FUNNY LOVE AFFAIR,ALL ABOUTTHE ELOPEMENTTHE ELOPEMENTTHAT TOOK PLACE THIS DAY.

Sir,I have prevailed upon your trusty ‘MESSENGER,’ Tom ‘HERALD,’ who I find a true ‘ENGLISHMAN,’ to take this Letter with the ‘DISPATCH’ of a ‘COURIER,’ and forward it by the ‘EVENING MAIL,’ as it is now too late for the ‘POST.’ It is sent for the ‘EXPRESS’ purpose of informing you that I am on the happy Road to Gretna, with the young Lady you are ‘GUARDIAN’ to: she tells me you have, in the most gross manner, offended her, and that she is happy she is out of your clutches; for, she says, you lost a few weeks ago, a valuable ‘STAR,’ and had the audacity to throw imputations on her character, and went so far as to ‘EXAMINE HER’ yourself, which you cannot retract, as your Ostler, ‘PIERCE EGAN,’ was a close ‘OBSERVER;’ but really, sir, ‘COMMON SENSE ’ and common decency ought to have taught you better: but take care, my old boy, the young lady declares she will become an ‘ADVERTISER’—that is to say, she will publish a ‘CHRONICLE’ of your character in all the ‘NEWSPAPERS;’ therefore prepare to vindicate yourself. You must know, my old Guardian, I have prevailed upon her to letmebecome her future ‘MONITOR’ and Husband, which she has most willingly consented to; as she says the Belle’s life she has experienced while with you, is very different to a ‘BELLE’S LIFE IN LONDON;’ therefore she now prefers being aWifeto a ‘Belle,’ either in London or the Country.—I make no doubt there will be a glorious ‘HUE AND CRY’ about us, when ‘THE NEWS’ gets abroad; but we are both of an independent spirit, and care not what ‘THE WORLD’ says.—YourdearWife wishes me to say that she told the ‘WATCHMAN’ to give a sharp look out, and likewise gave particular injunctions to the Gardener to untie ‘SPHYNX’ every night while you are absent, and turn it into the yard, as you wished.—She likewise wishes me to say you will find your ‘JOURNAL’ and ‘LEDGER’securedin your ironsafe, the key of which is—‘in my pocket.’—You must know I am not a stranger to you, my old buck—my name I will make you acquainted with on my return. I have had a ‘WEEKLY REVIEW’ of you and my pretty partner at Church, which has been a ‘WEEKLY REGISTER’ in my thoughts; and likewise adaily correspondencewith your then Ward, which has been likedaily breadto me.—You have always appeared to me to be the true ‘ENGLISH GENTLEMAN’—that is to say, a true ‘JOHN BULL’ of the old ‘STANDARD;’ but if report speak true, you are very apt to get in ‘THE SUN,’ which I must say is a disgraceful thing, considering ‘THE AGE’ you have now arrived at; therefore, my old cripple, since you are gone to learn the state of ‘THE TIMES’ in London, I am a ‘TRAVELLER’ to to another part of ‘THE GLOBE,’ and have taken the liberty of putting your ‘ATLAS’ in my pocket, as a guide to the different Countries we may wish to visit:—therefore, trusting thegoutmay prevent you from pursuing us, and also thanking you in behalf of Farmer Stubble, for the great relief you afforded him when he was in distress, and thereby keeping him in out of ‘THE GAZETTE;’ for which, he says, as one good turn deserves another, he has felt greatpleasurein taking atroubleoff your hands.—Your dear Wife begs you will not make yourself in the least uncomfortable about —— as she is very happy under the protection of ‘A. Stubble.’ and hopesyouare equally so with the ‘Thorns,’ and remain,Dear Friend,Your sincere ‘well wisher,’G. H.P.S.—You had best not attempt to come after us, or there will be a civil war, as sure as your name’s March; for theLadiesswear they willtear your eyes out, if you come nearthem,; theFarmerswears he willthrashyou as long as he can stand over you; and I (as a Soldier) am in duty bound, for the Ladies’ protection, toshootyou—therefore you know your doom. G. H.

Sir,

I have prevailed upon your trusty ‘MESSENGER,’ Tom ‘HERALD,’ who I find a true ‘ENGLISHMAN,’ to take this Letter with the ‘DISPATCH’ of a ‘COURIER,’ and forward it by the ‘EVENING MAIL,’ as it is now too late for the ‘POST.’ It is sent for the ‘EXPRESS’ purpose of informing you that I am on the happy Road to Gretna, with the young Lady you are ‘GUARDIAN’ to: she tells me you have, in the most gross manner, offended her, and that she is happy she is out of your clutches; for, she says, you lost a few weeks ago, a valuable ‘STAR,’ and had the audacity to throw imputations on her character, and went so far as to ‘EXAMINE HER’ yourself, which you cannot retract, as your Ostler, ‘PIERCE EGAN,’ was a close ‘OBSERVER;’ but really, sir, ‘COMMON SENSE ’ and common decency ought to have taught you better: but take care, my old boy, the young lady declares she will become an ‘ADVERTISER’—that is to say, she will publish a ‘CHRONICLE’ of your character in all the ‘NEWSPAPERS;’ therefore prepare to vindicate yourself. You must know, my old Guardian, I have prevailed upon her to letmebecome her future ‘MONITOR’ and Husband, which she has most willingly consented to; as she says the Belle’s life she has experienced while with you, is very different to a ‘BELLE’S LIFE IN LONDON;’ therefore she now prefers being aWifeto a ‘Belle,’ either in London or the Country.—I make no doubt there will be a glorious ‘HUE AND CRY’ about us, when ‘THE NEWS’ gets abroad; but we are both of an independent spirit, and care not what ‘THE WORLD’ says.—YourdearWife wishes me to say that she told the ‘WATCHMAN’ to give a sharp look out, and likewise gave particular injunctions to the Gardener to untie ‘SPHYNX’ every night while you are absent, and turn it into the yard, as you wished.—She likewise wishes me to say you will find your ‘JOURNAL’ and ‘LEDGER’securedin your ironsafe, the key of which is—‘in my pocket.’—You must know I am not a stranger to you, my old buck—my name I will make you acquainted with on my return. I have had a ‘WEEKLY REVIEW’ of you and my pretty partner at Church, which has been a ‘WEEKLY REGISTER’ in my thoughts; and likewise adaily correspondencewith your then Ward, which has been likedaily breadto me.—You have always appeared to me to be the true ‘ENGLISH GENTLEMAN’—that is to say, a true ‘JOHN BULL’ of the old ‘STANDARD;’ but if report speak true, you are very apt to get in ‘THE SUN,’ which I must say is a disgraceful thing, considering ‘THE AGE’ you have now arrived at; therefore, my old cripple, since you are gone to learn the state of ‘THE TIMES’ in London, I am a ‘TRAVELLER’ to to another part of ‘THE GLOBE,’ and have taken the liberty of putting your ‘ATLAS’ in my pocket, as a guide to the different Countries we may wish to visit:—therefore, trusting thegoutmay prevent you from pursuing us, and also thanking you in behalf of Farmer Stubble, for the great relief you afforded him when he was in distress, and thereby keeping him in out of ‘THE GAZETTE;’ for which, he says, as one good turn deserves another, he has felt greatpleasurein taking atroubleoff your hands.—Your dear Wife begs you will not make yourself in the least uncomfortable about —— as she is very happy under the protection of ‘A. Stubble.’ and hopesyouare equally so with the ‘Thorns,’ and remain,

