Page 136 - Reading Mercury

Sets out every morning at even o’clock, (Sundays excepted) and returns from the
Bolt and Ton, Fleet-street, the same day, at one; calls at the Gloucester Coffee-House,
and Black Bear, Piccadilly, both going in and coming out of London.
The Proprietors beg leave to assure the public that the utmost pains will be taken to
accommodate them in every respect
JOSEPH GRAVE and Co., Proprietors

th
Mon 16 Dec
Wokingham Academy
Mr. Broom, after many years experience, as an Assistant in some of the first public
and private Seminaries about the Metropolis, proposes to open a respectable
Academy, for the reception of Young Gentlemen, immediately after the Christmas
recess; and has engaged a house replete with every accommodation for the purpose,
pleasantly situate in Broad-street, and lately in the occupation of George Whitelocke,
Esq.
Here the pupils will be educated in every useful and polite branch of literature on an
extensive and liberal plan; and one great object constantly in view at this Seminary,
will be, to eradicate every growing evil, to form dispositions, to direct their tender
minds to sound morality, and to inculcate principles of virtue, which must ultimately
be productive of the happiest effect, by endearing them to those of their nearest
connections, and rendering them worthy citizens, and valuable members of society.
Mr. Broom flatters himself that the system of education he means to adopt will give
general satisfaction.
Wokingham, it may be said, is one of the best situations for health in the kingdom.

rd
Mon 23 Dec
DREADFUL CATASTROPHE
Leghorn, Nov 27.
Yesterday we witnessed one of the most dreadful catastrophes. The Scipio, a French
ship of 74 guns, carrying 600 men, (one of those which surrendered at Toulon, and
sent out for provisions) which was laying at anchor at this port with the British
squadron under the command of Admiral Colby, became a prey to the flames. At
three o’clock in the afternoon large volumes of black smoke rising from all parts of
the ship, were the fore runners of the flames which began to break forth a few
moments after. The crew who were almost all on board of her, and had not the
smallest suspicion of any accident, finding they could not withstand the rage of the
fire, mostly flung themselves through the flames into the sea, every one striving to
escape with his life. Mean while a great number of the jolly boats belonging to the
British, Swedish, and Neopolitan men of war, picked up many of the unfortunate
sufferers, and a great number of dead bodies were afterwards taken up, suffocated and
drowned.
The rest, being invalids, or willing to extinguish the flame, which began to spread in
every part, fell victims.
About four o’clock all the rigging and masts were set on fire; the port holes of the
cannon resembled so many furnaces issuing a fiery Java. The guns, loaded either with
grape shot or ball, went off, and threatened to set fire to the rest of the shipping.
Rear Admiral Cosby finding the squadron of his Britannic Majesty too near the
French ship, and exposed to the most imminent danger, immediately sailed from the
harbour. Shortly after, the French ship bore away from her anchors, all on fire;

134