Current:

Northern Star (1837-1852), 30th December 1843, Edition 5 of 5, Page 3, HORRIBLE MURDER.

Page 3
Page 3
3 of 8

On this page

  • Departments (4)
    • pt>mi>.
    • ZLitetainve.
    • 33ti)(?bjS.
    • HORRIBLE MURDER.
  • Text (13)
  • Transcript

    • Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.

      Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.

      Untitled Article

      THE PATJPRB'S CHBISTilAS CABOI .. "According to « mnil and praiseworthy custom the unfortunate inmates both of the workhouses sad prisons throughout the metropolis , Trill , upon Chriatmis-day be regaled with the usual good fare of the reason . The proportion * of the allowances -my slightly in different institutions , bat in all a good dinner will he provided . "Montteg Chronicle . Fru of drink and fall of meat , Oa our Saviour ' * natal day , Charity ' s perennial treat ; Tims I heard s pauper say : — " Ongbt not I to dance and sing Thus supplied -with famous cheer ? Heigho ! I hardly know—ChTir tmwi cornea but once a year . '

      ' ' After labour ' s long turmoil , Sorry fare and frequent fast , Two and fifty -weeks of toil , Padding-time is come at last ! But are raisins high or low , Hoar and suet cheap or dear ? Heigho ! I hardly know—Christmas comes bat ones a year . ' " Fed upon the coarsest fare Three hundred days and sixty-four But for one on "viands rare , Just as if J : Basnt poor > Ought not I to bless my stars , "Wayden , elefk , and overseer ? Heisho '

      I hardly know—Caistmss cemes but ones a year . ** Treated like a ¦ welcome guest , One of Nature's social chain , Sea l ed , tended on , and press'd—Bnt -when thall I be press'd again , Twice to pudding , thrice to beef , A dczsn fimes to ale and beer ? Heigho ! I hardly know—Christmas comes bnt ones a

      year" Come to-morrow how it will j Diet scant and usage rough , Hunger once has had its fill , Thirst for once has had enough , But shall I ever dine again ? Or see another feast appear ? Heigho i I only know—Chris bun comes tut } once a year Hopes revive and spirits flow—Peeling as I hare not felt Since a dozen months ago—Glad enough to sing a Bong—To-morrow shall 1 -volunteer ? Heigho !

      I hardly know—Christmas conies hut once a year . " Bright and blessed is the time , Sorrows end and joys begin , While the bells with merry chims Ring the Day of Plenty in ! Bat the happy tide to hail With a sigh or with a tear , Heigho ! - I hardly know—Christmas comes hut once a year ! "—Punch

      Untitled Article

      TAITS MAGAZINE . "We owe an apology both to the * pnblisher- of this Magazine and to our readers for not noticing the December number earlier in the monih . The fault is not ours . The fact ia , the Magazine only reached » s a few day 3 aeo . it having , we understand , on its arrival a : the office been borrowed for perusal . Now , we protest against this . Any work sent to us for review , we-are lesolved to act honestly by , and we deem it little shon of robbery to take books from authors and publishers , and sot afford them that notice the parties Bstnrally look for when sending them for review . "We hare then v > desire of our iomnrtnjj Jiiends iha& ¦ when a work is received at this ofice for revfcw , they will allow us ihe first perusal , that we may thereby be enabled to perform what we deem to be a duty : — " a word to the wise Get us hope ) sufficeth i "

      Tait dose 3 the old year well . In addition to original papers , and the usual excellent critiques , we cave ** Scenes in the Life of an Authoress " which , judging by the opening Cbapiers , we expect will be found an exceedingly attractive feature in future nEmbers . From Mr . M orison ' s " Reminisceoees of Sir Walter Scott , Sue ., '' we gne the following interesting sketch of Life in the Hebrides , forty years ago : — From Tobermoy 1 walked down the Sound to Arros , Where ihe ? e is an © 3 d castle , and from thence to the head of Loch KVKeal , where I found a boat wUa a number of young men about to eaifcsrk . 1 inquired whither they were bousd . They said for lona ; that

      they had plenty of provisions , and invited me to eome on board- They -were purchasing frhiskj from a person Who had a still in ihe neighbourhood , with -whom they Kerned well acquainted . I purchased a gallon as my contribution . They bought two more . They had also cold fowla ^ roast beef , hams , with bread and cheese in abundance .- We commenced Eshxog , and -were very EuccejssfnL We called at a farmert bouse , and were invited to dinner . The lady played very gracefully on the guitar , and accompanied with her voice in Gaelic ; the subject was from Ossian , and the air ef the same rje , Tery plaintive and beantifnL We went to visit a cave , * sd landed on Inch Kenneth , the former residence of Sis Allan Maclean , where Dr . Johnson was entertained . The island was now without as

      inhabi-* -nL It was now tea late for gaming lona , so we landed in HnQ , and were hospitably entertained at the houN of a clergyman ; a most hospitable gentleman , with a numerous family of daughters . After tea , we were entertained by the ladies with some excellent ghost stories ; the scene of one of which was not fifty yards from where we were sitting . A young lady , the fc-suty cl ths « cmntry , was about to be married , and , with her T > etrothed and many friends , was Tf ^ t ^ g merry on the green , when a handsome youth on horse 1 ; ck made his appearance , and at on ^ i rode up and ¦ whispered in the bride ' s ear ; on which she at once sprung up behind him , and they golloped off like the Kind , and were never seen or heard of xntre , except on thB anniversary of their flight , when the horse

      with his riders is seen galloping round the green . The young lady is said to have been very proud and fickle , ltd her lover some jut oi ¦ water spirit , and she was thus pcidshed ; so that the tale is not without a moral "We sat up late after supper , and were entertained by *^ es of the sane kind : one of a mermaid who carried tway a young man , and kept him for seven years in a palace studded with precious stones . She allowed him to come to land and visit his friends , who could see no symptoms tf approaching age ; indeed , he himself thoujht that he had been absent a day only . He , however , declined to return , and removed more inland . The mermaid was often heard lamenting on the shore r-id Bilging a mournful ditty , which , with its , original tone , was rung by a young lady of the company .

