Miscellaneous.

Lyttelton Times, Volume VIII, Issue 530, 2 December 1857, Page 5

Miscellaneous.

Paying- an" old Debt.—A merchant very extensively engaged in commerce, and located on Long Wharf, Boston, died, intestate, Feb. 18th, 1803, at the age of seventy-five. After his death, a package of very considerable size,, was found carefully tied up and labelled as follows : __" Notes, due-bills, and accounts against sundry persons down along shore. Some of them may be got by suit and severe dunning; but the people ave^poor; "most of them have had fisherman's luck. My children will do as they think best. Perhaps they will think with me, that it is best to burn this package entire." About a month after he died, the sons met together, when the eldest brother, the administrator, produced the packet, and read the superscription, and asked what course should be taken in regard to it. Another brother, a few years younger than the eldest, a man of strong impulsive temperament, unable at that moment to express his feelings by words, while he brushed the tears from his eyes with one hand, by a spasmodic jerk of the other towards the fire-place, indicated his wish to have the packet put into the flames. It was suggested by another brother, that it might be well first to make a list of the names, and of the dates and amounts, that they might be enabled, as the intended discharge was for all, to inform such ,as might offer payment, that their debts were for given. On the following day they again assembled, and the list had been prepared, and all the notes, due-bills, and accounts, which including interest,amountedto thirty thousand dollars, were committed to the flames. "It was about four months after our father's death," continued our informant, "in the month of June, that I was sitting in my eldest brother's office, waiting for a chance to speak with him, when there came a hard favoured little old man, who looked as if time and rough weather had been to the windward of him for seventy years. He asked if my brother was not the executor. My brother replied that he was administrator, as our father died intestate. * Well,' said the stranger, • I have come up from the Cape, to pay a debt I owe to the old gentleman.' My brother requested him to take a seat, he being at the desk. The old man sat down, putting on his glasses, drew out a very ancient looking pocket-book and began to count over his money. When he had finished, as he sat waiting his turn, slowly twirling his thumbs with his old gray meditative eyes upon the floor, he sighed, and I knew the money, as the phrase runs, came hard, and secretly wished that the old man's name might be found on the forgiven list. My brother asked him the usual questions, his name, residence, &c. The original debt was four hundred and forty dollars. It had stood a long time, and, with interest, it amounted to between seven and eight hundred dollars. My brother went to his desk, and after examining the forgiven list attentively, a

sudden smile lit upon his countenance, and told me truth at a glance. The old man's name was there ? My brother quietly took a chair by his side, and conversation ensued between them which I never shall forget. ' Your note is outlawed,' said he,' it was dated twelve years ago, payable in two years; there is no witness, and interest has never been paid; you are not bound to pay this note; we can never recover this amount.' ' Sir,' said the old man,' I wish to pay it. It is the only debt I have in the world. It may be outlawed here, but I have no child, and my old woman and I hope we may have our peace with God, and I wish to do so with man. I should like to pay it.' And he laid the bank notes before my brother, requesting him to count it over. ' I cannot take the money,' was the reply of my brother. The old man became alarmed. 'I have cast simple interest for twelve years, and counted it all "over/ said he. 'I will pay you compound interest, if you require it. The debt ought to have been paid long ago; but your father was very indulgent—he knew I'd been unlucky, and told me not to worry about it,' My brother then properly set the matter before him, and taking the bank bills he returned them to the old man's pocket-book, telling him that although our father left no formal will, he had recommended to his children to destroy certain notes, due-bills, and other evidences of debt, and release those who might be legally bound to pay them. For a moment the old man appeared to be stupified. After he had collected himself, and wiping the tears from his eyes, he said :—' From the time I heard of your father's death, I have raked and scraped pinched and spared to get the money together, for the payment of the debt. About ten days ago I made up the sum within twenty-five dollars. My wife knew how much the payment of this debt lay on my'spirits, and advised me to sell a cow and make up the difference, and get the heavy burden off my mind. I did so ; and now what will my old woman say? I must go back to the Cape and tell her this good news. She'll probably repeat the very words she used when she put her hand on my shoulder as we parted :-w( I have never seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging their bre,iid.' Giving each of usashakeof thehand,anda blessing on our old father's memory, he went on his way rejoicing. After a short silence, taking his pencil and making a cast —' There,' said my brother, ' your part of the amount would be so much. Contrive a plan to convey me your share of the pleasure derived from this operation, and the money is at your service."' Such is the simple tale which I have told as it was told me. To add to the evident moral, would be an insult to the reader.— Galifornian Paper. Landing of Fillibustess at New Yoke. —The decks of the steamer were black with a motley crowd, which seemed packed together almost as'tight as the live, yet slightly darker freight of slavers. The dresses of the passengei's were unique, consisting of loose, darkcoloured pants, dirty flannel shirts,-, straw hats, Kossufch hats and caps, without coats, neckerchief, or vest. Such at least was the wearing apparel of nearly all of the passengers on the hurricane deck.. Their looks, unshaven, dark, apparently dirty faces, neglected hair—indeed, their whole appearance well accorded with their habiliments.. Some had a valise and arolled-up blanket thrown over their shoulder or in their hands. On the stern of the main deck were the first cabin passengers. Their appearance was much better than that of those above described, though it was peculiar, and their dresses quite diversified. When the steamer had hauled so as to nearly touch the lower side of the pier, a knowing-one pointed his finger to a blackbearded, well-built man, wearing a wide-awake Kossuth hat, and said " That is General Henningsen." A murmur ran. through the crowd, and every eye was strained to see the hero of Granada. One who had "been to the wars" proposed three cheers for General Henningsen, but the crowd had not seen their man, or fearing, perhaps, a sell, made but a dull, though half ludicrous response. This drew a slight bow frora'General Henningsen; and the passengers standing before him stepped back, so as to leave him prominently before the multitude, who then immediately gave the General three hearty cheers and repeated the number in timers. Henningsen bowed politely in response. The crowd then all cried out, " Hurrah for General Henningsen ! " "Bear him out!"^ "Carry him on your shoulders!" " Make way for the General!" &c. The steamboat touched" the wharf, and before the gang-plank could be pulled into the boat dozens were leaping on to it, climbing up the wheels, and in every way seeking ingress to the boat, even to the peril of their lives. To describe the confusion, the crowding, surging, the stepping on toes, dragging trunks, hallooing of commands, jabbering of passengers, and the reckless, headstrong plunging and insolent oifi- ] ciousness of the cab-drivers would be impossible. General Henningsen was, immediately on landing, surrounded by the crowd of his oid comrades and enthusiastic admirers, and a general shaking of hands, and friendly interchange of greetings took place, which caused some detention bsfore the carriages which had been provided could be reached. A barouche and four and several carriages were soon filled with the General and his more immediate friends, and amid the cheers of the multitude the party drove off through Chamber-street and Broadway, to the St.. Nicholas, attracting all along the route the attention and wonder of pedestriaus. With the scent of true soldiers, the party soon reached the saloon, where a few minutes sufficed for the puuishment of some good liquor, and," reinvigorated thereby,_ the company resumed their seats in the carriage,

