cornwall england newspaper


1848 NEWS

APRIL



7 APRIL 1848, Friday


CORNWALL SPRING ASSIZES - CROWN COURT. Thursday, March 30, Before Mr. Justice WIGHTMAN. - THOMAS ROSCORLA, 64, was indicted for violating the person of MARY ANNA MEDLIN. The prisoner took the tolls at a turnpike gate near Redruth, on the Lanner road, and the parents of Mary Anna Medlin lived at a short distance from him. Prisoner is a shoemaker, and had a pair of shoes to mend for the girl, who was thirteen years of age last August. On the evening of the 5th of October, she went to prisoner's house for the shoes, and it was on that occasion that he forcibly accomplished his purpose, his own wife being in the house at the time. A number of persons afterwards collected about the house, and several, who entered it, were called to give evidence at the trial. Mr. SLADE ingeniously defended the prisoner, and in the course of his speech complimented Mr. HARRIS, surgeon, of Redruth, for the manner in which he had given his evidence. The case was of a very aggravated character; the prisoner was found Guilty, and the Judge, after an impressive address, sentenced him to be Transported For Life.

ARSON - JAMES POPE, 45, was indicted for maliciously and feloniously setting fire to the swelling house of ANTHONY KISTLER, on the 14th of January, in the parish of Breage, persons being therein at the time. WILLIAM BAWDEN, 55, was indicted for inciting the former prisoner to commit the felony; and ELIZABETH BAWDEN, 57, was charged with harbouring JAMES POPE after he had committed the felony. Mr. MOODY and Mr. HOLDSWORTH conducted the prosecution, and Mr. SLADE defended the two Bawdens. Mr. Moody stated the case, and then called the following witnesses:- JANE KISTLER said she was the wife of Anthony Kistler, who keeps the King's Arms Inn, in Breage church-town. She had two children, and her niece was in the house as well as her husband on the 14th of January, 1847. He returned from Helston about half-past seven in the evening, and they went to bed about two o'clock in the morning of the 15th of January. There was no fire left in the house at that time. Her husband went outside the house before they went to bed about two o'clock in the morning of the 15th of January. There was no fire left in the house at that time. Her husband went outside the house before they went to bed; he made some communication to her, but she went asleep, and was awakened by hearing something fall twice. She spoke to her husband, and he jumped out of bed, and shrieked "the house is on fire, save the children." The fire was in the next bed-room adjoining the stable; she opened the window, and the fire came found against her; she and the children escaped without having time to dress. She stood on the church steps outside, and made an alarm of "fire." Cross-Examined by Mr. Slade - There are four rooms up-stairs and five down, including the cellar; there are five fireplaces down stairs, and flues in the bed-rooms. Twelve months ago the soot in the chimney nearest the stable took fire, but it was put out. On this occasion only a few articles of furniture were saved. JOHN TEAGUE, an engineer, produced a model of the house and stable in front; the roof of the stable hung over the roof of the house; the roof of the former was hollow, so that the roof of the house might be set on fire from inside the stable before the roof of the stable would be ignited. Flues ran up at the end of the house, the stable being in front of that part.

Anthony Kistler, said he was a German, and kept the King's Arms Inn. There had been a dispute between him and the prisoner Bawden about the house. Witness was the tenant of Bawden's father. Bawden had often made claims to the house, and law proceedings had been taken, but witness refused to give up possession. Sometime before the house was burnt it was offered for s ale. On the 22nd of September, prisoner met witness and said "Kistler if you won't go [missing lines ?] swore about three months before the fire, [.... ....?] he would be revenged of Kistler, he would run his sword through him the same as he would in the door;" Bawden then made three stabs at the door. About two or three months before the fire, she heard Bawden say he would rather the house should be burnt down than Kistler should live in it; he should then have GBP200 insurance money. About eleven o'clock on the night of the fire, witness saw Pope in Bawden's house wearing a dirty miner's dress. On the alarm of fire she tried to open the door of Bawden's house, but found it bolted; Mrs. Bawden came to the window, and witness said "Mr. Kistler's house is all on fire," on which Mrs. Bawden laughed, made a scorn of it, and said, "I shall faint at that;" when she said so she could see the flames. Witness had been desired to watch Bawden's house, and saw Mrs. Bawden leave at about eight in the morning, and return about four in the afternoon. No other person entered or came out during those hours. Witness saw a light in the house, and the blinds drawn differently after Mrs. Bawden left, which must have been done by some other person in the house. Pope did not go into the house during Mrs. Bawden's absence; in the evening witness saw the constables come, and Pope afterwards left the house. JOHN ROWE, a farmer at Breage, watched at the back door of Bawden's house on the day after the fire, and saw no one go in or come out that way. John Teague, engineer, being re-called, said he went to Mrs. Bawden and told her Kistler's house was on fire, and that a good many persons had been endeavouring to extinguish the flames. She said her husband was gone to Penzance, and there was no man in the house, though witness had not previously said there was a man there. In the evening, witness went with the constables, HAMMELL and CHAPPEL, to Bawden's house; Mrs. Bawden refused to open the door, saying several times there was no man there. The door was then forced by constable Chappel, and Pope was found standing behind the door close to Mrs. Bawden. He said his name was Jewell; Mrs. Bawden said he was her lodger, that he had been in the house twenty minutes, had come there three days before, and had brought his clothes. Pope was not taken into custody, but after Mrs. Bawden had spoken to him he went from the house and escaped. Witness saw in the house a bundle of clothes, which Mrs. Bawden said were Pope's; there was a miner's dirty dress and a cap. In the pocket of the coat was a Lucifer match-box, and several small lumps of brimstone; some hay seeds were about the clothes, and likewise some splits of old timber. On the next day witness and constable Hammel went to Bawden's house and found him there; he said he had heard of the fire on his way from Penzance; he had not seen Pope for several years since they both worked at Wheal Vor. JAMES HAMMELL and RICHARD CHAPPEL, constables corroborated the statements of the last witness as to the breaking open Bawden's door, finding Pope there, &c. Chappel afterwards had Bawden in custody, when he said "If Pope has burnt the house, why shan't I have the insurance." He told his wife that if it had not been for the bad company she kept he should not have been there. Chappel said he afterwards had Pope in custody when he was brought from Wales. Pope spoke of his previous escape, saying he was nearly taken; he was sleeping at a beer-house, at Penzance, and heard some one in the house say "that's the man who set fire to the house at Breage, we may as well take him and get the reward." Pope said he then escaped through the back window, and went in a collier to Wales. SAMUEL WATERS took Mrs. Bawden into custody; she said she wanted to go to Penzance to her husband with a policy paper; the house was burnt, she said, and she wanted to carry the policy paper to him.

THOMAS TRENCHELA[?] saw William Bawden at Penzance after the fire; he said he could not help it, the property was his, and he should have the GBP200 in which it was insured. He also said his wife had promised, if the house was burnt down, to come to Penzance; Mr. EDMONDS, the agent of the fire office, lived there. WILLIAM LLOYD, a sawyer, living in Carmarthenshire, Wales, saw the prisoner Pope there last July, employed him, and sometimes received letters for him, directed "JAMES KITCHEN." Pope said he expected money from a man in Cornwall whom he could transport, but would not do so, he would try him again. Witness afterwards, at Pope's request, wrote a letter for him, and addressed it "William Bawden, Tuckingmill, near Camborne Church-town, Cornwall;" the answer was to be directed to "James Pope, near Cross Inn, Carmarthenshire." Before this, witness wrote a letter for James Pope to his daughter, and the answer was then to be directed to "James Kitchen." On another occasion Pope told witness he was obliged to leave Cornwall, having been employed to burn a house, for which he received GBP21; he said the house was insured in GBP200, and he was to burn it to get the tenant out, and to get the insurance money. He said William Bawden was to go from home, which he did, and left him with Mrs. Bawden; that he got a quantity of matches and went to the stable adjoining the house; He attempted to set fire to it, but found the matches were bad. He went back to Bawden's wife, who then got him some old dry wood; he then went back again, found a ladder in the stable, got up, put the dry wood between the stable and the roof of the dwelling-house, and caught it on fire. He then ran back to Bawden's house, and the constables afterwards came there, but while they were searching for Bawden he ran away, leaving his clothes in the house. Witness afterwards informed the police of what Pope had told him. JOHN EDWARDS, of the Carmarthen police, took Pope into custody; he also made a confession to witness about his setting fire to the house. SAMUEL WILLIAMS, deposed to a confession, similar to that already given, made to him by Pope when they were in Bodmin gaol together. Witness said to Pope, it was great cruelty; did he not think he should burn Kistler?, to which Pope replied, "O d----n it he is a foreigner and ought to be burnt." He said Mrs. Bawden gave him GBP10 to make his escape into Wales, and he was to have GBP50 for burning the house. Mr. Slade then addressed the jury for the prisoners, contending that the fire was the result of accident, through the soot in the flue nearest the stable having become ignited. He said he could prove the man seen outside Mr. Kistler's house in the night was not the prisoner, James Pope. He then called JAMES JACKA, who stated that between twelve and one o'clock on the night of the fire he was going home from the mine, and it being dark he carried a piece of lighted rope in his hand; before entering the church-town, he rubbed the rope against a stone hedge, and saw there was fire in it, and on passing Kistler's house, while holding the lighted rope in his hand he saw Kistler and MARY POLGLAZE. He did not notice any sparks fall from the rope; did not stamp on anything, did not run away, but went straight on the high road. Cross-Examined - He had told Mr. Teague that he had no light with him, but said that because they were not allowed to carry a light. HENRY BURGESS, about three or four months before the fire, saw persons called to Mr. Kistler's house to pour water down the chimney at the end of the house nearest the stable, to extinguish the fire which was burning the soot in that flue. In answer to this Mr. Moody observed that there had been no fire in that end of the premises on the day the house was burnt down, there had only been a fire in the bar which was in the centre of the house. Mr. Moody then replied to the case for the defence, and the learned Judge afterwards summed up at considerable length. The jury found James Pope Guilty of setting fire wilfully to the dwelling house; [end of the case missing - but see 'A constable Rewarded for sentence.]

EDWARD JAMES, 49, who had pleaded Guilty of stealing a hat and shoe brush, the property of PHILIP HORE, of Liskeard, was now indicted for having broken and entered the dwelling house of SAMUEL SPARKS at Menheniot, and stolen therefrom various articles of wearing apparel, the property of the said Samuel Sparks. About eight o'clock on the morning of the 18th of February, the wife of prosecutor locked up the house, and went with breakfast to her husband, who was at work at some distance. On her return, she found that the window had been broken open; and having called, first her neighbours and then her husband, it was found that several articles of clothing had been stolen from a room up stairs. In the course of the forenoon, the prisoner was detected in the neighbourhood by the prosecutor and a constable, offering the property for sale at a cottage. Guilty. Sentence, Seven Years' Transportation for the burglary; and, for the felony to which the prisoner had pleaded Guilty. Six Months' Hard Labour, to run concurrently with the other sentence.

ELIZABETH SANDERCOCK, was charged with stealing on the 25th of March, a gold wedding ring, the property of WILLIAM HENRY SIMS, of Launceston. The prosecutor stated that on Saturday last, prisoner came to his shop, between five and six in the evening, and inquired for a ring. He opened a case and showed her a plain gold ring, and told her the price was ten shillings. She then asked if he had any rings about 4s. 6d. He showed her some jeweller's gold rings, at 3s. 6d. each, and said that would be equally good for her as if she gave 4s. 6d. for a ring. Having previously taken up the 10s. ring, he handed her two of the lower priced rings, which she returned; but did not return the 10s. ring. She went to the shop door, and prosecutor, being inside the counter, called to her. She did not stop. He then went out to the shop door, and at a distance of a few yards in the street overtook her, seized her and took the ring out of her hand, and took her back to the shop, giving her in charge of a serjeant of marines, which he went for BROOMING, police constable, to whom he gave her and the ring into custody. Brooming produced the ring in court, which was identified by the prosecutor, by means of the shop-ticket, attached to it. The prisoner, in her defence, stated that having gloves on, and a purse in her hand, she did not know that she had the ring when she left the shop. The prosecutor, being questioned on these points, said he was not sure that she had not a purse in her hand. Verdict, Not Guilty. The same prisoner was then indicted for stealing, also on the 25th of March, a shawl, the property of THOMAS NICHOLLS VOSPER, of Launceston. John Brooming, constable, stated that while he had the prisoner in custody on the last charge, on Saturday last, he found that she had crammed up in her pocket a shawl which at first she said she had bought that day at Mr. Vosper's; but, on being asked what she gave for it, she said that her aunt gave it to her about three weeks back at Egloskerry. Brooming took the shawl into his charge, and showed it to Mr. Vosper. On its production in court, it was identified by Mr. Vosper and two of his assistants; and it was also proved that prisoner was at his shop about three or four o'clock in the afternoon, and purchased a bonnet. The prisoner received a good character from several respectable witnesses including two jurors; and the prosecutor recommended her to mercy believing her intellect to be weak. Guilty. One Month's Hard Labour.

JOHN JAMES HOSKING, 52, was charged with having on the 28th of February, in the parish of Creed, stolen fifteen ten ore bags, six ducks, and one drake, the property of THOMAS and WILLIAM HARRIS, yeomen. On the evening of the 28th of February, Thomas Harris fastened up six ducks and a drake, and at the same time saw his tin ore bags in the waggon house. The next morning about half-past six, he found that the ducks, drake, and bags were all gone. About a quarter to eight on the morning of the 29th, FITZSIMMONS, a policeman of Truro, saw prisoner passing up Lemon-street, with bags on his back; and in about five minutes afterwards, seeing him without any bags, he went and spoke to him, and asked him what he had done with them. He said he had left them at Greenwood's Market-house Inn, and he went with Fitzsimmons and showed him the fifteen bags and six ducks and a drake; saying he had bought the ducks of a boy at Chacewater on the previous Saturday, and had found the bags on the road near Chacewater. Fitzsimmons produced all the property in court, and it was identified by the prosecutor. - Guilty. The same prisoner was charged with stealing, on the 28th of October, a cart breeching from HENRY ROSCORLA, a tin carrier, living at St. Erth. Guilty - Twelve Months' Hard Labour on each conviction, the time to run concurrently.

JOHN KITTOW, 43, was charged with stealing on the 4th of March, at Callington, four bottles of porter, a fagot of wood, and other articles, the property of SAMPSON JASPER. The prisoner had been in the employ of Mr. Jasper for about twelve months; and on the 4th of March, assisted him in removing from the Royal Oak public house to the Red Lion; and having been to the cellar of the latter house placing some bottles of porter, he was shortly afterwards seen by the prosecutor walking off with four bottles, in the breast and pockets of his coat. In the course of the same evening, the prisoner was seen walking away from a field which prosecutor occupied near the Royal Oak, with a fagot of wood. The evidence in the case left no doubt of the prisoner's guilt, but he received a good character from several witnesses, and was recommended to mercy. - Guilty - One Month's Hard Labour.

FRANCIS BENNETT, charged with stealing on the 28th of March, a handkerchief, the property of EDWIN JAMES. The prosecutor was a pawnbroker at Truro, and on Tuesday morning the 28th instant, between nine and eleven o'clock, was at the Western Inn, Bodmin, where he lodged. The prisoner was there at the same time, sitting near him; and there were also three girls sitting near. At nearly eleven o'clock, prosecutor missed his handkerchief from his outside coat pocket, and charged the females with having taken it. On that, the prisoner left the house. Next saw the handkerchief in the possession of BRAY, the constable, whom he had sent for on missing the handkerchief. Cross-Examination by the prisoner, and in reply to questions from the Judge, the prosecutor stated that he had been chatting with the prisoner. Had taken one or two glasses of cider, and before that, had taken two or three pennyworth of neat brandy, not feeling very well. Was sober, and perfectly well aware of what he was about. Bray, constable of Bodmin, stated that at about half-past twelve on the morning of the 28th, he went to the Western Inn, and from the information he there received, went in search of prisoner, found him next the western turnpike, and asked him if he had picked up a silk handkerchief that morning. He said he had. Bray asked him, "where," and he then said Mr. James gave it to him with a tobacco pipe. Bray saw a handkerchief in prisoner's outer coat pocket, and took it out. The handkerchief produced in Court by Bray, was identified by prosecutor. Bray stated that at the time he went to the Western Inn, Mr. James was sober. The jury returned a verdict of Acquittal.