      In the morning the minister paid ns a visit in our tDd-joom , with the family whisky bottle under his arm , and give ns the morning dram- After an excel lent breakfast , \ re pursued our voyage , and soon landed on Iona , the sacred island of St . Columns . After visi £ hig the graves el the Jrings , Scots , Irish , and Norwegian , the Crosses and monastery , I proceeded to draw , my young friends forming a circle aronnd me , With a bottle of mountain-dew and some biscuit . Pieviora to this we had secured a room in the publichouse , landed our provisions , and moored cur boat . I cocthsued drawing for several hours ; and in the mean time it was agreed that we should pass the night on holy ground . 1 -was anxious to dra-w as long aa possible , faso-sring that there would be little time after dinner ;

      * - » d I found my com ^ aniona rarj accommodating We had caught plenty of fish , and had it iota booed and broiled in excellent style ; which , with on celd roast beef and pie , made a sumptnons ieast We had also plenty of sugar to make our toddy in order to prevent too much drinking , I proposed hav" ? J ** ; that we should ascend Dun I , —that is , the •* " « « God , —and seethe sun setting on the Atlantic ; T * hich was unanimously seconded . The bill is said t 5 t v ^ feeths Sb- I should think that it is more ; bnt i had nomesms of ascertaining it . The « a was smooth ? 5 glass , with all the islands to-the west—Coll , Tiree , tke t

      Duchman ' s Cap , and others , with the sun three «™ neters of Mmself above the sea line . We descended , * M returned by the Abbot ' s Walk , -where we saw , in a bos , Kime remains of birch-wood . Some old people ?* ° w ^^ 8 ** & decaying trees , that appeared to r 5 ?^ 01 P ^ ted ia row * , forming an avenue ; and , ZT * p *? ^ ™«» es or hogs contain the remains of wooc , whtth is said at one time to have covered the 4 » T ^ t , i * I ^ 8611 ^ there is not ene bush growing on , "~ Zr"V retnrned to onr inn through the buryiSf ^ ZJ ?* - ^ omined lie Day of Judgment Stone ? J ^™ Three atonea of about three oi fomr P ° nna » "Weight , wen nlsi » d on a . thmch ^ tone . &k a t &tzna from net \ ha thw

      ^^ K * . Every strang er nSS ^^ -t rtOTe » 8 «™ ronBa *** ttV Srj ™" . )^ 1 oeen tanjd , for each has tram » hoi-« ° r Pot . &om uie repeated action of tummg round , nla ^ . i ^ ii ? *** ^ I'M * tte Cloch-hrolh are fen t o * T ^ " lrbni tt «« gh , so that the st « oes shaJl sad Da ?^ ? T fteB e ° * e end of the world , tai ^ W-i ™ " * It is -accounted unlucky not to than mT ^ " ^ equally bo to turn them more r ^ rS ? ^ fv J * «» eTeniBg , ss we returned by s ^ xrli ^ t rt ^ - - NnBa » y , we observed thousands of iathT ^ Sl ^ »» - *»» o » ** the ^ lodgings formed bvBit ^ ¥ n 51 ain S- ^^ colss , or nests , are at each &- ££ ** ° * ^ fex aad bebJI stones ; * nd SaS ?*?* ° ^ & *» & fa and half cut > uaBBdrL - B ^ ^ > i »» or to ourselves ; Theyaps ^^ «* a «» leat Qaf ^ rted by our presence ,

      Untitled Article

      though we were standing not more than three yards from the wall . If not speaking to us , it is at least probable that we were the subject of their conversation . The daws were also returning to the abbey . The starlings and daws form distinct and separate establish ments , the one not intruding oa the other ; and are held sacred by the people . They are thought to be the bouIs of the monks and nuns , and are not allowed to be molested . Some dandy tourists , visiting the island , commenced shooting the birds ; and after being warned , still persisted . They were instantly seized , and underwent a seveie ducking . On arriving at our ins we had good tea , which had been brought from the mainland , with excellent fish and bam ; and nmabed with toddy of the best quality There was but one bed , which , it was insisted , I should occupy , being the stranger . The rest of the party were to sit up , and drink moderaleA y . This preference I declined ; when it was concluded that we

      should occupy the bed by tnniB , and toat I should take the first We , however , sat singing and telling tales till midnight . 1 went to bed , which was In a separate apartment ; but the people of the inn contrived to make np a succession of beds , or shake-downs , all xound the room ; and when I awoke , for the first time , about four o ' clock , on going into the room , I found my new friends all fast asleep . The sun was just rising over the mountains of Mull ; and on going out , I found my old friends , the starlings , at the morning ' s conversation , consulting , I suppose , in what direction they were to take their flight ; which is , I was informed , always regulated by the point from which the wind is blowing , which best answers their feeding-ground . I stood very near ; bnt they did not

      seem in the least alarmed , and kept chattering away . After I had retreated to a considerable distance , they all took flight in the direction of Mull , which is their feeolng-gronnd . I was soon joined by most of the company , who brought along with them the morning dram , and stood and overlooked my drawing , which 1 continued till the hour of breakfast After breakfast we embarked for Staffa , and had a pleasant Bail , the morniDg being beautiful . After reading Sir Joseph Banks' and Pennant ' s description , I was disappointed inSiafia ; -which however , must Btrike erery beholder with wonder . On enterint the cave , the action and

      swell of the water below makes one giddy . My attention was directed to a sound , which was not the immediate action of the waves rising and falling witbiu the cave ; for I was told that it was the music of an enchanted organ , played by a wizard ; which all my companions firmly believed . It appeared to me to be an echo , from the roof of the cave , of the rushing of the waves , which rose and fell not less than fifteen feet When onr piper played a pilbroch , the muBic of the waves drowned or softened down the haisa sound of the bagpipe , which discoursed most excellent mnsio . I recommend all performers on the great pipe to go to this cave , at least once in their lives , and get a lesson .

      We lacded on the island ; and as the sea was becoming rough , we felt the ground trembling under our fe < t . A family once resided in Stsffa ; but they were afraid , one stormy night , that ths island migbt fsll to pieces ; and lelt as aoon as a boat could be launched . Here we spread the feast , having seated ourselves immediately above Fingal ' s Cave . The day was fine ; but a heavy sea was setting into the cave . The sound was musical , and the ground beneath as was etill trembling . Our glasses and plates felt the motion , and made a Email clattering noise .

      From Staffa we landed on Ulva , where I found a boat preparing to sail for Basay , whicb , in passing the strait between Glenelg and Skye , conld readily land me on that island . The boatman offered to carry me for balfa-crown , including provisions ; but this last was unnecessary , as my friends , from our boat , put me up a basket of biscuit , ham , cheese , and three bottles of ¦ whiskey , -which was the half of our remaining stock . As ray boat was not to sail till the evening , we had tea and toidj before parting . Some years after this , I had it in my power to be useful to two of those young

      men , when they were attending college in Edinburgh-We bad a geod voyage to the ferry bfctwixt Glenelg and Skye ; and in order that I might have a view of Skye as an island , I was landed on the shora of { Jleizelg , from -which the view of the Cuchullin mountains is magnificent ! I was ferried over to Skye , and walked about fifteen miles to Cunacaith castle of CnchuJlin , " the noble son of Semno . ' 1 rested on the rock , which affords the best view of the sea towards Ireland , and thought of the spouse of the cai-borne chitf of the T * lfe of Mist ;—

      Dost thou raise thy fair face fr « m the rock to find the sails of Cucbullin ? Ketnrn , my love , lor it is night . What remains of the castle is not much ; but the view towards Strathaird , Coruishk , and the -whole range oi the CncbuJJin mountains , is a scene of gloomy grandeur that I have never seen equalled . From DunEcaith I engaged a boat to cast me over to CoruUbk at once , a distance of about seven miles . I sat in the stern of the boat , and kept drawing the

      varying outline of the scene before me , -which I was approaching . On , landing , 1 began to ascend the Cucfeullin mountains to the west of Corui&bk . 5 he view to the west , with all its island , is -sc-iy fine ; and from the edge of the summit , to look down into the dark -watera of Coraiabfc , is not unmixed with terror . To the north and east , the monntains enclosing the lake are of most rugged character ; and beyond tee first range , enclosing the lake of Coruishk , the mountains seem much higher . They are , 1 was informed , the highest in Skye .

