The Principality

JØUU5. RAPID MODE OF LIGHTING GAS-LAMPS.—A rapid and scientific mode of lighting and extinguishing public gas-burners has been invented by a person named Vilatte. The opening of the burner of each lamp is covered with a piece of soft iron, mounted upon a hinge. In connexion with this is a wire extending from a galvannic battery the entire length of the service of the gas-lamps, and close to the orifice of each burner is a small slip of platina. The soft iron, becoming a magnet when acted upon by the electric fluid, opens or closes the orifice according to the motion imparted to it the platina ignites when it is necessary to light the lamps, and thus every lamp in a large town may be lighted simultaneously, or extinguished in the same way, by a different action on the magnetised iron. -Tinies. FUNERAL OF THE LATE CAPTAIN AND MRS. M'NEIL, AND THEIR TWO DAUGHTERS, LOST IN THE OBION.—The body of this unfortunate gentleman was, with that of his wife and those of his two daughters, conveyed on Wednesday, by the steamer Briton, from Stranraer to West Tarbet, where the vessel was met by a large number of near relatives and friends of the deceased, and then proceeded to the family burying-ground on the island of Gigha. On nearing that island, each of the bodies was placed in a separate barge, and rowed ashore. At this time the neighbouring land was covered with multitudes of Highlanders, who had come to see the last sad rites performed over those whom they had revered and loved and the scene was a most painful and affecting one. WOOLLEN MANUFACTURES.—The declared value of the ex- ports of woollen manufactures from the United Kingdom during the vear 1819 was, according to a return just published, £ 7,42,723." The quantities of s:;eep and lambs' wool im- ported during the same year amounlel to 75,113,8471bs., and the quantities re-expoited to 12,324,4151bs. The quantities of British sheep and lambs' wool exported in 1849 amounted to ll,200,4721bs., and of British woollen and worsted yarn, in- cluding that which is mixed with other materials, 11,773,0201b. were exported. The imports of Alpaca and Llama wool, in 1849, amounted to 1,655,3001b. and the quantities re-exported to 126,0821b. Of mohair, or goats' wool, 2,536,0391b. were imported, the quantities re-exported being 130,1451b. THE NEW LORD CHANCELLOR.—Sir Thomas Wilde is Lord Chancellor of England. His father was an attorney in the City. The future Chancellor was placed in St. Paul's School. He here formed an acquaintance which ripened into a lasting friendship, with Frederick Pollock, now Lord Chief Baron. From this school young Wilde was removed to his father's office. His unwearied industry and quickness of perception were generally observed during, his clerkship, and upon his admission as an attorney, business rapidly flowed in upon him. In the course of a few years, with self-reliance almost unex- ampled, he relinquished a practice producing several thousands a year, and was called to the bar. He chose the Western Circuit. His knowledge of the law, his zeal, his industry, and a ready command of appropriate language, very shortly gave him distinction and emminence. He was unusually zealous in his client's cause, but was a candid opponent. The unwearied industry which marked him when a boy is still in full exercise, and he has before him the example of Lord Hardwicke, who, like himself, when made Chancellor, had principally practised in common law courts, and who, like himself, had sat at the attorney's desk, he has, too, the rare qualification for a judge, a full and accurate general knowledge of the law, its process, and its practice, The task before him appears difficult, but all is possible to the untiring industry of a man who grudgingly gives to rest at the utmost about five hours in the twenty-four. The unconnected but industrious Jclerk or student may, from the elevation of Sir Thomas Wilde, derive pleasure and hope. -Correspondent of the Times. UNPARALLELED DEATH AT A CRICKET MATCH.—An inves- tigation was gone into on Friday before Mr. \V Carter, at the Hand-in-IIand Tavern, Streatham, on the body ot George Powell, aged 28. On Tuesday, the 2nd inst., a single-wicket cricket match was appointed to take place at Clapham Com- mon, in which the deceased and another person were engaged. In the course of the game deceased threw the ball with great force at the wicket, knocking off one of the stumps, and, having stumbled while running, he unfortunately fell upon the point of the stump when it was nearly perpendicular. It entered two inches above the right knee, and came out four inches at the back, He was subsequently placed under medical care, but erysipelas set in last week and terminated fatally. The jury returned a verdict of Accidental death." The coroner remarked that such an extraordinary accident had never before happened at a cricket match, an observation in which the jury fully concurred. STATUE OF HER MAJESTY AT HOLYROOD. We, North British Mail," understand that, on