308 At night, the vessels proceeded to sea, and crossing the channel, they were within eight leagues of the French coast before sun-rise on Thursday. As the morning opened with a heavy haze, and drizzling rain, the Prince was unable to take a view of the coast, and the ships returned again into our roads early on Thursday afternoon, and after obtaining a fresh supply of provisions, stores, &c. the fleet put to sea again the same night. On Friday morning, the Royal George yacht, with the frigates &c. again made the French coast, and appeared off St. Valery in France. The French were for some time in confased consternation on seeing the approach of these vessels, but the signal being hoisted for a pilot to come on board, the very man came to the yacht who piloted the King of France into Calais.-This man well explained the whole coast. His R. H. set off for London soon after he landed, and the Royal George, Tiber. and Inconstant, returned to Spithead in the evening, after a run of five hours from Brighton roads. His Royal Highness, on disembarking, presented Capt. Paget with an elegant snuff-box, in testimony of his high esteem. An application has recently been made to Government for a loan of Exchequer Bills, to the whole amount of the sum required to complete the Canal from St. Nicholas Bay, and the necessary barbour at that place, and there is reason to believe that the request will be complied with, so as to enable the proprietors to undertake this important work. Juvenile Depravity. The Committee on the Police of the Metropolis have published a second Report, from which it appears that in 1816, there were confined in the several prisons in London, 1683 persons under 20 years of age; and 1281 of seventeen or under; of the latter number 951 were for felony. The two great objects of this New Report are, the System of Parliamentary rewards, and the utility of prisons for reformation. On the 1st, the Committee properly expose the evils resulting from the system, as frequently inducing police officers and others, if uot to give evidence altogether false, to swear more pointedly than truth and justice fully warrant. The practice of giving halfpence to beggars, in order to get ten shillings by their apprehension, is most abominable. As to prisons, the censure on them for associating petty and criminal offenders, falls very heavy on that of Clerkenwell; but as a new prison is in great forwardness, we hope that objection will be soon obviated. mend the erection of a prison in the metro- Fire.--The neighbourhood of Fleet-market was thrown into the greatest confusion, discovery of a fire in the shop of Mr. Stubb's, on the night of Sunday, the 7th inst, by the linen-draper, on the west side of the mar ket. It soon communicated to the premises of a clothes-seller, which, with the former, were totally destroyed. By ten o'clock the progress of the flames was stopped, but not until they had done considerable damage to the adjoining houses. The loss of property is very great, from the rapidity with which the devouring element extended its ravages, state, that the united power of twelve en some idea of which may be formed when we gines was unable to check its progress, until the damage above stated had been done. The Biter bit.-J. Dellehay, servant to a coal-merchant, was charged at Marlbro'street police-office, under the act called the Metropolis Paving Act, with unlawfully wheeling a barrow, containing two sacks of street. coal, on the footway pavement in Oxford Flowerdew, the beadle, saw the prisoner wheel the barrow on the pavement, and acwatch-house, he met an old deaf woman, cordingly seized it; but on his way to the wheeling another; the coal-man insisted that he should detain this also, but having no assistance, he could not attend to both; he nevertheless stopped the woman, and sent to the watch-house, and another beadle came to his assistance, who took the old woman's barrow, wheeled it across the street, and very deliberately along the pavement until he came to the watch-house door; thereby incurring the penalty, as well as the other defendants. The coal-dealer, laughing in his sleeve, accompanied them to the office, where gainst the beadle, and served the summons he instantly filed a regular information aupon him, so that by the time his conviction formation at his suit. The old waman and took place, the beadle had to plead to an inthe complainaut (for so we must now style the coalman) were each fined 40s. and on their evidence the beadle was convicted in a like penalty, which the magistrates have no heard his conviction, his face underwent the power of mitigating. As soon as the beadle most comic changes; he first looked surprised, then confounded, amazed, and perplexed, -At length be stammered out that he bad forgot, and only acted through ignorance; upon which the coal-man with a knowing grin exclaimed, "Ah! I acted through igBorance too." This reply created much laughter. The magistrate said, Justice in her