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The Rbtcrkb of the Registrar-General for...
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LlXCOLXSHIRK.—RxVOLTIXO OUTRAGE.—At tftO...
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An Explosion startled the inhabitants of...
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The Poor Law.— This subject will be almo...
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«. A * J M \ c . m'T Ship DisABLEp._On t...
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APPALLING COLLIERY EXPLOSION AT BARNSLEY...
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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Tyt **Etr*9*U* .
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• . . _ Ebbruabt 3 , 1849 . THE NORTHERN STAR . ^ - — 6 ; , __!_ . ' ' ""——————^ g ^^ . 1 ^ nw .
The Rbtcrkb Of The Registrar-General For...
The Rbtcrkb of the Registrar-General for the week ending January 27 th , show the total number of births to be 1 , 576 , and the deaths 1 , 208 , the latter being an increase of 39 on the weekl y average of five months . This result is more favourable than that obtained in the two previous weeks , when th » deaths were respectively 1 , 448 and 1 , 345 . Thereturn shows that the deaths from rymotic diseases were 329 , being 108 above the average ; from dropsy , cancer , and other diseases of uncertain or variable Seat , 54 , being the usual averago ; from tubercular diseases , 175 , being 28 below the average ; from diseases of the brain , spinal marrow , nerves , and senses . 150 . beinc 9 above the averaia ; from
diseases ofthe heart and blood vessels , 22 , being 18 below the average ; from diseases of the lungs and Ofthe other organs of respiration , 245 , being 2 above the average ; from diseases of tbe stomach , kver , and ofherorgans of digestion , 63 , being 4 below the the average ; from diseases ofthe kidneys , &<; ., 14 , being 1 below the averaee ; from childbirth , diseases oftlie uterus , & c , 13 , " being 4 above the average ; from rheumatism , diseases ofthe bones , joints &« ., 10 , being 3 below the average ; premature birth and debilitv , 16 , being ? below the average ; atrophy 30 , being -5 above the average ; age , 45 , being 28 below tne averaee ; sudden , % being 6 below the average ; violence , privation , cold , and Mempe . ranee 23 , being 14 below the average ; smallpox , 16 being ' s below the average ; measles , 18 , being 9
below the average : scarlatina , < 6 , being 44 above the average ; hooping-cough , S 5 , being 13 above thoaverage ; diarrhoea , 17 , being 5 above the averatre ; dysentery ; 5 , being 3 above the average . The number of deaths from cholera is stated to be 45 ; and of these 14 occurred in the district of Wandsworth and Clapham , 2 of them heinginthe institution at Tooting . The total number of deaths in this house , or among children who have been removed from it , registered in four weeks , amounts to 183 , of which 158 were returned as caused by cholera . The rest are ascribed to dysentery , mesenteric diseases Ac . Birring the week 56 people have died from typhus , being 14 above the average ; from bronchitis , 104 being 26 above the average ; from
, pneumonia , 95 , being 8 below the average ; from asthma , 26 , being 12 below the average . The Begistrar-General adverts to the facts , that the deaths from diseases affecting the respiratory organs were 245 , almost the same as the average , having declined from 325 and 300 , the numbers ofthe two former weeks , while the mean daily temperature ranged from 24 ° 6 on the 2 nd day ofthe month to 4986 on the 25 th . In the last weeka . hoy was registered in the Kent-road sub-district , who died of •" natural causes accelerated by exposure to cold , " and at Clapham , a woman of 18 , who died of " peritonitis , brought on hy exposure to cold and damp , " after seven days' illness . Inquests were held in both cases . A woman and her child died in
Leathermarket , Bermondsey , of " diarrhoea from want of sufficient nourishment , " as certified by medical certificates . The former was seven months advanced in pregnancy . It does not appear that an inquest was held in either of these cases . The medical man adds , that the house was in a most offensive condition from want of drainage . Beicitie of Mr . Tablet . —Late on Friday evening "week , Mr . Mills , deputy-coroner for Middlesex , held an inquest at the Holland Arms Tavern , High-street , Kensington , on the body * of Mr . Benjamin Moxon "Varley , the well-known " engraver and jeweller , of JTo . SO , Fleet-street , and No . 37 , Edwardes-square , Kensington , -who shot himself on Tuesday week last , fi appeared from the evidence gone into , that Che deceased , who succeeded his late father some years since , was a bachelor , and was found by his housekeeper lying on the floor of his bedroom , quite dead , and some blood oozing out of his mouth . An
alarm was instantly raised , and a surgeon sent for who promptly attended , and pronounced life to be quite extinct . " So suspicion was at first entertained that he had laid violent hands on himself , but on the body bcim * moved a small pistol which had been leeently discharged , was discovered under part of his clothes , and under the body was the fellowpistol , loaded with ball On thedeceased ' s mouth being carefully examined , it was ascertained that he must have placed the muzzle of the pistol in his mouth and fired into the roof of it , as the ball could be perceptibly felt under the scalp at the top of the bead . No report was heard , nor had the pistols , which were new ones , ever been seen before by the servants or any of his friends . All the witnesses concurred that the deceased had never exhibited the Slightest sign of lunacy , or ever threatened to destroy himself , and in the absence of clearer testimony the jury returned a verdict " That the deceased had shot himself , but there was no evidence as to the state of his mind at the time .
Suicide from Fear . —An inquest was held on Monday , before Mr . "W . Baker , at the Horse Shoes , Gosweil-streefc , on the body of Amelia Clarke , aged 41 , the wife of a licensed victualler , and landlord of the above house . —Caroline Cox , servant of the deceased , stated that her master and mistress lived ca very liappy terms until a fortnight sines , when a quarrel occurred between them , arising from jealousy va her part . On Thursday week her master heard tiie deceased joking with one of the lodgers , which appeared greatly to excite liim , but he said nothing at the time . About half-past eleven o ' clock at night he went up stairs to bed ; shortly afterwards the deceased closed the house and went to her bedroom , followed by witness . They had not been in
the bedroom many minutes when the street-door bell was rung by a lodger , upon which Mr . Clarke came to the room door man excited state , and called out to deceased to " let her men in , " at the same time shaking the door violently . Deceased appeared in great terror , and told me to go and open the room door . Immediately she had turned round to do so she heard the window thrown open , and , turning to see what it was , she saw the deceased fling herself out of the window into the street . "Witness assisted in picking the deceased up , in an insensible state , and conveying her into the house . —Mr . Bacon , sunreon , said that deceased had received a compound fracture of the bones of the right elbowjoint , an extensive lacerated wound ofthe same arm , and injury to the spine , of which injuries she died on Friday last . —Ycrdict , " Temporary Insanity . "
A Serious Joke . —On Monday , an inquest was bold before Mr . v 7 . Baker , at the Green Gate , Cityroad , touching the death of R . Haye , aged 62 , a shoemaker . On Friday evening the deceased was in the taproom of a public-house in Old-street , when some persons present , who knew the deceased ' s love for beer , thought they wonld have a " lark " trith him , and whilst his attention was drawn to another part of the room , one of them mixed a quantitv of jalap in a pot of beer , which they then gave Mm to drink , and hefore he put it down he yearly emptied it . He shortly afterwards became insensible , and was placed on some damp straw in an out-building , where he was discovered in the morning dead . The body not having been examined by a medical man , the coroner said that it was necessary a postmortem examination should be made , and the inquiry was adjourned for that purpose .
