"On Wednesday sen'night, about nine o'clock, a desperate attack was made by a party of smugglers on the person of Lieutenant Ross, the officer in command of the Dover Station Blockade Service. The object of the smugglers was to prevent any interference in the landing of a large quantity of contraband goods, which was taking place not far off, and successfully accomplished, with the loss of only one bale of silk left in the boat, which was afterwards captured. Lieutenant Ross was savagely beaten by five or six of the smugglers, under the very windows of the magistrates, on the Marine Parade, some of whose servants, we understand, looked on the affray without offering the least assistance. At length, the servant of Sir Hussey Vivian coming up, the fellows made off, and Lieutenant Ross discharged his pistol after them, the ball from which passed through the window of a house opposite, but fortunately without injury to any of the inmates. It is quite time that an ample reduction of duty on foreign articles should put an end to the 'giant evil' of smuggling--nothing else can stop it; and, until it is done, the demoralization and irregular habits of the lower class will necessarily increase." The third case is taken from the _Western Times_, and has rather a comic side to it-- "HOAX ON LORD ROLLE. "A few days since notices were sent to Lord Rolle that Mr. Swing was in his neighbourhood; that on a given night there would be farmhouses pulled down, ricks of corn burnt, and threshing-machines destroyed; that the labourers would assemble in organized masses; in fact, the neighbourhood of Bicton would be subject to Swing law. Lord Rolle very wisely received this advice with proper caution. All the Preventive Service men from Salterton and Exmouth, and all the crew of the cutter in the harbour were summoned to Bicton, where a large quantity of beef and good cheer was provided. The Preventive men ate the Baron's beef, and all seemed to enjoy the good cheer of the evening, which was kept up with great hilarity. On that very night a large quantity of brandy was landed on the coast. It is suspected that one or two of the smugglers got themselves sworn in as special constables, and enjoyed the baronial munificence, as spies, for the purpose of keeping the Preventive men quiet, while their companions were running, undisturbed, their cargo on the beach." But this was peddling work compared with that reported in the _Times_ of August 15, 1831-- "GREAT SEIZURE OF SILKS.