Dear Friend,

Your sincere ‘well wisher,’

G. H.

P.S.—You had best not attempt to come after us, or there will be a civil war, as sure as your name’s March; for theLadiesswear they willtear your eyes out, if you come nearthem,; theFarmerswears he willthrashyou as long as he can stand over you; and I (as a Soldier) am in duty bound, for the Ladies’ protection, toshootyou—therefore you know your doom. G. H.

LONDON:—Published byGeorge Higham, 80, Hackney Road; and to be had ofTierney, Corner of Russell Court, Drury Lane,

A well known young gentleman in this district has ran off with a pretty young lady, and has left a clue behind him. This Letter was picked up by a Tradesman.

Copy of a Love Letter sent to a Young Lady:—

My Dear,

Kisses may be reckoned among the luxuries of life, rather than among its necessaries; and the reason why so many are fond of indulging in them is, because they belong to the superfluities of this world, and contribute neither to the nourishment of the body nor to the welfare of the soul, but merely afford a moment’s gratification. Formal or ceremonious kisses are like manufactured flowers—very fine in appearance, but wanting in fragrance; and their superabundance only goes to show that the present is a very artificial state of society, as the monkey said when his master put breeches on him. The common custom of kissing the Bible in order to give the appearance of solemnity to an oath, unless the kiss be hot from the heart, is impious mockery, and ought never to be practised in a country like this, where Christianity and common sense are supposed to be closely combined. This cold kind of kissing produces no blissful excitement, and often leads to bad results; and I have no doubt but the old woman found more pleasure when she kissed her cow, than half of the young men who bestow busses upon the cheek of beauty, unwarmed by the fire of affection. My dear, you may go to your private evening parties, where all is gaiety, joiety, and hilarity—where the lovely angels of earth, dressed in the snowy robes of purity, look tempting enough to make a saint turn sinner, and perform a pilgrimage from paradise to perdition, for the sake of a single glorious smack. Go, then, and feast till you fatten on forfeited kisses; but be assured that, although they may be attended with some little sport and amusement, they are just as destitute of real ecstacy as a fox’s back is of fur in the month of June, or an oyster of fine flavour in August. True bliss only attends the warm kiss of fervent love. When a young man presses the girl that he sincerely loves to his bosom—when heart meets heart—when soul mingles with soul—and when lips meet lips—oh! then come exquisite touches of tenderness!—then he cannot help feeling a sort of furziness all over!—and she must unquestionably feel as though she were ready to pin-feather at the moment. Such, my dear, are the delightful, but indescribable sensations attending the kiss of pure and unadulterated love. But he that kisses only to deceive and seduce, imbibes a poison at the time, which rankles in his bosom, and induces more or less of grief and mortification, according to the injury inflicted. I hold him a very Judas at best; and if he were to go straightway and hang himself, society would reckon his loss as an unlooked for and fortunate gain. My dear, as for me, I don’t dive very deeply into miscellaneous kissing, and consequently kiss but few; but when I do kiss, an explosion takes place which must convince all within hearing that it originates from the heart, and is meant in earnest. There was a time, in my schoolboy days, when I could extract the sweets of a kiss as calmly, composedly, and I may say as coldly as a bee sucks the honey from a hollyhock; but now I never undertake the business of bussing unless I go into it with a heart heated in the blaze of enthusiasm. A mother kisses her child; true lovers do the same to one another, and no evil consequences ensue; doves bill and coo, and they know no more about the practised arts of love than a man knows when he goes to sleep; but, oh! this kissing to gain some mean, mercenary, or unlawful end, ought never to be countenanced. To kiss in jest, as is often practised by chaps among the girls, is productive of no absolute harm or actual good yet the young men love to indulge in it; and so long as the amusement is innocent in itself, I have no objections to their gratifying their naughty but wicked propensities to their heart’s content. But they must be careful whom they kiss and how they kiss. Some girls will undergo the pleasurable punishment as quietly as a good-natured child submits to baptism by sprinkling—some twist and squirm like an eel while being skinned, and either return a smart slap in the face, or exercise no other defence by merely saying “Why ain’t you ashamed!” And then again, there are others whom it is as dangerous to attempt to kiss as it would be to attempt to break open the trunk of an elephant. Look out for this latter sort, for they have teeth like tigers and claws like a wild cat’s, and you must keep a respectful distance, or pay dearly for your rashness. Married men may greet one another with a holy kiss, but don’t kiss each other’s wives, lest the green-eyed monster haunt the blooming bowers of matrimony, and every beautiful blossom of connubial bliss be blighted in the frost-bringing breeze of jealousy. I want you, my dear, to kiss and get married; and then devote your time to the study of morality and money-making. Then let your home be provided with such comforts and necessaries as piety, pickles, potatoes, pots and kettles, brushes, brooms, benevolence, bread, charity, cheese, crackers, faith, flour, affection, cider, sincerity, onions, integrity, vinegar, virtue, wine, and wisdom. Have all these always on hand, and happiness will be with you. Eat moderately, go about business after breakfast, lounge a little after dinner, chat after tea, and kiss after quarrelling; and all the joy, the peace and the bliss the earth can afford shall be yours, till the grave closes over you, and your spirit is borne to a brighter and happier world. So may it be.

