On this page
- Departments (1)
-
Text (5)
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
-
IRELAND.. .t\
-
Untitled Article
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.
-
-
Transcript
-
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.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
Untitled Article
rT ^ coiuiguous Jamaica , at the town of St . Jago , which con-, aiis about 40 , 000 inhabitants , that the fury of the earthquake visiiion this year appears to have been concentrated and spent . The oilotf > n ? is a description by an eye-witness of the catastrophe which Lfel that town m August last . For its appalling grandeur , and jie terror it inspired , it will rank amongst the most awful visitations , fwhich records exist : — The dawn of the 20 th of August , 1852 , was to the inhabitants of St . Ja < r de p andits neig hbourhood one of the finest presented by the tropics . I had nco ^ qn to notice it , for I came from the adjoining village of Caney , where I Li passed an agreeable night , consequent upon the fair of St . Louis . The skv dear , the air was pure and fresh , as from the north the blue of the celestial ^^ rT ^^ joruous to aica , at the town of StTjago , which ~^ o ~ n ~ ,
^ rtult mw lighter than usual , the country was cheerful by reason of its bavin-^ ned the proceeding days- One whitish thick cloud alon e crowned that portio' f Hie Sierra Maestra winch 33 between the Puerto . de la Guira , and that of the Dos Boca * . Everything announced a delightful day : nothing , absolute ^ othinsi indicated the near . approach , of a great catastrophe . I can assert that tW e was not a single presentiment of what was about to happen , although the earth seldom trembles here without its being feared , and even foretold bv some of the inhabitants . Xot one of the signs hitherto usually considered as the preenrsws of earthquakes manifested themselves . Neither was there any si < m indicating variations m the atmosphere . The thermometer was at 84 degrees of Pahrenheit , and the barometer at 80 inches . Such was the beautiful aspect of nature , when at tlurtj-six minutes past eight in the morning on a sudden U
] ieard a fearful noise , and at the same time my feet felt a violent tremulous motion , which raised and let fall the whole city as a child would a light tov In every countenance terror was depicted in a manner no painter could ever imitate . Everybody ' s features were instantaneousl y disfigured ; the eyes were sunk ; alMd hue circled them , similar to when sleep has been denied for nMita o « ing to acute pains . The people in a mass were in the middle of the streets On tlwir . knees , their hands elapsed , and with eyes raised up to Heaven a prolonged and loud cry for mercy raised instinctively and simultaneously by the entire neighbourhood , resounded on every side . I am unable to pourtray all the fcencs which look pla <; e within a few seconds . What virtues were instantaneously unfolded . What passions were silenced at the voice of God , who appeared to call us to judgment .
Scarcely were we assured that the first shock had ceased , and scarcely had we recovered a little from our alarm , than another was felt , but not so strong as the first . Prom 36 minutes past 8 to 10 o ' clock , three very distinct shocks were experienced . In this interval the larger portion of the residents had occupied the squares , the open spaces , and the beach , leaving the houses open and abandoned Amidst these large meetings were repeated the scenes which shortly before had taken place in families . Prom ten to one 3 n the afternoon , the earth did not sensibly tremble ; from one to three o ' clock , two shocks were felt , which , although of short duration were sufficient to maintain the anxiety and inquietude which had seized upon the inhabitants , as well as to prevent any one sleeping , or even watchin- their
habitation . Few even had breakfasted , and anxiety and fatigue had contributed to weaken the stomach . This caused some to endeavour to take some aliment , for the weakness of the body increased that of the mind ; but a , strong shock ' wliich was felt at half-past five in the afternoon , interrupted those who were refreshing themselves , and determined many to go on board the vessels anchored in the harbour , to the adjoining Pens , and to the straw huts on the beach . It can be asserted that at night-fall a thousand souls were not left in the Centre Of the town , excepting those who were left on the Plazas . Night came , and its skdesalso came , to sadden more and more those hearts which were already darkened when the sun shone in the zenith , and the eyes obscured , before light was wanting unto them . Attacked by a species of moral jaundice , we beheld tilings black as our own hearts , sad as our own spirits .
