Whiteboy attack on the dwell-
ing-house of Captain Welsh, at Roonatd, a meeting of
the gentry, magistrates, and farmers, was yesterday
held at the Petty Sessions-house of Doonass, Sir Hugh
Dillon Massy, Bart., in the chair, when a large subscrip-
tion was entered into for the apprehension and convic-
tion of the parties concerned in the outrage. The ma-
gistrates also applied for an extra police force, in order
that a regular and constant patrol may be kept up in
that district.

" Last night an armed party attacked the house of a
blacksmith, named Connell, at Aherina, county Clare,
beat him in a severe manner, and cautioned him to quit
his place of residence.
" A threatening notice was sent through the Pallas
Post-office to John Switzer, steward to the Rev. A.
Champagne, at Miltown, indicating that certain and im-
mediate death would ensue if he failed in giving up his
situation. It will be recollected that this man was
beaten by the Rockites recently, and that in consequence
a police station has been formed at Miltown.
" Thursday last a Rock notice was posted on the gate
of Henry Ross, Esq., of Beagh, near Pallaskenry,
threatening him with death, if he did not discharge his
steward, also threatening the steward (who is a strictly
honest man, and careful of his master's business) with
immediate death. Mr. Ross is a most benevolent gentle-
man, and gives employment to a number of labourers,
who were in a miserable condition : but this is the re-

turn he receives for his liberality. The notice was
signed Molly Maguire.' "

THE IRISH PRESS AND THE LATE

MINISTRY.

The Orange organ, the Evening Mail, thus announces the
event :—" England is left without a Government—a threatened
war with America—our foreign relations in a most ticklish
condition—lreland ripe and ready for rebellion—and at a
moment when difficulties beset us at home—and all this is
the work of the "heaven-born" Minister—that discreetest,
wisest, best "of men—Sir Robert Peel. The sensation pro-
duced here is one of universal joy at having got rid of Sir Robert
Peel, and each Protestant congratulates his fellow, as though
some glorious victory had been achieved."
The Irish Whig organ, the Dublin Evening Post, says—" It
owed its dissolution to no Parliamentary confederation—it
was prostrated in no disastrous debate. It committed sui-
cide. It fell by its own hands. Of course we are delighted
with the result. Of course we glory in the discomfiture of
the public enemy, and we are rejoiced beyond measure that
they fell by their own suicidal hands. But suum cuique—Let
Wellington have the honour of the deed as well as Peel."
The Freeman's Journal, the daily repeal organ, thus closes
an article on this subject :—" We have devoted so much space
to the details that we have not left ourselves room for the ex-
pression of the thoughts which crowd upon us as we contem-
plate the effect of those changes on Ireland. We look upon
them not withoiit hope—hope that good will come to the
universal people—hope that the people of Ireland will show
at the coming elections that they contend for principle, not
for men."

DEATH FROM HYDROPHOBIA..-011 Wednesday a'
poor woman named Mary Garrett, aged 60 years, residing in
Kezars-lane, in this town, died from the effects of the above
dreadful and fatal malady. About six months since the de-
ceased was made a present of a young pup by one of her
neighbours ; after having it a few days in her possession it
refused to eat, whereupon the poor woman brought into it the
dam, in hopes by that means it might be induced to partake
of food; and while in the act of offering it something to eat,
the dam bit one of her fingers. Time rolled on, and no fur-
ther notice was taken of it, until the Friday night previous
to her death, when she complained to several of her neigh-
bours that she was very much afflicted with a pain in the
arm of the finger upon which she had received the bite.
However, it was not until the following evening that the
first symptom of the horrifying disease made its apppearance.
It commenced by a violent shivering, and she continued in a
dreadful state of agony until Wednesday morning, about five
o'clock, when death put an end to her sufferings.—Waterford
Chronicle.

