FYI - I've included long article on Mr. A. Smith’s speech, because it shows what space was given to an 'important' personage's speech, and what sort of article might be used as 'filler'; these are usually not included in our transcriptions, because no names are given - but it might be of occasional interest. And it's fun to know the Starbuck's phenomenum isn't new - coffee fever was running in 1858! Hope you enjoy!  .................................................... . WEST BRITON AND CORNWALL  ADVERTISER 5 February 1858 VOL XLVII No. 2482 . ADVERTISEMENTS . WANTED A MILLER IMMEDIATELY A Steady, SINGLE MAN, who can produce a good character, to work a Grist and Flour Mill. . Apply to Mr. JOHN TOMS, Tregarland Bridge, Delvalla, near Looe. ......................... WANTED For the San Jose Mines, Cuba, an experienced MINE CARPENTER; also, a good SUMPMAN. . Apply to Mr. TREWEEK, Mawnan, near Falmouth; or at the Commercial Hotel, St. Day, on Wednesday, the 19th instant. ......................... Dated 1st February, 1858 . WANTED For the COBRA MINES, Cuba, a few good SUMPMEN; also, an experienced MINE CARPENTER. . For particulars apply to Mr. J.H. REYNOLDS, Buller's Row, Redruth. ......................... CHOLLACOTT  CONSOLES MINES NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN to all MERCHANTS, ENGINEERS, MINERS, and others, not to supply Captain JAMES CARPENTER, on behalf of the Chollacott Company, with any Engines, Materials, or Labour of any kind whatsoever; and that the Shareholders of the said Company are not liable, and will not be responsible, for any Contract, Debt, or Liability incurred by the said Captain JAMES CARPENTER on account of the said Chollacott Mines. By order, ROBERT DALY, Secretary London, Dated 25th January 1858 .................................. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT by an Indenture of Conveyance and Assignment, bearing date the first day of February, one thousand eight hundred and fifty eight, and made between ELIZA STADEN VINING, of St. Ives, in the county of Cornwall, widow, (lately carrying on the business of a Grocer there), of the one part, and TONKIN YOUNG, of St. Ives aforesaid, Grocer, of the other part, the said Eliza Staden Vining conveyed and assigned all her real and personal estate and effects to the said Tonkin Young, in trust for the benefit of all the Creditors of the said Eliza Staden Vining; and that the said Indenture was executed by the said Eliza Staden Vining; and that the said Indenture was executed by the said Eliza Staden Vining and Tonkin Young, on the said first day of February, in the presence of WILLIAM HICHENS, of St. Ives aforesaid, Attorney-at-law, and MARTIN DUNN the younger, of the same place, his clerk, who severally attested the execution thereof. . Dated the fourth day of February 1858 HICHENS and SON, Solicitor to the assignee, under the above mentioned Indenture ....................................................... JOHN CASSELL'S COFFEES . These COFFEES are acknowledged to be one of the greatest luxuries in connection with domestic economy. For a long series of years they have stood pre-eminent, and although their great demand has brought numerous imitations into the field, the great superiority of John Cassell’s is so fully admitted, that the remark has become familiar, "If you want a cup of good Coffee you should use John Cassell’s." . JOHN CASSELL's COFFEES are sold in canisters of 1 lb. and ½ lb., and in packets of 4oz. and 2oz, at 1s., 1s.4d., and 1s.8d.per lb. . JOHN CASSELL'S FOUR SHILLING TEA is guaranteed for its purity, strength, and fine flavour, and is perfectly free from any artificial colouring. A better Tea need not be had, and it will be found cheaper than a low-priced article. Sold in packets from one pound to one ounce. AGENTS FOR THIS DISTRICT Truro...............S. LAKE, Duke Street, opposite Cornish Bank Liskeard............H. DEECKER, opposite the Town Hall Lostwithiel.........W. PROBERT, Post Office Camelford...........W. H. SOWDEN, draper Bodmin..............T. T. CLARKE, grocer &c., Fore Street St. Austell.........J. H. DREW, Stamp Office and T.O. MICHELL, druggist and grocer Probus..............William SARAH, grocer and draper St. Agnes...........J. ROGERS, grocer &c. Redruth.............W. NICHOLL, auctioneer &c. Penryn..............E. DOIDGE, Market Street. Falmouth............Mrs. LAKE, Market Strand St. Ives............T. COGER, Tregenna Place Penzance............F. T. VIBERT, stationer &c. Mevagissey..........W. DANCALF, draper Polperro............Jno. ABRAHAMS, grocer Saltash.............C. A. FARMER, druggist,&c. Boscastle...........R. BURNARD, tea dealer &c. Wadebridge..........F.J. MALLETT, ironmonger &c. St. Merryn..........R. BENNETT, grocer &c. St. Just............H. BOYNE, grocer &c. Camborne............Jno. DUNSTAN, market Place Hayle...............H. FORD, chemist