A little after half-past 3 in the morning , a shock was felt as strong , or more so , than the first , although of Jess duration . The motion was und-dating , and to this perhaps is owing that moie edifices were not destroyed . This single ssock would , in all probability , have caused more destruction to persons than all the preceding ones has caused , in consequence of the hour at which it happened ; but others having previously occurred , made all the inhabitants alert , and thus it was that few had to come out of their houses , and perhaps not a single one out of their bed . Difficult , very difficult it is to describe all that passed from halfjiast 3 until daybreak . Few were those who suffered less on this orcaison than on the previous morning , although they found themselves in places which they regarded , if not safe , much less exposed than the houses they had abandoned .
liy chance I was on the wharf of the steamer Botafuego , in company with the captain of the Cardenas , and several other persons ; ' on a sudden we noticed a shock which caused the major portion of us to fall . We went instantly on board the Cardenas , where we observed a phosphoric ebullition in the water , and smelt a bad stench which almost deprived us of breath ; the piles of the wharf described angles of 60 degrees at the least , and the wharf appeared to move more than a yard from side to side . At the moment of the earthquake was heard , mingled with the universal cry of mercy , a noise like that of failing houses . I thought never to'beheld the city of Valasquez ; I thought that the last day of St . Jago de Cuba had arrived j and perhaps I was not deceived in the opinion that it will never be what it was a few day ' s since .
In the harbour the earthquake was perceptible , as we have said , by a strange motion of the water , which boiled , producing phosphoric bubbles , and followed l > y a fetor so intense as to take away respiration . In the Plaza de la Catedral , all the lights were instantly extinguished , and the immense multitude tl » en there was environed in the thickest darkness . In that of Santo Thomas the priest was preparing to celebrate the Holy Sacrifice , when the horrible shaking was felt , and which plunged into the deepest dejection all the faithful who were praying . The scenes which passed in the streets were not less terrible than those we have
described . The few who had had courage enough to remain within their houses , rushed frightened along the streets without being restrained either by the profound obscurity , the copious rain , the fury of the wind , the ruins of the falling buildings , the state of their health , or the uncertainty , of the road they were following . But vain is it for me to endeavour to give an idea of the horrors which were experienced in the short interval which elapsed between half-past three and the dawn of the 21 st . Every family tells their own , and I am not aware who suffered most . '
* * * * Xever was dawn more wished for than that of the 2 lst , and it is not possible to convey an idea of what we experienced when at its first blush we could distinguish the towers of the Cathedral and of San Francisco , which threatened ruin since the previous day , and whose existence made us hope for that of the remaining edifices which we judged to be ruins . Yet scarcely had we recovered from the terror brought on by the strong earthquake of the morning , than another came on , which , if not so violent , was sufficient , in unison with the
lugubrious aspect of the day , to keep us in continual alarm . It rained at intervals throughout the morning ; at 25 minutes past 12 another shock of short duration w felt , and towards evening the sky began to clear . Night came on without anything notable having occurred during the day , with the exception of the shock mentioned . The moon with her silver light augured tranquillity , the-air was pure , the temperature grateful , and the hopes began to revive that the earthquakes had ceased . Fatigued by former vigils , each oue prepared for repose , ^ hen at half-past nine another shock of fair intensity and duration was felt .
From the 22 nd to the morning of the 28 th , several shocks were felt , but as they were less perceptible each time , they did not alarm the inhabitants , although they caused-a certain uneasiness which did not allow them to sleep tranquilly in their houses , an uneasiness increased by some foolish persons by sad remembrances and unfounded predictions . At 10 minutes past two of the morning of the asth , a fresh shock was felt rather stronger than those of the five preceding " " ays , which added to an attempt at robbery , ending in the'death of one of the Sieves , made fears to rekindle which were on the eve of extinguishment , and Hie people to remain encamped for many more days .
¦ At a quarter to 1 of the afternoon of the 29 th , a prolonged clap of thunder ^ as heard , followed by an earthquake of slight duration , but yet sufficiently perceptible . This has been the last felt up to this day , the 31 st of August , when , in consequence of yesterday ' s rains , the greater portion of the inhabitants slept at home , although with some precaution .
