The Sun. — 1837-08-19 (London, England)

EXECUTION AT YORK.—On Saturday, at noon, the last sentence of the law was executed on Thomas Williams, convicted at the Yorkshire Assizes of the wilful murder of Thomas Froggatt, of Sheffield. The testimony of guilt was clear and convincing, the unhappy culprit having been brought to an ignominious and untimely end from a malicious principle of revenge which he had harboured in his breast. The prisoner and the deceased were both basket-makers, and on the 17th of March the former came into Mr. Moore's shop, and without any words passing between them he took up a bill-hook, and struck him twice over the head in the most ferocious manner, of which wounds he died on the sth of April. A few hours previous to this the prisoner told a man named Buggins that "he would smash Froggatt's brains out," and he would give him his shears. He returned, saving " He had killed old Frogg," and that "he did not care a if they hanged him, if only Froggatt was dead, as it would be a benefit to the trade." The only defence offered was that the prisoner was of insane mind, but no evidence whatever was called to substantiate this defence. He had a wife and five children, but we have not heard that they visited him since his trial. At an early hour in the morning he was removed from the condemned cell to the press-room, where he engaged in prayer with the ordinary. He appeared fully impressed with the conviction that he was about to enter the presence of his eternal Judge ; and said his deepest grief was, that his wife, who was innocent, would be the greatest sufferer. When he had again fervently engaged in prayer, he turned his face to the crowd, and in a distinct voice, and with a collected manner, said Fel-1 low-men, you aro come to witness a spectacle of intemperance—an awful scene ; I hope this will make a lasting impression upon every soul before me. A man in the prime of life, thirty years of age, cut off through this diabolical crime of intemperance. Is there a drunkard before me ? Yea, I see many. Let him go home, and be so no more. Is there a liar? Let him speak truth for the future, and turn to God with full purpose of heart, 1 have to inform you that I am leaving a grateful partner behind me ; one that is walking in the commandments of the Lord, and one that delights in her God, therefore I hope I shall meet her in heaven. I have also not a doubt of my acceptance with that God whom lam going to stand before." The fatal bolt was drawn. He struggled very little, and after hanging the usual time, his body was buried within the precincts of the prison.—York Herald.  The present seems to be a good season for mu:ihrooms, and other fungi. One of the species popularly termed fuzz-balls, was gathered on Wednesday morning, in Mr. Chapman's close, near the Trent-bridle, weighing rather more than alb., and measuring near twenty inches in mean girth. We advise our Entomological friends to be on the look-out, as that rare insect, the T filoma bipustulata, frequents these and similar fungi. A mushroom of the same weight, has been gathered during the week, at Arnold, of which two men and boys made a comfortable dinner.  The yew was formerly much valued in Britain, on account of the use made of its wood for lows, this weapon being that principally used by tho ancient Britons i:1all their wars. It was fatal to small British Kings--viz. Harold, at the battle, of ilastiogs ; William Rufus, in the New FForestatild Richard Coeur de Lion, at Limoes, in i.Ani,e. it was to the skill of the English, with the long bow that the conquest of Ireland I?y Henry 11. in 1772 is attributed ; and afterwwl4. the victories of Cressy, Poietiers, and Agincourt._ In 1397, Richard 11,, holding a parliamen4 in a temporary bfailditig, on account of the wretched state of WesttvioAter Hall, surrounded his but with 4,0 N %Aka afohers, armed with tough yew lciv.-oo *oetlom of debate.-41r4orefant, Ippkonic4424‘