PAYMENT OF SPECIAL CONSTABLES - A bill of GBP7. 10s. in addition to a previous one of GBP22, for payment of special constables at Bodmin, during the disturbances last summer, was passed, one shilling being paid to each constable sworn in. The Chairman said the bills for payment of special constables in the county amounted to GBP355, in addition to which, there was a bill expected from Callington, which had not yet been received.

ESCAPE OF A PRISONER - PETER HILL, a contractor for the conveyance of prisoners, was questioned respecting the escape of a man from custody. Being ill of the influenza, he had sent the prisoner, handcuffed, by van, from Penryn to Truro, without any guard with him. When the van stopped at Plymin's at Truro, the prisoner jumped from the top, and made his escape, having the handcuffs still on him. The contractor said he was not now a constable, although he was when he took the contract. In consequence of this, the Chairman told him he could not be continued as a contractor. Mr. TREMAYNE said the contractor for the St. Austell district had also ceased to be a constable. He proposed that the Clerk of the Peace receive one of the present constables as contractor for the conveyance of prisoners from that district. This was agreed to; and also, that Mr. COODE should advertise for a contractor for the Tywardreath district as well as for the districts of Penryn and St. Austell.

A petit jury was then sworn to try the following case. - ELIZABETH ANN MORRIS, was charged with stealing a girder chain, the property of JAMES PEDLAR. The chain was seen by Mr. Pedlar in his waggon house at Bojay, near St. Austell, on Thursday, the 2nd of March, and on Monday the 6th, it was missed; on Monday last, he saw it on the waggon of Mr. HANCOCK, who lives at St. Austell. The prisoner was in the habit of coming to Mr. Pedlar's to receive an allowance made to her by her husband; and she had offered the chain for sale to Mr. VEALE, a wheelwright and smith at St. Austell. Mr. Veale purchased it, and a day or two afterwards sold it to Mr. Hancock, with a second-hand waggon. The prisoner was very urgent in protesting her innocence; she was, however, found Guilty, and sentenced to Two Months' Hard Labour.

NATHANIEL LANG, was committed for want of sureties to keep the peace towards his brother-in-law, BENJAMIN HARRIS, of Fowey. The chairman said the prisoner had also written a letter containing violent language towards his sister. As the brother-in-law declined to appear, the prisoner was discharged with a caution from the chairman.

APPEALS - Kenwyn, appellant, Mr. SHILSON and Mr. CHILDS; Redruth, respondent, Mr. HOCKIN and Mr. DARKE. Appeal against the removal of JOHN BUDDLE, his wife and three children from Redruth to Penryn. The pauper was examined, and deposed that he was hired for two years as a servant man by Mr. THOMAS POWELL, of Idless, in Kenwyn. On the part of the appellants, Thomas Powell, jun., was examined, and contradicted the testimony of the pauper, stating that hiring to have been weekly at 2s. 6d. a week, and that pauper remained only eleven months on one occasion and five months on another. The order however was confirmed; costs GBP5; maintenance GBP1. 1s.

Ladock, appellant; Mr. HOCKIN and Mr. DARKE. Newlyn In Pydar, respondent; Mr. SHILSON and Mr. CHILDS. Appeal against an order for removal of MARTHA JAMES, widow, and her child. The case for the appellant parish was that the pauper was irremovable because of her having resided in Newlyn for five years next before the execution of the order of removal. The Court quashed the order; common costs; no maintenance.

HELSTON QUARTER SESSIONS - At these sessions, on Thursday, the 30th instant, there was only one case for trial, that of ANN TRESIDDER, 20, who was acquitted on a charge of stealing a shawl, on the 20th of January last, from the shop of Messrs. READ and ROBERTS, drapers, of Helston.

PENZANCE QUARTER SESSIONS - These sessions, were held on Friday last, before H. MERIVALE, Esq., Recorder, and the borough magistrates. HENRY AFTER, 19, was found guilty of having stolen several articles of wearing apparel from the cabin of the schooner "Herald," when the vessel was lying in the pier, on the 23rd of January last. Seven Years Transportation.

GEORGE FRANCES BROWNE, 28, was found guilty of having stolen, on the 27th of March, a silver watch case and gold seal, the property of JOHN CARBERRY; and a pair of spectacles, belonging to ELEANOR CARBERRY. Three Month's imprisonment with hard labour.

THE NAVY - Commodore JAMES HANWAY PLUMRIDGE, of the "Cambrian," 36 guns, has hoisted his pendant as commander-in-chief on the China station, until a successor to Rear-Admiral Inglefield is appointed by the Admiralty, and arrives out upon the station.

THE CUSTOMS - Mr. W. ROWE, of Fowey, has been appointed tide surveyor at Poole. Mr. CHARLES SHOLL, comptroller at Falmouth, has been appointed collector at Ross in Ireland. Mr. F. STONE, collector at Ross, has been appointed comptroller at Falmouth.

SEAMEN'S WAGES - There is a combination amongst the seamen at Falmouth, who refuse to ship for the wages now given. In consequence, the captains of several emigrant ships and others, are about to send to other ports for seamen.

PUBLIC TESTIMONIAL - On Friday evening last, a public tea meeting took place at St. Just in Roseland for the purpose of presenting a piece of plate to Mr. WINBOLT, who after five years sojourn, is about to leave this parish. Mr. Winbolt, during his residence there, has taken great pains to impart gratuitous instruction to the youths of the place, whom he has brought on in elementary knowledge in a most successful manner. After "the cup that cheers but not inebriates," had been disposed of, the company removed to a more spacious place, where Mr. BOYNE being called to the chair, addressed the numerous meeting, in a speech highly eulogistic of Mr. Winbolt, and concluded by presenting him with a "silver teapot," neatly chased, with a suitable inscription engraved upon it, amidst the acclamations of the assemblage. The Rev. Mr. ELVINS then addressed the meeting in a judicious and pleasing style, on the value of education in improving the condition of the multitude. He was followed by the Rev. Mr. GANT, who recorded his testimony to the merits of Mr. Winbolt, and dwelt with much energy and effect on the advantages of instruction. Mr. DUNSTONE, a neighbour of Mr. Winbolt, readily bore witness of his humanity to the poor, and the benefits he had conferred on them. Mr. JOSEPH LAWRY also addressed the meeting. Mr. BOYNE then read a short paper, on the necessity of educating the masses, after which the meeting separated.

INSOLVENT DEBTORS - The following insolvents' cases were brought before the County Court, at Bodmin, on Wednesday last. JOHN VIVIAN, the younger, of Hayle, commander of the "Cornwall" steamer; the insolvent had been some time in prison, and now applied through Mr. PRESTON WALLIS, to be admitted to bail. Mr. Wallis submitted that the act of parliament transferring the insolvent business to the county courts, gave the judge the power of admitting an insolvent to bail. The judge, G. G. KEKEWICH, Esq., after considering the act, decided on giving bail, and sureties being provided, the insolvent was discharged from custody, having to make his next appearance at the sitting of the court on the third of May.

ELIZABETH EDWARDS, of Gwinear. This insolvent was ordered, at the last court, to be discharged on payment of GBP60 and costs, otherwise to be brought up at this court for judgment. The Judge said the insolvent had not given that satisfactory account of her property that her creditors had a right to expect. To what extent she had been actually engaged in making away with it did not distinctly appear, but she had done it together with her sons, or had permitted them to do it. The judgment of the court was, that she be discharged as respects all the creditors under her schedule, at the expiration of six calendar months from the date of the vesting order, she having already been in custody four months of that period.

JOHN HENWOOD, landlord of the King's Arms, Lostwithiel. The insolvent petitioned to be discharged; but was opposed by Mr. PRESTON WALLIS, on behalf of the detaining creditor, Mr. DREW, of Lostwithiel, wine and spirit merchant; and for Messrs. LUTLEY and Co., of Exeter, hop merchants. Mr. BISHOP opposed on behalf of Mr. HICKS, of Plymouth, wine merchant, a creditor to the amount of GBP60; and the insolvent was supported by Mr. BOWEN and Mr. COMMINS. The debts due to insolvent, as stated in his schedule, from 1846 to 1848, where only GBP55, whilst his liabilities during the same period amounted to GBP500. He accounted for this from the loss of trade and of horses. The commercial trade was his principal support, but he lost that when Mr. TABB opened the Talbot Hotel; he used to derive profit from the pay-day of a mine, but instead of three hundred, only about forty men were now employed there. The insolvent was also examined respecting a warrant of attorney which he had executed to Mr. PROBERT, of Lostwithiel, about twenty-one or twenty-two months ago, as a security for GBP150, that Mr. Probert had lent him. Insolvent was questioned respecting the debts he owed to Mr. DREW, Mr. LUTLEY, and Mr. HICKS; and he stated two or three payments which were not entered in his schedule. Under the warrant of attorney given to Mr. Probert, execution was eventually put in and insolvent's goods sold. The Judge remarked that the debts stated in the schedule were incurred subsequently to the execution of the warrant of attorney. He, therefore, directed that the opposition should stand over to the next court, when a copy of the warrant of attorney and of the auctioneer's account should be produced; that Mr. Probert should be present in order that the nature of insolvent's transaction with him might be more fully inquired into; and that Mrs. HENWOOD, who still occupies the premises, should be in attendance to be questioned as to her carrying on the business.

FIRE AT PENZANCE - Two fires have recently broken out at the coach-building establishment of Mr. JAMES, at Penzance. They were soon extinguished, but suspicion of having caused them wilfully fell on some parties connected with the establishment. Two apprentices of Mr. James, called BASSET and TREWELA, were examined on the subject, and the result was that they were committed on Friday last, by the mayor, to take their trial for the offence.

A CONSTABLE REWARDED - On the trial of POPE, who was transported for life at the last Bodmin assizes, for arson. Mr. Justice WIGHTMAN order the sum of GBP10 to be paid by the sheriff to Serjeant EDWARDS, of the Cross Inn Station, in Carmarthen, for his exertions in discovering the retreat, and his enterprising conduct in the capture and detection of this felon, who had several times escaped from constables on various charges. It is hoped that this will stimulate peace-officers in the county to act with increased vigilance.

ROBBERY AT PENZANCE - On Saturday night last, some evil disposed person or persons entered the shop and dwelling house of Mr. DODD, Market-Jew-street, Penzance, and stole therefrom, a gold ear-ring, a gold key of a watch, and about eighteen shillings in money; the robbers entered by breaking in the pannels of the back door, and forcing the bolts of the inner door.

CORONER'S INQUESTS - On the 30th ultimo, GILBERT HAMLEY, Esq., deputy coroner, held an inquest at West Taphouse, in the parish of Broadoak, on the body of JONATHAN BLEWETT, blacksmith, who was found dead in his bed that morning. He had been about drinking for two days previously, and returned home about five in the morning and went to bed, and his wife, on waking at a later hour in the morning, found him dead by her side. There was evidence of previous disease of the heart, and the jury found a verdict that he died from the rupture of a blood vessel, expressing their opinion that his death was probably accelerated by his drinking a considerable quantity of spirits on the two preceding days.

On Friday, Mr. Gilbert Hamley held an inquest at Fowey, on the bodies of two young men, JOSEPH PEARCE, aged 18, and THOMAS SMITH, 21, who were drowned on Shrove Tuesday. It appeared that on that day the deceased, with three other men, got into a canoe, and not knowing how to manage her, they had not proceeded above one hundred yards before she capsized. Three of the crew were saved - one by swimming ashore, another by being thrown on a rock, and a third by laying hold of the canoe. Pearce and Smith were unfortunately drowned; their bodies were picket up on Friday morning, and identified by means of their clothes. Verdict, accidentally drowned.

CAUTION - I Hereby Give Notice, that from the date hereof, I will not be answerable for any debts that my wife, ELIZABETH JEFFERY, (formerly Mrs. OLIVER, of Chacewater), may contract, and persons are therefore cautioned against trusting her. Signed, EDWARD JEFFERY. Witness, WILLIAM JANE. Dated Chacewater April4, 1848.

STOLEN OR STRAYED - From Coomb Newlyn, in the parish of Paul, Penzance, a Black Mare, with a switch tail, ten years old, and fourteen hands high; her knees are broken, and she has a bunch on the further thigh. Whoever will bring the same, or give information so that she may be had again, to Mr. WILLIAM CURNOW, Coomb Newlyn, shall be handsomely rewarded.

FOR ADELAIDE, SOUTH AUSTRALIA, Direct from Swansea - The fine fast sailing (twelve years A 1,) Barque "Richardson," JAMES ENGLISH Commander, has room for a few Cabin Passengers only, is fitted with very superior accommodation, and will said on or about the 1st of May next.

CORNWALL SPRING ASSIZES - before Mr. Baron PLATT - Thursday, March 30.

PETER v. DANIEL - This special jury case, which was very uninteresting except to the parties immediately concerned in it, occupied the court with its wearisome details, from its opening at nine o'clock until nearly six o'clock. Mr. CROWDER and Mr. M. SMITH were counsel for plaintiff; attorney, Mr. J. L. PETER. The counsel for defendant were Mr. COCKBURN, Mr. BUTT, and Mr. BALL; attorney, Mr. BOASE. The plaintiff was the Rev. JOHN PETER, of Treviles. The defendant, Mr. JOHN DANIEL, was a farmer living in the parish of St. Cleer, and tenant under the plaintiff, of three tenements contiguous to each other, called Crylla, Tregarrick, and Wallow. Through this property ran an artificial water course, and the present action was brought in consequence of defendants having in 1844 diverted this stream and dammed back a portion of it for the purpose of conducting the water to another tenement adjoining, called Gimble Mill, the property of another landlord. On this last named tenement there had formerly been an old stamping mill, which, however, had not been in use for seventy years. The water course had been diverted by the defendant, with the view, it was suggested, to mining operations; and he claimed to be entitled to do so on three several grounds. - 1st, by prescriptive right; 2nd, by an old grant, now lost, of this water course, to the persons who formerly occupied Gimble Mill; and lastly, by user for the last forty years. The plaintiff, however, showed the origin of the water course in 1681, by a deed from a Mr. MORSHEAD, the then owner of Crylla, granting for two lives, to a Mr. LANGFORD, the owner of Wallow and Gimble, a right to take the water across Crylla. The plea of right by reason of an alleged old grant was met by plaintiff, by deeds, including some from the plaintiff's father and himself successively, by which it appeared that the owners of the land had always reserved to themselves in their leases, all streams and water courses. The plea of user was met by counter evidence. The plaintiff's object being merely to establish his alleged right as reversioner, the amount of damages sought by him was merely nominal. A deal of documentary evidence was put in, and many witnesses, some of considerable age were examined. The jury found a verdict for plaintiff, damages GBP40, contingent on the pleas of demurrer which had been put in.

