The Sun. — 1852-04-20 (London, England)

ATTEMPTED MURDER.—BIRMINGHAM, MONDAY Last evening, about six o'clock, a man named John Mitche a joiner, living at Winson-green, near the new gaol in this borough, shot his wife. He had been drinking in an adjoining public-house, and left to go home. Mitchell had not been away many minutes when the report of a gun was heard, and he presently returned to the public-house, saying " I have done it On inquiry it was ascertained that some dispute arose between himself and his wife, whereupon he took up a loaded gun and shot her on one side of the head and face. Surgical assistance was speedily obtained, and ed t tho e husband, who gave himself up to the police, the Sandpit station. The woman, who is sad to have been was convey of intemperate habits, is dreadfully injured,i and little hope is entertained of her recovery. Her depositions were taken before a magistrate this morning, and Mitchell was remanded to await the fate of his wife. THE LIGHTSHIP AT SANDY HOOK, NEAR NEW Yoss.—The keeper of the floating light off Sandy Hook makes the following report of vessels for the first three months of 1852 :—" Passed in—steamships, 113 ; ships, 319 ; barques, 956 ; brigs, 329 ; schooners, 958. Passed out— steam-ships, 154 ; ships, 311 ; barques, 363; brigs, 432 ; schooners, 1,131." He says the severity of the weather has exceeded anything he has experienced for many years. " During the coldest of the weather there Were periods when scarcely any portion of the exterior of the ship could be discerned, she being completely covered with ice from her masthead to the water's edge; and at one time, although six miles at sea, ws were so completely surrounded and hemmed in, that the crew were enabled to walk for half a mile around the ship on the ice—a circumstance, I believe, unprecedented at this station. Some of the gales during the winter have, indeed, been terrific." The accounts of the country trade during the past week show general steadiness, with a tendency in moat cases to improvement. At Manchester there has been a satisfactory business, the market having benefited by the last advices from India and China. At Birmingham, notwithstanding the interruption caused by the Easter holidays, there has been continued activity in most branches of manufacture, and it is remarked that the beneficial effects of the Great Exhibition are still unequivocally manifested in the orders received. In the iron markets prices are well maintained and holders exhibit firmness. From Nottingham the report states as increase in the home demand and a good supply of foreign orders. Some recent fires in the United States have destroyed considerable stocks of hosiery and lace, which will have to be replaced. In the woollen districts the reviving :tendency of the last few weeks has been unchecked. The Irish linen trade is without alteration. IMPoRTATION or WHEAT' &c.—A return, obtained by Lord Naas, was yesterday printed, showing, for the third and fourth quarters of the year 1851, the importation of wheat, barley, and oats. It appears that in the third quarter of last year, of wheat there were 1,174,457 quarters imported, and in the last quarter of the year 434,800 quarters. Of wheat flour (actual weight) there were 1,747,499 quarters in the third quarter, and 868,647 quarters in the fourth. Of wheat flour (reduced to its equivalent in quarters of wheat) the importations in the tnird quarter were 499,285 quarters, and in the fourth quarter 248,185. The aggregate of wheat and wheat flour in the third quarter was 1,673,473 quarters, and in the fourth quarter of the year 682,985 quarters. The barley imported in the third quarter numbered 20,095 quarters, and in the fourth 78,923 ; whilst of oats there were 581,466 quarters imported in the third quarter, and 126,818 in the fourth quarter of the year. SUPPOSED SUlClDE.—Yesterday the dead body of a man was found in the Thames off East Greenwich. He was apparently between 50 and GO years of age, stout build, and had grey hair. On him were found a black stuff bag, a tape measure, a pair of steel spectacles, lbc. He was dressed in a blue frock coat, green plaid waistcoat, mixed Tweed trousers, black hat, and Wellington boots. The body was removed to the dead-house of Greenwich old church, to await an inquest, and for identification.