Newspaper Transcripts
Some Selected Reports from The Windsor and Eton Express
28th April 1832
WINDSOR AND ETON.
Wednesday being the Duchess of Gloucester's birth-day, the bells of the parish were rung in honour of the occasion, and at night her Royal Highnesses tradespeople illuminated their houses.
The Lord Chancellor has present the Rev. Russell Richards, to the Rectory of Ilketshall, St.John's, in the county of Suffolk.
At the Commissioners Meeting, at the Town Hall, on Monday week, Mr. Stacey, bricklayer of Eton, attended for the purpose of acknowledging that he had inadvertently committed an error, in erecting a scaffolding, in front of the house of Mr Clymer, in Thames street, without having previously obtained the Commissioner's leave to do so. Mr Stacey informed the Commissioners that the work at Clymer's, being the first of that description which he had in the Borough, he was not aware of the laws of the Commission, till he was informed that he had infringed them. In consequence of this voluntary acknowledgement on the part of Mr Stacey, and his promising not to offend in like manner again, the Commissioners ordered the proceedings to be stopped, and Mr S. paid the trifling expences which had been incurred.
POLICE COURT.
At our Police Court on Tuesday last, Thomas Weston, a coach porter, was convicted in the penalty of 40s and costs, amounting to 13s.6d, for a wanton and brutal assault on Joseph Hunt, storekeeper to Mr Abnett, of Peascod-street. Weston not being able to pay the amount, was sent to gaol for one month. He afterwards paid the fine, and was discharged. There was another assault case brought before the Magistrates on the same day, but the parties arranged their differences out of Court - On Thursday also an assault case was brought forward, but here likewise the parties were allowed to settle it out of Court.
AYLESBURY, APRIL 27. - The Aylesbury Florist and Horticultural Society, held their first show for the present year, at the Bull's Head Inn, Aylesbury, on Thursday, when the following Prizes were awarded :-
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| Cucumbers | 1st Prize, Mr. John Webb, Halton |
| 2nd do. Mr. Aug. Lines, Aylesbury |
| 3rd do. Mr. Dainty, Checquers |
| Auriculus | 1st do. Mr. Robertson, Hampden |
| 2nd do. Mr. Dainty, Checquers |
| Apples | 1st do. Mr. Robertson, Hampden |
| 2nd do. Mr. H. Hearne, Aylesbury |
After the Judges had decided on the prizes to the general satisfaction, the members present celebrated the meeting by drinking the health of the Judges, the Honorary Members, and all favourers of Floriculture. The Tulip show is fixed for Tuesday, 24th May.
We understand that the decision as to whether Hartwell House shall become a Naval College, is to be decided on the 3rd of May.
The following inquisitions have lately been held before James Burnham, Esq on of his Majesty's Coroners for the County of Bucks :-
At Aylesbury gaol, on view of the body of a prisoner, named Giles Ferne, aged 26, who for some time preceding his death, had been extremely weak and ill. The jury, after a short deliberation on the circumstances attending his illness, returned a verdict - Died by the visitation of God.
At King's Wood, in the parish of Ludgershall, on view of the body of James Griffin, a fine boy five years of age, who, with his sister, a little girl, were at play in a close near the dwelling of his father, and having incautiously taken from the hearth a few red hot coals, put them into the top of an old lanthorn, and them to the spot for the purpose of making a bonfire. The childs frock caught fire, and was entirely consumed. The little sufferer was so dreadfully burnt, that her died in twenty four hours in the greatest agony. The father of the deceased, who was at plough in an adjacent field, hearing a cry of distress, ran to ascertain the cause, when, shocking to relate, he discovered his poor little boy enveloped in flames. The feelings of the afflicted parent can be more easily conceived than described - Verdict, accidental death.
At Stoke Goldington, near Olney, on view of the body of Henrietta Chaplin, an infant, who having been left in the absence of her mother, too near the fire, her clothes ignited. She was so dreadfully burnt that she died in the course of the week - Verdict, accidental death.
At Slapton, near Northall, on view of the body of an infant, who was playing on the banks of a rivulet, fell in and was drowned - Verdict, found drowned.
