of his virtues, and the remembrance of years of intimacy passed in his instructive company. hairs should not descend to the grave without offering him a small testimony of their unbounded esteem, an esteem founded on his public and private actions. So numerous were those friends, that a very small sum of money from each individual purchased a most superb and massive silver vase, or cup, and in the month of March, 1808, Mr. Kent was solicited to dine with those friends at the Angel Inn, Norwich. Mr. Coke (who travelled all night from London) and more than one hundred Noblemen and Gentlemen of landed property, with the most distinguished Agriculturists, were present. After dinner, in an appropriate and energetic speech, the cup was presented. Suffice it to say, it was considered one of the most valuable gifts offered on any similar occasion. The sides were embossed with agricultural designs, and the handle of the cover was a whole equal balance. The words engraved on it stated that it was 66 given by the Land Occupiers in Norfolk, as a token of their private esteem, obtain Mr. Kent for a long time was a Member of the Norfolk Agricultural Society, and amongst the various opportunities which he embraced of giving stability, to such a beneficial association, in no one instance did he more truly shew his discriminating talent, as a judicious and liberal-minded man, or a more impartial decision between the landlord and the tenant, or a more earnest regard for the welfare of the Agricultural Interest, and more particularly of the members of that Society, than by the publication of his inestimable Letter on Leases. In it he considered Agriculture as the mother of all sciences, as it nourishes and supports all the rest. He stated that every labourer was worthy of his hire, and every farmer who employed his property in the cultivation of a farm, and devoted his time and indus-length figure of Justice, holding the try to the improvement of it, stood entitled to every reasonable encouragement from the landlord to whom he became a tenant. Mr. Kent was not only a strong advocate for leased by that upright and impartial con es, but also for long leases, contain- duct which for so many years had ing the most liberal clauses, adding distinguished his exemplary life, in the that the just equilibrium of interest discharge of his professional duties of which is so essential between the pro- a Land Steward, Valuer, and adviser prietor and occupier of the farm, -Those who heard Mr. Kent's reply ought to regulate the term; and that can best appreciate the vigour of his the two extremes laid between fourtalents even at that advanced age, the teen and twenty one years, shewing noble sentiments of his mind, and the that the estates would be well culti-manly and impressive eloquence which vated, in a state of progressive improvement, and the public markets benefited. Relative to such a landlord as Mr. Coke, and such tenants said Mr. Kent, the effect produced by granting leases, was confidence on the one side, and respect and attachment on the other-Mr. Kent's Norfolk friends, knowing that he had attained to the age of three-score years and ten, a period when human existence is not likely to be long protracted, determined that his grey ever flows from the spontaneous effusions of a grateful heart. His con cluding words were, " that the most gratifying reflections must arise to him, because he had received the approbation of the Landlord equally with the Tenant, and his last moments would be tranquilized by the remem brance of the magnificent gift confer ed on him, as the reward of his ir. tegrity. When," said he," that I am mouldered into dust, it will re main main in my family an heir-loom inestimable, for it will shew to my posterity the inducements to walk in the paths of honour, and to pursue those measures, and those alone, which contribute to the general benefit of Society." But this great man's talents were not solely estimated by Agriculturists, for Mr. Pitt had the highest opinion of his judgment, and in one particular instance he was closeted for three days with the Prime Minister, that he might answer many questions relative to the Income Tax. Mr. Kent finding Mr. Pitt had formed opinions erroneous and prejudicial to the agricultural Interest, relative to the pressure it could bear, convinced the Chancellor of the Exchequer of the oppressive burthen that interest must endure by his proposed ratio, and Mr. Kent fortunately prevented a measure which would not only have been fatal in its effects on individuals, but ultimately detrimental in the extreme to the welfare of the community. In short his whole life was passed in rendering services to others, to the very moment of his decease, in his 73d year; for, travelling in a post-chaise on business, he was found dead in the carriage, suffering no previous illness or pain; falling as it were into a happy sleep-waking in another and a better world. EXTRAORDINARY INSTANCES OF UN- The first happened in the year 1760. On the morning of the battle of Warburgh, in the last German war, a quarter-master of the 2d or Queen's dragoon guards a man of tried courage and long service, came to his Lieutenant's tent, and complained of unusual depression of spirits, from a certain presentiment that he would be killed on that day. The raillery of his officer, however, and the share of a tumbler of brandy and water, somewhat revived him, and he went to attend the arrangements of the troop with some degree of alacrity; he, however, returned a second time, and declared that he had vainly endeavoured to get the better of his first impression, that that day would be his last; but he was resolved to do his duty; he did so with his usual intrepidity, and was the only man killed of his quarter-rank in the first charge with the enemy. rican war. The second instance occurred when the North Gloucester regiment of Militia was encamped at Cox-heath, or Warley-common, during the AmeA private of that corps, who was appointed sentry at the commanding officer's tent, upon the next relief begged the serjeant would give him leave to exchange that duty with a comrade, to whom he had agreed to give a premium, for he had a dream that he would be shot upon that post. The improbability of such The greatest benefits result from the encouragement which such men give to stimulate industry and reward labour. The produce of the land is greatly increased, the toil of man and beast decreased, agricultural imple-a circumstance made the request so ments improved beyond description, ridiculous to the serjeant and all who the most useful knowledge dissemina- heard it, that they laughed him out ted, and a brilliant example shewn, of what they termed his extreme folworthy the imitation