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sent information to that effect to Mr . Brand , surgeon » Aldersgate-street . That gentleman , promptly attended , when he found Mr . Cureton perfectly insensible , and rapidly sinking . He forthwith applied the usual remedies , but it was upwards of seven hours before the unfortunate gentleman , could be restored to consciousness . Prom his statement it appeared that the three supposed gentlemen who had called upon him enquired whether he had by him a crown piece of " William and Mary , and that having answered in the affirmative , he asked them to take a seat , and whilst
in the act of handing a chair to one of the men the other two went behind him and placed a portable instrument round his neck , which pressed as tightly as a vice . They then gave him a violent blow over the tight eye , and from that time he had no recollection of what happened . The fellows finding that Mr . Cureton was insensible , no doubt imagined that they had deprived him of life . They then removed the instrument from his neck , and , after stripping the place of coins , medals , &c , of the value of £ 300 , they decamped . Mr . Cureton perfectly recollects
seeing the instrument as the men were passing it towards his back ; and , seizing a small box , he made an attempt to throw it through the window , hoping in that way to raise an alarm , but before he could do so he was deprived of all power . Mr . Brand is of opinion that had not Mrs . Wilson gone up to his room at the moment she did he would have died , as reaction had just commenced . The police , during the day , were apprized of the affair , but as yet no tidings have been obtained of the villains . Mr . Cureton is somewhat better , and there is some ground for believing that he will recover , unless he has a relapse .
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ASSUMED INSANITY . The Court of Assizes of Augsburg ( Bavaria ) has just been engaged in trying a case the circumstances of which are curious . A young man of eighteen , named Specht , ¦ wa s charged with having , on the 23 rd of July , 1849 , murdered a girl of seven years of age residing in the village of Hegelensteim , in the circle of the Upper Danube , accompanied by aggravated circumstances . Specht , who was almost immediately arrested , at once avowed the double crime , but declared that he had been prompted to it by the devil : he had , he said , been only a sort of half-passive agent in the case . The day after , when brought before the examining magistrate to be
interrogated , his faculties , mental and physical , seemed all at once to have become singularly weakened ; he not only could not to all appearance express his ideas coherently , but he seemed even incapable of suporting the weight of his body . After having been several times brought from prison for examination , it was at last decided that medical men should be appointed to decide whether his mental alienation was real or feigned . Two very eminent men , long accustomed to the treatment of mental maladies , Drs . Windier and Zink , were directed to send in a report on the state of his mind . After very minute and patient observation , both these gentlemen declared that they had no doubt whatever that the moral and physical weakness of Specht was artfully simulated , there being no example , they said , of any one of such robust health of body and mind , as had been that of
the prisoner , becoming suddenly utterly stupid and imbecile ; that , in fact , imbecility in persons born with the use of their faculties , though often all of a sudden very marked , becomes complete only slowly and gradually . As the state of the prisoner underwent no apparent alteration , it was determined to test his malady by sudden and violent emotions . Accordingly fire-arms were discharged just outside the partition close to which his bed was placed . Specht uttered some strange incoherent cries , but never stirred in his bed . Powerful shower-baths were given him from holes made in the ceiling of his cell , but nothing overcame his impassibility . These medical men still , however , persisted in their first opinion . When the day of his appearing before the court arrived , he appeared so completely prostrated in mind and body , that it was found necessary to carry him into the court . He seemed in a state of entire
imbecility , and the jury , after patiently hearing the pleadings , brought in a verdict of " guilty , " but with very strong extenuating circumstances . The court , in consequence , condemned Specht to only three years' confinement . The prisoner was carried back to his cell in the same condition as he had appeared in during the trial , but no sooner did he arrive there than he began to jump about , and to express the greatest joy at having escaped the capital punishment , lie then declared that he had never for a moment ceased to be in the enjoyment of all his faculties , physical and intellectual , and that he had played the part of a person affected in mind by the advice of a fellow prisoner , who had spoken to him to that effect the day he was first lodged in prison . Specht thus for the space of fourteen months gave proof of an extraordinary strength of will and perseverance , particularly if his youth be taken into consideration . Had he continued to play his Assumed part for some time longer , it is not improbable that he might have succeeded in obtaining a full pardon .