Determined Suicice by Pbxssic Acid . —On Monday morning , TVllliam Taux , late an estate and house agent , aged 45 years , was found dead in his bed , at his lodgings , lio . 2 , Trafalgar-place , "Wal-¦ worth , from the effects of a large dose of prussic acid , which he had swallowed during the night . It appears that the deceased had latterly been so reduced in his circumstances that he Ws been living upon his friends , and the circumstance , it is evident , had very much preyed upon his mind . On Sunday he dined out , and having returned home , etired to rest about half-past twelve o ' clock . Finding that he did not come down to breakfast at bis usual time , a little girl was sent up stairs to his bed-room to call him , and , after knocking
several times at the door , she entered the chamber and found him in bed quite dead and cold . On his table was found a phial containing about two table spoonsfull of what was found to be prussic acid , though the label on the bottle itself had been carefully scraped off . In a memorandum , also found on the table , there were some lines , in the deceased ' s handwriting , to the effect that his friends should no longer be troubled with his support , as he should be found dead , and he cared not if they buried him in a hogstye . The Tooievg Cholera Cases . — . On Tuesday two adjourned inquests on the bodies of children who died after removal from the Tooting Pauper Asylum , were resumed ; one at Hackney , before Mr . Baker ; the other at Chelsea , before Mr . Waklev .
—At Hackney , the coroner addressed the jury at some length , the purport of his remarks being that a verdict of manslaughter having been returned against Mr . Drouet in another case , and that indi-Tidual being about to undergo a trial on that charge , the justice of the case did not require the jury at Hackney to proceed , with their inquiries—the more so inasmuch as Mr . Drouefr was not in a condition to attend the inquest . He therefore discharged the jury from further attendance . The jurymen expressed much surprise at this decision , and one of them handed to the reporter a verdict stated to have Leen agreed to prior to the arrival of the coroner :
— We and that the deceased children , John Keen , John Burke , ' vTilliam Neenan , and "William "Walton , of the parish of Islington , died of cholera , at Hackney , and that the predisposing causes have awsenfrom bad treatnient and neglect on the part S ^^ £ ! x \?? t , er Drouet ^ ards the deceased ^^^ caablishment at Tooting , and that the sari Bartholomew Peter Drouet was rctuatcdtW w , wL ™ T ^ xi ? . " -At Chelsea , Mr . ilft ^ iT ^ lnamr * R after the jury iad sat all day the inquest was once more adjourned On Tuesday at the Bail Court , Drouet was adl Mittedto bad , himself in £ 200 and two sureties in * 100 each , or / our Buretics in £ 50 each
Another Yftoicr of . Makslauohter was returned on Wednesday airainst Mr . Drouet This second verdict was" found by the jury who have teeni for some days investigating before Mr . Wak-Jey tie cases of the deceased pauper Children removed from tie asylujn at Topting-to Chelsea —
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The jury retired ,, and after three hours' «? * J ? j " tation announced thoir decision as follows : _ « e , the jury , are unanimously of opinion that -Bartholomew Peter Drouet is guilty of »»? » " in the cases of Mary Killick , Emma > # & JT f Martha Hollington : that George ^ % / £% . ° l malignant cholera : that the jury * " < f «* ** £ <* that the children hava been !»* £ *&* £ & distance from Chelsea as to render-it ^™ for the guardians to visit and paythatattention which tw at all times imperatively demand ; and the jury carn 7 stirre \ uest that the children be henceforth maintained in their own parish . . And the lurv cannot separate without expressing their opinion that the guardians and the poor-law commissioners are reprehensible by concurring in
allowing the children to remain at Tooting so Ion" after the dreadful mortality had commenced . The jury also beg to express their unanimous approbation of the prompt ) humane , and beneficial conduct of the Board of Health , respecting the alarming eireumstanees attendant at Mr Drouet ' s establishment at Tooting . And the said jury urgently recommend the abolition of the system of farming parochial children . " Neglect axd SrARVAirox . —An inquest was held on "Wednesday by Mr . Baker , at the London Hospital , on the body of Sarah Cousins , aged 75 , who died from neglect and starvation . — Elizabeth Roberts stated that the deceased was the wife of a carman . Deceased had frequently complained to her of being starved by her
husband , and witness had supplied her with food on many occasions , and knowing that deceased and her husband were in the weekly receipt of bread and money from Whitechapel Union , she asked the deceased to account for being in want under those circumstances , when the latter told her that her husband always sent the bread allowed them by the parish to some of his relations ; and on several occasions deceased showed her the bread packed up , and she watched him take it away . For some time past her husband had kept her locked in , and would not allow any one to visit her . On one or two occasions he found that some of the neighbours had been to see her , and deceased afterwards told her that he had dreadfully beaten her in consequence on Tuesday week . Witness obtained admission during her husband ' s absence , and discovered the deceased in such a deplorable , filthy ,
and emaciated condition , that she gave information to Mr . Hughes the relieving officer , who removed her to the Whitechapel workhouse , where she died . —Susan Peters , a sister of the deceased , corroborated the above evidence . — Mr . J . Nash , the parish surgeon , ascribed the deceased ' s death to neglect and want of proper food . —The husband of the deceased denied having kept his wife without food , but admitted having on several occasions sent the parish bread to some of his relations . — The coroner said it was a Ycry lamentable ease . The husband of the deceased had committed a gross fraud on the parish , by riving away the bread which was afforded for his wife ' s support . —Verdict , " Natural death , accelerated by neglect , and the jury consider that great blame attaches to tho husband for his conduct towards her . "—[ A most ridiculous verdict . Is ' nt starving a woman to death , to say the least , manslaughter . ]
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LlXCOLXSHIRK . —RxVOLTIXO OUTRAGE . —At tftO E p iphany Sessions for the Lindsey division , held at Hirton , before Sir Robert Sheffield , John Sunman , aged 28 , a sweep , and Alick Johnson , aged 26 , were tried on a charge so barbarous as hardly to be credited . They followed a young woman into a field at Winterton , near Barton-upon-Humber , about six o ' clock in the evening of a cold day towards the latter end of the month of October , and then and there stripped her of every article of clothing , and then stood over her while they compelled her to go through the whole of her work , that of milking four cows . The case came on for trial at the above
sessions , when , although the prosecutrix , a young woman named Sarah Ann Jieal , in the domestic service of a farmer at Winterton , and of prepossessing appearance , was put through a cross-examination of a very questionable kind , from which it was attempted to be shown that she was in the family way , & e . f she very modestly replied to the questions , and the jury , having heard certain corroborative evidence , found the prisoners guilty of stealing her gown , skirt , petticoat , and other articles of clothmg , of which it appeared that only tho chemise and an old great-coat were given up to her by the ruffians for her to go home in ; the fieldin which the atrocity was committed being above a mile from the nearest house . The prisoners were sentenced
to be transported for seven years . Cool Trick . —At the Hulme Cavalry Barracks , Manchester , on Saturday last , & valuable horse belonging to one of the officers ( a charger , worth at least £ 200 or £ 250 ) was stolen from the stable . A man entered the barrack-yard in the garb of an officer s servant , and going to the stable deliberately brought out the horse , m presence of many of the troopers , and , mounting it , rode out at the gate unchallenged by the sentry , and unsuspected by any one to be other than what he seemed . He got clear off with the steed , and neither of them have yet been traced . Ax Engagement with Smugglers . — An inquest was held at Warsash , Hampshire , on Saturday last , on the body of B . Cork , who was found drrwned on
