WEST BRITON and CORNWALL ADVERTISER - transcribed by Lorena Loubsky 25 December 1857 . LOCAL INTELLIGENCE. . INDIA RELIEF FUND. – The Mayor of Truro has received a letter from the honorary secretaries of the "Calcutta fund for the relief of the sufferers by the present disturbances in India," dated Calcutta, November 6th, together with a report of a recent meeting of the general committee and the subscribers, embodying a statement of past operations. The hon. Secretaries (Messrs. J. LEEKIS and M. WYLIE_ state that "the European community in Calcutta highly appreciate the generous sympathy with the sufferers in this country which has been so nobly manifested in their native land, and has spread to the rulers and people in other nations." – The parishioners of Phillack have contributed  GBP47 15s. 11d. towards the India Relief Fund, which has been forwarded by the treasurer to the general committee in London. . INSTRUCTING THE BLIND TO READ THE SCRIPTURES. – On Thursday the 11th instant, William BAKER, the blind man who has been for more than twelve months employed in giving instructions to the blind in several parts of the county with great success, assembled nine out of twelve of the pupils he had had at Redruth, in the vestry-room, for a public exhibition of the progress thy had respectively made. The rector and curates of the parish, with many of the subscribers and other friends, attended and were much gratified to find that some who had never learned when blessed with sight were able to read portions of the scriptures with considerable fluency after only ten weeks' instruction; and it was found that all the nine had made satisfactory progress. it was very encouraging to those interested in the cause to find the reading of the word by God by aid of the fingers so much valued, and to bear the extreme thankfulness expressed by one and all of the blind to their kind, able, and patient teacher, and also the subscribers who had provided the means to employ him for their benefit. After the reading they all adjourned to partake of a tea provide for them, and spent a pleasant evening together, finishing by prayer and thanksgiving for the blessing of having the work for God put into their hands, and the ability read it. We trust that the satisfactory  results which have attended the instruction hitherto given by William Baker, will induce a prompt response to the appeal which is now made by the committee appointed at the recent meeting at Falmouth, for funds to ensure the employment of William Baker for a permanence. It is considered that this can be effected by an annual contribution of rather more than GBP50, and that in the several districts which he may visit, small libraries of books adapted for the blind, may be placed under proper care for the use of those who may possess the power to read them. Subscriptions for this object are received at the Cornish Bank; by the Rev. Edward TIPPETT, the secretary at Truro; and by Mr. R. TWEEDY, the treasurer at Redruth. . BRITISH SCHOOLS, TRURO. – On Friday last, a public examination of the boys belonging to three schools was held for the purpose of ascertaining their proficiency, and of awarding prizes to such as proved themselves most deserving. There are 250 boys in the school, from six to fourteen years of age, and of these nearly the whole were present, and answered a variety of questions in the following branches: – 1st, an object lesson on "Coffee"; 2nd, Scriptures, the Old and New Testament; 3rd, English History; 4th, Grammar; 5th, Geography; and 6th Mental Arithmetic. For some days previously , the boys of the four upper classes gave written answers to different  questions in Geography, English, History, Scripture, Grammar, and Arithmetic, which were intended to show their proficiency in writing and spelling, as well as their knowledge of the subjects they were required to reply to. Mr. PADDON, the Treasurer, occupied the chair on the occasion, and was assisted by the committee in putting questions to the boys; and at the close of the examination, prizes were awarded to fifteen boys whose written productions, as well as their ready answers to the questions put to them, elicited the warmest expression of approval of their successful efforts. The school rooms have been much improved; the attendance has been most encouraging to the master, MR. E. DAVIES, whose attention is unremitting; and, considering the large number of children taught in these schools, viz., 250 boys, 190 girls, and 174 infants, in all 614, it is of great importance to the town of Truro, that such an institution should be liberally supported. There is also at present an evening class of youths above fourteen years of age, which affords a most important advantage to such lads as have become apprentices, or are engaged in labour, to make up for the deficient attention they may have given to their education when young .There was also present a large number of the parents and friends of the pupils, and altogether the meeting was exceedingly satisfactory. . FALMOUTH ATHENAEUM. - On Monday evening the 14th instant, Mr. Charles FOX delivered a lecture on Prisons. The lecturer commenced by referring to the prisons of which the earliest mention is made, comparing those of ancient times with those of more modern date. A description was given of the most important prisons in Europe, most of which the lecturer had visited, and the good results of the philanthropic missions of John HOWARD and Mrs. FRY were enumerated. The subject of prison discipline formed a considerable portion of the lecture, the system of solitary confinement being particularly alluded to. Although many and great are the difficulties attending the solution of the problem of punishment, the lecturer, in conclusion, gave it as his opinion that an important stride had been made towards it, and that the mode of punishment now adopted in England approached more nearly to perfection than any that had hitherto been tried. The facts and statistics brought forward by the le! cturer were in favour of continuance of the ticket-of-leave system, and unjust outcry having, he thought, been made against it. A vote of thanks was unanimously given to Mr. Fox for his interesting lecture. . ST. AGNES INSTITUTION. – Recently, the Rev. John INNOCENT delivered a most interesting and