at the New Chapel of Ease now build. ing in Blackhall-Street, Greenock. The principal masonry being entirely finished, the joiners were proceeding with the erection of the roof, with every prospect of a successful completion to a work which had previously advanced in the best manner, and were on Thursday, to the number of sixteen individuals, including one of the superintending contractors, employed upon the scaffolding which had been raised for constructing the roof, when a prop, which temporarily supported one of the tie-beams, shifting suddenly, the latter gave way, and precipitated the scaffolding, which was resting upon it, and on which the men were at work, down apon the front gallery. Of the entire number of persons, but one escaped unhurt, yet, considering the dreadful predicament in which they were placed, it is surprising the catastrophe was not more fatal than it proves to have been. One man only, of the name of Asher, a joiner, from Perthshire, was killed by suffocation. The remainder were all in a very short time extricated, some slightly, but most of them seriously wounded, yet not so as to endanger their lives.

Dreadful Hurricane.-Liverpool, Dec. 6. Thursday afternoon, a remarkably strong gale of wind was experienced here, accompanied with rain, sleet, and hail, which continued with little intermission until after nine o'clock, when it increased in force and destruction, bursting against the higher buildings of the town in sudden and stunning gusts. The alarm was gene. ral. Many of the streets were enveloped in impenetrable darkness, owing to the lamps being blown out, and at a com paratively early hour they were totally de serted, save by a few individuals, who, having been caught in shops, or abroad, when the gale increased, ran along towards their respective destinations-pausing, at every gust, under a door or archway. About eleven o'clock the hurricane was more furious than ever; several people were blown down in the streets; and much mischief was done to the roofs of dwelling-houses and other buildings. About twelve and one o'clock the gusts of wind were more moderate, but about two o'clock all the preceding violence was renewed with additional mischief. Again some abatement took place; but a third increase of fury seemed to shake the town between four and five o'clock. A great many houses have had their chimneys blown down, and their roofs blown in. Mr Dixon, of Everton, has been instantaneously bereft of two daughters, of about eleven and thirteen years of age, who were killed by the falling of the

chimney. To Mr Yates' house, Steel-Street, the family being from home, the servant had obtained the company of her mother to sleep with her, and by the falling of the chimneys, which broke through to the ground, the mother was killed. The daughter escaped by leaping through a window. Mrs Worrall, of Upper Isling ton, was sitting in her parlour, when a similar accident crushed her in the cellar, and buried her in the ruins, from which she was taken out in about three hours, a dreadfully mangled corpse. Her two daughters were considerably hurt. In Strand-Street, a chimney also fell in, and killed a woman, and much hurt a man. Indeed the accounts from all parts of the town are most heart-rending. From fif teen to twenty vessels were driven on shore, but happily only three lives were lost.

At Manchester, several buildings were unroofed, and others demolished, by the falling in of chimnies. At Stockport, a woman and her child were killed by the falling of a chimney in the Hillgate, and her husband had both his legs broken. At Warrington, the cupola of the church near the George Inn was blown down, and destroyed great part of the roof. A wind-mill in the neighbourhood was also blown entirely down." At Gloucester, a great number of houses were damaged, and several unroofed. An old woman was found dead in a quarry at. Upton Hill, into which she is supposed to have been driven by the violence of the wind. Many trees were torn up by the roots. At Warrick, scarcely a roof escaped damage. This also was the case at New. castle-under-Lyne, and in most of the pottery towns.

The damage done to the buildings in Dublin, by the storm, was even greater than in Liverpool. Several lives were lost, and limbs broken. The hurricane extended its ravages over the greater part of the United Kingdom; but was particularly destructive in the potteries of Staf fordshire, and the neighbourhood.

