FAILURES IN THE WOOL Teanx.—We have heard it affirmed to-day,

that the total number of the late failures in the wool-trade amounts to at least twenty, and the aggregate of their debts to 1,200,000/. So great a convulsion in that particular branch of trade has probably never before occurred. The Bank of England, it is said, will suffer considerably by them; for though the Directors here had been in the habit of rejecting much of their accommodation paper, their vigilance was not altogether proof against the ingenuity of some of the parties concerned in its circulation. But the principal losses of the Bank, it is believed, will have occurred at the branch banks, where less caution seems to have been exercised, and the paper to have passed more freely than it did in town.—Times, Friday. Two or three failures have taken place in Leith within the last fortnight, but not for very large sums. We regret to learn that Mr. Rennie's bankruptcy has produced more injury in that port and elsewhere than was at first supposed, and that many of the sufferers have lost money under circumstances which render their losses doubly painful.— Scotsman. Urs AND Dowss or Um—The following story, which has gone the rounds of the press this week, is remarkable if it be true. " A short time since there died at a village, a few miles from London, Mr. G. P—, a native of Yorkshire. His history is a warning to gamblers on the Stock Exchange. His parents had given him an education sufficient to qualify him for a situation in the office of a first- rate army agent, with whom, by his integrity and attention to business, he ad- vanced himself to the station of principal clerk, at a salary of 1,500/. per annum. During the war, his intercourse with military men and politicians afforded him early information of movements in state affairs, and induced him to try his hand on the Stock Exchange, where he realized at one time from 400,000/. to 500,000/. He then built an elegant mansion at C—n, kept horses, car. riages, and a large establishment. His acquaintances (who then called them- selves his friends) visited him regularly, and were always received*ith great hos- pitality. He purchased also a large estate in Hampshire, and another in Sussex ki the latter of which was attached a rotten borough, by means of which he proposed to become a legislator. In 1819, however, the scale turned against him, but still hoping for better luck he continued a stock-jobber, until at length his money b. ing gone, there were no more time-bargains, and he retired to a furnished lodging, with two old and faithful servants, a man and his wife, who expended all the savinos of their industry (several hundred pounds) in the support of their master. Irk August last the poor man died, at the age of sixty-eight years, without apparent disease, but broken-hearted by misfortune and neglect. The faithful servant ap. plied to several gentlemen who had been in habits of intimacy with his master when he was in prosperity, to enable him to bury the corpse in a decent manner..... but in vain. To prevent, however, the remains of one to whom he was devoted being carried to the grave as a pauper, the poor man literally pawned his industry, by contracting a debt of 10/., to secure what he called a decent interment, f'or one whose adversity he had cheered by constant assiduity and attention.

TATTERSALL'S.—Many of the betting men having already taken their departure

for Doncaster, the room was not very fully attended on Thursday, The odds closed thus— ST. LEGER.-7 to 2 agst Lord Cleveland's Voltaire—no takers ; 4 to I agst Mr. Petre's Rowton—takers at 9 to 2; 8 to I agst Mr. Forth's Frederic ; 10 to 1 against Lord Larg ford's Sir Hercules—no takers ; 11 to 1 against Mr. Ridsdale's Clotilde—taken freel'e- 13 to 1 agst Lord Cleveland's Stotforth 14 to I apt Mr. Thcohald'S The Exquisii ' taken ; 20 to 1 ugst Mr. Athorne's Wandering Boy ; 20 to 1 agst Mr. Scott's Felt ; to 1 agst Mr. Petre's Apollonia ; 10000 to 20 agst Lord Scarborough's Lot—taken; to lb agst The Exquisite for this and the Cup—taken. THE C u P.-6 to 4 agst Lord Chesterfield's Zinganee ; 4 to 1 agst his Majesty's pie, de Lis—taken ; 4 to 1 agst Major Yarburgh's Laurel. Murphy and the Exquisite are talked of, but the odds areindetinite.

