ebr enuntro.

The annual meeting of the Birmingham Political Union was held on Monday last, at Mr. Beardsworth's Repository ; Mr. G. F. Muntz in the chair. A statement of the accounts of the Union was read ; from which it appeared, that since its establishment in 1830; the whole expenditure had not exceeded 3,297/. 19s. A OA certain resolutions had been passed, the old members of the Council yore unanimously re- elected; and a very long declaration of rights was adopted by the meet- ing. It is as full of confidence and self-gratulation as a Treasury pamphlet.

Mr. Buckingham, the Member for Sheffield, has lately paid a visit to his constituents - who appear to have welcomed him with grsat cordia- lity. He attended two public dinners, and gave a full account of his Parliamentary exertions—the obstacles which be had to encounter from the inattention and incivility of his brother Members at first, and the nerve with which he stood his ground against them. The electors of Sheffield gave their decided approbation to his conduct : and it is clear, from the tenor of his speeches, that the worthy Member enjoys to the full the comfortable approval of his own conscience.

Sir Edward Sugden has published a long add -ess to the electors of Cambridge, on the subject of Mr. Pryine's alleged disqualiiieation to represent that borough.

Messrs. Long and Buckle, the Corporation Cormai,s.ioners, arrived at Huntingdon on Tuesday week. The Mayor, in his examination, admitted that the offices of High Steward and Recorder were filled by friends of the house of Sandwich, who, though Magistrates, were not residents. Mr. Commissioner Long said that the charter required that the Recorder should be "learned in the law ;" how came they to choose the Earl of Ancram ? The Town-clerk answered, that being an here- ditary legislator, he was presumed to be "learned in the law." [ A very good answer : if it is not a sufficient reason, the reason for the present House of Lords is not sufficient.3 Both the Mayor and the Town- clerk admitted, that none but friends of the Sandwich interest would be admitted into the select body The inquiry terminated on Thursday evening, and that respecting the adjoining borough of Godmanchester next evening. The Corporation has acknowledged itself in debt to the amount (with arrears of interest) of six-thousand pounds, with arevenue aabout fifty pounds a year.—Huatingdou Gazette.

Exchequer processes have been issued against Messrs. Capel Han- bary Leigh, of Pontypool Park, John Jones, of Lanark Court, B. Hall, M. P. for Monmouth, and John H. Moggridge, of Woodfield, on account of claims made by the Church to tithes of coppice woods in the hills of Monmouthshire, which had never been before paid. As the produce sought to be taxed by this new clerical encroachment is extensively used in the great iron-works and collieries of Monmouth- shire and South Wales, the establishment of this parsonic demand would prove a great and extensive calamity, and the ferment occasioned thereby proportionally great. It is stated from good authority, that the present claims for tithes in the parish of Kendal would, if substan- tiated, be an additional tax of 10,000/. a year on that parish alone ! For four hundred years no tithes such as are now demanded have been paid. The parishes of Cadoxton fax& Feath, Lanshidian' Laudilotaly-bout, and many others, in Glamorganshire, are convulsed by hundreds and thousands of Exchequer or other processes, for tithes of articles never before paid. Carmarthensbire also, and other Welsh counties, are steering under a similar clerical visitation.—Sheffield Iris.

The last few days have brought to light a completely new mode of lauding church-rates. In the town of Morley, the supporters of cor- retitle:in seem determined not to yield when they are conquered. On the Morning of Sunday week, a notice to the following effect was read in the church by the incumbent, the Reverend Andrew Cassels-.- "Thata rate of threepence in the pound for Morley, and of fourpence- lialfpenny for Churwell, has been made and will be collected. Signed, Ecsjamin Kirk, Churchwarden." In the afternoon of the day, another notice was posted up at the church door, and at the doors of the chapels in Morley--." That a rate of three halfpence in the pound, for the use al the said church, will be collected by John Webster, Churchwarden."

And these notices were given, notwithstanding the decision of the rate- payers, only last month, that the Churchwardens have sufficient money

their hands for the current year, and the adjournment of its.conside- ration for twelve months. Really these proceedings clearly and plainly show that the actors of them are either insane, or they are determined to exasperate the feelings of the rate-payers to the utmost extremity. It seems we must have no peace in the village, so long as the *Church maintains its unnatural connexion with the State; as, ever since this discussion, there has been nothing but tumult, malice, envy, hatred, and revenge. A person is employed at this moment in making the three halfpenny rate, and, for aught we know, it is to be collected imme- diately; and it is believed that many of the poor chicken-hearted tenants of a certain nobleman dare not refuse to pay such unjust and unlawful imposts ; if they should, however, they will be deserving of being taxed ten thousand times more than they are.—Leeds Times.

