The Sun.
London, England, 1827-11-06 00:00:00

FRIGHTFUL ACCIDENT.

In the early part of yesterday, the neighbour-
hood of Park-street was thrown into a state of
considerable alarm. A bear, of huge dimensions,
which was kept at the Anatomy-house in the
above street, belonging to Dr. Jacob, had, it ap-
peared, for some time back, been in the habit of
having food occasionally brought to him by a
fine little boy, the son of a poor man, residing in
the same street. Yesterday, about twelve o'clock,
the child happened to enter the place, and in-
cautiously approached the bear without the ac-
customed donation, but merely for the purpose
of playing with him, the animal not being accus-
tomed to object to this familiarity, when accom-
panied by the more substantial offering of food.
On the present occasion, however, finding him-
self disappointed, the savage creature instantly
seizing in his rough gripe his little benefactor,
prostrated him in a moment, and was proceeding
in the work of destruction, when the screams of
his victim brought to the spot a small boy, not
much older than himself, who was usually em-
ployed about the house. The only weapon, or
substitute for one, of which this little fellow could
avail himself, was a piggin, or small pail, out of
which the animal fed. Hurling this at the head
of the ferocious brute, and crying out at the same
time with all his might, this brought Surgeon
Wilkins, who happened to be then in the house,
to his assistance. This gentleman, while attempt-
ing to the imminent hazard of his life, unaided by
any weapon, to save the now mangled child, had
himself well nigh fallen a sacrifice. In his exer-
tions his foot chancing to slip he fell, when the
bear at once relinquishing his former prey, darted
with the rapidity of lightning at Mr. Wilkins,
as he lay on the ground, fortunately, however,
a few inches beyond the bounds to which his
chain permitted him to extend his reach. A Mr.
Knowd now came up, and having, on hearing the
outcry, provided himself with a poker, succeeded in
partially forcing back the ferocious creature, who
rushed repeatedly at him, endeavouring to get
him within his gripe. By this time several per-
sons collecting in the yard, all further danger was
put an end to, and the child which the boy be-
lonob ina to the establishment had taken the op-
portunity of snatching away, was removed into
the house. On examination it was discovered
that both the arms and one of the thighs were
shockingly lacerated. It was also much torn
over one of the eyes. Thera are, howeVer, strong
hopes entertained of the little sufferer's ultimate
recovery.
Dr. Jacob, the owner of the bear, instantly
on hearing the distressing accident, directed it to
be destroyed. For this purpose no less than five
drachms of a poisonous acid, of a peculiarly
powerful nature, were administered at short in-
tervals, but to the amazement of several members
of the faculty present, proved perfectly harmless,
the animal, after taking each successive dose,
which was given him in a small portion of victuals,
manifested the most perfect ease, tranquilly lick-
ing off his paws, the human gore with which they
were thickly smeared, without betraying the
slightest symptom of the deadly drug having
affected him.

A large crowd of persons had now surrounded
the premises. outside the walls, which they
threatened to scale for the purpose of taking sum-
mary vengeance on the animal, when Peace Offi-
cers Limmix and Church being called in, the
former fired at him, and the ball entering his
heart, he rushed some paces and reached the en-
trance of his den, where he fell and instantly ex-
pired. When death had rendered it no longer
dangerous to approach the late formidable brute,
he was found to exceed in fatness and sleekness
of coat, any thing of the kind that had been for-
merly witnessed.—Dublin Morning Post.

On Saturday evening, about eleven o'clock,
two respectable families in Dummyha's-wynd were frighten-
ed to an alarming degree with what they thought an invi-
sible spirit. As the families were proceeding to bed, an
unwelcome knock came to their doors. Being a little
timid, they inquired who was there? No answer being
made, one, possessed of stronger nerves than the others,
slipped open the door without a light, but could not hear
or see anything. In a little while after, the rapping be-
came truly terrific. On being repeatedly asked to state
who they were, and no answer returned, the fears of the
inmates can be more easily felt than described. Eight
stout athletic men who belonged to the house, stood on
the floor, almost immovably fixed, and, like the earth-
stopper, with their hair standing on end with fear. At
last, two of the men became courageous, and thrust open
the window and came out. On entering the lobby, to
theiraek_ mighty
which astonishment,was
sthe object
theyofso much terror, lying upon
found the huge body of a
j
his back, rolling over and ever, first kicking at the one
door, then at the other The lobby-door, by mistake,
had been left open ; the ass had been strolling about, and,
like Paul Pry, had just " dropp'd in." He attempted to
ascend the stairs, but the task being too difficult, fell over
ahV
on his back.—Dundee Advertiser.

BRITISH SAILORS..—We wanted to judge if
the cry of " Tea ahoy " on board ship, and the long peace
had produced any effect on those hardy sons of Britain,
" whose home is on the mountain deep." The number of
ships recently paid off at this port, has enabled us to make
the necessary observations, and the result is, that Jack on
shore, whatever he is on ship-board, has lost nothing of his
peculiarities : so much for the wisdom of those who prog-
nosticated the ruin of the British navy, from the introduc-
tion of tea, sugar, oatmeal, and wine, instead of buckets of
grog. Jack is the same strange, thoughtless, and frolick-
some being as ever. He bears the same measure of delight
in his eye. He rolls with the same exquisite grace. Knots
of tars (for they always associate in herds) may be seen
moving about with lockers well stored and brimful of fun.
The " jarvies" are kept in constant requisition, and
Jack, as usual, .not caring a quid for the usages of
society, leaves the inside of the " craft " for women
and lubbers, and takes his station on deck, along side
of the driver, that he may have room to flourish his
sbellalah, and be able to see how the land lies. In the
public-house many an old fiddle has been dragged from
its rusty peg, and taught by the " forty elbow power" of
its lame or blind owner "to discourse most eloquent
music." In fact Jack's portrait twenty years ago requires
no fresh touch from the limner's hand. He has not yet
gained en the " march of intellect." He calls the handi-
craft scholar a " humbug," and as soon as his locker is
out, which he takes- care to open at both ends, he again
enters "on board the As ethusa."—Devonport Telegraph.