BAG bind จ RUINS OF NEWCASTLE BRIDGE, 1771. THE following particulars of the rise and fall of this structure have been collected principally from Brand's "History of Newcastle-upon Tyne," 2 vols. 1789: The proofs that a Roman bridge occupied either the same, or nearly the same site as the present one, appear stronger than those generally brought in confirmation of truths of such antiquity; the Emperor Hadrian is supposed to have been its founder, and the original materials were wood and iron. This structure, with occasional renovations, remained till the year 1248, when it was destroyed, together with the greater part of the town, by an accidental fire, after which a new bridge, of stone, was erected, at the joint expense of the town of Newcastle and the Bishop of Durham. From this period, frequent notices occur of methods resorted to for raising money to keep the structure in repair, but these it would be tedious to detail. In 1416 a controversy arose between the Bishop of Durham and the the town, respecting their joint property in the Bridge, and the Bishop' presented a petition to the King, in which he complained that the Mayor and Burgesses had begun to build a tower on his part of the bridge, and had removed the two boundary stones, called St Cuthbert's stones : dispute was terminated by the Corporation being compelled to restore the boundary marks, and give up to the Bishop the tower they had begun. About 1540, Newcastle was visited by Leland, at which period, he says, "Tyne Bridge had ten arches, and a strong warde and towre on it." A deed preserved in the archives of the place, dated 1616, mentions a tene ment on the bridge, knowne by the name of the Ladies' Chapel ;" and Bourne, whose history of Newcastle was published in 1736 says, "it had once twelve bold arches, but now only nine, the rest being turned into cellaring" adding,it forms a pretty street, beset with houses on both sides." In November 1771 this structure was almost entirely destroyed by a terrible flood, occasioned by the fall of heavy rains, which caused the Tyne to overflow its banks, and mark its progress by dreadful devastation. At Newcastle the water began to rise about eleven o'clock at night, and continued increasing in height till it had overtopped the arches, when, between three and four o'clock in the morning, two of those on the south side were driven down, together with one at the northern extremity, destroying the houses erected thereon, and burying the inhabitants in the ruins. In the course of the day more dilapidations occurred, and the bridge was so much damaged, that it was found necessary to pull it completely down, and erect a new one. Our cut is copied from a rude but faithful view of the E. prospect of the bridge, as it appeared a few days after the catastrophe. The tower, &c. mentioned above, will be easily distinguished. In Brand's History of Newcastle there is a view of the ruins taken from the W. side, more com as large as life, some of whom are fastened to the engines of torture, others suspended with cords by the arms, by which their shoulders are dislocated, others roasting by the fire, &c. The engines of torture are made from drawings taken at the abolition of that dreadful tribunal, which, in about three hundred years, condemned to the flames rising of Sixty Thousand human beings. The proprietors of this exhibition respectfully solicit a share of patronage from a generous public. Admittance 25 cents. The public is respectfully informed, that in order to convey a just idea of the transactions which took place in those institutions during the term of trial, and the infliction of torture, which were all transacted in subterranean apartments, the proprietors have thought it more appropriate to exhibit the subject by lamp and candle light, as well by day as by night. The apartment is very comfortable, being always kept at a regular temperature. ***The Proprietors of the INprehensive and elaborate, but perhaps QUISITION, having had some intiscarcely so correct as ours. mation that it is the public impression their exhibition consists of Paintings, takes this opportunity of correcting TRANS-ATLANTIC VARIETIES; the idea, by informing them that it is or, SELECTIONS FROM AMERICAN (Resumed from page 407, vol. 1.) TORTURE. We copy the following advertisement from a New-York paper, for the sake of our English exhibiters of sights and wonders, to whom it may afford a valuable hint :INQUISITION.-Rotunda, No. 315, Broadway, next the Hospital. A representation of the Inquisition of Spain, Portugal, Goa, and other parts of the World, is now to be seen at Mr. Browere's Rotunda, which represents the form of trial, and most of the different modes of torture inflicted on the unhappy victims who have fallen under the jurisdiction of that dreadful tribunal, which has for many ages disturbed the repose of the Christian world. There are fifteen figures not the case, as the Figures which compose the Tribunal, and those supposed to be under the influence of the different modes of Torture," are all separate, and each countenance indicative of the agony, which the punishment is considered to have excited. THE PURSE OF ROB ROY.