      The sun was about an hour from sir . kmg in the ocean , which was smooth and of a rich yellow . I begnn to think , like Edom of Gordon , " of drawing to some hauld , " and descended tJorwn Strath Ka , a valley to the north . I bad not walked a mue downward till I met a shepherd , and inquired if a pnblic-bouse was near . *• Ton can be at no loss , " said be ; '' for the first house that you come to will be happy to receive yon . 1 will go with yon . " We soon arrived at , and entered tfce cottage . I asked for whisky , inUnding to treat my gnide , when » good-looking young woman put down glasses , and a bottle and whisky of the finest quality , and said that tea would soon be ready . 1 observed the whisky was fine" Ye * , ' said he ; " J made it " 11 Then this is your house ? ° 11 It is , " said he ; " and that is my Bister . Ton are in no public-house ; but make equally free . *'

      The tea came , and was excellent , with eggs , ham , cakes , &c The sister had been in Glasgow for years with a lady , and understood housekeeping well . My bed-room and bed were very neat In the morning we had an early breakfast , and the shepherd proposed to instinct me the proper ronte of descending to the Glen of Ghosts , and insisted that I should return in the evening . "We have been much pleased with the article , entitled , " Minor Spanish Poetry of the Sixteenth Century , " it will be found a treat to the \ 0 ver 3 of beauty and song . "We may hereafter give some extracts from the critique on " Lyon ' s History of St . Andrews . " The critique on the " Correspondence between Burns and Clarinda" will keep a week or two , but the admirers of the poet—and their name is llegion , may depend upon us not forgetting them . In conclusion , though our good word in behalf of this number comes rather late , still " better late than never . " We heartily recommend it .

      Untitled Article

      What we conscientiously think wrong , we shall honestly and earnestly oppose ; and hopa to naVe the suffrages of all good men with us . In addition to the articles from the pen of the editor , we notice several able papers by Mr . Byall and others ; also a very interesting correspondence between the London Anti-Persecution Union and Dr . Kslley . We warmly recommend this periodical to the support of the movement party .

      Untitled Article

      NEW YEARS' DAY . " Another year is numbered with the past , With all its storms and sunshine , smiles and tears . The dim veil of the future round it cast , Another following in its path , appears—We baa it with n joyous welcoming , With feasting , and with revelry , unknowing The gtlefs , the disappointments , it may bring To many a heart with fervent hopes now glowing . Now , as it were upon the verge extreme Between the future and the past , we stand—The past , appears bnt as a shadowy dream—Almost forgotten ; whilst , with aspect bland , The fnlure seems to smile . "

      Charnocks Poems . Christmas Day is come and gone , but not bo Christmas festivities ; we have yet New Year ' s Day and Twelfth Night before us , and gladly do wa SDavch at the remaining hours of mirth and joviality , ere we finally resume the stern duties , toils , and struggles of another year . It is not unusual with the knights of the " grey goose quill" to present their readers with a sort of retrospective -view of the remarkable events , and political occurrences of the departing year . But we must be excused if we decline following this orthodox custom : oar reason is , that we would fain , at this season of the year dip oar pen in as little of the gall of politics as possible . *• "Pis pur vocation" to " measure swords " on the field of political strife wherever a foe to the rights of mankind presents himself , or whenever the victim of oppression appeals to us for help against the wrong-doer . But there are seasons

      when we may profitably abstain for a moment from the toils of the contest , take breath , and thereby gather up new vigour for future conflicts . Such a season . is the present . True , we might in a political retrospect have embraced much on which to have congratulated our readers , and derived therefrom hopeful anticipations of future triumphs . We might have reminded onr readers of the victory , not soon to be forgotten , won in tbi § present year in the city of John O'Gaunt , where the " redrose" smiled on the triumph of right over might , and the victory of honest eloquence over law-backed treachery . We might very naturally have expatiated on this memorable event , priding Jourselves , as we do , that we were one of the combatant 3 in that conflict so honourable to the "victors . But we abstain , anxious as we are to hasten back to the flowers of literature from which to cull a " Garland" for the " New Year ' s Day . "

      With these prefatory remarks , we beg to introduce onr readers to the following extracts ( all we can find zoom for ) from the pen of Leigh Hunt , onssw yb ah's day , xkw tear's gifts , and the wassail

      BOWL . All the Christmas holidays have , or may have , if they please , some things in common , such as mincepies , plum-puddings , holly-boughs , and games of play ; bat tbe three principal ones have each their indispensable accompaniment , —Christmas Day Us log on the fire —New-Tear ' s Day its wassail-bowl—Twelfth Night its cake . Every man may think be begins a New Year purely by entering into tke lit of January ; but he is mistaken . The Kew Tear is no more to him than tbe old one ^—tbe 1 st of January nothing different from the 31 st of December . The poor man walks in error . People , if they could , have a right to bustle him back again into the preceding week , and ask him what business he has ont of bis twelve-month .

      Formerly , everybody made presents on New-Year ' s Day , as they still do in Paris , where our lively neighbours turn the whole metropolis into a world of cakes , sweetmeats , jewellery , and ail sorts of gifts and greetings . Tbe Puritans checked that custom , out of a notion that it was superstitious , and because the heathens did it ; which was an odd reason , and migbt have abolished many other innocent and laudable practices—eating itself , for one—and going to bed . Innumerable are the authorities which ( had we lived in those days ) we would have brought up in behalf of

      those two customs , in answer to the New-Year ' s-Dayknocking-down folios of Mr . Prynne , the great " blasphemer of custard . " Unfortunately , if the Puritans thought gift-giving superstitious , the increasing spirit of commerce was too well inclined to admit half its epithet , and regard tbe practice as , at least , superfluous —a thing over and above—and what was not always productive of a " consideration . " " Nothing ' s given for nothing no-w-a-days , " ss tbe saying is . Way , it is doubtful whether next to nothing will always be given for something .