instructive lecture on "The philosophy of labour," which gave much satisfaction. The subject was admirably treated, and was very suggestive. On Tuesday last, Mr. J. SIMS, jun., of Redruth, (who kindly represented his father) delivered a lecture on "Science and its results," which paper was well arranged and showed great research and discrimination. At the conclusion the chairman remarked on the pleasure of seeing so young a man coming forward in institutions of this kind, and trusted that other young men connected wit the institutions in the county would act in a similar way. Mr. Sims was cordially and warmly thanked, and was invited to favour the institution with another lecture. The next lecture will be delivered by Mr. BOND on "John HOWARD, the philanthropist." . PENRYN INSTITUTION. – A lecture on "Wordsworth" was delivered at this Institution on Monday last, by Mr. H. LOWRY. Selections from the poetry of Wordsworth, in illustration of his varied style, were given with much feeling; and the purity of his life and character, his unbounded love of nature, the unflinching courage with which he braved the harsh judgment of his critics, and the position he attained among the poets of his time, were urged as incentives to the earnest pursuit of what we deem to be right, and as proving Wordsworth to have been a true poet, as well as a great man. A vote of thanks was unanimously tendered to the lecturer. . REDRUTH INSTITUTION. – Mr. Reginald GYRLLS gave a very interesting lecture in the Town Hall, on India. There was a large attendance, and a spirited discussion followed.  A vote of thanks was returned at the close of the lecture. . REDRUTH MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY. – On Monday last, Mr. S.T. ROWE delivered a very beautiful and interesting discourse in the Baptist Vestry, on the "Mind and Soul." A unanimous vote of thanks was passed to that gentleman at the close of the discourse, and the next lecture was announced for Monday the 28th instant, by Mr. HOMPTON. . LISKEARD INSTITUTION. – The lecture concluding the autumnal session was given on Tuesday by the Rev. F. H. SCRIVENER, on "Astronomy, or an Evening with the Stars." The talented gentleman gave a most interesting extemporaneous address, displaying a judicious discrimination in commencing with the rudiments of this occult science, and endeavouring to make himself understood by all present; he displayed a most intimate acquaintance with the subject, and his numerical knowledge of the periods of revolutions, distances, diameters, &c., of the heavenly bodies was truly astonishing. The lecture was well attended, and the rev. gentleman was warmly solicited to appear before the highly-gratified audience on a future occasion. . CAMBORNE. – On Friday the 18th instant, Mr. H. J. LEAN favoured the Camborne Wesleyan Sunday School Teachers Institute, with a lecture on the life and labours of Mr. Robert RAIKES. . MYLOR BRIDGE. – JUVENILE CONCERT. – On Friday evening the 18th instant, the inhabitants of Mylor and its vicinity were entertained by some of the children belonging to the Mylor Schools, with a judicious selection of glees, school songs, and rounds; many of which were loudly encored, being for such children, very well sung, and creditable to their teacher, Mr. ASHTON, the various songs, &c., not having been got up for the occasion, but merely what the children had been taught in their singing lessons during school hours. . WOODIN'S OLIO OF ODDITIES. – Mr. WOODIN'S entertainment at St. Austell on the evening of Wednesday the 16th instant was well attended, the Town Hall being crowded on the occasion. The audience was much pleased with the entertainment. . PENZANCE AMATEUR DRAMATIC SOCIETY. – Some of the young men of Penzance have formed a dramatic society and on Wednesday evening the 16th, and Monday last, they gave a dramatic entertainment in the Union Hall, which was densely crowded on each occasion. The principal piece was Sheridan's "Pizarro" followed by a farce entitled "Boots at the Union Hotel," and both were very creditably performed, with some amusing singing as an interlude, and an efficient orchestra under Mr. T. WEAVER. Great applause was given to the amateurs, whose intention is to bring forward other performances. . A DISPUTED MARRIAGE. – Some time ago, a Turkish gentleman, of the name of Mahmoud, was in this county receiving instruction in practical mining. Recently some singular circumstances have occurred, in connexion with his seeking to be married to an English lady. The Plymouth Mail states the facts as follows: –  MAHMOUD EFFENDI, major in the Turkish army, who is in this country for instruction, was desirous of forming a matrimonial alliance with the daughter of an officer in the English army, named HESTON, and to this end applied to the Chancellor of the Diocese for a license, which was refused, it is presumed on the ground of his religious faith. Thus frustrated, the parties applied to the Rev. W. J. St. AUBYN, rector of Stoke Damerel, who published the banns in the usual form. On Sunday week last, on the second reading, the banns were forbidden by the Rev. MR. BLISS, the curate of the church, and during the week a caveat against the marriage was served on the rector. This pro! duced a correspondence between the legal advisors of Mahmoud Effendi and the clergyman, in which it was set forth that the Turkish gentleman had been baptised in the Christian faith, and if Mr. Bliss persisted in his opposition it was required he should find sufficient sureties for defending the course he had taken. . Nothing, however, was done in the matter until Monday morning last, the day appointed for the celebration of the ceremony, when the parties most interested, their friends, the rector, and the clerk were assembled in the vestry to await Mr. Bliss's decision. This gentleman on his arrival inquired of the rector if it was correct he had baptised the Turkish gentleman. This being replied to in the affirmative, he withdrew his caveat, and the ceremony was performed. WE regret to hear that in this dispute much feeling has been displayed, and language, it is alleged, used likely to lead to ulterior proceedings of an unpleasant character. The Bishop of the Diocese was applied to by Mr. Bliss, who was, we understand, supported by his lordship. On the other