cord and was drawn ashore to the delight of his owner and the gratification of all who witnessed the interesting fact.-Local Papers.

1841 (Jan. 10).-Sunday, a dog got into a field, at the Dovecot, Hartley, Northumberland, in possession of Mr. Roger Bell, farmer, and pursued one of his sheep, which it bit severely-so much so as to draw blood. Mr. Bell's hind was near with his sheep-dog, which he sent to the intruder; and after a few courses, the latter left the field, and made for shelter to the Methodist meeting-house, which was open. The hind and his dog followed, and succeeded in making the fugitive a prisoner, to the no small astonishment of the good people at worship.-Ibid.

The "GOLDEN LION," Bigg-Market, Newcastle. 1845.

Mr. sub-inspector Beattie of the Newcastle police, when going his rounds on Sunday evening, January 10th, between six and seven o'clock, discovered a stable belonging to Mr. Carr, of the Golden Lion inn, Bigg-market, to be on fire. The fire was speedily got out by the application of a few buckets of water. Another fire was

discovered in the hay-loft of Mr. Adam Thwaites, brewer, Bird in Bush yard, about half-past seven o'clock on the following Wednesday evening, the 13th, and had an alarming appearance, but the timely arrival of the fire engines, and a plentiful supply of water, prevented

the fire extending, and it was got under with comparatively little damage. This was the fourth time within a few years that these premises had been on fire; originating on the last two occasions at precisely the same place, viz., a loft in which hay and straw is kept, and to which access is gained by a flight of stone steps between two buildings, and in the door of the loft is a hole for the admission of cats, through which it is supposed the place had been wilfully set on fire; as, especially since the previous fire, Mr. Thwaites had not allowed a light of any description to be taken into the premises, the hay and straw required for the evening being always taken out during the day. These and similar other fires were evidently acts of incendiarism, and the sum of £70. was offered as the reward of discovery. -Local Papers.

1841 (Jan 12).-Tuesday morning, one of the workmen at Seaton Sluice had a most miraculous escape, while attending the ballastcrane. The workman, John Lillico, while on the top of the scaffolding, and just over where the contents of the ballast-tub are teemed into the waggons underneath, in pulling at the chain that the tub might be easier managed, hauled through a little slack, the bight of which, it seems, got hold of him, and swung him off the stage, suspending him for an instant by the heels, a height of about forty feet from the quay-side, over which he was hanging, and upon which he was precipitated, after having his fall broken twice in his descent by crossropes. He fell upon a metal ballast-tub, which fortunately was lying on its side, and thus his body fell on the round. He was taken up, and carried home-as the people thought, dead; but in the course of two or three hours, he was able to speak a little. No bones were broken, but he was much bruised.-Ibid.

The right worshipful the mayor of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, (John Ridley, esq.) gave his first ball at the Assembly Rooms on Tuesday evening, January 12th, which was attended by nearly six hundred and fifty ladies and gentlemen connected with that town and neighbourhood. The company began to arrive about nine o'clock and dancing commenced at ten, the ball being led off by the Sheriff of Newcastle, James Archbold, esq., and Miss Ridley. The amusements of the evening were kept up till a late hour, and afforded great satisfaction to the company, who received the utmost courtesy and attention from the mayor and Miss Ridley. The excellent band of the 98th, Regiment was in attendance.-Ibid.

An oratorio, under the patronage of lord and lady Ravensworth, and the families resident in the neighbourhood, for the benefit of the Gateshead Dispensary, took place in St. John's church, Gateshead Fell, the bishop of Durham having kindly granted his permission

for the use of the edifice on the occasion. The charitable experiment was attended with complete success. The church was filled-the performances gave the greatest satisfaction-and the funds of the charity received a considerable augmentation. The choir of the church were ably assisted by those of St. Nicholas, Newcastle. The church was extremely comfortable, well lighted, and tastefully decorated with evergreens, according to the custom of the place.-Local Papers.

1841 (Jan. 14).-Thursday evening, about 11 o'clock, the brig Halcyon, lying at the lime kilns, above the bridge, on the north side of the river Wear, at Sunderland, was discovered to be on fire. The circumstances were such as to leave no doubt that it was the work of an incendiary. A cask with pitch and other inflammable materials, were set on fire in the after hold. The cabin deck was burnt through, and other damage done. It was discovered by one of the boys, who had gone on board to go to bed. An alarm was instantly given, and by prompt assistance the fire was extinguished. A reward of £100 was offered for the apprehension of the offender. From the peculiar situation of the vessel, and her relative position with regard to other ships, if the fire had become general it might easily have done damage to the amount of £20,000.- Ibid.