      This must be mended , or there will be no such thing aa a New Year by and by . Novelty will ge out : the sun wjll halt in the fcky , and tbe prudent men sharply consider whether they have need of common perception . * ? * * For present-making , then , upon New Year's Day , the case must stand as it may happen . It is no longer a sine-qxta-non . People may make them or not , either on thiB day or birth-days , without , of necessity , proving their generosity « r tbe want of it—always provided they exhibit the present-making capability somehow or other in tbe course of their lives . Bnt we cannot consent to rank ourselves emong those who weuld let the day pass over . without some distinctive mark of old times ; especially as we trust tfeat better days are in

      store for all the world , and will bring the best of old customs round again ; and , therefore , one virtue we hold to be incumbent upon all thinking and social people on the 1 st of January , and that is the having a Wassail-bowL We have done something in onr time towards restoring ths ubb of this venerable jollity in the metropolis , and have reason to know that we succeeded in many quarters ; end we hereby enjoin nuch of our readers as are not yet acquainted with it . ' but have tense and good-humour enough to deserve the acquaintance , to set about preparing one forthwith . It is a good-natured bowl , and accommodates itself to the means of all clfsses , rich and poor . You may have it

      of the costliest wine , or tbe humblest malt-liquor ( we fancy we see several pleasant faces instantly , over this paper , looking their resolution to have it—some in porcelain and acme in common ware ); but , in no case muBt the roasted apples be forgotten ; they are the sine fim non of the Wassail-bowl , as the Wassail-bowl is of the day—and very pleasant they are , provided they are not mixed up too much with tbe beverage , — balmy , comfortable , and different , — a sort of meat in the drink , —hut innocent withal , and reminding you of the orchards . They mix their Savour with the beverage , and the beverage with them , giving a new meaning t » the line of the poet : —

      " The gentler apple ' s winy juice ;" For both winy and " gentler" have they become by this process . Tbrow off your reserves , then , dear people , and be " merry and wise , "—with the courts of kings , if you are Tories ( for they used to have the Wassail-bowl , ) with Addison and . Steele , if yon are Whigs ^ jovial as well as moral fellows in their time ); With this most radical moisture and thorough-going refreshment , if you aTe Radicals ;¦ aDd cry one and all with the poet ¦ whom Plato pronounced the " wisest , " or with bis translator who has bit the passage off like a proper wassailer , — I pray thee by the Godg above , Give me the mighty Bowl I lov « , And let me sing , in wild delight , / will , I mil be mad to-night . Moore ' s Anaerton .

      THE WASSAIL BOWL . ( From Brand ' s Popular Antiquities . ) There was an ancient custom , which is yet retained in many places on New Year ' s Eve : young women went about with a Wassail Bowl of spiced ale , -with some sort of verses that were sung by them as they wenl from door to door . Wassail la derived from the Anglo-Saxon v * l hal , be in health . " The Wassail Bowl , " says Wharton , " is Shakspeare ' s gossip ' s bowl , in the ' Midsummer ' s Night ' s Dream , ' Act I . Scene I . The composition was ale , nutmeg , sugar , toast , and roasted crabs or apples . It was also called Lamb ' s Wool . It appears from Thomas de la Moore ( 'VitftBdw . II . ' 3 and old Havillian ( in 'Architren . Lib . 2 ) that was-haile and drinc-heil were the usual ancient phrases of quaffing among ihe English and synonymous with tbe " Come , here ' s to you , " and " I'll pledge you , " the present day .

      It was unnecessary to add , that they accepted little presents on the occasion from the bouses at which they stopped to pay this annual congratulation . We had intended to have said something respecting the festivities in Scotland , where New Year's Day is the grand festival of the year ; but onr space " cribb'd . cabin'd , andoonfin'd , " will not permit us to doBOthisvear . No matter , Reader , let us hope we shall meet again , and next year , perhaps , we may say something about the New Year ' s Day as kept in the " land 0 ' cakes . " Header , the old year is waning to a close , and ere

      we shall again greet thee through the columns of the Northern Star , 1843 will be numbered with the " things that were . " Look back ere the old year is for ever-gone , and ask thyself hast thon doneall tha , t thou mightesfc have done for tbine own honour and the welfare of thy brethren \ How many of as can say ' * yea ! " Few , very few , we fear . It is not for , us to condemn , for , judged by the righteous law " Let him that is fiuilty throw the first Btone , we should hesitate to lift it . It is not reproof of past omissions that is our purpose , but encouragement to a more active well-doing for the future .

      Header , if in thy tnsslo with the world tbon Lait witnessed a wrong done to a brother man , and hasi fai ' ed to do all t \ i ' at was in tby power to prevent that wroogi or punish the wrong doer ; then resolve

      Untitled Article

      that for the future thou wilt play the man ' s , and not the craven ' s , part . If'thou hast omitted anyone thing , no matter how seemingly trifling , which wonld have added to the happiness , or soothed the affliction © f thy fellow-mortals ; resolve that increased watchfulness in the future shall atone for these omissions of the past . If thou art one who believes in the great princi - ples of social and political justice , and yet whilst others have toiled to establish those principles .

      thou hast gazed heedlessly on and seen thy brother fail because he had not thy help , then resolve to " gird up thy loins" and bare thine arm for thy share of the work ; which being for the salvation of the many , must by the many be wrought , and cannot be accomplished by the few . if possessing knowledge thyself thou hast neglected to impart that " power" to the ignorant who were within ^ he reach of thy teaching , then set about the task at once and do thy JittJe best to make the world wiserbetter than thou found it . If when the widow ' s

      wail and the orphan ' s cry has smote upon thine ear , and thou hast turned afdeaf ear to their cry , —widow'd and orpharfd , it may be , because the hus ^ band and father fell battling for thy rights , and was crushed because he sought to raise thee to the dignity of a freeman , —then rouse thee from thy dreaminess , and stretch forth thine hand to succour and to save the victims of tyranny from want and sorrow . In ehort , dare to do all that" becomes a man ; " let each labour for the common good as though the world's regeneration from sin and suffering depended upon htm , and . the work will be done . The New Year will be indeed a * ' happy one , " because

      out of such acts of virtuous heroism , generous selfdenial , and universal loving-kindness , an order of things must spring which will annihilate ignorance , (¦ rime , and suffering , and make the earth that which it might be—that which it must be made—the abode of knowledge , virtue , and happiness . But ' tis time we finished our homily . W « ll then while revolving all good things for the future , let us take a hasty and loving farewell of the past ; to do so we must of necessity call in tho aid of the muses , and we might search far and wide to find more appropriate lines than tho following , from the pen of that justly popular rhymster , Elika Cook : —

