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but was much agitated. Witness assisted to search for the body of Huntley. On one occasion as they returned, they met the prisoner, and he then said that the deceased was far more likely to be in Stokesley-beck.

Other witnesses were examined, who spoke to similar circum

stances.

The affair appears to have made a considerable stir at the time, and the prisoner soon after removed to Barnsley, a distance of sixty miles, where he purchased corn, and appeared to possess money. The

matter in time blew over and was nearly forgotten, when it was determined to make some improvements in Stokesley-beck, a rivulet about five miles from the place where the blood was seen. In the course of the excavations necessary for effecting the improvements, the bones of a human body were discovered, as if thrust in a hollow in the bank of the beck, about a yard and a half beneath the surface. It did not lie at full length, but was doubled up. The skull was remarkable, and presented such appearances as led to the supposition that it was the skull of Huntley. Renewed inquiries were set on foot, and the prisoner was taken into custody. Amongst the witnesses was one who stated that he was asked by the prisoner to go with him to carry a bundle. The prisoner took him to Crathornewood, and laid a sack on the ground. The witness took it up, and felt something like a man's head, and asked what he had got there. The prisoner said it was a bad job, it was Huntley, but it could not be helped, and he must do something with him, and told the witness that if he mentioned it he would serve him the same. He

never did mention it till the inquiry was reinstituted.

Mr. Strother, a surgeon, examined the skull and bones. They might have been in the bank, which was a clayed soil, a dozen years or more. There had been a molar or canine tooth on the left side, which stood out; the forehead was flat, and the face and nose wide, answering the description given of Huntley.

At the conclusion of the case for the Crown the Court adjourned until the next day, when the hearing of this case was resumed. No evidence of any importance was added, and Mr. Wilkins, on behalf of the prisoner, addressed the jury in a speech which occupied about three hours.

The learned judge summed up the case very minutely, going over the whole of the evidence again, and pointing out to the jury the various points which required elucidation, and the jury, after a retirement of about an hour, returned to the Court about four o'clock, and delivered a verdict of "Not Guilty."

FORGED CHECKS.-A respectably-dressed young man called at the private residence of Sir Robert Peel, in Whitehall Gardens, and placed in the hands of the porter a sealed paper parcel, requesting that it might be immediately delivered to the right honourable Baronet, the contents being of very considerable value. The porter promised punctual attention to the request, and the young man withdrew, stating that he should expect to receive some acknowledgment from the right honourable Baronet or his secretary that the parcel had been duly delivered. The name of the young man is Warren. When on his way to Newgate-market, he

picked up in Ave Maria-lane a piece of paper, which purported to be a check for 4917. 17s. 6d., drawn by Sir Robert Peel on Barclay and Co.'s bank, in favour of Mr. H. Barker, of Hull, the in strument appearing to be genuine, Mr. Warren conceived that the party to whom it had been paid must have dropped it accidentally, and in order to secure its restoration to the lawful owner, he enclosed the check to Sir Robert Peel in the manner already described. However, in the course of the day Mr. Warren received a note from Sir Robert Peel's secretary acknowledging the receipt of the parcel, with the right honourable Baronet's thanks for the attention shown, as well as for the proper sense of probity that had suggested that course, at the same time assuring Mr. Warren that the check was of such a spurious description that there was no possible chance of its having been paid if presented at the banking-house where it was made payable. It was evidently a clumsy hoax, designed to delude any ignorant person into whose hands the worthless document might happen to fall. The fabricator had, no doubt, got possession of a blank check book, which was filled up with business-like precision, but the actual forgery was evaded by the prefix of "Sir" to the signature It seems that three or four checks of similar description had been presented for payment, and of course dishonoured.

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formerly a police constable, has sold a good business to provide the means of his leaving London; and a clerk holding a salary of 2007. per annum, residing in the same parish, he also resigned it for the purpose of escaping the anticipated calamity. The credulity of belief is, in this vicinity, not confined to the lower or more ignorant classes of Roman Catholics, but is participated in by many belonging to the Wesleyan and other sects. The origin of the prophecy cannot be traced to any authority more authentic than that London would be destroyed within a certain period when it had no king. It will of course, turn out as harmless as did the prophecy of Mother Shipton, that when the grasshopper on the Royal Exchange met the dragon on Bow steeple something very disastrous would ensue, and which event did actually take place in a founder's yard, where the two rival vanes were sent for repair some few years since. About 1720 was the last prophecy for the destruction of the metropolis by an earthquake, which met very extensive belief. On this occasion a quack is said to have turned the credulity of the public to some account by advertising his pills as good against earthquakes. It may be stated that, although shocks of earthquakes have been felt in various parts of this country, none have ever been experienced in London, where, from the nature of the strata, it is apparently impossible that they could occur.