From yours—W. S.

J. Catnach, Printer, London.

As manifested to Mr Louis, a Farmer, between Brighton and Hastings, who, while in the act of blaspheming, was struck motionless, in which state he remained six weeks, with his account of the Horrors he endured while in his death-like Trance.

The following startling intelligence was received in London a few weeks ago (as many thousands can remember), from a very pious and Christian lady named Thompson, residing at a Training College in the vicinity of Brighton, Sussex, and which may be said to be one of the most awful visitations that ever befel any person. At a village between Brighton and Hastings, the farmers had been grumbling about the weather. A lady was passing a field in which Mr Louis, a farmer, was standing, remarked that his corn looked nice. “Yes,” he replid, “it would look nice, if God Almighty would sleep for six weeks,” and directly the man became stiff, and has remained in that position until Tuesday last, when, amidst a violent storm of wind and rain, he recovered the use of his faculties. It appears that the unfortunate man’s wife and friends had been assiduously watching him since August the 14th, and early on Tuesday morning, September the 25th, whilst a violent storm of wind and rain was raging, his limbs were observed to lose their rigid appearance, and his wife immediately ran to him, when, in a few moments he opened his eyes, looked around, and clasping his hands together, raised his eyes to Heaven, and exclaimed, “My God! my God; what have I done?” and immediately fell to the earth in a swoon. They raised him from the ground, and applied restoratives to him, and in a short time had the pleasure of seeing him come too, when they conveyed him home and put him to bed, and we are happy to say under the kind attention of his wife he rapidly recovered.

The unfortunate man states that when he went off in his death-like trance he had, for the first few days a perfect knowledge of all that was passing around him, and, oh! it was impossible to describe the horrible anguish that he experienced at the thought of standing in that position for ever (he says he never expected to be relieved from his awful position), as a warning to the unrighteous wicked blasphemer; then to hear the remarks of some of his Christian friends, many of whom had tried to persuade him to alter his evil course of life, but whom he had treated with scorn, was doubly terribly horrible. He says, that after he went off in a stupor, and had lost his sense and feeling, as far as regards this earth, he thought he was carried along by some unseen power, and alighted in a dark dismal barren looking region, where the smell of brimstone was almost suffocating, and the horrible noises that surrounded him was enough to drive any person mad. He was now carried along by the same unseen power till he came to a dark narrow passage, at the end of which a sight the most horrible met his view. There was an immense abyss in the earth which the eye could not command, which was filled with an immense number of human forms, all writhing and twisting amidst the horrors of liquid fire.

Now and then a troop of young demons could be seen putting some miserable wretch to horrible torture by tossing him about in the flames with forks, or picking the skin and toe nails from his body; the cries and shrieks of the miserable wretches were so heartrendering that he fell down in a swoon, and on coming to himself, he thought he was in a room at home, with a bible in his hand, when an angel appeared to him, and said, “What you have seen is the reward of unrighteousness and wicked blasphemers, and other sinners, and may this be a warning to you to alter your evil course.” He held a blazing torch in one hand, and a flaming torch in the other, and shook them as he departed. The unfortunate man shortly after began to return to a conscious state, and came to himself, as we have before stated.

He has been visited by a number of religious people, and is quite an altered man. He reads his bible, and is extremely happy in the company of an elderly Divine, who reads and explains the holy book to him. He has expressed himself ready to give lectures when he has thoroughly recovered.

It is a shocking thing when we come to contemplate on it, that a man, who was in an independant station of life, should, for the sake of gaining a few more pounds out of an acre or two of land, make use of such an impious expression. It is not as if he would give any share of the abundance to the poor and needy, but it was a selfish sordid spirit that the man possessed, prompted by the workings of the evil one; and, now we can see, that the Almighty, although invisible to the human eye can see and hear, and know our most inmost thoughts, and punishes us at a moment when we least expect it, and in a manner that we should never think of. We must not forget the punishment of Lot’s wife, mentioned in the bible, who, for disobeying the instructions of the Lord, was turned into a pillar of salt. Let us hope this will be a warning to all persons against blaspheming.

All you that blaspheme against the Lord, O hear this tale of woe,While I relate the sufferings the wicked undergo;I live’d a life of comfort, and riches soon would gain,Until I blasphemed against the Lord, which has caused me misery and pain.It rained for weeks, and then for months, it my temper sorely tried,I cursed the raging elements, my Maker I defied,I called upon some wicked friends, and soon their aid was given,I wished that God might sleep six weeks, and no rain descend from Heaven!That instant I was petrified, and almost turned to stone!The angry elements roared aloud, and there I stood alone,My limbs became quite rigid, the blood froze round my heart,I struggled hard within my soul, yet I from this life must part.While I was in this dreadful state, three visions came to me,My poor mind was a wandering, far, far across the sea!Satan there sat on his throne,—how I prayed to be forgiven,And there appear’d beyond my reach, the beauteous plains of Heaven!The Angels sang such beauteous songs, and praised the glorious sight,I stood above the great abyss, and there beheld a sight,Their wailing sounds was horrible,—dreadful oaths were said and sung,Thousands prayed for water, to cool their parching tongues!Again I cast my poor eyes up, and there among the best,I saw all those I loved on earth lay on their Saviour’s breast;Something whispered in my ear—repent—it’s not too late,And pointing to the abyss below—such is the blasphemer’s fate.The vision changed to Heaven’s gate, so beautiful and bright,God waiting for the Judgment Day sat on his Throne of Light;I thought that I was there forgiven in this most beauteous land,And with my little family I stood at His right hand.I awoke with cold and trembling, the Lord had heard my prayer,My blood ran through every vein, with hope and poor despair,I fell down on my knees and prayed, as I ne’er had done before,I gave my word to Him above, I would never blaspheme more.All is done for our good, we should not rebuke His will,In spite of all bad weather, the heads of corn did fill;The harvest was most bountiful, with abundance we were blest.Take warning now and do not swear, God does all for the best.

