Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

Whitworth embarked at Dublin for Eng land. They sailed from the Pigeon-House in the evening, but the wind being contrary, they were obliged to put back, and landed next morning. His Lordship finding the weather not likely to become favourable, took the road to Donaghadee, from whence he embarked for Portpatrick.

Translations of the Bible.-Several copies of the different parts of the Scriptures, in the Hindostanee, Sanscrit, Bengalee, Mahratta, Orissa, and Chinese languages, a copy of Colloquies in Bengalee, and a few of the circular letters which are printed and circulated in India, have been presented by the Rev. Dr Ryland of Bristol, Secretary to the Baptist Missionary Society, to the library belonging to the students in divinity, under the Rev. Dr Lawson, Selkirk. A very elegant copy of the Arabic Bible has also been presented to the same library by the Rev. Thomas Brown, Dalkeith.

The members of the coal trade of the rivers Tyne and Wear have presented a superb service of plate, as a tribute of gratitude, to Sir Humphrey Davy, for his invaluable discovery of the safety lamp.

18.-Herring Fishery. The herring fishing, this season, upon the west coast, is not so favourable as has been represented. Letters from Rothesay mention, that the busses upon an average fall short of half a cargo, after being now above three months on the fishing ground. Herrings, upon the coast, bring, in a fresh state, from 16s. to 21s. per crane.

Singular and sudden rise to Affluence. A young gentleman, son of a respectable farmer, near Newmarket, has just become possessed of an immense fortune, in the following extraordinary manner: An elderly gentleman, at Shrewsbury, where the young man had been some years at school, had taken a fancy to him, and be ing without heirs, determined to leave him his property. The gentleman being taken extremely ill within these few weeks, sent for the youth, and caused a free gift of his immense wealth to be legally made out, only stipulating, that in case he survived, the youth should handsomely provide for him during the continuance of his life. He, however, died a short time after he had signed the deed, in which it has been discovered that he possessed more than L. 500,000 sterling. Since the event, the youth's filial and fraternal affection has been most honourably evinced, by his having voluntarily given L. 50,000 each to his father and elder brother.

20.-Newcastle. In the quarter ending 10th October 1816, 97 ships with cargoes from foreign countries were reported inwards at Newcastle; and in the corresponding quarter of the present year, 189;

being an increase of 92 ships in the last quarter; a most gratifying proof of the revival of trade.

The proprietors of the Newcastle gas works have already made such progress, that the main pipes are now actually laying down through the principal streets, so that a great part of the town will be lighted this winter.

Another whale.-On Thursday morning last, an immense whale was found at sea, by the fishermen of North Sunderland, which, after great exertion, they succeeded in towing on shore at the pier of that place. Crowds of people have been viewing this stranger on the coast of Northumberland.

24. The Army-Half-pay Officers.By a circular from the war-office of this date, officers drawing half-pay are required to make affidavit in the following form, by which the officers who have embarked in the cause of the South Americans will be rendered unable to draw their half-pay:

[ocr errors]

appeared personally before me, and made oath that he had not, during any part of the period from 25th of 181, to 24th of

181, both days inclusive, any other place, or employment of profit, civil or military, under his Britannic Majesty, or in the service of any other Government, besides the allowance granted to him by his Britannic Majesty, as a reduced regiment of Sworn before me

day of

at

this

39

of the

Shocking death of a poor Sweep Boy.-Last night an inquisition was held at the Lord Somers' Arms, Grenville Street, Somers' Town, before Thomas Stirling, Esq. Coroner, on the body of Thomas Dowland, a poor little orphan sweep, aged eleven years, apprentice to Hall, a nightman and chimney sweep residing at St Pancras, whose death was caused by suffocation in the flue of the chimney. It appeared from the evidence that he was sent up the flue of an oven; and that he was upwards of an hour in the flue, which was opened, and the deceased taken out thickly covered with soot. He was then carried into the garden for air, and a surgeon was sent for, who came and rubbed him over with some sort of spirits, but the deceased never spoke nor moved after. When the deceased was first brought down the funnel, his master said he ought to have a good thrashing for stopping so long. The jury returned the following verdict: "Died from suffoca tion, through the culpable neglect of his master." The foreman of the jury requested that the coroner would certify to the parish officers, that it was the opinion of the jury that they ought to prosecute Hall, the master. The coroner observed, that their request would be attended to.