10. HURRICANE AT BRIGHTON. At about ten o'clock at night the wind began to blow with unusual violence, accompanied by pelting showers of rain, and in the course of a few hours increased to a hurricane, which continued with ter

rific strength during the whole of the night. The gusts of wind actually shook the buildings to the foundation, and the pattering of the rain sounded like the falling of marbles. A storm so severe, and of so long continuance, has not been known there for many years. Fragments of chimney-pots and tiles were to be seen this morning in nearly every street, and in several instances houses were completely unroofed by the strength of the wind.

SHIPWRECK OFF CALAIS. GALLANT CONDUCT of the CREW OF HER MAJESTY'S SHIP WIDGEON.-Yesterday, about eight or nine o'clock, P.M., a heavy storm arose, and in the offing this morning was discovered a brig, with all her sails in shivers. About eleven o'clock A.M., to-day, she let go her anchor to the eastward of the pier, about a mile from shore, a most tremendously heavy sea running. About three o'clock the life-boat of this place was after great persuasion, and after a reward of 50%. was offered, sent to the assistance of the vessel. From some great mismanagement on the part of the French authorities the launch was not effected. At half-past six o'clock the crew of the vessel cut away her anchors, hoping to drift ashore. She struck, and no fur ther attempt was made by the French. The tide was coming in, and the sea was breaking over her. The cries of the unfortunate crew for help were dreadful. She was within a quarter of a mile at that time of land (half-past six o'clock P.M.) The French, to their disgrace, in every way opposed all succour. At half-past seven o'clock P.M., Mr. Slater, second master of the Widgeon steampacket of Dover, with a crew of

six men, five of whom were of the Widgeon, with the assistance of Lieutenant Scriven, commander, procured from the harbour-master, after immense difficulty, a boat belonging to the Humane Society, and then only upon Mr. Slater guaranteeing the payment of any damage that might accrue. He, however, boldly, with his small crew, manned the boat, and 200 Englishmen engaged in the lace business, nobly assisted in launching the boat, a most tremendous sea running. They started from the westward, and had to pass the heads of both piers, a very dangerous service even in mild weather; it took them half an hour to get through the bar; and but for the gallant intrepidity and dexterity of this officer and his crew, they must have been all lost.

Two hours elapsed before they succeeded in their gallant enterprise; they reached the vessel, and saved from a watery grave seven human beings; ten minutes more and every soul must have perished. The brig was the Minerva, of Jersey, bound from Sunderland, the master William Perry, laden with coals; tonnage 163. The vessel became a perfect wreck; her mainmast was at the time of the rescue swinging backwards and forwards, and Mr. Slater expected every moment she would heel over, and had she done so, the gallant boat's crew must have all met with instantaneous death.

13. SUICIDE AND ATTEMPTED ROBBERY IN SOMERSETSHIRE. This evening (Sunday,) a dreadful event occurred in the town of Ax

bridge, which caused a fearful excitement. About seven o'clock in the evening, while the family were at church, a light was discovered from under the door at the par

sonage-house of the Rev. G. Beadon. As all the inmates, including the servants, were known to be at prayers at the time, the circumstance excited suspicion, and several of the neighbours proceeded to the front door, which was fastened: some of them, however, remained there to prevent the escape of any person who might be inside, while others went round, and effected an entrance through the back door which led into a garden, and were proceeding towards the hall whence the light issued, when they heard a noise like the discharge of a pistol from that direction, and on reaching the porch, discovered the lifeless body of a young man well known in the town, and of decent family, but loose character. He was lying on his back, and by his side was a discharged pistol, a short crow-bar (such as is used by housebreakers), and a loaded stick; in his pocket was found another pistol, only loaded with powder, and some picklocks.

There can be no doubt that the young man entered for the purpose of committing robbery, and perhaps something worse, and may have intended to let in some accomplices also; but on finding himself discovered, and no means of escape left, it is believed he committed the dreadful deed, through fear of detection.