side, the opinion of Dr. ADDAMS was taken by the rector, who, it was said, advised him that he saw no illegality in the course he was pursuing. . TRURO IMPROVEMENT COMMISSION. – The annual meeting of the Truro Improvement Commissioners, adjourned from the 27th of October, took place at the Town Hall on Tuesday last. The total annual amount of rate assessed on the town, to June last, was GBP1229. During the past year GBP385 has been paid for paving, macadamising, and other improvements; GBP82 for cleansing, GBP300 for lighting, GBP107 16s. for interest, and GBP167 for cost of management. A considerable sum of money is still owing to the Gas Company amounting to GBP544, and also on account of the improvements recently made at Victoria Place, GBP140. According to the books of the commission the annual value of the property in Truro assessed to the improvement rate amounts to GBP30,000 a year. . BODMIN. – SEASONABLE BENEVOLENCE. – On Tuesday last, Mr. William SERJEANT, of Windsor Cottage, according to his annual custom, killed and distributed a fine fat ox among the deserving poor, thus providing many a poor family with a good Christmas dinner. . LANDRAKER. – Among the many acts of benevolence at this season of the year there is none more deserving the public admiration than that of Capt. Thomas E. ROGERS, H.E.I.C.S., who has liberally forwarded from India his usual gift of ten pounds to be distributed among the poor of this parish. This is in addition to his endeavours to establish an infant school in the village, towards which he offers to pay a mistress twenty-five pounds a year for five or six years. . APPOINTMENT. – We understand that Mr. JOHNS, who has been a clerk in the County Court, at Truro, for nearly eleven years, has been appointed Assistant High Bailiff, and will take office  on the 1st of January next. .   HELSTON. – ON Saturday, the drapers of this town will not open their shops, and it is believed their example will be followed by most of the other shopkeepers as notices have been issued from the Major that the usual weekly market will not be held. . FALMOUTH. – There is now a very large fleet of merchantmen in this harbour, many of them laden with grain, and waiting for orders. . PENDENNIS CASTLE. – We are informed that the Royal Waterford Artillery Militia, consisting of eight officers and one hundred and thirty men, are to garrison Pendennis Castle. They are expected to arrive this week. . LISKEARD. – The several toll gates belonging to the Liskeard trust were let on the 16th instant, in three lots, at GBP3081, being GBP102 above the former rent. . MILDNESS OF THE SEASON. – Ripe raspberries were gathered in the garden of Mr. MITCHINSON, seedsman, of Truro, on Christmas Eve. . TRURO CHRISTMAS MARKET. – At this market, held on Thursday the 24th instant, there was a large supply, and a brisk demand, the market being densely crowded. There was a fine shoe of beef, although not equal to the Christmas beef at this market in some former years; the best cuts were 7-1/2 d. per lb. There was a good show of mutton legs, 7-1/2d. per lb.; also very good pork, prices from 8d. to 8-1/2 d. per lb. There was a very large supply of goose in the market, and many of them were exceedingly fine ones, the prices being from 7-1/2d. to 8d. per lb. Of ducks there was only a small supply at 5s. a couple; fowls were plentiful, at from 3s. to 3s.6d. a couple; and turkeys were from 5s.6d. to 6s.6d each. The Christmas market has rarely been supplied with such an abundance of fine fruit; and the vegetables also were generally very fine and abundant. . LAUNCESTON CHRISTMAS MARKET. – The market was largely supplied with provisions of every kind, and as usual, there was a great number of people to see and purchase. The show of beef was very good indeed; the sheep slaughtered were not quite so fat as have been seen in the market, but those fed by the Rev. H. A. SIMCOE, of Penheale, were of a very superior quality. The total estimated value of meat in the butchers' market was very near GBP1500. Best cuts of beef sold at 8d. per lb. The supply of dead poultry was not large; gees sold from 6s. to 8s. each. . FEAST OF ST. THOMAS. – This day (December 21st) is by general consent considered the first of the Christmas holidays. In the village of Tamton, near Sherborne, there is a very curious custom observed which deserves notice as throwing light upon the customs of our ancestors. The tenants, in order to prevent the lord of the manor from taking tithes of hay during the ensuing season, place five shillings in a hold of a tombstone in the churchyard; and to secure the intended benefit, the same must be placed before noon on this day, when the steward of the manorial lord comes and takes it away. . In Kent, a practice exists of "going a gooding," which consists of sprigs of evergreens in flower being presented by poor women as a token of good-will, and in return, they receive from their betters gifts in money, & c. In the same county, the day is also called "Doley day," in allusion no doubt to the offerings which on this day are made to the poor, and were anciently called the "Dole." . In the Isle of Thanet, a musical procession called "Hodding" is formed and marches around. This, probably, has its origin in the ancient game of the hobby-ho. In our own county, too, the poor among the parishioners, go round to receive the sims of their richer neighbours. And thus it is that a practice or custom, more or less alike, is kept up no doubt throughout the country on the feast of St.Thomas. . ST. AUSTELL COUNTY COURT. – The monthly sitting of this court was held in the Town Hall, on Thursday and Friday last, when there were upwards of two hundred summonses. PARNALL v. YELLAND was a case of valuation of farm stock, heard before a jury, but after sitting an hour, in consequence of the illness of a witness the parties left the case to arbitration, when a verdict was given to plaintiff for GBP4 on account of a machine. . REDRUTH COUNTY COURT. –  AT this court in November last, a case was tried between Mr. J. MARTIN, of the Railway station, and Mr. JAMES, draper, of Camborne, for damage done to a small railway waggon. The case was several hours in tand, and the Judge reserved his decision. At the court in December he gave judgment in favour of the plaintiff, with