farmer, at Woodstock, and threat ened to extirpate the diffenters from the whole country. Their authority and power: were, however, not deflined to be) of dong duration. The town of Birmingham was relieved from their depredations on the Sun day night, by the arrival of three troops of the fifteenth of light dragoons. The town was illuminated, and all was acclamation and joy; and the following morning they were reinforced by three troops of the eleventh regiment of dragoons, un der colonel de Lancey. During this time the mob was parading about the country, but its movements were too rapid and uncertain to direct any fuccefsful attack again it. On the Tuefday fome reports were received of parties of rioters being feen near Hagley, Halesowen, &c, and towards evening certain intelligence was received that they were attacking Mr. Male's houfe at Bellevue. A party of light dragoons was immediately difpatched in purfuit of them; but their numbers having been greatly diminished by defertion and other different cafes, the rioters were overpowered by the people before the arrival of the foldiers, and ten of them con-fined at Halefowen.

The Wednesday was employed by the light horfe in fcouring the country for ten miles round Birmingham, and on the evening of that day pubhib tranquillity appeared to be completely restored. In the courfe of thefes tranfactions one remarkable circumftance was obferved, which fill remains to be accounted for; and bthis was, that in the heat of the riots there were certain perfons among the mob,confpicuous equally for their apbpearance and their activity, who di-rected the rioters, and were fometimes termed their leaders; thefe perfons

evidently were not of the lowest class; but what ismoft, fingular is, that they were not known to a single perfon in Birmingham, or its neighbour hood. The proper Birmingham mob were often, perfuaded to defitt from their attempts, till they were joined by thefe men, who both intigated them to proceed, and directed them in the fhortest and most effectual manner.

Of the unfortunate and infatuated prifoners who were taken in the act of rioting, five were tried at Worcefter, and one was found guilty and executed. At Warwick twelve were tried, but only four received fentence of death, viz. Francis Field, for fetting fire to Mr. Taylor's house; John Green and Bartholomew Fisher, for demolishing the house of Dr. Pricftley; and William Hands, for destroying the house of John Ry land, Eq. Upon an application from the magiftrates, and fome other refpectable inhabitants, Fisher was afterwards reprieved.

For the honour of our country, we indulge the earnest hope that the difgraceful fcenes which were acted at Birmingham in 1791 will never be revived; but that while the continent of Europe is unhappily drenched in human blood, this island will remain as confpicuous for its harmony, order, and tranquillity, as for its conftitutional freedom and national profperity. Dreadful indeed are the profpects which, the blind rage of democracy on the one hand, and the infatiable ambition of tyrants on the other, open to our view. In confequence of this fate of things, we cannot help foreseeing, we cannot help regretting, that our tafk for the fucceeding year, inftead of the pleafing employment of commenting upon the progrefs of civilization, and the fucceffive improve

ments

ments which the enjoyment of peace naturally fuggefts, will probably be only to narrate the crimes and regifter the calamities of mankind. Of fuch a conflict it would be useless further to anticipate the horrors; yet the friend of rational liberty cannot look forward to the fcene without the diftrefful apprehenfion,

that all that is excellent in human nature, all that is eftimable in fociety, may poffibly be involved in the common ruin; and indeed whatever may be the final refult, the effufion of blood and the deftruction of happinefs which must neceffarily enfue, are evils which cannot be fufficiently deplored.

JANUARY.

BET

ETWEEN ten and eleven on Tuesday night, the 28th alt. Mr. Burgefs, farmer, at Bawburgh, near Norwich, was alarmed by the cry of Fire!' On going to his door he had the melancholy profpect of his hay-ricks, ftables, cowhoufe, pigftye, cartshed, and barns, all on fire at the fame time, and the flames raging with fuch rapidity as excluded all hopes of faving any part of his property. The hay and buildings were all confumed, with a number of calves, pigs, and poultry, a cart, waggon, and fix very capital horfes, valued at 30l. each. The diftance of the outbuildings from each other, and they being all on fire at the fame time, made it clear that the premises had been malici. oufly fet on fire. Mary Adams, who had lived with Mr. Burgefs many years, but whom about three weeks previous to this unfortunate affair, he had discharged, having heen heard often to declare at her lodgings in Norwich, that fhe would be revenged on Mr. Burgefs the first opportunity, was fufpected of being the incendiary. Several perfons,

therefore, went in purfuit of her, and overtook her in company with another woman, before she reached Norwich. They were both taken before John Paterson and Robert Harvey, efqrs. when it appeared, that the companion was induced to go to the premifes of Mr. Burgess, not knowing of the wicked intent of the other prifoner. When the faw the place on fire, fhe afked the incendiary what he had been doing? She replied, Nothing that would hurt her;' adding, I am in my glory, nor fhould I care if I were in the middle of the flames with a shift of pitch on, as I have got my mind.'

5.Samuel Hinchliffe was tried at the Weftminster feffions, for faudulently obtaining from Henry Cowley, fervant to Danel Delany, efq. two fhillings, under pretence of its being for the carriage of a parcel from Norwich, the prifoner at the fame time knowing that the carriage was paid.

Henry Cowley faid, that the prifoner brought to his master's house a parcel directed to Daniel Delany, efq. He told the witness he had brought it from the White-Horse, Fetter-lane, and demanded three (A 2) fhillings