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122] Annual Register 
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of free and accepted masons attended the ceremony; as did likewise the dean, most of the prebends, and many of the neighbouring gentlemen. 
19th.  This day Jacob Benider was introduced to his majesty, as minister from the Emperor of Morocco.  The letter which he then had the honour to present to his majesty, was to the following effect:--" The bearer of this imperial letter, is Jacob, son of Abram Benider, a person equally beloved by his sovereign and his country, and who has your majesty's interests truly at heart.  I have entrusted him with full powers to treat, and, from his knowledge of public affairs, and his attention to our mutual interests, I trust your majesty will give him that degree of credit which his fidelity to me, and inclinations to serve you, justly merit. He is particularly acquainted with the motives of this embassy, which regard your consul's withdrawing himself from Teruan, in a manner so contrary to the established usages on such occasions. I have sent him to your majesty, because I know he has ability to serve both you and me." 
    At the assizes held at Bury St. Edmond's, an elderly gentleman of an opulent fortune, was tried for enticing a girl into his garden, and attempting to injure her: he was found guilty, and fined 400l.
21st. The water in the Thames was so remarkably low in the afternoon, that people might have waded across from Pepper-alley-stairs to the opposite shore, without danger of drowning.
    From the Vistula, July 12. Advices from Sniatyn, in Pocutia, mention a melancholy event that 

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has spread a general consternation. In the year 1770, when the pestilence raged with the utmost violence, a rich Jew, who had quitted Jassy[[Iași]], took the road to that town, where they refused him admittance; he resolved then to settle with his family in a forest distant only one mile from the town; there he died, and all his people also, except one valet, whose strength of constitution overcame the contagion. The Jew on his arrival in the forest buried his treasure, and several pounds of infected coral. The domestic knew this: when he recovered his strength, he removed from the spot where the dead bodies were deposited, in order to avoid the dismal fight, and also to seek a more wholesome air, fully resolved to return soon to dig up his treasure: he was met by some soldiers who enlisted him; he deserted the beginning of the spring of this year, and immediately repaired to the place where the treasure was hidden; and, digging up the gold, and as much of the coral as he could carry, he repaired to Sniatyn, where he sold some of the coral to a brother Jew. The purchase proved fatal; the Jew's family soon died of the plague, the news took air, and the house was burnt, but the infection could not be restrained; it spread, and continued to rage with great violence when the letters that brought this account were written.
    By accounts from the Archipelago, it was computed that no less than 700 houses have been destroyed in the islands of that sea, since Christmas last, by earthquakes, and that 5000 inhabitants have perished. 
    One Nicholas Goldsmith, a cowherd,

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herd, in Saxe Gotha, was lately broke upon the wheel there, for the murder of children, whom he had killed and eaten. There was a cave near his cottage in which he cooked and feasted on the flesh of the unhappy victims; and before he was discovered he had made away with no less than fifteen, which he confessed at the place of execution. Another herdsman traced him to his cave, and caught him in the fact, and gave information against him to a magistrate, by which his inhuman cruelty was detected.
    The lords of the admiralty surveyed Greenwich Hospital, and discharged several who had not a right to that charity. In 1742 a like survey was made by Sir Charles Wager, when 800 persons were discharged, among whom were footmen, coachmen, and other menial servants. 

Extract of a Letter from Amsterdam, dated August 7.
    "About five years ago a Greek gentleman named Gregory Suffras, came from Ispahan, in Persia, and brought with him an extraordinary large diamond, weighing 779 carats, which he deposited in the Bank here till he could meet with a purchaser, and has lately sold it to the Empress of Russia for 1,200,000 Florins, which is upwards of 100,000l. sterling, and an annual pension of 4000 rubles; and about the middle of last July, this valuable jewel was shipped on board a vessel for Petersbourg, which passed the Sound the 21st of last month. 550,000 Florins were insured on it in this country, and the same sum in London."
    Richard Chiswell, Esq; a mer-

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 chant of this city, who died a few days ago, has left the following charities by his will, viz. to the poor of Hackney, 20l. to the poor of the parish of Finchfield in Essex, 20l. to the poor of Dibden in Essex, 30l. to Morden college on Blackheath, 100l. to the four hospitals of St. Thomas in the Borough, the London, Christ, and St. Bartholomew's, 100l. each.
    By the will of the late John Calcrast, Esq; who died in the 46th year of his age, it appears that he has left to his brother the colonel, and his heirs male lawfully begotten, several of his estates in Lincolnshire; and several others in the same county to his sister Mrs. Lucas (the wife of Anthony Lucas Esq; a commissioner of excise) and their heirs male, who are to take and bear the name and arms of Calcrast.
    To his eldest son Henry Calcrast (by Mrs. Bellamy) 5000l. and (to his executors in trust for him till he attains the age of 21) all his other estates in Kent, Essex, Somersetshire, and Dorsetshire.
    To Elizabeth Calcrast his daughter (by Mrs. Bellamy) 5000l. and the reversion of the Lincolnshire estates, in case of default of issue male in the family of Colonel Calcrast, or Mr. Lucas.
    To his three sons and a daughter, by Miss Bride, 10,000l. each, and 10,000l. to the child, if she is pregnant at his death. 
    To Miss Bride 3000l. a clear annuity for her life of 1000l. and another of 500l. to expire on her marriage, or the arrival at age of the youngest child.
    To the male children by Miss Bride, the enjoyment, according to seniority, of all the estates which he 

Transcription Notes:
---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-05-12 07:20:31 ---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-05-12 12:21:28 ---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-05-12 13:18:42 ---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-05-12 10:31:56 ---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-05-12 13:02:47 I re-edited the right column on page 123.