occasion of the occupation by royalty of the ancient palace of Holyrood, it is proposed to erect a statue of Her Majesty in the central quadrangle of the building. A subscription paper, for the purpose of raising the funds necessary for the accomplishment of the object is, we believe, in course of signature and the subscriptions, in order to afford to all classes of the community an opportunity of contributing, are to be restricted to one guinea. The list of subscribers has been headed by the Lord Provost, and from the cordiality with which the proposal has been already entered into, confident hopes are entertained that its promoters will have no difficulty in raising tho amount. AN EXECUTIONER KILLED BY HIS SON. The Gazette des Tribunaux has the following communication from Bois le Due in liolland It is well known that among the degrading punishments provided by the penal code of the Netherlands is the one which is called het zaijen van het sward, or the bran- dishing of the sword, and which consists in the culprit being placed on his knees on the scaffold with his eyes blindfolded, as if he were about to have his head cut off. The executioner then whirls several times over the culprit's head the sword which is used for the decapitation of criminals. The applica- tion of this extraordinary punishment lately took place in the above town, and was attended with a fatal accident. On this occasion the executioner had caused his son to take his place, a young man of twenty-two, whom he is instructing in the exercise of his functions. The young man had posted himself behind the individual to be operated upon, and the executioner stood behind his son—doubtless in order to give him the neces- sary directions. The apprentice executioner then grasped the sword and brandished it about a dozen times over the head of the culprit; but in bringing it back again towards himself he unfortunately struck his father on the lower part of the head, and inflicted a fatal wound. The young man has been arrested. He stated that his arm had grown weak in the act of whirling the .sword, which is a very heavy one, and that, having lost his command over it, the sword had fallen on his father. The truth of the explanation is doubted by no one, as the young man bears an excellent character. TRAGICAL AFFAIR IN AN AMERICAN COURT OF JUSTICE.—A letter dated Danville, Vermont, June 21, says,—" The felons Warburton, alias Bristol Bill and Meadows, were brought into court this forenoon, at half-past ten o'clock, to receive sentence for the crime of counterfeiting, of which they were found guilty last week Immediately after sentence-was passed, to wit, ten years' imprisonment at hard labour on each of the prisoners, Bristol Bill suddenly, and with the agility of a tiger, sprang upon Mr. B. N. Davis, state attorney, and plunged the blade of alartecase knife full three inches into his neck, just at the back of the right ear, striking the neck bone and glancing back- ward instead of forward, to which fortunate circumstance of the backward direction the state attorney is no doubt indebted for his life. The first intimation that any one present had of the prisoner's intention was the sharp tinkling of his chains, as he suddenly leaped forward to inflict the wound, Mr. Davis fell reeling to the floor, uttering but a faint cry, the weapon sticking in the wound. A bystander pulled out the reeking blade, while Bill stood erect, with a look of exultation depicted upon his countenance. Indeed, while being doubly ironed, he repeatedly stated that he had but one anxiety, and that was the fear that the work was but half dune -that it would not prove fatal —during which he evinced as much coolness as though nothing of any particular moment had occurred. The family of the state attorney were immediately sent for, and are anxiously attend- ing by his bedside. Mr. Davis is in a very critical situation, tht ugh the attending physicians encourage us with the hope that the wound will not prove fatal." Another account says: -2vluch fear and excitement prevailed in the court-room and th< ugh Bill was fettered, he took control of the house for some minutes. The judge commanded the officers to arrest him but so completely terror-stricken wire all present that no one duist approach him. Bill stationed himself in one corner of the room and swore that he would kill the first man who should approach hiiii but at last his counsel, Mr. Farrar, went up to hin', spoke a few wards, when without further resistance he yielded himself to the hands of an officer, and was immediately handcuffed and put. in close coi finemcnt. Bill seemed frantic v-ith rage, said he intended to kill Davis on the spot, and was '■ most Gr—d d 2d sorry he did not." Where he obtained the knife no one knows, but it is generally supposed some one L rnishcd him with it—for what purpose that individual best knows. VAUXIIALL GARDENS. On Friday evening a grand bal masque took place at these gardens by special desire of the Nepaulese Ambassador. A state-box was erected for the re- ception of his excellency, with a view to enable him and his suite to witness the gay and festive scene," uninterruptedly. Between twelve and one o'clock the ambassador and his two brothers arrived at the gardens. The richness of their costumes attracted much attention from the contrast they bore to the various dresses and disguises of the maskers. The ambassador expressed himself much gratified by the scene of merriment. NARROW Ese.