[list-cumbria] Carlisle Patriot, 31 Jan 1824 - Local News (3)

[Petra Mitchinson]

Saturday 31 Jan 1824   (p. 2, col. 6 and p. 3, col. 1, 3 + 6)     [continued] 

 

At the late anniversary meeting of the Antiquarian Society of Newcastle, an interesting paper was read by Mr. W. CHAPMAN, giving an
account of the antiquities and curiosities discovered in digging the Canal from Carlisle to the West sea. The most interesting part
of this communication related to the discovery, on the shores of the Solway Frith, beyond Burgh, of a subterraneous forest of oak,
imbedded in a stiff blue clay, and lying from two to three feet below the foundation of the Roman Wall, which passed over it. The
trees, which were of large dimensions, were all lying towards the north; the stumps of some in their natural position. And what is
most remarkable, the wood of these trees was in so perfect a state as to be scarcely distinguishable from fresh oak, although it is
evident that it must have lain there some thousand years, as the period of its growth must have been long anterior to the building
of the Roman Wall. So perfectly sound was the wood, that it was used for the purposes of embankment, &c. along with other wood. A
piece of it was exhibited and presented to the Society. The antiquities consisted principally of a rudely carved horned figure,
supposed to be a Bacchus, and a small coin, both found near Burgh. These were both presented to the Society by Mr. CHAPMAN; as was
also the fragment of a red earthen bowl, found in the station at Walls-end, near Newcastle, on the first sinking of the colliery,
and which was long in possession of the late Mr. HORNBY. 

 

The defence made by John WEATHERLEY, convicted at the late Quarter Sessions of having removed the dead body of a child from the
church-yard at Sunderland, for the purpose of dissection, caused a great sensation in the Court; and his appeal to the Bench in
mitigation of punishment had a still greater effect,-it almost entirely changed the sentiments of some of his hearers-of those who
had before been quite horror-struck at the bare idea of cutting up the body of a human being. That dissection constitutes a
necessary part of the education of a young surgeon is unquestionable; but the necessity, however great, cannot, we apprehend,
warrant the stealing of bodies. If stealing be permitted on the score of necessity, what part of our property shall be secure? We
are of opinion that a sufficient supply of "subjects" might be obtained for the purposes of anatomy, without having recourse to the
robbery of our church-yards. If, for instance, the body of every one whose life is forfeited to the laws of his or her
country-without distinguishing particular crimes-were given to the surgeons, the supply would be considerable: and if in addition to
this, a receiving-house, sanctioned by law, were opened in the metropolis, where bodies, accompanied by the certificate of a medical
man as to the death of the party, would be taken at a stated price, we have no doubt that abundance might be procured. How many a
poor man would on his death-bed desire that his body might be thus disposed of for the benefit of his fellow-creatures, rather than
his needy wife should be put to the expense of his interment?-Durham Advertiser.-We may answer this last question: Very few, if any.


 

Some men were very roughly handled at Sunderland, last week, by the populace, in consequence of a report that they were
resurrection-men: the life of one would probably have been sacrificed, had he not opportunely obtained shelter in the house of a
tradesman. 

 

The gentlemen of Durham have given a dinner to Mr. WEST, in testimony of their approbation of his conduct in conferring on that city
the benefit of excellent gas light, without putting the inhabitants to any expense whatever. In fitting up, Mr. W. finds pipes and
other materials; and his charges for light are much less than those of any other establishment. 

 

Major J. MOORE, of Grimeshill, is appointed Lieut.-Colonel of the Kendal and Lonsdale Local Militia; and Captain Wm. ASKINSON, of
Burton, is appointed Major. 

 

The quantity of coals shipped at Sunderland last year, was the largest ever known-277,219 chaldrons. 

 

At the late Northumberland Sessions, Mr. CUMMINGS, proprietor of the Alnwick gas works, was indicted for a nuisance occasioned by
the manufacture of gas in the town; and after a trial of nine hours' duration, the jury returned a verdict of Guilty-judgment
deferred till next sessions. Thirty-five witnesses were examined: one of them, a physician, gave his opinion that the effluvium of
coal-gas is not unwholesome to breathe in; but the evidence on the other side preponderated. The jury were ruled principally by the
discomfort and annoyance arising from the smell. 

 

The Nelson, Capt. SMITH, from Liverpool to Maryport, was driven on shore in a gale of wind, at Bank End, near Maryport; but it is
expected she will be got off without much damage. 

 

The Bolton, BIGLANDS, of Maryport, from St. Johns, arrived at Liverpool on the 21st instant. 

 

 

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