St. Blazey..........J. TREWIN, ironmonger Plymouth............S. MAITLAND, 17 Tavistock Street & 4 York Street and ....................H. DENTON, chemist, Union Street Devonport...........W. G. EMMETT, 71 Prines's Street and J.H. FILMER, 102 James Street Moricetown..........T. QUANCE, 106 Navy Row Callington..........H. PHILP, Cornish Times Office Launceston..........J. SPETTIGUE, Church Street Gunnislake..........J. B. SEARLE, chemist &c. Stratton and Bude...T. WALKEY, draper &c. . Agents wanted in those towns and districts not yet supplied. For terms, apply to John Cassell and Co., 80 Penchurch Street, London, E.C. ....................................................................... LOCAL INTELLIGENCE . HER MAJESTY'S DRAWING ROOM - At the Queen's drawing-room, held on Saturday last, at St. James's Palace, the following were among the numerous company present: Lord and Lady VIVIAN, Lady MOLESWORTH, Sir W.B. CALL, Bart., Mr. WYLD, M.P., and Mrs. WYLD, and Mr. H. PAULL, M.P. . THE LATE COUNTY ELECTION - We have received several complaints from tradesmen who were employed in March 1857, at the West Cornwall election, to erect the hustings and polling booths, and, it appears, have never yet been paid for the labour and expense incurred. It is a very great hardship for tradesmen to be obliged to wait so long for their money, and as we know the fault is not with the honorable candidates for the Western division, the blame for the delay must rest with the sheriff and his officials. We trust that we shall not again have to make public mention of this matter. . HELSTON - It is stated that Mr. CHARLES TRUEMAN will shortly retire from the representation of this borough. Mr. HENRY C. GRENFELL (at present Lord PANMURE's private secretary), second son of Mr. GRENFELL, M.P. for Preston, a large copper merchant, and a director of the Bank of England, it is said will become a candidate; and Mr. EDWIN CHADWICK is also mentioned as likely to come forward. . PENZANCE TOWN COUNCIL - At a meeting on Friday last, present the Mayor and Messrs. PEARCE, COLIVER, J.B. COULSON, READ, BRANWELL, BOASE, BALL, RODD, BORLASE, RICHARDS and HIGGS - the Finance Committee's report was received and adopted. It showed a net balance overdrawn of GBP 1180. It was announced that the Russian gun had arrived at Devonport, and it was directed to be brought on to Penzance by the "Wellington" trader. Mr. F. BOASE again called attention to the fact that members of the council supply goods to themselves (as a council) contrary to law. The subject of the proposed new road from Alverton to the Green was referred back to the Improvement Committee, to ascertain what money can be raised by public subscription towards it. . LUNAR RAINBOW - On Sunday night, the 31st ult., about ten o'clock, a beautiful rainbow was seen by persons on the Town Quay, Fowey. It appeared to be about Place House, and thence southward. Its appearance was very beautiful. . A FACT FOR NATURALISTS - Last summer, at Hayle, a nightingale located himself for several weeks in the foliage on the banks of a pond which partly supplies Messrs. Harvey and Co's factory with water. The ever-changing notes of this chief of song-birds amply repaid those who almost nightly visited the spot to listen to its warbling. At last the nightingale fled, and was afterwards heard near Trevassack, and finally seen in Guilford lane one noon-tide, on the wing catching an insect. . MILDNESS OF THE SEASON - A fortnight since several ripe strawberries were gathered on Conner Downs, near Hayle, which stand on a high elevation, and are exposed to every wind. . MR. DAWSON'S ENTERTAINMENT - We understand that Colonel PALLISER, and the officers of the Waterford Artillery, patronized Mr. Dawson's drawing-room entertainment on Wednesday, the 27th ult., at the Polytechnic Hall, Falmouth... . RIGGING WASHED ASHORE - On Monday evening last several parts of the rigging of a vessel were washed ashore on the beach above Mats Adit, Hayle, consisting of parts of a jibboom, yard, and sail, supposed to belong to a brig, or brigantine. The yard, sail, &c., were quite new. The yard might have parted at the sling, the wreck have been cut away, and the vessel continued her course; or the [masts] might have gone by the board, and the vessel foundered. . VESSELS LAUNCHED - On Saturday, the 30th ult., there were launched in the usual good style from the building-yard of Mr. TREDWEN, Padstow, two handsomely modeled vessels, brigantine and schooner rigged, the former of 180 tons, purchased by Captain JAMES RICHARDS and Co., of Port Isaac, the latter of 120 tons, by gentlemen of Wadebridge. . On the 1st instant, a beautiful clipper schooner of 150 tons was launched from the building yard of Mr. S. T. BENNETS, at Padstow. She glided into the water amid the cheers of hundreds of spectators. . At Porth, on the 20th