-irr.-A gentleman in an Irish jaunting car, on Wednesday evening week, \\ad a narrow escape from serious injury, by a cart, laden with stones, being left standing too near the centre of the narrow thoroughfare opposite the Liverpool Arms hotel, Bangor. There was not sufficient room for the cart to pass, and consequently it struck and became locked with one of the cart wheels, the right leg of the gentleman being so placed that but for great care being used in its extrication, and some nerve displayed both on his part and that of the driver, it would inevitably have been crushed or broken. As it was, a slight pressure and a little damage to the trousers only was suf- fered. We insert this notice only by way of caution to cart- drivers to be more careful, as worse consequences might have arisen from the neglect evident on this occasion. THE IRON TRADE.-The usual quarterly meeting of iron-mas- ters took place at the Town Hall, Birmingl.am, on Thursday, and was more numerously attended than any meeting held for a considerable time past. The depression throughout the past three months has been great, and the workmen and their families have suffered much privation, but a better state oi things is now confidently looked forward to. A number of furnaces were set to work during the railway mania, and the large amount of capital invested prevented the curtailment of the manufacture; upon the demand ceasing, a glut was the consequence, with a dimuuition in price. Several attempts have been made during the past quarter to effect a reduction below the quotations of last quarter-day, but without success. At the meeting, all the large firms in Stafford- shire and Shropshire were represented, and many buyers from London and Liverpool were present. But few sales were effected owing to the leading firms refusing to accede to any reductiontof price it being generally admitted that, without a great reduction of wages, which they were not prepared to recommend, forge pig- iron could not be made for less than £ 3. per ton, nor manufactured fur less than X6. Reports from Wales and Scotland were rumoured slating that in those localities prices were receding, but it would be fofly.for the manufacturers of South Staffordshire to attempt to compete with them in prices, while they beat them in quality. To meet the present condition of the trade, 20 furnaces have been blown out during the past three weeks 2,000 tons a week less than the usual supply will be thus produced, and the stocks lessened. Some sales were negotiated before the close of the meeting at £ 5.10s. to £ 5.15s. for bar, and C2. Ills, to X2. 15s. for pig-prices, at present wages, not considered remunerative. Rod and sheet iron brought £ 8. per ton, A general opinion prevailed that things had reached the worst, and we are glad to state that the accounts were all satisfactorily settled.-Mining Journal. CONTRACT FOR IRON.—The commissioners of the navy will be ready on Tuesday, the 30th inst., to receive tenders for supplying to the several dock-yards for 12 months certain, and afterwards for three months, such cast-iron articles as may be required. The finance committee of the East India Company will also receive tenders on the 24th inst., for the supply of British iron. FRENCH CONTRACT FOR COALS.—The contract for supplying the French Post-office department with 11,000 ton of coal for the mail packets, was principally obtained by an eminent English firnJ, to the disappointment of the French and Belgian contractors. The coals are to be Newcastle and Welsh, and will be exported in British bottoms. SUICIDES IN NrWGATr.-Oll Saturday two inquests were held in Newgate. The first was on the body of Daniel Blac-kstaff Donovan, aged 33, au ex-pugilist; the second on the body of Walter Watts, also aged 33, recently a clerk in the Globe Insur- ance office, and formerly lessee ot the Marylebone and Olympic Theatres. On Friday, Donovan was tried at the Central Criminal Court, and sentence of death recorded against him; and the same day, the deceased Watts was brought up for judgment, and sentenced to ten years transportation. Donovan was tried soon after ten a. m., and sentenced soon after one p.m. He was found 1 0 11 dead about twenty, minutes to three, suspended by his handker- chief. He was warm, and the attendant had to go to Hatton- garden for the assistant-surgeon, and did not take a cab. The jury consulted for a. long time, and twelve of them were of opinion that deceased had hung himself whilst in an unsound state of mind the remaining eleven