EFFECTS OF INTEMPERANCE.—Yesterday, Mr.
Wakley, ➢I.P., held an inquest at the Wolfe, on Norwood
Green, about a mile from the Southall station of the Great
Western Railway, on the body of John Sandford, aged
thirty-nine years, whose body was found in the Grand Junc-
tion Canal, near that house. It appeared from the evidence
that the deceased was a brick-moulder in the employ of Mr.
Tanner, of Norwood. On the evening*of Wednesday last,
he left the brick-fields with his fellow workmen at dusk,
and accompanied them to the Prince of Wales public-house,
where', they remained until half-past nine o'clock at night,
having each during that period drunk no less than two
gallons of beer. Deceased then left, and was not again seen
alive. The next morning the body of the deceased was
found in the canal. The jury returned a verdict that the
deceased was found dead in the water of the Grand Junction
Canal, but how he came therein there was no evidence before

TMINSTER REFORM SOCIETY.—OR Mon-
days.he
Tm
evening,E
iat eight o'clock, a numerous meeting of the
tit osllivoEw
committee of the above body was held at Stannard's Hotel,
Charles-street, Covent-garden, for the purpose of taking into
consideration what steps should be adopted in the present
crisis, in consequence of a resolution having been agreed to
at a previous meeting of the society, to call a public meeting
of the electors of the city of Westminster, for the purpose of
petitioning her Majesty to open the ports, &c. Mr. Prout
having taken the chair, stated that since they were last as-
sembled important events had taken place by the resignation
of the Peel Administration. A sub-committee was then

formed to take steps to convene the meeting ; but in con-
sequence of the event he had alluded to, it occurred to him
that the committee might deem it advisable in the present
state of the country to wait a short time, when, seeing what
circumstances might arise, they could be able to act more
effectively. He and another of the sub-committee had
called upon several Noblemen, Members of Parliament'
and other gentlmen, advocates of free trade, to solicit their
co-operation, but unfortunately they were all out of town,
with the exception of Lord Robert Grosvenor, and he was
happy to say that in the interview they had with that
Nobleman, they found that he entirely coincided with their
views as to the urgency of an immediate and total repeal of
the corn• laws.—(Hear, hear.) Mr. Geesiu said that he was
happy to corroborate the statement of their Chairman with
respect to the declaration of Lord Robert Grosvenor, as he
was one of the deputation. The Noble Lord stated that had
a fixed duty of ss. a quarter been allowed a few years ago,
which was to graduate each year till the duty was reduced
to a shilling, that by this time the trade would be free. The
Chairman observed, that while Lord John Russell had
pledged himself a total repealer, he could not be bound for
the opinions of his coadjutors as a body. Mr. Austin said
that when they observed the country without a Government
he thought it the most judicious course to defer the meeting
for a short time. It was then referred back to the committee,
several of the electors recommending that the meeting be held
on Monday next.
The late Admiral Henry Raper, who died a few
months since, has left to his son Henry, the sword which
had been presented to him, in the year 1795, by the Court of
Portugal, as a reward for the great services be had rendered
them, which gift he desires may be always preserved in his
family in the nature of an heir-loom. To his son, Charles
Chamier Raper, late of the War-office, he had bequeathed all
his copyright, in a code of signals published by him in
1828, and had also left to him the patent he obtained
for securing the same. To his daughter Jane he has be-
queathed the policy effected on his own life in the Equitable,
in October, 1826, with all his accumulations, and also ap-
pointed her residuary legatee. Her brother, Charles, was to
have shared the residue with his sister, but he died in the
lifetime of his father; he was also appointed an executor in
conjunction with the surviving and acting executor, Robert
Henry Jones, Esq. The will was dated in December, 1833.
The personal property was valued at 4,0001. This highly-
meritorious and discerning officer of her Majesty's navy was
an Admiral of the Blue, and died in April last, at the ad-
vanced age of sevEnty-eight.
A WEALTHY THIEF. A man named Robert
Taylor was committed for two months, yesterday, by the
magistrates at Brentford, charged with stealing cabbages
from the grounds of a market-gardener. The prisoner had
in his possession at the time eleven half-sovereigns, about
eleven pounds in silver, and it was ascertained that he had
1001. in the savings' bank. He had been eonvicted twice
previously for petty felonies.

.1 .

TURNING THE FIRST TURF ON
THE BEDFORD AND BIRMINGHAM RAIL-
WAY.