Northern Meeting.The Northern

Meeting commenced at Inverness on Wed nesday the 15th. It was numerously and respectably attended by all the beauty, rank, and fashion of the country, and was kept up with that harmony and spirit which has always distinguished it.

Forest Timber.-A stronger inducement for planting cannot be offered to the attention of any individual, who is in possession of a large tract of waste land, and who looks forward with anxiety to increase his paternal estate, than the following fact: A fir tree, of the larch species, was lately cut down at Blair, which measured 247 solid feet, which, at the present reduced price of timber, 2s. 6d. per foot, is worth L. 30, 17s. 6d.

Effects of Drought.-In Badenoch, several considerable streams, tributary to the Spey and Dulnan, became so shallow during the dry weather in September, as to allow taking from them many baskets of fish, caught by the hand. Some of these fish were of a large size, and the oldest person in the country has no recollection of a similar occurrence.

27.-Revenue.-Sinking Fund. The Gazette of Saturday night contains a certification from the commissioners of the sinking fund, that up to the 4th of last July they had redeemed of the consolidated debt of Great Britain L. 348,185,141, is. Id. yielding a yearly interest of the sum of L. 10,526,428, 5s. 1 d. being an excess of L. 25,527,845, 4s. 44d. over the total of the funded debt of Great Britain, created by sundry acts prior to and including 36th Geo. III. c. 74. The amount of Irish debt redeemed is certified to be L.9,249,840, 19s. being an excess of L2,278,684, 5s. 3d. over the total of the Irish debt prior to and created by the two acts of Geo. III. c. 4. and 50.

From the accounts that have been printed by order of the House of Commons, it appears that the gross produce of the revenue of Great Britain for twenty years, (from the 5th of January 1797, to the 5th of January 1817,) amounted to the enor mous sum of twelve hundred and ninety-two millions, one hundred and eighty thousand, five hundred and ninety-two pounds, five shillings and three halfpence sterling.

An old Goose Mr Meeds, of Mavis Enderby, in Lincolnshire, had a goose died a few days ago, which had been the property of the family for fifty-four years. Melancholy Shipwreck.A most distressing occurrence took place on the coast near Cardiff, on Thursday night the 23d. The packet William and Mary, with 60 passengers, from Bristol to Waterford, struck upon the Wolves Rock, about two leagues from Cardiff, and 36 of those on board, among whom were all the women, 22 in number, perished. The mate and a few others escaped in the boat; and some of the passengers were picked up by boats

from the shore. The master, who remain. ed by the vessel, went down with her. A Mr Shortis, a passenger, saved himself by superior swimming, and was picked up after being two hours and a half in the water, during which he beheld the heart-rending scene of his fellow passengers dropping into eternity around him.

28. Robert Reid, chimney sweeper, who was convicted of being concerned with Joseph Rae in maltreating Rae's appren tice, so as to occasion his death, and was sentenced to be transported for seven years, has received a commutation of his sentence to one year's imprisonment in the tolbooth, from the 8th of September.

30.-Roman Catholics.-A society has been formed in Glasgow for the instruction of Roman Catholics, particularly children, in the arts of reading and writing. A meeting was lately held in the large hall of the Black Bull Inn, at which there was a very respectable attendance of both Catholics and Protestants. Kirkman Finlay, Esq. M. P. having been called to the chair, the rules and regulations of the society were presented by Lieutenant Gordon of the royal navy, and unanimously adopted. The society is to be under the manage ment of a committee, of which one half to be Catholics and the other Protestants.

Small-Pox.-In Glasgow and suburbs the small-pox have made their appearance. and at Pollokshaws reinoculation with vaccine matter has been, in some instances, deemed necessary.

Singular Elopement.-Complaint was made to the Lord Mayor, last week, against a gentleman of large fortune, (Mr Holyoake, banker, of Wolverhampton,) aged 50, for having seduced from her friend (a Mr Brown, of Fleet Market) a young lady, aged 18, daughter of Mr Jackson, of Wolverhampton. It appeared that the mother of the girl was heart-broken, and the father almost frantic at the loss of their daughter; and the Lord Mayor recommended that a habeas should be served on the seducer. On Wednesday, Mr Jackson waited upon the Lord Mayor at the Mansion House, to return him thanks for his humane and effectual exertions in the unhappy case of his daughter. She had, he said, returned to her parents within the last few days spontaneously, and was now comfortable in the society of her mother and sisters.

