Glasgow Courier. — 1850-08-31 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

MELANCHOLY AND FATAL ACCIDENT.  On Monday last a very melancholy accident happened upon Ben-Nevis. It appears that a party of gentlemen left the Caledonian Hotel of Fort-William about 12 o'clock noon on the day named, with the intention of ascending the mountain. One of them (Mr. Henry Grant, son of Duncan Grant, Esq. of Newhall, Glasgow), considerably outstripped the others; but he waited their arrival on the top. The whole party began the descent together. When they reached the last hill which descends on Glen Nevis on the one side, and towards the Lochy on the other, Mr. Grant again preceded his companions, and that notwithstanding a remonstrance to the contrary by one of them. His friends reached the inn about eight o'clock, and seemed much surprised on hearing tant he had not arrived before them; for they had not only come down very slowly, but had spent some time in looking round the Fort on their way back. When it began to grow dark, and still no appearance of him, Mr. Campbell of the hotel sent a horseman round to inquire if he had taken shelter or rest anywhere in or round the glen; and on finding he had not, guides were procured, and about ten o'clock they and his friends started in quest of him. From where he was last seen search was made all round and down the bill during the entire night. In addition to the guides already procured, Mr. Macdonald of Glen Nevis distillery sent up four of his men, and after a time went up the hill himself. No trace of the missing gentleman was found till seven o'clock on the following (Tuesday) morning, when his body was got by one of the guides a considerable way under the foot of the precipice which overhangs the hollow immediately at the turn of the glen. There was a fearful gash on his left temple, the right jaw was dislocated, one of his little fingers was broken, and a severe scratch on his right leg. The cut on his forehead appeared to indicate that lie must have fallen head foremost, doubtless in consequence e something having caught liis feet on the narrow ledge he must have been descending by. It was quite sufficient to have caused instant death. Some very impressive remarks are pencilled in a note-book found on his person, bearing to have been made when alone on the top of Ben Nevis, at a quarter to four. He was last seen by his friends about six o'clock, and his watch, which was found a short distance from the body, points to thirteen minutes to seven. The evening was clear and calm. The Sheriff-Substitute for the district, Arthur Fraser, Esq., was in attendance when the body was, found, and, after the necessary inquiries, assisted, together with Mr. Dobbin, agent for the National Bank, and Mr. M'Donald of the distiliery, in discharging the melancholy offices devolving upon the companions of the unfortunate young man. The body was removed to Glasgow, via Oban and Ardoshaig, on Wednesday.  Body Found —After a search of two days, principally betwixt the Glasgow and Stockwell Bridges, the body of the tradesman—who accidentally lost his life by being rapidly precipitated from a small boat which struck on some of the wooden erections at the latter bridge, in consequence of the flooded state of the Clyde, as noticed in our last— was found yesterday, somewhere about the upper ferry at the Broomielaw, having been borne along by the velocity of the current to such a great distance from the melancholy scene of the disaster.  BOTtle  Boy Ka/ed.—Yesterday evening, about six o'clock, a boy about 14 years of age, who, we understand, bad been amusing himself in London Street, was krn eked down by an omnibus, the wheel of which passed over his head, and was consequently killed. A pool of blood was formed on the spot where the sad event occurred. The driver was seized, but we did not learn whether any blame was attached to him. The father and mother of the deceased boy had been engaged out of town at harvest work, and returned in the evening to mourn over their melancholy bereavement. Fine Arts.—On reference to our advertising columns, it will be seen that Messrs. Rankin & Gray, Gordon Street, have just issued an engraving by Mr. Harris, of Knott's splendid picture, "Dr. Chalmers in the Highlands and rural districts of Scotland." It displays that eminent preacher discoursing from a temporary booth to an assembly composed of the sons and daughters of the laud of "the mountain and the flood," who seem rivetted to the spot by the fervour and eloquence of the renowned preacher. It is a fine production; and, as Dr. lianna's Life of Dr. t halmers is now in great repute, will doubtless elicit a ready and generous welcome. Troon.—The fine brig Minerva, Captain Shanks—Messrs Paton, .Ayr, owners—left our port on Saturday for California. She takes with her a large miscellaneous cargo, and there is every reason to hope will make a successful visit to the land of gold. Suicide.—On Thursday an old man named Nathan Barr, a labourer, died in the house of a lodging house-keeper, named Mrs. DPSally, in Dempster Street, from the effects of laudanum, which he had taken the previous day. About three o'clock in the morning lie was discovered to be very ill, and Dr. Fisher of George Street was called in, but every ineans to restore animation failed, as the poor man lingered on till two o'clock on Thursday, when he expired. Deceased had been for a long time in destitute circumstances, and had repeatedly said he would commit suicide. Stirling and Dunfermline Railway.—lt is with no ordinary feelings of satisfaction we find ourselves enabled to announce that this line of railway, from Alloa to Dunfermline, was opened on Wednesday last for traffic and the accommodation of the public, and that under auspices which hold out the fairest prospect of success. Caution to lopera and Smokers.—At an early hour on Tuesday morning, a mechanic, residing in Moncrieff Street,, Corbels, having been paying his devotions to the'gill-stoup rather freely, staggered into his own domicile with a tobacco-pipe in his mouth. He had not been long inside when a spark from his eutty set fire to the curtains of the bed upon which his wife was lying. The flames, before they could be extinguished, caught hold of the poor woman's dress, by which she was, in consequence, so severely scorched about the body, that she had to be sent to the Royal Infirmary. Her recovery, we understand, is rather doubtful. the ware-rooms of a celebrated Parisian goldsmith th, re are now exhibited a crown, a sceptre, a wand of justice, and a sword of state, manufactured expressly for the Euiperor of Hayti, at a cost of nearly £20,0001,  I be