dispensations is blind, and could not see the capacity of offenders; but if officers, who ought to know better, committed the offence, he, as a magistrate, should consider it as his imperative duty to enforce the payment of the fine which the act allows. Melancholy situation. — Guildhall. — A young man, about 18 years of age, named Wright, was brought up by a watchman, who stated, that at a late hour on the night of the 13th, he discovered the doors of a fruit warehouse, in Fleet-market, standing open, and several baskets full of apples and other fruit standing outside the place. On entering the premises, he discovered the prisoner crouched in a corner, and took him to the watch-house. The account the prisoner gave of himself was, that he had been a long time out of employ; that he had been refused relief by the parish to which he belonged, and having no place to go to, he had taken refuge in the warehouse about a week ago, where he had remained ever since, living upon apples! Being reduced to great weakness, through this mode of subsistence, he hal formed a resolution of robbing the premises. In this, he said, he had a double motive he was anxious to procure some more substantial food, and was at the same time in hopes that he might be apprehended for the felony, as he should then, in some way or other, be provided for. This statement was corroborated by the officer, who said that the prisoner was so weak as to be unable to walk to the Compter. The magistrate ordered him to be committed to Bridwell for a month, and then passed to his parish. Canine Robber. At Hatton Garden Police Office, Mrs. Knight and another Lady gave information of being robbed by a Dog, in the following singular manner:-She stated that she and her sister were returning about six o'clock in the evening from St. Pancras church, towards Battle Bridge-a hairy dog, resembling a drover's dog, unaccompanied by any person, jumped suddenly from the road side, and laying hold of the ridicule she had in her hand with his teeth, forcibly natched it from her, and crossing off the road, made his escape; her ridicul contained a pound note, a sovereign, 188. in silver, asilver thimble, a pair of silver spectacles, and several other articles. The Constable stated, that a dog answering the same description attacked a poor woman a few evenings before, near the Veterinary College, and robbed her of a bundle containing two shirts and some handkerchiefs, and other things, with which he ran away, and that the poor woman was so frightened, it had nearly cost her her life. There were several other charges made against the same dog, which is supposed to have been trained up to the business, and that his master must be at some place not far distant. The officers undertook to be on the alert, to apprehend the depredator, or else to shoot him. GENERAL. Newly discovered Cavern.-A cavern of considerable extent has been discovered at Spaxton, near Bridgwater, and visited by many respectable and scientific persons of that town. Some difficulty was experienced in making their way through the narrow defiles leading to the principal chamber; on arriving at it, they were agreeably compensated by the effect produced from their lights on the pendulous incrustations of carbonate of lime, which embossed its roof and sides. Some specimens were brought away, but the owner of the spot has properly determined to preserve it in its present state, as a pleasing object of curiosity. Fatal effects of excessive joy.—A woman at Hanley, in the Pottery, named Phoebe Atkins, who had a son in the army, from whom she had not heard for several years, and supposed him dead, a few days ago received a letter from him, stating, that he was alive and well, and should shortly be at home; her joy at the intelligence of her lost son being found, was so excessive, that she broke out into alternate fits of laughter and weeping, and in a few hours expired. Cumberland & Norhumberland Cann!.—On the 29th of August, a meeting of the county of Northumberland was held at Newcastle, Sir T. Clavering, High Sheriff, in the Chair, to consider of opening a communication be tween the Eastern and Western seas. The following resolutions were unanimously carried: That the Meeting approves the formation of a navigable canal, from the River Tyne to the Solway Frith, as tending to the advantage of the commercial and agricultural interests of the North of England, and as calculated in a great degree, in the mean time, to furnish employment for the labouring poor.-That application be made during the ensuing Session of Parliament, for leave to bring in a Bill for a Canal from Lyminton to Haydon Bridge, keeping in view its ultimate extension to Solway Frith A subscription, exceeding £1000 in amount, was immediately entered into, to defray the expence of accurate surveyings and level. linge, and of obtaining other important information, preparatory to the commencement of the undertaking. Explosion of Fire Works.