The "sylvan resort" of a band of thieves has been
discovered in the neighbourhood of Salisbury. The following description of it is taken from the Times. It reminds us of the days of Rubin Hood, Dick Turpin, and the other worthies of the " good greenwood."
" Last week, as one of the keepers on Lord Radnor's estate was surveying a portion of the property, which lies in a most unfrequented part of the Downs, bordering on the forest, called ' The Great and Little Yews,' he discovered a column of smoke issuing from the umbrageous foliage of one of the largest trees; and, anxious to discover the cause, he penetrated the wood, and following a nar- row winding track, suddenly found himself introduced into what may without any impropriety be called a sylvan apartment. This was formed by cutting away the lower branches of the tree, under which the bushes were stunted and de- cayed ; while the hazel, holly, and wild thorn, which flourished in wild pro- fusion around the extremities of the yew branches, formed an admirable defence, with the tree itself, both against sun and shower. The trees arc of themselves of such magnitude, that it would appear they must have braved the winter's churlish tyranny' from the days of the Conquest. Of these sylvan apartments there wet e three; and it is supposed that the marauders were at the tune of the discovery in the inner apartment enjoying their siesta ; as the keeper (Dowling) 'was suffered to make his retreat unperceived, though, as he says, expecting every :moment ' a bullet through his head,' to arrest his flight. his apprehensions were quite natural, when it is known that among the various articles of plunder with which the ground was strewed, were fire-arms, two muskets ready cocked standing as uprights, against the time-fluted column of the ancient tree, which seemed the support of time dwelling. Dowling, having communicated his extra- ordinary, discovery to time authorities, went the following day, accompanied by some equestrian assistance, who succeeded in captu • g two of the gang, who were conifoitably seated before their fire, cooking the repast for their brethren, who were no doubt on some foragieg expedition. On searching the place, several curious features presented themselves. The apartments were admirably ar- ranged. In the centre of time first, which was formed by twin trees, a hole was dug about two feet deep, and twelve or fifteen in circumference, gradually sloping to the centre. Here the caldron was bubbling as effectually as ever it bubbled for the Northern Thane ; while the ground was covered with all de- scriptions of property useful as well as ornamental; servants' and carriage lace livery, working utensils, pans, fire-arms, harness, sheepskins, &e., forming the staple commoilities of their traffic. The sheep Were supposed to have been stolen flour Earl Nelson's domain, close adjoining ; but as the marks were carefully obliterated, they could not be readily identified. The larder formed an inner apartment, and was perhaps the most curious. Timis being still snore fenced against wind and weather, and cool awl dry, was admirably adapted for the purposes intended. It was, moreover, well provisioned. Here were pans of fresh meat in salt, as much as two men could carry—bacon, cheese, bread, vegetables, and fruit of all descriptions, and a hare, evidently showing that a lengthened campaign was anticipated. On perceiving the strangers, the two fellows, who appeared rather drowsy over their culinary operations, attempted to make their es:ape by flight ; but in vain. On being captured, they informed Dowling, that had their gang been at home, the whole parish would not have taken them. The two men have been committed fur trial at the ensuing Marlborough Sessions. No further disclosures have as yet been made ; and although several suspicious characters have been seen lurking about, no further apprehensions have as yet taken place. The ' Great and Little Yews' is a singular plantation, chiefly yews, and covers about one hun- dred acres of ground ; situate in a most romantic part of the Downs, and seldom frequented except by the sportsman when pursuing his game ; and is so intersected with underwood, as to render it almost impervious by the foot of 1110." At a noted place called the Lucern spot, by Romney Warren, as twenty minutes after ten on Friday night, lust week, a man stationed on his guard on the beach, observed a boat making towards the land, which he hailed, and was answered that it was a collier's boat, and the men were going to Romney ; at the same instant, several men, armed with bats, inquired what boat it was ; then rushing upon him, endea- voured to secure him, to prevent an alarm being given ; but the man on guard got his pistol up and fired it off, when they beat him with their bludgeons in the most unmerciful manner, and secured all their cargo, except eight tubs, which were taken, together with one man by the name of Wimble, and have since been put on board a schooner and carried to Dover. The report of the pistol immediately brought assistance from the different stations, together with the mounted guard ; who, on finding their comrade so shamefully beaten, fired, and shot a man of the name of Catt, from Sussex, through the knee, and no doubt wounded many others. Various are the reports as to the number of goods run ; up- wards of two hundred tubs is supposed to be nearly the truth. tart is now lying at 27 Tower in a very dangerous state, having had his leg amputated ; and the recovery of the Coast Guard Mall is doubtful. It is calculated there were nearly one hundred of' the smugglers, a part of whom were armed with bats, several of which are now in possession of the Coast Guard.—Kentish Chronicle.
