JANUARY.

1st.-EDINBURGH.-At a period when the common necessaries of life are to be had at so very low a rate, it has been accounted matter of wonder, as it is of regret, that highway robberies have become so frequent in this country, where they were formerly so little known. While we lament these occurrences, it may be satisfactory to the public, as it is honourable to the army, to know, that of the many characters lodged in the jails of Edinburgh and Glasgow, accused of those lawless deeds, there is not a single instance of any of these individuals being among the classes discharged from the army since the peace of Paris.

Bank of England Accounts.-The average amount of public balances in the hands of the bank, between the 1st of February, 1814, and the 15th of January, 1815, both inclusive, upon accounts opened at the bank, was 261,1627.; and the amount of the same (exclusive of the exchequer account,) between the 1st of February, 1814, and the 15th of January, 1815, both days inclusive, upon accounts opened at the bank, previous to the

28th of March, 1800, was 4,227,0251. The aggregate amount of bank notes (including 1,200,2201. in bank post bills) in circulation on the 15th of May, was 26,473,8601. The average amount of unclaimed dividends in the hands of the bank for twelve months, up to the 1st of January, was 779,7947. making the gross amount 9,357,5331. The amount of unclaimed dividends in the hands of the bank on the 1st of January, 1815, was 1,297,7421. of which 876,7391. has been advanced to government per 31 and 48 Geo. III. leaving a remainder in the bank of 421,0037.

2d. An inquest was held at the St Andrew's Head, Upper East Smithfield, on the body of a man discovered in Down's wharf, tied up in a hamper, which was to be sent to Scotland. Mr Toss, clerk in the warehouse, deposed, that on Tuesday se'ennight two despicable-looking men came before the wharf was opened, in the morning, with a horse and cart, and enquired if the Leith smack went from thence: on being told it did, they went to a public-house while the warehouse was opening, and afterwards came to him with a hamper. They said the direction was written on a piece of leather,

which he found by the light was "Mr Wilson, janitor, College. Edinburgh," After they had paid the booking and wharfage, he asked their names, in consequence of the unusual hour at which they came, which they said were Chapman, and then departed. The hamper lay in the warehouse until Friday se❜ennight, when the vessel was ready to sail (the Mary Ann of Leith). It was put on board, and the crew, on, account of the smell, turned it round two or three times, when the bottom broke, and the hand of a man came through. They sent to the beadle, to inform the proper officers; and on opening the hamper, the body of a man was discovered, with his head bent back between his shoulders, and the body and limbs shockingly mutilated. The beadle corroborated this evidence, as far as related to the state of the body on opening the hamper. Being asked by a juryman, whether he thought the body was taken by any resurrection-men for the purpose of dissection, he said he believed the body was never buried. After a short consultation, the Jury returned a verdict -Wilful murder against some person or persons unknown.

A very alarming riot took place on Christmas night at Ballingcollig, in Ireland. On that night the soldiers were permitted to bring a trifling be verage into the barrack, rather than they should drink in the public-houses without. At a proper time the noncommissioned officers warned the gunners and drivers to retire to bed. This the former immediately complied with, but the latter positively refused. To enforce obedience the guard of the depot was ordered out, but on their appearance, they were assailed in so furious a manner by the drivers, who had provided themselves with pitchforks and other weapons, as effectually to succeed in disarming the guard. Immediately the whole depot was in

commotion; the gunners ran to resent the indignity shewn to their comrades, and the drunken drivers to assist their brethren. When, by the vigorous exertions of Major Evely and the officers, the riot was appeased, three drivers were found dead, and 15 gunners and drivers wounded.

2d.-On Monday last an inquisition was taken at Piddington, in this county, on view of the bodies of Robert Cave, and Jane, his wife, who were supposed to have been wilfully poisoned; when, upon an investigation of upwards of seven hours, it appeared that Robert Cave, who usually worked at Horton (about a mile distant) was accustomed to have something hot provided for him on his return home in the evening, generally some broth, and a pudding or dumpling. that on the preceding Wednesday evening he had suet dumpling prepared for him by his wife, the whole of which he ate, and found no ill effects from it; that on the next day (Thursday) she also prepared another suet dumpling for him, taking the flour out of the same bowl, and the suet from the same place as on Wednesday. In eating it he complained of its taste, and only ate about half of it. His wife then ate part of the remainder, giving some to her eldest daughter, who only took a very small quantity. They were all soon afterwards taken extremely ill, and Jane Cave died in about five hours; Robert Cave lived about eight hours, and the daughter, though very ill, is likely to recover. It did not in any way appear how or in what manner the poison was introduced into, or got mixed with the flour or suet, both of which were strongly impregnated with arsenic; no person having been in the house since the making of the dumpling on the Wednesday, except the family of the deceased. Verdict-Died by Poison. (Northampton Mercury.)

