The Witness -- VOL.II -- No.101.

Births

BLAIR -- Nov. 27, at 3, Lavinia Street, Ormeau Road, Belfast, the wife of Thomas Blair, of a daughter.

BURROWS -- Nov. 26, at 37, California Street, Belfast, the wife of Alexander Burrows, of a son.

DOBBS -- Nov. 28, at Mullavilly Vicarage, Tandragee, the wife of the Rev. A. Macaulay Dobbs, A.M., of a daughter.

FLECK -- Nov. 30, at 21, Calvin Street, Mountpottinger Road, Belfast, the wife of David Hamilton Fleck, of a son.

HAMILTON -- Nov. 23, at 9, Eton Grove, Lee, Kent, the wife of W.J. Hamilton, of a son.

IRWIN -- Nov. 27, at the Manse, Crossroads, Derry, the wife of Rev. Hugh Irwin, of a daughter.

M'ILWAINE -- Dec. 1, at 35, Bedeque Street, Belfast, the wife of Wm. M'ILWAINE, of a son.

M'NEILE -- Dec. 1, at Parkmount, Belfast, the wife of H.H. M'Neile, Esq., of a daughter.

M'MORRAN -- Nov. 26, at 10, Crawford Street, Belfast, the wife of Mr. John M'Morran, of a son.

M'DOWELL -- November 26, at No.8, Roden Terrace, Belfast, the wife of Mr. W. J. M'Dowell, of a daughter.

MINNIS -- Nov. 28, at.No.3, Ormeau Road, Belfast, Mrs. J.B. Minis, of a son.

PORTER -- Nov. 15, at 2, Ardmoulin Place, Belfast, the wife of Alexander Porter, of a son.

PATERSON -- Nov. 19, at Troy, USA, the wife of Mr. William Paterson, formerly of Belfast, of a daughter.

STEWART -- Nov. 30, at Dunedin, Whiteabbey, Mrs. Charles Stewart, of a daughter.

STEELE-NICHOLSON -- Nov. 27, at Falmore House, Gleneely, Derry, the wife of James Steele-Nicholson, Esq., of a son.

WYLIE -- Nov. 24, at the Manse, Gargary, Castlewellan, the wife of Rev. William Wylie, prematurely, of a son, stillborn.

Marriages

CHESTNUTT--BUICK -- Nov. 25, at Rose Cottage, Ahoghill, by the father of the bride, J. Wallace Chestnutt. M.D., Ahoghill, to Mary, daughter of the Rev. Frederick Buick.

CHAPMAN--LOURY -- Nov. 29, at Enniskillen Presbyterian Church, by the Rev. T. Saunders Graham, A.M., Lisbellaw, David Chapman, Ashfield, to Elizabeth, daughter of Mr. Richard Loury, Tattymacall, both of Co. Fermanagh.

CURRIE--ELLIOTT -- Nov. 15, at Great George's Street Presbyterian Church, Belfast, by the Rev. J. B. Wylie, Thomas Currie, to Rachel, eldest daughter of the late John Elliott, Ballymena.

DUNCAN--AULD -- Nov. 29, at St. Enoch's Presbyterian Church, Carlisle Circus, Belfast, by the Rev. Hugh Hanna, Wm. Duncan, to Mary Auld, both of Belfast.

IRVINE--HUGHES -- Nov. 30, at the Independent Church, Donegall Street, Belfast, by the Rev. John White, John Irvine, to Mary Jane Hughes, both of Belfast.

M'NAUL--M'MEEKAN -- Nov. 26 at St. Enoch's Presbyterian Church, Carlisle Circus, Belfast, by the Rev. Hugh Hanna, Charles M'Naul, to Elizabeth M'Meekan, both of Belfast.

M'KINSTRY--M'CULLOUGH -- Nov. 26, at York Street Presbyterian Church, Belfast, by the Rev. Thomas Hamilton, Henry M'Kinstry, to Jane M'Cullough.

M'ILROY--KIRKPATRICK -- Nov. 26, at Albert Street Church, Belfast, by the Rev. Mr. Young, Mr. William M'Ilroy, to Agnes, third daughter of Mr. Joseph Kirkpatrick, both of Belfast.

PATTERSON--KERR -- Nov. 23, at the Presbyterian Meeting-house, Gilford, by the Rev. Mr. Gordon, Mr. Joseph Patterson, Kernon, to Diana, daughter of Mr. John Kerr, Drummiller.

RUSSEL--PORTER -- At Ergunagh, by the Rev. John Armstrong, Castlederg, Joseph Russel, Esq., Cavan Upper, Co. Donegal, to Jane, only daughter of Wm. Porter, Esq., Ergunagh, Co. Tyrone.

SHANNON--CARLISLE -- Nov. 27, at Greenwell Street Presbyterian Church, Newtownards, by the Rev. Wm. M'Ilwraith, Wm. Shannon, to Margaret Carlisle, Comber.

SMYTH--WILSON -- Nov. 24, at the Presbyterian Church, Limerick, by the father of the bride, assisted by the Rev. R. Black, Dundalk, William Smyth, Brookfield, Banbridge, to Janie, daughter of Rev. David Wilson, D.D., Limerick.

Deaths

ANDREW -- Nov. 29, at his residence, Whiteabbey, James Andrews, Esq., Solicitor, Donegall Street, Belfast.

BELL -- Nov. 22, at Gransha, Co. Down, Jas. Bell, aged 74 years.

BOTHWELL -- Nov. 29, at 12, Windsor Street, Belfast, James Bothwell.

BROWNE -- Nov. 29, at 6, St. James Street, Antrim Road, Belfast, Annie, daughter of Albert Browne, aged 1 year and 6 months.

CALWELL -- Dec. 1, at 10, Florence Place, Belfast, the infant son of Mr. Walter Calwell.

CARUTH -- Nov. 25, at 30, Foreman Street, Belfast, Charles, fourth son of Benjamin Caruth.

DIAMOND -- Nov. 28, at Black Hill, Tubbermore, Co. Derry, Mary Jane, wife of Mr. John Diamond.

DONAGHEY -- Nov. 28, at her late residence, 39, Beach Street, Belfast, Sarah, wife of James Donaghey, aged 29 years.

DAVISON -- Nov. 29, at 1, Salisbury Terrace, Lisburn Road, Belfast, Thomas Davison, aged 76 years.

DUNCAN -- Nov. 30, at Hopefield, Belfast, Rachel, wife of John Duncan.

EVANS -- Nov. 29, at Upper Ballinderry, Hannah, wife of John Evans.

FORSYTH -- November 26, at Church View, Lisburn, Lucy, wife of the Rev. T.J. Forsyth, aged 42 years.

GREEN -- Nov. 22, at Granard rectory, the Ven. Thomas Webb Green, Archdeacon of Ardagh, aged 69 years.

GRAHAM -- Nov. 25, Elizabeth Adams, daughter of George Graham, Ballymena, aged 4 years.

JELLETT -- Nov. 26, at her residence, Albert Place, Ballymena, Ann, widow of the late John Jellet, Esq., coroner of County Antrim.

JOHNSTON -- Nov.27, at Epworth Terrace, Portadown, the Rev. Edward Johnston, Wesleyan minister.

JAMISON -- Nov. 23, at her aunt's residence, No. 4, Linenhall Street, Belfast, Mary Elizabeth Jamison.

MORROW -- Nov. 26 at Anneria, Co. Monaghan, John Morrow, formerly of Kilmore, Co. Armagh, aged 60 years.

MILLIKEN -- Nov.20, killed instantaneously by a railway accident at Greenock, N.B., James, second son of James Milliken, Greenisland, aged 18 years.

SINCLAIR -- Nov.29, Thomas, son of Thos. Sinclair, Ballycollin, aged 33 years.

Clippings

TERRIBLE FIRE IN BELFAST

DESTRUCTION OF LEPPER'S MILL
          Belfast, Friday Evening

A most calamitous fire occurred last night on the Antrim Road, its victim being the extensive Cotton Mill of Messrs. B. Whitworth & company, better known as Lepper's Mill. It rivalled in the extent and destructiveness of its ravages all conflagration within memory. The particulars, as far as can be gleaned, are as follows:-- At two o'clock, the meter at No. 4, which supplied the establishment with gas, burst. It lay in the upper part of the Southern wing of the building, and a rush of flames was immediately perceived. It caught the framework of the compartment in which it was kept, and also the more inflammable materials that were contiguous. Efforts were at once made to extinguish it, but proving unsuccessful, an order was given to have the mill cleared of all hands, and this was obeyed with great promptness and comparatively little confusion, considering that from 200 to 400 people had to make their exit, and most of this number were women, who are naturally nervous under such circumstances. The looms were abandoned, and in many cases the workers were so affrighted that they did not wait to bring their shawls, coats, and other articles. Assistance was sent for to the barracks, and a company of the 94th Regiment, accompanied by the garrison fire engine, turned out without delay. When they arrived they found the roof of the southern wing burning with great fury, and brought the hose to bear on it. It checked it a little, but the fire had developed to too great a stage to hope that it would extinguish it entirely. In the upper room the flames demolished the looms, and burst through the windows. The soldiers worked gallantly to try and save the northern wing, and by ladders and a good supply of water they retarded the spreading for a long time before the brigade arrived. Two hoses additional were then played on the latter wing, and in a little time a great crash announced the falling in of the roof of the northern wing. The crowd which collected near the latter were driven away lest the wall should fall, and they reluctantly moved toward the road, where a couple of thousand witnessed the scene, which was one of awe and grandeur.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

DREADFUL OCCURRENCE AT WHITEWELL.

FOUR PERSONS BURNT TO DEATH.
          Belfast, Tuesday.

An occurrence of a very lamentable character took place yesterday at Whitewell, by which a house has been burned down, and four children burned to death. It appears that a man named M'Cavana, a labourer, with his wife and four children, aged respectively six years, four years, two years, and eight months, occupied a small house in Collingward Hill, about half a mile from Whitewell. M'Cavana was from home at his usual employment -- that of a labourer -- and about two o'clock yesterday the mother had cause to leave home also. She locked the door behind her, with the four children in the house, and by some fatality, as yet unexplained, the house took fire, and before assistance could be rendered the youthful inmates were burned literally to ashes.

On Tuesday, at 1 o'clock, Dr. Hume, coroner for the district, held an inquiry at Whitewell.

