Cumbria Family History Society

 Saturday 25 Nov 1815   (p. 2, col. 5 + p. 3, col. 1-2 + 4)
 
THE AUSTRIAN ARCHDUKES.—These illustrious characters, our readers are perhaps aware, have been making a tour through England to Scotland, and on the route have occupied themselves in visiting the different manufactories and other objects deserving a stranger's attention for which this island is so deservedly celebrated. After visiting Sheffield, Manchester, Liverpool, &c. at which places they expressed the highest gratification at the great works of art, and human ingenuity, and were received by the populace with that hearty and hospitable welcome peculiar to the English; they arrived at Penrith on Thursday night at 8 o'clock, where they remained for the night. The next morning they resumed their journey, and arrived at the Bush Inn, Carlisle, at noon—the Archdukes John and Lewis in a close carriage with two of their suite, and the remainder of the suite in an open landaulette, each drawn by four horses: the attendants were, Count WOYUS, Chamberlain; Dr. FISHER, General ST. JULIEN, Secretary Hoffer WITTMENSTEDEN, and four servants. During their short stay here, they remained at the house of James FORSTER, Esq. in Castle-street, who paid the illustrious visitors every attention, and accompanied them to visit the Court-houses, the Cathedral, the Castle, Mr. TIFFIN's whip-manufactory, Mr. G. FERGUSON's hattery, &c. &c.—The prisoners confined in our gaol, not being able to render their homage of respect in the same manner as the other inhabitants, hit upon a happy expedient of exhibiting a blaze of loyalty, by setting fire to one of the chimneys, the flames from which towered upward in spiry grandeur!—At four in the afternoon, the Archdukes left this city on their way to Edinburgh: it is supposed they will rest at Longtown this night.—Their Highnesses wore plain drab great coats. and the whole of their dress was of the English cut. The Archduke John appears to be about 35 years of age, agreeable in person, and of animated manners; Lewis, about 30, reserved, and habitually silent. The former understands a little English.—It is stated in the foreign Papers, that the Archduke John, after completing his tour in this country, will pass over to Dresden, in order to pay a visit to Princess Augusta, only daughter of the King of Saxony, to whom his Highness will be probably betrothed.
 
The weather still continues as intensely cold as is usually experienced in the midst of winter, though we have not yet o'erstepped the verge of autumn.—The skaiters are in full activity, and all the paraphernalia of winter are in requisition.—The thermometer, yesterday morning, stood as low as 23 deg.: and the sudden, severe, and continued frost, so immediately after the heavy rains, has proved not a little puzzling to the weather-wise philosophers.
 
Yesterday week, the house of Mr. BRISCO, of Stangs, in this county, was robbed of a great variety of articles.—A reward of 20gs. is offered for a discovery of those concerned.—See adver.
 
Wragmire Hunt, on Monday, afforded good sport. There was a full attendance of sporting gentlemen, and about 40 sat down to an excellent dinner at Mr. NICHOLL's,—Messrs. STUBB and HENDERSON, stewards. A number of loyal and appropriate toasts were given, and the day was spent in a very harmonic manner.—Mr. WHELPDALE and Mr. J. LOWRY were chosen Stewards for the ensuing year.
 
Some sensation was excited on Monday morning by the report (probably a waggish one) that the new bridge was coming down. On arriving at the spot the utmost stretch of the optical auxiliaries of certain sages could discover no flaw above ground, though the more knowing averred that it had been coming down for six months past. It however turned out, that though the report was certainly premature, the very peculiar structure of the (what shall we call it?) arched causeway, adjoining Rickergate, had occasioned one of the abutments to be, if not undermined, at least nearly so. The spring of these arches is not more than from six to eight feet, and between each is a dead wall of considerable breadth; so that, during the late flood, the torrent of water being resisted by the intervening wall (of a most disproportionate breadth), or abutment, or whatever the reader may please to call it, and furthermore checked in its foaming career by the back water, a rapid circling eddy was formed around the pillar, which wrought out the earth to a very great depth, forming a considerable pool, the bottom of which must be at least level with the first-laid tier of the foundation stones, which are laid neither upon rock nor piles. Thus, unless something be done speedily to obviate this blunder, the public may expect, by the recurrence of other floods, to see this part of the bridge rendered useless; and the notable improvement of making the abutments a flat wall, all the superficies of which are parallel to the line of the river's descent, instead of being of an angular form, so as to break the impetus of the water,—admirably tends to this end.
 
As truth ought to be the primary object of all Publications, more especially of those which are intended for general information, we feel gratified in having it in our power to do away a misconception, the existence of which, for so long a time, has thrown unmerited odium upon a certain ecclesiastical Corporation. Our readers will readily perceive that we allude to the Cumberland Tithe Cause, which has agitated the public mind for so considerable a time. We have been at some pains to elicit the origin of this affair; and we are satisfied, from every information which we have been enabled to collect, that the endeavours to obtain, by legal means, the tithe of the newly inclosed ground in the parish of Wetheral originated solely in Messrs. WARWICK, the sub-lessees of the lay-proprietor, who holds a lease of the tithes of that district for 21 years under the Dean and Chapter of Carlisle. That Rev. body, so far from having commenced the proceedings, were not consulted on the occasion. Messrs. WARWICK undertook them solely on their own account.—It would be unfair were we to omit stating, that the Rev. body to whom we have alluded are entitled in many prominent instances to our commendation. Within the walls of their Abbey, they furnish a room for our public Dispensary, and support it materially by their pecuniary aid. Their subscriptions are uniformly liberal to the poor, whenever occasion calls for them within this city; and we cannot avoid mentioning, that their contribution towards the relief of the sufferers at Waterloo was greater in proportion to their revenues than that of any ecclesiastical corporation in the Kingdom.