MARLOW, APRIL, 27 - We are requested to say that it was not Mr Spicer's clerk of Great Marlow to whom allusion was made last week in our account of the books stolen from a shop in this town. Mr Spicer's clerk is a very respectable young man, to whom no imputation of the kind can apply - the person alluded to left former situations under similar imputation, and a silver snuff box which had been lost by a medical gentleman of the town whilst in his society, has been restored since the publication of our report, through a channel which adds nothing to his reputation.
The accounts of the Overseers of Great Marlow were produced before the Magistrates at their meeting on Saturday last, when Mr Francis complained of a charge of �2. 17s. 6d for repairing a clock, by Mr Hanson, of Windsor. The clock, which is placed over the Market House, was claimed last April as the private property of Mr Williams, and consequently no more liable to be repaired at the parish expence than another turret clock in the town over the stable of Mr Wethered. He also complained of a charge of �15. 11s. 3d for an agreement drawn up by the Magistrate's Clerk, between the Contractor of the Workhouse and the Overseers. The agreement he contended was extended to a very unnecessary length, and he insisted that the Overseers ought to have given explicit instructions for it at once; and not to have subjected the parish to charges for numerous consultations, attendances, &c. The Magistrates in consequence deferred passing the accounts for a fortnight, in order to afford time for taxing the bill, - as if ignorant of the distinction between an Attorney's and Conveyancer's bill, and that the latter is not subject to taxation.
BASINGSTOKE, APRIL 27. - Our market on Wednesday was well supplied with grain. Wheat had a dull sales, at a depression of about 1s per quarter. In other corn no difference from last week.
Wednesday, a detachment, the remainder of the regiment of the 18th foot, under the command of Major Doring, marched into town on their route to Weedon barracks, to join the main body; they embarked at Corfu 25th Feb, where, and at Malta, they had served seven years, and disembarked at Gosport on the 17th of April.
A man of this town, named Kersley, a hoop shaver and lath vendor, met with a most dreadful accident on Saturday afternoon, returning from Sir H. Tichborne's near Alresford, where he had been working. It appears he was coming home and got a ride in a heavily laden cart, from which he alighted in coming down Bugbear hill, between Alresford and Preston Candover, in order to back the horse against the load, when he was knocked down by the shaft, an the wheel passed over his leg and thigh, causing several compound fractures as well as also fracturing the shoulder blade, and inflicting severe bodily injuries. in this state the poor fellow laid on the road from 2 till 7 o'clock, before he could be removed home, where he now lies with some slight hopes of recovery.
We learn from authority that the North Hants regiment of Yeomanry, will assemble here on permanent duty on the 12th of May, under the command of Col. C.S. Le fevre, Esq, M.P. - Major Sir Wm. Heathcote has been entertaining the Officers of the Corps several days this week in a most splendid and hospitable manner at his ancient seat, H.. Park, near Winchester.
At a vestry holden on Monday last, Mr W.A. Lewis and Mr C. Headach [??] were appointed by the Vicar, and Messrs Thomas Downs and Robert Cottle [?] elected by the parish churchwardens for the remaining year.
A meeting was held in our Town Hall on Thursday, to take into consideration the policy of raising a sum of money to assist men and their families emigrate to Canada. The meeting was adjourned sine die without coming to any resolution.
A most daring robbery was committed about 12 o'clock at night, on Tuesday, the 17th inst, on the premises of Mr W. Crookford, of Buckskin Farm, near Basingstoke. It appears, that Mr.C. hearing a noise at the back part of his dwelling-house, proceeded from his bed room to the bed room of the carter in the rear, and observing that the gate of the farm yard was open, he directed Joseph Pound, a labourer in his employ, to go down stairs and shut the gate. Immediately Pound went out of the house for that purpose, four men made their appearance, one of whom secured him and forced him to return, while the other three rushed into the house, and proceeded up stairs to the carter's bed room where Mr.C was, on whom, as well as on the carter, they commenced a brutal attack, demanding, with imprecations, of Mr.C where his money was deposited, and leading him to his own bed chamber, demolished with a crow-bar the lid of a coffer, in which was a box containing 205 sovereigns, �30 in Bank of England notes, a promissory note for �200, and other property, the whole of which the villains carried away. From information subsequently received, a warrant was issued for the apprehension of Thomas Ledger and James and Wm. Dibley; labourers, residing at Hiddenden, near Basingstoke, who have been identified by Mr. Crookford as three of the persons who effected the above robbery, and have, on examination, been committed to Winchester for trial at the next assizes.