ult., the fine model smack "Little Jane," was launched from the building-yard of Messrs. MARTYN and LEWARN. She is eighty-four tons, builder's measurement, forty-six tons register, and is to be commanded by Capt. WILLIAM ALFORD, of Newquay. Her model is said by competent judges to be very beautiful. A more splendid launch has not been witnessed at this port. She glided down the ways, about two hundred feet, amidst the cheers of a large number of spectators, and some very good music from the St. Stephen's brass band, which was in attendance on the occasion. . A SHIPPING CASE - The case of Williams v. Michell was brought for hearing at the Penzance County Court in January last. It was an important case to owners of vessels generally, and to captains trading to St. Ives; and as it involved a knowledge of nautical matters and usages, as well as of nautical law, Mr. RICHARD MILLETT was requested by the Judge to take it for him. That gentleman did so, and at the court on Monday last presented the following report, which his Honour said he adopted as his judgment, and read accordingly: . This was an action brought by GEORGE WILLIAMS, the owner of a boat called the "Edwin," against ROBERT GLASSON MICHELL, the owner of a vessel called the "Cordelia," to recover the sum of GBP 6.9s.1d., for damages sustained by a collision in St. Ives pier on the 13th of March last, and, as alleged by the plaintiff, for that he, the said defendant, by the mismanagement, negligence, and want of skill of his servants, the master and crew of his (defendant's) vessel, the "Cordelia," so improperly navigated the said vessel that she struck and injured a certain fishing boat of the plaintiff, called the "Edwin," whereby the plaintiff sustained damage to the amount of GBP 6.9s.1d. . Four witnesses, apparently disinterested, were examined on the part of the plaintiff, and three on the part of the defendant, viz. the master, mate, and a person belonging to the port, who acted as pilot or hobler. . It was submitted by the defendant, first, that the "Cordelia" was in charge of a pilot, and, therefore, neither master or owner was answerable for any loss or damaged occasioned by the fault or incapacity of each pilot; secondly, that the fleet of boats were moored in an improper part of the harbour; and thirdly, that it would not be safe for the "Cordelia" to have gone to leeward into the basin, on the sand, because, being American built, with a heavy cargo of coals on board, she would have strained, and, therefore, it was necessary for her safety she should be alongside the Quay, and that every thing practicable was done to bring her into the harbour properly, but that unexpected "outsurf" set her towards the pier-heard, against which she struck, causing considerable damage to herself, and that in rebounding from this blow she accidentally fell on board the "Edwin." . As to the first point, I think the 388 sec. of the 17th and 18th Vic., cap. 104, which enacts "That no owner or master shall be answerable to any person whatsoever for any loss or damage occasioned by the fault or incapacity of any qualified pilot, acting in charge of such ship within any district where the employment of such pilot is compulsory by law," does not apply to the present case, because the man taken from the boat was not a "qualified" pilot, within the meaning of the act, and that it was not compulsory on the master to accept his services. . But if the act did not apply, I think the master controlled the so-called pilot, for both admitted there had been a discussion between them as to where he (the said master) "intended to put her," that it was the master's expressed determination to put the vessel alongside the pier, that he had the helm himself, and before she was run in, the man, as if to rid himself of responsibility, said to the master these remarkable words "Now you see where you have to go to." I consider, therefore, the "Cordelia" was in the absolute charge of the master, and the so-called pilot a mere servant . . As to the second point, the harbour-master and others proved that the fleet of boats, amongst them the "Edwin," were at their permanent and appointed moorings in a spot selected as most convenient for vessels frequenting the harbour. I am of opinion, therefore, that the "Edwin" was not moored in an improper part of the harbour. .  