-The inhabitants of the town and neighbourbood of Newark, had been for some time, in expectation of witnessing a grand display of fire-works, prepared by Mr. Armstrong, of that place; it was intended that the exhibition should take place on the 19th ult. but it had been postponed from time to time, on account of the unfavourable state of the weather, and, at length, Wednesday the 3d Sept. was fixed upon for the display, of which notice was Unfortugiven by public advertisement. nately, however, a premature explosion on Tuesday forenoon, put an end at once to the expectations of the public, and (in a dreadful manner) the hopes of the preparer. The fire-works were deposited in a large room, in Boar-lane, where Mr. Doubleday, the gun-smith, had a small forge; and being of opinion that the combustibles were at a distance sufficient to be out of the reach of danger, Mr. D. heated the forge, for the purpose of sharpening a gun-lock, when to his utter astonishment, as well as that of James Corby (son to the sexton of the parish) who happened to be in the place at the time, some of the articles suddenly took fire, and communicating with the rest, the whole exploded and flew about in all directions, by which they were so miserably burnt, that it was with the greatest difficulty they were removed from the spot. Corby was so much injured that he survived the accident only a few hours. Mr. Doubleday was for some time considered in imminent danger, but hopes are now entertained of his recovery. Mr. Armstrong was at some distance, but on hearing the reports made by the combustibles, he hastened to the spot, and in endeavouring to assist the unfortunate men, he received material injury: the distress of his mind at this shocking catastrophe, is not to be described. On Thursday, Angust 28, a church missionary meeting was held in the Town Hall, in Gainsbro', Gervas Parnell, Esq. in the chair, who opened the business, in a speech suitable to the occasion. The Rev. Mr. Bickerteth, one of the missionaries to Sierra Leone, gave an account of the success of the institution in that place and colonies; and the Rev. Mr. Mair, and several other very respecta ble persons, delivered excellent speeches expressive of their wish to join in the general cause to promote the christian religion, not only in the above parts, but throughout the habitable globe. And on Friday, at the fourth anniversary of the Auxiliary Bible Society, Sir Montague Cholmeley, who was in the chair, delivered a most excellent speech on the occasion, and the meeting was honoured with the presence of several Reverend Gen tlemen, who largely expatiated on the giorious success which had attended the institntion of Bible Societies, by the dissemination of the Holy Scriptures in many parts of the dark and benighted world. The two meetings were attended by the most respectable of the inhabitants, when books were left open for the names of those who are hearty in the cause; and we are happy in saying, a very liberal subscription has already been raised. Acquittal of the Blanketeers.-These men, whose intended visit to the Prince Regent was magnified into the most terrible plots and traitorous designs, were brought up to take their trial, during the assizes at Lancaster, when, after the charge against them had been stated to the Jury, Mr. Topping addressed them to this effect: "I am very happy to save his lordship and you all further trouble in this case. It is well known that in the month of March last, the town of Manchester and its vicinity were thrown into great terror and alarm by tumultuous assemblages. The defendants are charged with having called such assemblies, to the great alarm ofthe vieintiy, and to the undoubted danger of the country. By the exertions, however, of the very respectable part of the people of Manchester, and by the co-operation of the very excellent police of that place, the evil has been effectually suppressed, so that all is now quiet and tranquil in the extensive, populous, and I hope, still opulent county of Lancaster. It cannot be the wish of any Government, and especially our Government, to punish unnecessarily. The improved, and still improving state of the country, has given a different turn to public feeling from what it was in March last. On this account, and as the defendants have already suffered so long imprisonment, no evidence is to be offered to you on the part of the prosecution." Baron Wood-"Gentlemen of the Jury, there being no evidence against the defendants, you will find them not guilty;" which of course was done. Execution at Lancaster.-Sept. 8. This day James Ashcroft the elder, James Ashcroft the younger, David Ashcroft, and Wm. Holden, suffered the sentence of the law, for the murder of Margaret Marsden and Hannah Partington, at Pendleton, near Manchester. The scene was awful, beyond description; and the unhappy men persisted to make the most solemn declarations of their innocence of the crime for which they were going to suffer, to the last moment of their existence. Fire at Liverpool.