Star.
London, England, 1827-02-06 00:00:00

ILCHESTER GAOL.

A conspiracy amongst the prisoners confined in ll-
ehester Gaol to break prison was, we understand. a few
. day:ago discovered, and the discovery was made by a
person about whom the public curiosity was for some
time strongly excited. It will be recollected that at the
execution of Thistlewood and thereat of the unfortunate
wretches who were banged and decapitated at the Old
Bailey for high treason, the man in the black mask and
sailor's dress, who suddenly appeared upon the plat-
form with the knife in his hand, and separated each
head from the body with so much dexterity, was an ob.
ject of very horrible interest. Various were the sur-
mises about the identity of that individual, who, it was
admi.ted, performed his duty as well as Bolting ever
did his, but conjecture was quite at fault, until the at-
tempt of which we have spoken was made at the County
Gaol of Somersetsbire. A short while ago a Gentleman
named Clarke; who had walked the London Hospitals,
was induced by the difficulties- which the surgeons met
with in their search after subjects, to volunteer in the
service of the profession at the rate of 121. per head for
the dead. He pitched upon one of the most extensive
burial grounds in Bath for the scene of his operations.
and took a very good house, the back windows of
which looked into the church-yard, where he was 4, to
burst the cerement: of the sepulchre." He commenced
business in this abode of life and death with wonderful
success. The graves gave up their tenants with scarcely
the appearance of being violated. but by accident one
of the departed was seen moving into Mr. Clarke's
house one night at the two pair of stairs window. The
. fact could not long be concealed. The house was
searched, and there was no longer any doubt as to the
trade of the prciprietor. He was apprehended and con-
•eyed to Ilchester Gaol, where he represented to his
corntades in misfortune, the impropriety of remainitsg
:its:confinement, when they had an opportunity of going
amongst their friends without any hazard. It is laid,
that his proposal was, that each prisoner au:weld put a
stone, or any other heavy article. into .his prison stock-
ing (a thick worsted one), and salute the turnkeys with
it about the head, if necessary. :The inmates of the
prison thought well of this project, and everything:was
arranged in the cause of liberty.Mr.Clat keihowever, sud-
denly repented him of the suggestion,and in the apprehen-
sion that murder might be the consequence,very proper-
ly intimated to the officers of the prison what was going
tatward. The intentions of the prisoners were of course
compl tely frustrated. Mr. Clarke, to whom the visiting
magistrates acknowledged the county was under very
gieat obligations, was requested to state the particulars
of his life, and amongst the most interesting, he men-
tioned that he had presided on the Old Bailey platform
with his knife, when Thistlewood died, after hlr.
ting had retired with his ropes. We understand that
the case of Mr. Clarke is to be forthwith represented to
the Secretary of State, with the strong recommendation
of the county magistrates.

Upwards of 1004 was collected last week by the
Rector and Churchwardens from the inhabitants of the parishes of
Holy Trinity and St. Mary, in Guildford, in aid of the distressed
manufacturers, after sermons preached in the Churches of those
parishes the preceding Sunday.
The present customs duties on the importation of
foreign oats is 2s. per quarter, which amount of duty
will continue until the 14th instant only, when it will
be raised to 6s. per quarter. Exertions are consequently
making to bring in a large supply of French oats from
the neighbourhood of St. Maloes. Several cargoes
have been landed at Portsmouth and at Southampton
last week,the effect of which has been to keep the mat ket
price at from 275. to 31s. which would otherwise have
been 455, or GOt. These oa:s are very sweet, though
not of good colour, and average 401 b. per bushel.
Lord SIDBIOUTH, during his administration, procured
the late CHARLICS DIBDIN a pinsion of 2001. per an.
;sum, as a reward for his " spirivstirring" sea songs,
which were published in the early period of the war.—
The popular ballad of " Poor Jack,. tbs. copyright of
which was sold by DIBDIN for five oineas, in the
course of three years yielded a profit of '2,0001. to the
purchaser.