All you that blaspheme against the Lord, O hear this tale of woe,

While I relate the sufferings the wicked undergo;

I live’d a life of comfort, and riches soon would gain,

Until I blasphemed against the Lord, which has caused me misery and pain.

It rained for weeks, and then for months, it my temper sorely tried,I cursed the raging elements, my Maker I defied,I called upon some wicked friends, and soon their aid was given,I wished that God might sleep six weeks, and no rain descend from Heaven!

It rained for weeks, and then for months, it my temper sorely tried,

I cursed the raging elements, my Maker I defied,

I called upon some wicked friends, and soon their aid was given,

I wished that God might sleep six weeks, and no rain descend from Heaven!

That instant I was petrified, and almost turned to stone!The angry elements roared aloud, and there I stood alone,My limbs became quite rigid, the blood froze round my heart,I struggled hard within my soul, yet I from this life must part.

That instant I was petrified, and almost turned to stone!

The angry elements roared aloud, and there I stood alone,

My limbs became quite rigid, the blood froze round my heart,

I struggled hard within my soul, yet I from this life must part.

While I was in this dreadful state, three visions came to me,My poor mind was a wandering, far, far across the sea!Satan there sat on his throne,—how I prayed to be forgiven,And there appear’d beyond my reach, the beauteous plains of Heaven!

While I was in this dreadful state, three visions came to me,

My poor mind was a wandering, far, far across the sea!

Satan there sat on his throne,—how I prayed to be forgiven,

And there appear’d beyond my reach, the beauteous plains of Heaven!

The Angels sang such beauteous songs, and praised the glorious sight,I stood above the great abyss, and there beheld a sight,Their wailing sounds was horrible,—dreadful oaths were said and sung,Thousands prayed for water, to cool their parching tongues!

The Angels sang such beauteous songs, and praised the glorious sight,

I stood above the great abyss, and there beheld a sight,

Their wailing sounds was horrible,—dreadful oaths were said and sung,

Thousands prayed for water, to cool their parching tongues!

Again I cast my poor eyes up, and there among the best,I saw all those I loved on earth lay on their Saviour’s breast;Something whispered in my ear—repent—it’s not too late,And pointing to the abyss below—such is the blasphemer’s fate.

Again I cast my poor eyes up, and there among the best,

I saw all those I loved on earth lay on their Saviour’s breast;

Something whispered in my ear—repent—it’s not too late,

And pointing to the abyss below—such is the blasphemer’s fate.

The vision changed to Heaven’s gate, so beautiful and bright,God waiting for the Judgment Day sat on his Throne of Light;I thought that I was there forgiven in this most beauteous land,And with my little family I stood at His right hand.

The vision changed to Heaven’s gate, so beautiful and bright,

God waiting for the Judgment Day sat on his Throne of Light;

I thought that I was there forgiven in this most beauteous land,

And with my little family I stood at His right hand.

I awoke with cold and trembling, the Lord had heard my prayer,My blood ran through every vein, with hope and poor despair,I fell down on my knees and prayed, as I ne’er had done before,I gave my word to Him above, I would never blaspheme more.

I awoke with cold and trembling, the Lord had heard my prayer,

My blood ran through every vein, with hope and poor despair,

I fell down on my knees and prayed, as I ne’er had done before,

I gave my word to Him above, I would never blaspheme more.

All is done for our good, we should not rebuke His will,In spite of all bad weather, the heads of corn did fill;The harvest was most bountiful, with abundance we were blest.Take warning now and do not swear, God does all for the best.

All is done for our good, we should not rebuke His will,

In spite of all bad weather, the heads of corn did fill;

The harvest was most bountiful, with abundance we were blest.

Take warning now and do not swear, God does all for the best.

H. Disley, Printer, 57, High Street, St. Giles, London.

In Bethnal-Green, and near the school house, there is a public-house known by the name of the Gibraltar, which was long kept by one John Harris, a native of Birmingham, and silver plater by trade. This man for many years, encouraged by his great success in business, led a very irregular life, insomuch that he lost his trade in the public-house, and getting into a disorderly way entirely, the parish officers and justice refused to renew his license, and for a whole year he was fain to keep his house close. During this interval, having dismissed his servants, and his wife having left him for some words which had happened, as he sat by the parlour fire, it being the winter time, he heard the bar bell ring, which made him wonder much, knowing there was nobody in the house but himself. At first he paid but little attention, but upon hearing it distinctly a second time, he got up and went to the back door, suspecting some one had entered that way and was putting a trick upon him; but finding all safe, he returned to the fireside, wondering much at the oddness of the thing, when all of a sudden the bell fell a ringing again, though not in so quick a tone as before, but somewhat more regularly, as if the hand that pulled it held it for a while.

Disturbed at this extraordinary call, he got up, determined to discover the cause, and taking the poker in his hand, being the first thing he could lay hold on, he passed through the bar into the back room, where, to his great astonishment and terror, for he allowed that he was severely frightened, he beheld the figure of a good-looking female personage, dressed in brown, much like a Quaker, seated in a chair, between the two back windows, and leaning upon a long stick, which seemed to support her.

At first Mr Harris was too much affected to speak, for though very valiant and noisy in company, there was something about the figure before him which declared her not to be of this world: besides, his own conscience upbraided him with more evil than his memory could just then recollect. However, he summoned power enough to put the old foolish question, “what art thou?” and with that fell on his knees in a devout manner to pray. “What I am is not now my business to relate, but what you may hereafter become if you do not amend your life and manners; so get up man, and remember the warning voice of one from the dead. You have but a few years to live, make the most of your time, and train up your daughterPhœbein a good way, and keep her from such and such company, or she will die young, violently, and by the force of justice. Consider her life is just now in your hands, a little time will place it out of your power to reverse the evil that awaits her.—Remember this, and live accordingly.”—With this she seemed to strike the ground with her stick and immediately disappeared, leaving Mr Harris much astonished at what he had both heard and seen, and only lamenting that he had no witness to the truth of this accident.

Be it as it will, it produced a wonderful alteration in him for the best; and though his former companions laughed at him for becoming a methodist, he ever after adhered to the paths of prudence and sobriety, and remained a very orderly and sober man, and from his invariable relation of this matter we have no doubt of its truth.

The prediction with respect to his daughter Phœbe was too fatally accomplished a few years since, she being burnt for treason as it is called, that is, for counterfeiting the current coin called a shilling.