Mary M'Cavanagh, the mother of the children, and a respectable-looking woman for her rank in life. She was deeply affected during the examination, and more than once burst into tears. She deposed that the deceased were all her children. Their names were respectively Ellen, Catherine, Sarah and John, and their ages six years, four and a half years, and three years and eight months. She left them in good health about one o'clock to go to the mountain for a burden of heather. She locked the door when she left, and had a little fire burning, as it was cold. The house was a low, thatched one, and contained a couple of beds. One of the children was in bed when she left, and another, the youngest, in a cradle. When on the mountain she heard that the house was on fire and when she came down she found the house burned down, and the blackened and charred remains of her children brought out.

Susan Kennedy, Nicholas Kennedy, and Constable Donaghy, Greencastle, were examined and

Dr. David Wilson, Whiteabbey, deposed that he had examined the bodies of the children. They are, with the exception of the youngest child, charred and blackened masses. Portions of the limbs, fingers and toes are burnt off, and in the case of the eldest child the entire of the lower extremities are burnt off. The spectacle was sickening and shocking in the extreme. Part of the features of the youngest child could be recognised. He believed the children were first stupefied by smoke and then burned.

The jury returned a verdict that the deceased died from suffocation or burning, and appended a recommendation that the dangerous quarry should be paled around by the proprietor.

 

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Births

AITCHISON -- Dec. 4, at Mamreville, Belmont, Belfast, the wife of Mr. C. Atchison, of a son.

BAILEY -- Nov. 30, at 14 Herbert Place, Dublin, the wife of Thomas Bailey, Esq., J.P., of a son.

BYRNE -- Dec. 3, at Pump Street, Derry, the wife of Joseph Byrne, Esq., M.D., of a daughter.

BENSON -- Dec. 2, at Gilford, the wife of the Rev. T.M. Benson, of a son.

CRICHTON -- Dec. 1, at 2 Rushfield, Old Park Road, Belfast, the wife of Robt. H. Crichton, of a son.

GRAHAM -- Dec. 3, at Ulsterville, Belfast, the wife of Robert Graham, of a son.

HEANEY -- Dec. 1, at 19 Hopeton Street, Belfast, the wife of Mr. James Heaney, of a son.

KELLY -- Nov. 30, at 22 Alfred Terrace, Mountpottinger, Belfast, the wife of Mr. John Kelly, of a daughter.

RADCLIFFE -- Dec. 6, at Church Street, Banbridge, the wife of Samuel A. Radcliffe, merchant, of a daughter.

Marriages

BICKERSTAFF--HUMPHREYS -- Dec. 4, at St., Enoch's Presbyterian Church, Belfast, by the Rev. Hugh Hanna, Thomas Bickerstaff, to Eliza Humphreys, both of Belfast.

CLEGG--BROWNLESS -- Dec. 7, at St. Mary's Church, Crumlin Road, Belfast, by the Rev. A.T. Farrell, Curate of Donald, Richard Clegg, Donaghadee, to Alicia, youngest daughter of the late William Brownlee, Dundonald.

GILES--FULLERTON -- Dec. 1, at Kilrea Church, by the Rev. Marcus Gage, John Giles, jun., Belfast, to Mary Forrester, only daughter of the late Archibald Fullerton, Esq., Lisnachrin, Co. Derry.

M'CONNELL--ADAMS -- Dec. 9, at Rosemary Street Presbyterian Church, Belfast, by the Rev. John Macnaughtan, Dr. Andrew M'Connell, City View Terrace, Belfast, to Margaret, second daughter of James Adams, Great Patrick Street, Belfast.

M'CLOSKEY--M'TEAR -- Dec. 7, at Duncairn Presbyterian Church, Belfast, by the Rev. Thomas Hamilton, Mr. Henry M'Closkey, to Mrs. Mary Jane M'Tear, both of Belfast.

M'ILRATH--SKELLY -- Dec. 2, at the first Presbyterian Church, Dromore, by the Rev. William Shepherd, A.B., Robert M'Ilwrath, Bellaney, Dromore, to Martha Jane, daughter of Mr. James Skelly, Artana, Dromara.

PINK--DEMPSEY -- Dec. 4, at Castlereagh Presbyterian Church, by the Rev. W. Rodgers, L.L.D., S.J. Pink, to Mary Dempsey, both of Co. Down.

STIRLING--M'MULLEN -- Dec. 8, by special licence, at the residence of the bride's brother, Lauriston House, Belfast, by the Rev. J.H. Moore, assisted by the Rev. J. Macnaughtan, A.M., James Stirling, to Margaret, second daughter of Robert M'Mullen, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal.

Deaths

AGNEW -- Dec. 3 at his residence, Ballymartin, Templepatrick, Samuel Agnew, aged 64 years.

ANDERSON -- Dec. 5, at 86 Malvern Street, Belfast, James Watson, only son of the late Andrew Anderson.

BURKE -- Dec. 2, at 7 Conlon Street, Old Lodge Road, Belfast, Francis Burke, jeweller, aged 31 years.

BISHOP -- Dec. 7, at 52 Hopeton Street, Belfast, William James, infant son of Mr. Jas. Bishop, aged 10 months.

BURNS -- Dec. 1, at 17 Upton Street, Belfast, Catherine Burns, aged 71 years.

BLAKELY -- Dec. 7, at the residence of her son-in-law, Bishop Street, Derry, Margaret, relict of the late Thomas Blakely, Coolgarran, County Fermanagh.

BOOTH -- Dec. 4, after a lingering illness, at his father's residence, Elagh, near Stewartstown, Robert, second son of Mr. George Booth, aged 24 years.

CUSACK -- Dec. 9, at Nailor's Row, Londonderry, Mary, wife of Mr. Robert Cusack.

CAMPBELL -- Dec. 5, at Woodhouse Street, Portadown, Mary, wife of John Campbell, aged 25 years.

GRAHAM -- Dec. 5, at Larne, William, the only son of Gawn Graham, aged 28 years.

HENEY -- Dec. 8, of gastric fever, at Dunadry, House, Belfast, Willie, eldest child of William Heney, aged 5 years.

HEYN -- Dec. 3, at his residence, Sydenham Park, Belfast, Gustavus Heyn, Chevalier de l'Ordre de Leopold, and Knight of the Order of the Crown [Prussia] &c., &c., aged 72 years.

KNOX -- Dec. 5 at Bournemouth, Thomas John Knox, second son of the Bishop of Down and Connor and Dromore, aged 26 years.

LATTIMORE -- Dec. 3, at Wolfhill, Legoniel, Belfast, Isabella, wife of Wm. Lattimore.

PAYNE -- Dec. 3, at 6 Botanic Avenue, Belfast, Julia Maria, the beloved wife of J.C. Charles Payne, and the only daughter of the late Bernard Lennon, Esq., aged 29 years.

PATTON -- Dec. 6, at Ballywitticock, near Newtownards, Elizabeth, daughter of the late Andrew Patton, aged 25 years.

Clippings

A CLYDE SHIP IN COLLISION WITH A WHALE.

The captain of the Clyde ship Loch Awe, 1,100 tons, which vessel arrived at St. Helena on 2nd of November, reports that on 4th October, while on their voyage from Java to London, the vessel came suddenly amongst a number of whales, one of which was struck, and the ship sustained damage to bows and cutwater. The vessel shortly afterwards encountered bad weather, and lost boats &c.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

SUPPOSED LOSS OF A CLYDE SHIP AND SIXTEEN LIVES

ALL hopes are now given up respecting the safety of the fine iron barque Esk, 500 tons, belonging to Greenock, and owned by Mr. W. Rankin. She sailed from the West Coast of America to Havre on the 17th June last, and as the voyage is usually performed in about 100 days, no doubt she is lost with all hands, as she is now about ten weeks overdue at her destination. Vessels which sailed about the same time as the Esk have arrived weeks ago, and report bad weather off Cape Horn. Her crew would be about sixteen men, all told.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

WRECKAGE ON THE EAST COAST OF SCOTLAND

CONSIDERABLE quantities of wreckage, consisting of deals, cork &c., are being washed ashore on the coast of Berwick, and several name boards of vessels have also been picked up, marked as follows: -- "Allegro", "Egitto", "Maach", and "Senior". A bottle has also been picked up about six miles south of Berwick, at Cheswick Sands, containing the following: --

"Steamer Grimsby, from Grimsby to Hamburg, noon, 7th October, 1875, -- This was thrown overboard at above time, from above vessel, almost sinking, between the two lands. Anyone picking this up, and forwarding the same [within the bottle] to H.J. Popplewell, Gainsboro', Lincolnshire, with particulars where and when picked, will confer a favour, and if a person below the rank of gentleman, will receive any small reward he may choose to name. In the English Channel and Skager Rock bottles have been thrown overboard without coming to hand again, so be sure and attend to this, kind fellow. [Signed] "H.J.P."

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BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS.

The quarterly return compiled by the Registrar-General of births, marriages and deaths for the quarter ending September 30th, 1875, has been issued. From this it would appear that there have been registered during that period 32,585 births and 19,289 deaths -- showing a birth rate of 24.5 in every 1,000 of the population, and a death rate of 14.5. In England during the same quarter the birth rate was 34.9 per 1,000, and the death rate 20.1. In Ireland the birth rate was somewhat under, and the death rate slightly over, the average for the corresponding quarter of the previous five years. The deaths from Scarlet fever, though still numerous, are continuing to decrease, and the decline in the mortality from small pox is described as gratifying. "As in the preceding quarter", notes the Registrar-General, "the greater part of the mortality from Scarlet Fever occurred in the province of Ulster; and smallpox was almost entirely confined to Connaught, there have been no deaths from this disease returned from Leinster or Munster, and very few from Ulster." Of the births 16,596 were of boys and 15,989 of girls. The deaths consisted of 9,751 males and 9,538 females. In Belfast, which is stated to have now a population of 202,591, the births were 1,777; marriages, 360; and deaths, 1,192. Of the latter, 286 were children under one year old. Scarlatina caused the death of 65 persons; measles, 64, fever, 14; diarrhoea, 93 and cholera, 4; 151 died in public institutions. We are glad to see that there is a decrease in the number of emigrants. During the past quarter the numbers were 13,033, against 17,688 in the corresponding quarter of last year.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

ENGLISH OPINION OF BELFAST.