      SONG OF THE OLD YEAR , OI t have bean running a gallant career On a courser that needetb nor bridle ner goad ; But he'll aoon change his rider and leave the Old Year Lying low in the dust on Eternity's Road . Wide has my track been , and rapid my baste , But whoever takes heed of my journey will find , That in marble-built city and camel-trod waste , I have left a fair set of broad waymaits behind . I have choked up the earth with the sturdy elm board , I have chequered the air with the banners of strife , Fresh are tbe tombstones I ' ve scattered abroad , Bright are the young eyeB I ' ve opened to life . My raeeia nigh o ' er oa Time ' s iron-grey steed , Yet he'll still gallop on as he gallops with me , And you'll see . that bis name will be flying again Ere you ' ve buried me under the green holly-tree . If ye tell of the sadness and evil I've wrought , Yet remember the share of " good works" I have

      done j Ye should balance the clouds and the canker I ' ve brought With the grapes I have sent to be crushed in the sun . If I've added gray threads to the worldly wise-heads , I have deepened the cbesnut of Infancy ' s curl ; If I ' ve cherished the germ of the shipwrecking worm , I have quickened the growth of the crown-studding pearl ; If I ' ve lengthened the yew till it brushes the pall , I have bid the sweet shoots of the orange bloom swell ; If I ' ve thickened tbe moss on the ruin ' s dank wall , I have strengthened the love-bower tendrils aa well . Then speak of me fairly , and give the Old Year A light-hearted parting in kindness and glee , Chant a roundelay over my laurel-docked bier , And bury me under the green holly-tree .

      Ye have murmured of late at my gloom-laden hours , And look on my pale wrinkled face with a frown ; But ye laughed when I spangled your pathway with flowers , And flung the reG clover and yellow corn down . Ye shrink from my breathing , > nd say that I bite—So I do—bus forf et not how friendly we were When 1 fann ' tl yor ¦ warm cheek in the soft sauimernight . And just to ^ with the rese in the merry girl ' s hair . Fill the goblet and drink as my wailing tones sink ,

      Let the wessail-bowl drip and the revel shout rise—But a Word in your ear , from the passing Old Year , "Tis the laBt time he'll teach ye— " be merry and wise I " Then sing , while I ' m sighing my latest farewell , The log-lighted ingle my death pyre shall be ; Dance , dance , whilu I ' m dying , blend carol and bell , And bury me under the green holly-tree . We have done . We pray of our readers , from John o' Groats to the Land's End—our numerous friends , North , South , East , aud West , to accept our heart-ielt

      benediction—• ' WE WISH YOU A HAPPY NEW YEAR . "

      THE "SONG OF THE SHIRT . " Our readers must have read with admiration the " Song of the Shirt" which formed so bright a gem in our " Christmas Garland" published in our last . That "Song" has had the rare honour of being quoted ( we believe ) into almost every newspaper published in Engaud , both daily and weekly : —we ourselves have t-ten it in a very many papers which are received at this office . It will then be an universally asked question " Who is the author of this ' Song * ? " We are happy in being able to gratify the curiosity of our readers by the republication of the following letter from the Sun . — " Sir , —Permit me to thank you for your very flattering remarks on some verses of mine in Punch , called the" Song of the Shirt . "

      I have derived an unusual gratification from the reception of those lines by the journals , as evidence that my intention has n / bt been altogether without effect . " I ami Sir , yours , very truly , " Wednesday . Thomas Hood . " We heartily agree With the Editor of the Sun , that " Of all the numerous clever poems that he has written , this is the one that does m > st credit—and in saying so , we are far from meaning to disparage the others—to Mr . Hood ' s head and heart . "

      We take this opportunity of doing Mr . Hood all the little service in our power , that of directing the attention of the public to his forthcoming publication . Under the title of " Hood ' s Monthly Magazine and Comio Miscellany , " the author of the " Song of the Shirt" launches a new candidate for public patronage on the Bret day of the New Year , We have been favoured with a copy of the Prospectus , from which we give the following extract : —• One prominent object , then , of the projected publication , as implied by the sub-title of "Comic Miscellany , " will be the supply of harmless "Mirth for the Million , " and light thoughts , to a Public sorely oppressed—if its word bo worth a ruab , or its complaints of an ounce weight—by hard times , which ttend

      heavy taxes , and those " eating cares a on the securing of food for the day , as well as a provision for the future . For the relief of such afflicted olasses , the Editor , assisted by able Humourists , will dispense a series of papers and woodcuts , which it is hoped will cheer the gloom of Willow Walk , and the loneliness of Wilderness Row—sweeten the bitterness of Camomile Street , and Wormwood Streetsmooth the rufiied temper of Cross Street , and enable even Crooked Lane to unbend itself . It is hardly necessary to promise that this end will be pursued without raising a Maiden Blush , much less a Damask , in the nursery grounds of modesty—or trespassing , by wanton : personalities , on the parks and lawns of Private Life . In a word , it will aim at being merry and wise , instead of merry and otherwise .

      After learning that Mr . Hood is the author of the " Song of tho Shirt , " we can have no hesitation in wishing him " God speed" in his new undertaking . Not doubting but thatin his own publication , asin the pages of Punc / i , he will be found , ranked on . the side of humanity , employed in adding to the mirthful enjoyment and general happiness of the human family .

      Untitled Article

      A PAUPER SHOW . From Punch . Punch presents his compliments to the Poor Law Commissioners , and begs their acceptance of an idea . It is one which he has derived from a visit to the Fat Cattle Show . But he musi be allowed to preface ihe donation by a few remarks . The object of the New Poor Law ia the prevention of poverty . Poverty is a heinous crime . It is an offence against the purse of society . It has , therefore , been visited with the utmost severity . Paupers have been imprisoned , and no pains have been spared to render them ridiculous , for their own reformation , and by way of example to others . The success , however , with which this truly Christian praoticehas been pursued has hitherto been but partial . The sufferings of the culprit , indeed , have effected little

      more good than the gratification of the well-constituted mind , which rejoices at the punishment of guilt . Now , tbe reason of this comparative failure of the Poor Law is obvious . The horrors of tho workhouse are invisible . The tears , and sighs , and groans of the prisoners are thrown away . Their bitterness is wasted on the dungeon air . / Tnepau . per—vicious wretch!—is a scarecrow in a sack . His fate ia unknown to those who might profit by its spectacle . To remedy this defect it has been proposed—so Punch is informed—to build workhouses of glass . This device ia ingenious ; but glass is expensive . The poor rates would be awfully augmented ; and , besides , there are things done in workhouses which would hardly beat the light . The idea whioh Punch now offers to the Poor Law Commissioners will meet , he hopes , the exi «

      Untitled Article

      gency of the case , jit is this : —Let priz 9 paupvr exhibitions , to take place annually about Christmas , ba established in the various Union districts throughout the kingdom ; and first let a model exhibition bo formed ! at Somerset House after the following manner : — Let the gallery formerly appropriated to the Royal Academy be fitted up with pens on either side of it . Each pen shall contain a form of plain oak , very hard , for the pauper to sit upon . Tt , e paupers constituting the exhibition shall be selected from the

      mo * t wretched objects in the different workhouses in the metropolis . Prnes , for the production , of the leanest and most haggard , are to be awarded to the master of each ^ f and perhaps some little encouragement for extra brutality may bo allowed the matron and beadle , j Each pauper is tojbe attired in the union uniform , the males having their hair cropped or very closely shaved . Over the head of each , against the wall , is to be fixed a paper , detailing their names , weights , and ages , the regimen to which they hare been subjected , and other particulars as thus : —

      " MB . BLOGQ , MASTER . A PRICE OF £ 4 . " Peter Small . —Age 40 . Weight at period of admission , twelve stone . Confined three months . Present weight nine stones two pounds . Fed principally on water gruel . Has boen separated from his wife and children in the workhouse , and occasioually placed in solitary confinement for complaining of hunger . Employment , breaking stones .