31.-Leith Wet-Docks.-The second

new wet-dock at Leith has just been finished; and being of equal capacity to the first, will add much to the accommodation of the shipping of the port. A very elegant swivel bridge is placed over the entrance from the first to the second dock, and in place of flood-gates, a vessel constructed to fit the gate-way is sunk or raised at pleasure. The new dock was opened for pub

lic business yesterday afternoon, and was entered by the Tug steam-boat towing in the London smack Eagle; on board which vessel were the Right Hon. the Lord Provost and Magistrates of Edinburgh, the Magistrates of Leith, accompanied by the Right Hon. William Dundas, M. P. Colonel Crichton, and several other gentlemen. The vessels entered in grand style, amidst the plaudits of a numerous assemblage. It is gratifying to think that the improving state of the trade of Leith affords the prospect of this dock being immediately in full employment. It is stated that more substantial trade has passed through the books of the Custom-house during the last quarter than for many years past in an equal period.

NOVEMBER.

1.-Edinburgh.-The Gas Light Company have had men busily employed for some days in laying pipes for lighting the principal streets of the city. The pipes are of different calibre, from 3 to 6 inches in diameter inside.

The remaining areas for building the east end of the Regent's Bridge have been disposed of by private bargain for L. 10,000, which, with L. 25,000 received for those formerly sold, make the immense sum of L. 35,000 for the whole areas.

Executions in Scotland.-It is a remarkable circumstance, and certainly matter of deep regret, that in the month of October 1817, it should have been found necessary to execute eleven persons in Scotland. On the 10th, Bernard and Hugh Macilvogue, and Patrick Macristal, were executed at Greenock for the crimes of stouthrief, rape, and robbery. On the 17th, William Robertson and Joseph Cairns, for robbery and theft, aggravated by assault and housebreaking, and MargaretCrossan, for wilful and malicious fire-raising, suffered the same sentence at Ayr. On the 29th, William Mackechnie, and John Macormick, for shopbreaking, and Freebairn Whitehill, for robbing a carrier, were hanged in Glasgow. And on the 31st, G. Wylie and M. Clark, for housebreaking and theft, suffered death at Perth. Most of these wretched convicts were under 30 years of age, and all of them behaved with becoming penitence for their crimes, and resignation to their punish

ment.

3.-Deaf and Dumb, &c.-We feel great pleasure in observing, that those unfortunate people, the deaf, dumb, and blind, are now no longer to be left in that helpless and melancholy state, in which they have too long been allowed to remain, nor to be deprived of that most important and essential object to rational creatures, a knowledge of religion, and instruction in various branches of education. Benevolent institutions are now to be attempted at Glasgow, Paisley, Aberdeen, and Inver.

ness, for the benefit of this benighted class of society; and certainly so laudable an undertaking cannot fail to interest the public at large, and to receive that patronage and support it so fully merits, and is. in every point of view calculated to at

tract.

Wellington Monument.-Monday, the 27th ult. the ceremony took place of laying the foundation of the monument to be erected on Blackdown Hill, Somerset, in honour of the Duke of Wellington.

Royal visit to Bath.-Some time since the Queen was advised by her physicians to drink the Bath waters, not on account of any decline of her Majesty's general health, but because the doctors thought the general tonic quality of the waters might be useful to her. Accordingly this day, her Majesty, accompanied by the Princess Elizabeth, left Windsor, and arrived safe. ly at five in the evening, at the spacious and elegant apartments in Sidney Place, which had been previously prepared for their reception. The town was illuminated brilliantly for the occasion, all the bells were set a ringing, and these illustrious personages were greeted with one enthusiastic acclamation from the numerous persons assembled to welcome their arrival.

4.-Scottish Burgh Reform.-At page 280 of our last number, we noticed the successful application of the inhabitants of Montrose to the royal authority, for a more liberal system of burgh government than they had hitherto enjoyed; and at page 282, the movements which had taken place in Paisley, Dundee, and Perth, on the same subject. From the intelligence we have subsequently received, both through private communications and notices in the public papers, it appears that this question is likely to become one of general interest throughout Scotland. According to the present system of burgh government in Scotland, the great body of the inhabitants appear to have no voice in the management of burgh affairs. The old councils generally elect the new, and these two bodies thereafter chuse the office-bearers or magistrates. These self-elected governors are responsible to no higher authority whatever for their intromissions with or management of the burgh funds; and the evil consequence of this want of control, on the part of the inhabitants at large, has recently been exemplified in the avowed bankruptcy of the burghs of Aberdeen and Dumfries. The reformation desired, therefore, is of a specific and acknowledged evil; and if, as has been asserted, the properties of individual burgesses are liable for the public debts of the burgh, the voice which they desire to exercise in the election of their magistrates cannot surely be conceived unreasonable. The remedy required is quite partial in its

operation,-it does not touch the main parts of the constitution, and even to the most timid, therefore, it cannot occasion any alarm.