And as to the third point, it was plain that the master choose to run a risk in putting the "Cordelia" alongside the pier rather than on the sand in the basin, and although the precaution was taken of having a stream anchor, in addition to a kedge, got ready to check, and, if necessary, stop her way so as to prevent her running into and damaging the boats and vessels in the pier (the former being about thirty feet off the side of the pier, and the latter alongside farther in), yet the stream anchor, by mismanagement, fouled, and could not be used, and although the kedge was let go, strange to say it was not attended to, but the warp [was] allowed to run out without even a "turn" being taken. . I think there was negligence in the master in not adopting the proper course to put his vessel alongside the pier, if that were necessary, which would have been to have brought her to an anchor, and afterwards warped her into a berth; that she was unskillfully handled by him, and consequently struck the pier and rebounded on to the "Edwin;" that there was mismanagement in fouling the stream anchor, and negligence in not attending to the kedge, and I am strongly of opinion the master ought to have run his vessel on the beach, where there was abundant room, where no injury could have been done to others. . I, therefore, recommend the judgment being given for the plaintiff, with six pounds, nine shillings, and one penny damages; the amount claimed. Four witnesses were allowed for plaintiff, and the usual costs. . HAWKING WITHOUT A LICENSE - On Saturday last, at Truro, before Dr. CARLYON, county magistrate, THOMAS SMITH, labourer, of Plymouth, was charged with hawking soap without a license at Perran Porth, in the parish of Pennanzabuloe, on the 29th ult. He was apprehended by police constable PAUL, of the Truro district county constabulary, and the evidence against him being conclusive, he was committed to gaol for fourteen days with hard labour. . ST. AUSTELL PETTY SESSIONS - At these sessions held on Tuesday last, before Mr. E. COODE, jun., Mr. TREMAYNE, Mr. T. HEXT, and Mr. LAKES, magistrates, four youths, named BRAGG, JOSEPH and RICHARD GRIGG, and ROWE, were charged by JOHN MARTIN, parish constable of St. Dennis, with swearing, for which they were fined 5s and 4s.6d. costs. Mr. ROBERTS, of Mevagissey, was charged by the Nuisance Committee, with allowing a certain quantity of decomposed fish to remain on his premises; judgment was deferred on condition that Mr. Roberts did not allow anything of the kind to occur again. . JOSEPH B. SNELL, of Roche and a person named HANCOCK, were charged with an assault on Capt. HENRY JAMES; they were each fined 40s. and costs. THOMAS HINGSTON, the sexton of Mevagissey, an old man 70 years of age, was charged with committing an indecent assault on a girl called GRACE ANN ROBINS, who was employed to clean the Church, in which place the assault took place; he was fined 20s. and costs. . PENRYN PETTY SESSIONS - These sessions were held on the 27th ult., before Mr. WILLIAM WILLIAMS (chairman) and Mr. J. BORLASE; HENRY GUEST of Falmouth, was summoned for an assault on one of the county police; fined 2s. and costs. HENRY GUEST and THOMAS GUEST, of Falmouth, were summoned for being drunk and disorderly; fined 5s. and costs. PAUL JENKIN and ELIZABETH DRAYDON, innkeepers, Gwennap, were summoned for keeping their houses open between three and five p.m. on Sunday. The former case was dismissed, in consequence of the parties drinking being proved to be travelers; in the latter case a fine of GBP 1.3s. and costs was inflicted.  JOHN GOSLING and THOMAS WILLS, innkeepers, Falmouth, were summoned for keeping their houses open before half-past twelve on Christmas-day. The former (defended by Mr. TILLY) was dismissed, the parties who were drinking being proved to be lodgers; the latter was fined 11s. and costs. THOMAS LEAN and JOHN REYNOLDS, innkeepers, Gwennap, were summo! ned, the former for keeping his house open before half-past twelve p.m. on Christmas-day, for which he was fined 3s. and costs; the latter for keeping his house open before half-past twelve p.m. on Sunday; fined 17s. and costs. SAMUEL GRAY, beer-shop keeper, Gwennap, was summoned for keeping his house open after eleven o’clock p.m.; fined 3s. and costs. . DANIEL BENNETT, of Kea, was summoned for cruelty to animals, in having worked a horse with a large wound under the collar; fined GBP 1.3s. and costs. FRANCIS STEVENS, of Gluvias, summoned for riding without reins, was fined 5s. and costs. THOMAS REYNOLDS of Penryn, charged with furious driving, was fined 6s. and costs. JOHN SYMONDS and JAMES KEMP, of Constantine, for leaving their waggons on the highway without any person in charge of them, were fined 3s. each and costs. JOHN GOODFELLOW, of Flushing, was summoned for a trespass, but the case was dismissed. JOHN COLLINS, of Gwennap, for cruelty to animals, in ill-treating a donkey which caused its death, was fined 5s. and costs. . HELSTON PETTY SESSIONS - At these sessions, held on the 23rd ult., before Mr. C.W. POPHAM (chairman), and Mr. J.J. ROGERS, WILLIAM EUSTIEL, beer-shop keeper, St. Johns, was summoned for keeping his house open after eleven o'clock at night, for which he was fined 2s.6d., and costs. JAMES NICHOLLS, of St. Keverne, was summoned for being drunk and disorderly; fined 5s. and costs. MARY