I

express permission of the committee of the members of to the chief of the Bath police:-"I was at the publicthe Carlton Club, while the letters spoken of, addressed house, and at the time selling lucifers and other little to the newly-returned Whig representatives, ran thus:- things. I had half a pint of beer, and I saw the man In having the honour of placing the enclosed written I murdered pull out his purse, which tempted me. list in your presence, I beg leave to propose the insertion followed him from the public-house until he went two of your portrait into the new series of this national or three fields over a stile, and when he got 70 or 80 work to which it relates, and will presume to wait on yards I tripped him up with my foot. He fell on the you for the requisite facilities to enable me to carry out back of his head and called out Murder' very loudly, my respectful proposal." The enclosed circular, headed and said to me, Do you want to murder me? I rewith the name of Lord J. Russell, and followed by plied to him, 'Yes.'"' The prisoner, then looking at Mr. Roebuck, Dr. Bowring, Col. Thompson, Mr. Hume, his arms, said, "I was then much stronger and more and a vast number of others in the liberal interest, active than I am now, and I held him a few minutes intimated that the writer, with the countenance of the and drew my knife across his throat two or three times, Reform Club, was about to dedicate his talents to that and he never moved afterwards. There was not much party. The prisoner denied that he had obtained the struggling, as it was soon over. I knelt on him, and portraits under false pretences, as he intended to have had when I was on him the blood came over me, and I tore copics engraved, but was unable for want of the promised up some grass and stuffed it into the cut. I then took support. He was remanded for further examination. his purse, but did not get more than seven or eight shillings. I thought he had more, or it would not have happened. I am sorry for it. It was a cold-blooded deed, and one of the worst murders that ever was done. I slept in a cart-house that night, and in barns and under haystacks ever since; but wherever I was I could not rest, as I saw the man. It was a dreadful thing to have on the mind, and I am perfectly prepared to die for it." On the 24th inst. Smith was brought before the county magistrates at Bath. A number of witnesses were examined, whose evidence corroborated the prisoner's confession. When the magistrates were consider. ing the propriety of calling further witnesses, he said, " Gentlemen, there's enough of evidence to hang twenty, without any more." He was committed for trial at the next assizes.

A case came before the Middlesex Sessions on the 19th, which shows the evil arising from the Insufficient care of Lunatics. Joseph Aylieff, an elderly man, was tried for stealing a publican's pot. In a field near Kilburn he was found with the pot in question, which he said he had brought from Kent, whereas he had really taken it from the Swan Inn at Hendon. The innkeeper said he had known the prisoner for a number of years about the neighbourhood of Hendon-a respectable man, and most respectably connected: he could not think he meant to steal the pot. However, Joseph Aylieff was convicted. One of his sons then told the judge that his father was insane. It appeared that this son had placed him in Marylebone Workhouse; but after he had remained there nearly two years, another son took him out, and allowed him to range uncontrolled-with the result of a conviction for theft. The certificate of the master of the Workhouse stated that at the time the man was given up to his son, he was in "unsound state of mind." The judge remarked that the lunatic would not have been discharged from any regular public asylum, unless his relatives had given security that he should be placed under proper restraint. Sergeant Adams would not try him on a second charge of stealing a shawl. The formal sentence was six months' imprisonment with hard labour; but, on a surgeon's certificate of insanity, the poor man is to be placed in an asylum.

an

In the Insolvent Debtors' Court, on the 24th inst., Alexander Wallace, who had been a student at Oxford, applied to be Discharged. His debts exceeded 9007.; and for nearly 6007. he had received no consideration on accommodation bills accepted by him for other Oxford students, and now held by bill discounters. Mr. Commissioner Phillips expressed himself in indignant terms on the schedule. There were debts for cigars and jewellery. It was elicited from the insolvent that his father was a conveyancer, and had allowed him 1507. a year, and had paid some debts contracted at Oxford. The insolvent's counsel hoped it would be a lesson to him. Mr. Commissioner Phillips was inclined to make it a serious lesson by giving a remand, but it was pity for the father, and not for the insolvent, that induced him to forego. Had a tradesman opposed, he would have been remanded for six months. The insolvent was discharged.

