PROVINCIAL OCCURRENCES

IN THE COUNTIES OF ENGLAND, AND IN WALES, SCOTLAND,

AND IRELAND.

1826.

Derbyshire-Devon. - Dorset. - Durham, &c.

of the bill, and 25,000l. by the opponents to it!! The promoters are about to bring in the bill again.

DERBYSHIRE.-A County Meeting was held lately at the Town-hall, Derby, at which the High Sheriff presided, and a most numerous attendance evinced the interest that was taken in this heartmoving and important subject-Colonial Slavery. The Duke of Devonshire, after a speech which did him honour, moved the Resolutions, which were carried unanimously, as was a petition to Parliament founded upon them. The Hon. George Lamb also delivered a very sensible address. Among other distinguished individuals present were, Lord Kinnaird (a nobleman always alive to the calls of humanity), the Hon. and Rev. F. Curzon, Hon. and Rev. A. Curzon, Hon. Captain Curzon, Hon. Francis Curzon, (Scarsdale family) Sir R. Gresley, Bart., Sir M. Blakiston, Bart., F. Munday, Esq. M. P., E. S. C. Pole, Esq., P. Gell, Esq., and W. Evans, Esq. M. P.

DEVONSHIRE. The following particulars of the depth of rain, in the last and preceding year, have been furnished by a gentleman residing in the neighbourhood of Exeter:

A plan is in agitation of establishing a mail from London to Ilfracombe, in Devonshire, and thence by a steam-packet navigation, to Cork in Ireland. The mail from London to Cork is now conveyed to Milford Haven, a distance of 239 miles; whence it is carried to Waterford by a packet, and from thence 45 miles to Cork by land, and the whole is accomplished in eighty-four hours. Now from London, by Andover, Amesbury, Deptford, Hin. don, Wincanton, Langport, Taunton, Wiveliscombe, Bampton, Southmolton, and Barnstaple, to Ilfracombe, the distance is 198 miles, which could be accomplished with ease in 24 hours, and from Ilfracombe to Cork, by steam-vessel navigation, the mail may be conveyed, with the utmost safety and certainty, in 24 hours. Thus it could be conveyed from London to Cork in forty eight hours instead of eighty four hours, as it now is. But independently of the vast importance of this route, to the city of Cork and the western part of Ireland, there would be very considerable advantages to the counties of Somerset and Devon.

DORSET.-The desirable project of throwing a bridge over the ferry to Portland is likely to be completed. Plans and estimates for the purpose have been taken by Messrs. Rennie, at the request of E. B. Portman, Esq., and forwarded to Portland for the approval of the inhabitants. It appears that after the disastrous consequences of the storm of the 23d November, 1824, by which the ferry was rendered extremely dangerous, and for many days together entirely impassable, the propriety of erecting a suspension bridge over the Fleet was suggested. Some of the most respectable indivi

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duals and merchants of Portland signed a request to Mr. Portman, that steps might be taken for the promotion and erection of a bridge over the Passage, and expressing their readiness to afford every assistance and support towards it their means and ability would allow. In consequence of this communication, Mr. Portman immediately applied to Mr. Rennie, for him to make surveys, plans, and estimates, &c., for the projection of a suspension bridge, which are now finished, and submitted to the public,

There is a great stagnation in the glove trade at Yeovil; the manufacturers there have put their hands on half work; and never, in the memory of the oldest person engaged in the business, has it been in so depressed a state.

DURHAM. One of those terrible calamities by the explosion of fire damp, of late so frequent in the collieries of the North, took place lately at Jarrow Colliery, near South Shields, in the County of Durham, belonging to Thomas and Robert Brown, Esqrs. of London, by which thirty-four men and boys were killed, and some others who were at work with them much burnt. Forty-five horses and two asses were also killed in the mine. The explosion took place in the Bensham pit, recently sunk to the lowest seam; and the cause will probably remain for ever unknown, as none are saved who were in the place where the blast originated. It appeared on the inquest, held by Michael Hall, Esq. the coroner, on the body of Richard Bell, one of the sufferers, that the overmen and deputies had inspected all the workings in the morning of the day on which the accident occurred, and the waste. men had gone through the waste. There was no appearance of danger; but, on the contrary, the pit seemed well ventilated, and in a perfectly safe state. About two-thirds of the sufferers were boys; some of the men have left families, and it is impossible to describe the distress this melancholy event has caused. The number down the pit at the time is stated at forty-eight.

ESSEX.-A List of the Lectures delivered and to be delivered by Members of the Colchester Institution, from June 1, 1825, to April 5, 1826:

June 1, 1825.-I. E. Gray, Esq., M. G. S. Brit. Mus." Zoology."