The Manchester Mail of Thursday says: -- Little more than two hundred years ago the town of Belfast was described as having consisted of only six streets, though it had received a charter of incorporation some forty years before. Of late years, however, its commercial, manufacturing, and architectural progress has been something wonderful. It is now not only the centre of the linen trade in the county of Antrim, but also the commercial capital of Ulster, if not, indeed, the whole of Ireland. The importance of the town will be better understood when it is stated that the population is increasing at the rate of 5,000 or 6,000 a year, and that, notwithstanding the fact that it has passed not so long ago through a time of serious difficulty and distress to a very large proportion of the people, its prosperity at the present day is sufficiently apparent even to the most casual observer. The progress on the part of Belfast is somewhat unfortunate for the Home Rulers and other grumblers about Irish grievances. Here is a community great, thriving, and contented, and desirous above everything else of maintaining the Constitution and the Union between Great Britain and Ireland; and the very fact of its existence shows that if other localities in the sister country are not so prosperous it cannot be the fault of the law. There is nothing in the government of the country to prevent Cork or Limerick from being as progressive and law-abiding as the chief town of the district described in Papal circles as "the Black North", and consequently we are entitled to attribute Irish disaffection and poverty to a different cause. Were the South and the West of the Emerald Isle not Roman Catholic we venture to think that the population would be peaceful and prosperous, and that agriculture and manufactures would flourish as much as they do in the other countries of the United Kingdom. In a speech delivered to the Conservative working men of Belfast the Irish Secretary took occasion to refer to some of the specious pleas used by the Home Rulers in favour of the establishment of a Milesian Parliament on College Green. We quite believe, however, that Ulster men have clearness enough of vision to see that "behind the vague mask of Home Rule lurks the old and familiar features of Repeal".

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

A STEAMER SUNK BY COLLISION WITH ICE -- 11 LIVES LOST.

NEW YORK, DEC. 2. -- The Hudson river is frozen. A steamer has been sunk by collision with a mass of ice. Eleven persons were drowned.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

MEETING OF WILLIAM SPOTTEN & Co.'s CREDITORS

Belfast, Tuesday.

A preliminary meeting of the creditors of Messrs. William Spotten & Co. was held today. It was decided to appoint trustees and inspectors with power to examine books &c., and instructions to report to an early meeting. Messrs. E.H. Thompson, Thos. Valentine, W.H. Dixon, and W.R. Patterson undertook the duty. The firm, as a precautionary measure, have taken the protection of the Court of Bankruptcy, but it is hoped some settlement will be arrived at. The prospects of a dividend are, of course, unknown, but the conduct of the firm in sending out a notice that 10s could be paid on the liabilities as they matured cannot be strongly enough condemned. It is not likely that any company will now be formed to take over their business.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

TERRIBLE SHIPWRECK

LOSS OF A GERMAN STEAMER AND FITY LIVES.

A BOT containing three men was found drifting in the Medway, off Sheerness, on Tuesday morning. Two of the men were dead from exposure. The third was insensible, but on being taken to the infirmary he recovered sufficiently to state that he belonged to the mail steamer Deutschland, of the North German Lloyd's Company, trading between Bremen and New York. On Saturday evening she grounded on a sandbank somewhere off the Goodwin Sands, supposed to be the Kentish Knock. On Sunday morning orders were given to lower the boats. The three men were detailed to man one of them, but the boat capsized in lowering. They all regained her and righted her, but the painter had broken, and she drifted away. One of the men died on Sunday, and the other on Wednesday. The survivor, a quartermaster named August, is recovering, but his body and lower extremities are much swollen. On inquiry at the company's London offices, we are informed that the Deutschland was expected to leave Bremerhaven on Sunday morning [-- -- -- ? -- -- --] The quartermaster stated that the crew numbered 130, and that the passengers, all told, were from 150 to 200. Life-belts were served out to both passengers and crew. The last he saw of the ship before his boat got adrift, they were endeavouring to launch all the boats.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

THE CAVE HILL OUTRAGE

The case of the Queen v. Patrick Murphy, who is confined in Belfast Jail upon a warrant signed by Mr. J.C. O'Donnell, R.M., charged with the manslaughter of James Houston, was before the court of Queen's Bench on Tuesday. Mr. Boyd, on the part of the accused, moved that he be admitted to bail. The accused had made an affidavit that on the day of the occurrence he and a man named James O'Neill went to shoot over the lands of a man named Magill, adjacent to the Cave Hill. They had leave to do so. Houston came up and asked accused if the dog with him was his. Some words ensued. Ultimately accused ran away, crossed some farm buildings, and at the other side was met by the deceased, who did not say he was a gamekeeper. Deceased snatched the gun which accused had in his hand. In the struggle one barrel was discharged, and deceased was shot. It was a pure accident; but the terror which accused felt caused him to fly, and he was addressed at Queenstown, en route to America. He was prepared to stand trial, and gave ample bail. Messrs. W. Hunter, B. McMaster, and Alexander Norton made an affidavit that they knew the accused to be an industrious, honest man, peaceable and quiet, and they were prepared to be his bailsmen. Mr. Falkiner, Q.C. (Law Adviser), opposed the application on the part of the crown. The offence charged was a serious one. It was in proof that the accused tried to fly the country, and the Crown could not consent to his being set at large pending the next Assizes. Judge Barry (who heard the application as a Judge of the Queen's Bench) refused the motion. The prisoner, therefore, must remain in Belfast Jail until the trial comes on next March.

 

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Births

BIRCH -- Dec. 9, at 76, Grosvenor Terrace, Belfast, the wife of G.L. Birch, of a son.

BRADLEY -- Dec. 9, at 32, Prospect Street, Belfast, the wife of John Bradley, of a daughter.

BETZOLD -- Dec. 12, at 6, Wellington Park, Belfast, the wife of George Betzold, Esq., of a daughter.

CONN -- Dec. 9, at Castlewellan, Co. Down, the wife of Robert Conn, of a son.

CAMPBELL -- Dec. 10, at Botanic Cottage, Belfast, the wife of Mr. James Campbell, of a son.

GRAY -- Dec. 9, at his residence, Main Street, Maghera, the wife of James Gray, of a daughter.

KIRKPATRICK -- Dec. 11, at Craigs Rectory, Co. Antrim, the wife of the Rev. A.T. Kirkpatrick, of a son.

MILLAR-MILLAR -- Dec. 8, the wife of A. Millar-Millar, Esq., Findermore, Co. Tyrone, of a son.

MAGUIRE -- Dec. 13, at 291, York Street, Belfast, the wife of George Maguire, of a son

MARTIN -- Dec. 11, at 154, York Street, Belfast, the wife of Thomas Scott Martin, of a son.

ROGERS -- Dec. 7, at Mountpottinger House, Belfast, the wife of John Rogers Esq., of a son.

SCOTT -- Dec. 10, at 21, Cumberland Street, Belfast, the wife of Robert Scott, of a son.

TODD -- Dec. 13, at 15, Concord Street, Belfast, the wife of Mr. James P. Todd, of twin daughters.

Marriages

CLARKE--DUNSTERVILLE -- Dec. 8, at the Cathedral, Kerry, by the Very Rev. the Dean, assisted by the Rev. Mr. Doherty, George H. Clarke, Lisburn, to Matilda Catherine, only daughter of Robert Dunsterville, Esq., Derry.

ELLIS--TAIT -- Dec. 15, in Trinity Presbyterian Church, Cork, by the Rev. J.A. Smith, B.A., Mr. James Ellis, Rathcore, Co. Meath, to Eliza, daughter of Mr. James Tait, Hermitage, Rostellan, Co. Cork.

HUNTER--WATTERS -- Dec. 8, at May Street Presbyterian Church, Belfast, by the Rev. Robert Crawford, Moses Hunter, Newry, to Mary, fourth daughter of Allen Watters, Belfast.

JONES--WILSON -- Dec. 14, by special licence, at the residence of the bride, by the Rev. W.H. Bailey, clogher, assisted by the Rev. Thomas Johnston, Edenderry, Wm. John Jones, Corvoe, Clogher, to Maggie, second daughter of Fleming Wilson, Esq., Tatykeel, Omagh.

KENNEDY--M'CLURE -- Dec. 14, at Hill Street, Presbyterian Church, Lurgan, Co. Armagh, by the Rev. J.C M'Cullagh, Bangor, uncle of the bride, assisted by the Rev. L.E. Berkeley, the Rev. R. Vint, B.D., and the Rev. J.A. Allison, the Rev. C.W. Kennedy, Lurgan, son of Sinclair Kennedy, Esq., Londonderry, to Selina Crawford, second daughter of W.W. M'Clure, Esq., Lurgan.

M'CARROLL--EATON -- Dec. 14, at the Reformed Presbyterian Church, Cullybackey, by the Rev. Joseph A. Moody, assisted by the Rev. Samuel Patton, A.M., Londonderry, Mr. John M'Carroll, Durnaveagh, to Miss Margaret J. Eaton, Cabragh, Ballymena.

M'CONNELL--ADAMS -- Dec. 9, at Rosemary Street Presbyterian Church, Belfast, by the Rev. John M'Naughton, Dr. Andrew M'Connell, City View Terrace, Belfast, to Margaret, second daughter of James Adams, Great Patrick Street, Belfast.

NELSON--NIBLOCK -- Dec. 9, at Shercock Presbyterian Church, by the Rev. Thomas Martin, David Nelson, Corvalley, to Jemima Niblock, Derry, Co. Cavan.

PRENTICE--FAIR -- Dec. 9, at the Presbyterian Church, Caledon, by the Rev. Robert Erwin, John Prentice, Ballybrockey, Armagh, to Elizabeth, daughter of the late Robert Fair, Kedim, Caledon.

SEMPLE--M'VICKER -- Dec. 15, at St. Mary's Episcopal Church, Crumlin Road, Belfast, by the Rev. C.H. Wright, B.D., William, second son of John Semple, Toberhead, Co. Derry, to Lizzie, third daughter of the late Thomas M'Vicker, Belfast.

SMYTH--REID -- Dec. 11, at St. Anne's Church, Belfast, by the Rev. Robert Hannay, D.D., Mr. James Smyth, to Miss Lizzie Reid, both of Belfast.

THOMAS--CALDER -- Dec. 8, at Torwood, Belfast, by the Rev. H.M. Williamson, J.C. Thomas, Belfast, to Annie, eldest daughter of J.M. Calder, Torwood.

Deaths

BONNER -- Dec. 13, at Glassaugh, Co. Derry, Robert Bonner, aged 72 years.

CARLILE -- Dec. 14, at the residence of her nephew, Lower Malone, Lisburn Road, Belfast, Mary Anne Carlile, aged 84 years.

COUSINS -- Dec. 13, at Hillbrook, Holywood, Thos. Cousins, aged 41 years.

CONSTABLE -- Dec. 10, at Turry Cottage, Caledon, Catherine, relict of the late George Constable.