and drove to the house of General Henningsen, in Twelvth-street. Word had been previously sent to Mrs. Henningsen, that she might expect her husband; and as the carriage drove up she stood waiting to receive him. Among the intimate friends of General Henningsen and the Nicaraguan cause present were General Wheat, Captain Frank Anderson, General Cazneau, General Green, Thomas Francis Meagher, and others. After a brief greeting of the General, and cordial congratulation of his lady, the visitors retired, leaving the hero of " grim visaged war" in the peaceful enjoy.ment of domestic felicity.— New York Herald. Gbeat Fibe in Edinburgh.—On Wednesday afternoon* the Bth. instant, a fire, the most extensive that has occurred in Edinbui'gh for many years, broke out in James's Court, Lawnmarket, the result of which was the destruction of nearly two lands of houses. The buildings were interesting relics of the old town of Edinburgh, chiefly occupied as dwelling houses of the poorer sort, but partially used for business purposes. Over-looking the Mound on the north side, they formed part of that remarkable range of old buildings whose lofty gables attract the notice of strangers, giving to the Old Town viewed from Princes-street, an appearance peculiarly picturesque. In reference * to the cause of the fire* it is really not known how it originated; and, of course, it is not'-to be expected that any estimate could be formed so soon of the amount of property destroyed. The tenement, of which so large a portion has been just destroyed, is not only one of the most conspicuous and structurally remarkable in Edinburgh, but was also of considerable interest from its associations. The house in which David Hume resided for many years was one of the flats (third flat, counting from James's Court) now burned. Dr. Blair was Hume's tenant in the same house while Hume was on the continent a year or two; and James Boswell succeeded Hume as tenant, afterwards removing to the flat immediately below, which has been for many years occupied as a printingoffice, and is now also totally destroyed; and it was here Dr. Johnson was received as a guest by his biographer. The Pbincess of Oude and Queen Victoria.— It will be perceived by our court news that her Majesty the Queen gave a private auI dience on the 4th .July, at Buckingham Palace, [to the Queen Mother of Oude, the heir-ap-parent, the son of the King, and His Majesty's brother. Her Majesty, says the ' Observer,' was pleased.to receive them most graciously, and the honor thus conferred, (although it has been long delayed) must be accepted as a proof of the considerate kindness with which Her Majesty regards the native princes of India. The royal family of Oude proceeded in oriental state to Buckingham Palace, accompanied by Moulvee Musech Ooddeen, the accredited agent, as interpreter. A private audience was necessary, in consequence of the objections of the queen-mother to appear unveiled, but this difficulty was gracefully obviated by the condescension of Her Majesty, and by the excellent arrangements which had been made by the Board of Control. The queen-mother, who was presented by the President of the Board of Control, delivered to Her Majesty an autograph letter from her son, the king. Their royal highnesses the princes of Oude a few days ago honoured the studio of Mr. Mayall with a visit for the purpose of having a series of photographs taken" in the gorgeous court costume in which they were presented to the Queen on the 4th of July. The process of photography appeared to be as interesting as it was novel to their royal highnesses. The brilliancy of their costumes —both princes presenting a perfect blaze of diamonds—told exceedingly well in photography. Shocking Accident. —A most serious accident occurred in the neighbourhood of Shrewsbury, at a place called the "Island of Poplars," an islet of the Severn, on the night of the 3rd of July, on the occasion of M. Jullien's annual annual musical fete. The river at this point is' about 150 feet wide, and is at the deepest part about nine feet deep. The island on the occasion in question was approached by a bridge of boats temporarily erected for the purpose, and constructed of a pontoon, a lighter, a flat-bot-tomed punt, and a barge, planks being laid down over the vessels to a landing-stage and steps. It is computed that not less than 10,000 persons visited the island during the day. The evening, entertainments concluded shortly after ■ ten o'clock with a grand pyrotechnic display, when, just as the last rocket sprang into the air, and scattered its blazing particles among the tall poplars, the enormous multitude rushed off to the bridge of boats. At this juncture the punt, which formed the central portion of the bridge, capsised and sunk, burying beneath it several persons, while a great many others— about 150 in all—were precipitated into the shallower parts of the river. The scene that ensued baffles description. Immediate efforts were made to rescue the persons thus placed in danger. Unfortunately ten persons were drowned. At an inquest held on the bodies it'was distinctly proved that the melancholy accident was caused by some drunken railway porters " rocking " the centre boat to and fro as hard as they could. It was also proved that the Mayor of Shrewsbury, assented to the use of the Island of Poplars upon the understanding that there were to be two bridges—one for ingress and the other for egress. Only one bridge, however, was constructed. The jury returned a verdict of accidental death, and condemned the construction of the bridge. The Committee of Privileges have admitted the claim of Lord Lovat, which has been before the house for thirty years, to rank among the peers of Scotland, by virtue of a creation in 1450.