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TWO SHIPWRECKS . A shipwreck which had almost proved as fatal as that of the Orion , took place on the coagt of France on Monday week . On the morning of that day the Superb steamer was to have started from St . Heliers on an excursion trip to St . Malo , but , in consequence of her machinery requiring some repairs , the La Polka was substitued , and started with between thirty and forty passengers . When about six or seven miles from St . Heliers , it was discovered , to the crest horror of all on
board , that she had sprung a leak , and was fast foundering , but that , in consequence of the wind being adverse , it would be useless to turn back , as before she could have performed half the distance she would be at the bottom of the ocean . In this strait there existed but one chance —that of reaching some small rocks called the Minques , on the coast of France , and which were then about six miles ahead . Every precaution was immediately taken to keep her afloat till the rocks were gained . The passengers and luggage were collected on the starboard bow , in order that the larboard side might be kept as much as possible out of the water , that being the locale of the leak , the engines were worked as fast as possible , a small
sail was set , and the crew , assisted by pome of the passengers , betook themselves to the most vigorous exertions in baling with buckets , there being no pumps on board . The consternation was great , there being but very small hopes that the rocks could be gained , and from the heavy swell which prevailed , and the little way she made , it was feared that she would capsize . When she was about two miles from the rocks , an immense cloud of steam and ashes announced the fact that the water had reached the fires ; all hope was now abandoned , and planks and other modes of keeping afloat were eagerly sought for , but , to the surprise of all , it was perceived that the Daddies still kept slowly revolving . The baling
was now continued with renewed exertion till the buckets , three in number , were literally knocked to pieces , and the vessel was ultimately brought up to within about a quarter of a mile of the largest rock . The anchor waa immediately dropped , and two small boats which the vessel possessed instantly lowered . To the great credit of all , the utmost order prevailed ; the ladies were sent off first , and not a man thought of leaving the vessel till they were all cleared , with the exception of one Frenchman , who endeavoured to get among the first boat-load of women , but was instantly seized by the other passengers , and forced to wait . By reason of the smallness of the boats , only four could be taken off at a time , and , as may be imagined , all eyes were strained eagerly watching
their slow going and coming ; at last all were saved , the last boat pushing off as the ill-fated vessel went down , the water covering her masthead . After passing a dismal night on the bare rocks , the passengers were picked up by the steamboat South Western , from Weymoulh for St . Malo , the captain having luckily perceived through his glass something unusual in the appearance of the rocks , and imagining that it might be a wreck , steered for them , to the great joy of those who were upon them , as it was only by reason of a spring tide that the South Western was enabled to come within sight that day , and if they had not been perceived the chances were that they would have remained for a very considerable period , as , from the very dangerous nature of these rocks , vessels seldom even approach them .
A more melancholy shipwreck , attended with the loss of eleven lives , occurred on the Minques Rocks , between St . Malo and Jersey . The vessel was a steamer called the Superb , which left St . Malo for Jersey , at halfpast seven o ' clock on Tuesday morning . With a view to shorten the passage , the vessel took an unusual course , and in doing so struck on the sunk rocks , and immediately filled with water . The boats were instantly lowered , and a rush was made towards them . Unfortunately the plugs were missing from one of them , and the consequence was that it was speedily swamped in smooth water , with all on board . Fortunately , the tide was falling fast , which left the ship high and dry on the rocks . Signals of distress were then made , and in about two hours the whole of the remaining passengers and crew , about forty in number , were saved . Eleven persons were drowned .
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MISCELLANEOUS . The Royal Family appear to be enjoying themselves at Balmoral in a very sensible way , very much , indeed , after the same manner as any other persons do who have similar means of enjoyment . Prince Albert spends a good deal of his time in deer-stalking and other manly 6 ports , while the Queen has been taking as much outdoor exercise as possible among the glorious mountain scenerv with which she is surrounded . A Privy Council
was held at Balmoral on Tuesday , at which several of the Cabinet Ministers were present . The Scotsman states that the Queen may be expected at Edinburgh about the 7 th of October . Her stay , it is said , will probably not extend over a couple of nights ; and it is extremely doubtful as to whether or not her Majesty will hold either a drawing-room or a levee . The steam-ship Madrid , which arrived at Southampton on Tuesday morning had on board a very fine lioness , a present to Queen Victoria from the Queen of Portugal .
The Duke of Cambridge is expected to arrive in town on Monday from Dublin . The Duchess and the Hereditary Grand Duke and Duchess of Mecklenburg Strclitz , who are still sojourning at the Marquis of Anglesey ' s romantic seat Plassncwydd , are also expected to return to town next week .
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ment resided at Roseneath , the residence of the Duke of Argyle , visited , in the course of last week , along with Lady Ashley , the Ragged Schools of Greenock , with the arrangements of which they were greatly pleased . The Marquis of Lansdowne paid a visit to Cheltenham last week for the purpose of inspecting its educational establishments . He proceeded , on his arrival , direct to the new Church of England Training Colleges , m the survey of which , and of the system of teaching in operation there , his lordship spent two or three hours ; and thence , accompanied by the Reverend F . Close , to the Proprietary College , which he had also an opportunity of inspecting while the several departments were busily engaged with their respective duties . Sir John Cam Hobhouse visited Cork a few days ago on his return from the lakes of Killarney , and expressed his surprise at the immense improvement in that city since a former visit of his some years ago .