On Saturday afternorni the works of the Bedford and
Birmingham were co:dimenced at about the centre of t%ie
line, and extensive arrangements were made for the ce-
lebration of ttie event. It had been previously decided
that the 0•„.e,,,0n -- y
should be performed on Wednesday
last, tut from some circumstance it was unavoidably
tr,stponed, which was unfortunate in one respect, inas-
much as it prevented the attendance of his Grace the
Duke of Bedford, who had acceded to the wish of the
Directors, that he would commence the works by re-
moving the first earth. The spot appointed for the
ceremony was that portion of Brogborough-hill
situate near the farm of Mr. Turney, in the parish of
Ilusborne Crawley, and about four miles from Woburn.
On arriving at this place, about two o'clock, we
found a large concourse of people from Bedford, Woburn,
Ampthill, and the surrounding villages; and a profusion
of flags and standards planted along the lands in the
direction of the proposed line. A carriage and four
with postilions in scarlet livery arrived, and it was then
announced that the Duke of Bedford was unable to at-
tend, having been suddenly summoned to London to at-
tend the new Council. In order, however, that there
might be no delay in the proceedings, the Duchess of
Bedford consented to officiate for the Duke, and Lord
Alford attended to assist her. Her Grace was conducted
to the site of the proposed works, where she was wel-
comed by the Directors of the Bedford Railway, Mr.
Theed Pearse, the secretary, the deputations of the Lon-
don arid Birmingham, and the Eastern Counties lines,
Mr. Scott, the engineer, Messrs. Grissell, Peto, and
Jackson, the contractors, and a large party composed
principally of the county families and clergy. Her
Grace's arrival was announced by a salute of cannon,
which was followed by three cheers from the assembly,
and a band of music struck up as her Grace was con-
ducted along the temporary platform.
Mr. THOMAS JOHN GREEN, of Bedford, the Chairman
of the Directors, then formally announced to her Grace
the nature of the works, and went into detail of the great
advantages that were likely to accrue to this part of the
kingdom by the formation of this line. He invited her
Grace to do honour to the proceedings by commencing
the works, and handed her the spade. The Duchess
curtsied, and, taking the spade, pressed it into the
earth.

Lord ALFORD then took the spade, and turning to
the company, said—l cheerfully and cordially assist in
commencing the works of a railway which, I am sure,
is calculated to be of immense importance to the
town and county of Bedford.—(Cheers.) I think
it is a matter of peculiar congratulation to you all that
the county of Bedford, which has hitherto had no railway,
is now about to have one formed that will open a line of
YiIPpOIVEL" mettromii‘ and some of the most
very great advantages will quickly be experienced by
this line to all persons resident in and connected with
the county. We have hitherto been considered very
quiet people in these districts, but I have no doubt when
we have a little more communication with other parts,
we shall receive considerable benefit from the attrition.
There is another feature in the affair which gladdens
me, and that is, that a large quantity of work will, by
this railway, be provided throughout the winter for the
labourersl of this county.—(Hear, hear.) I hope that
the exertions of the Directors will be crowned with the
success they deserve, and that all their expectations
will be more than realised. I shall now commence
these works, which those around me will, I am sure,
carry out successfully.—(Loud cheers.) His Lord-
ship then took off his hat and great coat, and
began digging the clay most diligently until
he had filled the barrow, amidst cheers and en-
couraging bravos. Having filled the barrow he wheeled
it away along the platform, and led the way to a
splendid marquee. The cannons were again fired off,
flags waved, and the national anthem was played. On
arriving at the marquee, his Lordship emptied his
barrow, and then deposited it, together with the spade,
at one end of the tent. The barrow was made of beauti-
fully grained oak, grown on the Woburn estate, richly
carved and polished. On the front the arms of the
Duke of Bedford were carved in a very elaborate style,
and beneath them was a silver plate bearing the follow-
ing inscription :

" With this barrow
.he works of the Bedford and London and Birmingham
Railway
were commenced by his Grace
the Duke of BEDFORD,
who turned the first sod on the 13th day of
December, 1845,
upon lands in the parish of Ilusborne Crawley,
and county of Bedford."

The spade, which had a handsome twisted carved oak
handle, was made of electrotyped silver, with the arms
of the Duke in frosted silver, and some emblematical

chasings. It bore a similar inscription to that on the
barrow.

