Potter's Electric News

INTERESTING DISCOVERIES AT MONKWEAR- MOUTH CHURCH. On the occasion of the recent visit of the members of the Archaeological Society of Durham and Northumber- land to the ancient church of St. Peter's at Monkwear- mouth, a sub-committee was appointed, consisting of Messrs G. C. Abbs, Greenwell, Hodgson, Hylton, Longstaffe, and others, to superintend the excavations now going on at that place. These gentlemen accord- ingly met in the church on Saturday last, and, under their directions, the workmen laid bare, by stripping off a thick hard coat of cement, the original surface of the wall of the portico inside, discovering, on each side of the arched entrance door, finely chiselled doubled pilas- ters, with caducei of spirally twisted serpents of ex- quisite workmanship, well preserved. They likewise discovered that the tower is not, as commonly supposed, a relic of the Anglo-Saxon era, but a comparatively modern addition to the church raised upon the old por- tico, the walls of which had plainly not been built to support any great weight. On Monday the excavations were continued, with still more interesting results. In clearing away the rubbish covering the floor of the portico, about eight feet below the external surface the labourers raised with their picks a large oblong sand- Btone slab, which was immediately seen to be a monu- mental stone that had been removed from its original site, wherever that was, and laid with its face down- wards, to form a part of the flagging. A beautiful clean cut Saxon cross, almost as perfect as when it came from the hands of the sculptor, called forth a burst of astonishment and delight, and these feelings were in- creased when the inscription was read as follows:- HIC IN BE HIe I IN SE PUL CHRO REQU IESCIT COR PORE ? HERE BER H CHT I PRB which, being interpreted, would read, 'Here in the grave rests in the body the Presbyter Herebercht.' Various opinions were given by those present, how- ever, as to the exact construction of the sentence, which all admitted to be singular. The letters are cut in the very purest Saxon type, and the inscription is probably the most ancient of the kind yet discovered in England. We have no information as to who the Herebercht was, whom the stone commemorates, nor at what precise time be lived and died. But from the admirable state of preservation in which the monument is, one would infer that the period of its erection must have been shortly before the date of the destruction of the church of Benedict Bishop by the Danes, in 875. Under the slab in question was found a mediseval stone coffin quite full of human bones, packed indiscriminately. Upwards of a dozen skulls were picked out, all of true Saxon type, and all, with one exception, those of males, besides thigh bones, pelvic bones, vertebra, ribs, &o. They had evidently been removed from their respective tombs, and huddled in there when the flagging was laid down. A small and very thin coin, which Mr Greenwell con- jectured to be a bodle or bawbee, but which was evi- dently not Saxon, and which broke into pieces when handled, was found lying among the bones, as was also a softish substance like a large cloth button, of which nobody seemed able to make anything, and which like- wise crumbled into dust on exposure to the air. The rest of the flagging proved to be roughly hewn slabs, and no more inscriptions were found. The concrete beneath them was partly composed of small coals that looked as if they had been brought from the beach, and were mixed with a few broken sea shells. After having dug down to the original subsoil, at a depth of nine or ten feet, the workmen left off. It is now incontestably established that in the arched doors of the portico-one in front and one on each side-we have still extant a fine specimen, all but perfect, of the old Saxon build- ing, anterior to. the calamitous Danish inroad, and pro- bably not long posterior to the foundation of the church in 674. The porch itself (porticus ingressus) was pro. bably added to the church by one of Benedict Bishop's successors, as its wall is 'jumped' against, and not bonded into that of the sacred building. Its precise date may probably be 686, that of the death of Abbot Eoster- Wine. It can scarcely have been later, as the remains of that high dignitary, who died of that plague, on Wednesday, the 7th March in the above year, were buried in the porch, and it is not likely to have been taken down and rebuilt before 875, when the Danes destroyed the place, leaving only the walls standing. The committee, it is understood, will draw up a report, which will be published in the Society's Transactions. Hereberight, afterwards by abbreviation Herebright, Herebercht, and now Herbert, was a common name among our Saxon ancestors. Its meaning is well advised (beright) in the conduct of an army (here),' a name, says Verstegan, given in likelihood as a precept, that so the bearer thereof should dispose himself to be.' -Newcastle Journal. THE COBBLER AND THE EASTER OFFERING.