ExTBAOBDItfARY OffiiEGE OF LIBEI.. —On Tuesday, at the Marlbofough - street Police Court, in London, Mr, Henry Spicer, surgeob, No. 3, Oval Cottages, Kennington, was brought before ,Mr. Beadon on a warrant charging him with having published a false and defamatory libel on Mr. William Day, solicitor, No. 1, Queen-street, Ma'yfair. The defendant, Spicer, was formerly an apothecary and surgeon at Notting-hili. He became acquainted in the course of his business with a lady named Lawford, the widow of the Rev, J. GK Lawford, arid possessed of upwards of £20,000 of her late husband's property. This lady happened to call at' the defendant's shop. The defendant found out that she was a widow of fortune; he . ingratiated himself in her favour, and the result '.was that he caused the unfortunate lady to believe that he had formed- a sincere attachment fo her. Mrs. Lawford placed herself in. communication with her friends. Mr. Day was •professionally consulted, and his advice was • thafothe marriage should not take place until a -.proper- settlement of the property was made on . Mrs. <Lawford. Mr. Spicer professed acquiescence in >this proposal, but, instead of waiting till the --xleeds were drawn out, he forced the widow la&yuhto a clandestine marriage, with- > out any settlement having been made. Having married Mrs. Lawford without any previous ■ settlement, it turned out with respect to the bulk of Mrs. Lawford's property, that it had been so settled by the late Mr. Lawford that, - with the exception of about £4000, the husband could not touch the -remainder, and the result -was that from 1854 to 1855, Mr. Spicer practised the greatest'barbarity towards his wife. He took her through England and Scotland at her own expense. She contrived to make hfer • escape in Scotland, but the defendant telegraphed to the various stations that she was mad, and she was stopped at Preston. She told her story to the mayor at Preston, and she was released. She made her way to London, . and had hitherto succeeded in evading the persecution of the defendant, who hoped by getting possession of her person to obtain the benefit of the £600 or £7GO a-year settled on her. When Mr. Day first became aware of the defendant's conduct towards his wife, he advised her to " bear it if possible; but, as human nature had its Hmits of endurance, she could not put up with the treatment she received, and she sought the protection of her friends. The defendant ■-then proceeded to'issue placards, one of which -offered £50 reward against the parties alleged io have incarcerated and ill-treated the missing '.lady, and mentioned'that she had been seen in .Mr. Day's house. This formed the libel. The defendant was committed for trial, but bail was "taken in £400. Fikepboof Gaemexts.—Some curious experiments have just taken place at Paris, to test a new contrivance for protecting firemen from the action of the-flames, and enabling them 'to resist a strong heat. It consists of gloves made of amianthus, a kind of filamentous mm•- -• eral, a-helmet of the same material fitting into another of wire-gauze, and a shield one metre :in length, and eighty centimetres broad, besides •-other garments of the above-mentioned materials. Three firemen, having put on the gloves, •nrere enabled to'carry iron bars at a-'white heat for three minutes, without being obliged to let go their hold. Straw was afterwards set fire to in a large cast-iron cauldron, and coti.iinually kept up, while a fireman wearing the ' double helmet above mentioned stood above the '"flames, which he warded off with the shield. Although they rose at times above his head, he was enabled to kept his post for a minute .-and a half, at the-end of which time his pulse, -which was at 92 before the experiment, had -■■risen, to 152. Another "fireman followed, who having covered his forehead with apiece of amianthus,_ was enabled to resist the flames for three minutes and forty-seven seconds. Two longitudinal heaps of chips, splinters, and straw '"had been prepared, about five feet asunder, and ■thirty feet in length, two literal openings being Jleft to_ enable theJire.men to get out in case of necessity. Tour men were now equipped in * complete suits of .wire gauze, with boots of amFianthus. Two of them wore, besides, a drdss «of amianthus over another suit of clothes, re'nudered incombustible by means of borax, alum, -and phosphate of ammonia; the two others ■wore a double dress of prepared cloth. One man, however, was entrusted with a basket of wire gauze on his back, containing a boy, ten .years old, protected by a helmet of amianthus. 'TheTieaps being set'fire to, these men went into the Somes together, and, walking at a very moderate pace, performed the distance several times. At the end of sixty seconds, the boy shrieked out aloud, and the fireman who carried him immediately stepped out of the flames. The boy was (examined, but was found perfectly uninjured; his skin was cool, and his pulse, which was at 84 before the experiment, had -only risen to 126 5' he might, therefore, have resisted longer, had ike not been frightened at seeing the flames meet over his head while at the same time one of the ropes which held the .basket had slid down the fireman's shoulder a little, with a slight shock. A few minutes after he was gay as ever, and betrayed no signs of indisposition. The fireman's pulse, which was 92 before, was 116 after the experiment. The three other men remained 2 minute's and '44 seconds in the flames, and stated on coming out that they had experienced no particularly painful sensation, ex-oept that of excessive heat. Iheir pulses, which were 88, 84, and 72 before, were respectively d 52, 138, and 124 after. ■ A circle of fire, about ten-metres in'diameter, was now formed around them, and .they withstood ■ the effect extremely well with their fireproof coverings, and though at a distance of five metres the heat was so intense'that none of the numerous bystanders could resist H.—Qalignam.