OPENING OF THE NEW BRIDGE AT STAINES.
The ceremony of "opening" the new bridge at Staines took place on Monday in the presence of their MAJESTIES, some Members of the Royal Family, and many of the personages belonging to the Royal suite. The Royal cortege, consisting of five carriages, and four with outriders, was met at Runnymede by a detachment of the 9th Lancers, and escorted by them to the bridge, and after the ceremony was concluded, the same guard escorted their Majesties on their return to Windsor, through the town of Egham.
In consequence of our last week's announcement, crowds of persons of all ranks flocked into the town at an early hour from the surrounding country, and many from London, and took up their positions either in the new houses built near the bridge, or other places which could command a view of the approaching ceremony, of which there were abundance. The appearance of that part of the town near the bridge was extremely gay. The fronts of most of the houses were decorated with flags and laurel branches, some of them very tastefully arranged, and the windows of all were filled with, for the most part fashionably dressed, ladies and gentlemen.
The gay appearance of the town was much contributed to by the preparations made on and near the bridge. These were of the most tasteful description. Two very splendid triumphal arches were erected, one at each end of the bridge : these were composed of laurels and other evergreens on a wooden frame-work, and decorated with stripes and knots of bunting, so as to appear at even a short distance regular and solid pieces of architecture; on the top of each was a flag staff, on which Royal standards were hoisted as soon as their Majesties arrived. From various other parts of the bridge a variety of flags and colours were floating in the wind. At two o'clock the band of the 9th Lancers, in their new uniforms, marched into the town and took up a position about midway between the two bridges; a detachment of the same regiment, about the same time, passed over the new bridge and on to the Egham road, on which they were to act as an escort to their Majesties. At the south side of the bridge some companies of the Grenadier Guards were stationed to receive the Royal visitors on their arrival. Three o'clock was the time we mentioned for the arrival of the Royal party, but it was four before they arrived at the barrier at the Surrey side, where they were received by the commissioners of the bridge, bearing white wands.
The Right Honourable Sir Wm. Fremantle, Sir Andrew Barnard, Sir John Gibbons, the Rev. Mr. J.L. Bennett, the Rev.Mr. Cowe, the Rev. Mr. Govett, General Scott, Colonels Wood and Stapleton, C.C. Smith, Esq, C.B. Challoner, Esq, E.W. Edgell, Esq, J.R. Ward. Esq, &c. &c. were among the distinguished personages who had the honour of receiving their MAJESTIES on their arrival. Immediately the KING and QUEEN set foot upon the Bridge, they were greeted with loud cheers, which is some measure subsided, however, as they advanced, in consequence, it is said, of HIS MAJESTY'S making a motion with his hand to indicate that he did not wish its continuance. When their Majesties had passed through the second triumphal arch and entered Staines, they were met by a deputation of the inhabitants, headed by the Rev.Mr. Govett, who, in the name of his fellow townsmen, delivered the following address :-
"TO HIS MOST GRACIOUS MAJESTY KING WILLIAM THE FOURTH.
"We, your Majesty's most loyal and dutiful subjects, the inhabitants of the ancient town of Staines, beg humbly to approach your Majesty, not in the idle language of flattery, but with the honest sincerity and cordial attachment of Englishmen, to express to your Majesty our most grateful sense of your Majesty's kindness and condescension in thus visiting our town.
"We presume to congratulate your Majesty on the completion of the bridge, commenced and finished under your Majesties auspices.
"We look back with feelings of pride and veneration to the history which informed us of the visit of King John to the ancient town on the eve of the signing of the great charter of our liberties and rights, and we trust that this your Royal visit will live in the grateful remembrance of ourselves for posterity.
"And we, your Majesty's loyal subjects, devoutly pray that Divine Providence may long preserve your Majesty and your Majesty's Royal Consort, to reign well over as in the hearts and affections of your Majesty's most loyal people."
