Never assume

A fatal accident occurred to Mr. Lowndes, Judge of the Liverpool County Court. As the Seacombe steamer neared the landing-stage, at 10 o'clock at night, for the purpose of landing her passengers, a gentleman was observed to step towards the gangway, imagining, apparently, that the usual bar was stretched across the gap in the bulwark. He fell into the water and was carried away by the tide, which here runs with great rapidity. Observing the danger of his father, Mr Lowndes, jun., instantly plunged into the river in a brave but unhappily futile attempt to save his father's life. Intense anxiety prevailed on board amidst the darkness, but boats immediately put off from the landing-stage, and, after some time, succeeded in picking up the son; but Mr. Lowndes, sen., was lost.