PETERSFIELD.
A MELANCHOLY AND AWFULLY SUDDEN DEATH.—One of those sad instances verifying the sacred truism, that “in the midst of life we are in death,” occurred at Hawkley during the early part (it is believed) of Wednesday night last. The solemn facts in relation to the case are as follows:— Mr. John Bennett, a hale and healthy man, aged 57 years, a farmer residing at Hawkley, about four miles from this town, attended, as was his usual custom, the market held on that day. Having transacted his business he left in his cart, accompanied by his brother George, and returned to his home to dinner. After partaking of his tea he went a short distance to see about some shearers, and upon his return he complained to his sister of not being quite the thing, and became a little sick. He then sat down in his chair and partook of some brandy, when, after a little time, he said he felt better, and by the advice of his sister he went to his bed. About nine o’clock his sister went to his room, to whom he said he was better, upon which, soon after, the inmates retired to rest; but not being up according to his usual custom, being an early riser, his sister went to his room, when, receiving no answer as to how he was, she discovered that he was dead, and lying exactly in the same easy posture when she saw him the previous night, apparently without the least movement having occurred, and having been dead for some hours.