CAPTAIN DICKINSON.—lt may not be uninteresting to mention, that Captain Dickinson served with Sir George Cockburn on the American coast at the taking of Washington, and was first Lieutenant on board the Northumberland when 13mi- naparte was conveyed to St. Helena. From this period may be dated, we believe,

his promotion to the rank of Commander. He has seen much service, and has fought his way to the post which he now fills in the navy.—Brighton Gazdt,.. COUNT Datto.—Count Daru, the author of the History of Fenice, an active member of the Chamber of Peers, and formerly one of Napoleon's Intendant- Generals, died a few days ago of apoplexy at his country seat, near Paris. It will

be remembered that Buonaparte, in speaking of the Count at St. Helena, said " that he was as lahorious as an ox, and as brave as a lion."

Tits PRINCESS DOWAGER OF BRAZIL.—The Princess of Brazil, Donna Maria Francisca Benedicta, Widow of Dom Jose, eldest son to Pedro III. and M:tria I. died on the 18th of August. This Princess was born on the 25th of July 1746, and was aunt to the late King John VI., to whose elder brother she was married. Her life was an eventful one. At the age of nine years she witnessed the dreadful earthquake which destroyed this city. She married the heir to the throne ; but before any children followed from their union, he was torn from her by the small pox. She dedicated the remainder of her life to acts of beneficence, which have endeared her memory to the people. All the members of the Bra- ganza family in Lisbon, except the old Queen, attended her before her death, and she gave some excellent advice to Miguel. The funeral partook somewhat of the splendour which distinguished such processions in the 16th and 17th centuries.

COMMODORE PonTER.—This redoubted Yankee has been of late in the Mexican service. On the eve of returning home to the United States, he was nearly as- sassinated, while travelling on the highway to the city of Mexico, with his friend Dr. Boardman. The Commodore in a letter dated Mexico 9th May, gives an account of the adventure, graphic in itself, and so pleasantly tin ted with Jonathan. ism, that we feel inclined to copy it entire, as a good story. 0J have net vet had an interview with the, President, but shall to-morrow, when I shall settle all matters with them, and return home. On may way here I had a rnost unpleasant and extremely dangerous adventure ; but my good genius protected me, as it has done on many other occasions. Travelling with a friend, and having no appre- hension of danger, we were suddenly attacked by three banditti, being part of a gang of seven, well mounted, and well armed, with their faces blacked, and looking more like devils than human beings. We had merely time to form a line on one side of the road, [a line of two] while they formed on the other. The battle commenced by their captain discharging his pistol at me, at the distance of a few paces. I then fired, and should have killed him, had not his horse thrown up his head and received the ball in his neck. He, in great rage, fired again at me, and missed me. By this time all the pistols of the banditti were discharged, as well as those of my friend. One of my pistols was loaded, and I charged with my friend, in among them. They fled, and we pursued ; when the captain sud- denly wheeled his horse, passed my friend, and came directly at Inc with his sabre, to cut me down. I waited quietly until he came within six feet of me, when I shot him through the body. He fell on the neck of his horse, and they both came to the ground together. His companions, seeing this, became intimi- dated, but after a little time, seeing an intention on their part to charge against me (my friend being occupied in finishing the captain, who was not quite dead), I seized a small fowling piece which was in the hands of my servant, [it was three to three after all] and compelled them to retreat ; this left us masters of the field. We took possession of the captain's horse, arms, Six., and delivered them to the alcaide or magistrate of the next village. The villagers turned out armed, and gave pursuit, when, soon meeting five of the gang, they killed one of them. It is a most fortunate circumstance fur us that we did not fall in with Mr Wide gang, if we had, I should not now be alive to tell the tale. My friend Dr. Board- man received a severe sabre wound in his left arm." THE EARL OF Sr. VINCENT'S GRANDCHILOREN.—Previous to the public office in Southampton-buildings being closed for the vacation, a strong discussion had for a length of time been carrying on in the office of Mr. Trower, one of the Masters of the High Court of Chancery, respecting the guardianship to the children of the Hon. Jervis Jervis, a supposed lunatic. The Earl St. Vincent, ;is father of Mr. Jervis and grandfather to the children, claimed to be appointed guardian, and proposed himself as the person for the Master to approve. Tins was opposed by the trustee to Mr. Jervis and his children, and also by numerous persons related to the children through their deceased mother ; all these gentlemen objected to the children being placed under the care of Lord St. Vincent, and concurred in naming Lord Barrington as the person they wished the Master to appoint as guardian. After a long and minute investigadon of all the circum- stances brought forward on both sides of the case, qe Master rejected the pro- posal of Lord St. Vincent, and has appointed Lord Barrington to act 01 loco- parentis to the children during the distressing illness of BREECHES MADE ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTUREs.—A i) card put forth by a " tailor and breechesina.ker," at the West end of the a, gives a drawing of Adam and Eve, seated (as we opine) on a bank of tint c.ntal in the Regent's Park; with this motto underneath the picture,—"Ill. chapter of Genesis, and 7th verse ;" which in the celebrated so-called Breeches Bible of Barker, 1595, istranslated "And they sewed fig-leaves together, and made themselves breeches." LIFE SUPPDRTED BY Knoell NE EL—The following notice appeared in the Courier of Monday. Our contemporary ought to explain the nature of that artificial means

