The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1828-12-03
From the London Courier Of Oct. Ia.
DREADFUL ACCIDENT

The following interesting details of the late
awful occurrence in the county of Mayo, are
from the Clergyman who ofiiciated az the time
when the steeple was thrown down by light
ming upon the congregation:
"CLAREmoRRIs, Oct. 6.
"As incorrec; accounts of the awful
event which yesterday occurred at Clare
may he circulated, hasten to give the pub
lie IA true statement of what happened.
g The congregation was assembled for
Divine worship, in the newly erected
church, and |, as the officiating minister,
was reading the Litany. when the heavens
were suddenly darkened by heavy storm,
which gathered over the town. That por-
ton of our most solemn form of supplica-
ton, Christ have mercy upon u.s." had but
Just been uttered, when deafening crash
shook every house in the place to its ioun-
datlon; and at the same instant the lofty
stone steeple, rent by lightning, was thrown
upon the root, and, together with it, over
whelmed the congregation in ruins. In
moment after, all was still, and those who
we.e, as it miIaculously, preserved unhurl,
saw the danger they had escaped, and the
perIlons state OF the remainder of their fell
low wolshIppers, not moment was lost in
seeking for those hurled under the ruins !;
but tine heart Iendlng scene | cannot ven
tare to dwell upon; while husbands labor
Ell To eXtTrate their wives, and parents
called in despair for their children; much
less would harrow up the feelings Of your
readers hy detailing their mangled appear
auCe, when freed from thei. awful confine-
ment.
Let me not, however, forget the mer-
cles OF God, which | Witnessed inthe midst
oil these Judgments. After seeing the
wounded persons conveyed to their homes,
waited on each Individual, for the purpose
OF Offering the consultations of religion and
III no single instance lid hear IL murmur
against the heavy dIspensaton of Provi-
dence; ON the contrary, strange as it may
appear to some, it was viewed by all with
thanktuness. as the correction of a kind
parent, and the pious, humble expressions
of alteration edltied every one present
Feelings OF riety 50 universal, and in many
cases under peculiar circumstances, which
there is not time at present to relate, have
excited general attention and interest and
! these, IT must he remembered. were seen
IN the most affecting circumstances, when
parents, wrthlng IN agony, were bidding
farewell to helpless, dependent families,
and committing them to the care of the
Father to the tatherless, preparing them
selves 10 enter into eternity. A valuable
| member OF society, the mother of respec-
table family, expired shortly after she was
brought TO her house. Eleven other per-
sons are still in dangerous state, yet in
| most cases we have hopes of their recovery.
The good feeling shown by the respecta-
bic inhabitants of the town is above all
praise. FRANCIS LYNCH BLOSSE."
ENTERTAINMENT Extraordinary. At
Astleys Theatre, in London, which is Il
KIND OF circus where equestrian ieats are
displayed, animals exhibited, and panto-
mines and melo dramas performed, an en-
tertainment was lately gwen by one of the
! performers which mad not been promised in
the bills. An elephant who had been en-
ployed IN conveying Blue Beard over the
mountains, and han behaved with great pro-
prIety ami strict adherence To the part as.
Signed HIM, was brought into the circle 10
perform certain featS of dexterity and sa
sacity, with which all the audience wer.
inucn delighted. The animal, however had
| contracted the bad habit too common
among comic actors, who say more than
-
lard with Their own butfounerIes, even the
sacred scenes OF Shakespeare. After the
example of these worthless the elephant
undertook to nterpolate joke of his own.
All at once III the midst OF his tricks, he
maze toward the audience, and with a
spring throwing hls fore legs over the rail-
my, planted them III the pit. The audience
dld not wait tor the rest Of the animal, but
made with all haste for the doors, ami as it
was crowded night, curious scene OF
confusion ensued among them, recollng
! upon each other ana clanberlny over each
others heads. In the mean time, the ele-
plant who had preserved IN his trunk few
| gallons OF porter, with which he had been
rewarded by his master for his goou behnv-
Tor IN the pass OF the mountains. raised his
trunk to proper elevation, and swinging
1t over the heads OF tie recollng multitude.
literally distributed the generous lqull
among them-deiuglng the hornets and
beavers, noting The white gowns, CAPS
ana fuckers, and making the artificial roses
To droOp under the brown shower with
which they were drenched. The rush for
the door was redoubled with great So, eez-
ing and screaming among the crowd, who
| imagined the gigantic animal treating upon
their heels. AT length, however, the ele-
phant. Tho had had his joke, was prevailed
upon Ivy his attendants TO carry 1t no fur
| ther ana to retire. The aunlence again
came back to their seats, wiped their faces,
and now that the fright was over, were
| highly amused at the adventure.
". Y. Eue. Post.
WEvER's CAVE, in Virginia, continues ia
attract the attention OF travellers. 1t is in
the same hill with Madison's Cave, and only