"A curious matter was heard yesterday before the Borough Police, respecting the wife of a gentleman at Sheerness, who had eloped with a black servant. They were pursued to the Nags Head in the Borough on Sunday, where _Blackey_ fired a pistol at his pursuers, for which he was taken up and committed. The Lady had two children by her husband. The matter, we understand is _made up_."--(_Times, Feb. 11, 1794._) * * * * * "The manner in which the _Black_ business was settled, in the Borough, was this:--The husband took her two children, and all the property he found in the coach, desired his wife to go where she pleased, (after she said she'd live with no one but the Black) and _Mungo_ was taken by a press gang, and put on board the tender."--(_Times, Feb. 12, 1794._) * * * * * "Monday last two Bailiff's followers made a seizure for rent at a house in Kingswood, near Bristol: an alarm being given, they were surrounded by a number of colliers, who conveyed them to a neighbouring coal-pit, and let them down, where they were suffered to remain till about two the next morning, when they were had up, and, each having a glass of gin, and some gingerbread, given him, were immersed again into the dreary bowels of the earth, where they were confined, in all, near twenty four hours. On being released they were made to pay a fine of 6s. 8d. each, for their lodging, and take an oath never to trouble, or molest, any of them again."--(_Times, April 25, 1795._) * * * * * "The friends of an apprentice to a stocking-weaver, at Lambeth, brought the lad to this office (Public Office, Bow St.) to shew one of the modes of punishment adopted by the master, when the boys committed any fault. It consisted of an iron collar, fastened round the neck, by a padlock. The lad said that he had worn it for above a month, and that he understood it was his master's intention he should wear it till he was out of his time. The master living in the county of Surrey, Mr Bond could not interfere in the business, but advised the parties to go to Union-Hall, in the Borough. The master of the apprentice alluded to, we understand, has got between 60 and 70 boys, most of whom he has had from the different workhouses in the county of Surrey."--(_Times, Aug. 27, 1795._) * * * * *