Saturday 02 Dec 1815 (p. 3, col. 1-4)
*** On Saturday, the 25th Nov. last, Mr. Geo. FERGUSON, of Houghton Cottage, gave John MACHELL, the Duke of Devonshire's steward, Notice, in the presence of Wm. HODGSON, Esq. Clerk of the Peace, and Mr. Paul NIXON, architect, that he would on Monday first lead gravel from below Eden bridge, and that the country had a right to lead gravel or sand from below the bridges without paying any thing: and on Monday Geo. FERGUSON did lead one hundred cart loads of gravel from below the bridge, and appointed John KIRK, constable, to take into custody any person whatever who attempted to prevent or hinder the leading of the same.
The serpentine bridges (and why should there not be serpentine bridges as well as serpentine rivers?) are once more introduced to the notice of the public. What great reason have we to be thankful, in witnessing the progressive steps of wisdom, as evinced to us in successive alterations or improvements in the plan or plans! Among the latest and not least, is that of building a bridge to convey water, and then making an earthen mound to prevent this water from coming near it (for what reason, except it might perchance wet its pretty feet), it would be no easy matter to guess. Surely when these things are planned, one thing needful was overlooked, viz. to sit down and count the cost. But wisdom is folly to Greeks, that is, those who are not initiated.
THE CHASE.—The Dalston Hunt was held at Mr. HARKNESS's, Hawksdale-bridge-end, on Wednesday.—After experiencing considerable success in the field, about 30 persons sat down to the not less agreeable pleasures of the table, which were not a little heightened by the conviviality and good order which prevailed, and by the singing of several excellent songs.—Mr. SEWELL, of Cardew, and Mr. CANNEL, of Carlisle, Stewards for the ensuing year.
On Monday last, the Independent Hounds broke off from Rickerby, near Carlisle, and though, from the nature of the weather, &c. only one puss was taken, yet the dogs shewed as fine sport as was ever exhibited at a run.—A very respectable number of gentlemen afterwards spent a most agreeable day, at Mr. John ARMSTRONG's, the Ship inn, Rickergate, in a manner characteristic of the true sportsman.—We understand, that the same hounds, with numerous regular detachments from the surrounding neighbourhood, will take the field at Botchergate foot on New-year's day, when much sport is anticipated.
Since our last, the atmosphere has undergone a considerable change: instead of the intense frost which had been experienced for several days, the weather has returned to the humidity of Autumn.
One day, this week, as Mr. Joseph SAUL, of this city, turner, was sawing across a piece of cherry-tree, he was astonished to discover in the heart of the wood an insect of the beetle species, commonly called the ash-coloured, or variegated beetle, about three-quarters of an inch in length; and, as there was no perforation in the outside of the timber, the insect must have been deposited whilst in the egg state, a considerable time ago, and gradually enlarged its apartment, in proportion to its growth, by gnawing the wood with its teeth; as the orifice was large enough to contain two insects of its size. It is not easy to conceive how it could have existed for any space of time without air; yet, when discovered, it was active and vigorous.
On Saturday a child, belonging to Mr. Robert MATTHEWS, butcher, in this city, was knocked down by a loaded cart, the wheel of which, passed over its body in a longitudinal direction; notwithstanding which it is likely to recover. We mention this as a warning to parents against permitting young children to be abroad in exposed situations.
On Wednesday last, about 120 workmen sat down to an excellent dinner, at Warwick, given by Messrs. DIXONs, to celebrate the erection of the edge-wheel, newly fitted up at their cotton works: this wheel is of cast-iron, 24 feet in circumference and 10 feet broad, and is considered the first piece of mechanism of the kind.
Samuel HEYWOOD, a tradesman, from Emley, near Leeds, was, on the 29th ult. found dead in bed, at Alston, in this county, where he had come for mercantile purposes. A coroner's inquest was held on his body, when it appeared that he was 69 years of age, and had for some years been afflicted with an asthmatic complaint. There being no marks of violence observeable—verdict—Died by the visitation of God.
On Saturday last, Margaret DORAN and Mary JOHNSTON were detected, at Wigton, circulating base sixpences. They are committed to our gaol.
The inhabitants of Penrith were, on Sunday last, gratified with hearing their church organ (which has not been employed these four years) played on in a most exquisite stile, by Mr. PARREN, a celebrated London performer. He executed a number of sacred melodies, particularly POPE's "Vital Spark," &c. and LUTHER’s hymn, "Great God do I see," in a most pathetic manner. It were to be wished that this instrument was regularly played on by such hands. What an addition it makes to solemn church worship!
On the evening of Tuesday last, as Joseph GRAHAM, innkeeper at Waver-bridge, near Wigton, was returning on foot from the market of the latter place about 9 o'clock, he was stopped by two men, who, it is thought, had observed him receiving some money in a public house a short while before; on their proceeding to lay hold of him, he knocked one of them down with his walking-stick (being fortunately provided with a good one), and then, by a sudden exertion, disengaging himself from the other, fled with precipitation, and reached his own dwelling-house without further injury, though he was closely pursued by one or both of them the whole way. The night being dark and the attack sudden, he cannot give a particular description of their persons, but it is probable they had still kept the road, for when the night was somewhat further advanced, Mr. T. MILLAR, of Abbey-Holme, was going home by the same road, and when he came near the scene of the above mentioned attack, which is a very solitary place, he observed two men of a very suspicious appearance, standing as if waiting his coming up; but, as he was fortunately on horse-back, he passed them at full speed, and prevented any attack. The number of poor people who are destitute of employment, and equally destitute of the prospect of any, exceeds all former parallel, and in such circumstances, it is no wonder that the country should be in a loose state. In every department of trade as well as agriculture, the state of the market will not warrant the employment of more hands than are indispensably necessary to keep, as it were, the machine in motion; and the supernumerary ones will, it is much to be feared, exhibit a practical illustration of the question, whether poverty is, or is not, an enemy to virtue?
Mr. John MORRISON, attorney-at-law, Maryport, is, we hear, appointed a Master Extraordinary in the Court of Chancery.
The Rev. T. MYERS, vicar of Preston, in Dorsetshire, has been collated, by the Lord Bishop of Durham, to the vicarage of Stannington in Northumberland.
The Wilkinson, PATTINSON, of Whitehaven, is arrived at Halifax.
The Isabella, JACKSON, of Workington, is arrived at Liverpool—sailed from Miramichi on the 29th Oct. in company with the Royalist, ASHBRIDGE, of Maryport.
Capt. CARRICK, of the Nancy, who arrived at Workington last Monday, reports that on Sunday last, at 3 P. M. he, about 10 miles to the north-west of Workington, St. Bees Head bearing south, fell in with a large main-mast, standing above 9 feet above the surface of the water, in 9 fathom deep, belonging to some large vessel sunk there, but the place she belongs to unknown.
Reproduced with kind permission of British Newspaper Archives