CLARKE -- Nov. 9, of fever, at Cienfuegos, Cuba, Thomas Clark, Islandmagee, chief mate of the brigantine Mystic Tie, aged 21 years.

ERWIN -- Dec. 12, at 49, Carlisle Street, Belfast, Hugh Stoddart, youngest son of John Erwin, aged 2 years and 7 months.

FULLARTON -- Dec. 12, at his son-in-law's residence, 59 Earl Street, Belfast, John Fullarton, in the 66th year of his age.

GRAY -- Dec. 12, Elizabeth, wife of Wm. Gray, Laganbrae, Maze.

GIBSON -- Dec. 14, at his father's residence, Monlough, James, youngest son of Wm. John Gibson, aged 15 years.

HAMILTON -- Dec. 11, at Ballymoney, Banbridge, Sarah, wife of Robert Hamilton, Ballymoney.

JAMISON -- Dec. 15, at his residence, No. 4 Linenhall street, Belfast, Thomas Jamison, aged 67 years.

JOHNSTON -- Dec. 8, at her residence, 54 Canning Street, Belfast, Mrs. Charlotte Johnston, aged 29 years.

JONES -- Dec. 14, at 38, Joy Street, Belfast, Willie, child of George C. Jones, aged 5 years and 9 months.

MARTIN -- Dec. 10, at 66, Carrick Hill, Belfast, Wm. John Martin.

MAGOWAN -- Dec. 9, at her residence, Nile Street, Belfast, Elizabeth, relict of the late Andrew Magowan, Tullynew Bank, Glenavy, County Antrim.

M'KIBBIN -- Dec. 14, at 55 Falls Road, Belfast, Alfred, second son of Mr. Jas. M'kibbin, aged 24 years.

PERRY -- Dec. 9, at Manchester, Wm. Campbell Perry.

RITCHIE -- Dec. 9, at 9, Tudor Place, Belfast, William Hamilton, only son of Mr. William Ritchie, aged 2 years and 9 months.

RITCHIE -- Dec. 5, at 9, Tudor Place, Belfast, Elizabeth Jane, daughter of Mr. Wm. Ritchie, aged 2 months.

ROGERS -- Dec. 9, at Mountpottinger House, Belfast, Maggie, wife of John Rogers, Esq.

Clippings

TERRIBLE TRAGEDY IN NORWICH HOSPITAL.

MURDER OF FOUR BOYS.

Norwich, Monday.

A MALE patient in Norwich Hospital early this morning attacked four boys who were sleeping in another room, smashing their heads with a pair of tongs. Three of the boys are dead, and another cannot live.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

A LARGE VERDICT.

ON Friday, before Mr. Justice Barry and a special jury, the case of Jones and another v. the Belfast, Holywood and Bangor Railway Co. was entered for hearing. The action was to recover £8,000, due on foot of eight mortgages executed by defendants, and of which the plaintiff was assignee, together with interest of 2 per cent. per annum, making the total claim of £10,000. There was no appearance for the defendants, and the jury gave a verdict of £10,000 and costs.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

LOSS OF A BRIGANTINE AND ALL HANDS.

THE owner of the brigantine Magic, Captain Jones, Portmadock, received a telegram stating that planks had been washed ashore on Norfolk coast, near Yarmouth, having the words of "Magic, Jones", and "Hudson, Newcastle". There appears to be no doubt that they refer to the brigantine, which was a fine vessel, and that all hands have perished, she was commanded by Captain Jones, of Crissieth; Her mate was William Davies, of Portmadock, the rest of the crew being foreigners.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

A WEALTHY RAG-GATHERER.

RICH as a rag-picker, is a proverb which turns out correct more often than may be thought. A chiffonnier of Marseilles was taken ill the other day, and sent for his friends, but before they arrived he expired. On searching his rags and chattels, they first of all discovered in a drawer 360,000 francs' worth of rente; then 15,000f. In golden pieces in an old saucepan, next twelve bank notes of 1,000f. each, in a dirty Bible; and finally, on removing the body, 9,000f. In notes and railway shares were found at the bottom of the bed. Like all misers he had starved himself to death.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

A COOKSTOWN coroner's jury have returned a verdict of death from heart disease in the case of a woman named Lissan, who was found dead on the roadside, and whom it is now believed died from being run over.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

From intelligence to hand, no doubt is entertained of the loss of the brigantine Magic, of Newcastle, and all hands.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

A RESPECTABLE farmer, named Robt. Robinson, was accidentally killed at Dundrum, on the Newcastle Railway, on Saturday. He was walking along the line, and in endeavouring to avoid a coming train he was caught by the buffers and knocked down. A coroner's jury returned a verdict of accidental death on deceased, who was highly respected in the neighbourhood.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

SUPPOSED MURDER IN COUNTY MONAGHAN.

ARREST OF THE ALLEGED MURDERER IN BELFAST.

Belfast, Wednesday

YESTERDAY evening information was received in Belfast that a dreadful murder has been committed near Scotstown, County Monaghan. The name of the person murdered was said to be James Magwood, a farmer, and that the object of the murder was robbery. Magwood's body is said to have been found on the public road yesterday morning, with his skull crushed and several other marks of violence upon him. Inquiries having been made, suspicion was attached to a man named John M'Ginnity, who it appears was seen in company with the deceased on monday. M'Ginnity could not be found, and it was afterwards ascertained that had taken a through ticket from Monaghan to Liverpool. A telegram was despatched to the detective authorities here, and several members of the force were placed on special duty in the principal thoroughfares, at the railway stations and the steamboats. Within a few minutes of the sailing of Sub-Constable Hamilton observed a man passing out of the shed and over the gangway, who had not produced a ticket or presented himself at the ticket office. This circumstance naturally aroused the policeman's suspicion. He followed the man on board, accosted him and asked him was he a passenger for Liverpool. He said he was a steerage passenger, and was going to Liverpool. He then asked his name, which he said was John M'Ginnity, and that he had a ticket from Monaghan to Liverpool. The name and particulars corresponded with the contents of the telegram received by the police, the man was immediately placed under arrest and taken to the Police Office, where he was charged on suspicion with the commission of the murder. Constable Price arrived by a late train from Monaghan, and we are told he has identified the person as "wanted."

At one o'clock today, in the Custody Court of the Belfast Police Office, before Messrs. O'Donnell. R.M., Preston, J.P., and Carlisle, J.P., John M'Ginnity was put forward in custody of Sub-Constables Hamilton and Price, charged on suspicion of being the murderer of a man named William Magwood at Scotstown, County Monaghan. The prisoner is a young man, apparently about twenty-five years of age, and with fair hair and complexion.

Sub-Inspector THYNNE, addressing their worships, said that in this case, in which the prisoner was charged on suspicion with being the murderer of a man named Magwood, in Scotstown near Monaghan, he would ask for a transfer warrant to Monaghan.

Constable William Price, stationed at Monaghan, swore that he arrested the prisoner last night on suspicion of being the murderer of Magwood.

Mr. O'DONNELL -- When was it committed? On Monday night or yesterday morning. Has the man been murdered? Oh, yes. The skull was broken in from a blow on the back of the head. There is no doubt a murder has been committed? No doubt whatsoever. Where was he found? Outside of Scotstown, near Monaghan. He was lying on the roadside. Is there an inquest being held? I don't know, but I think there is.

To Mr. THYNNE -- He was instructed by his superior officer in Monaghan to follow the prisoner to Belfast, where he arrested him. He was handed over to Sub-Constable Hamilton yesterday evening on the Donegall Quay. He had a ticket which booked him through from Monaghan to Liverpool.

Sub-Constable Hamilton swore that from a telegram he received from Constable Ryan he arrested the prisoner on board the steamer Voltaic, which was preparing to sail for Liverpool.

Mr. O'DONNELL [to Constable Price] -- Is the prisoner a native of your place? Yes; he is well known to the locality.

To the prisoner -- Have you anything to say to these witnesses.

Prisoner -- No.

Mr. O'DONNELL -- Did you hear the evidence given against you?

Prisoner -- Yes.

Mr. O'DONNELL -- Well, you are charged on suspicion of being the murderer of a man named William Magwood, at Scotstown, near Monaghan, on the night of Monday or yesterday morning. Are you guilty or not?

Prisoner -- I am not guilty, your worship.

Mr. O'DONNELL -- you had better not say anything more at present. The application of the police is that you be transmitted to Monaghan. You are transmitted accordingly.

The prisoner was then removed.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

A GAMEKEEPER SHOT NEAR PORTADOWN.

Lurgan, Thursday.

IT is rumoured here that Lord Lurgan's gamekeeper was accidentally shot in the head and killed near Portadown yesterday afternoon.

It appears that during a scuffle for the possession of a gun among some gentlemen who were target shooting in the neighbourhood, the weapon exploded, and the charge lodged in the head of the unfortunate man. No more particulars have yet come to hand. The melancholy occurrence is much regretted in the neighbourhood.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

THE LOSS OF THE STEAMER ATLANTIC.

IMPORTANT ACTION

NEW YORK, MONDAY. -- An important decision on this subject has been given in a New York court. Freeman Markwald sued the White Star line for loss of baggage and time, and sufferings he endured by the loss of the Atlantic, in which he was a passenger, on the coast of Nova Scotia through the negligence of the company. The company denied all negligence. The judge held that the fact of the vessel being a hundred miles out of her course was a proof of negligence, and, unexplained by any proof of stress, of necessity, was conclusive. The jury awarded 2,100 dollars damages.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

MAJOR GRAY AND HIS TENANTRY -- EXTRAORDINARY MEETING.

A MEETING of tenant farmers residing on Major Gray's estate, which is situated some few miles from Ballymena, was held in the Town Hall, Ballymena, on monday, at twelve o'clock noon, for the purpose of taking steps to resist an alleged unjust increase of rent. The hall was filled with some two hundred respectable farmers, the majority of whom being tenants of Major Gray's property. The Rev. Mr. Lyle, Presbyterian minister of Connor, who was called to the chair, said it was now his duty to hear any observations which might be made, but he would, in the first place, in a few words, state the object of the meeting. They were all aware that the majority of the leases on Major Gray's estate terminated either in last November or the November before, and, as he supposed, also, they were all aware [to their own cost] that the rent demanded on the expiration of the lease of each holding was exorbitant. They regarded themselves as a portion of Ulster, and that they had a Tenant-right which had made Ulster what it is; they claimed that Tenant-right, which had been reared by their fore-fathers' industry and their own; but if the rates demanded by Major Gray in the majority of cases were legal, that Tenant-right was confiscated. He does not say, "I will not allow you to sell your Tenant-right." He takes a more legal way, and puts on such a high rent that few, indeed, would be disposed to give anything for the Tenant-right at all. Going through a number of his congregation who lived on that gentleman's property, there was but one conclusion as to the state of public opinion, which was universal -- that this gentleman was making such a demand that Tenant-right on his estate would be perfectly confiscated; that is, he was asking as rent the full fee-simple of the land. Was this to be allowed in the very heart of Ulster, in the very centre of a country boasting of its manliness and independence? They had rights; let them stand together as one man for these rights, and the public opinion of the country would be found to be more powerful than the demands of any landlord.