CARLYON, innkeeper, St. Keverne, was summoned for keeping her house open between three and five o'clock p.m. on Christmas Day; fined 2s. and costs. EDWARD HILL, innkeeper, Trewanock, was summoned for having his house open before half-past twelve p.m. on Sunday; fined 2s.6d. and costs. . CHILD DESERTION - A woman called ZERUA CLEMMOW, of Kenwyn, has been sent to the Truro Union-house with her child, eleven weeks old. She left the Union of the 19th ult., and returned on Saturday night the 23rd, when she placed her child at the gate, then entrance from the turn-pike. A baker's cart, going to the Union in the evening, was nearly driven over the child. The driver heard the child cry, and took it into the Union. Information was given to Superintendent NASH, of the Truro police, who, with Sergeant WOOLCOCK, traced the woman to Wheal Kitty mine, St. Agnes, and apprehended her on the 30th ult. She was taken before Dr. CARLYON, county magistrate, and committed for one month to hard labour, the child also being given over to her. . BALL AT FALMOUTH - In the evening of the wedding-day of the Princess Royal, a ball took place at VIVIAN's Royal Hotel, under the patronage of Lieutenant-Colonel PALLISER and other officers of the Waterford Artillery Militia, stationed at Pendennis. The large assembly-room and the lobby were decorated with evergreens and flags; and the fine band of the regiment played a variety of quadrilles, waltzes, polkas, galops, &c. Supper was laid in the front arch room; and dancing was kept up with great spirit until half-past four. About eighty were present. . ACCIDENT - On Wednesday evening the 27th ult., Mr. RUNDLE and Mr. DANGER, two gentlemen lately from Australia, and at home on a visit, were returning from the neighbourhood of Looe, where they had been in the fore-part of the day, to Lankelly, in the parish of Fowey, the residence of Mrs. RUNDLE. They were driving a dog cart with a blood horse lately purchased for GBP 50. Soon after crossing the ferry at Bodinnick, the horse took fright at a bullock, and ran off at a tremendous pace. Both gentlemen endeavoured to control the horse, but without success, and at a turn in the road they were thrown into a ditch, and sustained but little injury. The horse continued at full speed, and on arriving near Lankelly, ran against the hedge with such force, that by the blow received, he was killed on the spot. About GBP 5 will repair the dog cart. . CORONERS' INQUESTS - The following inquest has been held before Mr. JOHN CARLYON, county coroner - On Wednesday last, at St. Day, in the parish of Gwennap, on the body of JOHN BARRETT, miner, aged 27 years, who died from injuries he received at Wheal Basset mine on Tuesday last. . >From the evidence of SAMUEL PERRY, it appeared that he and his boy were working in the 110 fathom level, when the former had occasion to put in a solar, and went to the level ten fathoms above, where he got three pieces of timber for that purpose, and threw them down the shaft. After he had got into the ladder he heard some one below calling upon the Lord to have mercy upon him, and on arriving at the plat of the 110 level, he found the deceased there very severely injured. This happened between ten and eleven o'clock on Tuesday morning, and Barrett died on Tuesday night. . It appeared from the evidence that the deceased, who had been working in the same level (the 110) but in another end, had gone to the plat of the 110 to fetch a piece of timber to make a solar for himself, and to look at the water, which was a part of his duty, when he received the injury. There was no one working at a lower level, and it appeared from the evidence of other witnesses, that it was very improbable any one would be in the plat below, so as to receive injury from timber thrown down; and on that ground, after long deliberation, the jury refrained from returning a verdict of manslaughter against Perry, but at their request, Perry was called in and reprimanded by the Coroner for the heedless way in which he had thrown the timber down the shaft. Verdict, "Accidental Death." . The following inquests have been held before Mr. GILBERT HAMLEY, county coroner: On the 2nd inst., in the parish of St. Kew, on the body of FREDERICK ROSCORLA, an illegitimate child, who was found dead in bed on the previous morning. The child, which was six months old, was placed in the care of a woman named HILL, at Chapel Amble, and was put to bed on the previous evening at eleven o'clock, quite well. The child was nursed previous to its going to sleep, and in the morning ELLEN HILL, when she awoke, found the child dead. Evidence was given that the child had been treated kindly and, from the appearance of the fingers, most probably the child died in a fit. Verdict accordingly. . On the following day, at St. Tudy, on the body of the Rev. HONORATIUS LEIGH THOMAS, who died under the