We are happy to learn that the Duke of Norfolk, to whom Melfell has been allotted, as right of common, containing about 400 acres, is now planting that romantic spot—there being nearly 300 hands employed, and the work will take between one and two millions of plants. The greatest credit is due to his Grace for his public spirit and patriotism, in effecting what will in time prove one of the most beautiful objects in the county, at the same time that the national benefit is consulted, by preventing the growth of forest trees from becoming extinct. This local improvement and national benefit will be effected without putting the county to the expence entailed upon it by many of the objects so lately intended for its ornament.
We congratulate the lovers of music on the arrival of the celebrated Musical Phenomena, the three Misses SMITHs, who commenced their performances yesterday evening at Mrs. IRVING's Assembly Rooms; and we have every reason to believe that their merits will be amply rewarded by a Carlisle audience.—We further observe, that Mr. SMITH intends to give another Concert at the above Room on Monday, Nov 20; and on his way to Leeds, we are informed he will give a Concert at each of the following towns; viz. on Wednesday, Nov, 22. at Penrith; Friday, Nov. 24, at Appleby; Monday, Nov. 27, at Kendal.
NEW SHERIFFS.—The following have been nominated for the northern counties:
CUMBERLAND—W. BROWN, of Tallentire-Hall; T. WYBERG, of Brayton-House, Esq.; and Sir P. MUSGRAVE, of Eden-Hall, Baronet.
NORTHUMBERLAND—Sir T. J. CLAVERING, of Harewood Skeels, Bart.; M. BELL, of Woolsington; and W. ORD, of Nunnery Kirk, Esquires.
YORKSHIRE—Sir W. Mordaunt MILNER, of Nun-Appleton, Bart.; R. O. GASCOIGNE, of Parlington, Esq.; and Sir W. INGLEBY, of Ripley, Baronet.
Mr. GRISDALE's ball, held at Penrith on Thursday se'nnight, was numerously attended, and the performance of the pupils sufficiently shewed the great improvement they had made during the period of his teaching there.
On Tuesday last, a woman of the name of Mary GRAHAM was apprehended on a charge of stealing a piece of cotton from Mr. Samuel RIGG, of Wigton, draper, and committed to our gaol by the Rev. Mr. MATTHEWS.
Last week, a person of suspicious character, was taken up at Wigton, for passing base coin, and was examined before the Rev. Mr. MATTHEWS; but as no person would come forward to be bound for his appearance at the Sessions, he left £50 worth of goods behind him for his appearance.
Mr. Joseph WILKINSON, of Scar-side, near Brampton, in Westmorland, had this season a cabbage, which, independently of the outside leaves, measured 21 inches over, and weighed 55lbs.
On Monday last, as Mary MONKHOUSE, of Kendal, aged 46, was returning from the country, she was found dead on the road towards Mealbank, about three and a half miles from Kendal.
The Society of Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce (the Duke of Norfolk President), have presented J. C. CURWEN, of Workington, with the gold medal, for cultivating 400 acres of waste land.
The Earl of Lonsdale has presented the inhabitants of Grayrigg, Westmorland, with a plot of ground for the erection of a school,—as also a donation of 10gs. to promote the undertaking.
John SOFTLEY, of Dunston, county of Durham, has been committed to the county gaol, charged with intent to commit a rape upon a child aged 5 years.
CAUTION.—The public are requested to be on their guard against a genteel looking man, apparently about 25 years of age, and in height about 5 ft. 10in. high, who has swindled several persons in Northumberland and Durham of goods:—and another swindler, about 50 years of age, stout made, nearly 6 feet high, speaking the Barnard Castle dialect, has swindled several poor people in S. Shields, principally of the Methodist Society, out of various sums of money.
The Lightfoot, M'INTOSH, of Whitehaven, from Petersburgh, was off Whitehaven harbour on the 16th, and expected to get in next tide.
On Saturday last, the smack Waterloo, Joseph STITT, master, of and for Kirkcudbright, from Whitehaven with coals and goods, upset in consequence of having shipped a sea in a gale, when about half-way across the channel. The sloop Delight, which with others left Whitehaven in company with her in the morning, observing her critical situation, put round to her assistance, and two of her men went out in the long-boat in order to save the crew, who were seen clinging fast to the rigging. Before the boat could, however, reach them, the smack unfortunately went down, and Thomas NELSON, seaman (who with the master formed the crew), along with her; but STITT, the master, being an expert swimmer, had previously left her, and though the sea was running high, succeeded in keeping himself above water till picked up by the boat.
Reproduced with kind permission of British Newspaper Archives