3d. IRELAND.-A most atrocious robbery was committed last night at Mornington, the seat of Mr Brabazon, within three miles of Drogheda. About half-past eight o'clock, as Mr Brabazon was returning from his stables to his house, accompanied by his coachman, several armed men, who had been concealed in a shrubbery, rushed on them, knocked them down, and tied them; they then proceeded to the house, when they entered the parlour where Mrs Brabazon was, robbed her of her watch, rings, and trinkets, and then dragged Mr Brabazon into the house, to compel him to discover where his money and arms were. They beat him with the buttend of pistols in the most savage and brutal manner in the face and on his breast, kicking, treading on him, and holding him to the bars of the grate, to make him discover money they supposed he had concealed; they had, before that brutal treatment, got above 2001. in cash, and above 400l. worth of plate. They remained in the house nearly six hours, rioting, drinking, and firing shots. There were only six men entered the house, but two parties or gangs, of four or five each, remained outside, one party at the back en trance, and another at the front door; they were all armed with pistols and brass blunderbusses. They appeared to be of the lowest order, and their conduct was the most brutal and savage, particularly after they had taken some spirits, wine, &c. The house was well armed and prepared, but the family was most unfortunately taken by surprise, as the attack was made at that very early hour. The gentleman is nearly 80 years of age, most highly respected by all his neighbours, and adored by the poor on his extensive estates; yet no clue or trace could be obtained, so as to guide his friends to the haunts of the perpetrators of this outrage.

The following monthly bulletin of his majesty's health was exhibited on Sunday at St James's palace :

"Windsor Custle, Jan. 7. "The king's disorder continues unabated, but his majesty has passed the last month in a very tranquil state.”

Longevity in the Feathered Tribe.On Wednesday, the 4th instant, a goose, which formerly belonged to the late Mr John Missing, and lately to R. W. Missing, of Posbrook-cottage, Titchfield, died at the advanced age of sixty-four years: the year before last she laid five eggs, and hatched five goslings, one of which is preserved as a curiosity, being the offspring of so aged a mother.

7th.-SLIGO.-John Mulhearn, of Annaughearly, within three miles of this town, has a small float or cot, of a very simple construction, for the purpose of fishing on a neighbouring lake. On last Sunday morning, hi three sons fatally committed themselves to this treacherous vehicle, in order to shoot wild-fowl: After they had advanced sufficiently near their object, one of them discharged his gun, which happened not to be clean; the shock repelled him a little; very small force was required to destroy the equilibrium of the unstable float, when two went to the bottom, the other escaping with great difficulty.

8th. BERWICK.-A serious accident happened here on Thursday morn ing. A boy belonging to the brig Lydia, of Sunderland, being sent into the cabin in search of something that was wanted on deck, shortly after a dreadful explosion took place, which shivered the interior of the cabin to pieces, and otherwise injured the vessel, and the unfortunate youth was found so severely scorched that he survived only a few minutes, although medical aid was immediately procured. Two of the crew, and some carpenters working in the vessel, were also hurt,

but not dangerously. It is supposed the boy had procured a light, and going incautiously where some gunpowder was kept, the fatal accident, which cost him his life, was occasioned.

9th. The following singular circumstance happened on Tuesday last A sailor, about eight months since, brought home a spiked hand-grenade, and gave it to his mother, who lives in one of the cottages at Sprouston, in the neighbourhood of Kelso. Be ing unconscious of the combustible materials with which it was filled, no care was taken to keep it from fire, and it has accordingly been used, for some time back, for breaking coals, and other purposes. Unfortunately, however, on Tuesday, it was put upon the side of the fire, in order to support one end of a piece of wood, which had been laid on to burn, when the grenade, having become heated, exploded, and shattered the poor woman's jaw, and otherwise injured her in so dreadful a manner, that she continued for some time in a state of the most imminent danger. She is now, however, in a fair way of recovery. Another woman was also much hurt, and the cottage set on fire; but, by the timely assistance of the neighbours, who were brought to the spot by the noise of the explosion, the flames were quickly extinguished.