COLMER v. SERJEANT - Mr. CROWDER, Mr. BURT, and Mr. LOPEZ, for plaintiff, Mr. COCKBURN and Mr. HALL, for defendant. Attorney for plaintiff, Mr. BRIDGMAN; for defendant, Mr. SNELL. The plaintiff was a farmer and butcher, who had occupied an estate called Kerry Bullock, in the parish of Stokcellonsland[?], the owner of that estate being the defendant. The action was the consequence of a dispute between the parties which terminated in a reference, on which a sum of money was found to be due from defendant to plaintiff. That sum was now sought to be recovered. The dispute appeared to have commenced about Lady-day, the period at which the plaintiff quitted occupation of defendant's farm. On the one hand, it was held that the plaintiff was right in quitting the farm at Lady-day; while on the other side, it was said that he ought not to quit before Michaelmas. An agreement was entered into between the parties, in July, 1846, that Colmer should continue to hold the farm until Michaelmas, and that a matter of dispute as to compensation to Colmer for corn, feed, &c., on his giving up possession, should be settled by arbitration - Mr. W. H. NATTLE on behalf of Colmer, and Mr. HATTON RATTENBURY for Serjeant; and [.....?] two not agreeing, ultimately appointed an umpire, Mr. KELLY. The result was an award that Serjeant should pay to plaintiff, the sum of GBP355. 8s. 8d. From this sum the plaintiff consented to deduct GBP99 due to himself for rent; and the balance was the sum sought to be recovered by the present action. Against this claim, the defendant, among other pleas, pleaded a set off to the amount of GBP1,900. 10s. 1d., on an account between the parties, commencing in 1826. In July, 1846, plaintiff came to an arrangement with a Mr. DOIDGE who was to let him some land at the following Michaelmas on his quitting Mr. Serjeant's farm; and plaintiff was to pay about GBP200 for standing crops, on his coming in to Mr. Doidge's farm. Mr. Colmer, to satisfy Mr. Doidge, referred him to Mr. Serjeant; and on both parties going to Mr. Serjeant, he acknowledged that he owed Colmer more than GBP200; and, on the faith of this, Doidge accepted Colmer as his tenant. The portion of the case dependent on the arbitration was incapable of being sustained, in consequence of irregularity in the appointment of the arbitrators, and conduct of the references; particularly it was mentioned that the umpire was chosen by a form between the arbitrators. On the other part of the case, Mr. C. V. BRIDGMAN, attorney of Tavistock, stated that, after plaintiff had quitted defendant's farm, he applied to defendant in October, 1846, for payment of the money, found to be due for the remaining crops. There was no reply to this application; but, in a month or two afterwards, defendant referred witness to his attorney, Mr. SAMUEL BENNY SERJEANT, with whom witness afterwards communicated, both by letter and personally, with a view to settle the matter without a suit. At length, in October, 1847, they met by appointment at witness's house in Tavistock, and went into every item of the whole matter, very fully, Mr. Colmer, at Mr. Serjeant's request, being present to give every information. Having gone through the whole accounts, and Mr. Serjeant having examined Mr. Colmer, Mr. Serjeant said he was quite satisfied that his uncle (the present defendant) ought to pay GBP278, and that he should strongly recommend him to do so, and also to pay the costs which had been incurred. Mr. Serjeant, at the same meeting, said that he was so much hurt at his uncle's keeping Colmer out of his money, that he had himself lent him GBP100 to help him to settle with Doidge. It was not stated that that interview was to be "without prejudice," and Mr. Benny Serjeant did not ask for copies of the documents produced at the meeting. The whole accounts between the parties were gone into from 1828 down to the very time of the meeting, and Mr. Serjeant said that those documents and statements satisfied him that his uncle ought to pay the GBP200 odd. For the defence, Mr. Cockburn addressed the jury, and first called Mr. Samuel Benny Serjeant, who stated that he was attorney for his uncle, the defendant, in 1847. The interview between himself and Mr. Bridgman, at Tavistock was arranged to be without prejudice. Just before going into Mr. Bridgman's room, he (witness) distinctly stated that whatever took place was to be without prejudice to his uncle. Mr. Bridgman assented to this; and it was understood all through, that it was to be without prejudice. This witness then described the way in which the accounts were gone into, on both sides, from 1826, stating that against several items he made memoranda to be submitted to his uncle, and that he was promised copies of all Colmer's bills, in order that he might likewise submit them to his uncle. At the conclusion of the meeting, he (witness) said, Mr. Colmer's accounts and statements were correct, his uncle was indebted to Mr. Colmer, to the amount of GBP278 and he would use every exertion to get his uncle to pay it. He afterwards offered that the matter should be settled by reference; and it was agreed to refer it to Mr. BEER, of Plymouth; but there was some difference as to whether the whole of the matters in dispute should be referred, or only this matter of the set off. Not many days after the interview at Mr. Bridgman's witness wrote to him for copies of Colmer's bills, but had not received them. Had often tried to get his uncle to settle the matter; but his uncle would not listen to the amount said to be due to Colmer. The remainder of the evidence in the case, by this and other witnesses, chiefly referred to wearisome matters of account. After a careful summing up, the jury returned a verdict for plaintiff for GBP258. 8s. 7d.

BREACH OF PROMISE OF MARRIAGE - RICHARDS v. MOODY and WIFE (Before Mr. Baron PLATT.) Friday, March 31. This case excited the utmost interest. At nine o'clock, when the Court opened, it was excessively crowded in every part, the greater portion of those present being of the fair sex, who manifested throughout the day the most lively attention and interest in the proceedings. Mr. CROWDER (Q.C.) and Mr. MONTAGUE SMITH appeared for the plaintiff; Mr. COCKBURN (Q.C.) and Mr. COLLIER for the defendant. Mr. M. SMITH opened the pleadings. The plaintiff was Mr. THOMAS JOHN RICHARDS, and the defendant Mr. CHRISTOPHER HENRY MOODY. The first count of the declaration stated that a promise was made by the defendant. ANN CHAPPLE, to marry the plaintiff after the death of her father, but that a reasonable time after his death having elapsed, she did not marry the plaintiff, but married another; a second count stated that she had promised to marry the plaintiff within twelve months after the death of her father; and a third count set forth that she had promised to marry him within a reasonable time after request. To this it was pleaded, first, that the defendant never made the promise; secondly, that the plaintiff was not ready and willing to marry the defendant; thirdly, that before the marriage of Ann Chapple with the defendant, the plaintiff had wholly exonerated and discharged her from her engagement to him. On these please issue was joined. Mr. Crowder stated the case to the jury. The complaint was for a breach of contract of marriage entered into between the plaintiff and one of the defendants. Ordinary contracts that came before juries were such as related to business transactions, but the present was one of a very different description, and of a most important and solemn nature, as must be obvious to every person at all cognizant with the transactions of life. Where parties had entered seriously and solemnly into a contract to marry, where the pledge was founded on a mutual attachment, and had existed for a number of years, it was obvious that the breach of such an engagement by one of the parties would cause the greatest pain and distress to the other. He appeared on this occasion for Mr. Richards, who complained that the lady who was pledged to an engagement to him, had violated it. He did not expect to excite the same sympathy in their minds as if the action were brought by a lady complaining of such a breach of engagement by a gentleman. But at the same time, Mr. Richards had a fair right to receive at their hands a full consideration of his case; and if he could show that he had entertained a sincere attachment to this lady, if he showed that he had made considerable sacrifices with reference to that attachment, that the match was undoubtedly one that would have been beneficial to him in a pecuniary point of view, and that without any adequate reason, or any reason assigned at all, she had broken off the engagement, the plaintiff stood fairly entitled to receive at their hands compensation in damages.

The plaintiff, Mr. Thomas Richards, was early in life in the army; he procured his discharge, it being paid for; and having been originally brought up to the trade of a hatter, he continued afterwards to pursue that business. He was engaged some years ago at Bodmin as a journeyman hatter; he was a native of Bodmin, and so was the lady who was concerned in this action. The plaintiff in the course of his business, before he set up as a master tradesman, in Bodmin, became acquainted with Miss Chapple, she being the only daughter of Mr. Chapple, a builder, and land-surveyor in the same town, a man of great respectability, and who had an extensive business. He became acquainted with Miss Chapple, as early as 1831 or 1832; he was in the habit of seeing her from time to time at his own mother's, who resided also at Bodmin, and carried on business as a straw-bonnet maker. An attachment sprung up between the parties, they being about the same age, and at that time young; but the father of Miss Chapple conceived that she might probably form an engagement beyond that with Mr. Richards; they therefore continued to meet at the house of the mother of Mr. Richards and other places, it being supposed that Miss Chapple's father would not give his consent to her union with Mr. Richards. Miss Chapple, however, was much attached to him, and at her recommendation he obtained a shop in the town, to commence business as a hatter. The money was raised by Mrs. Richards, and Mr. Richards had continued in the business from that time to the present. There could be no doubt that a distinct engagement was entered into between these parties to marry. The father of Miss Chapple, she being his only child, was exceedingly anxious that she should continue as long as possible unmarried; and it was understood that the marriage between her and Mr. Richards could not take place during the father's lifetime. In the meantime, however, they were frequently together, and he should call witnesses to show their manner of behaviour towards each other. He also produced letters, and nothing short of an engagement could warrant the language used in those letters. They first became acquainted in 1832; in 1837 he took a shop at Bodmin and when both in town they met almost every day. This continued down to the time of her father's death in 1846, almost without any cessation of affection, except for a short time through some little feelings of jealousy the lady entertained, from the notion that he had been paying attention to another person. This was six or seven years ago, and for a short period occasioned some alienation; but from this time to her father's death, they always kissed when they met, kissed when they separated, and entertained apparently the strongest affection for each other. It would seem, however, that shortly after her father died, Miss Chapple met at the Wesleyan chapel, and was afterwards introduced to two of the sons of Mr. Moody, a preacher at that chapel, the names of these sons being Richard and Christopher Henry Moody. They became visitors to Miss Chapple and he showed evidence that Mr. Christopher Henry Moody, who paid attention to her, was perfectly aware of the long existing and solemn contract between Mr. Richards and herself. When he first proposed marriage to her, she treated the proposal with indignation. Nevertheless, he continued his attentions. Miss Chapple, instead of carrying out the engagement, sought for some ground to violate that engagement. With this view she represented that he had paid some attentions to a Miss DARLEY, - a matter that had occurred some years before. The plaintiff was at present between forty and fifty, and Mrs Moody was about the same age, whilst Christopher Henry Moody, whom the defendant had married, was a young man of between six and seven and twenty. It was in February, 1847, she broke the engagement with her old lover, telling him he must consider it all of, and in the September following she became united to Christopher Henry Moody. Mr. Richards was no doubt aware, when the engagement commenced between him and Miss Chappel, that she was likely to have considerable property on the death of her father. She then became entitled to two sums of GBP300 and GBP400, and the interest for life of GBP2,000. (This last amount was not proved by evidence). This was not an action that a plaintiff would like to bring into a court of justice, but if he had had his affection blighted, and his worldly affairs considerably damaged by the breach of a contract like this, the courts of justice were open to him to recover compensation.

Witnesses called were ISABELLA RICHARDS, widow and mother of the plaintiff. FANNY RICHARDS, wife of Mr. Peter Richards. Mr. EDMUND HARRY, assistant to Mr. ROBINSON, surgeon, of Bodmin. JOHN GASKING. FREDERICK KNAPP, clerk in the East Cornwall Bank at Bodmin. Mrs. FREDERICK CHAPPLE, aunt of the defendant. FREDERICK CHAPPLE. ELIZABETH DARLEY, widow. WILLIAM PACKET, tailor who lodged at Mr. Darley's. ANN HENDERSON, ANN EVERETT, straw-bonnet maker, who worked for Mary Darley. HENRY HIGGS, hair-dresser. JANE HENDERSON, apprentice to Mary Darley. Several letters were also read.

The learned Judge then summed up at considerable length. The case of a male plaintiff in an action of this kind was not a very common occurrence, and undoubtedly a male plaintiff did not receive the same sympathy as one of the more tender sex. But although that might be the case, a man had just the same right to present himself before a jury as a woman. He might have passed many years of his life in courtship; he might have lost an establishment in life, and might be pointed at by the finger of scorn, as the rejected of a party to whom he had so long made advances. There was therefore no reason why a man, as well as a woman might not be indemnified for damage sustained by the breach of a contract of this kind. He then proceeded to remark on the evidence, stating that there was no imputation whatever on the character of Miss Darley; it only appeared that her parents were very properly averse to her receiving the attentions of a young man whom they knew at the same time to be paying his addresses to another person. The learned Judge said that the imputations cast on the defendant's character by the plaintiff were either true or false. If they were true, it was a most atrocious act to publish them, but if his statements were false, and he thought there was no one in that court who could believe them to be true, there was no language strong enough to characterize the infamy of his conduct. The jury had to consider three issues:- first, did the parties enter into a contract of marriage, and if so, what was the nature of that contract? Secondly, was the plaintiff ready and willing to perform his part of it? And thirdly, was the defendant absolved from performing her part after the making of the contract, and before her marriage to Mr. Moody? If they found for the plaintiff, they would also take into consideration the question of damages. The jury returned from the court, and after nearly an hour's deliberation, found a verdict for the plaintiff on the first issue, (that there was a contract to marry), giving one farthing damages. Verdict for the defendant on the other issues, which his Lordship said was substantially a verdict for the defendant on the whole of the record. The case occupied the court twelve hours. (Abridged version.)

WILL CAUSE - Doe dem. VINGOE and ANOTHER v. NICHOLLS - Counsel for plaintiff, Mr. COCKBURN and Mr. M. SMITH; attorneys, Messrs. HICHENS and SON. Counsel for defendant Mr. CROWDER and Mr. BALL; attorneys, Messrs. JOHN, RODD and DARKE. This was an action brought to try the right to some property which had been left by a person named WILLIAM VINGOE, who died on the 16th of March, 1845; and which property was now in possession of RICHARD NICHOLLS, the defendant. The testator was one of a numerous family, and left behind him, two brothers names STEPHEN and ISRAEL, and six sisters all of whom were married. Stephen, the eldest brother, was heir-at-law to the whole of the property which was the subject of inquiry. WILLIAM had acquired some property by means of a dairy, and died worth about GBP1,500. At a certain period of his life, he became occasionally out of his mind; and the question the jury had to try was as to the validity of either or both of two wills made by him in 1842 and 1843 respectively. In the course of 1842, the testator had been living with the defendant Nicholls, and with a person named LAWRY who was identified in interest with Nicholls, both these parties having married daughters of GRACE NICHOLLS, a sister of testator. During the time, the testator was at Lawry's, he became out of his mind; and in June, 1843, his relations agreed to place him under the care of his brother Israel, who kept a shop in St. Just. At this place, (as stated for the plaintiff) in two or three weeks he recovered wonderfully, and he was removed to apartments in the same village, to the house of a person named MATTHEWS, free from all control or superintendence, except that a son of Israel's went there by night, to sleep with him. In this state he continued up to the time when he made the will of September, 1843, by which his property was left to Israel Vingoe for the benefit of all his brothers and sisters. On the part of the defence, it was alleged that at the time of this will of the 1st of September, the testator was insane; the defendant claiming under a will made in December, 1842, by which the bulk of the property was given to Nicholls and Lawry, the persons with whom he was then living. Under these circumstances, the question was whether either, or both of these wills had been made at lucid intervals of insanity. But supposing the jury should find both wills bad, then the plaintiff fell back on the heirship-in-law of the eldest brother, Stephen Vingoe.