Friday on the mud in Hamble River . It appeared from the evidence taken that the deceased was a native of Cowes , in the Isle of Wi ght , but resided at Gosport , and on Thursday night week was one of the crew of six in a long French galley or tub-boat , laden with contraband spirits , and from stress of weather had been driven into Hamble River , where they encountered tho coast guard , with whom it is believed there was some resistance , as upwards of twenty reports of fire-arms were heard during tho night . The whole of the galley ' s crew abandoned her and went overboard , three of whom evidentl y stripped themselves , as their clothes were found on board , and one of them , a Frenchman , was the next morning found at Hook , near the spot , and removed to Southampton with the galley and its cargo . The other four men have not been yet heard of . The deceased Cork had no mark of violence whatever on
his body , and must have been drowned in endeavouring to get on shore . The verdict of the jury was " Found drowned . " The smuggler ' s lugger brought from France 146 half ankers , or 480 gallons . She put into Portsmouth on Friday . It is reported in the neighbourhood that one ofthe smuggler ' s crew was shot through the body and killed , but that his companions carried him off . The Stilton Murderers . —The prisoner , Charles Burton , who was convicted at the last assizes for the murder of his wife , at Stilton , Huntingdonshire , and received sentence of death , which has been respited until the 10 th of April next , will , at the next assizes , be tried upon an indictment for the murder of his child . The friends of the prisoner will thereby have an opportunity of producing evidence of his insanity at the time he committed the murders , which did not appear in court on his former trial .
Jesst Lixd s concerts at Norwich have produced a profit of more than £ 1 , 200 , which sum is , by her generosity , to be devoted to the charitable institutions of that city . Murder bt a Limine—At Portsea , on Friday week , a woman , named Beveridge , went to the station house there and said she had strangled her child . Upon inquiry this statement was found to be true ; the deceased , a male child , aged five years , being discovered dead with a piece of calico tightly twisted round its neck . The prisoner was convicted at the Winchester assizes , two years ago , for the murder of her youngest child , which she strangled in a similar manner , a verdict of " Not Guilty on the ground of insanity" being returned , and she was ordered to be confined . After about twelve months ' confinement in Winchester Gaol she was liberated , and sent to the Portsea Union , where she remained for a few months and was afterwards discharged .
A Model Water Compact . — A water company in Sunderland supplies 400 poor families , gratis , with service pipes and water-taps in their houses , and with an unlimited supply ofwater at the rate of one penny per week . Fauna op the Game Laws . —A murder was committed on Earl de Grey ' s property , near Ripon , on Thursday night week . A gamekeeper , named Harrison , on the earl ' s estate , went out about four p . m . on that day unarmed , for the purpose of visiting some of the plantations in his keeping . He did not return at night , but ho alarm was occasioned , as he was frequently in the habit of being out at a late hour . On the following morning , however , the un - fortunate man not having returned , a search was
made , and his body was found in a plantation at no groat distance from his own house , and where it appeared that he had been shot through the heart—it is believed by poachers . Suspected Poisoxtxo by a Wife . —The retired village of Martlcy , about eight miles west of Worcester , has been excited by a rumour that a young married man , named Solomon Cooper , who expired on the 1 st of January , after a very sudden and brief illness , was poisoned by his wife , who , it is stated , had formed an improper connexion with another person . The deceased was seized with illness just before Christmas , and having died on New Year ' s
day , was buried in due time afterwards , though not without some rumours having thus early got into circulation derogatory to the character of tne wife . These rumours , however , subsequently gained strength , and the coroner for the county directed that the body of the deceased should be exhumed , m order that it might be examined . The exhumatwn accordingly took place . It is stated that before the death of Cooper his wife obtained a quantity of poison from a druggists shop in Worcester through Eaton * an 0 tfier *** % > a woman named Susan J 5 ? i ! r * Ln s LoST AT Lancaster . —An inquest w a *? T 7 dnesday week upon eight men , who ** i 2 lV ? hve ?& ± he ™ P ** ting of a boat on the S Twr ^^ aster - ^ en were working at Denny Beck Quarry , on ft * MltffftgO
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Railway , about two Bules from LnneMter . They were in the habit of crossing the Lune ia a body to get to Halton , where they fivei On the afternoon of Monday the boat had crossed twice , once with ten in j t , and oneo with seven . > The third time , eleven got in , but one , thinking it too full , jumped out . The others pushed off . The fresh was than running strong , and the wind being very hi gh , while the edge of the boat was close to the water , the waves dashed into it and turned it completely over , throwing them all into the river . One of them clung to the boat and was heard for some time crying for help . Two others saved themselves by swimming , and the rest sunk . Verdict , 'Accidental Death . " ^ ^ „ n- ^ ,
Alleged roisoxreo . —A further examination of Evans , who has been apprehended at Bristol upon a charge of administering poison to his wife with intent to murder , took place at the Council-house , in that city , on Saturday last . The first witness examined was a girl named Marshall , who had lived as servant with the prisoner for a few weeks previous to his arrest , and she confirmed the statement of tho wife as to the prisoner , on Sunday , the 21 st ult ., giving her a dinner of roast pork , covered with a white powder . She stated that she saw him cut off the pork from the joint on the table , and go with it to a cupboard , where hc remained about a minute . He then brought it to the table , carried it to the cupboard again , and on his return the second
time brought with him the pepper-box , sprinkled it with pepper , and gave it to his wife , who , on tasting it , complained of its being very salt , and then perceiving the powder upon it , called the prisoner ' s attention to U , and subsequently refused to eat it . She saw Evans p lace the refused plate of meat on the bottom shelf of the cupboard , and , on Monday morning , when , by the wife ' s request , she went to look for it , she found it on the top shelf . —Mary Ann Winter , tho wife of a polioe-constable , who lived with her husband and the prisoner and his wife , in the joint charge ofthe Clifton Old Poor-house , deposed that Mrs . Evans had several times , in confidence , expressed to her suspicions that her husband wished to poison her : but witness endeavoured to
dissuade her from such opinions . About two months before she was confined , she mentioned to her her suspicion of some liquor which hc brought home in a tin can . She said that she insisted upon his tasting it , and that , upon his sipping it twice or thrice , it made him sick . She only took one sip , and it made her sick also . On the 11 th of December , Mrs . Evans was confined , and at eleven o ' clock on the night of the 12 th , witness left her quite comfortable and in excellent spirits . At between one and two o ' clock in the morning she was called up by the husband , and found her then in a most alarming state , with violent retching and purging . Advised that Mr . Parker , a surgeon , should be sent for , and he arrived and irave her a draught , which relieved
her . He asked to see the contents of the stomach which had been vomited by her , but they could not be shown him , as they had been thrown away . The prisoner threw them away . Every Sunday ( but one ) since her confinement Mrs . Evans had been seized with violent sickness , always after dinner or her tea . She was also dreadfully sick on Christmasday . She was never sick in the week-days . On week-days witness usually gave her her food , and prepared it for her , but her husband was at home on Sundays , and ho did it then . Before her confinement Mrs . Evans was a healthy , active woman , but just as she was about to get up , she complained of numbness of her hands and feet , and now she has lost the use of her limbs . —Mr . Herapath , the
chemist , deposed to having analysed the white powder on the meat which he found to be a corrosive salt of mercury , usually said as white precipitate . It was an irritant poison , though one rarely resorted to for the purpose of secret poisoning . It was calculated to injure extensively , and if sufficient quantity was given it would destroy life . Sugar of lead had a strong tendency , by its action upon the nerves , to produce palsy or paralysis . White precip itate would be likely to cause retching and relaxation of bowels . — Francis Blakewride , an apprentice to Mr . Surge , druggist , of St . Augustine ' sparade , proved , that on Saturday , the 20 th ultimo , the prisoner came to his master ' s shop and purchased a pennyworth of white precipitate .