A dreadful act of Piracy and Murder has been committed by Coolies on board) an American vessel, the Robert Browne, in March last. An account of it is contained in the deposition of Joseph Valentine, the steward of the ship. She sailed from Amoy with a crew of 19 men, and about 400 Chinese, bound for San Francisco. The captain in order to maintain cleanliness cut off the tails of a great many of the Coolies, and obliged them to come on deck and be washed all over in cold water, the men scrubbing them with cane brooms. The Coolies evinced much concern at losing their tails, many of them crying. They were well furnished with food and water. On the 10th day out, while Valentine was at the galley door about half-past nine in the morning, he heard a shout from the Chinamen, and saw a body of them rushing aft, armed with pieces of wood as clubs, and, at the same time, one from behind seized him round the wrist. With a small knife he held he cut his wrist, and the Coolie let go his hold and followed his companions aft. Valentine then went into the galley with the Chinese cook, and both held the doors to prevent the ingress of the Coolies. From a small window in the front of the galley, he saw the murder of the second mate, who was knocked down by blows on the head from ten or twelve men, and some of the Coolies, having by that time obtained boarding pikes, stabbed him. He was thrown overboard not quite dead, and clinging to a rope was stabbed again with pikes till he relinquished his hold. The Coolies then forced the doors of the galley and stabbed at Valentine with the pikes, notwithstanding the intercesJohn Mepham, convicted of Highway Robbery at the sion of the cook. He succeeded in wresting a pike from Lewes Assizes, on the 23rd, was sentenced to transporta- them, and drove them aft, one or two of the Coolies falltion for fifteen years. He had waylaid a farmer who ing by his thrusts. He then jumped down the forecastle was returning home from a sheep fair, knocked him hatch, where they barricaded him in. In about an hour down, and robbed him of 107. in bank notes and some they called to him through one of the Chinese, who silver. spoke English, and told him to come up, promising not In December last, a milkman named George Bush, a to hurt him. He did so, and was led aft to the wheel, quiet, inoffensive man, residing near Bath, was Mur-where Smith was also brought. After steering for an dered. He had attended an auction-sale at a neigh-hour Valentine was taken into the cabin, and ordered bouring village, and, after having spent part of the under pain of death to show where the captain's valuables evening at the village public house, left it to go home, were. He did so, but they got but little. The men and next morning was found dead in a field, with his were aloft when Valentine came on deck, whither they throat cut, and his pockets rifled. Several persons were had retreated after making unavailing resistance. The apprehended on suspicion, but discharged. But an Irish Coolies told the men if they would come down and take pedlar, named Christopher Smith, while imprisoned in them to land they would not hurt them. The men did Dorchester jail as a vagrant, told a fellow prisoner that so, and they were all well treated while they were rehe had committed a murder in Somersetshire. This turning. Valentine was informed by the Chinese that led to his apprehension on suspicion of the murder of the captain, two officers, and three men, had been killed. Bush; and the prisoner made the following confession The Coolies obliged him to attend the wounded

among themselves, of which there were several, and they said eight of their number were killed in the fight and thrown overboard. They quarrelled much among themselves about the division of the plunder. Some days afterwards, land was made, and Valentine and another man found means to escape from the vessel. Another Breach of Promise case was tried at Nottingham on the 23rd. Fanny Bird, a farmer's daughter, about four-and-twenty years of age, went in April, 1850, to perform the duties of housekeeper for her brother, who held a small farm and water corn-mill at Shirland Park, in Derbyshire. Near to her brother's house lived a family named Bansall, who soon became intimate with their new neighbours. George Bansall the son, twenty years old, fell in love with Miss Bird, who was pretty, lively, and well educated for a farmer's daughter. For some months Bansall simply paid assiduous court to the young lady in the ordinary way; but at length he wrote a letter formally declaring his passion, and soliciting an instant reply. Miss Bird did not send one. About a week after, Bansall met her at Mansfield fair; went home in her company; declared his love, and was accepted. The courtship now ran smoothly; Bansall being constantly at the Birds', writing foolish verses, and making presents. At length Fanny found herself about to become a mother. In her terror she told her lover: he replied, they would soon be married; his father would take a farm for him, and all would go well. The wedding-day was fixed, the ring bought, the clothes made; but the farm was not taken, and the day was adjourned. Bansall now proposed that they should go to Australia; but their plan failed. Another day was fixed, but Bansall did not come; and gradually he deserted her, and she went home. On the 23rd of October, 1851, a female child was born. Bansall was again asked whether he intended to marry her; but he did not reply. There was only one course left for her friends-an action against Bansall. The jury assessed the damages at 8007.

