Glasgow Courier. — 1850-12-17 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

GLASGOW.  Cumbernauld Literary Institution.—On Wednesday evening, the 11th curt., the members of this institution, and other inhabitants of Cumbernauld, enjoyed a rich treat by the exhibition of the wonders of the magic lantern. Astronomy, natural history, and some of the richest views in our own and other lands' were illustrated and brought out with fine effect. To Mr.Ure, Montrose Street, Glasgow, who kindly and gratuitously gave the use of his lanterns and the necessary apparatus, and to Messrs. Drysdale and M'Donald, who gave the necessary instructions and explanations, the hundreds who witnessed the novel scenes are deeply indebted. At the close of the proceedings the gentlemen from Glasgow received a hearty vote of thanks for their generous services. Appointment of Deputy Shipping-Master.—At a meeting of the Marine ...Board, held on Thursday, Mr. Frederick Duncan was elected Deputy Shipping-Master, under the new Mercantile Marine Act. Mr. Duncan has been a shipping-master at this port for a considerable time back, and is in every way fully qualified for the responsible situation. Attempted Suicide.—On Saturday evening, about nine o'clock, the wife of a rigger, named M'Callum, leaped over the breast of the north quay into the river. Assistance was immediately procured, and the woman was brought on shore. It appears that M‘Callum and his wife, who were walking together, had quarrelled, and that, in the height of passion, she threw herself into the river with the intention of committing self-destruction. Caution to Cab-Drioers.—At the Anderston Police-court, on Saturday, a cab-driver, named Forsyth, was charged with contravention of the Police regulations, in having retained in his possession a silk umbrella which had been left in his cab by a party. The charge might have been placed to one of theft, but, from motives that can be appreciated, the milder alternative was taken. About a fortnight ago, the umbrella was left in the cab by Mrs. Dunlop of Craigton, °who, not remembering the name of the vehicle, reported her loss to the police. It was not, however, till the middle of last week, that the perseverance of Inspector Frame led him to the driver in whose cab the umbrella had been left. Forsyth was at first inclined to deny all knowledge of tile article, but the Inspector had such good grounds for his suspicions, that he followed him to his home, and there discovered the missing umbrella. Evasion was at an end; and in these circumstances, the Magistrate tined the driver in the sum of one guinea, for a contravention of the regulations under which cabs and other vehicles are allowed to ply through the city. The Danger of Deck Loads.—Within a few days, two fine steamers have been nearly lost, between this country and Ireland, in consequence of the number of cattle carried on deck which from stress of weather or accident, were unable • • • • to maintain their po•ition on the deck, an I were huddled to one side, when their weight threw the vessels on their beam-ends, and a total loss, in each case, was only averted by something little short of a miracle. It is not right that the lives of passengers and crew, as well as the lose of much property, should be thus jeopardised. A heavy deck cargo 113 objectionable at any time; and one liable to shift, such as cattle, is positively dangerous. Vessels to convey live stock, in large numbers, should be specially built and fitted up for the purpose, instead of forming occasionally a heavy preponderating top-weight on board vessels designed for quick sailing, and consequently built of great length, sharp, with a narrow beam.—North British Mail. Cauvassing for Nuns. -About a fortnight ago, a young lady of this city, on coming out of a dry salter's shop in the High Street, in the evening, was accosted by two men in the garb of Itomish priests, who spoke to her in a complimentary manner on her prepossessing appearance, of the vanities of the world, and of the benefits of seclusion from it; and expressed their regret to think that a person of her appearance should throw herself away upon its society; and, finally, they gravely proposed to her to become a nun. The young lady quickened her pace, and on turning into the Trongate at the Cron endeavoured to escape from the strangers, who, however, kept up with her, one on each side, plying her with considerations of the abovementioned description. She hastened up Candleriggs, accompanied by the men, till reaching the corner of Wilson Street, and C that she was there a short disoff and lost