The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1842-10-25 00:00:00

THE LATE ATTEMPTED MURDER AT DUNDEE.

(Franz the Dundee Courier of Tuesday).
In the present state of the case we have no desire to ex-
tend our remarks, as our authorities are taking the utmost
pains to bring out the true bearings of the case. We may
merely mention that Mr. David Cobb, acting as Sheriff in
the absence of Sheriff Henderson, took down the deposition
of Mr. Duff on Friday, at Baldragon ; and that since then
the Sheriff, who was necessarily absent at the Perth circuit,
visited Mr. Duff, and brought Mackenzie and himself face to
face, when the former, notwithstanding the great weakness
of his body, instantly identified Mackenzie as the person who
had fired the pistol at him. We have already said that we
are cognizant of many particulars connected with this deplo-
rable affair, which we do not think it at the present moment
proper to detail. Mr. Mackison, our active and intelligent
Superintendent, has been indefatigable in his exertions to
trace out the various circumstances which can strengthen the
direct proof against the prisoner. Mackison and his subor-
dinate officers deserve great praise.
Mackenzie is a married man, with a numerous family. He
is apparently about fifty years of age ; his countenance is ra-
ther forbidding than otherwise; he has two large buck teeth
in front, and his general appearance repulsive. Mr. Duff,
we understand, is a man of little stature, and mild expres-
sion of countenance. Since the occurrence, Mr. Duff has
lingered in the house which he first reached, and little, if any
hope has been entertained of his recovery—indeed, the latest
reports lead us to believe that it is almost impossible his life
can be preserved.

(From the Dundee Warder.)
Considerable exertions have been made, since the horrid
event happened, to endeavour to discover the pistol with
which it was perpetrated, but hitherto, we believe, with no
effect. The first thing the officer did when he apprehended
Mackenzie, was to put his hands into his pockets to see if
there were any weapons, but nothing of the kind was on him.
Lord Duncan, who has done everything in his power in in-
vestigating the case, succeeded on Monday in discovering
Duff's bat, which was found near the place where the unfor-
tunate man says he was compelled to throw it away. On the
discovery his lordship came posting in himself for Captain
Mackison, who proceeded out to the place. There is one
very strong point in the chain of evidence, which will go far
to bring home the deed. The shoes of both the parties were
taken out to the place. Mackenzie's are remarkably large,
while Duff's are quite the reverse. At the break in the wall,
where they entered the wood, and for some distance before,
the marks in the potatoe field distinctly correspond with the
size of the shoes of both parties, both marks pointing in one
direction ; the impress of the large shoes is then reversed,
pointing backwards, the distances increased, as if the indivi-
dual had been running home and taking long strides.
On Sabbath evening Mackenzie was taken out to the cot-
tage, in order to be identified by Duff. Sheriff Henderson,
Lord Duncan, and other officials, as *lso the medical gentle-
men attending him, were present. On Duff being asked if
that was the man who shot at him, he distinctly said it was.
Mackenzie was proceeding to enter into conversation with
Duff, but he was stopped by order of the sheriff. The only
question be got put to him was, " James, do you say that 1
shot at you?" when he was taken from the cottage.

PRICE OF BREAD.—Government, it is said, contemplate a
measure for securing a uniform stated price of bread ; and it
is said that the inspectors of corn returns, in their various
localities, have been making inquiries as to its price, in con-
sequence of orders issued from the Excise and Board of
Trade officers, requiring "an account of the price of tl e
quartern loaf (or the four pound, as the case rcay be), and cf
fine flour, during the week to which the last return applies."
—Stamford Mercury.

IMPORTANT APPLICATION OF MESMERISM.—The effi-
cacy of this agent in important surgical operations has at last
been tested in a case of amputation of the leg, performed last
Saturday week, by Mr. Ward, surgeon, 011erton, near
Worksop, and with the most successful result. The patient,
a man, had previously been mesmerised by a
.gentleman
from York, of high standing in the legal profession, whose
humanity on this occasion entitles him to the highest credit;
and he succeeded in rendering him perfectly insensible to the
pain of perhaps one of the severest operations to which man-
kind can be subjected. On being questioned afterwards, he
stated that all the sensation he had was an indistinct recol-
lection of having heard a crash ; but he felt no pain or in-
convenience. He was mesmerised and kept in a state of
somnolence during the night; and when roused next morn-
ing, seemed quite refreshed, and going on very well. At the
first dressing he was again mesmerised, and was perfectly
unconscious during the course of it, and, by the last accounts,
was going on very favotirably. The case has naturally excited
great interest in that part of the country, as it has opened
quite a new era in the medical profession.—Shdield Iris.
CHANCERY REFORMS.—It is understood that the Lord
chancellor and the other judges of the court of chancery have
had it in contemplation for some time past in addition to the
extensive alterations which will come into operation on the
28th instant, to remodel many of the subordinate branches
of their respective courts with a view of placing them on such
a footing as cannot fail to insure their practical utility. The
functions of the six clerks and sworn clerks, or in common
language the clerks in court, will cease on the day in question,
and their successors are to be officers designated clerks of the
records, and taxing masters, who will perform the duties at,
it is said, one-third of the cost at present cbarged to the
suitors. Amongst the departments expected to be improved
are the accountant-general's and registrar's offices. These
offices are to be kept open from ten to four o'clock, instead
of from eleven to two o'clock, as at present, and which has
been a source of complaint in the profession. The mode now
adopted of taking the depositions of witnesses, which is open
to serious objection, will be thoroughly investigated. The
masters' offices and the affidavit-office are likewise to undergo
very considerable alteration, in order to curtail the charges
and to facilitate the operations of the practitioners.—Cor-
respondent of The Times.