The prisoner was remanded . —Committal or the Prisoner . —Bristol , Jan . 29 . —Owing to some observations which fell from the prisoner Henry Evans , in an interview with his solicitor on Saturday , that gentleman communicated to the authorities his suspicions that the prisoner meditated committing suicide . The desperate character of tho man being well known , three constables have been since kept constantly in his cell ; and it appears that this precaution was wisely taken , for on his being brought up to the Council-house this day , in order that the depositions might be read over to him , he stated , " that if it wasn't for those three men , he should not have given much trouble ; " and he added , " I cannot stand this : everybody looks upon me as a murderer . " This latter observation
arose from the Circumstance that this morning an immense crowd congregated in front of the Bridewell , whore the prisoner was confined , to seo him brought out , and by whom he was hooted . Prior to the depositions being read over , two additional witnesses were examined , whose evidence went to increase the weight of testimony against the prisoner . Evans was then fully committed on the charge of attempt to murder , and was re-conducted to Bridewell , followed by the mob as before . A strict watch will be kept over him to prevent his laying violent hands on himself . Military . Proceedings . —Plymouth , Jan . 27 . — A general parade of all troops in garrison assembled this morning at Mount Wise , for the purpose of
hearing the sentence of a Court Martial on Matthew Tomey , a private of the 2 Sth regiment , belonging to Captain Frazcr ' s Company , No . 4 , who attempted to strike his commanding officer in the fall of Last year , when near Apsley House , Hyde Park , on the line of march from London to Plymouth . For the trial of this charge , a general court-martial sat at Government-house , Mount Wise , in November , and transmitted their sentence to head-quarters . The sentence having been approved and returned on Friday , to the Commander of the Forces , orders were at once issued for the parade on Saturday . There were present five divisions of the 28 th . regiment , consisting of about 100 each . The Royal Artillery from Ligonier-squarc comprised two captains , one subaltern , and eighty rank and file . Six companies of Royal Marines , twenty files in each , from Stonehouse Barracks , and six companies of
the 82 nd Regiment , about 400 rank and file . When on the ground the troops formed a square , each corps making an angle ; Major-General the Hon . Henry Murray , the Commander ofthe Forces for the western district , stood in the ' centre . The prisoner , who is a native of Ireland , and about thirty years of age , was placed inside the square , in front of the left face , the 28 th , his own regiment , under charge ofthe provost-sergeant and two rank and file . He was dressed in uniform , coatee and chako , had no arms or accoutrements , and was handcuffed . The troops being thus prepared , the General read aloud tho formal sentence , which was to the effect , that the said Matthew Tomey be transported as a felon for the term of fourteen years . The prisoner was then removed to the rig ht of his own corps , and General Murray shortly addressed the troops . The prisoner was taken to the Main Guard-room at the Eastern Barrier-gate to abide instructions for his disposal from the Secretary of State .
Devon . — Attempt at Seu-Desthction by a Lady . —On the 20 th ult ., the lady of Sir John Pole , of Shute House , precipitated herself from her bedroom window , on the third floor , and sustained contusions of such a character that serious apprehensions were entertained for her life . Although pronounced out of danger , her ladyship ' s rash attempt will render her a cripple for life , various rumours are in circulation as to the cause which could prompt a lady in her station , surrounded with every apparent comfort , to commit such an act .
Lincolnshire . —Game Laws and Poor Rates . — There is much reason to fear the winter will prove a severe one to the rate-payers as well as to the poor in the district comprising the Stamford Union . The recent applications for relief have been ( says the Stamford Mercury ) fearful in their numbers . Several of those now in receipt of parochial relief have become paupers in consequence of their husbands or fathers being sent to prison for poaching . Newport Arch . —On the night of the 10 th ult ., part of this interesting old Roman arch fell to the ground . It is the south por tion which has given way- Hopes are entertained that a subscription wul be set on foot , so that the arch may be repaired and further decay prevented .
Liverpool . — Deaths prom Starvation — On Sunday afternoon , in consequence of information received , Inspector M'Neill proceeded to an empty housoin Oak-street , Birkenhead , where hefoundawoman lying dead upon the floor , and a child , about nine months old , also dead , lying at her feet . Four young children , ' whose ages averaged from about four to ten , were huddled round the-fire-place . The grate contained some scanty fuel , and the poor creatures were ' in the expressive language of the inspector , " attempting to squeeze the heat out ofthe bars . " Behind the children lay the dead bodies of the mother and child . The house contained no
article of furniture whatever , nor was there a morsel of food of any descrip tion within the walls . It appears that the deceased ( who was about forty years of age ) , was named Ellen Kane . She had come with her children from Ireland only a few days ago , and , forcing in the door , took possession of the unoccupied house where the sad discovery was made . She must have sought subsistence by begging ; but , as she never applied to any ofthe parochial officers for relief , probably from fear of removal , the existence ofthe family , or their circumstances , was unknown to the authorities ofthe place . The children stated to the inspector that they had not tasted anything since Saturday morning , when their mother distributed amongst them a little bread . Mr . Downing surgeon , was promptly called in by the officer when the bodies were discovered , and gavo it . as his opinion ( so far ae he ^ uldawive ^ aoy oonclueioafrom
Llxcolxshirk.—Rxvoltixo Outrage.—At Tfto...