About the year of our Lord, 18—, near unto Chester-in-the-Street, there lived one Walker, a yeoman of good estate, and a widower who had a young woman to his kinswoman that kept his house, who was by the neighbours suspected to be with child; and was towards the dark of the evening one night sent away with one Mark Sharp, who was a collier, or one that digged coals under ground, and one that had been born in Blackburn-Hundred, in Lancashire: and so she was not heard of a long time, and little or no noise was made about it. In the winter time after, one James Graham, or Grime, (for so in that country they called him) being a miller, and living about two miles from the place where Walker lived, was one night alone very late in the mill grinding corn; and at about twelve or one o’clock at night he came down stairs, having been putting corn in the hopper, the mill doors being fast shut, there stood a woman upon the midst of the floor with her hair about her head hanging down all bloody, with five large wounds on her head. He being much affrighted and amazed, began to bless himself, and at last asked her who she was, and what she wanted? To which she said, “I am the spirit of such a woman, who lived with Walker; and being got with child by him, he promised to send me to a private place, where I should be well looked to, until I was brought to bed, and well again, and then I should come again and keep his house.” “And accordingly,” said the apparition, “I was one night late sent away with one Mark Sharp, who, upon a moor (naming a place the miller knew) slew me with a pick (such as men dig coals withal) and gave me these five wounds, and after threw my body into a coal pit hard by, and hid the pick under a bank: and his shoes and stockings being bloody he endeavoured to wash them, but seeing the blood would not wash out, he hid them there.” And the apparition further told the miller that he must be the man to reveal it, or else she must still appear and haunt him. The miller returned home very sad and heavy, but spoke not one word of what he had seen, but eschewed as much at he could to stay in the mill within night without company, thinking thereby to escape the seeing again of that frightful apparition.

But notwithstanding, one night when it began to be dark, the apparition met him again, and seemed very fierce and cruel, and threatened him, that if he did not reveal the murder, she would continually pursue and haunt him. Yet for all this, he still concealed it until St. Thomas’ Eve, before Christmas, when, being after sunset, walking in his garden, she appeared again and then so threatened and affrighted him, that he faithfully promised to reveal it next morning.

In the morning he went to a magistrate, and made the whole matter known, with all the circumstances; and diligent search being made the body was found in a coal pit, with five wounds in the head, and the pick and shoes, and stockings yet bloody, in every circumstances as the apparition had related unto the miller: whereupon Walker and Mark Sharpe were both apprehended, but would confess nothing. At the assizes following they were arraigned, found guilty, condemned, and executed, but we could never hear that they confessed the fact. There were some who reported that the apparition did appear to the Judge, or foreman of the jury (who was alive at Chester-in-the-Street, about ten years ago), as we have been credibly informed.

Last night the following curious circumstance took place in a house in this neighbourhood, which occasioned a great deal of merriment. Six young women, whose names are as follows:—Jane Trustsoot, Ann Dingle, Mary Prause, Priscilla Richards, Harriett Pridhame, and Mary Twining, having previously agreed together, went to the residence of a notorious fortune teller about nine o’clock, to dive into the history of their future destiny, or if possible, to gain information respecting their intended husbands or future sweethearts. On entering his apartment, the timid girls became rather abashed, but after some words had passed between them, this famous cutter of cards began his curious ceremony.

First consulting his oracle, which consists of an old book written in unintelligible characters, he took an old pack of cards which he shuffled several times, and placed them in a form of a circle, and again consulted his oracle, he then related unto them their destiny. The enquiring girls wished to know if he could not tell the names of their sweethearts; he answered in the affirmative, and said, if they would give him 2s. 6d. each, he would bring them into the room; the girls said they had not so much, and he told them to raise what they could, which amounted in all to 3s. 6d. They were then placed in a ring, and the old man began muttering some words and shuffling his cards, when three loud knocks were heard at the door. The sounds appeared to proceed from the staircase. Shortly after the knocking had ceased, the door slowly opened, and the figure of a tall man with an unnatural cast of countenance entered the room and took a seat opposite the affrighted maids. The appearance had a white ghastly head, and was dressed in the style of a cavalier of the time of Charles II; but what was most remarkable, the body was a mere shadow, it was a thing of vapour, for the back of the chair was plainly discernible through it. It raised its hand three times in a menacing attitude, three times at the young women, which so alarmed them, that they all commenced screaming and wildly ran from the room—the house was aroused—the police was called in—but no trace of the apparition was visible, unless a curious odour which perfumed the apartment might be considered so.

Disley, Printer, 57, High Street, St. Giles.

A True and Remarkable Account of a most Extraordinary Occurrence that took placeIN THIS NEIGHBOURHOOD.

A most remarkable and curious circumstance that took place last night at a well-known house in this town, kept by a person of the name of Sarah Smith, a well-known fortune teller.

A party of six young females agreed to go to the house of the above-mentioned woman and have their fortunes told. On their arrival at the house not one of them could be found courageous enough to lead the way in; at length one (Emma Logo) more bold than the rest lifted up the latch and walked in, of course followed by her companions. On entering, the first thing that met their gaze was the old hag, seated on a three-legged stool by the fire, with six black cats lying on the hearth by her side.

The young damsels blushingly told their desire to know the names of their future husbands, also numerous other questions, to which the old hag readily complied.

After listening with great attention to the falsehoods and impossibilities told by this wicked old woman, they said they were desirous of seeing and knowing the men who were to be their partners in the great battle of life, asking her if it was possible, to which she replied, nothing was impossible to her.

Emma Logo was the first to know her future husband, whose name was Henry ——. Mary Palmer was the second, whose intended husband’s name was George ——. The third was Jane —— (our readers must pardon us for the omission of her surname, as were it to be known it would be the ruin of her and her family), Harry —— was the husband of Eliza Smith; and last, but not least, was Emma All, but to whom the fortune-teller would not tell her future husband’s name, the only clue that she gave her was, that he was a very dark man and always laughing and never out of temper (?)

