Star.
London, England, 1823-11-06 00:00:00

711 E WILDER OP Ms. IFEARE.

'Phis MDSE atrocious deed still occupies the public at-
tention, to the exclusion of almost every other subject.'
and the Most trivial circumstance connected with it is
caught at with the greatest avidity. .1
Thum% Probert, and Hunt, are still kept in separate
apartments in Hertford jail: they are heavily ironed,
but net confined in cells. They have good apartments,
the use of an airy space of the prison to move in, and
each has two attendants, one of whom never quits him.
The prisoners are neither allowed to see nut commnoi.
cate with each other; they have permission to write andl
receive letters, subject, of course, to examination. Pro-
ben heard from his wife on Monday, and expressed
great satisfaction upon-the occasion : 1:e was yesterday
quite ignorant of her having been brought before the
Magistrates. None of Thurtell's friend, Ii ive hitherto
communicated with him, directly or indi: ectly. The
demeanour of these prisoners, respectively, is calculated,
if not to throw a light upon their share of guilt, at
least to illustrate their tempers and character.
Hunt is quite elated at the idea of beiag safe from
persona) danger, in the capacity of a witness. Prober:
appears in the deepest and mast unaffected distress at
the ruin of his family, which he ascribes to his unfor
tanate connexion with Thurtell; but h emphatically
persists in declaring his innocence of any previous
knowledge or concurrence in the murder, or even the
slightest acquaintance with Mr. Werre. He admits
that he had invited That-tell to his cottage, but did not.
expect he would have been accompanied l'y any tithe?
person. Hunt is equally earnest in his asseveration of
innocence of the crime, and together with Probert de-
nies any knowledge of the dreadful occurrence until
apprised of the murder by Thurtell himself, when (as
has been Already stated) he solicited permission to con-
ceal the dead body in the pond of the cottage. Probert
is most anxious to talk upon the subject, and repeats
over and over again the statement he has already dis-
closed with every entreaty to receive credence for his
Asseveration; he admits the receipt of the 61. on the
night of the murder. but declares it to be in payment
of a loan to John Thurtell, 51. of which he borrowed at
the time and fdr the purpose from the landlord of the
Coach and Horses. Prdbert's spirits are entirely
broken, and yesterday they had evidently affected his
bodily health.
Thartell, on the contrary, maintains in general un-
shaken firmness; his health and appetite continue good;
his manners are decorbus, and he eats, drinks, smokes
his pipe, and, sleeps, with the apparent enjoyment of
comfort. There is nothing in him of the bravo. He
talks of his situation like a man who is perfectly sen-
sible of the peril in which he stands. He declares that
in proper time he will establish his innocence; but
when the particular conversation is introduced, he be-
comes evidently dejected, his features assume an agi-
tated expression, his eyes become half closed and sunk,
he vainly endeavours to suppress a heaving sigh, and
seizes the first instant, still without coarse abruptness,
of changing the subject; and then, as if a weight were
removed from his heart, his constitutional spirits and
firmness of 'nerve return, and he will converse fluently
and with seeming satisfaction upon any otfier subject to
which he can recur: he, however, talks of his trial with
calmness; and when asked yesterday whether he had
not better hasten to avail himself of the assistance of
Counsel; his reply was—J, I shall certainly do so in due
time, lint if I write now, they are all too buiy to give
speedy 'attention, for to-morrow will be the Arsolay of
Term." He expreaied a great anxiety, within the last
two days, to refresh his memory upon the faits deposed
in evidence against him, and more particularly regard.
ing the testimony of Hunt, giving as a motive' for his
anxiety, the very natural reason, that upon these he
must ground his defence. He was yesterday so intent
upon making these preliminary arrangements, that he
wrote a letter to the Coroner, requesting either a copy
of Hunt's depositidn, or that the Coroner would do him
the kindness of repairing tothe prison, and reading over
the notes of Hunt's examination. Although upon the
subject of his imputed guilt in the late horrid mur-
der, he continues incommunicative, he is yet loqua-
cious upon all the other events of his life, and eager,
to disclose the source of his misfortunes, and pernici-
ous character of his associates. The dreadful spirit of
gaming he avows, and names the associates with whom
he practised it as well at the schemes and frauds with
which they conducted their machipations —always
with thetoo common but intolexible delusion of trying
'to disconnect himself personally from the atrocious acts
of their fellowship, willing, natdrally enough, though
contrary to the apparent stamp of his character, to be
considered mere as the dupe of their practices, than the
participator of their designs and profits. Heis disposed
to be very communicative upon such topics, and per-
haps his information may not be unworthy the serious
considiration of the Secretary of State for the Home'
Department, from the singular facts or statements which
he makes, always saving as it were his own distance, by
imputing them to others.
It was stated in an Evening Paper oelast night that J
Thurtell had written to a friend of his, in whose house be
had lodged, requesting particular care to,be taken of an
air-gun, and it was added that no such thing could be
found. This is erroneous. -When Jahn Thurtell was
apprehended, Ruthven found upon him three small
bullets, or what are called buck-shot, which suited the,
calibre of the pistol found in his pocket; but when asked
about them, be denied that they belonged to, or were
intended for the pistol, and said they were cast for an
air-gun, which he had had for some time. He subse-
quently wrote the letter alluded to, requesting that care
might be taken of it, which being intercepted, led to the
finding of the deadly instrument. The letter was ad-
dressed to Mrs. Walker, a young woman who had lived
at the Cock, in the Haytnarket, as bar-maid toT.Th
—Upson (the officer) upon having this letter put into
!xis hand, went to the Cock, where, in a. room occupied
occasionally by John Thurtell, he found the au-gun
and its apparatus. The un itself is in the shape of a
common walking-stick. It is composed of metal cased
with tin, and coloured so as to look like wood. There
are.nobs upon it to resemble the knots which are seen
upon certain descriptions of sticks. The top part of the
stitk takes off, and the air-pump, which is separate from
the rest, but so small, as to'go into the pocket, is fixed
on in a moment, and the gun filled with air. The cali-
bre is very small, it being calculated only for a species
of bullet very little larger than swan-shot. The gun
has been tried by the r, and found to be most per-
fect and effective in its operation. the room where it
was found was a cupboard, the door of which was full
of perforations; and no doubt had been made aearget
by John Thurtell. L'
It is stated, that this .instnimen, wits purchased by.
him for the express purpoae of _assassinating Mr. Barber
Director to the County Fire
Beaumont, the Managing

