ENGLISH EXTRACTS.

New Zealand Gazette and Wellington Spectator, Volume IV, Issue 329, 2 March 1844, Page 4

ENGLISH EXTRACTS.

The lovers of literature and admirers of one of the greatest living ornaments will be gratified to learn that "Washington Irving has succeeded to a large fortune, which has been bequeathed to him by one of the Society of Friends, to whom the distinguished American author was personally unknown. Mr. Irving, in consequence, intends immediately to relinquish his appointment as American minister at Madrid, where, we here, his health has

suffered materially since his recent residence in that capital.

The lamentable disturbances in Wales, committed by parties disguised as women,* and known as " Rebecca and her daughters," continued to an alarming extent. At first, they confined themselves to the destruction of toll-gates at which excessive tolls were charged, but, gathering courage from the impunity with which they committed ontrages, latterly they have taken upon themselves the right, after the O'Connell fashion, of settling disputes about rents and tithes. Several encounters between Rebeccaites and the police had taken place, and two murders had been committed.

Cure for Corns. — The following remedy is said to infallible, and costs nothing in pain or money. Soak the foot affected in warm water for half an hour or so, until the corn is somewhat softened — then pare it down as much as possible, and put a little common soap, say on going to bed which should be confined to the part affected by a rag or cot. In two or three days a complete cure will be effected.

Curious Fact. — For several days the Artesian well of Grenelle has thrown up small black fishes, whtch have no apparent eyes. This phenomenon was observed last year at the same period. The Academy of Sciences had ordered a report to be made on that extraordinary fact.

The foreign news was unimportant. In America, trade was brisk. In Spain, the new Government remained in a very precarious state. In France, the only topic of discussion appears to be the sayings and doings of the Queen during her visit to that country.

A Curious Raffle. — A notice, of which the following is a copy, was recently posted in the window of a public-house at Bromley. Middlesex : — " A coffin to be raffled on tomorrow evening, w August 8, 1843./ The raffle came off on the evening appointed, and the winner took home the coffin, which had been made for another person, and turned out a misfit, for the double purpose of making a cupboard of it during his lifetime, and a repository for his remains after death.

A mighty bio Repealer. — At a meeting of the Dublin Repeal Association on Monday, (June 3,) Mr. C. Freeman, the American Giant, was admitted an associate amid thunders of applause. Truth. — The greatest friend of Truth is time, her greatest enemy is Prejudice, and her constant companion is Humility. — Cotton.