Mr. Cockburn having stated the case, proceeded to call witnesses. SARAH BLIGHT, one of the six sisters of testator, stated that Richard Nicholls was the son of her married sister Grace; and a daughter of the same Grace Nicholls married William Lawry. About twelve years back, the testator had a kind of seizure, at Buryan Church-town. In June, 1842, she went to see him at Lawry's in Gulval, and found him very bad - quite out of his mind. While they were at dinner, he took off the veal pie, and threw some out of the window, and put some in his pocket. Saw him on another occasion while he was living at Lawry's, and also on several occasions in Penzance; he did not appear at all sound in mind. In the course of the year, 1842, - it might have been in June, Richard Nicholls came to witness and said "Aunt Sarah, why don't you get Uncle Billy to make a settlement?" Witness replied, "What would you have me to do? He is not fit to make any settlement." He was bad from Christmas 1841 up to June 1843, when he was removed to Israel's. Saw him in July 1843, at St. Just; he was then a good deal better. Saw him a great many times between the time of the veal-pie, and July 1845. Before he went to Lawry's, he lived on his place at Escalls, in Sennen, and on one occasion he wondered away and went to Probus, and used not to talk fitly; witness was told that he milked the cows and threw the raw milk to the pigs (laughter). WILLIAM RICHARDS, schoolmaster, of Penzance; in 1843, lived at St. Just; and was in the habit of going almost every morning, to Israel Vingoe's, with whom he dealt for milk and butter. Saw William Vingoe several times while he was staying at Israel's, and also afterwards, when he was at Matthews's. Had opportunities of observing the state of his mind; it improved between June 1843, when he came to Israel's, and September. When he was first brought there, from Escalls, he had a light, frivolous, laughing and infantine manner. After he had been residing there about a month, he came to converse rationally, and as time went on, he appeared to improve in that respect. One morning in the latter part of August, witness was at Israel's for milk, and saw William there; he asked witness if he was in the habit of making wills. Witness replied, yes, and should feel happy in doing the same for him. A few days after that, he asked witness to make a will for him. Witness got a sheet of paper and wrote down in pencil, from testator's dictation, the way in which he wished to dispose of his property. This took place in the kitchen at Israel Vingoe's, Israel's wife and his son, young Israel, where there; but neither of them at all interfered with the conversation. The instructions which witness received were entirely from testator; witness suggested nothing. Witness, previous to that occasion, knew nothing of testator's property, nor of his brothers and sisters. The testator appeared to be in the perfect possession of his faculties. Witness read over to him what he had written, and then took it away, and drew up a will in accordance therewith. On the morning when the will was executed, (the 1st of September, 1843, as appeared from the will itself) witness was at Israel's as usual to get milk. William was in the kitchen, and asked him if he had done that job for him. Witness answered that he had. Israel's wife, Israel junior, and some younger branches of the family were present. William told witness to fetch it and he did so. William then said, the kitchen was not a place to transact business in; they had better go upstairs. While witness had been out to fetch the will, Mr. HAWKINS, surgeon, had come in. Witness remarked to testator that it would be necessary to have two persons to attest the will, and perhaps the doctor would condescend to be one. He seemed to approve of that suggestion; and the three went up-stairs. Witness then unfolded the document and read it over. The testator paid the greatest apparent attention; and as witness went on reading, said, several times, "yes," - "that's it," - and so on, indicating his approbation as witness went on from one passage to another of the will. After the will had been read over, the testator executed it in the presence of witness and Mr. Hawkins. Had no doubt whatever that, at that time, the testator was in full possession of his faculties, and thoroughly understood the nature of the provisions in the will. (This witness underwent a long and searching cross-examination, in the course of which he admitted that he had, on one occasion, gone to Nicholls, the defendant, to pump him for information in order, if possible, to mar Nicholls's cause.) He swore that he had not written a word of the instructions before he went to testator with a paper for that purpose, in Israel's kitchen. Would not swear that on the morning when testator asked witness about making the will, he (witness) had not opened the conversation by asking if he (William) had made any settlement. The will was signed upstairs on a chest; testator knelt down to make his mark. -(There was a great deal of discussion on cross-examination on the fact of the name "Benjamin Hawkins" being written at the top of one of the pages of the paper of instructions. For the defence, it was sought to have inferred a previous arrangement of the way in which the will should be made and attested. The witness, however, swore that the name was not there at the time he took down the instructions, and that he had no previous communication whatever about Mr. Hawkins's signing the will.

BENJAMIN LAVERS HAWKINS, surgeon, at St. Just, were he had resided fourteen years, was at Israel Vingoe's house one morning, to see one of his children that had dislocated its arm. William Richards, the last witness, asked him if he would witness Mr. William Vingoe's will. Was then in the kitchen; the only other persons present were the late Mr. Vingoe, Richards, and the little child. (Witness afterwards corrected himself, and said Israel and his wife were present). This witness confirmed the evidence of Richards as to the circumstances under which the will was read and attested, and added that the testator appeared capable of transacting any business. Saw William Vingoe within a week after he came to Israel's; he was then quite melancholy, but after a time, being kept quiet, he gradually recovered. Conversed with him several times after that; he appeared to have got his faculties, but with the least excitement he was gone again. Saw him most days just before he made his will; he appeared to have his faculties about him. Israel Vingoe, jun., son of Israel Vingoe, and nephew of testator, stated that at the time William Vingoe came to his father's house, he was poorly in his mind; he remained there about a fortnight or three weeks, when apartments were taken for him at Peter Matthews's. He was at that time improved. No person lived with him at Matthews's but witness slept with him. William did buy and cook his provisions himself, and managed all his own concerns. He remained in Matthews's house until he had a seizure, a short time before his death, when he was taken back to witness's father's. Witness slept with his uncle William all the time he was at Matthews's; he had not dirty habits, and did not soil his bed during that time, but he had done so when he first came to St. Just, and it then "busied" two or three men to look after him. He got wild two or three times a week, for an hour or two at a time. He had no wild fits after he got to Matthews's, until he got qualms shortly before his death. PETER MATTHEWS, a miner, in 1843 occupied a house in St. Just. In June that year, William Vingoe came to occupy part of that house and left in October. Witness used to tale with him about his worldly affairs, and asked him how he got his property; he said by keeping a dairy; he also said that he had an estate called Escalls in Sennen. Witness asked him who he was going to give his property to, and if he would give him (witness) a small part of it. He answered, no; he should give it to his brothers. From what witness observed in occasional conversations with him, he appeared to be in his right mind and capable of managing his business and understanding what he was about. Had been in his bed-room once or twice and seen him and young Israel in bed together; never saw or knew of his having dirty habits. Witness's wife had died lately. William Vingoe knew everything he had got in the house as well as anybody, and nobody could get anything from him; he would lock and unlock the door, and kept the key. JOHN HOSKIN[?], farmer of St. Just, had known William Vingoe upwards of forty years. In August 1843, met William Vingoe in St. Just, and walked and conversed with him, for about three parts of a mile. He said he was come off from Lawry's and had gone to live with his brother Israel, and that he was going to Lawry's to get back some household goods and writings that he had left there, and some money that he had lent to Lawry. He said he meant to live and die with his brother Israel, and what little he had to leave he should give to Israel. During that time he appeared to be in his full senses. Saw him afterwards in September, and again in December; he appeared to be as sound as he had been in August. RICHARD GRENFELL, miner living at St. Just, married a daughter of CHRISTIAN PERROW, who was a sister of William Vingoe. A short time after William had been at Israel's, Richard Nicholls came there and asked for the family, and how the old man (William) was. William answered that he was come very well. Nicholls said to him "Uncle, you are got an old man; I think you had better make some settlement." The old man said, "What have my settlement got to do with you? I have already made it to my brother." MARY BOYNS, a grocer in St. Just; had known William Vingoe for twenty years before his death. After he came to St. Just in 1843, he was in the habit of coming frequently to her shop to purchase things sometimes alone and sometimes with one or other of Israel's children. He bought his goods much the same as any other customer, and appeared to understand well what he was about. He had served his apprenticeship in youth with witness's uncle; and, when he called at witness's house, would often talk with her mother about old times. He appeared to be in full possession of his senses.

Mr. Crowder addressed the jury for the defence, in support of the will of December 842, by which the bulk of the property was given to Nicholls and Lawry, with whom the testator had lived for a considerable time. The evidence he would adduce, would, he was satisfied, set aside the will of September 1843 as a nullity, and establish the will of December, 1842, superseding the heirship-at-law of Stephen Vingoe. The following witnesses were then called:- VIVIAN STEVENS, stated that he was an auctioneer living at Penzance, and knew the late Mr. William Vingoe. In December 1842, he came to witness's house accompanied by Richard Nicholls, the defendant, and said he wished to make a settlement of his effects. Witness then made rough draft of the way in which the testator wished this to be done, and then prepared the will. The whole was done at that one interview, in about two hours. Nicholls, the defendant, was not in the room at that time; he had retired, and did not in any way interfere with the making of the will. The will was attested by witness and his daughter; the testator's signature being a mark like a letter V. The state of the testator's mind was perfectly sound; he talked freely and familiarly. After writing out the will, and before its examination, witness read it over to testator who said it was correct. SARAH GRYLLS STEVENS, the other attesting witness, stated that at the time the will was executed, there was no one in the room but the testator, her father, and herself. THOMAS NINNIS, a miner, living in the parish of Towednack, stated that he married a sister of the defendant, Nicholls. Was first acquainted with the late Mr. Wm. Vingoe, in 1838, when he was living at Escalls, and continued to know him until 1842, and particularly when he lived with his sister Grace Nicholls, in Gulval. He lived with her up to November 1842, when he left and went to live at Tredinnick in Gulval, where he milked a dairy. At that time witness, who lived about three miles from him, saw him almost every week. In December 1842, and in the following January and February, had conversations with him on matters of business; and never knew any thing the matter with his mind until the beginning of May 1843, when witness saw him at William Lawry's house. He then told witness that all the land of the neighbourhood was his own and that he (witness) should come to live there in Parser[?] Stevens's house - the largest in the village; and he himself was going to Sennen Church-town to keep a public house. He had not an inch of land in that neighbourhood. William Vingoe was previously a clean man in his habits; but when witness saw him in May, 1843, he was widely different in that respect. Witness next saw him on the w4th of August 1843, at Israel Vingoe's house, in St. Just Church-town. At that time he did not appear to know witness. Israel said that William had been very troublesome, and Israel's wife said the same, and that he dirtied his bed, room, and clothes, and that he burned his shoes. Witness returned from St. Just, and informed Grace Nicholls of what he had seen. (The cross-examination of this witness was directed to show that he attached a wrong date to his visit at Israel Vingoe's at St. Just.)

WILLIAM NINNIS, brother of last witness, stated that on the 23rd of November, 1842, on the occasion of the funeral of his own daughter, at Gulval, saw William Vingoe, who attended the funeral, and was with him three hours; he was at that time as sensible as any person. In the latter part of December, 1842, witness saw him in Penzance market, selling his goods. Grace Nicholls, sister of William Vingoe and of the plaintiff in this case, and mother of defendant. Her brother William was with her four months in the early part of 1842, and used to market for her. At the latter end of that year, he took cows of Mr. BRUSH and went to Brush's place at Tredinnick to milk them, and continued there till May, 1843, when he gave up the cows. Lawry lived just touching there. Remembered the members of the family all meeting in June, 1843. About two months before that, had first noticed, that William was wrong in his head. On Thursday, the last day in August, 1843, went to see William at Israel's house in St. Just. Found him sitting on the chimney stock, raking the ashes with his hands. She spoke to him, but he took no notice of her. Witness slept with Israel's wife. On their going to bed, Israel unhanged the chamber door and placed it down over the stair opening like a trap hatch. In the night, Billy (the testator) got up and disturbed it; and Israel put it back again. The next day, witness went to the house in the village where Billy had been placed. He had broken the windows there. (Witness also described most disgustingly filthy habits, which, as she had learned from Israel, the testator had been accustomed to). The next morning, when witness came down stairs, she again found Billy sitting in the chimney. She remained there, two nights, and left on Saturday. Again saw him about a fortnight after that; never found him in his right mind after that time; he got worse; he had qualms and once, she had word that he was "very bad, sure enough." He never got better from the time he went to Israel's up to the time of his death. Billy could not write; he used to make a mark - a G.; he never would make a cross, because he said "there was crosses enough in the world without making them" (laughter). Cross-Examined - Was certain that it was Thursday, the last day of August, when she first went to see Billy at Israel's. On Friday morning, the 1st of September, she came down stairs between six and seen o'clock, and asked Israel's wife for some work; and she sat there in a chair sewing until about one o'clock. Never saw William Richards the schoolmaster, nor Dr. Hawkins there that morning. Did not, on that morning, see or hear anything of one of the children having put its wrist out. The doctor never did come there at all that morning. This was about a week after Thomas Ninnis had been there. William Lawry, the younger, a miner living at Madron, remembered the late William INVOE taking a house at Tredinnick. He complained of the house being cold, and asked witness to sleep with him. In November, 1842, witness went to sleep with him, and lived there four months. He used to attend market and manage his own affairs, and was quite well up to the time that witness left him in February, 1843. Saw him again in April, at witness's father's; he was "brave" then. He was a person of clean habits. William Lawry was then called; but, on an objection that he was one of the persons who would take, under the will of 1842, the Judge ruled that his evidence was inadmissible.

RICHARD MOYLE, surgeon, of Penzance, had known the late William Vingoe more than twenty-five years, and was frequently in the habit of seeing him. On the 1st of June, 1843, was called in to examine him professionally. William Lawry desired witness's attendance. Witness was with him nearly an hour, and found that he was insane; he was not sane on any one point. His insanity was melancholia. Saw him again on the 1st of December, 1843, by desire of Richard Nicholls. He was then at Israel's house at Saint Just. Examined him rather a short time then, because he was so much deranged; he thought it was useless to remain there. He was sores than when witness saw him in June. In reply to the Judge, Mr. Moyle said it was very possible, with the sort of madness under which the patient suffered, and at his age, for him to have lucid intervals. JOHN TRYTHALL, clerk to Mr. PAYNTER, of Penzance, was the person who drew up for the family of the Vingoes, the agreement by which William was placed under care of Israel. It was done by direction of Israel; was drawn on the 8th of June, 1843, and signed by all the members of the family.

The agreement and wills were put in, and also some depositions by some of the witnesses in the Ecclesiastical Court, where the matter had been before inquired into, and a decree given in Nicholls's favour. There were apparent contradictions between portions of those depositions, and the vica voce evidence now given. Mr. Cockburn replied; after which the learned Judge summed up. With regard to the first question, the alleged title of Stephen Vingoe, as heir-at-law, the verdict must be for defendant; because it was conceded on both sides that a will was made in December 1842, which superseded his title. The only question therefore for the jury was, whether the will of September 1843 was valid; and that would depend on their opinion whether, at the time of its execution, the testator was, or was not, of sound mind. After listening to a careful review of the evidence, the jury returned a verdict for plaintiffs.

COULSON and ANOTHER v. THE NEW SOUTH WESTERN STEAM NAVIGATION COMPANY - Counsel for Plaintiff, Mr. CROWDER, Mr. BALL, and Mr. KERSLAKE; attorneys, Messrs. JOHN, RODD, and DARKE. Counsel for defendant, Mr. COCKBURN and Mr. SMITH, attorneys, Messrs. BIRNHAM[?], DALRYMPLE, and DARKE. The plaintiffs in this case were drapers at Penzance. The defendants were a registered company, whose business it was to convey goods from Penzance by steamer to Southampton, for further conveyance to London by railway. This action was brought to recover the sum of GBP61. 2s., the value of two separate parcels sent by the defendants' vessels - the one on the 23rd of October, with articles to the amount of GBP37. 9s. 6d., addressed to Messrs. SAMBURN and Co., St. Paul's Church Yard, London; the other on the 19th of November, amounting to GBP23. 12s., with the same address. In the first case, the box had arrived at its destination, but without any contents beyond a smaller empty box and a slip of paper which had been put in with the goods when packed by Messrs. Coulson. The latter box was lost altogether. It was admitted by the defendants that the Company were duly registered, and that they were proprietors of the two steam boats, "Grand Turk" and "Lady Saumares." Mr. ROWE, printer, of Penzance, stated that the agent of the company in Penzance, was Mr. SAMUEL HIGGS, jun., by whose instructions he, witness, had printed the hand-bill now produced, and which mentioned the City depot for goods connected with the company. Mr. Rowe had himself received goods from London to Penzance, by this company, and had paid the carriage, the whole way from London to Mr. Higgs, their agent. EDMUND DAVY, of Penzance, proved his having down goods from London by the "Grand Turk" and "Lady Saumares," and that he had paid 2s. 10d. per cwt. for bale goods and boxes. JAMES COULSON, a cousin of plaintiffs and an assistant in their shop, proved his packing the first box on the 21st of October, with furs, bonnets, feathers, and ribbons; there were also included a hat box and a wooden box, and a ship of paper, on which were directions to Samburn and Bell, to dye the inclosed bonnets. The box was directed to Messrs. Samburn and Bell, St. Paul's Church Yard, London, and on the morning of the 22nd, witness saw it firmly roped and nailed, and directed his brother George, to take the box to the steam-boat at the quay. On the 18th of November, witness packed another box, with the same description of goods as the previous one, and secured and directed in the same manner. The freight for goods was 2s. 10d. for bale goods and boxes, and 5d. per foot for light boxes; there was but one charge throughout from London to Penzance. On the 25th of November, witness, having received a letter from the Steam Navigation Company, saw the mate of the two steamers, who said he was sorry the box had been lost as it might give him trouble. That referred to the first box. From that time witness had never heard of the contents of that box. Had been with Messrs. Coulson about twenty years, and had frequently sent goods to London during that time; never lost a package before. The defendants had begun to carry, about June last. GEORGE COULSON, brother of last witness, on the 22nd of October, after having seen the box packed and having himself directed it, took it to the quay and delivered it to the usual officer, George Bell, who handed it over to JOHN WILLIAMS and another man in a pilot coat. The steamer was about a quarter of a mile from the pier, and the steam was up. Saw the boat go out to the steamer and return empty. In consequence of the steamer being off, did not get a receipt as usual in Messrs. Coulson's book. Saw the man in the boat handing things on board the steamer, but was not near enough to see what those things were. John Williams, boatman, stated that he delivered the box to a man who stood on the gangway of the "Grand Turk," and told him it was from Messrs. Coulson. Had before that time seen the same man acting as steward, but could not tell who he was. JOHN OGDER, porter at Messrs. Coulson's took the box of the 19th of November, and delivered it on board the "Lady Saumares," and got a receipt in the book, signed by the mate. At the same time, witness delivered an "empty," from Messrs. Coulson, for Messrs. Groucock and Co., London. LEOPOLD NELSON THOMPSON, managing clerk to Messrs. Samburn and Bell, was next called, but he did little more than explain the nature of the head porter's duties in that establishment. JAMES JARMAN, head porter at Messrs. Samburn and Bell's, proved that on the 29th of October, he received from Penzance, a box containing nothing but an empty deal box, an old hat box, and the slip of paper already referred to. Had looked through his books, and was certain that he received no package from Penzance in November. In usual course, goods would arrive in about four days from Penzance. Credit was given in the books for all boxes received, empty or full.