The poor deluded young females were on the point of leaving, when all of a sudden a most terrific and unearthly noise was heard at the door; at the same time there was seen a gigantic figure with head, legs, and a tail of the most enormous size; it had eyes like flames of living fire, and from its mouth proceeded forth dense volumes of smoke, completely filling the house; the smell of sulphur was so great that for hours after the visitation it was found impossible to dispel the suffocating fumes which remained; the terror of the party may be better imagined than described, and who with the old hag as their leader set up some most dreadful shrieks, completely rousing the whole neighbourhood. Some of the neighbours rushed to the house from whence the shrieks proceeded, and found the furniture in the greatest disorder, the cards spread all over the room, and the six black cats were altogether on the top of the house.

The foregoing is a statement made by one of the young women, and is published as a warning toALLyoung females not to believe in such silly and superstitious nonsense, nor encourage those wicked old hags who prey upon the thoughtless and ignorant. It is all the devil’s work; and it frequently happens that servant girls are induced to rob their masters and mistresses through the agency of these pests of society. Beware! girls, beware! spurn all who attempt to lead you astray; do not be deceived, but look on fortune-telling as a delusion and a snare.

H. Such, Printer.

Also the Mysterious Sights he witnessed, and the Prophecies he related that are to take place.

COPIED FROM THE “BRISTOL MERCURY.”

In laying the following interesting and mysterious case before our readers, we vouch for its authenticity, and considering the good results that are likely to follow from the examination of the circumstances, we at once proceed with the details.

The Rev. John Miller has been engaged in the ministry since the year 1841. He is a man most remarkable for his piety, of a mild and gentle disposition, and very kind to the poor. In the pulpit he was eloquent; his language forcible and persuasive. He is indeed a good man, a powerful preacher, and of unsullied reputation. Since the beginning of the present year he has been in a bad state of health, and during the past month he grew worse, and on the 14th, whilst his beloved wife and children were standing round his bed, he fell into a kind of a doze, and gradually became cold and rigid. Dr. Truscott was immediately sent for, who on his arrival pronounced him dead. His sorrowing family were removed from the room, and the usual preparations made for laying out the body. Mrs. Miller, having expressed a wish to have his portrait painted after he was placed in the coffin, a young lady artist was soon in attendance for that purpose, and was busily engaged at her unpleasant task until the third day, and while looking intently on the pallid features of the deceased, previous to giving a finishing stroke to the picture, she perceived a movement of the eye lashes, and in a moment the reverend gentleman opened his eyes and said to the young lady, “Who are you?” The fair young artist, instead of fainting, took instant measures to complete the restoration of her subject. A medical gentleman was again called, and in less than an hour the supposed deceased became so far recovered as to be able to sit up in bed and converse with his now rejoicing family and friends.

On the following day he sent for the Rev. J. Ransom, his colleague in the ministry, Mr Henry Lewis, a member of his congregation, and before these gentlemen he made the following disclosures relating to what he had seen during the time he was in a trance. The account was taken from Mr Polkinghorne. The following isverbatimfrom the original copy.

“When I first fell into that state I was fully aware that I was supposed to be dead, and could hear my wife and children crying, and the remarks made by Dr. Truscott. I attempted to speak, but could not move a single muscle. The fear of being buried alive terrified me and filled me with such agonies of mind that I gradually became unconscious of all earthly things. How long I continued in this state I know not, but I felt like one awakening from sleep when I was borne away by an unseen power to the place of the damned. To attempt to describe what I saw is utterly impossible: no tongue can convey any idea of such a place. At that moment an hideous fiend was about to grasp me in his arms, when an angel appeared at my side and whispered with a kind and heavenly voice, ‘Be not afraid, he has no power on the righteous; this is not your place, let us go!’ I thought I was then conveyed on angels’ wings to the abode of the blessed, and to enjoy such a sight again would be worth an eternity of years in this world. I was surrounded suddenly with a glorious light, the exceeding brightness thereof was such a sight I had never before seen, and saw such things it is impossible to represent, and heard such ravishing melodious harmony as I can never utter, and I saw innumerable bright attendants, who welcomed me into the blissful seat of happiness, having in all their countenances an air of perfect joy, and of the highest satisfaction.

The ineffable Deity exalted on the high throne of his glory, receiving the adoration of myriads of angels and saints, who were singing eternal Hallelujahs and praise to him. (Well may he be called the Glory of God, for by his glorious presence Heaven is made what it is). Amongst the saints I discovered good old Wesley, Whitfield, and many others, some of whom belonged to this Town. After I had witnessed these things my heavenly guide told me that I must remain an inhabitant of this world for several years to come, as the work I had to do was not yet accomplished, and proclaim throughout the land that unless the people repent of their sins and abominations, evil shall come upon them both in the town and hamlets, for there shall be wars, rumours of wars, pestilence and famine, many great men shall fall by the sword, and whole armies shall be cut off in a short time, but peace shall be established in the nations that fear the Lord, and the fruits of the earth shall be multiplied exceedingly, praise and thanksgiving shall be heard in every house on the Sabbath; but until the source of evil is removed,—go, warn the people, that they perish not.’ With these words he left me, and I found myself in darkness, and gradually regained my senses. When I awoke and saw Miss Hall gazing on me,—and you know the rest.”

Those who listened to these statements corroborated the same by adding their names to the document as follows:—

JOHN RANSOM, Minister.

HENRY LEWIS, Draper.

ROBERT POLIGNENOR, Tutor.

J. TRUSCOTT, M.D.

Re-printed by H. Such, 177, Union Street, Borough, London.

An Affair which happened in this Neighbourhood.

LONDON:—H. Such, Printer and Publisher, 177, Union Street, Borough.—S.E.

A young gentleman, going to the house of a very worthy gentleman, to whom he had the honour to be related—it happened that the gentleman’s house at that time was quite full, by reason of a kinswoman’s wedding that had been lately kept there—he therefore told the young gentleman that he was very glad to see him, and that he was very welcome to him; “but,” said he, “I know not what I shall do for a lodging for you, for my cousin’s marriage has not left me a room free but one, and that is haunted; you shall have a good bed and all other accommodations.”

“Sir,” replied the young gentleman, “you will very much oblige me in letting me lie there, for I have often coveted to be in a place that is haunted.”