A meeting was held last week in the vestry at Attercliffe, for the purpose of laying a church-rate. The first of the items on the chapel. wardens' list—viz. 15/. to the sexton--being put to the vote, was nega- tived by a considerable majority; the second—viz. 5/. for ringing the bell—produced some discussion. It was proposed that the meeting should adjourn for twelvemonths; which was immediately carried by an overwhelming majority.—Sheffield Courant.

At a meeting of the rate-payers at Boston, Lincolnshire, on Thurs- day week, a proposition was made to lest- ninepence in the pound to defray the expenses of the church, such as new bell-frames, 200/., sacra- mental wine, &c. The proposition was unanimously rejected, and one for sixpence in the pound adopted ; so that the Churchwardens who had paid the bills were minus a considerable sum out of pocket, and nothing left them to pay the current expenses of the church.

The erection of the charitable institution called the Hospital of St. John the Baptist, Winchester, ordered to be restored by the Court of Chancery, is proceeding with much activity; and the noble edifice, when complete, will be an ornament to the city, and afford a comfortable asylum to such of its inhabitants as may be thought worthy of being re- cipients of the munificent donors' bounty. Two admirably-carved busts of his present Majesty and of the Bishop of Winchester have just been completed, for the purpose of being placed in some conspicuous part of the budding.—Hainpshire Chronicle. The funds of the Corporation of Winchester are at so low an ebb, that there is to be no Mayor's feast this year. A public dinner is an- nounced instead.

Exchequer processes have been issued against some oyster-fishermen on the Southern coast of Wales, at the suit of Colonel and Mrs. Perrott, to enforce the payment of tithes upon oysters.

A sage proposal was lately made to enlarge the r -eommodation of a parish church in North Essex, not then half filled, because if it were not done, the parish would be unable to obtain a sum of 40/. from the Commissioners for Building Churches. Upon this it was very natu- rally asked, "how much it would cost the parishioners to obtain this 401.?" The clergyman innocently replied, "About 1001."—Colchester Gazette.

The Marquis of Londonderry intends to discontinue the working of Iris coal-mines at Sbiney Row. Several of the workmen have already been removed to Pittington, and to a new pit which his Lordship is sinking at Broomside, a mile and a half from Durham. The whole of his Lordship's collieries have been off work for nearly a week, in con- sequence of some misunderstanding between his Lordship and the

Sunderland fitters.—Sunderland Herald.

It is known that the journeymen glovers of Worcester some time since formed themselves into a society for the purpose of cooperating with the master manufacturers and their brother journeymen in other places, in the endeavour to change the determination of Government with respect to the admission of French gloves into this country. Find- ing all their efforts Unavailing, the members of the society met on

Thursday night, in order to dissolve their body; and it appearing that, after defraying the expenses, there would be a balance of 3/. 2s. 6d, in the hands of the Treasurer, it was unanimously resolved that it should be given to the funds of the Infirmary.— Worcester Journal.

At the Greenwich Petty Sessions, on Tuesday, John Munyard, a well-known green-grocer of Greenwich, was charged with swindling Thomas Coggin, a simple-looking cowkeeper (who appears to have been a remarkably ready dupe), out of about fifty pounds. The evi- dence of this poor fellow proved, that by one trick upon another Mut-, yard, who had no real claim against him whatever, contrived to become his principal creditor and obtain all his property. The particulars, however, are quite uninteresting. The prisoner declared that his con- duct had been fair throughout. He was remanded.

William York was committed to Warwick Gaol, as principal, with George Morris and Isaac Barnett as accessories, in causing the death of William Jackson in a pugilistic contest at Stratford-on-Avon the previous day. Jackson was a good deal cut in the face and eyes, and death ensued in the night. An inquest was held next day, when a verdict of "Manslaughter" was returned.

The ship Dorothy, Captain Garuock, sailed from Liverpool on the 30th April, for Bombay. On the 4th of July, being rather leaky, she experienced fresh gales from the westward, with squally weather, when she became more leaky. At midnight, the water in the hold was about four feet above the keelson, with both pumps continually going; the spell off the pumps doing the extra duty. It then became clear to Captain Garnock, that there was no chance of saving the ship ; and in consequence, about one a.m. of Friday the 5th of July, the long- boat was got out by launching her over the gunwale, the stanchions' being cut away. Two empty puncheons were put into the boat, which they succeeded in nearly filling with fresh water. Three barrels and two bags of bread were stowed in the boat, together with three top- gallant studding-sails, some cordage, and a few small stores. A jolly-- boat was also launched; and about three a.m. all bands (twenty-five. souls) got into the two boats, hanging by the ship astern, waiting for daylight. At this time, the water in the ship's hold was washing over the iron stowed in the main-hatch, being about six feet below the- beams ; the ship filling fast, and straining heavily. The small boat was sent for a compass and some cordage, the water in the ship's hold