      ' MB . BRUNT , MjiSTER . A PRIZE OF £ 5 10 s . "Jane Wells . —Age 70 . Weight five stone , lost two stone since her admission one month ago . Gruel diet , tea without sugar , potatoes and gait . Has been set to picking oakum . " HR . GRIMES , kiSTER . K PRIZE OT ? £ 6 . " John Tomkins . —Age 85 . Has seen better days . On admission weighed eleven Btone , which has been reduced to eight and three quarters . Diet , weak soup , with turnips and carrots , dry bread and cheese parings , a few ounces of meat occasionally when

      faint . Has been deprived of snuff and tobacco . Came to the workhouse with his wife , whe is five years younger than himself . Has not been allowed to see her for a month ; during which period has lost in weight two ounces ; oa an average per day . Employed in carrying coals . " To the exhibition thus constituted , tbe public , for the benefit of the lower classes , are to be admitted gratuitously on all days of the week except Saturday , on whioh days , for the accommodation of the exclusive circles , admission is to be had for Is .

      Punch , having offered the above suggestion to the Somerset-house authorities , expects no other fee or reward for his pains { than an invitation to a private inspection of the Prize Pauper Exhibition , when completed ; which he hopes Sir James Graham will be so kind as to send him .

      Untitled Article

      Wakepield Phisow—When the new warks art finished , Wakefield prison will be the largest m the world . Aristocratic Morality (?)—We last evening received a letter dated Dec . 22 , twenty minutes past ten a . m ., signed " William Paget , " and addressed to the Earl of Cardigan , in which we find these wonis : — " My solicitor , Mr . Bcbb , has this instant made known to me that my principal witness , Winter , who was with me until within a few minutes of

      the opening of the . Court at Guildhall , had suddenly disappeared . " Tbe rest of the letter we cannot publish . It expresses , iu strong language , the feeling * of the injured party , and applies certain epithets to Lord Cardigan which should be communicated t <> him privately . Judging from the letter , the affair 13 brought to a close . We really wish these parties would settle their disputes in a court of law , and not annoy the proprietors of newspapers by commanications which give a very low idea of morality ia highiife . —Sun .

      Lord William Paget v . Lord Cardigan . —We have received a letter from Messrs . Powell , Broderip r and Wilde , solicitors for the Earl of Cardigan , requesting us to publish two letters enclosed , the one from Lord Cardigan , and the other from themselves , in reference to this case . Having declined to publish the letter of Lord William Paget because it made most serious charges against Lord Cardigan , we must in like manner decline to publish the letter of Messrs . Powell , Broderip , and Wilde , which conveys a very serious imputation against Lord William Paget . We quote as much of both letters as will convey their denial of the charge brought against them . Lord Cardigan say 9 : — " I authorise you to give the most unqualified ; denial of the accusation of having ' bought or sent out of the way' the man named

      Winter , and declare most solemnly that I have neither directly nor indirectly , had or authorized , or sanctioned any communication whatfcver with any of his witnesses , or been in any manner pi-ivy to , ot cognizant of any attempt to buy or put out ef the way any one of them , or to prevent the most searching inquiry being ma . de into thewno \ e chaTgfc ^ V £ William Paget thought fit to bring against me , whica I was fully prepared to meet aud to show was altogether without foundation . " Lord Cardigan addff , that it is his intention to take legal proceedings against Lord William Paget , for the publication of the letter alluded to . Messrs . Powell , Broderip and Wilde , desire , as the solicitors for Lord Cardigan , " to give the same unqulified contradiction to the accusation . " which they state they can prove to be false . —Morning Chronicle .

      A Composite Veteran . —The Memorial Bordelais states , that not far from St . Sever , there is living an old military man who has a false leg and a false arm , both usable by means of springs , a glass eye , a complete set of false teeth , a nose of silver , covered with a substance perfectly resembling flesh , and & silver plate replacing part of the skuIJ . Ho walks about with a martial air , bearing on his breast the Cross of the Legion of Honour , won , together with his mutilations , by his deeds of arms in the campaigns of Egypt , Italy , and Russia ; at Friedland * Jena , Austerlitz , Wagram , and Waterloo ; and which was conferred upon him by the hands of Napoleon on the 2 nd of May , 1813 , on the field of the battle of Lutzen .

      Wills and Testaments . —What boundless riches , what extensive estates , and what changei of fortune are associated with the words , " Wills and Testaments ! " Could we form an idea of the amount of property which has descended to family , heirs , through these media , we should be struck with astoniahmeut indeed . But ; after ail , what are the riches , estates , and possessions , as a whole , when compared with that inestimable bequest which enriched the Will and Testament of the venerable Old Parr ? By this pearl of health and life , thousands have been , are still being , and will still be benefitted . The bequests of ordinary wills , are confined chiefly to families and friends—while that of Old Parr will extend to whole generations .

      Distressing . Case of Somnambulism . —On Friday evening a serious accident happened to Henry Stirrett , a private of the Royal Sappers and Miners , stationed ia the Artillery Barracks , Brompton , It appears that the soldier had retired to bed with the other men at the usual hour , according to the military regulations , whea about an hour afterwards s corporal of artillery , who slept on the lower floor of the rear of the barracks , was awoke by a noise resembling a tub of water thrown from an upper window ; shortly after he heard a considerable groaning as of a " person in distress , which induced him to get up , and go down to the passage door , when he found the soldier lying on the stones in . the yard weltering in his blood , and with only his

      shirt on . Tho poor fellow was curled up , and lying between five and six feet from the side of the building . The corporal immediately raised an alarm , and with assistance , the wounded man was placed ok a stretcher , and conveyed without delay to the Royal Military Hospital in a state of insensibility . He was promptly attended by Dr . Chisholme , of the Royal Artillery , who bled and rendered every as ^ sistanco to the sufferer . It was found the injuries he had sustained were of a serious nature ; almost all the joints of his body are more or less injured , and it is feared the lower jaw is fractured in two places ; the right wrist ib very much injured , also the left elbow , and both knees . The unfortunate

      man lies in a very precarious state , with not the least prospect of recovery . It is stated by some ol the soldiers who slept in the same room with Stirrett , that they heard him get out of bed and open the room-door and go into the passage , when be musk have gone to the window in his sleep , and having raised the sash , and placing himself on the sill , about three feet from the flooring , he precipitated himself into the yard , a depth of between thirty to forty feet . He is a fine young man , rather above the common size , and only twenty ycats of age . Four of his teeth were knocked out of his head , and were picked up next morning on the pavement amongst the blood .