Mr. JOSPEH COMPTON [hon. sec.] proposed the following resolutions: --

1. "That this meeting of the tenants on the estate of Major Gray hereby declare that in there opinion the rents asked by him are exorbitant, and would amount to a confiscation of their Tenant-right."

2. "That the tenants now here assembled resolve to resist and stand by one another in resisting the imposition of rents in their opinion as unreasonable and oppressive."

3. "That this meeting expresses its readiness to pay what, in the estimation of any two or three valuators fairly chosen, is considered a fair rent,"

4. "That this meeting hereby appoints the following tenants to act in the future arrangements of this matter as a representative committee of the tenants, and requests them to take counsel of the Ballymena Tenants' Protection Association: Brocklemount -- Richd. Blakely and Joseph Compton. Killycowan -- John Sherrard, James Sherrard, and James M'Clelland. Tullygrawley -- James Paul and James Rogers. Ballywattermoy -- Francis Bradshaw and William Rossbottom. Crumkill -- Robert Andrews and Wm. Woodburn. Kells -- Rev. S. Lyle and John Cathcart. Teeshan -- Hugh Smyth and John Shaw. Duneany -- Francis H. Dysart and Archibald Magowan. Kildrum -- William Hyndman and Francis Warwick. Carnaughts -- Jas. Thompson and Joseph Montgomery."

5. "That this meeting hereby resolves to enter into an indemnity fund to recoup any tenant-farmer who may be subjected to pecuniary loss by an action in the law courts in this matter."

Mr. COMPTON gave the following instances of increases which had been demanded on Major Gray's estate: -- a farm of 15 ¹/₂ acres, held by Richard Blakely, Brocklemount - former rent £24, now asked £66. (Cries of "Shame.") The farm of his mother, the Widow Compton, consisting of 19 ¹/₂ Irish acres -- former rent £42, now asked £92. ("Shame, shame.") For the small piece that Mr. Lyle had at Connor -- former rent £4 8s, now asked £12. In the case of Robert Compton, who held 8 ¹/₂ Irish acres that he bought some years ago, and paid some £200, and for which he paid £15 1s 2d rent, the sum of £37 was now demanded. Abraham Crompton held 5 acres at £9 9s 8d, and the rent now asked was £24. William Hatton, who held 5 acres 1 rood 14 perches at £8 16s 2d, was now asked to pay £20. These were only instances of the general demands.

The Rev. A. Robinson, Mr. Richard Blakeley, Mr. Robert Compton, Mr. Robert Andrews, and the chairman delivered addresses.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

SAD DEATH OF A CLERGYMAN.

MR. CORONER POOLE on Monday held an inquest on the body of the Rev. Robert Luckley Saunders, B.A., a clergyman of the Established Church, who died suddenly at his lodgings in Leamington on Saturday. Deceased held no benefice, was aged upwards of 70, and, possessing only a paltry annuity, had long been in distressingly straitened circumstances. In a letter produced he said that for several years he had lived on 8d per day, subsisting on bread and milk, cheese and cocoa, and never tasting meat, ale or spirits. He added that he did not know how he should supply his necessities, as he had nothing to subsist upon. A verdict of "Death from natural causes" was returned.

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IN a Dublin libel action between two clergymen, the Rev. Mr. Darby, of Manchester, being the plaintiff, and the Rev. Alexander M'Loughlin, Rector of Worn, County Limerick, the defendant, a consent was entered into and a stet processus agreed to between the parties.

 

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Births

ALLAN -- Dec. 22, at 4, Craigmore Street, Belfast, the wife of Wm. Allan, of a daughter.

BROWN -- At 27, Crescent Terrace, Belfast, the wife of James Brown, of a son.

BROWN -- Dec. 19, at High Street, Newtownards, the wife of Jas. A. Brown, of a daughter.

BLAKELY -- Dec. 17, at 14, Mount Street, Mountpottinger, Belfast, the wife of Henry Blakely, of a daughter.

DOUGALL -- Dec. 20, at 47, Market Street, Belfast, the wife of Wm. Dougall, of a son.

EDGAR -- Dec. 21, at 8, Fleet Street, Belfast, the wife of Mr. Robert Edgar, of a son.

GALLAHER -- Dec. 20, at Cliftonville Avenue, Belfast, the wife of James Gallaher, of a son.

HAMILTON -- Dec. 15, at Ballywalter, the wife of Andrew Hamilton, of a son.

HASTINGS -- Dec. 16, at Ardilea, Co. Down, the wife of Wm. Hastings, of a daughter.

IRWIN -- Dec. 18, at 4, Clifton Terrace, Belfast, the wife of Wm. Irwin, of a daughter.

M'CRACKEN -- Dec. 16, at 14, Byron Street, Belfast, the wife of Mr. John M'Cracken, of a son.

MAGILL -- Dec. 20, at Fairview, Moira, the wife of the Rev. john Magill, Wesleyan minister, of a son.

WHITE -- Dec. 21, at Scotch Quarter, Carrickfergus, the wife of Mr. John White, of a son.

Marriages

ARDIS--QUIREY -- Dec. 16, at St. Enoch's Presbyterian Church, Belfast, by the Rev. Joseph Barkley, assisted by the Rev. H. Hanna, Mr. Samuel Ardis, Belfast, to Catherine, eldest daughter of Mr. Joseph Quirey, Ballyduff, Carnmoney.

BLAIR--KINSLEY -- Dec. 16, at the Presbyterian Church, Crumlin, by the Rev. A.C. Canning, William, only son of W. Blair, Balloo, Antrim, to Eliza Ann, youngest and only surviving daughter of the late Henry Kinsley, Ballydonaghy.

CRAIG--GALWAY -- Dec. 20, at St. Enoch's Presbyterian Church, Belfast, by the Rev. Hugh Hanna, Samuel Craig, to Eleanor Galway, both, of Belfast.

DOUGLAS--PATTERSON -- Dec. 17, at the First Ballymacarrett Presbyterian Church, Belfast, by the Rev. John Meneely, Mr. John Douglas, Ballymacarrett, to Susannah Patterson, Sydenham.

HENDERSON--HENDERSON -- Dec. 16, at Main Street Presbyterian Church, Garvagh, by the Rev. J.B. Rentoul, D.D., assisted by the Rev. Archibald Henderson, brother of the bride, Archibald Henderson, Esq., Kilrea, third son of the late Wm. Henderson, Esq., Crosslands, to Martha, eldest daughter of Thos. Henderson, Esq., Ballyagan, Garvagh.

HUNTER--KERR -- Dec. 21, at Ballycarry Presbyterian Church, by the Rev. S. Edgar Stewart, B.A., Cairncastle, assisted by the Rev. John Stuart, Mr. Charles Hunter, Miniss, to Miss Ann Kerr, Drumnagreagh, Cairncastle.

MOORE--REA -- Dec. 10, at the Second Presbyterian Church, Carrickfergus. by the Rev. J.B. Meeke, Hugh, eldest son of Thomas Moore, Raloo, to Agnes, youngest daughter of Robert Rea, Ballyvenston, Larne.

M'COUBRAY--HYLAND -- Dec. 17, at St. Enoch's Presbyterian Church, Belfast, by the Rev. Hugh Hanna, Samuel M'Coubray, Belfast, to Maggie Hyland, Saintfield.

NEWELL--M'MINN -- Dec. 16, at the Mourne Presbyterian Church, by the Rev. Samuel Mateer, Mr. Swan Newell, of Drummond, to Annie, youngest daughter of the late Robert M'Minn, of Crobane, and the adopted child, of Mr. James Orr, of Benagh.

PATTERSON--DOUGLAS -- Dec. 17, at the First Ballymacarrett Presbyterian Church, Belfast, by the Rev. John Meneely, Mr. Robert Patterson, Sydenham, to Ellen Douglas, Ballymacarrett.

Deaths

ALLEN -- Dec. 19, at 113, Old Lodge Road, Belfast, Hugh Carswell Allen, aged 6 months.

ANDERSON -- Dec. 21, at her residence, 3, Jennymount Terrace, Belfast, Ann, wife of Mr. Edward Anderson.

BURNS -- Dec. 16, at her residence, Whiteabbey, Mrs. Burns, aged 86 years.

BLANNERHASSETT -- Dec. 16, at 50, Eliza Street, Belfast, Louisa, second daughter of Mr. Wm. Blannerhassett, aged 22 years.

CUMMINS -- Dec. 19, at Old park, Belfast, Margaret, wife of James Cummins, aged 58 years.

ELLIOTT -- Dec. 18, at Eldrin Cottage, Smithborough, Alice Harriet, widow of the late Rev. John Elliott, aged 77 years.

ELLIOTT -- Dec. 18, at Londonderry, Catherine, wife of Thomas Elliott.

GILMORE -- Dec. 20, at his residence, Joymount Bank, Carrickfergus, Charles Gilmore, formerly of Rathfriland, County Down, aged 66 years.

HARPER -- Dec. 17, of inflammation of the lungs, at his residence, 33 Donegall Street, Belfast, James Harper, merchant tailor, aged 50 years.

HEAZELTON -- Dec. 16, at 5, Hopewell Street, Belfast, Eleanor, wife of Thos. Heazelton, aged 45 years.

HUTCHINSON -- Dec. 18, at 54, Regent Street, Belfast, Wm. Hutchinson.

JAMISON -- Dec. 18, at Cookstown, Ann, relict of the late George Jamison, Dromore, Co. Down.

KERR -- Dec. 14, at his residence, Ardground, Co. Derry, David Kerr.

KERR -- Dec. 21, at his residence, 2 and 4, Cromac Street, Belfast, John Kerr, aged 46 years.

LUMSDEN -- Dec. 14, at 2, Orchard Row, Derry, John Lumsden, aged 35 years.

M'DOWELL -- Dec. 16, at Creevyargon, Co. Down, Mr. Isaac M'Dowell, aged 79 years.