9.-Jury Court.-In the Jury Court, Edinburgh, this day, Mr Duncan Steven. son, the printer of the late Beacon, was convicted in damages of L.500, for libels upon James Gibson, Esq. clerk to the signet, published in several numbers of the above-mentioned paper, on or about the 23d and 30th of June, and the 7th of July, 1821. Messrs Jeffrey, Cockburn, and Moncrieff, on the part of the pursuer, and Messrs M'Neill and Robertson on the part of the defender, conducted the case. The main statement in the libel was, that Mr Gibson, while acting as agent for the Bank of England.

engaged in a criminal prosecution against a woman of the name of Frances or Fanny M Kay, and induced her to confess her guilt, by a positive promise that she was not to be tried; but that this promise he had başely and falsely betray. ed. And that in consequence of this gross deception, the Officers of the Crown interfered, and, in these circumstances, bis Majesty granted a full pardon. The damages were laid at L.5000. The case excited, great interest, and the verdict was followed by applause from a crowd, ed court, which, however, was speedily silenced by the Judge.

Setons, Earls of Dunfermline.-During last autumn, when the heritors of the parish of Dulgety, Fifeshire, were inspecting the parish church (a very ancient edifice) regarding some necessary repairs, they resolved upon opening a door, which apparently led to a vault under one of the aisles. The door was opened according ly, and upon proceeding into the vault, they discovered several leaden coffins, in perfect preservation and in regular order, having various inscriptions, bearing that they contained the bodies of various mem bers of the noble family of Seton, Earl of Dunfermline. The visitors then withdrew, and the door of the vault was again shut upon the mortal remains of the chiefs of that once powerful and noble House.

11. Fatal Accident. Last night, a gentleman, named Roe, a silversmith, of Aldersgate-Street, accompanied by the boxer, Hickman (the Gas-light man,) were proceeding, with several others, in single-horse chaises to town. (London) and all driving at a quick pace, but in regular succession; Messrs Roe and Hickman seeing, as they thought, an opportunity of passing some of their associates, went out of the line, when their gig came in contact with a country waggon, belonging to a Mr Lee, by which they were instantly thrown out, and the wheels of the waggon went over the body of Mr Roe, and the head of Hickman: both were killed on the spot!

Smuggling-Dumbarton, Dec. 21.On Wednesday last, Messrs Gulline, Ferguson, and Dryden, officers of Excise, after procuring the assistance of Mr Ferguson, commander of the Loch Lomond revenue boat, and boat's crew, succeeded in detecting two large private distilleries, on the shores of Loch Long, and notwithstand ing the resistance of a great number of snugglers who gathered round them with fire-arms and bludgeons, completely destroyed all the utensils, together with upwards of 400 gallons of wash and low wines. Proceeding onwards, they dis

covered another extensive illicit distillery, at the bottom of a very high and al most perpendicular rock, but were un able to destroy it, owing to the number of smugglers and their friends, who had by that time gathered from all the surround. ing hamlets, to the number of fifty or sixty, who posting themselves on the summit of the cliff, with their faces blackened and otherwise disguised, rolled on them large stones down the precipice, which bounding from one angle of the rock to another, rendered it extremely dan gerous and difficult for these officers to reach their boat in safety, but which they happily did,without receiving any material injury. It is with much regret we learn, that these vigilant officers were unable to secure and bring to justice these desperadoes.

HIGH COURT OF JUSTICIARY.-Dec. 2-James Gordon, Daniel Brown, and John Broomfield, charged with theft, committed by means of house breaking, in the premises of Matthew Howden, pawnbroker, at the head of Dickson's Close, High-Street, Edinburgh, on the 23d of September last. The property carried off consisted of sixty-four gold and silver watches, forty-three gold seals, four gold watch-chains, six gold watch-keys, ninetyfour gold rings, thirty gold broaches, twelve pairs of gold ear.rings,, a necklace of imitation opal, six silver snuff-boxes, seven pairs of silver sugar.tongs, three dozen table-spoons, and eight dozen of silver tea-spoons, besides a great variety of silver and jewellery articles; the prisoners were also charged with being habit and repute thieves. They pleaded Not Guilty. After examination of witnesses and other proceedings, the Jury found a verdict of Guilty. The Clerk of Court then read the sentence as recorded, which was that Gordon be transported beyond seas for fourteen years, under the usual certification, and that Brown and Broomfield be confined in Bridewell for the space of two years, to be employed at the treadmill, or other hard labour, according to the rules of that establishment.