Mr. Cockburn, for the defence, stated that after the evidence given, the defendants must submit to a verdict against them in respect of the first box, but with regard to the second, he should show that it was entered in the manifest of the vessel, and he should be able to prove that this very package was duly delivered to Messrs. Samburn and Bell; and if that were the case, the defendants would be entitled to the verdict. The following witnesses were examined, - WILLIAM WRIGHT, mate of the "Grand Turk" and "Lady Saumares;" JOHN PHILLIPS, wharfinger in the employ of the Southampton Dock Company; THOMAS BOYER, railway clerk at the Southampton Docks; BENJAMIN DANIELLS, clerk in the goods department at the Nine Elms Station of the South Western Railway Company; and THOMAS COWLES, carman in the employ of the South Western Railway Company, at their London Terminus. The jury returned a verdict for plaintiff for GBP61. 2s.

REYNOLDS v. HEARLE - It had been expected that this cause, in which the parties were Mr. CHARLES REYNOLDS, of Trevenson, and Mr. HEARLE, Attorney of Redruth, would last many hours; but, on it being called on, eleven only of the special jurors summoned on it answered to their names, and as neither plaintiff nor defendant prayed a tales[?], the special jurors in attendance were immediately discharged, the Judge expressing his regret that they should have been kept waiting about so long for nothing.

TURNER and ANOTHER v. MOYLE, and TURNER and ANOTHER v. CLOUTER - In these cases, the records were withdrawn by consent, costs of the day to be costs in the suit; the cause to be tried at the next assizes, if not previously settled.


14 APRIL 1848, Friday


TRURO COUNTY COURT - At the monthly court on Friday last, before G. G. KEKEWICH, Esq., there were fifty-five cases of small debt, and two of insolvency. The Clerk of the Court obtained, under authority of the 37th section of the Small Debts Act, an order for the recovery of fees by execution. The order was against a plaintiff named STRONGMAN, who had succeeded in his action, and had sent the defendant to Bodmin gaol. There were three cases of committal to Bodmin gaol, for terms of imprisonment, varying from fifteen to forty days, for contempt of Court, in neglecting to pay debts according to its orders.

KENWYN POOR RATES - WILLIAMS v. CARNE - Mr. CHILCOTT appeared for the plaintiff, Mr. JOHN WILLIAMS, and Mr. SMITH for the parish of Kenwyn, of which the defendant is the rate collector. Some months since, the plaintiff obtained judgment against Mr. OLIVER, of Chevelah but on putting in an execution on Oliver's goods, he found a bailiff already in possession of a rick of hay, Mr. Carne having levied a distress on this rick for GBP10. 6s. 7d., which sum Oliver was in arrear on account of poor-rates. An arrangement was afterwards entered into, by which Mr. Carne agreed to give up the hay to Mr. Williams, on the latter paying the GBP10 that was owing for poor-rates. The money was paid by Mr. Williams, but subsequently an interpleader summons was issued, and an action tried, the result of which was that the hay was adjudged to have belonged to other claimants, and not to Mr. Oliver, at the time the collector had seized it for poor-rates due from Oliver. Mr. Williams was therefore obliged to give up the hay, but his GBP10 had got into the parish pocket through the collector, and not being able to get it out again he brought this action to recover the amount. Mr. Chilcott said it was evident that Mr. Carne was mistaken when he told plaintiff the hay was Oliver's; plaintiff, therefore, had had no consideration for his GBP10, and the parish must now repay him the money, and levy another distress on Oliver for the amount of rates in arrear. It appeared from the evidence that there was some claim by Mr. CRADOCK to this hay at the time plaintiff gave defendant the GBP10 to withdraw his levy on it. Plaintiff stated that he and defendant went to Mr. G. SIMMONS about the matter, who gave as his opinion that the parish had a priority of claim; and in addition to this plaintiff and his daughter deposed that Mr. Carne said he would make it all right to plaintiff. Mr. Carne, on the other hand, stated that he never gave any opinion on the validity of Cradock's claim, now did he ever say he would make it all right to plaintiff. The defence was that the consideration had not failed, it being merely to withdraw the levy; and if Mr. Carne had promised to see plaintiff "all right," those words only applied to the same withdrawal, by which plaintiff had had the benefit of conducting his sale in his own manner. Plaintiff had been informed of Cradock's claim, he had consulted persons before paying the GBP10, and the rule of law was that if a person with a full knowledge of the facts pay over money to another, he cannot recover it back because of his having paid it in ignorance of the law. Mr. Chilcott replied that in the present case there was a mistake of the facts, and therefore the money was recoverable. The judge deferred his decision.

IMPORTANT TO SHOPKEEPERS - WILLIAMS v. BROKENSHIR. Mr. CHILCOTT appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr. STOKES for the defendant. Plaintiff is a grocer at Truro, and defendant is the agent of a company owning a wharf at Penryn. Plaintiff had ordered twenty boxes of Valencia raisins in time for them to reach Truro about Christmas last, a season when the good people of the town feast themselves with plum puddings. The raisins duly arrived at Penryn by the "Quarry Maid" trader, but instead of being forwarded from the wharf to Mr. Williams, they were sent by mistake to shopkeepers at Falmouth and Helston, the raisins belonging to those shopkeepers being also sent to Mr. Williams. With the exception of one box he did not receive his own raisins till the end of January; consequently he lost the Christmas sale, for which and for the bad impression created among his customers from his being unable to supply them, he claimed as damages GBP1. 10s. Mr. Williams also received sugar and currants by the "Quarry Maid," which were brought in a barge from Penryn to Truro; the bags were so much torn that he had them weighed and found the sugar 120 lbs. short of weight and the currants 29 lbs. He said it was the custom of the trade to look to the last wharfinger for security against any deficiency in the goods received from him, and he now claimed for this deficiency from the defendant GBP3. 2s., being 5d. per pound. Defendant's case with regard to the raisins, was that there were no marks on nineteen of the boxes to shew to whom they belonged; Mr. Brokenshir said he sent one of the boxes marked "I. W., Truro," to Mr. Williams immediately on its arrival, and on finding that the other nineteen had been sent to the wrong parties, he took steps to rectify the mistake as soon as possible. With respect to the sugar and currants, it was contended, on the part of the defendant, that the wharfinger, to whose care the goods were last committed, was not answerable for a deficiency in them, except it be proved that the loss occurred whilst they were in his possession. On this point Captain PETERS, an agent of the Truro Shipping Company was called by plaintiff, and stated that if anything came deficient they traced it back as far as possible; the merchants held him responsible; at times when discharging bags and mats of sugar they would burst, for which, when he collected the freight, as wharfinger, he was obliged to make an allowance. On the other hand Mr. Brokenshire said the ship-owners were responsible, if any one. Mr. OSLER, of Falmouth, said that when he had a deficiency, he considered the ship-owners liable, and had applied to them, through the wharfinger, to make compensation; if they refused to pay he had put up with the loss, having never gone to law to compel any party to pay. Defendant stated that the bags of sugar and currants were never placed on his wharf, but were immediately transferred from the vessel into the barge, his partner being present at the time, and the barge being hired by them to convey the goods to Truro. Other points were also raised on the part of defendant, but the above were the most material. The Judge decided that a wharfinger was liable for deficiencies as a common carrier, and gave a verdict for plaintiff, in respect to the loss of sugar and currants, for GBP3. 2s.; he considered there was not sufficient ground for damages in regard to the raisins. Mr. Stokes, for defendant, afterwards obtained leave to move at the next court on the question of a wharfinger's liability. [note two spellings of Brokenshir(e)].

INSOLVENTS - Re. BENJAMIN PEARCE, of Truro, stone mason and statuary. The insolvent applied for his final order, but it could not be granted because the necessary advertisements had not been published in the London Gazette. The final order was therefore postponed until the 5th of May.

Re. JOHN CLEMENCE, of Daniell-street, Truro, stone mason. The insolvent was opposed by Mr. BRAY, butcher, on the ground that he has some property which was unaccounted for in his schedule. Insolvent was indebted to Mr. Bray between GBP9 and GBP10 for butcher's meat, which he had had on credit, on the understanding that it was to be paid for out of his receipts on a contract for work done at the Savings Bank. On being questioned, he said he had lost a considerable sum by the Savings Bank contract, and also by his contract for a school-room at Chacewater; and to these losses he attributed his insolvency. The insolvent's interim order for protection was extended to the 5th of May, when he will be in a position to apply for his final order.

WESLEYAN MISSIONS - On Sunday, the 2nd instant, sermons in behalf of the Wesleyan missions were preached at Camborne, by the Rev. G. BARNLEY, and the Rev. G. ROEBUCK. On the following Thursday, the Rev. W. ILLINGWORTH preached in the afternoon, and in the evening the annual public meeting was held at Wesley Chapel, G. SMITH, Esq., in the chair, when addresses were delivered by the Rev. G. Barnley, from America, the Rev. J. MARTIN, from Africa, the Rev. Mr. MALE, from the East Indies, the Rev. W. Illingworth, from London, and other ministers. At St. Ives, on Sunday last, three sermons were preached in the Wesleyan Chapel, and another on the following Wednesday afternoon by the Rev. G. BARNLEY, from the Hudson Bay territory.

EMIGRATION - The ship "Lady Peel," of 1000 tons, Captain JOHNS, sailed from Penzance for Quebec, on the 6th instant, with emigrants. Eighty-six adults and forty-eight children embarked from that neighbourhood, making, with persons that had previously been taken on board at Plymouth, two hundred and fifty-eight steerage, and five cabin passengers. The emigrants were principally farmers, and miners going to Lake Superior and Mineral Point mines. The barque "Roslin Castle," 700 tons burthen, Captain W. SADLER, sailed from Falmouth for Quebec with two hundred passengers on the 6th instant. The majority of emigrants in this vessel were from the parishes of St. Allen, Perranzabuloe, and Camborne. On the evening preceding the day of their departure, a meeting of the Society of Friends was held on board when the emigrants listened with deep attention to the addresses of Mr. E. O. TREGYLLES[?], and other members of the society. The Rev. Mr. CHILDS, minister of St. Mary's district chapel, Devonport, also gave the people an address, by which they were much affected, and he afterwards distributed among them a number of bibles and prayer books, which were gratefully received. The Messrs. BOLITHO, of Penzance, have also presented to the emigrants on board the "Mountaineer," a number of bibles, for which kindness they appeared to be very thankful.

SURGICAL OPERATION UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF CHLOROFORM - On Friday last, Miss HARRIS, of Rosenithon, in St. Keverne, submitted to amputation of the leg for scrofulous disease of the ankle joint of long standing. The operation was performed by Mr. STEVENS, assisted by Messrs. ROSKRUGE and APPLETON, and although the chloroform produced rather more excitement than was desirable, yet it was evident much less pain was felt than is usual on these occasions, and the patient declared her feelings were very delightful whilst the effects of the chloroform continued.

VESSEL FOUNDERED - At one A.M. on Sunday last, the schooner "Expedition" of and for Gloucester from Teignmouth, with China clay, struck on the stones near Godrevy Island, during a strong gale from N.N.E., and sunk almost immediately with one man. The captain and three men saved themselves in the boat and landed near Hayle.

IN THE COUNTY COURT OF CORNWALL, AT PENZANCE - In the matter of the Petition of JAMES HOSKING, of Church Village of the Parish of Saint Erth, in the County of Cornwall, Blacksmith, an Insolvent Debtor. - Notice is Hereby Given, that the County Court of Cornwall, holden at Penzance, acting in the matter of this Petition, will proceed to make a final order thereon at the said Court, on Wednesday, the Tenth day of May next, at Ten o'clock in the Forenoon precisely, unless cause be then and there shewn to the contrary. FRANCIS PAYNTER, Clerk. Penzance, April 12, 1848.

IN THE COUNTY COURT OF CORNWALL AT PENZANCE - In the matter of the Petition of WILLIAM THOMAS of the Borough of St. Ives, in the County of Cornwall, Boot and Shoe Maker, an Insolvent Debtor. - Notice is Hereby Given, that the County Court of Cornwall, holden at Penzance, acting in the matter of this Petition, will proceed to make a final order thereon, at the said Court, on Wednesday, the Tenth day of May next, at Ten o'clock in the Forenoon precisely, unless cause be then and there shewn to the contrary. FRANCIS PAYNTER, Clerk. Penzance, April 12, 1848.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE WEST BRITON - Bramhope, April 3rd, 1848. Sir, - A false and very mischievous report has been circulated in Truro and its neighbourhood, which is calculated to do me a very serious injury amongst parties who do not personally know me. The report to which I allude is, that I am about to be married to a respectable female in Truro, when, at the same time I was already married to a female at Leeds. This is a most base and groundless falsehood. I never was married. I can only account for such a report by supposing that some of the men whom I have had in my employ, and who came from Truro and its vicinity, have circulated the false report out of revenge for being discharged from the works, for neglect and other causes. It is, however, but poor revenge to injure an innocent man's character, more especially when I am at such a distance that I cannot answer for myself, and which have induced me to adopt the present method of contradicting so foul a calumny. Trusting you will allow this communication to appear in your widely circulated journal, I remain, sir, Your obliged and humble servant. JOHN CHAMPION, Agent for JAMES BRAY, Esq., Leeds and Thirsk Railway.

CAUTION - I Hereby Give Notice, that I will not be answerable for any Debt or Debts that my wife, MARY PASCOE, of Trevenen, in Wendron, may contract after this public Notice, she having left me without any cause. (Signed) JOHN PASCOE, Witness, THOMAS CHEFFERS. Dated Trevenen, Wendron, April 10, 1848.

IN THE MATTER OF WILLIAM EDGCUMBE CUDLIP, an Insolvent. - The Creditors of the above-named Insolvent are requested to meet the Assignees of the Estate and Effects of the said Insolvent, at the Angel Inn, in the borough of Helston, in the county of Cornwall, on Monday, the eighth day of May next, at Eleven o'clock in the Forenoon, and then and there to assent to or dissent from the said Assignees, selling or disposing either by Private Contract, or by an Appraisement, all or any part of the said Insolvent's household Goods and Furniture to any person or persons who may be desirous to become the purchaser or purchasers thereof; and to the said Assignees giving such time and taking such personal or other security for the price of all or any part of the said Goods and Furniture, as the said Assignees, in the discretion, shall think proper. GRYLLS and HILL, Solicitors to the Assignees. Dated April 10, 1848.

