Star.
London, England, 1827-08-27 00:00:00

WOODBRIDGE, Auousr 23.

A storm of rain fell in this town on Saturday morn-
ing: It commenced about a quarter past eleven o'clock, and lasted
with little intermission till two. A heavy cloud was observed work.
lag up against the wind, portending mischief, and so singularly com-
pressed and dense, that the water was seen in the immediate vici-
nity approaching on the road rolling like the waves of the sea. It
presently brought down the soil from the neighbouring hills with
irresistible force, and knocking down in its course brick-walls, out-
dates, Ike. rushing through many sidle:dwelling houses; particle-
larly those in Ilredfield-street, near which it formed a chasm 25
feet deep and as many wide, partly separating the Turnpike road,
st the entrance of thelown leading to Grundisburgh- The damage
done is considerable. Many of the shops, warehouses, and cellars,
were instantly inundated, some more than three feet aboveground.
One grocer lost property to the amount of upwards of goof.; ano-
ther icoo.e. worth of candles; new-made bricks were spelt.
ed In one yard, and nearly d t quantity in another. A far.
mar at Sutton, nearby, had a whole field of beans swept into
the river, and sustained other considerable 10..5. The fire engines
were worked with great effect in taking off the water at a cottage
at the Dry Bridge, immersed several feet deep. It also forced a
passage into the Church, and caused some of the vaults to give
way. The estimated loss altogether is more than 10110 X.
During the thunderstorm in this neighbourhood last Friday
morning, Mr. Raynham, a respectable farmer in the parish of
Chellesworth, was accidentally in the fields with two of his younger
children, and had scarcely dismounted from his horse, to protect
his children under the hedge font the incessant rain, when the
horse was struck by lightning, and killed ; and he himself and his
children stunned by the shock, and much burned in their legs, ate.
Their clothes were torn from their backs, and pieces of their high.
lows scattered about the field.

Some English settlers in South Africa, in a bunting
excursion across the frontier, were entertained at a kraal
of the Amatymba Caffres. The Chief inquired how
many wives an Englishman usually had, and how many
cattle were required to be paid for one. He was told
that no man, not even the King himself, was allowed
to have more than one wife; and that property was not
(given for them, but, on the contrary, expected with
them. 64 You are a people of strange customs," said
the Caffre; " among us, no man can procure a toler-
able wife for less than ten good oxen, and our Chiefs
sometimes even pay sixty cattle for one of superior
qualities. Your women, I fear, make but indifferent
wives, since no one will pay for them, and their rela-
tives must even pay the man to marry them off their
hands."

Wednesday nigi,t, as Mr. TAPLIN, of the Bear Inn,
Woodstock, and party were returning home from the
Theatre, in a one-horse four-wheeled chaise, at Yarnton
Bridge the horse became restive, and began kicking,
which so alarm:d Mr. TAMAN, that he juwped out to
endeavour to lay hold of the horse's bridle, when his
foot slipped, and he fell backwards on his head; he was
taken up in a very dangerous state, the back part of his
skull being fractured, and otherwise injured, so that his
li'e is despaired of.
DlM—About twelve o'clock on Saturday sennight,
a file broke nut in the machi=e-house on the coal-wharf
! ul Ellis F.etcher, E q. Oldfield-road, Ssltord, which in
a short space of time completely consumed the interior
of the building. The second story of the machine-house
had been oscupied for a period of nearly 20 years by
an old mare, upwards'ol 70 years fa, e. named Joshua
Hilton, who, by depriving himself of the common com-
forts and decencies of life, had scraped together from
2001. to 3001. This strange individual was formerly
what is termed a banksman, and still continued to do
odd jobs about the coal-wharf'. It was supposed that
the acci• ent occurred in consequence of a spark flying
upon sine rags and dry hsy whilrt he was lighting his
fire. He stopped in the place until he was almost suf-
focated, in order, it was conjectured, to preserve his
money and writings, which were concealed in holes and
corners, an I at length rushed out, and watched with
eager interest the progress of the flames. When the
fire had been got pretty well under, he mounted the
smoking beam which supported his former dwelling,
and approaching a hole in the wall, took out a large,
bag of sovereigns, with which he scampered off with
•Imoost frenzied delight, without giving a farthing to
the men who had exerted themselves to preserve his
life and fir °pert y.—Aloachester Herald. 1

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.

