Carlisle Patriot, 29 Oct 1825 - Local News (2)

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Saturday 29 Oct 1825   (p. 2, col. 4-6 and p. 3, col. 1 + 6)     [continued]

 

Mr. HOLDEN delivered his announced course of Astronomical Lectures on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evenings, at the Theatre. The audiences were small—not at all equal to the merits of the Lecturer, and the excellence of his apparatus, or rather scenery, for the solar system is brought home, as it were, to the understanding of the most uninformed, and the telescopic view of the different planets is so admirable that we question whether the reality would afford more satisfaction or instruction. Mr. HOLDEN is a clever and most indefatigable lecturer. He has a voice equal in compass to the largest building; is quite at home even in the details of the science; often relates an anecdote with a pleasing humour and much force of expression; and in this point he is materially aided by a north country accent which imparts to all he advances an air of blunt sincerity more powerful than balanced periods, and an affected delivery. The first lecture was of course in some degree introductory; but pleasingly illustrated. The second embraced a wider field, and was very interesting, comprehending a great variety of telescopic views of the great luminaries; especially a most interesting representation of an annular eclipse of the sun which will take place in October, 1847, calculated for the meridian of Grimsby. In the third lecture Mr. HOLDEN familiarly explained the theory of the tides, and gave two views of the comet of 1811. At the conclusion, he stated, that though his audience was more scanty than he had reason to expect, still he was grateful, and would not say, as some had done, that he should refrain from visiting Carlisle at a future period. He announced his intention of giving, on Monday evening next, the substance of his course, combining all the splendid scenery of the three, the orrery, telescopic views of the sun, moon, planets, comets, stars, nebulæ, &c.; and he said he should be glad to see as many of his friends as might think proper to attend, not alone upon the principle of self-interest, but also because he thought he should be able to instruct and amuse.—In a word, Mr. HOLDEN, whether as a practical astronomer, a lecturer, or a man, is highly worthy of public encouragement; and he has this great merit, that he makes the works of nature subservient to lifting the mind up to nature's God.

 

On Saturday last, an inquest was held before Richard LOWRY, Esq. coroner, on the body of Sarah HOGG, of Drybeck, parish of Arthuret, who was found dead in bed on the evening of the preceding Wednesday. It appeared in evidence that she had long resided at the place named, and occasionally dealt in whiskey. On the day mentioned, she went to Longtown for a quarter-cask of ale, and returned home about three in the afternoon, poorly, when she sent for a neighbour, who prepared some tea for her, after taking which she felt better and retired to rest. About seven, the neighbour again went to the deceased's house, but finding the door and windows closed, and obtaining no answer to her knocking and calls, she collected several persons, among them John ELLIOTT, deceased's brother, the house was entered by the window, and she was found dead in bed, still warm, without marks of violence or distortion. As she evidently died a placid natural death, the jury returned a verdict: "Found dead, and died by the visitation of God."

 

London Home Missionary Society.—Two sermons were preached in the Annetwell-street chapel, on Sabbath, the 23d ult. by the Rev. T. WOOD, of London, when the sum of £8 2s. was obtained in aid of the funds of this Institution, which was formed for the spread of the preaching of the gospel in the destitute villages and hamlets of England; and now employs 37 missionaries, who are labouring in 268 villages, &c. among a population of 146,000 souls; and more than 3000 village children are taught to read the word of life—while multitudes are favoured with those little messengers of truth sent out by the Tract Society; nearly half a million of which have been distributed by the agents of the Home Missionary Society, and that in rural spots where the philanthropic traveller has never or rarely penetrated.

 

The banns of no less than 14 couple were proclaimed in St. Cuthbert's Church, Carlisle, on Sunday last.

 

On the night of Thursday se'nnight, the weaving shop of William MATTHEWS, of Thursby, was broken into, and two linen webs cut out of the looms and carried away. A handsome reward has been offered for the detection of the offenders.

 

An old itinerant fidler, lame and deaf, was last week accidentally run over and killed by (it is said) Earl GREY's carriage, in rapidly descending a hill near Kendal. The poor old man did not hear the shouts of the outrider to get out of the way—and thus perished through an infirmity of nature. Verdict, accidental death, and a deodand on the carriage wheel. His Lordship left a servant behind to do all that could be done, and to pay every expense.

 

Mr. COOPER continues to obtain considerable encouragement at the Penrith Theatre, and his company of comedians give great satisfaction both for talent and respectability.

 

Eight of Messrs. BROCKLEBANK's refractory apprentices were committed to the Whitehaven House of Correction on Friday. On Saturday they were liberated on bail, and had an interview with their masters, expressed contrition, and promised amendment; and on Monday morning the yard was re-opened, and many of its former inmates, both men and boys, were permitted to resume their labours. Messrs. B. offer 24s. a week for hands unconnected with any "union."

 

The weather has again become open and mild; but the surrounding mountains are still capped with snow. Since our last, we have received a great number of notices of ripe straw-berries, unseasonable blossoms, and unnatural buds, but must content ourselves with this general statement that such things exist.

 

An apple-tree, in the orchard of Mr. John GROVES, of Dikeside, Kirklinton, has on one of its branches a large and beautiful blossom, and from the forwardness of its buds promises to exhibit itself in full bloom, in a few days.

 

 

[to be continued]