ed the whole conduct of government, during the time that Lord Castlereagh was in administration in Ire land. The court at length said, that this was an aggravation of the libel. They could not go into an investigation of the general conduct of government at any particular period; they must confine themselves to the transaction stated on the record.

Mr Finnerty stated, that he had accused Lord Castlereagh of misconduct and oppression in his official situation, and therefore it was open to him to go into an investigation of his public conduct.

Mr Garrow said, he unwillingly interfered; but it appeared to him, that the course which the defendant was pursuing might be attended with the most mischievous consequences. He was justifying a libel in the gross, by an accumulation of libels, in the shape of an affidavit. The moment this affidavit was upon the files, the defendant, or any body else, might publish it, as part of the proceedings in the cause, and the prosecutor could have no remedy.

Mr Finnerty disclaimed any such intention, and said he was unjustly-accused in the supposition.

Lord Ellenborough said, the court could not suffer its files to be polluted by the admission of such an affidavit. He advised the defendant to withdraw it, and the court would forget that such a one had ever been presented; at least, he thought the defendant had better resort to some professional advice, and not present an affidavit which must do him harm, but rather one that should be beneficial to him.

After some observations from Mr Finnerty and the counsel on the other side, Mr Finnerty agreed to withdraw his affidavit, and he was committed, and ordered to be brought up again on Thursday next.

4th. A few days ago, a labourer at Cara, near Dursley, having a sharp

clasp-knife in his hand, whilst in the a of preventing one of his children fro taking hold of it, incautiously thre it from him, when it penetrated th temple of an infant lying in its mother lap, and caused its death in a few hour

A few evenings since, as Mrs She ridan was coming to town in her car riage from Barnes to her house i Queen-street, Mayfair, a portmanteau containing lace, silk, and valuable ar ticles, to a considerable amount, was cut from behind the carriage, with which the robbers made their escape.

The French papers mention the death of Nicholai, the celebrated Prussian author. He edited the Bibliotheque Universelle, from 1764 to 1792. From the multiplicity of his works, and the influence which his opinions once had among the German literati, he was nick-named the God of Paper and the Idol of Philosophers.

Oxford is about to experience some very considerable improvements. A great number of indifferent houses, belonging to Christ's and Brazen-Nose Colleges, are, on the early expiration of the present leases, to be pulled down, and the streets in their neighbourhood are to be widened, &c. It is also proposed to open a grand avenue to Christ's College, by throwing down the nest of dirty houses which at present obscure its front.

He

5th.-COURT OF KING'S BENCH.The King v. Peter Finnerty.—This defendant was brought up on the motion of the Attorney-General. this day addressed the bench, and said, that, in compliance with the advice of the Lord Chief Justice, he had amended his affidavit, and expunged from it, according to the best of his judgment, all the parts to which objection had been taken on the last day he appeared before their lordships. He then put in his affidavit, but it was found to be still so objectionable, and containing so much irrelevant matter, that it was ordered to be entirely reject

ed, the court giving as its decisive opinion, that the defendant could not be suffered to go into a justification of a confessed crime, but that he must confine himself merely to pleading for mitigation of punishment.

It was then asked, if he had any affidavits, which were free from the same objections? The defendant put in several other affidavits, but they were all rejected, as tending to the same object, and all equally inadmissible.

After several ineffectual attempts to prevail on the bench to receive his affidavits, the defendant addressed the court in a speech, so replete with matter infinitely more strong than the libel which was the subject of the prosecution, that it would not be prudent nor just to give it publicity, unsupported by any evidence that could be received in a court of justice. The court had frequent occasion, during his harangue, to repress the warmth of his expressions, and confine him to matter more relevant to the subject in question.

The Attorney-General and Mr Garrow severally addressed the court in support of judgment, urging the conduct of the defendant on this day as an additional reason why a very severe measure of punishment should be dealt out to him; as well to repress similar conduct on his part, as to shew to the people of England that their laws were not mere dead letters, and that justice was to be found in the Courts of Westminster.

The court than proceeded to consider of the sentence, and after a very short consultation, Mr Justice Grose delivered a suitable comment on the enormity and malignity of his offence, and sentenced the defendant to be confined for eighteen calendar months in his Majesty gaol in the city of Lincoln, and at the expiration of that period to give security for his good behaviour for five years, himself in 5001. and two sureties of 2501. each; and to remain in custody until the same shall be given.

In the mean time to be committed to the custody of the marshal of the Marshalsea.

Mr Peter Finnerty, on leaving the bar, said," I thank your lordships." EXTRAORDINARY CASE.-A few months since, a great part of Ashdown forest, in Sussex, was inclosed by a set of men called foresters, and also by the Rev. Robert Bingham, the curate of the parish of Mayersfield; which being deemed to be the right of the Duchess of Dorset, the same were thrown down by order of her grace, Lord Whitworth, and Lord Sheffield, the acting magistrate for that county. This act irritated all those that had made inclosures, and some of them were heard to make use of threatening language, which caused some little alarm among those concerned in destroying the inclosure; but no particular notice was taken, or any act done, except swearing in a number of respectable inhabitants as special constables, to be ready in case of an emergency.