• _ ._.
INCENDIARISM.--BECCLES. Incendiarism appears to
have again commenced its awful and destructive effects in
our neighbourhood. A few days since, a lad in the employ-
ment of Mr. J. Ling, farmer, of North Cove, near this
town, was apprehended on suspicion of attempting to set fire
to his employer's premises, which was most fortunately dis-
covered in time to save the property. Had this not taken
place, little doubt rests but the destruction of property would
have been considerable. It appears some animosity had
arisen in the lad's mind against his master; and this dread-
ful step of revenge was about taking place, when it was for-
tunately discovered. An examination took place before the
authorities. and the result was that sufficient evidence was
produced to place the boy on his trial at the coming Bury
, near our
assizes. Fire at Gillingham.—On Friday morning last,
taw% hours the
be-
tween the hours of two and three o'clock, the inhabitants of
our town were aroused by the terrible cry of fire, and in a
very short period the atmosphere round was one mass of
light. It was soon ascertained, that a most alarming and
mass of runs
portion of the
de-
structive fire was raging on the premises in the occupation of
town.M r . B Benjamin m
rapidi n B rwuansd ltel,i e farmer,liretb
that
tfi
nGai Ililinnugth
dwelling-house, barn, (containing corn of various kinds),
stables, waggon and cart lodges, and various other buildings,
covering nae lnadr ge
otherextent
ste stacks.
.g reonudn
ed ,t
ewreyr were osmallne
furniture, was, by extraordinary exertpioronps,erstyavbeedi
de-
struction. This truly painful occurrence is the more heart-
' rending, as there is no doubt the fire was the act of soengf rom
insured. e
daring incendiary, whose aim has been partially frustratedm
sSceovePrAnLaF:dottihTet
by the principal part of the destroyed
APEL.--This place
—lpswich paper.
on of the men em-
reNWOderaciteister and Birming-
hamof worship, set apart for the accommodation
Canal, was opened under the
blicense of the Lord Bishop
of Worcester on Sunday lest,
y the Rev. John Davies,
Rector of St. Clement's, the honorary Mathew chaplain, who preached
watermen with their 30 v. The attendance of the
wives and children was numerous be-
yond all expectation. It was •
witness so orderly and a most gratifying sight to
attentive
provided for a body of
men iit a congregation in accoape
dis-
advantageous circumstances as te
ortomplaciede under. each siuouha
m-
provement. Fathers and mothers onfral large families 'were
present, who seldom or ever enter a place of worship. One
honest boatman brought his little sonp in his arms; another,
a young man, was observed to be particularly attentive, and
to join in the responses. Upon inquiry it was found he had
been
brought up in a Sunday school in Gloucestershire ; and
being informed that men of his class might, when on their
voyage, meet in their working dress for public worship, he
gladly availed himself of the privilege thus afforded him.
There is reason to believe that such instances will continue
to occur, and that many of this class will be induced per_
manently to exchange attendance at the beer-house for at-
tendance at the house of prayer. The great hindrance to
the improvement of this body of men is Sunday traffic, It
has been found that reformed boatmen, who had obtained
cessation from Sunday labour, and for .a time conducted
themselves well, when they have through a change of masters
or other circumstances returned to Sunday labour, have re-
turned also to their vicious courses. But it is hoped that a
beneficial change as to Sunday traffic will ere long take place
through the exertions of benevolent individuals in the cora-
a
mercial world, anxious to promote the welfare of degraded
class of their countrymen. On some navigations an
fameliora-
tion has been introduccd in this respect, preparatory t
improvements. On the Bridgewater Canal, the ko further
Irwell, the Trent and Mersey, the Oxford, the ersey and
River Weaver,
and a few others, pains have been successfully
religious instruction of the waternaen. taken for the
recently made to a clergyman• in this A communication
holding a responsible situation in city by a gentleman
navigations is gratifying and encouragingone of the abovenamed
conduct of the boatmen during the :he states that the
the vicinity was in the highestd riots which occurred in
was not one of them who took degree exemplary ; that there
strike, but on the Contrary any part in the riots or the
de-
termination to resist ever one and all expressed a firm
to join in the agitation. y attempt to induce or compel them
the benefit derived from This conduct speaks volumes as to
cannot but rejoice in hearing instruction and kind treatment. We
leafing of the improvement of a class
of men so long pro
we cordially proverbial for immorality of character, and
wish success to the Worcester Episcopal
Floating Chapel, and all similar undertakings of Christian
benevolence.