The Lancaster Herald, and Town and County Advertiser. — 1831-12-17 (Lancaster, Lancashire, England)

COMMITTED TO OUR CASTLE.—Robert Marshall, charged with having unlawfully and riotously assembled, at Lancaster, together with divers other persons, and having assaulted Turner Graham, John Williams, and John Hill. Renry Addison, otherwise Wilkinson, charged with having threatened to throw James Barton Nottage over the New Bridge, at Lancaster, and do him bodily harm. Charier Reed and Peter Rimmer, charged with having assaulted James Derbyshire, on the highway, at Bootle- cumLinacre, and robbed him of one soveriAgn and two halfcrowns, his money. Samuel Gibson, charged with having burglariously broken and entered the dwelling-house of William Molyneox, at Haigh, and with having stolen therein, a work-box, a gold ring, and four diaper cloths of the value of one pound, his property. John Ashcroft, charged with having unlawfully and maliciously shot at James Threlfall and Hugh llesketh, at Burscough, with itpent to do murder, or do them some grievous bodily harm.  As a good deal has been said, in several quarters, with reference to a circumstance that occurred the other day, we haveteen requested to publish a correct statement of what took place. On Friday morning the 9th, Mr. Leech, cam of the turnkeys, went down to St. George's Quay, for the purpose of trying a canuon, intended for the protection oi the Castle, in case of necessity. The piece was fired off three times:—the first time, by powder only ; second time, *Neve of lead made to fit the bore of the gun; and the doird time, a piece of wood, in the shape of a ram-rod. Mr. Leech went again in the afternoon, with three distinct charges of powder,—first, four ounces, with a leaden ball; second, with six ounces, and another ball of the same kind; and thirdly, with a charge of ftom 12 to 14 ounces of powder, and two pounds weight of old rivets. Immediately on application of' the match, the gun burst into a great number of pieces, some of which actually flew across the river, in the direction of Skerton. The new carriage, on which the cannon was mounted, was shivered to atoms. Mr. Leech was within three yards of the gun, and the man who tired it, stood between it and Mr. Leech; and though upwards of forty persons were near, we are happy to say that not the slightest injury occurred. Last Sunday an excellent Letter, from the Bishop of Clester, of which we give a copy, was read in our Parish Church. We were glad to find that that true Spirit of Piety, which has ever characterised our Nation, both in its glories, and humiliations, and been evinced in its praises and prayers, its thanksgivings and supplications, is still alive among us; and that, in the present visitation, our Bishops stand forward to recommend additional services in our Churches. The voice of Charity has been already loudly heard, and her hand ft4t, in kindly offices; may we not then hope that her work, when thus aided and directed by the sanctifying influences of religion, will be effectual, and that the plague may be stayed. In accordance with the recommendation in the letter, a lecture suitable to the occasion, is to be given in our Church on each Friday : Chester, Nor. 22, 1 S:3 1 . REVIMEND SIB,  am induced to address you upon the subject of that pestilenCal disease, which has already proved so fatal in many other countries, sal has now appeared in our ewn : and which seems intended to warn us, as a nation, to consider our ways, and to turn towards God in repentance and prayer. I, therefore, recommend you to Ming the subject before those who are placed under your pastoral care: and to invite then:, daring the continuance of this awful visitation, to attend an additional weekly s.• :ice in the Church, nod to join With you in ilevecating the judgments of God. It is tine of the excellences of our Liturgy, that it is adapted to eiery oecasion : and I need not ret ii iii d you of those parts of the Doly Scriptures, which are peculiarly suited for Lectures at such a season. Hut as national sins are the sins of individuals, I cannot avoid mentioning three evils, which demand p.rtieular attention, viz. —lntemperance—Profanation of the Lord's Day—Neglect of family devotion, instruction, and superintendence. Should our present dangers lead, through Divine 'Grace, to repentance and lefiirmation, we have scriptural reason to indulge a humble Lope that the judgments of God may he averted. At least those will not be unprepared to meet them, who are found at peace with them, through faith in Christ Jesus, and are walking before Him in righteousness and holiness. I remain, Rev. Sir,