an external inspection , that both mother and ehdd £ dperished from starvation . Tho eveat has been Sled to Mr . Otarton , the «^ w » ' £ xTS tvSJ Suestonthebodies . Thechildrena £ ^ ti » tttar mnrhar died durinz the night . Tdl Sunday fore-^ Lwover Sfy thought that she was deepinr , Sffi t ^ X ^« M «* sooner give the ^ pTarsuouTn , Tcssnrr .-An accident occurred on JudTher Maiesty ' s ship President , owing to the pSfng of StL cable , by « o «™ dangerously wounded , ono severely , and five others l Death at ^^^ iTbefore held on Monday afternoon at the Gull ^ / D / j ^ John Edmondsf Esq ., the coroner , on j ^ Jj ^ . Tames Farthimr . 34 , a private m the Wynioutn jji aTex ^ al mspect ^^
v ^ ion of the Itoyal Marines , who wag near « u « mite of a ship and the captain to fall into tne sea SSSe i ay , at ten o ' clock on . Saturday evening , the ni-ht being very dark and boisterous . The cap-£ S his mite being below , immediatel y ran on deck , when they saw a man and woman withm twenty feet of the quay , and who must havo heard Se splash in the water , walking awayas unconcerned as if nothing had happened . The captain with his mate , and the assistance of another man , soon succeeded in hooking up the marine , but , although prompt medical assistance was obtained , and the deceased had been placed in a warm bod
and rubbed , even before the arrival ofthe surgeon , life was quite extinct . The conduct of the two persons who were unknown was most extraordinary and heartless ; still nothing came out m evidence to lead to the supposition that the deceased met with his death from any unfair means , as neither the captain nor mate heard either a push or a scream . The deceased had been drinking during the afternoon . Although not drunk , he had most probably taken more than he ought , and had walked over the quay . The jury returned a verdict of " Accidental Death . "
Sudden Death . —On Tuesday morning , an inquest was held by Mr . Cooper , the coronerfor Cambridge , at the Little Rose , Trumpington-street , on the body of Mi-. William Gasson , of Christ's College , who was found dead in bed on Monday morning . The deceased gentleman was twenty-nine years of age , and had just taken an ajgrotat degree on Saturday last . It appeared , from the evidence of Mr . Johnson , surgeoa , who made a post mortem examination , that tho cause of death was enlargement of the heart , producing an obstruction ofthe valves in the left ventricle . It seems that the deceased , who lodged at Mrs . Rudd ' s , nearAddenbrooke ' a Hospital had been in precarious health , and was occasionally attended by Mr . Johnson , during tho whole of his University course . On Sunday , however , he was able to attend church , and at half-nast ton o ' clock on Sundav niirht . hc retired to
rest m much his usual state . On Monday morning , one of the members of Mrs . Rudd ' sfamily rapped at his door , and receiving no answer , entered , and found that the deceased liad been dead some hours . The jury returned a verdict of " Natural death . " A Highwayman Shot . —Mr . Steel , a spirit-merchant of Elmsall , near Ferrybridge , has shot a highwayman , in self-defence . As Mr . Steel was returning at night from Wakefield market , where he had been collectingmoney , two men appeared before him , making exclamations which betrayed their purpose ; Mr . Steel cocked a pistol , put his horse to a gallop , and escaped from the fellows , who attempted to seize the bridle . A little -while after , another man rushed on him , and struck him with a bludgeon , knocking him from his horse ; the villain then prepared to strike Mr . Steel over the head , but the latter shot him in the shoulder . Mr . Steel then
remounted his horse , and made off , just as the other two robbers came up .
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An Explosion Startled The Inhabitants Of...
An Explosion startled the inhabitants of Edinburgh on Thursday week . An intense vibration of the earth shook the houses near the Canongate ; the inmates were in some cases thrown down ; and windows were broken . The cause ofthe disaster wa g soon ascertained , and the attention of the crowds who now thronged to the spot was drawn to a sheet of brig ht flame arising from the gas-holder ofthe Edinburgh Gas Company , which told too truly that the immense quantity of gas which it contained had , by some unknown means caught fire . In another moment the whole was one sheet of flame , the crowds winch lined the Calton Hill , Regent-road , and the adjoining points , frbm which a view ofthe burning mass could be obtained , forming as it were an
immense amphitheatre in the distance . The fire continued to blaze with great fury until gradually , as the gas was consumed , the gas-holder immerged in the tank amongst the water oeneath , and the conflagration waB ultimately extinguished by means of wet blankets and coarse sacking being spread over the shattered remains of the gas-holder . The mysterious part of the matter is , by what means the gas in the holder became ignited . The gasometer was completely isolated , surrounded by a wall , and no fire or combustible allowed inside . There wero in the gas-holder at the time nearly 300 , 000 cubic feet of gas , the creator porton of which would of course be consumed . The total damage was estimated at about £ 2 , 000 .
Extevsive Forgeries in Glasgow . —On Wednesday week last a series of forgeries were discovered to have been perpetrated by Mr . Alexander Buchanan , the senior partner , in the firm of Buchanan and Anderson , gingham manufacturers , 62 , Queenstreet . The extent of the forgeries is variously stated at from £ 12 , 000 to £ 20 , 000 , but at any rate it is generally believed that there have been forgeries to the amount of £ 7 , 000 on one of the Glasgow banks , and £ 5 , 000 on another . There are a number of other bills for various amounts in the hands of different parties , bearing the same signature , as also a signature-purporting to be that of John Fyte and Co ., merchants , Renfield-strect , all drawn by Alexander Buchanan , and likewise pronounced forgeries . Buchanan has since absconded .
Calamitous Inuxdation . — The weather in the north of Scotland , and particularly in Invernessshire , was tempestuous to an almost unprecedented degree all last week . One storm of wind and rain followed another for several days and nights , without intermission , accompanied by vivid lightning . The greatest calamity which has hitherto come to our knowledge , arising from these storms , is the complete destruction , on Thursday week , of the fine old bridge over the Ness at Inverness , which , after bravely standing the floods and tempests of more than 160 years , has been at length , in the apparent plenitude of its strength , carried away at ono fell swoop . There is much interest of an historical and antiquarian kind attached to the bridge ,
anu its local position ana tne elementary peculiarities it had to battle with gave it an uncommon celebrity . It was built at the foot of the romantic hill , on which , according to Shakespeare , Macbeth ' s castle stood . The building of the bridge began in 1085 , and was finished in the year of the revolution ( 1088 ) . It spanned the swift waters ofthe Ness by seven well-constructed arches . The late eminent engineer , Mr . Telford , esteemed , it the handsomest old bridge in Great Britain ; although it had a slight rise in the centre , yet the arches partook more of the modern elli ptical form than was at all common in days of old . It is stated in the statistical account of Inverness that the ancient gaol of that burgh consisted only of a single damp diirary
vault of one of the arches of this bridge . This strange place was always pointed out as ft curiosity to strangers . The Caledonian Canal is carried through the great glen of Scotland , by joining the three great lakes of Ness , Oich , and Lochie , by short cuttings between them . The summit-lock of the canal , on Loch Oich , about thirty-five miles from Inverness , is ninety-five feet above high water at Inverness . Some of the banks and locks of the Oich , near Fort Augustus , are said to have given way , and to have allowed the waters of tho upper level to flow into Loch Ness , which became swollen to such a size as to produce a fresh or speat in the river of unprecedented violence , causing the lamentable catastrophe to the bridge we have iust
mentioned . All the lower part of Inverness was laid under water , the houses forsaken , and the inhabitants glad to make their escape in boats , and such other craft as could be got at . Happily no lives were lost , but there had been great destruction of property , and much inconvenience must follow from the lines of communication being interrupted . The wooden bridge , now the only means of land communication between ihe two districts of the town and between the eastern and northern counties of Scotland , is left tottering to its base , and in momentary danger of being swept away . Other accounts ascribe the calamity solely to the rise of water in Loch Ness from heavy rains aud melted snow , and make no mention ofthe inundation from Loch Oich .
