Star. — 1827-02-06 (London, England)

ILCHESTER GAOL.  A conspiracy amongst the prisoners confined in llehester Gaol to break prison was, we understand. a few . day:ago discovered, and the discovery was made by a person about whom the public curiosity was for some time strongly excited. It will be recollected that at the execution of Thistlewood and thereat of the unfortunate wretches who were banged and decapitated at the Old Bailey for high treason, the man in the black mask and sailor's dress, who suddenly appeared upon the platform with the knife in his hand, and separated each head from the body with so much dexterity, was an ob. ject of very horrible interest. Various were the surmises about the identity of that individual, who, it was admi.ted, performed his duty as well as Bolting ever did his, but conjecture was quite at fault, until the attempt of which we have spoken was made at the County Gaol of Somersetsbire. A short while ago a Gentleman named Clarke; who had walked the London Hospitals, was induced by the difficulties- which the surgeons met with in their search after subjects, to volunteer in the service of the profession at the rate of 121. per head for the dead. He pitched upon one of the most extensive burial grounds in Bath for the scene of his operations. and took a very good house, the back windows of which looked into the church-yard, where he was 4, to burst the cerement: of the sepulchre." He commenced business in this abode of life and death with wonderful success. The graves gave up their tenants with scarcely the appearance of being violated. but by accident one of the departed was seen moving into Mr. Clarke's house one night at the two pair of stairs window. The . fact could not long be concealed. The house was searched, and there was no longer any doubt as to the trade of the prciprietor. He was apprehended and con•eyed to Ilchester Gaol, where he represented to his corntades in misfortune, the impropriety of remainitsg :its:confinement, when they had an opportunity of going amongst their friends without any hazard. It is laid, that his proposal was, that each prisoner au:weld put a stone, or any other heavy article. into .his prison stocking (a thick worsted one), and salute the turnkeys with it about the head, if necessary. :The inmates of the prison thought well of this project, and everything:was arranged in the cause of liberty.Mr.Clat keihowever, suddenly repented him of the suggestion,and in the apprehension that murder might be the consequence,very properly intimated to the officers of the prison what was going tatward. The intentions of the prisoners were of course compl tely frustrated. Mr. Clarke, to whom the visiting magistrates acknowledged the county was under very gieat obligations, was requested to state the particulars of his life, and amongst the most interesting, he mentioned that he had presided on the Old Bailey platform with his knife, when Thistlewood died, after hlr. ting had retired with his ropes. We understand that the case of Mr. Clarke is to be forthwith represented to the Secretary of State, with the strong recommendation of the county magistrates.  Upwards of 1004 was collected last week by the Rector and Churchwardens from the inhabitants of the parishes of Holy Trinity and St. Mary, in Guildford, in aid of the distressed manufacturers, after sermons preached in the Churches of those parishes the preceding Sunday. The present customs duties on the importation of foreign oats is 2s. per quarter, which amount of duty will continue until the 14th instant only, when it will be raised to 6s. per quarter. Exertions are consequently making to bring in a large supply of French oats from the neighbourhood of St. Maloes. Several cargoes have been landed at Portsmouth and at Southampton last week,the effect of which has been to keep the mat ket price at from 275. to 31s. which would otherwise have been 455, or GOt. These oa:s are very sweet, though not of good colour, and average 401 b. per bushel. Lord SIDBIOUTH, during his administration, procured the late CHARLICS DIBDIN a pinsion of 2001. per an. ;sum, as a reward for his " spirivstirring" sea songs, which were published in the early period of the war.— The popular ballad of " Poor Jack,. tbs. copyright of which was sold by DIBDIN for five oineas, in the course of three years yielded a profit of '2,0001. to the purchaser.