-We had the pleasure of examining, on Saturday, an article which we have no doubt, from the evidence of the fact, was the pouch, or purse of Rob Roy, whose name has been made conspicuous and lasting, if not by his own deeds, by the enchanting pen of Sir Walter Scott, author of the Waverley Novels. This curious relic is now in the possession of Dr. Mitchell, who has the following history of it, given by the Scotch gentleman by whom he received it: This identical money bag was given by Rob Roy to Peter Gordon, who died at the age of more than a hundred years, in 1818. This relic was brought to New York in 1821, by the person who received it from Gordon, and who is ready to prove its originality and genuineness. "This Peter Gordon had been a page to Lord George Murray, famous in the rebellion of 1715 and 1745, by whom he was employed as a messenger and spy. After the defeat of the Scotch at Culloden, he joined the clan of Rob Roy, known by the name of The Thief of Glen Almon;' and continued with him until his death. He afterwards resided on the estate of Drummond of Logio Almon, following the trade of a thief and a robber. He then removed to Perth, where he dwelt in a small cottage on the estate of Bal Gowan, belonging to General Graham. Having become old and infirm, he was supported by the bounty of a few charitable individuals. When near his end, he said, that few as were the worldly things he possessed, there were two of inestimable value to him: one, a rusty old Claymore with a basket hilt; and the other, the tough old leathern purse, whose pockets formerly contained the money of Rob Roy."-" New York Cominercial Advertiser," 27th May, 1823.) 66 " THE LECTURER CONTROVERTED. -A certain Master of Arts, once reading a pompous lecture on the powers of the human mind, defined man, as an animal that draws an inference.' When his lecture was concluded, two of his scholars who did not feel the definition quite satisfactory, walked out to converse about it; and, in their perambulations through the town, saw inscribed upon a door," Wiseman, Drawing Master." They entered his house, and, after some other questions relative to his profession, asked him what he could draw!-To which he replied, "a landscape, a portrait, or a history piece."" Pray, Sir," said one of them, can you draw an inference?" "Why, truly," answered he, never having seen one, or the picture of one, I cannot." On this they walked 66 66 66 into another street, where, observing a brewer's dray with a large and powerful horse in the shafts before a door, one of them patted him on the flank, and remarked that he seemed a very strong animal; to which the drayman fully assented. I dare say he can draw a great weight," said the scholar. "Indeed he can, master," said the drayman; "indeed he can, a very great weight." Pray, my good fellow, do you think he can draw an inference?" Sir, he can draw any thing in reason," replied the drayman. The two young men were now satisfied; and returning to the lecture room, one of them thus addressed the reader: "Master, we have been conversing upon your definition, and we are convinced it is stark naught; for we have met with a man, and a wise man, too, that cannot draw an ́inference, and we have met with a horse that can!'("Philadelphia Register.") 66 ARDEN OF FEVERSHAM. (Resumed from page 21.) But now the annual fair of St. Valentine being at hand, the conspirators thought that they could easily accomplish their diabolical intentions during the confusion attendant on such an occasion. Mosby entertained a design of insulting Arden during the fair, that he might fight with him, and shelter his deliberate assassination under the appearance of a quarrel and a single combat, for, with a strange barbarous semblance of honour he declared he could not find it in his heart to murder a gentleman in the manner Alice Arden desired. Accordingly he eudeavoured to provoke the injured man to fight with him, but in this he failed. Arden prudently refused upon this occasion, as he had already done many times before. The conspirators, baffled in every attempt, assembled in the evening of the same day in a house belonging to the sister of Mosby, to whom Michael was to be espoused. Thither came Green, and the two ruffians, Mosby and Alice Arden, with Michael and a female servant in the interest of this abanddoned woman, and there they consulted together upon this work of blood. Mosby, perhaps somewhat less abandoned than the rest, or it niay be relenting, would not consent to the scheme of murder that was proposed; adhering to his former sentiments, he declared it was cowardly, and left the house in a rage. But he had not been gone many minutes before Alice Arden dispatched a messenger after him, requesting him, as he prized her love, to return, and lend his assistance in the accomplishment of the matter that was at hand. Mosby returned, and as soon as he entered the room she fell down upon her knees before him, and besought him most importunately to go through with the affair. "If he loved her," she said," he could not refuse her; besides, as she had often told him be fore, he need not be under any apprehension of discovery, for there were none that would care for the death of this man, nor would make any great inquiry after those that should destroy him." How horrible is this! could no remorse touch her bosom? The adultress as earnestly begs for the death of her husband, as, if she had been faithful, she would have entreated for his life. A female suing upon her knees for the murder of an innocent person, to whom she is bound by the nearest and most sacred relation, is indeed a monster of iniquity. Mark well the danger of once deserting the path of virtue! At length her importunity prevailed over the reluctance of Mosby, and the plan already concerted was put in execution in the following manner :— :-Black Will was immediately introduced into Arden's house, and concealed infa closet at the end of the parlour; but previous to this, they had sent out of the house all the servants except those who where privy to the dreadful secret. It was now between the hours of six and seven in the evening, and Mosby went in his silk nightgown, and placed himself at the door. While he stood there upon the watch, Arden came up, just returning from the house of a neighbour, and in the true spirit of Christian forgiveness, addressed in a friendly manner the person who upon some slight pretence had sought to fight and quarrel with him in the morni ing." Mosby is it supper time?""I think not," replied the other; "it is not yet ready."