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The Poor Law.— This Subject Will Be Almo...
The Poor Law . — This subject will be almost the principal one which will occupy the Legislature connected with Irish affairs : — " The poor law—the whole poor law — and nothing but the poor law , " will be the talk of honourable members of all sides In fact , it is the only social or political Irish question talked of . An important meeting was held at Mullingar , attended by the representatives of all classes and parties . There were present the Marquis of Westmcath and the Catholic bishop Dr Cantwcll , Sir Percy Nugent , Mr . Tuitc , M . P & c . Its mam object was to adopt a petition to Parliament , embodying a series of resolutions in favour of a radical amendment of the existing poor law In tuetmum of ' Listowen , in Kerry , tho rates arc i / s . m the pound , and in the union of Trim the average rating is 7 d . in " the pound . There are 14 , 000 paupers receiving outdoor relief in the Listowen ( Jnion , besides 2 , 000 paupers now in the work-Roman Catholic Endowment . —The oncstionof endowing tho Irish CatHolio Clergy 5 ! HSSS
The Poor Law.— This Subject Will Be Almo...
before Parliament in tho middle of next session by Mr . Keogh , the Oonsorvativo aad Catholic M . P . for At SIviv « B Banks . - In consequence of the appreh ^ mn ftl t amongst tho peopfe about the security SSS tafffi diris ' of the National Bank of Sand have resolved to take deposits as low a 9 S rND , ARisa - Incendiarism still continues in tli noXSin two miles of Belfast the . criminal disturbers have been doing their work of mis chiefin tho open day . A public meeting was heldI ini Belfast on Thursday , the mayor m the chair , and strong resolutions were passed . There was an account 111 the Belfast Cltroniele of an incendiary outrage , lne stacks of a Capt . Garner were fired , and damaged to the amount of £ 50 . DKNOUEMEXT OF THE IfaWTONBREDA ROMANCE . — The Bailv News says : — "It appears that the T j ^ rii up iintnrrnir- , T
' heroism' of Miss MTcigh was an elaborately contrived fiction . " A correspondent of the Freeman s Journal { who is corroborated by the Belfast papers ) says : —" Miss Grace M'Veigh ' s laurels have been torn down . It was satisfactorily proved before the magistrates this day ( Friday ) , that she had been in Belfast on the day preceding the night that she made such courageous work ; that she was in several butchers' shops trying to get a bottle of blood ; that she got one at length from a very decent man , of thename of John Hammill , who , as well as his daughter , and a boy about sixteen years of age , have all identified Miss Grace as the person who came for the blood , and took it with her . The cap that was found as having belonged to the man who
was shot , has also been identified by the person m the old clothes trade as the one which hc sold , to Miss M'Yeig h on the same day that she bought the blood ; he has identified Miss M'Veig h also . This the young lady seems to have riddled with shot , to assist in making the story appear like truth . On the other hand the Northrn Whig , a journal of high character , defends these young women against all assailants , and enters into an elaborate argument , to show the fallacy ofthe charges against them . Railw ay Outrage . —The Clonmel Chronicle says : — " We have just heard that some ofthe rails ofthe Great Southern and Western Railway , between Dundrum and Thurles , were torn up on Tuesday niirht . or earlv on Wednesday morning . It appears
that , as ono of the railway police was walking on the line , a fellow , with his face blackened , and having a blunderbuss in his hand , leaped over the fence on to the line , and accosting the constable demanded who he was ; he replied , 'lam one ofthe railway police . ' The fellow said , Well , I am one of Captain Rock ' s police , and have received his orders to tear up the line . ' Two other fellows then joined the first , and collared the policeman , but , the whistle of a train being heard at the moment , they let him go unhurt , and fled . He then ran on towards the coming train , holding up his signal lamp to warn it of the danger ; fortunately , he was m sufficient time , and the train slackened its speed to a very slow ratemoving along until it met with an
, obstruction . The line was immediately examined , and three of the rails were found to be torn up , and thrown on ono side ; they were soon settled in their places in a temporary way , and the train passed over in safety . If it had not been for the presence of mind of the policeman in being able to have the train stopped , the most lamentable consequences would have ensued . No clue has as yet been obtained to the perpetrators- of this demoniacal act ; but we trust that such steps will be taken as to insure their speedy arrest . " The Poor-Law . —About a twelvemonth ago the guardians of the Athlone Union were—it is to be presumed not without good cause—summarily dismissed , and their places filled up by paid guardians ,
who appear to have discharged their duties to the satisfaction of the ratepayers—at least , no complaint of inattention or inefficiency has been made public through the medium ofthe local press , at all times watchful for the slightest " slip " whereon to found a grievance . On Friday week , however , a sealed order from the Poor Law Commissioners was received at the board-room of the workhouse , authorising the election of a board of guardians on the 25 th of March next , on which day the vice-guardians cease to administer the affairs of the union . Ikcexdiabism ih Ulster . —The Belfast Chronicle gives the following as the result of a second investifation into the case of the M'Veighs , which was eld on Saturday : — " On Saturday last another
private investigation was held at Newtownbreda , before Major Brownrigge , Sir Robert Bateson , and James M'Cance , Esq ., R . M ., for the purpose of hearing additional evidence respecting the alleged fabrication of the statement put forth by the Misses M'Veigh . It had been previously stated that there was another butchor in Hercules-street who could identify one ofthe girls at the person that had purchased blood from him on' the day before the sanguinary affray with the incendiaries , and this witness was examined on the present occasion . The plan adopted for identification was that of putting a number-of young women together , among whom were the Misses M'Veigh , and calling on the witness to point out the one to whom he sold the blood . The
man however , completely broke down , having selected another girl , who resides in the neighbourhood , as tho identical one to whom he sold the blood , and not either ofthe Misses M ' Veigh at al ' . Thus , then , has tho question ofthe blood-buying and the entire fabrication of the story , ended , and the plain and straightforward statement ofthe two girls stands in every single point uncontravened , and we are confident will remain so until time and circumstances bring about its entire confirmation . Respecting the circumstance of the girl whom the man identified as having purchased blood from him , we may add that it is a very common thing for country people to purchase blood to be used in the preparation of their food , and this , therefore , goes for