SINGULAR AFFRAY AT CALLINGTON - An affray took place at Kit Hill on the 1st instant, between a man called FREDERICK STATTON and two constables and their three assistants. Statton, a few months ago, was committed to Bodmin Goal for poaching on the property of AUGUSTUS CORYTON, Esq., but managed to escape before the time of his discharge arrived. Since then the constables in Cornwall have been on the look out for him, but have been baffled in all their attempts to retake him. BULLEN, one of the Callington constables, managed to get in the same room with him one day, but Statton vanished without Bullen knowing how, and Statton being a conjurer was supposed to have made his egress through the keyhole. But it appears that a man called THOMAS PENALUNA, has been a confident of Statton's, they being engaged together in Kit Hill mine. Penaluna happening to be at the Bodmin assizes, heard the turnkey offer a reward of GBP5 to any one who would bring Statton to him, which Penaluna accepted, and thereupon instructed DAWE, a constable of Liskeard, and Bullen, the Callington constable, to meet him at Kit Hill on Saturday, and to bring two or three assistants with them; he then wrote to Statton a very friendly note, inviting him to Kit Hill, to see some tin stuff which had lately been raised there. Statton thereupon went to Kit Hill with his brother, who took a gun with him to shoot any thing that might happen to fall in his way. When Penaluna got them in the "Round House" to see the tin, he got out and turned the key on them, and called the constables, who were lying in a pit hard by, when Bullen came up he said, "Ah, Mr. Statton, can you get out through the key-hole now?" Statton said No, he would surrender. They then opened the door - out flew "Statton," with a sword in his hand, and cut his way through the whole, and it appears made an aim at Bullen's head. He fortunately parried the blow with his arm, and received a cut. The brother said he would shoot them; but they succeeded in taking the gun from him. Statton, however, ran off like a greyhound, and constables after him, but both he and his brother have for the time given them the slip.

SUDDEN DEATH - On Saturday last, Mr. RICHARD NICHOLLS, of Breage, farmer, was found lying dead in a road in that parish. No Marks of external injury were apparent on the body.

CORONER'S INQUESTS - On Tuesday last, an inquest was held by JOHN CARLYON, Esq., at Illogan, on the body of WILLIAM COCKING, aged 62. The deceased was an army pensioner, who had lost a leg and walked on crutches; and on Monday, was returning from Redruth, where he had been to receive his pension. On the road, he was overtaken by a waggon, laden with timber, belonging to Mr. SARA, of Perranarworthal and drawn by four horses. He asked the driver to give him a lift, and this request was granted. On arriving at the place where deceased had to turn off, he got down to the shafts, and the driver handed him his crutches. The deceased thanked him for the ride, said all was right, and walked on a few paces. But, almost immediately, the driver perceived there was some obstruction to the waggon, and on looking back, saw the deceased lying near one of the hind wheels - the wheel having passed over his chest. He was removed to a beer shop close by, when he was attended by Mr. PHILLIPS, surgeon, Redruth; but he died in the course of half an hour. The jury were satisfied that no blame whatever attached to the driver, and found a verdict of "Accidental Death."

On the same day, Mr. Carlyon held an inquest on the body of JOSEPH ARTHUR, aged 64 years, who was knocked down the previous evening by the leaders of the North Mail from Falmouth, and the coach wheels passing over him, he died in a few minutes by the road side. It appeared from the statement of the coachman, THOMAS EVA, that on coming to the gate leading to Mr. GARLAND's arsenic works, at Carnon, a gust of wind blew out the near lamp, and a smart shower of hail fell; just afterwards, he saw deceased walking on his proper side of the road, meeting the coach; but as he came near the leaders, he attempted to cross the road, when, before the coachman had power to pull up, the leaders knocked him down and the coach went over his body. The coachman stated that he was driving in the middle of the road, or rather nearer his own (the near) side. But it appeared from the evidence of some gentlemen who arrived at the spot shortly after the accident, that the distance from the wheel track to the off hedge was not more than three feet eight inches; and from the sweep in the road just at the spot, there was little doubt that the deceased fancied the coach was coming upon him, and attempted to cross the road to get out of the way. The jury were a long time deliberating on their verdict, but at length found one of "Accidental death." They were, however, unanimously of opinion that the coachman was driving carelessly; and although they did not feel justified in returning a verdict of manslaughter, they requested that the coachman should be reprimanded and cautioned; which was accordingly done by the coroner.


21 APRIL 1848, Friday


ODD FELLOWS' LOYALTY - It is stated that the "Queen's Own" Lodge at Penzance, intend to hold a meeting on Monday next, for adopting an address of congratulation to her Majesty on the peaceable termination of the late Chartist meeting in London, and to express their loyalty and devotion to her person and throne.

THE CUSTOMS - Mr. W. BELLAMY, comptroller at Penzance, has been appointed to the same office at Lynn, - Mr. J. BULL, comptroller at Scilly, to be comptroller at Penzance.

FUNERAL OF A VETERAN - A correspondent sends us the following notice of the funeral of an old soldier :- On Sunday last, at the conclusion of the service, the attendants at the quiet parish church of Lanteglos-by Camelford were disturbed by the melancholy strains of a funeral band. So unusual a circumstance excited no little curiosity. The church yard, notwithstanding the extreme inclemency of the weather, was speedily crowded to excess. A coffin, having venerable patriarchs for bearers, was deposited in the interior of the church; the beautiful and affecting service was performed, and the remains of an old and loyal solider was consigned to the earth. The ceremony was concluded in the presence of a large number of persons, amongst whom were the most respectable inhabitants of the parish. The cause of this deviation from the accustomed quiet solemnity on such occasions, was, that the deceased, JAMES HAWKEN, and old band-pensioner, contributed his part towards the victories of Wellington, that he had recently expressed a wish that a band of music might precede his funeral procession, and also that three volleys of musketry might be fired over his grave. The latter part of the request, however, was not complied with.

REPORTED LOSS OF AN EAST INDIAMAN - By the "Sir Francis Drake" steamer, which arrived at Falmouth on Saturday last, an indistinct account was received of the loss of an East Indiaman on Thursday morning, the 13th instant. She is represented to have struck on the Ecrehon Rocks, which lie in the centre of the Dirouilles Sandbank, between the north-east end of Jersey and the coast of France. The ship was from Calcutta, laden with sugar and rum. She was called the "Nabob Rajah," or some other eastern title; had a crew of twenty-four persons, eleven of whom are saved and thirteen lost, or thirteen saved and eleven lost; in all probability she was bound to London. The wind at the time was strong from the westward, and the weather thick, and the supposition is that by an error in her log she was thirty or forty miles south of her reckoning, and when her crew calculated her to be coming up channel she went ashore on the Ecrehon Rocks. Had there been a light on the north coast of Jersey, the present loss of life and property might not have taken place.

LOSS OF A SCREW STEAMER - On Sunday morning last, about three o'clock, the screw iron steamer "Senator," Captain KAVANNAH, of and from Dublin, bound to London, ran ashore, during a thick fog, in Whitsand Bay, near the Land's End, it being nearly high water at the time, and the wind about S.W. On the ebbing of the tide, it was found that the vessel was embedded three or four feet in the sand, but she appeared to have received no material injury. Anchors and cables were laid out with the view of heaving her off on the afternoon's flood; but this attempt was unsuccessful, the cable parted, the vessel was driven further on the sand, and at ebb tide it was found that she had actually broken in two just abaft the engine-room. The cargo, consisting of one hundred bales of bacon and one hundred boxes of eggs, was then discharged and brought to Penzance; the materials were saved, the crew had no difficulty in saving themselves, and it is hoped that the machinery will also be saved. On Tuesday last, the crew were sent to Bristol by the secretary of the Shipwrecked Mariners' Society, a free passage being given them by the proprietors of the Hayle steamers. On Tuesday evening, JOSEPH THOMAS, a labourer of Sennen, was committed for trial at the next sessions on a charge of stealing bacon from the wreck of the "Senator."

FOWEY - The government steamer "Confiance," from Plymouth for Falmouth, with troops for the garrison there, put into Fowey, on Tuesday last, through stress of weather, and landed the soldiers, who were billeted on the publicans in the town.

EXETER DISTRICT COURT OF BANKRUPTCY - On Wednesday, the 12th instant, in the case of JAMES MAY, of Redruth, printer, a first and final dividend of 2s. 2d. in the pound was declared, payable in ten days; Mr. HERNAMAN, official assignee.

On Thursday, in the case of EDMUND HENDER, of Bodmin, ironmonger, the last examination was adjourned, there being no balance sheet filed.

CAMELFORD COUNTY COURT - This court, held on Thursday the 13th instant, did not conclude its sitting till nearly eleven o'clock, having been occupied six hours in hearing a case between tenant and landlord, SYMONS, v. LANG, the matter in dispute being an unsettled account of several years standing between the parties. The defendant, a wealthy farmer, not having kept an account, a verdict was given against him for GBP20, the account claimed.

TORPOINT PETTY SESSIONS - At these sessions, on Tuesday, the 11th instant, before J. CORYTON ROBERTS, of Trevol, Esq., the Rev. WALLIS ROBERTS, and Captain TUCKER, R.N., of Trematon, FRANCIS BURLEY was charged by THOMAS LORD, of Trevol, his master, with conducting himself disobediently and disorderly by absenting himself for three Sundays last past, and stopping out all night without leave. The Bench, after directing the prisoner's attention to the offence he had committed, more especially on the Sabbath day, said they had come to the determination, under the provisions of the act of parliament, to abate his wages to the amount of 20s.

LUKE BEACON was charged by WILLIAM LANG, of the parish of St. Stephens, farmer, with beating, kicking, and injuring certain sheep, the property of the said W. Lang. The Bench, after consulting for some time, said they had come to the decision that the death of one of the sheep had been caused by some carelessness on the defendant's part, and that an unnecessary degree of violence had been used by him towards the sheep in the field. They fined him therefore 10s. and costs, and hoped this would be a warning to him in future.

FALMOUTH POLICE - On Monday night, about twelve o'clock, as JULYAN, the policeman, was near the Fish Strand, at Falmouth, two sailors were quarrelling, and obstructed him in his duty. On taking one towards the prison, the other attempted to rescue his shipmate, but Julyan having got assistance succeeded in taking them both to prison. A young man of Budock called SIMMONS, beat the man who assisted the police, for which he was also placed in the lock-up. On Tuesday the parties were all brought before the magistrates, when the two seamen, ELIAS WHEATLEY and JAMES ARM, belonging to the smack "John and Mary," of Jersey, were fined, and the young man Simmons was reprimanded for his conduct and discharged.

CAMBORNE POLICE - At the Petty Sessions held at Camborne, on Tuesday last, a lad named THOMAS CHAPPEL, aged sixteen years, was committed to Bodmin, to take his trial at the sessions, for picking the pocket of Miss JOANNA NICHOLLS, of a purse and handkerchief, and also for stealing a silk handkerchief from the pocket of a young man.

TRURO POLICE - On Monday last, JANE SIMMONS, was committed to the house of correction for twenty-one days, for misbehaviour and refusing to work in the workhouse.

WILLIAM SELLEY, of Exeter, was charged with stealing five pairs of stockings, the property of HENRY TUCKER; of the Golden Lion, Calenick-street, Truro. The prisoner slept in the house on Saturday night, and left the next morning, after which the stockings were missed. A constable went in pursuit and overtook him in the parish of St. Blazey with the stockings in his pockets, and various other articles, silk waistcoat pieces, wearing apparel, &c., in his possession. He was committed for trial.

ROBBERY - Early on Saturday morning last, the killing house of Mr. CHARLES HARRIS, butcher, of Little Par, was broken into, and meat to the amount of between GBP3 and GBP4 carried away.

FIRE - On Tuesday the 11th inst., a fire broke out in the house of Mr. SNELL, solicitor, at Callington. On the previous Sunday the chimney became ignited, and it is supposed that some large beams had been burning from that time till the fire appeared;- but it was happily got under with little damage to the house, though the furniture in one of the parlours has suffered considerably.

ACCIDENT - On Wednesday afternoon last, a blind man named HUGO fell over the bridge at the bottom of Lemon-street, Truro, at a place that is insufficiently protected from the river. On being taken out, from the injuries he had sustained it was thought proper immediately to convey him to the Royal Cornwall Infirmary, that he might receive medical treatment.

CORONER'S INQUEST - On the 14th instant, an inquest was held before GILBERT HAMLEY, Esq., at St. Wean, on the body of JOHN BENNY, a little boy who was returning from his school with his brothers, and they all stopped to play near a mill pool which they had to pass on their way. Deceased was in the act of taking a stick out of the water when he fell in. His little brother ran to the nearest house to tell what had happened, and a woman immediately ran to the spot, and saw the child in the water, but was unable to take it out. She ran for the child's father who was working about a mile off, and on his reaching the spot, he found the child dead. Verdict, "Accidentally drowned."

The following inquests have been held before W. HICHENS, Esq., coroner. On Monday last, at Gwinear, on the body of WILLIAM PAUL, aged about 21 years. The deceased was a miner, and worked at Stray Park Mine, in the parish of Camborne. He left his father's house on Saturday morning last, in perfect health, to pursue his labour; arriving at the mine he went into the smith's shop to put on a toe-plate to one of his shoes, and whilst standing at a bench in the act of nailing it on, he fell to the ground in a state of insensibility and expired almost immediately. Verdict, "natural death."

On Wednesday last, in the parish of Crowan, on the body of ELIZABETH BOSANKO, aged 19 years, the wife of JOHN BOSANKO, of that parish, miner. The deceased being very near her confinement, and feeling rather unwell on Monday morning last, got her husband, whilst going to his labour, to call to her assistance GRACE HART, who lived in an adjoining house, and who was with the deceased frequently during the day, leaving her only for a short time whilst she attended to her own family. Towards evening the deceased slept about a quarter of an hour, and awoke apparently much better, but very shortly after she appeared to be in great pain, with blood, &c., proceeding from her mouth. She became speechless and senseless, and died in about a quarter of an hour afterwards, before medical assistance could be obtained. Verdict, "natural death."


28 APRIL 1848, Friday


FALMOUTH POLICE - On Monday last, at the Guild Hall, before W. B. COX Esq., mayor, and JOHN HILL, Esq., a young man called WEBBER was charged by Julyan with being drunk and disorderly on Sunday evening. After a reprimand he was discharged.

Two boys, names HENRY JAMES and THOMAS PARDON, were charged with breaking into the shop of Mr. CHARLES ROSKILLY. Mr. Roskilly said he was a shoemaker, and locked up his shop in market Street on the Saturday night about half-past ten o'clock, and did not sleep on that premises. On Sunday evening about half-past eight o'clock, he went towards the back entrance of his premises intending to open the door, and while searching for the key he heard a noise as if some person was inside; he told a friend of his to look out while he got a light, and he got a man called EVA to go in with him, where he found the two prisoners, who had removed some bricks and by that means the derns of the door gave inwards; he then sent for a constable and gave them in charge. They had not time to carry away any thing. JULYAN stated that he took the prisoners into custody, searched them and found nothing on them except a box of lucifers, on the prisoner Pardon, he found some bricks had been removed to allow the derns of the door to go inwards. The prisoners declined to make any remarks, and were sent to prison to be tried at the next quarter sessions of the borough.

ROBBERY - On Monday night last, the shop of Mr. S. S. BISHOP, saddler, Summercourt, was entered by a party of thieves, who stole therefrom five or six dozen of whip thongs, and about one dozen of snaffle heads of reins; no clue has as yet been discovered, we regret to learn, that will be likely to lead to the capture of the offenders.

COMMITTAL - On Saturday last, a young woman, named ELIZABETH BRAY, was committed for fourteen days by Sir J. S. G. SAWLE, Bart., for running away from the union, and for disorderly conduct.

WILLIAM THOMAS, DECEASED - All Persons having claims on the estate of WILLIAM THOMAS, late of Porthleven, in the County of Cornwall, gentleman, deceased, are requested to transmit the particulars thereof to Mr. THOMAS ROGERS, Solicitor, Helston; and all persons indebted to the said estate are desired to pay the amount of their respective debts, on or before the 25th day of May next, to Mr. William Thomas, of Redruth, tailor, the administrator of the estate and effects of the deceased, or to the said Mr. Thomas Rogers. Solicitor Helston. Dated April 25th, 1848.

PETITION - Whereas a Petition of WILLIAM STEPHENS, of the Borough of Helston, in the County of Cornwall, schoolmaster, an Insolvent Debtor, having been filed in the County Court of Cornwall, at Helston, and an Interim Order for Protection from Process having been given to the said William Stephens, under the Provisions of the Statutes in that case made and provided, the said William Stephens is hereby required to appear before the said Court on the Eighth day of May next, at Ten o'clock in the Forenoon precisely, for his first examination touching his debts, estate, and effects, and to be further dealt with according to the Provisions of the said Statutes and the choice of the Creditors' Assignees, is to take place at the time so appointed. All persons indebted to the said William Stephens or that have any of his effects, are not to pay or deliver the same but to Mr. HUMPHRY MILLETT GRYLLS, the Clerk of the said Court, at his Office, at Helston aforesaid, the Official Assignee of the estate and effects of the said insolvent. RICHARD KERBY, High Bailiff of the said Court. Helston, April 25, 1848.