costs. Attorney for the plaintiff, Mr. DOWNING, of Redruth; for the defendant, Mr. ROGERS, of Helston. . TRURO POLICE. – On Monday last, before Mr. CHAPPEL and MR. PADDON, Thomas SCOBELL, of Kea, ship-carpenter, was charged with being drunk and disorderly, and causing a disturbance in Lemon-street, at eleven o'clock on Saturday night. He was taken into custody by police-constable WHITE. Fined 5s. and costs. . ASSAULT BY A COUNTY COURT OFFICER. – At the Camborne Petty Sessions on Tuesday last, Richard CHAPPEL, of Helston, appeared to a summons (defended by Mr. PLOMER, of Helston,) for assaulting Melicent LAITY, of Praze  in the parish of Crowan. Chappel is an officer under the County Court at Helston, and it appeared from the evidence, was at Praze  on the 4th instant to levy a distress on the goods of Mr. Laity, husband of the complainant, when after some little conversation, Mrs. Laity, not willing to be deprived of her furniture, went to her sister's to borrow the amount claimed, which amounted to GBP1.8s. . After being absent a few minutes, she retuned with the money, and asked Chappel if he would take part of the money; but he refused and said he had been waiting nearly half an hour and should in a few minutes claim another shilling for waiting. The money being tendered, he then said, I shall have GBP1.9s., and upon Mrs. Laity refusing to pay more, he seized a gun, when a scuffle ensued between him and Mrs. Laity. He, having got possession of the gun, gave it to a man called Ben, and having done so, he took hold of Mrs. Laity and put her down in the chair, and then in the stairs, kneeling upon her, and with his hand uplifted, threatened to knock the breath out of her. Mrs. Laity cried out, and entreated him to let her get up, as he was killing her. The sister of Mrs. Laity took up a chair, and told Chappel that if he did not get off her sister she would throw to him in the head with the chair, upon which he set her up, and said that it was his work to knock down women, for he ! had knocked many women down, but he did not knock her down. . After some time the money was paid, and Chappel left. Mr. PLOMER made a long defence, in the course of which he pointed out the county court bye laws. The magistrates, (Mr. R. DAVEY, M.F., Rev. T. PASCOE, Mr. MAGER, and MR. REYNOLDS_ decided that a gross assault had been committed, and fined Chappel GBP4 and expenses. . FALMOUTH POLICE. – On the 16th instant, before Mr. S. N. USTICKE, Thomas SMITH, a seaman, was charged at the office of Mr. GENN, clerk to the magistrates, with having feloniously stolen from a fellow seaman, named ROGERS, a pair of boots and GBP2.2s.3d. in cash. The parties were residents at Radford's beer-shop, near the quay, in the parish of Falmouth. The prisoner was apprehended by policeman PRATER, of the town police, who found the boots and money on him, and he was committed to take his trial at the next county quarter sessions. –  On Friday, at the same office, before MR. John BORLASE, magistrate, James McDONALD was convicted of vagrancy, and sentenced to seven days' hard labour in the county gaol. at Bodmin. . PENZANCE POLICE. – On Monday last, before Mr. COULSON and Mr. BATTEN, magistrates, James JAMES, a labourer living in Penzance, was charged with having, on the 11th instant, obtained from Mr. John JAMES, iron-monger, five brass weights, under fraudulent pretences. The prisoner obtained the weights on pretence that he had been sent for them by Mr. T. R. PENGELLY, of Madron, a customer at the shop; and prisoner afterwards sold them to a marine store dealer called LEVIN. He also, on a similar pretence, obtained copper scales and weights from MR. J. J. LANYON, which he afterwards pawned. He was committed for trial at the sessions. . On Tuesday last, before the Mayor and Mr. COULSON, William GRENFELL, of Sancreed, miner, was fined 5s. and costs for being drunk and disorderly in Alverton Street the preceding evening , and 20s. and costs for assaulting the police whilst in the execution of their duty in default of payment he was committed for one month. . CAMBORNE PETTY SESSIONS. – At these sessions held on Tuesday last, before Mr. R. DAVEY, M.P., chairman, the Rev. T. PASCOE, MR. J. P. MAGOR, and MR. C.A. REYNOLDS, county magistrates, James BRAY, of Redruth, beer-shop keeper, and James GOLDSWORTHY, of Illogan, beer-shop keeper, were summoned by Superintendent MILLER, for keeping their houses open after the hour of eleven at night. Bray was fined GBP1 10s. and expenses, and Goldsworthy GBP1 and expenses. William RODDA, of Saint Day, Simon HOCKING, and James TREBILCOCK, of Redruth, John RODDA of Gwinear, Daniel REESE, of Phillack, James GARTRELL, and John WILLIAMS, of Perranuthnoe, and Thomas SAUNDERS, of Camborne, were summoned for being drunk and disorderly at the respective places, and fined each five shillings and the expenses. William LANYON, of Camborne, appeared to a summons for assaulting Ann NICHOLLS, and was fined 6s. and costs. The Overseers of the parish of Camborne were summoned by Mr. J. L. PETER, on behalf of th! e Guardians of the Redruth Union, for nonpayment of certain monies due to that union. After some deliberation, the Bench ordered that the money due was to be paid by the 1st of January. . FOWL STEALING. – On Monday night last, upwards of twenty fowls were stolen from Mr. Richard ARTHUR, sen., of the parish of Creed. We are sorry to say the thieves have not been discovered. . ATTEMPTED SUICIDES. – On Tuesday the 15th instant, as two sportsmen were wending their way over Lelant Towans, they saw a female wade up to her knees into the sea, throw herself on her face and hands, and allow the waves to roll her over and over. They watched the exercise, and thought it singular, but yet in these days of hydropathy, were unwilling to interfere with what they deemed might be an orthodox method of cure. But two St. Ives fishermen passing by, and who possibly knew what the continued application of very cold water to the female system would effect, went into the sea and hauled her out. She proved to be more dead than alive, for the whole four had great difficulty in getting her to the sand hills and restoring animation. She was a young woman of Lelant, named BEARD, and it appeared had attempted self-destruction consequent on some cross or fancied cross in love.  