On Sunday the 16th of December, a letter was found on the road near Mayersfield by the sons of Mr Richard Jenner, a respectable farmer, directed to their father. The boys took it home; but their father being absent, they gave it to their mother, who, on opening it, discovered that it was headed in large letters, " Fire! Murder! and Revenge!" and the contents threat. ened destruction to the parson, churchwardens, farmers' houses, barns, and stacks. The boys told their mother, that after Mr Bingham performed the morning service at Mayersfield church, he got on horseback to ride to a neighbouring parish to do duty there in the afternoon. He passed them, and when he was at a short distance from them, they saw a paper drop from his pocket, which they were positive was the letter they picked up.

The letter so much alarmed Mrs Jenner, that she sent off one of her

sons after her husband, who was in London. The circumstance caused considerable alarm in that part of the country. Lords Whitworth and Sheffield published an advertisement, offer ing a reward of 2001. for the discovery of the writer of the letter. A number of men were employed to watch Mr Jenner's premises, and to patrole in different parts.

On the 16th of January last, Mr Bingham's house was discovered to be on fire, and although timely assistance was given, great part of the premises were destroyed. It was ascertained that the fire broke out in the school room, where there were several faggots laid. (See report, in page 16.) Mr Bingham reported that he had no doubt it was one of the foresters who had set fire to his premises. The account he gave of the fire and his conduct, was, that his family went to bed about ten o'clock-he was the last up. About half past ten o'clock he heard the noise of footsteps: he looked out of his window, but could not see or hear any person.

About half past eleven o'clock he was alarmed again: he looked out of the window the second time, but did not see any person; but a little before one, he heard a noise at the schoolroom door; and he states, that he saw a man walking from the house, but could not tell whether he had on a blue coat or a smock frock. This account being so very extraordinary and unsatisfactory, Lord Sheffield sent to the Public-office, Bow-street, for an active and intelligent officer, and Mr Read sent Adkins. Upon the officer's arrival, after making enquiries, he strongly suspected Mr Bingham had set his own house on fire, and in consequence placed several men to watch. One of them he stationed in the steeple of the church, when they discovered him to bring a great quantity of books from his stable, and bury them in his garden. From a variety of other

suspicious circumstances, a warrant was granted against Mr Bingham, and one to search his premises, when Ad kins found in the roof of the privy a variety of valuable papers concealed. together with other suspicious circum stances of his having set his premi ses on fire for the purpose of defrauding the Union Fire Office, and he was in consequence taken into custody, and on Friday underwent a final examination at Lewes, before Lords Chichester and Sheffield, and was fully committed for trial.

6th.-A Dublin paper, of Wednesday last, contains the following paragraph:-Assassinating committees are again in activity. In the course of last week, several gentlemen received anonymous letters, threatening death, and desiring them to prepare for their fate. One gentleman seems to have disregarded the caution-he was waylaid on Sunday night in Gardinerstreet, attacked by a posse, knocked down, and when on the ground, a carbine, loaded with several balls, was fired at him. Two balls passed through his hat without injury to his person; a third wounded him, but not mortally, in the head.

HOTEL ROBBER.-A man was taken into custody on Saturday, on the charge of having robbed divers hotels. Several charges were made against the prisoner, and it appeared that he was in the habit of entering the hotels with all the sang.froid imaginable, and with a candle in his hand he took his walk through sets of rooms, and at opportunities conveyed away such light moveables as he could get at. Amongst his booty was a writing-desk, which contained a quantity of guineas, and which he could not get at; but while he was employed cutting the article to pieces, Foy interrupted him in a taproom, and took possession of the property. The prisoner was remanded for another examination this day.

On Thursday, the 24th ult., a fox

was unkennelled at Ystradgunlais, in the county of Brecon, which was pursued by a number of men on foot to the extremity of the parish of Lloughor, in Glamorganshire, where Reynard became quite exhausted, and was kill ed, after a chace, which, in a direct line, was not less than 30 miles; but, in the winding direction which the fox took, is supposed to be nearly 50 miles. The pursuers were all in at the death, but could not muster a hat or shoe amongst them, so eagerly had they followed their game, and the dogs were completely knocked up. The hardy fellows, after taking some refreshment, set out on their return home.

7th.-DUBLIN.-The special commission, for the trial of the persons accused of being concerned in the recent outrages, was opened at Clonmel, on Monday, by the Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, (who delivered an impressive charge on the occasion to the grand jury), and the Chief Baron of the Exchequer. Several persons were arraigned under Lord Ellenborough's act; but, on the application of their counsel, the court allowed their trials to stand over, the prisoners not having had sufficient notice of the nature of the offence with which they were charged. Andrew Kerwick and Lowrence Dwyer were tried on an indictment charging them with having been concerned in stopping the Cork mailcoach, and taking from the guard two blunderbusses and two pistols. The evidence for the prosecution, and that for the defence, exhibited a striking example of contradictory swearing. The prisoners were acquitted. On the following day, the 5th, two unfortunate men were capitally convict

ed.