COPPER MINING POPULATION OF DEVON AND CORNWALL - From the best statistical returns which can be obtained on the subject, it appears that the number of persons actually employed in the copper mines of Cornwall and Devon is 21,780, who together with their families, make up an aggregate of 61,000 persons. To these must be added the mechanists engaged in the formation and repairs of machinery, the supply of materials, the several tradesmen, farmers, &c., whose principal dependence is on the working of the copper mines, which may be fairly estimated at upwards of 50,000 more; it may, therefore, be assumed, that the population of the two counties immediately interested in, and to some extent dependent on, the copper mines for support cannot fall far short of 120,000 persons.

EMIGRATION - A lecture on "emigration to North America and South Australia," was given by Mr. JAMES BRILL, at Camborne, on Wednesday, the 19th inst. As much emigration has taken place, and is likely to be continued from this district, the subject was listened to with much attention.

CHARTISM - It has been stated that the Chartist petition from Penzance received 5,000 signatures; but this must be incorrect, as there are not that number of male adults in the borough.

RESIGNATION OF OFFICE - We understand the Mr. LIBBY the Registrar of Births and Deaths for the district of Veryan, in the Truro Union, has resigned that appointment.

CAMBORNE - Messrs. JAMES PAULL and JOHN HOSKIN BUDGE have been re-elected churchwardens of this parish without opposition.

PENZANCE UNION - Colonel SCOBELL and RICHARD PEARCE, Esq., have been unanimously re-elected to the offices of Chairman and Vice-Chairman for the ensuing year, votes of thanks being also passed to them for the services they have hitherto rendered the union. The thanks of the Board of Guardians were also voted by acclamation to JOSEPH CARNE, Esq., whose state of health they sincerely regretted, compelled him to decline re-election as Vice-Chairman. JAMES TREMBATH, Esq., of Mayon House, Sennen, was unanimously appointed his successor.

SUNDAY TRADING - On Monday the 17th instant, a public meeting of the inhabitants of Bodmin was held in the Guildhall, to consider the propriety of petitioning parliament to enact a law against the sale of intoxicating drinks on Sunday. The attendance was numerous and respectable; Mr. C. P. TONKIN occupied the chair, and resolutions were proposed and seconded by the Rev. J. MASON and others, to the effect that the Sabbath day was a time when divine authority required cessation from our ordinary callings, and that the sale of spirituous drinks should not form an exception to this rule. A petition founded on the resolutions was adopted. On the Wednesday following, the town council, at their quarterly meeting, unanimously agreed to petition for a law greatly restricting the sale of intoxicating liquors on Sundays, it being stated that more than a due proportion, viz, one-seventh of the judicial business of the borough originated in Sunday drinking.

LAUNCH OF A STEAMER - The iron steamer "Dordrecht," intended for the Rhine, was launched from Messrs. HARVEY's wharf at Hayle, on Tuesday the 18th instant.

THE LATE ARSON AT BREAGE - It may be satisfactory to know that the convict JAMES POPE has made in gaol, since his conviction, a full confession of the guilt of himself, and of BAWDEN and his wife. We are sorry, however, to learn that others, whose names are withheld for the present, are implicated in this vile transaction.

THE CHARTIST CONVICT, WILLIAMS - The Launceston Papers received by the late Sydney mail, dated the 18th of December, state that ZEPHANIAH WILLIAMS, who was transported for life with FROST and JONES, for participating in the Chartist riots at Newport, a few years since, has been sentenced to one year's hard work to chains, to the settlement at Port Arthur, for attempting to escape with another convict from the colony.

INCENDIARISM AT TORPOINT - On Sunday night last, about ten o'clock, a stack of wheat, the property of Mr. CHARLES JEFFERY, of Borough, Wilcove, in the parish of Antony, was discovered to be on fire. The stack was lying in the farm-mowhay, about three hundred yards from Mr. Jeffery's house. It appears that in the course of the evening a man was seen by several persons near the mowhay, and that on the fire being discovered he was found crouching under the shelter of a hedge, and on being accosted he confessed that he set the stack on fire. On the intelligence of the fire being made known in Devonport, the mayor proceeded to the spot, having given directions for the town engine to be taken thither. After the engines were put to work the fire was soon brought under, but so rapidly had it burnt, that the stack was almost entirely consumed. It is estimated that between forty and fifty bags of wheat must have been destroyed besides the straw, and other damages were a necessary consequence of the conflagration. But for the timely assistance and arrival of the engines, the fire would probably have extended to the barn and other property adjoining. The man apprehended on the charge of setting the stack on fire gave his name as MATHEW MINERS, and said he belonged to some place near Truro. He had been working some time during the last twelve months in East Wheal Rose Mine, and was stated to have been recently employed on the new government works at Morice Town. He is about forty-seven years of age, and was decently dressed for a miner. On Monday, the accused was brought before J. CORYTON ROBERTS, Esq., of Trevol, a county magistrate, when after witnesses had been examined, the prisoner was committed for trial at the next assizes. He was a stranger to Mr. Jeffery, and also in the neighbourhood, nor does he appear to have begged and been refused aid at Mr. Jeffery's house, so that no motive is apparent as an incentive to this wicked act.

ACCIDENT - On Wednesday last, as Mr. DUNSTAN, of Penryn, flour merchant, was going from Truro to that town, and had got to the first mile-stone on the Falmouth road, he was leading his mare down a hill, when he met a man on horseback galloping, which so frightened the mare, that she jumped over a low hedge and galloped across a field, at the bottom of which was a ditch about eight feet deep, into which she plunged and broke one of her fore-legs by coming in contact with the hedge on the other side. The animal, which was worth about GBP14, was afterwards obliged to be killed.

SUDDEN DEATH - On Friday night last, a woman named Sedgman, living at Saint Agnes, about twenty-eight years of age, retired to rest in her usually good health, but in a short time after she got out of bed and requested a young woman who slept with her to call her neighbour, stating she was very unwell; without loss of time this was attended to, and a surgeon was immediately sent for, but before his arrival life was extinct. The unfortunate woman was near her time of confinement, and had only been married about twelve months to a seaman belonging to the schooner "Brothers," of St. Agnes, who on his return from sea on Tuesday learnt the painful intelligence that during his short absence his wife had died and been buried.

CORONER'S INQUEST - On Monday, an inquest was held before GILBERT HAMLEY, Esq., Deputy Coroner, in the parish of Lezant, on the body of RICHARD BATH, a farmer of that parish, who died under the following circumstances. The deceased was returning from Launceston, on the Thursday previously, and was overtaken by a lad who was riding in a cart. Deceased got into the cart and sat upon an empty cask. On the way home they had to cross a river in the parish of Southpetherwin, which has been for a considerable time in a very dangerous state. There were several large stones in the water, and the wheels of the cart coming in contact with them, the sudden jerk threw deceased out of the cart, and by the fall he dislocated his back, and died on the following Saturday, from the injury he received. Several of the jury spoke of the very dangerous state in which the crossing was left, although many complaints had been made to the parish officers of Southpetherwin by the adjoining parishes. They returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and hoped that some steps would now be taken for erecting a bridge over the river.

EMIGRATION TO AUSTRALIA - We understand that Mr. WILCOCKS, of Plymouth, has, with a view to meet the desire of many persons who, from peculiar circumstances, are not eligible for a free passage to Australia, arranged that a first-class ship shall sail from Plymouth on the 30th of May, for Adelaide and Port Phillip, taking steerage passengers at a very reduced rate of payment.

The "Duchess of Northumberland," which left Plymouth on the 21st of July, arrived at Adelaide, on the 29th of October, and the ship "China," which sailed on the 29th of August, arrived on the 15th of December, all well. Mr. Wilcocks has received letters from some of the emigrants he sent out last summer, stating they received 7s. per day as soon as they arrived; beef and mutton is stated to be one penny per pound.

ROLLS COURT - Saturday - RUNDLE v. RUNDLE - Mr. MALLINS applied in this case for an injunction to restrain the sale of certain shares in the Caradon and Gonamena mines, in which the infant plaintiffs were interested. Mr. WM. RICHARD BERRYMAN, the trustee and executor, had had the management of the suit, and having got an order for the sale of the shares and the other property of the testator in July last, he put up the shares to sale by auction, on the 20th of September. On the 18th, two days before, it was admitted that the Caradon shares were quoted in the mining list as of the value of GBP168 per share, and the Gonamena shares as of the value of GBP70 per share, but at the sale the highest bidding was only GBP100 for the one, and GBP20 for the other, and they were bought by Mr. Berryman. It was also admitted that the shares are now at a very depreciated price, not more than a third, or, at most, a half the former value. In February last, an order was made, whereby Miss AMELIA BACHELOR was appointed the next friend of the infants, and obtained the conduct of the suit. On Monday, the 10th instant, applications was made to the court to restrain the sale of the shares, which had been advertised by Mr. Berryman, and the affidavits in support, also alleged to be very strong, and the matter stood over till to-day. Mr. WERE, the solicitor of the next friend, on the strength of what passed in court the day before, published a hand-bill, stating that by order of the court the sale would be postponed. This increased the ill-feeling which seemed to exist. Mr. Malins now applied to postpone the sale for three months, grounding the application on affidavits, which stated that the present was the worst possible time for sale, and that there was good reason to expect a more favourable result in the course of three months. Mr. TURNER and BAZALGETTE opposed the motion. Lord LANGDALE said, that though Mr. Berryman had bought in the shares in September last, he wished to sell them when a much less price could be got. There appeared to be some personal feeling in the matter, and on the evidence before him, he could not say anything for or against the motion, which must, therefore, stand over, with liberty to apply when a good opportunity offered for sale. He must either do that, or refer it to the master to ascertain whether a good price can be had for the shares, having regard to the liabilities of the estate, and the advantages gained by delay.

CORNISH CHURCHES (From the Builder.) - The churches of the county of Cornwall have been hitherto but little visited by the ecclesiologist, owing no doubt to the remoteness of the county, and to its being so seldom traversed; for, from its local peculiarity, it is as it were a cul de sac. Some jocular people have said that Cornwall is a place to which missionaries should be sent, and have, moreover, styled it, "West Barbary," intending by these notions to express the idea of its being an unknown and distant region. The above remarks will in some measure explain why its ecclesiastical architecture has been so little touched upon, to which may be added the difficulties in the way of perambulation, even when Cornwall is attained; for long and steep hills are not encouraging to a pedestrian, and the man who can compass seven or eight miles a day will find that he has had quite enough of walking for that day at least. The objects of his search will frequently lie away from the beaten track, and in keeping the high road he may stretch his eyes in vain to discern a church, for they are, with few exceptions, situated in the valleys. Unlike the counties of Northampton and Lincoln, one cannot say, that riding upon the top of a stage-coach, through Cornwall, a dozen of churches, far and near, may be counted at the same time. With a knowledge of these facts, it is not probable that any one would take an express journey thither for the sake alone of an antiquarian ramble; the writer has, however, had many opportunities of making leisure visits during several years past, and as the matters he has noted may excite an interest in the churches of Cornwall, - so different in appearance, materials and construction to those of the more home counties, which are so well known to students of ecclesiology, - be ventures to impart them. There are nearly two hundred churches in this county; and though the prevailing style is that of the perpendicular period, it must not be supposed that there are no examples of an earlier date; on the contrary, here and there, in some secluded parish church, vestiges of early antiquity are to be met with, sometimes appearing in the semi-circular arch and mouldings of the Norman period, and again, in another spot, revealing an entire fabric of the decorated, or of the early English age, and some historians assert that much Saxon work is to be found. Still these are exceptions to the general mass, and need not be dwelt upon, our object being to offer a few remarks upon those most prevailing.

Some of them are situated upon rising ground; such as are near the sea, stand as beacons on a hill, to guide the mariner in his passage up or down channel, and for this purpose their towers have been kept in repair by the Trinity House. One such instance exists in that of Lanlivery - a structure of lofty and handsome proportions. Those very near the coast, Talland and Feock for example, have their towers detached, in the manner of Italian campanile, when their connection with the body of the church would have prevented them being visible seaward. In these cases they leave the main building, and take up a more favourable position for their purpose, a benevolent one in two respects, namely, first, to guide the steps of the wayfaring man to the temple of God, and the other to warn the seafaring man from a dangerous rocky shore. In the case of Talland the body of the church is placed in a dell formed by the cliff dropping rather abruptly on the landward side; out of this duplicity the tower rises, having its lower part cut out of the solid rock, and rising from the hill in its upper stages, as soon as the vertical tendency of the tower can leave the slope of the hill, so that to enter the belfry the hill must be partially ascended, when there is a door giving access thereto, and from thence a staircase becomes necessary to the summit, upon which, in former times, beacon lights were probably burned before the more complete system of lighthouses along the coast originated. These towers are almost always destitute of any architectural display, buttresses even being dispensed with; but to compensate for their absence the walls batter[?] from the ground upwards, giving to the fabric a substantial and sturdy character. Where it is possible, a covered way has been constructed between the church and tower, as may be seen at Talland; but when the tower is farther up the hill, as at Feock, no connection whatever exists, and a stranger might suppose either that the tower was a thing of itself, or that the church was erected first and the tower afterwards; but this is not the fact, the age, character, and materials prove them to have been built at one and the same time.

The description given of these towers, as regards their architecture, must not be supposed to apply to all inland, or even to those which, though inland, act as landmarks to the seaman, for Lanlivery, as before stated, is a handsome structure, united to the church at the west end, divided into stages by moulded string courses, having windows of two and three lights for the belfry, and bell-chamber floors, with mullions and tracery, its corners strengthened by buttresses running up through a battlemented parapet, and terminating in crocketed pinnacles. Gargoyles are also introduced; and, considering the coarse enduring material of which the whole structure is composed, the decorative portions are most effectively sculptured. The last-mentioned example of a tower is by no means the ordinary one. Probus and Saint Austell are both more highly ornamented with carving, and assume a different design, though of the same general outline, which for the most part reigns in the towers throughout the county. That of Probus reminds one of the Magdalen College, Oxford, for harmony of proportions. A spire is an uncommon feature in Cornish churches; indeed, from one end of the county to the other, the writer has not seen more than four, namely, at Sheviock, Menheniot, Lostwithiel, and Truro, but none of these are of any account except Lostwithiel, which is built of granite, and possesses much claim to attention for its design, a specimen of the Decorated period. This church is altogether worthy of remark as being one, amongst a few, earlier in date than the generality, which, as was before stated, is of the Perpendicular style. One of the most remarkable objects, perhaps, in architectural construction, is a granite church - granite from the foundation up to the topmost pinnacle of the tower, including, in many cases, even the mullions, and tracery of the windows. Is it possible? has often been asked, with something akin to incredulity, by those who never saw them; and it is indeed surprising to see such a material, coarse in texture, as it generally is in those parts, and of almost impracticable hardness, employed upon large structures, and in many instances with even delicacy of workmanship in the details. The country people call it "moor-stone." It commonly presents itself above ground on the sides and summits of hills, or upon the open moors so frequent in Cornwall; there is one valley near Luxulyan, which abounds with it, exposed to view, and piled in mighty cubes one upon the other in succession, from which locality much has been taken of late years for works in the vicinity, - the grandest being a viaduct and aqueduct united, crossing the valley, and constructed by an enterprising gentleman connected with the mines in the neighbourhood. It is a monument of his skill and perseverance, and might stand beside those somewhat similar structures of ancient Rome without losing by comparison.