Untitled Article
PIRACY AT MACAO . An unfortunate affair occurred at Macao , of which we have received the following account : ~ On Saturday last ( July 24 ) , a little after two o ' clock p . m ., Lieutenant F . X . dos Santos , oi the Portuguese navy , having been informed that a Chinese piratical boat was lying opposite the Pagoda above the Bar-
Untitled Article
fort , immediately went down the river in a Tanka boaf with only a . European sailor and marine , and having taken il ion of the piratical vessel-there being apparently only a few hands onboard at the time-got her under 3 andZ bringing her up the river to the Custom-house when a liltie " 32 rf&" * ^ ? ' T * ? posite Mr ' ^ ** E nmnS w ""? V wh ° m tbere must have been a greater SeiSS ° r ? ^^ SUp P ? C' made a 8 udde « ^ on TlLfoJ t - ° and ° mpIeteIy s ^ Prised them . P °° dl W » s soon overpowered and slainwhile the ^ JTZTTrr , . . .. ==:: z ::::::::=====
; JLu ^^ , officer hd hardly time to h > e one of ¦ J * pi ^ W ^ missed fire ) when , being closed upon by the Chinese , he had no alternative but to jump overboard , followed bytlesaior ^^ ^ first ., ^ ¥ s musket and HledW ' oftiS fH good swin ^^ Ub
, S ^ ^ a ™ m ^ L t ?? ^ ^ fe ; sampaD , which was also the W rnVS Plc £ mpP the d ™ ned body of poor Lieutenant Santos . . Though all this occurred in tbe Inner Harbour , and close to the shore , it does not seem to have attracted any 1 ^ r \ ; i ° r n ° thingWa 8 kuown tiU affcer the sailor haS landed at the Custom-house . The pirates , had thus ample time to make the best of their way up , the river , and before anything could be sent after them , it is believed they had got their vessel ashore , and cleared of all her armament and
valu-An armed boat was , however , despatched as soon as possible and succeeded in bringing the vessel back next morning- of course stripped of everything but her masts and sails . The vessel is of the description of those commonly called Ly-to very much like a large fishing boat ; and from the quantity of Chinese tallow candles , joss paper , and sticks found on board , it is believed she must have gone into Macao for supplies
. The body of the soldier who was killed in the encounter had been afterwards thrown overboard , and was picked up on Monday on the beach opposite Green Island . —CMna Mail , July 29 . '
Untitled Article
Brutal Murders in the County of . Dublin . —The repose of Dublin was startled on Friday by the report of a frightful case of murder perpetrated within a few miles of town , under the following circumstances : — " The unfortunate victims werea man named Patrick Smith , aged about 70 , and his sister , Margaret Smith , who was upward of 70 years of age , and nearl y bedridden . It appeared that the deceased mans wife had died about two years since , and that he and his sister had lived together for a long period upon the farm of Mr .
Mangan , on the townland of Tolnagee , within three miles of Swords upon which Patrick Smith had been employed for the last 22 years ' in the capacity of herd and care-taker , at the salary of 5 s . a week ' with the use of a garden . The reason generall y assigned for the atrocious act was that Smith was suspected of having some money and it was likewise believed that his son who had died some time ago , left him a sum of money and a silver watch . The deed appeared to have been done in the most cool and deliberate manner , as the eyes of the deceased persons were closed , and the features somewhat composed ; and by the doctor ' s evidence it appeared
that the bodies were settled from the position in which they originally fell . The scene , on entering the cabin , presented a trul y awful appearance , the corpses being extended before the hearth , at which they had evidently been sitting when the ruthless murderers entered and commenced their work of savage destruction Upon the cabin floor , with her feet towards the fire , lay the wretched woman , with a fractured skull ; and across her body lay that of her unfortunate brother , with two terrific scalp wounds upon the back of his head . Behind the door stood the instrument with which the fearful deeds had been committed- —namel y , the heavy wooden bar
of the door , upon which was a quantity of blood and human hair . In the inner room the furniture had been pulled about , and one of the boxes broken open , evidently by parties in quest of plunder ; the lining of one of the pockels of the unfortunate victim ' s trousers was partiall y turned out , but the search was evidently hasty and ineffectual , as in an inner pocket money was found , as also upon the person of the woman . In the inner room was found a bag , resembling in appearance those used b y thegather-em-ups . Judg ing from the appearance of the miserable dwelling-, the deceased persons must have been living in a state of comparative indigence . The deceased , Patrick Smith , bore a very good character , and was
