50 YEARS AGO:</;p> ON Thursday last, a woman in Sidbury, disordered in mind, chopped off her left hand, which was done with surprising resolution, she not entirely effecting it till after three or four strokes.

Being asked the reason for so desperate an act, she quoted these words of Scripture: "If thy hand offend thee, cut it off and cast it from thee."

She is now in our infirmary and as well as can be expected.

* On Monday last, one Adams, a young woman of Broadway, having had some words with her father and being uneasy at her brother's enlisting as a soldier at Evesham, took a large dose of yellow arsenic.

The next morning she made known what she had done but though all possible means were made use of to save her life, she died early yesterday.

200 YEARS AGO: TO show how extremely careful and vigilant parents and those who have care of children should be and that everything dangerous to their safety should be put out of their way, the following case which came before our coroner last week will suffice.

A glass phial was placed in a lodging room, containing a proper medicine for the father to take, who was ill.

The son, an infant not two years-old, whilst alone took the phial and drank part of it which operated so violently as to occasion the infant's death in a few hours.

The inquest jury returned a verdict of accidental death.

* Yesterday, His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester arrived in this city and, after alighting at the Hop Pole Inn, Foregate Street, visited the Cathedral.

The Royal Duke immediately afterwards set off on a visit to the Right Hon Lord Foley at Witley where it is understood he will stay till Friday.

150 YEARS AGo:THE American circus. Messrs. Howes and Cushing's equestrian troupe visited the city on Monday last and performed twice in a capacious tent erected in Sansome Fields.

They previously paraded the principal streets, attracting immense crowds by the novelty of driving 40 in hand.

The horses, which were attached to a large musical instrument styled the Apollonicon, were ranged four abreast and were much admired for symmetry and colour. The so-called Arab and Indian performers came in for a full share of curiosity, the latter were, however, thought somewhat too profuse of paint. An accident unfortunately occurred. While turning sharply the corner of Messrs Eaton's shop, the Apollonicon came within a few inches of the shop door, and a crowd on the pavement were thrown into indescribable confusion. Several persons were crushed and a boy named Thrupp had one of his feet badly hurt. The horses broke loose and started up Friar Street. A bread cart belonging to Mr Walters, baker, was overturned and the boy who was with it was also knocked down but escaped with a shaking. The horses were stopped near the city gaol. The circus performances in the spacious tent were well attended, the one in the evening attracting not less than 5,000 persons with others unable to gain admittance.

100 YEARS AGO:ON Saturday, whilst a girl named Alice Loxley, aged 12, of 10 Court, Copenhagen Street, was leaning over the wall near Worcester bridge, her shoe came off and in trying to regain it, she fell into the river.

At some risk, because there was a considerable stream at the time, John Lalley, a Dolday coal carter, plunged after the girl, and another man on the bank also went to his assistance.

Lalley reached the child but he was at once in difficulties. Noticing the danger, Harry Taylor of Manchester immediately swam to the spot and succeeded in rescuing both the girl and Lalley.

In the excitement of the moment, Mr Taylor slipped away but police sergeant Miller traced him by the trail of his wet clothes to a bedroom at the Swan Inn, Lowesmoor.

He was thanked for his courageous act.