A few days ago, a notorious offender, and most formidable ruffian, was taken by Mr Sheriff Bernard, accompanied by some of the peace officers of

VOL. IV. PART II.

Cork, and a party of military. This daring villain, whose name is Laffan, had been for a long time a sort of Rugantino in Cork, exciting terror whereever he made his appearance. It was necessary to manage a man of this description with very great circumspection and stratagem, as his vigilance eluded every effort that had been made to arrest him. He was at length, however, so well watched, as to have his haunt discovered, which was so judiciously surrounded as to leave no possibility of his escape. Before he knew any thing of the sheriff's arrangement for detecting him, the room in which he worked (at brogue-making) was entered by Mr Collis, one of the peace officers, whose zeal and exertions in this, as in many other instances, deserves every commendation. The ruffian immediately took a posture of resistance, and threw his working seat at Mr Collis, without however, fortunately, doing him any mischief; he made another blow with a loaded stick, which had more effect: it fell upon Mr Collis's hand, which it injured severely. Finding, however, that Mr Collis was not to be deterred from seizing upon him, and that a reinforcement was following him into the room, he bolted through a window, and got over a wall. Here he was beset by the sheriff's party, which he resisted with extraordinary ferocity until he received several wounds. He was, however, finally seized upon and lodged in gaol. There are different indictments against this ruffian for capital offences; and he is also a deserter from the 95th rifle corps, and from other regiments.

A few mornings ago, as the carts belonging to the Lanark Mills Company were proceeding from Glasgow, the principal carrier stopped for a little to settle with the tollman at the Gallow-gate; and on coming up with the carts, he discovered that a box,

containing a thousand pounds in notes, had been abstracted from one of them. Suspicion having naturally lighted on the carter, he was apprehended, and confessed that he took off the box, and tossed it over a hedge, where his father and two other accomplices were in waiting. The whole of them are now in custody, and almost all the money was found on the person of the father.

HOTEL ROBBER.-The man who was taken into custody on the charge of having robbed divers hotels, was re-examined yesterday. The prisoner's name is John Lawler. He was taken into custody at Wake's Hotel, in Brook-street, where he was seen to go into a sitting room, and return with some great-coats and boots, on Sunday last, when he was challenged in the hall by the waiter. Another charge was made against the prisoner from Morris's Hotel, Oxford-street, where he obtained access to a lady's bed-room, and stole articles of jewellery, &c., part of which was found in his possession. The office was crowded with proprietors of most of the hotels in the metropolis; but the prisoner was recognized by three prosecutors only, and on their several charges he was comnitted for trial.

A few days ago, as a dragoon was on his return from duty to his quarters, a small public house, called Barndean Hut, in the Forest, near Petersfield, in Hampshire, his attention was arrested by the cries of some person in distress, which induced him to ride up to the spot from whence they proceeded, where his humanity was shocked on beholding a woman tied to a tree, with the tears, which her situation and suffering had produced, actually frozen to her cheeks, and, horrid to relate, quite naked, having been stripped and robbed of every article of dress by two villains, who afterwards left her in that deplorable condition.

The dragoon instantly cut the cords that bound her hands and feet to the tree, and having in some measure restored her to the use of her limbs by rubbing them, wrapped her up in his cloak, placed her on his horse, and proceeded on to his quarters, where he soon after arrived; and as he was conducting the shivering object of his care into the house, she looked through a window that commanded a view of the kitchen, suddenly shrunk back, and in a faint voice exclaimed, "There are the two men that robbed me of my all, and used me so cruelly !" The soldier, in consequence, entered the kitchen, and secured the men, who were the next day taken before a magistrate, and, after the necessary examination, fully committed to Winchester jail, for trial at the next assizes.

8th.-During the late embarkations of the dragoon horses, at the Dockyard, Plymouth, two of them were found so completely ungovernable as to frustrate all endeavours to sling them, and they were, in consequence, sent back to their barracks; but on Thursday last, a singular occurrence happened during the embarkation of the 11th dragoons. A fine spirited horse had baffled all the efforts of the dragoons, &c. to sling him, and became so ungovernable as to render it dangerous to approach him; however, a sailor, with characteristic indifference to danger, dragged the animal to the jetty head, and proceeded to put the slings under his belly, but he soon received a severe kick on his forehead, which laid it open, and the horse got loose and dashed off; when, to the astonishment of the by-standers, he wheeled round, and returned to the sailor, who lay at his full length near the jetty, or pier, and, with his right forefoot, pushed him off the jetty into the sea beneath. The sailor, though nearly stunned, swam on shore, mounted the jetty, seized the animal, and, wet