Having premised thus much, we shall now revert shortly to the Montrose pollelection, and then proceed to notice what has come to our knowledge respecting the proceedings in other places.

Montrose.Agreeably to the royal warrant, the inhabitants met in the parish church, on the 13th of October, in presence of the Sheriffs of Forfar, Kincardine, and Perth shires, as commissioners under the Royal authority. The election then commenced, and did not finish till Thursday the 16th, when Charles Barclay, Esq. was declared provost; James Clark, George Shepherd, and William Caird, Esquires, bailies; Alexander Smart, Esq. hospital master; William Anderson, Esq. treasurer, and James Burnes, Esq. dean of guild. The sheriffs then congratulated the magistrates and citizens on the order and decorum which had been preserved during the election, and on their having now got a constitution of a most liberal and popular kind; the sheriff of Perthshire remarking, that although three centuries ago it had been found necessary to repress popular elections by a restrictive enactment, he hoped that in the long space which had intervened, this country had advanced so far, as to make it now quite safe to trust it with a more extended franchise. The event was next day celebrated by a public dinner in the town hall, where the greatest order and harmony prevailed.

Edinburgh. At a meeting of the Merchant Company of this city, on the 20th ult. the important subject of burgh reform was brought under its consideration; and several resolutions were proposed, preparatory to a general discussion of the subject on that day month, which were passed without opposition. Since that period a number of the incorporations have met, and passed resolutions expressive of their determination to adopt every legal measure to accomplish the wished for object, and appointing committees to correspond with other public bodies on the subject. In one of the incorporations, however, that of the cordiners, the general motion was met by an amendment to defer the considera tion of the question for one month, which was carried by a division of 15 against 10, the deacon voting in the minority. Besides the general objection to the self-elec tion of the Edinburgh municipal governors, the trades complain of a degrading control exercised by the magistrates over them in the election of their deacons, Preparatory to the election, a list containing six names is sent to the magistrates, who elaim the right of striking off three from the number, and from the names remain

VOL. I.

ing on the list, the incorporation then chuses its deacon. And as the deacon is ex officio preses of the incorporation, the surgeons particularly complain of this control; as, however, they may find one of their number qualified by his learning to preside at their meetings, they cannot call such a person to office, unless he is perfectly agreeable in every respect to the magistrates of the city.

Musselburgh. On the 29th ult. a meeting of the feuars and burgesses of Musselburgh was held, pursuant to advertisement, for the purpose of taking into consideration the propriety of applying to the Prince Regent for a new set for that burgh. Bailie Young having been called to the chair, a committee from the council, incorporations, and principal inhabitants, was chosen to draw up a new set for the burgh, and to lay the same before another general meeting of the burgesses for their approbation. The thanks of the meeting were unanimously voted to the magistrates for calling the burgesses together, and for the liberal and handsome manner with which they entered into the measure. The meeting, we understand, was numerous and respectable.

Glasgow. The liberality displayed by the Lord Advocate, on the subject of burgh reform, is likely to make it popular in every part of Scotland. We understand that in this city some efforts will shortly be made for a change in the set of the burgh; and it is expected that the proceedings will commence with the Trades' House, a respectable body, (composed of the heads of the fourteen incorporations,) who have not even the choice of their own convener.-Glasgow Chronicle.

Ayr. On the evening of the 4th instant, a numerous meeting of the burgesses of this town met in the King's Arms, and chose a committee of fifteen, including the present convener and a number of the deacons of the corporations, to consider of the most proper method of bringing about a free representation of the burgh, and to frame resolutions for that purpose, to be laid before a subsequent meeting.