Reading and Reigate Railway, at which time Major William Beresford was chairman, stated that the letter and the address on the envelope were in the handwriting of Major William Beresford, M.P., now Secretary at War. Bribery by Morgan was proved by a butcher, whose name was marked 1053 in Morgan's pocket book, and who admitted that he had taken 27. to vote for Horsfall. Morgan was committed, but afterwards liberated on bail, himself on 300., and two sureties in 1507. each.

A fracas has taken place between Mr. Digby Seymour, the newly returned member for Sunderland, and Mr. Campbell Foster. Mr. Seymour used expressions in one of his election-speeches which were considered injurious to Mr. Campbell Foster. A mutual friend interfered, and obtained an expression of regret from Mr. Seymour. But the two gentlemen afterwards met in York Castle, and a dispute arose as to whether Mr. Seymour's letter was an apology. Angry words were exchanged, and were succeeded by a regular boxing-match. Bystanders interfered, and the learned pugilists were taken before Lord Campbell and Mr. Justice Wightman; there admonished on the great impropriety of their conduct, and bound on their own recognizances in 5007. each to keep the peace for six months.

NARRATIVE OF ACCIDENT AND

DISASTER.

THE Duchess of St. Albans and Lady Beauclerk met with a Dangerous Accident on the 30th June. The Duchess had visited the exhibition of the Botanical Society in the Regent's Park, and was crossing the ornamental basin in her carriage by the bridge: suddenly the box on which the coachman and footman were sitting gave way. The footman managed to gain his legs, but the coachman fell. The horses, being unchecked, Another Garotte Robbery has been committed at Leeds. plunged violently, and started off. Before they passed On the 26th, four men, named George Wood, John Bone, through the gates, the coachman, fortunately, got extriJohn Hudson, and Robert Turner, were brought up cated; he had apparently received no hurt, for he got before the Leeds sitting justices, charged with assaulting up directly, and ran after the carriage, followed by the and robbing Michael Coleman, a carver and gilder, re- footman. The horses went at their utmost speed siding at Huddersfield. A police officer stated that about towards Marylebone Church; where they came in one o'clock on Sunday morning, while on duty at the collision with the iron railings in front of the portico, west end of the town, he heard a loud cry of "Murder," two bars of which were snapped; both the horses fell, and on going to the spot, he found Michael Coleman in and it was found afterwards that one of them had its Corporation-street, standing with his hat off, and bleed-neck broken. The ladies were taken from the carriage ing profusely about the head and face. He complained of having been knocked down by some men, who, he said, had robbed and nearly killed him. After endeavouring but in vain to trace out the parties, he (the policeman) returned to Coleman and set him off towards Woodhouse, where he said his mother resided. About an hour later on, he (the policeman) heard another call of "Watch." This was on the Kirkstall road, not far from Corporationstreet, and on going to the place he met a man named John Broadbent, who complained of three or four men having assaulted and robbed him, and he further stated that the men who had assailed him had walked off towards a haystack, which he pointed out, and behind it they found the four prisoners covered over with hay. On two of them was found a hat, a shirt front, two tobacco boxes, and other articles belonging to Coleman, the man who was first robbed. Coleman himself was too ill to attend to give evidence against the prisoners, who were remanded.

At the Derby election, a person named Morgan was found with money in his possession, and documents proving that he was engaged in Bribery. Amongst other things, there was the following letter, addressed to "Mr. John Frail, Clerk of the Course, Shrewsbury ""A good and safe man, with judgment and quickness, is wanted immediately at Derby. I suppose that you cannot leave your own place; if not, send some one whom you can trust in your place. Let him go to Derby on receiving this, and find the County Tavern, in the centre of the town, and send his card to Cox, Brothers, and Company, lead-works, as coming from Chester; that will be enough. 'Monday."

W. B.

An investigation took place before the magistrates, and a Mr. Keogh, who had been secretary of the

unhurt.

A terrible Steam-boat Collision happened in the Thames, off Northfleet, on the 1st inst. The Ravensbourne, bound for Antwerp, was running down the river with full tide in her favour, almost in the wake (a little on the star-board quarter) of the Meteor, Gravesend steamer, and was nearly opposite Northfleet at two o'clock. Near Northfleet point, the Margate steamship, Duchess of Kent, was met coming up against the tide, hugging the Kentish shore closely. The Ravensbourne was about three parts over towards that shore, and as she came near to the point, she seemed to take the starboard tack, which would bring her nearer to the Kentish shore. The Duchess of Kent was crossing over from the point, and was trying to go between the Ravensbourne and the Meteor, when the Ravensbourne came full upon her bows, about twenty feet from her figure-head, and stove her in to such an extent that she immediately began to fill, and in nine minutes of time she went down head-foremost, in deep water. A dreadful scene ensued. There were from seventy to a hundred persons- many ladies and children-in the sinking steamer. Some were got on board the Ravensbourne. The Meteor approached alongside and took off the rest, except a Mr. Hale, who was too infirm to move. This gentleman went down with the vessel; but when in water he rose, and kept afloat till a boat took him up. In the confusion of the moment, it was rumoured that some passengers were missing; but it was ultimately found that all escaped. The Ravensbourne was so little damaged that she proceeded on her voyage.