[to be continued]

 
 
Reproduced with kind permission of British Newspaper Archives
 

 
Upon a careful re-perusal of the Act for regulating the Fisheries in the Solway Firth and its tributary streams, we are convinced (though the act in many places is rather ambiguously worded), that the disposal of all fish taken from persons convicted of taking or having it in their possession unlawfully, is with the Magistrate before whom the conviction takes place; who may do with it as seemeth to him proper. We mention this, because it is the general idea, that such forfeitures should go to the poor; and it was with the like view of obviating misconception, that we lately afforded one of the Magistrates of this city an opportunity of doing away what we even then thought an improper impression upon the public mind.
 
On Wednesday the 15th inst. the Congregational chapel at Kirkby-Stephen, in Westmorland, was re-opened for divine worship. In the morning the Rev. R. MACLEAN, of Kendal, preached, from Col. i. 28;—one of the Itinerants in the afternoon; and the Rev. J. WHITRIDGE, of Carlisle, from Acts, xv. 36, in the evening. There were numerous congregations at all the services; and particularly in the evening, when the chapel was crowded with a respectable and attentive audience. The chapel is considerably enlarged, is now very commodious, and promises to be filled with very serious and consistent Christians. Since the Rev. J. STEWART has regularly preached at Kirkby-Stephen, the number of hearers has much increased; considerable attention has been excited in the town to religion; and some individuals manifest that real good has already been effected by the divine blessing on his ministry. It is in immediate contemplation to establish a Sunday School in the chapel; and some pious young persons are ready to engage in this important work. Such exertions are much needed there, but especially in some of the neighbouring villages, which exhibit a deplorable want of provision for the souls of their inhabitants. The Congregational friends at Kirkby-Stephen, though not alone in efforts of Christian love, are desirous of sharing largely in such honour; particularly in that honour which arises from conformity to Him, who went about doing good. Notwithstanding their success may have excited the prejudice and jealousy of certain characters, they would persevere in the amiable and forgiving spirit of the gospel, ambitious to exemplify its inimitable excellencies, and to provoke others only to love and good works.
 
We understand, that the operation of bronchotomy (an operation not generally practiced in this district of the kingdom) was performed this week upon a horse that was in a dreadful state of suffering,—with every appearance of success, by Mr. WILSON, of this city. The animal obtained immediate relief.
 
On the evening of yesterday week, a person walked into a watchmaker's shop in Whitehaven, selected a watch, laid down his pocket-book, and walked off.—The pocket-book contained nothing of value.
 
FECUNDITY.—A cow belonging to Mr. Richard GARTH, of Holme, near Burton-in-Kendal, brought forth seven full-grown calves, within two years, viz. on the 17th November, 1813, two; on the 10th of November, 1814, two; and on the 14th November, 1815, three; all of which, excepting two, have lived and done well.
 
The Right Hon. the Earl of Thanet, Hereditary Sheriff of the county of Westmorland, has been pleased to appoint Thomas BRIGGS, Esq. of Appleby, his Under-Sheriff for the said county.
 
A striking instance of the variation of the climate of Great Britain has occurred this year. The 9th of June was 3 degrees colder than the 10th of November; Farenheit's [sic] thermometer being at 52 on the former, and 55 on the latter date.
 
The Rev. Isaac GRAYSON, head-master of the Grammar-school at York, has been instituted by the Archbishop of that Province to the rectory of St. Mary, Castlegate.
 
Launched, from the building yard of Messrs. WHITESIDE and Co. a fine coppered shallop called the FALMOUTH, burden 25 tons register, for the ship, Martha Brae; will sail latter end of this or begining [sic] of next week for Jamaica.
 
The Saltom, SANDERSON, of Workington, is put into Galway, from America.
 
A boat belonging to the Albion, POTTS, of Whitehaven, was upset on the 12th inst. in Dublin river. The crew were all saved, with the exception of John ROBINSON, a native of Whitehaven.
 
Arrived at Dumfries, on 21st instant, the brig Jessie, Capt. Geo. THOMSON, from St. Andrews New Brunswick, with a cargo of timber, after a passage of 26 days.—Left St. Andrew’s 26th ult. in company with the brig, Trader, M'LEAN, of and for Greenock, and parted company 28th. Left loading, the London, Capt. FRASER, for Whitehaven, which would sail 29th. The Lion, Capt. MILLEN, arrived out from Liverpool, 22d ult.
 
Yesterday week, a fine sloop, called the MARY, built by Alexander KIRKPATRICK and Co. ship-builders, Kirkcudbright, was launched from the building yard.
 
 
Reproduced with kind permission of British Newspaper Archives