of every goodly; and though still dejected and unman. This is the conduct of a patriot and by all such characters, titles, will ever be pomp and power, neglected for thè more estimable and more lasting treasures of general admiration and universal esteem. easy in his mind, from the remembrance of his dream, the jokes of his comrades, and the expence in enga ging a substitute, overcame his reluctance to do his own duty. He ac cordingly took his station, and within the town of Eyrecourt. It appears that Mrs. M one of the sis ters of GE, Esq. a gentleman of considerable consequence, who has been, upon more occasions five minutes of being relieved, he was actually killed by a most singular chain of occurrences. An Ensign of the regiment had borrowed a gun on the preceding day, for the purpose of shooting birds in the neighbour-than one, a candidate for the Parlia hood. On his return to camp in the mentary representation of this counevening, his gun was loaded, and he ty, and who is, at this moment, a had cocked it, and was just in the act Lieutenant Colonel in the county of of pulling the trigger, when one of Galway militia, was found dead in her his companions suggested to him, own house on the 13th of November. that it would be very unmilitary to The Messrs. E (her brothers) fire off his piece within the lines of en- either suspecting, or perfectly satis campment: he therefore put it in his fied in their minds, that she had been marquee without uncocking it, de- murdered by Mr. M, her own signing to have it discharged and husband, caused him to be confined cleaned the next morning, before it to his house, in which the melancholy was sent home; but before he had catastrophe had occurred. The maid arisen in the morning his servant told servants of the house, three in num him that the owner had sent for the ber, they also caused to be apprehend gun; he then bid his servant deliver ed and confined in Bridewell, for the it to the messenger, and let him know purpose of compelling them to discohe intended to return it cleaned; but, ver the manner in which their mistress if he was in haste, he must take it in had come by her death, as she had the present state: the messenger pro- dined a short time previous to her de fessed haste, but yet from curiosity, cease, apparently in as good health as did not choose the nearest way to his she had ever enjoyed. A Coroner's master's house, but preferred the Inquest was holden on the body on road that led round the officer's street; the morning of the 14th (the day and just as he came in front of the after death), when the Jury after Colonel's marquee, put his finger up-having deliberated during the entire on the trigger not thinking the piece was cocked, and the whole charge lodged in the body of the sentinel, who expired without a groan. of that day, returned the verdict of "Sudden death!" If the object of the Jury in finding this singular and extraordinary verdict was to exculpate We cannot indeed conceive the Mr. M-- from the imputations purpose of these instances of fore- under which that unfortunate gentleknowledge, where fate is unavoidable, man laboured, the object was not acand no good effects are likely to be pro-complished. His liberation did not duced; yet we have records in all follow. The brothers of the deceasages, of inspirations of this descrip-ed had procured and brought forward tion; and we are surely not justified in contradicting the reality of occurrences because our perception is not equal to investigate their immediate tendency. SUSPECTED MURDER. The distressing and delicate subject to which we have to advert, is the violent and sudden death (we are at present unwilling to say murder) of a most respectable gentlewoman in evidence against the accused, clearer than that which they had previously submitted to the Jury, and had him continued in custody until the follow ing Saturday (the 7th) on which day he was to have been transmitted to this town under a strong military escort, to be confined in the county gaol, for the purpose of abiding his trial for the alleged murder; but at 11' o'clock on the morning of the last mentioned day, the prisoner effected his escape, and though immediate and worn a drapery of amber colour sati diligent search had been made, h hanging over the shoulders in front, has not since been discovered. It is or tied in a bow behind, which either said that a very young child of both way forms a pretty finish to the dress. parties, was the only witness to this It is made just to touch the ground melancholy tragedy, and this child, behind, and is bordered with a rich we understand, says that the death of satin of the same colour, edged with Mrs. M, who was far advanced beads. This truly elegant dress is in pregnancy, was occasioned by a worn over a white satin slip. The cap kick in the stomach which she receiv- is composed of amber plaited ribband ed from her Irusband, in consequence and lace, edged with vandyke lace, of some trifling altercation caused by tied in a bow on the left side, with a difference of opinion upon some im- amber flower in front. Necklace material subject of a domestic nature. and earrings of pearl. Amber satin We have also learned that Mr. Mshoes; white kid gloves; tippet of acknowledges that he was irritated to swansdown. give the fatal kick, but adds, that it happened on the morning of the day on which the lady died, and from thence infers that it did not cause her death; and in a letter which he wrote and left behind him, we understand he intimates his intention of coming forward in due time, to abide his trial. EXTRAORDINARY EAGLE. An eagle was shot a few days ago, on Tredake, Cornwall, whilst feeding on the carcase of a sheep. It was three feet long, from the extremities of its bill and tail. The expansion of its wings was six feet ten inches. Its body, neck, and head, were brown; their plumage elegantly variegated with shades of darker brown. When examined, the feathers on its head and neck were narrow and sharp pointed, and white, except their points, which were very brown. The feathers on its body were white diversified with pale brown; their extremities dark brown. The feathers in the pinions of its wings were black; those next to them brown, and the rest white, here and there shaded with pale brown; their extremities dark brown. The feathers almost all white, spotted, partially, in its tail were fourteen inches long, with light brown; their extremities very dark brown. Its thighs were covered with reddish brown feathers, and its legs partly with feathers of the same colour. its feet were yellow; its toes armed with long, curved, black talons. Its bill was curved and black, and from the appearance of its bill, taloas, and feathers the bird was young. : |