The neighbourhood of Abingdoo leis been for these two days
in is state of great excitement, in consequence of the disappearance of Mr. The neighbourhood of Abingdoo leis been for these two days in is state of great excitement, in consequence of the disappearance of Mr.
Thomas Townsend, coal-merchant of that place, who on Wednesday week took a boat-load of coals to Sutton ; and having finished his hu- sinesa, left that place about half-past six o'clock in the evening. Ile had, it appears, been to several public-houses ; and at one of them, being rather " fresh," as it is termed, stated that he was fearlid he he should be murdered before lie got home. lie however proeeeded ; and met Mr. Pullen, of Sutton, (Hi the bridge near to the paper-mills ; he expressed the same apprehension to him, mil begged him to return and accompany hirn as far as Culham. Mr. Pullen, however, said there was no danger, as it was so early ; and told him Herring, the
postman, was just before him. Soon after this, a woman and boy over- took him and passed him ; and almost immediately after this he was
met and passed by another person, leaving him on what is ealled Sutton- moor. This is the last that is known of him. In the morning his hat was found in a dry ditch on the moor, and a pocket-bandken hick with an eel in it in a dry ditch on the other side of the canal, belonging to
the rick-yard of Mr. John Mundy, of Culhatn. In the Iveiting, a heat seven o'clock, or soon after, cries of " murder " were distinctly heard,
exactly from the place where the handkerchief was found; and Mr.
Mundy's shepherd having retired to rest, heard these cries, and looking out of window, saw a light exactly at that spot, and heard a subdued voice exclaim, " I ht11111 me, Carter," with other words that he could uot distinguish. The facts that have already transpired appear invelved in great mystery; but these are all we know at present. The river arid canal have both been dragged with great assiduity, but the body has not yet been found.-0ajiiri/JouratuL A fire, beyond doubt the tel of an incendiary, broke out on Samiliy evening, about ten o'clock, on the premises of Mr. Hill, an exteusi-, farmer, cceupying land and premises under his (race the Doke. of Bedford, at l'otsgrove, a village about two miles front Wobunt, I It J.
fordshire. The whole of the farm-building, baras, stables, ea rt-bot:sc:;,
and corn and hay stimcks, with all the agricultural produce and mi:mp,e- melds contained in them, were entirely consumn:sl, leaving :iotl:ing standing, but the dwelhing-house, which escaped witliont injury. Throe men were discovered concealed in one of the out buildings ‘m-hile the fire was burning, vial were immediately given into custody; but en ex-
atnimaition before the Magistrates, they proved satisfi,etomily that f7;cy
were at Little 13rickhill (a village a few miles distant) when time tire broke out, mid came, as others had done, from curiosity only. They were therefore disc barged. Mr. kill, the occupier of the fern), is neither an Overseer nor Guardian of the Poor; and this is the third fire this winter on the property of the Duke of Bedford, who never insures.
On Tuesday night about twelve o'clock, the dwelling-house of Miss Bennet, near Gloucester, was entered by two men, who proceeded
directly to the bed-room of the lady and demanded her money. They took a lighted candle with them, and told her that if elle gave them what they desired, her money, they would not hurt her. She tel them that her money was in her pocket, which she had placed under her pillow ; one of the thieves immediately transferred the contents, consisting of a 10/. Chippenham bank-note, a sovereign, some silver, and a watch, to his own pocket.
The farmers in the vicinity of Oxford having receatly been robbed of their turnips to a considerable extent, set their wits to work to dis- cover the thieves. It being observed that they left the tops of the turnips behind them, these were carefully preserved ; and on the tnor- row, it being market-day, a man who was selling turnips in Oxford Market was taken up on suspicion, and it was found that the tops which had been left in the field exactly fitted the turnips be was offering for sale.
A few days ago, handbills were circulated amongst the agricultural population of the Isle of Thanet, calling upon them to assemble in the neighbourhood of the new workhouse, to take their prospects into consideration, and to determine upon the course to be adopted for their general benefit. The surplus men of the Preventive Service were collected from the coasts, and stationed near the spot named for the meeting. The labourers, however, did not obey the call ; and the Guard, after remaining in their hiding-place a considerable time, were dismissed to their stations. It was soon afterwards discovered, that the whole was a ruse of the smugglers ; who, in the temporary absence of the Preventive men, contrived to run a very large cargo of valuable goods without detection.
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