MAGISTRATES AND COMMISSIONERS.

One of the happiest events, for the tranquillity and sober regulation of this place, has occurred since our former publication. We allude to the reconciliation dinner, which was given by the Local Commission to the Magistrates, a short time since; and at which the Dean of Hereford, a principal object of whose life has been to restore "Peace and good will," where their opposites had shewn themselves, presided. A more exhilarating and harmonious meeting than this was, is not upon record. It has been said, that a generous spirit ever derives satisfaction in having a something to forgive; and that feeling was never more universally apparent than in the instance named. Perhaps, in the regretted differences which had existed with the local authorities, but which are now no more, all, at intervals, might have erred--but, be that as it may, all were decidedly right, in ending them, and giving to revived friendship and the best intentions, the most complete and undivided dominion. The words cited by Sir David Scott on the occasion, in reference to the authorities of the place, as the pivot upon which the reciprocity of public advantage must turn, we trust, in their application, will long be recollected-and that, for an uninterrupted succession of years, it will continue to be between them, "A long pull, a strong pull, and a pull altogether."

A morning paper, celebrated for its communications, under the head "Brighton," though evidently penned in London, which accounts for its glaring inaccuracies on almost all matters said

to have been occurrent with us, on Wednesday, the 4th inst. in one of its town-fabricated epistles, after indulging in its hacknied strain of falshood and scandal, very sapiently remarked, that, "During the last week we have had some fine weather, with occasional gleams of sunshine; but in the more elevated parts of the town, and ESPECIALLY ON THE MARINE-PARADE, the cold has been intense." Now, had the writer of the above article been in Brighton, or but moderately acquainted with the place, he must have known that the Marine-parade is the warmest site in the whole town entirely sheltered from the north, northeast, and north-west winds, and open to the reflected rays of the sun on the liquid glassy surface of the channel southward, light spring dresses are often worn there, when the heaviest mantles and roquelaures have been in common use in every other quarter of the place. We instance the above to expose the deccptions intended, and to shew, that in all matters relative to our internal condition and affairs, that the paper alluded to, in its reports, in nowise regards it as essential, that they should be even in the most distant alliance with truth.

LOCAL INFORMATION.

At the late Reconciliation dinner, at the Old Ship, J. M. Cripps, Esq. took occasion to advert to the improvements going on to the North of the town, including tea and pleasure gardens, saloons, grottoes, perpetual fountains, bowling-greens, aviaries, vistas for promenades, a spacious cricket-ground, and a long et cætera, as highly advantageous to the common interests of the town, in desirably adding to the amusements of its patrons, and concluded an apt succession of pithy remarks, by eulogising the perseverance and well directed spirit of the projector of the

whole, Mr. Ireland, and pronouncing him, in the said undertaking, as not only meriting the thanks of his townsmen, but also the undivided support of the nobility and gentry, with that of the trading population of Brighton. Since the above event, his Majesty has condescended to permit the plan of the Gardens, &c. spoken of by Mr. Cripps, to be laid before him, when, not only did his Majesty express approbation of the design, but, with that readiness which has ever distinguished him, when any part of the common interests of this place has appeared as needing royal countenance, he also was graciously pleased to grant permission that, when ready for public accommodation, they should be opened, and continued, as under the protecting favor of his august support.

THE ILL-FATED MR. WILLIAMS.-CORONER'S INQUEST.-On the 24th Feb. an inquest was held at the White Horse Inn, at Rottingdean, on view of the body of Mr. Edward Williams, who had been missing from his lodgings here, from the preceding Thursday se'night, and of whom no intelligence could be gained, until his remains were floated to shore by the tide, near Portobello, on the Sunday, ten days after the time specified. The suposition of the friends of the deceased, was, that he had been murdered-nor was that impression done way, by the extraordinary and unexpected situation in which the body had been discovered. The first witnesses proved the finding of the body, nearly naked, and its removal to Rottingdean. The next shewed the manner in which the deceased had passed the afternoon and evening with them, and to a late hour of the night in which he had disappeared; but which involved nothing material, excepting that the deceased had quarrelled with a female, at a house of ill fame, and that the latter had thrown dirt at him, on his last leaving her in the street, because he had neglected to give her a pecuniary compensation for the time she had passed with him. Nothing came out in evidence, to shew that the deceased had been on the beach, or had evinced a disposition to go there, nor in any way to lead even to a surmise as touching the cause of the situation in which his remains had been found; and much less did it go to prove, that mental abstraction, or an inclination to commit suicide had ever existed with him. The surgeons who had examined the body, three in number, gave testimony to a similar effect-the first, Mr. Sutton, deposed, that he considered the appearances of the corpse as incompatible with the ordinary condition of bodies, after drowning, and continued immersion, such as was supposed to attach to the instance in question. Here the common changes were pointed out, and the total absence of them with the deceased. All the ribs on the left side, then continued Mr. Sutton, were fractured; the scalp was removed from the anterior part of the head, and thrown back; the nose, and several of the teeth were broken, and the lips

