The novel experiment of driving a steam-barge from London to
Oxford, capable of carrying 200 tons, was on Saturday last successfully accomplished.This boat, called the Shell, draws only two feet of water, and is impelled by two twenty-horse high pressure engines. Her paddle-wheel is in the stern, to enable her to pass the locks with- out difficulty. She is 120 feet long and 15 in width ; has rudders (one at each quarter) worked by one wheel ; and her chimney lets down on the deck for the convenience of passing the bridges. To give a fair idea of her rate of travelling, it will be sufficient to state, that she was only two hours and a half in coining from Old Windsor to Maiden- head, a part of the river rendered most particularly difficult by the ra- pidity of the current and the numerous very sudden turns in its course. 'I he vessel also laboured under many other disadvantages, from its being her first voyage, all of which can easily be remedied in future. She returned to town early on Tuesday morning. We understand it is the intention of the proprietor soon to commence running regularly from London to this city, and he expects to make at least three voy- ages a fortnight.— Oxford Chronicle.
The following story is abridged from the Birmingham Journal-
" Robert Taylor is the son of the late Lord Kennedy, who married his mother twelve months after his birth. His mother dying when he was young, his father ordered him to be pot to nurse; and a woman named Robinsen' in the City Road, London, received IOW, a year and IL a week, to take care of him. When about seven years of age, he was stolen by some gipsies ; who deserted him at Biliton, where a collier picked him up; and he was employed in the pits. It happened in the mean time, that Lord Kennedy died ; and, having no lawful issue, he bequeathed the greater portion of his property to the sub- ject of this narrative. Inquiries were instituted in all directions to find him out; and advertisements fully describing his person, and some particular marks upon his arms, wore inserted in the leading journals. Just at this time, ha was taken ill at Bilston, and was in the habit of attending a surgeon daily for his prescriptions. The surgeon having seen the advertisement, thought he recognized the person wanted in his patient ; sod on asking him questions, and examining him closely, he became convinced that he was in reality a &amour, in the rough ; and be accordingly wrote to the advertising parties ia London. Ile was recognized by Mrs. Rolliuson, and was placed in a situation of affluence: but, unhappy there, he took a large fillitt of money with him, and went to Bilston' where, in dissipation, lie noun spent it, and was brought near to death. In this situation, an angel of the temperance Society crossed his path—he became a Tte-totallet ; and, after raising the wiud to a considerable extent from those who had well assured them. selves of his future hopes, he started again for London in good sty le, anti once more placed Mosel( under the care of Mrs. Robinson. Baring remained theie for the last three years, lie became uncomfortable, and resolved upon leaving. It appears that according to one of the eccentricities of the will under which he has obtained a portion, mitt is to have the whole of his property, he was bound to live with Mrs Rubinson until he got married, or attained the age of twenty. one. I he miser used for a wife ; itud receiving an answer (rein Birmingham, went there last week, and seeing the fair one, fixed Saturday fur the marriage. She wished to wait till Monday. Upon which he itiquired for another girl; was introduced to Mary Ann Skidmore, who nas fetched out of Mr. Barns's
factory, in Newhall Street, to see him on Friday ; and on Saturday morning
they were married by licence at St. Philip's Church ; both looking forward, no doubt, with the pleasing anticipation of being in two years in the enjoyment of property, it is said, to the enormous amount of 60,000/. per annum, lie is now only nineteen years of age, and his wife not so old. She is a good looking girl, and the daughter of poor but honest parents in Edmund Street. She bore a good character from her employer. They remained in Birmingham. until Tuesday morning, whoa they started for Derby."
A waggon, containing a piano, some valuable furniture, a quantity of tea, wine, and other article's, took fire on Sunday morning, on the rood in the neighbourhood of Cheshunt. The horses were promptly let loose ; but no water could be had, the handle of a pump on the road being chained and locked. No assistance was given by people on the road, because it was supposed that the waggon contained gun- powder. It di./ contain turpentine, which is believed to have been ignited. The value of the property was considerable.
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