July 6.-Dr. Nunn.-"Influence of Climate upon National Manners and Character."

Aug. 3.-Mr. Smith, Wivenhoe.-" Animal Vita

lity."

Sept. 7.-Mr. Boutflower.-" Vaccination."
Oct. 5.-Mr. Carter.-"Taste."

Nov. 2.-Mr. Goose.-" Chemistry," in Relation

to Medicine.

Dec. 7.-Mr. Hale.-" The Composition and Resolution of Mechanical Forces."

Jan. 4, 1826.-Mr. C. Daniell.-" Chemistry." Feb. 1.-Mr. E. Daniell.-" Atmospheric Electricity." March 1.-Mr. Keymer.-"The Progress of Literature in England."

April 5.-Mr. Barnes.-" The Physiology of Digestion."

GLOUCESTERSHIRE. It appears from some official documents which have been published in the "Bristol Journal," that the differences between the Corporation of that city and the Chamber of Commerce having forcibly attracted the attention of the Parliamentary Commissioners, in the course of their inquiries, the Chairman, Mr. Wallace, offered to mediate between the parties, in order to settle those unhappy and injurious divisions: and it being thought that the establishment of a channel of free communication between the Corporation, the Society of Merchants, and the Chamber of Commerce, 128

Herefordshire.-Kent-Lancashire-Lincolnshire, &c. March 1,

by the appointment of a Committee from each body, would, in all probability, have the effect of extinguishing all discord between those bodies, the measure was acceded to by the Merchants and the Chamber; but the Corporation inet the whole proposal by a declaration, that "it could not but anticipate insuperable difficulties in applying the prin ciple of the negotiation and arrangement to the settlement of differences which wholly consist of hostile aggressions, on the one hand, upon the revenue and constitutional government of the Corporation; aud, on the other, of the necessary defence and maintenance of rights, established by the enjoy. ment and usage of centuries." So much for those "venerable" corporations, which experience has in almost all modern instances shown to be detrimental to the welfare of the place where they exercise their influence-impediments to trade, and nurseries for illiberality! The dues exacted by the Bristol Corporation, and the rules they insist upon, are fast driving away the trade from that port.

HEREFORDSHIRE. At the Hereford Agri. cultural Society, the successful candidates for premiums were:-Ist. Mr. Wm. Cooke, of Lyde, for the best yearling bull.-2d. Mr. Clinton, of Marcle, for the best three-year-old bull, if within the age prescribed by the regulations of the society; otherwise to Sir H. Hoskyns, Bart. and 3d. Mr. Clark, of Lyde, for the best aged bull. The stock exhibited in each class was numerous, and remarkably fine. The question of a petition to Parliament against any material alteration in the present system of Corn Laws, was fully and ably discussed: the principal speakers were Mr. Smithies (in the chair), Sir H. Hoskyns, Sir J. G. Cotterell, Mr. R. Price, and Mr. Knight. It was finally agreed, that as his Majesty's Ministers had not siguified an intention of agitating the question during the present Session, the petition should be deferred until a more urgent occasion should call for it: and if it should appear hereafter that any alterations are contemplated, it would be better to call a county meeting, which would comprise all interests, rather than send a petition from the society.

KENT.-The Mechanics' Institute at Tunbridge continues to flourish. The President, Mr. Hargraves, gave a lecture on Gravitation and Attractions generally, which he concluded with a comprehensive description of the mechanical powers. From the clearness of style in which it was delivered, and the success of the experiments, which were numerous, and elucidatory of the different subjects, it was much calculated to forward the objects of the Institution, and was received by a numerous attendance of members with interest and pleasure. This society is now fully organized, and the interest is well kept up. A lecture is given every week either by Messrs. Hargraves, Maddock, or Fry; amongst the members a considerable part are young men just entering on the active stage of life, to whom such an institution must be particularly useful.

The antiquities of St. Augustine's Monastery, Canterbury, with the exception of the huge mass which stood near the Hospital, remain unimpaired in beauty and elegance during the late alterations, viz. the grand entrance gate on Lady Wootton's Green, and the other gate looking to Burgate. The premises are now occupied as a brewery, which does not impair these beautiful remains: at this part the city walls are in the best preservation, very lofty, supported by jutting bases, and capped by a coping, which was anciently formed to protect them from the depredations both of weather and time. We cannot but regard these venerable labours with an admiration surpassing the best pleasure excited by

the elegant structures of modern days, the object of which does not seem to declare the secret of durability. As St. Augustine died in August, 430, these stupendous structures cannot be less than 1390 years old, and now present a bold front, defying the customary devastations, and preserving their perpendicular, of cement as hard almost as the flint of which they are every where constructed, and which have cost great labour to remove, wherever modern improvements have required new openings, &c. A rail-road, and a navigation of the river Stour, are part of the projected improvements, which will open very desirable and profitable communications from the capital to the coast.