-Sept. 10. Between the hours of eight and nine this evening, a fire broke out in a public house near the Old Dock, and raged with considerable fury until between eleven and twelve, when, by the exertions of the firemen, and the assistance of the people assembled, together with the prompt attendance of the military, it was got under, having been principally confined to the premises in which it originated. A great crowd had assembled, and about ten o'clock a cry of "gunpowder" having been raised, a number of spectators, panic-struck, rushed from the fire, and in their hurry forced several persons into the dock, one of whom, a young man, was drowned, leaving a wife and three children to lament his loss, Humanity. During the night of the 4th of August, as W. Hunter, of Hartlepool, and his boatman George Pounder, were fishing for herrings a little to the northward of Staiths, on the Yorkshire coast, they were alarmed by the cries of "help! help! to save our lives." The night was extremely dark, and the persons in distress were at some distance: Hunter, however determined to use his exertions to save them, and cutting from his lines, rowed in the direction which their cries pointed out to him, and he happily succeeded in rescuing two men and a boy from a watery grave. A large draught of herrings had sunk their boat, and her crew were floating in the sea, in an exhausted state when Hunter reached them. They were taken into the coble of their deliverer, and restored to their friends at Staiths, from whom Hunter received the most grateful acknowledgements, as well as from the poor men themselves. The nets which Hunter cut from, when the sacred impulse directed him to the relief of his fellow creatures, were worth upwards of £30, and chances were much against his ever finding them again; but we rejoice to add, they have been recovered. The Edinburgh. So daring have the juvenile depredators of this city become, that they actually scale the walls of the Castle in quest of plunder. A quantity of clothes, laid out by a searjeant's wife to dry, near the Sallyport guard, were lately carried off. Fort-Major's servant saw two boys taking away clothes from the Sally-port, who, on his calling to them, hid them among some nettles, hastily descended the rock, and ran off with all speed. University of Edinburgh.-Aug 1. This University conferred the Degree of Doctor of Medicine on ninety-two Students, after their usual trials, viz. thirty-seven of Scotland, thirty-two from Ireland, eighteen from England, three from Jamaica, one from Barbadoes, and one from Hamburgh. Union Canal between Edinburgh and Glasgow. The state of the subscription for this work is now such as to enable the committee of management to assure the public, that the work will commence as soon as the lateness of the harvest will permit the levels to be renewed, and the ground staked out. The surface plan of the country is already more than half completed, and the other preliminary steps are also in progress, so that there is now no doubt of the Canal being begun this winter. Chain Bridge.-A bridge of this description was lately finished at Dryburgh, for the convenience of foot-passengers, across the river Tweed. It consists of a platform of wood, supported by chains suspended from pillars, on each side of the river, at the height of eighteen feet from the surface of the water; the span, from the point of suspension is 261 feet, affording an easy and level passage, with very little vibration.The appearance of the bridge is extremely light and elegant, and connected with the beautiful scenery of Dryburgh, is uncommonly interesting. Much praise is due to the Earl of Buchan, for so noble an example in scientific experiment, as the bridge is done entirely at his Lordship's expence. The bridge was planned and executed by Messrs. John and Thomas Smith of Darnick, and does them much credit as architects and workmen. Ireland. We are concerned to find that a contagious fever prevails in this country to a considerable extent; a recent Irish Farmer's Journal, says, "For some time past, it has prevailed in the South, and is perhaps but little abated; we now find, that its progress is equally rapid and destructive in the North. From Strabane, Sligo, Ardoe, and Drogheda, the accounts are really distressing, and in Dundalk, we are concerned to state, that the last medical reports placed the number afflicted with typhus fever at 100.— It is generally believed, that it has arisen from the distress and misery of the poor," and will therefore, we hope, vanish before the return of better and more plentiful food. Irish Tea. Three men and a woman have been committed to Wexford gaol, by A. H. Jacob, who were detected in the act of mapufacturing leaves of alder, birch, &c. so as to resemble the various kinds of tea imported from China. About two hundred weight of this deleterious article, together with the sheets and blankets used in the process of drying, were lodged in the Custom House. YORKSHIRE. Explosion of Fire Damp.