      Singular and Melancholy Etent . —It is prettygenerally known to the public that that monarch of modern comedians , Mr . W . Farren , some time since experienced a severe shock of paralysis at the conclusion of his inimitable performance of Qld Parr , at the Haymarket Theatre , and by which attack he was compelled to relinquish his professional duties On partial recovery , however , his three medical advisers recommended the air of Brighton . Thither he proceeded , and took up his residence on the Grand Parade ^ where he is , we are happy to Bay , rapidly recovering . It happened that , at a fev ? doors distance , No . 65 , in a house belonging to the Dowager Countess of Winterton , lived Usher Glattr ville Doyle , a long standing acquaintance of Mr . Farren : a man of wealth—of rare qualities in

      literary , musical , and medical attainments ( although an M . D . in the latter branch , he never practised)—an author , and in convivial society he wai an actor of great vivacity , power , and originality , his peculiar and vivid manner of reciting and acting anecdote never failing to " set the table iu a roar . " With all these fascinating powers of amusement , he had been for upwards of twenty years grievously afflicted with a tremulous affection of the whole nervous system , whioh unfortunate malady frequently carried him to such extremes of elevation and depression of spirits as to render his joy or grief painfully excessive . He would sometimes plunge so deeply into the latter passion as to indulge in the wildest and most gloomy presentiments of the extent of his

      existence . On a recent occasion , when his spirits were highly elated , he resolved upon giving an entertainment of the most recherche description on Christmas-day , and for that festive purpose he invited * amongst others , two of his oldest friends from London . The invitation was acknowledged and accepted in a humourous aud facetious answer , tae conjoint effusion of both the old friends , and it so tickled the mirthful fancy of poor Doyle as to induee him to communicate the contents to Mr . Farren ( to whom the guests were perfectly known ) , in the hope that he might be prevailed upon to join them ia tho festivities of tbe day . An interview followed , at which the spirit of the epistle provoked much laughter between them ; but the conversation takiag a serious

      turn , Mr . Farren , at the request of his friend , proceeded to describe his attack of paralysis ia the most graphic and painfully vivid manner ; how , when . first attacked , a chilliness came over the region of his heart ; haw his limbs deadened , and refused to perform their wonted offices ; how a mistiness came * over his ejes ; how all around him appeared confused —obscure ; in brief , a chaos . This conversation occurred on Saturday , the 8 th ins * ,., at four o'clock in tho afternoon , and the two friends separated ia high spirits , to return home to their respective repasts . Mr . Doyle ate a hearty dinner , but it wro too soon made evident thut a power fully-wrought description of an , infirmity of which he had had a presentiment , added to a predisposed and highly

      excitable temperament , had produced an alarming erTect upon his nervous system , which raised in ths minds of his family the most painful apprehensions , which apprehensions , melancholy to state , were ia Lsssihan two boors agonizingly realized by the poor man receiving a shock of paralysis which withered his left side and at one fell blow prostrated nearly . all hia mental and bodily energies . Mr . Futuer , his own medical adviser , was immediately in attendance , followed by Dr . Hall and other surgical professors j but the attack was so deeply-rooted that ft baffled the unhed sfcUl of all those eminenis men , and on Tuesday , th * 12 tb inst . at ialf . pa ? t tw » Usher Glan

      p . r £ , the witty , generous , benevolent - ville terminated his aortal career . His remains were on Saturday , the 16 th inat ., at teaam ^ conaianed to the silent tomb , in a vault under OnrisS Church , Montpelier-road , Brighton , the wor thy vicar , the Rev . Mr . Wagner ( who , under the distressing oiroumstances , most kindly rendered every possible assistance to the afflicted family ) , and the Rev . Mr . Cook officiating . The funeral obsequies were attended by the Rev . J . G . Glanvilla ( a relative ) , his two old friaads who were to hav © dined with him on Christmas-day , Jrlr , Faiuer , aud Mr . Hou 3 e » &n , —< Observer * .

      Untitled Article

      WILSON'S CATECHISMS AND LESSONS FOR CHILDREN . London : Darton and Clark , Hoiborn-hill . There are ten of these publications in all . The three first numbers , consisting of a " First , " " Second , " and ** Third" - Catechism of Common Things . " This title hardly conveys an idea of the contents of these excellent little works . Tne first embracing every snbject under the head of "Articles of Common Consumption and Commerce . " _ The s&cond , " Manufacturing Processes , Arts , Sciences , * . c . " The third , " Titles and Distinctions ,

      Architecture , & . c . & . c . " Then follows a series of three numbers of " Catechisms of Natural Philosophy , " . embracing tbe almost endless subjects under that comprehensive head . Then a First Catechism of Music ; " a First Catechism of Geography f a " Catechism of the Bistory of England ; ' ? and a " First Catechism of Bible History . " Each subject is kept carefully distinct , and the -whole embraces a masBof information never before brought together in such small compass , and familiar and engaging terms . The series would form a beautiful and valuable "New Year ' s Gift , " and the very best present with which we could de&ire to gladden tbe hearts and improve the minds of the young .

      Untitled Article

      THE MOVEMENT ; and ANTI-PERSECUTION GAZETTE . —London : Holyoake , Holy well Street , Strand . This is an eiceDent little publication , edited by Mr G J . Holyoake , whose name must be known to most of our readers , as that of a talented and dauntless advocate of reform , political , social , moral , and religions . As we have before stated m this paper , Mr-H . 1 b a man who has sealed his devotion to what he believes to be sonnd and correct principles by suffering persecution and Incarceration for their Ad-Tocacy . Such men as the Editor of The Movement are but too thinly scattered in ibis " age of money : those , therefore , that are to be found battling on the side of justice and truth , should have tbo hearty support ot "the men of the progress . From the introductory "tide in No . 1 , we extract the following . The Editor , after stating the principal intended features of H The Movement , " proceeds to

      £ & The » asie determination -we hope to bring to otter gmtquestionB we agitate . Onr exertion ^ may be in SfnJLrtm TOtffflU make them . They vrno vrHlnot attempt f rnittess things are unfitted for moral reformers . He who rouBt first be assured of succesa before making exertions , will never achieve great good . Those whoss chief merit consists in making their actions ° 1 L re with listing customs , and are . content to ^ k freedom in tbe hollow paths of life , vnll Bee " no uBe" in tbe course ™ propose to pu ' . roe . But for such we do not , we cannot write . We have ftlt the fashionable inanity asainst which we protest , and cannot fihnt < mr eyes to tis wg that lies tn owtot , and «* tike the harp in praise of cui own vfchement content .