LANCASHIRE. In the cotton trade, the state of things is becoming serious; fast approximating to that of the worst of any of the staple manufaetures of the country. A very large number of hand weavers are dismissed from week to week; the stocks of power loom cloth and cotton goods generally are accumulating rapidly; yarns are very heavy; and though the prices, both of these and of goods are decidedly lower than at any former period, the reduction in value has not yet created any accession of demand. There are few foreign markets which at present afford much temptation to shippers, whilst the home trade is for the time in a considerable degree extinguished. In addition to many of the chief spinners in Manchester and its immediate vicinity, who are already working short time, a similar step has been taken, or resolved on, by the spinners at Burnly, Blackburn, Stockport and Bolton, and we believe it is in contemplation at Hyde, and in other places. In Liverpool, the depression and alarm is even much greater than it is in Manchester. The prices of cotton are rapidly falling; no one knows where they will stop, and the reduced rate at which consumption will go on must tend to depress them still more.

LEICESTERSHIRE.-A meeting was held last month at the County Hall, Leicester, (C. M. Phil. lips, Esq. High Sheriff, in the chair), for the purpose of considering the propriety of petitioning Parliament for the Emancipation of Slaves in our West India Colonies. Many of the speeches were characterised by great force of argument and eloquence, and a Petition, founded on the Resolutions adopted, was read to the meeting and unanimously carried.

LINCOLNSHIRE.-A subscription for the partial restoration and opening of the eastern postern of the Roman gate at Lincoln, called Newport, was some time since begun there; the plan will immediately be carried into effect. The estimate is about 110l., and the subscription amounts to 103.: after deducting sundry small expenses incurred in advertising, printing, &c., an available sum of 100%. will be left. Upon this the committee are deter mined the work shall proceed forthwith, not doubt. ing the remainder of the money will be subscribed before its completion: at all events, sooner than so admirable and unique a piece of antiquity shall be lost, the committee will advance amongst themselves whatever sum may be deficient.

NORFOLK.-A serious riot has taken place at Norwich, the origin of which appears to have been the jealousy felt at the employment of country weavers by the manufacturers of that city. The rioters attacked the counting-houses and warehouses of several manufacturers, and were procved. ing to acts of still greater violence, from which they were only deterred by calling out the military in aid of the civil power.

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE. Four poor women have been sent to Peterborough jail, on the prosecution of the Marquis of Exeter, for gathering about a pint of miserable chesnuts. The scene

1826.

Northumberland-Somersetshire-- Wilts, &c.

which presented itself when they were sent off from the constable's house was of the most afflicting de. scription, fifteen or sixteen poor children clinging about their unfortunate mothers. The constable who had the heart-rending duty to perform, was so affected that he did his office bathed in tears. A sum of money has been collected for them. To say nothing of the bad feeling of such an act, or of the want of humanity-is it good policy?

NORTHUMBERLAND. The fourteenth anni versary meeting of the Antiquarian Society of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, of which his Grace the Duke of Northumberland is patron, was last month held at the society's apartments in the new building of the Literary and Philosophical Society, Charles William Bigge, Esq. the senior vice-president, in the chair. The following gentlemen were elected as the officers for the year:-President, Sir John Edward Swinburne, Bart. F.R.S. F.S.A.; VicePresidents, Sir Charles Monk, Bart., Charles Wil. liam Bigge, and James Losh, Esqrs.; Secretaries, Rev. John Hodgson, and John Adamson, Esq. F.S.A. F.L.S.; Treasurer, Mr. Adamson; Council, Mr. Thomas Bell, Mr. Charles John Bigge, Mr. Brockett, F.S.A., Mr. Charnley, Mr. W. Clarke, Christopher Cookson, Esq., Rev. Anthony Hedley, Mr. T. Hodgson, Mr. Murray, Mr. Stanton, Mr. R. Thompson, Rev. William Turner. The report was read, and various presents were laid before the meeting. An antique cup of curious workmanship, found near Har wood, belonging to Mr. W. C. Trevelyan, was exhibited, and several letters were read, when the thanks of the Society having been voted for the donations, the meeting was dis. solved.

