The Sun. — 1836-12-22 (London, England)

MEETING OF MIDDLESEX MAGIS TRATES.-(THIS DAY.)  This being County day, theusual meeting of Middlesex Magistrates took place at the Sessions House, Clerkenwell, Mr. Sergeant ADAMS in the Chair. The Minutes of the last Court were read and confirmed. Mr. ALLEN, 'the County Treasurer, stated that he had received from the Overseers of St. George's, Hanoversquare, notice of an appeal against the County rate of the 27th of October last. Reports as to the state of the different County prisons were brought up. A letter was read from S. M. Phillips, Esq., Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, transmitting rules for the Government of the House of Correction, certified by the Secretary of State. The CHAIRMAN laid before the Court a copy of an order made by his Majesty in Council, as to the imprisonment of offenders in the General Penitentiary at Millbank. Several reports of Committees were presented.  The trade of Sheffield has received a severe shock by the countermanding of many American orders. One house has been mentioned to us, which received, a few days ago, the countermand of an order to the amount of 9,0001. We understand there is difficulty in getting American bills discounted, and it is feared that the expected winding up of the banches of the Northern and Central Bank, may inconvenience many of their customers.—Shcificld Mercury. At the St. James's Theatre, a comical old gentleman, who had taken up his position in the pit, drew upon himself to the full as much attention by his gesticulations, grotesque appearance, and corporeal contortions, as the greatest comic performers on the stage could obtain. When Braham sang as Squire Norton the odd old gentleman in the pit moved hands, feet, eyes, arms, legs, and all his limbs so vigorously and remarkably as to fix every eye on him. The duet " I know a bank," sung by the Misses Smith (by the bye why does Braham ever separate these sisters of song, and prevent the public seeing them together ?) occasioned such a sensation that the performer in the pit made several sorties, so decidedly demonstrative as to lead the audience to conjecture at each -renewed gesticulation that the amateur, in his paroxysm of pleasure, would actually leap forward on to the stage, and there testify aloud his hitherto silent raptures. About two years ago, a member of a respectable firm from the neighbourhood of Manchester having occasion to go to Liverpool on business, to the great surprise of his friends never returned; although he had been expected back the same day. Inquiries were made all over the country but without effect ; no tidings could be obtained respecting him ; and various surmises were entertained respecting his supposed fate. As the state of his affairs was not very well known to his friends, a commission of bankruptcy was issued against him ; the debts were paid, and his partners' stability duly insured. Within the last week or two, however, a being, having the appearance of the aforesaid gentleman,, presented himself to his quondam acquaintances and partner. Had some apparition from the nether world appeared they could not have been more surprised. On being spoken to his voice bore a striking resemblance to that of the lost gentleman, his exterior bore a great similarity ; he was found to be real flesh and blood ; in fact, it was the gentleman himself. Various were the inquiries as to where he had located himself, during so long a period, without the knowledge of his friends. At length it appeared that when he arrived at Liverpool, from Manchester, he met a medical friend, who advised him, for the benefit of his health, to proceed, we believe, to America. Being actuated by the spur of the moment, he instantly took his friend's advice, and without further parley took a berth and went on board a vessel that was just sailing, and thus bid farewell to old England ; until, as we have related, he the other day presented himself, with a renovated constitution, to his friends.—Liverpool Britannia.  An inquest was held yesterday at Saffron-hill workhouse, on view of the body of Joseph Bayley, aged 28, who committed suicide by banging himself. The deceased, who was a sawyer, resided at No. 34, Hatton-wall. He had lately lost his wife, which preyed greatly upon his spirits, and drove him to intemperate habits. On Monday morning the unfortunate young man was discovered hanging to a beam in a workshop at the back of the house ; he was instantly cut down, and Mr. Whitmore, surgeon, of Great Bath-street, Clerkenwell, attended in a few minutes ; but his presence was of no avail, the deceased being quite dead. Verdict, " TemporarY Derangement." A field of corn, cut previous to the late disastrous weather, was last week offered for sale, in the neighbourhood of Queen's-head, at twopence per sheaf, and without finding a purchaser, it being fit for nothing, except to manure the ground for the next crop.—Halifax Express.