To this address his Majesty returned a most gracious answer. After the reply to the address His Majesty addressed himself to the commissioners and to the architect, Mr Rennie, and declared himself highly pleased with the completion of so beautiful a structure. Their Majesties and suite, followed by the Commissioners, &c., proceeded on foot to the centre of the old bridge, from which they returned in the same way back, over the new bridge, to the place where their carriages were waiting. On their way through the town they were received with loud and continued cheers by the immense crowds through which they passed. His Majesty was dressed in plain clothes. On his return to the new bridge he appeared to be somewhat fatigued. The Queen seemed in very good health. Her Majesty appeared to take much interest in the gay and lively scene by which she was surrounded.
On the retirement of the Royal party, the commissioners and their friends, to the number of nearly one hundred, proceeded to the Red Lion and Clarence Hotel, where a splendid cold collation was served up in the ball-room, which was most tastefully fitted up and decorated for the occasion. The number and variety of the dishes, the superior manner in which they were prepared, the great attention to the numerous guests, in short the whole of the arrangements were so excellent (notwithstanding the bustle and confusion inseparable from such an occasion) that the Commissioners thought proper to compliment Mr Iveson personally on the exertion he had made. Sir E. Banks and Sir John Rennie, together with their friends, to the number of 25, also dined at the Clarence Hotel. It was expected by some persons that the Lord Mayor would be of the party to meet their Majesties; but to those who are better versed in city affairs, it was known that it being Easter Monday, his lordship had to preside over the hospitalities at the Mansion House.
While Their Majesties and Suite were walking over the New Bridge, and through the town to the old one, the public were shut out, until some minutes after their Majesties departure, when we found that our old acquaintance, George - that pattern of civil gatekeepers - had already shifted his position from the old gate to the new one; and that, in the meantime, the old wooden bridge had been finally closed.
Some of the daily papers having mentioned the kind attention of their Majesties towards Mr Goring, who had on that day attained his 100th year, it may be proper to state that this venerable gentleman is an inhabitant, not of Staines (as stated by our contemporaries) but of Chertsey. Mr Goring sat under one of the triumphal arches (which had been erected for the occasion on each end of the bridge) and was introduced by Colonel Wood to the King and Queen, who graciously condescended to shake hands with him, and he had also the honour of kissing their Majesties hands in return : the Queen, we are informed, kindly expressed her solicitude to Mr Goring lest the unusual fatigue which he would experience that day, should have any ill-effect upon his health; to which he replied - "I thank your Majesty, but its not a trifle that would affect me." And this may be readily believed, when it is known that this venerable living chronicle of by gone times, still possesses all his faculties in a very reasonable state of repair, his eye-sight, hearing, and appetite remaining particularly efficient; and altogether his bodily energies being far greater than could be expected at so advanced a time of life. He enjoys, too, a state of health, and continues to take his daily walks in and about Chertsey. Mr Goring, we are informed, has relatives at Staines.
The ceremony on the whole passed off extremely well, and particularly to the satisfaction of the inn keepers of Staines, who were able to boast, we are informed, that every stall in the stables had for the time being a double occupation. The bells rang merrily during the while time, and the town of Staines was very full of visitors; among the company were, as usual, some pickpockets from London, and some police officers from the same place to look after them, but in spite of this the operation of the former were not wholly unproductive.
It appears than amidst the general feeling of satisfaction which the opening of the new bridge produced, there were yet some individuals who by no means participated in this feeling, but considered that, as regarded their interests, the alterations in question were anything but improvements; we allude to the occupiers of property at Egham Hythe, which is situated close to the old bridge, on the Surrey side. The Swan Inn, for instance, stands close by the approach of the old condemned bridge, and was formerly a flourishing concern; but the proprietor we presume, now considers that his position is not greatly improved by the new order to things, for on the day in question he expressed his dissatisfaction by clothing his sign in black scrape, and converting his white swan into what the poet terms a rare avis in terris, niaroqua similima cygno.
Their MAJESTIES, on their way to Kew, on Wednesday, had a relay of horses sent on to the Red Lion and Clarence Hotel, and while the operation of changing horses was going on, the KING conversed with the Proprietor of the Inn (Mr. Iveson) in a very gracious manner, and wished him every success.
We noticed, that on this occasion double toll was demanded at the old gate, whether the same plan was adopted at the new one we did not observe.