Each week brings its account of outrages committed in sonic part of the country by the military. The following is taken from the Kenii,/, Gazette. " Last Thursday week, a portion of the 84th Regiment of Ewe marched into Canterbury, from Deal ; and were quartered, as is the usual custom, upon the publicans. Several men received theii billets for the King's Arms Inn, St. Peter's ; and while there, conducted themselves is the most peaceable and becoming manlier. During the evening, five other soldiers, belonging to the 93d Highlanders, entered the taproom, and joined the party of new corners, and were apparently on friendly terms for some time : words, however, arose ; and the landlord anticipating the consequences, persuaded the 84th to retire to their room, in order to avoid a conflict. The men and their wives readily assented, leavins time 93d quarrelling with each other, one of them declaring he would fight before lie quitted the house ; and accordingly struck his comrade, when a general affray commenced in the dark, the gas having been pru- dently extinguished. One ruffian kicked another in a most unmerciful manner, and a second was so much injured, that he sat on the door-sill in the greatest agony, whilst the other three, who by this time had escaped into the streets flourishing their bayonets to the terror of the peaceable inhabitants, ran away at the call of ' watch,' towards St. Dunstan's. Mr. Gurney Croasdill happened to be passing the West. gate at the same instant that the men had made the spot, when one of them furiously ran at him with a drawn bayonet ; and had he not inured aside to avoid the scoundrel, he must have been killed, so determined was the aim. A constable and several other individuals, being apprised of the circumstance, sallied forth, and after a violent resistaiwe, rescued the bayonet. The soldiers escaped."
Some daring and experienced thief went on Monday last into the Hounslow Barracks, and made off with a pair of full-sized gold cavalry epaulettes.
A duel was fought a few days since at Teignmouth ; the combatants being a limb of the law, and a preacher, or one intending to he a preacher, of the gospel. The cause of quarrel between these spark-, who arc represented as having youth on their side, is said to be the very childish one of an accidental exchange of greatcoats, at a place of public resort. At five on the appointed morning, they proceeded to the as- signed spot ; where the reverend gentleman received the ball of his legal antagonist in the fleshy part of the thigh, and was borne off the ground ; the lawyer moving much more alertly in a different direction, and making himself scarce until the result is known.—larder Flyiuy Post.
On Saturday last, a party of thieves, consisting of five men and a boy, all wearing smock-frocks with bay bands on their hats, assaulted and robbed Mr. George Holmes, a medical student, residing in Everett Street, Russell Square, as he was walking from Stannurre to Barnet. The robbery was committed at twelve o'clock at noon, with aggravating circnmstances. Mr. Holmes inquired of one of the party the nearest road to Barnet. They pretended to show him a short cut across the fields, and said they were going the same way. As soon as they get a short distance from the road, one of the robbers struck him ; another knocked him down, and held a horse-pistol to his head, while ks watch, purse, gr.c. were taken from him. The smock-frocks were merely a disguise; for Mr. Holmes saw coats and trousers under theme, and has no doubt that the villains were regular London thieves.
At the Bolton Peck Sessions, on Monday last, three men were sum- moned for neglecting to attend divine worship on Sunday last. They all pleaded guilty, and were fined Is. each and t3s. costs. One of them said, if they would substitute eight days to the New Bailey for the line, he would go.—Manchester Chronicle.
The incendiaries have resumed their devastations in Berkshire. On Sunday morning, at an early hour, the corn-ricks on Mr. Manner Cole- man's Moor Farm, about four miles from Reading, were discovered to be on fire. Several bean, pea, and hay ricks, were entirely destroyed, and also a large quantity of live poultry, besides agricultural buildings; but the County Fire-office and the Reading engines were soon on the spot, and by great exertions five wheat-ricks were preserved.
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