A Court of Directors was held at the East India House , on Wednesday , when General Sir William M . Gomm , K . C . B ., was sworn in commander-in-chief of the company ' s forces , and an extraordinary member of the Council of India . It is said that Lord Cowlcy is to be recalled from Frankfort , probably on account of the adherence of England to the Prussian protocol , declaring the Diet at an end , contrary to the provisions of the treaty of 1815 ; in consequence of which his lordship has nothing to bo accredited to . Baron Brunow ( the Russian Minister ) has returned to London from St . Petersburg . His Excellency had only reached the Russian capital a few days before he received the distressing news of the demise of Mademoiselle Olga de Lechner , his stepdaughter . Lord Ashley , who has since the prorogation of
Parha-Sir Robert Peel , Baronet , M . P ., has just returned from Berne , after winding up his affairs in Switzerland , consequent on resigning his appointment of Principal Secretary of the British Legation to the Swiss Confederation . Lady Peel , accompanied by Captain William Peel , R . N ., and Miss Peel , left Jersey a few days ago for a tour in France , but are shortly expected at her ladyship ' s house in Whitehall Gardens for the autumn . Lady Peel ' s health has greatly improved . Lord Cockburn was not able to take his seat at the Dumfries Circuit last week , and his place was supplied by Lord Moncreiff . On Friday his lordship wa « considerably better . lish
An event of melancholy interest to the Eng community of Athens lately occurred in that city . Lord William Clinton , who has been there only a short time , attached to the British mission , having imprudently started on a tour in the interior during the very great heats , returned on the 2 nd instant dangerousl y ill . In forty-eight hours he was a corpse , notwithstanding every attention paid to him ; but it was evident from the first that he could not recover , the fever having been raging within him for several days , and without the means of obtaining any medical assistance . He was followed to the grave by the diplomatic body and the English mission and the English residents there . He was the fourth son of the Duke of Newcastle , and was born on the 13 th of January 1815 .
, Mr . Monahan is appointed Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas , Dublin ; Mr . Hatchell , Attorney-General . All rumours , therefore , on this subject are now at an end . Concerning the other legal appointments nothing is known . Mr . Baldwin , late law adviser to the Castle , and who was next in succession for the office of Solicitor-General , but who accepted the vacant judgeship in the Insolvent Court , has been endeavouring to resign that office and get appointed to the Solicitor-Generalship ;
and this , it is said , was the cause of the delay in filling up the vacancies . The election of a President of Trinity in the room of the late Dr . Ingram took place at Oxford , on Monday , when the Reverend John Wilson , B . D ., was chosen , and his name sent to the Bishop of Winchester with that of one of the other fellows , his lordship being enjoined by the statutes to make a selection of one of the two fellows whose names are transmitted to him by the society .
The Rev . C . Wordsworth , warden of Trinity College , Perthshire , has tendered his resignation in consequence of two alumni of the college having been rejected at their examination for hol y orders , by the Bishop of Aberdeen , on the score of deficient scholarship . The Gazette of Friday night contained a notice from the Speaker of the House of Commons , that he will , at the end of fourteen days , issue a writ for Herefordshire , to fill up the vacancy caused by the death of Mr . Joseph Bailey , junior . _ „ election of the
The contest at Poole ended in the Freetrader , Mr . Seymour , notwithstanding the extraordinary exertions made by the supporters of his Protectionist opponent , Mr . Savage . At the close of the poll the num . bers were—for Seymour , 188 ; Savage , 167 . Majority for free trade , 21 . It is said that Mr . Cowling ' s committee at Cambridge , finding the tide of public opinion running strongly against them , have withdrawn their candidate . It is , therefore , anticipated that Mr . Wigram will be returned without opposition . Marchant will
It is understood that Sir Denis Le succeed the late Mr . Ley , as clerk of the House of Commons , on a reduced salary of £ 2000 per annum . Mr . Booth , the Examiner of Recognizances and Counsel to the Speaker , is likely to succeed . Sir Denis Le Marchant as legal secretary of the Board of Trade . Mr . Booth ' s office will be abolished . These changes will cause a considerable saving to the public . The Reverend John Hooper , of Albury Rectory , in a letter to the Morning Post , says , " It is a remarkable circumstance that many clergymen of the Church of England are now becoming convinced of something unjustifiable in the mutual relation of the church and state , and such conviction is an omen of great good , if it be wisely followed out . "
The Reverend D . A Weir has been elected Professor of Oriental Languages in the University of Glasgow , in the place of the late Dr . Gray . It is reported from Persia that an English traveller , Mr . Morrison , has discovered at Hamaden , the ancient Ecbatana , the tomb of Ilephoostion , the celebrated favourite of Alexander the Great , who died in that city 324 years before Christ . An inscription , in excellent preservation , is said to identify this monument , beyond doubt , with Hephcestion , who , however , has always been supposed to have died at Babylon . Mr . John Morgan , a native of Dundee , who died some time ago , left nearly £ 100 , 000 . His latest testamentary deed , in the hand-writing of his sister , dated the 6 th of September , 1846 , contains special provisions for the appointment of a judicial factor by the Court of Session , and the accumulation of the proceeds of his estate " for
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Sept . 28 , 1850 . ] ffi |> t 3 Lt&X ! $ t + ^ 631
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Leader (1850-1860), Sept. 28, 1850, page 631, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1854/page/7/
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