Before we close our account, it may be interesting to add a few words on the subject of both the plan and structure of the present bridge, and also of some of those which preceded it. The first we have mention of, in Lyson's Middlesex Parishes, is recorded as follows :- A bridge first mentioned in 1269; first act respecting the bridge passed in 1509, and second in 1597." The ancient inhabitants of Staines seem to have been very economical in their bridges, for we hear of no new erection from that period down to 1794; but from that time to the present their descendants have more than made up for the niggardliness of their forefathers, having had not less than four new bridges succession, and on nearly the same site, within 38 years. In 1794 and 1795, a new bridge of three semicircular arches of stone, from a design of Paul Sandby, was erected. The contractors were Stephen Townsend [?] and William Weaton, but from its defective construction it was open only a few weeks for public use, although it was suffered to remain four or five years afterwards. Till another new bridge was erected the public had to pass over the old bridge, The next erection was a cast iron bridge of one arch, of 180 feet span, from the design of the ingenious Mr Thomas Wilson, the architect of the celebrated bridge over the river Wear, at Sunderland. The design was attributed to the noted Thomas Payne. This last bridge, like its predecessor, was not destined to last long, for it had scarcely been opened one month, when it was deemed necessary to close it to the public, the arch having sunk in a very alarming degree. His late Majesty King George III was said to have been among the last to pass over it. In this emergency the late Mr Rennie was consulted, who pronounced the bridge dangerous, the abutments having yielded from want of strength. No alterative remained but to remove the iron bridge, and purchase the old wooden bridge which was kept up until a new one of wood was built. That bridge, which is the present old bridge, continued to stand until 1828, when, in consequence of the decay of the piles, and the continual heavy expences required to uphold it, the commissioners determined to build a new one of more durable materials. Messrs G. and J. Rennie were therefore applied to for designs, and a bill was brought into Parliament to authorize the commissioners to raise funds. The works were commenced in the spring of 1829, and on the 23rd of June the first stone of the new bridge was laid on the Middlesex side, by Sir William Fremantle; and on the 14th of September following, the first tone on the Surrey side was laid by the King, then Duke of Clarence, since which the works have been carried on to their present completion, under the direction of Mr G. Rennie and Mr. Brown, the superintendents, and Messrs. Jolliffe and Banks, the contractors. The new bridge consists of three very flat segmental arches of granite. The middle arch of 74 feet span, and the two side arches of 10 feet each for the towing paths, and six brick arches of 20 feet span each, - two on the Surrey side, and four on the Middlesex side, to allow the floods to pass off. The whole is surmounted by a plain bald [?] cornice, and block parapet of granite, with pedestal for the lamps, and a neat toll-house. The approaches to the bridge on either side form gentle curves of easy ascent. The cost of the bridge and approaches is about �41,000.
We may here notice one or two objections which have been made to it, - first, that a new bridge was not necessary; that a slight repair would have rendered the old one sufficient to last for many years; next, that the turn in the road from the bridge at the Surrey side is too short for such a descent, and may be dangerous for coaches heavily laden. The first of the above objections, if ever so well founded, is now too late. The defect noticed in the second may yet be remedied, though it would have been much better and less expensive of it had been avoided in the first design. As the approaches on each side are now arranged, much of the effect of the bridge is lost. It is not seen from the Middlesex side until the passenger is nearly on it. In distributing the admission tickets to pass within the barrier of the bridge, and error was fallen into in endeavouring to avoid the one generally committed of over-crowding. The issue of tickets had been so sparing that those admitted on the bridge did not cover even the foot pavement. This is the more to be regretted as many of the respectable inhabitants of Staines were excluded in consequence; and afforded colour to the complaint that strangers had been more favoured than themselves. On the whole, however, the affair went off extremely well, and the day will for a very [many] years be remembered by the inhabitants of Staines with [a feeling] of proud satisfaction.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE WINDSOR EXPRESS.
MR EDITOR - The Master of His Majesty's Buck hounds (the Earl of Lichfield), is deserving the thanks of all the farmers in this neighbourhood, for his consideration in dispensing, for the present year, with the usual Easter Monday Stag Hunt; as in consequence of the lateness of the season at which Easter has fallen, the injury which would have ensued from so numerous a meeting must have been very considerable. I beg therefore through the medium of the Windsor Express, to convey to his Lordship the expression of my most unfeigned thanks, a sentiment which is participated in by most of the farmers in this neighbourhood.