9.-Nelson Forsyth and Archibald Ormond were convicted, and sentenced to fourteen years transportation, the former for robbing James Stewart of his watch, and the latter for robbing David Newton of his.

16.-Simon Ross, accused of robbery and theft, he having previously been con victed of theft, and also accused of as. saulting one of the lieges to the effusion of his blood, pleaded Not Guilty. The proof having been led by the prosecitor, the Lord Advocate acknowledged the failure of the evidence to prove the charge

of the robbery, or the forcible seizure of the property; but contended that the crime of theft was lawfully proven. In so far he was supported by the subse. quent admission of Mr Maitland, the counsel for the pannel. The Jury, after a few minutes' deliberation, found the pannel Guilty of the theft, and of the stabbing and wounding as libelled; and he was sentenced, by the Court, to be transported beyond seas for fourteen years.

James Gray, accused of theft by means of house-breaking, pleaded Not Guilty, and after a long examination of witnesses, the Jury brought a verdict finding, by a plurality of voices, the libel Not Proven. Gray was of consequence dismissed from the Bar.

- IRELAND.--Riot at the Dublin Theatre. -Outrage against the Lord Lieutenant.His Excellency the Lord Lieutenant, for the first time, visited the Dublin Theatre on Saturday night, the 14th inst. which was fully and fashionably attendedbut it was evident that a riotous party, considerable in numbers, and acting, as it should seem, in concert, had distribu ted themselves through the house. They began by hissing and groaning the Lord Mayor. On the entrance of the Lord Lieutenant, an extraordinary scene occurred, and which, for the honour of our country, has been without a parallel. The majority of the audience hailed his Lordship with the most enthusiastic plau dits. The party, however, continued the uproar. The audience called on the performers for God save the King. It was was sung with great effect, the Lord Lieutenant joining the vocal performers by the most significant gestures. While the national anthem was playing between the Play and Farce, an orange, with a placard appended to it, was flung on the stage. A bottle was thrown in the direction of his Excellency's box, when the music suddenly ceased, and one of the musicians held it up to the view of the audience. It is impossible to describe the sensation created in the house-indignation was manifestly the predominant feeling. The musicians then commenced, as is customary, to play Patrick's Day, which his Excellency likewise applauded. Whilst the tune was playing, and his Excellency was standing, a second missile was thrown with a surer aim, for it struck a lady in the box next to that of the Lord Lieutenant. Upon the moment, his Excellency stepped forward to the front of his box, which the audience instantly noticed by a most unarimous cheer and waving of hats. While this was passing, his Excellency turned round to one of his Aid-de-Camps, and

by an animated gesture, and pointing his finger to the corner of the gallery from whence the missile came, appeared to designate the individual who had been guilty of so attrocious an outrage. Four persons were taken into custody, and committed for trial, accused of a conspiracy to create a riot, and of rioting in the theatre on the night in question. But the Grand Jury of the county of Dublin threw out the bills charging conspiracy. and found true bills against two individuals only for the riot. This was, in efffect, also to throw out the bills, since it requires in law more than two individuals to constitute a riot. The Attorney General immediately intimated his intention of proceeding against the accused by ex. officio informations, and they were con. sequently held to bail.

This shameful riot, it appears, had its origin in the disappointment felt by the orange faction in Dublin, at being prevented from outraging the feelings of their Catholic fellow-subjects, by the decoration of the statue of King William, as usual, on the anniversary of his birthday. The disgraceful circumstance above detailed has called forth generally, from all classes in Ireland, one unanimous sentiment of reprobation. Public meetings have been convened both in Dublin and the country, in all of which the same feeling of abhorrence has been manifested against the authors of the tumult, and addresses have been voted to his Excellency, expressive of loyalty and attachment.