—An Euglish rector, writting in Chambers's Journal, relates the following amusing incident4 There is a certain cobbler in the village who, although a worthy fellow, entertains unorthodox opinions, and with whom the clerk is, therefore always at variance; and the latter gives me this curious account of his failing to obtain from the son of Crispin our Easter dues: -I I am come for your Easter offering, Mr Last,' observed the ecclesi- astical official, looking over the half-door behind which the little cobbler sits cross-legged at his work. And what is an Easter offering, and why should I give it ?' inquired the sceptic. 'Well, never you mind about that; only give it, that's all.' Won't you step in and take a piece of bacon with me, Mr Clerk ? for I am just going to have my dinner.' No, thank yer; I want your Easter offering.' I Well, then, take a drap o' summut warm I've got some ale yonder upon the hob.' The clerk could not help looking wistful, but he replied stoutly, as before, that he only wanted the Easter offering. At least you will take a pipe,' insisted the cobbler; < here is tobacco and a box of lucifers The clerk resolutely shook his head. 4 Very -well,' observed the cobbler, with a chuckle, I've tried ye with a meat- offering, with a drink-offering, and with a burnt-offering, and now you will have no Qther sort of offering from me, I promise ye.' And he kept his word.' SCFrAMYL, THE CIRCASSU.N.-After his capture in 1859. Schamyl, the celebrated Circassian chief, was sent with his family to Kulouga. He seems to have expected nothing but harsh treatment from his conquerors, but the Russian policy was otherwise, and he has from time to time, it appears, been loaded with Imperial favours. A spacious house is at his disposal, and an income more than sufficient for his wants. On the occasion of the death of his favourite daughter a courier was sent to Set amy 1 in the Caucasus with the body of the deceased. This seems to have touched the venerable chief, who at once addressed an autograph letter to the Czar, which is given at length in the Russian papers. Schamyl here declares himself to be no less vanquished by the Em- peror's kindness than by his arms, and begs that he and his children may be allowed to take the oath of fidelity. 41 am ready,' he says, to pronounce it before the entire people. I invoke, as the witnesses of my loyalty and of the purity of my thoughts, Almighty God and Mahomet his prophet. I will take the oath before the body, scarcely chilled, of my beloved daughter Naphisato, and upon the holy Koran.' The Czar at once acceded to the request, and accordingly on the 7th ult. Schamyl and his sons took the oath of fidelity to the Emperor and to the Grand Duke at Kalouga. After the ceremony the repre- sentative of the nobles of the province addressed the exile in the name of the Russian government:—4 Live -in peace, valiant veteran,' he said, in this city where your noble character is honoured, aod where your calm and modest.life is a theme of constant praise. May you long continue this irreproachable life, glorifying the high magnanimity of your protector, our beloved Sovereign Alexander If.' The reply of Schamyl, as given in the Russian papers, is full of protestations of loyalty, and reads as though it had been very freely translated from the original Arabic by a Russian official. HORRIBLE DEATH FROM AN ATTACK BY A PIG.-A man named John Collings, employed on Park (arm, near Newport, was attacked in such a voracious manner by a boar pig, that resulted in bleeding to death. The deceased got teazing the boar, which turned upon him and tore the upper part of both his thighs, just below the groin, in a frightful manner. The poor fellow made his escape out of the fold and ran towards the house, followed by the enraged brnte. The blood was spurting from him in a stream, and as he managed to reach the farm house he dropped down from loss of blood, and died almost im- mediately. The animal in his attack divided the femoreal artery. Mr Brewer held an inquest on the body on Satur- day, when the jury returned a verdict of 'Accidental Death.' NAVAL VOLUNTEERS.