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fearing these young men were come to beat up their quarters, deserted their necessary posts, which were immediately taken possession of, notwithstanding they were much annoyed, by reason of several stinkpots, that had been flung there the same morning.

of

[From the barleymow near the barn, August the 3d.] It was yesterday rumoured, that there was heard a mighty squeaking near this place, as of an army mice, who were thought to lie in ambuscade in the said mow. Upon this, the farmer assembled together a council of neighbours, wherein it was resolved, that the mow should be removed, to prevent the farther destruction of the forage. This day the affair was put in execution; four hundred and seventynine mice, and three large rats, were killed, and a vast number wounded, by pitchforks and other instruments of husbandry. A mouse, that was close pursued, took shelter under Dolly's petticoats; but, by the vigilance of George Simmons, he was taken, as he was endeavouring to force his way through deep morass, and crushed to death on the spot. There was nothing material happened the next day, only Cicily Hart was observed to make water under the said mow, as she was going a milking.

[From the great yard, August the 2d.

It is very credibly reported, that there is a treaty of marriage on foot between the old red cock and the pied hen, they having of late appeared very much in publick together: he yesterday made her a present of three barleycorns, so that we look on this affair as concluded. This is the same cock, that fought a duel for her about a month ago.

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[From the 'squire's house.]

On Sunday last there was a noble entertainment in our great hall, where were present the parson and the farmer the parson eat like a farmer, and the farmer like a parson: we refer you to the curious in calculations, to decide which eat most.

It is reported, that the minister christened a male child last week, but it wants confirmation.

[From the justices meeting, August the 7th.]

This day a jackdaw, well known in the parish, was ordered close prisoner to a cage, for crying" Cuckold" to a justice of the quorum; and, the same evening, certain apples, for hissing in a disrespectful manner as they were roasting, were committed to lamb's wool. The same day the said justices caused a pig to be whipped to death, and eat the same, being convicted of squeaking on the 10th of June.

[From the church, August the 8th.]

Divine service is continued in our parish as usual, though we have seldom the company of any of the neighbouring gentry; by whose manner of living it may be conjectured, that the advices from this place are not credited by them, or else regarded as matters of little consequence.

[From the churchyard, August the 8th.]

The minister, having observed his only daughter to seem too much affected with the intercourse of his bull and the cows of the parish, has ordered the ceremony for the future to be performed, not in his own court, but in the churchyard: where, at the first

solemnity

solemnity of that kind, the grave-stones of John Fry, Peter How, and Mary d'Urfey were spurned down. This has already occasioned great debates in the vestry, the latter being the deceased wife of the singing clerk of this place.

[Casualties this week.]

Several casualties have happened this week, and the bill of mortality is very much increased. There have died of the falling sickness two stumbling horses, as also one of their riders. Smothered (in onions) seven rabbits. Stifled (in a soldier's breeches) two geese. Of a sore throat, several sheep and calves at the butchers. Starved to death, one bastard child, nursed at the parish charge. Stillborn, in eggs of turkeys, geese, ducks, and hens, thirty-six. Drowned, nine puppies. Of wind in the bowels, five bottles of smallbeer. I have not yet seen the exact list of the parishclerk; so that, for a more particular account, we refer you to our next.

We have nothing material as to the stocks, only that Dick Adams was set in them last Sunday for swearing.

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GENERAL CONSTERNATION OF ALL RANKS AND DEGREES OF MANKIND,

ON

TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY, AND FRIDAY LAST.

ON Tuesday the 13th of October, Mr. Whiston held his lecture, near the Royal Exchange, to an audience of fourteen worthy citizens, his subscribers and constant hearers. Beside these, there were five chance auditors for that night only, who had paid their shillings apiece. I think myself obliged to be very particular in this relation, lest my veracity should be suspected; which makes me appeal to the men, who were present; of which number, I myself was Their names are,

one.

Henry Watson, haberdasher.
George Hancock, druggist.
John Lewis, drysalter.

William Jones, cornchandler.

Henry

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Mr. Whiston began by acquainting us, that (contrary to his advertisement) he thought himself in duty and conscience obliged to change the subject matter of his intended discourse.-Here he paused, and seemed, for a short space, as it were, lost in devotion and mental prayer; after which, with great earnestness and vehemence, he spake as follows:

"Friends and fellow-citizens, all speculative science " is at an end: the period of all things is at hand; " on Friday next this world shall be no more. Put "not your confidence in me, brethren; for to-morrow "morning, five minutes after five, the truth will be "evident; in that instant the comet shall appear, of " which I have heretofore warned you. As ye have "heard, believe. Go hence, and prepare your "wives, your families, and friends, for the universal "change."

At this solemn and dreadful prediction, the whole

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