The gentleman, very glad that his kinsman was so well pleased with his accommodation, ordered the chamber to be got ready and a good fire to be made to air it. When bed time came, the young gentleman was conducted up to his chamber, which, besides a good fire, was furnished with all suitable accommodations; and having recommended himself to the Divine protection, he retired to bed, where having laid some time awake, and finding no disturbance, he fell asleep; out of which he was awakened about three o’clock in the morning, by the opening of the chamber door, and the coming in of somebody in the appearance of a young woman, having a night dress on her head, and only her smock on; but he had no perfect view of her, for his candle was burnt out; and though there was a fire in the room, yet it gave not light enough to see her distinctly. But this unknown visitant going to the chimney, took the poker and stirred up the fire, and by the flaming light thereof he could discern the appearance of a young gentlewoman more distinctly; but whether it was flesh and blood, or an airy phantom, he knew not. This lovely apparition, having stood some time before the fire, as if to warm herself, at last walked two or three times about the room, and then came to the bedside, where having stood a little while, she turned down the bed clothes and got into bed, pulling the bed clothes upon her, and lay very quiet. The young gentleman was a little startled at this unknown bedfellow, and on her approach laid on the further side of the bed, not knowing whether he had best rise or not. At last, by lying very still, he perceived his bedfellow to breathe, by which, guessing her to be flesh and blood, he drew nearer to her, and taking her by the hand, found it warm, and that it was no airy phantom, but substantial flesh and blood; and finding she had a ring on her finger, he took it off unperceived. The gentlewoman being still asleep, he let her lie without disturbing her or doing anything else than only laying his hand upon her to discover of what sex she was, which he had just time to do, when she threw off the bed clothes, and getting up, walked three or four times round the room, as she had done before, and then, standing awhile before the door, opened it, went out, and shut it after her. The young gentleman percieving by this in what manner the room was haunted, rose up and locked the door on the inside, and then laid down again, and slept till morning, at which time the master of the house came to know how he did, and whether he had seen anything or not. He told him there was an apparition appeared to him, but he begged as a favour that he would not urge him to say anything further until the family were altogether. The gentleman complied with his request, telling him, so long as he was well he was satisfied.

The desire the whole family had to know the issue of this affair, made them dress with more expedition than usual, so that there was a general assembly of the gentlemen and ladies before eleven o’clock, not one of them being willing to appear in her dishabille. When they were all together in the great hall, the young gentleman told them that he had one favour to desire of the ladies before he would say anything, and that was, whether any of them had lost a ring. The young gentlewoman, from whose finger it was taken, having missed it all the morning, and not knowing how she lost it, was glad to hear of it again, and readily owned she wanted a ring, but whether lost or mislaid, she knew not. The young gentleman asked her if that was it, giving it into her hand; which she acknowledging to be hers, and thanking him, he turned to his kinsman, the master of the house:—

“Now, sir,” said he, “I can assure you,” taking the young lady by the hand “this is the lovely spirit by which your chamber is haunted,” and thereupon repeated what has been related.

Words cannot express the confusion of the young lady at this relation, who declared herself perfectly ignorant of all that he said; but believed it might be so because of the ring, which she perfectly well remembered she had on when she went to bed, and knew not how she had lost it. This relation gave the company a great deal diversion; and after all the father declared, that since his daughter had already gone to bed to his kinsman, it should be his fault if he did not go to bed to his daughter, he being willing to bestow her upon him, and give her a good portion. This generous offer was so advantageous to the young gentleman, that he could by no means refuse it; and his bedfellow, hearing what her father had said, was easily prevailed upon to accept him for her husband.

COMPOSED BY A SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER.

DEATH.May we come, by heaven’s decree,For I am here to summons thee;And whether thou’rt prepared or no,So unresisting thou must go.SINNER.Then ghastly Death, but thou look’st pale,Thou ope’st a door to heaven or hell;But woulst thou not with me forbear,Oh! spare me for another year.DEATH.And years and months are gone,And thou must stand before the throne,To give account of all thy ways,And how thou spent thy youthful days.SINNER.O Death! have mercy on my age,And spare me yet upon the stage:I’m but a flower in my bloom,And wilt thou cut me down so soon!DEATH.Of age or youth I’ve never spared;And if thou’lt look in yon church-yard,Thou’lt see them there, in hundreds lay,Whom I have made my lawful prey.SINNER.O Death; behold my parents dearStand round my bed with many a tear,And loath they are to part with me,A fruitless and a barren tree.DEATH.The tears of friends or parents dear,Can neither break nor blunt my spear:My name is Death, my sting is sin,I’ll close thine eye and stretch thy limb.SINNER.Oh that my time were to begin!I’d hate the road that leads to sin,And to my God would earnest pray,And wrestle till the break of day.DEATH.Thy Saviour thou hast grieved sore,But time with thee shall be no more;For when the Lord did thee invite,The ways of sin was thy delight.SINNER.Oh spare me, Death, a little space,That I may run the Christian race!Methinks I hear the Saviour say,Oh spare him yet another day;DEATH.The Lord so long hath spared thee,A fruitless and a barren tree;But Heaven’s command I must obey,And cut thee down this very day.SINNER.In vain, in vain, do I persist,If Heaven commands I can’t resist;But spare one night for Jesus’ sake,For, oh, my heart is like to break;DEATH.Poor sinner! I know thy heart is brokeYet I must surely give the stroke,For sin hath opened many a grave,Since man to sin became a slave.SINNER.O Death! no mercy wilt thou show,But unto Jesus will I go,Who rose triumphant from the grave,A guilty wretch like me to save.DEATH.Though sin consign thee to the gaave,Jesus hath died thy sins to save;His blood did flow in streams divine,To cleanse that guilty soul of thine.SINNER.Oh, when that blood extracts the sting,I’ll tune my harp and sweetly singTo Him who rose me when I fell,And saved my soul from death and hell.The cross I see all stained with blood,I view the suffering Son of God;His precious blood was shed for me,He paid the debt, and I am free!Now, Death, thy sling I will defy!For, lo, I see my Saviour nighDraw near, O Death, and strike the blow,And let me to my Saviour go.Glory to God! I now do see,That death becomes a friend to me,To take me from a world of woe;Then let me to my Saviour go!Now O my friends, whom I hold dear,I hope you will to God draw near,And do not shed a tear for me;Where Jesus is, there I shall be.My dying words do not forget,But turn before it be too late,And seek the Lord until you find,For Jesus would leave none behind.So, earthly friends, we now must part:Give me your band, and Christ your heart.Adieu, my friends, a long farewellFor now the love of God I feel.