SI ANSION.HOUSP.

Merge lined was charged with embezzling a gold watch, the
property of his employer. The prosecutor, a watchmaker,in Cheap.
side, stated, that the prisoner was his travelling clerk, and was
authorized to receive and pay money on his account. It was hi.
duty to remit the money he received, when on a journey, or to ac-
count for it when he returned. The last journey the prisoner went,
he took a quantity of gold watches with hint (among others, the one
' now produced), for the sale of which he had not accounted; sad
witness had since discovered that he pledged it at Mr. Barker's.
Mr. Barker's assistant produced the watch, which he stated wits
pledged with him by the prisoner, oo the 10th of March, for 1V
The Loan MaTOS said, that, in his opinion, the case was one of
stealing, and not of embezzlement; and that although the evidence
was sufficient to warrant his committal, yet, as it was stated that
there would be other charges brought against him, he would remand
him. His Lordship then asked what salary the prisoner received ;
to which the prosecutor replied, 1001. a year, and a liberal allowance
for travelling expenses.
Mr. Wooler, for the prisoner, denied this, and stated that his
salary was only 501. and that 101. was then due to him.—The pri-
soner was remanded.
BOW-STREET.

Saturday evening, the " Cacique of Poyais," " Sir Gregor
Mac Gregor," was brought before lir. %login:cr. on a warrant, in
the custody of Lincoln, a conductor of patrol, andFagan an dicer,
for sending a challenge, tending to provoke a breach of the Peace,
to lieutenant Francis MelHtt Spong, of the Itoyal Artillery.
A brotber-in-law of Lieutenant Spong deposed, that he received
a letter on Saturday morning from Sir Gregor Mac Gregor,inclosing
a challenge for lieutenant Spoils, and requesting him (the brother-
in law) to deliver it. The following is a copy of the (ballet's,:
Sca—Mr. Machado bas informed me that you have used expres-
sions injurious to my character. When a gentleman does so, of
course he is prepared to stand the consequence. I have, I ['recline,
to request that you will send your friend to me (through the office.)
in order to arrange when and where you will give the explana-
' don required.—i have the honour to be. Sir, your obedient and
very humble servant, s• Gannon Mac Gummi.
Threjidneedle-stre. t, Thursday morning.
Lieutenant Spong, &c.
This letter being shown to Sir Gregor Mac Gregor, and acknow-
ledged by him, :11r. Itlteautt. informed him that he required him
to enter into sureties, himself in A2.ooo,aud two respectable louse-
keepers in Li ,000 each, to keep the peace towards all his blijesty's
subjects, and towards Lieut. Spong in particular, for the twin of
two years.

" Sir Gregor Mac Gregor.' expressed surprise at the magni-
tude of the hail required, and asked the Magistrate if there was
anything parriculir cnoneireted with himself, or his circumstances
that iituucrd his Worship nr think he was able to give such heavy
sureties ?

Mr. klimstintt. said he knew nothing of him, or his circumstan-
ces. lle .huuld not alter his determinaion to have the bail he had
required, and moreover, be would have notice of t►at bail.
The defendant saul he could give the bail required, but nut at that
hour of night.
lie was therefore sent to St. Martin's watchhouse, where he is to
be kept until be gives the bail required.
It was with dihiculty Mr. Spong was persuaded by friends to re.
press his feelings during the examination. The origin of this affair
slid not transpire. •

HATTON-GARDEN.
Henry, I:hymens's. and Jane Mackay, were charged by a watch-
man, named Dolton, with tanking, in Greetlie-street, between
eleven and twelve on the previous night. The male defendant said.
that by was returning with his sisters from the Haymarket Theatre,
and were passing their opinion on the performance, which ucca-
siooally drew forth a laugh. On arriving at the cornerof
street, the watchman, who was comfortably seated in hie box, and
apparently just roused from his slumbers, told them they must not
laugh there, or be would lock them up. Some words arising in
consequence, the ire of Cerberoe was kindled, and he drove them
before him to the watchbouse. They were instantly discharged,
and the watchman severely reprimanded.