—In the year 1865 1,470 men were enrolled or re-enrolled in the Royal Naval Coast Volunteers; in the year 1866, to the 31st of July, 691 men. There were 17,021 men in the Royal Naval Re- serve in the year ending the 31st of March, 1866; but, 1,318 failed to present themselves for drill, having deserted or been discharged abroad, 1,130 were absent from un- known causes, and 471 were discharged or dismissed or entered the Royal Navy, whose term of five years expired in the course of the year and who at the time of leaving the Reserve were in arrears of drill. These 471 men have bten struck off the strength of the Reserve; many of the other two classes of defaulters will eventually return to the UnitedlKingdom and account for their absence. STATE or PRISONs.-The annual issue of the Reports of the Inspectors of the County and Borough Prisons of Great Britain has recently been completed for 1865. They are reports on the goals as they were. Many, at least, are now in a state of transition, having to be brought into conformity with the requirements of the statute of 1865 in order that they may not lose the Government allow- ance. The inspectors have to tell of a gaol in which a bold prisoner sets the Governor at defiance with impunity; of a gaol where, so far from»communication between prisoners being prevented, the Governor's family are con- stantly disgusted by their conversation; gaols where i he- hard labour 4 is almost nominal,' and 'must be regarded hy the prisoners very much in the light of amusement.' These matters, it may be expected, will now be better re- gulated, and we may hope to learn that cells are lighted, and prisoners not allowed, as they were in 1865 in seve- ral prisons, to be in bed in the winter for thirteen, four- teen, and even fifteen hours a Jay. There are several irregular practices which ought not to exist, soue of tl 0 n leaning to the side of unwarranted severity. The in- spector found in Hertford County Gaol a novel form of labour, namely, forced marching in quick time twenty miles a day round a yard. At may be supposed, the ex- hausting effect of this makes itself very visible on men beyond the vigour of youth. In Manchester Gaol a prac- tice has been adopted of gagging women who have per- sisted in disturbing the prison by shouting and screaming. This is a mode of punishment unknown to the law. At Lewes the chapel services, three in number, are described as occupying so much time as to make it impossible to exercise all the prisoners; there should be time made for mercy as well as for. sacrifice. In a Scotch prison the inspector found prisoners employed in doing work for the Governor. So inadequate for its purpose is Dover Town Gaol that on some cases of small-pox occurring last year it was found necessary to pardon and discharge thirty-four criminals to save them from the contagion—a strange failure of justice. At Tiverton the weekly cost of food is stated to be as high as 3s 6d per prisoner; it is supplied by contract, but the contractor is. or last year was, the Governor himself. At Colchester the rate is returned as still higher-namely, 4s 6d. Here, also, the gaoler himself supplies the food at this charge. The new prison dietary is declared by the surgeons to be not more than sufficient to maintain health and strength. The sur- geon of Southwell House of Correction notices symptoms of general debility, and in one case a complete prostration of strength. On the inspection of Chester Castle a pri- soner complained that be had been discharged from Congleton Union in a coarse canvas suit marked all over with the words Congleton Union,' and becoming in consequence an object of ridicule, he committed arson in order to get into prison. He admitted that he had destroyed his own clothing in the union, but alleged that it was done by accident. It is mentioned that in one or two prisons earth-closets have been substituted for the ordinary water closets with great advantage in the con- dition of the air. The Inspectors state, in several in- stances, that alterations are being made in adequate goals to bring them into oonformity with the new Act; and some of the smaller prisons might well be abandoned, and contracts made for the reception of the prisoners in neigh- bouring larger and well-appointed goals. At Abingdon the Inspector found four prisoners cleaning the front court with nothing to prevent their escape except the supervision of an officer who would almost be powerless to prevent it. ROYAL NAVY IN COMMISSION T B A M SHIPS* Aboukir, Jamaica Fox, par. service Pylades, N. America Adder, Chatham Frederick William, and West Indies Achilles, Channel Queenstown Racer, Mediter. Adventure, China Galatea, N. America ltacoon, Portsmouth Advice, Queenstown Gannett, N. Amer. Ranger, Coast of Af. Albacore, Bermuda Gibraltar, Mediter. ltapid, Cape Alberta, Portsmouth Gladiator, Devnport