by which declining life may be spun out for a couple of years beyond its time.

lierhaps some improver on the original invention might contrive to increase its eflicacy from a two-year to a twenty-year power. It would be pleasant, when

se had gone as far as maure could carry us, to have a piece of machinery at hand that would enable us to continue our journey for a quarter of a century longer. " The funeral obsequies of the Princess Marta Francisca Benedtcta were

performed on the 20th, at the Royal Convent of St. Vincent de Fora, where her remains were deposited among her royal ancestors. Iler Royal Highness has been Si) long on the decline that the prolongation of her life, for the last two years,has only been effected by artificial means." floW TO AUDIT PUBI.IC ACCOUNTS—From the Seventeenth Report of the Com- misAoners for Auditing Public Accounts in Irelar (I, it would appear that those gentlemen perform their duties with the utmost st detness and rigour. Some of the disallowed items are curious. What would our rose-water select vestry friends—our Epicurean Norwood visitors, who cannot bear that any of their little comforts should be abridged, so long as they come out of their brother pa- rhioners' pockets, say to the following;—" Disallowed 6441. fis. 8d., WhiCh was paid to R. Morrison for a breakfast for the Lord Lieutenant, on laying the foundation-stone of the Royal harbour of George IV., at Kingstown, the same being contrary to the intention of the Legislature : disallowed Ill, for refresh- ments for the Lord Lieutenant, for the same reason : disallowed 321. 12s. 9d. for a trowel and gilding implements, being furnished contrary to the act of 52 Geo. neap. 52: disallowed 550/., paid to G. Smith, for erecting a commemorative column in honour of his Majesty, not being provided for by act of Parliament : ihallowed 3161. 17s. 11d., paid to Mr. Commissioner Crofton, for his journey to London, to forward a bill in Parliament, for want of the Lord Lieutenant's audio- : te."—cumneultis aliis.—Times.

Liw-stsruNo.—There were passed in the last session of Parliament, 63 public Eeneral acts; 136 local and personal acts, declared public, and to be judicially `noticed ; 50 private acts, printed by the King's Printer, the printed copies whereof may be given in evidence ; and 19 private acts, not printed; making a total of 268 acts. Of the private acts, 7 were for authorizing divorce by reason of adultery ; and 23 for enclosing„commons and waste lands in different parts of the country. PErtrioNs TO PARLIAMENT.—In the session of 1828, there were printed, by order of the House of Commons, 1.579 petitions, arid in the last session 3,194. The Tines suggests that the expensive system of printing petitions should be resisted: The public money should not he lavished on the printing of thousands of pen-

: having precisely the same prayer. It was ludicrous to hear honourable miatlemen gravely moving at one fell swoop that forty or fifty petitions, all far- rows of the same sow, and coming from obscure villages with unpronounceable names, should be printed. They manage this matter much better in the Lords, where petitions are not ordered to be printed."