At the first meeting of the Botanical and Horticultural Society in the present year, the following prizes were adjudged: - For the best seedling apple, the society's silver medal to Mr. T. Smith, gardener at Woolsington. For the best three sorts of eating apples, the silver medal to Mr. Geo. Dale, gardener at Brancepeth. For the best three sorts of baking apples, the silver medal to A. J. Cresswell Baker, Esq. of Cresswell. For the best three sorts of dessert pears, the silver medal to Mr. T. Cook, gardener to T. W. Beaumont, Esq. M. P.; and for the best six heads of sea kale, the silver medal, and for the best dish of mushrooms, the silver medal, to Mr. T. Smith. There were not fewer than 79 dishes of apples exhibited, and all of the very best sorts, and in the highest state of perfection; indeed the show altogether was of the most splendid description. The size of the Yorkshire Green and Green Leadington apples excited every person's attention; and a dish of the Scarlet Nonpareil from Mr. Dale, of Brancepeth, was allowed to be the finest specimen of apples ever seen in that part of the country; and the whole reflected great credit on the different competitors, for the very high state of preservation in which the fruits were exhibited, The seedling apple exhibited by Mr. Smith, was a fine table apple, and was named by him Edmonstou's Aromatic Pippin; and the dish of mushrooms was equal to any seen in the middle of summer.

OXFORDSHIRE. -Oxford, January 28. - On Thursday last, the Rev. Charles Henry Cox, М.А. and Student of Christ Church, was admitted one of the Sub-Librarians of the Bodleian Library, in the room of the Rev. Richard French Laurence, M.A. late Fellow of Pembroke College, who has resigned. SOMERSETSHIRE-A public meeting on the subject of the silk trade was held lately at Taunton, which was attended by at least one thousand persons. Charles Poole, Esq, one of the bailiffs of the borough, opened the business by reading the Requisition, which stated the objects of the Meeting, aud upon receiving which the bailiffs had thought proper to convene it. When it was conMarch-VOL. XVIII. NO. LXIII.

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sidered that four thousand persons were, as he had been informed, employed in this manufacture in Taunton and its vicinity, it became an object of

concern to all the inhabitants that so large a portion of the population should not be thrown out of employment. Mr. Cox, the other bailiff, said that he felt much pleasure in attending any meeting, the object of which was to take into consideration the means of assisting the industrious classes of the community. After some pause, Mr. Josiah Branch. flower proposed a Petition to the House of Commons, urging the ruinous consequences which must result from the adoption of the proposed altera. tions, which was carried.

SUFFOLK, - A meeting for supporting the efforts of government for the amelioration of slavery in the West Indies was held on the 31st Jan. at Bury. Mr. Clarkson rose to open the business of the day, and to move the first of the Resolutions. He stated, among other things, that his Majesty's Ministers had drawn up a code of laws for the amelioration of the condition of the Slave population in the British Colonies, which had been offered under the high sauction of his Majesty's recommendation to the Legislatures of the Char. tered Colonies, but that they had rejected it, and therefore the question was, whether his Majesty's Ministers should be supported in carrying it into effect, or whether West Indian slavery should be allowed to go on as before. Certain resolutions in favour of the measures proposed were then carried.

SUSSEX.- The members of the Mechanics' Institution at Lewes, were lately gratified by a Lecture on Mechanics, from their President, J. Wool. gar, Esq. F.R.S. It displayed talent and a perfectly. extensive knowledge of the general principles of mechanism. The lecturer also gave his auditory a scientific insight into the alteration of the weights and measures. The Temple was well attended by the members, and several ladies and gentlemen attended to witness the proceedings of the evening. The interior of this building is neat, the new scene has a striking effect, and it is also rendered very comfortable by the erection of a stove in the pit, and such is the disposition of the proprietors to render it worthy the patronage of the public, that no pains or expense is spared in its completion.

WARWICKSHIRE. In pursuance of the Will of the late Rev. Dr. Parr, ten pounds were dis. tributed among the prisoners in Warwick Gaol; and on the 26th of January, the anniversary of his birth, nineteen guineas were distributed among the poor of Hatton.

WILTSHIRE. It has been determined to establish a lending library for the use of mechanies, servants, and others, resident in Salisbury and neighbourhood, and money has already been appro. priated to that purpose. It is expected that the public in general, and particularly the master workmen, will, by their subscriptions, encourage so beneficial an undertaking, and thereby enable the managers to increase the library with books and treatises on the different arts and sciences.

Fonthill Abbey. This magnificent structure is at length uninhabited; it is stripped of the whole of its costly furniture, and most of the principal windows are taken out. But a few months since, it was little expected that this princely mansion would so soon go to ruin, and become a place of shelter to the feathered tribe.

YORKSHIRE.-A meeting was convened by the Mayor of Leeds last month, pursuant to a requisi tion, signed by thirty-nine of the most respectable inhabitants of Leeds and its neighbourhood, to con. sider the propriety of petitioning Parliament, to take measures for the immediate amelioration and gradual abolition of Slavery in the British Colonies, and with that view to suggest the expediency of re

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