following circumstances: The deceased gentleman was driven to Bodmin in the morning, and returned to his house about twelve o'clock, when he took a slight lunch. At two he dined, and then told his servant he was going up stairs to lie down. At four o'clock, Mr. PEARCE, a surgeon of St. Tudy, came to enquire for deceased, when his servant went to the bed-room door and knocked three times; he then entered the room, when he found deceased lying on the floor in a large pool of blood. The servant called Mr. Pearce, when it was found that the deceased had been dead for some time. A pistol was found under his right arm; and, on examination, it was found that he had shot himself just above the ear. Deceased had been lately under the care of Dr. Bucknell, of the Lunatic Asylum at Exeter. Verdict, "Insanity." . DEVON & C. . TOTNES - Admiral MICHELL, C.B., with his wonted liberality, gave away on Monday week, bread, beef, and money, to the poor inhabitants, wherewith to make merry at their own homes, on the event of the Princess's marriage. . ADULTERATION OF FLOUR - At the Castle at Exeter, on Friday morning, Mr. JOHN MANLEY, of Exwick Mills, was summoned for having in his mill a quantity of alum for the purpose of adulterating corn; and also for mixing alum with flour. Mr. SPARKES (Crediton) for the defendant, made a preliminary objection to the summons, but it was overruled by the bench. The defendant then pleaded guilty to both charges. . It appeared that Sergeant GRANT, of the Constabulary, searched the defendant's mill some days since, when he found about one cwt. of alum on the second floor, and a quantity in the feeding box being ground with wheat. The wheat was inferior American, and had mixed with it a few oats. The defendant now stated that it was requisite to mix alum with the wheat, which was sprouted, in order that the bread might "keep together" whilst being baked. He only put six ounces of alum with a sack of flour, and had never adulterated his flour with any other ingredient. The Bench were of opinion that it was not necessary to mix alum with the flour, and fined the defendant GBP 20 for the first offence. No penalty was inflicted for the second. TRURO INSTITUTION - LECTURE GIVEN BY MR. AUGUSTUS SMITH . On Tuesday evening last, Mr. Augustus SMITH, one of the hon. members for Truro, gave a lecture at the Assembly Room, Truro, at the request of the committee of the Truro Institution. There was a numerous attendance, and all present appeared to be much interested in the subject of the lecture, which was "On Ghosts." The subject was treated so as not merely to amuse, but to profit the hearers, by disabusing their minds of superstitious notions. We can only afford space for an outline of the lecture. . Mr. Smith first spoke of the universality amongst all nations of a belief in the existence of spirits or ghosts, which belief was to be traced to our consciousness of that immortal spirituality which constitutes a portion of our being. All men had this conviction, except a few who are hardened to the celestial voice, whether speaking in the wonders of nature or in direct revelation. Such a conviction implied the existence of millions of spirits, who, it might be supposed, were not indifferent to the affairs of mortality, and perhaps not incapable of influencing them. Consequently, a belief in supernatural appearances and agencies had manifested itself in the erudition of all ages. . The Scriptures, however, gave no countenance to any such belief in spirits as mixed up with the course of human affairs; nothing was found in those records, except in the solitary case of the Witch of Endor, from which the reality of such supernatural appearances and interference could be in any degree implied. Profane authors, on the contrary, had betrayed full belief in spiritual appearances and agency, as was seen in the works of their great poets and dramatists. . It had been remarked, however, that the belief in ghostly appearances in ancient times was less prevalent amongst those people who burnt instead of burying their dead; the ghost in those days was only disposed to walk the earth till all the honours of funeral rights had been conferred upon the corpse. The Greeks and Romans burnt their dead, with the exception of a few families, such as the Scipios; and the stories of apparitions were generally of the dead of these families. . Mr. Smith here read extracts from Pliny and Homer (Iliad, Book 23 - Pope) to show the nature of the ancient belief in spectral appearances. He remarked that dramatists, both ancient and modern, had largely availed themselves of ghostly machinery, and perhaps no plays were more effective or popular than those in which this appeal to our love of the marvelous and mysterious is skillfully worked upon. He adverted especially to the masterly creations of Shakespeare, and read the ghost