On Tuesday evening, Mrs. Graham made an ascent from the
gardens of the Mermaid Tavern, Hackney, in her Royal Victoria balloon, pro. fessedly "for the benefit of the widow of the late Mr. Cocking." At- tached to the balloon were two parachutes, exact models of those used by M. Garnerin and Mr. Cocking, the descent of which was intended to show the comparative safety of their particular structure. The parachutes were made of cotton, the framework of cane. About six o'clock, Mrs. Graham entered the car, accompanied by a Mr. John Adams; and the balloon ascended in very beautiful style. Having attained an altitude of six or seven hundred feet, Mrs. Graham cut the cord which st.pported the parachutes, and they descended at the same moment. It was some seconds before the model of M. Garnerin's parachute opened ; and when it did, the oscillation complained of on the occasion of the actual descent of that gentleman took place ; that of Mr. Cocking was somewhat slower in its descent, and very steady. The parachutes fell in the grounds of a gentleman very near the place of ascent, and were shortly after brought back to the gardens. In con- sequence of the unfavourable state of the weather, the gardens were not well attended, there not being more than eight hundred people present, and that number being scarcely sufficient to pay the expenses incurred, as far as benefit is concerned, it must be considered a total failure.
Thew was a row near Deptford on Saturday night, between some fellows, most of them costermongers, and the Police. The mob being divided into two parties, were about to settle a dispute by a pitched battle ; when the constables interfered, and after a desperate struggle secured the ringleaders.
A fire broke out at Knightsbridge early on Tuesday morning, which destroyed the premises of Mr. Clarke, a dealer in potatoes, and damaged five adjoining shops and houses.
On Saturday, the Metropolis, and the country for several miles round, were visited by one of the most severe storms of thunder, light- ning, and rain, remembered for many years. It commenced shortly after eleven, and continued with scarcely any intermission until about half-past three ; the rain during that period descending in torrents, flooding the streets and roads, and rendering them nearly impassable. At Lord Mansfield's, Caen Wood, several trees were struck by light- ning, and an ox was killed.
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