She has since recovered from the immersion, but will require the attention of her friends to preven! t any recurrence of such an attempt. . On Saturday the 12th instant, Mrs. PENHALE, of Callington, the wife of John Penhale, late an officer of the county constabulary, attempted to destroy herself by hanging. The neighbours had observed that Mrs. Penhale had kept herself in her house all day with the doors locked, and on Penhale returning home about eleven o'clock from Plymouth, where had been working , he found the door locked, and on being informed by the neighbours that they were suspicious all was not right within, he burst open the door and found his wife tied to the bedpost by a rope, but in such a position from her body resting on a chair as not immediately to endanger life; the rope was quickly taken from her neck,  and Mr. BROWN, surgeon, sent for, but is was some hours before she was restored to consciousness. . INCENDIARY FIRE. – On Sunday week, about midnight, a wood rick belonging to Mr. GRIGG, of Nantellon Farm in Creed, was set on fire and entirely consumed. The wood was valued at five pounds. Fortunately for Mr. Grigg, the fire was at a distance from the farm-yard, or the loss of property would have been great. We are sorry to state there is no clue to the guilty party. . WRECK AT PENTEWAN. – On Tuesday the 15th inst., as the schooner "Charlotte and Hannah," of Fowey Capt. WARNE, was coming out of the Pentewan laden with China clay in bulk, she grounded on the bar outside the pier head, and drifted on the rocks called Gammas point, situate to the east of the entrance. A day or two after it came on to blow a gale from the S.W., when the  sea broke completely over her, and knocked her bottom out on the rocks. The materials are all saved, and the vessel will be sold as she is. She was but partially insured. Complaints are being continually made by masters of vessels frequenting Pentewan of the dangerous state of the entrance owing to the accumulation of sand, more particularly after a gale from S.E. to S. W. It can only be prevented by an extension of the pier some 400 feet further out; if this is not done the place must before long be completely blocked up, and its trade consequently destroyed. . ACCIDENT TO A HORSE. – On Thursday night, the 17th instant, as a servant boy of Mr. John HOBLYN, of the parish of Lamorran, was returning from Tregony, the horse took flight at the bottom of the town, and went over the bridge at a furious rate, the night being very dark, and in turning the corner by the Gregor Arms, the horse came with violence against a wain which was left by the side of the road. the horse broke the cradle of the wain,  and one of the iron stays, inflicting a deep wound in the throat from which the blood ran profusely; the animal died in five minutes after the accident. The boy was found lying by the horse in a state of insensibility, being very much bruised about the head and shoulder, but we are glad to hear that he is recovering. . SERIOUS CHARGE. – On the 5th instant, an inquest was held on the body of Maria NATTLE, of the parish of ST. Dominick, before Mr. JAGOE, county coroner, and at which inquest a verdict of "accidental death" was recorded. Since that time a great deal of dissatisfaction has been expressed by the neighbours and parishioners of St. Dominick generally, at the result of the inquest, and from information given to Inspector WARD, of the county police at Calling ton, he was induced to apply for a warrant for the apprehension of William Nattle, the son of the deceased, on suspicion of having caused the death of his mother by blows inflicted with a weeding iron. The prisoner was apprehended on this warrant on the 12th instant, and on the 16th was brought before Dr. FLETCHER and the Rev. H.M. RICE, county magistrates. Mr. Ladd appeared for the prisoner. . Evidence was given by Elizabeth Nattle, sister of the prisoner, that when she came home on the 21st of November, she heard her mother snoring, and found her lying down by the fire, her head near the fire-place. She asked her brother how mother got lying down there. He said "when I came home I found her lying in the wood house, I brought her out and held her up in a chair for several minutes, and then as she could not sit I laid her on the floor near the fire-place." She (witness) asked him how it was he had gone to bed – he replied, "I thought she would have come to herself again as she had been like that before." Witness had never seen her mother like it before; but her mother had told her about a fortnight before that she had fallen down about the room whilst washing, and injured her leg near the ankle, to which witness applied barm. Witness observed from her brother's talk that he was drunk – he usually goes to bed  early – the night before he came home about eleven o'clo! ck; he was drunk and mother scolded him for it and called him a drunken blackguard – never saw the him touch mother on any occasion. Either on the same night that mother died or on the next morning saw the weeding iron on the floor of the kitchen  – the handle was partly broken off In the spring of the year I put the iron on the bacon rack, it was not broken then. About a week after this I found a piece of the handle that had been broken off, on the bacon rack just in the same place where I first put it – the handle altogether is from four to five feet long; but there was only about a foot left in the iron. When I saw the handle I asked my brother to take it down, which he did. I said to him I hope you did not strike mother with this? He said, "No, I did not, I never saw the iron, I never struck mother with it more than you struck mother with it." My mother is subject to attacks of rheumatism, but is otherwise generally healthy. I took the iron and left it with Fanny Martin! ; but just before this my brother took the iron away from me a! nd threw it out of doors. He said, "don't keep on with me about the iron, I did not strike mother with it more than you did." I put the iron with the part of the handle of it into the fire one day last week, and I have not seen it since. . Other witnesses were examined, from whose evidence it appeared that prisoner was seen to come home drunk on the night of the 21st of November; that on former occasions when he had come home drunk, his