I remain, Mr. Editor
Your constant reader,
WILLIAM WHITE
Ditton Farm, April 25th
UXBRIDGE, APRIL 27. - On Monday evening, between six and seven o'clock, the wagoner of the Uxbridge wagon, who has driven on that road for upwards of twenty years past, met with his death under the following distressing circumstances. While attending his team to town, in passing through Acton, the wagoner got up on the fore-part of the wagon to secure a portion of his load, which had become unfastened, leaving the horses in charge of his son, a boy between thirteen and fourteen years of age. Suddenly the horses set off at full trot, and the wagoner, in his anxiety to get down to prevent any accident occurring, caught his foot in part of the harness, and was thrown under the feet of the shaft horses, when he received a dreadful kick in the side of the head, which knocked him insensible, and the wheels passing over him, he instantly expired. He has left a widow and large family.
The Uxbridge Volunteer Yeomanry Cavalry are to have a Standard presented to them on Tuesday next, May 1. The Staff of the West Middlesex, the Uxbridge Volunteer Infantry, and Lord Orkney's Troops of Yeomanry Cavalry keep the ground; and after the presentation the Corps will have a Brigade field day.
HENLEY, APRIL 26. - On the 23d Inst at Stoner Park, the lady of Thomas Stoner, Esq, of a daughter.
Died, on Monday, at Henley, Mr Fairchild
On Tuesday the remains of the late Mrs Toovey were interred at Nettlebed; the good acts of this worthy lady, and her daily attendance to the wants of her poor neighbours, endeared her to all around her, and the church was completely filled in every part to witness her funeral.
Our parish allotments of garden ground are all taken, and great progress made in their cultivation; small subscriptions have been raised, part to purchase seeds and potatoes for planting, and the residue to be given as rewards to those producing the best crops, and keeping their gardens in neat order. The plan is much liked by the inhabitants, and a visit to the "Cottage ! Allotmets," is a favourite walk with the towns-people.
Several persons have recently left Woodcot and the adjacent parts for America, and others from Benson, Brockhampton, and other villages round Watlington, are preparing to follow.
Another grand rowing match between Oxford and London, it is rumoured, will take place in the beautiful reach of water extending from Henley Bridge, some time next month, and the delightful treat afforded by the former ones is expected to draw a large company. We trust the town-folks will be on the alert and raise a subscription, to procure music, and a display of aquatic fire works at night.
AGRICULTURE.
Most of the orchards in this neighbourhood are full of bud, and have every prospect of a fine blossom, which it is expected will speedily affect the price of cider, although some of the early trees have been touched by a late frost - Sherborne Journal.
Fine large spring brocoli are so plentiful in Guernsey, that they are selling at sixpence the dozen !
THE WINCHESTER AND IMPERIAL MEASURE - In the Devizes Gazette of Friday there are two declarations, the one signed by 122 farmers, who are in the habit of attending Devizes market, stating that they will not sell their corn by any other measure than by Winchester bushel, unless compelled so to do by an Act of Parliament; the other signed by 37 dealers, who also attend Devizes market, pledging themselves not to purchase any corn by any other then the Imperial measure.
THE EPPING HUNT.