very much respected among his neighbours , and was always considered an honest , upright , and industrious man a proof of which lay in the careful manner in which the garden at the rear of the house was cultivated . It was not until late on Thursday evening that the police received intelligence of the atrocious outrage having been committed , and since that time Mr . Michael B . Kelly S . L ° and Head Constable James Drennan , were actively employed in endeavouring to discover and bring to justice the perpetrators of this fearful crime ; but although two persons were taken upon suspicion , it is much to be regretted that no decisive information has been obtained to throw light upon this most dark and iniquitous transaction . At 1 o ' clock on Friday Mr . Henry Davis , county
coroner , having been duly notified of the occurrence , proceeded to the spot , and , a jury having been sworn they adjourned to Loverswood for the purpose of examining the witnesses . Two men , named Patrick Corcoran , and Thomas Ral ph , were present in custody of the constabulary , having been arrested upon suspicion of being concerned in the murder . A great number of witnesses having been examined , the coroner proceeded to charge the jury , and observed that there was no evidence to justify him in , detaining the prisoners in custody any longer ; the authorities , however , had been quite justified in having them arrested . The nature of the evidence would only justify them in returning an open verdict . The jury then returned a verdict as follows : — ' That the said Patrick and
Margaret Smith were found murdered in their house at Tolnagee ; that the head of Patrick Smith was cut and injured with a heavy wooden bar ; that the skull of Margaret Srriith was fractured with the same wooden bar ; and that the jury believe that the said persons were murdered on Tuesday night , by some person or persons unknown . " ' The Six-Mile-Bridge Affray . —A numerous meeting of those
interested on behalf of the families of the men slaughtered at Sixmile-bridge in July last , has been held at Carmody ' s Hotel , Ennis , and was numerously and respectably attended . The Rev . Mr . Quaid and a large number of the Komau Catholic Clergymen of the county were present . Resolutions were unanimously adopted to organize a vigorous subscription in aid of the distressedtrelatives of the slain /
Untitled Article
The Lawyers Harvest . —To the long list of election petitions frorn Ireland is now to be added one against the return of Mr . M . J . lilake , one of the members for the town of Galway . Lord Dunkellin the son and heir of the Marquis of Clanricarde , is the petitioner « on several grounds , " but it is not yet decided " which point will be selected . " The Ballot .-- A movement in favour of vote by ballot , initiated by the peope of Clare , will , no doubt , be agreeable intelligence for Mr . John Bright and politicians of kindred sympathies , who Iook upon the measure as the sovereign specific for ^ all the evils which render Ireland the great "difficulty" of English statesmen . The Limerick Reporter of yesterday
says A requisition is in course of signature to the High Sheriff of Clare requesting that functionary to convene a meeting on an ear y day , for the purpose of petitioning Parliament in favoSr of the ballot , m order that such lamentable catastrophes as the melancholy and merciless slaughter at Sixmile-bridge may he obviated bv the protection which the elector would have If shielded by the svstem of voting thus sought for . The requisition has alread y received a large array of signatures , including those of the two county
Government Investigation—TIic Mayo Constitution states that a Government inquiry will be held on Thursday next in Cas tlebar , before Mr . Serjeant O'Brien , into the conduct of certain justices of the peace at a petty sessions court held in that town on the 28 th of July last . The Tale of MYSTERY . —The investigation into the stranoe circumstances attending the death oi Mrs . Kinvan , at Ireland ' s-Eye a short time since , was resumed on the loth insfe . in Honth , before Major Biwnrigg and the parties concerned for the Crown , and the husband ot the deceased , Mr . W . Kinvan . As on the previous occasion , it was not open to the press ; but it transpired that , after the examination of several several
witnesses , Mr . Kinvan was fnllv nommiw ^ i f ™ . +,. ; oi „* * i _ witnesses , Mr . limvan was fully committed for trial at the next commission on the charge of murder . The deceased lady was young , handsome , and accomplished , and the husband is said to be an artist of considerable ability as a painter in oils , He was apparently in affluent circumstances , and occupied a fine mansion in Upper Mernon-street , one of the most fashionable localities at the south side of the city .