mother had scolded him, and he had appeared irritated, and she afraid of him; that voices, apparently those of deceased and prisoner, were heard talking in the house on the night in question; and that Mrs. Nattle appeared to be quite well before the prisoner came home. One of the witnesses  however, called Fanny Martin, stated that Mrs. Nattle said to her, about a fortnight before her death, "Fanny, I fell along the floor, and how long I stayed there I cannot say." . Mr. BOWDEN, surgeon, at Callington, who was requested by the coroner to examine deceased's head, discovered just above the ear an extensive bruise about three inches in length. It was a great deal puffed or swollen. There was no abrasion of the skin. The bruise might have been caused by the deceased falling against any hard substance with an edge to it, such as a piece of timber lying on the ground; the bruise might have been caused by  a stick, such as the handle of the weeding iron, or even a walking stick. I cannot say that the deceased died from the effects of the blow in the head without a post mortem examination. I considered it a very serious blow to produce such a bruise. . William WARD, inspector of police, stationed at Callington, sworn: – From certain information I have received since the coroner's inquest on the body of Mrs. Nattle, I obtained a warrant for the apprehension of the prisoner for having been the cause of his mother's death. I apprehended him on Saturday last at Halton Quay. On the way to Callington, he said, "I have not killed my mother. I told him that what he said to me I should take down in writing and give it in evidence. He however, went on to say that when he got home that night his mother died, he saw a light in the wood-house; the candle was on the window ledge, and mother was lying down in the wood-house. I spoke to her but she did not speak. I then took her up and carried her into the kitchen and sat her upon a chair near the fire-place, but she could not stay there by herself. I held her in the chair for a long time; she was very ill, and there did not seem to be much life in her when I laid her down by the fire. Af! ter I had my supper, I went off to bed and left her in the kitchen." Yesterday, the prisoner told me that he held his mother in the chair for full half-an-hour. The prisoner also said, "I don't know what I am about when I am drunk, and I know I have done wrong by leaving my mother on the ground." The prisoner was then remanded, to afford time for a post mortem examination of the deceased. . CORONERS' INQUESTS. – The following inquests have been held before Mr. John CARLYON: – On Saturday last, in the parish of St. Ewe, on the body of John KESSELL, a little boy aged seven years, who was killed on Friday by a cob wall, part of the ruins of an old house, falling upon him. It appeared that the little boy, only a few minutes before had borrowed a biddick from one of his companions, and they were going together to dig down the wall in question; but the deceased, who was carrying the biddick went on a little before, and, just as his companion came near the spot, he heard the wall fall. on proceeding to the spot he could perceive nothing but one of deceased's hands, which he took hold  of and tried to pull him out, but not being able to do so he made an alarm and some persons came and extricated the deceased, who was then quite dead. Verdict, "accidental death." . On Monday, at Perranzabuloe, on the body of James RICHARDS, aged eleven years. From the evidence of Edwin BENNETTS, aged thirteen years, it appeared that on the preceding Saturday his father had borrowed a horse and wain from a neighbour to bring home some furze. After he had done so, he sent witness back with the horse and wait to the party from whom he had borrowed it; and on the road he over took the deceased who got off to ride on the further shaft, in defiance of witness, who was not willing that he should, and began beating the horse and making him gallop, saying that was the way to drive, and if witness had gone that pace he would have been there before then. They had not proceeded far, however  before the wain gave a jerk from the wheel getting into a rut, and the deceased fell head foremost into and a wheel went over him. Witness stopped the horse as soon as he could, and went back to render assistance, and the deceased got on his feet and rambled in against the hed! ge. . A man called Richard MAY, who was working in his croft, had seen the horse coming along at a great pace, and the two boys laughing, and called to them to drive steadier; but they took no notice of him; and when he saw the deceased fall and saw that he was hurt, he went to render what assistance he could, but the poor little boy was then lying on his belly in the road, and groaning. he and another man took him up to carry him to his parents' house, but they had not proceeded far before he died. Verdict, "accidental death." . On Tuesday last, at ST. Stephens in Branwell, on the body of Thomas BILKEY, aged 35 years, who died from the injuries had had received by falling from the upper to the lower part of a quarry in which he was working. It appeared he had drawn a large stone and was  about to throw it down from where he had dug it, when it gave a turn and he was afraid it would come upon his feet. In slipping back to avoid this, the heel of his shoe caught in a stone, and caused him to fall over, a distance of from fifteen to sixteen feet. Verdict, "Accidental death." . The following inquest has been held before Mr. DAVIES, coroner for Penzance. On Saturday last, on the body of Richard JAMES, of Burriton-row, Penzance, dairyman . About twelve months since he suffered from violent spasmodic attacks in the bowels and stomach, and was attended by Mr. A. BERRYMAN. A month since Mr. Berryman saw him, and then suspected he was suffering also from a disease of the heart. He also complained of a bad cold and hollow cough. During the week he worked, but complained to several friends and neighbours that "although following the plough he was not very well able to do so." On Saturday morning, a little before six, his wife arose and asked him to light a candle. He turned on his side towards the chair, fell back in the bed, and died instantly wand with a very slight struggle.  