A splendid collation was prepared in the marquee, and
her Grace was conducted to the head of the table, and
supported on the left by Lord Alford, and on the right
by Mr. Thomas John Green. The parallel table was
presided over by Mr. Henry Littledale, one of the board
of Directors. About two hundred ladies and gentlemen
sat down to the luncheon, which comprised a great pro-
fusion of delicacies. Amongst the company were Mr.
William Astell, M.P., Sir Edward Codrington, Mr.
Henry Stuart, Mr. W. B. Higgins, the high sheriff of
Bedfordshire; Captain Newland, Captain Boldero, Capt.
Moore and party, Captain Leech, the Rev. T. Tylcote
and party, the Rev. W. Jenkyn and party, the Rev. W.
Hedges, Dr. Mesham, Mr. J. Harris, Messrs. Wm. Routh
and J. Henderson, directors of the Eastern Counties ;
Isaac Eiger, Theed Pearse and party, &c.
Lord ALFORD rose, and, in the name of the Duchess
of Bedford, proposed the toast of " Prosperity to the
Bedford and London and Birmingham Railway."—(Loud
cheers, and three times three.)
Mr. T. J. GREEN then proposed the health of her
Grace the Duchess of Bedford.—(Loud cheers.) They
could not but regret the unavoidable absence of the Duke
himself,:but it was a great satisfaction to find him so
kindly and ably represented.—(Cheers.) The company
would, he was quite sure, join him in thanking her
Grace for her condescension upon this occasion.—

(Cheers.) He need say no more to induce them to do
justice to the toast. They were now in the centre of the
county which had had repeated benefits conferred upon
it by the noble house of Russell, and they had this day
added another proof of their kindness.
The company rose and drank the toast, and then gave
three rounds of cheers.

.....--
The Duchess bowed to the company on receiving
these marks of attention.

Mr. T. G. GREEN then proposed the health of Lord
Alford, who had used such strenuous exertions to pro-
mote this work, and who had so kindly assisted her
Grace in this day's proceedings.—Three times three.
Lord A LFORD returned thanks. The well-known
talents and energy of the Board of Directors, in con
junction with the assistance of the Company of the
London and Birmingham Railway (the best conducted
railway in the world), were quite sufficient to satisfy all
that the work would be carried out to the great advan-
tage of the county of Bedford. As far as his individual
services were concerned, he begged to say that they
might always be commanded to promote this important
undertaking.—(Loud cheers.)
Mr. ISAAC ELGER proposed " The health of the
Duke of Bedford," which was responded to with three
times three.
Mr. H. LITTLEDALE proposed " The health of the
Contractors."—(Cheers.)
Mr. PETO acknowledged the toast on behalf of the
contractors. It had been his good fortune to be present
at the opening of many public works, but he could say
ith truth that none had commenced so auspiciously as
this.—(Loud cheers.) He hoped that long before the
time allowed for the completion of the contract—the 31st
of July—they should have the pleasure of handing over
the works to the Directors fully completed.—(Cheers.)
Mr. HENRY STUART, M.P., proposed the health of Mr
Thomas John Green, and the Board of Directors.—
(Cheers.) Three times three.
Mr. T. J. GREEN acknowledged the toast. There had
been delays about the works which had rather prejudiced
them in the eyes of the public, and created a doubt
whether the undertaking would be carried out ; but the
Directors themselves never had any doubt, although
they had been subject to delays which they could not
avoid. Now, however, they had fairly launched their
boat upon the waters and had the cordial co-operation
of the London and Birmingham Company, no exertion
would be wanting to complete the undertaking.
Mr. ISAAC ELGER then proposed the health of Henry
Stuart, Esq., M.P., who had given his valuable assist-
ance to the Bill in its progress through Parliament, and
had otherwise rendered the directors much service.—
(Cheers).
Mr. 11. STUART, in returning thanks, said the line
itself possessed such merits that no opposition could
reasonably be offered to the Bill. Its advantages were
so apparent that no impediment could be thrown in the
way to prevent the Bill being passed.—(Hear, hear.)
He would be very happy to render his services to further
the works in any way in his power.—(Cheers.)
Mr. T. J. GREEN said he lamented the absence of the
Directors of the London and Birmingham Railway, but
they had the benefit of the attendance of a deputation
from the Eastern Counties Railway, with which this
line would be connected. He, therefore, felt great
pleasure in proposing the health of Messrs. Wm. Routh
and J. Henderson, the Directors of the Eastern Coun-
ties.—(Cheers.)
Mr. W. Rovrn returned thanks.
The health of Mr. Pearse having been proposed and
responded to,
Capt. MoonE proposed the toast of " The Ladies ;"
the band played an air, and the Duchess then retired,
followed by the remainder of the company.
On her Grace entering the carriage, another salute
was fired, and the contractors requested her Grace to
accept of the barrow and spade, and they were placed in
the carriage. Three cheers were then given, and her
Grace took her departure, the company soon afterwards
dispersing.