DEATH.

May we come, by heaven’s decree,For I am here to summons thee;And whether thou’rt prepared or no,So unresisting thou must go.

May we come, by heaven’s decree,

For I am here to summons thee;

And whether thou’rt prepared or no,

So unresisting thou must go.

SINNER.

Then ghastly Death, but thou look’st pale,Thou ope’st a door to heaven or hell;But woulst thou not with me forbear,Oh! spare me for another year.

Then ghastly Death, but thou look’st pale,

Thou ope’st a door to heaven or hell;

But woulst thou not with me forbear,

Oh! spare me for another year.

DEATH.

And years and months are gone,And thou must stand before the throne,To give account of all thy ways,And how thou spent thy youthful days.

And years and months are gone,

And thou must stand before the throne,

To give account of all thy ways,

And how thou spent thy youthful days.

SINNER.

O Death! have mercy on my age,And spare me yet upon the stage:I’m but a flower in my bloom,And wilt thou cut me down so soon!

O Death! have mercy on my age,

And spare me yet upon the stage:

I’m but a flower in my bloom,

And wilt thou cut me down so soon!

DEATH.

Of age or youth I’ve never spared;And if thou’lt look in yon church-yard,Thou’lt see them there, in hundreds lay,Whom I have made my lawful prey.

Of age or youth I’ve never spared;

And if thou’lt look in yon church-yard,

Thou’lt see them there, in hundreds lay,

Whom I have made my lawful prey.

SINNER.

O Death; behold my parents dearStand round my bed with many a tear,And loath they are to part with me,A fruitless and a barren tree.

O Death; behold my parents dear

Stand round my bed with many a tear,

And loath they are to part with me,

A fruitless and a barren tree.

DEATH.

The tears of friends or parents dear,Can neither break nor blunt my spear:My name is Death, my sting is sin,I’ll close thine eye and stretch thy limb.

The tears of friends or parents dear,

Can neither break nor blunt my spear:

My name is Death, my sting is sin,

I’ll close thine eye and stretch thy limb.

SINNER.

Oh that my time were to begin!I’d hate the road that leads to sin,And to my God would earnest pray,And wrestle till the break of day.

Oh that my time were to begin!

I’d hate the road that leads to sin,

And to my God would earnest pray,

And wrestle till the break of day.

DEATH.

Thy Saviour thou hast grieved sore,But time with thee shall be no more;For when the Lord did thee invite,The ways of sin was thy delight.

Thy Saviour thou hast grieved sore,

But time with thee shall be no more;

For when the Lord did thee invite,

The ways of sin was thy delight.

SINNER.

Oh spare me, Death, a little space,That I may run the Christian race!Methinks I hear the Saviour say,Oh spare him yet another day;

Oh spare me, Death, a little space,

That I may run the Christian race!

Methinks I hear the Saviour say,

Oh spare him yet another day;

DEATH.

The Lord so long hath spared thee,A fruitless and a barren tree;But Heaven’s command I must obey,And cut thee down this very day.

The Lord so long hath spared thee,

A fruitless and a barren tree;

But Heaven’s command I must obey,

And cut thee down this very day.

SINNER.

In vain, in vain, do I persist,If Heaven commands I can’t resist;But spare one night for Jesus’ sake,For, oh, my heart is like to break;

In vain, in vain, do I persist,

If Heaven commands I can’t resist;

But spare one night for Jesus’ sake,

For, oh, my heart is like to break;

DEATH.

Poor sinner! I know thy heart is brokeYet I must surely give the stroke,For sin hath opened many a grave,Since man to sin became a slave.

Poor sinner! I know thy heart is broke

Yet I must surely give the stroke,

For sin hath opened many a grave,

Since man to sin became a slave.

SINNER.

O Death! no mercy wilt thou show,But unto Jesus will I go,Who rose triumphant from the grave,A guilty wretch like me to save.

O Death! no mercy wilt thou show,

But unto Jesus will I go,

Who rose triumphant from the grave,

A guilty wretch like me to save.

DEATH.

Though sin consign thee to the gaave,Jesus hath died thy sins to save;His blood did flow in streams divine,To cleanse that guilty soul of thine.

Though sin consign thee to the gaave,

Jesus hath died thy sins to save;

His blood did flow in streams divine,

To cleanse that guilty soul of thine.

SINNER.

Oh, when that blood extracts the sting,I’ll tune my harp and sweetly singTo Him who rose me when I fell,And saved my soul from death and hell.The cross I see all stained with blood,I view the suffering Son of God;His precious blood was shed for me,He paid the debt, and I am free!Now, Death, thy sling I will defy!For, lo, I see my Saviour nighDraw near, O Death, and strike the blow,And let me to my Saviour go.Glory to God! I now do see,That death becomes a friend to me,To take me from a world of woe;Then let me to my Saviour go!Now O my friends, whom I hold dear,I hope you will to God draw near,And do not shed a tear for me;Where Jesus is, there I shall be.My dying words do not forget,But turn before it be too late,And seek the Lord until you find,For Jesus would leave none behind.So, earthly friends, we now must part:Give me your band, and Christ your heart.Adieu, my friends, a long farewellFor now the love of God I feel.

Oh, when that blood extracts the sting,

I’ll tune my harp and sweetly sing

To Him who rose me when I fell,

And saved my soul from death and hell.

The cross I see all stained with blood,

I view the suffering Son of God;

His precious blood was shed for me,

He paid the debt, and I am free!

Now, Death, thy sling I will defy!

For, lo, I see my Saviour nigh

Draw near, O Death, and strike the blow,

And let me to my Saviour go.

Glory to God! I now do see,

That death becomes a friend to me,

To take me from a world of woe;

Then let me to my Saviour go!

Now O my friends, whom I hold dear,

I hope you will to God draw near,

And do not shed a tear for me;

Where Jesus is, there I shall be.

My dying words do not forget,

But turn before it be too late,

And seek the Lord until you find,

For Jesus would leave none behind.

So, earthly friends, we now must part:

Give me your band, and Christ your heart.

Adieu, my friends, a long farewell

For now the love of God I feel.

H. Such, Printer and Publisher, 177, Union Street, Boro’—S.E.

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