Dumfries. (Extract of a Letter.)—The town-council met this day (27th October) to deliberate what measures should be pursued in the present embarrassed state of the burgh's finances, seeing that the trustdeed executed by the council had been rejected by several considerable creditors, particularly two friendly societies. In the course of the discussion, Bailie Rankine observed, that it was vain for the council to expect the confidence of their creditors under the present system of burgh government; that nothing less than a reformed set of the burgh would satisfy the creditors, that prudence and economy would be introduced into the management of

3 D

the funds; that a change of the set was the unanimous wish of the inhabitants; it was called for by the lessons of dear-bought experience, by the necessities of the burgh, and by the dictates of obvious reason, to which every feature of the existing system was repugnant. It was his intention to propose to the council, at their next meeting, such a change in the set as would destroy the principle of selfelection, and subject the council to proper responsibility. He did not mean to take the members of council by surprise; on the contrary, he entreated them to give the subject their most serious consideration; and when the motion was made, to vote for or against it as their conscience should direct. What will be the fate of Bailie Rankine's motion I know not, but it augurs well for the success of it, that several of the leading gentlemen of the council have declared it to be in their contemplation to propose an alteration in the set. If, however, the motion should fail, the inhabitants can be at no loss how to act and decide. At this crisis they have a commanding strength, which before they never possessed; they have before them the memorable examples of Montrose, Aberdeen, and Dundee, and they have more impregnable grounds to proceed upon than the inhabitants of any of these burghs. Dundee.-The Town Council met on the 13th October, when Provost Riddoch, after making a long address in vindication of his conduct, concluded with the following motion:-"That the Council shall call a meeting of the burgesses of Dundee, resident within the royalty, or actually carrying on trade there, though resident in the suburbs, to be held in the Steeple Church, on Wednesday, the 29th current, at eleven o'clock forenoon, for appointing a committee of their number to meet with a committee of the Council, for the purpose of framing a New Set, or Constitution for Dundee, similar to the one lately given to Montrose; to be afterwards submitted to the Council and Burgesses for their approbation; and when approved of, that a petition by the Council, and all parties concerned, shall be forthwith presented to the King in Council, praying his Majesty to sanction and confirm the alterations so agreed upon." This motion was carried unanimously, and the whole of the Council signed the minutes. Deacon Ivory moved a vote of thanks to Provost Riddoch, which was seconded by Deacon Mudie, and carried unanimously. The meeting accordingly took place on the 29th, and the business proceeded in an amicable manner. The petition is, therefore, in progress, in the hope of a favourable result.

Inverness. Pursuant to advertisement, a numerous and respectable meeting of Guild-brethren of this burgh took place in

Geddes's hotel, on Saturday, the 25th October, when a committee was appointed to present to the Provost a petition formerly agreed on for recovery of their rights. The petition was afterwards delivered by them to the Provost, who received the deputation with great politeness, and stated that he would lay the petition before the Town Council.

Forres. The burgesses and guildry of Forres resolved to enter a protest against the legality of the late election of Magistrates of that burgh, at the last Michaelmas Head Court; but the Magistrates refused to admit them into court. They have, therefore, protested against this exclusion, and have appointed a committee of burgesses to take proper measures for obtaining redress.

Singular Attachment.-A watchman, whose duty lies in the New Town of Edinburgh, about a week after his appointment to his present district, was visited by two tabby cats, which very soon became familiarized with him to a surprising degreeSince their first appearance, about two years ago, they have never, even for a single evening, absented themselves. As regularly as he goes to his post, whatever may be the state of the weather, he finds his two friends anxiously expecting him. During the remainder of the night they never leave him for a moment. They follow him in his round, and whenever he makes a halt, they lie quietly down at his feet. As a remarkable proof of their sagacity, which is not generally considered a predominant quality in these animals, the following circumstance may be mentioned: For a month past, the watchman had been off duty in consequence of bad health. During his absence, they formed a slight acquaintance with his temporary successor, but this had no appearance of ripening into cordiality. On their old friend's return to his post on Friday se’ennight, they im. mediately recognized him, manifested their joy in every possible manner, and commenced their usual nightly routine of busi. ness with him.

5. Grand Triumphal Arch-The commissioners, it is said, have come to a determination to erect a grand monument to commemorate our victories by land and

sea.

The spot selected is at the bottom of St James's Street, London, where the Court-yard now stands. The arch is to be of the most magnificent proportions, and the model to be taken from that of Con, stantine.

Boger O'Connor, Esq.-On Friday, the 3d instant, Daniel Waring was brought to trial at the Commission Court, Dublin, charged with perjury in his evidence on the late trial of Roger O'Connor, Esq. at Trim. The prisoner, after a long trial, was pronounced by the jury Not Guilty; but was

« AnteriorContinuar »