LONG LIFE IN GALWAY.—A person, named Ralph Walsh, died in Galway, on Monday last, at the extraordinary age of 104 years. He was in the army in early life, and was placed on the pension list in the reign of George tine Second! was gaoler in this town for upwards of 17 years, and possessed his faculties to the !nt. A woman also died at Ardley, near this town, a few days ago, aged H3 years: She possessed her full senses to the last moment.—Connaught Journal.

RECOVERY OF BAD DEBTS.—A respectable individual in Sheffield, who has long been troubled with many customers that could pay, but would not, has lately

hit upon an original, and, we believe, an effectual plan for securing payment,

which we record for the benefit of such of our readers as may be similarly situated. He provides his collector with his dinner, and orders him, if the money is not forthcoming, to open out the cates, and inform his debtor that he has brought his dinner, and must wait till the bill be paid, and that ii he does not return by such an hour, more victuals will be sent to him. The result has been an immediate discharge of tine long-standing account.—Sheffield Iris. [It would be a more effectual method, to quarter the dun upon the debtor.] SWEARING A WITNESE.—In a parish appeal case, heard at the Middlesex Ses- sions on tine 10th, Mr. Adolphus called an old woman, a sister of the paupers father, to prove that her brother had been born in the parish of Sidbury. When the old lady came to the book to be sworn, she held it in her right hand, during the time that the officer repeated the oath ; but, when that was done, she re- cooed to kiss the Testament. Mr. Adolphus—" Why do you object to kiss the hook ?" The old lady, who from her age was very tremulous, replied that she had no objection to speak the truth, but sine would not be sworn. Mr. Holland— "But you must be sworn, or they will send you to gaol." The old woman—" I can't help it ; let me tell the truth." Mr. Adolphus—" That is all we want of roe, after you've been sworn." The old woman—" I won't swear, for I don't know what stories you will make me tell." The officer of the Court—" There is danger of that. Listen to the oath—you are to speak the truth, the whole

troth, and nothing but the truth.' " The old woman—" Well, if you're sure t'sat's all, I don't mind kissing the book." The old lady was accordingly duly :worn, and Mr. Adolphus proceeded to examine her. After eliciting from her at her name was Betsy Bayle, and that her parents lived at Sidbury, Mr. Adol- phus endeavoured to obtain from her evidence to show that French, the pauper's

tither and her younger brother, was likewise born there. Mr. Adolphus—" How 1 were you when French was born ?"—" I can't rightly say, for I don't recol-

i,ct." " How old are you now ?"—" I don't know, for I can't remember." But you know about how old ; are you fifty r'—" I am sure !can't remember." "Are you eighty ?"—" I tell you I forget." "Are you a hundred ?"—" I wish Icould remember, but I ani not able." " Now don't you know that you were eight years old when your brother was born ?"—"i I forget, because I don't re- member." " Don't you know that he was afterwards married ?"—" Oh no ; I Isn't remember anything about that." The Chairman—" Well, call your .next aitness." Mr. Adolphus—" I have no other, Sir."

THE STEast-ENGINE.—The Marquis of Worcester has generally the credit of being the inventor of the steam-engine on the strength of the " Century of In- tentions," which is merely an index of his pretended discoveries, and contains simply an account of their effects without any description or diagram. Any per- sfto might write such a work in week, especially with the aid of a lively im&gina- tum. Many of tine marquis!s " inventions " art now as far from being found out ai they were when he wrote their description. In fact, he was merely a dexterous professor of the art of humbug. The steam-engine was really invented by Savary, although Newcomen deserves the credit of effecting improvements nearly tanta- mount to the invention of a new machine ; and a second time by Watt, for his steam-engine, although bearivng the same name, may be said to be a different machine from that of his predecessors.—Morning Journal.