CITY POLICE AT THE NEW PIER, BLACKFRI kRS.
—Yesterday evening,
at twenty minutes past four o'clock, the
steam-boat Waterman No 6, from Woolwich and Greenwich,
attempted to land her passengers at the above-named pier,
but were obstructed and resisted by several policemen and an
inspector. The police lined the front of the barge lying
broadside to the river, and when the passengers attempted to
effect a landing, they were either struck or pushed back by
The the inspector and his men. inspector pushed one pas-
senger back, and told him he might be thrust into the river
and drowned, if he attempted it again. The police were
'what repeatedly asked under authority they so acted. It
was stated at the time the pier was in course of erection that
it would be the greatest accommodation on the river, the
boats of all companies receiving equal accommodation.
Lord Wharncliffe, in answer to inquiries yesterday
in Curzon-street, was stated to be rather better.
The Dowager Countess Grey, Lady Caroline Bar-
rington, and the Hon. Captain H. Cavendish Grey, are pass-
ing the winter at Nice.

,o-_,,.~

HAMBURGH MAIL.
BERLIN, DEC. B.—We are authorised to state that
there is no foundation for the assertion given in several
journals, that among the persons arrested in Poland for
political offences there, is an officer. Several arrests
have, however, taken place since our communication of
the 11th of last month, and the investigation is proceed-
ing with all possible diligence ; but as, from the nature
of the case, the strictest secrecy must be observed, all
the accounts of the results given in the journals are
merely founded on conjecture. We must also designate
as a fable, destitute of all foundation whatever, the
statement published in the Weser Gazette, that " the
people in the little town of Samter had risen, and iaade
an attack on the depot of the laadwehr." In fact, the
tranquillity of the Grand Duchy has been nowhere in-
terrupted, though there is no waut of such reports to
alarm the peaceable inhahitents.
P.S.—M. Dunker, the Director of Police, was sent to
the kingdom of Poland, furnished with special powers
by the Russian andfPrussian Governments, to trace there
the threads of the conspiracy. The authorities here have
in their hands a proclamation by the conspirators, which
appeared also in the kingdom of Polland, and the origin
of which is traced to Paris. A discontented Russian
Prince, residing in that city, is said to be the author of
it. The arrests in the kingdom of Poland continues,
and very serious notes have been a:ldressed to the French
and Belgian Governments, under whose eyes the plot
is said to be continued.—Universal Prussian Gazette.
lIANOVER, DEC. B.—The illness of our Crown Prince
is not so serious as might have been inferred from the ac-
counts published in some foreign journals. It was only
a severe cold which obliged his Royal Highness to keep
to his room for a few days. He is now rapidly recover-
ing, and will soon be able to go out.
MANHEIM, DEC. 3.—The affairs of the German
Catholic community have arrived at a new stage. The
congregations, both here and at Heidelberg, applied at
their very outset for licenses from the Government for
the public celebration of Divine worship. In answer to
this, a Ministerial rescript has been issued, to the
effect that their application cannot be complied with
till they form a recognised chief with complete civil
rights, or at least till they have applied for and obtained
formal toleration as a religious community. The so-
called German Catholic Church will make, as such, but
little progress in this country. The appearance of some
persons has injured it here; but it would be a great mis-
take to suppose that the religious movement which
spreads more and more would gradually give way to the
old indifference ; on the contrary, the idea of a union
of Roman Catholics and Protestants in one Christian
Catholic Church is much approved of in many quarters.
We believe that a decided crisis in that direction may
very probably not be long delayed.
WARSAW, Nov. 21.—The Jews in the kingdom of
Poland are again subjected to nrinthnr Tt
manufacture and sale of spirituous liquors. An ukase of
the Senate has now been issued, which almost entirely
puts an end to that branch of their trade. They are
not to brew beer, to distil brandy or liquors, &c. ; they
are not to sell them by retail, nor to live in inns, taverns,
or public-houses of any kind, nor to employ Christian
servants to do it for them.