A gallant act has been performed by Mr. G. H. Bowden, a young gentleman of Eton. A gentleman was rowing near Windsor; his boat upset in shallow water;

A frightful Railway Accident occurred on Saturday evening, the 17th, to an engine-driver named Stanley at SOCIAL, SANITARY, AND MUNICIPAL Gobowen, on the Shrewsbury and Chester line. The unfortunate man had got off the engine at a siding, and was examining the machinery to see that it was in proper working order and not over-heated, and at the same time the stoker was engaged in filling the boiler with water, when three or four waggons which were moving down on an inclined plane towards the engine were allowed to proceed too rapidly by the person who had the charge of them, and who, it is supposed, did not apply the break so vigorously as he ought to have done. The consequence was that the waggons dashed with great velocity against the engine which Stanley was engaged in examining, and the unfortunate man's arm was caught in the machinery, and he was thrown down and the engine went over him, tearing his arm out of the socket and mangling him so frightfully that he expired immediately.

A meeting has taken place to Promote the Erection of Improved Dwellings for Married Soldiers. Prince Albert has given the project his warmest support, and a few officers of the Guards have been able to commence operations which may hereafter be extended. The scheme is to be entirely self-supporting, and, it is hoped, may be so remunerative as to induce capitalists hereafter to embark in a similar praiseworthy object. Funds to the amount of about 40007. have been already subscribed for, and the names of the Prince Consort, Prince Edward of Saxe Weimar, Lords Ellesmere, Strafford, Verulam, F. Fitzclarence, and others, afford some proof of public opinion upon a question that affects the moral and social condition of a class in whose welfare the public cannot fail to take concern. More than usually restricted in their circumstances, they are often driven into the lowest society, forced, as they are, to seek within certain limits for a habitation. The meeting was well attended, and resolutions appointing trustees and approving of the object were passed.

in Ireland in the week ending 24th April last, was the mean temperature was higher than on any day since 3498-in workhouses in the same week, 186,453; the 5th of July, 1836. The highest temperature on showing a decrease, as compared with the corresponding Friday was 89 degrees; the mean of that day was 70-9 period of last year, of 70,261 paupers, or 27 per cent of degrees; and the highest in the sun was 121 5 degrees. the whole. The mean daily temperature was 14.1 degrees above the average on Monday, and 11.9 degrees above it on Tuesday, and it was never less than 6 degrees in excess throughout the week. The wind blew from the southeast on Sunday and Monday, and from the north-east and east during the remainder of the week. The Royal Agricultural Society has held its yearly show of agricultural live-stock and farming implements, at Lewes. The general election and oppressive heat of the weather tended to make the attendance of visitors thinner than usual; but there was a very excellent show of stock, and a show of implements unprecedented either in quantity or quality. The advance in the display of instruments is ascribed to the stimulus given to this department of the show by the Great Exhibition in Hyde Park last year. Notable improvements have been made in all sorts of steam-engines for agricultural purposes, and in reaping machines. Nearly a score of improved reaping-machines entered the competition. At the grand dinner of the Society on the 14th, Earl Ducie presided; and Sir John Pakington, Lord Palmerston, the Earl of Carlisle, Chevalier Bunsen, and Mr. Laurence, the American Minister, addressed the meeting. Mr. Thompson, one of the "judges," wound up with satisfactory facts about the good influence on agricultural practice which the yearly improvements in agricultural machinery are exercising.