Mr. Berryman was quickly in attendance, unavailingly. His opinion was that deceased died from the rupture of a blood vessel of the heart. A verdict of "natural death" was at once r! eturned. Deceased was only 36 years of age. . An inquest was held on the 22nd ult., before Mr. T.H. ROSKRUGE, coroner of the borough of Helston, on the body of Susan aged 2 months, the infant daughter of Mr. William DOWNING, blacksmith, who when the mother awoke in the morning, found her lying dead by her side. Verdict, "Death from natural causes." . On Wednesday, an inquest was held before Mr. E. G. HAMPLEY, at Bodmin, on the body of  Richard CAMPION, who died from injuries he received in Tretoil mine on the previous day. The coroner in charging the jury told them that in consequence of certain reports that the mine was not properly timbered, and was otherwise in an unfit state for the men to work, he had desired Captain WILLIAMS, who was not connected with the mine, and who was a man on whose opinion they might rely, being an old and very experienced miner, and who had inspected the mine within the last two or three days, to attend before them to give evidence as both state and condition of the mine; and he thought it as to the state that the captain and agents of the mine courted the fullest investigation. He had also desired the constable to summon men working at the different pitches in the mine to appear before them. . >From the evidence it appeared that deceased had been working on the middle level with a man called BENNETT, taking down the south part of the lode  Bennett called the attention of deceased to a rock which was overhanging. Deceased sounded it and said it was as safe as a bank, he then went on with his work when shortly after the stone fell and struck him on the back, and from the injuries he received he died in a few hours. . Captain Williams stated that he had very lately inspected the mine having been desired to do so by the steward of Mr. Roberts, in consequence of certain rumours. He found that from the width of the lodes the mine will always be attended with danger, but if proper care and attention is taken in fitting up the ore ground after the ore is removed, the danger may be avoided. He found the mine properly timbered, and that several men were kept for the purpose of filling. . He examined the mine again after the accident happened, and he considered there was not the slightest blame to be attached to the captain or any of the agents of the mine, and that he himself would have had no hesitation in working in the same level. It was stated also by some of the witnesses that one of the captains went underground  every day, to see that the mine was properly timbered and filled in, and that on several occasions, the captain insisted that certain ground should be timbered, to prevent an accident, when the men working in the mind did not think it necessary. It appeared, from the evidence of all the witnesses that Captain Rich, and all the agents in the mine, have always done all in their power to prevent accidents. The jury were unanimously of opinion, that the death of deceased was purely accidental, and they considered there was not the slightest blame to be attached to any of the agents of the mine, who appeared to have always taken every precaution to! prevent accidents. . DEVON, &c. . NEW ZEALAND. –  An unusually advantageous opportunity offers for passengers from the West of England, proceeding to the settlements in New Zealand, Mr. WILCOCKS , of Plymouth, having made arrangements with Messrs. John MORRISON & Co., of London, for their splendid clipper ship "Nourmahal" to call at that port to embark passengers, The "Nourmahal" is a nearly new British frigate-built clipper , only having made one voyage to these colonies out and home. Her arrangements will embrace every improvement which experiences and a desire to carry out the service efficiently suggest, and her dispatch from Plymouth will be entirely managed under the superintendence of Mr. Wilcocks. . DEVONSHIRE SIMPLICITY. – At the Southwark police court last week, John BROOKS, a man of respectable appearance, was charged, with another, with stealing six sovereigns from two young Devonshire men about to emigrate to New Zealand. John USHER, one of the young men, had just gone up from Devonshire, and met a respectable looking man on London Bridge, who spoke to him and his friend, and they told him that they were from Devonshire, and about to emigrate. The man said he had come from America, and invited them to a public house to drink beer. While talking there the prisoner Brooks came in and offered to give their new friend a hat, but he declined unless his young acquaintances were presented with one each too. Brooks asked if they were respectable, and the two rusties shewed six sovereigns between them. Brooks then pulled out what appeared to be a ten pound note to present to them, but said as it was a charity he must have a stamp. He requested Usher and his friend  to get o! ne, and leave the six sovereigns as security for returning. They complied, and went out with their London Bridge friend, who soon made an excuse for leaving them. They returned to the public house and found Brooks and their money were gone. A day or two afterwards they met Brooks in the London Docks, and gave him into custody; and he was sentenced to a year's imprisonment. . BRUTAL MURDER IN NORTH DEVON. – On Wednesday evening, last week, a fearful, and so far as we may at present draw an inference from facts that have reached us, a most cruel and deliberate murder was committed at Lynton in North Devon. . A young man named John BARWICK, a sort of jobbing-labourer in the town, had for six months past kept company with a young woman named Maria BLACKMOOR, in Lynton. On Wednesday evening she sent a messenger to Berwick, desiring him to come across to her mother's residence, as she desired to speak with him. He at once complied, went to the deceased, as requested, and remained in conversation with her for more than a quarter of an hour, in the passage leading to her mother's residence. What the nature of that conversation was is not known, but directly after the poor girl rushed into her mother's room covered with blood, and after exclaiming "Good God, mother, I am bleeding!" she instantly fell on the floor, and died. . It would appear