MURDER OF SIR LAWRENCE
JONES, BART.

The Impartial of Smyrna, of the 28th ult., contains
the following account of the murder of Sir Lawrence
Jones, Bart., by a parcel of brigands:—
"Oa the 6th, at two o'clock in the afternoon, two
English gentlemen, viz., Sir Lawrence Jones, Bart., and
Captain Twopenny, left Macri for Smyrna ; they were
accompanied by a Greek dragoman of the name of
Nicoli, and also three conductors. On the night of the
same day they all slept at Karghi, and the next day, at
twelve o'clock, they found themselves at the foot of the
mountain called Khassils-Bel, where they stopped to
breakfast. During this repast one of the conductors ob-
served to the dragoman that two or three Zhybeeks were
at a distance in front, but as he in a short time lost sight
of them. the voyageurs were undisturbed and their route
was continued. But they had not proceeded more than
six minutes on their journey, when they were suddenly
assailed by a warm fire of musketry from behind one of the
rocks of the mountain. Sir Lawrence Jones fell dead, as
well as the Greek Nicoli, by this fatal discharge ;
Captain Twopenny was also grievously wounded.' The
robbers, without the least fear of being recognised, ap-
proached and began to take possession of everything
which they could lay their hands upon. Captain Two-
penny miraculously escaped from being dispatched. One
of the brigands had already pointed his pistol to the chest
of the wounded captain, when a fellow brigand turned
the aim of the pistol, and it went off in a different di-
rection. Having remained for about an hour and a half
upon the stage of the field of murder, the robbers de-
parted. Captain Twopenny, aided by his conductor,
with difficulty remounted his horse. It was not until
twelve hours' ride of fatigue that the suffering gentleman
arrived at Macri, weltering in his blood, which was
running from his numerous wounds. He had done every-
thing in his power to take with him the remains of his
departed and unfortunate friend, but could not succeed.
He was satisfied with cutting off a lock of his hair, and
taking a ring off his finger (which had escaped the ra-
pacity of the robbers), as a sort of souvenir to his afflicted
family. On his arrival at Macri, his first care was to
look after the body of his companion, which was brought
to Macri on the 9th, as well as that of Nicoll ; both of
them were buried iu the Greek chapel, with all the cere-
monies and rites of that faith. This affecting news has
produced the most melancholy sensation amongst the
English residents at Smyrna."

BIRMINGHAM, Dac. 14.—Last Friday evening the
12th inst., the long promised representation of Sophodes'
Antigone was given at our theatre. The house was crowded
in every part. The delayed production of this tragedy on
our stage was, we understand, attributable to an accident

which bad befallen Miss Vandenhoff, occasioning a lameness
which prevented her appearing in public for these three
months past. We congratulate her on her recovery, though
we observed, with regret, that her movements were not alto-
gether unconstrained, and we missed, in consequence, two or
three of those beautiful transcripts from Grecian statuary
which lent such classic grace and dignity to her Antigone on
the boards of Covent-garden. Vandenhoff, as Creon, looked
and moved an impersonation of Olympian Jove. The
choruses, generally, were up to the business of the scene,
and we doubt not, as the tragedy is announced to run through
the week, that every night will render them more easy and
perfect. There was some mistake, or failure of intent, in the
closing scene which caused the finale to fall flatly on the
sense. This will, doubtless, be remedied on repetition. The
several beauties of this classical drama require a cultivated

taste to appreciate and enjoy them ; we speak from experi-
ence, and can tell our readers it improves on repetition.—

From a Correspondent.
ANTICIPATED GENERAL ELECTION.—ANDOVER,
DEC. 13.—The sudden and rather unexpected resignation of
Sir Robert Peel's Ministry created the greatest excitement
throughout this small borough on its becoming generally
known. The constituency (about 235) are so nearly balanced
that the least prospect of an election puts both parties into
immediate activity. On Friday a meeting of some of Ralph
Etwall, Esq., M.P's., friends met at the Masons' Arms Inn,
to devise preliminary plans to secure his re-election, should a
dissolution (as expected) take place. It was also proposed
that J. Walter, of Bearwood, the principal proprietor of the
Times, should be solicited to be allowed to be put in nomina-
tion with the above-named present member. The League
have also recommended Mr. Walter. _