It is related that at an interview with the Secretary-at-War which took place recently, Mrs. Seacole, of Crimean celebrity, expressed her desire to set out -immediately for India. " Give me " said the excellent old lady "my needle and thread, my medicine-chest, my bandages, my probe and scissors, and I'm off." It can hardly be doubted that every facility will be'afforded her. The concerts given for her benefit at the Surrey Gardens have produced large receipts. Kojiance of High Life.—-Among the presentations to her Majesty at one of the drawing rooms this season was a young lady upon her marriage, and about whose nuptials a story is current of more than usual interest in these unromaritic times. She is the daughter of a baronet, holding a distinguished position. Among the suitors of this young lady, who is as pretty as accomplished, was one of very advanced years; but it was in vain that all the allurements consequent upon the possession of riches were set forth. The fair maiden showed herself completely indifferent to the golden prize that lay at her feet, and, in spite of the strong recommendation of "papa," it was unhesitatingly rejected. So far, therefore, everything was "perfectly natural and very unromantic. But it seems that the gentleman, after his proposals had been declined (of course with the usual protestations of respect and esteem), again sought an interview, and. assured the lady that his attachment was not selfish—that he was ready, at any sacrifice, to do anything that could contribute to her happiness; and that if her affections were fixed on any one whose wealth might not be adequate to his own good fortune, he was ready, by a settlement even to the extent of £100,000, to place her happiness in her own power. Such a proof of disinterested attachment was perfectly undeniable, and it is said the young lady pondered so much over it that, like the recital of Othello's dangers, it wrought a complete revulsion of feeling. We do not pretend to know on what kind of " hint" the venerable gentleman spoke again, but speak again he did, and with so much effect that the happy day was soon named, and the nuptials in due course solemnised, and the fine bride presented on her marriage to the Queen. The world gives, with its usual generosity, an almost fabulous amount to Mr. 's fortune, but it is very well known that one item in it is £150,000 railway stock, and more than half of which is paying 6 per cent.— Court Journal.