Rattler, China Alert, Pacific Gleaner, Brazils Rattlesnake, W. Af. Alg-eririe, China Grappler, Pacific Research, Devonprt. Amazon, Devonport Grasshopper, China Resistance, Medit. Antelope, W. Africa Greyhound, W. Afric Revenge, Pembroke Arethusa, Meditern Handy, W. Africa. Rifleman, China Argus, China Hardy, China Rosario, N. America Assui ance, Medit. Harpy, Devonpr -t and West Indies Aurora, N. America Hastings, Queei. T. Royalist, N. Amer. Barossa, ord home Havock, China and West Indies Basilisk, China Haughty, China Royal George,Dublin Banterer, China Hawke, Uueenstu n Royal Oak, Medit. Barracouta, N Amer. Hector, Portsmouth III." Sovereign, Chan. Bellerophon, Primth Helicon, Portsmouth Salamander, Aus- Blk. Eagle, Wlwich Heron, N. America tralia Blk. Prince, Qntown Hcsper, China Salamis, China Blazer, Queenstown Highflyer, E Indies Satellite, Brazils Bouncer, China Himalaya, Portsmth Scorpion, Portsmth Brisk, Australia Hydra, Mediter. Scout, Pacific Bristol, W. Africa Hyaena, Milford Scylla, China Britomart, N. Amer. Industry, Woolwich Serpent, China Bustard, China Insolent, China Severn, ord home Buzzard, ord home Investigator, W. Af. Sharpshooter, Brazil Cadmus, N. America Irresistible, Sthmptn Shearwater, Pacific Caledonia, Channel Jackal, Scotland Sheldrake, Brazils Caradoc, Mediter. Janus, China Skylark, Gibraltar Challenger, Austrlia Jaseur, W. Africa Slaney, China Chernb, N. America Kestrel, China Snipe, W. Africi Clinker, Plymouth Landrail, W.Africa Sparrow, ord bome Clio, Pacific Leander, ord home Sparrowhawk, Pacfic Clown, China Leopard, ord. home Speedwell, W, Africa Cockatrice, Medit. Leven, China Speedy, Jersey Cockchafer, E. Ind. Liffey, N. America Spider, S. America Columbine, Pacific Lightning, Scotland Sphinx, N. America Constance, N. Amer. Lily, North America Spiteful, Brazils Coquette, ord. home Linnet, Brazils Sprightly, Portsmth. Cordelia, N. Amer. Lion, Greenock Staunch, China Cormorant, China Liverpool, Channel Steady, North Amer. Coromandel, China Lizard, Sheerness and West Indies Cornwallis, Hull Lord Clyde, par ser St George, Portland Cossack, Meditter. Lyra, Mozambique Styx, North America Cruiser, Portsmouth Malacca, Pacific and West Indies Curacoa, ord home Manilla, China Supply, Woolwich Cygnet, N. America Meanee, Mediter. Sutlej, Pacific Dapper, Dartmouth Medusa, Sheerness Swallow, ord home Dart, Portsmouth Megaera, store ser. Dasher, Jersey Mullet, W. Africa Tamar, troop ser. Dauntless, Humber Mutine, Pacifiic Terrible, Mediter. Dee, store service Narcissus Brazils Terror, Bermuda Defence, Channel Nettle, Portsmouth Torch, W. Africa Donegal, Liverpool Niger, N. America Topaze, Pacific Deris, N. America Nimble, N. America Trafalgar, Queen's- Doterel, Brazils and West Indies ferry, N.B. Drake, China Oberon, N. America Tribune, ord home Dromedary, W. Af. Octavia, E. Indies Trinculo, Channel Duke of Wellington, Orontes, Prtsmouth Tiiton, Brazils Portsmouth Osborne, special ser. Tyrian, Mediter. Duncan, N. America Osprey, China Urgent, Portsmouth Eclipse, ord home Pandora, W. Africa Valorous, Cape Edinburgh, Queen's Pantaloon, Bombay Victoria, Mediter Ferry, N.B. Pelican, Portsmouth Victoria and Albert, Elfin, Portsmouth Pelorus, China Portsmouth Enchantress,par.ser. Pembroke, Harwich Vigilant, E. Indies Enterprise, Medit. Pengnin, Mzmbique Vivid, Woolwich Espoir, W Africa Perseus, China Wanderer, Mediter Esx, Australia Pigmy, Portsmouth Wasp, Mozambique Fairy, Portsmouth Porcupine, Channel Weazel, China Falcon, Australia Princess Alice, De- Weser. Malta Favourite, N. Amer. vonport Wildfire, Sheerness Fawn, N. America Prince Albert, De- Wizard, coast Syria Fervent, Bristol vonport Wolverine,N. Amer Firefly, Mediter. Prin. Consort, Med. Wye, store service Fire Queen, Prtmth. Prin. Royal, China Wyvern, Devonport Flamer, China Procris, Gibraltar Zebra, W. Africa Forward, Pacific) Psyche, Mediter. J SHIPS. Acorn, Shanghai Ferret, Portsmouth President, Thames Active, Sunderland Fisgard, Woolwich Royal Adelaide, De. Asia, Portsmouth Formidable, Shrness vonport Boscawen, South- Hibernia, Malta Saturn, Pembroke hampton Implacable, Devon-Sealark, Devonport Brilliant, Dundee port Seringapatam, Cap, Britannia, Dartmth. Impregnable,Devon- of Good Hope Cambndge.Devonpt. port Squirrel, Devonpor Canopus, Devdnport Indus, DevonpoTt Saint Vincent. Ports- Castor, North Shields Isis, Sierra Leone mouth. Cumberland, Sheer- Meander, Ascension Trincomalee, Har- ness Martin, Portsmouth tlepool. Doedalus, Bristol Naiad, Callao Victory, Portsmouth Eagle, Liverpool Nercus, Valparaiso Vindictive, Fernando Egmont, Rio princess Charlotte Wellesley, Chatham Excellent, Portsmth. Hong Kong Winchester, Abrdn