DAMAGE BY WILFUL NEGLECT TO MACHINERY.
—At the Wolverhampton Public-office, on Tuesday last,
John Greenfield, an engineer, was charged before Mr. Debella
with causing injury and damage to the amount of between
100/. and 200/. to his employer, Mr. J. W. Sparrow, iron-
master, in consequence of wilfully neglecting his duty. Wil-
liam Fisher proved the defendant's engagement, and that the
damage was 1001. and upwards, perhaps 200/. Henry Squire
proved that he directed the defendant, when at work on:
Sunday, to screw down the pins of the air-pump lid. He
said he had done so, but when he (Squire) set the engine to
work, the lid flew up, the machinery was damaged, and all
the works and furnaces stopped for some days; it was oc-
casioned entirely by the wilful negligence of the defendant.
Mr. J. W. Sparrow said the damage done amounted to 100/.
and upwards, and that it was the result of the defendant's
wilful negligence and misconduct. The defendant was com-
mitted for three months with hard labour.— Wolverhampton.
Chronicle.

MR. ESCOTT AND HIS TORY CONSTITUENTS.—
We understand the majority of the committee who con-
ducted the election of Mr. Escott, have, during the past
week, signed a declaration, expressing their determination to
withhold their support from him, in the event of his again
becoming a candidate for the representation of Winchester.
This manifesto has been duly forwarded to the Hon. Mem-
ber, but the course he will follow under such novel, and some-
what disagreeable circumstances, is yet to be seen. The
hostile missive will not, we think, take him by surprise, for
his recent conduct proved that he expected something of the
kind. His coquetting with the Liberals is now explained,
and from the present aspect of affairs it seems likely that he
will realise the truth of the old adage, which points out the
danger of leaning upon two stools. With respect to the
conduct of the clique who have treated their quandam pet
so cavalierly, we hardly think it the right one. It does
not appear that the Conservative electors, generally,
have been consulted. The letter of dismissal was signed by
no less than twenty electors. " Influential" they may be ;
but to assume the power of sending a representative to the
right-about, ;without consulting the constituency, seems
very like a dictation, to which we think the latter will not
quietly submit. The proper course towards both Mr. Escott
and his supporters, was to have called a public meeting of
the latter, to which he should have been invited. Having
heard his explanation of his past if he
conduct, the elec-
tors could have come to a conclusion he was, or was not, a fit
man to represent them. It is rumoured that the Conservatives
intend to put up Mr. Fleming, of Stoneham Park, at the next
election, if his consent, can be obtained. Should such be
the case, and should Mr, Escott again offer himself, as he
at the late Mayor's dinner pledged himself to do a
curious state of things will
present itself at the approaching
dissolution of Parliament. We shall have three Tory candi-
dates, and one of them relying for his seat on Liberal sup-
port. We say Liberal support ; for it is now clear that if
Mr. Escott is again returned for Winchester, it must be by
the aid of those who opposed him at the last election. That
such a result was foreseen by Mr. Escott, is clear enough
from his speeches. Those who have heard, or read them,
cannot fail to have observed that, while a tone of Liberalism
pervaded them, there was a cautious abstinence from details—
a shrinking from an explicit avowal of opinion on the all-
absorbing topic of the day—the corn-laws—which an honest
and straightforward politician would have given without the
mystification and circumlocution in which lir. Escott delights
to deal. The state of parties in Winchester is at present
curious, and will afford food for remark at a future time. We
await Mr. Escott's movements with some curiosity.—Hamp-
shire Independent.
The Earl of Albemarle, who is passing the winter
at Quiddenham Hall, in the event of the formation of a new
Ministry, would," it is understood, decline his former post of
Master of the Flom, on account of his Lordship's impaired
vision and advanced age.
The forthcoming new grand comic Christmas
pantomime at Drury-lane is understood to be founded on the
nursery tales of " dulliver's Travels."
A few days ago, a cat was shot by Mr. J. Coult-
bard, gamekeeper to Major-General Wyndham, in Gills
Wood, near to the Park-house, of extraordinary dimensions.
The length of this animal, from the head to the end of the
tail, was no less than thirty-six inches ; it measured fifteen
inches round the body, ten inches and a half round the head,
eight inches round the thigh, seven inches round the leg, and
weighed ten pounds and a half,._. Cumberland ,Pacquet.

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