nothing . As a proof that the magistrates believe the story , we can state that a guard of constabulary is still nightly kept upon Mr . M'Vei gh ' s premises . In the entire history of falsification there never has been recorded a more base conspiracy than that concocted to destroy the character of these two poor girls , and throw discredit upon their statements . " Importation or American Fresh Pork . —The Freeman ' s Journal has the following : — "Mr . Michael Smith , of Copper-alley , provision merchant , has just imported into Dublin the very novel article of fresh American pork . The importation consists : of fifty pigs , as fresh and sweet as they were on the day they were slaughtered in America , preserved by bemg packed in ice . The fifty pigs imported bv
Mr . Smith mto Dublin have been brought by him from Liverpool , to which port thev were imported direct from New York . Mr . Smith having invited us to see the pigs as they hung in his stores . When we saw them yesterday they were hanging , the carcases split in two . They were of great size , weighing , we are informed , from 3 cwfc . up to nearly 5 cwt ., some of them being full i cwt . 3 qrs . Some of the _ larger ones certainly looked , for size , more like beeves than like pigs . They were very highly fed , and thick fat . Being split down the chine , several of them measured seven inches in thickness at the thin part of the loin , and ten inches at the deeper part of the back towards the shoulder . This included , of course , the thickness ofthe chine , which , however , was not much , as the pigs were remarkably small in bone . The pork was of first-rate
quality , firm and as sweet as if it had been slaughtered only yesterday . The pigs wero of a superior breed , and promissed to cut up with as little offal as _ the best breed of Irish pigs . We noticed some time ago an importation of fresh pigs thus preserved into Liverpool . The present importation into Dublin is a portion of a second importation made into Liverpool . We notice this importation as significant of what we are coming to in Ireland , and as marking with singularly emphatic indication the terrible dislocation of industry in this country . Ireland , which a few years ago used to export pigs by millions to England , now imports not onlv salt pork and bacon , but even fresh pork , from America . Ireland , which was the granary of England , now feeds her own people with flour and Indian corn from America . "
Secret Societies . —A report that secret societies were again in progress Of organisation throughout the country , calls forth the subjoined remarks from the Province of Munsttr : — " We cannot allow an hour to pass without warning the people against being induced to ioin them . We do not hesitate to say that we would rather turn out in the most desperate forlorn hope on the hill-side , than trust ourselves to the perils of secret associations . Secret association!—the name is an absurdity . No one act of those who fancy thatthey plot in darkness against the institutions of the State is secret from those who can turn their knowledge to the most deadly use . The Executive has never failed to obtain possession ofthe most private counsels of those engaged in such combinations , and therefore it is that every man who has had tho interests of the people sincerely at heart has warned them constants against the risk they incur in joining those bo-
«. A * J M \ C . M'T Ship Disablep._On T...
« . * J \ . ' T Ship DisABLEp . _ On tho 12 th ult .. the Atlantic , a ship of more than 1 , 000 tons , sailed from Liverpool with emigrants for New Orleans It appears , that she encountered very boisterous we ^ cr , sprang a leak , and was otherwise m ill plorable state , when a steam-tug , the Conqueror ™ ! f off Pto ^ HghftoSo , and JoTher in tow for Ardrossan Harbour . In crossing tho bar there she ran aground , and the emi grants , 300 ill number , chiefly Irish , were taken L tSZto Glasgow , where they now remain 7 g sachiiseT Jw ^ \^ ° ™ 8 evere in Mas " sacnusetts , that m some of the ponds the fish hive t ^ l ^ » j | d t ken inYafcondil Aoooit S bS ' v x baSS from rocna P ^ d , and f-0 , 000 lbs . from Newtown pond , an said to have been sent to New York '
™ £ i ? ^ T 1 O > r ° f , GoIJ > rH 0 « California . —The Charles Brownwell , arrived at Liverpool from Va ! - § iS ?? . Brought gold bars to the value of Sdif b ™ toen received at that port from
Appalling Colliery Explosion At Barnsley...
APPALLING COLLIERY EXPLOSION AT BARNSLEY . —EIGHTY-ONE LIVES LOST . Another of those ' sickening catastrophes , for the prevalence of which Barnslcy and its neighbourhood have obtained a painful notoriety , occurred at Dais ley Main Colliery on Wednesday week , and has rosulted in a sacrifice of human life perfectly appa [ . ling . No less than eighty-one human beings and eight horses have fallen victims to an explosion ot fire-damp—an explosion so terrific and unexpected that of 105 persons employed in the pit at the timi > , only twenty-four survive . The precise cause of this ' as in too many other colliery accidents , is at pre . sent shrouded in mystery ; but , without desiring to prejudice any party by the present deplorable calnmitv , we cannot but express an opinion that soma ^""* " ¦""* COLLIERY EXPLOSION AT BAENSLEY . -EIGHTY-ONE LIVES LOBlT
strong legislative measures should be taken for tli % purpose of throwing , as far as practicable , some semblance of protection over the lives of that hard , working and deserving portion of our industrial community who labour in tho bowels of the earth . This colliery has been the scene of two former ex * p losions ; the first was in the early part of 1847 , when six lives were lost ; and in August ofthe same vcar a similar calamity resulted in the death of t \ vo colliers . Within the distance of two miles at fur . thest is situated the Oaks or Ardsley Main Colliers- , where on the 5 th of March , 1847 , an explosion ' of fire-damp killed no less than seventy-three persons . Darley Main Colliery is the property of Messi-j . Jeffcoek and Jarratt , ofDoncastor , and is situat . vl
about two miles to the south of Barnsley , a , shoi t distance from the Barnsley and Sheffield turnpik « road . The works are very extensive , extending iM one direction nearly a mile from the shaft , and this appears to be the " dip end , " or deepest portion of the workings . The surveyor of the colliery is Mr Charles Locke , who resides at Rothwell , near Leed * , and is also the surveyor , or inspector , of the D uka of Norfolk ' s collieries , A fortnight since , we under , stand , Mr . Locke minutely inspected the pit , and stated that he had never seen a colliery in better workincr condition . Addey . the fireman , whose dutv
it is daily to inspect the pit for the purpose of ascertaining whether there is any accumulation of foulair , began his inspection of the works at four o ' clock on the Wednesday morning , and at eleven o'clock , when he ascended the shaft , he pronounced all safe . The men began to assemble at their work soon after four o ' clock in the morning , and continued descending the shaft until after six , when there was , it w .-u supposed , 104 men and boys in the pit , besides Mr . Thompson , the bottom steward , whose duty it is , as the name of his office implies , to superintend the operations underground ^ , and adopt any precaution ^ for the safety of the colliers that may seem to him
necessary . About twenty minutes before twelve o ' clock Mr . Thompson , who had observed nothing to cause the suspicion in his mind , felt a sudden and most alarm , ing change in the atmosphere ; and before he could take any steps to ascertain the cause—indeed , al . most before he could turn round—there was a frightful explosion . Judging from the nature of the report , and from the devastation committed , the exp losion did not appear to have been confined to an ? particular spot , but extended nearly from end to end ofthe works . All the stoppings , trap doorj , and gates in the pit were blown away by the viole nce ofthe explosion ; and it was felt that the wreck of human life must be appalling . Terrified b y the noise , and knowing from sad experience the result of these explosions , the wives , parents , and children of those employed in the pit , hastened to the scene ., each fearing the loss of a husband , a son , or a father