The Iermoy MURBER . _ A ccording to the authority of the Cork Examiner , all the men who had been arrested for the murder of the soldier of the 31 st regiment have been discharged on their own recognizances . The Examiner infers from this that the whole affair was a mere drunken brawl . "
Untitled Article
FATAL DUJSL AT WINDSOR . An extraordinary sensation was created on Tuesday afternoon at Englefield-green , which lies about half-way between Chertsey and Windsor , by a report that a duel had been fought on land belonging to the Crown Farm , a very secluded spot , about half a mile from the Barley Mow Inn , and unhappily it has proved to be true . Ii is said the deceased , wh o is a remarkably fine man , about 40 years of age , and weighs between 13 and 14 stonewas formerla
, y captain in the French Navy , His name is Couruet , and lived at 41 , Lisle-street , London . There are two causes assigned for the duel—viz ., a lady , and a political quarrel . It is very extraordinary , and we therefore mention it thus early , that it was evidently known in London that a duel was to be fought on that day , and that the whereabouts was also known , as three out of the five who are in custody were met at the terminus of the South Western Rail , way , on their return by sev eral foreigners , who appeared anxious to learn the result .
The following particulars were given to an informant by Mr . Lambert , the much-respected proprietor of the above inn , and may be strictly relied on . He stated that on Tuesday , about a quarter past one , as Dr . Hay ward , of Egham , was coming up Priest hill to Englefield-green , he passed three foreigners , and a little further up he saw another coming out of a field towards the road . This led him to believe that something ; serious had happened , and he went to the field adjoining , where he found a . person lying on the ground bleeding . . He attended to him immediately , and afterwards
went to the Barley Mow , and desired them to make some preparations for a person who had been wounded . They did so , and the unfortunate man was removed on some hurdles and straw which had been procured from a farm belonging to Sir John Cathcart Bart . Dr . Hay ward attended him until near five o ' clock , and he lived about three hours , being nearly the whole of the time in dreadful agony . J . Dobinson , Esq ., a magistrate , living at £ <* ham , had in the meantime attended , with M . Laun , a teacher of foreign languages , also living at Egham , and the dying man ' s deposition ( which has not at present been made public ) was taken .
Between seven and eight o ' clock in the evening two foreigners , one of whom turned out to be a French physician , camo to the Barley Mow . The latter was allowed to take his departure , but the other , as also one who had been with the deceased , was taken into custody by Mr . Superintendent Biddlecombe , of the Surrey connty constabulary . The news of a duel having got spread about , a message was sent from the office at Windsor to the Waterloo station to the effect that a duel had been fought , and that one of the parties was either dead or dying , and giving a description of three foreigners who were supposed to be connected with the affair ; and ^ as it will be seen , three were taken into custody on the arrival of the
tram in London . EXAMINATION BEFORE THE MAGISTRATES . At twelve o ' clock on Wednesday , the four individuals , named —Barones , of 41 , Lisle-street ; Edmund Allain , of 28 . Lichfieidstreet , Soho : Eugene Philli ppe Mornain , and Emanuel Bartholomey , were examined at the Town-hall , Chertsey , before J . L Briscoe , Esq . ( chairman ) . Capt . Cavendish , Capt . Seymour ' and I . Dobinson , Esq . . The case created the most intense interest , and the large room was densely crowded . Mr . Laun explained to the prisoners the nature of the charge , and a French counsel attended for them . °
Several witnesses having been examined , the depositions wore read over , and the prisoners upon being asked what they had to say , gave . their words they would attend on any other day that might be named , but they were told by the Bench that they could not be allowed to depart . An inquest was yesterday commenced b y Mr . Woods , the Coroner for West Surrey , at the Barley-mow Tavern , Englefieldgreen , Egham , for the purpose of inquiring into the circumstances connected with the above lamentable affair . A number of
witnesses were examined , including a , Faench refugee , who admitted that a political question had been the cause of the duel , but reiused to give turther information . The enquiry was adjourned till Tuesday next .
Ireland.. .T\
IRELAND . . . t \
Untitled Article
to octoBER ^ a ] ^ TflE STA 1 n Ynnm , « ' ¦¦ 'ii | . . JL 9 £ Ol 3 Jam ~ ^^ —
-
-
Citation
-
Northern Star (1837-1852), Oct. 23, 1852, page 3, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1701/page/3/
-