On the same night a most remarkable and destructive fire occurred at the St. Hilda colliery, South Shields. It broke out between eleven and twelve o'clock, and burnt with great fury. Alarm was speedily given, and the fire-engines from both North and South Shields were quickly on the spot. The whole of the engine-shed was destroyed, and other things near the place. The flames ascended the shaft, a portion of the wood-work of which was destroyed. By great exertion the fire was extinguished about four o'clock. Twenty-two men and boys were at work in the pit, but were all safely got up without injury. The police of both North and South Shields were early at the scene of conflagration, and rendered much service in working the engines, &c. The fire commenced in the shaft of the pit, and is supposed to have originated at the mouth of the pit-furnace.—Ibid.

January 17.-Died, at Sedgefield, aged 101, Mrs. Mary Craggs : she retained her faculties, and was able to walk and visit her neighbours until within a few days of her decease.-Ibid.

January 18.-Died at Morden near Sedgefield, aged 102. Mrs. Hannah Hall.-Ibid.

1841. In the middle of January, this year, while the workmen were engaged at White Friar Tower, Newcastle on Tyne, in clearing away what they considered to be merely the side of the hill, or at the most. the rubble foundation of the structure, they came, quite unexpectedly upon the lower apartment of the tower, which must have

been buried ever since about 1780, when Isaac Cookson, esq. who rented the place of the corporation, converted the basement story into an ice-house. This part of the structure which proved to be of an octangular figure (while the superstructure was circular) was soon disinterred from the soil and rubbish with which it was filled. At the same time, a flight of steps were discovered, which, winding around the north east quarter of the outside of the tower, led to the summit of the curtain wall which connects this with the next tower in northward progression. The incorporated company of masons appear to have occupied the upper apartment as a meeting house, while the lower was used conjointly by the fraternity of Mettors, and that of the Wallers, Bricklayers, and Plasterers. It is uncertain when the Masons first occupied this apartment, but it is extremely probable that it had been used by them as a meeting house so early as 1614, in which year the two aforementioned companies occur as convening. In 1673 they are recorded as receiving of their fellow occupants, the Wallers, the sum of forty-four shillings for "repairing the tower and ingaging to keepe the same waterthight for seaven [years] according to the Magistrates order." According to the Warburton MS. there was written on this tower, "Timothy Davison, esq. mayor, Geo. Morton, esq. sheriff, 1674." This, no doubt, records the repair required by the magistrates. It is probable that the masons left the tower in 1742, as in that year they had granted to them, Plummer Tower in the Carliol Croft.

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As before stated, the company of Wallers, Bricklayers, and Plasterers occur, 1614, as meeting in the lower apartment of the tower— the names of the stewards for that year being discovered about 1780, raised on the plaster of the room :— Armstrong, Robson, 1614." In 1652, the following entry occurs in their books, “Item y daye of bargaining with y° Mettors about ye Tower." This probably refers to some re-arrangement, either as to rent or privileges: whatever may have been the precise object of the meeting, it is evident that it was made the occasion of some merriment for they record, "Spent 1s." It is probable the company vacated the tower in 1711, as in that year they removed the ruinous superstructure of Nevil Tower, and erected thereon a meeting house of red brick.

At the same period, (1614), the Mettors occur as joint occupants of this same lower apartment, as the following inscription of a like character to that previously alluded to, also discovered in 1780, exhibits:-" RALPH ROGERSON THOMAS. FOSTER ROBERT. TODD STEWARDS OF THE COMPAN. YOF METTERS. It is quite uncertain when this fraternity left the tower, although it must have been previous to 1776, when the tower was leased to Mr. Cookson.

ROBERT

IACKSON

On examining the interior, the ceiling of the apartment (probably originally vaulted like that of the other) was found to have had oaken joists, long since rotted or removed. On the plaster of the walls, immediately opposite the entrance (which was placed on the east side of the tower) the Mettors inscription again met the view after a lapse of more than fifty years, as also the date on a seperate piece, but the other inscription was no where to be seen. Just within the door on the left hand on entering, there was a fire place without a grate, and on the right was a sunken part of the wall, probably having fulfilled the purpose of a safe for the companies' books and papers. Everything remained undisturbed until May or June, in the same year, when in order to obtain a place for drying bricks, all the newly discovered parts were removed, except the western wall from top to bottom, which for a period was allowed to remain untouched.-MS. Col.