The Lancaster Herald, and Town and County Advertiser. — 1831-10-29 (Lancaster, Lancashire, England)

PALESTINE.  We cannot recommend to our friends a more agreeable book than the fourth number of the Edinburgh Cabinet Library; being a history of Palestine from the earliest period to the present time. The three preceding numbers of this Library, have, we are glad to find, obtained for tbe publication that distinction among the compendious literature of the day, which it so truly merits; and the number at present more especially under notice, will, we feel confident, increase very considerably the popularity of the work. The Edinburgh Cabinet Library, as we have previously said, is, as far as typography, paper, and external appearance go, one of the neatest works of the day; agid,, when the high character of its contents is considered, it'must be allowed to be the cheapest. This—as every body knows—is a desideratum to the purchasers of books, and aq argument greatly in favour of the Cabinet Library. We shall probably make some copious extracts next week, film "Palestine." In the mean time, we bestow upon it or siascere and uncompromising praise, and beg to recom. Mend it to our readers.  MELANCHOLY Accuse:m-0n Saturday night about eleven o'clock, as Elijah Townsend, a Post-boy belong*to the Royal Oak Inn, was returning to Lancaster with a chaise from Beaumont Grange, the present residence of Miss Walker, of Rusland Hall, he proceeded down the bank, just above the New Bridge on the Aqueduct side of the river, for the purpose, as it is supposed, orwashing the horses' feet; but, unfortunately, the tide at the time was running exceedingly high, and the horses got-out of their depth before Townsend seems to have been  eawate of it. The first person attracted to the spot was 'Mts. Tiffin, who had been somewhat surprised at hearing thlt splash of the chaise when going into the water, and wbo ran out on hearing the driver cry for help, and afterwards murder" several times. Mrs. Tiffin informed us, that Townsend made every exertion to turn the horses, and that at one time he had succeeded in doing so, but they then became too restive for management, and with a sudden wheel they plunged further into the river with their heads directed towards Lancaster: all control over them was then lost ; alarm was immediately given and many of the neighbours proceeded tu render what assistance they could. The unfortunate driver was washed from his seat; and was seen clinging for a short time to one of the piers of the bridge; he then sank to rise no more. The body has not since be found. Every exertion was made, that could by possibility be desired, but as no boat was at hand, it was utterly unavailable. The chaise and horses rolled through one of the arches, and were taken out about two hours afterwards, near a small weir, opposite Acrelands. The animals were quite dead—the carriage is but little the worse, saving the lining, which will have to be repaired. But to the praise of Miss Noon be it spoken, she thinks nothing of her own loss,—her feelings are wholly interested for the wife and family of the unfortunate deceased—who had been many years in her service, who had always borne a good character, and who at the time of the melancholy occurrence, was perfectly sober ; so that no blame can be attached to any one; but the accident must be looked at as one of those thousand ills which flesh is heir to." Through the charitable instrumentality of Mr. Bagg, Mr. J. Armistead, and Mr. Richard Hinde, a subscription was entered into for the poor man's tinnily, to which Miss Noon generously gave £3. The list has had a great number of names attached to it, and we believe is still lying in the bar of the Royal Oak fur any further addition of signatures. We understand that boats have been out, and the river dragged every day during the week, but without any success.  On Sunday last The King's Letter, sanctioning Collections, in favour of the Society for the propagation of the Gospel, in foreign parts, was read in our Parish Church. We hope that the sum to be obtained in Lancaster, in pursuance of the excellent ends of this Society, may equal those which the liberality of our Townspeople has generally subscribed, on similar occasions.