[list-cumbria] Cumberland Pacquet - 66

[Nev Ramsden]

Whitehaven  - January 16,  - 1777.



     an Advert taken from Page One of this paper    --   WANTED

An Apprentice to a Surgeon   -  Apply to Mr.R. Bridges, Ulverstone            Was it that easy to become a Surgeon in 1777, or is this just a description of an assistant?



Friday last his Majesty’s cutter Fisher, Lieut. Major, commander, arrived here from Douglas, Isle of Mann – with a number of Volunteer Seamen, all likely young fellows, who were immediately put on board the tender.



Mr. Hadwen’s Ball at the theatre on Tuesday night afforded the highest satisfaction to the 74 participants. The Ball was opened by Master Shiphard and Miss Lucy Lutwidge, daughter of Henry Lutwidge Esq., of Cooper’s Hill in Lancashire.

We hear from Egremont, that on Thursday last, in the dead of the night, a fire broke out at widow Dorothy Benn’s, in that place; but was timely extinguished, without doing much harm, by the vigilance and activity of Mr. John Casson, who on every occasion distinguishes himself as a friend to the distrest.



Sunday morning last Dr. Dixon snr. of this town was accidently thrown from his horse as he was crossing the river Ellen at Maryport; by which he was considerably hurt, but is now in a way of recovery.



We are informed that the late Mrs. Curwen bequeathed something considerable To the poor Of Workington, Harrington etc. which has been distributed agreeable to the bequests.





A few days ago Mr. William Holme, tanner? In Langdale, Westmorland, took up 8 potatoes, the produce of one stalk, five of which weighed 3 lbs and 20 of the rest weighed 10 lb., the whole were free from putrefaction, and measured two hoops, or 12 quarts.



We here that the New Church at Douglas in the Isle of Mann, will be completed, and is intended to be opened, some time in May next.



A Scotch Baronet, it is said, has offered to raise a Battalion of Highlanders, if new levies are wanted for the next campaign.



Friday night last there was a brilliant assembly at Egremont, by eight young clergymen in that neighbourhood, two gentlemen of the law. And eighteen young ladies.



On Monday the 6th of January the Mayor, Aldermen and Gentlemen of Appleby assembled at the King’s Head  to celebrate the Success of His Majesty’s Arms in America, there was much festivity which was followed by the ringing of the bells, the discharge of guns, and the Acclamations of the people, which concluded the Festival.



The frost in the interior parts of the kingdom has lately been very severe; the papers furnish us with many melancholy instances of people perishing through its inclemency, and the great fall of snow; also of the distresses of the poor in many parts; occasioned by the high price of provisions and the scarcity of the season, which prevented numbers from following their employment. There have not, however, been wanting examples of charity amongst the affluent in those parts.



We hear that in most of the principal towns in the county of York, there were great rejoicings and illuminations on receiving the Gazette Extraordinary: at Otley the church was illuminated, and in the widow not less than seventeen pounds of candles were placed.



There follows a piece concerning the effects and outcome, both within the County and elsewhere, arising from the day Appointed for the General Fast. – ( perhps a day of prayer to avert War?)



By the London papers since our last, we are informed that the Navigation on the Thames was almost totally stopped by the frost; it is hoped, by the southerly winds prevailing for some days past, and a general thaw in this part of the kingdom, that it will be open now. The Tyne, at Newcastle was also frozen, and no mention of the frost breaking up is made in the papers of Saturday last.



In the course of last year 4773 ships have been cleared at the Customs House, Newcastle, of which 4343 were coastwise and 430 for foreign parts; being on the whole 270 less than last year.



We hear from Merionethshire in Wales, that a farmer in that County exceeded the order relating to the general fast; for he neither suffered his ox, or his ass, or any other animal about his house to ???? food on that day; his swine (of which he has a great number) disturbed the whole neighbourhood with their lamentations, and the next morning had almost devoured their master, who very imprudently ???? served them with the first meal after their involuntary maceration.



A machine was erected about eighteen months ago at Swansea?, which of itself draws coals from a pit 50 fathoms deep, at the same rate as those worked by two horses. This ingenious mechanic who is by trade a blacksmith) has found a generous patron in John Morris Esq., the proprietor of the colliery.



By a calculation lately made in Birmingham, it appears that the sum of £19,141 [ which is £2,597,000 today] is paid annually for the carriage of passengers, in stage coaches and diligences, to and from that town, in their intercourse with London, Bristol, Sheffield and Coventry. A strong proof that the manufacturers of that place form no inconsiderable part of the trade of this Kingdom.



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Nev. Ramsden



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