The official report of the Health of London during the week ending the 10th instant, contains some interesting particulars respecting the heat of the weather, and its consequences. The week (says the report) that ended last Saturday, brought a considerable accession to the mortality of London, which rose higher than it had been in the eleven weeks preceding. In the week ending July 3, with a mean temperature of 59.7 degrees, the deaths registered were 987; in last week ending July 10, with a mean temperature of 709 degrees, they were 1080, showing an increase of nearly 100. In the ten corresponding weeks of the years 1842-51 the average number of deaths was SS9, which, with a correction for increase of population, will be 978. The present return therefore shows a mortality greater than the estimated amount by 102. The average temperature of the corresponding weeks was 62 degrees. From these facts it seems reasonable to draw the inference that a sudden increase of heat above the average, to the amount of 9 degrees, has shortened the lives of more than a hundred persons. A comparison of the returns of the last two weeks appears to show that extreme heat has been unfavourable to the young and the old, while with regard to the middle-aged its tendency has been beneficial, except to such of these as were labouring under consumption. In the week ending 3rd July, 416 children died under 15 years, last week the number rose to 505, exhibiting an increase of 21 per cent.; in the previous week 187 persons of 60 years and upwards sank under disease, last week the number was 203, showing an increase of about 9 per cent.; whereas the deaths among the middle-aged decreased from 383 in the former week to 349 in the last. But it will be observed that the number of fatal cases of phthisis amongst persons between 15 and 60 years rose from 110 in the preceding week to 127 recorded in the present return. Still, comparing the facts of the last two weeks, it appears that there is an increase in the epidemic class, arising partly from scarlatina, and partly from a greater prevalence of diarrhoea; that diseases of the brain and nervous system numbered in both returns 131, while those of the digestive organs rose from 59 to 74, and those of the respiratory organs from 91 to This important increase in the last-mentioned class is due to a greater fatality of bronchitis and inflammation of the lungs among children, for while only 39 of the young died in the previous week of these diseases, they carried off 63 in the last. At the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, the mean height of the barometer in the week was 29.845 in. The mean temperature of the week was 70.9 degrees, which is 11 degrees higher than that of the previous week, and 9-2 degrees above the average of the same week in ten years. The highest temperature occurred on Monday, and was 90-3 degrees; the mean of that day was 756 degrees. The highest in the sun, on the same day was 116 deg. The reading of the thermometer in air was higher this day than on any day since the 5th of July, 1846, and

122.

An election of seven children into the British Orphan Asylum, at Clapham Rise, took place on the 19th inst. It appeared by the report presented to the meeting that, during the past year, sixteen children had been elected by the subscribers and three admitted by purchase. The average number of the children in the asylum during the year was 100. The report of the examiner to the schools, the Rev. James Hill, expressed in strong terms the improvement in the schools both of the boys and girls, and stated that they never presented more unequivocal signs of general good health. Their industrial training kept pace with their literary progress; while their cheerfulness, their fondness for voluntary exercises, and the good feeling subsisting between the instructors and instructed, and among the pupils themselves, was highly gratifying. The receipts during the year amounted to 2,8357. 18s. 4d., and the disbursements to 2,4821. 15s. 8d., leaving a balance of 3521. 2s. 8d.

The annual general meeting of the governors of the Charing Cross Hospital was held on the 20th. The report of the committee gave a very favourable account of the progress of the institution during the year. The number of patients had been 17,995; of these 1200 were in-patients. The number of accidents admitted during the year was 2238. Of the total number of patients, 16,498 had been cured or relieved; 57 had died; and 240 were under treatment. 204,858 patients had been treated since the opening of the institution. The funds received during the year amounted to 3,554. 13s. 2 d., including a former balance of 3181. 8s. 21d., and the expenditure had amounted to 2,4907. 11s. 2 d., leaving a considerable balance. The committee were very anxious to complete the upper portion of the building, which still remains unfinished, and for that purpose had opened a separate building fund, the total amount of which was at present 1,7517. As soon as this desirable end should be accomplished they would have 50 more beds at their disposal, and would be enabled to accommodate from 500 to 600 more patients yearly.

Mr. Mechi, the spirited agricultural improver, had his Annual Gathering at his farm, Tiptree Hall, on the 21st inst. The company numbered above 300; among whom were Earl Fortescue, Viscount Ebrington, his Excellency Abbott Laurence, American Ambassador; Baron Bentinck, Netherlands Minister; Col. T. B. Lawrence, Le Viscomte Curzay, the Hon. J. L. White, and H. S. Routh, Esq., Commissioners from the United States; Sir James Duke, Bart., M.P.; Sir E. E. Baker, Bart., Sir J. P. Wood, Bart., Sir Thomas Tancred, Bart., C. Du Cane, Esq., M.P., R. Greaves, Esq., MP., Sir A. Macdonald, Bart., Professor Henslowe, Professor