The mode of procuring the moor-stone for building purposes is to blast these [........?] blocks, and to square it upon the spot. The quality of the material varies with the locality, the coarsest specimens may most often be observed in the walling of churches; where moulded work occurs, a less rough-textured kind has been employed, though not always. The best sort is found in the neighbourhood of Penryn, of which many public edifices in Cornwall have recently been erected. At Place House, near Fowey, the seat of Mr. TREFFRY, that gentleman has for several years past been engaged upon additions in the ancient mansion, a work of the time of Henry VIII, and upon which he has lavished time and expense in working and polishing various specimens of the natural production of the soil, and moulding it into forms suitable to the style of the building; and there may be seen granite and porphyry of every variety, the latter being used in the interior; it is of a yellowish tone, mottled with red, and has an exceedingly rich effect when polished - a process requiring much labour. It must not, however, be imagined that the ancient church-builders employed materials of such a nature; they appear to have been content with granite as they found it near the spot, and the general run of churches are constructed with that of the coarsest texture, such as may be seen, indeed, in London, on the roadway of Waterloo-bridge, forming the top coping of the balustrades and the pedestals for the lamps, and which it is believed is a production of the far west.

It is difficult to conceive how the ancient workmen contrived to shape this crystalline texture of rock into mullions and tracery; the modern masons, with all their improved system, say that great care is required to work with exactness any form requiring a sharp arris. Quartz, one of the components of granite, called by the stonecutter "horse-tooth," if touched too heavily with the tool flies off, and carries with it other portions sufficient to mar the labour of hours. It is not very generally found in examining a Cornish church narrowly, near the centre of the county and towards the west, a stone found near St. Austell and known as Pentewan stone, has been employed. This is a finer texture, though it is said to be a granite formation, and very hard; many of the fonts, of which there are many of a curious and grotesque character about Cornwall, are got out of Pentewan stone; it is less grey than granite, and inclines to the tone of the oolite formation. The tools made use of by Cornish masons of the present day for granite-work consist of chisels, from half-an-inch to one inch and a half in width; double-pointed picks, weighing from six lbs. to eighteen lbs.; hammers, from four lbs. to seven lbs.; and axes; the most modern and best axe is denominated the "tooth axe;" and by the aid of these various tools the work may be brought to an excellent finish, and the sharpest arrises produced, provided always that the quality of the material is of an even and comparatively smooth texture; but yet, with all this granite required three times as much labour as say freestone.

As an example of ancient workmanship, the tower of Probus Church is very remarkable. It was built, says Carew, who wrote in 1602?, "within compasse of our remembrance," probably in the reign of Queen Elizabeth. It is one hundred and eight feet high, divided into stages, each stage being ornamented with a string course of quatrefoils; the faces of the tower are niched with great taste and delicacy, and the pinnacles crocketed with much excellence. There is a singular tradition connected with the tower, which holds much among the lower classes of the neighbourhood, to the effect that their beautiful tower was transplanted by the "old gentleman" from the parish church of Truro, (to which they say it originally belonged,) in a fit of spleen with the people of that town! It may be noticed, that the body of Truro church is much enriched with carving of a somewhat similar character to that of Probus tower, whilst the tower of the former church is very bald and inappropriate, and the body of Probus Church is very unworthy of its tower. Truro Church, however, is built of a stone called "Elvin," which has decomposed greatly, and Probus tower of Granite, as fresh in outline as on the day of its erection. Thee is no doubt that this tower was rebuilt about the period before mentioned, whilst the body of the church remained in its pristine state. Other examples are to be found of equally elaborate workmanship; one such is the church at Launceston, rudely and profusely sculptured, it is true, but serving to testify the perseverance of the early builders. For the most part, however, ornamental work partakes of the simplest forms, such as mere plain chamfers in the mullions, and little approach to what is termed undercutting in the mouldings of string courses and capitals.

On approaching the south-western portion of the county, names, that in the immediate neighbourhood of the Lizard, a still more remarkable appearance is presented by the churches which are built of the serpentine rock abounding there, and if the edifices of the eastern part wear a dull grey aspect, how strange is the sight of a totally black church. The predominant colour of serpentine is dark green, bottle-green, but it is interspersed with small red and white veins, and the exteriors of churches being almost moist from the mists, so prevalent in Cornwall, assume a coal-black tone, except of course, in the jointings of the masonry, where the mortar being very wide and white, contrasts with the stone, and these churches, on a close inspection, have a striped zebra looking effect. Serpentine is very brittle, and difficult to work without fracturing, and has hitherto been deemed almost useless for an important purpose; ornamental trifles as curiosities are turned and polished by rude lapidaries, established in the vicinity, and sold to visitors. On account of it unmanageableness under the tool, the pinnacles, or any portions of the churches which required ornament or moulded forms, are extremely rude and shapeless, degenerating into mere knobs. Lostwithiel Church (already mentioned as one of the few possessing a spire) has little granite in its construction except the spire, the quoins, and the moulded parts. The rest is built as the people now build fences, with a clayey slate, which is easily split, and is dug out of the hill sides in many parts. This material is used in random sizes, and much mortar is needed; but it presents a substantial face, and seems indestructible, if one may judge by this church and the ancient castle of Restormel, close at hand, which latter had the honour of an inspection by her Majesty and her court on the occasion of her recent visit to Cornwall. The spire of this church being singular, a description may not be out of place. From the termination of the tower rises an octagonal lantern, each side of which is carried up into a gable, and has a pointed opening divided by a centre mullion, which is crossed by transoms forming two squares, filled in with quatrefoil and circular tracery; and above the pointed openings the plain faces of the gables have trefoil perforations; from the bases of the gables springs the spire lights on four of its faces, and the whole is terminated with a ball and cross of granite, like the rest of the structure. It is also worthy of remark, that the planes of the spire swell from its springing upwards, to a very visible extent; and the result of this peculiarity is by no means unfavourable. There seems to be no reason why spires particularly plain broaches, should not follow this rule. They often appear too sharp and weak; in the more decorated examples this is not so apparent, especially where tiers of spire-lights are employed, or where the angles are merely crocketed, as these features destroy the straight lines. In every other structure partaking of aspiring lines such as colorons, &c., the entasis[?] has been adopted with a view of rendering them less obnoxious to the feeling of want of strength and substance which would otherwise ensue. The spire where it leaves the lantern is enormously substantial, of granite at least eighteen inches thick, and apparently so continuing; and in addition there is a pointed arch of rough masonry springing from two of its interior sides, meeting a similar arch, and forming as it were, ribs of groining, but the spaces are not filled in so that the interior of the spire can be seen beyond them. These arches occur at a height corresponding with the top of the lantern, but what their utility is in such otherwise massive construction is difficult to say. There can be no tie produced even had any been required.

Slate, of which there are many quarries, the most celebrated being the Delabole quarry, situated in the northern part of the county, is the universal covering of church roofs. In colour it is a dull blue, which, united with the grey hue of the granite, produces an ensemble anything but picturesque. When the roofs require pointing, it is generally done with white mortar, and that not in the neatest manner, - thus adding to the unsightliness. Some of the most spacious churches are those of Liskeard, St. Neot, Bodmin, St. Mabyn, Lostwithiel, Lanlivery, Fowey, St. Austell, Probus, Truro, and Helstone. The common interior arrangement consists of a nave, aisles, south porch, and tower. The chancels are not generally indicated by a chancel arch, or any boundary dividing them from the nave, but roodscreens of carved wood were universal in early times, as may be proved by the remains existing in almost ever church, hidden under the modern seats, or cased over to form pews. They were in every case richly painted and gilt, but few perfect examples remain; there are good specimens still to be seen at St. Winnow, on the Fowey river, and at Talland. The ceilings of porches are sometimes formed by flat groined arches of granite, and at others are mere timber work open to the rafters. The aisles are divided from the nave by clustered columns of granite, with caps and bases rudely sculptured, without mouldings to the caps, but usually of the simplest fashion, spreading from a neck moulding to catch the springing of the low four-centered arch with plain splays; and a few feet above the crown thereof, the ceiling commences, which is very often of the kind known as a cradle roof springing from a wooden cornice, upon which is carved in repetition some invocation to the patron saint, or the name of the artist, together with the date of the goodly work; the carvings on the basses at the intersections of the longitudinal and transverse ribs are generally excellent. These roofs are ceiled in the compartments formed by the ribs so as to allow a good projection from the wood work before the face of the whited plaster. Where this description of ceiling is found in preservation it produces a very agreeable effect. Judging by the fragments of carved woodwork which exist, the craftsmen must have been very expert. There are some admirable specimens of bench-ends standing in their ancient positions at Talland, bearing witness to invention and skill, though dating late in the perpendicular period, and underneath the modern seats in Lanlivery church may be found fragments of former benches and stall ends upon which are shields bearing emblems of our Saviour's cross and passion.

Of painted glass there is little to be seen; the wide three and four light windows pour in floods of untempered light which shed upon the usually whited walls, produces a cold and cheerless effect. The glory of the whole county in this respect seems to have been preserved in one treasure house alone, - the church of St. Neot, near Liskeard, supposed to be of the date of the latter end of the fifteenth century, - from which, if only one window were given to as many churches as it could afford to bestow, each would be reach indeed. There are sixteen large three and four light windows in all presenting a most effulgent display of ancient art, not a particle of plain glass is visible throughout the series, which consists of subjects from the events in the life of Saint Neot, and of our Saviour, with earlier incidents from the Old Testament. Each window has been the gift of some one or more pious parishioners, as is evident by the inscriptions they bear. One is to the following effect - "Erected at the cost of the young women of St. Neot parish, A.D. 1529." Another:- "This glass window erected at the cost of the wives of the west side of this parish of St. Neot, A.D. 1530." The styles, however vary from early English to late perpendicular. Those who take delight in this species of decoration, will here find abundance to interest them, and be repaid for a journey thither. This secluded sanctuary hidden among the hills, escaped the puritanical welfare of Cromwell's fanatics, when they went the round of destruction against these "superstitious things". The Rev. R. G. GRYLLS, the late patron, caused the whole to be repaired some twenty years since, under the direction of Mr. HEDGLIND, of London. The church altogether is well cared for, which it must be regretted cannot be said of all the Cornish churches. The people, celebrated at all times for loyalty, boast much of a copy of a letter from King Charles I., dated from his camp, at Sudeley Castle, the 16th of September, 1643, which is painted upon a large tablet, and hung up in many churches, acknowledging "their seal for the defence of his person, and the just rights of the crown, &c."

While upon the subject of painted glass, it may be mentioned as a gratifying instance of its employment to perpetuate the memory of the departed, that a window has lately been put up in Lostwithiel Church, in Williment's best style, representing Faith, Hope, and Charity, each figure occupying one of the lights, and other windows in the same church, though not of such good character as that described, have been placed there by the present vicar, the Rev. JOHN BOWER. If this sort of decorative memorial were more generally adopted, how many churches would be improved! In monuments and brasses the county is remarkably deficient; of the latter, but few have come under the writer's observation. Lostwithiel possesses one to Sir TRISTRAM CURTEYS, a small full-length effigy of an armed knight, apparently of the time of Edward III, without any inscription. Fowey Church has also two or three not of remarkable character, and there is one of about Elizabeth's time in Ruan Minor church, in good preservation, representing JAMES ERISSY, and MARGARET, his wife, kneeling vis-a-vis. The usual memorials are incised slabs of slate, and stone occasionally, but most frequently the former, from its greater abundance. These slabs are exceedingly well cut, and have worn perhaps as well as brass would have done. Some are of early date; one of stone, in Lanlivery Church, to the memory of WALTER KENDALL, who died in 1547, has a latin inscriptions, and cross engraved, though three centuries have elapsed; the size of the stone is six feet by two feet six inches. Many elaborate Elizabethan altar-tombs, with effigies in high relief, are composed of slate; one may be seen at the east end of Talland Church, in memory of one JOHN BEVYLL. The common tombstones are also of slate of great thickness.

It is to be regretted that the churches, for the most part, wear a desolate and neglected aspect, though there are happy exceptions, where means have been taken to prevent the damp, which arises from an accumulation of earth against the walls on the outside, from penetrating through the wide mortar joints, rendering the walls on the inside green and slimy. The exhalations borne from the sea from one side to the other of the narrow peninsula make the atmosphere almost always humid, and from want of proper ventilation, the churches in some districts are generally in a profuse perspiration, rendering them unwholesome and cheerless. Of late years some zealous people have done much in the way of restoring their churches to their pristine beauty, by causing the whitewash of ages to be picked from the moorstone columns and arches - a labour I am informed which required some perseverance, so thickly had it been laid on by their predecessors. On the outside, neither the hand of man, nor the relentless fingers of time have been permitted to make much impression upon these "eternal walls," and notwithstanding what has been said deprecatory of neglect, there is much that is worthy admiration about a Cornish church standing in its massive grandeur, built of the oldest geological formation (as far as we know), whose rugged texture and almost adamantine nature render its employment for the purposes of man a laborious work. Unlike the freestones in every respect, the saw cannot [touch?] in crystalline composition, so that, what that inclement effects so easily for them can be effected in the case of granite only by patient and careful picking with a hammer. It may be well said of those that raised these structures, that "they dreamed not of a perishable home, who thus could build," and that they thought only of Him whose glory they were seeking to show forth, and had before their minds that House, "not made with hands," and which they hoped, by their [....?] and piety to inherit - that House, "whose builder and maker in God."

[The Builder's correspondent is incorrect in his statement that Lanlivery Church is a landmark; we believe it cannot be seen from the sea. There are also other spires in the county besides these he has referred to which form conspicuous landmarks. For instance St. Keverne and that injured by lightning last week at Cubert, both of which may be seen many miles at sea. Most of the Cornish Churches, indeed, in the coast parishes both on the north and south sides of the county are built, in elevated positions, and some years since this point was ably illustrated in a paper by Mr. HAWKER on the subject, read at one of the institutions in the county, and the writer, as we remember intimated an opinion that they were so built in order that while they served as places of worship they might also form landmarks to the mariner. - Ed. W.B.].

LOSS OF THE "GENERAL WOOD" CONVICT SHIP - It appears from a letter written by Lieutenant SEYMOUR, a passenger in the vessel, that on the night of the 2nd of January last, the day on which the "General Wood" sailed from Singapore to Penang settlement, a mutiny of the convicts took place. The captain and the officers were all murdered or thrown overboard. The fate of Mr. GILL, the mate, was peculiarly horrible. Lieutenant Seymour says this unfortunate officer, after being severely wounded by the convicts, made his way to the door of the cabin in which the passengers were assembled, and was, for the moment, rescued from the convicts and dragged inside the cabin by the captain. After lying on the deck some time, suffering from his wounds, and being apprehensive of further ill-usage, he crawled t the galley window, and thence threw himself into the sea. Lieutenant Seymour had himself a very narrow escape; he was forced overboard, but contrived, though wounded by a cutlass, to get hold of a rope and conceal himself in the gig, where he was discovered in the morning, and being recognised as a passenger, and not an officer, he was ordered on deck and his life spared. The crew were all, or nearly all, murdered or drowned. The lives of the passengers were spared. The convicts navigated the vessel until the 20th of January, when they came in sight of the Great Natunas, and on the following morning they ran her on a rock near Pulo Salaout, on the island of Bungarow. They left about thirty Lascars, twenty convicts, and those of the crew who had not been previously massacred, on board the vessel, which shortly afterwards went down in deep water, and took to the boats, the passengers, being with them. They reached the island at sunset, where they were well received by the Malays, who afforded them assistance, and proposed to send them to the Rajah. This, however, was objected to by the convicts. In the mean time the passengers having acquainted the Malays with the real character of the parties, the Malays took part with the passengers, and succeeded in rescuing them from the convicts. The convicts then took to their boats, leaving about twenty of their number behind, who have been made prisoners by order of the Rajah. Lieutenant Seymour adds, that some of the crew of the "General Wood" may have escaped, but very few of them; all the officers are said to have perished. The authorities at Singapore and Penang have adopted every means for the capture of the convicts.

COPPER MINING POPULATION OF DEVON AND CORNWALL - From the best statistical returns which can be obtained on the subject, it appears that the number of persons actually employed in the copper mines of Cornwall and Devon is 21,780, who, together with their families, make up an aggregate of 61,000 persons. To these must be added the mechanists engaged in the formation and repairs of machinery, the supply of materials, the several tradesmen, farmers, &c., whose principal dependence is on the working of the copper mines, which may be fairly estimated at upwards of 50,000 more; it may, therefore be assumed, that the population of the two counties immediately interested in, and to some extent dependent on, the copper mines for support cannot fall far short of 120,000 persons.




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