An Old Newspaper.

Cromwell Argus, Volume I, Issue 12, 26 January 1870, Page 3

An Old Newspaper.

A. copy of tin- 'films newspaper bearing date ajiol.fr 3, 17W (says the &W*o iWcuV) has lately been presented to the Nel. son Mißeiim by VV. L. WYoy, Ksq. Th& paper, which contains Admiral Nelson's despatch giving an account of the battle of tho Nile, is ftbont the sisio of this journal, am? it is difficult to realize that from tliafc small sheet has sprung tho gigantic Times of the present day. A few extracts from this paper of 71 years ago may prove interesting to seme of our readers j we have therefore selected the following :

The news of Nelson's victory had reached) London on the former evening, and the Tins* says>_" A person last night in the gallery of Drury Lane House calling frequently in a boisterous manner for the tune of • Britons strike home,' was immediately silenced by the appropriate observation of another at some distance from him, ' Why, d—n it, they have, haven't they V " Speaking of what was in those days a feat well worth recording, it says that ''Mrs Siddons has performed the hitherto unprecedented feat of acting in Bath, Brighton, and London within tho incredibly short space of 96 hours."

Englishmen of those days largely patronised out-Joor games, and we find certain sports that were to take place in Dorsetshire, in celebration of the Duchess of Witrtnmbnrg's birthday, announced in the following quaint terms: "All persons of friendly, loyal, and jovial dispositions are invited to be present at, and partake of, the undermentioned country sports, which are intended, if the weather is fine, to be exhibited at Maiden Castle, near Dorchester—

To be played for at Cricket, a Round of Beef. Each man of the winning set to have a ribband. A Cheese to be rolled down the Hill.— Prize to whoever stops it.

A pound of Tobacco to be Grinned for. A Barrel of Beer to be rolled down the Hill. —Prize to whoever s(o|W it. A Michaelmas Jay G;>o.se to be Divod for.

A good Hat to be cudgelled for, Half-a-Guinoa for the l>est A*s in throe heats.

A handsome Hat for the Boy most expert in catching a Roll dipped in Treaclo and suspended by a string. A Leg of Mutton and a Gallon of Porter to the winner of a race of 100 yards ia Sacks. A good Hat to be Wrestled for

Haifa-Guinea to the rider of the Ass who wins the best of three heats by coming iu last.

Prisje to whoever catches a pier by th© tail.