- 1. Fire. Yesterday morning, about six o'clock, Thirlestane Castle, one of the seats of the Earl of Lauderdale, was discovered to be on fire, which seems to have originated in a vent, and was carried from it to the roof by a rafter communieating therewith. The alarm being instantly given, a number of the inhabitants of Lauder immediately repaired to the spot, and, by their zeal and activity, confined the fire to the wing of the building where it had originated, and also succeeded in saving most of the furniture. The exertions of those present were indeed highly praiseworthy. To prevent the fire.from communicating with the body of the Castle, some of them built up, with wet turf, the doors connecting it with the wing on fire; while others, by carrying water from a distance, and without the aid of a fire-engine, constantly pouring it upon the building, they prevented the flames from spreading farther, and thus saved the greater part of the Castle from destruction. Only two servants were in the Castle at the time, the noble Earl's family being all at Dunbar.

Extraordinary Leap.-A correspondent of the Glasgow Chronicle states the following: Having observed in the Chronicle of the 25th an account of a leap over the Paisley Canal, I beg leave, as an incitmeent to greater feats among your sporting friends, to mention one that was performed by the present Lord Forrester, and Mr Wing, a sporting farmer, in the course of a distinguished run with the Duke of Rutland's fox hounds, from the noted cover of Jericho, in the vale of Belvoir. It was over a brook measuring 21 feet 6 inches in width, and on land perfectly level. Both cleared it cleverly; but the horse rode by Lord Forrester made such a spring, as induced his Lordship to bet that he had covered a space of ten yards; and he won by the decision of judges from Belvoir Castle, who declared that the distance was 31 feet 6 inches, while the mare rode by Mr Wing covered only little more than 24 feet."

5.-An action, originating in very extraordinary circumstances, was decided in the Justice of Peace Court lately. The pursuer had the misfortune to let a suite of rooms to a dashing female swindler, who, by passing herself off as a lady of consequence, contrived to purchase, upon credit, a number of costly articles from different tradesmen. Among others, she purchased from the defender a carpet and hearth rug, which she again disposed of to her landlord, who took from her a regular missive of sale as evidence of the transaction. However, the articles still continued in- the lady's possession. The

VOL. XII.

defender, meantime, suspecting that his customer was on the wing, became very importunate for a settlement, and at length prevailed upon her to restore to him the carpet and hearth-rug. Shortly afterwards she absconded, to the dismay of her numerous creditors. The landlord now brought his action against the defender, for recovering the value of the carpet and hearth-rug, alleging that he had purchased them. The Court held, that although the pursuer was landlord of the room in which the goods were situate, that circumstance alone, so long as it was in the lady's occupation, did not infer delivery, and therefore dismissed the action. The same day, a case of some importance to the mercantile world was decided by the Justices. The holder of an account, which had been indorsed to him by the person to whom it was originally owing, pursued the debtor for recovery. It is well known that the indorsation of a shopkeeper's account is sustained as equivalent to assignation; but in the present case there was this peculiarity: The original creditor had, subsequently to the date of the indorsation, obtained a decree of cessio. Justices held, that the indorsation of a person so situate, though bearing a date anterior to his imprisonment, ought not to be sustained as a ground of action, and, therefore, assoilzied the defender.

The

Installation of Sir James Mackintosh, as Lord Rector of Glasgow University.— Considerable anxiety was manifested on Friday the 3d inst. to witness the installation of Sir James Mackintosh as Lord Rector of this University. The doors of the College Hall were opened at half past two o'clock for the admission of students, and at three to the public. The Hall and galleries were crowded to excess. Soon after three o'clock the Lord Rector entered, accompanied by a number of the Professors and distinguished friends, amongst whom we observed Lords Belhaven, Gillies, and Alloway, the late Lord Rector, Mr Campbell of Blythswood, and Messrs Cockburn, Moncrieff, Murray, and Thomson. Sir James Makcintosh was received with the most enthusiastic cheering, and having taken the accustomed oaths, he addressed the members of the university in an eloquent speech, for which we regret we have not

fuller than in any preceding session; and the number of students altogether, we believe, is about one half greater than at Oxford or Cambridge; so that our University still maintains her station as the first great seminary in the British Isles. We understand the parliamentary grant for erecting the new buildings is now exhausted, and that application will be made in the ensuing session for £.30,000 or £.35,000 more, to complete the work. The acknowledged utility of the estab lishment, not to Edinburgh ouly, but to the whole kingdom, leaves no room to doubt that Parliament will grant the additional sum required. All who have examined the parts finished under the present grant, will admit that the money has been laid out with admirable taste and judgment.

