5 JULY 1834, Page 10

Egg. Countrn.

A dinner was given on Wednesday evening, in the large room of the Hoop Tavern, Cambridge, by the electors of the town, to Mr. Spring Rice, with the view of complimenting him on his recent return to re- present that town in Parliament.

We learn from the True Sun, that there are now two old men im- prisoned for debt in the Essex county gaol, under singularly cruel and disgraceful circumstances. They were Churchwardens of the parish of Chingford in Essex ; and, as such, gave their personal security for a loan of 200/. to the parish from it Mr. Newton. This loan was to be repaid by instalments ; but only 50/. of it has been paid. The parish then, under the guidance of new Churchwardens, refused to pay any more ; and the representatives of Mr. Newton, who is now (lead, catne upon the Churehwardens who had given the security and borrowed the money for the parish. These poor men stood a trial, and were defeated. They have since been pursued to extremity; and are now actually in prison, utterly ruined, for the non-payment of this parish debt. Their names are Joseph Pettet and George Wanger ; the one is aged eighty-four, and the other sixty-six. The money bor- rowed by these men was employed in furnishing the parish poor-house. Part of the furniture so bought has been sold, but the proceeds have not been applied to liquidating the debt. The interest of the debt has been regularly paid by the parish. Time goods of the Overseer have been seized, and lie will soon be in prison also.

A marine officer, who was summoned to attend the Court-martial on ..7aptain Hugh Pigott, as a witness, was directed to be paid by the Admiralty about ten guineas for his expenses. The Board has ordered him to refund the money ; stating in the order, that in looking at the niinutes, the Board finds he was summoned on the part of the prosecu- tion, and not on that of the defence !—Hanipshire Telegraph.

Accounts of the wheat from all the agricultural districts are of the most flattering description, and should the present splendid weather continue, an early and productive harvest may be confidently looked forward to.—Western Luminary.

On Tuesday last, a very simple-looking couple, both steam-loom weavers from Oldham, named Jeremiah Greaves and Marian Marsden, presented themselves at the hymeneal altar in the parish-church, Middle- ton, for the purpose of being married. When the Minister had got to that part of the marriage-ceremony which says "From this day for- ward," the bridegroom said "From this day fortnight." The Minister thereupon declined to many the couple, and they had to return home again, each in a state of single blessedness.—Manchester Advertiser.

The shoemakers of Derby have struck for an advance of wages. The masters have determined to resist the demand, on the ground that neither the present prices of provisions nor the circumstances of' the trade will admit of an advance of prices.

A large cotton-mill, occupied by Messrs. Alayall and Garside, at Oldham, was discovered to be on fire on Saturday morning about two o'clock. The fire originated in some of the machinery, which not

being oiled sufficiently, ignited through friction. During the fire, thirty persons %Tittered into the mill, in the hope of saving their pro- perty. While they were inside, all the four floors of the building fell ; and fifteen out of thirty were buried in the ruins and burnt to death. One poor fellow laid hold of a red-hot bar at a window, and stuck to it till taken down from without ; but his hands were so dread- fully burnt, every particle of flesh sticking to the iron, that he died in the course of the next day. A Coroner's Jury, on Monday, found a verdict of " Accidental Death " on the bodies of thirteen of the sufferers.

On Friday, the boiler of a portable steam thrashing-machine burst, whilst working at the farm of Messrs. Leach, Croxons, and Co., about one mile from Oswestry. It appears that the machine was capable of thrashing, when properly managed, fifteen measures per hour, with three or four hands. It had been at work the previous (lay only, and great numbers had been to witness its powerful operations. At the time of the accident, few persons, fortunately, were there. The accident is at- tributed to the man cording down the sgfely.wake. Immediately the boiler burst, which, with the apparatus, weighed 2,-4 tons ; and was thrown off the wheels about ten yards, scattering its contents of scalding water on all around, and knocking down and injuring several persons by the vio- lent concussion, two of whom were blown over some pales several yards off. Two persons were dreadfully injured, and immediately carried to the Oswestry Arms.