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Leader (1850-1860), 26th April 1851, Edition Town of 1, Page 385, Untitled Article

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      Untitled Article

      & limb , a handkerchief placed over the prisoner ' s head , his hands and fast tied , and the rope adjusted . The crowd to witness the solemn scene did not number less than 5000 . " Everything was conducted in an orderly manner , and after the duties of the clergyman were over the prisoner was launched into eternity amid a profound silence which pervaded the multitude . He was lifted from the platform , and as he was let off , while the rope was drawing up , he utterod a groan , and said , ' Lord have mercy on my soul . ' After a struggle he hung quietly . When fifteen or twenty minutes had elapsed he was lowered and delivered to his friends , who took him to the Mansionhouse and endeavoured to restore him , but , as we learn , without avail . "

      The American papers received by the last arrival are filled with notices of crime in various parts of the union . Mr . Cotton Muse , a cotton-planter of Louisiana , was lately found murdered near his residence at Port Hudson . At Clermont , Ohio , Mr . Moorow , schoolmaster , was killed by one of his pupils named Dale , who has fled , and uius far has eluded pursuit . Mr . W . F . Bensick , of Algiers , opposite New Orleans , was recently stabbed at his own door by assassins . About the same time Mr . Witter , a messenger of the Norwich , Connecticut . Bank , was knocked down

      at the railroad depot in that city , and robbed of 40 , 000 dollars . At Blair Furnace , Pennsylvania , a German , named Pecht , killed his daughter with a hatchet , and then drowned himself . Near Pittsburg a lady , occupying a respectable position in society , was killed by her own daughter . A few nights previous the house and store of Mr . John S . Keyser , near Philadelphia , were set on fire , and an attempt made to assassinate Mr . Keyser by ruffians , who also plundered the premises . The Natchitochez Chronicle relates a brutal murder which was committed in that

      parish . A Mr . Kay , who lived on the Bayou Toro , was returning home from Natchitochez , whither he had brought a load of cotton . About dark he had ungeared nis team , and , while his two sons had gone to the Bayou for water , he was shot . Eleven buckshot were found in his body . He lived two days afterwards , in great agony . Near Rochester a Miss Sharp was killed by a Mr . Everet , who also de-Btroyed himself . In a sailor affray at Norfolk two men were killed and three wounded . Mr . T .

      Hunt , a negro trader , has been murdered near FayetteriHe , North Carolina , by some of the negroes he was taking to a distance for sale . A magistrate named Green has been shot dead in Alabama by a man named Hulbut , in resisting the capture of a fugitive from justice . A notorious brigand , one of the Murrell gang , was pursued and shot by the citizens of Chambers ville , Arkansas , about a month ago . A man named Anderson and his wife have been arrested in Virginia , and accused of the murder of the Pettigrew family ( a mother and five children ) , committed five yeara ago . At Macon , Mississippi , a Mr . Embree was shot through the heart by his neighbour , Mr . Crawford , in a quarrel . At

      Nashville , two negroes were hung for the murder of two white men . At Duhnque , Iowa , two Germans were blinded by another German throwing vitriol in their faces during a quarrel . The house of Mr . Beal , near Louisville , Kentucky , was broken open by a gang of ruffians , robbed , and two of the inmates murdered , in true banditti-liko style . The Frankfort Commonwealth gives the particulars , of a horrible tragedy enacted near Owentown , which resulted in the death of both parties—Abner Estea and his biQther-in-law , B . Estes , both leaving wives and children . They had quarrelled , and the former had gone over to his brother-in-law ' s house and proposed a reconciliation . No sooner had consent been given than he commenced a furious assault with a knife .

      He was repulsed , but came again to the attack . Ho was shot three times , and was found dead next morning in an open field . The other was mortally stabbed , and died soon after . Abner is described as " desperate and dissolute , the other orderly and respectable . " The watch-store of a German was robbed at Buffalo one evening , and the owner shot dead . Captain French , who lately figured in the papers in consequence of having been charged with passing forged drafts of extensive New York firms in Texas , hns been hanged at Salto , on the frontier , with eight of his men , on charges of highway robbery .

      Untitled Article

      THE DIURNAL ROTATION" OF THE EARTH . An ingenious experiment lia » of late been made in several places , for the purpose of making viaiblo the phenomenon of the earth ' s rotation . The plan devised to effect this , by M . Foucault , and auceeKsfully carried out in the Pantheon at Paris , ia described iu the Globe , which we slightly alter : — " At the centre of the dome of the Pantheon a fine wire is attached , from which a sphere of metal , four or five inched in diameter , is suspended so aa to hang nearthe floor of the building . This apparatus ia made to swing after the manner of a pendulum . Exactly under it , the centre beneath the point from which the pendulum hangs , is placed a circular table , some 20 feet in diameter , tho circumference of which ia divided into degrees , minutea , Ac , and the diviuiona numbered . Now it can be shown by the most elementary principled of mechanicH that , supposing the earth to have the diurnal motion upon its axis which , in imputed to it , and which

