ry ought not,
at the worst, to find a verdict for more than 1,700 pounds, alleging that
the remainder 2,300 pounds had been paid by him in wages for work done,
and materials used.

The jury, however, returned a verdict to the tune of 4,500, or 500 pounds
beyond the full sum paid him.

But, what said the judge? That "it was clear that the defendant had
undertaken more work than he could complete, and that he should not be
allowed to gratify with impunity, and to the injury of the plaintiffs,
his desire to realise in a few months a fortune which should only be the
result of the labour of years."

EXTRAORDINARY ACCIDENT.

Yesterday afternoon, as the Leeds train, which left that terminus at a
quarter-past one o'clock, was approaching Rugby, and within four miles of
that station, an umbrella behind the private carriage of Earl Zetland
took fire, in consequence of a spark from the engine falling on it, and
presently the imperial on the roof and the upper part of the carriage
were in a blaze. Seated within it were the Countess of Zetland and her
maid. The train was proceeding at the rate of forty miles an hour.
Under these circumstances, Her Ladyship and maid descended from the
carriage to the truck, when--despite the caution to hold on given by a
gentleman from a window of one of the railway carriages--the maid threw
herself headlong on the rail, and was speedily lost sight of. On the
arrival of the train at Rugby an engine was despatched along the line,
when the young woman was found severely injured, and taken to the
Infirmary at Leicester. Lady Zetland remained at Rugby, where she was
joined by His Lordship and the family physician last night, by an express
train from Euston-square. How long will railway companies delay
establishing a means of communication between passengers and the guard?

--_Times_, Dec. 9th, 1847.

PROVIDENTIAL ESCAPE.

On Monday, at the New Bailey, two men, named William Hatfield and Mark
Clegg, the former an engine-driver and the latter a fireman in the employ
of the London and North-Western Railway, were brought up before Mr.
Trafford, the stipendiary magistrate, and Captain Whittaker, charged with
drunkenness and gross negligence in the discharge of their duty. Mr.
Wagstaff, solicitor, of Warrington, appeared on behalf of the Company,
and from his statement and the evidence of the witnesses it appeared that
the prisoners