being then up to her beams. As there was then no doubt that she must shortly go down, the boats cast off from her about eight

a.m., and stood to the northward ; Mr. Hughes, second mate, and five seamen in the small boat; Gaptain Garnock, Mr. Smith, mate, and seventeen hands in the long-boat. On the 20th of July, they ap- proached the island of Trinidad, having sailed 838 miles in these boats, but found it impossible to reach it. They then stood away for Bahia. At this time, their stock of water was one puncheon; and the daily supply of provisions to the hands was one biscuit and ahalf, about half an ounce of dried round of beef, a small piece of Bombay dried fish, a piece of fat one day, and a piece of cheese on alternate days, each about the size of a small walnut, with three wine-glasses of water each meal. At length, on the 24th of July, they were all taken up, sound and well, by an American vessel bound for Stonington in Con- necticut, from the Falkland Islands. They had been twenty days and nineteen nights in their boats, and had sailed 1,311 miles.

On Thursday week, Mr. C. Hirst, son of Mr. Hirst, of Bradley Mills, near Leeds, was shooting pigeons on the bank of the pool of water adjoining his father's mill. With a desire to recover his game, he ventnred to float a large plank, and got upon it ; and in endeavouring to reach the birds, lost his balance, and was precipitated into the water. A boy from the mill first perceived what had occurred, and gave the alarm. Another person came up to render assistance ; but, not being a swimmer, would not venture into the water. By this time, several persons came to the spot, alarmed by the cries of the young gentleman. John Kitchen, a faithful servant in the employment of Mr. Hirst, said, "Well, but I can swim, and will venture my life for him •" and in- stantly plunged into the water. When he had made to the pace where young Mr. .Hirst was last observed to go down, he was suddenly seized by the leg, and also taken ander water, calling out " He is drowning me ;" such was the intense grasp with which he was held by the expir- ing youth. The dam was about four yards in depth ; and both of them were drowned. The young man was only eighteen. Kitchen has left a widow and fife children.

On Saturday afternoon, as a boy named William Hutton was, along with some other boys, searching in the fields for bramble-berries in the- neighbourhood of Moresby in Cumberland, he fell into the shaft of an old coal-pit, which had not been worked for along time, and was all grown over with briars and brushwood. [In mining counties, accidents are constantly happening from neglect in putting a sufficent fence round old and disused shafts. The law, we believe, is sufficiently peremp- tory on this point, but the Magistrates do not enforce it as they should.] A serious accident from machinery occured on Friday at Basted Mills, the property of Mr. N. Green. Notwithstanding frequent admo- nitions, a young woman employed in the factory attempted to wipe one of the cylinders with her apron ; in consequence of which, both her hands were entangled in the machinery, which denuded the bones com- pletely to the wrists, and fractured several of the fingers. Mr. Green immediately sent for medical aid, and the parts were quickly bound up. The medical gentlemen agreed that the only resource was to amputate both hands immediately; but to such a mutilation the poor woman would not consent. It is highly probable the woman's life may be sacrificed in consequence of her refusal.—Maidstone Gazette.

A fearful accident happened near the Red Bull public-house, between Dudley and Oldbury, Shropshire, on Saturday last, by the explosion of

gas in a coal- pit. It is melancholy to relate, that no fewer than thirteen men have thus met with an untimely death. The pit, although very deep, sent up the flames through the shaft as from the mouth of a chim- ney on fire.—Cambrian.

The Liverpool Express coach was overturned last Saturday, near Dunstable. The coachman and three outside passengers were seriously injured. One of the latter has since died. An inquest was held on the body on Thursday ; and a verdict of Manslaughter returned against the coachman, who was driving furiously.

Colonel Landmann, engineer of the London and Greenwich Railway Company, whilst employed in laying out a part of the line near the Neckinger Road, lately, received a small shot in the left eye from some Cockney sportsman. Fortunately, the shot was nearly spent, or the consequences might have been fatal.

Several cases of incendiarism have lately occurred in Durham and Northumberland. Rewards of a hundred pounds have been offered in two instances, for the discovery of the offenders.

On Thursday morning, a fire broke out on the premises of Messrs. Davis and Brown, sugar-refiners, Lower Road, Deptford, at the rear of the building : it was discovered by the Policeman on duty. An alarm was immediately given; and by the exertions of the workmen on the premises, and several Policemen, the fire was extinguished without doing any material damage. Had it not been discovered so soon, the destruction of property (from the inflammable nature of the stock) must have been very great. The origin of the fire is not known.

