Star.
London, England, 1828-08-29 00:00:00

THE CASE OF MR. AUSTIN.

It is impossible to describe the interest which thecae
of this unfortunate Gentleman excites in the town of
Greenwich, and the deepest commise• ation is manifested
by ail persons who have had any transactions with hires
for his situation and its ulterior consequences. He is
described at a man of great humanity, and of a most
obliging disposition, and numeri us persons have at ea:
rious periods been delivered from th.• most pressing
embarrassments by his a•sistance. An in. tance of this
occurred only a short time before he absconded...A
Gentleman named ll—, residing in Greenwico,
rowed 201. of him, and promised to return it nu th- next
day. Mr. It. accordingly kept his word, and went to
the Hospital and handed over the money. saying it had
been of the greatest service to torn.—Nli. Austin replied;
44 that he was glad to hear of it—that I.e was proud
whenever he served a friend. but he (Mr. IL) had done
that which many others had not."—Alt. R. asked hiln
explain, upon which Mr. Austin rejoined, " Why, Sin
I gave advanced money to many persons, but they never
did as you have done—return it."
The prevailing opinion is, that Mr. Austin cannot
legally be prosecuted by the Directors of the Hospital;
inasmuch as he was only a servant to Sir J. Thompson;
the late Treasurer, who upon being appointed was
obliged to produce secitritier to the amount of 20,000 g,
consequently the Hospital must proceed against his
executors, who atone can bring the chargeot embezzle.;
tent against Austin.
Upon the examination at Bow-street, on Wednesday
night, the bulk of acceptances found in his trunk were
produced before the Magistrate, and inspected by Mr.
Payne, the Deputy to the present Timmer, SitWrlliam
Johnston Hope. They are to an immense amount_
some are not yet payable, and others have been over.
due two or three years, but most of them appear not to
have been out of his hands, as they do not bear his en-
dorsement. The other documents also were produced,
and examined by Mr. Payne and Mr. Bicknell.
Since the apprehension of Mr. Austin, hi . wife and
family have removed from the house on Sydenhans
Common, and have gone to reside in Lleorge-Aten,
Greene. ich. Orders have been given by the Magistrates
to Mr. Vickery, the Governor of the House of Coirec-
tion, to permit any of Mr. A.'s friends to visit him at any
time—and yesterday several of his blends. residez„sef
Greenwich, called to see him at the prison, amongst
whom was a near relation, who keeps ()Le of the princi-
. pal inns in the town.
__

The following extraordinary circumstance twit place
on the morning that Mr. Austin fled from Sp!enham, and
is the subject cf conversation throughout tl.e tc.wn. A
journeyman bricklayer, residing in Greenwich, named
Robert Parkinson, was proceeding to his labour at Lete:
isham, on the Sydenham•road, when, in passing on rte
foot-path, his attention was attracted to a piece of paper
that was lying on some roacktuff that had been heaped
upon the edge of the pathway : it appeared as if it had
been recently placed or dropped there. Two persons
were proceeding at some distance, and must have passed
the spot. Parkinson took up the paper. and ro his titer
astonishment, it turned out to be a 1,0001. Bank of Eng.
land note, nearly new, and without any indorsem nt or
other mark upon it. He went to work with the treasure ;a
his pocket, and on his return hone in the evening, he
very properly named his lucky adventure to sever al re.
spectable persons of the town, who advised him to take
it immediately to the Bank, which he accordingly did
on the next day, and explained the extraordinary mantut
in which it carne into his possession. He was desired
to leave the note with the Cashier, in order that the
necessary steps should he taken to find its owner, if
possible: with a distinct understanding that, should it
be identified, he would be entitled to a salvage of one-
eighth of the amount, and provided it was not claimed
at the expiration of twelve months, he would have it
returned to him. With this promise the fortuteate brick.
layer returned home, quite elated with the result fit his
mission, as, at all events,he will be entitled to 1251. Up to
the pre,ent period, and although every exertion has bees
used, no claimant has come forward. This extraorsli•
nary circumstance has produced various rumours, bat
we refrain from giving them publicity. Parkinson it
now employed at Crowley's Wharf, Greenwich.

Monday afternoon a horse ran away at Crabhle Hilt
with a four wheeled carriage, in which were Mr. STARR.
the Barrister, and his four sisters. It dashed with great
velocity don n the road through Buckland until it reached
the Charlton turnpike•gate, with which the carriage
came in contact and was upset. The whole party were
thrown out, some of whom it is feared are seriously in.
jured. Both shafts were broker, and the horse continued
his speed until his career was itni.e2ed, by a horse and
cart which were thrown down, and a broken part of the
shaft driven into the latter horse's flank.—Kevatisk

Wednesday morning Wiriam Eagles, a servant, left a
mare standing at the house-door of Mr. Cooper, a coach.
maker, North-row, Grvsvenor-square, while he went
into the shop ; on his return, in about five minutes, to
his great surprise, he found that some persons had stolen
the mare. The thief had pulled the cloth off, which
was on the mare, and placed it 'Ton a post.

Sir THOMAS BARING, in his ertAttre before a Ctro-
mittee ot the House of Commons, enumerated among
the causes Gf crime the uncertainty of punishment. It
appears that of 1,20 u persons condemned to death in
1826, only 57 were executed ; and a the puritbirer.ts
of the remaining 1,143 no account appears. The Cori,-
mittee observe on this fact-44 Thus t:.e sentence giir=
by the Judge is riot executed in a vast number of case,
It is suggested to the coosideration el tiie Wuse,
vouch of the effett ot punishment as an example Is
creby lost; that the bystander goes away with t!:e
impression that the hardiest of criminals will otrain an
alleviation of the punishment pronounced u:-.00 him ht
the lat.,. Without any alteration of the laws which loft ct.
the punishment of death for horse stealing, sheep steal-
ing, and other crimes, on which subject the Commit.ee
do not wish to give any opinion, it surely might he w"1
good effect permitted to the Judge, instead of recording
the sentence of death, to prononnce the purtishme!4
which in his opinion ought to be inflicted, and which Is
the end the prisoner is made to undergo."

MED.
Monday, Mr. Grindall, who was for many years a distiller, Ad
accumulated in that business a p.operty of ninre than sev.oo,ooo.
At Manse of Mochrum, on the 17th instant, the Ito. Jcba
Steven, Minister of the parish of blochrum, aged 77, and to the
forty-first year of his Ministry.
At Rio tic Janiero, ou the .2.5 d December last, Mr. Peter Sandie:
formerly of the pat ish of Whithorn, IVigtownshire, in the pinny
and vigour of life, by an accidental shot of the gun of his iiinauSe
acquaintance, a Air. Forster, on a sporting excursion during the
holidays. The deceased expired immediately.
Tuesday, at his residence iu Plymouth, Mr. Henry Langer4
Jeweller.
The I r,th nit. on bis passage from the West Indies, John Colhosia
Mills, Esq. late President of the Island of Nevis.

HIGH-WATER st LONDON-MILILIG R TO MOISHOW.
Morning 47 nonute. atter 5
Afternoon . II minutes after 4
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