scene in Macbeth. He took the opportunity also of urging on the younger part of his audience the pleasure and duty of studying the works of our unrivalled Shakespeare, the greatest genius that ever shone forth among the sons of men, as a mere mortal to enlighten the world, and with whom every Englishman ought to be made better acquainted than is generally the case. . Mr. Smith next proceeded to read from Lady Fanshawes' Memoirs, and other books, instances in which persons were fully under an impression and belief as to the reality of the apparitions they gave an account of; but there was no such tale which did not come to us second-hand, and a second-hand retailer of a mystic story must fall under the adjudged case in the English Court of Justice. The judge stopped a witness who was about to give an account of the murder under trial, as it had been narrated by the ghost of the murdered person: "Hold, sir," said his Lordship, "the ghost is an excellent witness, and his evidence the best possible, but he cannot be heard by proxy in this court; summon him hither, and I will hear him in person - but your communication is mere hearsay, which my office compels me to reject." . Mr. Smith related other instances in which ghostly appearances had been credited and obtained currency for a time, but which were afterwards stripped of their mystery. He narrated one or two "trumpery instances" of people's credulity, and said there was a foolish story recorded of what had been seen and heard in the house of Mr. SAMUEL WESLEY, father of the celebrated brothers, JOHN and CHARLES WESLEY, at the parsonage-house at Epsworth, in 1715. He read from Smith's "History of Methodism," a narrative of those occurrences, and said it was an enigma to him that any intelligent and well-informed man, in the year 1858, could believe that they arose from supernatural agency, and were intended to impress the mind of man with the great fact of the existence of a spiritual and unseen world. . The lecturer next related the story of the "Cock Lane ghost," an imposture which attracted great notice in the time of Dr. Johnson; and he then passed on to cases of spectral illusions, caused by disease of defect of the visual or other bodily organs, and in many instances known by the persons who saw them, to be illusions. This, as well as the preceding part of the lecture, was very amusing; in relating one story, Mr. Smith suddenly exhibited to his audience a skeleton at the back of the platform, which had previously been concealed by a curtain. He quoted Sir David Brewster's opinion, that spectral illusions are nothing more than ideas, or the recollected images of the mind, which in certain states of bodily indisposition have been rendered more vivid than actual impressions, or, to use other words, that the pictures in the mind’s eye are more visible than the pictures in the body's eye. . After some further remarks on illusions of the senses, he again reverted to the general subject, and examined the case of the Witch of Endor, as recorded in the Scriptures, being disposed to conclude that it was a delusive trick practiced upon Saul; or, on the other hand, if Samuel did really appear, it must be ascribed to the special permission of the Almighty, as an additional punishment on Saul for this infringement of his laws. . In other respects the whole tenor of Scripture ought to disabuse us of any such belief as that apparitions are permitted to visit us under any circumstances, or to form part, as they then must do, in the scheme of this world's government, as connected with our existence upon it. There is, however, an inherent love of the marvelous, particularly with the ignorant, which disposes us to believe, if we can, anything out of the common way, and the more readily if the subject is one which we know little or nothing about, or is above our comprehension. But it is the privilege - the duty of intellect, to think and examine more deeply into the principles and laws of nature, and to learn from physical science the real course and operations of the great scheme of the creation, more especially as effecting or bound up with man as a moral and responsible being. . Philosophy, rising from the sublime study of creation's beautiful phenomena, regards them as the pure effect of God's elemental laws, by which the whole scheme is preserved in its integrity for the great and wise purposes for which it was originally organised. And what ought this philosophy to teach us? Not the superstition of the bigot, for the age of miracles is for the present past - not the pride of the fatalist, who refers all to chance and necessity – not the mania of the astrologer, who plumes himself on his prophetic and mystical wisdom, and presumes to interpret, and even pretends to direct and call to his aid the mysterious power of his Creator; but that true wisdom