M'KIERNAN -- Dec. 18, at the residence of Rev. J.S. Macintosh, Windsor, Belfast, Isabella (Bell) M'Kiernan, aged 73 years; for upwards of forty-two years the faithful and highly valued nurse in the family of Mr. Hugh Moore, formerly of Rathgar, Dublin, and now of University Square, Belfast.

MARTIN -- Dec. 17, at Finaghy, Balmoral, Belfast, Margaret, eldest daughter of Wm. Martin, aged 6 years and 2 months.

MONTGOMERY -- Dec. 17, at 37, Earl Street, Belfast, Martha, wife of George Montgomery.

OSBORNE -- Dec. 16, at Ballynahinch, Co. Down, John Osborne, aged 79 years.

SCARLETT -- Dec. 21, at the residence of her mother, Mrs. Scarlett, Bridge Street, Omagh, Elizabeth Moses, only daughter of the late Mr. Alexander Scarlett, Omagh.

SKILLEN -- Dec. 20, suddenly, of diphtheria, at 20, Richmond Place, Antrim Road, Belfast, Martha Moore, eldest daughter of Hugh Skillen, aged 4 years.

SMITH -- Dec. 18, at 239, Shankhill Road, Belfast, William, youngest son of Mr. James R. Smith, aged 9 months.

WENSLEY -- Dec. 20, at 32, St. Lawrence Terrace, The Plains, Belfast, Jane, relict of the late George Wensley, Rathfriland, aged 47 years.

Clippings

SAD OCCURRENCE AT WHITEWELL.

A LADY BURNED TO DEATH.

WHITEWELL, SATURDAY MORNING. -- A most distressing occurrence happened in this little village last night, resulting. in the death of a highly respectable and much esteemed lady, Mrs. Fenning, the wife of Mr. William Fenning, mill furnisher. The circumstances under which this lamentable occurrence happened are as follows: -- Mr. Fenning, who resided in the Throne Cottage, on the Antrim Road, adjacent to this village, was in company with the deceased, his wife, as usual yesterday evening. They were together until about nine o'clock, when Mr. Fenning retired to rest, leaving Mrs. Fenning alone. He repaired to a bedroom in the upper part of the house, and went to sleep. About eleven o'clock he awoke, and on account of the absence of Mrs. Fenning, he rose and went downstairs. He proceeded to the kitchen, from which smoke was issuing, and on approaching it closer felt a strange and objectionable smell. Forcing his way in to see what the cause was, he was horrified to find stretched on the floor, the dead body of his wife, whom, but two hours previously, he had left in the room in sound health. Her clothes, or such as the fire had not entirely consumed, were smouldering, and her whole appearance was most ghastly. The exposed parts of the body were all black and burned, and the features almost undistinguishable. For a time he could hardly realise that what he saw before him was his wife, as he could not recognise her face, and it was not until he examined the scorched, and burned fragments of her clothes that he knew her. Mr. Fenning aroused, his neighbours, and the police were sent for to Whitehouse. They arrived shortly afterwards, and took charge of the remains, Sub-Inspector Bernard was also sent for, and arrived early this morning. To Mr. Fenning the occurrence is quite inexplicable, and indeed up to the present time the mystery has not been solved. The most feasible explanation given is that the deceased lady was sitting at the fire, when she went asleep, and her clothes became ignited, the smoke smothering her before she could alarm her husband or the servants.

THE INQUEST.

At a quarter to four o'clock, Dr. Hume, Coroner for the district, opened an inquest on the remains of the deceased, Mrs. Jane Fenning.

Mr. Macaulay appeared for the next of kin. The jury having been sworn, viewed the body. The first witness called was

Mrs. Ellen Fletcher, is a charwoman, who deposed that she saw the deceased yesterday evening about seven o'clock. She was then in good health, but had taken some drink. Mr. Fenning came home at six o'clock, and shortly afterwards went to bed with his clothes on. Mrs. Fenning went up to the room and said -- "Willie," will you not take off your clothes." She drew the clothes over him, and some time subsequently she saw witness out. She was a good deal intoxicated. Mr. Fenning was slightly under the influence of drink. She then left the house. Between eleven and twelve o'clock she was called up by Mr. Fenning, who said that his wife had been burned. She went with him to the house and there saw the corpse of Mrs. Fenning lying- burned in the kitchen.

To Mr. BERNARD, S.I. -- In the morning she went for a pint of whiskey, a bottle of soda water, and a bottle of lemonade. She saw the whiskey bottle this morning, and there was not a drop of liquor in it. Deceased gave witness about a glass and a half of this whiskey.

Several other witnesses were examined, and the jury returned a verdict of accidental death while intoxicated.

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SUPPOSED LOSS OF A LIVERPOOL CLIPPER, WITH 150 EMIGRANTS.

LLOYD'S have posted in the usual preliminary form as missing, with all hands, the new iron clipper ship Culzean Castle, Captain Macaulay, which sailed from Liverpool for Melbourne on the 25th May last. It is supposed the vessel is now lost, with all hands, she being four months overdue at her destination. This vessel carried a large number of emigrants from Liverpool. The exact number is as yet unknown, but would not be less than 100 souls, and the vessels crew would number quite 50 men, she being 1,818 tons register. She formed one of Mr. Skinner's Castle line of packet ships, and was classed 100 A1 at Lloyd's. She was on her first voyage.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

THE DERRY CELEBRATIONS.

Londonderry, Saturday.

THE anniversary of the shutting of the gates was celebrated t0-day in a peaceable manner. The dispute among the Apprentice Boys respecting the selection of a governor led to their division into two parties, and the result was that there were two processions -- one headed by Mr. Philip Shannon. and the other by Mr. John Guy Ferguson. This unusual feature in the programme created much gossip in the city. The country contingents mainly adhered to the Ferguson party, which, consequently, was the larger of the two. The Ferguson division marched to the cathedral first, and the Shannon division followed after a short interval. The sermon was preached by the Bishop of Derry (Right Rev. Dr. Alexander), and was of a very stirring character. Two effigies of the Traitor Lundy have been prepared for burning -- one by each party.

At the Police Court David Johnson and Wm. Shepperd were fined, the former in £3, and the later in £1, for being of a party who seriously assaulted Head-Constable Little, while making an arrest for the possession of a cannon.

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TERRIBLE EXPLOSION AT BALLYMACONNELL.

EIGHT PERSONS KILLED.

A MOST appalling catastrophe occurred here last Tuesday morning, involving the sacrifice of the lives of eight human beings, wounding others, and more or less inflicting irreparable injury, the extent of which it would be difficult at present to contemplate. The cause of the calamity was the blowing up of the Ballymaconnell Flax Mill by the bursting of the boiler. This concern is situated near the Groomsport Road, nearly midway between Newtownards and Bangor, and is owned by a Mrs. Lowry, who resides within a few hundred yards therefrom. The details, which are of a very distressing character, are as under :-- The mill provided employment for upwards of twenty workers, who usually commenced their labours at seven o'clock. At that hour on Tuesday six of the workers had arrived, and they entered the boiler-house, as it was customary to do, until the full complement were in. In a few minutes two more came, and the whore party, eight in number, were seated in this compartment when the boiler burst with terrific force. The unfortunate occupants were completely carried into the air, and scattered, with bricks, mortar, stone work and iron platings, all round the place. The building itself was hurled to the ground, and fragments of iron, steel, and other solid materials were driven to a considerable length. The end of the boiler was uplifted in the air and dropped at a distance of one hundred yards, and other portions were discovered even farther off. The bodies of the victims were found in a state of shocking mutilation, some so much so as to render identification almost impossible. One, that, of a man named M'Ilroy, which was carried about 100 feet from the boiler-house, had its head almost severed from the trunk; another was entirely decapitated, and with the rest there was an absence of feet, legs, arms, &c. A boy named John Arnott, who had entered the mill for the first time that day, was among the victims, and what remained of his body was found wedged in the flue of the chimney. A third, M'Ilroy's son, was rested on a cornice of this chimney, and had to be reached by means of a ladder. All those who were in the boiler-room perished. The engine-driver, whose name is Bryan, and who himself had an extraordinary escape, states that he was in the engine-room, which runs a little elevated beside the fatal boiler. He had regulated the boiler at 25-horse-power, which was a very low degree of pressure, as it generally worked up to 45 and 50, but he was not anxious to put it higher until the operatives were all ready to commence. He remembers being in the engine-house at 7.20, but nothing more, as it was at that hour the explosion took place, and he was carried over a shed, and fell on the ground with his head lacerated, and quite unconscious. Several women, who had already gone up to the upper part of the mill, jumped out through the window when they heard, the noise and felt the effects of the explosion, but, the portion of the building in which they were remained uninjured. When they came. to the boiler-house they could hardly realise what their eyes beheld. The noise of the explosion was heard for miles around, and soon aroused the neighbours, who came running to the scene of the disaster. Women half naked, with children in arms, rushed to the debris, and with looks of deep anguish and wild despair, cried out if their friends were among those who had escaped. One poor creature, the now widowed mother of eight young children, was presented to the blackened, bruised, and bleeding corpse of her husband, who was the sole support of herself and her offspring. Kneeling down beside the corpse she took the gory hand in hers, and with the soul of earnestness in her voice, and her face bathed in tears, she cried, "Johnny will you no' speak to me?" only to be answered by the silent stark glare of his death-fixed eyes. In another instance the little children of a probably loving mother crouched around her decimated form, and with frantic cries they shouted, "Mamma, mamma," when they had, to be forcibly taken from the corpse. The body of Mrs. Isabella Scott was perhaps in the most horrifying state of all. She was enciente, and her premature offspring was found lying about two yards from the corpse. The scene which was presented when the corpses were collected was of the most heartrending description. The following is the list of the dead:--

Henry M'Ilroy, married, thirty-one years old. Leaves a widow and eight children.

Andrew M'Ilroy, aged sixteen.

John Stevenson, aged thirty-two, married. Leaves widow and eight children.

James Brian, aged thirty-one, married. Leaves widow and one child.

Mrs. Mary Jane M'Kee, aged forty years. Leaves husband and three children.

Mrs. Isabella Scott, aged thirty-four years. Leaves husband and three Children.

John Arnott, aged fourteen.

Alexander Brian, aged twelve.

The intelligence of the disaster having spread to Belfast, Newtownards, and other places, a number of people visited the scene during the day. Great commiseration was felt and expressed for the poor widows and orphans who have, by this calamity, been deprived of their means of subsistence, and cast upon the cold charity of the world. The mill was the centre of the industry of the neighbourhood, which is very thinly populated. Contiguous to it, and owned by the same party, Mrs. Lowry, is a corn mill where a boy was accidentally killed about four weeks ago.

