[List-Cumbria] Carlisle Patriot, 08 Jun 1816 - Local News (1)

[Petra Mitchinson]

Saturday 08 Jun 1816   (p. 2, col. 6 and p. 3, col. 1-2 + 5)

 

The Tradesmen of Carlisle are requested to meet by public advertisement (see front page) at the King's Arms Inn, on Thursday next,
for the purpose of taking into consideration "the propriety of forming an Association for the protection of property and the
prosecution of felons." Of the propriety of forming an Association of this nature, there can be but one opinion—for it is only a
system of defence against depredation which every tradesman owes to himself and to his neighbour. Carlisle has long been in want of
an Association, and there cannot be a doubt but every person in business will come forward in its support. 

 

On Tuesday last, the 4th of June, our venerable and afflicted Monarch completed his 78th year. The day was observed in Carlisle with
due respect. A considerable number of Gentlemen of the City and neighbourhood met the Mayor at the Town-hall in the afternoon, and
having drunk "The King, and better health to him," they adjourned to the Bush Inn, and spent several hours of cheerfulness and
hilarity over the social glass. 

 

Messrs. WILSON and FAIRBAIRN's usual display of Mail Coaches took place after the arrival of the southern mail. The coaches paraded
through the principal streets decorated with flags and ribbons, the guards in their new liveries. The horses, 28 in number, appeared
in the highest condition, were much admired, and reflected great honor on the concern. 

 

Natural History.—There is now to be seen in Carlisle, the singular curiosity of a young living Alligator. The egg from which it was
hatched was brought by a Sailor from South America to Greenock, and the person who now exhibits the Crocodile, procured it when it
was small enough to be held in a person's hand. Not knowing how to treat the animal, he kept it without food for about six months,
during which period it must have received nourishment from the water with which it was supplied. As soon as the animal was
advertised in Edinburgh, it attracted considerable attention; and among others it was visited by Mr. Graham DALZEL, an eminent
Naturalist, who suggested a different, and as it appears, a most successful mode of treating it. Since that period its growth has
been very rapid; its length at present is about three feet, and it is thought it will grow to the length of twenty feet and still
remain tame. It feeds upon oysters, herrings, or any kind of fish or flesh, and is kept either in water or in a box near the fire.
It is remarkable for its sagacity—for if in the night it wants water, it will leave its couch and proceed to the keeper's bed, when
it will moan; and if by this means the keeper is not awakened, it will strike him with its tail until he attends to its wants. In
like manner when it grows cold from the fire going out, it makes its way to the keeper's bed, and putting aside the bed clothes lies
down beside him in order to procure heat. These things are the more remarkable as we know the ferocity of this species on the Nile
and other rivers in their natural state. Public attention is very much excited.—See Advt. 

 

At Carlisle Whitsuntide Hiring Day, on Saturday last, there were a great number of servants in want of employ of both sexes. Men's
wages were very low and few engagements made. Women's wages were rather better in consequence of a greater demand—but there was,
nevertheless, a considerable reduction. In spite of the depression of the times the country lads and lasses kept up the dance with
spirit at the different public-houses. No doubt some of them dissipated the greater part of the produce of their last half year's
labour. 

 

During the bustle on Saturday last a great many robberies were committed. Among the crowd the light fingered tribe were active; one
person was robbed of a Banker's cheque for upwards of £200, and several others lost smaller sums. Two public-houses were pilfered,
one of a considerable quantity of wearing apparel; and some corn was stolen from the corn market. This ought to be a caution to
farmers against leaving their grain unless in the care of a proper person. 

 

Cattle went off very slowly and at low prices at our market on the Sands last Saturday.—The same dulness [sic] of sale was
experienced at Rosley Hill first fortnight fair, on Monday last. Lean cattle would not fetch more than from £5 to £6, and good milch
cows £8 to £10. Horses were equally low, but many bargains were effected. We have been informed that the pickpockets were very
audacious at this fair, as they generally are. Some spirited person should have caused their apprehension. 

 

At Penrith Fair on Tuesday cattle went off at very low prices, and the hiring of servant men was equally dull and wages low.
Notwithstanding there were a great number of blithe country maids, they were all speedily engaged. 

 

The bleak cold winds with which we are still visited in this part of the country, check vegetation, and it is feared, will destroy
the greater part of the blossom that has made its appearance. The temperature is more suited to the month of March, than June; on
Wednesday we had a smart shower of hail, the stones of an uncommon size; very few can yet dispense with fires in their sitting
rooms. The Italian proverb says, "April makes the flowers, and May has the honor of them." In England, this year, the honor will
scarcely fall to the lot of June. There is a considerable quantity of snow on the hills. 

 

On the night of yesterday se'nnight, 100 hanks of linen yarn were stolen from the Bleachfield of Messrs. STODDART, at Denton Holme.
A reward has been offered for the discovery of the offenders, but they remain as yet undetected. 

 

The following night the weaving shop of James SCOTT, in Caldewgate, was broken into by Benjamin LITTLE, who cut from the loom about
23 yards of gingham, then in progress of weaving, the property of Messrs. J. and D. HEWSON. This he sold to various persons at
Blackford and Kingmoor. Isabella WILSON of the former place purchased eight yards for 5s. and paid him for it with 4s. in silver and
the remainder in liquor. LITTLE said he had been at Carlisle, and having met with a bad market, he would rather take the price of
the yarn than carry the gingham back to Dumfries, where he said he resided, and had a wife and four children. To other people he
told similar fictitious stories, but the sale of the gingham led to his apprehension, and he is now in Carlisle gaol.—On account of
the praiseworthy exertions of James and Francis SCOTT, weavers, (brothers), in the apprehension of the prisoner, the Committee of
the Manufacturers' Association have voted them the sum of one guinea, as a recompense for their trouble. 

 

 

[to be continued] 

 

 

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <https://list.cumbriafhs.com/mailman/private/list-cumbria/attachments/20220409/def60fcb/attachment.htm>