The Sun. — 1844-01-24 (London, England)

FRIGHTFUL TRAGEDY.-011 Fridov a dreadful and desperate murder was committed in Burntisland, which caused deep and general excitement arid regret amongst the inhabitants. A man named Shawn, a shoemaker we believe, who had been frequently under restraint while living previously in Berwiti, had been heard to threaten to kill several respectable individea!s in the town arid neighboui hood, under a mental delusion that they were possessed of and withheld some money or property belonging to him. However, no belief seems to base been entertained that he would put any such threat into execution, and he was allowed to go at large. But on Friday, or the evening before, he had been seen sharpening two large pointed knives, and the Provo't being made aware of this circumstance, we have beets told by Slimau's father, he granted warrants to the town officer, named Corstorphine, to apprehend him. The latter sent to Kinghorn for Simpson, the town officer there, to assist him, and in the course of Friday forenoon they carne up to Sliman in the Links, when Corstorphine, taking hint by the arm, told him be would consider himself a prisoner. The maniac asked on what warrant; but before it could be produced, struck a knife into the officer's band, nearly cutting it in two, and in another instant ran the knife into his heart.. Corstorphine held the warrant of apprehension under his vest, and it was pierced through by the knife, in -its passage to his body. Ile fell down instantly, and died in two or three minutes. The maniac fled to his own house, where he barricaded himself in a garret ; and as it was dangerous to come near him, another officer was tent for to Kirkaldy, and the posse comitatus raised, aimed with such lethal instruments as they could lay hold of. Finding they could not easily break into his barricade, orders were then given, and slaters procured, t:, unroof the house. This proceeding had commenced, when Slitnan, imagining the egress would be now fine, undid the door and bolted down stairs ; but was fortunately secured by the officers before doing further injury to any one. Sliinan has a wife and several children in Burntisland. The officer, C,orsturphine, was unmarried, hut much respected in his office, and his untimely and tragical death is much lamented by the whole community.— Caledonian Mercury. The St. Petersburgh Journal of the Bth gives art account of the solemn celebration of the betrothal of the Grand Duchess Alexandrina Nicolaieona with Prince Frederick of Hesse. After the ceremony the august betrothed presented their thanks to their Majesties, who then received the felicitations of all the other members of the Imperial Family. The Archbishops and the clergy celebrated a Te Deum, and when the prayer was offered up lot the health of the Imperial Family, a salvo of 31 shuts was fired from the fortress of St. Petersburgh. When the religious ceremony bad concluded, the members of the Holy Synod offered their felicitations to their Majesties and the youtig couple. The same day a banquet was given in the Great Marble Hall to persons of both sexes of the three first classes, and in the evening there was a grand dies; ball in St. George's Hall, at which were all the Ambassadors, Foreign Ministers, and great personages of the Court. The bells were kept ringing all day, and at .night the fortress and city were illuminated. REDRESS OF GRIEVANCES, BY MOVING AMENDMENTS ON SureLY IlloTions.—On the 21st of September last, Mr. W. S. Crawford, M.P. for Rochdale, addressed a letter to Mr. Joseph Sturge, proposing that au effort should be made to create a public opinion, in favour of the ancient and constitutional principle of moving amendments on the supplies. until the people's grievances are heard and redressed. The Council of the Complete Suffrage Union to k the initiative in this matter, and appointed their President and Secretary tis visit the principal boroughs in England, to place it before the. public. The result has been, that in every town the proposal has been enthusiastically received, and upwards of thi:ty boroughs have pronounced in its favour. Mr. Crawford, we understand, feels so much encouraged by the reception his plan has met with, that be is determined to persevere with it front the commencement of the session. Mr. Fielders, M.P. for Oldham, Dr. Bowring, M.P. for Bolton, and a few other independent Meriabers, are to stand by him, and, to use the words of Dr. Bowrinp, constitute the " forlorn hope." Sir Robert Peel will find that he will have " chief difficulties" to contend with in more ways than one—the supply movement will bring hitn to the scratch.