which painstakingly seeks to know, in the spirit of humility, industry, and devotion, the real limits and nature of that world of beings of which man is an insignificant member, and in which, insignificant as he may be, and brief as may be his career, he has a task of duty and belief imposed on him, wit! hout seeking to superadd thereto - or thinking it is possible to take part of that invisible world of beings which no doubt exists, but which has no connection with, and can have no active participation in, the conduct of our visible existence here. . At the close of the lecture, Mr. BRYDGES WILLYAMS, M.P., said he had great pleasure in proposing a vote of thanks to Mr. Augustus Smith for his most talented and excellent lecture. He had rendered his subject not only interesting, but profitable; and he hoped Mr. Smith would be induced, at some future period, to give another lecture at this institution, either on the same or some other subject . . Mr. TWEEDY seconded the motion, and said he was sure they must all have been much interested by Mr. Smith's treatment of the subject. It was one which the more it was investigated, the less mystery he believed would appear in it; for although there were circumstances connected with some of the narratives which were difficult to explain, yet he believed, on a thorough investigation, the difficulties would all vanish away. . The vote having been unanimously carried, Mr. Augustus Smith, in acknowledging it, said he should have great pleasure, at any time, in taking part in the proceedings of this institution, which he believed was a most valuable and useful one, and he hoped it would go on and prosper with the union of all parties connected with it. He believed it was calculated to be of good service to the population of the borough,  in diffusing an interest in a variety of subjects which well deserved to be investigated. The President then announced Mr. DICKINS's lecture on the following Thursday evening, and the audience separated. ............................................... Julia M.   West Briton Transcriptions, 1836-1856 at http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~wbritonad St. Austell Area History and Genealogy at http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~staustell

'What Mr. Smith omitted to say, was that this refers to between line 70 - 130, about the night before Trojan's walls when Achilles in his sleep is visited by the stricken ghost of Patroclus.' Regards, John him in scarlet at chelsea This e-mail and attachments are intended for above named only and may be confidential. If they have come to you in error you must take no action based on them, nor must you copy or show them to anyone; please e-mail john_carbis@hotmail.com immediaterly. Please note that this e-mail may be subject to recording and/or monitoring in accordance with the relevant legislation and may need to be disclosed under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 or the Environmental Information Regulations 2004. Security Warning: It is the responsibility of the recipient to ensure that this e-mail and any attachments are virus free. The Authority will not accept liability for any damage caused by a virus. > From: jwmos99@msn.com > To: cornish@rootsweb.com; cornish-gen@rootsweb.com > Date: Mon, 20 Jan 2014 20:51:15 -0600 > Subject: [CORNISH] West Briton, 5 Feb, 1858 - News > > FYI - I've included long article on Mr. A. Smith’s speech, because it shows what space was given to an 'important' personage's speech, and what sort of article might be used as 'filler'; these are usually not included in our transcriptions, because no names are given - but it might be of occasional interest. And it's fun to know the Starbuck's phenomenum isn't new - coffee fever was running in 1858! > > Hope you enjoy! > .................................................... > TRURO INSTITUTION - LECTURE GIVEN BY MR. AUGUSTUS SMITH > . > On Tuesday evening last, Mr. Augustus SMITH, one of the hon. members for Truro, gave a lecture at the Assembly Room, Truro, at the request of the committee of the Truro Institution. There was a numerous attendance, and all present appeared to be much interested in the subject of the lecture, which was "On Ghosts." The subject was treated so as not merely to amuse, but to profit the hearers, by disabusing their minds of superstitious notions. We can only afford space for an outline of the lecture. > . > Mr. Smith first spoke of the universality amongst all nations of a belief in the existence of spirits or ghosts, > . > . > Mr. Smith here read extracts from Pliny and Homer (Iliad, Book 23 - Pope) > Julia M. > > West Briton Transcriptions, 1836-1856 at http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~wbritonad > St. Austell Area History and Genealogy at http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~staustell