The Sun.
London, England, 1827-09-01 00:00:00

OXFORD CIRCUIT.

A very disiagreciabi... cur—..+..A U., Mtll
Justice Littledale, on his way from Monmouth
to the Gloucester Assizes. From a scarcity of
post-horses, his Lordship obtained the horses to
take his carriage from Monmouth to Ross, at the
King's Head, at Monmouth ; and when the
post-boys arrived at Ross, they drove past the
Swan Inn, to which his Lordship usually posted,
to the King's Head, at Ross, which is a rival
house. Before any inquiry could be made why
the carriage was not taken to the usual place,
fresh horses from the King's Head, and also
others from the Swan, were brought out to be
attached to his Lordship's carriage, and the two
sets of horses being brought out from the rival
inns, the post-boys, ostlers, &c. came out of the
yards of both, which are situated close to each
other, and a very serious conflict ensued, each
party trying by force to get possession of his
Lordship's carriage. The Learned Judge seemed
very much annoyed by the interruption, and
his Lordship's coachman descended from the
box, in the hope of quelling the disturbance, but
he, as is common with peace-makers, received
some blows at the hands of both the parties to
the conflict ; however, at length, the Learned
Judge being very peremptory in his orders,
that his carriage should be horsed from the Swan,
as usual, the post-boys of that inn put to
their horses, and proceeded with the carriage to
Gloucester. There a new disappointment awaited
the Learned Judge. On his arrival his Lord-
ship was met by the High Sheriff and his usual
cortege, and repaired to the Shire-hall as usual,
to open the commission for the holding of the
Assize. However, on the Learned Judge taking
his seat on the bench, he was informed that the
commissions were not forthcoming, as they were
in the charge of Mr. Baron Vaughan's Marshal,
who had not arrived in Gloucester, and who was,
according to the current rumour, gone on a tour
down the Wye to Tintern Abbey and Chepstow
Castle. Of course, as the commissions were not
in Gloucester, the Learned. Judge could not
have them read in his presence, and his Lord-
ship, evidently much chagrined at the occur-
rence, remained in Court near half an hour, in
the hope that the commissions would arrive ; but
as they did not, the Learned Judge left the
Court re infecta. This being the case, consi-
derable apprehensions were entertained that if
the commissions were not opened before mid-
nightabout
t eightt e Assizeo,cioc
k awouldt
night,be theselost
alarms were
dissipated by the arrival of Mr. Baron Vaughan's
carriage, in which the commissions were ; and
as soon as his Lordship could drive to the Shire-
hall, the commissions were opened with the usual
formalities.

THE LION OF THE NORTH.—The follow-
ing anecdote illustrative of the well known
amenity of manners and good-natured politeness
of our distinguished countryman, Sir Walter
Scott, is current among our witlings. An
English gentleman and his lady lately arrived in
the neighbourhood of Abbotsford, and being
naturally anxious to behold its owner, sent a card
to him, stating that they had travelled thither
from a distant part of England, solely on pur-
pose to see the great " Lion of the North," and
earnestly requesting the honour of an interview,
Sir Walter immediately returned for answer, that
as the Lion was seen to most advantage at his
feeding hours, he would be happy to see them
that day at dinner. They went accordingly;
and, it is needless to add, met with the greatest
attention and hospitality.--Edinburgh Mervei