Carlisle Patriot, 25 Jun 1825 - Local News (1)
petra.mi...@doctors.org.uk
Saturday 25 Jun 1825 (p. 3, col. 1, 2, 5 + 6)
Committed to Carlisle, Gaol, yesterday, by Dr. BLAMIRE, Jane TAYLOR, charged with stealing trinkets, wearing-apparel, &c. the property of Mr. RELPH of Etterby.
There is now a difference of from 25 to 30 degrees in the temperature of the atmosphere, compared with the extreme heat noticed in our last—so variable is the climate of Great Britain. Although midsummer, the weather is actually disagreeably cold, and renders warm clothing requisite!
Mr. DEWAR's pupils' ball, on Wednesday evening, was attended by a numerous assembly of Ladies and Gentlemen, who were much pleased with the proficiency displayed by the greater part of the young votaries of Terpsichore. Many of the new dances were elegantly performed.
The depot of the 55th, or Westmorland regiment of foot, has been changed from the Isle of Wight to Carlisle Castle; and a considerable number of recruits have already arrived here. Some of them are very young.
The two large steam vessels intended to ply between Liverpool and Carlisle are now building at Holyhead, in the new yard of Mess. GRAYSON, HEWSON, and Co. late of Liverpool.
An inquest was held at Broadwath, parish of Wetheral, on the 16th inst. before Richard LOWRY, Esq. coroner, on the body of Nancy COUSIN, aged 50 years, who on the preceding day had been found dead in her own bed at Broadwath. All appearances indicated that her death had been sudden. Verdict, died by the visitation of God.
A fine specimen of the atropos, or death's-head moth, was recently taken near Edmond Castle, the seat of Thomas H. GRAHAM, Esq. This is unquestionably the largest and most remarkable of the European moths, is rarely found in England, and has not been observed before in Cumberland. The expansion of its wings is five inches; the upper pair being brown with white and rust-coloured spots, and the lower pair yellow, with two dark brown bands. The body is bright orange, with black belts, and a broad lead-coloured stripe along the top. On the thorax is a singular yellowish-grey mark, which resembles the common figure of a skull, or death's head. This insect when alarmed or hurt, utters plaintive sounds, which are the more surprising, as it is the only one of its tribe that is endowed with the powers of voice. These peculiarities have made it an object of dread to the vulgar in several parts of Europe, who suppose that its appearance is the forerunner of death.—The caterpillar from which this curious sphinx proceeds is in the highest degree beautiful, and far surpasses in size every other European insect of the kind, measuring nearly five inches in length, and being of a proportional thickness. It is of a bright yellow colour, and is marked on each side with seven violet and sky-blue stripes. This caterpillar is principally found on the potatoe and jessamine, which are its favourite food; but, as it feeds by night, artfully concealing itself under the leaves during the day, it is not often detected. It changes into a chrysalis in the month of September, retiring for that purpose deep into the earth, and the perfect insect emerges in the following June, or July. Though generally esteemed a rare insect, yet there are seasons in which, from some unknown cause, it is even plentiful, as was the case in the autumn of 1804, when the caterpillar was so common in some counties as to be prejudicial to the potatoe plants, particularly in some parts of Cornwall and Surrey.
GRETNA HALL.— Most of our local readers are aware that Gretna Hall, an excellent and commodious building, has recently been fitted up and opened as an inn by Mr. John LINTON, late waiter at the Bush, Carlisle, in which capacity he has long been extensively known and esteemed. On Monday last, a numerous party dined at the new establishment by way of house-warming. The company consisted of the principal coach-proprietors, posting-masters, &c. not only of this neighbourhood, but of the South of Scotland, and even from Edinburgh. Mr. FAIRBAIRN of Carlisle was called to the chair: the dinner was excellent: the wines of the first order. After the removal of the cloth, the chairman gave 'The King,' and various routine toasts. He then rose and called for a bumper. Gretna-Hall, he observed, was much famed in the annals of Cupid as the Temple of Hymen. Here it was, before now, that ardent youths and tender fair-ones, flew, according to the language on such occasions, "on the wings of love," and plucked 'the rose without a thorn'—that happiness which crusty guardians or hard-hearted papas denied them. Long had Gretna-Hall been thus celebrated; and that it might regain its ancient name, and long retain it, was his most sincere wish, and doubtless the wish of the company before him. (Applause.) Nothing could be more agreeable than the situation; few establishments boasted better means of accommodation. Hither, then, of necessity would all visitors to Gretna Green repair; and the Hall would be familiar in every traveller's mouth, from John O'Groats to the Lands-End, aye, and yet farther. He begged to propose the health of Mr. and Mrs. LINTON, and success to their new undertaking. (Three times three and loud applause.) Mr. LINTON returned thanks. He felt very grateful, he said, for the honour conferred upon him, and was particularly indebted to the chairman for the warmth of feeling with which he had expressed himself. Nothing on his part, he hoped, would be wanting to give satisfaction to all who might look in at Gretna-Hall and favour him with their commands.—A great variety of other toasts were drank, and mirth and enjoyment prevailed till about half-past ten, when the party broke up. It is not easy to conceive a more delightful situation than Mr. LINTON has chosen; and there can be no doubt whatever of Gretna-Hall becoming a favourite resort.
On Tuesday last, Mr. John YARKER, surveyor of the port of Maryport, Mr. Anthony HOBSON, officer of Customs there, and Mr. John YARKER, broker, fell in with a party of smugglers near Dearham, and succeeded in taking from them about 20 gallons of whiskey, but the men made their escape, on account of the woodiness of the situation.
On Tuesday last, the Royal Westmorland Militia finished their permanent duty at Appleby. At eleven o'clock in the morning of that day, the regiment paraded in the street between the High Cross and the Shambles, and having been formed into a circle, the commanding officer, Captain BUTCHER, addressed the men in the following terms: "This is the last day of our permanent duty, and it is with much pleasure that I express my approbation of your sober, steady, and soldier-like conduct during the whole of the twenty-eight days. The command has devolved upon me in consequence of the demise of Capt. HOLMES, whose death is lamented as a brother officer, and also as an esteemed friend. It is my duty to inform Lord LOWTHER of the praiseworthy manner in which you have conducted yourselves, and of the rapid progress you have made in military exercise and evolutions. It gives me great satisfaction in saying that the worthy chief magistrate of Appleby has expressed himself highly in your praise as an orderly and steady set of men; and I have no doubt he will now address you to that effect. When the parade is over the clothing will be delivered in to the Stores; after which you will be at liberty to go to your own homes, and you will return to your families and friends with the heartfelt satisfaction of knowing that you have done your duty."—The Mayor of Appleby, the Rev. Mr. MILNER, then addressed the regiment. He perfectly agreed with the commanding officer in saying that their conduct had been altogether what it could have been wished, and to the satisfaction of the inhabitants of Appleby. He hoped the time was not far distant when he should again have the pleasure of seeing them on permanent duty. The sincerity of manner in which the worthy chief magistrate expressed himself carried with it a corresponding effect to every man in the regiment, who made the welkin ring with the loudness of their cheers.
[to be continued]