6. High Court of Justiciary.—William Macdonald, alias William O'Neil, alias Morgan, was this day arraigned, and charged with having abstracted a watch from the pocket of a man, in North Bridge Street, about the 22d August last, and of being habit and repute a common thief. The charges were fully proved, and the prisoner was unanimously convicted by the Jury, and sentenced by the Court to be transported beyond seas for the period of fourteen years.

9.-James Robb was put to the bar, charged with stealing four Highland stots from the Fir Park of Touchadam, Stir. lingshire, the property of William Murray, Esq. on the 1st of October 1818, to which the prisoner pleaded Guilty. A Jury having been chosen, and no objection being taken to any of them, they found the prisoner Guilty, in terms of his own confession, Mr M'Neill having restricted the libel to an arbitrary punishment. The learned gentlemen informed the Jury, that among other reasons for doing so, was, that inquiry had been made into the conduct of the prisoner during the last four years he had absconded, which was ascertained to have been industrious, sober, and honest. Robb was, in consequence, sentenced to fourteen years transportation.

11. Charles M'Laren, Thomas Grierson, and James M'Ewan, were put to the bar, accused of theft by means of housebreaking. The indictment charged them with breaking into the house of Thos. Riddle, Esq. W.S. in Gray Street, Newington, Edinburgh, on the 8th day of September, and stealing therefrom a number of articles of silver plate, &c. and also of breaking into the hose of Lieut.Col. John Munro, in George's Square, on the 11th of September, and stealing and

carrying away a number of valuable articles of plate, shawls, &c. They were likewise accused of being each of them habit and repute thieves. The prisoners pleaded Not Guilty. The prisoners' declarations were read, and a number of witnesses examined, whose evidence was summed up by the Lord Justice Clerk. The jury then, after consulting for a few minutes, without leaving the box, returned a verdict, unanimously finding the first charge of housebreaking and theft Proven, as libelled; and the latter Not Proven; but unanimously recommended M'Ewan to the mercy of the Court, on account of his youth. After a very impressive address by the Lord Justice Clerk, who cautioned M‘Laren and Grierson against entertaining any hopes of mercy, the prisoners were sentenced to be executed on Wednesday the 12th February, between the hours of eight and ten in the morning.

10. This day came on the trial of James Robertson, Robert Simpson, and William M.Taggart, accused of having on the 14th September last, assaulted Angus Fraser, porter of the Caledonian Coach-Office, Inverness, at the gate of the lodging-house, Church-Street, in that town, and having robbed him of a trunk, with various bills and papers, and also with assaulting him, with intent to rob him of a bag containing various articles of apparel. The pannels pleaded Not Guilty. William Cameron detailed the robbery of his trunk. Angus Fraser depon ed, that while he was conveying the trunk and a bag to Mr Cameron's lodging, two men offered their services to assist him, which he declined. In a short time after, the trunk was forced off his shoulders, and he was dragged to the ground by the shock. On getting up, one of the men was trying to take away the bag, when he seized him, and assistance coming, he was taken into custody. He proved to be Robertson. Simpson was the one who ran off with the trunk, and gave it to M'Taggart. The trunk was afterwards found in a house, emptied of its contents, in which they were drinking together the same night. After the examination of several other witnesses, the Jury gave in a written verdict, finding, by a plurality of voices, the pannels Robertson and Simpson Guilty of the first crime libelled in the indictment of assault and robbery, and unanimously finding the libel against M Taggart Not Proven, but unanimous ly and earnestly recommended the two former to mercy. Sentence was then pronounced on Robertson and Simpson, ordering them to be executed at Inveron the 21st February next.