LAW REPORT.
COURT OF CHANCERY, Fs a.
LOAD GIWTOTIL V. HOUSTON AND ADAMS.
Mr. HART moved es parte, on the part of the plain.
tiff, for an order that service of a subpesna to appear in
this case, on one of the defendants, an attorney, might
be considered good service. The attorney was sworn
to be out of the jurisdiction of the Court. The case
stated by the bill, was that of an account, and the only
question was, whether the two defendants were jointly,
or separately accountable to the plaintiff, as his agents?
An action was brought, and the present bill sought a
discovery.—Order made.
GNAT P. DICKINSON.
Mr. MONTAGU presented a Petition to confirm the
Master's report, approving of a proposed marriage of
a ward: The Petition was mentioned to the Court the
other day, and the information now tendered was, that
the Master had approved of the selection this young
Lady had made of a husband.
His Losmitir—But I wish a little more information. What is
the state of she proposed settlement ?
Mr. Moittatio—The Master has approved of the settlement,
which is, that 2001. should be paid to the husband, and that the rest
of the girl's fortune should he settled on herself.
His Leansnte—What has the GOINUNIAD proposed to settle?
Mr. blonnou—Mr. Wakefield appears OR the other side to
co sent.
His Loaosatte—But what's the proposed setdement ?
Mr. Wacanno—Her fortune consists of 1,2001. three per cent.
consolidated, and 2701. reduced four per tent. annuitim, and also a
reversionary interest in 7701. which is all to be settled oa beteel4
except about 2001. which is to be paid to the proposed
His Lonsuur—But what is he to settle?
Mr. Wausetzto—The Master has approved of the settlement.
His Loaosair—l have heard that Statement already ; allow me
to say, it is no answer to my question. The Master may approve
of makments, and does approve of settlements, which I shall not
approve of. I desire to know what his proposed settlement is?
Mr. Wsnanina—The Gentleman also approves of this set-
Oswalt.
His Loamms—There can be no doubt of that, if he has not a
penny himself.
Mi. Wasseseur—He states that he's a surgeon.
His Loaossne—And that constitutes his female?
Mr. Wnesstatti-4t does, together wick thi% that his father has
been a surgeon for the last twenty years, which he is about to retire
from, leaving the business to the young man.
His Loaasair—What's that business worth? What does it bring
in annually?
Mr. Wiwi:us—That does not appear.
His Lownamtp—Hand me the papers, which I shall
read. But we are getting altogether into a wrong prac-
tide. One Gentleman appears at the bar, and asks an
order, as of course, because some other Gentleman ap-
pears and consents to the making of the order, without,
in short, either of the Gentlemen knowing anything
at all about the case. It was only the other day a
similar application was made to me, in a case in
which the Lady had considerable property; but the
father of the young man refused to settle a sixpence on
him, or rather to give him it to settle on her; but I
would not allow that, and I cannot allow such a prima
'ice to proceed.
COURT OF ICING'S BRNCH, FRODCART S.

- -
e. aX* nags or rex ctivitrr or manna
Mr. hltnmie moved that the Rale obtained for a ctintlad haler*
elution spina the defendant ist this cue, might be enierged until
&tnrdsii nest.
Mr. making ne objection, the Court accordiner en-
larged the Role.

KM P.

This was an information filed by the Attorney Ge-
coral against Edward Thoroughgood, an Excise officer,
for corrupt practices, in permitting bides to be marked
with the Government stamp, without payment of duty,
and neglecting to enter the same in the survey-book, as
in duty bound. The defendant suffered judgment to
go by default, being brought op this day to receive the
judgment of the Court.
The SOLICITOR GENERAL pressed for a severe punish.
ment. The crime, he observed, was of a serious nature
in itself; but the circumstances under which it was
committed, increased the guilt. The defendant, by his
own admission, continued from January 4825, until thel
same period in 1826, committing acts of fraud on Go-
vernmeat, to prevent which he had been appointed to
his station, and highly remunerated.
Mr. Justice BATLEY in passing the sentence of the
Court, told the prisoner that he had been guilty of a
breach of trust, which blasted his prospects in life, for
he had thereby lost a situation which be had held for
twenty years. and at a time when he was.nearly being
placed on the superannuation list. After a suitable
address, he said the Judgment of the Court was, that the
prisoner be confined in the House of Correction, in
Guildford, for 12 months.
cesswealev—ma e. smessaure, War ,A4I4RIALLI WM sans
The defelidints were brought up to receive the judg-
ment of the Court, having been found :silty of conspir-
ing. to work a fraudulent bankruptcy, and to prove ficti-
tious debts against the eat tte and ifects of James
flasetcline, horse dealer (one of the defendants) with
intent to defraud Messrs. 'fattens% and other boaajde
creditors. Gray, who is an attorney, had acted profes•
sionally for one of the assignees, and was instrumental
in pr ocuring depositions and proofs of debt.
The Loan Cuter Janice delivered the sentence of the Court—
"'bat for thli liffenee 'James Haseldine should be Imprisoned in
Newpte two years; and that James Marshall, Wm. Gray, and
John 'Henry Hain, be Imprisoned In the House of Correction,
Cold Bath-fields, for one year. It was atso part of the sentence,
that Gray, the Attorney, be struck oßthe Rolls of this Court."
The defendants were then taken out of Coon.
•sOOOllOll-1111E ILINO O. ODIVAZiI OMNI WALE/M.O.

Mr. Sergeant Cap's moved for a rule, calling on the
defendant to shew cause why a writ of Proceciendo.
should not issue to send back this prosecution to be tried
in the county of Lancaster. It had been removed by
writ of privilege or certiorari, obtained from one of the
Learned Judges at Chambers.
The Loma Cause Justice asked which of the Judges had allowed
certiorari

Mr. Sergeant Caosa—Mr. Justice Bayley.
The LORD CNltt Justscs..—lt would then be 20,0141 satisfactory
if you move this when Mr. Justice Bayley Is In Gaut. We will
endeavour to afford you an opportunity.
Alt. Sergeant Cams accordingly withdrew his motion, for the
purpose of making it when Judge Bayley is present.