The Glasgow Chronicle. — 1850-05-01 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

THE MURDER OF MARY ANNE PARSONS.—After a long inquiry into the case of Mary Anne Parsons, the magistrates have committed both the prisoners, Mr. and Mrs. Bird, to be tried at the assizes for a felonious assault on the deceased. The evidence produced at the examination of the prisoners was in substance the same as that on the trial before Mr. Justice Talfourd. The proceedings were adopted at the desire of the government, Mr. Harvie stating that he had received his instructions from one of the government solicitors. Mr. Jennings, who appeared for the prisoners, said, the charge was precisely the same for which they had been tried and acquitted at Exeter, and complained that it was by the remarks which appeared in the Times upon Mr. Justice Talfourd that the public attention had been excited, and the government induced to take the present course.  WONDERFUL FEAT OP PEDESTRIANISM BY A ROYAL Nfannee.—A match against time was made up by some of the officers belonging to the corps of the Royal Marines at Chatham, last week, in consequence of a private of that corps, of the name of Widiam Thompson, having engaged to perform the extraordinary feat of walking from the Marine Barracks at Chatham to the foot of London Bridge, a distance of 31 miles, and back, in 12 hours, and allowing another hour for refreshment. The betting against his performing the herculean task was considerable, as the soldier was to walk in guard order—that is, with his musket accoutrements, knapsack, &c., and carrying in his pouch sixty rounds of ball cartridge. The marine lett the barracks in heavy marching order on the morning of Monday last, at four o'clock, accompanied by an officer, who followed as far as Blackheath, where another officer was in readiness to relieve, and who escorted the pedestrian to London Bridge, where he arrived at 9 o'clock; and they returned in the same order to Chatham, the marine having accomplished the undertaking, apparently not the least fatigued, and he walked into the barrack square as fresh as possible, the time being exactly 19 minutes past 4 o'clock P.M., thereby having 41 minutes to spare. He was loudly cheered by his comrades, who went out to escort him home. He was followed through Rochester and Chatham by a crowd of people. The day was much against him, owing to the quantity of rain falling, and strong wind, the road being, in some places, very heavy, in consequence of the wet. Thompson is 38 years of age, and he has been in the corps of Royal Marines 17 years. A very handsome purse will be presented to him, as it is believed that this feat stands unrivalled in the annals of pedestrianism.  SMOKY CHIMNEYS:A correspondent of the Builder tays : "1 have built many chimneys in all possible situaions, and have found one simple plan everywhere succeeds, the secret being only to construct the throat of the chimney, or that part of it just above the fire-place, so small that a man or buy can scarcely pass through. Immediately above this, the chimney shaft should be enlarged to double its width, like a purse, to the extent of about three feet in height, and then diminish to its usual proportions. No chimney that I ever constructed thus smoked." A