Ilth.-LIMERICK.Disturbances to an alarming extent continue in some parts of this county. The following list of depredations committed within a short period in the vicinity of Kilmallock has been received:-Ón the night of the 20th ult. several fellows, armed with blunderbusses and pistols, bur glariously entered the houses of Robert Holmes, Malachy Hanlan, Maurice Hennesy, Edwin Erwin, and David Welsh, committed several acts of violence, and stole various articles of value and cash to a large amount. On the night of the 23d ult. the house of Mrs

Adams, of Ballycullane, was broken open by an armed banditti, and one gun and three pistols taken away. On the 29th ult, the house of John Donoghue, of Knocksouna, was broken into by an armed party, who, after firing several shots, threatened to burn the house, when Donoghue complied with their mandate, by delivering to the captain three guns, a powder-horn and pouch; after which, on the same night, they broke open several other houses in search of fire-arms: they then attacked the dwelling-house of Anthony Dwyer, of Strikesmill, who resolutely made a determined resistance by firing many shots at them; however, by their number, their continued firing and sledging the door, they at last. entered, took one gun, some money, plate, and wearing apparel; they afterwards put him on his knees to shoot him, but were contented by breaking a blunderbuss on his servant-boy's head. On the night of the 31st ult. the houses of John Welsh, of Laurencetown, Maurice O'Donnell, the widow M'Connell, Maurice Hayes, and Michael Mulquin, were broken into, in search of fire-arms: the night following the house of Michael Casey was attacked, and threatened to be fired, until he gave them his musket. Thursday night, a most daring outrage was committed in the village of Ballingarry, in this county, by a number of fellows breaking into the bridewell, and releasing three prisoners confined therein resistance being offered by the bride well-keeper, the desperadoes fired and wounded him and his wife severely. An immediate pursuit being set on foot after the perpetrators, the leader, a fellow named Mullowney, was apprehended on the confines of the county of Cork, and was on Monday lodged in our jail, by Thomas Odell and William Smyth, Esqrs.

13th.-AYR.-Early yesterday morning, John Craig in Riccarton, and

James Muir, collier in Kilmarnock, ha ving been drinking together the greater part of the night, the latter proposing to give the former a convoy home, on their way observing a light in a house, kept by John Craig, a private in the 74th regiment, and his wife, they pro posed to have a parting gill, and knock ing, asked if they sold any drink; on this, some persons in the house conceiving that they meant an insult to the family, rushed out, and a scuffle ensuing, Muir was knocked down and kill ed on the spot.

15th.-On Sunday, in Saint Werburgh's church, Dublin, the right honourable Lord Kingsland renounced the doctrines of the church of Rome, and embraced the reformed christian religion.

19th.-Fire in St Paul's Church Yard.-A large house recently occupied by a Mrs Tilt, in the confection ery line, in St Paul's church-yard, has lately been divided into two shops; one of which was fitting up by Messrs Gaimes and Co. for the sale of writing-desks, pocket-books, &c. in contemplation of their present premises coming down to make room for the new post-office, and into which they had removed a considerable part of their stock; the other shop was occupied by Mr Biggs, in the straw-hat line, who had the whole upper part of the premises, and in whose house, about a quarter past six o'clock yes terday morning, a fire was discovered by the foot passengers in St Paul's church-yard, who knocked violently for a considerable time, but none of the family of Mr Biggs were made to hear. At length the door was forced, when the flames burst out with such fury, as to prevent any one from alarming the family up stairs, but which was at length done by the ringing of the bells, and crying out "Fire! fire!" Mrs Biggs, with an infant in her arms, and a servant-maid, got first out of the

house, as they had arisen from their bed, and were taken to Mr Butler's, who by this time had been called up, where she was covered with shawls, and such other light apparel as was near at hand. Mr Butler entreated her to go up stairs, but the feelings of the mother were too much alive for the safety of her other five children, to admit of a moment's delay, and it is supposed she would have returned, and rushed into the flames in search of them, had she not fainted away; as soon as she recovered, she left Mr Butler's almost in a state of nakedness, but was prevailed on, or rather forced, by those who attended her, to go to another friend's house in Cheap. side; the servant and infant remained at Mr Butler's. So rapid were the flames on this unfortunate occasion, that no other person except a servant, with another of Mrs Biggs' children, succeeded in getting out by the door; the rest took to the roof of the house and got away unhurt, among whom was an elderly woman, attending as a nurse on one of Mrs Biggs' lodgers. The eldest son of Mrs Biggs, and his sister, between three and four years old, perished in the flames; nor was it in the power of any one to prevent it; they lodged in a room up stairs, to which those who first got into the house could not reach, and to which the servants who escaped by the roof durst not venture. The two other children of Mrs Biggs escaped, no one can tell how, but they happily did escape, though one of them was not discovered until eleven o'clock yesterday morning, in St Martin's-le-Grand. This fire entirely consumed the two houses above-mentioned, and damaged the top of the house of Mr Hall to the right, and scorched a little the house of Mr Dolland, the optician, to the left. To add to the misfortune to Mr and Mrs Biggs, the former of whom was on a journey on business, not a