      explain * the phenomena of day and night , < &c , the [ vertical or upright ] plane in which this pendulum swings will not be effected by the diurnal motion of the earth , but will keep on swinging exactly in the same direction . In twenty-four hours , however , the table over which the pendulum is suspended will continually change its position in virtue of the diurnal motion , so as to make a complete revolution round its centre . Since , then , the table thus revolves , and the pendulum which swings over it does not revolve , the consequence is that a line traced upon the table by a point projecting from the bottom of the ball will change its direction relatively to the table from minute to minute and from hour to hour ; so that if suoh point were a pencil , and a paper were spread upon the table , the course formed by this pencil during twenty-four hours would form a system of lines radiating across the centre of the table . "

      But the experiment has not been confined to Paris . At Brussels , Ghent , Cambridge , the Russell Institution , London , and in the Theatre of the Royal Dublin Society , similar trials have been made , and with great apparent success . Meanwhile the Literary Gazette suggests many doubts of a scientific character as to whether all these experiments have been really successful . With respect to that at the Russell Institution : — " It is just possible that the phenomenon actually witnessed was not that of the earth ' s rotation , but the more familiar fact of the progression of the apsides of an elliptical orbit of vibration , which would exist equally upon the supposition of the earth remaining perfectly at rest . It is well known to geometers and mechanicians that if a pendulum be swung out of the vertical plane , so as to describe a sort of oval orbit , the Ions ; axis of this orbit

      will be continually travelling round in the same direction from east to west , or from west to east , as the case may be , in which the pendulous body itself is moving in the orbit . Here , then is a cause of error which may operate either to counteract or to assist the effect intended to be produced , and which it may not always be easy to guard against . The presence of draughts , any defect in the centering of the weight under the point of suspension , a tremulous movement in the point of suspension itself , any rubbing of the string or wire , or a horizontal jerk communicated to the weight in the act of letting it fall , — all , or any of these causes may conspire either to mask or to exaggerate the effect due to the rotation of the earth . The test of the motion being of the kind proper to be observed , will be the constant return of the pendulum in the middle of each oscillation to its natural position of rest . "

      A very decided objection is made by Mr . E . T . Loseby in a letter to the Morning Chronicle of the 22 nd instant : — " I am unable to see how the earth's motion could cause the circular scale to have an apparent motion round its centre , unless the pendulum were suspended immediately over the earth ' s axis , either at the north or south pole . But had the motions coincided there would still have been the practical difficulty of keeping a pendulum , unless it had a flat spring for the point of suspension , vibrating in the same plane , over a space of twenty feet , by one impulse , for twenty-four hours , without being in vacuum .

      " Suppose , therefore , the pendulum at Paris does really make a circuit of the table exactly in twenty-four hours , I think it will be found that some other cause is employed to produce this effect—probably , an apparatus connected with the wire at the top , which gradually changes the plane of its impulse . " Confessedly great skill and caution are necessary to stand any chance of success . One of the commentators has heard of some experimental cases " in which , to the horror of the spectators , the earth has been shown to turn the wrong way I "

      Untitled Article

      THE GUILD OF LITERATURE AND ART . The idea of an institution connected with a life insurance company for tho sole advantage of professors of literature and art originated , we believe , with Mr . Dickens , and was finally licked into shape at Knebworth Hall last autumn , when Mr . Dickens and his amateur actors were delighting Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton and his guests . The plan for this institution is thus finally arranged ?—• ' The society or guild will embrace the several objects which the members of a profession may be meat dinpoHed to secure—such as life insurances , at rates of premium

      calculated as payable either for the whole term of life , or aa altogether censing to be payable at a certain age ; annuities , to commence at a certain age ; pensionu to widows ; payments destined to the education or provision of children , &c . In connection with the guild , it is proposed to establish and endow an institute , having at its dittpoHal certain aalaricn , to which certain duties will be attached ; together with a limited number of free reHidenceH , which , though sufficiently small to be adupted to a very moderate income , will be completed with duo regard to the ordinary habits and necessary coraforta of gentlemen . The offices of endowment will

      consist" 1 . Of a warden , with a house and salary of £ 200 a year . " 2 . Of members , with a houso and £ 170 , or , without a house , £ 200 a year . " 3 . Of associates , with a salary of £ 100 a year . " A prospectus ha « been issue d explaining tho scheme in all its details . The origin of the proposed institution is a « romantic as tho aim is useful . Sir Uulwer Lytton , captivated by the " notion , " at onco concluded an appropriate bargain with . Mr . Dickons . II « undertook not only

      to make a free gift of such land as should be requisite for the erection of the proposed residences or lodges , but also to write a play ( if Mr . Dickens and his company would undertake to perform it with other plays * in a series of representations ) , the whole profits ot which should be devoted to further the ends ot tne institution . The play , a five-act comedy , was speedily written ; it has been as speedily rehearsed , and will be performed at Devonshire House on the 16 th of May . The Queen and Prince Albert are to be " there to see . " Other representations of the comedy , and an original farce , will afterwards take place at the Hanover-square Rooms , where the moveable theatre , constructed for the purpose , and opened at

