The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-05-19 00:00:00

STATE OF SHEEP-STOCK IN THE NORTHERN COUNTIES.
—The stock-masters in the northern counties of Scotland
have not for a long period experienced such a favourable
winter and auspicious spring as the present. The consequence
is, that sheep stock in general, has not been in such good con-
dition for a number of years back—indeed it may be safely
said that stock is a month in advance in condition to what
they were this time last year, and abundance of lambs is cer-
tain. I had some conversation with a very extensive sheep
farmer from Lord Reay's country lately, and he says stock
in that country was never better in condition. We have the
same favourable account of stock from Sutherland, also from
the western districts of Ross-shire. Losses by storm have
not occurred anywhere throughout the north, and that un-
welcome visitor, poverty, has not been so much as heard of.
Hogs wintering on turnip have all left their winter quarters,
and gone to the hills in very fair condition, with few excep-
tions. Turnips have now disappeared, with the exception of
a few plots reserved for feeding stock for the south markets,
and they are fast passing into the hands of the butchers.
Sheep are expected to bring good prices ; there are some
stocks in this neighbourhood sold as high as 335. per couple.
Correspondent of the Inverness Herald.

EXTRAORDINARY OCCURRENCE.—It will be recollected
that, a few months ago, particulars were given of the death,
by starvation, of James Forte, an eccentric character, and
who was found in a dying condition in a cave near Farnham,
formerly the reputed residence of " Mother Ludlam, a noted
witch." This unfortunate man was of good family ; but from
the loss of a beloved wife, his reason became impaired, and,
impressed with an idea that he should live the rest of his life
in a cave, he left all his connections and travelled about the
country until he arrived at Farnham. During the interval
that elapsed between his death and the holding of the inquest.
a gentleman (a stranger) came to the Union-House, and
requested to see the body ; he recognised it as that of a rela-
tion, and said he had left London, his place of residence,
several months before, and none of his friends hal the least
idea where he had gone to. When the inquest took place
this person did not appear, nor did any one come forward to
give the least information respecting the deceased. The
jury returned a verdict that deceased died from starvation,
and as none of the deceased's relations came forward, he was
interred in Farnham churchyard. The remembrance of the
occurrence gradually died away, but within the last few days
a rumour was generally spread about that the grave had been
disturbed, and the body removed. These rumours caused so
much excitement, that it was considered prudent steps should
be taken to ascertain whether they had any foundation, and
application was made to the minister of Farnham for his per-
mission that the grave should be opened. On his cons'nting,
the grave was dug up, and it was found that both the body
and the coffin had disappeared. The object of this violation
of the sanctity of the grave will, for ever, probably, remain
a mystery, but the general belief is, that it was adopted by
the deceased's relatives to obtain possession of the body, not
wishing to claim it publicly when the deceased was first
found.—Salisbury Herald.