There was a time when the Epping Hunt roused every bold equestrian within the sound of Bow bells - deranged the economy of every shop and warehouse from Temple-bar to Aldgate pump, and covered the road from Whitechapel to Woodford with a motley array of candidates for a one-hour's fame. But the days of Epping's sporting are no more - Epping sausages and butter have succeeded in its place. The chase is still going, going, all but gone - year after year it decline has been too perceptible. Many a hand has been stretched out to save it - many a pair of buckskins stretched on to aid it - still it falls into disrepute, and, unless some mighty hunter before the field stands forth to prop up its reeling honours, its fate is sealed and its doom is fixed for ever. The world was led to think that Monday was to be the first of the restoration, and preparations were talked of which gladdened the old hearts and spoke music to the ears of the young. A noble stag, saved after a long hard day's run, was reserved for the occasion - a pack of fresh and well-bred stag-hounds, like Nimrod's, strong in the shoulder, short in the neck, sleek in the loins, heads long, ears fine, noses flat and wide, fit to carry the head high with good scent, and to stoop to a low one, were said to be near the ground - patronage of a high order was insinuated - but all the world was deceived, and the bright anticipations it had formed ended in mortification an despair. The weather alone proved true, and those who were disappointed in the hunt found a sufficient compensation in the mildness of the day, the fragrance of the air, and the bloom and beauty of the young spring budding in every field and on every bough - Before the appointed hour, the crown of the hill above Woodford Wells, was thronged, all eagerly watching the arrival of the various parties that came to be actors and spectators in the day's proceedings. To mark the carts of the holyday folk bending under the weight of country lasses, with red cheeks and flaunting top-knots - the carriages of the rich well thronged with young ladies, who would not see, but wished to be seen - the parade of the well mounted sportsman, exhibiting the neatness of his dress and the mettle of his horse - and the various misfortunes of the numerous candidates for broken bones, who lashed and spurred the miserable short-winded devils they were thrown upon, or from, into something like activity - Here were to be seen a group of tailors upsetting each other, and falling foul of every cart, exposed to the derision of some idle wags - there a pawnbroker's apprentice with a nag borrowed from his uncle - his spur caught in the wheel of a hackney coach, and the crowd betting 2 to 1 against his getting loose again - on this side a baker riding a tall monster of a horse against a gentleman's carriage; and on the other, a delicate lady's mercer, calling out for help, or somebody to stop the beast he was afraid was running away with him; - now a brewer's drayman taking a long trot over orange-women's baskets and benches - and then two sweeps on donkeys, clearing the way, and asking for a good stable to put up their cattle in. At length the hour of two drew nigh, and the green cart which enclosed the stag crossed the brow of the hill, and descended into the copse, followed by every horseman in the field, by crowds of pedestrians, who clambered into trees and over hedges for a glance, and by as many carriages, hackney coaches, stanhopes, gigs, and cabs, as could work their way within a reasonable distance. In vain the people were forced back, and the whip put into requisition - still they came pressing on until - the place itself being one of the worst that could be selected - there was scarcely room for the stag to turn when he was let loose. At length the word was given, and the victim, with all his finery of ribbands, was released from the cart, and the rush of the crowd having started him into something like a speed, all the horsemen galloped as hard as their poor hacks would go in his train, without waiting for the hounds being laid on, and unheeding the cry of "Shame, shame," which was raised by the few sportsmen present. Next came about 15 couple of dogs with the huntsman and his party, and for some minutes, until they were lost in the forest, were to be seen the stag hunted by a crowd of cockney horsemen, the dogs hunted the cockneys, and the red coats in the rear trying to get the hounds clear of those savages, and on the scent of their game. This did not take place without a considerable deal of damage being done, and dismounted gentlemen, some bruised severely, were to be seen crawling out of the fern and seeking horses, which were by then homeward bound. Many were struck from their saddles by the branches of the trees, and several fell in consequence of their poor beasts being made to clear the underwood.
The stag sustained his good character, after an hour's running, in which he distanced all the dogs but six, and all the horsemen but three, he finally bade them good-bye, and took refuge in his old haunts in the forest - from which it will require a better pack then followed to dislodge him.
About five o'clock the huntsman returned to the Woodford Wells with the six tired dogs he enabled to keep together out of his whole set -- what has become of the rest is not very material to enquire. The greater number were quite unequal to their work; and those who have an interest in the Epping Hunt will do well to provide better for the next occasion, in order that the learned and the unlearned may have the substance, as well as the show, of sport.
EASTER MONDAY - This is generally a season a joy, particularly to the industrious classes, whose hearts, depressed by the gloom of winter, expand to the genial glow of Spring, and feel delight in the vegetative charms of nature. The great thoroughfares from the "Village" are crowded with happy faces, all proceeding to some favourite auberge in pursuit of pleasures congenial to their fancy. Greenwich, however, is the great attraction, and visitors both by land and water poured into the town at an early hour. The fair was well attended, but with little novelty in the exhibitions. During the day the Park became the great centre of attraction, forming the grand encampment of holiday folks. Some amused themselves with running, rolling, or tumbling down the hill, at the peril of their necks and modesty. Groups were also seen sauntering through the umbrageous and lofty glade, or regaling themselves with porter, ham and beef, and other refreshments. All ranks and degrees were found mixing in this joyous carnival, upon a site which for ages has been famous in history for royal and popular sports. The numbers in the Park, Greenwich, and along the road, exceeded the holiday muster during years past. A great novelty excited public attention - namely, the starting of several steam-coaches from town to the grand scene of amusement.