      Devonshire House , will be erected for those occasions . " The comedy will be acted by Mr . Robert Bell , Mr . Wilkie Collins , Mr . Dudley Costello , Mr . Peter Cunningham , Mr . Charles Dickens , Mr . Augustus Ksror . A . R . A .., Mr . John Forster , Mr . R . H . Home , Hr . Dottfla * J ~* rrold , Mr . Charles Knight , Mr . Mark JLemon , Mr . J . Westland Marston , Mr . Frank Stone , Mr . John Tenial , Mr . F . W . Topham and others . Portions of the scenery have been presented by Mr . Absolon , Mr . T . Grieve , Mr . Louis Haghe , and Mr . Telbin . Mr . Maclise , R . A ., has offered to paint a picture ( the subject arising out of these performances ) , and to place it at the disposal of the guild : and Sir Edwin Landseer , R . A ., has also earnestly expressed his wish to aid the design . Valuable assistance has been rendered by Mr * . Benjamin " Webster , of the Royal Haymarket Theatre . "

      Unquestionably a noble work , which we hope will be aa successfully accomplished , as it has been spiritedly commenced .

      Untitled Article

      THE LATE LORD LANGDALE . The most notable name in the obituary of last week is that of Lord Langdale . Born on the 18 th of June , at Kirkby Lonsdale , in the county of Westmoreland , Henry Bickersteth was educated by his father , a medical practitioner of local eminence , for the profession of medicine , and sent to Cambridge , where he graduated at Caius College , and was Senior Wrangler in 1808 . He travelled as the medical attendant of Lord Orford and his family to Italy ; by their advice , it is said , he abandoned medicine for law , and in 1811 he was called to the bar by the society of the Inner Temple .

      The personal history of Mr . Bickersteth presents no variety . He pursued the usual path of his profession , and made more than the usual progress . In 1835 he married Lady Jane Elizabeth Harley , eldest daughter of Lord Orford . Early in his career , he became intimate with Bentham , and was one of the most distinguished of the young men who surrounded that philosopher . Reputed a sound , rather than a brilliant , lawyer , Mr . Bickersteth rose to a great eminence in the Equity Courts , and was made a bencher of the Inner Temple in 1827 . His opinions were much esteemed .

      When the Whigs had quarrelled with Lord Brougham they found the want of weight of talent and votes in the House of Lords , and in 1836 Mr . Bickersteth was appointed Master of the Rolls , and elevated to the peerage as Baron Langdale , though he had taken no ostensible part in politics . In the Upper House he continued to abstain from political discussion , and seemed absorbed in his judicial duties . When Lord Cottenham resigned last year , Lord Langdale declined the offer of the Great Seal . He resigned the Mastership of the ltolls about a month ago , and he died on Good Friday at Tonbridge Wells , whither he had gone for the benefit of his failing health . His death was hastened by a paralytic stroke . He was in the sixty-eighth year of his age . He has left one daughter ; but the title is

      extinct . In him the profession has lost one of its purest and most distinguished members ; and the cause of political , not lesa than leg » l r reform a firm , and enlightened supporter . It ia said by the Times that " the last disappointment of his life was the production by Lord John Russell of the miserable Chancery Bill of the present session . " The body of Lord Langdale was buried in the vault of tho Temple Church at half-past ten on Thursday morning . The funeral was private , but a great number of his old legal friends attended tho body to the grave . The coffin , was simply inscribed : ' The Right Honourable Henry Lord Langdale , late Master of the Rolls . "

      Untitled Article

      A BARONET IN BRIDEWELL . Sir James Sutherland M'Kenzie , Baronet , whowan charged at Westminster Police Court u few weeks ago with being drunk and damaging a cab , was brought up at the same court on- Monday , on u charge of being drunk and diaorderly in Lower-grove ; , Brompion . on Sunday evening- The policeman who apprehended tho disorderly baronet , suitl he hud found him surrounded by a crowd opposite hia residence in Brompton . At that time , five in the afternoon , he appeared to be drunk , and was running to und fro » like a wild beaat . Sir James , who h « ld Ins hat before his fuce so aa to conceal hia features , when naked whut he had to say for himself , denied that he hud beeu drunk . Mr . Broderip , seeing that tho baronet bad merely been dinardurly , tuuL luul not

      Untitled Article

      Apbh . 2 a , 1851 . ] Cfr * lfc * &iiet * 38 fi

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), April 26, 1851, page 385, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1880/page/5/