-"Then let us go in the mean while, and play à game at tables," (either chees or draughts) said Arden. The traitoř followed him in, and they went immediately into the parlour. As they passed through the hall, they met Alice Arden pacing to and fro in sullen anxiety, and though her husband, as he walked by her, spoke to her in an affectionate manner, she scarcely vouchsafed to return him any answer: When their victim was thus ensnared, one of them ran to chain the wicket door of the entry, and every thing now was finally arranged. Arrived in the parlour, Mosby sat down upon the bench, with his eyes towards the place where Black Will was secreted. By this means Arden's back was turned towards the closet, and Michael stood behind his master with a candle in his hand, which he held so as completely to cast a shade upon the ruffian, that he might steel forth from his ambush unperceived. They took the tables, and began to play, whilst Arden's life was the stake of the game; in the course of it, Moshy soon took occasion to use an expression, which they had agreed should be the signal of the onset. After his antagonist had made a certain move, he exclaimed, "Now I may take you, sir, if I please "-" TAKE ME,' " said Arden, 66 how? which way will you take me?" The mystery was quickly explained; Black Will rushed forth, and cast a towel about his neck to strangle him-Mosby too ******. But why should we particularly recount the circumstances of so barbarous an action. He resisted, but they prevailed, and he was slain. The hireling murderer dragged his corpse into an adjoining counting house, where he audaciously stripped him of his rings and purse, although he had robbed him upon the road, and then demanded his reward. Alice Arden paid him ten pounds; Green furnished him with a horse, and he immediately rode away. How shall we relate what ensued? After his departure, this monster in a female form went to the dead body, and with the wantonness of a tiger mangling its defenceless prey, stabbed it in the breast several times with a knife, whilst it lay at her feet! Fain would we suppose this otherwise than true; but there is no reason to question the authorities from which it is derived, and it is only parallel with the rest of her actions. : selves they pleaded the time of the servants that were not privy to EPITAPHS IN CAVERSWALL family of Cradock. She had long since deeply wounded the honour of his house and domestic quiet this was but an impotent ex ercise of determined fury; for he was now far beyond the reach of malice "nothing could hurt him farther." Ah! fatal, unlawful passions! let us drop a veil over this transaction, and proceed to the conclusion of the story. The rest were busily employed in preparing for the reception of some visi tors, who were expected to supper. They hastened to clean the parlour with a cloth; they wiped the floor where it was stained with blood, and 1. On a monument to the ancient decently strewed again the rushes [in those days the parlours were furnished with benches, and strewed with rushes, no small contrast to the luxury of modern times!] that were disordered with struggling, and might have be trayed them. The guests (two citizens of London) soon made their appearance, and were received with hospitality. When they came in, the experienced hypocrite said, "I wonder where my husband is; however, we will not wait for him; come and sit down, for he will certainly not be long." They then sent for the sister of Mosby, who came and joined the party; when they all sat down to table, and ate and drank in apparent security and innocence. The historian says they were actually merry y! Supper being ended, Alice desired her daughter to play on the Virgenals (spinnet), and the company rose up to dance; she was herself foremost in gaiety, and appeared to protract the time till her husband should return, at intervals pretending to be concerned for his absence. "I wonder where he can have staid so long:-well, he will come presently, I am sure:-pray let us in the mean white play a game at the tables." The guests excused them Sir "George Cradock, Esq. for his great prudence in the common Lawes well worthy to be Beav-clerk of ye assizes for this circuit, did take to wife ye most amiable and most loving Dorothy, y Daughter of John Saunders, Doctor of Physicke, by whom he had a pair-royale of incomparable daughters, viz. Dorothy, Elizabeth, he lived in splendid degree, if I shall and Mary. It is easy to guess that but recount unto you that Sir Thomas Slingsby, Baronet, Rt. Hon. Richard Lord Cholmondely, George Bridgeman, Baronet, married Bot! bot! to our grief, George Dorothy, Elizabeth, Mary, Coheir. Cradock is assaulted by death, in the his Castle of Caverswall, (lately built, meridian of his age, not far off from even unto beauty, by Mathew Cradock, his father, who lies interred near this place) and dying of ye small pox, 1643, betook himself to the private mansion of this Tombe, erected for him at ye expense of Dorothy, his obsequious wife, where he now rests, under y protection of an essoinee until he shall be summon'd to appear at ye last great and general assize." |