Wednesday evening Mr. Green, the celebrated aeronaut, ascended with his splendid balloon from the Mermaid Tavern, Hackney; but, owing to the unfavourable state of the weather, the number of holyday folks attracted by the announced exhibition was much less than expected, or than, for Mr. Green's sake, could have been desired. The balloon, which is a very beautiful machine, having been inflated from gas pipes laid down for the purpose, was displayed to the company, during the afternoon, in the large bowling green behind the tavern. Some time before the grand ascent a pilot balloon was sent up; and at six o'clock, the preparations being completed, Mr. Green and a young gentleman, the companion of his voyage, entered the car; shortly after which, at a given signal, they ascended amidst the cheers of the spectators, taking a south westerly direction, and in a very few minutes were lost in the clouds.
MARRIAGES.
On Thursday last, at Banbury, Mr Edward Churchill, of the Royal Kentish Hotel, Tunbridge Wells, to Elizabeth, eldest daughter; and Mr W. W. Wyatt, of the Corn Market, Oxford, to Emma, youngest daughter of Mr Beane, of Banbury.
On Wednesday, at St.Aldate's, Oxford, Mr Robert Mann, saddler and harness maker, of Burford, to Mrs Charlotte Carter, of the Rose and Crown Inn, Burford.
April 24, at Peasmarsh, Sussex, the Rev. Richard Fiennes, Wykeham Marten, to Ann Catherine, youngest daughter of the late R. Mascal, Esq, of Peasmarsk place.
April 25, G.C. Fletcher, Esq, of Wandsworth, to Charlotte Elizabeth, second daughter of C. Hewitt, Esq
On Thursday last, at St.Lawrence's Church, Reading, the Rev. Edward Brown, of Berry Pomeroy, Devon, to Susan, the third daughter of the Rev. Robert Morrer, Prebendary of Salisbury.
On the 19th inst at South Stoke, Mr. T. Panter, jun. to Miss Elizabeth Panter, both of that place.
DIED.
April 21, at Reading, Mr Charles Elkens, aged 83.
Last week, at his seat in Shropshire, F. Cunliffe Offley, Esq one of the members of Parliament for the city of Chester.
On the 21st instant, in the 61st year of her age, Lady Anne Wyndham, daughter of George, 4th Earl of Jersey, and mother of Lord Durham.
At the Vicarage, Sutton Courtney, Bucks, Anne Caroline, wife of the Rev. G. Andrews
At Malta, on the 14th of March, aged 22, Lieut. C.H. Colston, of the 73d regt youngest son of the late E.F. Colston, of Filkine Hall, Oxford, Esq.
On Saturday last, aged 44, Mr. Edmund Hitchcock, a highly respectable farmer of Etchilhampton, near Devizes.
At High Wycombe, on Sunday, in the 14th year of his age, Edward, youngest son of the late Capt. Bartlett, of Deddington.
Lately, Charles Monck, Esq barrister at law, and Fellow of New College, Oxford.
On Tuesday last, at Lee place, Oxfordshire, in the 54th year of his age, after a short but severe illness, Benjamin Holloway, Esq
On Good Friday, after a most painful affliction of only four days, at the house of her brother, Elizabeth, youngest daughter of Mrs Richardson, late of Bicester, aged 20 years.
On Sunday last, aged 22, Thomas, youngest son of Mr John Stone, of Broad street, Oxford.
On the 20th inst, aged 48, Sarah, wife of Mr George Brown, of Northleigh.
A correspondent says that Mr. E.J. Parsloe, the celebrated posture-master, died in New York on the 8th of last month.
On the 20th inst, at Davenport, after a long and painful illness Lieut. Colonel Charles Dashwood, C.B. late of the 3d Guards, son of the late Sir Henry Watkins Dashwood, Bart. of Kirtlington part, Oxfordshire, and brother of Sir George, the baronet. Colonel Dashwood served with distinction in the Peninsular war, and was wounded at Waterloo.