Amongst the persons who entered the house for the purpose of securing who happened to be inside, was the unhappy young man's brother, who was among the first to perceive the sad spectacle.

Nothing in the house had been disturbed, which gives reason to believe, that he could not have been long there when discovered. The most extraordinary circumstance about the affair is, that

though he evidently destroyed himself by firing a pistol into his mouth, no bullet has been found, and no wound seen, the only trace being a black rim, as if by powder, round his lips, so that death must have been caused by suffocation from a blank charge fired in his mouth.

An inquest was held on the body on Tuesday, when the jury returned a verdict of "Felo de se," and he was buried privately the same night between ten and twelve o'clock,

15. ROYAL VISIT TO PORTSMOUTH.-The true version of Her Majesty's tasting the grog on board of the Queen during her late visit to Portsmouth is as follows: Strict orders had been given to the men, that when Her Majesty came down to the lower deck to see them at mess, they should not speak a word, but preserve as profound a silence as possible. Accordingly all was still. Her Majesty tasted the cocoa, and approved of it - yet all was silent. Her Majesty then inquired whether there was no stronger beverage allowed the men? and forthwith a tumbler of "three-water grog" was handed her. She raised it to her lips-when Jack forgot his orders, and three distinct cheers ran round the deck with such a will," that the ship's sides seemed to start with the sudden explosion. The honour done was more than a sailor could bear without clearing his heart by an huzza; and Her Majesty must have read in those honest cheers, the spirit with which the British tar is ready to meet her enemies-for he enters into action with the same enthusiastic cheering which then burst on the Royal ear. He meets friend and foe with a similar greeting-a

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voice fraught with terror to the one, but in the other inspiring trust, security, and confidence.

- THE ACARUS GALVANICUS, OR ACARUS CROSSI.-It may be remembered that some excitement was caused in the year 1837, by the announcement that Mr. Crosse of Broomfield had observed the development of certain insects incident to the long-continued action of voltaic pairs. Little additional information on this mysterious subject has since transpired until today, when a paper from Mr. Weekes, of Sandwich, was read before the London Electrical Society, detailing the successful repetition of Mr. Crosse's experiments.

Among the cavilling which arose in connexion with the original experiments, the possibility was urged that the ove of the insects might be in the air. Mr. Weekes's experiments were so conducted, that this objection can be scarcely tenable. A well-charred block of beech, containing a circular groove to receive a bell-glass, was the base of the instrument. The groove was filled with mercury. A tumbler, containing the solution of silicate of potass, was beneath the bell. The silica was obtained by subjecting to a furnace heat a piece of fine black flint, obtained out of the centre of a "bowlder," selected from amongst those lying on the shore at Sandwich. The silica was united to the potass by a furnace heat; the result quenched in boiling water. The solution was immediately covered, and filtered under cover.

All things being prepared, the voltaic current was sent through the solution on the 3rd of December, 1841; and from that date to the present time the apparatus has not been disturbed. At the end of

October, 1842, the first insect was observed. On the 16th of November five were discovered. Since that date insects have been repeatedly seen. We must not omit to mention, that the bell-glass was placed in total darkness, the screen being only removed when the progress was being examined.

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Mr. Weekes mentioned that he has another apparatus in action very similar to this, with the exception that the bell was filled with oxygen and expressed an anticipation, that he should sooner or later detect insect life there. This expectation was realised a few days ago. In an appendix to his communication, bearing date February 27, 1842, he states that on the previous morning he "perceived eight or ten full-grown acari in vigorous locomotion, on the inner surface of the air-bell."

19. FRIGHTFUL ACCIDENT AT WOMBWELL'S MENAGERIE.-Mr. John Martin and a party of friends visited the menagerie a few days since at the Midlent Fair, Staffordshire. During the inspection they were accompanied by the keeper, who cautioned them against approaching too close to the wild beasts. Curiosity, however, induced Mr. Martin to put his hand into the tiger's den, to pat the outstretched foot of the animal, who was then lying at full length He had scarcely done so, when the tigress, flying at him with all her fury, caught his arm in her teeth, and commenced crushing it. The wretched sufferer, amidst the most piteous moans and cries, endeavoured, but in vain, to draw back his lacerated limb. The keepers were obliged to apply heated irons to the furious animal's mouth and nostrils before it could be forced to let go its grasp. Besides being

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