particularly injured. The arms, legs, and thighs, he concluded, appeared as if they had been forcibly grasped and bruised, while the blood had continued in a vital state. Mr. Tilt, unequivocally asserted, it was his fixed belief, that no accidental fall, could, from the elasticity of the ribs, have produced the degree of multilation which there existed; the ribs, he said, were literally broken to pieces, and which nothing but an uniform pressure, or a continued repetition of force could so have effected. A cut on the breast of the deceased, though not sufficent to cause death, this gentleman was also of opinion, did not bear a character of accident about ii-it seemed to have been inflicted by some sharp cutting instrument. Mr. Ivory, the third surgeon's deposition, was in ample corroboration of the two former. The Coroner then summed up, in which he observed, that lunacy, or the crime of felo-de-se, in no wise appeared to him as deducible from any part of the evidence. The Jury having retired, in a few minutes returned, and gave in their verdict, ACCIDENTALLY DROWNED!— which verdict was recorded! We have too much respect for Juries wantonly to impugn their findings-and we regret, as in the present instance, that any circumstance should occur, to apparently justify a dissent to such decisions in any part of the British public and yet that dissents have existed and do exist, it would be useless in us to deny ; but as to their accuracy, or the want of it, our readers must draw their own conclusions.

Since writing the above, the remains of Mr Williams, which had been buried in our church-yard, have been disinterred, and again submitted to the inspection of the surgeons. In the latter instance the body was opened, and hurts internally discovered, supposed to have been inflicted, prior to death, and which have strengthened the suspicion that the deceased was murdered. The magistrates, in consequence, have addresed a letter to the Secretary of State, involving a request that his Majesty's free pardon should be granted to any one concerned in the bloody deed, excepting its actual perpetrator, who should make discovery thereof and that a pecuniary reward, to forward the ends of justice, should be added to the inducement. We may have it in our power, therefore, to make some more assential communications upon the melancholy affair, in our next number.

For the amusements of our sporting amateurs, Foxhounds and harriers, in this vicinity, continue, Sunday excepted, to throw off every day in the week.

The Local Catch and Glee Club was numerously attended at the Golden Cross Inn, at their last meeting, on Tuesday evening, and truly harmonious was the treat enjoyed-but the founder of the Club, the respected Incledon, was again absent, owing to indisposition.

EXTRAORDINARY OCCURRENCE.---On Thursday, as late as nearly midnight, as a gentleman, named Schwitzer, was passing from

the Marine-parade, to his Tavern, the Old Thip, he was accosted near the Gun Inn, by a stranger, who requested to be directed his road to the Steyne. The request was readily complied with ; but as Mr. S. was in the act of extending his arm, to point out the route which the stranger should take, he received a blow on the eye, which brought him to the ground. Stunned, for a moment, he knew not where he was, and on recovering his feet, found himself alone, enduring much pain, and the blood flowing freely from the wound he had received. He had a valuable watch, and other property about him, not an atom of which was touched. Who the man was that struck him, he can form no conjecture, though he believes he should know him were he to see him again. Mr. S. has been under medical hands ever since. It is difficult to account for such a wanton and fiend-like act of barbarity.

Since our late publication, there have been pleasing entertainments at the York and Gloucester Hotels, each consisting of a ball and supper, planned for, and supported by, a select number of the resident tradesfolks. The first took place at the York Hotel, and cheerful and brilliant was the scene exhibited. That at the Gloucester Hotel included the junior branches of our resident establishments---the former, the greater number of the heads of families. It was the first fete of the kind ever attempted at the latter place. It will long be recollected. It was prettily managed---nothing was wanting that could add to its interest--the supper viands, without extravagance, exhibited profusion--the decorations of the tables combined elegance with simplicity--and, throughout the night, youth and buoyant spirits, delighted feelings, and hearts responsive to the beat of innocent recreation, were in close and constant alliance. Both entertainments are to have a plurality of repetitions.

THE BRIGHTON CHAIN PIER.---The Shear, for driving the fourth, and last cluster of piles, of the intended suspension chain pier, is planted; this last group will terminate the extremity of the pier, in length, about a thousand feet, from high water mark. It is probable, that the equinoctial gales, together with the full of the tides, (said by mathematicians to be highest about the vernal equinox) may partially interrupt the progress of the works, which have hitherto been so indefatigably and perseveringly carried on, in defiance of the opposing elements.