SHORT NEWS ARTICLES.
________
 
SIR J. H. LOWTHER, BART
 
 
    Sir J. H. LOWTHER, Bart., of Swillington  Hall, Yorkshire has generously
sent this town a quantity of ox beef, of  excellent quality, to be distributed
gratuitously amongst the poor at this  season of festivity and hospitality.
 
-Leeds Mercury.
 
*************************
 
PENRITH FAT FAIR
____
 
    There was a larger number of sheep shown  on Monday last than is usual,
and these sold slowly at from 4 1/2d to 5 1/2d per  pound, according to the
quality. There were very few cattle, which sold at from  23s 6d to 24s per stone.
 
 
******************************
 
GENERAL TOM THUMB
AND THE INCOME TAX.
______
 
    While the General was at Glasgow, he was  called upon to return his
income, but not having done so, the commissioners have  put it down at £25,000 a
year, and charged him £729. The General resists the  demand.
 
 
**********************************
 
THE QUEEN DOWAGER.
____________
 
 
    Eight hundred families in the  neighbourhood of Hampton-Court, Hampton,
New Hampton, and Teddington, receive by  the kind charity of her Majesty the
Queen DOWAGER, three pounds of beef, and two  quartern loaves each every
Christmas. This welcome gift was distributed  yesterday.
 
 
*****************************