Office, through whose exertions, chiefly, the bill of in-
' tiletaresst was found against the Thurtells and others, fur
conspiring to defraud that establishment.
Since the finding the air-gun, Bishop, the principal
Officer of Bow-street, went to Mrs.Walkees, in Wind-
mill-street, where, in a clothes-trunk belonging to Job is
Thane% he found a bayonet highly sharpened, which
be brought away.
On the night of Wednesday last, when John Thur.
tell Ind Hunt were taken to Watford, their conduct was
marked with extreme levity. The writer of this state-
ment was in the room with them at the Essex Arms be-
fore the investigation commenced, and they had scarcely
been there half an hour when Joseph Hunt commenced
singing.-:-.He sung one entire song, and detached verses .
of several others, until checked by the Officers. T;; u. -
tell smoked his pipe, and conversed with seeming case
upon pugilistic subjects. lie was known among .his
flash friends by thrr nick-name of " 011 Fiarel—He
was always remarkably re-,erved and thotightfiri.
Last night Mr. Tetsall, the landlord or the Coach and
Horses, Conduit-street, was apprehended by Bishop, on
a warrant, in which h.' was
.charged as " an accessary
in a certain felony and murder."—He was brought
before Mr. HALLS, at Bov,--street, and will be taken
into Hertfordshire.—Bail was offered for him to any
amount, but refused, Mr. HALLS observing, that the
warrant was issued by the Magistrates of Hertfordshire,
and merely backed by him, and he could not, therefore,
do otherwise than send him down.
A: the close of the examination of Mrs. Probert and
Miss Noyes, yesterday, at Watford, those two females
were committed to St. Alban's gaol. During the time
that they were in custody and under examination, they
were both much affected, and were with difficulty pre-
vailed upon to take any refreshment. Mrs. Probert is
pretty little, plump, fair woman, about 2 years of
age. Her sister, Miss Noyes, is mkt so good looking,
and has lost the sight of her left eye. We stated yes-
terday that some important information had been ob-
tained by means of the examination. The Magistrates,
acting upon the intelligence which they derived from •
the inquiry, issued warrants for the apprehension of
some persons in. London. The warrants were placed
in the hands of Mr. Bishop, who arrived in town yester-
day morning to execute. them. If Bishdp should suc-
ceed in finding the individuals whom he is in search of,
they will of course be conveyed to Watford to undergo
an examination.