--Five persons were burned to death by the explosion of the carburetted hydrogen in a coal-pit, near Bradford, on the 21st of August, owing to the bottom of one of Sir Humphrey Davy's safety lamps, having been separated from the body, from its being soldered instead of rivetted, and thereby forming a communication between the internal and outward air. A meeting of the inhabitants of Thorne, was convened August 21, for the purpose of establishing a Bible Association in that town.- -The chair was taken by the Rev. Dr. Inchbald, of Doncaster, who clearly and ably stated the nature and object of such societies.-The Rev. W. Ellis next addressed the meeting, giving a detail of what had already been done by Bible Associations in other places, and the happy effects which had resulted from their establishment. Several other gentlemen gave excellent speeches on the occasion, and the meeting was then closed, by a very appropriate address from the chair. A meeting for the formation of a Church Missionary Society, in the town of Pontefract, was held in the Town-Hall, on the 26th. The Rev, Mr. Barnes, of Castleford, was unanimously called to the chair, and conducted the business of the day in a very able manner. The meeting was respectable, and several clergymen addressed the company,--the Rev. Messrs. Lambric, Mair, Ellis, and others. The Rev. Mr. Bickersteth, who has been some years at Sierra Leone, in Africa, gave a very interesting detail of the present state of the heathen, and the success which had attended the Missionary exertions in that long injured country. Huddersfield Bible Society.-On Friday, Aug. 29, the Seventh Anniversary Meeting of the Huddersfield Auxiliary Bible Society, was held in a large and convenient room in that town, where the Institution has lately excited an increased interest and attention, manifested, on the present occasion, by a large and respectable attendance, and by animated and cogent addresses. As Sir John Lister Kaye, Bart. the President, was unavoidably absent, Mr. Rowland Hoghton complied with the request of the Meeting, by taking the chair, and introduced the business of the day in a suitable and able manner. The Rev. Samuel Walter, one of the Secretaries, then read an interesting Report of the Committee, which exhibited not only a view of the occurrences of the Auxiliary, but a concise relation of the operations and suc cess of the Institution in general. Among the speakers were noticed the Rev. Miles Jackson, Wm. Hey, Esq. F. R.S. and T.S. B. Reade, Esq. from Leeds;-the Rev. Messrs. Curwin, Cockin, Hanwell, Stoner, and Walter;-Dr. Walker, and other gentlemen; all of whom, (whilst they evinced the greatest sympathy for the many millions who have so long been in darkness, and rejoiced that such eagerness is evinced both to receive and to distribute the Holy Scriptures) conveyed much information and gave great satisfaction. It was remarkable, that although the past season had been peculiarly inauspicious, yet seven Bible Associations have been formed within the district, in a few months, containing more than 600 members. Mr. Hey favored the Meeting with some pleasing details of the benefit of Bible Asso ciations among the lower classes of society: and these smaller institutions were general. ly recommended to the notice and patronage of the higher ranks:-the influence which the principles of the Bible have had on the minds and manners of men, were noticed in a variety of instances. These principles are, indeed, the best security against infidelity, anarchy, and sedition; and, to the poor, will prove a comfort in every season of privation, affliction, or distress. We hope that every succeeding year, and renewed anniversary, will witness an increasing number of associations, addition of patrons and friends, and multiplied facts to evince the utility of this pious design, till that hap py period arrives, when the knowledge of God, through the instrumentality of his word, may cover the earth, as the waters cover the sea.- -Much union and harmony prevailed in the Meeting, and the Society bids fair to be abundantly prosperous. Leeds Church Missionary Association.— August 25, the fourth Anniversary of this Institution, was held at the Music-Hall, in this town. The chair was taken a little af ter eleven o'clock, by Henry Hall, Esq. who opened the business of the day in an ap propriate speech. The Rev. Miles Jackson, the Secretary, then read the report, which was ordered to be printed on the motion of the Vicar, seconded by the Rev. Robert Humphreys. The information it communicated was very encouraging. It stated that the last year's receipts of the Parent Society had been great. er than in any former year: but this, it observed, afforded no plea for relaxing the ef forts of its supporters, as its expenditure had also been much greater than usual. Fif ty English clergymen had offered their ser vices as Missionaries, which could not al |