, and , there are few families in that part of Worsbro " Dale- who have not to bewail the untimely death of one or more of their kinsmen . As soon a ? the rush of foul air up the shaft had subsided , men were lowered for the purpose of exploring the pit . Amongst the most active and praiseworth y in this search was James Beaumont and others , who remained so long in the pit that they themselves Wcame insensible , and were drawn up apparently lifeless , in consequence of inhaling a noxious gas known among colliers as the "black damp , " and which always , we believe , succeeds explosions of fire-damp . About half-past one o ' clock the explorers gave evidence of their activity by sending up Mr . Thompson , the bottom steward , and one or two other survivor ? ; and from this time the arrivals of dead and living colliers at the mouth of the shaft were rapid—care having very properly been taken to send those first who were found to be alive . Prior to this
messengers had been despatched to Barnsley for medical aid ; and Mr . Ayre , the surgeon to tho colliery , being at the moment absent from his home , Mr . Wain-Wright , surgeon , and Mr . Ayre ' s assistant , with one or two other medical gentlemen , hastefied to the spot , and afforded every possible aid to the survivors , who continued to arrive at the surface till midnight , and were , as speedily as practicable , removed either to their own homes , or to houses in the immediate neighbourhood . At five o ' clock in the afternoon , sixteen men and boys had been v- ?* ened alive , and five dead bodies had been raised . During the night other eleven survivors wcrfl discovered , but more or less injured ; making in tin whole twenty-seven ; three of these have since riiwl
of their injuries , and two or three others are in imminent danger . Some delay arose in the search of the p it , as it was found absolutely necessary to suspend operations , in order to repair the traps , ttc , m tho passages , for the purpose of procuring a supply of pure air . The search , with this brief interruption , continued during Wednesday night ami the whole of Thursday , on the afternoon ot which d . iy there had been seventy-five dead bodies recoveredmaking , with the three who had expired , seventyeight corpses ; and it was also known that of ten horses that were in pit eight had been killed . >" o record is kept of tho number of men and boys who go down every morning , but from the sets of tools taken , it was judged that there were three worknvn still unaccounted for , and a party proceeded to the
" dip end already referred to , a distance of nearly three-quarters of a mile from the shaft . Afu-v ' a laborious search they succeeded in recovering three dead bodies ; the dreadful injuries they had sustained proved that their death must have been instantaneous . As the mutilated and blackened corses of these hapless men and boys were raised to the faco , and woro ovor and anon recognised as tho husbands , or fathers , or brothers ofthe persons around , the scene was most piteous . The blanched features and quivering frames of mothers and wives , a * thoy hurried to the shaft side , and gazed earnestly and fearfully upon each fresh arrival , proved that ' they were not idle spectators of these wrecks of humanity . And it was to manv a matter of astonishment
how bodies , mutilated and torn and burnt till not a feature was discernible , were recognised by thoir relatives , who bore them to their homes in desjwiir . It is impossible to describe the horrors that surrounded us on every side on our arrival . As n approached tho scene of this dread calamity , wo met two cartloads of dead bodies ; and there was scarcely a house which did not contain one or more of tlit-c witnesses of the extent of tlio explosion . Foot cottages , adjoining the colliery , contained no U « than fifteen corpses ; and every male in more than one large family , we learnt , had been killed . Tte bodies of some of those colliers whore homes were at a distance , or of those who were SO horribly mutilated that-identity was next to imnossilile . ' were
conveyed to the adjoining public-houses ; the others were taken to their homes . We saw at Mr . H arrison ' s the Masons' Arms public-house , a sickeninl array of eight bodies—one with the head torn off ; another torn open from the nock to the abdomen ; another with the skin and flesh of the arms strip from the bones ; and the others shockingly mutilated . At tho Darley Inn beer-house there wore several bodies ; at the Keel beer-house ( the landlord of which , George Field , was himself killed ) , many more were lying ; and a great many were taken w their homes at Barnsley and the ^ adjoining tow ships . Many of the bodies were so crushed , ground , as it were , into an almost shapeless mass , that the surgeons were extremely anxious to
procure their interment , as decomposition would within a few hours take p lace . . The explosion is supposed to have taken place on the northern side of the pit , at a place known as "the dip , " which is about 1 , 500 yards distant from the shaft , and near to it is what is called " a thorough , " or " a break in the seam . " In what « V the foul air entered , aud the manner of its i ? 1 " ' tion , will , perhaps , ever remain a mvstcrv : for . unhappily , every soul in that part of the working perished . . It may be mentioned , as a confirmation of an oil expression amongst colliers , " that the cold blast-Kills more than the hot , " that the greatest elaugnf appears to have taken place in the different k ™ s > or roads , whither the men naturally run upon hearing the explosion , hoping there to meet with ?» air ; but , in place of ensuring their own safety , ti « J
had rushed to their own destruction . To soni f F sons the terms " hot blast" and " cold blast ¦ » ' ») . not be perfectly intelligible . It is simpjy »!*' when there is an explosion of foul air , or tne , blast , " a vacuum is created , and there is an ; u » l tl ' rush of foul air through the up-shaft . . % a there is a corresponding rush or pure nir nl 0 R- . j l 0 down-shaft to fill this vacuum ; and thc ineihave run into the levels or roads , in the hop 0 t jie caping contact with the foul air , arc dashed -. descending current against the sides or couth © passages , and almost invariably killed . flt ' The following aro the names and descrip 1 ' tbf > Hfwvi < : rf 1 « n fnr n « thnv ire at t Ki" < . UWlUBlll ail lill it
. . presen UHJ ' ' a HJUjr me .. » j-. . ] ,, n t'Il i James and Uriah Dcrkinshaw , brothers , sm » a ^ . Edward and William Billinton , brothers , ^ ya Joseph Sagar , married , with six children , ]( 1 , Guest , married ; Edward B . « nmngton , ¦¦ f _ d . Charles Wood ; George Barraclong " . ™ ) hcWv James Littlcwood , single ; John ^™ " £ „„„ . „ known as * ' Shadow , a prize-fight ^ > ^ | ijs Turner , and his son ; Charles B ^? , ' , jJJn ' AVinttr ; son ; George Guest , and his son ; "'" ; ' , . Thomas William Holiings ; George Field . ' Iian r ' Smith ; Firth ; John Sykes ; John Wodo r ; J « ud two brothers named Sollars ; Jolu » ' ^ en in fliW ( and had a son killed at the last ^ iob J »
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Feb. 3, 1849, page 6, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns2_03021849/page/6/
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