considered that he was not. A verdict was then recorded of "Temporary Insanity," accord- ing to the decision of the majority. The second inquest, on the body of Watts, was then proceeded with. After sentence had been passed he was taken back into the Infirmary. William Smith, a prisoner, saw him soon after he was sentenced, and he did not appear at all different from what he had been before. Before he went up to the Court he said he expected to be im- prisoned for twelve months when he came back he said he had got transported for ten years, but seemed as usual. Witness went to bed at nine, and woke again at twelve. All was quiet —woke again at three, and lay awake until a quarter to four, then turned round in bed and missed Mr. Watts, and, seeing his slippers and boots, suspected something wrong. Woke the prisoner next to him, who immediately jumped out of bed, and went to the water-closet and called for a knife, saying Watts was there hanging quite dedd and cold. They rang the bell for the officer. Deceased was hanging suspended by a bit of cord fastened by the side of his neck from some bars across a window which was over and by the side of the water-closet. Mr. Waldon came with a knife, and deceased was cut down, Shipton laid him on the floor. A doctor was sent for, although Watts was quite dead. He was in his shirt, with a napkin on his chest, and a locket suspended from his neck. The rope was cut out of the sacking of the bedstead. It corresponded with a piece wanting. Was certain that during the three-quarters of an hour that he was awake deceased did not go to the water-closet. Mr. Sewell, the assistant-surgeon, said deceased must have been dead for two or three hours previous to four. Thought the pains in the head, of which deceased complained, were caused by a diseased condition of the brain, produced by hard drinking. Unanimous verdict of Temporary Insanity. Loss OF THE SCHOONER MONMOUTH, OF NEWPORT.—In- telligence has been received at Newport of the loss of the schooner Monmouth of that port. which, when near the Gulf of Gibraltar, was run into by a foreign vessel, with such a violence as to cut away seven of her side planks, besides lee destroying one of her boats. The vessel made water so fast that the crew had hard work to save their li, es in the boats, the captain's sister, who was on board, being up to her waist before she could be got out of the cabin. The foreign vessel, whose name in the confusion was not recognised, went off without rendering any assistance. A SHIP ON FIRE IN THE THAMES.—On Saturday afternoon, between four and five o'clock, a vessel named the Saunders, belonging to Mr. Phillip's, a lighterman, and lying offlrongate stairs, caught fire, and in a few minutes, notwithstanding prompt assistance was given, the cabin head and the after part of the vessel were in flames, The two splendid steam-ships, the Batavier, Rotterdam trader, and the Leith, a Scotch trader, were in close proximity to the fire, and the forepart of both ships' sides, together with their paddle-boxes, were severely damaged. Sir HOlmIn PEEL'S TESTIMONIAL AND THE POLICE.—WO un- derstand that, in admiration of the character of this eminent statesman, and as being the founder of the police system, the various members of the City of London police force have volun tarily subscribed half a day's pay towards such testimonial. Nearly £ÔO has been already received. It is expected that similar collections will be made throughout the police districts of the metropolitan force, THE CONVICT PATE has been removed to the Millbank Prison. We learn that he has not been subjected to the usual prison discipline. He has neither had his hair cropped, nor have his clothes been changed and instead of his being placed in a cell, he has been permitted to occupy a room belonging to an officer of the prison. Why is this P—Sunday Times. REPRESENTATION OF TAMWORTH.— At a meeting of the'ejec- tors of Tamworth borough, held on Friday evening, the follow- ing address to Sir Robert Peel was agreed to Sir, — We, the undersigned electors of the borough of Tam worth, while deeply deploring the sad event which has so suddenly snatched from us'our respected and beloved representative, feel that the time is fast approaching when we shall again be called upon to ex- ercise our elective franchise. We therefore request that you will allow yourself to be nominated as a candidate to represent this borough in parliament; and we beg to assure you of the gratification we shall derive in promoting your return as one of our representatives, without subjecting you to the inconvenience of a personal canvass, or of attending at the, hustin<,s tir Robert Peel has accepted this inviration of the cleetor., t., stand for the representation of this borough in the room of his lamented father. The election will take place to-day, but the hon. baronet, it is understood, will not appear at the hustings. There is no probabiiity of an opposition. A the present moment it would be offensive to the constituencyt