that the man Barwick struck the poor girl in the neck with his clasp-knife, which he had sharpened the same morning, completely severing the arteries, which, there can be no doubt, was the immediate cause of death. After giving the poor girl her death-blow, Barwick would appear to have returned to his home directly, on reaching which he said, "I have done it," upon which his sister said "Done what?" Barwick rejoined, "Done for Maria," at the same time brandishing his clasp-knife, with gouts of blood upon it, adding, "And if you don't mind I'll do for you also," Of course an alarm had in the meantime been given. Mr. Clark, surgeon, was called in, and pronounced the poor girl beyond all surgical aid and in less than an hour Barwick was in custody, charged with the murder. It is stated that the prisoner had been drinking in the early part of the day, but that he was apparently sober at the time of the tragical occurrence narrated above. . FIRE. – At Crediton, on Sunday last, at three p.m., a destructive fire broke out in the premises of Messrs. SEARLE and BUDGE, lozenge manufacturers , supposed to have originated in the drying room, where a fire was always kept burning. The engine belonging to the town was soon on the spot, but the hose was found too short to reach the room on fire. Intelligence having been sent to Exeter, two engines were dispatched by train, which succeeded in extinguishing it. We understand the property is fully insured, and that the proprietors have secured adjoining premises which will enable them to resume business in a few days. . NEWS FROM INDIA. . The following telegram was received at the Foreign office, on the 23rd December, at 11:15 a.m. through Lord LYONS, at Malta: – ALEXANDRIA, Dec. 19, 1857. – The "Pekin" reached Suez this morning, bringing Bombay dates to the 4th of December, 1857. Sir Colin CAMPBELL having reached Cawnpore on the 2nd of November, joined the force at Alumbagh on the 21st [11th?]. On the 23rd [13th?] active operations commenced, and for the next six days there was a constant series of severe and bloody struggles with the enemy. On the 21s, their principal strongholds having been captured, the beleaguered garrison was relieved. On the 20th the sick and wounded, ladies and children, were sent back under an escort to Cawnpore. . The army under the commander-in-chief now amounts to about 22,000 men, amply sufficient to reduce Oude to entire subjection, a task which will occupy them for some months to come. Malwa field force, under Brigadier STUART, has relieved Nusseerabad, dispersed the Mehidpore and Mundescore rebels, and is now clearing Malwa of the insurgents. The flying columns under Brigadier SHOWERS, Colonel COTTON, and Colonel TIDDEL, are scouring Rohileund, complete success attending their operations everywhere. Large masses of European troops are reaching India weekly, and we are [relieved?] from all alarm for our garrisons and out-posts lately in much eminent peril. The Governor General, and the Governors of Madras and Bombay, at the [seats] of government. The above message reached Malta by her Majesty's ship "Coquette;" next mail on 23rd December. LORD LYONS. . ______________ . The intelligence from Germany still represents the embarrassments as very great; however, it is thought that the crisis decidedly approaches its termination. . The French ships of war intended for China, the departure of which has been delayed for some days, will sail from Toulon between the 20th and 25th inst. They will proceed direct to Hong Kong with 550 troops on board. This force, it is said will not be increased for the present, and the projected expedition to Cochin China appears to be adjourned. . The London newspapers of Tuesday contain the message of the President of the United States. The two principal topics referred to are the state of the currency question in America and the relations with Great Britain. . On the former subject President Buchanan says: "It is apparent that our existing misfortunes have proceeded solely from our extravagant and vicious system of paper currency and bank credit, exciting the people to wild speculations and gambling in stocks." The President complains, that whereas the Constitution invests Congress with the power of coining money, and prohibits the individual States from coining metal or issuing bills of credit, or making anything but gold and silver a legal tender, yet by the operation of the bank system the country is plagued with an excessive and irredeemable paper currency. The control of paper issue has been taken away from the Central Power and vested in the individual States, which have exercised it so negligently that it has been "virtually transferred to  more than 1400 state banks, acting independently of each other and regulating their paper issues almost exclusively by a regard to the present interest of their stockholders." . No care has been taken by the States that these numerous banks should keep sufficient species to Insure the convertibility of their notes. With regard to the relations between the States and Great Britain he observes that, "while it is greatly to the Interest, as I am convinced it is the sincere desire, of the governments and people of the two countries to be on terms of intimacy and friendship with each other, it has been our misfortune to have had almost always some irritating, if not dangerous, outstanding question with Great Britain."  Mr. Buchanan proposes the abrogation by mutual consent of the Clayton and Bulwer Treaty, on the ground that it can be satisfactory to neither party. . Accounts from Naples of the 19th states that on the 17th a fearful earthquake ravaged a portion of the kingdom principally the cities of Salerno, Potenza, and Nola. The buildings are seriously injured. In the Province of Basilicata, and the Principality Citerieure, half of the villages are destroyed, and the number of victims is estimated at several thousands. The authorities had constructed temporary sheds for the shelter of the inhabitants. At Naples three violent shocks were felt, and the population encamped outside the city during one day: but no serious accidents occurred. The northern part of the kingdom of Naples has not been subjected to this visitation. .......................... 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