An inquest having been held on the bodies, the Jury, after a short consultation returned a verdict of accidental death, and gave it as their opinion that no one was to blame for the accident.

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THE GLOBE TOURNAMENT OF THE POETS OF ULSTER. -- The following is a list of the prizes offered by Messrs. Watson, Henderson, Lester, & Co., 31 and 35, High Street, for the best poems on "The Prince of Wales' Visit to India," and "The Prosperity of Belfast," with the names of the successful competitors. We understand there were over 200 writers sent in communications, making the adjudication very difficult and tedious. The result has only been arrived at last evening.

Class A -- For the best poem "On the Prince of Wales' Visit to India," a gold watch, value £7 10s, Richard Ritter, care of Rev. Thomas Hamilton, 3, Antrim Terrace, Belfast. For the second, a gold locket, value £2 2s, John Cunningham, 75, Vernon Street, Belfast. For the third, a magnificent bound copy of Tennyson's Works, D.D. Leitch, 122, Ellenborough Terrace, Castlereagh Road, Belfast. For the fourth, a beautiful copy of Byron's Poems, John C. Anderson, 131, Albert Bridge Road, Belfast.

Class B -- For the best poem "On the Prosperity of Belfast," a beautiful gilt timepiece, "Mick M'Quade," alias William Laverty, 29, Bann Street, Belfast. For the second do., a pair of elastic boots, to be selected by the winner from the splendid stock now on view at their establishment, Emily Maria Archer, Clare, Tandragee, County Armagh. For the third do., a pair of richly-ornamented slippers, to be selected in the same way, Mrs. J.H. Bartcroft, Grange Lodge, Moy, County Tyrone.

 

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Births

BROWN -- Dec. 19, at High Street, Newtownards, the Wife of James A. Brown, of a daughter.

BAIRD -- Dec. 25, at Essex Street, Belfast, the wife of Samuel Baird, of a son.

CAMPBELL -- Oct. 6, at Peru, on board the ship Dallam Tower, the wife of Captain Wm. Campbell, Donaghadee, of a son.

EGGLETON -- Dec. 21, at Kilkeel, the wife of the Rev. W. Eggleton, of a son.

HANNA -- Dec. 28, at 28 and 30, Main Street, Bangor, the wife of Joseph Hanna, of a son.

HUTCHINSON -- Dec. 26, at 54, Regent Street, Belfast, the wife of the late Mr. Wm. Hutchinson, of a son.

M'VEA -- Dec. 27, at 101, Donegall Pass, Belfast, the wife of John M'Vea, of a daughter.

PATTERSON -- Dec. 26, at 9, Trinity Street, Belfast, the wife of H. A. Patterson, of a son.

SEEDS -- Dec. 21, at 51, Christopher Street, Belfast, the wife of Mr. Robert Seeds, of a son.

WATSON -- December 27, at Victoria Villas, Sydenham, the wife of J. Watson, of a daughter.

YOUNG -- Dec. 23, at Caledonia Terrace, Belfast, the wife of the Rev. James Young, of a son.

Marriages

BRITTON--MONTGOMERY -- Dec. 23, in St. Enoch's Presbyterian Church, Carlisle Circus, by the Rev. Hugh Hanna, William Britton, to Susan Montgomery, both of Belfast.

BROWN--HENRY -- Dec. 25, at Eglinton Street Presbyterian Church, Belfast, by the Rev. James Martin, Mr. Archibald Brown, to Catherine, daughter of Mr. Thomas Henry, and grand-daughter of the late Lieut. Cudd, R.N., Douglas, Isle of Man.

CASSIDY -- BRACIE -- At the Parish Church of Walton-on-the-Hill, Lancashire, by the Rev. H.C.P. Stedman, Alfred Cassidy, Esq., Belfast, to Sarah Louisa, daughter of the late W.N. Bracie, Esq., Birrkdale, Southport.

GRAHAM--M'MINN -- Dec. 27, at the Reformed Presbyterian Church, College Street South, Belfast, by the Rev. J.A. Chancellor, Mr. John H. Graham, to Miss Eleanor Jane M'Minn, both of Belfast.

JACKSON--MACDONALD -- Dec. 24, at the Wesleyan Church, Lower Abbey Street, Dublin, by the Rev. J.D. Powell, George, second son of Mr. E. Jackson, Downpatrick, to Jane Matilda, (Jennie), eldest surviving daughter of G.R. Macdonald, Esq., late of the Civil Service Dublin.

JOHNSTON--PORTER -- Dec. 27, at St. Enoch's Presbyterian Church, Belfast, by the Rev. Hugh Hanna, Mr. Hugh Johnston, Ballygowan, to Miss Jane Porter, Belfast.

MARSHALL--MAGILL -- Dec. 28, at the Presbyterian Church, Hilltown, by the Rev. Robert Lockhart, Mr. Andrew Marshall, merchant, Newcastle-on-Tyne, to Margaret, daughter of Mr. David Magill Cloemack, Hilltown.

MONTGOMERY--RIDDLE -- Dec. 23, in Ballyreagh Presbyterian Church, by the Rev. Thomas J. Riddle, brother of the bride, assisted by Rev. Thomas R. Cairns, Moy, Hugh Montgomery, Carronisle, Comber, to Mary Jane, daughter of Mr. James Riddle, Comber.

M'KEE--PATTON -- Dec. 14, by special licence, at Hoggstown House, by the Rev. William Witherow, Donaghadee, assisted by the Rev. Wm. J. Patton, Dromara, Alexander, eldest son of the late John M'Kee, Newtownards, to Agnes, eldest daughter of James Patton, Hoggstown House.

M'CLEERY--KING -- Dec. 23, at Aughentain Presbyterian Church, by the Rev. R. Warnock, M.A., John M'Cleery, Esq., to Elizabeth Eilen, youngest daughter of Irwin King. Esq., Fintona.

RUSK--HALL -- Dec. 23, at Shercock Presbyterian Church, by the Rev. Thomas Martin, assisted by the Rev. John Parr, John Rusk, Strinooden, Co. Monaghan, to Jemima Hall, Curravilla, Co. Cavan.

STRANGE--ANDERSON -- Dec. 24, in St. Enoch's Presbyterian Church, Carlisle Circus, by the Rev. Hugh Hanna, James Strange, to Ellen Hutchinson Anderson, both of Belfast.

Deaths

M'CALDIN -- Dec. 29, at the Manse, Richhill, Margaret, the beloved and much lamented wife of the Rev. A. M'Caldin, and daughter of the Rev. J. Bell. Her remains will be removed for interment at the Clare Presbyterian Church, on Saturday, the 1st proximo, at eleven o'clock.

ARMSTRONG -- Dec. 26, at the residence of his father, Bushyfield, Broughshane, the Rev. J. Armstrong, minister of Whiteabbey, aged 29 years.

BELL -- Dec. 26, at 9, Adelaide Place, Belfast, Miss Jane Bell.

BAXTER -- December 26, at his residence, Claremont, Strandtown, Belfast, Richard Baxter.

CAREY -- Dec. 23, at Virginia Street, Belfast, the Rev. Joseph William Carey, aged 49 years.

COBAIN -- Dec. 27, at 6, Roden Terrace, Belfast, Samuel, son of James Cobain, aged 9 years.

CONNOR -- Dec. 27, at Lower Road, Lisburn, Minnie, eldest daughter of Wm. Connor, 28, Apsley Street, Belfast.

CLARKE -- Dec. 19, of inflammation of the lungs, at Seymour Street, Lisburn, William Clarke, late of Belfast, aged 59 years.

COCHRANE -- Dec. 23, at 11, Ormeau Road, Belfast, William John Cochrane.

CAMPBELL -- Dec. 29, at The Manse, Templepatrick, Elizabeth, wife of the Rev. Robt. Campbell, in her 37th year.

DUNN -- On Christmas morning, at Glenarm, Elizabeth Dunn, aged 86 years.

DUNCAN -- Dec. 13, at Albany, New York, John Stewart, eldest son of Mr. Samuel Duncan, Crobane, Newry.

FIELD -- Dec. 26, at Killyleagh, Rose, daughter of John Field.

FRASER -- Dec. 24, at the residence of her son-in-law, James Crichton, Esq., Bryansford, Mrs. Fraser, relict of the late W. Fraser, Esq., and mother of the Rev. W. Fraser, LL.D., Free Church, Paisley.

FULTON -- Dec. 28, at 194, Agnes Street, Belfast, Joseph, youngest son of Mr. Wm. Fulton, aged 20 years.

GUY -- Dec. 26, at Carleton Street, Portadown, Mary, daughter of the late John Guy, Ballymore, aged 56 years.

M'CREERY -- Dec. 27, of diphtheria, at The Manse, Killyleagh, Martha Ringland, daughter of the Rev. Alexander M'Creery, aged 7 years.

REEVE -- Dec. 22, at Charles Sheals' Institution, Carrickfergus, Fanny, relict of the late Rev. George Reeve, United Methodist Free Church Minister, aged 45 years.

SHEPHERD -- Dec. 27, at The Manse, Kinallen, Dromara, the infant son of the Rev. William Shepherd.

WILLIAMS -- Dec. 14, suddenly, at Petersburg, Virginia, U.S.A., Mrs. Maria Louisa Williams, wife of Samuel Williams, and mother-in-law of James M. Donnan, U.S. Consul at Belfast.

Clippings

SHOCKING CATASTROPHE -- EIGHTY PERSONS KILLED.

BERNE, MONDAY. -- During the celebration of Christmas festivities in the schoolhouse of the village of Helleken, Canton of Aargau, the flooring of the upper room and the staircase leading to it gave way. Eighty persons were killed, and fifty injured. The victims were school children and their parents, who were present to witness the distribution of Christmas gifts and prizes.

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FIVE FISHERMEN DROWNED IN BANTRY BAY.

A TERRIBLE catastrophe occurred in Bantry Bay last week. A violent gale having set in, five of the fishermen, living at Danaur, on the south side of the bay, put out in an open boat to recover their nets, which were in danger of being swept away. The boat was old and rotten, and it literally went to pieces in the heavy sea, and the whole crew were drowned. They were all married men, and leave no fewer than nineteen orphans.

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BURNED TO DEATH.

