4 JULY 1840, Page 7

Three scoundrels, named Henry Harding. 11. Tayler, and William llishop,

have been fbIly committed to Readieg gaol, to take their trial at the next Berkshire Assizes for the capital offenee, charged with hav- ing each cf. them (with another of their companions, named James Smith, not yet in custody) violated a young girl named Patience Martin, on Sunday evening, at the village of I3isham, near Marlow. The poor girl offered every assistance in her power, but her cries anti entreaties had no effect upon the monsters by whom she was so inhumanly assailed. One of the wretches held a drawn knife over her, and, with the most horrid imprecations, threatened to murder her if she attempted to resist. The fourth brute, whose person is known, cannot long escape the officers, who are in pursuit of Wm.—Me/min!, Chermie/e.

Lest week, two young fellows quarrelled at Holm Rook ; and finally settled their difference by a regular up-and-down fight in the Lanca- shire fashion. As an appropriate conclusion to their brutality, one of the combatants bit his opponent's nose off, and swallowed it!—White- haven Herald. A singular circumstance occurred at the Baptist Chapel at Witham, on Sunday evening. A preacher of that sect, who had been recom- mended by a Metropolitan brother, had ascended the pulpit, and was dealing out threats against this wicked world, when two uncouth beings yclept constables entered the fold. The pious man was astounded. He was speedily torn from his pulpit and his flock, leaving his hearers to meditate on this novel peroration. The fact seems to be, that the captured minister had been meddling with some earthly matters, con- trary to the views of certain old-fashioned lawmakers, and he was taken away that night, duly handcuffed, to Cambridge ; at the tread-wheel of which celebrated town he will probably take a high degree.—Chebas- fbrd Chronicle.