It is not a little singular, that on the day on which
Thurtell and Hunt perpetrated the murder of the unfor-
tunate Mr. WEArte, the father of the former bad been
re-elected Mayor of Norwich, and the brother of the
latter (who, we understand, possesses a very respecta-
ble character,) made his first appearance as ft/acheath in
Dublin, on the evening of the same day.

MUNIFICENT BEQUUT—The late Earl of BRIDCFe
WATER has left by will sir thousand pounds per annum
for ever, for the employment and improvement of the
poor of the parish of Aihridge, Hertfordshire.
Fine. Yesterday evening, about half-past nine
o'clock, the neighbourhood of Bennet-street, Stamford.
street, Blackfriars-road, was thrown into the utmost
confusion, by the discovery of a fi.e in the workshops
of Mr. ItUST, carpenter and builder, of the above street.
It being known that Mr. RUST had a very large quan-
tity of building materials .on the premises, and the
wind blowing treshly from the south, great fears were
excited for the safety olthe adjoining houses; however,
by the speedy arrival of the engines, and the exertions
of the firemen, aided by a tolerably good supply of
water, the flames were so far subdued by eleven o clock,
as to put aside all fears fOr the safety of the adjacent
premises. Our Readers may judge of the alarm natu-
rally excited, when we state that the.reflection was seen
miles distant; and so late as half-past ten o'clock, per-
sons were seen running in every direction towards lilack-
friars bridge, which was nearly impassable. No lives
were lost, nor did we hear of any accident.
DURHAM, Nov. 3.—ln consequence of an explosion
of foul air in a coal pit, called the Plain Pit, belonging
to the Marquis of LorstroNneaßy, situate near Rainton,
about five miles. from this city, a number of unfortunate
persens have lost their lives. The accident took place
this morning about five o'clock. There ale a great
variety of rumours afloat respecting the number of per.
sons employed in the pit at the time, but from the best
information I have been able to acquire, I believe there
were between 90 and 100; the whole of whom it is sui .
posed have perished. At the time the la:est accounts
left the scene of the catastrophe, nearly 40 bodies had
Men brought up.
Friday next, the Court of Commas Pleas will be
moved for a new trial in the case of " Thurtell v. the
County Fire-office." The Jury on that remarkable
trial having, under the direction of Mr. Jastice PARK,
given a verdict for the plaintiff for the amount of Iris
claim. The motion will be made by Serjeant TADDY.
in consequence of a Commission of the Peace having
been issued for the city of Edinburgh, appointing a
number of the most respectable citizens to the office of
the Peace, in addition to the acting Magistrates who
hold such office ex-ojicio by charter, about twenty
Gentlemen attended iu the Council Chamber on Monday
week,and qualified in the usual manner to act us Justices.
HARR HUNT EXTRAORDINARY. —On Saturday
morning, a hare having entered the west gate of the
Wet Docks, Leith, a most ludic Foos chace ensued.—The
sailors, armed with handspikes, set up the halloo, and
were soon joined by all the carters and porters abrut
the docks, armed with their rack pins, mops, and what-
ever else came in the way. After a noble and gallant
chace round part of the docks, her pursuers fast gain:ng
ground, the animal .sought retuge by leaping into tre
hold of the Dzdalus, where she was immediately se-
cured by Captain Mack.
Yesterday being the anniversary of the discovery of
the Gunpowaer Plot, it was observed as usual, by the
firing of the Paik and Tower guns at one o'clock.
Cctoriea's INutizer.—An Inquisition was taken on
Tuesday night, at the Duke of Wellington, Cannon-
street, St. George's in the East, on view of the boy of
Elizabeth M.Qtrin, who was burnt to death while in a
state of inebriation. Verdict—" Accidental Death."

GAS.—We have often witnessed the effect of this
beautiful light, nut only from the brilliant illumination
of our streets, and the decorated chandeliers of our pub-
lic theatres and • other establishments, but even in pd-
vate houses, where occasional portable Gas hits been
brought iputeffective action. Our astonishment, bo gr-
eyer, was never more .eissited than in 'witnessing, last
evening, All exhibition of its powers, as novel in its 'sp. •
plication as it was beautiful and unexpected.- Messrs.
GRAHAM and Hxeitueuis's Keetish Town stage started
from Holbocn. Saes about eight o'cinetr; a'itsittst the at-
elanustions of a large concourse of people, brilliant i il-
uminated by portable Oil (ias, on Mr.GORDON'e plan.