      Untitled Article

      Clayton—Died on jthe 18 th inst , Mr . Joshua Andrew , of Clayton , aged 81 years . Death . —Patrick Boyle , a labourer , was found dead on Monday ^ evenio ^ , at Rockview , near JBallinesty . |

      Chime—The following is a liat of persons who have been sent to prison from the Court House , Bradford , from the 1 st of December 1842 , to the 1 st of December 1843 : —Females under eighteen years of of age , 26 ; Females [ above eighteen , 140 ; Males above eighteen years of age , 531 ; Males under eighteen , 108—Total 805 . i An Ibish Estimate of Joseph Stuboe . —We expect such a reply from the Liberator as will silence the wordy casuistry of Joseph Sturge and his brother crotcheteer , Sharman Crawford . Mr . Sturge is certainly a genuine philanthropist ; but he , or indeed any other of the drab-coloured family , is not made of the right sort of stun for a popular leader . —Belfast Vindicator .

      Mb . and Mrs . Charles Kean have , concluded a most successful engagement in Dublin , the theatre having been nightly crammed to witness their performance . It is said they have realised 4900 by their visit to the Irish ( metropolis ; they have now proceeded to Belfast to fulfil an engagement previous to their appearance at Drury-iane Theatre on New Year ' s night . j The weather in London still continues very fine . This has been one of the moat remarkable days of tho season . At two p . m . the thermometer had risen to 56 , the barometer stood at 30 . 5 , and for several hours the sun . shone with considerable brightness . We learn from the Dublin papers that the weather in Ireland ib most splendid—mild and warm almost as in summer . — -Sim , Saturday .

      Steam Boat Statistics . —By a return recently made of the number of steam boats of all descriptions used for conveyance of passengers fand merchandise on the coast , lakes , and rivers in America , it appears that there are no less than 1 , 300 , of which 826 are in constant service . Of these 488 are of high pressure , and 340 low pressure . ] The aggregate amount of horse power of the engines is 67 , 020 . During the last 30 years there have been 253 steam boat disasters , by which no less than 2 , 000 persons have lost their lives , and 443 have been maimed .

      Ready fob Everything—During the last American war , a revolutionary veteran , living near the ocean , never went to bed without having a well loaded gun by his side . One night there was a violent thunderstorm , whioh shook the house to its foundation . " Husband I husband * " soreamed bis wife , " get up ; ( the Britishers have landed , or thoday of judgment has come— -I don't know which . ' * " Well , " said the oldJBoMier , jumping up , "let them come on—they'll find me ready for either of them . " !

      Citt AKTivimES—During the operations of the workmen . employed is making excavations for new sewers in the parish of St . Ann ' s , BlackfriarB * several pieces of the foundations of ancient buildiagsnave been found , as weU as » great quantity oS human bones . A skeleton , apparently perfectly prior to its removal , has been discovered under the foot pavement in front of the Twe& newspaper establishment , from five to six feet from the surface . No vestige of coffiu , or any description of covering could be traoed . There is but little doubt that these remains of mortality were deposited wKere they were found prior to the fire of London , if not during the existence of the convent and church of the order of Black Friars ,, oi whioli this neighbourhood was the site . _ i

      Untitled Article

      ( Abridged from the . Wolverhamplon Chronicle-J On Tuesday last , aj long investigation took place before Mr . T . M . Phillips , coroner , and an intelligent jury , at Bilston , into the cause of the death of a girl named Mary Jane Wild , eighteen years of age , who , it would appear , was i thrown down a pit , in conseqnence of her refusing ] to comply with the wishes of four men , who had met her ( while in company with another girl ) on the road between Wolverhampton and

      Bilston . The names of the men charged with this atrocious crime are Samuel Fellowes , Robert Porslow , John Perry , and Daniel Webb ; and they had previously been committed by the magistrates at Bilston upon the capital charge of having thrown the poor girl down the pit with the intention of murdering her . They were , however , bjroujrht into the presence of the deceased , when her death became certain , in order that her dying declaration ; might be taken in their presence , which was donejby Mr . W . Baldwin .

      Mr . Charlea Hodgkfns , surgeon , of Bilaton , stated that he attended the-: deceased from tbe time She received her injuries to the time of her death , and minutely described the ! different fractures from which she suffered . He bad , ] he said , made a post' mortem examination of tbe body , and detected the source of all the mischief , which was a fracture of the os ptibis or pubic bone , near its junction with the hip bone , and which had produced , by means of a very minute portion or splculum of bone , a small laceration of tbe peritoneum and caused death . The deceased had a severe lacerated wound on the ; forehead , two lacerated wounds on the right knee , and a compound fracture of the right thigh . :

      Mr . W . Baldwin then gave evidence that he took down the following deposition of the deceased , made in tbe presence of tbe prisoners , Fellows , Parslow , Perry and Webb , and that the deceased was sworn , and perfectly collected at the time . She also made her mark to the deposition : — " Lam eighteen years old , and have lived in Bilston , in the county of Stafford , about six months . I never was married . I went from Bilaten to Wolverhampton on Wednesday last , in company with another girl named Ann Willis . I came back with the same Ann Willis , i That we were overtaken on

      the road by five men . j whom I shall know when I see them . That four of these men ill-used me . They pulled me out of the turnpike-road , and . . , but I would not suffer } them , and the same four men threw me down a pit The man that was with Ann Willis never injured me at all . They pushed me into tbe pit , and I cannot recollect anything after thai . It wats late at night when it happened , and I was quite sober , and I make this declaration in the prospect of death soon taking place , and fully believing that I shall live but a short time , through the injuries I have

      received . I did not think they would have put me in ; I thought that they were only threatening me . ' They took hold of me round the waist , and then pushed me into tbe pit The four ' men are now present . I know them all , having seen them before , except John Perry . They are the same men that were with me on Wednesday night . I bad been pith three of them previous to tbat night . There were four men went off the road with me , and ene went back ag . tin , but I can't say whieh it was , I was so knocked about by them before they got me to the pit . " {

      The evidence of Ann Willis , and others examined before the jury , corroborated the dying declaration of the deceased . g The jury , after a short deliberation , returned a verdict of" Wilful murder '' against all the four prisoners , and tbe Coroner issued his warrant for their commitment to Stafford , to take their trial at the ensuing winter r isizes . l —?

      Pt&Gt;Mi&Gt;.

      pt > mi > .

      Zlitetainve.

      ZLitetainve .

      33ti)(?Bjs.

      33 ti )(? bjS .

      Horrible Murder.

      HORRIBLE MURDER .

      Untitled Article

      THE NORTHERN 8 TAB . 3

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Dec. 30, 1843, page 3, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct961/page/3/