Between seven and eight last night (Wednesday), a fire was disco- vered in one of the barns on Uphill Farm, in the parish of Urchfont, in the occupation of Mr. Alexander, which in a short time consumed the produce of twenty acres. Within an hour afterwards, and while per- sons were still endeavouring to stop the progress of the flames on this farm, some wretches had the hardihood to set fire to the parsonage homestead, belonging to Mr. Compton, situated about a quarter ofa mile from Uphill; Mr. Compton being at the time actively engaged at that place. Here, too, the work of destruction was most rapid. Up. wards of 1,.5001. worth of property is consumed; the whole of which, we are happy to say, is insured. To the disgrace of human nature, a number of wretches stood by while the flames were progressing, ap- pearing delighted with the scene. Mr. Compton immediately sent a messenger on horseback to Devizes for the engines; on whose return the horse became ungovernable, and running with great violence against a cart, was killed on the spot. A few minutes before the fire was ob- served, the report of a gun was heard close to Mr. Compton's home- stead, which was answered bya similar report from the valley.---Devizes Gazette.

On Monday, one of the plantations of the Duke of Bedford, on Lus- eombe Down, Tavistock, took fire, owing to the heedlessness of a woodman, who kindled a portion of the browse amongst the plants. It was not immediately discovered, and more than three acres of fine firs, &c. were consumed. Its further extension was prevented by the cut- ting down or clearing away several trees in advance of the conflagration. —Sherborne Mercury.

Harlow Bush Fair, last week, was attended, as usual, by a large number of persons, among whom were many thimblemen and thieves, who were very active in picking pockets. 'The labourers in the neigh- bourhood, to the number of fifty, in default of the proper Police force, attacked the thimblemen, broke their carts to pieces, beat a number of them severely, and cleared the precincts of the fair of the whole gang.

On Friday night, some person entered a druggist's garden in Mans. field, with the intention of stealing apples. As soon, however, as he made an essay to.gain admission into the garden, he slipped down, and went up to the knees in a pot of vitriol. In this predicament he went in pursuit of water, but was unable to find any. It is supposed that the vitriol administered considerable punishment to him, as part of his stocking was found in an adjoining field burnt to pieces.—Sheffield Iris.

The following circumstance may operate as a caution to farmers, stable-keepers, and others, against the practices of horse-stealers. Mr.. Wall, of Lower Place Farm, Willesdon, Middlesex, was disturbed in the night by a noise in his farm-yard ; and on going down he saw four men running away. He found his stables had been entered ; four horses were harnessed, and two others put in spring-carts, ready to be taken away. The entrance to the stables was effected by removing part of tile roof, too much resistance being offered by the fastenings of the door. The stolen horses are put in carts, to obviate any suspicion which might attach to led horses.

Taunton is now infested with a number of poachers. They rise early in the morning at first dawn, and bag great numbers. At night they tic a small lantern on a pointer's head, and set him over the fields; they are enabled to watch his motions by the assistance of the light, and as soon as he points they throw a net over the place where the birds are. In this manner whole coveys are destroyed.—Beth Herald.

Four idle fellows, two of them brothers of the name of Jenkins, who were strolling about the grounds of Mr. • Brown, near Haverfordwest, on Sunday week, fell upon a young man in Mr. Brown's employ who had ordered them off the premises, and injured him so seriously by beat- ing him with sticks, kicking him, and jumping upon his body, that after suffering dreadfully, he died the following day. A Coroner's inquest was held upon the body, and a verdict of " Wilful Murder" returned against the two Jenkinses ; who have been committed to prison to take their trial at the next Assizes. Another young man, servant of an adjoining farmer, who was with James at the time, narrowly escaped sharing his fate.—Hereford Journal.

A Coroner's Jury has returned a verdict of Wilful Murder against twenty of the workmenin the Magpie Mine in Derbyshire, who are alleged to have been principals in suffocating three of the workmen of the Red Soil Mine. The circumstances attending this case were fully detailed in last week's Spectator. Seventeen of the men are already in custody. Mr. John Green, the agent, and Mr. William Whatt, a pro- prietnr of the Magpie Mine, are charged with being accessories before the fact. They have both absconded. The proceedings at the inquest were carried on privately ; even the attorney for the accused was not allowed to be present at them.

The inhabitants of Marcross, and of the sea-coast between Dunmven and St. Dona's, have, among other visitors, bad a very mysterious one. An old man, with a long beard, matted hair, and nearly in a state of nudity, has been living for more than three weeks principally about the Mnrcross Cwm. He sleeps in the copse and among the furze-bushes, and has been eating raw shell-fish and sea-weed, upon which and black- berries he is supposed to have existed the whole time he has been there. As be has avoided the " haunts of men," and conceals himself as soon as he sees any one approaching, many persons have gone in quest of him: He has not been seen within the last week, and it is not known where he is. Quere—ls it the Wandering Jew ?-21-ferthyr Guardian.— [Answer to the query—No, it is the ghost of John the Baptist.]