ON Saturday, an inquest was held by Dr. Lane at Aghadowey, near Coleraine, on the body of a child named Dalrymple, aged nine years, who was found burned to death in her mother's house the evening previous. It appeared in evidence that the mother had left the house to go to out-door work, leaving the deceased and a younger child therein. On their return they found the body at the door quite dead, a pair of tongs beside the corpse, by which it is supposed she was trying to open the door. Verdict accordingly.

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THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER ON EDUCATION.

THE Chancellor of the Exchequer, speaking at the opening of the middle class school at Stainford on Monday, pointed out how necessary it was that every one should be educated if, as a nation, we were to keep pace with other nations. Moreover, unintelligent labour was less valuable now than it was a century ago. It was, he believed, impossible for Parliament to educate the nation unless local assistance came to their aid. If we attempted to centralise too much after the style of the French Minister who said he knew each moment what task was being said in each school throughout France, the task would prove too great for our strength.

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THE FIRST ENGLISH EXPEDITION TO INDIA.

THE first genuine English expedition to India partook more of the warlike and piratical than the commercial element, and was rather a species of cruise against the Portuguese. It was fitted out in 1591, under Captains George Raymond and James Lancaster, and consisted of three large ships, the Penelope, Merchant-Royal, and Edward Bonaventure, which sailed from Plymouth on the 10th of April. Storms and tempests, shipwreck and other disasters, attended this expedition, which never saw India, and after more than three years of perilous wandering in unknown seas, Lancaster, almost the sole survivor, landed at Rye on the 20th of May, 1594, a ruined man. -- From Part 1. of "Cassell's History of lndia."

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MELANCHOLY DEATH FROM BURNING AT CARRICKFERGUS.

CARRICKFERGUS, THURSDAY. -- To-day, at twelve o'clock, D. R. Taggart, Esq, M.D., Coroner for the borough of Carrickfergus, held an inquest in the Board-room, Sheil's Institution, on Frances Reeves, widow of the late Rev. George Reeves, of Carrickfergus, who died yesterday from the effects of severe burns received on the 8th inst. Deceased had been bed-ridden for three years, and during the absence of her two nurses, by some means got out of bed, and came in contact with the fire. She was very badly burned, and suffered intense agony till her death yesterday. Witnesses having been examined, the Coroner addressed the jury, who returned a verdict of 'Death from burns accidentally received."

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THE MOSEL EXPLOSION -- A PARALLEL CASE TWENTY YEARS AGO.

THE attempt to blow up the Mosel had caused great excitement in America and it is recalled that a similar attempt was made to burn, when at sea., two cases of soi-disant silk, on board the Vanderbilt steamship Ariel, sailing in 1856 from the same port -- Bremerhaven. Captain Ludlaw, who then commanded the Ariel, received as he passed the Iighthouse on his way to sea a telegram from the Agents Messrs. Ruppel & Son, saying simply, "Stop the ship." He intended paying no attention to this quasi-absurd demand, but on the representation of the European agent of the line who happened to be on board, he did stop the ship, and the two went to the lighthouse, where they soon received the news from the Bremen agents that two cases declared as silks, of which the marks were given, were stored in the after hold, and which instead of silks were fitted with combustibles, and a clockwork arrangement to set them on fire when the ship was at sea. On searching, the cases were found, and were as described above. They were sent to Bremen, where they served to convict the guilty parties, who soon after were found and arrested. The mechanic employed to make the boxes and clockwork became conscience-stricken, and at the last moment "peached" upon his employers, who proved to be a father and son, whose object was, after insuring these cases [story continued]

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PROPOSALS.

THE Saturday Review has an article which it calls "Proposals," meaning proposals for marriage. Some of the various methods of "popping the question" are very good. As an instance of the serious method is the following:--

An Irish girl, who was very anxious that her scatterbrained brother should not be refused by the demure young Englishwoman with whom he had fallen desperately in love, implored him to try to propose with the seriousness becoming the occasion. He vowed solemnly that he would behave as if he were acting as chief mourner at his father's funeral. The demure young lady, in imitation of many of her countrymen, graciously accepted her wild Irish lover. She, however, confided to her bosom-friend that Edmund had proposed in rather an odd way. He had taken her after church to see the family-vault, and had there, in a sepulchral voice, asked her if she would like to lay her bones beside his bones. This, he evidently thought, was a proper way to fulfil the promise made to his sister of treating the matter with becoming seriousness.

There are the shy and oblique devices :--

When a man says to a girl with whom he has waltzed several times, that, if ever he becomes a Benedict, he hopes his wife will exactly resemble her and dress precisely as she does; if the girl answers, "You must ask papa," there may reasonably be a difference of opinion as to whether the pretty speech can be twisted into a proposal or not. When, however, a shy man, having got his mother to plead his cause, says to the beloved one, with a tremulous gasp, "Won't you do the thing my mother asked you ?" there is no doubt that, to all intents and purposes, he has asked her to be his wife. More than one proposal has been made by underscoring the lines in the marriage-service, "Wilt thou have this man to be thy wedded husband ?" and passing the book and pencil during the sermon to the adored one. It sometimes comes back with a faint but still visible stroke under "I will."

A bold and audacious method is illustrated by the subjoined : --

The officer whose leave had nearly expired without his having been able to bring a pretty little coquette to the point of acknowledging that she cared for him even a little, wee bit, was not unwise to take her, ostensibly for the purpose of sketching, to the top of the churchtower, to lock the staircase-door, put. the key in his pocket, and vowed that, if she did not promise solemnly to marry him within a month, he would throw himself off the parapet before her eyes, key and all.

How to choose time and place is well illustrated by the following: --

A young parson travelling in Palestine, and asked to join a pleasant party, among whose numbers be found a notable heiress of passionate piety, did well to restrain the expression of the ardour of his affection until he found himself lying at her feet on the slope of the Mount of Olives, looking towards Jerusalem. Scarcely any girl with a spark of religion or poetry in her composition could have said "No" to a white tie and a pair of handsome brown eyes under such well chosen circumstances.

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WRECK OF A STEAMER AND LOSS OF FORTY LIVES.

NEWS has been received at Lloyd's respecting the wreck of the steamer Glengyle, which struck on a rook on the Three Chimney Passage, while on a voyage from Shanghai to Swatow. The captain and fourth engineer, part of the crew, and about twenty Chinese passengers have been drowned.

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DESTRUCTIVE HURRICANE.

TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY PERSONS KILLED.

INTELLIGENCE received at Madrid from the Philippines announces that a terrible hurricane swept over the provinces of Camarines, in the southern part of the Manilla, on November 20. It is stated 250 persons have been killed, and 3,800 inhabited houses, the crops, and a considerable number of animals destroyed. General consternation prevailed in Manilla .

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GREAT TENANT RIGHT MEETING AT CROSSGAR.

ON Tuesday evening a large and most enthusiastic meeting of the tenant-farmers of Down was held in the Market-house of Crossgar. The chair was taken by Mr. James Sharman Crawford, M.P., who addressed the meeting. Mr. A.H.R. Carr (Killyleagh) moved the first resolution, as follows :-- "That such amendment is requisite in the land-laws of Ireland as will confer upon its tenant-farmers generally a just security of occupancy at fair rents; and an object of the Land Act of 1870 having been to legalise the Tenant-right of Ulster, the tenant-farmers of Down, in common with those of Ulster, demand such amendments in that Act as will preserve and protect the ancient custom of the province; and believing that the Bill of our esteemed member, James Sharman Crawford, Esq., is well calculated to accomplish this reasonable requirement, and that if passed into law it would secure that essential part of the custom -- the right of free sale -- we resolve that our votes shall be given to such Parliamentary candidates only as we can trust to support and advocate the principles of that Bill." Mr. Russell seconded the resolution. The chairman, in a few highly complimentary remarks, which were loudly cheered, introduced Mr. Andrews, Q.C. Mr. Andrews then came forward and delivered an address, in which he dwelt chiefly on the land question, expressing himself strongly in favour of Tenant-right, and suggesting an emendation of the Land Act in the way proposed by Mr. Sharman Crawford's Bill, a measure which he heartily supported. Mr. Hurst proposed a motion approving of Mr. Andrews' views, and promising to secure his return for the County Down. This was seconded by Mr. Carmichael, of Donaghadee, and passed unanimously. The Rev. Professor Smyth, M.P., was then called on to address the meeting, and delivered a lengthened and eloquent speech. He regarded the election for which they were preparing to be of national importance, as the member whom they may send to sit with Mr. Crawford would give his votes, not for the County Down alone, but for the whole nation. He asserted that no one could say that the Land Act of 1870 was final, and all public men and private thinkers outside the present Government are agreed that something must be done to amend it. After some reference to recent utterances of Lord Derby, Professor Smyth concluded as follows: -- I have never concealed that I believe the proper goal of the land agitation is a legally guaranteed occupancy, whether by a liberal extention of the Bright clauses of the Land Act, or by the granting of leases in perpetuity on some such plan as that adopted by Sir Richard Wallace, or by the honest and thorough legalising of the Ulster custom of Tenant-right, with a special bar against the capricious raising of rent, and by the enactment of some analogous law for the whole of Ireland, or by the combined operation of all these measures, the property of the landlord being in no case confiscated, even to one farthing of value. Mr. Crawford knows what aid was given to our Tenant-right cause by my friend and colleague, Mr. Law; and for my part I am convinced that we shall score a clear gain if you send Mr. Andrews, with his solid judgment and great legal reputation, to help in guiding the counsels of our party, and pushing our cause to a successful issue. Resolutions were then passed expressive of the meetings confidence in those members who supported Mr. Crawford's Bill, and also urging the desirability of protecting the rights of tenants in other parts of Ireland. Dr. Gordon (Saintfield), Mr. Joseph Carson, Mr. Dickson, M.P.; Mr. Hans M'Mordie, and Mr. Campbell, also took part in the proceedings. Mr. John Rea, of Belfast, endeavoured to speak, but was ruled out of order, and had to desist alter some slight interruption.

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TENANT-RIGHT IN ANTRIM. -- At a meeting held in Kells, on the evening of the 28th inst., the raise of rent asked by Major Gray was considered, As the rents asked would, it is considered, amount to a destruction of Tenant-right on Major Gray's estate, it was resolved not to pay the raised rent. The different cases were considered in detail. Major Gray's conduct in sending his bailiff on the morning of sale to announce the Major's intention of increasing the rent on the purchaser was severely commented on, and the best way of defending the rights of the tenants in all time to come was under consideration. At the close of the meeting it was agreed that all should stand true to each other in defence of' their common and just rights. Arrangements were also made to ask a gentleman of standing and ability to lecture in Kells on the subject of Tenant-right.

 

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